Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die.
Parallel translations
- WEB There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.
- KJV Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
- BSB Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
- ESV There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
- NKJV Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die.
- NASB There is severe punishment for one who abandons the way; One who hates a rebuke will die.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Stern discipline awaits those who abandon the right way, and hating correction leads to death. Rejecting reproof is deadly.
Overview
This proverb warns that forsaking the path of life invites severe discipline, and that to hate reproof is to court death. It presents correction not as cruelty but as a means of preserving life. The seriousness here points to the eternal stakes of refusing God's correcting word and the life found only in heeding it.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 12:1Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
- Prov 13:1A wise son listens to his father’s instruction, but a scoffer doesn’t listen to rebuke.
- John 3:20For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
- Prov 10:17He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
- John 7:7The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.
- 1 Kgs 21:20Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, my enemy?” He answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do that which is evil in Yahweh’s sight.
- 1 Kgs 18:17When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”
- Ezek 24:13–14In your filthiness is lewdness: because I have cleansed you and you weren’t cleansed, you shall not be cleansed from your filthiness any more, until I have caused my wrath toward you to rest.
- Prov 1:30They wanted none of my counsel. They despised all my reproof.
- 1 Kgs 22:8The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Yahweh, Micaiah the son of Imlah; but I hate him, for he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” Jehoshaphat said, “Don’t let the king say so.”
- Prov 5:12and say, “How I have hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
- Prov 23:35“They hit me, and I was not hurt! They beat me, and I don’t feel it! When will I wake up? I can do it again. I can find another.”
- Isa 1:5–6Why should you be beaten more, that you revolt more and more? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 15:10 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.