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

17If you cheat someone to get food to eat, it may seem good when you taste it. But soon it will be like sand in your mouth. 18Things will go well if you receive good advice. If you want to fight a war, ask wise people to be your advisors. Keep away from people who talk too much. They will tell everybody about your secrets. 20If you insult your parents, your life will quickly finish, like a lamp that suddenly goes out and leaves you in complete darkness. 21If you receive riches too early in life, it will do you no good 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 11:13If a person talks too much about other people, he will soon tell their secrets. But someone that you can trust will not tell your secrets to other people.
• Proverbs 18:8We love to hear other people's secrets. They seem like good food that we can enjoy.
• Proverbs 26:20Without wood, a fire stops burning. When people do not tell their friends' secrets, quarrels stop.
• Leviticus 19:16You must not speak bad words about other people. If somebody is in danger of death, do not keep quiet if you know the truth. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 24:2130. My child, respect and obey the Lord, and the king too. Do not be friends with people who turn against them.
• Proverbs 16:29Violent people deceive their friends. They lead their friends to do wrong things.
• Romans 16:18People who are like that are not servants of our Lord Christ. Instead, they are doing the things which please themselves. They speak words that seem very nice, but they deceive people who easily accept a false message.

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