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 sanctorum scientiam
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 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 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 quicquam 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 saturatus inliciar ad negandum et dicam quis est Dominus et egestate conpulsus furer et peierem 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 non benedicit matri suae
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 subrectae
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 adfer adfer 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 illum 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 adulescentula
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 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 adsumpta et per ancillam cum heres fuerit 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 quae praeparant in messe cibum sibi
The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
26 lepusculus plebs invalida quae conlocat in petra cubile suum
The hyraxes are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
27 regem lucusta non habet et egreditur universa per turmas
The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
28 stilio 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 nec est rex qui resistat ei
the greyhound; the male goat; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
32 et qui stultus apparuit postquam elatus est in sublime si enim intellexisset ori inposuisset 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 emungitur 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.”
