28:1 There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
28:2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
28:3 Man puts an end to the darkness he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
28:4 Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man far from men he dangles and sways.
28:5 The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire
28:6 sapphires [Or lapis lazuli also in verse 16] come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
28:7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it.
28:8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.
28:9 Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains.
28:10 He tunnels through the rock his eyes see all its treasures.
28:11 He searches [Septuagint, Aquila and Vulgate Hebrew He dams up] the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.
28:12 But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
28:13 Man does not comprehend its worth it cannot be found in the land of the living.
28:14 The deep says, `It is not in me’ the sea says, `It is not with me.’
28:15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver.
28:16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires.
28:17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
28:18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
28:19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it it cannot be bought with pure gold.
28:20 Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
28:21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.
28:22 Destruction [Hebrew Abaddon] and Death say, `Only a rumour of it has reached our ears.’
28:23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
28:24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
28:25 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
28:26 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
28:27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it he confirmed it and tested it.
28:28 And he said to man, `The fear of the Lord that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’