15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(A)

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15 A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
    but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

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Saying 13

13 Do not withhold discipline from a child;
    if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.
14 Punish them with the rod
    and save them from death.(A)

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13 Don’t withhold discipline from a child;
    if you punish him with a rod,
        he won’t die.
14 Punish him with a rod,
    and you will rescue his soul from Sheol.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:14 I.e. the realm of the dead

15 A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom,
    but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother.(A)

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15 The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom,
    but an undisciplined child[a] brings shame to his mother.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:15 Lit. but a child left alone

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace;
    they will bring you the delights you desire.(A)

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17 Correct your son and he will comfort you;
    he will also delight your soul.

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19 Servants cannot be corrected by mere words;
    though they understand, they will not respond.

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Dangerous Behaviors

19 By mere words a servant will not be corrected;
    even though he understands,
        there will be no response.

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21 A servant pampered from youth
    will turn out to be insolent.

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21 If you pamper a servant from his childhood,
    later on he’ll become ungrateful.

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