28 There is a mine for silver

and a place where gold is refined.

2 Iron is taken from the earth,

and copper is smelted from ore.

3 Mortals put an end to the darkness;

they search out the farthest recesses

for ore in the blackest darkness.

4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,

in places untouched by human feet;

far from other people they dangle and sway.

5 The earth, from which food comes,

is transformed below as by fire;

6 lapis lazuli comes from its rocks,

and its dust contains nuggets of gold.

7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,

no falcon’s eye has seen it.

8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it,

and no lion prowls there.

9 People assault the flinty rock with their hands

and lay bare the roots of the mountains.

10 They tunnel through the rock;

their eyes see all its treasures.

11 They search the sources of the rivers

and bring hidden things to light.