Revised Standard Version RSV
Good News Translation GNT
1 The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith'i-el, to Ith'i-el and Ucal:
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These are the solemn words of Agur son of Jakeh: "God is not with me, God is not with me, and I am helpless.
2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
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I am more like an animal than a human being; I do not have the sense we humans should have.
3 I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
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I have never learned any wisdom, and I know nothing at all about God.
4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know!
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Have any ever mastered heavenly knowledge? Have any ever caught the wind in their hands? Or wrapped up water in a piece of cloth? Or fixed the boundaries of the earth? Who are they, if you know? Who are their children?
5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
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"God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.
6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
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If you claim that he said something that he never said, he will reprimand you and show that you are a liar."
7 Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:
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I ask you, God, to let me have two things 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,
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keep me from lying, and let me be neither rich nor poor. So give me only as much food as I need.
9 lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.
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If I have more, I might say that I do not need you. But if I am poor, I might steal and bring disgrace on my God.
10 Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
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Never criticize servants to their master. You will be cursed and suffer for it.
11 There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
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There are people who curse their fathers and do not show their appreciation for their mothers.
12 There are those who are pure in their own eyes but are not cleansed of their filth.
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There are people who think they are pure when they are as filthy as they can be.
13 There are those--how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!
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There are people who think they are so good - oh, how good they think they are!
14 There are those whose teeth are swords, whose teeth are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among men.
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There are people who take cruel advantage of the poor and needy; that is the way they make their living.
15 The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough":
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A leech has two daughters, and both are named "Give me!" There are four things that are never satisfied:
16 Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire which never says, "Enough."
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the world of the dead, a woman without children, dry ground that needs rain, and a fire burning out of control.
17 The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.
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If you make fun of your father or despise your mother in her old age, you ought to be eaten by vultures or have your eyes picked out by wild ravens.
18 Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand:
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There are four things that are too mysterious for me to understand:
19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a maiden.
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an eagle flying in the sky, a snake moving on a rock, a ship finding its way over the sea, and a man and a woman falling in love.
20 This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
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This is how an unfaithful wife acts: she commits adultery, takes a bath, and says, "But I haven't done anything wrong!"
21 Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:
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There are four things that the earth itself cannot tolerate:
22 a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food;
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a slave who becomes a king, a fool who has all he wants to eat,
23 an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
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a hateful woman who gets married, and a servant woman who takes the place of her mistress.
24 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
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There are four animals in the world that are small, but very, very clever:
25 the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;
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Ants: they are weak, but they store up their food in the summer.
26 the badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
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Rock badgers: they are not strong either, but they make their homes among the rocks.
27 the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank;
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Locusts: they have no king, but they move in formation.
28 the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
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Lizards: you can hold one in your hand, but you can find them in palaces.
29 Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride:
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There are four things that are impressive to watch as they walk:
30 the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any;
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lions, strongest of all animals and afraid of none;
31 the strutting cock, the he-goat, and a king striding before his people.
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goats, strutting roosters, and kings in front of their people.
32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
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If you have been foolish enough to be arrogant and plan evil, stop and think!
33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
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If you churn milk, you get butter. If you hit someone's nose, it bleeds. If you stir up anger, you get into trouble.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.