Proverbs 29:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

NIV: Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.

NASB: Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; He will also delight your soul.

CSB: Discipline your child, and it will bring you peace of mind and give you delight.

NLT: Discipline your children, and they will give you peace of mind and will make your heart glad.

KJV: Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.

NKJV: Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.

Discipline, properly measured and administered, teaches a child to avoid wrongdoing and to do what is pleasing to the Lord and his parents (Proverbs 8:32–35; 29:15). A child needs to learn early to distinguish right from wrong. This instruction must begin in the home. Parents must not leave the responsibility to classroom teachers, pastors, or society at large. Parents will have no peace or joy if they fail to discipline their child early in life. It is futile and dangerous to wait until a son or daughter is a teenager to attempt to guide their moral path (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18).

Timothy received moral instruction early in his life. The apostle Paul tells Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well" (2 Timothy 1:5). Further, in 2 Timothy 3:15, he tells Timothy: "From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

Proverbs 29:12–27 completes the collection of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25:21). This passage discusses various relationships. Common themes are interactions with government leaders, parental discipline, and authority figures. Solomon also makes comments about pride and the inherent conflict between righteousness and evil.

Much of this passage refers to negative consequences of unwise attitudes or behavior: stubbornness leads to brokenness. Lack of self-control brings shame. Ignorant, ungodly rulers spread sin and corruption. Pride leads to humiliation. Most of these statements follow the two-part pattern established elsewhere in the book of Proverbs. The final lesson summarizes the deep difference between those who are godly and those who pursue their own desires.

This concludes the collection of Solomon's proverbs which King Hezekiah's men collected (Proverbs 25:1). Like previous passages, chapter 29 contrasts wisdom and folly, the benefits of heeding God's law and the devastating consequences of disobeying it, and the blessings of righteousness compared to the curses of sin.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 4/29/2024 4:23:06 AM