Proverbs 17:14–18

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;

so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—

the Lord detests them both.

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,

when they are not able to understand it?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge

and puts up security for a neighbor.

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.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool

To get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

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.

16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,

since he has no heart for learning.

17 A friend is always loyal,

and a brother is born to help in time of need.

18 It’s poor judgment to guarantee another person’s debt

or put up security for a friend.

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.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,

Since he has no heart for it?

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge,

And becomes surety for his friend.

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.

16 It won’t do a fool any good to try to buy wisdom,

because he doesn’t have the ability to be wise.

17 A friend loves you all the time,

and a brother helps in time of trouble.

18 It is not wise to promise

to pay what your neighbor owes.

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.

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

Seeing he hath no understanding?

17 A friend loveth at all times;

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands,

And becometh surety in the presence of his neighbor.

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.

16 To what purpose is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no sense?

17 The friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A senseless man striketh hands, becoming surety for his neighbour.

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. 

16 Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom 

when he doesn’t have a mind to grasp anything? 

17 A friend always loves, 

and a brother is born to share trouble. 

18 A person without good sense closes a deal with a handshake. 

He guarantees a loan in the presence of his friend. 

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.

16 Why does a fool have money in his hand

with no intention of buying wisdom?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for a difficult time.

18 One without sense enters an agreement

and puts up security for his friend.

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.

16 Why should fools have a price in hand

to buy wisdom when they have no mind to learn?

17 A friend loves at all times,

and kinsfolk are born to share adversity.

18 It is senseless to give a pledge,

to become surety for a neighbor.

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.

16 Why is this? A price in the hand of a fool,

in order to buy wisdom where there is no sense.

17 The friend loves at all times,

but a brother is born for adversity.

18 A person who lacks sense pledges;

he becomes security before his neighbor.

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.

16 What good is money in the hands of a foolish person?

He doesn’t want to become wise.

17 A friend loves at all times.

He is there to help when trouble comes.

18 A man who has little sense agrees to pay what other people owe.

It isn’t wise to put up money for others.

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.

16 Why is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom,

When he has no sense?

17 A friend loves at all times,

And a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man lacking in sense pledges

And becomes guarantor in the presence of his neighbor.