KJV ORIGINAL
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
If you have a disagreement with your neighbor, work it out directly with them. Don't reveal someone else's secret to others.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse teaches us to handle conflicts directly with the person involved and to keep confidential information private.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from a collection of Solomon's wisdom sayings that were compiled during King Hezekiah's reign (around 700 BC). In ancient Israel's close-knit communities, maintaining trust and resolving disputes properly was essential for social harmony. The culture valued personal honor and discretion highly, making gossip and indirect conflict resolution particularly damaging to relationships.
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