Hey! This book is full of some advice for some teens (like myself) who are aspiring to become a better Catholic/Christian and stuff. Or if you're thinking of coming into the Church. Feel free to ask any questions, and I'm also here to talk with you...
The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights. Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.
Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death. The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength. The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead. With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.
The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die. Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart. It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. There's danger in putting up security for a stranger's debt; it's safer not to guarantee another person's debt. A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.
Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Godly people find life; evil people find death. The Lord detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.
Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free. A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout. The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment.
Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need. If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you! Trust in your money and down you go!
But the godly flourish like leaves in spring. Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise. The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.
If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?
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^^^ Painting of St. Agnes above ^^^
St. Agnes of Rome - Age 13
Agnes was born into a Christian family during 291 A.D. She was very beautiful and her family was very wealthy, meaning that many people wanted her hand in marriage. She had many high-ranking men after her, although she made a chaste promise to God, and would always respond to a proposal in saying "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."
By legend, it is told that some of these young men became extremely angry. They began to submit her name to authorities as a Christian follower, which is what ultimately resulted in her death.
In one incident, the Governor's son named Procop brought Agnes to his father, in which he accused her of being a Christian. The Governor basically promised her the world if she simply rejected Christ. She proceeded to tell them that the Lord had so much more to offer her.
He began to try and change her mind by putting her in chains. However, she astonished people by remaining joyful.
Punishment after punishment, the goveror soon grew tired of it and sentenced her to death.
People wept for her. She was a beautiful young woman with so much potential, yet it would very quickly be cut short.
However, Agnes continued to be joyful, and has been described to be as happy as "a bride on her wedding day."
Another legend is that Agnes was told to be dragged naked along the streets. It is told that her hair grew instantly to cover herself, and if any man tried to rape her he was immediately struck blind.
It was then said that she was sentenced to death by burning. She was tied to a stake, and the flames would either not ignite or move away from her. This resulted in one of the officers drawing his sword and beheading her.
...
St. Agnes was definitely a holy young woman. Personally, unless I'm going into the convent, I won't make a vow of celibacy. It takes guts to do that.
I believe that these stories show that God is with you throughout everything. In one of the punishments from The Governor, he placed her in a very sinful place position. An angel then defended her and was at her side.
On a related note, prayer is our relationship with God. If we pray that he is at our side, He will be, and if we pray for his help, He'll help us!
Keep praying. Stay faithful. And, most importantly, continue to love!
