Proverbs 30:1-33 - The Oracle Of Agur
1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the prophecy he spoke to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 Surely I am more stupid then any man, and do not have the understanding of a man. 3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. 4 Who ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who gathered the wind in his hands? Who bound the waters in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell me? 5 Every word of God is pure. He is a shield to those who trust him. 6 Do not add to his words of he will reprove you. You will be found to be a liar.
7 I require two things from you. Do not deprive me of them before I die. 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food necessary for me. 9 If I am full I could deny you and say, Who is Jehovah? Or if I am poor and steal, I could take God's name in vain.
10 Do not incriminate a servant to his master, or he will curse you could be found guilty.
11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doe not bless their mother. 12 There is a generation pure in their own eyes, and yet not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation, whose teeth are like swords, and their jaw teeth like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15 The leach has two daughters. Each cry: Give, Give! There are three things that are never satisfied, yes; even four things never say: It is enough! 16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that does not say: It is enough.
17 The eye that mocks his father, and rejects obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley pick it out, and the young eagles eat it.
18 There are three things that are too wonderful for me, yes, four I do not know: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman. She eats and wipes her mouth, and says: I have done no wickedness.
21 Under three things the earth is disquieted, and for four it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he reigns; and a fool when he is filled with food; 23 For a detestable woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
24 There are four things that are little upon the earth, but they (chakam: teach wisdom) are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are beings that are not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer. 26 The rock badgers are a feeble folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks. 27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. 28 The spider grasps with her hands, and in kings' palaces.
29 There are three things that go well, yes, four go well: 30 A lion is strongest among beasts and does not run from anything. 31 A greyhound, a he goat also and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
32 If you foolishly exalted yourself, or if you thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk brings butter, and the wringing of the nose brings blood, so the forcing of wrath brings strife.