²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it,^(A) in hope ²¹ that^[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay^(B) and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.^(C)

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning^(D) as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

¹⁸ For the message of the cross is foolishness^(A) to those who are perishing,^(B) but to us who are being saved^(C) it is the power of God.^{(D) 19} For it is written:

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

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

¹⁵ Then the angel said to me, “The waters^(A) you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.^{(B) 16} The beast and the ten horns^(C) you saw will hate the prostitute.^(D) They will bring her to ruin^(E) and leave her naked;^(F) they will eat her flesh^(G) and burn her with fire.^{(H) 17} For God has put it into their hearts^(I) to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority,^(J) until God’s words are fulfilled.^{(K) 18} The woman you saw is the great city^(L) that rules over the kings of the earth.”

⁸ But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars^(A)—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.^(B) This is the second death.”^(C)