Sprüche 18:17

Lutherbibel

Ein jeglicher ist zuerst in seiner Sache gerecht; kommt aber sein Nächster hinzu, so findet sich's.

Parallel Translations

Schlachter Bibel (1951)
Wer sich in seinem Prozeß zuerst verteidigen darf, hat Recht; dann kommt der andere und forscht ihn aus.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Proverbs 18:13, 2 Samuel 16:1-3, 2 Samuel 19:24-27, Acts 24:5, Acts 24:6, Acts 24:12, Acts 24:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 39:19 - heard 2 Samuel 16:4 - Behold Job 32:11 - whilst Proverbs 28:11 - the poor Luke 6:42 - cast Acts 25:16 - and have Acts 26:1 - Thou

Gill's Notes on the Bible

He that is first in his own cause [seemeth] just,.... As perhaps Tertullus did, before Paul made his defence; and as Ziba, Mephibosheth's servant, before his master detected him: this often appears true in telling a tale, in private conversation, in lawsuits before a judge and a court of judicature, and in theological controversies;

but his neighbour cometh, and searcheth him; his neighbour comes into the house, where he is telling his tale, and reports it in another manner, and shows the falsehood of his relation; or he comes into a court of judicature, and sets the cause in quite another light; or he comes out into the worm by public writing, and exposes the errors of a man engaged in a wrong cause, and refutes his arguments. It is generally understood of judicial affairs, that the first that opens a cause is very apt to prejudice the judge and court in his favour, and they are ready to thing at first hearing that he is in the right; but it is not proper to be hasty in forming a judgment till the other side is heard; for his antagonist comes and traverses the point, unravels the whole affair, shows the weakness of his cause, the vanity of his pretences, and makes void all his allegations; and then "he", the judge, so some interpret it, "searcheth"; inquires more narrowly into the case, in order to find out truth, and pass a right judgment and sentence.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

A protest against another fault in judging. Haste is hardly less evil than corruption. “Audi alteram partern “should be the rule of every judge.

His neighbor - The other party to the suit “searcheth,” i. e., scrutinizes and detects him.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Proverbs 18:17. He that is first in his own cause — Any man may, in the first instance, make out a fair tale, because he has the choice of circumstances and arguments. But when the neighbour cometh and searcheth him, he examines all, dissects all, swears and cross-questions every witness, and brings out truth and fact.