1. The words of Agur, Jakeh’s son, from Massa.The man declares: I’m tired, God;I’m tired, God, and I’m exhausted.
2. Actually, I’m too stupid to be human,a man without understanding.
3. I haven’t learned wisdom,nor do I have knowledge of the holy one.
4. Who has gone up to heaven and come down?Who has gathered the wind by the handful?Who has bound up the waters in a garment?Who has established all the ends of the earth?What is this person’s name and the name of this person’s child—if you know it?
5. All God’s words are tried and true;a shield for those who take refuge in him.
6. Don’t add to his words,or he will correct you and show you to be a liar.
7. Two things I ask of you;don’t keep them from me before I die:
8. Fraud and lies—keep far from me!Don’t give me either poverty or wealth;give me just the food I need.
9. Or I’ll be full and deny you,and say, "Who is the Lord?"Or I’ll be poor and steal,and dishonor my God’s name.
10. Don’t slander a servant to his master;otherwise, the servant will curse you, and you will be guilty.
11. There are those who curse their fatherand don’t bless their mother.
12. There are those who think they are clean,but haven’t washed off their own excrement.
13. There are those—how arrogant are their eyes;how their eyebrows are raised!
14. There are those whose teeth are swords;their jaw is a butcher’s knife,ready to devour the needy from the earth,and the poor from humanity.
15. The leech has two daughters: “Give, give!”There are three things that are never satisfied,four that never say, “Enough!”:
16. the grave and a barren womb,a land never filled with water,and fire that doesn’t say, “Enough!”
17. An eye that mocks a fatherand rejects obedience to a mother,may the ravens of the river valley peck it out,and the eagle’s young eat it.
18. Three things are too wonderful for me,four that I can’t figure out: