“For wisdom is better than jewels”: “For” introduces this verse as the reason for following the advice in the previous verse. “Better” is taken here to mean “of greater value” or “of more worth.” For “jewels” see the comments on 3.15.

“All that you may desire cannot compare with her”: “All . . . desire” means “all the things you can desire” or “the thing that would give you the greatest pleasure.” Nothing can compare with wisdom.

In this verse a change to direct address is again advisable, if it has been used in previous verses: “For I am better . . . cannot compare with me.” Compare Good News Translation, which also moves “I am Wisdom” from verse 12 to the beginning of this verse.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .