12 But where can wisdom(A) be found,
and where is understanding located?
13 No one can know its value,[a]
since it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The ocean depths say, “It’s not in me,”
while the sea declares, “I don’t have it.”(B)
15 Gold cannot be exchanged for it,
and silver cannot be weighed out for its price.
16 Wisdom cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,(C)
in precious onyx or lapis lazuli.(D)
17 Gold and glass do not compare with it,
and articles of fine gold cannot be exchanged for it.(E)
18 Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning.
The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.
19 Topaz from Cush cannot compare with it,
and it cannot be valued in pure gold.

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Footnotes

  1. 28:13 LXX reads way

12 But where can wisdom be found?(A)
    Where does understanding dwell?(B)
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;(C)
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.(D)
14 The deep(E) says, “It is not in me”;
    the sea(F) says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed out in silver.(G)
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,(H)
    with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.(I)
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,(J)
    nor can it be had for jewels of gold.(K)
18 Coral(L) and jasper(M) are not worthy of mention;
    the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.(N)
19 The topaz(O) of Cush(P) cannot compare with it;
    it cannot be bought with pure gold.(Q)

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