Proverbs 16:11-21

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.

19 Better a lowly spirit with the poor than dividing the spoil with the proud.

20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness, and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

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