Proverbs

¹ The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

² And I do not have the understanding of mankind.

³ Nor do I know the knowledge of the Holy One.

⁴ Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name? And what is His Son’s name? Surely you know!

⁵ He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.

⁶ Lest He reprove you, and you be proved a liar.

⁷ Do not withhold from me before I die:

⁸ Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is my portion,

⁹ Or lest I be impoverished and steal, And profane the name of my God.

¹⁰ Lest he curse you and you be found guilty.

¹¹ And does not bless its mother.

¹² Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

¹³ And its eyelids are lifted up.

¹⁴ And its fangs like knives, To devour the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men.

¹⁵ “Give,” “Give.” There are three things that will not be satisfied, Four that will not say, “Enough”:

¹⁶ Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, “Enough.”

¹⁷ And despises obedience to a mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.

¹⁸ Four which I do not understand:

¹⁹ The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the heart of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.

²⁰ She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, “I have done no wrong.”

²¹ And under four, it cannot bear up:

²² And a wicked fool when he is satisfied with food,

²³ And a servant‑girl when she supplants her mistress.

²⁴ But they are exceedingly wise:

²⁵ But they prepare their food in the summer;

²⁶ Yet they make their houses in the cliff;

²⁷ Yet all of them go out in rank;

²⁸ Yet it is in kings’ palaces.

²⁹ Even four which are stately when they walk:

³⁰ And does not turn back before any,

³¹ And a king when his army is with him.

³² Or if you have schemed evil, put your hand on your mouth.

³³ And pressing the nose brings forth blood; And pressing anger brings forth strife.