約伯記 28
1 銀子有礦； 煉金有方。
Silver has its fissures where it is first found, and gold has a place where it is melted.
2 鐵從地裏挖出； 銅從石中鎔化。
Iron is taken from the earth, and ore, unbound by heat, is turned into brass.
3 人為黑暗定界限， 查究幽暗陰翳的石頭，直到極處，
He has established a time for darkness, and he has settled on an end for all things, as well as for the stone that is in the gloom and shadow of death.
4 在無人居住之處刨開礦穴， 過路的人也想不到他們； 又與人遠離，懸在空中搖來搖去。
The burning separates a pilgrim people from those who have been forgotten by the feet of the destitute man and from the unapproachable.
5 至於地，能出糧食， 地內好像被火翻起來。
The land, where bread appeared in its place, has been destroyed by fire.
6 地中的石頭有藍寶石， 並有金沙。
Its stones are embedded with sapphires, and its soil, with gold.
7 礦中的路鷙鳥不得知道； 鷹眼也未見過。
The bird does not know its path, nor has the eye of the vulture beheld it.
8 狂傲的野獸未曾行過； 猛烈的獅子也未曾經過。
The sons of merchants have not walked there, nor has the lioness traveled through it.
9 人伸手鑿開堅石， 傾倒山根，
He has stretched out his hand to the rocks; he has overturned the foundations of the mountains.
10 在磐石中鑿出水道， 親眼看見各樣寶物。
He has cut rivers through the rocks, and his eye has seen all precious things.
11 他封閉水不得滴流， 使隱藏的物顯露出來。
The depths of rivers he has also examined, and he has brought hidden things into the light.
12 然而，智慧有何處可尋？ 聰明之處在哪裏呢？
But, in truth, where is wisdom to be found, and where is the place of understanding?
13 智慧的價值無人能知， 在活人之地也無處可尋。
Man does not know its price, nor is it found in the land of those who live in sweetness.
14 深淵說：不在我內； 滄海說：不在我中。
The abyss declares, “It is not in me.” And the sea says, “It is not with me.”
15 智慧非用黃金可得， 也不能平白銀為它的價值。
The finest gold will not be paid for it, nor will silver be weighed in exchange for it.
16 俄斐金和貴重的紅瑪瑙， 並藍寶石，不足與較量；
It will not be compared with the dyed colors of India, nor with the very costly stone sardonyx, nor with the sapphire.
17 黃金和玻璃不足與比較； 精金的器皿不足與兌換。
Neither gold nor crystal will be its equal; neither will vessels of gold be fitted for it.
18 珊瑚、水晶都不足論； 智慧的價值勝過珍珠。
The exalted and the eminent will not be remembered in comparison with it. Yet wisdom is drawn out of concealment.
19 古實的紅璧璽不足與比較； 精金也不足與較量。
The topaz of Ethiopia will not be equal to it, nor will it be compared to the purest dyes.
20 智慧從何處來呢？ 聰明之處在哪裏呢？
So then, where does wisdom begin, and where is the place of understanding?
21 是向一切有生命的眼目隱藏， 向空中的飛鳥掩蔽。
It has been hidden from the eyes of all living things, just as the birds of the heavens escape notice.
22 滅沒和死亡說： 我們風聞其名。
Perdition and death have said, “With our ears, we have heard its fame.”
23 上帝明白智慧的道路， 曉得智慧的所在。
God understands its way, and he knows its location.
24 因他鑒察直到地極， 遍觀普天之下，
For he beholds the limits of the world, and he looks upon all things that are under heaven.
25 要為風定輕重， 又度量諸水；
He created a counterweight for the winds, and he suspended the waters to measure them.
26 他為雨露定命令， 為雷電定道路。
At that time, he gave a law to the rain and a path to the resounding storms.
27 那時他看見智慧，而且述說； 他堅定，並且查究。
Then he saw and explained it, and he made ready and examined it.
28 他對人說：敬畏主就是智慧； 遠離惡便是聰明。
And he said to man, “Behold the fear of the Lord. Such is wisdom. And to withdraw from evil, this is understanding.”
