He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.
(He that is) first in his own cause (seemeth) just. The judge is pre-engaged by the gifts or else the earnestness of the first speaker.
But his neighbour (the other party in the suit) cometh and searcheth him - i:e., searcheth his words and statement of the case. The judge ought not precipitately to give sentence until he has heard the other side in a case. All rashness in decision without hearing both sides of a question is to be avoided. So before the bar of one's own estimation, a man that is first in his own cause seemeth just, until his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. Contrast 1 Corinthians 4:3-5.