Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his sins does not prosper

He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

Proverbs 28:13

Commentary

There are two kinds of forgiveness, judicial and parental. When we trust Christ as Lord and Savior, we receive forgiveness from the penalty of sins; that is judicial forgiveness. When we, as believers, confess our sins, we receive parental forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:9); this maintains fellowship with God our Father. There is no blessing for the person who covers his sins, that is, who refuses to drag them out into the light and to confess them to God and to anyone else who has been wronged. But anyone who confesses and forsakes his sins has the assurance that God not only forgives but forgets (Heb. 10:17).

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Pr 28:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.