1. How foolish is the Word, forswearing force and pride, unarmed, apparently absurd -- how swiftly crucified! How fleeting are the words, and yet, how deep, how strong, that tell of Christ defeating death: how beautiful the song! 2. Our world's unruly powers have never understood the love they mock, resist, abuse, and hang on hoisted wood; yet Saul, becoming Paul, set down his murdering stone and preached the foolishness of God as power in weakness shown. 3. The wounds of Christ reprove seductive, selfish charm, the subtle, domineering move, the pious threat of harm; but aching, trusted hearts can speak the truth in love, unveil the lie, and bring to view the fist within the glove. 4. How beautiful the words whose fragile wisps of sound can break the silence of despair and shake the stony ground! God, give your preachers grace, unarmed, yet not alone, to know and love the Risen Christ as power in weakness shown!