²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(A) Not many of you were wise^(B) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters:^(A) Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world^(B) to be rich in faith^(C) and to inherit the kingdom^(D) he promised those who love him?^(E)

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(C) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a];^{(D) 20} and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”^[b](E)

⁹ Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.^{(A) 10} But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.^{(B) 11} For the sun rises with scorching heat^(C) and withers^(D) the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed.^(E) In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(A) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^(B)