Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Get rid of dishonest speech, and keep twisted, deceptive words far away from you.
The writer is instructing us to completely avoid speaking in ways that are dishonest, twisted, or meant to deceive others.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs is part of the Old Testament's Wisdom Literature, attributed to King Solomon and likely compiled around 900 BC during Israel's monarchy, when wise sayings were used to teach moral and ethical living to young people. This verse fits into a broader cultural context where speech was seen as a powerful force that could build up or destroy communities, emphasizing the importance of integrity in words to avoid moral corruption. In ancient Israelite society, deceitful talk was often linked to folly and rebellion against God's ways, as portrayed throughout the book.
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