1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spoke to Ithiel, even to Ithiel and Ucal,
2 Surely I am more stupid than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy. have: Heb. know
4 Who hath ascended into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield to them that put their trust in him. pure: Heb. purified
6 Add thou not to his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
7 Two things have I required of thee; deny them not to me before I die: deny…: Heb. withhold not from me
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: convenient…: Heb. of my allowance
9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. deny…: Heb. belie thee
10 Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty. Accuse…: Heb. Hurt not with thy tongue
11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: It is…: Heb. Wealth
16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
17 The eye that mocketh at its father, and despiseth to obey its mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. the valley: or, the brook
18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. midst: Heb. heart
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with food;
23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are very wise: exceeding…: Heb. wise, made wise
25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26 The conies are but a feeble people, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; by…: Heb. gathered together
28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
29 There are three things which go well, yea, four are stately in going:
30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
31 A greyhound; a male goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. greyhound: or, horse: Heb. girt in the loins
32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.