¹⁸ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who ^[a]are perishing, but to us who ^[b]are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written:

²⁰ Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God ^[c]was pleased through the foolishness of the ^[d]message preached to save those who believe. ²² For indeed Jews ask for ^[e]signs and Greeks search for wisdom; ²³ but we preach ^[f]Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.

²⁶ For ^[g]consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to ^[h]the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; ²⁷ but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, ²⁸ and the ^[i]insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no ^[j]human may boast before God. ³⁰ But it is ^[k]due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, ^[l]and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, ³¹ so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”