Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. New Living Translation The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins. English Standard Version The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him. Berean Standard Bible The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. King James Bible He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. New King James Version The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. New American Standard Bible The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. NASB 1995 The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. NASB 1977 The first to plead his case seems just, Until another comes and examines him. Legacy Standard Bible The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. Amplified Bible The first one to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and cross-examines him. Christian Standard Bible The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. Holman Christian Standard Bible The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. American Standard Version He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. Contemporary English Version You may think you have won your case in court, until your opponent speaks. English Revised Version He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out. GOD'S WORD® Translation The first to state his case seems right [until] his neighbor comes to cross-examine him. Good News Translation The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him. International Standard Version The first to put forth his case seems right, until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him. Majority Standard Bible The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. NET Bible The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. New Heart English Bible He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. Webster's Bible Translation He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him. World English Bible He who pleads his cause first seems right— until another comes and questions him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe first in his own cause [seems] righteous, "" [But] his neighbor comes and has searched him. Young's Literal Translation Righteous is the first in his own cause, His neighbour cometh and hath searched him. Smith's Literal Translation The first one just in his cause; his neighbor will come and search him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him. Catholic Public Domain Version The just is the first accuser of himself; his friend arrives and shall investigate him. New American Bible Those who plead the case first seem to be in the right; then the opponent comes and cross-examines them. New Revised Standard Version The one who first states a case seems right, until the other comes and cross-examines. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA man is deemed innocent in his lawsuit; but when his neighbor comes he examines him. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated A man is innocent in his own judgment, and when his neighbor comes, he examines him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out. Brenton Septuagint Translation A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Selfishness of the Unfriendly…16A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men. 17The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him. 18Casting the lot ends quarrels and separates strong opponents.… Cross References Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. John 7:51 “Does our law convict a man without first hearing from him to determine what he has done?” Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 1 Kings 3:16-28 At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ... Acts 23:35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers arrive.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium. 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. John 8:17 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid. 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Job 13:18 See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be vindicated. Luke 22:66-71 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, / “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. / And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. ... Acts 25:16 I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand a man over before he has had an opportunity to face his accusers and defend himself against their charges. Isaiah 41:21 “Present your case,” says the LORD. “Submit your arguments,” says the King of Jacob. Matthew 26:59-60 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ... Treasury of Scripture He that is first in his own cause seems just; but his neighbor comes and searches him. Proverbs 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 2 Samuel 16:1-3 And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine… 2 Samuel 19:24-27 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace… Jump to Previous Case Cause Examines First Forward Judge Light Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads Present Puts Questions Right Righteous Searched Searcheth Seemeth Seems States True.Jump to Next Case Cause Examines First Forward Judge Light Neighbor Neighbour Plead Pleadeth Pleads Present Puts Questions Right Righteous Searched Searcheth Seemeth Seems States True.Proverbs 18 1. A fool delights not in understandingThe first to state his case This phrase highlights the initial presentation of an argument or perspective. In the Hebrew context, the word "first" (רִאשׁוֹן, rishon) implies precedence or primacy. Historically, in ancient Israelite culture, the first speaker in a legal or communal setting often had the advantage of setting the narrative. This reflects a universal human tendency to be swayed by the first impression, which can seem convincing and authoritative. The wisdom here is a caution against accepting initial appearances without further scrutiny. seems right until another comes and cross-examines him Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The firstהָרִאשׁ֣וֹן (hā·ri·šō·wn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank to state his case בְּרִיב֑וֹ (bə·rî·ḇōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute seems right צַדִּ֣יק (ṣad·dîq) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6662: Just, righteous until another 0 (0) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go comes forward וּבָֽא־ (ū·ḇā-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go and examines him. וַחֲקָרֽוֹ׃ (wa·ḥă·qā·rōw) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2713: To penetrate, to examine intimately Links Proverbs 18:17 NIVProverbs 18:17 NLT Proverbs 18:17 ESV Proverbs 18:17 NASB Proverbs 18:17 KJV Proverbs 18:17 BibleApps.com Proverbs 18:17 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 18:17 Chinese Bible Proverbs 18:17 French Bible Proverbs 18:17 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:17 He who pleads his cause first seems (Prov. Pro Pr) |