13 To answer before listening—

that is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,

but a crushed spirit who can bear?

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.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a wounded spirit who can bear?

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 is first in his own cause seemeth just;

But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

13 Spouting off before listening to the facts

is both shameful and foolish.

14 The human spirit can endure a sick body,

but who can bear a crushed spirit?

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.

13 He who answers a matter before he hears it,

It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness,

But who can bear a broken spirit?

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.

13 Anyone who answers without listening

is foolish and confused.

14 The will to live can get you through sickness,

but no one can live with a broken spirit.

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.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth,

It is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity;

But a broken spirit who can bear?

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.

13 He that giveth answer before he heareth, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man sustaineth his infirmity; but a broken spirit who can bear?

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.

13 Whoever gives an answer before he listens is stupid and shameful. 

14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness, 

but who can bear a broken spirit? 

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. 

13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—

this is foolishness and disgrace for him.

14 A man’s spirit can endure sickness,

but who can survive a broken spirit?

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.

13 If one gives answer before hearing,

it is folly and shame.

14 The human spirit will endure sickness;

but a broken spirit—who can bear?

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.

13 He who returns a word before he will hear,

folly itself belongs to him as well as shame.

14 The spirit of a man will endure his sickness,

but a broken spirit, who may bear it?

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.

13 To answer before listening

is foolish and shameful.

14 A man’s cheerful heart gives him strength when he is sick.

You can’t keep going if you have a broken spirit.

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.

13 He who gives an answer before he hears,

It is folly and shame to him.

14 The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,

But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

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.