1 Corinthians 1:18-29

18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

19For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.”

20Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish?

21For since in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching.

22For Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks ask for wisdom,

23but we preach about a crucified Christ, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.

24But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26Think about the circumstances of your call, brothers and sisters. Not many were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position.

27But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.

28God chose what is low and despised in the world, what is regarded as nothing, to set aside what is regarded as something,

29so that no one can boast in his presence.