The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.

纷争的起头如水放开，所以，在争闹之先必当止息争竞。

纷争掀起，如同缺口的水；因此，争端尚未爆发就当制止。

纷争掀起，如同缺口的水；因此，争端尚未爆发就当制止。

争端爆发如洪水决堤，当在爆发前将其制止。

纷争的开始，如同决堤的水；所以在争执发生以前，就要制止。

纷争的开始，就如放开的水；卷入争执之前，当放弃争辩。

紛爭的起頭如水放開，所以，在爭鬧之先必當止息爭競。

紛爭掀起，如同缺口的水；因此，爭端尚未爆發就當制止。

紛爭掀起，如同缺口的水；因此，爭端尚未爆發就當制止。

爭端爆發如洪水決堤，當在爆發前將其制止。

紛爭的開始，如同決堤的水；所以在爭執發生以前，就要制止。

紛爭之起點如放水；故爭吵尚未暴發，先要放棄。

紛爭的開始，就如放開的水；捲入爭執之前，當放棄爭辯。

釁端之起、如水潰決、宜先弭之、以免爭鬥、

釁隙之開、若江河之潰、故爭競將起、必弭之。

爭端之起、如水之破隙、故爭競未發之先、當止之、

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

Starting to argue is like making a crack in a dam. So drop the matter before a fight breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

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

To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out.

The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts.

The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: Therefore leave off contention, before there is quarrelling.

To start a conflict is to release a flood; stop the dispute before it breaks out.

The beginning of strife[ is as] when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.

Starting a quarrel is like letting out water; stop it before strife breaks out!

Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?

It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying,“ Come! Let’s look one another in the face.”Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying,“ The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying,‘ Give your daughter to my son as his wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle.You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?’”But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom.So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah.Judah was defeated by Israel; so every man fled to his tent.Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits.He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in God’s house with Obed- Edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria.

He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.

An angry man stirs up strife, and a wrathful man abounds in sin.

As coals are to hot embers, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindling strife.

The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah,“ Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!”Jephthah said to them,“ I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, you didn’t save me out of their hand.When I saw that you didn’t save me, I put my life in my hand, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and Yahweh delivered them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me today, to fight against me?”Then Jephthah gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim. The men of Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said,“ You are fugitives of Ephraim, you Gileadites, in the middle of Ephraim, and in the middle of Manasseh.”The Gileadites took the fords of the Jordan against the Ephraimites. Whenever a fugitive of Ephraim said,“ Let me go over,” the men of Gilead said to him,“ Are you an Ephraimite?” If he said,“ No;”then they said to him,“ Now say‘ Shibboleth;’” and he said“ Sibboleth”; for he couldn’t manage to pronounce it correctly, then they seized him and killed him at the fords of the Jordan. At that time, forty- two thousand of Ephraim fell.

But refuse foolish and ignorant questionings, knowing that they generate strife.The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle toward all, able to teach, patient,

He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.

and spoke to them after the counsel of the young men, saying,“ My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to it. My father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about by God, that Yahweh might establish his word, which he spoke by Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.When all Israel saw that the king didn’t listen to them, the people answered the king, saying,“ What portion do we have in David? We don’t have an inheritance in the son of Jesse! Every man to your tents, Israel! Now see to your own house, David.” So all Israel departed to their tents.

The men of Ephraim said to him,“ Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply.He said to them,“ What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?God has delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb! What was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger was abated toward him when he had said that.

But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is with people who take advice.

Behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said to the king,“ Why have our brothers the men of Judah stolen you away, and brought the king, and his household, over the Jordan, and all David’s men with him?”All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel,“ Because the king is a close relative to us. Why then are you angry about this matter? Have we eaten at all at the king’s cost? Or has he given us any gift?”The men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said,“ We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more claim to David than you. Why then did you despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king?” The words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.There happened to be there a wicked fellow, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite; and he blew the trumpet, and said,“ We have no portion in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse. Every man to his tents, Israel!”So all the men of Israel went up from following David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri; but the men of Judah joined with their king, from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in custody, and provided them with sustenance, but didn’t go in to them. So they were shut up to the day of their death, living in widowhood.Then the king said to Amasa,“ Call me the men of Judah together within three days, and be here present.”So Amasa went to call the men of Judah together; but he stayed longer than the set time which he had appointed him.David said to Abishai,“ Now Sheba the son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom did. Take your lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get himself fortified cities, and escape out of our sight.”Joab’s men went out after him, and the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and all the mighty men; and they went out of Jerusalem, to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa came to meet them. Joab was clothed in his apparel of war that he had put on, and on it was a sash with a sword fastened on his waist in its sheath; and as he went along it fell out.Joab said to Amasa,“ Is it well with you, my brother?” Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So he struck him with it in the body, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and didn’t strike him again; and he died. Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri.One of Joab’s young men stood by him, and said,“ He who favors Joab, and he who is for David, let him follow Joab!”Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the highway. When the man saw that all the people stood still, he carried Amasa out of the highway into the field, and cast a garment over him, when he saw that everyone who came by him stood still.When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after Joab, to pursue Sheba the son of Bichri.He went through all the tribes of Israel to Abel, and to Beth Maacah, and all the Berites. They were gathered together, and went also after him.They came and besieged him in Abel of Beth Maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood against the rampart; and all the people who were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.Then a wise woman cried out of the city,“ Hear, hear! Please say to Joab,‘ Come near here, that I may speak with you.’”He came near to her; and the woman said,“ Are you Joab?” He answered,“ I am.” Then she said to him,“ Hear the words of your servant.” He answered,“ I’m listening.”Then she spoke, saying,“ They used to say in old times,‘ They shall surely ask counsel at Abel;’ and so they settled a matter.I am among those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up Yahweh’s inheritance?”Joab answered,“ Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.The matter is not so. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, has lifted up his hand against the king, even against David. Just deliver him, and I will depart from the city.” The woman said to Joab,“ Behold, his head will be thrown to you over the wall.”Then the woman went to all the people in her wisdom. They cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and threw it out to Joab. He blew the trumpet, and they were dispersed from the city, every man to his tent. Then Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.

Abram said to Lot,“ Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.

For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed in Judah one hundred twenty thousand in one day, all of them valiant men, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers.

Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done with them.But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying,“ It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them,“ Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News and believe.God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.After they were silent, James answered,“ Brothers, listen to me.Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name.This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,‘ After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it upthat the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.’“ All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service.The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said,“ It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables.Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.”These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch;

Abijah and his people killed them with a great slaughter, so five hundred thousand chosen men of Israel fell down slain.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Abner said to Joab,“ Please let the young men arise and play before us!” Joab said,“ Let them arise!”Then they arose and went over by number: twelve for Benjamin and for Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of David’s servants.They each caught his opponent by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow’s side; so they fell down together: therefore that place in Gibeon was called Helkath Hazzurim.The battle was very severe that day; and Abner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before David’s servants.