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19 The topaz of Cush[a] cannot be compared with it;
it cannot be purchased with pure gold.

God Alone Has Wisdom

20 “But wisdom—where does it come from?[b]
Where is the place of understanding?
21 For[c] it has been hidden
from the eyes of every living creature,
and from the birds of the sky it has been concealed.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 28:19 tn Or “Ethiopia.” In ancient times this referred to the region of the upper Nile, rather than modern Ethiopia (formerly known as Abyssinia).
  2. Job 28:20 tn The refrain is repeated, except now the verb is תָּבוֹא (tavoʾ, “come”).
  3. Job 28:21 tn The vav on the verb is unexpressed in the LXX. It should not be overlooked, for it introduces a subordinate clause of condition (R. Gordis, Job, 310).

19 The topaz of Ethiopia will not equal it,
    nor will it be valued with pure gold.

20 “From where then does wisdom come?
    And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
    and concealed from the birds of the air.

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