Proverbs 20:19

Proverbs 20:19 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
• New International Version (NIV)A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.

Context of Proverbs 20:19

17Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair]. 18Plans are established by counsel; So make war [only] with wise guidance. He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with a gossip [who talks freely or flatters]. 20Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp [of life] will be extinguished in time of darkness. 21An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end.

Proverbs 20:19 word by word

גּֽוֹלֶה־סּ֭וֹד הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָכִ֑יל וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו לֹ֣א תִתְעָרָֽב׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• He that goeth aboutהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
• a talebearerרָכִילrâkîyl · slanderH7400
• revealethגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: revealH1540
• secretsסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
• therefore meddleעָרַב‛ârab · to pledgeH6148
• not with him that flatterethפָּתָהpâthâh · to open wideH6601
• with his lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lip: wordsH8193

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:19

• Proverbs 11:13He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets, But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.
• Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
• Proverbs 26:20For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer [who gossips], contention quiets down.
• Leviticus 19:16You shall not go around as a gossip among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor [with slander or false testimony]; I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 24:21My son, fear the Lord and the king; And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
• Proverbs 16:29A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin], And leads him in a way that is not good.
• Romans 16:18For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites and base desires. By smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting [the innocent and the naive].

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:19

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Flattereth - literally, “The man who opens his lips,” who has no reticence; such a man, with or without intending it, does the work of a talebearer.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 19Verse 19 Those dearly buy their own praise, who put confidence in a man because he speaks fairly.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19This view on the gossip appears again in Proverbs 11:13.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1919. Those who love to tell news will hardly keep secrets. flattereth ... lips--(compare Margin; Pr 1:10). meddle ... him--literally, "join," or "associate with."Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:19

• Company
• Flattery
• Gossip
• Talebearer

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings