¶Two things I have asked of You; Do not refuse me before I die:
Parallel translations
- WEB “Two things I have asked of you; don’t deny me before I die:
- KJV Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
- BSB Two things I ask of You—do not refuse me before I die:
- NKJV Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die):
- NLT O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Agur offers a heartfelt prayer, asking God for two things before he dies.
Overview
This is the only prayer in Proverbs, and its brevity and earnestness model dependent, focused petition. By asking for just two things, Agur reveals priorities shaped by the fear of God rather than by greed. His prayer invites readers to bring their deepest concerns to God with simplicity and trust, as Christ taught His disciples to pray.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Kgs 2:9When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”
- Ps 27:4One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after: that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life, to see Yahweh’s beauty, and to inquire in his temple.
- Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
- 1 Kgs 3:5–9In Gibeon, Yahweh appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”
- Ps 21:2You have given him his heart’s desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 30:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.