¹⁹ For it is written,

^20 (B)Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? ^(C)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach^[a] to save those who believe. ²² For ^(D)Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ ^(E)crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ ^(F)the power of God and ^(G)the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: ^(H)not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,^[b] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But ^(I)God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; ^(J)God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

¹⁴ But ^(A)their minds were ^(B)hardened. For to this day, ^(C)when they read ^(D)the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.