Proverbs 17:14 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

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

English ASV

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

English Amplified

The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

The beginning of strife is as when water first trickles [from a crack in a dam]; therefore stop contention before it becomes worse and quarreling breaks out.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

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

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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

English EASY 2024

It is difficult to stop a quarrel once it has started. It is like water that pours out of a broken pot. Stop it quickly!

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

The start of an argument is like a small leak in a dam. Stop it before a big fight breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Starting a quarrel is {like} opening a floodgate, so stop before the argument gets out of control.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.

English KJV 1611

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

English LSB

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the dispute before it breaks out.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop the contention before fighting begins.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

The start of strife is like the opening of a dam; therefore, check a quarrel before it begins!

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out!

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam. So drop the matter before a fight breaks out.

English NIV

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

English NKJ 1982

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

English NLT

Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

Don’t be one who is quick to quarrel, for an argument is hard to stop, and you never know how it will end, so don’t even start down that road!

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

The beginning of strife is like letting out water; so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

It is hard to stop a quarrel once it starts, so don't let it begin.

English Tyndale 1537

He that soweth discord and strife, is like one that diggeth up a water brook: but an open enemy is like the water that breaketh out and runneth(reneth) abroad.

Proverbs 17:14 — Compare Translations