Proverbs 18:17-1953 kjv — He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The lot causeth contentions…

“He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out. The lot causeth contentions to cease, And parteth between the mighty. A brother offendedis harder to be won than a strong city; Andsuchcontentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah. The poor useth entreaties; But the rich answereth roughly. He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ”

“He who pleads his cause first seems right; until another comes and questions him. The lot settles disputes, and keeps strong ones apart. A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; and disputes are like the bars of a castle. A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit. Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor of Yahweh. The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. A man of many companions may be ruined, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

“The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him. A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents. A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel. From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied, with the product of his lips he will be satisfied. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit. The one who has found a good wife has found what goodness is, and obtained a delightful gift from the LORD. A poor person makes supplications, but a rich man answers harshly. There are companions who harm one another, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

“The just is first accuser of himself: his friend cometh, and shall search him. The lot suppresseth contentions, and determineth even between the mighty. A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities. Of the fruit of a man's mouth shall his belly be satisfied: and the offspring of his lips shall fill him. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof. He that hath found a good wife, hath found a good thing, and shall receive a pleasure from the Lord. He that driveth away a good wife, driveth away a good thing: but he that keepeth an adulteress, is foolish and wicked. The poor will speak with supplications, and the rich will speak roughly. A man amiable in society, shall be more friendly than a brother. ”

“The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light. The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong. A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower. With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure. Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food. Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord. The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer. There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.”

“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty. A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord. The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. ”