Colossians 3:21

Fathers, ¹  do not provoke ²  your children, so they will not become disheartened.

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

Fathers, don’t aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying.

Parents, don't come down too hard on your children or you'll crush their spirits.

Fathers, do not be hard on your children, so that their spirit may not be broken.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Fathers, ¹  do not provoke ²  your children, so they will not become disheartened.

¹ tn Or perhaps “Parents.” The plural οἱ πατέρες (Joi patere", “fathers”) can be used to refer to both the male and female parent (BDAG 786 s.v. πατήρ 1.a).

² tn Or “do not cause your children to become resentful” (L&N 88.168). BDAG 391 s.v. ἐρεθίζω states, “to cause someone to react in a way that suggests acceptance of a challenge, arouse, provoke mostly in bad sense irritate, embitter.”