Add parallel Print Page Options

When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.

Read full chapter

Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor,
    and don’t betray another person’s confidence.
10 Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed,
    and your bad reputation will never leave you.

Read full chapter

If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

Read full chapter

14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

Read full chapter

14 Like clouds and winds without rain
    is the man who brags
        about gifts he never gave.

Read full chapter

14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

Read full chapter

18 Telling lies about others
    is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
    or shooting them with a sharp arrow.

Read full chapter

18 A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow—
    that’s what a man is who lies about his neighbor.

Read full chapter

18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow
    is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(A)

Read full chapter

23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
    so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

Read full chapter

23 The north wind brings rain,
    and a backbiting tongue an angry look.

Read full chapter

23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

Read full chapter