Ɔkpá Ohi ku Ɔkpá ku Ōjila ku Oyeeyi mla Uklɔ Ku Alɔ
© 2025 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
ƆYA ƆMAHAAPA 7-13
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 21
Ukɔ́ Ku Ijeeyi Nōo Géē Ya Ku Eeye Kóō Yɔ Ipu Ōbatɔha Ku Ɔba Mla Ɔnyā
Ɛgɛ Nɛ Ācɛ Ɛpa Nōo Yɔ I Jé Iyi Uwa O Ya Ɛɛ Kéē Kwu Iyi Uwa I Lɛ Lɔfu Ya Ōmiya Ku Ijeeyi A
13 Abɔ aa yɔ i jé iyi aa o ya ɛɛ ku aa kwu iyi aa i lɛ a, eko nyá nōó cika ō je aa ō jé iyi aa gáā kwu a? Ɔdaŋ ka alɔ i lɛ eko nwune taajɛ ō gbɛla tu ōmiya nɛ alɔ gáā ya a ŋ, igbɛlawa odee i gē nyɔ lɔhi ŋ. (Aíit. 21:5) Ohigbu ɛnyā, eko nɛ aa yɔ i jé iyi aa o ya ɛɛ ku aa kwu iyi aa i lɛ a, aa cika ō lɛ eko taajɛ lɔɔlɔhi o ya ɛɛ ku aa lɛ iyi aa jé lɔɔlɔhi. Amáŋ, ó cɛgbá nɛ aa géē bi eko nwune fiyɛ ɔfu le jé iyi aa gbɔbu ɛɛ ku aa lɛ iyi aa ŋ. Ubáyíbu da alɔ kahinii: “Eko dúú nɛ̄ eyīyōce kú ɔ̄cɛ í yɔ̄ gɛ ŋ́, ɔtū kú nū géē bīya.” (Aíit. 13:12) O ka tu ɔ, ɛgɛ nɛ aa yɔ i bi eko alɛwa le yɔ tɔha a, ɛgɔɔma nōó gáā lɔnɔ tu aa ō ta ojama ku aja ō gbo mla ikpo ɔnyā ō ce a. (1 Ukɔ́r. 7:9) Ikɔkɔ ō lɛ ɔtu ku uwɔ kwu ɛgɛ nōó gboji lɛ nɛ aa yɔ i jé iyi aa ɛ ma, a lɔfu da iyi uwɔ ɔka kahinii: ‘Ɔdi nɛ um cɛgbá ō jé lɛyikwu ɔcɛ a kpɔ gbɔbu ɛɛ ka um ya ōmiya a?’
w20 07 3 ¶3-5
A Hii Gbɛla Je Iyi Uwɔ Gico Fiyɛ Ɛgɛ Nōó Cika A Ŋ
3 Ujehofa dɔka ku ɔba mla ɔnyā kéē batɔha ipu eeye. Amāŋ abɔɔ é jila iye ŋ mā a, é lɔfu lɛ unwalu ɔtahɛ iyi uwa ekoohi. Upɔlu ka ācɛ nōo lɛ ɔba amāŋ ɔnyā a géē lɛ unwalu ōhī. (1 Ukɔ́r. 7:28) Ācɛ ōhī má ku aa gē yikpɛla mla iyi aa eko doodu, ka aa cika lɛ iyi aa ŋ. Ɔdaŋ kéē gbɔɔ ō gbɛla bɛɛka ācɛ ku ɛcɛ a, é géē gbɛla ka ō ta iyi uwa lɔhi fiyɛ a. É géē gbɛla iyi uwa foofunu, ka aa géē lɛ eeye, ɔdaŋ ku aa ta iyi aa.
4 Alɔ i cika ō cɛ lɛ ɛ̄jɛ̄ jɛ alɔ lɛyikwu obatɔha ku alɔ ŋ. Ubáyíbu da alɔ ku ɔwɛ ekponu nɛ ɔba mla ɔnyā lɔfu ta iyi uwa a, wɛ eko nɛ ɔcɛ éyi ku uwa lɛ aja gbo. (Umát. 5:32) Ohigbu ɛnyā, eko duuma nɛ alɔ gbɔɔ ō má unwalu ipu obatɔha ku alɔ, alɔ kóō hii yɔbɔɔcɛ da iyi alɔ aɔkā nōo ba nyā ŋ: ‘Obatɔha nyā yɔ i ya ɛgbá ku um? N yɔ i má ihɔtu nɛ n cɛgbá a? N géē lɛ eeye nōo fiyɛ ɛnyā ɛgiyi ɔcɛ ɔhá?’ Ɔdaŋ ku alɔ gē gbɛla lɛ a, ɔɔma wɛ ku alɔ gē gbɛla iyi alɔ foofunu, alɔ i gbɛla lɛyikwu ɔmpa alɔ ŋ. Ohilipu ku ɛcɛ nyā géē da uwɔ ku a yɛce ɔtu ku uwɔ, ku a ya ɔdā duuma nōo géē cɛ lɛ uwɔ gweeye, ɔdaŋ ku ɔɔma géē ya ku aa ta iyi aa naana. Ubáyíbu da alɔ kahinii: “Aá híīī gbɛlá kwu aɔ́dā kú aá ōfūnū ŋ́, amáŋ aá gbɛlá kwu ákú ācɛ ɔhá dúú.” (Ufíl. 2:4) Ujehofa dɔka ku ɔba mla ɔnyā kóō batɔha piyoo, ó dɔka kéē ta iyi uwa ŋ. (Umát. 19:6) Ujehofa dɔka ku alɔ gbɛla kwu ɔ aflɛyi, ó wɛ iyi alɔ ŋ.
5 Ɔba mla ɔnyā cika ō mafu ihɔtu mla ojilima lɛ iyi uwa. (Jé Ācɛ Ɛ́fēsɔsi 5:33.) Ubáyíbu nwu alɔ ku alɔ yɔ i je lɛ ācɛ ɔhá ikɔkɔ nɛ alɔ géē yɔ i miyɛ a. (Úklɔ́ kú Ācotɛ̄hɔ̄ 20:35) Uce o ya nyá gáā ta ɔba mla ɔnyā abɔ kéē mafu ihɔtu mla ojilima lɛ iyi uwa a? Ohi ku nu wɛ ō ta iyi ɔcɛ waajɛ. Ɔba mla ɔnyā duuma nōo ta iyi uwa waajɛ i gáā gbɛla ɔdā nōo i tiile lɛ ɔ ofoofunu ŋ, amāŋ ó géē “gbɛlá ɔdā nōo í tīile lɛ ācɛ ɔhá dúú.”—1 Ukɔ́r. 10:24.
w06 9/15 28 ¶13
“Rejoice With the Wife of Your Youth”
13 What if the marriage is under stress because of the way that the mates treat each other? The search for a solution takes effort. For instance, it may be that a pattern of unkind speech has crept into their marriage and now characterizes it. (Proverbs 12:18) As discussed in the preceding article, this can have devastating effects. A Bible proverb says: “Better is it to dwell in a wilderness land than with a contentious wife along with vexation.” (Proverbs 21:19) If you are a wife in such a marriage, ask yourself, ‘Is my disposition making it difficult for my husband to be around me?’ The Bible tells husbands: “Keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them.” (Colossians 3:19) If you are a husband, ask yourself, ‘Is my demeanor cold, tempting my wife to seek comfort elsewhere?’ Of course, there is no excuse for sexual immorality. Yet, the fact that such a tragedy could happen is good reason to discuss problems openly.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
w21 10 12 ¶16
Alɔ Gē Gba Ɔwɔico Nōo I “Ményīnyi Nɛ̄hi” A Ɛ̄gbā
16 Ɛjɛɛji Ācɛ O Yɛce Ukraist gē ceyitikwu kéē mafu eyinyinyi bɛɛka Ujehofa a. Ɔdiya a? Ɔdā éyi nōo ya a wɛ ka Ujehofa i gáā jahɔ tu ɔkɔ ō gba ku ɔcɛ nōó gē mafu eyinyinyi lɛ ācɛ ɔhá ŋ. (Jé Aíita 21:13.) Ó kē lɛ oduuma ku alɔ nōó géē he ɔ ɔtu ɔdaŋ ka Ujehofa i jahɔ tu ɔkɔ ō gba ku nu ŋ. Ohigbu ɛnyā, alɔ géē habɔ ō cɔnu nɛhi ta. Alɔ i gē ta ō je otabɔ lɛ Ɔcɛ O Yɛce Ukraist ɔmpa alɔ nōo yɔ i má owe ŋ, amáŋ alɔ le tutu eko doodu ō jahɔ tu “ikwū kóō tá abɔ̄ nɛ̄ ogbɛhá gē je ā.” Ɔwɛ ekponu ɔɔma, alɔ klla gē ceyitikwu ō yuklɔ mla ɛlā nōo yɔ ipu ɛga ku Ubáyíbu nyā nōo kahinii: “Ohígbū ka Ɔwɔicō í gáā ményinyi ɔ̄cɛ nɛ̄ ó gē ményinyi ācɛ ɔhá ŋ́ mā ŋ́.” (Ujɛ́m. 2:13) Ɔdaŋ ku alɔ tu iyi alɔ waajɛ gbɛla lɔɔlɔhi ku alɔ abɔyi alɔ cɛgbá kéē mafu eyinyinyi lɛ alɔ, ó géē ya ku alɔ mafu eyinyinyi lɛ ācɛ ɔhá duu. Eko nɛ alɔ klla cɛgbá ō mafu eyinyinyi fiyɛ duu a, wɛ eko nɛ ɔcɛ obiya íne nōo lɛ opiyabɔ ya le cigbihi wa ipu ujɔ.
ƆYA ƆMAHAAPA 14-20
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 22
Ukɔ́ Ku Ijeeyi Lɛyikwu Ō Bi Ayipɛ Jɛ
w20.10 27 ¶17
Ayipɛ Ɔlɛ Uwɔ Géē Gba Ujehofa Ɛ̄gbā Eko Néē Kwu Jɛ?
7 Ɔdaŋ ku a wɛ ɔba amāŋ ɔnyā nōo géē dɔka ō má ayi, lɛ ɔka da iyi uwɔ kahinii: ‘Alɔ wɛ ācɛ nōo gē ta iyi alɔ waajɛ, klla gē lɛ ojilima ce Ɔwɔico mla ɛlā ku nu? Ujehofa géē fu alɔ, ku alɔ teyi ta ɔyi néē ma ɛpɛpɛ nōo cɛgbá nɛhi a?’ (Aíjē 127:3, 4) Ɔdaŋ ku a kē le piya ɛ́nɛ́ amāŋ adā ɛ, lɛ ɔka nyā da iyi uwɔ: ‘N gē nwu ayipɛ ɔlɛ um kē géē lɛ itene ŋma ō ceyitikwu yuklɔ lɔfu lɔfu?’ (Ɔ̄cok. 3:12, 13) ‘N gē ceyitikwu ya ɔdā nɛ um ya gla, o ya ɛɛ ka um gbo ayipɛ ɔlɛ um ŋma ɛgiyi ɔdobɔbi nōo lɔfu ya uwa ipu ɛcɛ obɔbi ku Ebilii nyā?’ (Aíit. 22:3) A gáā gbo ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwɔ ŋma ɛjɛɛji unwalu néē lɔfu má a gla ŋ. A kóō ya ɔɔma gboogboo gla ŋ. Amáŋ ɛmɛɛma, a lɔfu ta uwa abɔ kéē ya otutu lɛyikwu unwalu néē géē má ipu oyeeyi ku uwa, ŋma ō gbolo ce ɛlā nɛ Ubáyíbu gē nwu a. (Jé Aíita 2:1-6.) Ocabɔ mafu, ɔdaŋ ku ɔmaapu ku uwɔ duuma ta ka anuɔ i gba Ujehofa ɛ̄gbā gɛ ŋ, ta ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwɔ abɔ kéē nwu ɛlā lɛyikwu ɔdā nōo ya nōó cɛgbá kéē hayi kpaakpa lɛ Ujehofa a. (Aíjē 31:23) Ɔdaŋ ku ɔcɛ nɛ a kē yihɔtu ku nu gekwu nɛɛ, lɛ ɛga ku Ubáyíbu nōo géē ta uwa ɔtu kwu ɔtu mafu lɛ uwa.—2 Ukɔ́r. 1:3, 4; 2 Utím. 3:16.
Ɛ́nɛ́ Mla Adā, Aa Nwu Ayipɛ Ɔlɛ Aa Kéē Yihɔtu Ku Ujehofa
17 Gbɔɔ ō nwu ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwɔ ɛlā ŋma eko néē lɛ ligii. Ó géē lɔhi fiyɛ ɔdaŋ ku ɛ́nɛ́ mla adā gbɔɔ ō nwu ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwa ɛlā ŋma eko néē wɛ ayipɛ nɛ̄ŋcɛ́. (Aíit. 22:6) Má ocabɔ ku Utimoti ɛ. Eko nɛ Utimoti le jɛ a, ó gā iyawu alɛwa mla Upɔlu. Iyunis nōo wɛ ɛ́nɛ́ ku Utimoti mɛmla Ulɔyisi nōo wɛ ɛ́nɛ́ nu ɔnyakwɔcɛ a nwu ɔ ɛlā “ŋma eko ɔyípɛ̄ obene” ku nu.—2 Utím. 1:5; 3:15.
18 Ɔba mla ɔnyā ɔhá ipu éwo ku Ucôte d’Ivoire, nɛ iye ku uwa lé ka Ujean-Claude mla Upeace, bi ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwa ɛhilii jɛ kéē yihɔtu Ujehofa klla gba ɔ ɛ̄gbā. Ɔdi wɛ ɔdā nōo ta uwa abɔ a? É yɛce ocabɔ ku Iyunis mla Ulɔyisi. É kahinii: “Ŋma eko nɛ alɔ ma ayipɛ ɔlɛ alɔ a, ó gboji ŋ, alɔ gbɔɔ ō nwu uwa ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico.”—Obla. 6:6, 7.
19 Ɔdi wɛ ɛyi ō “nwu” ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwɔ ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico a? Ō “nwu” lɛ ō ya mla ō “ta ayipɛ ɛlá kwu odee ŋma ō ka ɔdā ɔɔma igbalɛwa.” O ya ɛɛ kéē ya ɛnyā a, ɛ́nɛ́ mla adā cika ō bēē lɛ eko taajɛ lɛ ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwa lɔɔlɔhi kéē kɔka tɔha. Ekoohi, ɛ́nɛ́ mla adā lɔfu cɔnu ohigbu ku ayipɛ ɔlɛ uwa gē cɛ lɛ uwa kɛla igbalɛwa gbɔbu ɛɛ kéē po. Naana, ɛ́nɛ́ mla adā cika ō má ɛnyā ka ó wɛ ɛnɛɛnɛ ɛga ō ta uwa abɔ jɛyi ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico klla bi ɔ le yuklɔ ipu oyeeyi ku uwa.
w06 4/1 9 ¶4
Parents—Be a Fine Example for Your Children
Of course, children are children, and some are prone to be contrary, even wayward. (Genesis 8:21) What can parents do? “Foolishness is tied up with the heart of a boy; the rod of discipline is what will remove it far from him,” says the Bible. (Proverbs 22:15) Some view this as harsh treatment that is out-of-date. Actually, the Bible is against violence and abuse of any sort. The “rod,” though at times literal, represents parental authority that is administered firmly but lovingly and appropriately out of concern for the children’s eternal welfare.—Hebrews 12:7-11.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
Gweeye Ohigbu Aɔdā Nɛ A Lɔfu Ya lɛ Ujehofa A
11 Ɔwɛ ekponu ɔɔma, alɔ géē yɔ i lɛ eeye tōōtɔ̄ɔ̄ ɔdaŋ ku alɔ gē yuklɔ lɔfu lɔfu ɛgɛ nɛ alɔ ya gla, ipu uklɔ duuma néē je lɛ alɔ ku alɔ ya lɛ Ujehofa a. Bēē lɛ “eko . . . táajɛ” lɛ uklɔ ku ɔna ō ta a, ku a klla yuklɔ lɔfu lɔfu mla ujɔ a. (Ācot. 18:5; Uhíb. 10:24, 25) Ya otutu ku ōjila lɔɔlɔhi, o ya ɛɛ ku a lɔfu ta ohi nōo géē ta ayinɛ uwɔ ɔtu kwu ɔtu. Má uklɔ duuma néē je gā uwɔ ku a ya ipu ōjila ku ɔtahɛ ku alaadi a, ka ó wɛ uklɔ nōo cɛgba nɛɛnɛhi. Ɔdaŋ ka é da uwɔ ku a tabɔ yuklɔ duuma ipu ujɔ, wa teeko, ku a klla ya ɔdā nōo géē mafu ku a too lɛ ɔtuce. A hii gbɛla ka uklɔ néē je gā uwɔ a i cɛgbá ŋ, ohigbu ɔɔma a cika ō kpo eko ku uwɔ bonu cɛyi nu ŋ. Ceyitikwu lɔfu lɔfu ku a yɔ i ya lɔhi fiyɛ ipu uklɔ ku uwɔ. (Aíit. 22:29) Abɔ a yɔ i yuklɔ lɔfu lɔfu lɛ Ujehofa a, ɛma ku uwɔ mla aku nu géē yɔ i lɔfu, a klla géē yɔ i lɛ eeye fiyɛ. (Ugal. 6:4) Ɛnyā klla géē ya kóō tɔɔtɛ gā uwɔ ō gweeye mla ācɛ ɔhá, eko duuma néē lɛ uklɔ nɛ eyī ku uwɔ humayi kwu ɔ a je lɛ uwa.—Uróm 12:15; Ugal. 5:26.
ƆYA ƆMAHAAPA 21-27
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 23
Aukɔ́ Ku Ijeeyi Lɛyikwu Ejé Olɔfu Ō Gwa
w04 12/1 19 ¶5-6
Maintain a Balanced View of the Use of Alcohol
5 What if one uses alcohol but is careful not to drink to the point of being visibly drunk? Some individuals show very little sign of drunkenness even after consuming a number of drinks. However, to think that such a practice is harmless is to engage in a form of self-deception. (Jeremiah 17:9) Gradually, progressively, one may develop a dependency on alcohol and become “enslaved to a lot of wine.” (Titus 2:3) Concerning the process of becoming an alcoholic, author Caroline Knapp says: “It’s a slow, gradual, insidious, elusive becoming.” What a deadly trap overindulgence in alcohol is!
6 Consider also Jesus’ warning: “Pay attention to yourselves that your hearts never become weighed down with overeating and heavy drinking and anxieties of life, and suddenly that day be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth.” (Luke 21:34, 35) Drinking does not have to reach the level of drunkenness before it makes a person drowsy and lazy—physically as well as spiritually. What if Jehovah’s day catches him in such a condition?
w23 12 14 ¶4
Leyi Má Ejé Olɔfu Ō Gwa Ɛgɛ Nɛ Ɔwɔico Gē Leyi Má Ɔ A
Amáŋ Ācɛ O Yɛce Ukraist lɛ ɛnɛɛnɛ ukɔ́ ku ijeeyi ŋma ɛgiyi ɔcɛ nōo ya uwa a. Ocabɔ mafu, ó da alɔ lɛyikwu unwalu obɔbi nōo gē bɛɛcɛ ŋma ō gwa ejé olɔfu fiyɛ ɔfu a. Alɔ lɔfu jé ɔ̄kā nōo yɔ ipu ɔkpá ku Aíita 23:29-35 nōo kɛla lipu lipu lɛyikwu ɔcɛ o gwa ejé olɔfu fiyɛ ɔfu, mla unwalu nōo bɛɛcɛ ŋma anu a. Daniel nōo wɛ ɔnyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ nōo yɔ Europe a, blatu ɛgɛ nɛ oyeeyi ku nu lɛ gbɔbu ɛɛ nɛ ó gáā jé Ujehofa klla gbɔɔ ō bi aukɔ́ ku nu le yuklɔ a. Ó kahinii: “Gbɔbu a, n gē gwa ejé olɔfu nɛɛnɛhi, ɛnyā kē cɛ gā um gē ya aōmiya obɔbi. Ohigbu ɛnyā n má unwalu alɛwa, ɛnyā gē ya ku ɔtu kóō biya gā um jaa kwu obabanya, eko duuma nɛ um gbɛla lɛyikwu uwa.”
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
Ɛgɛnyá Nɛ Ācɛ O Yɛce Ukraist Cika Ō Leyi Má Ejé Olɔfu Ō Gwa A?
Ujehofa lɛ ejé ō gwa nwune fiyɛ abɔ ŋmo ɛpɔbi. (Ācɛ Ugalésīya 5:21) Ubáyíbu kahinii: “Ā híī yɛ mla ācɛ ōgwéjé nɛ̄hi [ŋ].” (Aíita 23:20) Ohigbu ɛnyā, ɔdaŋ ku alɔ miya ō gwa ejé eko nɛ ācɛ yɔ amāŋ eko nɛ alɔ yɔ ofoofu alɔ, alɔ hii gwa nwune nōo géē ya ku alɔ hii gbɛla ɔwɛ olɔhi ŋ ma ŋ. Amāŋ, ɔwɛ nɛ alɔ i gáā kwu iyi alɔ bi gla ipu ɛlā ō ka, ipu uce ō ya amāŋ ɔwɛ nōo lɔfu lɛ oyeeyi ku alɔ kwu ikwū ajaajɛ a ŋ. Ɔdaŋ kóō gē tɔɔtɛ lɛ alɔ ō kwu iyi alɔ bi eko nɛ alɔ gē gwa ejé ŋ, ayika alɔ hii gwa fluflu ŋ.
ƆYA ƆMAHAAPA 28–ƆYA ƆMAHATA 3
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 24
Lɛ Ɔfu Tu Iyi Uwɔ Iyē Ipu Āhɔ̄ Olɔnɔ
‘Aa Hayi Lɔfu Nɛ Ɔdā Duuma I Gáā Jila Aa Iyē Ŋ́’
15 Klɔcɛ ku Ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico ku a klla gbɛla lipu lipu tu ɔ. Ɔcí lɔfu hayi lɔfu iyē ɔdaŋ ka ó ta ɛgbla gaajɛ. Ohigbu ɛnyā, ɔdaŋ ku alɔ lɛ ɔtu okpoce olɔfu lɛ Ujehofa, ó géē tɔɔtɛ lɛ alɔ ō hayi kli. Abɔ ɔcí gē jɛ a, ó gē ta ɛgbla gaajɛ lipu lipu. Ɔdaŋ ku alɔ gē klɔcɛ ku Ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico klla gbɛla lipu lipu tu ɔ, ó gē ya ku ɔtu okpoce ku alɔ kóō lɔfu fiyɛ, klla gē cɛ lɛ alɔ jé kpɔcii ka ɔwɛ nɛ Ujehofa dɔka ku alɔ ya odee a lɔhi fiyɛ duu a. (Ukól. 2:6, 7) Gbɛla lɛyikwu ɛgɛ nɛ aukɔ́ ku Ujehofa mla ɔwɛ nɛ ó gē mafu a ta ācɛ ɔlɛ nu abɔ ō lɛ ogbotu ɛpleeko ku ikee a. Ocabɔ mafu, Isikɛlu jahɔ lɔɔlɔhi abɔ alelekwu otɛhɔ a yɔ i miya ɛgɛ néē géē gwo agbliihɔ nɛhi nɛ Isikɛlu má ipu ɛbɛ a. Ɛbɛ nɛ Isikɛlu má a lɔfu tu ɔ iyē klla nwu alɔ aɛlā ocɛgbá lɛyikwu ɛgɛ nɛ alɔ géē gba Ujehofa ɛ̄gbā ɔwɛ okpaakpa a.d (Isík. 40:1-4; 43:10-12) Alɔ abɔyi alɔ géē lɛ itene duu, ɔdaŋ ku alɔ lɛ eko taajɛ ō klɔcɛ klla gbɛla lipu lipu tu Ɛlā ku Ɔwɔico nɛ alɔ jé a.
Ɛgɛ Nɛ Alɔ Géē Yɔ I Lɛ Eeye Eko Nɛ Alɔ Yɔ I Lɔtu Ku Unwalu A
17 Unwalu a: Eko duuma nɛ ɔtu lɛ gbenyi lɛ alɔ. Ɛlā Ɔwɔico kahinii: “Ɔ́dāŋ́ ka a le gege eko kú unwalu, ayíka a kwáhi ɔkwɔ̄ɔ̄kwɛ̄yi.” (Aíit. 24:10) Ɛyi ɛlā ku Uhibru néē cɔwɔ ku “gege eko ku unwalu” a, wɛ ka ɔcɛ “i lɛ ɔtu ŋ.” Ɔdaŋ ka kē lɛ ɔtu gɛ ŋ, ayika eeye ku uwɔ i gáā gboji ajɛ ŋ..
18 Ɔdā nɛ alɔ cika ō ya a: Gbolo ce Ujehofa kóō je ɔtu ō lɛ gā uwɔ ku a lɔtu. Alɔ cɛgbá ɔtu ō lɛ o ya ɛɛ ku alɔ lɔtu unwalu. (Ujɛ́m. 5:11) Ɛlā nɛ Ujɛmisi bi yuklɔ kwɛyi ‘ɔtu ō lé’ a, ya ku alɔ gbɛla lɛyikwu ɔcɛ nōo hayi kli ɛga nōó mahayi a. Alɔ lɔfu gbɛla lɛyikwu icɔɔja nōo lɛ ɔtu hayi ɛga nɛ ó mahayi, nōó klla kwinya eko nɛ aolɛla gáā nuunu a ŋ.
19 Upɔlu lɛ ɛnɛɛnɛ ocabɔ ku ɔtu ō lɛ mla ɔtu ō lé taajɛ. Ekoohi, ó le gbagbafu. Amáŋ, ó tɔɔtɛ lɛ ɔ kóō lɔtu ohigbu ka ó gbolo ce Ujehofa kóō je ɔfu nɛ ó cɛgbá a lɛ ɔ. (2 Ukɔ́r. 12:8-10; Ufíl. 4:13) Alɔ lɔfu lɛ ɛdɔ ɔfu nyā, ɔdaŋ ku alɔ cɛ ku alɔ cɛgbá otabɔ ku Ujehofa.—Ujɛ́m. 4:10
Aɔka Nɛ Ācɛ O Jé Ɔkpá Ku Alɔ Gē Da
Aíita 24:16 kahinii: “Ɔ̄cɛ okpaakpa mɛ́mla ɔ̄cɛ olɔhi lɔfú gwōnū ce ɔhɔ́ɔ́há igbo ahāapa glá, ó kē í cānjɛ igbo ahāāhilapa ā.” Ɛnyā yɔ i kɛla lɛyikwu ɔcɛ nōo gē biya íne ŋma eko teeko, amáŋ Ɔwɔico gē je ya ɔ ɛhi a nɛɛ?
Ku ɛla ɔkwɛyi a ba, ó wɛ ɔdā nōo wɛ ɛyi ɔgba nyā a ya abɔɔ a ŋ. Ɔgba nyā yɔ i kɛla lɛyikwu ɔcɛ nōo gē má unwalu ɛyɛɛyɛyi, amáŋ gē lɔtu unwalu a.
Ó lɛ a, ɛjɛɛji aɛlā nyā yɔ i mafu ku ɔkpá ku Aíita 24:16, i yɔ i kɛla lɛyikwu íne ō biya ŋ, amáŋ ó yɔ i kɛla lɛyikwu unwalu, amāŋ āhɔ̄ olɔnɔ nɛ ɔcɛ lɔfu má ce ɔhɔɔha a. Ipu ɛcɛ icɛ nōo bɔbi nɛhi a, ɔcɛ okpaakpa lɔfu lɛ unwalu ku ōcē amāŋ ɛdɔ unwalu ɔhá. Ó kóō lɔfu má oyaŋmo ŋma ɛgiyi igɔmɛnti ohigbu ɔtu okpoce ku nu. Amáŋ ó lɔtuce ka Ɔwɔico wɛ otabɔ ku nu, klla géē ta ɔ abɔ kóō lɔtu mla ō ya lɔhi. Da iyi uwɔ ɔka nyā, ‘Ń gē má igbalɛwa ku odee gē lɔhi lɛ ācɛ nōo gē gba Ɔwɔico ɛ̄gbā a ŋ?’ Ɔdiya? Alɔ jé kpɔcii ka “Óndú géē tá ācɛ nɛ̄ ɔtū kú uwā le gbenyi ā abɔ̄, ó klla géē je ācɛ nēe má gwōnū ɛɛ́ mā ŋmá ajɛ.”—Aíjē 41:1-3; 145:14-19.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
w09 10/15 12
Questions From Readers
In Bible times, if a man wanted to “build up [his] household,” or establish a family by getting married, he needed to ask himself, ‘Am I ready to care for and support a wife and any children we may later have?’ Before starting a family, he had work to do, caring for his fields or crops. Thus, Today’s English Version pointedly renders this verse: “Don’t build your house and establish a home until your fields are ready, and you are sure that you can earn a living.” Does the same principle apply today?
Yes. A man who wants to marry needs to prepare properly for that responsibility. If he is physically able, he will have to work. Of course, a man’s hard work in caring for his family should not be limited to physical matters. God’s Word indicates that a man who does not care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of his family is worse than one without faith! (1 Tim. 5:8) Hence, in preparing for marriage and family life, a young man should ask himself such questions as these: ‘Am I reasonably prepared to provide materially for a family? Am I ready to be the spiritual head of a household? Will I fulfill the responsibility of conducting a regular Bible study with my wife and children?’ God’s Word certainly stresses those vital responsibilities.—Deut. 6:6-8; Eph. 6:4.
So a young man who seeks a wife should think carefully about the principle found at Proverbs 24:27. Likewise, a young woman does well to ask herself if she is prepared for the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. A young couple may ask similar questions when thinking about the possibility of raising children. (Luke 14:28) Living by such inspired guidance can help God’s people to avoid much heartache and to enjoy a rewarding family life.
ƆYA ƆMAHATA 4-10
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 25
Aukɔ́ Ku Ijeeyi Nōo Lɔfu Ta Alɔ Abɔ Ō Kɛla Ɔwɛ Nōo Lɔhi Fiyɛ Duu A
w15 12/15 19 ¶6-7
Use the Power of Your Tongue for Good
6 The words of Proverbs 25:11 illustrate the importance of choosing the right time to speak: “Like apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time.” Golden apples by themselves would be beautiful. Placing them against the background of silver carvings would enhance their beauty. Similarly, carefully picking a suitable time to speak can make our speech more appealing and effective. How?
7 Our words may be just what our hearer truly needs, but unless we discern the best time to speak, their meaning could be lost. (Read Proverbs 15:23.) For example, in March 2011 an earthquake and tsunami devastated parts of eastern Japan, wiping out entire cities. More than 15,000 lost their lives. Although Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area suffered along with their neighbors, they took advantage of every opportunity to use the Bible to comfort those who were mourning. However, many of the local people have deep-rooted Buddhist beliefs and little or no knowledge of Bible teachings. Our brothers discerned that immediately following the tsunami was not necessarily the best time to tell the grief-stricken victims about the resurrection hope. Instead, they used their gift of speech to focus on giving emotional support and explaining from the Bible why such terrible things happen to innocent people.
w15 12/15 21 ¶15-16
Use the Power of Your Tongue for Good
15 How we say something can be as important as what we say. When Jesus spoke in the synagogue of his hometown of Nazareth, the people were “amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth.” (Luke 4:22) Gracious speech appeals to the heart and in no way weakens the power of our tongue. In fact, graciousness can make our speech more persuasive. (Prov. 25:15) We can imitate Jesus’ gracious speech by being kind, courteous, and considerate of others’ feelings. Seeing the effort a crowd made to hear him speak, Jesus was moved with pity and “started to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34) Even when he was being insulted, Jesus did not resort to harsh speech.—1 Pet. 2:23.
16 Speaking with mildness and tact can be a challenge when our listener is someone whom we know very well. We might feel at liberty to be very frank. That can be true whether we speak with a family member or a close friend in the congregation. Did Jesus feel that his close relationship with his disciples granted him liberty to speak harshly to them? Not at all! When his closest followers continued to argue over who was greater, Jesus corrected them with kind words and an illustration of a young child. (Mark 9:33-37) Elders can imitate Jesus’ example by giving counsel “in a spirit of mildness.”—Gal. 6:1.
w95 4/1 17 ¶8
Incite to Love And Fine Works—How?
8 In serving our God, all of us may incite one another by example. Jesus certainly incited his listeners. He loved the work of the Christian ministry and exalted the ministry. He said it was like food for him. (John 4:34; Romans 11:13) Such enthusiasm can be infectious. Can you likewise let your joy in the ministry show? While carefully avoiding a boastful tone, share your good experiences with others in the congregation. When you invite others to work with you, see if you can help them find genuine pleasure in talking to others about our Grand Creator, Jehovah.—Proverbs 25:25.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
‘Bī Ɛga Nɛ̄ A Lɛ Ā Le Yúklɔ́ Olɔhi’
3 Ó klla lɛ ɔdā ɔhá kpɔ nōo gē kpo alɔ eko. Ɔdaŋ ku alɔ i lɛ ɛlá kwu ɔ ŋ, alɔ géē lɔfu gbɔɔ ō lɛ ɛjɛɛji eko ku alɔ taajɛ lɛ aɔdā ɛyɛɛyɛyi ɔhá, naana néē kóō wɛ aɔdā obɔbi ŋ ma. Ɛnyā kē lɔfu ya kóō lɔnɔ tu alɔ ō tubla Ujehofa ajaajɛ. Ocabɔ mafu, ó wɛ ɔdā olɔhi nɛhi ō lɛ eko taajɛ lɛ aɔdā ō bi le jɔɔnyɛ iyi ɔcɛ. Aɔdā nɛ alɔ je ō bi le jɔɔnyɛ iyi alɔ a i lɔfu wɛ ɔdā obɔbi ŋ, amāŋ ɔdaŋ ku alɔ i lɛ ɛlá kwu ɔ ŋ ó lɔfu kpo ɛjɛɛji eko ku alɔ, nɛ alɔ i gáā lɛ eko nwune ō bi le gba Ujehofa ɛ̄gbā gɛ ŋ. Alɔ bla, ka ó wɛ aɔdā ō bi le jɔɔnyɛ iyi ɔcɛ cɛgbá fiyɛ duu a ŋ.—Aíit. 25:27; 1 Utím. 4:8.
ƆYA ƆMAHATA 11-17
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 26
Le Kwu Ligbo Ligbo Ŋma Ɛgiyi “Olíla”
it-2 729 ¶6
Rain
Seasons. The two primary seasons in the Promised Land, summer and winter, can rather accurately be viewed as the dry season and the rainy season. (Compare Ps 32:4; Ca 2:11, ftn.) From about mid-April to mid-October very little rain falls. Rain is rare in this period during which the harvest takes place. Proverbs 26:1 shows that rain at harvesttime was considered quite out of place. (Compare 1Sa 12:17-19.) During the rainy season the rain is not constant; it alternates with clear days. Since this is also the cold period, exposure to the rain is very chilling. (Ezr 10:9, 13) Therefore, a comfortable shelter is most appreciated.—Isa 4:6; 25:4; 32:2; Job 24:8.
w87 10/1 19 ¶12
12 With some persons more drastic measures may be necessary, as Proverbs 26:3 indicates: “A whip is for the horse, a bridle is for the ass, and the rod is for the back of stupid people.” At times Jehovah let his nation of Israel be subdued by the troubles they brought upon themselves: “They had behaved rebelliously against the sayings of God; and the counsel of the Most High they had disrespected. So with trouble he proceeded to subdue their heart; they stumbled, and there was no one helping. And they began calling to Jehovah for help in their distress; out of the stresses upon them he as usual saved them.” (Psalm 107:11-13) Some stupid ones, however, harden themselves beyond the reach of any kind of healing discipline: “A man repeatedly reproved but making his neck hard will suddenly be broken, and that without healing.”—Proverbs 29:1.
it-2 191 ¶4
Lame, Lameness
Proverbial usage. “As one that is mutilating his feet [which would make him lame], as one that is drinking mere violence, is he that is thrusting matters into the hand of someone stupid,” said wise King Solomon. Truly, the man employing a stupid person to handle any project for him is doing crippling violence to his own interests. He is certain to see his proposed work collapse, with damage to himself.—Pr 26:6.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
Mafu Ku A Wɛ Ɔcɛ O Lɔfu Ŋma Lɛ Ō Gbonɛnɛ
18 Ó wɛ ɔkwɛyi, ka ɔdaŋ ku alɔ kóō lɛ ɛlā ka lɛyikwu ɔdā nɛ alɔ kpɔtuce a ɔwɛ nōo teyi peee naana, ó wɛ ɛjɛɛji ācɛ gáā miyɛ ɛlā nɛ alɔ ka a cɛ ŋ. Amáŋ ō kɛla lɛyikwu ɔdā nɛ alɔ kpɔtuce a ɔwɛ ogbonɛnɛ mla ɔwɛ ijeeyi lɔfu tabɔ. (Jé Ācɛ Ukólōsi 4:6.) Alɔ lɔfu lɛ ō kɛla lɛ ɔcɛ lɛyikwu ɔdā nɛ alɔ kpɔtuce a gbla ubɔlu nɛ alɔ yɔ i ta lɛ ɔcɛ ɔɔma a. Alɔ lɔfu ta ubɔlu a ɛcɔ gē lɛ ɔ ɛmɛɛma amāŋ ta ɔ mla ɔfu. Ɔdaŋ ku alɔ ta ubɔlu a ɛmɛɛma, ó géē lɔfu tɔɔtɛ lɛ ɔcɛ nōo yɔ i ta ubɔlu a kóō kwu ɔ ka ó klla gɔbu yɔ i ta ubɔlu a. Ɔwɛ ekponu ɔɔma, ɔdaŋ ku alɔ kɛla lɛyikwu ɔdā nɛ alɔ kpɔtuce a ɔwɛ ogbonɛnɛ mla ɔwɛ ijeeyi, ó lɔfu he ācɛ ɔtu ō jahɔ klla gɔbu mla ɔka ō ka a. Ó wɛ ɔkwɛyi ka ɔdaŋ ka ɔcɛ dɔka ō taafu amāŋ ŋmo alɔ okonu anca, alɔ i cika ō gɔbu mla ɔka ō ka a ŋ. (Aíit. 26:4) Amáŋ ācɛ alɛwa i gáā lɔfu lɛ ɛgɔɔma ŋ. Ku ɛlā ɔkwɛyi a, ācɛ alɛwa lɔfu jahɔ.
ƆYA ƆMAHATA 18-24
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 27
Ɛgɛ Nɛ Alɔ Géē Lɛ Itene Ŋma Ō Lɛ Aoklobiya Amāŋ Ancɛnya Olɔhi A
Ācɛ Ɔlɛ Ujehofa Nōo Gē Tu Iyi Uwa Waajɛ A Jɛ Ɔ Eyī Nɛhi
12 Ɔdaŋ ka é tu ɔcɛ nōo gē tu iyi nu waajɛ a ukɔ́, ó gē jɛ ɔ eyī nɛɛnɛhi. Má ocabɔ nyā: Gbɛla ku a yɔ ipu ōjila ku ujɔ. Abɔ a lɛ ɛlā ka mla ayinɛ alɔ alɛwa ɛ ma, anu ɔcɛ éyi ŋma ipu uwa gáā lɛ uwɔ higwu gā ɛkwu, anu ó da uwɔ ka ɔdole nɛ awɔ lé a le hɛ ba uwɔ ayinu. Ó lɛ aafu ŋ, uweyi géē kwu uwɔ nɛhi. Amáŋ, abɔ ɔcɛ ɔɔma da uwɔ a, ó gáā jɛ uwɔ eyī ŋ nɛɛ? Aku ɔkwɛyi a, ó kóō i lɔfu yɔ i ya uwɔ ka ɔcɛ ɔhá géē yɛ i le da uwɔ gbɔbu lɛ eko ɔɔma. Ɔwɛ ekponu ɔɔma, alɔ cika ō tu iyi alɔ waajɛ ɔdaŋ ku ɔyinɛ alɔ nɔnyilɔ amāŋ ka ɔyinɛ alɔ nɔnya duuma tu alɔ ukɔ́ eko nɛ alɔ cɛgbá nu. Alɔ klla cika ō mafu ka ukɔ́ a jɛ alɔ eyī nɛɛnɛhi. Alɔ kóō hii je ɔcɛ ɔɔma kóō wɛ olɛla ku alɔ ŋ, amáŋ alɔ je ɔ kóō wɛ oklobiya amāŋ ɔncɛnya ku alɔ.—Jé Aíita 27:5, 6; Ugal. 4:16.
it-2 491 ¶3
Neighbor
However, faith and trust in a companion, and the advisability of calling on such a person in time of need are counseled in the Proverbs: “Do not leave your own companion or the companion of your father, and do not enter the house of your own brother on the day of your disaster. Better is a neighbor [sha·khenʹ] that is near than a brother that is far away.” (Pr 27:10) Here the writer seems to be saying that a close family friend is one to be valued and should be looked to for help rather than even so close a relative as a brother, if that brother is far away, because he may not be as ready or at least not in as favorable a position to render help as the family companion.
Aɛdrɔ—Ɛdɔ Oyeeyi Nyá Nɛ Aa Géē Dɔka Ō Lā A?
7 Ɛlā éyi nɛ alɔ lɔfu nwu ŋma ōmiya obɔbi nɛ Ujɛhowasi ya a, wɛ ka alɔ cɛgbá ō fu aɔkpa nōo yihɔtu ku Ujehofa klla dɔka ō ya ɔdā nōo he ɔ ɔtu a. Aɔkpa nyā géē ta alɔ abɔ ō ya aɔdā olɔhi. Alɔ lɔfu wɛ ɔkpa ku ācɛ nōo lé ɔnyakwɔcɛ lɛ alɔ amāŋ ācɛ nɛ alɔ kóō lé lɛ uwa. Bla, ka Ujɛhoyada lé ɔnyakwɔcɛ lɛ Ujɛhowasi nōo wɛ ɔkpa ku nu a nɛɛnɛhi. Lɛyikwu ɛdɔ ācɛ nɛ a fu kéē wɛ aɔkpa ku uwɔ a, a lɔfu da iyi uwɔ ɔka kahinii: ‘Aɔkpa ku um gē ta um abɔ ku um ya ku ɔtu okpoce nɛ um lɛ lɛ Ujehofa a kóō yɔ i lɔfu fiyɛ? É gē ya ɔdā néē ya gla a kéē lɛyitaajɛ lɛ ɔ klla gē ta um ɔtu kwu ɔtu ō ya lɛ a? É gē kɛla lɛyikwu Ujehofa mla aɛlā ɔkwɛyi néē nwu ŋma ipu Ubáyíbu a? É gē tu um ukɔ́ amāŋ pi um ahɔ̄ eko duuma nɛ um cɛgbá nu?’ (Aíit. 27:5, 6, 17) Ku ɛlā ɔkwɛyi a, ɔdaŋ ka aɔkpa ku uwɔ i yihɔtu ku Ujehofa ŋ, á cɛgbá ō ya ɔkpa mla uwa ŋ. Amáŋ ɔdaŋ ku aɔkpa ku uwɔ yihɔtu ku Ujehofa, é géē ta uwɔ abɔ eko doodu!—Aíit. 13:20.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
Anyakwɔcɛ Ku Ujɔ—Aa Nwu Ɛlā Ŋma Ocabɔ Ku Ugidiyɔn
8 Je ɛjɛɛji owoofu a lɛ Ujehofa. Eko nɛ ācɛ ɔhá yɔ i cɛtra Ugidiyɔn ku ɛgɛ nɛ ó ya ācɛ Umidiya a lé a, ó kwu ɛjɛɛji owoofu a u lɛ Ujehofa. (Ācoh. 8:22, 23) Ɛgɛnyá nɛ anyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ lɔfu yɛce ocabɔ ku Ugidiyɔn a? É cika ō je ɛjɛɛji owoofu ku ɔdā néē ya a lɛ Ujehofa. (1 Ukɔ́r. 4:6, 7) Ocabɔ mafu, eko duuma néē yɔ i cɛtra ɔnyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ ku ɛgɛ nɛ ó gē bi le nwu ɛlā a, ó lɔfu ka ku ɛlā a ŋma ipu Ubáyíbu, ku ɛjɛɛji alɔ kē yɔ i nwu ɛlā ŋma ipu ɔwa ku Ujehofa. Anyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ lɔfu gbɛla kéē má ɔdaŋ ka ɔwɛ néē gē bi le nwu ɛlā a gē bi owoofu gē lɛ Ujehofa, amāŋ ɔdaŋ ka é yɔ i ya ɔ ɔwɛ nɛ ɛlā ku uwa géē he ācɛ ɔtu foofunu. Leyi yɛ ocabɔ ku ɔnyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ éyi nōo lé ka u Timothy a. Eko néē fu ɛpɛpɛ kóō wɛ ɔnyakwɔcɛ ku ujɔ a, ó gē he u Timothy ɔtu nɛhi ō ya ɛlā ō ka tɛɛcɛ. Ó kahinii: “Aɛlā ō bi gbɔɔ ŋmaajɛ ku ɛlā ō ka tɛɛcɛ ku um mla aciije nɛ um gē ta a gē likpo, ó klla gē lɔnɔ lɛ ācɛ kéē jɛyi nu fiyaa. Ɛnyā kē i ya ku ācɛ ɔhá kéē cɛtra um igbalɛwa. Amáŋ, ó wɛ ɔdā ō kwiiye nɛhi ku ɛnyā gē ya ku ayinɛ a kéē lɛ ɔtu kwu um fiyɛ, ikɔkɔ Ubáyíbu amāŋ Ujehofa.” Abɔ eko yɔ i nyɔ a, Timothy gáā le má ka ó cɛgbá ō ya opiyabɔ ipu ɔwɛ nɛ ó gē nwu ɛlā a, o ya ɛɛ ku ācɛ ka ó hii lɛ ɔtu kwu ɔ fiyɛ ɔfu ŋ. (Aíit. 27:21) Ɔdi bɛɛcɛ ŋma ɛnyā a? Ó kahinii: “Babanya, ayinɛ ɛyɛɛyɛyi gē da um ɛgɛ nɛ ɛlā ō ka tɛɛcɛ ku um a ta uwa abɔ kéē ya unwalu éyi lé, kéē lɔtu ku unwalu, amāŋ tubla Ujehofa ajaajɛ fiyɛ a. Ō po aɛlā ɛgɛnyā gē cɛ gā um lɛ eeye fiyɛ ɛgɛ nɛ um gē lɛ gbɔbu eko néē gē cɛtra um a.”
ƆYA ƆMAHATA 25-31
AGBENU NŌO YƆ IPU ƐLĀ ƆWƆICO AÍITA 28
Aɔdā Nōo Wɛ Ɛyɛɛyɛyi Ku Ɔcɛ Obɔbiipu Mɛmla Ɔcɛ Okpaakpa A
w93 5/15 26 ¶2
Do You Follow Jehovah Fully?
“THE righteous are like a young lion that is confident.” (Proverbs 28:1) They exercise faith, confidently rely on God’s Word, and boldly go forward in Jehovah’s service in the face of any danger.
it-2 1139 ¶3
Understanding
Those turning from the Source. The person who turns to transgression begins to discount God as a factor to be considered when making decisions and plans. (Job 34:27) Such a person allows his heart to blind him to the wrongness of his ways and he loses insight. (Ps 36:1-4) Even if claiming to worship God, he puts men’s precepts above God’s; he prefers them. (Isa 29:13, 14) He rationalizes and excuses his loose conduct as mere “sport” (Pr 10:23) and becomes perverted, brutish, stupid in his reasoning, to the extreme of assuming that the invisible God does not see or discern his wrongdoing, as though God’s powers of perception had failed. (Ps 94:4-10; Isa 29:15, 16; Jer 10:21) By his course and actions he says, in effect, “There is no Jehovah” (Ps 14:1-3) and leaves him ‘out of the picture.’ Not being guided by divine principles, he cannot judge matters correctly, see the issues clearly, evaluate the factors involved, and arrive at right decisions.—Pr 28:5.
it-1 1211 ¶4
Integrity
Such an integrity-keeping course is possible, not by the individual’s personal moral strength, but only through deep faith and trust in Jehovah and His saving power. (Ps 25:21) God’s promise is that he will be a “shield” and “stronghold,” guarding the way of those walking in integrity. (Pr 2:6-8; 10:29; Ps 41:12) Their constant concern for gaining Jehovah’s approval brings stability to their lives, enabling them to follow a straight course to their goal. (Ps 26:1-3; Pr 11:5; 28:18) Though, as Job perplexedly observed, the blameless may suffer because of the rule of the wicked and may die along with the wicked, Jehovah assures that he is aware of the life of the faultless person and guarantees that such a person’s inheritance will continue, his future will be peaceful, and he will come into the possession of good. (Job 9:20-22; Ps 37:18, 19, 37; 84:11; Pr 28:10) As in Job’s case, it is being a man of integrity, rather than one’s wealth, that makes one a person of genuine worth, meriting respect. (Pr 19:1; 28:6) Children privileged to have such a person for a parent are to be counted happy (Pr 20:7), receiving a splendid legacy in their father’s life example, enjoying a share in his good name and the respect he gained.
Ɛnɛɛnɛ Ɛlā Nɛ Alɔ Nwu Ŋma Ɛlā Ɔwɔico
w01 12/1 11 ¶3
You Can Avoid a Spiritual Heart Attack
Overconfidence. Many victims of a heart attack were very confident about their state of health just prior to their heart attack. Often, checkups or medical examinations were brushed off or even laughed off as completely unnecessary. Similarly, some may feel that since they have been Christians for a while, nothing could possibly happen to them. They may neglect submitting themselves to spiritual checkups or self-examination until disaster strikes. It is vital to keep in mind the good counsel against overconfidence as given by the apostle Paul: “Let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.” The course of wisdom is to acknowledge our imperfect nature and to examine ourselves spiritually from time to time.—1 Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 28:14.