Proverbs 12:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

A person who speaks the truth shows what is right and good, but someone who lies as a witness shows deceit.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse is teaching that telling the truth reveals a person's good character, while lying reveals their dishonest nature.

📚 Historical Context

Proverbs 12:17 is part of the Book of Proverbs, a collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon in ancient Israel, likely written during the 10th century BC when Israel was a established monarchy. In that cultural context, truthfulness was essential in legal and social settings, as false witnesses could lead to wrongful judgments and social chaos. This verse emphasizes the moral value of honesty as a key aspect of wisdom literature, which aimed to guide people in righteous living.

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