KJV ORIGINAL
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A foolish person's proud words become like a rod that beats them, but wise people's words protect and keep them safe.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that foolish, arrogant speech gets people into trouble, while wise words act as protection.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from the collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to King Solomon, written around 950-700 BC. In ancient Israel, wisdom literature like Proverbs was used to teach young people how to live successfully and righteously. The image of a 'rod' would have been familiar to the audience, as it was commonly used for both discipline and protection by shepherds.
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