Do You Remember?

Have you read the recent issues of The Watchtower carefully? If so, you should recognize these important points. Check yourself.

● When a Christian husband and wife feel they are incompatible and want to separate, what is wrong?

One or both of them are not applying Bible principles.—P. 570.a

● Do angels have a part in the preaching of the good news of God’s kingdom?

Yes, the preaching is done under angelic direction.—Pp. 586, 588.

● What is the difference between a rebuke and a reproof?

A rebuke may not be deserved and can be given to inanimate things and the incorrigible. A reproof is always deserved and given only to moral creatures able to benefit by it if they choose. Pp. 659-661.

● What is “Babylon the Great” of Revelation 17:5?

The world empire of false religion based upon the religion of ancient Babylon.—P. 698.

● Who is God’s “woman,” first mentioned at Genesis 3:15?

His wifely organization of heavenly creatures.—P. 716.

● Who is the woman enemy of God’s woman (Mic. 7:8)?

The world empire of false, Babylonish religion.—P. 718.

● Why was Pergamum described as the site of the “throne of Satan” (Rev. 2:12, 13)?

Because of its taking the lead in emperor worship.—P. 731.

● What is “the spirit of the world”?

The frame of mind, the inclination of mind, the persistent tendency that controls the world of mankind ruled by Satan the Devil.—P. 745.

● What are the seven plagues mentioned in Revelation chapters 15 and 16?

Judgment messages from God’s Word expressing his righteous anger and making clear how world conditions appear to him.—Pp. 751, 752.

Questions From Readers

● What is the meaning of Proverbs 14:17? The rendering in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures differs from that of other translations.—L. A., United States.

Proverbs 14:17 reads, according to the New World Translation: “He that is quick to anger will commit foolishness, but the man of thinking abilities is hated.” The King James Version says: “He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.” Now, there is no doubt that “he that is quick to anger will commit foolishness” or that “he that is soon angry dealeth foolishly.” But, what about the phrase “a man of wicked devices is hated”? Various translations agree with the King James Version in this rendering, whereas the New World Translation seems to give a different thought in saying, “but the man of thinking abilities is hated.”

First, let us take note of this phrase as rendered by certain modern translators. James Moffatt’s version reads: “but a prudent man will be patient.” Lamsa’s translation from the Peshitta says: “but a wise man is moderate.” An American Translation reads: “But a man of discretion is patient.” The Revised Standard Version also says: “but a man of discretion is patient.” Noteworthy, however, is its footnote on the word “patient,” which shows that the Hebrew says “is hated.” Yet it is seen that these modern translations speak of “a prudent man,” “a wise man” and “a man of discretion.” The underlying thought is quite similar to that found in the New World Translation, which speaks of a “man of thinking abilities.”

The expression “thinking abilities” is rendered from the Hebrew word m^ezimmáh in the plural number. M^ezimmáh means “a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity).” So the Hebrew word can be used in a good sense, which is allowed by the expression “thinking abilities.”

Well, then, is a man of thinking abilities even in a good way hated? Actually, the world in general is not particularly fond of persons who exercise thinking abilities. Thinking persons who are true intellectuals are now sometimes