Let no one deceive himself. If any one of you supposes that he is wise in this world's wisdom, as compared with the rest of you, to become really wise he must become a fool.

Some of the Epicurean and the Stoic philosophers began to debate with him; and some said, "What is this scraps-of-truth-picker trying to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign deities." They said so because he was telling the good news of Jesus and the resurrection.

As Paul continued to make his defense, Festus shouted aloud, "You are going crazy, Paul! That great learning of yours is driving you crazy!"

Are wise

Are you satisfied already? Have you grown rich already? Have you ascended your thrones without us to join you? Yes, I could wish that you had ascended your thrones, that we too might join you on them!

So then, my dearly beloved, keep on running from idolatry.

We are weak

Yes, as for myself, it was in weakness and fear and great trembling that I came to you,

For they say, "His letters are impressive and forceful, but his physical personality is unimpressive, and his delivery is perfectly contemptible."

Who is weak without my being weak too? Who is caused to fall without my being fired with indignation?

but He said to me, "My spiritual strength is sufficient, for it is only by means of conscious weakness that perfect power is developed."

since you demand a proof that Christ is speaking through me. For Christ is not exhibiting weakness toward you but power in you.

But ye

I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you could not take it. Why, you cannot take it even now,

So the man who thinks he stands securely must be on the lookout not to fall.

But we

Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever pays no attention to you pays no attention to me, and whoever pays no attention to me pays no attention to Him who sent me."

To some people who were confident that they themselves were upright, but who scorned everybody else, He told the following story:

So whoever rejects this teaching is rejecting not man but God who continues to put His Spirit in you.

General references

Yes, as for myself, it was in weakness and fear and great trembling that I came to you,

I am speaking to sensible men; decide for yourselves about what I say.

Let us, therefore, go to Him outside the camp, enduring the reproach that He endured;