12
But where shall wisdom be found ? and where is the place of understanding?13Manknoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.14
The depthsaith , It is not in me: and the seasaith , 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 preciousonyx, or the sapphire.17
The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewelsa of fine gold.18
No mention shall be made of coral,b 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 puregold.20Whence then comethwisdom? and where is the place of understanding?21
Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.c22Destruction and deathsay , We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.23Godunderstandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24
For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;25
To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.26
When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:27
Then did he see it, and declared it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out .
28
And unto man he said , Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.