21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Read full chapter

A Father's Wise Instruction

(A)Hear, O sons, a father's instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may (B)gain[a] insight,
for I give you good (C)precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
    (D)tender, (E)the only one in the sight of my mother,
he (F)taught me and said to me,
(G)“Let your heart hold fast my words;
    (H)keep my commandments, and live.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:1 Hebrew know

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, (A)but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Read full chapter

13 As (A)a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion (B)to those who fear him.

Read full chapter

12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as (A)a father the son in whom he delights.

Read full chapter

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

(A)“My son, (B)do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
For (C)the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. (D)God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, (E)in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to (F)the Father of spirits (G)and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, (H)that we may share his holiness. 11 (I)For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields (J)the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Read full chapter

11 For you know how, (A)like a father with his children,

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set
Retail: $149.99
Our Price: $98.99
Save: $51.00 (34%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone Imitation Leather, Burgundy)
ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone Imitation Leather, Burgundy)
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $35.89
Save: $34.10 (49%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Gospel of John, Paperback
ESV Gospel of John, Paperback
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $1.17
Save: $2.82 (71%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
ESV Holy Bible for Kids, Softcover Economy Edition
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $4.29
Save: $5.70 (57%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Scripture Journal, Spiral-Bound Edition: Psalms
ESV Scripture Journal, Spiral-Bound Edition: Psalms
Retail: $17.99
Our Price: $7.76
Save: $10.23 (57%)