1When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God,^* I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom.^a 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.^b 3I came to you in weakness^* and fear and much trembling, 4and my message and my proclamation were not with persuasive [words of] wisdom,^* but with a demonstration of spirit and power,^c 5so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.^d