Job 28:9-11

But the man is not gentle when he enters this special place. He is like a thief. He breaks the rocks. He takes away everything that is precious. He destroys everything so that he may become rich.

v12 But the man does not discover wisdom.

He does not know how to be intelligent.

v13 He does not even realise that wisdom is valuable.

He cannot discover wisdom among the living things of the earth.

v14 He cannot discover wisdom in the sea.

Even if he went to the deepest places, he would not become wise.

v15 Nobody can buy wisdom.

Even the best gold and silver cannot make someone wise.

v16 Wisdom is more precious than the beautiful things from the rocks.

Wisdom is more precious than gold.

Wisdom is more precious than precious stones, for example onyx and sapphires.

v17 Wisdom is better than the purest things.

Wisdom is even more valuable than gold or glass.

v18 Wisdom is much better than the beautiful things that come from the sea, for example coral and pearls.

Wisdom is more valuable than the most expensive precious stones.