King James Bible
"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."
The Hebrew words 'chesed' (covenant love/mercy) and 'emet' (faithfulness/truth) form a pair describing God's character and the path to atonement. This phrase suggests that sin's guilt and power are cleansed through divine mercy combined with truthful acknowledgment of wrongdoing, anticipating the fuller revelation of God's redemptive work. Reverential awe of God serves as the preventative measure against future sin, while mercy and truth address past iniquity. This 'fear' is not terror but profound respect that recognizes God's holiness and authority, providing the moral compass that steers one away from evil paths.