KJV ORIGINAL
He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The person who speaks first in their own defense seems right and convincing; but then their opponent comes and cross-examines them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is warning us that hearing only one side of a story can be misleading - we need to hear all perspectives before making judgments.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb reflects the ancient Hebrew legal system where cases were heard publicly at the city gates. In these proceedings, it was common for the first person to present their case to sound very convincing until the other party had their chance to respond and challenge their claims. Solomon, who likely wrote this proverb, was known for his wisdom in judging disputes fairly.
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