Becausethe foolishnessof Godis wiserthan men,and the weaknessof Godis strongerthan men.
Now when Pharaohhad letthe peoplego,Goddid not leadthem by the wayof the landof the Philistines,eventhoughit was near;for Godsaid,"The peoplemightchangetheir mindswhen they seewar,and returnto Egypt."
For the wordof the crossis foolishnessto thosewho are perishing,but to us who are being savedit is the powerof God.
For sincein the wisdomof Godthe worldthroughits wisdomdid not [come to] knowGod,Godwas well-pleasedthroughthe foolishnessof the message preachedto savethosewho believe.
But a naturalmandoes not acceptthe things of the Spiritof God,for they are foolishnessto him; and he cannotunderstandthem, becausethey are spirituallyappraised.
We are foolsfor Christ'ssake,but you are prudentin Christ;we are weak,but you are strong;you are distinguished,but we are without honor.
For indeedHe was crucifiedbecauseof weakness,yetHe livesbecauseof the powerof God.For we alsoare weakin Him, yetwe will livewith Him becauseof the powerof God[directed] towardyou.
