Lexicon :: Strong's H4148 - mûsār

“Behold, how happy and fortunate is the man whom God reproves,

So do not despise or reject the discipline of the Almighty [subjecting you to trial and suffering].

“He loosens the bond of kings

And binds their loins with a loincloth.

“I have heard the reproof which insults me,

But the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

“He opens their ears to instruction and discipline,

And commands that they return from evil.

“For you hate instruction and discipline

And cast My words behind you [discarding them].

To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;

To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

The [reverent] fear of the LORD [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence];

But arrogant [fn]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the LORD [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline];

Nor despise His rebuke,

Hear, O children, the instruction of a father,

And pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment.

Take hold of instruction; [actively seek it, grip it firmly and] do not let go.

Guard her, for she is your life.

And you say, “How I hated instruction and discipline,

And my heart despised correction and reproof!

He will die for lack of instruction (discipline),

And in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray and be lost.

For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light,

And reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,

Suddenly he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter [not knowing the outcome],

Or as one in stocks going to the correction [to be given] to a fool,

“Take my instruction rather than [seeking] silver,

And take knowledge rather than choicest gold,

“Heed (pay attention to) instruction and be wise,

And do not ignore or neglect it.

He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing],

But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

Whoever loves instruction and discipline loves knowledge,

But he who hates reproof and correction is stupid.

A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction,

But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.

Poverty and shame will come to him who refuses instruction and discipline,

But he who accepts and learns from reproof or censure is honored.

He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,

But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].

A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction,

But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense.

There is severe discipline for him who [fn]turns from the way [of righteousness];

And he who hates correction will die.

He who neglects and ignores instruction and discipline despises himself,

But he who learns from rebuke acquires understanding [and grows in wisdom].

Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,

But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,

That you may be wise in the time to come.

Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;

The rod of discipline [correction administered with godly wisdom and lovingkindness] will remove it far from him.

Apply your heart to discipline

And your ears to words of knowledge.

[fn]Buy truth, and do not sell it;

Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

When I saw, I considered it well;

I looked and received instruction.

O LORD, they sought You in distress;

They managed only a prayerful whisper

When Your discipline was upon them.

But He was wounded for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing];

The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him,

And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.

“In vain I have punished your people [with the consequences of their disobedience];

They received no insight from correction [and refused to change].

Your [own] sword has devoured your prophets

Like a destroying lion.

O LORD, do not Your eyes look for truth?

You [have seen their faithless heart and] have stricken them,

But they did not weaken;

You have consumed them,

But they refused to take correction or instruction.

They have made their faces harder than rock;

They have refused to repent and return to You.

But they are altogether irrational and stupid and foolish

In their discipline of delusion—their idol is [only] wood [it is ridiculous, empty and worthless]!

‘All your lovers (allies) have forgotten you;

They do not seek and long for you.

For I have injured you with the wound of an enemy,

With the punishment of a cruel and merciless foe,

Because your guilt is great

And your sins are glaring and innumerable.

The revolters have gone deep into depravity,

But I [the LORD God] will chastise them all.

She did not listen and heed the voice [of God];

She accepted no correction.

She did not trust in the LORD [but trusted her own power];

She did not draw near to her God [but to the pagan gods of Baal or Molech].

“I said, ‘Most certainly you will [reverently] fear Me;

Accept correction.’

So Jerusalem’s dwelling will not be cut off

In accordance with all that I have appointed concerning her [punishment],

But they were eager [even rising early] to make all their deeds corrupt.