1:17a For Christ did not send me to baptize,

For the work that Christ sent me out to do is not baptizing believers.
-or-

⌊I did not baptize many believers.⌋ ⌊That is⌋ because baptizing believers is not ⌊the main work⌋ that Christ gave me to do ⌊as his apostle⌋.

1:17b but to preach the gospel,

Rather, ⌊he sent me⌋ to preach the good news.
-or-
Instead, my main work as Christ’s apostle is to tell people God’s/the gospel message about Christ.

1:17c not with words of wisdom,

I do not preach the Gospel using eloquent words of ⌊human⌋ wisdom,
-or-

⌊I do not use⌋ the clever/persuasive speech of ⌊human⌋ wisdom ⌊to preach the Gospel⌋.

1:17d lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

so that ⌊the death of⌋ Christ on the cross would not lose its power/impact.
-or-
I do not want to rob ⌊the message about⌋ the cross of Christ of its power ⌊to save people/you⌋.
-or-
I do not want to cause ⌊the message of⌋ Christ’s death on the cross to be ineffective/powerless/useless ⌊to those listening⌋.

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