The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 Truly there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is washed out.
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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, and stone is changed into brass by the fire.
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Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Man puts an end to the dark, searching out to the farthest limit the stones of the deep places of the dark.
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Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 He makes a deep mine far away from those living in the light of day; when they go about on the earth, they have no knowledge of those who are under them, who are hanging far from men, twisting from side to side on a cord.
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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 As for the earth, bread comes out of it; but under its face it is turned up as if by fire.
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The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;
6 Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold.
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lapis lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No bird has knowledge of it, and the hawk's eye has never seen it.
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No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it.
8 The great beasts have not gone over it, and the cruel lion has not taken that way.
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Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.
9 Man puts out his hand on the hard rock, overturning mountains by the roots.
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People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 He makes deep ways, cut through the rock, and his eye sees everything of value.
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They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.
11 He keeps back the streams from flowing, and makes the secret things come out into the light.
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They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.
12 But where may wisdom be seen? and where is the resting-place of knowledge?
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But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
13 Man has not seen the way to it, and it is not in the land of the living.
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No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The deep waters say, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me.
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The deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 Gold may not be given for it, or a weight of silver in payment for it.
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It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It may not be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the onyx of great price, or the sapphire.
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It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Gold and glass are not equal to it in price, and it may not be exchanged for jewels of the best gold.
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Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 There is no need to say anything about coral or crystal; and the value of wisdom is greater than that of pearls.
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Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia is not equal to it, and it may not be valued with the best gold.
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The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 From where then does wisdom come, and where is the resting-place of knowledge?
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Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
21 For it is kept secret from the eyes of all living, unseen by the birds of the air.
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It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Destruction and Death say, We have only had word of it with our ears.
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Destruction and Death say, “Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.”
23 God has knowledge of the way to it, and of its resting-place;
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God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 For his eyes go to the ends of the earth, and he sees everything under heaven.
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for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he made a weight for the wind, measuring out the waters;
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When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
26 When he made a law for the rain, and a way for the thunder-flames;
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when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 Then he saw it, and put it on record; he gave it its fixed form, searching it out completely.
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then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to man, Truly the fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to keep from evil is the way to knowledge.
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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.”
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
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.