Verses 9-10 form a single unit.

“Argue your case with your neighbor himself”: “Argue your case” in this context means to discuss differences of opinion, and “with your neighbor himself” means “privately.” Since it is not a court case but rather a personal difference to be settled, a legal term such as “plead” is not appropriate in English. “Case” translates the related noun form of the verb “to argue.” “Neighbor” renders the same word as used in verse 8 and may refer to a friend or colleague or someone who literally lives nearby. In some languages a nonlegal case may be called “your difference,” “your dispute,” or “your words.”

“And do not disclose another’s secret”: “Disclose” renders a word meaning “uncover” and refers to making something public, exposing it to the public, or telling others about it. A “secret” refers to information that one of the parties to the dispute has learned about the other. Revised English Bible translates “Argue your own case with your neighbor, and do not reveal another’s secrets.” In some languages we may also say, for example, “Exchange words with your friend, but do not tell others what you have learned about him.” A translation in a Pacific language says: “If you and your neighbor have a row about something, it is best for just you-two to sort it out, and afterwards you must not talk about this private business.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .