Proverbs 16:13 kjv
Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
Proverbs 16:13 nkjv
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.
Proverbs 16:13 niv
Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
Proverbs 16:13 esv
Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
Proverbs 16:13 nlt
The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
he loves those who speak honestly.
Proverbs 16 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 15:2 | He who walks blamelessly and does what is right... speaks truth in his heart... | Connection between righteous living and truthful speech. |
| Psa 37:30 | The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. | Emphasizes wisdom and justice inherent in righteous speech. |
| Psa 119:172 | My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. | Righteous speech is rooted in God's righteous word. |
| Prov 12:17 | Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. | Contrast of truthfulness and deceit. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight. | God's aversion to lies and delight in faithfulness. |
| Prov 14:25 | A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. | Impact of truth and falsehood. |
| Prov 15:23 | To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! | Value of timely and appropriate speech. |
| Prov 22:11 | He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. | Direct link between pure heart, gracious speech, and king's favor. |
| Prov 24:26 | Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. | A direct, honest answer is highly valued. |
| Prov 25:11 | A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. | The beauty and value of well-chosen words. |
| Prov 25:12 | Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. | Even difficult but wise counsel is esteemed. |
| Eccl 10:12 | The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. | Distinction between wise and foolish speech. |
| Isa 11:4 | But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek... | The righteous ruler's role involves just speech/judgment. |
| Zech 8:16 | These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another... | Command to speak truth universally. |
| Rom 13:7 | Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. | General instruction to show respect to authority, implies appropriate speech. |
| Eph 4:25 | Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor... | New Testament instruction for truthfulness. |
| Col 4:6 | Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. | Emphasis on gracious and wise speech. |
| Jas 1:19 | Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger... | Admonition regarding speech: measured and deliberate. |
| Jas 3:2 | For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man... | The power and difficulty of controlling the tongue, highlighting the value of righteous speech. |
| 1 Pet 2:13-14 | Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors... | Christian responsibility to respect and submit to governing authorities, implying proper conduct and communication. |
Proverbs 16 verses
Proverbs 16 13 Meaning
Proverbs 16:13 conveys that rulers are pleased by and value communication that is truthful, just, and morally upright. Kings delight in sincere, honest words and extend their favor to individuals who speak forthrightly and with integrity. This principle highlights that righteous speech fosters good relationships with those in authority.
Proverbs 16 13 Context
Proverbs chapter 16 often speaks of God's sovereignty over human plans and wisdom, highlighting moral principles for living. Many verses in this chapter touch on the themes of righteousness, justice, and the king's role in governing. Verse 13 fits within a section that provides counsel to and about rulers (vv. 10-15), emphasizing qualities desirable in a king and actions that please him. In the ancient Near East, kings held supreme power and their favor was paramount. While flatterers often surrounded kings, seeking personal gain, this Proverb argues that genuine, righteous, and truthful counsel is what truly earns a king's approval and ultimately contributes to stable and just governance.
Proverbs 16 13 Word analysis
- Righteous (צֶדֶק, tzedeq): Signifies moral integrity, uprightness, justice, and conformity to a divine or ethical standard. It goes beyond mere truth to include ethical correctness and impartiality. When applied to lips, it implies speech that is just, fair, honest, and in alignment with divine law.
- Lips (שׂפְתֵי, siftê): A metonymy representing speech or utterance. It points to the means by which words are formed and expressed. "Righteous lips" therefore refers to the entire expression of one's inner righteousness through verbal communication.
- Are the delight (רָצוֹן, ratzon): Meaning pleasure, favor, goodwill, acceptance, or approval. It denotes that righteous speech is pleasing and highly valued by kings. It’s not just tolerated, but desired.
- Of kings (מְלָכִים, melāḵîm): Refers to earthly rulers or those in positions of authority. The proverb's scope extends beyond literal monarchs to any person in a position of leadership or influence. This indicates a general principle applicable to human authority structures.
- And they love (וְיֶאֱהַב, wĕye'ehav): Implies active affection, preference, and valuing. It suggests a deeper emotional response than just "delight." Kings don't just tolerate but actively appreciate and show affection toward such individuals.
- Him who speaks (דֹּבֵר, dover): Refers to the person who consistently communicates in a particular way. It personalizes the principle, indicating the king's favor is bestowed upon the speaker.
- What is right (נְכֹחָה, nĕkōḥāh): Literally means "straightness" or "directness." In the context of speech, it denotes that which is straightforward, direct, true, accurate, honest, and unadulterated. It contrasts with crooked, manipulative, or flattering speech.
Words-group analysis
- "Righteous lips": This phrase combines moral rectitude with verbal expression. It signifies speech that stems from an internal commitment to truth and justice, meaning words that are not only factually correct but also ethically sound and without guile.
- "Are the delight of kings, and they love him": This pairing indicates both the immediate positive reception ("delight") and a sustained, affectionate appreciation ("love") that kings show. It demonstrates the profound and lasting impact of honest, upright communication on those in power, extending favor from the speech itself to the person embodying it.
- "Speaks what is right": This elaborates on "righteous lips," specifying the content and character of the desired speech. It means speaking with directness, honesty, and without duplicity, focusing on what is ethically correct and truthful rather than what is expedient or flattering.
Proverbs 16 13 Bonus section
This proverb suggests that kings, at their best, recognize that flattery leads to deception and eventually to ruin (cf. Prov 29:5), while truth, though sometimes unwelcome, builds strength and ensures stability. It is a subtle commendation of rulers who are discerning enough to appreciate truth even when it may be critical or unpopular, reflecting a mature and just leadership. The ideal king, guided by wisdom, prefers honest reproof from a wise man over the kisses of an enemy (cf. Prov 27:6). This aligns with the biblical understanding that true wisdom, often sourced from the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7), is crucial for both those who lead and those who serve them, promoting justice in society.
Proverbs 16 13 Commentary
Proverbs 16:13 encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of leadership and communication: kings, despite their power, find true value in righteous and honest counsel. While many seek to gain favor through flattery or self-serving advice, this proverb asserts that upright, straightforward speech is not merely acceptable but genuinely pleasing to rulers. Such speech ensures reliable information, fosters trust, and promotes sound judgment, which are foundational for good governance and stability. A king's delight and love for such a speaker indicates not just tolerance, but a preference for advisors who prioritize truth over personal gain or mere popularity. This principle mirrors a divine characteristic, as God Himself delights in truth and righteousness, serving as the ultimate model for all authority. Practically, this verse encourages individuals to speak truthfully and justly, knowing that integrity, even when challenging, is ultimately rewarded with respect and favor from those in authority, and more importantly, aligns with divine principles.