Proverbs 30:1-14

1The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The pronouncement. The man’s oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:

2I am more stupid than any other person, and I lack a human’s ability to understand.

3I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

4Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his hands? Who has bound up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son — if you know?

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

6Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar.

7Two things I ask of you; don’t deny them to me before I die:

8Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor wealth; feed me with the food I need.

9Otherwise, I might have too much and deny you, saying, “Who is the Lord?” or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God.

10Don’t slander a servant to his master or he will curse you, and you will become 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 — how haughty its eyes and pretentious its looks.

14There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind.