Proverbs 25:9

25:9 When you argue a case ¹  with your neighbor,

do not reveal the secret of another person, ² 

Proverbs 26:20-22

26:20 Where there is no wood, a fire goes out,

and where there is no gossip, ³  contention ceases. ⁴ 

26:21 Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,

so is a contentious person ⁵  to kindle strife. ⁶ 

26:22 The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels;

they go down into a person’s innermost being. ⁷ 

Nehemiah 6:17-19

6:17 In those days the aristocrats of Judah repeatedly sent letters to Tobiah, and responses from Tobiah were repeatedly coming to them. 6:18 For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him, ⁸  because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah. His son Jonathan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. 6:19 They were telling me about his good deeds and then taking back to him the things I said. ⁹  Tobiah, on the other hand, sent letters in order to scare ¹⁰  me.

[25:9]  ¹ tn The verse begins with the direct object רִיבְךָ (ribkha, “your case”) followed by the imperative from the same root, רִיב (riv, “argue”). It is paralleled by the negated Piel jussive. The construction of the clauses indicates that the first colon is foundational to the second: “Argue…but do not reveal,” or better, “When you argue…do not reveal.”

[25:9]  ² sn The concern is that in arguing with one person a secret about another might be divulged, perhaps deliberately in an attempt to clear oneself. The point then is about damaging a friendship by involving the friend without necessity or warrant in someone else’s quarrel.

[26:20]  ³ sn Gossip (that is, the one who goes around whispering and slandering) fuels contention just as wood fuels a fire. The point of the proverb is to prevent contention – if one takes away the cause, contention will cease (e.g., 18:8).

[26:20]  ⁴ tn Heb “becomes silent.”

[26:21]  ⁵ sn Heb “a man of contentions”; NCV, NRSV, NLT “a quarrelsome person.” The expression focuses on the person who is contentious by nature. His quarreling is like piling fuel on a fire that would otherwise go out. This kind of person not only starts strife, but keeps it going.

[26:21]  ⁶ tn The Pilpel infinitive construct לְחַרְחַר (lÿkharkhar) from חָרַר (kharar, “to be hot; to be scorched; to burn”) means “to kindle; to cause to flare up.”

[26:22]  ⁷ tn The proverb is essentially the same as 18:8; it observes how appealing gossip is.

[6:18]  ⁸ tn Heb “were lords of oath.”

[6:19]  ⁹ tn Heb “my words.”

[6:19]  ¹⁰ tn Or “to intimidate” (so NIV, NRSV, NLT).