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 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 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 and Death say, 'Only a rumor 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.'"