¹² But where can wisdom be found?^(R)
    Where does understanding dwell?^(S)
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;^(T)
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.^(U)
14 The deep^(V) says, “It is not in me”;
    the sea^(W) says, “It is not with me.”
¹⁵ It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed out in silver.^(X)
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,^(Y)
    with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.^(Z)
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,^(AA)
    nor can it be had for jewels of gold.^(AB)
18 Coral^(AC) and jasper^(AD) are not worthy of mention;
    the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.^(AE)
19 The topaz^(AF) of Cush^(AG) cannot compare with it;
    it cannot be bought with pure gold.^(AH)

²⁰ Where then does wisdom come from?
    Where does understanding dwell?^(AI)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
    concealed even from the birds in the sky.^(AJ)
22 Destruction^[b](AK) and Death^(AL) say,
    “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
²³ God understands the way to it
    and he alone^(AM) knows where it dwells,^(AN)
24 for he views the ends of the earth^(AO)
    and sees everything under the heavens.^(AP)
25 When he established the force of the wind
    and measured out the waters,^(AQ)
26 when he made a decree for the rain^(AR)
    and a path for the thunderstorm,^(AS)
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
    he confirmed it and tested it.^(AT)
28 And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil^(AU) is understanding.”^(AV)