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Whoever loves wisdom gives joy to his father,
    but whoever consorts with harlots squanders his wealth.
By justice a king builds up the land;
    but one who raises taxes tears it down.[a]
Those who speak flattery to their neighbor
    cast a net at their feet.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 29:4 In Hebrew as in English high and low are metaphors for prosperity and depression. A king who is just “causes the land to stand up,” i.e., to be prosperous, and one who makes taxes high brings a country low.
  2. 29:5 When one addresses deceptive words to someone’s face, one equivalently throws a net at their feet to snare them.

A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(B)

By justice a king gives a country stability,(C)
    but those who are greedy for[a] bribes tear it down.

Those who flatter their neighbors
    are spreading nets for their feet.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give