【Job】Chapter 28 << Last Chapter Next Chapter >>

28:1 There is indeed a mine for silver, and a place for gold which men refine.

28:2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is melted out of stone.

28:3 He has set a boundary for the darkness; to the farthest confines he penetrates.

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, though out of it comes forth bread, is in fiery upheaval underneath.

28:6 Its stones are the source of sapphires, and there is gold in its dust.

28:7 The path to it no bird of prey knows, nor has the hawk’s eye seen that path.

28:8 The proud beasts have not trodden it, nor has the lion gone that way.

28:9 He sets his hand to the flinty rock, and overturns the mountains at their foundations.

28:10 He splits channels in the rocks; his eyes behold all that is precious.

28:11 He probes the wellsprings of the streams, and brings hidden things to light.

28:12 But whence can wisdom be obtained, and where is the place of understanding?

28:13 Man knows nothing to equal it, nor is it to be had in the land of the living.

28:14 The abyss declares, "It is not in me"; and the sea says, "I have it not."

28:15 Solid gold cannot purchase it, nor can its price be paid with silver.

28:16 It cannot be bought with gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx or the sapphire.

28:17 Gold or crystal cannot equal it, nor can golden vessels reach its worth.

28:18 Neither coral nor jasper should be thought of; it surpasses pearls and

28:19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.

28:20 Whence, then, comes wisdom, and where is the place of understanding?

28:21 It is hid from the eyes of any beast; from the birds of the air it is concealed.

28:22 Abaddon and Death say, "Only by rumor have we heard of it."

28:23 God knows the way to it; it is he who is familiar with its place.

28:24 For he beholds the ends of the earth and sees all that is under the heavens.

28:25 He has weighed out the wind, and fixed the scope of the waters;

28:26 When he made rules for the rain and a path for the thunderbolts,

28:27 Then he saw wisdom and appraised it, gave it its setting, knew it through and through.

28:28 And to man he said: Behold, the fear of the LORD is wisdom; and avoiding evil is understanding.

Fr: To: