Book of Proverbs, Chapter 30
Chapter 30 of Proverbs
¶ The man says to Ith′i-el,
to Ith′i-el and Ucal:[b]
I have not the understanding of a man.
nor have I knowledge of the Holy One.
Who has gathered the wind in his fists?
Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is his name, and what is his son’s name?
Surely you know!
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
deny them not to me before I die:
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
and say, “Who is the LORD?”
or lest I be poor, and steal,
and profane the name of my God.
lest he curse you, and you be held guilty.
and do not bless their mothers.
but are not cleansed of their filth.
how high their eyelids lift!
whose teeth are knives,
to devour the poor from off the earth,
the needy from among men.
“Give, give,” they cry.
Three things are never satisfied;
four never say, “Enough”:
the earth ever thirsty for water,
and the fire which never says, “Enough.”[d]
and scorns to obey a mother
will be picked out by the ravens of the valley
and eaten by the vultures.
four I do not understand:
the way of a serpent on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden.
she eats, and wipes her mouth,
and says, “I have done no wrong.”
under four it cannot bear up:
and a fool when he is filled with food;
and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
but they are exceedingly wise:
yet they provide their food in the summer;
yet they make their homes in the rocks;
yet all of them march in rank;
yet it is in kings’ palaces.
four are stately in their stride:
and does not turn back before any;
and a king striding before[f] his people.
or if you have been devising evil,
put your hand on your mouth.
pressing the nose produces blood,
and pressing anger produces strife.FOOTNOTES
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