16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust, and will not find a close friend. (WEB) 17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him; but if you reveal his secrets, you shall not follow him; (WEB) 18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy, so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbor. (WEB)
Sirach 27:16–18
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 6:8–10
8 For there is a friend just for an occasion. He won’t continue in the day of your affliction. (WEB) 9 And there is a friend who turns into an enemy. He will discover strife to your reproach. (WEB) 10 And there is a friend who is a companion at the table, but he won’t continue in… (WEB)
Proverbs 25:8–10
8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? 9 Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, 10 lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.
Proverbs 20:18–20
18 Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance. 19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips. 20 Whoever curses his father or mother, his lamp will be extinguished in deepest darkness.
Sirach 6:1–2
1 Don’t become an enemy instead of a friend; for an evil name will inherit shame and reproach. So it is with the sinner who has a double tongue. (WEB) 2 Don’t exalt yourself in the counsel of your soul, that your soul not be torn in pieces like a bull. (WEB)
Sirach 22:21–23
21 If you have drawn a sword against a friend, don’t despair, for there may be a way back. (WEB) 22 If you have opened your mouth against a friend, don’t be afraid, for there may be reconciliation, unless it is for insulting, arrogance, disclosing of a secret, or a treach… (WEB)
Sirach 7:11–13
11 Don’t laugh a man to scorn when he is in the bitterness of his soul, for there is one who humbles and exalts. (WEB) 12 Don’t devise a lie against your brother, or do the same to a friend. (WEB) 13 Refuse to utter a lie, for that habit results in no good. (WEB)
Testament of Gad 2:4–6
4 But if he deny it, do not get into a passion with him, lest catching the poison from thee he take to swearing and so thou sin doubly. (T12) 5 Let not another man hear thy secrets when engaged in legal strife, lest he come to hate thee and become thy enemy, and commit… (T12) 6 … (T12)
Sirach 8:17–19
17 Don’t consult with a fool, for he will not be able to keep a secret. (WEB) 18 Do no secret thing before a stranger, for you don’t know what it will cause. (WEB) 19 Don’t open your heart to every man. Don’t let him return you a favor. (WEB)
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