KJV ORIGINAL
A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A truthful witness saves lives, but a dishonest witness tells lies.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse teaches that telling the truth can literally save people's lives, while lying can destroy them.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel's legal system, witnesses played a crucial role in court proceedings, especially in cases involving serious crimes that could result in death penalties. The reliability of witnesses was a matter of life and death, as false testimony could lead to innocent people being executed or guilty people escaping justice. This proverb reflects the high value placed on truthfulness in legal matters and daily life.
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