Proverbs 30:1-16 ▼

1 These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out.

2 Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.

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

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

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

6 Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.

7 Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die:

8 Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.

9 Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

10 Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.

11 There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

12 There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.

13 There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—

14 there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.

15 The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:

16 Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’