Up until now, everlasting life was dependent on "taking in knowledge". It was a perfect fit for a publishing house to interpret that scripture that way. If we didn't keep up with the endless stream of publications from the Watchtower our salvation would be in jeopardy. Now that they've changed the translation closer to most other bibles it reveals that salvation comes by knowing God and having a relationship with him not how good our study habits are.
- The "New" New World Translation reads: "This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ." The "Old" New World Translation reads: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."