Proverbs 16:11-21

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag^[a] are His concern.^[b]

12 Wicked behavior^[c] is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.^[d]

13 Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it.^[e]

15 When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Acquire wisdom- how much better it is than gold! And acquire understanding- it is preferable to silver.^[f]

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.^[g]

18 Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.^[h]

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble^[i] than to divide plunder with the proud.^[j]

20 The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.^[k]

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech^[l] increases learning.^[m]

Proverbs 16:11-21 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] Merchants kept the stones for their balance scales in a bag.
• [b] Pr 11:1; Lv 19:36; Ezk 45:10; Mc 6:11
• [c] Whether the wicked behavior is on the part of the king or someone else is ambiguous in Hb.
• [d] Pr 25:5; Ps 101
• [e] Ec 10:4
• [f] Pr 3:14; 8:10,19; 22:1
• [g] Pr 2:11-13; 15:19
• [h] Pr 16:5; 18:12; 29:23; Dn 4:37
• [i] Alt Hb tradition reads afflicted
• [j] Pr 15:16-17; 16:8; Ps 37:16
• [k] Ps 34:8; 40:4; 84:12; 146:5
• [l] Lit and sweetness of lips
• [m] Pr 1:5; 9:9; 16:23