Study Desk

Listen, I have something important to say, and I am telling you what is right.

"I am Wisdom. I live with Good Judgment. I am at home with Knowledge and Planning.

Can anyone say their heart is pure? Who can say, "I am free from sin"?

My son, listen closely to what I am saying. Let my life be your example.

These are the wise sayings of Agur son of Jakeh from Massa. He says, "God, I am tired, so tired. How can I keep going?"

I am stupid. I am not as smart as other people are.

If I have too much, I might deny that I need you, Lord . But if I am too poor, I might steal and bring shame to the name of my God.

I said to myself, "I am very wise. I am wiser than all the kings who ruled Jerusalem before me. I know what wisdom and knowledge really are."

I saw a man who has no family, not a son or even a brother. But he continues to work very hard. He is never satisfied with what he has. And he works so hard that he never stops and asks himself, "Why am I working so hard? Why don't I let myself enjoy my life?" This is also a very bad and senseless thing.

The Teacher says, "I added all this together to see what answer I could find. I am still looking for answers, but I did find this: I found one good man in a thousand. But I did not find even one good woman.

Daughters of Jerusalem, I am dark and beautiful, as black as the tents of Kedar and Salma.

Don't look at how dark I am, at how dark the sun has made me. My brothers were angry with me. They forced me to take care of their vineyards, so I could not take care of myself.

I am a rose on the plain of Sharon, a lily in the valleys.

Strengthen me with raisins; refresh me with apples, because I am weak with love.

Women of Jerusalem, promise me by the gazelles and wild deer, don't awaken love, don't arouse love, until I am ready.

My lover is mine, and I am his! My lover feeds among the lilies,

Women of Jerusalem, promise me by the gazelles and wild deer, don't awaken love, don't arouse love, until I am ready.

I am asleep, but my heart is awake. I hear my lover knocking, saying, "Open to me, my darling, my love, my dove, my perfect one! My head is soaked with dew. My hair is wet with the mist of the night."

I tell you, women of Jerusalem, if you find my lover, tell him I am weak with love.

Women of Jerusalem, promise me, don't awaken love, don't arouse love, until I am ready.