²⁴ Whatever exists is far off and most profound—
    who can discover it?^(A)

⁸ “For my thoughts^(A) are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”^(B)
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,^(C)
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.^(D)

⁶ Your righteousness^(A) is like the highest mountains,^(B)
    your justice like the great deep.^(C)
    You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.^(D)

²⁸ And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil^(A) is understanding.”^(B)

¹² But where can wisdom be found?^(A)
    Where does understanding dwell?^(B)
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;^(C)
    it cannot be found in the land of the living.^(D)
14 The deep^(E) says, “It is not in me”;
    the sea^(F) says, “It is not with me.”
¹⁵ It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
    nor can its price be weighed out in silver.^(G)
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,^(H)
    with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.^(I)
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,^(J)
    nor can it be had for jewels of gold.^(K)
18 Coral^(L) and jasper^(M) are not worthy of mention;
    the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.^(N)
19 The topaz^(O) of Cush^(P) cannot compare with it;
    it cannot be bought with pure gold.^(Q)

²⁰ Where then does wisdom come from?
    Where does understanding dwell?^(R)
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
    concealed even from the birds in the sky.^(S)
22 Destruction^[a](T) and Death^(U) say,
    “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
²³ God understands the way to it
    and he alone^(V) knows where it dwells,^(W)

⁷ “Can you fathom^(A) the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher^(B) than the heavens^(C) above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below^(D)—what can you know?^(E)