Parallel Verses
A Conservative Version
The beginning of strife is [like] letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
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.
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.
Lexham Expanded Bible
[Like] the release of water [is] the beginning of strife; before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.
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 He who rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is [like] letting out water. Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling. 15 He who justifies a wicked man, and he who condemns a righteous man, both of them alike are an abomination to LORD.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarrelling.
Proverbs 25:8
Go not forth hastily to strive. What will thou do in the end of it when thy neighbor has put thee to shame?
1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to aspire to live quietly, and to do your own things, and to work with your own hands, just as we commanded you,
Genesis 13:8-9
And Abram said to Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brothers.
Judges 8:1-3
And the men of Ephraim said to him, Why have thou done thus to us, that thou did not call us when thou went to fight with Midian? And they chided with him sharply.
Judges 12:1-6
And the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward. And they said to Jephthah, Why did thou pass over to fight against the sons of Ammon, and did not call us to go with thee? We will burn thy house upon thee with f
2 Samuel 2:14-17
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men, I pray thee, arise and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
2 Samuel 19:41-22
And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king, Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen thee away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?
2 Chronicles 10:14-16
and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto. My father chastised you with whips, but I with scorpions.
2 Chronicles 13:17
And Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter. So there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
2 Chronicles 25:17-24
Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look each other in the face.
2 Chronicles 28:6
For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men, because they had forsaken LORD, the God of their fathers.
Proverbs 13:10
Through pride a vain man causes contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.
Proverbs 14:29
He who is slow to anger is of great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exalts folly.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a grievous word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 17:19
He loves transgression who loves strife. He who raises high his gate seeks destruction.
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Proverbs 26:21
[As] coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in transgression.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Matthew 5:39-41
But I say to you, not to resist what is troublesome, but whoever will strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Acts 6:1-5
Now in those days, the disciples being multiplied, there developed a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily assistance.
Acts 15:2-21
Therefore, no small dissension and debate having developed with Paul and Barnabus against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some other men from them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about thi
Romans 12:18
If possible from you, keeping peace with all men,
2 Timothy 2:23-24
But shun foolish and uneducated questions, knowing that they breed quarrels.
James 3:14-18
But if ye have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast, and do not lie against the truth.