Proverbs 17:14
12 Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
- KJV
- The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- WEB
- The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
- ASV
- The beginning of strife is [as] when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
- DARBY
- The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
- BLB
- The beginning of strife [is] a letting out of waters, and before it breaks out, abandon the dispute.
- ÅB
- begynne trette er som å åpne for vann; la da tretten fare, før den blir for voldsom!
- OTB
- Starten på en krangel er som å slippe ut vann; så forlat striden før den bryter ut.
- B1930
- Å begynne trette er som å åpne for vann; la da tretten fare, før den blir for voldsom!
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Read in contextProverbs 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 context2 Timothy 2:23–24
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Read in contextEcclesiastes 7:8–9
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Read in contextProverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Read in contextProverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Read in contextProverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Read in context