Job 28:1-28 AMPC

[1] Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold where they refine it. [2] Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the stone ore. [3] Man sets an end to darkness, and he searches out the farthest bounds for the ore buried in gloom and deep darkness. [4] Men break open shafts away from where people sojourn, in places forgotten by [human] foot; and [descend into them], hanging afar from men, they swing or flit to and fro. [5] As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath [its surface, down deep in the mine] there is blasting, turning it up as by fire. [6] Its stones are the bed of sapphires; it holds dust of gold [which he wins]. [7] That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it. [8] The proud beasts [and their young] have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed over it. [9] Man puts forth his hand upon the flinty rock; he overturns the mountains by the roots. [10] He cuts out channels and passages among the rocks; and his eye sees every precious thing. [11] [Man] binds the streams so that they do not trickle [into the mine], and the thing that is hidden he brings forth to light. [12] But where shall Wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? [13] Man knows not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living. [14] The deep says, [Wisdom] is not in me; and the sea says, It is not with me. [15] It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price of it. [16] It cannot be valued in [terms of] the gold of Ophir, in the precious onyx or beryl, or the sapphire. [17] Gold and glass cannot equal [Wisdom], nor can it be exchanged for jewels or vessels of fine gold. [18] No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; for the possession of Wisdom is even above rubies or pearls. [19] The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. [20] From where then does Wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? [21] It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and knowledge of it is withheld from the birds of the heavens. [22] Abaddon (the place of destruction) and Death say, We have [only] heard the report of it with our ears. [23] God understands the way [to Wisdom] and He knows the place of it [Wisdom is with God alone]. [24] For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. [25] When He gave to the wind weight or pressure and allotted the waters by measure, [26] When He made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, [27] Then He saw [Wisdom] and declared it; He established it, yes, and searched it out [for His own use, and He alone possesses it]. [28] But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord-that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.