17 An eye that disdains a fatherand despises a mother—that eye will be plucked out by wild vulturesand consumed by young eagles.
18-19 Three things amaze me,no, four things I’ll never understand—how an eagle flies so high in the sky,how a snake glides over a rock,how a ship navigates the ocean,why adolescents act the way they do.
20 Here’s how a prostitute operates:she has sex with her client,Takes a bath,then asks, “Who’s next?”
21-23 Three things are too much for even the earth to bear,yes, four things shake its foundations—when the janitor becomes the boss,when a fool gets rich,when a whore is voted “woman of the year,”when a “girlfriend” replaces a faithful wife.
24-28 There are four small creatures,wisest of the wise they are—ants—frail as they are,get plenty of food in for the winter;marmots—vulnerable as they are,manage to arrange for rock-solid homes;locusts—leaderless insects,yet they strip the field like an army regiment;lizards—easy enough to catch,but they sneak past vigilant palace guards.
29-31 There are three solemn dignitaries,four that are impressive in their bearing—a lion, king of the beasts, deferring to none;a rooster, proud and strutting;a billy goat;a head of state in stately procession.
32-33 If you’re dumb enough to call attention to yourselfby offending people and making rude gestures,Don’t be surprised if someone bloodies your nose.Churned milk turns into butter;riled emotions turn into fist fights.