He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
What does Proverbs 17:9 mean?
The way to preserve peace is to make the best of every thing; not to notice what has been said or done against ourselves.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Proverbs 17:9-10 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 17:9
Seeketh love - i. e., Takes the course which leads to his gaining it. He that repeateth a matter - The warning is directed against that which leads a man to dwell with irritating iteration on a past offence instead of burying it in oblivion. Separateth very friends - Better, alienateth his chief friend. The tale-bearer works injury to himself.
Key words
- covereth
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He that covereth a transgression seeketh love,.
- transgression
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He that covereth a transgression seeketh love,.
- seeketh
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He that covereth a transgression seeketh love,.
Context in Proverbs 17
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Proverbs 17 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as sayings of the wise. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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