Author: cackywalker@yahoo.com

The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message.

I am weary, O god, I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have noted mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One.

Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back and down? Who holds the wind in His fists? Who wraps up the oceans in His cloak Who has created the whole world? What is His name-and His sons name? Tell me if you know!

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection. Do not add to His words, or He may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. (vv. 1-6, NLT)

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan. (vv. -12, NLT)

Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad. When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. (vv. 17, NLT)

An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. If you assist a thief, you only hurt yourself. You are sworn to tell the truth, but dare not testify. Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting in the Lord means safety. Many seek the ruler’s favor, but justice comes from the Lord. The righteous despise the unjust; the wicked despise the godly. (vv. 22-27, NLT)

The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions. When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability. (vv. 1-2, NLT)

To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them. Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely. Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich. Young people who obey the law are wise; those with wild friends brings shame to their parents. (vv. 4-7, NLT)

People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble. (vv. 12-14, NLT)

Greed causes fighting; trusting the Lord leads to prosperity. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. (vv. 25-26, NLT_

Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the will bring. Let someone else praise, no your own mouth-a stranger, not your own lips. (vv. 1-2, NLT)

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (v. 9, NLT)

A prudent person person foresees danger and takes precautions. A simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. ((v. 12, NLT)

As a face is reflected in the water, so the heart reflects the real person. Just as Death and Destruction is never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. (v. 1 9, NLT)

When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Timely advise is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. To one who listens to criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewlery.

Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in the summer. They revive the spirit of their employer. As person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain. (vv. 9-14, NLT)

Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. For their hearts plot violence, and their words always stir up trouble. A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and stronger. So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. (vv. 1-5, NLT)

Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and He sees you. He who guards your soul knows you well. He repay all people as their actions deserve. (v. 12, NLT)

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of the eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.

Don’t eat with people who are stingy; don’t desire their delicacies. They are always thinking about how much it costs. “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’ mean it. (vv. 2-7, NLT)
Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death. My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.

Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed. My child, listen and be wise: Keep your hears on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards of feast with gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty, and too much sleep clothes them in rags. (vv. 12-21, NLT)

People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer Him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and deadly trap. The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. It is better to live alone in the corner of the attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; and He will bring disaster on them. Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. (vv. 2-15, NLT)

Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling. Those too lazy to plow in the right season will have no food for the harvest. Though good advice lies deep within the heart, a person with understanding will draw it out.

Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can truly find one who is truly reliable The godly walk with integrity; blessed are the children who follow them. (vv. 3-7, NLT)

Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right. Ears to hear and eyes to see-both are gifts from God. If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! The buyer haggles over the price, saying “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain. Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. (vv. 11-15, NLT)

Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong: Wait for the Lord to handle the matter. The Lord detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. (vv. 22-25, NLT)

The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old. Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart. (vv. 29-30, NLT)

Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool. Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good, hast makes mistakes. People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry with the Lord. Wealth makes many “friend”; poverty drives the all away. A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape. (vv. 1-5, NLT)

Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives. Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again. Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. You can make many plans, but The Lord’s purpose will prevail. (vv. 18-21, NLT)