Job 28 — FBV

28Verse 1“There are silver mines and places where gold is refined.^{Verse 2}Iron is extracted from the earth and copper is smelted from its ore.^{Verse 3}Miners take lamps into the darkness underground and search for ore as far as they can go in the shadows and the gloom.^{Verse 4}They dig a mineshaft far from where people live or anyone ever goes.⁺They swing from ropes that hang in the pits.^{Verse 5}Bread comes from the earth, but underneath it looks as if it has been turned upside-down by fire.^{Verse 6}Here the rocks contain lapis lazuli⁺and the dust contains gold.^{Verse 7}No birds of prey can see these paths, no falcon's eye can perceive.^{+Verse 8}No wild beasts have passed that way; the lion has not walked there.^{Verse 9}Miners attack the hard rock; they overturn the roots of mountains.^{Verse 10}They tunnel through the rock, looking carefully for every precious stone.^{Verse 11}They dam the sources of the rivers,⁺and bring to light what is hidden.^{Verse 12}But where can wisdom be found?⁺Where is the place to gain understanding?^{Verse 13}Human beings do not know the way to wisdom; it is not found among the living.^{Verse 14}The deep waters say, ‘It's not here,’ and the sea says, ‘It's not here either.’^{Verse 15}It cannot be bought with gold; nor can it be purchased with silver.^{Verse 16}Its value cannot be measured, even with the gold of Ophir;⁺it is more precious than onyx or lapis lazuli.^{Verse 17}Gold or fine glass⁺cannot compare with wisdom; it cannot be exchanged for gold jewelry.^{Verse 18}Coral and crystal are not worth mentioning; the price of wisdom is far above rubies.^{+Verse 19}Topaz from Ethiopia can't compare with it; it cannot be bought with the purest gold.^{Verse 20}So where does wisdom come from? Where is the place to gain understanding?^{Verse 21}Wisdom is hidden from the sight of all living things, even the birds of the air cannot see it.^{Verse 22}Abaddon⁺and Death say, ‘We've only heard a rumor of it.’^{Verse 23}Only God understands the path to wisdom; he knows where it is found.^{Verse 24}For he looks to the very end of the earth; he sees everything under heaven.^{Verse 25}He decided how strong the wind should blow, and regulated the waters.^{Verse 26}He set a limit for the rain and made a path for the lightning.^{Verse 27}Then he considered wisdom. He examined it, gave it his approval, and declared it good.^{Verse 28}He said to humankind, ‘To reverence the Lord is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”