KJV ORIGINAL
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A good person cares for the life of their animals, but even the kindest acts of wicked people are cruel.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is teaching that truly good people show compassion even to animals, while evil people are cruel even when they're trying to be kind.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written in ancient Israel, where livestock and working animals were essential for survival and daily life. The care of animals was seen as a reflection of a person's character and heart condition. In a largely agricultural society, how someone treated their animals revealed their true nature and moral standing.
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