child abuse
What does the Bible say about child abuse? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
16 passages · most helpful first
4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but educate them with the discipline and correction of the Lord.
42And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life disabled, than having two hands to go into Hell, into the unquenchable fire,
18Teach your son; do not despair. But do not set your soul toward putting him to death.
6But whoever will have led astray one of these little ones, who trust in me, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck, and to be submerged in the depths of the sea.
21Fathers, do not provoke your children to indignation, lest they lose heart.
14But when Jesus saw this, he took offense, and he said to them: “Allow the little ones to come to me, and do not prohibit them. For of such as these is the kingdom of God.
6The proverb is: A youth is close to his way; even when he is old, he will not withdraw from it.
22If men will have quarreled, and one of them has struck a pregnant woman, and as a result she miscarries, but she herself survives, he shall be subject to as much damage as the husband of the woman shall petition from him, or as arbitrators shall judge.
8But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and drug users, and idolaters, and all liars, these shall be a part of the pool burning with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”
15Foolishness has been bound to the heart of a child, and a rod of discipline shall cause it to flee.
3Behold, the inheritance of the Lord is sons, the reward is the fruit of the womb. 4Like arrows in the hand of the powerful, so are the sons of those who have been cast out. 5Blessed is the man who has filled his desire from these things. He will not be confounded when he speaks to his enemies at the gate.
24He who spares the rod hates his son. But he who loves him urgently instructs him.
25Cursed be he who accepts gifts in order to strike down the life of innocent blood. And all the people shall say: Amen.
9Blessed is he who will take hold of your little ones and dash them against the rock.
7You shall flee from lies. The innocent and the just you shall not kill. For I shun the impious.
2It would be better for him if a millstone were placed around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than to lead astray one of these little ones.