12 Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.

6 Tell the young men to have self-control in everything.

1 *Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, 2 *"Obey your father and your mother, 3 and you will have a long and happy life."

1 *Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says, 2 *"Obey your father and your mother,

1 Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, "I don’t enjoy life anymore."

1 Keep your Creator in mind while you are young! In years to come, you will be burdened down with troubles and say, "I don’t enjoy life anymore."

2 Someday the light of the sun

and the moon and the stars

will all seem dim to you.

Rain clouds will remain

over your head.

3 Your body will grow feeble,

your teeth will decay,

and your eyesight fail.

9 Be cheerful and enjoy life while you are young! Do what you want and find pleasure in what you see. But don’t forget that God will judge you for everything you do.

10 Rid yourself of all worry and pain, because the wonderful moments of youth quickly disappear.

13 You may be poor and young, but if you are wise, you are better off than a foolish old king who won’t listen to advice.

30 Even young people get tired,

then stumble and fall.

31 But those who trust the Lord

will find new strength.

They will be strong like eagles

soaring upward on wings;

they will walk and run

without getting tired.

28 *Later, I will give my Spirit

to everyone.

Your sons and daughters

will prophesy.

Your old men

will have dreams,

and your young men

will see visions.

29 In those days I will even give

my Spirit to my servants,

both men and women.

17 God made the four young men smart and wise. They read a lot of books and became well educated. Daniel could also tell the meaning of dreams and visions.

18 At the end of the three-year period set by King Nebuchadnezzar, his chief palace official brought all the young men to him. 19 The king interviewed them and discovered that none of the others were as outstanding as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were given positions in the royal court.

29 Young people take pride

in their strength,

but the gray hairs of wisdom

are even more beautiful.

11 The good or bad

that children do

shows what they are like.

9 Young people can live

a clean life

by obeying your word.

11 I treasure your word

above all else;

it keeps me from sinning

against you.

5 I depend on you,

and I have trusted you

since I was young.

12 every man and every woman,

young people and old,

come praise the Lord!

13 All creation, come praise

the name of the Lord.

Praise his name alone.

The glory of God is greater

than heaven and earth.

1 *These are the proverbs

of King Solomon of Israel,

the son of David.

2 Proverbs will teach you

wisdom and self-control

and how to understand

sayings with deep meanings.

3 You will learn what is right

and honest and fair.

4 From these, an ordinary person

can learn to be smart,

and young people can gain

knowledge and good sense.

19 Listen to me, my children!

Be wise and have enough sense

to follow the right path.

20 Don’t be a heavy drinker

or stuff yourself with food.

21 It will make you feel drowsy,

and you will end up poor

with only rags to wear.

22 Pay attention to your father,

and don’t neglect your mother

when she grows old.

6 I replied, "I’m not a good speaker, Lord, and I’m too young."

7 "Don’t say you’re too young," the Lord answered. "If I tell you to go and speak to someone, then go! And when I tell you what to say, don’t leave out a word! 8 I promise to be with you and keep you safe, so don’t be afraid."

11 I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. 12 You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. 13 *You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you 14 and accept your worship. Then I will gather you from all the nations where I scattered you, and you will return to Jerusalem.

6-8 *Long ago I promised the ancestors of Israel that I would give this land to their descendants. So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law* he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land.

9 I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

5 *All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say,

"God opposes proud people,

but he helps everyone

who is humble."

6 *Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes.

14 Children, I am writing you,

because you have known

the Father.

Parents, I am writing you,

because you have known

the one who was there

from the beginning.

Young people, I am writing you,

because you are strong.

God’s message is firm

in your hearts,

and you have defeated

the evil one.

13 So behave properly, as people do in the day. Don’t go to wild parties or get drunk or be vulgar or indecent. Don’t quarrel or be jealous.

27 When we are young,

it is good to struggle hard