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28:1  There are mines where silver is dug; There are places where gold is refined.
28:2  We dig iron out of the ground And melt copper out of the stones.
28:3  Miners explore the deepest darkness. They search the depths of the earth And dig for rocks in the darkness.
28:4  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.
28:5  Food grows out of the earth, But underneath the same earth All is torn up and crushed.
28:6  The stones of the earth contain sapphires, And its dust contains gold.
28:7  No hawk sees the roads to the mines, And no vulture ever flies over them.
28:8  No lion or other fierce beast Ever travels those lonely roads.
28:9  Miners dig the hardest rocks, Dig mountains away at their base.
28:10  As they tunnel through the rocks, They discover precious stones.
28:11  They dig to the sources of rivers And bring to light what is hidden.
28:12  But where can wisdom be found? Where can we learn to understand?
28:13  Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value.
28:14  The depths of the oceans and seas Say that wisdom is not found there.
28:15  It cannot be bought with silver or gold.
28:16  The finest gold and jewels Cannot equal its value.
28:17  It is worth more than gold, Than a gold vase or finest glass.
28:18  The value of wisdom is more Than coral or crystal or rubies.
28:19  The finest topaz and the purest gold Cannot compare with the value of wisdom.
28:20  Where, then, is the source of wisdom? Where can we learn to understand?
28:21  No living creature can see it, Not even a bird in flight.
28:22  Even death and destruction Admit they have heard only rumors.
28:23  God alone knows the way, Knows the place where wisdom is found,
28:24  Because he sees the ends of the earth, Sees everything under the sky.
28:25  When God gave the wind its power And determined the size of the sea;
28:26  When God decided where the rain would fall, And the path that the thunderclouds travel;
28:27  It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth— He gave it his approval.
28:28  God said to us humans, “To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil.”