28:12 “But wisdom – where can it be found?
Where is the place of understanding?
28:13 Mankind does not know its place; 1
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
28:14 The deep 2 says, ‘It is not with 3 me.’
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
28:15 Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it,
nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
28:16 It cannot be measured out for purchase 4 with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx 5 or sapphires.
28:17 Neither gold nor crystal 6 can be compared with it,
nor can a vase 7 of gold match its worth.
28:18 Of coral and jasper no mention will be made;
the price 8 of wisdom is more than pearls. 9
28:19 The topaz of Cush 10 cannot be compared with it;
it cannot be purchased with pure gold.
28:20 “But wisdom – where does it come from? 11
Where is the place of understanding?
4:8 A man who is all alone with no companion, 12
he has no children nor siblings; 13
yet there is no end to all his toil,
and he 14 is never satisfied with riches.
He laments, 15 “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself 16 of pleasure?” 17
This also is futile and a burdensome task! 18