«The rod and reproof give wisdom»: Physical punishment was considered essential in the training of children, as in 13.24; 22.15; and 23.13-14. For «rod» see 10.13 and 13.24. «Reproof», as in verse 1, refers to correction or teaching. «Wisdom» here is education or good sense. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch translates “Cane and rebuke help make [a child] smart.”

«But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother»: For «child» see 20.11. «Left to himself» renders a verb meaning to send away or dismiss, but in this context it has the sense of being left to grow up without control or discipline. For «brings shame» see 10.5. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch renders this line “a child that is left on his own makes his mother ashamed.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “but a spoiled child embarrasses its mother”; this is expressed in one translation as “But if a child always does what he wants himself, he will make his mother have shame.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .