12 Apply your heart to instruction,
and your ears to the words of knowledge. 13 Don’t withhold correction from a child.
If you punish him with the rod, he will not die. 14 Punish him with the rod,
and save his soul from Sheol. 15 My son, if your heart is wise,
then my heart will be glad, even mine: 16 yes, my heart will rejoice,
when your lips speak what is right.
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!