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19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    so don’t hang around with chatterers.

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19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;(A)
avoid someone with a big mouth.(B)

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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.

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Make your case with your opponent
without revealing another’s secret;(A)
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back

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

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23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

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20 Fire goes out without wood,
    and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
    as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

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20 Without wood, fire goes out;
without a gossip, conflict dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[a](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 26:22 Lit to the chambers of the belly

28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and flattering words cause ruin.

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28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes,
and a flattering mouth causes ruin.

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