^{18 Ref} For the word of the cross seems foolish to those who are on the way to destruction; but to us who are on the way to salvation it is the power of God.

^{19 Ref} As it says in the holy Writings, I will put an end to the wisdom of the wise, and will put on one side the designs of those who have knowledge.

^{20 Ref} Where is the wise? where is he who has knowledge of the law? where is the man of this world who has a love of discussion? has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

^{21 Ref} For because, by the purpose of God, the world, with all its wisdom, had not the knowledge of God, it was God's pleasure, by so foolish a thing as preaching, to give salvation to those who had faith in him.

^{22 Ref} Seeing that the Jews make request for signs, and the Greeks are looking for knowledge:

^{23 Ref} But we give the good news of Christ on the cross, a hard thing to the Jews, and a foolish thing to the Gentiles;

^{24 Ref} But to those of God's selection, Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and the wisdom of God.

^{25 Ref} Because what seems foolish in God is wiser than men; and what seems feeble in God is stronger than men.

^{26 Ref} For you see God's design for you, my brothers, that he has not taken a great number of the wise after the flesh, not the strong, not the noble:

^{27 Ref} But God made selection of the foolish things of this world so that he might put the wise to shame; and the feeble things that he might put to shame the strong;

^{28 Ref} And the low things of the world, and the things without honour, did God make selection of, yes, even the things which are not, so that he might make as nothing the things which are: