17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, znot with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

18 For the 7message of the cross is afoolishness to bthose who are perishing, but to us cwho are being saved it is the dpower of God. 19 For it is written:

e“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 fWhere is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the 8disputer of this age? gHas not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the hwisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For iJews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, jto the Jews a 9stumbling block and to the 1Greeks kfoolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ lthe power of God and mthe wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Glory Only in the Lord

26 For 2you see your calling, brethren, nthat not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many 3noble, are called. 27 But oGod has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the 4base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and prighteousness and sanctification and redemption—31 that, as it is written, q“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”