Proverbs 30:1-19 ▼

1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.

3 Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!

5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

6 Do not add to His words Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

7 Two things I asked of Thee, Do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,

9 Lest I be full and deny Thee and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or lest I be in want and steal, And profane the name of my God.

10 Do not slander a slave to his master, Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.

11 There is a kind of man who curses his father, And does not bless his mother.

12 There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, Yet is not washed from his filthiness.

13 There is a kind—oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.

14 There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords, And his jaw teeth like knives, To devour the afflicted from the earth, And the needy from among men.

15 The leech has two daughters, “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”:

16 Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”

17 The eye that mocks a father, And scorns a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand:

19 The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.