19 For it is written: “I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and the intelligence of the intellectuals I will reject.”*+ 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe?* Where is the debater of this system of things?* Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, for it is written: “He catches the wise in their own cunning.”+ 20 And again: “Jehovah* knows that the reasonings of the wise men are futile.”+

24 For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle* toward all,+ qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged,+ 25 instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed.+ Perhaps God may give them repentance* leading to an accurate knowledge of truth,+