Where Wisdom Is Found
Job 28
Job describes how men mine the earth for silver, gold, iron, and precious stones in places no bird or beast can reach, then asks where wisdom itself may be found. He concludes that it is hidden from every living creature and known to God alone, who tells man that reverence for the Lord and turning from evil is wisdom.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHERE is indeed a place, from which silver is got; and a place from which gold is strained.
BrentonFor there is a place for the silver, whence it comes, and a place for the gold, whence it is refined.
GreekἘστι γὰρ ἀργυρίῳ τόπος ὅθεν γίνεται, τόπος δὲ χρυσίου ὅθεν διηθεῖται.
KJVSurely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
JPSFor there is a mine for silver, And a place for gold which they refine.
2
ThomsonIron indeed is made out of the earth, and brass is hewn from a quarry, like stones.
BrentonFor iron comes out of the earth, and brass is hewn out like stone.
GreekΣίδηρος μὲν γὰρ ἐκ γῆς γίνεται, χαλκὸς δὲ ἶσα λίθῳ λατομεῖται.
KJVIron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.
JPSIron is taken out of the dust, And brass is molten out of the stone.
3
ThomsonHe hath assigned a station for darkness: but every boundary he assigned is diligently explored—stones, darkness and the shadow of death;
BrentonHe has set a bound to darkness, and he searches out every limit: a stone is darkness, and the shadow of death.
GreekΤάξιν ἔθετο σκότει, καὶ πᾶν πέρας αὐτὸς ἐξακριβάζεται, λίθος σκοτία, καὶ σκιὰ θανάτου.
KJVHe setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
JPSMan setteth an end to darkness, And searcheth out to the furthest bound The stones of thick darkness and of the shadow of death.
4
Thomsonthe channels of brooks choked up with sand: where to such as know not the right way, strength is unavailing and they are removed from among men.
BrentonThere is a cutting off of the torrent by reason of dust: so they that forget the right way are weakened; they are removed from among men.
GreekΔιακοπὴ χειμάῤῥου ἀπὸ κονίας, οἱ δὲ ἐπιλανθανόμενοι ὁδὸν δικαίαν ἠσθένησαν, ἐκ βροτῶν ἐσαλεύθησαν.
KJV—
JPS—
5
ThomsonAs for the earth out of which bread cometh; from underneath it something like fire hath been turned up.
BrentonAs for the earth, out of it shall come bread: under it has been turned up as it were fire.
GreekΓῆ, ἐξ αὐτῆς ἐξελεύσεται ἄρτος, ὑποκάτω αὐτῆς ἐστράφη ὡσεὶ πῦρ.
KJVAs for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
JPSAs for the earth, out of it cometh bread, And underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.
6
ThomsonThe stones thereof is the place of the sapphire. And the dust thereof supplieth man with gold.
BrentonHer stones are the place of the sapphire: and her dust supplies man with gold.
GreekΤόπος σαπφείρου οἱ λίθοι αὐτῆς, καὶ χῶμα χρυσίον αὐτῷ.
KJVThe stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.
JPSThe stones thereof are the place of sapphires, And it hath dust of gold.
7
ThomsonA path is explored which no bird knew; and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen—
BrentonThere is a path, the fowl has not known it, neither has the eye of the vulture seen it:
GreekΤρίβος, οὐκ ἔγνω αὐτὴν πετεινὸν, καὶ οὐ παρέβλεψεν αὐτὴν ὀφθαλμὸς γυπός·
KJVThere is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:
JPSThat path no bird of prey knoweth, Neither hath the falcon’s eye seen it;
8
Thomson—
Brentonneither have the sons of the proud trodden it, a lion has not passed upon it.
GreekΚαὶ οὐκ ἐπάτησαν αὐτὸν υἱοὶ ἀλαζόνων, οὐ παρῆλθεν ἐπʼ αὐτῆς λέων.
KJVThe lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
JPSThe proud beasts have not trodden it, Nor hath the lion passed thereby.
9
ThomsonHe hath stretched forth His hand with a pick and hath overturned mountains from the roots,
BrentonHe has stretched forth his hand on the sharp rock, and turned up mountains by the roots:
GreekἘν ἀκροτόμῳ ἐξέτεινε χεῖρα αὐτοῦ, κατέστρεψε δὲ ἐκ ῥιζῶν ὄρη.
KJVHe putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.
JPSHe putteth forth his hand upon the flinty rock; He overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10
Thomsonand hath broken through the whirlpools of rivers: and His eye hath seen every precious thing.
Brentonand he has interrupted the whirlpools of rivers, and mine eye has seen every precious thing.
GreekΔίνας δὲ ποταμῶν διέῤῥηξε, πᾶν δὲ ἔντιμον εἴδέ μου ὁ ὀφθαλμός.
KJVHe cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
JPSHe cutteth out channels among the rocks; And his eye seeth every precious thing. .
11
ThomsonHe hath laid bare the bottoms of rivers and given manifest proofs of His power.
BrentonAnd he has laid bare the depths of rivers, and has brought his power to light.
GreekΒάθη δὲ ποταμῶν ἀνεκάλυψεν, ἔδειξε δὲ αὐτοῦ δύναμιν εἰς φῶς.
KJV—
JPS—
12
ThomsonBut where is wisdom to be found? And where is the place of understanding?
BrentonBut whence has wisdom been discovered? and what is the place of knowledge?
GreekἩ δὲ σοφία πόθεν εὑρέθη; ποῖος δὲ τόπος ἐστὶ τῆς ἐπιστήμης;
KJVBut where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
JPSBut wisdom, where shall it be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13
ThomsonA mortal knoweth not the way thereof; nor hath it indeed been found out by men.
BrentonA mortal has not known its way, neither indeed has it been discovered among men.
GreekΟὐκ οἶδε βροτὸς ὁδὸν αὐτῆς, οὐδὲ μὴν εὑρέθη ἐν ἀνθρώποις.
KJV—
JPS—
14
ThomsonThe abyss said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not in me.
BrentonThe depth said, It is not in me: and the sea said, It is not with me.
GreekἌβυσσος εἶπεν, οὐκ ἔνεστιν ἐν ἐμοί· καὶ ἡ θάλασσα εἶπεν, οὐκ ἔνεστι μετʼ ἐμοῦ.
KJVThe depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
JPSThe deep saith: ‘It is not in me’; And the sea saith: ‘It is not with me.’
15
ThomsonWould not one give for it all he hath got?
BrentonOne shall not give fine gold instead of it, neither shall silver be weighed in exchange for it.
GreekΟὐ δώσει συνκλεισμὸν ἀντʼ αὐτῆς, καὶ οὐ σταθήσεται ἀργύριον ἀντάλλαγμα αὐτῆς.
KJVIt cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
JPSIt cannot be gotten for gold, Neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16
ThomsonBut silver cannot be weighed as its price; nor can it be purchased with the gold of Sophir—with the precious onyx or the sapphire.
BrentonNeither shall it be compared with gold of Sophir, with the precious onyx and sapphire.
GreekΚαὶ οὐ συνβασταχθήσεται χρυσίῳ Σωφεὶρ, ἐν ὄνυχι τιμίῳ καὶ σαπφείρῳ.
KJVIt cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
JPSIt cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, With the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17
Thomson—
BrentonGold and crystal shall not be equalled to it, neither shall vessels of gold be its exchange.
GreekΟὐκ ἰσωθήσεται αὐτῇ χρυσίον καὶ ὕαλος, καὶ τὸ ἄλλαγμα αὐτῆς σκεύη χρυσᾶ.
KJVThe gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
JPSGold and glass cannot equal it; Neither shall the exchange thereof be vessels of fine gold.
18
ThomsonThings above need not be mentioned: but prize thou wisdom above all things below.
BrentonCoral and fine pearl shall not be mentioned: but do thou esteem wisdom above the most precious things.
GreekΜετέωρα καὶ γαβὶς οὐ μνησθήσεται, καὶ ἕλκυσον σοφίαν ὑπὲρ τὰ ἐσώτατα.
KJVNo mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
JPSNo mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; Yea, the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19
ThomsonThe topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it in value: nor is it to be rated by pure gold.
BrentonThe topaz of Ethiopia shall not be equalled to it; it shall not be compared with pure gold.
GreekΟὐκ ἰσωθήσεται αὐτῇ τοπάζιον Αἰθιοπίας, χρυσίῳ καθαρῷ οὐ συμβασταχθήσεται.
KJVThe topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
JPSThe topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20
ThomsonBut where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
BrentonWhence then is wisdom found? and of what kind is the place of understanding?
GreekἩ δὲ σοφία πόθεν εὑρέθη; ποῖος δὲ τόπος ἐστὶ τῆς συνέσεως;
KJVWhence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
JPSWhence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?
21
ThomsonIt hath escaped the knowledge of every man; and is hid from the birds of the air.
BrentonIt has escaped the notice of every man, and has been hidden from the birds of the sky.
GreekΛέληθε πάντα ἄνθρωπον, καὶ ἀπὸ πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἐκρύβη.
KJV—
JPS—
22
ThomsonDestruction and death said, We have heard the fame of it.
BrentonDestruction and Death said, We have heard the report of it.
GreekἩ ἀπώλεια καὶ ὁ θάνατος εἶπαν, ἀκηκόαμεν δὲ αὐτῆς τὸ κλέος.
KJVDestruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
JPSDestruction and Death say: ‘We have heard a rumor thereof with our ears.’
23
ThomsonGod is perfectly acquainted with its way and knoweth its place.
BrentonGod has well ordered the way of it, and he knows the place of it.
GreekὉ Θεὸς εὖ συνέστησεν αὐτῆς τὴν ὁδὸν, αὐτὸς δὲ οἶδε τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς.
KJVGod understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
JPSGod understandeth the way thereof, And He knoweth the place thereof.
24
ThomsonFor He surveyeth the whole world; and knoweth all on the earth—
BrentonFor he surveys the whole earth under heaven, knowing the things in the earth:
GreekΑὐτὸς γὰρ τὴν ὑπʼ οὐρανὸν πᾶσαν ἐφορᾷ· εἰδὼς τὰ ἐν τῇ γῇ, πάντα
KJVFor he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
JPSFor He looketh to the ends of the earth, And seeth under the whole heaven;
25
Thomsonall that He hath made—the weight of winds and the measures of water.
Brentonall that he has made; the weight of the winds, the measures of the water.
Greekἃ ἐποίησεν, ἀνέμων σταθμὸν, ὕδατος μέτρα ὅτε ἐποίησεν·
KJVTo make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
JPS—
26
ThomsonWhen He had made and seen and numbered them; and also a way for the pealing thunder:
BrentonWhen he made them, thus he saw and numbered them, and made a way for the pealing of the thunder.
Greekοὕτως ἰδὼν ἠρίθμησε, καὶ ὁδὸν ἐν τινάγματι φωνάς.
KJVWhen he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
JPSWhen He made a decree for the rain, And a way for the storm of thunders;
27
Thomsonthen did He see it and declare it: and having prepared and traced it,
BrentonThen he saw it, and declared it: he prepared it and traced it out.
GreekΤότε εἶδεν αὐτὴν, καὶ ἐξηγήσατο αὐτὴν, ἑτοιμάσας ἐξιχνίασεν.
KJVThen did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
JPSThen did He see it, and declare it; He established it, yea, and searched it out.
28
ThomsonHe said to man: Behold, the worshipping of God is wisdom: and to abstain from evil is understanding.
BrentonAnd he said to man, Behold, godliness is wisdom; and to abstain from evil is understanding.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ ἀνθρώπῳ, Ἰδοὺ ἡ θεοσέβειά ἐστι σοφία, τὸ δὲ ἀπέχεσθαι ἀπὸ κακῶν ἐστὶν ἐπιστήμη.
KJVAnd unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
JPSAnd unto man He said: ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’