English Standard Version
Proverbs 11:13
13Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Proverbs 11:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
- New International Version (NIV)A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
- New Living Translation (NLT)A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Context of Proverbs 11:13
11By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. 12Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. 14Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. 15Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
Read all of Proverbs 11Proverbs 11:13 word by word
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ רָ֭כִיל מְגַלֶּה־סּ֑וֹד וְנֶאֱמַן־ר֝֗וּחַ מְכַסֶּ֥ה דָבָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- A talebearerרָכִילrâkîyl · slanderH7400
- A talebearerהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
- revealethגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: revealH1540
- secretsסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
- but he that is of a faithfulאָמַן'âman · be faithfulH539
- spiritרוּחַrûach · spiritH7307
- concealethכָּסָהkâsâh · to coverH3680
- the matterדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
Cross-references for Proverbs 11:13
- Proverbs 20:19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
- Leviticus 19:16You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
- Proverbs 25:9Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret,
- Proverbs 26:20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
- Nehemiah 6:17Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them.
- Proverbs 14:5A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
- Joshua 2:14And the men said to her, "Our life for yours even to death! If you do not tell this business of ours, then when the Lord gives us the land we will deal kindly and faithfully with you."
- Jeremiah 38:27Then all the officials came to Jeremiah and asked him, and he answered them as the king had instructed him. So they stopped speaking with him, for the conversation had not been overheard.
Commentaries on Proverbs 11:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13A talebearer - רכיל הולך holech rachil, the walking busybody, the trader in scandal. Revealeth secrets - Whatever was confided to him he is sure to publish abroad. The word means a hawker, or travelling chapman. Such are always great newsmongers; and will tell even their own secrets, rather than have nothing to say.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13The man who comes to us with tales about others will reveal our secrets also. Faithfulness is shown, not only in doing what a man has been commissioned to do, but in doing it quietly and without garrulity.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13Verse 13 A faithful man will not disclose what he is trusted with, unless the honour of God and the real good of society require it.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13This view on gossip is echoed in Proverbs 20:19.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. tale-bearer--(Compare Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 11:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 11
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries