Proverbs 13 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered
A response and reply to the notes on Proverbs 13 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).
King James Version
SAB comment
My comment
1 A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
2 A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence.
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
4 The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
5 A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame.
6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
7 There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
8 The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.
9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.
16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
22 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Beating your children with a rod is a sure sign of parental love.
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But let's turn this around: if you don't beat your children with a rod, is that a sure sign of parental love? What if your children go astray, lying or stealing, would a good father not try to bring them back on the straight and narrow path?
What good father would beat a faithful son? And what good father would use his rod on someone who isn't his son? Using the rod in a measured way is a sure sign of love. When the child needs correction, and the father doesn't give it, that's a sure sign of neglect. It is a sign of abnegating the responsibility a father has to see his children grow up into good citizens.
The ones who oppose physical correction might believe that children don't need correction. The Bible tells us otherwise. We are born in sin and in iniquity. We are not born as good, obedient children who will automatically turn into good citizens. It is indeed who spares the rod, who neglects his responsibility to correct his children, and if necessary using physical means, that hates his children. A father should love his children so much that he takes the effort to correct them. And not be like Eli, who did not restrain his sons, 1 Sam. 3:13.
One might ask if we must use a rod: but that is not what Solomon says. If the rod isn't necessary, one shouldn't use it. But if it is necessary, and we don't use it, then we don't love our children.
23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
25 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
"The belly of the wicked shall want."
How to tell the good from the bad: Good people are the ones who get plenty to eat, and wicked are the ones who go hungry.
