1-2. U Jehobah u khot sngewbha ïa ki nongmane jong u ban leh aïu?

 WHAT role does Jehovah play in your life? You may answer, ‘Jehovah is my Father, my God, and my Friend.’ There are also other titles, or designations, that you may apply to Jehovah. However, do you also view him as your Host?

² King David compared Jehovah’s friendship with His loyal worshippers to the relationship between a host and his guests. He asked: “O Jehovah, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may reside in your holy mountain?” (Ps. 15:1) From these inspired words, we learn that we can become Jehovah’s guests​—his friends. Is this not a grand invitation from Jehovah?

U JEHOBAH U KWAH ÏA NGI BAN WAN SHA KA TEMPL JONG U

3. Mano ba la wan nyngkong sha ka templ U Jehobah, bad kumno ki la sngew shaphang iwei ïa iwei?

³ Before creation, Jehovah was alone. But at one point, he welcomed his firstborn Son into his figurative tent. Jehovah took great pleasure in his new role as Host. The Bible reveals that Jehovah was “especially fond of” his Son. His first guest, in turn, “rejoiced before [Jehovah] all the time.”​—Prov. 8:30.

4. Kumno suki suki U Jehobah u la pynïar ïa u pud sawdong jong ka templ jong u?

⁴ Jehovah then created other spirit beings, inviting  them to be his guests too. His angels are called “sons of God” and are described as being happy in Jehovah’s company. (Job 38:7; Dan. 7:10) For some time, God’s friendship was limited to those living in the spirit realm, where he dwells. Later, he extended his tent to include humans on earth. In time, among those favored ones were Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Job. Those true worshippers were described as God’s friends, or ones who walked “with the true God.”​—Gen. 5:24; 6:9; Job 29:4; Isa. 41:8.

5. Kaei ka jinghikai kaba ngi lah ban ïoh na ka jingïathuhlypa kaba la thoh ha Esekiel 37:26, 27?

⁵ Throughout the centuries, Jehovah continued to invite his friends to be his guests. (Read Ezekiel 37:26, 27.) For example, from Ezekiel’s prophecy we learn that God truly wants his loyal worshippers to have a warm relationship with him. He promises to make “a covenant of peace with them.” That prophecy points to a time when those who have a heavenly hope and those who have an earthly hope will be united under his figurative tent as “one flock.” (John 10:16) That time is now!

U BLEI U PHIKIR ÏA NGI LA NGI DON HANGNO HANGNO RUH

6. Kumno ngi lah ban rung sha ka templ U Jehobah, bad haei ngi lah ban shem ïa ka templ jong u?

⁶ In Bible times, a person’s tent was a place of rest and protection from the elements. A guest in that tent could expect to be well cared for. When we enter into a dedicated relationship with Jehovah, we become guests in his figurative tent. (Ps. 61:4) We enjoy an abundance of spiritual food and the companionship of others who have also become Jehovah’s guests. His figurative tent is not confined to a particular location. You may have traveled to a foreign land, perhaps to attend a special convention, and met others who are blessed to be in God’s tent. It can be found wherever his obedient worshippers happen to be.​—Rev. 21:3.

7. Balei ngi lah ban ong ba kito kiba la ïaineh hok hynrei ki la khlad noh, ki dang don ha ka templ jong U Jehobah? (Peit ruh ïa ka dur.)

⁷ What about faithful ones who have died? Can we reasonably conclude that they are still guests in Jehovah’s tent? Yes! Why can we say that? Because such  ones are alive in Jehovah’s memory. Jesus explained: “That the dead are raised up, even Moses made known in the account about the thornbush, when he calls Jehovah ‘the God of Abraham and God of Isaac and God of Jacob.’ He is a God, not of the dead, but of the living, for they are all living to him.”​—Luke 20:37, 38.

NGI DON KI JINGMYNTOI BAD KI KAMRAM

8. Kumno ngi lah ban myntoi haba ngi don ha ka templ u Jehobah?

⁸ Just as a literal tent can be a place of rest and shelter from the elements, Jehovah’s tent provides his guests with protection from spiritual harm and hopelessness. When we remain close to Jehovah, Satan can do us no lasting harm. (Ps. 31:23; 1 John 3:8) In the new world, Jehovah will continue to protect his faithful friends not only from spiritual harm but also from death.​—Rev. 21:4.

9. Kaei kaba U Jehobah u khmih lynti na kito kiba don ha ka templ jong u?

⁹ It truly is a great honor to be a guest in Jehovah’s tent​—to enjoy a personal and ongoing relationship with him. How should we conduct ourselves if we want to continue as his guests? If you were invited to someone’s home, you would want to know what he expects of you. For example, he might expect you to remove your shoes before entering, and you would willingly comply. Likewise, we certainly want to know what Jehovah requires of those who want to continue being guests in his tent. Our love for Jehovah moves us to do everything in our power “to please him fully.” (Col. 1:10) And while we view Jehovah as our Friend, we realize that he is also our God and Father, who is worthy of our respect. (Ps. 25:14) With that in mind, we should always be in awe of him, never forgetting who he is. Such reverence will help us to avoid conduct that would offend him. We certainly desire “to walk in modesty” with our God.​—Mic. 6:8.

KA JINGBYM LEH SHILIANG JONG U JEHOBAH HA KA RI KHLAW

10-11. Kumno ka rukom leh jong U Jehobah ïa ki nong Israel ha ka ri khlaw Sinai ka pyni ïa ka jingbym leh shiliang jong u?

¹⁰ Jehovah is impartial in his dealings with his guests. (Rom. 2:11) We can gain insight into Jehovah’s impartiality from the way he dealt with the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai.

¹¹ After he had delivered his people from slavery in Egypt, Jehovah appointed priests to serve at the tabernacle. Levites were assigned to share in other duties related to that holy tent. Did those who served at the tabernacle or who were encamped close to it enjoy better care from Jehovah than others? No! Jehovah is not partial.

12. Kumno U Jehobah u la pyni ïa ka jingbym leh shiliang jong u ïa baroh ki nong Israel? (Eksodos 40:38) (Peit ruh ïa ka dur.)

¹² Everyone in the encampment had an equal opportunity to enjoy Jehovah’s friendship, regardless of any special appointments or where they lived in relation to the tabernacle. For example, Jehovah made sure that the entire  nation was able to see the miraculous pillar of cloud and pillar of fire posted above the tabernacle. (Read Exodus 40:38.) When the cloud started to move in a new direction, even those encamped farthest from the tabernacle were able to see that, assemble their belongings, dismantle their family tents, and keep pace with the rest of the nation. (Num. 9:15-23) All could hear the loud, distinctive blasts of two silver trumpets signaling to everyone the need to start moving. (Num. 10:2) Clearly, living in close proximity to the tabernacle was not in itself evidence of a closer friendship with Jehovah. Rather, everyone in Jehovah’s newly formed nation could be His guest and count on His direction and protection. Similarly today, no matter where we live on earth, we can benefit from Jehovah’s loving, watchful care and protection.

KI NUKSA BA MYNTA JONG KA JINGBYM LEH SHILIANG JONG U JEHOBAH

13. Kaei kawei ka rukom kaba U Jehobah u pyni ba um long uba leh shiliang mynta?

¹³ Some among God’s people today live near world headquarters or a branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Others actually serve at these facilities. As a result, such ones can share in many of the activities that take place at these locations and personally associate with those who take the lead. Some serve as traveling overseers or in other forms of special full-time service. If you are among the vast majority who do not presently enjoy such circumstances, rest assured that our Host, Jehovah, loves all his approved guests. And he gives all of them his personal care. (1 Pet. 5:7) All of God’s people receive the spiritual nourishment, direction, and protection they need.

14. Sa kaei kawei pat ka nuksa kaba pyni ba U Jehobah um long uba leh shiliang?

 ¹⁴ Another example of Jehovah’s impartiality as our Host is that he makes the Bible accessible to people around the globe today. The Holy Scriptures were originally written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Do those who can read the original Bible languages have a closer relationship with Jehovah than those who cannot? No, they do not.​—Matt. 11:25.

15. Kaei kaba pynshisha ba U Jehobah um long uba leh shiliang? (Peit ruh ïa ka dur.)

¹⁵ Jehovah’s approval of us is not dependent on our secular education or on our ability with languages. Rather than offer his wisdom only to the highly educated, Jehovah makes it accessible to people around the earth, whether they are highly educated or not. His inspired Word, the Bible, has been translated into thousands of languages; thus, people the world over can benefit from its teachings and learn how they can become his friends.​—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

ÏAI LONG KIBA “LA PDIANG” DA U JEHOBAH

16. Katkum na ki Kam 10:34, 35, kumno ngi lah ban ïai long kiba la pdiang da U Jehobah?

¹⁶ It is a great privilege to be welcomed by Jehovah as guests in his figurative tent. He is the kindest, most loving, and most hospitable Host imaginable. Furthermore, he is impartial, welcoming all of us regardless of our location, background, education, race, tribe, age, or gender. Yet, only those who meet his standards are acceptable as his guests.​—Read Acts 10:34, 35.

17. Shaphang kaei ngin ïa pule ha ka lynnong kaba bud?

¹⁷ As recorded at Psalm 15:1, David raised the questions: “O Jehovah, who may be a guest in your tent? Who may reside in your holy mountain?” The psalmist was inspired to answer those questions. The following article will discuss some of the specific requirements we must meet to remain acceptable to Jehovah.