Proverbs 17:14-16

New Living Translation

¹⁴Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
so stop before a dispute breaks out.

¹⁵Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—
both are detestable to the Lord.

¹⁶It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
since he has no heart for learning.

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)

New Living Translation (NLT)

New International Version (NIV)