But these are creatures without reason. They were born mere animals to be taken and destroyed! They speak abusively in matters of which they are ignorant. They suffer destruction in their own course of destruction.

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

The lowly ant has no guide or overseer.

There are four things that are little upon the earth, but they (chakam: teach wisdom) are exceeding wise:

The bull knows its owner, and donkey knows where its master feeds it. But Israel does not know. My people do not understand!

Even storks know when it is time to return. Mourning doves, swallows (swifts), and cranes know when it is time to migrate. But my people do not know that I, Jehovah, am urging them to return.

These men speak abusively about things they do not know. What they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, they corrupt themselves.

These cause divisions; they are sensual (worldly-minded) persons not having the Spirit.

The lowly ant has no guide or overseer. It prepares its food in the summer and gathers food at the harvest.

The ants are beings that are not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer.