UGWALO

LUKAESTA

Indlovukazi uVashiti iyala ukulalela inkosi uAhasuwerusi

1Kwasekusithi ngensuku zikaAhasuwerusia, uAhasuwerusi lo owabusa kusukela eIndiyab kuze kube seEthiyophiyac, izabelod ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisae,

2 ngalezonsuku lapho inkosi uAhasuwerusi wahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sombuso wakhef esasiseShushani isigodlog,

3 ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kwakhe wenzela iziphathamandla zakhe lenceku zakhe zonke idilih. Amandla ePerisiya leMede, izinduna lababusi bezabelo babephambi kwakhei,

4 lapho etshengisa inotho yenkazimulo yombuso wakhe lobugugu bobuhle bobukhulu bakhe insuku ezinengi, insuku ezilikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.

5 Kwathi lezonsuku sezigcwalisekile, inkosi yenzela bonke abantu abatholakala eShushani isigodlo idili, kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane, insuku eziyisikhombisa, egumeni lesivande sesigodlo senkosij.

6 Kwakulamalembu amhlophe, amalembu acolekileyo, laluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, ebotshelwe ngentambo zelembu elicolekileyo kakhulu leziyibubende emasongweni esilivak lezinsikeni zelitshe le-alibasta*. Imibheda yayingeyegolide lesiliva phezu kwendawo egandelwe ngamatshe abomvu, le-alibasta, lamapharele*, lamnyamal.

7 Basebenathisa ngezitsha zegolide, lezitsha zaziyizitsha ezehlukeneyo, lewayini lesikhosini laba linengi njengokwesandla senkosi.

8 Lokunatha kwakungokomthetho, kungekho obamba ngamandla; ngoba ngokunjalo inkosi yayilayile kwabakhulu bonke bendlu yayo ukuthi benze njengokufisa komuntu lomuntu.

9 UVashiti indlovukazi laye wenzela abesifazana idili endlini yesikhosini inkosi uAhasuwerusi ayelayo.

10 Ngosuku lwesikhombisa, inhliziyo yenkosi isithokozile ngewayinim, yathi kuboMehumani, uBhizitha, uHaribonan, uBhigitha, loAbhagitha, uZethari, loKarikasio, abathenwa abayisikhombisa ababesebenza phambi kwenkosi uAhasuwerusi,

11 ukuthi balethe uVashiti indlovukazi phambi kwenkosi elomqhele wesikhosinip, ukutshengisa abantu leziphathamandla ubuhle bakhe, ngoba wayekhangeleka kuhle.

12 Kodwa indlovukazi uVashiti yala ukubuya ngelizwi lenkosi elalingesandla sabathenwa. Ngakho inkosi yathukuthela kakhulu, lolaka lwayo lwavutha phakathi kwayo.

13 Inkosi yasisithi kwabahlakaniphileyoq ababesazi izikhathi (ngoba lalinjalo ilizwi lenkosi phambi kwabo bonke abaziyo umthetho lesahlulelor,

14 lalabo ababeseduze layo babengoKarishena, uShethari, uAdimatha, uTarshishi, uMeresi, uMarisena, uMemukanis, iziphathamandla eziyisikhombisa zePerisiya leMedet, ezazibona ubuso benkosi, ezazihlala phambili embusweni)u:

15 Ngokomthetho kungenziwani ngendlovukazi uVashiti ngenxa yokuthi kayenzanga ilizwi lenkosi uAhasuwerusi ngesandla sabathenwa?

16 UMemukani wasesithi phambi kwenkosi leziphathamandla: UVashiti indlovukazi wonile kungeyisikho enkosini kuphela, kodwa lakuziphathamandla zonke lebantwini bonke abasezabelweni zonke zenkosi uAhasuwerusi.

17 Ngoba isenzo sendlovukazi sizaphumela kubo bonke abesifazana, kuze kuthi badelele omkabo emehlweni abo, nxa besithi: Inkosi uAhasuwerusi watshela ukuthi kulethwe uVashiti indlovukazi phambi kwayo, kodwa kayizanga.

18 Yebo mhlalokho amakhosikazi ePerisiya leMede ezwe isenzo sendlovukazi azakuthi kuzo zonke iziphathamandla zenkosi, kube khona ukudelela lokuthukuthela okwedlulisayo.

19 Uba kulungile enkosini kakuphume umthetho wesikhosini kuyo, kakubhalwe emithethweni yamaPerisiya lamaMedev, ongeguqulwe, ukuthi uVashiti kayikungena phambi kwenkosi uAhasuwerusi; inkosi inike-ke ubukhosikazi bakhe komunye onjengaye ongcono kulaye.

20 Usuzwakele umthetho wenkosi ezawenza embusweni wayo wonke (ngoba mkhulu) bonke abesifazana bazanika inhlonipho kubomkabow, kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyanex.

21 Njalo indaba yayilungile emehlweni enkosi leziphathamandla; inkosi yasisenza njengokwelizwi likaMemukani.

22 Yasithumela izincwadi kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosiy, kusabelo lesabelo njengombhalo waso, lakubo abantu labantu njengokolimi lwabo, ukuthi ileyo laleyondoda ibe ngumbusi endlini yayo, ikhulume njengokolimi lwabantu bakibo.

UEsta uba yindlovukazi

2Emva kwalezizinto, ulaka lwenkosi uAhasuwerusi seludedile, wamkhumbula uVashiti, lalokho ayekwenzile, lalokho okwaqunywa ngayea.

2 Izinceku zenkosi ezaziyisebenzela zasezisithi: Kakudingelwe inkosi amantombazana, izintombi ezikhangeleka kuhle.

3 Inkosi imise-ke ababonisi kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso, ukuze babuthanise wonke amantombazana, izintombi ezikhangeleka kuhle, eShushani isigodlo, endlini yabesifazana, esandleni sikaHegayi, umthenwa wenkosi, umlondolozi wabesifazana, lokunika okokuqhola kwawo.

4 Kuthi intombazana enhle emehlweni enkosi ibe yindlovukazi esikhundleni sikaVashiti. Indaba yayilungile-ke emehlweni enkosi, yenza njalob.

5 Kwakukhona indoda engumJuda eShushani isigodlo, obizo layo lalinguModekhayi indodana kaJayiri indodana kaShimeyic indodana kaKishi, umBhenjaminid,

6 owayethunjwe eJerusalema kanye labathunjwa ababethunjwe loJekoniya inkosi yakoJuda, uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni owayebathumbilee.

7 Njalo wayesondla uHadasa, onguEsta, umntakamalumakhe, ngoba wayengelayise kumbe unina; njalo intombi yayiyinhle ngesimo njalo ikhangeleka kuhle; ekufeni-ke kukayise lonina uModekhayi wayithatha yaba yindodakazi yakhef.

8 Kwasekusithi sekuzwakele ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo, lapho sekubuthaniswe izintombi ezinengi eShushani isigodlo esandleni sikaHegayi, uEsta laye wathathwa wasiwa endlini yenkosi esandleni sikaHegayi, umlondolozi wabesifazanag.

9 Lentombi yayiyinhle emehlweni akhe, yazuza umusa phambi kwakheh; wasehle eyinika amakha ayo lezabelo zayo, lamantombazana akhethiweyo ayisikhombisa ukuyinika avela endlini yenkosi; wayisusa wayifaka yona lamantombazana ayo endaweni enhle yendlu yabesifazanai.

10 UEsta wayengakhulumanga abantu bakwabo lomhlobo wakhe, ngoba uModekhayi wayemlayile ukuthi angakukhulumij.

11 Langalo lonke usuku ngosuku uModekhayi wayehambahamba phambi kweguma lendlu yabesifazana ukwazi impilakahle kaEsta lokuthi kuyini okuzakwenzeka kuye.

12 Lekufikeni kwezopha lentombi ngentombi ukungena enkosini uAhasuwerusi ekucineni sekwenziwe kuye njengomthetho wabesifazana, inyanga ezilitshumi lambili, ngoba ngokunjalo kwagcwaliseka insuku zamakha awo, inyanga eziyisithupha ngamafutha emure*, lenyanga eziyisithupha ngamakha okuqhola, langamanye amakha abesifazana.

13 Ngalokho-ke intombi yangena enkosini; loba kuyini ekutshoyo izakunikwa ukuthi ihambe lakho isuka endlini yabesifazana isiya endlini yenkosi.

14 Ntambama yangena, lekuseni ibuyele endlini yesibili yabesifazana, esandleni sikaShashigazi umthenwa wenkosi umlondolozi wabafazi abancinyane; kayingenanga futhi enkosini ngaphandle kokuthi inkosi ithokoze ngayo, ibizwe ngebizo.

15 Kwathi selifikile izopho likaEsta, indodakazi kaAbihayili umalumakhe kaModekhayi owayemthethe waba yindodakazi yakhek, lokuthi angene enkosini, kacelanga lutho ngaphandle kwalokho uHegayi umthenwa wenkosi umlondolozi wabesifazana akutshoyo. UEsta wayesemukela-ke umusa emehlweni abo bonke abambonayo.

16 Ngokunjalo uEsta wasiwa enkosini uAhasuwerusi endlini yayo yesikhosini ngenyanga yetshumi, eyinyanga kaTebethi, ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kwayo.

17 Inkosi yasimthanda uEsta okwedlula bonke abesifazana, wemukela umusa lesihe phambi kwayo okwedlula zonke intombi, yasibeka umqhele wobukhosi ekhanda lakhe, yamenza indlovukazi esikhundleni sikaVashiti.

18 Inkosi yasisenzela zonke iziphathamandla zayo lenceku zayo idili elikhulu, idili likaEsta. Yenzela izabelo ikheful, yapha iziphom njengokwamandla enkosin.

19 Kwathi intombi sezibuthanisiwe okwesibilio, uModekhayi wayehlezi esangweni lenkosip.

20 UEsta wayengakhulumanga umhlobo wakhe labantu bakibo, njengoba uModekhayi wamlayaq, ngoba uEsta wenza umlayo kaModekhayi njengalapho esondliwa elayer.

UModekhayi utshela uEsta ukuthi kukhona abenza ugobe ngenkosi

21 Ngalezozinsuku uModekhayi ehlezi esangweni lenkosi, oBigithani loTereshi abathenwa ababili benkosis, abalindi bombundu, bathukuthela, badinga ukuyithela isandla inkosi uAhasuwerusi.

22 Njalo udaba lwaziwa kuModekhayi, waselutshela uEsta indlovukazi; njalo uEsta wayitshela inkosi ebizweni likaModekhayit.

23 Lolodaba seluhlolwa, lwatholakala lunjalo; ngakho bobabili baphanyekwa esihlahleni. Kwasekubhalwa egwalweni lwemilando phambi kwenkosiu.

Ugobe lukaHamani lokubulala amaJuda

3Emva kwalezizindaba inkosi uAhasuwerusi yamkhulisa uHamani indodana kaHamedathaa umAgagib, yamphakamisa, yabeka isihlalo sakhe phezu kwazo zonke iziphathamandla ezazilayec.

2 Ngakho zonke inceku zenkosi ezazisesangweni lenkosi zakhothama zamkhonza uHamani, ngoba inkosi yayilaye ngokunjalo ngaye. Kodwa uModekhayi kakhothamanga kakhonzangad.

3 Izinceku zenkosi ezazisesangweni lenkosie zasezisithi kuModekhayi: Kungani useqa umlayo wenkosif?

4 Kwasekusithi zikhuluma laye insuku ngensuku, kodwa engazizwanga, zamtshela uHamani ukuze zibone ukuthi amazwi kaModekhayi azakuma yini; ngoba wayezitshelile ukuthi ungumJuda.

5 UHamani esebonile ukuthi uModekhayi kakhothamanga njalo kakhonzanga kuyeg, uHamani wagcwala intukutheloh.

6 Wesedelela emehlweni akhe ukumthela isandla uModekhayi yedwa, ngoba babemtshelile abantu bakibo kaModekhayi, ngakho uHamani wadinga ukuchitha wonke amaJuda, ayesembusweni wonke kaAhasuwerusi, abantu bakibo kaModekhayi.

7 Ngenyanga yokuqala, eyinyanga uNisanii, ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili wenkosi uAhasuwerusi, baphosa iPurij, eliyinkatho, phambi kukaHamani, kusukela osukwini kusiya osukwini, njalo kusukela enyangeni kusiya enyangeni yetshumi lambilik, eyinyanga uAdaril.

8 UHamani wasesithi enkosini uAhasuwerusi: Kukhona abantu abathile abahlakazeke basabalala phakathi kwabantu ezabelweni zonke zombuso wakho; lemilayo yabom yehlukile kweyabo bonke abantun, lemilayo yenkosi kabayenzi; ngakho kakufanelanga enkosini ukuthi ibayekele bahlale.

9 Uba kulungile enkosini, kakubhalwe ukuthi bachithwe, njalo ngizalinganisa amathalenta* esiliva azinkulungwane ezilitshumi ezandleni zabenzi bomsebenzi, ukuze afakwe kokuligugu kwenkosi.

10 Inkosi yasikhupha indandatho yophawu lwayo esandleni sayo, yayinika uHamani indodana kaHamedathao umAgagip, isitha samaJuda.

11 Inkosi yasisithi kuHamani: Isiliva usinikiwe, labantu, ukwenza ngabo njengokuhle emehlweni akho.

12 Kwasekubizwa ababhali benkosiq ngenyanga yokuqala ngosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwayor; kwasekubhalwa njengakho konke uHamani ayekulayile, ezikhulwini zenkosis lakubabusi ababephezu kwesabelo lesabelot, lakuziphathamandla zesizwe lesizwe sesabelo lesabelo, njengokombhalo wasou, labantu ngabantu ngokolimi lwabo; kwabhalwa ebizweni lenkosi uAhasuwerusiv, kwananyathiselwa ngendandatho yophawu lwenkosi.

13 Incwadi zathunyelwa ngesandla sezigijimiw kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi ukuchitha, ukubulala, lokubhubhisa wonke amaJuda, kusukela komutsha kusiya komdala, abantwanyana labesifazanax, ngasuku lunyey, ngolwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdariz, lokuthi kuphangwe impahla yawoa.

14 Ikhophi yombhalo yokuthi umlayo unikwe kuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo yayisobala kubo bonke abantu ukuze balungele lolosukub.

15 Izigijimi zaphuma ziphangisiswa yilizwi lenkosic, lomthetho wanikwa eShushani isigodlo. Inkosi loHamani basebehlalela ukunatha, kodwa umuzi iShushani wawusanganisekiled.

UEsta uvuma ukukhulumela abantu bakibo

4UModekhayi esekwazile konke okwenziweyo, uModekhayi wadabula izigqoko zakhea, wagqoka isakab lomlothac, waphuma wangena phakathi komuzi, wakhala ukukhala okukhulu lokubabayo,

2 weza waze waba phambi kwesango lenkosi, ngoba kwakungekho ongangena esangweni lenkosi egqoke isaka.

3 Lakuso sonke isabelo lesabelo, indawo lapho ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho okwakufika khona, kwaba lokulila okukhulu kumaJuda, lokuzila ukudla, lokukhala inyembezi, lokulila; amanengi alala emasakeni lemlotheni.

4 Kwasekufika amantombazana kaEsta labathenwa bakhe bamtshela; indlovukazi yasidabuka kakhulu, yathumela izembatho zokugqokisa uModekhayi, lokususa kuye isaka lakhe, kodwa kazemukelanga.

5 UEsta wasebiza uHathaki omunye wabathenwa benkosi eyayimmisele yenad, wamlaya ngoModekhayi ukuthi azi ukuthi kuyini lokuthi kungani.

6 UHathaki wasephuma waya kuModekhayi egcekeni lomuzi elaliphambi kwesango lenkosi.

7 UModekhayi wamtshela konke okwenzeke kuye, lengcazelo yemali uHamani athi uzayilinganisela kokuligugu kwenkosi ngamaJuda ukuwachithae.

8 Wasemnika ikhophi yombhalo womthetho eyanikwa eShushani ukuwachitha ukuthi ayitshengise uEsta, lokuthi amtshele, lokuthi amlaye ukuthi angene enkosini, ukumncengela, lokucelela abantu bakibo phambi kwakhef.

9 UHathaki wasesiza wamtshela uEsta amazwi kaModekhayi.

10 UEsta wasekhuluma loHathaki, wamnika umlayo usiya kuModekhayi wokuthi:

11 Zonke inceku zenkosi labantu bezabelo zenkosi bayakwazi ukuthi, loba ngubani, owesilisa loba owesifazana, ongena esiya enkosini egumeni elingaphakathi, engabizwanga, kulomthetho owodwa ngaye wokumbulala, ngaphandle kokuthi inkosi imelulele intonga yobukhosi yegolide, ukuze aphile; kodwa mina kangibizwanga ukungena enkosini lezinsuku ezingamatshumi amathathu.

12 Basebemtshela uModekhayi amazwi kaEsta.

13 UModekhayi wasesithi ephendula uEsta: Ungacabangi engqondweni yakho ukuthi uzaphepha endlini yenkosi okwedlula wonke amaJuda.

14 Ngoba uba uthula lokuthula ngalesisikhathi, usizo lenkululeko kuzamela amaJuda kuvela kwenye indawo, kodwa wena lendlu kayihlo lizabhubha. Ngubani kambe owaziyo ukuthi ufikile embusweni ngenxa yesikhathi esinje?

15 UEsta wasesithi ephendula uModekhayi:

16 Hamba ubuthanise wonke amaJuda atholakala eShushani, lingizilele ukudla, lingadli linganathi insuku ezintathu ubusuku lemini; lami lamantombazana ami sizazila ukudla ngokufananayo; ngokunjalo-ke ngizangena enkosini, okunganjengokomthethog; njalo uba ngibhubha, ngizabhubhah.

17 UModekhayi waseqhubeka wenza njengakho konke uEsta amlaye khona.

UEsta wenzela inkosi loHamani idili

5Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesithathu uEsta wagqoka ezobundlovukazia, wema egumeni elingaphakathi lendlu yenkosi, maqondana lendlu yenkosi. Inkosi yayihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sombuso wayo endlini yesikhosini iqondene lomnyango wendlub.

2 Kwasekusithi inkosi ibona uEsta indlovukazi emi egumeni, wazuza umusa emehlweni ayoc; inkosi yasimelulela uEsta intonga yobukhosi yegolide eyayisesandleni sayo. Wasesondela uEsta wathinta isihloko sentonga yobukhosid.

3 Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Ulani, ndlovukazi Esta? Lesicelo sakho siyini? Uzasinikwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombusoe.

4 UEsta wasesithi: Uba kukuhle enkosini, kayize inkosi loHamani edilini engiyenzele lona.

5 Inkosi yasisithi: Phangisisani uHamani ukuthi enze ilizwi likaEsta. Ngakho yeza inkosi loHamani edilini uEsta ayelenzile.

6 Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta edilini lewayinif: Siyini isicelo sakho? Njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakhog? Kuzakwenziwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombusoh.

7 UEsta wasephendula wathi: Isicelo sami lesifiso sami yilokhu:

8 Uba ngithole umusa emehlweni enkosi, futhi uba kukuhle enkosini ukupha isicelo sami lokwenza isifiso sami, inkosi loHamani kabeze edilini engizalenzela bona. Kusasa-ke ngizakwenza njengokwelizwi lenkosii.

Ukuziphakamisa kukaHamani lokuthukuthela kwakhe

9 UHamani wasephuma mhlalokho ethokoza elenhliziyo enhlej. Kodwa uHamani ebona uModekhayi esangweni lenkosi ukuthi kasukumanga lokuthi kamthuthumelelanga, uHamani wagcwala ulaka ngoModekhayik.

10 Kodwa uHamani wazithinta, wafika endlini yakhe; wasethuma walanda abangane bakhel loZereshi umkakhem.

11 UHamani wasebalandisela udumo lwenotho yakhe, lobunengi bamadodana akhen, lakho konke inkosi eyayimkhulise ngakhoo, leyamphakamisa ngakho phezu kweziphathamandla lenceku zenkosip.

12 UHamani wasesithi: Yebo, uEsta indlovukazi kangenisanga muntu kanye lenkosi edilini alenzileyo ngaphandle kwami; njalo lakusasa nginxuselwe kuye lenkosiq.

13 Kanti konke lokhu kakungenelisi ngalutho ngaso sonke isikhathi ngibona uModekhayi umJuda ehlezi esangweni lenkosi.

14 UZereshi umkakhe labo bonke abangane bakhe basebesithi kuye: Kakwenziwe ugodo ubude obuzingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu; kusasa-ke uthi enkosini kabalengise uModekhayi kulo, ubusungena lenkosi edilini uthokozile. Njalo loludaba lwalulungile phambi kukaHamani, waselwenza ugodor.

UHamani ulaywa ukuthi anike uModekhayi udumo

6Ngalobobusuku ubuthongo benkosi babaleka; yasisithi kakulethwe ugwalo lwezikhumbuzo lwemilando; yasibalwa phambi kwenkosia.

2 Kwasekutholakala kubhaliwe ukuthi uModekhayi wabika ngoBigithana loTereshi, abathenwa ababili benkosi, abalindi bombundu, ababedinge ukwelulela isandla enkosini uAhasuwerusib.

3 Inkosi yasisithi: Dumoc lobukhulu bani obenziwa kuModekhayi ngalokhud? Izinceku zenkosi ezaziyikhonza zasezisithi: Kakwenziwanga lutho kuye.

4 Inkosi yasisithi: Ngubani osegumeni? UHamani wayesengene egumeni elingaphandle lendlu yenkosie ukukhuluma enkosini ukuthi ilengise uModekhayi egodweni ayemlungisele lonaf.

5 Izinceku zenkosi zasezisithi kuyo: Khangela, uHamani umi egumeni. Inkosi yasisithi: Kangene.

6 UHamani wasengena; inkosi yasisithi kuye: Kwenziweni kumuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe? UHamani wasesithi enhliziyweni yakhe: Ngubani inkosi engathokoza ukumnika udumo okwedlula mina?

7 UHamani wasesithi enkosini: Umuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe,

8 kakulethwe isembatho sobukhosi inkosi uqobo esigqokayo, lebhiza inkosi eligadayo, lokuthi umqhele wobukhosi ubekwe enhlokweni yalog;

9 lesembatho lebhiza kunikwe esandleni somunye weziphathamandla zenkosi ezihloniphekayo, lokuthi bagqokise lowomuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe, bamgadise ibhiza adabule igceke lomuzi, bamemeze phambi kwakhe bathi: Kwenziwa nje emuntwini inkosi ethokoza ngodumo lwakheh.

10 Inkosi yasisithi kuHamani: Phangisa thatha isembatho lebhiza njengokutsho kwakho, wenze njalo kuModekhayi umJuda ohlala esangweni lenkosi; kungawi lalizwi kukho konke okukhulumileyo.

11 UHamani wasethatha isembatho lebhiza, wagqokisa uModekhayi, wamgadisa wadabula igceke lomuzi, wamemeza phambi kwakhe wathi: Kwenziwa nje emuntwini inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe.

12 Wasebuyela uModekhayi esangweni lenkosi, kodwa uHamani wahaluzela waya endlini yakhe elilai embomboze ikhandaj.

13 UHamani wasetshela uZereshi umkakhe labo bonke abangane bakhek konke okumehleleyo. Abahlakaniphileyo bakhe loZereshi umkakhe basebesithi kuye: Uba uModekhayi engowenzalo yamaJuda, osuqalise ukuwa phambi kwakhe, kawuyikumelana laye, kodwa uzakuwa lokuwa phambi kwakhel.

14 Besakhuluma loHamani, abathenwa benkosi basondela, bahaluzela ukuletha uHamanim edilini uEsta ayelenzilen.

Ukuchithwa lokulengiswa kukaHamani

7Bafika-ke inkosi loHamani ukuyakuba ledili loEsta indlovukazi.

2 Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta langosuku lwesibili edilini lewayini: Siyini isicelo sakho, Esta ndlovukazi? njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakho? kuzakwenziwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombusoa.

3 UEsta indlovukazi wasephendula wathi: Uba ngithole umusa emehlweni akho, nkosi, njalo uba kukuhle enkosini, impilo yami kangiyinikwe ngesicelo sami labantu bakithi ngesifiso samib.

4 Ngoba sithengisiwe, mina labantu bakithi, ukuthi sibhujiswe sibulawe njalo sichithwe; kodwa uba besithengiswe ukuba yizigqili lezigqilikazi ngabe ngithule; lanxa isitha besingelinganise ukoniwa kwenkosic.

5 Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasikhuluma yathi kuEsta indlovukazi: Ngubani lo, futhi ungaphi lo ogcwalise inhliziyo yakhe ukwenza njalo?

6 UEsta wasesithi: Umuntu, umbandezeli lesitha, nguHamani lo okhohlakeleyo. UHamani waseqhaqhazela phambi kwenkosi lendlovukazid.

7 Inkosi yasisukuma edilini lewayini olakeni lwayo, yaya esivandeni sesigodloe; uHamani wasesukuma ukuncengela impilo yakhe kuEsta indlovukazi, ngoba wabona ukuthi okubi sekuqunywef yinkosi ngayeg.

8 Inkosi isiphendukile ivela esivandeni sesigodlo isiya endlini yedili lewayinih, uHamani wayewele phezu kombheda uEsta ayekuwo. Inkosi yasisithi: Usuzadlova indlovukazi ilami endlini yini? Ilizwi laphuma emlonyeni wenkosi; basebembomboza ubuso bukaHamanii.

9 UHaribona omunye wabathenwa wasesithi phambi kwenkosij: Khangela-ke, ugodo uHamani alwenzele uModekhayi, owayeyikhulumele okuhle inkosi, lumi endlini kaHamani, ubude buzingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu. Inkosi yasisithi: Umlengiseni kulok.

10 Basebemlengisa uHamani kulologodo ayelulungisele uModekhayi. Lwaseludeda ulaka lwenkosil.

AmaJuda avunyelwa ukuzilwela

8Ngalolosuku inkosi uAhasuwerusi yanika uEsta indlovukazi indlu kaHamani isitha samaJuda. UModekhayi wasesiza phambi kwenkosi ngoba uEsta wayeselandisile ukuthi wayeyini kuyea.

2 Inkosi yasikhupha indandatho yophawu lwayo eyayiyithathele uHamani, yayinika uModekhayib. UEsta wasebeka uModekhayi phezu kwendlu kaHamani.

3 UEsta wasebuya ekhuluma phambi kwenkosi, wawa phambi kwenyawo zayo wakhala inyembezi wayincenga ukuthi isuse ububi bukaHamani umAgagi, logobe lwakhe ayelucebe ngamaJuda.

4 Inkosi yasiselulela intonga yobukhosi yegolide kuEsta. UEsta wasesukuma wema phambi kwenkosi,

5 wasesithi: Uba kukuhle enkosini, uba-ke ngithole umusa phambi kwayo, lodaba lulungile phambi kwenkosi, lami ngilungile emehlweni ayo, kakubhalwe ukubuyisela emuva izincwadi, ugobe lukaHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, ayelubhalele ukubhubhisa amaJuda asezabelweni zonke zenkosi.

6 Ngoba ngingaba lakho njani ukubona ububi obuzathola isizwe sakithi? Kumbe ngingaba lakho njani ukubona ukubhujiswa kwezihlobo zami?

7 Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasisithi kuEsta indlovukazi lakuModekhayi umJuda: Khangelani, indlu kaHamani ngiyinike uEsta, yena-ke bamlengise egodweni, ngenxa yokuthi welulela isandla sakhe kumaJuda.

8 Ngakho lina bhalelani amaJuda ebizweni lenkosi, njengokuhle emehlweni enu, likunameke ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, ngoba umbhalo obhalwe ngebizo lenkosi wananyekwa ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, kakho ongawubuyisela emuva.

9 Kwasekubizwa ababhali benkosi ngalesosikhathi ngenyanga yesithathu, eyinyanga uSivani, ngolwamatshumi amabili lantathu lwayo; kwasekubhalwa njengakho konke uModekhayi akulaya kumaJuda, lezikhulwini lakubabusi lakuziphathamandla zezabelo ezisukela eIndiya kuze kufike eEthiyophiya, izabelo ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa, isabelo lesabelo njengokombhalo waso, lesizwe ngesizwe njengokolimi lwaso, lakumaJuda njengokombhalo wawo lanjengokolimi lwawo.

10 Wasebhala ebizweni lenkosi uAhasuwerusi, wanameka ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, wathumela izincwadi ngesandla sezigijimi ezigade amabhiza, ezigade amabhiza alejubane awesikhosini, amabhizakazi amatsha.

11 Ukuthi inkosi yavumela amaJuda ayesemzini ngomuzi wonke ukuthi ahlangane amele impilo yawo ukubhubhisa abulale aqede wonke amandla abantu lesabelo abawahlaseleyo, abantwanyana labesifazana, lokuphanga impango yabo,

12 ngasuku lunye kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi, ngolwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari.

13 Ikhophi yombhalo yomthetho ozamiswa kuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo yayisobala kubo bonke abantu, ukuthi amaJuda azilungisele lolusuku ukuziphindiselela ezitheni zawo.

14 Izigijimi zigade amabhiza esikhosini alejubane zaphuma, ziphangisiswa zicindezelwa yilizwi lenkosi, lomthetho wanikwa eShushani isigodlo.

15 UModekhayi wasephuma phambi kwenkosi ekusembatho sobukhosi sobuluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka lesimhlophe, lomqhele omkhulu wegolide, lesembatho selembu elicolekileyo kakhulu leliyibubende. Umuzi weShushani wasuthokoza wathaba.

16 AmaJuda ayelokukhanya lentokozo lenjabulo lodumo.

17 Lakuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo lakuwo wonke umuzi ngomuzi endaweni lapho ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo okwafika khona amaJuda aba lentokozo, lenjabulo, idili, losuku oluhle. Labanengi babantu belizwe baba ngamaJuda, ngoba ukwesaba amaJuda kwabehlela.

AmaJuda abulala izitha zawo

9Kwathi ngenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari, ngosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwayo, sekusondele ilizwi lenkosi lomlayo wayo ukuthi kwenziwe, ngosuku izitha zamaJuda ezazithemba ukuwabusa ngalo, kwaguquka, ngoba amaJuda ngokwawo abusa kwababewazonda.

2 AmaJuda abuthana emizini yawo kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi ukwelulela isandla kulabo ababedinge ukulinyazwa kwawo; njalo kakho owayengema phambi kwawo, ngoba ukwesabeka kwawo kwakwehlele bonke abantu.

3 Zonke-ke iziphathamandla zezabelo, lezikhulu, lababusi, labenzi bomsebenzi inkosi eyayilabo, basiza amaJuda, ngoba ukwesabeka kukaModekhayi kwakubehlele.

4 Ngoba uModekhayi wayemkhulu endlini yenkosi, lodumo lwakhe lwahamba kuzo zonke izabelo, ngoba lindoda uModekhayi yaqhubeka ikhula.

5 Ngakho amaJuda atshaya phakathi kwezitha zawo zonke ngokutshaya kwenkemba lokubulala lokubhubhisa, enza ngabazondi bawo ngokwentando yawo.

6 EShushani isigodlo amaJuda asebulala abhubhisa abantu abangamakhulu amahlanu,

7 loParishanidatha, loDalifoni, loAsiphatha,

8 loPoratha, loAdaliya, loAridatha,

9 loParimashita, loArisayi, loAridayi, loVayizatha.

10 Amadodana alitshumi kaHamani indodana kaHamedatha, isitha samaJuda, awabulalaa; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangwenib.

11 Ngalolosuku inani lababulawayo eShushani isigodlo lafika phambi kwenkosi.

12 Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta indlovukazi: EShushani isigodlo amaJuda abulele abhubhisa abantu abangamakhulu amahlanu lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani. Enzeni kwezinye izabelo zenkosi? Siyini-ke isicelo sakho? Njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakho futhi? Njalo sizakwenziwa.

13 UEsta wasesithi: Uba kulungile enkosini kawavunyelwe amaJuda aseShushani ukwenza lakusasa njengokomthetho walamuhla; lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani kabawalengise egodweni.

14 Inkosi yasisithi kwenziwe njalo; kwasekunikwa umthetho eShushani, lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani bawalengisa.

15 AmaJuda eyeseShushani asebuthana futhi ngosuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdaric, abulala abantu abangamakhulu amathathu eShushani; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangwenid.

Umkhosi wePurimi

16 Amanye kumaJuda ayesezabelweni zenkosi abuthana-ke amela impilo yabo, aphumula ezitheni zawo, abulala kwabawazondayo izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanu; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangweni.

17 Kwakungosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga uAdari. Asephumula ngolwetshumi lane lwayo, alwenza lwaba lusuku lwedili lentokozo.

18 Kodwa amaJuda aseShushani abuthana ngolwetshumi lantathu lwayo langolwetshumi lane lwayo; asephumula ngolwetshumi lanhlanu lwayo, alwenza lwaba lusuku lwedili lentokozoe.

19 Ngenxa yalokhu amaJuda emaphandlenif ahlala emizini emaphandleni enza usuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdari lwaba ngolwentokozo ledilig, losuku oluhleh, lolokuthumelana izabeloi.

20 UModekhayi wasezibhala lezizinto, wathumela izincwadi kuwo wonke amaJuda ayekuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi, aseduze lakhatshana,

21 ukumisa phakathi kwabo ukwenza usuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdari losuku lwetshumi lanhlanu lwayo kuwo wonke umnyaka ngomnyaka,

22 njengokwensuku amaJuda aphumula ngazo ezitheni zawo, lenyanga eyaphendulwa kuwo kusuka osizini kusiya kuntokozo, lekulileni kube lusuku oluhle, azenze zibe zinsuku zedili lentokozo, lezokuthumelana izabelo, lezipho kubayanga.

23 AmaJuda emukela lokho ayesekuqalile ukukwenza, lalokho uModekhayi ayewabhalele khona.

24 Ngoba uHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, isitha sawo wonke amaJuda, wayecebe mayelana lamaJuda ukuwachitha, waphosa iPuri, eyinkatho, ukuwachoboza lokuwabhubhisa.

25 Kodwa lapho uEsta efika phambi kwenkosi, yalaya ngencwadi ukuthi icebo lakhe elibi ayelicebe ngamaJuda libuyele ekhanda lakhe; basebebalengisa yena lamadodana akhe egodweni.

26 Ngenxa yalokhu babiza lezozinsuku ngokuthi iPurimi ngebizo lePuri. Ngenxa yalokhu, ngenxa yawo wonke amazwi aleyoncwadi, lababekubonile mayelana lalokho, lokwakubehlele,

27 amaJuda amisa azemukelela wona lenzalo yawo labo bonke abazihlanganisa lawo, ukuze bangeqi, ukugcina lezinsuku ezimbili, njengokombhalo wazo, lanjengokwesikhathi sazo esimisiweyo, kuwo wonke umnyaka lomnyaka,

28 ukuthi lezinsuku zikhunjulwe zigcinwe kuso sonke isizukulwana lesizukulwana, usapho losapho, isabelo ngesabelo, lomuzi ngomuzi, ukuthi lezinsuku zePurimi zingeqiwa phakathi kwamaJuda, lesikhumbuzo sazo singapheli enzalweni yawo.

29 UEsta indlovukazi, indodakazi kaAbihayili, loModekhayi umJuda, basebebhala ngamandla wonke ukuqinisa lincwadi yesibili yePurimi.

30 Wasethumela izincwadi kuwo wonke amaJuda ezabelweni ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa zombuso kaAhasuwerusi, amazwi okuthula leqiniso,

31 ukuqinisa lezinsuku zePurimi ngezikhathi zazo ezimisiweyo njengokumisa phezu kwawo kukaModekhayi umJuda loEsta indlovukazi, lanjengokuzimisela kwawo wona lenzalo yawo, indaba zokuzila ukudla lokukhala kwawo.

32 Ilizwi likaEsta laseliqinisa lezizindaba zePurimi; kwasekubhalwa egwalweni.

Ubukhulu bukaModekhayi

10Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasibeka umthelo elizweni lezihlengeni zolwandlea.

2 Zonke-ke izenzo zamandla ayo lawengalo zayob, lomlando wobukhulu bukaModekhayic, inkosi eyamkhulisayod, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi eMede lePerisiyae?

3 Ngoba uModekhayi umJuda wayengowesibili enkosini uAhasuwerusif, emkhulu phakathi kwamaJuda, ethandeka kulo inengi labafowabog, edingela isizwe sakibo okuhle, ekhuluma ukuthula kuyo yonke inzalo yakheh.