Proverbs 18:15–19

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,

for the ears of the wise seek it out.

16 A gift opens the way

and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.

17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,

until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot settles disputes

and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city;

disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him

and brings him before the great.

17 The one who states his case first seems right,

until the other comes and examines him.

18 The lot puts an end to quarrels

and decides between powerful contenders.

19 A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city,

and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

15 Intelligent people are always ready to learn.

Their ears are open for knowledge.

16 Giving a gift can open doors;

it gives access to important people!

17 The first to speak in court sounds right—

until the cross-examination begins.

18 Flipping a coin can end arguments;

it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.

Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him,

And brings him before great men.

17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,

Until his neighbor comes and examines him.

18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease,

And keeps the mighty apart.

19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city,

And contentions are like the bars of a castle.

15 The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge;

the wise person listens to learn more.

16 Taking gifts to important people

will help get you in to see them.

17 The person who tells one side of a story seems right,

until someone else comes and asks questions.

18 Throwing lots can settle arguments

and keep the two sides from fighting.

19 A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city,

and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge;

And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him,

And bringeth him before great men.

17 He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just;

But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease,

And parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;

And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

15 The heart of an intelligent man getteth knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

15 The mind of a person who has understanding acquires knowledge. 

The ears of wise people seek knowledge. 

16 A gift opens doors for the one who gives it 

and brings him into the presence of great people. 

17 The first to state his case seems right 

⸤until⸥ his neighbor comes to cross-examine him. 

18 Flipping a coin ends quarrels 

and settles ⸤issues⸥ between powerful people. 

19 An offended brother is more ⸤resistant⸥ than a strong city, 

and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower. 

15 The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks it.

16 A gift opens doors for a man

and brings him before the great.

17 The first to state his case seems right

until another comes and cross-examines him.

18 Casting the lot ends quarrels

and separates powerful opponents.

19 An offended brother is harder to reach

than a fortified city,

and quarrels are like the bars of a fortress.

15 An intelligent mind acquires knowledge,

and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A gift opens doors;

it gives access to the great.

17 The one who first states a case seems right,

until the other comes and cross-examines.

18 Casting the lot puts an end to disputes

and decides between powerful contenders.

19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;

such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

15 An intelligent mind will acquire knowledge,

and the ear of the wise will seek knowledge.

16 The gift of a person will open doors for him,

and before the great, it gives him access.

17 The first in his dispute is deemed righteous,

but his neighbor will come and examine him.

18 The lot will put an end to disputes,

and between powerful contenders it will decide.

19 A brother who is offended is worse than a city of strength,

and quarrels are like the bars of a fortification.

15 Those whose hearts understand what is right get knowledge.

The ears of those who are wise listen for it.

16 A gift opens the way for the one who gives it.

It helps him meet important people.

17 The first one to tell his case seems right.

Then someone else comes forward and questions him.

18 Casting lots will put a stop to arguing.

It will keep the strongest enemies apart.

19 A broken friendship is harder to deal with than a city that has high walls around it.

And arguing is like the locked gates of a mighty city.

15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge,

And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

16 A man’s gift makes room for him

And brings him before great men.

17 The first to plead his case seems right,

Until another comes and examines him.

18 The cast lot puts an end to strife

And decides between the mighty ones.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,

And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.