(NLT)
Job
28
:
1
"People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
2
They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
3
They know how to shine light in the darkness and explore the farthest regions of the earth as they search in the dark for ore.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
4
They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
5
Food is grown on the earth above, but down below, the earth is melted as by fire.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
6
Here the rocks contain precious lapis lazuli, and the dust contains gold.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
7
These are treasures no bird of prey can see, no falcon's eye observe.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
8
No wild animal has walked upon these treasures; no lion has ever set his paw there.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
9
People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
10
They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
11
They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
12
"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
(NLT)
Job
28
:
13
No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
14
It is not here,' says the ocean. 'Nor is it here,' says the sea.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
15
It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
16
It's worth more than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
17
Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
18
Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
19
Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. It's worth more than the purest gold.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
20
"But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
(NLT)
Job
28
:
21
It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
22
Destruction and Death say, 'We've heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found.'
(NLT)
Job
28
:
23
"God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found,
(NLT)
Job
28
:
24
for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
25
He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
26
He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
27
Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly.
(NLT)
Job
28
:
28
And this is what he says to all humanity: The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"