Proverbs 16:10–13

10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle,

and his mouth does not betray justice.

11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;

all the weights in the bag are of his making.

12 Kings detest wrongdoing,

for a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips;

they value the one who speaks what is right.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king:

His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are the Lord’s:

All the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:

For the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;

And they love him that speaketh right.

10 The king speaks with divine wisdom;

he must never judge unfairly.

11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;

he sets the standards for fairness.

12 A king detests wrongdoing,

for his rule is built on justice.

13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;

he loves those who speak honestly.

10 Divination is on the lips of the king;

His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

11 Honest weights and scales are the Lord’s;

All the weights in the bag are His work.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness,

For a throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.

10 The words of a king are like a message from God,

so his decisions should be fair.

11 The Lord wants honest balances and scales;

all the weights are his work.

12 Kings hate those who do wrong,

because governments only continue if they are fair.

13 Kings like honest people;

they value someone who speaks the truth.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king;

His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are Jehovah’s;

All the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness;

For the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings;

And they love him that speaketh right.

10 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.

11 The just balance and scales are Jehovah’s; all the weights of the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.

10 When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips, 

he cannot voice a wrong judgment. 

11 Honest balances and scales belong to the Lord. 

He made the entire set of weights. 

12 Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings 

because a throne is established through righteousness. 

13 Kings are happy with honest words, 

and whoever speaks what is right is loved. 

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are His concern.

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,

since a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves those who speak what is right.

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.

10 A king might speak as if his words come from God.

But what he says should not turn right into wrong.

11 Honest scales and balances come from the Lord.

He made all of the weights in the bag.

12 A king hates it when his people do what is wrong.

A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.

13 Kings are pleased when what you say is honest.

They value people who speak the truth.

10 A divine decision is in the lips of the king;

His mouth should not err in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord;

All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,

For a throne is established on righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks right is loved.