Proverbs 16:8-18

8 Better is little with righteousness than great income with no justice.

9 The {mind} of a person will plan his ways, and Yahweh will direct his steps.

10 A decision is upon the lips of a king; in judgment his mouth will not sin.

11 A balance and scales of justice [belong] to Yahweh; all the weights of the bag [are] his work.

12 An abomination to kings [is] doing evil, for by righteousness the throne will be established.

13 The delight of kings [are] the lips of righteousness, and he who speaks what is upright he will love.

14 The wrath of a king [is] a messenger of death, but one who is wise will appease it.

15 In the light of the face of the king [there is] life, and his favor [is] like a cloud of spring rain.

16 Getting wisdom: {how much} better than gold! And getting understanding: it is chosen {over} silver.

17 The highway of the upright, it turns from evil, he who guards himself keeps his way.

18 Before destruction [comes] pride, and before a fall, a haughty spirit.

Proverbs 16:8-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 6

This chapter gives an account of the building of the temple, for which preparations were before made and begins with the time of its building, 1Ki 6:1; gives the dimensions of it and the porch before it, 1Ki 6:2,3; observes the windows in it and chambers about it, 1Ki 6:4-10; and while it was building, Solomon had a word from the Lord relative to it, 1Ki 6:11-14; and then the account goes on concerning the walls of the house, and the flooring of it, 1Ki 6:15-18; and the oracle in it, and the cherubim in that, 1Ki 6:19-30; and the doors into it, and the carved work of them, 1Ki 6:31-36; and the chapter is concluded with observing the time when it was begun and finished 1Ki 6:37,38.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "heart"
• [b]. Or "atone, cover over"
• [c]. Literally "what"
• [d]. Literally "from"
• [e]. Or "soul," or "inner self"
• [f]. Hebrew "a haughty of spirit"