1. Why is the time that we live in unique?

WE LIVE in a time of human history that is truly unique. As the Bible foretold, Jehovah is gathering “a great crowd . . . out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues.” Those gathered constitute “a mighty nation” of more than eight million happy people who “are rendering [God] sacred service day and night.” (Rev. 7:9, 15; Isa. 60:22) Never before have there been so many who have come to love both God and their fellow man.

2. What misdirected kind of love characterizes people who are alienated from God? (See opening picture.)

² Yet, the inspired Scriptures also foretold that in our day, a misdirected kind of love characterized by selfishness would be shown by people who are alienated from God. The apostle Paul wrote: “In the last days . . . , men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, . . . lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” (2 Tim. 3:1-4) This self-centered kind of love is inconsistent with Christian love; it stands in contrast with it. Pursuing selfish goals does not bring people the happiness  that they expect. Indeed, such love fosters a selfish world that is “hard to deal with.”

3. What will we analyze in this article, and why?

³ Paul recognized that widespread, selfish love would pose dangers for Christians. Hence, he gave the warning to “turn away” from those whose love is misdirected. (2 Tim. 3:5) However, we cannot avoid all contact with such people. So how can we turn away from the worldly attitudes that surround us and strive to please Jehovah, the God of love? Let us contrast godly love with the love described at 2 Timothy 3:2-4. Doing so will help us evaluate and refine the love that we should show, the kind of love that brings true satisfaction and happiness.

4. Why is it not wrong to have a balanced love of self?

⁴ “Men will be lovers of themselves,” wrote the inspired apostle. Is it wrong for us to love ourselves? No, it is normal, even necessary, to have a healthy love of self. Jehovah designed us that way. Jesus said: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31) If we do not love ourselves, we cannot love our neighbor. We also read in the Scriptures: “Husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself, for no man ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cherishes it.” (Eph. 5:28, 29) So a proper love of self is desirable.

5. How would you describe those who have an excessive love of self?

⁵ The love of self mentioned at 2 Timothy 3:2 is not a normal, healthy love. It is a distorted, selfish love. People who love themselves excessively think more of themselves than it is necessary for them to think. (Read Romans 12:3.) Their main interest in life is themselves. They care little about others. When things go wrong, they tend to blame others rather than accept responsibility. One Bible commentary likens those who are lovers of themselves to “the hedgehog which . . . rolls itself up in a ball, keeping the soft, warm wool for itself . . . and . . . presents the sharp spines to those without.” Such self-centered people are not truly happy.

6. What results come from a love of God?

⁶ Bible scholars suggest that love of self is put at the top of the apostle Paul’s list of negative qualities that would be prevalent during the last days because the other qualities result from it. In contrast, people who love God produce a much different kind of fruitage. The Bible associates godly love with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, and self-control. (Gal. 5:22, 23) “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah!” wrote the psalmist. (Ps. 144:15) Jehovah is a happy God, and his people reflect that quality. Furthermore, unlike those who are lovers of themselves and who are interested only in receiving, Jehovah’s servants find delight in giving of themselves for the welfare of others.​—Acts 20:35.

7. What questions will help us to analyze our love of God?

⁷ How can we determine if our love of God is being eclipsed by love of self? Consider the admonition found at Philippians 2:3, 4: “Do nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with humility consider others superior  to you, as you look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.” We might ask ourselves: ‘Do I apply that counsel in my life? Am I genuinely seeking to do God’s will? Do I reach out to help others, both in the congregation and in the field ministry?’ Giving of ourselves is not always easy. It requires effort and self-sacrifice. But what could make us happier than knowing that we have the approval of the Sovereign of the universe?

8. What has the love of God moved some to do?

⁸ Love of God has moved some to give up potentially lucrative careers to serve Jehovah more fully. Ericka, who lives in the United States, is a physician. But instead of pursuing a prestigious position in medicine, she became a regular pioneer and has served in several countries with her husband. Thinking back, she says: “The many experiences we have had in helping out in a foreign-language field, along with the friendships we have made, have truly enriched our lives. I still practice medicine, but being able to focus most of my time and energy on helping to heal people spiritually and on caring for the needs of the congregation brings me heartfelt joy and inner satisfaction.”

9. Why does a love of money not bring happiness?

⁹ Paul wrote that people would be “lovers of money.” Some years ago, a pioneer in Ireland spoke to a man about God. The man took out his wallet, removed some paper money, held it up, and proudly said, “This is my god!” Though not many would be so open about the matter, the world is full of people who love money and the things it can buy. Yet, the Bible cautions: “A lover of silver will never be satisfied with silver, nor a lover of wealth with income.” (Eccl. 5:10) Such people will always want more money, and striving to amass it, they will bring on themselves “many pains.”​—1 Tim. 6:9, 10.

10. What does the Bible say about riches and poverty?

¹⁰ We all need money, of course. It provides a measure of protection. (Eccl. 7:12) But can a person be truly happy if he has only enough for his basic needs? Absolutely! (Read Ecclesiastes 5:12.) Agur son of Jakeh wrote: “Give me neither poverty nor riches. Just let me consume my portion of food.” We can readily understand his reason for not wanting to be extremely poor. As he went on to explain, he did not want to be tempted to steal because theft would dishonor God. But why did he pray not to have riches? He wrote: “So that I do not become satisfied and deny you and say, ‘Who is Jehovah?’” (Prov. 30:8, 9) Likely you can think of people who trust in their wealth rather than in God.

11. What counsel did Jesus give about money?

¹¹ Those who love money cannot please God. Jesus said: “No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches.” He prefaced that by saying: “Stop storing up for yourselves treasures on the earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal. Rather, store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes, and where thieves  do not break in and steal.”​—Matt. 6:19, 20, 24.

12. How may a simple life make it easier to serve God? Give an example.

¹² Many have found that living a simple life not only makes them happier but also gives them more time to serve Jehovah. Jack, who lives in the United States, sold his large home and business because he knew that doing so would make it possible for him to pioneer with his wife. He reflects: “It was hard to give up our beautiful home and property in the country. Yet, for years, I would come home frustrated because of problems at work. My wife, a regular pioneer, was always so happy. She would say, ‘I have the greatest boss ever!’ Now that I too am pioneering, we both work for the same Person, Jehovah.”

13. How might we analyze our view of money?

¹³ To analyze our view of money, we might honestly consider how we would answer these questions: ‘Do I really believe and live in harmony with what the Bible says about money? Does making money come first in my life? Do I value material things more than my relationship with Jehovah and with people? Do I really trust in Jehovah to care for my needs?’ We can be sure that he will never disappoint those hoping in him.​—Matt. 6:33.

14. What is a reasonable view of pleasures?

¹⁴ As foretold, many people today are “lovers of pleasures.” Just as there is nothing wrong with a healthy, reasonable view of self and money, there is nothing wrong with a balanced view of pleasures. Jehovah does not want us to practice severe self-denial or to abstain from wholesome activities that bring enjoyment. The Bible encourages faithful ones: “Go, eat your food with rejoicing, and drink your wine with a cheerful heart.”​—Eccl. 9:7.

15. What type of pleasures is referred to at 2 Timothy 3:4?

¹⁵ Second Timothy 3:4 refers to a pursuit of pleasures that excludes God.  Notice that the verse does not say that people would love pleasures more than God, implying that they would have some love for him. It says ‘rather than God.’ One scholar wrote: “This [verse] definitely does not mean that they also love God to some extent. It means that they do not love God at all.” What a sobering warning to those who are nurturing an inordinate love of pleasures! The phrase “lovers of pleasures” aptly describes those who are “carried away by . . . pleasures of this life.”​—Luke 8:14.

16, 17. What example did Jesus set in the matter of pleasures?

¹⁶ Jesus displayed a perfectly balanced view of pleasures. He attended “a marriage feast” and “a big reception feast.” (John 2:1-10; Luke 5:29) At the wedding, he miraculously changed water into wine, adding to the supply, which had run short. And on another occasion, he rejected the self-righteous views of those who criticized him for eating and drinking.​—Luke 7:33-36.

¹⁷ Yet, Jesus did not immerse himself in a life of pleasure. He put Jehovah first and expended himself tirelessly in behalf of others. So that many might live, he willingly endured a painful death on a stake. Addressing those who would follow in his footsteps, Jesus said: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you.”​—Matt. 5:11, 12.

18. What questions will help us to analyze how much we love pleasures?

¹⁸ How might we analyze how much we love pleasures? We do well to ask ourselves: ‘Do meetings and field service take second place to entertainment? Am I willing to practice self-denial because I want to serve God? In seeking pleasurable activities, do I consider how Jehovah will view my choices?’ If we truly love God, we will be careful to avoid not only the things we know will displease him but also the things we merely suspect may displease him.​—Read Matthew 22:37, 38.

19. Who can never be truly happy?

¹⁹ After some 6,000 years of human misery, Satan’s world is coming to its end. The earth is filled with those who have an inordinate love of self, money, and pleasures. They are people who are eager for what they can get, people who place their own wishes at the center of their life. Such people can never be truly happy. Instead, it is as the psalmist wrote: “Happy is the one who has the God of Jacob as his helper, whose hope is in Jehovah his God.”​—Ps. 146:5.

20. How has the love of God brought you happiness?

²⁰ The love of God flourishes among Jehovah’s people, and our ranks are growing every year. This is evidence that God’s Kingdom reigns and will soon bring to earth unimaginable blessings. True and lasting joy comes from doing God’s will, from knowing that we are pleasing the Supreme One. And those who love Jehovah will be joyful forever! In the next article, we will consider some of the qualities that result from selfish love and see how these contrast with the qualities found in Jehovah’s servants.

1. Vbọ ya ẹghẹ ne ima ye na lughaẹn?

TE ẸGHẸ ne ima ye na wa lughaẹn ne ẹghẹ ọvbehe ke ne a ya bu agbọn tua agbọn gha dee. Zẹ vbene Baibol khare, e Jehova wa si “agbọn ẹvbo ne ọmwa rhọkpa i sẹtin ka” koko. Iran na keghi ke “uniẹn emwa kevbe ẹvbo” ughughan rre vbe uhunmwu otagbọn hia. Emwa ne Osanobua he si koko nia keghi re okpẹvbo emwa ni gberra ẹbo erẹnrẹn. Iran ya oghọghọ “gae, asọn kevbe avan.” (Arhie 7:9, 15; Aiz 60:22) A ma he ka miẹn ẹghẹ ne ẹbu emwa nibun sẹ vbenian, he ya hoẹmwẹ Osanobua kevbe ogieva iran vbene a ghee ẹghẹ ne ima ye na.

2. De egbe ahoẹmwọmwa ne emwa ni ma rẹn Osa rhiema vbe ẹghẹ ne ima ye na? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

² Ọrheyerriọ, e Baibol tae yotọ wẹẹ, ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ọkẹnrẹn ra ọghe agabagebe ẹre emwa ni ma rẹn Osa khian gha rhiema vbe ẹghẹ ne ima ye na. Ukọ e Pọl keghi kha wẹẹ: ‘Vbe ẹdẹ okiekie, emwa ghi khian ni rẹn enegbe iran ọkpa, iran ghi hoẹmwẹ igho . . . iran ghi gha hoẹmwẹ egberọkhọmwẹ vbe ne iran i na hoẹmwẹ Osanobua.’ (2 Tim 3:1-4) Ọna i re egbe ahoẹmwọmwa nọ khẹke ne Ivbiotu e Kristi gha rhiema. Ahoẹmwọmwa vbenian i ya emwa mwẹ oghọghọ ne iran te yaro yi.  Vbene ẹmwata, ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ọkẹnrẹn ẹre ọ si ẹre ne emwi na wa lọghọ vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ.

3. De emwi ne ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na? Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima ziro yan rẹn?

³ E Pọl rẹn wẹẹ, ọyasin ọghe emwa ni mwẹ ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe agabagebe sẹtin sin Ivbiotu e Kristi deghẹ iran ma begbe. Ọna ẹre ọ si ẹre ne ọ na ya obọ sekhae ne ima wẹẹ, ne ima “bi egbe” ne emwa vberriọ. (2 Tim 3:5) Sokpan ma i khian sẹtin wa bi egbe ne emwa hia ni mwẹ uyinmwẹ vbenian. Nọnaghiyerriọ, vbe ima khian ya sẹtin bi egbe ne uyinmwẹ dan ne emwa nagbọn yin, ne ima mieke na sẹtin gha ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn e Jehova nọ re Osa ọghe ahoẹmwọmwa? Nia, gi ima guan kaẹn alughaẹn nọ rre ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ata kevbe ne Pọl guan kaẹn vbe ebe 2 Timoti 3:2-4. Ọna gha ya ima rẹn egbe ahoẹmwọmwa ne ọ khẹke ne ima gha rhie ma; ọni ọre ahoẹmwọmwa nọ sẹ otọ ẹko.

4. Vbọzẹe nọ ma na de emwi nọ rhiae deghẹ ahoẹmwọmwa ne ima mwẹ ne egbe ima rre oreghe?

⁴ E Pọl keghi kha wẹẹ “emwa ghi khian ni rẹn enegbe iran ọkpa.” Ọ de emwi nọ rhiae deghẹ ima hoẹmwẹ egbe ima ra? Hiehie! Te ọ khẹke rhunmwuda erriọ e Jehova ya yi ima, sokpan ọ gha rre oreghe. E Jesu khare wẹẹ: “Hoẹmwẹ ogieva ruẹ zẹ vbene u hoẹmwẹ egbe ruẹ.” (Mak 12:31) Deghẹ ima ma hoẹmwẹ egbe ima, ma i vbe sẹtin hoẹmwẹ emwa ọvbehe. E Baibol ye vbe kha wẹẹ: “Te ọ kere ne ikpia gha hoẹmwẹ amwẹ iran, zẹ vbene iran hoẹmwẹ ikinnegbe iran. Okpia ne ọ hoẹmwẹ amwẹ ọnrẹn, egbe ẹre ọre ọ hoẹmwẹ ọnrẹn. A i miẹn ọmwa ne ọ khọ ẹko ikinnegbe ẹre, sokpan te ọ gbe aro ghe ẹre.” (Ẹfis 5:28, 29) Ọna rhiema wẹẹ ọ ma de emwi nọ rhiae deghẹ ima hoẹmwẹ egbe ima vbe odẹ nọ khẹke.

5. De akpa ne emwa ni hoẹmwẹ egbe iran gberra egbe rhiema?

⁵ Ahoẹmwọmwa ne a guan kaẹn vbe ebe 2 Timoti 3:2 ma khẹke Ivbiotu e Kristi. Ọ keghi re ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ọkẹnrẹn. Emwa ni rhie ahoẹmwọmwa vbenian ma keghi rẹn ọghe enegbe iran ọkpa. (Tie Rom 12:3.) Ọghe enegbe iran ẹre ọ mu iran. Iran i vbe zẹ ye emwa ọvbehe re. Iran gha ru abakuru, emwa ọvbehe ẹre iran zẹ yan, iran i miẹn kue wẹẹ iran rriabe. Ọgbenbe ọkpa keghi kha wẹẹ, te emwa ni hoẹmwẹ egbe iran yevbe aranmwẹ na tie ẹre “ọkhaẹn nọ ki rre vbe na ghe ibọlu. Te ikinnegbe ẹre ye khuẹrhẹ vbe ototọ, erriọ vbe ya mwẹ ọghae sokpan ikinnegbe ọghe igban ẹre ọ viọ ladian nọ ya gbogba ga egbe ẹre.” Vbene ẹmwata, emwa vberriọ, ni rẹn ọghe egbe iran ọkpa i mwẹ oghọghọ nọ sẹ otọ ẹko.

6. De emwi ne ima lae miẹn vbe ima gha hoẹmwẹ Osanobua?

⁶ Emwa eso ni tie Baibol dinmwi vbe owebe nọ yo keghi kha wẹẹ, vbe Pọl guan kaẹn avbe akpa ne ẹi maan ne emwa khian gha rhiema vbe ẹdẹ okiekie, uyinmwẹ ọghe ne a na hoẹmwẹ egbe ọmwa gberra egbe, ẹre ọ ka ya unu kaẹn rhunmwuda, akpa na, ẹre avbe akpa ne ẹi maan nikẹre ke zọlọ ladian. Sokpan ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ata ẹre Jehova hoo ne emwa rẹn gha mwẹ. Ọmwa nọ mwẹ ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ata ẹre ọ rhie avbe akpa na ma: oghọghọ, ọfunmwegbe, izinegbe, itohan, ekhọesi, amuẹntinyan kevbe amuegbe ye ọghọ. (Gal 5:22, 23) Ọsian keghi kha wẹẹ “Afiangbe ọre ọghe emwa ne [“Jehova,” NW ] ọre Osanobua iran!” (Psm 144:15) E Jehova keghi re Osa nọ sọyẹnmwẹ, erriọ emwa rẹn vbe ye. Levbasevba, emwa ni rre uwu agbọn keghi rẹn ọghe enegbe iran ọkpa, erriọ iran vbe ya yaro ye emwi ẹrhẹe. Ne eguọmwadia e Jehova ya lughaẹn ọre wẹẹ, oghọghọ kevbe ekhọe hia ẹre iran ya ru iyobọ ne emwa ọvbehe.—Iwinna 20:35.

7. De inọta eso ni gha ya ima rẹn deghẹ ima gele hoẹmwẹ Osanobua?

⁷ Vbe ima khian ya rẹn hẹ deghẹ egbe ima ẹre ima hoẹmwẹ ọnrẹn sẹ Osanobua? Ibude ọghe Pọl nọ rre Filipai 2:3, 4 gha ru iyobọ ne ima. Ọ khare wẹẹ: ‘Wa ghẹ ya ekhọe a gua ye ẹgẹn ọmwa ọkpa ru emwi rhọkpa, ra ekhọe abawẹ, sokpan wa gha daa ne egbe, vbene u i na ro ighẹ  uwẹ maan sẹ ọmwa ọvbehe. Wa gha mu ọghe emwa ọvbehe ye okaro, ẹi re ọghe enegbe ruẹ ọkpa.’ Ma sẹtin nọ egbe ima ọta eso vbenian: ‘Mẹ ya ibude na ru emwi vbe arrọọ ọghe imẹ ra? Mẹ ya ekhọe hia ru ahoo ọghe Jehova ra? I loo ẹkpotọ nọ rhirhi kie ya ru iyobọ ne etẹn vbe iko kevbe ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan ra?’ Ne a rhiegbe ladian ya ru iyobọ ne emwa ọvbehe i khuẹrhẹ hiehie. Te ima gha sẹ emwi eso nọ yẹẹ ima rae. Sokpan ọyẹnmwẹ ne ima mwẹ rhunmwuda ne ima na rẹn wẹẹ ima mwẹ akueyi ọghe Jehova i gia gie.

8. De emwi ne etẹn eso ru rhunmwuda ahoẹmwọmwa ne iran mwẹ daa Osanobua?

⁸ Rhunmwuda ahoẹmwọmwa ne etẹn eso mwẹ ne Jehova, iran keghi sẹ iwinna ne iran na miẹn osugi igho rae, ne iran mieke na rhiegba ye ugamwẹ. Vbe igiemwi, Ericka nọ rre United States keghi re ọbo ebo. Sokpan nọ gha te ya rhie aro tua iwinna nii, nọ do khian okpọmwa, ọ keghi rhie obọ ye iwinna arọndẹ. Ọna keghi kie ẹkpotọ ne irẹn vbe arowa re ya sẹtin ru iyobọ ne emwa nibun vbe otọ ẹvbo nibun. Ericka keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te arrọọ ọghe ima ghi mwẹ evbọ demu rhunmwuda ọse nibun ne ima ghi mwẹ nia kevbe emwi ẹwaẹn nibun ne ima miẹn vbe ima ya ru iyobọ ne emwa vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn vbe otọ ẹvbo ọvbehe. Ọbo ebo ẹre I ye khin nia sokpan, ọ wa sẹ mwẹ ọyẹnmwẹ, erriọ vbe ya sẹ mwẹ ọkẹn ne I na sẹtin loo ẹtin kevbe ẹghẹ nọ somwa ye iwinna nọ mu emwa egberran vbe odẹ ọghe orhiọn kevbe ne I na mwẹ ọghae vbe iwinna iko.”

9. Vbọzẹe ne ọmwa nọ hoẹmwẹ igho i na mwẹ oghọghọ nọ sẹ otọ ẹko?

⁹ E Pọl keghi kha wẹẹ te emwa khian gha “hoẹmwẹ igho” vbe ẹdẹ okiekie. Vbe ukpo eso nọ gberra vbe arọndẹ ọkpa rre ikporhu vbe ẹvbo na tie ẹre Ireland, ọ keghi miẹn okpia ọkpa, ọ na suẹn gha gu ẹre guan vbekpae Osanobua. Okpia nii keghi rhie ẹsiso igho ọghẹe ladian, ọ na rhan rẹn, ọ ghi rhie igho eso ladian vbuwe ẹre, ọ na niẹn ọnrẹn daa arọndẹ na, ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọna ọre osa ni ga!” Emwa nibun i khian wa miẹn kue vbenian sokpan te agbọn na vuọn ne emwa ni hoẹmwẹ igho kevbe emwi ewe. E Baibol keghi ya obọ sekhae ne ima wẹẹ: “Aro ruẹ gha wu ye igho, ẹghẹ ọkpa ne ọ ra ya suẹ ọkẹn i rrọọ. U gha rhie aro ye ẹfe, ẹghẹ ne u ra ya miẹn emwi ne u gualọ hia gba i rrọ.” (Asan 5:10) Te emwa vberriọ rhie asọn ba avan ya gualọ igho sokpan vbe okiekie ẹre, iran ghi “ya akhiẹ nibun guọghọ ekhọe iran ruan.”—1 Tim 6:9, 10.

10. De emwi ne Agọr khare vbekpae ẹfe kevbe ogue?

¹⁰ Vbene ẹmwata, igho mwẹ iyobọ kpataki nọ ye ne ima hia. (Asan 7:12) Ọmwa gha gele sẹtin gha sọyẹnmwẹ deghẹ igho ọghe evba gha re kevbe evba gha da ẹre ọ mwẹ ra? Ẹn! (Tie Asan Ibo 5:12.) Agọr ne ovbi Jakẹ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ghẹ gu mwẹ gha mwẹ ẹfe, ghẹ gu mwẹ khian ovbiogue. Rhunmwuda ọnii, ye evbare ne ọ gha vuọn mwẹ ẹko, koko mwẹ.” Vbọzẹe nọ ma na hoo nọ gha re ovbioguẹ? Ọ ma hoo ne ohanmwẹ ya irẹn khian ọmwa nọ rha rhunnwuda uyinmwẹ vberriọ i ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn Osanobua. Vbọzẹe nọ ma na rinmwian Osanobua nọ ya irẹn khian ọmwa nọ fe? Rhunmwuda, ọ ma hoo nọ do gha kha vbekpae Osanobua wẹẹ: “U i mwẹ emwi ne u ye mẹ.” (Itan 30:8, 9) Ẹi mwẹ u ma rẹn emwa eso ni mu ẹtin yan ẹfe ọghe iran sokpan iran ma ka Osanobua yọ.

11. De adia ne Jesu rhie ne ima vbekpae igho?

¹¹ Emwa ni hoẹmwẹ igho i sẹtin ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn Osanobua. Jesu khare wẹẹ: “Wa ghẹ si ẹfe koko ye agbọn na, ehe ne ọkhọe kevbe ọtọn na sẹtin rhia re rua, ehe ne avbe oyi na gbe urho ya gha rhaa. Sokpan wa si efe koko ye ẹrinmwi, ehe ne ọkhọe kevbe ọtọn i na sẹtin muẹn rhia, ehe ne avbe oyi i na gbe urho ya gha rhaa.” Jesu na yevbe kha wẹẹ: “Orhunmwu ọkpa ne ọ gha sẹtin ga arowa eva ẹi rrọọ. Ọ gha hoẹmwẹ ọkpa, ọ ghi gha khuiwu enogieva, ọ gha hoẹmwẹ nọkpa, ọ ghi gha yan enọkpa zẹ, wẹ i sẹtin ga Osanobua ga igho.”—Mat 6:19, 20, 24.

12. Ma gha ye arrọọ ọghe ima khian ne khuẹrhẹ, de vbe nọ ya kie ẹkpotọ ye ugamwẹ hẹ? Ru igiemwi yọ.

 ¹² Etẹn nibun keghi do bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, ne iran na ya arrọọ ọghe iran khian ne khuẹrhẹ, te iran ghi sọyẹnmwẹ, te iran ghi vbe miẹn ẹghẹ nọ somwa ya gha ga e Jehova sayọ. E Jack nọ rre United States keghi khiẹn owa re ne gẹdẹgbẹẹ kevbe isiwinna ọghẹe rhunmwuda ọ rẹn wẹẹ, ọ gha kie ẹkpotọ ne irẹn ya deba ọvbokhan rẹn vbe iwinna arọndẹ. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: Ọ lọghọ I ke sẹtin khiẹn emwi mwẹ kevbe owa mwẹ ne mosemose nọ ghaa rre United States. Vbene I te ru azẹ na, ẹghẹ hia ẹre iro ya gha han mwẹ rhunmwuda oyanghan ọghe isiwinna. Sokpan te ọvbokhan mwẹ nọ ghaa ru iwinna arọndẹ wa gha sọyẹnmwẹ vbe ẹghẹ hia. Ẹghẹ hia ẹre ọ ya kha wẹẹ, ‘Ai miẹn ọmwa ne a ya gie enọ yan isiwinna ne I na winna!’ Ne I na ghi rhie obọ ye iwinna arọndẹ nia, orhunmwu ọkpa ẹre ima ghi winna lele, ọni ọre Jehova.”

13. De vbene ima khian ya rẹn hẹ deghẹ emwa ni hoẹmwẹ igho ma khin?

¹³ Ne ima mieke na rẹn deghẹ emwa ni hoẹmwẹ igho ima khin, te ọ khẹke ne ima gbaro kotọ zẹ ewanniẹn ye avbe inọta na: ‘Mẹ gele lele adia ni rre e Baibol nọ dekaẹn igho ra? Igho ne a khu khian ẹre I mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe imẹ ra? Emwi ewe ẹre imẹ ve ghaan sẹ asikẹgbe ne I gu e Jehova kevbe emwa ọvbehe mwẹ ra? Imẹ gele yayi wẹẹ, I gha mu ẹtin yan e Jehova, ọ gha kpemehe emwi hia ne I gualọ ra?’ Vbene ẹmwata, e Jehova i khian ya ekhue mu emwa ni mu orhiọn yan rẹn.—Mat 6:33.

14. De emwi ne Baibol khare vbekpae egberọkhọmwẹ?

¹⁴ Te emwa ni “hoẹmwẹ egberọkhọmwẹ” wa gbae ehe hia vbe ẹdẹ okiekie na. Zẹ vbene ima nanaẹn de sin, ma bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, te ọ khẹke ne emwi hia gha rre oreghe. Ọ ma khẹke ne ima hoẹmwẹ egbe ima gbe ra ne ima mu igho ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe ima. Ilele na ẹre ọ vbe mu irọkhegbe. E Jehova ma wẹẹ ne ima ghẹ zẹdẹ gha sọyẹnmwẹ egbe. Uhiẹn e Baibol kue kha wẹẹ: “Rri evbare ruẹ ne u gie ẹko gha suẹ ọyẹnmwẹ, da ayọn ruẹn ne u dọlọ aro yi vbe uhunmwu.”—Asan 9:7.

15. De aro egberọkhọmwẹ ne ebe 2 Timoti 3:4 guan kaẹn?

¹⁵ Ebe 2 Timoti 3:4 keghi guan kaẹn emwa ni hoẹmwẹ egberọkhọmwẹ sẹrriọ wẹẹ, iran i zẹyọ  deghẹ Osanobua rrọọ. Yẹrẹro wẹẹ, ako na ma kha wẹẹ emwa gha hoẹmwẹ egberọkhọmwẹ sẹ Osanobua. Sokpan ako ni khare wẹẹ, “vbe ne iran i na hoẹmwẹ Osanobua.” Ọni rhiema wẹẹ, iran ma hoẹmwẹ Osanobua hiehie. Okpia ọkpa nọ rri egie ebe keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ako nii ma kha wẹẹ iran zẹdẹ hoẹmwẹ Osanobua. Ako nii keghi gi ima rẹn wẹẹ, iran ma hoẹmwẹ Osanobua hiehie.” Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ako na ya obọ sekhae ne emwa ni mu egberọkhọmwẹ ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe iran. E Baibol keghi gie emwa vberriọ zẹvbe emwa ne “orhiẹnrhiẹn agbọn . . . siẹn yan.”—Luk 8:14.

16, 17. De igiemwi esi ne Jesu rhie yotọ vbe nọ dekaẹn egberọkhọmwẹ?

¹⁶ E Jesu keghi rhie igiemwi nọ ghi maan sẹ yotọ vbe nọ dekaẹn egberọkhọmwẹ ne a mu ye oreghe. E Jesu yo ugie “irhiọha” kevbe ugie ne a na wa le “evbare” ikuanzọ. (Jọn 2:1-10; Luk 5:29) Vbe ugie irhiọha ne Jesu yo, ọ keghi ye amẹ khian ayọn vbe ayọn fo vbe ugie nii. Ọ mwẹ ẹghẹ ne emwa eso ya gha zan Jesu wẹẹ iwinna evbare kevbe ayọn ne a da ẹre ọ muẹn. E Jesu keghi gbodan ghe iran rhunmwuda iran ma rẹn egiaye.—Luk 7:33-36.

¹⁷ E Jesu ma mu egberọkhọmwẹ ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghẹe. Iwinna e Jehova ẹre ọ mu ye okaro. Ọ na gha loo ẹghẹ kevbe ẹrhiọn ya ru iyobọ ne emwa ọvbehe. Ọ keghi zinegbe uwu obaligie ne emwa nibun mieke na miẹn fan. Vbe Jesu rhie adia ne Ivbiotu e Kristi, ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: ‘Ọ maan ne uwa vbe emwa a gha zan uwa, vbe iran a gha zẹ uwa owẹ, vbe iran gha vbe ba uwa ẹmwẹ, rhunmwuda uwa re emwa ni lele mwẹ. Wa gha ghọghọ, wa gie ẹko gha sẹ uwa ọyẹnmwẹ rhunmwuda, ere nọkhua ẹre ọ rre otọ khẹ uwa vbe ẹrinmwi. Erriọ zẹẹ emwa vbe ya obọ dan mu avbe akhasẹ ni ke odaro ne uwa.’—Mat 5:11, 12.

18. De inọta ne ima gha nọ egbe ima re, nọ gha ya ima rẹn deghẹ egberọkhọmwẹ ẹre ima mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe ima?

¹⁸ Vbe ima khian ya rẹn hẹ deghẹ egberọkhọmwẹ ẹre ima mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe ima? Avbe inọta na gha ru iyobọ ne ima: ‘Egberọkhọmwẹ ẹre ọ ru ekpataki sẹ iko ne ayo kevbe ikporhu iyẹn nọ maan vbe arrọọ ọghe imẹ ra? Mẹ muegbe ne i ya sẹ emwi eso rae rhunmwuda ugamwẹ e Jehova ra? Mẹ muẹn roro deghẹ e Jehova kpasẹ ye odẹ ne imẹ ya rọkhọ egbe ra?’ Ma gha gele hoẹmwẹ Osanobua, te ima khian gha gbaẹnegbe ne emwi ne ima rẹnrẹn wẹẹ ẹi ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn ọnrẹn kevbe emwi ne ima roro wẹẹ ẹi khian ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn ọnrẹn.—Tie Matiu 22:37, 38.

19. De emwa ne ẹi khian sẹtin gha mwẹ oghọghọ?

¹⁹ Ọ gberra ukpo 6,000 ne emwa nagbọn ke rrioya ohanabe vbe agbọn Esu. Te agbọn Esu ghi sikẹ ufomwẹ nia, sokpan emwa ni hoẹmwẹ egbe iran, igho kevbe egberọkhọmwẹ ẹre ọ vuọn ọnrẹn. Iran keghi ya edagbọn iran khu emwi ewe khian kevbe wẹẹ, ọghe enegbe iran ọkpa ẹre iran mu ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe iran. Emwa vberriọ i sẹtin gha mwẹ oghọghọ nọ sẹ otọ ẹko. Sokpan vbe nọ dekaẹn emwa ni hoẹmwẹ Osanobua, e Baibol keghi kha wẹẹ: “Afiangbe nọ ne ọmwa ne ọ mwẹ Osanobua Jekọb zẹvbe ọmwa ne ọ yọre obọ, kevbe ne ọ mu ẹtin yan e Nọyaẹnmwa ne Osanobua ẹre.”—Psm 146:5.

20. De vbene ahoẹmwọmwa ne u mwẹ ne Osanobua ya ya ruẹ sọyẹnmwẹ hẹ?

²⁰ Te ahoẹmwọmwa ne eguọmwadia Osanobua mwẹ daa re wegbe sayọ ẹdẹgbegbe, ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne iran na muan yọ muan yọ. Ọna sugiẹ yọ wẹẹ, Arriọba Osanobua suẹn gha kha nẹ. Vbe ne ẹi khian ghi kpẹẹ gbe, eguọmwadia Osanobua gha miẹn afiangbe ne ai sẹtin ya ekhọe zẹ omwa rẹn vbe ototọ Arriọba ọghẹe. Emwi nọ gele ya eguọmwadia e Jehova sọyẹnmwẹ, ọre ne iran na rẹn wẹẹ, iran ru emwi nọ ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn Ọnrẹn. Vbene ẹmwata, te emwa ni hoẹmwẹ Jehova khian gha sọyẹnmwẹ vbe etẹbitẹ! Vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi lele ọna, ma gha ziro yan akpa eso ni zọ ladian vbe ahoẹmwọmwa ọghe ọkẹnrẹn kevbe vbene avbe akpa dan na ya lughaẹn ne akpa ne eguọmwadia e Jehova rhiema.