Proverbs 17:9

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 17:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
The Message Bible (MSG)
9 Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and - good-bye, friend!
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 Those who erase a sin by forgiving it show love. But those who talk about it come between close friends.

Proverbs 17:9 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love
He that hides the transgression of another, or of his friend, committed against himself or against another, which he is privy to; but the matter being made up, and the offence forgiven, he forgets it, and no more speaks of it to his friend, or upbraids him with it, nor spreads it among others: such a man shows that he loves his friend, and is desirous that love and friendship should be continued; and this is the way to continue it; and a man that thus seeks it finds it. Or it may be rendered, "he covereth a transgression who seeketh love" F9; for "love covereth all things", ( Proverbs 10:12 ) ; but he that repeateth a matter;
the matter of the transgression, the thing that has given the offence; that rakes it up again, when it has been covered; upbraids his friend with it, when it has been passed over and forgiven; will frequently hit him on the teeth with it, and talk of it wherever he comes, and spread the knowledge of it in all places: he separateth [very] friends;
he sets the best of friends at variance one with another by such a practice; for this pursued, friendship cannot subsist long among men: he separates his best friend from himself, and himself from him. The word signifies a prince, leader, or governor; (See Gill on Proverbs 16:28); and Jarchi interprets it thus;

``he separates from himself the Governor of the world, the holy blessed God.''

FOOTNOTES:

F9 So Cocceius.

Proverbs 17:9 In-Context

7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them.

Cross References 2

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