The Observations of Agur

301 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh , the oracle . The man declares to Ithiel , to Ithiel and Ucal : 2 Surely I am more stupid than any man , And I do not have the understanding of a man . 3 Neither have I learned wisdom , Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One . 4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended ? Who has gathered the wind in His fists ? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment ? Who has established all the ends of the earth ? What is His name or His son's name ? Surely you know ! 5 Every word of God is tested ; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. 6 Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar .

7 Two things I asked of You, Do not refuse me before I die : 8 Keep deception and lies far from me, Give me neither poverty nor riches ; Feed me with the food that is my portion , 9 That I not be full and deny You and say , "Who is the Lord ?" Or that I not be in want and steal , And profane the name of my God .

10 Do not slander a slave to his master , Or he will curse you and you will be found guilty . 11 There is a kind of man who curses his father And does not bless his mother . 12 There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes , Yet is not washed from his filthiness . 13 There is a kind -oh how lofty are his eyes ! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance. 14 There is a kind of man whose teeth are like swords And his jaw teeth like knives , To devour the afflicted from the earth And the needy from among men .

15 The leech has two daughters , "Give ," "Give ." There are three things that will not be satisfied , Four that will not say , "Enough ": 16 Sheol , and the barren womb , Earth that is never satisfied with water , And fire that never says , "Enough ." 17 The eye that mocks a father And scorns e a mother , The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.

18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand : 19 The way of an eagle in the sky , The way of a serpent on a rock , The way of a ship in the middle of the sea , And the way of a man with a maid . 20 This is the way of an adulterous woman : She eats and wipes her mouth , And says , "I have done no wrong ." 21 Under three things the earth quakes , And under four , it cannot e bear up: 22 Under a slave when he becomes king , And a fool when he is satisfied with food , 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband , And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress .

24 Four things are small on the earth , But they are exceedingly wise : 25 The ants are not a strong people , But they prepare their food in the summer ; 26 The shephanim are not mighty people , Yet they make their houses in the rocks ; 27 The locusts have no king , Yet all of them go out in ranks ; 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands , Yet it is in kings' palaces .

29 There are three things which are stately in their march , Even four which are stately when they walk : 30 The lion which is mighty among beasts And does not retreat before e any , 31 The strutting e rooster , the male goat also , And a king when his army is with him. 32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth . 33 For the churning of milk produces butter , And pressing the nose brings forth blood ; So the churning of anger produces strife .