Job 28
1THERE is indeed a place, from which silver is got; and a place from which gold is strained.
2Iron indeed is made out of the earth, and brass is hewn from a quarry, like stones.
3He hath assigned a station for darkness: but every boundary he assigned is diligently explored—stones, darkness and the shadow of death;
4the channels of brooks choked up with sand: where to such as know not the right way, strength is unavailing and they are removed from among men.
5As for the earth out of which bread cometh; from underneath it something like fire hath been turned up.
6The stones thereof is the place of the sapphire. And the dust thereof supplieth man with gold.
7A path is explored which no bird knew; and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen—
8which the race of boasters have not travelled; and over which the lion hath not stalked.
9He hath stretched forth His hand with a pick and hath overturned mountains from the roots,
10and hath broken through the whirlpools of rivers: and His eye hath seen every precious thing.
11He hath laid bare the bottoms of rivers and given manifest proofs of His power.
12But where is wisdom to be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13A mortal knoweth not the way thereof; nor hath it indeed been found out by men.
14The abyss said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not in me.
15Would not one give for it all he hath got?
16But silver cannot be weighed as its price; nor can it be purchased with the gold of Sophir—with the precious onyx or the sapphire.
17Gold and crystal cannot equal it in value; nor can jewels of gold be a barter for it.
18Things above need not be mentioned: but prize thou wisdom above all things below.
19The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it in value: nor is it to be rated by pure gold.
20But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
21It hath escaped the knowledge of every man; and is hid from the birds of the air.
22Destruction and death said, We have heard the fame of it.
23God is perfectly acquainted with its way and knoweth its place.
24For He surveyeth the whole world; and knoweth all on the earth—
25all that He hath made—the weight of winds and the measures of water.
26When He had made and seen and numbered them; and also a way for the pealing thunder:
27then did He see it and declare it: and having prepared and traced it,
28He said to man: Behold, the worshipping of God is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding.