UGWALO

LUKANEHEMIYA

Umkhuleko kaNehemiya ngabeJerusalema

1Amazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHakaliyaa. Kwasekusithi ngenyanga kaKisilevib ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabilic, lapho mina ngiseShushanid isigodloe,

2 uHanani omunye wabafowethu wafika yena lamadoda avela koJudaf. Ngasengibabuza mayelana lamaJuda ayephunyukile asala ekuthunjweni, langeJerusalema.

3 Basebesithi kimi: Labo abasalayo abasala ekuthunjweni lapho esabelweni baphakathi kokuhlupheka okukhulu lehlazo, lomduli weJerusalema wadilikag, lamasango ayo atshiswa ngomliloh.

4 Kwasekusithi sengizwe lamazwi ngahlala phansi ngakhala inyembezi, ngalila okwezinsuku, ngizila ukudla, ngikhuleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu wamazului.

5 Ngathi: Ngiyancenga, Nkosi, Nkulunkulu wamazulu, Nkulunkulu omkhulu lowesabekayoj, ogcina isivumelwano lomusa kulabo abamthandayo labagcina imilayo yakhek,

6 indlebe yakho ake ilalelel, lamehlo akho avuleke, ukuzwa umkhuleko wenceku yakho engiwukhuleka phambi kwakho lamuhla emini lebusukumn ngabantwana bakoIsrayeli, inceku zakho, njalo ngivuma ngenxa yezono zabantwana bakoIsrayeli esizone kuweo. Yebo, mina lendlu kababa sonilep;

7 senze kubi lokwenza kubi kuwe, kasigcinanga imilayo lezimiso lezahluleloq owalaya ngakho uMozisi inceku yakhor.

8 Ake ukhumbule ilizwi owalaya ngalo uMozisi inceku yakho usithi: Uba lina liphambuka, mina ngizalichithachitha phakathi kwezizwes;

9 uba lina liphendukela kimi, lilondoloza imilayo yami, liyenzet, lanxa abaxotshiweyo benu besephethelweni lamazulu, ngizababutha besuka laphou ngibaletha endaweni engiyikhethileyo ukubeka ibizo lami khonav.

10 Laba-ke bazinceku zakho labantu bakho owabahlenga ngamandla akho amakhulu langesandla sakho esiqinileyow.

11 Ngiyacela, Nkosi, indlebe yakho ake ilalele umkhuleko wenceku yakhox, lomkhuleko wezinceku zakho eziloyisa ukwesaba ibizo lakho, ake uphumelelise inceku yakho lamuhla, uyinike izihawu phambi kwalumuntuy.

Njalo ngangingumphathi wezitsha zenkosiz.

UNehemiya uvunyelwa ukuya eJerusalema

2Kwasekusithi ngenyanga kaNisania, ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili kaAthakisekisi inkosib, iwayini laliphambi kwakhe, ngaphakamisa iwayini nganika inkosic. Njalo ngangingakaze ngidane phambi kwayo.

2 Inkosi yasisithi kimi: Kungani ubuso bakho budanile lokhu ungagulid? Kakusilutho ngaphandle kokudana kwenhliziyo. Ngasengisesaba kakhulukazie,

3 ngathi enkosini: Kayiphile inkosi kuze kube ninininif! Ubuso bami bungedane ngani nxa umuzi, indawo yamangcwaba abobaba, ulunxiwag, lamasango awo eqedwe ngomliloh?

4 Inkosi yasisithi kimi: Kuyini okudingayo? Ngasengikhuleka kuNkulunkulu wamazului.

5 Ngathi enkosini: Uba kukuhle enkosini, njalo uba inceku yakho ithole umusa phambi kwakho, ngicela ukuthi ungithume koJuda emzini wamangcwaba abobaba, ukuze ngiwakhe.

6 Inkosi yasisithi kimi, lendlovukazi ihlezi eceleni kwayo: Uhambo lwakho luzakuba ngolwesikhathi esingakanani, ubuye nini? Ngakho kwaba kuhle phambi kwenkosi ukuthi ingithume; ngasengiyinika isikhathi esimisiweyoj.

7 Ngasengisithi enkosini: Uba kulungile enkosini kayinginike izincwadi eziya kubabusi bangaphetsheya komfula ukuze bangivumele ukudlula, ngize ngifike koJudak;

8 lencwadi eya kuAsafi, umphathi wegusu inkosi elalol, ukuthi anginike izigodo zokwenza imigubazi yamasango lesigodlo esiseduze lendlu, lezomduli womuzim, lezendlu engizangena kiyon. Inkosi yanginika njengokwesandla esihle sikaNkulunkulu wami phezu kwamio.

9 Ngasengifika kubabusi ngaphetsheya komfula, ngabanika incwadi zenkosip. Inkosi yayithume-ke lami induna zebutho labagadi bamabhiza.

10 Lapho uSanibhalathiq umHoronir loTobiya incekus, umAmonit, besizwa, kwabacunula ngokucunula okukhulu ukuthi umuntu ufikile ukudingela abantwana bakoIsrayeli okuhleu.

11 Ngafika-ke eJerusalema, ngaba lapho insuku ezintathu.

UNehemiya ukhuthaza abeJerusalema ukwakha imiduli yomuzi

12 Ngasengisukuma ebusuku, mina lamadoda amalutshwana elami; kangitshelanga muntu lokho uNkulunkulu wami ayekufake enhliziyweni yami ukuthi ngikwenzele iJerusalema. Futhi kwakungelanyamazana kanye lami ngaphandle kwenyamazana engangiyigadilev.

13 Ngasengiphuma ebusuku ngesango lesigodi, ngaqonda emthonjeni womgobhow lesangweni lomqubax, ngihlola imiduli yeJerusalema eyayidilikiley lamasango ayo ayeqedwe ngomliloz.

14 Ngasengisedlulela esangweni lomthomboa lechibini lenkosib; kodwa kwakungelandawo yenyamazana ukwedlula ngaphansi kwami.

15 Ngasengisenyuka ngesifula ebusuku ngihlola umdulic; ngaphenduka, ngangena ngesango lesigodid, ngabuyela.

16 Lababusi babengazi lapho engangiye khona lokuthi ngenzani. Kuze kube khathesi-ke ngangingatshelanga amaJuda labapristi leziphathamandlae lezinduna labanye ababesenza umsebenzif.

17 Ngasengisithi kibo: Liyabona inhlupheko esikiyo ukuthi iJerusalema ilunxiwag lamasango ayo atshiswe ngomliloh. Wozani sakhe umduli weJerusalema ukuze singabe sisaba lihlazoi.

18 Ngasengibatshela isandla sikaNkulunkulu wami esasisihle phezu kwami, futhi lamazwi enkosi eyayiwakhulume kimi. Basebesithi: Asisukumeni, sakhej. Ngakho baqinisa izandla zabo ngokuhlek.

19 Lapho uSanibhalathi umHoroni loTobiya inceku, umAmoni, loGeshema umArabhiyal besizwa basihleka usulu, baseyisam bathi: Iyini linto eliyenzayo? Liyayivukela inkosi yinin?

20 Ngasengibabuyisela impendulo ngathi kibo: UNkulunkulu wamazulu yena uzasiphumelelisa; lathi inceku zakhe sizasukuma sakhe; kodwa lina kalilasabelo lelungelo lesikhumbuzo eJerusalemao.

Ukulungiswa kwemiduli yeJerusalema

3Kwasekusukuma eEliyashibi umpristi omkhulu labafowabo abapristia, bakha isango lezimvub, balingcwelisa, bamisa izivalo zalo; ngitsho, kuze kube semphotshongweni weMeya bawungcwelisac, kuze kube semphotshongweni weHananelid.

2 Leceleni1 kwakhe kwakha amadoda eJerikoe; leceleni kwakhe kwakha uZakuri indodana kaImrif.

3 Lesango lenhlanzig alakha amadodana kaHasenayah; amisa imigubazi yaloi, amisa izivalo zalo, amabhawudo alo, leminxibo yaloj.

4 Leceleni kwawo kwalungisa uMeremothik indodana kaUriyal indodana kaHakozim; leceleni kwabo kwalungisa uMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiyan indodana kaMeshezabelio; leceleni kwabo kwalungisa uZadoki indodana kaBahanap;

5 leceleni kwabo kwalungisa amaThekhowaq; kodwa izikhulu zabo kazilethanga intamo yazo emsebenzini weNkosi yazor.

6 Lesango elidala balilungisa oJoyadas indodana kaPhaseyat loMeshulamu indodana kaBesodeya; bamisa imigubazi yalo, bamisa izivalo zalo, lamabhawudo alo, leminxibo yalou.

7 Eceleni kwabo-ke kwalungisa uMelatiya umGibeyoni loJadoni umMeronothiv, amadoda eGibeyoniw laweMizipax, kuze kube sesihlalweni sobukhosi sombusi wanganeno komfulay.

8 Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uUziyeli indodana kaHarihaya, wabakhandi begolidez; leceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHananiyaa, indodana yabenzi bamakhab; batshiya iJerusalema kwaze kwaba semdulini obanzic.

9 Eceleni kwabo-ke kwalungisa uRefaya indodana kaHuri, umbusi wengxenye yesigaba seJerusalemad.

10 Eceleni kwabo-ke kwalungisa uJedaya indodana kaHarumafi lamaqondana lendlu yakhe; leceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHathushie indodana kaHashabineyaf.

11 Isilinganiso sesibili basilungisa oMalikiyag indodana kaHarimih loHashubii indodana kaPahathi-Mowabij, kanye lomphotshongo wezithando zomlilok.

12 Leceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uShaluma indodana kaHaloheshil, umbusi wengxenye yesigaba seJerusalema, yena lamadodakazi akhem.

13 Isango lesigodi walilungisan uHanunio labahlali beHanowap; balakha, bamisa izivalo zalo, amabhawudo alo, leminxibo yaloq, lezingalo eziyinkulungwane emdulini kwaze kwaba sesangweni lomqubar.

14 Lesango lomqubas walilungisa uMalikiya indodana kaRekabit, umbusi wesabelo seBhethi-Hakeremau; walakha, wamisa izivalo zalo, amabhawudo alo, leminxibo yalov.

15 Lesango lomthombow walilungisa uShaluna indodana kaKolihozex, umbusi wesigaba seMizipay; yena walakha, walifulela, wamisa izivalo zalo, amabhawudo alo, leminxibo yaloz, lomduli wechibi leShelaa ngasesivandeni senkosib, njalo kwaze kwaba sezikhwelweni ezehla zisuka emzini kaDavidac.

16 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uNehemiya indodana kaAzibuki, umbusi wengxenye yesigaba seBeti-Zurid, kwaze kwaba maqondana lamangcwaba kaDavidae, njalo kwaze kwaba sechibini elalenziwe, njalo kwaze kwaba sendlini yamaqhawef.

17 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa amaLevi, uRehuma indodana kaBanig; leceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHashabhiyah, umbusi wengxenye yesigaba seKeyilai, esigabeni sakhe.

18 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa abafowabo, uBavayi indodana kaHenadadij, umbusi wengxenye yesigaba seKeyilak.

19 Njalo kwalungisa eceleni kwakhe uEzeril indodana kaJeshuwam, umbusi weMizipan, esinye isilinganiso maqondana lomqanso wendlu yezikhalio, engonsinip.

20 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa ngesivuvu uBharukhiq indodana kaZabayir esinye isilinganiso kusukela engonsinis kusiya emnyango wendlu kaEliyashibi umpristi omkhulut.

21 Ngemva kwakhe uMeremothi indodana kaUriya indodana kaHakoziu walungisa esinye isilinganiso kusukela emnyango wendlu kaEliyashibi kuze kube sekucineni kwendlu kaEliyashibiv.

22 Langemva kwakhe kwalungisa abapristi, amadoda endawo ezigombolozeleyow.

23 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa oBhenjaminix loHashubi maqondana lendlu yaboy; ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uAzariyaz indodana kaMahaseya indodana kaAnaniya duze lendlu yakhea.

24 Ngemva kwakhe uBinuwib indodana kaHenadadic walungisa esinye isilinganiso kusukela endlini kaAzariyad kusiya engonsinie njalo kuze kube sejikwenif.

25 UPalali indodana kaUzayi, maqondana lengonsig lomphotshongo othutsha endlini yenkosih ephezulu esegumeni labalindii. Ngemva kwakhe uPhedayaj indodana kaParoshik.

26 AmaNethinil ayehlezi eOfeli kwaze kwaba maqondana lesango lamanzi ngasempumalanga lomphotshongo othutshayom.

27 Ngemva kwakhe abeThekhowa balungisa esinye isilinganiso maqondana lomphotshongo omkhulu othutshayo, njalo kwaze kwaba semdulini weOfelin.

28 Kusukela phezu kwesango lamabhiza kwalungisa abapristi, ngulowo maqondana lendlu yakheo.

29 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uZadoki indodana kaImeri maqondana lendlu yakhep. Njalo ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uShemaya indodana kaShekaniyaq, umgcini wesango lempumalangar.

30 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa oHananiyas indodana kaShelemiyat loHanuni indodana yesithupha kaZalafi esinye isilinganisou. Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiyav maqondana lekamelo lakhew.

31 Ngemva kwakhe kwalungisa uMalikiyax indodana yomkhandi wegolidey kwaze kwaba sendlini yamaNethiniz leyabathengia maqondana lesango leMifikhadib, njalo kusiya endlini yengonsi engaphezulu.

32 Njalo phakathi laphakathi kwendlu yengonsi engaphezulu kuze kube sesangweni lezimvuc kwalungisa abakhandi begolide labathengid.

Izitha zihlupha abakhayo

4Kwasekusithi uSanibhalathi esezwile ukuthi siyawakha umdulia, wathukuthela wacunuka kakhulu, wawahleka usulu amaJudab.

2 Wasekhuluma phambi kwabafowabo lebutho leSamariyac wathi: La amaJuda abuthakathaka enzani? Azaziqinisa yini? Azahlaba yini? Azaqeda ngosuku yini? Azavuselela amatshe yini ezinqwabeni zengcekeza, ezitshileyo?

3 LoTobiya umAmoni wayelayed, wathi: Lalokho akwakhayo, uba ikhanka likhwela phezulu, lingawudiliza umduli wawo wamatshee.

4 Zwana, Nkulunkulu wethu, ngoba siyeyiswaf; ubuyisele ukukloloda kwabo ekhanda labo, ubanikele babe yimpango elizweni lokuthunjwag;

5 ungaligubuzeli icala laboh, lesono sabo singacitshwa phambi kwakho, ngoba bathukuthelisile maqondana labakhii.

6 Sawakha-ke umduli, waze wahlangana wonke umduli kuze kube yingxenye yawo, ngoba abantu babelenhliziyo yokusebenza.

7 Kodwa kwathi oSanibhalathi loTobiya lamaArabhiyaj lamaAmonik labeAshidodil sebezwile ukuthi ukulungiswa kwemiduli yeJerusalema kuyenyuka, ukuthi izikhala seziqala ukuvaleka, bathukuthela kakhulum.

8 Basebesenza ugobe bonke ndawonye ukuthi beze balwe leJerusalema, lokuthi badunge phakathi kwayo.

9 Kodwa sakhuleka kuNkulunkulu wethu, sabeka abalindi ukumelana labo emini lebusuku, ngenxa yabo.

10 Kodwa uJuda wathi: Amandla abathwali bomthwalo adedile, lezibi zinengi, ngakho thina kasilakho ukwakha umduli.

11 Lezitha zethu zathi: Kabayikwazi, kabayikubona, size singene phakathi kwabo sibabulale, siwumise umsebenzi.

12 Kwasekusithi amaJuda ayehlala duze lazo esefikan athi kithi katshumi: Livela endaweni zonke kumele libuyele kithio.

13 Ngasengimisa endaweni eziphansi kakhulu ngemva komduli endaweni ezisobala, ngamisa abantu ngensapho belezinkemba zabo, imikhonto yabo, lamadandili abo.

14 Ngasengikhangela ngasukuma ngathi kuzikhulu lakubabusi lakwabanye abantu: Lingabesabi. Khumbulani iNkosip enkulu leyesabekayoq, lilwele abafowenu, amadodana enu, lamadodakazi enu, omkenu, lezindlu zenur.

15 Kwasekusithi izitha zethu sezizwile ukuthi sekusaziwa yithi lokuthi uNkulunkulu ufubisile icebo labo, sabuyela sonke emdulini, wonke emsebenzini wakhes.

16 Kwasekusithi kusukela mhlalokho ingxenye yezisebenzi zami yayisebenza emsebenzini, lengxenye yazo yabamba imikhonto, izihlangu, lamadandilit, lamabhatshi ensimbiu. Lababusi babengemuva kwendlu yonke yakoJuda

17 Ababesakha emdulini, lababethwala imithwalo, ababelayitshela, ngesinye sezandla zakhe wayesebenza emsebenzini, lesinye sibambelele isikhali.

18 Labakhi, ngulowo wayebhince inkemba yakhe ekhalweni lwakhe, besakha. Lovuthela uphondo wayeseceleni kwami.

19 Ngasengisithi kuzikhulu lakubabusi lakwabanye abantu: Umsebenzi mkhulu futhi ubanzi; lathi sehlukene phezu komduli, omunye ukhatshana lomunyev.

20 Endaweni elizakuzwa khona ukukhala kophondo, lizabuthana lapho kithi; uNkulunkulu wethu uzasilwelaw.

21 Ngokunjalo sasebenza emsebenzini; ingxenye yabo yayibambe imikhonto kusukela emadabukakusa kuze kuphume izinkanyezix.

22 Langalesosikhathi ngathi ebantwini: Ngulowo lenceku yakhe kabalale phakathi kweJerusalema ukuze babe ngabalindi bethu ebusuku, lemini emsebenzini.

23 Ngakho kakho, mina, labafowethu, lenceku zami, lamadoda omlindo abangemva kwami, kakho kithi owakhulula izigqoko zethu, ngulowo wazikhululela ukuzihlanza.

UNehemiya ulaya ukuthi ukucela izibambiso kuyekelwe

5Kwasekusiba khona ukukhala okukhulu kwabantu labomkaboa bemelene labafowabo amaJudab.

2 Ngoba kwaba khona abathi: Thina, amadodana ethu lamadodakazi ethu sibanengi; ngakho sithethe amabele ukuze sidle siphile.

3 Njalo kwaba khona abathi: Sibambisa amasimu ethu lezivini zethu lezindlu zethu ukuze sithenge amabele endlaleni.

4 Njalo kwaba khona abathi: Seboleke imali yomthelo wenkosi ngamasimu ethu lezivini zethuc.

5 Khathesi-ke, inyama yethu injengenyama yabafowethud, abantwana bethu banjengabantwana babo; khangela-ke sehlisele phansi amadodana ethue lamadodakazi ethu abe yizigqilif; kukhona-ke emadodakazini ethu asehliselwe phansi, njalo isandla sethu kasilamandla, ngoba abanye balamasimu ethu lezivini zethu.

6 Ngathukuthela kakhulu nxa ngisizwa ukukhala kwabo lalamazwi.

7 Inhliziyo yami isicabangile phakathi kwami, ngasengilwisana lezikhulu lababusi, ngathi kubo: Libhadalisa inzuzo, ngulowo kumfowabo. Ngabamisela umhlangano omkhulug.

8 Ngasengisithi kibo: Thina ngamandla akithi sihlenge abafowethu amaJuda ababethengiswe ezizweni; lani selizathengisa abafowethu, kumbe bazathengiswa kithi yini? Basebethula, kabatholanga mpenduloh.

9 Ngasengisithi: Into eliyenzayo kayilunganga. Belingehambe yini ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu wethui ngenxa yehlazo lezizwe, izitha zethuj?

10 Ngitsho lami, abafowethu, lenceku zami, besikweledisa imali lamabele. Asiyekeleni inzuzo lezi.

11 Ake libabuyisele lalamuhla amasimu abo, izivini zabo, izihlahla zabo zemihlwathi, lezindlu zabo, lokwekhulu kwemali lokwamabele lokwewayini elitsha lokwamafutha elibabhadalisa khona.

12 Basebesithi: Sizabuyisela, singabizi lutho kubo. Sizakwenza njalo njengokutsho kwakho. Ngasengibiza abapristi, ngabafungisak ukuthi benze njengalelilizwil.

13 Ngasengithintitha ithangazi lamim ngathi: Ngokunjalo uNkulunkulu kathintithe wonke umuntu asuke endlini yakhen lemsebenzini wakhe ongasoze amise lelilizwio; langokunjalo kathintithwe angabi lalutho. Lebandla lonke lathi: Ameni. Bayidumisa iNkosi. Abantu basebesenza njengalelilizwip.

14 Futhi kusukela ngosuku angilaya ngalo ukuthi ngibe ngumbusi wabo elizweni lakoJudaq, kusukela emnyakeni wamatshumi amabilir kuze kube semnyakeni wamatshumi amathathu lambili kaAthakisekisi inkosis, iminyaka elitshumi lambili, mina labafowethu kasidlanga isinkwat sombusiu.

15 Kodwa ababusi bamandulo ababengaphambi kwami babathwalisa nzima abantu, bethatha kibo isinkwa lewayini, emva kwalokhu amashekeli* esiliva angamatshumi amane; lenceku zabo zabusa nzima phezu kwabantuv; kodwa mina kangenzanga njalo ngenxa yokwesaba uNkulunkuluw.

16 Phezu kwalokho-ke ngaqina emsebenzini walumduli, njalo kasithenganga insimu; lenceku zami zonke zabuthana lapho emsebenzini.

17 Lamadoda alikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu kumaJuda lakubabusi, lalabo abeza kithi bevela ezizweni ezisihanqileyo, babesetafuleni lamix.

18 Lalokhu okwakulungiselwe usuku olulodwa kwakuyinkabi eyodwa, izimvu ezikhethiweyo eziyisithupha, lezinyoni zazilungiselwe mina, njalo phakathi kwensuku ezilitshumi okwalo lonke iwayini ngobunengiy. Langalokhu kangizanga ngidinge isinkwaz sombusia, ngoba ubugqili babunzima phezu kwalababantu.

19 Ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ngokuhle, konke engikwenzele lababantub.

Ugobe lwezitha zikaNehemiya

6Kwasekusithi oSanibhalathia loTobiya loGeshema umArabhiyab lezinye izitha zethu sezizwile ukuthi ngiwakhile umduli lokuthi kakusalanga sikhala kuwo, lanxa kuze kube yilesosikhathi ngangingamisanga izivalo emasangwenic,

2 oSanibhalathi loGeshema bathuma kimi besithi: Woza sihlangane ndawonye emizinid emagcekeni eOnoe. Kodwa babecabange ukwenza okubi kimi.

3 Ngasengithuma izithunywa kubo ngisithi: Ngenza umsebenzi omkhulu, ngakho kangilakho ukwehla. Kungani umsebenzi uzakuma, ngiwutshiye, ngehlele kini?

4 Basebethuma kimi kane ngaleyondlela, ngabaphendula ngaleyondlela.

5 Ngakho uSanibhalathi wathuma kimi inceku yakhe ngaleyondlela ngokwesihlanu ilencwadi evulekileyo esandleni sayo.

6 Kwakubhalwe kuyo ukuthi: Kuzwakele ezizweni, loGashimu uthi: Wena lamaJuda linakana ukuhlamuka; ngenxa yalokho wakha umduli, ukuze wena ube yinkosi yabo, njengalamazwi.

7 Futhi umisile labaprofethi ukuze bamemezele ngawe eJerusalema, besithi: Kukhona inkosi koJuda. Khathesi-ke kuzazwakala enkosini njengalamazwi. Ngakho-ke woza, sicebisanef.

8 Ngasengithuma kuye ngisithi: Kazikho izinto ezinjengalezo ozitshoyo, kodwa uyazibumba zivela enhliziyweni yakhog.

9 Ngoba bonke basethusa besithi: Izandla zabo zizadangala emsebenzini, ukuthi ungenziwa. Ngakho-ke qinisa izandla zamih.

10 Mina sengingenile endlini kaShemaya indodana kaDelaya indodana kaMehethabheli owayezivalele, wasesithi: Asihlangane endlini kaNkulunkulu phakathi kwethempeli, sivale iminyango yethempeli, ngoba bayeza ukukubulala, yebo, bayeza ebusuku ukukubulalai.

11 Kodwa ngathi: Kambe umuntu onjengami angabaleka? Pho, nguwuphi umuntu onjengami ongangena ethempelini aphile? Kangiyikungena.

12 Ngasenginanzelela, khangela-ke, uNkulunkulu wayengamthumanga, kodwa wakhuluma isiprofetho esimelene lami ngoba oTobiya loSanibhalathi babemqatshilej.

13 Ngakho wayeqatshiwe ukuze ngesabe, ngenze njalo, ngone, ukuze babe lebizo elibi ngami, ukuze bangigconek.

14 Khumbula, Nkulunkulu wami, uTobiya loSanibhalathi njengokwale imisebenzi yakhel, njalo loNowadiya umprofethikazi labanye abaprofethi ababengethusam.

15 Waphela-ke umduli ngolwamatshumi amabili lanhlanu kaEluli ngensuku ezingamatshumi amahlanu lambilin.

16 Kwasekusithi zonke izitha zethu zisizwa, lazo zonke izizwe ezisizingelezeleyo zibona, zawa kakhulu emehlweni azoo; ngoba zananzelela ukuthi lumsebenzi wenziwe nguNkulunkulu wethup.

17 Njalo ngalezonsuku izikhulu zakoJuda zandisa incwadi zazo eziya kuTobiya, lezikaTobiya zeza kuzo.

18 Ngoba abanengi koJuda babefungile kuyeq ngoba wayengumkhwenyana kaShekaniya indodana kaArar, loJehohanani indodana yakhe wayethethe indodakazi kaMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiyas.

19 Njalo babekhuluma izenzo zakhe ezinhle phambi kwami, lamazwi ami bewakhuphela kuye. UTobiya wathumela incwadi zokungethusa.

Ukumiswa kwabaphathi beJerusalema

7Kwasekusithi umduli usuwakhiwe, sengimisile izivalo, abalindi bamasango labahlabeleli lamaLevi sebebekiwea,

2 ngalaya uHanani umfowethub loHananiyac umbusi wenqaba mayelana leJerusalemad, ngoba wayenjengomuntu othembekileyoe lowesaba uNkulunkulu okwedlula abanengif.

3 Ngasengisithi kibo: Amasango eJerusalema kangavulwa lize litshise ilanga; besemi kabavale izivalo banxibe. Njalo umise abalindi kubahlali beJerusalema, ngulowo lalowo emlindweni wakhe, njalo ngulowo maqondana lendlu yakhe.

4 Njalo umuzi wawubanzi inhlangothi zombili, umkhulu, kodwa abantu babebalutshwana phakathi kwawo, izindlu zingakakhiwa.

Amabizo ababuya ekuthunjweni

5 UNkulunkulu wami wasenika enhliziyweni yami ukuthi ngibuthanise izikhulu lababusi labantu ukuthi babhalwe ngezizukulwana. Ngasengithola ugwalo lwezizukulwana zalabo abenyuka kuqala, ngathola kubhalwe kulog:

6 Laba ngabantwana besabelo abenyuka bevela ekuthunjweni kwabathunjiweyo uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni abathumbayo; basebebuyela eJerusalema lakoJuda, ngulowo lalowo emzini wakibo,

7 abafika loZerubhabheli, uJeshuwa, uNehemiya, uAzariya, uRahamiya, uNahamani, uModekhayi, uBilishani, uMisiperethi, uBigivayi, uNehuma, uBahanah.

Inani lamadoda esizwe sakoIsrayeli:

8 Abantwana bakoParoshi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lekhulu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.

9 Abantwana bakoShefathiya: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.

10 Abantwana bakoAra: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lambilii.

11 Abantwana bakoPahathi-Mowabi, babantwana bakoJeshuwa loJowabi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu ayisificaminwembili letshumi lesificaminwembilij.

12 Abantwana bakoElamu: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lane.

13 Abantwana bakoZathu: Amakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi amane lanhlanuk.

14 Abantwana bakoZakayi: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisithupha.

15 Abantwana bakoBinuwi: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lesificaminwembilil.

16 Abantwana bakoBebayi: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembilim.

17 Abantwana bakoAzigadi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lambilin.

18 Abantwana bakoAdonikamu: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisao.

19 Abantwana bakoBigivayi: Izinkulungwane ezimbili lamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisap.

20 Abantwana bakoAdini: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lanhlanuq.

21 Abantwana bakoAteri, bakoHezekhiya: Amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lesificaminwembili.

22 Abantwana bakoHashuma: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembilir.

23 Abantwana bakoBezayi: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lanes.

24 Abantwana bakoHarifi: Ikhulu letshumi lambili.

25 Abantwana bakoGibeyoni: Amatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu.

26 Amadoda eBhethelehema leNetofa: Ikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lesificaminwembilit.

27 Amadoda eAnathothi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.

28 Amadoda eBeti-Azimavethi: Amatshumi amane lambili.

29 Amadoda eKiriyathi-Jeyarimi, iKefira, leBherothi: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amane lantathu.

30 Amadoda eRama leGeba: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lanye.

31 Amadoda eMikimasi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lambili.

32 Amadoda eBhetheli leAyi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lantathuu.

33 Amadoda enye iNebo: Amatshumi amahlanu lambiliv.

34 Abantwana benye iElamu: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lanew.

35 Abantwana beHarimi: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili.

36 Abantwana beJeriko: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amane lanhlanu.

37 Abantwana beLodi, iHadidi, leOno: Amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili lanyex.

38 Abantwana beSenaha: Izinkulungwane ezintathu lamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amathathuy.

39 Abapristi. Abantwana bakoJedaya, bendlu kaJeshuwa: Amakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lantathu.

40 Abantwana bakoImeri: Inkulungwane lamatshumi amahlanu lambili.

41 Abantwana bakoPashuri: Inkulungwane lamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lesikhombisa.

42 Abantwana bakoHarimi: Inkulungwane letshumi lesikhombisa.

43 AmaLevi. Abantwana bakoJeshuwa, bakoKadimiyeli, babantwana bakoHodeva: Amatshumi ayisikhombisa lane.

44 Abahlabeleli. Abantwana bakoAsafi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amane lesificaminwembiliz.

45 Abalindimasango. Abantwana bakoShaluma, abantwana bakoAteri, abantwana bakoTalimoni, abantwana bakoAkubi, abantwana bakoHatita, abantwana bakoShobayi: Ikhulu lamatshumi amathathu lesificaminwembilia.

46 AmaNethini. Abantwana bakoZiha, abantwana bakoHasufa, abantwana bakoTabhawothib,

47 abantwana bakoKerosi, abantwana bakoSiya, abantwana bakoPadoni,

48 abantwana bakoLebana, abantwana bakoHagaba, abantwana bakoShalimayi,

49 abantwana bakoHanani, abantwana bakoGideli, abantwana bakoGahari,

50 abantwana bakoReyaya, abantwana bakoRezini, abantwana bakoNekoda,

51 abantwana bakoGazama, abantwana bakoUza, abantwana bakoPhaseya,

52 abantwana bakoBhesayi, abantwana bakoMewunimi, abantwana bakoNefushesimi,

53 abantwana abakoBakibuki, abantwana bakoHakufa, abantwana bakoHarihuri,

54 abantwana bakoBazilithi, abantwana bakoMehida, abantwana bakoHarisha,

55 abantwana bakoBarkosi, abantwana bakoSisera, abantwana bakoThama,

56 abantwana bakoNeziya, abantwana bakoHatifa.

57 Abantwana benceku zikaSolomoni. Abantwana bakoSotayi, abantwana bakoSoferethi, abantwana bakoPerida,

58 abantwana bakoJahala, abantwana bakoDarkoni, abantwana bakoGideli,

59 abantwana bakoShefathiya, abantwana bakoHathili, abantwana bakoPokerethi kaHazebayimi, abantwana bakoAmoni.

60 Wonke amaNethini labantwana benceku zikaSolomoni: Amakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lambili.

61 Laba ngabenyuka bevela eTeli-Mela, iTeli-Harisha, iKerubi, iAdoni, leImeri, kodwa babengelakutshengisa indlu yaboyise lenzalo yabo, uba bavela koIsrayeli yini.

62 Abantwana bakoDelaya, abantwana bakoTobiya, abantwana bakoNekoda: Amakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lambilic.

63 Lakubapristi: Abantwana bakoHabaya, abantwana bakoHakozi, abantwana bakoBarizilayi, owayethethe emadodakazini kaBarizilayi umGileyadi ukuba ngumkakhe, wasebizwa ngebizo lawo.

64 Laba badinga ukubhalwa kwabo oluhlwini lwababhaliweyo ngezizukulwana, kodwa kakutholakalanga; basebekhutshwa ebupristini njengabangcolileyo.

65 Umbusi wasesithi kubo bangadli okwezingcwelengcwele, kuze kusukume umpristi oleUrimi leThumimi.

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

67 ngaphandle kwenceku zabo lencekukazi zabo; lezi zazizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa lamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa; njalo babelabahlabeleli labahlabelelikazi abangamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lanhlanud.

68 Amabhiza abo, amakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amathathu lesithupha; imbongolo zabo, amakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lanhlanu;

69 amakamela, amakhulu amane lamatshumi amathathu lanhlanu; obabhemi, inkulungwane eziyisithupha lamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili.

70 Ezinye-ke zenhloko zaboyise zanikela emsebenzini. Umbusi wanikela kokuligugu inhlamvu zegolide eziyinkulungwanee, imiganu yokufafaza engamatshumi amahlanuf, izigqoko zabapristi ezingamakhulu amahlanu lamatshumi amathathu.

71 Lezinye zezinhloko zaboyise zanikela kokuligugu komsebenzi inhlamvu zegolide ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lamamane* esiliva azinkulungwane ezilikhulu letshumig.

72 Lalokho abaseleyo babantu abakunikelayo kwakuzinhlamvu zegolide ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lamamane* esiliva azinkulungwane ezilikhulu lezigqoko zabapristi ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lesikhombisah.

73 Abapristi lamaLevi labalindimasango labahlabeleli labanye babantu lamaNethini loIsrayeli wonke basebehlala emizini yabo.

Kwathi inyanga yesikhombisa isifikile, abantwana bakoIsrayeli babesemizini yaboi.

UEzra ufundela abantu umlayo

8Bonke abantu basebebuthana njengamuntu munyea egcekeni eliphambi kwesango lamanzib; bakhuluma kuEzra umbhali ukuletha ugwalo lomlayo kaMozisi, iNkosi eyayiwulaye uIsrayelic.

2 UEzra umpristi wasewuletha umlayo phambi kwebandla, kusukela kowesilisa kusiya kowesifazanad, laye wonke owaqedisisa ukuzwa, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yesikhombisae.

3 Wasebala kuwo phambi kwegcekef eliphambi kwesango lamanzi kusukela emadabukakusa kwaze kwaba semini enkulu, phambi kwabesilisa labesifazana labaqedisisayo; lendlebe zabo bonke abantu zazingasegwalweni lomlayog.

4 UEzra umbhali wasesima phezu kwendawo ephakemeyo yamapulanka ababeyenzele loludaba. Leceleni kwakhe kwakumi oMathithiya loShemah loAnayai loUriyaj loHilikhiya loMahaseya ngakwesokunene sakhek; langakwesokhohlo sakhe oPhedaya, loMishayeli, loMalikiyal, loHashumam, loHashibadana, uZekhariyan, uMeshulamuo.

5 UEzra wasevula ugwalo phambi kwamehlo abo bonke abantu; ngoba wayengaphezu kwabantu bonkep; lapho eluvula, bonke abantu basukuma.

6 UEzra waseyibusisa iNkosi, uNkulunkulu omkhuluq. Bonke abantu basebephendula bathi: Ameni, amenir, ngokuphakamisa izandla zabos; basebekhothama, bayikhonza iNkosi ngobuso emhlabathinit.

7 OJeshuwau, loBaniv, loSherebiyaw, uJamini, uAkubi, uShabethayix, uHodiyay, uMahaseyaz, uKelitaa, uAzariyab, uJozabadic, uHananid, uPelayae, lamaLevi basebesenza abantu baqedisise umlayof, abantu besendaweni yabog.

8 Basebebala egwalweni, emlayweni kaNkulunkulu, ngokucacileyo, bechasisa, bebenza bazwisise ekubalenih.

9 UNehemiya owayengumbusi, lompristi uEzra umbhali, lamaLevi ayefundisa abantui, basebesithi ebantwini bonke: Lolusuku lungcwele eNkosini uNkulunkulu wenuj; lingalili njalo lingakhali inyembezi. Ngoba bonke abantu bakhala inyembezi lapho besizwa amazwi omlayok.

10 Wasesithi kibo: Hambani, lidle okunonileyo, linathe okumnandi, lithumele izabelo kongalungiselwanga lutho; ngoba lolusuku lungcwele eNkosini yethu, njalo lingadabuki, ngoba intokozo yeNkosi ingamandla enu.

11 AmaLevi asebathulisa bonke abantu esithi: Thulani, ngoba lolusuku lungcwele, lingadabuki.

12 Bonke abantu basebehamba ukuyakudla, lokunatha, lokuthumela izabelol, lokwenza intokozo enkulu, ngoba babewaqedisisile amazwi ababebazise wonam.

13 Langosuku lwesibili kwabuthana inhloko zaboyise zabo bonke abantu, abapristi, lamaLevi, kuEzra umbhalin, ukuze baqedisise amazwi omlayo.

14 Basebethola kubhaliwe emlayweni iNkosi eyayiwulayile ngesandla sikaMozisi ukuthi abantwana bakoIsrayeli bahlale emadumbeni ngomkhosi ngenyanga yesikhombisao,

15 lokuthi bazwakalise bedlulise isimemezelo kuyo yonke imizi yabop laseJerusalemaq besithi: Phumelani entabeni lilethe ingatsha zezihlahla zemihlwathi, lengatsha zezihlahla zamafutha, lengatsha zezihlahla zamamiteli*r, lengatsha zamalalas, lengatsha zezihlahla ezilamahlamvu aminyeneyo, ukwenza amadumba, njengokubhaliweyot.

16 Basebephuma abantu, baziletha, bazenzela amadumba, ngulowo lalowo ephahleni lwakhe, lemagumeni abo, lemagumeni endlu kaNkulunkuluu, legcekeni lesango lamanziv, legcekeni lesango lakoEfrayimiw.

17 Ibandla lonke lalabo ababebuyile ekuthunjweni basebesenza amadumba, bahlala emadumbeni. Ngoba kusukela ensukwini zikaJoshuwa indodana kaNuni kwaze kwaba yilolosuku abantwana bakoIsrayeli babengenzanga njalox. Kwasekusiba lentokozo enkulu kakhuluy.

18 Njalo usuku ngosuku kusukela osukwini lokuqala kwaze kwaba lusuku lokucina wabala egwalweni lomlayo kaNkulunkulu. Bawenza-ke umkhosi insuku eziyisikhombisa; kwathi ngosuku lwesificaminwembili kwaba lenhlangano enzulu, njengesimisoz.

UEzra uyakuvuma ukona kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli

9Ngosuku lwamatshumi amabili lane lwaleyonyangaa abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebuthana ngokuzila ukudlab, langamasakac, lenhlabathi phezu kwabod.

2 Inzalo yakoIsrayeli yasizehlukanisa labo bonke abezizweni; basebesima bavuma izono zabo lobubi baboyisee.

3 Basebesukuma endaweni yabo yokumaf, bafunda egwalweni lomlayo weNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo ingxenye yesine yosuku; njalo ngengxenye yesine bavuma futhi bakhonza iNkosi uNkulunkulu wabog.

4 Lezikhwelweni zamaLevi kwakumi oJeshuwah, loBanii, uKadimiyelij, uShebaniyak, uBunil, uSherebiyam, uBanin, uKenani; bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo.

5 AmaLevi, oJeshuwao, loKadimiyelip, uBaniq, uHashabineyar, uSherebiyas, uHodiyat, uShebaniyau, uPethahiyav basebesithi: Sukumani libusise iNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu kusukela ephakadeni kuze kube nininini; kalibusiswe ibizo lakho elilodumo eliphakanyiswe phezu kwaso sonke isibusiso lendumisow.

6 Nguwe oyiNkosi wena wedwax, wena wenza amazuluy, izulu lamazuluz lalo lonke ibutho lawo, umhlaba lakho konke okukuwo, izinlwandle lakho konke okukuzoa, wena uyagcina konke kuphila; lebutho lamazulu liyakukhonzab.

7 Wena uyiNkosi uNkulunkulu, owakhetha uAbrama wamkhupha eUri yamaKhaladiyac, wenza ibizo lakhe laba nguAbrahamad;

8 wafica inhliziyo yakhe ithembekile phambi kwakhoe, wenza laye isivumelwanof sokunika ilizwe lamaKhanani, amaHethi, amaAmori, lamaPerizi, lamaJebusi, lamaGirigashi, ukulinika inzalo yakheg; uwamisile amazwi akho, ngoba ulungileh.

9 Wabona ukuhlupheka kwabobaba eGibhithei, wezwa ukukhala kwabo ngasoLwandle oluBomvuj,

10 wenza izibonakaliso lezimangaliso kuFaro lakuzo zonke inceku zakhe lakubo bonke abantu belizwe lakhek, ngoba wazi ukuthi baziphatha ngokuzigqaja kubol; njalo wazenzela ibizo njengalamuhlam.

11 Wehlukanisa ulwandle phambi kwabo ukuze bachaphe phakathi kolwandle emhlabathini owomileyon; wasuphosela ababaxotshayo ezinzikini njengelitshe emanzini alamandlao.

12 Wasubakhokhela ngensika yeyezi emini langensika yomlilo ebusuku ukubakhanyisela indlela abazahamba ngayop.

13 Wehlela phezu kwentaba yeSinayi, wakhuluma labo usemazulwiniq, wabanika izahlulelo eziqondileyo, lemilayo eqotho, izimiso lemilayezelo elungileyor,

14 wabazisa isabatha lakho elingcwele, wabalaya imilayo, lezimiso, lomthetho, ngesandla sikaMozisi inceku yakhos.

15 Wabanika isinkwa esivela emazulwini ekulambeni kwabot, lamanzi edwaleni wabakhuphela wona ekomeni kwabou; wabatshela ukuthi bazangena badle ilifa lelizwe owaphakamisa isandla sakho ukubanika lonav.

16 Kodwa bona labobaba baziphatha ngokuzigqajaw, benza lukhuni intamo yabo, kabayilalelanga imilayo yakhox.

17 Yebo, bala ukulalela, kabakhumbulanga izimangaliso zakho owazenza kuboy; kodwa bazenza lukhuni intamo yaboz, lekuvukeleni kwabo bamisa induna ukuze babuyele ebugqilini baboa. Kodwa wena unguNkulunkulu wezintethelelo, olomusa, lesihawub, ophuza ukuthukuthelac, lowande ngothando, kawubatshiyangad.

18 Lalapho sebezenzele ithole elibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa bathi: Lo nguNkulunkulu wakho, owakwenyusa eGibhithee, benza ukuhlambaza okukhuluf,

19 kodwa wena ngezihawu zakho ezinengi kawubatshiyanga enkangalag; insika yeyezi kayisukanga kubo emini, ukubakhokhela endleleni, lensika yomlilo ebusuku, ukubakhanyisela lendlela abazahamba ngayoh.

20 Wabanika umoya wakho omuhle ukubafundisai, lemana yakho kawuyigodlanga emlonyeni waboj, wabanika amanzi ekomeni kwabok.

21 Yebo, iminyaka engamatshumi amane wabondla enkangala, kabaswelanga luthol; izigqoko zabo kaziguganga, lenyawo zabo kazivuvukangam.

22 Wasebanika imibuso lezizwe, wababela kwaze kwaba semagumbinin; njalo badla ilifa lelizwe likaSihonio lelizwe lenkosi yeHeshibonip lelizwe likaOgi inkosi yeBashaniq.

23 Wandisa abantwana babo njengenkanyezi zamazulu, wabangenisa elizweni owawutshele oyise ukuthi bazangena badle ilifa lalor.

24 Sebengenile abantwana babo badla ilifa lelizwes; wehlisela phansi phambi kwabo abahlali belizwe, amaKhanani, wabanikela esandleni sabo, lamakhosi abo, labantu belizwe, ukuze benze ngabo ngokwentando yabot.

25 Basebethumba imizi ebiyelweyo, lelizwe elivundileyou, badla ilifa lezindlu ezigcwele konke okuhle, imithombo egejiweyo, izivini, lezivande zemihlwathi, lezihlahla zezithelo ngobunengiv. Badla-ke basutha, bazimukaw, bazithokozisa ngokuhle kwakho okukhulux.

26 Kube kanti kabalalelanga, bakuvukela wenay, bawuphosela umlayo wakho emva komhlana waboz, babulala abaprofethi bakho abafakaza bemelene labo ukubaphendulela kuwea, benza ukuhlambaza okukhulub.

27 Ngakho wabanikela esandleni sezitha zabo ezabahluphayoc; kwathi ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kwabo bakhala kuwe, wena-ke wezwa usemazulwini; langokwezisa zakho ezinengid wabanika abasindisi ababasindisa esandleni sezitha zaboe.

28 Kodwa sebephumulile benza okubi futhi phambi kwakho; ngakho wabatshiya esandleni sezitha zabo zaze zababusa; sebebuyile bakhala kuwe, wena wezwa usemazulwinif; wabakhulula ngokwezisa zakho izikhathi ezinengig.

29 Wafakaza umelene labo ukuze ubenze babuyele emlayweni wakho; kube kanti bona baziphatha ngokuzigqaja, kabayilalelanga imilayo yakhoh, kodwa bemelene lezahlulelo zakho bona bemelene lazo (okuthi umuntu ezenza uzaphila ngazoi), banika ihlombe lobuqholo, benza lukhuni intamo yabo, kabaze balalelaj.

30 Wababekezelela1 iminyaka eminengi, wafakaza umelene labo ngomoya wakhok ngesandla sabaprofethi bakho, kodwa kababekanga indlebel. Ngakho wabanikela esandleni sabantu bezizwem.

31 Kanti ngezisa zakho ezinengin kawubaqedanga, kawubatshiyangao; ngoba unguNkulunkulu olomusap lesihawuq.

32 Ngakho khathesi, Nkulunkulu wethu, uNkulunkulu omkhulu, olamandla lowesabekayor, ogcina isivumelwano lomusas, kakungabi kuncinyane phambi kwakho ukuhlupheka konke, okusificileyo, amakhosi ethu, iziphathamandla zethu, labapristi bethu, labaprofethi bethu, labobaba, labo bonke abantu bakho, kusukela ensukwini zamakhosi eAsiriya kuze kube lamuhlat.

33 Kodwa ubulungile mayelana lakho konke okusehleleyo, ngoba wenzile ngokuqondau, kodwa thina senze ngobubiv.

34 Lamakhosi ethu, iziphathamandla zethu, abapristi bethu, labobaba bethu kabawenzanga umlayo wakho, kabalalelanga imithetho yakho lezifakazelo zakho owazifakaza umelene labo.

35 Ngoba bona kabakukhonzanga embusweni wabow lekulungeni kwakho okunengi owabanika khonax lemazweni abanzi lavundileyo owawabeka phambi kwabo; njalo kabaphendukanga ezenzweni zabo ezimbiy.

36 Khangela, siyizigqili lamuhla, yebo, ilizwe owalinika obaba ukuthi badle isithelo salo lokuhle kwalo, khangela, siyizigqili kuloz.

37 Njalo isivuno salo lisandisela amakhosi owabeke phezu kwethu ngenxa yezono zethu; njalo abusa phezu kwemizimba yethu laphezu kwezifuyo zethu ngokwentando yawo; sesisesizini olukhulua.

38 Langenxa yakho konke lokhu senza isivumelwano esiqinileyo, sisibhala; iziphathamandla zethu, amaLevi ethu, abapristi bethu, basebefaka uphawu phezu kwasob.

10Ekufakeni-ke uphawu kwakuloNehemiya umbusi indodana kaHakaliyaa, loZedekhiya,

2 uSerayab, uAzariyac, uJeremiyad,

3 uPashurie, uAmariya, uMalikiyaf,

4 uHathushig, uShebaniya, uMaluki,

5 uHarimih, uMeremothi, uObhadiyai,

6 uDaniyelij, uGinethonik, uBharukhil,

7 uMeshulamu, uAbhiyam, uMijaminin,

8 uMahaziya, uBiligayio, uShemayap; laba babengabapristi.

9 LamaLevi: Ngitsho uJeshuwa indodana kaAzaniyaq, uBinuwir wamadodana kaHenadadis, uKadimiyelit,

10 labafowabo, oShebaniyau, uHodiyav, uKelitaw, uPelayax, uHananiy,

11 uMika, uRehobiz, uHashabhiyaa,

12 uZakurib, uSherebiyac, uShebaniyad,

13 uHodiyae, uBanif, uBeninu.

14 Inhloko zabantu: OParoshig, uPahathi-Mowabih, uElamui, uZathuj, uBanik,

15 uBunil, uAzigadim, uBebayin,

16 uAdonija, uBigivayio, uAdinip,

17 uAteriq, uHezekhiyar, uAzuri,

18 uHodiya, uHashumas, uBezayit,

19 uHarafi, uAnathothi, uNebayiu,

20 uMagipiyashiv, uMeshulamu, uHeziriw,

21 uMeshezabelix, uZadoki, uJaduway,

22 uPelatiya, uHananiz, uAnayaa,

23 uHosheya, uHananiyab, uHashubic,

24 uHaloheshi, uPiliha, uShobekid,

25 uRehumae, uHashabinaf, uMahaseyag,

26 uAhiya, uHanani, uAnanih,

27 uMalukii, uHarimij, uBahanak.

28 Labantu abaseleyo, abapristi, amaLevil, abalindimasango, abahlabeleli, amaNethini, labo bonke abazehlukanise labantu bamazwe baya emlayweni kaNkulunkulu, omkabo, amadodana abo, lamadodakazi abo, wonke owaziyo, oqedisisayom,

29 babambelela kubafowabo, izikhulu zabo, bangena kusiqalekiso lesifungon sokuhamba emlayweni kaNkulunkulu owanikwa ngesandla sikaMozisio inceku kaNkulunkulup, lokuyigcina lokuyenza yonke imilayo kaJehova iNkosi yethu, lezahlulelo zayo lezimiso zayo.

30 Lokuthi kasiyikunika amadodakazi ethu ebantwini belizwe loba singathatheli amadodana ethu amadodakazi aboq.

31 Uba abantu belizwe beletha izimpahla loba yiwaphi amabele ukukuthengisa ngosuku lwesabatha, kasiyikuthenga kibo ngesabatha langosuku olungcweler. Njalo sizayekela umnyaka wesikhombisas, lesikwelede sonke1t.

32 Futhi sizazimisela imilayo yokubeka phezu kwethu ingxenye yesithathu yeshekeli* emnyakeni ibe ngeyomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu,

33 eyesinkwa sokubukiswau, leyomnikelo wokudla wensuku zonkev, leyomnikelo wokutshiswa wensuku zonkew, eyamasabatha, eyokuthwasa kwezinyangax, eyemikhosi emisiweyoy, leyezinto ezingcwele, leyeminikelo yesono ukwenzela uIsrayeli inhlawulo yokuthula, lomsebenzi wonke wendlu kaNkulunkulu wethuz.

34 Sasesisenza inkatho yokuphosaa mayelana lomnikelo wenkunib, abapristi, amaLevi, labantu, ukuziletha endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu, ngokwendlu yabobaba, ngezikhathi ezimisiweyo umnyaka ngomnyakac, zitshiswe phezu kwelathi leNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu, njengokubhaliweyo emlaywenid.

35 Lokuletha izithelo zokuqala zomhlabathi wethu lezithelo zokuqala zesithelo sonke sesihlahla sonke umnyaka ngomnyaka endlini yeNkosie;

36 lokuletha amazibulo amadodana ethu lawezifuyo zethu, njengokubhalwe emlaywenif, lamazibulo ezinkomo zethu lawezimvu zethu, endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu, kubapristi abasebenza endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu;

37 lokokuqalag kwenhlama yethu, leminikelo yethu, lezithelo zezihlahla zonke, iwayini elitsha, lamafutha, sikulethe kubapristih emakamelweni endlu kaNkulunkulu wethui, lokwetshumi komhlabathi wethu kumaLevi, ukuze lawomaLevi emukele okwetshumi kuyo yonke imizi yomsebenzi wethuj.

38 Umpristi-ke indodana kaAroni uzakuba kanye lamaLevi lapho amaLevi esemukela okwetshumi. LamaLevi azakwenyusa okwetshumi kokwetshumi endlini kaNkulunkulu wethuk emakamelweni endlul yokuligugum.

39 Ngoba abantwana bakoIsrayeli labantwana bamaLevi bazaletha umnikelo wamabelen, iwayini elitsha, lamafuthao, emakamelwenip, ngoba lapho kulezitsha zendawo engcwele labapristi abasebenzayo labalindimasango labahlabeleli. Njalo kasiyikuyitshiya indlu kaNkulunkulu wethuq.

Abahlali beJerusalema

11Ngakho ababusi babantu bahlala eJerusalemaa; abantu abaseleyo basebesenza inkatho yokuphosa ukuze balethe oyedwa kwabalitshumi ukuhlala eJerusalemab umuzi ongcwelec, lengxenye eziyisificamunwemunye kweminye imizi.

2 Abantu basebebusisa wonke amadoda azinikela ngesihle ukuyahlala eJerusalemad.

3 Lezi-ke zinhloko zesabelo ezahlala eJerusalema. Kodwa emizini yakoJuda bahlala, ngulowo kumfuyo yakhe, emizini yabo: UIsrayeli, abapristi, lamaLevi, lamaNethinie, labantwana benceku zikaSolomonif.

4 EJerusalemag kwahlala-ke abanye babantwana bakoJuda lababantwana bakoBhenjamini. Ebantwaneni bakoJuda: OAthaya indodana kaUziya indodana kaZekhariya indodana kaAmariya indodana kaShefathiya indodana kaMahalaleli, owabantwana bakoPerezi,

5 loMahaseya indodana kaBharukhih indodana kaKolihozei indodana kaHazaya indodana kaAdaya indodana kaJoyaribi indodana kaZekhariya indodana kaShilonij.

6 Wonke amadodana kaPerezi ayehlala eJerusalema ayengamakhulu amane lamatshumi ayisithupha lesificaminwembili, amadoda alamandla.

7 Lala ngamadodana kaBhenjamini: USalu indodana kaMeshulamu indodana kaJowedi indodana kaPhedaya indodana kaKolaya indodana kaMahaseya indodana kaIthiyeli indodana kaJeshayak,

8 langemva kwakhe oGabayi, uSalayi, amakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembilil.

9 LoJoweli indodana kaZikiri wayengumboni phezu kwabo, loJuda indodana kaHasenuwa engowesibili phezu komuzi.

10 Kubapristim: OJedayan indodana kaJoyaribi, uJakinio,

11 uSeraya indodana kaHilikhiya indodana kaMeshulamu indodana kaZadoki indodana kaMerayothi indodana kaAhitubi, umphathi wendlu kaNkulunkulup,

12 labafowabo ababesenza umsebenzi wendlu babengamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi amabili lambili; loAdaya indodana kaJerohamuq indodana kaPelaliya indodana kaAmzi indodana kaZekhariya indodana kaPashuri indodana kaMalikiyar,

13 labafowabo, inhloko zaboyise, babengamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lambili; loAmashayi indodana kaAzareli indodana kaAhizayi indodana kaMeshilemothi indodana kaImeris,

14 labafowabo, amaqhawe alamandla, ikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili; lomboni phezu kwabo wayenguZabidiyeli indodana yomunye wabakhulu.

15 LakumaLevit: OShemaya indodana kaHashubi indodana kaAzirikamu indodana kaHashabhiya indodana kaBuniu;

16 loShabethayiv loJozabadiw bezinhloko zamaLevi babephezu komsebenzi wangaphandle kwendlu kaNkulunkulux;

17 loMathaniyay indodana kaMikaz indodana kaZabidia indodana kaAsafi owayeyinhloko yokuqalisa ukubonga emkhulekwenib; loBakibukiya owesibili kubafowaboc; loAbida indodana kaShamuwade indodana kaGalali indodana kaJeduthuni.

18 Wonke amaLevi emzini ongcwele ayengamakhulu amabili lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lanef.

19 Labalindimasango, oAkubi, uTalimoni, labafowabo ababelinda amasango babelikhulu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili.

20 Lensali yakoIsrayeli, ababapristi, amaLevi, babesemizini yonke yakoJuda, ngulowo elifeni lakheg.

21 LamaNethini ayehlala eOfelih; loZiha loGishipa babephezu kwamaNethinii.

22 Njalo umboni wamaLevi eJerusalema wayenguUzi indodana kaBanij indodana kaHashabhiya indodana kaMathaniyak indodana kaMikal. Owamadodana kaAsafi, abahlabeleli babeqondene lomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu.

23 Ngoba kwakungumlayo wenkosi ngabom, njengokufunekayo kubahlabeleli, udaba losuku ngosuku lwalon.

24 Njalo uPethahiya indodana kaMeshezabelio, owabantwana bakoZera indodana kaJuda, wayesesandleni senkosi kulo lonke udaba lwabantup.

25 Lemizaneni lamasimu ayo, kwahlala abanye babantwana bakoJuda eKiriyathi-Arbaq lemizana yayor, laseDibonis lemizana yayot, laseJekabiseyeli lemizana yayou,

26 laseJeshuwa, laseMoladav, laseBeti-Peletiw,

27 laseHazari-Shuwalix, laseBherishebhay lemizana yayoz,

28 laseZikilagia, laseMekona lemizaneni yayob,

29 laseEni-Rimonic, laseZorad, laseJarimuthie,

30 iZanowaf, iAdulamug lemizana yayo, iLakishi lamasimu ayoh, iAzekai lemizana yayoj. Basebemisa inkamba kusukela eBherishebhak kusiya esihotsheni seHinomul.

31 Labantwana bakoBhenjamini kusukela eGeba babeseMikimashi, leAyijam, leBhethelin lemizana yayoo,

32 iAnathothip, iNobiq, iAnaniya,

33 iHazorir, iRamas, iGithayimit,

34 iHadidiu, iZeboyimiv, iNebalati,

35 iLodiw, leOnox, isigodi sezingcitshiy.

36 LakumaLevi kwakulezigaba zakoJuda loBhenjaminiz.

Abapristi lamaLevi abafika loZerubhabheli

12Lalaba ngabapristi lamaLevia abenyuka loZerubhabheli indodana kaSalatiyelib, loJeshuwa: OSeraya, uJeremiya, uEzrac,

2 uAmariya, uMaluki, uHathushi,

3 uShekaniya, uRehuma, uMeremothi,

4 uIdo, uGinethoyi, uAbhiya,

5 uMijamini, uMahadiya, uBiligad,

6 uShemayae, loJoyaribi, uJedayaf,

7 uSalu, uAmoki, uHilikhiya, uJedayag. Laba babezinhloko zabapristi labafowabo ensukwini zikaJeshuwah.

8 LamaLevi: OJeshuwai, uBinuwij, uKadimiyeli, uSherebiya, uJudak, uMathaniyal, babephezu kokubonga, yena labafowabom.

9 LoBakibukiya loUni, abafowabo, babeqondene labo emilindwenin.

10 UJeshuwa wasezala uJoyakimio, uJoyakimi wasezala uEliyashibip, uEliyashibi wasezala uJoyadaq,

11 uJoyada wasezala uJonathanir, uJonathani wasezala uJaduwas.

12 Lensukwini zikaJoyakimi abapristi, inhloko zaboyise, babengo: OkaSeraya nguMeraya; okaJeremiya nguHananiya;

13 okaEzra nguMeshulamu; okaAmariya nguJehohanani;

14 okaMeliku nguJonathani; okaShebaniya nguJosefa;

15 okaHarimi nguAdina; okaMerayothi nguHelikayit;

16 okaIdo nguZekhariya; okaGinethoni nguMeshulamu;

17 okaAbhiya nguZikiri; okaMiniyamini, okaMowadiya nguPilitayi;

18 okaBiliga nguShamuwa; okaShemaya nguJehonathani;

19 lokaJoyaribi nguMathenayi; okaJedaya nguUziu;

20 okaSalayi nguKalayi; okaAmoki nguEberi;

21 okaHilikhiya nguHashabhiya; okaJedaya nguNethaneliv.

22 AmaLevi ensukwini zikaEliyashibiw, oJoyadax loJohananiy loJaduwa, babhalwa baba zinhloko zaboyise, labapristi kwaze kwaba ngumbuso kaDariyusi umPerisiya.

23 Amadodana kaLevi, inhloko zaboyise, abhalwa egwalweni lwemilando, kwaze kwaba sensukwini zikaJohanani indodana kaEliyashibiz.

24 Lenhloko zamaLevi: OHashabhiyaa, uSherebiyab, loJeshuwac indodana kaKadimiyelid, labafowabo maqondana laboe, ukudumisaf lokubongag, njengomlayo kaDavidah umuntu kaNkulunkului, umlindo maqondana lomlindoj.

25 OMathaniyak, loBakibukiyal, uObhadiyam, uMeshulamun, uTalimonio, uAkubip, babengabalindimasango belinda umlindo eziphaleni zamasango.

26 Labo babekhona ensukwini zikaJoyakimi indodana kaJeshuwa indodana kaJozadakiq, lensukwini zikaNehemiya umbusir, loEzra umpristi, umbhalis.

Inkonzo yokubongela ukwakhiwa komduli

27 Lekwehlukaniselweni komduli weJerusalemat badinga amaLevi evela ezindaweni zawo zonke ukuwaletha eJerusalema ukwenza ukwehlukaniswau, langentokozo, langokubonga, langokuhlabela, ngensimbi ezincencethayo, izigubhu zezintambo, langamachachov.

28 Amadodana abahlabeleli asebuthana, njalo evela emagcekeni azingelezele iJerusalemaw, lemizini yamaNetofax,

29 leBeti-Giligaliy, lelizweni leGebaz leAzimavethia, ngoba abahlabeleli babezakhele imizi ezingelezele iJerusalema.

30 Labapristi lamaLevi bazihlambulula, bahlambulula labantu lamasango lomdulib.

31 Ngasengisenza iziphathamandla zakoJuda zenyukele emdulini, ngamisa amaxuku amakhulu amabili okubonga lezindwendwe, elinye kwesokunenec phezu komduli kusiya esangweni lomqubad.

32 Lemva kwawo kwahamba oHoshaya, lengxenye yeziphathamandla zakoJuda,

33 loAzariyae, uEzraf, loMeshulamug,

34 uJuda, loBhenjamini, loShemayah, loJeremiyai.

35 Lakumadodana abapristi elezimpondoj: OZekhariya indodana kaJonathani indodana kaShemaya indodana kaMathaniya indodana kaMikhayak indodana kaZakuril indodana kaAsafi,

36 labafowabo, oShemaya, loAzareli, uMilalayi, uGilalayi, uMahayi, uNethaneli, loJuda, uHanani, belezinto zokuhlabelela zikaDavidam umuntu kaNkulunkulun, loEzra umbhali ephambi kwabo.

37 Langasesangweni lomthomboo, njalo maqondana labo, benyuka ngezinyathelo zomuzi kaDavida, emqansweni womduli, ngaphezu kwendlu kaDavidap, kusiya esangweni lamanzi ngempumalangaq.

38 Lexuku lesibili lokubonga lahamba maqondana lalo, lami ngililandela, lengxenye yabantu phezu komdulir, kusukela ngaphezu komphotshongo wesithandos kusiya emdulini obanzit,

39 njalo kusukela ngaphezu kwesango lakoEfrayimiu, langaphezu kwesango elidalav, langaphezu kwesango lenhlanziw, lomphotshongo kaHananelix, lomphotshongo kaHamehay, kusiya esangweni lezimvuz; bema-ke esangweni labalindia.

40 Womabili amaxuku okubonga asesima endlini kaNkulunkulu, lami, lengxenye yababusi ilami.

41 Labapristi: OEliyakhimi, uMahaseya, uMiniyamini, uMikhayab, uEliyowenayic, uZekhariyad, uHananiyae, belezimpondo,

42 loMahaseyaf, loShemayag, loEleyazare, loUzih, loJehohananii, loMalikiyaj, loElamu, loEzerik. Abahlabeleli basebezizwakalisa, loJezerahiya umboni.

43 Basebehlaba mhlalokho imihlatshelo emikhulu, bathokoza, ngoba uNkulunkulu wabenza bathokoza ngentokozo enkulu; labesifazana labantwana labo bathokoza; kwaze kwathi intokozo yeJerusalema yezwakala khatshanal.

Izabelo zabapristi lezamaLevi

44 Ngalolosuku kwamiswa-kem amadoda phezu kwamakamelo okuligugu, aweminikelo, awezithelo zokuqala, lawokwetshumi, ukuqoqela kuwo okuvela emasimini emizi izabelo zomlayo zabapristi lezamaLevi. Ngoba uJuda wathokoza ngabapristi lamaLevi ayemilen.

45 Abahlabeleli labalindimasango basebegcina imfanelo kaNkulunkulu wabo, lemfanelo yokuhlambulula, njengomlayo kaDavida loSolomoni indodana yakheo.

46 Ngoba ensukwini zamandulo zikaDavida loAsafip kwakulezinhloko zabahlabeleli lezingoma zokudumisa lokubonga kuNkulunkulu.

47 LoIsrayeli wonke ensukwini zikaZerubhabheliq lensukwini zikaNehemiya banika izabelo zabahlabeleli labalindimasango, udaba losuku ngosuku lwalor; basebekungcwelisela amaLevis, lamaLevi akungcwelisela abantwana bakoAronit.

Eminye imisebenzi kaNehemiya

13Ngalolosuku babala egwalweni lukaMozisi endlebeni zabantua; kwasekutholwa kubhaliwe kulo ukuthi umAmoni lomMowabi kabasoze bangene ebandleni likaNkulunkulu phakadeb;

2 ngoba bengahlangabezanga abantwana bakoIsrayeli ngesinkwa langamanzi, kodwa baqatsha bemelene labo uBalami, ukubaqalekisac; kodwa uNkulunkulu wethu waphendula isiqalekiso saba yisibusisod.

3 Kwasekusithi sebewuzwile umlayo behlukanisa koIsrayelie yonke ingxube yezizwef.

4 Ngaphambi kwalokho-ke uEliyashibi umpristi owayemiswe phezu kwekamelo likaNkulunkulu wethug, wayeyisihlobo sikaTobiyah.

5 Wayemlungisele ikamelo elikhulu lapho ababekade befaka khona umnikelo wokudla, impepha, lezitsha, lokwetshumi kwamabele, iwayini elitsha, lamafutha, okwakulayelwe amaLevi labahlabeleli labalindimasango, lomnikelo wabapristii.

6 Kodwa kukho konke lokhu ngangingekho eJerusalema, ngoba ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lambili kaAthakisekisij inkosi yeBhabhiloni ngeza enkosinik; lekupheleni kwezinsuku ngacela imvumo enkosini,

7 ngeza eJerusalema, ngaqedisisa ngokubi uEliyashibil ayekwenzele uTobiyam ngokumlungiselan ikamelo emagumeni endlu kaNkulunkuluo.

8 Kwasekusiba kubi kakhulu kimi; ngakho ngaphosela phandle zonke impahla zendlu kaTobiya phandle kwekamelo.

9 Ngasengilaya, bahlambulula amakamelop; ngabuyisela khona izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu lomnikelo wokudla lempephaq.

10 Ngasengisazi ukuthi izabelo zamaLevi zazinganikwangar, lokuthi amaLevi labahlabeleli ababesenza umsebenzi babalekela ngulowo ensimini yakhes.

11 Ngasengiphikisana lababusit ngathi: Kungani indlu kaNkulunkulu itshiyiweu? Ngababuthanisa, ngabamisa endaweni yabo.

12 Khona wonke uJuda waletha okwetshumi kwamabele lewayini elitsha lamafutha eziphaleniv.

13 Ngasengibeka abagciniziphala phezu kweziphalaw, oShelemiya umpristix, loZadoki umbhaliy, loPhedaya kumaLeviz, leceleni kwabo uHanania indodana kaZakurib indodana kaMathaniya, ngoba kwathiwa bathembekilec; njalo kwakuphezu kwabo ukwabela abafowabo.

14 Ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, mayelana lalokho, ungayicitshi imisebenzi yami yomusa engiyenzele indlu kaNkulunkulu wami lezinkonzo zayod.

15 Ngalezonsuku ngabona koJuda abanyathela izikhamelo zewayini ngesabathae, labangenisa izithungo, abathwalisa obabhemi, lewayini futhi, izithelo zesivini, lemikhiwa, lawo wonke umthwalo, abakungenisa eJerusalema ngosuku lwesabathaf. Ngafakaza mhla bethengisa ukudlag.

16 LabeTire bahlala kuyoh, beletha inhlanzi lempahla yonke ethengiswayo, bakuthengisa ngesabatha kubantwana bakoJuda laseJerusalema.

17 Khona ngaphikisana lezikhulu zakoJudai, ngathi kuzo: Iyini le into embi eliyenzayo lingcolisa usuku lwesabatha?

18 Kabenzanga njalo yini oyihlo, loNkulunkulu wethu wehlisela phezu kwethu bonke lobububi laphezu kwalumuzi? Kanti lina landisa ulaka phezu kukaIsrayeli ngokungcolisa isabathaj.

19 Kwasekusithi lapho amasango eJerusalema eseqala ukuba mnyama mandulo kwesabatha, ngalaya ukuthi iminyango kayivalwe, njalo ngalaya ukuthi bangayivuli kuze kube ngemva kwesabatha. Ngabeka ezinye zenceku zami emasangweni ukuze kungangeni mthwalo ngosuku lwesabathak.

20 Ngakho abathengi labathengisi bempahla yonke balala ngaphandle kweJerusalema kanye loba kabili.

21 Khona ngafakaza ngimelene labo ngathi kibo: Lilalelani maqondana lomduli? Uba likwenza futhi, ngizalidumela ngesandla. Kusukela kulesosikhathi kababuyanga ngesabatha.

22 Ngasengitshela amaLevi ukuthi azihlambululel, eze alinde amasango, ukungcwelisa usuku lwesabatha. Langalokho ungikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ungihawukele ngokobunengi bomusa wakhom.

23 Futhi, ngalezonsuku ngabona amaJuda ayethethe abafazin, abangamaAshidodikazio, amaAmonip, amaMowabiq.

24 Labantwana babo, ingxenye babekhuluma isiAshidodi njalo bengelakukhuluma isiJuda, kodwa ngokolimi lwezizwe ngezizwer.

25 Ngasengiphikisana lawo, ngawaqalekisa, ngatshaya amanye awo, ngawangcothula inweles; ngawafungisa ngoNkulunkulut: Kaliyikunika amadodakazi enu kumadodana abo, njalo kaliyikuthathela amadodana enu emadodakazini abo, kumbe lina ngokwenu.

26 USolomoni inkosi yakoIsrayeli konanga yini ngalezozintou? Kube kanti phakathi kwezizwe ezinengi kwakungelankosi enjengayev, owayethandeka kuNkulunkulu wakhe, loNkulunkulu wamenza inkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli wonke; laye abafazi bezizweni bamenza ukuthi onew.

27 Pho, sizalilalela yini ukwenza bonke lobobubi obukhulu, ngokona kuNkulunkulu wethu ngokuthatha abafazi bezizwenix?

28 Lenye yamadodana kaJehoyaday indodana kaEliyashibi umpristi omkhuluz, yayingumkhwenyana kaSanibhalathi umHoronia; ngakho ngayixotsha yasuka kimi.

29 Bakhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ngoba bangcolisile ubupristib lesivumelwano sobupristi lesamaLevic.

30 Ngokunjalo ngabahlambulula kubo bonke abezizweni, ngamisa imfanelo kubapristi lakumaLevi, ngulowo lalowo emsebenzini wakhed,

31 leyomnikelo wenkunie ngezikhathi ezimisiweyof, leyezithelo zokuqala. Ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ngokuhleg.