Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹⁸ For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹ For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will cast away the understanding of the learned. ²⁰ Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this world? Has not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?

²¹ For when the world through wisdom did not know God, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to save those who believe through the foolishness of preaching. ²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom. ²³ But we preach Christ crucified: to the Jews an occasion of falling, and to the Greeks foolishness, ²⁴ but to those who are called, both of the Jews and the Greeks, we preach Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶ Brethren, look on your calling, how it is that not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many of high degree, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world, to confound things which are strong. ²⁸ And low things of the world, and things which are despised, God has chosen, yea and things of no reputation, to bring to nothing things of reputation, ²⁹ so that no flesh may glory in his presence. ³⁰ And to him you belong in Christ Jesus, who by God is made wisdom to us, and also righteousness and sanctifying and redemption, ³¹ so that as it is written, he who glories will glory in the Lord.

In this chapter and the two next following is contained the most excellent and loving sermon of Christ in the Mount, which sermon is the very key that opens the understanding into the law. In this fifth chapter especially, he preaches of the 8 beatitudes, or blessings; of manslaughter, wrath, and anger; of adultery, of swearing, of suffering wrong; and of love, even toward a person’s enemies.

5 When Jesus saw the crowds of people, he went up into a mountain. And when he was seated, his disciples came to him. ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: