13:1

The underlined parallel parts and the parts in bold print contrast in meaning.

1a
A wise son heeds his father’s discipline,

1b but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.

The parallel parts in italics are similar in meaning, but “rebuke” has a stronger and more specific meaning than “discipline.” This may imply that a wise son pays attention to any kind of instruction or correction, whereas a mocker ignores even a strong rebuke.

13:1a

A wise son heeds his father’s discipline: For the phrase A wise son, see the notes on 10:1b. In some languages, the way to specify a “son” in contrast to a daughter is to say “male child.” But it may be awkward or unnatural to refer to a son in this way. If that is true in your language, it is recommended that you use a general term for child. For example:

A wise child (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
Wise children (Good News Translation)

heeds: In Hebrew, there is no verb in 13:1a. English versions supply a verb that contrasts with the parallel part in 13:1b. The Berean Standard Bible supplies the verb heeds. Some verbs that are used in other versions are:

loves (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
listens to (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
accepts (New Living Translation (2004))

father’s: Proverbs focuses on a father instructing his son. But this line does not imply that a wise son will not listen to his mother’s instruction (see, for example, 1:8 and 6:20). It also does not imply that a wise daughter will not pay attention to advice from her father and mother. If a literal translation of this line implies one of these wrong meanings, consider using a general term such as “parents.” See the versions quoted in the following note.

discipline: The Hebrew word musar, which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as discipline, refers to moral instruction or training. It usually involves some form of correction by someone in authority. This correction may range from warning or rebuke to punishment. Here the focus is probably on verbal instruction or correction.

Here are some ways to translate 13:1a in languages that use general terms for “son” and “father”:

Wise children take their parents’ advice (New Century Version)
-or-
Wise children pay attention when their parents correct them (Good News Translation)

13:1b

but a mocker: The word mocker refers to a person who scoffs at or makes fun of someone or something. A mocker is arrogant as well as scornful. But the focus of this word is on the disdainful way that a mocker treats other people. It is not mainly on the mocker’s feeling of pride.

The Hebrew text does not specify what these people mock. If it is necessary to make explicit what they mock, some options are:

someone who mocks ⌊other people⌋
-or-
a child who mocks ⌊his parents⌋

does not listen to rebuke: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebuke is a stronger word than the parallel word “discipline” that is used in 13:1a. Here it refers to verbal rebuke or correction.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit who does the rebuking. For example:

⌊his father’s⌋ rebuke
-or-
⌊anyone’s⌋ rebuke

The first example is a specific contrast with 13:1a. The second example is a more general contrast.

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