²¹ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”^(A)

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(A) Not many of you were wise^(B) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose^(C) the foolish^(D) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(E)—to nullify the things that are,

¹² Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial^(A) because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life^(B) that the Lord has promised to those who love him.^(C)