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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.

Context of Proverbs 20:19

17Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel. 18Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. 20If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness. 21An inheritance gained hastily in 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 11:13Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
• Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
• Proverbs 26:20For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
• 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 24:21My son, fear the Lord and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise,
• Proverbs 16:29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
• Romans 16:18For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of 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