A multitude of sins

What's the meaning of the phrase 'A multitude of sins'?

A number of undesirable qualities.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A multitude of sins'?

From the Bible, James 5:20. This was first printed in English in Miles Coverdale’s Bible, 1535:

Let ye same knowe that he which conuerted the synner from goynge astraye out off his waye, shal saue a soule fro death, and shal hyde the multitude of synnes.

– it also appeared later in Peter 4:8, King James Version, 1611:

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

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