3:14

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

14a for she is more profitable than silver

14b and her gain is better than fine gold.

3:14a–b

for: The word translated here as for introduces an explanation for the statement in 3:13 that a person who becomes wise will be truly happy.

is more profitable than silver…gain is better than fine gold: The comparison is not between the value of wisdom and the value of silver and gold but between the profits that each produces. For example:

The profit gained from wisdom is greater than the profit gained from silver. Its yield is better than fine gold. (God’s Word)

Having wisdom is a better investment than having silver and gold, because it yields greater profits or benefits. It is clear from 3:16 that these benefits include material advantages as well as moral benefits.

3:14b

her gain is better: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as her gain usually refers to crops, but here it refers figuratively to the benefits of having wisdom.

General Comment on 3:14a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. See 3:14a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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