The Oracle of Agur
301The words of Agur son of Jakeh. An oracle.[] This man declares:
I am weary, God. I am weary, God, and worn out,[] 2because I am too unreasoning to be a man.
I do not even possess human understanding.
3I have not learned wisdom.
I do not have knowledge of the Holy One.
4Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gathered the wind in the palms of his hands?
Who has wrapped the water in a garment?
Who has set up all the ends of the earth?
What is his name and the name of his son?
Tell me if you know!
5Every word of God has been refined.
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6Do not add to his words.
If you do, he will correct you,
and you will be shown to be a liar.
7Two things I have asked from you.
Do not keep them from me before I die:
8Keep worthless speech and lies far from me.
Do not give me poverty or riches.
Give me food in the amount that is right for me.
9Too much, and I may feel satisfied and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
Too little, and I may become poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.
18Three things are too wonderful for me,
and four I cannot understand:
19the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a virgin.
20This is the way of a woman who commits adultery:
She eats and wipes her mouth,
and she says, “I haven't done anything wrong.”
21Three things make the earth tremble.
There are four things it cannot endure:
22a servant when he becomes king,
an arrogant fool when he is filled with food,
23a woman who is hated when she is married,
and a slave girl when she replaces her master's wife.
24Four things are small on the earth,
yet they are wiser than the wisest people:
25Ants are a species without strength,
but they store their food in summer.
26Rock badgers are a species without power,
but they make their home in a cliff.
27Locusts have no king,
but they all march ahead in ranks.
28Lizards can be caught in your hands,
but they live in kings' palaces.
29Three things strut impressively.
Four walk with dignity:
30a lion, which is the mightiest among the animals,
does not turn away from anything;
a male goat,
and a king reviewing his troops.[] 32If you have acted like a fool by exalting yourself,
or if you have been scheming,
put your hand over your mouth,
33because just as pressing milk produces cheese,[] and pressing a nose brings forth blood,
so pressing one's anger produces a fight.
