Proverbs 18:16 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 18:16

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 ^aA 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 ^alots 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.

20 ^aA man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21 ^aDeath and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22 ^aHe who finds a wife finds a good thing,
And obtains favor from the Lord.

23 The poor man uses entreaties,
But the rich answers ^aroughly.

24 A man who has friends¹ must himself be friendly,
^aBut there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 18:16

American Standard Version
A man's gift maketh room for him, And bringeth him before great men.

Amplified® Bible
A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

Contemporary English Version
A gift will get you in to see anyone.

Darby English Version
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Good News Bible
Do you want to meet an important person? Take a gift and it will be easy.

King James Version
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

New American Standard Bible
A man's gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

New International Version
A gift opens the way for the giver
and ushers him into the presence of the great.

New King James Version
A man's gift makes room for him,
And brings him before great men.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
A man's gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.

Revised Standard Version
A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

Young's Literal Translation
The gift of a man maketh room for him, And before the great it leadeth him.

New English Translation
A person’s gift¹ makes room for him, and leads him² before important people.