May the same God that blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, also bless you my children, with all manner of spiritual blessings in heavenly places, that you may from your youth learn to know the Lord, and fear and obey him all the days of your life. This is the most special request that I make to God, that you may be eternally saved, and that the name of the Lord may be praised through you; unto which name be praise and glory now and forever. Amen.
My children, hear the instruction of your father, and forsake not the law of your mother (Prov. 1:8; 4:1); be always ready to do what you are commanded of God, that is, that you shall from your youth learn to know, fear and obey him; for obedience springs from the fear of God, and the fear of God comes through the knowledge of God.
Hence Solomon writes: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Prov. 1:7. For a child that knows his father, that he is so honorable and just, that he will not have his children run in the streets with other children, fight, quarrel, use bad language, bring home stolen things: children who know their father to be thus, are afraid to do this, knowing, that if they do this they shall be beaten. Thus also, my dear children, the Lord is a just God, who will not tolerate sin, but will punish them that commit it. Therefore we must fear him, and not commit sin; for the fear of God driveth out sin, and he that feareth God will do good. Prov. 16:6; Sir. 15:1. As Solomon says: “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of wisdom, to depart from the snares of death.” Prov. 14:27. For, my dear children, the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23. Hence, since the fear of God drives out sin, through the fear of God, the cause which brings us into death, that is, sin, is avoided. Therefore, my children, begin from your youth to walk in the fear of the Lord, that you may not at any time consent to sin, and may not forget the commandments of your Lord and God; but fear the Lord, while he may be feared. For they that fear the Lord walk in the right way; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. Prov. 14:2; Job 28:28.
Hence, my children, fear the Lord, and depart from evil. For the prophet Jeremiah says: “How good it is for a man, from his youth to take upon him the yoke of the Lord, and for one that is forsaken, to be patient, when he meeteth with adversity.” Lam. 3:27,28. And Sirach says: My child, from thy youth receive instruction, till thine old age, and thou shalt find wisdom (Sir. 6:18); for the wisdom of God teaches, that we are to receive God’s instruction, in order to be taught thereby, how we are to depart from evil. “For wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets, saying: How long, ye little children, will ye love childishness? and how long shall fools desire the things that are hurtful to them? and the unwise hate knowledge?” Prov. 1:20. For this is the nature of children; they love to run and play in the streets, where they learn all kinds of wickedness, and do not like to be chastised for it, and kept in the house. By this they are known as children; for they know not how injurious this is to them; for thereby they become alienated from the knowledge of God, and so grow up in wickedness, that sometimes they can only with great difficulty come to the truth. Therefore wisdom calls the children of Israel little children, because they are sometimes so wicked, that they want to live to themselves, and hate the chastening of the Lord, which is nevertheless administered to them out of love, that they should not be condemned with the world. 1 Corinthians 11:32. Therefore, my dear children, beware of all bad company, that might seduce you to cherish the world; for the world lieth in wickedness, and will perish with its lusts. 1 John 5:19; 2:17. Therefore, my children, love not the world, neither the things that are in it; for all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 2:15,16. Hence, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. 1 Pet. 2:11. And Paul says: Flee youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22); for youthful lusts have plunged many into ruin, into lasciviousness, whoredom and many improper things. Therefore, my children, beware of whoredom, and all unedifying conduct, in which whoredom has often originated; as dancing and leaping, and the practice of young men and maidens sitting together at the beer table, drinking to intoxication, and speaking improper words, and besides what is done in secret would be too shameful to mention. Tobit 4:12; 1 Thess. 4:3. O my children, beware of such things; for the apostle says: All they that do such things have no part in the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:10. But when you are grown up, and cannot contain, marry in the fear of God. Pray God to provide you a faithful helpmeet, to walk in the fear of God, with a broken, lowly and humble heart.