Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.
Parallel translations
- WEB Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
- BSB do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
- NKJV Do not go hastily to court; For what will you do in the end, When your neighbor has put you to shame?
- NASB ¶Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, When your neighbor humiliates you?
- NLT don’t be in a hurry to go to court. For what will you do in the end if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Do not rush into a lawsuit, lest you be shamed when your neighbor proves you wrong. Hasty accusation invites disgrace.
Overview
The proverb urges caution before bringing legal charges, since acting in haste can backfire publicly. It commends patience and careful verification over impulsive litigation. The spirit of the verse anticipates Jesus' teaching to seek reconciliation rather than quickly escalating disputes (Matt 5:25).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Matt 5:25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
- Prov 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- Prov 18:6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- Prov 30:33Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
- Prov 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
- Luke 14:31–32Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
- 2 Sam 2:26Then Abner called to Joab, and said, Shall the sword devour for ever? knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end? how long shall it be then, ere thou bid the people return from following their brethren?
- 2 Sam 2:14–16And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.
- 2 Kgs 14:8–12Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash, the son of Jehoahaz son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us look one another in the face.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 25:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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