Proverbs 18:17
He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out.
JPS TaNaKH 1917
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 maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
18The lot causeth strife to cease, and parteth asunder the contentious.
Cross References
2 Samuel 16:1And when David was a little past the top, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and a hundred clusters of raisins, and a hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
Proverbs 18:13He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and confusion unto him.
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 →