[1] Truly there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is washed out.
[2] Iron is taken out of the earth, and stone is changed into brass by the
fire. [3] Man puts an end to the dark, searching out to the farthest limit
the stones of the deep places of the dark. [4] He makes a deep mine far
away from those living in the light of day; when they go about on the
earth, they have no knowledge of those who are under them, who are hanging
far from men, twisting from side to side on a cord. [5] As for the earth,
bread comes out of it; but under its face it is turned up as if by fire.
[6] Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold. [7] No
bird has knowledge of it, and the hawk's eye has never seen it. [8] The
great beasts have not gone over it, and the cruel lion has not taken that
way. [9] Man puts out his hand on the hard rock, overturning mountains by
the roots. [10] He makes deep ways, cut through the rock, and his eye sees
everything of value. [11] He keeps back the streams from flowing, and makes
the secret things come out into the light. [12] But where may wisdom be
seen? and where is the resting-place of knowledge? [13] Man has not seen
the way to it, and it is not in the land of the living. [14] The deep
waters say, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me. [15] Gold
may not be given for it, or a weight of silver in payment for it. [16] It
may not be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the onyx of great price, or
the sapphire. [17] Gold and glass are not equal to it in price, and it may
not be exchanged for jewels of the best gold. [18] There is no need to say
anything about coral or crystal; and the value of wisdom is greater than
that of pearls. [19] The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may
not be valued with the best gold. [20] From where then does wisdom come,
and where is the resting-place of knowledge? [21] For it is kept secret
from the eyes of all living, unseen by the birds of the air. [22]
Destruction and Death say, We have only had word of it with our ears. [23]
God has knowledge of the way to it, and of its resting-place; [24] For his
eyes go to the ends of the earth, and he sees everything under heaven. [25]
When he made a weight for the wind, measuring out the waters; [26] When he
made a law for the rain, and a way for the thunder-flames; [27] Then he saw
it, and put it on record; he gave it its fixed form, searching it out
completely. [28] And he said to man, Truly the fear of the Lord is wisdom,
and to keep from evil is the way to knowledge.