The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
KJV
Parallel translations
4 additional translations▾
Parallel translations
4 additional translationsThe beginning of strife isas when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.
To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
The beginning of contention is a letting out of waters, And before it is meddled with leave the strife.
The beginning of contention is [as] when one letteth out water; therefore leave off strife before it become vehement.
About this book
Old Testament▾
About this book
Old TestamentProverbs — Gnomic wisdom — sayings, instructions, and the binary of wisdom vs. folly. Fear of the LORD as the integrative theme; the virtuous woman of Prov 31 as the book's closing portrait of wisdom embodied.
- Author
- Solomon principally (1:1; chs 10–22:16 and 25–29 explicitly); Agur (ch 30); Lemuel's mother (ch 31:1–9); editorial compilation by Hezekiah's men (25:1).
- Date
- Solomon's reign c. 970–930 BC; Hezekiah's editorial layer c. 715–687 BC.