Proverbs 28:13 kjv
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 nkjv
He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 niv
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 esv
Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Proverbs 28:13 nlt
People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.
Proverbs 28 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 32:3-5 | When I kept silent... my bones wasted away... I acknowledged my sin to You... | Confession brings healing; silence brings decay. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive... | God's faithfulness in response to confession. |
| Isa 55:7 | Let the wicked forsake his way... and let him return to the LORD... | Call to forsake and return for mercy. |
| Joel 2:12-13 | Return to Me with all your heart... Rend your hearts and not your garments. | True repentance requires internal change. |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out... | Repentance leads to sin's erasure. |
| Lev 26:40-42 | If they confess their iniquity... then I will remember My covenant... | Covenant mercy activated by confession. |
| Jas 5:16 | Confess your trespasses to one another... that you may be healed. | Corporate and personal confession's benefit. |
| Num 32:23 | But if you do not do so, behold, you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out. | Sin exposed inevitably. |
| Job 20:12-14 | Though evil is sweet in his mouth... yet his food in his stomach turns sour. | The temporary pleasure of sin leads to pain. |
| Isa 59:1-2 | Your iniquities have separated you from your God... | Sin creates a barrier between God and man. |
| Psa 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart... | Humility and repentance are pleasing to God. |
| Tit 3:5 | Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us. | Mercy is by grace, not merit. |
| Eph 2:4-5 | But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love... made us alive... | God's richness in mercy as a foundation. |
| Mic 7:18-19 | Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity... He delights in mercy. | God's character is defined by mercy. |
| Rom 5:20 | But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more... | Grace's triumph over sin through Christ. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy... | Access to God's mercy through Christ. |
| Prov 28:9 | One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination. | Lack of obedience hinders communication with God. |
| Mt 3:8 | Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance... | True repentance produces changed actions. |
| Lk 3:8 | Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance... | True repentance requires tangible evidence. |
| Rom 10:9-10 | if you confess with your mouth... and believe in your heart... | Confession and belief for salvation. |
Proverbs 28 verses
Proverbs 28 13 Meaning
This proverb reveals a fundamental spiritual truth: concealing one's wrongdoings leads to a lack of genuine flourishing and success in life, both spiritually and practically. In contrast, those who sincerely acknowledge their transgressions to God and actively turn away from them will experience divine compassion and forgiveness. It underscores that God's mercy is contingent not merely on recognition of sin but also on active repentance and abandonment of sinful paths.
Proverbs 28 13 Context
Proverbs chapter 28 frequently contrasts the wicked with the righteous, exploring the consequences of their choices. It speaks on themes of justice, honesty, the importance of leadership, the dangers of oppression, and the benefits of fearing the Lord. Verse 13 stands as a clear statement within this framework, articulating a universal principle regarding sin and repentance. It emphasizes that while hiding sin may seem advantageous, true well-being comes through honest self-assessment, turning to God, and living righteously. Historically, for ancient Israelites, understanding the consequences of actions, particularly those violating the Mosaic Law, was crucial for communal and individual prosperity, as blessing and cursing were often tied directly to obedience and disobedience to God's commands. This proverb thus reinforces the covenantal understanding of sin and divine restoration within the fabric of Israelite life.
Proverbs 28 13 Word analysis
- He who conceals (Hebrew: kâsâh - כָּסָה): To cover, hide, shut up. This implies more than just secrecy; it suggests a deliberate attempt to deny, rationalize, or ignore one's wrongdoing, both from others and potentially from God or even oneself. It leads to internal decay and brokenness, as seen in Ps 32:3.
- his transgressions (Hebrew: pesha' - פֶּשַׁע): This term denotes a revolt, rebellion, or breaking away from a proper authority or relationship, implying a willful, deliberate sin rather than an unwitting error. It highlights the gravity of the wrong action, often involving a breach of covenant or trust.
- will not prosper (Hebrew: tsâlach - צָלַח): To advance, succeed, be profitable, to rush forth (as a spirit). This doesn't only mean financial success but encompasses overall well-being, progress, spiritual flourishing, inner peace, and divine favor. Hiding sin impedes true life and blessing.
- but he who confesses (Hebrew: yôdeh - יוֹדֶה, Hiphil of yâdhâh): To give thanks, praise, confess, acknowledge. In this context, it specifically means to acknowledge guilt, often publicly or before God. It requires humility, honesty, and courage, breaking the internal resistance of self-justification.
- and forsakes them (Hebrew: ya'azov - יַעֲזֹב): To abandon, leave, let go, relinquish. This crucial addition implies that mere verbal confession is insufficient. True repentance demands a radical turning away from the sinful practice, a tangible change in behavior and a deliberate effort to cease the wrongdoing. It speaks to genuine transformation.
- will obtain mercy (Hebrew: yerucham - יְרֻחַם, Niphal of râcham - רָחַם): To be shown compassion, to be pitied. Racham speaks of tender, womb-like compassion, often God's deep, profound mercy. This highlights that mercy is not earned by confession and forsaking, but rather those actions create the condition under which God's gracious character can be extended. It's an act of divine benevolence, not a strict quid pro quo.
Proverbs 28 13 Bonus section
The "prosperity" spoken of here is primarily spiritual and relational. While it can often manifest in material ways, its core refers to God's blessing, peace of mind, right standing with Him, and authentic well-being. This is distinct from a mere worldly definition of success. The active turning away ("forsakes") means repentance is a dynamic process involving ongoing effort, not a one-time event, and that God's forgiveness empowers, not bypasses, this transformation. This principle holds true not only for overt actions but also for hidden attitudes and intentions of the heart, aligning with broader biblical teaching that God examines the heart (Jer 17:10). The call for confession implies an understanding of accountability and a divine moral order against which actions are measured.
Proverbs 28 13 Commentary
Proverbs 28:13 outlines a profound truth regarding the pathway to restoration. Hiding sin creates an impenetrable barrier, hindering prosperity in its fullest sense—emotional, spiritual, and relational. This "concealment" extends beyond keeping secrets from others; it's a denial of one's inner brokenness before God. Such internal dishonesty saps vitality and prevents access to true blessing, echoing David's misery in Psalm 32 when he remained silent about his sin.
Conversely, the verse offers a divine solution: confession and forsaking. Confession is not merely an admission of guilt but an open, humble acknowledgment before God, often accompanied by regret. However, this alone is incomplete. True repentance demands "forsaking," which is an active and decisive turning away from the sin. It signifies a genuine change of mind leading to a change of action and a reorientation of one's life away from transgression. When coupled, these two actions create the posture of heart that God responds to with mercy. "Obtaining mercy" is a divine gift, flowing from God's character of compassion, and it leads to forgiveness, peace, and the re-establishment of favor, thus unlocking true spiritual and relational prosperity that was stifled by hidden sin. It emphasizes that while grace is unmerited, repentance is the channel through which it is appropriated.