Job 28

• 1. "People know how to mine silver and refine gold.
• 2. They know how to dig iron from the earth and smelt copper from stone.
• 3. They know how to put light into darkness and explore the farthest, darkest regions of the earth as they search for ore.
• 4. They sink a mine shaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth.
• 5. Bread comes from the earth, but below the surface the earth is melted as by fire.
• 6. "People know how to find sapphires and gold dust--
• 7. treasures that no bird of prey can see, no falcon's eye observe--
• 8. for they are deep within the mines. No wild animal has ever walked upon those treasures; no lion has set his paw there.
• 9. People know how to tear apart flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains.
• 10. They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones.
• 11. They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures.
• 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 for gold or silver.
• 16. Its value is greater than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx stone or sapphires.
• 17. Wisdom is far more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold.
• 18. Coral and valuable rock crystal are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above pearls.
• 19. Topaz from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. Its value is greater than the purest gold.
• 20. "But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
• 21. For it is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.
• 22. But Destruction and Death say, `We have heard a rumor of where wisdom can be found.'
• 23. "God surely knows where it can be found,
• 24. for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens.
• 25. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall.
• 26. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning.
• 27. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly.
• 28. And this is what he says to all humanity: `The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'"

Job 29

• 1. Job continued speaking:
• 2. "I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,
• 3. when he lighted the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.
• 4. In my early years, the friendship of God was felt in my home.
• 5. The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.
• 6. In those days my cows produced milk in abundance, and my olive groves poured out streams of olive oil.
• 7. "Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.
• 8. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
• 9. The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.
• 10. The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.
• 11. "All who heard of me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.
• 12. For I helped the poor in their need and the orphans who had no one to help them.
• 13. I helped those who had lost hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows' hearts to sing for joy.
• 14. All I did was just and honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.
• 15. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.
• 16. I was a father to the poor and made sure that even strangers received a fair trial.
• 17. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and made them release their victims.
• 18. "I thought, `Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.
• 19. For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.
• 20. New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.'
• 21. "Everyone listened to me and valued my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
• 22. And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.
• 23. They longed for me to speak as they longed for rain. They waited eagerly, for my words were as refreshing as the spring rain.
• 24. When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.
• 25. I told them what they should do and presided over them as their chief. I lived as a king among his troops and as one who comforts those who mourn.

Job 30

• 1. "But now I am mocked by those who are younger than I, by young men whose fathers are not worthy to run with my sheepdogs.
• 2. A lot of good they are to me--those worn-out wretches!
• 3. They are gaunt with hunger and flee to the deserts and the wastelands, desolate and gloomy.
• 4. They eat coarse leaves, and they burn the roots of shrubs for heat.
• 5. They are driven from civilization, and people shout after them as if they were thieves.
• 6. So now they live in frightening ravines and in caves and among the rocks.
• 7. They sound like animals as they howl among the bushes; they huddle together for shelter beneath the nettles.
• 8. They are nameless fools, outcasts of civilization.
• 9. "And now their sons mock me with their vulgar song! They taunt me!
• 10. They despise me and won't come near me, except to spit in my face.
• 11. For God has cut the cords of my tent. He has humbled me, so they have thrown off all restraint.
• 12. These outcasts oppose me to my face. They send me sprawling; they lay traps in my path.
• 13. They block my road and do everything they can to hasten my calamity, knowing full well that I have no one to help me.
• 14. They come at me from all directions. They rush upon me when I am down.
• 15. I live in terror now. They hold me in contempt, and my prosperity has vanished as a cloud before a strong wind.
• 16. "And now my heart is broken. Depression haunts my days.
• 17. My weary nights are filled with pain as though something were relentlessly gnawing at my bones.
• 18. With a strong hand, God grabs my garment. He grips me by the collar of my tunic.
• 19. He has thrown me into the mud. I have become as dust and ashes.
• 20. "I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer me. I stand before you, and you don't bother to look.
• 21. You have become cruel toward me. You persecute me with your great power.
• 22. You throw me into the whirlwind and destroy me in the storm.
• 23. And I know that you are sending me to my death--the destination of all who live.
• 24. "Surely no one would turn against the needy when they cry for help.
• 25. Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?
• 26. So I looked for good, but evil came instead. I waited for the light, but darkness fell.
• 27. My heart is troubled and restless. Days of affliction have come upon me.
• 28. I walk in gloom, without sunlight. I stand in the public square and cry for help.
• 29. But instead, I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to ostriches.
• 30. My skin has turned dark, and my bones burn with fever.
• 31. My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep.

New Living Translation: 162 of 324 days.