28Job 28

1Surely there is for silver a source, And a place for the gold they refine;Select Job 28:1

2Iron from the dust is taken, And from the firm stone brass.Select Job 28:2

3An end hath he set to darkness, And to all perfection he is searching, A stone of darkness and death-shade.Select Job 28:3

4A stream hath broken out from a sojourner, Those forgotten of the foot, They were low, from man they wandered.Select Job 28:4

5The earth! from it cometh forth bread, And its under-part is turned like fire.Select Job 28:5

6A place of the sapphire are its stones, And it hath dust of gold.Select Job 28:6

7A path--not known it hath a ravenous fowl, Nor scorched it hath an eye of the kite,Select Job 28:7

8Nor trodden it have the sons of pride, Not passed over it hath the fierce lion.Select Job 28:8

9Against the flint he sent forth his hand, He overturned from the root mountains.Select Job 28:9

10Among rocks, brooks he hath cleaved, And every precious thing hath his eye seen.Select Job 28:10

11From overflowing floods he hath bound, And the hidden thing bringeth out to light.Select Job 28:11

12And the wisdom--whence is it found? And where is this, the place of understanding?Select Job 28:12

13Man hath not known its arrangement, Nor is it found in the land of the living.Select Job 28:13

14The deep hath said, `It is not in me,' And the sea hath said, `It is not with me.'Select Job 28:14

15Gold is not given for it, Nor is silver weighed--its price.Select Job 28:15

16It is not valued with pure gold of Ophir, With precious onyx and sapphire,Select Job 28:16

17Not equal it do gold and crystal, Nor is its exchange a vessel of fine gold.Select Job 28:17

18Corals and pearl are not remembered, The acquisition of wisdom is above rubies.Select Job 28:18

19Not equal it doth the topaz of Cush, With pure gold it is not valued.Select Job 28:19

20And the wisdom--whence doth it come? And where is this, the place of understanding?Select Job 28:20

21It hath been hid from the eyes of all living. And from the fowl of the heavens It hath been hidden.Select Job 28:21

22Destruction and death have said: `With our ears we have heard its fame.'Select Job 28:22

23God hath understood its way, And He hath known its place.Select Job 28:23

24For He to the ends of the earth doth look, Under the whole heavens He doth see,Select Job 28:24

25To make for the wind a weight, And the waters He meted out in measure.Select Job 28:25

26In His making for the rain a limit, And a way for the brightness of the voices,Select Job 28:26

27Then He hath seen and declareth it, He hath prepared it, and also searched it out,Select Job 28:27

28And He saith to man: --`Lo, fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to turn from evil is understanding.'Select Job 28:28