16 He who reveals secrets destroys trust,

and will not find a close friend.

17 Love a friend, and keep faith with him;

but if you reveal his secrets,

you shall not follow him;

18 for as a man has destroyed his enemy,

so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbour.

19 As a bird which you have released out of your hand,

so you have let your neighbour go, and you will not catch him again.

20 Don’t pursue him, for he has gone far away,

and has escaped like a gazelle out of the snare.

21 Because a wound may be bound up, and after abuse there may be reconciliation;

but he who reveals secrets is without hope.