12 Give your heart to teaching, and your ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Do not keep back training from the child: for even if you give him blows with the rod, it will not be death to him. 14 Give him blows with the rod, and keep his soul safe from the underworld. 15 My son, if your heart becomes wise, I, even I, will be glad in heart; 16 And my thoughts in me will be full of joy when your lips say right things.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 23:12-16
Commentary on Proverbs 23:12-16
(Read Proverbs 23:12-16)
Here is a parent instructing his child to give his mind to the Scriptures. Here is a parent correcting his child: accompanied with prayer, and blessed of God, it may prove a means of preventing his destruction. Here is a parent encouraging his child, telling him what would be for his good. And what a comfort it would be, if herein he answered his expectation!