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