Fatherhood

For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.”

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send word and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send word to them and consecrate them, getting up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did so continually.

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy dwelling.

God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity, Only the rebellious live in parched lands.

For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they were to teach them to their children,

So that the generation to come would know, the children yet to be born, That they would arise and tell them to their children,

So that they would put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But comply with His commandments,

And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His rebuke,

For whom the LORD loves He disciplines, Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father, And pay attention so that you may gain understanding,

For I give you good teaching; Do not abandon my instruction.

When I was a son to my father, Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,

He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words; Keep my commandments and live;

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

Do not abandon her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you.

The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your possessions, acquire understanding.

Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her.

She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.”

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish son is a grief to his mother.

A good person leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, And the wealth of a sinner is stored up for the righteous.

He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently.

Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

A righteous person who walks in his integrity— How blessed are his sons after him.

Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he grows older he will not abandon it.

Do we not all have one Father? Is it not one God who has created us? Why do we deal treacherously, each against his brother so as to profane the covenant of our fathers?

Or what person is there among youwho, when his son asks for a loaf of bread,will give him a stone?

Orif he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

So if you, despite beingevil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

And do not call anyone on earth your father; for only One is your Father, He who is in heaven.

So he set out and came tohis father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran andembraced him and kissed him.

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven andin your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, andput a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet;

and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate;

for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.

I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.