Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.
Discipline your child while there is still hope for change, and don't let your heart hold back just because he cries.
This verse is saying that parents should lovingly correct their children when they're young and can still learn, even when it's emotionally difficult to do so.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from ancient Israel's wisdom literature, where family structure and child-rearing were considered foundational to society. In that culture, parents were expected to train their children in righteousness and wisdom, understanding that early discipline could prevent greater heartache later. The Hebrew concept of discipline included both correction and instruction, aimed at developing character rather than punishment alone.
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