Howmuch betterit is to getwisdomthangold!And to getunderstandingis to be chosenabovesilver.
ThereforeI loveYour commandmentsAbovegold,yes, abovefinegold.
Ifyou seekher as silverAnd searchfor her as for hiddentreasures;
How blessedis the manwho findswisdomAnd the manwho gainsunderstanding.
For her profitis betterthanthe profitof silverAnd her gainbetter thanfine gold.
Acquirewisdom!Acquireunderstanding!Do not forgetnorturnawayfrom the wordsof my mouth.
"The beginningof wisdom[is]: Acquirewisdom;And with allyour acquiring,getunderstanding.
"My fruitis betterthangold,even puregold,And my yield[better] thanchoicestsilver.
For wisdomis protection[just as] moneyis protection,But the advantageof knowledgeis that wisdompreservesthe livesof its possessors.
"For whatwill it profita manifhe gainsthe wholeworldand forfeitshis soul?Orwhatwill a mangivein exchangefor his soul?
"Sois the man who stores up treasurefor himself,and is not richtowardGod."
