20:3

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

3a It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute,

3b but any fool will quarrel.

The main contrast is between avoiding quarrels and starting them.

20:3a

It is honorable for a man to resolve a dispute: This clause means that a person who refrains from fighting or quarreling will gain honor and respect from other people.

a dispute: In Hebrew, this word can refer specifically to a legal dispute, such as a “law-suit” (New Jerusalem Bible). Here the word probably refers more generally to any kind of quarrel or dispute.

Some other ways to translate 20:3a are:

It is honorable to refrain from strife (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
Avoiding a quarrel is honorable. (God’s Word)

In some languages, it may be necessary to make the source of honor explicit. For example:

If a person stays away from quarreling, ⌊his fellowmen⌋ will praise/honor him.

20:3b

but any fool: In Hebrew, this word for fool implies an insolent or stubborn fool. For example:

any stubborn fool (God’s Word)

will quarrel: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will quarrel is literally “breaks out.” Here it indicates that fools frequently or customarily start fights or quarrels with other people. Some other ways to translate 20:3b are:

but every fool quarrels (NET Bible)
-or-
but all fools like to start fights

General Comment on 20:3a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of these two lines. For example:

3b Any fool can start arguments; 3a the honorable thing is to stay out of them. (Good News Translation)

See also 20:3a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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