[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.”