12 “But^a where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding? ‡

13 Man does not know its ^avalue,
Nor is it found in the land of the living. ‡

14 ^aThe deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ ‡

15 It ^acannot be purchased for gold,
Nor can silver be weighed for its price. ‡

16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx or sapphire.

17 Neither ^agold nor crystal can equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for¹ jewelry of fine gold. ‡

18 No mention shall be made of¹ coral or quartz,
For the price of wisdom is above ^arubies. ‡

19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in pure ^agold. ‡

20 “From^a where then does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding? ‡

21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living,
And concealed from the birds of the¹ air. ‡