Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Don't give sacred things to people who'll just trash them, and don't share your most precious stuff with people who can't appreciate it. They'll just stomp all over what matters to you and then turn around and attack you for it.
Not everyone deserves access to your most valuable things, protect what's sacred to you.
📚 Historical Context
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was delivering practical teachings to his disciples and the crowds about living out God's kingdom values in everyday life. Dogs and pigs were viewed as unclean animals in ancient Jewish culture, often symbolizing people who were hostile or unworthy of sacred things, which helped Jesus illustrate the need for discernment. This verse fits into a broader context where Jesus warned against carelessly sharing holy truths with those who might reject and abuse them.
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