Proverbs 30
The Wisdom Of Agur
1The words of Agur the son of Jakeh of Massa. The man says to Ithiel and Ucal:
2For sure, I am more foolish than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man.
3I have not learned wisdom, and I do not know much about the Holy One.
4Who has gone up into heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has gathered the waters in His coat? Who has put in place all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is His Son's name? For sure you know!
5Every word of God has been proven true. He is a safe to those who trust in Him.
6Do not add to His words, or He will speak strong words to you and prove you to be a liar.
7Two things I have asked of You. Do not keep me from having them before I die:
8Take lies and what is false far from me. Do not let me be poor or rich. Feed me with the food that I need.
9Then I will not be afraid that I will be full and turn my back against You and say, 'Who is the Lord?' And I will not be afraid that I will be poor and steal, and bring shame on the name of my God.
10Do not speak against a slave while talking with his owner, or he may curse you and you will be found guilty.
11There are those who curse their fathers, and do not honor their mothers.
12There are people who are pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their own dirt.
13There is a kind, O, how proud are his eyes! His eyes are opened wide with pride.
14There is a kind of man whose teeth are swords, whose jaws are like knives, who eat up those who are suffering from the earth, and those in need from among men.
15The one who lives by the blood of another has two daughters, 'Give,' 'Give.' There are three things that are never filled, four that never say, 'Enough':
16The place of the dead, the woman who cannot have children, the earth that is always thirsty for water, and fire that never says, 'Enough.'
17The eye that makes fun of a father and hates to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the young eagles.
18There are three things which are too great for me, four which I do not understand:
19The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship out at sea, and the way of a man with a woman.
20This is the way of a woman who is not faithful in marriage: She eats and washes her mouth, and says, 'I have done no wrong.'
21Under three things the earth shakes, and under four it cannot stand:
22Under a servant when he becomes king, under a fool when he is filled with food,
23under a woman who is not loved when she gets a husband, and under a woman servant when she takes the place of the woman of the house.
24There are four things that are small on the earth, but they are very wise:
25The ants are not a strong people, but they store up their food in the summer.
26The badgers are not a strong people, but they make their houses in the rocks.
27The locusts have no king, but they go as an army.
28You can take the lizard in your hands, but it is found in kings' houses.
29There are three things which have honor in their steps, even four which show honor in their walk:
30The lion, which is powerful among wild animals and does not turn away from any,
31the proud rooster, the male goat, and a king when his army is with him.
32If you have been foolish in honoring yourself, or if you have planned wrong, put your hand on your mouth.
33Shaking milk makes butter, and hitting the nose brings blood. So fighting comes because of anger.
Proverbs 31
The Wisdom Of King Lemuel's Mother
1The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2What, my son? What, son who came from within me? What, son of my promises?
3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.
5Or they might drink and forget the law, and go against the rights of all who are suffering.
6Give strong drink to him who is about to die, and wine to him whose life is full of trouble.
7Let him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no more.
8Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, and for the rights of those who are left without help.
9Open your mouth. Be right and fair in what you decide. Stand up for the rights of those who are suffering and in need.
10Who can find a good wife? For she is worth far more than rubies that make one rich.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never stop getting good things.
12She does him good and not bad all the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14She is like ships that trade. She brings her food from far away.
15She rises while it is still night and makes food for all those in her house. She gives work for the young women to do.
16She gives careful thought to a field and buys it. She plants grape-vines from what she has earned.
17She makes herself ready with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18She sees that what she has earned is good. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.
20She opens her hand to the poor, and holds out her hands to those in need.
21She is not afraid of the snow for those in her house, for all of them are dressed in red.
22She makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the leaders of the land.
24She makes linen clothes and sells them. She brings belts to those who trade.
25Her clothes are strength and honor. She is full of joy about the future.
26When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
27She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
28Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
29"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
30Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
31Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!
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