UEZRA

Isimemezelo sikaKoresi

1Kwathi ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKoresi inkosi yePerisiya, ekugcwalisekeni1 kwelizwi leNkosi ngomlomo kaJeremiyaa, iNkosi yavusa umoya kaKoresi inkosi yePerisiya ukuthi edlulise isimemezelo embusweni wakhe wonke, njalo langombhalob, esithi:

2 Utsho njalo uKoresi inkosi yePerisiya: INkosi, uNkulunkulu wamazulu, inginikile yonke imibuso yomhlaba; layo ingilayile ukuyakhela indlu eJerusalema ekoJudac.

3 Ngubani ophakathi kwenu kubo bonke abantu bayo? UNkulunkulu wakhe kabe laye, enyukele eJerusalema ekoJuda, akhe indlu yeNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli (unguNkulunkulu) oseJerusalemad.

4 Laloba ngubani oseleyo lakuyiphi yezindawo lapho ahlala njengowezizwe khona, kakuthi abantu bendawo yakibo bamsekele ngesiliva, langegolide, langempahla, langezifuyo, kanye lomnikelo wesihle wendlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema.

Ukubuyela kwamaJuda eJerusalema

5 Kwasekusukuma inhloko zaboyise bakoJuda loBhenjamini, labapristi lamaLevi, laye wonke uNkulunkulue ayevuse umoya wakhe, ukuthi benyukele ukwakha indlu yeNkosi eseJerusalemaf.

6 Labo bonke ababebaphahlile baqinisa izandla zabo ngezitsha zesiliva, ngegolide, ngempahla, langezifuyo, langezinto eziligugu, ngaphandle kwakho konke okwakunikelwe ngesihleg.

7 UKoresi inkosi laye wakhupha izitsha zendlu yeNkosih, uNebhukadinezari ayezikhuphe eJerusalema wazifaka endlini yabonkulunkulu bakhei.

8 UKoresi inkosi yePerisiya wasezikhupha ngesandlaj sikaMithiredathik umphathisikhwama owazibalela uSheshibazari isiphathamandla sakoJudal.

9 Leli-ke linani lazo: Imiganu yegolide engamatshumi amathathum, imiganu yesiliva eyinkulungwane, izingqamu ezingamatshumi amabili lesificamunwemunye,

10 inkezo zegolide ezingamatshumi amathathu, ezinye inkezo zesiliva ezingamakhulu amane letshumi, ezinye izitsha eziyinkulungwane.

11 Zonke izitsha zegolide lezesiliva zazizinkulungwane ezinhlanu lamakhulu amane. Zonke lezi uSheshibazari wazenyusa lalabo ababenyuswe ekuthunjweni bevela eBhabhiloni besiya eJerusalema.

Amabizo ababuya ekuthunjweni

2Laba-ke ngabantwana besabelo abenyuka besuka ekuthunjweni kwalabo ababethunjiwea uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni ayebathumbele eBhabhiloni, ababuyela eJerusalema loJuda, ngulowo lalowo emzini wakibob;

2 abafika loZerubhabhelic, uJeshuwa, uNehemiya, uSeraya, uRehelaya, uModekhayid, uBilishani, uMisipari, uBigivayi, uRehuma, uBahana. Inani lamadoda esizwe sakoIsrayeli:

3 Abantwana bakoParoshie, izinkulungwane ezimbili lekhulu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.

4 Abantwana bakoShefathiya, amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambilif.

5 Abantwana bakoArag, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanuh.

6 Abantwana bakoPahathi-Mowabii, ababantwana bakaJeshuwa-Jowabij, izinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu ayisificaminwembili letshumi lambilik.

7 Abantwana bakoElamu, inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lanel.

8 Abantwana bakoZathu, amakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amane lanhlanum.

9 Abantwana bakoZakayi, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisithuphan.

10 Abantwana bakoBani, amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lambilio.

11 Abantwana bakoBebayip, amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lantathuq.

12 Abantwana bakoAzigadir, inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lambilis.

13 Abantwana bakoAdonikamut, amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi ayisithupha lesithuphau.

14 Abantwana bakoBigivayiv, izinkulungwane ezimbili lamatshumi amahlanu lesithuphaw.

15 Abantwana bakoAdinix, amakhulu amane lamatshumi amahlanu laney.

16 Abantwana bakoAteri, bakoHezekhiya, amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lesificaminwembiliz.

17 Abantwana bakoBezayia, amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lantathub.

18 Abantwana bakoJora, ikhulu letshumi lambili.

19 Abantwana bakoHashumac, amakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lantathud.

20 Abantwana bakoGibari, amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu.

21 Abantwana beBhethelehemae, ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lantathuf.

22 Amadoda eNetofag, amatshumi amahlanu lesithuphah.

23 Amadoda eAnathothii, ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.

24 Abantwana beAzimavethi, amatshumi amane lambili.

25 Abantwana beKiriyatharimijk, iKefiral, leBherothim, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amane lantathu.

26 Abantwana beRaman leGabao, amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lanye.

27 Amadoda eMikimasip, ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lambili.

28 Amadoda eBhetheli leAyiq, amakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lantathur.

29 Abantwana beNebo, amatshumi amahlanu lambilis.

30 Abantwana bakoMagibishi, ikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu lesithuphat.

31 Abantwana bomunye uElamu, inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu laneu.

32 Abantwana bakoHarimi, amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili.

33 Abantwana beLodiv, iHadidiw, leOnox, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili lanhlanuy.

34 Abantwana beJeriko, amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amane lanhlanuz.

35 Abantwana beSenahaa, izinkulungwane ezintathu lamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amathathub.

36 Abapristi. Abantwana bakoJedayac bendlu kaJeshuwa: Amakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lantathud.

37 Abantwana bakoImeri: Inkulungwane lamatshumi amahlanu lambilie.

38 Abantwana bakoPashuri: Inkulungwane lamatshumi amane lesikhombisaf.

39 Abantwana bakoHarimi: Inkulungwane letshumi lesikhombisag.

40 AmaLevi. Abantwana bakoJeshuwah loKadimiyelii, babantwana bakaHodaviya: Amatshumi ayisikhombisa lane.

41 Abahlabeleli. Abantwana bakoAsafij: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembilik.

42 Abantwana babalindi bamasangol. Abantwana bakoShaluma, abantwana bakoAteri, abantwana bakoTalimoni, abantwana bakoAkubi, abantwana bakoHatita, abantwana bakoShobayi, bonke babelikhulu lamatshumi amathathu lesificamunwemunyem.

43 AmaNethinin. Abantwana bakoZihao, abantwana bakoHasufa, abantwana bakoTabhawothi,

44 abantwana bakoKerosi, abantwana bakoSiyaha, abantwana bakoPadoni,

45 abantwana bakoLebana, abantwana bakoHagaba, abantwana bakoAkubi,

46 abantwana bakoHagabi, abantwana bakoShamilayi, abantwana bakoHanani,

47 abantwana bakoGideli, abantwana bakoGahari, abantwana bakoReyaya,

48 abantwana bakoRezini, abantwana bakoNekoda, abantwana bakoGazama,

49 abantwana bakoUza, abantwana bakoPhaseyap, abantwana bakoBhesayi,

50 abantwana bakoAsina, abantwana bakoMewunimi, abantwana bakoNefusimi,

51 abantwana bakoBakibuki, abantwana bakoHakufa, abantwana bakoHarihuri,

52 abantwana bakoBaziluthi, abantwana bakoMehida, abantwana bakoHarisha,

53 abantwana bakoBarkosi, abantwana bakoSisera, abantwana bakoThama,

54 abantwana bakoNeziya, abantwana bakoHatifa.

55 Abantwana bezinceku zikaSolomoniq. Abantwana bakoSotayi, abantwana bakoHasoferethi, abantwana bakoPeruda,

56 abantwana bakoJahala, abantwana bakoDarkoni, abantwana bakoGideli,

57 abantwana bakoShefathiya, abantwana bakoHathili, abantwana bakoPokerethi-Hazebayimir, abantwana bakoAmi.

58 Wonke amaNethini labantwana bezinceku zikaSolomoni babengamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lambili.

59 Lalaba yilabo abenyuka bevela eTeli-Mela, iTeli-Harisha, iKerubi, iAdani, iImeris, kodwa babengelakutsho indlu yaboyise, lenzalo yabo, ukuthi bavela koIsrayelit:

60 Abantwana bakoDelaya, abantwana bakoTobiya, abantwana bakoNekoda: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lambiliu.

61 Lebantwaneni babapristi, abantwana bakoHabaya, abantwana bakoHakoziv, abantwana bakoBarizilayi, owathatha umfazi emadodakazini kaBarizilayi umGileyadi, wasebizwa ngebizo lawow.

62 Laba badinga ukubhalwa kwabo oluhlwini lwababhaliweyo ngezizukulwana, kodwa kabatholakalanga; basebekhutshwa ebupristini njengabangcolileyo.

63 Umbusi wasesitsho kubo ukuthi bangadli okwezinto ezingcwelengcwelex, kuze kusukume umpristi oleUrimi leThumimiy.

64 Ibandla lonke lindawonye lalizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisithupha,

65 ngaphandle kwenceku zabo lencekukazi zabo; lezi zazizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa; babelabahlabeleli labahlabelelikazi abangamakhulu amabiliz.

66 Amabhiza abo ayengamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amathathu lesithupha; imbongolo zabo zingamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lanhlanu;

67 amakamela abo engamakhulu amane lamatshumi amathathu lanhlanu; obabhemi bezinkulungwane eziyisithupha lamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili.

68 Lenhlokweni zaboyise, ekufikeni kwabo endlini yeNkosi eseJerusalema, zanikelela indlu kaNkulunkulu ngesihle ukuyimisa endaweni yayo.

69 Zanikela ngokwamandla azo esikhwameni somsebenzia inhlamvu zegolideb ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lanyec, lamamane* esiliva azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu, lezigqoko zabapristi ezilikhulud.

70 Abapristi lamaLevi lengxenye yabantu labahlabeleli labalindi bamasango lamaNethini basebehlala emizini yabo, loIsrayeli wonke emizini yakhe.

Ukwakhiwa kwelathi lokunikelwa kweminikelo

3Isifikile inyanga yesikhombisa, labantwana bakoIsrayeli sebesemizini, abantu babuthana njengamuntu munye eJerusalemaa.

2 Kwasekusukuma uJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki labafowabo abapristi, loZerubhabheli indodana kaSalatiyeli labafowabo, bakha ilathi likaNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli ukuze banikele iminikelo yokutshiswa phezu kwalo, njengokubhaliweyo emlayweni kaMozisib umuntu kaNkulunkuluc.

3 Basebemisa ilathi ezisekelweni zalo, ngoba ukwesaba kwakuphezu kwabo ngenxa yabantu belizwe, basebenikela eNkosini iminikelo yokutshiswa phezu kwalo, iminikelo yokutshiswa ekuseni lantambamad.

4 Basebesenza umkhosi wamadumbae njengokubhaliweyof, banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa insuku ngensuku ngenani, njengomkhuba, udaba losuku ngosuku lwalog.

5 Langemva kwalokho umnikelo wokutshiswa njalonjaloh, lowekuthwaseni kwezinyangai, lowemikhosi yonke emisiweyo yeNkosi eyayingcwelisiwe, lowakhe wonke owanikela ngesihle umnikelo wesihle eNkosinij.

6 Ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yesikhombisa baqalisa ukunikela iminikelo yokutshiswa eNkosini, kodwa isisekelo sethempeli leNkosi sasingakabekwak.

7 Basebenika imali kubabazi bamatshe lakubabazi bezigodo, lokudla lokunathwayo lamafutha kumaSidoni lakumaTirel ukuze balethe izigodo zemisedari zivela eLebhanoni bezisa elwandle eJopham, ngokwemvumo kaKoresi inkosi yePerisiya kubon.

Ukwakhiwa kwethempeli kuyaqaliswa

8 Langomnyaka wesibili wokufika kwabo endlini kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema, ngenyanga yesibili, baqalisa oZerubhabheli indodana kaSalatiyelio loJeshuwa indodana kaJozadakip, lensali yabafowabo, abapristi lamaLevi, labo bonke ababebuyile eJerusalema bevela ekuthunjweni; basebemisa amaLevi kusukela koleminyaka engamatshumi amabili kusiya phezuluq ukongamela umsebenzi wendlu yeNkosir.

9 Kwasekusukuma oJeshuwa, amadodana akhe, labafowabos, uKadimiyeli lamadodana akhet, abantwana bakoJuda, njengomuntu munye ukongamela abenzi bomsebenzi endlini kaNkulunkuluu, amadodana kaHenadadiv, amadodana abo labafowabo amaLevi.

10 Abakhi sebebekile isisekelo sethempeli leNkosi, bamisa abapristi begqokilew belezimpondox, lamaLevi, amadodana kaAsafi, elensimbi ezincencethayo, ukudumisa iNkosiy, njengokwezandla zikaDavida inkosi yakoIsrayeliz.

11 Baphendulana ngokuhlabela bedumisa bebonga iNkosia, ngoba ilungile, ngoba umusa wayo umi kuze kube nininini kuIsrayelib. Bonke abantu basebememeza ngokumemeza okukhulu ekuyidumiseni iNkosi, ngoba isisekelo sendlu yeNkosi sasesibekiwe.

12 Kodwa abanengi babapristi lamaLevi lenhloko zaboyise, abadala ababeyibonile indlu yokuqala, isisekelo salindlu sesibekiwe emehlweni abo, bakhala inyembezi ngelizwi elikhulu; kodwa abanengi baphakamisa ilizwi ngokumemeza ngentokozoc.

13 Ngokunjalo abantu kabehlukanisanga umsindo wokumemeza kwentokozo lomsindo wokukhala kwabantu, ngoba abantu baklabalala ngokuklabalala okukhulu, umsindo waze wezwakala khatshana.

Izitha zabakoJuda ziyabahlupha ekwakheni kwabo

4Kwathi izitha zakoJuda loBhenjamini sezizwile ukuthi abantwana bokuthunjwa babesakhela iNkosi uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli ithempelia,

2 basebesondela kuZerubhabheli lenhlokweni zaboyise bathi kibo: Kasakhe lani, ngoba siyamdinga uNkulunkulu wenu njengani, samhlabela kusukela ensukwini zikaEsarihadoni inkosi yeAsiriya owasenyusela laphab.

3 Kodwa uZerubhabheli loJeshuwa lezinye inhloko zaboyise zakoIsrayeli bathi kibo: Kayisikho kwenu lathic ukwakhela uNkulunkulu wethu indlud, kodwa yithi sodwa esizakwakhela iNkosi uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli njengokusilaya kwenkosi uKoresi inkosi yePerisiyae.

4 Kwasekusithi abantu balelolizwef badondisa izandla zabantu bakoJuda, babesabisa ekwakhenig.

5 Basebebaqatshela abeluleki ukufubisa icebo labo zonke izinsuku zikaKoresi inkosi yePerisiya, kwaze kwaba sekubuseni kukaDariyusi inkosi yePerisiyah.

6 Ekubuseni-ke kukaAhasuwerusi, ekuqaleni kokubusa kwakhe, babhala isimangalelo bemelene labahlali bakoJuda leJerusalemai.

7 Njalo ensukwini zikaAthakisekisi oBishilamu, uMithiredathi, uTabeyeli labanye abakibo babhalela uAthakisekisi inkosi yePerisiyaj; lombhalo wencwadik wawubhalwe ngesiSiriya, uhunyutshwe ngesiSiriyal.

8 URehuma umlawuli loShimishayi umbhali babhala incwadi bemelene leJerusalema kuAthakisekisi inkosi, ngalindlela:

9 Khonokho uRehuma umlawuli loShimishayi umbhali labanye babangane babo, amaDinayim, amaAfarisathiki, amaThariphelin, amaAfarisio, amaArikhevi, amaBhabhiloni, amaShushanikip, amaDehavi, amaElamuq,

10 lezinye izizwe uAsinapharir omkhulu lodumileyo azithumbayo wazihlalisa emzini ongoweSamariyas, lezinye phetsheya komfula, lakhathesit.

11 Le yikhophi yencwadi abayithumeza kuye, kuAthakisekisi inkosi:

Izinceku, amadoda anganeno komfula, langesikhathi esinje.

12 Kakwaziwe enkosini ukuthi amaJuda enyuka evela kuwe esiza kithi asefikile eJerusalema, ayawakha lowomuzi ovukelayo lomubi, aseqedisa imiduli, avuselela izisekelo.

13 Khathesi kakwaziwe enkosini ukuthi uba lumuzi usakhiwa lemiduli iphele, kabayikupha umthelo, imali eyimfanelo, lemali yendlela, futhi uzalimaza isikhwama samakhosiu.

14 Khathesi njengoba sisidla itshwayi etshwayini lesigodlo njalo kakusifanelanga ukuthi sibone ihlazo lenkosi, ngakho sithumele sayazisa inkosi;

15 ukuze kuhlolwe egwalweni lwezindaba zaboyihlo. Ngakho uzathola egwalweni lwezindaba, wazi ukuthi lumuzi ungumuzi ovukelayo, olimazayo emakhosini lemazweni, benza ukuhlamuka phakathi kwawo kwasezinsukwini zekadeni. Ngakho lumuzi wachithwa.

16 Siyayazisa inkosi ukuthi uba lumuzi usakhiwa, lemiduli yawo iphele, ngalokho kawuyikuba lesabelo nganeno komfula.

17 Inkosi yathuma impendulo kuRehuma umlawuli loShimishayi umbhali labanye babangane babo abahlala eSamariya labanye abaphetsheya komfula:

Ukuthula, langesikhathi esinjev.

18 Incwadi elayithumela kithi ifundiwe ngokucacileyo phambi kwamiw.

19 Umlayo wasubekwa yimi, basebedinga bathola ukuthi kusukela ensukwini zendulo lumuzi uziphakamisele amakhosi, lomvukela lokuhlamuka kwenziwe phakathi kwawo.

20 Kwake kwaba khona amakhosi alamandla phezu kweJerusalema ayebusa phezu kwakho konke ngaphetsheya komfulax; lomthelo, imali eyimfanelo, lemali yendlela kwaphiwa wonay.

21 Khathesi bekani umthetho ukwenza ukuthi lababantu bayekele ukuze lumuzi ungakhiwa kuze kwenziwe umthetho yimi.

22 Njalo qaphelani ukuthi lingayekethisi ekwenzeni lokhu. Kungani ukonakala kuzakhula kukho ukulinyazwa kwamakhosi?

23 Khonokho, kusukela ikhophi yencwadi kaAthakisekisi inkosi isifundiwe phambi kwaboRehuma loShimishayi umbhali labangane babo, baya masinyane eJerusalema kumaJuda, babenza bayekela ngengalo lamandla.

24 Khonokho wema umsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema; wasusima kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wesibili wokubusa kukaDariyusi inkosi yePerisiya.

Ukuqhubeka komsebenzi wokwakha ithempeli

5Abaprofethi, oHagayi umprofethia loZekhariya indodana kaIdob, basebeprofetha kumaJuda ayekoJuda laseJerusalema, ebizweni likaNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli phezu kwawo.

2 Khonokho kwasuka oZerubhabheli indodana kaSalatiyelic loJeshuwa indodana kaJozadakid, baqala ukwakha indlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema, njalo kanye labo abaprofethi bakaNkulunkulu bebasekela.

3 Ngalesosikhathi kwafika kibo oTathenayi umbusi nganeno komfula loShethari-Bozenayie, labangane babo, bakhuluma kanje kibo: Ngubani obeke umthetho kini wokwakha lindlu lokuqedisa lumdulif?

4 Sasesibatshela ngokunjalo: Ngobani amabizo abantu abakha lesisakhiwog?

5 Kodwa ilihlo likaNkulunkulu wabo laliphezu kwabadala bamaJuda, ukuthi kababenzanga beme, ize ifike leyondaba kuDariyusih, baze babuyisele-ke incwadi ngayoi.

6 Ikhophi yencwadi oTathenayi umbusi nganeno komfula loShethari-Bozenayi labangane bakhe amaAfarisathiki ayenganeno komfula abayithumela kuDariyusi inkosij;

7 bathumeza incwadi kuye, njalo kwabhalwa kanje kuyo:

KuDariyusi inkosi, ukuthula konke.

8 Kakwaziwe enkosini ukuthi saya esabelweni sakoJuda, endlini kaNkulunkulu omkhulu, eyakhiwe ngamatshe amakhulu, izigodo sezifakiwe emidulini; njalo lumsebenzi uyenziwa ngokuphangisa, uphumelela esandleni sabo.

9 Sasesibabuza labobadala sakhuluma kanje kubo: Ngubani obeke umthetho kini wokwakha lindlu lokuqedisa lumdulik?

10 Njalo sababuza amabizo abo ukuze sikwazise, ukuze sibhale amabizo abantu abazinhloko zabo.

11 Langokunjalo babuyisela ilizwi kithi besithi: Thina siyizinceku zikaNkulunkulu wamazulu lomhlaba, sakha indlu eyayakhiwe iminyaka eminengi phambi kwalokhu, inkosi enkulu yakoIsrayeli eyayakha yayiqedal.

12 Kodwa emva kwalokho obaba bamthukuthelisa uNkulunkulu wamazulum, wabanikela esandleni sikaNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni, umKhaladiyan, owachitha lindlu, wathumbela abantu eBhabhiloni.

13 Kodwa ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKoresi inkosi yeBhabhiloni, uKoresi inkosi wamisa umthetho wokwakha lindlu kaNkulunkuluo.

14 Njalo lezitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu ezingezegolide lesiliva uNebhukadinezari ayezithethe wazisusa ethempelini eliseJerusalema waziletha ethempelini leBhabhiloni, lezo uKoresi inkosi wazikhupha ethempelini leBhabhilonip, zanikwa olebizo elinguSheshibazari ayembeke ukuthi abe ngumbusiq.

15 Wasesithi kuye: Thatha lezizitsha, uyezibeka ethempelini eliseJerusalema, lendlu kaNkulunkulu kayakhiwe endaweni yayo.

16 Ngakho uSheshibazari lo wafika wabeka izisekelo zendlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalemar; njalo kusukela kulesosikhathi kuze kube khathesi ilokhu isakhiwa, kayikaphelis.

17 Ngakho-ke uba kulungile enkosini kakuhlolisiswe endlini yokuligugu kwenkosi ekhona eBhabhiloni ukuthi kungaba yikuthi umthetho wenziwa yini nguKoresi inkosi wokwakha lindlu kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema. Kayithumele-ke intando yenkosi kithi mayelana lalintot.

Ukwakhiwa lokuhlanjululwa kwethempeli

6UDariyusi inkosi wasemisa umthetho, basebephenya endlini yezingwalo lapho okwakubekwe khona okuligugu eBhabhilonia.

2 Kwasekutholakala eAkimetha, esigodlwenib esisesigabeni samaMedec, incwadi egoqwayo, okwakubhalwe phakathi kwayo isikhumbuzo ngalindlela:

3 Ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKoresi inkosi, uKoresi inkosi wamisa umthetho: Indlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema, kayakhiwe lindlu endaweni lapho abanikela khona iminikelo, lezisekelo zayo zizabekwa ngokuqinileyo; ukuphakama kwayo kube zingalo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha, ububanzi bayo bube zingalo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha;

4 ibe lemizila emithathu yamatshe amakhulu lomzila wezigodo ezintsha. Izindleko zizaphiwa-ke zivela endlini yenkosid.

5 Futhi lezitsha zegolide lezesiliva zendlu kaNkulunkulu uNebhukadinezari azikhupha ethempelini eliseJerusalema waziletha eBhabhiloni, kazibuyiselwe zisiwe ethempelini eliseJerusalema, endaweni yayo, uzibeke endlini kaNkulunkulue.

6 Khathesi, Tathenayi, mbusi waphetsheya komfula, Shethari-Bozenayif, labangane benu amaAfarisathikig, abaphetsheya komfula, banini khatshana lalapho.

7 Uyekeleni umsebenzi walindlu kaNkulunkulu; umbusi wamaJuda labadala bamaJuda kabakhe lindlu kaNkulunkulu endaweni yayo.

8 Futhi umthetho umiswa yimi ngelizakwenzela abadala balamaJuda ekwakhiweni kwalindlu kaNkulunkulu, ukuthi empahleni zenkosih ezivela emthelweni wangaphetsheya komfula, izindleko ziphiwe lamadoda masinyane ukuze angamii.

9 Lokuswelakalayo, kokubili amajongosi lezinqama lamawundlu komnikelo wokutshiselwa uNkulunkulu wamazulu, ingqoloyi, itshwayi, iwayini, lamafutha, njengokutsho kwabapristi abaseJerusalema, kabakunikwe insuku ngensuku kungaphuthi,

10 ukuze banikele iminikelo yephunga elimnandi kuNkulunkulu wamazulu, bakhulekele impilo yenkosi leyamadodana ayoj.

11 Futhi umthetho umiswe yimi wokuthi loba ngubani oguqula lelilizwi, kakuhwatshwe ugodo endlini yakhe, aphakanyiswe abethelwe phezu kwalo; lendlu yakhe yenziwe inqumbi yomquba ngenxa yalokhuk.

12 LoNkulunkulu owenze ibizo lakhe lihlale lapho kachithe loba yiyiphi inkosi loba abantu abazakwelula isandla sabo ukuguqula lokuchitha lindlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema. Mina Dariyusi ngimise umthetho, kakwenziwe masinyanel.

13 Khonokho uTathenayi umbusi nganeno komfula, uShethari-Bozenayi, labangane babo benza njalo masinyane njengalokho uDariyusi inkosi ayekuthumele.

14 Abadala bamaJuda basebesakha njalo baphumelela ngesiprofetho sikaHagayi umprofethi loZekhariya indodana kaIdom. Bakha baqeda njengokomlayo kaNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli langokomlayo kaKoresin, loDariyusio, loAthakisekisi inkosi yePerisiyap.

15 Lindlu yasiphela ngosuku lwesithathu enyangeni kaAdari, okwakungumnyaka wesithupha wokubusa kukaDariyusi inkosiq.

16 Abantwana bakoIsrayeli, abapristi lamaLevi labanye abantwana bokuthunjwa, basebesenza ukwehlukaniselwa kwalindlu kaNkulunkulu ngentokozor.

17 Banikelela ukwehlukaniselwa kwalindlu kaNkulunkulu inkunzi ezilikhulu, inqama ezingamakhulu amabili, amawundlu angamakhulu amane; lezimpongo zembuzi ezilitshumi lambili zingumnikelo wesono kaIsrayeli wonke, ngokwenani lezizwe zakoIsrayelis.

18 Basebemisa abapristi ngezigaba zabot, lamaLevi ngamaqembu awou, enkonzweni kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema, njengokubhaliweyo egwalweni lukaMozisiv.

19 Abantwana bokuthunjwa benza lephasika ngolwetshumi lane lwenyanga yokuqalaw.

20 Ngoba abapristi lamaLevi babezihlambulule ndawonye, bonke babehlambulukilex. Bahlabela bonke abantwana bokuthunjwa iphasika, labafowabo abapristi, labo ngokwaboy.

21 Ngokunjalo badla abantwana bakoIsrayeli ababebuyile ekuthunjweni, labo bonke ababezehlukanisele kuboz lokungcolileyo kwezizwe zelizwe, ukudinga iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayelia.

22 Benza umkhosi wesinkwa esingelamvubelo insuku eziyisikhombisa ngentokozo; ngoba iNkosi yayibenze bathokozab, yaphendulela kibo inhliziyoc yenkosi yeAsiriya, ukuqinisa izandla zabo emsebenzini wendlu kaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayelid.

UEzra uya eJerusalema

7Lemva kwalezizinto, ekubuseni kukaAthakisekisi inkosi yePerisiyaa, uEzra indodana kaSeraya, indodana kaAzariya, indodana kaHilikhiya,

2 indodana kaShaluma, indodana kaZadoki, indodana kaAhitubi,

3 indodana kaAmariya, indodana kaAzariya, indodana kaMerayothi,

4 indodana kaZerahiya, indodana kaUzi, indodana kaBuki,

5 indodana kaAbishuwa, indodana kaPhinehasi, indodana kaEleyazare, indodana kaAroni umpristi oyinhlokob.

6 UEzra lo wenyuka esuka eBhabhiloni; njalo wayengumbhali oyingcitshi emlayweni kaMozisi, uJehova uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli ayewunikilec. Inkosi yasimnika sonke isicelo sakhe, njengokwesandla sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe esiphezu kwakhed.

7 Kwasekusenyuka abanye babantwana bakoIsrayeli lababapristie lamaLevi labahlabeleli labalindimasango lamaNethinif baya eJerusalema ngomnyaka wesikhombisa kaAthakisekisi inkosi.

8 Wasefika eJerusalema ngenyanga yesihlanu okwakungumnyaka wesikhombisa wenkosi.

9 Ngoba ngolokuqala lwenyanga yokuqala waqala ukwenyuka esuka eBhabhiloni, langolokuqala lwenyanga yesihlanu wafika eJerusalema, ngokwesandla esihle sikaNkulunkulu wakhe phezu kwakheg.

10 Ngoba uEzra wayelungise inhliziyo yakhe ukudinga umlayo weNkosi lokuwenzah, lokufundisa umthetho lesimiso koIsrayelii.

11 Le-ke yikhophi yencwadi inkosi uAthakisekisi ayinika uEzra umpristi, umbhali, umbhali wamazwi emilayo yeNkosi lowezimiso zayo kuIsrayeli.

12 UAthakisekisi inkosi yamakhosij kuEzra umpristi, umbhali womlayo kaNkulunkulu wamazulu, ukuthula okupheleleyo, langesikhathi esinjek:

13 Umthetho umiswa yimi wokuthi wonke ozithandelayo embusweni wami esizweni sakoIsrayeli labapristi baso lamaLevi ukuya eJerusalema angahamba lawel.

14 Ngoba uthunyiwe yinkosi labacebisi bayo abayisikhombisa ukuyahlolisisa ngoJuda langeJerusalema ngokomlayo kaNkulunkulu wakho osesandleni sakhom,

15 lokuthwala isiliva legolide inkosi labacebisi bayo abakunikele ngesihle kuNkulunkulu kaIsrayelin ondawo yakhe yokuhlala iseJerusalemao,

16 lalo lonke isiliva legolide ongakuthola esigabeni sonke seBhabhiloni lomnikelo wesihle wabantu labapristip abanikelela indlu kaNkulunkulu wabo eseJerusalema ngesihleq,

17 ukuthi uthenge masinyane ngalimali izinkunzi, izinqama, amawundlu, leminikelo yakho yokudlar, leminikelo yakho yokunathwayos, ukunikele phezu kwelathi lendlu kaNkulunkulu wenu eseJerusalemat.

18 Lokukulungeleyo wena labafowenu ukukwenza ngesiliva legolide eliseleyo, kwenzeni lokhu ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu wenu.

19 Lezitsha ezinikelwe kuwe zomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu wakho, zinikele ngokupheleleyo phambi kukaNkulunkulu weJerusalema.

20 Lokunye okuswelekayo endlini kaNkulunkulu wakho okufanele ukuphe, uzakunika kuvela endlini yenotho yenkosi.

21 Mina-ke Athakisekisi inkosi, umlayo umiswe yimi kubo bonke abaphathi bezikhwama abangaphetsheya komfula ukuthi konke uEzra umpristi, umbhali womlayo kaNkulunkulu wamazulu, azakucela kini, kwenziwe masinyaneu,

22 kuze kufike kumathalenta* esiliva alikhulu, njalo kuze kufike kumakhori* engqoloyi alikhulu, njalo kuze kufike kumabhathi* alikhulu ewayini, njalo kuze kufike kumabhathi alikhulu amafutha, letshwayi elingelasimisov.

23 Konke okungokomlayo kaNkulunkulu wamazulu kakwenzelwe indlu kaNkulunkulu wamazulu ngokukhuthala, ngoba kungani kuzakuba lolaka phezu kombuso wenkosi lamadodana ayow?

24 Futhi siyalazisa mayelana labo bonke abapristi, lamaLevi, abahlabeleli, abalindimasango, amaNethini, lenceku zalindlu kaNkulunkulu, kakulagunya ukubeka phezu kwabo umthelo, imali eyimfanelo, lemali yendlelax.

25 Wena-ke Ezra, ngokwenhlakanipho kaNkulunkulu wakho esesandleni sakhoy, beka omantshi labahluleli abazakwahlulela bonke abantu abangaphetsheya komfula, bonke abayaziyo imilayo kaNkulunkulu wakhoz; longayaziyo limfundisea.

26 Wonke-ke ongawenziyo umlayo kaNkulunkulu wakho lomlayo wenkosi, isigwebo kasenziwe ngokukhuthala phezu kwakhe, kungaba ngokufa, loba ngokuxotshwa, loba ngokuthathelwa impahla, loba ngezibopho.

27 Kayibusiswe iNkosi uNkulunkulu wabobabab eyakufaka kanje enhliziyweni yenkosi ukucecisa indlu yeNkosi eseJerusalemac,

28 eyelule umusa kimi phambi kwenkosid labacebisi bayo laphambi kwazo zonke izinduna ezilamandla zenkosie. Mina-ke ngaqiniswa ngokwesandla seNkosi uNkulunkulu wami phezu kwami, ngabutha koIsrayeli inhloko ukwenyuka lamif.

Abahamba loEzra

8Laba-ke zinhloko zaboyise, lombhalo wosendo lwabo abenyuka lami besuka eBhabhiloni ekubuseni kukaAthakisekisi inkosi.

2 Kumadodana kaPhinehasi: UGerishomua. Kumadodana kaIthamarib: UDaniyelic. Kumadodana kaDavida: UHathushid.

3 Kumadodana kaShekaniyae, kumadodana kaParoshif: UZekhariya, njalo kanye laye kwabhalwa ngombhalo wosendo, kwabesilisa, ikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu.

4 Kumadodana kaPahathi-Mowabi: UEliyowenayi, indodana kaZerahiya, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamakhulu amabilig.

5 Kumadodana kaShekaniya: Indodana kaJahaziyeli, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamakhulu amathathuh.

6 Njalo kumadodana kaAdini: UEbedi indodana kaJonathani, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamatshumi amahlanui.

7 Lakumadodana kaElamu: UJeshaya indodana kaAthaliya, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamatshumi ayisikhombisaj.

8 Lakumadodana kaShefathiya: UZebhadiya indodana kaMikayeli, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamatshumi ayisificaminwembilik.

9 Kumadodana kaJowabi: UObhadiya indodana kaJehiyeli, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamakhulu amabili letshumi lesificaminwembilil.

10 Lakumadodana kaShelomithi: Indodana kaJosifiya, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abalikhulu lamatshumi ayisithupha.

11 Lakumadodana kaBebayi: UZekhariya indodana kaBebayi, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abangamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembilim.

12 Lakumadodana kaAzigadi: UJohanani indodana kaHakatani, njalo kanye laye abesilisa abalikhulu letshumin.

13 Lakumadodana okucina kaAdonikamu, omabizo abo yila: OElifeleti, uJehiyeli, loShemaya, njalo kanye labo abesilisa abangamatshumi ayisithuphao.

14 Lakumadodana kaBigivayi: OUthayi loZabudi, njalo kanye labo abesilisa abangamatshumi ayisikhombisap.

15 Ngasengibabuthanisa ngasemfuleni oya eAhavaq, samisa inkamba khona insuku ezintathu. Ngananzelela abantu labapristi, njalo kangitholanga lapho abamadodana kaLevir.

16 Ngasengithuma kuEliyezeri, kuAriyeli, kuShemaya, lakuElinathani, lakuJaribi, lakuElinathani, lakuNathani, lakuZekhariyas, lakuMeshulamu, izinhloko, lakuJoyaribi, lakuElinathani, abaqedisisayot,

17 ngasengibalayela kuIdo, inhloko endaweni iKasifiya, ngafaka amazwi emlonyweni wabo ukuthi bathi kuIdo, labafowabo, amaNethini endaweni iKasifiya, ukuthi basilethele izikhonzi zendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.

18 Basebesilethela ngokwesandla esihle sikaNkulunkulu wethu phezu kwethu umuntu oqedisisayou emadodaneni kaMahli indodana kaLevi indodana kaIsrayeliv; loSherebiya lamadodana akhe labafowabo, itshumi lesificaminwembiliw;

19 loHashabhiyax, njalo kanye laye uJeshaya emadodaneni kaMerari, abafowabo lamadodana abo, amatshumi amabiliy;

20 lakumaNethiniz, uDavida leziphathamandla ababewanikele emsebenzini wamaLevi, amaNethini angamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili, wonke awo abizwa ngamabizoa.

21 Ngasengimemezela ukuzila ukudla khonab emfuleni iAhavac ukuze sizithobe phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethud, sizidingele kuye indlela eqondileyo thina labantwanyana bethu lazo zonke impahla zethue.

22 Ngoba ngaba lenhloni ukucela enkosini ibutho labagadi bamabhiza ukusinceda ezitheni endleleni; ngoba sasiyitshelile inkosi sisithi: Isandla sikaNkulunkulu wethu siphezu kwabo bonkef abamdinga kube okuhleg, kodwa amandla akhe lolaka lwakhe kuphezu kwabo bonke abamdelayoh.

23 Ngakho sazila ukudla sadinga kuNkulunkulu wethu ngenxa yalokhu; wasencengeka ngathii.

24 Ngasengisehlukanisa abalitshumi lambili kunhloko zabapristi, oSherebiyaj, uHashabhiya, labalitshumi kubafowabo kanye labok.

25 Ngasengibalinganisela isiliva legolide lezitshal, umnikelo wendlu kaNkulunkulu wethum, inkosi labacebisi bayo leziphathamandla zayo loIsrayeli wonke owayekhona ababekunikelen;

26 ngasengilinganisa esandleni sabo amathalenta* esiliva angamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu, lamathalenta alikhulu ezitsha zesiliva, lamathalenta egolide alikhulu,

27 lemiganu yegolide engamatshumi amabilio kuze kube zinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane, lezitsha ezimbili zethusi elikhazimulayo elihle eliloyiseka njengegolidep.

28 Ngasengisithi kibo: Lingcwele eNkosiniq, lezitsha zingcweler; lesiliva legolide kungumnikelo wesihle eNkosini, uNkulunkulu wabobabas.

29 Kulondolozeni likugcine lize likulinganise phambi kwenduna yabapristi lamaLevi lenhloko zaboyise bakoIsrayeli eJerusalema, emakamelweni endlu yeNkosit.

30 Abapristi lamaLevi basebesemukela isisindo sesiliva legolide lezitsha, ukuze bakuse eJerusalema, endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu.

31 Sasuka-ke emfuleni iAhavau ngolwetshumi lambili lwenyanga yokuqala ukuya eJerusalemav. Lesandla sikaNkulunkulu wethu sasiphezu kwethu, wasikhulula esandleni sesitha lomcathami endleleniw.

32 Safika-ke eJerusalema, sahlala khona insuku ezintathux.

33 Kwathi ngosuku lwesine isiliva legolide lezitsha kwalinganiswa endlini kaNkulunkulu wethuy ngesandla sikaMeremothiz indodana kaUriya umpristia, njalo kanye laye uEleyazare indodana kaPhinehasi, njalo kanye labo oJozabadi indodana kaJeshuwab, loNowadiya indodana kaBinuwi, amaLevic,

34 ngenani ngesisindo sakho konke; laso sonke isisindo sabhalwa ngalesosikhathi.

35 Abantwana bokuthunjwa ababebuyile ekuthunjweni banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa kuNkulunkulu kaIsrayelid, amajongosi alitshumi lambili ngenxa kaIsrayeli wonke, izinqama ezingamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lesithupha, amawundlu angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa, izimpongo ezilitshumi lambili zaba ngumnikelo wesono; konke kwakungumnikelo wokutshiswa eNkosinie.

36 Basebenika imithetho yenkosif kuziphathamandla zenkosig lakubabusih nganeno komfula; basekela abantu lendlu kaNkulunkului.

UEzra wenza umkhuleko wokuvuma izono zabantu

9Kwathi ekupheleni kwalezizinto, iziphathamandla zasondela kimi zisithi: Abantu bakoIsrayeli labapristi lamaLevi kabazehlukanisanga lezizwe zamazwea ngokwezinengiso zazob, ezamaKhanani, amaHethi, amaPerizi, amaJebusic, amaAmoni, amaMowabi, amaGibhithe, lamaAmorid.

2 Ngoba bazithathele emadodakazini azo bona lamadodana aboe, yaze yaxubana inzalo engcwelef lezizwe zamazweg; yebo, isandla seziphathamandla lababusi sasingesokuqala kulesisiphambekoh.

3 Kwathi ngisizwa loludaba ngadabula isembatho sami lebhatshi lami, ngangcothula okwenwele zekhanda lami lendevu zamii, ngahlala phansi ngathithibalaj.

4 Kwasekubuthana kimi wonke othuthumela ngamazwi kaNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli ngenxa yesiphambeko sabathunjwak; ngasengihlala ngithithibelel kwaze kwaba ngumnikelo wakusihlwam.

5 Kwathi ngomnikelo wakusihlwa ngasukuma ekuthotshisweni kwami, lekudabuleni kwami isembatho sami lebhatshi lami, ngaguqa ngamadolo amin, ngelulela izandla zami eNkosini uNkulunkulu wamio,

6 ngathi: Nkulunkulu wami, ngilenhloni, ngiyangekile ukuphakamisela ubuso bami kuwe, Nkulunkulu wami, ngoba ububi bethu bandile ngaphezu kwekhandap, lecala lethu selikhule kwaze kwaba semazulwiniq.

7 Kusukela ensukwini zabobaba besiphakathi kwecala elikhulu kuze kube lamuhlar, langenxa yobubi bethu thina, amakhosi ethu, abapristi bethu, sinikelwe esandleni samakhosi amazwe, enkembeni, ekuthunjwenis, lekuphangweni, lehlazweni lobuso, njengalamuhlat.

8 Khathesi-ke ngokwesikhatshana umusa wenziwe yiNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu, ukusitshiyela ukuphepha, lokusinika isikhonkwane endaweni yayo engcweleu, ukuze uNkulunkulu wethu akhanyisele amehlo ethu, njalo asinike imvuselelo encinyane ebugqilini bethuv.

9 Ngoba siyizigqili, kanti ebugqilini bethu uNkulunkulu wethu kasitshiyangaw, kodwa uselulele umusa phambi kwamakhosi ePerisiya, ukusinika imvuselelo, ukuphakamisa indlu kaNkulunkulu wethux, lokumisa amanxiwa ayo, lokusinika umduli koJuda laseJerusalemay.

10 Khathesi-ke, Nkulunkulu wethu, sizakuthini emva kwalokhu? Ngoba siyitshiyile imilayo yakho,

11 owasilaya yona ngesandla senceku zakho abaprofethi, usithi: Ilizwe elingena kulo ukudla ilifa lalo liyilizwe elingcolileyo ngokungcola kwezizwe zamazwe, ngokunengekayo kwazo eziligcwalise ngakho kusukela ephethelweni kusiya ephethelweni, ngokungcola kwazoz.

12 Ngakho-ke linganiki amadodana azo amadodakazi enu, futhi lingathatheli amadodana enu amadodakazi azoa, lingadingi ukuthula kwazo lokuhle kwazo kuze kube phakade ukuze liqine lidle okuhle kwelizweb, lilitshiyele abantwana benu libe yilifa kuze kube phakadec.

13 Lemva kwakho konke okusehleleyo ngenxa yezenzo zethu ezimbi langenxa yecala lethu elikhulud, ngoba wena Nkulunkulu wethu uzibambile ekusijeziseni kancane kulezono zethue, wasinika ukuphepha okunjef;

14 sizayephula futhi yini imilayo yakho, sithathane lesizwe salezizinengisog? Kawuyikusithukuthelela yini uze usiqedeh, kuze kungabi lensali kumbe ukuphephai?

15 Nkosi, Nkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, ulungilej; ngoba sitshiyelwe ukuphunyuka njengalamuhlak. Khangela, siphambi kwakho ecaleni lethul, ngoba kakho ongema phambi kwakho ngenxa yalokhum.

Abesifazana labantwana babezizwe bayalahlwa

10Kwathi uEzra esakhuleka esavumaa, ekhala inyembezi eziwisela phansib phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkuluc, kwabuthana kuye ibandla elikhulu kakhulu lamadoda labesifazana labantwana, livela kuIsrayeli, ngoba abantu bakhala inyembezi ngokukhala okukhulu.

2 UShekaniya indodana kaJehiyelid owamadodana kaElamu wasephendula wathi kuEzra: Thina siphambukile kuNkulunkulu wethue, sathatha abafazi bezizweni abavela ezizweni zelizwe; kodwa khathesi kukhona ithemba koIsrayeli mayelana lalokhu.

3 Ngakho-ke asenze isivumelwano loNkulunkulu wethu ukuze sikhuphe bonke abafazi lokuzelwe yibo ngokweseluleko senkosi yami lesabathuthumela emlayweni kaNkulunkulu wethuf; kakwenziwe-ke ngokomlayog.

4 Sukuma, ngoba udaba luphezu kwakho, lathi silawe. Qina, wenzeh.

5 Wasesukuma uEzra, wafungisa induna zabapristi, amaLevi, loIsrayeli wonke, ukuthi benze ngokwalelilizwi. Basebefungai.

6 UEzra wasesukuma esuka phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkuluj, waya endlinik kaJehohananil indodana kaEliyashibim; wathi efika lapho kadlanga sinkwa kanathanga manzi, ngoba elilela ububi babathunjiweyon.

7 Basebesenza isimemezelo sedlule koJuda leJerusalema kubo bonke abantwana bokuthunjwa ukuthi babuthane eJerusalemao,

8 lokuthi loba ngubani ongafikanga ngensuku ezintathu, ngokweseluleko seziphathamandla labadala, impahla yakhe yonke izadliwa, yena ehlukaniswe lebandla labathunjiweyo.

9 Wonke amadoda akoJuda loBhenjamini asebuthana eJerusalema ngensuku ezintathu. Kwakuyinyanga yesificamunwemunye ngolwamatshumi amabili lwenyanga. Bonke abantu basebehlala egumeni lendlu kaNkulunkulu beqhaqhazela ngenxa yaloludaba langenxa yezulu elikhulup.

10 UEzra umpristi wasukuma wathi kibo: Lina liphambukile lathatha abafazi bezizweni, ukwandisa isiphambeko sikaIsrayeli.

11 Ngakho-ke yenzani uvumo eNkosini uNkulunkulu waboyihlo, lenze intando yayoq, lizehlukanise lezizwe zelizwe, lakubafazi bezizwenir.

12 Ibandla lonke laseliphendula lathi ngelizwi elikhulu: Njengamazwi akho, ngokunjalo kuphezu kwethu ukuthi sikwenze.

13 Kodwa abantu banengi, njalo kuyisikhathi sezulu elinengi, njalo singeme phandle. Futhi kakusimsebenzi wosuku olulodwa njalo hatshi owezimbili, ngoba sibanengi esiphambukileyo kuloludaba.

14 Ake zime iziphathamandla zethu zebandla lonke, labo bonke abasemizini yethu abathethe abafazi bezizweni beze ngezikhathi ezimisiweyo, njalo kanye labo abadala bomuzi ngomuzi labahluleli bawos, size sidedise ukuvutha kolaka lukaNkulunkulu wethu mayelana laloludabat.

15 NgoJonathani indodana kaAsaheli loJahazeya indodana kaTikiva kuphela abamelana lalokho; loMeshulamuu loShabethayi umLevi babancedisav.

16 Abantwana bokuthunjwa besebesenza njalo. UEzra umpristi, amadoda, inhloko zaboyise ngendlu yaboyise, labo bonke ngamabizo, basebesehlukaniswa; basebehlala ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yetshumi ukuhlola loludabaw.

17 Basebeqeda lawo wonke amadoda ayethethe abafazi bezizweni kwaze kwaba lusuku lokuqala lwenyanga yokuqalax.

18 Kwasekutholakala phakathi kwamadodana abapristi ayethethe abafazi bezizweni: Emadodaneni kaJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki labafowabo: OMahaseya loEliyezeri loJaribi loGedaliyay.

19 Basebenika isandla sabo ukuthi bazakhupha abafazi baboz; ngoba belecala banikela inqama yomhlambi ngecala laboa.

20 Lemadodaneni kaImeri: OHanani loZebhadiyab.

21 Lemadodaneni kaHarimic: OMahaseyad loEliya loShemayae loJehiyeli loUziya.

22 Lemadodaneni kaPashurif: OEliyowenayig, uMahaseya, uIshmayeli, uNethaneli, uJozabadi, loElasah.

23 LakumaLevi: OJozabadii, loShimeyi, loKelaya onguKelitaj, uPethahiya, uJuda, loEliyezerik.

24 Lakubahlabeleli: UEliyashibi. Lakubalindimasango: OShaluma loTelema loUri.

25 LakuIsrayeli: Emadodaneni kaParoshil: ORamiya loIziya loMalikiyam loMijamini loEleyazare loMalikiyan loBhenaya.

26 Lemadodaneni kaElamu: OMathaniya, uZekhariya, loJehiyeli, loAbidi, loJeremothi, loEliyao.

27 Lemadodaneni kaZathu: OEliyowenayi, uEliyashibi, uMathaniya, loJeremothi, loZabadi, loAzizap.

28 Lemadodaneni kaBebayiq: OJehohanani, uHananiya, uZabayi, uAthilayir.

29 Lemadodaneni kaBanis: OMeshulamu, uMalukit, loAdaya, uJashubi, loSheyali, loRamothi.

30 Lemadodaneni kaPahathi-Mowabiu: OAdina, loKelali, uBhenaya, uMahaseyav, uMathaniya, uBhezaleli, loBinuwi, loManase.

31 Lamadodana kaHarimiw: OEliyezeri, uIshiya, uMalikiyax, uShemaya, uShimeyoni,

32 uBhenjaminiy, uMalukiz, uShemariya.

33 Emadodaneni kaHashuma: OMathenayi, uMathatha, uZabadi, uElifeleti, uJeremayi, uManase, uShimeyia.

34 Emadodaneni kaBani: OMahadayi, uAmramu, loUweli,

35 uBhenaya, uBedeya, uKeluhi,

36 uVaniya, uMeremothi, uEliyashibi,

37 uMathaniya, uMathenayi, loJahasa,

38 loBani, loBinuwi, uShimeyib,

39 loShelemiya, loNathani, loAdayac,

40 uMakinadebayi, uShashayi, uSharayi,

41 uAzareli, uShelemiya, uShemariya,

42 uShaluma, uAmariya, uJosefa.

43 Lemadodaneni kaNebod: OJeyiyeli, uMathithiya, uZabadi, uZebina, uJadayi, loJoweli, uBhenayae.

44 Bonke laba babethethe abafazi bezizweni; njalo kwakukhona phakathi kwabo abafazi ababezele abantwanaf.