Ndebele - Judges

Chapter 1

1:1  Kwasekusithi emva kokufa kukaJoshuwa abantwana bakoIsrayeli babuza iNkosi besithi: Ngubani ozasenyukelela ukuyamelana lamaKhanani kuqala ukulwa emelene labo?

1:2  INkosi yasisithi: UJuda uzakwenyuka; khangelani, ngilinikele ilizwe esandleni sakhe.

1:3  UJuda wasesithi kuSimeyoni umfowabo: Yenyuka lami enkathweni yami ukuze silwe simelene lamaKhanani; lami-ke ngizahamba lawe enkathweni yakho. USimeyoni wasehamba laye.

1:4  UJuda wasesenyuka, njalo iNkosi yanikela amaKhanani lamaPerizi esandleni sabo; bawatshaya eBezeki, amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi.

1:5  Basebefica uAdoni-Bezeki eBezeki, balwa bemelene laye, bawatshaya amaKhanani lamaPerizi.

1:6  Kodwa uAdoni-Bezeki wabaleka, baxotshana laye, bambamba, baquma izithupha zezandla zakhe lamazwane akhe amakhulu.

1:7  UAdoni-Bezeki wasesithi: Amakhosi angamatshumi ayisikhombisa aqunywe izithupha zezandla zawo lezenyawo zawo ayedobha ngaphansi kwetafula lami. Njengokwenza kwami, ngokunjalo uNkulunkulu ungiphindisele. Basebemusa eJerusalema, wafela khona.

1:8  Abantwana bakoJuda balwa-ke bemelene leJerusalema, bayithumba, bayitshaya ngobukhali benkemba, lomuzi bawuthungela ngomlilo.

1:9  Emva kwalokho-ke abantwana bakoJuda behla ukuyakulwa bemelene lamaKhanani ayehlala entabeni leningizimu lesihotsheni.

1:10  UJuda wasehamba wamelana lamaKhanani ayehlala eHebroni; lebizo leHebroni kuqala kwakuyiKiriyathi-Arba; batshaya uSheshayi loAhimani loTalimayi.

1:11  Basuka lapho baya bamelana labahlali beDebiri. Lebizo leDebiri kuqala kwakuyiKiriyathi-Seferi.

1:12  UKalebi wasesithi: Ozatshaya iKiriyathi-Seferi, ayithumbe, ngizamnika uAkisa indodakazi yami ibe ngumkakhe.

1:13  UOthiniyeli indodana kaKenazi umfowabo kaKalebi, owayemncane kulaye, waseyithumba; wasemnika uAkisa indodakazi yakhe ukuba ngumkakhe.

1:14  Kwasekusithi ekufikeni kwakhe wamkhuthaza ukuthi acele kuyise insimu; wasesehla kubabhemi, uKalebi wasesithi kuye: Ulani?

1:15  Wasesithi kuye: Ngipha isibusiso. Njengoba ungiphe ilizwe leningizimu, ngipha njalo imithombo yamanzi. UKalebi wasemnika imithombo engaphezulu lemithombo engaphansi.

1:16  Abantwana bomKeni, uyisezala kaMozisi, basebesenyuka besuka emzini wamalala, belabantwana bakoJuda, baya enkangala yakoJuda, eseningizimu kweAradi; baya bahlala phakathi kwabantu.

1:17  UJuda wasehamba loSimeyoni umfowabo, bawatshaya amaKhanani ayehlala eZefathi, bayitshabalalisa. Ngakho ibizo lomuzi lathiwa yiHorma.

1:18  UJuda wasethumba iGaza lomngcele wayo, leAshikeloni lomngcele wayo, leEkhironi lomngcele wayo.

1:19  INkosi yasisiba loJuda, wadla ilifa lezintaba, kodwa wayengelakubaxotsha elifeni abahlali besigodi, ngoba babelezinqola zensimbi.

1:20  Basebenika uKalebi iHebroni, njengokutsho kukaMozisi; wasexotsha elifeni esuka lapho amadodana amathathu kaAnaki.

1:21  Kodwa abantwana bakoBhenjamini kabawaxotshanga elifeni amaJebusi ayehlala eJerusalema; ngakho amaJebusi ahlala labantwana bakoBhenjamini eJerusalema kuze kube lamuhla.

1:22  Lendlu kaJosefa, labo benyukela eBhetheli; njalo iNkosi yayilabo.

1:23  Indlu kaJosefa yasithuma inhloli eBhetheli; lebizo lomuzi kuqala laliyiLuzi.

1:24  Abalindi basebebona umuntu ephuma emzini, bathi kuye: Akusitshengise indlela yokungena emzini, besesikwenzela umusa.

1:25  Esebatshengise indlela yokungena emzini, bawutshaya umuzi ngobukhali benkemba, kodwa lowomuntu losapho lwakhe lonke babayekela bahamba.

1:26  Lowomuntu wasesiya elizweni lamaHethi, wakha umuzi, wabiza ibizo lawo ngokuthi yiLuzi; yilelo ibizo lawo kuze kube lamuhla.

1:27  UManase kaxotshanga-ke iBeti-Sheyani lemizana yayo, leThahanakhi lemizana yayo, labahlali beDori lemizana yayo, labahlali beIbileyamu lemizana yayo, labahlali beMegido lemizana yayo; kodwa amaKhanani afuna ukuhlala kulelolizwe.

1:28  Kwasekusithi uIsrayeli eselamandla wawamisa amaKhanani kusibhalo, kodwa kawaxotshanga lokuwaxotsha elifeni.

1:29  UEfrayimi kawaxotshanga-ke elifeni amaKhanani ayehlala eGezeri, kodwa amaKhanani ahlala eGezeri phakathi kwabo.

1:30  UZebuluni kabaxotshanga elifeni abahlali beKitroni labahlali beNahaloli, kodwa amaKhanani ahlala phakathi kwabo, aba yizibhalwa.

1:31  UAsheri kabaxotshanga elifeni abahlali beAko labahlali beSidoni leAhilabi leAkizibi leHeliba leAfiki leRehobi;

1:32  kodwa abakoAsheri bahlala phakathi kwamaKhanani abahlali belizwe, ngoba kabawaxotshanga elifeni.

1:33  UNafithali kabaxotshanga elifeni abahlali beBeti-Shemeshi labahlali beBeti-Anathi, kodwa wahlala phakathi kwamaKhanani, abahlali belizwe; kodwa abahlali beBeti-Shemeshi labeBeti-Anathi baba yizibhalwa kubo.

1:34  AmaAmori asebafuqela abantwana bakoDani entabeni, ngoba kawabavumelanga ukwehlela esigodini.

1:35  Kodwa amaAmori ayefuna ukuhlala entabeni yeHeresi eAjaloni leShahalibimi, kodwa isandla sendlu kaJosefa saba nzima, aba yizibhalwa.

1:36  Umngcele wamaAmori wawusukela emqansweni weAkirabimi, uvela edwaleni usiya phezulu.

Chapter 2

2:1  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasisenyuka isuka eGiligali isiya eBokimi, yathi: Ngalenyusa lisuka eGibhithe, ngaliletha elizweni engalifungela oyihlo, njalo ngathi: Kangiyikwephula isivumelwano sami lani kuze kube sephakadeni.

2:2  Lani-ke kaliyikwenza isivumelwano labahlali balelilizwe, lizadiliza amalathi abo. Kodwa kalililalelanga ilizwi lami. Kuyini lokhu elikwenzileyo?

2:3  Ngakho lami ngathi: Kangiyikuzixotsha elifeni phambi kwenu, kodwa zizakuba njengameva enhlangothini zenu, labonkulunkulu bazo babe ngumjibila kini.

2:4  Kwasekusithi lapho ingilosi yeNkosi isikhulume lamazwi kubo bonke abantwana bakoIsrayeli, abantu baphakamisa ilizwi labo bakhala inyembezi.

2:5  Basebebiza ibizo laleyondawo ngokuthi yiBokimi, bayihlabela iNkosi lapho.

2:6  Kwathi uJoshuwa esebayekele abantu bahamba, abantwana bakoIsrayeli bahamba, ngulowo lalowo waya elifeni lakhe ukudla ilifa lelizwe.

2:7  Abantu basebeyikhonza iNkosi kuzo zonke izinsuku zikaJoshuwa, lazo zonke izinsuku zabadala abasala bephila emva kukaJoshuwa, ababewubonile wonke umsebenzi omkhulu weNkosi eyayiwenzele uIsrayeli.

2:8  UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku yeNkosi, wafa-ke, eleminyaka elikhulu letshumi.

2:9  Basebemngcwabela emngceleni welifa lakhe eThiminathi-Heresi entabeni yakoEfrayimi, enyakatho kwentaba iGahashi.

2:10  Njalo lalesosizukulwana sabuthelwa kuboyise. Kwasekusukuma esinye isizukulwana emva kwabo esasingayazi iNkosi njalo lomsebenzi eyayiwenzele uIsrayeli.

2:11  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, bakhonza oBhali.

2:12  Batshiya iNkosi, uNkulunkulu waboyise, eyabakhupha elizweni leGibhithe, balandela abanye onkulunkulu, kubonkulunkulu bezizwe ezazibazingelezele, bakhothama kibo, bayithukuthelisa iNkosi.

2:13  Bayidela iNkosi, bakhonza uBhali laboAshitarothi*.

2:14  Ngakho ulaka lweNkosi lwavutha kuIsrayeli, yabanikela esandleni sabaphangi ababaphangayo; yabathengisa esandleni sezitha zabo inhlangothi zonke, ukuze bangabe besaba lakho ukuma phambi kwazo.

2:15  Loba bephuma besiya ngaphi, isandla seNkosi samelana labo ngokubi, njengokutsho kweNkosi lanjengokufunga kweNkosi kibo, njalo bacindezeleka kakhulu.

2:16  INkosi yasimisa abahluleli ababophula esandleni salabo ababaphangayo.

2:17  Kanti kababalalelanga labahluleli babo, kodwa baphinga ngokulandela abanye onkulunkulu, bakhothama kibo; baphambuka masinyane endleleni oyise ababehamba kuyo, belalela imilayo yeNkosi. Bona kabenzanga njalo.

2:18  Lalapho iNkosi ibamisela abahluleli, iNkosi yayilomahluleli, yabophula esandleni sezitha zabo zonke izinsuku zikamahluleli; ngoba iNkosi yazisola ngenxa yokububula kwabo ngenxa yalabo ababacindezelayo lababahlukuluzayo.

2:19  Kwasekusithi ekufeni kukamahluleli, babuyela emuva baxhwala okwedlula oyise, ngokulandela abanye onkulunkulu, ngokubakhonza langokubakhothamela; kabalahlanga okwemisebenzi yabo lokwendlela yabo yenkani.

2:20  Ngakho ulaka lweNkosi lwavutha kuIsrayeli, yathi: Ngoba lesisizwe seqe isivumelwano sami engasilaya oyise, kasilalelanga ilizwi lami,

2:21  lami kangisayikuxotsha loba ngubani elifeni phambi kwabo ezizweni uJoshuwa azitshiya ekufeni kwakhe,

2:22  ukuze ngihlole ngazo uIsrayeli ukuthi bazagcina yini indlela yeNkosi ukuhamba kuyo njengaboyise bayigcina, kumbe hatshi.

2:23  Ngakho iNkosi yaziyekela lezozizwe, ukuze ingazixotshi elifeni masinyane, njalo kayizinikelanga esandleni sikaJoshuwa.

Chapter 3

3:1  Lalezi yizizwe iNkosi eyazitshiyayo ukuze ihlole uIsrayeli ngazo, bonke abangazazanga zonke izimpi zeKhanani;

3:2  kuphela ukuze izizukulwana zabantwana bakoIsrayeli zazi, ukuzifundisa impi, kuphela abangazazanga phambili:

3:3  Amakhosi amahlanu amaFilisti, lawo wonke amaKhanani, lamaSidoni, lamaHivi ayehlala entabeni yeLebhanoni, kusukela entabeni yeBhali-Hermoni kuze kube sekungeneni kweHamathi.

3:4  Zazingezokuhlola uIsrayeli ngazo ukwazi ukuthi bazayilalela yini imilayo yeNkosi eyabalaya yona oyise ngesandla sikaMozisi.

3:5  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli bahlala-ke phakathi kwamaKhanani, amaHethi, lamaAmori, lamaPerizi, lamaHivi, lamaJebusi.

3:6  Basebethatha amadodakazi awo ukuba ngomkabo, lamadodakazi abo bawanika amadodana awo, bakhonza onkulunkulu bawo.

3:7  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, bayikhohlwa iNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo, bakhonza oBhali lezixuku.

3:8  Ngakho ulaka lweNkosi lwavutha kuIsrayeli, yabathengisa esandleni sikaKushani-Rishathayimi inkosi yeMesopotamiya. Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebeyisebenzela inkosi uKushani-Rishathayimi iminyaka eyisificaminwembili.

3:9  Kwathi abantwana bakoIsrayeli bekhala eNkosini, iNkosi yabavusela abantwana bakoIsrayeli umkhululi owabakhululayo, uOthiniyeli indodana kaKenazi umfowabo kaKalebi ongumnawakhe.

3:10  Njalo uMoya weNkosi wayephezu kwakhe, wahlulela uIsrayeli, waphuma impi, iNkosi yanikela esandleni sakhe uKushani-Rishathayimi inkosi yeSiriya, lesandla sakhe saba lamandla phezu kukaKushani-Rishathayimi.

3:11  Lelizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane. UOthiniyeli indodana kaKenazi wasesifa.

3:12  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebuya besenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi. INkosi yasimqinisa uEgiloni inkosi yakoMowabi ukumelana loIsrayeli, ngenxa yokuthi babenzile okubi emehlweni eNkosi.

3:13  Wasezibuthela abantwana bakoAmoni loAmaleki, waya wamtshaya uIsrayeli, badla ilifa lomuzi wamalala.

3:14  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesebenzela uEgiloni inkosi yakoMowabi iminyaka elitshumi leyisificaminwembili.

3:15  Kwathi abantwana bakoIsrayeli bekhala eNkosini, iNkosi yabavusela umkhululi, uEhudi indodana kaGera, umBhenjamini owayelinxele. Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebethumela ngesandla sakhe isipho kuEgiloni inkosi yakoMowabi.

3:16  UEhudi wasezenzela inkemba ebukhali inhlangothi ezimbili, ubude bayo buyingalo, wayibophela ngaphansi kwezigqoko zakhe ethangazini lakhe lokunene.

3:17  Wasondeza isipho kuEgiloni inkosi yakoMowabi. Njalo uEgiloni wayengumuntu okhulupheleyo kakhulu.

3:18  Kwasekusithi eseqedile ukusondeza isipho, wasephelekezela abantu ababethwele isipho.

3:19  Kodwa yena wabuyela emuva ezithombeni ezibaziweyo ezaziseGiligali, wathi: Nkosi, ngilendaba eyimfihlo kuwe. Yasisithi: Thula. Bonke ababemi laye basebephuma.

3:20  UEhudi wasesiza kuye ehlezi endlini ephezulu epholileyo eyayingeyakhe yedwa. UEhudi wathi: Ngilendaba kaNkulunkulu kuwe. Wasesukuma esihlalweni.

3:21  UEhudi waseselula isandla sakhe sokhohlo, wathatha inkemba ethangazini lakhe lokunene, wayithela esiswini sakhe,

3:22  kwaze kwangena lesilanda emva kobukhali, amahwahwa agubuzela ubukhali, ngoba kayingcothulanga inkemba esiswini sakhe, kwasekuphuma umswane.

3:23  UEhudi wasephuma ekhulusini, wavala iminyango yendlu ephezulu emva kwakhe, wayikhiya.

3:24  Yena esephumile, kwafika izinceku zakhe; kwathi zibona, khangela-ke, iminyango yendlu ephezulu yayikhiyiwe, zathi: Sibili wembese inyawo zakhe endlini epholileyo.

3:25  Njalo zalinda zaze zaba lenhloni; khangela-ke kavulanga iminyango yendlu ephezulu; ngakho zathatha isihluthulelo zavula, khangela-ke, inkosi yazo yayiwele phansi ifile.

3:26  UEhudi wasephunyuka zisalibele, yena wedlula ezithombeni ezibaziweyo, waphunyuka waya eSeyira.

3:27  Kwasekusithi ekufikeni kwakhe wavuthela uphondo entabeni yakoEfrayimi. Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesehla laye ezintabeni, yena ephambi kwabo.

3:28  Wasesithi kibo: Landelani emva kwami, ngoba iNkosi inikele izitha zenu amaMowabi esandleni senu. Ngakho behla bamlandela, bathumba amazibuko eJordani aye koMowabi, kabavumelanga muntu ukuchapha.

3:29  Basebebulala amaMowabi ngalesosikhathi angaba zinkulungwane ezilitshumi, amadoda wonke aqatha lawo wonke amadoda alamandla, njalo kakuphunyukanga muntu.

3:30  Ngalokho uMowabi wehliselwa phansi mhlalokho ngaphansi kwesandla sikaIsrayeli. Lelizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.

3:31  Lemva kwakhe kwaba loShamigari indodana kaAnathi, owatshaya amaFilisti amadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha ngocijo lwenkabi; laye wasemkhulula uIsrayeli.

Chapter 4

4:1  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebuya besenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi esefile uEhudi.

4:2  INkosi yasibathengisa esandleni sikaJabini inkosi yeKhanani owayebusa eHazori. Lenduna yebutho lakhe yayinguSisera, owayehlala eHaroshethi labezizwe.

4:3  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebekhala eNkosini, ngoba wayelezinqola zensimbi ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye, wabacindezela ngamandla abantwana bakoIsrayeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.

4:4  UDebora umfazi owayengumprofethikazi umkaLapidothi yena wahlulela uIsrayeli ngalesosikhathi.

4:5  Wayehlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla selala sikaDebora phakathi kweRama leBhetheli entabeni yakoEfrayimi. Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenyukela kuye ukwahlulelwa.

4:6  Wasethuma wabiza uBaraki indodana kaAbinowama eKedeshi koNafithali, wathi kuye: INkosi uNkulunkulu wakoIsrayeli kayilayanga yini isithi: Hamba usondele entabeni yeThabhori, uzithathele amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi ebantwaneni bakoNafithali lebantwaneni bakoZebuluni?

4:7  Njalo ngizadonsela kuwe esifuleni iKishoni uSisera induna yebutho likaJabini lenqola zakhe lexuku lakhe, ngimnikele esandleni sakho.

4:8  UBaraki wasesithi kuye: Uba uhamba lami, ngizahamba; kodwa uba ungahambi lami, kangiyikuhamba.

4:9  Wasesithi: Ngizahamba lokuhamba lawe, kodwa udumo kaluyikuba ngolwakho ngendlela ohamba ngayo, ngoba iNkosi izathengisa uSisera esandleni sowesifazana. Wasesukuma uDebora, wahamba loBaraki waya eKedeshi.

4:10  UBaraki wasebizela oZebuluni loNafithali eKedeshi. Kwasekusenyuka amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi amlandela, loDebora wenyuka laye.

4:11  UHeberi umKeni wazehlukanisa-ke lamaKeni, abantwana bakaHobabi uyisezala kaMozisi, wamisa ithente lakhe kwaze kwaba sesihlahleni se-okhi* eZahananimi eseduze leKedeshi.

4:12  Basebebikela uSisera ukuthi uBaraki indodana kaAbinowama usenyukele entabeni yeThabhori.

4:13  USisera wasebiza zonke izinqola zakhe, inqola ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye zensimbi, labo bonke abantu ababelaye, kusukela eHaroshethi labezizwe kuze kufike esifuleni iKishoni.

4:14  UDebora wasesithi kuBaraki: Vuka! Ngoba yilo lolusuku iNkosi enikele ngalo uSisera esandleni sakho. Kayihambanga yini iNkosi phambi kwakho? Ngakho uBaraki wehla entabeni iThabhori lamadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi ngemva kwakhe.

4:15  INkosi yasimsanganisa uSisera lazo zonke izinqola lebutho lonke ngobukhali benkemba phambi kukaBaraki, kwaze kwathi uSisera wehla enqoleni wabaleka ngenyawo zakhe.

4:16  UBaraki wasexotshana lezinqola lebutho, waze wafika eHaroshethi labezizwe; ibutho lonke likaSisera laselisiwa ngobukhali benkemba; kakusalanga loyedwa.

4:17  Kodwa uSisera wabaleka ngenyawo zakhe waya ethenteni likaJayeli umkaHeberi umKeni, ngoba kwakulokuthula phakathi kukaJabini inkosi yeHazori lendlu kaHeberi umKeni.

4:18  UJayeli wasephuma ukuhlangabeza uSisera, wathi kuye: Phambuka, nkosi yami, phambukela kimi, ungesabi. Wasephambukela kuye ethenteni, wamembesa ngengubo.

4:19  Wasesithi kuye: Akunginathise amanzi amalutshwana ngoba ngomile. Wasesibukula igula lochago, wamnathisa, wamembesa.

4:20  Wasesithi kuye: Mana emnyango wethente; kuzakuthi-ke, uba kufika umuntu kuwe ekubuza esithi: Kulomuntu lapha yini? Uzakuthi: Kakulamuntu.

4:21  Kodwa uJayeli umkaHeberi wathatha isikhonkwane sethente, wafaka isando esandleni sakhe, wamnyenyela, wabethela isikhonkwane enhlafunweni yakhe sangena emhlabathini, ngoba yena wayelele ubuthongo obukhulu, ediniwe, wasesifa.

4:22  Khangela-ke, uBaraki waxotsha uSisera; uJayeli wasephuma ukumhlangabeza wathi kuye: Woza, ngizakutshengisa umuntu omdingayo. Wasengena ethenteni lakhe, khangela-ke, uSisera wayelele efile, lesikhonkwane sasisenhlafunweni yakhe.

4:23  Ngakho ngalolosuku uNkulunkulu wamehlisela phansi uJabini inkosi yeKhanani phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.

4:24  Isandla sabantwana bakoIsrayeli saqhubeka-ke saba nzima phezu kukaJabini inkosi yeKhanani, baze bamchitha uJabini inkosi yeKhanani.

Chapter 5

5:1  UDebora loBaraki indodana kaAbinowama basebehlabela ngalolosuku besithi:

5:2  Ngenxa yokuphindisela kwezimpindiselo koIsrayeli, nxa abantu bezinikela ngokuzithandela, busisani iNkosi!

5:3  Zwanini makhosi, libeke indlebe ziphathamandla, mina, mina ngizahlabela eNkosini, ngihubele iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli.

5:4  Nkosi, ekuphumeni kwakho eSeyiri, ekunyatheleni kwakho usuka ensimini yeEdoma, umhlaba wazamazama, lamazulu athonta, lamayezi athontisa amanzi.

5:5  Izintaba zageleza phambi kweNkosi, iSinayi le phambi kweNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli.

5:6  Ensukwini zikaShamigari indodana kaAnathi, ensukwini zikaJayeli, izindlela zaphela, lababehamba ezindledlaneni bahamba ngezindlela ezimazombazombe.

5:7  Izakhamizi zemakhaya zaphela koIsrayeli, zaphela, ngaze ngasukuma mina Debora, ngasukuma, unina koIsrayeli.

5:8  Wakhetha onkulunkulu abatsha, khona kwaba lempi emasangweni. Sabonwa yini isihlangu lomkhonto phakathi kwabazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane koIsrayeli?

5:9  Inhliziyo yami ikubanikimithetho bakoIsrayeli, abazinikela ngokuzithandela phakathi kwabantu. Busisani iNkosi!

5:10  Bagadi babobabhemi abamhlophe, bahlali besigcabha, labahambi endleleni, khulumani.

5:11  Elizwini labatshoki, phakathi kwezindawo zokukha amanzi, lapho bayalandisa ngemisebenzi elungileyo yeNkosi, imisebenzi elungileyo yezakhamizi zemakhaya zakoIsrayeli. Ngalesosikhathi abantu beNkosi behlela emasangweni.

5:12  Vuka, vuka, Debora! Vuka, vuka, khuluma ingoma! Sukuma Baraki, uthumbe abathunjiweyo bakho, ndodana kaAbinowama.

5:13  Khona yayenza insali yabusa phezu kwezinduna ebantwini; iNkosi yangenza ngabusa phezu kwabalamandla.

5:14  Kuvela koEfrayimi impande yabo yayimelene loAmaleki; emva kwakho, Bhenjamini, phakathi kwabantu bakho; kuvela kuMakiri kwehla abanikumthetho, lakoZebuluni abadonsa ngentonga yombhali.

5:15  Leziphathamandla zakoIsakari zaziloDebora; lanjengoIsakari, waba njalo uBaraki; wathunjwa esigodini ngenyawo zakhe. Ekwehlukaneni kukaRubeni izinqumo zenhliziyo zazizinkulu.

5:16  Wahlalelani phakathi kwezibaya ukuzwa umhlanga wokukhaliselwa izimvu? Izifunda zakoRubeni zaba lokuhlolwa okukhulu kwenhliziyo.

5:17  UGileyadi wahlala ngaphetsheya kweJordani. LoDani wahlalelani emikhunjini? UAsheri wahlala ekhunjini lolwandle, wahlala ethekwini.

5:18  UZebuluni uyisizwe esadela umphefumulo waso kwaze kwaba sekufeni, loNafithali, emiqolweni yensimu.

5:19  Amakhosi afika alwa; khona amakhosi eKhanani alwa eThahanakhi ngasemanzini eMegido; kawathathanga impango yesiliva.

5:20  Zisemazulwini zalwa, inkanyezi zisendleleni zazo zalwa loSisera.

5:21  Isifula iKishoni sabakhukhula, isifula sendulo, isifula iKishoni. Mphefumulo wami, unyathela ngamandla!

5:22  Khona atshaya phansi amasondo amabhiza, ngokumatha, ukumatha kwabalamandla bakhe.

5:23  Qalekisani iMerozi, kutsho ingilosi yeNkosi, qalekisani ngokuqalekisa abakhileyo kuyo, ngoba kabezanga kuncedo lweNkosi, kuncedo lweNkosi, lamaqhawe.

5:24  Uzabusiswa phezu kwabesifazana uJayeli umkaHeberi umKeni; ubusisiwe phezu kwabesifazana ethenteni.

5:25  Wacela amanzi, wamnika uchago, waletha amasi ngomganu wobukhosi.

5:26  Welulela isandla sakhe esikhonkwaneni, lesandla sakhe sokunene esandweni sezisebenzi, wamtshaya uSisera, wachoboza ikhanda lakhe, wahlaba wabhoboza inhlafuno yakhe.

5:27  Phakathi laphakathi kwenyawo zakhe wakhothama wawa walala; phakathi laphakathi kwenyawo zakhe wakhothama wawa, lapho akhothamela khona, wawa lapho efile echithekile.

5:28  Unina kaSisera walunguza ngewindi, wanqolonga ngeminxibo yewindi wathi: Kungani inqola yakhe iphuza ukuza? Kungani ephuzile amavili ezinqola zakhe?

5:29  Izihlakaniphi zamakhosazana akhe zaphendula, yebo yena wazibuyisela impendulo yakhe wathi:

5:30  Kabatholanga yini bayaba impango, intombazana, amantombazana amabili kuleyo laleyondoda, impango yamalembu aconjiweyo kaSisera, impango yamalembu aconjiweyo afekethisiweyo ngenalithi, amalembu amabili aconjiweyo afekethisiweyo ngenalithi, awentamo zomphangi?

5:31  Ngokunjalo kazibhubhe zonke izitha zakho, Nkosi. Kodwa abayithandayo kababe njengokuphuma kwelanga ngamandla alo. Lelizwe lathula iminyaka engamatshumi amane.

Chapter 6

6:1  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi; iNkosi yasibanikela esandleni sikaMidiyani iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

6:2  Lesandla sikaMidiyani saba lamandla phezu kukaIsrayeli. Ngenxa kaMidiyani abantwana bakoIsrayeli bazenzela imihume esezintabeni, lembalu, lezinqaba.

6:3  Kwasekusithi uIsrayeli esehlanyele, enyuka amaMidiyani lamaAmaleki labantwana bempumalanga, benyuka bamelana labo,

6:4  bamisa inkamba maqondana labo, bachitha izithelo zelizwe, uze ufike eGaza, njalo kabatshiyanga okondlayo koIsrayeli loba imvu loba inkabi loba ubabhemi.

6:5  Ngoba bona benyuka lezifuyo zabo lamathente abo, bafika njengokugcwala kwentethe ngobunengi, okokuthi bona lamakamela abo babengelanani; basebengena elizweni ukulichitha.

6:6  UIsrayeli wasesiba ngumyanga kakhulu ngenxa yamaMidiyani, labantwana bakoIsrayeli bakhala eNkosini.

6:7  Kwasekusithi lapho abantwana bakoIsrayeli bekhala eNkosini ngenxa yamaMidiyani,

6:8  iNkosi yathuma umprofethi kubantwana bakoIsrayeli, owathi kibo: Itsho njalo iNkosi, uNkulunkulu wakoIsrayeli: Mina ngalenyusa lisuka eGibhithe ngalikhupha endlini yobugqili,

6:9  ngalihluthuna esandleni samaGibhithe, lesandleni sabo bonke abalicindezelayo, ngabaxotsha phambi kwenu, ngalinika ilizwe labo,

6:10  ngathi kini: NgiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu; lingesabi onkulunkulu bamaAmori elihlala elizweni lawo. Kodwa kalililalelanga ilizwi lami.

6:11  Kwasekufika ingilosi yeNkosi, yahlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla se-okhi esiseOfira, esasingesikaJowashi umAbiyezeri, lendodana yakhe uGidiyoni yayibhula ingqoloyi esikhamelweni sewayini, ukuze iyifihlele amaMidiyani.

6:12  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasibonakala kuye, yathi kuye: INkosi ilawe, qhawe elilamandla.

6:13  UGidiyoni wasesithi kuyo: Hawu Nkosi yami, uba iNkosi ilathi, kungani konke lokhu kusehlele? Kanti zingaphi zonke izimangaliso zayo abasitshela zona obaba besithi: INkosi kayisenyusanga siphuma eGibhithe yini? Kodwa khathesi iNkosi isidelile, yasinikela esandleni samaMidiyani.

6:14  INkosi yasiphendukela kuye yathi: Hamba ngalamandla akho, ukhulule uIsrayeli esandleni samaMidiyani. Kangikuthumanga yini?

6:15  Wasesithi kuyo: Hawu Nkosi yami, ngizamkhulula ngani uIsrayeli? Khangela, usendo lwami lungumyanga koManase, njalo ngingomncinyane endlini kababa.

6:16  INkosi yasisithi kuye: Ngoba ngizakuba lawe, uzawatshaya-ke amaMidiyani njengendodanye.

6:17  Wasesithi kuyo: Uba khathesi ngithole umusa emehlweni akho, ngenzela isibonakaliso sokuthi nguwe okhuluma lami.

6:18  Ake ungasuki lapha, ngize ngibuye kuwe, ngikhuphe isipho sami, ngisibeke phambi kwakho. Yasisithi: Mina ngizahlala uze uphenduke.

6:19  UGidiyoni wasengena, walungisa izinyane lembuzi, lezinkwa ezingelamvubelo nge-efa* lempuphu, inyama wayifaka esitsheni, lomhluzi wawufaka embizeni, wakukhuphela kuyo ngaphansi kwesihlahla se-okhi, wakusondeza.

6:20  Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yasisithi kuye: Thatha inyama lezinkwa ezingelamvubelo, ukubeke phezu kwalelidwala, ubusuthela umhluzi. Wasesenza njalo.

6:21  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasiselula isihloko somqwayi owawusesandleni sayo, yathinta inyama lezinkwa ezingelamvubelo; kwasekusenyuka umlilo uphuma edwaleni, wadla inyama lezinkwa ezingelamvubelo. Lengilosi yeNkosi yasuka emehlweni akhe.

6:22  UGidiyoni wasebona ukuthi yayiyingilosi yeNkosi. UGidiyoni wathi: Maye, Nkosi Jehova! Ngenxa yokuthi ngibone ingilosi yeNkosi ubuso ngobuso.

6:23  Kodwa iNkosi yathi kuye: Ukuthula kakube kuwe, ungesabi, kawuyikufa.

6:24  UGidiyoni waseyakhela iNkosi ilathi lapho, walibiza ngokuthi uJehova-shalomi. Kuze kube lamuhla lisesekhona eOfira lamaAbiyezeri.

6:25  Kwasekusithi ngalobobusuku iNkosi yathi kuye: Thatha ijongosi lenkunzi engekayihlo, ngitsho ijongosi lesibili elileminyaka eyisikhombisa, udilize ilathi likaBhali elingelikayihlo, lesixuku esiphansi kwalo usigamule;

6:26  wakhele iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ilathi phezu kwengqonga yalinqaba, njengokwejwayelekileyo; ubusuthatha ijongosi lesibili, unikele umnikelo wokutshiswa ngenkuni zesixuku ozasigamula.

6:27  UGidiyoni wasethatha amadoda alitshumi ezincekwini zakhe, wenza njengokutsho kweNkosi kuye; kodwa kwathi ngenxa yokuthi wayesesaba indlu kayise lamadoda omuzi ukukwenza emini, wakwenza ebusuku.

6:28  Lapho amadoda omuzi evuka ekuseni kakhulu, khangela, ilathi likaBhali lalidiliziwe, lesixuku esasiphansi kwalo sesiganyuliwe, lejongosi lesibili lanikelwa phezu kwelathi elaselakhiwe.

6:29  Basebesithi omunye komunye: Ngubani owenze loludaba? Nxa sebedingile bebuza bathi: UGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wenze loludaba.

6:30  Amadoda omuzi asesithi kuJowashi: Khupha indodana yakho ukuze ife, ngoba idilizile ilathi likaBhali, langoba igamule isixuku esasiphansi kwalo.

6:31  Kodwa uJowashi wathi kubo bonke ababemi ngakuye: Lina lizamlwela uBhali yini, kumbe lina limsindise? Omlwelayo uzabulawa kusesekuseni. Uba engunkulunkulu, kazilwele, ngoba ilathi lakhe lidiliziwe.

6:32  Ngakho ngalolosuku wambiza ngokuthi nguJerubali, esithi: UBhali kalwe laye, ngoba ulidilizile ilathi lakhe.

6:33  Lawo wonke amaMidiyani lamaAmaleki labantwana bempumalanga babuthana ndawonye, bachapha, bamisa inkamba esigodini seJizereyeli.

6:34  LoMoya weNkosi wembesa uGidiyoni; wavuthela uphondo, lamaAbiyezeri abizwa emva kwakhe.

6:35  Wasethuma izithunywa kuye wonke uManase, labo futhi babizwa emva kwakhe. Wasethuma izithunywa koAsheri lakoZebuluni lakoNafithali; basebesiza ukubahlangabeza.

6:36  UGidiyoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu: Uba uzasindisa uIsrayeli ngesandla sami njengokutsho kwakho,

6:37  khangela, ngizabeka uboya bezimvu obugundiweyo ebaleni lokubhulela; uba amazolo ezakuba phezu koboya obugundiweyo kuphela, lokoma emhlabathini wonke, ngizakwazi-ke ukuthi uzamsindisa uIsrayeli ngesandla sami, njengokutsho kwakho.

6:38  Kwasekusiba njalo. Lapho evuka ngovivi kusisa, wacindezela uboya obugundiweyo, wakhama amazolo eboyeni obugundiweyo, umganu ogcwele amanzi.

6:39  UGidiyoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu: Ulaka lwakho lungangivutheli, ngizakhuluma khathesi kuphela; ake ngihlole khathesi kuphela ngoboya obugundiweyo; ake kube lokoma eboyeni obugundiweyo kuphela, lemhlabathini wonke kakube lamazolo.

6:40  UNkulunkulu wasesenza njalo ngalobobusuku; ngoba kwaba lokoma eboyeni obugundiweyo kuphela, kodwa emhlabathini wonke kwaba lamazolo.

Chapter 7

7:1  UJerubali, onguGidiyoni, labo bonke abantu ababelaye basebevuka ngovivi, bamisa inkamba ngasemthonjeni weHarodi, okokuthi waba lenkamba yamaMidiyani enyakatho, ngaseqaqeni lweMore esigodini.

7:2  INkosi yasisithi kuGidiyoni: Abantu abalawe banengi kakhulu ukuthi nginikele amaMidiyani esandleni sabo, hlezi uIsrayeli azidumise emelene lami, esithi: Isandla sami singisindisile.

7:3  Ngakho khathesi memezela-ke endlebeni zabantu usithi: Loba ngubani owesabayo lothuthumelayo kaphenduke asuke masinyane entabeni yeGileyadi. Ngakho kwaphenduka ebantwini abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili, lenkulungwane ezilitshumi zasala.

7:4  INkosi yasisithi kuGidiyoni: Abantu basesebanengi kakhulu; behlisele emanzini, ngizakuhlolela bona khona; kuzakuthi-ke lowo engizakuthi ngaye kuwe: Lo uzahamba lawe, yena uzahamba lawe; kodwa loba ngubani engizakuthi ngaye kuwe: Lo kayikuhamba lawe, yena kayikuhamba.

7:5  Wasebehlisela abantu emanzini. INkosi yasisithi kuGidiyoni: Wonke oxhapha emanzini ngolimi lwakhe njengenja ixhapha, uzambeka yedwa, laye wonke oguqa ngamadolo akhe ukunatha.

7:6  Lenani lalabo abaxhaphayo ngesandla sabo besisa emlonyeni wabo babengamadoda angamakhulu amathathu, kodwa bonke abaseleyo babantu baguqa ngamadolo abo ukunatha amanzi.

7:7  INkosi yasisithi kuGidiyoni: Ngamadoda angamakhulu amathathu axhaphileyo ngizalisindisa, nginikele amaMidiyani esandleni sakho; bayekele-ke bonke abantu bahambe, ngulowo lalowo endaweni yakhe.

7:8  Ngakho abantu bathatha umphako esandleni sabo, lempondo zabo. Wasewayekela wonke amadoda akoIsrayeli ahamba, ngulowo ethenteni lakhe, kodwa wagcina amadoda angamakhulu amathathu. Lenkamba yamaMidiyani yaba ngaphansi kwakhe esigodini.

7:9  Kwasekusithi ngalobobusuku iNkosi yathi kuye: Sukuma, wehlele enkambeni, ngoba ngiyinikele esandleni sakho.

7:10  Kodwa uba usesaba ukwehla, yehla wena loPura inceku yakho uye enkambeni.

7:11  Uzakuzwa abakukhulumayo; lemva kwalokho izandla zakho zizaqiniswa ukuze wehlele enkambeni. Wasesehla yena loPura ijaha lakhe, baya ephethelweni labangamatshumi amahlanu ababesenkambeni.

7:12  Njalo amaMidiyani lamaAmaleki labo bonke abantwana bempumalanga babelele esigodini njengentethe ngobunengi, lamakamela abo ayengelanani, njengetshebetshebe elisekhunjini lolwandle ngobunengi.

7:13  Kwathi uGidiyoni efika, khangela umuntu elandisela umngane wakhe iphupho, wathi: Khangela, ngiphuphe iphupho, khangela-ke, iqebelengwana lesinkwa sebhali* ligiqikela enkambeni yamaMidiyani, lafika ethenteni, lalitshaya lawa laligenqula lakhangela phezulu, okokuthi ithente lawa.

7:14  Umngane wakhe wasephendula wathi: Lokhu kakusilutho ngaphandle kwenkemba kaGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi, indoda yakoIsrayeli. UNkulunkulu unikele esandleni sakhe iMidiyani lenkamba yonke.

7:15  Kwasekusithi uGidiyoni esezwe ukulandiswa kwephupho lengcazelo yalo, wakhonza, wabuyela enkambeni yakoIsrayeli, wathi: Vukani, ngoba iNkosi inikele esandleni senu inkamba yamaMidiyani.

7:16  Wasesehlukanisa amadoda angamakhulu amathathu, aba yizigaba ezintathu, wanika impondo esandleni sawo wonke, lenqayi ezingelalutho, lezihlanti phakathi kwezinqayi.

7:17  Wasesithi kuwo: Ngikhangelani, lenze njalo. Khangelani-ke, nxa ngifika ephethelweni lenkamba, kuzakuthi njengokwenza kwami lenze njalo.

7:18  Nxa ngivuthela impondo, mina labo bonke abalami, lapho lani lizavuthela izimpondo, lihanqe inkamba yonke, lithi: OweNkosi lokaGidiyoni!

7:19  Ngakho uGidiyoni lamadoda alikhulu ayelaye bafika ephethelweni lenkamba ekuqaleni komlindo wobusuku waphakathi, besanda kumisa nje abalindi; basebevuthela impondo, babulala izinqayi ezazisesandleni sabo.

7:20  Lezigaba ezintathu zavuthela izimpondo, zabulala izinqayi, zaphatha esandleni sazo sekhohlo izihlanti lesandleni sazo sokunene impondo zokuvuthelwa, zamemeza zisithi: Inkemba yeNkosi lekaGidiyoni!

7:21  Zasezisima, ngulowo endaweni yakhe, behanqe inkamba, lenkamba yonke yagijima yamemeza yabaleka.

7:22  Lapho abangamakhulu amathathu bevuthela impondo, iNkosi yamisa inkemba yomunye komunye, lenkambeni yonke; lenkamba yabaleka kwaze kwaba seBeti-Shita eZerera, kwaze kwaba semngceleni weAbeli-Mehola eduze kweTabathi.

7:23  Lamadoda akoIsrayeli abizelwa ndawonye evela koNafithali lakoAsheri lakoManase wonke, axotshana lamaMidiyani.

7:24  UGidiyoni wasethuma izithunywa kuyo yonke intaba yakoEfrayimi esithi: Yehlani lihlangabeze amaMidiyani, lithumbe amanzi phambi kwawo kuze kube seBeti-Bara leJordani. Ngakho wonke amadoda akoEfrayimi abizelwa ndawonye, athumba amanzi kuze kube seBeti-Bara leJordani.

7:25  Athumba iziphathamandla ezimbili eMidiyani, uOrebi loZebi; abulala uOrebi edwaleni leOrebi, loZebi ambulala esikhamelweni sewayini seZebi, axotshana lamaMidiyani; aletha amakhanda aboOrebi loZebi kuGidiyoni ngaphetsheya kweJordani.

Chapter 8

8:1  Amadoda akoEfrayimi asesithi kuye: Iyini linto oyenze kithi ukuthi awusibizanga nxa usiyakulwa lamaMidiyani? Amsola ngamandla.

8:2  Wasesithi kiwo: Ngenzeni khathesi uba kulinganiswa lokwenu? Ukukhothozwa kwezithelo zevini koEfrayimi kakukuhle yini kulesivuno sevini sakoAbiyezeri?

8:3  UNkulunkulu unikele esandleni senu iziphathamandla zeMidiyani, uOrebi loZebi; ngangingenzani njengani? Kwasekudeda kuye ukuthukuthela kwabo lapho ekhuluma lelilizwi.

8:4  Lapho uGidiyoni efika eJordani wachapha, yena lamadoda angamakhulu amathathu ayelaye, bediniwe kodwa bexotsha.

8:5  Wasesithi emadodeni eSukothi: Ake liphe abantu abangilandelayo amaqebelengwana ezinkwa, ngoba badiniwe, ngixotshana loZeba loZalimuna amakhosi eMidiyani.

8:6  Lenduna zeSukothi zathi: Intende yesandla sikaZeba loZalimuna isisesandleni sakho yini, ukuthi siphe ibutho lakho isinkwa?

8:7  UGidiyoni wasesithi: Ngakho nxa iNkosi isinikele uZeba loZalimuna esandleni sami, ngizabhula inyama yenu ngameva enkangala langokhula oluhlabayo.

8:8  Wasesenyuka lapho waya ePenuweli, wakhuluma labo ngokufananayo; lamadoda ePenuweli amphendula njengamadoda eSukothi emphendulile.

8:9  Wasekhuluma futhi emadodeni ePenuweli esithi: Ekubuyeni kwami ngokuthula ngizadiliza lo umphotshongo.

8:10  Njalo uZeba loZalimuna babeseKarikori lenkamba yabo ilabo, phose inkulungwane ezilitshumi lanhlanu, bonke ababesele ebuthweni lonke labantwana bempumalanga, ngoba ababewile babengamadoda azinkulungwane ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili abahwatsha inkemba.

8:11  UGidiyoni wasesenyuka ngendlela yabahlala emathenteni empumalanga kweNoba leJogibeha, wayitshaya inkamba, ngoba inkamba yayilibele.

8:12  UZeba loZalimuna basebebaleka, wasexotshana labo, wathumba amakhosi amabili eMidiyani, uZeba loZalimuna, wethusa inkamba yonke.

8:13  Lapho uGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi esebuya evela empini phambi kokuphuma kwelanga,

8:14  wabamba ijaha emadodeni eSukothi, walibuza; laselimbhalela iziphathamandla zeSukothi labadala bayo, amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa.

8:15  Wasefika emadodeni eSukothi, wathi: Khangelani oZeba loZalimuna elalingiklolodela ngabo lisithi: Intende yesandla sikaZeba loZalimuna isisesandleni sakho yini, ukuthi siphe amadoda akho asediniwe isinkwa?

8:16  Wasethatha abadala bomuzi, lameva enkangala lokhula oluhlabayo, wenza amadoda eSukothi aqedisise ngawo.

8:17  Lomphotshongo wePenuweli wawudiliza, wabulala amadoda omuzi.

8:18  Wasesithi kuZeba lakuZalimuna: Ngamadoda anjani elawabulala eThabhori? Basebesithi: Njengawe babenjalo, ngulowo njengesimo sendodana yenkosi.

8:19  Wasesithi: Babengabafowethu, abantwana bakamama. Kuphila kukaJehova, uba belibayekele baphila, bengingayikulibulala.

8:20  Wasesithi kuJetheri izibulo lakhe: Sukuma ubabulale. Kodwa umfana kayihwatshanga inkemba yakhe, ngoba wayesesaba ngoba esesengumfana.

8:21  UZeba loZalimuna basebesithi: Sukuma wena uwele phezu kwethu, ngoba njengoba injalo indoda, anjalo amandla ayo. Wasesukuma uGidiyoni wabulala uZeba loZalimuna. Wasethatha izinyangana ezazisentanyeni zamakamela abo.

8:22  Amadoda akoIsrayeli asesithi kuGidiyoni: Sibuse, wena-ke, lendodana yakho, lendodana yendodana yakho, ngoba usisindisile esandleni samaMidiyani.

8:23  Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi kibo: Mina kangiyikulibusa, lendodana yami kayiyikulibusa; iNkosi izalibusa.

8:24  UGidiyoni wasesithi kibo: Ake ngicele isicelo kini; nginikani ngamunye icici lempango yakhe. Ngoba babelamacici egolide, ngoba babengamaIshmayeli.

8:25  Basebesithi: Sizanika lokunika. Basebesendlala isembatho, baphosela lapho ngamunye icici lempango yakhe.

8:26  Lesisindo samacici egolide ayewacelile sasingamashekeli* egolide ayinkulungwane lamakhulu ayisikhombisa, ngaphandle kwezinyangana, leziceciso ezilengayo, lezembatho eziyibubende ezazisemakhosini eMidiyani, langaphandle kwamaketane ayesezintanyeni zamakamela awo.

8:27  UGidiyoni wasesenza i-efodi* ngakho, wayibeka emzini wakhe, eOfira. LoIsrayeli wonke waphinga lapho ngokuyilandela; yasisiba ngumjibila kuGidiyoni lendlu yakhe.

8:28  Ngokunjalo amaMidiyani ehliselwa phansi phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli, kawaphindanga aphakamisa ikhanda lawo. Lelizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane ensukwini zikaGidiyoni.

8:29  UJerubali indodana kaJowashi wayahlala-ke endlini yakhe.

8:30  Njalo uGidiyoni wayelamadodana angamatshumi ayisikhombisa aphuma okhalweni lwakhe, ngoba wayelabafazi abanengi.

8:31  Lomfazi wakhe omncane owayeseShekema laye wamzalela indodana, wayitha ibizo lokuthi nguAbhimeleki.

8:32  UGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wasesifa eseluphele kuhle, wangcwatshelwa engcwabeni likaJowashi uyise, eOfira yamaAbiyezeri.

8:33  Kwasekusithi lapho uGidiyoni esefile, abantwana bakoIsrayeli baphenduka, baphinga ngokulandela oBhali, bazimisela uBhali-Berithi waba ngunkulunkulu.

8:34  Njalo abantwana bakoIsrayeli kabayikhumbulanga iNkosi uNkulunkulu wabo eyabophula esandleni sezitha zabo zonke inhlangothi zonke.

8:35  Kabenzanga umusa endlini kaJerubali, onguGidiyoni, njengakho konke okuhle akwenza kuIsrayeli.

Chapter 9

9:1  UAbhimeleki indodana kaJerubali wasesiya eShekema kubafowabo bakanina, wakhuluma kibo lakusendo lonke lwendlu kayise kanina, esithi:

9:2  Ake likhulume endlebeni zabo bonke abahlali beShekemalithi: Yikuphi okungcono kini ukuthi wonke amadodana kaJerubali amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa alibuse, kumbe indoda eyodwa ilibuse? Khumbulani futhi ukuthi ngilithambo lenu lenyama yenu.

9:3  Labafowabo bakanina bamkhulumela ezindlebeni zabo bonke abahlali beShekema wonke la amazwi. Inhliziyo yabo yeyamela ukumlandela uAbhimeleki, ngoba bathi: Ungumfowethu.

9:4  Bamnika inhlamvu zesiliva ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa ezavela endlini kaBhali-Berithi; uAbhimeleki waseqhatsha ngazo abantu abayize labangakhathaliyo abamlandelayo.

9:5  Wasesiya endlini kayise eOfira, wabulala abafowabo amadodana kaJerubali, amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, phezu kwedwala elilodwa; kodwa uJothamu indodana elicinathunjana kaJerubali wasala, ngoba wacatsha.

9:6  Labo bonke abahlali beShekema labo bonke abeBeti-Milo babuthana, bahamba bamenza wabusa uAbhimeleki abe yinkosi, esihlahleni se-okhi* esamiswa siseShekema.

9:7  Lapho bemtshela uJothamu, wayakuma phezu kwengqonga yentaba yeGerizimi, waphakamisa ilizwi lakhe wamemeza wathi kibo: Ngizwani bahlali beShekema ukuze uNkulunkulu alizwe.

9:8  Izihlahla zahamba lokuhamba ukuzigcobela inkosi. Zathi esihlahleni somhlwathi: Sibuse.

9:9  Kodwa isihlahla somhlwathi sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya amafutha ami abadumisa ngawo uNkulunkulu labantu ngami, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?

9:10  Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni somkhiwa: Woza wena usibuse.

9:11  Kodwa isihlahla somkhiwa sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya ubumnandi bami lezithelo zami ezinhle, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?

9:12  Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni sevini: Woza wena usibuse.

9:13  Kodwa isihlahla sevini sathi kuzo: Kambe ngizatshiya iwayini lami elitsha elithokozisa uNkulunkulu labantu, ukuze ngiyezunguza phezu kwezihlahla?

9:14  Izihlahla zonke zasezisithi embabazaneni: Woza wena usibuse.

9:15  Imbabazane yasisithi ezihlahleni: Uba ngeqiniso lingigcoba ngibe yinkosi phezu kwenu, wozani lidinge ukuvikelwa emthunzini wami; uba kungenjalo-ke, umlilo uzaphuma embabazaneni udle izihlahla zemisedari zeLebhanoni.

9:16  Ngakho khathesi, uba likwenzile ngeqiniso langokuthembeka ukuthi libekile uAbhimeleki abe yinkosi, lokuthi uba lenzile okuhle ngoJerubali langendlu yakhe, lokuthi uba lenze kuye ngokufanele izandla zakhe;

9:17  ngoba ubaba walilwela, walahlela khatshana impilo yakhe, walophula esandleni samaMidiyani;

9:18  kodwa lina seliyivukele indlu kababa lamuhla, labulala amadodana akhe, amadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, phezu kwedwala elilodwa, labeka uAbhimeleki indodana yencekukazi yakhe ukuthi abe yinkosi yabahlali beShekema, ngoba engumfowenu;

9:19  uba-ke ngeqiniso langokuthembeka lenzile ngoJerubali langendlu yakhe ngalolusuku, thokozani ngoAbhimeleki, laye athokoze ngani.

9:20  Kodwa uba kungenjalo, kakuphume umlilo kuAbhimeleki udle abahlali beShekema leBeti-Milo, njalo kakuphume umlilo kubahlali beShekema leBeti-Milo udle uAbhimeleki.

9:21  UJothamu wasephunyuka wabaleka, waya eBeri, wahlala khona, ngenxa kaAbhimeleki umfowabo.

9:22  Kwathi uAbhimeleki esebuse uIsrayeli iminyaka emithathu,

9:23  uNkulunkulu wathuma umoya omubi phakathi kukaAbhimeleki labahlali beShekema, njalo abahlali beShekema baziphatha ngokungathembeki kuAbhimeleki,

9:24  ukuze udlakela olwenziwa kumadodana kaJerubali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lubuyele, legazi libekwe phezu kukaAbhimeleki umfowabo owawabulalayo, laphezu kwabahlali beShekema ababeqinise izandla zakhe ukubulala abafowabo.

9:25  Abahlali beShekema basebembekela abacathameli ezingqongeni zezintaba, baphanga bonke ababebedlula ngaleyondlela; uAbhimeleki wasekubikelwa.

9:26  UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasesiza labafowabo, bedlulela eShekema; njalo abahlali beShekema bamthemba.

9:27  Basebephuma baya emasimini, bakha izithelo zamavini ezivinini zabo, bazinyathela, benza indumiso, bangena endlini kankulunkulu wabo, badla banatha, bamthuka uAbhimeleki.

9:28  UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasesithi: Ungubani uAbhimeleki njalo ungubani uShekema ukuthi simsebenzele? Kasindodana kaJerubali yini, loZebuli induna yayo? Sebenzelani amadoda kaHamori uyise kaShekema. Ngoba thina sizamsebenzelelani?

9:29  Sengathi ngabe lababantu bebesesandleni sami, bengizamkhupha-ke uAbhimeleki. Wasesithi kuAbhimeleki: Yandisa ibutho lakho, uphume.

9:30  Kwathi uZebuli umbusi womuzi esizwa amazwi kaGahali indodana kaEbedi, ulaka lwakhe lwavutha.

9:31  Wathuma izithunywa kuAbhimeleki ngobuqili, esithi: Khangela, uGahali indodana kaEbedi labafowabo bafikile eShekema, khangela-ke, sebeqinisa umuzi ukumelana lawe.

9:32  Khathesi-ke sukuma ebusuku wena labantu abalawe, uyecathama egangeni.

9:33  Kuzakuthi-ke ekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga, uvuke ngovivi uwuhlasele umuzi; khangela, lapho yena labantu abalaye bephuma ukumelana lawe, uzakwenza kuye njengalokho isandla sakho esikutholayo.

9:34  UAbhimeleki wasesukuma labo bonke abantu ababelaye, ebusuku, basebeyicathamela iShekema ngezigaba ezine.

9:35  UGahali indodana kaEbedi wasephuma wema esikhaleni sesango lomuzi. UAbhimeleki wasesukuma labantu ababelaye ekucathameni.

9:36  Kwathi uGahali ebona abantu, wathi kuZebuli: Khangela, abantu bayehla ezingqongeni zezintaba. Kodwa uZebuli wathi kuye: Ubona amathunzi ezintaba kungathi ngabantu.

9:37  UGahali waqhubeka futhi ekhuluma wathi: Khangela, abantu bayehla bevela phakathi kwelizwe, lelinye ixuku livela endleleni yamagceke abavumisi.

9:38  UZebuli wasesithi kuye: Usungaphi umlomo wakho owathi ngawo: Ungubani uAbhimeleki ukuthi simkhonze? Laba kayisibo abantu obadeleleyo yini? Ake uphume khathesi uyekulwa labo.

9:39  UGahali wasephuma phambi kwabahlali beShekema, walwa loAbhimeleki.

9:40  UAbhimeleki wamxotsha, wasebaleka phambi kwakhe; abanengi bawa belimele kwaze kwaba sekungeneni kwesango.

9:41  UAbhimeleki wasehlala eAruma. UZebuli wasemxotsha uGahali labafowabo, ukuze bangahlali eShekema.

9:42  Kwasekusithi kusisa abantu baphuma baya egangeni; bamtshela uAbhimeleki.

9:43  Wasethatha abantu, wabehlukanisa baba ngamaxuku amathathu, wacathama egangeni, wabona, khangela-ke, abantu bephuma emzini, wabasukela wabatshaya.

9:44  UAbhimeleki lexuku elalilaye basebebahlasela bema ekungeneni kwesango lomuzi, lamaxuku amabili ahlasela bonke ababesegangeni, abatshaya.

9:45  UAbhimeleki wasesilwa emelene lomuzi lolosuku lonke, wawuthumba umuzi, wabulala abantu ababekiwo, wadilizela phansi umuzi, wawuhlanyela ngetshwayi.

9:46  Lapho bonke abahlali bomphotshongo weShekema bekuzwa, bangena enqabeni yendlu kaEli-Berithi.

9:47  Kwabikelwa uAbhimeleki ukuthi bonke abahlali bemphotshongweni weShekema babuthene ndawonye.

9:48  UAbhimeleki wasesenyukela entabeni yeZalimoni, yena labo bonke abantu ababelaye; uAbhimeleki wathatha ihloka esandleni sakhe, wagamula ugatsha lwezihlahla, waluthatha walwetshata ehlombe lakhe, wathi ebantwini ababelaye: Lokhu elibona ngikwenza, phangisani likwenze njengami.

9:49  Ngakho bonke abantu labo bagamula, ngulowo ugatsha lwakhe, bamlandela uAbhimeleki bazibeka enqabeni, bathungela inqaba ngomlilo phezu kwabo, kwaze kwathi bonke abantu bomphotshongo weShekema labo bafa, phose abesilisa labesifazana abayinkulungwane.

9:50  UAbhimeleki wasesiya eThebezi, wamisa inkamba maqondana leThebezi wayithumba.

9:51  Kodwa kwakulomphotshongo oqinileyo phakathi komuzi, labo bonke abesilisa labesifazana babalekela kuyo, labo bonke abahlali bomuzi, babavalela phakathi; benyukela ephahleni lomphotshongo.

9:52  UAbhimeleki wasefika emphotshongweni, walwa lawo, wasondela emnyango womphotshongo ukuze awutshise ngomlilo.

9:53  Owesifazana othile wasephosa ucezu lwelitshe lokuchola ekhanda likaAbhimeleki, wadabula ukhakhayi lwakhe.

9:54  Wasebiza masinyane ijaha elalithwala izikhali zakhe, wathi kilo: Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungibulale, hlezi bathi ngami: Owesifazana wambulala. Ijaha lakhe laselimgwaza, wafa-ke.

9:55  Kwathi amadoda akoIsrayeli ebona ukuthi uAbhimeleki usefile, ahamba, ngulowo waya endaweni yakhe.

9:56  Ngokunjalo uNkulunkulu wabuyisela ububi bukaAbhimeleki ayebenze kuyise, ngokubulala abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa.

9:57  Labo bonke ububi bamadoda eShekema uNkulunkulu wabubuyisela phezu kwamakhanda awo; kwasekusehlela phezu kwabo isiqalekiso sikaJothamu indodana kaJerubali.

Chapter 10

10:1  Emva kukaAbhimeleki kwasekuvela uThola indodana kaPhuwa indodana kaDodo, indoda yakoIsakari ukukhulula uIsrayeli; wayehlala eShamiri entabeni yakoEfrayimi.

10:2  Wasesahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu. Wafa, wangcwatshelwa eShamiri.

10:3  Lemva kwakhe kwavela uJayiri umGileyadi, wahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili.

10:4  Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu agada amathole abobabhemi angamatshumi amathathu, elemizi engamatshumi amathathu, abayithi yiHavothi-Jayiri kuze kube lamuhla, eselizweni leGileyadi.

10:5  UJayiri wasesifa, wangcwatshelwa eKamoni.

10:6  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebuya besenza okubi emehlweni eNkosi, bakhonza oBhali laboAshitarothi*, labonkulunkulu beSiriya labonkulunkulu beSidoni labonkulunkulu bakoMowabi labonkulunkulu babantwana bakoAmoni labonkulunkulu bamaFilisti; bayitshiya iNkosi, kabaze bayikhonza.

10:7  Ulaka lweNkosi lwaselumvuthela uIsrayeli, yabathengisa ezandleni zamaFilisti lezandleni zabantwana bakoAmoni.

10:8  Asebachitha abacindezela abantwana bakoIsrayeli ngalowomnyaka - iminyaka elitshumi leyisificaminwembili, bonke abantwana bakoIsrayeli ababengaphetsheya kweJordani elizweni lamaAmori eliseGileyadi.

10:9  Njalo abantwana bakoAmoni bachapha iJordani ukuze balwe ngitsho bemelene loJuda njalo bemelene loBhenjamini bemelene lendlu kaEfrayimi; ngalokho uIsrayeli wacindezeleka kakhulu.

10:10  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebekhala eNkosini besithi: Sonile kuwe, njalo ngoba sitshiyile uNkulunkulu wethu, sasesikhonza oBhali.

10:11  INkosi yasisithi ebantwaneni bakoIsrayeli: Kangilikhululanga yini kumaGibhithe lakumaAmori lakubantwana bakoAmoni lakumaFilisti?

10:12  AmaSidoni lawo lamaAmaleki lamaMahoni alicindezela, laselikhala kimi, ngalikhulula esandleni sawo.

10:13  Kanti lina lingitshiyile lakhonza abanye onkulunkulu; ngakho kangisayikulikhulula.

10:14  Hambani liyekhala kubonkulunkulu elibakhethileyo; kabalikhulule bona ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kwenu.

10:15  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli-ke bathi eNkosini: Sonile; yenza wena kithi njengakho konke okuhle emehlweni akho; kuphela sikhulule, siyakuncenga, lamuhla.

10:16  Basebesusa onkulunkulu bezizweni phakathi kwabo, bakhonza iNkosi; umphefumulo wayo wasudabuka ngohlupho lukaIsrayeli.

10:17  Kwasekubizelwa ndawonye abantwana bakoAmoni, bamisa inkamba eGileyadi, labantwana bakoIsrayeli babuthana bamisa inkamba eMizipa.

10:18  Labantu, iziphathamandla zeGileyadi, bathi omunye komunye: Ngubani umuntu ozaqala ukulwa emelene labantwana bakoAmoni? Uzakuba yinhloko phezu kwabo bonke abahlali beGileyadi.

Chapter 11

11:1  Njalo uJefitha umGileyadi wayeliqhawe elilamandla, wayeyindodana yewule; uGileyadi wasezala uJefitha.

11:2  UmkaGileyadi wasemzalela amadodana; kwathi amadodana omkakhe esekhulile amxotsha uJefitha, athi kuye: Kawuyikudla ilifa endlini kababa, ngoba uyindodana yomunye umfazi.

11:3  UJefitha wasebalekela abafowabo, wahlala elizweni leTobi. Amadoda ayize asebuthana kuJefitha, aphuma laye.

11:4  Kwasekusithi emva kwezinsuku abantwana bakoAmoni balwa loIsrayeli.

11:5  Kwasekusithi lapho abantwana bakoAmoni besilwa loIsrayeli, abadala beGileyadi bahamba ukuyathatha uJefitha elizweni leTobi,

11:6  bathi kuJefitha: Woza ube ngumkhokheli wethu ukuze silwe labantwana bakoAmoni.

11:7  Kodwa uJefitha wathi kubadala beGileyadi: Lina kalingizondanga yini, langixotsha endlini kababa? Pho, lizelani kimi khathesi nxa selisenhluphekweni?

11:8  Abadala beGileyadi basebesithi kuJefitha: Ngakho khathesi siyabuyela kuwe ukuze uhambe lathi uyekulwa umelene labantwana bakoAmoni, ube yinhloko yethu phezu kwabo bonke abakhi beGileyadi.

11:9  UJefitha wasesithi kubadala beGileyadi: Uba lingibuyisa ukulwa ngimelene labantwana bakoAmoni, iNkosi ibanikele phambi kwami, mina ngizakuba yinhloko yenu yini?

11:10  Abadala beGileyadi basebesithi kuJefitha: INkosi iyezwa phakathi kwethu, uba singenzi njalo njengokwamazwi akho.

11:11  UJefitha wasehamba labadala beGileyadi, abantu basebemenza waba yinhloko lomkhokheli phezu kwabo. UJefitha wasekhuluma wonke amazwi akhe phambi kweNkosi eMizipa.

11:12  UJefitha wasethuma izithunywa enkosini yabantwana bakoAmoni esithi: Ngilani lawe ukuthi uze kimi ukulwa elizweni lami?

11:13  Inkosi yabantwana bakoAmoni yasisithi kuzithunywa zikaJefitha: Ngoba uIsrayeli wathatha ilizwe lami ekwenyukeni kwakhe eGibhithe kusukela eArinoni kuze kube seJaboki kuze kube seJordani; ngakho-ke libuyiseni ngokuthula.

11:14  UJefitha wasephinda ethuma izithunywa futhi enkosini yabantwana bakoAmoni,

11:15  wathi kuye: Utsho njalo uJefitha: UIsrayeli kalithathanga ilizwe lakoMowabi lelizwe labantwana bakoAmoni,

11:16  kodwa ekwenyukeni kwabo besuka eGibhithe uIsrayeli wahamba edabula enkangala waya eLwandle oluBomvu, wafika eKadeshi.

11:17  UIsrayeli wasethuma izithunywa enkosini yeEdoma esithi: Ake sedlule sidabule elizweni lakho; kodwa inkosi yeEdoma kayilalelanga. Wathumela njalo enkosini yakoMowabi, kodwa kayivumanga. Ngakho uIsrayeli wahlala eKadeshi.

11:18  Basebedabula enkangala, balibhoda ilizwe leEdoma lelizwe lakoMowabi, bafika lapho eliphuma khona ilanga kwelizwe lakoMowabi. Bamisa inkamba ngaphetsheya kweArinoni, kodwa kabangenanga emngceleni wakoMowabi, ngoba iArinoni yayingumngcele wakoMowabi.

11:19  UIsrayeli wasethuma izithunywa kuSihoni inkosi yamaAmori, inkosi yeHeshiboni; uIsrayeli wathi kuye: Ake sedlule elizweni lakho siye endaweni yami.

11:20  Kodwa uSihoni kamthembanga uIsrayeli ukuthi adlule emngceleni wakhe; kodwa uSihoni wabutha bonke abantu bakhe, wamisa inkamba eJahazi, walwa loIsrayeli.

11:21  Kodwa iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, yanikela uSihoni labo bonke abantu bakhe esandleni sikaIsrayeli, babatshaya. Ngakho uIsrayeli wadla ilifa lelizwe lonke lamaAmori, abahlali balelolizwe.

11:22  Badla ilifa layo yonke imingcele yamaAmori kusukela eArinoni kuze kube seJaboki, njalo kusukela enkangala kuze kube seJordani.

11:23  Khathesi-ke iNkosi, uNkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, yawaxotsha elifeni amaAmori phambi kwabantu bayo uIsrayeli; kanti wena uzakudla ilifa lalo yini?

11:24  Kawuyikudla yini ilifa lalokhu uKemoshi unkulunkulu wakho akunika ukudla ilifa lakho? Ngakho loba ngubani iNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu ezamxotsha elifeni phambi kwethu, lokhu sizakudla ilifa lakho.

11:25  Pho-ke wena ungcono yini okwedlula uBalaki indodana kaZipori inkosi yakoMowabi? Wake waxabana loIsrayeli; kumbe wake walwa labo yini;

11:26  lapho uIsrayeli esehlala eHeshiboni lemizaneni yayo, leAroweri lemizaneni yayo, lakuyo yonke imizi esekhunjini lweArinoni, iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu? Kungani-ke ungayophulanga ngalesosikhathi?

11:27  Ngakho mina kangonanga kuwe, kodwa wena wenza okubi kimi ngokulwa lami; iNkosi uMahluleli kahlulele lamuhla phakathi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli labantwana bakoAmoni.

11:28  Kodwa inkosi yabantwana bakoAmoni kayilalelanga amazwi kaJefitha awathumela kuyo.

11:29  UMoya weNkosi wasesiza phezu kukaJefitha, wedlula eGileyadi leManase, wedlula eMizipa yeGileyadi; esuka eMizipa wedlulela kubantwana bakoAmoni.

11:30  UJefitha wafunga isifungo eNkosini wathi: Uba uzanikela lokunikela abantwana bakoAmoni esandleni sami,

11:31  kuzakuthi loba yikuphi okuphuma eminyango yendlu yami ukungihlangabeza ekubuyeni kwami ngokuthula ngivela kubantwana bakoAmoni, kuzakuba ngokweNkosi, ngizakunikela kube ngumnikelo wokutshiswa.

11:32  Ngakho uJefitha wasesedlulela ebantwaneni bakoAmoni ukulwa emelene labo; iNkosi yasibanikela esandleni sakhe.

11:33  Wasebatshaya kusukela eAroweri uze ufike eMinithi, imizi engamatshumi amabili, kuze kube seAbeli-Keramimi, ukutshaya okukhulukazi. Ngokunjalo abantwana bakoAmoni behliselwa phansi phambi kwabantwana bakoIsrayeli.

11:34  UJefitha wasefika eMizipa endlini yakhe. Khangela-ke, indodakazi yakhe yaphuma ukumhlangabeza, ilezigujana, lemigido; yayiyiyo yodwa eyakhe; ngaphandle kwayo wayengelandodana lendodakazi.

11:35  Kwasekusithi lapho eyibona wadabula izigqoko zakhe wathi: Maye ndodakazi yami! Ungithobisile kakhulu, njalo wena uphakathi kwabangihluphayo, ngoba mina ngivule umlomo wami eNkosini, ngingeke ngibuyele emuva.

11:36  Yasisithi kuye: Baba, uvulile umlomo wakho eNkosini, yenza kimi njengalokho okuphume emlonyeni wakho, lokhu iNkosi ikuphindisele ezitheni zakho, ebantwaneni bakoAmoni.

11:37  Yasisithi kuyise: Akungenzele linto: Ngiyekela inyanga ezimbili, ngiye ngehle ezintabeni, ngililele ubuntombi bami, mina labangane bami.

11:38  Wasesithi: Hamba. Waseyiyekela ihamba inyanga ezimbili. Yasihamba, yona labangane bayo, yalilela ubuntombi bayo ezintabeni.

11:39  Kwasekusithi ekupheleni kwenyanga ezimbili yabuyela kuyise, owenza kuyo isifungo sakhe asifungayo; yona kayiyazanga indoda. Kwasekusiba ngumkhuba koIsrayeli:

11:40  Iminyaka ngeminyaka amadodakazi akoIsrayeli ayehamba ukuyakhumbula indodakazi kaJefitha umGileyadi insuku ezine ngomnyaka.

Chapter 12

12:1  Abantu bakoEfrayimi basebebizelwa ndawonye, bachaphela enyakatho, bathi kuJefitha: Wachaphelani ukuyakulwa umelene labantwana bakoAmoni, lathi ungasibizanga ukuthi sihambe lawe? Sizatshisa ngomlilo indlu yakho phezu kwakho.

12:2  UJefitha wathi kibo: Mina labantu bami sasilengxabano enkulu labantwana bakoAmoni; sathi silibiza, kalingikhululanga esandleni sabo.

12:3  Kwathi lapho ngibona ukuthi kalisizanga, ngabeka impilo yami esandleni sami, ngachaphela ebantwaneni bakoAmoni, iNkosi yabanikela esandleni sami. Pho, lenyukeleleni kimi lamuhla ukulwa limelene lami?

12:4  UJefitha wasebutha wonke amadoda eGileyadi walwa loEfrayimi; amadoda eGileyadi asemtshaya uEfrayimi, ngoba athi: Lingababalekileyo bakoEfrayimi, lina beGileyadi, phakathi kukaEfrayimi loManase.

12:5  AbeGileyadi basebethumba amazibuko eJordani aya koEfrayimi. Kwakusithi lapho iziphepheli zakoEfrayimi zisithi: Ake ngichaphe; amadoda eGileyadi athi kuye: UngumEfrayimi yini? Lapho esithi: Hatshi;

12:6  basebesithi kuye: Ake uthi: Shibolethi. Athi: Sibolethi; ngoba engelakulikhuluma kuhle. Basebembamba, bemhlaba emazibukweni eJordani. Kwasekusiwa ngalesosikhathi kwabakoEfrayimi abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili.

12:7  UJefitha wasesahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka eyisithupha. Wasesifa uJefitha umGileyadi, wangcwatshelwa komunye wemizi yeGileyadi.

12:8  Emva kwakhe-ke uIbizani weBhethelehema wahlulela uIsrayeli.

12:9  Njalo wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu, wathumela ngaphandle amadodakazi angamatshumi amathathu, wangenisela amadodana akhe amadodakazi angamatshumi amathathu evela ngaphandle; wahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

12:10  Wasesifa uIbizani, wangcwatshelwa eBhethelehema.

12:11  Njalo emva kwakhe uEloni umZebuloni wahlulela uIsrayeli; wahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka elitshumi.

12:12  Wasesifa uEloni umZebuloni, wangcwatshelwa eAjaloni, elizweni lakoZebuluni.

12:13  Emva kwakhe-ke uAbidoni indodana kaHileli umPirathoni wahlulela uIsrayeli.

12:14  Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amane, lamadodana amadodana angamatshumi amathathu, ayegada amathole abobabhemi angamatshumi ayisikhombisa; wahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka eyisificaminwembili.

12:15  Wasesifa uAbidoni indodana kaHileli umPirathoni, wangcwatshelwa ePirathoni elizweni lakoEfrayimi entabeni zamaAmaleki.

Chapter 13

13:1  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli babuya-ke benza okubi emehlweni eNkosi. INkosi yasibanikela esandleni samaFilisti iminyaka engamatshumi amane.

13:2  Kwakukhona-ke umuntu othile weZora, owosendo lwakoDani, obizo lakhe lalinguManowa; lomkakhe wayeyinyumba engazali.

13:3  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasibonakala kowesifazana yathi kuye: Khangela-ke, uyinyumba, kawuzali, kodwa uzathatha isisu uzale indodana.

13:4  Ngakho-ke ake uqaphelise, unganathi wayini lokunathwayo okulamandla, ungadli lalutho olungcolileyo,

13:5  ngoba khangela, uzathatha isisu uzale indodana. Impuco kayiyikudlula ekhanda layo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri kaNkulunkulu kusukela esizalweni; yena uzaqala ukusindisa uIsrayeli esandleni samaFilisti.

13:6  Owesifazana wasesiza wabikela indoda yakhe esithi: Kufikile kimi umuntu kaNkulunkulu, ukubonakala kwakhe kwakunjengokubonakala kwengilosi kaNkulunkulu, kusesabeka kakhulu; kodwa kangimbuzanga ukuthi uvela ngaphi, futhi kangitshelanga ibizo lakhe.

13:7  Kodwa uthe kimi: Khangela, uzathatha isisu, uzale indodana; khathesi-ke unganathi wayini lokunathwayo okulamandla, ungadli lalutho olungcolileyo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri kaNkulunkulu kusukela esizalweni kuze kube sosukwini lokufa kwakhe.

13:8  UManowa waseyincenga iNkosi wathi: Hawu Nkosi yami, umuntu kaNkulunkulu omthumileyo ake abuye futhi kithi, asifundise ukuthi sizakwenza njani emfaneni ozazalwa.

13:9  UNkulunkulu waselizwa ilizwi likaManowa, lengilosi kaNkulunkulu yafika futhi kowesifazana ehlezi egangeni; kodwa uManowa umkakhe wayengelaye.

13:10  Owesifazana wasehaluzela wagijima wabikela umkakhe wathi: Khangela, lowomuntu ubonakele kimi owafika kimi mhlalokhuyana.

13:11  UManowa wasesukuma walandela umkakhe, wafika kulowomuntu wathi kuye: Unguye yini lowomuntu owakhuluma kulowesifazana? Wasesithi: Nginguye.

13:12  UManowa wasesithi: Kaweze-ke amazwi akho; izakuba yini indlela yomfana, lomsebenzi wakhe?

13:13  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasisithi kuManowa: Kukho konke engakutshoyo kowesifazana akuqaphelise;

13:14  angadli okolutho oluphuma evinini lewayini, anganathi wayini lokunathwayo okulamandla, angadli lutho olungcolileyo; konke engamlaya khona akugcine.

13:15  UManowa wasesithi engilosini yeNkosi: Ake sikubambelele, silungise phambi kwakho izinyane lembuzi.

13:16  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasisithi kuManowa: Uba ungibambelela, kangiyikudla okwesinkwa sakho; njalo uba ulungisa umnikelo wokutshiswa, unikele eNkosini. Ngoba uManowa wayengazi ukuthi yayiyingilosi yeNkosi.

13:17  UManowa wasesithi kuyo ingilosi yeNkosi: Ungubani ibizo lakho, ukuze kuthi lapho amazwi akho esiza sikuhloniphe.

13:18  Ingilosi yeNkosi yasisithi kuye: Ubuzelani kanje ngebizo lami lokhu liyamangalisa?

13:19  UManowa wasethatha izinyane lembuzi lomnikelo wokudla, wakunikela eNkosini phezu kwedwala, yasisenza ngokumangalisayo, njalo uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele.

13:20  Kwasekusithi lapho ilangabi lisenyuka elathini liqonde emazulwini, ingilosi yeNkosi yenyuka ngelangabi lelathi, uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele, bathi mbo ngobuso babo emhlabathini.

13:21  Kodwa ingilosi yeNkosi kayiphindanga isabonakala kuManowa lomkakhe. Khona uManowa wazi ukuthi kwakuyingilosi yeNkosi.

13:22  UManowa wasesithi kumkakhe: Sizakufa lokufa ngoba sibone uNkulunkulu.

13:23  Kodwa umkakhe wathi kuye: Uba iNkosi ibithanda ukusibulala, ibingayikwemukela esandleni sethu umnikelo wokutshiswa lomnikelo wokudla, njalo ibingayikusitshengisa zonke lezizinto, njalo ibingayikusizwisa ngalesisikhathi izinto ezinjengalezi.

13:24  Owesifazana wasebeletha indodana, wayitha ibizo layo wathi nguSamsoni; umfana wasekhula, leNkosi yambusisa.

13:25  UMoya weNkosi waseqala ukumvusa enkambeni kaDani phakathi kweZora leEshitawoli.

Chapter 14

14:1  USamsoni wasesehlela eThiminathi, wabona owesifazana eThiminathi wamadodakazi amaFilisti.

14:2  Wenyuka wabatshela oyise lonina wathi: Ngibone owesifazana eThiminathi wamadodakazi amaFilisti. Ngakho-ke ngithatheleni yena abe ngumkami.

14:3  Kodwa uyise lonina bathi kuye: Kakula owesifazana yini phakathi kwamadodakazi abafowenu loba phakathi kwabo bonke abantu bakithi ukuthi uyethatha umfazi kumaFilisti angasokanga? USamsoni wasesithi kuyise: Ngithathele yena ngoba yena uyathandeka emehlweni ami.

14:4  Kodwa uyise lonina babengazi ukuthi lokho kuvela eNkosini, ukuthi wayedinga ithuba lokumelana lamaFilisti; ngoba ngalesosikhathi amaFilisti ayebusa phezu kukaIsrayeli.

14:5  USamsoni wasesehla loyise lonina esiya eThiminathi, bafika ezivinini eThiminathi, khangela-ke, ibhongo lesilwane lambhongela.

14:6  UMoya weNkosi wasefika ngamandla phezu kwakhe; walidabula njengodabula izinyane; njalo kwakungelalutho esandleni sakhe; kodwa kabatshelanga oyise lonina lokho akwenzileyo.

14:7  Wasesehla, wakhuluma lowesifazana, njalo wayethandeka emehlweni kaSamsoni.

14:8  Lemva kwezinsuku wabuyela ukuyamthatha; waphambuka ukuthi abone isidumbu sesilwane, khangela-ke, kwakulomtshitshi wenyosi loluju esidunjini sesilwane.

14:9  Wazithapha ngezandla zakhe, wahamba, ehamba esidla, wafika kuyise lakunina, wabanika, badla. Kodwa kabatshelanga ukuthi wayethaphe uluju esidunjini sesilwane.

14:10  Uyise wasesehla waya kowesifazana, loSamsoni wenza idili khona, ngoba ayesenza njalo amajaha.

14:11  Kwasekusithi lapho bembona bathatha abanakwabo abangamatshumi amathathu ukuze babe laye.

14:12  USamsoni wasesithi kibo: Ake ngililibhe ngelibho; uba lingangitshela lona kuhle ensukwini eziyisikhombisa zedili, lilithole, ngizalinika izembatho zelembu elihle ezingamatshumi amathathu lezembatho zokuntshintsha ezingamatshumi amathathu.

14:13  Kodwa uba lingelakho ukungitshela, khona lina lizanginika izembatho zelembu elihle ezingamatshumi amathathu lezembatho zokuntshintsha ezingamatshumi amathathu. Basebesithi kuye: Libha ilibho lakho ukuze silizwe.

14:14  Wasesithi kubo: Kodlayo kwaphuma ukudla, lakolamandla kwaphuma okumnandi. Kodwa babengelakulichasisa ilibho ensukwini ezintathu.

14:15  Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesikhombisa bathi kumkaSamsoni: Huga umkakho ukuthi asichasisele ilibho, hlezi sikutshise lendlu kayihlo ngomlilo. Lisinxusele ukuthi lisithathele esilakho yini? Akunjalo yini?

14:16  UmkaSamsoni wasekhala inyembezi phambi kwakhe wathi: Uyangizonda nje, kawungithandi; uwalibhile ilibho amadodana abantu bakithi, kodwa mina kawungitshelanga. Wasesithi kuye: Khangela ubaba lomama kangibatshelanga, wena-ke ngizakutshela yini?

14:17  Wakhala inyembezi phambi kwakhe insuku eziyisikhombisa beseledili. Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesikhombisa wamtshela ngoba wamcindezela kakhulu. Wasewatshela amadodana abantu bakibo.

14:18  Amadoda omuzi asesithi kuye ngosuku lwesikhombisa ilanga lingakatshoni: Kuyini okumnandi okwedlula uluju? Njalo kuyini okulamandla kulesilwane? Wasesithi kiwo: Uba belingalimanga ngethokazi lami, belingayikulithola ilibho lami.

14:19  UMoya weNkosi wasefika ngamandla phezu kwakhe, wehlela eAshikeloni, watshaya kuwo amadoda angamatshumi amathathu, wathatha izembatho zawo, wanika izembatho zokuntshintsha labo ababechasise ilibho. Intukuthelo yakhe yasivutha wasesenyukela endlini kayise.

14:20  Kodwa umkaSamsoni waba ngowomnakwabo, owayengumngane wakhe.

Chapter 15

15:1  Kwathi emva kwezinsuku ezithile, ngesikhathi sokuvuna ingqoloyi, uSamsoni wethekelela umkakhe elezinyane lembuzi. Wathi: Kangingene kumkami endlini. Kodwa uyise kamvumelanga ukungena.

15:2  Uyise wasesithi: Isibili ngakhuluma ukuthi usumzonda lokumzonda; ngakho ngamnika umkhaphi wakho. Umnawakhe kamuhle kulaye yini? Ngiyacela, kabe ngowakho esikhundleni sakhe.

15:3  USamsoni wasesithi kubo: Khathesi angilacala mayelana lamaFilisti nxa ngiwenzela okubi.

15:4  Ngakho uSamsoni wahamba, wabamba amakhanka angamakhulu amathathu, wathatha izihlanti, wafulathelisa umsila uqondana lomsila, wafaka isihlanti phakathi kwemisila emibili phakathi laphakathi.

15:5  Kwathi esethungele umlilo ezihlantini, wawayekela ahamba emabeleni emiyo amaFilisti, watshisa kusukela ezinqunjini zamabele kusiya emabeleni emiyo kusiya lezivinini lezihlahla zemihlwathi.

15:6  AmaFilisti asesithi: Ngubani owenze lokhu? Bathi: USamsoni, umkhwenyana womThimina; ngoba uthethe umkakhe, wamnika umkhaphi wakhe. AmaFilisti asesenyuka, amtshisa yena loyise ngomlilo.

15:7  USamsoni wasesithi kuwo: Lanxa lenze njalo, kanti ngizaphindisela kini, emva kwalokho ngiyekele.

15:8  Wasebatshaya, umlenze phezu kwethangazi, ukubulala okukhulu. Wasesehla wahlala ebhalwini lwedwala leEtamu.

15:9  AmaFilisti asesenyuka amisa inkamba koJuda, asabalala eLehi.

15:10  Amadoda akoJuda asesithi: Lenyukeleleni ukumelana lathi? Athi: Senyukelele ukubopha uSamsoni, ukuze senze kuye njengalokho akwenze kithi.

15:11  Kwasekusehla amadoda azinkulungwane ezintathu akoJuda aya ebhalwini lwedwala leEtamu, athi kuSamsoni: Kawazi yini ukuthi amaFilisti ayasibusa? Pho, kuyini lokhu okwenze kithi? Wasesithi kibo: Njengokwenza kwawo kimi ngenze njalo kuwo.

15:12  Basebesithi kuye: Sehlele ukukubopha ukuze sikunikele esandleni samaFilisti. USamsoni wasesithi kibo: Fungani kimi ukuthi lina kaliyikungihlasela.

15:13  Basebekhuluma kuye bathi: Hatshi, kodwa sizakubopha lokukubopha, sikunikele esandleni sawo, kodwa oqotho kasiyikukubulala. Basebembopha ngamagoda amabili amatsha, bamenyusa edwaleni.

15:14  Kwathi esefikile eLehi, amaFilisti aklabalala emhlangabeza. UMoya weNkosi wasefika ngamandla phezu kwakhe, lamagoda ayesengalweni zakhe aba njengefilakisi etshiswe ngomlilo, lezibopho zakhe zancibilika zasuka ezandleni zakhe.

15:15  Wasethola umhlathi omutsha kababhemi, welula isandla sakhe wawuthatha, watshaya ngawo amadoda ayinkulungwane.

15:16  USamsoni wasesithi: Ngomhlathi kababhemi, inqumbi phezu kwezinqumbi, ngomhlathi kababhemi ngitshaye amadoda ayinkulungwane.

15:17  Kwasekusithi eseqedile ukukhuluma wawulahla umhlathi esandleni sakhe, wayibiza leyondawo ngokuthi iRamathi-Lehi.

15:18  Wayesomile kakhulu, wakhala eNkosini wathi: Wena unikile lokhukukhululwa okukhulu ngesandla senceku yakho; khathesi-ke sengizakufa ngokoma, ngiwele esandleni sabangasokanga yini?

15:19  UNkulunkulu waseqhekeza igodi elaliseLehi, kwaphuma amanzi kilo. Kwathi esenathile, umoya wakhe wabuya waqaqabuka. Ngalokho wabiza ibizo lawo ngokuthi yiEni-Hakore, oseLehi kuze kube lamuhla.

15:20  Wasesahlulela uIsrayeli ensukwini zamaFilisti iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.

Chapter 16

16:1  USamsoni wasesiya eGaza, wabona khona umfazi, iwule, wangena kulo.

16:2  Kwabikwa kwabeGaza kuthiwa: USamsoni ufikile lapha. Bamzingelezela, bamcathamela ubusuku bonke esangweni lomuzi; bathula ubusuku bonke besithi: Kuze kukhanye ekuseni, khona sizambulala.

16:3  USamsoni waselala kwaze kwaba phakathi kobusuku; wavuka phakathi kobusuku, wabamba izivalo zesango lomuzi, lensika zombili, wazisiphuna lomgoqo, wakwetshata emahlombe akhe, wakwenyusela engqongeni yentaba ephambi kweHebroni.

16:4  Kwathi emva kwalokho wathanda owesifazana esihotsheni seSoreki, obizo lakhe linguDelila.

16:5  Njalo iziphathamandla zamaFilisti zenyukela kuye zathi kuye: Myenge ubone ukuthi akukuphi amandla akhe amakhulu, lokuthi singamehlula ngani, ukuthi simbophe ukuze simnqobe. Thina-ke sizakunika ngamunye izinhlamvu zesiliva eziyinkulungwane lekhulu.

16:6  UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni: Ake ungitshele ukuthi akukuphi amandla akho amakhulu, lokuthi ungabotshwa ngani ukukunqoba.

16:7  USamsoni wasesithi kuye: Uba bengibopha ngentambo eziyisikhombisa ezintsha ezingomanga, ngizakuba buthakathaka ngibe njengomunye umuntu.

16:8  Iziphathamandla zamaFilisti zasezisenyusela kuye intambo eziyisikhombisa ezintsha ezingomanga; wasembopha ngazo.

16:9  Abacathemeyo-ke bahlala laye endlini engaphakathi; wasesithi kuye: AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni! Waziqamula intambo njengentambo yefilakisi iqamuka nxa isizwa umlilo. Ngakho amandla akhe kawaziwanga.

16:10  UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni: Khangela, udlale ngami wangitshela amanga. Khathesi ake ungitshele ukuthi ungabotshwa ngani.

16:11  Wasesithi kuye: Uba bengangibopha lokungibopha ngamagoda amatsha okungenziwanga msebenzi ngawo, ngizakuba buthakathaka ngibe njengomunye umuntu.

16:12  Ngakho uDelila wathatha amagoda amatsha, wambopha ngawo, wathi kuye: AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni! Abacathemeyo babehlezi endlini engaphakathi. Kodwa wawaqamula asuka engalweni zakhe njengomnxeba.

16:13  UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni: Kuze kube khathesi udlale ngami, wangitshela amanga; ngitshela ukuthi ungabotshwa ngani. Wasesithi kuye: Uba useluka amaxha enwele zekhanda lami ayisikhombisa ngezintambo ezelukiweyo.

16:14  Wasewaqinisa ngesikhonkwane; wathi kuye: AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni! Wasevuka ebuthongweni bakhe, wasusa isikhonkwane seselukiso lentambo ezelukiweyo.

16:15  Wasesithi kuye: Ungatsho njani ukuthi: Ngiyakuthanda; nxa inhliziyo yakho ingelami? Lezizikhathi ezintathu udlale ngami, kawungitshelanga ukuthi akukuphi amandla akho amakhulu.

16:16  Kwasekusithi lapho emcindezela ngamazwi akhe insuku zonke, wamkhathaza, kwaze kwathi umphefumulo wakhe wadabuka kwaze kwaba sekufeni.

16:17  Ngakho wamtshela inhliziyo yakhe yonke wathi kuye: Impuco kayizanga ize phezu kwekhanda lami, ngoba ngingumNaziri kaNkulunkulu kusukela esizalweni sikamama. Uba ngiphucwa, amandla ami azasuka kimi, ngibe buthakathaka ngibe njengaye wonke umuntu.

16:18  Lapho uDelila ebona ukuthi umtshele inhliziyo yakhe yonke, wathuma wabiza iziphathamandla zamaFilisti esithi: Yenyukani ngalesisikhathi, ngoba ungitshele inhliziyo yakhe yonke. Iziphathamandla zamaFilisti zasezisenyukela kuye, zaletha imali esandleni sazo.

16:19  Wasemlalisa ubuthongo emadolweni akhe, wabiza umuntu, wamgelisa amaxha ayisikhombisa enwele zekhanda lakhe. Waseqala ukumhlupha, lamandla akhe asuka kuye.

16:20  Wasesithi: AmaFilisti aphezu kwakho, Samsoni! Wasevuka ebuthongweni bakhe wathi: Ngizaphuma njengakwezinye izikhathi, ngizinyikinye. Kodwa yena wayengazi ukuthi iNkosi isukile kuye.

16:21  Khona amaFilisti ambamba, amkopola amehlo, amehlisela eGaza, ambopha ngezibopho zethusi; njalo wayechola entolongweni.

16:22  Kodwa inwele zekhanda lakhe zaqala ukukhula emva kokuphucwa kwakhe.

16:23  Khona iziphathamandla zamaFilisti zabuthana ukuze zihlabele uDagoni unkulunkulu wazo umhlatshelo omkhulu, zithokoze, zathi: Unkulunkulu wethu unikele uSamsoni isitha sethu esandleni sethu.

16:24  Lapho abantu bembona badumisa unkulunkulu wabo, ngoba bathi: Unkulunkulu wethu unikele esandleni sethu isitha sethu, ngitsho umchithi welizwe lakithi, njalo owenza baba banengi ababuleweyo bethu.

16:25  Kwasekusithi lapho inhliziyo zabo zithokoza bathi: Bizani uSamsoni ukuze azesidlalela. Basebembiza uSamsoni evela entolongweni, wadlala phambi kwabo. Basebemmisa phakathi kwezinsika.

16:26  USamsoni wasesithi emfaneni owayembambe ngesandla: Ngiyekela ngithinte izinsika indlu emi phezu kwazo ukuze ngeyame kuzo.

16:27  Indlu yayigcwele-ke abesilisa labesifazana; lazo zonke iziphathamandla zamaFilisti zazikhona, laphezulu ephahleni kwakukhona abesilisa labesifazana abangaba zinkulungwane ezintathu ababebukele uSamsoni edlala.

16:28  USamsoni wasekhala eNkosini wathi: Nkosi Jehova, ngikhumbule ngiyakuncenga, ungiqinise ngiyakuncenga, kuphela ngalesisikhathi, Nkulunkulu, ukuze ngiziphindisele ngokuphindisela okukodwa kumaFilisti ngenxa yamehlo ami amabili.

16:29  USamsoni wasebamba insika ezimbili eziphakathi, indlu eyayimi kuzo, waqina ngazo, enye ngesandla sakhe sokunene lenye ngesandla sakhe sokhohlo.

16:30  USamsoni wasesithi: Mina kangife lamaFilisti. Wasekhothama ngamandla; njalo indlu yawela phezu kweziphathamandla laphezu kwabo bonke abantu ababekuyo. Ngakho abafayo ababulala ekufeni kwakhe babe banengi okwedlula labo ababulala empilweni yakhe.

16:31  Kwasekusehla abafowabo labendlu yonke kayise, bamthatha, bamenyusa, bayamngcwabela phakathi kweZora leEshitawoli engcwabeni likaManowa uyise. Yena wahlulela uIsrayeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.

Chapter 17

17:1  Kwakukhona-ke umuntu wentabeni yakoEfrayimi, obizo lakhe lalinguMika.

17:2  Wasesithi kunina: Izinhlamvu zesiliva eziyinkulungwane lekhulu ezathathwa kuwe, owaqalekisa ngazo, njalo wakhuluma endlebeni zami, khangela, leyomali ikimi, mina ngayithatha. Unina wasesithi: Kawubusiswe eNkosini, ndodana yami.

17:3  Wathi esezibuyisele kunina izinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane lekhulu zesiliva, unina wathi: Ngasengisehlukanisile lokusehlukanisela iNkosi isiliva sami sivela esandleni sami sibe ngesendodana yami, ukuze ngenze isithombe esibaziweyo lesithombe esibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa. Khathesi-ke ngizasibuyisela kuwe.

17:4  Kodwa wayibuyisela imali kunina. Unina wasethatha izinhlamvu zesiliva ezingamakhulu amabili, wazinika umkhandi, owenza ngazo isithombe esibaziweyo lesithombe esibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa; zasezisiba sendlini kaMika.

17:5  Njalo lowomuntu uMika wayelendlu yabonkulunkulu, wenza i-efodi* lamatherafi, wehlukanisa omunye wamadodana akhe, ukuze abe ngumpristi wakhe.

17:6  Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi koIsrayeli; wonke umuntu wayesenza okwakulungile emehlweni akhe.

17:7  Njalo kwakukhona ijaha leBhethelehema-Juda, elosendo lukaJuda, elalingumLevi, njalo lahlala njengowezizwe khona.

17:8  Lowomuntu wasesuka emzini, eBhethelehema-Juda, ukuyahlala njengowezizwe lapho ayengathola khona indawo. Wafika entabeni yakoEfrayimi, endlini kaMika, ehamba ngendlela yakhe.

17:9  UMika wasesithi kuye: Uvela ngaphi? Wasesithi kuye: NgingumLevi weBhethelehema-Juda, ngiya ukuyahlala njengowezizwe lapho engingathola khona indawo.

17:10  UMika wasesithi kuye: Hlala lami, ube kimi ngubaba lompristi, mina ngizakunika izinhlamvu zesiliva ezilitshumi ngomnyaka, lezigqoko zokugqoka, lokudla kwakho. UmLevi wasengena.

17:11  UmLevi wavuma ukuhlala lalowomuntu; njalo ijaha laba kuye njengomunye wamadodana akhe.

17:12  UMika wamehlukanisa umLevi, ijaha laselisiba ngumpristi wakhe, laba sendlini kaMika.

17:13  UMika wasesithi: Khathesi ngiyazi ukuthi iNkosi izangenzela okuhle, ngoba ngilomLevi ongumpristi.

Chapter 18

18:1  Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi koIsrayeli; langalezonsuku isizwe sakoDani sazidingela ilifa lokuhlala, ngoba kuze kube ngalolosuku babengawelwanga yilifa phakathi kwezizwe zakoIsrayeli.

18:2  Abantwana bakoDani basebethuma amadoda amahlanu avela kusendo lwabo esuka emaphethelweni abo, amaqhawe, evela eZora leEshitawoli, ukuhlola ilizwe lokuliphenya. Basebesithi kuwo: Hambani liphenye ilizwe. Asefika entabeni yakoEfrayimi, endlini kaMika, alala khona.

18:3  Esendlini kaMika wona alazi ilizwi lejaha umLevi; asephendukela khona athi kuye: Ngubani owakuletha lapha? Njalo wenzani lapha? Njalo ulani lapha?

18:4  Wasesithi kiwo: UMika ungenzele kanje lakanje; ungiqhatshile, sengingumpristi wakhe.

18:5  Asesithi kuye: Ake ubuze uNkulunkulu ukuze sazi ukuthi indlela yethu esihamba ngayo izaphumelela yini.

18:6  Umpristi wasesithi kibo: Hambani ngokuthula. Indlela yenu elihamba ngayo iphambi kweNkosi.

18:7  Asehamba lawomadoda amahlanu, ayafika eLayishi, abona abantu abaphakathi kwayo, behlezi bonwabile, ngokwendlela yamaSidoni, belokuthula, bengethuki lutho, kwakungelamahluleli elizweni ukubathiba, babekhatshana lamaSidoni, bengasebenzelani lamuntu.

18:8  Asefika kubafowabo eZora leEshitawoli, abafowabo basebesithi kuwo: Lithini?

18:9  Asesithi: Sukumani asenyuke simelane labo, ngoba sibonile ilizwe, khangelani-ke, lihle kakhulu; pho lina lithule? Lingavilaphi ukuyangena ukudla ilifa lelizwe.

18:10  Ekufikeni kwenu khona lizafika ebantwini abonwabileyo lelizweni elibanzi inhlangothi zombili, ngoba uNkulunkulu ulinikele esandleni senu; indawo lapho okungasweleki lutho khona elizweni.

18:11  Asesuka lapho evela kusendo lwabakoDani eZora leEshitawoli amadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha ehlomile izikhali zempi,

18:12  enyuka amisa inkamba eKiriyathi-Jeyarimi koJuda. Ngenxa yalokho ayibiza leyondawo ngokuthi yiMahane-Dani kuze kube lamuhla; khangela isemuva kweKiriyathi-Jeyarimi.

18:13  Asesedlula esuka lapho, aya entabeni yakoEfrayimi, afika endlini kaMika.

18:14  Khona amadoda amahlanu ayehambile ukuhlola ilizwe iLayishi aphendula athi kubafowabo: Liyazi yini ukuthi kulezizindlu kukhona i-efodi* lamatherafi lesithombe esibaziweyo lesithombe esibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa? Ngakho-ke cabangani elizakwenza.

18:15  Asephambukela khona, aya endlini yejaha umLevi endlini kaMika, ambuza impilo.

18:16  Amadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha ayehlomile ngezikhali zempi, ayengabantwana bakoDani, asesima ekungeneni kwesango.

18:17  Lawomadoda amahlanu ayehambile ukuhlola ilizwe enyuka angena lapho athatha isithombe esibaziweyo, le-efodi, lamatherafi, lesithombe esibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa, umpristi esemi ekungeneni kwesango lamadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha ayebhince izikhali zempi.

18:18  La-ke esengenile endlini kaMika athatha isithombe esibaziweyo, i-efodi, lamatherafi, lesithombe esibunjwe ngokuncibilikisa, umpristi wathi kiwo: Lenzani?

18:19  Asesithi kuye: Thula, bamba umlomo wakho, uhambe lathi, ube ngubaba kithi lompristi. Kungcono yini ukuthi ube ngumpristi wendlu yomuntu oyedwa kumbe ukuthi ube ngumpristi wesizwe losendo lwakoIsrayeli?

18:20  Lenhliziyo yompristi yathokoza, wasethatha i-efodi lamatherafi lesithombe esibaziweyo, wangena phakathi kwabantu.

18:21  Basebephenduka behamba, babeka abantwanyana lezifuyo lempahla phambi kwabo.

18:22  Sebekhatshana lomuzi kaMika, amadoda ayesezindlini ezaziseduze lendlu kaMika abizelwa ndawonye abafica abantwana bakoDani.

18:23  Amemeza abantwana bakoDani. Basebephendula ubuso babo bathi kuMika: Ulani ukuze libuthane?

18:24  Wasesithi: Lithethe onkulunkulu bami engabenzayo, lompristi, lahamba; pho ngiseselani? Kuyini lokho elikutsho kimi: Uhlutshwa yini?

18:25  Abantwana bakoDani basebesithi kuye: Ilizwi lakho kalingezwakali phakathi kwethu, hlezi amadoda alolaka akuhlasele, ulahlekelwe yimpilo yakho lempilo yabendlu yakho.

18:26  Basebezihambela ngendlela yabo abantwana bakoDani. Lapho uMika esebonile ukuthi balamandla kulaye, waphenduka wabuyela endlini yakhe.

18:27  Bona basebethatha lokho uMika ayekwenzile lompristi owayelaye, bafika eLayishi ebantwini ababelokuthula bengethuki lutho, babatshaya ngobukhali benkemba, batshisa umuzi ngomlilo.

18:28  Njalo kwakungekho umkhululi, ngoba wawukhatshana leSidoni, bengasebenzelani lamuntu. Wawusesihotsheni esasingaseBeti-Rehobi. Basebesakha umuzi, bahlala kiwo.

18:29  Basebebiza ibizo lomuzi ngokuthi yiDani ngebizo likaDani uyise owazalelwa uIsrayeli. Kodwa ibizo lomuzi laliyiLayishi kuqala.

18:30  Abantwana bakoDani basebezimisela isithombe esibaziweyo. Njalo uJonathani indodana kaGereshoma, indodana kaManase, yena lamadodana akhe babengabapristi besizwe sakoDani kwaze kwaba lusuku lokuthunjwa kwelizwe.

18:31  Basebezimisela isithombe esibaziweyo sikaMika ayesenzile, zonke izinsuku indlu kaNkulunkulu iseShilo.

Chapter 19

19:1  Kwasekusithi ngalezonsuku, kungelankosi koIsrayeli, kwakulomLevi othile owayehlala njengowezizwe eceleni elikhatshana lentaba yakoEfrayimi, owazithathela umfazi, umfazi omncinyane eBhethelehema-Juda.

19:2  Lowomfazi wakhe omncinyane waphinga emelene laye, wasuka kuye waya endlini kayise eBhethelehema-Juda, waba lapho izinyanga ezine ezigcweleyo.

19:3  Umkakhe wasesukuma wamlandela ukuyakhuluma enhliziyweni yakhe ukuthi ambuyise, lejaha lakhe lilaye labobabhemi ababili. Umfazi wasemngenisa endlini kayise; kwathi uyise wentombi embona wathokoza ukuhlangana laye.

19:4  Uyisezala, uyise wentombazana, wamlibazisa; wasehlala laye insuku ezintathu; basebesidla banatha balala khona ubusuku.

19:5  Kwasekusithi ngosuku lwesine, lapho bevuka ekuseni kakhulu, wasukuma ukuthi ahambe; kodwa uyise wentombazana wathi kumkhwenyana wakhe: Qinisa inhliziyo yakho ngocezu lwesinkwa; langemva kwalokho lizahamba.

19:6  Ngakho bahlala badla banatha bobabili ndawonye. Uyise wentombazana wasesithi endodeni: Ake wanele ulale ubusuku uthokozise inhliziyo yakho.

19:7  Indoda isisukuma ukuthi ihambe, kodwa uyisezala wayicindezela yaze yabuya yalala lapho ubusuku.

19:8  Yasivuka ekuseni kakhulu ngosuku lwesihlanu ukuze ihambe. Uyise wentombazana wasesithi: Ake uqinise inhliziyo yakho. Basebelibala ilanga laze lakhothama, badla bobabili.

19:9  Lapho indoda isukuma ukuthi ihambe, yona lomfazi wayo omncinyane lejaha layo, uyisezala, uyise wentombazana, wathi kuyo: Khangela, khathesi ilanga selitshona, sekuzakuhlwa; ake ulale ubusuku; khangela, ilanga selikhotheme, lala ubusuku lapha, ukuze inhliziyo yakho ithokoze. Kusasa-ke lizavuka ngovivi ngohambo lwenu, uye ethenteni lakho.

19:10  Kodwa indoda kayithandanga ukulala ubusuku, kodwa yasukuma yahamba, yafika maqondana leJebusi eyiJerusalema. Yayilabobabhemi ababili ababotshelwe izihlalo; lomfazi wayo omncinyane wayelayo.

19:11  Sebeseduze leJebusi ilanga laselitshonile kakhulu, ijaha laselisithi enkosini yalo: Ake uhambe, siphambukele kulo umuzi wamaJebusi, silale khona ubusuku.

19:12  Inkosi yayo yasisithi kuyo: Kasiyikuphambukela emzini wesizwe ongeyisiwo wabantwana bakoIsrayeli, kodwa sizadlulela eGibeya.

19:13  Yasisithi encekwini yayo: Woza sisondele kwenye yalezozindawo, siyelala ubusuku eGibeya kumbe eRama.

19:14  Basebesedlula behamba; ilanga labatshonela eduze leGibeya eyakoBhenjamini.

19:15  Basebephambuka lapho ukuze bangene balale ubusuku eGibeya. Esengenile wahlala phansi emdangeni womuzi, ngoba kwakungekho muntu owabemukela endlini yakhe ukuze balale ubusuku.

19:16  Khangela-ke, kwafika ixhegu livela emsebenzini walo ensimini kusihlwa. Lowomuntu laye wayevela entabeni yakoEfrayimi; yena-ke wahlala njengowezizwe eGibeya. Kodwa abantu baleyondawo babengabakoBhenjamini.

19:17  Esephakamise amehlo akhe wabona lowomuntu, isihambi, emdangeni womuzi, njalo ixhegu lathi: Uya ngaphi, njalo uvela ngaphi?

19:18  Wasesithi kulo: Siyedlula sivela eBhethelehema-Juda, siya eceleni elikhatshana lentaba yakoEfrayimi; ngivela lapho. Bengiye eBhethelehema-Juda, kodwa sengisiya endlini yeNkosi; kodwa kakulamuntu ongemukela endlini.

19:19  Kube kanti kulamahlanga lokudla kwabobabhemi bethu, njalo kulesinkwa futhi lewayini lami lokwencekukazi yakho lokwejaha elilenceku zakho; kakuswelekanga lutho.

19:20  Leloxhegu laselisithi: Ukuthula kakube kuwe. Kodwa zonke inswelo zakho ziphezu kwami. Kuphela ungalali emdangeni.

19:21  Ngakho laselimngenisa endlini yalo, lanika obabhemi ukudla. Basebegeza inyawo zabo, badla banatha.

19:22  Besathokozisa inhliziyo yabo, khangela, amadoda omuzi, abantwana abathile bakaBheliyali, ayizingelezela indlu, etshaya esivalweni, akhuluma kumninindlu, ixhegu, esithi: Khupha lowomuntu ongene endlini yakho, ukuze simazi.

19:23  Umuntu, umninindlu, wasephuma waya kiwo, wathi kiwo: Hatshi, bafowethu, ngiyalicela, lingenzi okubi; lokhu lumuntu engenile endlini yami, lingenzi lobubuthutha.

19:24  Khangelani, indodakazi yami eyintombi emsulwa, lomfazi wakhe omncane. Ake ngibakhuphele kini. Libathobise, lenze kibo okulungileyo emehlweni enu; kodwa kulumuntu lingenzi linto yobuthutha.

19:25  Kodwa lawomadoda kawathandanga ukumlalela. Ngakho lowomuntu wasebamba umfazi wakhe omncane, wamkhuphela kibo phandle. Njalo amazi amdlova ubusuku bonke kwaze kwasa. Kwathi emadabukakusa amyekela wahamba.

19:26  Ngovivi lokusa owesifazana weza wawela phansi emnyango wendlu yomuntu lapho okwakukhona inkosi yakhe, kwaze kwakhanya.

19:27  Inkosi yakhe yasivuka ekuseni, yavula iminyango yendlu, yaphuma ukuze ihambe ngendlela yayo; khangela-ke, umfazi, umfazi wakhe omncane wayewele emnyango wendlu, lezandla zakhe ziphezu kombundu.

19:28  Yasisithi kuye: Sukuma, sihambe. Kodwa kakuphendulanga muntu. Yasimkhweza kubabhemi; indoda yasuka yaya endaweni yayo.

19:29  Lapho isifikile endlini yayo yathatha ingqamu, yambamba umfazi wayo omncane yamqumaquma lamathambo akhe iziqa ezilitshumi lambili; yamthumela kuyo yonke imingcele yakoIsrayeli.

19:30  Kwasekusithi bonke abakubonayo bathi: Kakukaze kwenzeke njalo kakukaze kubonwe okunje kusukela ngosuku abantwana bakoIsrayeli abenyuka ngalo elizweni leGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla. Nakanani ngalokho, leluleke, likhulume.

Chapter 20

20:1  Khona bonke abantwana bakoIsrayeli baphuma, inhlangano yonke yabuthana njengamuntu munye, kusukela eDani kusiya eBherishebha lelizwe leGileyadi, eNkosini eMizipa.

20:2  Njalo induna zabo bonke abantu, zazo zonke izizwe zakoIsrayeli, zazimisa ebandleni labantu bakaNkulunkulu, izinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane zamadoda ahamba ngenyawo, ahwatsha inkemba.

20:3  (Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebesizwa ukuthi abantwana bakoIsrayeli babenyukele eMizipa.) Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesithi: Tshono, lobububi benziwa njani?

20:4  Indoda engumLevi, indoda yalowo owesifazana owayebulewe, yasiphendula yathi: Ngafika eGibeya engeyakoBhenjamini, mina lomfazi wami omncane, ukuze silale khona.

20:5  Abahlali beGibeya basebengivukela, bazingelezela indlu bemelene lami ebusuku, befuna ukungibulala, bamdlova umfazi wami omncane, waze wafa.

20:6  Ngasengimbamba umfazi wami omncane, ngamquma iziqa, ngamthumela elizweni lonke lelifa lakoIsrayeli, ngoba benza amanyala lobuwula koIsrayeli.

20:7  Khangelani, lina lonke lingabantwana bakoIsrayeli, phanini ilizwi leseluleko senu lapha.

20:8  Abantu bonke basebesukuma njengamuntu munye besithi: Asiyikuya, ngulowo ethenteni lakhe, njalo asiyikuphambukela, ngulowo endlini yakhe.

20:9  Kodwa khathesi, nansi into esizayenza kuyo iGibeya. Sizamelana layo ngenkatho,

20:10  sithathe abantu abalitshumi phakathi kwekhulu ezizweni zonke zakoIsrayeli, lekhulu phakathi kwenkulungwane, lenkulungwane phakathi kwenkulungwane ezilitshumi, ukuze bathathele abantu umphako, ukuze, nxa sebefike eGibeya koBhenjamini, benze ngokobuwula bonke ababenze koIsrayeli.

20:11  Ngakho wonke amadoda akoIsrayeli ahlanganyela umuzi, njengamuntu munye emoya munye.

20:12  Izizwe zakoIsrayeli zasezithuma amadoda esizweni sonke sakoBhenjamini zisithi: Yibubi bani lobu obenzeke phakathi kwenu?

20:13  Ngakho-ke anikeleni lawomadoda, abantwana bakaBheliyali, abaseGibeya ukuze siwabulale, sisuse ububi koIsrayeli. Kodwa abakoBhenjamini kabafunanga ukulalela ilizwi labafowabo, abantwana bakoIsrayeli.

20:14  Kodwa abantwana bakoBhenjamini babuthana bevela emizini baya eGibeya, ukuze baphume ukuya empini labantwana bakoIsrayeli.

20:15  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebebalwa ngalolosuku bevela emizini, amadoda azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lesithupha ahwatsha inkemba, ngaphandle kwabahlali beGibeya, ababalwa baba ngamadoda angamakhulu ayisikhombisa akhethiweyo.

20:16  Phakathi kwabo bonke lababantu kwakulamadoda akhethiweyo angamakhulu ayisikhombisa angamanxele; wonke la ayejikijela ilitshe ngesavutha enweleni engakhuthi.

20:17  Amadoda akoIsrayeli asebalwa, ngaphandle kukaBhenjamini, amadoda azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane ahwatsha inkemba; wonke la ayengamadoda empi.

20:18  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesukuma benyukela eBhetheli, babuza uNkulunkulu bathi: Ngubani phakathi kwethu ozakwenyukela kuqala empini labantwana bakoBhenjamini? INkosi yasisithi: NguJuda kuqala.

20:19  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebevuka ekuseni, bamisa inkamba maqondana leGibeya.

20:20  Amadoda akoIsrayeli asephuma ukuya empini loBhenjamini; amadoda akoIsrayeli azihlelela ukumelana labo empini eGibeya.

20:21  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebephuma eGibeya, babhubhisela emhlabathini koIsrayeli ngalolosuku amadoda azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili.

20:22  Abantu, amadoda akoIsrayeli, basebeziqinisa bahlela futhi impi kuleyondawo ababezihlelele khona ngosuku lokuqala.

20:23  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenyuka bakhala inyembezi phambi kweNkosi kwaze kwahlwa. Babuza eNkosini bathi: Ngisondele yini futhi empini ngimelane labantwana bakoBhenjamini umfowethu? INkosi yasisithi: Yenyukani limelane laye.

20:24  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesondela ebantwaneni bakoBhenjamini ngosuku lwesibili.

20:25  UBhenjamini wasephuma eGibeya emelene labo ngosuku lwesibili, babuya babhubhisela emhlabathini ebantwaneni bakoIsrayeli amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi leziyisificaminwembili; bonke labo bahwatsha inkemba.

20:26  Ngakho bonke abantwana bakoIsrayeli labo bonke abantu benyuka bafika eBhetheli, bakhala inyembezi bahlala lapho phambi kweNkosi, bazila ukudla ngalolosuku kwaze kwahlwa, banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yokuthula phambi kweNkosi.

20:27  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebuza eNkosini (ngoba umtshokotsho wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu wawulapho ngalezonsuku,

20:28  loPhinehasi indodana kaEleyazare indodana kaAroni wema phambi kwawo ngalezonsuku) besithi: Ngibuye ngiphinde yini ukuphuma impi ngimelene labantwana bakoBhenjamini umfowethu, loba ngiyekele? INkosi yasisithi: Yenyukani, ngoba kusasa ngizabanikela esandleni sakho.

20:29  Ngakho uIsrayeli wamisa abacathami maqondana leGibeya inhlangothi zonke.

20:30  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesenyuka ukumelana labantwana bakoBhenjamini ngosuku lwesithathu, bazihlelela ukumelana leGibeya njengakwezinye izikhathi.

20:31  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebephuma ukumelana labantu, badonswa besuka emzini, baqala ukutshaya ebantwini, ukubulala njengakwezinye izikhathi, emigwaqweni emikhulu, enye yazo eyenyukela eBhetheli lenye eya eGibeya emagcekeni, phose amadoda angamatshumi amathathu akoIsrayeli.

20:32  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebesithi: Sebetshayiwe phambi kwethu njengakuqala. Kodwa abantwana bakoIsrayeli bathi: Asibalekeni, sibadonse besuka emzini baye emigwaqweni emikhulu.

20:33  Wonke amadoda akoIsrayeli asevuka endaweni zawo, azihlela eBhali-Tamari, labacathami bakoIsrayeli bavumbuluka endaweni yabo emadlelweni eGibeya.

20:34  Kwasekusiza kuvela maqondana leGibeya amadoda akhethiweyo azinkulungwane ezilitshumi evela kuIsrayeli wonke; lempi yaba nzima. Kodwa bona babengazi ukuthi ububi buzatshaya phezu kwabo.

20:35  INkosi yasimtshaya uBhenjamini phambi kukaIsrayeli. Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebebhubhisa koBhenjamini amadoda azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lekhulu elilodwa ngalolosuku; bonke laba bahwatsha inkemba.

20:36  Abantwana bakoBhenjamini basebebona ukuthi sebetshayiwe, ngoba amadoda akoIsrayeli amdedela uBhenjamini, ngoba bethembe abacathami ababebamise maqondana leGibeya.

20:37  Labacathami baphangisa bahlasela iGibeya baqhubeka batshaya umuzi wonke ngobukhali benkemba.

20:38  Kwasekusiba lesiboniso esimisiweyo phakathi kwamadoda akoIsrayeli labacathami sokuthunqisa insika yentuthu enkulu evela emzini.

20:39  Kwathi amadoda akoIsrayeli aphenduka empini, uBhenjamini waqalisa ukuwatshaya ukubulala emadodeni akoIsrayeli phose amadoda angamatshumi amathathu, ngoba bathi: Isibili atshayiwe lokutshaywa phambi kwethu njengempini yakuqala.

20:40  Kwathi iyezi liqalisa ukuthunqa liphuma emzini, insika yentuthu, uBhenjamini enyemukula, khangela-ke ilangabi lomuzi lenyukela emazulwini.

20:41  Lapho amadoda akoIsrayeli etshibilika, amadoda akoBhenjamini atshaywa luvalo, ngoba abona ukuthi ububi sebuwehlele.

20:42  Ngakho afulathela phambi kwamadoda akoIsrayeli esiya endleleni yenkangala; kodwa impi yawanamathela, lalabo abaphuma emizini bawabhubhisa phakathi kwabo.

20:43  Bamhanqa uBhenjamini, baxotshana labo, babanyathelela phansi lula, kwaze kwaba maqondana leGibeya lapho okuphuma khona ilanga.

20:44  Kwasekusiwa koBhenjamini amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi leziyisificaminwembili; wonke la ayengamaqhawe.

20:45  Basebephenduka babalekela enkangala edwaleni leRimoni. Bakhothoza kibo emigwaqweni emikhulu abantu abazinkulungwane ezinhlanu, babanamathela kwaze kwaba seGideyomu, batshaya futhi kibo abantu abazinkulungwane ezimbili.

20:46  Ngakho bonke abawayo koBhenjamini mhlalokho babeyizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu, amadoda ahwatsha inkemba; bonke labo babengamaqhawe.

20:47  Kodwa amadoda angamakhulu ayisithupha aphenduka abalekela enkangala edwaleni leRimoni; ahlala edwaleni leRimoni inyanga ezine.

20:48  Amadoda akoIsrayeli asebuyela ebantwaneni bakoBhenjamini, abatshaya ngobukhali benkemba, kusukela emzini wonke kusiya ezinyamazaneni, njalo kusiya kukho konke okwaficwayo. Layo yonke imizi abayificayo bayithungela ngomlilo.

Chapter 21

21:1  Amadoda akoIsrayeli ayefungile-ke eMizipa esithi: Kakukho lamunye wethu ozanika indodakazi yakhe kuBhenjamini ibe ngumkakhe.

21:2  Abantu basebesiza eBhetheli, bahlala lapho phambi kukaNkulunkulu kwaze kwahlwa, baphakamisa ilizwi labo bakhala inyembezi ngokukhala okukhulu.

21:3  Basebesithi: Kungani, O Nkosi, Nkulunkulu kaIsrayeli, kwenzeke lokhu koIsrayeli ukuthi kusilele lamuhla isizwe esisodwa koIsrayeli?

21:4  Kwasekusithi kusisa abantu bavuka ngovivi, bakha ilathi lapho, banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yokuthula.

21:5  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebesithi: Ngubani ezizweni zonke zakoIsrayeli ongenyukelanga ebandleni eNkosini? Ngoba kwenziwa isifungo esikhulu ngalowo ongenyukelanga eNkosini eMizipa kuthiwa: Uzabulawa lokubulawa.

21:6  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebezisola ngenxa kaBhenjamini umfowabo, bathi: Kuqunyiwe lamuhla isizwe esisodwa sisuke koIsrayeli.

21:7  Sizabenzelani abaseleyo ngabafazi, ngoba thina sifungile ngeNkosi ukuthi kasiyikubanika emadodakazini ethu abe ngomkabo?

21:8  Basebesithi: Yisiphi ezizweni zakoIsrayeli esingenyukelanga eNkosini eMizipa? Khangela-ke kakuzanga loyedwa enkambeni ovela eJabeshi-Gileyadi ukuya ebandleni.

21:9  Ngoba abantu babebaliwe, khangela-ke, kwakungekho muntu kubahlali beJabeshi-Gileyadi lapho.

21:10  Ngakho inhlangano yathuma khona amadoda azinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili awamaqhawe amakhulu, bawalaya bathi: Hambani liyetshaya abahlali beJabeshi-Gileyadi ngobukhali benkemba, labesifazana labantwanyana.

21:11  Yile into elizayenza: Lizatshabalalisa wonke owesilisa laye wonke owesifazana owazi ukulala lowesilisa.

21:12  Basebethola phakathi kwabahlali beJabeshi-Gileyadi amankazana angamakhulu amane izintombi ezimsulwa ezingayazanga indoda ngokulala lowesilisa; basebewaletha enkambeni eShilo, eselizweni leKhanani.

21:13  Inhlangano yonke yasithumela yakhuluma labantwana bakoBhenjamini ababesedwaleni leRimoni; bamemezela ukuthula kibo.

21:14  UBhenjamini wasebuya ngalesosikhathi, babanika abesifazana ababebagcine bephila kwabesifazana beJabeshi-Gileyadi, kodwa ngokunjalo kababanelanga.

21:15  Abantu basebezisola ngenxa kaBhenjamini ngoba iNkosi yayenze ukwehlukana ezizweni zakoIsrayeli.

21:16  Abadala benhlangano basebesithi: Sizabenzelani abaseleyo ngabafazi, ngoba abesifazana bachithiwe koBhenjamini?

21:17  Basebesithi: Kumele kube lelifa labaphunyukileyo bakoBhenjamini, ukuze isizwe singatshabalaliswa koIsrayeli.

21:18  Kodwa thina kasilakho ukubanika abafazi emadodakazini ethu, ngoba abantwana bakoIsrayeli bafungile besithi: Kaqalekiswe lowo onika uBhenjamini umfazi.

21:19  Basebesithi: Khangelani, kulomkhosi weNkosi eShilo iminyaka ngeminyaka engenyakatho kweBhetheli, lapho okuphuma khona ilanga komgwaqo omkhulu owenyuka usuka eBhetheli kusiya eShekema, langeningizimu kweLebona.

21:20  Ngakho balaya abantwana bakoBhenjamini besithi: Hambani liyecathama ezivinini,

21:21  libone, njalo khangelani, nxa amadodakazi eShilo esephuma ukugida imigido, khona lizaphuma ezivinini lizibambele ngulowo lalowo umfazi wakhe emadodakazini eShilo, liye elizweni lakoBhenjamini.

21:22  Kuzakuthi nxa oyise loba abanewabo befika besola kithi, sizakuthi kibo: Senzeleni umusa ngenxa yabo, ngoba kasibathathelanga ngulowo lalowo umfazi wakhe empini, ngoba lina kalibanikanga wona ngalesisikhathi ukuthi licaleke.

21:23  Ngakho abantwana bakoBhenjamini benza njalo, bathumba abafazi ngokwenani labo kwabagidayo ababahlwithayo; bahamba babuyela elifeni labo, bakha imizi, bahlala kiyo.

21:24  Abantwana bakoIsrayeli basebechitheka besuka lapho ngalesosikhathi, ngulowo lalowo waya esizweni sakhe lakusendo lwakhe; basebephuma besuka lapho, ngulowo lalowo waya elifeni lakhe.

21:25  Ngalezonsuku kwakungelankosi koIsrayeli. Wonke umuntu wayesenza okwakulungile emehlweni akhe.