Proverbs 17:14-16

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹⁴To start a conflict is to release a flood;
stop the dispute before it breaks out.^(A)

¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the just^(B)—
both are detestable to the Lord.

¹⁶Why does a fool have money in his hand
with no intention of buying wisdom?^(C)

Proverbs 17:14-16

New International Version

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.^(A)

¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent^(B)—
the Lord detests them both.^(C)

¹⁶Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
when they are not able to understand it?^(D)

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

New International Version (NIV)