17. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to evangelize: not through the wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ become empty.
18. For the Word of the Cross is certainly foolishness to those who are perishing. But to those who have been saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.
19. For it has been written: "I will perish the wisdom of the wise, and I will reject the discernment of the prudent."
20. Where are the wise? Where are the scribes? Where are the truth-seekers of this age? Has not God made the wisdom of this world into foolishness?
21. For the world did not know God through wisdom, and so, in the wisdom of God, it pleased God to accomplish the salvation of believers, through the foolishness of our preaching.
22. For the Jews ask for signs, and the Greeks seek wisdom.
23. But we are preaching Christ crucified. Certainly, to the Jews, this is a scandal, and to the Gentiles, this is foolishness.
24. But to those who have been called, Jews as well as Greeks, the Christ is the virtue of God and the wisdom of God.
25. For what is foolishness to God is considered wise by men, and that which is weakness to God is considered strong by men.