Job
Summary
Job Chapter 28 is a profound and beautiful hymn to wisdom, often called the "interlude on wisdom." Job describes the incredible technical skills of miners who search out precious metals in the darkest depths of the earth, where no bird or lion has ever trod. He notes that while man can find silver and gold, he cannot find wisdom, for its "price" is beyond any earthly treasure: neither the gold of Ophir nor precious sapphire can equal it. Only God knows the way to wisdom. The chapter concludes with the famous declaration: "The fear of the Lord: that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."
"There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined."
"Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."
"Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness."
"Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot; far from other people they dangle and sway."
"The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;"
"its rocks contain sapphires, and its dust contains gold."
"No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it."
"Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there."
"The miner’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains."
"He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures."
"He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light."
"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?"
"No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living."
"The deep says, 'It is not in me'; the sea says, 'It is not with me.'"
"It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver."
"It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli."
"Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold."
"Coral and crystal are not even to be mentioned; the price of wisdom is far beyond rubies."
"The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold."
"Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?"
"It is hidden from the eyes of every living creature, concealed even from the birds in the sky."
"Destruction and Death say, 'Only a rumour of it has reached our ears.'"
"God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,"
"for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens."
"When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,"
"when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,"
"then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it."
"And he said to the human race, 'The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"