[1] There is a sure source of silver, a place where gold is refined. [2] Iron is taken from the earth; rock is smelted into copper. [3] Humans put an end to darkness, dig for ore to the farthest depths, into stone in utter darkness, [4] open a shaft away from any inhabitant, places forgotten by those on foot, apart from any human they hang and sway. [5] Earth—from it comes food—is turned over below ground as by fire. [6] Its rocks are the source for lapis lazuli; there is gold dust in it. [7] A path—no bird of prey knows it; a hawk’s eye hasn’t seen it; [8] proud beasts haven’t trodden on it; a lion hasn’t crossed over it. [9] Humans thrust their hands into flint, pull up mountains from their roots, [10] cut channels into rocks; their eyes see everything precious. [11] They dam up the sources of rivers; hidden things come to light. [12] But wisdom, where can it be found; where is the place of understanding? [13] Humankind doesn’t know its value; it isn’t found in the land of the living. [14] The Deep says, “It’s not with me”; the Sea says, “Not alongside me!” [15] It can’t be bought with gold; its price can’t be measured in silver, [16] can’t be weighed against gold from Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. [17] Neither gold nor glass can compare with it; she can’t be acquired with gold jewelry. [18] Coral and jasper shouldn’t be mentioned; the price of wisdom is more than rubies. [19] Cushite topaz won’t compare with her; she can’t be set alongside pure gold. [20] But wisdom, where does she come from? Where is the place of understanding? [21] She’s hidden from the eyes of all the living, concealed from birds of the sky. [22] Destruction and Death have said, “We’ve heard a report of her.” [23] God understands her way; he knows her place; [24] for he looks to the ends of the earth and surveys everything beneath the heavens. [25] In order to weigh the wind, to prepare a measure for waters, [26] when he made a decree for the rain, a path for thunderbolts, [27] then he observed it, spoke of it, established it, searched it out, [28] and said to humankind: “Look, the fear of the LORD is wisdom; turning from evil is understanding.”
