Job 28:1  "We all know how silver seams the rocks, we've seen the stuff from which gold is refined,

Job 28:2  We're aware of how iron is dug out of the ground and copper is smelted from rock.

Job 28:3  Miners penetrate the earth's darkness, searching the roots of the mountains for ore, digging away in the suffocating darkness.

Job 28:4  Far from civilization, far from the traffic, they cut a shaft, and are lowered into it by ropes.

Job 28:5  Earth's surface is a field for grain, but its depths are a forge

Job 28:6  Firing sapphires from stones and chiseling gold from rocks.

Job 28:7  Vultures are blind to its riches, hawks never lay eyes on it.

Job 28:8  Wild animals are oblivious to it, lions don't know it's there.

Job 28:9  Miners hammer away at the rock, they uproot the mountains.

Job 28:10  They tunnel through the rock and find all kinds of beautiful gems.

Job 28:11  They discover the origins of rivers, and bring earth's secrets to light.

Job 28:12  "But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide?

Job 28:13  Mortals don't have a clue, haven't the slightest idea where to look.

Job 28:14  Earth's depths say, 'It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, 'Never heard of it.'

Job 28:15  It can't be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it.

Job 28:16  Even famous Ophir gold can't buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires.

Job 28:17  Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can't touch it.

Job 28:18  Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets--why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom!

Job 28:19  Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can't hold a candle to Wisdom.

Job 28:20  "So where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live?

Job 28:21  It can't be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly.

Job 28:22  If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, 'We've only heard rumors of it.'

Job 28:23  "God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it.

Job 28:24  He knows where everything is on earth, he sees everything under heaven.

Job 28:25  After he commanded the winds to blow and measured out the waters,

Job 28:26  Arranged for the rain and set off explosions of thunder and lightning,

Job 28:27  He focused on Wisdom, made sure it was all set and tested and ready.

Job 28:28  Then he addressed the human race: 'Here it is! Fear-of-the-Lord--that's Wisdom, and Insight means shunning evil.'"