17. Gold or crystal cannot equal it, neither shall any vessels of gold be changed for it.
18. High and eminent things shall not be mentioned in comparison of it: but wisdom is drawn out of secret places.
19. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equal to it, neither shall it be compared to the cleanest dyeing.
20. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21. It is hid from the eyes of all living, and the fowls of the air know it not.
22. Destruction and death have said: With our ears we have heard the fame thereof.
23. God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24. For he beholdeth the ends of the world: and looketh on all things that are under heaven.
25. Who made a weight for the winds and weighed the waters by measure.
26. When he gave a law for the rain, and a way for the sounding storms.
27. Then he saw it, and declared, and prepared, and searched it.
28. And he said to man: Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil, is understanding.