²² Jews demand signs^(A) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified:^(B) a stumbling block^(C) to Jews and foolishness^(D) to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those whom God has called,^(E) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(F) and the wisdom of God.^{(G) 25} For the foolishness^(H) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(I) of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(J) Not many of you were wise^(K) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose^(L) the foolish^(M) 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^(N)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.^{(O) 30} It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(P) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(Q) holiness^(R) and redemption.^{(S) 31} Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[a](T)