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

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19 Gossips reveal secrets;
    don’t associate with those who talk too much.

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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

Argue it out with your neighbor,
    and don’t give away someone’s secret.
10 Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you;
    the slander against you will never stop.

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

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23 The north wind stirs up rain,
    and a person who plots quietly provokes angry faces.

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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

20 Without wood a fire goes out;
    without gossips, conflict calms down.
21 Like adding charcoal to embers or wood to fire,
    quarrelsome people kindle strife.
22 The words of gossips are like choice snacks;
    they go down to the inmost parts.

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

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28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes;
    a flattering mouth causes destruction.

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