King James Version

Proverbs 17:9

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

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Hebrew

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מְֽכַסֶּהmekhasehcoverכָּסָהverb, piel, participle, absolute — “cover”, a verb used as a describing wordH3680properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)clad self, close, clothe, conceal, cover (self), (flee to) hide, overwhelm. Compare H3780 (כָּשָׂה).פֶּ֭שַׁעpesharebellionפֶּשַׁעnoun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “rebellion”, the ordinary formH6588a revolt (national, moral or religious)rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass.מְבַקֵּ֣שׁmevaqeshbeseechבָּקַשׁverb, piel, participle, absolute — “beseech”, a verb used as a describing wordH1245to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive afterask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).אַהֲבָ֑הahavahloveאַהֲבָהnoun, common, feminine, singular, absolute — “love”, the ordinary formH160{affection (in a good or a bad sense)}love.וְשֹׁנֶ֥הveshonehand alterשָׁנָהconjunction, verb, qal, participle, absolute — “and alter”, a verb used as a describing wordH8138to fold, i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication, to transmute (transitive or intransitive)do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time.בְ֝דָבָ֗רvedavarin causeדָּבָרpreposition, noun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “in cause”, the ordinary formH1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a causeact, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dea…מַפְרִ֥ידmafridseparateפָּרַדverb, hiphil, participle, absolute — “separate”, a verb used as a describing wordH6504to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself)disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder.אַלּֽוּףaluffriendאַלּוּףadjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “friend”, the ordinary formH441familiar; a friend, also gentle; hence, a bullock (as being tame; applied, although masculine, to a cow); and so, a chieftain (as notable, like neat cattle)captain, duke, (chief) friend, governor, guide, ox.

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; But he that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends.

Young’s Literal Translation

Whoso is covering transgression is seeking love, And whoso is repeating a matter Is separating a familiar friend.

World English Bible

He who covers an offense promotes love; but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

Darby Translation

He that covereth transgression seeketh love; but he that bringeth a matter up again separateth very friends.

Douay-Rheims

He that concealeth a transgression. seeketh friendships: he that repeateth it again, separateth friends.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that harpeth on a matter estrangeth a familiar friend.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

He that conceals injuries seeks love; but he that hates to hide them separates friends and kindred.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Ὃς κρύπτει ἀδικήματα, ζητεῖ φιλίαν· ὃς δὲ μισεῖ κρύπτειν, διΐστησι φίλους καὶ οἰκείους.