Bridges on Proverbs 28:13
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 28:13
 
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13.  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
 
God and man each cover sin; God, in free unbounded grace (Psalm 85:2); man, in shame and hypocrisy. The sinners here contrasted are chargeable with the same guilt. But how opposite are the remedies adopted, and their several results! The contrast is not between great sins and small, but between sins covered, and sins confessed and forsaken. Whoso covereth the smallest sin, shall not prosper. Whoso confesseth and forsaketh the greatest, shall find mercy. “Love covereth” our neighbor's sins (Chapter 10:12); pride our own. The proud sinner naturally wishes to be thought better than he is. His sin must have some cover. He must at least give it a good name. (Isaiah 5:20.) He would cover it, if possible, from himself; putting it out of mind; banishing all serious thoughts; stifling conviction; and then trying to persuade himself that he is happy. To escape evil consequences, a lie is resorted to. Or if the facts are too plain to be denied; ‘the worst part is unfounded. We were not in it so much as our neighbor.’ Ignorance, good, or at least not bad, intentions, custom, necessity, strong temptation, sudden surprisal, the first offense; constitutional infirmity; even the decrees of God — one or more are pleaded in palliation. Or to save our honor — rather our pride — the blame must be shifted on another. Even God himself is made accountable — a secret but daring charge! carrying with it its own self-contradiction. Indignantly he challenges the proof, and lays the sin at the right door. (Isaiah 50:1. James 1:13.) More commonly, but most wrongfully, it is laid upon Satan. The most of his power is, that he is a tempter. And no claim could he have ever established, had not we willingly sold ourselves to his service. Our father Adam — again — must bear the burden. ‘Must our “teeth be set on edge” for the “sour grapes which he ate”?’ (Ezekiel 18:2.) Must the unborn children be held responsible for the inheritance, which their father lost?’ But it was the nature that sinned, of which we are a component part. We “were in his loins” (Hebrews 7:10) at the time, and therefore we share his responsibility. Our own personal sin has ratified the deed by our own free and repeated consent. All these attempted transfers are vain coverings. Conscience bears witness to the truth, that no man takes harm but from himself.
But even this admitted — man with ceaseless ingenuity still attempts to frame a cover for his sin. Some supposed good deeds are put forth as a compensation. (Micah 6:6, 7.) And by balancing good and evil respectively against each other, he hopes to establish some preponderance in his favor. Yet all these fig-leaf coverings (Genesis 3:7) for his nakedness only shew his determination to hold his sin, and his pride of heart, which would rather hide it from God himself, than submit to receive free mercy as a self-condemned sinner.
These attempts however to cover sin shall not prosper. The voice of an offended God summoned Adam from his hiding-place to receive his sentence. (Genesis 3:9.) “The voice of Abel's blood cried from the ground,” and the murderer became “a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth.” (Ib. 4:10-12.) Conscience lashed Joseph's brethren with the sin of bye-gone days. (Ib. 42:21.) Saul's covering his sin cost him his kingdom. “The leprosy of Naaman clave to Gehazi and his seed for ever.” The proud accusers of their fellow-sinner were “convicted by their own conscience.” “There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.” Their darkest deed is wrought in the open face of an all-seeing God, and “set in the light of his countenance,” to “be proclaimed upon the house-tops” before the assembled world.
This unsuccessful attempt to cover sin, while it adds to the guilt, is fraught with misery. The love of sin struggles with the power of conscience. The door of access to God is barred. Christian confidence is clouded; and, unless Sovereign mercy interpose, it must end in the sting of “the never-dying worm.” The covering of the disease precludes the possibility of the cure. Only the penitent confessor can be the pardoned sinner.
Long indeed is the struggle, ere every false cover is cut off; ere the heartless general confession — ‘We are all sinners’ — is exchanged for the deep-felt personal acknowledgment, “giving glory to God. Thus and thus have I done. Behold I am vile. What shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.” But glorious is the divine victory over pride and sullenness, when the first act of repentance, this first step of return (Luke 15:17, 18), is heartily accomplished. God needs not confession for his own information. But he demands it for our good. It brings no claim on his mercy. But it is a meetness for the reception of it. Christ has fully satisfied the claims of justice. But the claims must be acknowledged in the humble acceptance of the benefit. The mercy is ready; but the sinner must sue it out — “Only acknowledge thine iniquity.” (Jeremiah 3:13.) Our yearning Father is “waiting” for this moment, “that he may be gracious.” There is no further keeping of anger. He shall have mercy, instant reconciliation. Words may be few, while the heart is full. With David it was but a single sentence; but the closet workings of his heart witnessed to the enlargement and ingenuousness of his sorrow. Thus man confesses the debt; God crosses it out from his book; and sweet is the penitent's song — “Blessed is he, whose sin is covered.” (Psalm 32:1.) The dying thief confesses, and the condemned malefactor is crowned with life eternal. (Luke 23:43.)
But we must not overlook the distinctive feature of this confession. It is not that of Pharaoh, extorted on the rack; or of Saul and Judas, the stinging of remorse; or of the Pharisees and Sadducees, mere formal profession; or of the harlot, a cover for sin. Penitent faith confesses in the act of laying the hand upon the great sacrifice, and hence draws strength of purpose to forsake all that has been here confessed. For while the hypocrite confesses without forsaking, the hearty forsaking is here the best proof of the sincere confessing.
And this first act of the penitent is matured into the daily habit of the saint. The further we advance, the deeper will be the tone of confession. The moment sin is seen to be sin, let it be laid on the Surety's Head. Every moment of unconfessed sin adds to its burden and guilt. The thought of a nature estranged from God; a heart full of corruption; sins of youth and age; before and after conversion; against light and conviction, knowledge and love; the sins of our very confessions, their defilement, coldness, and too often self-righteous tendency; all supply abundant material for abasing acknowledgment. Plead the greatness, not the smallness of our sin. Never deem any sin so trifling, as not to need the immediate application of the blood of atonement. Genuine conviction gives no rest, until by the believing apprehension of this remedy the peace of God is firmly fixed in the conscience. As Bunyan so accurately pictured — not at the wicket-gate, but at the sign of the cross, did the Christian find the grave of sin. Here it is lost, forgotten, never found. (Jeremiah 50:20.)
This evangelical humiliation lays the only solid ground for practical godliness. It is a sorrow full of joy, and not less full of holiness. No Achan will be reserved; no Agag spared; no right hand or right eye favored. It will not be “the unclean spirit going out, and returning to his house with sevenfold influence;” or the man, who leaves his home, but forsakes it not, all his heart and joy being still there. Here the forsaking will be without the thought of returning; yea, with the fixed determination never to return. (Job 34:32.) It will not be the exchange of one path in the broad road for another more attractive; but the relinquishment of the whole road with all its bye-paths. The inner principles as well as the outer walk; “the unrighteous thoughts,” no less than “the wicked ways” will be forsaken heartily and for ever. (Isaiah 55:7.)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 85:2
2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
 
 
Proverbs 10:12
12 ¶ Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
 
 
Footnote:
Cicero stamps confession of wickedness as disgraceful and dangerous (turpis et periculosa. Cont. Verrem, Lib. iii.) Thus does Heathen morality develop the pride of depraved nature.
 
 
Isaiah 5:20
20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! {call...: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc}
 
 
Footnote:
Cain, Genesis 4:9; Rachel, 31:34, 35; Joseph's brethren, 37:31-35; David, 2 Samuel 11:15, 25; the adulteress, chapter 30:20. Compare Jeremiah 2:23; Peter, Matthew 26:70; Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-8. Is not this a sad propensity in children? The first offense may be trifling. But the fear of punishment induces a lie. Another lie is necessary to cover the first. Every step adds to sin.
 

 
Cain,
Genesis 4:9
9 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
 
Rachel,
Genesis 31:34, 35
34 Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. {searched: Heb. felt} 35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
 
Joseph's brethren,
Genesis 37:31-35
31 ¶ And they took Joseph's coat, and killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the coat in the blood; 32 And they sent the coat of many colours, and they brought it to their father; and said, This have we found: know now whether it be thy son's coat or no. 33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces. 34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days. 35 And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
 
David,
2 Samuel 11:15, 25
15 And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die. {hottest: Heb. strong} {from him: Heb. from after him}
25 Then David said unto the messenger, Thus shalt thou say unto Joab, Let not this thing displease thee, for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. {displease...: Heb. be evil in thine eyes} {one...: Heb. so and such}
 
the adulteress,
Proverbs 30:20
20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
 
Compare
Jeremiah 2:23
23 How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; {thou art...: or, O swift dromedary}
 
Peter,
Matthew 26:70
70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
 
Ananias and Sapphira,
Acts 5:1-8
1 ¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {to lie to: or, to deceive} 4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Jeremiah 7:10. Compare Calvin's Institutes b. iii. c. xxiii section 12-14.
 

 
Jeremiah 7:10
10 And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? {which...: Heb. whereupon my name is called}
 
 
Footnote:
Adam and Eve, Genesis 3:12, 13. Compare Job 31:33; Aaron, Exodus 32:21-24; Saul, 1 Samuel 15:20, 21; Pilate, Matthew 27:24-26.
 

 
Adam and Eve,
Genesis 3:12, 13
12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
 
Compare
Job 31:33
33 ¶ If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: {as Adam: or, after the manner of men}
 
Aaron,
Exodus 32:21-24
21 ¶ And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? 22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. 23 For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 24 And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.
 
Saul,
1 Samuel 15:20, 21
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. 21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
 
Pilate,
Matthew 27:24-26
24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 ¶ Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. 27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. {common hall: or, governor's house}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isaiah 50:1
1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
 
James 1:13
13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: {evil: or, evils}
 
 
Ezekiel 18:2
2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
 
 
Hebrews 7:10
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
 
 
Micah 6:6, 7
6 ¶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? {of a...: Heb. sons of a year?} 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? {body: Heb. belly}
 
 
Genesis 3:7
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. {aprons: or, things to gird about}
 
 
Genesis 3:9
9 ¶ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
 
 
Genesis 4:10-12
10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. {blood: Heb. bloods} 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
 
 
Genesis 42:21
21 ¶ And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 15:21, 23.
 

 
1 Samuel 15:21, 23
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. {witchcraft: Heb. divination}
 
 
Footnote:
2 Kings 5:27.
 

 
2 Kings 5:27
27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.
 
 
Footnote:
John 8:9.
 

 
John 8:9
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
 
 
Footnote:
Job 34:22.
 

 
Job 34:22
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 34:21. Psalm 90:8.
 

 
Job 34:21
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
 
Psalm 90:8
8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 12:2, 3. Ecclesiastes 12:14. 1 Corinthians 4:5.
 

 
Luke 12:2, 3
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
 
Ecclesiastes 12:14
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
 
1 Corinthians 4:5
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
 
 
Footnote:
Isaiah 30:1.
 

 
Isaiah 30:1
1 ¶ Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 28:20.
 

 
Isaiah 28:20
20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 66:18.
 

 
Psalm 66:18
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
 
 
Footnote:
Ib. 32:3, 4.
 

 
Psalm 32:3, 4
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
 
 
Footnote:
Joshua 7:19, 20. Job 40:4.
 

 
Joshua 7:19, 20
19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me. 20 And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
 
Job 40:4
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
 
 
Luke 15:17, 18
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
 
 
Jeremiah 3:13
13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
 
 
Footnote:
Luke 15:20. Hosea 5:15.
 

 
Luke 15:20
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
 
Hosea 5:15
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. {acknowledge...: Heb. be guilty}
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 32:5. Compare similar examples, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 13; Jeremiah 31:18-20; Jonah 3:5-10; Luke 15:21-24; 23:40-43. See also the promises, Leviticus 26:40-42; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Job 33:27, 28; Isaiah 1:16-18; 55:7; Ezekiel 18:21, 22; 1 John 1:9.
 

 
Psalm 32:5
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
 
Compare similar examples,
2 Chronicles 33:12, 13
12 And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
 
Jeremiah 31:18-20
18 ¶ I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. 19 Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. 20 Is Ephraim my dear son? is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the LORD. {are...: Heb. sound}
 
Jonah 3:5-10
5 ¶ So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: {published: Heb. said} {nobles: Heb. great men} 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? 10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
 
Luke 15:21-24
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
 
Luke 23:40-43
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. 42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
 
See also the promises,
Leviticus 26:40-42
40 ¶ If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: 42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
 
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. {which...: Heb. upon whom my name is called}
 
Job 33:27, 28
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; {He...: or, He shall look upon men, and say} 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. {He...: or, He hath delivered my soul, etc, and my life}
 
Isaiah 1:16-18
16 ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. {relieve: or, righten} 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
 
Isaiah 55:7
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. {the unrighteous...: Heb. the man of iniquity} {abundantly...: Heb. multiply to pardon}
 
Ezekiel 18:21, 22
21 ¶ But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
 
1 John 1:9
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
2 Samuel 12:13, with Psalm 51. See also his tender dread of covering sin. Psalm 139:1, 23, 24.
 

 
2 Samuel 12:13
13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.
 
with
Psalm 51
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.} Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. {conceive...: Heb. warm me} 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. {right: or, constant} 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 ¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. {bloodguiltiness: Heb. bloods} 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. {else...: or, that I should} 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
 
Psalm 139:1, 23, 24
1 ¶ {To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.} O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. {wicked...: Heb. way of pain, or, grief}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 32:1
1 ¶ {A Psalm of David, Maschil.} Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. {A Psalm...: or, A Psalm of David giving instruction}
 
 
Luke 23:43
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
 
 
Footnote:
Exodus 9:27, 34.
 

 
Exodus 9:27, 34
27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 24:16, 17; 26:3, 4. Matthew 27:4, 5.
 

 
1 Samuel 24:16, 17
16 ¶ And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. 17 And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.
 
1 Samuel 26:3, 4
3 And Saul pitched in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon, by the way. But David abode in the wilderness, and he saw that Saul came after him into the wilderness. 4 David therefore sent out spies, and understood that Saul was come in very deed.
 
Matthew 27:4, 5
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 3:7.
 

 
Matthew 3:7
7 ¶ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
 
 
Footnote:
Chapter 7:14.
 

 
Proverbs 7:14
14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. {I have...: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me}
 
 
Footnote:
Leviticus 16:21.
 

 
Leviticus 16:21
21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness: {a fit...: Heb. a man of opportunity}
 
 
Footnote:
Pharaoh and Saul, ut supra.
 
 
Footnote:
Job 40:4; 42:6. Ezekiel 16:63.
 

 
Job 40:4
4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
 
Job 42:6
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
 
Ezekiel 16:63
63 That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD.
 
 
Footnote:
Psalm 25:11, with Luke 18:11. Compare Isaiah 43:24-26.
 

 
Psalm 25:11
11 For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.
 
with
Luke 18:11
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
 
Compare
Isaiah 43:24-26
24 Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money, neither hast thou filled me with the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou hast made me to serve with thy sins, thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities. {filled...: Heb. made me drunk, or, abundantly moistened} 25 I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. 26 Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
 
 
Jeremiah 50:20
20 In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found: for I will pardon them whom I reserve.
 
 
Footnote:
Joshua 7:1.
 

 
Joshua 7:1
1 ¶ But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel. {Achan: also called, Achar} {Zabdi: also called, Zimri}
 
 
Footnote:
1 Samuel 15:20.
 

 
1 Samuel 15:20
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
 
 
Footnote:
Mark 6:17-20; 9:43-48.
 

 
Mark 6:17-20
17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. 18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. 19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: {a quarrel: or, an inward grudge} 20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. {observed him: or, kept him, or, saved him}
 
Mark 9:43-48
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: {offend...: or, cause thee to offend} 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: {offend...: or, cause thee to offend} 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: {offend...: or, cause thee to offend} 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
 
 
Footnote:
Matthew 12:43, 44.
 

 
Matthew 12:43, 44
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
 
 
Job 34:32
32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
 
 
Isaiah 55:7
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. {the unrighteous...: Heb. the man of iniquity} {abundantly...: Heb. multiply to pardon}