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