English Standard Version
Proverbs 3:30
30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
Proverbs 3:30 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
- New International Version (NIV)Do not accuse anyone for no reason— when they have done you no harm.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
Context of Proverbs 3:30
28Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you. 29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, 32for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
Read all of Proverbs 3Proverbs 3:30 word by word
אַל־תָּרִ֣יב עִם־אָדָ֣ם חִנָּ֑ם אִם־לֹ֖א גְמָלְךָ֣ רָעָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 3:30
- Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
- Proverbs 18:6A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
- Proverbs 25:8do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame?
- Proverbs 29:22A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
- Matthew 5:39But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
- Romans 12:18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
- 1 Corinthians 6:6but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?
- 2 Timothy 2:24And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
Commentaries on Proverbs 3:30
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 30Strive not with a man - Do not be of a litigious, quarrelsome spirit. Be not under the influence of too nice a sense of honor. If thou must appeal to judicial authority to bring him that wrongs thee to reason, avoid all enmity, and do nothing in a spirit of revenge. But, if he have done thee no harm, why contend with him? May not others in the same way contend with and injure thee!Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27-35Verses 27-35 A marked change in style. The continuous exhortation is replaced by a series of maxims. From them to whom it is due - literally, as in the margin. The precept expresses the great Scriptural thought that the so-called possession of wealth is but a stewardship; that the true owners of what we call our own are those to whom, with it, we may do good. Not to relieve them is a breach of trust. Proverbs 3:28 Procrastination is especially fatal to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-35Verses 27-35 Our business is to observe the precepts of Christ, and to copy his example; to do justice, to love mercy, and to beware of covetousness; to be ready for every good work, avoiding needless strife, and bearing evils, if possible, rather than seeking redress by law. It will be found there is little got by striving. Let us not envy prosperous oppressors; far be it from the disciples of Christ to choose any of their ways. These truths may be…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 30While we cannot avoid all conflict, we should not start fights.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 29-3029-30. Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 3:30
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries