12 Let no one look down on [you because of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.

6 In a similar way urge the young men to be sensible and self-controlled and to behave wisely [taking life seriously].

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. 2 Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise— 3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may have a long life on the earth. [Ex 20:12]

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline]. 2 Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]—this is the first commandment with a promise—

1 Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], "I have no enjoyment and delight in them"; [2 Sam 19:35]

1 Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], "I have no enjoyment and delight in them"; [2 Sam 19:35] 2 before the sun and the light, and the moon and the stars are darkened [by impaired vision], and the clouds [of depression] return after the rain [of tears]; 3 in the day when the keepers of the house (hands, arms) tremble, and the strong men (feet, knees) bow themselves, and the grinders (molar teeth) cease because they are few, and those (eyes) who look through the windows grow dim;

9 Rejoice, young man, in your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant in the days of your young manhood. And walk in the ways of your heart and in the desires of your eyes, but know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things.

10 Therefore, remove sorrow and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, for childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. [2 Cor 7:1; 2 Tim 2:22]

13 A poor yet wise youth is better than an old and foolish king who *no longer knows how to receive instruction and counsel (friendly reproof, warning)—

30 Even youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]

Will gain new strength and renew their power;

They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];

They will run and not become weary,

They will walk and not grow tired. [Heb 12:1-3]

28 "It shall come about after this

That I shall pour out My Spirit on all mankind;

And your sons and your daughters will prophesy,

Your old men will dream dreams,

Your young men will see visions.

29 "Even on the male and female servants

I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all kinds of literature and wisdom; Daniel also understood all kinds of visions and dreams. [Luke 21:15; James 1:5-7]

18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring all the young men in [before him], the commander of the officials presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king spoke with them, and among them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they were [selected and] assigned to stand before the king and enter his personal service.

29 The glory of young men is their [physical] strength,

And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].

11 Even a boy is known and distinguished by his acts,

Whether his conduct is pure and right.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?

By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].

11 Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

5 For You are my hope;

O Lord God, You are my trust and the source of my confidence from my youth.

12 Both young men and virgins;

Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

For His name alone is exalted and supreme;

His glory and majesty are above earth and heaven.

1 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:

2 To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;

To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

3 To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness,

Righteousness, justice, and integrity;

4 That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled],

And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth,

19 Listen, my son, and be wise,

And direct your heart in the way [of the Lord].

20 Do not associate with heavy drinkers of wine,

Or with gluttonous eaters of meat, [Is 5:22; Luke 21:34; Rom 13:13; Eph 5:18]

21 For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty,

And the drowsiness [of overindulgence] will clothe one with rags.

22 Listen to your father, who sired you,

And do not despise your mother when she is old.

6 Then I said, "Ah, Lord God!

Behold, I do not know how to speak,

For I am [only] a young man." [Ex 4:10; 6:12, 30; 1 Kin 3:7]

7 But the Lord said to me,

"Do not say, ‘I am [only] a young man,’

Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,

And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

8 "Do not be afraid of them [or their hostile faces],

For I am with you [always] to protect you and deliver you," says the Lord.

11 For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. [Deut 4:29, 30] 14 I will be found by you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and I will [free you and] gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,’ says the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do [everything] in accordance with the entire law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper and be successful wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be *successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

5 Likewise, you younger men [of lesser rank and experience], be subject to your elders [seek their counsel]; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another [tie on the servant’s apron], for God is opposed to the proud [the disdainful, the presumptuous, and He defeats them], but He gives grace to the humble. [Prov 3:34]

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, [John 3:30]

14 I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has existed from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong and vigorous, and the word of God remains [always] in you, and you have been victorious over the evil one [by accepting Jesus as Savior].

13 Let us conduct ourselves properly and honorably as in the [light of] day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and irresponsibility, not in quarreling and jealousy.

27 It is good for a man that he should bear

The yoke [of godly discipline] in his youth.