Proverbs Chapter 30
From The Open Bible Project
30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle: the man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:
- (a) Who was an excellent man in virtue and knowledge in the time of Solomon.
- (b) Who were Agur’s scholars or friends.
30:2 "Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don't have a man's understanding.
- (c) In this he declares his great humility who would not attribute any wisdom to himself but all to God.
30:3 I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
30:4 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?
- (d) Meaning, to know the secrets of God, as though he would say, "None".
30:5 "Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
30:6 Don't you add to his words, lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.
30:7 "Two things I have asked of you; don't deny me before I die:
- (e) He makes this request to God.
30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me;
30:9 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.
- (f) Meaning, that they who put their trust in their riches forget God and that by too much wealth men have an opportunity to the same.
30:10 "Don't slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
- (g) In accusing him without cause.
30:11 There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn't bless their mother.
30:12 There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
30:13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
30:14 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.
30:15 "The leach has two daughters: 'Give, give.' "There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don't say, 'Enough:'
- (h) The leach has two forks in her tongue, which here he calls her two daughters, by which she sucks the blood, and is never satisfied: even so, the covetous extortioners are insatiable.
30:16 [11] Sheol [See Proverbs Footnotes 11], the barren womb; the earth that is not satisfied with water; and the fire that doesn't say, 'Enough.'
30:17 "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.
- (i) Which hunt in the valley for carrion.
30:18 "There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don't understand:
30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maiden.
30:20 "So is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth, and says, 'I have done nothing wrong.'
- (k) She has her desires, and later counterfeits as though she were an honest woman.
30:21 "For three things the earth tremble, and under four, it can't bear up:
30:22 For a servant when he is king; a fool when he is filled with food;
- (l) These commonly abuse the state to which they are called.
30:23 for an unloved woman when she is married; and a handmaid who is heir to her mistress.
- (m) Who is married to her master after the death of her mistress.
30:24 "There are four things which are little on the earth, but they are exceedingly wise:
- (n) They contain great doctrine and wisdom.
30:25 the ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
30:27 The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
30:28 You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.
- (o) If man is not able to compass these common things by his wisdom, we cannot attribute wisdom to man, but folly.
30:29 "There are three things which are stately in their march, four which are stately in going:
30:30 The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn't turn away for any;
30:31 the greyhound, the male goat also; and the king against whom there is no rising up.
30:32 "If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
- (p) Make a stay and continue not in doing evil.
30:33 For as the churning of milk brings forth butter, and the wringing of the nose brings forth blood; so the forcing of wrath brings forth strife."
