Proverbs 18:19
17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
20 A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle.
- KJV
- A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- WEB
- A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city. Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.
- ASV
- A brother offended [is harder to be won] than a strong city; And [such] contentions are like the bars of a castle.
- DARBY
- A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.
- BLB
- A brother transgressed [is] as a city of strength, and quarrels [are] like the gate bar of a citadel.
- ÅB
- En bror som en har gjort urett mot, er vanskeligere å vinne enn en festning, og trette med ham er som en bom for en borg.
- OTB
- En fornærmet bror er mer ubøyelig enn en befestet by, og tvister er som de stengte portene til en borg.
- B1930
- En bror som en har gjort urett mot, er vanskeligere å vinne enn en festning, og trette med ham er som en bom for en borg.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 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 contextActs 15:39
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
Read in contextProverbs 6:19
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
Read in contextGenesis 37:3–5
Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Read in context1 Kings 12:16
So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents.
Read in contextGenesis 27:41–45
And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
Read in contextGenesis 4:5–8
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Read in context2 Samuel 13:22
And Absalom spake unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
Read in context