Sirach 19:10 - Hast you heard a word? let it die with you: Be of good courage, it will not burst you.

Generated Verse: Sirach 19:10

What does "Sirach 19:10" mean?


Sirach 19:10, "Hast thou heard a word? let it die with thee: be of good courage, it will not burst thee," is essentially advising discretion and the importance of keeping confidences. Let's break it down:

"Hast thou heard a word? let it die with thee": This is the core of the verse. "A word" here refers to a piece of gossip, a secret, or some sensitive information that you've been told. The advice is to let it "die with thee" – meaning, don't pass it on, don't repeat it, keep it to yourself. Consider it the end of the line for that information.

"Be of good courage, it will not burst thee": This part addresses the perceived difficulty of keeping a secret. It's acknowledging that sometimes it feels like you need to tell someone, that keeping something bottled up is hard. But the verse assures you that you are strong enough to hold the information. It's a metaphorical statement, saying holding in the secret will not kill you!

In essence, the verse is teaching the value of trustworthiness and self-control. It encourages individuals to resist the temptation to spread gossip or reveal secrets, assuring them that they can handle the burden of silence. It emphasizes the strength and integrity that come with being a reliable keeper of confidences.