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 Offer evil for good and evil will not depart from your house. 14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.
15 Justify the wicked or condemn the just. Both are abomination to Jehovah.

Cross References

Proverbs 20:3

It is an honor for a man to cease from discord. Only fools start quarrels.

Proverbs 25:8

Do not run quickly to court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame.

1 Thessalonians 4:11

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and mind your own business, and work with your hands, as we command you.

Genesis 13:8-9

Abram said to Lot: Let us not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.

Judges 8:1-3

Then the people of Ephraim said to Gideon: Why did you not call us when you went to fight the Midianites? Why did you treat us like this? They complained bitterly about it.

Judges 12:1-6

The men of Ephraim were ready for battle. They crossed the Jordan River to Zaphon and said to Jephthah: Why did you cross the border to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We are going to burn the house down over your head!

2 Samuel 2:14-17

Abner yelled to Joab: Let some of our best soldiers get up and fight each other! Joab agreed.

2 Samuel 19:41-22

All the people of Israel came to the king. They asked: Why did our brothers, the people of Judah, kidnap you and bring you and your family across the Jordan River?

2 Chronicles 10:14-16

He spoke to them as the young men advised. He said: If my father made your burden heavy, I will add to it. If my father punished you with whips, I will use scorpions.

2 Chronicles 13:17

Abijah and his men defeated them decisively. Five hundred thousand of the best men of Israel were killed.

2 Chronicles 25:17-24

After receiving counsel from his advisers, King Amaziah of Judah sent messengers to King Jehoash, son of Jehoahaz and grandson of Jehu of Israel, to declare war on Israel.

2 Chronicles 28:6

In one day Pekah, son of Remaliah, killed one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers in Judah because they had abandoned Jehovah the God of their ancestors.

Proverbs 13:10

Pride brings contention, but wisdom is with the well advised.

Proverbs 14:29

He who is slow to anger has great understanding. He who is short tempered exalts foolishness.

Proverbs 15:1

A mild answer turns away anger. Harsh words stir up anger.

Proverbs 16:32

Being slow to anger is better than being mighty. Being self-controlled is better than ruling a city.

Proverbs 17:19

He who loves transgression loves discord. He who opens his door seeks destruction.

Proverbs 19:11

The discretion of a man defers anger. It is his glory to overlook a transgression.

Proverbs 26:21

As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle disputes.

Proverbs 29:22

An angry man stirs up dissension. A furious man abounds in sin.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

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

Matthew 5:39-41

But I tell you, do not resist a wicked person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to that person.

Acts 6:1-5

The number of disciples increased at that time. A murmuring arose on the part of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

Acts 15:2-21

Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question.

Romans 12:18

When it is possible, be peaceable with all men.

2 Timothy 2:23-24

But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing they produce quarrels (controversy) (fighting).

James 3:14-18

If you have bitter jealousy (envy) and greedy ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and lie 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