Parallel Verses
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
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.
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
Whoever returns evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.
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
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous
Are both repulsive to the Lord.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honor for a man to keep away from strife [by handling situations with thoughtful foresight],
But any fool will [start a] quarrel [without regard for the consequences].
Proverbs 25:8
Do not rush out to argue your case [before magistrates or judges];
Otherwise what will you do in the end [when your case is lost and]
When your neighbor (opponent) humiliates you?
1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to make it your ambition to live quietly and peacefully, and to mind your own affairs and work with your hands, just as we directed you,
Genesis 13:8-9
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife and disagreement between you and me, nor between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, because we are relatives.
Judges 8:1-3
And the men of [the tribe of] Ephraim said to Gideon, “What is this thing that you have done to us, not calling us when you went to fight with Midian?” And they quarreled with him vehemently.
Judges 12:1-6
The men of [the tribe of] Ephraim were summoned [to action], and they crossed over to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight with the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? [For that] we will burn your house down upon you.”
2 Samuel 2:14-17
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men now stand and
2 Samuel 19:41-22
And all the men of Israel came to the king and said to him, “Why have our brothers (relatives), the men [from the tribe] of Judah, stolen you away and brought the king and his household and all David’s men with him over the Jordan [instead of waiting for us to arrive]?”
2 Chronicles 10:14-16
He spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.”
2 Chronicles 13:17
Abijah and his people inflicted on them a great defeat, so that 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.
2 Chronicles 25:17-24
Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent word to Joash the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come [to battle], let us face each other.”
2 Chronicles 28:6
For Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 in Judah in one day, all courageous men, because they had abandoned (turned away from) the Lord God of their fathers.
Proverbs 13:10
Through pride and presumption come nothing but strife,
But [skillful and godly] wisdom is with those who welcome [well-advised] counsel.
Proverbs 14:29
He who is slow to anger has great understanding [and profits from his self-control],
But he who is quick-tempered exposes and exalts his foolishness [for all to see].
Proverbs 15:1
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.
Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
Proverbs 17:19
He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].
Proverbs 19:11
Good sense and discretion make a man slow to anger,
And it is his honor and glory to overlook a transgression or an offense [without seeking revenge and harboring resentment].
Proverbs 26:21
Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit (pride).
Matthew 5:39-41
Acts 6:1-5
Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the
Acts 15:2-21
Paul and Barnabas disagreed greatly and debated with them, so it was determined that Paul and Barnabas and some of the others from their group would go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders [and confer with them] concerning this issue.
Romans 12:18
If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
2 Timothy 2:23-24
But have nothing to do with foolish and ignorant speculations [useless disputes over unedifying, stupid controversies], since you know that they produce strife and give birth to quarrels.
James 3:14-18
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth.