Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

PROVERBS 16:13KJV
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Proverbs 16:13 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 16:13 mean?

Proverbs 16:13 teaches that kings are pleased with people who speak honestly and do what is right, and they show favor to those who tell the truth. The verse highlights the value of truthful speech, especially in the presence of those who hold authority.

In the setting of Proverbs, these sayings are collected as wisdom for daily life, often directed from a teacher or parent to a young person learning how to live well. Here, the verse points out that rulers—who have the power to reward or punish—especially appreciate and trust those who speak with integrity, making honest words not just morally good but also wise and beneficial in practical terms.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 16:13

  • "Righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq; H6664) means just or morally upright. The verse is not just about being truthful but about speaking in a way that lines up with what is right and fair.
  • "Delight" (רָצוֹן, ratson; H7522) means pleasure or favor. This word shows that kings don't just tolerate honest speech—they truly enjoy and value it.
  • "Right" (יָשָׁר, yashar; H3477) means straight, upright, or correct. The focus is on words that are not twisted or deceptive but straightforward and reliable.

Why Proverbs 16:13 matters

  • Proverbs 16:13 clarifies that honesty is not only a personal virtue but also something that those in authority actively seek and reward, countering the idea that flattery or deceit is the best way to gain favor.
  • The verse emphasizes that integrity in speech is noticed and appreciated by leaders, making it a practical principle for anyone who interacts with people in positions of power.
  • This proverb fits into a larger biblical theme that values truthfulness and righteousness, showing that these qualities have real-world benefits beyond just being "the right thing to do."

Where else these words appear

“delight” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
  • Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

“Righteous” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 52:3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.

“right” Hebrew H3477 · used in 119 verses

  • Exodus 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father:
  • Psalms 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.