Proverbs 30:1-14

11The words of Agur, the son of Jakeh; an oracle: This man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ukal:

2Surely I am more brutish than any other human being, and I do not have human understanding;

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

4Who has ascended into heaven, and then descended? Who has gathered up the winds in his fists? Who has bound up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? – if you know!

5Every word of God is purified; he is like a shield for those who take refuge in him.

6Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar.

7Two things I ask from you; do not refuse me before I die:

8Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread,

9lest I become satisfied and act deceptively and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I become poor and steal and demean the name of my God.

10Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you are found guilty.

11There is a generation who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

12There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

13There is a generation whose eyes are so lofty, and whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully.

14There is a generation whose teeth are like swords and whose molars are like knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among the human race.