15:5

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

5a
A fool rejects his father’s discipline,

5b but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

The parallel parts form a chiasm. The parts in 15:5a occur in the opposite order from the parallel parts in 15:5b. If a chiasm is not natural in your language, you may need to reorder the parallel parts. For example, you could reorder 15:5a to say:

5a
Whoever spurns his father’s discipline is a fool

Another option is to keep 15:5a as in the Berean Standard Bible but reorder 15:5b to say:

5b but a prudent person heeds correction.

15:5a–b

fool…is prudent: This proverb contrasts an arrogant, immoral fool with a person who is prudent. The phrase is prudent refers to a person who is sensible or shrewd.

rejects his father’s discipline…heeds correction: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rejects means “undervalues,” “despises,” or “treats with disdain.” A person who rejects his father’s discipline ignores or refuses to accept his father’s instruction, advice, rebuke, or discipline. The person who heeds correction accepts and learns from criticism, rebuke, or punishment. No contrast is intended between the meanings of discipline and correction. See the note on 13:18a–b, where the same two nouns occur.

In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit who does the correcting/rebuking. If that is true in your language, you may specify:

• “⌊his father’s⌋ correction” (exact contrast with 15:5a)

• “⌊another person’s⌋ correction” (general contrast with 15:5a).

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