KJV ORIGINAL
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A person will be praised for their wisdom, but someone with a corrupt heart will be looked down upon.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that people earn respect through wisdom and good judgment, while those who are morally twisted will lose people's respect.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wise sayings, written around 950 BC during Israel's golden age. In ancient Hebrew culture, wisdom wasn't just about being smart—it meant living skillfully with moral integrity and understanding God's ways. A 'perverse heart' referred to someone whose moral compass was completely twisted, leading them away from truth and righteousness.
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