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Notes About The Poem

"DISCRETION WILL GUARD YOU, UNDERSTANDING WILL WATCH OVER YOU TO DELIVER YOU FROM THE WAY OF EVIL, FROM THE MAN WHO SPEAKS PERVERSE THINGS; FROM THOSE WHO LEAVE THE PATH OF UPRIGHTNESS TO WALK IN THE WAY OF DARKNESS, WHO DELIGHT IN DOING EVIL, WHOSE PATHS ARE CROOKED AND WHO ARE DEVIOUS IN THEIR WAYS, TO DELIVER YOU FROM THE STRANGE WOMAN WHO IS AN ADULTRESS, WHO LEAVES THE COMPANION OF HER YOUTH AND FORGETS THE COVENANT OF HER GOD AND HER HOUSE SINKS DOWN TO DEATH AND HER TRACKS LEAD TO THE DEAD. NONE WHO GO TO HER RETURN NOR DO THEY REACH THE PATHS OF LIFE. SO YOU WILL WALK THE WAY OF GOOD MEN AND KEEP TO THE PATHS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FOR THE UPRIGHT WILL LIVE IN THE LAND AND THE BLAMELESS WILL REMAIN IN IT BUT THE WICKED WILL BE CUT OFF FROM THE LAND AND THE TREACHEROUS WILL BE UPROOTED FROM IT. Proverbs 2:11-22

Simply put:

"DONT LAY DOWN WITH DOGS IF YOU DONT WANT TO WAKE UP WITH FLEAS."

The Years In Your Life

It's not the years in your life that count,
It's the life you put in your years.
Years spent in indulgence of self and greed,
Will end lost in regret and tears.

Wasting your time in bars and in dens,
Of iniquity drain your soul dry.
All you'll find there is deeper despair,
And a well full of sorrow and lies.

Your time is best spent improving your mind,
And improving the body as well.
Your body's a temple to be kept uncorrupted,
Your mind the sacred inner cell.

The way a man thinks shows just what he is.
It reveals the condition of his soul.
What comes out of his mouth goes on in his head,
If he's well, sick or dead will be told.

Your life will be long and your days will be glad,
If you listen to what I have said.
When you're out on your own you decide your own fate.
It depends on where you make your bed.

encouraginginspirationalrhyme

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Gershon Wolf

May 3, 2022 at 6:31 PM

Just love the first two lines, Judy! They are so, so true! It IS what we put into our years that counts. Kudos, Gershon

Paula Goldsmith

April 26, 2022 at 11:47 AM

Love your line, "DONT LAY DOWN WITH DOGS IF YOU DONT WANT TO WAKE UP WITH FLEAS." So true. Love this one. Have a great/blessed day...................

Judy Ball

May 3, 2022 at 3:32 AM

Thank you so much Paula. God Bless, JB

Andrea Dietrich

April 23, 2022 at 10:54 AM

In general you are so right, Judy. but you know the expression how only the good die young. I know some beautiful people who loved God and served him and they died horrible deaths. How sad that those who throw their lives away are sometimes living abundant "material" lives (but it's only temporary, that is for sure)

Judy Ball

May 3, 2022 at 3:28 AM

I totally agree my friend. I remember hearing a preacher say once that the good die young that they may not be corrupted. The bad live on that they may have a chance to redeem themselves. Hmmmm I must be really bad then because I'm really old. Thanks bunches my friend. God Bless, JB

Demetrios Trifiatis

April 19, 2022 at 5:54 AM

Your poem has it all: Deep thought and wise advice, my dearest friend, Judy. Be blessed!

Judy Ball

April 19, 2022 at 7:53 PM

Thank you so much Demetrios. God Bless, JB

Harry Horsman

April 19, 2022 at 2:29 AM

Profound, and a well written mission statement. Judy.

Judy Ball

April 19, 2022 at 7:44 PM

Thank you so much Harry. God Bless, JB

Gordon Mcconnell

April 18, 2022 at 1:12 PM

Such a wise-filled piece Judy, great counsel from start to finish with neat rhyme and flow too. Hope you had a lovely Easter, blessings always, Gordon

Judy Ball

April 19, 2022 at 7:37 PM

Thank you so much Gordon. God Bless, JB