Ndebele - Esther

Chapter 1

1:1  Kwasekusithi ngensuku zikaAhasuwerusi, uAhasuwerusi lo owabusa kusukela eIndiya kuze kube seEthiyophiya, izabelo ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa,

1:2  ngalezonsuku lapho inkosi uAhasuwerusi wahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sombuso wakhe esasiseShushani isigodlo,

1:3  ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kwakhe wenzela iziphathamandla zakhe lenceku zakhe zonke idili. Amandla ePerisiya leMede, izinduna lababusi bezabelo babephambi kwakhe,

1:4  lapho etshengisa inotho yenkazimulo yombuso wakhe lobugugu bobuhle bobukhulu bakhe insuku ezinengi, insuku ezilikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.

1:5  Kwathi lezonsuku sezigcwalisekile, inkosi yenzela bonke abantu abatholakala eShushani isigodlo idili, kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane, insuku eziyisikhombisa, egumeni lesivande sesigodlo senkosi.

1:6  Kwakulamalembu amhlophe, amalembu acolekileyo, laluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, ebotshelwe ngentambo zelembu elicolekileyo kakhulu leziyibubende emasongweni esiliva lezinsikeni zelitshe le-alibasta*. Imibheda yayingeyegolide lesiliva phezu kwendawo egandelwe ngamatshe abomvu, le-alibasta, lamapharele*, lamnyama.

1:7  Basebenathisa ngezitsha zegolide, lezitsha zaziyizitsha ezehlukeneyo, lewayini lesikhosini laba linengi njengokwesandla senkosi.

1:8  Lokunatha kwakungokomthetho, kungekho obamba ngamandla; ngoba ngokunjalo inkosi yayilayile kwabakhulu bonke bendlu yayo ukuthi benze njengokufisa komuntu lomuntu.

1:9  UVashiti indlovukazi laye wenzela abesifazana idili endlini yesikhosini inkosi uAhasuwerusi ayelayo.

1:10  Ngosuku lwesikhombisa, inhliziyo yenkosi isithokozile ngewayini, yathi kuboMehumani, uBhizitha, uHaribona, uBhigitha, loAbhagitha, uZethari, loKarikasi, abathenwa abayisikhombisa ababesebenza phambi kwenkosi uAhasuwerusi,

1:11  ukuthi balethe uVashiti indlovukazi phambi kwenkosi elomqhele wesikhosini, ukutshengisa abantu leziphathamandla ubuhle bakhe, ngoba wayekhangeleka kuhle.

1:12  Kodwa indlovukazi uVashiti yala ukubuya ngelizwi lenkosi elalingesandla sabathenwa. Ngakho inkosi yathukuthela kakhulu, lolaka lwayo lwavutha phakathi kwayo.

1:13  Inkosi yasisithi kwabahlakaniphileyo ababesazi izikhathi (ngoba lalinjalo ilizwi lenkosi phambi kwabo bonke abaziyo umthetho lesahlulelo,

1:14  lalabo ababeseduze layo babengoKarishena, uShethari, uAdimatha, uTarshishi, uMeresi, uMarisena, uMemukani, iziphathamandla eziyisikhombisa zePerisiya leMede, ezazibona ubuso benkosi, ezazihlala phambili embusweni):

1:15  Ngokomthetho kungenziwani ngendlovukazi uVashiti ngenxa yokuthi kayenzanga ilizwi lenkosi uAhasuwerusi ngesandla sabathenwa?

1:16  UMemukani wasesithi phambi kwenkosi leziphathamandla: UVashiti indlovukazi wonile kungeyisikho enkosini kuphela, kodwa lakuziphathamandla zonke lebantwini bonke abasezabelweni zonke zenkosi uAhasuwerusi.

1:17  Ngoba isenzo sendlovukazi sizaphumela kubo bonke abesifazana, kuze kuthi badelele omkabo emehlweni abo, nxa besithi: Inkosi uAhasuwerusi watshela ukuthi kulethwe uVashiti indlovukazi phambi kwayo, kodwa kayizanga.

1:18  Yebo mhlalokho amakhosikazi ePerisiya leMede ezwe isenzo sendlovukazi azakuthi kuzo zonke iziphathamandla zenkosi, kube khona ukudelela lokuthukuthela okwedlulisayo.

1:19  Uba kulungile enkosini kakuphume umthetho wesikhosini kuyo, kakubhalwe emithethweni yamaPerisiya lamaMede, ongeguqulwe, ukuthi uVashiti kayikungena phambi kwenkosi uAhasuwerusi; inkosi inike-ke ubukhosikazi bakhe komunye onjengaye ongcono kulaye.

1:20  Usuzwakele umthetho wenkosi ezawenza embusweni wayo wonke (ngoba mkhulu) bonke abesifazana bazanika inhlonipho kubomkabo, kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane.

1:21  Njalo indaba yayilungile emehlweni enkosi leziphathamandla; inkosi yasisenza njengokwelizwi likaMemukani.

1:22  Yasithumela izincwadi kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi, kusabelo lesabelo njengombhalo waso, lakubo abantu labantu njengokolimi lwabo, ukuthi ileyo laleyondoda ibe ngumbusi endlini yayo, ikhulume njengokolimi lwabantu bakibo.

Chapter 2

2:1  Emva kwalezizinto, ulaka lwenkosi uAhasuwerusi seludedile, wamkhumbula uVashiti, lalokho ayekwenzile, lalokho okwaqunywa ngaye.

2:2  Izinceku zenkosi ezaziyisebenzela zasezisithi: Kakudingelwe inkosi amantombazana, izintombi ezikhangeleka kuhle.

2:3  Inkosi imise-ke ababonisi kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso, ukuze babuthanise wonke amantombazana, izintombi ezikhangeleka kuhle, eShushani isigodlo, endlini yabesifazana, esandleni sikaHegayi, umthenwa wenkosi, umlondolozi wabesifazana, lokunika okokuqhola kwawo.

2:4  Kuthi intombazana enhle emehlweni enkosi ibe yindlovukazi esikhundleni sikaVashiti. Indaba yayilungile-ke emehlweni enkosi, yenza njalo.

2:5  Kwakukhona indoda engumJuda eShushani isigodlo, obizo layo lalinguModekhayi indodana kaJayiri indodana kaShimeyi indodana kaKishi, umBhenjamini,

2:6  owayethunjwe eJerusalema kanye labathunjwa ababethunjwe loJekoniya inkosi yakoJuda, uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni owayebathumbile.

2:7  Njalo wayesondla uHadasa, onguEsta, umntakamalumakhe, ngoba wayengelayise kumbe unina; njalo intombi yayinhle ngesimo njalo ikhangeleka kuhle; ekufeni-ke kukayise lonina uModekhayi wayithatha yaba yindodakazi yakhe.

2:8  Kwasekusithi sekuzwakele ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo, lapho sekubuthaniswe izintombi ezinengi eShushani isigodlo esandleni sikaHegayi, uEsta laye wathathwa wasiwa endlini yenkosi esandleni sikaHegayi, umlondolozi wabesifazana.

2:9  Lentombi yayinhle emehlweni akhe, yazuza umusa phambi kwakhe; wasehle eyinika amakha ayo lezabelo zayo, lamantombazana akhethiweyo ayisikhombisa ukuyinika avela endlini yenkosi; wayisusa wayifaka yona lamantombazana ayo endaweni enhle yendlu yabesifazana.

2:10  UEsta wayengakhulumanga abantu bakwabo lomhlobo wakhe, ngoba uModekhayi wayemlayile ukuthi angakukhulumi.

2:11  Langalo lonke usuku ngosuku uModekhayi wayehambahamba phambi kweguma lendlu yabesifazana ukwazi impilakahle kaEsta lokuthi kuyini okuzakwenzeka kuye.

2:12  Lekufikeni kwezopha lentombi ngentombi ukungena enkosini uAhasuwerusi ekucineni sekwenziwe kuye njengomthetho wabesifazana, inyanga ezilitshumi lambili, ngoba ngokunjalo kwagcwaliseka insuku zamakha awo, inyanga eziyisithupha ngamafutha emure*, lenyanga eziyisithupha ngamakha okuqhola, langamanye amakha abesifazana.

2:13  Ngalokho-ke intombi yangena enkosini; loba kuyini ekutshoyo izakunikwa ukuthi ihambe lakho isuka endlini yabesifazana isiya endlini yenkosi.

2:14  Ntambama yangena, lekuseni ibuyele endlini yesibili yabesifazana, esandleni sikaShashigazi umthenwa wenkosi umlondolozi wabafazi abancinyane; kayingenanga futhi enkosini ngaphandle kokuthi inkosi ithokoze ngayo, ibizwe ngebizo.

2:15  Kwathi selifikile izopho likaEsta, indodakazi kaAbihayili umalumakhe kaModekhayi owayemthethe waba yindodakazi yakhe, lokuthi angene enkosini, kacelanga lutho ngaphandle kwalokho uHegayi umthenwa wenkosi umlondolozi wabesifazana akutshoyo. UEsta wayesemukela-ke umusa emehlweni abo bonke abambonayo.

2:16  Ngokunjalo uEsta wasiwa enkosini uAhasuwerusi endlini yayo yesikhosini ngenyanga yetshumi, eyinyanga kaTebethi, ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kwayo.

2:17  Inkosi yasimthanda uEsta okwedlula bonke abesifazana, wemukela umusa lesihe phambi kwayo okwedlula zonke intombi, yasibeka umqhele wobukhosi ekhanda lakhe, yamenza indlovukazi esikhundleni sikaVashiti.

2:18  Inkosi yasisenzela zonke iziphathamandla zayo lenceku zayo idili elikhulu, idili likaEsta. Yenzela izabelo ikhefu, yapha izipho njengokwamandla enkosi.

2:19  Kwathi intombi sezibuthanisiwe okwesibili, uModekhayi wayehlezi esangweni lenkosi.

2:20  UEsta wayengakhulumanga umhlobo wakhe labantu bakibo, njengoba uModekhayi wamlaya, ngoba uEsta wenza umlayo kaModekhayi njengalapho esondliwa elaye.

2:21  Ngalezozinsuku uModekhayi ehlezi esangweni lenkosi, oBigithani loTereshi abathenwa ababili benkosi, abalindi bombundu, bathukuthela, badinga ukuyithela isandla inkosi uAhasuwerusi.

2:22  Njalo udaba lwaziwa kuModekhayi, waselutshela uEsta indlovukazi; njalo uEsta wayitshela inkosi ebizweni likaModekhayi.

2:23  Lolodaba seluhlolwa, lwatholakala lunjalo; ngakho bobabili baphanyekwa esihlahleni. Kwasekubhalwa egwalweni lwemilando phambi kwenkosi.

Chapter 3

3:1  Emva kwalezizindaba inkosi uAhasuwerusi yamkhulisa uHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, yamphakamisa, yabeka isihlalo sakhe phezu kwazo zonke iziphathamandla ezazilaye.

3:2  Ngakho zonke inceku zenkosi ezazisesangweni lenkosi zakhothama zamkhonza uHamani, ngoba inkosi yayilaye ngokunjalo ngaye. Kodwa uModekhayi kakhothamanga kakhonzanga.

3:3  Izinceku zenkosi ezazisesangweni lenkosi zasezisithi kuModekhayi: Kungani useqa umlayo wenkosi?

3:4  Kwasekusithi zikhuluma laye insuku ngensuku, kodwa engazizwanga, zamtshela uHamani ukuze zibone ukuthi amazwi kaModekhayi azakuma yini; ngoba wayezitshelile ukuthi ungumJuda.

3:5  UHamani esebonile ukuthi uModekhayi kakhothamanga njalo kakhonzanga kuye, uHamani wagcwala intukuthelo.

3:6  Wesedelela emehlweni akhe ukumthela isandla uModekhayi yedwa, ngoba babemtshelile abantu bakibo kaModekhayi, ngakho uHamani wadinga ukuchitha wonke amaJuda, ayesembusweni wonke kaAhasuwerusi, abantu bakibo kaModekhayi.

3:7  Ngenyanga yokuqala, eyinyanga uNisani, ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili wenkosi uAhasuwerusi, baphosa iPuri, eliyinkatho, phambi kukaHamani, kusukela osukwini kusiya osukwini, njalo kusukela enyangeni kusiya enyangeni yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari.

3:8  UHamani wasesithi enkosini uAhasuwerusi: Kukhona abantu abathile abahlakazeke basabalala phakathi kwabantu ezabelweni zonke zombuso wakho; lemilayo yabo yehlukile kweyabo bonke abantu, lemilayo yenkosi kabayenzi; ngakho kakufanelanga enkosini ukuthi ibayekele bahlale.

3:9  Uba kulungile enkosini, kakubhalwe ukuthi bachithwe, njalo ngizalinganisa amathalenta* esiliva azinkulungwane ezilitshumi ezandleni zabenzi bomsebenzi, ukuze afakwe kokuligugu kwenkosi.

3:10  Inkosi yasikhupha indandatho yophawu lwayo esandleni sayo, yayinika uHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, isitha samaJuda.

3:11  Inkosi yasisithi kuHamani: Isiliva usinikiwe, labantu, ukwenza ngabo njengokuhle emehlweni akho.

3:12  Kwasekubizwa ababhali benkosi ngenyanga yokuqala ngosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwayo; kwasekubhalwa njengakho konke uHamani ayekulayile, ezikhulwini zenkosi lakubabusi ababephezu kwesabelo lesabelo, lakuziphathamandla zesizwe lesizwe sesabelo lesabelo, njengokombhalo waso, labantu ngabantu ngokolimi lwabo; kwabhalwa ebizweni lenkosi uAhasuwerusi, kwananyathiselwa ngendandatho yophawu lwenkosi.

3:13  Incwadi zathunyelwa ngesandla sezigijimi kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi ukuchitha, ukubulala, lokubhubhisa wonke amaJuda, kusukela komutsha kusiya komdala, abantwanyana labesifazana, ngasuku lunye, ngolwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari, lokuthi kuphangwe impahla yawo.

3:14  Ikhophi yombhalo yokuthi umlayo unikwe kuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo yayisobala kubo bonke abantu ukuze balungele lolosuku.

3:15  Izigijimi zaphuma ziphangisiswa yilizwi lenkosi, lomthetho wanikwa eShushani isigodlo. Inkosi loHamani basebehlalela ukunatha, kodwa umuzi iShushani wawusanganisekile.

Chapter 4

4:1  UModekhayi esekwazile konke okwenziweyo, uModekhayi wadabula izigqoko zakhe, wagqoka isaka lomlotha, waphuma wangena phakathi komuzi, wakhala ukukhala okukhulu lokubabayo,

4:2  weza waze waba phambi kwesango lenkosi, ngoba kwakungekho ongangena esangweni lenkosi egqoke isaka.

4:3  Lakuso sonke isabelo lesabelo, indawo lapho ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho okwakufika khona, kwaba lokulila okukhulu kumaJuda, lokuzila ukudla, lokukhala inyembezi, lokulila; amanengi alala emasakeni lemlotheni.

4:4  Kwasekufika amantombazana kaEsta labathenwa bakhe bamtshela; indlovukazi yasidabuka kakhulu, yathumela izembatho zokugqokisa uModekhayi, lokususa kuye isaka lakhe, kodwa kazemukelanga.

4:5  UEsta wasebiza uHathaki omunye wabathenwa benkosi eyayimmisele yena, wamlaya ngoModekhayi ukuthi azi ukuthi kuyini lokuthi kungani.

4:6  UHathaki wasephuma waya kuModekhayi egcekeni lomuzi elaliphambi kwesango lenkosi.

4:7  UModekhayi wamtshela konke okwenzeke kuye, lengcazelo yemali uHamani athi uzayilinganisela kokuligugu kwenkosi ngamaJuda ukuwachitha.

4:8  Wasemnika ikhophi yombhalo womthetho eyanikwa eShushani ukuwachitha ukuthi ayitshengise uEsta, lokuthi amtshele, lokuthi amlaye ukuthi angene enkosini, ukumncengela, lokucelela abantu bakibo phambi kwakhe.

4:9  UHathaki wasesiza wamtshela uEsta amazwi kaModekhayi.

4:10  UEsta wasekhuluma loHathaki, wamnika umlayo usiya kuModekhayi wokuthi:

4:11  Zonke inceku zenkosi labantu bezabelo zenkosi bayakwazi ukuthi, loba ngubani, owesilisa loba owesifazana, ongena esiya enkosini egumeni elingaphakathi, engabizwanga, kulomthetho owodwa ngaye wokumbulala, ngaphandle kokuthi inkosi imelulele intonga yobukhosi yegolide, ukuze aphile; kodwa mina kangibizwanga ukungena enkosini lezinsuku ezingamatshumi amathathu.

4:12  Basebemtshela uModekhayi amazwi kaEsta.

4:13  UModekhayi wasesithi ephendula uEsta: Ungacabangi engqondweni yakho ukuthi uzaphepha endlini yenkosi okwedlula wonke amaJuda.

4:14  Ngoba uba uthula lokuthula ngalesisikhathi, usizo lenkululeko kuzamela amaJuda kuvela kwenye indawo, kodwa wena lendlu kayihlo lizabhubha. Ngubani kambe owaziyo ukuthi ufikile embusweni ngenxa yesikhathi esinje?

4:15  UEsta wasesithi ephendula uModekhayi:

4:16  Hamba ubuthanise wonke amaJuda atholakala eShushani, lingizilele ukudla, lingadli linganathi insuku ezintathu ubusuku lemini; lami lamantombazana ami sizazila ukudla ngokufananayo; ngokunjalo-ke ngizangena enkosini, okunganjengokomthetho; njalo uba ngibhubha, ngizabhubha.

4:17  UModekhayi waseqhubeka wenza njengakho konke uEsta amlaye khona.

Chapter 5

5:1  Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesithathu uEsta wagqoka ezobundlovukazi, wema egumeni elingaphakathi lendlu yenkosi, maqondana lendlu yenkosi. Inkosi yayihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sombuso wayo endlini yesikhosini iqondene lomnyango wendlu.

5:2  Kwasekusithi inkosi ibona uEsta indlovukazi emi egumeni, wazuza umusa emehlweni ayo; inkosi yasimelulela uEsta intonga yobukhosi yegolide eyayisesandleni sayo. Wasesondela uEsta wathinta isihloko sentonga yobukhosi.

5:3  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Ulani, ndlovukazi Esta? Lesicelo sakho siyini? Uzasinikwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombuso.

5:4  UEsta wasesithi: Uba kukuhle enkosini, kayize inkosi loHamani edilini engiyenzele lona.

5:5  Inkosi yasisithi: Phangisisani uHamani ukuthi enze ilizwi likaEsta. Ngakho yeza inkosi loHamani edilini uEsta ayelenzile.

5:6  Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta edilini lewayini: Siyini isicelo sakho? Njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakho? Kuzakwenziwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombuso.

5:7  UEsta wasephendula wathi: Isicelo sami lesifiso sami yilokhu:

5:8  Uba ngithole umusa emehlweni enkosi, futhi uba kukuhle enkosini ukupha isicelo sami lokwenza isifiso sami, inkosi loHamani kabeze edilini engizalenzela bona. Kusasa-ke ngizakwenza njengokwelizwi lenkosi.

5:9  UHamani wasephuma mhlalokho ethokoza elenhliziyo enhle. Kodwa uHamani ebona uModekhayi esangweni lenkosi ukuthi kasukumanga lokuthi kamthuthumelelanga, uHamani wagcwala ulaka ngoModekhayi.

5:10  Kodwa uHamani wazithinta, wafika endlini yakhe; wasethuma walanda abangane bakhe loZereshi umkakhe.

5:11  UHamani wasebalandisela udumo lwenotho yakhe, lobunengi bamadodana akhe, lakho konke inkosi eyayimkhulise ngakho, leyamphakamisa ngakho phezu kweziphathamandla lenceku zenkosi.

5:12  UHamani wasesithi: Yebo, uEsta indlovukazi kangenisanga muntu kanye lenkosi edilini alenzileyo ngaphandle kwami; njalo lakusasa nginxuselwe kuye lenkosi.

5:13  Kanti konke lokhu kakungenelisi ngalutho ngaso sonke isikhathi ngibona uModekhayi umJuda ehlezi esangweni lenkosi.

5:14  UZereshi umkakhe labo bonke abangane bakhe basebesithi kuye: Kakwenziwe ugodo ubude obuzingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu; kusasa-ke uthi enkosini kabalengise uModekhayi kulo, ubusungena lenkosi edilini uthokozile. Njalo loludaba lwalulungile phambi kukaHamani, waselwenza ugodo.

Chapter 6

6:1  Ngalobobusuku ubuthongo benkosi babaleka; yasisithi kakulethwe ugwalo lwezikhumbuzo lwemilando; yasibalwa phambi kwenkosi.

6:2  Kwasekutholakala kubhaliwe ukuthi uModekhayi wabika ngoBigithana loTereshi, abathenwa ababili benkosi, abalindi bombundu, ababedinge ukwelulela isandla enkosini uAhasuwerusi.

6:3  Inkosi yasisithi: Dumo lobukhulu bani obenziwa kuModekhayi ngalokhu? Izinceku zenkosi ezaziyikhonza zasezisithi: Kakwenziwanga lutho kuye.

6:4  Inkosi yasisithi: Ngubani osegumeni? UHamani wayesengene egumeni elingaphandle lendlu yenkosi ukukhuluma enkosini ukuthi ilengise uModekhayi egodweni ayemlungisele lona.

6:5  Izinceku zenkosi zasezisithi kuyo: Khangela, uHamani umi egumeni. Inkosi yasisithi: Kangene.

6:6  UHamani wasengena; inkosi yasisithi kuye: Kwenziweni kumuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe? UHamani wasesithi enhliziyweni yakhe: Ngubani inkosi engathokoza ukumnika udumo okwedlula mina?

6:7  UHamani wasesithi enkosini: Umuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe,

6:8  kakulethwe isembatho sobukhosi inkosi uqobo esigqokayo, lebhiza inkosi eligadayo, lokuthi umqhele wobukhosi ubekwe enhlokweni yalo;

6:9  lesembatho lebhiza kunikwe esandleni somunye weziphathamandla zenkosi ezihloniphekayo, lokuthi bagqokise lowomuntu inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe, bamgadise ibhiza adabule igceke lomuzi, bamemeze phambi kwakhe bathi: Kwenziwa nje emuntwini inkosi ethokoza ngodumo lwakhe.

6:10  Inkosi yasisithi kuHamani: Phangisa thatha isembatho lebhiza njengokutsho kwakho, wenze njalo kuModekhayi umJuda ohlala esangweni lenkosi; kungawi lalizwi kukho konke okukhulumileyo.

6:11  UHamani wasethatha isembatho lebhiza, wagqokisa uModekhayi, wamgadisa wadabula igceke lomuzi, wamemeza phambi kwakhe wathi: Kwenziwa nje emuntwini inkosi ethokoza kudumo lwakhe.

6:12  Wasebuyela uModekhayi esangweni lenkosi, kodwa uHamani wahaluzela waya endlini yakhe elila embomboze ikhanda.

6:13  UHamani wasetshela uZereshi umkakhe labo bonke abangane bakhe konke okumehleleyo. Abahlakaniphileyo bakhe loZereshi umkakhe basebesithi kuye: Uba uModekhayi engowenzalo yamaJuda, osuqalise ukuwa phambi kwakhe, kawuyikumelana laye, kodwa uzakuwa lokuwa phambi kwakhe.

6:14  Besakhuluma loHamani, abathenwa benkosi basondela, bahaluzela ukuletha uHamani edilini uEsta ayelenzile.

Chapter 7

7:1  Bafika-ke inkosi loHamani ukuyakuba ledili loEsta indlovukazi.

7:2  Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta langosuku lwesibili edilini lewayini: Siyini isicelo sakho, Esta ndlovukazi? njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakho? kuzakwenziwa ngitsho kuze kube yingxenye yombuso.

7:3  UEsta indlovukazi wasephendula wathi: Uba ngithole umusa emehlweni akho, nkosi, njalo uba kukuhle enkosini, impilo yami kangiyinikwe ngesicelo sami labantu bakithi ngesifiso sami.

7:4  Ngoba sithengisiwe, mina labantu bakithi, ukuthi sibhujiswe sibulawe njalo sichithwe; kodwa uba besithengiswe ukuba yizigqili lezigqilikazi ngabe ngithule; lanxa isitha besingelinganise ukoniwa kwenkosi.

7:5  Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasikhuluma yathi kuEsta indlovukazi: Ngubani lo, futhi ungaphi lo ogcwalise inhliziyo yakhe ukwenza njalo?

7:6  UEsta wasesithi: Umuntu, umbandezeli lesitha, nguHamani lo okhohlakeleyo. UHamani waseqhaqhazela phambi kwenkosi lendlovukazi.

7:7  Inkosi yasisukuma edilini lewayini olakeni lwayo, yaya esivandeni sesigodlo; uHamani wasesukuma ukuncengela impilo yakhe kuEsta indlovukazi, ngoba wabona ukuthi okubi sekuqunywe yinkosi ngaye.

7:8  Inkosi isiphendukile ivela esivandeni sesigodlo isiya endlini yedili lewayini, uHamani wayewele phezu kombheda uEsta ayekuwo. Inkosi yasisithi: Usuzadlova indlovukazi ilami endlini yini? Ilizwi laphuma emlonyeni wenkosi; basebembomboza ubuso bukaHamani.

7:9  UHaribona omunye wabathenwa wasesithi phambi kwenkosi: Khangela-ke, ugodo uHamani alwenzele uModekhayi, owayeyikhulumele okuhle inkosi, lumi endlini kaHamani, ubude buzingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu. Inkosi yasisithi: Umlengiseni kulo.

7:10  Basebemlengisa uHamani kulologodo ayelulungisele uModekhayi. Lwaseludeda ulaka lwenkosi.

Chapter 8

8:1  Ngalolosuku inkosi uAhasuwerusi yanika uEsta indlovukazi indlu kaHamani isitha samaJuda. UModekhayi wasesiza phambi kwenkosi ngoba uEsta wayeselandisile ukuthi wayeyini kuye.

8:2  Inkosi yasikhupha indandatho yophawu lwayo eyayiyithathele uHamani, yayinika uModekhayi. UEsta wasebeka uModekhayi phezu kwendlu kaHamani.

8:3  UEsta wasebuya ekhuluma phambi kwenkosi, wawa phambi kwenyawo zayo wakhala inyembezi wayincenga ukuthi isuse ububi bukaHamani umAgagi, logobe lwakhe ayelucebe ngamaJuda.

8:4  Inkosi yasiselulela intonga yobukhosi yegolide kuEsta. UEsta wasesukuma wema phambi kwenkosi,

8:5  wasesithi: Uba kukuhle enkosini, uba-ke ngithole umusa phambi kwayo, lodaba lulungile phambi kwenkosi, lami ngilungile emehlweni ayo, kakubhalwe ukubuyisela emuva izincwadi, ugobe lukaHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, ayelubhalele ukubhubhisa amaJuda asezabelweni zonke zenkosi.

8:6  Ngoba ngingaba lakho njani ukubona ububi obuzathola isizwe sakithi? Kumbe ngingaba lakho njani ukubona ukubhujiswa kwezihlobo zami?

8:7  Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasisithi kuEsta indlovukazi lakuModekhayi umJuda: Khangelani, indlu kaHamani ngiyinike uEsta, yena-ke bamlengise egodweni, ngenxa yokuthi welulela isandla sakhe kumaJuda.

8:8  Ngakho lina bhalelani amaJuda ebizweni lenkosi, njengokuhle emehlweni enu, likunameke ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, ngoba umbhalo obhalwe ngebizo lenkosi wananyekwa ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, kakho ongawubuyisela emuva.

8:9  Kwasekubizwa ababhali benkosi ngalesosikhathi ngenyanga yesithathu, eyinyanga uSivani, ngolwamatshumi amabili lantathu lwayo; kwasekubhalwa njengakho konke uModekhayi akulaya kumaJuda, lezikhulwini lakubabusi lakuziphathamandla zezabelo ezisukela eIndiya kuze kufike eEthiyophiya, izabelo ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa, isabelo lesabelo njengokombhalo waso, lesizwe ngesizwe njengokolimi lwaso, lakumaJuda njengokombhalo wawo lanjengokolimi lwawo.

8:10  Wasebhala ebizweni lenkosi uAhasuwerusi, wanameka ngophawu lwendandatho yenkosi, wathumela izincwadi ngesandla sezigijimi ezigade amabhiza, ezigade amabhiza alejubane awesikhosini, amabhizakazi amatsha.

8:11  Ukuthi inkosi yavumela amaJuda ayesemzini ngomuzi wonke ukuthi ahlangane amele impilo yawo ukubhubhisa abulale aqede wonke amandla abantu lesabelo abawahlaseleyo, abantwanyana labesifazana, lokuphanga impango yabo,

8:12  ngasuku lunye kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi, ngolwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari.

8:13  Ikhophi yombhalo yomthetho ozamiswa kuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo yayisobala kubo bonke abantu, ukuthi amaJuda azilungisele lolusuku ukuziphindiselela ezitheni zawo.

8:14  Izigijimi zigade amabhiza esikhosini alejubane zaphuma, ziphangisiswa zicindezelwa yilizwi lenkosi, lomthetho wanikwa eShushani isigodlo.

8:15  UModekhayi wasephuma phambi kwenkosi ekusembatho sobukhosi sobuluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka lesimhlophe, lomqhele omkhulu wegolide, lesembatho selembu elicolekileyo kakhulu leliyibubende. Umuzi weShushani wasuthokoza wathaba.

8:16  AmaJuda ayelokukhanya lentokozo lenjabulo lodumo.

8:17  Lakuso sonke isabelo ngesabelo lakuwo wonke umuzi ngomuzi endaweni lapho ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo okwafika khona amaJuda aba lentokozo, lenjabulo, idili, losuku oluhle. Labanengi babantu belizwe baba ngamaJuda, ngoba ukwesaba amaJuda kwabehlela.

Chapter 9

9:1  Kwathi ngenyanga yetshumi lambili, eyinyanga uAdari, ngosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwayo, sekusondele ilizwi lenkosi lomlayo wayo ukuthi kwenziwe, ngosuku izitha zamaJuda ezazithemba ukuwabusa ngalo, kwaguquka, ngoba amaJuda ngokwawo abusa kwababewazonda.

9:2  AmaJuda abuthana emizini yawo kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi ukwelulela isandla kulabo ababedinge ukulinyazwa kwawo; njalo kakho owayengema phambi kwawo, ngoba ukwesabeka kwawo kwakwehlele bonke abantu.

9:3  Zonke-ke iziphathamandla zezabelo, lezikhulu, lababusi, labenzi bomsebenzi inkosi eyayilabo, basiza amaJuda, ngoba ukwesabeka kukaModekhayi kwakubehlele.

9:4  Ngoba uModekhayi wayemkhulu endlini yenkosi, lodumo lwakhe lwahamba kuzo zonke izabelo, ngoba lindoda uModekhayi yaqhubeka ikhula.

9:5  Ngakho amaJuda atshaya phakathi kwezitha zawo zonke ngokutshaya kwenkemba lokubulala lokubhubhisa, enza ngabazondi bawo ngokwentando yawo.

9:6  EShushani isigodlo amaJuda asebulala abhubhisa abantu abangamakhulu amahlanu,

9:7  loParishanidatha, loDalifoni, loAsiphatha,

9:8  loPoratha, loAdaliya, loAridatha,

9:9  loParimashita, loArisayi, loAridayi, loVayizatha.

9:10  Amadodana alitshumi kaHamani indodana kaHamedatha, isitha samaJuda, awabulala; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangweni.

9:11  Ngalolosuku inani lababulawayo eShushani isigodlo lafika phambi kwenkosi.

9:12  Inkosi yasisithi kuEsta indlovukazi: EShushani isigodlo amaJuda abulele abhubhisa abantu abangamakhulu amahlanu lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani. Enzeni kwezinye izabelo zenkosi? Siyini-ke isicelo sakho? Njalo uzasinikwa. Siyini-ke isifiso sakho futhi? Njalo sizakwenziwa.

9:13  UEsta wasesithi: Uba kulungile enkosini kawavunyelwe amaJuda aseShushani ukwenza lakusasa njengokomthetho walamuhla; lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani kabawalengise egodweni.

9:14  Inkosi yasisithi kwenziwe njalo; kwasekunikwa umthetho eShushani, lamadodana alitshumi kaHamani bawalengisa.

9:15  AmaJuda eyeseShushani asebuthana futhi ngosuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdari, abulala abantu abangamakhulu amathathu eShushani; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangweni.

9:16  Amanye kumaJuda ayesezabelweni zenkosi abuthana-ke amela impilo yabo, aphumula ezitheni zawo, abulala kwabawazondayo izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanu; kodwa kawelulelanga isandla sawo empangweni.

9:17  Kwakungosuku lwetshumi lantathu lwenyanga uAdari. Asephumula ngolwetshumi lane lwayo, alwenza lwaba lusuku lwedili lentokozo.

9:18  Kodwa amaJuda aseShushani abuthana ngolwetshumi lantathu lwayo langolwetshumi lane lwayo; asephumula ngolwetshumi lanhlanu lwayo, alwenza lwaba lusuku lwedili lentokozo.

9:19  Ngenxa yalokhu amaJuda emaphandleni ahlala emizini emaphandleni enza usuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdari lwaba ngolwentokozo ledili, losuku oluhle, lolokuthumelana izabelo.

9:20  UModekhayi wasezibhala lezizinto, wathumela izincwadi kuwo wonke amaJuda ayekuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi uAhasuwerusi, aseduze lakhatshana,

9:21  ukumisa phakathi kwabo ukwenza usuku lwetshumi lane lwenyanga uAdari losuku lwetshumi lanhlanu lwayo kuwo wonke umnyaka ngomnyaka,

9:22  njengokwensuku amaJuda aphumula ngazo ezitheni zawo, lenyanga eyaphendulwa kuwo kusuka osizini kusiya kuntokozo, lekulileni kube lusuku oluhle, azenze zibe zinsuku zedili lentokozo, lezokuthumelana izabelo, lezipho kubayanga.

9:23  AmaJuda emukela lokho ayesekuqalile ukukwenza, lalokho uModekhayi ayewabhalele khona.

9:24  Ngoba uHamani indodana kaHamedatha umAgagi, isitha sawo wonke amaJuda, wayecebe mayelana lamaJuda ukuwachitha, waphosa iPuri, eyinkatho, ukuwachoboza lokuwabhubhisa.

9:25  Kodwa lapho uEsta efika phambi kwenkosi, yalaya ngencwadi ukuthi icebo lakhe elibi ayelicebe ngamaJuda libuyele ekhanda lakhe; basebebalengisa yena lamadodana akhe egodweni.

9:26  Ngenxa yalokhu babiza lezozinsuku ngokuthi iPurimi ngebizo lePuri. Ngenxa yalokhu, ngenxa yawo wonke amazwi aleyoncwadi, lababekubonile mayelana lalokho, lokwakubehlele,

9:27  amaJuda amisa azemukelela wona lenzalo yawo labo bonke abazihlanganisa lawo, ukuze bangeqi, ukugcina lezinsuku ezimbili, njengokombhalo wazo, lanjengokwesikhathi sazo esimisiweyo, kuwo wonke umnyaka lomnyaka,

9:28  ukuthi lezinsuku zikhunjulwe zigcinwe kuso sonke isizukulwana lesizukulwana, usapho losapho, isabelo ngesabelo, lomuzi ngomuzi, ukuthi lezinsuku zePurimi zingeqiwa phakathi kwamaJuda, lesikhumbuzo sazo singapheli enzalweni yawo.

9:29  UEsta indlovukazi, indodakazi kaAbihayili, loModekhayi umJuda, basebebhala ngamandla wonke ukuqinisa lincwadi yesibili yePurimi.

9:30  Wasethumela izincwadi kuwo wonke amaJuda ezabelweni ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa zombuso kaAhasuwerusi, amazwi okuthula leqiniso,

9:31  ukuqinisa lezinsuku zePurimi ngezikhathi zazo ezimisiweyo njengokumisa phezu kwawo kukaModekhayi umJuda loEsta indlovukazi, lanjengokuzimisela kwawo wona lenzalo yawo, indaba zokuzila ukudla lokukhala kwawo.

9:32  Ilizwi likaEsta laseliqinisa lezizindaba zePurimi; kwasekubhalwa egwalweni.

Chapter 10

10:1  Inkosi uAhasuwerusi yasibeka umthelo elizweni lezihlengeni zolwandle.

10:2  Zonke-ke izenzo zamandla ayo lawengalo zayo, lomlando wobukhulu bukaModekhayi, inkosi eyamkhulisayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi eMede lePerisiya?

10:3  Ngoba uModekhayi umJuda wayengowesibili enkosini uAhasuwerusi, emkhulu phakathi kwamaJuda, ethandeka kulo inengi labafowabo, edingela isizwe sakibo okuhle, ekhuluma ukuthula kuyo yonke inzalo yakhe.