KJV ORIGINAL
Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't harbor hatred for your brother in your heart. Instead, you should honestly confront your neighbor about their wrongdoing, and don't let sin build up against them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God is teaching that instead of nursing hidden resentment, we should address conflicts directly and lovingly with others to prevent bitterness from growing.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the Holiness Code in Leviticus, where God was establishing moral and social laws for the Israelites as they formed a new nation after leaving Egypt. The term 'brother' referred to fellow Israelites, and this instruction was part of building a healthy community based on honest relationships rather than hidden grudges.
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