Job 28

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