Verses 15b-16 form the second numerical saying of this collection.

“Three things”: This saying begins with the two line formula “Three things . . . four. . .,” as do three other sayings later in the collection. According to some commentators the sequence of numbers is a rhetorical device to give the sense that the things listed are not necessarily the only things that fit into the particular group or description. Another way of expressing this is, for example, “There are some things that . . . Four of them are. . ..” Some commentators give the indefinite number phrase “three or four” as the appropriate rendering in English; Contemporary English Version follows this approach. Others regard the formula purely as a rhetorical device to help the reader or listener to remember the saying. According to this understanding, the sense of the formula is, “There are four things that. . ., namely. . ..” Good News Translation follows this approach. A further possibility is that the formula focuses attention on the final (fourth) item in the sequence that follows.

“Are never satisfied”: This may also be expressed “things whose desire never ends” or “things that always want more.” Some commentators and translators see these words as linking back to the leech in the previous short saying.

“Four never say “Enough””: This line is completely parallel to the previous line, with the number “four” here replacing the number “Three” there. “Never say “Enough”” has the same meaning as “are never satisfied”. Since the meaning is the same in the two lines, translations like Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version combine the two lines, and translators may wish to follow this approach in other languages.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .