NEHEMIYA

1 Lawa ngemavi aNehemiya*+ indvodzana yaHakaliya: Ngenyanga yaKhislevu,* ngemnyaka wesi-20 wekubusa kwenkhosi,* bengisesigodlweni* eShushani.*+ 2 Ngaleso sikhatsi, Hanani+ longulomunye wabomnaketfu, wefika nalamanye emadvodza besuka kaJuda futsi ngababuta ngemaJuda labekasele labekaphunyule ekutfunjweni,+ kanye nangeJerusalema. 3 Bangiphendvula batsi: “Labo labasele lena esifundzeni labaphunyula ekutfunjweni basesimeni lesibucayi futsi batselwe ngelihlazo.+ Tindvonga taseJerusalema tidzilitiwe,+ nemagede akhona ashiswe ngemlilo.”+

4 Ngatsi nje nangiva lamavi, ngahlala phansi ngakhala, futsi kwaphela emalanga lamanyenti ngilila, ngizile kudla+ futsi ngithantaza embikwaNkulunkulu wemazulu. 5 Ngatsi: “Awu Jehova, Nkulunkulu wemazulu, Nkulunkulu lomkhulu nalowesabekako, logcina sivumelwane sakhe futsi abakhombise lutsandvo lolucotfo labo labamtsandzako nalabagcina imiyalo yakhe,+ 6 ngicela ungilalelisise ngendlebe yakho, unginake futsi ulalele umthantazo inceku yakho lewuthantazako lamuhla. Busuku nemini+ ngithantazela ema-Israyeli latinceku takho, ngivume netono bantfu baka-Israyeli labatentile kuwe. Mine nebantfu bakitsi* sonile.+ 7 Sone kakhulu kuwe ngekungayigcini imiyalo yakho,+ imitsetfo kanye netimiso lowatinika Mosi inceku yakho.+

8 “Ngicela ukhumbule emavi lowawatjela* Mosi inceku yakho, latsi: ‘Naningetsembeki kimi, ngitanihlakatela etiveni letinyenti.+ 9 Kodvwa nanibuya kimi, nigcine imitsetfo yami futsi niyilalele, ngisho nobe bantfu bakini ngitawube sengibahlakatele emaphetselweni emhlaba, ngitawubalandza lapho+ ngibaletse endzaweni lengiyikhetsele kutsi ngibeke kuyo libito lami.’+ 10 Batinceku takho futsi babantfu bakho lowabakhulula ngemandla akho lamakhulu nangesandla sakho lesinemandla.+ 11 Awu Jehova, ngicela indlebe yakho ilalelisise umthantazo wenceku yakho nemthantazo wetinceku takho letikujabulelako kuhlonipha libito lakho ngalokusuka enhlitiyweni,* futsi ngicela wente inceku yakho iphumelele lamuhla, wente nekutsi inkhosi ingentele umusa.”+

Ngaleso sikhatsi bengiyindvuna yeliwayini lenkhosi.+

2 Ngenyanga yaNisani,* ngemnyaka wesi-20+ wekubusa kweNkhosi Athazeksesi,+ liwayini labekwa embikwayo, futsi njengasemalangeni, ngalitsatsa ngalinika inkhosi.+ Kodvwa bengingazange sengibonakale ngikhatsatekile embikwayo. 2 Ngako inkhosi yatsi kimi: “Kungani ubukeka ukhatsatekile kantsi awuguli? Kuyabonakala kutsi kukhona lokukukhatsatako enhlitiyweni.” Ngatsi nangiva loko ngesaba kakhulu.

3 Ngabese ngitsi enkhosini: “Lunwele loludze nkhosi! Ngingahlala kanjani ngingakhatsateki nangabe lidolobha lokwangcwatjelwa kulo bokhokho bami libhidlitiwe, nemagede alo ashiswe ngemlilo?”+ 4 Inkhosi yatsi kimi: “Ufuna ngikwenteleni?” Ngaso leso sikhatsi ngathantaza kuNkulunkulu wemazulu.+ 5 Ngabese ngitsi enkhosini: “Nangabe kukuhle enkhosini futsi nangabe inceku yakho itfole umusa kuwe, ngivumele ngiye kaJuda, kulelidolobha lapho bokhokho bami bangcwatjwa khona, kute ngilakhe kabusha.”+ 6 Inkhosi beyihleti nenkhosikati yayo eceleni kwayo, futsi yase itsi kimi: “Utawuhamba sikhatsi lesingakanani, futsi utawubuya nini?” Ngako inkhosi yakubona kukuhle kutsi ingivumele ngihambe,+ futsi ngayitjela kutsi ngitawubuya nini.+

7 Ngabese ngitsi enkhosini: “Nangabe kukuhle enkhosini, anginiketwe tincwadzi letiya kubabusi besifundza lesisenshonalanga yeYufrathe*+ kute ngihambe ngekuphepha ngize ngifike kaJuda, 8 kanye nencwadzi leya ku-Asafa umgcini weLihlatsi leNkhosi, kute anginike tingodvo tekwakha emagede eNdzawo Levikelekile+ yendlu yaNkulunkulu* netekwakha tindvonga telidolobha+ nalendlu lengitawuya kuyo.” Ngako inkhosi yanginika letincwadzi,+ ngobe Nkulunkulu wami abengisekela.+

9 Ekugcineni ngefika kubabusi besifundza lesisenshonalanga yeYufrathe futsi ngabanika letincwadzi letivela enkhosini. Inkhosi beyitsite angihambe netindvuna temphi nebagibeli bemahhashi. 10 Ngesikhatsi Sanbalati+ umHoroni naThobiya+ losiphatsimandla* lesingum-Amoni+ beva ngaloku, batfukutsela kakhulu ngekutsi kunemuntfu lotokwentela bantfu baka-Israyeli intfo lenhle.

11 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi ngefika eJerusalema, futsi ngahlala khona emalanga lamatsatfu. 12 Ngavuka ebusuku ngikanye nemadvodza lambalwa, futsi angizange ngitjele muntfu ngaloko Nkulunkulu labekufake enhlitiyweni yami kutsi ngikwente eJerusalema. Kute lesinye silwane lebengihamba naso ngaphandle kwalembongolo lebengiyigibele. 13 Ngaphuma ebusuku ngeLigede Lelisesihosheni,+ ngendlula embikweMtfombo Wenyoka Lenkhulu, ngachubekela eGedeni Letindvundvuma Temlotsa,+ futsi ngahlola tindvonga taseJerusalema letatibhidlitiwe kanye nemagede akhona lebekashiswe ngemlilo.+ 14 Ngendlulela eGedeni Lemtfombo+ naseChibini Lenkhosi, futsi lembongolo lebengiyigibele beyingakhoni kwendlula ngobe indlela beyiyincane. 15 Kodvwa ngachubeka nekukhuphuka kulesihosha+ ebusuku solo ngihlola letindvonga, ngemuva kwaloko ngajika ngangena ngeLigede Lelisesihosheni ngabuyela lapho bengihlala khona.

16 Emasekela ebabusi+ abengati kutsi ngiyephi nekutsi ngentani, ngobe bengisengakawatjeli lutfo emaJuda, baphristi, tikhulu, emasekela ebabusi kanye nato tonkhe letinye tisebenti. 17 Ekugcineni ngatsi kubo: “Niyasibona lesimo lesimatima lesikuso, nekutsi iJerusalema ibhidlitiwe nemagede ayo ashiswe ngemlilo. Wotani, asakheni kabusha letindvonga taseJerusalema, kute singachubeki nekuhlazeka.” 18 Ngabese ngibatjela ngendlela Nkulunkulu wami langisekele ngayo,+ ngabatjela nemavi inkhosi lewakhulumile kimi.+ Nabeva loko batsi: “Asicaleni kwakha.” Ngako bakhutsatana* kute bachubeke nalomsebenti lomuhle.+

19 Ngesikhatsi Sanbalati umHoroni naThobiya+ losiphatsimandla* lesingum-Amoni+ naGeshemu um-Arabiya+ beva ngaloku, bacala kusiphukuta+ baphindze basedzelela, batsi: “Nentani? Senivukela inkhosi nyalo?”+ 20 Ngabaphendvula ngatsi: “Nkulunkulu wemazulu nguye lotasiphumelelisa,+ futsi tsine tinceku takhe sitawucala kwakha; kodvwa nine aninasabelo nobe lilungelo eJerusalema, futsi kute ngisho nakunye leningakhunjulwa ngako.”+

3 Eliyashibi+ umphristi lophakeme kanye nabomnakabo lababaphristi bacala kuvusetela Ligede Letimvu.+ Balingcwelisa*+ futsi bafaka tivalo talo; bakha baze bayofika eMbhoshongweni weMeya,+ nawo bawungcwelisa, futsi bachubeka bakha baze bayofika eMbhoshongweni waHananeli.+ 2 Emadvodza aseJerikho+ akha eceleni kwabo; futsi Zakhuri indvodzana ya-Imri wakha eceleni kwawo.

3 Emadvodzana aHasena avusetela Ligede Lenhlanti;+ afaka tingodvo+ ase afaka netivalo, imishudo kanye nemigcala yalo. 4 Eceleni kwawo, Meremothi+ indvodzana ya-Urija umtukulu waHakhosi wavusetela lubondza, futsi eceleni kwakhe, Meshulamu+ indvodzana yaBherekhiya umtukulu waMeshezabeli wavusetela lubondza, kantsi eceleni kwakhe, Sadoki indvodzana yaBhana wavusetela lubondza. 5 Bantfu baseThekhowa+ bavusetela lubondza eceleni kwakhe, kodvwa emadvodza akhona lahlonishwako akazange atitfobe kute ente* umsebenti labewunikwa baphatsi bawo.

6 Joyada indvodzana yaPhaseya naMeshulamu indvodzana yaBesodeya bavusetela Ligede Lelidolobha Lelidzala;+ bafaka tingodvo base bafaka netivalo, imishudo kanye nemigcala yalo. 7 Eceleni kwabo, Melatiya umGibeyoni+ naJadoni umMeronothi, labangemadvodza akaGibeyoni newaseMispa+ labekacondziswa* ngumbusi wesifundza lesisenshonalanga yeYufrathe,* bavusetela lubondza.+ 8 Uziyeli indvodzana yaHahaya, lobekasebenta ngeligolide, wavusetela lubondza eceleni kwabo, kantsi eceleni kwakhe, Hananiya lobekakha emafutsa ekugcobisa* wavusetela lubondza; futsi bakhonka* libala laseJerusalema baze bayofika eLubondzeni Lolubanti.+ 9 Refaya indvodzana yaHure, lobekayindvuna yencenye yesifundza saseJerusalema, wavusetela lubondza eceleni kwabo. 10 Eceleni kwakhe, Jedaya indvodzana yaHarumafu wavusetela lubondza embikwendlu yakhe, futsi eceleni kwakhe, Hathushi indvodzana yaHashabneya wavusetela lubondza.

11 Malkhiya indvodzana yaHarimi+ naHashubi indvodzana yaPhahathi-mowabi+ bavusetela lenye incenye yelubondza, kanye neMbhoshongo Wemahhavini.+ 12 Shalumi indvodzana yaHaloheshi, lobekayindvuna yencenye yesifundza saseJerusalema, wavusetela lubondza eceleni kwabo akanye nemadvodzakati akhe.

13 Hanuni kanye nebantfu labahlala eZanowa+ bavusetela Ligede Lelisesihosheni;+ balakha kabusha base bafaka tivalo talo, imishudo nemigcala yalo futsi bavusetela emamitha langaba ngu-445* alolubondza baze bayofika eGedeni Letindvundvuma Temlotsa.+ 14 Malkhiya indvodzana yaRekhabi, lobekayindvuna yesifundza saseBhethi-hakheremu,+ wavusetela Ligede Letindvundvuma Temlotsa; walakha kabusha futsi wafaka tivalo talo, imishudo nemigcala yalo.

15 Shaluni indvodzana yaKholi-hoze, lobekayindvuna yesifundza saseMispa,+ wavusetela Ligede Lemtfombo;+ walakha kabusha, walifulela futsi wafaka tivalo talo, imishudo nemigcala yalo. Waphindze wavusetela nelubondza Lelichibi+ Lelinemsele leliseceleni kweNgadze yeNkhosi+ kuze kuyofika eTitebhisini+ letehla tisuka eDolobheni laDavide.+

16 Eceleni kwakhe, Nehemiya indvodzana ya-Azbuki, lobekayindvuna yencenye yesifundza saseBhethi-suri,+ wavusetela lubondza lobelusembikwemaThuna akaDavide+ kuze kuyofika echibini+ lekwakhiwa, kuchubeke kuyofika eNdlini Yemachawe.

17 Eceleni kwakhe, emaLevi avusetela lubondza acondziswa nguRehumi indvodzana yaBani; eceleni kwakhe, Hashabiya lobekayindvuna yencenye yesifundza saseKheyila+ wavusetela lubondza amelele sifundza sakubo. 18 Eceleni kwakhe, bomnakabo bavusetela lubondza. Bebangephansi kwaBavayi indvodzana yaHenadadi, lobekayindvuna yencenye yesifundza saseKheyila.

19 Eceleni kwakhe, Eseri indvodzana yaJeshuwa,+ lobekayindvuna yaseMispa, abevusetela lolunye luhlangotsi lwelubondza embikwendlela lekhuphukako leya eNdlini Yetikhali leseNsikeni Lesimisa Lubondza.+

20 Eceleni kwakhe, Bharuki indvodzana yaZabhayi+ wasebenta ngekutimisela ekuvuseteleni lolunye luhlangotsi lwalo, kusukela eNsikeni Lesimisa Lubondza kuze kuyofika emnyango wendlu ya-Eliyashibi+ umphristi lophakeme.

21 Eceleni kwakhe, Meremothi+ indvodzana ya-Urija umtukulu waHakhosi wavusetela lenye incenye yelubondza, kusukela emnyango wendlu ya-Eliyashibi kuya kulolunye luhlangotsi lwayo.

22 Baphristi basesifundzeni saseJordane*+ bavusetela lubondza eceleni kwakhe. 23 Eceleni kwabo, boBhenjamini naHashubi bavusetela lubondza embikwendlu yabo. Eceleni kwabo, Azariya indvodzana yaMaseya umtukulu wa-Ananiya wavusetela lubondza ngasendlini yakhe. 24 Eceleni kwakhe, Binuwi indvodzana yaHenadadi wavusetela lenye incenye yelubondza, kusukela endlini ya-Azariya kuze kuyofika eNsikeni Lesimisa Lubondza+ nasekoneni lwalo.

25 Eceleni kwakhe, Phalali indvodzana ya-Uzayi wasebenta embikweNsika Lesimisa Lubondza nasembhoshongweni lowawusuka eNdlini* yeNkhosi,+ lokusakhiwo lesingenhla Lesisebaleni Labogadzi.+ Eceleni kwakhe, Phedaya indvodzana yaPharoshi wavusetela lubondza.+

26 Tisebenti telithempeli*+ letatihlala e-Ofeli+ tavusetela lubondza taze tayofika embikweLigede Lemanti+ emphumalanga, nasembhoshongweni lovela ngale kwelubondza.

27 Eceleni kwato, bantfu baseThekhowa+ bavusetela lenye incenye yelubondza, kusukela embikwembhoshongo lomkhulu lovela ngale kwelubondza kuze kuyofika elubondzeni lwase-Ofeli.

28 Baphristi bavusetela lubondza ngetulu kweLigede Lelihhashi,+ ngamunye wabo waluvusetela embikwendlu yakhe.

29 Eceleni kwabo, Sadoki+ indvodzana ya-Imeri wavusetela lubondza embikwendlu yakhe.

Shemaya indvodzana yaShekhaniya, umgcini weLigede Lasemphumalanga+ wavusetela lubondza eceleni kwaSadoki.

30 Eceleni kwaShemaya, Hananiya indvodzana yaShelemiya naHanuni indvodzana yesitfupha yaSalafi bavusetela lenye incenye yelubondza.

Eceleni kwabo, Meshulamu+ indvodzana yaBherekhiya wavusetela lubondza embikwendlu yakhe.*

31 Eceleni kwakhe, Malkhiya lolilunga lenhlangano yalabasebenta ngeligolide, wavusetela lubondza waze wayofika endlini yetisebenti telithempeli*+ neyebatsengisi, waluvusetela nasembikweLigede Lekuhlola waze wayofika ekamelweni lelisekoneni eluphahleni.

32 Bantfu labasebenta ngeligolide nebatsengisi bavusetela lubondza emkhatsini welikamelo lelisekoneni eluphahleni neLigede Letimvu.+

4 Ngekushesha nje Sanbalati+ nakeva kutsi sakha kabusha lolubondza, watfukutsela futsi wacansuka kakhulu,* wachubeka nekuhlekisa ngemaJuda. 2 Wakhuluma embikwabomnakabo nasembikwelibutfo laseSamariya watsi: “Entani lamaJuda langenamandla? Atawenta odvwana yini lomsebenti? Atawunikela imihlatjelo yini? Atawucedza ngelilanga linye? Atawuphindze asebentise lamatje lashile lakulendvundvuma yemfucuta yini?”+

3 Thobiya+ um-Amoni+ lobekeme eceleni kwakhe, watsi: “Ngisho nemphungushe ingaluwisa lolubondza lwabo labalwakha ngematje.”

4 Ngako ngathantaza ngatsi: “Awu Nkulunkulu wetfu, silalele ngobe siyedzelelwa+ futsi wente tinhlamba tabo tibuyele kubo,*+ ubanikele etitseni tabo futsi ubente batfunjelwe kulelinye live. 5 Ungalimbonyi licala labo nobe wesule sono sabo embikwakho,+ ngobe betfuke bantfu labakha lolubondza.”

6 Ngako sachubeka nekwakha lolubondza, futsi savala tonkhe tikhala, saze safika ehhafini yekuphakama kwalo. Bantfu bebasolo benta lomsebenti ngemandla abo onkhe.

7 Kwatsi nje lapho Sanbalati, Thobiya,+ ema-Arabiya,+ ema-Amoni kanye nema-Ashdodi+ beva kutsi umsebenti wekuvusetela tindvonga taseJerusalema uyachubeka nekutsi bekuvalwa tikhala tato, batfukutsela kakhulu. 8 Bahlangana ndzawonye bakha lisu kute bete batokulwa neJerusalema futsi baphatamise lomsebenti. 9 Kodvwa sathantaza kuNkulunkulu wetfu sase sibeka bogadzi kutsi bagadze busuku nemini.

10 Nobe kunjalo, bantfu bakaJuda bebatsi: “Tisebenti* setiphelelwa ngemandla futsi yinyenti lemfucuta; angeke size sikhone kuluvusa kabusha lolubondza.”

11 Netitsa tetfu betichubeka tikhuluma titsi: “Batawutsi nje basengakalati licebo letfu futsi basengakasiboni nekusibona, siye kubo, sibabulale futsi simise lomsebenti.”

12 Ngaso sonkhe sikhatsi emaJuda lebekakhelene nato nawefika, abesitjela ngalokuphindzaphindziwe* atsi: “Letitsa titakuta tisihlasele tivela kuto tonkhe tinhlangotsi.”

13 Ngako ngabeka emadvodza kutsi agadze etindzaweni letibekile futsi letingakavikeleki ngemuva kwalolubondza, ngawabeka ngemindeni yawo ahlome ngetikhali, ngetinkemba nangebutjoki. 14 Ngatsi nangibona kutsi ayesaba, ngasukuma ngekushesha ngakhuluma netikhulu+ nemasekela ebabusi nabo bonkhe labanye bantfu ngatsi: “Ningatesabi.+ Khumbulani Jehova, lomkhulu nalowesabekako;+ futsi lwelani bomnakenu, emadvodzana enu nemadvodzakati enu, bafati benu nemiti yenu.”

15 Ngesikhatsi titsa tetfu setivile kutsi sesiyakwati loko betikwenta nekutsi Nkulunkulu weliciniso uwacitsile emasu ato, sonkhe sabuyela sayowakha lolubondza. 16 Kusukela ngalelolanga kuchubeke, incenye yalamadvodza beyenta lomsebenti+ wekwakha kantsi lenye incenye beyihlome ngetikhali, ngemahawu, ngebutjoki futsi igcoke emajazi ensimbi. Tindvuna+ betime ngemuva kwemaJuda 17 labekakha lolubondza. Labo labebatfwala tintfo letisindzako bebasebenta ngesandla sinye, babe baphetse sikhali* ngalelesinye sandla. 18 Nguloyo naloyo kulabakhi abesebenta abophele inkemba yakhe engculwini, futsi loyo lobekashaya luphondvo+ nangabe kunengoti abeme eceleni kwami.

19 Ngabese ngikhuluma naletikhulu nemasekela ebabusi nabo bonkhe bantfu ngatsi: “Lomsebenti mkhulu futsi sewandzile, kantsi natsi sesikhweshelene kakhulu kulolubondza. 20 Naniva umsindvo weluphondvo, nibobutsana ndzawonye nite lapho ngikhona khona. Nkulunkulu wetfu utasilwela.”+

21 Ngako sachubeka sakha kusukela nakudzabuka kusa kwaze kwaba kusihlwa nakubonakala tinkhanyeti, futsi lelenye incenye yalamadvodza beyiphetse tikhali. 22 Ngaleso sikhatsi ngatsi kulabantfu: “Indvodza nendvodza kanye nesisebenti sayo, abacitse busuku ngekhatsi eJerusalema, futsi batasigadza ebusuku bese emini bayasebenta.” 23 Ngako mine nabomnaketfu netisebenti tami+ kanye nabogadzi labebangilandzela sasingatikhumuli tembatfo tetfu, futsi sasihlale siphetse tikhali etandleni tetfu tangesekudla.

5 Nobe kunjalo, kwaba nesikhalo lesikhulu lesasivela emadvodzeni nakubafati bawo, futsi bebakhonona ngabomnakabo labangemaJuda.+ 2 Labanye bebatsi: “Sinemadvodzana nemadvodzakati lamanyenti. Kufanele sitfole kudla, kute sitewudla futsi singafi.” 3 Labanye bona bebatsi: “Sinikela ngemasimu etfu, ngetihlahla tetfu temagilebisi nangetindlu tetfu kutsi kube sibambiso, khona sitewutfola kudla ngesikhatsi sendlala.” 4 Kantsi labanye bebatsi: “Siboleke imali kuze sibhadale umtselo wenkhosi, futsi sabambisa ngemasimu etfu nangetihlahla tetfu temagilebisi.+ 5 Tsine siyingati yinye nabomnaketfu* futsi bantfwana betfu bafanana nebantfwana babo, nanobe kunjalo, kufanele sinikele ngemadvodzana nemadvodzakati etfu kutsi abe tigcili, futsi lamanye emadvodzakati etfu asavele atigcili.+ Kodvwa ngeke sikhone kukuvimba loku, ngobe emasimu etfu netihlahla tetfu temagilebisi akusasiko kwetfu.”

6 Ngatfukutsela kakhulu ngesikhatsi ngiva loko bebakhonona ngako. 7 Ngako ngacabangisisa ngalenkinga, futsi ngatsetsisa tikhulu nemasekela ebabusi, ngatsi: “Nguloyo naloyo kini ufuna intalo* ngenkhani kumnakabo.”+

Ngetulu kwaloko, ngahlela kutsi kube nemhlangano lomkhulu kuze kulungiswe lendzaba. 8 Ngase ngitsi kubo: “Sente konkhe lokusemandleni etfu kuze sibuyise bomnaketfu labangemaJuda lebebatsengiswe etiveni; manje senibatsengiselani-ke bomnakenu?+ Sekufanele tsine siphindze sibatsenge yini?” Nabeva loko bavele baphelelwa ngemagama, futsi abazange basho lutfo. 9 Ngemuva kwaloko ngatsi: “Yimbi lentfo leniyentako. Kufanele nihambe ngetindlela* taNkulunkulu wetfu+ kuze letive letititsa tetfu tingasihlambalati. 10 Ngetulu kwaloko, mine nabomnaketfu kanye netinceku tami siboleka bantfu bakitsi imali nekudla ngaphandle kwekufuna intalo. Ngako-ke ngicela siyekele lokubhadalisa intalo.+ 11 Ngicela kutsi lamuhla nibuyisele emasimu abo,+ tihlahla tabo temagilebisi, tihlahla tabo temincumo, netindlu tabo. Buyiselani nentalo* yemali, yekudla, yeliwayini lelisha kanye neyemafutsa lenababoleka wona.”

12 Nabeva loko batsi: “Sitatibuyisela kubo letintfo futsi kute lokunye lesitakufuna. Sitawenta njengobe nje usho.” Ngako ngabita baphristi futsi ngatsi kulamadvodza* akafunge embikwabo kutsi atasigcina lesetsembiso. 13 Ngabese ngitsintsita sembatfo* sami, ngatsi: “Nkulunkulu weliciniso utabatsintsita ngalendlela bonkhe bantfu emkhatsini wenu labangeke bagcine setsembiso sabo. Nkulunkulu utabemuka tindlu tabo netintfo labanato, abashiye bete lutfo.” Nabeva loku bonkhe labantfu batsi: “Akube njalo!”* Badvumisa Jehova futsi benta njengobe bebatsembisile.

14 Ngetulu kwaloko, kusukela ngelilanga inkhosi leyangibeka ngalo kutsi ngibe ngumbusi+ wakaJuda, lokwakuyiminyaka lengu-12 kusukela emnyakeni wesi-20+ wekubusa kweNkhosi Athazeksesi+ kuya emnyakeni wesi-32 wekubusa kwayo,+ mine nabomnaketfu asizange sikudle kudla lokwakusabelo sembusi.+ 15 Kodvwa babusi lebebabusa ngaphambi kwami bebacindzetela bantfu, futsi onkhe malanga bebatsatsa kubo lisiliva lelingemagremu langu-456* kute batsenge sinkhwa neliwayini. Tisebenti tabo nato betibacindzetela labantfu. Kodvwa mine angizange ngikwente loko+ ngobe bengesaba Nkulunkulu.+

16 Ngetulu kwaloko, ngafaka sandla nakwakhiwa lolubondza futsi tonkhe tisebenti tami tahlangana kute tente lomsebenti, kodvwa asizange sititsatsele ngisho nayinye insimu.+ 17 Bengidla nemaJuda nemasekela ebabusi langu-150, kanye nebantfu labavela kulamanye emave labebete kutesihlola. 18 Onkhe malanga bengicela bantfu kutsi balungise* inkunzi yinye, timvu letisitfupha letinonile, kanye netinyoni, futsi kanye ngemuva kwemalanga langu-10 besiba neliwayini lelinyenti kakhulu futsi lelitinhlobo lelehlukahlukene. Nanobe kunjalo angizange ngicindzetele bantfu kutsi banginike kudla lokwakusabelo sembusi, ngobe besebavele bacindzetelwe kusebentela inkhosi. 19 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungangikhohlwa futsi ungibusise* ngenca yako konkhe lengikwentele labantfu.+

6 Ngekushesha nje ngesikhatsi boSanbalati, Thobiya,+ naGeshemu um-Arabiya+ kanye nato tonkhe titsa tetfu babikelwa kutsi sengilwakhe kabusha lolubondza+ nekutsi kute tikhala letisele (nanobe ngaleso sikhatsi bengisengakatifaki tivalo temagede),+ 2 boSanbalati naGeshemu bavele bangitfumelela umlayeto lotsi: “Asihlangane emadolobhaneni laseSihosheni sase-Ono.”+ Kodvwa bebenta licebo lekungilimata. 3 Ngako ngatfumela titfunywa kubo, ngatsi: “Nginemsebenti lomnyenti ngako angeke ngikhone kuta lapho, ngobe nangitawusuka ngite kini, lomsebenti utakuma.” 4 Bangitfumelela lomlayeto tikhatsi letine, futsi sikhatsi ngasinye bengibanika imphendvulo lefanako.

5 Ngemuva kwaloko, Sanbalati watfumela sisebenti sakhe kutsi singiletsele lomlayeto kwesihlanu, siphetse incwadzi lengakavalwa. 6 Naku lobekubhalwe kulencwadzi: “Kunemahemuhemu levakala ngebantfu baletinye tive ekutsi wena kanye nemaJuda nakha licebo lekuvukela inkhosi,+ futsi naGeshemu+ usho njalo. Kungako nje wakha lolubondza; futsi ngekusho kwalamahemuhemu wena utawuba yinkhosi yawo. 7 Ubeke nebaphrofethi labatawumemetela ngawe kuyo yonkhe iJerusalema batsi: ‘Kunenkhosi kaJuda!’ Nyalo letintfo sitawutitjela inkhosi. Ngako wota sitewukhuluma ngalendzaba.”

8 Nanobe kunjalo, ngamtfumelela imphendvulo letsi: “Kute ngisho nakunye kuloku lokukhulumako lokuliciniso; umane uyaticabangela nje.”* 9 Bonkhe bebetama kusetfusa, batsi: “Batawuphelelwa ngemandla* futsi ngeke bawucedze lomsebenti.”+ Kodvwa ngathantaza ngatsi: “Nkulunkulu, ngiphe sibindzi.”*+

10 Ngabese ngiya endlini yaShemaya indvodzana yaDelaya longumtukulu waMehethabeli ngesikhatsi ativalele khona. Watsi: “Asibeke sikhatsi lesitawuhlangana ngaso endlini yaNkulunkulu weliciniso, ekhatsi ethempelini, futsi asivale tivalo telithempeli ngobe bayeta batokubulala. Batawufika batokubulala kubo lobusuku.” 11 Kodvwa ngatsi: “Indvodza lenjengami ingabaleka yini? Ingangena yini ethempelini futsi ichubeke iphila?+ Angeke ngize ngingene!” 12 Ngabese ngiyabona kutsi akakatfunywa nguNkulunkulu, kodvwa utsengwe nguThobiya naSanbalati+ kutsi asho lesiphrofetho lesimelene nami. 13 Bebamtsengele kutsi atongesabisa khona ngitowenta sono, kuze babe nesizatfu sekona ligama lami futsi bangente ngihlazeke.

14 Ngako ngathantaza ngatsi: “Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ungatikhohlwa tonkhe letintfo letentiwe nguThobiya+ naSanbalati, ukhumbule naNohadiya umphrofethikati kanye nabo bonkhe baphrofethi lebebachubeka betama kungesabisa.”

15 Lolubondza lwacedvwa kwakhiwa ngelilanga lesi-25 enyangeni ya-Eluli,* futsi lwakhiwa ngemalanga langu-52.

16 Ngekushesha nje tonkhe titsa tetfu nativa ngalo, nato tonkhe tive letisitungeletile natilubona, tahlazeka kakhulu,*+ futsi tabona kutsi lomsebenti siwente ngobe sisitwa nguNkulunkulu wetfu. 17 Ngalawo malanga tikhulu+ takaJuda betitfumela tincwadzi letinyenti kuThobiya futsi Thobiya abetiphendvula. 18 Bantfu labanyenti kaJuda bafunga kutsi batamsekela Thobiya, ngobe abengumkhwenyane waShekhaniya indvodzana ya-Ara,+ futsi indvodzana yaThobiya lenguJehohanani beyishade nendvodzakati yaMeshulamu+ loyindvodzana yaBherekhiya. 19 Bebachubeka bangitjela netintfo letinhle ngaye bese bamtjela loko lengikushoko. Thobiya bekabese ungitfumelela tincwadzi tekungesabisa.+

7 Ngekushesha nje lolubondza naselwakhiwe kabusha,+ ngafaka tivalo;+ ngase ngikhetsa bogadzi basemasangweni,+ bahlabeleli+ kanye nemaLevi.+ 2 Ngabese ngibeka Hanani+ kutsi engamele iJerusalema akanye naHananiya indvuna yeNdzawo Levikelekile,+ ngobe bekayindvodza leyetsembekile futsi leyesaba Nkulunkulu weliciniso+ kwendlula bantfu labanyenti. 3 Ngako ngatsi kubo: “Emagede aseJerusalema akukafaneli avulwe kuze kube kusemini,* futsi nabasesemsebentini, bogadzi basesangweni kufanele bavale iminyango bese bayashuda. Nibobeka bantfu baseJerusalema kutsi babe bogadzi, labanye bagadze etindzaweni labatawukhonjiswa tona bese labanye bagadza embikwetindlu tabo.” 4 IJerusalema beyiyinkhulu futsi bebabancane bantfu labebahlala khona,+ netindlu takhona betingakakhiwa kabusha.

5 Nkulunkulu wami wakufaka enhlitiyweni yami kutsi ngihlanganise ndzawonye tikhulu, emasekela ebabusi kanye nebantfu futsi ngibhale luhla lwabo ngemindeni yabo.+ Ngabese ngitfola incwadzi lenaloluhla lwemindeni lwalabo labahamba kucala, futsi naku bekubhalwe kuyo:

6 Lawa ngemaJuda lavela kulesifundza* labuya ekutfunjweni, lawo iNkhosi Nebukhadnezari+ yaseBhabhulona lebeyiwatfumbile+ futsi ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi abuyela eJerusalema nakaJuda, nguloyo naloyo wabuyela edolobheni lakubo.+ 7 Abuya naZerubhabheli,+ Jeshuwa,+ Nehemiya, Azariya, Ramiya, Nahamani, Modekhayi, Bilshani, Misperethi, Bikvayi, Nehumi naBhana.

Nali linani lemadvodza aka-Israyeli:+ 8 emndenini waPharoshi, abengu-2 172; 9 emndenini waShefathiya, abengu-372; 10 emndenini wa-Ara,+ abengu-652; 11 emndenini waPhahathi-mowabi,+ ngemndeni waJeshuwa newaJowabe,+ abengu-2 818; 12 emndenini wa-Elamu,+ abengu-1 254; 13 emndenini waZathu, abengu-845; 14 emndenini waZakhayi, abengu-760; 15 emndenini waBinuwi, abengu-648; 16 emndenini waBebayi, abengu-628; 17 emndenini wa-Azgadi, abengu-2 322; 18 emndenini wa-Adonikamu, abengu-667; 19 emndenini waBikvayi, abengu-2 067; 20 emndenini wa-Adini, abengu-655; 21 emndenini wa-Ateri, wendlu yaHezekiya, abengu-98; 22 emndenini waHashumi, abengu-328; 23 emndenini waBhezayi, abengu-324; 24 emndenini waHarifi, abengu-112; 25 emndenini waGibeyoni,+ abengu-95; 26 kubantfu baseBhetlehema nebaseNethofa, abengu-188; 27 kubantfu base-Anathothi,+ abengu-128; 28 kubantfu baseBhethi-azmavethi, abengu-42; 29 kubantfu baseKhiriyathi-jeyarimu,+ baseKhefira nebaseBherothi,+ abengu-743; 30 kubantfu baseRama nebaseGeba,+ abengu-621; 31 kubantfu baseMikhimashi,+ abengu-122; 32 kubantfu baseBetheli+ nebase-Ayi,+ abengu-123; 33 kubantfu bakulelenye iNebo, abengu-52; 34 emndenini walolomunye Elamu, abengu-1 254; 35 kubantfu baseHarimi, abengu-320; 36 kubantfu baseJerikho, abengu-345; 37 kubantfu baseLodi, baseHadidi nebase-Ono,+ abengu-721; 38 kubantfu baseSena, abengu-3 930.

39 Nali linani lebaphristi:+ emndenini waJedaya wendlu yaJeshuwa, bebangu-973; 40 emndenini wa-Imeri, bebangu-1 052; 41 emndenini waPhashuri,+ bebangu-1 247; 42 emndenini waHarimi,+ bebangu-1 017.

43 Nali linani lemaLevi:+ emndenini waJeshuwa lovela emndenini waKhadmiyeli,+ ngemndeni waHodeva, abengu-74. 44 Nali linani lebahlabeleli:+ emndenini wa-Asafa,+ bebangu-148. 45 Nali linani labogadzi basesangweni:+ emndenini waShalumi, emndenini wa-Ateri, emndenini waThalmoni, emndenini wa-Akhubi,+ emndenini waHatita, kanye nasemndenini waShobayi, bebangu-138.

46 Nati tisebenti tasethempelini:*+ umndeni waSiha, umndeni waHasufa, umndeni waThabhayothi, 47 umndeni waKherosi, umndeni waSiya, umndeni waPhadoni, 48 umndeni waLebana, umndeni waHagabha, umndeni waShalmayi, 49 umndeni waHanana, umndeni waGideli, umndeni waGahari, 50 umndeni waReyaya, umndeni waResini, umndeni waNekoda, 51 umndeni waGazamu, umndeni wa-Uza, umndeni waPhaseya, 52 umndeni waBhesayi, umndeni waMeyunimu, umndeni waNefushesimu, 53 umndeni waBakbuki, umndeni waHakufa, umndeni waHahuri, 54 umndeni waBaslithi, umndeni waMehida, umndeni waHasha, 55 umndeni waBhakosi, umndeni waSisera, umndeni waThema, 56 umndeni waNesiya kanye nemndeni waHatifa.

57 Imindeni yetinceku taSolomoni bekungulena:+ umndeni waSothayi, umndeni waSofereti, umndeni waPherida, 58 umndeni waJala, umndeni waDakhoni, umndeni waGideli, 59 umndeni waShefathiya, umndeni waHathili, umndeni waPhokerethi-sebayimi kanye nemndeni wa-Amoni. 60 Setitonkhe tisebenti tasethempelini*+ nemindeni yetinceku taSolomoni betingu-392.

61 Laba labalandzelako bebasuka eTheli-mela, eTheli-hasha, eKherubi, e-Adoni, nase-Imeri, kodvwa behluleka kuchaza kutsi imindeni yabo beyivela kuphi nekutsi bebangema-Israyeli yini:+ 62 bekungumndeni waDelaya, umndeni waThobiya, nemndeni waNekoda, bebangu-642. 63 Imindeni yebaphristi bekungulena: umndeni waHabaya, umndeni waHakhosi,+ umndeni waBhazilayi lowatsatsa umfati emadvodzakatini aBhazilayi+ waseGileyadi futsi wabitwa ngelibito lababetala wakhe. 64 Bafuna imilandvo yemindeni yabo, kodvwa abayitfolanga, ngako bayekeliswa kuba baphristi.*+ 65 Umbusi*+ wabatjela kutsi bebangeke badle tintfo letingcwele ngelizinga leliphakeme+ kuze kube ngulapho kuba nemphristi lobekatababutela asebentisa i-Urimu neThumimu.+

66 Linani lebantfu lebebakulelicembu* belingu-42 360,+ 67 ngaphandle kwetinceku netincekukati tabo,+ lebetingu-7 337; bebaphindze babe nebahlabeleli labadvuna nalabasikati labangu-245.+ 68 Bebanemahhashi langu-736, iminyuzi lengu-245, 69 emakamela langu-435, netimbongolo letingu-6 720.

70 Labanye baholi bemindeni bawunikelela lomsebenti.+ Umbusi* wanikela ngeligolide lelingemakhilogremu langaba ngu-8,* netindishi letingu-50 kanye netingubo tebaphristi letingu-530 esikhwameni salomsebenti.*+ 71 Labanye baholi bemindeni banikela ngeligolide lelingemakhilogremu langu-168 kanye nelisiliva lelingemakhilogremu langu-1 254* kulesikhwama salomsebenti. 72 Laba labanye bantfu banikela ngeligolide lelingemakhilogremu langu-168, nelisiliva lelingemakhilogremu langu-1 140 kanye netingubo tebaphristi letingu-67.

73 Baphristi, emaLevi, bogadzi basemagedeni, bahlabeleli,+ labanye kulabantfu, tisebenti tasethempelini* kanye nawo onkhe ema-Israyeli bahlala emadolobheni abo.+ Nakufika inyanga yesi-7,+ ema-Israyeli besekahleti emadolobheni awo.+

8 Ngemuva kwaloko, bonkhe bantfu bahlangana baba munye esigcawini lesisembikweLigede Lemanti,+ futsi bacela Ezra+ lobekangumbhali* kutsi aletse incwadzi yeMtsetfo waMosi,+ lowo Jehova labewunikete ema-Israyeli.+ 2 Ngako ngelilanga lekucala lenyanga yesi-7,+ Ezra umphristi waletsa lencwadzi yeMtsetfo embikwelibandla+ lemadvodza nebafati kanye nabo bonkhe labebangakhona kuwulalelisisa futsi bawucondze. 3 Wawufundza ngelivi lelivakalako+ kusukela entsatsakusa kwaze kwaba kusemini, eme embikwesigcawu lebesisembikweLigede Lemanti, futsi wawufundzela emadvodza, nebafati kanye nabo bonkhe labebangawucondza. Labantfu bakulalelisisa+ loko lobekubhalwe kulencwadzi yeMtsetfo. 4 Ezra lobekangumbhali bekeme endzaweni lephakeme lebeyakhiwe ngetingodvo, futsi yakhelwe lombutsano; ngesekudla sakhe bekume boMathithiya, Shema, Anaya, Uriya, Hilkiya naMaseya; kantsi ngesencele sakhe bekunaPhedaya, Mishayeli, Malkhiya,+ Hashumi, Hashabadana, Zakhariya naMeshulamu.

5 Ezra wavula lencwadzi embikwabo bonkhe bantfu, ngobe bekeme endzaweni lephakeme kunabo. Watsi nakayivula, bonkhe basukuma. 6 Ngemuva kwaloko Ezra wadvumisa Jehova, longuNkulunkulu lomkhulu neweliciniso, futsi bonkhe bantfu batsi: “Amen!* Amen!”+ baphakamisa tandla tabo. Babese bayaguca futsi bakhotsama embikwaJehova babuke phansi. 7 BoJeshuwa, Bani, Sherebiya,+ Jamini, Akhubi, Shabhethayi, Hodiya, Maseya, Khelita, Azariya, Jozabadi,+ Hanana naPhelaya, lebebangemaLevi, bachazela bantfu+ loMtsetfo njengobe labantfu bebasolo bemile. 8 Bachubeka bafundza lencwadzi yeMtsetfo waNkulunkulu weliciniso ngelivi lelivakalako, bawuchaza kahle futsi bacacisa kutsi loko bekufundvwa kusho kutsini; ngaleyo ndlela basita bantfu kutsi bakucondze loko bekushiwo ngulencwadzi.*+

9 Nehemiya lobekangumbusi* ngaleso sikhatsi, na-Ezra+ umphristi lobekaphindze abe ngumbhali, kanye nemaLevi lebekafundzisa bantfu, bakhuluma nabo bonkhe labantfu batsi: “Leli lilanga lelingcwele kuJehova Nkulunkulu wenu.+ Ningakhali nobe nilile.” Loku bakusho ngobe bonkhe labantfu bebakhala njengobe bebeva emavi labekakulencwadzi yeMtsetfo. 10 Nehemiya watsi kubo: “Hambani niyokudla kudla lokumnandzi* ninatse netinatfo letimnandzi, futsi nibaphe kudla+ labo labete lutfo; ngobe lelilanga lingcwele eNkhosini yetfu, futsi ningeva buhlungu ngobe injabulo levela kuJehova isiphephelo senu.”* 11 EmaLevi abindzisa bonkhe labantfu, atsi: “Ningakhali! ngobe lelilanga lingcwele futsi ningeva buhlungu.” 12 Ngako bonkhe labantfu bahamba bayokudla, banatsa baphindze bapha nalabanye kudla, futsi bebajabule kakhulu+ ngobe bebawacondza lamavi labebatjelwe wona.+

13 Ngelilanga lesibili, tinhloko tetindlu tabo bonkhe bantfu, baphristi kanye nemaLevi babutsana embikwa-Ezra longumbhali, kute bacondzisise emavi aloMtsetfo. 14 KuloMtsetfo, batfola kubhalwe kutsi Jehova abekhiphe umyalo ngaMosi wekutsi ema-Israyeli kufanele ahlale emadlangaleni* ngesikhatsi semkhosi loba ngenyanga yesi-7,+ 15 nekutsi kufanele akhiphe simemetelo+ futsi atjele bantfu kuwo onkhe emadolobha awo nakulo lonkhe laseJerusalema, atsi: “Hambani niye esifundzeni lesinetintsaba nigawule emagala lanemacembe etihlahleni temncumo, etihlahleni tesipheshula, etihlahleni tamabovana,* nasetihlahleni telusundvu, nigawule nemagala lanemacembe kuletinye tihlahla kute nakhe emadlangala njengobe kubhaliwe eMtsetfweni.”

16 Ngako labantfu bahamba bayogawula lamagala, babuya batakhela emadlangala, ngamunye wabo walakha eluphahleni lwendlu yakhe, bawakha nasemabaleni abo, emabaleni endlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso,+ esigcawini seLigede Lemanti,+ kanye nasesigcawini seLigede laka-Efrayimu.+ 17 Bonkhe bantfu labebabuya ekutfunjweni batakhela emadlangala futsi bahlala kuwo, ngobe kusukela ngemalanga aJoshuwa+ indvodzana yaNuni kuze kube ngulelolanga, ema-Israyeli abengakake awugubha ngalendlela lomkhosi, ngako ajabula kakhulu.+ 18 Onkhe emalanga bekufundvwa lencwadzi yeMtsetfo waNkulunkulu weliciniso,+ kusukela ngelilanga lekucala kwaze kwaba lilanga lekugcina. Lomkhosi bawugubha emalanga langu-7, futsi ngelilanga lesi-8 baba nembutsano lokhetsekile njengobe bekusho uMtsetfo.+

9 Ngelilanga lesi-24 enyangeni yesi-7, ema-Israyeli ahlangana ndzawonye; azila kudla, agcoka tindvwangu temasaka futsi atitsela ngemhlabatsi enhloko.+ 2 Labo lebebangema-Israyeli ekutalwa babese bayatehlukanisa kubo bonkhe bantfu bekuhamba,+ basukuma base bavuma tono tabo kanye nemaphutsa abobabe babo.+ 3 Bema lapho bebakhona khona futsi kwaphela ema-awa lamatsatfu* bafundza incwadzi yeMtsetfo+ waJehova Nkulunkulu wabo ngalokuvakalako, kwaphela nalamanye ema-awa lamatsatfu bavuma tono tabo futsi bakhotsama kuJehova Nkulunkulu wabo.

4 BoJeshuwa, Bani, Khadmiyeli, Shebaniya,+ Buni, Sherebiya, Bani naKhenani bema kulendzawo lephakeme+ yemaLevi, futsi bathantaza kuJehova Nkulunkulu wabo ngelivi leliphakeme. 5 Jeshuwa, Khadmiyeli, Bani, Hashabneya, Sherebiya, Hodiya, Shebaniya naPhethahiya lebebangemaLevi batsi: “Sukumani nidvumise Jehova Nkulunkulu wenu kuze kube phakadze.*+ Awu Nkulunkulu, abadvumise libito lakho lelikhatimulako, lelifanelwe ngito tonkhe tibusiso nalo lonkhe ludvumo.

6 “Wena wedvwa unguJehova;+ wadala emazulu, ngisho nemazulu lasetulu kakhulu kanye nako konkhe lokukuwo,* wadala umhlaba nako konkhe lokukuwo, kanye nelwandle nako konkhe lokukulo. Konkhe ukugcine kuphila, futsi konkhe lokusezulwini kukhotsama embikwakho. 7 UnguJehova Nkulunkulu weliciniso, lowakhetsa Abrama+ futsi wamkhipha e-Uri+ lokulive lemaKhaledi wase umbita ngekutsi ngu-Abrahama.+ 8 Watfola kutsi inhlitiyo yakhe yetsembekile kuwe,+ ngako wenta sivumelwane naye sekutsi utawunika yena nentalelwane* yakhe live lemaKhenani, lemaHethi, lema-Amori, lemaPheresi, lemaJebhusi nelemaGirigashi,+ futsi watifeza tetsembiso takho ngobe ulungile.

9 “Ngako wakubona kuhlupheka kwabokhokho betfu eGibhithe,+ futsi wakuva nekukhala kwabo ngesikhatsi baseLwandle Lolubovu. 10 Wabese wenta tibonakaliso netimangaliso kuze umelane naFaro nato tonkhe tinceku takhe kanye nabo bonkhe bantfu belive lakhe,+ ngobe bewati kutsi bahlupha+ bantfu bakho. Watakhela ligama lelisekhona kuze kube ngulamuhla.+ 11 Wehlukanisa lwandle embikwabo kute bewele emhlabatsini lowomile,+ futsi labo labebabacosha wabajikijela ekujuleni kwalo njengelitje nalijikijelwa emantini lanemandla.+ 12 Emini bewubahola ngensika yelifu, bese kutsi ebusuku ubahole ngensika yemlilo, kute ubakhanyisele indlela labebatawuhamba kuyo.+ 13 Wehlela eNtsabeni iSinayi+ futsi wakhuluma nabo usezulwini+ wase ubanika tehlulelo letilungile, imitsetfo lesekelwe ecinisweni,* timiso kanye nemiyalo lelungile.+ 14 Wabenta balati liSabatha lakho lelingcwele,+ wabanika imiyalo, timiso kanye nemtsetfo usebentisa inceku yakho Mosi. 15 Ngesikhatsi balambile wabanika sinkhwa lebesivela ezulwini,+ ngesikhatsi bomile wabakhiphela emanti edvwaleni,+ futsi wabatjela kutsi bangene batsatse lelive lobewufunge* kutsi utabanika lona.

16 “Kodvwa-ke bokhokho betfu bakwedzelela+ futsi baba nenkhani,*+ bangayilaleli imitsetfo yakho. 17 Bala kukulalela,+ batikhohlwa netintfo letimangalisako lowabentela tona, kepha baba nenkhani* futsi batibekela umholi kuze babuyele ekugcilatweni kwabo eGibhithe.+ Kodvwa wena unguNkulunkulu lokulungele kucolela,* loneluvelo* nesihawu, lowephutako kutfukutsela aphindze achichime lutsandvo lolucotfo,+ futsi awuzange ubalahle.+ 18 Ngisho nangesikhatsi batentela sithico* selitfole lensimbi, batsi: ‘Lona nguNkulunkulu wetfu lowasikhipha eGibhithe,’+ futsi benta tintfo letinyenti letikhombisa kungakuhloniphi, 19 wena awuzange ubashiye ehlane, ngenca yemusa wakho lomkhulu.+ Lensika yelifu ayizange iyekele kubahola emini, kantsi nasebusuku lensika yemlilo ayizange iyekele kubakhanyisela indlela labebatawuhamba kuyo.+ 20 Wabanika umoya* wakho kuze babe nekucondza+ futsi awuzange ubagodlele imana yakho.+ Ngesikhatsi bomile wabanika emanti.+ 21 Wabanika kudla ehlane iminyaka lengu-40.+ Abazange beswele lutfo, timphahla tabo atizange tiguge,+ netinyawo tabo atizange tivuvuke.

22 “Wabaniketa imibuso kanye netive, wababela tincenye tayo,+ ngako batsatsa live laSihoni,+ lokulive lenkhosi yaseHeshboni,+ batsatsa nelive la-Ogi+ inkhosi yaseBhashani. 23 Emadvodzana abo wawenta aba ngangetinkhanyeti letisemazulwini.+ Wabese ubangenisa kulelive lebewetsembise bokhokho babo kutsi batawungena balitsatse.+ 24 Ngako emadvodzana abo angena alitsatsa lelive,+ futsi wancoba emaKhenani embikwawo,+ lokungiwo lebekahlala kulelive, futsi wanikela emakhosi akhona nebantfu balapho esandleni sawo kuze atentele matsandza kubo. 25 Batsatsa emadolobha labiyelwe+ kanye nelive lelinotsile,*+ futsi batsatsa tindlu letigcwele yonkhe inhlobo yetintfo letinhle, nemigodzi yemanti lebeseyivele igujiwe, netihlahla temagilebisi, netihlahla temncumo+ kanye netihlahla letinyenti letitsela titselo. Badla, besutsa baze bakhuluphala, futsi batenetisa ngebuhle bakho lobukhulu.

26 “Nobe kunjalo, abazange bakulalele, bakuvukela+ futsi bangawulaleli uMtsetfo wakho.* Babulala baphrofethi bakho lebebabecwayisa kutsi babuyele kuwe, futsi benta tintfo letinyenti letikhombisa kungakuhloniphi.+ 27 Ngenca yaloko wabanikela esandleni setitsa tabo+ lebetichubeka tibacindzetela.+ Kodvwa bebakhala kuwe nasebacindzetelekile, futsi bewukuva kukhala kwabo usemazulwini; ngenca yemusa wakho lomkhulu, wawubanika baholi kute babasindzise esandleni setitsa tabo.+

28 “Kodvwa ngekushesha nasewubakhululile, bebaphindze bente lokubi emehlweni akho,+ futsi bewubese uyabayekelela esandleni setitsa tabo lebetibacindzetela.*+ Bebaphindze babuye kuwe bacele lusito,+ wena bewubeva usemazulwini futsi ubasindzise tikhatsi letinyenti ngenca yemusa wakho lomkhulu.+ 29 Nanobe wawubecwayisa kuze balalele uMtsetfo wakho, bakwedzelela futsi bala kulalela imiyalo yakho;+ benta sono ngekungatigcini timiso takho letimenta aphile umuntfu lotigcinako.+ Kodvwa bakufulatsela ngenkhani futsi bacinisa tinhloko tabo,* bala nekukulalela. 30 Wababeketelela+ iminyaka leminyenti futsi wachubeka ubecwayisa ngemoya wakho usebentisa baphrofethi, kodvwa bala kukulalela. Ekugcineni wabanikela kubantfu baletive lebetibatungeletile.+ 31 Ngenca yekutsi unemusa lomkhulu, awuzange ubacotfule+ nobe ubalahle, ngobe unguNkulunkulu loneluvelo* nesihawu.+

32 “Nyalo Nkulunkulu wetfu, Nkulunkulu lomkhulu, lonemandla nalowesabekako, losigcinile sivumelwane sakhe futsi wasikhombisa lutsandvo lolucotfo,+ ungabukhohlwa bonkhe bumatima lobehlele etikwetfu, nasemakhosini etfu, nasetindvuneni tetfu,+ nasetikwebaphristi,+ nasetikwebaphrofethi,+ nasetikwabokhokho betfu nakubo bonkhe bantfu bakho kusukela ngesikhatsi semakhosi ase-Asiriya+ kuze kube ngulamuhla. 33 Kuko konkhe lokusehlele, wena bewusolo ulungile kitsi, futsi wente ngekwetsembeka; kodvwa tsine sente lokubi.+ 34 Emakhosi etfu, tindvuna tetfu, baphristi kanye nabokhokho betfu abakawulaleli uMtsetfo wakho, abazange bayinake imiyalo yakho nobe teluleko* takho lowabanika tona. 35 Ngisho nangesikhatsi emakhosi etfu abusa futsi basajabulela tintfo letinyenti letinhle lowabanika tona, basahlala naseveni lelibanti nalelinotsile* lowabanika lona, abazange bakukhonte+ futsi abayiyekelanga imikhuba yabo lemibi. 36 Awubuke nje, lamuhla sesitigcili,+ sitigcili eveni lowalinika bokhokho betfu kutsi badle titselo talo netintfo letinhle letikulo. 37 Ngenca yekutsi sonile, sivuno lesinyenti salelive sesemakhosi losibekele wona.+ Ayasibusa* futsi abusa nemfuyo yetfu ngekutsandza kwawo, ngako sicindzeteleke kakhulu.

38 “Ngenca yako konkhe loku, sesitibopha ngesivumelwane+ lesibhalwe phansi futsi sisifakazela ngekutsi sibeke luphawu lwetindvuna tetfu, lwemaLevi nelwebaphristi betfu kuso.”+

10 Ngulaba-ke labafakazela lesivumelwane ngekubeka luphawu lwabo kuso:+

9 KumaLevi bekungulaba: Jeshuwa indvodzana ya-Azaniya, Binuwi lovela emadvodzaneni aHenadadi, Khadmiyeli,+ 10 Shebaniya, Hodiya, Khelita, Phelaya, Hanana, 11 Mikha, Rehobi, Hashabiya, 12 Zakhuri, Sherebiya,+ Shebaniya, 13 Hodiya, Bani naBeninu.

14 Tinhloko talabantfu bekunguleti: Pharoshi, Phahathi-mowabi,+ Elamu, Zathu, Bani, 15 Buni, Azgadi, Bebayi, 16 Adoniya, Bikvayi, Adini, 17 Ateri, Hezekiya, Azuri, 18 Hodiya, Hashumi, Bhezayi, 19 Harifi, Anathothi, Nebayi, 20 Magphiyashi, Meshulamu, Heziri, 21 Meshezabeli, Sadoki, Jaduya, 22 Phelatiya, Hanana, Anaya, 23 Hosheya, Hananiya, Hashubi, 24 Haloheshi, Philha, Shobeki, 25 Rehumi, Hashabna, Maseya, 26 Ahiya, Hanana, Anana, 27 Maluki, Harimi naBhana.

28 Bonkhe lalabanye bantfu, lobekubaphristi, emaLevi, bogadzi basesangweni, bahlabeleli, tisebenti tasethempelini* nabo bonkhe labebatehlukanisile kubantfu bakuletinye tive kute balalele uMtsetfo waNkulunkulu weliciniso,+ kanye nebafati babo, emadvodzana abo nemadvodzakati abo, lokungibo bonkhe labebanelwati nekucondza,* 29 batihlanganisa nabomnakabo, lokungemadvodza lahlonishwako, futsi batibopha ngesicalekiso nangesifungo sekutsi batawulalela uMtsetfo waNkulunkulu weliciniso, lowaniketwa ema-Israyeli ngaMosi inceku yaNkulunkulu weliciniso, nekutsi batayigcina ngekucophelela yonkhe imiyalo yaJehova iNkhosi yetfu netehlulelo takhe kanye netimiso takhe. 30 Bafunga batsi: “Emadvodzakati etfu ngeke siwendzise kubantfu bakuletinye tive, nemadvodzana etfu ngeke siwatsatsele bafati emadvodzakatini akuletinye tive.+

31 Nangabe bantfu bakuletinye tive baletsa tintfo tabo, nayo yonkhe inhlobo yalokutinhlavu kuze bakutsengise ngeliSabatha, ngeke sitsenge lutfo lwabo ngeliSabatha+ nanganobe nguliphi lelinye lilanga lelingcwele.+ Ngemnyaka wesi-7+ ngeke silime futsi sitawucolela bonkhe labasikweledako.+

32 Ngetulu kwaloko, sitawenta sibopho sekutsi umnyaka nemnyaka, ngamunye wetfu aletse emagremu lamane elisiliva* kuze kwentiwe umsebenti wendlu yaNkulunkulu* wetfu,+ 33 kwentiwe tinkhwa letititaki,*+ umnikelo walokutinhlavu+ lowentiwa njalo, umnikelo wekushiswa lowentiwa njalo ngemaSabatha+ nangemikhosi yekwetfwasa kwenyanga,+ kwentiwe nekudla kwangetikhatsi letibekiwe,+ netintfo letingcwele, neminikelo yesono+ kute ema-Israyeli abuyisane naNkulunkulu, futsi kwentiwe nawo wonkhe umsebenti wendlu yaNkulunkulu wetfu.

34 Sitawuphindze sente inkatho kuze sibone kutsi imindeni yebaphristi, yemaLevi neyabo bonkhe bantfu kufanele itiletse nini tinkhuni endlini yaNkulunkulu wetfu ngetikhatsi letimisiwe umnyaka ngemnyaka, kute tibaswe e-al’thare laJehova Nkulunkulu wetfu njengobe kubhaliwe eMtsetfweni.+ 35 Umnyaka nemnyaka sitawuletsa titselo tekucala temhlaba wetfu netitselo tekucala tato tonkhe tihlahla tetitselo endlini yaJehova,+ 36 sitawuletsa nematibulo etfu labafana newemfuyo yetfu,+ njengobe kubhaliwe eMtsetfweni, siletse nematibulo emihlambi yetfu yetinkhomo, yetimvu neyetimbuti. Loku sitakuletsa endlini yaNkulunkulu wetfu, kubaphristi labasebenta endlini yakhe.+ 37 Sitawuletsa netitselo tekucala talokutinhlavu lokuhhatekile,+ iminikelo yetfu, titselo tato tonkhe tihlahla,+ liwayini lelisha nemafutsa,+ sikunike baphristi bakubeke emakamelweni ekugcina tintfo* lasendlini yaNkulunkulu wetfu,+ sitawuletsa nekwelishumi lokubuya eveni letfu sikunike emaLevi,+ ngobe emaLevi ngiwo latsatsa kwelishumi kuwo onkhe emadolobha lesilima* kuwo.

38 Umphristi, loyindvodzana ya-Aroni, kufanele abe nemaLevi nawatsatsa kwelishumi; futsi emaLevi kufanele aletse kwelishumi kuko konkhe lokukwelishumi endlini yaNkulunkulu wetfu,+ akufake emakamelweni* endlu yekugcina tintfo. 39 Ema-Israyeli nemadvodzana emaLevi kufanele aletse iminikelo+ yalokutinhlavu, liwayini lelisha nemafutsa+ emakamelweni* ekugcina tintfo, futsi ngulapho titja tasendzaweni lengcwele tikhona khona kantsi nebaphristi labasebentako, bogadzi basesangweni kanye nebahlabeleli baba lapho. Ngeke siyilahle indlu yaNkulunkulu wetfu.”+

11 Tindvuna talabantfu betihlala eJerusalema;+ lalabanye bantfu lebebahlala kulamanye emadolobha benta inkatho+ kute umndeni munye kulengu-10 uhambe uyohlala eJerusalema, lokulidolobha lelingcwele. Lena leminye imindeni yasala kulalamanye emadolobha. 2 Ngetulu kwaloko, labantfu bawafisela sibusiso saNkulunkulu onkhe lamadvodza labevume ngekutitsandzela kuyohlala eJerusalema.

3 Leti tinhloko tesifundza sakaJuda lebetihlala eJerusalema. (Onkhe lamanye ema-Israyeli, baphristi, emaLevi, tisebenti tasethempelini,*+ nemadvodzana etinceku taSolomoni,+ bebahlala kulamanye emadolobha akaJuda, nguloyo naloyo ahlala endzaweni yakhe edolobheni lakubo.+

4 EJerusalema bekuphindze kuhlale nalabanye bantfu bakaJuda nebakaBhenjamini.) Kubantfu bakaJuda bekungu-Athaya indvodzana ya-Uziya indvodzana yaZakhariya indvodzana ya-Amariya indvodzana yaShefathiya indvodzana yaMahalaleli wemndeni waPheresi,+ 5 naMaseya indvodzana yaBharuki indvodzana yaKholi-hoze indvodzana yaHazaya indvodzana ya-Adaya indvodzana yaJoyaribi indvodzana yaZakhariya lovela emndenini wemaShela. 6 Onkhe emadvodzana aPheresi labehlala eJerusalema, bekungemadvodza lanemandla langu-468.

7 Kubantfu bakaBhenjamini bekungulaba: Salu+ indvodzana yaMeshulamu indvodzana yaJowedi indvodzana yaPhedaya indvodzana yaKholaya indvodzana yaMaseya indvodzana ya-Ithiyeli indvodzana yaJeshaya, 8 bekuphindze kube naGabhayi naSalayi, sebabonkhe bebangu-928; 9 Joweli indvodzana yaZikhri abengumphatsi wabo, futsi Juda indvodzana yaHasenuwa alisekela lakhe kulelidolobha.

10 Kubaphristi bekungulaba: Jedaya indvodzana yaJoyaribi, naJakhini,+ 11 naSeraya indvodzana yaHilkiya indvodzana yaMeshulamu indvodzana yaSadoki indvodzana yaMerayothi indvodzana ya-Ahitubi,+ umholi wendlu yaNkulunkulu* weliciniso, 12 kanye nabomnakabo labebasebenta kulendlu, sebabonkhe bebangu-822; bekuphindze kube na-Adaya indvodzana yaJerohamu indvodzana yaPhelaliya indvodzana ya-Amsi indvodzana yaZakhariya indvodzana yaPhashuri+ indvodzana yaMalkhiya, 13 nabomnakabo labatinhloko temindeni, sebabonkhe bebangu-242; bekuphindze kube na-Amashisayi indvodzana ya-Azareli indvodzana ya-Ahazayi indvodzana yaMeshilemothi indvodzana ya-Imeri, 14 kanye nabomnakabo labebangemadvodza lanemandla nalanesibindzi, sebabonkhe bebangu-128; umphatsi wabo bekunguZabdiyeli lolilunga lemndeni lohlonishwako.

15 KumaLevi bekungulaba: Shemaya+ indvodzana yaHashubi indvodzana ya-Azrikamu indvodzana yaHashabiya indvodzana yaBuni, 16 naShabhethayi+ naJozabadi,+ labebangulabanye kubaholi bemaLevi, futsi bebabuke umsebenti wangephandle wendlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso; 17 naMathaniya+ indvodzana yaMikha indvodzana yaZabdi indvodzana ya-Asafa,+ umhlabelisi, lobekahola nakudvunyiswa ngesikhatsi semthantazo,+ naBakbukiya lisekela lakhe, na-Abda indvodzana yaShamuwa indvodzana yaGalali indvodzana yaJeduthuni.+ 18 Onkhe emaLevi lebekakulelidolobha lelingcwele abengu-284.

19 Kubogadzi basemagedeni bekungu-Akhubi naThalmoni+ kanye nabomnakabo, sebabonkhe bebangu-172.

20 Lawa lamanye ema-Israyeli, baphristi, nemaLevi bebahlala kuwo onkhe lamanye emadolobha akaJuda, ngamunye kubo asendzaweni lelifa lakhe. 21 Tisebenti tasethempelini*+ betihlala e-Ofeli,+ futsi betenganyelwe nguSiha naGishpa.

22 Umphatsi wemaLevi eJerusalema bekungu-Uzi indvodzana yaBani indvodzana yaHashabiya indvodzana yaMathaniya+ indvodzana yaMikha, lobekavela emndenini wa-Asafa, futsi bonkhe bebabahlabeleli. Uzi abengamele umsebenti wendlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso. 23 Bekunemtsetfo lobekwe yinkhosi+ wekutsi kuhlale kunelilungiselelo lekunakekela tidzingo tebahlabeleli tamalanga onkhe. 24 Phethahiya indvodzana yaMeshezabeli lovela emndenini waZera indvodzana yaJuda, abengumeluleki wenkhosi* kuto tonkhe tindzaba letiphatselene nebantfu.

25 Nalu luhla lwetindzawo letatinemasimu: Labanye bantfu bakaJuda bebahlala eKhiriyathi-abha+ nasemadolobheni laseceleni* kwayo, eDiboni nasemadolobheni laseceleni kwayo, eJekhabuzeli+ nasetindzaweni letiseceleni kwayo, 26 eJeshuwa, eMolada,+ eBhethi-pheleti,+ 27 eHasari-shuwali,+ eBherisheba nasemadolobheni laseceleni* kwayo, 28 eSikilagi,+ eMekhona nasemadolobheni laseceleni* kwayo, 29 e-Eni-rimoni,+ eSora,+ eJamuthi, 30 eZanowa,+ e-Adulamu nasetindzaweni letisemaceleni, eLakhishi+ nasemasimini ayo, e-Azekha+ nasemadolobheni laseceleni* kwayo. Indzawo lebebahlala* kuyo beyisuka eBherisheba ize iyewufika eSigodzini saHinomu.+

31 Bantfu bakaBhenjamini bebaseGeba,+ eMikmashi, e-Ayija, eBetheli+ nasemadolobheni laseceleni* kwayo, 32 e-Anathothi,+ eNobi,+ e-Ananiya, 33 eHasori, eRama,+ eGithayimu, 34 eHadidi, eSeboyimu, eNebalathi, 35 eLodi, e-Ono,+ nasesihosheni setisebenti letinelikhono. 36 Lamanye emacembu emaLevi lasuka kaJuda, ahlala kaBhenjamini.

12 Ngulaba baphristi nemaLevi labahamba naZerubhabheli+ indvodzana yaSheyaltiyeli,+ naJeshuwa:+ BekunguSeraya, Jeremiya, Ezra, 2 Amariya, Maluki, Hathushi, 3 Shekhaniya, Rehumi, Meremothi, 4 Ido, Ginethoni, Abiya, 5 Mijamini, Mowadiya, Bilga, 6 Shemaya, Joyaribi, Jedaya, 7 Salu, Amoki, Hilkiya naJedaya. Laba-ke bebabaholi bebaphristi nabomnakabo ngemalanga aJeshuwa.

8 EmaLevi bekuboJeshuwa, Binuwi, Khadmiyeli,+ Sherebiya, Juda, naMathaniya.+ Mathaniya kanye nabomnakabo bebahola nakuhlatjelwa tingoma tekubonga Nkulunkulu. 9 BoBakbukiya na-Uni lebebabomnakabo, bebema babukane nabo futsi bagadze.* 10 Jeshuwa watala Joyakimi, Joyakimi watala Eliyashibi,+ Eliyashibi watala Joyada.+ 11 Joyada watala Jonathani, Jonathani watala Jaduya.

12 Ngemalanga aJoyakimi, bekungulaba baphristi lebebatinhloko temindeni: lobekamelele umndeni waSeraya+ bekunguMeraya; lobekamelele umndeni waJeremiya bekunguHananiya; 13 lobekamelele umndeni wa-Ezra+ bekunguMeshulamu; lobekamelele umndeni wa-Amariya bekunguJehohanani; 14 lobekamelele umndeni waMaluki bekunguJonathani; lobekamelele umndeni waShebaniya bekunguJosefa; 15 lobekamelele umndeni waHarimi+ bekungu-Adna; lobekamelele umndeni waMerayothi bekunguHelkayi; 16 lobekamelele umndeni wa-Ido bekunguZakhariya; lobekamelele umndeni waGinethoni bekunguMeshulamu; 17 lobekamelele umndeni wa-Abiya+ bekunguZikhri; lobekamelele umndeni waMiniyamini, . . . ;* lobekamelele umndeni waMowadiya bekunguPhiltayi; 18 lobekamelele umndeni waBilga+ bekunguShamuwa; lobekamelele umndeni waShemaya bekunguJehonathani; 19 lobekamelele umndeni waJoyaribi bekunguMathenayi; lobekamelele umndeni waJedaya+ bekungu-Uzi; 20 lobekamelele umndeni waSalayi bekunguKhalayi; lobekamelele umndeni wa-Amoki bekungu-Ebheri; 21 lobekamelele umndeni waHilkiya bekunguHashabiya; lobekamelele umndeni waJedaya bekunguNethaneli.

22 Tinhloko temindeni yemaLevi kanye nebaphristi tabhaliswa ngemalanga a-Eliyashibi, aJoyada, aJohanani newaJaduya,+ kwaze kwefika sikhatsi sekubusa kwaDariyusi wasePheresiya.

23 EmaLevi lebekatinhloko temindeni abhalwa encwadzini yemlandvo wangaleso sikhatsi, kwaze kwayofika emalangeni aJohanani indvodzana ya-Eliyashibi. 24 Tinhloko temaLevi bekuboHashabiya, Sherebiya naJeshuwa+ indvodzana yaKhadmiyeli,+ futsi bomnakabo lababogadzi bema ngemacembu babukana nabo kute badvumise Nkulunkulu futsi bambonge ngekuvumelana neticondziso taDavide+ umuntfu waNkulunkulu weliciniso. 25 BoMathaniya,+ Bakbukiya, Obadiya, Meshulamu, Thalmoni na-Akhubi+ bebabogadzi basemagedeni,+ bagadze emakamelo ekugcina tintfo langasemagedeni. 26 Bebenta lomsebenti ngemalanga aJoyakimi indvodzana yaJeshuwa+ indvodzana yaJosadaki nangemalanga aNehemiya umbusi na-Ezra+ umphristi lobekaphindze abe ngumbhali.*

27 Ngesikhatsi kunikelwa tindvonga taseJerusalema, kwafunwa emaLevi futsi aletfwa eJerusalema esuka kuto tonkhe tindzawo lebekahlala kuto, kute atewungenela lomkhosi ngenjabulo, ngetingoma tekubonga,+ ngemasimbali,* ngetinsimbi temculo letinetintsambo nangemahabhu. 28 Emadvodzana ebahlabeleli* ahlangana ndzawonye kusuka kulesifundza,* kusuka kuto tonkhe tindzawo letitungelete iJerusalema, kusuka etindzaweni temaNethofa,+ 29 kusuka eBhethi-gilgali,+ nasetifundzeni taseGeba+ nase-Azmavethi,+ ngobe bahlabeleli bebatakhele emadolobhana kuto tonkhe tindzawo letiseceleni kweJerusalema. 30 Baphristi nemaLevi batihlambulula futsi bahlambulula labantfu,+ emagede+ kanye nelubondza.+

31 Ngabese ngiyisa tindvuna temaJuda etulu kulolubondza. Ngetulu kwaloko, ngakhetsa emakwaya lamabili lamakhulu labetawuhlabela tingoma tekubonga kanye nemacembu lebekatawalandzela, futsi lelinye lahamba kulolubondza labheka ngesekudla liya eSangweni Letindvundvuma Temlotsa.+ 32 Hoshaya nencenye yetindvuna takaJuda bahamba ngemuva kwalo, 33 bakanye na-Azariya, Ezra, Meshulamu, 34 Juda, Bhenjamini, Shemaya naJeremiya. 35 Bebahamba nalamanye emadvodzana ebaphristi labekaphetse emacilongo.+ Emkhatsini wawo bekunaZakhariya indvodzana yaJonathani indvodzana yaShemaya indvodzana yaMathaniya indvodzana yaMikhaya indvodzana yaZakhuri indvodzana ya-Asafa,+ 36 kanye nabomnakabo boShemaya, Azareli, Milalayi, Gilalayi, Mayi, Nethaneli, Juda naHanani, futsi bebaphetse tinsimbi tekudlala umculo letifanana naleto lebetentiwe nguDavide+ umuntfu waNkulunkulu weliciniso; futsi Ezra+ longumbhali abehamba embikwabo. 37 NasebaseGedeni Lemtfombo+ bachubeka baya embili bendlula ngetulu kweTitebhisi+ teliDolobha laDavide+ benyuka ngelubondza ngenhla kweNdlu yaDavide futsi baya eGedeni Lemanti+ lelingasemphumalanga.

38 Lelenye ikwaya lebeyihlabela tingoma tekubonga beyihamba kulolunye luhlangotsi lwalolubondza,* futsi ngayilandzela nginencenye yalabantfu, sendlula eMbhoshongweni Wemahhavini+ naseLubondzeni Lolubanti,+ 39 sendlula eGedeni laka-Efrayimu+ saya eGedeni Lelidolobha Lelidzala+ sachubekela eGedeni Lenhlanti,+ eMbhoshongweni waHananeli,+ eMbhoshongweni weMeya saya naseGedeni Letimvu;+ futsi safike sema eGedeni Labogadzi.

40 Ngemuva kwaloko, lamakwaya lamabili labehlabela tingoma tekubonga ema embikwendlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso; mine kanye nencenye yemasekela ebabusi sema lapho, 41 sinebaphristi bo-Eliyakimu, Maseya, Miniyamini, Mikhaya, Eliyoyenayi, Zakhariya naHananiya lebebaphetse emacilongo, 42 kanye naMaseya, Shemaya, Eliyezeri, Uzi, Jehohanani, Malkhiya, Elamu, na-Eseri. Bahlabeleli bona bahlabela kakhulu, baholwa nguJizrahi.

43 Ngalelolanga banikela ngemihlatjelo leminyenti futsi bajabula,+ ngobe Nkulunkulu weliciniso wabenta bajabula kakhulu. Bafati nebantfwana nabo bajabula,+ ngako injabulo lebeyikhona eJerusalema beyivakala nakhashane.+

44 Ngalelolanga, kwabekwa emadvodza kutsi engamele tindlu+ tekugcina iminikelo,+ titselo tekucala+ nekwelishumi.+ Kuletindlu bekufanele afake tincenye latibutse emasimini emadolobha, lebetisabelo sebaphristi nemaLevi+ ngekuvumelana neMtsetfo.+ Kwakujatjuliwe kaJuda ngenca yemsebenti lobewentiwa baphristi nemaLevi. 45 Ngako bacala kwenta imisebenti yaNkulunkulu wabo nemsebenti wekuhlambulula, njengobe kwakwenta bahlabeleli nabogadzi basesangweni, ngekuvumelana neticondziso taDavide naSolomoni indvodzana yakhe. 46 Kadzeni ngesikhatsi saboDavide na-Asafa, bekunebantfu labebacondzisa* bahlabeleli nalebebacondzisa nakuhlatjelwa tingoma tekudvumisa netekubonga Nkulunkulu.+ 47 Ngemalanga aZerubhabheli+ newaNehemiya, onkhe ema-Israyeli abenika bahlabeleli+ nabogadzi basesangweni+ kudla, kuye ngekwetidzingo tabo telilanga ngelilanga. Abephindze anike emaLevi+ sabelo sawo, futsi emaLevi abenika intalelwane ya-Aroni sabelo sayo.

13 Ngalelolanga bantfu bafundzelwa incwadzi yaMosi,+ futsi kuyo kwatfolakala kutsi kute um-Amoni nobe umMowabi+ lobekufanele avunyelwe kutsi abe sebandleni laNkulunkulu weliciniso,+ 2 ngobe awazange anikete ema-Israyeli sinkhwa nemanti, kodvwa atsenga Bhalamu kutsi awacalekise.+ Nobe kunjalo, Nkulunkulu wetfu wagucula lesicalekiso saba sibusiso.+ 3 Labantfu batsi nje nabeva loMtsetfo, bacala kwehlukanisa bonkhe bantfu bekuhamba* emkhatsini wema-Israyeli.+

4 Ngaphambi kwekutsi kwenteke loku, umphristi lobekengamele emakamelo* ekugcina tintfo endlini yaNkulunkulu*+ wetfu bekungu-Eliyashibi,+ losihlobo saThobiya.+ 5 Waniketa Thobiya likamelo lelikhulu lebelilekugcina tintfo,* lapho bekufakwa khona umnikelo walokutinhlavu, emakha esihlahla semphepho, titja nekwelishumi kwalokutinhlavu, kweliwayini lelisha kanye nekwemafutsa+ lobekusabelo semaLevi,+ sebahlabeleli nesabogadzi basesangweni. Bekuphindze kufakwe neminikelo yebaphristi.+

6 Kuso sonkhe leso sikhatsi, bengingekho eJerusalema ngobe bengiye ku-Athazeksesi inkhosi+ yaseBhabhulona ngemnyaka wesi-32+ wekubusa kwayo, futsi ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi ngacela inkhosi kutsi ingivumele ngibuyele emuva. 7 Ngatsi nangifika eJerusalema ngabona lentfo lembi lebeyentiwe ngu-Eliyashibi+ yekutsi anikete Thobiya+ likamelo lebelilekugcina tintfo emabaleni endlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso. 8 Loku kwangicansula kakhulu, ngako ngatsatsa tonkhe tintfo taThobiya ngatilahlela ngephandle kwalelikamelo.* 9 Ngemuva kwaloko ngatsi akuhlanjululwe lamakamelo* ekugcina tintfo, ngase ngibuyisela titja tendlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso+ kuwo, nemnikelo walokutinhlavu kanye nemakha esihlahla semphepho.+

10 Ngatfola nekutsi emaLevi+ abengasaniketwa sabelo sawo,+ ngaleso sizatfu emaLevi nebahlabeleli lebebasebenta ethempelini bese bahambile, nguloyo naloyo waya ensimini yakhe.+ 11 Ngako ngatsetsisa emasekela ebabusi+ ngase ngitsi: “Nivumeleni kutsi indlu yaNkulunkulu weliciniso inganakwa?”+ Ngabese ngihlanganisa ndzawonye lamaLevi ngawabuyisela emsebentini wawo. 12 Onkhe emaJuda aletsa kwelishumi+ kwalokutinhlavu, kweliwayini lelisha kanye nekwemafutsa akufaka emakamelweni ekugcina tintfo.+ 13 Ngemuva kwaloko ngabeka Shelemiya umphristi, Sadoki longumbhali* kanye naPhedaya umLevi kutsi bengamele emakamelo ekugcina tintfo, futsi Hanana indvodzana yaZakhuri indvodzana yaMathaniya bekangumsiti wabo. Ngakhetsa lamadvodza ngobe bekatiwa ngekutsi etsembekile. Bekungumsebenti wawo kutsi abele bomnakabo tintfo.

14 “Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngikhumbule+ ngenca yaloku, futsi ungalukhohlwa lutsandvo lolucotfo lengilukhombisile ngendlu yakho nangemsebenti lowentiwa kuyo.”*+

15 Ngalawo malanga ngabona bantfu kaJuda benta liwayini* ngeliSabatha,+ baletsa emasaka lanalokutinhlavu futsi bawetfwesa timbongolo, baletsa neliwayini, emagilebisi, emakhiwa kanye nalolonkhe luhlobo lwemitfwalo eJerusalema ngeliSabatha.+ Ngako ngabayala kutsi bayekele kutsengisa ngeliSabatha.* 16 Bantfu baseThire lebebahlala kulelidolobha bebaletsa tinhlanti nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetintfo, batitsengisele bantfu bakaJuda nebaseJerusalema ngeliSabatha.+ 17 Ngako ngatsetsisa tikhulu takaJuda futsi ngatsi kuto: “Yini lentfo lembi leniyentako? Niwephulile umtsetfo weliSabatha. 18 Akusiko yini loku bokhokho benu labakwenta, waze Nkulunkulu waletsa tonkhe letinhlekelele kitsi nakulelidolobha? Nyalo senente kutsi Nkulunkulu awatfukutselele kakhulu ema-Israyeli ngekutsi nephule umtsetfo weliSabatha.”+

19 Ngako ngatsi kubovalwa emagede aseJerusalema kusengakahwalali futsi lisengakacali liSabatha. Ngaphindze ngatsi bangabowavula kuze kube ngulapho selendlulile, futsi ngabeka letinye tisebenti tami esangweni kute kube bete imitfwalo lengeniswa ngeliSabatha. 20 Ngako batsengi nebatsengisi bato tonkhe tinhlobo tetintfo bacitsa busuku bangephandle kwaseJerusalema kwaba kanye nobe kabili. 21 Ngabese ngiyabecwayisa, futsi ngatsi: “Kungani nihleti busuku bonkhe embikwalolubondza? Naniphindze nihlala lana, ngitawugcine ngisebentisa emandla kute nginisuse.” Kusukela ngalelolanga abazange baphindze babuye ngeliSabatha.

22 Ngatjela emaLevi kutsi kufanele ahlale atihlambulula futsi ete atewugadza emagede kute agcine lilanga leliSabatha lingcwele.+ “Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngikhumbule nangaloku, futsi ungihawukele ngenca yelutsandvo* lwakho lolukhulu.”+

23 Ngalawo malanga, ngatfola kutsi bekunemaJuda labekashade* nebafati base-Ashdodi,+ baka-Amoni nebakaMowabi.+ 24 Incenye yebantfwana bawo beyikhuluma si-Ashdodi kantsi lenye incenye beyikhuluma lulwimi lwebantfu bakuletinye tive, kodvwa kute ngisho namunye kubo lobekakhuluma lulwimi lwemaJuda. 25 Ngako ngawatsetsisa futsi ngawacalekisa, lamanye emadvodza+ ngawashaya ngaze ngawadvonsa ngetinwele. Ngawafungisa ngelibito laNkulunkulu ngatsi: “Emadvodzakati enu akukafaneli niwendzisele emadvodzana abo, futsi akukafaneli nititsatsele bafati emadvodzakatini abo nobe nibatsatsele emadvodzana enu.+ 26 Ayoniswanga yini nguloku iNkhosi Solomoni yaka-Israyeli? Etiveni letinyenti bekute inkhosi lefana nayo,+ futsi beyitsandvwa nguNkulunkulu wayo,+ kungako ayenta inkhosi yaka-Israyeli. Kodvwa bafati bakuletinye tive bayenta kutsi yone.+ 27 Kuyamangalisa kutsi ningenta bubi lobungaka, ningetsembeki kuNkulunkulu wetfu ngekutsi nishade nebafati bakuletinye tive.”+

28 Lenye yemadvodzana aJoyada+ indvodzana ya-Eliyashibi+ umphristi lophakeme beyingumkhwenyane waSanbalati+ umHoroni. Ngako ngayicosha embikwami.

29 “Awu Nkulunkulu wami, bakhumbule ngobe bawungcolisile umsebenti webaphristi+ futsi basingcolisile nesivumelwane lowasenta nebaphristi nemaLevi.”+

30 Ngabahlambulula kuko konkhe kungcola kwebantfu bakuletinye tive, futsi ngabela baphristi nemaLevi imisebenti, nguloyo naloyo ngamnika umsebenti wakhe,+ 31 ngahlela nekutsi kuletfwe tinkhuni+ ngetikhatsi letibekiwe kanye netitselo tekucala.

“Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungangikhohlwa futsi ungibusise.”*+