7 "Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Other Translations of Proverbs 30:7-9

King James Version

7 Two things have I required of thee; deny deny...: Heb. withhold not from me me them not before I die: 8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient convenient...: Heb. of my allowance for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny deny...: Heb. belie thee thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

English Standard Version

7 Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, 9 lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

The Message

7 And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things before I die; don't refuse me - 8 Banish lies from my lips and liars from my presence. Give me enough food to live on, neither too much nor too little. 9 If I'm too full, I might get independent, saying, 'God? Who needs him?' If I'm poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God."

New King James Version

7 Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

New Living Translation

7 O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. 8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. 9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the Lord ?" And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 30:7-9

Commentary on Proverbs 30:7-14

(Read Proverbs 30:7-14)

In every age there are monsters of ingratitude who ill-treat their parents. Many persuade themselves they are holy persons, whose hearts are full of sin, and who practise secret wickedness. There are others whose lofty pride is manifest. There have also been cruel monsters in every age.