Proverbiorum 30
1 Verba Congregantis filii Vomentis. Visio, quam locutus est vir, cum quo est Deus, et qui Deo secum morante confortatus, ait:
The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 Stultissimus sum virorum, et sapientia hominum non est mecum.
“Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don’t have a man’s understanding.
3 Non didici sapientiam, et non novi scientiam sanctorum.
I have not learnt wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Quis ascendit in caelum atque descendit? quis continuit spiritum in manibus suis? quis colligavit aquas quasi in vestimento? quis suscitavit omnes terminos terrae? quod nomen est eius, et quod nomen filii eius, si nosti?
Who has ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in his garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you know?
5 Omnis sermo Dei ignitus, clypeus est sperantibus in se:
“Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6 ne addas quidquam verbis illius, et arguaris inveniarisque mendax.
Don’t you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
7 Duo rogavi te, ne deneges mihi antequam moriar.
“Two things I have asked of you. Don’t deny me before I die.
8 Vanitatem, et verba mendacia longe fac a me. Mendicitatem, et divitias ne dederis mihi: tribue tantum victui meo necessaria:
Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9 ne forte satiatus illiciar ad negandum, et dicam: Quis est Dominus? aut egestate compulsus furer, et periurem nomen Dei mei.
lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor, and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God.
10 Ne accuses servum ad Dominum suum, ne forte maledicat tibi, et corruas.
“Don’t slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
11 Generatio, quae patri suo maledicit, et quae matri suae non benedicit.
There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.
12 Generatio, quae sibi munda videtur, et tamen non est lota a sordibus suis.
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13 Generatio, cuius excelsi sunt oculi, et palpebrae eius in alta surrectae.
There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
14 Generatio, quae pro dentibus gladios habet, et commandit molaribus suis, ut comedat inopes de terra, et pauperes ex hominibus.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from amongst men.
15 Sanguisugae duae sunt filiae, dicentes: Affer, Affer. Tria sunt insaturabilia, et quartum, quod numquam dicit: Sufficit.
“The leech has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough!’:
16 Infernus, et os vulvae, et terra, quae non satiatur aqua: ignis vero numquam dicit: Sufficit. (Sheol h7585)
Sheol, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough!’ (Sheol h7585)
17 Oculum, qui subsannat patrem, et qui despicit partum matris suae, effodiant corvi de torrentibus, et comedant eum filii aquilae.
“The eye that mocks at his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, the young eagles shall eat it.
18 Tria sunt difficilia mihi, et quartum penitus ignoro:
“There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don’t understand:
19 Viam aquilae in caelo, viam colubri super petram, viam navis in medio mari, et viam viri in adolescentia.
The way of an eagle in the air, 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 maiden.
20 Talis est et via mulieris adulterae, quae comedit, et tergens os suum dicit: Non sum operata malum.
“So is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
21 Per tria movetur terra, et quartum non potest sustinere:
“For three things the earth trembles, and under four, it can’t bear up:
22 Per servum cum regnaverit: per stultum cum saturatus fuerit cibo:
For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food,
23 per odiosam mulierem cum in matrimonio fuerit assumpta: et per ancillam cum fuerit heres dominae suae.
for an unloved woman when she is married, and a servant who is heir to her mistress.
24 Quattuor sunt minima terrae, et ipsa sunt sapientiora sapientibus.
“There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
25 Formicae, populus infirmus, qui praeparat in messe cibum sibi:
The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
26 lepusculus, plebs invalida, qui collocat in petra cubile suum:
The hyraxes are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
27 regem locusta non habet, et egreditur universa per turmas suas:
The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
28 stellio manibus nititur, et moratur in aedibus regis.
You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.
29 Tria sunt, quae bene gradiuntur, et quartum, quod incedit feliciter:
“There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going:
30 Leo fortissimus bestiarum, ad nullius pavebit occursum:
The lion, which is mightiest amongst animals, and doesn’t turn away for any;
31 gallus succinctus lumbos: et aries: et rex, cui non est, qui resistat ei.
the greyhound; the male goat; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
32 Est qui stultus apparuit postquam elevatus est in sublime: si enim intellexisset, ori suo imposuisset manum.
“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
33 Qui autem fortiter premit ubera ad eliciendum lac, exprimit butyrum: et qui vehementer emungit, elicit sanguinem: et qui provocat iras, producit discordias.
For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”
