Job 28

v.1-2

“There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. ²Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.

v.3-4

Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. ⁴Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways.

v.12

“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?

v.13

Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.

v.18

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

v.20

“Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?

v.21

It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.

v.22

Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.‘

v.23

God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,

v.24

for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

v.25-27

When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, ²⁶when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, ²⁷then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.

v.28

And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.‘”