10 Don’t press him, lest you be thrust back. Don’t stand far off, lest you be forgotten. (WEB) 11 Don’t try to speak with him as an equal, and don’t believe his many words; for he will test you with much talk, and will examine you in a smiling manner. (WEB) 12 He who doesn’t keep secrets to himself is unmerciful. He won’t hesitate to harm and to bind. (WEB)
Sirach 13:10–12
Semantically similar passages
Sirach 8:18–19
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)
Proverbs 26:24–26
24 A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. 25 When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. 26 Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembl…
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 37:9–11
9 and say to you, “Your way is good.” Then he will stand near you, to see what will happen to you. (WEB) 10 Don’t take counsel with one who looks askance at you. Hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you. (WEB) 11 Don’t consult with a woman about her rival, with a coward… (WEB)
Sirach 27:16–18
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)
Ecclesiastes 8:2–4
2 Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God. 3 Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases. 4 For the king’s word is supreme, and who can say to him, “What are you doing?”
Sirach 12:11–13
11 Though he humbles himself and walks bowed down, still be careful and beware of him. You will be to him as one who has wiped a mirror, to be sure it doesn’t completely tarnish. (WEB) 12 Don’t set him next to you, lest he overthrow you and stand in your place. Don’t let… (WEB) 13 … (WEB)
Sirach 8:10–12
10 Don’t kindle the coals of a sinner, lest you be burned with the flame of his fire. (WEB) 11 Don’t rise up from the presence of an insolent man, lest he lie in wait as an ambush for your mouth. (WEB) 12 Don’t lend to a man who is stronger than you; and if you lend, count it as a… (WEB)
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