What Does the Bible Say About Keeping a Secret?
Here are 18 Bible verses about Keeping a Secret, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
BSBA gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.
- #2Proverbs 25:9
Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:
BSBArgue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
- #3Proverbs 20:19
He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
BSBHe who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
- #4Proverbs 12:23
A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
BSBA shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.
- #5Matthew 6:3-4
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
BSBBut when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- #6Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.
BSBSurely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
- #7Luke 8:17
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
BSBFor there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be made known and brought to light.
- #8Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
BSBHe who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
- #9Ecclesiastes 3:7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
BSBa time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
- #10Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
BSBFor God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
- #11Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
BSBWhen words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- #122 Kings 6:12
And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
BSBBut one of his servants replied, “No one, my lord the king. For Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”
- #13Proverbs 17:9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
BSBWhoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.
- #141 Timothy 5:25
Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.
BSBIn the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
- #15Matthew 6:18
That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
BSBso that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- #16Matthew 10:26-27
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
BSBSo do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
- #17Matthew 6:6
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
BSBBut when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
- #18Matthew 6:4
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
BSBso that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).