14The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.


In Context

11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion, And a fierce messenger is sent against him.

12 The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And — not a fool in his folly.

13 Whoso is returning evil for good, Evil moveth not from his house.

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

15 Whoso is justifying the wicked, And condemning the righteous, Even both of these are an abomination to Jehovah.

16 Why is this — a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, And a heart there is none?

Proverbs 17:14 in Other Translations

The King James Version of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife [is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

The New International Version of the Holy Bible

17:14Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

The Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of quarrels is as when one letteth out water: before he suffereth reproach he forsaketh judgment.

The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

The Darby Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of contention is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.

The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before there be quarrelling.

The Webster Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore withdraw from contention, before it be meddled with.

The World English Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

The American King James Version of the Holy Bible

17:14The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.