Good News Translation w/ Apocrypha GNTA
New International Version NIV
1 There are mines where silver is dug; There are places where gold is refined.
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There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
2 We dig iron out of the ground And melt copper out of the stones.
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Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Miners explore the deepest darkness. They search the depths of the earth And dig for rocks in the darkness.
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Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 Far from where anyone lives Or human feet ever travel, They dig the shafts of mines. There they work in loneliness, Clinging to ropes in the pits.
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Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway.
5 Food grows out of the earth, But underneath the same earth All is torn up and crushed.
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The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;
6 The stones of the earth contain sapphires, And its dust contains gold.
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lapis lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No hawk sees the roads to the mines, And no vulture ever flies over them.
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No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it.
8 No lion or other fierce beast Ever travels those lonely roads.
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Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.
9 Miners dig the hardest rocks, Dig mountains away at their base.
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People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 As they tunnel through the rocks, They discover precious stones.
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They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.
11 They dig to the sources of rivers And bring to light what is hidden.
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They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.
12 But where can wisdom be found? Where can we learn to understand?
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But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
13 Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value.
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No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The depths of the oceans and seas Say that wisdom is not found there.
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The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 It cannot be bought with silver or gold.
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It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 The finest gold and jewels Cannot equal its value.
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It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 It is worth more than gold, Than a gold vase or finest glass.
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Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 The value of wisdom is more Than coral or crystal or rubies.
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Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 The finest topaz and the purest gold Cannot compare with the value of wisdom.
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The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 Where, then, is the source of wisdom? Where can we learn to understand?
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Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
21 No living creature can see it, Not even a bird in flight.
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It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Even death and destruction Admit they have heard only rumors.
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Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God alone knows the way, Knows the place where wisdom is found,
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God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 Because he sees the ends of the earth, Sees everything under the sky.
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for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When God gave the wind its power And determined the size of the sea;
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When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
26 When God decided where the rain would fall, And the path that the thunderclouds travel;
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when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth - He gave it his approval.
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then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.
28 God said to us humans, "To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil."
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And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.