ESTA

1 Ngesikhatsi sakhe, Ahashiveroshi* bekabusa kusukela eNdiya kuya eTopiya,* etifundzeni letingu-127,+ 2 futsi bekahleti esihlalweni sakhe sebukhosi lesisesigodlweni* saseShushani.*+ 3 Ngemnyaka wesitsatfu wekubusa kwakhe, wentela tonkhe tindvuna netisebenti takhe lidzili. Wamema libutfo lasePheresiya+ nelaseMediya,+ wamema netikhulu nebaholi betifundza, 4 futsi kwaphela emalanga langu-180 abakhombisa umcebo wembuso wakhe lokhatimulako kanye nemandla akhe nebukhulu bakhe. 5 Kwatsi nakuphela lamalanga, inkhosi yenta lidzili lelatsatsa emalanga langu-7, yalentela bonkhe bantfu lebebakulesigodlo* saseShushani,* kusukela kumuntfu losetulu kuya kulophansi, futsi lentelwa ebaleni lesigodlo senkhosi. 6 Lonkhe lelibala belihlotjiswe ngetindvwangu telineni, naletentiwe ngakotini, nangaletiluhlata njengesibhakabhaka. Betibanjwe ngemafindvo lentiwe ngendvwangu yelikhetselo futsi kuwo bekufakwe tintsambo letentiwe ngensontfo lebukhwebeletane.* Letintsambo betiboshelwe etindingilizini telisiliva lebetinanyatsiselwe etinsikeni temabuli. Bekuphindze kube nabosofa beligolide nebelisiliva esiyilweni lesentiwe ngelitje lelibovu lokutsiwa yiphofiri, ngemabuli lemhlophe, ngematje laligugu nangemabuli lemnyama.

7 Liwayini belitselwa etindzebeni* teligolide; nguleyo naleyo ndzebe beyehlukile kulenye, futsi leliwayini lasebukhosini belilinyenti kakhulu kubonakala kutsi lenkhosi lenjingile. 8 Kulomcimbi bekunemtsetfo lotsi kute lokufanele aphocelelwe* kutsi anatse, ngobe inkhosi beyihlele netiphatsimandla tayo kutsi umuntfu ngamunye anatse ngendlela latsandza ngayo.

9 INkhosikati Vashti+ nayo beyentele bafati lidzili esigodlweni seNkhosi Ahashiveroshi.

10 Ngelilanga lesi-7, ngesikhatsi inkhosi* ijabulile ngenca yekunatsa liwayini, yatjela boMehumani, Biztha, Habona,+ Biktha, Abagitha, Zethari naKhakhasi, labatiphatsimandla letingu-7 letisebentela iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi, 11 kutsi baletse Vashti iNkhosikati embikwenkhosi, futsi ete afake umchele* wakhe webukhosi kuze bantfu kanye netindvuna babone buhle bakhe, ngobe bekamuhle kakhulu. 12 Kodvwa iNkhosikati Vashti yachubeka nekwala kuya enkhosini njengobe inkhosi beyitfumele tiphatsimandla tayo kutsi tiyibite. Ngako inkhosi yatfukutsela yagana lunwabu.

13 Inkhosi yabese ikhuluma nemadvodza lahlakaniphile labekayicondza indlela tintfo lebetentiwa ngayo kadzeni (ngaleyondlela lendzaba yenkhosi yaletfwa kubo bonkhe labo labawati kahle umtsetfo nekutekwa kwemacala, 14 futsi labo labebasondzelene nayo bekunguKhashena, Shethari, Admatha, Thashishi, Meresi, Masena naMemukhani, lokutindvuna letingu-7+ tasePheresiya naseMediya lebetiya njalo enkhosini futsi lebetisetikhundleni letisetulu embusweni). 15 Inkhosi yabuta yatsi: “Ngekusho kwemtsetfo, kufanele yentiweni iNkhosikati Vashti njengobe yalile kuta kimi, mine Nkhosi Ahashiveroshi, ngesikhatsi ngitfumela tiphatsimandla tami kutsi tiyibite?”

16 Nakeva loku, Memukhani wakhuluma embikwenkhosi netindvuna tayo watsi: “INkhosikati Vashti ayikedzeleli inkhosi nje kuphela,+ kodvwa yedzelele tonkhe tindvuna nabo bonkhe bantfu labakuto tonkhe tifundza teNkhosi Ahashiveroshi. 17 Loko lokwentiwe yinkhosikati kutawatiwa ngibo bonkhe bafati, futsi batawedzelela emadvodza abo batsi: ‘Ngisho neNkhosikati Vashti yala kuya eNkhosini Ahashiveroshi nayiyibita.’ 18 Kusukela lamuhla, bafati betindvuna tasePheresiya naseMediya labatiko ngaloko lokwentiwe yinkhosikati, batawukhuluma ngalendlela nemadvodza abo, lokutawubangela kwedzelelana nekutfukutselisana. 19 Nangabe kukuhle enkhosini, inkhosi ayikhiphe umtsetfo wekutsi Vashti angaphindzi ete embikweNkhosi Ahashiveroshi bese ubhalwa emitsetfweni yemaPheresiya nemaMediya lengagucuki,+ futsi lesikhundla sekuba yinkhosikati inkhosi ayisinikete lomunye umfati loncono kunaye. 20 Kutawutsi lomtsetfo wenkhosi nawuvakala kuto tonkhe tindzawo letingephansi kwalombuso lomkhulu, bonkhe bafati batawahlonipha emadvodza abo, kusukela kulesesikhundleni lesiphakeme kuye kulephansi.”

21 Loku kwayijabulisa inkhosi kanye netindvuna, futsi inkhosi yenta loko lobekushiwo nguMemukhani. 22 Ngako yatfumela tincwadzi kuto tonkhe tifundza letisembusweni wayo,+ nguleso naleso sifundza sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yekubhala futsi nguleso naleso sive sabhalelwa ngelulwimi lwaso, kuze indvodza ngayinye ibe yinhloko* emndenini wayo futsi ikhulume lulwimi lwakubo.

2 Ngemuva kwaloko, ngesikhatsi intfukutselo yeNkhosi Ahashiveroshi+ seyehlile, lenkhosi yacabanga ngaloko bekwentiwe nguVashti+ nangesincumo lebesitsetfwe ngaye.+ 2 Tisebenti tenkhosi tabese titsi: “Inkhosi ayifunelwe emantfombatana lamahle latintfombi ntfo. 3 Ayikhetse emancusa kuto tonkhe tifundza tembuso wayo+ kute aletse onkhe emantfombatane lamahle latintfombi ntfo esigodlweni* lesiseShushani,* endlini yalabasikati.* Awamikiswe kuHegayi+ loyinhloko yendlu yalabasikati* nemnakekeli wabo, futsi lamantfombatana awanikwe tintfo tekutimonyonga.* 4 Intfombi letayijabulisa kakhulu inkhosi ngiyo letawuba yinkhosikati esikhundleni saVashti.”+ Lombono wayijabulisa inkhosi futsi nguloko leyakwenta.

5 Esigodlweni* lesiseShushani*+ bekunemJuda lobekutsiwa nguModekhayi,+ abeyindvodzana yaJayire, mkhulu wakhe kunguShimeyi, khokho wakhe kunguKhishi, umBhenjamini,+ 6 futsi abetsetfwe eJerusalema watfunjwa nebantfu lebebatsetfwe neNkhosi Jekhoniya*+ yakaJuda, lebeyitfunjwe yiNkhosi Nebukhadnezari yaseBhabhulona. 7 Modekhayi wakhulisa* Hadasa,* lokungu-Esta lobekayindvodzakati yemnakabobabe waModekhayi,+ ngobe Esta bekete batali. Lentfombi beyime kahle futsi iyinhle. Nakushona batali bayo, Modekhayi wayitsatsa wayenta indvodzakati yakhe. 8 Ngesikhatsi selimenyetelwe livi lenkhosi nemtsetfo wayo, futsi tintfombi letinyenti setiletfwe kuHegayi+ esigodlweni* lesiseShushani,* Esta naye wamikiswa endlini* yenkhosi kuHegayi umnakekeli webantfu labasikati.

9 Hegayi abeyitsandza* lentfombi futsi ajabula ngayo, ngako ngekushesha nje wayilungiselela tintfo tekutimonyonga*+ kanye nekudla lokukhetsiwe, futsi wayikhetsela tincekukati letingu-7 endlini yenkhosi. Waphindze wamikisa yona naletincekukati tayo endzaweni lencono kakhulu endlini yalabasikati.* 10 Esta akazange akhulume ngebantfu bakubo+ nobe ngetihlobo takhe, ngobe Modekhayi+ abemyale kutsi angatjeli muntfu ngabo.+ 11 Onkhe malanga Modekhayi abehambahamba ngasebaleni lendlu yalabasikati* kute abone kutsi Esta uphatseke njani futsi eve nekutsi kwentekani kuye.

12 Intfombi ngayinye beyiba neligema lekuya eNkhosini Ahashiveroshi ngemuva kwekucedza tinyanga letingu-12 tekutimonyonga lebetihlelelwe labasikati. Ngulena indlela lebetenta ngayo kulesikhatsi sekutimonyonga:* betitimonyonga* tinyanga letisitfupha ngemafutsa emure,+ netinyanga letisitfupha ngemafutsa ebhalisamu+ nangalamanye emafutsa ekugcobisa lehlukahlukene. 13 Lentfombi beyisuke seyikulungele kuya enkhosini, futsi beyinikwa nome yini leyicelako nayiphuma endlini yalabasikati* iya endlini yenkhosi. 14 Entsambama beyingena iye enkhosini bese ekuseni iya endlini yesibili yalabasikati,* lebeyibukwe nguShashgazi loyinhloko yendlu yalabasikati*+ nemnakekeli wemaphovela. Lentfombi beyingabuyeli enkhosini ngaphandle nangabe inkhosi ijabule kakhulu ngayo futsi yayibita ngeligama kutsi ite kuyo.+

15 Lase liyefika ligema la-Esta lekutsi aye enkhosini. Esta abeyindvodzakati+ ya-Abihayili longumnakabobabe waModekhayi, futsi wakhuliswa nguModekhayi. Esta akacelanga lutfo ngaphandle kwaloko lokwashiwo nguHegayi loyinhloko yendlu yalabasikati* nemnakekeli wabo. (Kuso sonkhe leso sikhatsi, Esta bekatsandvwa ngibo bonkhe bantfu labebambona.) 16 Ngemnyaka wesi-7 wekubusa kweNkhosi Ahashiveroshi, Esta wayiswa kuyo esigodlweni sayo ngenyanga yesi-10, lokuyinyanga yaThebethi.*+ 17 Inkhosi yatsandza Esta kakhulu kwendlula tonkhe leletinye tintfombi. Yajabula kakhulu ngaye futsi yamtsandza* kunato tonkhe leletinye tintfombi. Ngako yametfwesa umchele* webukhosi enhloko, yamenta inkhosikati+ esikhundleni saVashti.+ 18 Inkhosi yentela tonkhe tindvuna netisebenti tayo lidzili lelikhulu, lokwakulidzili la-Esta. Yabese ikhipha simemetelo sekutsi kukhululwe lababoshiwe* etifundzeni tayo, futsi yephana ngetipho letinyenti, kubonakala kutsi lenkhosi beyinjingile.

19 Ngesikhatsi tintfombi+ tiletfwa kwesibili, Modekhayi abehleli esangweni lenkhosi.* 20 Esta akashongo lutfo ngetihlobo takhe nangebantfu bakubo+ njengobe nje Modekhayi abemyalile; wachubeka enta loko lobekushiwo nguModekhayi, njengobe bekenta nakasamkhulisa.+

21 Ngalawo malanga, ngesikhatsi Modekhayi ahleti esangweni lenkhosi, boBikthani naThereshi, labatiphatsimandla letimbili tenkhosi lebetibogadzi bemnyango wesigodlo, batfukutsela futsi benta lichinga lekubulala* iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi. 22 Modekhayi weva ngalelichinga, futsi ngekushesha watjela iNkhosikati Esta. Esta wabese uchazela inkhosi ngaloku egameni laModekhayi.* 23 Ngako kwaphenyisiswa ngalendzaba futsi kwagcine kutfolakele kutsi iliciniso. Lamadvodza lamabili abese alengiswa elugodvweni; futsi konkhe loku kwabhalwa embikwenkhosi, encwadzini yemlandvo wangaleso sikhatsi.+

3 Ngemuva kwaloko, iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi yakhuphula Hamani+ indvodzana yaHamedatha um-Agagi,+ yambeka esikhundleni lesisetulu kunesato tonkhe letinye tindvuna lebetikanye naye.+ 2 Tonkhe tisebenti tenkhosi lebetihlala esangweni lenkhosi betiguca futsi tikhotsamele Hamani, ngobe nguloko inkhosi lebeyitsite akwentiwe. Kodvwa Modekhayi wala kuguca nobe kukhotsamela Hamani. 3 Ngako letisebenti lebetihlala esangweni lenkhosi tatsi kuModekhayi: “Awuwulaleli ngani umyalo wenkhosi?” 4 Betikhuluma naye onkhe malanga, kodvwa Modekhayi abengatilaleli. Letisebenti tabese titjela Hamani kuze tibone kutsi lesento saModekhayi besitawubeketelelwa yini,+ njengobe abetitjelile kutsi ungumJuda.+

5 Hamani watfukutsela kakhulu+ nakabona kutsi Modekhayi akafuni kuguca futsi amkhotsamele. 6 Kodvwa kwakungamenetisi kubulala* Modekhayi yedvwa ngobe besebamtjelile ngesive saModekhayi. Ngako Hamani besekafuna kubulala onkhe emaJuda lebekakuwo wonkhe umbuso wa-Ahashiveroshi, lokungiso sonkhe sive saModekhayi.

7 Ngenyanga yekucala lokuyinyanga yaNisani,* ngemnyaka wesi-12+ wekubusa kweNkhosi Ahashiveroshi, kwentiwa iPhuri+ (lokuyiNkatho) embikwaHamani kute kubonwe kutsi loku bekutawentiwa ngaliphi lilanga nangayiphi inyanga, futsi yawela enyangeni yesi-12 lokuyinyanga ya-Adari.*+ 8 Hamani wabese utsi eNkhosini Ahashiveroshi: “Kunebantfu labagcwele embusweni wakho futsi basakatekele+ kuto tonkhe tifundza,+ imitsetfo yabo yehlukile kuneyato tonkhe letinye tive futsi abayilaleli imitsetfo yenkhosi. Ngako kutayilimata inkhosi kutsi bachubeke bakhona. 9 Nangabe kukuhle enkhosini, akubhalwe umtsetfo wekutsi bacotfulwe. Ngitawunika tiphatsimandla lisiliva lelingemakhilogremu langu-342 000* kutsi tilifake emcebeni wenkhosi.”*

10 Inkhosi yatsi nayiva loko, yakhipha indandatho yayo yesicinisekiso+ esandleni futsi yayinika Hamani+ indvodzana yaHamedatha um-Agagi,+ lobekawenyanya emaJuda. 11 Inkhosi yatsi kuHamani: “Lelo siliva* lakho nalabantfu bakho, yenta lokutsandzako ngabo.” 12 Bomabhalane benkhosi+ babitwa ngelilanga lesi-13 lenyanga yekucala. Babhala+ konkhe loko lokwashiwo nguHamani, bakubhalela labamelele inkhosi, nebabusi labasetifundzeni, kanye netindvuna tetive letehlukahlukene, nguleso naleso sifundza sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yekubhala futsi nguleso naleso sive sabhalelwa ngelulwimi lwaso. Tatibhalwe egameni leNkhosi Ahashiveroshi tineluphawu lwendandatho yakhe yesicinisekiso.+

13 Titfunywa tatfumela letincwadzi kuto tonkhe tifundza tenkhosi, tinemlayeto wekutsi ngelilanga lesi-13 enyangeni yesi-12, lokuyinyanga ya-Adari+ kufanele kubulawe, kubhujiswe futsi kucotfulwe onkhe emaJuda, lamancane nalasakhulile, bantfwana nebafati, kudliwe netintfo tawo+ futsi loku bekufanele kwentiwe ngelilanga linye. 14 Loko lebekubhalwe kuletincwadzi bekufanele kutfunyelwe njengemtsetfo kuto tonkhe tifundza futsi kufundzelwe bonkhe bantfu, kute bakulungele kufika kwalelilanga. 15 Letitfunywa tahamba ngekushesha+ njengobe inkhosi beyishito; lomtsetfo wakhishwa esigodlweni* lesiseShushani.*+ Ngemuva kwaloko, inkhosi kanye naHamani bahlala phansi banatsa, kodvwa bantfu basedolobheni laseShushani* bebadidekile ngobe bebangati kutsi kwentekani.

4 Ngesikhatsi Modekhayi+ eva ngako konkhe lobekwentekile,+ wadzabula tingubo takhe, wagcoka indvwangu yelisaka futsi watitsela ngemlotsa. Wase uya emkhatsini welidolobha, wakhala kakhulu futsi kabuhlungu. 2 Wahamba waze wafika esangweni lenkhosi futsi wema lapho, ngobe kute umuntfu lobekufanele angene kulo agcoke indvwangu yelisaka. 3 Kwesuka sililo lesikhulu kumaJuda kuto tonkhe tifundza+ lapho lomyalo wenkhosi wamenyetelwa khona, azila kudla,+ akhala futsi alila. Linyenti lawo belilele phansi lembetse tindvwangu temasaka futsi lititsele ngemlotsa.+ 4 Ngesikhatsi tinceku* netincekukati ta-Esta tita kutomtjela ngaloku, lenkhosikati yakhatsateka kakhulu. Yabese itfumelela Modekhayi timphahla kute akhumule lendvwangu yelisaka, kodvwa Modekhayi akativumanga. 5 Ngako Esta wabese ubita Hathaki loyinhloko yendlu yalabasikati,* lobekabekwe yinkhosi kutsi abe sisebenti sa-Esta, futsi wamtfuma kutsi ayobuta Modekhayi kutsi kwentekeni nekutsi loku bekusho kutsini.

6 Hathaki waya kuModekhayi esigcawini selidolobha embikweligede lenkhosi. 7 Modekhayi wabese umtjela konkhe lobekwenteke kuye, wamtjela nangemali+ Hamani lebeketsembise kuyifaka emcebeni wenkhosi kute kucotfulwe emaJuda.+ 8 Wamnika nencwadzi lebeyisuka eShushani*+ lebeyinalomtsetfo wekutsi kubulawe onkhe emaJuda. Bekufanele ayikhombise Esta futsi amchazele lesimo amtjele+ nekutsi ahambe aye enkhosini ayocela kutsi imentele umusa futsi ancengele nebantfu besive sakhe.

9 Hathaki wabuyela ku-Esta wafike wamtjela loko Modekhayi labekushito. 10 Esta watjela Hathaki emavi lobekufanele awasho kuModekhayi,+ watsi: 11 “Tonkhe tinceku tenkhosi nebantfu labasetifundzeni tembuso wayo bawati kahle umtsetfo losebentako nangabe umuntfu aya ebaleni lenkhosi lelingekhatsi+ angakabitwa: Loyo muntfu utawubulawa; angaphila kuphela nangabe inkhosi imphakamisela intfonga yayo yeligolide.+ Nyalo sekuphele emalanga langu-30 solo inkhosi ingangibiti.”

12 Ngesikhatsi Modekhayi atjelwa loko lokushiwo ngu-Esta, 13 wamphendvula watsi: “Ungacabangi kutsi njengobe usendlini yenkhosi utawusindza nakubulawa onkhe lamanye emaJuda. 14 Nangabe uthula nyalo, lusito nekukhululwa kwemaJuda kutawuchamuka kulenye indzawo,+ kodvwa wena netihlobo takho nitawubulawa. Kwati bani nje, mhlawumbe lesi ngiso sizatfu lesabangela kutsi ube yinkhosikati.”+

15 Ngako Esta waphendvula Modekhayi watsi: 16 “Hamba uhlanganise ndzawonye onkhe emaJuda laseShushani* futsi ningizilele.+ Ningadli lutfo nobe ninatse kuze kwendlule emalanga lamatsatfu+ nebusuku lobutsatfu. Nami netincekukati tami sitawuzila kudla. Ngitawuya enkhosini, ngisho nobe loku kuyintfo lengekho emtsetfweni, futsi nangabe ngiyafa, angife kube kanye.” 17 Ngako Modekhayi wahamba wenta konkhe loko Esta labemtjele kutsi akwente.

5 Ngelilanga lesitsatfu,+ Esta wagcoka tingubo takhe tasebukhosini wafike wema ebaleni lelingekhatsi kwendlu* yenkhosi. Lelibala belibukene nalendlu yenkhosi, lapho inkhosi beyihleti khona esihlalweni sayo sebukhosi. Lesihlalo senkhosi sona besibukene nemnyango. 2 Inkhosi yatsi nje nayibona iNkhosikati Esta ime ebaleni, yajabula kakhulu, futsi yayiphakamisela intfonga yayo yeligolide+ lebeyisesandleni sayo. Ngemuva kwaloko, Esta wasondzela watsintsa sihloko salentfonga.

3 Inkhosi yambuta yatsi: “Yini inkinga Nkhosikati Esta? Kukhona yini lofuna ngikwentele kona? Ngisho nobe ungacela ihhafu yembuso wami, ngitakunika yona!” 4 Esta wayiphendvula watsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini, ngicela kutsi lamuhla inkhosi kanye naHamani+ bete edzilini lengilentele inkhosi.” 5 Inkhosi yatsi etisebentini tayo: “Tjelani Hamani kutsi ete masinyane, njengobe Esta acelile.” Ngako inkhosi kanye naHamani baya kulelidzili lebelentiwe ngu-Esta.

6 Ngemuva kwesikhashana nasekunatfwa liwayini, inkhosi yatsi ku-Esta: “Ufuna ngikwentele ini? Ngitjele, ngitakunika kona! Ucelani? Ngisho nobe ungacela ihhafu yembuso wami, ngitakunika yona!”+ 7 Esta wayiphendvula watsi: “Nasi sicelo sami: 8 Nangabe inkhosi ingaba nemusa kimi futsi kukuhle emehlweni ayo kwenta loko lengitakucela kuyo, ngicela kutsi kusasa inkhosi kanye naHamani bete edzilini lengitabentela lona futsi ngitawubese ngiyasisho sicelo sami.”

9 Ngalelolanga Hamani wahamba ajabulile futsi atsakasile. Kodvwa watsi nakabona Modekhayi esangweni lenkhosi, abona nekutsi akasukumi futsi akakhombisi nakancane kutsi uyamesaba, wamtfukutselela kakhulu.+ 10 Nanobe kunjalo, Hamani watibamba futsi waya endlini yakhe. Wase ubita bangani bakhe kanye nemfati wakhe Zereshi.+ 11 Hamani wabachoshela ngemcebo wakhe lomnyenti, ngemadvodzana akhe lamanyenti+ kanye nangendlela inkhosi lemnike ngayo sikhundla lesiphakeme futsi yambeka waba ngetulu kwetindvuna netinceku tayo.+

12 Hamani waphindze watsi: “Ngetulu kwaloko, iNkhosikati Esta imeme mine nje kuphela kutsi ngihambe nenkhosi edzilini lesilentelwe yinkhosikati.+ Nakusasa ngimenyiwe kutsi ngibe nayo kanye nenkhosi edzilini.+ 13 Kodvwa konkhe loku akungijabulisi nangisabona lomJuda longuModekhayi ahleti esangweni lenkhosi.” 14 Ngako Zereshi umfati wakhe nabo bonkhe bangani bakhe batsi kuye: “Misa lugodvo lolungemamitha langaba ngu-22* budze. Ekuseni ubotjela inkhosi kutsi Modekhayi kufanele alengiswe kulo,+ bese uhamba nenkhosi edzilini, ufike ujabule.” Hamani wawubona umuhle lombono, ngako watsi akumiswe lolugodvo.

6 Kulobo busuku inkhosi beyingakhoni kulala.* Ngako yatsi akuletfwe incwadzi yemlandvo wangaleso sikhatsi,+ futsi yafundzelwa yona. 2 Kulencwadzi bekubhalwe loko Modekhayi lebekakubikile mayelana naBikthani naThereshi, labebatiphatsimandla letimbili tenkhosi lebetibogadzi bemnyango wesigodlo, futsi lebebente lichinga lekubulala* iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi.+ 3 Inkhosi yabuta yatsi: “Yini lesimbonge ngayo Modekhayi futsi simnike mvuzo muni ngaloku?” Tisebenti tenkhosi taphendvula tatsi: “Kute lentelwe kona.”

4 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, inkhosi yatsi: “Kunabani ngephandle?” Hamani bekasembikwendlu*+ yenkhosi etele kutewukhuluma nenkhosi ngekulengisa Modekhayi elugodvweni labekamlungisele lona.+ 5 Tinceku tenkhosi tatsi kuyo: “KunaHamani+ langephandle.” Ngako inkhosi yatsi: “Mngeniseni.”

6 Ngesikhatsi Hamani angena, inkhosi yatsi kuye: “Inkhosi ingamentelani umuntfu lefuna kumbonga?” Hamani wacabanga watsi: “Ngubani nje inkhosi lengafuna kumbonga ngaphandle kwami?”+ 7 Ngako Hamani watsi enkhosini: “Umuntfu inkhosi lefuna kumbonga, 8 akaletselwe tembatfo tasebukhosini+ letigcokwa yinkhosi kanye nelihhashi leligitjelwa ngiyo, inhloko yalo ihlotjiswe ngemihlobiso yasebukhosini. 9 Letembatfo kanye nalelihhashi kufanele kubukwe ngulenye yetindvuna tenkhosi letihloniphekile, futsi kufanele kugcokiswe lomuntfu inkhosi lefuna kumbonga bese ugitjeliswa kulelihhashi lihambe esigcawini selidolobha. Kufanele kumenyetwe embikwakhe kutsiwe: ‘Naku-ke inkhosi lementela kona umuntfu lefuna kumbonga!’”+ 10 Ngaso leso sikhatsi, inkhosi yatsi kuHamani: “Sheshisa! Tsatsa letembatfo kanye nalelihhashi bese loko lokushito ukwentela Modekhayi umJuda lohlala esangweni lenkhosi. Ubokwenta konkhe.”

11 Ngako Hamani watsatsa letembatfo watigcokisa Modekhayi,+ wabese umgibelisa kulelihhashi, wahamba naye esigcawini selidolobha futsi wamemeta embikwakhe watsi: “Naku-ke inkhosi lementela kona umuntfu lefuna kumbonga!” 12 Ngemuva kwaloko Modekhayi wabuyela esangweni lenkhosi, kodvwa Hamani waphutfuma waya endlini yakhe, alila futsi atimbonye inhloko. 13 Watsi Hamani nakacocela umfati wakhe Zereshi+ nabo bonkhe bangani bakhe konkhe lobekwentekile kuye, beluleki bakhe* kanye nemfati wakhe batsi kuye: “Njengobe Modekhayi losasesikhundleni lesiphakeme kunesakho angumJuda,* ngeke umehlule, kunaloko utakuncoba.”

14 Nabasakhuluma naye, tiphatsimandla tenkhosi tefika futsi tamtsatsa masinyane Hamani tamyisa edzilini lebelentiwe ngu-Esta.+

7 Ngako inkhosi kanye naHamani+ befika edzilini lebelentiwe yiNkhosikati Esta. 2 Ngelilanga lesibili, nasekunatfwa liwayini, inkhosi yaphindze yatsi ku-Esta: “Ufuna ngikwentele ini Nkhosikati Esta? Ngitjele, futsi ngitakunika kona. Ucelani? Ngisho nobe ungacela ihhafu yembuso wami, ngitakunika yona!”+ 3 INkhosikati Esta yaphendvula yatsi: “Awu nkhosi, nangabe ngitfole umusa emehlweni akho futsi nangabe ukubona kukuhle, ngicela ungisindzise futsi ngiyakuncenga nekutsi usindzise bantfu bakitsi.+ 4 Mine nebantfu bakitsi sitsengisiwe,+ sitawubulawa, sibhujiswe futsi sicotfulwe.+ Kube mane besitsengiswe kutsi sibe tigcili netigcilikati bengitawubindza. Kodvwa-ke lenhlekelele itayilimata inkhosi, ingayizuzisi ngalutfo.”

5 INkhosi Ahashiveroshi yabese ikhuluma neNkhosikati Esta yatsi: “Ngubani lomuntfu lonesibindzi sekwenta intfo lenjena, futsi ukuphi?” 6 Esta watsi: “Lesitsa lesilwa natsi ngunanguHamani lokhohlakele.”

Hamani wesaba kakhulu, esaba inkhosi nenkhosikati. 7 Inkhosi yaphuma kulelidzili itfukutsele kakhulu yaya engadzeni yasesigodlweni, kodvwa Hamani wasukuma wancenga iNkhosikati Esta kutsi imentele umusa, ngobe bekabona kutsi inkhosi itamjezisa. 8 Inkhosi yabuyela lapho bebanatsela khona liwayini futsi yakhandza Hamani atijike etikwasofa lobewuhleti Esta. Yamemeta yatsi: “Kantsi lendvodza seyifuna nekudlwengula inkhosikati ekhatsi endlini yami?” Yatsi nje nayicedza kusho lamavi, bavele bambonya buso baHamani. 9 Habona,+ longulomunye wetiphatsimandla tenkhosi, wabese utsi: “Hamani ulungise nelugodvo lwekulengisa Modekhayi+ lowaletsa umbiko lowasindzisa inkhosi.+ Lolugodvo lumiswe ngasendlini yaHamani futsi lungemamitha langaba ngu-22* budze.” Nayiva loko, inkhosi yatsi: “Mlengiseni kulo.” 10 Ngako Hamani bamlengisa kulolugodvo lebekalilungisele Modekhayi, futsi intfukutselo yenkhosi yehla.

8 Ngalelolanga iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi yaniketa iNkhosikati Esta indlu yaHamani*+ lositsa semaJuda,+ futsi kusukela ngalelolanga Modekhayi waba nemvume yekungena enkhosini, ngobe Esta abeyitjelile kutsi bahlobene njani naModekhayi.+ 2 Ngemuva kwaloko inkhosi yakhipha indandatho yayo yesicinisekiso+ lebeyiyitsetse kuHamani, yabese iyinika Modekhayi. Esta wabeka Modekhayi kutsi engamele indlu yaHamani.*+

3 Ngetulu kwaloko, Esta waphindze wakhuluma nenkhosi. Waguca etinyaweni tayo, wakhala futsi wayincenga kutsi imise lenhlekelele lebeyitawehlela emaJuda, imise nelichinga laHamani um-Agagi lekuwabulala.+ 4 Inkhosi yaphakamisela Esta intfonga yayo yeligolide,+ futsi Esta wasukuma wema embikwenkhosi. 5 Watsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini futsi nangitfole umusa kuyo, nanangabe kulungile kuyo, futsi nami ngemukeleka emehlweni ayo, akubhalwe umtsetfo lotawucisha tincwadzi taHamani+ indvodzana yaHamedatha um-Agagi,+ latibhala kute acotfule emaJuda lakuto tonkhe tifundza tenkhosi. 6 Ngobe ngingakubeketelela njani kubona inhlekelele letawehlela bantfu bakitsi, futsi ngingakubeketelela njani kubukela tihlobo tami ticotfulwa?”

7 Ngako iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi yakhuluma neNkhosikati Esta naModekhayi umJuda yatsi: “Indlu yaHamani ngiyinike Esta,+ ngakhipha nelivi lekutsi kulengiswe Hamani elugodvweni+ ngenca yalelichinga labekalentile lekubulala emaJuda.* 8 Nyalo ningabhala nobe yini lenibona kutsi itawusita emaJuda, niyibhale egameni lenkhosi futsi niyibeke luphawu lwendandatho yayo yesicinisekiso, ngobe umtsetfo lobhalwa egameni lenkhosi bese ubekwa luphawu lwendandatho yayo yesicinisekiso awushintjwa.”+

9 Ngaleso sikhatsi, ngelilanga lesi-23 enyangeni yesitsatfu, lokuyinyanga yaSivani,* kwabitwa bomabhalane benkhosi futsi babhala konkhe lokwashiwo nguModekhayi, bakubhalela emaJuda, labamelele inkhosi,+ babusi, netindvuna tetifundza+ letingu-127 kusukela eNdiya kuya eTopiya. Nguleso naleso sifundza sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yekubhala futsi nguleso naleso sive sabhalelwa ngelulwimi lwaso, nemaJuda abhalelwa ngelulwimi lwawo nangendlela yawo yekubhala.

10 Modekhayi wabhala lomtsetfo egameni leNkhosi Ahashiveroshi wase uwubeka luphawu lwendandatho yayo yesicinisekiso,+ futsi letincwadzi tahanjiswa titfunywa letigibela emahhashi lagijimako letiwasebentisa natitfumela tincwadzi, futsi lagcinelwe kwenta umsebenti wasebukhosini. 11 Kuletincwadzi, inkhosi yavumela emaJuda kuwo onkhe emadolobha lehlukahlukene kutsi abutsane ndzawonye kute ativikele futsi abulale, abhubhise aphindze acotfule onkhe emabutfo emasotja lakunobe ngusiphi sive nobe sifundza labengawahlasela, abulale nebafati bawo kanye nebantfwana bawo, futsi kudliwe netintfo tawo.+ 12 Loku bekufanele kwenteke ngelilanga linye kuto tonkhe tifundza teNkhosi Ahashiveroshi, ngelilanga lesi-13 enyangeni yesi-12, lokuyinyanga ya-Adari.*+ 13 Loko lobekubhalwe kuletincwadzi bekufanele kutfunyelwe njengemtsetfo kuto tonkhe tifundza. Bekufanele kufundzelwe bonkhe bantfu, kute emaJuda akulungele kutiphindziselela etitseni tawo ngalelolanga.+ 14 Letitfunywa lebetigibele emahhashi lagijimako letiwasebentisa natitfumela tincwadzi, futsi lagcinelwe kwenta umsebenti wasebukhosini, taphuma ngekushesha njengobe bekushito inkhosi. Lomtsetfo wakhishwa nasesigodlweni* lesiseShushani.*+

15 Modekhayi waphuma enkhosini agcoke ingubo yasebukhosini leyentiwe ngendvwangu leluhlata njengesibhakabhaka nalemhlophe, afake umchele lokhatitelako weligolide futsi agcoke sembatfo lesentiwe ngendwangu ledulile yeboya lobubukhwebeletane.*+ Bantfu labebasedolobheni laseShushani* bamemeta kakhulu bajabulile. 16 EmaJuda akhululeka* futsi ajabula, atfokota aphindze ahlonishwa. 17 Kuto tonkhe tifundza nakuwo onkhe emadolobha lapho wevakala khona lomtsetfo wenkhosi, emaJuda ajabula, atfokota, enta emadzili futsi ahalalisa. Bantfu labanyenti bakuletinye tive bagucukela enkholweni yebuJuda,+ ngobe besebawesaba kakhulu.

9 Ngelilanga lesi-13 enyangeni yesi-12, lokuyinyanga ya-Adari,*+ kwakufanele kufezeke livi lenkhosi nemtsetfo wayo,+ futsi ngalelolanga titsa temaJuda betititjele kutsi titawancoba, kodvwa kwenteka lokuphambene naloko, emaJuda atincoba titsa tawo.+ 2 Kuto tonkhe tifundza teNkhosi Ahashiveroshi,+ emaJuda ahlangana ndzawonye emadolobheni awo kute alwe nalabo labebafuna kuwahlasela, futsi kute umuntfu lobekakhona kumelana nawo ngobe bonkhe bantfu bebawesaba.+ 3 Tonkhe tindvuna tetifundza, bameleli benkhosi,+ babusi, kanye naletinye tiphatsimandla tenkhosi, nato tasekela emaJuda ngobe betimesaba Modekhayi. 4 Modekhayi waba ngumuntfu lomkhulu+ endlini* yenkhosi, futsi wadvuma kuto tonkhe tifundza ngobe emandla akhe achubeka akhula.

5 EmaJuda ahlasela tonkhe titsa tawo ngenkemba, atibulala futsi aticotfula; atentela lakutsandzako kuto.+ 6 Abulala futsi acotfula emadvodza langu-500 esigodlweni* lesiseShushani.*+ 7 Abulala naPhashandatha, Dalfoni, Aspatha, 8 Phoratha, Adaliya, Aridatha, 9 Phamashta, Arisayi, Aridayi naVayizatha, 10 lokungemadvodzana langu-10 aHamani indvodzana yaHamedatha, sitsa semaJuda.+ Kodvwa kute emaJuda latitsatsela kona nasekawabulele.+

11 Ngalelolanga inkhosi yabikelwa ngelinani lebantfu lababulawa esigodlweni* lesiseShushani.*

12 Inkhosi yakhuluma neNkhosikati Esta yatsi: “Esigodlweni* lesiseShushani,* emaJuda abulele emadvodza langu-500 kanye nemadvodzana aHamani langu-10. Yini-ke layentile kuleti letinye tifundza?+ Kusekhona yini lokunye lofuna ngikwentele kona? Ngitjele, futsi ngitakunika kona. Nakukhona lokunye lokucelako ngitakwentela kona.” 13 Esta wayiphendvula watsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini,+ ngicela kutsi lomtsetfo lobewusebenta lamuhla+ usebente nakusasa kumaJuda laseShushani;* ngicela nekutsi emadvodzana aHamani langu-10 alengiswe elugodvweni.”+ 14 Ngako inkhosi yakhipha livi lekutsi kwentiwe njalo. Kwakhishwa umtsetfo eShushani,* futsi emadvodzana aHamani langu-10 alengiswa.

15 EmaJuda labekaseShushani* aphindze ahlangana ngelilanga lesi-14 enyangeni ya-Adari,+ abulala emadvodza langu-300 eShushani,* kodvwa kute latitsatsela kona.

16 Lalamanye emaJuda lebekasetifundzeni tenkhosi nawo ahlangana futsi ativikela.+ Aticotfula titsa tawo,+ abulala labangu-75 000 kuto, kodvwa kute latitsatsela kona. 17 Loko akwenta ngelilanga lesi-13 lenyanga ya-Adari, futsi ngelilanga lesi-14 akazange asalwa, kwaba lilanga lekwenta emadzili nelekujabula.

18 EmaJuda lebekaseShushani* ahlangana ngelilanga lesi-13+ nelesi-14,+ futsi ngelilanga lesi-15 awazange asalwa, lelo kwaba lilanga lekwenta emadzili nelekujabula. 19 Kungako emaJuda labekahlala emadolobheni lasemaphandleni enta lilanga lesi-14 lenyanga ya-Adari laba lilanga lekujabula nelekwenta emadzili,+ futsi kwaba lilanga lekuhalalisa nelekuphana kudla.+

20 Modekhayi+ watibhala phansi letintfo futsi watfumela tincwadzi kuwo onkhe emaJuda lakuto tonkhe tifundza teNkhosi Ahashiveroshi, letisedvute naletikhashane. 21 Wawatjela kutsi minyaka yonkhe bekufanele agcine lilanga lesi-14 lenyanga ya-Adari kanye nelilanga lesi-15, 22 ngobe ngalawo malanga emaJuda akazange asalwa netitsa tawo futsi ngaleyo nyanga lusizi lwawo lwashintja lwaba kujabula, nekulila kwawo+ kwashintja kwaba kuhalalisa. Lamalanga bekufanele agcinwe, abe tikhatsi tekwenta emadzili netekujabula, futsi abe tikhatsi tekuphana kudla netekupha labeswele.

23 EmaJuda avuma kutsi atawuchubeka awugubha lomkhosi labekawucalile nekutsi atawenta loko Modekhayi labekawabhalele kona, 24 ngobe Hamani+ indvodzana yaHamedatha um-Agagi,+ lositsa sawo onkhe emaJuda, abente lichinga lekucotfula emaJuda,+ futsi abente iPhuri,+ lokuyiNkatho, kute awesabise futsi awacotfule. 25 Kodvwa Esta watsi nakaya enkhosini, inkhosi yakhipha umtsetfo lowabhalwa phansi lotsi:+ “Lichinga lakhe lelibi lalentele emaJuda+ alibuyele kuye”; Hamani bamlengisa nemadvodzana akhe elugodvweni.+ 26 Kungako emaJuda abita lamalanga ngekutsi yiPhurimu,* asusela egameni lelitsi Phuri.+ Ngako-ke, ngenca yako konkhe lobekubhalwe kulencwadzi naloko lebekakubonile nalobekwentekile kuwo, 27 emaJuda atentela sincumo sekutsi wona nebantfwana bawo nabo bonkhe labatihlanganisa nawo,+ kufanele bagubhe lamalanga lamabili ngesikhatsi lesibekiwe umnyaka nemnyaka futsi bente loko lokwakubhaliwe ngalokuphatselene nawo. 28 Lamalanga bekufanele akhunjulwe futsi ahlonishwe ngito tonkhe titukulwane, imindeni, tifundza nemadolobha; emaJuda bekufanele achubeke awagubha lamalanga ePhurimu, futsi bantfwana bawo bekungakafaneli bayekele kuwakhumbula.

29 Ngemuva kwaloko kwabhalwa incwadzi yesibili lephatselene nePhurimu, futsi iNkhosikati Esta, lokuyindvodzakati ya-Abihayili, naModekhayi umJuda bayicinisekisa ngeligunya labebaniketwe lona. 30 Kuwo onkhe emaJuda lasetifundzeni letingu-127+ embusweni wa-Ahashiveroshi,+ Modekhayi watfumela tincwadzi letinemavi ebungani naletsembekile 31 kute kucinisekiswe kutsi emalanga ePhurimu ayagcinwa ngetikhatsi letibekiwe, njengobe nje Modekhayi umJuda neNkhosikati Esta bebakhiphe umyalo wekutsi kwentiwe njalo,+ nanjengobe emaJuda bekatentele sincumo sekutsi wona nebantfwana bawo batawagcina lamalanga,+ lokufaka ekhatsi kuzila kudla+ kanye nekuncusa.+ 32 Loko lokwashiwo ngu-Esta kwacinisekisa konkhe lokwakuphatselene nePhurimu,+ futsi kwabhalwa encwadzini.

10 INkhosi Ahashiveroshi yenta kutsi bantfu lebebahlala embusweni wayo nasetichingini babe tigcili.

2 Tonkhe tintfo leyatifeza ngemandla ayo nangemakhono ayo tibhaliwe encwadzini yemlandvo wangaleso sikhatsi+ wemakhosi aseMediya nasePheresiya,+ futsi kubhalwe nawo wonkhe umlandvo lomayelana nendlela Modekhayi+ laphakanyiswa ngayo yinkhosi,+ 3 ngobe Modekhayi umJuda abelandzela iNkhosi Ahashiveroshi ngesikhundla. Abemkhulu kumaJuda* futsi ahlonishwa bomnakabo, asita bantfu bakubo futsi asebentela inhlalakahle yabo* bonkhe bantfwana babo.