Job 28:1-28 NET

[1] "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. [2] Iron is taken from the ground, and rock is poured out as copper. [3] Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for the ore in the deepest darkness. [4] Far from where people live he sinks a shaft, in places travelers have long forgotten, far from other people he dangles and sways. [5] The earth, from which food comes, is overturned below as though by fire; [6] a place whose stones are sapphires that contain dust of gold; [7] a hidden path no bird of prey knows-no falcon's eye has spotted it. [8] Proud beasts have not set foot on it, and no lion has passed along it. [9] On the flinty rock man has set to work with his hand; he has overturned mountains at their bases. [10] He has cut out channels through the rocks; his eyes have spotted every precious thing. [11] He has searched the sources of the rivers and what was hidden he has brought into the light. [12] "But wisdom-where can it be found? Where is the place of understanding? [13] Mankind does not know its place; it cannot be found in the land of the living. [14] The deep says, 'It is not with me.' And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' [15] Fine gold cannot be given in exchange for it, nor can its price be weighed out in silver. [16] It cannot be measured out for purchase with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. [17] Neither gold nor crystal can be compared with it, nor can a vase of gold match its worth. [18] Of coral and jasper no mention will be made; the price of wisdom is more than pearls. [19] The topaz of Cush cannot be compared with it; it cannot be purchased with pure gold. [20] "But wisdom-where does it come from? Where is the place of understanding? [21] For it has been hidden from the eyes of every living creature, and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed. [22] Destruction and Death say, 'With our ears we have heard a rumor about where it can be found.' [23] God understands the way to it, and he alone knows its place. [24] For he looks to the ends of the earth and observes everything under the heavens. [25] When he made the force of the wind and measured the waters with a gauge, [26] when he imposed a limit for the rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, [27] then he looked at wisdom and assessed its value; he established it and examined it closely. [28] And he said to mankind, 'The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"