²³ This is what the Lord says:

²⁷ But God chose^(A) the foolish^(B) 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^(C)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him.^(D)

¹¹ I have seen something else under the sun:

²² Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools^(A)

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)

¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(A) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(B) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(C) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(D) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(E) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁹ For it is written:

²⁰ Where is the wise person?^(B) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?^(C) Has not God made foolish^(D) the wisdom of the world? ²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world^(E) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(F) those who believe.^(G)