²¹ For since in the wisdom of God the world^(A) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(B) those who believe.^(C)

²² Jews demand signs^(A) and Greeks look for wisdom,

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom^(A) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a]

⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,^(A) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,^{(B) 5} so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.^(C)

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

⁶ We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,^(D) but not the wisdom of this age^(E) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.^{(F) 7} No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(G) that has been hidden^(H) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸ None of the rulers of this age^(I) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^{(J) 9} However, as it is written: