²³ Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom; do not let the mighty boast in their might; do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth;^(A)

²⁷ But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;^{(A) 28} God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to abolish things that are, ²⁹ so that no one^[a] might boast in the presence of God.^(B)

¹¹ Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to the skillful, but time and chance happen to them all.^(A)

²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If you think that you are wise in this age, you should become fools so that you may become wise.^{(A) 19} For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,

²⁰ and again,

¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant and lie about the truth. ¹⁵ This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.^{(A) 16} For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.^(B)

¹⁹ For it is written,

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?^{(A) 21} For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe.^(B)