KJV ORIGINAL
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A lying tongue hates the people it hurts, and a mouth full of flattery brings destruction.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse teaches that lies harm people and the liar actually hates those they deceive, while false flattery leads to ruin.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wisdom sayings, written around 950 BC for instructing young people in wise living. In ancient Israel, reputation and truthful speech were essential for maintaining trust in business, legal matters, and community relationships. Flattery was particularly dangerous in royal courts where false praise could lead to poor decisions with serious consequences.
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