Job 28:1-28 - Job's Discourse On Wisdom

¹ "Surely there are mines for silver and places where gold is refined. ² Iron is taken from the ground; and copper is smelted from ore. ³ Mankind limits the darkness as they search the deepest depths for ore in unfathomable darkness. ⁴ He sinks his shaft far from human habitations, in a place forgotten by explorers; they hang on harnesses as they swing back and forth. ⁵ "While the ground produces food, underneath it is torn up and burning hot, ⁶ where stones are sapphire and gold dust can be found, ⁷ a place where birds of prey never fly, and the eyes of the falcon have never seen. ⁸ The proud beasts haven't walked there; lions have never passed over it. ⁹ "Using a flint, he thrusts his hand, overturning mountains by the roots. ¹⁰ He cuts a channel through the rocks, while his eyes search for anything of value. ¹¹ He dams up flowing rivers, bringing hidden things to light."

¹² "Where can wisdom be found? Where is understanding's home? ¹³ Mankind doesn't appreciate their value; and you won't find it anywhere on earth. ¹⁴ The deepest ocean says, "It's not within me.' and the sea says, "You'll never find it with me.' ¹⁵ You can't buy it with gold, and its value cannot be calculated in silver. ¹⁶ It cannot be compared to gold from Ophir, with precious onyx, or with sapphire. ¹⁷ It cannot be compared to gold and fine glass crystal, nor can it be exchanged for gold-plated weaponry. ¹⁸ Don't even bother to mention coral and crystal wisdom is more valuable than a bag of rubies. ¹⁹ It can neither be compared with the topaz of Ethiopia nor valued in comparison to pure gold."

²⁰ "From where, then, does wisdom originate? Where does understanding live? ²¹ It has been concealed from the sight of every living creature and hidden even from the birds in the skies. ²² Abaddon and death said, "We did hear a rumor about it.' ²³ God understands how to get there; he knows where they live. ²⁴ For he looks as far as the ends of the earth and sees everything under the sky. ²⁵ "He imparted weight to the wind; he regulated water by his measurement. ²⁶ He set in place ordinances for the rain; and determined the pathway for thunder that accompanies lightning. ²⁷ Then he looked at wisdom, and fixed it in place; he established it, and also examined it. ²⁸ He has commanded mankind: "To fear the Lord that is wisdom; to move away from evil that is understanding.'"