1 A discourse by the faithful collector. a30:1 Or by Jakeh’s son Agur This is what this valiant man declared to the God with me, to the God with me, who then prevailed: b30:1 Or declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel, and Ucal ISV — Proverbs 30:1
2 Surely I am beyond the senselessness of any man; I do not perceive things c30:2 The Heb. lacks things the way human beings do. ISV — Proverbs 30:2
3 I never acquired wisdom, but I know what the Holy One knows. ISV — Proverbs 30:3
4 Who has ascended to heaven, and then descended? Who has collected the wind in his hands? Who has wrapped up waters in a garment? Who has established all the farthest points of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! ISV — Proverbs 30:4
5 Everything God says is pure; he is a shield for those who take refuge in him. ISV — Proverbs 30:5
6 Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be shown to be a liar. ISV — Proverbs 30:6
7 God, d30:7 The Heb. lacks God I have asked you for two things— don’t refuse me before I die— ISV — Proverbs 30:7
8 Keep deception and lies far away from me, and give me neither poverty nor wealth. Feed me with food that I need for today, e30:8 Or that is appropriate for me ISV — Proverbs 30:8
9 so that I don’t become overfed and deny you by saying, “Who is the LORD?” or so that I don’t become poor and steal, and then misuse the name of my God. ISV — Proverbs 30:9
10 Don’t lie about a servant to his master, or that servant f30:10 Lit. or he will curse you and you will pay for it. ISV — Proverbs 30:10
11 Some people g30:11 Lit. A generation curse their fathers and won’t bless their mothers. ISV — Proverbs 30:11
12 Some people h30:12 Lit. A generation view themselves as pure, but haven’t been cleansed from their own filth. ISV — Proverbs 30:12
13 Some people i30:13 Lit. A generation —what an arrogant look they have!— raise their eyebrows haughtily. ISV — Proverbs 30:13
14 Some people j30:14 Lit. A generation have swords for teeth and knives for fangs to devour the afflicted from the earth and the needy from among mankind. ISV — Proverbs 30:14
15 The leech has two daughters: “Give” and “Give”. Three things will never be satisfied; four will never say “Enough”— ISV — Proverbs 30:15
16 The afterlife, k30:16 Lit. Sheol; i.e. the realm of the dead the barren womb, earth that still demands water, and fire—they never say, “Enough”. ISV — Proverbs 30:16
17 The eye that mocks a father and looks with a disobedient attitude at l30:17 Lit. and despises obedience to a mother— the valley ravens will pluck it out; and vultures will eat it. ISV — Proverbs 30:17
18 Three things cause wonder for me; four are beyond my understanding: ISV — Proverbs 30:18
19 The way an eagle flies in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman. ISV — Proverbs 30:19
20 This is what an immoral woman is like: she eats, wipes her mouth, then says “I’ve done nothing wrong.” ISV — Proverbs 30:20
21 Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot remain steady: ISV — Proverbs 30:21
22 Under a slave when he becomes a king, a fool when he is overfed, ISV — Proverbs 30:22
23 an unloved woman when she finds a husband, and a servant girl who inherits from her mistress. ISV — Proverbs 30:23
24 Four things on earth are small, but they are very, very wise: ISV — Proverbs 30:24
25 Ants aren’t a strong species, m30:25 Lit. people yet they prepare their food in the summer. ISV — Proverbs 30:25
26 The rock badgers aren’t a strong species n30:26 Lit. people either, yet they build their dens in the rocks. ISV — Proverbs 30:26
27 Locusts have no king, but they all swarm in ranks. ISV — Proverbs 30:27
28 Spiders can be caught by the hand, yet they’re found in kings’ palaces. ISV — Proverbs 30:28
29 Three things are stately in procession, four which are stately in their gait: ISV — Proverbs 30:29
30 The lion, mighty among the beasts, retreats before nothing. ISV — Proverbs 30:30
31 The strutting rooster, as well as the goat, and a king with his army. ISV — Proverbs 30:31
32 If you’ve foolishly exalted yourself or if you’ve plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth. ISV — Proverbs 30:32
33 Just as whipping milk produces butter, and twisting the nose causes bleeding, so also stirring up anger produces contention. ISV — Proverbs 30:33