Proverbs 18:17–19
Proverbs 18:17–19 — The New International Version (NIV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — English Standard Version (ESV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
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 their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — New Living Translation (NLT)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — New Century Version (NCV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — American Standard Version (ASV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
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.
Proverbs 18:17–19 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
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.