New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 "There are mines where silver is found. There are places where gold is purified.
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There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth. Copper is melted down from ore.
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Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
3 A miner lights up the darkness. He searches for ore in the deepest pits. He looks for it in the blackest 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 people live he cuts a tunnel. He does it in places where others don't go. Far away from people he swings back and forth on ropes.
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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 on the surface of the earth. But far below, the earth is changed as if by fire.
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The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;
6 Sapphires are taken from its rocks. Its dust contains nuggets of gold.
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lapis lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No bird knows the miner's hidden path. No falcon's eye has seen it.
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No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it.
8 Proud animals don't walk on it. Lions don't prowl there.
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Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.
9 The miner attacks the hardest rock. His strong hands uncover the base of the mountains.
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People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 He tunnels through the rock. His eyes see all of its treasures.
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They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.
11 He searches the places where the rivers begin. He brings hidden things out into the light.
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They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.
12 "And where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live?
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But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
13 No one knows how much it's worth. It can't be found anywhere in the world.
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No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The ocean says, 'It's not in me.' The sea says, 'It's not here either.'
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The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 It can't be bought with the finest gold. Its price can't be weighed out in silver.
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It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It can't be bought with gold from Ophir. It can't be bought with priceless onyx or sapphires.
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It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Gold or crystal can't compare with it. It can't be bought with jewels made of gold.
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Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 Don't bother to talk about coral and jasper. Wisdom is worth far more than rubies.
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Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 A topaz from Cush can't compare with it. It can't be bought with the purest gold.
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The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 "So where does wisdom come from? Where does understanding live?
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Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
21 It's hidden from the eyes of every living thing. Even the birds of the air can't find it.
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It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Death and the Grave say, 'Only reports about it have reached our ears.'
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Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 But God understands the way to it. He's the only one who knows where it lives.
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God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 He sees from one end of the earth to the other. He views everything in the world.
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for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
25 He made the mighty wind. He measured out the waters.
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When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
26 He gave orders for the rain to fall. He made paths for the thunderstorms.
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when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 Then he looked at wisdom and set its price. He established it and put it to the test.
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then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.
28 He said to human beings, 'Have respect for me. That will prove you are wise. Avoid evil. That will show you have understanding.' "
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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.”
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.