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Advice to the Young

My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do. My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life. Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart. (A)If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. (B)Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. 10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.

11 (C)My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. 12 (D)The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.

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Admonition to Trust and Honor God

My child, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments,(A)
for length of days and years of life
    and abundant welfare they will give you.(B)

Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(C)
Then you will find favor and high regard
    in the sight of God and of people.(D)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.(E)
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.(F)
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(G)
It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.(H)

Honor the Lord with your substance
    and with the first fruits of all your produce;(I)
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,(J)
12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.(K)

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My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart;
for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.

Do not let grace and truth leave you —
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and esteem
in the sight of God and of people.

Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.

Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.
This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.

Honor Adonai with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your income.
10 Then your granaries will be filled
and your vats overflow with new wine.

11 My son, don’t despise Adonai’s discipline
or resent his reproof;
12 for Adonai corrects those he loves
like a father who delights in his son.

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Don’t Assume You Know It All

1-2 Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
    take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
    a long life lived full and well.

3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
    Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
    in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
    Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
    your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
    give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
    your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
    don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
    a father’s delight is behind all this.

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