Luke 14:31

29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
KJV
Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
WEB
Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
ASV
Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
DARBY
Or what king, going on his way to engage in war with another king, does not, sitting down first, take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him coming against him with twenty thousand?
BLB
Or what king proceeding to engage with another king in war will not, having sat down, first take counsel, whether he is able with ten thousand to meet the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
ÅB
Eller hvilken konge som drar ut for å møte en annen konge i strid, setter seg ikke først ned og rådslår om han med ti tusen er i stand til å møte den som kommer imot ham med tyve tusen?
OTB
Eller anta at en konge er i ferd med å gå til krig mot en annen konge. Vil han ikke først sette seg ned og vurdere om han er i stand til med ti tusen menn å møte den som kommer mot ham med tjue tusen?
B1930
Eller hvilken konge som drar ut for å møte en annen konge i strid, setter sig ikke først ned og rådslår om han med ti tusen er i stand til å møte den som kommer imot ham med tyve tusen?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 20:18

    Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

    Read in context
  • 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.

    Read in context
  • 1 Kings 20:11

    And the king of Israel answered and said, Tell him, Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off.

    Read in context
  • 2 Kings 18:20–22

    Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me?

    Read in context