12
"But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13
Man does not know its value, Nor is it 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
It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
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It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire.
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Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
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No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
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The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.
20
"From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
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It is hidden from the eyes of all living, And concealed from the birds of the air.
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Destruction and Death say, 'We have heard a report about it with our ears.'
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God understands its way, And He knows its place.
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For He looks to the ends of the earth, And sees under the whole heavens,
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To establish a weight for the wind, And apportion the waters by measure.
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When He made a law for the rain, And a path for the thunderbolt,
27
Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
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And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.' "