KJV ORIGINAL
Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Don't testify against your neighbor without good reason, and don't lie with your words.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is warning us not to make false accusations against others or deceive people with our speech.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was written during Israel's monarchy when community relationships were vital for survival and justice was administered through witness testimony. In ancient Hebrew society, false witnesses could literally destroy someone's life, property, or reputation, making truthful speech a matter of life and death.
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