KJV ORIGINAL
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A person who flatters their neighbor is setting a trap for them.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse warns that flattery is deceptive and harmful - when someone gives you excessive praise with hidden motives, they're actually trying to trap or manipulate you.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's wisdom literature, likely compiled during Solomon's reign or shortly after. In ancient Middle Eastern culture, relationships and reputation were crucial for survival and success. The imagery of spreading a net refers to hunting practices where nets were used to trap birds or animals, making this a vivid metaphor everyone would understand.
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