Job 28:12-19

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.

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Other Translations of Job 28:12-19

King James Version

¹² But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

¹⁴ The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. ¹⁵ It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. ¹⁶ It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. ¹⁷ The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels jewels...: or, vessels of of fine gold. ¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral, coral: or, Ramoth or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. ¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

English Standard Version

¹² "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.

¹⁴ The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' ¹⁵ It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. ¹⁶ It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. ¹⁷ Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. ¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. ¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.

The Message

¹² "But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide? ¹³ Mortals don't have a clue, haven't the slightest idea where to look.

¹⁴ Earth's depths say, 'It's not here'; ocean deeps echo, 'Never heard of it.' ¹⁵ It can't be bought with the finest gold; no amount of silver can get it. ¹⁶ Even famous Ophir gold can't buy it, not even diamonds and sapphires. ¹⁷ Neither gold nor emeralds are comparable; extravagant jewelry can't touch it. ¹⁸ Pearl necklaces and ruby bracelets - why bother? None of this is even a down payment on Wisdom! ¹⁹ Pile gold and African diamonds as high as you will, they can't hold a candle to Wisdom.

New King James Version

¹² "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.

¹⁴ The deep says, 'It is not in me'; And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' ¹⁵ It cannot be purchased for gold, Nor can silver be weighed for its price. ¹⁶ It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx or sapphire. ¹⁷ Neither gold nor crystal can equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. ¹⁸ No mention shall be made of coral or quartz, For the price of wisdom is above rubies. ¹⁹ The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold.

New Living Translation

¹² "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? ¹³ No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living.

¹⁴ 'It is not here,' says the ocean. 'Nor is it here,' says the sea. ¹⁵ It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver. ¹⁶ It's worth more than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli. ¹⁷ Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. ¹⁸ Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies. ¹⁹ Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. It's worth more than the purest gold.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:12-19

Commentary on Job 28:12-19

(Read Job 28:12-19)

Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation.