Proverbs 17:14 (GNV)

Passage

The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 17:12 It is better for a man to meete a beare robbed of her whelpes, then a foole in his follie.

Proverbs 17:13 He that rewardeth euil for good, euil shall not depart from his house.

Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as one that openeth the waters: therefore or the contention be medled with, leaue off.

Proverbs 17:15 He that iustifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the iust, euen they both are abomination to the Lord.

Proverbs 17:16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of the foole to get wisdome, and he hath none heart?

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "beginning", "strife", "openeth", "waters", "therefore", "contention", "medled", and "leaue". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "beginning" and "strife", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 13's "He that rewardeth euil for good euil..." into verse 15's "He that iustifieth the wicked and he...", so "beginning" and "strife" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "beginning" and "strife" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.