18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Four which I do not understand : 19 The way of an eagle in the sky , The way of a serpent on a rock , The way of a ship in the middle of the sea , And the way of a man with a maid . 20 This is the way of an adulterous woman : She eats and wipes her mouth , And says , "I have done no wrong ." 21 Under three things the earth quakes , And under four , it cannot e bear up: 22 Under a slave when he becomes king , And a fool when he is satisfied with food , 23 Under an unloved woman when she gets a husband , And a maidservant when she supplants her mistress .
24 Four things are small on the earth , But they are exceedingly wise : 25 The ants are not a strong people , But they prepare their food in the summer ; 26 The shephanim are not mighty people , Yet they make their houses in the rocks ; 27 The locusts have no king , Yet all of them go out in ranks ; 28 The lizard you may grasp with the hands , Yet it is in kings' palaces .
29 There are three things which are stately in their march , Even four which are stately when they walk : 30 The lion which is mighty among beasts And does not retreat before e any , 31 The strutting e rooster , the male goat also , And a king when his army is with him. 32 If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth . 33 For the churning of milk produces butter , And pressing the nose brings forth blood ; So the churning of anger produces strife .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18-36
Commentary on Proverbs 30:18-20
(Read Proverbs 30:18-20)
Four things cannot be fully known. The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts by which a vile seducer gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile woman uses to conceal her wickedness.
Commentary on Proverbs 30:21-28
(Read Proverbs 30:21-28)
Four things that are little, are yet to be admired. There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world.
Commentary on Proverbs 30:29-33
(Read Proverbs 30:29-33)
We may learn from animals to go well; also to keep our temper under all provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have we done foolishly in rising up against the Lord our King! Let us humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him, let us follow peace with all men.