12 “But awhere can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 aMan does not know its worth,
And it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 aPure gold cannot be given in place of it,
Nor can silver be weighed as its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 aGold or glass cannot meet its worth,
Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold.
18 Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned;
And the acquisition of awisdom is above that of pearls.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot meet its worth,
Nor can it be valued in apure gold.
20 aWhere then does wisdom come from?
And where is the place of understanding?