A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a dishonest witness tells lies.
This verse teaches that telling the truth can literally save people's lives, while lying can destroy them.
📚 Historical Context
In the ancient Israelite society, as depicted in the Book of Proverbs, wisdom literature was written to guide people in righteous living and decision-making, drawing from the experiences of King Solomon and other wise figures. Witnesses held a vital role in legal and community matters, where their truthful testimony could save lives by ensuring justice, while false words could lead to harm or wrongful convictions. This proverb emphasizes the moral weight of speech in a culture that valued integrity as essential for social order.
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