© 2015, 2026

WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA

200 Watchtower Drive

Patterson, NY 12563-​9205 U.S.A.

PUBLISHERS

WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF NEW YORK, INC.

Wallkill, New York, U.S.A.

This publication is not for sale. It is provided as part of the worldwide Bible educational work of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The items shown in the illustrations and 3-D video footage in the Media Gallery are based on extensive research. However, they are artists’ renditions and, at times, depict only one of several possibilities.

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)

English (nwtsty-E)

Genesis © 2017

Exodus © 2017

Leviticus © 2017

Numbers © 2017

Deuteronomy © 2017

Joshua © 2017

Judges © 2017

Ruth © 2017

1 Samuel © 2017

2 Samuel © 2017

1 Kings © 2017

2 Kings © 2017

1 Chronicles © 2017

2 Chronicles © 2017

Ezra © 2017

Nehemiah © 2017

Esther © 2017

Job © 2017

Psalms © 2017

Proverbs © 2017

Ecclesiastes © 2017

Song of Solomon © 2017

Isaiah © 2017

Jeremiah © 2017

Lamentations © 2017

Ezekiel © 2017

Daniel © 2017

Hosea © 2017

Joel © 2017

Amos © 2017

Obadiah © 2017

Jonah © 2017

Micah © 2017

Nahum © 2017

Habakkuk © 2017

Zephaniah © 2017

Haggai © 2017

Zechariah © 2017

Malachi © 2017

Matthew © 2015, 2019

Mark © 2016, 2019

Luke © 2017, 2019

John © 2017, 2019

Acts © 2017, 2019

Romans © 2017, 2019

1 Corinthians © 2017, 2019

2 Corinthians © 2017, 2020

Galatians © 2017, 2020

Ephesians © 2017, 2020

Philippians © 2017, 2021

Colossians © 2017, 2021

1 Thessalonians © 2017, 2021

2 Thessalonians © 2017, 2021

1 Timothy © 2017, 2022

2 Timothy © 2017, 2022

Titus © 2017, 2022

Philemon © 2017, 2022

Hebrews © 2017, 2025

James © 2017, 2026

1 Peter © 2017

2 Peter © 2017

1 John © 2017

2 John © 2017

3 John © 2017

Jude © 2017

Revelation © 2017

The Bible contains God’s message, or word, for us today. It shows us how to live our lives successfully and how to gain God’s approval. It also answers the following questions:

HOW TO FIND BIBLE VERSES

The Bible is a collection of 66 smaller books. It is divided into two sections: the Hebrew-Aramaic Scriptures (“Old Testament”) and the Greek Scriptures (“New Testament”). Each Bible book is divided into chapters and verses. When scriptures are cited, the first number after the name of the book indicates the chapter, and the next number or numbers refer to the verse or verses. For example, Genesis 1:1 refers to Genesis chapter 1, verse 1.

“May people know that you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.”

Psalm 83:18

“Know that Jehovah is God. He is the one who made us, and we belong to him.”

Psalm 100:3

“I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else, nor my praise to graven images.”

Isaiah 42:8

“Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”

Romans 10:13

“Of course, every house is constructed by someone, but the one who constructed all things is God.”

Hebrews 3:4

“Lift up your eyes to heaven and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who brings out their army by number; he calls them all by name. Because of his vast dynamic energy and his awe-inspiring power, not one of them is missing.”

Isaiah 40:26

“This book of the Law should not depart from your mouth, and you must read it in an undertone day and night, in order to observe carefully all that is written in it; for then your way will be successful and then you will act wisely.”

Joshua 1:8

“They continued reading aloud from the book, from the Law of the true God, clearly explaining it and putting meaning into it; so they helped the people to understand what was being read.”

Nehemiah 8:8

“Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked . . . , but his delight is in the law of Jehovah, and he reads His law in an undertone day and night. . . . Everything he does will succeed.”

Psalm 1:1-3

“Philip ran alongside and heard him reading aloud Isaiah the prophet, and he said: ‘Do you actually know what you are reading?’ He said: ‘Really, how could I ever do so unless someone guided me?’”

Acts 8:30, 31

“His invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”

Romans 1:20

“Ponder over these things; be absorbed in them, so that your advancement may be plainly seen by all people.”

1 Timothy 4:15

“Let us consider one another so as to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together.”

Hebrews 10:24, 25

“If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.”

James 1:5

“Moses wrote down all the words of Jehovah.”

Exodus 24:4

“Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream; he recorded a complete account of the matters.”

Daniel 7:1

“When you received God’s word, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but, just as it truthfully is, as the word of God.”

1 Thessalonians 2:13

“All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching.”

2 Timothy 3:16

“Prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.”

2 Peter 1:21

“He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, suspending the earth upon nothing.”

Job 26:7

“All the streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is not full. To the place from which the streams flow, there they return so as to flow again.”

Ecclesiastes 1:7

“There is One who dwells above the circle of the earth.”

Isaiah 40:22

“I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel.”

Genesis 3:15

“By means of your offspring all nations of the earth will obtain a blessing for themselves because you have listened to my voice.”

Genesis 22:18

“Let your Kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also on earth.”

Matthew 6:10

“For his part, the God who gives peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.”

Romans 16:20

“When all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.”

1 Corinthians 15:28

“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his offspring . . . , who is Christ. Moreover, if you belong to Christ, you are really Abraham’s offspring.”

Galatians 3:16, 29

“The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever.”

Revelation 11:15

“So down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him.”

Revelation 12:9

“He seized the dragon, the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for 1,000 years.”

Revelation 20:2

PROPHECY

“You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, . . . from you will come out for me the one to be ruler in Israel.”

Micah 5:2

FULFILLMENT

“After Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, look! astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem.”

Matthew 2:1

PROPHECY

“They divide my garments among themselves, and they cast lots for my clothing.”

Psalm 22:18

FULFILLMENT

“Now when the soldiers had nailed Jesus to the stake, they took his outer garments and divided them into four parts . . . But the inner garment was without a seam, being woven from top to bottom. So they said to one another: ‘Let us not tear it, but let us cast lots over it to decide whose it will be.’”

John 19:23, 24

PROPHECY

“He is guarding all his bones; not one of them has been broken.”

Psalm 34:20

FULFILLMENT

“On coming to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they did not break his legs.”

John 19:33

PROPHECY

“He was pierced for our transgression.”

Isaiah 53:5

FULFILLMENT

“One of the soldiers jabbed his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

John 19:34

PROPHECY

“They paid my wages, 30 pieces of silver.”

Zechariah 11:12, 13

FULFILLMENT

“Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said: ‘What will you give me to betray him to you?’ They stipulated to him 30 silver pieces.”

Matthew 26:14, 15; 27:5

“Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom . . . All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress.”

Matthew 24:7, 8

“Many false prophets will arise and mislead many; and because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold.”

Matthew 24:11, 12

“When you hear of wars and reports of wars, do not be alarmed; these things must take place, but the end is not yet.”

Mark 13:7

“There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another food shortages and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.”

Luke 21:11

“In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5

“It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, for the Almighty to do wrong!”

Job 34:10

“When under trial, let no one say: ‘I am being tried by God.’ For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he himself try anyone.”

James 1:13

“Throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

“Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The swift do not always win the race, nor do the mighty win the battle, nor do the wise always have the food, nor do the intelligent always have the riches, nor do those with knowledge always have success, because time and unexpected events overtake them all.”

Ecclesiastes 9:11

“Through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned—.”

Romans 5:12

“For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil.”

1 John 3:8

“The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one.”

1 John 5:19

“The righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it.”

Psalm 37:29

“The earth remains forever.”

Ecclesiastes 1:4

“He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.”

Isaiah 25:8

“At that time the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. At that time the lame will leap like the deer, and the tongue of the speechless will shout for joy. For waters will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert plain.”

Isaiah 35:5, 6

“He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:4

“They will build houses and live in them, and they will plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build for someone else to inhabit, nor will they plant for others to eat. For the days of my people will be like the days of a tree, and the work of their hands my chosen ones will enjoy to the full.”

Isaiah 65:21, 22

“His spirit goes out, he returns to the ground; on that very day his thoughts perish.”

Psalm 146:4

“The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing at all . . . Whatever your hand finds to do, do with all your might, for there is no work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the Grave, where you are going.”

Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10

“[Jesus] added: ‘Lazarus our friend has fallen asleep, but I am traveling there to awaken him.’ Jesus, however, had spoken about his death. But they imagined he was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly: ‘Lazarus has died.’”

John 11:11, 13, 14

“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.”

John 5:28, 29

“There is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Acts 24:15

“I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and scrolls were opened. But another scroll was opened; it is the scroll of life. The dead were judged out of those things written in the scrolls according to their deeds. And the sea gave up the dead in it, and death and the Grave gave up the dead in them, and they were judged individually according to their deeds.”

Revelation 20:12, 13

“Have you seen a man skillful at his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before common men.”

Proverbs 22:29

“Let the one who steals steal no more; rather, let him do hard work, doing good work with his hands, so that he may have something to share with someone in need.”

Ephesians 4:28

“Everyone should eat and drink and find enjoyment for all his hard work. It is the gift of God.”

Ecclesiastes 3:13

“The one who loves having a good time will come to poverty; the one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.”

Proverbs 21:17

“The borrower is a slave to the lender.”

Proverbs 22:7

“Who of you wanting to build a tower does not first sit down and calculate the expense to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, he might lay its foundation but not be able to finish it, and all the onlookers would start to ridicule him, saying: ‘This man started to build but was not able to finish.’”

Luke 14:28-30

“When they had eaten their fill, he said to his disciples: ‘Gather together the fragments left over, so that nothing is wasted.’”

John 6:12

“Better is a dish of vegetables where there is love than a fattened bull where there is hatred.”

Proverbs 15:17

“I, Jehovah, am your God, the One teaching you to benefit yourself, the One guiding you in the way you should walk.”

Isaiah 48:17

“Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.”

Matthew 5:3

“You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 22:39

“Just as you want men to do to you, do the same way to them.”

Luke 6:31

“Happy are those hearing the word of God and keeping it!”

Luke 11:28

“When a person has an abundance, his life does not result from the things he possesses.”

Luke 12:15

“So, having food and clothing, we will be content with these things.”

1 Timothy 6:8

“There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”

Acts 20:35

“Throw your burden on Jehovah, and he will sustain you. Never will he allow the righteous one to fall.”

Psalm 55:22

“The plans of the diligent surely lead to success, but all who are hasty surely head for poverty.”

Proverbs 21:5

“Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you, I will really hold on to you with my right hand of righteousness.”

Isaiah 41:10

“Who of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his life span?”

Matthew 6:27

“So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.”

Matthew 6:34

“Make sure of the more important things.”

Philippians 1:10

“Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6, 7

HUSBANDS/FATHERS

“In the same way 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 . . . Each one of you must love his wife as he does himself.”

Ephesians 5:28, 29, 33

“Fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and admonition of Jehovah.”

Ephesians 6:4

WIVES

“The wife should have deep respect for her husband.”

Ephesians 5:33

“You wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as it is becoming in the Lord.”

Colossians 3:18

CHILDREN

“Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous. ‘Honor your father and your mother’ is the first command with a promise: ‘That it may go well with you and you may remain a long time on the earth.’”

Ephesians 6:1-3

“You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

Colossians 3:20

“O Hearer of prayer, to you people of all sorts will come.”

Psalm 65:2

“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5, 6

“This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.”

John 17:3

“In fact, [God] is not far off from each one of us.”

Acts 17:27

“This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound still more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment.”

Philippians 1:9

“If any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.”

James 1:5

“Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you indecisive ones.”

James 4:8

“This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”

1 John 5:3

HEBREW SCRIPTURES (“OLD TESTAMENT”)

PENTATEUCH (5 BOOKS):

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

From creation to the founding of the ancient nation of Israel

HISTORICAL BOOKS (12 BOOKS):

Joshua, Judges, Ruth

Israel’s entry into the Promised Land and events thereafter

1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles

History of the nation of Israel down to the destruction of Jerusalem

Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

History of the Jews after returning from exile in Babylon

POETIC BOOKS (5 BOOKS):

Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon

Collections of wise sayings and songs

PROPHETIC BOOKS (17 BOOKS):

Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Prophecies, or predictions, concerning God’s people

CHRISTIAN GREEK SCRIPTURES (“NEW TESTAMENT”)

THE FOUR GOSPELS (4 BOOKS):

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John

History of Jesus’ life and ministry

ACTS OF APOSTLES (1 BOOK):

History of the start of the Christian congregation and missionary activity

LETTERS (21 BOOKS):

Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Letters to various Christian congregations

1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Letters to individual Christians

Hebrews, James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2, and 3 John, Jude

General letters to Christians

REVELATION (1 BOOK):

Series of prophetic visions given to the apostle John

ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AS YOU READ YOUR BIBLE:

What does this tell me about Jehovah God?

How does this section of the Scriptures contribute to the Bible’s message?

How can I apply this in my life?

How can I use these verses to help others?

“Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light for my path.”

Psalm 119:105

The Holy Bible is God’s written communication to all of us. We must study it to get to know its Author. (John 17:3; 2 Timothy 3:16) Within its pages, Jehovah God reveals his purpose for humans and for their earthly home.—Genesis 3:15; Revelation 21:3, 4.

No other book has such an impact on people’s lives. The Bible inspires us to reflect Jehovah’s qualities of love, mercy, and compassion. It gives hope, helping people to endure even the worst suffering. And it continues to expose the elements of this world that are out of harmony with the perfect will of God.—Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 2:15-17.

Originally composed in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, the Bible has been translated, in whole or in part, into over 3,000 languages. It is by far the most widely translated and distributed book in history. We should expect nothing less. Bible prophecy states: “This good news of the Kingdom [the key message contained in the Bible] will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”—Matthew 24:14.

Recognizing the importance of the Bible’s message, we have undertaken the revision of this text with a profound respect for the content of the Bible. We feel the full weight of our responsibility to convey its message accurately. This revised edition has built on the fine foundation laid in previous editions of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, a Bible that was first released more than 60 years ago. However, the English language has changed during the past half century. Such change prompted current members of the New World Bible Translation Committee to initiate this comprehensive revision. Our goal has been to produce a translation that is not only faithful to the original texts but also clear and easy to read. The Appendix articles “Principles of Bible Translation,” “Features of This Revision,” and “How the Bible Came to Us” discuss some of the linguistic refinements that were made in this edition.

Those who love Jehovah God and worship him desire an accurate, understandable translation of God’s Word. (1 Timothy 2:4) To that end, we have made this revision available in English, with the intention of translating it into as many languages as possible. It is our hope and prayer that you, dear reader, will find this edition of the Holy Scriptures beneficial as you endeavor to “seek God . . . and really find him.”—Acts 17:27.