Izikhombo Ze-Ncwajana YoMhlangano Wokuphila Nenkonzo
JANUWARI 1-7
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 1-3
“UMbuso Wamazulu Ususondele”
(Mathewu 3:1, 2) Ngalezo zinsuku uJohane uMbhapathizi wafika eshumayela ehlane laseJudiya, 2 ethi: “Phendukani, ngoba umbuso wamazulu ususondele.”
amaphuzu okucwaninga uMath 3:1, 2 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ukushumayela: Igama lesiGreki okuvela kulo leli gama lisho isenzo “sesithunywa sokumemezela obala.” Ligcizelela indlela isimemezelo esenziwa ngayo: ngokuvamile senziwa obala emphakathini, hhayi eqenjini labantu.
uMbuso: Lapho kuvela khona okokuqala igama lesiGreki elithi ba·si·leiʹa, leli gama lisho uhulumeni wasebukhosini, indawo nabantu ababuswa inkosi. Ezindaweni ezingu-162 leli gama lesiGreki elitholakala kuzo emiBhalweni YamaKristu YesiGreki, ezingu-55 zisencwadini kaMathewu futhi kweziningi zalezi zindawo kukhulunywa ngombuso kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini. UMathewu ulisebenzisa kakhulu leli gama kangangokuthi iVangeli lakhe lingase libizwe ngokuthi iVangeli loMbuso.
uMbuso wamazulu: La mazwi avela izikhathi ezingu-30 eVangelini likaMathewu kuphela. EVangelini likaMarku nelikaLuka, kusetshenziswe amazwi athi awafane, athi ‘uMbuso kaNkulunkulu.’ Lokhu kubonisa ukuthi ‘uMbuso kaNkulunkulu’ usezulwini futhi ubusa ulapho.—Math 21:43; Mar 1:15; Luka 4:43; Dan 2:44; 2Thim 4:18.
ususondele: Kushiwo ngomqondo wokuthi uMbusi wangesikhathi esizayo woMbuso wasezulwini wayesezobonakala.
(Mathewu 3:4) Kodwa lo Johane wayegqoke izembatho zoboya bekamela nebhande lesikhumba okhalweni; ukudla kwakhe kwakuyizinkumbi noju lwezinyosi zasendle.
Okubukwayo kuyi-nwtsty-E
Izingubo ZikaJohane UMbhapathizi Nendlela Abukeka Ngayo
UJohane wayegqoke izingubo ezenziwe ngoboya bekamela, okhalweni efake ibhande lesikhumba eliyisikhwama sokufaka izinto ezincane. Umprofethi u-Eliya naye wayegqoka kanjalo. (2Kho 1:8) Indwangu eyenziwe ngoboya bekamela yayingathambile kahle futhi yayigqokwa abantu abahluphakayo. Kanti izingubo ezintofontofo ezenziwe ngesikila noma ngelineni zazigqokwa izigwili. (Math 11:7-9) Kungenzeka ukuthi izinwele zikaJohane zazingakaze zigundwe ngoba wayengumNaziri kusukela ezalwa. Cishe izingubo zakhe nendlela ayebukeka ngayo kwakukwenza kuvele kucace ukuthi wayephila ukuphila okulula, ezinikezele ngokuphelele ekwenzeni intando kaNkulunkulu.
Izinkumbi
Indlela igama elithi “izinkumbi” elisetshenziswe ngayo eBhayibhelini, lingasho noma iluphi uhlobo lwezintethe olunezinzwa noma izimpondo ezimfushane, ikakhulukazi lezo ezifuduka ziziningi. Ngokocwaningo olwenziwe eJerusalema, amaphesenti angu-75 omzimba wezinkumbi zasogwadule ngamaprotheni. Namuhla, lapho izinkumbi zidliwa zikhishwa ikhanda, imilenze, izimpiko nesisu. Kube sekusala isifuba esidliwa siluhlaza noma siphekiwe. Kuthiwa lezi zinambuzane zinambitheka njengoqhashaqhasha noma inkalankala futhi icebe ngamaprotheni.
Uju Lwasendle
Esithombeni esilapha kuvezwe indlu yezinyosi zasendle ezakha uju (1) nekhekheba eligcwele uju (2). Kungenzeka ukuthi uju uJohane ayeludla lwalwakhiwa izinyosi zasendle okuthiwa i-Apis mellifera syriaca, ezitholakala kuleyo ndawo. Lezi zinyosi eziyingozi ziyakwazi ukuphila kule ndawo yasendle eshisayo neyomile yaseJudiya kodwa azifuyeki. Nokho, kusukela emuva ekhulwini lesi-9 B.C.E., abantu abahlala kwa-Israyeli babesebenzisa izitsha ezinkulu zobumba ukuze bafuye izinyosi. Kutholakele izinsalela eziningi zalezi zitsha phakathi nedolobha (elaziwa ngokuthi iTel Rehov), elisesiGodini SaseJordani. Uju olwakhelwa kulezo zitsha lwalwakhiwa izinyozi okubonakala sengathi zathathwa edolobheni elaziwa ngokuthi iTurkey.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 1:3) uJuda wazala uPherezi noZera kuThamari; uPherezi wazala uHezironi; uHezironi wazala uRamu;
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 1:3 kuyi-nwtsty-E
UThamari: Owokuqala kwabesifazane abahlanu ababalwe ohlwini lozalo lukaMesiya olukuMathewu. Obanye abane balaba besifazane uRahabi noRuthe, abangewona ama-Israyeli (kuvesi 5); Bhati-sheba, “umka-Uriya” (kuvesi 6); noMariya (kuvesi 16). Cishe okwenza laba besifazane bafakwe ohliwini lozalo olunabesilisa abaningi yingoba kunokuthile okuvelele endleleni ngamunye wabo aba ngayo ukhokhokazi kaJesu.
(Mathewu 3:11) Mina, nginibhapathiza ngamanzi ngenxa yokuphenduka kwenu; kodwa lowo oza emva kwami, yena ozimbadada zakhe ngingakufanelekeli ukuzikhumula, unamandla kunami. Yena uzonibhapathiza ngomoya ongcwele nangomlilo.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 3:11 kuyi-nwtsty-E
nginibhapathiza: Noma “nginicwilisa.” Igama lesiGreki elithi ba·ptiʹzo lisho “ukufaka ngokuphelele.” Ezinye izikhombo zeBhayibheli zibonisa ukuthi ukubhapathiza kusho ukucwilisa ngokuphelele. Ngolunye usuku, uJohane wayebhapathiza eSigodini SaseJordani eduze naseSalimi “ngoba amanzi ayemaningi khona.” (Joh 3:23) Lapho uFiliphu ebhapathiza umthenwa ongumTopiya, bobabili “behlela emanzini.” (IzE 8:38) Igama elifanayo lesiGreki lisetshenzisiwe kuyi-Septuagint kweyesi-2Kho 5:14 lapho kuchazwa ukuthi uNahamani “wacwila eJordani kasikhombisa.”
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 1:1-17) Incwadi yomlando kaJesu Kristu, indodana kaDavide, indodana ka-Abrahama: 2 U-Abrahama wazala u-Isaka; u-Isaka wazala uJakobe; uJakobe wazala uJuda nabafowabo; 3 uJuda wazala uPherezi noZera kuThamari; uPherezi wazala uHezironi; uHezironi wazala uRamu; 4 uRamu wazala u-Aminadaba; u-Aminadaba wazala uNaheshoni; uNaheshoni wazala uSalimoni; 5 uSalimoni wazala uBhowazi kuRahabi; uBhowazi wazala u-Obede kuRuthe; u-Obede wazala uJese; 6 uJese wazala uDavide inkosi. UDavide wazala uSolomoni kumka-Uriya; 7 uSolomoni wazala uRehobowamu; uRehobowamu wazala u-Abhiya; u-Abhiya wazala u-Asa; 8 u-Asa wazala uJehoshafati; uJehoshafati wazala uJehoramu; uJehoramu wazala u-Uziya; 9 u-Uziya wazala uJothamu; uJothamu wazala u-Ahazi; u-Ahazi wazala uHezekiya; 10 uHezekiya wazala uManase; uManase wazala u-Amoni; u-Amoni wazala uJosiya; 11 uJosiya wazala uJekoniya nabafowabo ngesikhathi sokudingiselwa eBhabhiloni. 12 Ngemva kokudingiselwa eBhabhiloni uJekoniya wazala uSheyalitiyeli; uSheyalitiyeli wazala uZerubhabhele; 13 uZerubhabhele wazala u-Abhiyudi; u-Abhiyudi wazala u-Eliyakimi; u-Eliyakimi wazala u-Azori; 14 u-Azori wazala uZadoki; uZadoki wazala u-Akimi; u-Akimi wazala u-Eliyudi; 15 u-Eliyudi wazala u-Eleyazare; u-Eleyazare wazala uMathani; uMathani wazala uJakobe; 16 uJakobe wazala uJosefa umyeni kaMariya, owazala uJesu, obizwa ngokuthi uKristu. 17 Khona-ke, zizonke izizukulwane, kusukela ku-Abrahama kuze kube kuDavide zaziyizizukulwane eziyishumi nane, futhi kusukela kuDavide kuze kube sekudingiselweni eBhabhiloni ziyizizukulwane eziyishumi nane, kusukela ekudingiselweni eBhabhiloni kuze kube kuKristu ziyizizukulwane eziyishumi nane.
JANUWARI 8-14
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 4-5
“Izifundo Esingazifunda ENtshumayelweni KaJesu YaseNtabeni”
(Mathewu 5:3) “Bayajabula abaqaphela isidingo sabo esingokomoya, ngoba umbuso wamazulu ungowabo.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 5:3 kuyi-nwtsty-E
Bayajabula: Ukujabula akusona nje isimo sokungakhathazeki, njengalapho nje umuntu ejabule ekuphileni. Kunalokho, lapho leli gama lisetshenziswa kubantu libhekisela esimweni somuntu obusiswe uNkulunkulu ojabulela umusa wakhe. Leli gama liphinde lisetshenziselwe ukuchaza uNkulunkulu noJesu enkazimulweni yakhe yasezulwini.—1Thim 1:11; 6:15.
abaqaphela isidingo sabo esingokomoya: Inkulumo yesiGreki ethi “abaqaphela,” ngezwi nezwi esho, “abampofu (abaswele; abayizinxibi),” kule ndaba isetshenziswe kulabo abanesidingo sokuthile futhi abakuqaphelayo ngempela lokho. Igama elifanayo liyasetshenziswa lapho kubhekiselwa ‘esinxibini’ esinguLazaru kuLuka 16:20, 22. Inkulumo yesiGreki ezinye izinguqulo eziyichaza ngokuthi “abampofu emoyeni” isho abantu abakuqaphela ngempela ukuthi bayamdinga uNkulunkulu.
(Mathewu 5:7) “Bayajabula abanesihe, ngoba bayoboniswa isihe.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 5:7 kuyi-nwtsty-E
abanesihe: Igama eliseBhayibhelini elithi “abanesihe” nelithi “isihe” alisetshenziswa kuphela lapho kukhulunywa ngokuthethelela noma ngokubonisa umusa lapho kwahlulelwa. Livame ukuchaza uzwela olwenza umuntu afise ukusiza abadinga usizo.
(Mathewu 5:9) “Bayajabula abanokuthula, ngoba bayobizwa ngokuthi ‘amadodana kaNkulunkulu.’
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 5:9 kuyi-nwtsty-E
abanokuthula: Abagcini nje ngokuqiniseka ukuthi kuhlale kunokuthula kodwa baphinde benze kube nokuthula lapho kungekho khona.
Fundisa Ingane Yakho Ukuba Ibe Nokuthula
Abazali abangamaKristu banesithakazelo esijulile sokuqeqesha izingane zabo ukuba ‘zifune ukuthula zikuphishekele.’ (1 Petru 3:11) Injabulo etholakala ngokuba umenzi wokuthula iwufanele wonke umzamo odingekayo ukuze sinqobe imizwa yokusola abanye, ukukhungatheka nobutha.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 4:9) wathi kuye: “Zonke lezi zinto ngizokunika zona uma uwa phansi wenze isenzo sokukhuleka kimi.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 4:9 kuyi-nwtsty-E
wenze isenzo sokukhuleka: Isenzo sesiGreki esithi “ukukhuleka” sisho isenzo sesikhashana. Inkulumo ethi “wenze isenzo sokukhuleka” ibonisa ukuthi uDeveli akazange acele uJesu ukuba aqhubeke emkhonza; wayefuna enze “isenzo sokukhuleka” esisodwa.
(Mathewu 4:23) Khona-ke walijikeleza lonke elaseGalile, efundisa emasinagogeni abo futhi eshumayela izindaba ezinhle zombuso, elapha yonke inhlobo yesifo nayo yonke inhlobo yobuthakathaka kubantu.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 4:23 kuyi-nwtsty-E
efundisa . . . eshumayela: Ukufundisa kuhlukile kunokushumayela ngoba ofundisayo wenza okungaphezu kokumemezela; uyafundisa, achaze, asebenzise inkulumo ethonyayo, anikeze nobufakazi.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 5:31-48) “Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwathiwa, ‘Noma ubani ohlukanisa nomkakhe, makamnike incwadi yesehlukaniso.’ 32 Nokho, mina ngithi kini wonke umuntu ohlukanisa nomkakhe, ngaphandle kwesizathu sobufebe, umbeka esimweni sokuphinga, futhi noma ubani oshada nowesifazane ohlukanisile uyaphinga. 33 “Futhi nizwile ukuthi kwathiwa kulabo bezikhathi zasendulo, ‘Akumelwe ufunge ungenzi, kodwa kumelwe uzifeze izifungo zakho kuJehova.’ 34 Nokho, mina ngithi kini: Ningafungi nhlobo, kungaba izulu, ngoba liyisihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu; 35 noma umhlaba, ngoba uyisenabelo sezinyawo zakhe; noma iJerusalema, ngoba liwumuzi weNkosi enkulu. 36 Futhi ungafungi ikhanda lakho, ngoba awukwazi ukuphendula nolulodwa unwele lube mhlophe noma lube mnyama. 37 Izwi lenu elingu-Yebo malisho uYebo, u-Cha wenu, asho uCha; ngoba okungalé kwalokhu kuvela komubi. 38 “Nizwile ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Iso ngeso nezinyo ngezinyo.’ 39 Nokho, mina ngithi kini: Ningamelani nomubi; kodwa noma ubani okushaya ngempama esihlathini sesokunene, mphendulele nesinye futhi. 40 Uma umuntu efuna niye enkantolo akwamuke ingubo yakho yangaphansi, dedela nengubo yakho yangaphandle ayithathe; 41 futhi uma othile osegunyeni ekucindezela ukuba uhambe imayela elilodwa, hamba naye amamayela amabili. 42 Mnike ocelayo kuwe, futhi ungamfulatheli ofuna ukuboleka kuwe ngaphandle kwenzalo. 43 “Nizwile ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Kumelwe uthande umakhelwane wakho futhi uzonde isitha sakho.’ 44 Nokho, mina ngithi kini: Qhubekani nithanda izitha zenu, nithandazela nalabo abanishushisayo; 45 ukuze nizibonakalise ningamadodana kaYihlo osemazulwini, njengoba yena enza ilanga lakhe liphumele abantu ababi nabahle futhi enza imvula ine phezu kwabantu abalungile nabangalungile. 46 Ngoba uma nithanda labo abanithandayo, ninamvuzo muni na? Abathelisi abenzi yini nabo into efanayo? 47 Futhi uma nibingelela abafowenu kuphela, nenza lukhulu luni na? Abantu bezizwe abenzi yini nabo into efanayo? 48 Ngakho kumelwe nibe ngabaphelele, njengoba noYihlo wasezulwini ephelele.
JANUWARI 15-21
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 6-7
“Qhubekani Nifuna UMbuso Kuqala”
(Mathewu 6:10) Umbuso wakho mawuze. Intando yakho mayenzeke nasemhlabeni, njengasezulwini.
Umthandazo Uyilungelo Elikhethekile
12 Yini okufanele ibaluleke kakhulu emithandazweni yethu? UJehova nentando yakhe. Kufanele simbonge ngokusuka enhliziyweni ngakho konke asenzele kona. (1 IziKronike 29:10-13) Lapho uJesu esemhlabeni, wafundisa abafundi bakhe indlela yokuthandaza. (Funda uMathewu 6:9-13.) Wathi into yokuqala okwakufanele bayithandazele ukuba igama likaNkulunkulu lingcweliswe, okusho ukuthi liphathwe njengelingcwele. Waphinde wabonisa ukuthi kumelwe sithandazele ukuba uMbuso kaNkulunkulu uze, nokuthi intando kaJehova yenziwe kuwo wonke umhlaba. UJesu wathi singazithandazela izidingo zethu ngemva kokuba sesithandazele lezi zinto ezibalulekile kuqala. Uma emithandazweni yethu siqala ngokukhuluma ngoJehova nangentando yakhe, lokho kuyobonisa ukuthi yini ebalulekile kithi.
(Mathewu 6:24) “Akekho ongakhonza amakhosi amabili; ngoba uyozonda enye athande enye, noma anamathele kwenye, adelele enye. Anikwazi ukuba yizikhonzi zikaNkulunkulu nezeNgcebo.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 6:24 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ongakhonza: Lesi isenzo sesiGreki esibhekisela kumuntu oyisikhonzi osebenzela inkosi eyodwa. Lapha uJesu wayesho ukuthi umKristu akakwazi ukuzinikela ngokuphelele kuNkulunkulu ngesikhathi esifanayo ebe ezinikele ekufuneni ingcebo.
(Mathewu 6:33) “Ngakho, qhubekani nifuna kuqala umbuso nokulunga kwakhe, khona-ke zonke lezi ezinye izinto niyozenezelelwa.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 6:33 kuyi-nwtsty-E
Qhubekani nifuna: Lesi isenzo sesiGreki esiqhubekayo esingabuye sibekwe nangokuthi “Funani ningayeki.” Abalandeli bakaJesu beqiniso babengeke bafune uMbuso okwesikhashana, bese beyokwenza ezinye izinto. Kunalokho, ukufuna uMbuso kumelwe kuhlale kuyinto ebaluleke kunazo zonke ekuphileni kwabo.
uMbuso: Eminye imibhalo yesandla yakudala yesiGreki ithi ‘uMbuso kaNkulunkulu.’
kwakhe: Leli gama libhekisela kuNkulunkulu ‘uYihlo wasezulwini’ okukhulunywa ngaye kuMath 6:32.
nokulunga: Labo abafuna ukulunga kukaNkulunkulu bahlale bekulungele ukwenza intando yakhe futhi ukuphila kwabo kuqondiswa yilokho athi kulungile noma akulungile. Le mfundiso yayihluke kakhulu kweyabaFarisi ababefuna ukuzinqumela bona ukuthi yini elungile nengalungile.—Math 5:20.
Funa UMbuso, Hhayi Izinto Ezibonakalayo
18 Funda uMathewu 6:33. UMbuso kumelwe uze kuqala ekuphileni kwabafundi bakaKristu ngaso sonke isikhathi. Uma senza kanjalo, njengoba kwasho uJesu, ‘zonke lezi ezinye izinto siyozenezelelwa’. Kungani asho kanjalo? Evesini elandulele ukucacisile lokhu: “UYihlo wasezulwini uyazi ukuthi niyazidinga zonke lezi zinto,” okusho ukuthi izidingo zokuphila. Kulula ngoJehova ukubona izinto esizidingayo ngabanye ezihlanganisa ukudla, okokugqoka nendawo yokuhlala ngisho nangaphambi kokuba sibone ukuthi siyazidinga. (Fil. 4:19) Uyazi ukuthi yiziphi izingubo zethu ezizoguga maduzane. Uyazazi izinto okufanele sizidle nokuthi indawo enjani yokuhlala esifanele kuye ngobukhulu bomndeni. UJehova uyoqikelela ukuthi sinakho konke esikudinga ngempela.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 7:12) “Ngakho-ke, zonke izinto enifuna abantu bazenze kini, nani kumelwe nizenze ngokufanayo kubo; lokhu, eqinisweni, yilokho okushiwo nguMthetho nabaProfethi
Sebenzisa UMthetho Wegolide Enkonzweni Yakho
14 Zicabange ngolunye usuku uthola ucingo kodwa ungalazi izwi lomuntu okushayele. Awumazi, kodwa ukubuza umbuzo ngezinhlobo zokudla ozithandayo. Uyazibuza ukuthi ungubani nokuthi ufunani ngempela. Ngenxa yobuntu, mhlawumbe ungase uxoxe naye kafushane kodwa bese ubonisa ukuthi ungathanda ukuba ingxoxo iphele. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, ake sithi lo muntu okushayele uyazichaza ukuthi ungubani, athi usebenza emkhakheni wezokudla okunomsoco futhi ngomusa akutshele ukuthi unokwaziswa okuwusizo. Cishe uyothambekela ngokwengeziwe ekumlaleleni. Ngokuvamile, siyakwazisa ukuba abantu bangagunci kodwa ngesikhathi esifanayo bakhulume ngendlela engacunuli lapho bexoxa nathi. Singayibonisa kanjani inhlonipho efanayo kulabo esibathola ensimini yethu?
15 Emasimini amaningi, kudingeka siyenze icace kumninikhaya injongo yokumhambela kwethu. Yiqiniso, sinokwaziswa okuyigugu umninikhaya angenakho, kodwa ake sithi asizange ngempela sizethule, samane saqala ingxoxo yethu ngombuzo onjengalo: “Ukube ubunamandla okuxazulula izinkinga ezisemhlabeni, iyiphi obungaqala ngayo?” Siyazi ukuthi ngalo mbuzo sisuke sifuna ukuthola lokho okucatshangwa yilo muntu bese siqondisa ingxoxo yethu eBhayibhelini. Nokho, umninikhaya angase azibuze: ‘Ubani lo muntu engingamazi, futhi kungani engibuza lo mbuzo? Uzokwenzani lapha?’ Ngakho kufanele sizame ukwenza umninikhaya akhululeke. (Fil. 2:3, 4) Singakwenza kanjani?
16 Omunye umbonisi ojikelezayo uthole indlela elandelayo iphumelela. Ngemva kokubingelela nokuzethula, unikeza umninikhaya ipheshana elithi Ungathanda Yini Ukwazi Iqiniso? abese ethi: “Sinikeza bonke abantu abakule ndawo leli pheshana namuhla. Liphendula imibuzo eyisithupha abantu abaningi abayibuzayo. Nanti elakho.” Lo mzalwane ubika ukuthi iningi labantu libonakala likhululeka kakhudlwana lapho selazi injongo yokufika kwakho. Kulelo qophelo, kuvame ukuba lula ukuqala ingxoxo. Lo mbonisi ojikelezayo ube esembuza lo muntu: “Ingabe wake wacabanga ngomunye wale mibuzo?” Uma umninikhaya ekhetha owodwa, umzalwane uvula ipheshana baqale ukuxoxa ngalokho iBhayibheli elikushoyo ngalowo mbuzo. Enye indlela ayisebenzisayo ukukhetha umbuzo futhi aqhubeke nengxoxo ngaphandle kokwenza umninikhaya azizwe enamahloni ngokubuzwa umbuzo abengawulindele. Yiqiniso, ziningi izindlela zokuqala ingxoxo. Kwezinye izindawo, abaninikhaya bangase balindele ukuba kudlulwe emidantini eyengeziwe ngaphambi kokuba usho isizathu sokuvakasha kwakho. Okubalulekile ukuba sivumelanise izingxoxo zethu nendlela abantu bendawo yakithi abafuna ukushunyayezwa ngayo.
(Mathewu 7:28, 29) Manje lapho uJesu eqeda la mazwi, izixuku zakhexa ngendlela yakhe yokufundisa; 29 ngoba wayezifundisa njengomuntu onegunya, kungenjengababhali bazo.
amaphuzu okucwaninga uMath 7:28, 29 kuyi-nwtsty-E
zakhexa: Isenzo sesiGreki esichazwe lapha singasho “ukumangala kakhulu.” Siyisenzo esiqhubekayo, okubonisa ukuthi lokho uJesu akusho kwaba nethonya elihlala isikhathi ezixukwini ezazimlalele.
ngendlela yakhe yokufundisa: Le nkulumo ibhekisela endleleni uJesu ayefundisa ngayo, okuhlanganisa konke ayekufundisa eNtshumayelweni yakhe yaseNtabeni.
kungenjengababhali bazo: Kunokuba asekele ayekufundisa kulokho okwakushiwo orabi abahlonishwayo, uJesu ukhuluma njengommeleli kaJehova, njengomuntu onegunya, konke akufundisayo ukusekela eZwini likaNkulunkulu.—Joh 7:16.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 6:1-18) “Nakekelani ukuba ukulunga kwenu ningakwenzi phambi kwabantu ukuze niqashelwe yibo; ngaphandle kwalokho ngeke nibe nawo umvuzo kuYihlo osemazulwini. 2 Ngakho lapho uyokwenza izipho zesihe, ungashayi icilongo phambi kwakho, njengoba nje nabazenzisi benza emasinagogeni nasemigwaqweni, ukuze badunyiswe ngabantu. Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, Sebethola umvuzo wabo ngokugcwele. 3 Kodwa wena, lapho wenza izipho zesihe, ungavumeli isandla sakho sobunxele sazi ukuthi esokunene senzani, 4 ukuze izipho zakho zesihe zibe sekusithekeni; khona-ke uYihlo obukele esekusithekeni uyokubuyisela. 5 “Uma nithandaza, ningabi njengabazenzisi; ngoba bathanda ukuthandaza bemi emasinagogeni nasemakhoneni ezindlela ezibanzi ukuze babonakale kubantu. Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, Umvuzo wabo sebewuthola ngokugcwele. 6 Nokho, wena, lapho uthandaza, ngena ekamelweni lakho, futhi ngemva kokuvala umnyango, uthandaze kuYihlo osekusithekeni; khona-ke uYihlo obukele esekusithekeni uyokubuyisela. 7 Kodwa lapho uthandaza, ungaphindaphindi izinto ezifanayo, njengoba nje kwenza abantu bezizwe, ngoba bacabanga ukuthi bayozwiwa ngokusebenzisa kwabo amazwi amaningi. 8 Ngakho, ningazifanisi nabo, ngoba uNkulunkulu uYihlo uyazazi izinto enizidingayo ningakaceli nakucela kuye. 9 “Khona-ke, kumelwe nithandaze ngale ndlela: “‘Baba wethu osemazulwini, malingcweliswe igama lakho. 10 Umbuso wakho mawuze. Intando yakho mayenzeke nasemhlabeni, njengasezulwini. 11 Siphe namuhla isinkwa sethu salolu suku; 12 futhi usithethelele amacala ethu, njengoba nathi sibathethelele abanamacala kithi. 13 Ungasingenisi esilingweni, kodwa usikhulule komubi.’ 14 “Ngoba uma nithethelela abantu iziphambeko zabo, noYihlo osezulwini uzonithethelela nani; 15 kanti uma ningabathetheleli abantu iziphambeko zabo, noYihlo ngeke azithethelele iziphambeko zenu. 16 “Lapho nizilé ukudla, yekani ukuba nobuso obudabukile njengabazenzisi, ngoba bonakalisa isimo sobuso babo ukuze babonakale kubantu ukuthi bazilé ukudla. Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, Sebethola umvuzo wabo ngokugcwele. 17 Kodwa wena, lapho uzilé ukudla, gcoba ikhanda lakho futhi ugeze ubuso bakho, 18 ukuze ungabonakali kubantu ukuthi uzilé ukudla, kodwa kuYihlo osekusithekeni; khona-ke uYihlo obukele esekusithekeni uyokubuyisela.
JANUWARI 22-28
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 8-9
“UJesu Wayebathanda Abantu”
(Mathewu 8:1-3) Ngemva kokuba esehlile entabeni walandelwa izixuku ezinkulu. 2 Futhi, bheka! kweza umuntu onochoko wamkhothamela, ethi: “Nkosi, uma nje uthanda, ungangenza ngihlanzeke.” 3 Ngakho, elula isandla, wamthinta, ethi: “Ngiyathanda. Hlanzeka.” Masinyane uchoko lwakhe lwasuka.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 8:3 kuyi-nwtsty-E
wamthinta: UMthetho KaMose wawuyala ukuba abanochoko bahlaliswe bodwa ukuze bangabatheleli abanye. (Lev 13:45, 46; Num 5:1-4) Noma kunjalo, abaholi benkolo bamaJuda babeka imithetho eyengeziwe. Ngokwesibonelo, akekho okwakufanele asondele kumuntu onochoko ngezingalo ezine, okucishe kube ngamamitha angu-1,8, kodwa lapho kuvunguza umoya kwakumelwe uqhele ngezingalo eziyikhulu, okungamamitha angaba ngu-45. Imithetho enjalo yenza abanye babaphatha kabi abantu abanochoko. Ngokwesiko langaleso sikhathi, wayenconywa urabi owayecashela abantu abanochoko, nowayebajikijela ngamatshe ukuze ukuze bangasondeli. Ngokuphambene nalokho, uJesu wathinteka kakhulu lapho ebona isimo esidabukisayo somuntu owayenochoko, okwamenza wenza lokho amanye amaJuda ayengeke acabange nakukucabanga ukukwenza—wayithinta le ndoda. Wakwenza lokhu ngisho noma ayengamelapha onochoko ngaphandle kokuthi aze amthinte.—Math 8:5-12
Ngiyathanda: UJesu akagcinanga nje ngokweza njengoba ayeceliwe, kodwa wabonisa ukuthi wayefisa ngempela ukusiza, okubonisa ukuthi wangakwenzi ngoba nje ebophekile ukukwenza.
(Mathewu 9:9-13) Ngokulandelayo, edlula esuka lapho, uJesu wabona umuntu okuthiwa uMathewu ehlezi ehhovisi lentela, wathi kuye: “Yiba umlandeli wami.” Nangempela wasukuma wamlandela. 10 Kamuva, lapho ehlezi etafuleni endlini, bheka! abathelisi abaningi nezoni beza bahlala kanye noJesu nabafundi bakhe. 11 Kodwa lapho bekubona lokhu abaFarisi bathi kubafundi bakhe: “Kungani umfundisi wenu edla nabathelisi nezoni?” 12 Ebezwa, wathi: “Abantu abanempilo enhle abamdingi udokotela, kodwa ngabagulayo abamdingayo. 13 Khona-ke, hambani niyofunda ukuthi kusho ukuthini lokhu, ‘Ngifuna isihe, hhayi umhlatshelo.’ Ngoba ngizelé ukuzobiza izoni, hhayi abantu abalungileyo.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 9:10 kuyi-nwtsty-E
ehlezi etafuleni: Ukuhlala nomuntu etafuleni kwakubonisa ukuthi nijwayelene kakhulu nalowo muntu. Ngakho, amaJuda angesikhathi sikaJesu ayengavamile ukuhlala etafuleni noma adle nomuntu ongeyena umJuda.
abathelisi: AmaJuda amaningi ayeqoqela uhulumeni wamaRoma intela. Abantu abaningi babewazonda lawo maJuda ngoba ayengagcini nje ngokusebenzelana nombuso owawungathandwa, kodwa ayefuna intela eningi kunaleyo uhulumeni ayeyibekile. AmaJuda ayebagwema labo bathelisi noma abaqoqi bentela futhi ayebafanisa nezoni nezifebe.—Math 11:19; 21:32.
(Mathewu 9:35-38) UJesu wathatha uhambo oluya kuyo yonke imizi nemizana, efundisa emasinagogeni abo eshumayela izindaba ezinhle zombuso futhi elapha yonke inhlobo yesifo nayo yonke inhlobo yobuthakathaka. 36 Lapho ebona izixuku wafikelwa isihawu ngazo, ngoba zaziphundlekile futhi zihlakazekile njengezimvu ezingenamalusi. 37 Khona-ke wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Yebo, ukuvuna kukhulu, kodwa izisebenzi zimbalwa. 38 Ngakho-ke, ncengani iNkosi yokuvuna ukuba ithumele izisebenzi ekuvuneni kwayo.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 9:36 kuyi-nwtsty-E
wafikelwa isihawu: Isenzo sesiGreki esithi splag·khniʹzo·mai sihlobene negama elithi “amathumbu” (splagʹkhna), okuveza umuzwa osuka ngaphakathi, ojulile. Lingelinye lamagama anamandla esiGreki asetshenziselwa ukubonisa umuzwa wozwela.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 8:8-10) Isikhulu sebutho siphendula sathi: “Mnumzane, angiyena umuntu ofanelekayo ukuba ungene ngaphansi kophahla lwami, kodwa yisho nje izwi inceku yami izolulama. 9 Ngoba nami ngingumuntu ongaphansi kwegunya, nginamasosha angaphansi kwami, futhi ngithi kuleli, ‘Hamba!’ lihambe, nakwelinye ngithi, ‘Woza!’ lize, nasencekwini yami ngithi, ‘Yenza lokhu!’ ikwenze.” 10 Ezwa lokho, uJesu wamangala wathi kulabo ababemlandela: “Nginitshela iqiniso, Angilutholanga ukholo olukhulu kangaka nakoyedwa kwa-Israyeli.
“Nginibekela Isibonelo”
16 Ngokufanayo, lapho isikhulu sempi—mhlawumbe esasingoweZizwe, umRoma—sizocela uJesu ukuba aphulukise isigqila esigulayo, uJesu wayazi ukuthi leli sosha linawo amaphutha. Isikhulu sempi sangalezo zinsuku cishe sasiyoba nomlando ogcwele izenzo eziningi zobudlova, ukuchitha igazi nokukhulekela kwamanga. Kodwa uJesu wagxila kokuhle—ukholo oluvelele lwale ndoda. (Mathewu 8:5-13) Kamuva, lapho uJesu ekhuluma nomenzi wokubi owayelenga eceleni kwakhe esigxotsheni sokuhlushwa, uJesu akayithethisanga le ndoda ngenxa yobugebengu bayo bangaphambili kodwa wayikhuthaza ngethemba lekusasa. (Luka 23:43) UJesu wayazi kahle ukuthi ukubheka abanye kabi nangombono ogxekayo kwakuyomane kubadikibalise. Akungabazeki ukuthi imizamo yakhe yokuthola okuhle kwabanye yakhuthaza abaningi ukuba benze okuhle nakakhulu.
(Mathewu 9:16, 17) Akekho umuntu othungela isichibi sendwangu entsha engutsheni endala; ngoba amandla aso agcwele abeyoyidonsa ingubo endala ukudabuka kube kubi nakakhulu. 17 Futhi abantu abalifaki iwayini elisha ezingqalathini zewayini ezindala; kodwa uma benza kanjalo, izingqalathi zewayini ziyaqhuma, iwayini lichitheke nezingqalathi zewayini zonakale. Kodwa abantu bafaka iwayini elisha ezingqalathini zewayini ezintsha, kulondolozeke kokubili.”
jy-E 70 ¶6
Kungani Abafundi BakaJesu Bengazili Ukudla?
UJesu usiza abafundi bakaJohane uMbhapathizi ukuba baqonde ukuthi akekho okufanele alindele abalandeli bakhe ukuba bagcine imikhuba emidala yamaJuda, njengesiko lokuzila. Wayengezelanga ukuzochibiyela nokulondoloza indlela yokukhonza eyase indala futhi eyayisizoqedwa. Ukukhonza uJesu akukhuthazayo akukhona okuvumelana nokwamaJuda angaleso sikhathi okunamasiko abantu. Cha, akazami ukufaka isichibi esisha endwangeni endala noma iwayinini elisha ezigqalathini zewayini ezindala eziqinile.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 8:1-17) Ngemva kokuba esehlile entabeni walandelwa izixuku ezinkulu. 2 Futhi, bheka! kweza umuntu onochoko wamkhothamela, ethi: “Nkosi, uma nje uthanda, ungangenza ngihlanzeke.” 3 Ngakho, elula isandla, wamthinta, ethi: “Ngiyathanda. Hlanzeka.” Masinyane uchoko lwakhe lwasuka. 4 Khona-ke uJesu wathi kuye: “Uqaphele ukuba ungatsheli muntu, kodwa hamba uzibonakalise kumpristi, unikele ngesipho esamiswa nguMose, ukuze kube ubufakazi kubo.” 5 Lapho engena eKapernawume, isikhulu sebutho seza kuye, samncenga 6 sathi: “Mnumzane, inceku yami ilele phansi endlini ifé uhlangothi, iyahlupheka kakhulu.” 7 Wathi kuso: “Ngizoyelapha uma ngifika khona.” 8 Isikhulu sebutho siphendula sathi: “Mnumzane, angiyena umuntu ofanelekayo ukuba ungene ngaphansi kophahla lwami, kodwa yisho nje izwi inceku yami izolulama. 9 Ngoba nami ngingumuntu ongaphansi kwegunya, nginamasosha angaphansi kwami, futhi ngithi kuleli, ‘Hamba!’ lihambe, nakwelinye ngithi, ‘Woza!’ lize, nasencekwini yami ngithi, ‘Yenza lokhu!’ ikwenze.” 10 Ezwa lokho, uJesu wamangala wathi kulabo ababemlandela: “Nginitshela iqiniso, Angilutholanga ukholo olukhulu kangaka nakoyedwa kwa-Israyeli. 11 Kodwa ngiyanitshela ngithi abaningi abavela ezingxenyeni ezisempumalanga nasezingxenyeni ezisentshonalanga bayokuza bahlale etafuleni no-Abrahama no-Isaka noJakobe embusweni wamazulu; 12 kanti abantwana bombuso bona bayophonswa ebumnyameni obungaphandle. Lapho yilapho beyokhala khona baququde amazinyo.” 13 Khona-ke uJesu wathi esikhulwini sebutho: “Hamba. Njengoba nje ube nalolo lukholo, makwenzeke kanjalo kuwe.” Inceku yalulama ngalo lelo hora. 14 UJesu, lapho efika endlini kaPetru, wabona umkhwekazi wakhe elele phansi egula enomkhuhlane. 15 Ngakho wathinta isandla sakhe, umkhuhlane wamyeka, wavuka waqala ukumkhonza. 16 Kodwa sekuhlwile, abantu bamlethela abantu abaningi abakhwelwe ngamademoni; wayixosha le mimoya ngezwi, welapha bonke ababengaphathekile kahle; 17 ukuze kugcwaliseke okwakhulunywa ngo-Isaya umprofethi, ethi: “Yena ngokwakhe wathatha ukugula kwethu futhi wathwala izifo zethu.”
JANUWARI 29–FEBHUWARI 4
AMAGUGU ASEZWINI LIKANKULUNKULU |MATHEWU 10-11
“UJesu Waletha Ukuqabuleka”
(Mathewu 10:29, 30) Ondlunkulu ababili abathengiswa yini ngohlamvu lwemali lwenani elincane? Nokho ngeke kuwele phansi namunye wabo uYihlo angazi. 30 Kodwa zona kanye izinwele zekhanda lenu zibaliwe zonke.
amaphuzu okucwaninga uMath 10:29, 30 kuyi-nwtsty-E
Ondlunkulu: Igama lesiGreki elithi strou·thiʹon liyisinciphiso esisho noma iyiphi inyoni encane kodwa lalivame ukusetshenziswa lapho kukhulunywa ngondlunkulu okwakuyinyoni eshibhe kunazo zonke izinyoni ezithengiselwa ukudliwa.
ngohlamvu lwemali lwenani elincane: La mazwi ngokwezwi nezwi athi “nge-asariyoni,” ayesho imali elingana nomholo womuntu osebenze imizuzu engu-45. (Bheka Insiza-kufunda YeZwi LikaNkulunkulu Ingxenye 18.) Ngesikhathi ekhuluma ngale ndaba phakathi nohambo lwakhe lwesithathu lwaseGalile, uJesu uthi ondlunkulu ababili bangathengwa nge-asariyoni elilodwa. Cishe ngemva konyaka, ngesikhathi uJesu eshumayela eJudiya uthi ondlunkulu abahlanu bangathengwa ngama-asariyoni amabili. (Luka 12:6) Uma siqhathanisa lama vesi amabili sifunda ukuthi ondlunkulu babeshibhe kangangokuthi abadayisi babeze bakubhansele ngowesihlanu.
zona kanye izinwele zekhanda lenu zibaliwe zonke: Kuthiwa izinwele ezisekhanda lomuntu zilinganiselwa ngaphezu kwezinkulungwane eziyikhulu. Ukuthi uJehova wazi nemininingwane emncane kangaka kusitshela ukuthi uthanda ngamunye wabalandeli bakaKristu.
okubukwayo kuyi-nwtsty-E
Undlunkulu
Ondlunkulu babeyizinyoni ezishibhe kunazo zonke izinyoni ezithengiselwa ukudliwa. Umuntu wayengathenga ondlunkulu ababili ngemali ayeyihole ngokusebenza imizuzu engu-45. Leli gama lesiGreki lingabhekisela ezinyonini ezincane ezihlukahlukene, njengondlunkulu ovamile (Passer domesticus biblicus) nondlunkulu waseSpain (Passer hispaniolensis), okuyizinyoni ezisekhona namanje kwa-Israyeli.
(Mathewu 11:28) Wozani kimi, nina nonke enikhandlekayo nenisindwayo, ngizonenza niqabuleke.
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 11:28 kuyi-nwtsty-E
nenisindwayo: Labo uJesu ayebabiza ‘babesindwa’ izinkathazo nokusebenza kanzima. Ukukhonza kwabo uJehova kwase kuwumthwalo onzima ngenxa yamasiko abantu ababewanezelele eMthethweni KaMose. (Math 23:4) Ngisho neSabatha elalenzelwe ukubaphumuza lase liwumthwalo osindayo.—Eks 23:12; Mar 2:23-28; Luka 6:1-11.
ngizonenza niqabuleke: Igama lesiGreki elisho ‘ukuqabula’ lingasho kokubili ukuphumula (Math 26:45; Mar 6:31) nokusiza umuntu obesebenza kanzima ukuze aphumule futhi athole amandla (2Kor 7:13; Filem 7). Umongo ubonisa ukuthi ukuthatha “ijoka” likaJesu (Math 11:29) kwakuzohilela ukukhonza hhayi ukuphumula. Isenzo sesiGreki lapho kunguJesu owenzela abanye izinto, sinikeza umqondo wokuvuselela nokunika abakhathele amandla ukuze bafise ukuthatha ijoka lakhe elilula nelinomusa.
(Mathewu 11:29, 30) Bekani ijoka lami phezu kwenu nifunde kimi, ngoba nginomoya omnene futhi ngithobekile ngenhliziyo, nizotholela imiphefumulo yenu ukuqabuleka. 30 Ngoba ijoka lami ngelomusa nomthwalo wami ulula.”
iphuzu lokucwaninga uMath 11:29 kuyi-nwtsty-E
Bekani ijoka lami phezu kwenu: UJesu wasebenzisa “ijoka” elingokomfanekiso ngomqondo wokubonisa ukuzithoba egunyeni nasesiqondisweni. Ukube wayekhuluma ngejoka elithwalwa abantu ababili, lelo uNkulunkulu alibeke kuJesu, ubezomema abafundi bakhe ukuba bangene ejokeni naye futhi wayezobasiza. Uma kunjalo, lenkulumo ibizothi: “Ngena ngaphansi kwejoka lami kanye nami.” Uma ijoka kuyilelo uJesu alibeka kwabanye, khona-ke lokhu kusho indlela umuntu azithoba ngayo egunyeni likaKristu nasesiqondisweni sakhe njengomfundi wakhe.
Ukumba Sifuna Ingcebo Engokomoya
(Mathewu 11:2, 3) Kodwa uJohane, ezwé esejele ngemisebenzi kaKristu, wathumela ngabafundi bakhe 3 wathi kuye: “Ingabe wena unguYe Ozayo, noma kumelwe silindele omunye?”
jy-E 96 ¶2-3
UJohane Ufuna Ukuzwa Umbono KaJesu
Ingabe lokho kuzwakala kuwumbuzo ongavamile? UJohane indoda ezinikele, eyabhapathiza uJesu cishe eminyakeni emibili edlule, futhi yabona umoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela kuJesu yezwa nezwi likaNkulunkulu lokumamukela. Asinaso isizathu sokucabanga ukuthi ukholo lukaJohane lwase lunciphile. Phela uJesu wayengeke amkhulumele kahle kangaka uJohane njengoba enza kulesi senzakalo. Kodwa uma uJohane engenakho ukungabaza, pho kungani ebuza lo mbuzo ngoJesu?
Kungenzeka ukuthi uJohane wayefuna nje isiqinisekiso esivela kuJesu sokuthi unguMesiya. Lokhu kwakuzomqinisa uJohane njengoba ayethwele kanzima ejele. Kungenzeka nokuthi sikhona nesinye isizathi esasenza abuze lo mbuzo. UJohane ujwayelene neziprofetho zeBhayibheli ezibonisa ukuthi Ogcotshiweyo kaNkulunkulu uzoba inkosi nomkhululi. Noma kunjalo, ngemva kwezinyanga eziningi uJesu ebhapathiziwe, uJohane usesejele. Ngakho uJohane ubuza ukuthi ukhona yini omunye ozayo noma olandela uJesu, ozoqedela ukugcwaliseka kwakho konke lokho okwakubikezelwe ukuthi uMesiya uzokufeza.
(Mathewu 11:16-19) “Lesi sizukulwane ngizosifanisa nobani? Sifana nabantwana abancane abahlezi ezigcawini abamemeza abadlala nabo, 17 bethi, ‘Sinibethelé umtshingo, kodwa anidansanga; sibangalasile, kodwa anizishayanga ngenxa yosizi.’ 18 Ngokufanayo, uJohane weza engadli futhi engaphuzi, nokho abantu bathi, ‘Unedemoni’; 19 iNdodana yomuntu yona izé idla futhi iphuza, noma kunjalo abantu bathi, ‘Bhekani! Umuntu ominzayo nothanda ukuphuza iwayini, umngane wabathelisi nezoni.’ Noma kunjalo, ukuhlakanipha kubonakaliswa kulungile yimisebenzi yako.”
jy-E 98 ¶1-2
Maye Esizukulwaneni Esingalaleli
UJesu umthanda kakhulu uJohane uMbhapathizi, kodwa abantu abaningi bambheka kanjani uJohane? “Lesi sizukulwane” uJesu uthi, “sifana nabantwana abancane abahlezi ezigcawini abamemeza abadlala nabo, bethi, ‘Sinibethelé umtshingo, kodwa anidansanga; sibangalasile, kodwa anizishayanga ngenxa yosizi.’”—Mathewu 11:16, 17.
UJesu usho ukuthini? Uyacacisa: “UJohane weza engadli futhi engaphuzi, nokho abantu bathi, ‘Unedemoni.’ INdodana yomuntu yona izé idla futhi iphuza, noma kunjalo abantu bathi, ‘Bhekani! Umuntu ominzayo nothanda ukuphuza iwayini, umngane wabathelisi nezoni.’” (Mathewu 11:18, 19) Kolunye uhlangothi, uJohane ubephila ukuphila okulula njengomNaziri, engaliphuzi newayini noma kunjalo lesi sizukulwane sithi unedemoni. (Numeri 6:2, 3; Luka 1:15) Ngakolunye uhlangothi, uJesu uphila njengabanye abantu. Uyadla, aphuze ngendlela elinganiselayo, kodwa usolwa ngokuminza. Kubonakala kungenakwenzeka ukubanelisa abantu.
Ukufundwa KweBhayibheli
(Mathewu 11:1-19) Manje lapho uJesu eseqedile ukunika abafundi bakhe abayishumi nambili iziyalezo, wasuka lapho ukuze afundise futhi ashumayele emizini yakubo. 2 Kodwa uJohane, ezwé esejele ngemisebenzi kaKristu, wathumela ngabafundi bakhe 3 wathi kuye: “Ingabe wena unguYe Ozayo, noma kumelwe silindele omunye?” 4 UJesu ephendula wathi kubo: “Hambani nibikele uJohane lokho enikuzwayo nenikubonayo: 5 Izimpumputhe ziyabona futhi, nezinyonga ziyahamba, abanochoko bayahlanzwa nezithulu ziyezwa, nabafileyo bayavuswa, futhi kumenyezelwa izindaba ezinhle kwabampofu; 6 uyajabula ongasitholi isizathu sokukhubeka ngami.” 7 Ngesikhathi laba behamba, uJesu waqala ukuthi ezixukwini ngokuqondene noJohane: “Yini enaphumela ukuyoyibona ehlane? Umhlanga unyakaziswa umoya? 8 Khona-ke, yini enaphumela ukuyibona? Umuntu ogqoke izingubo ezintofontofo? Phela, abagqoke izingubo ezintofontofo basezindlini zamakhosi. 9 Khona-ke, naphumelani ngempela? Ukuyobona umprofethi? Yebo, ngiyanitshela, futhi ongaphezulu kakhulu kunomprofethi. 10 Lona nguye okulotshwe ngokuphathelene naye ukuthi, ‘Bheka! Mina ngokwami ngithuma isithunywa sami phambi kobuso bakho, esizolungisa indlela yakho phambi kwakho!’ 11 Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, Phakathi kwabazelwe ngabesifazane akuzange kuvezwe omkhulu kunoJohane uMbhapathizi; kodwa umuntu ongomncane kunabanye embusweni wamazulu mkhulu kunaye. 12 Kodwa kusukela ezinsukwini zikaJohane uMbhapathizi kuze kube manje umbuso wamazulu uwumgomo abantu abaphikelelé kuwo, futhi labo abaphikelela phambili bayawuqhwaga. 13 Ngoba bonke, abaProfethi noMthetho, baprofetha kwaze kwaba kuJohane; 14 futhi uma nifuna ukukwamukela, Yena ‘ungu-Eliya omiselwe ukuza.’ 15 Onezindlebe makalalele. 16 “Lesi sizukulwane ngizosifanisa nobani? Sifana nabantwana abancane abahlezi ezigcawini abamemeza abadlala nabo, 17 bethi, ‘Sinibethelé umtshingo, kodwa anidansanga; sibangalasile, kodwa anizishayanga ngenxa yosizi.’ 18 Ngokufanayo, uJohane weza engadli futhi engaphuzi, nokho abantu bathi, ‘Unedemoni’; 19 iNdodana yomuntu yona izé idla futhi iphuza, noma kunjalo abantu bathi, ‘Bhekani! Umuntu ominzayo nothanda ukuphuza iwayini, umngane wabathelisi nezoni.’ Noma kunjalo, ukuhlakanipha kubonakaliswa kulungile yimisebenzi yako.”