“Where there is no prophecy
The people cast off restraint.
But happy are those who keep the law.
By mere words,
Servants are not disciplined.
Even though they understand,
They will not give heed.
Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
There is more hope for a fool
Than for anyone like that.”
Without the words of a prophet to guide people, they do not have restraint. The happy people are those that follow the law. It is not good enough to discipline servants with words. Even though they understand, they still do not follow. Therefore you may need the rod. Those who speak too fast are worse than a fool.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 