This refers to while the child is young and will still accept discipline and instruction. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: "while he is young" or "while he can still be taught" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])
Possible meanings are 1) this phrase describes punishing your child. Alternate translation: "but do not punish him so severely that he might die" or 2) this phrase describes what it is like if you do not punish your child. Alternate translation: "for if you do not punish him you are helping him destroy himself" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit]])
This idiom means to be determined to cause something to happen. Alternate translation: "be determined to put him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom]])