20
This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth, And says, "I have done no wickedness."
21
For three things the earth is perturbed, Yes, for four it cannot bear up:
22
For a servant when he reigns, A fool when he is filled with food,
23
A hateful woman when she is married, And a maidservant who succeeds her mistress.
24
There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
25
The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer;
26
The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags;
27
The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks;
28
The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings' palaces.
29
There are three things which are majestic in pace, Yes, four which are stately in walk:
30
A lion, which is mighty among beasts And does not turn away from any;
31
A greyhound, A male goat also, And a king whose troops are with him.
32
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.
33
For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.