This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have not done wrong.”

Under three things the earth trembles, and under four things it cannot bear up:

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.

Although an assailant may overpower one person, two can withstand him. Moreover, a three-stranded cord is not quickly broken.

A poor but wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive advice.

though it never saw the light of day nor knew anything, yet it has more rest than that man –

Whoever obeys his command will not experience harm, and a wise person knows the proper time and procedure.

If an iron axhead is blunt and a workman does not sharpen its edge, he must exert a great deal of effort; so wisdom has the advantage of giving success.

The toil of a stupid fool wears him out, because he does not even know the way to the city.

before the sun and the light of the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds disappear after the rain;

Then you must recall the Lord’s instructions and the prophetic testimony of what would happen. Certainly they say such things because their minds are spiritually darkened.

Wild dogs will yip in her ruined fortresses, jackals will yelp in the once-splendid palaces. Her time is almost up, her days will not be prolonged.

The evergreens also rejoice over your demise, as do the cedars of Lebanon, singing, ‘Since you fell asleep, no woodsman comes up to chop us down!’

Is this the one who made the world like a desert, who ruined its cities, and refused to free his prisoners so they could return home?”’

We have heard about Moab’s pride, their great arrogance, their boasting, pride, and excess. But their boastful claims are empty!

They travel down to Egypt without seeking my will, seeking Pharaoh’s protection, and looking for safety in Egypt’s protective shade.

For these are rebellious people – they are lying children, children unwilling to obey the Lord’s law.

Highways are empty, there are no travelers. Treaties are broken, witnesses are despised, human life is treated with disrespect.

This is what the king says: ‘Don’t let Hezekiah mislead you, for he is not able to rescue you!

They were silent and did not respond, for the king had ordered, “Don’t respond to him.”