“Lack of wisdom is natural to a child; judicious correction will remove this lack.” Proverbs22:15.
Guide the child as the child grows.

“God has appointed this son to inherit everything.” Hebrews 1:2.
Jesus is the heir to all creation and his followers are co-heirs.

“A drowsy head makes a wearer of rags.” Genesis 23:21.
The child must be taught to walk, to talk, to eat, and to think by wiser people.

“Jesus is now crowned with glory because he was subject to death.” Hebrews 2:9.
Jesus, the hero dies, and in dying, releases all from the tragedy of death.

“If you lose heart in the face of difficulty, your strength is only weakness.” Proverbs 24:10.
Courage and strength are needed most when obstacles are in the path.

“It was fitting that God perfect, through suffering, the leader who was to save all.” Hebrews 2:10.
Jesus, himself, had to go down into the pits of sickness, suffering and death, to lead others to conviction.

“Like a golden apple trimmed in silver is a word fittingly spoken.” Proverbs 25:11.
Fitting speech means the speaker is kind, sensitive to the needs of others, gentle and sincere.

“Clouds, wind, but no rain: such is the person with noble promises never kept.” Proverbs 25:14.
Promises create expectation and hope; broken promises mean disappointment and frustration.

“It was necessary that Jesus become completely like his brothers.” Hebrews 2:17.
In order to reach the poor, oppressed, the downtrodden, Jesus entered life with them.

“No snow in the summer; no rain at harvest; no honors for fools.” Proverbs 26:1.
The unwise often expect the impossible for their aircastle world.

“But Jesus was faithful in the house of God as a son and master of the house.” Hebrews 3:5.
The authority of Jesus rises above Moses and any other prophets.

“Charcoal for live embers, wood for fire; a quarrelsome person to kindle strife.” Proverbs 26:21.
Hot temper is a habit acquired by repeatedly giving in to impatience.

“In our time God has spoken to us through his son.” Hebrews 1:2.
A zeal and urgency compelled Christ to speak out for right and justice.

“A glaze applied to a ceramic pot, such are smooth lips and a wicked heart.” Proverbs 26:33.
The glaze looks pretty but it covers clay.

“Better open rebuke than a voiceless love.” Proverbs 27:5.
Love that does not express itself soon dies.

“By the grace of God, Jesus had to experience death for all mankind.” Hebrews 2:9.
The emptiness and frustration connected with death by Adam are removed by Jesus and his death.

“Better a friend that is near than a brother far away.” Proverbs 27:10.
Help is appreciated when the need is present, not the day before or the day after.

“Jesus and his followers are of the same stock and therefore he clearly calls them brothers.” Hebrews 2:11.
Jesus is totally man and therefore knows from personal experience all that he says.

“The steady drop in the eave trough on a rainy day, so the nagging person.” Proverbs 27:15.
The one who nags grinds away persistently, relentlessly and painfully.

“By his death he could set free all who had been held slaves.” Hebrews 2:15.
Death now became the last step into perfect life - a beginning not an end.

“The unwise express all their anger feelings; the wise subdue and control them.” Proverbs 29:11.
Angry feelings must be conquered at their source and then controlled.

“If a ruler listens to false reports, all the ministers will be scoundrels.” Proverbs 29:11.
The person in charge must be careful to listen both to what is said and who is speaking.

“Everyday encourage one another so that no one is hardened by sin.” Hebrews 3:13.
Respect leads to mutual encouragement.

“O Lord, neither poverty nor riches‘ but give me my share to eat.” Proverbs 30:8.
Everyone has a right to the necessities of life unless these are deliberately rejected.

“We shall remain co-heirs of Christ only if we keep our first fervor to the end.” Hebrews 3:14.
It is not enough to start following Christ enthusiastically.

“If you understand the question, give your neighbor the answer.” Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 5:12.
Keep your eyes and ears open to the needs of others and help them if you can.

“To reach the place of rest is to rest after your work - as God did.” Hebrews 4:10.
The world and all that is in it must come to full use and enjoyment.

“A polite way of speaking invites many a friendly reply.” Sirach 6:5.
Kind, gentle smiling people smooth ruffled feelings and spread calm on all.

“Do not make long-winded speeches in the gathering of elders.” Sirach 7:14.
The elders have learned wisdom from experience and do not need long discourses.

“We have a high priest who has been tempted in every way but without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
The teachings of Jesus are based on a personal awareness of human weakness.

“Do not react to your neighbor‘s every offense and never in a fit of passion.” Sirach 10:6.
A wise person carefully weighs his reaction so as not to make matters worse.

“In Jesus we shall find tender understanding and appropriate encouragement.” Hebrews 4:16.
The teachings of Jesus show a warmth and tenderness that comes only from experience.

“Who can respect a man who runs himself down?” Sirach 10:29.
If you do not have deep respect for yourself, who can?

“Jesus became for all who obey him, the course of complete fulfillment.” Hebrews 5:9.
The death of Jesus is always shown as a victory - not a tragedy.

“Do not praise a man for his good looks nor dislike anyone for his appearance.” Sirach 11:2.
The most handsome face can pout, and the most homely face can smile.

“Listen before you answer and do not interrupt a speech in the middle.” Sirach 11:8.
If you have to say, “Oh, I thought you meant...” you are not listening carefully or fully.

“God‘s work was clearly complete at the beginning of the world.” Hebrews 4:3.
God set the universe in motion and offered it to mankind to control and use it.

“The slanderer twists good into evil.” Sirach 11:30
Some people contrive to look big by tearing all else down.

“The word of God is a word alive and active.” Hebrews 4:12.
As the words of our parents, years ago, move us powerfully, so also the Word of God.

“A heart full of flowing coals starts from a single spark.” Sirach 11:32.
A spark can ignite a fire to heat a home or burn it down.

“The word of God judges our feelings and thoughts.” Hebrews 4:13.
The Word of God diligently forms our conscience which controls our inner self.

“In prosperity you cannot always tell a friend.” Sirach 12:8.
When you have nothing but yourself to give, true friends stand by.

“If a man is mean to himself, to whom will he be good?” Sirach 14:5.
All love has to start with the first person you know ... yourself.

“Here on earth, Jesus begged aloud and in silent tears to be saved from death.” Hebrews 5:7.
Jesus knew he was to die but the closer death came the the more fearful he became.

“Do not temper any of your gifts with words that hurt.” Sirach 18:15.
The greatest gift can become a heap of ash because of thoughtless words that accompany.

“A well-watered field, producing good harvests, is blessed by God .” Hebrews 6:7.
Our life is the farm and our actions the fruit that is produced.

“As dew relieves the heat, so a word is worth more than a gift.” Sirach 18:16.
Material things are of value only insofar as they express lasting friendships.

“Being too ready to trust shows shallowness of mind.” Sirach 19:4.
Friendliness is a virtue but prudence is one of the hingles on which friendliness revolves.

“The ideal high priest, Jesus Christ, is holy, innocent, without failure.” Hebrews 7:26.
It is re-assuring to have a hero who has stood the test of time and severe scrutiny.

“Have you heard something? Let it die with you! You won‘t burst.” Sirach 19:10.
The gossip is suspected by all who hear the gossiper but they still listen avidly.

“Christ offered himself as the perfect sacrifice to God through the eternal spirit.” Hebrews 9:14.
Jesus is the Christian sacrifice and there is no need to offer another.

“Better a slip on the pavement than a slip of the tongue.” Sirach 20:18.
A bruise on your leg will go away but a bruise of the spirit will hurt forever.