The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chiefest and purest gold:
Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
For my fruit is better than gold and the precious stone, and my blossoms than choice silver.
For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul?
I counsel thee to buy of me gold fire tried, that thou mayest be made rich; and mayest be clothed in white garments, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear; and anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
If thou shalt seek her as money, and shalt dig for her as for a treasure:
Say not: What thinkest thou is the cause that former times were better than they are now? for this manner of question is foolish.