Mending vs Gold early game

So I am playing rn hardcore dregora (13 attempt) and got a great spawn besides an massive city. One of the villagers I found has mending (34 emeralds but I can def farm for it with all the wool) I usually go for gold armor early/mid game. But now with this ublock im not sure what should I get if I run with gold armor still or I should try getting something such as diamond. Should I just get gold for rn and use it till I can get myself a set of silver?