16. The first is the grave. The second is a woman who can't have a baby. The third is land. It never gets enough water. And the fourth is fire. It never says, 'Enough!'
17. "Some make fun of their fathers. Others laugh about obeying their mothers. The ravens of the valley will peck their eyes out. Then the vultures will eat them.
18. "Three things are too amazing for me. There are four things I don't understand.
19. The first is the way of an eagle in the sky. The second is the way of a snake on a rock. The third is the way of a ship on the ocean. And the fourth is the way of a man with a young woman.
20. "This is the way of a woman who commits adultery. She eats. She wipes her mouth. Then she says, 'I haven't done anything wrong.'
21. "Under three things the earth shakes. Under four things it can't stand up.
22. The first is a servant who becomes a king. The second is a foolish person who is full of food.
23. The third is a woman who is married but not loved by her husband. And the fourth is a woman servant who takes the place of the woman she works for.
24. "Four things on earth are small. But they are very wise.
25. The first are ants. They aren't very strong. But they store up their food in the summer.
26. The second are rock badgers. They aren't very powerful. But they make their home among the rocks.
27. The third are locusts. They don't have a king. But they all march forward in ranks.
28. And the fourth are lizards. Your hand can catch them. But you will find them in kings' palaces.
29. "Three things walk as if they were kings. Four things move as kings do.
30. The first is a lion. It is mighty among the animals. It doesn't back away from anything.
31. The second is a rooster that walks proudly. The third is a billy goat. And the fourth is a king who has his army around him.
32. "Have you been foolish? Have you thought you were better than others? Have you planned evil? If you have, put your hand over your mouth and stop talking!