So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people ¹  because ²  all sinned –

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless. ¹ 

When I came ¹  to you, brothers and sisters, ²  I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony ³  of God.

My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory.

In no way did I mean the immoral people of this world, or the greedy and swindlers and idolaters, since you would then have to go out of the world.

For just as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body – though many – are one body, so too is Christ.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but I do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Like the one made of dust, so too are those made of dust, and like the one from heaven, so too those who are heavenly.

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power ¹  belongs to God and does not come from us.

Therefore I am content with ¹  weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties ²  for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, ¹  or of God? Or am I trying to please people? ²  If I were still trying to please ³  people, ⁴  I would not be a slave ⁵  of Christ!

For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, ¹  namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” ² 

Now this secret ¹  was not disclosed to people ²  in former ³  generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by ⁴  the Spirit,

To me – less than the least of all the saints ¹  – this grace was given, ²  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

So ¹  we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. ² 

Slaves, ¹  obey your human masters ²  with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart as to Christ,

– though mine too are significant. ¹  If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, ²  I have more:

And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds ¹  in Christ Jesus.

since ¹  we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints.