27 ¹⁶ Whoever betrays secrets destroys confidence,
and he will never find a congenial friend.
27 ¹⁷ Love your friend and keep faith with him;
but if you betray his secrets,
do not run after him.
27 ¹⁸ For as a man destroys his enemy,
so you have destroyed the friendship of your neighbour.
27 ¹⁹ And as you allow a bird to escape from your hand,
so you have let your neighbour go, and will not catch him again.
27 ²⁰ Do not go after him, for he is too far off,
and has escaped like a gazelle from a snare.
27 ²¹ For a wound may be bandaged,
and there is reconciliation after abuse,
but whoever has betrayed secrets is without hope.