Parallel Verses
Lexham Expanded Bible
[Like] the release of water [is] the beginning of strife; before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.
New American Standard Bible
So
King James Version
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Holman Bible
stop the dispute before it breaks out.
International Standard Version
Starting a quarrel is like spilling water so drop the dispute before it escalates.
A Conservative Version
The beginning of strife is [like] letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
American Standard Version
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
Amplified
The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore
Bible in Basic English
The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.
Darby Translation
The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
Julia Smith Translation
The causing water to break forth. is the beginning of strife: cast off contention before being irritated.
King James 2000
The beginning of strife is like releasing water: therefore leave off contention, before a quarrel starts.
Modern King James verseion
The beginning of strife is like letting out water; therefore leave off fighting, before it breaks out.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
He that soweth discord and strife, is like one that diggeth up a water brook; but an open enemy is like the water that breaketh out and runneth abroad.
NET Bible
Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out!
New Heart English Bible
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
The Emphasized Bible
A letting forth of water, is the beginning of strife, therefore, before it breaketh out, abandon, contention.
Webster
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.
World English Bible
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Youngs Literal Translation
The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
Themes
Adjudication at law » To be avoided
Strife » Causes of » Forbidden
Strife » Strength and violence of--illustrated
Strife » The beginning of strife
Strife » Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it
Water » Illustrative » (difficulty of stopping,) of strife and contention
Topics
Interlinear
Mayim
Natash
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 17:14
Verse Info
Context Readings
Proverbs Of Solomon
13 [For] he who returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. 14 [Like] the release of water [is] the beginning of strife; before it breaks out, stop the quarrel. 15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, the two of them [are] both abominations of Yahweh.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:3
[It is] honorable for the man to refrain from strife, but every fool will be quick to quarrel.
Proverbs 25:8
do not hastily bring out to court, for what will you do at its end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live a quiet life, and to attend to {your own business}, and to work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
Genesis 13:8-9
Then Abram said to Lot, "Please, let there not be quarreling between me and you, and between my shepherds and your shepherds, for we men [are] brothers.
Judges 8:1-3
The men of Ephraim said to him, "What [is] this thing you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?" And they quarreled with him severely.
Judges 12:1-6
The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed [over] to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross [over] and make war against the {Ammonites}, and why did you not call us to go with you? We will burn down your house over you with fire."
2 Samuel 2:14-17
Abner said to Joab, "Let the young men come up and fight in our presence." And Joab said, "Let them come up."
2 Samuel 19:41-22
Suddenly, all the men of Israel [were] coming to the king. They said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, with all the men of David?"
2 Chronicles 10:14-16
And he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, "I will make your yoke heavy, and I myself will add to it. My father disciplined you with whips, but I [will do so] with scorpions."
2 Chronicles 13:17
And Abijah and his people struck a great blow against them, and the dead from Israel [that] fell [were] five hundred thousand chosen men.
2 Chronicles 25:17-24
Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel, and he sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, {let us face one another}.
2 Chronicles 28:6
And Pekah, the son of Remaliah, killed in one day one hundred and twenty thousand in Judah, all men of strength, because they forsook Yahweh the God of their ancestors.
Proverbs 13:10
Only by insolence is strife set up, and wisdom [is] with those who take advice.
Proverbs 14:29
[He who is] slow to anger [has] great understanding, but the hasty of spirit exalts folly.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer will turn away wrath, but a word of trouble will stir {anger}.
Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger [is] better than him who is mighty, and he who controls his spirit than him who captures a city.
Proverbs 17:19
He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his high thresholds seeks destruction.
Proverbs 19:11
The understanding of a person makes him slow to his {anger}, and his glory overlooks offense.
Proverbs 26:21
[As] charcoal [is] to hot embers and wood [is] to fire, so a man of quarrels [is] to kindling strife.
Proverbs 29:22
A man of anger will stir strife, and the owner of anger, much transgression.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
The end of a matter [is] better than its beginning; {better to be slow to anger than hot-headed}.
Matthew 5:39-41
But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Acts 6:1-5
Now in these days, [as] the disciples were increasing [in number], a complaint arose by the {Greek-speaking Jews} against the {Hebraic Jews} because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution [of food].
Acts 15:2-21
And [after] there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue.
Romans 12:18
If [it is] possible on your [part], be at peace with all people.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
But avoid foolish and uninformed controversies, [because you] know that they produce quarrels.
James 3:14-18
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.