Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

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

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
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 abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

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.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
ראשׁית 
Re'shiyth 
Usage: 51

of strife
מדון 
Madown 
Usage: 11

פּטר 
Patar 
Usage: 5

נטשׁ 
Natash 
Usage: 40

רב ריב 
Riyb 
Usage: 60

פּנים 
Paniym 
Usage: 2119

it be meddled
גּלע 
Gala` 
Usage: 3

References

Fausets

Context Readings

Proverbs Of Solomon

13 If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.

Cross References

Proverbs 20:3

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 25:8

do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?

1 Thessalonians 4:11

and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

Genesis 13:8-9

Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

Judges 8:1-3

Then the men of Ephraim said to him, "What is this that you have done to us, not to call us when you went to fight against Midian?" And they accused him fiercely.

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim 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 arise and compete before us." And Joab said, "Let them arise."

2 Samuel 19:41-22

Then all the men of Israel came to the king and said to the king, "Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away and brought the king and his household over the Jordan, and all David's men with him?"

2 Chronicles 10:14-16

King Rehoboam spoke to them according to the counsel 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 struck them with great force, so there fell slain of Israel 500,000 chosen men.

2 Chronicles 25:17-24

Then Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, "Come, let us look one another in the face."

2 Chronicles 28:6

For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed 120,000 from Judah in one day, all of them men of valor, because they had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers.

Proverbs 13:10

By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.

Proverbs 14:29

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 16:32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Proverbs 17:19

Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 26:21

As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 29:22

A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Matthew 5:39-41

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Acts 6:1-5

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 15:2-21

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.

Romans 12:18

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

2 Timothy 2:23-24

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

James 3:14-18

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain