Bible Strands
Proverbs 23:16
My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The father addresses his son, framing the verse between a promise of joy for a wise heart and a command to avoid envying sinners.
The words — כִלְיוֹתָ֑י (khil.yo.Tai) literally means "kidneys," and מֵישָׁרִים (mei.sha.Rim) translates to "uprightnesses" or "right things."
The thread — The text links right speech to internal joy, echoing Proverbs 8:6 where wisdom announces right things, and aligning with Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 5:4, which forbid unwholesome talk and mandate speech that builds up or gives thanks.
Why it lands — The verse states that right words produce deep internal joy, requiring the reader to evaluate their speech for uprightness rather than pursuing entertainment or envy.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 8:6 Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
- Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.
- Ephesians 4:29 Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- Colossians 4:4 Pray that I may declare it clearly, as I should.
- James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.