Proverbs 18:17
He who pleads his case first [seems] just, but his neighbor comes and searches him out.
A Conservative Version
In The King James Version
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
In Context
16A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.
18The lot causes contentions to cease, and decides between the mighty.
Cross References
2 Samuel 16:1And when David was a little past the top [of the ascent], behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him with a couple of saddled donkeys, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundre
Proverbs 18:13He who gives answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.
Acts 24:12And they found me neither in the temple disputing against any man, nor making a gang of a group, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
Matthew Henry on Proverbs 18:17
16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. Of what great force gifts (that is, bribes) are he had intimated before, ch. xvii. 8 , 23 . Here he shows the power of gifts, that is, presents made even by inferiors to those that are above them and have much more than they have. A good present will go far, 1. Towards a man's liberty: A man's gift, if he be in prison, may procure his enlargement; there are courtiers, who, if they use their interest even for oppressed innocency, expect to… Read the whole commentary →