Proverbs 30

Sayings of Agur

1 The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh, this man spoke to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 I am more stupid than any man; I lack human understanding.

3 I have not learned wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down, Who gathered the wind in his fists, Who wrapped up the waters in a cloak, Who set the earth’s borders, What is His name, and His Son’s name, if you know,

5 Every word of God pure; He is a shield to those who trust Him.

6 Do not add to His words or He will rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

7 Two things I ask of You, Lord, do not deny them before I die:

8 Keep lies and falsehood far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, just my daily bread.

9 Otherwise I might get full and deny You, saying “Who is the Lord?” or become poor and steal, dishonoring Your name.

10 Do not slander a servant to his master or you will get cursed and pay for it.

11 There is a generation that curses its father and does not bless its mother.

12 A generation pure in their own eyes yet not washed from their filth.

13 A generation with arrogant eyes and proud looks.

14 A generation whose teeth swords and jaws knives, to devour the poor.

15 The leech has two daughters crying, “Give! Give!” There are three things never satisfied, four that never say “enough”:

16 The grave, the barren womb, land that never has enough water, and fire that never says “enough.”

17 The eye that mocks a father or scorns obedience to a mother will get pecked out by ravens and eaten by vultures.

18 Three things amaze me, four I cannot understand:

19 The way of an eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, a ship in the sea, and a man with a woman.

20 This is how an adulterous woman acts, she eats, wipes her mouth, and says, “I did nothing wrong.”

21 Under three things the earth trembles, four it cannot bear:

22 A slave who becomes king, a fool full of food,

23 A hated woman when married, and a maid who displaces her mistress.

24 Four things on earth small yet wise:

25 Ants, they store up food in summer.

26 Rock badgers, they make homes in the cliffs.

27 Locusts, they got no king yet move in ranks.

28 Lizards, you can hold them in your hands, yet they live in palaces.

29 Three things strut with confidence, four with stately walk:

30 A lion, mighty among beasts, that retreats before none;

31 A strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king secure against enemies.

32 If you acted foolishly or plotted evil, cover your mouth.

33 As churning milk makes butter and twisting the nose brings blood, so stirring anger brings conflict.