10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings and the years of your life will be many.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make some one stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
11 I have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
12 When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Take hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, do not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; and they are robbed of sleep unless they make some one stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
Reminder: "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will. When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!
It is God's will:
- that we avoid the path of evil and bad company (4:14-15)
- that we hear and accept God's words (4:10)
- that we accept, keep and guard instruction (4:13)
Today's prayer:
Our Christ our Lord, protect us from evil. Keep us from the temptation of even hanging out with those who practice evil. Help us remember that their "fun" is deceptive and destructive, and does not have our best interest at heart.
Keep us walking in Your light. Keep us focused on You as our perfect example and our loving heavenly Father. Help us find and make good friends who will be encouraging, edifying and steadfast in Your word. Help us realize and remember that Your ways and Your instructions have our best interest at heart. Amen.
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