Proverbs 25:9

Proverbs 25:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
• New International Version (NIV)If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;
• New Living Translation (NLT)When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.

Context of Proverbs 25:9

7for it is better to be told, "Come up here," than to be put lower in the presence of a noble. What your eyes have seen 8do not hastily bring into court, for what will you do in the end, when your neighbor puts you to shame? Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another's secret, 10lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end. 11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Proverbs 25:9 word by word

רִֽ֭יבְךָ רִ֣יב אֶת־רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְס֖וֹד אַחֵ֣ר אַל־תְּגָֽל׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Debateרִיבrîyb rûb · to contendH7378
• thy causeרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• with thy neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• and discoverגָּלָהgâlâh · to reveal: revealH1540
• not a secretסוֹדsôd · counselH5475
• to anotherאַחֵר'achêr · anotherH312

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:9

• Matthew 18:5"Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
• Proverbs 11:13Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
• Proverbs 20:19Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Debate thy cause with thy neighbor - Take the advice of friends. Let both sides attend to their counsels; but do not tell the secret of thy business to any. After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both they and the judge will at last leave it to be settled by twelve of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers! On this subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9An anticipation of the highest standard of ethical refinement Matthew 18:15, but with a difference. Here the motive is prudential, the risk of shame, the fear of the irretrievable infamy of the betrayer of secrets. In the teaching of Christ the precept rests upon the divine authority and the perfect example.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-10Verses 8-10 To be hasty in beginning strife, will bring into difficulties. War must at length end, and might better be prevented. It is so in private quarrels; do all thou canst to settle the matter.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 9-10See Proverbs 11:13 and 20:19.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 9-109-10. (Compare Mt 5:25, Margin). secret--that is, of your opponent, for his disadvantage, and so you be disgraced, not having discussed your difficulties with him.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:9

• Adjudication at Law
• Compromise
• Lawsuits
• Prudence
• Secret

In the dictionaries

• Arrow
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Solomon

Commentaries on Proverbs 25

• 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