Read & explore together
The Words of Agur
Proverbs 30:1–33 presents Agur’s words as wisdom and dialogue. He speaks humbly about his limits, honours God’s flawless word, asks for truth and daily provision, and gathers sayings that expose pride, greed and stirred-up anger.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
The passage opens by naming Agur and his hearers. He confesses ignorance, asks questions about God’s greatness, warns against adding to God’s words, prays for truthfulness and enough food, then gives short numbered sayings about family, desire, order, wisdom and restraint.
Proverbs 30:1–33Main takeaway
Agur shows that wise living includes humility before God, honesty, contentment and careful self-restraint.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Humble words before GodAgur starts by admitting he lacks wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One. His questions about ascending to heaven, gathering wind, binding waters and establishing the earth highlight God’s greatness rather than human ability.
Explanation
Agur starts by admitting he lacks wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One. His questions about ascending to heaven, gathering wind, binding waters and establishing the earth highlight God’s greatness rather than human ability. The opening tone is lowly and searching, not self-assured.
02God’s words and Agur’s prayerAgur says every word of God is flawless, and God is a shield for those who take refuge in him.
Explanation
Agur says every word of God is flawless, and God is a shield for those who take refuge in him. So God’s words must not be added to. Agur then asks for falsehood to be removed and for neither poverty nor riches, but only needful food.
03Pride, cruelty and endless appetiteThe next sayings warn against slander and show a corrupt generation: cursing parents, claiming purity, looking proudly, and devouring the poor.
Explanation
The next sayings warn against slander and show a corrupt generation: cursing parents, claiming purity, looking proudly, and devouring the poor. Agur also lists things that never say, “Enough!” and gives a severe warning about mocking father or mother. These sayings expose destructive attitudes and desires.
04Things observed, wise small creatures, and restraintAgur names things too amazing for him, then exposes hidden sin that claims innocence. He lists situations the earth cannot bear, then points to little creatures that act wisely: ants, hyraxes, locusts and a lizard.
Explanation
Agur names things too amazing for him, then exposes hidden sin that claims innocence. He lists situations the earth cannot bear, then points to little creatures that act wisely: ants, hyraxes, locusts and a lizard. He also notes stately movers, before ending with a call to silence and restraint so wrath does not produce strife.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How do Agur’s opening words shape the way he speaks about God?
Compare his confession of ignorance with his questions about who rules heaven, wind, waters and earth.
02What balance does Agur ask for in his prayer about possessions?
Look for the two dangers he names if he has too much or too little.
03How does the ending connect self-exaltation, speech and conflict?
Notice the command to put a hand over the mouth and the warning that forcing wrath produces strife.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Proverbs 30:1–33
1The 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.
3I have not learned wisdom, neither do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
4Who 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.
6Don’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.
8Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me,
9lest 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.
11There is a generation that curses their father, and doesn’t bless their mother.
12There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
13There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.
14There 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 leech has two daughters: ‘Give, give.’ “There are three things that are never satisfied; four that don’t say, ‘Enough!’:
16Sheol, 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:
19The 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 trembles, and under four, it can’t bear up:
22For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food,
23for 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:
25The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
26The hyraxes are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks.
27The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks.
28You 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:
30The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn’t turn away for any;
31the greyhound; the male goat; 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.
33For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”