18The word of 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 reject the understanding of the intelligent."20Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of the world foolish?21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.22Since Jews ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom,23We preach Christ crucified, to Jews on the one hand a stumbling block, to Gentiles on the other hand foolishness,24But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.25For the foolish thing of God is wiser than human beings, and the weak thing of God is stronger than human beings.26Consider your calling, brothers: not many are wise according to the flesh, not many are powerful, not many are of noble birth.27But the foolish things of the world God chose in order to dishonor the wise, and the weak things of the world God chose in order to dishonor the strong.28And the lowly things of the world and the rejected things God chose, the things that are not, in order to abolish the things that are.29So that no flesh may boast before God.30It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness, and holiness, and redemption.31Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord."
Chapter 2
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom while proclaiming to you the testimony of God.2For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and this one crucified.3I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.4And my word and my preaching were not in persuasive wisdom but in demonstration of the spirit and of power.5So that your faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God.