Parallel Verses

Holman Bible

To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.

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.

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
The beginning
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 never depart from his house.
14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.
15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just
both are detestable to the Lord.



Cross References

Proverbs 20:3

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.

Proverbs 25:8

Don’t take a matter to court hastily.
Otherwise, what will you do afterward
if your opponent humiliates you?

1 Thessalonians 4:11

to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you,

Genesis 13:8-9

Then Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives.

Judges 8:1-3

The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you done this to us, not calling us when you went to fight against the Midianites?” And they argued with him violently.

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim were called together and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight against the Ammonites but didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you in it!”

2 Samuel 2:14-17

Then Abner said to Joab, “Let’s have the young men get up and compete in front of us.”

“Let them get up,” Joab replied.

2 Samuel 19:41-22

Suddenly, all the men of Israel came to the king. They asked him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and transport the king and his household across the Jordan, along with all of David’s men?”

2 Chronicles 10:14-16

and spoke to them according to the young men’s advice, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it; my father disciplined you with whips, but I, with barbed whips.”

2 Chronicles 13:17

Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 choice men of Israel were killed.

2 Chronicles 25:17-24

King Amaziah of Judah took counsel and sent word to Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us meet face to face.”

2 Chronicles 28:6

Pekah son of Remaliah killed 120,000 in Judah in one day—all brave men—because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors.

Proverbs 13:10

Arrogance leads to nothing but strife,
but wisdom is gained by those who take advice.

Proverbs 14:29

A patient person shows great understanding,
but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1

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

Proverbs 16:32

Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city.

Proverbs 17:19

One who loves to offend loves strife;
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

Proverbs 19:11

A person’s insight gives him patience,
and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 26:21

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

Proverbs 29:22

An angry man stirs up conflict,
and a hot-tempered man increases rebellion.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

The end of a matter is better than its beginning;
a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.

Matthew 5:39-41

But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Acts 6:1-5

In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

Acts 15:2-21

But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.

Romans 12:18

If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

2 Timothy 2:23-24

But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels.

James 3:14-18

But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny 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

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