Proverbs 30:1-14 ▼

1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. The man’s oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

2 I am more stupid than any other man, and I lack man’s ability to understand.

3 I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

4 Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— if you know?

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

6 Don’t add to His words, or He will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

7 Two things I ask of You; don’t deny them to me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need.

9 Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, “Who is the LORD?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

10 Don’t slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become guilty.

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

12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth.

13 There is a generation—how haughty its eyes and pretentious its looks.

14 There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind.