12 But wisdom, where shall it 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 deep 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 Gold and glass cannot equal it; neither shall the exchange thereof be vessels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? 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.
22 Destruction and Death say: 'We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.'