Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
MARCH 6-12
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | JEREMIYA 1-4
“Nginawe Ukuba Ngikukhulule”
(Jeremiya 1:6) Kodwa ngathi: “Maye, Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova! Bheka empeleni angikwazi ukukhuluma, ngoba ngisewumfana nje.”
Hlale Uphapheme NjengoJeremiya
4 Cishe uJeremiya wayecela eminyakeni engu-25 lapho uJehova emthuma ukuba abe umlindi. (Jer. 1:1, 2) Kodwa wayezibona engumfana nje, engakufanelekeli neze ukukhuluma nabadala besizwe, amadoda ayesekhulile ngeminyaka futhi esezikhundleni ezaziwanika igunya. (Jer. 1:6) Kwakufanele amemezele izahlulelo ezishisayo nezesabekayo ezazilahla ikakhulu abapristi, abaprofethi bamanga, ababusi nalabo ababelandela ‘indlela ethandwayo’ futhi abase ‘benokungathembeki okuhlala njalo.’ (Jer. 6:13; 8:5, 6) Ithempeli elikhazimulayo elakhiwa iNkosi uSolomoni, elalibe yisikhungo sokukhulekela cishe iminyaka engamakhulu amane, lalizobhidlizwa. IJerusalema nelakwaJuda kwakuzoba incithakalo futhi izakhamuzi zakhona zithunjwe. Ngempela, isigijimi uJeremiya okwakufanele asimemezele sasiphuthuma!
(Jeremiya 1:7-10) UJehova waqhubeka wathi kimi: “Ungasho ukuthi, ‘Ngisewumfana nje.’ Kodwa kubo bonke labo engizokuthuma kubo, kufanele uye; futhi konke engizokuyala ngakho, kufanele ukukhulume. 8 Ungesabi ngenxa yobuso babo, ngoba ‘nginawe ukuba ngikukhulule,’ kusho uJehova.” 9 Khona-ke uJehova welula isandla sakhe wenza ukuba sithinte umlomo wami. Khona-ke uJehova wathi kimi: “Bheka ngifaké amazwi ami emlonyeni wakho. 10 Bheka, ngikumisile namuhla ukuba ube phezu kwezizwe naphezu kwemibuso, ukuze usiphule futhi udilize, ubhubhise futhi ubhidlize, wakhe futhi utshale.”
(Jeremiya 1:17-19) Kepha wena, kufanele ubophe ukhalo lwakho, kumelwe usukume futhi ukhulume kubo konke engikuyala ngakho. Ungafikelwa yinoma yikuphi ukwesaba ngenxa yabo, ukuze ngingakushayi ngokwesaba phambi kwabo. 18 Kodwa mina, bheka ngikwenzé namuhla waba ngumuzi onezivikelo eziqinile nensika yensimbi nezindonga zethusi ngokumelene nalo lonke leli zwe, emakhosini akwaJuda, ezikhulwini zalo, kubapristi balo nakubantu bezwe. 19 Ngokuqinisekile bazolwa nawe, kodwa ngeke bakunqobe, ngoba ‘mina nginawe,’ kusho uJehova, ‘ukuba ngikukhulule.’”
Wena Ulalela Bani—UNkulunkulu Noma Abantu?
18 UNkulunkulu watshela umprofethi uJeremiya: “Nginawe ukuba ngikukhulule.” (Jeremiya 1:8) UJehova angasikhulula kanjani namuhla lapho sishushiswa? Angase avuse umahluleli onomqondo ovulekile njengoGamaliyeli. Noma angase enze ukuba kungazelelwe isikhundla sesikhulu esithile esikhohlakele noma esiphikisayo sithathwe esinye esinomqondo ovuleke kakhudlwana. Nokho, ngezinye izikhathi uJehova angase akuvumele ukushushiswa kwabantu bakhe kuqhubeke. (2 Thimothewu 3:12) Uma uNkulunkulu evuma ukuba sishushiswe, ngaso sonke isikhathi uyosinika amandla okulukhuthazelela lolo shushiso. (1 Korinte 10:13) Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi yini uNkulunkulu ayivumelayo, asingabazi ukuthi siyoba yini isiphetho: Labo abalwa nabantu bakaNkulunkulu balwa noNkulunkulu, futhi abalwa noNkulunkulu ngeke banqobe.
“Ngiyosuthisa Umphefumulo Okhathele”
INGABE UZOYIQABULA IMIPHEFUMULO EKHATHELE?
14 Kuhle siqaphele indlela uJeremiya akhuthazwa ngayo nendlela akhuthaza ngayo abanye ‘ababeyimiphefumulo ekhathele.’ (Jer. 31:25) Wathola isikhuthazo kuJehova ngokuyinhloko. Cabanga nje ukuthi wawuyokhuthazeka kanjani lapho uzwa uJehova ethi kuwe: “Kodwa mina, bheka ngikwenzé namuhla waba ngumuzi onezivikelo eziqinile . . . Ngokuqinisekile bazolwa nawe, kodwa ngeke bakunqobe, ngoba ‘mina nginawe,’ kusho uJehova, ‘ukuba ngikukhulule.’” (Jer. 1:18, 19) Yingakho uJeremiya athi uJehova ‘ungamandla akhe nesiphephelo sakhe, indawo yakhe yokubalekela ngosuku lokucindezeleka.’—Jer. 16:19.
15 Kuyaphawuleka ukuthi uJehova wathi kuJeremiya: “Mina nginawe.” Uyabona yini ukuthi yini ongayenza lapho umuntu omaziyo edinga isikhuthazo? Kuhle ukubona ukuthi umfowethu noma udade ongumKristu noma mhlawumbe isihlobo sidinga isikhuthazo; kodwa kuhle kakhulu ukwenza okuthile okuwusizo ngakho. Ezikhathini eziningi, okuphumelela kakhulu ukwenza lokho uNkulunkulu akwenza kuJeremiya—ukuchitha isikhathi naye. Ngemva kwesikhashana, mkhuthaze, kodwa ungakhulumi undendende. Amazwi ambalwa, uma ekhethwe kahle, cishe ayofeza okukhulu ukuze amqinise futhi amakhe. Akudingeki ube igagu. Yisho amazwi alula abonisa isithakazelo, ukukhathalela nothando lobuKristu. Amazwi anjalo angafeza lukhulu.—Funda izAga 25:11.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Jeremiya 2:13) ‘Ngoba kukhona izinto ezimbili ezimbi abantu bami abazenzile: Bangishiyile, yebo mina mthombo wamanzi aphilayo, ukuze bazimbele imithombo, imithombo eqhekekile, engakwazi ukuqukatha amanzi.’
(Jeremiya 2:18) Manje kungani kufanele ukhathazeke ngendlela yaseGibhithe ukuze uphuze amanzi eShihori? Futhi kungani kufanele ukhathazeke ngendlela yase-Asiriya ukuze uphuze amanzi oMfula?
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
2:13, 18. Ama-Israyeli angathembekile enza izinto ezimbili ezimbi. Ashiya uJehova, umthombo ongashi wesibusiso, isiqondiso nesivikelo. Futhi azimbela imithombo yawo engokomfanekiso ngokufuna ukwenza imifela-ndawonye neGibhithe ne-Asiriya. Namuhla, ukushiya uNkulunkulu weqiniso sikhethe amafilosofi nemibono yabantu nezombusazwe zezwe kuwukushiya ‘umthombo wamanzi aphilayo’ sizigubhele “imithombo eqhekekile.”
(Jeremiya 4:10) Ngathi: “Maye Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova! Impela usikhohlisé ngokuphelele lesi sizwe kanye neJerusalema, uthi, ‘Ukuthula kuyoba ngokwenu,’ kodwa inkemba ifinyelele khona kanye emphefumulweni.”
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
4:10; 15:18—UJehova wabakhohlisa ngamuphi umqondo abantu bakhe abahlubukayo? Ngosuku lukaJeremiya, kwakunabaprofethi ‘ababeprofetha amanga.’ (Jeremiya 5:31; 20:6; 23:16, 17, 25-28, 32) UJehova akazange abavimbe ukuba bangayimemezeli imiyalezo edukisayo.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Jeremiya 4:1-10) “O Israyeli, uma uyobuya” kusho uJehova, “ungabuyela kimi. Futhi uma uyozisusa izinengiso zakho ngenxa yami, khona-ke ngeke uhambe njengombaleki. 2 Uma ngokuqinisekile uyofunga uthi, ‘Kuphila kukaJehova ngeqiniso, ngobulungisa nangokulunga!’ khona-ke izizwe impela ziyozibusisa ngaye, futhi ziyoziqhayisa ngaye.” 3 Ngoba yilokhu uJehova akushilo kubantu bakwaJuda nakulo iJerusalema: “Zilimeleni umhlabathi olimekayo, ningalokhu nihlwanyela emeveni. 4 Zisokeleni uJehova, nisuse ijwabu lezinhliziyo zenu, nina bantu bakwaJuda nabakhileyo eJerusalema; ukuze ukufutheka kwami kungaphumi njengomlilo, futhi ngokuqinisekile kuvuthe kungabikho ocimayo, ngenxa yobubi bezenzo zenu.” 5 Kwaziseni kwaJuda, nikumemezele ngisho naseJerusalema, nikusho ngokuzwakalayo, nishaye uphondo kulo lonke izwe. Memezani kakhulu nithi: “Buthanani, singene emizini enezivikelo eziqinile. 6 Phakamiselani iZiyoni isibonakaliso. Yenzani ilungiselelo lokukhosela. Ningami ningenzi lutho.” Ngoba kukhona inhlekelele engiyilethayo evela enyakatho, yebo isibhicongo esikhulu. 7 Ukhuphukile njengengonyama iphuma ehlozini layo, futhi lowo ochitha izizwe usukile; uphumile endaweni yakhe ukuze enze izwe lakho libe yinto eshaqisayo. Imizi yakho iyowa ibe yizincithakalo kangangokuba ngeke kube nowakhileyo khona. 8 Ngenxa yalokhu bhincani indwangu yesaka. Shayani izifuba zenu nihewule, ngoba intukuthelo evuthayo kaJehova ayikasuki kithi. 9 “Kuyothi ngalolo suku,” kusho uJehova, “inhliziyo yenkosi ishabalale, nenhliziyo yezikhulu futhi; nabapristi bayophoqeleka ukuba bashaqeke, abaprofethi bona bayomangala.” 10 Ngathi: “Maye Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova! Impela usikhohlisé ngokuphelele lesi sizwe kanye neJerusalema, uthi, ‘Ukuthula kuyoba ngokwenu,’ kodwa inkemba ifinyelele khona kanye emphefumulweni.
MARCH 13-19
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | JEREMIYA 5-7
“Bayeka Ukwenza Intando KaNkulunkulu”
(Jeremiya 6:13-15) “Ngoba kusukela komncane kunabo bonke kubo kuze kube komkhulu kunabo bonke kubo, wonke umuntu uzenzela inzuzo engalungile; kusukela kumprofethi kuya ngisho nakumpristi, yilowo nalowo wenza ngokungathembeki. 14 Bazama ukuphulukisa ukwaphuka kwabantu bami kalula, bethi, ‘Kukhona ukuthula! Kukhona ukuthula!’ kube kungekho ukuthula. 15 Ingabe baba namahloni ngoba lokho ababekwenzile kuyinto enengekayo? Okokuqala, ababi nawo neze amahloni; okwesibili, abazi ngisho nokuthi kunjani ukuzizwa uphoxekile. Ngakho-ke bayokuwa phakathi kwabawayo; ngesikhathi engiyobenza balandise ngaso bayokhubeka,” kusho uJehova.
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
7 UJehova waxwayisa: “Bayakulwa nawe, kepha abayikukwahlula.” (Jeremiya 1:19) Manje, kungani amaJuda nababusi bawo babeyofuna ukulwa nalomprofethi? Ngoba isigijimi sakhe sasihlasela ukunganaki kwabo nendlela yabo yokukhulekela eyayingeyokugcina umthetho nje. UJeremiya akazange agwegwese: “Bheka, izwi likaNkulunkulu seliyihlazo kubo, abathokozi ngalo. Ngokuba kusukela kwabancane babo kuya kwabakhulu babo bayaphanga impango bonke, nabaprofethi nabapristi bonke [labo kanye okwakumelwe babe abavikeli bezindinganiso zokuziphatha okuhle nezingokomoya] baqamba amanga.”—Jeremiya 6:10, 13.
8 Yiqiniso, babehola isizwe ekwenzeni imihlatshelo. Babegcina icala nje mayelana nokukhulekela kweqiniso, izinhliziyo zabo zazingekho kukho. Ukugcina isiko kwakusho okukhulu kakhulu kubo kunokuziphatha okufanele. Ngesikhathi esifanayo, abaholi benkolo bamaJuda babekhohlisa isizwe ukuze sibe nomuzwa wokuthi silondekile, bethi, “Ngukuthula, ngukuthula” lapho kungekho ukuthula. (Jeremiya 6:14; 8:11) Yebo, babekhohlisa abantu ukuba bacabange ukuthi babenokuthula noNkulunkulu. Babenomuzwa wokuthi akukho okwakumelwe bakhathazeke ngakho, ngoba babengabantu abasindisiwe bakaJehova, ababenomuzi ongcwele nethempeli lawo. Kodwa ingabe leyo indlela uJehova ayebheka ngayo isimo?
(Jeremiya 7:1-7) Leli yizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova, lithi: 2 “Yima esangweni lendlu kaJehova, futhi ulimemezele lapho leli zwi, uthi, ‘Yizwani izwi likaJehova, nonke nina bakwaJuda, eningena ngala masango ukuzokhothamela uJehova. 3 Yilokhu uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, akushilo: “Yenzani izindlela zenu nezenzo zenu zibe zinhle, ngizonigcina nihlala kule ndawo. 4 Ningabeki ithemba lenu emazwini ayinkohliso, nithi, ‘Ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova, yiwo ayithempeli likaJehova!’ 5 Ngoba uma nakanjani niyokwenza izindlela zenu nezenzo zenu zibe zinhle, uma ngokuqinisekile niyofeza ubulungisa phakathi komuntu nomngane wakhe, 6 uma ningeke nicindezele umfokazi, nentandane nomfelokazi, futhi ningeke nichithe igazi elingenacala kule ndawo, ningeke nilandele abanye onkulunkulu kube yinhlekelele kini, 7 nami-ke ngokuqinisekile ngiyonigcina nihlala kule ndawo, ezweni engalinika okhokho benu, kusukela nini nanini kuze kube nini nanini.”’”
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
9 UJehova wayala uJeremiya ukuba ame obala ngasesangweni lethempeli futhi anikeze isigijimi saKhe kubakhulekeli ababengena lapho. Kwakumelwe abatshele ukuthi: “Ningethembi emazwini amanga, lapho kuthiwa: Nanti ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova, ithempeli likaJehova. . . . Bhekani, niyethemba emazwini amanga angenakusiza.” AmaJuda ayehamba ngokubona hhayi ngokukholwa, njengoba ayeqhosha ngethempeli lawo. Ayesewakhohliwe kakade amazwi kaJehova okuxwayisa: “Izulu liyisihlalo sami sobukhosi, umhlaba uyisenabelo sezinyawo zami, iphi leyondlu ebeniyakungakhela yona?” UJehova, iNkosi enguMbusi yalendawo enkulu, ngokuqinisekile wayengavalelekile phakathi kwethempeli lawo, kungakhathaliseki ukuthi lalikhazimula kanjani!—Jeremiya 7:1-8; Isaya 66:1.
10 UJeremiya waqhubeka namazwi akhe ahlabayo okusola obala: “Niyakweba yini, nibulale, niphinge, nifunge amanga, nimshisele uBali impepho, nilandele abanye onkulunkulu eningabazanga, . . . nithi: Sophuliwe—nize nenze zonke lezizinengiso, na?” AmaJuda, ‘njengabantu’ bakaNkulunkulu ‘abakhethiwe,’ ayecabanga ukuthi wayezovumela ukuziphatha kwanoma yiluphi uhlobo kuphela nje uma eletha imihlatshelo yawo ethempelini. Nokho, uma ayemcabangela njengoyise onozwela otetemisa umntwana ototoswayo okuwukuphela kwakhe, khona ayelinde amathonsi abanzi.—Jeremiya 7:9, 10; Eksodusi 19:5, 6.
(Jeremiya 7:8-15) “Bhekani manje nibeka ithemba lenu emazwini ayinkohliso—ngokuqinisekile ngeke neze kube nanzuzo. 9 Ingabe kungaba khona ukweba, ukubulala nokuphinga nokufunga amanga nokushunqisela uBhali umusi womhlatshelo nokulandela abanye onkulunkulu enaningabazi, 10 futhi ingabe kumelwe nize nime phambi kwami kule ndlu igama lami elibizwe phezu kwayo, futhi nithi, ‘Ngokuqinisekile siyokhululwa,’ naphezu kokwenza zonke lezi zinto ezinengekayo? 11 Ingabe le ndlu igama lami elibizwe phezu kwayo isibé ngumhume nje wabaphangi emehlweni enu? Bhekani nami ngikubonile,” kusho uJehova. 12 “ ‘Nokho, hambani manje, niye endaweni yami eyayiseShilo, lapho ngenza ukuba igama lami lihlale khona ekuqaleni, nibone engakwenza kuyo ngenxa yobubi babantu bami u-Israyeli. 13 Manje ngenxa yokuthi naqhubeka niyenza yonke le misebenzi,’ kusho uJehova, ‘futhi ngaqhubeka ngikhuluma nani, ngivuka ekuseni kakhulu ngikhuluma, kodwa anizange nilalele, futhi ngaqhubeka nginibiza, kodwa anizange nisabele, 14 ngizokwenza futhi nakule ndlu igama lami elibizwe phezu kwayo, enithembela kuyo, nakule ndawo engayinika nina nokhokho benu, njengoba nje ngenza eShilo. 15 Ngiyonilahla ngaphandle nisuke phambi kobuso bami, njengoba nje ngabalahla ngaphandle bonke abafowenu, yonke inzalo ka-Efrayimi.’
Ukukhonza “Engxenyeni Yokugcina Yezinsuku”
12 Ekuqaleni kokubusa kukaJehoyakimi, uJehova watshela uJeremiya ukuba aye ethempelini ayodalula ububi babantu baseJudiya. Babebheka ithempeli likaJehova njengeliyinto ezobavikela. Kepha uma babengakuyeki “ukweba, ukubulala nokuphinga nokufunga amanga nokushunqisela uBhali umusi womhlatshelo nokulandela abanye onkulunkulu,” uJehova wayeyolishiya ithempeli lakhe. Wayengeke abayeke nabazenzisi ababekhulekela kulo, njengoba nje alishiya netabernakele eShilo ngezinsuku zomPristi Omkhulu u-Eli. Izwe lakwaJuda ‘laliyoba indawo ebhuqiwe nje kuphela.’ (Jer. 7:1-15, 34; 26:1-6) Cabanga ngesibindi uJeremiya ayesidinga ukuze amemezele leso sigijimi! Cishe wasimemezela obala kubantu abayizicukuthwane nabanegama. Abanye abafowethu nodadewethu namuhla nabo baye baba nomuzwa wokuthi badinga isibindi ukuze bahlanganyele emsebenzini wasemgwaqweni noma ukuze bashumayeze izigwili nezicukuthwane. Nokho, nakhu esingaqiniseka ngakho: UNkulunkulu uyosisekela nakanjani njengoba nje asekela uJeremiya.—Heb. 10:39; 13:6.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Jeremiya 6:16) Yilokhu uJehova akushilo: “Yimani ezindleleni, nibone, nibuze ngemendo yakudala, ukuthi iphi manje indlela enhle; nihambe ngayo, nitholele imiphefumulo yenu impumuzo.” Kodwa babelokhu bethi: “Ngeke sihambe.”
Ingabe Uzohamba NoNkulunkulu?
11 Ingabe siyalivumela ngempela iZwi likaNkulunkulu ukuba lisiqondise ezicini zonke? Kuyazuzisa ukuhlaba ikhefu ngezinye izikhathi sizihlole ngokwethembeka. Cabanga ngevesi eliyosisiza ukuba senze kanjalo: “Yilokhu uJehova akushilo: ‘Yimani ezindleleni, nibone, nibuze ngemendo yakudala, ukuthi iphi manje indlela enhle; nihambe ngayo, nitholele imiphefumulo yenu impumuzo.’” (Jeremiya 6:16) La mazwi angase asikhumbuze umhambi omi empambana-mgwaqo ukuze abuze. Ngomqondo ongokomoya, abantu bakaJehova abavukelayo kwa-Israyeli kwakudingeka benze okufanayo. Kwakudingeka bathole indlela ebuyela ‘emendweni yakudala.’ Leyo “ndlela enhle” kwakuyindlela okhokho babo abathembekile ababehambe ngayo, indlela isizwe esase sinhlanhlathile kuyo ngobuwula. Ngokudabukisayo, u-Israyeli akazange asamukele lesi sikhumbuzo sothando esivela kuJehova. Lona leli vesi liyaqhubeka: “Kodwa babelokhu bethi: ‘Ngeke sihambe.’” Nokho, ezikhathini zanamuhla abantu bakaNkulunkulu baye basabela ngendlela ehlukile basilalela iseluleko.
(Jeremiya 6:22, 23) Yilokhu uJehova akushilo: “Bheka! Kuza isizwe sivela ezweni lasenyakatho, futhi kukhona isizwe esikhulu esiyovuswa ezingxenyeni ezikude kakhulu zomhlaba. 23 Siyobamba umnsalo nengcula. Yisizwe esinonya, futhi ngeke sihawukele. Izwi laso liyohlokoma njengolwandle, futhi siyogibela amahhashi. Sihlelwe ngomumo wempi njengomuntu wempi ngokumelene nawe ndodakazi yaseZiyoni.”
UJeremiya—Umprofethi Ongathandeki Wezahlulelo ZikaNkulunkulu
UJuda Uyakhokha
15 Cishe ngo-632 B.C.E., iAsiriya lase liwele kumaKaledi namaMede, futhi iGibithe lancishiswa laba umbuso omncane ngaseningizimu yakwaJuda. Usongo lwangempela kwaJuda lwaluyokuza ngomzila wokuhlasela ngasenyakatho. Ngakho, kwakumelwe uJeremiya anikeze amaJuda akubo izindaba ezimbi! “Bheka, kuvela abantu ezweni elisenyakatho . . . banonya, abanamusa, . . . behlelelwe ukulwa nawe-ndodakazi yaseSiyoni.” Umbuso wezwe owawuthola amandla ngalesosikhathi kwakuyiBabiloni. Lona wawuzokuba ithuluzi likaJehova lokujezisa uJuda ongenalukholo.—Jeremiya 6:22, 23; 25:8, 9.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Jeremiya 5:26-6:5) “‘Ngoba phakathi kwabantu bami kutholakale abantu ababi. Baqhubeka besinga, njengalapho abacuphi bezinyoni becathama. Babeké isicupho esichithayo. Babamba abantu. 27 Njengendlwana yezinyoni igcwele izidalwa ezindizayo, kanjalo izindlu zabo zigcwele inkohliso. Yingakho bebé bakhulu futhi bezuza ingcebo. 28 Bakhuluphele; bayacwebezela. Futhi baye bachichima izinto ezimbi. Alikho icala lomthetho abalimelile, ngisho necala lomthetho lentandane, ukuze bazuze impumelelo; futhi ukwahlulelwa kwabampofu abazange bakumele.”’ 29 “Akufanele yini ngenze ukuba kulandiswe ngenxa yazo kanye lezi zinto,” kusho uJehova, “noma akufanele yini umphefumulo wami uziphindiselele esizweni esinjengalesi? 30 Kuye kwenziwa ukuba kuvele isimo esimangalisayo ezweni, yebo into enyantisayo: 31 Abaprofethi empeleni baprofetha amanga; abapristi bona, bathobisa abantu ngokwamandla abo. Abantu bami bathandé ukuba kube ngaleyo ndlela; yini-ke nina madoda eniyoyenza esiphethweni sako?”
6 O madodana kaBhenjamini, funani isikhoselo, nisuke phakathi kweJerusalema; nishaye uphondo eThekhowa. Phakamisani isibonakaliso somlilo phezu kweBheti-hakeremi; ngoba inhlekelele ilunguze ezansi isenyakatho, yebo isibhicongo esikhulu. 2 Impela indodakazi yaseZiyoni ifané nowesifazane obukekayo okhuliswe ngokutotoswa. 3 Abelusi nemihlambi yabo beza kuyo. Bagxumeka amatende abo nxazonke ngokumelene nayo. Bayiklabisa yilowo nalowo engxenyeni yakhe yayiqothula. 4 Bangcwelisé impi ngokumelene nayo: “Vukani, masikhuphuke emini!” “Maye kithi, ngoba usuku selusondele ekupheleni, ngoba amathunzi okuhlwa alokhu eluleka!” 5 “Vukani, masikhuphuke ebusuku sichithe imibhoshongo yayo yokuhlala.”
MARCH 20-26
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | JEREMIYA 8-11
“Abantu Bangaphumelela Kuphela Lapho Beqondiswa NguJehova”
(Jeremiya 10:2-5) Yilokhu uJehova akushilo: “Ningayifundi neze indlela yezizwe, futhi ningafikelwa ukwesaba ngisho nangenxa yezibonakaliso zamazulu, ngoba izizwe zifikelwa ukwesaba ngenxa yazo. 3 Ngoba amasiko ezizwe amane awumoya okhishwa ngamakhala, ngoba kumane nje kuwumuthi wasehlathini umuntu awugawulile, umsebenzi wezandla zengcweti ngengwedo. 4 Umuntu uwenza ube muhle ngegolide nangesiliva. Bayiqinisa ngezipikili nangezando, ukuze ingabikho ediyazelayo. 5 Injengesithusamagwababa ensimini yamakhukhamba, futhi ayikwazi ukukhuluma. Nakanjani iyathwalwa, ngoba ayikwazi ukuphakamisa unyawo. Ningayesabi, ngoba ayinakwenza lutho oluyinhlekelele, ngaphezu kwalokho, ukwenza noma yikuphi okuhle akukho kuyo.”
(Jeremiya 10:14, 15) Wonke umuntu uziphathé ngokungacabangi ngezinga elibonisa ukungabi nalwazi. Wonke umuntu osebenza ngensimbi ngokuqinisekile uyoba namahloni ngenxa yomfanekiso oqoshiwe; ngoba umfanekiso wakhe oncibilikisiwe ungamanga, futhi awukho umoya kuyo. 15 Iyize, umsebenzi wokuhlekwa usulu. Ngesikhathi sokuhanjelwa kwayo iyoshabalala.
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Ukhukhamba
Kwakubuye kufakwe izinsika, izigxobo nezinye izinto emasimini alinyiwe ukuze zethuse izilwane futhi umprofethi uJeremiya wafanisa izithombe ezibazwe yizizwe ezikhulekela onkulunkulu bamanga “nesithusamagwababa ensimini yamakhukhamba,” into engaphili nengakwazi nokukhuluma.—Jer 10:5.
(Jeremiya 10:6, 7) O Jehova akekho onjengawe nganoma iyiphi indlela. Wena umkhulu, futhi igama lakho likhulu ngamandla. 7 Ngubani okungafanele akwesabe, Nkosi yezizwe, ngoba kukufanele wena; ngoba phakathi kwabo bonke abahlakaniphile bezizwe naphakathi kwabo bonke ubukhosi babo akekho onjengawe nanganoma iyiphi indlela.
(Jeremiya 10:10-13) Kodwa uJehova unguNkulunkulu ngeqiniso. UnguNkulunkulu ophilayo neNkosi kuze kube nini nanini. Ngenxa yentukuthelo yakhe umhlaba uyozamazama, futhi azikho izizwe eziyokwazi ukukuthwala ukulahla kwakhe. 11 Yilokhu enizokusho kubo: “Onkulunkulu abangawenzanga amazulu nomhlaba yibo abayoshabalala emhlabeni baphele nangaphansi kwala mazulu.” 12 UnguMenzi wo-mhlaba ngamandla akhe, Lo-wo ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe olimisa liqine izwe elikhiqizayo, naLowo owawelula amazulu ngokuqonda kwakhe. 13 Ngezwi lakhe unikeza inhlokomo yamanzi emazulwini, futhi ubangela ukuba kwenyuke imihwamuko ivela emkhawulweni womhlaba. Wenzé ngisho namasango emvula, futhi ukhipha umoya ezinqolobaneni zakhe.
Obani Abakhazimulisa UNkulunkulu Namuhla?
10 Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi ubuka amazulu phezulu noma ugqolozela indalo ekhona la emhlabeni, bucacile ubufakazi bokuthi uMdali ukhona. (Jeremiya 10:12) Kufanele sivumelane ngokuphelele nezidalwa zasezulwini ezimemeza zithi: “Uyakufanelekela, Jehova, yebo Nkulunkulu wethu, ukwamukela inkazimulo nodumo namandla, ngoba wadala zonke izinto.” (IsAmbulo 4:11) Noma kunjalo, ososayensi abaningi bayehluleka ukubona lobu bufakazi ‘ngamehlo enhliziyo yabo’ yize ingase ibamangalise imiklamo yezinto abazibona ngamehlo abo enyama. (Efesu 1:18) Singakufanekisa kanje: Ukuncoma ubuhle nomklamo wendalo bese uphika ukuthi ukhona uMklami Omkhulu akunangqondo njengokuncoma umdwebo omuhle kakhulu ngesikhathi esifanayo uphike ukuthi ukhona umdwebi owathatha indwangu engenalutho wayenza umdwebo wobuciko. Akumangazi ukuthi labo abangafuni ukukholelwa kuNkulunkulu kuthiwa “abanazaba”!
(Jeremiya 10:21-23) Ngoba abelusi baziphathe ngokungacabangi, futhi abazange bamfune ngisho noJehova. Yingakho bengenzanga ngokuqondisisa, futhi zonke izilwane zabo ebeziklabile zihlakaziwe.” 22 Lalela! Umbiko! Bheka ufikile, nokugabavula okukhulu okuvela ezweni lasenyakatho, ukuze kwenziwe imizi yakwaJuda ibe yihlane eliyincithakalo, isikhundla sezimpungushe. 23 Ngazi kahle, Jehova, ukuthi indlela yomuntu wasemhlabeni akuyona eyakhe. Akukona okomuntu ohambayo ngisho nokuqondisa isinyathelo sakhe.
Ingabe Usola UNkulunkulu?
Izimo ezidabukisayo ezisemhlabeni namuhla ziwubufakazi obusobala bokuthi ukubusa kwabantu kuhlulekile. Akukhona nje ukuthi imibuso yabantu ihlulekile ukuletha ukuthula, ukulondeka nenjabulo, kodwa iye yonakalisa umhlaba ngendlela edabukisayo. Lokhu kuqinisekisa iqiniso elibalulekile eliseBhayibhelini: “Akukona okomuntu ohambayo ngisho nokuqondisa isinyathelo sakhe.” (Jeremiya 10:23) Indlela kaNkulunkulu yokubusa kuphela engasiqinisekisa ngokuthula okuhlala njalo, injabulo nokuthokoza kwesintu sonke ngenxa yokuthi leyo yinjongo kaNkulunkulu—Isaya 45:18.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Jeremiya 9:24) “Kodwa ozigabisayo makazigabise ngenxa yale nto kanye, ukuba nokuqondisisa nokuba nolwazi ngami, ukuthi nginguJehova, Lowo obonisa umusa wothando, ubulungisa, nokulunga emhlabeni; ngoba yilezi izinto engijabula ngazo,” kusho uJehova.
Qhubeka Usondela KuJehova
16 Ukuqhosha ngezinto ezifanele kungaba into enhle. Ngokwesibonelo, kufanele ngaso sonke isikhathi siziqhenye ngokuthi singoFakazi BakaJehova. (Jer. 9:24) Ukuzihlonipha ngezinga elinempilo kusisiza ukuba senze izinqumo ezinhle futhi sigweme ukwehlisa izindinganiso zethu zokuziphatha. Kodwa ukubheka isikhundla sethu noma imibono yethu njengephakeme kakhulu kungasidedisela kude noJehova.—IHu. 138:6; Roma 12:3.
(Jeremiya 11:10) Babuyele eziphambekweni zokhokho babo, abokuqala, abenqaba ukulalela amazwi ami, kodwa abalandela abanye onkulunkulu ukuba babakhonze. Indlu ka-Israyeli nendlu kaJuda zisephulile isivumelwano sami engasenza nokhokho bazo.
Amaphuzu Avelele Encwadi KaJeremiya
3:11-22; 11:10-12, 17—Kungani uJeremiya amemezela nangombuso wasenyakatho wezizwe eziyishumi, ngisho noma iSamariya lase libhujisiwe ngo-740 B.C.E.? Lokhu kwakungenxa yokuthi ukubhujiswa kweJerusalema ngo-607 B.C.E. kwakuwukubonakaliswa kokukhishwa kwesahlulelo sikaJehova kuso sonke isizwe sakwa-Israyeli, hhayi isizwe sakwaJuda kuphela. (Hezekeli 9:9, 10) Ngaphezu kwalokho, ngemva kokuba umbuso wezizwe eziyishumi usuwile waqhubeka umelelwa iJerusalema, ngoba izigijimi zabaprofethi bakaNkulunkulu zaqhubeka zihlanganisa nama-Israyeli.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Jeremiya 11:6-16) UJehova waqhubeka wathi kimi: “Memezela wonke la mazwi emizini yakwaJuda nasezitaladini zaseJerusalema, uthi, ‘Wazweni, bantu, amazwi alesi sivumelwano, niwenze. 7 Ngoba ngabayalisisa okhokho benu ngosuku lokubakhuphula kwami ngibakhipha ezweni laseGibhithe kuze kube yilolu suku, ngivuka ekuseni kakhulu ngibayala, ngithi: “Lalelani izwi lami.” 8 Kodwa abazange balalele noma bathambekise indlebe yabo, kunalokho baqhubeka behamba yilowo nalowo enkanini yenhliziyo yakhe embi; ngakho ngaletha phezu kwabo wonke la mazwi alesi sivumelwano engangibayale ukuba bawenze, kodwa abangawenzanga.’” 9 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova wathi kimi: “Kutholakalé uzungu phakathi kwabantu bakwaJuda naphakathi kwabakhileyo eJerusalema. 10 Babuyele eziphambekweni zokhokho babo, abokuqala, abenqaba ukulalela amazwi ami, kodwa abalandela abanye onkulunkulu ukuba babakhonze. Indlu ka-Israyeli nendlu kaJuda zisephulile isivumelwano sami engasenza nokhokho bazo. 11 Ngakho-ke yilokhu uJehova akushilo, ‘Bheka ngiletha phezu kwabo inhlekelele abangeke bakwazi ukuphuma kuyo; futhi ngokuqinisekile bayocela usizo kimi, kodwa ngeke ngibalalele. 12 Imizi yakwaJuda nabakhileyo eJerusalema bayohamba beyocela usizo konkulunkulu ababashunqisela umusi womhlatshelo, kodwa ngokuqinisekile abangeke babalethele insindiso ngesikhathi senhlekelele yabo. 13 Ngoba onkulunkulu bakho sebebaningi kangangemizi yakho Juda; nama-altare amaningi kangangezitaladi zaseJerusalema niwabekele into eyihlazo, ama-altare okushunqisela uBhali umusi womhlatshelo.’ 14 “Wena, ungasithandazeli lesi sizwe, futhi ungasiphakamiseli ukukhala kokuncenga noma umthandazo, ngoba ngiyobe ngingalalele ngesikhathi singimemeza ngokuphathelene nenhlekelele yaso. 15 “Ufunani othandiweyo wami endlini yami, ukuba abaningi kubo benze le nto, leli cebo elibi? Futhi, ingabe ngenyama engcwele bayokwenza ukuba ikudlule, inhlekelele yakho lapho ifika? Uyokwethaba yini ngaleso sikhathi? 16 UJehova ukuqambe igama elithi, ‘Umnqumo okhephuzelayo, omuhle ngezithelo nangesimo.’ Ngomsindo wokuduma okukhulu, wokhelé umlilo ovuthayo ngokumelene nawo, futhi bawaphulile amagatsha awo.
MARCH 27–APRIL 2
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU | JEREMIYA 12-16
“U-Israyeli Wamkhohlwa UJehova”
(Jeremiya 13:1-5) Yilokhu uJehova akushilo kimi: “Hamba, uzitholele ibhande lelineni ulibophe okhalweni lwakho, kodwa ungalokothi ulifake emanzini.” 2 Ngakho ngalithola ibhande njengokwezwi likaJehova ngalibopha okhalweni. 3 Izwi likaJehova lafika kimi okwesibili, lathi: 4 “Lithathe leli bhande olitholile, elisokhalweni lwakho, usuke, uye e-Ewufrathe, ulifihle lapho emfantwini wedwala.” 5 Ngakho ngahamba ngalifihla ngase-Ewufrathe, njengoba nje uJehova ayengiyalile.
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
17 Isabelo sikaJeremiya sasihilela nokulalela isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu. Ukube wawunguJeremiya, wawuyozilalela yini iziqondiso ezinjalo? UJehova wake watshela uJeremiya ukuba athathe ibhande lelineni aligqoke. Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wamyala ukuba aye e-Ewufrathe. Bheka ibalazwe, uzobona ukuthi leli banga lalingamakhilomitha angaba ngu-500. Uma efika khona, uJeremiya kwakufanele alifihle emfantwini wedwala abese ehamba yonke leyo ndlela abuyele eJerusalema. Kamuva uNkulunkulu wathi akaphindele emuva ayolilanda lelo bhande. (Funda uJeremiya 13:1-9.) Kumelwe ukuba uJeremiya wahamba ibanga elingaba amakhilomitha angu-1 900 sekukonke. Abagxeki beBhayibheli abakholwa neze ukuthi wayengahamba ibanga elide kangaka, ehamba izinyanga. (Ezra 7:9) Noma kunjalo, yilokho uNkulunkulu akusho futhi yilokho uJeremiya akwenza.
(Jeremiya 13:6, 7) Kodwa kwathi ekupheleni kwezinsuku eziningi uJehova wathi kimi: “Suka, uye e-Ewufrathe uthathe lapho ibhande engakuyala ukuba ulifihle khona.” 7 Ngakho-ke ngaya e-Ewufrathe ngemba ngalithatha ibhande endaweni engangilifihle kuyo, futhi, bheka! ibhande lalonakele; lalingasafanelekele lutho.
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
18 Mbone ngeso lengqondo lo mprofethi eqombola izintaba zaseJudiya aze ayonqamula ehlane elingase-Ewufrathe, kuye ngokuthi ukhetha ukuhamba ngakuphi. Uyofihla ibhande lelineni njalo belu! Kumelwe ukuba omakhelwane bakhe babezibuza ukuthi kazi uyephi njengoba ayehambe isikhathi eside. Wabuya engasaligqokile ibhande lelineni. UNkulunkulu wayesethi makaphinde ahambe lonke lelo banga elide ayolanda lelo bhande, manje elase libolile futhi ‘lingasafanelekele lutho.’ Cabanga ukuthi kwakungaba lula kanjani ngaye ukuba athi: ‘Ngeke ngilunge. Kuzongisiza ngani lokhu.’ Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayebunjwe uNkulunkulu, akashongo kanjalo. Kunokuba akhononde, wenza njengoba ayethunyiwe!
(Jeremiya 13:8-11) Khona-ke izwi likaJehova lafika kimi, lathi: 9 “Yilokhu uJehova akushilo, ‘Ngiyokuchitha ngendlela efanayo ukuziqhenya kukaJuda nokuziqhenya okukhulu kweJerusalema. 10 Lesi sizwe esibi esenqaba ukulalela amazwi ami, esihamba enkanini yenhliziyo yaso futhi esiqhubeka silandela abanye onkulunkulu ukuze sibakhonze futhi sibakhothamele, naso siyoba njengaleli bhande elingasafanelekele lutho.’ 11 ‘Ngoba njengoba nje ibhande linamathela okhalweni lomuntu, kanjalo ngabangela yonke indlu ka-Israyeli nayo yonke indlu kaJuda ukuba zinamathele kimi,’ kusho uJehova, ‘ukuze zibe kimi yisizwe negama nendumiso nokuthile okuhle; kodwa azizange zilalele.’
Qapha Inhliziyo Ekhohlisayo
19 Kwaba ngemva kohambo lwesibili lapho uNkulunkulu akuchaza khona konke lokhu. Lokho uJeremiya akwenza kwamenza walungela ukumemezela isigijimi esinamandla: “Lesi sizwe esibi esenqaba ukulalela amazwi ami, esihamba enkanini yenhliziyo yaso futhi esiqhubeka silandela abanye onkulunkulu ukuze sibakhonze futhi sibakhothamele, naso siyoba njengaleli bhande elingasafanelekele lutho.” (Jer. 13:10) Yeka indlela ehlaba umxhwele uJehova afundisa ngayo abantu bakhe! Ukulalela kukaJeremiya uJehova ngokusuka enhliziyweni, entweni eyayibonakala iwubala, kwafeza indima ebalulekile emizamweni yaKhe yokufinyelela izinhliziyo zabantu.—Jer. 13:11.
20 AmaKristu namuhla awacelwa ukuba ahambe amakhilomitha amaningi ukuze uNkulunkulu awafundise isifundo esithile. Nokho, kungenzeka yini ukuthi inkambo yobuKristu oyilandelayo ingenza omakhelwane noma abantu obajwayele badideke noma baze bakugxeke? Kungase kube yinto ephathelene nokugqoka nokuzilungisa kwakho, uhlobo lwemfundo oyikhethayo, umsebenzi okhetha ukuwenza, noma ngisho umbono wakho ngophuzo oludakayo. Ingabe uyozimisela ukulandela isiqondiso sikaNkulunkulu njengoJeremiya? Izinqumo ozenza ngenxa yokuvumela inhliziyo yakho ukuba ibunjwe uNkulunkulu zingase ziholele ekubeni unikeze ubufakazi obuhle. Noma kungabanga njalo, ukulalela isiqondiso sikaJehova esiseZwini lakhe nokwamukela isiyalo esisinikezwa isigaba senceku ethembekile kuhloselwe ukuba kukusize phakade. Kunokuba ulawulwe inhliziyo ekhohlisayo, ungaba njengoJeremiya. Ngakho-ke, zimisele ukuvumela uNkulunkulu akubumbe; mvumele akwenze ube isitsha esinodumo azosisebenzisa njalo.
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Izinqulu
UJehova wakhuluma ngendlu yakwa-Israyeli neyakwaJuda njengokungathi zazinjengebhande okhalweni lwakhe; wayezisondeze eduze kakhulu kuye ukuze zibe indumiso nokuthile okuhle kuye. (Jer 13:11) UJesu Kristu uvezwe ngendlela esasiprofetho njengobusayo, enokulunga njengebhande lezinqulu zakhe nokwethembeka njengebhande lezinkalo zakhe. Lokhu kungenzeka kubhekisela ekutheni ngaso sonke isikhathi uJesu Kristu ulisebenzisa ngokulunga nangokuthembeka igunya lakhe ngendlela engenakushintshwa. Njengebhande elisekelayo, imfanelo yokulunga iyamqinisa lapho esebenza njengoMahluleli omiswe uJehova.—Isa 11:1, 5.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Jeremiya 12:1, 2) O Jehova, ulungile lapho ngiletha isikhalo kuwe, impela ngisho nalapho ngikhuluma nawe ngezindaba zokwahlulela. Kungani kuye kwaba yindlela yababi ephumelele, futhi kungani bonke abakhohlisayo kuyibo abangakhathazekile? 2 Ubatshalile; futhi bamile izimpande. Baqhubeka beya phambili; futhi bathelé izithelo. Useduze emlonyeni wabo, kodwa ukude nezinso zabo.
(Jeremiya 12:14) Yilokhu uJehova akushilo ngokumelene nabo bonke omakhelwane bami ababi, abathinta ifa engenza abantu bami, yebo u-Israyeli, ukuba balidle: “Bheka ngiyabasiphula emhlabathini wabo; futhi indlu kaJuda ngiyoyisiphula phakathi kwabo.
Ingabe Ubuza Nsuku Zonke Ukuthi, “Uphi UJehova?”
11 UJeremiya wayekhathazeka lapho ebona ababi bephumelela. (Funda uJeremiya 12:1, 3.) Nakuba ayengakungabazi nhlobo ukulunga kukaJehova, wafuna impendulo ‘yesikhalo’ sakhe. Ukungagunci kwakhe kwenza kwacaca ukuthi wayenobuhlobo obuqinile noNkulunkulu, njengalobo bengane noyise emthandayo. Wayemane engasiqondi isizathu sokuba amaJuda amaningi aphumelele nakuba emabi. Ingabe uJeremiya wayithola impendulo egculisayo? UJehova wamqinisekisa ngokuthi wayezobasiphula ababi. (Jer. 12:14) Njengoba uJeremiya abona isiphetho sezinto ayezikhulekela kuNkulunkulu, kumelwe ukuba ukubethemba kwakhe ubulungisa baphezulu kwajula. Ngenxa yalokho, kumelwe ukuba uJeremiya wakhuleka njalo kuNkulunkulu, eveza imizwa yakhe kuYise.
(Jeremiya 15:17) Angizange ngihlale phansi eqenjini elisondelene lalabo abantelayo futhi ngiqale ukwethaba. Ngenxa yesandla sakho ngihlalé ngedwa, ngoba ungigcwalisé ngamazwi okulahla.
Yiba Nesibindi NjengoJeremiya
Masiqaphele Ukuthi Sizihlanganisa Nobani
16 UJeremiya ubika enye into eyamsiza waba nesibindi. Wathi: “Angizange ngihlale phansi eqenjini elisondelene lalabo abantelayo futhi ngiqale ukwethaba. Ngenxa yesandla sakho ngihlalé ngedwa, ngoba ungigcwalisé ngamazwi okulahla.” (Jeremiya 15:17) UJeremiya wayekhetha ukuba yedwa kunokuba onakaliswe abangane ababi. Nanamuhla sizibheka ngendlela efanayo izinto. Asisikhohlwa isixwayiso somphostoli uPawulu esithi “ukuzihlanganisa nababi konakalisa imikhuba emihle,” ngisho nemikhuba emihle osekuyiminyaka eminingi sinayo.—1 Korinte 15:33.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Jeremiya 13:15-27) “Yizwani, nibeke indlebe. Ningazidli, ngoba uJehova ukhulumile. 16 Nikani uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu inkazimulo, ngaphambi kokuba abangele ubumnyama nangaphambi kokuba izinyawo zenu zishayisane ezintabeni ngokuhwalala. Ngokuqinisekile niyothemba ukuthi kuzoba khona ukukhanya, ko-dwa empeleni uyoletha ithunzi elimnyama; uyoliphendula libe yisigayegaye. 17 Futhi uma ningeke nikuzwe, ezindaweni zokucasha umphefumulo wami uyokhala ngenxa yokuziqhenya futhi ngokuqinisekile uyochiphiza izinyembezi; neso lami liyogeleza izinyembezi, ngoba umhlambi kaJehova uyobe uthunjiwe. 18 “Ngakho yishoni enkosini nasendlovukazini ukuthi, ‘Hlalani endaweni ephansi, ngoba umqhele wenu wobuhle ngokuqinisekile uyokwehla emakhanda enu.’ 19 Imizi yaseningizimu ivaliwe, kangangokuba akekho oyivulayo. UJuda ewonke udingisiwe. Udingiswe ngokuphelele. 20 “Phakamisa amehlo akho ubone labo abeza bevela enyakatho. Uphi umhlambi umuntu akunika wona, umhlambi wakho omuhle? 21 Uyothini lapho umuntu ekunaka, lapho wena ngokwakho ubafundisile njengabangane abayisifuba khona kanye eceleni kwakho ekuqaleni? Ngeke yini ufikelwe yimihelo, enjengeyomfazi ebeletha? 22 Lapho uyothi khona enhliziyweni yakho, ‘Kungani lezi zinto ziye zangehlela?’ ngenxa yobuningi besiphambeko sakho iziketi zakho zisusiwe njengesembozo; izithende zakho ziye zaphathwa ngobudlova. 23 “UmKushe angasishintsha yini isikhumba sakhe? noma ingwe amabala ayo? Nani ngokwenu beniyokwazi ukwenza okuhle, nina eningabantu abafundiswe ukwenza okubi. 24 Ngakho ngiyobahlakaza njengezinhlanga ezimuka nomoya ovela ehlane. 25 Lena yinkatho yakho, isabelo sakho esilinganisiwe esivela kimi,” kusho uJehova, “ngoba ungikhohliwe futhi uqhubeka ubeka ithemba lakho emangeni. 26 Nami ngizophakamisela iziketi zakho ebusweni bakho, futhi ngokuqinisekile ihlazo lakho liyobonakala, 27 izenzo zakho zokuphinga nokuyiyiza kwakho, ukuziphatha kwakho okubi ngobufebe. Emagqumeni, endle, ngizibonile izinengiso zakho. Maye kuwe Jerusalema! Awukwazi ukuba ohlanzekile—ngemva kwesikhathi eside kangakanani?”