Proverbiorum 30
1 verba Congregantis filii Vomentis visio quam locutus est vir cum quo est Deus et qui Deo secum morante confortatus ait
These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out.
2 stultissimus sum virorum et sapientia hominum non est mecum
Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.
3 non didici sapientiam et non novi sanctorum scientiam
I have not learned wisdom, and I have no 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
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely 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 quicquam verbis illius et arguaris inveniarisque mendax
Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7 duo rogavi te ne deneges mihi antequam moriar
Two things I ask of You— do not refuse me before I die:
8 vanitatem et verba mendacia longe fac a me mendicitatem et divitias ne dederis mihi tribue tantum victui meo necessaria
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
9 ne forte saturatus inliciar ad negandum et dicam quis est Dominus et egestate conpulsus furer et peierem nomen Dei mei
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
10 ne accuses servum ad dominum suum ne forte maledicat tibi et corruas
Do not slander a servant to his master, or he will curse you, and you will bear the guilt.
11 generatio quae patri suo maledicit et quae non benedicit matri suae
There is a generation of 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
There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
13 generatio cuius excelsi sunt oculi et palpebrae eius in alta subrectae
There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—
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 swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
15 sanguisugae duae sunt filiae dicentes adfer adfer tria sunt insaturabilia et quartum quod numquam dicit sufficit
The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
16 infernus et os vulvae et terra quae non satiatur aqua ignis vero numquam dicit sufficit (Sheol h7585)
Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’ (Sheol h7585)
17 oculum qui subsannat patrem et qui despicit partum matris suae effodiant corvi de torrentibus et comedant illum filii aquilae
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
18 tria sunt difficilia mihi et quartum penitus ignoro
There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:
19 viam aquilae in caelo viam colubri super petram viam navis in medio mari et viam viri in adulescentula
the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, 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
This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
21 per tria movetur terra et quartum non potest sustinere
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
22 per servum cum regnaverit per stultum cum saturatus fuerit cibo
a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,
23 per odiosam mulierem cum in matrimonio fuerit adsumpta et per ancillam cum heres fuerit dominae suae
an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress.
24 quattuor sunt minima terrae et ipsa sunt sapientiora sapientibus
Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:
25 formicae populus infirmus quae praeparant in messe cibum sibi
The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 lepusculus plebs invalida quae conlocat in petra cubile suum
the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
27 regem lucusta non habet et egreditur universa per turmas
the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;
28 stilio manibus nititur et moratur in aedibus regis
and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
29 tria sunt quae bene gradiuntur et quartum quod incedit feliciter
There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk:
30 leo fortissimus bestiarum ad nullius pavebit occursum
a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;
31 gallus succinctus lumbos et aries nec est rex qui resistat ei
a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
32 et qui stultus apparuit postquam elatus est in sublime si enim intellexisset ori inposuisset manum
If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over 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
For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”
