Proverbs 11:13

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
• 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 the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 12He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. 14Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 15He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure.

Proverbs 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 20:19He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.
• Leviticus 19:16You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
• Proverbs 25:9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;
• Proverbs 26:20Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
• Nehemiah 6:17Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
• Proverbs 14:5A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies.
• Joshua 2:14So the men answered her, “Our lives for yours, if none of you tell this business of ours. And it shall be, when the Lord has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”
• Jeremiah 38:27Then all the princes came to Jeremiah and asked him. And he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they stopped speaking with him, for the conversation had not been heard.

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

• Friendship
• Gossip
• Prudence
• Speaking
• Talebearer

In the dictionaries

• Poetry
• Profit
• Pursue
• Scatter
• Secret
• Smart
• Suretiship
• Surety
• Void
• God

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