16:12 Doing wickedness 1 is an abomination to kings,
because a throne 2 is established in righteousness.
21:15 Doing 3 justice brings 4 joy to the righteous
and terror 5 to those who do evil.
1 sn The “wickedness” mentioned here (רֶשַׁע, resha’) might better be understood as a criminal act, for the related word “wicked” can also mean the guilty criminal. If a king is trying to have a righteous administration, he will detest any criminal acts.
2 tn The “throne” represents the administration, or the decisions made from the throne by the king, and so the word is a metonymy of adjunct (cf. NLT “his rule”).
3 tn The Qal infinitive construct עֲשׂוֹת (’asot) functions as the subject of the sentence.
4 tn The term “brings” is supplied in the translation; many English versions supply a simple copula (“is”).
5 sn The noun means “terror (NAB, NASB, NIV), destruction (KJV, ASV), ruin (cf. NCV).” Its related verb means “be shattered, dismayed.” The idea of “dismay” (NRSV) or “terror” would make the better choice to contrast with “joy” in the first line, but “ruin” is also possible. Whenever justice prevails, whether in the courts or simply in society, the people who practice iniquity may be shaken into reality by fear (cf. CEV “crooks are terrified”).