Proverbs 18:17 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

Proverbs 18:15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 18:17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

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

Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "first", "cause", "seemeth", "just", "neighbour", "cometh", and "searcheth". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "first" and "cause", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "A man s gift maketh room for..." into verse 18's "The lot causeth contentions to cease and...", so "first" and "cause" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "first" and "cause" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.