Which verse states He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes?

• A. Proverbs 13:24
• B. Proverbs 29:15
• C. Colossians 3:23
• D. Sirach 7:23

Answer: (A)

This verse teaches that loving discipline is a vital part of parenting. It contradicts any idea that true love is shown by ignoring misbehavior. The phrase speaks plainly: withholding correction is linked to hatred for the child, while loving the child means correcting them promptly. “Betimes” emphasizes doing so early and at the right moment to guide behavior before problems grow.

Context helps, too. In Proverbs, discipline is paired with wisdom and instruction—correction is a means to teach right from wrong, not a punishment to vent anger. The “rod” is a metaphor for guiding correction, not an excuse for harsh treatment; the point is love expressed through timely rebuke when needed.

This exact line appears in Proverbs 13:24, which is why it is the best match for the wording in the question. The other options come from different verses or books and don’t contain this specific phrasing about sparing the rod and loving enough to chasten promptly.