2 Esdras 7:56-58

Common English Bible

⁵⁶ But silver is more numerous than gold, and bronze than silver, and iron than bronze, lead than iron, and clay than lead. ⁵⁷ Decide yourself then which things are precious and desirable, what is abundant or what is rare.”

⁵⁸ I said, “Supreme Lord, that which is abundant is cheaper, because what is more rare is valuable.”