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but he that repeateth a matter separateth <i>very</i> friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />One who conceals an offense seeks love, But one who repeats a matter separates close friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates close companions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He who covers <i>and</i> forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats <i>or</i> gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />He that covereth a transgression seeketh love: but he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If you want people to like you, forgive them when they wrong you. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Anyone who overlooks an offense promotes love, but someone who gossips separates close friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but he who brings it up separates friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever is covering transgression is seeking love, "" And whoever is repeating a matter "" Is separating a familiar friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />He covering transgression seeks love; and he perverting in the word, separates a, friend.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Whoever conceals an offense seeks friendships. Whoever repeats the words of another separates allies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever overlooks an offense fosters friendship, but whoever gossips about it separates friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He who forgets an offense seeks friendship; but he who hates to forget an offense estranges himself from a friend and neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He that conceals an evil seeks friendship and he that hates to conceal separates from a close friend.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide <i>them</i> separates friends and kindred.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/17-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=3361" 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/17.htm">Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds. <span class="reftext">9</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.">Whoever conceals</a> <a href="/hebrew/6588.htm" title="6588: pe·ša‘ (N-ms) -- Transgression. From pasha'; a revolt.">an offense</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">promotes</a> <a href="/hebrew/160.htm" title="160: ’a·hă·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Love (noun). Feminine of 'ahab and meaning the same.">love,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8138.htm" title="8138: wə·šō·neh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To repeat, do again. A primitive root; to fold, i.e. Duplicate; by implication, to transmute.">but he who brings it up</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḇə·ḏā·ḇār (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6504.htm" title="6504: map̄·rîḏ (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- To divide. A primitive root; to break through, i.e. Spread or separate.">separates</a> <a href="/hebrew/441.htm" title="441: ’al·lūp̄ (N-ms) -- Or talluph; from 'alph; familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock; and so, a chieftain.">friends.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.…<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_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></span><br />Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-20.htm">James 5:20</a></span><br />consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a></span><br />Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?” / Jesus answered, “I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Colossians 3:13</a></span><br />Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-32.htm">Ephesians 4:32</a></span><br />Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-3.htm">Luke 17:3-4</a></span><br />Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. / Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-14.htm">Matthew 6:14-15</a></span><br />For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. / But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-10.htm">Romans 12:10</a></span><br />Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-1.htm">Galatians 6:1</a></span><br />Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Genesis 50:17-21</a></span><br />‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/32-1.htm">Psalm 32:1</a></span><br />Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/103-12.htm">Psalm 103:12</a></span><br />As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-19</a></span><br />Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.</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 a transgression seeks love; but he that repeats a matter separates very friends.</p><p class="hdg">that covereth</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="/psalms/32-1.htm">Psalm 32:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David, Maschil. Blessed <i>is he whose</i> transgression <i>is</i> forgiven, <i>whose</i> sin <i>is</i> covered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a></b></br> And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.</p><p class="hdg">seeketh</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Proverbs 16:28</a></b></br> A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Best</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Close</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-23.htm">Conceals</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-16.htm">Covereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-16.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Covers</a> <a href="/psalms/68-12.htm">Division</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Familiar</a> <a href="/psalms/103-3.htm">Forgives</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Intimate</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-17.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-5.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-20.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/job/13-23.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-21.htm">Promotes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Repeateth</a> <a href="/genesis/41-32.htm">Repeating</a> <a href="/judges/5-29.htm">Repeats</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-27.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-14.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Separates</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Separateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-10.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-13.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Transgression</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/25-12.htm">Best</a> <a href="/songs/4-4.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/isaiah/6-10.htm">Close</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Conceals</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-31.htm">Covered</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-13.htm">Covereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Covering</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Covers</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-3.htm">Division</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Familiar</a> <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Forgives</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-17.htm">Friend</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-24.htm">Friends</a> <a href="/hosea/3-3.htm">Intimate</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-22.htm">Love</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-18.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-14.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-11.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-20.htm">Promotes</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Repeateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Repeating</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-11.htm">Repeats</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">Seeketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-11.htm">Seeks</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Separates</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-1.htm">Separateth</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-19.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-19.htm">Transgression</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/17-1.htm">Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked</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'; 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In biblical times, community and family were central to daily life, and maintaining harmony was crucial. Concealing an offense does not imply ignoring sin but rather choosing not to dwell on minor grievances, reflecting the biblical principle of love covering a multitude of sins (<a href="/1_peter/4-8.htm">1 Peter 4:8</a>). This aligns with Jesus' teaching on forgiveness, as seen in <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Matthew 18:21-22</a>, where He instructs to forgive "seventy times seven" times, highlighting the importance of grace and mercy in relationships.<p><b>but he who brings it up separates friends</b><br>This part of the verse warns against the dangers of gossip and the constant reminder of past wrongs. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, honor and shame were significant social dynamics. Bringing up offenses could lead to public shame and division, disrupting the social fabric. This is echoed in <a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>, where the tongue is described as a small part of the body that can cause great harm. The act of bringing up offenses can lead to bitterness and division, contrary to the unity and reconciliation encouraged throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/ephesians/4-3.htm">Ephesians 4:3</a>, which urges believers to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context in which Proverbs was written, emphasizing community, relationships, and the law.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wise_and_the_foolish.htm">The Wise and the Foolish</a></b><br>Throughout Proverbs, these archetypes represent those who follow God's wisdom versus those who reject it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_forgiveness.htm">The Power of Forgiveness</a></b><br>Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can mend relationships and promote love. By choosing to cover an offense, we reflect God's grace and mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_gossip.htm">The Dangers of Gossip</a></b><br>Repeating a matter can lead to division and strife. As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers, not sowers of discord.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/promoting_unity.htm">Promoting Unity</a></b><br>In a community, whether it be a family, church, or workplace, unity is essential. Covering offenses helps maintain harmony and strengthens bonds.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_christ's_love.htm">Reflecting Christ's Love</a></b><br>By forgiving and covering offenses, we model the love of Christ, who forgave us and calls us to do the same for others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_words.htm">Guarding Our Words</a></b><br>We must be mindful of our speech, ensuring that our words build up rather than tear down relationships.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_busybodies.htm">What does the Bible say about busybodies?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/have_you_tested_everything_thoroughly.htm">What does the Bible say about covering up abuse?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_speech.htm">What does the Bible teach about controlling speech?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_9_17_suggest_theft's_allure.htm">Proverbs 9:17 suggests stolen water is sweet. Does this imply that forbidden acts have inherent appeal, and how does this reconcile with other passages condemning theft?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">He that covereth a transgression seeketh love</span>--<span class= "ital">i.e., </span>one who does not notice, but rather conceals and excuses, anything done against him; that man "follows after charity" (<a href="/1_corinthians/14-1.htm" title="Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.">1Corinthians 14:1</a>). (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm" title="Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.">Proverbs 10:12</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">He that repeateth a matter, </span>who is always returning to old grievances, "alienates (even his) chief friend."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He that covereth a transgression seeketh love</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> strives to exercise, put in practice, love (comp. <a href="/zephaniah/2-8.htm">Zephaniah 2:8</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/14-4.htm">1 Corinthians 14:4</a>). Thus Nowack. One who bears patiently and silently, extenuates and conceals, something done or said against him, that man follows after charity, obeys the great law of love (comp. <a href="/proverbs/10-12.htm">Proverbs 10:12</a>). Some explain the clause to mean, "procures love for himself;" but the second member certainly is not personal, therefore it is more natural to take the first in a general sense. <span class="cmt_word">He that repeateth</span> (harpeth on) <span class="cmt_word">a matter separateth very friends</span> (<a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Proverbs 16:28</a>). He who is always dwelling on a grievance, returning to it and bringing it forward on every occasion, alienates the greatest friends, only embitters the injury and makes it chronic. Ecclus. 19:7, etc., "Rehearse not unto another that which is told unto thee, and thou shalt fare never the worse. Whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives; and if thou canst without offence, reveal them not. For he heard and observed thee, and when time cometh he will hate thee. If thou hast heard a word, let it die with thee; and be bold, it will not burst thee." So the rabbis said: "Abstain from quarrels with thy neighbour; and if thou hast seen something bad of thy friend, let it not pass thy tongue as a slander" (Dukes, § 61). The Mosaic Law had led the way to this duty of forbearance: "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>). Septuagint, "He who concealeth injuries seeketh friendship; but he who hateth to conceal them separateth friends and households." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/17-9.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">Whoever conceals</span><br /><span class="heb">מְֽכַסֶּה־</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">an offense</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֭שַׁע</span> <span class="translit">(pe·ša‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - 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">promotes</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">love,</span><br /><span class="heb">אַהֲבָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(’a·hă·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_160.htm">Strong's 160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Love (noun)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but he who brings it up</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁנֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8138.htm">Strong's 8138: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fold, duplicate, to transmute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">separates</span><br /><span class="heb">מַפְרִ֥יד</span> <span class="translit">(map̄·rîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6504.htm">Strong's 6504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through, spread, separate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">friends.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַלּֽוּף׃</span> <span class="translit">(’al·lūp̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_441.htm">Strong's 441: </a> </span><span class="str2">Familiar, a friend, gentle, a bullock, a chieftain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/17-9.htm">Proverbs 17:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/17-9.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:9 He who covers an offense promotes love (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/17-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 17:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/17-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 17:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 17:10" /></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>