KJV ORIGINAL
For out of prison he cometh to reign; whereas also he that is born in his kingdom becometh poor.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Someone can come out of prison and become a ruler, while someone who was born into royalty can end up poor.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse shows how life can completely reverse someone's circumstances - the lowest can rise to the top, and those born with privilege can lose everything.
📚 Historical Context
Solomon is reflecting on the unpredictable nature of life and fortune in ancient times. In the ancient Near East, dramatic reversals of fortune were not uncommon - prisoners of war could sometimes rise to positions of power (like Joseph in Egypt), while royal children might lose their inheritance through palace intrigue, war, or poor decisions.
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