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.