1 The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2 to know wisdom and instruction;
to discern the words of understanding;
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young man—
11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings,
whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
6 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 both young men and maidens,
old men and children.
13 Let them praise the LORD’s name,
for his name alone is exalted.
His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
13 Let’s walk properly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
5 For you are my hope, Lord GOD,
my confidence from my youth.
19 Listen, my son, and be wise,
and keep your heart on the right path!
20 Don’t be amongst ones drinking too much wine,
or those who gorge themselves on meat;
21 for the drunkard and the glutton shall become poor;
and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
22 Listen to your father who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
and put away evil from your flesh;
for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
13 Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who doesn’t know how to receive admonition any more.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think towards you," says the LORD, "thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future. 12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You shall seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you," says the LORD, "and I will turn again your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD. I will bring you again to the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive."
17 Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them; and amongst them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore stood they before the king.
5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility and subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time,
7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
28 "It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
and your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams.
Your young men will see visions.
29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit.
14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God remains in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honour your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise:
1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come, and the years draw near,
when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"
2 Before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars are darkened,
and the clouds return after the rain;
3 in the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble,
and the strong men shall bow themselves,
and the grinders cease because they are few,
and those who look out of the windows are darkened,
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honour your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth."
1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth,
before the evil days come, and the years draw near,
when you will say, "I have no pleasure in them;"
9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart,
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgement.
29 The glory of young men is their strength.
The splendour of old men is their grey hair.
30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
31 but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.
6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. 8 Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you," says the LORD.
12 Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.