1 Corinthians 1:17-31

171For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, 2not in 3cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.

18For the word of the cross is 4foolishness to 5those who 6are perishing, but to us who 7are being saved it is 8the power of God. 19For it is written, “9I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.” 2010Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of 11this age? Has not God 12made foolish the wisdom of 13the world? 21For since in the wisdom of God 14the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, 15God was well-pleased through the 16foolishness of the 17message preached to 18save those who believe. 22For indeed 19Jews ask for 20signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23but we preach 2122Christ crucified, 23to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles 24foolishness, 24but to those who are 25the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ 26the power of God and 27the wisdom of God. 25Because the 28foolishness of God is wiser than men, and 29the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26For 30consider your 31calling, brethren, that there were 32not many wise according to 33the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but 34God has chosen the foolish things of 35the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of 36the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the base things of 37the world and the despised God has chosen, 38the things that are not, so that He may 39nullify the things that are, 29so that 40no 41man may boast before God. 30But 42by His doing you are in 43Christ Jesus, who became to us 44wisdom from God, 45and 46righteousness and 47sanctification, and 48redemption, 31so that, just as it is written, “49Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”