25 Bible Verses About Breaching A Dam (NIV)

¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.

¹ Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. ² A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers. ³ The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart. ⁴ A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue. ⁵ He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. ⁶ Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. ⁷ Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool- how much worse lying lips to a ruler! ⁸ A bribe is a charm to the one who gives it; wherever he turns, he succeeds. ⁹ He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. ¹⁰ A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool. ¹¹ An evil man is bent only on rebellion; a merciless official will be sent against him. ¹² Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. ¹³ If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house. ¹⁴ Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. ¹⁵ Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent- the LORD detests them both. ¹⁶ Of what use is money in the hand of a fool, since he has no desire to get wisdom? ¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ¹⁸ A man lacking in judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor. ¹⁹ He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction. ²⁰ A man of perverse heart does not prosper; he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. ²¹ To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool. ²² A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. ²³ A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice. ²⁴ A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. ²⁵ A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him. ²⁶ It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity. ²⁷ A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. ²⁸ Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.

¹ To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. ² All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. ⁴ The LORD works out everything for his own ends- even the wicked for a day of disaster. ⁵ The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. ⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. ⁷ When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. ⁸ Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. ⁹ In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. ¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice. ¹¹ Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. ¹² Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. ¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth. ¹⁴ A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it. ¹⁵ When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. ¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver! ¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. ²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. ²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. ²² Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. ²³ A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. ²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. ²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. ²⁶ The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on. ²⁷ A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. ²⁸ A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. ²⁹ A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. ³⁰ He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. ³¹ Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life. ³² Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city. ³³ The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

²⁵ And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

¹¹ A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

²⁶ If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

¹⁵ If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

¹ Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. ² But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. ³ The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. ⁴ The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. ⁵ Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ⁶ I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. ⁸ Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. ⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. ¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. ¹¹ But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife. ¹² To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. ¹⁶ How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? ¹⁷ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. ²⁰ Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you--although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ²⁴ Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. ²⁵ Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. ²⁷ Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. ²⁸ But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. ²⁹ What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; ³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; ³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. ³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs--how he can please the Lord. ³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife-- ³⁴ and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. ³⁶ If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. ³⁷ But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing. ³⁸ So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better. ³⁹ A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. ⁴⁰ In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

¹ On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, ² and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." ⁴ "Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." ⁵ His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." ⁶ Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. ⁸ Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." ⁹ They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside ¹⁰ and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now." ¹¹ This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. ¹² After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days. ¹³ When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. ¹⁵ So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" ¹⁷ His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me." ¹⁸ Then the Jews demanded of him, "What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?" ¹⁹ Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." ²⁰ The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken. ²³ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name. ²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. ²⁵ He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

²⁰ Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.

²² Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

²¹ Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

¹ An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment. ² A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. ³ When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace. ⁴ The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. ⁵ It is not good to be partial to the wicked or to deprive the innocent of justice. ⁶ A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. ⁷ A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. ⁸ The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts. ⁹ One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. ¹⁰ The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. ¹¹ The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. ¹² Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. ¹³ He who answers before listening- that is his folly and his shame. ¹⁴ A man's spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? ¹⁵ The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. ¹⁶ A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. ¹⁷ The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. ¹⁸ Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. ¹⁹ An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. ²⁰ From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ²² He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. ²³ A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly. ²⁴ A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

¹ A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ² The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. ³ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. ⁴ The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. ⁵ A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence. ⁶ The house of the righteous contains great treasure, but the income of the wicked brings them trouble. ⁷ The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. ⁸ The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. ⁹ The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness. ¹⁰ Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. ¹¹ Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD - how much more the hearts of men! ¹² A mocker resents correction; he will not consult the wise. ¹³ A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. ¹⁴ The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly. ¹⁵ All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. ¹⁶ Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. ¹⁷ Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred. ¹⁸ A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. ¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway. ²⁰ A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. ²¹ Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. ²² Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. ²³ A man finds joy in giving an apt reply- and how good is a timely word! ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise to keep him from going down to the grave. ²⁵ The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. ²⁶ The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him. ²⁷ A greedy man brings trouble to his family, but he who hates bribes will live. ²⁸ The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. ²⁹ The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ³⁰ A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. ³¹ He who listens to a life-giving rebuke will be at home among the wise. ³² He who ignores discipline despises himself, but whoever heeds correction gains understanding. ³³ The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

¹⁶ Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

¹ Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, ² to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

²⁴ And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

¹ Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! ² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ¹⁰ I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. ¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ²¹ Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. ²² All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

²⁶ "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

²⁶ "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.