Proverbs 17:14 “To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute befor…”

Proverbs 17:14

To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off 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.

American Standard Version

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

Geneva Bible 1599

The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

Darby Translation

The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

Young's Literal Translation

The beginning of contention [is] a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.

Bible in Basic English

The start of fighting is like the letting out of water: so give up before it comes to blows.

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Cross references

“beginning”

Proverbs 17:19 Proverbs 26:21 Proverbs 29:22 Judges 12:1–6 2 Samuel 2:14–17 2 Chronicles 10:14–16

Proverbs 17:19 · BSB

He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction.

Proverbs 26:21 · BSB

Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.

Proverbs 29:22 · BSB

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.

Judges 12:1–6 · BSB

Then the men of Ephraim assembled and crossed the Jordan to Zaphon. They said to Jephthah, “Why have you crossed over to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you? We will burn your house down with you inside…

2 Samuel 2:14–17 · BSB

Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.

2 Chronicles 10:14–16 · BSB

and spoke to them as the young men had advised, saying, “Whereas my father made your yoke heavy, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.”

“leave”

Proverbs 20:3 Proverbs 25:8 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Proverbs 15:1 Proverbs 16:32 Proverbs 19:11

Proverbs 20:3 · BSB

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute, but any fool will quarrel.

Proverbs 25:8 · BSB

do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?

1 Thessalonians 4:11 · BSB

and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

Proverbs 15:1 · BSB

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

Proverbs 16:32 · BSB

He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

Proverbs 19:11 · BSB

A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

13If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous— both are detestable to the LORD.

Read Proverbs 17