Christian Standard Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
1The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The pronouncement. The man's oration to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal: | 1The words of Agur son of Jakeh. The oracle. 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. | 2I am more stupid than any other man, and I lack man's ability to understand. |
3I have not gained wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. | 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? | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 14There is a generation whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, devouring the oppressed from the land and the needy from among mankind. |
15The leech has two daughters: "Give, Give!" Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough!": | 15The leech has two daughters: "Give, Give!" Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough!": |
16Sheol; a childless womb; earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, "Enough!" | 16Sheol; a childless womb; earth, which is never satisfied with water; and fire, which never says, "Enough!" |
17As for the eye that ridicules a father and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it. | 17As for the eye that ridicules a father and despises obedience to a mother, may ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures eat it. |
18Three things are too wondrous for me; four I can't understand: | 18Three things are beyond me; four I can't understand: |
19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman. | 19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a young woman. |
20This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I've done nothing wrong." | 20This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, "I've done nothing wrong." |
21The earth trembles under three things; it cannot bear up under four: | 21The earth trembles under three things; it cannot bear up under four: |
22a servant when he becomes king, a fool when he is stuffed with food, | 22a servant when he becomes king, a fool when he is stuffed with food, |
23an unloved woman when she marries, and a servant girl when she ousts her queen. | 23an unloved woman when she marries, and a servant girl when she ousts her queen. |
24Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: | 24Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: |
25ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer; | 25the ants are not a strong people, yet they store up their food in the summer; |
26hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; | 26hyraxes are not a mighty people, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; |
27locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks; | 27locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks; |
28a lizard can be caught in your hands, yet it lives in kings' palaces. | 28a lizard can be caught in your hands, yet it lives in kings' palaces. |
29Three things are stately in their stride; four are stately in their walk: | 29Three things are stately in their stride, even four are stately in their walk: |
30a lion, which is mightiest among beasts and doesn't retreat before anything; | 30a lion, which is mightiest among beasts and doesn't retreat before anything, |
31a strutting rooster; a goat; and a king at the head of his army. | 31a strutting rooster, a goat, and a king at the head of his army. |
32If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you've been scheming, put your hand over your mouth. | 32If you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you've been scheming, put your hand over your mouth. |
33For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife. | 33For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife. |
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