14 Punish them with the rod and save them from death.
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
14 If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.
14 A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death
14 You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.
14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 23:14
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!