1, 2. (a) Why can we take courage from the examples of Noah, Daniel, and Job? (b) Under what circumstances did Ezekiel write the words recorded at Ezekiel 14:14?

ARE you dealing with trials, such as ill health, financial problems, or persecution? Do you at times find it hard to maintain your joy in Jehovah’s service? If so, take courage from the examples of Noah, Daniel, and Job. They were imperfect, and they faced many of the challenges we face, including some that were life threatening. Yet, they held on to their integrity, becoming models of faith and obedience in the eyes of God.​—Read Ezekiel 14:12-14.

² Ezekiel wrote the words of our theme text in Babylonia in 612 B.C.E. * (Ezek. 1:1; 8:1) Apostate Jerusalem was nearing its foretold destruction, which occurred in 607 B.C.E. Only  relatively few individuals reflected the qualities of Noah, Daniel, and Job and were thus marked for survival. (Ezek. 9:1-5) Among those few were Jeremiah, Baruch, Ebed-melech, and the Rechabites.

3. What will we consider in this article?

³ Likewise today, only those whom Jehovah considers blameless​—people like Noah, Daniel, and Job—​will be marked for survival when the present system of things comes to an end. (Rev. 7:9, 14) So let us consider why Jehovah used those men as examples of righteousness. As we discuss each one, we will focus on (1) what challenges the man faced and (2) how we can imitate his faith and obedience.

4, 5. What challenges did Noah face, and why was his endurance remarkable?

⁴ Challenges that Noah faced. By the time of Noah’s great-grandfather Enoch, people had become very ungodly. They were even saying “shocking things” against Jehovah. (Jude 14, 15) Violence was increasing. In fact, in Noah’s day, “the earth was filled with violence.” Wicked angels materialized as humans, took wives, and produced brutal, hybrid offspring. (Gen. 6:2-4, 11, 12) But Noah stood out as different. “Noah found favor in the eyes of Jehovah. . . . He proved himself faultless among his contemporaries. Noah walked with the true God.”​—Gen. 6:8, 9.

⁵ Consider what those words say about that righteous man. For one thing, Noah did not walk with God in that wicked pre-Flood world for a mere 70 or 80 years​—the life span of many today. He lived in that world for almost 600 years! (Gen. 7:11) And unlike us today, he did not have a congregation of fellow worshippers​—evidently not even his siblings—​to turn to for spiritual support. *

6. In what ways did Noah show great courage?

⁶ Noah was not content just to lead a good life. He also became a bold “preacher of righteousness,” publicly confessing his faith in Jehovah. (2 Pet. 2:5) “Through this faith he condemned the world,” wrote the apostle Paul. (Heb. 11:7) It stands to reason, therefore, that Noah faced ridicule and opposition, perhaps even threats of violence. But he was not “trembling at men.” (Prov. 29:25) Rather, he had the courage that Jehovah gives to his faithful servants.

7. When building the ark, what challenges did Noah face?

⁷ After Noah had walked with God for more than five centuries, Jehovah told him to build an ark for the saving of human and animal life. (Gen. 5:32; 6:14) How difficult that project must have seemed​—and not just from the construction point of view! Noah surely knew that it would bring on even more ridicule and opposition. Still, he obediently went ahead in faith. “He did just so.”​—Gen. 6:22.

8. In what ways did Noah trust in Jehovah as his Provider?

⁸ Another challenge for Noah was that of providing materially for his wife and children. Before the Flood, people had to work extra hard to grow food, and Noah was surely no exception. (Gen. 5:28, 29) Even so, he centered his life, not  on material concerns, but on God. Even when building the ark, which may have taken as long as 40 or 50 years, Noah kept his spiritual focus. And he continued to do so for another 350 years after the Flood. (Gen. 9:28) What a fine example of faith and obedience!

9, 10. (a) How can we imitate Noah’s faith and obedience? (b) How does God view all who uphold his standards?

⁹ How we can imitate Noah’s faith and obedience. We do so by upholding God’s righteousness, by being no part of Satan’s world, and by keeping Kingdom interests in first place. (Matt. 6:33; John 15:19) To be sure, our way of life does not win us the world’s approval. Indeed, even now, our firm stand for God’s laws, such as those concerning marriage and sexual morality, has led to negative publicity in some lands. (Read Malachi 3:17, 18.) Like Noah, however, we fear Jehovah, not men. We know that he alone gives everlasting life.​—Luke 12:4, 5.

¹⁰ But what about you personally? Will you keep ‘walking with God,’ even when others mock or criticize you or when economic pressures test your faith in your Provider? If you imitate the faith and obedience of Noah, you can be confident that Jehovah will care for you.​—Phil. 4:6, 7.

11. What big challenges did Daniel and his three companions face in Babylon? (See opening picture.)

¹¹ Challenges that Daniel faced. Daniel lived as a captive in Babylon, a city filled with idolatry and spiritism. Moreover, the Babylonians looked down on the Jews, mocking both them and their God, Jehovah. (Ps. 137:1, 3) How this must have hurt faithful Jews like Daniel! Also, he and his three companions​—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—​were in the spotlight, as it were, because they were to be trained in the king’s service. Even their diet was set for them. In fact, food and drink soon became an issue because Daniel did not want to “defile himself with the king’s delicacies.”​—Dan. 1:5-8, 14-17.

12. (a) What fine qualities did Daniel display? (b) How did Jehovah view Daniel?

¹² A more subtle challenge for Daniel could have involved his exceptional abilities, which led to his receiving special privileges. (Dan. 1:19, 20) But instead of becoming arrogant and opinionated, he remained humble and modest, always giving due credit to Jehovah. (Dan. 2:30) In fact, it was while Daniel was still a young man that Jehovah counted him worthy of being mentioned as an example of righteousness, along with Noah and Job. Was God’s confidence in Daniel misplaced? Not at all! Daniel stayed faithful and obedient to the very end of his life. Indeed, he was likely in his late 90’s when God’s angel warmly said to him: “O Daniel, you very precious man.”​—Dan. 10:11.

13. How may Daniel have been a blessing to his fellow Jews?

¹³ As a result of divine favor, Daniel was made a high official under both Babylonian and Medo-Persian rule. (Dan. 1:21; 6:1, 2) Perhaps Jehovah maneuvered matters this way so that Daniel could be a blessing to his own people, as were Joseph in Egypt and Esther and Mordecai in Persia. * (Dan. 2:48) Imagine how  comforting it must have been for the Jewish captives, including Ezekiel, to see Jehovah’s hand in matters in this way!

14, 15. (a) In what ways are our circumstances similar to those of Daniel? (b) What can parents today learn from Daniel’s parents?

¹⁴ How we can imitate Daniel’s faith and obedience. Today, we live as foreigners, as it were, in a world that has been morally and spiritually corrupted by Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, “a dwelling place of demons.” (Rev. 18:2) Hence, we too stand out as different, even becoming targets for ridicule. (Mark 13:13) Like Daniel, therefore, let us draw close to Jehovah, our God. When we humbly and obediently trust in him, we too will be precious in his eyes.​—Hag. 2:7.

¹⁵ Parents can learn from the example of Daniel’s parents. How so? Despite the wickedness that prevailed in Judah during Daniel’s early childhood, the boy grew to love God. This, of course, was no accident. It reflected good parental training. (Prov. 22:6) Even Daniel’s name, which means “My Judge Is God,” points to God-fearing parents. (Dan. 1:6, ftn.) So parents, do not give up on your children, but teach them patiently. (Eph. 6:4) Also, pray with them and for them. When you strive to impress Bible truth on their hearts, you invite Jehovah’s rich blessing.​—Ps. 37:5.

16, 17. What contrasting challenges did Job experience?

¹⁶ Challenges that Job faced. The life of Job is a study in contrasts. Before his trial, he was “the greatest of all the people of the East.” (Job 1:3) He was wealthy, well-known, and highly respected. (Job 29:7-16) Yet, despite all of this, Job did not develop a lofty view of himself or feel that he did not need God. In fact, Jehovah called him “my servant,” adding: “He is an upright man of integrity, fearing God and shunning what is bad.”​—Job 1:8.

¹⁷ In a very short space of time, Job’s life changed dramatically. He was driven to the depths of poverty and despair. The cause, we know, was the slanderer Satan, who lyingly accused Job of worshipping God out of self-interest. (Read Job 1:9, 10.) Jehovah did not sweep aside that  wicked accusation. Instead, he gave Job the opportunity to prove his integrity, to show that his worship stemmed from a pure, unselfish heart.

18. (a) What impresses you about Job’s integrity? (b) What do Jehovah’s dealings with Job reveal about Him?

¹⁸ Satan launched a series of vicious attacks against Job, leading Job to assume that God was to blame. (Job 1:13-21) Then three false comforters arrived and attacked Job with cruel words, basically saying that God was giving him what he deserved! (Job 2:11; 22:1, 5-10) Yet, Job maintained his integrity. Yes, he spoke rashly at times, but Jehovah understood the pain Job felt. (Job 6:1-3) God saw a deeply depressed man who never turned his back on Him, even though Satan, in effect, threw Job to the ground and then verbally kicked him with lying insults. When the trial was over, Jehovah gave Job double what he had before the trial began, as well as an added 140 years of life. (Jas. 5:11) During that time, he continued to give Jehovah exclusive devotion. How can we be sure? Job had been dead for many centuries when Ezekiel recorded the words of our theme text.

19, 20. (a) How can we imitate Job’s faith and obedience? (b) In our dealings with others, how can we reflect God’s compassion?

¹⁹ How we can imitate Job’s faith and obedience. No matter what our circumstances may be, let us always keep Jehovah at the center of our lives, trusting him fully and obeying him with a complete heart. Indeed, we have even more reason to do so than Job had! Consider: We know a lot about Satan and his tactics. (2 Cor. 2:11) Thanks in part to the book of Job, we know why God permits suffering. From Daniel’s prophecy, we understand that God’s Kingdom is a world government in the hands of Christ Jesus. (Dan. 7:13, 14) And we know that this Kingdom will soon bring a permanent end to all suffering.

²⁰ Job’s experience also highlights our need to show compassion to fellow Christians who may be enduring hardships. Like Job, some may even speak rashly at times. (Eccl. 7:7) But instead of judging them, let us show insight and compassion. In this way, we imitate our loving and merciful Father, Jehovah.​—Ps. 103:8.

21. How do the words at 1 Peter 5:10 reflect what occurred in the lives of Noah, Daniel, and Job?

²¹ Although Noah, Daniel, and Job lived at different times and under very different circumstances, they endured the challenges they faced. Their life stories call to mind the words of the apostle Peter, who wrote: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness . . . will himself finish your training. He will make you firm, he will make you strong, he will firmly ground you.”​—1 Pet. 5:10.

22. What will we consider in the next article?

²² Through Peter’s inspired words, Jehovah assures us that he will make his servants firm and strong. These words also apply to God’s people today. All of us desire to be made strong by Jehovah and to remain firm in our worship. Therefore, we want to imitate the faith and obedience of Noah, Daniel, and Job! As we shall see in the next article, the key to their integrity was that they truly knew Jehovah. In fact, they ‘understood everything’ he required of them. (Prov. 28:5) The same can be true of us.

1, 2. (a) Vbọzẹe ne ima gha na miẹn igiọdu vbe igiemwi e Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job? (b) De emwi nọ sunu vbe asẹ ne Ẹzikiẹl ya gbẹn emwi nọ rre ebe Ẹzikiẹl 14:14?

DE ỌLỌGHỌMWA ne uwẹ werriẹ aro daa? Ọ sẹtin gha re ọghe igho, emianmwẹ ra ukpokpo. Ọ mwẹ ẹghẹ eso ne ui ya mwẹ oghọghọ vbe ugamwẹ e Jehova ra? Ọ ghaa yerriọ, gha mwẹ igiọdu. Igiemwi esi ọghe Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job gha ru iyobọ nuẹn. Emwa ni ma gba ẹre iran ghaa khin. Egbe ọlọghọmwa ne ima werriẹ aro daa vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ ẹre iran vbe werriẹ aro daa vbe ẹghẹ nii, uhiẹn, ọ mwẹ ẹghẹ eso ne arrọọ ọghe iran ya gha rre ikpadede. Ọrheyerriọ, iran keghi mudia gbain vbe uwu edanmwẹ nii hia. Ẹre ọ zẹe ne iran na do khian igiemwi ọghe emwa ni mwẹ amuẹtinyan kevbe ni họn ẹmwẹ ne Osanobua.—Tie Ẹzikiẹl 14:12-14.

² E Babilọn ẹre Ẹzikiẹl na gbẹn ako ọghe evbagbẹn nọhuanrẹn ne ako iruẹmwi na hẹnhẹn egbe yan, vbe ukpo 612 B.C.E. * (Ẹzik 1:1;  8:1) Vbe ọ ma he kpẹ vba, ivbiyokuo e Babilọn keghi guọghọ Jerusalẹm vbe ukpo 607 B.C.E. Emwa ni ya ẹkoata ga Osanobua vbene a ghee Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job ẹre ọ miẹn uhunmwu vbe ọfuan nii. (Ẹzik 9:1-5) Usun iran kegha re Jerimaia, Barọk, Ẹbẹdmẹlẹk, kevbe Ivbi Uniẹn Rekab.

3. De emwi ne ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na?

³ Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, emwa ni ya ẹkoata ga e Jehova vbene a ghee Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job, ẹre ọ khian miẹn fan vbe ẹghẹ ne Jehova khian ya fuẹn agbọn Esu na. (Arhie 7:9, 14) Nia, gi ima guan kaẹn evbọzẹe ne Jehova na ya iran ru igiemwi, zẹvbe emwa imudiase. Ma gha rhie aro tua (1) isievẹn ne dọmwadẹ iran werriẹ aro daa (2) kevbe odẹ ne ima gha ya sẹtin lele ukpowẹ ọghe iran vbe nọ dekaan amuẹtinyan kevbe odẹ ne iran ya họn ẹmwẹ ne Jehova.

4, 5. De isievẹn ne Noa werriẹ aro daa? Vbọzẹe ne a gha na kha wẹẹ izinegbe ne Noa mwẹ rẹn lughaẹn ne ọghe emwa ọvbehe?

⁴ De isievẹn ne Noa werriẹ aro daa? Te emwa dan wa gba ehe hia vbe ẹghẹ Enọk, nọ re erha odede ọghe Noa. Te iran kue gha taa “ẹmwẹ ihin” ra ẹmwẹ ekpọ vbekpae Jehova. (Jud 14, 15) Uyinmwẹ ika kevbe igbinnoguo na gha muan yọ muan yọ. Te “ọkhọ . . . vẹ gbaa ehe hia” vbe ẹghẹ Noa. Avbe odibo dan keghi fi egbe werriẹ mu akpa ọghe emwa nagbọn yọ, iran na gha viọ ikhuo rọnmwẹ, iran keghi biẹlẹ arhuanran ni ghaa ya obọ yẹnyẹn emwa mu otọ. (Gẹn 6:2-4, 11, 12) Sokpan te e Noa wa lughaẹn. E Baibol keghi kha wẹẹ: ‘Ẹmwẹ e Noa kegha yẹẹ Nọyaẹnmwa’ rhunmwuda, e Noa ọkpa ẹre ọ ghaa re ọmwa esi vbe uwu ẹbu emwa ni ghaa rre agbọn vbe ẹghẹ nii. Te Noa wa gha “gu Osanobua mu obọ.”—Gẹn 6:8, 9.

⁵ De emwi ne ako nii ya ima rẹn vbekpae Noa? Okaro, ẹi re ukpo 70 ra 80 kẹkan ẹre Noa ya gu Osanobua mu obọ ọ te sẹ ẹghẹ urhọmwẹ amẹ ọghe ọgbagbọn. Te ọ ghi rrie ukpo 600 ne Noa ya da amuẹtinyan ọghẹe yi vbe agbọn dan nii. (Gẹn 7:11) Nogieva, e Noa ma zẹdẹ gha mwẹ etẹn vbe iko ra vbuwe ẹgbẹe ne iran gba gha ga e Jehova. Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ, ma mwẹ emwa ni rhie igiọdu ne ima vbe orhiọn gha gbe ye ima iwu. E Noa ma gha mwẹ. *

6. De vbene Noa ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ ọmwa nọ din irẹn khin?

⁶ Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ ọmwa esi e Noa ghaa khin, ọ ma wa viọ obọ ku akharha. Ọ kegha ya udinmwẹ “kpe orhu ẹmwata.” (2 Pit 2:5) Ukọ e Pọl keghi kha wẹẹ, te Noa “bu abe gbe agbọn” lekpae iyayi nọ rhiema. (Hib 11:7) Ọna rhiema wẹẹ, ẹi mwẹ e Noa ma werriẹ aro da ozan kevbe ukpokpo. Ọrheyerriọ, ohan ma zẹdẹ gha mu e Noa. (Itan 29:25) Ọ kegha mwẹ udinmwẹ rhunmwuda ọ rẹnrẹn wẹẹ Osanobua rre irẹn iyeke.

7. De isievẹn eso ne Noa werriẹ aro daa vbe ọ ka okọ nii?

⁷ Ọ ghi gberra ukpo 500 ne Noa ya ya ẹkoata ga e Osanobua, ọ keghi tama e Noa nọ ka okọ nọkhua ne a gha ya miẹn emwa nagbọn kevbe aranmwẹ fan. (Gẹn 5:32; 6:14) Iwinna okọ ne a ka nii ma zẹdẹ gha re nọ khẹkhẹ. E Noa wa vbe rẹn wẹẹ, emwa dan ni lẹga irẹn gha zan irẹn, iran gha vbe kpokpo irẹn ye iwinna nii. Sokpan, ọni ma gbe orhiọn yọ re iwu. Ọ keghi mu ẹtin yan Osanobua, ọ na “ru emwi hia ne Osanobua tama rẹn.”—Gẹn 6:22.

8. De odẹ ne Noa ya mu ẹtin yan e Jehova wẹẹ ọ gha kpemehe emwi hia ne irẹn gualọ?

⁸ E Noa keghi werriẹ aro daa isievẹn ọvbehe. Te ọ gha kpemehe emwi ikpakpa ne ẹgbẹe ọre. Ọ te sẹ ẹghẹ urhọmwẹ amẹ ọghe ọgbagbọn, te emwa wa kakabọ gha miẹn ẹsọn, iran ke sẹtin miẹn evbare ẹdẹ. Erriọ e Noa vbe ya gha miẹn ẹsọn. (Gẹn 5:28, 29) Ọrheyerriọ, e Noa ma mu emwi ewe ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghẹe, ugamwẹ e Jehova ẹre ọ mu  ye okaro. Ughaghe ọ sẹ ukpo 40 ra 50 ne Noa ya ka okọ nii. Sokpan vbuwe ẹghẹ na hia, ọ keghi rhie aro tua ugamwẹ e Jehova. Okpamẹ nii ghi vbe rhọ nẹ, ọ yevbe sẹ ọwara ukpo 350 ne Noa ya ya ẹkoata ga Osanobua. (Gẹn 9:28) Vbene ẹmwata, ọmwa nọ mu ẹtin yan Osanobua kevbe nọ họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn ẹre Noa ghaa khin. Igiemwi esi ẹre ọ rhie yotọ.

9, 10. (a) De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe ta e Noa hẹ? (b) De afiangbe ne u gha lae miẹn deghẹ u gu Osanobua mu obọ?

⁹ De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae amuẹtinyan ọghe Noa kevbe odẹ ne ọ ya họn ẹmwẹ ne Jehova? Te ọ khẹke ne ima gha lele ilele ni gbae ọghe Osanobua, ma gha bi egbe ne emwikemwi nọ kaẹn agbọn Esu, ma vbe gha mu Arriọba Osanobua ye okaro vbe arrọọ ọghe ima. (Mat 6:33; Jọn 15:19) Vbene ẹmwata, te emwa nagbọn khọ ẹko ima rhunmwuda ima i mwẹ ne ima gu iran ye. Emwa eso keghi ya unu rhia ima rua vbe ugha iyẹn, rhunmwuda ima lele ilele ni rre Baibol ni dekaan orọnmwẹ kevbe emwi ọdọ vbe amwẹ. (Tie Malakai 3:17, 18.) Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, zẹvbe na ghee Noa, e Jehova ẹre ima mu ohan rẹn, rhunmwuda ma rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, irẹn ọkpa ẹre ọ khian sẹtin ya ima gha mwẹ arrọọ etẹbitẹ.—Luk 12:4, 5.

¹⁰ Uwẹ vbe vbo? U gha ye gha “gu Osanobua mu obọ,” vbe emwa ghaa zan ruẹ ra iran na gha gbodan ye ugamwẹ ruẹ ra? U gha mu ẹtin yan e Jehova vbe ẹmwẹ igho gha wegbe muẹn ra? U gha mu ẹtin yan e Jehova vbe na ghee Noa, e Jehova gha kpemehe emwi hia ne u gualọ.​—⁠Fil 4:​6, 7.

11. De isievẹn ni wegbe ne Daniẹl vbe esiọre werriẹ aro daa? (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.)

¹¹ De isievẹn ne Daniẹl werriẹ aro daa? E Daniẹl kegha rre imu vbe Babilọn. Uyinmwẹ igẹbọ kevbe orhiọn dan ne a gu mu obọ ẹre ọ gu Ivbi e Babilọn obọ ro. Yevbesọni, te Ivbi e Babilọn ghaa ghee Ivbi e Ju silasila, aro nii ẹre iran vbe ya gha ghee Jehova nọ re Osa ọghe Ivbi e Ju. (Psm 137:1, 3) U miẹn vbe ne uyinmwẹ dan nii gha ya ẹko rhiara e Daniẹl kevbe Ivbi e Ju ni kẹre ni ghaa ya ẹkoata ga e Jehova! Ẹi re ọni ọkpa, emwa keghi yaro ye e Daniẹl, Hananaia, Misiaẹl, kevbe Azaraia egbe rhunmwuda, iran kegha rre usun emwa ne a hannọ zẹ ne a khian maa re emwi ne iran mieke na gha ga vbe ẹguae ọba. Ya sẹ egbe evbare ne iran gha re, te a mwamwa ehia ne iran. Ẹmwẹ evbare na keghi danmwẹ amuẹtinyan ọghe Daniẹl kevbe esiọre, sokpan e Baibol keghi gi ima rẹn wẹẹ: “E Daniẹl keghi wa yan yọ wẹẹ, irẹn i ra ya egbe hẹ awua vbekpa ne irẹn gha na rri evbare kevbe ne irẹn vbe gha da ayọn ẹguae.”—Dan 1:5-8, 14-17.

12. (a) De akpa esiesi ne Daniẹl rhiema? (b) De aro ne Jehova ya gha ghee Daniẹl?

¹² Isievẹn ọvbehe ne Daniẹl werriẹ aro daa keghi re ne ẹi rherhe vẹẹ na rẹn, ọni ọre ẹsọhẹ ne Osa ya wee ẹre, nọ ghi yae gha mwẹ ukpamuyọmọ nibun vbe Babilọn. (Dan 1:19, 20) Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ Daniẹl ghaa rre ukpo nọ yo vberriọ, ọ ma gha tọn egbe mu. Ọ kegha ru emwi ye oreghe, ọ na vbe gha rhie uyi gie Jehova. (Dan 2:30) Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne a na miẹn wẹẹ, vbe Daniẹl ye rre ọvbokhan, e Jehova na kae ba emwa imudiase vbe ne a ghee Noa kevbe Job. E Daniẹl gele rhiegba ye ugamwẹ ẹmwata ra? Ẹẹn! Te Daniẹl ga Osanobua ya sẹ ẹdẹ nọ wu. Ọ khọ wẹẹ te Daniẹl ghi bu odẹ ukpo 100 vbe Osanobua gie odibo gie ẹre. Odibo nii keghi tama rẹn wẹẹ: “E Daniẹl, Osanobua hoẹmwẹ ruẹ.”—Dan 10:11.

13. De odẹ ne uwẹ roro wẹẹ Daniẹl ya gha re ọyobọ ne Ivbi e Ju?

¹³ E Jehova ẹre ru ẹre ne Daniẹl na gha re ọkpa vbe usun ekhaẹmwẹ vbe arriọba e Babilọn kevbe Medis vbe Pẹsia. (Dan 1:21; 6:1, 2) Ughaghe Jehova ẹre ọ mwamwaẹn vberriọ, ne Daniẹl mieke na gha re ọyobọ ne emwa rẹn vbene Josẹfi ghaa ye vbe Igipt, erriọ Ẹsta vbe Modẹkai vbe gha ye vbe Pẹsia. * (Dan 2:48) U miẹn vbene ẹko gha rhiẹnrhiẹn Ẹzikiẹl kevbe  Ivbi e Ju ni kẹre hẹ, rhunmwuda vbene Jehova ya loo e Daniẹl ya ru iyobọ ne iran!

14, 15. (a) De vbene ẹghẹ ne ima ye na ya khọ ọghe Daniẹl hẹ? (b) De emwi ne evbibiẹ emọ gha miẹn ruẹ vbe igiemwi esi ọghe evbibiẹ Daniẹl?

¹⁴ De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Daniẹl vbe odẹ ne ọ ya mu ẹtin yan e Jehova kevbe odẹ ne ọ ya họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn? Vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ te ima yevbe erriọvbe vbe agbọn Esu nọ vuọn ne uyinmwẹ alama oghẹ kevbe ugamwẹ okeke. Te Babilọn Nọkhua nọ re otu ọgbagbọn ọghe ugamwẹ ohoghe ghi wa mu agbọn na rhia guẹzẹ guẹzẹ. E Baibol gi ima rẹn wẹẹ, te “avbe orhiọn dan” lo yo lo rre vbuwe Babilọn Nọkhua. (Arhie 18:2) Sokpan ma i zẹdẹ mwẹ ne ima gu agbọn Esu ye, ọna si ẹre ne iran na khọ ẹko ima. (Mak 13:13) Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ọ khẹke ne ima sikẹ Jehova sayọ vbe na ghee Daniẹl. Ma gha mu ẹtin yan e Jehova, ima na vbe gha họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn, ọ vbe hoẹmwẹ ima vbene ọ hoẹmwẹ e Daniẹl.—Hag 2:7.

¹⁵ Evbibiẹ emọ gha miẹn emwi ruẹ vbe igiemwi esi ọghe evbibiẹ Daniẹl. De odẹ nọkhin? Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ uyinmwẹ dan ẹre ọ gba ehe hia vbe Juda vbe Daniẹl ye rre ọvbokhan, e Daniẹl na ye sẹtin gha ya ẹkoata ga e Jehova zẹvbe ne ọ ya wan dee. Ọni rhiema wẹẹ, te evbibiẹ e Daniẹl koko ẹre ẹse. (Itan 22:6) Evba ya e Daniẹl kha ọre “Osanobua Ọre Ọbuohiẹn Mwẹ.” Ọna wa rhiẹre ma wẹẹ evbibiẹ Daniẹl wa gha ga e Jehova. (Dan 1:6, ftn., NW.) Nọnaghiyerriọ, evbibiẹ emọ, wa ghẹ gi egbe ivbi uwa wọọ uwa. Wa gha ya izinegbe maa ivbi uwa emwi. (Ẹfis 6:4) Wa gu iran gha na erhunmwu, ne uwa vbe gha mu ẹmwẹ iran ye erhunmwu. Uwa ghaa hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ ne imamwaemwi ọghe ẹmwata sẹ iran ekhọe, e Jehova gha fiangbe uwa.—Psm 37:5.

16, 17. De edanmwẹ ne Job werriẹ aro daa (a) vbe ẹghẹ ne ọ ya fe? (b) vbe ọ rre ibavbaro?

¹⁶ De isievẹn ne Job werriẹ aro daa? Afiwerriẹ ne gẹdẹgbẹ ẹre ọ rhiegbe ma vbe ẹdẹ agbọn Job. Vbene Job te werriẹ aro daa edanmwẹ, irẹn ẹre ọ “gha re ọmwa ne ọ fe sẹ vbe odẹ Owẹn owiẹ.” (Job 1:3) Ọmwa nọ fe, ne a họn usi ẹre rre kevbe ne a rhie ọghọ na ẹre Job ghaa khin. (Job 29:7-16) Ọrheyerriọ, ọ ma gha tọn egbe mu ra nọ gha roro wẹẹ, Osanobua i mwẹ iyobọ nọ ye ne irẹn. E Jehova keghi tie Job “ọguọmwadia mwẹ,” ọ na vbe rhie tẹ wẹẹ: “Ọ wa ga mwẹ, ọ keghi vbe hia vbe ẹghẹ hia ne ọ ghẹ ru orukhọ.” Ena rhiema wẹẹ, te Job ghaa ya ẹkoata ga e Jehova.—Job 1:8.

¹⁷ Ovbi ẹghẹ kherhe ẹre emwi hia ya fiwerriẹ vbe arrọọ ọghe Job. Ọ na do khian ovbiogue ne sẹlẹkẹ sẹrriọ wẹẹ, ọ na wẹẹ irẹn wa wu ẹre ọ maan sẹ. Esu ẹre ọ si ena hia ye Job egbe. Ọ keghi ba e Job ifiẹzọ ohoghe  wẹẹ, afiangbe nọ miẹn vbe obọ Osanobua ẹre ọ zẹe ne ọ na gae. (Tie Job 1:9, 10.) E Jehova ma rhie aro gberra ifiẹzọ ohoghe na. E Jehova keghi kie ẹkpotọ ne Job ya rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ekhọe hia ẹre ọ ya ga irẹn, ẹi re rhunmwuda afiangbe nọ miẹn.

18. (a) Vbua miẹn ruẹ vbe odẹ ne Job ya da imudiase ọghẹe yi? (b) Vbe ima miẹn ruẹ vbe obọ ne Jehova ya mu e Job?

¹⁸ Oya ọghe ohanabe ẹre Job re vbe obọ Esu. Esu kpokpo e Job sẹrriọ wẹẹ, e Job na gha roro wẹẹ Osanobua ẹre ọ kpokpo irẹn. (Job 1:13-21) Vbe iyeke ọni, esiọre eha na ya ẹmwẹ dan gha gbe orhiọn yọ re iwu. Iran na wẹẹ emwi ne Job kọe ẹre ọ rhọ. (Job 2:11; 22:1, 5-10) Vbuwe ena hia, amuẹtinyan ọghe Job ma beghe. Ẹmwata nọ wẹẹ, ọ mwẹ ẹghẹ eso ne Job ya taa ẹmwẹ eso nọ ma deyọ, sokpan e Jehova rẹnrẹn wẹẹ ẹi re ẹmwẹ ọnrẹn. (Job 6:1-3) E Jehova keghi bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ, e Job ma sọtẹ daa Irẹn vbuwe obalọ hia ne Esu si yọ re egbe. E Job ghi la edanmwẹ nii gberra nẹ, e Jehova keghi viọ emwi ukhukhu eva ọghe ne ọ te ka mwẹ nẹẹn. Ukpo 140 ẹre Job werriegbe ya vbe agbọn ọ ke wu. (Jems 5:11) Vbuwe ẹghẹ na, te Job ye gha ya ẹkoata ga e Jehova. Vbe ima ya rẹn hẹ? Evbọ ya ima rẹn ọre wẹẹ, e Job wu nẹ ọ kpẹre Ezikiẹl ke gbẹn ẹmwẹ nọ rre Ẹzikiẹl 14:14, nọ re ako ọghe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn ne ako iruẹmwi na hẹnhẹn egbe yan.

19, 20. (a) De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Job hẹ? (b) Vbe ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Jehova hẹ vbe odẹ ne ọ ya rhie ẹnina ma?

¹⁹ De vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ya egbe tae Job vbe odẹ ne ọ ya mu ẹtin yan e Jehova kevbe odẹ ne ọ ya họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn? Vbe ihe ke ihe ne ima na vba egbe ima, ọ khẹke ne ima mu ugamwẹ e Jehova ye okaro, ma vbe gha ya ekhọe hia lele adia ọghẹe. E Job wa hia vbe asefẹn na sokpan ma ẹre ọ khẹke nọ hia sẹ rhunmwuda, ma rẹnrẹn obẹlẹ ughughan ne Esu ya mu emwa rẹrẹ. (2 Kọr 2:11) Vbuwe Evbagbẹn Nọhuanrẹn, ebe Job ẹre ọ wa mobọ ya ima rẹn evbọzẹe ne Osanobua na kue yọ ne emwa gha rrioya. Ẹmwẹ akhasẹ ọghe Daniẹl wa vbe ya ima rẹn wẹẹ, e Jesu ẹre Jehova zẹe nọ kha yan agbọn na. (Dan 7:13, 14) Ma vbe rẹn wẹẹ, Arriọba na, gha rherhe sọfurre ye ọlọghọmwa hia ne ima werriẹ aro daa.

²⁰ Emwi ọvbehe ne ima vbe miẹn ruẹ vbe okha ọghe Job ọre wẹẹ, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha mwẹ agiẹngiẹn daa etẹn ni rre ibavbaro. Etẹn vberriọ sẹtin taa ẹmwẹ eso ni ma khẹke. (Asan 7:7) Ọ gha sunu vberriọ, ne ima gha te ya gha gu iran gui, ọ khẹke ne ima hia ne ima rẹn vbene emwi ye iran hẹ, ne ima mieke na sẹtin mwẹ ẹnina daa iran. Ma gha ru vberriọ, te ima ya egbe tae Jehova nọ re Osa nọ mwẹ ahoẹmwọmwa kevbe itohan.—Psm 103:8.

21. De vbene ẹmwẹ nọ rre 1 Pita 5:10 ya kaẹn edanmwẹ ne Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job miẹn vbe ẹdẹ agbọn iran?

²¹ Ẹi re ẹghẹ ọkpa e Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job ya gha rre agbọn, ẹi vbe re edanmwẹ ọkpa iran eha werriẹ aro daa, sokpan iran sẹtin lae gberra rhunmwuda ne iran na gha mwẹ ẹbo izinegbe. Okha ọghe iran keghi ye ima re rre ẹmwẹ ne Pita tae vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Sokpan, u ghẹ ghi rri oya la ẹghẹ eso vberriọ nẹ, Osanobua ẹse ọhẹ hia . . . gha tobọ ẹre ya uwẹ khian ne ọ gbae, ọ ghi rhie a mudia gbain nuẹn, ẹtin kevbe ẹyotọ ne ọ deziẹn.”—1 Pita 5:10.

22. Vbe ima khian ruẹ vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi lele ọna?

²² Ẹmwẹ ne Pita gbẹn yotọ keghi rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, e Jehova gha ya eguọmwadia ọghẹe khian emwa ni mudia gbain. Ẹmwẹ nii wa vbe kaẹn eguọmwadia Osanobua vbe ẹdẹnẹrẹ. Ma hoo ne Jehova ya ima khian emwa ni mudia gbain ne ima mieke na deziẹn vbe ugamwẹ ọghẹe. Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ima gha ya egbe tae Noa, Daniẹl kevbe Job vbe odẹ ne iran ya mu ẹtin yan e Jehova kevbe odẹ ne iran ya họn ẹmwẹ nẹẹn. Vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi lele ọna, ma gha bẹghe ẹre wẹẹ emwi nọ ya iran mudia ẹse ọre irẹnmwi ne iran ghaa mwẹ vbekpae Jehova. Iran wa “rẹn ọnrẹn ẹsẹse” ighẹ emwi hia nọ khẹke ne iran ru, nọ ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn Osanobua. (Itan 28:5) Ma gha vbe sẹtin ru vberriọ.