GENESIS

1 Ekuqaleni uThixo wadala amazulu nomhlaba.+

2 Emhlabeni kwakusenyanyeni, kungekho nto, yaye kwakumnyama phezu kwamanzi anzulu,*+ amandla kaThixo asebenzayo*+ ezula-zula phezu kwaloo manzi.+

3 UThixo wathi: “Makuvele ukukhanya.” Kwavela ke ukukhanya.+ 4 Emva koko uThixo wabona ukuba ukukhanya kuhle, waqalisa ukwahlukanisa ukukhanya kubumnyama. 5 UThixo wathi ukukhanya yiMini, ubumnyama buBusuku.+ Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lokuqala ke olo.

6 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Makubekho isibhakabhaka+ phakathi kwamanzi yaye amanzi mawahlukane.”+ 7 UThixo walandelisa ngokwenza isibhakabhaka waza wawahlula amanzi angaphantsi kwesibhakabhaka kumanzi angaphezu kwesibhakabhaka.+ Kwaba njalo ke. 8 UThixo wathi isibhakabhaka liZulu. Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lwesibini ke olo.

9 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Amanzi angaphantsi kwamazulu mawaqokelelane ndawonye kuze kuvele indawo eyomileyo.”+ Kwaba njalo ke. 10 Le ndawo yomileyo, uThixo wathi nguMhlaba,+ kodwa amanzi aqokelelene ndawonye wathi ziiLwandle.+ UThixo wabona ukuba kulungile.+ 11 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Umhlaba mawuntshulise ingca, izityalo ezivelisa imbewu nemithi yeziqhamo ngokohlobo lwazo, zivelise iziqhamo nembewu emhlabeni.” Kwaba njalo ke. 12 Umhlaba waqalisa ukuntshulisa ingca, izityalo ezivelisa imbewu+ nemithi evelisa iziqhamo nembewu, ngokohlobo lwazo. UThixo wabona ukuba kulungile. 13 Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lwesithathu ke olo.

14 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Makuvele izikhanyiso+ esibhakabhakeni samazulu, zahlule imini nobusuku,+ zahlule namaxesha onyaka, iintsuku neminyaka.+ 15 Ziza kuba zizikhanyiso esibhakabhakeni samazulu, zikhanyise emhlabeni.” Kwaba njalo ke. 16 Waqhubeka uThixo wenza izikhanyiso ezimbini ezikhulu. Esona sikhulu sakhanyisa emini,+ esinye sakhanyisa ebusuku, waza wenza neenkwenkwezi.+ 17 Ngoko uThixo wazibeka esibhakabhakeni samazulu ukuze zikhanyise emhlabeni, 18 nokuze zikhanyise emini nasebusuku zize zahlule ukukhanya nobumnyama.+ UThixo wabona ukuba kulungile. 19 Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lwesine ke olo.

20 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Amanzi makanyakazele izidalwa eziphilayo* yaye izidalwa ezibhabhayo mazibhabhe phezu komhlaba, esibhakabhakeni samazulu.”+ 21 UThixo wadala izidalwa ezikhulu zaselwandle nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo* ezihlala nezinyakazela emanzini ngokohlobo lwazo, nazo zonke izidalwa ezinamaphiko ezibhabhayo ngokohlobo lwazo. UThixo wabona ukuba kulungile. 22 UThixo wazisikelela wathi: “Qhamani, nande, nigcwale emanzini olwandle,+ nezidalwa ezibhabhayo mazibe ninzi emhlabeni.” 23 Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lwesihlanu ke olo.

24 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Umhlaba mawuvelise izidalwa eziphilayo* ngokohlobo lwazo, izilwanyana zasekhaya, izilwanyana zasendle nezinye iintlobo zezilwanyana* ngokohlobo lwazo.”+ Kwaba njalo ke. 25 UThixo wenza izilwanyana zasendle ngokohlobo lwazo, izilwanyana zasekhaya ngokohlobo lwazo nazo zonke ezinye iintlobo zezilwanyana zomhlaba ngokohlobo lwazo. UThixo wabona ukuba kulungile.

26 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Masenze+ umntu ngokomfanekiso wethu,+ ngokufana nathi,+ ibe makalawule iintlanzi zolwandle, iintaka ezisesibhakabhakeni, izilwanyana zasekhaya, alawule wonke umhlaba nazo zonke izilwanyana ezinambuzelayo ezihamba emhlabeni.”+ 27 UThixo wadala umntu ngokomfanekiso wakhe, wamdala ngokomfanekiso kaThixo; wadala indoda nomfazi.+ 28 Wabasikelela waza wathi kubo: “Qhamani, nande, nigcwalise umhlaba+ niwoyise,+ nize nilawule+ iintlanzi zolwandle, izidalwa ezibhabha emazulwini nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo ezihambahamba emhlabeni.”

29 Emva koko uThixo wathi: “Jongani, ndininike zonke izityalo ezivelisa imbewu emhlabeni wonke nayo yonke imithi eneziqhamo ezivelisa imbewu. Mazibe kukutya kwenu.+ 30 Zonke izilwanyana zasendle, zonke iintaka ezisesibhakabhakeni nazo zonke izinto ezihamba-hamba emhlabeni ezinobomi,* ndizinika bonke utyani obuluhlaza bube kukutya kwazo.”+ Kwaba njalo ke.

31 Emva koko uThixo wazibona zonke izinto awayezenzile, yaye zazilunge gqitha.+ Kwahlwa, kwasa, yaba lusuku lwesithandathu ke olo.

2 Agqitywa ke amazulu nomhlaba nayo yonke into ekuwo.*+ 2 Yaye ngosuku lwesixhenxe uThixo wayesele ewugqibile umsebenzi awayewenza, waza waphumla ngosuku lwesixhenxe kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe.+ 3 UThixo walusikelela usuku lwesixhenxe waza walwenza ngcwele, kuba waphumla ngalo kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe, kuyo yonke into awayezimisele ukuyenza.

4 Le yimbali yamazulu nomhlaba ngexesha ezadalwa ngalo, ngosuku uYehova* uThixo awenza ngalo umhlaba nezulu.+

5 Ayengekabikho amatyholo asendle emhlabeni yaye bungekahlumi utyani basendle, kuba uYehova uThixo wayengekanisi mvula emhlabeni yaye kwakungekho mntu wakuwulima umhlaba. 6 Kodwa kwakumane kusenyuka inkungu emhlabeni, ize imanzise phezu komhlaba.

7 Emva koko uYehova uThixo wabumba umntu ngothuli lomhlaba,+ wavuthela impefumlo yobomi+ ezimpumlweni zakhe, waza waba ngumntu* ophilayo.+ 8 UYehova uThixo watyala umyezo e-Eden,+ ngasempuma, wambeka khona umntu awayemenzile.+ 9 Ngoko uYehova uThixo wantshulisa emhlabeni yonke imithi eyayibukeka yaye ilungele ukutyiwa, wantshulisa nomthi wobomi+ kwanomthi wokwazi okulungileyo nokubi+ phakathi emyezweni.

10 Kwakukho umlambo owawunkcenkceshela umyezo, uphuma e-Eden, uze wahlukane ube yimilambo emine.* 11 Igama lowokuqala yiPishon; ngulo ujikeleze lonke ilizwe laseHavila, apho kukho igolide. 12 Igolide yelo lizwe intle. Kukwakho nentlaka yeBhideliyu nelitye leanikis apho. 13 Igama lomlambo wesibini yiGihon; ngulo ujikeleze lonke ilizwe lakwaKushe. 14 Igama lomlambo wesithathu yiHidekeli;*+ ngulo uya ngasempuma yeAsiriya.+ Yaye umlambo wesine ngumEfrate.+

15 UYehova uThixo wamthatha umntu wambeka emyezweni wase-Eden ukuze awulime, aze awunyamekele.+ 16 UYehova uThixo wamnika lo myalelo umntu: “Kuyo yonke imithi yomyezo ungatya wanele.+ 17 Kodwa wona umthi wokwazi okulungileyo nokubi uze ungatyi kuwo, kuba mhla uthe watya kuwo, ngokuqinisekileyo uza kufa.”+

18 Emva koko uYehova uThixo wathi: “Ayilunganga into yokuba umntu ahlale eyedwa. Ndiza kumenzela umncedi oza kumfanela.”*+ 19 UYehova uThixo wayezibumbe ngomhlaba zonke izilwanyana zasendle nazo zonke izidalwa ezibhabhayo zasemazulwini, waza wazizisa emntwini ukuze abone ukuba angazibiza ngawaphi na amagama; yaye igama awayebiza ngalo isidalwa ngasinye esiphilayo,* yayisiba ligama laso elo.+ 20 Ngoko umntu wazithiya amagama zonke izilwanyana zasekhaya, izidalwa ezibhabhayo zasemazulwini nazo zonke izilwanyana zasendle, kodwa yena umntu wayengenamncedi umfanelayo. 21 Ngoko ke uYehova uThixo wamlalisa yoyi umntu, yaye njengoko wayelele, wathatha ubambo lwakhe, waza wavala ngenyama endaweni yalo. 22 Walwakha ke uYehova uThixo ubambo awayeluthathe endodeni lwaba ngumfazi, waza wamzisa endodeni.+

23 Ngoko indoda yathi:

24 Yiloo nto indoda iza kumshiya utata nomama wayo, ithi nca emfazini wayo,* baze babe nyama-nye.+ 25 Bobabini babehamba ze,+ indoda leyo nomfazi wayo, kodwa babengenazintloni.

3 Inyoka+ yaba yeyona ilumkileyo* kunazo zonke izilwanyana zasendle awayezenzile uYehova uThixo. Yathi kumfazi: “Ngaba utshilo nyhani uThixo ukuba nize ningatyi kuyo yonke imithi yomyezo?”+ 2 Yena umfazi wathi kwinyoka: “Singazitya iziqhamo zemithi yomyezo.+ 3 Kodwa uThixo uthe ngeziqhamo zomthi osemyezweni phakathi:+ ‘Nimele ningazityi, ningazichukumisi; kungenjalo niza kufa.’ ” 4 Yona inyoka yathi kumfazi: “Ngokuqinisekileyo anizukufa.+ 5 UThixo uyazi ukuba mhla nithe natya kuzo, aza kuvuleka amehlo enu nibe njengoThixo, nazi okulungileyo nokubi.”+

6 Ngenxa yoko umfazi wabona ukuba umthi wawulungele ukutyiwa, uyinto nje enqwenelekayo emehlweni, unqweneleka ngokuwujonga nje. Ngoko wakha isiqhamo sawo waza watya.+ Emva koko wanika nendoda yakhe xa yayikunye naye, yaza nayo yatya.+ 7 Emva koko amehlo abo bobabini avuleka, baza babona ukuba bahamba ze. Ngoko bathunga amagqabi omthi wamafiya,* bazenzela imibhinqo.+

8 Ethubeni beva ilizwi likaYehova uThixo njengoko wayehamba emyezweni emalanga,* yaza indoda nomfazi wayo bamzimela uYehova uThixo phakathi kwemithi yomyezo. 9 UYehova uThixo waqhubeka eyibiza indoda esithi: “Uphi?” 10 Ekugqibeleni yathi: “Ndive ilizwi lakho emyezweni, kodwa ndoyika kuba bendihamba ze, ngoko ndiye ndazimela.” 11 Yena wathi: “Uxelelwe ngubani ukuba uhamba ze?+ Ngaba utyile kumthi ebendikuyalele ukuba ungatyi kuwo?”+ 12 Indoda yathi: “Umfazi ondinike yena, undinike isiqhamo somthi ndaza ke nam ndatya.” 13 Emva koko uYehova uThixo wathi kumfazi: “Yintoni le uyenzileyo?” Umfazi waphendula wathi: “Inyoka indiqhathile, ndaza ndatya.”+

14 Emva koko uYehova uThixo wathi kwinyoka:+ “Kuba wenze le nto, nguwe wedwa oqalekisiweyo kuzo zonke izilwanyana zasekhaya nakuzo zonke izilwanyana zasendle. Uza kurhubuluza ngesisu, utye uthuli ubomi bakho bonke. 15 Ndiza kubeka ubutshaba*+ phakathi kwakho+ nomfazi+ naphakathi kwenzala* yakho+ nenzala* yakhe.+ Yona iza kukutyumza* intloko+ uze wena uyilume* esithendeni.”+

16 Wathi kumfazi: “Ndiza kuyandisa kakhulu intlungu ekumitheni kwakho; uza kuzala abantwana usezintlungwini, uza kuyifun’ apha indoda yakho, yona ikulawule.”

17 Wathi kuAdam:* “Kuba umamele ilizwi lomfazi wakho waza watya kumthi endakunika umyalelo+ ngawo ndathi, ‘Uze ungatyi kuwo,’ uqalekisiwe umhlaba ngenxa yakho.+ Uza kuyitya imveliso yawo usiva iintlungu, zonke iintsuku zobomi bakho.+ 18 Uza kukuntshulela ameva namakhakakhaka, yaye umele utye imifuno yasendle. 19 Uza kutya isonka* ubile ibunzi, ude ubuyele emhlabeni, kuba wenziwa ngawo.+ Kuba uluthuli, uza kubuyela eluthulini.”+

20 Emva koko uAdam wambiza umfazi wakhe ngokuba nguEva,* kuba wayeza kuba ngumama wabo bonke abantu abaphilayo.+ 21 UYehova uThixo wenzela uAdam nomfazi wakhe iimpahla ezinde ngeemfele, wabanxibisa.+ 22 Emva koko uYehova uThixo wathi: “Ngoku umntu uye wafana nathi, wazigqibela ngokulungileyo nokubi.*+ Ngoko ukuze angasithathi isiqhamo somthi wobomi,+ atye aze aphile ngonaphakade,​—” 23 Ngokukhawuleza uYehova uThixo wamgxotha emyezweni wase-Eden+ ukuze ayokulima umhlaba awathathwa kuwo.+ 24 Wamkhupha umntu, wamisa iikherubhi+ nekrele elivuthayo, elijikelezayo ngasempuma komyezo wase-Eden ukuze kuqhubeke kugadwe indlela eya emthini wobomi.

4 UAdam wabelana ngesondo noEva umfazi wakhe waza wamitha.+ Xa wazala uKayin+ wathi: “Ndivelise* umntwana oyinkwenkwe ngoncedo lukaYehova.” 2 UEva waphinda wazala uAbheli+ umntakwabo.

UAbheli waba ngumalusi womhlambi, yena uKayin waba ngumlimi. 3 Ethubeni, uKayin weza nezinye iziqhamo zomhlaba ukuze anikele ngazo kuYehova. 4 Yena uAbheli weza namanye amazibulo omhlambi wakhe+ kunye namanqatha awo. UYehova wamthanda uAbheli nomnikelo wakhe,+ 5 kodwa akazange avuyiswe nakancinci nguKayin nangumnikelo wakhe. Ngoko uKayin wacaphuka kakhulu, waza waqumba. 6 UYehova wathi kuKayin: “Kutheni unomsindo nje, uqumbele ntoni? 7 Ukuba uyajika wenze okulungileyo, andizukuphinda ndikwamkele na? Kodwa ukuba awujiki wenze okulungileyo, isono sikulalele ngasemnyango, sifuna ngamandla ukukulawula. Uza kusoyisa?”

8 Emva koko uKayin wathi kuAbheli umntakwabo: “Masiye endle.” Ngoxa babesendle uKayin wamhlasela waza wambulala uAbheli umntakwabo.+ 9 Ethubeni uYehova wathi kuKayin: “Uphi uAbheli umntakwenu?” yena wathi: “Andazi. Ndingunogada womntakwethu na?” 10 UThixo wathi: “Yintoni le uyenzileyo? Mamela! Igazi lomntakwenu liyandikhalela lisemhlabeni.+ 11 Ngoku ke uqalekisiwe, ndiyakugxotha kulo mhlaba ovule umlomo wawo ukuze wamkele igazi lomntakwenu obulewe nguwe.+ 12 Umhlaba awuzukuba namveliso* xa uwulima. Uza kuba yimbacu ezula esithubeni.” 13 Ngenxa yoko uKayin wathi kuYehova: “Andinakukwazi ukusithwala esi sohlwayo sesono sam. 14 Namhlanje uyandigxotha kweli lizwe, ibe ndiza kufihlakala ebusweni bakho, ndibe yimbacu ezula esithubeni. Nabani na othi gqi ngam, ngokuqinisekileyo uza kundibulala.” 15 Ngoko uYehova wathi kuye: “Ngenxa yaloo nto, nabani na obulala uKayin uza kuva impindezelo kasixhenxe.”

UYehova wambekela umqondiso uKayin ukuze kungabikho mntu othi gqi ngaye aze amxabele. 16 Emva koko uKayin wahamba phambi kukaYehova waza wabhacela* ngasempuma ye-Eden.+

17 UKayin wabelana ngesondo nomfazi wakhe,+ wamitha waza wazala uEnoki. Ngoko uKayin wakha isixeko, wasithiya ngegama lonyana wakhe uEnoki. 18 Kamva uEnoki wazalelwa uIradi. UIradi wazala uMehuyaheli, uMehuyaheli wazala uMethushaheli, uMethushaheli yena wazala uLameki.

19 ULameki wazithathela abafazi ababini. Igama lowokuqala yayinguAda, owesibini inguZila. 20 UAda wazala uYabhali. Waba ngunozala wabo bahlala ezintenteni nabanemfuyo. 21 Igama lomntakwabo lalinguYubhali. Wayengunozala wabo bonke abadlala uhadi nempempe.* 22 UZila wazala uTubhali-kayin, owenza lonke uhlobo lwesixhobo sekopolo nentsimbi. UdadeboTubhali-kayin yayinguNahama. 23 Emva koko uLameki wathi kubafazi bakhe, uAda noZila:

25 UAdam waphinda wabelana ngesondo nomfazi wakhe, waza wazala unyana. Wathi igama lakhe nguSete,*+ kuba umfazi wakhe wayethe: “UThixo undinike enye inzala* endaweni ka-Abheli, kuba uKayin wambulala.”+ 26 USete naye wazalelwa unyana waza wambiza ngokuba nguEnoshi.+ Abantu baqalisa ngelo xesha ukubiza egameni likaYehova.

5 Le yincwadi yembali ka-Adam. Mhla uThixo wadala uAdam, wamenza ngokufana noThixo.+ 2 Wadala indoda nomfazi.+ Ngemini abadalwa ngayo+ wabasikelela waza wababiza ngokuthi uMntu.*

3 Xa uAdam wayeneminyaka eyi-130, wazala unyana owayenjengaye, wambiza ngokuba nguSete.+ 4 Emva koko, uAdam waphila iminyaka eyi-800. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 5 Ngoko uAdam wafa eneminyaka eyi-930.+

6 Xa uSete wayeneminyaka eyi-105, wazala uEnoshi.+ 7 Emva koko, uSete waphila iminyaka eyi-807. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 8 Ngoko uSete wafa eneminyaka eyi-912.

9 Xa uEnoshi wayeneminyaka eyi-90, wazala uKenan. 10 Emva koko, uEnoshi waphila iminyaka eyi-815. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 11 Ngoko uEnoshi wafa eneminyaka eyi-905.

12 Xa uKenan wayeneminyaka eyi-70, wazala uMahalaleli.+ 13 Emva koko, uKenan waphila iminyaka eyi-840. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 14 Ngoko uKenan wafa eneminyaka eyi-910.

15 Xa uMahalaleli wayeneminyaka eyi-65, wazala uYaredi.+ 16 Emva koko, uMahalaleli waphila iminyaka eyi-830. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 17 Ngoko uMahalaleli wafa eneminyaka eyi-895.

18 Xa uYaredi wayeneminyaka eyi-162, wazala uEnoki.+ 19 Emva koko, uYaredi waphila iminyaka eyi-800. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 20 Ngoko uYaredi wafa eneminyaka eyi-962.

21 Xa uEnoki wayeneminyaka eyi-65, wazala uMethusela.+ 22 Emva koko, uEnoki waqhubeka ehamba noThixo wokwenene iminyaka eyi-300. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 23 Ngoko uEnoki wafa eneminyaka eyi-365. 24 UEnoki waqhubeka ehamba noThixo wokwenene.+ Emva koko wanyamalala kuba uThixo wamthatha.+

25 Xa uMethusela wayeneminyaka eyi-187, wazala uLameki.+ 26 Emva koko, uMethusela waphila iminyaka eyi-782. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 27 Ngoko uMethusela wafa eneminyaka eyi-969.

28 Xa uLameki wayeneminyaka eyi-182, wazala unyana. 29 Wathi nguNowa,*+ watsho esithi: “Lo uza kusithuthuzela* ekubulalekeni kwethu nasekuveni kwezandla zethu intlungu ngenxa yomhlaba awuqalekisileyo+ uYehova.” 30 Emva koko, uLameki waphila iminyaka eyi-595. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi. 31 Ngoko uLameki wafa eneminyaka eyi-777.

32 Xa uNowa wayeneminyaka eyi-500, wazala uShem,+ uHam+ noYafete.+

6 Bathi bakuqala ukwanda abantu phezu komhlaba baza bazala neentombi, 2 oonyana boThixo wokwenene*+ bazibona ukuba zintle iintombi zabantu. Bazikhethela abafazi kuzo. 3 Emva koko uYehova wathi: “Umoya wam awuzukumnyamezela ngonaphakade umntu,+ kuba uyinyama.* Ngoko ke, uza kuphila iminyaka eyi-120.”+

4 Kwakukho izigebenga* emhlabeni ngaloo mihla nasemva koko. Ngelo xesha, oonyana boThixo wokwenene balala neentombi zabantu, zaza zabazalela oonyana. La ke ngala madoda akudala awayenamandla nawayedumile.

5 Ngenxa yoko, uYehova wabona ukuba abantu baqatsele ekwenzeni izinto ezimbi emhlabeni, yaye zonke izinto abazicingayo zisoloko zimbi.+ 6 UYehova wazisola* ngokuba ebenzile abantu emhlabeni, yaza yaba buhlungu intliziyo yakhe.+ 7 Ngoko uYehova wathi: “Ndiza kubatshayela kuthi tu phezu komhlaba abantu endibadalileyo. Ndiza kutshayela abantu, izilwanyana zasekhaya, izidalwa ezibhabhayo zasemazulwini nezinye iintlobo zezilwanyana, kuba ndiyazisola ngokubadala.” 8 Kodwa yena uNowa wayethandwa nguYehova.

9 Le yimbali kaNowa.

UNowa wayelilungisa.+ Kubantu bexesha lakhe,* wazingqina emsulwa.* UNowa wahamba noThixo wokwenene.+ 10 Ekuhambeni kwexesha wazala oonyana abathathu, uShem, uHam noYafete.+ 11 Umhlaba wawonakele emehlweni kaThixo wokwenene, kugcwele ubundlobongela. 12 UThixo wawujonga umhlaba waza wawubona ukuba wonakele;+ bonke abantu babesenza izinto ezimbi emhlabeni.+

13 Emva koko uThixo wathi kuNowa: “Ndigqibe ekubeni nditshabalalise yonke into eyinyama, kuba emhlabeni kugcwele ubundlobongela ngenxa yabantu, ngoko ndiza kubatshabalalisa ndize ndiwonakalise umhlaba.+ 14 Zenzele umkhombe ngomthi onentlaka.+ Uze wenze amacandelo kulo mkhombe, uwuqabe itha+ ngaphakathi nangaphandle. 15 Nantsi indlela omele uwenze ngayo: Ubude bomkhombe bumele bube ziikubhite* eziyi-300, ube ziikubhite eziyi-50 ububanzi, uze ube ziikubhite eziyi-30 ukuphakama. 16 Uze wenze ifestile eza kungenisa ukukhanya* emkhombeni, ibe kumlinganiselo wekubhite ukusuka phezulu. Uze umnyango womkhombe uwenze ecaleni.+ Lo mkhombe wenze ube nomgangatho ongaphantsi, umgangatho wesibini nomgangatho wesithathu.

17 “Mna ke ndiza kuzisa izikhukula emhlabeni,+ ukuze nditshabalalise yonke into ephilayo phantsi kwamazulu. Yonke into esemhlabeni iza kutshabalala.+ 18 Ngoku ndenza isivumelwano nawe, yaye umele ungene emkhombeni, wena, oonyana bakho, umfazi wakho nabafazi boonyana bakho.+ 19 Uze ufake emkhombeni ngambini kwizidalwa eziphilayo zalo lonke uhlobo,+ ukuze uzigcine ziphila kunye nawe. Uze ufake inkunzi nemazi;+ 20 kwizidalwa ezibhabhayo ngokohlobo lwazo, kwizilwanyana zasekhaya ngokohlobo lwazo, nakuzo zonke izilwanyana ezinambuzelayo ngokohlobo lwazo. Kuza kungena ngambini kuhlobo ngalunye, zize kuwe ukuze uzigcine ziphila.+ 21 Wena ke umele uqokelele lonke uhlobo lokutya ungene nako.+ Kuza kutyiwa nguwe nezilwanyana.”

22 UNowa wenza yonke into awayeyiyalelwe nguThixo. Wayenza ngobunjalo bayo.+

7 Emva koko uYehova wathi kuNowa: “Ngena, wena nalo lonke usapho lwakho emkhombeni, kuba nguwe endimbone elilungisa phambi kwam phakathi kwesi sizukulwana.+ 2 Kulo lonke uhlobo lwezilwanyana ezicocekileyo thatha ngasixhenxe,*+ inkunzi nemazi yayo; yaye kwizilwanyana zonke ezingacocekanga thatha zibe mbini qha, inkunzi nemazi yayo; 3 nakwizidalwa ezibhabhayo zasemazulwini thatha ngasixhenxe,* inkunzi nemazi, ukuze kugcinwe inzala yazo iphila phezu komhlaba wonke.+ 4 Kuba emva kweentsuku nje ezisixhenxe, ndiza kunethisa imvula+ emhlabeni iintsuku eziyi-40 neengokuhlwa eziyi-40,+ yaye ndiza kutshayela yonke into ephilayo endayenzayo phezu komhlaba.”+ 5 UNowa wayenza yonke into uYehova awayemyalele yona.

6 Xa uNowa wayeneminyaka eyi-600 kwanetha izantyalantyala zemvula emhlabeni.+ 7 Ngaphambi kokuba kunethe, uNowa, oonyana bakhe, umfazi wakhe nabafazi boonyana bakhe, bangena emkhombeni. + 8 Kuzo zonke izilwanyana ezicocekileyo, ezingacocekanga, ezibhabhayo nazo zonke izinto ezihamba emhlabeni,+ 9 kwangena ngambini emkhombeni awayekuwo uNowa, inkunzi nemazi, kanye njengoko uThixo wayemyalele. 10 Emva kweentsuku ezisixhenxe zagaleleka izantyalantyala zemvula emhlabeni.

11 Kunyaka we-600 wobomi bukaNowa, kwinyanga yesibini, ngosuku lwe-17 kuloo nyanga, kanye ngolo suku, yonke imithombo emikhulu yamanzi anzulu yagqabhuka aza avuleka amazulu, kwaphuma izikhukula.+ 12 Imvula yanetha emhlabeni iintsuku eziyi-40 neengokuhlwa eziyi-40. 13 Kanye ngolo suku, uNowa wangena emkhombeni noonyana bakhe, uShem, uHam, noYafete+ kunye nomfazi wakhe nabafazi boonyana bakhe abathathu.+ 14 Bangena emkhombeni nazo zonke iintlobo zezilwanyana zasendle ngokohlobo lwazo, nazo zonke izilwanyana zasekhaya ngokohlobo lwazo, nazo zonke izilwanyana ezinambuzelayo zomhlaba ngokohlobo lwazo, nazo zonke izidalwa ezibhabhayo ngokohlobo lwazo, zonke iintaka, zonke izidalwa ezinamaphiko. 15 Zonke iintlobo zezidalwa eziphilayo zaya kuNowa ngaphakathi emkhombeni, ngambini ngambini. 16 Ngoko zangena, inkunzi nemazi yalo lonke uhlobo lwenyama, zangena kanye njengoko uThixo wayemyalele. Emva koko uYehova waluvala ucango.

17 Izantyalantyala zemvula zaqhubeka zinetha iintsuku eziyi-40 emhlabeni, ada amanzi amaninzi kakhulu, awuphakamisela phezulu umkhombe. 18 Aba maninzi kakhulu amanzi aza anda kakhulu phezu komhlaba, kodwa umkhombe wadada phezu kwamanzi. 19 Aba maninzi kakhulu, ogquma zonke iintaba eziphakamileyo emhlabeni wonke.+ 20 Aphakama amanzi kangangeekubhite* eziyi-15 ukusukela encochoyini yeentaba.

21 Ngoko zonke izidalwa eziphilayo* ezazihamba emhlabeni zatshabalala,+ kwatshabalala izidalwa ezibhabhayo, izilwanyana zasekhaya, izilwanyana zasendle, izidalwa ezinyakazelayo nalo lonke uluntu.+ 22 Yonke into esemhlabeni owomileyo eyayinempefumlo yobomi* ezimpumlweni zayo yafa.+ 23 Ngoko uThixo watshayela yonke into ephilayo phezu komhlaba, abantu, izilwanyana, izidalwa ezibhabhayo zamazulu nazo zonke ezinye iintlobo zezilwanyana. Zatshayelwa zonke kwathi tu emhlabeni;+ kwasinda nje kuphela uNowa nabo babekunye naye emkhombeni.+ 24 Umhlaba wagcwala ngamanzi iintsuku eziyi-150.+

8 UThixo wabuyela kuNowa* nakuzo zonke izilwanyana zasendle nezasekhaya, ezazikunye naye emkhombeni.+ UThixo wabangela ukuba kuvuthuze umoya phezu komhlaba, aza amanzi aqalisa ukuhla. 2 Yavalwa imithombo emikhulu yamanzi anzulu, avaleka amazulu, zaphela izikhukula, yaza nemvula evela emazulwini yayeka ukunetha.*+ 3 Emva koko amanzi asemhlabeni aqalisa ukuhla. Zithe ziphela iintsuku eziyi-150 abe ehlile. 4 Ngenyanga yesixhenxe, ngosuku lwe-17 lwaloo nyanga, umkhombe wema phezu kweentaba zeArarati. 5 Aya esihla ngokuhla amanzi de kwayinyanga yeshumi. Ekuqaleni kwenyanga yeshumi, zabonakala iincopho zeentaba.+

6 Ekupheleni kweentsuku eziyi-40, uNowa wayivula ifestile+ yomkhombe awayeyenzile 7 waza wakhupha ihlungulu. Lalimana libhabha lisiya ngaphandle liphinde libuye, de amanzi oma emhlabeni.

8 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, wakhupha ihobe ukuze abone ukuba amanzi aphelile na phezu komhlaba. 9 Ihobe alizange liyifumane indawo elingathi ngcu kuyo, ngoko labuyela kuye emkhombeni kuba amanzi ayesawugqume wonke umhlaba.+ Ngoko ke wolula isandla sakhe waza walingenisa ngaphakathi emkhombeni. 10 Walinda iintsuku ezisixhenxe, waphinda walikhupha ihobe. 11 Xa labuyela kuye malunga nexesha langokuhlwa, wabona emlonyeni walo ukuba kukho igqabi lomnquma elisandula ukunqothulwa. Ngoko uNowa waqonda ukuba amanzi ehlile emhlabeni.+ 12 Walinda ezinye iintsuku ezisixhenxe, walikhupha, kodwa alizange liphinde libuyele kuye.

13 Ngoko ngonyaka we-601,+ kwinyanga yokuqala, ngosuku lokuqala lwaloo nyanga, amanzi ayengasekho; yaye uNowa wavula eluphahleni waza wabona ukuba kwakuqalisa ukoma emhlabeni. 14 Ngenyanga yesibini, ngomhla we-27 waloo nyanga, umhlaba wawomile.

15 UThixo wathi kuNowa: 16 “Phumani emkhombeni, wena, umfazi wakho, oonyana bakho nabafazi boonyana bakho.+ 17 Phuma nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zohlobo ngalunye lwenyama,+ izidalwa ezibhabhayo, izilwanyana nezilwanyana ezinambuzelayo zomhlaba, ukuze zande* emhlabeni yaye ziqhame, zibe ninzi.”+

18 Ngoko uNowa waphuma kunye noonyana bakhe,+ umfazi wakhe nabafazi boonyana bakhe. 19 Zonke izidalwa eziphilayo, zonke izilwanyana ezinambuzelayo nazo zonke izidalwa ezibhabhayo, yonke nje into ehamba emhlabeni, yaphuma emkhombeni ngokweentsapho zazo.+ 20 Emva koko uNowa wakhela uYehova isibingelelo,+ waza wathatha ezinye kuzo zonke izilwanyana ezicocekileyo, nezinye kuzo zonke iintaka ezicocekileyo,+ wenza iminikelo etshiswayo esibingelelweni eso.+ 21 UYehova waliva ivumba elimnandi,* waza uYehova wathi entliziyweni yakhe: “Soze ndiphinde ndiwuqalekise umhlaba*+ ngenxa yomntu, kuba kwasebuntwaneni intliziyo yakhe ikekelele ekwenzeni izinto ezimbi;+ futhi soze ndiphinde nditshabalalise kwanto ephilayo ngendlela endenze ngayo.+ 22 Ukususela ngoku, soze kuphele ukutyala nokuvuna, ingqele nobushushu, ihlobo nobusika, imini nobusuku emhlabeni.”+

9 UThixo wamsikelela uNowa noonyana bakhe waza wathi kubo: “Qhamani, nande niwugcwalise umhlaba.+ 2 Ziza kunoyika yaye ziza kuqhubeka zinkwantya ngenxa yenu zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba, zonke izidalwa ezibhabha emazulwini, zonke izinto ezihamba emhlabeni, nazo zonke iintlanzi zolwandle. Ngoku ziza kulawulwa nini.+ 3 Zonke izilwanyana ezihambayo ziza kuba kukutya kwenu.+ Zonke ndizinika nina, njengokuba ndaninika imifuno eluhlaza.+ 4 Yinyama enobomi bayo* kuphela, oko kukuthi igazi layo,+ eningamele niyitye.+ 5 Ngapha koko ndiza kuniphendulisa ngegazi lobomi benu.* Zonke izidalwa eziphilayo ndiza kuziphendulisa. Wonke umntu ophilayo ndiza kumphendulisa ngobomi bomntakwabo.+ 6 Nabani na obulala omnye umntu, naye uza kubulawa,+ kuba umntu wenziwa ngomfanekiso kaThixo.+ 7 Nina ke, qhamani nande nibe baninzi kakhulu emhlabeni, niphindaphindeke.”+

8 Emva koko uThixo wathi kuNowa nakoonyana bakhe ababekunye naye: 9 “Ndenza isivumelwano kunye nani+ nenzala yenu eza kulandela, 10 nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo* ezikunye nani, iintaka, izilwanyana, zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba ezikunye nani, bonke abo baphume emkhombeni, zonke nje izidalwa zomhlaba eziphilayo.+ 11 Ndenza esi sivumelwano nani: Soze ziphinde zitshatyalaliswe ngezikhukula zonke izidalwa eziphilayo, ibe soze izikhukula ziphinde zonakalise umhlaba.”+

12 UThixo waphinda wathi: “Nantsi into ebonisa isivumelwano endisenza nani nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo* ezikunye nani, eza kusebenza kuzo zonke izizukulwana ezizayo. 13 Ndibeka umnyama wam emafini, yaye uza kuba luphawu lwesivumelwano esiphakathi kwam nomhlaba. 14 Nanini na xa ndisizisa amafu phezu komhlaba, ngokuqinisekileyo umnyama uza kuvela emafini. 15 Ngokuqinisekileyo ndiza kusikhumbula isivumelwano sam endasenza nani nalo lonke uhlobo lwesidalwa esiphilayo;* yaye soze aphinde amanzi abe zizikhukula ezitshabalalisa izidalwa eziphilayo.+ 16 Xa kuvela umnyama emafini, ngokuqinisekileyo ndiza kuwubona ndize ndisikhumbule isivumelwano sikanaphakade esiphakathi kukaThixo nazo zonke iintlobo zezidalwa eziphilayo* zasemhlabeni.”

17 UThixo waphinda wathi kuNowa: “Nalo ke uphawu lwesivumelwano endisenza nani nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo emhlabeni.”+

18 Oonyana bakaNowa abaphuma emkhombeni yayinguShem, uHam noYafete.+ Ethubeni uHam wazala uKanan.+ 19 Aba bathathu babengoonyana bakaNowa, yaye bonke abantu basemhlabeni baphuma kubo baza basasazeka.+

20 UNowa waqalisa ukulima, watyala intsimi yeediliya. 21 Emva kokuba esele iwayini, wanxila waza wahamba ze ententeni yakhe. 22 UHam, utata kaKanan, wabubona ubuze bukatata wakhe waza waxelela abantakwabo bobabini ngaphandle. 23 Ngoko uShem noYafete bathatha isambatho, basibeka emagxeni abo baza bangena ngomva. Babogquma ubuze bukatata wabo, ngoxa bebujongise ecaleni ubuso babo, ibe abazange babubone ubuze bukatata wabo.

24 Uthe akuvuka uNowa ekunxilisweni yiwayini, wayiva into eyenziwe ngunyana wakhe ongoyena mncinci, 25 waza wathi:

“Makaqalekiswe uKanan.+

Makabe lelona khoboka liphantsi kubantakwabo.”+

26 Waphinda wathi:

27 UThixo makamnike indawo enkulu uYafete,

28 UNowa waqhubeka ephila iminyaka eyi-350 emva koMkhukula.+ 29 Ngoko uNowa wafa eneminyaka eyi-950.

10 Le yimbali yoonyana bakaNowa, uShem,+ uHam noYafete.

Bazalelwa oonyana emva koMkhukula.+ 2 Oonyana bakaYafete yayinguGomere,+ uMagogi,+ uMadayi, uYavan, uTubhali,+ uMesheki+ noTiras.+

3 Oonyana bakaGomere yayinguAshikenazi,+ uRifati noTogama.+

4 Oonyana bakaYavan yayinguElishaha,+ uTarshishe,+ uKitim+ noDodanim.

5 Abemi beziqithi baphuma kubo, baza basasazeka kwiindawo zabo ngokweelwimi zabo neentsapho zabo, nangokweentlanga zabo.

6 Oonyana bakaHam yayinguKushe, uMitserayim,+ uPuti+ noKanan.+

7 Oonyana bakaKushe yayinguSebha,+ uHavila, uSabheta, uRahama+ noSabheteka.

Oonyana bakaRahama yayinguShebha noDedan.

8 UKushe wazala uNimrodi. Ungowokuqala ukuba ligorha emhlabeni. 9 Waba ngumzingeli oligorha, evukela uYehova. Yiloo nto kukho intetho ethi: “Kanye njengoNimrodi umzingeli oligorha, olwa noYehova.” 10 Waqala ukulawula* eBhabheli,+ e-Erek,+ eAkadi naseKalene ilizwe laseShinare.+ 11 Ukusuka kwelo lizwe, waya eAsiriya+ waza wakha iNineve,+ iRehobhoti-Ire, iKala, 12 neResen phakathi kweNineve neKala: Esi sisixeko esikhulu.*

13 UMitserayim wazala uLudi,+ uAnamim, uLehabhim, uNefetuhim,+ 14 uPatrusi,+ uKaseluhim (ekwaphuma kuye amaFilisti+) noKafetori.+

15 UKanan wazala uSidon+ izibulo lakhe noHeti,+ 16 namaYebhusi,+ ama-Amori,+ amaGirgashi, 17 amaHivi,+ ama-Areki amaSin, 18 ama-Arvadi,+ amaTsemari namaHamati.+ Emva koko iintsapho zamaKanan zathi saa. 19 Ngoko umda wamaKanan wawususela eSidon uyokufikelela eGerare,+ kufuphi neGaza,+ uze uye eSodom naseGomora,+ eAdima naseTsebhoyim,+ kufuphi neLasha. 20 Abo ke ngoonyana bakaHam ngokweentsapho zabo, ngokweelwimi zabo, ngokwamazwe abo nangokweentlanga zabo.

21 Naye uShem, ongukhokho wabo bonke oonyana bakaEbhere,+ umntakwaboYafete inkulu,* wazalelwa abantwana. 22 Oonyana bakaShem yayinguElam,+ uAshuri,+ uArpakhishadi,+ uLudi, noAram.+

23 Oonyana baka-Aram yayingu-Utse, uHuli, uGetere noMashe.

24 UArpakhishadi wazala uShela, waza uShela+ wazala uEbhere.

25 UEbhere wazalelwa oonyana ababini. Igama lomnye yayinguPelege,*+ kuba ngemihla yakhe umhlaba wawahlulelene.* Igama lomntakwabo yayinguYoketan.+

26 UYoketan wazala uAlmodadi, uShelefe, uHatsaremavete, uYera,+ 27 uHadoram, u-Uzali, uDikela, 28 uObhali, uAbhimayeli, uShebha, 29 uOfire,+ uHavila noYobhabhi. Bonke aba yayingoonyana bakaYoketan.

30 Indawo ababehlala kuyo yayisuka eMesha iyokutsho eSefara, ummandla weentaba waseMpuma.

31 Abo ke yayingoonyana bakaShem ngokweentsapho zabo, ngokweelwimi zabo, ngokwamazwe abo nangokweentlanga zabo.+

32 Ezo ke yayiziintsapho zoonyana bakaNowa ngokweminombo yazo, ngokweentlanga zazo. Zaphuma kubo iintlanga zaza zasasazeka emhlabeni emva koMkhukula.+

11 Bonke abantu emhlabeni babethetha ulwimi olunye, besebenzisa amagama afanayo ezinto.* 2 Njengoko babesiya ngasempuma, bafumana ithafa elisentlanjeni kwilizwe laseShinare,+ bahlala khona. 3 Emva koko bathi: “Yizani! Masenze izitena, sizitshise.” Ngoko basebenzisa izitena endaweni yamatye, nebhitumene njengodaka. 4 Bathi: “Yizani! Masizakhele isixeko nenqaba erheca izulu, yaye masizenzele igama elidumileyo, ukuze singasasazeki emhlabeni wonke.”+

5 UYehova wehla ukuze asibone isixeko nenqaba ababeyakhile oonyana babantu. 6 Emva koko uYehova wathi: “Jonga! Aba bantu bamanyene, bathetha ulwimi olunye,+ yaye sebeqale ngokwenza le nto. Ayikho ke ngoku into abafuna ukuyenza eza kubaxaka. 7 Yiza! Masihle+ size siluphixanise ulwimi lwabo ukuze bangevani xa bethetha.” 8 UYehova wabachitha-chitha bathi saa emhlabeni wonke,+ baza baya becutheka abantu abakha isixeko. 9 Yiloo nto kwathiwa igama laso yiBhabheli,*+ kuba uYehova walugxobha apho ulwimi lomhlaba wonke, waza uYehova wabasasaza abantu emhlabeni wonke.

10 Le yimbali kaShem.+

UShem wayeneminyaka eyi-100 xa wazala uArpakhishadi+ kwiminyaka emibini emva koMkhukula. 11 Emva koko, uShem waphila iminyaka eyi-500. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.+

12 Xa uArpakhishadi wayeneminyaka eyi-35, wazala uShela.+ 13 Emva koko, uArpakhishadi waphila iminyaka eyi-403. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

14 Xa uShela wayeneminyaka eyi-30, wazala uEbhere.+ 15 Emva koko, uShela waphila iminyaka eyi-403. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

16 Xa uEbhere wayeneminyaka eyi-34, wazala uPelege.+ 17 Emva koko, uEbhere waphila iminyaka eyi-430. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

18 Xa uPelege wayeneminyaka eyi-30, wazala uRewu.+ 19 Emva koko, uPelege waphila iminyaka eyi-209. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

20 Xa uRewu wayeneminyaka eyi-32, wazala uSerugi. 21 Emva koko, uRewu waphila iminyaka eyi-207. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

22 Xa uSerugi wayeneminyaka eyi-30, wazala uNahore. 23 Emva koko, uSerugi waphila iminyaka eyi-200. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

24 Xa uNahore wayeneminyaka eyi-29, wazala uTera.+ 25 Emva koko, uNahore waphila iminyaka eyi-119. Wayenabo nabanye oonyana neentombi.

26 Xa uTera wayeneminyaka eyi-70, wazala uAbram,+ uNahore+ noHaran.

27 Le yimbali kaTera.

UTera wazala uAbram, uNahore noHaran; yena uHaran wazala uLote.+ 28 UHaran wafa utata wakhe uTera esaphila, efela kwilizwe awazalelwa kulo, iUre+ yamaKhaledi.+ 29 UAbram noNahore bazithathela abafazi. Igama lomfazi ka-Abram yayinguSarayi,+ yena umfazi kaNahore yayinguMilka,+ intombi kaHaran, ongutata kaMilka noIska. 30 USarayi wayengazali,+ engenamntwana.

31 Emva koko uTera wathatha uAbram unyana wakhe, uLote umzukulwana wakhe,+ unyana kaHaran, noSarayi umolokazana wakhe, ongumfazi ka-Abram unyana wakhe, baza bemka naye eUre yamaKhaledi baya kwilizwe lakwaKanan.+ Ekuhambeni kwexesha bafika kwaHaran+ baza bahlala khona. 32 UTera wafela kwaHaran eneminyaka eyi-205.

12 UYehova wathi kuAbram: “Lishiye ilizwe lakowenu, izizalwana zakho nendlu katata wakho, uye kwilizwe endiza kukubonisa lona.+ 2 Ndiza kukwenza ube luhlanga olukhulu, ndikusikelele, ndilenze likhulu igama lakho, ube yintsikelelo.+ 3 Ndiza kubasikelela abo bakusikelelayo, ndimqalekise okuqalekisayo,+ ibe zonke iintsapho zasemhlabeni ziza kusikelelwa* ngenxa yakho.”+

4 Ngoko uAbram wahamba kanye njengoko wayetshilo uYehova kuye, noLote wahamba naye. UAbram wemka kwaHaran eneminyaka eyi-75.+ 5 Wathatha uSarayi+ umfazi wakhe, uLote unyana womntakwabo,+ zonke izinto awayeziqokelele+ nabantu* awayebafumene kwaHaran, baza bahamba besiya elizweni lakwaKanan.+ Xa befika elizweni lakwaKanan, 6 uAbram walihamba lonke elo lizwe wada wayokufika kumhlaba wakwaShekem,+ kufuphi nemithi emikhulu yakwaMore.+ Ngelo xesha kwakukho amaKanan kwelo lizwe. 7 UYehova wabonakala kuAbram waza wathi: “Inzala* yakho+ ndiza kuyinika eli lizwe.”+ UAbram wakhela uYehova owayebonakele kuye isibingelelo kuloo ndawo. 8 Emva kwexesha wafuduka apho, waya kummandla weentaba ongakwimpuma yeBheteli,+ wamisa intente apho. IBheteli yayingasentshona, iAyi+ yona ingasempuma. Wamakhela isibingelelo apho uYehova+ waza wabiza egameni likaYehova.+ 9 Emva koko uAbram wasuka waya ngaseNegebhi.+ Wayemane efuduka, esuka kule ndawo aye kwenye.

10 Kwabakho indlala elizweni waza uAbram waya eYiputa ukuze ahlale apho okwethutyana,*+ kuba yayiqatsele indlala elizweni.+ 11 Uthe xa kanye eza kungena eYiputa, wathi kuSarayi umfazi wakhe: “Mamela! Umhle kakhulu.+ 12 Xa ekubona amaYiputa, ngokuqinisekileyo aza kuthi, ‘Ngumfazi wakhe lo.’ Aza kundibulala, aze wena akugcine uphila. 13 Ndiyakucela, yithi ungudadewethu, ukuze izinto zindihambele kakuhle ngenxa yakho, nokuze ndingabulawa.”+

14 Uthe nje uAbram akungena eYiputa, amaYiputa ambona umfazi ukuba yimbelukazi. 15 Amagosa akwaFaro nawo ambona aza amncoma kuFaro, waza umfazi wasiwa endlini kaFaro. 16 UFaro wamphatha kakuhle uAbram ngenxa kaSarayi, waza wafumana iigusha, iinkomo, iinkunzi neemazi zeedonki, izicaka nezicakakazi neenkamela.+ 17 Ngoko uYehova wambetha uFaro nendlu yakhe ngezibetho ezibuhlungu kakhulu ngenxa kaSarayi, umfazi ka-Abram.+ 18 UFaro wabiza uAbram, wathi: “Yintoni le undenze yona? Kutheni ungandixelelanga nje ukuba ngumfazi wakho lo? 19 Bekutheni ukuze uthi, ‘Ngudadewethu,’+ njengokuba ndiphantse ndamthatha ndamenza umfazi wam? Nanku umfazi wakho. Mthathe uhambe!” 20 Ngoko uFaro wayalela amadoda akhe ngoAbram, aza amkhulula nomfazi wakhe nazo zonke izinto zakhe.+

13 Emva koko uAbram wenyuka, ephuma eYiputa waya eNegebhi,+ yena nomfazi wakhe noLote, nazo zonke izinto awayenazo. 2 UAbram wayenemihlambi, isilivere negolide eninzi kakhulu.+ 3 Njengoko wayephuma eNegebhi esiya eBheteli, wahamba emisa inkampu kwiindawo ngeendawo, de wafika kulaa ndawo yayinentente yakhe, phakathi kweBheteli neAyi,+ 4 indawo awakha kuyo isibingelelo ngaphambili. UAbram wabiza egameni likaYehova apho.

5 NoLote owayehamba noAbram, wayeneegusha, iinkomo neentente. 6 Ngoko elo lizwe lalingabanelanga ukuba bangahlala ndawonye, kuba izinto zabo zaba ninzi kakhulu kangangokuba babengasakwazi ukuhlala kunye. 7 Le nto yabaxabanisa abalusi bemfuyo ka-Abram nabalusi bemfuyo kaLote. (Ngelo xesha kwakuhlala amaKanan namaPerizi kwelo lizwe.)+ 8 UAbram wathi kuLote:+ “Makungabikho nto isixabanisayo, nabalusi bethu mabangaxabani, kuba ungumntakwethu. 9 Alikho phambi kwakho na lonke ilizwe? Ndicela sahlukane. Ukuba uya ngasekhohlo, mna ndiza kuya ngasekunene. Ukuba uya ngasekunene, mna ndiza kuya ngasekhohlo.” 10 Ngoko uLote waphakamisa amehlo akhe, wayibona yonke ingingqi yaseYordan+ ukuba ingummandla onamanzi amaninzi (ngaphambi kokuba uYehova ayitshabalalise iSodom neGomora), injengomyezo kaYehova,+ injengelizwe laseYiputa, ukuya kutsho eTsoware.+ 11 Emva koko uLote wakhetha yonke ingingqi yaseYordan, wayifudusela ngasempuma inkampu yakhe, baza bohlukana. 12 UAbram wahlala kwilizwe lakwaKanan, yena uLote wahlala kwizixeko zaloo ngingqi.+ Ekugqibeleni wamisa intente kufuphi neSodom. 13 Abantu baseSodom babesenza izono ezibi kakhulu emehlweni kaYehova.+

14 Emva kokuba uLote ahlukene noAbram, uYehova wathi kuye: “Khawuncede uphakamise amehlo akho, uze ujonge ukwindawo okuyo, emntla nasemzantsi, empuma nasentshona, 15 kuba lonke ilizwe olibonayo, ndiza kulinika wena nenzala* yakho, libe lilifa lakho ngonaphakade.+ 16 Ndiza kuyenza inzala* yakho ibe ninzi njengamasuntswana othuli lomhlaba. Njengokuba kungekho mntu unokubala amasuntswana othuli, akukho mntu uza kukwazi ukuyibala inzala* yakho.+ 17 Phakama ulihamba-hambe ilizwe, ngobude balo nangobubanzi balo, kuba ndiza kukunika lona.” 18 Ngoko uAbram waqhubeka ehlala ezintenteni. Ekuhambeni kwexesha waya kuhlala ngakwimithi emikhulu yaseMamre+ eHebron;+ apho wakhela khona uYehova isibingelelo.+

14 Kwathi ngemihla ka-Amrafele ukumkani waseShinare,+ uAriyoki ukumkani wase-Elasare, uKedolahomere+ ukumkani wase-Elam,+ noTidali ukumkani wamaGoyi, 2 balwa imfazwe kunye noBhera ukumkani waseSodom,+ uBhirsha ukumkani waseGomora,+ uShinabhi ukumkani waseAdima, uShemebhere ukumkani waseTsebhoyim,+ nokumkani waseBhela, oko kukuthi, eTsoware. 3 Aba badibanisa imikhosi yabo kwiNtlambo YaseSidim,*+ oko kukuthi, uLwandle LweTyiwa.*+

4 Babesele bezizicaka zikaKedolahomere kangangeminyaka eyi-12, kodwa ngonyaka we-13 bamjikela. 5 Ngoko ngonyaka we-14, uKedolahomere nookumkani ababekunye naye baya kuwo baza bawoyisa amaRefa eAshteroti-karnayim, amaZuzi eHam, amaEma+ eShave-kiriyatayim, 6 amaHori+ entabeni yawo yeSehire,+ ukuya kutsho kwiEl-paran, esentlango. 7 Emva koko, bajika beza e-En-mishpati, oko kukuthi, eKadeshe,+ baza bawoyisa wonke ummandla wama-Amaleki+ kwanama-Amori+ awayehlala eHatsatson-tamare.+

8 Waphuma ke ukumkani waseSodom ematsha, kwanokumkani waseGomora, ukumkani waseAdima, ukumkani waseTsebhoyim, nokumkani waseBhela, oko kukuthi, eTsoware, baza bakha uluhlu lwedabi ukuze balwe nabo kwiNtlambo YaseSidim,* 9 ukuze balwe noKedolahomere ukumkani wase-Elam, uTidali ukumkani wamaGoyi, uAmrafele ukumkani waseShinare noAriyoki ukumkani wase-Elasare,+ ookumkani abane besilwa nabahlanu. 10 INtlambo YaseSidim* yayinemingxuma emininzi yebhitumene, yaye ukumkani waseSodom nowaseGomora bazama ukubaleka kodwa batshona kuyo. Abashiyekileyo babalekela kummandla weentaba. 11 Abo boyisileyo bemka nayo yonke impahla yaseSodom naseGomora nako konke ukutya kwalapho.+ 12 Bathatha noLote, unyana womntakwaboAbram, owayehlala eSodom,+ nempahla yakhe.

13 Emva koko indoda eyaqhweshayo yaya kuxelela uAbram umHebhere. Ngelo xesha wayehlala* phakathi kwemithi emikhulu kaMamre umAmori,+ umntakwaboEshkoli noAnere.+ La madoda ayenze isivumelwano noAbram. 14 Wathi uAbram akuva ukuba isizalwana sakhe*+ sithinjiwe, wakhawuleza waqokelela amadoda akhe aqeqeshiweyo, izicaka eziyi-318 ezizalelwe endlini yakhe, waza wabaleqa abahlaseli waya kufika kwaDan.+ 15 Ebusuku wawahlula umkhosi wakhe, yena nezicaka zakhe babahlasela baza baboyisa. Wabaleqa wayokufika eHobha, ekumntla weDamasko. 16 Wayibuyisa yonke impahla, wabuyisa kwanoLote isizalwana sakhe, impahla yakhe, amabhinqa kunye nabanye abantu.

17 Emva kokuba uAbram ebuyile ekoyiseni uKedolahomere nookumkani ababekunye naye, ukumkani waseSodom wayokudibana naye kwiNtlambo YaseShave,* oko kukuthi, iNtlambo Kakumkani.+ 18 UMelkitsedeki+ ukumkani waseSalem+ wazisa isonka newayini; wayengumbingeleli wOyena Thixo Uphakamileyo.+

19 Emva koko wamsikelela wathi:

20 Yaye makadunyiswe Oyena Thixo Uphakamileyo,

Obanikele kuwe abacinezeli bakho!”

Ngoko uAbram wamnika isishumi sayo yonke into.+

21 Emva koko ukumkani waseSodom wathi kuAbram: “Ndinike abantu,* wena uthathe impahla.” 22 Kodwa uAbram wathi kukumkani waseSodom: “Ndiyasiphakamisa isandla sam ukuze ndifunge kOyena Thixo Uphakamileyo, uYehova, uMenzi wezulu nomhlaba, 23 ukuba andizukuthatha kwanto yakho, nokuba ngumsonto okanye ngumtya weembadada, ukuze ungathi, ‘Ndimenze isityebi uAbram.’ 24 Andizukuthatha kwanto ngaphandle koko sekutyiwe ngabafana. Kodwa wona amadoda ebehambe nam, uAnere, uEshkoli noMamre,+ mawazifumane izinto zawo.”

15 Emva koku, kwafika ilizwi likaYehova kuAbram ngombono lisithi: “Ungoyiki+ Abram. Ndilikhaka lakho.+ Umvuzo wakho uza kuba mkhulu kakhulu.”+ 2 UAbram waphendula wathi: “Nkosi EnguMongami Yehova uza kundinika ntoni, njengokuba ndingenabantwana nje yaye umntu oza kufumana indlu yam ibe lilifa lakhe, iyindoda yaseDamasko, uEliyezere?”+ 3 UAbram waphinda wathi: “Awundinikanga nzala,*+ yaye sisicaka* sam esiza kuba yindlalifa yam.” 4 Kodwa uYehova wamphendula wathi: “Lo mntu akazukuba yindlalifa yakho, kodwa iza kuba ngunyana wakho kanye* indlalifa yakho.”+

5 Wamsa phandle wathi: “Ndicela ujonge phezulu emazulwini, uze ubale iinkwenkwezi, ukuba ungakwazi ukuzibala.” Emva koko wathi kuye: “Iza kuba ninzi ngolo hlobo inzala* yakho.”+ 6 UAbram wakholwa kuYehova+ yaye uThixo wamjonga njengelungisa.+ 7 UThixo waphinda wathi: “NdinguYehova owakukhupha eUre yamaKhaledi ukuze ndikunike eli lizwe libe lilifa lakho.”+ 8 UAbram wathi: “Nkosi EnguMongami Yehova, ndiza kuqiniseka njani ukuba liza kuba lelam?” 9 UThixo wamphendula wathi: “Ndithathele ithokazi elineminyaka emithathu, imazi yebhokhwe eneminyaka emithathu, inkunzi yegusha eneminyaka emithathu, ihobe lasendle nentshontsho levukuthu.” 10 Wazithatha zonke ezo zinto, wazisika phakathi waza wabeka icala lajongana nelinye, kodwa iintaka akazange azisike. 11 Emva koko iintaka ezitya inyama zehla zeza kuloo nyama, kodwa uAbram wamane eziphekuza.

12 Kwathi ekutshoneni kwelanga uAbram wabiwa bubuthongo obunzulu, wafikelwa sisithokothoko sobumnyama esoyikisayo. 13 UThixo wathi kuAbram: “Qiniseka ukuba inzala* yakho iza kuba ngabantu basemzini kwilizwe elingelolayo, nokuba abantu balapho baza kuyenza amakhoboka baze bayicinezele kangangeminyaka eyi-400.+ 14 Kodwa ndiza kulugweba uhlanga abaza kuba ngamakhoboka alo,+ baze bona baphume nempahla eninzi.+ 15 Wena ke, uza kuya kookhokho bakho uxolile; uza kungcwatywa waluphele.+ 16 Kodwa isizukulwana sesine siza kubuyela apha,+ kuba isono sama-Amori asikapheleli.”+

17 Kuthe kwakutshona ilanga, kukho nesithokothoko sobumnyama, kwathi gqi iziko elivuthayo, kwagqitha isikhuni somlilo phakathi kwaloo macala enyama. 18 Ngolo suku uYehova wenza isivumelwano+ noAbram esithi: “Eli lizwe+ ndiza kulinika inzala* yakho, ukusuka kumlambo waseYiputa ukuyokutsho kumlambo omkhulu, umlambo umEfrate:+ 19 ndiyinike ilizwe lamaKeni,+ lamaKenizi, lamaKadimon, 20 lamaHiti,+ lamaPerizi,+ lamaRefa,+ 21 lama-Amori, lamaKanan, lamaGirgashi nelamaYebhusi.”+

16 USarayi umfazi ka-Abram, wayengamzalelanga bantwana,+ kodwa wayenesicakakazi esingumYiputa, uHagare.+ 2 Ngoko uSarayi wathi kuAbram: “Ndiyakucela! UYehova undivalile ukuba ndingabi nabantwana. Ndicela wabelane ngesondo nesicakakazi sam. Mhlawumbi ndingaba nabantwana ngaso.”+ Ngoko uAbram wammamela uSarayi. 3 Emva kokuba uAbram ehleli kwilizwe lakwaKanan iminyaka elishumi, umfazi wakhe uSarayi wathatha uHagare isicakakazi sakhe esingumYiputa, wasinika indoda yakhe ukuba sibe ngumfazi wayo. 4 UAbram wabelana ngesondo noHagare, waza wakhulelwa. Uthe akuqonda ukuba ukhulelwe, wamdelela uSarayi.

5 Ngenxa yale nto uSarayi wathi kuAbram: “Nguwe obangele le ntlungu ndiyivayo. Ndim owazisa isicakakazi sam ezandleni zakho,* kodwa ngoku xa sifumanisa ukuba sikhulelwe, siyandidelela. Kwanga uYehova angagweba phakathi kwam nawe.” 6 UAbram wathi kuSarayi: “Jonga kaloku! Isicakakazi sakho siphethwe nguwe. Yenza kuso loo nto uyibona ilungile.” Ngoko uSarayi wamphatha kakubi uHagare kangangokuba wabaleka wemka.

7 Ethubeni ingelosi kaYehova yamfumana ngasemthonjeni wamanzi entlango, umthombo osendleleni eya eShure.+ 8 Yathi: “Hagare sicakakazi sikaSarayi, uvela phi usiya phi?” Yena wathi: “Ndibaleka uSarayi inkosikazi endisisicakakazi sayo.” 9 Ingelosi kaYehova yathi kuye: “Buyela kwakuye ke uze uzithobe.” 10 Ingelosi kaYehova yaphinda yathi kuye: “Ndiza kuyandisa kakhulu inzala* yakho, ibe ninzi kude kube nzima nokuyibala.”+ 11 Ingelosi kaYehova yaqhubeka yathi: “Ngoku ukhulelwe, ibe uza kuba nonyana. Uze umthiye igama elinguIshmayeli,* kuba uYehova uyivile intlungu yakho. 12 Uza kuba yindoda efana nedonki yasendle.* Uza kulwa nabo bonke abantu, nabo balwe naye, ibe uza kuhlala emelene nabo bonke abantakwabo.”*

13 Emva koko wabiza egameni likaYehova, owayethetha naye, esithi: “UnguThixo obonayo,”+ kuba wathi: “Ngaba ngenene ndibone lowo undibonayo apha?” 14 Yiloo nto elo qula lathiywa ngokuba yiBhere-lahayi-royi.* (Liphakathi kweKadeshe neBheredi.) 15 UHagare wamzalela unyana uAbram, waza wathi nguIshmayeli igama lonyana wakhe awamfumana ngoHagare.+ 16 UAbram wayeneminyaka eyi-86 xa uHagare wamzalela uIshmayeli.

17 Xa uAbram wayeneminyaka eyi-99, uYehova wabonakala kuye waza wathi: “NdinguThixo uSomandla. Hamba phambi kwam uze ube msulwa.* 2 Ndiza kwenza isivumelwano phakathi kwam nawe,+ ndize ndikwandise kakhulu.”+

3 UAbram waqubuda, waza uThixo waqhubeka ethetha naye, esithi: 4 “Jonga! ndenze isivumelwano nawe,+ yaye ngokuqinisekileyo uza kuba ngutata weentlanga ezininzi.+ 5 Igama lakho liza kuyeka ukuba nguAbram;* kodwa liza kuba nguAbraham,* kuba ndiza kukwenza ube ngutata weentlanga ezininzi. 6 Ndiza kukwenza uqhame kakhulu, ndikwenze ube ziintlanga, yaye kuza kuphuma ookumkani kuwe.+

7 “Ndiza kusigcina isivumelwano sam nawe+ nenzala* yakho kwizizukulwana zayo, sibe sisivumelwano sikanaphakade, sokuba ndibe nguThixo wakho nenzala* yakho emva kwakho. 8 Ndiza kulinika wena nenzala* yakho ilizwe owahlala kulo ungumntu wasemzini,+ lonke ilizwe lakwaKanan, ukuze libe lilifa layo ngonaphakade, yaye ndiza kuba nguThixo wayo.”+

9 UThixo waphinda wathi kuAbraham: “Uze usigcine isivumelwano sam, wena nenzala* yakho emva kwakho kwizizukulwana zayo. 10 Nasi isivumelwano sam nawe, omele wena nenzala* yakho nisigcine: Yonke into eyindoda phakathi kwenu imele yoluswe.+ 11 Nifanele nisuse amajwabi enu, yaye oko kuza kuba ngumqondiso wesivumelwano sam nani.+ 12 Kwizizukulwana zenu, wonke umntu oyindoda phakathi kwenu oneentsuku ezisibhozo ezelwe umele oluswe,+ naye nabani na ozelwe endlini, nabani na ongeyonzala* yakho kodwa othengwe ngemali kumntu wasemzini. 13 Yonke indoda ezelwe endlini yakho nayo yonke indoda ethengwe ngemali yakho imele yoluswe,+ yaye isivumelwano sam enyameni yenu simele sibe sisivumelwano sikanaphakade. 14 Ukuba kukho umntu ongafuniyo ukoluswa, umele abulawe. Usaphule isivumelwano sam.”

15 Emva koko uThixo wathi kuAbraham: “Yena uSarayi* umfazi wakho,+ uze ungathi nguSarayi, kuba igama lakhe liza kuba nguSara.* 16 Ndiza kumsikelela ndize ndikunike unyana ngaye,+ ndiza kumsikelela abe ziintlanga, kuza kuphuma ookumkani bezizwana kuye.” 17 Wasuka waqubuda uAbraham, wahleka waza wathi entliziyweni yakhe:+ “Ngaba indoda eneminyaka eyi-100 ingazalelwa umntwana na, yena uSara umfazi oneminyaka eyi-90 angaba sazala na?”+

18 Ngoko uAbraham wathi kuThixo wokwenene: “Akwaba nje uIshmayeli angaphila phambi kwakho!”+ 19 UThixo wamphendula wathi: “Nakanjani na uSara umfazi wakho uza kukuzalela unyana, uze umthiye igama elinguIsake.*+ Ndiza kusenza naye isivumelwano sam, sibe sisivumelwano sikanaphakade kwinzala* yakhe.+ 20 Kule nto uyithethayo ngoIshmayeli, ndikuvile. Jonga! ndiza kumsikelela ndize ndimenze aqhame, ndimandise kakhulu. Uza kuvelisa iinkosi eziyi-12, yaye ndiza kumenza abe luhlanga olukhulu.+ 21 Kodwa ke, ndiza kusenza noIsake isivumelwano sam,+ lo uza kumzalelwa nguSara ngeli xesha kunyaka ozayo.”+

22 Wathi akugqiba uThixo ukuthetha naye wenyuka, wemka kuAbraham. 23 Emva koko, uAbraham wathatha uIshmayeli unyana wakhe, onke amadoda azalelwe endlini yakhe, wonke umntu owayethengwe ngemali, wonke umntu oyindoda endlini ka-Abraham, waza wabolusa kwangaloo mini, kanye njengoko uThixo wayemxelele.+ 24 UAbraham wayeneminyaka eyi-99 ukoluswa kwakhe.+ 25 Yena uIshmayeli unyana wakhe, wayeneminyaka eyi-13 ukoluswa kwakhe.+ 26 Ngaloo mini, uAbraham noIshmayeli unyana wakhe boluswa. 27 Onke amadoda endlu yakhe, wonke umntu ozalelwe endlini, naye wonke umntu othengwe ngemali emntwini wasemzini, boluswa kunye naye.

18 Emva koko uYehova+ wabonakala kuAbraham phakathi kwemithi emikhulu yaseMamre,+ ngoxa wayesahleli emnyangweni wentente, ngelona xesha litshisa kakhulu emini. 2 Waphakamisa amehlo akhe waza wabona amadoda amathathu eme qelele.+ Uthe nje akuwabona, wasuka emnyangweni wentente ebaleka esiya kuwo, waqubuda emhlabeni. 3 Emva koko wathi: “Yehova, ukuba ndiyathandeka emehlweni akho, ndiyacela ungadluli nje kumkhonzi wakho. 4 Ndiyacela, makuziswe intwana yamanzi, nihlanjwe iinyawo,+ nize nithi vu phantsi komthi. 5 Ekubeni nize apha kwisicaka senu, mandiniphathele iqhekeza lesonka, ukuze niphinde nibe namandla.* Emva koko ningahamba indlela yenu.” Wona athi: “Kulungile. Ungayenza loo nto uyithethileyo.”

6 Ngoko uAbraham wakhawuleza waya ententeni kuSara wathi: “Khawulezisa! Thatha imilinganiselo emithathu* yomgubo ocolekileyo, uxove intlama, wenze izonka.” 7 Emva koko uAbraham wabaleka waya emhlambini, wathatha ithole lenkunzi yenkomo elithambileyo nelihle. Walinika isicaka sakhe, sona saya kulixhela saza salipheka. 8 Wathatha ibhotolo, ubisi nethole lenkunzi yenkomo elalilungisiwe, wabeka oko kutya phambi kwaloo madoda. Emva koko wema ngakuwo phantsi komthi, njengoko ayesitya.+

9 Athi kuye: “Uphi umfazi wakho uSara?”+ Wathi: “Ulapha ententeni.” 10 Omnye wawo wathi: “Nakanjani, ndiza kubuyela kuwe ngeli xesha kunyaka ozayo, yaye jonga! uSara umfazi wakho uza kuba nonyana.”+ USara wayemamele esemnyangweni wentente eyayisemva kwaloo ndoda. 11 UAbraham noSara babebadala, begugile.+ USara wayesele egqithile kwiminyaka yokufumana abantwana.*+ 12 Ngoko uSara wahlekela ngaphakathi esithi: “Njengokuba sendiphelile nje, nenkosi yam seyigugile, ngaba nyhani ndingalufumana olu vuyo?”+ 13 Emva koko uYehova wathi kuAbraham: “Kutheni uSara eye wahleka nje waza wathi, ‘Ngaba nyhani ndiza kuzala nokuba ndigugile?’ 14 Ngaba ikho into enokumxaka uYehova?+ Ndiza kubuyela kuwe ngeli xesha kunyaka ozayo, ibe uSara uza kuba nonyana.” 15 Kodwa uSara waphika esithi: “Khange ndihleke!” kuba wayesoyika. Yena wathi: “Uhlekile.”

16 Kamva loo madoda aphakama eza kuhamba, waza uAbraham wawakhapha wawajikisa endleleni, aza abona iSodom.+ 17 UYehova wathi: “Ndingamfihlela njani uAbraham into endiza kuyenza?+ 18 Kaloku nakanjani uAbraham uza kuba luhlanga olukhulu nolunamandla, ibe zonke iintlanga zomhlaba ziza kusikelelwa* ngenxa yakhe.+ 19 Ndiye ndamazi, ukuze ayalele oonyana bakhe nendlu yakhe ukuba igcine indlela kaYehova, ngokwenza okulungileyo nokufanelekileyo,+ ukuze uYehova ayenze into ebeyithembise ngoAbraham.”

20 Emva koko uYehova wathi: “Kukhalwa kakhulu ngeSodom neGomora,+ ibe isono sezo ndawo sikhulu kakhulu.+ 21 Ndiza kwehla ukuze ndibone ukuba benza ngokwesikhalo esifikileyo kum na. Ukuba akunjalo, ndiza kuyazi loo nto.”+

22 Emva koko, loo madoda emka apho aya ngaseSodom, kodwa uYehova+ washiyeka noAbraham. 23 UAbraham wasondela waza wathi: “Ngaba nyhani uza kulitshayela ilungisa kunye nomenzi-bubi?+ 24 Masithi kweso sixeko kukho abantu abayi-50 abangamalungisa. Ngaba uza kubatshayela, ungayixoleli loo ndawo ngenxa yaloo malungisa ayi-50 akuyo? 25 Andiyicingi nokuyicinga ukuba ungenza into enjalo, ubulale umntu olilungisa nomenzi-bubi, lize ilungisa nomenzi-bubi babe nesiphelo esinye!+ Ngokuqinisekileyo awunakuyenza loo nto.+ Ngaba uMgwebi womhlaba wonke akazukwenza okulungileyo?”+ 26 UYehova wathi: “Ukuba ndifumene eSodom abantu abangamalungisa abayi-50 esixekweni, ndiza kuyixolela yonke loo ndawo ngenxa yabo.” 27 UAbraham waphinda wathi: “Kowu nako sendithetha noYehova kodwa ndiluthuli nothuthu. 28 Masithi ke angaphantsi ngesihlanu loo malungisa ayi-50. Ngaba uza kude utshabalalise isixeko sonke ngenxa nje yabahlanu?” UThixo wathi: “Andizukusitshabalalisa ukuba ndifumene abayi-45 kuso.”+

29 UAbraham waphinda wathi kuThixo: “Masithi ke kufumaneke abayi-40 apho.” Wathi: “Andizukusitshabalalisa ngenxa yabayi-40.” 30 Kodwa waqhubeka wathi: “Owu yhini Yehova, ungavuthi ngumsindo,+ kodwa ndivumele ndithethe: Masithi ke kufumaneke abayi-30 kuso.” UThixo wathi: “Andizukusitshabalalisa ukuba ndifumana abayi-30 kuso.” 31 Kodwa waphinda wathi: “Kowu, nako sendithetha noYehova: Masithi ke kufumaneke abayi-20 kuso.” UThixo wathi: “Andizukusitshabalalisa ngenxa yabayi-20.” 32 Ekugqibeleni wathi: “Owu yhini Yehova, ungavuthi ngumsindo, kodwa ndivumele ndithethe okokugqibela: Masithi ke, kufumaneke khona abalishumi.” UThixo wathi: “Andizukusitshabalalisa ngenxa yabalishumi.” 33 Uthe uYehova akugqiba ukuthetha, noAbraham wemka,+ waza noAbraham wabuyela endaweni yakhe.

19 Zafika ezo ngelosi zimbini eSodom ngokuhlwa, yaye uLote wayehleli ngasegeyithini yaseSodom. Wathi akuzibona, waphakama waya kuzikhawulela waza waqubuda.+ 2 Wathi: “Ndiyanicela zinkosi zam, ndicela niye endlini yesicaka senu, nilale khona nize nihlanjwe neenyawo. Emva koko ningavuka ekuseni nihambe.” Zona zathi: “Hayi, siza kuhlala kwindawo kawonke-wonke kude kuse.” 3 Wazicenga kakhulu, zade zahamba naye zaya endlini yakhe. Wazenzela isidlo esikhulu, wabhaka nezonka ezingenagwele, zatya.

4 Ngaphambi kokuba zilale, amadoda esixeko, amadoda aseSodom, ukusuka kwinkwenkwana ukuyokutsho kwindoda endala, onke ayingqonga indlu eligquba. 5 Aqhubeka ekhwaza uLote esithi: “Aphi la madoda angene kwakho ngobu busuku? Wakhuphe eze apha ukuze silale nawo.”+

6 ULote waphuma waya kuwo ngasemnyango, waluvala ucango. 7 Wathi: “Ndiyanicela bantakwethu, sanukwenza ububi. 8 Yhini kodwa, ndineentombi ezimbini apha ezingazange zalala nandoda. Makhe ndinizisele zona, nizenze loo nto nifuna ukuyenza. Kodwa sanukuwenza nto la madoda, kuba eze phantsi kophahla* lwam.”+ 9 Wona athi: “Khawusuke!” Aza athi: “Lo mntu wasemzini ulilolo weza kuhlala apha, ngoku unesibindi sokusigweba! Siza kwenza ububi obungakumbi kuwe kunakuwo.” Asuka amxinanisela ngamandla uLote, atyhalela phambili ukuze aqhekeze ucango. 10 Ngoko la madoda asendlini olula izandla zawo aza amngenisa uLote, aluvala ucango. 11 Kodwa wona amadoda awayesemnyango wendlu, awenza aziimfama, ukususela kweyona incinci ukuyokutsho kweyona inkulu, kangangokuba anxapha ekhangelana nomnyango.

12 Emva koko la madoda athi kuLote: “Ukhona omnye umntu ongowakho apha? Abakhwenyana, oonyana bakho, iintombi zakho nabo bonke abantu bakho abakwesi sixeko, bakhuphe kule ndawo! 13 Siza kuyitshabalalisa ngenxa yokuba kukhalwa kakhulu ngayo phambi koYehova,+ kangangokuba uYehova usithumele ukuba sisitshabalalise esi sixeko.” 14 Ngoko uLote waphuma wayokuthetha nabakhwenyana bakhe ababeza kutshata iintombi zakhe, yaye waqhubeka esithi: “Vukani! Phumani kule ndawo, kuba uYehova uza kusitshabalalisa esi sixeko!” Kodwa abakhwenyana bakhe babembona ngathi uyazidlalela nje.+

15 Kwathi xa kusithi qheke ukusa, iingelosi zamngxamisa uLote, zisithi: “Vuka! Thatha umfazi wakho neentombi zakho ezimbini ezikunye nawe apha, ukuze ungatshayelwa nesiphoso sesi sixeko!”+ 16 Xa wayesangqunga, la madoda amthi nqaku ngesandla, abamba nesandla somfazi wakhe, nezandla zeentombi zakhe ezimbini, amkhupha ammisa ngaphandle kwesixeko,+ kuba uYehova wayenovelwano ngaye.+ 17 Emva kokuba la madoda efike nabo kummandla ongaphandle, yathi enye: “Baleka usindise ubomi bakho! Ungajongi ngasemva+ yaye ungemi naphi na kule ngingqi!+ Balekela kummandla weentaba ukuze ungatshayelwa!”

18 ULote wathi kuwo: “Mandingayi pha, owu yhini Yehova! 19 Ndiyakucela, isicaka sakho siye sathandeka emehlweni akho yaye undenzela ububele obukhulu* ngokundigcina ndiphila,+ kodwa andinakukwazi ukubalekela kummandla weentaba kuba ndoyika ukuba ndingafikelwa yintlekele ndize ndife.+ 20 Ndiyakucela, nantsi idolophu ekufuphi yaye ndingakwazi ukubalekela kuyo; iyindawo nje encinci. Ndiyacela, andinakubalekela kuyo na? Iyindawo nje encinci. Ndiza kutsho ndisinde.” 21 Ngoko yathi kuye: “Kulungile, ndiza kukucingela,+ ndingayitshabalalisi le dolophu uthetha ngayo.+ 22 Khawuleza! Balekela khona, kuba akukho nto ndiza kukwazi ukuyenza de ufike khona!”+ Yiloo nto wathi loo dolophu yiTsoware.*+

23 Lalisele liphumile ilanga elizweni ukufika kukaLote eTsoware. 24 Emva koko uYehova wanethisa imvula yesalfure nomlilo eSodom naseGomora, yayisuka kuYehova, emazulwini.+ 25 Ngoko wazibhukuqa ezi zixeko, kwanayo yonke loo ngingqi, kunye nabemi bezo zixeko nezityalo zomhlaba.+ 26 Kodwa umfazi kaLote, owayesemva kwakhe, waqalisa ukujonga ngasemva, waza waba yintsika yetyiwa.+

27 UAbraham wavuka ekuseni waya kula ndawo wayemi kuyo phambi koYehova.+ 28 Xa ephosa amehlo ngaseSodom naseGomora nakulo lonke ilizwe laloo ngingqi, wabona izinto zamehlo. Kwakukho ingqimba yomsi owenyuka kwelo lizwe, ufana nomsi weziko!+ 29 Ngoko xa uThixo wayetshabalalisa izixeko zaloo ngingqi, wamkhumbula uAbraham ngokuthi amkhuphe uLote kwezo zixeko wayezibhukuqa, zixeko ezo wayehlala kuzo uLote.+

30 Ethubeni uLote waphuma eTsoware neentombi zakhe ezimbini, waza wahlala kummandla weentaba,+ kuba wayesoyika ukuhlala eTsoware.+ Ngoko wahlala emqolombeni neentombi zakhe ezimbini. 31 Eyamazibulo yathi kwencinci: “Utata mdala, yaye akukho madoda kweli lizwe esinokwabelana ngesondo nawo ngendlela ekwenziwa ngayo emhlabeni wonke. 32 Yiza, masimseze iwayini utata size sabelane naye ngesondo, ukuze asinike inzala.”

33 Ngoko ngobo busuku zamselisa iwayini utata wazo. Yangena eyamazibulo yaza yalala naye, kodwa yena zange ayibone xa ilala naye naxa ivuka. 34 Ngengomso, eyamazibulo yathi kwencinci: “Mna ke ndiye ndalala notata izolo ebusuku. Masiphinde simseze iwayini nangobu busuku. Uze ungene, ulale naye, ukuze utata asinike inzala.” 35 Nangobo busuku, zamselisa iwayini utata wazo. Yangena ke encinci yaza yalala naye, kodwa yena zange ayibone xa ilala naye naxa ivuka. 36 Zombini iintombi zikaLote zamithiswa ngutata wazo. 37 Eyamazibulo yazala unyana yamthiya igama elinguMowabhi.+ Yena ngutata wamaMowabhi anamhlanje.+ 38 Nencinci yazala unyana, yaza yamthiya igama elinguBhen-ami. Yena ngutata wama-Amoni+ anamhlanje.

20 Ngoku uAbraham wayifudusa inkampu yakhe apho,+ waya kwilizwe laseNegebhi waza wahlala phakathi kweKadeshe+ neShure.+ Ngoxa wayesahlala* eGerare,+ 2 uAbraham waphinda wathi ngoSara umfazi wakhe: “Ngudadewethu.”+ Ngoko uAbhimeleki ukumkani waseGerare wathumela ukuba kuziswe uSara.+ 3 Emva koko uThixo wafika kuAbhimeleki ephupheni ngobusuku, wathi kuye: “Ungofileyo ngenxa yenkosikazi oyithathileyo,+ kuba itshatile, ingumfazi wenye indoda.”+ 4 Noko ke, uAbhimeleki wayengekasondeli kuye.* Ngoko wathi: “Yehova, ngaba nyhani uza kulubulala uhlanga olungenatyala?* 5 Akatshongo na yena kum ukuthi, ‘Ngudadewethu,’ naye uSara akatshongo na ukuthi, ‘Ngumntakwethu’? Le nto ndiyenze ngentliziyo enyanisekileyo nangezandla ezimsulwa.” 6 Ngoko uThixo wokwenene wathi kuye ephupheni: “Ndiyazi ukuba le nto uyenze ngentliziyo enyanisekileyo, ngoko ndikunqandile ukuba ungandoni. Yiloo nto ndingakuvumelanga ukuba umchukumise. 7 Ngoku ke mbuyisele umfazi wale ndoda, kuba ingumprofeti,+ kwaye iza kukuthandazela ikucengela,+ uze uhlale uphila. Kodwa ukuba awumbuyiseli, yazi ukuba uza kufa, wena nabo bonke abantu bakho.”

8 UAbhimeleki wavuka ekuseni, wabiza zonke izicaka zakhe, wazixelela yonke into, zaza zoyika kakhulu. 9 Emva koko uAbhimeleki wabiza uAbraham wathi kuye: “Yintoni le usenze yona? Ndikone ngantoni le nto ubangele mna nesizwe sam sone kakhulu kangaka? Ayilunganga into ondenze yona.” 10 UAbhimeleki waphinda wathi kuAbraham: “Ubuyenzela ntoni le nto?”+ 11 UAbraham wathi: “Kaloku ndiye ndazixelela oku, ‘Ngokuqinisekileyo uThixo akoyikwa kule ndawo, kwaye baza kundibulala ngenxa yomfazi wam.’+ 12 Phofu ke ungudadewethu nyhani, intombi katata, kodwa akazalwa ngumama, yaye uye waba ngumfazi wam.+ 13 Xa uThixo wathi mandihambe endlini katata,+ ndathi kumfazi wam: ‘Nantsi indlela omawubonise ngayo ukuba awugungqi ekundithandeni: Nakweyiphi indawo esifika kuyo, uze uthi ngam: “Ngumntakwethu.” ’ ”+

14 UAbhimeleki wathatha iigusha neenkomo, izicaka nezicakakazi wazinika uAbraham, wambuyisela nomfazi wakhe uSara. 15 UAbhimeleki wathi: “Nali ilizwe lam liphambi kwakho. Hlala naphi na apho uthanda khona.” 16 KuSara wathi: “Ndinika umntakwenu+ amaqhosha esilivere ayi-1 000. Abubungqina bokuba umsulwa* kubo bonke abakunye nawe, nakubo bonke abanye, kwaye awuzukuba nagama libi.” 17 UAbraham wathandaza kuThixo wokwenene emcenga, waza uThixo wamphilisa uAbhimeleki nomfazi wakhe namakhobokazana akhe, batsho baba nabantwana; 18 kuba uYehova wayebenze abafumana bantwana bonke abafazi bendlu ka-Abhimeleki* ngenxa kaSara, umfazi ka-Abraham.+

21 UYehova wabuyela kuSara njengoko wayetshilo, waza uYehova wayenza into awayemthembise yona.+ 2 Ngoko uSara wakhulelwa+ waza wamzalela unyana uAbraham, ebudaleni bakhe, kanye ngexesha uThixo awayelithembisile.+ 3 UAbraham wamthiya wathi nguIsake+ unyana owayesanda kuzalwa nguSara. 4 UAbraham wamolusa uIsake unyana wakhe xa wayeneentsuku ezisibhozo, kanye njengoko uThixo wayemyalele.+ 5 UAbraham wayeneminyaka eyi-100 xa kwakuzalwa uIsake unyana wakhe. 6 Emva koko uSara wathi: “UThixo undenze ndahleka luvuyo; wonke umntu oyivayo le nto, uza kuhleka nam.”* 7 Waphinda wathi: “Ngubani obenokuthi kuAbraham, ‘Nakanjani, uSara uza kuba ngumdlezana’? Kodwa jonga, ndimzalele unyana ebudaleni bakhe.”

8 Uthe akukhula umntwana walunyulwa, waza uAbraham walungiselela isidlo esikhulu ngemini awalunyulwa ngayo uIsake. 9 USara wayemana eqaphela ukuba unyana kaHagare+ umYiputakazi, awamzalela uAbraham untlonta uIsake.+ 10 Ngoko wathi kuAbraham: “Ligxothe eli khobokazana nonyana walo, kuba unyana weli khobokazana akazukuba yindlalifa nonyana wam uIsake!”+ 11 Kodwa le nto awayeyithetha ngonyana wakhe, ayizange ihle kamnandi kuAbraham.+ 12 Emva koko uThixo wathi kuAbraham: “Mayingakukhathazi le nto ayithetha kuwe uSara ngenkwenkwe nangekhobokazana lakho. Mmamele,* kuba inzala* oyithenjisiweyo iza kuphuma kuIsake.+ 13 Naye unyana wekhobokazana,+ ndiza kumenza uhlanga,+ kuba uyinzala* yakho.”

14 Ngoko uAbraham wavuka ngentseni, wanika uHagare isonka nebhotile yofele enamanzi. Wazibeka egxalabeni lakhe, waza wathi makahambe kunye nomntwana.+ UHagare wahamba waza wabhadu-bhadula entlango yaseBher-shebha.+ 15 Ekugqibeleni aphela amanzi awayesebhotileni yofele waza wayityhalela phantsi kwetyholo inkwenkwe. 16 Emva koko wemka waya kuzihlalela yedwa, kumgama omalunga nokudubula ngesaphetha, kuba wathi: “Andifuni kuyibukela le nkwenkwe isifa.” Ngoko wahlala phantsi, qelele, zehla iinyembezi waza wakhala kakhulu.

17 UThixo ke waliva ilizwi lale nkwenkwe,+ yaza ingelosi kaThixo yakhwaza isemazulwini yathi kuHagare:+ “Ukhalela ntoni Hagare? Sukoyika kuba uThixo ulivile ilizwi lenkwenkwe apho ikhoyo. 18 Phakama, uphakamise inkwenkwe uze uyibambe ngesandla, kuba ndiza kuyenza uhlanga olukhulu.”+ 19 Emva koko uThixo wawavula amehlo kaHagare waza wabona iqula lamanzi, waya kulo, wagcwalisa ibhotile yofele ngamanzi waza waseza inkwenkwe. 20 UThixo waqhubeka eyixhasa le nkwenkwe+ njengoko yayikhula. Yahlala entlango, yaba ngumtoli. 21 Yahlala kwintlango yaseParan,+ yaye umama wakhe wayithathela umfazi ezweni laseYiputa.

22 Ngelo xesha uAbhimeleki ekunye noFikoli, intloko yomkhosi wakhe, wathi kuAbraham: “UThixo unawe kuyo yonke into oyenzayo.+ 23 Ngoku ndifungele ngoThixo ukuba awuzukusiphatha kakubi, mna, inzala yam nezizukulwana zam, kodwa uza kundithanda ngokungagungqiyo, mna neli lizwe ohleli kulo njengomntu wasemzini, ngendlela nam endakuthanda ngayo.”+ 24 Ngoko uAbraham wathi: “Ndiyafunga.”

25 Kodwa ke uAbraham wakhalaza kuAbhimeleki ngequla lamanzi eloxuthwa zizicaka zika-Abhimeleki ngobundlobongela.+ 26 UAbhimeleki wamphendula wathi: “Andiyazi ukuba yenziwe ngubani loo nto; nawe awundixelelanga nto ngayo, ndiyaqala ukuva ngale nto namhlanje.” 27 UAbraham wathatha iigusha neenkomo wazinika uAbhimeleki, baza bobabini benza isivumelwano. 28 Xa uAbraham wabekela ecaleni amathokazi eegusha asixhenxe emhlambini, 29 uAbhimeleki wathi kuAbraham: “Uwabekela ntoni ecaleni la amathokazi eegusha asixhenxe?” 30 UAbraham wathi: “Umele uwamkele la mathokazi eegusha asixhenxe endikunika wona, abe bubungqina bokuba eli qula lembiwa ndim.” 31 Yiloo nto wayibiza loo ndawo ngokuthi yiBher-shebha,*+ kuba basenza apho isifungo. 32 Ngoko benza isivumelwano+ eBher-shebha, emva koko waphakama uAbhimeleki noFikoli intloko yomkhosi wakhe, baza babuyela ezweni lamaFilisti.+ 33 Emva koko uAbraham watyala umthi wetamariske eBher-shebha, waza elapho wabiza egameni likaYehova+ uThixo kanaphakade.+ 34 UAbraham wahlala* elizweni lamaFilisti ixesha elide.*+

22 Emva kwezi zinto, uThixo wokwenene wamvavanya uAbraham.+ Wathi kuye: “Abraham!” yena wathi: “Nkosi!” 2 UThixo wathi: “Ndicela uthathe uIsake+ unyana wakho, ekuphela kwakhe nomthanda kakhulu,+ nihambe niye kwilizwe laseMoriya,+ uze apho unikele ngaye, abe ngumnikelo otshiswayo kwenye yeentaba endiza kukukhethela zona.”

3 Ngoko uAbraham wavuka ekuseni, wabeka isali edonkini yakhe, wathatha izicaka zakhe ezibini noIsake unyana wakhe. Wacanda iinkuni ukwenzela umnikelo otshiswayo, waza wahamba waya kwindawo uThixo wokwenene awambonisa yona. 4 Ngosuku lwesithathu, uAbraham wajonga phayaa, wayibonela kude loo ndawo. 5 UAbraham wathi kwizicaka zakhe: “Shiyekani apha nale donki, mna nale nkwenkwe sisayokukhonza phayaa, siza kubuya.”

6 Ngoko uAbraham wathatha iinkuni zomnikelo otshiswayo, waziphathisa uIsake unyana wakhe. Yena wathatha umlilo nemela,* baza bahamba kunye. 7 Emva koko uIsake wathi kuAbraham utata wakhe: “Tata!” Yena wathi: “Uthini mfo wam?” UIsake wathi: “Nanku umlilo neenkuni, kodwa iphi yona igusha yomnikelo otshiswayo?” 8 UAbraham wathi: “UThixo uza kusinika ngokwakhe igusha yomnikelo otshiswayo+ mfo wam.” Baza baqhubeka behamba.

9 Bada bafika kwindawo uThixo wokwenene awambonisa yona, uAbraham wasakha apho isibingelelo, wabeka iinkuni phezu kwaso. Wambopha izandla neenyawo uIsake unyana wakhe, wambeka esibingelelweni phezu kweenkuni.+ 10 Emva koko uAbraham wathatha imela* ukuze abulale unyana wakhe.+ 11 Kodwa ingelosi kaYehova yamkhwaza isemazulwini yathi: “Abraham, Abraham!” yena wathi: “Ndim lo!” 12 Emva koko yathi: “Ungayenzakalisi loo nkwenkwe, ungayenzi nto tu, kuba ngoku ndiyazi ukuba uyamoyika uThixo, kuba khange wale nonyana wakho kum, nangona inguye yedwa.”+ 13 Ithe yakutsho, uAbraham waphakamisa amehlo akhe, wabona inkunzi yegusha phaya ibambeke ngeempondo etyholweni. Wayokuyithatha waza wayinikela njengomnikelo otshiswayo endaweni yonyana wakhe. 14 UAbraham wayithiya loo ndawo ngokuthi yiYehova-yire.* Yiloo nto kusathiwa nanamhlanje: “Entabeni kaYehova iza kufumaneka.”+

15 Ingelosi kaYehova yaphinda yamkhwaza okwesibini uAbraham isemazulwini, 16 yathi: “ ‘Ndifunga ngam,’ utsho uYehova,+ ‘kuba uyenzile le nto, yaye awala nonyana wakho, ekuphela kwakhe,+ 17 ngokuqinisekileyo ndiza kukusikelela yaye ngokuqinisekileyo ndiza kuyandisa inzala* yakho ibe njengeenkwenkwezi zamazulu nanjengesanti eselunxwemeni lolwandle,+ kwaye inzala* yakho iza kuzithatha izixeko* zeentshaba zayo.+ 18 Yaye ngenzala* yakho+ zonke iintlanga zomhlaba ziza kuzifumanela intsikelelo kuba ulimamele ilizwi lam.’ ”+

19 Emva koko uAbraham wabuyela kwizicaka zakhe, basuka apho babuyela eBher-shebha,+ ibe uAbraham waqhubeka ehlala eBher-shebha.

20 Emva kwezi zinto kwathiwa kuAbraham: “UMilka uzalele uNahore umntakwenu+ aba nyana: 21 u-Utse izibulo lakhe, uBhuze umntakwabo, uKemuweli utata ka-Aram, 22 uKesedi, uHazo, uPildashe, uYidelafu noBhetuweli.”+ 23 UBhetuweli wazala uRebheka.+ UMilka wazalela uNahore umntakwaboAbraham oonyana abasibhozo. 24 Nomnye umfazi wakhe,* owayenguRehuma, wamzalela aba nyana: uTebha, uGaham, uTahashe noMahaka.

23 USara waphila iminyaka eyi-127. Leyo yiminyaka yobomi bukaSara.+ 2 Ngoko uSara wafela eKiriyati-arbha,+ oko kukuthi, eHebron,+ elizweni lakwaKanan.+ UAbraham wamzilela uSara waza wamkhalela. 3 Emva koko wasuka uAbraham phambi komfikazi wakhe waza wathi koonyana bakaHeti:+ 4 “Ndingumntu wasemzini nomfiki kuni.+ Ndinikeni indawo yokungcwaba phakathi kwenu ukuze ndimthathe umfikazi, ndiyokumngcwaba.” 5 Oonyana bakaHeti bathi kuye: 6 “Sive nkosi yam, wena usisikhulu sakwaThixo phakathi kwethu.+ Ungamngcwaba umfikazi wakho kweyona ndawo yethu intle yokungcwaba. Akukho namnye kuthi uza kwala nendawo yakhe yokungcwaba, akuthintele ungamngcwabi umfikazi wakho.”

7 Ngoko uAbraham wasuka waqubuda kubantu belo lizwe, oonyana bakaHeti,+ 8 wathi kubo: “Ukuba niyavuma ndimthathe, ndize ndiyokumngcwaba umfikazi wam, ndimameleni ke nize nindicengele kuEfron unyana kaTsohare, 9 ukuba andithengisele laa mqolomba wakhe useMakaphela, osekupheleni kwentsimi yakhe. Makandithengisele wona ngexabiso elipheleleyo lesilivere+ phambi kwenu, ukuze ndibe nendawo yokungcwaba.”+

10 UEfron wayehleli noonyana bakaHeti. Ngoko uEfron umHiti wamphendula uAbraham besiva oonyana bakaHeti, besiva bonke nabo babengena kwigeyithi yesixeko sakowabo,+ esithi: 11 “Hayi nkosi yam! Ndicela undimamele. Thatha zombini, intsimi nomqolomba okuyo. Phambi koonyana babantu bakuthi, ndiyakunika. Mngcwabele kuyo umfikazi wakho.” 12 Wasuka waqubuda uAbraham phambi kwabantu belo lizwe, 13 wathetha noEfron besiva, wathi: “Ndiyakucela undiphe indlebe! Ndiza kukunika ixabiso elipheleleyo lesilivere ngentsimi. Mandikunike le silivere ukuze ndikwazi ukungcwaba umfikazi wam kuyo.”

14 Ngoko uEfron wathi kuAbraham: 15 “Ndiyakucela ndimamele nkosi yam. Lo mhlaba uxabisa iishekele* zesilivere eziyi-400, kodwa iqale yayintoni loo mali phakathi kwam nawe? Ngcwaba umfikazi wakho.” 16 UAbraham wammamela uEfron, waza walinganisela uEfron ixabiso lesilivere awayelibize besiva oonyana bakaHeti, iishekele* zesilivere eziyi-400 ngokomlinganiselo osetyenziswa ngoosomashishini.+ 17 Kwenziwa isiqinisekiso sokuba intsimi kaEfron eyayiseMakaphela, phambi kweMamre, intsimi nomqolomba owawukuyo nayo yonke imithi eyayikuloo mida yentsimi, 18 zithengwe nguAbraham phambi koonyana bakaHeti naphakathi kwabo bonke abo babengena kwigeyithi yesixeko sakowabo. 19 Emva koko uAbraham wamngcwaba uSara umfazi wakhe kumqolomba okwintsimi yaseMakaphela ephambi kweMamre, oko kukuthi, eHebron, elizweni lakwaKanan. 20 Ngoko oonyana bakaHeti bayigqithisela kuAbraham loo ntsimi kunye nomqolomba owawukuyo, ukuze abe nendawo yokungcwaba.+

24 Ngoku uAbraham wayemdala, iminyaka ihambile noYehova emsikelele kwinto yonke.+ 2 UAbraham wathi kwisicaka sakhe, esona sidala endlini yakhe, nesasiphethe yonke into awayenayo:+ “Ndicela ubeke isandla sakho phantsi kwethanga lam, 3 kuba ndiza kukufungisa ngoYehova uThixo wamazulu noThixo womhlaba, ukuba unyana wam awuzukumthathela umfazi kwiintombi zamaKanan endihleli phakathi kwawo.+ 4 Umele uye kwilizwe lakowethu nakwizalamane zam,+ umthathele khona uIsake unyana wam umfazi.”

5 Isicaka sathi kuye: “Ndithini ukuba loo ntombi ayinqweneli ukuza nam kweli lizwe? Ngaba ndimele ndimbuyisele unyana wakho kwilizwe owaphuma kulo?”+ 6 Wathi ke uAbraham kuso: “Ungakhe umse apho unyana wam.+ 7 UYehova uThixo wamazulu, owandithatha endlini katata nakwilizwe lezalamane zam+ nowathetha nam, wandifungela esithi:+ ‘Eli lizwe ndiza kulinika inzala* yakho,’+ uza kuthumela ingelosi yakhe phambi kwakho,+ yaye nakanjani uza kumthathela khona umfazi, unyana wam.+ 8 Kodwa ukuba loo ntombi ayivumi ukuza nawe, uza kukhululeka kwesi sifungo. Kodwa ungakhe ulinge umse phaya unyana wam.” 9 Ngoko isicaka sasibeka isandla saso phantsi kwethanga lika-Abraham inkosi yaso, saza samfungela ngalo mbandela.+

10 Isicaka sathatha iinkamela ezilishumi kwiinkamela zenkosi yaso, sangena endleleni siphethe lonke uhlobo lwezinto ezintle esazithatha kwinkosi yaso. Senjenjeya ukuya eMesopotamiya kwisixeko sakwaNahore. 11 Saziguqisa iinkamela ngakwiqula lamanzi, ngaphandle kwesixeko. Kwakumalunga nexesha langorhatya, ixesha ezaziphuma ngalo iintombi ziyokukha amanzi. 12 Sathi: “Yehova Thixo wenkosi yam uAbraham, ndicela undenze ndiphumelele ngale mini, uze ubonakalise ukuba awugungqi kwindlela oyithanda ngayo inkosi yam uAbraham. 13 Ndim lo ndimi ngasemthonjeni wamanzi, yaye iintombi zabantu besi sixeko ziyeza ukuza kukha amanzi. 14 Kwanga kungathi xa intombi endiza kuthi kuyo, ‘Ndicela uhlise ingqayi yakho ukuze ndisele,’ ize yona iphendule ithi, ‘Sela yaye ndiza kuziseza neenkamela zakho,’ ibe yiyo oyikhethela umkhonzi wakho uIsake. Xa unokwenza le nto ndiza kutsho ndiqonde ukuba uyithanda ngokungagungqiyo inkosi yam.”

15 Wathi engekagqibi ukuthetha, wathi gqi uRebheka, intombi kaBhetuweli,+ unyana kaMilka,+ umfazi kaNahore,+ umntakwaboAbraham, ebeke egxalabeni ingqayi yakhe yamanzi. 16 Yayintle nyhani intombi, ingazange yalala nandoda. Yehla yaya emthonjeni, yagcwalisa ingqayi yayo yamanzi, yaza yenyuka. 17 Ngoko nangoko, isicaka sika-Abraham sabaleka saya kule ntombazana sathi: “Ndicela undirhabulise amanzi akwingqayi yakho.” 18 Yona yathi: “Sela nkosi yam.” Yatsho iyihlisa ngokukhawuleza ingqayi yayo eyayisesandleni sayo, yasinika sasela. 19 Sakugqiba ukusela, le ntombi yathi: “Ndiza kuzikhelela amanzi nazo iinkamela zakho zide zigqibe ukusela.” 20 Ngoko yakhawuleza yawagalela amanzi kwisikhongozelo sokusela, yabaleka kaninzi-ninzi iyokukha amanzi equleni. Yazikhelela amanzi zonke ezo nkamela. 21 Lonke elo xesha le ndoda yayiyiqwalasele le ntombi ithe manga, izibuza enoba uYehova ulwenze uhambo lwayo lwaphumelela okanye akunjalo.

22 Kwathi ke zakugqiba ukusela iinkamela, umfo lowo wathatha icici lempumlo legolide eliyihafu yeshekele* ubunzima, nezacholo ezibini zezihlahla, izezegolide, zinobunzima obuziishekele* ezilishumi, wazinika loo ntombi, 23 wathi: “Khawundixelele, uyintombi kabani? Ngaba likho igumbi esingalala kulo endlini katata wakho?” 24 Yathi kuye: “Ndiyintombi kaBhetuweli+ unyana kaMilka, awamzalela uNahore.”+ 25 Yaphinda yathi: “Sinazo neendiza nokutya kwezilwanyana okuninzi, nendawo yokulala.” 26 Emva koko le ndoda yaguqa, yaqubuda kuYehova, 27 yathi: “Makadunyiswe uYehova, uThixo wenkosi yam uAbraham, kuba akayekanga ukumthanda ngokungagungqiyo kwaye uye wathembeka kwinkosi yam. UYehova uye wandikhokelela endlini yezizalwana zenkosi yam.”

28 Yabaleka ke loo ntwazana yaya endlini kamama wayo yabaxelela ngezi zinto. 29 URebheka wayenomntakwabo ogama linguLabhan.+ ULabhan wabaleka waya kuloo ndoda yayingaphandle, ngasemthonjeni. 30 Wathi akubona icici lempumlo nezacholo ezandleni zodadewabo, weva namazwi kaRebheka awayesithi: “Ithethe kanje la ndoda kum,” waya kuloo ndoda. Yayisame ngakwiinkamela emthonjeni. 31 Ngoko nangoko wathi: “Yiza wena usikelelwe nguYehova. Kutheni uqhubeka ume apha? Ndiyilungisile indlu nendawo yeenkamela.” 32 Ngoko indoda yangena endlini, waza yena* wazikhulula iinkamela, wazinika iindiza nokutya kwazo. Wazisa amanzi okuhlamba iinyawo zaloo ndoda neenyawo zamadoda eyayikunye nawo. 33 Emva koko yanikwa ukutya, kodwa yona yathi: “Andizukutya de ndinixelele into endiyizeleyo.” Ngoko uLabhan wathi: “Ungathetha!”

34 Yathi: “Ndisisicaka sika-Abraham.+ 35 UYehova uyisikelele kakhulu inkosi yam, yaye uyenze yasisityebi kakhulu, ngokuyinika iigusha neenkomo, isilivere negolide, izicaka nezicakakazi, iinkamela needonki.+ 36 Enye into, inkosi yam yazalelwa unyana nguSara umfazi wayo nowayesele ekhulile,+ kwaye inkosi yam iza kunika unyana wayo yonke into enayo.+ 37 Ngoko inkosi yam iye yandifungisa isithi: ‘Uze unyana wam ungamthatheli umfazi kwiintombi zamaKanan endihleli ezweni lawo.+ 38 Kodwa yiya kwindlu katata nakubantu basekhaya+ ukuze umthathele khona umfazi unyana wam.’+ 39 Mna ndithe kwinkosi yam: ‘Ndithini ukuba loo ntombi ayinqweneli ukuza nam?’+ 40 Yona yathi kum: ‘UYehova endihambe phambi kwakhe,+ uza kuthumela ingelosi yakhe+ kunye nawe kwaye uza kulwenza luphumelele nakanjani uhambo lwakho, uze umthathele umfazi unyana wam kubantu basekhaya, kubantu bendlu katata.+ 41 Uya kukhululeka kwisifungo ondifungele sona ukuba uya kubantu basekhaya, baze bona bangakuniki intombi. Loo nto iya kukukhulula kwisifungo sakho.’+

42 “Xa bendifika emthonjeni namhlanje, ndithe: ‘Yehova Thixo wenkosi yam uAbraham, ukuba uza kulwenza luphumelele uhambo lwam, 43 makuthi njengokuba ndime ngasemthonjeni, intombi+ ephumayo ezokukha amanzi, endiza kuthi kuyo, “Ndicela undiphe intwana yamanzi kule ngqayi yakho,” 44 ize yona ithi kum: “Ungasela kwaye ndiza kuzikhelela amanzi nazo iinkamela zakho,” ibe yiyo eba ngumfazi uYehova amkhethela unyana wenkosi yam.’+

45 “Ndithe ndingekagqibi ukuthetha entliziyweni yam, wathi gqi uRebheka, enengqayi egxalabeni lakhe, wehla waya emthonjeni, wakha amanzi. Emva koko ndithe kuye: ‘Ndicela undiselise.’+ 46 Uye wayihlisa ngokukhawuleza ingqayi yakhe egxalabeni waza wathi, ‘Ungasela,+ kwaye ndiza kuziseza neenkamela zakho.’ Ndiye ndasela ke, neenkamela waziseza. 47 Emva koko ndiye ndambuza, ‘Uyintombi kabani?’ yena wathi, ‘Ndiyintombi kaBhetuweli unyana kaNahore, awamzalelwa nguMilka.’ Ngoko ndiye ndamfaka icici empumlweni yakhe nezacholo ezandleni zakhe.+ 48 Emva koko ndiye ndaguqa, ndaqubuda phambi koYehova ndaza ndamdumisa uYehova uThixo wenkosi yam uAbraham,+ ondikhokelele endleleni echanileyo ukuze ndithathele unyana wakhe, intombi yesizalwana senkosi yam. 49 Ngoku ke, ndixeleleni ukuba nifuna ukubonisa ukuba inkosi yam niyithanda ngokungagungqiyo kwaye nithembekile kuyo, kodwa ukuba anifuni, ndixeleleni, ukuze ndibone ukuba mandibheke ngaphi.”*+

50 ULabhan noBhetuweli bathi: “Le nto iphuma kuYehova. Asikwazi kuthi ewe okanye hayi.* 51 Nanku uRebheka phambi kwakho. Mthathe uhambe, abe ngumfazi wonyana wenkosi yakho, kanye njengoko ethethile uYehova.” 52 Sakuweva amazwi abo, isicaka sika-Abraham ngoko nangoko saqubuda emhlabeni phambi koYehova. 53 Emva koko sakhupha izinto zesilivere nezegolide nezambatho, sanika uRebheka, saza sanika nomntakwabo kunye nomama wakhe izinto ezixabisekileyo. 54 Emva koko, sona kunye namadoda awayekunye naso batya, basela, balalisa apho.

Xa sivuka kusasa, isicaka sathi: “Ndikhululeni ndiye kwinkosi yam.” 55 Bakuva loo nto, umntakwaboRebheka nomama wakhe bathi: “Khawuyiyeke le ntwazana ikhe ihlale nathi ubuncinane iintsuku ezilishumi. Emva koko ingahamba.” 56 Kodwa isicaka sathi kubo: “Sanukundibambezela, ekubeni uYehova elwenze lwaphumelela uhambo lwam. Ndikhululeni ndihambe, ndiye kwinkosi yam.” 57 Ngoko bathi: “Masiyibize le ntwazana ukuze sive ukuba yona ithini.” 58 Bambiza ke uRebheka bathi kuye: “Ngaba ukulungele ukuhamba nale ndoda?” Yena wathi: “Ndikulungele ukuhamba.”

59 Ngoko bamkhulula uRebheka+ udadewabo, umntu owayemgadile,*+ isicaka sika-Abraham namadoda aso. 60 Bamsikelela ke uRebheka besithi kuye: “Dadewethu, kwanga unganda ube ngamawaka aphindwe kalishumi lamawaka,* ize inzala* yakho izithathele kuyo izixeko* zabo bayicaphukelayo.”+ 61 Emva koko uRebheka nezicakakazi zakhe baphakama, bakhwela ezinkameleni, balandela loo ndoda. Ngoko isicaka sika-Abraham samthatha uRebheka saza sangena endleleni.

62 UIsake wayevela ngaseBhere-lahayi-royi,+ kuba wayehlala kwilizwe laseNegebhi.+ 63 Wayephumile ngorhatya, ehamba-hamba ethafeni ukuze acingisise nzulu.+ Uthe akuphakamisa intloko, wabona nazo iinkamela zisiza! 64 Uthe uRebheka akujonga phayaa wabona uIsake, wakhawuleza wehla kwinkamela. 65 Wabuza isicaka sika-Abraham wathi: “Ngubani laa ndoda isihlangabeza pha ethafeni?” Isicaka sathi: “Yinkosi yam.” Ngoko wathatha isigqubuthelo sakhe waza wazogquma. 66 Isicaka sambalisela uIsake zonke izinto esizenzileyo. 67 Emva koko uIsake wamsa uRebheka ententeni kaSara umama wakhe.+ Ngaloo ndlela waba uyamthatha ukuba abe ngumfazi wakhe. Wamthanda,+ waza uIsake wathuthuzeleka emva kokufelwa ngumama wakhe.+

25 Ngoku uAbraham waphinda wazithathela umfazi, yaye igama lakhe yayinguKetura. 2 Ekuhambeni kwexesha wamzalela uZimran, uYokeshan, uMedan, uMidiyan,+ uIshibhaki noShuwaha.+

3 UYokeshan wazala uShebha noDedan.

Oonyana bakaDedan yayinguAshure, uLetushi noLewumi.*

4 Oonyana bakaMidiyan yayinguEfa, uEfere, uHanoki, uAbhida noEldaha.

Bonke aba yayingoonyana bakaKetura.

5 Ekuhambeni kwexesha uAbraham wanika uIsake yonke into awayenayo,+ 6 kodwa abanye oonyana bakhe ababezelwe ngabanye abafazi bakhe,* wabanika izipho. Waza ke wabakhulula bemka kuIsake unyana wakhe,+ ngoxa wayesaphila, baya ngasempuma, kwilizwe laseMpuma. 7 Iminyaka awayiphilayo uAbraham yaba yiminyaka eyi-175. 8 Emva koko uAbraham waphefumla okokugqibela, waza wafa aluphele yaye anelisekile, wahlanganiselwa kubantu bakowabo.* 9 Oonyana bakhe, uIsake noIshmayeli, bamngcwabela kumqolomba waseMakaphela, owawungaphambi kweMamre, entsimini kaEfron unyana kaTsohare umHiti,+ 10 ntsimi leyo yayithengwe nguAbraham koonyana bakaHeti. Wangcwatyelwa khona uAbraham, noSara umfazi wakhe.+ 11 Emva kokuba uAbraham efile, uThixo waqhubeka emsikelela uIsake+ unyana wakhe, yaye wayehlala kufuphi naseBhere-lahayi-royi.+

12 Le yimbali kaIshmayeli+ unyana ka-Abraham, lo uHagare+ umYiputa, isicakakazi sikaSara, wamzalela uAbraham.

13 Nanga amagama oonyana bakaIshmayeli, amagama abo ngokwemvelaphi yeentsapho zabo: izibulo likaIshmayeli nguNebhayoti,+ ibe nguKedare,+ uAdebhele, uMibhesam,+ 14 uMishma, uDuma, uMasa, 15 uHadadi, uTema, uYeture, uNafishi noKedema. 16 Abo ngoonyana bakaIshmayeli, yaye ngamagama abo lawo ngokweendawo zabo zokuhlala nangokweenkampu zabo,* iinkosi eziyi-12 ngokwezizwana zazo.+ 17 UIshmayeli waphila iminyaka eyi-137. Emva koko waphefumla okokugqibela waza wafa, yaye wahlanganiselwa kubantu bakowabo.* 18 Bahlala eHavila+ kufuphi neShure,+ ekufuphi neYiputa, bada bayokufika naseAsiriya. Wahlala kufuphi nabo bonke abantakwabo.*+

19 Le yimbali kaIsake unyana ka-Abraham.+

UAbraham wazala uIsake. 20 UIsake wayeneminyaka eyi-40 xa watshata noRebheka, intombi kaBhetuweli+ umAram wasePadan-aram, udadeboLabhan umAram. 21 UIsake wayesoloko emcenga uYehova ngomfazi wakhe, kuba wayengafumani bantwana; ngoko uYehova wasiphendula isicelo sakhe, waza uRebheka umfazi wakhe wamitha. 22 Oonyana ababengaphakathi kuye baqalisa ukulwa,+ wade wathi: “Ukuba iza kuba nje le nto, ndisaphilela ntoni ke?” Ngoko wabuza kuYehova. 23 Wathi uYehova kuye: “Kukho iintlanga ezimbini esibelekweni sakho,+ yaye kuza kwahlukana izizwana ezibini ngaphakathi kwakho.+ Olunye uhlanga luza komelela kakhulu kunolunye,+ yaye omkhulu uza kuba sisicaka somncinci.”+

24 Xa kwafika ixesha lokuba abeleke, tyhini! wayenamawele esibelekweni sakhe. 25 Laphuma elokuqala libomvu lonke njengesambatho soboya,+ ngoko bathi igama lalo nguEsawu.*+ 26 Emva koko kwaphuma umntakwabo ebambelele esithendeni sikaEsawu,+ bathi yena nguYakobi.*+ UIsake wayeneminyaka eyi-60 xa babezalwa.

27 Ekukhuleni kwawo la makhwenkwe, uEsawu waba ngumzingeli oyincutshe,+ indoda yasendle, yena uYakobi wayeyindoda engenakusoleka, ehlala ezintenteni.+ 28 Yaye uIsake wayemthanda uEsawu, kuba wayesoloko emphathela inyamakazi, ngoxa yena uRebheka wayethanda uYakobi.+ 29 Ngenye imini uYakobi wayepheka isityu, wafika uEsawu esuka endle, ediniwe. 30 Ngoko uEsawu wathi kuYakobi: “Khawulezisa ndiyakucela, ndiphe intwana* yeso sityu sakho sibomvu,* kuba ndidiniwe!”* Yiloo nto igama lakhe kwathiwa nguEdom.*+ 31 Wathi uYakobi: “Qala undithengisele ilungelo lakho lokuba lizibulo!”+ 32 UEsawu wathi: “Naku ndisifa ngoku! Buza kundenzela ntoni ubuzibulo?” 33 UYakobi wathi: “Ndifungele kuqala!” Wamfungela waza wamthengisela uYakobi ilungelo lakhe lokuba lizibulo.+ 34 Emva koko uYakobi wanika uEsawu isonka nesityu seelentile, watya wasela, waza wemka. Ngoko uEsawu wabudela ubuzibulo.

26 Kwabakho indlala elizweni, ngaphandle kwale yokuqala yayikho ngemihla ka-Abraham,+ waza uIsake waya kuAbhimeleki ukumkani wamaFilisti, eGerare. 2 Emva koko uYehova wabonakala kuIsake waza wathi: “Sukuya eYiputa. Hlala elizweni endikubonisa lona. 3 Hlala njengomntu wasemzini kweli lizwe,+ ibe ndiza kuqhubeka ndinawe, ndikusikelele kuba ndiza kuwanika wena nenzala* yakho onke la mazwe.+ Ndiza kuyenza into endayifungayo kuAbraham+ utata wakho ndisithi: 4 ‘Ndiza kuyandisa inzala* yakho ibe njengeenkwenkwezi zamazulu,+ yaye ndiza kuwanika inzala* yakho onke la mazwe,+ ibe zonke iintlanga zomhlaba ziza kuzifumanela intsikelelo ngenzala* yakho,’+ 5 kuba uAbraham walimamela ilizwi lam waza waqhubeka ezenza izinto endizifunayo, wayigcina imiyalelo yam, imimiselo yam, nemithetho yam.”+ 6 UIsake waqhubeka ehlala eGerare.+

7 Xa amadoda aloo ndawo ayemane embuza ngomfazi wakhe, wayesithi: “Ngudadewethu.”+ Wayesoyika ukuthi “Ngumfazi wam” kuba wathi, “Amadoda ale ndawo asenokundibulala ngenxa kaRebheka,” kuba wayemhle, esithi ndijonge.+ 8 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, uAbhimeleki ukumkani wamaFilisti, wayejonge efestileni, wabona uIsake ebonisa uRebheka umfazi wakhe indlela amthanda ngayo.*+ 9 Ngoko nangoko uAbhimeleki wambiza uIsake, wathi: “Ngumfazi wakho lo! Bekutheni ukuze uthi, ‘Ngudadewethu’?” Wathi uIsake kuye: “Nditsho kuba bendisoyika ukufa ngenxa yakhe.”+ 10 Kodwa uAbhimeleki wathi: “Yintoni le usenze yona?+ Omnye waba bantu ebenokusuka nje alale nomfazi wakho, ube ke usizisele ityala!”+ 11 UAbhimeleki wayalela bonke abantu, esithi: “Nabani na ophatha le ndoda nomfazi wayo, uza kubulawa nakanjani!”

12 UIsake waqalisa ukutyala imbewu kwelo lizwe, yaye ngaloo nyaka wavuna ngokuphindaphindwe kayi-100, kuba uYehova wayemsikelela.+ 13 Le ndoda yaba sisityebi ibe yaqhubeka iphumelela de yaba sisityebi kakhulu. 14 Yaba nemihlambi yeegusha, imihlambi yeenkomo nezicaka ezininzi,+ aza amaFilisti aqalisa ukuyimonela.

15 Ngoko amaFilisti athatha umhlaba aza avala onke amaqula awayembiwe zizicaka zikatata wakhe uAbraham esaphila.+ 16 UAbhimeleki wathi kuIsake: “Mka endaweni yethu, kuba usuke waba namandla kakhulu kunathi.” 17 Ngoko uIsake wemka, wayokumisa inkampu kwintlambo yaseGerare,+ wahlala khona. 18 UIsake waphinda wawemba amaqula awayembiwe ngemihla ka-Abraham utata wakhe, kodwa aditywa ngamaFilisti emva kokufa kuka-Abraham,+ ibe waphinda wawabiza ngamagama awayethiywe ngutata wakhe.+

19 Kuthe xa izicaka zikaIsake zisemba kuloo ntlambo, zafumana iqula lamanzi acocekileyo. 20 Abalusi baseGerare baxabana nabalusi bakaIsake, besithi: “La manzi ngawethu!” Ngoko wathi igama lelo qula yiEsek,* kuba baxabana naye. 21 Bemba elinye iqula, baza baphinda baxabana nangalo. Ngoko ke wathi igama lalo yiSitena.* 22 Kamva wayishiya loo ndawo waza wemba elinye iqula, kodwa abaxabananga ngalo. Ngoko wathi igama lalo yiRehobhoti,* wathi: “Kungenxa yokuba ngoku uYehova usinike indawo enkulu waza wasenza saqhama elizweni.”+

23 Emva koko wenyuka waya eBher-shebha.+ 24 UYehova wabonakala kuIsake ngobo busuku, wathi: “NdinguThixo ka-Abraham+ utata wakho. Ungoyiki,+ kuba ndinawe, ndiza kukusikelela ndize ndiyenze iphindaphindeke inzala* yakho ngenxa ka-Abraham umkhonzi wam.”+ 25 UIsake wakha isibingelelo apho waza wabiza egameni likaYehova.+ Wayimisa kuloo ndawo intente yakhe,+ ibe izicaka zakhe zemba iqula apho.

26 Kamva uAbhimeleki weza kuIsake esuka eGerare noAhuzati umcebisi wakhe noFikoli intloko yomkhosi wakhe.+ 27 UIsake wathi kubo: “Nizokuthini kum, ekubeni nandicaphukelayo naza nandigxotha endaweni yenu?” 28 Bona bathi: “Sibone ngokucacileyo ukuba uYehova ebekunye nawe.+ Ngoko sithe, ‘Siyacela, makubekho isifungo sokuzibophelela phakathi kwethu nawe, yaye masenze isivumelwano nawe+ 29 sokuba awuzukwenza nto imbi kuthi, njengokuba nathi singakwenzakalisanga, ekubeni siye sakuphatha kakuhle ngokuthi sikukhulule ngoxolo. Ngoku usikelelwe nguYehova.’ ” 30 Emva koko wabenzela isidlo esikhulu baza batya, basela. 31 Bavuka ekuseni ngosuku olulandelayo baza bafungelana.+ Emva koko uIsake wabakhulula, bemka ngoxolo.

32 Ngaloo mini zafika izicaka zikaIsake zaza zamxelela ngequla ezazilembile,+ zathi kuye: “Siwafumene amanzi!” 33 Ngoko wathi igama lalo yiShibha. Yiloo nto igama leso sixeko liyiBher-shebha,+ kude kube namhlanje.

34 Uthe xa uEsawu eneminyaka eyi-40 wazithathela uYuditi intombi kaBheri umHiti, wamenza umfazi, wathatha noBhasemati intombi kaElon umHiti.+ 35 Aba bafazi bamzisela intlungu engathethekiyo* uIsake noRebheka.+

27 Kwathi akuba mdala uIsake namehlo akhe engasaboni kakuhle, wabiza uEsawu+ unyana wakhe omkhulu wathi: “Nyana wam!” Yena waphendula wathi: “Tata!” 2 Waqhubeka wathi: “Ngoku ndimdala. Andiyazi imini endiza kufa ngayo. 3 Ngoku ke, ndicela uthathe izixhobo zakho, isingxobo sakho seentolo nesaphetha sakho, uze uphume uye endle, uyokundizingelela inyamakazi.+ 4 Emva koko undiphekele okwa kutya kwam ndikuthandayo, ukuzise kum. Ndiza kukutya ndize ndikusikelele ngaphambi kokuba ndife.”

5 URebheka wayemamele xa uIsake wayethetha noEsawu unyana wakhe. Ngoko uEsawu waphuma waya kuzingela inyamakazi endle ukuze ayizise.+ 6 URebheka wathi kuYakobi unyana wakhe:+ “Ndisandula ukuva utata wakho ethetha noEsawu umntakwenu, esithi, 7 ‘Ndizisele inyamakazi uze undenzele ukutya okumnandi. Emva koko undiphe nditye ukuze ndikusikelele phambi koYehova ndingekafi.’+ 8 Ngoku ke nyana wam, ndimamele kakuhle uze wenze le nto ndiza kukuxelela yona.+ 9 Ndicela uye emhlambini, undiphathele amatakane amabini eebhokhwe, awona mahle, ukuze ndiphekele utata wakho ukutya okunencasa, okuya akuthandayo. 10 Emva koko uze ukuthathe ukuse kuye, atye, ukuze akusikelele ngaphambi kokuba afe.”

11 UYakobi wathi kuRebheka umama wakhe: “Kodwa uEsawu umntakwethu yindoda exhonti;+ mna ndimpuluswa. 12 Ndiza kuthini ukuba utata uyandiphulula?+ Nakanjani uza kuthi ndiyamgezela, ndize ndizibizele ukuqalekiswa endaweni yokusikelelwa.” 13 Umama wakhe wathi: “Ukuqalekiswa kwakho makube phezu kwam nyana wam. Wena yenza nje le nto ndikuxelela yona, uyokundithathela la matakane.”+ 14 Ngoko waya kuwathatha, wawazisa kumama wakhe, waza yena wapheka ukutya okunencasa, kanye ngendlela ethandwa ngutata kaYakobi. 15 Emva koko uRebheka wathatha ezona mpahla zintle zikaEsawu unyana wakhe omkhulu, ezazisendlini yakhe, wazinxibisa uYakobi unyana wakhe omncinci.+ 16 Wogquma nezandla zakhe ngeemfele zamatakane eebhokhwe, wogquma nendawo engenaboya entanyeni yakhe.+ 17 Emva koko wanika uYakobi unyana wakhe ukutya okunencasa kunye nesonka awayesenzile.+

18 UYakobi waya kutata wakhe, wathi: “Tata!” yena wathi: “Ndim lo! Ungubani mfo wam?” 19 UYakobi wathi kutata wakhe: “NdinguEsawu izibulo lakho.+ Ndenze kanye le nto ubundixelele yona. Ndicela uvuke uze utye inyamakazi yam ukuze undisikelele.”+ 20 UIsake wathi kunyana wakhe: “Kutheni le nto mfo wam ukhawuleze kangaka ukuyifumana?” Yena wathi: “Kungenxa yokuba uYehova uThixo wakho uye wayizisa kum.” 21 Emva koko uIsake wathi kuYakobi: “Ndicela usondele mfo wam ndikuve, ukuze ndazi ukuba nyhani ungunyana wam uEsawu na.”+ 22 Ngoko uYakobi wasondela kuIsake utata wakhe, waza wamva. Emva koko wathi: “Ilizwi lona lilizwi likaYakobi, kodwa izandla zizandla zikaEsawu.”+ 23 Akazange amazi, kuba izandla zakhe zazixhonti njengezandla zikaEsawu umntakwabo. Ngoko wamsikelela.+

24 Emva koko wabuza: “Ngaba nyhani ungunyana wam uEsawu?” yena wathi: “Ndinguye.” 25 Ngoko wathi: “Sondeza ke mfo wam inyamakazi nditye, emva koko ndiza kukusikelela.” Wayisondeza kuye waza watya, wamzisela newayini, wasela. 26 UIsake utata wakhe wathi kuye: “Ndicela usondele uze undiphuze,* nyana wam.”+ 27 Wasondela wamphuza,* waza uIsake wanukisa iimpahla zakhe.+ Emva koko wamsikelela wathi:

“Uyabona, ivumba lonyana wam linjengevumba lomhlaba osikelelweyo nguYehova. 28 Kwanga uThixo wokwenene angakunika umbethe wamazulu,+ imihlaba etyebileyo,+ ukutya okuziinkozo okuninzi newayini entsha eninzi.+ 29 Izizwana mazikukhonze yaye iintlanga maziqubude kuwe. Yiba yinkosi kubantakwenu, baqubude kuwe oonyana bakamama wakho.+ Uqalekisiwe nabani na okuqalekisayo, yaye usikelelwe nabani na okusikelelayo.”+

30 Wathi egqiba nje uIsake ukusikelela uYakobi wabe naye esandula ukuphuma kutata wakhe, wagaleleka uEsawu umntakwabo evela kuzingela.+ 31 Naye wapheka ukutya okunencasa, waza wakuzisa kutata wakhe. Wathi kuye: “Makavuke kaloku utata, atye inyamakazi yonyana wakhe, aze amsikelele.” 32 Wathi uIsake kuye: “Ungubani ke wena?” yena wathi: “Ndingunyana wakho, izibulo lakho uEsawu.”+ 33 UIsake wangcangcazela kakhulu, wathi: “Ibingubani ke lo uzingele inyamakazi waza wayizisa kum? Sendiyityile, ngaphambi kokuba wena ufike ibe ndimsikelele. Kunjalonje uza kusikelelwa nakanjani!”

34 Akuweva uEsawu amazwi katata wakhe, wasitsho isikhalo, esona sakhe sakrakra, wathi kutata wakhe: “Ndisikelele, ndisikelele nam tata!”+ 35 UIsake wathi: “Umntakwenu uye weza ngamaqhinga ukuze ayifumane intsikelelo ebilungiselelwe wena.” 36 UEsawu wathi: “Ayiyo loo nto na kusithiwa igama lakhe nguYakobi,* ukuze andibhukuqe kwindawo yam kabini?+ Sewalithatha ilungelo lam lokuba lizibulo,+ ngoku uthathe nentsikelelo yam!”+ Emva koko wathi: “Awundibekelanga ntsikelelo tu mna?” 37 Kodwa uIsake wamphendula uEsawu wathi: “Uyabona, ndimkhethile ukuba abe yinkosi phezu kwakho,+ bonke abantakwabo ndibanike yena ukuba babe zizicaka zakhe, yaye ndimjizeke ngokutya okuziinkozo newayini entsha ukuze zibe sisixhaso sakhe.+ Ngaba ikho into endingaba sakwenzela yona na mfo wam?”

38 UEsawu wathi kutata wakhe: “Ngaba inye qha intsikelelo onayo tata? Ndisikelele, ndisikelele nam tata!” UEsawu wathetha loo mazwi, wabhomboloza iinyembezi zizehlela.+ 39 Utata wakhe uIsake wathi:

“Uyabona, uza kuhlalela kude kwimihlaba etyebileyo, ube kude nombethe wamazulu ovela phezulu.+ 40 Uza kuphila ngekrele lakho,+ futhi uza kumkhonza umntakwenu.+ Kodwa apho uthe wadinwa khona uza kuyaphula isuke idyokhwe yakhe entanyeni yakho.”+

41 Ngoko uEsawu wamzonda uYakobi ngenxa yentsikelelo awayinikwa ngutata wakhe,+ wahlala esithi entliziyweni yakhe: “Ziyasondela iintsuku zokuzilela utata.+ Emva koko ndiza kumbulala uYakobi umntakwethu.” 42 Xa loo mazwi kaEsawu unyana wakhe omkhulu axelwa kuRebheka, ngoko nangoko wathi makubizwe uYakobi unyana wakhe omncinci waza wathi kuye: “Jonga! UEsawu umntakwenu ucinga ukuziphindezela, ngokukubulala.* 43 Ngoko ke nyana wam, yenza into endikuxelela yona. Phakama ubalekele kuLabhan umntakwethu, kwaHaran.+ 44 Hlala naye ithutyana, ude wehle umsindo womntakwenu, 45 ade ayeke ukukuqumbela, aze ayilibale into oyenze kuye. Emva koko ndiza kuthumela ukuba uyokubizwa. Kutheni ndimele ndiphulukane nani nobabini ngemini enye?”

46 Emva koko uRebheka wahlala esithi kuIsake: “Ndiyabucaphukela ubomi bam ngenxa yezi ntombi zamaHeti.+ Ukuba uYakobi angaze athathe umfazi kwiintombi zamaHeti, njengezi ntombi zeli lizwe, busalunge ngantoni ke ubomi bam?”+

28 Ngoko uIsake wambiza uYakobi, wamsikelela waza wamyalela wathi: “Uze ungathathi mfazi kwiintombi zakwaKanan.+ 2 Yiya ePadan-aram, endlini kaBhetuweli utatomkhulu wakho, uzithathele umfazi apho kwiintombi zikaLabhan,+ umalume wakho. 3 UThixo uSomandla uza kukusikelela aze akuqhamise, akwandise ibe nakanjani, uza kuba libandla lezizwana.+ 4 UThixo uza kukunika intsikelelo ka-Abraham,+ wena nenzala* yakho ekunye nawe, ukuze ulithathele kuwe ilizwe obukade uhleli kulo njengomntu wasemzini, elo uThixo alinike uAbraham.”+

5 Ngoko uIsake wamkhulula uYakobi, waya ePadan-aram, kwaLabhan unyana kaBhetuweli umAram,+ umntakwaboRebheka,+ umama kaYakobi noEsawu.

6 UEsawu wabona ukuba uIsake wayemsikelele uYakobi, waza wamkhulula ukuba ayokuzithathela umfazi ePadan-aram, nokuba wayemyalele wathi: “Uze ungathathi mfazi kwiintombi zakwaKanan,”+ 7 ibe uYakobi uye wamthobela utata wakhe nomama wakhe waza waya ePadan-aram.+ 8 UEsawu watsho waqonda ukuba uIsake utata wakhe akazithandi iintombi zakwaKanan,+ 9 ngoko uEsawu waya kwaIshmayeli, wathatha uMahalati intombi kaIshmayeli unyana ka-Abraham, udadeboNebhayoti, wamenza umfazi, esongezelela kwabanye abafazi awayesele enabo.+

10 UYakobi waqhubeka nohambo lwakhe esuka eBher-shebha waya kwaHaran.+ 11 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, wafika kwenye indawo waza walungiselela ukulala kuyo kuba ilanga lalisele litshonile. Ngoko wathatha ilitye kuloo ndawo, waqamela ngalo waza walala.+ 12 Waphupha ebona izitepsi* ezide, zisuka emhlabeni ziyokutsho ezulwini; iingelosi zikaThixo zinyuka zisehla kuzo.+ 13 Jonga! uYehova wayemi ngentla kwazo, yaye wathi:

“NdinguYehova uThixo ka-Abraham utata wakho noThixo kaIsake.+ Ilizwe elo ulele kulo, ndiza kulinika wena nenzala* yakho.+ 14 Nakanjani inzala* yakho iza kuba njengamasuntswana othuli lomhlaba,+ yaye uza kusasazeka kakhulu, uye entshona nasempuma, emntla nasemzantsi, zize nakanjani zonke iintsapho zomhlaba zisikelelwe* ngenxa yakho nangenxa yenzala* yakho.+ 15 Ndinawe yaye ndiza kukukhusela naphi na apho uya khona, kwaye ndiza kukubuyisela kweli lizwe.+ Andizukukushiya de ndiyenze into endikuthembise yona.”+

16 UYakobi waphaphama ebuthongweni, wathi: “UYehova ukho nyhani kule ndawo, kwaye bendingayazi loo nto.” 17 Woyika waza wathi: “Iyoyikeka le ndawo! Soze ibe asiyondlu kaThixo le,+ yigeyithi yamazulu le.”+ 18 Ngoko uYakobi wavuka ekuseni, wamisa ilitye awayeqamele ngalo laba yintsika, wagalela ioli phezu kwalo.+ 19 Wayithiya loo ndawo ngokuthi yiBheteli,* kodwa eso sixeko kwakukade kusithiwa yiLuzi.+

20 UYakobi wenza isifungo esithi: “Ukuba uThixo uza kuqhubeka enam, andikhusele kuhambo lwam, andinike isonka ukuze nditye kunye nempahla yokunxiba, 21 ndize ndibuyele ngoxolo endlini katata, ndiza kuqiniseka ukuba uYehova nguThixo wam. 22 Eli litye ndilimisileyo layintsika liza kuba yindlu kaThixo,+ kwaye nakanjani na ndiza kukunika isishumi sayo yonke into ondinika yona.”

29 Emva koko uYakobi waqhubeka nohambo lwakhe, waya kwilizwe labantu baseMpuma. 2 Wabona iqula apho endle, yaye kwakukho nemihlambi emithathu yeegusha eyayibuthise ecaleni kwalo, kuba imihlambi yayidla ngokusezwa kwelo qula. Kwakukho ilitye elikhulu emlonyeni welo qula. 3 Xa ihlanganiselwe apho yonke imihlambi, babeliqengqa ilitye lisuke emlonyeni wequla, baze bayiseze. Emva koko babelibuyisela elo litye endaweni yalo, emlonyeni wequla.

4 UYakobi wathi kubo: “Bantakwethu, nisuka phi?” Bona bathi: “Sivela kwaHaran.”+ 5 Wathi: “Niyamazi na uLabhan+ umzukulwana kaNahore?”+ Bathi: “Siyamazi.” 6 Wathi: “Usaphila kodwa?” Bathi bona: “Uphilile. Nanku noRakeli+ intombi yakhe isiza neegusha!” 7 Wathi: “Kusesemini. Ayiloxesha lokuqokelela imihlambi eli. Zisezeni ezi gusha, nize niziyeke zitye.” 8 Bona bathi: “Asivumelekanga ukuba siyenze loo nto de ibe iqokelelwe yonke imihlambi, lize liqengqwe ilitye lisuke emlonyeni wequla. Emva koko singaziseza iigusha.”

9 Wathi esathetha nabo, wafika uRakeli neegusha zikatata wakhe, kuba wayengumalusikazi. 10 Xa uYakobi wabona uRakeli intombi kaLabhan umalume wakhe, neegusha zikaLabhan, wakhawuleza wasondela waliqengqa lasuka ilitye emlonyeni wequla, waza waziseza iigusha zikaLabhan umalume wakhe. 11 Emva koko, uYakobi wamphuza* uRakeli waza wakhala kakhulu. 12 UYakobi wamxelela uRakeli ukuba wayesisizalwana sikatata wakhe* nokuba wayengunyana kaRebheka. URakeli wabaleka wayokuxelela utata wakhe.

13 Wathi uLabhan+ akuxelelwa ngoYakobi unyana kadadewabo, wabaleka wayokumhlangabeza. Wamanga, wamphuza,* wamzisa endlini yakhe. Yena ke wambalisela uLabhan zonke ezi zinto. 14 ULabhan wathi kuye: “Eneneni ulithambo lam nenyama yam.”* Wahlala naye inyanga yonke.

15 ULabhan wathi kuYakobi: “Ngaba uza kundisebenzela ungafumani nto, kuba nje usisizalwana sam?*+ Khawutsho, ufuna ndikubhatale ngantoni?”+ 16 ULabhan ke wayeneentombi ezimbini. Endala yayinguLeya, encinci inguRakeli.+ 17 Kodwa amehlo kaLeya ayengenamtsalane, yena uRakeli eyinzwakazi enomtsalane nentle kakhulu. 18 UYakobi wayemthanda uRakeli, ngoko wathi: “Ndikulungele ukukusebenzela iminyaka esixhenxe ukuze ndifumane intombi yakho encinci uRakeli.”+ 19 ULabhan wathi: “Kungcono ndimnike wena kunokuba ndimnike enye indoda. Qhubeka ke uhlala kunye nam.” 20 UYakobi wasebenza iminyaka esixhenxe ngenxa kaRakeli,+ kodwa kuye yayingathi ziintsuku nje ezimbalwa kuba wayemthanda nyhani.

21 Emva koko uYakobi wathi kuLabhan: “Ndinike umfazi wam, ndabelane naye ngesondo, kuba ndizigqibile iintsuku zam.” 22 ULabhan wabahlanganisa bonke abantu baloo ndawo, waza wenza isidlo esikhulu. 23 Kodwa ngobo busuku, uLabhan wakhetha ukuthatha uLeya intombi yakhe, wamsa kuYakobi ukuze abelane naye ngesondo. 24 ULabhan wanika intombi yakhe uLeya isicakakazi sakhe uZilipa, ukuba abe sisicakakazi sikaLeya.+ 25 Ekuseni uYakobi wabona ukuba tyhini nguLeya lo! Wathi kuLabhan: “Yintoni le undenze yona? Bendingakusebenzeli ngenxa kaRakeli na? Undiqhathele ntoni?”+ 26 Wathi uLabhan: “Ayenziwa apha into yokunikisa ngentombi encinci isekhona eyamazibulo. 27 Yibhiyozele iveki yalo mfazi. Omnye uza kumnikwa emva kokuba uphinde wandisebenzela eminye iminyaka esixhenxe.”+ 28 Wayibhiyozela ke uYakobi iveki yalo mfazi, waza ethubeni uLabhan wamnika uRakeli intombi yakhe, yaba ngumfazi wakhe. 29 ULabhan wanika intombi yakhe uRakeli isicakakazi sakhe uBhiliha,+ ukuba abe sisicakakazi sikaRakeli.+

30 UYakobi wabelana ngesondo noRakeli, yaye wayemthanda ngaphezu koLeya. Wasebenzela uLabhan eminye iminyaka esixhenxe.+ 31 Wathi uYehova akubona ukuba uLeya wayengathandwa,* wamenza wakwazi ukukhulelwa,*+ kodwa yena uRakeli wayengafumani bantwana.+ 32 Wamitha ke uLeya, wazala unyana, wamthiya igama elinguRubhen,*+ kuba wayesithi: “Kungenxa yokuba uYehova uyibonile inkxwaleko yam,+ yaye ngoku indoda yam iza kundithanda.” 33 Wamitha kwakhona, wazala unyana, wathi: “Kungenxa yokuba uYehova uye wandimamela, kuba ndandingathandwa ngoko wandinika nalo mntwana.” Wamthiya igama elinguSimeyon.*+ 34 Waphinda wamitha, wazala unyana waza wathi: “Indoda yam iza kuthi nca kum ngoku, kuba ndiyizalele oonyana abathathu.” Ngoko yena wathiywa igama elinguLevi.*+ 35 Waphinda wamitha, wazala unyana, wathi: “Ngoku ndiza kumdumisa uYehova.” Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguYuda.*+ Emva koko wayeka ukuzala.

30 Uthe uRakeli akubona ukuba akamzalelanga bantwana uYakobi, wamkhweletela udadewabo waza wathi kuYakobi: “Ndinike abantwana, kungenjalo ndiza kufa.” 2 UYakobi wacaphuka waza wathi kuRakeli: “Ndisendaweni kaThixo na, okuvalileyo ukuze ungabi nabantwana?”* 3 Ngoko uRakeli wathi: “Nanku uBhiliha, ikhobokazana lam.+ Yabelana naye ngesondo ukuze andizalele abantwana,* ukuze nam, ndifumane abantwana ngaye.” 4 Watsho emnika uBhiliha isicakakazi sakhe ukuba abe ngumfazi wakhe, waza uYakobi wabelana naye ngesondo.+ 5 UBhiliha wamitha waza ethubeni wazalela uYakobi unyana. 6 URakeli wathi: “UThixo undigwebele yaye ulimamele ilizwi lam, wandinika unyana.” Yiloo nto wamthiya igama elinguDan.*+ 7 UBhiliha isicakakazi sikaRakeli, waphinda wamitha waza ethubeni wazalela uYakobi unyana wesibini. 8 URakeli wathi: “Ndiye ndajijisana nodadewethu, ndaphumelela!” Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguNafetali.*+

9 Uthe uLeya akubona ukuba uyekile ukuzala, wathatha uZilipa isicakakazi sakhe, wasinika uYakobi ukuba sibe ngumfazi wakhe.+ 10 UZilipa isicakakazi sikaLeya, wazalela uYakobi unyana. 11 ULeya wathi: “Yhini ithamsanqa elingaka!” Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguGadi.*+ 12 Emva koko uZilipa, isicakakazi sikaLeya, wazalela uYakobi unyana wesibini. 13 ULeya wathi: “Andisavuyi nje! Kuba nakanjani na iintombi ziza kuthi ndiyavuya.”+ Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguAshere.*+

14 URubhen+ wayehamba-hamba ngeentsuku zokuvunwa kwengqolowa, wafumana imithuma* entsimini, wayizisa kumama wakhe uLeya. Emva koko uRakeli wathi kuLeya: “Ndiyakucela undiphe kuloo mithuma yonyana wakho.” 15 ULeya wathi kuRakeli: “Yinto engenamsebenzi le yokuthatha indoda yam?+ Ngaba ngoku ufuna nokuthatha imithuma yonyana wam?” URakeli wathi: “Kulungile ke, makalale nawe ngale ngokuhlwa, uze wena undinike imithuma yonyana wakho.”

16 Akufika uYakobi evela entsimini ngokuhlwa, uLeya wamhlangabeza, wathi kuye: “Uza kwabelana nam ngesondo, kuba ndikuqeshe ngemithuma yonyana wam.” Ngoko walala naye ngobo busuku. 17 UThixo wamva waza wamphendula uLeya, wamitha waza ethubeni wazalela uYakobi unyana wesihlanu. 18 ULeya wathi: “UThixo undinike umvuzo wam,* kuba ndiye ndanika umyeni wam isicakakazi sam.” Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguIsakare.*+ 19 ULeya waphinda wamitha waza ethubeni wazalela uYakobi unyana wesithandathu.+ 20 Wathi: “UThixo uye wandibonelela, ewe mna lo, ngesipho esilungileyo. Ekugqibeleni umyeni wam uza kundinyamezela,+ kuba ndimzalele oonyana abathandathu.”+ Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguZebhulon.*+ 21 Emva koko wazala intombi waza wayithiya igama elinguDina.+

22 Ekugqibeleni uThixo wamkhumbula uRakeli, wamva waza wamphendula ngokumenza akwazi ukukhulelwa.*+ 23 Wamitha wazala unyana. URakeli wathi: “UThixo ukuphelisile ukwenziwa kwam intlekisa!”+ 24 Ngoko wamthiya igama elinguYosefu,*+ esithi: “UYehova undinike omnye unyana.”

25 Emva kokuba uRakeli ezele uYosefu, ngokukhawuleza uYakobi wathi kuLabhan: “Ndikhulule ukuze ndigoduke, ndiye elizweni lasekhaya.+ 26 Ndinike abafazi bam nabantwana bam endibasebenzeleyo ndihambe, kuba uyazi kakuhle indlela endikusebenzele ngayo.”+ 27 ULabhan wathi: “Ndiyakucela, hlala nam kuba le mimangaliso indenze* ndabona ukuba uYehova uyandisikelela ngenxa yakho.” 28 Wathi: “Ndichazele ukuba ufuna ndikubhatale ngantoni, ibe ndiza kukunika.”+ 29 UYakobi wathi: “Uyazi kakuhle indlela endikusebenzele ngayo nendlela ebendiwuphethe ngayo umhlambi wakho;+ 30 ngaphambi kokuba ndifike apha, ubunezinto ezimbalwa kodwa ngoku umhlambi wakho uye wanda, waphindaphindeka ibe uYehova uye wakusikelela oko ndafika apha. Ndiza kuyisebenzela nini eyam indlu?”+

31 ULabhan wathi: “Ndikunike ntoni?” UYakobi wathi: “Sukundinika nto! Ukuba unokundenzela nje into ibe nye, ndiza kuqhubeka ndikolusela umhlambi wakho ndize ndiwukhusele.+ 32 Ndiza kuhamba phakathi komhlambi wakho wonke namhlanje. Uze ubekele bucala onke amatakane eegusha aziinkunzi anamachokoza, anemibalabala nanebala elimdaka, nazo zonke iimazi zeebhokhwe ezinemibalabala nezinamachokoza. Ukususela ngoku, mandibhatalwe ngazo.+ 33 Ubulungisa bam* buza kundithethelela kwixesha elizayo, xa uzokujonga umvuzo wam. Ukuba uye wafumana iimazi zeebhokhwe ezingenamachokoza nezingenamibalabala namatakane eegusha aziinkunzi angenabala limdaka, ndakuba ndizibile.”

34 ULabhan wathi: “Kulungile! Mayenzeke into oyithethileyo.”+ 35 Ngaloo mini, wazibekela bucala iinkunzi zeebhokhwe ezinemigca nezinemibalabala, wabekela bucala zonke iimazi zeebhokhwe ezinamachokoza nezinemibalabala, namatakane eegusha aziinkunzi anobumhlophe nanombala omdaka. Yonke loo mfuyo wayinika oonyana bakhe ukuba bayaluse. 36 Umhlambi wakhe wawuqhubela kwindawo ekumgama wohambo lweentsuku ezintathu phakathi kwakhe noYakobi, waza uYakobi walusa umhlambi kaLabhan owasalayo.

37 UYakobi wathatha iintonga ezifumileyo; eyomthi westorakisi, eyomthi wom-amangile neyomthi wompleyini, wazixobula amaxolo kwavela iindawo ezimhlophe. 38 Wabeka ezo ntonga wayezixobule phambi komhlambi, emijelweni, emikhombeni yokusela amanzi, apho imihlambi yayidla ngokuya kusela khona, ukuze idumbe phambi kwazo xa ize kusela.

39 Ngoko imihlambi yayidumba phambi kwezo ntonga, ize loo mihlambi izale amatakane anemigca, anamachokoza nanemibala. 40 Emva koko uYakobi wohlula amatakane eegusha aziinkunzi emhlambini waza wajongisa ubuso balo mhlambi ngakwiigusha ezinemigca nezinebala elimdaka ezisemhlambini kaLabhan. Emva koko wayibeka yodwa eyakhe imihlambi, akayidibanisa nemihlambi kaLabhan. 41 Bekusithi qho xa imihlambi eyomeleleyo idumba, uYakobi abeke iintonga emijelweni phambi kwamehlo emihlambi, ukuze idumbe phambi kwezo ntonga. 42 Kodwa bekusithi xa imihlambi ibuthathaka, angazibeki iintonga apho. Ngoko imihlambi ebuthathaka yayisoloko isiba yekaLabhan, kodwa eyomeleleyo yayisiba yekaYakobi.+

43 Yaya isiba sisityebi ke loo ndoda, yaza yaba nemihlambi emininzi kakhulu, izicakakazi nezicaka, iinkamela needonki.+

31 Ekuhambeni kwexesha uYakobi wayiva into eyayithethwa ngoonyana bakaLabhan, besithi: “UYakobi uthathe yonke into katata, yaye bonke ubutyebi bakhe ubuqwebe ngezinto zikatata.”+ 2 Wathi uYakobi akujonga ubuso bukaLabhan, waqaphela ukuba akasamjongi ngala ndlela wayemjonga ngayo ekuqaleni.+ 3 Ekugqibeleni uYehova wathi kuYakobi: “Buyela elizweni likatata wakho nakwizizalwana zakho,+ ndiza kuhlala ndinawe.” 4 UYakobi wathumela ukuba kubizwe uRakeli noLeya, beze entsimini emhlambini wakhe, 5 wathi kubo:

“Ndiqaphele ukuba itshintshile indlela utata wenu andijonga ngayo,+ kodwa uThixo katata uye wanam.+ 6 Nani niyazi ukuba ndimsebenzele ngamandla am onke utata wenu.+ 7 Kodwa yena uzame ukundiqhatha, wade wawutshintsha kalishumi umvuzo wam; sekunjalo uThixo khange amvumele ukuba andenzakalise. 8 Xa ethe, ‘Ezinamachokoza ziza kuba ngumvuzo wakho,’ umhlambi wonke ubuzala ezinamachokoza; kodwa xa ethe, ‘Ezinemigca ziza kuba ngumvuzo wakho,’ umhlambi wonke ubuzala ezinemigca.+ 9 UThixo waqhubeka ewuthatha umhlambi katata wenu, wawunika mna. 10 Ngenye imini, xa umhlambi wawudumbile, ndawaphakamisa amehlo am, ndabona ephupheni ukuba iinkunzi zeebhokhwe ezazikhwela umhlambi zazinemigca, zinamachokoza, yaye zinamabala.+ 11 Ingelosi kaThixo wokwenene yathi kum ephupheni, ‘Yakobi!’ mna ndathi, ‘Ndim lo.’ 12 Yathi, ‘Ndicela uphakamise amehlo akho, ubone ukuba zonke iinkunzi zeebhokhwe ezikhwela umhlambi zinemigca, zinamachokoza yaye zinamabala, kuba ndiyibonile yonke le nto akwenza yona uLabhan.+ 13 NdinguThixo wokwenene owabonakala kuwe eBheteli,+ apho wathambisa khona intsika nalapho wandenzela khona isifungo.+ Phakama ke, umke kweli lizwe uze ubuyele kwilizwe owazalelwa kulo.’ ”+

14 URakeli noLeya bamphendula bathi: “Isekho na into esenokuba lilifa lethu endlini katata? 15 Asingobantu basemzini na kuye, ekubeni esithengisile yaye sele eyitya naloo mali sathengwa ngayo?+ 16 Bonke ubutyebi abuthathileyo uThixo kutata, bobethu nabantwana bethu.+ Yenze yonke into uThixo athe yenze.”+

17 Emva koko uYakobi wakhwelisa abantwana bakhe nabafazi bakhe ezinkameleni,+ 18 wawuqhuba wonke umhlambi wakhe nazo zonke izinto awayeziqokelele,+ imfuyo awayeyifumene ePadan-aram, ukuze aye kutata wakhe uIsake kwilizwe lakwaKanan.+

19 ULabhan wayeyokucheba iigusha zakhe, waza uRakeli weba izithixo zekhaya+ zikatata wakhe.+ 20 UYakobi wamqhatha uLabhan umAram, kuba zange amxelele ukuba uyemka. 21 Wabaleka wawuwela uMlambo,*+ yena nayo yonke into awayenayo. Emva koko waya ngakummandla weentaba waseGiliyadi.+ 22 Ngosuku lwesithathu, waxelelwa uLabhan ukuba uYakobi ubalekile. 23 Ngoko wahamba nabantakwabo,* bamleqa iintsuku ezisixhenxe, bamfumana kummandla weentaba waseGiliyadi. 24 Ngoko uThixo weza kuLabhan umAram+ ngephupha ebusuku,+ wathi kuye: “Uze uyigade into oyithetha kuYakobi, nokuba yelungileyo nokuba yembi.”*+

25 ULabhan wasondela kuYakobi, njengoko uYakobi wayemise intente yakhe entabeni, yena uLabhan nabantakwabo bemise eyabo inkampu kummandla weentaba waseGiliyadi. 26 Wathi uLabhan kuYakobi: “Yintoni le uyenzileyo? Kutheni ukhethe ukundiqhatha, wemka neentombi zam ngathi ngabathinjwa aboxuthwe ngekrele? 27  Undiqhatheleni, waqhwesha ungandixelelanga? Ukuba ubundixelele, bendiza kukukhulula ndivuya, ngeengoma, ngegubu nangohadi. 28 Khange undinike nethuba lokuphuza abazukulwana* bam neentombi zam. Bubudenge ke noko obu ubenzileyo. 29 Ndinganenzakalisa ndithanda, kodwa uThixo katata wakho uthethe nam kobu busuku bayizolo, esithi, ‘Uze uyigade into oyithetha kuYakobi, nokuba yelungileyo nokuba yembi.’+ 30 Ngoku uhambile kuba kudala ufuna ukubuyela endlini katata wakho, kodwa ubabeleni ke bona oothixo bam?”+

31 UYakobi wathi kuLabhan: “Bendisoyika, kuba ndiye ndacinga ukuba mhlawumbi ungazoxutha iintombi zakho. 32 Nabani na obafumene kuye oothixo bakho akazukuphila. Fanisa into yakho ekum apha phambi kwabantakwethu, uze uyithathe.” UYakobi wayengazi ukuba babebiwe nguRakeli. 33 ULabhan wangena ententeni kaYakobi nasententeni kaLeya nasententeni yamakhobokazana omabini,+ kodwa zange abafumane. Waphuma ententeni kaLeya, wangena kwekaRakeli. 34 Ngelo xesha uRakeli wayezithathile ezi zithixo zekhaya, wazifaka kwisali yabafazi yenkamela, waza wahlala phezu kwazo. ULabhan wazibhuqa kuyo yonke loo ntente kodwa akazifumana. 35 URakeli wathi kutata wakhe: “Ungabi namsindo nkosi yam, ngenxa yokuba ndingakwazi ukuphakama phambi kwakho, kuba ndifikelwe yile nto yabafazi.”+ ULabhan wazikhangelisisa kodwa akazifumana izithixo zekhaya.+

36 Waba nomsindo uYakobi, wamgxeka uLabhan. Wathi uYakobi kuLabhan: “Yintoni embi endiyenzileyo, yaye sesiphi esi sono ndisenzileyo le nto ude undileqe kangaka? 37 Ekubeni uzipeculule zonke izinto zam, yintoni oyifumeneyo eyeyendlu yakho? Yibeke apha phambi kwabantakwethu, bagqibe ngathi sobabini. 38 Kule minyaka iyi-20 bendikunye nawe, iigusha zakho neebhokhwe zakho khange ziphume zisu,+ khange ndizitye neenkunzi zeegusha zomhlambi wakho. 39 Khange ndikuzisele silwanyana siqwengwe zizilwanyana zasendle.+ Bendisibhatala ngokwam. Nokuba isilwanyana sibiwe emini okanye ebusuku, ubufuna ndisibhatale ngokwam. 40 Ndifunyenwe bubushushu emini, ndatyiwa yingqele ebusuku, ndaphelelwa nabubuthongo.+ 41 Ndihleli iminyaka eyi-20 endlini yakho. Ndikusebenzele iminyaka eyi-14 ukuze ndifumane iintombi zakho ezimbini, ndakusebenzela iminyaka eyi-6 ngenxa yomhlambi wakho, yaye wena uwutshintshe kalishumi umvuzo wam.+ 42 Ukuba uThixo katata,+ uThixo ka-Abraham, lowo woyikwa nguIsake*+ ebengekho kwicala lam, ngewundikhulule ndingaphethanga kwanto. UThixo uyibonile inkxwaleko yam nomsebenzi onzima wezandla zam, yiloo nto eye wakukhalimela izolo ebusuku.”+

43 ULabhan wathi kuYakobi: “Ezi ntombi ziintombi zam, aba bantwana ngabantwana bam nalo mhlambi ngumhlambi wam, yonke into oyibonayo apha yeyam neentombi zam. Ndingathini ke ukuzijikela namhlanje, ndijikele nabantwana bazo ezibazeleyo? 44 Yiza ke, senze isivumelwano mna nawe, yaye siza kuba lingqina phakathi kwethu.” 45 Ngoko uYakobi wathatha ilitye waza walimisa layintsika.+ 46 Wathi uYakobi kubantakwabo: “Cholani amatye!” Bawaqokelela bawenza ayimfumba, baza batyela kuyo. 47 ULabhan wayibiza ngokuba yiYegare-sahaduta,* kodwa yena uYakobi wathi yiGaledi.*

48 Wathi uLabhan: “Le mfumba yamatye ilingqina phakathi kwam nawe namhlanje.” Yiloo nto wayibiza ngokuba yiGaledi,+ 49 nokuba yiNqaba Yoonogada, kuba wathi: “UYehova makahlale esigadile xa singasabonani. 50 Ukuba uye waziphatha kakubi iintombi zam, yaye ukuba uye wathatha abanye abafazi, nangona kungekho mntu ulingqina lesi sivumelwano sethu, uze ukhumbule ukuba uThixo uza kuba lingqina phakathi kwam nawe.” 51 ULabhan waphinda wathi kuYakobi: “Nantsi imfumba yamatye, nantsi nentsika endiyimisileyo phakathi kwam nawe. 52 Le mfumba yamatye lingqina, nale ntsika bubungqina+ bokuba andizukudlula kule mfumba yamatye ukuze ndikwenzakalise, nawe awuzukudlula kule mfumba yamatye nakule ntsika ukuze undenzakalise. 53 UThixo ka-Abraham+ noThixo kaNahore, uThixo katata wabo, makagwebe phakathi kwethu.” UYakobi wafunga ngalowo woyikwa ngutata wakhe uIsake.*+

54 UYakobi wanikela umbingelelo kuloo ntaba, wamema abantakwabo ukuze bazokutya isonka. Batya ke baza bachitha ubusuku kuloo ntaba. 55 Yena ke uLabhan wavuka ekuseni, waphuza abazukulwana*+ bakhe neentombi zakhe, wabasikelela.+ Emva koko uLabhan wemka, wabuyela ekhaya.+

32 UYakobi wahamba indlela yakhe, waza wadibana neengelosi zikaThixo. 2 Uthe nje akuzibona wathi: “Yinkampu kaThixo le!” Ngoko wayithiya loo ndawo ngokuba yiMahanayim.*

3 UYakobi wathumela abathunywa ukuba bahambe phambili ukuya kuEsawu umntakwabo okwilizwe laseSehire,+ kumhlaba* wakwaEdom,+ 4 wathi kubo: “Ze nithi kwinkosi yam uEsawu, ‘Isicaka sakho uYakobi sithi: “Ndiye ndahlala* noLabhan ixesha elide.+ 5 Ndiye ndaba neenkunzi zeenkomo, iidonki, iigusha, izicaka nezicakakazi,+ kwaye ndithumela lo myalezo ukwazisa inkosi yam, ukuze indithande.” ’ ”

6 Ekuhambeni kwexesha abathunywa babuyela kuYakobi, besithi: “Sidibene nomntakwenu uEsawu, usendleleni ezayo, uyakukhawulela. Uhamba namadoda ayi-400.”+ 7 UYakobi woyika kakhulu waza wanexhala.+ Wabohlula abantu ababekunye naye baziinkampu ezimbini, wohlula neegusha, iinkomo neenkamela. 8 Wathi: “Ukuba uEsawu uyayihlasela enye inkampu, enye iza kukwazi ukubaleka.”

9 UYakobi wathi: “Owu Thixo katata uAbraham noThixo katata uIsake, owu Yehova, wena othe kum, ‘Buyela kwilizwe lakowenu nakwizizalwana zakho yaye ndiza kukuphatha kakuhle,’+ 10 andifanelwanga koku kundithanda kwakho ungagungqi nakukuthembeka kwakho kwisicaka sakho,+ kuba ndayiwela le Yordan ndinentonga qha, kodwa ngoku ndineenkampu ezimbini.+ 11 Ndiyathandaza kuwe,+ ndisindise esandleni somntakwethu uEsawu, kuba ndiyamoyika, hleze afike apha andihlasele,+ mna, abafazi nabantwana. 12 Wawuthe wena, ‘Nakanjani ndiza kukuphatha kakuhle, yaye ndiza kuyenza inzala* yakho ibe ngangesanti yolwandle, ibe ninzi kakhulu ukuba ingabalwa.’ ”+

13 Wahlala apho ngobo busuku. Emva koko wathatha ezinye zezinto zakhe zasisipho sikaEsawu umntakwabo:+ 14 iimazi zeebhokhwe eziyi-200, iinkunzi zeebhokhwe eziyi-20, iimazi zeegusha eziyi-200, iinkunzi zeegusha eziyi-20, 15 iinkamela eziyi-30 ezincancisayo, iimazi zeenkomo eziyi-40, iinkunzi zeenkomo eziyi-10, iimazi zeedonki eziyi-20 neenkunzi zeedonki eziyi-10 ezikhule ngokupheleleyo.+

16 Wanika izicaka zakhe imihlambi ihamba ngokulandelelana, wathi kuzo: “Welani kuqala kunathi, kwaye makubekho umgama phakathi kwemihlambi.” 17 Kwisicaka sokuqala wathi: “Ukuba kwenzekile uEsawu umntakwethu adibane nawe aze akubuze athi, ‘Ungokabani, uyaphi, izezikabani zona ezi zilwanyana ziphambi kwakho?’ 18 Uze uthi, ‘Zezesicaka sakho uYakobi. Zisisipho esithunyelelwa inkosi yam uEsawu,+ ibe yena uYakobi uyeza emva kwethu.’ ” 19 Kwesesibini nesesithathu, nakubo bonke ababeqhuba imihlambi, wathi: “Niza kuthetha ngolo hlobo kuEsawu nakudibana naye. 20 Nantsi enye into emaniyithethe kuye, ‘Naso isicaka sakho uYakobi sisiza ngasemva.’ ” Kuba wazixelela oku: ‘Ukuba ndiyamthomalalisa ngokuthumela isipho esihamba phambi kwam,+ mhlawumbi ndiza kuthi xa ndimbona, andamkele ngobubele.’ 21 Ngoko isipho sawela kuqala kunaye, kodwa yena wahlala enkampini ngobo busuku.

22 Ngobo busuku, wavuka wathatha abafazi bakhe bobabini+ nezicakakazi zakhe zozibini+ noonyana bakhe abancinci abayi-11, wawela izibuko laseYabhoki.+ 23 Wabathatha waza wabaweza umlambo,* waweza nayo yonke into awayenayo.

24 Ekugqibeleni uYakobi wasala yedwa. Kwafika enye indoda yajijisana naye de kwathi qheke ukusa.+ 25 Yathi yakubona ukuba ayimoyisi, yabamba usikrotyana wethanga lakhe; usikrotyana wethanga likaYakobi waphuma endaweni yakhe, njengoko le ndoda yayijijisana naye.+ 26 Emva koko yathi: “Ndiyeke ndihambe, kuba kuyasa.” Yena wathi: “Soze ndikuyeke de undisikelele.”+ 27 Yathi kuye: “Ngubani igama lakho?” waza yena wathi: “NguYakobi.” 28 Emva koko yathi: “Akuzukuphinda kuthiwe unguYakobi, kodwa uza kuba nguSirayeli,*+ kuba ujijisene noThixo+ kunye nabantu wada woyisa.” 29 UYakobi wathi kule ndoda: “Ndicela undixelele igama lakho.” Yona yathi: “Kutheni ubuza igama lam?”+ Yatsho imsikelela kuloo ndawo. 30 Ngoko ke uYakobi wathi igama laloo ndawo yiPeniyeli,*+ kuba wathi, “UThixo ndimbone ubuso ngobuso, kodwa ubomi* bam buye bakhuselwa.”+

31 Laphuma ilanga kamsinya nje akuba edlulile ePenuweli,* kodwa wayejingxela ngenxa yethanga lakhe.+ 32 Yiloo nto oonyana bakaSirayeli bengawutyi umsipha wethanga* okusikrotyana, unanamhlanje, kuba yachukumisa umsipha kasikrotyana wethanga likaYakobi.

33 Ngoku uYakobi waphakamisa amehlo akhe waza wabona uEsawu esiza namadoda ayi-400.+ Ngoko wabahlula-hlula abantwana, abanye wabanika uLeya, abanye wabanika uRakeli, waza abanye wabanika izicakakazi zakhe ezibini.+ 2 Wabeka izicakakazi nabantwana bazo phambili,+ uLeya nabantwana bakhe emva kwabo,+ waza wabeka uRakeli+ noYosefu emva kwabo. 3 Yena wadlulela phambi kwabo waza wathi xa esondela kumntakwabo, waqubuda emhlabeni kasixhenxe.

4 UEsawu wabaleka emhlangabeza, wafika wamanga, wamphuza,* zathi waxa iinyembezi kubo bobabini. 5 Uthe uEsawu xa ephakamisa amehlo akhe wabona abafazi nabantwana, wathi: “Ngoobani aba bakunye nawe?” UYakobi wathi: “Ngabantwana uThixo asibabale ngabo isicaka sakho.”+ 6 Zatsho zasondela izicakakazi, zona nabantwana bazo, baqubuda, 7 wasondela noLeya, nabantwana bakhe, baqubuda. Emva koko uYosefu wasondela noRakeli, baqubuda.+

8 UEsawu wathi: “Zezantoni ezi nkampu ndidibene nazo?”+ UYakobi wathi: “Bendifuna ukwenza inkosi yam indithande.”+ 9 UEsawu wathi: “Ndinezinto ezininzi kakhulu mntakwethu.+ Hlala nezinto zakho.” 10 Kodwa uYakobi wathi: “Hayi kaloku. Ukuba uyandithanda, umele uyithathe into endikupha yona, kuba ndize nayo ukuze ndibubone ubuso bakho. Ndibone ubuso bakho kwangathi ndibone ubuso bukaThixo kuba undamkele ngesihle.+ 11 Ndiyakucela usithathe isipho sam sentsikelelo esiziswe kuwe,+ kuba uThixo ube nam yaye ndinento yonke endiyidingayo.”+ Wamcenga, wada wasithatha.

12 Ethubeni uEsawu wathi: “Masikhululeke sihambe, mna ndibe phambi kwakho.” 13 Kodwa uYakobi wathi kuye: “Inkosi yam iyazi ukuba abantwana bathambile+ ibe ndinyamekele iigusha neenkomo ezincancisayo. Ukuba zikhe zaxheshwa nje usuku lwalunye, uza kufa wonke lo mhlambi. 14 Ndiyacela, inkosi yam mayihambe kuqala kunesicaka sayo, kodwa mna ndiza kuthi chu ngesantya semfuyo nangesantya sabantwana ndide ndifike enkosini yam eSehire.”+ 15 UEsawu wathi: “Ndicela ukukushiya nabanye babantu bam.” Yena wathi: “Ngoba? Ukuthandeka enkosini yam kwanele.” 16 Ngaloo mini, uEsawu wangena endleleni ebuyela eSehire.

17 UYakobi waya eSukoti,+ wazakhela indlu, wenzela nomhlambi wakhe amakhusi. Yiloo nto wayithiya loo ndawo ngokuthi yiSukoti.*

18 UYakobi wafika ekhuselekile kwisixeko sakwaShekem,+ esikwilizwe lakwaKanan,+ evela ePadan-aram,+ wayimisa phambi kweso sixeko inkampu yakhe. 19 Wazifumanela isiqwenga sentsimi koonyana bakaHamore utata kaShekem, ngamaqhosha emali ayi-100,+ waza wamisa intente yakhe apho. 20 Wakha isibingelelo apho wasibiza ngokuba nguThixo, uThixo kaSirayeli.+

34 UDina intombi kaYakobi awayizalelwa nguLeya,+ wayedla ngokuphuma ayokubuthela* iintombi zelo lizwe.+ 2 UShekem, unyana kaHamore umHivi,+ isikhulu selo lizwe wambona, walala naye, wamdlwengula. 3 Wasuka wathi phithi nguDina intombi kaYakobi, wayithanda le ntokazi, wazicengezela kuyo.* 4 Ekugqibeleni uShekem wathi kuHamore+ utata wakhe: “Ndithathele le ntokazi ibe ngumfazi wam.”

5 Xa uYakobi wevayo ukuba uShekem umngcolisile uDina intombi yakhe, babesendle oonyana bakhe kunye nomhlambi. UYakobi wathi cwaka bada babuya. 6 Kamva uHamore, utata kaShekem, wayokuthetha noYakobi. 7 Oonyana bakaYakobi bayiva le nto baza bakhawuleza babuya endle. Babekhubeke beyinyama yaye bevutha ngumsindo kuba uShekem wayemhlazisile uSirayeli ngokulala nentombi kaYakobi,+ into eyayingafanelanga yenzeke.+

8 UHamore wathetha nabo, wathi: “Unyana wam uShekem uthe swii* yintombi yenu. Ndicela nimnike yona ibe ngumfazi wakhe, 9 nendiselane nathi. Sinikeni iintombi zenu, nani nizithathele iintombi zethu.+ 10 Ningahlala nathi, yaye niza kuwufumana umhlaba kweli lizwe. Hlalani, nishishine nize nizinze kulo.” 11 UShekem wathi kutata kaDina nakubantakwabo: “Ukuba nindithandile, ndiza kuninika nantoni na eniyifunayo. 12 Nokuba ingaxhoma kangakanani ilobola nesipho,+ ndiza kuninika yonke into eniyifunayo. Ndinikeni nje le ntombi ibe ngumfazi wam.”

13 Oonyana bakaYakobi bamphendula uShekem noHamore utata wakhe, bebaqhatha, kuba uShekem wayengcolise uDina udadewabo. 14 Bathi kubo: “Asinakuyenza ke leyo, yokuba sinike indoda engolukanga*+ udadewethu, kuba lihlazo elo kuthi. 15 Singayivumela le nto kuphela xa ninokufana nathi, noluse wonke umntu oyindoda kuni.+ 16 Xa kunjalo ke singaninika iintombi zethu, nathi sizithathele ezenu, yaye siza kuhlala nani, sibe banye. 17 Kodwa ukuba anisimameli, ningoluki, siza kuyithatha intombi yethu sihambe.”

18 Ehla kamnandi la mazwi abo kuHamore+ noShekem, unyana kaHamore.+ 19 Lo mfana wakhawuleza wayenza le nto bayifunayo,+ kuba wayewile yintombi kaYakobi, yaye uShekem wayengoyena ubekekileyo kuyo yonke indlu katata wakhe.

20 Ngoko uHamore noShekem unyana wakhe baya egeyithini yesixeko baza bathetha namadoda esixeko sabo,+ bathi: 21 “La madoda afuna ukwenza uxolo nathi. Masiwavumele ahlale kweli lizwe aze ashishine. Umhlaba mkhulu kakhulu, aza konela. Singazithatha iintombi zawo zibe ngabafazi bethu, nathi singawanika iintombi zethu.+ 22 Inye nje kuphela into ekufuneka siyenze ukuze la madoda avume ukuhlala nathi, sibe banye, yile: wonke umntu oyindoda kuthi umele oluke kanye njengokuba nawo olukile.+ 23 Ayizukuba zezethu na izinto zawo, ubutyebi bawo nayo yonke imfuyo yawo? Thina masiwavumele nje ahlale nathi.” 24 Bonke abo babephuma ngegeyithi yesixeko sakhe bammamela uHamore noShekem unyana wakhe, yaye onke amadoda oluka, onke lawo awayephuma ngegeyithi yesixeko.

25 Kodwa ke ngosuku lwesithathu, xa ayesaqaqanjelwa, basuka oonyana ababini bakaYakobi, uSimeyon noLevi, abantakwaboDina,+ ngamnye wathatha ikrele lakhe, basiqubula eso sixeko baza babulala onke amadoda.+ 26 Babulala uHamore noShekem unyana wakhe ngekrele, baza bamthatha uDina endlini kaShekem, bemka. 27 Abanye oonyana bakaYakobi bafika kuloo madoda axatyelweyo, basiphanga isixeko, kuba ayemngcolisile udadewabo.+ 28 Bathatha imihlambi yawo yeegusha neyeebhokhwe, imihlambi yawo yeenkomo, iidonki zawo, nayo yonke into eyayisesixekweni nasendle. 29 Bathatha nazo zonke izinto zawo, bathimba abantwana bawo abancinane nabafazi bawo, baphanga zonke izinto ezazisezindlini.

30 UYakobi wathi kuSimeyon noLevi:+ “Nindizisele embi yona ingxaki ngokundenza ndibe nevumba elibi kubemi beli lizwe, amaKanan namaPerizi. Sibambalwa thina, yaye nakanjani na aza kudibana ukuze andihlasele yaye ndiza kutshabalala, mna nendlu yam.” 31 Bathi ke bona: “Ngaba udadewethu ufanele aphathwe ngathi ngunongogo?”

35 Emva koko uThixo wathi kuYakobi: “Phakama uye eBheteli,+ uhlale khona. Uze umenzele isibingelelo apho uThixo wokwenene owabonakala kuwe xa wawubaleka uEsawu umntakwenu.”+

2 UYakobi wathi kwindlu yakhe nakubo bonke abantu ababekunye naye: “Basuseni oothixo basemzini abaphakathi kwenu,+ nizicoce, nitshintshe neempahla zenu, 3 size sihambeni siye eBheteli. Apho ndiza kumenzela isibingelelo uThixo wokwenene owandiphendulayo xa ndandisebunzimeni, waba nam naphi na apho ndandisiya khona.”*+ 4 Ngoko bamnika uYakobi bonke oothixo basemzini ababekubo namacici awayesezindlebeni zabo, waza uYakobi wazingcwaba* ezo zinto phantsi komthi omkhulu owawukufuphi nakwaShekem.

5 Xa babehamba, izixeko ezazibajikelezile zamoyika kakhulu uThixo, ngoko azizange zibaleqe oonyana bakaYakobi. 6 Ekugqibeleni uYakobi kunye nabo bonke abantu ababehamba naye bafika eLuzi,+ oko kukuthi eBheteli, ilizwe lakwaKanan. 7 Wakha khona isibingelelo waza wathi loo ndawo yiEl-bheteli,* kuba kulapho uThixo wokwenene wazityhila kuye xa wayebaleka umntakwabo.+ 8 Ekuhambeni kwexesha uDebhora+ impelesi kaRebheka wafa waza wangcwatywa emazantsi eBheteli, phantsi komthi wom-oki. Ngoko wathi loo ndawo yiAlon-bhakuti.*

9 UThixo waphinda wabonakala kuYakobi ngoxa wayebuya ePadan-aram ibe wamsikelela. 10 Wathi uThixo kuye: “Igama lakho nguYakobi.+ Awusazukubizwa ngokuba unguYakobi, kodwa uza kuba nguSirayeli.” Waqalisa ukumbiza ngokuba nguSirayeli.+ 11 UThixo waphinda wathi kuye: “NdinguThixo uSomandla.+ Qhama wande. Kuwe kuza kuvela iintlanga namabandla eentlanga,+ kuphume nookumkani kuwe.*+ 12 Ilizwe endalinika uAbraham noIsake, ndiza kulinika wena, ndilinike nenzala* yakho eza kulandela emva kwakho.”+ 13 Emva koko wenyuka uThixo wemka kuye kuloo ndawo wayethethe naye kuyo.

14 Ngoko uYakobi wamisa intsika yelitye kuloo ndawo wayethethe naye kuyo, wagalela umnikelo oselwayo neoli phezu kwayo.+ 15 UYakobi waphinda wayibiza ngokuba yiBheteli+ loo ndawo uThixo wayethethe naye kuyo.

16 Emva koko bemka eBheteli. Bathi besekude e-Efrata, uRakeli wabeleka, kwaye wabeleka nzima. 17 Kodwa njengoko wayebeleka nzima, umzalisikazi wathi kuye: “Ungoyiki, kuba uza kumfumana nalo unyana.”+ 18 Xa ubomi bakhe babunikezela (kuba wayesifa) wathiya unyana wakhe igama elinguBhen-oni,* kodwa utata wakhe wathi nguBhenjamin.*+ 19 Waba uyafa ke ngaloo ndlela uRakeli waza wangcwatywa endleleni eya e-Efrata, oko kukuthi eBhetelehem.+ 20 UYakobi wamisa intsika phezu kwengcwaba lakhe. Nanamhlanje loo ntsika iseyeyengcwaba likaRakeli.

21 Emva koko uSirayeli wemka, wamisa intente yakhe mgama ngaphaya kwenqaba yase-Edere. 22 Ngenye imini, ngoxa uSirayeli wayehlala kwelo lizwe, uRubhen walala noBhiliha, owayengomnye umfazi katata* wakhe, waza uSirayeli wayiva loo nto.+

UYakobi wayenoonyana abayi-12. 23 Oonyana bakaLeya yayilizibulo likaYakobi uRubhen,+ kulandele uSimeyon, uLevi, uYuda, uIsakare noZebhulon. 24 Oonyana bakaRakeli yayinguYosefu noBhenjamin. 25 Oonyana bakaBhiliha isicakakazi sikaRakeli yayinguDan noNafetali. 26 Oonyana bakaZilipa isicakakazi sikaLeya yayinguGadi noAshere. Bonke aba ngoonyana bakaYakobi awabazalelwa ePadan-aram.

27 Wada wafika uYakobi kuIsake utata wakhe eMamre,+ eKiriyati-arbha, oko kukuthi eHebron, apho uAbraham noIsake babehlala khona njengabantu basemzini.+ 28 UIsake waphila iminyaka eyi-180.+ 29 Waphefumla okokugqibela, wafa, wahlanganiselwa kubantu bakowabo,* emva kokuphila ubomi obude nobanelisayo. Oonyana bakhe uEsawu noYakobi bamngcwaba.+

36 Nantsi imbali kaEsawu, okwabizwa ngokuba nguEdom.+

2 UEsawu wabathatha ezintombini zakwaKanan abafazi bakhe: UAda+ intombi kaElon umHiti,+ u-Oholibhama+ intombi ka-Anahi, umzukulwana kaTsibheyon umHivi, 3 noBhasemati,+ intombi kaIshmayeli, udadeboNebhayoti.+

4 UAda wazalela uEsawu uElifazi, waza uBhasemati wazala uRehuweli,

5 yena uOholibhama wazala uYewushe, uYalam noKora.+

Aba ngoonyana bakaEsawu awabazalelwa elizweni lakwaKanan. 6 Emva koko uEsawu wabathatha abafazi bakhe, oonyana bakhe, iintombi zakhe, bonke abantu bendlu* yakhe, umhlambi wakhe, yonke enye imfuyo yakhe nabo bonke ubutyebi awayebuqwebe+ elizweni lakwaKanan, waya kwelinye elizwe elikude kuYakobi umntakwabo.+ 7 Kaloku izinto zabo zaba ninzi kakhulu ukuba bangahlala ndawonye yaye ilizwe ababehlala* kulo lalingasaboneli ngenxa yemihlambi yabo. 8 Ngoko uEsawu wahlala kummandla weentaba wakwaSehire.+ UEsawu lo nguEdom.+

9 Le yimbali kaEsawu utata wamaEdom owayehlala kummandla weentaba wakwaSehire.+

10 Nanga amagama oonyana bakaEsawu: NguElifazi unyana ka-Ada, umfazi kaEsawu, noRehuweli unyana kaBhasemati, umfazi kaEsawu.+

11 Oonyana bakaElifazi nguTeman,+ uOmare, uTsefo, uGatam noKenazi.+ 12 UTimna waba ngomnye umfazi kaElifazi,* unyana kaEsawu. Ekuhambeni kwexesha wazalela uElifazi uAmaleki.+ Abo ke ngoonyana baka-Ada, umfazi kaEsawu.

13 Aba ngoonyana bakaRehuweli: NguNahati, uZera, uShamaha noMiza. Abo ke yayingoonyana bakaBhasemati,+ umfazi kaEsawu.

14 Aba yayingoonyana bakaOholibhama intombi ka-Anahi, umzukulwana kaTsibheyon, umfazi kaEsawu, awabazalela uEsawu: nguYewushe, uYalam noKora.

15 Ezi ziinkosi zoonyana bakaEsawu:+ Oonyana bakaElifazi, izibulo likaEsawu: YiNkosi uTeman, iNkosi uOmare, iNkosi uTsefo, iNkosi uKenazi,+ 16 iNkosi uKora, iNkosi uGatam neNkosi uAmaleki. Ezi ziinkosi ezaphuma kuElifazi+ elizweni lakwaEdom. Abo ke ngoonyana baka-Ada.

17 Aba ngoonyana bakaRehuweli, unyana kaEsawu: INkosi uNahati, iNkosi uZera, iNkosi uShamaha neNkosi uMiza. Ezi ziinkosi ezaphuma kuRehuweli elizweni lakwaEdom.+ Abo ke ngoonyana bakaBhasemati, umfazi kaEsawu.

18 Aba ke ngoonyana bakaOholibhama, umfazi kaEsawu: INkosi uYewushe, iNkosi uYalam neNkosi uKora. Ezi ziinkosi ezaphuma kuOholibhama, intombi ka-Anahi, umfazi kaEsawu.

19 Abo ke ngoonyana bakaEsawu neenkosi ezaphuma kubo. NguEdom+ ke lowo.

20 Naba oonyana bakaSehire umHori, abemi belo lizwe:+ ULotan, uShobhali, uTsibheyon, uAnahi,+ 21 uDishon, uEtsere noDishan.+ Ziinkosi zamaHori ezo, oonyana bakaSehire, elizweni lakwaEdom.

22 Oonyana bakaLotan yayinguHori noHemam yaye udadeboLotan yayinguTimna.+

23 Naba oonyana bakaShobhali: UAlvan, uManahati, uEbhali, uShefo no-Onam.

24 Naba oonyana bakaTsibheyon:+ UAya noAnahi. Lo Anahi, ngulo wafumana imithombo eshushu entlango xa wayesalusa iidonki zikaTsibheyon, utata wakhe.

25 Aba ngabantwana baka-Anahi: UDishon no-Oholibhama intombi ka-Anahi.

26 Naba oonyana bakaDishon: UHemdan, uEshibhani, uItran noKeran.+

27 Naba oonyana bakaEtsere: UBhilehan, uZavan noAkhan.

28 Naba oonyana bakaDishan: U-Utse noAran.+

29 Ezi ziinkosi zamaHori: INkosi uLotan, iNkosi uShobhali, iNkosi uTsibheyon, iNkosi uAnahi, 30 iNkosi uDishon, iNkosi uEtsere neNkosi uDishan.+ Ezo ke ziinkosi zamaHori ngokweenkosi zawo elizweni lakwaSehire.

31 Aba balandelayo ngookumkani ababelawula kwilizwe lakwaEdom+ ngaphambi kokuba nawuphi na ukumkani alawule amaSirayeli.*+ 32 UBhela unyana kaBhehore walawula kwaEdom, yaye igama lesixeko sakhe yayiyiDinabha. 33 Xa wafayo uBhela, kwalawula uYobhabhi unyana kaZera waseBhotsera endaweni yakhe. 34 Xa wafayo uYobhabhi, kwalawula uHusham waselizweni lamaTeman endaweni yakhe. 35 Xa wafayo uHusham, kwalawula uHadadi unyana kaBhedadi endaweni yakhe, lo woyisa amaMidiyan+ emhlabeni wakwaMowabhi.* Isixeko sakhe yayiyiAviti. 36 Xa wafayo uHadadi, kwalawula uSamla waseMasereka endaweni yakhe. 37 Xa wafayo uSamla, kwalawula uShawule waseRehobhoti engaseMlanjeni endaweni yakhe. 38 Xa wafayo uShawule, kwalawula uBhahali-hanan unyana ka-Akebhore endaweni yakhe. 39 Xa wafayo uBhahali-hanan unyana ka-Akebhore, kwalawula uHadare endaweni yakhe. Isixeko sakhe yayiyiPawu, igama lomfazi wakhe inguMehetabheli, intombi kaMatrede, intombi kaMezahabhi.

40 La ngamagama eenkosi ezaphuma kuEsawu ngokweentsapho zazo, ngokweendawo zazo, nangokwamagama azo: YiNkosi uTimna, iNkosi uAlva, iNkosi uYetete,+ 41 iNkosi uOholibhama, iNkosi uElaha, iNkosi uPinon, 42 iNkosi uKenazi, iNkosi uTeman, iNkosi uMibhetsare, 43 iNkosi uMagediyeli, neNkosi uIram. Ezo ke ziinkosi zakwaEdom ngokweendawo zazo zokuhlala elizweni lazo.+ Lowo ke nguEsawu utata wamaEdom.+

37 UYakobi waqhubeka ehlala elizweni lakwaKanan, apho utata wakhe wayengumntu wasemzini khona.+

2 Le yimbali kaYakobi.

Xa uYosefu+ wayeneminyaka eyi-17, lo mfana wayesalusa umhlambi+ kunye noonyana bakaBhiliha+ nabakaZilipa,+ abafazi bakatata wakhe. Yaye uYosefu waxelela utata wakhe izinto ezimbi ababezenza. 3 USirayeli wayemthanda uYosefu ngaphezu kwabo bonke abanye oonyana bakhe,+ kuba wayengunyana awayemfumene sele emdala, ibe wamenzela isambatho esikhethekileyo.* 4 Xa abantakwabo babonayo ukuba utata wabo umthanda ngaphezu kwabo bonke abanye abantakwabo, bamcaphukela, abakwazi nokuthetha kakuhle naye.

5 Ethubeni uYosefu waphupha waza walibalisela abantakwabo eli phupha,+ baza bona bafumana isizathu esingakumbi sokumcaphukela. 6 Wathi: “Ndicela nimamele eli phupha ndiliphuphileyo. 7 Ndiphuphe sibopha izithungu entsimini, sasuka esam isithungu sema nkqo, zaza ezenu izithungu zasirhangqa, zaqubuda kwisithungu sam.”+ 8 Bathi abantakwabo kuye: “Ngaba nyhani uza kuzenza ukumkani wethu, usilawule?”+ Batsho bafumana esinye isizathu sokumcaphukela, ngenxa yamaphupha akhe nale nto wayeyithetha.

9 Emva koko waphinda waphupha, waza wabalisela abantakwabo esithi: “Ndiphinde ndaphupha. Kweli iphupha, ilanga nenyanga neenkwenkwezi eziyi-11 beziqubuda kum.”+ 10 Wabalisela utata wakhe nabantakwabo, waza utata wakhe wamkhalimela wathi: “Lithetha ntoni eli phupha lakho? Ngaba nyhani mna, umama wakho nabantakwenu siza kuza siqubude kuwe?” 11 Bammonela ke abantakwabo,+ kodwa utata wakhe wayigcina engqondweni le nto wayeyithetha.

12 Abantakwabo bayokwalusa umhlambi katata wabo ngakwaShekem.+ 13 Ethubeni uSirayeli wathi kuYosefu: “Abantakwenu balusa imihlambi ngakwaShekem, andithi? Yiza ndikuthume kubo.” Yena wathi: “Kulungile!” 14 Ngoko wathi kuye: “Ndicela uye khona, uze ubone ukuba basaphila na abantakwenu. Uze ujonge nokuba umhlambi usaphila na, ubuye uzokundixelela.” Wamkhulula ke esuka kwintlambo yaseHebron,*+ waya ngakwaShekem. 15 Wathi ethubeni esabhadula endle, wadibana nenye indoda, yambuza yathi: “Ukhangela ntoni?” 16 Wathi: “Ndikhangela abantakwethu. Khawundichazele, bayalusela phi imihlambi?” 17 Le ndoda yathi: “Bemkile apha, kuba ndibeve besithi, ‘Masiye eDotan.’ ” Ngoko uYosefu wabalandela abantakwabo, wabafumana eDotan.

18 Bambona esekude, baza ngaphambi kokuba afike, baqalisa ukuceba indlela yokumbulala. 19 Ngoko bathi: “Jonga! Nankuya esiza laa mphuphi.+ 20 Yizani ke, masimbulale size simphose komnye wale mingxuma yamanzi. Siza kuthi uqwengwe sisilwanyana sasendle esikhohlakeleyo. Siza kubona ke ukuba aza kuphelela phi loo maphupha akhe.” 21 Akuyiva le nto uRubhen,+ wazama ukumhlangula kubo. Ngoko wathi: “Masingambulali.”*+ 22 Wathi: “Sanukuchitha gazi.+ Mphoseni kulo mngxuma wamanzi usentlango, kodwa ningamenzakalisi.”*+ Eyona nto wayeyifuna yayikukumhlangula kubo aze ambuyisele kutata wakhe.

23 Wathi nje akufika uYosefu kubantakwabo, bamkhulula isambatho sakhe, isambatho esikhethekileyo awayesinxibile,+ 24 bamthatha bamphosa emngxunyeni wamanzi. Ngelo xesha loo mngxuma wawungenanto, kungekho manzi kuwo.

25 Emva koko bahlala phantsi batya. Xa baphakamisa amehlo, babona iqela lamaIshmayeli+ elalivela eGiliyadi. Iinkamela zalo zazithwele intlaka emhlophe, ibhalsam nentlaka emnandi,+ ibe lalisiya eYiputa. 26 Wathi uYuda kubantakwabo: “Kuza kusinceda ngantoni ukubulala umntakwethu size siyifihle loo nto?+ 27 Yizani ke, masimthengise+ kumaIshmayeli, isandla sethu singabi phezu kwakhe. Kaloku ngumntakwethu lo, inyama yethu.” Bammamela ke umntakwabo. 28 Bathi xa bedlula oosomashishini bamaMidiyan,+ bamtsala uYosefu bamkhupha emngxunyeni wamanzi, baza bamthengisa kumaIshmayeli ngamaqhosha esilivere ayi-20.+ Wona la madoda amsa eYiputa uYosefu.

29 Ethubeni, xa uRubhen wabuyela emngxunyeni wamanzi, waza wabona ukuba akakho uYosefu kuloo mngxuma, wazikrazula iimpahla zakhe. 30 Wathi xa ebuyela kubantakwabo, wakhwaza wathi: “Umntwana ulahlekile! Yho! Ndiza kuyithini na le nto?”

31 Ngoko bathatha isambatho sikaYosefu, baxhela inkunzi yebhokhwe, basithi nkxu egazini. 32 Emva koko basithumela eso sambatho sikhethekileyo kutata wabo, bathi: “Sichole esi sambatho. Khawuncede ufanise ukuba ayisosambatho sonyana wakho na esi.”+ 33 Wasifanisa waza wathi: “Sisambatho sonyana wam esi! Inoba utyiwe sisilwanyana sasendle esikhohlakeleyo! Ngokuqinisekileyo uYosefu uqwengiwe!” 34 Wasuka uYakobi wazikrazula iimpahla zakhe waza wabhinqa ilaphu lokwenza ingxowa, wamzilela iintsuku ezininzi unyana wakhe. 35 Bazama ukumthuthuzela bonke oonyana bakhe neentombi zakhe, kodwa wayengavumi ukuthuthuzeleka, esithi: “Ndiza kude ndingene engcwabeni*+ ndisamzilele unyana wam!” Akazange ayeke ukumlilela.

36 Ngoko amaMidiyan amthengisa eYiputa kuPotifare, igosa lasebukhosini likaFaro,+ umphathi woonogada.+

38 Ngelo xesha uYuda wemka kubantakwabo, wayokumisa intente yakhe kufuphi noHira, umfo ongumAdulam. 2 Apho uYuda wabona uShuwa, intombi yomKanan.+ Wayithatha yaba ngumfazi wakhe, wabelana nayo ngesondo, 3 yaza yakhulelwa. Ethubeni yazala unyana waza uYuda wamthiya igama elinguEre.+ 4 Yaphinda yakhulelwa yazala unyana, yamthiya igama elinguOnan. 5 Kwakhona yazala unyana, yamthiya igama elinguShela. WayeseAkezibhi*+ ngexesha lokubeleka kwayo.

6 Ekuhambeni kwexesha uYuda wathathela izibulo lakhe uEre umfazi, igama lakhe inguTamare.+ 7 Kodwa uEre izibulo likaYuda, wenza ububi emehlweni kaYehova, waza uYehova wambulala. 8 Akubona loo nto, uYuda wathi kuOnan: “Yabelana ngesondo nomfazi womntakwenu, wenze umtshato wongeno naye, ukuze uvelisele umntakwenu inzala.”+ 9 UOnan wayesazi ukuba loo nzala yayingazukuba yeyakhe.+ Ngoko wabelana ngesondo nomfazi womntakwabo, kodwa wawachithela emhlabeni amadlozi akhe ukuze angamniki nzala umntakwabo.+ 10 UYehova akazange ayithande into awayenzayo, ngoko naye wambulala.+ 11 UYuda wathi kuTamare umolokazana wakhe: “Hlala ungumhlolokazi endlini katata wakho ade uShela unyana wam akhule,” kuba wayezixelele oku: ‘Naye usenokufa njengabantakwabo.’+ Ngoko uTamare wemka wayokuhlala endlini katata wakhe.

12 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, umfazi kaYuda, oyintombi kaShuwa+ wafa. UYuda wahlala ezilile lonke ixesha lokuzila, emva koko wenyuka waya kubachebi beegusha zakhe eTimna,+ yena noHira isihlobo sakhe esingumAdulam.+ 13 Kwathiwa kuTamare: “Nanko utatazala wakho enyuka eyokucheba iigusha zakhe eTimna.” 14 Akuyiva loo nto, wazikhulula iimpahla zakhe zokuzila, wazogquma ubuso, wahlala ngakwigeyithi yase-Enayim, engakwindlela eya eTimna. Kaloku wabona ukuba uShela ukhulile kodwa akakanikelwa kuye abe ngumfazi wakhe.+

15 Uthe uYuda akumbona, ngoko nangoko wacinga ukuba ngumfazi othengisa ngomzimba, kuba wayezogqume ubuso. 16 Wathi cebu endleleni waya kuye, wathi: “Khawundivumele ndabelane nawe ngesondo,” kuba wayengazi ukuba ngumolokazana wakhe.+ Yena wathi: “Uza kundinika ntoni ngokwabelana nam ngesondo?” 17 UYuda wathi: “Ndiza kukuthumelela itakane lebhokhwe endilithathe kumhlambi wam.” Yena wathi: “Uza kundinika ntoni ke eza kuba sisibambiso, de ulithumele?” 18 UYuda wathi: “Ufuna isibambiso esinjani?” UTamare wathi: “Iringi yakho yokubeka isitampu,+ intambo yakho nentonga yakho esesandleni sakho.” Wamnika ezo zinto, waza ke wabelana naye ngesondo, wammithisa. 19 Emva koko uTamare waphakama wemka, wazikhulula izinto ebezogqume ngazo waza wanxiba iimpahla zakhe zokuzila.

20 UYuda walithumela itakane lebhokhwe ngomhlobo wakhe ongumAdulam,+ ukuze aphinde azifumane izinto ebebambise ngazo kuloo mfazi, kodwa akazange amfumane. 21 Wabuzisa kumadoda aloo ndawo, esithi: “Uphi laa mfazi wasetempileni othengisa ngomzimba, owayeba ngasendleleni e-Enayim?” Athi: “Zange kwabakho mfazi wasetempileni uthengisa ngomzimba kule ndawo.” 22 Ekugqibeleni wabuyela kuYuda, wathi: “Andimfumananga, futhi abantu bala ndawo bathe, ‘Zange kwabakho mfazi wasetempileni uthengisa ngomzimba kule ndawo.’ ” 23 UYuda wathi: “Makazithathe, ukuze singadelwa. Mna ndilithumele itakane, kodwa khange umfumane.”

24 Malunga neenyanga ezintathu emva koko, kwathiwa kuYuda: “UTamare umolokazana wakho uye wazenza umfazi othengisa ngomzimba, ibe ukhulelwe ngenxa yale nto ayenzileyo.” Akuyiva loo nto, uYuda wathi: “Mkhupheni atshiswe.”+ 25 Xa wayekhutshwa, wathumela umntu ukuba ayokuthi kutatazala wakhe: “Ndimithiswe yindoda engumnikazi wezi zinto.” Emva koko wathi: “Ndicela uzijonge ukuze ubone ukuba zezikabani na, le ringi yokubeka isitampu, le ntambo nale ntonga.”+ 26 Wazijonga uYuda ezo zinto waza wathi: “Yena ulilungisa kakhulu kunam, kuba andimnikelanga kuShela unyana wam.”+ Emva koko akaphindanga wabelana naye ngesondo.

27 Xa kwafika ixesha lokuba abeleke, wayenamawele esibelekweni sakhe. 28 Wathi xa ebeleka, elinye iwele lakhupha isandla, waza ngokukhawuleza umzalisikazi wathatha intambo ebomvu krwe wayibophelela esandleni salo, wathi: “Eli liphume kuqala.” 29 Kodwa lathi lakusibuyisa isandla salo, kwaphuma umntakwalo, waza umzalisikazi wathi: “Yhoo awatyhoboza nje!” Ngoko wathiywa igama elinguPeretse.*+ 30 Emva koko, kwaphuma umntakwalo owayenentambo ebomvu krwe esandleni sakhe, yena wathiywa igama elinguZera.+

39 Ngoku uYosefu wayesiwe eYiputa,+ waza umYiputa onguPotifare,+ igosa lasebukhosini likaFaro, umphathi woonogada, wamthenga kumaIshmayeli+ awayemse apho. 2 Kodwa uYehova wayekunye noYosefu.+ Loo nto yamenza waphumelela waza waphatha endlini yenkosi yakhe engumYiputa. 3 Inkosi yakhe yabona ukuba uYehova wayenaye ibe yonke into awayeyenza uYosefu, uYehova wayeyenza iphumelele.

4 UYosefu waya ethandwa yinkosi yakhe, waza waba sisicaka sayo esithembileyo. Ngoko yammisela ukuba ajongane nendlu yayo, aze aphathe yonke into yayo. 5 UYehova waqhubeka eyisikelela indlu yomYiputa ngenxa kaYosefu, ukususela ngexesha awammisela ngalo ukuba aphathe indlu yakhe nayo yonke into yakhe, waza uYehova wayisikelela yonke into awayenayo endlini nasentsimini.+ 6 Ekugqibeleni waziphathisa uYosefu zonke izinto awayenazo, ibe wayengaziqhekezi ntloko ngayo yonke enye into ngaphandle nje kokutya akutyayo. UYosefu ke wayemile kakuhle, eyinzwana.

7 Emva kwayo yonke loo nto, umfazi wenkosi yakhe wamncwasa uYosefu waza wathi: “Ndilale.” 8 Kodwa wala waza wathi kumfazi wenkosi yakhe: “Inkosi yam ayazi nokuba kukho ntoni kule ndlu, ibe indibeke ukuba ndijongane nayo yonke into yayo. 9 Akukho namnye umntu omkhulu kunam kule ndlu, ibe inkosi yam ayindibandezanga nantoni na ngaphandle nje kwakho, kuba ungumfazi wayo. Ngoko ndingathini ukwenza into embi kangaka ndize ndone uThixo?”+

10 Yonke imihla wayezithethela kuYosefu, kodwa yena akazange avume ukulala naye okanye ahlale ekunye naye. 11 Kodwa kwathi ngenye imini xa wangena endlini eyokwenza umsebenzi wakhe, kwabe kungekho nesinye isicaka endlini. 12 Ngoko wamthi nqaku ngesambatho sakhe, wathi: “Ndilale!” Kodwa wasishiya isambatho sakhe apho esandleni sakhe waza wabaleka waphuma. 13 Uthe lo mfazi akubona ukuba uYosefu ushiye isambatho sakhe waza wabaleka, 14 wakhalela amadoda endlu yakhe esithi: “Jongani! Usizisele lo mHebhere ukuba asenze intlekisa. Uze kum ukuze andilale, kodwa ndasithula phezulu isikhalo. 15 Uthe akundiva ndikhwaza, ndikhala, wasishiya apho isambatho sakhe ecaleni kwam waza wabaleka waphuma.” 16 Wasibeka ecaleni kwakhe eso sambatho de yafika inkosi yakhe endlini.

17 Wayixelela laa nto ebeyithethile wathi: “Esa sicaka somHebhere usizisele sona, size kum sizokundenza intlekisa. 18 Ndithe ndakukhala, ndikhwaza, sashiya isambatho saso ecaleni kwam, sabaleka saphuma.” 19 Ithe nje yakumva umfazi wayo esithi: “Isicaka sakho senze ezi zinto kum,” yacaphuka kakhulu. 20 Ngoko inkosi kaYosefu yamthatha yamfaka ejele, apho kwakuvalelwa amabanjwa kakumkani, waza wahlala apho.+

21 Kodwa ke uYehova akazange amshiye uYosefu, embonisa uthando olungagungqiyo waza wamenza wathandwa ligosa eliyintloko lejele.+ 22 Ngoko igosa eliyintloko lejele labeka uYosefu ukuba aphathe onke amabanjwa, ibe yonke into awayeyenza apho, yayijongwe nguye.+ 23 Igosa eliyintloko lasejele lalingazikhathazi ngayo nantoni na eyayiphethwe nguYosefu, kuba uYehova wayekunye noYosefu ibe uYehova wayesenza yonke into awayeyenza iphumelele.+

40 Emva kwayo yonke loo nto, umphathi wabangcamli+ bakakumkani waseYiputa nomphathi wababhaki bayona inkosi yabo, ukumkani waseYiputa. 2 Amcaphukisa uFaro la magosa akhe mabini, umphathi wabangcamli nomphathi wababhaki,+ 3 waza wabaphosa kwijele esendlini yomphathi woonogada,+ apho wayevalelwe khona uYosefu.+ 4 Emva koko, umphathi woonogada wabeka uYosefu ukuba abe kunye nabo aze abahoye,+ yaye lahamba ixesha* besejele.

5 Umngcamli nombhaki kakumkani waseYiputa, ababevalelwe kule jele, baphupha ngobusuku obunye, abe amaphupha abo engathethi nto ifanayo. 6 Kusasa, uYosefu wafika bebonakala bekhathazekile. 7 Ngoko wawabuza la magosa kaFaro awayebanjwe kunye naye endlini yenkosi yakhe, esithi: “Kutheni ninxubile nje namhlanje?” 8 Athi: “Sobabini siye saphupha, kodwa ke ngoku asinatoliki.” UYosefu wathi: “AyingoThixo na otolikayo?+ Khanindibalisele.”

9 Umphathi wabangcamli wambalisela uYosefu iphupha lakhe, esithi: “Ephupheni lam, ndibone umthi weediliya uphambi kwam. 10 Kulo mthi bekukho amasetyana amathathu. Uthe xa uhluma amathupha, wadubula, kwaphuma izihlahla ezineediliya ezivuthiweyo. 11 Esandleni sam bekukho indebe kaFaro, ndazithatha ezo diliya ndazikhamela kuyo. Emva koko ndayibeka esandleni sikaFaro.” 12 Wathi ke uYosefu kuye: “Nantsi into ethethwa leli phupha: La masetyana mathathu ziintsuku ezintathu. 13 Kwiintsuku ezintathu ukususela ngoku, uFaro uza kukukhulula,* akubuyisele kwisikhundla sakho,+ yaye uza kubeka indebe kaFaro esandleni sakhe njengoko ubusenza ngokuya ubungumngcamli wakhe.+ 14 Kodwa ke uze undikhumbule xa izinto zikuhambela kakuhle. Ndicela uze undibonise uthando olungagungqiyo, uthethe ngam kuFaro, ukuze ndiphume kule ndawo. 15 Enyanisweni ndaxhwilwa elizweni lamaHebhere,+ yaye nalapha akukho nto ndiyenzileyo ebangela ukuba bandivalele ejele.”*+

16 Xa umphathi wababhaki wabonayo ukuba uYosefu uchaze ukuba kuza kwenzeka izinto ezintle, wathi: “Nam bendiphuphile, ndiphuphe ndithwele iibhaskithi ezintathu ezinesonka esimhlophe. 17 Kwibhaskithi engaphezulu bekukho zonke iintlobo zezinto ezibhakiweyo zikaFaro, kukho iintaka ezityayo kuyo.” 18 Wamphendula ke uYosefu wathi: “Nantsi into ethethwa leli phupha: Ezi bhaskithi zintathu ziintsuku ezintathu. 19 Kwiintsuku ezintathu ukususela ngoku, uFaro uza kukunqumla intloko,* akuxhome esibondeni, zize iintaka ziyitye inyama yakho.”+

20 Ngolo suku lwesithathu ke yayingumhla wokuzalwa kukaFaro,+ yaye wazenzela itheko zonke izicaka zakhe, waza wakhupha* umphathi wabangcamli nomphathi wababhaki, phambi kwezicaka zakhe. 21 Wambuyisela umphathi wabangcamli esikhundleni sakhe sokuba ngumngcamli, waqhubeka enika uFaro indebe. 22 Kodwa wamxhoma umphathi wababhaki, kanye njengoko uYosefu wayetshilo.+ 23 Kodwa ke umphathi wabangcamli akazange amkhumbule uYosefu. Wayesoloko emlibala.+

41 Ekupheleni kweminyaka emibini, uFaro waphupha+ emi ngakuMlambo UmNayile. 2 Nako kuphuma kumNayile iinkomo ezisixhenxe ezintle nezityebileyo, zisitya ingca engakumNayile.+ 3 Kwaphuma ezinye iinkomo ezisixhenxe emva kwezo kumNayile, ezi zazimbi kwaye zibhityile. Zema ecaleni kweenkomo ezityebileyo, ngakudonga lomNayile. 4 Iinkomo ezazimbi futhi zibhityile zatya iinkomo ezisixhenxe ezazintle nezazityebile. UFaro waphaphama xa kulapho.

5 Emva koko waphinda walala waza waphupha okwesibini. Wabona izikhwebu ezisixhenxe ziphuma kudiza olunye, zityebile kwaye zizihle.+ 6 Wabona nezikhwebu ezisixhenxe, ezintshwencileyo nezitshiswe ngumoya wasempuma, zikhula emva kwazo. 7 Izikhwebu ezintshwencileyo zaziginya ezo zikhwebu zisixhenxe zityebileyo nezichumileyo. UFaro uvuke xa kulapho, waqonda ukuba ebephupha.

8 Kusasa waphazamiseka emoyeni. Ngoko wathumela ukuba kubizwe bonke ababingeleli baseYiputa abenza imilingo nazo zonke izilumko zelo lizwe, waza uFaro wababalisela amaphupha akhe, kodwa nkqi ukuba kubekho umntu okwaziyo ukuwatolikela uFaro.

9 Ngoko umphathi wabangcamli wathetha noFaro, esithi: “Ndiyazivuma izono zam namhlanje. 10 Izicaka zikaFaro zamcaphukisa. Ngoko wandiphosa ejele, endlini yomphathi woonogada, mna nomphathi wababhaki.+ 11 Emva koko sobabini saphupha iphupha ngobusuku obunye. Ngamnye kuthi waphupha iphupha lakhe elahlukileyo.+ 12 Sasinomfana womHebhere apho, isicaka somphathi woonogada.+ Sathi sakumxelela,+ wasitolikela amaphupha ethu. Watolikela ngamnye wethu into ethethwa liphupha lakhe. 13 Kwenzeka kanye le nto wayeyitshilo. Mna ndabuyiselwa kwisikhundla sam, yona enye indoda yaxhonywa.”+

14 Ngoko uFaro wathumela ukuba kuziswe uYosefu,+ waza wakhutshwa ngokukhawuleza ejele.*+ Wacheba, watshintsha neempahla zakhe, emva koko weza kuFaro. 15 UFaro wathi kuYosefu: “Ndiphuphe iphupha, kodwa akukho mntu wakulitolika. Ndive kusithiwa wena uyaliva iphupha uze ulitolike.”+ 16 UYosefu wathi kuFaro: “Ungade ulindele nto kum! NguThixo oza kuchazela uFaro ngemeko yakhe.”+

17 UFaro wathi kuYosefu: “Ndiphuphe ndimi kudonga loMlambo UmNayile. 18 Ndibone kuphuma kumNayile iinkomo ezisixhenxe, ezityebileyo nezintle, zatya ingca yomNayile.+ 19 Ndibone nezinye iinkomo ezisixhenxe zinyuka emva kwazo, ezi bezibuthathaka, zimbi kakhulu yaye zibhityile. Zange ndazibona ezimbi njengazo kulo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa. 20 Iinkomo ezinqinileyo nezimbi ziye zazitya zazigqiba iinkomo ezisixhenxe zokuqala ezityebileyo. 21 Kodwa emva kokuba zizigqibile, akakho umntu obenokutsho ukuba zizityile, kuba bezisembi njengasekuqaleni. Ndivuke xa kulapho ke.

22 “Emva koko ndiphinde ndaphupha izikhwebu ezisixhenxe ziphuma eludizeni olunye, zichumile yaye zizihle.+ 23 Ndibone nezinye izikhwebu ezisixhenxe ezibunileyo, zintshwencile, zitshiswe ngumoya wasempuma, zikhula emva kwezo. 24 Zaza izikhwebu ezintshwencileyo zaziginya ezo zikhwebu zisixhenxe zihle. Ngoko ndiye ndachazela ababingeleli abenza imilingo,+ kodwa akubangakho namnye ukwazileyo ukundicacisela.”+

25 Wathi ke uYosefu kuFaro: “Amaphupha kaFaro aliphupha elinye. UThixo wokwenene umxelele uFaro into yena aza kuyenza.+ 26 Iinkomo ezisixhenxe ezintle yiminyaka esixhenxe. Kunjalo ke nangezikhwebu ezisixhenxe ezintle, yiminyaka esixhenxe. Amaphupha la aliphupha elinye. 27 Iinkomo ezisixhenxe ezinqinileyo nezimbi eziphume emva kwazo, ziyiminyaka esixhenxe, nezikhwebu ezisixhenxe ezingenanto ezitshiswe ngumoya wasempuma, ziza kuba yiminyaka esixhenxe yendlala. 28 Kunjengokuba bendimxelele uFaro: UThixo wokwenene ubangele uFaro wayibona into aza kuyenza.

29 “Kuza iminyaka esixhenxe yentlutha enkulu kulo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa. 30 Kodwa nakanjani emva kwaleyo, kuza kubakho iminyaka esixhenxe yendlala, kwaye intlutha ebikho elizweni laseYiputa iza kulityalwa ize indlala ilonakalise ilizwe.+ 31 Iza kulibaleka intlutha ebikhe yakho elizweni ngenxa yaloo ndlala iza kubakho emva kwayo, kuba iza kuba qatha. 32 Ekubeni eli phupha liphindwe kabini kuFaro, oku kubonisa ukuba le nto imiselwe nguThixo wokwenene ayizukujika, ibe sekusondele ukuba uThixo wokwenene ayenze.

33 “Ngoko uFaro makakhangele indoda elumkileyo neqondayo, ayibeke iphathe ilizwe laseYiputa. 34 UFaro makabeke abaphathi elizweni, aqokelele isihlanu semveliso yelizwe laseYiputa kwiminyaka esixhenxe yentlutha.+ 35 Mabakuqokelele konke ukutya kwale minyaka yentlutha izayo, kuze oko kutya kuqokelelweyo kube phantsi kwegunya likaFaro, kube kukutya okugcinwe kwizixeko, yaye bamele bagade apho.+ 36 Oko kutya kumele kondle abantu belizwe kwiminyaka esixhenxe yendlala, eza kubakho kwilizwe laseYiputa, ukuze ilizwe lingabulawa yindlala.”+

37 Yabonakala ilicebo elihle le nto kuFaro nakuzo zonke izicaka zakhe. 38 Ngoko uFaro wathi kwizicaka zakhe: “Singamfumana na omnye umntu onjengalo, onomoya kaThixo?” 39 Emva koko uFaro wathi kuYosefu: “Ekubeni uThixo ekwazise yonke le nto, akakho omnye umntu oqondayo nosisilumko njengawe. 40 Wena lo, uza kuba phezu kwendlu yam, yaye bonke abantu bam baza kukuthobela ngokupheleleyo.+ Kukumsebenzi wam njengokumkani* kuphela apho ndiza kuba mkhulu kunawe.” 41 UFaro waphinda wathi kuYosefu: “Jonga, ndiyakubeka ukuba uphathe lonke ilizwe laseYiputa.”+ 42 Emva koko wakhulula iringi yakhe yokubeka isitampu, wayifaka esandleni sikaYosefu, wamnxibisa impahla yelinen yodidi, wamfaka neneklesi yegolide emqaleni. 43 Wamkhwelisa kwinqwelo yakhe yesibini yembeko, kwaye babekhwaza phambi kwakhe besithi, “Avrekh!”* Ngaloo ndlela wamenza umphathi walo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa.

44 UFaro wathi kuYosefu: “NdinguFaro, kodwa akukho mntu uza kwenza nantoni na* kulo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa, engacelanga kuwe.”+ 45 Emva koko uFaro wamthiya uYosefu igama elinguTsafenati-paneha, waza wamnika uAsenati+ intombi kaPotifera umbingeleli waseOni* ukuba abe ngumfazi wakhe. UYosefu waqalisa ukuphatha* ilizwe laseYiputa.+ 46 UYosefu wayeneminyaka eyi-30+ ukuqalisa kwakhe ukuma phambi koFaro* ukumkani waseYiputa.

Emva koko uYosefu wemka phambi koFaro waza walihambahamba lonke ilizwe laseYiputa. 47 Kwiminyaka esixhenxe yentlutha, umhlaba wawuvelisa ukutya okuninzi. 48 Yaye waqhubeka eyiqokelela yonke imveliso yaloo minyaka isixhenxe elizweni laseYiputa, waza wayiqokelelela ezixekweni. Kwisixeko ngasinye wayegcina koovimba ukutya okuphuma kumasimi awayejikeleze eso sixeko. 49 Waqhubeka uYosefu eqokelela ukutya okuziinkozo okuninzi kakhulu njengesanti yaselwandle, bada ekugqibeleni bayeka ukukubala, kuba kwakungasabaleki.

50 Ngaphambi kokufika konyaka wendlala, uYosefu wazalelwa oonyana ababini,+ ebazalelwa nguAsenati intombi kaPotifera umbingeleli waseOni.* 51 UYosefu walithiya izibulo lakhe igama elinguManase,*+ kuba wathi, “UThixo undenze ndazilibala zonke iingxaki zam nayo yonke indlu katata.” 52 Owesibini wamthiya igama elinguEfrayim,*+ kuba wathi, “UThixo undenze ndaqhama elizweni leentsizi zam.”+

53 Yaphela iminyaka esixhenxe yentlutha eyayikho kwilizwe laseYiputa,+ 54 kwaza kwaqalisa iminyaka esixhenxe yendlala, kanye njengokuba wayetshilo uYosefu.+ Loo ndlala yawafikela onke amazwe, kodwa kwakukho isonka* kulo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa.+ 55 Ekugqibeleni lonke ilizwe laseYiputa labhuqwa yindlala baza abantu bakhala kuFaro befuna isonka.+ UFaro wathi kuwo onke amaYiputa: “Yiyani kuYosefu, nize nenze nantoni na ayitshoyo kuni.”+ 56 Le ndlala yabakho emhlabeni wonke.+ Emva koko uYosefu wabavula bonke oovimba bokutya okuziinkozo waza wathengisela amaYiputa,+ kuba indlala yayiqatsele elizweni laseYiputa. 57 Abantu bomhlaba wonke beza eYiputa bezokuthenga ukutya kuYosefu, kuba indlala yayiqatsele emhlabeni wonke.+

42 Uthe uYakobi akuva ukuba kukho ukutya okuziinkozo eYiputa,+ wathi koonyana bakhe: “Kutheni nisuke najongana nje?” 2 Waphinda wathi: “Ndive kusithiwa kukho ukutya okuziinkozo eYiputa. Yihlani niyokusithengela, ukuze sihlale siphila, singafi.”+ 3 AbantakwaboYosefu abalishumi behla,+ bayokuthenga ukutya okuziinkozo eYiputa. 4 Kodwa uYakobi akamthumelanga uBhenjamin,+ umntakwaboYosefu, kunye nabantakwabo, kuba wathi: “Hleze ahlelwe yingozi aze afe.”+

5 Ngoko oonyana bakaSirayeli beza kunye nabanye abantu ababeze kuthenga ukutya, kuba indlala yayifikelele nakwilizwe lakwaKanan.+ 6 UYosefu wayephethe kwelo lizwe,+ inguye owayethengisela bonke abantu bomhlaba ukutya okuziinkozo.+ Ngoko abantakwabo beza baza baqubuda kuye.+ 7 Uthe nje uYosefu akubabona abantakwabo wabazi, kodwa wabafihlela ukuba ungubani.+ Wathetha rhabaxa nabo, wathi: “Nivela phi?” Bona bathi: “Sivela kwilizwe lakwaKanan. Sizokuthenga ukutya.”+

8 UYosefu wabazi abantakwabo, kodwa bona abazange bamazi. 9 Ngoko nangoko uYosefu wakhumbula amaphupha awawaphuphayo ngabo,+ waza wathi kubo: “Niziintlola! Nize kubona ukuba libuthathaka phi na ilizwe!” 10 Bathi kuye: “Akunjalo nkosi yam, kodwa izicaka zakho zize kuthenga ukutya. 11 Sonke singoonyana bendoda enye. Singabantu abalungileyo. Izicaka zakho azizizo iintlola.” 12 Wathi kubo: “Soz’ uve! Nize kubona ukuba kuphi apho lingomelelanga khona ilizwe!” 13 Bona bathi: “Izicaka zakho zingamadoda ayi-12 azalwa kunye.+ Singoonyana bendoda enye+ kwilizwe lakwaKanan ibe oyena mncinci ukutata,+ kanti omnye akasekho.”+

14 UYosefu wathi kubo: “Ndiyithethile ke le nto kuni, ‘Niziintlola!’ 15 Nantsi indlela eniza kuvavanywa ngayo: Ephila nje uFaro, anizukuhamba apha, de umntakwenu omncinci eze apha.+ 16 Thumelani omnye wenu ukuba aye kulanda umntakwenu, nina nishiyeke nibotshiwe. Loo nto iza kubonisa ukuba nithetha inyani na. Kungenjalo, ephila nje uFaro, niziintlola.” 17 Ngoko wabavalela bonke iintsuku ezintathu.

18 Ngosuku lwesithathu, uYosefu wathi kubo: “Yenzani le nto ukuze niphile, kuba ndiyamoyika uThixo. 19 Ukuba ningabantu abalungileyo, omnye wabantakwenu makahlale apha kule ndlu nivalelwe kuyo, kodwa bonke abanye bangahamba, nise ukutya okuziinkozo, ukuze nigxothe indlala ezintsatsheni zenu.+ 20 Emva koko yizani nomninawa wenu ukuze kucace ukuba amazwi enu ayinyani, nize ningafi.” Bayenza ke loo nto.

21 Bathetha bodwa besithi: “Ngokuqinisekileyo siyohlwaywa ngenxa yomntakwethu,+ kuba sayibona intlungu yakhe* ibhalwe ebusweni xa wayesicenga ukuba sibe nenceba kuye, kodwa asizange simamele. Yiloo nto sikule ntlungu nje.” 22 URubhen wabaphendula wathi: “Zange nditsho na kuni ukuba, ‘Sanukumenza nto lo mfana,’ kodwa anamamela?+ Ngoku, ngokuqinisekileyo liyafunwa igazi lakhe.”+ 23 Babengazi ukuba uYosefu uyabeva, kuba wayethetha nabo ngetoliki. 24 Wathi gu bucala walila.+ Wabuya wathetha nabo, waza wathatha uSimeyon,+ wambopha bejongile.+ 25 Emva koko wayalela ukuba zigcwaliswe iingxowa* zabo ngokutya okuziinkozo, kubuyiselwe imali yendoda nganye engxoweni yayo, banikwe nomphako. Yenziwa yonke ke loo nto.

26 Bakukhwelisa ukutya kwabo okuziinkozo kwiidonki zabo, bahamba. 27 Bathi bakufika kwindawo ababeza kulala kuyo, omnye wabo wavula ingxowa yakhe, ukuze aphe idonki yakhe ukutya, wabona imali yakhe isemlonyeni wengxowa yakhe. 28 Wathi kubantakwabo: “Imali yam ibuyisiwe, nantsi apha engxoweni yam!” Batsho batyhafa, baza bajongana besoyika kakhulu, bathi: “Yintoni le siyenziwe nguThixo?”

29 Xa befika kuYakobi utata wabo kwilizwe lakwaKanan, bambalisela yonke into ebehleleyo, besithi: 30 “Indoda eyinkosi yelo lizwe ithethe rhabaxa nathi,+ yasimangalela isithi size kuhlola ilizwe. 31 Kodwa sithe kuyo: ‘Singabantu abalungileyo. Asizizo iintlola.+ 32 Singamadoda ayi-12 azalwa kunye,+ sizalwa ngutata omnye. Omnye akasekho,+ yaye oyena mncinci ukutata, kwilizwe lakwaKanan.’+ 33 Kodwa laa ndoda iyinkosi yelizwe ithe kuthi, ‘Ndiza kubona ngale nto ukuba ningabantu abalungileyo: Mshiyeni kum omnye wabantakwenu.+ Abanye mabathathe ukutya, bahambe ukuze nigxothe indlala ezintsatsheni zenu.+ 34 Nize nizise umninawa wenu kum, ukuze ndazi ukuba anizizo iintlola kodwa ningabantu abalungileyo. Ndiza kutsho ke ndimbuyisele kuni umntakwenu, futhi ningashishina kweli lizwe.’ ”

35 Bathe xa bekhuphela iingxowa zabo, ngamnye wabona isiqhuma semali yakhe engxoweni yakhe. Kwaye xa bona kunye notata wabo bezibona iziqhuma zabo zemali, boyika. 36 Wakhala ke uYakobi utata wabo wathi kubo: “Nindoxuthela abantwana!+ UYosefu akasekho,+ uSimeyon akasekho,+ ngoku nifuna ukuthatha noBhenjamin! Zonke ezi zinto zehlela mna!” 37 Kodwa uRubhen wathi kutata wakhe: “Ungababulala bobabini oonyana bam ukuba andibuyanga naye.+ Myeke ahambe nam ndiza kumjonga, yaye ndiza kumbuyisa.”+ 38 UYakobi wathi: “Anizukuhla nonyana wam, kuba umntakwabo wafa kwaye sele kushiyeke yena yedwa.+ Ukuba unokwehlelwa yingozi endleleni aze afe, ngokuqinisekileyo niza kuzihlisela engcwabeni*+ izimvi zam ndisentlungwini.”+

43 Indlala yayiqatha kwelo lizwe.+ 2 Bathi bakukugqiba ukutya okuziinkozo ababebuye nako eYiputa,+ wathi utata wabo kubo: “Phindani niye, niyokusithengela intwana yokutya.” 3 UYuda wathi kuye: “Laa ndoda yasilumkisa ngokucacileyo yathi, ‘Ningaphinde nize apha ningahambi nomntakwenu.’+ 4 Ukuba usithuma kunye nomntakwethu, siza kuhla siyokukuthengela ukutya. 5 Kodwa ukuba akahambi asizukuhla, kuba yathi laa ndoda kuthi, ‘Ningaphinde nize apha ningahambi nomntakwenu.’ ”+ 6 USirayeli+ wabuza wathi: “Ngaba bekunyanzelekile ukuba nindibizele le nkathazo, ngokuxelela laa ndoda ukuba ukhona omnye umntakwenu?” 7 Bathi bona: “Laa ndoda yavele yasingqala xa isibuza ngathi nezizalwana zethu yathi, ‘Usaphila na utata wenu? Ninaye omnye umntakwenu?’ saza sayixelela ezi zinto yayizibuza.+ Sasiza kuyazi njani ukuba iza kusuke ithi, ‘Yihlani nomntakwenu’?”+

8 UYuda wamcenga uSirayeli utata wakhe wathi: “Mthumele kunye nam umfana sihambe,+ ukuze siphile, singafi,+ thina, nawe, nabantwana bethu.+ 9 Ndiza kuqinisekisa ukuba ukhuselekile.*+ Uze uphendulise mna. Ukuba ndiye andabuya naye, ndiza kube ndikone ngonaphakade. 10 Kodwa ukuba besingakhange silibazise, ngesesibuya okwesibini ngoku.”

11 USirayeli utata wabo wathi kubo: “Ukuba kunyanzelekile ke ukuba yenzeke le nto, nantsi into emaniyenze: Fakani ezona zinto zintle zifumanekayo kweli lizwe kwiingxowa* zenu, nihambe nazo, zibe sisipho salaa ndoda:+ intwana yebhalsam,+ intwana yobusi, intlaka emhlophe, intlaka emnandi,+ amantongomane epistasi neeamangile. 12 Thathani imali ephindwe kabini; nize niphindise nalaa mali eyabuyiselwa kwiingxowa zenu.+ Mhlawumbi yaba yimpazamo. 13 Hambani naye umntakwenu, nibuyele kula ndoda. 14 Kwanga uThixo uSomandla angenza laa ndoda inisizele, ukuze inikhululele umntakwenu noBhenjamin. Mna ukuba kunyanzelekile ukuba ndilahlekelwe, mandilahlekelwe ke!”+

15 Ngoko la madoda asithatha eso sipho, athatha imali ephindwe kabini, aza emka noBhenjamin. Asuka ehla aya eYiputa aza aphinda ema phambi koYosefu.+ 16 Wathi uYosefu akumbona uBhenjamin ekunye nawo, ngoko nangoko wathi kumphathi wendlu yakhe: “Ngenisa la madoda endlini, uxhele izilwanyana uze ulungise isidlo, kuba la madoda aza kutya nam emini emaqanda.” 17 Yakhawulezisa le ndoda yayenza loo nto yayiyixelelwa nguYosefu,+ yawangenisa la madoda endlini kaYosefu. 18 Kodwa oyika xa engeniswa endlini kaYosefu, aza athi: “Yilaa mali eyabuyiselwa ezingxoweni zethu le yenze ukuba siziswe apha. Baza kusihlasela ke ngoku, basenze amakhoboka, bathathe needonki zethu!”+

19 Aya kumphathi wendlu kaYosefu aza athetha naye emnyangweni wendlu. 20 Athi: “Sixolele nkosi yam! Sasikhe sehla sizokuthenga ukutya.+ 21 Kodwa sathi sakubuyela kwindawo esihlala kuyo, savula iingxowa zethu, tyhini, nantso imali yethu sonke ezingxoweni zethu, futhi isaphelele.+ Ngoku siyayibuyisela. 22 Size nenye imali ukuze sithenge ukutya. Asazi ukuba ngubani owafaka imali yethu ezingxoweni zethu.”+ 23 Wathi yena: “Khululekani. Sanukoyika. UThixo wenu noThixo katata wenu ufake ubutyebi ezingxoweni zenu. Le mali yenu ibiqale yaziswa kum.” Emva koko wawakhuphela uSimeyon.+

24 Wawangenisa endlini kaYosefu la madoda, wawanika amanzi okuhlamba iinyawo, wanika needonki zawo ukutya. 25 Alungisa esa sipho+ ukuze asinike uYosefu ukufika kwakhe emini emaqanda, kuba ayevile ukuba ayeza kufumana isidlo apho.+ 26 Wathi akungena uYosefu, amnika isipho, aza aqubuda phambi kwakhe.+ 27 Emva koko wawabuza impilo waza wathi: “Unjani utata wenu owalupheleyo ebenithethe ngaye? Usaphila kodwa?”+ 28 Baphendula bathi: “Utata, isicaka sakho, uphilile. Usadla ubomi.” Emva koko baqubuda.+

29 Wathi akuphakamisa amehlo akhe waza wabona uBhenjamin umntakwabo, unyana kamama wakhe,+ wathi: “Nguye na lo umninawa wenu, enanithethe ngaye kum?”+ Waza waphinda wathi: “Kwanga uThixo angakholwa nguwe nyana wam.” 30 Waphuma ngokungxama uYosefu, kuba wayechukumisekile ngumntakwabo, waza wakhangela indawo aza kulilela kuyo. Wangena kwigumbi elingaphakathi, zasuka zathi waxa iinyembezi.+ 31 Emva koko wahlamba ubuso bakhe, waphuma ezibambile, wathi: “Bekani ukutya.” 32 Bambekela yedwa, bababekela bodwa nabantakwabo, namaYiputa azityela odwa, kuba amaYiputa ayengenakutya namaHebhere, ayeyenyanya gqitha loo nto.+

33 Abantakwabo* babehleli phambi kwakhe, owamazibulo ngokwelungelo lakhe lobuzibulo+ noyena mncinci ngokobuncinci bakhe, bajongana bemangalisiwe. 34 Wayemane ethumela ukutya kusuka kweyakhe itafile kusisiwa kweyabo, kodwa okukaBhenjamin kwakukuphinda kahlanu okwabanye.+ Batya ke baza basela naye bada banela.

44 Ethubeni uYosefu wathi kumphathi wendlu yakhe: “Gcwalisa iingxowa zala madoda ngokutya kangangoko zinokukuthwala, ubeke nemali yakhe ngamnye emlonyeni wengxowa yakhe.+ 2 Kodwa uze ufake indebe yam, le yesilivere, emlonyeni wengxowa yoyena mncinci kunye nemali yokutya kwakhe okuziinkozo.” Lo mphathi wenza yonke into awayeyixelelwe nguYosefu.

3 Kusasa, xa kukhanyayo, akhululwa ahamba la madoda needonki zawo. 4 Athi engekemki kuyaphi esixekweni, uYosefu wathi kumphathi wendlu yakhe: “Phakama! Leqa la madoda. Wakuwafumana uze uthi kuwo, ‘Kutheni nibuyekeza okulungileyo ngokubi? 5 Ngaba le ayonto inkosi yam esela ize ivumise ngayo ngobuchule? Imbi into eniyenzileyo.’ ”

6 Ngoko wawafumana waza wayithetha yonke loo nto kwakuthiwe makayithethe. 7 Kodwa athi kuye: “Kutheni inkosi yam ithethe ngolo hlobo? Izicaka zakho aziyicingi nokuyicinga ukuyenza into enjengaleyo. 8 Kwanemali esayifumana emilonyeni yeengxowa zethu, siyibuyisele kuwe sisuka kwilizwe lakwaKanan.+ Ngoku singayiba njani isilivere okanye igolide endlini yenkosi yakho? 9 Ukuba ifunyenwe kwelinye lamakhoboka akho, malife, nathi siza kuba ngamakhoboka enkosi yam.” 10 Yena wathi: “Mayenzeke loo nto niyithethayo: Lowo ifunyenwe kuye uza kuba likhoboka lam, kodwa abanye baza kuba msulwa.” 11 Ngoko bazothula ngokukhawuleza iingxowa zabo, bazivula. 12 Wakhangelisisa, eqala ngoyena umdala, wagqibela ngoyena umncinci. Ekugqibeleni yafunyanwa indebe engxoweni kaBhenjamin.+

13 Bazikrazula iimpahla zabo baza bonke bakhwelisa imithwalo yabo kwiidonki zabo, babuyela esixekweni. 14 Xa uYuda+ nabantakwabo bangena endlini kaYosefu, wayeselapho, ngoko baqubuda phambi kwakhe.+ 15 Wathi uYosefu kubo: “Yintoni le niyenzileyo? Beningazi na ukuba indoda enjengam iyincutshe ekuvumiseni?”+ 16 UYuda waphendula wathi: “Singathini enkosini yam? Yintoni esinokuyithetha? Kwaye singabonisa njani ukuba singamalungisa? UThixo wokwenene usifumene isono samakhoboka akho.+ Ngoku singamakhoboka enkosi yam, thina kunye nalo ifunyenwe kuye indebe!” 17 Yena wathi: “Soze ndiyenze loo nto kuni! Indoda efunyenwe kuyo indebe, yiyo eza kuba likhoboka lam.+ Nina ningenyuka ngoxolo niye kutata wenu.”

18 UYuda wasondela kuye wathi: “Ndiyangxengxeza kuwe nkosi yam, ndicela ulivumele lithethe ilizwi ikhoboka lakho ezindlebeni zenkosi yam, kwaye mawungavuthi ngumsindo kwikhoboka lakho, kuba unjengoFaro wena.+ 19 Inkosi yam yawabuza amakhoboka ayo, yathi, ‘Ninaye na utata okanye omnye umntakwenu?’ 20 Sathi kwinkosi yam, ‘Sinaye utata owalupheleyo yaye ukhona nomntwana amfumene sele emdala, oyena mncinci.+ Kodwa umntakwabo wafa,+ ngoko nguye yedwa oseleyo kumama wakhe,+ yaye utata uyamthanda.’ 21 Wena wathi kumakhoboka akho, ‘Yihlani naye nimzise apha kum, ndimbone.’+ 22 Sathi kwinkosi yam, ‘Le nkwenkwe ayikwazi ukumshiya utata. Ukuba ingamshiya, uza kufa nakanjani.’+ 23 Wathi wena kumakhoboka akho, ‘Ukuba anizi nomninawa wenu, ningaphinde nize apha.’+

24 “Ngoko senyuka saya kwikhoboka lakho utata saza samxelela ukuba itheni inkosi yam. 25 Ekuhambeni kwexesha utata wathi, ‘Phindani niye, niyokusithengela intwana yokutya.’+ 26 Sathi, ‘Asizukuhla. Ukuba umninawa wethu uhamba nathi, siza kuhla, kuba asinakububona ubuso bala ndoda engekho umninawa wethu.’+ 27 Lona ikhoboka lakho utata lathi kuthi, ‘Niyazi kakuhle into yokuba umfazi wam wandizalela oonyana ababini qha.+ 28 Kodwa omnye wandishiya ndaza ndathi: “Nakanjani umele ukuba uqwengiwe!”+ yaye andikamboni de kube ngoku. 29 Ukuba ningamthatha nalo, ndingamboni, ahlelwe yingozi aze afe, ngokuqinisekileyo noba nizihlisele engcwabeni*+ izimvi zam ndisentlungwini.’+

30 “Ngoko ukuba ndingafika kwikhoboka lakho utata, le nkwenkwe ingahambi nathi, njengoko ubomi bakhe bubophene nobomi bayo, 31 uza kuvele afe akubona ukuba ayikho le nkwenkwe, kuba amakhoboka akho aza kuba azehlisele engcwabeni* izimvi zekhoboka lakho utata lisentlungwini. 32 Kuba ikhoboka lakho lamqinisekisa utata ngale nkwenkwe, lisithi, ‘Ukuba ndiye andabuya naye, ndiza kube ndimone ngonaphakade utata.’+ 33 Ngoko ke, ndicela ulivumele ikhoboka lakho ibe lilo elihlala endaweni yale nkwenkwe njengekhoboka lenkosi yam, ukuze yona ihambe nabantakwayo. 34 Ndingabuyela njani kutata ngaphandle kwale nkwenkwe? Soze ndikwazi ukunyamezela xa ndimbona esehlelwa yintlekele?”

45 UYosefu wayengasakwazi ukuzibamba phambi kwabo bonke oonogada bakhe.+ Ngoko wakhwaza wathi: “Khuphani wonke umntu!” Akekho omnye umntu owayekho xa uYosefu wayezazisa kubantakwabo.+

2 Watsho walila kakhulu kangangokuba amaYiputa eva, yeva nendlu kaFaro. 3 Ekugqibeleni uYosefu wathi kubantakwabo: “NdinguYosefu. Usaphila phofu utata?” Kodwa abantakwabo abazange bakwazi ukumphendula kuba babemangalisiwe. 4 UYosefu wathi kubo: “Ndicela nisondele.” Batsho basondela ke.

Wathi kubo: “NdinguYosefu umntakwenu enamthengisa eYiputa.+ 5 Kodwa ningakhathazeki yaye ningabekani tyala kuba nathengisa ngam apha. Kaloku uThixo wandithumela phambi kwenu ukuze kusindiswe ubomi.+ 6 Lo ngunyaka wesibini wendlala emhlabeni,+ ibe kuseza iminyaka emihlanu ekungazukulinywa okanye kuvunwe ngayo. 7 Kodwa uThixo undithumele phambi kwenu ukuze kubekho abasindayo+ kuni emhlabeni* nokuze nigcinwe niphila ngendlela emangalisayo. 8 Ngoko ke andithunyelwanga nini apha kodwa nguThixo wokwenene, ukuze andenze umcebisi oyintloko kaFaro,* ndibe yinkosi endlini yakhe yonke, nomlawuli walo lonke ilizwe laseYiputa.+

9 “Khawulezani nibuyele kutata, nithi kuye, ‘Nantsi into ethethwe ngunyana wakho uYosefu: “UThixo undimisele ndaba yinkosi yelizwe lonke laseYiputa.+ Yihla uze kum, ungalibazisi.+ 10 Nimele nihlale kwilizwe laseGoshen,+ apho niza kuba kufuphi nam, wena, oonyana bakho, abazukulwana bakho, imihlambi yakho yeegusha kunye nemihlambi yakho yeenkomo, nento yonke nje onayo. 11 Ndiza kukunika ukutya apho, kuba kusasele iminyaka emihlanu yendlala.+ Kungenjalo wena, indlu yakho, nento yonke onayo niza kuhlwempuzeka.” ’ 12 Nina nomntakwethu uBhenjamin, niyazibonela ngokwenu ukuba ndim ngenene lo uthetha nani.+ 13 Ngoko xelelani utata ngalo lonke uzuko lwam eYiputa, nayo yonke into eniyibonileyo. Khawulezani ke niyokulanda utata, nimzise apha.”

14 Emva koko wawola uBhenjamin* umntakwabo zaza zazehlela iinyembezi, noBhenjamin walila emangile.+ 15 Wabaphuza* bonke abantakwabo waza wabalilela, emva koko abantakwabo bathetha naye.

16 Ezi ndaba zavakala endlini kaFaro, kusithiwa: “AbantakwaboYosefu bafikile!” Le nto yayilungile kuFaro nakwizicaka zakhe. 17 Ngoko uFaro wathi kuYosefu: “Yithi kubantakwenu, ‘Yenzani le nto: Layishani amaqegu enu, niye kwilizwe lakwaKanan, 18 nithathe utata wenu neentsapho zenu, nize apha kum. Ndiza kuninika izinto ezintle zeli lizwe laseYiputa, ibe niza kutya eyona* ndawo ichumileyo* yeli lizwe.’+ 19 Uze uthi kubo:+ ‘Yenzani le nto: Thathelani abantwana benu nabafazi benu iinqwelo+ kwilizwe laseYiputa, nikhwelise utata wenu kwenye yazo, nize apha.+ 20 Ningazikhathazi ngezinto zenu,+ kuba eyona ndawo intle kweli lizwe yeyenu.’ ”

21 Bayenza ke loo nto oonyana bakaSirayeli, yaye uYosefu wabanika iinqwelo ngokwemiyalelo kaFaro, wabanika nomphako. 22 Wanika ngamnye wabo iimpahla zokutshintsha, kodwa yena uBhenjamin wamnika amaqhosha esilivere ayi-300 neempahla zokutshintsha ezintlanu.+ 23 Yena utata wakhe wamthumelela ezi zinto: iidonki ezilishumi ezithwele izinto ezintle zaseYiputa, iimazi zeedonki ezilishumi ezithwele ukutya okuziinkozo, isonka nomphako katata wakhe wendlela. 24 Wabakhulula abantakwabo, xa behamba wathi kubo: “Nize ningaxabani endleleni.”+

25 Benyuka bemka eYiputa, bafika kuYakobi utata wabo kwilizwe lakwaKanan. 26 Emva koko bambalisela bathi: “Usaphila uYosefu, kwaye uphethe lonke ilizwe laseYiputa!”+ Kodwa wama nematha kuba wayengabakholelwa.+ 27 Bathi bakumxelela yonke into eyayithethwe nguYosefu, wabona neenqwelo awayezithumele ukuba zizokumthatha, watsho waziva ngcono. 28 USirayeli wakhwaza wathi: “Kwanele! Unyana wam uYosefu usaphila! Mandihambe ndiye kumbona ngaphambi kokuba ndife!”+

46 Ngoko uSirayeli wathatha konke okwakhe* waza wemka. Ukufika kwakhe eBher-shebha,+ wanikela imibingelelo kuThixo katata wakhe uIsake.+ 2 Emva koko uThixo wathetha noSirayeli embonweni ebusuku, wathi: “Yakobi, Yakobi!” Wathi yena: “Nkosi!” 3 Wathi: “NdinguThixo wokwenene, uThixo katata wakho.+ Sukoyika ukuya eYiputa, kuba ndiza kukwenza uhlanga olukhulu apho.+ 4 Mna lo ndiza kuhla nawe ukuya eYiputa, ndize kwamna ndikukhuphe apho,+ yaye uYosefu uza kukuvala amehlo.”*+

5 Emva koko uYakobi wemka eBher-shebha, yaye oonyana bakaSirayeli babekhwelise uYakobi utata wabo, abantwana babo, nabafazi babo, kwiinqwelo ezazithunyelwe nguFaro ukuba zibathuthe. 6 Babehamba nemihlambi yabo nazo zonke izinto zabo ababeziqwebe kwilizwe lakwaKanan. Bafika ke eYiputa, uYakobi nayo yonke inzala yakhe. 7 Weza eYiputa noonyana bakhe, abazukulwana bakhe abangabafana, iintombi zakhe nabazukulwana bakhe abangamantombazana, yonke nje inzala yakhe.

8 La ngamagama oonyana bakaSirayeli abafikayo eYiputa,+ uYakobi noonyana bakhe: Izibulo likaYakobi yayinguRubhen.+

9 Oonyana bakaRubhen yayinguHanoki, uPalu, uHetseron noKarmi.+

10 Oonyana bakaSimeyon+ yayinguYemuweli, uYamin, uOhadi, uYakin, uTsohare noShawule+ unyana womfazi ongumKanan.

11 Oonyana bakaLevi+ yayinguGershon, uKohati noMerari.+

12 Oonyana bakaYuda+ yayinguEre, uOnan, uShela,+ uPeretse+ noZera.+ Noko ke, uEre no-Onan bafela kwilizwe lakwaKanan.+

Oonyana bakaPeretse yayinguHetseron noHamuli.+

13 Oonyana bakaIsakare yayinguTola, uPuva, uIyobhi noShimron.+

14 Oonyana bakaZebhulon+ yayinguSerede, uElon noYaleli.+

15 Aba ke ngoonyana bakaLeya, awabazalela uYakobi ePadan-aram, kunye nentombi yakhe uDina.+ Oonyana neentombi zikaYakobi babeyi-33.

16 Oonyana bakaGadi+ yayinguTsifiyon, uHagi, uShuni, uEtsebhoni, uEri, uArodi noAreli.+

17 Oonyana baka-Ashere+ yayinguImna, uIshva, uIshvi noBheriya, yaye udadewabo yayinguSera.

Oonyana bakaBheriya yayinguHebheri noMalekiyeli.+

18 Aba ke ngoonyana bakaZilipa,+ lo uLabhan wamnika uLeya intombi yakhe. Naba awabazalela uYakobi: abantu abayi-16.*

19 Oonyana bakaRakeli, umfazi kaYakobi, yayinguYosefu+ noBhenjamin.+

20 Kwilizwe laseYiputa uYosefu wazalelwa uManase+ noEfrayim,+ ebazalelwa nguAsenati+ intombi kaPotifera, umbingeleli waseOni.*

21 Oonyana bakaBhenjamin+ yayinguBhela, uBhekere, uAshbheli, uGera,+ uNahaman, uEhi, uRoshe, uMupim, uHupim+ noArdi.+

22 Aba ke ngoonyana bakaRakeli awabazalela uYakobi: abantu abayi-14.*

23 Unyana* kaDan+ yayinguHushim.+

24 Oonyana bakaNafetali+ yayinguYatseli, uGuni, uYetsere noShilem.+

25 Aba ke ngoonyana bakaBhiliha, lo uLabhan wamnika uRakeli intombi yakhe. Naba awabazalela uYakobi: abantu abasixhenxe.*

26 Bayi-66 abantu* abayinzala kaYakobi abaya naye eYiputa, xa bengabalwa abafazi boonyana bakhe.+ 27 Oonyana uYosefu awabazalelwa eYiputa babini.* Abantu* bendlu kaYakobi abaya eYiputa babeyi-70.+

28 UYakobi wathumela uYuda+ ukuba ahambe phambili ayokuxelela uYosefu ukuba usendleleni. Bathi xa befika kwilizwe laseGoshen,+ 29 uYosefu walungisa inqwelo yakhe waza wayokumhlangabeza uSirayeli utata wakhe eGoshen. Wathi akufika kuye, wamwola* waza walila ixeshana.* 30 Emva koko uSirayeli wathi kuYosefu: “Nokuba ndingafa ke ngoku; ndibubonile ubuso bakho futhi ndiyayazi ukuba usaphila.”

31 Wathi ke uYosefu kubantakwabo nakwindlu katata wakhe: “Mandihambe ndiyokuxelela uFaro,+ ndithi kuye, ‘Abantakwethu nendlu katata, ababeselizweni lakwaKanan bafikile.+ 32 La madoda angabelusi,+ afuyile,+ yaye eze nemihlambi yawo yeegusha neyeenkomo, nayo yonke into anayo.’+ 33 Xa enibiza uFaro aze anibuze athi, ‘Uyintoni na umsebenzi wenu?’ 34 nize nithi, ‘Izicaka zakho bezifuya ukususela ebutsheni bazo de kube ngoku, thina kunye nookhokho bethu,’+ ukuze nihlale kwilizwe laseGoshen,+ kuba amaYiputa ayabenyanya bonke abelusi beegusha.”+

47 Ngoko uYosefu waya kumxelela uFaro,+ waza wathi: “Ufikile utata nabantakwethu, nemihlambi yabo yeegusha nemihlambi yabo yeenkomo, nayo yonke into abanayo. Bavela kwilizwe lakwaKanan, ngoku baphaya kumhlaba waseGoshen.”+ 2 Emva koko weza nabantakwabo abahlanu kuFaro.+

3 UFaro wathi kubantakwaboYosefu: “Uyintoni umsebenzi wenu?” Bathi: “Izicaka zakho zingabelusi beegusha, thina nookhokho bethu.”+ 4 Emva koko bathi: “Size kuhlala njengabantu basemzini kweli lizwe,+ kuba izicaka zakho azinawo amadlelo omhlambi, kuba indlala iqatha kwilizwe lakwaKanan.+ Ngoko sicela uzivumele izicaka zakho zihlale kumhlaba waseGoshen.”+ 5 UFaro wathi kuYosefu: “Utata wakho nabantakwenu beze kuwe apha. 6 Nali ilizwe laseYiputa phambi kwakho. Mhlalise utata wakho nabantakwenu kweyona ndawo intle kulo.+ Mabahlale kumhlaba waseGoshen. Ukuba kukho amadoda owaziyo anobuchule phakathi kwabo, wabeke akhokele ekwaluseni umhlambi wam.”

7 Emva koko uYosefu wangenisa uYakobi utata wakhe, wamazisa kuFaro, waza uYakobi wamsikelela uFaro. 8 UFaro wabuza uYakobi wathi: “Mingaphi iminyaka yakho?” 9 UYakobi wathi kuFaro: “Iminyaka endiyichithe ndihamba-hamba iindawo* iyi-130. Imbalwa kodwa igcwele ziinkathazo,+ yaye ayikho mininzi njengaleyo iphilwe ngootata ngexesha babehamba-hamba iindawo.”*+ 10 Emva koko uYakobi wamsikelela uFaro waza wemka.

11 Ngoko uYosefu wamhlalisa utata wakhe nabantakwabo kwilizwe laseYiputa, wabanika umhlaba kweyona ndawo intle yelo lizwe, kummandla waseRameses,+ kanye njengokuba uFaro wayetshilo. 12 Yaye uYosefu waqhubeka enika utata wakhe, abantakwabo nayo yonke indlu katata wakhe ukutya,* ngokwenani labantwana babo.

13 Ngoku kwakungekho kutya* kulo lonke ilizwe, kuba indlala yayiqatha kakhulu, yaye abantu belizwe laseYiputa nabelizwe lakwaKanan baphelelwa ngamandla ngenxa yendlala.+ 14 UYosefu wayeyiqokelela yonke imali eyayifunyanwa kwilizwe laseYiputa nakwilizwe lakwaKanan, eyayifunyanwa ebantwini ababethenga ukutya okuziinkozo,+ kwaye uYosefu waqhubeka eyisa loo mali endlini kaFaro. 15 Ekuhambeni kwexesha, yaphela imali ebantwini baseYiputa nakubantu bakwaKanan, yaye onke amaYiputa eza kuYosefu, aza athi: “Sinike ukutya! Kutheni kufuneka sife ujongile, kuba iphelile imali yethu?” 16 UYosefu wathi: “Ukuba imali yenu iphelile, khuphani imfuyo yenu, mna ndiza kuninika ukutya xa nindinika imfuyo.” 17 Ngoko aqalisa ukuzisa imfuyo yawo kuYosefu, yena uYosefu waqhubeka ewanika ukutya ngoxa wona ayemnika amahashe, imfuyo ayithatha kwimihlambi yeegusha neyeenkomo needonki, kwaye waqhubeka ewanika ukutya ngoxa wona ayemnika yonke imfuyo yawo ngaloo nyaka.

18 Ukuphela kwaloo nyaka, abantu beza kuYosefu kunyaka olandelayo baza bathi kuye: “Asizukuyifihlela inkosi yethu ukuba imali nezilwanyana zasekhaya iphelele enkosini yethu. Akusekho nto sinayo esingayinika inkosi yethu ngaphandle kwemizimba yethu nomhlaba wethu. 19 Yhini na ukuba sife ujongile, thina nomhlaba wethu? Sithenge thina nomhlaba wethu ngokusinika ukutya, ukuze thina nawo sibe ngamakhoboka kaFaro. Sinike imbewu ukuze siphile, singafi, nomhlaba wethu ungabi nabantu.” 20 Ngoko uYosefu wawuthengela uFaro wonke umhlaba wamaYiputa, kuba onke amaYiputa awathengisa amasimi awo, kuba indlala yayiqatha, ibe umhlaba waba ngokaFaro.

21 Ngoko wabafudusela ezixekweni abantu, ukususela kwesinye isiphelo sommandla waseYiputa ukuyokutsho kwesinye isiphelo sawo.+ 22 Ngumhlaba wababingeleli kuphela angazange awuthenge,+ kuba ababingeleli babephila ngokutya ababekufumana kuFaro. Yiloo nto bengazange bawuthengise owabo umhlaba. 23 Emva koko uYosefu wathi ebantwini: “Niyabona, namhlanje ndinithengile nina nomhlaba wenu ukuze nibe ngabakaFaro. Nantsi imbewu, yityaleni emhlabeni. 24 Xa umhlaba uvelise ukutya, nikani uFaro isahlulo esinye kwezihlanu,+ kodwa izahlulo ezine ziza kuba zezenu, zibe yimbewu yentsimi, zibe kukutya kwenu, abo basezindlini zenu kunye nabantwana benu.” 25 Bathi ke bona: “Ubusindisile ubomi bethu.+ Kwanga singathandwa yinkosi yethu, size sibe ngamakhoboka kaFaro.”+ 26 Emva koko uYosefu wayenza yaba ngumthetho osasebenza nanamhlanje kulo lonke elaseYiputa, into yokuba isahlulo esinye kwezihlanu sesikaFaro. Yaba ngumhlaba wababingeleli kuphela ongazange ube ngokaFaro.+

27 USirayeli waqhubeka ehlala kwilizwe laseYiputa, kumhlaba waseGoshen,+ wazinza kuwo waza waqhama, wanda kakhulu.+ 28 UYakobi waqhubeka ehlala kwilizwe laseYiputa iminyaka eyi-17, ngoko uYakobi waba neminyaka eyi-147.+

29 Yasondela imihla yokufa kukaSirayeli,+ ngoko wabiza uYosefu unyana wakhe waza wathi kuye: “Ukuba uyandithanda, ndicela ubeke isandla sakho phantsi kwethanga lam, uze ubonise ukuba undithanda ngokungagungqiyo yaye uthembekile kum. Ndicela ungandingcwabeli eYiputa.+ 30 Ndakufa,* umele undikhuphe eYiputa, uyokundibeka kwingcwaba lookhokho.”+ Yena uYosefu wathi: “Ndiza kuyenza into oyithethileyo.” 31 USirayeli wathi: “Ndifungele.” Ngoko wamfungela.+ Emva koko uSirayeli waqubuda emantla kwebhedi yakhe.+

48 Emva kwezi zinto, kwathiwa kuYosefu: “Jonga, utata wakho uya ephelelwa ngamandla.” Ngoko wahamba noonyana bakhe bobabini, uManase noEfrayim.+ 2 Kwathiwa kuYakobi: “Nanku unyana wakho uYosefu, uze kuwe.” Ngoko uSirayeli waziqinisa, wahlala nkqo ebhedini yakhe. 3 Wathi kuYosefu:

“UThixo uSomandla wabonakala kum eLuzi kwilizwe lakwaKanan waza wandisikelela.+ 4 Wathi kum, ‘Ndiza kukwenza uqhame, ndikwandise, ndikwenze ube libandla lezizwana,+ yaye ndiza kulinika inzala* yakho eli lizwe, libe lilifa layo ngonaphakade.’+ 5 Oonyana bakho ababini obazalelwe kwilizwe laseYiputa, ngaphambi kokuba ndize kuwe apha, ngabam.+ UEfrayim noManase baza kuba ngabam njengoRubhen noSimeyon.+ 6 Kodwa abantwana obazalelwe emva koEfrayim noManase baza kuba ngabakho. Elabo ilifa baza kulifumana egameni labantakwabo.+ 7 Xa ndandihamba ePadan, uRakeli wafela+ ecaleni kwam kwilizwe lakwaKanan, kusasele umgama omde ngaphambi kokuba ndifike e-Efrata.+ Ndamngcwabela apho endleleni eya e-Efrata, oko kukuthi, eBhetelehem.”+

8 USirayeli wabona oonyana bakaYosefu waza wathi: “Ngoobani aba?” 9 UYosefu wathi kuye: “Aba ngoonyana bam endibaphiwe nguThixo kule ndawo.”+ Yena wathi: “Ndicela ubazise apha ukuze ndibasikelele.”+ 10 Ngoku amehlo kaSirayeli ayenorhatyazo kuba emdala, ngoko wayengasaboni kakuhle. UYosefu wabasondeza, waza utata wakhe wabaphuza,* wabanga. 11 USirayeli wathi kuYosefu: “Zange ndayicinga into yokuba ndingaphinda ndibubone ubuso bakho,+ kodwa jonga, uThixo undenze ndabona nenzala* yakho.” 12 Emva koko uYosefu wabasusa emadolweni katata wakhe, waza waqubuda.

13 UYosefu wabathatha bobabini, uEfrayim+ ngesandla sasekunene, ukuze abe ngasekhohlo kuSirayeli, noManase+ ngesandla sasekhohlo, ukuze abe ngasekunene kuSirayeli, waza wabasondeza kuye. 14 Kodwa uSirayeli wasolula isandla sakhe sasekunene, wasibeka phezu kwentloko kaEfrayim, nangona wayengomncinci, waza wabeka isandla sakhe sasekhohlo phezu kwentloko kaManase. Wazibeka ngabom ngolu hlobo izandla zakhe, ekubeni uManase wayelizibulo.+ 15 Emva koko wasikelela uYosefu wathi:+

16 Ingelosi ebindihlangula kuzo zonke iintlekele,+ mayibasikelele aba bafana.+

17 Uthe uYosefu akubona ukuba utata wakhe uqhubeka ebeke isandla sakhe sasekunene phezu kwentloko kaEfrayim, akayithanda loo nto. Ngoko wazama ukusisusa isandla sikatata wakhe phezu kwentloko kaEfrayim aze asibeke kwekaManase. 18 UYosefu wathi kutata wakhe: “Sukwenza ngolu hlobo tata, kuba nanku owamazibulo.+ Beka isandla sakho sasekunene entlokweni yakhe.” 19 Kodwa utata wakhe wala, wathi: “Ndiyazi nyana wam, ndiyazi. Naye uza kuba sisizwana ibe naye uza kuba mkhulu. Kodwa ke umninawa wakhe uza kuba mkhulu kunaye,+ kwaye inzala* yakhe iza kuba ziintlanga ezininzi.”+ 20 Ngoko wabasikelela ngaloo mini+ esithi:

Ngaloo ndlela wayesoloko eqala ngoEfrayim kunoManase.

21 Emva koko uSirayeli wathi kuYosefu: “Jonga sele ndiza kufa,+ kodwa uThixo uza kuhlala enani aze anibuyisele kwilizwe lookhokho benu.+ 22 Ndikunika isiqwenga somhlaba* esingakumbi kunabantakwenu, endasithatha esandleni sama-Amori ngekrele lam nangesaphetha sam.”

49 UYakobi wababiza oonyana bakhe waza wathi: “Qokelelanani ukuze ndinixelele izinto eziza kwenzeka xa imihla isiya esiphelweni. 2 Qokelelanani nize nimamele bonyana bakaYakobi, mamelani uSirayeli utata wenu.

3 “Rubhen+ ulizibulo lam,+ ungamandla am nesiqalo samandla am okuvelisa inzala, uyimbalasane yesidima sam, nembalasane yamandla am. 4 Awulawuleki, unjengamanzi agqumayo, ngoko awuzukuhambela phambili kuba waya ebhedini katata wakho.+ Wayingcolisa* ibhedi yam. Wakhwela kuyo!

5 “USimeyon ngumntakwaboLevi.+ Izixhobo zobundlobongela, zizixhobo zabo zokuxhela.+ 6 Kowu mphefumlo* wam, uze ungahlali nabo. Kowu sidima* sam uze ungazimanyi nebandla labo, kuba baye babulala abantu benomsindo,+ ibe bazonwabisa ngokunqumla imisipha yeenkunzi zeenkomo. 7 Uqalekisiwe umsindo wabo kuba ukhohlakele, nokubhabhama komsindo wabo kuba kungqwabalala.+ Ndiza kubasasaza kwaYakobi ndize ndibachithachithe kwaSirayeli.+

8 “Wena ke Yuda,+ abantakwenu baza kukudumisa.+ Isandla sakho siza kuba sentanyeni yeentshaba zakho.+ Oonyana bakatata wakho baza kuqubuda kuwe.+ 9 UYuda lithole lengonyama.+ Nyana wam, nakanjani uza kunyuka uvela exhobeni. Uye walalela, wazolula njengengonyama, ibe njengengonyama, ngubani onokuzidela amnxwale? 10 Intonga yobukhosi ayizukusuka kuYuda,+ nentonga yomyaleli ayizukusuka phakathi kweenyawo zakhe, ade afike uShilo,*+ zize zithobele yena izizwana.+ 11 Ubophelela idonki yakhe kumthi weediliya, nenkonyane eliyinkunzi kowona mthi weediliya umhle. Iimpahla zakhe uza kuzihlamba ngewayini, nesambatho sakhe ngencindi yeediliya. 12 Amehlo akhe abomvu-bumnyama yiwayini, namazinyo akhe amhlophe ngenxa yobisi.

13 “UZebhulon+ uza kuhlala ngaselunxwemeni, ngaselunxwemeni apho iinqanawa zimiswe ngeeankile,+ kwaye umda wakhe okude uza kuba ngaseSidon.+

14 “UIsakare+ yidonki enamathambo omeleleyo, elala ithwele iingxowa ezimbini zomthwalo. 15 Ibe uza kubona ukuba indawo leyo yokuphumla ilungile, nokuthi ilizwe elo liyathandeka. Uza kugoba ukuze athwale imithwalo ngegxalaba lakhe, kwaye uza kusebenza nzima.

16 “UDan+ uza kugweba abantu bakowabo njengesinye sezizwe zakwaSirayeli.+ 17 UDan makabe yinyoka engasendleleni, irhamba elingakwindledlana, elinqola izithende zehashe kangangokuba umkhweli walo uwa ngomva.+ 18 Ndiza kulindela usindiso lwakho Yehova.

19 “Yena uGadi,+ uza kuhlaselwa ngamajoni angabaphangi, kodwa uza kujika awahlasele, angawaniki kuphumla.+

20 “Isonka* sika-Ashere+ siza kuba sininzi, yaye uza kuvelisa ukutya okulungele ukutyiwa ngukumkani.+

21 “UNafetali+ lixhamakazi elinciphileyo. Uthetha amazwi amnandi.+

22 “UYosefu+ lisetyana lomthi ovelisa iziqhamo, umthi ovelisa iziqhamo ngasemthonjeni, onamasebe anabela ngaphaya kodonga. 23 Kodwa abatoli baqhubeka bemhlupha, bemtola, yaye baqhubeka bemzonda.+ 24 Sekunjalo isaphetha sakhe sasihleli silungile+ nezandla zakhe zomelele kwaye zitola ngokukhawuleza.+ Le nto yayisuka kwizandla zalowo unamandla kaYakobi, kumalusi, kwilitye likaSirayeli. 25 Uvela* kuThixo katata wakho ibe uza kukunceda, yaye ukunye noSomandla, kwaye uza kukusikelela ngeentsikelelo zasemazulwini phezulu, ngeentsikelelo zamanzi angaphantsi+ nangeentsikelelo zamabele nesibeleko. 26 Iintsikelelo zikatata wakho ziza kuba ngaphezulu kuneentsikelelo zeentaba zikanaphakade, zibe ngaphezulu kunezinto ezinqwenelekayo zeenduli ezihlala zikho.+ Ziza kuqhubeka zisentlokweni kaYosefu, elukakayini lwalowo ukhethiweyo kubantakwabo.+

27 “UBhenjamin+ uza kuqhubeka eqwenga oku kwengcuka.+ Kusasa uza kutya ixhoba, aze ngokuhlwa ahlule izinto azoxuthileyo.”+

28 Bonke aba zizizwe eziyi-12 zakwaSirayeli, kwaye lawo ngamazwi awathethwa kubo ngutata wabo xa wayebasikelela. Wanika ngamnye wabo intsikelelo emfaneleyo.+

29 Emva koko wayolela wathi: “Ndiza kuhlanganiselwa kubantu bakuthi.*+ Ndingcwabeni nookhokho, kumqolomba okwintsimi kaEfron umHiti,+ 30 kumqolomba okwintsimi yaseMakaphela ephambi kweMamre kwilizwe lakwaKanan, kwintsimi eyathengwa nguAbraham kuEfron umHiti ukuze ibe yindawo yokungcwaba. 31 UAbraham nomfazi wakhe uSara+ bangcwatyelwe phaya, noIsake+ nomfazi wakhe uRebheka, noLeya ndamngcwabela phaya. 32 La ntsimi nala mqolomba okuyo, zathengwa koonyana bakaHeti.”+

33 UYakobi wagqiba ukuyolela koonyana bakhe. Emva koko wakhwelisa iinyawo zakhe ebhedini, waphefumla okokugqibela, waza wahlanganiselwa kubantu bakowabo.*+

50 UYosefu waziphosa kutata wakhe,+ wamlilela waza wamphuza.* 2 Emva koko uYosefu wayalela izicaka zakhe, oogqirha bakhe, ukuba baqhole+ utata wakhe. Ngoko aba gqirha bamqhola uSirayeli, 3 ibe bathatha iintsuku eziyi-40, kuba ukuqhola kwakuthatha ixesha elingako, yaye amaYiputa aqhubeka emlilela iintsuku eziyi-70.

4 Zathi zakuphela iintsuku zokuzilela uYakobi, uYosefu wathi kumagosa* kaFaro: “Ukuba niyandithanda, dlulisani lo myalezo kuFaro: 5 ‘Utata wandifungisa+ wathi: “Jonga! Ndiyafa,+ ngoko uze undingcwabe kwindawo yam yokungcwaba+ endazimbela yona kwilizwe lakwaKanan.”+ Ngoku ke ndicela ukuyokungcwaba utata, ndiza kubuya xa ndigqibile.’ ” 6 UFaro wathi: “Hamba uyokumngcwaba utata wakho kanye njengoko wayekufungisile.”+

7 UYosefu wahamba wayokumngcwaba, ekhatshwa zizo zonke izicaka zikaFaro, abadala+ bendlu* yakhe, bonke abadala belizwe laseYiputa, 8 yonke indlu kaYosefu, abantakwabo nendlu katata wakhe.+ EGoshen bashiya kuphela abantwana babo, imihlambi yabo yeegusha nemihlambi yabo yeenkomo. 9 Wanyuka nazo neenqwelo+ nabakhweli-mahashe, ngoko baba liqela elikhulu kakhulu. 10 Bafika kwibala lokubhula laseAtadi, elikummandla waseYordan, batsho ngesijwili esikrakra nesikhulu kakhulu, yaye uYosefu waqhubeka emzilele utata wakhe iintsuku ezisixhenxe. 11 Abemi belo lizwe amaKanan, bababona bezilile kwibala lokubhula laseAtadi, baza bakhuza besithi: “Ayayizila into ke la maYiputa!” Yiloo nto loo ndawo kwathiwa yiAbheli-mitserayim,* ekummandla waseYordan.

12 Oonyana bakaYakobi bamenzela yonke into awayebayalele yona.+ 13 Bamthwalela kwilizwe lakwaKanan baza bamngcwaba kumqolomba wentsimi yaseMakaphela, ephambi kweMamre. Le ntsimi yathengwa nguAbraham kuEfron umHiti, ukuze ibe yindawo yokungcwaba.+ 14 Akugqiba ukungcwaba utata wakhe, uYosefu wabuyela eYiputa kunye nabantakwabo, nabo bonke abantu ababehambe naye ukuya kungcwaba utata wakhe.

15 Bakubona abantakwaboYosefu ukuba utata wabo ufile, bathi: “Kusenokwenzeka ukuba uYosefu usasizonda, yaye uza kuziphindezela ngayo yonke into embi esamenza yona.”+ 16 Ngoko bathumela umyalezo kuYosefu, bathi: “Utata wakho wayolela ngaphambi kokuba afe wathi: 17 ‘Nantsi into eniza kuyithetha kuYosefu: “Ndiyakucela, sixolele isono sabantakwenu nento abakwenza yona bekuzisela ububi obungaka.” ’ Ngoku ke siyakucela, sixolele isono sabakhonzi boThixo katata wakho.” Bathe bakuthetha naye, zazehlela iinyembezi kuYosefu. 18 Emva koko abantakwabo beza kuye, baqubuda phambi kwakhe, bathi: “Sithi aba singamakhoboka akho!”+ 19 UYosefu wathi kubo: “Ningoyiki, ayingoThixo na ogwebayo? 20 UThixo wayeneenjongo ezintle, ibe wayefuna kusinde abantu abaninzi njengokuba esenza namhlanje,+ nangona nina nanifuna ukundivisa ubuhlungu.+ 21 Ngoko ke sanukoyika. Ndiza kuqhubeka ndininika ukutya nina nabantwana benu.”+ Ngaloo ndlela wabathuthuzela, wathetha nabo ebaqinisekisa.

22 UYosefu waqhubeka ehlala eYiputa, yena nendlu katata wakhe, yaye waphila iminyaka eyi-110. 23 Wabona oonyana bakaEfrayim besizukulwana sesithathu,+ noonyana bakaMakire+ unyana kaManase. Bakhulela emadolweni kaYosefu.* 24 Ekuhambeni kwexesha uYosefu wathi kubantakwabo: “Sele ndiza kufa, kodwa ngokuqinisekileyo uThixo uza kuninceda,+ yaye uza kuninyusa niphume kweli lizwe, anise kwilizwe awafunga ngalo kuAbraham, kuIsake nakuYakobi.”+ 25 Ngoko uYosefu wabafungisa oonyana bakaSirayeli wathi: “Ngokuqinisekileyo uThixo uza kuninceda. Nize nihambe namathambo am xa nihamba apha.”+ 26 UYosefu wafa eneminyaka eyi-110, ibe bamqhola+ umfi lowo waza wafakwa kwibhokisi yesidumbu eYiputa.