1. Dear brothers, when I came to you, I did not come as a proud man. I preached God’s truth, but not with fancy words or a show of great learning.
2. I decided that while I was with you I would forget about everything except Jesus Christ and his death on the cross.
3. When I came to you, I was weak and shook with fear.
4. My teaching and my speaking were not with wise words that persuade people. But the proof of my teaching was the power that the Spirit gives.
5. I did this so that your faith would be in God’s power, not in the wisdom of a man.
6. Yet I speak wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or of the rulers of this world. (These rulers are losing their power.)
7. But I speak God’s secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. God planned this wisdom for our glory, before the world began.