Proverbs 16:13

16:13 The delight of kings is righteous counsel,

and they love the one who speaks uprightly.

Psalms 101:6

101:6 I will favor the honest people of the land,

and allow them to live with me.

Those who walk in the way of integrity will attend me.

Matthew 5:8

5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.


tn The MT has the plural, even though the verb “loves” is masculine singular. The ancient versions and two Hebrew mss read “a king.”

tn Heb “lips of righteousness”; cf. NAB, NIV “honest lips.” The genitive “righteousness” functions as an attributive adjective. The term “lips” is a metonymy of cause for what is said: “righteous speech” or “righteous counsel.”

tn The MT has the singular participle followed by the plural adjective (which is here a substantive). The editors of BHS wish to follow the ancient versions in making the participle plural, “those who speak uprightly.”

sn The verse is talking about righteous kings, of course – they love righteousness and not flattery. In this proverb “righteous” and “upright” referring to what is said means “what is right and straight,” i.e., the truth (cf. NCV).

tn Heb “my eyes [are] on the faithful of the land.”

tn The Hebrew text simply reads, “in order to live with me.”

tn Heb “one who walks in the way of integrity, he will minister to me.”