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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

January 2016 Printing

English (ll-E)

© 2011 WATCH TOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA

God is like a loving father. 1 Peter 5:6, 7

God is our Creator, and he cares for us. Just as a wise and loving father instructs his children, so God teaches people everywhere the best way to live.

God reveals precious truths that fill us with joy and hope.

If you listen to God, he will guide and protect you and help you deal with problems.

But there is more​—you will live forever!

“Come to me,” God tells us. “Listen, and . . . keep alive.” Isaiah 55:3

God speaks to us through the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16

The true God directed men to write down his thoughts in one sacred book. That book is the Bible. It contains important information that God wants you to know.

God knows what is best for us, and he is the Source of all wisdom. By listening to him, you will become truly wise.​—Proverbs 1:5.

God wants everyone on earth to read the Bible. It is now available in many languages.

If you want to listen to God, you must read and understand the Bible.

People everywhere are listening. Matthew 28:19

Jehovah’s Witnesses can help you understand the Bible.

In all the earth, they teach the truth about God.

You do not have to pay anything for this instruction. You can also learn about God at the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

There is only one true God, and his name is Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18) He is a Spirit; we cannot see him. He loves us and wants us to love him in return. He also wants us to love other people. (Matthew 22:35-40) He is the Supreme One, the Creator of all things.

The first of God’s creations was a mighty spirit person who later came to be known as Jesus Christ. Jehovah also created the angels.

Jehovah created everything in heaven . . . and on earth. Revelation 4:11

Jehovah God created the stars as well as the earth and all that is on it.​—Genesis 1:1.

He formed Adam, the first man, from the dust of the ground.​—Genesis 2:7.

Jehovah gave Adam and Eve many good things. Genesis 1:28

Jehovah made the first woman, Eve, and gave her to Adam to be his wife.​—Genesis 2:21, 22.

Jehovah created them with minds and bodies that were perfect, without any flaw.

Their Paradise home was the garden of Eden​—a place of great beauty with a river and fruit trees and animals.

Jehovah spoke to them; he taught them. If they listened to him, they would live forever in Paradise on earth.

God said not to eat from one of the trees. Genesis 2:16, 17

Jehovah showed Adam and Eve one fruit tree in the garden and told them that if they ate from it, they would die.

One of the angels rebelled against God. That wicked angel is Satan the Devil.

Satan did not want Adam and Eve to obey Jehovah. So he used a serpent to tell Eve that if she ate the fruit from that tree, she would not die, but she would be like God. Of course, that was a lie.​—Genesis 3:1-5.

Adam and Eve did not obey God, so they died. Genesis 3:6, 23

Eve listened to the serpent and ate of the fruit. Afterward, she gave some to Adam, and he ate it.

What they did was wrong​—it was a sin. God made them leave their Paradise home.

Life was hard for them and their children. They grew old and died. They did not go to the spirit world; they ceased to exist.

The dead are as lifeless as the dust. Genesis 3:19

We die because we all come from Adam and Eve. The dead are not able to see or hear or do anything.​—Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.

Jehovah did not mean for people to die. Soon he will bring back to life those asleep in death. If they listen to him, they will live forever.

Most in Noah’s time did what was bad. Genesis 6:5

Adam and Eve had children, and people became many on the earth. In time, some angels joined Satan’s rebellion.

They came to earth and took on the bodies of men so that they could marry women. The women gave birth to superhuman sons, who were fierce and strong.

The world became filled with people who did bad things. The Bible says that “man’s wickedness was great on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time.”

Noah listened to God and built an ark. Genesis 6:13, 14, 18, 19, 22

Noah was a good man. Jehovah told Noah that He was going to destroy the wicked people with a great flood.

God also told Noah to build a huge boat, called an ark, and to take into it his family and every sort of animal.

Noah warned people about the coming Flood, but they did not listen. Some laughed at Noah; others hated him.

When the ark was finished, Noah brought the animals inside.

God destroyed the wicked but saved Noah and his family. Genesis 7:11, 12, 23

It rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and the water covered all the earth. All the wicked people died.

The rebellious angels left their bodies of flesh and became demons.

Those who were in the ark survived. Though Noah and his family eventually died, God will bring them to life again with the prospect of living forever.

God will again destroy the wicked and save the good people. Matthew 24:37-39

Satan and the demons continue to mislead people.

Today, as in Noah’s time, many reject Jehovah’s loving direction. Soon Jehovah will destroy all who are wicked.​—2 Peter 2:5, 6.

Some people are like Noah. They listen to God and do what he says; they are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Jehovah sent Jesus to earth. 1 John 4:9

If we want to please Jehovah, we must listen to another important person. Long before creating Adam, Jehovah created a mighty spirit person in the heavens.

In time, Jehovah sent this one to be born in Bethlehem to a virgin named Mary. The child was given the name Jesus.​—John 6:38.

As a man on earth, Jesus perfectly reflected God’s qualities. He was kind, loving, and approachable. Fearlessly, he taught others the truth about Jehovah.

Jesus did good but was hated. 1 Peter 2:21-24

Jesus also healed the sick and raised to life some who had died.

The religious leaders hated Jesus because he exposed their false teachings and their evil ways.

The religious leaders persuaded the Romans to beat Jesus and to kill him.

Jesus died so that we might live. John 3:16

Three days after Jesus died, some women visited his tomb and found it empty. Jehovah had raised Jesus from the dead.

Jesus later appeared to his apostles.

Yes, Jehovah had resurrected Jesus to life as a powerful, immortal spirit creature. Jesus’ disciples saw him go up to heaven.

God resurrected Jesus and made him King of God’s Kingdom. Daniel 7:13, 14

Jesus gave up his life to pay a ransom for mankind. (Matthew 20:28) By means of that ransom, God makes it possible for us to live forever.

Jehovah appointed Jesus as King to rule over the earth. With him will be 144,000 faithful people who are resurrected from the earth to life in heaven. Jesus and the 144,000 form a righteous heavenly government​—God’s Kingdom.​—Revelation 14:1-3.

God’s Kingdom will make the earth a paradise. War, crime, poverty, and hunger will be no more. People will be truly happy.​—Psalm 145:16.

Troubles on the earth prove that God’s Kingdom will soon act. Luke 21:10, 11; 2 Timothy 3:1-5

The Bible foretold many of the things that are happening today. It said that people would be lovers of money, disobedient to parents, fierce, and lovers of pleasures.

There would be great earthquakes, wars, food shortages, and widespread disease. These things are happening now.

Also, Jesus said that the good news about the Kingdom would be preached in all the earth.​—Matthew 24:14.

The Kingdom will remove all wickedness. 2 Peter 3:13

Jehovah will soon destroy all the wicked.

Satan and the demons will be punished.

Those who listen to God will survive into a righteous new world, where there will be no more fear, a world where people trust and love one another.

Most of the dead will be resurrected on earth. Acts 24:15

Imagine the future blessings that you will enjoy if you listen to Jehovah! You will have perfect health; no one will be sick or infirm. There will be no bad people, and you will be able to trust everyone.

There will be no pain, sorrow, or tears. No one will grow old and die.

You will be surrounded by friends and family. Life in Paradise will be a delight.

There will be no fear. People will be truly happy.

God’s Kingdom will end all suffering. Revelation 21:3, 4

God does hear our prayers. 1 Peter 3:12

Jehovah is the “Hearer of prayer.” (Psalm 65:2) He wants us to speak to him from our hearts.

Pray to Jehovah and not to anyone else.

We can pray about many things. 1 John 5:14

Pray that God’s will be done in heaven and on earth.

Pray in the name of Jesus to show that you value what he did for you.

Ask Jehovah to help you do what is good. You can also pray about food, employment, shelter, clothing, and health.

Love is the key to happy families. Ephesians 5:33

God’s standard is that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

A loving husband treats his wife with tenderness and understanding.

A wife should cooperate with her husband.

Children should obey their parents.

Be kind and faithful, not cruel and unfaithful. Colossians 3:5, 8-10

God’s Word says that a husband should love his wife as his own body and that a wife should have deep respect for her husband.

Sex outside the marriage arrangement is wrong. Polygamy is also wrong.

Jehovah’s Word teaches families how to be happy.

Avoid what is bad. 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10

If we love Jehovah, we will not do things that he hates.

Jehovah does not want us to steal, to get drunk, or to abuse drugs.

God hates murder, abortion, and homosexuality. He does not want us to be greedy or to fight with others.

We must not worship idols or practice spiritism.

In the earthly Paradise to come, there will be no place for people who do bad things.

Do what is good. Matthew 7:12

To be pleasing to God, we must try to be like him.

Show love to others by being kind and generous.

Be honest.

Be merciful and forgiving.

Tell others about Jehovah and his ways.​—Isaiah 43:10.

Take your stand on God’s side. 1 Peter 5:6-9

Avoid taking part in any customs that are not in agreement with the Bible. It takes courage to do this.

Do not get involved in the political affairs of the nations; they do not support Jehovah and his Kingdom.

Make the right choice​—listen to God. Matthew 7:24, 25

Associate with Jehovah’s Witnesses; they will help you draw close to God.

Continue to learn about God and try to obey his commandments.

When your faith has become strong, you should dedicate your life to Jehovah and get baptized.​—Matthew 28:19.

Listen to God. Read the Bible, and ask Jehovah’s Witnesses to help you understand it. Then, apply what you learn. If you do, you will live forever.​—Psalm 37:29.