To the words: “Son, listen to my wisdom, and attach your ear to my words.”

Teach, O God, the one who loves learning, and this good teacher “will be called great in Your kingdom” (Matthew 5:19). He who loves learning will be magnified in wisdom, but he who loves idleness will find it impossible to succeed. Acquire diligence for yourself, this great treasury of wisdom, and avoid laziness, this receptacle of all destruction. Read the Scripture diligently, for in it you will learn wisdom; Avoid gluttony, lest you lose everything that you have acquired. Let those who love God be your friends; and those who love drunkenness, do not stop with them on the way. Choose for yourself the fear of God - the beginning of all wisdom; Honor your parents, because their prayer protects you. Get yourself gold in moderation, but study without measure, for when sorrow increases, learning will be both peace and delight for you. If you have gold and silver, do not be arrogant or conceited, but walk wisely in all your ways. Be humble in your youth so that you may be exalted in your old age; plant good habits in your soul so that your life will be filled with joy. Study this and practice it, student, to please and delight your parents and mentors. When you sit with the elders, do not be quick to speak, but remain silent until they ask you, and then answer modestly. Direct your speech wisely, so that those who hear you will praise you, please your parents and pray for your teachers. Set aside a certain time for each task, so that everything is in order when you eat, drink, talk, pray, and read. Provide your soul with the path of good deeds while there is still an opportunity, so that, after leaving here, you will not be in need there. Refrain your tongue from swearing, blasphemy and slander; instead let your lips sing sweet songs of praise. Take care, young man, of your youth so that it does not become food for fire; and think about the time of infirmity and old age that hastens after you. “Wisdom is better than weapons of war” (Eccl. 9:18); knowledge is better than wealth; a small but wise youth is better than an old but stupid king. Seek instruction for yourself, boy, and be well-ordered in your ways, so that you may become famous in this age and inherit the Kingdom in the future. Honor your elders, love to treat elders, sit constantly at their feet, listen and memorize their speeches. Learning is a new light and makes the eyes bright. Love him, boy, so that you may become enlightened and so that those who listen to you will praise you. Teaching weaves a crown and places it on the head of those who love it, because “it lifts them up from the pit and makes them sit with princes” (Ps. 113:7-8). Let books be your meal, and you will be satisfied with pleasant dishes. Let them be your bed, and you will fall into a peaceful sleep. Do not enter into company with evil people, do not have attachment to liars, do not argue with opponents, do not fight with the impudent. Do not be too shameless, so that your acquaintances do not despise you. Taking the advice of the wise, observe the commandments of your parents. Do not swear or lie against a person who has sinned against you. If you have a friend, do not be stingy with your money for him; Do good to your neighbors as to yourself, so that they may bless you. Let the light of all your actions be truthful, that is, your word, let your word be: “hey, her: neither, nor” - so that everyone believes you (Matthew 5:37). Let your words be true, so that everyone loves you, so that those near and far pray for your life. Do good to both your own and others as much as you can; Speak a kind word to both good and evil. Place your trust in the Lord, keep His way, walk in all His commandments, but do not place your trust in man, because he suddenly fades away, as if he never existed. Trust firmly in the one God, because those who trust in Him are blessed both in this and in the next age. “The world is passing away,” as it is written (1 John 2:17); and the judgment is immutable, as determined. Remember this, boy, so as not to sin; and if you have sinned, hasten to repent. Train your mouth to glorify God and your tongue to sing beautiful songs of praise; but never swear or lie, because this pleases Satan. Reward God with thanksgiving, vigils, fasting and prayer, and your tongue will sing sweet-tongued songs of praise. Observe the fast of Lent, give your bread to the hungry, pray “seven days a day,” as the son of Jesse taught you (Ps. 119:164). It is better for you to acquire good will than all wealth, because in the whole world there is nothing higher and more important than good will. Learn this, student; be careful of the words uttered by your lips; love what is good, so that your soul may be satisfied with bliss. Pay strict attention to the words that come out of your mouth; and, whatever you do in this world, behave as if you were wise. Think about your entry into this world and about your departure from it, because you, a man, were created from nothing, and suddenly you will turn into nothing. Think that there were many glorious and powerful kings before you; and behold, they disappeared into this world; and as they disappeared, so will you disappear. Hear the words of admonition if you are a sinner; and if you are righteous, beware of untruth. It’s scary, brethren, that we hear about the Judgment. Let everyone avoid sin and not allow himself to be entangled by the world, so as not to inherit the torment of the flame. Marvel daily at the greatness of your Lord, constantly praise and magnify Him, because even if you gain the whole world, He will not deliver you from death. May the Trinity strengthen us to always do Her will, and may it deliver us from the Judgment that awaits those who do injustice! You might be interested in: