Proverbs 20:3 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 20:3

1 Wine ^ais a mocker,
Strong drink is a brawler,
And whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

2 The¹ wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion;
Whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.

3 ^aIt is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

4 ^aThe lazy man will not plow because of winter;
^bHe will beg during harvest and have nothing.

5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water,
But a man of understanding will draw it out.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 20:3

American Standard Version
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.

Amplified® Bible
It is an honor for a man to cease from strife {and} keep aloof from it, but every fool will quarrel.

Contemporary English Version
It makes you look good when you avoid a fight-- only fools love to quarrel.

Darby English Version
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife; but every fool rusheth into it.

Good News Bible
Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.

King James Version
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

New American Standard Bible
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

New International Version
It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.

New King James Version
It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Keeping away from strife seems honorable for a man, But any fool will quarrel.

Revised Standard Version
It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Young's Literal Translation
An honour to a man is cessation from strife, And every fool intermeddleth.

New English Translation
It is an honor for a person¹ to cease² from strife, but every fool quarrels.³