A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Parallel translations
- WEB One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, but one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- BSB A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
- 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 that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
- Lev 19:16Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
- Prov 25:9Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
- 1 Tim 5:13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- Prov 26:20–22Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
- Josh 2:14And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
- Prov 14:5A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
- Josh 2:20And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
- Jer 38:27Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
- Neh 6:17–19Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
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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.