Parallel Verses

NET Bible

Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife 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.

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.

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 As for the one who repays evil for good, evil will not leave his house. 14 Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out! 15 The one who acquits the guilty and the one who condemns the innocent -- both of them are an abomination to the Lord.



Cross References

Proverbs 20:3

It is an honor for a person to cease from strife, but every fool quarrels.

Proverbs 25:8

Do not go out hastily to litigation, or what will you do afterward when your neighbor puts you to shame?

1 Thessalonians 4:11

to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you.

Genesis 13:8-9

Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no quarreling between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are close relatives.

Judges 8:1-3

The Ephraimites said to him, "Why have you done such a thing to us? You did not summon us when you went to fight the Midianites!" They argued vehemently with him.

Judges 12:1-6

The Ephraimites assembled and crossed over to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, "Why did you go and fight with the Ammonites without asking us to go with you? We will burn your house down right over you!"

2 Samuel 2:14-17

Abner said to Joab, "Let the soldiers get up and fight before us." Joab said, "So be it!"

2 Samuel 19:41-22

Then all the men of Israel began coming to the king. They asked the king, "Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, sneak the king away and help the king and his household cross the Jordan -- and not only him but all of David's men as well?"

2 Chronicles 10:14-16

and followed the advice of the younger ones. He said, "My father imposed heavy demands on you; I will make them even heavier. My father punished you with ordinary whips; I will punish you with whips that really sting your flesh."

2 Chronicles 13:17

Abijah and his army thoroughly defeated them; 500,000 well-trained Israelite men fell dead.

2 Chronicles 25:17-24

After King Amaziah of Judah consulted with his advisers, he sent this message to the king of Israel, Joash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, "Come, face me on the battlefield."

2 Chronicles 28:6

In one day King Pekah son of Remaliah of Israel killed 120,000 warriors in Judah, because they had abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors.

Proverbs 13:10

With pride comes only contention, but wisdom is with the well-advised.

Proverbs 14:29

The one who is slow to anger has great understanding, but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 15:1

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

Proverbs 16:32

Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

Proverbs 17:19

The one who loves a quarrel loves transgression; whoever builds his gate high seeks destruction.

Proverbs 19:11

A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Proverbs 26:21

Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife.

Proverbs 29:22

An angry person stirs up dissension, and a wrathful person is abounding in transgression.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

The end of a matter is better than its beginning; likewise, patience is better than pride.

Matthew 5:39-41

But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

Acts 6:1-5

Now in those days, when the disciples were growing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Greek-speaking Jews against the native Hebraic Jews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

Acts 15:2-21

When Paul and Barnabas had a major argument and debate with them, the church appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this point of disagreement.

Romans 12:18

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

2 Timothy 2:23-24

But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting.

James 3:14-18

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against 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