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