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 dishonestly tastes sweet to a person, but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18Plans are confirmed by getting advice, and with guidance one wages war. Whoever goes around as a gossip tells secrets. Do not associate with a person whose mouth is always open. 20The lamp of the person who curses his father and mother will be snuffed out in total darkness. 21An inheritance quickly obtained in the beginning will never 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 gossips gives away secrets, but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.
• Proverbs 18:8The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person’s innermost being.
• Proverbs 26:20Without wood a fire goes out, and without gossip a quarrel dies down.
• Leviticus 19:16Never gossip. Never endanger your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 24:21Fear the Lord, my son. Fear the king as well. Do not associate with those who always insist upon change,
• Proverbs 16:29A violent person misleads his neighbor and leads him on a path that is not good.
• Romans 16:18People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people.

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