¹³ One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.

¹⁹ He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.

¹⁶ "'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people; neither shall you stand against the life{literally, "blood"} of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.

¹³ Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.

²⁷ Then came all the princes to 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.

¹⁴ The men said to her, Our life for yours, if you don't utter this our business; and it shall be, when Yahweh gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.

²⁰ For lack of wood a fire goes out; Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.

²¹ As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindling strife.

²² The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.

⁹ Debate your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another;

⁵ A truthful witness will not lie, But a false witness pours out lies.

¹⁷ Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and [the letters] of Tobiah came to them.

¹⁸ For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife.

¹⁹ Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

²⁰ But if you utter this our business, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you have made us to swear.