NRSV Job 28 Chapter
28:1
"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold to be refined.
28:2
Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
28:3
Miners put an end to darkness, and search out to the farthest bound the ore in gloom and deep darkness.
28:4
They open shafts in a valley away from human habitation; they are forgotten by travelers, they sway suspended, remote from people.
28:5
As for the earth, out of it comes bread; but underneath it is turned up as by fire.
28:6
Its stones are the place of sapphires, and its dust contains gold.
28:7
"That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon's eye has not seen it.
28:8
The proud wild animals have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it.
28:9
"They put their hand to the flinty rock, and overturn mountains by the roots.
28:10
They cut out channels in the rocks, and their eyes see every precious thing.
28:11
The sources of the rivers they probe; hidden things they bring to light.
28:12
"But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
28:13
Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.
28:14
The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.'
28:15
It cannot be gotten for gold, and silver cannot be weighed out as its price.
28:16
It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire.
28:17
Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
28:18
No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.
28:19
The chrysolite of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
28:20
"Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?
28:21
It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the air.
28:22
Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.'
28:23
"God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.
28:24
For he looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens.
28:25
When he gave to the wind its weight, and apportioned out the waters by measure;
28:26
when he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the thunderbolt;
28:27
then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out.
28:28
And he said to humankind, 'Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.'"