Proverbs 30

1The affairs of Agur, Jakeh's offspring—the burden, the saying of the man to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal.

2Surely I am more brutish than any man, and lack human understanding.

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

4Who has climbed to the heavens and come down? Who has cupped the wind in his fists? Who has bundled the waters in his garment? Who has set up all the earth's extremities? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you know?

5Every word of God is refined; he is a shield to those who trust in him.

6Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you prove false.

7Two things I have asked of you; do not withhold from me before I die.

8Keep falsehood and lying words far from me; do not give me poverty or riches; feed me with the bread of my portion.

9Lest I be satisfied and deny you and say, “Who is Yahweh?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

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

11A generation curses its father and does not bless its mother.

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

13There is a generation—how exalted their eyes! Their eyelids are raised.

14A generation whose teeth are swords and whose molars knives, to devour the afflicted from the earth and the needy from mankind.

15The leech has two daughters: "Give, give!" Three—these are never satisfied; four do not say, "Enough!"

16Sheol, the barren womb, the earth water cannot satisfy, and fire that does not say "Enough."

17The eye that scoffs at its father and disdains obeying its mother—the ravens of the valley will pluck it out, and young eagles will devour it.

18These three are marvelous beyond me; four—even four—I do not know.

19the way of an eagle in the sky; the way of a serpent over a rock; the way of a ship in the heart of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.

20Such is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth, then says, "I have done no evil."

21Under three things the earth quakes, and under four it cannot endure.

22under a servant when he reigns, and a fool when he is satisfied with bread.

23Under a hated woman when she marries, and a servant girl when she dispossesses her mistress.

24There are four small ones of the earth, but they are most wise.

25The ants are not a mighty people, yet they prepare their food in the summer.

26The coneys are not a mighty people, yet they make their houses in the rock.

27Locusts have no king, yet they all march forth in ranks.

28You take hold of the spider with your hands, yet she is in the king's palaces.

29There are three that stride admirably, and four that walk admirably.

30The lion, champion among beasts, turns back before nothing.

31a greyhound, a he-goat too, and a king against whom no one rises up.

32If you have acted foolishly in exalting yourself, or if you have plotted mischief, put your hand to your mouth.

33For churning milk produces butter, wringing the nose produces blood, and forcing anger produces strife.