¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(A) through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.^(B)

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.

¹⁹ but with the precious blood^(A) of Christ, a lamb^(B) without blemish or defect.^(C)

⁹ But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor^(A) because he suffered death,^(B) so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.^(C)

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood,^(A) he too shared in their humanity^(B) so that by his death he might break the power^(C) of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil^(D)—

¹² He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves;^(A) but he entered the Most Holy Place^(B) once for all^(C) by his own blood,^(D) thus obtaining^[a] eternal redemption. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls^(E) and the ashes of a heifer^(F) sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. ¹⁴ How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit^(G) offered himself^(H) unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences^(I) from acts that lead to death,^[b](J) so that we may serve the living God!^(K)

⁶ Then I saw a Lamb,^(A) looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures^(B) and the elders.^(C) The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes,^(D) which are the seven spirits^[a](E) of God sent out into all the earth.

⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:^(A)