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In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.¹

We are free to choose which path to go; but there is only one path that leads to life. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.² Indeed, the lure of the world is strong. It satisfies the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life.³

Whover despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.⁴ “For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. . . . I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”⁵

I imagine a wise man walking through the pathway of righteousness; and out of the abundance of his heart he continuously sows along the path—some seeds fall along the path; some fall on hard soil; some are caught in thornbushes; some fall on good soil.⁶ His heart’s desire and prayer to God is that those who hear be saved.⁷ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.⁸

And as I walk along with the wise man, I notice his ways; and they begin the rub-off on me too. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffer harm. Disaster pursues sinners, but the righteous are rewarded with good.⁹ Even my desires begin to change. I even hunger for more of what the wise man teaches, though it cuts to the heart.¹⁰ But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves to sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.¹¹

His words begin to take root in me; and after some time I too bear fruit¹²—with the knowledge and assurance that if the root is holy, so are the branches.¹³ For those who choose a different path, they are a nation void of counsel, and there is no understanding in them. For their rock is not our Rock.¹⁴

Warning! Don’t be surprised if this path of righteousness leads you through the wilderness. Consider it a necessary process; a time of shaking—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.¹⁵ For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.¹⁶ Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.¹⁷