KJV ORIGINAL
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
You must not use the name of the LORD your God carelessly or for wrong purposes, because the LORD will not let anyone go unpunished who misuses his name.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is saying that His name is sacred and must be treated with respect—those who use it carelessly will face consequences.
📚 Historical Context
This is the third of the Ten Commandments that Moses is repeating to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In ancient times, a person's name represented their character and authority, so God's name was considered especially holy and powerful. The Israelites understood that misusing God's name showed disrespect for God himself.
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