12 But where is wisdom foundun, and which is the place of vndurstondyng?

13 A man noot the prijs therof, nether it is foundun in the lond of men lyuynge swetli, ether delicatli.

14 The depthe of watris seith, It is not in me; and the see spekith, It is not with me.

15 Gold ful cleene schal not be youun for wisdom, nether siluer schal be weied in the chaungyng therof.

16 It schal not be comparysound to the died colours of Iynde, not to the moost preciouse stoon of sardius, nether to saphir.

17 Nether gold, nether glas schal be maad euene worth therto;

18 and hiye and fer apperynge vessels of gold schulen not be chaungid for wisdom, nether schulen be had in mynde in comparisoun therof. Forsothe wisdom is drawun of pryuy thingis;

19 topasie of Ethiope schal not be maad euene worth to wisdom, and moost preciouse diyngis schulen not be set togidere in prijs, ether comparisound, therto.

20 Therfor wherof cometh wisdom, and which is the place of vndurstondyng?

21 It is hid fro the iyen of alle lyuynge men; also it is hid fro briddis of heuene.

22 Perdicioun and deeth seiden, With oure eeris we herden the fame therof.