1. The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh – an inspired utterance.This man’s utterance to Ithiel:‘I am weary, God,but I can prevail.
2. Surely I am only a brute, not a man;I do not have human understanding.
3. I have not learned wisdom,nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One.
4. Who has gone up to heaven and come down?Whose hands have gathered up the wind?Who has wrapped up the waters in a 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. ‘Every word of God is flawless;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6. Do not add to his words,or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
7. ‘Two things I ask of you, Lord;do not refuse me before I die:
8. keep falsehood and lies far from me;give me neither poverty nor riches,but give me only my daily bread.
9. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown youand say, “Who is the Lord?”Or I may become poor and steal,and so dishonour the name of my God.
10. ‘Do not slander a servant to their master,or they will curse you, and you will pay for it.
11. ‘There are those who curse their fathersand do not bless their mothers;
12. those who are pure in their own eyesand yet are not cleansed of their filth;
13. those whose eyes are ever so haughty,whose glances are so disdainful;
14. those whose teeth are swordsand whose jaws are set with knivesto devour the poor from the earthand the needy from among the human race.