TUESDAY 25TH AUGUST 2026 IGNITE YOUTH DEVOTIONAL Topic: Learn to Say No Bible Reference My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10 (NKJV) A Short Story Joshua was a serious student who had always wanted to do well in school. He attended church regularly, respected his parents, and had decided that he would not allow anything to destroy his future. However, things began to change when he entered a new group of friends in school. They were confident, popular, and always seemed to be having fun. One Friday afternoon, the group invited Joshua to join them at a party. He knew that some of the things that happened at their parties were not things he should be involved in, so he politely declined. His friends laughed at him and told him that he was behaving like a small boy. Joshua felt embarrassed, especially because some girls were also there. He eventually changed his mind and decided to go with them. At the party, things quickly became different from what Joshua had expected. Some people were drinking, others were taking drugs, and several young people were involved in things he knew were wrong. Joshua wanted to leave, but his friends told him not to spoil the fun. They kept telling him that he needed to relax and stop acting like a church boy. Joshua stayed longer than he planned. Before he left, he had joined in some of the things he had promised himself he would never do. On his way home, he felt terrible. He realised that he had not done those things because he wanted to. He had done them because he was afraid of what his friends would say if he refused. That night, Joshua sat quietly in his room and thought about what had happened. He remembered how easy it was to say no when he was alone, but how difficult it became when people around him were laughing and putting pressure on him. He understood that his greatest problem was not that he did not know what was right. His problem was that he wanted to be accepted. Joshua made a decision that night. He would rather lose a few friends than lose his values, his peace, and his future. He learned that saying no is sometimes the strongest thing a young person can do. Today's Message There are times when your greatest test will not come from an obvious enemy. It will come from a friend saying, Come on, everybody is doing it. Many young people know what is right but struggle to do it because they are afraid of being laughed at, rejected, or called old fashioned. You may face pressure to drink, smoke, sleep with someone, cheat in an examination, join a bad group, waste your money, follow unhealthy trends, lie for a friend, or do something wrong simply because you do not want to feel left out. The pressure may even come through social media, where people make wrong behaviour look normal and attractive. The Bible gives a simple instruction in Proverbs 1:10: do not consent. In other words, do not agree to follow people into what you know is wrong. Scripture does not tell you to debate with temptation for hours. There are situations where the wisest response is simply to say no and walk away. Proverbs 1:10 directly addresses the kind of pressure young people face when others try to persuade them to do what is wrong. Saying no does not mean that you hate people. You can love your friends without following them into sin. You can respect people without copying everything they do. You can be friendly with people who have different choices from yours while still keeping your own convictions. Your faith should not disappear simply because you are around people who do not share it. You also need to understand that every yes has a consequence. When you say yes to cheating, you are saying no to honesty. When you say yes to sexual immorality, you are saying no to purity. When you say yes to drugs, you are saying no to self control. When you say yes to reckless spending, you are saying no to financial discipline. When you say yes to the wrong relationship, you may be saying no to the peace and purpose God wants for your life. The people around you can influence your choices. First Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company can corrupt good character. This is why you must be careful about the people you allow to have strong influence over your life. Your friends should not constantly make it difficult for you to obey God. You do not need everybody to approve of you. Some people will laugh when you refuse to join them. Some may call you boring. Some may stop inviting you to certain places. Some may even say that you are trying to be too holy. Do not allow the fear of losing people to make you lose yourself. There is strength in being able to say, I cannot do this. There is strength in leaving a conversation that is becoming sinful. There is strength in ending a relationship that is pulling you away from God. There is strength in refusing to cheat when everyone else is cheating. There is strength in walking away from an opportunity that requires you to compromise your values. Your future is more important than temporary acceptance. Learn to say no before you find yourself in a situation where saying no becomes much harder. Decide your values before the pressure comes. Know what you believe. Know what the Bible teaches. Know what kind of person you want to become. When the wrong invitation comes, you will not need to spend too much time thinking about it because you have already made up your mind. Remember this: You do not have to say yes just because somebody asked you. Sometimes your greatest act of courage is simply saying no. What To Do Today 1. Think about one area where you often struggle to say no because of pressure from friends or other people. 2. Decide what your Christian values are in that area and make up your mind not to compromise them. 3. Look carefully at your closest friends. Ask yourself whether they are helping you become a better person or making it harder for you to obey God. 4. Practise saying no to wrong things without feeling guilty. You do not owe anyone an explanation for choosing what is right. Prayer Lord, give me the courage to say no when I am being pressured to do what is wrong. Help me not to live for the approval of people. Give me wisdom to choose my friends carefully and strength to stand by my convictions. Help me to value my future, my character, and my relationship with You more than temporary acceptance. When temptation comes, help me to recognise it and walk away. Let my decisions honour You in every area of my life. In Jesus' name, Amen. Daily Challenge Today, practise saying no to one thing that does not help your spiritual life, character, studies, career, relationships, or future. Remember: Every time you say no to what can destroy you, you are saying yes to the future God has prepared for you. ©️ Anthony Ijere Christian Author and Revivalist

Romans 5:6-8 ESV [6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— [8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ❤️🙏🔥✨

The things the Lord have against us. Revelation 2 [KJV] [vs: 14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. These verse reveals to us that though the Lord is always glad of some good things we have done there may some areas in our life which he is not happy with, we should not be content in the areas we are doing well but should strive to be sound in all areas of our spiritual life. "What are the areas that Christ is not happy with the pergamos church? 1,torerance of false prophets and teachers. 2, permission of false doctrines .  3, accepting practices that became stumbbling blocks among them  4, eating things sacrificed to idols  5, prevailing acts of fornication. From all these we understand that when any church or individual begins to allow false prophets and teachers and their teachings the results will be backsliding and sins there is a strong connection between false doctrines and a lifestyle of sin. *Any doctrine that downplays sin, make sin less serious than it is, excuses sin, make people to fear  not God's judgement against sin, teaches that grace covers our sinful lifestyle is a false doctrine. False teachers being religious secret sinners can only lead the people that hears them to error,  sin and damnation.  Application: We should not hear , believes or follow those that teaches any doctrine that contradicts the biblical truths . 23 August 2026

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. (Rom 5:8-10)

A NUGGET OF TRUTH God’s moral law was never intended to define sin for Israel alone. Paul states plainly: “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law… these… shew the work of the law written in their hearts.” —Romans 2:14–15 Gentiles could be judged as sinners because the moral standard of God applied to them also. Paul adds: “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law… for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” —Romans 2:12–13 The law reveals sin: “By the law is the knowledge of sin.” —Romans 3:20 And sin is not limited to Jews: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” —Romans 3:23 The same God justifies both Jew and Gentile through faith: “Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also.” —Romans 3:29 And that faith does not abolish His law: “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” —Romans 3:31 The New Testament therefore presents one God, one definition of sin, one gospel, one Saviour, and one moral standard for humanity. Salvation is not earned by obedience. It is received by grace through faith. But the faith that saves does not erase God’s law—it writes His law upon the heart and produces obedience. One Saviour. One Gospel. One Moral Law. One way of salvation for Jew and Gentile.

SERMON AS SON HAS SHOWN me, His servant &witness Reagan. testifying to what he shown/ spoke to me IN VISIONS l Saw after vanished. & share them to last age people As— Red 7 vision offering Two Edges,(one of judgement of correction & another destruction). And Green 7 vision for Sealing. Preaching it in Uganda, &unto living ones in this last age. Heb1:2, acts26:16, proverbs 29:18. TITLE: RED 7 AND GREEN 7 — JUDGMENT OF TWO EDGES Text: Hebrews 1:2, Acts 26:16, 1 Peter 4:17, Rev 14:1-5 INTRODUCTION: A WITNESS — NOT ONE OF THE TWO, BUT WITNESS OF WHAT SON HAS SHOWN ME Acts 26:16 — “I have appeared to you to appoint you servant and witness to things you have seen.” Heb 1:2 — In these last days God has spoken to us by His Son. I, Reagan, am not one of Two Witnesses Rev 11. I am witness of what Son has shown and spoken to me in visions — Green 7 and Red 7 — unto you of last days, including Uganda. I. RED 7 FIRST EDGE — JUDGMENT OF CORRECTION — BEGAN AT HIS HOUSE — AT ME FIRST 1 Peter 4:17 — Judgment begins at household of God. Prov 24:16 — Righteous falls seven times and rises again. God showed me Red 7 first upon me: I fell — righteous falls 7 times He disciplined me — not condemnation — Rom 8:1 — No condemnation in Christ Heb 12:6 — Whom Lord loves He chastens He punished me and shaped me back with grace — Heb 12:11 — painful for moment, afterward yields peaceable fruit of righteousness I repented. 1 John 1:7 — Blood of Jesus His Son cleansed me from all sin Purified me from all sin. Then GREEN 7 came: Spirit set me apart — made me holy — 2 Cor 6:17 — Come out and be separate Anointed me — 1 John 2:20 — anointing from Holy One Separated from compromising world and its things — 1 John 2:15 Appointed as His servant witness by Himself Jesus — Gal 1:1 — not from man Sealed and confirmed among 144,000 — Rev 7:3, Rev 14:1, Eph 1:13 — sealed with Holy Spirit This is what blameless, faithful, virgin means — Rev 14:4-5 — no lie in mouth, follow Lamb wherever He goes. Purity = faithfulness. II. SAME NATURE NOW TO YOU — BACKSLIDDEN CHURCH As it was to me first, so to you backslidden church now. You have fallen. Example before our eyes in Uganda: CONSECRATION OF FEMALE BISHOP — not in alignment with 1 Tim 3:1-7 — bishop must be husband of one wife — Titus 1:6-9 — elder husband of one wife. Word is clear. Collecting offerings, tithing while forgetting suffering churches — James 2:15-16, Acts 20:33-35 Doing after flesh desires, self interest, pride — 2 Tim 3:2-5, Phil 3:19 This is seen by God. Red 7 warning was given already. God calls you same way He called me: REPENT. OBEY WORD. PURSUE CLEAN LIFE BY WORD + PRAYER. 1 Tim 4:5 — sanctified by Word of God and prayer 2 Chron 7:14 — If My people humble themselves and turn from wicked ways, I will heal their land. Rev 14:12 — Endurance of saints who keep commandments and faith of Jesus Then: Blood will cleanse you as it cleansed me — Rev 1:5 — Washed us from sins in His own blood Green 7 will set you apart, make holy You will be sealed and confirmed among 144,000 — Rev 7:3 III. RED 7 SECOND EDGE — JUDGMENT OF DESTRUCTION — IN REFUSAL If you refuse correction, Red 7 second edge comes. Not only correction — also destruction — as you have seen: Gen 11:4-8 — Tower of Babel — men made name for self against God — God scattered and destroyed their work. Rev 9:20-21 — Men not killed by plagues still did NOT repent — so greater judgment. Rev 16:8-11 — Bowls poured — men blasphemed and did not repent. 2 Thess 1:8-9 — In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who obey not gospel. To you sinners, unbelievers, same word: God’s judgment is upon you. Rom 6:23 — Wages of sin is death. Repent. Go spiritual rebirth — John 3:3 — Must be born again — obey gospel and live. Because failure to do so — life in sin is death. Ezek 18:23 — I have no pleasure in death of wicked, but that he turn and live. If you repent, obey — His blood cleanses all sin and you live — Acts 2:38 — Repent and be baptized and you shall receive gift of Holy Spirit. But in refusal — perish in sin by judgment of destruction — Rev 20:15 — Whosoever not found written in book of life was cast into lake of fire. ALTER CALL: Two edges set before you today -- as set before me. 1). choose Green 7 vision and Red 7 vision. First edge: repent, be washed, be set apart, be sealed among 144000. Or choose Red 7 vision, Second edge: Refuse, and perish -- tower of babel, was judgement of correction, rev9, rev16, Deut 30:19-- l have set before you life and death-- therefore choose life. Repent, obey word, pursue clean life by word+ prayer, be clean before God in name of lamb who stands on mt. Zion with 144000. Amen 🙏

📌 Today's Readings are from the Book of 2 Kings 21–22 | Galatians 6 📌 👇 Overviews Are Below (PLEASE READ YOUR BIBLE: Overviews Do Not Replace Daily Reading) 👇 2 Kings 21 The Depth of Sin and the Patience of God 2 Kings 21 records one of the darkest chapters in Judah's history through the reign of King Manasseh. Unlike his father Hezekiah, who led the nation in spiritual reform, Manasseh reverses nearly every godly change that had been made. He rebuilds the high places, promotes idol worship, practices occult activities, and even places pagan altars within the temple itself. Judah sinks into spiritual corruption unlike anything seen before. The tragedy of Manasseh's reign is not simply that he sins personally, but that he leads an entire nation into greater rebellion. Leadership always carries influence. The king's decisions shape the spiritual direction of the people, and under Manasseh the nation becomes more corrupt than the pagan nations God had originally driven out of the land. Despite such widespread wickedness, God continues speaking through His prophets. He warns Judah repeatedly, calling the people to repentance before judgment comes. Yet the nation refuses to listen. God's patience is extraordinary, but His warnings are not ignored forever. The Lord announces that judgment upon Jerusalem has become inevitable because of persistent and deliberate rebellion. After Manasseh's death, his son Amon continues the same sinful pattern. Rather than learning from the consequences of his father's rebellion, he deepens the nation's decline. His reign is brief, ending through violence, further illustrating the instability that sin produces. Although this chapter emphasizes judgment, it also quietly reveals God's faithfulness. The covenant with David remains intact. Even in the midst of overwhelming darkness, God's redemptive plan continues moving toward the coming Messiah. Human sin cannot overturn divine promises. Theologically, 2 Kings 21 reveals both the seriousness of sin and the remarkable patience of God. Persistent rebellion hardens the heart and eventually brings judgment, yet God's repeated warnings demonstrate His desire that people would repent rather than perish. This chapter points to Christ, who came to bear the judgment that humanity deserved. Where Manasseh filled the land with sin, Jesus came to cleanse sinners through His sacrificial death. The darkness of human rebellion only magnifies the greatness of God's redeeming grace revealed in Christ. For believers today, 2 Kings 21 reminds us never to underestimate the influence of our choices. Sin tolerated today often becomes greater compromise tomorrow. Yet it also reminds us that God's patience is an invitation to repentance. In Christ, forgiveness is available for every repentant heart, and His grace is greater than even the darkest chapters of our lives. 2 Kings 22 Rediscovering God's Word 2 Kings 22 introduces the reign of Josiah, one of Judah's most faithful kings. Coming to the throne as a young boy after generations of spiritual decline, Josiah demonstrates that age does not limit God's ability to use someone who seeks Him wholeheartedly. From the beginning of his reign, he desires to honor the Lord and restore proper worship. As repairs begin on the temple, an extraordinary discovery is made. The Book of the Law is found after having been neglected for many years. The fact that God's Word had been lost within God's own house reveals how far the nation had drifted. Religious activity had continued, but the authority of Scripture had been forgotten. When the book is read to Josiah, his response is immediate and profound. Rather than defending himself or ignoring what he hears, he humbles himself before the Lord. He tears his clothes in grief, recognizing that the nation has failed to obey God's covenant. His heart is broken not merely because judgment has been announced, but because God's people have wandered so far from His truth. Josiah seeks the Lord through the prophetess Huldah, who confirms that God's judgment upon Judah will indeed come because of generations of rebellion. Yet because Josiah humbled himself and responded with genuine repentance, God promises that the coming judgment will not occur during his lifetime. The king experiences God's mercy because he responds to God's Word with humility rather than resistance. The chapter demonstrates that true revival always begins with the rediscovery of God's Word. Spiritual renewal is not produced by emotion or tradition alone but by humble submission to the truth God has revealed. Theologically, 2 Kings 22 teaches that God's Word possesses the power to expose sin, awaken repentance, and lead people back to faithful obedience. It also reveals that God honors humble hearts. While His justice remains certain, His mercy is extended to those who genuinely repent. This chapter points directly to Christ, the living Word of God. Just as the rediscovered Book of the Law brought conviction and renewal, Jesus brings truth, exposes sin, and offers forgiveness to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. He fulfills the Law completely and invites believers into a restored relationship with the Father. For believers today, 2 Kings 22 reminds us that spiritual renewal always begins with God's Word. It is possible to maintain religious routines while neglecting the authority of Scripture. In Christ, we are called to approach God's Word with humility, allowing it to shape our hearts, expose areas needing repentance, and lead us into deeper obedience. When God's people return to His truth, genuine revival begins. Galatians 6 — Living Out the Freedom of the Christ Galatians chapter 6 concludes Paul's letter by showing what life looks like when believers truly understand the gospel of grace. After teaching that salvation is by faith and that believers are called to walk by the Spirit, Paul now demonstrates how these truths are lived out in daily relationships and faithful service. The redemptive plan of the Christ, the Son of God, produces a life marked by humility, compassion, perseverance, and a continual focus on the cross. The chapter begins by instructing believers to restore those who have fallen into sin with gentleness and humility. The goal is never condemnation but restoration. This reflects the heart of the Christ, who came to seek and restore the broken. Christian living requires believers to care for one another while remaining aware of their own need for God's grace. The Son of God calls His people to be instruments of healing rather than harsh judgment. Paul then encourages believers to bear one another's burdens. This command reflects the love of the Christ, who carried the greatest burden of all through His sacrifice on the cross. The redemptive plan creates a community where believers support, encourage, and strengthen one another through life's difficulties. Christian living is never isolated or self-centered but is lived within the fellowship of God's family. At the same time, Paul reminds believers that each person is responsible for faithfully carrying the responsibilities God has entrusted to them. These two truths complement one another. Believers are called both to help others with overwhelming burdens and to faithfully fulfill their own daily responsibilities before the Lord. The Son of God calls His followers to lives of personal faithfulness combined with compassionate service. The chapter introduces the principle of sowing and reaping. Every decision and every action produces consequences. Those who continually invest in sinful desires reap spiritual destruction, while those who continually invest in the things of the Spirit reap eternal blessings. This is not a teaching of salvation by works but a reminder that Christian living produces visible fruit. The redemptive plan transforms believers so that their lives increasingly reflect the character of the Christ. Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good. Faithful obedience often requires perseverance because the harvest is not always immediate. The Son of God calls His people to continue serving faithfully, trusting that God will bring fruit in His perfect timing. Christian living requires patience, endurance, and confidence that every act of obedience matters within God's eternal purposes. Another important emphasis is doing good to everyone, especially to fellow believers. The love of the Christ is never limited to words alone but expresses itself through practical acts of kindness, generosity, and service. The redemptive plan changes the priorities of God's people, leading them to seek opportunities to bless others as they have first been blessed by the Son of God. As Paul concludes the letter, he once again contrasts those who boast in religious performance with those who boast only in the cross of the Christ. The false teachers sought recognition through outward religious achievements, but Paul points entirely to the cross. Everything necessary for salvation has been accomplished through the Son of God. Christian living begins and ends with gratitude for His finished work rather than confidence in personal accomplishment. The chapter closes by declaring that what truly matters is the new creation brought about through the Christ. Outward religious distinctions cannot produce spiritual life. Only the redemptive plan accomplished by the Son of God can transform the human heart. Those who belong to Him have become new creations, and their lives now reflect His grace rather than their own efforts. Throughout Galatians chapter 6, the Christ remains the center of the believer's life. His cross provides salvation, His Spirit produces transformation, and His grace empowers faithful service. The redemptive plan creates a people who love one another, persevere in doing good, and live for His glory alone. For believers today, this chapter reminds us that true Christian living is the practical outworking of the gospel. We are called to restore the fallen with gentleness, carry one another's burdens, faithfully fulfill our own responsibilities, and never grow weary in serving the Lord. Our confidence rests entirely in the cross of the Christ, not in ourselves. As we walk by the Spirit and continue sowing lives of faithfulness, love, and obedience, we demonstrate the transforming power of the Son of God and participate in His eternal redemptive plan. #DailyBibleReading #OpenYourBible #StudyTheWord #ScriptureForToday #FaithJourney #GodsWord #BibleTime #WalkWithGod

DAILY BREAD FELLOWSHIP DBF-001-030 Today’s Scripture John 2:9 (ESV) “When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.” Opening the Scriptures The servants had done exactly what Jesus commanded. They filled the jars with water. They drew from them. Then they carried what they had drawn to the master of the feast. Now John tells us what had happened. The water had become wine. There is no elaborate description of the miracle. John does not tell us when or how the transformation occurred. He simply states the fact. Jesus had done what no servant could do. The servants could carry the water. They could fill the jars. They could take what Jesus provided to the master of the feast. But only Christ possessed the power to transform the water into wine. There is another fascinating detail. The master of the feast did not know where the wine had come from. But the servants knew. They had witnessed what happened because they had been obedient to Christ. Living God’s Word Today There is an important distinction here for every Christian. God calls us to serve Him faithfully, but we must never confuse our service with His power. We can preach the Gospel, but we cannot give someone a new heart. We can teach Scripture, but we cannot force someone to believe it. We can encourage a struggling person, but we cannot transform that person’s life. We can plant. We can water. But God gives the growth. That truth should produce humility in every Christian ministry. Whenever lives are changed, sinners repent, churches grow stronger, families are restored, or people come to understand God’s Word, we must resist the temptation to take credit for what only God can accomplish. We are servants. Christ is Lord. The servants at Cana had an extraordinary privilege. They knew where the wine had come from because they had been close enough to Christ to hear His command and obedient enough to carry it out. There is a lesson there for us. Faithful service often allows us to witness God’s work from a perspective others may never see. Someone else may see only the result. The servant remembers the empty jars. The servant remembers carrying the water. The servant knows that the power did not come from him. Therefore, when God uses your service for His purposes, never say: “Look what I accomplished.” Instead say: “Look what Christ has done.” Question for Today When God accomplishes something through your service, who receives the glory? Respond: “All glory belongs to God.”

The things the Lord have against us. Revelation 2 [KJV] [vs: 14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. These verse reveals to us that though the Lord is always glad of some good things we have done there may some areas in our life which he is not happy with, we should not be content in the areas we are doing well but should strive to be sound in all areas of our spiritual life. "What are the areas that Christ is not happy with the pergamos church? 1,torerance of false prophets and teachers. 2, permission of false doctrines .  3, accepting practices that became stumbbling blocks among them  4, eating things sacrificed to idols  5, prevailing acts of fornication. From all these we understand that when any church or individual begins to allow false prophets and teachers and their teachings the results will be backsliding and sins there is a strong connection between false doctrines and a lifestyle of sin. *Any doctrine that downplays sin, make sin less serious than it is, excuses sin, make people to fear  not God's judgement against sin, teaches that grace covers our sinful lifestyle is a false doctrine. False teachers being religious secret sinners can only lead the people that hears them to error,  sin and damnation.  Application: We should not hear , believes or follow those that teaches any doctrine that contradicts the biblical truths . 23 August 2026

PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 23) 1. When you sit down to eat with a ruler, Consider carefully what is before you; 2. And put a knife to your throat If you are a man given to appetite. 3. Do not desire his delicacies, For they are deceptive food. 4. Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5. Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. 6. Do not eat the bread of a miser, Nor desire his delicacies; 7. For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. 8. The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, And waste your pleasant words. 9. Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words. 10. Do not remove the ancient landmark, Nor enter the fields of the fatherless; 11. For their Redeemer is mighty; He will plead their cause against you. 12. Apply your heart to instruction, And your ears to words of knowledge. 13. Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. 14. You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell. 15. My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; 16. Yes, my inmost being will rejoice When your lips speak right things. 17. Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; 18. For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. 19. Hear, my son, and be wise; And guide your heart in the way. 20. Do not mix with winebibbers, Or with gluttonous eaters of meat; 21. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe a man with rags. 22. Listen to your father who begot you, And do not despise your mother when she is old. 23. Buy the truth, and do not sell it, Also wisdom and instruction and understanding. 24. The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who begets a wise child will delight in him. 25. Let your father and your mother be glad, And let her who bore you rejoice. 26. My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways. 27. For a harlot is a deep pit, And a seductress is a narrow well. 28. She also lies in wait as for a victim, And increases the unfaithful among men. 29. Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has contentions? Who has complaints? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? 30. Those who linger long at the wine, Those who go in search of mixed wine. 31. Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup, When it swirls around smoothly; 32. At the last it bites like a serpent, And stings like a viper. 33. Your eyes will see strange things, And your heart will utter perverse things. 34. Yes, you will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, Or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: 35. “They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink?”