12:6

Jehovah: In this quote from Pr 3:12, the divine name, represented by four Hebrew consonants (transliterated YHWH), occurs in the original Hebrew text. Therefore, the divine name is used here in the main text.​—See App. C1 and C2.

he scourges everyone whom he receives as a son: Paul here quotes the second half of Pr 3:12 according to the Septuagint, which uses the same Greek word that is here rendered “scourges.” In a literal sense, that word often referred to severe beatings that were meted out as punishment. (Mt 10:17; 20:19; Joh 19:1) However, Paul uses it figuratively to describe the trials and discipline that Jehovah may allow in order to train his people. (Heb 12:5 and study note) Such training may at times be severe, even taking the form of corrective punishment. Paul reminds his readers that although a trial or a punishment may feel like a scourging, the one being disciplined can take comfort, recognizing that God is treating him “as a son.” And as a loving Father, He always administers discipline “to the proper degree.”​—Jer 30:11.