Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Parallel translations
- WEB For as the churning of milk produces butter, and the wringing of the nose produces blood; so the forcing of wrath produces strife.”
- BSB For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”
- NKJV For as the churning of milk produces butter, And wringing the nose produces blood, So the forcing of wrath produces strife.
- NASB For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose produces blood; So the churning of anger produces strife.
- NLT As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.
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
Just as churning milk yields butter, stirring up anger inevitably produces strife.
Overview
Through everyday images of cause and effect, Agur shows that pressing and provoking wrath reliably yields conflict. The wise therefore avoid agitating anger, knowing the certain outcome. This closing saying of Agur's collection commends peaceableness over provocation, in keeping with Christ's blessing on the peacemakers.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Prov 29:22An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
- Prov 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- Prov 28:25He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
- Prov 15:18A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
- Prov 26:21As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
- Prov 16:28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 30:33 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.