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Bible Verses About Discipline

48 verses on this topic, ordered Genesis to Revelation

Throughout the biblical narrative, discipline emerges as a central expression of divine love and wisdom, guiding individuals and communities toward maturity and character formation. It is portrayed not merely as punitive correction but as a nurturing process that shapes hearts, refines conduct, and cultivates the virtues necessary for a faithful life. The metaphor of a parent lovingly guiding a child, the shepherd caring for the flock, and the artisan sharpening a tool all convey a vision of discipline as intentional, purposeful, and rooted in the desire for growth and flourishing.

In Scripture, discipline is linked with the pursuit of wisdom, the preservation of covenant relationship, and the preparation for service. It is presented as a means of averting danger, correcting error, and fostering perseverance, while also promising the blessings that flow from a life well‑ordered by God's guiding hand. This theme underscores the balance between justice and mercy, urging believers to embrace corrective instruction as a pathway to deeper trust, spiritual vitality, and the ultimate hope of transformation.

All 48 matching verses, ordered from Genesis to Revelation.

"He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity."

Job 36:10

"I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:"

2 Samuel 7:14

"O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure."

Psalms 6:1

"O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure."

Psalms 38:1

"Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

Proverbs 19:18

"Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words."

Daniel 10:12

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Revelation 3:19

"The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof."

Job 26:11

"Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you."

Proverbs 1:23

"But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:"

Proverbs 1:25

"They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof."

Proverbs 1:30

"And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;"

Proverbs 5:12

"He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth."

Proverbs 10:17

"Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish."

Proverbs 12:1

"Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

Proverbs 13:18

"A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent."

Proverbs 15:5

"Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

Proverbs 15:10

"The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise."

Proverbs 15:31

"He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."

Proverbs 15:32

"A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool."

Proverbs 17:10

"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

Proverbs 29:15

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

2 Timothy 3:16

"Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,"

Job 33:16

"Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee."

Psalms 50:17

"To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;"

Proverbs 1:2

"To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;"

Proverbs 1:3

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 1:7

"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"

Proverbs 1:8

"Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding."

Proverbs 4:1

"Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life."

Proverbs 4:13

"He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray."

Proverbs 5:23

"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"

Proverbs 6:23

"Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold."

Proverbs 8:10

"Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not."

Proverbs 8:33

"Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning."

Proverbs 9:9

"A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke."

Proverbs 13:1

"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."

Proverbs 15:33

"Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly."

Proverbs 16:22

"Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end."

Proverbs 19:20

"Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."

Proverbs 19:27

"Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge."

Proverbs 23:12

"Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding."

Proverbs 23:23

"Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."

Proverbs 24:32

"But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive instruction."

Jeremiah 17:23

"And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction."

Jeremiah 32:33

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD."

Jeremiah 35:13

"So it shall be a reproach and a taunt, an instruction and an astonishment unto the nations that are round about thee, when I shall execute judgments in thee in anger and in fury and in furious rebukes. I the LORD have spoken it."

Ezekiel 5:15

"I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off, howsoever I punished them: but they rose early, and corrupted all their doings."

Zephaniah 3:7

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