Proverbs 30

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

← Chapter 29 Jump to: Chapter 31 →

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

2Surely I am more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man.

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

4Who has ascended into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in the hollow of His hands? Who has bound 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!

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

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

7Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die:

8Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with my daily bread,

9lest I be full and deny You, and say, “Who is the Lord?” 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 be held 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, and yet is not washed from its filthiness.

13There is a generation—oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.

14There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, whose fangs are like knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among mortals.

15The leech has two daughters: Give! Give! Three things are never satisfied; four never say, “Enough”:

16Sheol, the barren womb, the earth never filled with water, and the fire that never says, “Enough.”

17The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother, the ravens of the valley will pluck it out, and the young vultures will eat it.

18Three things are too wonderful for me; four which I do not understand:

19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a virgin.

20This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wrong.”

21Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:

22a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with food,

23a hateful woman when she is married, and a servant girl who displaces her mistress.

24Four things on earth are little, but they are exceedingly wise:

25the ants are a people not strong, yet they store up their food in the summer;

26the badgers are a people not powerful, yet they build their houses in the rocks;

27the locusts have no king, yet they all march in ranks;

28the spider takes hold with her hands, yet she lives in palaces of a king.

29Three things are majestic in their walk, four which are majestic in their stride:

30the lion, which is mightiest among beasts, and does not turn away from anything;

31the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him.

32If you have done foolishly in exalting yourself, or if you have devised evil, lay your hand on your mouth.

33For as the churning of the milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife.

← Chapter 29 Jump to: Chapter 31 →

Recommended Reading

Commentary Proverbs Commentaries → Devotional Proverbs Devotional Guide → Get This Bible MEV (Modern English Version) Study Bible →