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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]
The sin of the wicked is a trap,
    but the just run along joyfully.(A)
The just care for the cause of the poor;
    the wicked do not understand such care.[c]
Scoffers enflame the city,
    but the wise calm the fury.(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.
  3. 29:7 As in 12:10 (on care for animals), the righteous care for those who are without a voice and often treated like animals. Colon B has a double meaning: the wicked have no such knowledge (care for the poor) and they have no knowledge (wisdom), for they are fools.

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

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

Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(C)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

The righteous care about justice for the poor,(D)
    but the wicked have no such concern.

Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 Or who give