26 The word actually means “weighed,” that is, lifted up on the scale and weighed, in order to purchase.
27 The exact identification of these stones is uncertain. Many recent English translations, however, have “onyx” and “sapphires.”
28 The word is from זָכַךְ (zakhakh, “clear”). It describes a transparent substance, and so “glass” is an appropriate translation. In the ancient world it was precious and so expensive.
29 The has “vase”; but the versions have a plural here, suggesting jewels of gold.
30 The word מֶשֶׁךְ (meshekh) comes from a root meaning “to grasp; to seize; to hold,” and so the derived noun means “grasping; acquiring; taking possession,” and therefore, “price” (see the discussion in R. Gordis, Job, 309). Gray renders it “acquisition” (so A. Cohen, 40 [1923/24]: 175).
31 In Lam 4:7 these are described as red, and so have been identified as rubies (so ) or corals.
32 Or “Ethiopia.” In ancient times this referred to the region of the upper Nile, rather than modern Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

It cannot be bought for gold,

and silver cannot be weighed as its price.

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

in precious onyx or sapphire.

Gold and glass cannot equal it,

nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal;

the price of wisdom is above pearls.

The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,

nor can it be valued in pure gold.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

It cannot be bought with the finest gold,

nor can its price be weighed out in silver.

It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,

with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,

nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;

the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;

it cannot be bought with pure gold.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Gold cannot be exchanged for it,

and silver cannot be weighed out for its price.

Wisdom cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

in precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Gold and glass do not compare with it,

and articles of fine gold cannot be exchanged for it.

Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning.

The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.

Topaz from Cush cannot compare with it,

and it cannot be valued in pure gold.

NLTNew Living Translation

It cannot be bought with gold.

It cannot be purchased with silver.

It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir,

greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli.

Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal.

It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.

Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it.

The price of wisdom is far above rubies.

Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it.

It’s worth more than the purest gold.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“Refined gold cannot be gotten in its place,

and silver cannot be weighed out as its price.

It cannot be bought for the gold of Ophir,

for precious onyx or sapphire.

Gold and glass cannot be compared with it,

and its substitution cannot be an ornament of refined gold.

Black corals and crystal will not be mentioned,

and wisdom’s price is more than red corals.

The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it;

it cannot be bought for pure gold.

KJV 1900King James Version

It cannot be gotten for gold,

Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir,

With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

The gold and the crystal cannot equal it:

And the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls:

For the price of wisdom is above rubies.

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it,

Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Public Domain