When I please, ¹  I will discipline them; ²  I will gather nations together to attack them, ³  to bind them in chains ⁴  for their two sins. ⁵ 

For “physical exercise ¹  has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

He seized the leaders ¹  of the city, along with some desert thorns and briers; he then “threshed” the men of Succoth with them. ² 

The one true God completely vindicates me; ¹  he makes nations submit to me. ² 

He let no one oppress them, he disciplined kings for their sake,

Is it because of your piety ¹  that he rebukes you and goes to judgment with you? ² 

Or a person is chastened ¹  by pain on his bed, and with the continual strife of his bones, ² 

The godless at heart ¹  nourish anger, ²  they do not cry out even when he binds them.

He let no one oppress them; he disciplined kings for their sake,

Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, ¹  but now I keep your instructions. ² 

Receive my instruction ¹  rather than ²  silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.

If you stop listening to ¹  instruction, my child, you will stray ²  from the words of knowledge.

Beatings and wounds cleanse away ¹  evil, and floggings cleanse ²  the innermost being. ³ 

The people of those nations ¹  are both stupid and foolish. Instruction from a wooden idol is worthless! ² 

י (Yod) Let a person ¹  sit alone in silence, when the Lord ²  is disciplining him. ³ 

Why should any living person ¹  complain when punished for his sins? ² 

Although I trained and strengthened them, ¹  they plot evil against me!

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline ¹  or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

And all who will behave ¹  in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God. ² 

with all humility and gentleness, ¹  with patience, bearing with ²  one another in love,