Proverbs 29:15

A rod and reproof ¹  impart ²  wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained ³  brings shame ⁴  to his mother. ⁵ 

The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.

To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.

Wise discipline imparts wisdom; spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.

The rod and sharp words give wisdom: but a child who is not guided is a cause of shame to his mother.

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.

The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

A rod and reproof ¹  impart ²  wisdom, but a child who is unrestrained ³  brings shame ⁴  to his mother. ⁵ 

¹ tn The word “rod” is a metonymy of cause, in which the instrument being used to discipline is mentioned in place of the process of disciplining someone. So the expression refers to the process of discipline that is designed to correct someone. Some understand the words “rod and reproof” to form a hendiadys, meaning “a correcting [or, reproving] rod” (cf. NAB, NIV “the rod of correction”).

² tn Heb “gives” (so NAB).

³ tn The form is a Pual participle; the form means “to let loose” (from the meaning “to send”; cf. KJV, NIV “left to himself”), and so in this context “unrestrained.”

⁴ sn The Hebrew participle translated “brings shame” is a metonymy of effect; the cause is the unruly and foolish things that an unrestrained child will do.

⁵ sn The focus on the mother is probably a rhetorical variation for the “parent” (e.g., 17:21; 23:24-25) and is not meant to assume that only the mother will do the training and endure the shame for a case like this (e.g., 13:24; 23:13).