Job 28:12-22 - Wisdom Is Inaccessible To Decay And Death

¹² "But wisdom -- where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living. ¹⁴ The deep says, 'It is not with me.' And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' ¹⁵ Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. ¹⁶ It cannot be measured out for purchase with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. ¹⁷ Neither gold nor crystal can be compared with it, nor can a vase of gold match its worth. ¹⁸ Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price of wisdom is more than pearls. ¹⁹ The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold.

²⁰ "But wisdom -- where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding? ²¹ For it has been hidden from the eyes of every living creature, and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed. ²² Destruction and Death say, 'With our ears we have heard a rumor about where it can be found.'