LORD, how happy are those you instruct, the ones to whom you teach your law!

My child, when the LORD corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning.

The LORD corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.

"I hear the people of Israel say in grief, ' LORD, we were like an untamed animal, but you taught us to obey. Bring us back; we are ready to return to you, the LORD our God.

Have you forgotten the encouraging words which God speaks to you as his children? "My child, pay attention when the Lord corrects you, and do not be discouraged when he rebukes you.

Endure what you suffer as being a father's punishment; your suffering shows that God is treating you as his children. Was there ever a child who was not punished by his father?

In the case of our human fathers, they punished us and we respected them. How much more, then, should we submit to our spiritual Father and live!

When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.

Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him.

We call them happy because they endured. You have heard of Job's patience, and you know how the Lord provided for him in the end. For the Lord is full of mercy and compassion.

I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins.