Proverbs 23:13

13 Don't be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won't kill them.

Proverbs 23:13 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 23:13

Withhold not correction from the child
When he has committed a fault, and correction is necessary; for to spare it is the ruin of the child, and no proof of true affection in the parent, but the reverse; see ( Proverbs 13:24 ) ( 19:18 ) ; for, [if] thou beatest him with a rod, he shall not die;
if he be beaten moderately, there is no danger of his dying under the rod, or with the stripes given him; besides, such moderate and proper corrections may be a means of preserving him from such crimes as would bring him to a shameful and untimely death, and so he shall not die such a death; and by such means, through the grace of God, he may escape the second, or eternal death.

Proverbs 23:13 In-Context

11 For they have a powerful Advocate who will go to bat for them.
12 Give yourselves to disciplined instruction; open your ears to tested knowledge.
13 Don't be afraid to correct your young ones; a spanking won't kill them.
14 A good spanking, in fact, might save them from something worse than death
15 Dear child, if you become wise, I'll be one happy parent.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.