He loosens ¹  the bonds ²  of kings and binds a loincloth ³  around their waist.

When ¹  I hear a reproof that dishonors ²  me, then my understanding ³  prompts me to answer. ⁴ 

For you hate instruction and reject my words. ¹ 

To ¹  learn ²  wisdom ³  and moral instruction, ⁴  and to discern ⁵  wise counsel. ⁶ 

To receive ¹  moral instruction ²  in skillful living, ³  in ⁴  righteousness, ⁵  justice, ⁶  and equity. ⁷ 

Listen to my instruction ¹  so that you may be wise, ²  and do not neglect it.

Apply ¹  your heart to instruction and your ears to the words of knowledge.

Those who revolt are knee-deep in slaughter, ¹  but I will discipline them all. ² 

And he reveals ¹  this ²  for correction, and says that they must turn ³  from evil.

Fearing the Lord ¹  is the beginning ²  of moral knowledge, ³  but ⁴  fools ⁵  despise ⁶  wisdom and instruction. ⁷ 

Listen, ¹  my child, ²  to the instruction ³  from ⁴  your father, and do not forsake the teaching ⁵  from ⁶  your mother.

My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, ¹  and do not loathe ²  his rebuke.

Listen, children, ²  to a father’s instruction, ³  and pay attention so that ⁴  you may gain ⁵  discernment.

Hold on to instruction, ¹  do not let it go; protect it, ²  because it is your life.

And you will say, “How I hated discipline! My heart spurned reproof!

He will die because ¹  there was no discipline; because of the greatness of his folly ²  he will reel. ³ 

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

The one who heeds instruction ¹  is on the way to ²  life, but the one who rejects ³  rebuke goes astray.

The one who loves discipline loves knowledge, ¹  but the one who hates reproof is stupid. ² 

A wise son accepts ¹  his father’s discipline, ²  but a scoffer ³  does not listen to rebuke.