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Proverbs 3
Guidance For The Young
My Lord, please write your law on my heart so that I would never forget it. For length of days and long life and peace they will add to me. My Lord, please allow mercy and truth never to forsake me, bind them around my neck, write them on the tablet of my heart so that I may find favor and high esteem in Your sight my Lord, as well as man. Lord teach me to trust in You with all my heart and not to lean on my own understanding, but to acknowledge You in all my ways so that You may direct my paths. Lord, teach me not to be wise in my own eyes but to fear You and depart from evil, so that it will be health to my flesh and strength to my bones. Lord, please teach me not to be greedy. Oh Lord, teach me never to despise Your chastening nor detest Your correction. For who You love You correct, just as the father corrects the son in whom he delights. Father, teach me to find happiness in finding wisdom and understanding. For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. Lord, by wisdom You founded the earth, by understanding You established the heavens, by Your knowledge the depths were broken up and clouds drop down the dew. Lord let them not depart from my eyes, but may I keep sound wisdom and discretion. So that they will be life to my soul and grace to my neck. So that I may walk safely in my way, and my foot may not stumble. When I lie down, I will not be afraid, yes, I will lie down and my sleep will be sweet. I will not be afraid of sudden terror my Lord, because You are in control. You are the almighty God. Nor will I be afraid of trouble from the wicked when it comes, for You my Lord, will be my confidence and will keep my foot from being caught. Lord teach me not to withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of my hand to do so. Lord help me never to say to my neighbour, "Go and come back and tomorrow I will give it" when I have it with me. May I not devise evil against my neighbour, for he dwells by me for safety’s sake. May I not strive with a man without cause, if he has done me no harm. May I not be envious to the oppressor, and choose none of his ways, for the perverse person is an abomination to You Lord, but Your secret counsel is with the upright. Your curse Lord, is on the house of the wicked, but You bless the home of the just. Surely You scorn the scornful, but give grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools. Lord, thank You, for Your mercy is sufficient for me.
