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24 Whoever spares the rod hates the child,
    but whoever loves will apply discipline.(A)

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15 Folly is bound to the heart of a youth,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it out.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 22:15 Folly is attached to children as the husk is attached to the grain. “Rod” here, as in v. 8, seems to be the flail. Discipline is the process of winnowing away the folly.

13 [a]Do not withhold discipline from youths;
    if you beat them with the rod, they will not die.(A)
14 Beat them with the rod,(B)
    and you will save them from Sheol.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:13–14 The young will not die from instructional blows but from their absence, for (premature) death results from uncorrected folly. The sardonic humor means the exhortation is not to be taken literally, as an argument for corporal punishment. The next verses (vv. 15–16) are exceedingly tender toward the young.

Like music at the time of mourning is ill-timed talk,[a]
    but lashes and discipline are at all times wisdom.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 22:6 As a joyful song is out of place among mourners so a rebuke may be insufficient when corporal punishment is called for.
  2. 22:6

    Other ancient texts read as vv. 7–8:

    7Children whose upbringing leads to a wholesome life

    veil over the lowly origins of their parents.

    8Children whose pride is in scornful misconduct

    besmirch the nobility of their own family.

Chapter 30

The Training of Children[a]

Whoever loves a son will chastise him often,
    that he may be his joy when he grows up.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 30:1–13 Sound discipline (which would include physical beating) and careful education of children correct self-indulgence and stubbornness, prevent remorse and humiliation, and bring to parents lasting joy and delight, prestige among friends, jealousy of enemies, perpetuation and vindication of themselves through their offspring (vv. 1–6). Lack of discipline and overindulgence of children bring sorrow and disappointment, terror and grief (vv. 7–13).