The Latin Vulgate VUL
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 verba Congregantis filii Vomentis visio quam locutus est vir cum quo est Deus et qui Deo secum morante confortatus ait
1
The words of Agur son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ith'i-el, to Ith'i-el and Ucal:
2 stultissimus sum virorum et sapientia hominum non est mecum
2
Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.
3 non didici sapientiam et non novi sanctorum scientiam
3
I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
4 quis ascendit in caelum atque descendit quis continuit spiritum manibus suis quis conligavit aquas quasi in vestimento quis suscitavit omnes terminos terrae quod nomen eius et quod nomen filii eius si nosti
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!
5 omnis sermo Dei ignitus clypeus est sperantibus in se
5
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 ne addas quicquam verbis illius et arguaris inveniarisque mendax
6
Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
7 duo rogavi te ne deneges mihi antequam moriar
7
Two things I ask of thee; deny them not to me before I die:
8 vanitatem et verba mendacia longe fac a me mendicitatem et divitias ne dederis mihi tribue tantum victui meo necessaria
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 ne forte saturatus inliciar ad negandum et dicam quis est Dominus et egestate conpulsus furer et peierem nomen Dei mei
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.
10 ne accuses servum ad dominum suum ne forte maledicat tibi et corruas
10
Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
11 generatio quae patri suo maledicit et quae non benedicit matri suae
11
There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
12 generatio quae sibi munda videtur et tamen non est lota a sordibus suis
12
There are those who are pure in their own eyes but are not cleansed of their filth.
13 generatio cuius excelsi sunt oculi et palpebrae eius in alta subrectae
13
There are those--how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!
14 generatio quae pro dentibus gladios habet et commandit molaribus suis ut comedat inopes de terra et pauperes ex hominibus
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.
15 sanguisugae duae sunt filiae dicentes adfer adfer tria sunt insaturabilia et quartum quod numquam dicit sufficit
15
The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough":
16 infernus et os vulvae et terra quae non satiatur aqua ignis vero numquam dicit sufficit
16
Sheol, the barren womb, the earth ever thirsty for water, and the fire which never says, "Enough."
17 oculum qui subsannat patrem et qui despicit partum matris suae effodiant corvi de torrentibus et comedant illum filii aquilae
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.
18 tria sunt difficilia mihi et quartum penitus ignoro
18
Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand:
19 viam aquilae in caelo viam colubri super petram viam navis in medio mari et viam viri in adulescentula
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.
20 talis est via mulieris adulterae quae comedit et tergens os suum dicit non sum operata malum
20
This is the way of an adulteress: she eats, and wipes her mouth, and says, "I have done no wrong."
21 per tria movetur terra et quartum non potest sustinere
21
Under three things the earth trembles; under four it cannot bear up:
22 per servum cum regnaverit per stultum cum saturatus fuerit cibo
22
a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food;
23 per odiosam mulierem cum in matrimonio fuerit adsumpta et per ancillam cum heres fuerit dominae suae
23
an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
24 quattuor sunt minima terrae et ipsa sunt sapientiora sapientibus
24
Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
25 formicae populus infirmus quae praeparant in messe cibum sibi
25
the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;
26 lepusculus plebs invalida quae conlocat in petra cubile suum
26
the badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
27 regem lucusta non habet et egreditur universa per turmas
27
the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank;
28 stilio manibus nititur et moratur in aedibus regis
28
the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
29 tria sunt quae bene gradiuntur et quartum quod incedit feliciter
29
Three things are stately in their tread; four are stately in their stride:
30 leo fortissimus bestiarum ad nullius pavebit occursum
30
the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any;
31 gallus succinctus lumbos et aries nec est rex qui resistat ei
31
the strutting cock, the he-goat, and a king striding before his people.
32 et qui stultus apparuit postquam elatus est in sublime si enim intellexisset ori inposuisset manum
32
If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33 qui autem fortiter premit ubera ad eliciendum lac exprimit butyrum et qui vehementer emungitur elicit sanguinem et qui provocat iras producit discordias
33
For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.
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.