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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm" title="Proverbs 28:12">◄</a> Proverbs 28:13 <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm" title="Proverbs 28:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/28.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/28.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/28.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/28.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/28.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/28.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh <i>them</i> shall have mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/28.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes <i>them</i> will have mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/28.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who conceals his wrongdoings will not prosper, But one who confesses and abandons <i>them</i> will find compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/28.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/28.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes <i>them</i> will find compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/28.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes <i>them</i> will receive compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/28.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion <i>and</i> mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/28.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/28.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/28.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/28.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you don't confess your sins, you will be a failure. But God will be merciful if you confess your sins and give them up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/28.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/28.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever covers over his sins does not prosper. Whoever confesses and abandons them receives compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/28.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/28.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/28.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/28.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who covers his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses them and forsakes them will find mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/28.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/28.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but he who confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/28.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/28.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever is covering his transgressions does not prosper, "" And he who is confessing and forsaking has mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/28.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Whoso is covering his transgressions prospereth not, And he who is confessing and forsaking hath mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/28.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He covering his transgression shall not prosper: but he confessing and forsaking, shall be compassionated.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/28.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/28.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever hides his crimes will not be guided. But whoever will have confessed and abandoned them shall overtake mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/28.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and forsake them obtain mercy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/28.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />No one who conceals transgressions will prosper, but one who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/28.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who hides his transgression shall not prosper; but he who confesses his sins and forsakes them, God will have mercy upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/28.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A son of man that will hide his evil will not succeed, and God will be moved with compassion upon him that confesses to his sins and passes from them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/28.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/28.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames <i>himself</i> shall be loved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/28-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5785" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/28.htm">The Boldness of the Righteous</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3680.htm" title="3680: mə·ḵas·seh (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To cover. A primitive root; properly, to plump, i.e. Fill up hollows; by implication, to cover.">He who conceals</a> <a href="/hebrew/6588.htm" title="6588: p̄ə·šā·‘āw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Transgression. From pasha'; a revolt.">his sins</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">will not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6743.htm" title="6743: yaṣ·lî·aḥ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To push forward. Or tsaleach; a primitive root; to push forward, in various senses.">prosper,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3034.htm" title="3034: ū·mō·w·ḏeh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To throw, cast. ">but whoever confesses</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: wə·‘ō·zêḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">and renounces them</a> <a href="/hebrew/7355.htm" title="7355: yə·ru·ḥām (V-Pual-Imperf-3ms) -- To love, have compassion. A primitive root; to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate.">will find mercy.</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a></span><br />If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a></span><br />Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/15-21.htm">Luke 15:21-24</a></span><br />The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ / But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. / Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and celebrate. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-7.htm">Isaiah 55:7</a></span><br />Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-1.htm">Psalm 51:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6</a></span><br />Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-13.htm">Jeremiah 3:13</a></span><br />Only acknowledge your guilt, that you have rebelled against the LORD your God. You have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every green tree and have not obeyed My voice,’” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9-10</a></span><br />that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. / For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40-42</a></span><br />But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-1.htm">Hosea 14:1-2</a></span><br />Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4-5</a></span><br />And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-2.htm">Nehemiah 9:2-3</a></span><br />Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. / While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.</p><p class="hdg">that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a></b></br> Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9</a></b></br> He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth <i>very</i> friends.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-12.htm">Genesis 3:12,13</a></b></br> And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest <i>to be</i> with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat… </p><p class="hdg">whoso</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40-42</a></b></br> If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-47.htm">1 Kings 8:47-49</a></b></br> <i>Yet</i> if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/33-27.htm">Job 33:27</a></b></br> He looketh upon men, and <i>if any</i> say, I have sinned, and perverted <i>that which was</i> right, and it profited me not;</p><p class="hdg">and forsaketh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-16.htm">Exodus 10:16,17</a></b></br> Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-30.htm">1 Samuel 15:30</a></b></br> Then he said, I have sinned: <i>yet</i> honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6-10</a></b></br> And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/12-10.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Conceals</a> <a href="/1_john/4-15.htm">Confesses</a> <a href="/1_john/4-3.htm">Confesseth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-3.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">Covereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-11.htm">Find</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm">Forsakes</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm">Forsaketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-4.htm">Forsaking</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-14.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-7.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-18.htm">Obtain</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-5.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-8.htm">Prospereth</a> <a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Renounces</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-16.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-21.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Transgressions</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/9-17.htm">Compassion</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-6.htm">Conceals</a> <a href="/matthew/10-32.htm">Confesses</a> <a href="/1_john/2-23.htm">Confesseth</a> <a href="/daniel/9-20.htm">Confessing</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-2.htm">Covereth</a> <a href="/songs/3-10.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-23.htm">Find</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-5.htm">Finds</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-5.htm">Forsakes</a> <a href="/jeremiah/14-5.htm">Forsaketh</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-28.htm">Forsaking</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-27.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-3.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-26.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-23.htm">Obtain</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-8.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-25.htm">Prosper</a> <a href="/isaiah/54-17.htm">Prospereth</a> <a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Renounces</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-22.htm">Sins</a> <a href="/isaiah/43-25.htm">Transgressions</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 28</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">general observations of impiety and integrity</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/28.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>He who conceals his sins</b><br />The phrase "conceals his sins" comes from the Hebrew root word "כָּסָה" (kasah), meaning to cover or hide. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covering one's sins was akin to hiding one's faults or wrongdoings from God and community. This act of concealment is often driven by pride or fear of judgment. Biblically, the act of hiding sin is seen as a barrier to spiritual growth and prosperity. Theologically, it reflects a lack of trust in God's grace and a misunderstanding of His omniscience. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes that God desires truth in the inward being (<a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Psalm 51:6</a>), and concealing sin is contrary to living in the light of Christ (1 <a href="/john/1-6.htm">John 1:6-7</a>).<p><b>will not prosper</b><br />The term "prosper" in Hebrew is "צָלַח" (tsalach), which means to advance, succeed, or thrive. In the biblical context, prosperity is not merely material wealth but encompasses spiritual well-being and favor with God. The verse suggests a direct correlation between unconfessed sin and a lack of true prosperity. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, prosperity is seen as a holistic state of being that includes peace, joy, and fulfillment in God's purpose. The failure to prosper is a consequence of the spiritual stagnation that results from unrepented sin.<p><b>but whoever confesses</b><br />The word "confesses" is derived from the Hebrew "יָדָה" (yadah), which means to acknowledge or admit. Confession in the biblical sense is an act of humility and repentance, acknowledging one's sins before God. It is a crucial step in the process of reconciliation with God. Historically, confession has been a vital practice in the life of believers, as seen in the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and the teachings of the New Testament (<a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a>). In conservative Christianity, confession is viewed as a means of receiving God's forgiveness and cleansing (1 <a href="/john/1-9.htm">John 1:9</a>).<p><b>and renounces them</b><br />The phrase "renounces them" involves the Hebrew word "עָזַב" (azab), meaning to forsake or abandon. Renouncing sin goes beyond mere confession; it involves a decisive turning away from sinful behavior. This act of renunciation is a demonstration of genuine repentance and a commitment to live according to God's standards. In the conservative Christian tradition, renouncing sin is essential for spiritual renewal and transformation (<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>). It signifies a break from the past and a dedication to pursue holiness.<p><b>will find mercy</b><br />The word "mercy" is translated from the Hebrew "רַחֲמִים" (rachamim), which conveys compassion, forgiveness, and loving-kindness. Mercy is a central attribute of God's character, as seen throughout Scripture (<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a>). In the context of this verse, finding mercy is the result of confession and renunciation of sin. It highlights God's readiness to forgive and restore those who come to Him with a contrite heart. From a conservative Christian perspective, mercy is not earned but is a gift of God's grace, available to all who repent and believe in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (<a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/28.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">He that covereth his sins.--</span>As Adam and Eve did, when they had transgressed (<a href="/genesis/3-8.htm" title="And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.">Genesis 3:8</a>), as David did to his own loss (<a href="/psalms/32-3.htm" title="When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.">Psalm 32:3</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy, </span>and be at once completely forgiven; though he must still suffer the punishment due for his offences (<a href="/2_samuel/12-14.htm" title="However,, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born to you shall surely die.">2Samuel 12:14</a>, <span class= "ital">sqq.</span>)<span class= "ital">, </span>and will, for having yielded to temptation, be the less able to resist it when next assailed by it.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/28.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.</span> To cover one's sins is either absolutely to disown them or to make excuses; a man who does this is never free from a burden of guilt, as the psalmist says, "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me" (<a href="/psalms/32-3.htm">Psalm 32:3</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.</span> Confession alone without amendment, or what is called theologically satisfaction, does not win pardon and mercy. It is when the sinner acknowledges his transgression, and turns from it to newness of life, that God heals his backsliding, and turns away his auger and renews the tokens of his love (<a href="/hosea/14-4.htm">Hosea 14:4</a>). Confession is made to God, against whom all sin is committed (<a href="/joshua/7-19.htm">Joshua 7:19</a>; <a href="/job/31-33.htm">Job 31:33</a>; <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a>, etc.): and to man, if one has transgressed against him, or if he be in a position to give spiritual counsel. Thus the people confessed their sins before John the Baptist (<a href="/matthew/3-6.htm">Matthew 3:6</a>) and the apostles (<a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Acts 19:18</a>; comp. <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a>). Among the Jews, the high priest, acting as the mouthpiece of the people on the great Day of Atonement, confessed their iniquities, laying them on the scapegoat; and particular confession was also enjoined, and was part of the ritual accompanying a sacrifice for sin, by which legal purification was obtained (<a href="/numbers/5-6.htm">Numbers 5:6, 7</a>, "When a man or woman shall commit any sin... then they shall confess their sin which they have done;" so <a href="/leviticus/5-5.htm">Leviticus 5:5</a>). And the very offering of a trespass offering was a public recognition of guilt, which was exhibited by the offerer laying his hand on the head of the victim (<a href="/leviticus/1-4.htm">Leviticus 1:4</a>). Such confession is spoken of strongly by Siracides, "Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, and force not the course of the river" (Ecclus. 4:26); <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. do not attempt the impossible task of trying to hide them. The LXX. has, "He who sets forth accounts <span class="greek">ἐξηγούμενος ἐλέγχους</span> <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. blames himself) shall be loved." Lesetre quotes Sedulius, 'Carm. Pasch.,' 4:76 - <p><span class="foreign">"Magna est medicina fateri<br />Quod nocet abscondi; quoniam sua vulnera nutrit<br />Qui tegit, et plagam trepidat nudare medenti."</span> <p><span class="accented">"Mighty relief<br />T' expose what rankles while 'tis hidden still.<br />He feeds who hides his wounds and shuns to show<br />His heart's plague to the good physician."</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/28-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He who conceals</span><br /><span class="heb">מְכַסֶּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḵas·seh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3680.htm">Strong's 3680: </a> </span><span class="str2">To plump, fill up hollows, to cover</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his sins</span><br /><span class="heb">פְ֭שָׁעָיו</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·šā·‘āw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6588.htm">Strong's 6588: </a> </span><span class="str2">Transgression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prosper,</span><br /><span class="heb">יַצְלִ֑יחַ</span> <span class="translit">(yaṣ·lî·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6743.htm">Strong's 6743: </a> </span><span class="str2">To push forward</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but whoever confesses</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמוֹדֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mō·w·ḏeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3034.htm">Strong's 3034: </a> </span><span class="str2">To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and renounces them</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֹזֵ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ō·zêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will find mercy.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרֻחָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ru·ḥām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7355.htm">Strong's 7355: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fondle, to love, to compassionate</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/28-13.htm">Proverbs 28:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/28-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 28:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 28:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 28:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 28:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>