1 “Surely there are mines for silver and places where gold is refined. ISV — Job 28:1
2 Iron is taken from the ground; a28:2 Or dry earth and copper is smelted from ore. ISV — Job 28:2
3 Mankind limits the darkness as they search the deepest depths for ore b28:3 Lit. for darkest stone in unfathomable darkness. ISV — Job 28:3
4 He sinks his shaft far from human habitations, in a place c28:4 The Heb. lacks in a place forgotten by explorers; they hang on harnesses as they swing back and forth. ISV — Job 28:4
5 “While the ground produces food, underneath it is torn up and burning hot, d28:5 Lit. is turned up as by fire ISV — Job 28:5
6 where stones are sapphire and gold dust can be found, ISV — Job 28:6
7 a place where birds of prey never fly, and the eyes of the falcon have never seen. ISV — Job 28:7
8 The proud beasts haven’t walked there; lions have never passed over it. ISV — Job 28:8
9 “Using a flint, he thrusts his hand, overturning mountains by the roots. ISV — Job 28:9
10 He cuts a channel through the rocks, while his eyes search for anything of value. ISV — Job 28:10
11 He dams up flowing rivers, bringing hidden things to light.” ISV — Job 28:11
12 “Where can wisdom be found? Where is understanding’s home? ISV — Job 28:12
13 Mankind doesn’t appreciate their value; and you won’t find it anywhere on earth. e28:13 Lit. it in the land of the living ISV — Job 28:13
14 The deepest ocean says, ‘It’s not within me.’ and the sea says, ‘You’ll never find it with me.’ ISV — Job 28:14
15 You can’t buy it with gold, and its value cannot be calculated in silver. ISV — Job 28:15
16 It cannot be compared to gold from Ophir, f28:16 i.e. an ancient source of fine gold; cf. 1Chr 29:4 with precious onyx, or with sapphire. ISV — Job 28:16
17 It cannot be compared to gold and fine glass g28:17 The Heb. lacks fine glass crystal, nor can it be exchanged for gold-plated weaponry. h28:17 Or for refined implements made of gold ISV — Job 28:17
18 Don’t even bother to mention coral and crystal— wisdom is more valuable than a bag of rubies. i28:18 Or pearls ISV — Job 28:18
19 It can neither be compared with the topaz of Ethiopia nor valued in comparison to pure gold.” ISV — Job 28:19
20 “From where, then, does wisdom originate? Where does understanding live? j28:20 Lit. Where is its place? ISV — Job 28:20
21 It has been concealed from the sight of every living creature and hidden even from the birds in the skies. ISV — Job 28:21
22 Abaddon k28:22 i.e. the realm of eternal judgment in the afterlife and death said, ‘We did hear a rumor about it.’ ISV — Job 28:22
23 God understands how to get there; he knows where they live. l28:23 Lit. knows its place ISV — Job 28:23
24 For he looks as far as the ends of the earth and sees everything under the sky. m28:24 Or under heaven ISV — Job 28:24
25 “He imparted weight to the wind; he regulated water by his measurement. ISV — Job 28:25
26 He set in place ordinances for the rain; and determined the pathway for thunder that accompanies lightning. n28:26 The sound of a thunderbolt ISV — Job 28:26
27 Then he looked at wisdom, and fixed it in place; he established it, and also examined it. ISV — Job 28:27
28 He has commanded mankind: ‘To fear the Lord—that is wisdom; to move away from evil—that is understanding.’” ISV — Job 28:28