Proverbs 11:17 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

A person who shows kindness and mercy does good for their own soul, but someone who is cruel only brings trouble upon themselves.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

This verse teaches that showing mercy and kindness ultimately benefits us, while being cruel ends up hurting ourselves.

📚 Historical Context

This proverb comes from the collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, written around 950 BC. In ancient Israel, wisdom literature like Proverbs was used to teach practical life lessons about character and relationships. The Hebrew concept of 'soul' (nephesh) referred to one's entire being - mind, emotions, and life force.

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