1 There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.3 Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway.5 The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;6 lapis lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon's eye has seen it.8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.9 People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains.10 They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.11 They search "the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.12 But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?13 No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, "It is not in me"; the sea says, "It is not with me."15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver.16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.20 Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds in the sky.22 Destruction "and Death say, "Only a rumor of it has reached our ears."23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.28 And he said to the human race, "The fear of the Lord —that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding."

1 [Habet argentum venarum suarum principia,et auro locus est in quo conflatur.2 Ferrum de terra tollitur,et lapis solutus calore in s vertitur.3 Tempus posuit tenebris,et universorum finem ipse considerat :lapidem quoque caliginis et umbram mortis.4 Dividit torrens a populo peregrinanteeos quos oblitus est pes egentis hominis, et invios.5 Terra de qua oriebatur panis,in loco suo igni subversa est.6 Locus sapphiri lapides ejus,et gleb illius aurum.7 Semitam ignoravit avis,nec intuitus est eam oculus vulturis.8 Non calcaverunt eam filii institorum,nec pertransivit per eam lena.9 Ad silicem extendit manum suam :subvertit a radicibus montes.10 In petris rivos excidit,et omne pretiosum vidit oculus ejus.11 Profunda quoque fluviorum scrutatus est,et abscondita in lucem produxit.12 Sapientia vero ubi invenitur ?et quis est locus intelligenti ?13 Nescit homo pretium ejus,nec invenitur in terra suaviter viventium.14 Abyssus dicit : Non est in me,et mare loquitur : Non est mecum.15 Non dabitur aurum obrizum pro ea,nec appendetur argentum in commutatione ejus.16 Non conferetur tinctis Indi coloribus,nec lapidi sardonycho pretiosissimo vel sapphiro.17 Non adquabitur ei aurum vel vitrum,nec commutabuntur pro ea vasa auri.18 Excelsa et eminentia non memorabuntur comparatione ejus :trahitur autem sapientia de occultis.19 Non adquabitur ei topazius de thiopia,nec tinctur mundissim componetur.20 Unde ergo sapientia venit ?et quis est locus intelligenti ?21 Abscondita est ab oculis omnium viventium :volucres quoque cli latet.22 Perditio et mors dixerunt :Auribus nostris audivimus famam ejus.23 Deus intelligit viam ejus,et ipse novit locum illius.24 Ipse enim fines mundi intuetur,et omnia qu sub clo sunt respicit.25 Qui fecit ventis pondus,et aquas appendit in mensura.26 Quando ponebat pluviis legem,et viam procellis sonantibus :27 tunc vidit illam et enarravit,et prparavit, et investigavit.28 Et dixit homini : Ecce timor Domini, ipsa est sapientia ;et recedere a malo, intelligentia.]