A Living Translation of God's Word

GREAT APPRECIATION

What has been the effect of this revised English New World Translation? Thousands of letters of appreciation have been received at the Brooklyn headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses.  The comments  of one sister reflect the feelings of many:  "The Bible is a treasure chest brimming over with valuable jewels.  To read Jehovah's words clearly by using the 2013 revision can be compared to examining each jewel, admiring its many facets, clarity, color, and beauty.  The Scriptures conveyed in simple language have helped me to become better acquainted with Jehovah, who is like a father with his arm around me while he reads his soothing words to me."

It is not just the revised English New World Translation that has had an impact. An elderly man from Sofia, Bulgaria, commented about the Bulgarian edition:  "I have read the Bible for many years, but I have never read a translation that is easier to understand and that goes right to the heart."  Likewise, after receiving her copy of the complete New Word Translation, an Albanian sister commented:  "How beautiful God's Word sounds in Albanian!"  What a privilege  to have Jehovah speak to us in our own language!"

In many lands, Bibles are expensive and not readily available, so  just receiving a Bible is a great blessing. A report from Rwanda stated: "For a long time, many people with whom brothers were studying had not progressed because they had no Bibles.   They could  not afford to purchase the local church edition.  And they often could not clearly understand the meaning of certain verses, which hindered their progress."  Things changed when the New World Translation in their language became available.  A Rwandan family with four teenagers said:  "We really thank Jehovah and the faithful and discreet slave for giving us this Bible. We are very poor and had not money to purchase Bibles for every member of the family.  But now each of us has his own Bible. To show our gratitude to Jehovah, we read the Bible as a family every day."

In time, the revised New World Translation  will be made available  in more languages .  Satan tries to block such efforts, but we trust that Jehovah wants to have all his people listen as he speaks to them in clear, understandable language.  (Read Isaiah 30:21) The time will come when "the earth will certainly be filled with the knowledge of Jehovah as the waters cover the sea." -Isaiah 11:9. 

May we be determined to take advantage of every gift from Jehovah, including this translation that honors his name.  Let him speak with you every day through his Word.  His limitless abilities allow him to listen attentively to our prayers.  This communication will help us to come to know Jehovah ever more intimately as our love for him keeps growing. -John 17:3.

Next time: Jehovah Will Sustain You

From The Watchtower magazine