ESTA

1 Nje-ke emihleni ka-Arhatjhiverotjhi,* okungu-Arhatjhiverotjhi obekabusa eemfundeni ezili-127,+ ukusukela eNdiya kufikela eTopiya,* 2 ngemihla leyo ngesikhathi iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi ihlezi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi esigodlweni iTjhutjhani,*+ 3 ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kwakhe, wenzela woke amakhosana neensebenzi zakhe umnyanya. Ibutho lePheresiya+ neMediya,+ iinkhulu namakhosana weemfunda zeza emnyanyeni loyo, 4 wazitjengisa umnotho wombuswakhe omkhulu nobukhulu boburhanyarhanya bephazimulwakhe amalanga amanengi, okumalanga ali-180. 5 Kwathi nakuphela amalanga lawo, ikosi yenzela boke abantu ebebasesigodlweni iTjhutjhani umnyanya owathatha amalanga alikhomba, kusukela komncani kuya komkhulu. Umnyanya loyo wenzelwa etatawini elisesivandeni sesigodlo. 6 Bekunamarharideni welineni, wekoteni elisezingeni eliphezulu newamatjhila ahlaza komkayi abotjhwe ngeentambo zezinga eliphezulu, zewulu esipiridzana emasongweni wesiliva, eensikeni zemabula, godu bekuneenhlalo zegolide nezesiliva eendleleni ezigangadelwe ngelitje elibizwa ngokuthi yiphofori, ngemabula, ngamaparele nangemabula enzima.

7 Iwayini beliselwa ngeenkapho zegolide; enye nenye ikapho beyihlukile kwenye begodu iwayini lebukhosini beliyinala njengombana bekulindelekile ekosini. 8 Bekuselwa ngokuvumelana nomthetho othi akekho umuntu obekufuze akatelelwe bona asele, ngombana ikosi yahlela neenkhulu zesigodlo sayo ukuthi omunye nomunye umuntu kufuze enze ngendlela athanda ngayo.

9 INdlovukazi uVatjhithi+ yenzela abafazi umnyanya endlini yeKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi.

10 Ngelanga lekhomba, lokha ihliziyo yekosi ithabile ngebanga lewayini, yatjela uMehumani, uBhizeta, uRharibhona,+ uBhigeta, u-Abageta, uZetari noKarikasi, iinkhulu zesigodlo ezilikhomba ebezibatlhogomeli beKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi, 11 bona balethe iNdlovukazi uVatjhithi ekosini, ithwele idugu yebukhosini, izokubukisa ngobuhle bayo ebantwini nemakhosaneni, ngombana beyisiphalaphala. 12 Kodwana iNdlovukazi uVatjhithi yasolo ibhala ukuza ingalaleli umyalo wekosi owadluliselwa ziinkhulu zesigodlo. Nayizwa lokho ikosi yasilingeka khulu, yabibhelana.

13 Nje-ke ikosi yakhuluma namadoda ahlakaniphileko ebewanelemuko lezinto ezenzeka esikhathini esidlulileko (ngombana indaba yekosi beyifika bunjalo phambi kwabo boke abanelwazi lomthetho namacala wezomthetho, 14 begodu ebebatjhidelene khulu nayo bekunguKaritjhena, uTjhetari, u-Adimata, uTaratjhitjhi, uMeresi, uMarisena noMemukani, amakhosana+ alikhomba wePheresiya neMediya, ebewanelungelo lokubonana nekosi begodu aneenkhundla eziphezulu khulu embusweni). 15 Ikosi yabuza yathi: “Ngokomthetho, kufuze kwenziweni ngeNdlovukazi uVatjhithi ngombana azange ilalele umyalo weKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi odluliselwe ngeenkhulu zesigodlo?”

16 UMemukani waphendula phambi kwekosi namakhosana wathi: “INdlovukazi uVatjhithi ayikoni ekosini kwaphela,+ kodwana yone nakiwo woke amakhosana nakizo zoke iintjhaba ezikizo zoke iimfunda zeKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi. 17 Ngombana into eyenziwe yindlovukazi izokwaziwa ngibo boke abafazi begodu bazokudelela amadodabo bathi, ‘IKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yathi akulethwe iNdlovukazi uVatjhithi kodwana yona yabhala.’ 18 Khona namhlanjesi abafazi bamakhosana wePheresiya neMediya bazokukhuluma namadodabo ngalokhu okwenziwe yindlovukazi, lokho-ke kuzokubangela inyazo elikhulu nelaka. 19 Nange kubonakala kukuhle ekosini, ayikhuphe umyalo, utlolwe hlangana nemithetho yePheresiya neMediya engasulwako,+ wokobana uVatjhithi angaseza phambi kweKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi; begodu ikosi ayidlulisele isikhundla sakhe sebukhosini komunye umfazi ongcono kunaye. 20 Kuzakuthi umyalo lo nawuzwakala kiwo woke umbuswayo omkhulu, boke abafazi bazokuhlonipha amadodabo kusukela komkhulu kuya komncani.”

21 Isiphakamiswesi sayithabisa ikosi namakhosana, yeke ikosi yenza okutjhiwo nguMemukani. 22 Nje-ke yathumela iincwadi kizo zoke iimfunda zombuswayo,+ kwesinye nesinye isifunda ngokwendlelaso yokutlola nakwesinye nesinye isitjhaba ngelimi laso, bona enye nenye indoda ibe yihloko* emzinayo beyikhulume ngelimi lekhabo.*

2 Ngemva kwalokhu, ilaka leKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi+ nasele libohlile, yacabangisisa ngalokho uVatjhithi+ akwenzileko nangalokho ekuquntwe ngaye.+ 2 Nje-ke abatlhogomeli bekosi bathi: “Ikosi kufuze ifunelwe amatlawu amahle. 3 Ikosi ayikhethe abantu kizo zoke iimfunda zembuswenayo+ bona babuthelele woke amatlawu amahle bawalethe esigodlweni iTjhutjhani,* endlini yabafazi. Kufuze batjhejwe nguHegayi+ umphakulwa wekosi, omtlhogomeli wabafazi begodu kufuze kuthuthukiswe ubuhle babo.* 4 Yeke itlawu elithandeka khulu ekosini, lizokuba yindlovukazi esikhundleni sakaVatjhithi.”+ Isiphakamiswesi sayithabisa ikosi beyenza njalo.

5 Bekunendoda ethileko emJuda esigodlweni iTjhutjhani,*+ igama layo bekunguMoridekayi+ indodana kaJayire indodana kaTjhimeyi indodana kaKhitjhi, umBhenjamini,+ 6 ebeyidingiswe ivela eJerusalema nabantu ebebadingiswe neKosi yakwaJuda uJokoniya,*+ loyo iKosi yeBhabhiloni uNebukadinetsari eyamusa ekudingisweni. 7 Beyimtlhogomeli kaHadasa, okungu-Esta, indodakazi yomfowabo kayise,+ ngombana beyiyintandani. Intombi le beyinejamo begodu iyihle, kuthe nakuhlongakala ababelethi bayo, uMoridekayi wayithatha wayenza indodakazakhe. 8 Nakumenyezelwa umyalo wekosi kulethwa namatlawu amanengi esigodlweni iTjhutjhani* ngaphasi kwetjhejo lakaHegayi,+ umtlhogomeli wabafazi, u-Esta naye bekangomunye wabafazi abasiwa esigodlweni.

9 Nje-ke intombi le yathandeka kuye begodu yafumana umusakhe, khonokho wayihlelela izinto zokuthuthukisa ubuhle+ bayo nokudla okukhethekileko, wayinikela neentombi ezikhethekileko ezilikhomba ezivela esigodlweni sekosi bona ziyitjheje. Wayihlalisa neentombezo endaweni engcono ngendlini yabafazi. 10 Nje-ke u-Esta akhenge atjho litho ngesitjhaba+ namkha ngeenhlobo zekhabo, ngombana uMoridekayi+ bekamtjele ukuthi angatjeli muntu ngabo.+ 11 Qobe langa uMoridekayi bekakhambakhamba phambi kwesirhodlo sendlu yabafazi bona ezwe ngehlalakuhle ka-Esta nokuthi uphatheke njani.

12 Intombi ngayinye beyifumana ithuba lokuya eKosini u-Arhatjhiverotjhi ngemva kokuqeda ihlelo leenyanga ezili-12 ebezibekelwe lona, ngombana nakhu ebekufuze zikwenze bona ziphethe ihlelo lazo lokuthuthukisa ubuhle. Iinyanga ezisithandathu bezizeswa ngamafutha wemire+ begodu eenyangeni ezisithandathu ezilandelako zizeswe ngamafutha webhalsami+ nezinye iinthako zokuthuthukisa ubuhle. 13 Nasele kwenziwe lokho intombi beseyikulungele ukungena ekosini, bekuthi nanyana yini eyibawako inikelwe yona nayisuka ngendlini yabafazi iya ngesigodlweni. 14 Entambama beyingena ekosini, kuthi ekuseni ibuyele ngendlini yabafazi yesibili, ngaphasi kwetjhejo lakaTjhatjhigazi umphakulwa wekosi,+ umtlhogomeli wamakhohlo.+ Beyingabuyeli ekosini ngaphandle kokobana ikosi iyithande khulu begodu iyibawe ngokukhethekileko ngokuyibiza ngegama layo.

15 Nakufika ithuba lakhe lokungena ekosini, u-Esta, indodakazi ka-Abihayili umfowabo kayise kaMoridekayi, amthatha bona abe yindodakazakhe,+ akhenge abawe litho ngaphandle kwalokho akutjelwe nguHegayi umphakulwa wekosi, umtlhogomeli wabafazi. (Soke isikhatheso u-Esta bekathandeka kibo boke ebebambona.) 16 U-Esta wasiwa eKosini u-Arhatjhiverotjhi ngesigodlweni ngenyanga yetjhumi, okuyinyanga kaThebethi,* ngomnyaka wekhomba+ wokubusa kwayo. 17 Ikosi yathanda u-Esta ukudlula boke abanye abafazi bakhe, wafumana umusa nokwamukelwa ngiyo ukudlula amanye amatlawu. Yeke ikosi yamthwesa idugu yobukhosi, yamenza indlovukazi+ esikhundleni sakaVatjhithi.+ 18 Ikosi yenzela woke amakhosana neensebenzi zayo umnyanya omkhulu, umnyanya ka-Esta. Ngemva kwalokho, yamemezela itjhaphuluko eemfundeni begodu beyisolo iphana ngezipho ngokuya ngamandla wekosi.

19 Nje-ke nakubuthelelwa amatlawu+ ihlandla lesibili, uMoridekayi bekahlezi esangweni lekosi. 20 U-Esta akhenge atjho litho ngeenhlobo nesitjhaba sakhe,+ njengombana uMoridekayi amtjelile; u-Esta waraga nokwenza akutjelwe nguMoridekayi, njengalokha asesengaphasi kwetjhejo lakhe.+

21 Emihleni leyo uMoridekayi nakasahlezi esangweni lekosi, uBhigitani noTeretjhi, iinkhulu zesigodlo ezimbili zekosi, abalindisango, basilingeka baluka amano wokubulala iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi. 22 Kodwana uMoridekayi wezwa ngalokho, msinyana watjela iNdlovukazi u-Esta. U-Esta watjela ikosi ngalokho akuzwe ngoMoridekayi. 23 Nje-ke indaba leyo yaphenyisiswa, ngokukhamba kwesikhathi yaqinisekiswa, begodu womabili amadoda lawo aphanyekwa esigodweni; koke lokhu kwatlolwa encwadini yomlando phambi kwekosi.+

3 Ngemva kwalokhu, iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yakhuphula uHamani+ indodana kaHamedata umAgagi,+ yambeka esikhundleni esiphezulu ukudlula amanye amakhosana ebekanaye.+ 2 Zoke iinsebenzi zekosi ebezisesangweni lekosi bezikhothama beziguqe zihlome iinhloko phasi nazibona uHamani, ngombana ikosi beyiyale bona ahlonitjhwe ngendlela le. Kodwana uMoridekayi akhenge akhothame namkha aguqe ahlome ihloko phasi. 3 Nje-ke iinsebenzi zekosi ebezisesangweni lekosi zathi kuMoridekayi: “Kubayini ungalaleli umyalo wekosi?” 4 Bezimbuza qobe langa, kodwana angazilaleli. Yeke zatjela uHamani zifuna ukubona ukuthi ukuziphatha kwakaMoridekayi lokhu kuzokubekezelelwa na;+ ngombana bekathe kizo umJuda.+

5 UHamani nakabona ukuthi uMoridekayi uyabhala ukukhothama nokuguqa ahlome ihloko phasi phambi kwakhe, wasilingeka khulu.+ 6 Kodwana kuye bekubonakala kuzomehlisa isithunzi ukubulala uMoridekayi kwaphela, ngombana bekatjelwe ukuthi uMoridekayi ungowasiphi isitjhaba. Nje-ke uHamani wathoma ukufuna indlela yokutjhabalalisa woke amaJuda ebekangaphasi kombuso ka-Arhatjhiverotjhi, boke abantu besitjhaba sakaMoridekayi.

7 Ngenyanga yokuthoma, okuyinyanga kaNisani,* ngomnyaka we-12+ weKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi, baphosa iPuri+ (lokho kutjho iFumbe) phambi kwakaHamani bona kukhethwe ilanga nenyanga okuzokwenziwa ngayo lokhu, yawela enyangeni ye-12, okuyinyanga ka-Adari.*+ 8 Nje-ke uHamani wathi eKosini u-Arhatjhiverotjhi: “Kunesitjhaba esithileko esirhatjhekele hlangana neentjhaba+ ezikizo zoke iimfunda zombuswakho,+ sinemithetho ehlukileko kweyezinye iintjhaba; asiyilaleli imithetho yekosi begodu lokho angekhe kuyizuzise ikosi nayingasilisa sinjalo. 9 Nange kukuhle ekosini, akutlolwe umyalo wokobana barhayilwe. Ngizokubhadela amatalende* wesiliva azii-10 000 eenkhulwini bona ziwafake ebulungelweni lamagugu webukhosini.”*

10 Khonokho ikosi yakhupha idzilamnwanayo enetshwayo+ esandleni sayo, yayinikela uHamani+ indodana kaHamedata umAgagi,+ obekalinaba lamaJuda. 11 Ikosi yathi kuHamani: “Unikelwa isiliva nesitjhabeso, ungazenzela umathanda kiso.” 12 Ngelanga le-13 lenyanga yokuthoma kwabizwa abonobhala bekosi.+ Batlola+ yoke imiyalo kaHamani, bayitlolela iinduna zekosi, ababusi beemfunda namakhosana weentjhaba ezihlukahlukeneko, isifunda ngasinye satlolelwa ngokwendlelaso yokutlola nesinye nesinye isitjhaba satlolelwa ngelimi laso. Iincwadezo zatlolwa ngegama leKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi bezavalwa ngokutshwaywa ngedzilamnwana yekosi.+

13 Zathunyelwa ngeenthunywa kizo zoke iimfunda zekosi, zinikela umyalo wokobana kubulawe, kurhayilwe bekutjhatjalaliswe woke amaJuda, abancani nabakhulu, abantwana nabafazi ngelanga linye, ngelanga le-13 lenyanga ye-12, okuyinyanga ka-Adari,+ nokobana kuthathwe ipahlawo.+ 14 Ikhophi yencwadi le bekufuze ibe mthetho kizo zoke iimfunda begodu imenyezelwe kizo zoke iintjhaba, ukwenzela bona bazilungiselele ilangelo. 15 Iinthunywa zaphuma msinyana+ ngomyalo wekosi; umthetho lo wabekwa esigodlweni iTjhutjhani.*+ Ngemva kwalokho, ikosi noHamani bazihlalela phasi bona basele, kodwana idorobho leTjhutjhani* belihlangahlangene.

4 Kwathi uMoridekayi+ nakezwa koke okwenzekileko,+ warathula izambatho zakhe, wambatha umgodla bewazithela ngomlotha. Waphuma waya ekabeni yedorobho, warhahlawula isililo esibuhlungu. 2 Wakhamba bewayokufika esangweni lekosi, kodwana azange angene ngombana akekho ebekavunyelwe ukungena esangweni lekosi ambethe umgodla. 3 Kizo zoke iimfunda+ ekwafika kizo ilizwi nomyalo wekosi, kwaba nesililo esikhulu emaJudeni, ukuzila ukudla,+ ukulila nokurhahlawula. Abanengi barabhalala emigodleni nemlotheni.+ 4 Kwathi iinsebenzi ezisikazi zaka-Esta neensebenzi* zakhe nazimbikela okwenzekako, indlovukazi yagandeleleka khulu. Yeke yathumela izambatho kuMoridekayi bona azimbathe esikhundleni somgodla kodwana wabhala. 5 Yeke u-Esta wabiza uHataki, omunye wabaphakulwa bekosi, ebeyimbeke bona abe msizi ka-Esta, yamthuma bona ayokubuza uMoridekayi ukuthi into ayenzako itjho ukuthini begodu kwenzekani.

6 Nje-ke uHataki watjhinga kuMoridekayi etatawini ledorobho phambi kwesango lekosi. 7 UMoridekayi wamtjela koke okwenzeke kuye nokuthi uHamani uthembise ukubhadela malini+ ebulungelweni lamagugu wekosi bona kutjhatjalaliswe amaJuda.+ 8 Wamnikela nekhophi yomyalo okhutjhwe eTjhutjhani*+ wokobana atjhatjalaliswe. Bekufuze awutjengise u-Esta, amhlathululele wona amtjele nokobana angene+ ngekosini ayokuncengela abantu bekhabo bona ikosi ibarhawukele.

9 UHataki wabuya watjela u-Esta ukuthi uMoridekayi utheni. 10 U-Esta waphendula uHataki ngokumyala ukuthi adlulisele umyalezo olandelako kuMoridekayi:+ 11 “Zoke iinsebenzi zekosi nabantu beemfunda zekosi, bayazi ukuthi nakungaba nendoda namkha umfazi ongena ngesirhodlweni sekosi esingaphakathi+ angakabizwa, munye kwaphela umthetho ozokusetjenziswa: Kufuze abulawe; angaphila kwaphela nange ikosi ingalulela kuye intongayo yobukhosi yegolide.+ Sekumalanga ama-30 ngingakabizelwa ekosini.”

12 Kwathi uMoridekayi nakatjelwa ukuthi u-Esta utheni, 13 waphendula u-Esta ngokuthi: “Ungacabangi ukuthi ngombana wena ungendlini yekosi usemathubeni angcono wokuphunyurha ukudlula amanye amaJuda. 14 Ngombana nawungathula esikhathinesi, isizo nesindiso yamaJuda izakuvela komunye umthombo,+ kodwana wena nendlu kayihlo nizokutjhabalala. Ekhabolakhona, kwazi bani ukuthi wasifumanela iinkhathi ezinjengalezi isikhundla sebukhosini?”+

15 U-Esta waphendula uMoridekayi wathi: 16 “Khamba uyokubuthelela woke amaJuda afumaneka eTjhutjhani,* nizile ukudla+ ngebanga lami. Ningadli namkha nisele amalanga amathathu,+ ubusuku nemini. Nami neensebenzi zami ezisikazi sizokuzila ukudla. Ngizokungena ngekosini, okuyinto ephambene nomthetho, nange kufanele ngirhayilwe, ngizakurhayilwa.” 17 UMoridekayi wakhamba, wenza koke u-Esta athe akwenze.

5 Kuthe ngelanga lesithathu+ u-Esta wambatha izambatho zebukhosini, wajama esirhodlweni esingaphakathi sendlu yekosi, esiphambi kwendlu yekosi, ikosi yona ihlezi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi ngendlini yekosi iqalene nomnyango. 2 Msinyana ikosi nayibona iNdlovukazi u-Esta ijame ngesirhodlweni, yathabela ukuyibona, nje-ke yalulela intonga yobukhosi yegolide+ esesandleni sayo ku-Esta. U-Esta watjhidela wathinta ihloko yentonga yobukhosi leyo.

3 Ikosi yambuza yathi: “Ulila ngani, Ndlovukazi Esta? Ufuna ngikwenzeleni? Ngitjho nanyana ungabawa ingcenye yombuswami, uzokunikelwa yona!” 4 U-Esta wathi: “Nangabe kuyayithabisa ikosi, ngibawa ikosi ize noHamani+ namhlanjesi esidlweni engiyilungiselele sona.” 5 Nje-ke ikosi yathi ebantwini bayo: “Tjelani uHamani eze msinyana, njengombana u-Esta abawile.” Yeke ikosi noHamani baya esidlweni esilungiselelwe ngu-Esta.

6 Ngemva kwesikhatjhana, nasebasela iwayini, ikosi yathi ku-Esta: “Ulila ngani? Uzokunikelwa okufunako! Ufuna ngikwenzeleni? Ngitjho nanyana ungabawa ingcenye yombuswami, uzokunikelwa yona!”+ 7 U-Esta wathi: “Nakhu engikubawako, 8 Nangabe ngifumene umusa ekosini begodu kuthabisa ikosi ukunginikela engilila ngakho nokungenzela engikubawako, ikosi ayize noHamani esidlweni engizobenzela sona kusasa; kusasa ngizokwenza njengombana ikosi itjho.”

9 Ngelangelo uHamani waphuma athabile ihliziywakhe yeqayeqa. Kodwana kuthe uHamani nakabona uMoridekayi esangweni lekosi begodu alemuka ukuthi akhenge asikime, athuthumele phambi kwakhe, uHamani wasilingeka khulu ngebanga lakaMoridekayi.+ 10 Nanyana kunjalo, uHamani wazibamba waya endlinakhe. Wathumela bona kuyokubizwa abangani bakhe noZeretjhi+ umkakhe. 11 UHamani wazikhakhazisa ngobukhulu bobunjinga bakhe, ngamadodanakhe amanengi,+ nangendlela ikosi emkhuphule beyamphakamisa ngayo ukudlula amakhosana neensebenzi zekosi.+

12 UHamani waraga wathi: “Ukungezelela kilokho, iNdlovukazi u-Esta beyimeme mina ngedwa bona ngiphekelele ikosi esidlweni asilungiseleleko.+ Nakusasa ngimenywe bona ngibe naye nekosi.+ 13 Kodwana koke lokhu akunganelisi nangisabona umJuda onguMoridekayi ahlezi esangweni lekosi.” 14 Nje-ke uZeretjhi umkakhe nabo boke abangani bakhe bathi kuye: “Yala bona kuhlonywe isigodo, sibe makhubhithi ama-50* ubude. Kuthi ekuseni utjele ikosi ukuthi uMoridekayi kufuze aphanyekwe kiso.+ Ngemva kwalokho ungakhamba nekosi uyozithabisa esidlweni.” Isiphakamiswesi sabonakala sisihle kuHamani, wayala bona kuhlonywe isigodweso.

6 Ngobusukobo ikosi yaphilelwa. Nje-ke yayala bona kulethwe incwadi yomlando,+ yafundelwa yona. 2 Kwafunyanwa kutlolwe kiyo lokho uMoridekayi akubikako malungana noBhigitana noTeretjhi, iinkhulu ezimbili zekosi, abalindisango abaluka amano wokubulala iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi.+ 3 Ikosi yabuza: “UMoridekayi wadunyiswa bewavuzwa ngani ngokwenza kwakhe lokhu?” Iinsebenzi zekosi zathi: “Akunalitho enzelwa lona.”

4 Ngokukhamba kwesikhathi ikosi yathi: “Ngubani ongesirhodlweni?” UHamani bekangesirhodlweni esingaphandle+ kwesigodlo azokukhuluma nekosi ngokobana uMoridekayi kufuze aphanyekwe esigodweni amlungiselele sona.+ 5 Iinsebenzi zekosi zathi kiyo: “NguHamani+ ongesirhodlweni.” Yeke ikosi yathi: “Mngeniseni.”

6 UHamani nakangenako ikosi yathi kuye: “Kufuze enzelweni umuntu ikosi efuna ukumdumisa?” UHamani wathi ehliziywenakhe: “Ngubani ikosi engafuna ukumdumisa ngaphandle kwami?”+ 7 UHamani wathi ekosini: “Malungana nomuntu ikosi efuna ukumdumisa, 8 akulethwe isambatho esimbathwa yikosi+ nenjomani ekhwelwa yikosi, ithweswe umkhala webukhosini. 9 Nje-ke isambatho nenjomani azinikelwe omunye wamakhosana wekosi ahlonitjhwa khulu, iinsebenzi kufuze zembathise umuntu ikosi efuna ukumdumisa, zimkhweze injomani zimkhambise etatawini ledorobho. Kufuze zirhuwelele phambi kwakhe, zithi: ‘Ngilokhu okwenzelwa umuntu ikosi efuna ukumdumisa!’”+ 10 Khonokho ikosi yathi kuHamani: “Thatha msinyana isambatho nenjomani, wenze lokhu okutjhoko kuMoridekayi umJuda ohlezi esangweni lekosi. Ungatjhiyi litho olitjhwileko.”

11 UHamani wathatha isambatho nenjomani, wembathisa uMoridekayi+ bewamkhambisa ngenjomani etatawini ledorobho begodu warhuwelela phambi kwakhe, wathi: “Ngilokhu okwenzelwa umuntu ikosi efuna ukumdumisa!” 12 Ngemva kwalokho uMoridekayi wabuyela esangweni lekosi, kodwana uHamani warhabela emzinakhe, alila azigubuzese nehloko. 13 UHamani nakahlathululela umkakhe uZeretjhi+ nabo boke abangani bakhe ngalokho okumehleleko, abeluleki bakhe* nomkakhe uZeretjhi bathi kuye: “Nangabe uMoridekayi esele uthome ukuwa phambi kwakhe, usizukulwana samaJuda, angeze umhlule; kwamambala uzokuwa phambi kwakhe.”

14 Kuthe basakhuluma naye, kwafika iinkhulu zekosi zathatha uHamani msinyana zaya naye esidlweni u-Esta abenzele sona.+

7 Nje-ke ikosi noHamani+ bafika esidlweni seNdlovukazi u-Esta. 2 Godu ikosi yabuza u-Esta ngelanga lesibili nasele basela iwayini, yathi: “Ulila ngani, Ndlovukazi Esta? Uzokunikelwa okufunako. Ufuna ngikwenzeleni? Ngitjho nanyana ungabawa ingcenye yombuswami, uzokunikelwa yona!”+ 3 INdlovukazi u-Esta yaphendula yathi: “Nange ngifumene umusa kuwe, kosi, begodu nangabe kuyayithabisa ikosi, ngibawa ingiphe ukuphila kwami isindise nesitjhaba sekhethu.+ 4 Ngombana mina nabantu bekhethu sithengisiwe+ bona sibulawe, sirhayilwe besitjhatjalaliswe.+ Ngathana besithengiselwe bona sibe ziingqila neengqilakazi bengizakuthula. Kodwana ihlekelele le ayikalungi, ngombana izokubangela umonakalo ekosini.”

5 IKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yathi eNdlovukazini u-Esta: “Ngubani loyo, begodu uphi umuntu obe nesibindi sokwenza into enje?” 6 U-Esta wathi: “Umphikisi nenaba lethu nguHamani okhohlakeleko lo.”

UHamani wasaba khulu ngebanga lekosi nendlovukazi. 7 Ikosi isilingeke khulu, yasikima ekuseleni iwayini yatjhinga esivandeni sesigodlo, kodwana uHamani wasikima ayokuncengela ukuphila kwakhe eNdlovukazini u-Esta, ngombana walemuka ukuthi ikosi izimisele ukumjezisa. 8 Ikosi yasuka esivandeni sesigodlo yabuyela ngendlini okuselelwa kiyo iwayini, yabona uHamani aziphosele esihlalweni u-Esta ahlezi kiso. Ikosi yakhuza yathi: “Afeke, sekafuna nokukata indlovukazi ngendlinami!” Ikosi ingakaliginyi lelo, bagubuzesa ubuso bakaHamani. 9 URharibhona,+ omunye weenkhulu zekosi, wathi: “UHamani wenze nesigodo sokuphanyeka uMoridekayi,+ loyo umbikwakhe owasindisa ikosi.+ Isigodweso sijame emzini kaHamani begodu simakhubhithi ama-50* ubude.” Nayizwa lokho ikosi yathi: “Mphanyekeni kiso.” 10 Nje-ke baphanyeka uHamani esigodweni ebekasenzele uMoridekayi, ngokunjalo-ke ilaka lekosi larhobha.

8 Mhlokho iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yanikela iNdlovukazi u-Esta indlu kaHamani,+ inaba lamaJuda;+ begodu uMoridekayi weza phambi kwekosi ngombana u-Esta wayitjela ukuthi bahlobana njani.+ 2 Nje-ke ikosi yakhupha idzilamnwana enetshwayo+ eyathathwa kuHamani, yayinikela uMoridekayi. U-Esta wabeka uMoridekayi bona alawule indlu kaHamani.+

3 Ukungezelela kilokho, u-Esta wakhuluma nekosi godu. Wawa phambi kwayo, walila begodu wayincenga bona isuse ubumbi obenziwe nguHamani umAgagi neqhinga lakhe malungana namaJuda.+ 4 Ikosi yalulela intonga yobukhosi yegolide ku-Esta,+ yeke u-Esta wasikima wajama phambi kwekosi. 5 Wathi: “Nangabe kuyayithabisa ikosi begodu ngifumene umusa kiyo begodu nangabe kubonakala kukuhle ekosini nokuthi ngiyathandeka emehlwenayo, ngibawa kutlolwe umyalo wokobana kusulwe iincwadi zesikhohlakali esinguHamani+ indodana kaHamedata umAgagi,+ azitlola bona atjhabalalise amaJuda kizo zoke iimfunda zekosi. 6 Ngombana ngingakukghodlhelela njani ukubona ihlekelele ezokwehlela abantu bekhethu, ngingakukghodlhelela njani ukubona iinhlobo zami zitjhatjalaliswa?”

7 Nje-ke iKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yathi eNdlovukazini u-Esta nakuMoridekayi umJuda: “Qalani-ke! Nginikele u-Esta+ indlu kaHamani begodu ngimphanyeke esigodweni+ ngebanga lokuluka amano wokusahlela amaJuda. 8 Tlolani incwadi egameni lekosi, nitlole nanyana yini eniyibona ilungele amaJuda, niyivale ngokuyitshwaya ngedzilamnwana yekosi, ngombana umyalo otlolwe egameni lekosi, wavalwa ngokutshwaya ngedzilamnwana yekosi angekhe wasulwa.”+

9 Nje-ke abonobhala babizwa ngesikhatheso enyangeni yesithathu, okuyinyanga kaSivana,* ngelanga lama-23, batlola koke uMoridekayi akulayela amaJuda kunye neenduna zekosi,+ ababusi namakhosana weemfunda+ kusukela eNdiya ukuya eTopiya, iimfunda ezili-127, kwesinye nesinye isifunda ngokwendlelaso yokutlola nakwesinye nesinye isitjhaba ngelimi laso begodu emaJudeni ngokwendlelawo yokutlola nangelimi lawo.

10 Wazitlola egameni leKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi wazivala ngokuzitshwaya ngedzilamnwana+ yekosi, wathumela iincwadezo ngesandla seenthunywa ezikhwele iinjomani; iinjomani ezinebelo ezisetjenziswa ebukhosini. 11 Eencwadinezi ikosi yavumela amaJuda emadorobheni ahlukahlukeneko bona abuthane ndawonye, avikele ukuphila kwawo, abulale, arhayile bewatjhabalalise nanyana ngiliphi ibutho labantu namkha isifunda esingawasahlela, kuhlanganise abafazi nabantwana begodu bathathe ipahlabo.+ 12 Lokhu bekufuze kwenzeke ngelanga elibekelwe amaJuda kizo zoke iimfunda zeKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi, ngelanga le-13 lenyanga ye-12, okuyinyanga ka-Adari.*+ 13 Ikhophi yencwadi le bekufuze ibe mthetho kizo zoke iimfunda. Bekufuze kumenyezelwe ngayo kizo zoke iintjhaba, ukwenzela bona amaJuda azilungiselele ukuzibuyiselela emanabenawo ngelangelo.+ 14 Nje-ke iinthunywa ezikhwele iinjomani ezinebelo ezisetjenziswa ebukhosini zaphuma ngokurhabako, zigijima ngokulalela umyalo wekosi. Umthetho lo wakhutjhwa nesigodlweni iTjhutjhani.*+

15 Nje-ke uMoridekayi wasuka phambi kwekosi ambethe izambatho zebukhosini ezihlaza komkayi nokumhlophe, athwele isihlohlo esikhulu segolide, ambethe nesambatho sezinga eliphezulu sewulu esipiridzana.+ Idorobho leTjhutjhani* larhuwelela ngebanga lethabo. 16 Ngombana amaJuda bekatjhaphulukile, athabile, ajekezela begodu ahlonitjhwa. 17 Kizo zoke iimfunda nawo woke amadorobho, koke lapho umyalo nomthetho wekosi wafika khona, amaJuda bekathaba ajekezela begodu aba neminyanya. Yeke abantu abanengi esitjhabeneso bebazibiza ngokuthi bamaJuda,+ ngombana bebawasaba.

9 Ngelanga le-13 lenyanga ye-12, okuyinyanga ka-Adari,*+ nakufika isikhathi sokobana ilizwi lekosi nomthethwayo kwenziwe,+ ngelanga amanaba wamaJuda ebewanethemba lokuthi azowahlula ngalo, kwenzeka okuhlukileko, amaJuda ahlula amanabawo.+ 2 AmaJuda abuthana emadorobhenawo kizo zoke iimfunda zeKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi+ bona asahlele labo abafuna ukuwalimaza, akunamuntu obekakghona ukulwa nawo, ngombana boke abantu bebawasaba.+ 3 Woke amakhosana weemfunda, iinduna,+ ababusi, nalabo abasebenzela ikosi bebasekela amaJuda, ngombana bebasaba uMoridekayi. 4 UMoridekayi besele anamandla+ endlini yekosi begodu idumo lakhe belirhatjhekela kizo zoke iimfunda, ngombana bekaba namandla ukuya phambili.

5 AmaJuda ahlula woke amanabawo ngesabula, awabulala begodu awatjhabalalisa; azenzela umathanda kilabo abawahloyako.+ 6 Esigodlweni seTjhutjhani*+ amaJuda abulala bekatjhabalalisa amadoda ama-500. 7 Abulala noPharitjhanidata, uDalifoni, u-Asiphata, 8 uPhorata, u-Adaliya, u-Aridata, 9 uPharimatjhita, u-Arisayi, u-Aridayi noVayizata, 10 okumadodana alitjhumi kaHamani indodana kaHamedata, inaba lamaJuda.+ Kodwana ngemva kokuwabulala, akhenge athathe ipahlawo.+

11 Ngelangelo ikosi yabikelwa inani lalabo ababulawa esigodlweni seTjhutjhani.*

12 Ikosi yathi eNdlovukazini u-Esta: “Esigodlweni seTjhutjhani* amaJuda abulele begodu atjhabalalise amadoda ama-500 namadodana alitjhumi kaHamani. Enze okukhulu kangangani-ke kwezinye iimfunda zekosi?+ Ngikuphi okhunye olila ngakho nje? Uzokunikelwa khona. Yini enye ofuna ngikwenzele yona? Izokwenziwa.” 13 U-Esta wathi: “Nangabe kuyayithabisa ikosi,+ akuvunyelwe amaJuda aseTjhutjhani* bona kusasa enze ngokuvumelana nomthetho wanamhlanjesi;+ begodu amadodana alitjhumi kaHamani awaphanyekwe esigodweni.”+ 14 Nje-ke ikosi yakhupha umyalo wokobana kwenziwe lokho. Umthetho wabekwa eTjhutjhani,* namadodana alitjhumi kaHamani aphanyekwa.

15 AmaJuda aseTjhutjhani* abuthana godu ngelanga le-14 lenyanga ka-Adari*+ abulala amadoda ama-300 eTjhutjhani,* kodwana akhenge athathe ipahlawo.

16 Amanye amaJuda aseemfundeni zekosi nawo abuthana begodu avikela ukuphila kwawo.+ Aphelisa amanabawo,+ abulala abazii-75 000 ebebawahloyile; kodwana akhenge athathe ipahlawo. 17 Lokho kwenzeka ngelanga le-13 lenyanga ka-Adari, begodu aphumula ngelanga le-14, enza ilangelo laba lilanga lomnyanya nelethabo.

18 AmaJuda aseTjhutjhani* abuthana ngelanga le-13+ nele-14+ begodu aphumula ngelanga le-15, enza ilangelo laba lilanga lomnyanya nelethabo. 19 Kungebangelo amaJuda ahlala kwamanye amadorobho enza ilanga le-14 lenyanga ka-Adari laba lilanga lethabo nelomnyanya,+ ilanga lokugidinga nesikhathi sokuphana ukudla.+

20 UMoridekayi+ watlola zoke izenzakalwezi bewathumela iincwadi kiwo woke amaJuda akizo zoke iimfunda zeKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi, aseduze nakude. 21 Wawayala bona qobe mnyaka agidinge ilanga le-14 lenyanga ka-Adari, nelanga le-15, 22 ngombana ngamalanga lawo amaJuda aphumula ekutshwenyweni manabawo begodu ngenyanga leyo isizi lawo laphenduka ithabo, nokulila+ kwawo kwaba lilanga lokugidinga. Bekufuze agidinge amalanga la njengamalanga womnyanya newethabo nanjengesikhathi sokuphana ukudla nesokupha abatlhagako izipho.

23 AmaJuda avuma ukuragela phambili nomgidi ebesele awuthomile nokwenza lokho uMoridekayi awatlolele khona. 24 Ngombana uHamani+ indodana kaHamedata umAgagi,+ inaba lawo woke amaJuda, waluka amano wokutjhabalalisa amaJuda,+ waphosa iPuri,+ okutjho iFumbe, bona awahlangahlanganise bekawatjhabalalise. 25 Kodwana u-Esta nakangena phambi kwekosi, ikosi yanikela imiyalo etloliweko,+ ethi: “Iqhinga elikhohlakeleko uHamani alilukela amaJuda+ alibuyele phezu kwehlokwakhe”; bamphanyeka esigodweni namadodanakhe.+ 26 Kungebangelo-ke amalanga la abizwa ngokuthi yiPurimu,+ igameli lisuselwa egameni elithi Puri.* Nje-ke ngebanga lakho koke ebekutlolwe encwadini le, nalokho akubona nokwawehlelako, 27 amaJuda azibopha ukuthi wona neenzukulwana zawo nalabo abazihlanganisa nawo+ bazokugidinga amalanga amabili la, bazokwenza nakho koke okutloliweko malungana namalanga lawo ngesikhathi esibekiweko begodu akwenze qobe mnyaka. 28 Amalanga la kufuze akhunjulwe begodu agidingwe kizo zoke iinzukulwana, emndenini ngamunye, esifundeni ngasinye nedorobheni ngalinye; amalanga wePurimu la kufuze angasuswa hlangana namaJuda, nokukhunjulwa kwawo kufuze kungapheli eenzukulwaneni zawo.

29 Ngokukhamba kwesikhathi, kwatlolwa incwadi yesibili emalungana nePurimu begodu iNdlovukazi u-Esta, indodakazi ka-Abihayili noMoridekayi umJuda bayiqinisekisa ngelawulo abanikelwe lona. 30 Kwathunyelwa iincwadezo kiwo woke amaJuda aseemfundeni ezili-127,+ zombuso ka-Arhatjhiverotjhi, ngamezwi wokuthula neqiniso 31 ukuqinisekisa bona amalanga wePurimu agidingwa ngesikhathi esibekiweko, njengombana uMoridekayi umJuda neNdlovukazi u-Esta bawayale bona enze njalo,+ nanjengombana azibophile wona neenzukulwana zawo bona azokwenza njalo,+ kuhlanganise ukuzila ukudla+ nokuncenga.+ 32 Umyalo ka-Esta waqinisekisa iindaba ezimalungana nePurimu+ begodu watlolwa encwadini.

10 IKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi yakatelela abantu benarheni neenhlengeleni zelwandle bona bayisebenzele budisi.

2 Yoke imisebenzayo yamandla nemininingwana ezeleko yobukhulu bakaMoridekayi+ lobo ikosi eyamkhuphulela kibo,+ ayikatlolwa na encwadini yomlando weenkhathi+ zamakhosi weMediya nePheresiya?+ 3 Ngombana uMoridekayi bekadlulwa yiKosi u-Arhatjhiverotjhi kwaphela ngesikhundla. Bekamkhulu hlangana namaJuda begodu inengi labafowabo belimhlonipha, bekasebenzela ubuhle babantu bekhabo bekalwele ihlalakuhle yazo zoke iinzukulwana zabo.