The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Proverbs 30

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Proverbs chapter 30 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the burden. The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal:” — the complete text of all 33 verses is below, free to read online.

1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the burden. The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal:

2Surely I am brutish, unlike a man, and have not the understanding of a man;

3And I have not learned wisdom, that I should have the knowledge of the Holy One.

4Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest?

5Every word of G-d is tried; He is a shield unto them that take refuge in Him.

6Add thou not unto His words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7Two things have I asked of Thee; deny me them not before I die:

8Remove far from me falsehood and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with mine allotted bread;

9Lest I be full, and deny, and say: 'Who is HaShem?' Or lest I be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my G-d.

10Slander not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

11There is a generation that curse their father, and do not bless their mother.

12There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.

13There is a generation, Oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

14There is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their great teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

15The horseleech hath two daughters: 'Give, give.' There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four that say not: 'Enough':

16The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that saith not: 'Enough.'

17The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young vultures shall eat it.

18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

19The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a young woman.

20So is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith: 'I have done no wickedness.'

21For three things the earth doth quake, and for four it cannot endure:

22For a servant when he reigneth; and a churl when he is filled with food;

23For an odious woman when she is married; and a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24There are four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

25The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;

26The rock-badgers are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the crags;

27The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28The spider thou canst take with the hands, yet is she in kings' palaces.

29There are three things which are stately in their march, yea, four which are stately in going:

30The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

31The greyhound; the he-goat also; and the king, against whom there is no rising up.

32If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast planned devices, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

33For the churning of milk bringeth forth curd, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

33 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

‹ Proverbs 29 Proverbs 31 ›

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