Ecclesiastes 12:1 Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, Before your vision dims and the world blurs And...

12:1 MSG

逐節對照

The Message - Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
新标点和合本 - 你趁着年幼、衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 你趁着年轻、衰老的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜悦的那些岁月来临之前，当记念造你的主。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 你趁着年轻、衰老的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜悦的那些岁月来临之前，当记念造你的主。
当代译本 - 年轻时要记住你的创造主，不要等到衰老的岁月来临时才哀叹：“我的日子毫无乐趣。”
圣经新译本 - 在你壮年的日子，当记念你的创造主。不要等到衰败的日子，就是你所说：“我毫无喜乐”的那些年日临到，
中文标准译本 - 因此，在你青春的日子里，当记念创造你的主—— 不要等到祸患的日子来到，不要等到你说“我在其中毫无喜乐”的岁月来临；
现代标点和合本 - 你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说“我毫无喜乐”的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
和合本（拼音版） - 你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
New International Version - Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—
New International Reader's Version - Remember your Creator. Remember him while you are still young. Think about him before your times of trouble come. The years will come when you will say, “I don’t find any pleasure in them.”
English Standard Version - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
New Living Translation - Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Christian Standard Bible - So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;
New American Standard Bible - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
New King James Version - Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:
Amplified Bible - 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”;
American Standard Version - Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
King James Version - Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
New English Translation - So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
World English Bible - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
新標點和合本 - 你趁着年幼、衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜樂的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 你趁着年輕、衰老的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜悅的那些歲月來臨之前，當記念造你的主。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 你趁着年輕、衰老的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜悅的那些歲月來臨之前，當記念造你的主。
當代譯本 - 年輕時要記住你的創造主，不要等到衰老的歲月來臨時才哀歎：「我的日子毫無樂趣。」
聖經新譯本 - 在你壯年的日子，當記念你的創造主。不要等到衰敗的日子，就是你所說：“我毫無喜樂”的那些年日臨到，
呂振中譯本 - 你要在青年的日子想念着創造你、的主，就是在衰敗的日子還未來到，在你所說對於它毫無樂趣的那些年日還未臨近之先，
中文標準譯本 - 因此，在你青春的日子裡，當記念創造你的主—— 不要等到禍患的日子來到，不要等到你說「我在其中毫無喜樂」的歲月來臨；
現代標點和合本 - 你趁著年幼，衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說「我毫無喜樂」的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
文理和合譯本 - 時當少壯、困苦之日未臨、所謂不悅之年未至、宜念造爾之主、
文理委辦譯本 - 年當少壯、必及時敬造化之主、宜憶勿忘、斯時也、患難憂愁之日尚未至。
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 爾在幼時、患難之日未來、爾所不悅之年未至、當及時記憶造爾之主、
Nueva Versión Internacional - Acuérdate de tu creador en los días de tu juventud, antes que lleguen los días malos y vengan los años en que digas: «No encuentro en ellos placer alguno»;
현대인의 성경 - 너는 아직 젊을 때, 곧 고난의 날이 오기 전에, 아무 낙이 없다고 말할 때가 되기 전에 너의 창조자를 기억하라.
Новый Русский Перевод - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжелые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Et tiens compte de ton Créateur ╵au temps de ta jeunesse, avant que t’adviennent ╵les jours mauvais et avant que viennent ╵les années dont tu te diras : « Je n’y prends pas plaisir ! » ;
リビングバイブル - 若い日を夢中で楽しむあまり、あなたの造り主を忘れてはいけません。生きていることを楽しむ余裕などない逆境の時が来る前に、神を信じなさい。
Nova Versão Internacional - Lembre-se do seu Criador nos dias da sua juventude, antes que venham os dias difíceis e se aproximem os anos em que você dirá: “Não tenho satisfação neles”;
Hoffnung für alle - Denk schon als junger Mensch an deinen Schöpfer, bevor die beschwerlichen Tage kommen und die Jahre näher rücken, in denen du keine Freude mehr am Leben hast.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Hãy nghĩ đến Đấng Tạo Hóa trong những ngày thanh xuân. Hãy tôn ngợi Chúa khi còn niên thiếu, trước những ngày khó khăn chưa đến và nói: “Đời sống không còn gì vui thú.”
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - เจ้าจงระลึกถึงพระผู้สร้างของเจ้า ตลอดวันเวลาที่เจ้ายังเยาว์วัย ก่อนยามทุกข์ลำเค็ญจะมาถึง และปีเดือนเหล่านั้นใกล้เข้ามา เมื่อเจ้าจะพูดว่า “ฉันไม่เห็นชื่นชมอะไรในชีวิต”
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - จงนึกถึงองค์ผู้สร้างของเจ้าเมื่อเจ้ายังเยาว์วัย ก่อนวันเวลาแห่งความตายจะมาถึง ก่อนเวลาที่เจ้าจะตระหนักว่า “เราไม่มีความสำราญในชีวิต”

交叉引用

2 Chronicles 34:3 - When he had been king for eight years—he was still only a teenager—he began to seek the God of David his ancestor. Four years later, the twelfth year of his reign, he set out to cleanse the neighborhood of sex-and-religion shrines, and get rid of the sacred Asherah groves and the god and goddess figurines, whether carved or cast, from Judah. He wrecked the Baal shrines, tore down the altars connected with them, and scattered the debris and ashes over the graves of those who had worshiped at them. He burned the bones of the priests on the same altars they had used when alive. He scrubbed the place clean, Judah and Jerusalem, clean inside and out. The cleanup campaign ranged outward to the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and the surrounding neighborhoods—as far north as Naphtali. Throughout Israel he demolished the altars and Asherah groves, pulverized the god and goddess figures, chopped up the neighborhood shrines into firewood. With Israel once more intact, he returned to Jerusalem.
Daniel 1:17 - God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams. At the end of the time set by the king for their training, the head of the royal staff brought them in to Nebuchadnezzar. When the king interviewed them, he found them far superior to all the other young men. None were a match for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Luke 2:41 - Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.
Luke 2:46 - The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”
Luke 2:49 - He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.
Luke 2:51 - So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.
Luke 1:15 - “He’ll drink neither wine nor beer. He’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother’s womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he’ll get the people ready for God.”
1 Kings 3:6 - Solomon said, “You were extravagantly generous in love with David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships were just and his heart right. And you have persisted in this great and generous love by giving him—and this very day!—a son to sit on his throne.
1 Kings 3:7 - “And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a great people—far too many to ever count.
1 Kings 3:9 - “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”
1 Kings 3:10 - God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response. And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving you a wise and mature heart. There’s never been one like you before; and there’ll be no one after. As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for—there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life.”
Daniel 1:8 - But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet. The head of the palace staff, by God’s grace, liked Daniel, but he warned him, “I’m afraid of what my master the king will do. He is the one who assigned this diet and if he sees that you are not as healthy as the rest, he’ll have my head!”
Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
Genesis 39:8 - He wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he’s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?”
1 Samuel 2:18 - In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God. Additionally, every year his mother would make him a little robe cut to his size and bring it to him when she and her husband came for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “God give you children to replace this child you have dedicated to God.” Then they would go home.
Genesis 39:2 - As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day.
1 Samuel 3:19 - Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel’s prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God. God continued to show up at Shiloh, revealed through his word to Samuel at Shiloh.
1 Samuel 16:7 - But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:12 - Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking. God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. Samuel left and went home to Ramah.
Psalms 22:9 - And to think you were midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother’s breasts! When I left the womb you cradled me; since the moment of birth you’ve been my God. Then you moved far away and trouble moved in next door. I need a neighbor.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 - Live footloose and fancy-free— You won’t be young forever. Youth lasts about as long as smoke.
Psalms 34:11 - Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
Psalms 71:17 - You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I’m telling the world your wonders; I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray. God, don’t walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you’ve done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I’ve been to the bottom; Bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, And I’ll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I’ll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long I’m chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.
Proverbs 22:6 - Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.

逐節對照

交叉引用

The Message - Honor and enjoy your Creator while you’re still young, Before the years take their toll and your vigor wanes, Before your vision dims and the world blurs And the winter years keep you close to the fire.
新标点和合本 - 你趁着年幼、衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
和合本2010（上帝版-简体） - 你趁着年轻、衰老的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜悦的那些岁月来临之前，当记念造你的主。
和合本2010（神版-简体） - 你趁着年轻、衰老的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜悦的那些岁月来临之前，当记念造你的主。
当代译本 - 年轻时要记住你的创造主，不要等到衰老的岁月来临时才哀叹：“我的日子毫无乐趣。”
圣经新译本 - 在你壮年的日子，当记念你的创造主。不要等到衰败的日子，就是你所说：“我毫无喜乐”的那些年日临到，
中文标准译本 - 因此，在你青春的日子里，当记念创造你的主—— 不要等到祸患的日子来到，不要等到你说“我在其中毫无喜乐”的岁月来临；
现代标点和合本 - 你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说“我毫无喜乐”的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
和合本（拼音版） - 你趁着年幼，衰败的日子尚未来到，就是你所说，我毫无喜乐的那些年日未曾临近之先，当记念造你的主。
New International Version - Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them”—
New International Reader's Version - Remember your Creator. Remember him while you are still young. Think about him before your times of trouble come. The years will come when you will say, “I don’t find any pleasure in them.”
English Standard Version - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
New Living Translation - Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”
Christian Standard Bible - So remember your Creator in the days of your youth: Before the days of adversity come, and the years approach when you will say, “I have no delight in them”;
New American Standard Bible - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years approach when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
New King James Version - Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, “I have no pleasure in them”:
Amplified Bible - 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”;
American Standard Version - Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
King James Version - Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
New English Translation - So remember your Creator in the days of your youth – before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;
World English Bible - Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come, and the years draw near, when you will say, “I have no pleasure in them;”
新標點和合本 - 你趁着年幼、衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜樂的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
和合本2010（上帝版-繁體） - 你趁着年輕、衰老的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜悅的那些歲月來臨之前，當記念造你的主。
和合本2010（神版-繁體） - 你趁着年輕、衰老的日子尚未來到，就是你所說，我毫無喜悅的那些歲月來臨之前，當記念造你的主。
當代譯本 - 年輕時要記住你的創造主，不要等到衰老的歲月來臨時才哀歎：「我的日子毫無樂趣。」
聖經新譯本 - 在你壯年的日子，當記念你的創造主。不要等到衰敗的日子，就是你所說：“我毫無喜樂”的那些年日臨到，
呂振中譯本 - 你要在青年的日子想念着創造你、的主，就是在衰敗的日子還未來到，在你所說對於它毫無樂趣的那些年日還未臨近之先，
中文標準譯本 - 因此，在你青春的日子裡，當記念創造你的主—— 不要等到禍患的日子來到，不要等到你說「我在其中毫無喜樂」的歲月來臨；
現代標點和合本 - 你趁著年幼，衰敗的日子尚未來到，就是你所說「我毫無喜樂」的那些年日未曾臨近之先，當記念造你的主。
文理和合譯本 - 時當少壯、困苦之日未臨、所謂不悅之年未至、宜念造爾之主、
文理委辦譯本 - 年當少壯、必及時敬造化之主、宜憶勿忘、斯時也、患難憂愁之日尚未至。
施約瑟淺文理新舊約聖經 - 爾在幼時、患難之日未來、爾所不悅之年未至、當及時記憶造爾之主、
Nueva Versión Internacional - Acuérdate de tu creador en los días de tu juventud, antes que lleguen los días malos y vengan los años en que digas: «No encuentro en ellos placer alguno»;
현대인의 성경 - 너는 아직 젊을 때, 곧 고난의 날이 오기 전에, 아무 낙이 없다고 말할 때가 되기 전에 너의 창조자를 기억하라.
Новый Русский Перевод - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжелые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод, версия с «Аллахом» - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
Восточный перевод, версия для Таджикистана - Помни своего Создателя в дни юности своей, пока не настали тяжёлые дни и не приблизились годы, о которых ты скажешь: «Я не нахожу в них удовольствия!»
La Bible du Semeur 2015 - Et tiens compte de ton Créateur ╵au temps de ta jeunesse, avant que t’adviennent ╵les jours mauvais et avant que viennent ╵les années dont tu te diras : « Je n’y prends pas plaisir ! » ;
リビングバイブル - 若い日を夢中で楽しむあまり、あなたの造り主を忘れてはいけません。生きていることを楽しむ余裕などない逆境の時が来る前に、神を信じなさい。
Nova Versão Internacional - Lembre-se do seu Criador nos dias da sua juventude, antes que venham os dias difíceis e se aproximem os anos em que você dirá: “Não tenho satisfação neles”;
Hoffnung für alle - Denk schon als junger Mensch an deinen Schöpfer, bevor die beschwerlichen Tage kommen und die Jahre näher rücken, in denen du keine Freude mehr am Leben hast.
Kinh Thánh Hiện Đại - Hãy nghĩ đến Đấng Tạo Hóa trong những ngày thanh xuân. Hãy tôn ngợi Chúa khi còn niên thiếu, trước những ngày khó khăn chưa đến và nói: “Đời sống không còn gì vui thú.”
พระคริสตธรรมคัมภีร์ไทย ฉบับอมตธรรมร่วมสมัย - เจ้าจงระลึกถึงพระผู้สร้างของเจ้า ตลอดวันเวลาที่เจ้ายังเยาว์วัย ก่อนยามทุกข์ลำเค็ญจะมาถึง และปีเดือนเหล่านั้นใกล้เข้ามา เมื่อเจ้าจะพูดว่า “ฉันไม่เห็นชื่นชมอะไรในชีวิต”
พระคัมภีร์ ฉบับแปลใหม่ - จงนึกถึงองค์ผู้สร้างของเจ้าเมื่อเจ้ายังเยาว์วัย ก่อนวันเวลาแห่งความตายจะมาถึง ก่อนเวลาที่เจ้าจะตระหนักว่า “เราไม่มีความสำราญในชีวิต”

2 Chronicles 34:3 - When he had been king for eight years—he was still only a teenager—he began to seek the God of David his ancestor. Four years later, the twelfth year of his reign, he set out to cleanse the neighborhood of sex-and-religion shrines, and get rid of the sacred Asherah groves and the god and goddess figurines, whether carved or cast, from Judah. He wrecked the Baal shrines, tore down the altars connected with them, and scattered the debris and ashes over the graves of those who had worshiped at them. He burned the bones of the priests on the same altars they had used when alive. He scrubbed the place clean, Judah and Jerusalem, clean inside and out. The cleanup campaign ranged outward to the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and the surrounding neighborhoods—as far north as Naphtali. Throughout Israel he demolished the altars and Asherah groves, pulverized the god and goddess figures, chopped up the neighborhood shrines into firewood. With Israel once more intact, he returned to Jerusalem.
Daniel 1:17 - God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams. At the end of the time set by the king for their training, the head of the royal staff brought them in to Nebuchadnezzar. When the king interviewed them, he found them far superior to all the other young men. None were a match for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Luke 2:41 - Every year Jesus’ parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up as they always did for the Feast. When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn’t know it. Thinking he was somewhere in the company of pilgrims, they journeyed for a whole day and then began looking for him among relatives and neighbors. When they didn’t find him, they went back to Jerusalem looking for him.
Luke 2:46 - The next day they found him in the Temple seated among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. The teachers were all quite taken with him, impressed with the sharpness of his answers. But his parents were not impressed; they were upset and hurt. His mother said, “Young man, why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been half out of our minds looking for you.”
Luke 2:49 - He said, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” But they had no idea what he was talking about.
Luke 2:51 - So he went back to Nazareth with them, and lived obediently with them. His mother held these things dearly, deep within herself. And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.
Luke 1:15 - “He’ll drink neither wine nor beer. He’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother’s womb. He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God. He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics—he’ll get the people ready for God.”
1 Kings 3:6 - Solomon said, “You were extravagantly generous in love with David my father, and he lived faithfully in your presence, his relationships were just and his heart right. And you have persisted in this great and generous love by giving him—and this very day!—a son to sit on his throne.
1 Kings 3:7 - “And now here I am: God, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I’m too young for this, a mere child! I don’t know the ropes, hardly know the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of this job. And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you’ve chosen, a great people—far too many to ever count.
1 Kings 3:9 - “Here’s what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?”
1 Kings 3:10 - God, the Master, was delighted with Solomon’s response. And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this and haven’t grasped after a long life, or riches, or the doom of your enemies, but you have asked for the ability to lead and govern well, I’ll give you what you’ve asked for—I’m giving you a wise and mature heart. There’s never been one like you before; and there’ll be no one after. As a bonus, I’m giving you both the wealth and glory you didn’t ask for—there’s not a king anywhere who will come up to your mark. And if you stay on course, keeping your eye on the life-map and the God-signs as your father David did, I’ll also give you a long life.”
Daniel 1:8 - But Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet. The head of the palace staff, by God’s grace, liked Daniel, but he warned him, “I’m afraid of what my master the king will do. He is the one who assigned this diet and if he sees that you are not as healthy as the rest, he’ll have my head!”
Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, don’t frustrate your children with no-win scenarios. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
Genesis 39:8 - He wouldn’t do it. He said to his master’s wife, “Look, with me here, my master doesn’t give a second thought to anything that goes on here—he’s put me in charge of everything he owns. He treats me as an equal. The only thing he hasn’t turned over to me is you. You’re his wife, after all! How could I violate his trust and sin against God?”
1 Samuel 2:18 - In the midst of all this, Samuel, a boy dressed in a priestly linen tunic, served God. Additionally, every year his mother would make him a little robe cut to his size and bring it to him when she and her husband came for the annual sacrifice. Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “God give you children to replace this child you have dedicated to God.” Then they would go home.
Genesis 39:2 - As it turned out, God was with Joseph and things went very well with him. He ended up living in the home of his Egyptian master. His master recognized that God was with him, saw that God was working for good in everything he did. He became very fond of Joseph and made him his personal aide. He put him in charge of all his personal affairs, turning everything over to him. From that moment on, God blessed the home of the Egyptian—all because of Joseph. The blessing of God spread over everything he owned, at home and in the fields, and all Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day.
1 Samuel 3:19 - Samuel grew up. God was with him, and Samuel’s prophetic record was flawless. Everyone in Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, recognized that Samuel was the real thing—a true prophet of God. God continued to show up at Shiloh, revealed through his word to Samuel at Shiloh.
1 Samuel 16:7 - But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:12 - Jesse sent for him. He was brought in, the very picture of health—bright-eyed, good-looking. God said, “Up on your feet! Anoint him! This is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:13 - Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life. Samuel left and went home to Ramah.
Psalms 22:9 - And to think you were midwife at my birth, setting me at my mother’s breasts! When I left the womb you cradled me; since the moment of birth you’ve been my God. Then you moved far away and trouble moved in next door. I need a neighbor.
Ecclesiastes 11:10 - Live footloose and fancy-free— You won’t be young forever. Youth lasts about as long as smoke.
Psalms 34:11 - Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.
Psalms 71:17 - You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I’m telling the world your wonders; I’ll keep at it until I’m old and gray. God, don’t walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you’ve done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I’ve been to the bottom; Bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, And I’ll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I’ll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long I’m chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.
Proverbs 22:6 - Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost.