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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12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

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