Proverbs 20:19
New International Version
A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

New Living Translation
A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

English Standard Version
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Berean Standard Bible
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

King James Bible
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

New King James Version
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

New American Standard Bible
One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

NASB 1995
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

NASB 1977
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with a gossip.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, Therefore do not associate with one of loose lips.

Amplified Bible
He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters].

Christian Standard Bible
The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

American Standard Version
He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; Therefore company not with him that openeth wide his lips.

Contemporary English Version
Stay away from gossips--they tell everything.

English Revised Version
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open.

Good News Translation
A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much.

International Standard Version
Whoever spreads gossip betrays confidences; so don't get involved with someone who talks too much.

Majority Standard Bible
He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.

NET Bible
The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth.

New Heart English Bible
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore do not keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

World English Bible
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The busybody is a revealer of secret counsels, "" And do not make yourself guarantor for a deceiver [with] his lips.

Young's Literal Translation
A revealer of secret counsels is the busybody, And for a deceiver with his lips make not thyself surety.

Smith's Literal Translation
He revealing a secret going about tale-bearing: and thou shalt not intermingle with him embracing his lips.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Meddle not with him that revealeth secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do not become involved with him who reveals mysteries, and who walks deceitfully, and who enlarges his lips.

New American Bible
A slanderer reveals secrets; so have nothing to do with a babbler!

New Revised Standard Version
A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who reveals a secret causes slander; therefore do not meddle with him who is hasty with his lips.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that reveals a secret is a slanderer, and he that is faithful in his spirit hides a matter; and do not associate with one whose lips are hasty.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; Therefore meddle not with him that openeth wide his lips.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
18Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. 19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. 20Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.…

Cross References
James 3:5-8
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...

Proverbs 11:13
A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

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.

Proverbs 16:28
A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Proverbs 26:20-22
Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. / Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. / The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.

2 Corinthians 12:20
For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Romans 1:29-30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

Proverbs 17:9
Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.

Titus 3:2
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.

Proverbs 25:9-10
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, / lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

Colossians 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.


Treasury of Scripture

He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips.

that goeth

Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

Proverbs 26:20-22
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth…

meddle

Proverbs 24:21
My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

flattereth

Proverbs 16:29
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Jump to Previous
Associate Avoid Betrays Business Busybody Company Confidence Counsels Deceiver Flattereth Foolishly Gives Goes Gossip Lips Meddle Open Openeth Opens Others Revealer Revealeth Reveals Secret Secrets Slanderer Speaks Talebearer Tale-Bearer Talebearing Talking Talks Wide
Jump to Next
Associate Avoid Betrays Business Busybody Company Confidence Counsels Deceiver Flattereth Foolishly Gives Goes Gossip Lips Meddle Open Openeth Opens Others Revealer Revealeth Reveals Secret Secrets Slanderer Speaks Talebearer Tale-Bearer Talebearing Talking Talks Wide
Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














He who reveals secrets
The Hebrew root for "reveals" is "גָּלָה" (galah), which means to uncover or disclose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, revealing secrets was seen as a breach of trust and a violation of the social fabric that held communities together. Secrets were often related to personal, familial, or communal matters that required discretion. The act of revealing secrets is not just a personal failing but a disruption of the peace and order that God desires for His people. In a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase warns against the sin of betrayal and the importance of being trustworthy, reflecting the character of God who is faithful and true.

is a constant gossip
The term "gossip" in Hebrew is "רָכִיל" (rakil), which refers to a talebearer or one who spreads rumors. Historically, gossip was not merely idle talk but a destructive force that could ruin reputations, relationships, and communities. In biblical times, a gossip was seen as someone who sowed discord among brethren, which is something God detests (Proverbs 6:16-19). From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this phrase serves as a caution against engaging in or entertaining gossip, emphasizing the call to love one's neighbor and to speak truth in love.

avoid the one
The Hebrew word for "avoid" is "נָבַד" (nabad), meaning to separate or distance oneself. This instruction is not merely a suggestion but a command to actively distance oneself from those who engage in gossip. In the biblical context, association with such individuals could lead to moral and spiritual corruption. For the conservative Christian, this phrase underscores the importance of choosing one's companions wisely, as bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). It is a call to pursue holiness and integrity by surrounding oneself with those who reflect godly virtues.

who babbles with his lips
The phrase "babbles with his lips" uses the Hebrew "פָּתָה" (pathah), which can mean to entice or deceive. This suggests that the speech of a gossip is not only idle but potentially manipulative and misleading. In ancient Israel, speech was a powerful tool that could be used for good or evil. The lips, as instruments of speech, were to be used to praise God and edify others, not to deceive or harm. From a conservative Christian perspective, this phrase highlights the responsibility of believers to guard their speech, ensuring that it aligns with the truth and love of Christ. It is a reminder that words have the power to build up or tear down, and as such, should be used wisely and righteously.

(19) Flattereth with his lips.--Rather, is open with his lips, cannot keep them shut.

Verse 19. - He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets. Almost the same proverb occurs in Proverbs 11:13, The gadding gossiper is sure to let out any secret entrusted to him; therefore, it is implied, be careful in what you say to him. Meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips; rather, that openeth wide his lips - that cannot keep his mouth shut, a babbler, as Proverbs 13:3 (where see note). The Vulgate erroneously makes one sentence of the verse, "With him who reveals secrets, and walketh deceitfully, and openeth wide his lips, have no dealings." Talmud, "When I utter a word, it hath dominion over me; but when I utter it not, I have dominion over it." Says the Persian poet, "The silent man hath his shoulders covered with the garment of security." Xenocrates used to say that he sometimes was "sorry for having spoken, never for having kept silence" (Cahen).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who reveals
גּֽוֹלֶה־ (gō·w·leh-)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal

secrets
סּ֭וֹד (sō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5475: A session, company of persons, intimacy, consultation, a secret

is a constant
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ (hō·w·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

gossip;
רָכִ֑יל (rā·ḵîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7400: A scandal-monger

avoid
תִתְעָרָֽב׃ (ṯiṯ·‘ā·rāḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6148: To braid, intermix, technically, to traffic, give to be security

the one who babbles
וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה (ū·lə·p̄ō·ṯeh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6601: To open, be, roomy, to be, simple, delude

with his lips.
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו (p̄ā·ṯāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer (Prov. Pro Pr)
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