Proverbs 25:10
New International Version
or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.

New Living Translation
Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.

English Standard Version
lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.

Berean Standard Bible
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

King James Bible
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

New King James Version
Lest he who hears it expose your shame, And your reputation be ruined.

New American Standard Bible
Or one who hears it will put you to shame, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

NASB 1995
Or he who hears it will reproach you, And the evil report about you will not pass away.

NASB 1977
Lest he who hears it reproach you, And the evil report about you not pass away.

Legacy Standard Bible
Lest he who hears it bring disgrace upon you, And the bad report about you will not turn away.

Amplified Bible
Or he who hears it will shame you And the rumor about you [and your action in court] will have no end.

Christian Standard Bible
otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you’ll never live it down.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you’ll never live it down.

American Standard Version
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, And thine infamy turn not away.

Contemporary English Version
Others will find out, and your reputation will then be ruined.

English Revised Version
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Otherwise, when he hears about it, he will humiliate you, and his evil report about you will never disappear.

Good News Translation
Otherwise everyone will learn that you can't keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.

International Standard Version
Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed, and your bad reputation will never leave you.

Majority Standard Bible
lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

NET Bible
lest the one who hears it put you to shame and your infamy will never go away.

New Heart English Bible
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.

Webster's Bible Translation
Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thy infamy turn not away.

World English Bible
lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Lest the hearer put you to shame, "" And your evil report not turn back.

Young's Literal Translation
Lest the hearer put thee to shame, And thine evil report turn not back.

Smith's Literal Translation
Lest he hearing shall reproach thee, and thine infamy shall not turn away.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lest he insult over thee, when he hath heard it, and cease not to upbraid thee. Grace and friendship deliver a man: keep these for thyself, lest thou fall under reproach.

Catholic Public Domain Version
lest perhaps he may insult you, when he has heard it, and he might not cease to reproach you. Grace and friendship free a man; preserve these for yourself, lest you fall under reproach.

New American Bible
Lest, hearing it, they reproach you, and your ill repute never ceases.

New Revised Standard Version
or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you, and your ill repute will have no end.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Lest he who hears it reproach you and many people mock you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Lest he that hears will revile you, and many complain against you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set a man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
More Proverbs of Solomon
9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, 10lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.…

Cross References
Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

James 5:19-20
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, / consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Luke 17:3-4
Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

1 Corinthians 6:1-6
If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...

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.

1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Colossians 3:13
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Leviticus 19:17
You must not harbor hatred against your brother in your heart. Directly rebuke your neighbor, so that you will not incur guilt on account of him.

Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous man strike me; let his rebuke be an act of loving devotion. It is oil for my head; let me not refuse it. For my prayer is ever against the deeds of the wicked.

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

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


Treasury of Scripture

Lest he that hears it put you to shame, and your infamy turn not away.

thine

Psalm 119:39
Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

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Bad Depart Disgrace End Evil Hearer Heareth Hears Ill Infamy Report Reproach Reputation Repute Revile Shame Turn Turned
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Bad Depart Disgrace End Evil Hearer Heareth Hears Ill Infamy Report Reproach Reputation Repute Revile Shame Turn Turned
Proverbs 25
1. observations about kings
8. and about avoiding causes of quarrels














lest the one who hears may disgrace you
This phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining discretion and confidentiality in personal matters. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were significant social constructs. Public disgrace could lead to a loss of reputation and social standing. The Bible frequently warns against gossip and slander, as seen in James 3:5-6, which describes the tongue as a small part of the body that can cause great harm. The wisdom literature, including Proverbs, often advises on the prudent use of words, highlighting the potential consequences of careless speech. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of guarding one's heart and speech, as seen in Proverbs 4:23-24.

and your infamy never go away
The concept of infamy in this context refers to a lasting negative reputation. In biblical times, a person's name and reputation were of utmost importance, often affecting one's family and descendants. The idea of a permanent stain on one's character is echoed in other scriptures, such as Ecclesiastes 10:1, which compares a little folly to a dead fly that spoils the perfumer's ointment. The enduring nature of infamy serves as a warning about the long-term consequences of indiscretion. This principle is also reflected in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to live blameless lives, as seen in Philippians 2:15, to avoid bringing reproach upon themselves and the name of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. The Hearer
This refers to any person who might overhear or learn about the indiscretion or gossip being discussed. The hearer plays a crucial role in the potential spread of disgrace.

3. The Disgraced Individual
This is the person who may suffer shame or infamy as a result of gossip or the revelation of secrets. The proverb warns against actions that could lead to such disgrace.
Teaching Points
Guard Your Speech
Be mindful of what you say and to whom you say it. Words have the power to harm reputations and relationships.

Value Privacy and Trust
Respect the confidentiality of others. Sharing secrets can lead to lasting damage and loss of trust.

Consider the Consequences
Before speaking, consider the potential impact of your words on others and yourself. Disgrace and infamy can have long-lasting effects.

Seek Reconciliation
If you have wronged someone through your words, seek to make amends and restore the relationship.

Reflect Christ in Communication
As followers of Christ, our speech should reflect His love and truth, avoiding gossip and slander.(10) Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame.--Lest he cry shame upon thee for thy treachery, and thine infamy be not forgotten.

Verse 10. - Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame; i.e. lest any one, not the offended neighbour only, who hears how treacherous you have been, makes your proceeding known and cries shame upon you. And thine infamy turn not away. The stigma attached to you be never obliterated. Thus Siracides: "Whoso discovereth secrets loseth his credit; and shall never find friend to his mind. Love thy friend, and be faithful unto him: but if thou bewrayest his secrets, follow no more after him. For as a man hath destroyed his enemy; so hast thou lost the love of thy neighbour" (Ecclus. 27:16, etc.; comp. also 22:22). The motive presented in our text is not the highest, being grounded on the fear of shame and disgrace in men's eyes; but it is a very potent incentive to right action, and the moralist has good reason for employing it. That it does not reach to the height of Christian morality is obvious. The gnome is thus given in the Greek: "When thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not, lest thy friend reproach thee still; and so thy quarrel and enmity shall not pass away, but shall be to thee like death." Then the LXX. adds a paragraph, reproduced partly by St. Jerome, "Kindness and friendship set a man free (ἐλευθεροῖ); preserve thou these, that thou become not liable to reproach (ἐπονείδισοτς, exprobabilis); but guard thy ways in a conciliating spirit (εὐσυναλλάκτως)."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
lest
פֶּֽן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

the one who hears
שֹׁמֵ֑עַ (šō·mê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

may disgrace you,
יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥ (yə·ḥas·seḏ·ḵā)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2616: To bow, to be kind, to reprove

and your infamy
וְ֝דִבָּתְךָ֗ (wə·ḏib·bā·ṯə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1681: Whispering, defamation, evil report

never
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

go away.
תָשֽׁוּב׃ (ṯā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:10 Lest one who hears it put you (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 25:9
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