Ndebele - II Kings

Chapter 1

1:1  UMowabi wasevukela uIsrayeli emva kokufa kukaAhabi.

1:2  UAhaziya wasesiwa eminxibeni yewindi ekamelweni lakhe eliphezulu eliseSamariya, wagula. Wathuma izithunywa, wathi kuzo: Hambani liyebuza kuBhali-Zebhubi unkulunkulu weEkhironi ukuthi ngizasila yini emkhuhlaneni lo.

1:3  Kodwa ingilosi yeNkosi yathi kuElija umTishibi: Sukuma, wenyuke ukuhlangabeza izithunywa zenkosi yeSamariya, uthi kizo: Kungenxa yokuthi kakulaNkulunkulu yini koIsrayeli ukuthi lihambe liyebuza kuBhali-Zebhubi unkulunkulu weEkhironi?

1:4  Ngakho-ke itsho njalo iNkosi: Umbheda owenyukele kuwo kawuyikwehla kuwo, ngoba uzakufa lokufa. UElija wasehamba.

1:5  Lapho izithunywa sezibuyele kuyo, wathi kuzo: Kungani selibuyile?

1:6  Zasezisithi kuyo: Umuntu wenyukile ukusihlangabeza, wathi kithi: Hambani libuyele enkosini elithumileyo, lithi kuyo: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Kungenxa yokuthi kakulaNkulunkulu koIsrayeli yini ukuthi uthumele ukubuza kuBhali-Zebhubi unkulunkulu weEkhironi? Ngakho umbheda owenyukele kuwo kawuyikwehla kuwo, ngoba sibili uzakufa.

1:7  Yasisithi kuzo: Besinjani isimo salowomuntu owenyukele ukulihlangabeza, wakhuluma kini lamazwi?

1:8  Basebesithi kuyo: Ubeyindoda eloboya, ebophe ngozwezwe lwesikhumba ekhalweni lwayo. Yasisithi: NguElija umTishibi.

1:9  Inkosi yasithuma kuye induna yabangamatshumi amahlanu labangamatshumi amahlanu bayo. Yasisenyukela kuye; khangela-ke, wayehlezi engqongeni yentaba; yathi kuye: Muntu kaNkulunkulu, inkosi ithe: Yehla.

1:10  UElija wasephendula wathi enduneni yabangamatshumi amahlanu: Uba-ke ngingumuntu kaNkulunkulu, kakwehle umlilo ovela emazulwini uqothule wena labangamatshumi amahlanu bakho. Wasusehla umlilo uvela emazulwini, wayiqothula yona labangamatshumi amahlanu bayo.

1:11  Yasibuya ithuma kuye enye induna yabangamatshumi amahlanu labangamatshumi amahlanu bayo. Yasiphendula yathi kuye: Muntu kaNkulunkulu, itsho njalo inkosi: Yehla masinyane.

1:12  UElija wasephendula wathi kubo: Uba ngingumuntu kaNkulunkulu, kakwehle umlilo ovela emazulwini uqothule wena labangamatshumi amahlanu bakho. Wasusehla umlilo kaNkulunkulu uvela emazulwini, wayiqothula yona labangamatshumi amahlanu bayo.

1:13  Yasithuma futhi induna yabangamatshumi amahlanu besithathu labangamatshumi amahlanu bayo. Leyonduna yesithathu yabangamatshumi amahlanu yasisenyuka yeza yawa ngamadolo ayo phambi kukaElija, yamncenga yathi kuye: Muntu kaNkulunkulu, ake ibe ligugu impilo yami lempilo yalezi inceku zakho ezingamatshumi amahlanu emehlweni akho.

1:14  Khangela, wehla umlilo uvela emazulwini, waqothula induna ezimbili zabangamatshumi amahlanu zokuqala labangamatshumi amahlanu azo; ngakho-ke kayibe ligugu impilo yami emehlweni akho.

1:15  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasisithi kuElija: Yehla laye, ungamesabi. Wasesukuma, wehla laye waya enkosini;

1:16  wathi kuyo: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Ngenxa yokuthi uthume izithunywa ukuyabuza kuBhali-Zebhubi, unkulunkulu weEkhironi, kungenxa yokuthi kakulaNkulunkulu koIsrayeli yini, ukubuza ilizwi lakhe? Ngakho-ke umbheda owenyukele kuwo kawuyikwehla kuwo, ngoba uzakufa lokufa.

1:17  Wasesifa njengokwelizwi leNkosi uElija ayelikhulumile. UJehoramu wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe, ngomnyaka wesibili kaJoramu indodana kaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda, ngoba wayengelandodana.

1:18  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaAhaziya, azenzayo, kazibhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

Chapter 2

2:1  Kwasekusithi iNkosi isizamenyusela uElija emazulwini ngesivunguzane, uElija wahamba loElisha bevela eGiligali.

2:2  UElija wasesithi kuElisha: Akuhlale lapha, ngoba iNkosi ingithumile eBhetheli. Kodwa uElisha wathi: Kuphila kukaJehova lokuphila komphefumulo wakho, kangiyikukutshiya. Basebesehlela eBhetheli.

2:3  Lamadodana abaprofethi ayeseBhetheli aphuma eza kuElisha, athi kuye: Uyazi yini ukuthi iNkosi izayisusa inkosi yakho lamuhla ekhanda lakho? Wasesithi: Yebo, mina ngiyazi; thulani.

2:4  UElija wasesithi kuye: Elisha, akuhlale lapha, ngoba iNkosi ingithumile eJeriko. Kodwa wathi: Kuphila kukaJehova lokuphila komphefumulo wakho, kangiyikukutshiya. Basebefika eJeriko.

2:5  Amadodana abaprofethi aseJeriko asesondela kuElisha, athi kuye: Uyazi yini ukuthi lamuhla iNkosi izasusa inkosi yakho ekhanda lakho? Wasesithi: Yebo, mina ngiyazi; thulani.

2:6  UElija wasesithi kuye: Akuhlale lapha, ngoba iNkosi ingithumile eJordani. Kodwa wathi: Kuphila kukaJehova lokuphila komphefumulo wakho, kangiyikukutshiya. Basebehamba bobabili.

2:7  Amadoda angamatshumi amahlanu awamadodana abaprofethi asesiyakuma khatshana maqondana labo; bona bobabili basebesima eJordani.

2:8  UElija wasethatha isembatho sakhe, wasigoqa, watshaya amanzi, asedabuka ngapha langapha; bobabili basebechapha emhlabathini owomileyo.

2:9  Kwasekusithi sebechaphile uElija wathi kuElisha: Cela engizakwenzela khona ngingakasuswa kuwe. UElisha wathi: Ake kuthi isabelo esiphindwe kabili somoya wakho sibe phezu kwami.

2:10  Wasesithi: Ucele ulutho olulukhuni; uba ungibona lapha ngisuswa kuwe, kuzakuba njalo kuwe; kodwa uba kungenjalo, kakuyikuba njalo.

2:11  Kwasekusithi besahamba, behamba bekhuluma, khangela-ke, kwaba lenqola yomlilo lamabhiza omlilo, kwabehlukanisa bobabili. UElija wasesenyukela emazulwini ngesivunguzane.

2:12  UElisha wasekubona wamemeza wathi: Baba wami! Baba wami! Inqola yakoIsrayeli labamabhiza ayo! Njalo kazabe esambona. Wasebamba izigqoko zakhe, wazidabula zaba yiziqa ezimbili.

2:13  Wasedobha isembatho sikaElija esawa kuye, wabuyela, wema ekhunjini lweJordani.

2:14  Wasethatha isembatho sikaElija esawa kuye, watshaya amanzi esithi: Ingaphi iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaElija? Yena-ke esewatshayile amanzi, ehlukana ngapha langapha; uElisha wasechapha.

2:15  Kwathi amadodana abaprofethi ayeseJeriko maqondana laye embona athi: Umoya kaElija uhlezi phezu kukaElisha. Asesiza ukumhlangabeza, akhothamela emhlabathini phambi kwakhe.

2:16  Asesithi kuye: Khangela khathesi, kulamadoda aqinileyo angamatshumi amahlanu kanye lenceku zakho; akuwayekele ahambe adinge inkosi yakho; mhlawumbe uMoya weNkosi uyenyusile wayiphosela kwenye yezintaba, loba kwesinye sezihotsha. Wasesithi: Lingathumi.

2:17  Sebemphikelele waze waba lenhloni, wathi: Thumani. Basebethuma amadoda angamatshumi amahlanu; adinga insuku ezintathu, kodwa awamtholanga.

2:18  Asebuyela kuye ehlezi eJeriko, wathi kuwo: Kangitshongo yini kini ukuthi: Lingahambi?

2:19  Amadoda omuzi asesithi kuElisha: Ake ukhangele, indawo yalumuzi inhle njengoba inkosi yami ibona; kodwa amanzi mabi, lomhlabathi kawuvundanga.

2:20  Wasesithi: Ngilethelani umganu omutsha, lifake itshwayi kuwo. Basebewuletha kuye.

2:21  Wasephuma waya emthonjeni wamanzi, waphosela itshwayi kuwo, wathi: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Ngiwelaphile amanzi la; kakusayikuba khona ukufa lokungatheli okuvela lapho.

2:22  Amanzi aseselatshwa kuze kube lamuhla, njengelizwi likaElisha alikhulumayo.

2:23  Wasesenyuka esuka lapho waya eBhetheli; kwathi esenyuka endleleni kwaphuma abantwanyana emzini, bamklolodela bathi kuye: Yenyuka, mpabanga ndini! Yenyuka, mpabanga ndini!

2:24  Wasenyemukula, wababona wabaqalekisa ngebizo leNkosi. Kwaphuma amabhere amabili amasikazi ehlathini, adabula abafana abangamatshumi amane lambili kubo.

2:25  Wasesuka lapho, waya entabeni iKharmeli, esuka lapho wabuyela eSamariya.

Chapter 3

3:1  UJehoramu indodana kaAhabi waba-ke yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya ngomnyaka wetshumi lesificaminwembili kaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lambili.

3:2  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, kodwa kungenjengoyise lanjengonina, ngoba wasusa insika kaBhali eyisithombe uyise ayeyenzile.

3:3  Loba kunjalo wanamathela ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one, kasukanga kukho.

3:4  Njalo uMesha inkosi yakoMowabi wayengumfuyi wezimvu, wayethela enkosini yakoIsrayeli amawundlu azinkulungwane ezilikhulu, lezinqama ezizinkulungwane ezilikhulu, loboya bezimvu.

3:5  Kodwa kwathi uAhabi esefile, inkosi yakoMowabi yavukela inkosi yakoIsrayeli.

3:6  Inkosi uJehoramu yasiphuma ngalesosikhathi eSamariya, yabala uIsrayeli wonke.

3:7  Yasihamba yathumela kuJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda isithi: Inkosi yakoMowabi isingivukele; uzahamba lami yini siye koMowabi empini? Wasesithi: Ngizakwenyuka. Nginjengawe, njengabantu bami banjalo abantu bakho, njengamabhiza ami anjalo amabhiza akho.

3:8  Yasisithi: Sizakwenyuka ngayiphi indlela? Wasesithi: Ngendlela yenkangala yeEdoma.

3:9  Yasihamba inkosi yakoIsrayeli, lenkosi yakoJuda, lenkosi yeEdoma; sebebhode uhambo lwensuku eziyisikhombisa, kwakungelamanzi ebutho lawezifuyo ezibalandelayo.

3:10  Inkosi yakoIsrayeli yasisithi: Maye, ngoba uJehova ubize la amakhosi amathathu ukuwanikela esandleni sikaMowabi!

3:11  Kodwa uJehoshafathi wathi: Kakulamprofethi weNkosi lapha yini esingabuza ngaye iNkosi? Enye yenceku zenkosi yakoIsrayeli yasiphendula yathi: Kukhona lapha uElisha indodana kaShafati owathela amanzi ezandleni zikaElija.

3:12  UJehoshafathi wasesithi: Ilizwi leNkosi likuye. Ngakho inkosi yakoIsrayeli loJehoshafathi lenkosi yeEdoma behlela kuye.

3:13  UElisha wasesithi enkosini yakoIsrayeli: Ngilani lawe? Hamba kubaprofethi bakayihlo lakubaprofethi bakanyoko. Kodwa inkosi yakoIsrayeli yathi kuye: Hatshi, ngoba iNkosi ibize lamakhosi amathathu ukuwanikela esandleni sikaMowabi.

3:14  UElisha wasesithi: Kuphila kukaJehova wamabandla engimi phambi kwakhe, sibili, uba bengingaphakamisi ubukhona bukaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda, bengingayikukukhangela njalo ngingakuboni.

3:15  Ngakho-ke ngilethelani umtshayi wechacho. Kwathi umtshayi wechacho eselitshaya, isandla seNkosi saba phezu kwakhe.

3:16  Wasesithi: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Yenzani lesisihotsha sibe yimigelogelo.

3:17  Ngoba itsho njalo iNkosi: Kaliyikubona umoya njalo kaliyikubona izulu, kodwa lesisihotsha sizagcwaliswa ngamanzi, ukuze linathe lina, lenkomo zenu lezifuyo zenu.

3:18  Kodwa lokhu kulula emehlweni eNkosi: Izanikela lamaMowabi esandleni senu.

3:19  Njalo lizatshaya wonke umuzi obiyelweyo, lawo wonke umuzi okhethekileyo, ligamule sonke isihlahla esihle, ligqibele yonke imithombo yamanzi, lone yonke insimu enhle ngamatshe.

3:20  Kwasekusithi ekuseni ekunikelweni komnikelo wokudla, khangela-ke, kwafika amanzi evelela endleleni yeEdoma, ilizwe laseligcwaliswa ngamanzi.

3:21  Wonke amaMowabi esezwile ukuthi amakhosi enyukile ukulwa emelene lawo, abizelwa ndawonye, kusukela kuye wonke obhinca izikhali kusiya phezulu, asesima emngceleni.

3:22  Asevuka ekuseni kakhulu; ilanga selikhanya phezu kwamanzi, amaMowabi abona amanzi emaqondana lawo ebomvu njengegazi.

3:23  Asesithi: Ligazi leli; amakhosi achithiwe lokuchithwa, asetshayene. Ngakho-ke, empangweni, Mowabi!

3:24  Kwathi efika enkambeni yakoIsrayeli, amaIsrayeli asukuma atshaya amaMowabi, aze abaleka esuka phambi kwawo; kodwa angena elizweni atshaya amaMowabi.

3:25  Asediliza imizi; ngulowo wasephosa ilitshe lakhe kuyo yonke insimu enhle, ayigcwalisa, agqibela yonke imithombo yamanzi, agamula zonke izihlahla ezinhle, kwaze kwasala amatshe ayo eKiri-Haresethi kuphela; kodwa abaphosa ngezavutha bayigombolozela, bayitshaya.

3:26  Inkosi yakoMowabi isibonile ukuthi impi ilukhuni kakhulu kuyo, yathatha abantu abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abahwatsha inkemba kanye layo, ukuze ifohlele enkosini yeEdoma, kodwa behluleka.

3:27  Yasithatha indodana yayo elizibulo eyayizakuba yinkosi esikhundleni sayo, yayinikela yaba ngumnikelo wokutshiswa phezu komduli. Kwasekusiba lolaka olukhulu olumelene loIsrayeli; basebesuka kuyo babuyela elizweni lakibo.

Chapter 4

4:1  Kwasekukhala kuElisha umfazi othile wabafazi bamadodana abaprofethi esithi: Inceku yakho umkami sewafa; lawe uyazi ukuthi inceku yakho yayiyesaba iNkosi; sekufikile umkweledisi ukuzithathela abantwana bami ababili babe yizigqili.

4:2  UElisha wasesithi kuye: Ngingakwenzelani? Ngitshela, ulani endlini? Wasesithi: Incekukazi yakho kayilalutho endlini, ngaphandle kwesiphiso samafutha.

4:3  Wasesithi: Hamba uyezebolekela izitsha ezivela phandle, kubomakhelwane bakho bonke, izitsha ezingelalutho, zingabi nlutshwana.

4:4  Nxa usungenile uzivalele wena lamadodana akho umnyango, uthele kulezizitsha zonke; lokugcweleyo ukubeke eceleni.

4:5  Wasesuka-ke kuye wazivalela yena lamadodana akhe umnyango; bazisondeza kuye, wathulula.

4:6  Kwasekusithi izitsha sezigcwele wathi endodaneni yakhe: Ngilethela njalo isitsha. Yasisithi kuye: Kakuselasitsha. Amafutha asesima.

4:7  Wasesiza wamazisa umuntu kaNkulunkulu; wasesithi: Hamba uyethengisa amafutha, uhlawule isikwelede sakho; wena-ke lamadodana akho liphile ngaseleyo.

4:8  Kwasekusithi ngolunye usuku uElisha wedlulela eShunemi lapho okwakulowesifazana oyisikhulu owamcindezela ukuthi adle isinkwa. Kwakusithi-ke lanini esedlula, aphambukele khona ukuthi adle isinkwa.

4:9  Wasesithi kumkakhe: Khangela-ke, ngiyazi ukuthi lo ungumuntu ongcwele kaNkulunkulu, owedlula kithi njalonjalo.

4:10  Ake senze ikamelo elincinyane eliphezulu emdulini, simfakele lapho umbheda letafula lesihlalo lesiqobane sesibane; kuzakuthi-ke lapho efika kithi aphambukele khona.

4:11  Kwasekusithi ngolunye usuku wafika khona, waphambukela ekamelweni eliphezulu, walala khona.

4:12  Wasesithi kuGehazi inceku yakhe: Biza lo umShunamikazi. Esembizile, wema phambi kwakhe.

4:13  Wasesithi kuyo: Tshono kuye-ke uthi: Khangela, usinakekele ngakho konke lokhukunaka; kuyini ongakwenzelwa? Kukhona ongakukhulunyelwa enkosini kumbe enduneni yebutho yini? Wasesithi: Ngihlala phakathi kwabantu bakithi.

4:14  Wasesithi: Kuyini-ke angakwenzelwa? UGehazi wasesithi: Qiniso, kalamntwana, lomkakhe usemdala.

4:15  Wasesithi: Mbize. Esembizile, wema emnyango.

4:16  Wasesithi: Ngalesisikhathi esimisiweyo njengokwesikhathi sempilo uzagona umntwana. Kodwa wathi: Hatshi, nkosi yami, muntu kaNkulunkulu, ungayiqambeli amanga incekukazi yakho.

4:17  Owesifazana wasekhulelwa, wabeletha umntwana ngalesosikhathi esimisiweyo njengokwesikhathi sempilo uElisha ayesitshilo kuye.

4:18  Esekhulile umntwana, kwathi ngosuku oluthile waphuma waya kuyise kubavuni.

4:19  Wasesithi kuyise: Ikhanda lami! Ikhanda lami! Wasesithi encekwini: Mthwale umuse kunina.

4:20  Isimthwele yamusa kunina, wahlala emadolweni akhe kwaze kwaba semini, wasesifa.

4:21  Wasesenyuka, wamlalisa embhedeni womuntu kaNkulunkulu, wamvalela, waphuma.

4:22  Wasememeza umkakhe wathi: Ake uthume kimi enye yezinceku lomunye wabobabhemi, ukuze ngigijime ngiye emuntwini kaNkulunkulu, ngibuye futhi.

4:23  Wasesithi. Uyelani kuye lamuhla? Kakusikuthwasa kwenyanga njalo kakusisabatha. Owesifazana wasesithi: Kulungile.

4:24  Esembophelele isihlalo ubabhemi, wathi encekwini yakhe: Tshaya uhambe, ungangibambeleli ekuhambeni, ngaphandle ngikutshele.

4:25  Wahamba-ke, weza emuntwini kaNkulunkulu entabeni iKharmeli. Kwasekusithi umuntu kaNkulunkulu embona esiza, wathi kuGehazi inceku yakhe: Khangela, nanguyana umShunamikazi.

4:26  Khathesi akugijime umhlangabeze, uthi kuye: Kulungile yini kuwe? Kulungile yini ngomkakho? Kulungile yini ngomntwana? Wasesithi: Kulungile.

4:27  Esefikile entabeni kumuntu kaNkulunkulu wabamba inyawo zakhe. Kodwa uGehazi wasondela ukumsunduza asuke. Kodwa umuntu kaNkulunkulu wathi: Myekele, ngoba umphefumulo wakhe umunyu kuye, leNkosi ingifihlele lokhu, kayingitshelanga.

4:28  Wasesithi: Ngangicelile indodana enkosini yami yini? Kangitshongo yini ukuthi: Ungangikhohlisi?

4:29  UElisha wasesithi kuGehazi: Bopha ukhalo lwakho, uthathe udondolo lwami esandleni sakho, uhambe. Uba uhlangana lomuntu ungambingeleli, njalo uba umuntu ekubingelela ungamphenduli; ubeke udondolo lwami ebusweni bomntwana.

4:30  Unina womntwana wasesithi: Kuphila kukaJehova lokuphila komphefumulo wakho, kangiyikukutshiya. Wasesukuma wamlandela.

4:31  UGehazi wedlulela phambi kwabo, walubeka udondolo ebusweni bomntwana, kodwa kakubanga khona ilizwi njalo kwakungelakunaka. Wasebuyela ukumhlangabeza, wamtshela esithi: Umntwana kavukanga.

4:32  UElisha esengenile endlini, khangela, umntwana wayefile, elaliswe embhedeni wakhe.

4:33  Wasengena, wavala umnyango emva kwabo bobabili, wakhuleka eNkosini.

4:34  Wenyuka walala phezu komntwana, wabeka umlomo wakhe phezu komlomo wakhe lamehlo akhe phezu kwamehlo akhe lezandla zakhe phezu kwezandla zakhe, wacambalala phezu kwakhe; inyama yomntwana yasikhudumala.

4:35  Wasebuyela, wahambahamba endlini waya kanye ngapha lakanye le, wasesenyuka wacambalala phezu kwakhe; umntwana wasethimula kwaze kwaba kasikhombisa, umntwana wasevula amehlo akhe.

4:36  Wasebiza uGehazi wathi: Mbize lo umShunamikazi. Wasembiza. Esefikile kuye, wathi kuye: Thatha umntanakho.

4:37  Wasengena, wawela ezinyaweni zakhe, wakhothamela emhlabathini, waphakamisa umntanakhe, waphuma.

4:38  UElisha wasebuyela eGiligali, njalo kwakukhona indlala elizweni, amadodana abaprofethi ayehlezi-ke phambi kwakhe, wathi encekwini yakhe: Beka imbiza enkulu eziko, uphekele abaprofethi ukudla okuphekiweyo.

4:39  Omunye wasephuma waya egangeni ukukha imibhida, wathola intandela yeganga, wakha amajodwana ayo eganga, isembatho sakhe sagcwala, weza wawaqobelela embizeni yokudla okuphekiweyo, ngoba ayengawazi.

4:40  Basebethululela abantu ukuze badle; kwasekusithi besadla okokudla okuphekiweyo bona bamemeza bathi: Ukufa embizeni, muntu kaNkulunkulu! Njalo babengelakukudla.

4:41  Wasesithi: Lethani-ke impuphu. Waseyithela embizeni wathi: Thululela abantu, ukuze badle. Kwakungaselalutho oluyingozi embizeni.

4:42  Kwasekufika umuntu evela eBhali-Shalisha, walethela umuntu kaNkulunkulu ukudla kwezithelo zokuqala, izinkwa zebhali* ezingamatshumi amabili, lezikhwebu zamabele amatsha emgodleni wakhe. Wasesithi: Banike abantu ukuze badle.

4:43  Kodwa inceku yakhe yathi: Ini, ngibeke lokhu phambi kwabantu abalikhulu? Wasesithi: Banike abantu ukuze badle, ngoba itsho njalo iNkosi: Bazakudla, batshiye.

4:44  Yasikubeka phambi kwabo, badla, batshiya, njengokwelizwi leNkosi.

Chapter 5

5:1  Njalo uNamani induna yebutho lenkosi yeSiriya wayengumuntu omkhulu phambi kwenkosi yakhe, lohloniphekayo, ngoba ngaye uJehova wayenikile iSiriya ukukhululwa. Njalo lindoda yayiliqhawe elilamandla, kodwayayingumlephero.

5:2  Njalo amaSiriya ayephumile ngamaviyo athumba intombazana elizweni lakoIsrayeli, eyayisima phambi komkaNamani.

5:3  Yasisithi enkosikazini yayo: Sengathi inkosi yami ingaba phambi komprofethi oseSamariya; khona ubezayiphilisa kubulephero bayo.

5:4  Wasengena watshela inkosi yakhe esithi: Intombazana evela elizweni lakoIsrayeli itsho ukuthi lokuthi.

5:5  Inkosi yeSiriya yasisithi: Suka, uhambe, ngizathumela incwadi enkosini yakoIsrayeli. Wasehamba wathatha esandleni sakhe amathalenta* esiliva alitshumi lenhlamvu zegolide ezizinkulungwane eziyisithupha lezigqoko zokuntshintsha ezilitshumi.

5:6  Waseletha incwadi enkosini yakoIsrayeli isithi: Khathesi-ke, lapho le incwadi isifikile kuwe, khangela, ngithume kuwe uNamani inceku yami ukuze umphilise kubulephero bakhe.

5:7  Kwasekusithi inkosi yakoIsrayeli isiyibalile leyoncwadi yadabula izigqoko zayo yathi: NginguNkulunkulu yini ukuthi ngibulale loba ngiphilise, ukuthi lo athumele kimi ukuthi ngiphilise umuntu kubulephero bakhe? Ngakho-ke, ake linanzelele libone ukuthi udinga ithuba lokumelana lami.

5:8  Kwasekusithi lapho uElisha umuntu kaNkulunkulu esizwa ukuthi inkosi yakoIsrayeli idabule izigqoko zayo, wathumela enkosini esithi: Udabuleleni izigqoko zakho? Akeze kimi ukuze azi ukuthi kukhona umprofethi koIsrayeli.

5:9  Ngakho uNamani weza lamabhiza akhe lenqola yakhe, wema emnyango wendlu kaElisha.

5:10  UElisha wasethuma isithunywa kuye esithi: Hamba uyegeza kasikhombisa eJordani, inyama yakho izabuyela kuwe, uhlambuluke.

5:11  Kodwa uNamani wathukuthela, wahamba, wathi: Khangela, bengisithi uzaphuma sibili eze kimi, eme, abize ibizo leNkosi uNkulunkulu wakhe, ahambahambise isandla sakhe phezu kwendawo, aphilise umlephero.

5:12  IAbana leFaripari imifula yeDamaseko kayingcono yini kulawo wonke amanzi akoIsrayeli? Bengingegeze kiyo ngihlambuluke yini? Wasetshibilika wahamba ngolaka oluvuthayo.

5:13  Kodwa inceku zakhe zasondela zakhuluma laye zathi: Baba, aluba umprofethi ubekhulume lawe ulutho olukhulu, ubungayikulwenza yini? Pho, kakhulu kangakanani uba ethe kuwe: Geza uhlambuluke?

5:14  Wasesehla, wazigxamuza eJordani kasikhombisa njengokwelizwi lomuntu kaNkulunkulu, lenyama yakhe yabuyela yafanana lenyama yomntwana omncinyane, wahlambuluka-ke.

5:15  Wasebuyela kumuntu kaNkulunkulu, yena lalo lonke ixuku lakhe, wafika wema phambi kwakhe, wathi: Khangela sengisazi ukuthi kakulaNkulunkulu emhlabeni wonke, ngaphandle kwakoIsrayeli; khathesi-ke ake wemukele isipho encekwini yakho.

5:16  Kodwa wathi: Kuphila kukaJehova engimi phambi kwakhe, kangiyikuthatha lutho. Wasemncenga ukuthi athathe, kodwa wala.

5:17  UNamani wasesithi: Uba kungenjalo, akunikwe inceku yakho umthwalo wembongolo ezimbili wenhlabathi. Ngoba inceku yakho kayisayikwenza umnikelo wokutshiswa lomhlatshelo kwabanye onkulunkulu, kodwa eNkosini.

5:18  Kulinto iNkosi kayithethelele inceku yakho: Nxa inkosi yami ingena endlini kaRimoni ukukhonza lapho, yeyame esandleni sami, lami ngikhonze endlini kaRimoni, lapho ngikhonza endlini kaRimoni, iNkosi ake ithethelele inceku yakho kulinto.

5:19  Wasesithi kuye: Hamba ngokuthula. Wasesuka kuye ummango omfitshane.

5:20  Kodwa uGehazi inceku kaElisha umuntu kaNkulunkulu wathi: Khangela, inkosi yami imyekele uNamani umSiriya lo ngokungemukeli esandleni sakhe lokho akulethileyo. Kuphila kukaJehova, ngizagijima ngimlandele, ngithathe kuye okuthile.

5:21  UGehazi wasegijima wamlandela uNamani. Kwathi uNamani ebona ogijimayo emva kwakhe, wehla enqoleni ukuze amhlangabeze, wathi: Kulungile yini?

5:22  Wasesithi: Kulungile. Inkosi yami ingithumile, isithi: Khangela, ngitsho khathesi kufikile kimi amajaha amabili evela entabeni yakoEfrayimi awamadodana abaprofethi; ake uwanike ithalenta lesiliva lezigqoko ezimbili zokuntshintsha.

5:23  UNamani wasesithi: Vuma, uthathe amathalenta amabili. Wasemcindezela, wabophela amathalenta amabili emigodleni emibili, lezembatho zokuntshintsha ezimbili, wakunika ababili benceku zakhe, bakuthwala phambi kwakhe.

5:24  Esefike oqaqeni, wakuthatha esandleni sazo, wakubeka endlini; waseyekela amadoda ahamba, asesuka.

5:25  Yena wasengena wema phambi kwenkosi yakhe; uElisha wasesithi kuye: Uvela ngaphi, Gehazi? Wasesithi: Inceku yakho ibingayanga le lale.

5:26  Wasesithi kuye: Inhliziyo yami ayihambanga yini lapho lowomuntu etshibilika enqoleni yakhe ukukuhlangabeza? Kuyisikhathi sokwemukela imali yini, lokwemukela izigqoko, lezivande zemihlwathi, lezivini, lezimvu, lezinkabi, lezinceku, lezincekukazi?

5:27  Ngakho ubulephero bukaNamani buzanamathela kuwe lenzalweni yakho kuze kube nininini. Wasephuma ebukhoneni bakhe engumlephero emhlophe njengeliqhwa elikhithikileyo.

Chapter 6

6:1  Amadodana abaprofethi asesithi kuElisha: Khangela-ke, indawo esihlala kiyo lawe iminyene kakhulu kithi.

6:2  Akusiyekele sihambe siye eJordani, sithathe khona, ngulowo lalowo isigodo esisodwa, sizenzele khona indawo yokuhlala kiyo. Wasesithi: Hambani.

6:3  Omunye wasesithi: Akuvume, uhambe lenceku zakho. Wasesithi: Mina ngizahamba.

6:4  Wasehamba labo; sebefikile eJordani bagamula izihlahla.

6:5  Kodwa omunye esagamula ugodo, insimbi yawela emanzini. Wasememeza esithi: Maye, nkosi yami! Ngoba belebolekiwe.

6:6  Umuntu kaNkulunkulu wasesithi: Iwele ngaphi? Wasemtshengisa indawo. Wasegamula uswazi, waluphosela khona, wenza insimbi yandenda.

6:7  Wasesithi: Zenyulele yona. Waseselula isandla sakhe, wayithatha.

6:8  Kwathi inkosi yeSiriya isilwa loIsrayeli yacebisana lenceku zayo isithi: Ekuthanathaneni izakuba yinkamba yami.

6:9  Umuntu kaNkulunkulu wasethumela enkosini yakoIsrayeli esithi: Qaphela ungedluli kulindawo, ngoba amaSiriya ehlele khona.

6:10  Inkosi yakoIsrayeli yasithumela kuleyondawo umuntu kaNkulunkulu ayitshela yona wayixwayisa ngayo. Yasizilondoloza khona, kungekanye, njalo kungekabili.

6:11  Inhliziyo yenkosi yeSiriya yasikhathazeka kakhulu ngenxa yalinto. Yasibiza inceku zayo yathi kuzo: Kaliyikungitshela yini ukuthi ngubani kithi ongowenkosi yakoIsrayeli?

6:12  Omunye wenceku zakhe wasesithi: Hatshi, nkosi yami, nkosi; kodwa uElisha umprofethi okoIsrayeli uyayitshela inkosi yakoIsrayeli amazwi owakhuluma phakathi kwekamelo lakho lokulala.

6:13  Yasisithi: Hambani liyebona lapho akhona, ukuze ngithume ngimthathe. Wasetshelwa kwathiwa: Khangela, useDothani.

6:14  Yasithuma khona amabhiza lezinqola lebutho elinzima; basebefika ebusuku, bawuzingelezela umuzi.

6:15  Kwathi inceku yomuntu kaNkulunkulu isivukile ngovivi yaphuma, khangela-ke, ibutho lizingelezele umuzi kanye lamabhiza lezinqola. Inceku yakhe yasisithi kuye: Maye, nkosi yami! Sizakwenza njani?

6:16  Wasesithi: Ungesabi, ngoba labo abalathi banengi okwedlula labo abalabo.

6:17  UElisha wasekhuleka wathi: Nkosi, akuvule amehlo ayo ukuze ibone. INkosi yasiwavula amehlo alelojaha, laselibona, khangela-ke, intaba igcwele amabhiza lenqola zomlilo zihanqe uElisha.

6:18  Sebehlele kuye, uElisha wakhuleka eNkosini wathi: Akutshaye lababantu ngobuphofu. Yasibatshaya ngobuphofu njengokwelizwi likaElisha.

6:19  UElisha wasesithi kibo: Kayisiyo le indlela, futhi kayisiwo lo umuzi; ngilandelani, ngizalisa kulowomuntu elimdingayo. Kodwa wabasa eSamariya.

6:20  Kwasekusithi sebengene eSamariya, uElisha wathi: Nkosi, vula amehlo alaba ukuze babone. INkosi yasivula amehlo abo, basebebona; khangela-ke, babephakathi kweSamariya.

6:21  Inkosi yakoIsrayeli yasisithi kuElisha ibabona: Baba, ngibatshaye, ngibatshaye yini?

6:22  Wasesithi: Ungatshayi. Ungatshaya yini labo obathumbe ngenkemba yakho langedandili lakho? Beka isinkwa lamanzi phambi kwabo ukuze badle banathe, baye enkosini yabo.

6:23  Yasibalungisela idili elikhulu; sebedlile banatha, yabayekela bahamba, baya enkosini yabo. Ngakho amaviyo amaSiriya kawabesaphinda ukubuya elizweni lakoIsrayeli.

6:24  Kwasekusithi emva kwalokho uBenihadadi inkosi yeSiriya wabutha ibutho lakhe lonke, wenyuka wavimbezela iSamariya.

6:25  Kwasekusiba lendlala enkulu eSamariya; khangela-ke, bayivimbela, kwaze kwathi inhloko kababhemi yathengiswa ngenhlamvu zesiliva ezingamatshumi ayisificaminwembili, lengxenye eyodwa kwezine yegajana lobudolilo bejuba ngenhlamvu zesiliva ezinhlanu.

6:26  Kwasekusithi inkosi yakoIsrayeli idlula phezu komduli, owesifazana wamemeza kiyo esithi: Siza, nkosi yami, nkosi!

6:27  Yasisithi: Uba iNkosi ingakusizi, ngikusize ngokuvela ngaphi? Ebaleni lokubhulela kumbe esikhamelweni sewayini yini?

6:28  Inkosi yasisithi kuye: Ulani? Wasesithi: Lo owesifazana uthe: Letha indodana yakho ukuze siyidle lamuhla; kusasa-ke sizakudla indodana yami.

6:29  Sasesiyipheka indodana yami, sayidla. Ngasengisithi kuye ngosuku olulandelayo: Letha indodana yakho ukuze siyidle. Kodwa wayifihla indodana yakhe.

6:30  Kwasekusithi inkosi isizwa amazwi alowo owesifazana yadabula izigqoko zayo. Yedlula phezu komduli; abantu basebebona, khangela-ke, kwakulesaka emzimbeni wayo, ngaphakathi.

6:31  Yasisithi: UNkulunkulu kenze njalo kimi langokunjalo engezelele, uba ikhanda likaElisha indodana kaShafati lizahlala kuye lamuhla.

6:32  Kodwa uElisha wayehlezi endlini yakhe labadala babehlezi laye. Inkosi yasithuma umuntu esuka phambi kwayo; isithunywa singakafiki kuye, yena wathi kubadala: Liyabona yini ukuthi indodana le yombulali ithume ukususa ikhanda lami? Bonani, lapho isithunywa sifika, livale umnyango, lisibandezele emnyango. Kakusizisinde zenkosi yaso yini emva kwaso?

6:33  Kwathi esakhuluma labo, khangela-ke, inkosi yehlela kuye, yathi: Khangela, lobububi buvela eNkosini. Ngingabe ngisayilindelelani iNkosi?

Chapter 7

7:1  UElisha wasesithi: Zwanini ilizwi leNkosi; itsho njalo iNkosi: Ngalesisikhathi kusasa iseya* lempuphu ecolekileyo lizathengiswa ngeshekeli*, lamaseya amabili ebhali* ngeshekeli, esangweni leSamariya.

7:2  Induna inkosi eyayeyeme esandleni sayo yasiphendula umuntu kaNkulunkulu, yathi: Khangela, uba iNkosi ibingenza amawindi emazulwini, kungenzeka linto yini? Wasesithi: Khangela, uzakubona ngamehlo akho, kodwa kawuyikudla okwakho.

7:3  Njalo kwakulamadoda amane ayengamalephero ekungeneni kwesango, athi omunye komunye: Sihlaleleni lapha size sife?

7:4  Uba sisithi: Sizangena emzini, lendlala isemzini, sizafela khona. Njalo uba sihlala lapha, sizakufa futhi. Ngakho-ke, wozani, siyewela enkambeni yamaSiriya; uba esiyekela siphile, sizaphila; uba-ke esibulala, sizakufa nje.

7:5  Asesukuma kusahwalala ukuya enkambeni yamaSiriya; esefike ekucineni kwenkamba yamaSiriya, khangela-ke, kwakungelamuntu khona.

7:6  Ngoba iNkosi yenza ibutho lamaSiriya lizwe umsindo wezinqola, umsindo wamabhiza, umsindo webutho elikhulu; athi omunye komunye: Khangela, inkosi yakoIsrayeli isisiqhatshele amakhosi amaHethi lamakhosi amaGibhithe ukuzamelana lathi.

7:7  Asesukuma abaleka kusahwalala, atshiya amathente awo lamabhiza awo labobabhemi bawo, inkamba njengoba injalo, abaleka ngenxa yempilo yawo.

7:8  Amalephero la esefike ekucineni kwenkamba, angena kwelinye ithente, adla anatha, athatha lapho isiliva legolide lezigqoko, ayakufihla; abuyela angena kwelinye ithente, athatha lapho, ayakufihla.

7:9  Asesithi omunye komunye: Kasenzi kuhle. Lolusuku lusuku lwemibiko emihle, kodwa sizithulele thina. Uba silinda kuze kube yikukhanya kwekuseni, isijeziso sizasifica. Khathesi-ke, wozani siyebikela indlu yenkosi.

7:10  Asesiza, amemeza kumlindi wesango womuzi, abatshela esithi: Sifike enkambeni yamaSiriya, khangela-ke, bekungelamuntu khona kumbe ilizwi lomuntu, kodwa amabhiza ebotshelwe labobabhemi bebotshelwe, lamathente enjengoba enjalo.

7:11  Wasebiza abalindi bamasango, basebebikela indlu yenkosi phakathi.

7:12  Inkosi yasivuka ebusuku, yathi encekwini zayo: Sengizalitshela ukuthi amaSiriya enzeni kithi. Ayazi ukuthi silambile, ngakho aphumile enkambeni ukuyacatsha egangeni esithi: Nxa bephuma emzini, sizababamba bephila, besesingena emzini.

7:13  Enye yenceku zayo yasiphendula yathi: Ake bathathe amahlanu emabhizeni aseleyo, aseleyo phakathi komuzi, (khangela, afanana lexuku lonke lakoIsrayeli elitshiywe kuwo, khangela, afanana lexuku lonke lakoIsrayeli eliqothuliweyo), kasithume, sibone.

7:14  Basebethatha amabhiza amabili enqola; inkosi yasithuma emva kwebutho lamaSiriya isithi: Hambani, libone.

7:15  Basebewalandela kwaze kwaba seJordani; khangela-ke, indlela yonke yayigcwele izembatho lempahla amaSiriya ayekulahlile ekuphangiseni kwawo. Izithunywa zasezibuyela, zayibikela inkosi.

7:16  Abantu basebephuma bayiphanga inkamba yamaSiriya. Ngakho iseya lempuphu ecolekileyo laselithengiswa ngeshekeli, lamaseya amabili ebhali ngeshekeli, njengokwelizwi leNkosi.

7:17  Inkosi yasibeka induna eyayeyeme esandleni sayo ukuba ngumlindi phezu kwesango. Abantu bayinyathela esangweni yaze yafa, njengokutsho komuntu kaNkulunkulu owakhuluma ekufikeni kwenkosi kuye.

7:18  Kwasekusithi njengokutsho komuntu kaNkulunkulu enkosini esithi: Amaseya amabili ebhali ngeshekeli, leseya lempuphu ecolekileyo ngeshekeli phose ngalesisikhathi kusasa azakuba sesangweni leSamariya.

7:19  Induna yasimphendula umuntu kaNkulunkulu yathi: Khangela-ke, uba iNkosi ibingenza amawindi emazulwini, kungenzeka linto yini? Kodwa wathi: Khangela, uzakubona ngamehlo akho, kodwa kawuyikudla okwakho.

7:20  Kwaba njalo-ke kuye, ngoba abantu bamnyathela esangweni waze wafa.

Chapter 8

8:1  UElisha wasekhuluma kowesifazana ondodana yakhe ayeyenze yaphila, esithi: Sukuma, uhambe wena lendlu yakho, uyehlala njengowezizwe lapho ongahlala khona njengowezizwe, ngoba iNkosi ibize indlala, ezafika njalo elizweni iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

8:2  Owesifazana wasukuma-ke, wenza njengokutsho komuntu kaNkulunkulu; wahamba yena lendlu yakhe, wahlala njengowezizwe elizweni lamaFilisti iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

8:3  Kwasekusithi ekupheleni kweminyaka eyisikhombisa, owesifazana waphenduka evela elizweni lamaFilisti; waphuma ukuyakhala enkosini ngendlu yakhe langensimu yakhe.

8:4  Inkosi yayikhuluma-ke loGehazi inceku yomuntu kaNkulunkulu isithi: Akungilandisele izinto zonke ezinkulu uElisha asezenzile.

8:5  Kwasekusithi esatshela inkosi ukuthi wavusa njani ofileyo, khangela-ke, owesifazana ondodana yakhe ayeyivuse ekufeni wakhala enkosini ngendlu yakhe langensimu yakhe. UGehazi wasesithi: Nkosi yami, nkosi, nguye lo owesifazana, njalo yiyo le indodana yakhe uElisha ayiphilisayo.

8:6  Lapho inkosi ibuza owesifazana, wayilandisela. Inkosi yasimmisela induna ethile, isithi: Buyisela konke okwakungokwakhe, laso sonke isivuno sensimu kusukela mhla esuka elizweni kuze kube lamuhla.

8:7  UElisha wasefika eDamaseko, njalo uBenihadadi inkosi yeSiriya wayegula. Wasetshelwa kwathiwa: Umuntu kaNkulunkulu ufikile lapha.

8:8  Inkosi yasisithi kuHazayeli: Thatha esandleni sakho isipho, uyehlangabeza umuntu kaNkulunkulu, ubusubuza eNkosini ngaye usithi: Ngizasila yini kulumkhuhlane?

8:9  UHazayeli wasesiyamhlangabeza, wathatha isipho esandleni sakhe, ngitsho esakho konke okuhle kweDamaseko, imithwalo yamakamela engamatshumi amane, weza wema phambi kwakhe, wathi: Indodana yakho uBenihadadi inkosi yeSiriya ingithumile kuwe isithi: Ngizasila yini kulumkhuhlane?

8:10  UElisha wasesithi kuye: Hamba uthi kuye: Ungasila lokusila, kodwa iNkosi ingibonisile ukuthi uzakufa lokufa.

8:11  Wasemjolozela waze waba lenhloni. Umuntu kaNkulunkulu waselila.

8:12  UHazayeli wasesithi: Inkosi yami ililelani? Wasesithi: Ngoba ngiyazi ububi ozabenza ebantwaneni bakoIsrayeli; uzathungela inqaba zabo ngomlilo, ubulale amajaha abo ngenkemba, uphahlaze abantwanyana babo, uqhaqhe abesifazana babo abakhulelweyo.

8:13  Kodwa uHazayeli wathi: Kodwa iyini inceku yakho eyinja nje, ukuthi yenze linto enkulu? UElisha wasesithi: INkosi ingibonisile ukuthi uzakuba yinkosi phezu kweSiriya.

8:14  Wasesuka kuElisha weza enkosini yakhe eyathi kuye: UElisha utheni kuwe? Wasesithi: Ungitshele ukuthi uzasila lokusila.

8:15  Kwasekusithi kusisa wathatha ingubo, wayigxamuza emanzini, wayendlala phezu kobuso bakhe waze wafa. UHazayeli wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

8:16  Njalo ngomnyaka wesihlanu kaJoramu indodana kaAhabi inkosi yakoIsrayeli, lapho uJehoshafathi eyinkosi yakoJuda, uJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda waba yinkosi.

8:17  Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lambili lapho esiba yinkosi, wabusa iminyaka eyisificaminwembili eJerusalema.

8:18  Wasehamba ezindleleni zamakhosi akoIsrayeli njengokwenza kwendlu kaAhabi, ngoba indodakazi kaAhabi yayingumkakhe; wenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi.

8:19  Kodwa iNkosi kayithandanga ukuchitha uJuda ngenxa kaDavida inceku yayo, njengokuthembisa kwayo kuye ukuthi izanika isibane kuye zonke izinsuku, lemadodaneni akhe.

8:20  Ensukwini zakhe iEdoma yahlamuka isuka phansi kwesandla sakoJuda, yabeka inkosi phezu kwayo.

8:21  UJoramu wasewelela eZayiri lazo zonke inqola zilaye; yena wavuka ebusuku watshaya amaEdoma ayemzingelezele, lenduna zezinqola; labantu babalekela emathenteni abo.

8:22  Ngakho iEdoma yahlamuka isuka phansi kwesandla sakoJuda kuze kube lamuhla. Khona iLibhina yahlamuka ngalesosikhathi.

8:23  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJoramu, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

8:24  UJoramu waselala laboyise, wangcwatshelwa kuboyise emzini kaDavida. UAhaziya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

8:25  Ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili kaJoramu indodana kaAhabi inkosi yakoIsrayeli uAhaziya indodana kaJehoramu, inkosi yakoJuda, waba yinkosi.

8:26  UAhaziya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili lapho esiba yinkosi, wabusa umnyaka owodwa eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguAthaliya, indodakazi kaOmri inkosi yakoIsrayeli.

8:27  Wasehamba ngendlela yendlu kaAhabi, wenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, njengendlu kaAhabi, ngoba wayengumkhwenyana wendlu kaAhabi.

8:28  Wasehamba loJoramu indodana kaAhabi ukulwa loHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya eRamothi-Gileyadi; amaSiriya aselimaza uJoramu.

8:29  UJoramu inkosi wabuyela ukwelatshwa eJizereyeli amanxeba amaSiriya ayemtshaye wona eRama ekulweni kwakhe loHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya. UAhaziya indodana kaJehoramu inkosi yakoJuda wasesehla ukubona uJoramu indodana kaAhabi eJizereyeli, ngoba wayegula.

Chapter 9

9:1  UElisha umprofethi wasebiza omunye wamadodana abaprofethi wathi kuye: Bopha ukhalo lwakho, uthathe lumfuma wamafutha esandleni sakho, uye eRamothi-Gileyadi.

9:2  Nxa ufika khona udinge lapho uJehu indodana kaJehoshafathi indodana kaNimshi, ungene, umsukumise phakathi kwabafowabo, umngenise ekamelweni elingaphakathi.

9:3  Ubusuthatha umfuma wamafutha, uwathele ekhanda lakhe uthi: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Ngikugcobile ube yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli. Ubusuvula umnyango, ubaleke, ungaphuzi.

9:4  Lahamba-ke ijaha lelo, ijaha umprofethi, laya eRamothi-Gileyadi.

9:5  Ekufikeni kwalo, khangela, induna zebutho zazihlezi, lathi: Ngilombiko kuwe, nduna. UJehu wasesithi: Kubani phakathi kwethu sonke? Laselisithi: Kuwe, nduna.

9:6  Wasesukuma, wangena endlini; laselithela amafutha ekhanda lakhe, lathi kuye: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli: Ngikugcobile ukuthi ube yinkosi phezu kwabantu beNkosi, phezu kukaIsrayeli.

9:7  Njalo uzatshaya indlu kaAhabi inkosi yakho, ukuze ngiphindisele igazi lenceku zami abaprofethi, legazi lazo zonke inceku zeNkosi, esandleni sikaJezebeli.

9:8  Yonke-ke indlu kaAhabi izabhubha; njalo ngizaquma asuke kuAhabi ochamela emdulini, lovalelweyo lokhululekileyo koIsrayeli.

9:9  Njalo ngizakwenza indlu kaAhabi njengendlu kaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati lanjengendlu kaBahasha indodana kaAhiya.

9:10  Lezinja zizakudla uJezebeli esabelweni seJizereyeli, njalo kakuyikuba lomngcwabayo. Laselivula umnyango, labaleka.

9:11  Kwathi uJehu esephumele encekwini zenkosi yakhe, omunye wathi kuye: Kulungile yini? Luzeleni loluhlanya kuwe? Wasesithi kuzo: Liyamazi lumuntu lenkulumo yakhe.

9:12  Zasezisithi: Manga! Sitshele khathesi. Wasesithi: Ukhulume ukuthi lokuthi kimi esithi: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Ngikugcobile ube yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli.

9:13  Zaseziphangisa, zathatha, ngulowo lalowo isembatho sakhe, zazibeka ngaphansi kwakhe engqongeni yezikhwelo, zavuthela uphondo, zathi: UJehu uyinkosi!

9:14  Ngokunjalo uJehu indodana kaJehoshafathi indodana kaNimshi wamenzela ugobe uJoramu. (UJoramu wagcina-ke iRamothi-Gileyadi, yena loIsrayeli wonke, ngenxa kaHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya;

9:15  kodwa uJehoramu inkosi wayesebuyelele ukwelatshwa eJizereyeli ngamanxeba amaSiriya ayemtshaye wona ekulweni kwakhe loHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya.) UJehu wasesithi: Aluba kuyintando yenu, kakungaphumi ophunyukileyo emzini ukuyabika lokhu eJizereyeli.

9:16  UJehu wasekhwela inqola, waya eJizereyeli, ngoba uJoramu wayelele khona, loAhaziya inkosi yakoJuda wayehle ukuthi abone uJoramu.

9:17  Umlindi wayemi-ke emphotshongweni eJizereyeli, wabona ixuku likaJehu, yena esiza, wathi: Ngibona ixuku. UJehoramu wathi: Thatha umgadi webhiza umthume ukubahlangabeza, athi: Yikuthula yini?

9:18  Wasehamba umgadi webhiza ukumhlangabeza, wathi: Itsho njalo inkosi: Yikuthula yini? UJehu wasesithi: Ulani lokuthula? Phendukela ngemva kwami. Umlindi wasebika esithi: Isithunywa sesifikile kibo, kodwa kasiphenduki.

9:19  Yasithuma umgadi webhiza wesibili, wafika kibo wathi: Itsho njalo inkosi: Yikuthula yini? UJehu wasesithi: Ulani lokuthula? Phendukela ngemva kwami.

9:20  Umlindi wasebika wathi: Usefikile kibo, kodwa kaphenduki. Lokutshayela kufanana lokutshayela kukaJehu indodana kaNimshi, ngoba utshayela okohlanya.

9:21  UJehoramu wasesithi: Bophelani. Basebebophela inqola yakhe. UJehoramu inkosi yakoIsrayeli loAhaziya inkosi yakoJuda basebephuma, ngulowo lalowo enqoleni yakhe, baphuma ukuhlangabeza uJehu, bamthola esiqintini sikaNabothi umJizereyeli.

9:22  Kwasekusithi uJehoramu ebona uJehu wathi: Yikuthula yini, Jehu? Wasesithi: Ukuthula bani, selokhu ukuwula kukaJezebeli unyoko lokuthakatha kwakhe kukunengi kangaka?

9:23  UJehoramu wasephendula izandla zakhe wabaleka, wathi kuAhaziya: Yinkohliso, Ahaziya!

9:24  UJehu wasedonsisisa idandili, watshaya uJehoramu phakathi kweziphanga zakhe, lomtshoko waphuma enhliziyweni yakhe, wasekhothama enqoleni yakhe.

9:25  Wasesithi kuBidikari induna yakhe: Mphakamise, umphosele esiqintini sensimu kaNabothi umJizereyeli; ngoba khumbula mina lawe sigade sobabili ngemva kukaAhabi uyise, iNkosi yamethesa lumthwalo:

9:26  Ngibonile isibili izolo igazi likaNabothi legazi lamadodana akhe, itsho iNkosi, ngizaphindisela kuwe kulesisiqinti, itsho iNkosi. Ngakho-ke mphakamise umphosele kulesisiqinti, njengokwelizwi leNkosi.

9:27  UAhaziya inkosi yakoJuda esebonile lokhu wabaleka, ngendlela yendlu yesivande. UJehu wasexotshana laye, wathi: Mtshayeni laye enqoleni, emqansweni weGuri elingaseIbileyamu. Wasebalekela eMegido, wafela khona.

9:28  Inceku zakhe zasezimthwala zamusa eJerusalema, zamngcwaba engcwabeni lakhe kuboyise emzini kaDavida.

9:29  Ngomnyaka wetshumi lanye kaJoramu indodana kaAhabi, uAhaziya waba yinkosi phezu kukaJuda.

9:30  UJehu esefikile eJizereyeli, uJezebeli wakuzwa. Wasecomba amehlo akhe, wacecisa ikhanda lakhe, walunguza ngewindi.

9:31  Lapho-ke uJehu engena esangweni, wasesithi: Yikuthula yini, Zimri, mbulali wenkosi yakho?

9:32  Wasephakamisela ubuso bakhe ewindini, wathi: Ngubani ongakimi? Ngubani? Kwasekulunguza kuye abathenwa ababili, abathathu.

9:33  Wasesithi: Mphoseleni phansi. Basebemphosela phansi; lelinye legazi lakhe lachaphakela emdulini lemabhizeni; wasemnyathelela phansi.

9:34  Wasengena wadla wanatha, wathi: Ake libone lo umqalekiswakazi limngcwabe, ngoba uyindodakazi yenkosi.

9:35  Basebesiyamngcwaba, kodwa kabaficanga lutho olwakhe ngaphandle kokhakhayi lenyawo lempama zezandla.

9:36  Ngakho babuyela bamtshela; wasesithi: Leli yilizwi leNkosi eyalikhuluma ngesandla senceku yayo uElija umTishibi lisithi: Esiqintini seJizereyeli izinja zizakudla inyama kaJezebeli;

9:37  lesidumbu sikaJezebeli sizakuba njengomquba ebusweni bomhlabathi esiqintini seJizereyeli, ukuze bangathi: Lo nguJezebeli.

Chapter 10

10:1  Njalo uAhabi wayelamadodana angamatshumi ayisikhombisa eSamariya. UJehu wasebhala izincwadi, wazithumela eSamariya kubabusi beJizereyeli, abadala, lakubondli bamadodana kaAhabi, esithi:

10:2  Ngakho-ke nxa lincwadi ifika kini, lokhu amadodana enkosi yenu akini, futhi izinqola lamabhiza kukini, lomuzi obiyelweyo, lezikhali,

10:3  ziboneleni-ke ongcono kakhulu lofaneleyo kulabo bonke ebantwaneni benkosi yenu, limbeke esihlalweni sobukhosi sikayise, lilwele indlu yenkosi yenu.

10:4  Kodwa besaba kakhulukazi bathi: Khangelani, amakhosi amabili kawemanga phambi kwakhe; thina-ke sizakuma njani?

10:5  Umphathi wendlu lomphathi womuzi labadala labondli babantwana bathumela kuJehu besithi: Siyizinceku zakho, sizakwenza konke okutshoyo kithi. Kasiyikubeka muntu abe yinkosi. Yenza okuhle emehlweni akho.

10:6  Wasebabhalela incwadi okwesibili esithi: Uba lingabami, lilalela ilizwi lami, thathani amakhanda alawomadoda, amadodana enkosi yenu, lize kimi eJizereyeli ngalesisikhathi kusasa. Lamadodana enkosi, abantu abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa, ayelezikhulu zomuzi ezaziwakhulisa.

10:7  Kwasekusithi ekufikeni kwencwadi kubo, bathatha amadodana enkosi, babulala abantu abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa, bafaka amakhanda awo ezitsheni, bawesa kuye eJizereyeli.

10:8  Kwasekusiza isithunywa sambikela sisithi: Sebewalethile amakhanda amadodana enkosi. Wasesithi: Abekeni abe zinqumbi ezimbili ekungeneni kwesango kuze kube sekuseni.

10:9  Kwasekusithi ekuseni waphuma wema wathi ebantwini bonke: Lina lilungile. Khangelani, mina ngenzela inkosi yami ugobe, ngayibulala; pho, ngubani obulele bonke laba?

10:10  Yazini khathesi ukuthi kakuyikuwela lutho emhlabathini okwelizwi leNkosi, iNkosi eyalikhuluma ngendlu kaAhabi, ngoba iNkosi yenzile eyakukhulumayo ngesandla senceku yayo uElija.

10:11  UJehu wasetshaya bonke ababesele endlini kaAhabi eJizereyeli, lazo zonke izikhulu zakhe, labazana laye, labapristi bakhe, akaze amtshiyela oseleyo.

10:12  Wasesukuma wahamba waya eSamariya. Endlini yokugunda yabelusi endleleni,

10:13  uJehu wahlangana labafowabo bakaAhaziya inkosi yakoJuda, wathi: Lingobani? Basebesithi: Singabafowabo bakaAhaziya, sehlela ukubingelela abantwana benkosi, labantwana bendlovukazi.

10:14  Wasesithi: Babambeni bephila. Basebebabamba bephila, bababulalela emgodini weBeti-Ekedi, amadoda angamatshumi amane lambili, katshiyanga loyedwa wabo.

10:15  Esesukile lapho wahlangana loJehonadabi indodana kaRekabi ezemhlangabeza; wambingelela wathi kuye: Inhliziyo yakho iqondile yini, njengoba inhliziyo yami ikanye lenhliziyo yakho? UJehonadabi wasesithi: Injalo. Uba kunjalo, ngipha isandla sakho. Wasemnika isandla sakhe; wasemkhweza enqoleni kuye.

10:16  Wasesithi: Hamba lami, ubone ukuyitshisekela kwami iNkosi. Basebemgadisa enqoleni yakhe.

10:17  Ekufikeni kwakhe eSamariya wabatshaya bonke ababesele kuAhabi eSamariya waze wamqeda, njengokwelizwi leNkosi eyalikhuluma kuElija.

10:18  UJehu wasebuthanisa bonke abantu, wathi kibo: UAhabi wakhonza kancinyane uBhali: UJehu uzamkhonza kakhulu.

10:19  Ngakho-ke ngibizelani abaprofethi bakaBhali bonke, izinceku zakhe zonke labo bonke abapristi bakhe, kungabi lamuntu ongekho, ngoba ngilomhlatshelo omkhulu kuBhali; loba ngubani ongayikuba khona kayikuphila. Kodwa uJehu wakwenza ngobuqili ukuze abulale izinceku zikaBhali.

10:20  UJehu wasesithi: Mehlukaniseleni umhlangano onzulu uBhali. Basebewumemezela.

10:21  UJehu wasethumela kuye wonke uIsrayeli; zonke izinceku zikaBhali zasezisiza, kakwaze kwasala loyedwa ongabuyanga. Bangena endlini kaBhali, yaze yagcwala indlu kaBhali kusukela emsamo kusiya emnyango.

10:22  Wasesithi kulowo owayephethe indlu yezembatho: Khuphela bonke abakhonzi bakaBhali izembatho. Wasebakhuphela izembatho.

10:23  Wasengena uJehu eloJehonadabi indodana kaRekabi endlini kaBhali, wathi kuzinceku zikaBhali: Hlolani libone ukuthi kakukho kini abezinceku zeNkosi lapha, kodwa izinceku zikaBhali kuphela.

10:24  Sebengene ukwenza imihlatshelo leminikelo yokutshiswa, uJehu wazimisela amadoda angamatshumi ayisificaminwembili ngaphandle, wasesithi: Umuntu oyekela enye kumadoda engiwabeka ezandleni zenu iphunyuke, impilo yakhe izakuba sendaweni yempilo yayo.

10:25  Kwasekusithi eseqedile ukwenza iminikelo yokutshiswa, uJehu wasesithi kubalindi lezinduneni: Ngenani libatshaye, kungaphumi muntu. Basebebatshaya ngobukhali benkemba; abalindi lezinduna basebebaphosela phandle, baya emzini wendlu kaBhali.

10:26  Bakhupha endlini kaBhali insika eziyizithombe, bazitshisa.

10:27  Badiliza insika kaBhali eyisithombe, badiliza indlu kaBhali, bayenza yaba yindlu yokuyela ngaphandle kuze kube lamuhla.

10:28  Ngokunjalo uJehu wachitha uBhali wamkhupha koIsrayeli.

10:29  Kodwa ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one, uJehu kasukanga ekuzilandeleni, amathole egolide ayeseBhetheli lawayekoDani.

10:30  INkosi yasisithi kuJehu: Ngoba wenze kuhle ngokwenza okulungileyo emehlweni ami, wenza endlini kaAhabi njengakho konke okwakusenhliziyweni yami, amadodana akho kuze kube sesizukulwaneni sesine azahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sakoIsrayeli.

10:31  Kodwa uJehu kaqaphelisanga ukuhamba emlayweni weNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke; kasukanga ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu owenza uIsrayeli one.

10:32  Ngalezonsuku iNkosi yaqala ukuquma isusa koIsrayeli. UHazayeli wasebatshaya kuyo yonke imingcele yakoIsrayeli,

10:33  kusukela eJordani empumalanga, ilizwe lonke leGileyadi, abakoGadi labakoRubeni labakoManase, kusukela eAroweri engasesifuleni seArinoni, leGileyadi leBashani.

10:34  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJehu, lakho konke akwenzayo, lamandla akhe wonke, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

10:35  UJehu waselala laboyise, bamngcwabela eSamariya. UJehowahazi indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

10:36  Lesikhathi uJehu abusa ngaso phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya sasiyiminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesificaminwembili.

Chapter 11

11:1  UAthaliya unina kaAhaziya esebonile ukuthi indodana yakhe ifile, wasukuma wachitha yonke inzalo yesikhosini.

11:2  Kodwa uJehosheba indodakazi yenkosi uJoramu, udadewabo kaAhaziya, wathatha uJowashi indodana kaAhaziya, wameba phakathi kwamadodana enkosi abulawayo, yena lomlizane wakhe ekamelweni lokulala. Basebemfihla ebusweni bukaAthaliya ukuze angabulawa.

11:3  Wayelaye-ke efihliwe endlini yeNkosi iminyaka eyisithupha; uAthaliya wasebusa phezu kwelizwe.

11:4  Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa uJehoyada wasethuma wathatha izinduna zamakhulu, lamaKariti kanye labalindi, wabaletha kuye endlini yeNkosi. Wenza isivumelwano labo, wabafungisa endlini yeNkosi, wabatshengisa indodana yenkosi.

11:5  Wasebalaya esithi: Nansi into elizayenza: Ingxenye eyodwa kwezintathu yenu elingena ngesabatha izakuba ngabalindi bomlindo wendlu yenkosi,

11:6  lengxenye eyodwa kwezintathu izakuba sesangweni leSuri, lengxenye eyodwa kwezintathu esangweni ngemva kwabalindi; ngokunjalo lizalinda umlindo wendlu, ingafohlelwa.

11:7  Lengxenye ezimbili zenu lonke eliphuma ngesabatha, bona bazagcina umlindo wendlu yeNkosi mayelana lenkosi.

11:8  Lizazingelezela inkosi inhlangothi zonke, ngulowo lalowo elezikhali esandleni sakhe; lozangena kokuhleliweyo uzabulawa. Libe lenkosi ekuphumeni kwayo lekungeneni kwayo.

11:9  Induna zamakhulu zasezisenza njengakho konke uJehoyada umpristi akulayayo; zathatha, yileyo laleyo abantu bayo abangena ngesabatha lalabo abaphuma ngesabatha, zafika kuJehoyada umpristi.

11:10  Umpristi wasenika izinduna zamakhulu imikhonto lezihlangu ezazingezenkosi uDavida ezazisendlini yeNkosi.

11:11  Abalindi basebesima, ngulowo lalowo elezikhali esandleni sakhe, kusukela kwesokunene sendlu kusiya kwesokhohlo sendlu, ngaselathini langasendlini, enkosini inhlangothi zonke.

11:12  Waseyikhupha indodana yenkosi, wayethesa umqhele, wayinika ubufakazi; bayibeka yaba yinkosi, bayigcoba, batshaya izandla, basebesithi: Kayiphile inkosi!

11:13  UAthaliya esizwa umsindo wabalindi lowabantu waya ebantwini endlini yeNkosi;

11:14  wabona, khangela-ke, inkosi yayimi ngasensikeni njengomkhuba, lezinduna labavutheli bezimpondo bengasenkosini, labantu bonke belizwe bethokoza bavuthela izimpondo. UAthaliya wasedabula izigqoko zakhe, wamemeza wathi: Ugobe! Ugobe!

11:15  UJehoyada umpristi waselaya induna zamakhulu, abaphathi bebutho, wathi kubo: Mkhupheleni ngaphandle kokuhleliweyo, lomlandelayo limbulale ngenkemba. Ngoba umpristi wathi: Kangabulawelwa endlini kaJehova.

11:16  Basebembamba ngezandla, wasehamba ngendlela yokungena kwamabhiza endlini yenkosi, wabulawelwa khonapho.

11:17  UJehoyada wasesenza isivumelwano phakathi kukaJehova lenkosi labantu ukuthi babe ngabantu bakaJehova; laphakathi kwenkosi labantu.

11:18  Bonke abantu belizwe basebengena endlini kaBhali, bayidilizela phansi; amalathi akhe lezithombe zakhe baziphahlaza ngokupheleleyo, loMathani umpristi kaBhali bambulala phambi kwamalathi. Umpristi wasebeka abaphathi phezu kwendlu yeNkosi.

11:19  Wasethatha izinduna zamakhulu lamaKariti labalindi labo bonke abantu belizwe, bayehlisa inkosi isuka endlini kaJehova, beza ngendlela yesango labalindi endlini yenkosi. Yasihlala esihlalweni sobukhosi samakhosi.

11:20  Bonke abantu belizwe basebethokoza. Umuzi wasusiba lokuthula, sebembulele uAthaliya ngenkemba ngasendlini yenkosi.

11:21  UJehowashi wayeleminyaka eyisikhombisa lapho esiba yinkosi.

Chapter 12

12:1  Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa kaJehu uJehowashi waba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amane eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguZibiya weBherishebha.

12:2  UJehowashi wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi zonke izinsuku zakhe uJehoyada umpristi amfundisa ngazo.

12:3  Kodwa indawo eziphakemeyo kazisuswanga; abantu babelokhu benikela imihlatshelo betshisa impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo.

12:4  UJehowashi wasesithi kubapristi: Yonke imali yezinto ezehlukanisiweyo elethwa endlini kaJehova, imali yalowo lalowo odlulayo kwababaliweyo, imali yalowo lalowo umuntu ayilinganisileyo, yonke imali, okuvela enhliziyweni yaloba nguwuphi umuntu ukuyiletha endlini yeNkosi;

12:5  abapristi kabayithathe kubo, ngulowo lalowo komejwayeleyo, balungise izikhala zendlu, loba kungaphi lapho okutholwa khona izikhala.

12:6  Kodwa kwathi ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili lantathu wenkosi uJehowashi abapristi babengakalungisi izikhala zendlu.

12:7  Inkosi uJehowashi yasibiza uJehoyada umpristi labapristi, yathi kibo: Kungani lingalungisi izikhala zendlu? Ngakho-ke lingathathi imali kwelibejwayeleyo kodwa liyinikele izikhala zendlu.

12:8  Abapristi basebevuma ukuthi kabasayikuthatha imali ebantwini lokuthi kabayikulungisa izikhala zendlu.

12:9  UJehoyada umpristi wasethatha ibhokisi elilodwa, wabhoboza isikhala esivalweni salo, walibeka eceleni kwelathi ngakwesokunene nxa umuntu engena endlini yeNkosi. Abapristi-ke abalinda umbundu bafaka kulo yonke imali eyalethwa endlini yeNkosi.

12:10  Kwakusithi sebebona ukuthi imali isinengi ebhokisini, umabhalane wenkosi, lompristi omkhulu benyuke, bayibophe bayibale imali eyatholwa endlini yeNkosi.

12:11  Basebenikela imali elinganisiweyo ezandleni zabenzi bomsebenzi, zababonisi bendlu yeNkosi, bayikhuphela kubabazi bezigodo lakubakhi ababesebenza endlini yeNkosi,

12:12  lakwabakha ngamatshe lakubabazi bamatshe, lokuthenga izigodo lamatshe abaziweyo ukulungisa izikhala zendlu yeNkosi, lakukho konke okwakhutshelwa indlu ukuyilungisa.

12:13  Kodwa kayenzelwanga indlu yeNkosi imiganu yesiliva, izindlawu, imiganu yokufafaza, izimpondo zokukhaliswa, laziphi izitsha zegolide lezitsha zesiliva zemali eyalethwa endlini yeNkosi,

12:14  kodwa bayinika abenzi bomsebenzi, basebelungisa ngayo indlu yeNkosi.

12:15  Njalo kababalelananga labantu abanikela imali esandleni sabo, ukupha abenzi bomsebenzi, ngoba benza ngokuthembeka.

12:16  Imali yomnikelo wecala lemali yeminikelo yesono kayilethwanga endlini yeNkosi; yayingeyabapristi.

12:17  Ngalesosikhathi uHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya wenyuka walwa emelene leGathi, wayithumba. UHazayeli wasekhangelisa ubuso bakhe ukwenyuka amelane leJerusalema.

12:18  Kodwa uJehowashi inkosi yakoJuda wathatha zonke izinto ezingcwelisiweyo uJehoshafathi loJoramu loAhaziya oyise, amakhosi akoJuda, ababezingcwelisile, lezakhe izinto ezingcwelisiweyo, legolide lonke elatholwa enothweni yendlu kaJehova lendlu yenkosi, wakuthumela kuHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya. Wasesenyuka wasuka eJerusalema.

12:19  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJowashi, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

12:20  Inceku zakhe zasezisukuma zenza ugobe, zamtshaya uJowashi endlini yeMilo eyehlela eSila.

12:21  Ngoba oJozakari indodana kaShimeyathi loJehozabadi indodana kaShomeri, inceku zakhe, bamtshaya, wafa; basebemngcwaba kuboyise emzini kaDavida. UAmaziya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 13

13:1  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili lantathu kaJowashi indodana kaAhaziya inkosi yakoJuda uJehowahazi indodana kaJehu waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya, wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lesikhombisa.

13:2  Wenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, walandela izono zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one, kasukanga kuzo.

13:3  Ulaka lweNkosi lwaselumvuthela uIsrayeli, yabanikela esandleni sikaHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya lesandleni sikaBenihadadi indodana kaHazayeli, zonke lezonsuku.

13:4  UJehowahazi wasencenga ubuso beNkosi, iNkosi yamuzwa, ngoba yabona incindezelo kaIsrayeli, ngoba inkosi yeSiriya yabacindezela.

13:5  (INkosi yasisipha uIsrayeli umsindisi ukuze baphume ngaphansi kwesandla samaSiriya; abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebehlala emathenteni abo njengakuqala.

13:6  Loba kunjalo kabasukanga ezonweni zendlu kaJerobhowamu owenza uIsrayeli one, bahamba kuzo; lesixuku laso sasilokhu siseSamariya.)

13:7  Ngoba kayimtshiyelanga uJehowahazi abantu, kuphela abagadi bamabhiza abangamatshumi amahlanu, lenqola ezilitshumi, labahamba ngenyawo abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi; ngoba inkosi yeSiriya yayibabhubhisile, yabenza baba njengothuli ngokubhula.

13:8  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJehowahazi, lakho konke akwenzayo, lamandla akhe, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

13:9  UJehowahazi waselala laboyise, bamngcwabela eSamariya; uJowashi indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

13:10  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa kaJowashi inkosi yakoJuda uJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lesithupha.

13:11  Laye wenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, kasukanga ezonweni zonke zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one; wahamba kuzo.

13:12  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJowashi, lakho konke akwenzayo, lamandla akhe alwa ngawo loAmaziya inkosi yakoJuda, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

13:13  UJowashi waselala laboyise, uJerobhowamu wasehlala esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. UJowashi wangcwatshelwa eSamariya lamakhosi akoIsrayeli.

13:14  UElisha wasegula umkhuhlane wakhe afa ngawo; uJowashi inkosi yakoIsrayeli wasesehlela kuye, wakhala inyembezi phezu kobuso bakhe, wathi: Baba wami! Baba wami! Nqola yakoIsrayeli lamabhiza ayo!

13:15  UElisha wasesithi kuye: Thatha idandili lemitshoko. Wasezithathela idandili lemitshoko.

13:16  Wasesithi enkosini yakoIsrayeli: Beka isandla sakho edandilini. Wasesibeka isandla sakhe. UElisha wasebeka izandla zakhe phezu kwezandla zenkosi.

13:17  Wasesithi: Vula iwindi ngempumalanga. Yasilivula. UElisha wasesithi: Tshoka! Yasitshoka. Wasesithi: Umtshoko wenkululeko yeNkosi, lomtshoko wenkululeko kuSiriya. Ngoba uzatshaya amaSiriya eAfeki uze uwaqede.

13:18  Wasesithi: Thatha imitshoko. Yasiyithatha. Wasesithi enkosini yakoIsrayeli: Tshaya emhlabathini. Yasitshaya kathathu, yasisima.

13:19  Umuntu kaNkulunkulu waseyithukuthelela, wathi: Ngabe utshaye kahlanu kumbe kasithupha, ngakho ubuzayitshaya iSiriya uze uyiqede; khathesi-ke uzatshaya iSiriya kathathu kuphela.

13:20  UElisha wasesifa, basebemngcwaba. Amaviyo amaMowabi asengena elizweni ekuthwaseni komnyaka.

13:21  Kwasekusithi bengcwaba umuntu, khangela-ke, babona iviyo, baphosela lowomuntu engcwabeni likaElisha. Kwathi umuntu esiyathinta amathambo kaElisha waphila, wasukuma wema ngenyawo.

13:22  UHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya wasecindezela uIsrayeli insuku zonke zikaJehowahazi.

13:23  INkosi yasisiba lomusa kibo, yaba lesihawu kubo, yaphendukela kibo ngenxa yesivumelwano sayo loAbrahama, uIsaka, loJakobe, kayithandanga ukubabhubhisa, kayibaxotshanga ebusweni bayo kuze kube khathesi.

13:24  UHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya wasesifa; uBenihadadi indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

13:25  UJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi wasebuya wathatha imizi esandleni sikaBenihadadi indodana kaHazayeli owayeyithethe esandleni sikaJehowahazi uyise ngempi. UJowashi wamtshaya kathathu, waseyibuyisela imizi yakoIsrayeli.

Chapter 14

14:1  Ngomnyaka wesibili kaJowashi indodana kaJehowazi, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, uAmaziya indodana kaJowashi inkosi yakoJuda waba yinkosi.

14:2  Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesificamunwemunye eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguJehowadani weJerusalema.

14:3  Wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi, kodwa kungenjengoDavida uyise; wenza njengakho konke uJowashi uyise akwenzayo.

14:4  Loba kunjalo indawo eziphakemeyo kazisuswanga; abantu babelokhu benikela imihlatshelo betshisa impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo.

14:5  Kwasekusithi umbuso wakhe usuqinisiwe esandleni sakhe, watshaya inceku zakhe ezazitshaye inkosi uyise.

14:6  Kodwa abantwana bababulali kababulalanga, njengokubhaliweyo ogwalweni lomlayo kaMozisi lapho iNkosi eyalaya khona isithi: Oyise kabayikubulawa ngenxa yabantwana, labantwana kabayikubulawa ngenxa yaboyise, kodwa wonke umuntu uzabulawelwa isono sakhe.

14:7  Yena wasetshaya amaEdoma azinkulungwane ezilitshumi esihotsheni setshwayi, wathumba iSela ngempi, wabiza ibizo layo ngokuthi yiJokhitheyeli, kuze kube lamuhla.

14:8  Khona uAmaziya wathuma izithunywa kuJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi indodana kaJehu, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, esithi: Woza sikhangelane ubuso ngobuso.

14:9  UJehowashi inkosi yakoIsrayeli wasethumela kuAmaziya inkosi yakoJuda esithi: Ukhula oluhlabayo oluseLebhanoni lwathumela emsedarini oseLebhanoni lusithi: Nika indodakazi yakho endodaneni yami ibe ngumkayo; kwasekusedlula isilo seganga esiseLebhanoni, salugxoba ukhula oluhlabayo.

14:10  Uyitshayile lokuyitshaya iEdoma, inhliziyo yakho isikuphakamisile; dumiseka, uhlale endlini yakho; ngoba kungani uzivusela ububi ukuze uwe wena loJuda kanye lawe?

14:11  Kodwa uAmaziya kezwanga. Ngakho uJehowashi inkosi yakoIsrayeli wenyuka, yena-ke loAmaziya inkosi yakoJuda bakhangelana ubuso ngobuso eBeti-Shemeshi eyakoJuda.

14:12  UJuda wasetshaywa phambi kukaIsrayeli; basebebaleka, ngulowo lalowo waya ethenteni lakhe.

14:13  UJehowashi inkosi yakoIsrayeli wasembamba uAmaziya inkosi yakoJuda, indodana kaJehowashi indodana kaAhaziya, eBeti-Shemeshi; wafika eJerusalema, wadilizela phansi umduli weJerusalema, kusukela esangweni lakoEfrayimi kusiya esangweni lengonsi, ingalo ezingamakhulu amane.

14:14  Wasethatha lonke igolide lesiliva, lezitsha zonke ezatholakala endlini kaJehova lezendlini zenotho zendlu yenkosi, kanye labayisibambiso, wasebuyela eSamariya.

14:15  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJehowashi azenzayo, lamandla akhe, lokuthi walwa njani loAmaziya inkosi yakoJuda, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

14:16  UJehowashi waselala laboyise, wangcwatshelwa eSamariya emakhosini akoIsrayeli. UJerobhowamu indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

14:17  UAmaziya indodana kaJowashi, inkosi yakoJuda, wasephila iminyaka elitshumi lanhlanu emva kokufa kukaJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi inkosi yakoIsrayeli.

14:18  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaAmaziya, kazibhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

14:19  Basebemenzela ugobe eJerusalema, wabalekela eLakishi; kodwa bathuma bamlandela eLakishi, bambulalela khona.

14:20  Basebemthwala ngamabhiza, wangcwatshelwa eJerusalema kuboyise emzini kaDavida.

14:21  Bonke abantu bakoJuda basebethatha uAzariya, owayeleminyaka elitshumi lesithupha, bambeka waba yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise uAmaziya.

14:22  Yena wakha iElathi, wayibuyisela koJuda emva kokulala kwenkosi laboyise.

14:23  Ngomnyaka wetshumi lanhlanu kaAmaziya indodana kaJowashi inkosi yakoJuda uJerobhowamu indodana kaJowashi inkosi yakoIsrayeli waba yinkosi eSamariya; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amane lanye.

14:24  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi; kasukanga ezonweni zonke zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one.

14:25  Yena wabuyisela umngcele wakoIsrayeli kusukela ekungeneni kweHamathi kuze kufike elwandle lwamagceke, njengokwelizwi leNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, eyalikhuluma ngesandla senceku yayo uJona indodana kaAmithayi umprofethi, owayevela eGathi-Heferi.

14:26  Ngoba iNkosi yabona ukuhlupheka kukaIsrayeli, kwakubaba kakhulu, ngoba kwakungekho ovalelweyo, njalo engekho okhululekileyo, njalo kungelamsizi kaIsrayeli.

14:27  INkosi yayingatshongo-ke ukuthi izalesula ibizo likaIsrayeli ngaphansi kwamazulu; kodwa yabasindisa ngesandla sikaJerobhowamu indodana kaJowashi.

14:28  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJerobhowamu, lakho konke akwenzayo, lamandla akhe, ukuthi walwa njani, lokuthi wayibuyisela njani koIsrayeli iDamaseko leHamathi, engeyeJuda, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

14:29  UJerobhowamu waselala laboyise, emakhosini akoIsrayeli. UZekhariya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 15

15:1  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa kaJerobhowamu, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, uAzariya indodana kaAmaziya, inkosi yakoJuda, waba yinkosi.

15:2  Wayeleminyaka elitshumi lesithupha lapho esiba yinkosi; wasebusa iminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lambili eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguJekoliya weJerusalema.

15:3  Wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi njengakho konke uAmaziya uyise akwenzayo.

15:4  Kodwa indawo eziphakemeyo kazisuswanga; abantu babelokhu benikela imihlatshelo betshisa impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo.

15:5  UJehova wayitshaya inkosi, yasisiba ngumlephero kwaze kwaba lusuku lokufa kwayo. Yahlala endlini eyehlukanisiweyo. UJothamu indodana yenkosi wasephatha indlu, esahlulela abantu belizwe.

15:6  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaAzariya, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

15:7  UAzariya waselala laboyise, bamngcwaba kuboyise emzini kaDavida. UJothamu indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

15:8  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesificaminwembili kaAzariya inkosi yakoJuda uZekhariya indodana kaJerobhowamu wabusa phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya inyanga eziyisithupha.

15:9  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengokwenza kwaboyise; kasukanga ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one.

15:10  UShaluma indodana kaJabeshi wasemenzela ugobe, wamtshaya phambi kwabantu wambulala, wasebusa esikhundleni sakhe.

15:11  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaZekhariya, khangela, zibhaliwe egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli.

15:12  Leli yilizwi leNkosi eyalikhuluma kuJehu isithi: Amadodana akho azahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaIsrayeli kuze kube sesizukulwaneni sesine. Kwaba njalo-ke.

15:13  UShaluma indodana kaJabeshi waba yinkosi ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesificamunwemunye kaUziya inkosi yakoJuda; wabusa inyanga egcweleyo eSamariya.

15:14  Ngoba uMenahema indodana kaGadi wenyuka esuka eTiriza, weza eSamariya, wamtshaya uShaluma indodana kaJabeshi eSamariya wambulala; wabusa esikhundleni sakhe.

15:15  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaShaluma, logobe lwakhe alwenzayo, khangela, kubhaliwe egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli.

15:16  Khona uMenahema wasetshaya iThifisa, lakho konke okwakukiyo, lemingcele yayo kusukela eTiriza, ngoba bengamvulelanga. Ngakho wayitshaya; bonke abesifazana bayo abakhulelweyo wabaqhaqha.

15:17  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesificamunwemunye kaAzariya inkosi yakoJuda uMenahema indodana kaGadi waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi eSamariya.

15:18  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi; kasukanga ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one, insuku zakhe zonke.

15:19  UPhuli inkosi yeAsiriya weza wamelana lelizwe; uMenahema wasenika uPhuli amathalenta* esiliva ayinkulungwane ukuze isandla sakhe sibe laye ukuqinisa umbuso esandleni sakhe.

15:20  UMenahema wasekhuphisa uIsrayeli imali, yabo bonke abantu abalamandla enothweni, ukupha inkosi yeAsiriya; amashekeli esiliva angamatshumi amahlanu kuleyo laleyondoda. Inkosi yeAsiriya yasibuyela, kayaze yahlala lapho elizweni.

15:21  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaMenahema, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli?

15:22  UMenahema waselala laboyise; uPhekahiya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

15:23  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amahlanu kaAzariya inkosi yakoJuda uPhekahiya indodana kaMenahema waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya, wabusa iminyaka emibili.

15:24  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi; kasukanga ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one.

15:25  Kodwa uPheka indodana kaRemaliya, induna yakhe, wamenzela ugobe wamtshaya eSamariya enqabeni yendlu yenkosi, kanye loArigobi loAriye, njalo kanye laye abantu abangamatshumi amahlanu bamaGileyadi. Wambulala, waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

15:26  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaPhekahiya, lakho konke akwenzayo, khangela, kubhaliwe egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli.

15:27  Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amahlanu lambili kaAzariya inkosi yakoJuda uPheka indodana kaRemaliya waba yinkosi phezu kukaIsrayeli eSamariya; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.

15:28  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi; kasukanga ezonweni zikaJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli one.

15:29  Ensukwini zikaPheka inkosi yakoIsrayeli kwafika uTigilathi Pileseri inkosi yeAsiriya, wathatha iIjoni, leAbeli-Beti-Mahaka, leJanowa, leKedeshi, leHazori, leGileyadi, leGalili, ilizwe lonke lakoNafithali; wabathumbela eAsiriya.

15:30  UHosheya indodana kaEla wasesenza ugobe emelene loPheka indodana kaRemaliya, wamtshaya wambulala, waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili kaJothamu, indodana kaUziya.

15:31  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaPheka, lakho konke akwenzayo, khangela, kubhaliwe egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoIsrayeli.

15:32  Ngomnyaka wesibili kaPheka indodana kaRemaliya inkosi yakoIsrayeli uJothamu indodana kaUziya inkosi yakoJuda waba yinkosi.

15:33  Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lesithupha eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguJerusha indodakazi kaZadoki.

15:34  Wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi; wenza njengakho konke uUziya uyise ayekwenzile.

15:35  Kodwa indawo eziphakemeyo kazisuswanga; abantu babelokhu benikela imihlatshelo betshisa impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo. Yena wakha isango elingaphezulu endlini yeNkosi.

15:36  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJothamu, azenzayo, kazibhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

15:37  Ngalezonsuku iNkosi yaqala ukuthumela koJuda uRezini inkosi yeSiriya loPheka indodana kaRemaliya.

15:38  UJothamu waselala laboyise, wangcwatshelwa kuboyise emzini kaDavida uyise. UAhazi indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 16

16:1  Ngomnyaka wetshumi lesikhombisa kaPheka indodana kaRemaliya uAhazi indodana kaJothamu inkosi yakoJuda waba yinkosi.

16:2  UAhazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lesithupha eJerusalema. Kenzanga-ke okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi uNkulunkulu wakhe, njengoDavida uyise.

16:3  Kodwa wahamba ngendlela yamakhosi akoIsrayeli, yebo, futhi wenza indodana yakhe idabule emlilweni, njengezinengiso zezizwe iNkosi eyazixotsha elifeni phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.

16:4  Wanikela imihlatshelo watshisa impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo laphezu kwamaqaqa langaphansi kwaso sonke isihlahla esiluhlaza.

16:5  Khona uRezini inkosi yeSiriya loPheka indodana kaRemaliya, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, benyukela eJerusalema ukulwa, bamvimbezela uAhazi kodwa kababanga lakho ukunqoba.

16:6  Ngalesosikhathi uRezini inkosi yeSiriya wabuyisela iElathi eSiriya, waxotsha amaJuda eElathi; amaSiriya asesiza eElathi ahlala khona kuze kube lamuhla.

16:7  UAhazi wasethuma izithunywa kuTigilathi Pileseri inkosi yeAsiriya esithi: Ngiyinceku yakho lendodana yakho; yenyuka ungisindise esandleni senkosi yeSiriya lesandleni senkosi yakoIsrayeli abangivukelayo.

16:8  UAhazi wasethatha isiliva legolide okwakutholwa endlini kaJehova lenothweni yendlu yenkosi, wathumela isipho enkosini yeAsiriya.

16:9  Inkosi yeAsiriya yasimlalela, ngoba inkosi yeAsiriya yenyuka imelene leDamaseko yayithumba, yabathumbela eKiri abantu bayo, yabulala uRezini.

16:10  Inkosi uAhazi yasisiya eDamaseko ukuhlangana loTigilathi Pileseri inkosi yeAsiriya, yabona ilathi elaliseDamaseko. Inkosi uAhazi yasithumela kuUriya umpristi isimo selathi lomfanekiso walo njengokwenziwa kwalo konke.

16:11  U-Uriya umpristi wasesakha ilathi njengakho konke uAhazi akuthumela kuvela eDamaseko; uUriya umpristi wenza njalo, yaze yafika inkosi uAhazi ivela eDamaseko.

16:12  Inkosi isibuyile eDamaseko inkosi yalibona ilathi. Inkosi yasondela elathini, yanikela phezu kwalo.

16:13  Yasitshisa umnikelo wayo wokutshiswa lomnikelo wayo wokudla, yathela umnikelo wayo wokunathwayo, yafafaza igazi leminikelo yokuthula eyayilayo phezu kwelathi.

16:14  Kodwa ilathi lethusi elaliphambi kweNkosi yaliletha lisuka phambi kwendlu, lisuka phakathi kwelathi lendlu yeNkosi, yalifaka ehlangothini lwenyakatho lwelathi.

16:15  Inkosi uAhazi yasimlaya uUriya umpristi isithi: Phezu kwelathi elikhulu tshisa umnikelo wokutshiswa wekuseni, lomnikelo wokudla wantambama, lomnikelo wokutshiswa wenkosi, lomnikelo wayo wokudla, lomnikelo wokutshiswa wabo bonke abantu belizwe, lomnikelo wabo wokudla, leminikelo yabo yokunathwayo; ufafaze phezu kwalo lonke igazi lomnikelo wokutshiswa lalo lonke igazi lomhlatshelo. Kodwa ilathi lethusi lizakuba ngelami ukubuza ngalo.

16:16  U-Uriya umpristi wasesenza njengakho konke inkosi uAhazi eyayikulayile.

16:17  Inkosi uAhazi yasiquma imiphetho yezisekelo, yasusa inditshi yokugezela kuzo, yethula ulwandle phezu kwenkabi zethusi ezazingaphansi kwalo, yalubeka phezu kokugandelwe ngamatshe.

16:18  Lokwembesiweyo kwesabatha ababekwakhe endlini, lentuba yenkosi phandle, yakususa endlini yeNkosi, ngenxa yenkosi yeAsiriya.

16:19  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaAhazi azenzayo, kazibhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

16:20  UAhazi waselala laboyise, wangcwatshelwa kuboyise emzini kaDavida. UHezekhiya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 17

17:1  Ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili kaAhazi inkosi yakoJuda uHosheya indodana kaEla waba yinkosi eSamariya phezu kukaIsrayeli; wabusa iminyaka eyisificamunwemunye.

17:2  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, loba kunjalo kungenjengamakhosi akoIsrayeli ayengaphambi kwakhe.

17:3  UShalimaneseri inkosi yeAsiriya wenyuka wamelana laye; uHosheya wasesiba yinceku yakhe, wathela umthelo kuye.

17:4  Kodwa inkosi yeAsiriya yafica ugobe kuHosheya, ngoba wayethume izithunywa kuSo inkosi yeGibhithe, kazabe esenyusa umthelo enkosini yeAsiriya umnyaka ngomnyaka. Ngakho inkosi yeAsiriya yamvalela yambopha entolongweni.

17:5  Inkosi yeAsiriya yasisenyukela kulo lonke ilizwe, yenyukela eSamariya, yayivimbezela iminyaka emithathu.

17:6  Ngomnyaka wesificamunwemunye kaHosheya, inkosi yeAsiriya yathumba iSamariya yathumbela uIsrayeli eAsiriya, yabahlalisa eHala leHabori, umfula weGozani, lemizini yamaMede.

17:7  Lokhu-ke kwenzeka ngoba abantwana bakoIsrayeli babonile eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo eyayibenyuse elizweni leGibhithe ibasusa ngaphansi kwesandla sikaFaro inkosi yeGibhithe, babesabe abanye onkulunkulu,

17:8  bahamba ezimisweni zezizwe iNkosi eyayizixotshe elifeni phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli, lezamakhosi akoIsrayeli, ayezenzile.

17:9  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli benza ensitha izinto ezingalunganga bemelene leNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo. Babezakhele indawo eziphakemeyo kuyo yonke imizi yabo, kusukela enqabeni yabalindi kuze kube semzini obiyelweyo.

17:10  Basebezimisela insika eziyizithombe lezixuku phezu kwawo wonke amaqaqa aphakemeyo langaphansi kwaso sonke isihlahla esiluhlaza.

17:11  Basebetshisa lapho impepha endaweni zonke eziphakemeyo, njengezizwe iNkosi eyazikhokhelela ekuthunjweni phambi kwabo; benza izinto ezimbi ukuyithukuthelisa iNkosi.

17:12  Ngoba bakhonza izithombe, iNkosi eyayithe ngazo kubo: Kaliyikuyenza linto.

17:13  Kanti iNkosi yafakaza imelene loIsrayeli njalo imelene loJuda ngesandla sabo bonke abaprofethi lababoni bonke isithi: Phendukani endleleni zenu ezimbi, ligcine imithetho yami, izimiso zami, njengokomlayo wonke engawulaya oyihlo lengawuthumela kini ngesandla senceku zami abaprofethi.

17:14  Loba kunjalo kabalalelanga, kodwa benza lukhuni intamo yabo, njengentamo yaboyise, abangakholwanga eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo.

17:15  Njalo bala izimiso zayo lesivumelwano sayo eyasenza laboyise lezifakazelo zayo eyazifakaza imelene labo, balandela ize, baba yize, balandela izizwe ezazibahanqile, iNkosi eyayibalaye ngazo ukuthi bangenzi njengazo.

17:16  Bayitshiya yonke imilayo yeNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo, bazenzela izithombe ezibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa, amathole amabili, benza isixuku, bakhothamela lonke ibutho lamazulu, bakhonza uBhali.

17:17  Benza amadodana abo lamadodakazi abo adabule emlilweni, benza ukuvumisa, benza imilingo, bazithengisela ukwenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi ukuyithukuthelisa.

17:18  Ngakho iNkosi yamthukuthelela kakhulu uIsrayeli, yabasusa ebusweni bayo; kakusalanga loyedwa ngaphandle kwesizwe sakoJuda kuphela.

17:19  Laye uJuda kayigcinanga imilayo yeNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo, kodwa bahamba ngezimiso zikaIsrayeli abazenzayo.

17:20  INkosi yasiyala yonke inzalo yakoIsrayeli, yayihlupha, yayinikela esandleni sabaphangi, yaze yabalahla yabasusa phambi kwayo.

17:21  Ngoba yamdabula uIsrayeli imsusa endlini kaDavida, basebebeka uJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati ukuthi abe yinkosi. UJerobhowamu wamqhuba wamphambula uIsrayeli ekulandeleni iNkosi, wabenza bona isono esikhulu.

17:22  Ngoba abantwana bakoIsrayeli bahamba ngazo zonke izono zikaJerobhowamu azenzayo, kabasukanga kuzo,

17:23  iNkosi yaze yamsusa uIsrayeli phambi kwayo njengokutsho kwayo ngesandla sazo zonke inceku zayo abaprofethi. Ngakho uIsrayeli wathunjwa wasuswa elizweni lakhe wasiwa eAsiriya kuze kube lamuhla.

17:24  Inkosi yeAsiriya yasiletha abantu abavela eBhabhiloni labavela eKutha labavela eAva labavela eHamathi labavela eSefavayimi, yabahlalisa emizini yeSamariya esikhundleni sabantwana bakoIsrayeli, badla ilifa leSamariya, bahlala emizini yayo.

17:25  Kwasekusithi ekuqaleni kokuhlala kwabo khona kabayesabanga iNkosi; ngakho iNkosi yathumela izilwane phakathi kwabo ezabulala abanye babo.

17:26  Ngakho bakhuluma enkosini yeAsiriya besithi: Izizwe owazisusayo wazihlalisa emizini yeSamariya kaziwazi umkhuba kaNkulunkulu walelolizwe; ngakho uthumele izilwane phakathi kwazo, khangela-ke ziyazibulala, ngoba kaziwazi umkhuba kaNkulunkulu walelolizwe.

17:27  Inkosi yeAsiriya yasilaya isithi: Yisani khona omunye wabapristi elabathumbayo besuka lapho; kabayehlala khona, kabafundise umkhuba kaNkulunkulu walelolizwe.

17:28  Ngakho omunye wabapristi ababebathumbe besuka eSamariya weza wahlala eBhetheli, wabafundisa ukuthi bangayesaba njani iNkosi.

17:29  Loba kunjalo zonke izizwe zenza onkulunkulu bazo, zabafaka ezindlini zezindawo eziphakemeyo amaSamariya azenzayo, yileso laleso isizwe emizini yazo ezihlala kuyo.

17:30  Labantu beBhabhiloni benza uSukothi-Benothi, labantu beKuthi benza uNerigali, labantu beHamathi benza uAshima,

17:31  lamaAvi enza uNibazi loTaritaki, lamaSefavayimi ayetshisa abantwana bawo emlilweni esenzela uAdrameleki loAnameleki onkulunkulu beSefavayimi.

17:32  Babeyesaba leNkosi, bazenzela abapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo kwabaphansi kakhulu babo, ababebasebenzela ezindlini zezindawo eziphakemeyo.

17:33  Babeyesaba iNkosi, njalo babekhonza onkulunkulu babo njengomkhuba wezizwe ezabathumbayo besuka lapho.

17:34  Kuze kube lamuhla benza njengemikhuba yakuqala. Kabayesabi iNkosi, kabenzi njengezimiso zabo lanjengezimiselo zabo lanjengomlayo lanjengomthetho iNkosi eyakulaya abantwana bakaJakobe, owamutha ibizo elithi uIsrayeli.

17:35  INkosi eyenza isivumelwano labo, yabalaya isithi: Kaliyikwesaba abanye onkulunkulu, lingabakhothameli, lingabasebenzeli, lingabahlabeli.

17:36  Kodwa iNkosi eyalenyusa elizweni leGibhithe ngamandla amakhulu langengalo eyeluliweyo, yona lizayesaba njalo yona lizayikhothamela njalo yona lizayihlabela.

17:37  Lezimiso lezimiselo lomlayo lomthetho eyalibhalela khona, lizaqaphelisa ukukwenza zonke izinsuku, lingesabi abanye onkulunkulu.

17:38  Lesivumelwano engasenza lani lingasikhohlwa, lingesabi abanye onkulunkulu.

17:39  Kodwa iNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu lizayesaba; yona-ke izalikhulula esandleni sezitha zenu zonke.

17:40  Loba kunjalo kabalalelanga, kodwa benza njengomkhuba wabo wakuqala.

17:41  Lezizizwe zayesaba-ke iNkosi, kodwa zakhonza izithombe zazo ezibaziweyo; bobabili abantwana bazo labantwana babantwana bazo, njengokwenza kwaboyise benza labo kuze kube lamuhla.

Chapter 18

18:1  Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wesithathu kaHosheya indodana kaEla, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, uHezekhiya indodana kaAhazi inkosi yakoJuda waba yinkosi.

18:2  Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesificamunwemunye eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguAbhi indodakazi kaZekhariya.

18:3  Wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi njengakho konke uDavida uyise akwenzayo.

18:4  Yena wasusa indawo eziphakemeyo, wabhidliza insika eziyizithombe, wagamula izixuku, wachoboza inyoka yethusi uMozisi ayeyenzile, ngoba kuze kube yilezonsuku abantwana bakoIsrayeli babeyitshisela impepha; wayibiza ngokuthi nguNehushitani.

18:5  Wathembela eNkosini, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli; okwathi emva kwakhe kakubanga khona onjengaye emakhosini wonke akoJuda, loba ayengaphambi kwakhe.

18:6  Ngoba wanamathela eNkosini, kaphambukanga ekuyilandeleni, kodwa wagcina imilayo yayo iNkosi eyayilaya uMozisi.

18:7  LeNkosi yaba laye; loba ngaphi lapho aphumela khona waphumelela. Wavukela inkosi yeAsiriya, kayisebenzelanga.

18:8  Yena watshaya amaFilisti waze wafika eGaza lemingcele yayo, kusukela emphotshongweni wabalindi kuze kube semzini obiyelweyo.

18:9  Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wesine wenkosi uHezekhiya, owawungumnyaka wesikhombisa kaHosheya indodana kaEla, inkosi yakoIsrayeli, uShalimaneseri inkosi yeAsiriya wenyuka wamelana leSamariya, wayivimbezela.

18:10  Basebeyithumba ekupheleni kweminyaka emithathu. Ngomnyaka wesithupha kaHezekhiya, owawungumnyaka wesificamunwemunye kaHosheya inkosi yakoIsrayeli, iSamariya yathunjwa.

18:11  Inkosi yeAsiriya yathumbela uIsrayeli eAsiriya, yababeka eHala leHabori umfula weGozani, lemizini yamaMede.

18:12  Ngoba bengalilalelanga ilizwi leNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo, kodwa baseqa isivumelwano sayo, konke uMozisi inceku yeNkosi eyayikulayile; kabalalelanga, kabenzanga.

18:13  Langomnyaka wetshumi lane wenkosi uHezekhiya, uSenakheribi inkosi yeAsiriya wenyuka wamelana layo yonke imizi yakoJuda ebiyelweyo, wayithumba.

18:14  UHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda wasethumela enkosini yeAsiriya eLakishi esithi: Ngonile; buyela usuke kimi; okubeka phezu kwami ngizakuthwala. Inkosi yeAsiriya yasibeka phezu kukaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda amathalenta* esiliva angamakhulu amathathu, lamathalenta angamatshumi amathathu egolide.

18:15  UHezekhiya wasemnika sonke isiliva esatholakala endlini kaJehova lenothweni yendlu yenkosi.

18:16  Ngalesosikhathi uHezekhiya waquma igolide ezivalweni zethempeli leNkosi, lemigubazini uHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda ayekunamathisele, walinika inkosi yeAsiriya.

18:17  Inkosi yeAsiriya yasithuma uTharithani loRabi-Sarisi loRabi-Shake besuka eLakishi besiya enkosini uHezekhiya belebutho elinzima eJerusalema. Benyuka-ke bafika eJerusalema. Sebenyuke bafika bema emgelweni wechibi eliphezulu, elisemgwaqweni omkhulu wensimu yomwatshi.

18:18  Sebebize inkosi, kwaphumela kibo uEliyakhimi indodana kaHilikhiya owayengumphathi wendlu, loShebina umbhali, loJowa indodana kaAsafi umabhalane.

18:19  URabi-Shake wasesithi kibo: Khulumani khathesi kuHezekhiya: Itsho njalo inkosi enkulu, inkosi yeAsiriya ithi: Yisibindi bani lesi, othembela kuso?

18:20  Uthi, kodwa yilizwi lendebe nje: Kulecebo lamandla empi. Usuthembe bani ukuthi ungivukele?

18:21  Khangela-ke, wena uthembele odondolweni lomhlanga owephukileyo, oluyiGibhithe, uba umuntu eseyama phezu kwalo, luzangena esandleni sakhe lusihlabe. Unjalo uFaro inkosi yeGibhithe kubo bonke abathembela kuye.

18:22  Kodwa uba lisithi kimi: ENkosini uNkulunkulu wethu siyathemba; angithi yiyo elezindawo zayo eziphakemeyo lamalathi ayo uHezekhiya awasusileyo, wathi kuJuda leJerusalema: Phambi kwalelilathi lizakhonza eJerusalema?

18:23  Ngakho-ke, akunike isibambiso enkosini yami, inkosi yeAsiriya, njalo ngizakunika amabhiza azinkulungwane ezimbili, uba wena ulakho ukunika abagadi bawo.

18:24  Pho, uzabuyisela emuva njani ubuso benduna eyodwa yabancinyane nje benceku zenkosi yami; wena-ke uthembele eGibhithe ngezinqola labagadi bamabhiza?

18:25  Kambe ngenyukile yini ukumelana lalindawo ngingelaJehova ukuyichitha? UJehova uthe kimi: Yenyuka umelane lalelilizwe, ulichithe.

18:26  UEliyakhimi indodana kaHilikhiya loShebina loJowa basebesithi kuRabi-Shake: Akukhulume lenceku zakho ngesiSiriya, ngoba siyasizwa; ungakhulumi lathi ngesiJuda endlebeni zabantu abasemdulini.

18:27  Kodwa uRabi-Shake wathi kubo: Inkosi yami ingithumile yini enkosini yakho lakuwe ukukhuluma lamazwi? Kakusebantwini yini abahlezi phezu komduli ukuze badle ubulongwe babo, banathe umchamo wabo kanye lani?

18:28  URabi-Shake wasesima wamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu ngesiJuda, wakhuluma esithi: Zwanini ilizwi lenkosi enkulu, inkosi yeAsiriya.

18:29  Itsho njalo inkosi: UHezekhiya kangalikhohlisi, ngoba kayikuba lakho ukulikhulula esandleni sayo.

18:30  Njalo uHezekhiya angalenzi lithembele eNkosini esithi: INkosi izasikhulula lokusikhulula, lalumuzi kawuyikunikelwa esandleni senkosi yeAsiriya.

18:31  Lingamlaleli uHezekhiya, ngoba itsho njalo inkosi yeAsiriya: Yenzani isivumelwano sokuthula lami, liphume lize kimi; dlanini-ke, ngulowo lalowo okwevini lakhe langulowo lalowo okomkhiwa wakhe, linathe, ngulowo lalowo amanzi omthombo wakhe;

18:32  ngize ngifike ngilithathe ngilise elizweni elifanana lelizwe lakini, ilizwe lamabele lewayini elitsha, ilizwe lesinkwa lezivini, ilizwe lamafutha emihlwathi loluju, ukuze liphile lingafi. Lingamlaleli uHezekhiya ngoba eliyenga esithi: INkosi izasikhulula.

18:33  Onkulunkulu bezizwe sebake bawakhulula yini ngulowo lalowo ilizwe lakhe esandleni senkosi yeAsiriya?

18:34  Bangaphi onkulunkulu beHamathi leArpadi? Bangaphi onkulunkulu beSefavayimi, beHena, leIva? Kambe bayikhulule yini iSamariya esandleni sami?

18:35  Ngobani kubo bonke onkulunkulu balawomazwe abakhulule ilizwe labo esandleni sami, ukuthi iNkosi ikhulule iJerusalema esandleni sami?

18:36  Kodwa abantu bathula, kabaze bamphendula lalizwi, ngoba umlayo wenkosi wawuyikuthi: Lingamphenduli.

18:37  UEliyakhimi indodana kaHilikhiya owayengumphathi wendlu, loShebina umbhali, loJowa indodana kaAsafi umabhalane, basebesiza kuHezekhiya izigqoko zidatshuliwe, bamtshela amazwi kaRabi-Shake.

Chapter 19

19:1  Kwasekusithi lapho inkosi uHezekhiya isizwile, yadabula izigqoko zayo, yazembesa ngesaka, yangena endlini yeNkosi.

19:2  Yasithuma uEliyakhimi owayephezu kwendlu, loShebina umabhalane, labadala babapristi, bembeswe ngamasaka kuIsaya umprofethi indodana kaAmozi.

19:3  Basebesithi kuye: Utsho njalo uHezekhiya: Lolusuku lusuku lohlupho lolokusolwa lolokweyiswa; ngoba abantwana sebefikile emlonyeni wesizalo, kanti kakulamandla okubeletha.

19:4  Mhlawumbe iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho izakuzwa wonke amazwi kaRabi-Shake, inkosi yeAsiriya inkosi yakhe eyamthumayo, ukuthi aklolodele uNkulunkulu ophilayo; njalo izasola amazwi iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ewezwileyo: Ngakho phakamiselani insali etholakeleyo umkhuleko.

19:5  Izinceku zenkosi uHezekhiya zasezifika kuIsaya.

19:6  UIsaya wasesithi kuzo: Lizakutsho njalo enkosini yenu: Utsho njalo uJehova: Ungesabi amazwi owezwileyo inceku zenkosi yeAsiriya ezingithuke ngawo.

19:7  Khangela, ngizafaka umoya kuyo, njalo izakuzwa ihungahunga, ibuyele elizweni layo; ngizayenza ukuthi iwe ngenkemba elizweni layo.

19:8  URabi-Shake wasebuyela, wafica inkosi yeAsiriya isilwa imelene leLibhina; ngoba wayezwile ukuthi isisukile eLakishi.

19:9  Kwathi isizwa ngoTirihaka inkosi yeEthiyophiya kuthiwa: Khangela, uphumile ukuyakulwa emelene lawe, yabuya yathuma izithunywa kuHezekhiya, isithi:

19:10  Lizakhuluma kanje kuHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda, lithi: UNkulunkulu wakho omthembileyo kangakukhohlisi esithi: IJerusalema kayiyikunikelwa esandleni senkosi yeAsiriya.

19:11  Khangela, wena usuzwile ukuthi amakhosi eAsiriya enzeni kuwo wonke amazwe, ngokuwatshabalalisa. Wena-ke uzakhululwa yini?

19:12  Onkulunkulu bezizwe bazikhululile yini, obaba abazichithayo, iGozani leHarani leRezefi labantwana bakaEdeni ababeseTelasari?

19:13  Ingaphi inkosi yeHamathi, lenkosi yeArpadi, lenkosi yomuzi weSefavayimi, iHena, leIva?

19:14  UHezekhiya waseyemukela incwadi esandleni sezithunywa, wayibala, wasesenyukela endlini yeNkosi, uHezekhiya wayichaya phambi kweNkosi.

19:15  UHezekhiya wasekhuleka phambi kweNkosi, wathi: Nkosi, Nkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, ohlala phakathi kwamakherubhi*, wena unguNkulunkulu, wena wedwa, wayo yonke imibuso yomhlaba; wena wenze amazulu lomhlaba.

19:16  Nkosi, thoba indlebe yakho, uzwe, Nkosi, vula amehlo akho, ubone; uzwe amazwi kaSenakheribi amthume ngawo ukuklolodela uNkulunkulu ophilayo.

19:17  Qiniso, Nkosi, amakhosi eAsiriya azichithile izizwe lelizwe lazo,

19:18  aphosela onkulunkulu bazo emlilweni; ngoba babengeyisibo onkulunkulu, kodwa umsebenzi wezandla zabantu, izigodo lamatshe; ngakho bababhubhisa.

19:19  Ngakho-ke, Nkosi Nkulunkulu wethu, ngicela usisindise esandleni sakhe, ukuze yonke imibuso yomhlaba yazi ukuthi wena uyiNkosi uNkulunkulu, wena wedwa.

19:20  UIsaya indodana kaAmozi wasethumela kuHezekhiya esithi: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu wakoIsrayeli: Lokho okukhuleke kimi mayelana loSenakheribi inkosi yeAsiriya ngikuzwile.

19:21  Yileli ilizwi iNkosi elikhulume mayelana laye: Intombi emsulwa, indodakazi yeZiyoni, iyakudelela, iyakuklolodela; indodakazi yeJerusalema inikina ikhanda ngemva kwakho.

19:22  Ngubani omeyisileyo wamhlambaza? Njalo uphakamisele bani ilizwi, waphakamisela amehlo akho phezulu? Umelene loNgcwele kaIsrayeli.

19:23  Ngesandla sezithunywa zakho uyeyisile iNkosi, wathi: Ngobunengi bezinqola zami ngenyuke indawo ephezulu yezintaba, inhlangothi zeLebhanoni. Ngizagamula imisedari yayo emide, lamafiri ayo akhethekileyo. Ngizangena endaweni yokuhlala yamaphethelo ayo, igusu eliminyeneyo.

19:24  Mina ngagebha nganatha amanzi angaziwayo, langengaphansi yenyawo zami ngomisa yonke imifula yezindawo ezivinjelweyo.

19:25  Kawuzwanga yini ukuthi ngakwenza endulo, ngakubumba ensukwini zendulo. Khathesi ngikufikisile, ukuthi ube ngowokudiliza imizi evikelweyo ibe zinqumbi zamanxiwa.

19:26  Ngakho abahlali bayo babelesandla esifitshane, besaba babe lenhloni, baba njengotshani beganga lemibhida eluhlaza, utshani bempahla, lamabele ahanguliweyo engakami.

19:27  Kodwa ngiyakwazi ukuhlala kwakho lokuphuma kwakho lokungena kwakho lokungithukuthelela kwakho.

19:28  Ngenxa yokungithukuthelela kwakho, lokuthi umsindo wakho wenyukele endlebeni zami, ngizafaka umkhala wami emakhaleni akho, letomu lami endebeni zakho, ngikwenze ubuyele ngendlela oweza ngayo.

19:29  Lokhu-ke kuzakuba yisibonakaliso kuwe; lonyaka uzakudla okuzikhulelayo, langomnyaka wesibili umkhukhuzela, kuthi ngomnyaka wesithathu lihlanyele livune, lihlanyele izivini lidle izithelo zazo.

19:30  Lokuphephileyo kwendlu yakoJuda okuseleyo kuzaphinda kugxumeke impande phansi, kuthele izithelo ngaphezulu.

19:31  Ngoba kuzaphuma eJerusalema insali, lokuphephileyo entabeni yeZiyoni. Ukutshiseka kweNkosi yamabandla kuzakwenza lokhu.

19:32  Ngakho utsho njalo uJehova ngenkosi yeAsiriya: Kayiyikungena kulumuzi, kayiyikutshoka umtshoko khona, kayiyikuza phambi kwawo ilesihlangu, kayiyikubuthelela idundulu maqondana lawo.

19:33  Ngendlela eyeza ngayo, ngayo izabuyela, kayiyikungena kulo umuzi, itsho iNkosi.

19:34  Ngoba ngizawuvikela lumuzi ukuwusindisa, ngenxa yami, langenxa kaDavida inceku yami.

19:35  Kwasekusithi ngalobobusuku ingilosi yeNkosi yaphuma yatshaya enkambeni yamaAsiriya izinkulungwane ezilikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lanhlanu. Lapho bevuka ekuseni kakhulu, khangela, bonke babeyizidumbu ezifileyo.

19:36  Ngakho uSenakheribi inkosi yeAsiriya wasuka wahamba wabuyela, wahlala eNineve.

19:37  Kwasekusithi ekhonza endlini kaNisiroki unkulunkulu wakhe, oAdrameleki loSharezeri amadodana akhe bamtshaya ngenkemba, bona baphephela elizweni leArarathi. UEsarihadoni indodana yakhe wasebusa esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 20

20:1  Ngalezonsuku uHezekhiya wagula okokufa. UIsaya indodana kaAmozi umprofethi wasefika kuye wathi kuye: Itsho njalo iNkosi: Laya indlu yakho, ngoba uzakufa, kawuyikuphila.

20:2  Wasephendulela ubuso bakhe emdulini, wakhuleka eNkosini esithi:

20:3  Ngiyakuncenga Nkosi, ake ukhumbule ukuthi ngihambe phambi kwakho ngobuqotho langenhliziyo epheleleyo, ngenza okulungileyo emehlweni akho. UHezekhiya wasekhala inyembezi ngokukhala okukhulu.

20:4  Kwasekusithi uIsaya engakaphumi egumeni elingaphakathi, ilizwi leNkosi lafika kuye lisithi:

20:5  Buyela uthi kuHezekhiya umbusi wabantu bami: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaDavida uyihlo: Ngiwuzwile umkhuleko wakho, ngabona inyembezi zakho; khangela, ngizakusilisa; ngosuku lwesithathu uzakwenyukela endlini yeNkosi.

20:6  Njalo ngizakwengezelela iminyaka elitshumi lanhlanu ensukwini zakho; ngikukhulule wena lalumuzi esandleni senkosi yeAsiriya; ngiwuvikele lumuzi ngenxa yami langenxa yenceku yami uDavida.

20:7  UIsaya wasesithi: Thathani isigaqa somkhiwa. Basebesithatha, basifaka phezu kwethumba, yasisila.

20:8  UHezekhiya wasesithi kuIsaya: Yisiphi isibonakaliso sokuthi iNkosi izangisilisa, lokuthi ngizakwenyukela endlini yeNkosi ngosuku lwesithathu?

20:9  UIsaya wasesithi: Lesi yisibonakaliso kuwe esivela eNkosini esokuthi iNkosi izayenza into eyikhulumileyo: Isithunzi sizakuya phambili izinyathelo ezilitshumi, loba siye emuva izinyathelo ezilitshumi yini?

20:10  UHezekhiya wasesithi: Kulula esithunzini ukuthi selule izinyathelo ezilitshumi; hatshi, kodwa isithunzi kasibuyele emuva izinyathelo ezilitshumi.

20:11  UIsaya umprofethi wasekhala eNkosini, yasibuyisela emuva isithunzi, ngezinyathelo esasehle ngazo esikhwelweni sikaAhazi, izinyathelo ezilitshumi emuva.

20:12  Ngalesosikhathi uMerodaki-Baladani indodana kaBaladani, inkosi yeBhabhiloni, wathumela izincwadi lesipho kuHezekhiya, ngoba wayezwile ukuthi uHezekhiya ubekade egula.

20:13  UHezekhiya wabalalela, wabatshengisa yonke indlu yakhe yezinto eziligugu, isiliva legolide lamakha lamafutha amahle lendlu yezikhali zakhe, lakho konke okwakutholakala endlini yakhe yokuligugu; kakulalutho endlini yakhe lembusweni wonke wakhe uHezekhiya angabatshengisanga lona.

20:14  UIsaya umprofethi wasesiza enkosini uHezekhiya wathi kiyo: Batheni lababantu? Futhi bebevela ngaphi besiza kuwe? UHezekhiya wasesithi: Bebevela elizweni elikhatshana, eBhabhiloni.

20:15  Wasesithi: Baboneni endlini yakho? UHezekhiya wasesithi: Babone konke okusendlini yami; kakulalutho phakathi kokuligugu kwami engingabatshengisanga khona.

20:16  UIsaya wasesithi kuHezekhiya: Zwana ilizwi leNkosi.

20:17  Khangela, insuku ziyeza lapho konke okusendlini yakho lalokho oyihlo abakubekelelayo kuze kube lamuhla kuzathwalelwa eBhabhiloni; kakuyikusala lutho, itsho iNkosi.

20:18  Njalo bazathatha emadodaneni akho azaphuma kuwe, ozawazala, abe ngabathenwa esigodlweni senkosi yeBhabhiloni.

20:19  UHezekhiya wasesithi kuIsaya: Lihle ilizwi leNkosi olikhulumileyo. Wasesithi: Kakunjalo yini, uba kuzakuba khona ukuthula lokuvikeleka ensukwini zami?

20:20  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaHezekhiya, lawo wonke amandla akhe, lokuthi wenza ichibi, lomgelo, wangenisa amanzi phakathi komuzi, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

20:21  UHezekhiya waselala laboyise. UManase indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 21

21:1  UManase wayeleminyaka elitshumi lambili lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lanhlanu eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguHefiziba.

21:2  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengokwamanyala ezizwe iNkosi eyazixotsha elifeni phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.

21:3  Ngoba wabuya wakha indawo eziphakemeyo uyise uHezekhiya ayezichithile, wamisela uBhali amalathi, wenza isixuku, njengokwenza kukaAhabi inkosi yakoIsrayeli, wakhothamela ibutho lonke lamazulu, walikhonza.

21:4  Wasesakha amalathi endlini yeNkosi, iNkosi eyathi ngayo: EJerusalema ngizabeka ibizo lami.

21:5  Wasesakhela ibutho lonke lamazulu amalathi emagumeni womabili endlini yeNkosi.

21:6  Wasedabulisa indodana yakhe emlilweni, wachasisa ngemibono, wenza imilingo, wasebenza labalamadlozi labalumbayo. Wenza okubi kakhulu emehlweni eNkosi ukuyithukuthelisa.

21:7  Wasemisa isithombe esibaziweyo sesixuku ayesenzile endlini, iNkosi eyakhuluma ngayo kuDavida lakuSolomoni indodana yakhe yathi: Kulindlu, leJerusalema engiyikhethe kuzo zonke izizwe zakoIsrayeli, ngizabeka ibizo lami kuze kube nininini.

21:8  Kangisayikuzulisa unyawo lukaIsrayeli luphume futhi elizweni engalinika oyise, kuphela uba bezananzelela ukwenza njengakho konke engabalaya khona langokomlayo wonke inceku yami uMozisi eyabalaya wona.

21:9  Kodwa kabalalelanga; uManase wasebaphambukisa ukuthi benze okubi okwedlula izizwe iNkosi eyazichitha phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.

21:10  INkosi yasikhuluma ngezinceku zayo abaprofethi isithi:

21:11  Ngenxa yokuthi uManase inkosi yakoJuda wenzile lamanyala, wenze okubi okwedlula konke amaAmori akwenzayo, ayephambi kwakhe, wonisa loJuda ngezithombe zakhe.

21:12  Ngakho itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli: Khangela, ngiletha okubi phezu kweJerusalema loJuda kuthi laye wonke ozwayo indlebe zakhe zombili zizakhenceza ngakho.

21:13  Ngizakwelula phezu kweJerusalema intambo yeSamariya, lentambo yokulinganisa yendlu kaAhabi, ngiyesule iJerusalema njengowesula umganu, awesule awumbokothe.

21:14  Njalo ngizatshiya insali yelifa lami, ngibanikele esandleni sezitha zabo, babe ngokubanjiweyo lempango kwezitha zabo zonke,

21:15  ngenxa yokuthi benzile okubi emehlweni ami, bayangithukuthelisa, kusukela osukwini oyise abaphuma ngalo eGibhithe ngitsho kuze kube lamuhla.

21:16  Futhi-ke uManase uchithile igazi elinengi kakhulu elingelacala waze wayigcwalisa iJerusalema kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kube sekucineni, ngaphandle kwesono sakhe enza ngaso uJuda ukuthi one, ukwenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi.

21:17  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaManase, lakho konke akwenzayo, lesono sakhe asonayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

21:18  UManase waselala laboyise, wangcwatshelwa esivandeni sendlu yakhe, esivandeni sikaUza. UAmoni indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

21:19  UAmoni wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka emibili eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguMeshulemethi indodakazi kaHaruzi weJotiba.

21:20  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengokwenza kukaManase uyise.

21:21  Wahamba ngendlela yonke uyise ahamba ngayo, wakhonza izithombe uyise azikhonzayo, wakhothama kuzo.

21:22  Wayidela iNkosi, uNkulunkulu waboyise, kahambanga ngendlela yeNkosi.

21:23  Izinceku zikaAmoni zasezimenzela ugobe, zabulala inkosi endlini yayo.

21:24  Kodwa abantu belizwe babatshaya bonke labo ababenzele inkosi uAmoni ugobe; abantu belizwe basebebeka uJosiya indodana yakhe ukuba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

21:25  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaAmoni azenzayo kazibhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

21:26  Wasengcwatshelwa engcwabeni lakhe esivandeni sikaUza. UJosiya indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

Chapter 22

22:1  UJosiya wayeleminyaka eyisificaminwembili lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lanye eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguJedida indodakazi kaAdaya weBhozikhathi.

22:2  Wasesenza okulungileyo emehlweni eNkosi, wahamba ngayo yonke indlela kaDavida uyise, kaze aphambukela ngakwesokunene langakwesokhohlo.

22:3  Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wetshumi lesificaminwembili wenkosi uJosiya, inkosi yathuma uShafani indodana kaAzaliya indodana kaMeshulamu, umabhalane, endlini yeNkosi, esithi:

22:4  Yenyukela kuHilikhiya umpristi omkhulu ukuthi ahlanganise imali elethwe endlini yeNkosi, abalindi bombundu womnyango ababeyiqoqe ebantwini.

22:5  Kabayinikele esandleni sabenzi bomsebenzi abamiswe phezu kwendlu yeNkosi, kabayinike abenzi bomsebenzi osendlini yeNkosi, ukulungisa izikhala zendlu,

22:6  kubabazi, lakubakhi, lakubabazi bamatshe, lokuthenga amapulanka lamatshe abaziweyo ukulungisa indlu.

22:7  Kodwa akubalelwananga labo imali eyayinikelwe esandleni sabo ngoba benza ngokuthembeka.

22:8  UHilikhiya umpristi omkhulu wasesithi kuShafani umabhalane: Sengifice ugwalo lomlayo endlini yeNkosi. UHilikhiya wasenika uShafani ugwalo, waselufunda.

22:9  UShafani umabhalane wasefika enkosini, wabuyisela ilizwi enkosini wathi: Izinceku zakho seziyithulule imali eficwe endlini, zayinikela esandleni sabenzi bomsebenzi abamiswe phezu kwendlu yeNkosi.

22:10  UShafani umabhalane wasebika enkosini esithi: UHilikhiya umpristi unginike ugwalo. UShafani waselufunda phambi kwenkosi.

22:11  Kwasekusithi inkosi isizwile amazwi ogwalo lomlayo, yadabula izigqoko zayo.

22:12  Inkosi yasilaya uHilikhiya umpristi loAhikhamu indodana kaShafani loAkhibhori indodana kaMikhaya loShafani umabhalane loAsaya inceku yenkosi, isithi:

22:13  Hambani liyengibuzela eNkosini mina labantu loJuda wonke mayelana lamazwi alolugwalo oluficiweyo; ngoba yinkulu intukuthelo yeNkosi esesiyibaselwe, ngoba obaba kabawalalelanga amazwi alolugwalo, ukwenza konke okubhaliweyo mayelana lathi.

22:14  Ngakho uHilikhiya umpristi loAhikhamu loAkhibhori loShafani loAsaya baya kuHulida umprofethikazi umkaShaluma indodana kaTikiva indodana kaHarihasi, umgcini wezigqoko. Wayehlala-ke eJerusalema esiGabeni seSibili. Basebekhuluma laye.

22:15  Wasesithi kibo: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli: Mtsheleni lowomuntu olithume kimi:

22:16  Itsho njalo iNkosi: Khangela, ngizakwehlisela okubi kulindawo laphezu kwabakhileyo bayo, wonke amazwi ogwalo inkosi yakoJuda elufundileyo.

22:17  Ngenxa yokuthi bangidelile, batshisela abanye onkulunkulu impepha, ukuze bangithukuthelise ngawo wonke umsebenzi wezandla zabo. Ngakho intukuthelo yami izavutha imelene lale indawo, ingacitshwa.

22:18  Kodwa enkosini yakoJuda elithumileyo ukubuza eNkosini, lizakutsho njalo kuyo: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli: Mayelana lamazwi eliwezwileyo:

22:19  Ngoba inhliziyo yakho ibithambile, wazithoba phambi kweNkosi, lapho usizwa engikukhulume ngimelene lalindawo labakhileyo bayo, ukuthi bazakuba yincithakalo lesiqalekiso, wadabula izigqoko zakho, wakhala inyembezi phambi kwami, lami-ke ngizwile, kutsho iNkosi.

22:20  Ngakho, khangela, ngizakubuthela kuboyihlo, njalo uzabuthelwa engcwabeni lakho ngokuthula, lamehlo akho kawayikubona bonke ububi engizabehlisela phezu kwalindawo. Basebebuyisela ilizwi enkosini.

Chapter 23

23:1  Inkosi yasithumela, basebebuthanisa kuye bonke abadala bakoJuda labeJerusalema.

23:2  Inkosi yasisenyukela endlini kaJehova, lawo wonke amadoda akoJuda labo bonke abahlali beJerusalema kanye laye, labapristi labaprofethi, labo bonke abantu kusukela komncinyane kusiya komkhulu, yasifunda endlebeni zabo wonke amazwi ogwalo lwesivumelwano olwaficwa endlini yeNkosi.

23:3  Inkosi yema-ke ngasensikeni, yenza isivumelwano phambi kweNkosi, sokuhamba emva kweNkosi, lokugcina imilayo yayo lemithetho yayo lezimiso zayo ngenhliziyo yonke langomphefumulo wonke, ukuqinisa amazwi alesisivumelwano abhaliweyo kulolugwalo. Bonke abantu basebesima esivumelwaneni.

23:4  Inkosi yasilaya uHilikhiya umpristi omkhulu labapristi besigaba sesibili labalindi bombundu womnyango ukuthi bakhuphe ethempelini leNkosi zonke izitsha ezazenzelwe uBhali lesixuku lebutho lonke lamazulu, wazitshisela ngaphandle kweJerusalema eziqintini zeKidroni, wathwalela umlotha wazo eBhetheli.

23:5  Wasesusa abapristi bezithombe amakhosi akoJuda ayebabekile ukuthi batshise impepha endaweni eziphakemeyo, emizini yakoJuda, lendawo ezizingelezele iJerusalema, lalabo ababetshisa impepha kuBhali, elangeni, lenyangeni, lezinkanyezini, lebuthweni lonke lamazulu.

23:6  Wakhupha isixuku endlini yeNkosi, ngaphandle kweJerusalema, wasisa esifuleni iKidroni, wasitshisa esifuleni iKidroni, wasichola saba luthuli, waphosela uthuli lwaso emangcwabeni abantwana babantu.

23:7  Wadiliza izindlu zezinkotshana ezazingasendlini yeNkosi lapho abesifazana ababeselukela khona amaveyili esixuku.

23:8  Wakhupha bonke abapristi emizini yakoJuda, wangcolisa indawo eziphakemeyo lapho abapristi ababetshisela khona impepha, kusukela eGeba kusiya eBherishebha. Wadiliza indawo eziphakemeyo zamasango ezisekungeneni kwesango likaJoshuwa umbusi womuzi, ezazingakwesokhohlo somuntu esangweni lomuzi.

23:9  Loba kunjalo abapristi bendawo eziphakemeyo kabenyukelanga elathini leNkosi eJerusalema, kodwa badla izinkwa ezingelamvubelo phakathi kwabafowabo.

23:10  Wasengcolisa iTofethi elisesihotsheni sendodana kaHinomu ukuze kungabi khona umuntu odabulisa indodana yakhe kumbe indodakazi yakhe emlilweni kuMoleki.

23:11  Wasesusa amabhiza amakhosi akoJuda ayewanikele elangeni ekungeneni kwendlu yeNkosi, ngasekamelweni likaNathani-Meleki umthenwa elalisekhulusini, wazitshisa inqola zelanga ngomlilo.

23:12  Lamalathi ayesephahleni lwendlu kaAhazi engaphezulu awenzayo amakhosi akoJuda, lamalathi uManase ayewenzile emagumeni womabili endlu yeNkosi, inkosi yawadiliza yawachoboza iwasusa lapho, yaluphosela uthuli lwawo esifuleni iKidroni.

23:13  Lendawo eziphakemeyo, ezaziphambi kweJerusalema, ezazingakwesokunene sentaba yokubola, uSolomoni inkosi yakoIsrayeli eyayizakhele uAshitarothi isinengiso samaSidoni, loKemoshi isinengiso samaMowabi, loMilkomu isinengiso sabantwana bakoAmoni, inkosi yazingcolisa.

23:14  Wasephahlaza insika eziyizithombe, wagamula izixuku, wagcwalisa izindawo zazo ngamathambo abantu.

23:15  Lelathi lalo elaliseBhetheli, lendawo ephakemeyo, ayenzayo uJerobhowamu indodana kaNebati owenza uIsrayeli ukuthi one, kokubili lelolathi lendawo ephakemeyo wakudiliza, watshisa indawo ephakemeyo, wayichoboza yaba luthuli, watshisa isixuku.

23:16  Lapho uJosiya ephenduka wabona amangcwaba ayelapho entabeni, wathuma wasekhupha amathambo emangcwabeni, wawatshisela phezu kwelathi, walingcolisa, njengelizwi leNkosi umuntu kaNkulunkulu ayelimemezele, owamemezela lamazwi.

23:17  Wasesithi: Yisikhumbuzo sani lesiyana engisibonayo? Abantu bomuzi basebesithi kuye: Lingcwaba lomuntu kaNkulunkulu owavela koJuda wamemezela lezizinto ozenzileyo umelene lelathi leBhetheli.

23:18  Wasesithi: Myekeleni, kakungabi lamuntu othinta amathambo akhe. Basebewayekela amathambo akhe kanye lamathambo omprofethi owavela eSamariya.

23:19  Njalo lazo zonke izindlu zezindawo eziphakemeyo ezisemizini yeSamariya, amakhosi akoIsrayeli ayezenzile ukuthukuthelisa, uJosiya wazisusa, wenza kizo njengayo yonke imisebenzi ayeyenze eBhetheli.

23:20  Wasebulala bonke abapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo, ababekhonapho, phezu kwamalathi, watshisa amathambo abantu phezu kwawo. Wasebuyela eJerusalema.

23:21  Inkosi yasilaya bonke abantu isithi: Gcinani iphasika eNkosini uNkulunkulu wenu, njengalokhu kubhaliwe kulolugwalo lwesivumelwano.

23:22  Ngoba kwakungagcinwanga elinjengaleli iphasika kusukela ensukwini zabehluleli abehlulela uIsrayeli, kumbe kuzo zonke izinsuku zamakhosi akoIsrayeli, kumbe zamakhosi akoJuda.

23:23  Kodwa ngomnyaka wetshumi lesificaminwembili wenkosi uJosiya lagcinwa leliphasika eNkosini eJerusalema.

23:24  Ngaphezu kwalokho-ke abalamadlozi, labalumbayo, lamatherafi*, lezithombe, lawo wonke amanyala abonakala elizweni lakoJuda leJerusalema, uJosiya wakususa, ukuze aqinise amazwi omlayo ayebhalwe ogwalweni uHilikhiya umpristi alufica endlini yeNkosi.

23:25  Langaphambi kwakhe kakubanga khona inkosi eyafanana laye eyaphendukela eNkosini ngenhliziyo yayo yonke langomphefumulo wayo wonke langamandla ayo wonke, njengokomlayo wonke kaMozisi. Futhi emva kwakhe kakuvelanga eyafanana laye.

23:26  Kanti iNkosi kayiphendukanga ekuvutheni kolaka lwayo olukhulu, olaka lwayo eyavuthela ngalo uJuda, ngenxa yazo zonke intukutheliso uManase ayithukuthelisa ngazo.

23:27  INkosi yasisithi: Ngizamsusa loJuda phambi kwami, njengoba ngasusa uIsrayeli, ngiwulahle lumuzi weJerusalema engawukhethayo, lendlu engathi ngayo: Ibizo lami lizakuba lapho.

23:28  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJosiya, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

23:29  Ensukwini zakhe uFaro Neko inkosi yeGibhithe wenyuka wamelana lenkosi yeAsiriya emfuleni iYufrathi. Inkosi uJosiya yasisiyahlangabezana laye; wayibulalela eMegido eseyibonile.

23:30  Inceku zakhe zasezimthwala efile ngenqola, zisuka eMegido, zamusa eJerusalema, zamngcwaba engcwabeni lakhe. Abantu belizwe basebethatha uJehowahazi indodana kaJosiya, bamgcoba, bambeka waba yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise.

23:31  UJehowahazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa inyanga ezintathu eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguHamuthali indodakazi kaJeremiya weLibhina.

23:32  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengakho konke oyise abakwenzayo.

23:33  UFaro Neko wasembopha eRibila elizweni leHamathi ukuthi angabusi eJerusalema, wahlawulisa ilizwe amathalenta* esiliva alikhulu lethalenta legolide.

23:34  UFaro Neko wasebeka uEliyakhimi indodana kaJosiya ukuthi abe yinkosi esikhundleni sikaJosiya uyise, waphendula ibizo lakhe wathi nguJehoyakhimi. Wasethatha uJehowahazi; wasesiza eGibhithe, wafela khona.

23:35  UJehoyakhimi wasemnika uFaro isiliva legolide, kodwa wathelisa ilizwe ukuze anike leyomali njengokomlayo kaFaro. Wakhuphisa abantu belizwe isiliva legolide, ngulowo lalowo ngokomthelo wakhe, yokunika uFaro Neko.

23:36  UJehoyakhimi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lanye eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguZebida indodakazi kaPhedaya weRuma.

23:37  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengakho konke oyise abakwenzayo.

Chapter 24

24:1  Ngensuku zakhe uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni wenyuka, njalo uJehoyakhimi waba yisikhonzi sakhe iminyaka emithathu; wasephenduka wamvukela.

24:2  INkosi yasithuma ukumelana laye amaviyo amaKhaladiya lamaviyo amaSiriya lamaviyo amaMowabi lamaviyo abantwana bakoAmoni, yasiwathuma ukumelana loJuda ukumchitha, njengokwelizwi leNkosi eyalikhuluma ngesandla sezinceku zayo abaprofethi.

24:3  Sibili ngokomlayo weNkosi lokho kwehlela koJuda ukubasusa ebusweni bayo ngenxa yezono zikaManase, njengakho konke akwenzayo,

24:4  njalo langegazi elingelacala alichithayo; ngoba wagcwalisa iJerusalema ngegazi elingelacala, iNkosi engavumanga ukulithethelela.

24:5  Ezinye-ke zezindaba zikaJehoyakhimi, lakho konke akwenzayo, kakubhalwanga yini egwalweni lwemilando yamakhosi akoJuda?

24:6  UJehoyakhimi waselala laboyise. UJehoyakhini indodana yakhe wasesiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

24:7  Inkosi yeGibhithe kayisaphindanga futhi ukuphuma elizweni layo, ngoba inkosi yeBhabhiloni yayithethe kusukela emfuleni weGibhithe kusiya emfuleni iYufrathi, konke okwakungokwenkosi yeGibhithe.

24:8  UJehoyakhini wayeleminyaka elitshumi lesificaminwembili lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa inyanga ezintathu eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguNehushita indodakazi kaElinathani weJerusalema.

24:9  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengokwenza konke kukayise.

24:10  Ngalesosikhathi izinceku zikaNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni zenyukela eJerusalema, umuzi wasungena ekuvinjezelweni.

24:11  UNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni wasefika wamelana lomuzi, izinceku zakhe zisawuvimbezela.

24:12  UJehoyakhini inkosi yakoJuda wasephuma waya enkosini yeBhabhiloni, yena lonina lenceku zakhe lenduna zakhe labathenwa bakhe. Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yasimthatha ngomnyaka wesificaminwembili wokubusa kwakhe.

24:13  Yasikhupha lapho wonke amagugu endlu kaJehova lamagugu endlu yenkosi; yaquma zonke izitsha zegolide uSolomoni inkosi yakoIsrayeli ayezenzile ethempelini likaJehova, njengokutsho kweNkosi.

24:14  Yasithumba iJerusalema yonke, leziphathamandla zonke, lawo wonke amaqhawe alamandla, abathunjwa abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi, lazo zonke ingcitshi zemisebenzi labakhandi; kakusalanga loyedwa ngaphandle kwabantukazana ebantwini belizwe.

24:15  Yasimthumbela uJehoyakhini eBhabhiloni; lonina wenkosi, lamakhosikazi enkosi, labathenwa bakhe, lamaqhawe elizwe, yabathumbela eBhabhiloni besuka eJerusalema.

24:16  Lawo wonke amadoda angamaqhawe, azinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa, lezingcitshi zemisebenzi labakhandi, abayinkulungwane, bonke abaqinileyo abangaphuma impi, inkosi yeBhabhiloni yasibaletha bengabathunjwa eBhabhiloni.

24:17  Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yasibeka uMathaniya uyise omncinyane ukuba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe, yaguqula ibizo lakhe yathi nguZedekhiya.

24:18  UZedekhiya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanye lapho esiba yinkosi; wabusa iminyaka elitshumi lanye eJerusalema. Lebizo likanina lalinguHamutali indodakazi kaJeremiya weLibhina.

24:19  Wasesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi njengokwenza konke kukaJehoyakhimi.

24:20  Ngoba ngenxa yentukuthelo yeNkosi lokhu kwenzeka eJerusalema lakoJuda yaze yabaxotsha phambi kwayo. UZedekhiya waseyivukela inkosi yeBhabhiloni.

Chapter 25

25:1  Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wesificamunwemunye wokubusa kwakhe, ngenyanga yetshumi, ngolwetshumi lwenyanga, uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni wafika, yena lebutho lakhe lonke emelene leJerusalema, wamisa inkamba maqondana layo; bayakhela imiduli yokuvimbezela emelene layo inhlangothi zonke.

25:2  Umuzi wangena ekuvinjezelweni kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wetshumi lanye wenkosi uZedekhiya.

25:3  Ngolwesificamunwemunye lwenyanga yesine indlala yasisiba lamandla phakathi komuzi, njalo kwakungelakudla kwabantu belizwe.

25:4  Umuzi wasufohlelwa. Wonke amadoda empi asebaleka ebusuku ngendlela yesango phakathi kwemiduli emibili eyayiseduze lesivande senkosi, (amaKhaladiya ayemelene-ke lomuzi inhlangothi zonke); inkosi yasihamba ngendlela yamagceke.

25:5  Ibutho lamaKhaladiya laselixotshana lenkosi, layifica emagcekeni eJeriko; ibutho layo lonke laselihlakazeka lisuka kuyo.

25:6  Aseyibamba inkosi, ayenyusela enkosini yeBhabhiloni eRibila, akhuluma ukwahlulela kwayo.

25:7  Abulala amadodana kaZedekhiya phambi kwamehlo akhe, akhupha amehlo kaZedekhiya, ambopha ngamaketane ethusi amabili, amusa eBhabhiloni.

25:8  Langenyanga yesihlanu ngolwesikhombisa lwenyanga (okungumnyaka wetshumi lesificamunwemunye wenkosi uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni) kwafika uNebuzaradani induna yabalindi, inceku yenkosi yeBhabhiloni, eJerusalema.

25:9  Wasetshisa indlu kaJehova lendlu yenkosi lazo zonke izindlu zeJerusalema; layo yonke indlu yesikhulu wayitshisa ngomlilo.

25:10  Lebutho lonke lamaKhaladiya elalilenduna yabalindi ladilizela phansi imiduli yeJerusalema inhlangothi zonke.

25:11  Njalo insali yabantu ababesele emzini, labahlamuki ababehlamukele enkosini yeBhabhiloni, lensali yexuku, uNebuzaradani induna yabalindi yabathumba.

25:12  Kodwa induna yabalindi yatshiya ebayangeni belizwe ukuba ngabaphathi bezivini labalimi.

25:13  Lensika zethusi ezazisendlini yeNkosi, lezisekelo, lolwandle lwethusi olwalusendlini yeNkosi, amaKhaladiya akuphahlaza, athwalela ithusi lakho eBhabhiloni.

25:14  Lezimbiza, lamafotsholo, lezindlawu, lenkezo, lezitsha zonke zethusi, abasebenza ngazo, akuthatha.

25:15  Lezitsha zokuthwala umlilo lemiganu yokufafaza, okwakuligolide golide lokwakuyisiliva siliva, induna yabalindi yakuthatha.

25:16  Insika zombili, ulwandle olulodwa, lezisekelo, uSolomoni ayekwenzele indlu yeNkosi, ithusi lazo zonke lezizitsha lalingelakulinganiswa ngesisindo.

25:17  Ubude bensika eyodwa babuzingalo ezilitshumi lesificaminwembili, lesiduku phezu kwayo sasilithusi, lokuphakama kwesiduku kuzingalo ezintathu, lomsebenzi ophothiweyo, lamapomegranati* phezu kwesiduku inhlangothi zonke, konke kungokwethusi. Lensika yesibili yayilokunje, ilomsebenzi ophothiweyo.

25:18  Induna yabalindi yasithatha uSeraya umpristi oyinhloko loZefaniya umpristi wesibili, labalindi bombundu womnyango abathathu.

25:19  Lemzini yasithatha induna eyayimiswe phezu kwamadoda empi, lamadoda amahlanu ayesebusweni benkosi ayeficwe emzini, lomabhalane omkhulu webutho eyayibuthela abantu belizwe emabuthweni, lamadoda angamatshumi ayisithupha abantu belizwe ayeficwe phakathi komuzi.

25:20  UNebuzaradani induna yabalindi wasebathatha laba wabasa enkosini yeBhabhiloni eRibila.

25:21  Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yasibatshaya yababulalela eRibila elizweni leHamathi. Ngokunjalo uJuda wathunjwa esuswa elizweni lakhe.

25:22  Abantu abasala-ke elizweni lakoJuda, uNebhukadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni owayebatshiyile, wabeka phezu kwabo uGedaliya indodana kaAhikhamu indodana kaShafani.

25:23  Kwathi zonke induna zamabutho, zona labantu bazo, sezizwile ukuthi inkosi yeBhabhiloni ibeke uGedaliya abe ngumbusi, zeza kuGedaliya eMizipa: Ngitsho oIshmayeli indodana kaNethaniya loJohanani indodana kaKareya loSeraya indodana kaTanihumethi umNetofa loJahazaniya indodana yomMahakathi, zona labantu bazo.

25:24  UGedaliya wasefunga kuzo lakubantu bazo wathi kuzo: Lingesabi ukuba zinceku zamaKhaladiya; hlalani elizweni, likhonze inkosi yeBhabhiloni, njalo kuzakuba kuhle kini.

25:25  Kodwa kwathi ngenyanga yesikhombisa, kwafika uIshmayeli indodana kaNethaniya indodana kaElishama, owenzalo yesikhosini, lamadoda alitshumi elaye, basebemtshaya uGedaliya waze wafa, lamaJuda lamaKhaladiya ayelaye eMizipa.

25:26  Abantu bonke-ke, kusukela komncinyane kuze kuye komkhulu, lenduna zamabutho, basebesuka baya eGibhithe, ngoba besaba amaKhaladiya.

25:27  Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa wokuthunjwa kukaJehoyakhini inkosi yakoJuda, ngenyanga yetshumi lambili, ngolwamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa lwenyanga, uEvili Merodaki inkosi yeBhabhiloni, ngomnyaka aba yinkosi ngawo, waphakamisa ikhanda likaJehoyakhini inkosi yakoJuda emkhupha entolongweni.

25:28  Wasekhuluma kuhle laye, wamisa isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi phezu kwesihlalo sobukhosi samakhosi ayelaye eBhabhiloni.

25:29  Wasentshintsha izigqoko zokubotshwa kwakhe; wasesidla isinkwa njalonjalo phambi kwakhe insuku zonke zempilo yakhe.

25:30  Lesabelo esimiyo, isabelo esimiyo esiqhubekayo sanikwa yena yinkosi, into yosuku ngosuku lwayo, zonke izinsuku zempilo yakhe.