Parallel Verses
Darby Translation
The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
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.
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 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement. 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.
Cross References
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.
Proverbs 25:8
Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
and to seek earnestly to be quiet and mind your own affairs, and work with your own hands, even as we charged you,
Genesis 13:8-9
And Abram said to Lot, I pray thee let there be no contention between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we are brethren.
Judges 8:1-3
And the men of E'phraim said to him, "What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight with Mid'ian?" And they upbraided him violently.
Judges 12:1-6
The men of E'phraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, "Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites, and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire."
2 Samuel 2:14-17
And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise and make sport 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 brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over the Jordan?
2 Chronicles 10:14-16
and spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
2 Chronicles 13:17
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter; and there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.
2 Chronicles 25:17-24
And Amaziah king of Judah took counsel, and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
2 Chronicles 28:6
And Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah a hundred and twenty thousand in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken Jehovah the God of their fathers.
Proverbs 13:10
By pride there only cometh contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom.
Proverbs 14:29
He that is slow to anger is of great understanding; but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger.
Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 17:19
He loveth transgression that loveth a quarrel; he that maketh high his gate seeketh destruction.
Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man maketh him slow to anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Proverbs 26:21
As coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife.
Proverbs 29:22
An angry man exciteth contention; and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Ecclesiastes 7:8-9
Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; better is a patient spirit than a proud spirit.
Matthew 5:39-41
But I say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;
Acts 6:1-5
But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.
Acts 15:2-21
A commotion therefore having taken place, and no small discussion on the part of Paul and Barnabas against them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from amongst them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
Romans 12:18
if possible, as far as depends on you, living in peace with all men;
2 Timothy 2:23-24
But foolish and senseless questionings avoid, knowing that they beget contentions.
James 3:14-18
but if ye have bitter emulation and strife in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.