1 Corinthians 1:17-31

171For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, 2not with 3cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made of no effect.

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 understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.” 2010Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of 11this age? Has God not 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 16was pleased through the 17foolishness of the 18message preached to 19save those who believe. 22For indeed 20Jews ask for 21signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23but we preach 2223Christ crucified, 24to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles 25foolishness, 24but to those who are 26the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ 27the power of God and 28the wisdom of God. 25For the 29foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and 30the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.

26For 31consider your 32calling, brothers and sisters, that there were 33not many wise according to 34the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but 35God has chosen the foolish things of 36the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of 37the world to shame the things which are strong, 28and the 38insignificant things of 39the world and the despised God has chosen, 40the things that are not, so that He may 41nullify the things that are, 29so that 42no 43human may boast before God. 30But it is 44due to Him that you are in 45Christ Jesus, who became to us 46wisdom from God, 47and 48righteousness and 49sanctification, and 50redemption, 31so that, just as it is written: “51Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”