EZRA

1 Ngomnyaka wokuthoma wokubusa kwakaKoretjhi+ ikosi yePheresiya, bona kuzaliseke okwakhulunywa nguJehova ngoJoromiya,+ uJehova wahlohlozela uKoretjhi ikosi yePheresiya bona amemezele kiwo woke umbuswakhe begodu atlole phasi+ athi:

2 “Nakhu okutjhiwo nguKoretjhi ikosi yePheresiya, ‘UJehova uZimu wezulwini unginikele yoke imibuso yephasi+ begodu ungilayele bona ngimakhele indlu eJerusalema,+ kwaJuda. 3 Nanyana ngubani omlotjhako hlangana nani, kwanga uZimakhe angaba naye, akakhuphukele eJerusalema kwaJuda, ayokwakha kabutjha indlu kaJehova uZimu ka-Israyeli ebeyiseJerusalema. UnguZimu weqiniso. 4 Kuzakuthi nanyana ngubani obuyelako+ asizwe bomakhelwana bakhe. Bazomnikela isiliva negolide, ipahla nefuyo, nomnikelo osuka ehliziyweni wendlu kaZimu weqiniso+ ebeyiseJerusalema.’”

5 Nje-ke iinhloko zeenkoro zakwaJuda nezakwaBhenjamini, abaphristi namaLevi, boke abantu abahlohlozelwe nguZimu weqiniso, bazilungiselela ukuya khona bayokwakha kabutjha indlu kaJehova ebeyiseJerusalema. 6 Boke abakhelene nabo babasekela ngokubanikela izitja zesiliva nezegolide, ipahla, ifuyo, izinto eziligugu neminikelo esuka ehliziyweni.

7 IKosi uKoretjhi yababuyisela nezitja zendlu kaJehova ezathathwa nguNebukadinetsari eJerusalema wazibeka ngendlini kazimakhe.+ 8 UKoretjhi iKosi yePheresiya wayala uMiteredathi umphathimali bona azikhuphe begodu yena wenzela uTjhetjhibhatsari*+ ikosana yakwaJuda irhelo lazo.

9 Nanti irhelo lazo: bekuzizitja zegolide ezinjengomantji ezima-30, izitja zesiliva ezinjengomantji eziyi-1 000, ezinye izitja ezima-29, 10 izitja zegolide ezincani ezima-30, izitja zesiliva ezincani ezima-410, nezinye izitja eziyi-1 000. 11 Zoke izitja zegolide nezesiliva bezizii-5 400. UTjhetjhibhatsari wabuyela nazo zoke eJerusalema lokha ebebadingisiwe+ nabatjhatjhululwa eBhabhiloni.

2 Laba babantu besifunda* abakhuphuka babuya ekudingisweni,+ labo iKosi uNebukadinetsari weBhabhiloni abadingisela eBhabhiloni,+ ngokukhamba kwesikhathi babuyela eJerusalema nakwaJuda, ngamunye edorobheni lekhabo,+ 2 labo abeza noZerubhabheli,+ uJetjhuwa,+ uNerhemiya, uSeraya, uReyelaya, uMoridekayi, uBhilitjhani, uMisiphari, uBhigivayi, uRerhumu, noBhana.

Inani lamadoda wakwa-Israyeli lihlanganisa:+ 3 amadodana kaParotjhi azii-2 172; 4 amadodana kaTjhefathiya ama-372; 5 amadodana ka-Ararhi+ ama-775; 6 amadodana kaPharhathi-Mowabi,+ amadodana kaJetjhuwa namadodana kaJowabi azii-2 812; 7 amadodana ka-Elamu+ ayi-1 254; 8 amadodana kaZatu+ ama-945; 9 amadodana kaZakayi ama-760; 10 amadodana kaBhani ama-642; 11 amadodana kaBebayi ama-623; 12 amadodana ka-Azigadi ayi-1 222; 13 amadodana ka-Adonikhamu ama-666; 14 amadodana kaBhigivayi azii-2 056; 15 amadodana ka-Adini ama-454; 16 amadodana ka-Atheri, kaHezekiya ama-98; 17 amadodana kaBhetsayi ama-323; 18 amadodana kaJora ali-112; 19 amadodana kaRhatjhumu+ ama-223; 20 amadodana kaGibhari ama-95; 21 amadodana kaBhetlehema ali-123; 22 amadoda weNethofa ama-56; 23 amadoda we-Anatothi+ ali-128; 24 amadodana ka-Azimavethi ama-42; 25 amadodana weKhiriyathi-Jeyarimu, weKefira neweBherothi ama-743; 26 amadodana weRama+ neweGeba+ ama-621; 27 amadoda weMikimasi ali-122; 28 amadoda weBhetheli newe-Ayi+ ama-223; 29 amadodana weNebo+ ama-52; 30 amadodana weMagibhitjhi ali-156; 31 amadodana wenye indoda ebizwa ngokuthi ngu-Elamu ayi-1 254; 32 amadodana weRharimu ama-320; 33 amadodana weLodi, weRhadidi newe-Ono ama-725; 34 amadodana weJerikho ama-345; 35 amadodana weSenaya azii-3 630.

36 Abaphristi:+ amadodana kaJedaya+ wendlu kaJetjhuwa+ ama-973; 37 amadodana ka-Imeri+ ayi-1 052; 38 amadodana kaPhatjhirhuri+ ayi-1 247; 39 amadodana kaRharimu+ ayi-1 017.

40 AmaLevi:+ amadodana kaJetjhuwa noKhadimiyeli+ wamadodana kaHodaviya ama-74. 41 Abavumi:+ amadodana ka-Asafa+ ali-128. 42 Amadodana wabalindisango:+ amadodana kaTjhalumu, amadodana ka-Atheri, amadodana kaThalimoni,+ amadodana ka-Akhubu,+ amadodana kaRhathitha, amadodana kaTjhobayi, nasele awoke ali-139.

43 Iinsebenzi zethempeli:+ amadodana kaTsirha, amadodana kaRhasufa, amadodana kaThabhawothi, 44 amadodana kaKherosi, amadodana kaSiya, amadodana kaPadoni, 45 amadodana kaLebana, amadodana kaRhagaba, amadodana ka-Akhubu, 46 amadodana kaRhagabi, amadodana kaTjhalimayi, amadodana kaRhanani, 47 amadodana kaGideli, amadodana kaGarhari, amadodana kaReyaya, 48 amadodana kaRetsini, amadodana kaNekhoda, amadodana kaGazamu, 49 amadodana ka-Uza, amadodana kaPaseyarha, amadodana kaBesayi, 50 amadodana ka-Asina, amadodana kaMewunimu, amadodana kaNefutjhesimu, 51 amadodana kaBakhibhukhi, amadodana kaRhakhufa, amadodana kaRharirhuri, 52 amadodana kaBhatsiluthi, amadodana kaMerhida, amadodana kaRharitjha, 53 amadodana kaBarikhosi, amadodana kaSisera, amadodana kaTemarhi, 54 amadodana kaNetsiyarha, amadodana kaRhathifa.

55 Amadodana weensebenzi zakaSolomoni: amadodana kaSothayi, amadodana kaSoferethi, amadodana kaPeruda,+ 56 amadodana kaJala, amadodana kaDarikhoni, amadodana kaGideli, 57 amadodana kaTjhefathiya, amadodana kaRhathili, amadodana kaPhokerethi-Hatsebayimu, amadodana ka-Ami.

58 Sezizoke iinsebenzi zethempeli namadodana weensebenzi zakaSolomoni bezima-392.

59 Laba bakhuphuka bavela eTeli-Melarhi, eTeli-Rharitjha, eKerubu, e-Adoni ne-Imeri kodwana babhalelwa kuqinisekisa bona bangebayiphi ikoro nemvelaphi yabo, ukuthi bama-Israyeli namkha awa:+ 60 amadodana kaDelaya, amadodana kaThobiya, amadodana kaNekhoda ama-652. 61 Amadodana wabaphristi: amadodana kaRhobaya, amadodana kaHakhotsi,+ amadodana kaBharzilayi, owathatha umfazi emadodakazini kaBharzilayi+ weGiliyadi bewabizwa ngegama lakamukhwe wakhe. 62 Laba bathe nabaqala amagama wemindenabo encwadini yerhelo leenzukulwana, akhenge bawafumane, nje-ke bakhutjhwa ebuphristini.+ 63 Umbusi wabatjela bona akukafaneli badle ukudla okucwengeke khulu+ bekube kulapho kuba nomphristi owenza iinqunto nge-Urimi neThumimi.+

64 Inani lalo loke ibandleli belizii-42 360,+ 65 ngaphandle kweengqila neengqilakazi ebezizii-7 337; godu bebanabavumi abaduna nabasikazi abama-200. 66 Iinjomani zabo bezima-736, iimeyila zabo bezima-245, 67 amakamelabo bewama-435, abodumbana babo bazii-6 720.

68 Nabafika eJerusalema endlini kaJehova, ezinye iinkoro zaboyise zenza iminikelo esuka ehliziyweni+ bona kwakhiwe kabutjha indlu kaZimu weqiniso endawenayo.+ 69 Ngokwamandlazo zanikela esikhwameni somsebenzi amadrakma* wegolide azii-61 000, abomina* besiliva+ abazii-5 000 nezambatho zabaphristi ezili-100. 70 Abaphristi, amaLevi, abanye abantu, abavumi, abalindisango, iinsebenzi zethempeli bahlala emadorobhenabo, nawo woke ama-Israyeli ahlala emadorobhenawo.+

3 Ngenyanga yekhomba+ ama-Israyeli asemadorobhenawo, abuthana eJerusalema ngomnqopho munye. 2 Kwasikima uJetjhuwa+ indodana kaJehozadaki nabaphristi akunye nabo noZerubhabheli+ indodana kaTjheyalitiyeli+ nabafowabo bakha i-aldara lakaZimu ka-Israyeli bonyana bakghone ukwenza imihlatjelo etjhiswako, njengombana kutlolwe emThethweni kaMosi+ umuntu kaZimu weqiniso.

3 Nje-ke bajamisa i-aldara endawenalo yekadeni, ngitjho nanyana bebasaba abantu beendawo ezibabhodileko,+ bathoma ukwenzela uJehova imihlatjelo etjhiswako kilo, imihlatjelo etjhiswako+ yekuseni neyantambama. 4 Ngemva kwalokho, baba nomNyanya wemiTlhatlhana ngokuvumelana nalokho okutloliweko,+ qobe langa bebanikela isibalo esibekiweko semihlatjelo etjhiswako ebekutlhogeka yenziwe ngamalanga.+ 5 Ngemva kwalokho, benza umnikelo otjhiswako ojayelekileko+ neminikelo yokuthwasa kwenyanga+ neyazo zoke iinkhathi zeminyanya ecwengileko+ kaJehova, kuhlanganise neyabo boke ebebanikela kuJehova ngokusuka ehliziyweni.+ 6 Kusukela ngelanga lokuthoma lenyanga yekhomba,+ bathoma ukunikela imihlatjelo etjhiswako kuJehova, nanyana isisekelo sethempeli lakaJehova besingakabekwa.

7 Banikela abasiki bamatje+ neensebenzi zobukghwari+ imali, banikela amaTsidoni namaTirosi ukudla, iinselo namafutha ngombana bewalethe imisedari yeLibhanoni ethekwini leJopha,+ ngokuya ngemvume abayinikelwe yiKosi yePheresiya uKoretjhi.+

8 Ngomnyaka wesibili ngemva kokuthi beze endlini kaZimu weqiniso eJerusalema, ngenyanga yesibili, uZerubhabheli indodana kaTjheyalitiyeli, uJetjhuwa indodana kaJehozadaki nabo boke abafowabo, abaphristi namaLevi, nabo boke abeza eJerusalema baphuma ekuthunjweni+ bathoma umsebenzi; babeka amaLevi aneminyaka ema-20 ukuya phezulu bona abe baphathi bomsebenzi wendlu kaJehova. 9 Yeke uJetjhuwa, amadodanakhe nabafowabo; uKhadimiyeli namadodanakhe, namadodana kaJuda, babambisana ekuphatheni labo abasebenza endlini kaZimu weqiniso, bakunye namadodana kaRhenadadi,+ amadodanawo nabafowabo, amaLevi.

10 Abakhi nababeka isisekelo sethempeli lakaJehova,+ abaphristi abavunule ngezambatho zobuphristi baphethe iimbhorompita,+ amaLevi namadodana ka-Asafa aphethe amasimbali, basikima boke badumisa uJehova njengombana kutjho umyalo owanikelwa yiKosi yakwa-Israyeli uDavida.+ 11 Bathoma ukuvuma ngokudlhegana+ badumisa bebathokoza uJehova, “ngombana muhle; ithando lakhe* ngo-Israyeli lihlala ngokungapheliko.”+ Nje-ke boke abantu barhuwelela ngamaphimbabo woke badumisa uJehova ngombana kubekwe isisekelo sendlu kaJehova. 12 Abaphristi abanengi, amaLevi, neenhloko zeenkoro zaboyise, amadoda amadala ebekabone indlu yaphambilini,+ arhahlawula isililo nakabona kubekwa isisekelo sendlu le, kukulapho abanye barhuwelela ngawo woke amaphimbabo ngebanga lethabo.+ 13 Yeke abantu bebangakghoni ukuhlukanisa itjhada lalabo abarhuwelela ngebanga lethabo netjhada lalabo abalilako, ngombana abantu bebarhuwelela khulu kangangobana itjhada labo lazwakala neendaweni ezikude khulu.

4 Amanaba kaJuda noBhenjamini+ nakezwa bona ebebasekudingisweni babuyile+ bakha ithempeli lakaJehova uZimu ka-Israyeli, 2 msinyana aya kuZerubhabheli neenhlokweni zeenkoro athi kibo: “Sibawa ukwakha nani; ngombana nathi silotjha uZimenu,+ besisolo simenzela umhlatjelo kusukela emihleni ka-Esari-rhadoni+ iKosi ye-Asiriya, okunguye osilethe la.”+ 3 Nje-ke uZerubhabheli noJetjhuwa nazo zoke iinhloko zeenkoro zakwa-Israyeli bathi kiwo: “Aninalungelo lokwakha nathi indlu kaZimethu,+ ngithi kwaphela esizokwakhela uJehova uZimu ka-Israyeli indlu, njengombana uKoretjhi iKosi yePheresiya asilayele.”+

4 Yeke abantu beenarha ezibabhodileko baragela phambili banyefula abantu bakwaJuda bona babaqede amandla, babathusela nokobana bangasakha.+ 5 Baqatjha abaluleki bona bararanise abakuhlelileko+ hlangana naso soke isikhathi sokubusa kwakaKoretjhi iKosi yePheresiya bekwaba sesikhathini sokubusa kwakaDariyasi+ iKosi yePheresiya. 6 Ekuthomeni kokubusa kwaka-Arhatjhiverotjhi, batlola incwadi bamangalela abantu bakwaJuda nebeJerusalema. 7 Emihleni ka-Aritarhitjhasta iKosi yePheresiya, uBhitjhilamu, uMiteredathi, uThabeyeli nabo boke abasebenzisana nabo batlolela ikosi u-Aritarhitjhasta incwadi; bayitjhugululela elimini lesi-Aramu,+ bebayitlola ngamaledere wesi-Aramu.*

8 * URerhumu isikhulu esiphezulu sembusweni nomtloli uTjhimtjhayi batlolela iKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta incwadi emangalela iJerusalema, bathi: 9 (Beyivela kuRerhumu isikhulu esiphezulu sembusweni nemtlolini uTjhimtjhayi nabo boke abasebenzisana nabo, abahluleli namasekela wababusi, abonobhala, abantu be-Ereke,+ beBhabhiloni, izakhamuzi zeSusa,+ okuma-Elamu,+ 10 nazo zoke iintjhaba u-Osinaphari omkhulu nohlonitjhwako azisa ekudingisweni wazihlalisa emadorobheni weSamariya,+ nabanye abantu besifundeni esingaPhetjheya koMlambo,* 11 nasi ikhophi yencwadi abayithumela yona.)

“EKosini u-Aritarhitjhasta ivela eensebenzini zakho, abantu besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo: 12 Sibikela ikosi bona amaJuda akhuphukele lapha asuka kuwe afikile eJerusalema. Akha kabutjha idorobho elikhohlakeleko nelivukela umbuso, aqedelela amaboda+ begodu alungisa neensekelo. 13 Sithi asibikele ikosi ukuthi nakungenzeka idorobheli lakhiwe kabutjha namabodalo aqedwe, angekhe abhadele umthelo+ namkha imali yendlela, umphumela kuzokuba kulahleka kwamabulungelo wamagugu wamakhosi. 14 Njengombana umrholwethu uvela esigodlweni akusikuhle ukubona umnotho wekosi udlelezelwa, nje-ke sithumela incwadi le bona sazise ikosi ngendaba le, 15 ukwenzela bona kuphenyisiswe encwadini yomlando wabokhokho bakho.+ Encwadini yomlando leyo uzokufunda bona idorobheli lidorobho elivukela umbuso, elilimaza amakhosi neemfunda, begodu kilo bekunabantu ebebaphehla ukuvukela umbuso kusukela ekadeni. Kungebangelo-ke idorobheli latjhatjalaliswa.+ 16 Nje-ke sibikela ikosi bona nakungenzeka idorobheli lakhiwe kabutjha namabodalo aqedwe, angekhe usakghona ukulawula isifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo.”+

17 Ikosi yathumela ipendulo kuRerhumu isikhulu esiphezulu sembusweni nemtlolini uTjhimtjhayi nakibo boke abasebenzisana nabo ebebahlala eSamariya nabanye abantu abasesifundeni esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, yathi:

“Lotjhani! 18 Incwadi enisithumele yona ifundwe* ngokuzwakalako phambi kwami. 19 Ngakhupha umyalo wokobana kuphenyisiswe, yeke kwafumaneka bona kusukela ekadeni idorobheli beliphikisana namakhosi bekwaba nokuvukela nemiguruguru lapho.+ 20 Bekunamakhosi anamandla eJerusalema ebewabusa soke isifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, begodu umthelo womuntu ngamunye, umthelo wepahla nomthelo wendlela bewubhadelwa kiwo. 21 Nje-ke khuphani umyalo wokuthi abantwabo balise umsebenzi loyo, abakavunyelwa ukwakha kabutjha idorobhelo bekube kulapho ngikhupha omunye umyalo. 22 Qinisekani bona aniriyadi malungana nalokhu, ukwenzela bona izinto zekosi zingadlelezelwa ukuya phambili.”+

23 Ngemva kokobana incwadi yeKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta ifundelwe uRerhumu nomtloli uTjhimtjhayi nabasebenzisana nabo, msinyana batjhinga emaJudeni eJerusalema. Bawajamisa ngekani bona angasarageli phambili nomsebenzi wokwakha. 24 Wajanyiswa njalo umsebenzi wendlu kaZimu ebeyiseJerusalema; begodu wajama njalo bekwaba semnyakeni wesibili wokubusa kwakaDariyasi iKosi yePheresiya.+

5 Nje-ke umphorofidi uHagayi+ nomphorofidi uZakariya+ isizukulwana saka-Ido+ baphorofida emaJudeni ebewakwaJuda neJerusalema, ngegama lakaZimu ka-Israyeli obekanabo. 2 UZerubhabheli+ indodana kaTjheyalitiyeli noJetjhuwa+ indodana kaJehozadaki bathoma ngesikhatheso ukwakha kabutjha indlu kaZimu+ ebeyiseJerusalema; abaphorofidi bakaZimu bebanabo begodu babasekela.+ 3 Nje-ke uTatenayi umbusi wesifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo* noTjhetari-Bhozenayi nabasebenzisana nabo baya kibo bababuza bathi: “Ngubani oninikele imvumo yokwakha indlu le nokuqedelela umakhiwo lo?” 4 Bababuza: “Bobani amagama wamadoda asebenza esakhiwenesi?” 5 Kodwana uZimu bekabatlhogomela abadala bamaJuda+ begodu akhenge babalisise ukusebenza bekwaba kulapho sekuthunyelwa umbiko kuDariyasi bekwabuya nencwadi engokomthetho enependulo malungana nendaba le.

6 Nasi ikhophi yencwadi uTatenayi umbusi wesifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo noTjhetari-Bhozenayi nabasebenzisana nabo, abasekeli bababusi besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, abayithumela eKosini uDariyasi; 7 bayithumela umbiko otlolwe nganasi indlela:

“EKosini uDariyasi:

“Kwanga ukuthula kungaba nawe! 8 Sithi sibikele ikosi ukuthi besiye esifundeni sakwaJuda endlini kaZimu omkhulu, sikhuluma nje indlu leyo yakhiwa ngamatje amakhulu neengodo ziyabekwa emabodeni. Abantu benza umsebenzi loyo ngokukhuthala okukhulu begodu uragela phambili. 9 Nje-ke sabuza abadala babo, sathi: ‘Ngubani oninikele imvumo yokwakha indlu le nokuqedelela umakhiwo lo?’+ 10 Sababuza namagamabo ukuthi sikwazise, ukwenzela bona sitlole amagama wamadoda adosa phambili.

11 “Nasi ipendulo abasinikela yona: ‘Siziinceku zakaZimu wezulu nephasi begodu sakha kabutjha indlu eyakhiwa eminyakeni eminengi eyadlulako, eyakhiwa yikosi ekulu yakwa-Israyeli.+ 12 Kodwana ngebanga lokuthi abokhokho bethu basilinga uZimu wezulwini,+ wabanikela esandleni seKosi yeBhabhiloni uNebukadinetsari,+ umKhaledi,* owagiriza indlu le+ bewathumba nabantu wabasa ekudingisweni eBhabhiloni.+ 13 Nokho, emnyakeni wokuthoma wokubusa kwakaKoretjhi iKosi yeBhabhiloni, iKosi uKoretjhi yakhupha umyalo wokobana kwakhiwe kabutjha indlu kaZimu le.+ 14 IKosi uKoretjhi yakhupha ethempelini leBhabhiloni izitja zegolide nezesiliva zendlu kaZimu, lezo uNebukadinetsari azithatha ngethempelini leJerusalema wazisa ethempelini leBhabhiloni.+ Zanikelwa indoda ekuthiwa nguTjhetjhibhatsari,*+ loyo uKoretjhi amenza umbusi.+ 15 UKoretjhi wathi kuye: “Thatha izitjezi. Khamba nazo, uzise ethempelini eliseJerusalema begodu indlu kaZimu ayakhiwe kabutjha endawenayo yangaphambilini.”+ 16 Nje-ke wafika uTjhetjhibhatsari loyo, wabeka iinsekelo zendlu kaZimu+ eseJerusalema; solo iyakhiwa bekube nje.’+

17 “Nje-ke nangabe kubonakala kukuhle ekosini, akwenziwe iphenyo ebulungelweni lamagugu webukhosini lapho eBhabhiloni, ukuhlolisisa bona iKosi uKoretjhi yawukhupha na umyalo wokobana kuyokwakhiwa kabutjha indlu kaZimu eJerusalema+ begodu sibawa bona ikosi isazise ngesiqunto sayo.”

6 Nje-ke iKosi uDariyasi yakhupha umyalo, baphenyisisa ebulungelweni lemilando lapho kubekwa khona amagugu weBhabhiloni. 2 Kwafunyanwa umsongo endaweni evikelekileko e-Ekibatana, esifundeni seMediya, kutlolwe umlayezo othi:

3 “Ngomnyaka wokuthoma weKosi uKoretjhi, iKosi uKoretjhi yakhupha umyalo ophathelene nendlu kaZimu eJerusalema,+ othi: ‘Indlu leyo ayakhiwe kabutjha ibe yindawo abazokwenzela kiyo imihlatjelo, kubekwe neensekelo zayo; ubude bayo bube makhubhithi ama-60,* ububanzi bayo bube makhubhithi ama-60,+ 4 ibe namahla amathathu wamatje amakhulu nelihla linye leengodo;+ iindleko kufuze zibhadelwe sigodlo.+ 5 Godu akubuyiselwe izitja zegolide nezesiliva zendlu kaZimu ezathathwa nguNebukadinetsari ethempelini leJerusalema wazisa eBhabhiloni,+ bona zibekwe endawenazo ethempelini, indlu kaZimu+ eseJerusalema.’

6 “Nje-ke Tatenayi, mbusi wesifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo,* Tjhetari-Bhozenayi, nabasebenzisani benu, amasekela wababusi besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo,+ dlalelani kude nendawo leyo. 7 Ningacabheli emsebenzini wendlu kaZimu. Umbusi wamaJuda nabadala bamaJuda bazoyakha kabutjha indlu kaZimu leyo endawenayo yaphambilini. 8 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngikhupha umyalo wezinto okufuze nizenzele abadala bamaJuda bona kwakhiwe indlu kaZimu: Amadoda lawo kufuze anikelwe imali yeendleko evela ebulungelweni lomnotho webukhosini+ ofunyanwe emthelweni obuthelelwe esifundeni esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, ukwenzela bona umsebenzawo ungathikaziseki.+ 9 Godu kufuze banikelwe nanyana yini abayitlhogako: iinkunzana,+ amaramu+ neemvana+ bona benze iminikelo yokutjhiswa kuZimu wezulwini; ikoroyi,+ itswayi,+ iwayini+ namafutha+ ngokuvumelana nalokho okutjhiwo baphristi abaseJerusalema. Abanikelwe khona ilanga nelanga, kungabi nelanga elitshwilako, 10 bona bakghone ukuhlala benza iminikelo ethabisa uZimu wezulwini, bathandazele nokuphila kwekosi namadodanayo.+ 11 Ngikhuphe nomyalo wokuthi nanyana ngubani ozokweqa umyalo lo, kutsonyulwe isigodo endlinakhe abotjhelwe kiso,* indlwakhe izokwenziwa indlu yokuzithumela* yomphakathi ngebanga lomlandu awenzileko. 12 Kwanga uZimu obangele bona igama lakhe lihlale lapho,+ angaketula nanyana ngiyiphi ikosi namkha isitjhaba esiphakamisa isandla bona seqe umyalo lo, sitjhabalalise indlu kaZimu leyo, eseJerusalema. Mina Dariyasi, ngikhupha umyalo lo. Awulandelwe ngokurhabako.”

13 Nje-ke uTatenayi umbusi wesifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, uTjhetari-Bhozenayi+ nabasebenzisani babo, bakwenza msinyana koke okwatjhiwo yiKosi uDariyasi. 14 Abadala bamaJuda baraga nokwakha begodu umsebenzi wahlabela phambili,+ batjhotjhozelwa kuphorofida komphorofidi uHagayi+ noZakariya+ umzukulwana ka-Ido; baqeda ukuyakha ngokomyalo kaZimu ka-Israyeli+ nomyalo kaKoretjhi+ noDariyasi+ neKosi yePheresiya u-Aritarhitjhasta.+ 15 Baqeda indlu le ngelanga lesithathu lenyanga ka-Adari,* ngomnyaka wesithandathu wokubusa kweKosi uDariyasi.

16 Yeke ama-Israyeli, abaphristi, amaLevi+ nabo boke ababuya ekudingisweni, bagidinga ukuvulwa* kwendlu kaZimu ngethabo. 17 Nakuvulwa indlu kaZimu le, banikela ngeenkunzi ezili-100, amaramu ama-200, iimvana ezima-400, nomnikelo wesono ka-Israyeli woke weempongo ezili-12, ezikhambisana nazo zoke iintjhaba zakwa-Israyeli.+ 18 Babeka abaphristi ngeenqhema zabo namaLevi ngokweengaba zawo bona enze umsebenzi kaZimu eJerusalema,+ ngokuvumelana nalokho okutlolwe encwadini kaMosi.+

19 Godu ababuya ekudingisweni bagidinga iPhasika ngelanga le-14 lenyanga yokuthoma.+ 20 Soke isiqhema sabaphristi namaLevi besizihlwengisile,+ akakho namunye wabo obekangakahlwengi; bahlaba umhlatjelo wePhasika bawuhlabela boke ababuya ekudingisweni, abaphristi abakunye nabo, bazihlabela nabo ngokwabo. 21 Nje-ke ama-Israyeli abuye ekudingisweni adla iPhasika, nawo woke umuntu owazihlanganisa nawo bewazihlukanisa nakho koke ukusilaphala kweentjhaba zendawo leyo bona alotjhe uJehova uZimu ka-Israyeli.+ 22 Godu bagidinga ngethabo umNyanya woBurotho obunganaSibiliso+ amalanga alikhomba, ngombana uJehova wabenza bathaba bewenza nehliziyo yekosi ye-Asiriya yabathanda,+ yabasekela emsebenzini wendlu kaZimu weqiniso, uZimu ka-Israyeli.

7 Ngemva kwalokho, ngesikhathi sokubusa kweKosi yePheresiya u-Aritarhitjhasta,+ u-Ezra*+ wabuya. Bekayindodana kaSeraya,+ indodana ka-Azariya, indodana kaRhilikhiya,+ 2 indodana kaTjhalumu, indodana kaTsadokhi, indodana ka-Arhithubi, 3 indodana ka-Amariya, indodana ka-Azariya,+ indodana kaMerayothi, 4 indodana kaZerarhiya, indodana ka-Uzi, indodana kaBhukhi, 5 indodana ka-Abitjhuwa, indodana kaFiniyasi,+ indodana ka-Elazara,+ indodana ka-Aroni+ umphristi omkhulu. 6 U-Ezra lo wakhuphuka avela eBhabhiloni. Bekamkopululi* osisazi* somThetho kaMosi,+ onikelwe nguJehova uZimu ka-Israyeli. Ikosi yamnikela koke akubawileko, ngombana isandla sakaJehova uZimakhe besinaye.

7 Amanye ama-Israyeli, abaphristi, amaLevi,+ abavumi,+ abalindisango+ neensebenzi zethempeli,+ bakhuphukela eJerusalema ngomnyaka wekhomba weKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta. 8 U-Ezra wafika eJerusalema ngenyanga yesihlanu, ngomnyaka wekhomba wekosi le. 9 Ngelanga lokuthoma lenyanga yokuthoma, wangena indlela asuka eBhabhiloni, wafika eJerusalema ngelanga lokuthoma lenyanga yesihlanu, ngombana isandla esihle sakaZimakhe besinaye.+ 10 U-Ezra bekalungise ihliziywakhe* bona afunde umThetho kaJehova, aphile ngawo+ bekafundise iinqophiso nezahlulelo zawo kwa-Israyeli.+

11 Nasi ikhophi yencwadi iKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta ayinikela u-Ezra umphristi nomkopululi,* osisazi sokukopululwa kwamezwi wemiyalo kaJehova neenqophiso eziya kuma-Israyeli:

12 * “Ivela ku-Aritarhitjhasta,+ ikosi yamakhosi, iya ku-Ezra umphristi, omkopululi* womThetho kaZimu wezulwini: Kwanga ungaba nokuthula. 13 Ngikhuphe umyalo wokobana nanyana ngubani embuswenami ebantwini bakwa-Israyeli, ebaphristini babo nakumaLevi, ofuna ukukhamba nawe eJerusalema akakhambe.+ 14 Ngombana uthunywe yikosi nabeluleki bayo abalikhomba bona uyokuphenyisisa ukuthi umThetho kaZimakho, onawe, uyasetjenziswa kwaJuda neJerusalema namkha awa, 15 nokuthatha isiliva negolide ikosi nabeluleki bayo abalinikele ngokusuka ehliziyweni kuZimu ka-Israyeli, ohlala eJerusalema, 16 nalo loke isiliva negolide olifumene kiso soke isifunda seBhabhiloni, nesipho esisuka ehliziyweni abantu nabaphristi abasinikelele indlu kaZimabo eseJerusalema.+ 17 Ngemali le, thenga ngokurhabako iinkunzi,+ amaramu,+ iimvana+ kunye neminikelo yeenthoro+ neminikelo yesiselo,+ kufuze unikele ngazo e-aldareni lendlu kaZimakho eseJerusalema.

18 “Nanyana yini ebonakala ilungile kuwe nakubafowenu bona niyenze, evumelana nentando kaZimenu, ningayenza ngesiliva negolide eliseleko. 19 Godu zoke izitja zomsebenzi wendlu kaZimakho ozinikelwako, kufuze uzibeke phambi kwakaZimu eJerusalema.+ 20 Ezinye izinto ezitlhogekako zendlu kaZimakho okuyifuneko bona unikele ngazo, uzozikhupha ebulungelweni lamagugu webukhosini.+

21 “Mina, Kosi Aritarhitjhasta, ngikhuphe umyalo kibo boke abaphathimali abasesifundeni esingaPhetjheya koMlambo,* ukuthi koke u-Ezra+ umphristi, omkopululi* womThetho kaZimu wezulwini akubawa kini, kufuze kwenziwe ngokurhabako, 22 kufikela ematalendeni wesiliva ali-100, iinlinganiso zekoroyi ezili-100,* iinlinganiso zewayini ezili-100,*+ iinlinganiso zamafutha ezili-100,*+ netswayi+ elinganasilinganiso. 23 Koke okuyalwe nguZimu wezulwini malungana nendlu kaZimu wezulwini+ akwenziwe ngetjiseko, ukwenzela bona angabhoki ngobukhali phezu kombuso wekosi namadodanayo.+ 24 Godu naziswa bona anikavumeleki ukubhadelisa abaphristi namaLevi, abavumi,+ abalindisango, iinsebenzi zethempeli+ neensebenzi zendlini kaZimu le nanyana ngimuphi umthelo+ nemali yendlela.

25 “Kuthi wena Ezra, ngokuhlakanipha okufumene kuZimakho, khetha abomarhastrada nabahluleli bona bahlulele boke abantu abasesifundeni esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, boke abazi imithetho kaZimakho; begodu kufuze ufundise nanyana ngubani ongayaziko.+ 26 Woke umuntu ongalaleli umThetho kaZimakho nomthetho wekosi kufuze ahlulelwe msinyana, kungaba kukuthi ufumana isahlulelo sokufa, ukuqothwa, ukuhlawuliswa namkha ukubotjhwa.”

27 Akadunyiswe uJehova uZimu wabokhokho bethu, okufake ehliziyweni yekosi bona ikghabise indlu kaJehova eseJerusalema!+ 28 Ngethando lakhe,* ungenze ngathandeka ekosini,+ ebelulekini bayo+ nakiwo woke amakhosana wekosi anamandla. Yeke ngaba nesibindi ngombana isandla sakaJehova besinami, ngabuthelela amadoda abadosiphambili kwa-Israyeli bona akhuphukele nami eJerusalema.

8 Nje-ke lezi ziinhloko zeenkoro nerhelo lokulandelana kweenzukulwana zalabo abasuka nami eBhabhiloni nakubusa iKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta:+ 2 emadodaneni kaFiniyasi,+ nguGeritjhomu; emadodaneni ka-Itamara,+ nguDanyela; emadodaneni kaDavida, nguRhathutjhi; 3 emadodaneni kaTjhekaniya, emadodaneni kaParotjhi, nguZakariya, bekakhambisana namadoda ali-150 atlolisiweko; 4 emadodaneni kaPharhathi-Mowabi,+ ngu-Eliyowenayi indodana kaZerarhiya, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-200; 5 emadodaneni kaZatu,+ nguTjhekaniya indodana kaJarhaziyeli, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-300; 6 emadodaneni ka-Adini,+ ngu-Ebede indodana kaJonathani, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-50; 7 emadodaneni ka-Elamu,+ nguJosaya indodana ka-Ataliya, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-70; 8 emadodaneni kaTjhefathiya,+ nguZebadiya indodana kaMikhayeli, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-80; 9 emadodaneni kaJowabi, ngu-Obadiya indodana kaJerhiyeli, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-218; 10 emadodaneni kaBhani, nguTjhelomithi indodana kaJosifiya, bekakhambisana namadoda ali-160; 11 emadodaneni kaBebayi,+ nguZakariya indodana kaBebayi, bekakhambisana namadoda ama-28; 12 emadodaneni ka-Azigadi,+ nguJorhanani indodana kaHakhathani, bekakhambisana namadoda ali-110; 13 emadodaneni ka-Adonikhamu,+ ebekungewamaswaphela, naka amagamawo: Ngu-Elifelethi, uJehiyeli noTjhemaya, bebakhambisana namadoda ama-60; 14 emadodaneni kaBhigivayi,+ ngu-Utayi noZakuri, bebakhambisana namadoda ama-70.

15 Ngababuthelela emlanjeni ogelezela e-Ahava,+ sahlala lapho amalanga amathathu. Kodwana ngithe nangihlolisisa abantu nabaphristi, akhenge ngifunyane namunye wamaLevi lapho. 16 Nje-ke ngathumela u-Eliyezeri, u-Ariyeli, uTjhemaya, u-Elinathani, uJaribi, u-Elinathani, uNathani, uZakariya noMetjhulamu, ebebabadosiphambili, noJoyaribu no-Elinathani ebebabafundisi. 17 Ngabalayela bona baye endaweni ekuthiwa yiKasifiya, ku-Ido umdosiphambili. Ngathi batjele u-Ido nabafowabo, iinsebenzi zethempeli* ebeziseKasifiya, bona basithumele iinsebenzi zendlu kaZimethu. 18 Yeke ngombana uZimu bekanathi, basithumela indoda ehlakaniphileko evela emadodaneni kaMarhili+ umzukulu kaLevi indodana ka-Israyeli, igama layo nguTjherebiya,+ namadodanakhe nabafowabo, amadoda ali-18; 19 noRhatjhabiya, akhambisana noJosaya ovela kumaMerari,+ abafowabo namadodanabo, amadoda ama-20. 20 Bekuneensebenzi zethempeli ezima-220, lezo uDavida namakhosana athi zisize amaLevi, zoke amagamazo bekatloliwe encwadini.

21 Nje-ke ngamemezela ukuthi kuzilwe ukudla khonapho emlanjeni i-Ahava, bona sizithobe phambi kwakaZimu, simbawe asinqophise ekhambweni lethu, thina nabantwabethu nayo yoke ipahlethu. 22 Ngaba neenhloni ukubawa ikosi ukuthi isithumele amasotja nabakhweli beenjomani bona basivikele emanabenethu endleleni, ngombana sathi ekosini: “Isandla esihle sakaZimu siphezu kwalabo abamfunako+ kodwana amandlakhe nelaka lakhe kuphezu kwalabo abamlahlako.”+ 23 Yeke sazila ukudla, sabawa uZimethu malungana nalokhu, wasizwa isibawo sethu.+

24 Ngakhetha abali-12 eenduneni zabaphristi, amagamabo nguTjherebiya, uRhatjhabiya+ nabafowabo abalitjhumi. 25 Ngabakalela isiliva negolide nezitja, okumnikelo ikosi nabaluleki bayo namakhosanayo nawo woke ama-Israyeli ebekakhona abawenzela indlu kaZimethu.+ 26 Ngemva kokubakalela wona, ngabanikela amatalende* wesiliva ama-650, izitja zesiliva ezili-100 ezimatalende amabili, amatalende wegolide ali-100, 27 izitja ezincani zegolide ezima-20 ezibiza amadariki* ayi-1 000, nezitja ezimbili zekhopha ephazimulako, eligugu njengegolide.

28 Yeke ngathi kibo: “Nicwengile kuJehova,+ nezitja zicwengile, isiliva negolide zimnikelo osuka ehliziyweni oya kuJehova uZimu wabokhokho benu. 29 Zitlhogomeleni kuhle bekube kulapho nizikalisa eenduneni zabaphristi nakumaLevi nemakhosaneni weenhloko zeenkoro zakwa-Israyeli eJerusalema,+ emawolweni wendlu kaJehova.” 30 Abaphristi namaLevi bathatha isiliva negolide nezitja abakalelwe zona, bona bazise endlini kaZimethu eJerusalema.

31 Ngelanga le-12 lenyanga yokuthoma,+ sasuka emlanjeni i-Ahava+ saya eJerusalema, uZimethu bekanathi, wasivikela emanabeni nakilabo abasikhukhuthela endleleni bona basisahlele. 32 Safika eJerusalema+ sahlala lapho amalanga amathathu. 33 Ngelanga lesine, sakala isiliva negolide nezitja zendlu kaZimethu,+ sazinikela uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Uriya umphristi, bekakhambisana no-Elazara indodana kaFiniyasi begodu bebanamaLevi uJozabadi+ indodana kaJetjhuwa noNowadiya indodana kaBhinuyi.+ 34 Kwabalwa bekwakalwa yoke into, ubudisi bayo yoke into batlolwa phasi. 35 Abathunjwa ababuya ekuthunjweni benzela uZimu ka-Israyeli imihlatjelo etjhiswako, okuziinkunzi ezili-12+ zawo woke ama-Israyeli, amaramu ama-96,+ iimvana eziduna ezima-77, neempongo ezili-12+ bona zibe mnikelo wesono; koke lokhu kwaba mnikelo otjhiswako kuJehova.+

36 Nje-ke sanikela abondunakulu nababusi besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo*+ umyalo wekosi+ begodu basekela abantu nendlu kaZimu weqiniso.+

9 Msinyana ngemva kokuthi kwenzeke lokho, amakhosana eza kimi athi: “Abantu bakwa-Israyeli nabaphristi namaLevi abakazihlukanisi nabantu bezinye iintjhaba nemikghwabo enyenyisako,+ okumaKanana, amaRhiti, amaPerizi, amaJebusi, ama-Amoni, amaMowabi, amaGibhide+ nama-Amori.+ 2 Bazithathele abafazi emadodakazini wabantu beentjhabezo bathathela namadodanabo abafazi kizo.+ Nje-ke bona, abababantu abacwengileko,+ sebavangene nabantu bezinye iintjhaba.+ Amakhosana namasekela wababusi ngibo abadosa phambili ekungathembekinokhu.”

3 Kwathi nangizwa lokho, ngatlebhula izambatho zami, ngatsomula ezinye zeenhluthu neendevu zami, ngahlala phasi ngithukiwe. 4 Njengombana ngisahlezi ngithukiwe, boke abahlonipha amezwi kaZimu ka-Israyeli bangibungelela ngebanga lokungathembeki kwabantu ababuye ekuthunjweni, ngahlala bekwaba sikhathi somnikelo weenthoro wantambama.+

5 Ngesikhathi somnikelo weenthoro wantambama,+ ngasikima ehlazweni lami, izambatho zami zitlebhukile, ngaguqa, ngaphakamisela izandla zami kuJehova uZimami. 6 Ngathi: “Maye! Zimami ngiswabile bengineenhloni zokuthandaza kuwe, Zimami ngombana imitjhaphwethu ibe minengi khulu phezu kweenhloko zethu begodu ukona kwethu kukhule bekwafika ezulwini.+ 7 Kusukela ngemihla yabokhokho bethu bekube nje, ukona kwethu kube kukhulu;+ ngebanga lemitjhaphwethu, thina, amakhosethu nabaphristi bethu sanikelwa esandleni samakhosi weentjhaba, esabuleni,+ ekuthunjweni,+ ekudlelezelweni+ nekurhubutjhweni njengombana kunjalo nanamhlanjesi.+ 8 Kodwana nje kwesikhatjhana, uJehova uZimethu usenzele umusa ngokuvumela abaseleko ukuthi baphunyurhe nokusinikela indawo evikelekileko endawenakhe ecwengileko,+ bona asiphe ithabo* begodu uZimethu usitjhaphulule kancani ebugqilini bethu. 9 Ngombana nanyana siziingqila,+ uZimethu azange asihloboke ebugqilini bethu; kodwana usitjengise bona uyasithanda phambi kwamakhosi wePheresiya,+ ukuze asivuselele bona sivuse indlu kaZimethu,+ amarubhayo begodu asinikele iboda lamatje* kwaJuda neJerusalema.

10 “Kodwana Zimethu, singathini ngemva kwalokhu? Ngombana siyitjhiyile imiyalwakho, 11 owasinikela yona ngeenceku zakho abaphorofidi, uthi: ‘Inarha eniyoyithatha isilaphele ngebanga lokusilaphala kwabantu beenarhezo, ngebanga lemikghwabo enyenyisako abayizalise enarheni yoke ngokusilaphala kwabo.+ 12 Nje-ke, ningatjhadisi amadodakazenu namadodanabo, begodu ningavumi bona amadodakazabo atjhade namadodanenu;+ ningafuni ukuthula nepumelelwabo,+ ukwenzela bona nibe namandla, nidle ubuhle benarha, nizithathele yona ibe lilifa lamadodanenu bekube phakade.’ 13 Ngemva kwakho koke okusehlakaleleko ngebanga lezenzo zethu ezimbi nokona kwethu okukhulu ngombana wena Zimethu, azange usiphathe ngokuvumelana nemitjhaphwethu+ begodu uvumele thina esilapha bona siphunyurhe,+ 14 singayeqa njani imiyalwakho godu sitjhadiselane nabantu abenza izinto ezinyenyisakwezi?+ Angekhe wasibhokela ngobukhali na usitjhabalalise ngokupheleleko, kungabi nosalako namkha osindako? 15 Maye! Jehova Zimu ka-Israyeli ulungile+ ngombana singabaseleko abasindileko bekube namhlanjesi. Nje-ke sijame phambi kwakho simlandu, ngombana ngemva kwakho koke okwenzekileko, akakho onelungelo lokujama phambi kwakho.”+

10 U-Ezra nakasathandazako,+ avuma izono, alila begodu aguqe ahlome ihloko phasi phambi kwendlu kaZimu weqiniso, isiqubuthu esikhulu samadoda, abafazi nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli babuthana kuye, ngombana abantu bebalila khulu. 2 Nje-ke uTjhekaniya indodana kaJerhiyeli+ wamadodana ka-Elamu+ wathi ku-Ezra: “Akhenge sithembeke kuZimethu ngokutjhada abafazi bezinye iintjhaba.+ Kodwana nanyana kunjalo, kusesenethemba ngama-Israyeli. 3 Nje-ke asenzeni isivumelwano noZimethu+ bona kuqothwe boke abafazabo nabantwababo, ngokuvumelana nesinqophiso sakaJehova nesalabo abahlonipha umyalo kaZimethu.+ Asenzeni ngokuvumelana nomThetho. 4 Sikima, ngombana indaba le ifuna wena, begodu sinawe. Yiba nesibindi uthathe igadango.”

5 Khonokho u-Ezra wasikima wafungisa abaphristi abakhulu, amaLevi nawo woke ama-Israyeli bona kwenziwe okukhulunywe ngakho.+ Ngalokho bafunga. 6 Ngemva kwalokho, u-Ezra wasikima phambi kwendlu kaZimu weqiniso waya ewolweni lakaJehorhanani indodana ka-Eliyatjhibu ethempelini. Nanyana aya lapho, akhenge adle bekasele amanzi, ngombana bekazilile ngebanga lokungathembeki kwabantu ababuya ekuthunjweni.+

7 Yeke bakhupha isaziso kilo loke lakwaJuda neJerusalema bona boke ababuya ekuthunjweni babuthanele eJerusalema; 8 ngokuya ngesiqunto samakhosana nabadala, nanyana ngubani ongekhe eze hlangana namalanga amathathu uzokuthathelwa yoke ipahlakhe bekaqothwe ebandleni labantu ababuya ekuthunjweni.+ 9 Nje-ke woke amadoda wakwaJuda nakwaBhenjamini abuthana eJerusalema hlangana namalanga amathathu, okutjho ukuthi, ngelanga lama-20 enyangeni yethoba. Boke abantu bebahlezi ngesirhodlweni sendlu kaZimu weqiniso, bahlengezela ngebanga lendaba edenjwako nangebanga lezulu elikhulu ebelina.

10 Ngemva kwalokho u-Ezra umphristi wasikima wathi kibo: “Akhenge nithembeke ngokutjhada abafazi bezinye iintjhaba,+ yeke ningezelele umlandu ka-Israyeli. 11 Nje-ke vumani izono zenu kuJehova uZimu wabokhokho benu, nenze intandwakhe. Hlukanani nabantu beenarha ezisibhodileko nabafazi beentjhaba.”+ 12 Nje-ke loke ibandla laphendula ngelizwi elikhulu lathi: “Sizokwenza njengombana utjho. 13 Kodwana kunabantu abanengi, begodu sikhathi sezulu. Akukghoneki ukujama ngaphandle, nendaba le angekhe ithathe ilanga linye namkha amabili, ngombana siphambuke khulu ngokwenza lokhu. 14 Nje-ke sibawa uvumele amakhosanethu ajamele loke ibandla;+ kuthi boke bemadorobhenethu abatjhade nabafazi beentjhaba babekelwe isikhathi abangeza ngaso, kunye nabadala nabahluleli bedorobha elinye nelinye, bekube kulapho sehlisa ilaka lakaZimethu ngathi malungana nendaba le.”

15 Kodwana uJonathani indodana ka-Asaheli noJarhizeya indodana kaTikhiva baphikisana nalokhu, begodu uMetjhulamu noTjhabetayi+ abamaLevi babasekela. 16 Kodwana ababuya ekuthunjweni benza ngokwalokho okuvunyelenwe ngakho; u-Ezra umphristi neenhloko zeenkoro, zoke lezo amagamazo ebekatloliwe encwadini, babuthana bodwa ngelanga lokuthoma enyangeni yetjhumi bona badembe indaba le; 17 kwathi ngelanga lokuthoma enyangeni yokuthoma baqeda ukurarulula indaba yawo woke amadoda ebewatjhade abafazi bezinye iintjhaba. 18 Kwafumaneka ukuthi amanye wamadodana wabaphristi bewatjhade nabafazi bezinye iintjhaba:+ emadodaneni kaJetjhuwa+ indodana kaJehozadaki nabafowabo, nguMaseya, u-Eliyezeri, uJaribi noGedaliya. 19 Kodwana athembisa ukuqotha abafazi bawo, begodu njengombana bewamlandu bewazokunikela ngeramu eliphuma emhlanjini ngebanga lokuba mlandu kwawo.+

20 Emadodaneni ka-Imeri,+ bekunguRhanani noZebadiya; 21 emadodaneni kaRharimu,+ nguMaseya, u-Eliya, uTjhemaya, uJerhiyeli no-Uziya; 22 emadodaneni kaPhatjhirhuri,+ ngu-Eliyowenayi, uMaseya, u-Itjhimayeli, uNetaneli, uJozabadi no-Eliyasa. 23 KumaLevi, bekunguJozabadi, uTjhimeyi, uKhelaya (okunguKelitha), uPetharhiya, uJuda no-Eliyezeri; 24 kubavumi, ngu-Eliyatjhibu; kubalindisango, nguTjhalumu, uThelemu no-Uri.

25 Kuma-Israyeli, emadodaneni kaParotjhi,+ bekunguRamiya, uJiziya, uMalikiya, uMijamini, u-Elazara, uMalikiya noBhenaya; 26 emadodaneni ka-Elamu,+ nguMathaniya, uZakariya, uJerhiyeli,+ u-Abidi, uJeremothi no-Eliya; 27 emadodaneni kaZatu,+ ngu-Eliyowenayi, u-Eliyatjhibu, uMathaniya, uJeremothi, uZabadi no-Aziza; 28 emadodaneni kaBebayi,+ nguJehorhanani, uRhananiya, uZabayi no-Atilayi; 29 emadodaneni kaBhani, nguMetjhulamu, uMaluki, u-Adaya, uJatjhubi, uTjheyali noJeremothi; 30 emadodaneni kaPharhathi-Mowabi,+ ngu-Adina, uKelali, uBhenaya, uMaseya, uMathaniya, uBhetsaleli, uBhinuyi noManase; 31 emadodaneni kaRharimu,+ ngu-Eliyezeri, uJitjhiya, uMalikiya,+ uTjhemaya, uSimiyoni, 32 uBhenjamini, uMaluki noTjhemariya; 33 emadodaneni kaRhatjhumu,+ nguMatenayi, uMatata, uZabadi, u-Elifelethi, uJeremayi, uManase noTjhimeyi; 34 emadodaneni kaBhani, nguMadayi, u-Amramu, u-Uweli, 35 uBhenaya, uBedeya, uKeluhu, 36 uVaniya, uMeremothi, u-Eliyatjhibu, 37 uMathaniya, uMatenayi noJasayi; 38 emadodaneni kaBhinuyi, nguTjhimeyi, 39 uTjhelemiya, uNathani, u-Adaya, 40 uMakinadibayi, uTjhatjhayi, uTjharayi, 41 u-Azareli, uTjhelemiya, uTjhemariya, 42 uTjhalumu, u-Amariya noJosefa; 43 emadodaneni kaNebo, nguJehiyeli, uMatitiya, uZabadi, uZebina, uJadayi, uJuweli noBhenaya. 44 Boke laba bebathethe abafazi bezinye iintjhaba,+ begodu babaqotha abafazabo nabantwababo.+