1 Corinthians 2:1-8

1When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.

2For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

3I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling.

4And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

5I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

6Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.

7No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began.

8But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord.