KJV ORIGINAL
The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A king who makes fair decisions strengthens his country, but a ruler who takes bribes destroys it.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that fair leadership builds up a nation, while corrupt leadership tears it down.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written during the time of Israel's monarchy, when kings had absolute power over their people's lives and welfare. The wisdom literature of Proverbs often addressed how rulers should govern, emphasizing that a nation's stability depended heavily on whether its leaders were just or corrupt. Taking bribes and showing favoritism were common problems that could quickly undermine a kingdom's foundation.
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