“Discipline your son, and he will give you rest”: “Discipline your son” is the same as in 19.18. Note that Good News Translation has “children.” “Give you rest” is a positive way of saying, for example, “they will not cause you worry,” as the undisciplined child in verse 15 does.

“He will give delight to your heart”: The word translated “delight” most often refers to rich, tasty food, but is used here metaphorically. It may be understood as “the delights you desire” (Revised English Bible). “Your heart” is literally “your soul,” which may mean “you” or “what you desire.” Contemporary English Version translates this saying “If you correct your children, they will bring you peace and happiness.”

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 .