^{18 Ref} for the word of the cross to those indeed perishing is foolishness, and to us -- those being saved -- it is the power of God,

^{19 Ref} for it hath been written, `I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nought;'

^{20 Ref} where `is' the wise? where the scribe? where a disputer of this age? did not God make foolish the wisdom of this world?

^{21 Ref} for, seeing in the wisdom of God the world through the wisdom knew not God, it did please God through the foolishness of the preaching to save those believing.

^{22 Ref} Since also Jews ask a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,

^{23 Ref} also we -- we preach Christ crucified, to Jews, indeed, a stumbling-block, and to Greeks foolishness,

^{24 Ref} and to those called -- both Jews and Greeks -- Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God,

^{25 Ref} because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men;

^{26 Ref} for see your calling, brethren, that not many `are' wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;

^{27 Ref} but the foolish things of the world did God choose, that the wise He may put to shame; and the weak things of the world did God choose that He may put to shame the strong;

^{28 Ref} and the base things of the world, and the things despised did God choose, and the things that are not, that the things that are He may make useless --