1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the prophecy. The man spoke to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2"Surely I am more like a beast than any man, and I do not have a man's understanding."
3I never learned wisdom, and I do not have the knowledge of the holy.
4Who has gone up into heaven, or come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has tied up the waters in a garment? Who has set up all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if you can tell?
5Every word of God is pure. He is a shield to those who put their trust in him.
6Do not add to his words. If you do, he will rebuke you, and you will be found a liar.
7Two things I have asked of you. Do not refuse them to me before I die:
8Keep empty falsehood and lies far away from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food I need.
9If I have too much, I may deny you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' And if I am poor, I may steal, and misuse the name of my God.
10Do not accuse a servant to his master. If you do, he will curse you, and you will be found guilty.
11There is a generation that curses its father, and does not bless its mother.
12There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth.
13There is a generation whose eyes are so proud, whose eyelids are lifted high.
14There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and whose jaw teeth are like knives, to eat up the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
15The leech has two daughters, crying, 'Give, give.' There are three things that are never satisfied; yes, four never say, 'It is enough':
16the grave; the womb that bears no child; the earth that is never filled with water; and the fire that never says, 'It is enough.'
17The eye that mocks its father, and scorns to obey its mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.
18There are three things that are too wonderful for me; yes, four that I do not know:
19the way of an eagle in the air; the way of a snake on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea; and the way of a man with a young woman.
20This is the way of a woman who commits adultery: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done no wickedness.'
21For three things the earth is shaken, and for four it cannot bear up:
22for a servant when he becomes king; and a fool when he is filled with food;
23for a hateful woman when she is married; and a servant girl who takes the place of her mistress.
24There are four things that are little on the earth, but they are very wise:
25the ants are a people that are not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26the conies are only a weak folk, yet they make their houses in the rocks;
27the locusts have no king, yet they all go out in ranks;
28the spider takes hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
29There are three things that move well; yes, four that are fine in their walking:
30a lion, which is strongest among the beasts, and turns away from none;
31a greyhound; a male goat also; and a king, whom no one rises up against.
32If you have acted foolishly by lifting yourself up, or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth.
33"Surely the churning of milk brings out butter, and the twisting of the nose brings out blood. So the stirring up of anger brings out strife."