NERHEMIYA

1 Amezwi kaNerhemiya*+ indodana kaRhakaliya: Ngenyanga kaKhisilevu,* ngomnyaka wama-20, bengisesigodlweni seTjhutjhani.*+ 2 Kwafika uRhanani,+ ongomunye wabafowethu, akhamba namadoda athileko avela kwaJuda, ngababuza ngamaJuda aseleko aphunyurhe ekuthunjweni,+ ngababuza nangeJerusalema. 3 Bathi: “Labo abasele esifundeni sakwaJuda abasinde ekuthunjweni, basebujamweni obumbi khulu begodu barhubutjhekile.+ Amaboda weJerusalema agiriziwe+ namasangwalo atjhiswe ngomlilo.”+

4 Ngathi nangizwa amezwi la, ngahlala phasi ngalila amalanga amanengi, ngasolo ngizila ukudla+ begodu ngithandaza kuZimu wezulwini. 5 Ngathi: “Jehova, Zimu wezulwini, Zimu omkhulu nosabekako, ophetha isivumelwano sakhe, othanda labo abamthandako balalele nemiyalwakhe,+ 6 ngibawa ungiqale begodu ulalele umthandazo wencekwakho engiwuthandaza namhlanjesi. Ngithandazela iinceku zakho ama-Israyeli ubusuku nemini,+ ngivuma izono ezenziwe babantu bakwa-Israyeli. Sonile, mina nendlu kababa.+ 7 Senze kumbi khulu ngokungalaleli imiyalo,+ iinqophiso nezahlulelo owazinikela incekwakho uMosi.+

8 “Ngibawa ukhumbule isiyeleliso owasinikela incekwakho uMosi, esithi: ‘Nakungenzeka ningathembeki, ngizoniqothela eentjhabeni.+ 9 Kodwana nanibuyela kimi, nilalele imiyalwami, ngitjho nanyana abantu bekhenu baphadlhalele bebafika ekupheleni kwephasi, ngizobabutha+ ngibalethe endaweni engiyikhethe bona igama lami lihlale kiyo.’+ 10 Baziinceku zakho nabantu bakho, owabatjhaphulula ngamandlakho amakhulu nangesandla sakho esinamandla.+ 11 Maye! Jehova, ngibawa ulalele umthandazo wencekwakho nomthandazo weenceku zakho ezithatjiswa kusaba igama lakho, godu ngibawa uphumelelise incekwakho namhlanjesi begodu kwanga ikosi le ingangizwela.”+

Bengimphathikapho wekosi.+

2 Ngenyanga kaNisani,* ngomnyaka wama-20+ weKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta,+ kwabekwa iwayini phambi kwakhe, njengombana bengihlala ngenza ngathatha iwayini ngalisa ekosini.+ Bekukokuthoma ngibonakala ngitlhuwile phambi kwekosi. 2 Nje-ke ikosi yathi kimi: “Kubayini utlhuwisa kangaka ngitjho nanyana ungaguli? Amatlhuwo la abangelwa buhlungu behliziyo.” Nangizwa lokho ngarhidlwa livalo.

3 Ngathi ekosini: “Bayede kosi!* Ngingahlala njani ngingatlhuwi, njengombana idorobho lekhethu, indawo ekubulungelwe kiyo abokhokho bami imarubhi namasangwayo atjhiswe ngomlilo?”+ 4 Ikosi yathi kimi: “Ufunani?” Khonokho ngathandaza kuZimu wezulwini.+ 5 Ngemva kwalokho ngathi ekosini: “Nange kukuhle ekosini begodu isisebenzi sakho sifumene umusa kuwe, ngibawa ungivumele ngiye kwaJuda, idorobho ekubulungelwe kilo abokhokho, bonyana ngiyolakha kabutjha.”+ 6 Nje-ke ikosi, nendlovukazi ihlezi eqadi kwayo, yangibuza yathi: “Lizokuthatha isikhathi esingangani ikhambo lakho, uzokubuya nini?” Ikosi yangivumela bona ngikhambe,+ ngayitjela nokobana ngizokukhamba isikhathi esingangani.+

7 Ngemva kwalokho ngathi ekosini: “Nange kukuhle ekosini, anginikelwe iincwadi eziya ebabusini besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo,*+ ezinginikela imvumo yokudlula enarhenabo ngokuphepha bengifike kwaJuda, 8 nencwadi eya ku-Asafa umtlhogomeli wehlathi lekosi, bona anginikele iingodo zesango lobuPhephelo beThempeli+ nezamaboda wedorobho+ nendlu engizokuya kiyo.” Ikosi yanginikela iincwadezo+ ngombana uZimami onomusa bekanami.+

9 Ekugcineni ngafika ebabusini besifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo, ngabanikela iincwadi ezivela ekosini. Ikosi yayala nokobana ngiphekelelwe ziinduna zamabutho namabutho akhwele iinjomani. 10 Kwathi indaba le nayifika eendlebeni zakaSanibhalathi+ umRhoroni noThobiya+ isikhulu esim-Amoni,+ badana khulu ngombana kufike umuntu ozokwenzela abantu bakwa-Israyeli intwehle.

11 Ngafika eJerusalema, ngahlala khona amalanga amathathu. 12 Mina namadoda ambalwa savuka ebusuku, kodwana azange ngitjele muntu lokho uZimu akufake ehliziywenami bona ngikwenzele iJerusalema, azange sikhambe nesilwana ngaphandle kwakadumbana ebengikhamba ngaye. 13 Ngaphuma ebusuku ngeSango lomRhoba,+ ngadlula phambi komThombo weNyoka eKulu ngatjhinga eSangweni leZala,+ ngahlolisisa amaboda weJerusalema agiriziweko namasangwalo atjhiswe ngomlilo.+ 14 Ngadlula ngatjhinga eSangweni lomThombo+ neSizibeni seKosi, kodwana azange kube nesikhala esaneleko bona udumbana ebengikhamba ngaye akghone ukudlula. 15 Nanyana kunjalo, ngaraga nekhambo nganyuka umrhoba+ ebusuku, ngisolo ngihlolisisa iboda, nangiqedako ngabuyela emva ngangena ngeSango lomRhoba.

16 Amasekela wababusi+ bekangazi ukuthi ngiyephi nokuthi ngenzani, ngombana bengingakatjho litho emaJudeni, ebaphristini, eenkhulwini, emasekeleni wababusi nakizo zoke iinsebenzi. 17 Emaswapheleni ngathi kibo: “Niyabona ukuthi sisebujamweni obutlhuwisa kangangani, iJerusalema limarubhi namasangwalo atjhiswe ngomlilo. Yenize, asakheni kabutjha amaboda weJerusalema, khona kuzakuphela ihlazweli.” 18 Ngabatjela ukuthi uZimami ube muhle kangangani kimi+ namezwi ikosi engitjele wona.+ Nabezwa lokho bathi: “Asisikimeni sakheni.” Nje-ke bakhuthazana bonyana benze umsebenzi omuhle.+

19 Nje-ke kwathi uSanibhalathi umRhoroni, uThobiya+ isikhulu esimAmoni+ noGetjhemu umArabhu+ nabezwa ngalokho, bathoma ukuhlekisa ngathi+ nokusidelela bathi: “Yintobani eniyenzako le? Niyahlubuka ekosini?”+ 20 Ngabaphendula ngathi: “UZimu wezulwini nguye ozosiphumelelisa,+ yeke thina njengombana siziinceku zakhe sizokusikima sakhe; kodwana nina aninasabelo eJerusalema, ayikho into eningathi ngeyenu begodu aninangcenye emlandwenalo.”+

3 U-Eliyatjhibu+ umphristi ophakemeko nabafowabo ababaphristi basikima bona bakhe iSango leziMvu.+ Balinikela kuZimu+ bafaka iminyangwalo; balinikela kuZimu ukuyokufika emBhotjhongweni weMiya,+ bekwayokufika nemBhotjhongweni kaRhananiyeli.+ 2 Amadoda weJerikho+ bewakha hlanu kwabo; begodu uZakuru indodana ka-Imri naye bekakha hlanu kwawo.

3 Amadodana kaHasenaya akha iSango leHlambi;+ alifaka iingodo,+ iminyango, imibhowudu neensimbi zalo. 4 Hlanu kwawo uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Uriya indodana kaHakhotsi wavuselela iboda, hlanu kwakhe uMetjhulamu+ indodana kaBherekiya indodana kaMetjhezabeli wavuselela iboda, hlanu kwakhe uTsadokhi indodana kaBhana wavuselela iboda. 5 Hlanu kwakhe amaTekhowa+ avuselela iboda, kodwana amadoda aveleleko wawo akhenge avume ukuzehlisa bona ahlanganyele emsebenzini wamakhosawo.

6 UJoyada indodana kaPaseyarha noMetjhulamu indodana kaBhesodiya bavuselela iSango leDorobho eliDala;+ balifaka iingodo, ngemva kwalokho balifaka iminyango, imibhowudu neensimbi zalo. 7 Hlanu kwabo uMelathiya omGibiyoni+ noJadoni umMeronothi bavuselela iboda, bekumadoda weGibiyoni neMitsipha+ ebekangaphasi kwelawulo lombusi wesifunda esingaPhetjheya koMlambo.*+ 8 Hlanu kwawo u-Uziyeli indodana kaRharihaya, omunye wabakhandi begolide, wavuselela iboda, hlanu kwakhe uRhananiya, omunye wabenzi bamakha, wavuselela iboda; wagangadela ngamatje ingcenye ethileko yeJerusalema ukuyokufika eBodeni eliBanzi.+ 9 Hlanu kwabo uRefaya indodana kaRhuri, ikosana yengcenye yesifunda seJerusalema wavuselela iboda. 10 Hlanu kwakhe uJedaya indodana kaRharumafa wavuselela iboda phambi kwendlwakhe begodu hlanu kwakhe uRhathutjhi indodana kaRhatjhabineya wavuselela iboda.

11 UMalikiya indodana kaRharimu+ noRhatjhubi indodana kaPharhathi-Mowabi+ bavuselela enye ingcenye nomBhotjhongo wama-Ondo.+ 12 Hlanu kwabo uTjhalumu indodana kaHalorhetjhi ikosana yengcenye yesifunda seJerusalema, wavuselela iboda, kunye namadodakazakhe.

13 URhanuni nezakhamuzi zeZanowarhi+ balungisa iSango lomRhoba;+ balakha bebafaka neminyango, imibhowudu neensimbi zalo, bavuselela amakhubhithi ayi-1 000* weboda bekwayokufika eSangweni leZala.+ 14 UMalikiya indodana kaRekabi, ikosana yesifunda seBhethe-Hakeremu,+ walungisa iSango leZala; walakha bewafaka iminyango, imibhowudu neensimbi zalo.

15 UTjhaluni indodana kaKolirhoze, ikosana yesifunda seMitsipha,+ walungisa iSango lomThombo;+ walakha, walifulela, wafaka iminyango, imibhowudu, neensimbi zalo wavuselela iboda lesiZiba soMlanjana+ ukufika eSimini yeKosi+ bekwayokufika neenTepisini+ ezehlako ukusuka eDorobheni lakaDavida.+

16 Hlanu kwakhe uNerhemiya indodana ka-Azibukhi, ikosana yengcenye yesifunda seBhethe-Tsuri,+ wavuselela iboda phambi kweNdawo yokuBulunga kaDavida+ ukufika esizibeni+ ebesele sakhiwe bekwayokufika eNdlini yeenKutani.

17 Hlanu kwakhe amaLevi avuselela iboda: uRerhumu indodana kaBhani; hlanu kwakhe uRhatjhabiya, ikosana yengcenye yesifunda seKeyila+ wavuselela iboda esifundeni sakhe. 18 Hlanu kwakhe abafowabo bavuselela iboda: uBhavayi indodana kaRhenadadi, ikosana yengcenye yesifunda seKeyila.

19 Hlanu kwakhe u-Etseri indodana kaJetjhuwa+ ikosana yeMitsipha, beyivuselela enye ingcenye phambi komkhuphukela oya ngeNdlini yeenKhali eSikeni eSekelako.+

20 Hlanu kwakhe uBharuki indodana kaZabayi+ wasebenza ngetjiseko, walungisa enye ingcenye ukusuka eSikeni eSekelako bekwayokufika emnyango wendlu ka-Eliyatjhibu+ umphristi ophakemeko.

21 Hlanu kwakhe uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Uriya indodana kaHakhotsi walungisa enye ingcenye ukusuka emnyango wendlu ka-Eliyatjhibu bekwayokufika emaphethelweni wendlu ka-Eliyatjhibu.

22 Hlanu kwakhe abaphristi besifunda seJordani,*+ bavuselela iboda. 23 Hlanu kwabo uBhenjamini noRhatjhubi bavuselela iboda phambi kwendlwabo. Hlanu kwabo u-Azariya indodana kaMaseya indodana ka-Ananiya wavuselela iboda hlanu kwendlwakhe. 24 Hlanu kwakhe uBhinuyi indodana kaRhenadadi yavuselela enye ingcenye, ukusuka endlini ka-Azariya ukufika eSikeni eSekelako+ bekwayokufika ekhoneni.

25 Hlanu kwakhe uPalali indodana ka-Uzayi wavuselela iboda phambi kweSika eSekelako nombhotjhongo ophuma eNdlini yeKosi,+ ophezulu okungowesiRhodlo sabonoGada.+ Hlanu kwakhe bekunoPedaya indodana kaParotjhi.+

26 Iinsebenzi zethempeli+ ezihlala e-Ofeli+ zavuselela iboda bekwayokufika phambi kweSango laManzi+ epumalanga nembhotjhongweni oveleleko.

27 Hlanu kwazo, abantu beTekhowa+ bavuselela enye ingcenye, ukusuka phambi kombhotjhongo omkhulu oveleleko bekwayokufika ebodeni le-Ofeli.

28 Abaphristi bavuselela iboda ngehla kweSango leNjomani,+ ngamunye phambi kwendlwakhe.

29 Hlanu kwabo uTsadokhi+ indodana ka-Imeri wavuselela iboda phambi kwendlwakhe.

Hlanu kwakhe uTjhemaya indodana kaTjhekaniya, umtlhogomeli weSango lePumalanga,+ wavuselela iboda.

30 Hlanu kwakhe uRhananiya indodana kaTjhelemiya noRhanuni indodana yesithandathu kaTsalafi bavuselela enye ingcenye.

Hlanu kwakhe, uMetjhulamu+ indodana kaBherekiya wavuselela iboda phambi kwewolo lakhe.

31 Hlanu kwakhe, uMalikiya ilunga lesiqhema sabantu abenza izinto ngegolide, wavuselela iboda bekwayokufika endlini yeensebenzi zethempeli+ nabathengisi, phambi kweSango lokuHlolisisa bekwayokufika elawini eliphezulu lekhona.

32 Hlangana nelawu eliphezulu lekhona neSango leziMvu,+ abakhandi begolide nabathengisi bavuselela iboda.

4 Nje-ke kuthe lokha uSanibhalathi+ nakezwa ukuthi sakha kabutjha iboda, wasilingeka khulu, wasolo anyefula amaJuda. 2 Wakhuluma phambi kwabafowabo naphambi kwebutho leSamariya, wathi: “Imitherethere yamaJuda le yenzani? Icabanga bona izokwenza umsebenzi lo ngokwayo? Izokwenza imihlatjelo? Icabanga bona ingaqeda umsebenzi lo ngelanga linye? Kghani izokusebenzisa amatje atjhileko asefucufucwini yehlabathi?”+

3 Nje-ke uThobiya+ umAmoni,+ obekajame eqadi kwakhe, wathi: “Ngitjho nepungutjha nayingakhwela phezu kwebodanyana lamatje alakhako, ingaligiriza.”

4 Ngalokho ngathandaza ngathi: “Sibawa usilalele Zimethu, sinyaziwe,+ sibawa wenze inyazo abasinyaze ngalo liwele phezu kweenhloko zabo,+ ubanikele emanabenabo, enarheni abathunjelwe kiyo. 5 Ungaweqiseli amehlo umlandwabo namkha uvumele izono zabo zisulwe phambi kwakho,+ ngombana bathuke abakhi.”

6 Nje-ke saragela phambili sakha, iboda loke lahlangana lakhiwa kabutjha belafika phakathi naphakathi kokuphakama kwalo, abantu baragela phambili basebenza ngeenhliziyo zoke.

7 Msinyana uSanibhalathi, uThobiya,+ ama-Arabhu,+ ama-Amoni nama-Atjhidodi,+ nabezwa ukuthi ukuvuselelwa kwamaboda weJerusalema kuragela phambili nokuthi iinkhala ziyavaleka, basilingeka khulu. 8 Baluka amano wokuyokulwa neJerusalema nokubanga ihlangahlangano kilo. 9 Kodwana sathandaza kuZimethu besabeka nabonogada bona basivikele kibo, ubusuku nemini.

10 Nanyana kunjalo, abantu bakwaJuda bebathi: “Iinsebenzi* seziphelelwa mamandla begodu kusesenefucufucu enengi; angeze sikghone ukwakha iboda.”

11 Amanabethu asolo athi: “Kuzokuthi bangakatjheji namkha bangasiboni, sibafikele sibabulale, besijamise nomsebenzi.”

12 Bekuthi nanyana kunini nakufika amaJuda ahlala eduze namanabethu, asitjele ngokubuyelelweko athi: “Amanabethu azosisahlela avela kiwo woke amahlangothi.”

13 Nje-ke ngabeka amadoda lapha iboda lisesephasi khona, ngawabeka ngokwemindenawo aphethe iinsabula, imikhonto, nemisubela. 14 Ngithe nangibona ukuthi athukiwe, ngasikima khonokho ngatjela iinkhulu+ namasekela wababusi nabo boke abantu: “Ningabasabi.+ Khumbulani uJehova onamandla nosabekako;+ lwelani abafowenu, amadodana namadodakazenu, abafazi nemizenu.”

15 Kuthe lokha amanabethu nakezwa ukuthi siyazi bona enzani nokuthi uZimu weqiniso utjhaphise iqhinga lawo, soke sabuyela emsebenzini wokwakha iboda. 16 Kusukela mhlokho kuye phambili, ingcenye yamadoda beyisebenza+ bese kuthi enye ihlome ngemikhonto, ngeemviko, ngemisubela, imbethe nezambatho zepi. Amakhosana+ ajama ngemva kwamaJuda asekela 17 lawo ebekakha iboda. Labo ebebathwala imithwalo bebasebenza ngesandla sinye kukulapho esinye sibambe isikhali. 18 Umakhi ngamunye bekakha afake isabula edinini, obekabetha ipalapala+ bekajame eqadi kwami.

19 Nje-ke ngathi eenkhulwini, kumasekela wababusi nakibo boke abantu: “Umsebenzi usesemkhulu begodu unabile, sesihlukene khulu. 20 Nanizwa itjhada lepalapala, hlanganani ndawonye lapha sikhona nje. UZimethu uzosilwela.”+

21 Yeke saraga nokusebenza kukulapho abanye bahlome ngemikhonto kusukela ngamasa bekurhwaqele. 22 Ngathi ebantwini: “Woke umuntu nesisebenzi sakhe ababe seJerusalema ebusuku, bona bagade bese kuthi emini basebenze.” 23 Ngitjho nami, abafowethu, iinsebenzi zami,+ nabonogada ebebangilandela akakho namunye wethu okhewahlubula isambatho sakhe, ngamunye bekasolo aphethe isikhali sakhe ngesandla sokudla.

5 Nanyana kunjalo, bekunesililo esikhulu ebantwini nakibomkabo banghonghoyila ngabafowabo abamaJuda.+ 2 Abanye bebathi: “Sinamadodana namadodakazi amanengi. Kufuze sifumane okusanthorwana bonyana sidle sirage nokuphila.” 3 Abanye bebathi: “Sinikela ngamasimethu, amasimethu wamadiribe nezindlu zethu ukuthi kube sibambiso bona sifumane iinthoro ngesikhathi sokutlhayela kokudla.” 4 Khonapho abanye bebathi: “Siboleke imali ngamasimethu nangamasimethu wamadiribe bona sikhuphe imali yomthelo wekosi.+ 5 Kodwana thina nabafowethu siyafana, abantwabethu bafana nabantwababo; kodwana kufuze senze amadodana namadodakazethu abe ziingqila, kuhlekuhle amanye wamadodakazethu sekaziingqila.+ Kodwana asinamandla wokukuqeda lokhu ngombana amasimethu namasimethu wamadiribe akwabanye abantu.”

6 Ngasilingeka khulu nangizwa isililo sabo namezwi la. 7 Nje-ke ngacabangisisa ngezintwezi ehliziywenami, ngamangalela iinkhulu namasekela wababusi ngathi kibo: “Ngamunye wenu nakaboleka umfowabo imali umbhadelisa namakonyana amanengi.”+

Godu ngahlela umhlangano omkhulu ngebanga labo. 8 Ngabuye ngathi kibo: “Senze koke okusemandlenethu bona sithenge abafowethu abamaJuda ebebathengiswe eentjhabeni; kodwana nina senifuna ukuthengisa abafowenu,+ bona sibathenge godu?” Nabezwa lokho bathula du, azange bafumane into abangayitjho. 9 Yeke ngathi: “Into eniyenzako ayikalungi. Bekungakafaneli nisabe uZimu na,+ bona iintjhaba ezimanabethu, zingazosinyefula? 10 Ngaphezu kwalokho, mina, abafowethu neensebenzi zami sibaboleka imali neenthoro. Ngiyanibawa, akhe silise ukubolekisa silindele amakonyana.+ 11 Ngibawa nibabuyisele namhlanjesi amasimabo,+ amasimabo wamadiribe, amasimabo wama-oliva nezindlu zabo. Godu babuyiseleni ingcenye yinye kwezilikhulu* yemali, yeenthoro, yewayini elitjha, neyamafutha leyo enifuna bona kube yinzalo kwenibaboleke khona.”

12 Baphendula bathi: “Sizozibuyisela izintwezi begodu angekhe sifune ukubuyiselwa litho. Sizokwenza njengombana usitjelile.” Yeke ngabiza abaphristi, ngenza amadoda la afunga ukuthi azokwenza akuthembisileko. 13 Godu ngathintitha iinkhwama zezambatho zami ngathi: “Kwangathi uZimu weqiniso angamthintitha bunjesi endlinakhe nepahlenakhe woke umuntu ongasiphethi isithembiswesi, kwangathi angathintithwa bunjesi asale anganalitho.” Ibandla loke nalizwa lokho lathi: “Amen!”* Badumisa uJehova, abantu benza lokho abakuthembisileko.

14 Ngaphezu kwalokho, kusukela ngelanga iKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta+ eyangibeka ngalo bona ngibe mbusi wabo+ enarheni yakwaJuda, kusukela ngomnyaka wama-20+ kuya emnyakeni wama-32+ wokubusa kwayo, iminyaka eli-12, mina nabafowethu azange sidle isibonelelo sokudla ekufuze sinikelwe umbusi.+ 15 Kodwana ababusi abangaphambi kwami bebadisibeza abantu, babathathela amatjhekeli* wesiliva ama-40 bona bafumane uburotho newayini qobe langa. Ngitjho neensebenzi zabo bezigandelela abantu. Mina azange ngikwenze lokho+ ngombana ngisaba uZimu.+

16 Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngaba nesandla emsebenzini webodeli, begodu akunasimu esayifumanako;+ zoke iinsebenzi zami zahlangana lapho bona zisebenze. 17 BekunamaJuda ali-150 namasekela wababusi ebewadla etafulenami nalabo ebebeza kithi bavela kwezinye iintjhaba. 18 Qobe langa bengilungiselelwa ikunzi yinye, izimvu ezisithandathu ezihle ukuzidlula zoke neenyoni, kuthi qobe ngemva kwamalanga alitjhumi sibe nenala yayo yoke imihlobo yewayini. Naphezu kwakho koke lokhu azange ngikatelele bona nginikelwe isibonelelo sokudla ekufuze sinikelwe umbusi, ngombana abantu bebathwele budisi ngebanga lomsebenzi. 19 Maye! Zimami ungangikhohlwa begodu ungibusise, ngebanga lakho koke engikwenzele isitjhabesi.+

6 Nje-ke ngemva kobana uSanibhalathi,+ uThobiya, uGetjhemu umArabhu+ nawo woke amanabethu batjelwe bona ngakhe kabutjha iboda+ begodu azisekho iinkhala kilo (ngitjho nanyana bengingakafaki iimvalo emasangweni bekube sikhatheso),+ 2 msinyana uSanibhalathi noGetjhemu bathumela umlayezo lo kimi: “Yewize, asihlele isikhathi sokuhlangana kwenye yeendawo zemRhobeni oThabaleleko we-Ono.”+ Kodwana bebaluka amano wokungilimaza. 3 Nje-ke ngathumela iinthunywa kibo, ngathi: “Ngimajadu ngomsebenzi omkhulu, angekhe ngakghona ukwehlela kini. Kubayini kufuze ngijamise umsebenzi ngize kini?” 4 Bangithumela umlayezo ofanako amahlandla amane, nami ngasolo ngibanikela ipendulo efanako.

5 Nje-ke uSanibhalathi wathumela isisebenzi sakhe kimi ngomlayezo ofanako ihlandla lesihlanu, siphethe nencwadi evuliweko ngesandla. 6 Beyithi: “Kunekulumo erhatjhekileko hlangana neentjhaba, noGetjhemu+ uyayifakazela, bona wena namaJuda nihlela ukuvukela.+ Kungebangelo nakha iboda; begodu ngokuya ngemibiko le wena uzokuba yikosawo. 7 Ubeke nabaphorofidi bona bamemezele ngawe eJerusalema yoke, bathi, ‘Kunekosi kwaJuda!’ Nje-ke zoke izintwezi zizokubikelwa ikosi. Yewize khesidembe indaba le.”

8 Nokho ngamphendula ngathi: “Zoke izinto okhuluma ngazo azikenzeki; uyazithomela.” 9 Ngombana boke bebalinga ukusithusa, bathi: “Izandla zabo zizokubogaboga emsebenzinabo, angekhe bawuqede.”+ Kodwana ngathandaza ngathi, “Zimu, qinisa izandla zami.”+

10 Nje-ke ngaya endlini kaTjhemaya indodana kaDelaya indodana kaMehethabheli njengombana bekazivalele lapho. Wathi: “Asihlele isikhathi sokuhlangana endlini kaZimu weqiniso, ngaphakathi kwethempeli, sivale iminyango yethempeli, ngombana bayeza bazokubulala. Bayeza bazokubulala ebusuku.” 11 Ngathi kuye: “Kghani indoda enjengami kufuze ibaleke? Ucabanga ukuthi indoda enjengami ingangena ethempelini ingafi?+ Angekhe ngingene!” 12 Ngabona lapho ukuthi akakathunyelwa nguZimu, kodwana uqatjhwe nguThobiya noSanibhalathi+ bona atjho isiphorofidwesi malungana nami. 13 Bekaqatjhelwe bona angithusele bekangenze ngone, khona bazokuba namabanga wokungona igama bona bangihlambalaze.

14 Zimami, ungazikhohlwa zoke izinto uThobiya+ noSanibhalathi abazenzileko, ungamkhohlwa noNowadiya umphorofidikazi nabo boke abaphorofidi ebebasolo balinga ukungithusela.

15 Nje-ke iboda laqedwa ngelanga lama-25 lenyanga ka-Elulu,* ngamalanga ama-52.

16 Msinyana ngemva kobana woke amanabethu ezwe lokhu nazo zoke iintjhaba ezisibhodileko nazibona lokhu, zaphathwa ziinhloni khulu,+ zalemuka bona umsebenzi lo wenziwe ngesizo lakaZimethu. 17 Emihleni leyo iinkhulu+ zakwaJuda bezithumela iincwadi ezinengi kuThobiya, begodu uThobiya bekaziphendula. 18 Abanengi kwaJuda benza isifungo sokuba sehlangothini lakhe, ngombana bekamkhwenyana kaTjhekaniya indodana ka-Ararhi,+ begodu indodanakhe uJehorhanani beyithethe indodakazi kaMetjhulamu+ indodana kaBherekiya. 19 Bebahlala bangitjela izinto ezihle ngaye begodu bambikele ukuthi ngitheni. Nje-ke bekathumela iincwadi zokungithusela.+

7 Msinyana ngemva kobana iboda lakhiwe kabutjha+ ngafaka iminyango;+ ngemva kwalokho kwabekwa abalindisango,+ abavumi+ namaLevi.+ 2 Ngabeka umfowethu uRhanani+ bona aphathe iJerusalema akunye noRhananiya induna yobuPhephelo,+ ngombana bekayindoda ethembeke khulu, esaba uZimu weqiniso+ ukudlula abanye abantu abanengi. 3 Ngathi kibo: “Amasango weJerusalema kufuze avulwe nakuthoma ukutjhisa ilanga, ngitjho nanyana kunabonogada abajame kiwo, kufuze kuvalwe iminyango beyilodlhelwe. Bekani nezakhamuzi zeJerusalema bona zibe bonogada, ngasinye endaweni esabelwe ukugada kiyo begodu ezinye phambi kwezindlu zazo.” 4 Idorobheli belivulekile begodu lilikhulu, bekunabantu abambalwa ngaphakathi kwalo+ begodu izindlu bezingakakhiwa kabutjha.

5 Kodwana uZimu wafaka ehliziywenami bona ngibuthelele iinkhulu, amasekela wababusi nabantu bona batlolwe erhelweni lokulandelana kweenzukulwana.+ Nje-ke ngafumana incwadi yerhelo lokulandelana kweenzukulwana yalabo abakhuphuka qangi, ngafumana kutlolwe nakhu kiyo:

6 Laba babantu besifunda* abakhuphuka babuya ekudingisweni, labo iKosi uNebukadinetsari+ weBhabhiloni abadingisela eBhabhiloni,+ ngokukhamba kwesikhathi babuyela eJerusalema nakwaJuda, ngamunye edorobheni lekhabo,+ 7 labo abeza noZerubhabheli,+ uJetjhuwa,+ uNerhemiya, u-Azariya, uRamiya, uNarhamani, uMoridekayi, uBhilitjhani, uMisiphari, uBhigivayi, uNerhumu, noBhana.

Inani lamadoda wakwa-Israyeli lihlanganisa:+ 8 amadodana kaParotjhi azii-2 172; 9 amadodana kaTjhefathiya ama-372; 10 amadodana ka-Ararhi+ ama-652; 11 amadodana kaPharhathi-Mowabi,+ amadodana kaJetjhuwa namadodana kaJowabi+ azii-2 818; 12 amadodana ka-Elamu+ ayi-1 254; 13 amadodana kaZatu ama-845; 14 amadodana kaZakayi ama-760; 15 amadodana kaBhinuyi ama-648; 16 amadodana kaBebayi ama-628; 17 amadodana ka-Azigadi azii-2 322; 18 amadodana ka-Adonikhamu ama-667; 19 amadodana kaBhigivayi azii-2 067; 20 amadodana ka-Adini ama-655; 21 amadodana ka-Atheri, kaHezekiya ama-98; 22 amadodana kaRhatjhumu ama-328; 23 amadodana kaBhetsayi ama-324; 24 amadodana kaRharifi ali-112; 25 amadodana kaGibiyoni+ ama-95; 26 amadoda weBhetlehema neweNethofa ali-188; 27 amadoda we-Anatothi+ ali-128; 28 amadoda weBhethe-Azimavethi ama-42; 29 amadoda weKhiriyathi-Jeyarimu,+ weKefira neweBherothi+ ama-743; 30 amadoda weRama neweGeba+ ama-621; 31 amadoda weMikimasi+ ali-122; 32 amadoda weBhetheli+ newe-Ayi+ ali-123; 33 amadoda wenye iNebo ama-52; 34 amadodana wenye indoda ebizwa ngokuthi ngu-Elamu ayi-1 254; 35 amadodana weRharimu ama-320; 36 amadodana weJerikho ama-345; 37 amadodana weLodi, weRhadidi newe-Ono+ ama-721; 38 amadodana weSenaya azii-3 930.

39 Abaphristi:+ amadodana kaJedaya wendlu kaJetjhuwa ama-973; 40 amadodana ka-Imeri ayi-1 052; 41 amadodana kaPhatjhirhuri+ ayi-1 247; 42 amadodana kaRharimu+ ayi-1 017.

43 AmaLevi:+ amadodana kaJetjhuwa, kaKhadimiyeli+ wamadodana kaHodeva ama-74. 44 Abavumi:+ amadodana ka-Asafa+ ali-148. 45 Abalindisango:+ amadodana kaTjhalumu, amadodana ka-Atheri, amadodana kaThalimoni, amadodana ka-Akhubu,+ amadodana kaRhathitha, amadodana kaTjhobayi ali-138.

46 Iinsebenzi zethempeli:+ amadodana kaTsirha, amadodana kaRhasufa, amadodana kaThabhawothi, 47 amadodana kaKherosi, amadodana kaSiya, amadodana kaPadoni, 48 amadodana kaLebana, amadodana kaRhagaba, amadodana kaTjhalimayi, 49 amadodana kaRhanani, amadodana kaGideli, amadodana kaGarhari, 50 amadodana kaReyaya, amadodana kaRetsini, amadodana kaNekhoda, 51 amadodana kaGazamu, amadodana ka-Uza, amadodana kaPaseyarha, 52 amadodana kaBesayi, amadodana kaMewunimu, amadodana kaNefutjhesimu, 53 amadodana kaBakhibhukhi, amadodana kaRhakhufa, amadodana kaRharirhuri, 54 amadodana kaBhatsilithi, amadodana kaMerhida, amadodana kaRharitjha, 55 amadodana kaBarikhosi, amadodana kaSisera, amadodana kaTemarhi, 56 amadodana kaNetsiyarha, amadodana kaRhathifa.

57 Amadodana weensebenzi zakaSolomoni:+ amadodana kaSothayi, amadodana kaSoferethi, amadodana kaPerida, 58 amadodana kaJala, amadodana kaDarikhoni, amadodana kaGideli, 59 amadodana kaTjhefathiya, amadodana kaRhathili, amadodana kaPhokerethi-Hatsebayimu, amadodana ka-Amoni. 60 Sezizoke iinsebenzi zethempeli+ namadodana weensebenzi zakaSolomoni bezima-392.

61 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:+ 62 amadodana kaDelaya, amadodana kaThobiya, amadodana kaNekhoda ama-642. 63 Ebaphristini: amadodana kaRhobaya,+ amadodana kaHakhotsi, amadodana kaBharzilayi, owathatha umfazi emadodakazini kaBharzilayi+ weGiliyadi bewabizwa ngegama lakamukhwe wakhe. 64 Laba bathe nabaqala amagama wemindenabo encwadini yerhelo leenzukulwana, akhenge bawafumane, nje-ke bakhutjhwa ebuphristini.+ 65 Umbusi+ wabatjela ukuthi akukafaneli badle ukudla okucwengileko+ bekube kulapho kuba nomphristi owenza iinqunto nge-Urimi neThumimi.+

66 Inani lalo loke ibandleli belizii-42 360,+ 67 ngaphandle kweengqila neengqilakazi+ ebezizii-7 337; godu bebanabavumi abaduna nabasikazi abama-245.+ 68 Iinjomani zabo bezima-736, iimeyila zabo bezima-245, 69 amakamelabo bewama-435, abodumbana babo bazii-6 720.

70 Ezinye iinkoro zaboyise zanikela emsebenzini lo.+ Umbusi wanikela amadrakma* wegolide ayi-1 000, izitja ezima-50 nezambatho zabaphristi ezima-530 esikhwameni semali.+ 71 Ezinye iinkoro zaboyise zanikela amadrakma wegolide azii-20 000 nabomina* besiliva abazii-2 200 esikhwameni somsebenzi. 72 Abanye abantu banikela amadrakma wegolide azii-20 000, abomina abazii-2 200 nezambatho zabaphristi ezima-67.

73 Abaphristi, amaLevi, abalindisango, abavumi,+ abanye abantu, iinsebenzi zethempeli, nawo woke ama-Israyeli ahlala emadorobhenawo.+ Nakufika inyanga yekhomba+ ama-Israyeli besekahlala emadorobhenawo.+

8 Nje-ke boke abantu bahlangana ngomnqopho munye etatawini eliphambi kweSango laManzi,+ batjela u-Ezra+ umkopululi* bona alethe incwadi yomThetho kaMosi,+ lowo uJehova ayala ngawo ama-Israyeli.+ 2 Ngalokho, ngelanga lokuthoma lenyanga yekhomba, u-Ezra umphristi weza nomThetho phambi kwebandla lamadoda,+ labafazi nelabo boke ebebakghona ukulalela bebazwisise.+ 3 Wawufunda ngokuzwakalako+ phambi kwetatawu eliphambi kweSango laManzi, kusukela nakuphuma ilanga bekwaba semini ekulu, afundela amadoda, abafazi nabo boke abangakghona ukuzwisisa; abantu balalelisisa+ njengombana kufundwa incwadi yomThetho. 4 U-Ezra umkopululi* bekajame endaweni yesikhulumi ephezudlwana eyenziwe ngeengodo, eyenzelwe isenzakalweso; eqadi kwakhe ngesidleni bekujame uMatitiya, uTjhema, u-Anaya, u-Uriya, uRhilikhiya noMaseya; ngesinceleni sakhe bekunoPedaya, uMitjhayeli, uMalikiya,+ uRhatjhumu, uRhatjhibhadana, uZakariya noMetjhulamu.

5 U-Ezra wavula incwadi abonwa ngibo boke abantu, ngombana bekajame endaweni ephezulu kunabo boke. Njengombana ayivula, boke abantu basikima. 6 Yeke u-Ezra wadumisa uJehova uZimu weqiniso, uZimu omKhulu, nabamzwako abantu bathi, “Amen!* Amen!”+ Baphakamisa nezandla. Ngemva kwalokho baguqa phambi kwakaJehova bahloma iinhloko phasi. 7 UJetjhuwa, uBhani, uTjherebiya,+ uJamini, u-Akhubu, uTjhabetayi, uHodiya, uMaseya, uKhelitha, u-Azariya, uJozabadi,+ uRhanani noPelaya ebebamaLevi, bahlathululela abantu umThetho,+ abantu baraga njalo bajamile. 8 Baraga nokufunda ngokuzwakalako incwadi yomThetho kaZimu weqiniso, bawuhlathulula ngokukhanyako, baveza nokuthi lokho abakufundako kutjho ukuthini; yeke basiza abantu bona bazwisise lokho ebekufundwa.+

9 UNerhemiya obekambusi ngesikhatheso, u-Ezra+ umphristi begodu omkopululi,* namaLevi ebewafundisa abantu bathi kibo boke abantu: “Ilangeli licwengile kuJehova uZimenu.+ Ningatlhuwi namkha nilile.” Batjho lokho ngombana boke abantu bebalila nabezwa amezwi womThetho. 10 Wathi kibo: “Khambani nidle ukudla okumnandi, nisele izinto ezisudu, nabelane ukudla+ nalabo abanganakho; ngombana ilangeli licwengile eKosinethu, ningadani, ngombana ithabo elivela kuJehova lisiphephelo senu.”* 11 AmaLevi bewathulisa boke abantu, athi: “Ningalili! Ngombana ilangeli licwengile begodu ningadani.” 12 Nje-ke boke abantu bakhamba bayokudla, basela, babelana ukudla, bathaba khulu,+ ngombana bawazwisisa amezwi abahlathululelwe wona.+

13 Ngelanga lesibili, iinhloko zemindeni zabo boke abantu, abaphristi namaLevi zabungelela u-Ezra umkopululi* bona zifumane ilwazi elingeneleleko lamezwi womThetho. 14 Bafumana ukuthi emThethweni kutlolwe bona uJehova wakhupha umyalo ngoMosi, wokuthi ama-Israyeli kufuze ahlale emitlhatlhaneni ngesikhathi somnyanya ngenyanga yekhomba,+ 15 nokuthi kufuze benze isaziso bamemezele+ emadorobhenawo woke neJerusalema yoke, bathi: “Iyani eentabeni nize neempande ezinamakari zemithi yama-oliva, yamaphehlo, yemiritlili* neyesundu neempande ezinamakari zeminye imithi nizokwenza imitlhatlhana ngokuvumelana nalokho okutloliweko.”

16 Nje-ke abantu baphuma beza nazo, bona bazozenzela imitlhatlhana omunye nomunye ephahleni lakhe, esirhodlweni sakhe, esirhodlweni sendlu kaZimu weqiniso,+ etatawini leSango laManzi+ netatawini leSango lakwa-Efrayimu.+ 17 Nje-ke loke ibandla lababuya ekuthunjweni lenza imitlhatlhana lahlala kiyo; ama-Israyeli agcina ukwenza ngalendlela emihleni kaJotjhuwa+ indodana kaNuni, ngalokho kwaba nethabo elikhulu khulu.+ 18 Ilanga nelanga bekufundwa incwadi yomThetho kaZimu weqiniso,+ kusukela ngelanga lokuthoma bekwaba lilanga lokugcina. Baba nomnyanya amalanga alikhomba, kwathi ngelanga lobunane baba nomhlangano okhethekileko njengombana kutjho umThetho.+

9 Ngelanga lama-24 lenyanga le, ama-Israyeli ahlangana; bekazilile, ambethe imigodla azithele ngethuli eenhloko zawo.+ 2 Labo abama-Israyeli ngokubelethwa bazihlukanisa nabo boke abantu abavela kwezinye iintjhaba,+ basikima, bavuma izono zabo nemitjhapho yaboyise.+ 3 Nje-ke basikima endawenabo, bafunda ngokuzwakalako incwadi yomThetho+ kaJehova uZimabo ama-awara amathathu; amanye ama-awara amathathu bebavuma izono, bakhothame kuJehova uZimabo.

4 UJetjhuwa, uBhani, uKhadimiyeli, uTjhebaniya, uBhuni, uTjherebiya,+ uBhani noKenani bajama endaweni yesikhulumi ephezudlwana+ yamaLevi, barhuwelela ngelizwi elikhulu kuJehova uZimabo. 5 AmaLevi uJetjhuwa, uKhadimiyeli, uBhani, uRhatjhabineya, uTjherebiya, uHodiya, uTjhebaniya noPetharhiya bathi: “Sikimani nidumise uJehova uZimenu ngokungapheliko.+ Abadumise igama lakho eliphazimulako, elikhulu kinazo zoke iimbusiso nokudunyiswa okunganikelwa babantu.

6 “Wena wedwa unguJehova;+ wenze izulu, iye, izulu lezulwini nakho koke okukilo,* iphasi nakho koke okukilo, amalwandle nakho koke okukiwo. Nguwe owenza koke lokhu kuphile namabutho wezulwini akhothama kuwe. 7 UnguJehova uZimu weqiniso, owakhetha u-Abramu+ wamkhupha e-Uri+ yamaKhaledi,* wamthiya bona ngu-Abrahama.+ 8 Ufumane ihliziywakhe ithembekile phambi kwakho,+ yeke wenza isivumelwano naye bona umnikele inarha yamaKanana, yamaRhiti, yama-Amori, yamaPerizi, yamaJebusi neyamaGirigatjhi, bona uyinikele iinzukulwana zakhe;+ ukwenzile okuthembisileko, ngombana ulungile.

9 “Nje-ke wakubona ukutlhaga kwabokhokho bethu eGibhide,+ wezwa nesililo sabo eLwandle eliBomvu. 10 Wenza iimbonakaliso neemangaliso bona ujezise uFaro nazo zoke iinsebenzi zakhe nabo boke abantu benarhakhe,+ ngombana bewazi ukuthi batlhagise abantu bakho.+ Uzenzele igama bekwaba kunamhlanjesi.+ 11 Wahlukanisa ilwandle phambi kwabo, bona bayame ilwandle ehlabathini eyomileko,+ waphosela nalabo ebebabagijimisa ekuzikeni kwelwandle njengelitje eliphoswa emanzini anamandla.+ 12 Wabanqophisa ngesika yelifu emini, begodu ebusuku ngesika yomlilo, bona ibakhanyisele indlela ebekufuze bayikhambe.+ 13 Wehlela eNtabeni yeSinayi,+ wakhuluma nabo usezulwini+ wabanikela izahlulelo zakho ezilungileko, imithetho yeqiniso, iinqophiso ezihle nemiyalo.+ 14 Wabazisa iSabatha lakho elicwengileko,+ wabanikela imiyalo, iinqophiso nomthetho ngencekwakho uMosi. 15 Nabalambileko, wabanikela uburotho obuvela ezulwini,+ nabomileko,+ wabakhuphela amanzi edwaleni, wabatjela bona bangene bebahlale enarheni owafunga ukubanikela yona.

16 “Kodwana bona, abokhokho bethu, bazikhakhazisa,+ baba nekani+ begodu akhenge balalele imiyalwakho. 17 Babhala ukulalela,+ bakhohlwa nezenzo zakho ezirarako owazenza hlangana nabo, kodwana baba nekani bebazibekela umdosiphambili bona babuyele ebugqilini babo eGibhide.+ Kodwana wena unguZimu olungele ukulibalela, onezwelo nomusa, obuthaka ekusilingekeni nonethando* elikhulu,+ yeke akhenge ubalahle.+ 18 Ngitjho nangesikhathi bazenzela isithombe sesimbi sekonyana bathi, ‘Lo nguZimenu owanikhupha eGibhide,’+ begodu benza izenzo ezikulu zokungahloniphi, 19 nanyana kunjalo, ngebanga lesirhawu sakho esikhulu, akhenge ubatjhiye emmangweni.+ Isika yelifu akhenge isuke phezu kwabo bona ibanqophise endleleni emini, nesika yomlilo akhenge ibatjhiye bona ibakhanyisele indlela ekufuze bakhambe ngayo ebusuku.+ 20 Wabanikela ummoyakho omuhle bona ubanikele ilemuko,+ akhenge ubadime imanakho bona badle,+ wabanikela namanzi nabomileko.+ 21 Wabanikela ukudla iminyaka ema-40 emmangweni.+ Akhenge batlhoge litho. Izambatho zabo akhenge ziphele,+ neenyawo zabo akhenge zivuvuke.

22 “Wabanikela imibuso neentjhaba, wababela yona ingcenye nengcenye,+ bona bathathe inarha kaSirhoni,+ okuyinarha yekosi uRhetjhibhoni,+ kunye nenarha ka-Ogi+ ikosi yeBhatjhani. 23 Wenza nabantwababo baba banengi njengeenkwekwezi zezulwini.+ Wabaletha enarheni ebewuyithembise abakhokho babo bona bangene bahlale kiyo.+ 24 Nje-ke abantwababo bangena enarheni leyo bayithatha,+ wahlula amaKanana phambi kwabo+ ebekungiwo izakhamuzi zenarha leyo, wawanikela esandleni sabo, wawanikela amakhosawo neentjhaba zenarha leyo bona bazenzele umathanda ngazo. 25 Bathatha amadorobho avikelekileko+ namasimu avundileko,+ bathatha izindlu ezizele yoke imihlobo yezinto ezihle nemithombo eyenjiweko, amasimu wamadiribe, amasimu wama-oliva+ nemithi yeenthelo eminengi. Badla baneliseka bebazimuka, bathaba ebuhleni bakho obukhulu.

26 “Nanyana kunjalo, akhenge balalele, bahlubuka+ bebafulathela umThethwakho. Babulala abaphorofidi bakho ebebabayelelisa bona babuyele kuwe, benza nezenzo ezikulu zokungahloniphi.+ 27 Ngebanga lalokhu wabanikela esandleni samanababo,+ ebekasolo ababangela isizi.+ Kodwana bebalila kuwe nabaqalene nesizi labo, ubezwe usezulwini; ngebanga lesirhawu sakhe esikhulu, bewubanikela abatjhaphululi bona babasindise esandleni samanababo.+

28 “Kodwana ngemva kokobana batjhaphulukile, bebabuyelela benze okungakalungi phambi kwakho,+ begodu bewubaliselela ezandleni zamanababo, ebewababusa.+ Ngemva kwalokho babuye babawe isizo lakho,+ ubezwe usezulwini begodu bewusolo ubatjhaphulula ngebanga lesirhawu sakho esikhulu.+ 29 Ngitjho nanyana bewubayelelisa bona balalele umThethwakho, bazikhakhazisa babhala nokulalela imiyalwakho;+ benza isono malungana neenqophiso zakho, umuntu aphila ngazo nakazilalelako.+ Ngekani bakufulathela, baqinisa iinhloko babhala nokulalela. 30 Wababekezelela+ iminyaka eminengi begodu bewusolo ubayelelisa ngommoyakho usebenzisa abaphorofidi bakho, kodwana akhenge balalele. Emaswapheleni wabatjhiyela ezandleni zabantu beentjhaba.+ 31 Ngesirhawu sakho esikhulu, akhenge ubarhayile+ namkha ubalahle, ngombana unguZimu onezwelo nomusa.+

32 “Nje-ke Zimethu, Zimu omkhulu, onamandla nosabekako, ozalisa isivumelwano sakhe notjengise ithando,*+ ungabuthathi kancani boke ubudisi esiqalene nabo, bamakhosethu, bamakhosanethu,+ babaphristi bethu,+ babaphorofidi bethu,+ babokhokho bethu nebabo boke abantu bakho kusukela emihleni yamakhosi we-Asiriya+ bekube lilangeli. 33 Bewusolo wenza ngokulunga kikho koke ebesiqalana nakho, ngombana wenze ngokuthembeka; kodwana ngithi esenze ngokukhohlakala.+ 34 Nje-ke amakhosethu, amakhosanethu, abaphristi bethu nabokhokho bethu, akhenge balalele umThethwakho namkha imiyalwakho namkha iinkhumbuzo zakho owabayelelisa ngazo. 35 Ngitjho nalokha basembuswenabo, bathabela ubuhle bakho obukhulu obanikele bona, basenarheni ebanzi nenothileko obanikele yona, akhenge bakulotjhe+ begodu akhenge balise imikghwabo emimbi. 36 Nje-ke nakhu silapha namhlanjesi, siziingqila,+ iye, siziingqila enarheni owayinikela abokhokho bethu bona badle iinthelo nezinto zayo ezihle. 37 Inala yomkhiqizwayo ngeyamakhosi owabeke bona asibuse ngebanga lezono zethu.+ Abusa phezu kwemizimbethu nefuywethu ngendlela athanda ngayo, begodu sisesizini elikhulu.

38 “Nje-ke ngebanga lakho koke lokhu, soke sizibopha ngesivumelwano+ esitloliweko besaqinisekiswa ngetshwayo lamakhosanethu, lamaLevi nabaphristi bethu.”+

10 Labo abasiqinisekisa ngokufaka itshwayo kiso+ ngilaba:

9 AmaLevi: nguJetjhuwa indodana ka-Azaniya, uBhinuyi wamadodana kaRhenadadi, uKhadimiyeli,+ 10 nabafowabo uTjhebaniya, uHodiya, uKhelitha, uPelaya, uRhanani, 11 uMika, uRerhobu, uRhatjhabiya, 12 uZakuru, uTjherebiya,+ uTjhebaniya, 13 uHodiya, uBhani noBheninu.

14 Iinhloko zemindeni yakwa-Israyeli: nguParotjhi, uPharhathi-Mowabi,+ u-Elamu, uZatu, uBhani, 15 uBhuni, u-Azigadi, uBebayi, 16 u-Adoniya uBhigivayi, u-Adini, 17 u-Atheri, uHezekiya, u-Azuri, 18 uHodiya, uRhatjhumu, uBhetsayi, 19 uRharifi, u-Anatothi, uNebhayi, 20 uMagipiyatjhi, uMetjhulamu, uRheziri, 21 uMetjhezabeli, uTsadokhi, uJaduwa, 22 uPhelathiya, uRhanani, u-Anaya, 23 uHotjheya, uRhananiya, uRhatjhubi, 24 uHalorhetjhi, uPilirha, uTjhobekhi, 25 uRerhumu, uRhatjhabina, uMaseya, 26 u-Arhiya, uRhanani, u-Anani, 27 uMaluki, uRharimu noBhana.

28 Abanye abantu, abaphristi, amaLevi, abalindisango, abavumi, iinsebenzi zethempeli nawo woke umuntu ozihlukanise nabantu beentjhaba bona alandele umThetho kaZimu weqiniso,+ kuhlanganise nabafazi babo, amadodanabo namadodakazabo, boke esele banelwazi begodu bakghona ukuzwisisa* 29 bazihlanganisa nabafowabo, namadoda adumileko begodu bazibopha ngesiqalekiso nangesifungo bona bazokukhamba emThethweni kaZimu weqiniso, owanikelwa ngoMosi inceku kaZimu weqiniso begodu balalelisise yoke imiyalo kaJehova iKosethu, izahlulelo zakhe neenqophiso zakhe. 30 Asizukwendisela amadodakazethu ebantwini beentjhaba begodu angekhe sitjhadise amadodanethu namadodakazabo.+

31 Abantu beentjhaba nabaletha izinto zabo ezithengiswako nayo yoke imihlobo yeenthoro bona basithengisele ngelanga leSabatha,+ angekhe sithenge litho kibo ngeSabatha namkha ngelanga elicwengileko.+ Ngomnyaka wekhomba+ angekhe silime begodu sizokusula zoke iinkolodo.+

32 Sabeka nesibopho komunye nomunye wethu bona qobe mnyaka anikele kwesithathu kwetjhekeli* bona kusetjenziselwe indlu kaZimethu,+ 33 uburotho obubekwe ngamalarha,*+ umnikelo weenthoro owenziwa qobe,+ umnikelo otjhiswako wamaSabatha+ newokuthwasa kwenyanga owenziwa qobe,+ iminyanya ebekiweko,+ izinto ezicwengileko, iminikelo yesono+ yokuhlawulela ama-Israyeli, nayo yoke imisebenzi eyenziwa endlini kaZimethu.

34 Senza ifumbe malungana nokuthi ngimuphi umndeni wabaphristi, amaLevi nabantu, okufuze ulethe iinkuni endlini kaZimethu ngeenhloko zomndeni ngesikhathi esibekiweko naqobe mnyaka bona zitjhiswe e-aldareni lakaJehova uZimethu ngokuvumelana nalokho okutlolwe emThethweni.+ 35 Qobe mnyaka sizokuletha iinthelo zokuthoma ezivuthiweko ezivela emasiminethu endlini kaJehova,+ neenthelo zokuthoma ezivuthiweko zayo yoke imihlobo yemithi yeenthelo, 36 namadodanethu amazibulo, amazibulo wefuywethu,+ iinkomo, izimvu neembuzi, njengombana kutloliwe emThethweni. Sizokusa endlini kaZimethu, kubaphristi abasebenza endlini kaZimethu.+ 37 Godu iinthelo zokuthoma zeflowuru* yethu,+ zeminikelwethu, neenthelo zokuthoma zayo yoke imihlobo yemithi,+ zewayini elitjha nezamafutha,+ kufuze sizilethe kubaphristi eenlulwini zendlu kaZimethu,+ nokwetjhumi okuvela enarhenethu kufuze sikuse kumaLevi,+ ngombana amaLevi ngiwo ekufuze abuthelele kwetjhumi emadorobheni esilima kiwo.

38 Umphristi, indodana ka-Aroni, kufuze abe namaLevi nawabuthelela kwetjhumi; begodu amaLevi kufuze anikele kwetjhumi akuthathe kilokho kwetjhumi akubutheleleko, akunikele endlini kaZimethu,+ eenkumbeni zesilulu. 39 Ngombana ama-Israyeli namadodana wamaLevi kufuze awulethe eenlulwini umnikelo+ weenthoro, wewayini elitjha newamafutha+ begodu kulapho izitja zendawo ecwengileko ezikhona, abaphristi abasebenzako, abalindisango nabavumi. Angekhe siyiliselele indlu kaZimethu.+

11 Amakhosana wabantu bewahlala eJerusalema;+ kodwana abanye abantu benza ifumbe+ bona umuntu munye kwabalitjhumi ahlale eJerusalema, idorobho elicwengileko, bese kuthi abanye abalithoba bahlale kwamanye amadorobho. 2 Ngaphezu kwalokho, abantu babafisela isibusiso sakaZimu boke labo abazikhethela ukuyokuhlala eJerusalema.

3 Laba badosiphambili besifunda ebebahlala eJerusalema. (Woke amanye ama-Israyeli, abaphristi, amaLevi, iinsebenzi zethempeli,+ namadodana weensebenzi zakaSolomoni,+ bewahlala kwamanye amadorobho wakwaJuda, ngamunye endawenakhe edorobheni lakhe.+

4 Godu eJerusalema bekuhlala abanye abantu bakwaJuda nabakwaBhenjamini.) Ebantwini bakwaJuda bekungu-Ataya indodana ka-Uziya indodana kaZakariya indodana ka-Amariya indodana kaTjhefathiya indodana kaMahalaliyeli wamadodana kaPeretsi,+ 5 noMaseya indodana kaBharuki indodana kaKolirhoze indodana kaRhazaya indodana ka-Adaya indodana kaJoyaribu indodana kaZakariya wamadodana kaTjhela. 6 Woke amadodana kaPeretsi ebewahlala eJerusalema bewamadoda anamandla ama-468.

7 Laba bekubabantu bakwaBhenjamini: nguSalu+ indodana kaMetjhulamu indodana kaJowedi indodana kaPedaya indodana kaKholaya indodana kaMaseya indodana ka-Itiyeli indodana kaJosaya, 8 ngemva kwakhe nguGabhayi noSalayi, bama-928; 9 uJuweli indodana kaZikiri bekamtlhogomelabo, bese uJuda indodana kaHasenuwa alisekela lakhe edorobhenelo.

10 Ebaphristini: bekunguJedaya indodana kaJoyaribu, uJakini,+ 11 uSeraya indodana kaRhilikhiya indodana kaMetjhulamu indodana kaTsadokhi indodana kaMerayothi indodana ka-Arhithubi,+ umdosiphambili wendlu kaZimu weqiniso, 12 nabafowabo ebebenza umsebenzi wendlu, bama-822; no-Adaya indodana kaJerorhamu indodana kaPelalaya+ indodana ka-Amitsi indodana kaZakariya indodana kaPhatjhirhuri indodana kaMalikiya, 13 nabafowabo, iinhloko zemindeni, bama-242; no-Amatjhisayi indodana ka-Azareli indodana ka-Arhizayi indodana kaMetjhilemothi indodana ka-Imeri, 14 nabafowabo ebebamadoda anamandla nesibindi, bali-128; umtlhogomelabo bekunguZabidiyeli, ilunga lomndeni odumileko.

15 EmaLevini: bekunguTjhemaya+ indodana kaRhatjhubi indodana ka-Azrikhamu indodana kaRhatjhabiya indodana kaBhuni, 16 noTjhabetayi+ noJozabadi,+ ebebahlangana neenhloko zamaLevi, ebebabaphathi bomsebenzi wangaphandle wendlu kaZimu weqiniso; 17 noMathaniya,+ indodana kaMikha indodana kaZabidi indodana ka-Asafa+ umnqophisi womvumo, obekadosa phambili ekudumiseni nakuthandazwako,+ noBhakhibhukhiya umsizakhe, no-Abida indodana kaTjhamuwa indodana kaGalali indodana kaJedutuni.+ 18 Woke amaLevi ebewahlala edorobheni elicwengileko bewama-284.

19 Abalindisango bekungu-Akhubu, uThalimoni+ nabafowabo ebebahlala bagade amasango, bebali-172.

20 Woke amanye ama-Israyeli, abaphristi namaLevi bebakiwo woke amanye amadorobho wakwaJuda, ngamunye asendaweni elilifa lakhe. 21 Iinsebenzi zethempeli+ bezihlala e-Ofeli+ begodu uTsirha noGitjhipha bebabaphathi beensebenzi zethempeli.

22 Umtlhogomeli wamaLevi bekungu-Uzi indodana kaBhani indodana kaRhatjhabiya indodana kaMathaniya+ indodana kaMika, wamadodana ka-Asafa, ebewabavumi; bekamphathi womsebenzi wendlu kaZimu weqiniso. 23 Ngombana bekunomyalo ovela ekosini ophathelene nabo,+ begodu abavumi bebafumana isibonelelo esingatjhugulukiko qobe langa kuye ngokwalokho abakutlhogako. 24 UPetharhiya indodana kaMetjhezabeli wamadodana kaZerarhi indodana kaJuda bekamluleki wekosi kizo zoke iindaba eziphathelene nabantu.

25 Malungana neendawo zokuhlala ebezinamasimu, abanye abantu bakwaJuda bebahlala eKhiriyathi-Ariba+ nemadorobheni ayibhodileko, eDiboni nemadorobheni ayibhodileko, eJekhabitsiyeli+ nezabelweni zayo, 26 eJetjhuwa, eMolada,+ eBhethe-Pelethi,+ 27 eRhatsari-Tjhuwali,+ eBheritjheba nemadorobheni ayibhodileko, 28 eTsikhilagi,+ eMekona nemadorobheni ayibhodileko, 29 e-Eni-Rimoni,+ eTsora+ neJarimuthi, 30 eZanowarhi,+ e-Adulamu nezabelweni zazo, eLakitjhi+ nemasiminayo, ne-Azekha+ nemadorobheni ayibhodileko. Bahlala kusukela eBheritjheba kufikela emRhobeni kaHinomu.+

31 Abantu bakwaBhenjamini bebaseGeba,+ eMikimasi, e-Aya, eBhetheli+ nemadorobheni ayibhodileko, 32 e-Anatothi,+ eNobi,+ e-Ananiya, 33 eRhatsori, eRama,+ eGitayimu, 34 eRhadidi, eTseboyimu, eNebhalathi, 35 eLodi ne-Ono,+ umrhoba weensebenzi zobukghwari. 36 Ezinye iingaba zamaLevi zakwaJuda zabelwa kwaBhenjamini.

12 Laba baphristi namaLevi abakhuphuka noZerubhabheli+ indodana kaTjheyalitiyeli+ noJetjhuwa:+ nguSeraya, uJoromiya, u-Ezra, 2 u-Amariya, uMaluki, uRhathutjhi, 3 uTjhekaniya, uRerhumu, uMeremothi, 4 u-Ido, uGinetoyi, u-Abhiya, 5 uMijamini, uMadiya, uBhiliga, 6 uTjhemaya, uJoyaribu, uJedaya, 7 uSalu, u-Amokhi, uRhilikhiya noJedaya. Laba bekuziinhloko zabaphristi nabafowabo emihleni kaJetjhuwa.

8 AmaLevi bekunguJetjhuwa, uBhinuyi, uKhadimiyeli,+ uTjherebiya, uJuda noMathaniya. UMathaniya+ nabafowabo bebadosa phambili eengomeni zokuthokoza uZimu. 9 UBhakhibhukhiya no-Uni abafowabo bebajama phambi kwabo benza imisebenzi yokugada.* 10 UJetjhuwa waba nguyise kaJoyakhimu, uJoyakhimu waba nguyise ka-Eliyatjhibu,+ u-Eliyatjhibu waba nguyise kaJoyada.+ 11 UJoyada waba nguyise kaJonathani, uJonathani waba nguyise kaJaduwa.

12 Emihleni kaJoyakhimu, laba bekubaphristi, iinhloko zemindeni: emndenini kaSeraya+ nguMeraya; emndenini kaJoromiya nguRhananiya; 13 emndenini ka-Ezra+ nguMetjhulamu; emndenini ka-Amariya nguJehorhanani; 14 emndenini kaMeluki nguJonathani; emndenini kaTjhebaniya nguJosefa; 15 emndenini kaRharimu+ ngu-Adina; emndenini kaMerayothi nguRhelikhayi; 16 emndenini ka-Ido nguZakariya; emndenini kaGinetoni nguMetjhulamu; 17 emndenini ka-Abhiya+ nguZikiri; emndenini kaMinyamini, . . . ;* emndenini kaMowadiya nguPilithayi; 18 emndenini kaBhiliga+ nguTjhamuwa; emndenini kaTjhemaya nguJehonathana; 19 emndenini kaJoyaribu nguMatenayi; emndenini kaJedaya+ ngu-Uzi; 20 emndenini kaSalayi nguKhalayi; emndenini ka-Amokhi ngu-Ebhere; 21 emndenini kaRhilikhiya nguRhatjhabiya; emndenini kaJedaya nguNetaneli.

22 Emihleni ka-Eliyatjhibu, uJoyada, uJorhanani noJaduwa+ kwatloliswa iinhloko zemindeni zamaLevi kunye nezabaphristi, kwehle bekuyokufika ebukhosini bakaDariyasi wePheresiya.

23 AmaLevi ebewaziinhloko zemindeni atlolwa encwadini yomlando, kwehle bekuyokufika emihleni kaJorhanani indodana ka-Eliyatjhibu. 24 Iinhloko zamaLevi bekunguRhatjhabiya, uTjherebiya noJetjhuwa+ indodana kaKhadimiyeli,+ begodu abafowabo bebajama phambi kwabo bona badumise bebathokoze uZimu ngokuya ngokweenlayezo zakaDavida+ umuntu kaZimu weqiniso, kusiqhema sabonogada esikhambisana nesinye. 25 UMathaniya,+ uBhakhibhukhiya, u-Obadiya, uMetjhulamu, uThalimoni no-Akhubu+ bebabalindisango,+ bagade iinlulu ezingemasangweni. 26 Laba basebenza emihleni kaJoyakhimu indodana kaJetjhuwa+ indodana kaJotsadakhi nemihleni kaNerhemiya umbusi neka-Ezra+ umphristi nomkopululi.*

27 Nakuzokugidingwa ukuvulwa kwamaboda weJerusalema, bafuna amaLevi bawaletha eJerusalema avela kizo zoke iindawo ebewahlala kizo bona azokugidinga ukuvulwa kwamaboda ngethabo, ngeengoma zokuthokoza,+ ngamasimbali, ngeenliliso zesinara nangamaharibha. 28 Amadodana wabavumi* abuthana avela esifundeni esiseduze,* kiyo yoke iJerusalema, ezabelweni zamaNethofa,+ 29 eBhethe-Giligali,+ emasimini weGeba+ ne-Azimavethi,+ ngombana abavumi bebazakhele izabelo magega neJerusalema yoke. 30 Abaphristi namaLevi bazihlambulula, bahlambulula abantu,+ amasango+ neboda.+

31 Nje-ke ngakhuphulela amakhosana wakwaJuda ngaphezu kweboda. Ngabeka iinqhema ezimbili ezikulu zabavumi beengoma zokuthokoza, esinye silandela esinye, esinye sakhamba ngesidleni seboda satjhinga ngeSangweni leZala.+ 32 UHotjhaya nengcenye yamakhosana wakwaJuda bakhamba ngemva kwaso, 33 kunye no-Azariya, u-Ezra, uMetjhulamu, 34 uJuda, uBhenjamini, uTjhemaya noJoromiya. 35 Kunye nabo bekunamanye amadodana wabaphristi aphethe iimbhorompita:+ kunguZakariya indodana kaJonathani indodana kaTjhemaya indodana kaMathaniya indodana kaMikaya indodana kaZakuru indodana ka-Asafa,+ 36 begodu abafowabo uTjhemaya, u-Azareli, uMilalayi, uGilalayi, uMayi, uNetaneli, uJuda noRhanani bebaphethe iinliliso zakaDavida+ umuntu kaZimu weqiniso; u-Ezra+ umkopululi* bekakhamba phambi kwabo. 37 ESangweni lomThombo+ batjhinga phezulu eenTepisini+ zeDorobho lakaDavida+ ngomkhuphukela weboda ngaphezu kweNdlu kaDavida neSangweni laManzi+ ngepumalanga.

38 Esinye isiqhema sabavumi beengoma zokuthokoza sakhamba ngakwelinye ihlangothi, ngasilandela nengcenye yabantu ebodeni eliphezulu emBhotjhongweni wama-Ondo+ neBodeni eliBanzi+ 39 sakhuphuka sadlula iSango lakwa-Efrayimu,+ iSango leDorobho eliDala,+ iSango leHlambi,+ umBhotjhongo kaRhananiyeli,+ umBhotjhongo kaMiya neSango leziMvu;+ sajama eSangweni lomLindi.

40 Ngemva kwalokho, iinqhema ezimbili zabavumi beengoma zokuthokoza zajama phambi kwendlu kaZimu weqiniso; yeke nami nengcenye yabasekeli bababusi sajama, 41 begodu abaphristi u-Eliyakhimu, uMaseya, uMinyamini, uMikaya, u-Eliyowenayi, uZakariya noRhananiya bebaphethe iimbhorompita, 42 kunye noMaseya, uTjhemaya, u-Elazara, u-Uzi, uJehorhanani, uMalikiya, u-Elamu no-Etseri. Abavumi babhinela phezulu banqotjhiswa nguJizrarhiya.

43 Ngelangelo banikela imihlatjelo eminengi begodu bathaba,+ ngombana uZimu weqiniso wabenza bathaba khulu. Abafazi nabantwana nabo bathaba,+ kangangobana ithabo leJerusalema lazwakala neendaweni ezikude khulu.+

44 Ngelangelo kwabekwa amadoda bona atjheje iinlulu zeminikelo,+ zeenthelo zokuthoma+ nezokwetjhumi.+ Bekufuze abuthelele emasimini wemadorobheni iingcenye ezifunwa mThetho+ kwenzelwa abaphristi namaLevi,+ ngombana bekunethabo kwaJuda ngebanga labaphristi namaLevi ebebenza umsebenzabo. 45 Yeke bathoma ukutjheja imisebenzi kaZimabo nesibopho sokuhlanjululwa, njengombana kwenza abavumi nabalindisango, ngokuya ngeenlayezo zakaDavida nendodanakhe uSolomoni. 46 Ngombana ekadeni emihleni kaDavida no-Asafa, bekunabanqophisi babavumi neengoma zokudumisa nokuthokoza uZimu.+ 47 Ngemihla kaZerubhabheli+ nangemihla kaNerhemiya, woke ama-Israyeli anikela abavumi+ nabalindisango+ umnikelo, ngokuya ngalokho abakutlhogako qobe langa. Babekela ngeqadi umnikelo wamaLevi,+ amaLevi abekela ngeqadi umnikelo weenzukulwana zaka-Aroni.

13 Ngelangelo kwafundwa incwadi kaMosi abantu balalele,+ kwafunyanwa lapha itlolwe ukuthi ama-Amoni namkha bakwaMowabi+ akukafuzi bangene ebandleni lakaZimu weqiniso,+ 2 ngombana akhenge bahlangabeze ama-Israyeli ngoburotho nangamanzi, kunalokho baqatjha uBhalami bona awaqalekise.+ Kodwana uZimethu watjhugulula isiqalekiso saba sibusiso.+ 3 Kuthe msinyana nabezwa umThetho, bathoma ukukhupha boke abangasima-Israyeli hlangana nama-Israyeli.+

4 Nje-ke ngaphambi kobana kwenzeke lokhu, umphristi ebekamphathi weenlulu zendlu kaZimethu+ bekungu-Eliyatjhibu+ isihlobo sakaThobiya.+ 5 Wamvumela bona asebenzise isilulu esikhulu, ngaphambilini ebesisetjenziselwa ukufaka umnikelo weenthoro, ipepho emhlophe, izitja nokwetjhumi kweenthoro, kwewayini elitjha, nekwamafutha,+ ebekuyalwe bona kunikelwe amaLevi,+ abavumi nabalindisango, kuhlanganise nomnikelo wabaphristi.+

6 Nakwenzeka koke lokho bengingekho eJerusalema, ngombana ngaya ekosini ngomnyaka wama-32+ weKosi u-Aritarhitjhasta+ weBhabhiloni; ngokukhamba kwesikhathi ngabawa imvumo ekosini yokobana ngibuyele eJerusalema. 7 Ngithe nangifika eJerusalema ngabona ubumbi obenziwe ngu-Eliyatjhibu+ ngokuvumela uThobiya+ asebenzise isilulu esingesirhodlweni sendlu kaZimu weqiniso. 8 Lokhu kwangisilinga khulu, nje-ke ngalahlela zoke izinto* zakaThobiya ngaphandle kwesilulu. 9 Ngemva kwalokho, ngakhupha umyalo wokobana kuhlwengiswe iinlulu; ngabuyisela izitja zendlu kaZimu weqiniso+ nomnikelo weenthoro nepepho emhlophe.+

10 Ngafumana nokuthi amaLevi+ akhenge anikelwe ingcenye yawo,+ kangangobana amaLevi nabavumi abenze umsebenzi bakhamba, ngamunye waya esiminakhe.+ 11 Yeke ngakhalima amasekela wababusi+ ngathi: “Kubayini niliselele indlu kaZimu weqiniso?”+ Ngemva kwalokho, ngabuthelela abakhambileko bengababela bona babuyele emisebenzinabo. 12 Woke amaJuda aletha ngeenlulwini kwetjhumi+ kweenthoro, kwewayini elitjha nekwamafutha.+ 13 Ngabeka uTjhelemiya umphristi, uTsadokhi umkopululi* noPedaya ongomunye wamaLevi bona kube ngibo abaphathi beenlulu begodu uRhanani indodana kaZakuru indodana kaMathaniya bekamsizi wabo, ngombana amadoda la bekaqalwa njengathembekileko. Bekumthwalawo ukwabela abafowabo.

14 Ngibawa ungikhumbule+ Zimami malungana nalokhu begodu ungazisuli izenzo zami zethando* engizenzele indlu kaZimami nomsebenzayo.+

15 Emihleni leyo ngabona abantu kwaJuda batlhodlha amadiribe ngokuwagadanga ngeSabatha,+ baletha iinquthulo zeenthoro bazilayitjha kibodumbana, baletha newayini, amadiribe, amafeyi nayo yoke imihlobo yezinto ezithengiswako eJerusalema ngeSabatha.+ Nje-ke ngabayelelisa bona bangathengisi litho ngelangelo.* 16 Abantu beTirosi abahlala edorobheni baletha iinhlambi nayo yoke imihlobo yezinto ezithengiswako, bazithengisela abantu bakwaJuda eJerusalema ngeSabatha.+ 17 Nje-ke ngakhalima iinkhulu zakwaJuda ngathi kizo: “Bubumbi bani enibenzakobu? Nisilaphaza ngitjho nelanga leSabatha! 18 Kghani lokhu akusingikho na okwenziwa bokhokho benu, kangangobana uZimu wasilethela ihlekelele le wayiletha naphezu kwedorobheli? Yeke ngokusilaphaza iSabatha,+ ningezelela ilaka lakaZimu phezu kwama-Israyeli.”

19 Msinyana nakuthoma ukurhwalala emasangweni weJerusalema ngaphambi kobana kube lilanga leSabatha, ngakhupha umyalo wokobana kuvalwe iminyango. Ngathi akukafuzi ivulwe bekube ngemva kweSabatha, ngabeka nezinye zeensebenzi zami emasangweni bona kungabi nemithwalo engeniswako ngelanga leSabatha. 20 Nje-ke abarhwebi nabathengisi bayo yoke imihlobo yezinto ezithengiswako balala ngaphandle kweJerusalema kanye namkha kabili. 21 Ngabayelelisa ngathi kibo: “Kubayini nilala phambi kweboda? Nange ningabuyelela godu, ngizonibopha.” Kusukela mhlokho, akhenge baseza ngeSabatha.

22 Ngatjela amaLevi ukuthi kufuze azihlambulule qobe, eze azokugada emasangweni bona enze iSabatha lihlale licwengile.+ Nalokhu Zimami ukukhumbule, ungibusise, ungirhawukele ngethando* lakho elikhulu.+

23 Emihleni leyo ngabona namaJuda atjhade nabafazi+ be-Atjhidodi,+ bakwa-Amoni nabakwaMowabi.+ 24 Ingcenye yamadodanabo beyikhuluma isi-Atjhidodi namalimi wabantu abatjhili, akukho namunye wabo ebekakwazi ukukhuluma ilimi lamaJuda. 25 Nje-ke ngabakhalima, ngabaqalekisa, ngabetha abanye babo,+ ngatsomula iinhluthu zabo, ngabenza bafunga ngoZimu, ngathi: “Ninganikeli amadodakazenu emadodanenabo begodu ningazithatheli namkha nithathele amadodanenu amadodakazawo.+ 26 Kghani akusingilokho okwenza iKosi yakwa-Israyeli uSolomoni yona? Hlangana neentjhaba ezinengi ayikho ikosi ebeyinjengaye;+ bekathandwa nguZimakhe,+ kangangobana uZimu wamenza waba yikosi yama-Israyeli woke. Kodwana abafazi beentjhaba bamenza wona.+ 27 Nje-ke kuyarara ukuthi ningenza ubumbi obungaka ningathembeki kuZimethu ngokutjhada nabafazi bezinye iintjhaba!”+

28 Omunye wamadodana kaJoyada+ indodana ka-Eliyatjhibu+ umphristi ophakemeko waba mkhwenyana kaSanibhalathi+ umRhoroni. Nje-ke ngamqotha.

29 Bakhumbule Zimami, ngombana basilaphaze ubuphristi nesivumelwano sobuphristi+ namaLevi.+

30 Ngabahlambulula kikho koke ukusilaphala kweentjhaba, ngabela abaphristi namaLevi imisebenzi, ngamunye waya emsebenzinakhe,+ 31 ngahlela nokobana kulethwe iinkuni+ ngeenkhathi ezibekiweko, kulethwe neenthelo zokuthoma ezivuthiweko.

Ngikhumbula ngobuhle Zimami.+