Proverbs 30:33

33 For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”

Proverbs 30:33 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
33 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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
33 For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
New Living Translation (NLT)
33 As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.
The Message Bible (MSG)
33 Don't be surprised if someone bloodies your nose. Churned milk turns into butter; riled emotions turn into fist fights.
American Standard Version (ASV)
33 For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
33 As churning milk produces butter and punching a nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces a fight.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
33 For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
33 If you churn cream, you will produce butter. If you twist a nose, you will produce blood. And if you stir up anger, you will produce a fight."

Proverbs 30:33 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:33

Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter
Or the pressing of it. This is a thing well known and certain, that of milk, when pressed out of the udder, and put into a churn, and there is shook together, by a constant violent agitation or motion, called churning, butter is produced; and cheese is sometimes called pressed milk F25, and is pressed with the runnet, and by the hand also F26; and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood:
a too violent compression of it, or forcible blowing of it, in order to purge it from any impurity in it; instead of doing which it may break the tender skin, and bring forth blood, which may be of bad consequence; so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife;
irritating the passions of men, and provoking them by scurrilous and reproachful words to wrath and anger, produce contentions, feuds, and lawsuits, which are not soon and easily ended; and therefore such a conduct should be carefully avoided. The same word is used in the three clauses, and signifies pressing, squeezing, forcing.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 "Pressi copia lactis", Virgil. Bucolic. eclog. 1. v. 82. "Et lactia massa coacti", Ovid. Metamorph. l. 8. v. 666.
F26 "Causem bubulum manu presssum", Sueton. in Octav. c. 76.

Proverbs 30:33 In-Context

31 a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king secure against revolt.
32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
33 For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”
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