God
wants people to enjoy life on earth. He created the earth and
everything on it because he loves mankind. Soon he will act to provide a
better future for people in every land. He will relieve mankind of the
causes of suffering.
No
government has ever succeeded in eliminating violence, disease, or
death. But there is good news. Shortly, God will replace all human
governments with his own government. Its subjects will enjoy peace and
good health.
2. Why is the good news urgent?
Suffering will end only when God clears the earth of bad people. (Zephaniah 2:3)
When will that happen? God’s Word foretold the conditions that now
threaten mankind. Current events indicate that God’s time to act is
close.
3. What should we do?
We
should learn about God from his Word, the Bible. It is like a letter to
us from a loving father. It tells us how to enjoy a better way of life
now and how to enjoy everlasting life on earth in the future. True, some
may not like it that you are receiving help to understand the Bible. But the opportunity of a better future is too good to miss.
1. Why should we worship God?
The true God is the Creator of all things. He had no beginning and will never have an end. (Psalm 90:2) He is the Source of the good news found in the Bible. (1 Timothy 1:11) Since God gave us life, we should worship only him.
2. What is God like?
No
human has ever seen God because he is a Spirit, which means that he is a
higher form of life than the physical creatures who live on earth. (John 1:18; 4:24)
Nevertheless, we can discern God’s personality from the things he has
made. For instance, the variety of fruits and flowers tells us of his
love and wisdom. The size of the universe tells us of his power.
We
can learn even more about God’s personality by reading the Bible. For
example, it tells us what God likes and what he does not like, how he
treats people, and how he reacts in different situations.
3. Does God have a name?
Jesus said: “Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified.” (Matthew 6:9)
Although God has many titles, he has only one name. In each language,
it is pronounced differently. In English it is usually pronounced
“Jehovah.” But some people pronounce it “Yahweh.”
God’s
name has been taken out of many Bibles and replaced with the titles
Lord or God. But when the Bible was written, it contained God’s name some 7,000 times. Jesus made God’s name known when he taught people about God.
4. Does Jehovah care about us?
Like this loving father, God is acting for our long-term good
Does
widespread suffering mean that Jehovah is a God who does not care about
us? Some people claim that he makes us suffer to test us, but this is
not true.
God has granted man the dignity of free will. Do we not appreciate our freedom to choose to serve God? (Joshua 24:15) But many choose to do bad things to others, so suffering abounds. It saddens Jehovah to see such injustice.
Jehovah
is a God who cares about us. He wants us to enjoy life. Soon he will
eliminate suffering and those who cause it. Meanwhile, he has good
reason to allow suffering for a limited time. In Lesson 8, we will learn what that reason is.
5. How can we draw closer to God?
Jehovah invites us to draw close to him by speaking to him in prayer. He is interested in us individually. (Psalm 65:2; 145:18)
He is willing to forgive. He recognizes our efforts to please him, even
if we sometimes fail. So despite our imperfection, we really can enjoy a
close relationship with God.
Since Jehovah has given us life, we should love him more than we love anyone else. (Mark 12:30) As you express your love for God by learning more about him and doing as he asks, you will draw ever closer to him.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
New Living Translation
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
English Standard Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Berean Study Bible
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Berean Literal Bible
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of shifting.
New American Standard Bible
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
King James Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
International Standard Version
Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow.
NET Bible
All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
New Heart English Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Every good and perfect gift descends from above, from The Father of lights with whom there is no change nor a shadow of variation.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
New American Standard 1977
Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.
King James 2000 Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
American King James Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.
American Standard Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.
Darby Bible Translation
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.
English Revised Version
Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Webster's Bible Translation
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Weymouth New Testament
Every gift which is good, and every perfect boon, is from above, and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light. In Him there is no variation nor the slightest suggestion of change.
World English Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
Young's Literal Translation
every good giving, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning;
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
New Living Translation
Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
English Standard Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Berean Study Bible
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Berean Literal Bible
Every good act of giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of shifting.
New American Standard Bible
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
King James Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.
International Standard Version
Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow.
NET Bible
All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.
New Heart English Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Every good and perfect gift descends from above, from The Father of lights with whom there is no change nor a shadow of variation.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.
New American Standard 1977
Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
Jubilee Bible 2000
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.
King James 2000 Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
American King James Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.
American Standard Version
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Every best gift, and every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.
Darby Bible Translation
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of lights, with whom is no variation nor shadow of turning.
English Revised Version
Every good gift and every perfect boon is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.
Webster's Bible Translation
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Weymouth New Testament
Every gift which is good, and every perfect boon, is from above, and comes down from the Father, who is the source of all Light. In Him there is no variation nor the slightest suggestion of change.
World English Bible
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
Young's Literal Translation
every good giving, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights, with whom is no variation, or shadow of turning;
Study Bible
Good and Perfect Gifts…16Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.…
Cross References
Psalm 85:12
Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce.
Psalm 102:27
"But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.
Psalm 136:7
To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
Daniel 2:22
"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
Malachi 3:6
"For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Matthew 7:11
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
John 3:3
Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 3:27
John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
James 3:15
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce.
Psalm 102:27
"But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end.
Psalm 136:7
To Him who made the great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting:
Daniel 2:22
"It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
Malachi 3:6
"For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Matthew 7:11
So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
John 3:3
Jesus replied, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 3:27
John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.
1 Timothy 6:16
He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
James 3:15
Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Treasury of Scripture
Every
good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the
Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning.
good. See on ver.
from the.
no variableness.
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