Scripture Meditations

PROVERBS, CHAPTER 30

1

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the revelation:
the man says to Ithiel,
to Ithiel and Ucal:
2
“Surely I am the most ignorant man,
and don’t have a man’s understanding.
3
I have not learned wisdom,
neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
4
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
“Every word of God is flawless.
He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
6
Don’t you add to his words,
lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
7
“Two things I have asked of you;
don’t deny me before I die:
8
Remove far from me falsehood and lies.
Give me neither poverty nor riches.
Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
9
lest I be full, deny you, and say, ‘Who is Yahweh?’
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
10
“Don’t slander a servant to his master,
lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
11
There is a generation that curses their father,
and doesn’t bless their mother.
12
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes,
yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13
There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes!
Their eyelids are lifted up.
14
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 among men.
15
“The leach has two daughters:
‘Give, give.’
“There are three things that are never satisfied;
four that don’t say, ‘Enough:’
16
Sheol,[a]
the barren womb;
the earth that is not satisfied with water;
and the fire that doesn’t say, ‘Enough.’
17
“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
“There are three things which are too amazing for me,
four which I don’t understand:
19
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
“So is the way of an adulterous woman:
she eats and wipes her mouth,
and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
21
“For three things the earth tremble,
and under four, it can’t bear up:
22
For a servant when he is king;
a fool when he is filled with food;
23
for an unloved woman when she is married;
and a servant who is heir to her mistress.
24
“There are four things which are little on the earth,
but they are exceedingly wise:
25
the ants are not a strong people,
yet they provide their food in the summer.
26
The conies are but a feeble folk,
yet make they their houses in the rocks.
27
The locusts have no king,
yet they advance in ranks.
28
You can catch a lizard with your hands,
yet it is in kings’ palaces.
29
“There are three things which are stately in their march,
four which are stately in going:
30
The lion, which is mightiest among animals,
and doesn’t turn away for any;
31
the greyhound,
the male goat also;
and the king against whom there is no rising up.
32
“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself,
or if you have thought evil,
put your hand over your mouth.
33
For as the churning of milk produces butter,
and the wringing of the nose produces blood;
so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”

Footnotes:
Proverbs 30:16 Sheol is the place of the dead.

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked. 

 PROVERBS, CHAPTER 29

1

He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck
will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.
2
When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice;
but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3
Whoever loves wisdom brings joy to his father;
but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4
The king by justice makes the land stable,
but he who takes bribes tears it down.
5
A man who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.
6
An evil man is snared by his sin,
but the righteous can sing and be glad.
7
The righteous care about justice for the poor.
The wicked aren’t concerned about knowledge.
8
Mockers stir up a city,
but wise men turn away anger.
9
If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man,
the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
10
The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity;
and they seek the life of the upright.
11
A fool vents all of his anger,
but a wise man brings himself under control.
12
If a ruler listens to lies,
all of his officials are wicked.
13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
Yahweh gives sight to the eyes of both.
14
The king who fairly judges the poor,
his throne shall be established forever.
15
The rod of correction gives wisdom,
but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
16
When the wicked increase, sin increases;
but the righteous will see their downfall.
17
Correct your son, and he will give you peace;
yes, he will bring delight to your soul.
18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but one who keeps the law is blessed.
19
A servant can’t be corrected by words.
Though he understands, yet he will not respond.
20
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21
He who pampers his servant from youth
will have him become a son in the end.
22
An angry man stirs up strife,
and a wrathful man abounds in sin.
23
A man’s pride brings him low,
but one of lowly spirit gains honor.
24
Whoever is an accomplice of a thief is an enemy of his own soul.
He takes an oath, but dares not testify.
25
The fear of man proves to be a snare,
but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
26
Many seek the ruler’s favor,
but a man’s justice comes from Yahweh.
27
A dishonest man detests the righteous,
and the upright in their ways detest the wicked.

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.