Proverbs 23:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.

NIV: my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

NASB: And my innermost being will rejoice When your lips speak what is right.

CSB: My innermost being will celebrate when your lips say what is right.

NLT: Everything in me will celebrate when you speak what is right.

KJV: Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.

NKJV: Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things.

Solomon's proverbs often point out the value of godly wisdom and the need to pass it along to one's children (Proverbs 1:1–7; 3:1–5; 13:1; 19:18; 22:6). The prior verse noted that a parent, or a teacher, will be glad to see their children making effective use of their advice. It is possible for a person to know what is right, and not do it. A person might know what is right, and do what is right, but not speak up for godliness and goodness. Here, Solomon points to a child who "[speaks] what is right" as a crowning achievement.

Many Old Testament believers lived among morally corrupt people, but they spoke truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Noah was faithful to the Lord in a time when "the wickedness of man was great in the earth" and "every intention of the thoughts of [humanity] was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). However, Noah spoke what was right. The apostle Peter describes him as "a herald of righteousness" (2 Peter 2:5). New Testament believers are called ambassadors for Christ entrusted with the message of reconciliation. As such, believers ought to speak what is right by imploring unbelievers to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18–20). When a son speaks as an ambassador of Christ, he brings immense joy to his father.

Proverbs 23:12–21 lays out more of the thirty wise sayings which Solomon recorded for others to hear (Proverbs 22:17–21). Verses 12 and 19 repeat the call to heed wisdom. The following helpful statements touch on child discipline, personal integrity, caution about one's companions, and the benefits of listening to godly parental advice.

This portion of wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21) starts with the sixth of thirty mentioned in chapter 22. These include advice on presenting oneself well to a host, while not being unduly influenced by such hospitality. The passage also speaks on the right time to share wisdom, ethics, discipline, and the joys associated with godly children. Also included are warnings about relationships and those who lack self-control. The chapter ends with the Bible's most strident warning about the dangers of alcohol abuse; this is the eighteenth of the thirty promised teachings.

This chapter continues Solomon's collection of the sayings of wise men (Proverbs 22:17–21). These lessons continue through Proverbs 24:34. Here, Solomon addresses his "son," perhaps meaning a student, with warnings about money, gluttony, speaking in the company of a fool, dishonesty, withholding discipline from a child, keeping company with drunkards, and the abuse of alcohol. The description of alcohol's risks is the most extensive such caution given in Scripture.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.