12 Bring in to instruction thy heart, And thine ear to sayings of knowledge. 13 Withhold not from a youth chastisement, When thou smitest him with a rod he dieth not. 14 Thou with a rod smitest him, And his soul from Sheol thou deliverest. 15 My son, if thy heart hath been wise, My heart rejoiceth, even mine, 16 And my reins exult when thy lips speak uprightly.
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!