He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
He that covereth his sins (by denying or extenuating them, 1 Samuel 15:20-21 ) shall not prosper. 'To hide a sin with a lie is like a crust of leprosy drawn over an ulcer' (Jeremy Taylor). Many cover them by laying the blame on others (Genesis 3:12-13; Ezekiel 18:2). Many plead, 'I am not the only one, or the first one who did it, and I shall not be the last.' Contrast Acts 19:18.
But whoso confesseth and forsaketh (them) (not returning like a dog to his vomit, 2 Peter 2:22 ) shall have mercy. The sincerity of the confession is proved by a man's forsaking his sins (Job 34:31-32). Then mercy is sure (Psalms 32:5; 1 John 1:8-10).