A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
Parallel translations
- WEB One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- KJV A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
- NKJV A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.
- NASB One who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, But one who is trustworthy conceals a matter.
- NLT A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A gossip betrays confidences, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. Faithfulness is shown in guarding what others entrust to us.
Overview
This proverb distinguishes the talebearer who spreads what should be kept private from the dependable person who protects a confidence. Trustworthiness with words is essential to wisdom and friendship. Such faithfulness reflects the character of God, who keeps covenant, and adorns the integrity His people are called to in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Prov 20:19He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- Lev 19:16You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.
- Prov 25:9Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
- 1 Tim 5:13At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.
- Prov 26:20–22Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
- Josh 2:14“Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”
- Prov 14:5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
- Josh 2:20And if you report our mission, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”
- Jer 38:27When all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, he relayed to them the exact words the king had commanded him to say. So they said no more to him, for no one had overheard the conversation.
- Neh 6:17–19Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came back to them.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 11:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.