Herod flew into a rage when he learned that he had been tricked by the wise men, so he ordered the execution of all the male children in Bethlehem and all its neighboring regions, who were two years old and younger, according to the time that he had determined from the wise men.

Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in the ways of this world, he must become a fool to become really wise.

Both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to foolish people, I am a debtor.

Though claiming to be wise, they became fools

After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men arrived in Jerusalem from the east

Then Herod secretly called together the wise men, found out from them the time the star had appeared,

"Therefore, everyone who listens to these messages of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.

For your obedience has become known to everyone, and I am full of joy for you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

to the only wise God, through Jesus the Messiah, be glory forever! Amen.

For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will reject."

Where is the wise person? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? God has turned the wisdom of the world into nonsense, hasn't he?

Brothers, think about your own calling. Not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

But God chose what is nonsense in the world to make the wise feel ashamed. God chose what is weak in the world to make the strong feel ashamed.

My message and my preaching were not accompanied by clever, wise words, but by a display of the Spirit's power,

For the wisdom of this world is nonsense in God's sight. For it is written, "He catches the wise with their own trickery,"

and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are worthless."

We are fools for the Messiah's sake, but you are wise in the Messiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

I say this to make you feel ashamed. Has it come to this, that there is not one person among you who is wise enough to settle disagreements between brothers?

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from wise and intelligent people and have revealed them to infants.

You are wise, so you will gladly be tolerant of fools.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the most glorious Father, would give you a wise spirit, along with revelation that comes through knowing the Messiah fully.

So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise,

"That is why I am sending you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will whip in your synagogues and persecute from town to town.

"Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others their food at the right time?

Now five of them were foolish, and five were wise,

But the wise ones took flasks of oil with their lamps.

"But the foolish ones told the wise, "Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out!'

"But the wise ones replied, "No! There will never be enough for us and for you. You'd better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.'

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his noble conduct that his actions are done humbly and wisely.