1, 2. (a) What may cause us to ask: “How long”? (b) Why can we be encouraged by the examples of faithful servants in the past?

“HOW long?” That was the question raised by the faithful prophets Isaiah and Habakkuk. (Isa. 6:11; Hab. 1:2) When composing Psalm 13, King David four times likewise asked: “How long?” (Ps. 13:1, 2) Even our Lord Jesus Christ asked this question when confronted with the faithless attitude of those around him. (Matt. 17:17) So we should not be surprised if we find ourselves at times asking the very same question.

² What can cause us to ask: “How long”? Perhaps we have had to deal with some form of injustice. Or maybe we are enduring old age and sickness or the pressures of living in these “critical times” that are so “hard to deal with.” (2 Tim. 3:1) Or maybe the wrong attitudes of those around us are wearing us out. Whatever the cause, how encouraging it is to know that Jehovah’s faithful servants in the past felt free to express the same question that may loom in our minds, and they were not condemned for asking it!

3. What can help us when we face difficult circumstances?

 ³ But what can help us when we come face-to-face with such difficult circumstances? The disciple James, Jesus’ half brother, was inspired to tell us: “Be patient then, brothers, until the presence of the Lord.” (Jas. 5:7) Yes, we all need patience. But what is involved in having this godly quality?

4, 5. (a) What is involved in being patient? (b) How does the disciple James illustrate one aspect of patience? (See opening picture.)

⁴ According to the Bible, patience is a product of holy spirit; without God’s help, imperfect humans cannot be patient to the degree needed. Patience is a gift from God, and being patient is a key way to show our love for him. Patience is also an expression of our love for others. Persistent impatience weakens the bonds of love; patience strengthens them. (1 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22) Patience involves a number of other vital Christian qualities. For example, it is closely connected with endurance, which enables us to put up with difficult circumstances while maintaining a positive attitude. (Col. 1:11; Jas. 1:3, 4) Patience can also involve suffering without retaliating and remaining firm and steadfast no matter what may come our way. Additionally, the Bible urges us to accept willingly the need to wait. This aspect of patience is highlighted at James 5:7, 8. (Read.)

⁵ Why must we be willing to accept the need to wait for Jehovah to act? James compares our situation to that of a farmer. Even though a farmer works hard to plant his crop, he has no control over the weather or the growth of the plants. He cannot speed up the time. He accepts that he needs to wait patiently for “the precious fruit of the earth.” In a similar manner, there are many factors that are beyond our control as we wait for the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises. (Mark 13:32, 33; Acts 1:7) Like the farmer, we need to wait patiently.

6. What can we learn from the example of the prophet Micah?

⁶ The conditions we face today are similar to those in the days of the prophet Micah. He lived during the reign of wicked King Ahaz, a time when all sorts of corruption prevailed. In fact, the people had become “expert at doing what is bad.” (Read Micah 7:1-3.) Micah realized that he could not personally change these conditions. So, what could he do? He tells us: “As for me, I will keep on the lookout for Jehovah. I will show a waiting attitude [“I will wait patiently,” ftn.] for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Mic. 7:7) Like Micah, we too need to have “a waiting attitude.”

7. Why is more required of us than just waiting for Jehovah to fulfill his promises?

⁷ If we have faith like that of Micah, we will be willing to wait for Jehovah. Our situation is not like that of a prisoner who is waiting in his cell for his execution. He is forced to wait, and he is not looking forward to the outcome. How different things are for us! We are willing to wait for Jehovah because we know that he will fulfill his promise to give us everlasting life at exactly the right time, the best time! So we “endure fully with patience and joy.” (Col. 1:11, 12) To do otherwise​—to wait while complaining and grumbling that Jehovah is not acting fast enough—​would be displeasing to our God.​—Col. 3:12.

8. What do we need to remember as we meditate on the examples of faithful men and women of old?

⁸ We will be more willing to wait if we remember faithful men and women of old who waited patiently for Jehovah to fulfill his promises. (Rom. 15:4) As we meditate on their examples, it is good for us to remember how long they had to wait, why they were willing to wait, and what blessings resulted from their patience.

9, 10. How long did Abraham and Sarah have to wait on Jehovah?

⁹ Consider the example of Abraham and Sarah. They are among “those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” The Scriptures tell us that “after Abraham had shown patience,” he obtained the promise that Jehovah would bless him and multiply his offspring. (Heb. 6:12, 15) Why did Abraham need to show patience? Simply stated, the fulfillment of the promise would take time. The covenant Jehovah made with Abraham started to take effect on Nisan 14, 1943 B.C.E. That was when he and Sarah along with their household crossed the Euphrates River and entered the Promised Land. Abraham then had to wait 25 years before his son Isaac was born in 1918 B.C.E., and he had to wait another 60 years before his grandsons Esau and Jacob were born in 1858 B.C.E.​—Heb. 11:9.

¹⁰ How much land did Abraham inherit? We are told: “Yet, he [Jehovah] did not give him [Abraham] any inheritance in it, no, not even enough to put his foot on; but he promised to give it to him as a possession and after him to his offspring,  though as yet he had no child.” (Acts 7:5) It was not until 430 years after Abraham had crossed the Euphrates that his descendants were organized into a nation that would take possession of the land.​—Ex. 12:40-42; Gal. 3:17.

11. Why was Abraham willing to wait on Jehovah, and what blessings will he see as a result of his patience?

¹¹ Abraham was willing to wait, because his patience was based on his faith in Jehovah. (Read Hebrews 11:8-12.) Abraham was happy to wait, even though he did not see the complete fulfillment of the promise in his day. But just imagine Abraham’s joy when he is resurrected back to a paradise earth. He will be surprised to see how much of the Bible was used to record his personal story and that of his descendants. * Just imagine how thrilled he will be to understand for the first time his vital role in the outworking of Jehovah’s purpose with regard to the promised offspring! No doubt, he will feel that the long wait was worth it.

12, 13. Why did Joseph need patience, and what fine attitude did he have?

¹² Abraham’s great-grandson Joseph also showed a willingness to be patient. He was the victim of some outrageous injustices. First, his brothers sold him into slavery when he was about 17 years old. Then, he was falsely accused of trying to rape his master’s wife and ended up in irons in prison. (Gen. 39:11-20; Ps. 105:17, 18) For his righteous actions, he seemed to be punished rather than blessed. But after 13 years, everything changed very quickly. He was released from prison and promoted to the second-highest position in Egypt.​—Gen. 41:14, 37-43; Acts 7:9, 10.

¹³ Did the injustices make Joseph bitter? Did he lose confidence in his God, Jehovah? No. What helped Joseph to wait patiently? It was his faith in Jehovah. He saw Jehovah’s hand in matters. Notice how this is reflected in what he told his brothers: “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? Although you meant to harm me, God intended it to turn out well and to preserve many people alive, as he is doing today.” (Gen. 50:19, 20) Ultimately, Joseph realized that the wait was worth it.

14, 15. (a) What is outstanding about David’s patience? (b) What helped David to wait patiently?

¹⁴ King David was also the victim of many injustices. Although anointed by Jehovah at an early age to be the future king of Israel, David had to wait some 15 years before he was made king over his own tribe. (2 Sam. 2:3, 4) During part of this time, unfaithful King Saul pursued David, seeking to kill him. * As a result, David had to live as a fugitive, at times in a foreign country and at other times in caves in the wilderness. Even when Saul was eventually killed in battle, David still had to wait about seven more years before he was given the kingship over the whole nation of Israel.​—2 Sam. 5:4, 5.

¹⁵ Why was David willing to wait patiently? He gives us the answer in the very psalm in which he four times asked: “How long?” This is what he says: “As for me, I trust in your loyal love; my heart  will rejoice in your acts of salvation. I will sing to Jehovah, for he has richly rewarded me.” (Ps. 13:5, 6) David trusted in Jehovah’s loyal love. He joyfully looked forward to deliverance, and he reflected on how Jehovah had dealt rewardingly with him. Yes, David felt that the wait would be worth it.

16, 17. How have both Jehovah God and Jesus Christ set excellent examples with regard to being willing to wait?

¹⁶ With regard to exercising patience, Jehovah does not expect us to do something that he is not willing to do himself. He has set the supreme example of being willing to wait. (Read 2 Peter 3:9.) Jehovah has been waiting patiently for thousands of years so that the moral issues raised in the garden of Eden could eventually be settled beyond a doubt. He is “waiting patiently” and “keeping in expectation” of the time when his name will be fully sanctified. This will result in unimaginable blessings for those who are “eagerly waiting for him.”​—Isa. 30:18; ftn.

¹⁷ Jesus likewise has been willing to wait. Although he passed the test of integrity here on earth and presented the value of his ransom sacrifice in 33 C.E., he had to wait until 1914 before commencing his rule. (Acts 2:33-35; Heb. 10:12, 13) It will not be until the end of his Thousand Year Reign that all his enemies will be completely destroyed. (1 Cor. 15:25) It will have been a long wait, but we can be sure that the wait will be worth it.

18, 19. What will help us to be willing to wait patiently?

¹⁸ Without a doubt, therefore, each one of us needs to be willing to wait, to show a patient attitude. But what will help us to do this? Pray for God’s spirit. Remember, patience is an aspect of the fruitage of the spirit. (Eph. 3:16; 6:18; 1 Thess. 5:17-19) Plead with Jehovah to help you to endure patiently.

¹⁹ Remember, too, what helped Abraham, Joseph, and David to wait patiently for the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promises. It was their faith in Jehovah and their trust in his dealings with them. They did not focus just on themselves and their personal comfort. As we contemplate how well things worked out for them, we too will be encouraged to show a waiting attitude.

20. What should be our personal determination?

²⁰ So even though we face tests and trials, we are determined to show “a waiting attitude.” Yes, at times we might cry out: “How long, O Jehovah?” (Isa. 6:11) But with the strengthening power of God’s holy spirit, each of us is determined to echo the words of Jeremiah: “Jehovah is my share . . . That is why I will show a waiting attitude for him.”​—Lam. 3:21, 24.

1, 2. (a) De emwi nọ gha ya ima gha nọ wẹẹ: “Vbọ khian kpẹ sẹ hẹ”? (b) De igiọdu ne ima miẹn vbe igiemwi ọghe eguọmwadia e Jehova nẹdẹ?

“VBỌ khian kpẹ sẹ hẹ?” Ọna keghi re inọta ne akhasẹ Aizaia kevbe Habakọk nọ rẹn. (Aiz. 6:11; Hab. 1:2 NW ) Igba enẹ ẹre Ọba e Devid vbe nọ ọta na vbe Psalm 13. (Psm. 13:​1, 2) Uhiẹn Nọyaẹnmwa ighẹ Jesu Kristi vbe tobọre nọ ọta na rhunmwuda emwa ni lẹga re kegha re emwa nẹi mwẹ amuẹtinyan. (Mat. 17:17) Nọnaghiyerriọ, ma tobọ ima sẹtin vbe nọ ọta vberriọ.

² De emwi nọ gha ya ima nọ ọta vbenia? Ma sẹtin wa gha rri oya ye emwi ne ima ma na rẹn ọkpa rẹn eva. Ọ sẹtin vbe gha re rhunmwuda ne egbe na khian ọmaẹn nẹ, ra emianmwẹ ra ‘ẹghẹ nọ wegbe na gu loo.’ (2 Tim. 3:⁠1) Ọ sẹtin vbe gha re uyinmwẹ nẹi maan ne emwa ni lẹga ima yin. Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, ọ keghi emwi nọ rhie igiọdu ne ọmwa ne ima na rẹn wẹẹ, eguọmwadia e Jehova ni mudia ẹse vbe ẹghẹ nẹdẹ, vbe nọ egbe ọta na rhunmwuda vbene emwi ghaa ye iran hẹ, sokpan a ma rri iran oya yọ!

3. Vbọ khian ru iyobọ ne ima vbe ima ghaa rre uwu ibavbaro?

³ De emwi nọ gha ru iyobọ ne ima vbe ima gha werriẹ aro daa egbe ọlọghọmwa na sunu yi ban? Orhiọn nọhuanrẹn keghi ru  iyobọ ne Jems ne ọtiẹn Jesu ya rhie igiọdu na ne ima vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Wa ne etẹn mwẹ, wa zinegbe khẹ ẹghẹ ne Nọyaẹnmwa gha ya rre.” (Jems. 5:⁠7) Vbene ẹmwata, te ọ khẹke ne ima hia gha mwẹ izinegbe. Sokpan de vbene ima khian ya sẹtin gha mwẹ akpa nọ maan na hẹ?

4, 5. (a)Vbe izinegbe a demu? (b) De igiemwi nọ dekaan izinegbe ne Jems ru? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

⁴ E Baibol khare wẹẹ, izinegbe keghi re ọmọ erhan ọghe orhiọn nọhuanrẹn. Orhiọn nọhuanrẹn na, ẹre Osanobua ya ru iyobọ ne ima ne emwa ni ma gba, vbẹre erriọ, ma i ghẹ te sẹtin gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Izinegbe keghi re ẹsọhẹ nọ ke obọ Osanobua rre, ọ keghi re odẹ ne kpataki ne ima ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ima hoẹmwẹ ọnrẹn. Ọ keghi vbe re odẹ ne ima ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ima hoẹmwẹ emwa ọvbehe. Ọmwa nẹi mwẹ izinegbe i sẹtin hoẹmwẹ emwa ọvbehe dinmwi, sokpan izinegbe keghi ya ahoẹmwọmwa ne orhunmwu eva mwẹ ne egbe wegbe sayọ. (1 Kọr. 13:4; Gal. 5:22) Izinegbe keghi rhilo ginna akpa nibun nọ khẹke ne Ivbiotu e Kristi gha mwẹ. Vbe igiemwi, ọ keghi dekaan ekhọe na ya sẹtin ya egbe miẹn oya, vbene orhiọn i na gbe yọ ọmwa iwu. (Kọl. 1:11; Jems. 1:​3, 4) Ọ keghi vbe dekaan nai na rhiakhi ne egbe ọmwa vbe a ghaa rri oya kevbe na mudia gbain vbuwe ọlọghọmwa ne ima rhirhi werriẹ aro daa. Yevbesọni, e Baibol rhie igiọdu ne ima wẹẹ, emwi nọ khẹke nọ, ne ima gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Izinegbe na ẹre Jems guan kaẹn vbe ebe Jems 5:​7, 8. (Tie ẹre.)

⁵ Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima ya izinegbe gha diakhẹ e Jehova? E Jems keghi ya ihẹghẹ ọghe ima gie ọghe ọgbugbo. Ọgbugbo gha kọ emwi okọ nẹ, ẹi mwẹ ẹtin nọ ya si amẹ ra nọ ya ovẹn yunmwu yọ, ra nọ ya emwiokọ rherhe wan, nọ mieke na rherhe rhọ re. Ọ rẹnrẹn wẹẹ te ọ khẹke ne irẹn zinegbe “ne otọ ẹre mọ ọmọ esi ladian.” Emwi bun ne ima i khian sẹtin fiwerriẹ. zẹ vbene ima vbe ya mudia khẹ ẹghẹ ne Jehova khian ya mu eyan rẹn hia sẹ. (Mak 13:​32, 33; Iwinna 1:⁠7) Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha mwẹ izinegbe vbene a ghe ọgbugbo.

6. De emwi ne ima miẹn ruẹ vbe igiemwi ọghe akhasẹ e Maika?

⁶ Te ẹghẹ ne ima ye na wa vbe yevbe ẹghẹ ọghe akhasẹ e Maika. Ẹghẹ nii, Ehaz ne Ọba dan, ẹre ọ ghaa khaevbisẹ, rhunmwuda ọni, uyinmwẹ dan keghi gba ehe hia. “Te emwi dan ne a ru wa gua iran hia obọ ro.” (Tie Maika 7:​1-3.) Maika keghi do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, irẹn i khian sẹtin fi emwi dan nọ sunu werriẹ. Vbọ ghi ru? Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Mẹ gha rhie aro ye odẹ khẹ Nọyaẹnmwa. I gha ya izinegbe diakhẹ Osanobua. Ọmwa ne ọ gha miẹn mwẹ fan. Osanobua mwẹ gha họn ọghomwẹ.” (Mai. 7:⁠7) Te ima gha ya “izinegbe diakhẹ Osanobua” zẹ vbene Maika ru ẹre.

7. De vbene ima gha ya diakhẹ e Jehova hẹ?

⁷ Ma ghaa mwẹ egbe amuẹtinyan ne Maika ghaa mwẹ, te ima khian gele gha mwẹ ahoo na ya mudia khẹ ọre. Ihẹghẹ ọghomwa ma yevbe ọghe oleghan nọ rre eghan na bu ohiẹn uwu gbe. Ẹi re ekhọe obọ re ẹre ọ ya mudia khẹ ẹdẹ ne a khian gbẹ rua, ẹi vbe gbe ẹre otiti ighẹ emwi nọ khian sunu daa re. Nọ ya lughaẹn ọre wẹẹ, ma hoo ne ima ya izinegbe diakhẹ e Jehova, rhunmwuda ma rẹn wẹẹ, ọ gha sẹ ẹghẹ, ọ gha ya agbọn na khian e Paradais ne ima khian na gha rrọọ vbe etẹbitẹ. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne ima na “ye izinegbe ye egbe miẹn emwi hia.” (Kọl. 1:​11, 12) Sokpan deghẹ ima gui ẹzọ uwu unu wẹẹ e Jehova si obọ ẹgogo ghee iyeke, ọna i khian ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn ọnrẹn hiehie.​—⁠Kọl. 3:12.

8. De emwi nọ khẹke ne ima gha yerre vbe ima ghaa ru erria yan igiemwi ọghe eguọmwadia e Jehova nẹdẹ?

⁸ Ma gha sẹtin gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe deghẹ ima na gha yerre igiemwi esi ọghe eguọmwadia e Jehova ni ya izinegbe diakhẹ ọre. (Rom. 15:⁠4) Ma ghaa ru erria yan igiemwi ne iran rhie yotọ, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha yerre vbene ọ kpẹ sẹ hẹ ighẹ ẹghẹ ne iran khẹ Jehova la, evbọzẹe ne iran na gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe kevbe afiangbe ne iran miẹn.

9, 10. Vbọ kpẹ sẹ hẹ ighẹ ẹghẹ ne Ebraham vbe Sera ya diakhẹ e Jehova?

⁹ Gia ziro yan igiemwi ọghe Ebraham kevbe Sera. Iran rre usun “emwa ni yayi, ni vbe mwẹ izinegbe, ne emwi ne Osanobua ve sẹtin sẹ iran obọ.” E Baibol khare wẹẹ, rhunmwuda “Ebraham mwẹ izinegbe,” emwi ne Osanobua ve keghi sẹ irẹn kevbe ivbi ẹre obọ. (Hib. 6:​12, 15) Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne Ebraham zinegbe? Rhunmwuda ọ gha rhie ẹghẹ, eyan ọghe Jehova ke mwẹ amusẹ. Eyan ne Jehova yan ma Ebraham keghi suẹn gha mwẹ amusẹ vbe Nisan 14 vbe ukpo 1943 B.C.E. Ọni ọre vbe irẹn vbe igiowa ẹre fian Ẹzẹ Yufretis rra lae Otọ Na Ru Eyan Rẹn. Ukpo 25 ẹre Ebraham ya zinegbe a ke do biẹ Aizik vbe ukpo 1918 B.C.E. Ọ na vbe zinegbe la ukpo 60 ọvbehe, a ke do biẹ Isọ kevbe Jekọb ne eyẹ ọre vbe ukpo 1858 B.C.E.​—⁠Hib. 11:⁠9.

¹⁰ Inu otọ Ebraham re vbe ukhu? E Baibol khare wẹẹ: “Osanobua ma mu otọ rhọkpa ne Ebraham, ne ọ gha tie ẹre ọghẹe. Sokpan Osanobua ye tama rẹn wẹẹ, irẹn gha mu otọe ni hia nẹẹn kevbe wẹẹ ọ gha khian ọghẹe kevbe ọghe ivbi ẹre vbe iyeke irẹn. Ẹghẹ ne Osanobua na yan eyan na, Ebraham i he mwẹ ọmọ rhọkpa.”  (Iwinna 7:⁠5) Ọ ye sẹ ukpo 430 vbe iyeke Ebraham fian Yufretis rra, ivbi ẹre ke do la Otọ Na Ru Eyan Rẹn nii zẹvbe agbẹnvbo.​—⁠Ẹks. 12:​40-42; Gal. 3:⁠17.

11. Vbọzẹe ne Ebraham na ya izinegbe diakhẹ e Jehova? De afiangbe nọ gha lae miẹn vbe odaro?

¹¹ Te Ebraham muegbe nọ ya ye izinegbe diakhẹ e Jehova rhunmwuda amuẹtinyan nọ wegbe nọ ghaa mwẹ. (Tie Hibru 11:​8-12.) Ebraham keghi ya oghọghọ gha zinegbe agharhemiẹn wẹẹ ọ ma ghi rẹn vbene eyan hia ne Osanobua yan ma rẹn ya mwẹ amusẹ hẹ. Muẹn roro vbene ọyẹnmwẹ khian gha sẹ Ebraham hẹ vbe ọ gha rriọkpaegbe vbe paradais. Te ọ khian kpaodin vbene Baibol ya guan kaẹn irẹn kevbe ivbi ẹre hẹ. * U miẹn vbene ọ gha gbe ẹre otiti hẹ vbe ọ gha ghi do rẹn vbene emwi ne irẹn ru ya ye ahoọ ọghe Jehova mwẹ amusẹ hẹ, vbe nọ dekaan ọmọ na ru eyan rẹn! Ẹghẹ nii, ọ do rẹn wẹẹ irẹn ma mwẹ izinegbe kua kẹkan.

12, 13. Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne Josẹf gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe? De akpa nọ maan nọ ghaa mwẹ?

¹² E Josẹf wa vbe gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Ọ wa rri oya ne udẹn rri oya ne ẹvbi baa ẹmwẹ emwi nọ ma ru. Vbe okaro, etiọnrẹn keghi khiẹn ọnrẹn zẹvbe ọviẹn vbe ọ rre ukpo 17. Ọvbokhan arowa ẹre na vbe baa re ohoghẹ wẹẹ, ọ te mu irẹn yagha, rhunmwuda ọni, a keghi fiẹ fi eghan. (Gẹn. 39:​11-20; Psm. 105:​17, 18) Na gha te ya san rẹn ẹse ye uyinmwẹ esi nọ mwẹ, a na gha rri ẹre oya yọ. Sokpan vbe ukpo 13 ghi gberra nẹ, emwi hia na fi werriẹ. A keghi fan rẹn fua vbe eghan, ọ na vbe khian azukpogieva vbe otọ Igipt hia.​—⁠Gẹn. 41:​14, 37-43; Iwinna 7:​9, 10.

¹³ Ena hia ye Josẹf gha khiẹkhiẹ egbe ra? Ọ yae khian ọmwa nẹi ghi mwẹ ilẹkẹtin yan e Jehova ra? Ẹo. Vbọ ya e Josẹf gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe? Rhunmwuda ọ mu ẹtin yan e Jehova. Ọ vbe bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ e Jehova ma sẹ irẹn rae. Emwi nọ tama etiọnrẹn rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ọ rẹn wẹẹ e Jehova ma yangbe irẹn. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Wa ghẹ fian afianma. Mẹ i ra sẹtin rhie egbe mwẹ ye ihe Osanobua. Te uwa te si uma ne uwa ru mwẹ emwi dan, sokpan Osanobua keghi fiẹ werriẹ yae khian emwi esi, nọ miẹn ehe na sinmwi emwa nibun ye agbọn.” (Gẹn. 50:​19, 20) Vbe okiekie, e Josẹf keghi do bẹghe vbene Jehova ya fiangbe irẹn hẹ rhunmwuda ne irẹn na mwẹ izinegbe.

14, 15. (a) Vbọ ya izinegbe ọghe Devid lughaẹn ne ọghe emwa ọvbehe? (b) Vbọ ye Devid gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe?

¹⁴ E Devid wa vbe rri oya baa ẹmwẹ emwi nọ ma ru. Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ ọvbokhan ye nọ vbe Jehova zẹẹ ọre nọ gha re Ọba Izrẹl, ukpo 15 ẹre Devid ya ye izinegbe diakhẹ Osanobua, a ke do ma ẹre Ọba yan Ivbi Izrẹl. (2 Sam. 2:​3, 4) Vbuwe ẹghẹ na, ẹre Ọba e Sọl ya gha gualọe khian nọ gbẹ rua. * E Devid na gha lẹre khian, ọ na do khian enakpolugho. Ugbẹnso ọ ghi lẹ gha rrie ẹvbo ọvbehe, ugbẹnso ọ gha rre uvun okuta vbe ato. Uhiẹn vbe Sọl wu nẹ vbe odaro okuo, odẹ ukpo ihinrọn ẹre Devid ya khẹ, a ke do ma ẹre Ọba yan Ivbi Izrẹl hia.​—⁠2 Sam. 5:​4, 5.

¹⁵ Vbọzẹe ne Devid na gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe? Ọ tobọre zẹ ewanniẹn ye inọta na vbe ebe ọsian ne ọ na vbe nọ ọta na igba enẹ: “Vbọ khian kpẹ sẹ hẹ?” Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ahoẹmwọmwa ruẹn nẹi fiwerriẹ ẹre I mu ẹtin yan. I gha ghọghọ rhunmwuda, u gha miẹn mwẹ fan. I gha so ihuan rho ruẹ Nọyaẹnmwa, rhunmwuda, u ma mẹ gbe.”  (Psm. 13:​5, 6) E Devid keghi mu ẹtin yan ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe Jehova nẹi fiwerriẹ. Ọ keghi ya oghọghọ gha mudia khẹ ẹghẹ ne Jehova gha ya miẹn irẹn fan, ọ na vbe gha yerre obọ esi ne Osanobua he ya muẹn. E Devid wa rẹn wẹẹ Osanobua i khian yangbe irẹn.

16, 17. De vbene Jehova kevbe Jesu ya rhie igiemwi nọ ghi maan sẹ yotọ vbe nọ dekaan ne a gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe?

¹⁶ E Jehova tobọre wa mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Irẹn i khian wẹẹ ne ima gha mwẹ izinegbe vbene irẹn tobọ irẹn i na mwẹ izinegbe. Irẹn rhie igiemwi nọ ghi maan sẹ yotọ ne ima. (Tie 2 Pita 3:⁠9.) Ke ukpo arriaisẹn nibun gha dee ẹre Jehova ke mwẹ izinegbe rhunmwuda, irẹn hoo nọ zuze yọ, nọ wa fo vbe otọ fẹfẹfẹ ighẹ ẹmwẹ nọ suẹnrẹn vbe ogba ọghe Idẹn, nọ dekaan asẹ ne irẹn mwẹ na ya kha yan agbọn vbe ẹrinmwi. Irẹn keghi “mudia” khẹ ẹghẹ ne eni irẹn khian ya khian nọhuanrẹn. Afiangbe nọkhua khian gha nọ nẹ emwa ni “mu ẹtin yan Nọyaẹnmwa.”​—⁠Aiz. 30:⁠18.

¹⁷ Jesu wa vbe mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ e Jesu mudia gbain vbe ọ rre uwu edanmwẹ, vbe ọ ghi kpa gha rrie ẹrinmwi, ọ na muẹn ye Erhae obọ asẹ ne irẹn te mwẹ ne irẹn ya gha rrọọ zẹvbe ọmwa nọ gbae vbe uhunmwu otagbọn vbe ukpo 33 C.E. Vbe iyeke ọni, ọ na ye mwẹ izinegbe do sẹ ukpo 1914 ọ ke suẹn gha kha zẹvbe ọba. (Iwinna 2:​33-35; Hib. 10:​12, 13) Te ọ khian ye mwẹ izinegbe sẹ ufomwẹ ọghe Ukpo Arriaisẹn nọ khian ya kha ọ ke guọghọ eghian rẹn hia fo. (1 Kọr. 15:25) E Jesu gha zinegbe la ẹghẹ nọ wa tan, vbọrhirhighayehẹ, izinegbe na gha biẹ ọmọ esi.

18, 19. Vbọ khian ya ima gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe?

¹⁸ Te ọ ghi wa vẹẹ na rẹn nia wẹẹ, e Jehova hoo ne ima gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Sokpan, vbọ khian ru iyobọ ne ima? Te ọ khẹke ne ima gha na erhunmwu ne Jehova gha ya orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ru iyobọ ne ima rhunmwuda, abọ ọkpa ọghe ọmọ erhan orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ẹre izinegbe khin. (Ẹfis. 3:16; 6:18; 1 Tẹs. 5:​17-19) Gha rinmwian e Jehova nọ ru iyobọ nuẹn ya gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe.

¹⁹ Gha yerre emwi nọ ru iyobọ ne Ebraham, Josẹf kevbe Devid ne iran na sẹtin diakhẹ e Jehova nọ mu eyan rẹn sẹ. Amuẹtinyan ẹre ọ ru iyobọ ne iran. Ọghe enegbe iran ma mu iran. Ma ghaa muẹn roro vbene emwi ghi ya dunna ne iran, ọ gha gua ima kpa ya gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe.

20. De emwi nọ khẹke ne dọmwadẹ ima ta mu olọ yan?

²⁰ Nọnaghiyerriọ, ma ghaa rre uwu edanmwẹ ra ibavbaro, te ọ khẹke ne ima ta mu olọ yan rẹn wẹẹ ima gha zinegbe. Ọlọghọmwa eso sẹtin ya ima gha nọ e Jehova wẹẹ, “Vbọ khian kpẹ sẹ hẹ.” (Aiz. 6:11) Sokpan ẹtin ne orhiọn nọhuanrẹn rhie ye ọmwa iwu gha sẹtin ya ima gha mwẹ egbe ilẹkẹtin ọghe Jerimaia vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Mẹ i mwẹ emwi ọvbehe gberra e Nọyaẹnmwa . . . uwu irẹn ọre idaehọ mwẹ ye.​—⁠Eve. 3:​21, 24.