New International Version A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. New Living Translation A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence. English Standard Version Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Berean Standard Bible A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Berean Literal Bible One going about slandering is revealing secret counsel, and the one faithful of spirit conceals the matter. King James Bible A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. New King James Version A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. New American Standard Bible One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. NASB 1995 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. NASB 1977 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. Legacy Standard Bible He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But he who is faithful in spirit conceals a matter. Amplified Bible He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden. Berean Annotated Bible A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person {ruach} keeps a confidence. Christian Standard Bible A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Holman Christian Standard Bible A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. American Standard Version He that goeth about as a tale-bearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter. Contemporary English Version A gossip tells everything, but a true friend will keep a secret. English Revised Version He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever gossips gives away secrets, but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret. Good News Translation No one who gossips can be trusted with a secret, but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy. International Standard Version Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets, but the trustworthy person keeps a confidence. NET Bible The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets, but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. New Heart English Bible One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. Webster's Bible Translation A tale-bearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleA gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. World English Bible One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA busybody is revealing secret counsel, "" And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter. Berean Literal Bible One going about slandering is revealing secret counsel, and the one faithful of spirit conceals the matter. Young's Literal Translation A busybody is revealing secret counsel, And the faithful of spirit is covering the matter. Smith's Literal Translation He going about tale-bearing reveals a secret: and he being faithful of spirit hides the word. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe that walketh deceitfully, revealeth secrets: but he that is faithful, concealeth the thing committed to him by his friend. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever walks dishonestly reveals secrets. But whoever is of a faithful soul conceals what is confided by a friend. New American Bible One who slanders reveals secrets, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. New Revised Standard Version A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAn adversary reveals secrets; but he who is faithful in his spirit conceals the matter. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated An adversary reveals a secret, and he who is faithful in his spirit will hide the matter. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets; But he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth a matter. Brenton Septuagint Translation A double-tongued man discloses the secret counsels of an assembly: but he that is faithful in spirit conceals matters. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Dishonest Scales…12Whoever shows contempt for his neighbor lacks judgment, but a man of understanding remains silent. 13A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. 14For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.… Cross References A gossip reveals a secret, Proverbs 20:19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. Proverbs 18:8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being. Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Proverbs 25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, Proverbs 17:9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends. Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. James 3:5-6 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. 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. Leviticus 19:16 You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD. 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.” 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. Psalm 15:1-3 A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, Colossians 3:8 But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 1 Peter 4:15 Indeed, none of you should suffer as a murderer or thief or wrongdoer, or even as a meddler. 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. Titus 3:2 to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. Treasury of Scripture A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. a tale bearer. Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Leviticus 19:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. revealeth Proverbs 25:9 Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Proverbs 26:20-22 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth… Nehemiah 6:17-19 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them… he Proverbs 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. Joshua 2:14,20 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee… Jeremiah 38:27 Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived. Jump to Previous Betrays Concealeth Conceals Confidence Counsel Covered Covering Faithful Goes Gossip Hidden Keeps Makes Matter Others Public Revealeth Revealing Reveals Secret Secrets Spirit Talebearer Tale-Bearer Talebearing Talking True-Hearted TrustworthyJump to Next Betrays Concealeth Conceals Confidence Counsel Covered Covering Faithful Goes Gossip Hidden Keeps Makes Matter Others Public Revealeth Revealing Reveals Secret Secrets Spirit Talebearer Tale-Bearer Talebearing Talking True-Hearted TrustworthyProverbs 11 1. On DeceptionA gossip reveals a secret, Gossip carelessly exposes matters entrusted in confidence, often spreading private information for personal gain, amusement, or influence. Such conduct damages reputations, divides families and neighbors, and destroys the trust necessary for life within the covenant community. God’s people were expected to deal truthfully with one another and not use another person’s weakness or private circumstances as material for public talk. Pro 20:19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;… but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence. Faithfulness is shown by guarding what has been entrusted rather than repeating it. A trustworthy person recognizes that private knowledge carries responsibility and protects others from unnecessary harm. Such restraint reflects integrity, wisdom, and love for one’s neighbor, making a person dependable in the home, the community, and before God. Pro 25:9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying… Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally regarded 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. Ancient Israel - The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written. Understanding the societal norms of ancient Israel can help us grasp the significance of wisdom literature. 3. Gossip - In the context of this verse, a gossip is someone who spreads secrets or private information, often causing harm to relationships and communities. 4. Trustworthy Person - This refers to an individual who is reliable and can be trusted to keep confidences, reflecting integrity and faithfulness. 5. Secrets - In the biblical context, secrets can refer to private matters that are not meant to be shared indiscriminately, highlighting the importance of discretion. Teaching Points The Destructive Nature of GossipGossip can destroy trust and relationships. It is important to recognize the harm that spreading secrets can cause within a community or church. The Value of Trustworthiness Being a trustworthy person is a reflection of Christ-like character. It involves being reliable and maintaining the confidences of others. Guarding Our Speech As Christians, we are called to be mindful of our words. We should strive to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down. The Importance of Discretion Discretion is a valuable trait that involves knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. It is crucial for maintaining healthy relationships. Reflecting Christ in Our Interactions Our interactions with others should reflect the love and integrity of Christ. This includes being careful with the information we share and how we share it. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 11:13?2. How does Proverbs 11:13 define the role of a trustworthy person? 3. What are the consequences of gossip according to Proverbs 11:13? 4. How can we apply Proverbs 11:13 to our daily conversations? 5. Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of guarding one's tongue? 6. How can we cultivate trustworthiness in our relationships as Proverbs 11:13 suggests? 7. How does Proverbs 11:13 define the role of a trustworthy person in society? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 11:13? 9. How does Proverbs 11:13 relate to modern concepts of confidentiality? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 11? Verse 13. - A tale-bearer. The word implies one who goes about chattering, gossiping, and slandering (Leviticus 19:16); Vulgate, qui ambulat fraudulenter; Septuagint, "the man of double tongue." To such a man it is safe to trust nothing; he revealeth secrets (Proverbs 20:19). He that is of a faithful spirit; a steadfast, trusty man, not a gadder about; he retains what is committed to him (Ecclus. 27:16, "Whoso discovereth secrets luseth his credit, and shall never find friend to his mind"). Septuagint, "He that is faithful in spirit [πνοῇ, as in Proverbs 20:27, where see note] concealeth matters." Proverbs 11:13 draws a clear line: careless tongues wound, faithful tongues heal. Gossip publicizes what should stay private; a trustworthy person guards secrets, embodying Christlike love. Choose the second path—silence that shields rather than speech that scars. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew A gossipרָ֭כִיל (rā·ḵîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7400: A scandal-monger reveals מְגַלֶּה־ (mə·ḡal·leh-) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1540: To denude, to exile, to reveal a secret, סּ֑וֹד (sō·wḏ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5475: A session, company of persons, intimacy, consultation, a secret but a trustworthy וְנֶאֱמַן־ (wə·ne·’ĕ·man-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 539: To confirm, support person ר֝֗וּחַ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit keeps מְכַסֶּ֥ה (mə·ḵas·seh) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover a confidence. דָבָֽר׃ (ḏā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause Additonal Resources Proverbs 11:13 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 11:13 Bible Gateway Proverbs 11:13 Bible.com Proverbs 11:13 NIV |
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