Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

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

^20 (F)Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? ^(G)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach^[a] to save those who believe. ²² For ^(H)Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ ^(I)crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ ^(J)the power of God and ^(K)the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

^32 (A)Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. ^33 (B)And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, ^(C)one on his right and one on his left. ³⁴ And Jesus said, “Father, ^(D)forgive them, ^(E)for they know not what they do.”^[a] And they cast lots ^(F)to divide his garments. ³⁵ And ^(G)the people stood by, watching, ^(H)but ^(I)the rulers ^(J)scoffed at him, saying, ^(K)“He saved others; ^(L)let him save himself, ^(M)if he is ^(N)the Christ of God, ^(O)his Chosen One!” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and ^(P)offering him sour wine ³⁷ and saying, ^(Q)“If you are ^(R)the King of the Jews, save yourself!” ^38 (S)There was also an inscription over him,^[b] “This is ^(T)the King of the Jews.”

^39 (U)One of the criminals who were hanged ^(V)railed at him,^[c] saying, “Are you not ^(W)the Christ? Save yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he said, “Jesus, remember me ^(X)when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in ^(Y)paradise.”