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

17Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. 18Plans are established by counsel, so make war with guidance. The one who goes about gossiping reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with someone who is always opening his mouth. 20The one who curses his father and his mother, his lamp will be extinguished in the blackest darkness. 21An inheritance gained easily 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 11:13The one who goes about slandering others reveals secrets, but the one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
• Proverbs 18:8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the person’s innermost being.
• Proverbs 26:20Where there is no wood, a fire goes out, and where there is no gossip, contention ceases.
• Leviticus 19:16You must not go about as a slanderer among your people. You must not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is at stake. I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 24:21Fear the Lord, my child, as well as the king, and do not associate with rebels,
• Proverbs 16:29A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.
• Romans 16:18For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds 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