¹⁶ But I say that ^(A)wisdom is better than might, though ^(B)the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.

^19 (A)Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

² And ^(A)on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and ^(B)many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? ^3 (C)Is not this ^(D)the carpenter, the son of Mary and ^(E)brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And ^(F)they took offense at him.

² For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, ³ and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” ^(A)while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” ⁴ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become ^(B)judges with evil thoughts? ⁵ Listen, my beloved brothers, ^(C)has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be ^(D)rich in faith and heirs of ^(E)the kingdom, ^(F)which he has promised to those who love him? ⁶ But you ^(G)have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who ^(H)drag you ^(I)into court?

²⁶ For consider your calling, brothers: ^(A)not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,^[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But ^(B)God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; ^(C)God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸ God chose what is low and despised in the world, even ^(D)things that are not, to ^(E)bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹ so ^(F)that no human being^[b] might boast in the presence of God.

⁴⁷ The Pharisees answered them, ^(A)“Have you also been deceived? ^48 (B)Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him? ⁴⁹ But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed.”