19. 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?
21. It is hidden from the eyes of all livingand concealed from the birds of the air.
22. Abaddon and Death say,‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23. “God understands the way to it,and he knows its place.
24. For he looks to the ends of the earthand sees everything under the heavens.
25. When he gave to the wind its weightand apportioned the waters by measure,
26. when he made a decree for the rainand a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27. then he saw it and declared it;he established it, and searched it out.
28. And he said to man,‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”