1 Corinthians 1:20-31

New International Version

²⁰ Where is the wise person?^(A) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?^(B) Has not God made foolish^(C) the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world^(D) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(E) those who believe.^{(F) 22} Jews demand signs^(G) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(H) a stumbling block^(I) to Jews and foolishness^(J) to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called,^(K) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(L) and the wisdom of God.^{(M) 25} For the foolishness^(N) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(O) of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(P) Not many of you were wise^(Q) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose^(R) the foolish^(S) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(T)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.^{(U) 30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(V) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(W) holiness^(X) and redemption.^{(Y) 31} Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[a](Z)