Proverbs 18:13-17
Proverbs 18:13-17 King James Version (KJV)
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, It is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a wounded spirit who can bear? The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; But his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
Proverbs 18:13-17 The Message (MSG)
Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights. A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people. The first speech in a court case is always convincing— until the cross-examination starts!
Proverbs 18:13-17 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. The spirit of a man can endure his sickness, But as for a broken spirit who can bear it? The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men. The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.
Proverbs 18:13-17 New Century Version (NCV)
Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused. The will to live can get you through sickness, but no one can live with a broken spirit. The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge; the wise person listens to learn more. Taking gifts to important people will help get you in to see them. The person who tells one side of a story seems right, until someone else comes and asks questions.
Proverbs 18:13-17 American Standard Version (ASV)
He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him. The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; But a broken spirit who can bear? The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge. A man’s gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men. He that pleadeth his cause first seemeth just; But his neighbor cometh and searcheth him out.
Proverbs 18:13-17 New International Version (NIV)
To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.
Proverbs 18:13-17 New King James Version (NKJV)
He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.
Proverbs 18:13-17 Amplified Bible (AMP)
He who answers before he hears [the facts]— It is folly and shame to him. [John 7:51] The spirit of a man sustains him in sickness, But as for a broken spirit, who can bear it? The mind of the prudent [always] acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise [always] seeks knowledge. A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him And brings him before great men. [Gen 32:20; 1 Sam 25:27; Prov 17:8; 21:14] The first one to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and cross-examines him.
Proverbs 18:13-17 New Living Translation (NLT)
Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish. The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people! The first to speak in court sounds right— until the cross-examination begins.
Proverbs 18:13-17 The Passion Translation (TPT)
Listen before you speak, for to speak before you’ve heard the facts will bring humiliation. The will to live sustains you when you’re sick, but depression crushes courage and leaves you unable to cope. The spiritually hungry are always ready to learn more, for their hearts are eager to discover new truths. Would you like to meet a very important person? Take a generous gift. It will do wonders to gain entrance into his presence. There are two sides to every story. The first one to speak sounds true until you hear the other side and they set the record straight.
Proverbs 18:13-17 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.