2. Iron is taken from the earth,and copper smelted out of stone.
3. He sets a boundary for the darkness;the farthest confines he explores.
4. He breaks open a shaft far from habitation,unknown to human feet;suspended, far from people, they sway.
5. The earth, though out of it comes forth bread,is in fiery upheaval underneath.
6. Its stones are the source of lapis lazuli,and there is gold in its dust.
7. The path no bird of prey knows,nor has the hawk’s eye seen it.
8. The proud beasts have not trodden it,nor has the lion gone that way.
9. He sets his hand to the flinty rock,and overturns the mountains at their root.
10. He splits channels in the rocks;his eyes behold all that is precious.
11. He dams up the sources of the streams,and brings hidden things to light.
12. As for wisdom—where can she be found?Where is the place of understanding?
13. Mortals do not know her path,nor is she to be found in the land of the living.
14. The Deep says, “She is not in me”;and the Sea says, “She is not with me.”
15. Solid gold cannot purchase her,nor can her price be paid with silver.
16. She cannot be bought with gold of Ophir,with precious onyx or lapis lazuli,
17. Gold or crystal cannot equal her,nor can golden vessels be exchanged for her.