14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. 15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, Even they both are abomination to the Lord.

14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,

so stop before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

both are detestable to the Lord.

14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;

Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,

Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

14 Starting a quarrel is like a leak in a dam,

so stop it before a fight breaks out.

15 The Lord hates both of these things:

freeing the guilty and punishing the innocent.

14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water:

Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous,

Both of them alike are an abomination to Jehovah.

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

15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, even they both are abomination to Jehovah.

14 Starting a quarrel is ⸤like⸥ opening a floodgate, 

so stop before the argument gets out of control. 

15 Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people 

is disgusting to the Lord. 

14 To start a conflict is to release a flood;

stop the dispute before it breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just —

both are detestable to the Lord.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water;

so stop before the quarrel breaks out.

15 One who justifies the wicked and one who condemns the righteous

are both alike an abomination to the Lord.

14 Like the release of water is the beginning of strife;

before it breaks out, stop the quarrel.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,

the two of them are both abominations of Yahweh.

14 Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam.

So drop the matter before a fight breaks out.

15 The Lord hates two things.

He hates it when the guilty are set free.

He also hates it when those who aren’t guilty are punished.

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,

So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

15 He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous,

Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.