# verses

text:
UMosis ke wazithatha zonke ezo ntonga, waphuma nazo, wazibonisa amaSirayeli. Ke wona ayibona into eyenzekileyo, yaza ke yayileyo inkokheli yathatha eyayo.


text:
UNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis ukuba athathe intonga ka-Aron, ayibeke kwaphambi kwetyesi yomnqophiso. Watsho esithi mayigcinwe apho, khon' ukuze ibe sisikhumbuzo kumaSirayeli agwayimbayo, khon' ukuze ayeke ukukhalaza, hleze afe.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuAron: “Wena noonyana bakho ndawonye nabaLevi nithwala uxanduva ngaso nasiphi na isigqitho esinxulumene nokubusa esibingelelweni; kodwa nguwe kuphela noonyana bakho abaya kuthwala uxanduva ngesigqitho esinxulumene nobubingeleli.


text:
Phuthuma abo uzalana nabo bendlu kaLevi, usebenze nabo bakuncedise xeshikweni wena noonyana bakho nibusayo esibingelelweni.


text:
AbaLevi baya kujongwa nguwe ngokwemisebenzi yabo esibingelelweni, kodwa mabangasondeli nokusondela kwimpahla yegumbi eliyingcwele okanye eqongeni lamadini, kungenjalo baya kufa kunye nani.


text:
Umsebenzi wabo baya kuwufezekisa ngokuncedisana nani esibingelelweni, ke yena umntu ongomnye ongenalungelo angaze asebenze nanini esibingelelweni.


text:
“Nini emanithwale uxanduva lokulungiselela egumbini eliyingcwele nakwiqonga lamadini, khon' ukuze uNdikhoyo angaphindi awavelele ngomsindo amaSirayeli.


text:
Ndim ngokwam ozinyulele abanakwenu abaLevi kumaSirayeli. Basisipho kuni babingeleli, khon' ukuze benze imisebenzi esibingelelweni.


text:
Nguwe noonyana bakho kuphela abanoxanduva lokulungiselela mayela neqonga lamadini ndawonye negumbi eliyingcwele kangcwele. Lo msebenzi wenu wobubingeleli sisipho enisinikwa ndim. Nabani na othe wasondela kwizinto ezingcwele engenalungelo wobulawa.”


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuAron: “Iminikelo eyenzelwa mna yolawulwa nguwe; yonke iminikelo eyenziwe ngamaSirayeli kum ndiyinika wena noonyana bakho ibe yinxaxheba nesabelo senu esisisigxina.


text:
Inxaxheba yeminikelo engayi kutshiswa eqongeni yeyenu – nditsho yonke iminikelo eyodwa, nokuba yeyokutya, okanye yeyentlambululo, okanye yeyembuyekezo. Loo nxaxheba yeyakho noonyana bakho.


text:
“Nayiphi na eminye iminikelo enikelwa kum ngamaSirayeli yeyenu. Ndiyipha wena noonyana neentombi zakho, isisabelo senu esisisigxina. Yona ke yotyiwa nguye nabani na *ongenamlaza kwintsapho yakho.


text:
“Ndikunika lonke ulibo lwezilimo oluziswa ngamaSirayeli kuNdikhoyo: amafutha omnquma, iwayini, nengqolowa. Zonke ke zoba zezakho, zityiwe ngabo bonke abangenamlaza kwintsapho yakho.


text:
Lonke izibulo, elomntu nelemfuyo, elinikelwa ngamaSirayeli kum, lelakho. Kodwa ke makahlawulelwe umntwana wamazibulo, nezibulo lesilwanyana esingàtyiwayo ngokunjalo.


text:
Amazibulo makahlawulelwe xa anenyanga enye ezelwe, kukhutshwe ixabiso eliziingqekembe zesiliva ezintlanu ngokomlinganiselo ovunyiweyo.


text:
Kambe ke amazibulo eenkomo, iigusha, neebhokhwe, wona akayi kuhlawulelwa. Wona ngakaNdikhoyo poqo; makenziwe idini. Igazi lazo makufefwe ngalo iqonga lamadini, amanqatha azo atshiswe abe lidini ngomlilo – dini elo livumba liyolileyo kuNdikhoyo.


text:
“Yonke iminikelo eyodwa evela kumaSirayeli ndiyipha wena noonyana neentombi zakho zisisabelo senu esisisigxina. Lo ke ngumnqophiso ongasoze uthini endiwenza nawe nesizukulwana sakho.”


text:
UNdikhoyo wathetha noAron, wathi: “Ke wena apha kwaSirayeli akuyi kuzuza sabelo sililifa lakho, ungayi kuzuza namhlaba. Kaloku esakho isabelo, ndawonye nelifa, ndim mna Ndikhoyo.”


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi: “Sonke isishumi esivela kumaSirayeli soba yinxaxheba yabaLevi ngenxa yoxanduva lokujonga *isibingelelo.


text:
Ke wona amaSirayeli angawambi akufuneki nganto ukuba abe nento ayenzayo esibingelelweni, khon' ukuze angasifumani isohlwayo sokufa.


text:
Ngoko ke ukusukela ngoku ngabaLevi kuphela amabajongane nesibingelelo, sibe luxanduva lwabo ngokupheleleyo. Lo mthetho ke uya kuhlala umi nakwizizukulwana ezizayo. AbaLevi abasayi kuze babe nalifa lilelinye kwaSirayeli,


text:
kuba kaloku bona ndibanike isabelo esizizishumi endizinikwa ngamaSirayeli. Kungenxa yaloo nto ke ndisithi nje bona abasoze babe nalifa lilelinye kwaSirayeli.”


text:
ukuba athi kubaLevi: “Xa nisamkela isishumi esinikelwa ngamaSirayeli kuNdikhoyo njengesabelo senu, kwalapho kuso khuphani isishumi enisinikela kuNdikhyo.


text:
Ngale ndlela ke nani noba nako ukunikela kuNdikhoyo nicaphula kuzo zonke izishumi enizamkelayo kumaSirayeli. Kwezi zishumi inxaxheba kaNdikhoyo maze niyinike uAron umbingeleli.


text:
Ke into eseleyo yeyenu neentsapho zenu; ningayityela naphi na, kuba niyinikwa ingumvuzo womsebenzi wenu *esibingelelweni.


text:
Xa ninikela ngezona-zona anisayi kuba natyala. Ngokwenjenjalo aniyi *kuyigqwalisa iminikelo engcwele yamaSirayeli, ningayi kufa nokufa.”


text:
wabanika le miyalelo, wathi: “Ngokommiselo kaNdikhoyo amaSirayeli makeze nethokazi lenkomo elibomvu, elingenasiphako, elingazange libotshwe,


text:
alinikezele kuElazare umbingeleli. Lothathwa ke likhutshelwe ngaphandle komzi wamaSirayeli, apho loxhelelwa khona ekho.


text:
UElazare ke uya kuthi nkxu umnwe egazini apho, aze atshize kasixhenxe ejongise kwisango lesibingelelo.


text:
Xa iyonke ke loo nkomo, ufele nenyama, igazi namathumbu, mazitshiswe apho phambi kombingeleli ejongile njalo.


text:
Ke yena uya kuthatha ukhuni lomsedare, ihlamvu lehisopu, nomtya obomvu, aziphose phezu kwelo thokazi litshiswayo.


text:
Kamva ke makahlambe iimpahla zakhe, ngokunjalo nomzimba, aze ke abe nokubuyela emzini. Kambe ke uya kuhlala engekahlambuluki kude kuhlwe.


text:
Naloo mntu ubetshisa le nkomo kufuneka ahlambe iimpahla nomzimba, kodwa naye akayi kuhlambuluka de kube ngorhatya.


text:
Uthuthu lweli thokazi ke maluwolwe yindoda ehlambulukileyo, ilubeke endaweni ehlambulukileyo, kwalapho ngaphandle komzi wamaSirayeli, apho luya kugcinwa khona libandla, ukuze amaSirayeli alusebenzise xa esenza amanzi entlambululo okususa isono.


text:
Loo mntu ubebutha uthuthu makazihlambe iimpahla zakhe, kodwa ke akayi kuhlambuluka kude kuhlwe. Lo mmiselo ke soze uthini nanini nanini; ngoko ke mawuthotyelwe ngamaSirayeli ngokunjalo nabangeneleli.”


text:
Ngoko ke kofuneka azihlambulule ngamanzi entlambululo kusuku lwesithathu, ngokunjalo nangolwesixhenxe, ukuze abe uhlambulukile. Kambe ke ukuba akazihlambululanga kuzo zombini ezi ntsuku, olwesithathu nolwesixhenxe, akayi kuhlambuluka.


text:
Ke yena ochukumise isidumbu waza akazihlambulula, ugqwalisa *isibingelelo *sikaNdikhoyo. Umntu onjalo makasikwe kwaSirayeli; kaloku akatshizwanga ngamanzi entlambululo. Wohlala egqwalisekile.


text:
“Nanku ummiselo ophathelele malunga nomntu ofele endlwini: nabani na olapho ngelo xesha, okanye ongenayo, uya kuba ugqwalisekile iintsuku zide zibe sixhenxe.


text:
Nomntu othe engaphandle phaya wachukumisa umntu ogetyengiweyo okanye ozifele nje, okanye ochukumise ithambo lomntu okanye ingcwaba, uya kugqwaliseka iintsuku ezisixhenxe.


text:
“Xa kuhlanjululwa umntu onjalo ke, kofuneka kucatshulwe kuthuthu lwethokazi elibomvu, lona luhlambululayo, lufakwe embizeni, luxutywe namanzi angcwengileyo.


text:
Wosuka ke umntu ohlambulukileyo athathe ihlamvu lehisopu, alithi nkxu apho emanzini, atshize indlu nako konke okukuyo, ngokunjalo nabantu ababelapho kuyo. Okanye umntu ohlambulukileyo uya kuthatha loo manzi atshize lowo uchukumise ogetyengiweyo, okanye ofileyo, mhlawumbi ochukumise ithambo noba lingcwaba.


text:
Kusuku lwesithathu, ngokunjalo nakolwesixhenxe, loo mntu uhlambulukileyo uya kutshiza lowo ugqwalisekileyo. Ngosuku lwesixhenxe ke uya kuhlambuluka loo mntu, akuba ezihlambile iimpahla zakhe, naye ngokwakhe ehlambe umzimba. Matshona kwelanga ke woba uhlambulukile.


text:
“Umntu ogqwalisekileyo, waza akazihlambulula, umelwe kukusikwa ebantwini, kuba unyelise isibingelelo sikaNdikhoyo. Kaloku akatshizwanga ngamanzi okuhlambulula; ngako oko uhlala egqwalisekile.


text:
Lo mmiselo mawuthotyelwe nini nanini. Umntu otshiza ngamanzi okuhlambulula makazihlambe iimpahla zakhe. Kanti ke nabani na ochukumisa amanzi okuhlambulula, uhlala engahlambulukanga kude kuhlwe.


text:
Nantoni na echukunyiswe ngumntu ogqwalisekileyo nayo iba njalo; futhi nabani na oyichukumisayo naye uhlala enjalo kude kuhlwe.”


text:
Kwathi ngenyanga yokuqala uSirayeli ephela wagaleleka kwintlango iZin, waza wamisa eKadeshe. Apho ke kulapho wafa waza wangcwatyelwa khona uMiriyam.


text:
Ngani ukuba thina bantu bakaNdikhoyo nisizise kule ntlango? Benifuna size kufela apha ndawonye nemfuyo yethu?


text:
Kakade, kwakutheni ukuze nisikhuphe eJiputa, nize kusifaka kwenje yona indawo, emhlaba ungavelisi nento le? Akukho ngqolowa namakhiwane, kungekho diliya narharnati; ke wona amanzi tu!”


text:
UMosis noAron balishiya ibandla, baya kuma esangweni lesibingelelo. Baguqa phantsi, baza ke babubona ubungangamsha bukaNdikhoyo.


text:
“Thatha intonga ephambi kwetyesi yomnqophiso, uze wena nomntakwenu uAron nilihlanganise ibandla, uze ke uthethe neliwa bejongile. Kothi kumpompoze amanzi kulo, baze abantu nemfuyo yabo basele.”


text:
Yena noAron bawaqokelela onke amaSirayeli apho phambi kweliwa, waza wathi uMosis: “Phulaphulani, nina baqhankqalazi! Ngaba nifuna sikhuphe amanzi kweli liwa?”


text:
UMosis wayiphakamsa intonga, walibetha kabini iliwa elo, kwaza ke kwampompoza amanzi, abantu ndawonye nemfuyo basela.


text:
UNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuMosis noAron wathi: “Ngenxa yokungandithembi nokungandiniki imbeko phambi kwamaSirayeli, anisayi kulikhokela eli bandla nilingenise kwelo lizwe ndalithembisa lona.”


text:
Esi siganeko ke sehla eMeribha apho amaSirayeli amkhalazela khona uNdikhoyo. Ke yena wazibonakalisa kuwo ukuba ungcwele.


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis wakhupha abathunywa, baya kukumkani wase-Edom, esithi: “Nanku umyalezo ovela kubantakwenu amaSirayeli: ‘Uyazazi iinzingo ezasihlelayo.


text:
Kaloku ookhokho bethu bafudukela eJiputa, apho sahlala khona iminyaka ngeminyaka. AmaJiputa ke abaphatha kakubi ndawonye nathi.


text:
Sasuka ke sazibika *kuNdikhoyo, waza ke yena wasabela, wathumela isithunywa sakhe, wasikhupha eJiputa. Ngoku ke naku silapha eKadeshe, idolophu esemideni yakho.


text:
Sicela ukuba usivumele sinqumle kulo mhlaba wakho. Siyathembisa ukuba thina nemfuyo yethu siya kuhamba ngqo ngendlela, singaphambukeli emasimini nakwizidiliya zakho, singayi kukhe sisele nakumaqula akho. Ewe, siya kuthi ngqo ngohola, singaphambuki side siphume emhlabeni wakho.’ ”


text:
Ke wona amaEdom aphendula athi: “Unotshe! Akuyi kucanda apha. Ukungena oku kwakho ndiya kuphuma ndikuhlasele.”


text:
AmaSirayeli aphendula esithi: “Siya kuhamba ngqo ngohola. Ukuba thina okanye impi yethu ithe yasela amanzi akho, siya kuwahlawulela. Inye into esiyifunayo, kukunqumla ngeenyawo.”


text:
Ke kaloku amaSirayeli ajika athatha ndlela yimbi, kuba amaEdom ewalela ukuba anqumle emhlabeni wawo.


text:
“Wena Aron, uza kufa; akuzi kuya kufika kwelo lizwe ndamthembisa ngalo uSirayeli. Kaloku nina nobabini nawuvukela umthetho wam eMeribha.


text:
Khona apho ke uze uyithathe iminweba ka-Aron yobubingeleli, uyinxibe uElazare unyana wakhe, kuba uAron yena uza kufa.”


text:
waza uMosis wayikhulula iminweba yobubingeleli kuAron, wayinxiba uElazare. Ke yena uAron wafela apho phezu kwentaba, baza ke uMosis noElazare behla entabeni.


text:
Ke kaloku ukumkani waseAradi, umKanana, owayemi emazantsi eKanana, wathi akuva ukuba amaSirayeli ayeza ngendlela esinga eAtarim, wawahlasela, wada wawathimba amanye.


text:
AmaSirayeli ke asuka enza isifungo *kuNdikhoyo, athi: “Ukuba usiphile amandla, saboyisa abo bantu, inene siya kubatshabalalisa ngokupheleleyo ndawonye nezixeko zabo.”


text:
Ngenene ke uNdikhoyo waweva amaSirayeli, waza wawanceda awoyisa awatshabalalisa tu amaKanana ndawonye nezixeko zawo. Loo ndawo ke ayithiya igama eliyiHoma.


text:
Ukumka kwawo kwintaba iHore amaSirayeli ahamba ngendlela esinga kuLwandle oluBomvu, khon' ukuze bawucezele umhlaba wamaEdom. Endleleni ke apho amaSirayeli akruquka,


text:
aza amkhalazela uThixo ndawonye noMosis, athi: “Kwakutheni kakade ukuze usikhuphe eJiputa, sizokufela kule ntlango? Akukho kutya namanzi apha! Okokwayo ke yona le nkatshu-nkatshu isikruqule!”


text:
AmaSirayeli ke athi akuqonda ukuba enze imposiso, aya kuMosis, avuma athi: “Sonile ngokukrokrela uNdikhoyo ndawonye nawe. Khawusitarhuzisele, uNdikhoyo azisuse ezi nyoka.” Ngoko ke uMosis wawathandazela amaSirayeli.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wathi kuMosis: “Yenza umfanekiso wenyoka, uwuxhome esibondeni, khon' ukuze athi nabani na olunywe yinyoka akhangele kuyo, aphile.”


text:
Ngenene ke uMosis wayenza inyoka ngobhedu, wayixhoma esibondeni. Nabani na ke olunywe yinyoka wayekhangela apho kuloo nyoka yobhedu, atsho aphile.


text:
Ukuphuma apha ke aya kumisa kwicala elingentla komlambo iAnoni, kwintlango ehamba iyokuthi xhaxhe kumhlaba wama-Amori. Ke iAnoni le yayingumda owahlula amaMowabhi kuma-Amori.


text:
Yiyo loo nto ke iNcwadi yamaDabi *kaNdikhoyo ithetha ngezi ndawo nje: “Idolophu iWahebhi kwingxingwa kaSufa; umlambo iAnoni,


text:
Ukuphuma apho ke aya kufika kwindawo ekuthiwa kuseBhere. Lelaa qula ke eli apho uNdikhoyo wathi uMosis makawaqokelele amaSirayeli, azokuwapha amanzi.


text:
Ngelo thuba ke amaSirayeli amemelela enjenje: “Khawutsabis' amanzi, qulandini! Ke thina sowamkela ngengoma.


text:
Iqula elimbiwe ngamatshawe, elingumsebenzi wezikhulu zasebantwini; elimbiwe ngomsimbithi wasebhotwe, ngokunjalo neentonga zakhona.” Ukuphuma apho entlango ke baya kugaleleka eMatana;


text:
“Sivumele sinqumle elizweni lakho. Asiyi kuphambukela emasimini okanye ezidiliyeni, okanye sisele amanzi emaquleni. Siya kuhamba ngqo ngohola, side siphume emhlabeni wakho.”


text:
Kambe ke uSihon akavumanga ukuba amaSirayeli anqumle emhlabeni wakhe. Ndaweni yaloo nto waphuma nomkhosi wakhe, waya eJaza entlango, wawahlasela amaSirayeli.


text:
Kodwa ke amaSirayeli alwa alalis' ugodo, aloyisa utshaba ada awuthimba umhlaba walo, ukusukela kumlambo iAnoni ngasentla, ukuya kwiJabhoko; lelama-Amon ke elo. Kaloku umda wama-Amon wawukhuselwe.


text:
Ngoko ke amaSirayeli azithatha zonke izixeko zama-Amori, ngokunjalo neHeshbhon needolophu eziyingqongileyo, aza ema kuzo.


text:
IHeshbhon le ke yayisisixeko esilikomkhulu likaSihon, ukumkani wama-Amori. Wayelwe nokumkani wamandulo waseMowabhi, waza wawuhlutha umhlaba wakhe ukuya kuma ngomlambo iAnoni.


text:
Kuthe ke kwakuba nje zadanduluka iimbongi zathi: “Sangena ke thina boonomthina eHeshbhon, tsotsololo phakathi kwisixeko sikaSihon ukumkani! Hayi kambe, masisivuse sime ngeenyawo.


text:
Andithi na kanene kwalapha kuwe, sixekondini Heshbhon, yayisakuphum' imikhosi kaSihon, ilenya njengomlilo? Yadangazela yaleny' isixekw' iAra kwaMowabhi, yazitshayel' iinduli ezingunozala weAnoni.


text:
Mawoo! Lixubayele kuwe, Mowabhi! Banquli bakaKemoshe, aphelil' amahlathi! Kalok' ubayekil' oonyana bakhe baziimbacu, iintombi zangamaxhoba kaSihon, ukumkani wama-Amori.


text:
Kunamhlanje nje isizukulwana sibhangile kusukela eHeshbhon kuye kuthi gaa ngeDibhon; sivuthulule eNofa, sada saya kuthi xhaxhe ngeMedebha.”


text:
UMosis wathumela iintlola, zaya kujonga indlela yokuhlasela isixeko iJazere. Ngenene ke amaSirayeli ayihlasela iJazere needoluphu eziyingqongileyo, bawagxotha ama-Amori awayemi apho kuzo.


text:
Ke kaloku amaSirayeli ajika ajonga eBhashan. UOgi, ukumkani waseBhashan, waphuma nomkhosi wakhe, wawahlasela e-Edreyi.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathetha noMosis, wathi: “Ungaxhali wena; naye lo ndiza kumenza abe lixhoba lakho ndawonye nomkhosi nomhlaba wakhe. Qhuba kwangalaa ndlela wawenze ngayo kuSihon ukumkani wama-Amori owayehlala eHeshbhon.”


text:
Ngoko ke amaSirayeli ambulala uOgi noonyana bakhe, ngokunjalo nabo bonke abantu bakhe, akashiya nempunde le. Ke wona loo mhlaba wakhe ema kuwo.


text:
Ke kaloku amaSirayeli anduluka, aza aya kumisa kumathafa aseMowabhi, kwimpuma yeJordan, malunga neJeriko.


text:
Uthe ke uBhalaki, ukumkani waseMowabhi, unyana kaZipore, akuziva izigigaba zamaSirayeli phakathi kwama-Amori,


text:
Ke amaMowabhi athetha neenkokheli zamaMidiyan, athi: “Eli hlokondiba losuka livuthulule nje konke kule ngingqi yethu, kanye oku kwenkunzi yenkomo igramza ingca edlelweni.” Ngoko ke ukumkani uBhalaki


text:
wathumela kuBhalam unyana kaBhehore owayesePetore ngakumlambo iEfrati, kumhlaba wamawabo. Umyalezo lowo wawusithi: “Ndiyakwazisa ukuba kukho isizwe esifikileyo apha siphuma eJiputa. Abantu baso banwenwele kulo lonke eli, futhi sebefike kwimida yam.


text:
Ngokwamanani bangaphezu kwethu; ngoko ke nceda uze kubaqalekisa. Mhlawumbi xa ubaqalekisile singanako ukuboyisa, sibadudule baphume kweli lizwe. Kaloku ndiyazi ukuba xa uthe wabathamsanqela abantu, bayathamsanqeleka; ukanti xa uthe waqalekisa, abantu bahlelwa lishwangusha.”


text:
Zasuka ke iinkokheli zamaMowabhi nezamaMidiyan zahamba ziphethe intlawulo kaBhalam. Zakufika kuye zawugqithisa umyalezo kaBhalaki.


text:
UBhalam wathi kuwo la madoda: “Lalani. Mna ndonazisa ngomso into endiyixelelwe *nguNdikhoyo.” Ngenene ke amatshawe amaMowabhi alala apho kwaBhalam.


text:
‘Kukho isizwe esifikileyo siphuma eJiputa. Ngoku sinwenwela kuwo wonke umhlaba. Yiza usiqalekise eso sizwe, khon' ukuze ndibe nako ukusoyisa ndisidudule simke.’ ”


text:
UThixo wathi kuBhalam: “Uze ungahambi nala madoda; uze ungabaqalekisi abo bantu, kuba bathamsanqelekile.”


text:
Ngengomso ke uBhalam wabandulula abathunywa bakaBhalaki, wathi: “Buyelani ezweni lenu, kuba uNdikhoyo akavumi ukuba ndihambe nani.”


text:
Zaya kuBhalam, zafika zathi: “UBhalaki unyana kaZipore uthi mawuncede uye kuye, ungavumeli nasiphi na isithintelo,


text:
kuba uza kukuhlawula, waye uzimisele ukukwenzela nayiphi na into oyifunayo. Ngoko ke nceda uye kuqalekisa abaya bantu.”


text:
Kambe ke uBhalam waphendula wathi: “Noba uBhalaki ubeza kundinika ibhotwe lakhe lizele yigolide nesiliva bendingeze ndawaphula umyalelo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wam.


text:
Kodwa ke nani khanilale kwanjengabanye abaya, ukuze ndiphinde ndibuzise, hleze uNdikhoyo andinike myalelo wumbi.”


text:
Ngobo busuku uThixo wafika kuBhalam, wathi: “Njengoko la madoda eze kukulanda nje, lungisa uhambe nawo. Kambe ke uze wenze loo nto ndikuxelela yona.”


text:
Uthe ke uBhalam akuba ehamba, suka wavutha ngumsindo uThixo. Wayesahamba njalo ekhwele kuloo donki yakhe enezicaka zakhe ezibini, suka isithunywa *sikaNdikhoyo saxaba endleleni yakhe.


text:
Idonki ithe yakusibona isithunywa eso sixabile endleleni, siphethe ikrele, yacebuka endleleni, yangena emasimini. Suka ke uBhalam wayibetha, wayibuyisela endleleni.


text:
Ngoku ke isithunywa eso sema apho indlela imxinwa khona phakathi kwezidiliya ezibini, kwaye kukho uthango lwamatye ngapha nangapha.


text:
Idonki leyo ithe yakusibona isithunywa eso, yayama uthango olo, latsho lagruzuka unyawo lukaBhalam. Kwakhona uBhalam wayibetha idonki leyo.


text:
Kwakhona isithunywa sahambela phambilana, safika sema apho indlela yayimxinwa kangangokuba kungabikho sithuba sakudlula ngapha nangapha.


text:
Kwesi ke isihlandlo idonki ithe yakusibona isithunywa eso yalala phantsi. UBhalam wacaphuka, waza wayingena ngenduku idonki yakhe.


text:
Kwesi sithuba ke uNdikhoyo wayenza ukuba ikwazi ukuthetha idonki leyo, yaza ke yathetha yathi kuBhalam: “Kodwa kodwa ndikwenze ntoni? Yintoni kanye ondibethela yona kwezi zihlandlo zozithathu?”


text:
Idonki yaphendula yabuza yathi: “Andithi na kanene ndiyidonki yakho, le yasoloko ikuthwala bonke ubomi bakho? Ke, kukangaphi ndikuphatha ngolu hlobo?” UBhalam waphendula wathi: “Zange nakanye.”


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wenza ukuba uBhalam asibone isithunywa eso sixabe endleleni siphethe ikrele. Akusibona ke, waziphosa phantsi ngobuso.


text:
Isithunywa sabuza sathi: “Ubuyibethela ntoni kangaka le donki yakho kude kube kathathu? Ndize kukunqanda, kuba uzifaka engozini ngolu hambo.


text:
Ke yona idonki yakho indibonile, yaza yaphambuka kwada kwakathathu. Ukuba ibingaphambukanga ngendikubulele ndasindisa kwayona.”


text:
UBhalam waphendula wathi: “Hayi, ndonile. Bendingaqondi ukuba uxabile endleleni yam, kambe ke ngoku xa ubona ukuba akufanelekanga ukuba ndihambe, ndiyajika, ndiyagoduka.”


text:
Ke sona isithunywa sathi kuye: “Hayi, sowuhamba nala madoda; kodwa ke uze uthethe loo nto ndithi thetha yona.” Ngoko ke uBhalam wahamba nazo iinkokheli zakwaBhalaki.


text:
UBhalaki uthe akuva ukuba uBhalam uyeza, wamhlangabeza, wadibana naye kwisixeko esiphezu komlambo iAnoni, kumda welaseMowabhi.


text:
UBhalaki wambuza wathi: “Kwakutheni ukuze ungezi ngokuya ndandikuthumele kuqala? Ngaba wawukrokrela ukuba sobe ndibe nako ukukuhlawula?”


text:
UBhalam waphendula wathi: “Andithi na kaloku ndizile? Kambe ke gunya lini endinalo? Hayi kaloku, ndothetha loo nto athi mandiyithethe uThixo.”


text:
Ngengomso ke uBhalaki wamthatha uBhalam, wamsa eBhamoti-bhali, apho wayeza kuba nako ukubona inxalenye yamaSirayeli.


text:
UBhalam waxelela uBhalaki ukuba akhe amaqonga amadini apho abe sixhenxe, aze amzisele isixhenxe seenkunzi zeenkomo ngokunjalo nesixhenxe seenkunzi zeegusha.


text:
UBhalaki wenza ngokomyalelo lowo, baza ke noBhalam banikela inkunzi yenkomo neyegusha kwiqonga ngalinye.


text:
UBhalam ke washiya uBhalaki kuloo ndawo, wathi kuye: “Yima ngakweli dini litshiswayo, ngeli lixa mna ndiza kukhe ndithi gu. Mhlawumbi *uNdikhoyo uza kudibana nam. Ndiya kukwazisa nasiphi na isityhilelo andinika sona.” Wahamba ke, wenyuka inkqantosi yenduli.


text:
UThixo ke wadibana naye, uBhalam wathi: “Ndakhe amaqonga asixhenxe; kulo ngalinye ndenze idini ngenkunzi yenkomo neyegusha.”


text:
Ekubuyeni kwakhe ke wamfumana uBhalaki esemi apho ngakwidini elitshiswayo, enezo nkokheli zamaMowabhi.


text:
UBhalam ke wathetha la mazwi andilisekileyo, wenjenje: “Ukumkani uBhalaki wamaMowabhi undisuse kwelama-Aram; undiphuthume kwiintaba ezisempumalanga. Uthe: ‘Yiza ushwabulele uYakobi egameni lam. Yiza kaloku, umqalekise uSirayeli.’


text:
Xa bendingubani ke mna ukuba ndiqalekise ongaqalekiswanga nguThixo, ndambathise ngeshwangusha ongashwatyulelwanga nguNdikhoyo?


text:
Kaloku nanko ndimbona ndisencochoyini yeentaba; nanko ndimbukele ndiphezu kweenduli. Ewe, luhlanga olungumth' uzimele; lona aluzibandakanyi nezinye izizwe.


text:
Izizukulwana zikaYakobi yintlaninge njengentlabathi. Ngubani ke ongamcukucezayo ambale uSirayeli? Hayi bo! Masendisifa ukufa kwelungisa. Ewe, isiphelo sam masibe njengesabakhe.”


text:
UBhalaki wabuza uBhalam wathi: “Yintoni le undenza yona? Ndingakuzisa apha ukuba uqalekise iintshaba zam, uze usuke wena uzithamsanqele!”


text:
Ke kaloku uBhalaki wathi kuBhalam: “Hamba siye kwenye indawo apho unokubona inxalenye yamaSirayeli kuphela, uze ke uthi ulapho uwaqalekise.”


text:
Waya naye kwintsimi kaZofim phezu kwentaba iPisga. Nalapho ke wenza amaqonga asixhenxe, waza wanikela ngenkunzi yenkomo neyegusha kwiqonga ngalinye.


text:
UBhalam wathi kuBhalaki: “Yima ngakweli dini litshiswayo, ngeli lixa mna ndiye kuhlangana naye qelele.”


text:
Wabuyela kwakuBhalaki ke, waza wamfumana esemi ngakwelo dini litshiswayo ndawonye neenkokheli zamaMowabhi. UBhalaki ke wambuza wathi: “Utheni uNdikhoyo?”


text:
Waza ke yena uBhalam wathetha la mazwi andilisekileyo, wenjenje: “Hoyina ke, Bhalaki, khawubaz' iindlebe; khawundiphulaphule, nyana kaZipore!


text:
UThixo yena akamntu; akaxoki, akaguqu-guquki okomntu. Akakufezekisi na akuthembisileyo? Akakuphumelelisi na akuthethileyo?


text:
Akubonwa sikhwa kuYakobi; hayi, akubonwa shwangusha kwaSirayeli. UNdikhoyo uThixo wabo ungakubo; ewe, kuvakala intswahla kuba uKumkani uphakathi kwawo.


text:
Nemilingo ingabuya nemband' esikhova kuYakobi; nabuqili nabugqwirha buza ze kuSirayeli. Yona ngundaba-mlonyeni ngoYakobi noSirayeli, kusithiwa: ‘Khawubone ke imisebenzi kaThixo!


text:
Khawukhangele ke olu hlanga! Lucondoba njengemaz' engonyama; luvungama okwengwanyalal' engonyama. Aluphumli lungazenzang' iziqweng' utshaba, luze lulithi qongqololo igazi lamaxhoba!’ ”


text:
UBhalaki wabhekisa kuBhalam wenjenje: “Xa usala ke ukuwaqalekisa la maSirayeli musa ukuwathamsanqela!”


text:
UBhalam waphendula wathi: “Andithi na kanene ndikuxelele ukuba mna ndenza loo nto ndiyixelelwa nguNdikhoyo kuphela?”


text:
UBhalaki waphinda wathetha noBhalam, wathi: “Hamba siye kwenye indawo. Mhlawumbi uThixo angakuvumela uwaqalekise amaSirayeli xa ukuloo ndawo.”


text:
UBhalam wathi: “Yenza amaqonga abe sixhenxe apha, futhi uze nesixhenxe seenkunzi zeenkomo ngokunjalo nezeegusha.”


text:
Ngenene ke uBhalaki wenza ngokomyalelo kaBhalam, wanikela ngenkunzi yenkomo neyegusha kwiqonga ngalinye.


text:
Ngeli xesha ke uBhalam wayeseleqonda ukuba *uNdikhoyo uzimisele ukumthamsanqela uSirayeli, ngoko ke akabanga sabhenela kwimilingo njengangaphambili. Wajonga ngasentlango,


text:
waza wadanduluka wathetha kwavokotheka wenjenje: “Nal' udaba olundilisekileyo lukaBhalam, unyana kaBhehore, amazwi andilisekileyo omfo obona cacileyo,


text:
izihlabo zomfo owevayo amazwi kaThixo, othwetyulweyo, kambe ethe ntsho ngamehlo, walamile, unombono kaSomandla.


text:
Zithe tyaba okweentili; zithe thande okomyezo ecaleni komlambo, ngathi ngumngcelele wekhala elityalwe nguNdikhoyo, sengathi yimisedare phezu komlambo.


text:
Kuwo imvula iya kuhlala ingunogumbe, imbewu ayityale kumhlaba otofo-tofo. Ukumkani wawo woba mkhulu kunoAgagi, ulawulo lwakhe lubalasele ngodumo.


text:
UThixo wawakhupha eJiputa, iimpondo zakhe zibaze okwenyathi. Iintshaba zawo azithi nqwam-nqwam, amathambo azo awacole. Ke lona utolo lwawo luyahlabanisela.


text:
Luhlanga olubuthuma njengengonyama; lunjengemaz' engonyama, lungavuswa ngubani? Uthamsanqelekile osikelela uSirayeli! Hay' ishwangusha kulowo umqalekisayo!”


text:
Ke kaloku uBhalaki wabhabhazela ngumsindo, wabetha ngenqindi phantsi, wathi kuBhalam: “Ndakulanda ukuba uze kuqalekisa iintshaba zam, kodwa ngoku kude kwakathathu uzithamsanqela!


text:
Yini le! Chitheka; goduka! Ndathembisa ukuba ndiya kukuvuza ungakrokri, kambe ke lo Ndikhoyo ukwalele ukuba uwufumane loo mvuzo.”


text:
ukuba noba ungade undinike lonke ibhotwe lakho lizele yisiliva negolide andingekhe ndiwutsibe umyalelo kaNdikhoyo, ndenze ukuthanda kwam. Kuphela ndiya kuthetha oko athe mandikuthethe.


text:
Ke ngoku ndiyagoduka; ndiya kwabakowethu. Kodwa ke, phambi kokuba ndihambe, ndifuna ukukhe ndikulumkise ngento aya kuyenza uSirayeli kubantu bakho.”


text:
Wathetha ke kwavokotheka uBhalam, wathi: “Nal' udaba olundilisekileyo lukaBhalam, unyana kaBhehore, amazwi andilisekileyo omfo obona cacileyo,


text:
izihlabo zomfo owevayo amazwi kaThixo, olwamkelayo ulwazi oluvela kuPhezukonke, othwetyulweyo, kambe ke ethe ntsho ngamehlo, walamile, unombono kaSomandla.


text:
Ewe, ndiyambona; nankuya phambili phaya. Ndiyamalama, umgama, phambili qelele. Ndibon' inkwenkwez' iphuma kwaYakobi; ndiwujongile umsimbithi usithi thaphu kwaSirayeli. Uya kuzintlekez' iinkokheli zikaMowabhi, abafohloz' oonyana bakaSeti.


text:
Uya kuzivuthulula iintshaba zakhe kwaEdom; ewe, iSeyire ibe yeyakhe, abe ke yena uSirayeli ekhula ngokomelela.


text:
UBhalam wabona nama-Amaleki, waza wathetha kwavokotheka wathi: “UAmaleki fudula elelona hlanga lomeleleyo, kambe ke ekugqibeleni uya kutshabalala kuthi tu!”


text:
Kwangokunjalo wabona amaKeni, waza wathetha kwavokotheka wathi: “Ikhaya lakho ngumankankela wenqaba, ngathi yindlwana ekwiimfanta zeenkelekethe zamawa.


text:
Abahlaseli bovela ngaseKiti, behamba ngezikhephe. Baya kumtshabalalisa uAsiriya noHebhere. Kambe nabo ngokwabo baya kutshabalala naphakade.”


text:
AmaMowabhikazi amema amaSirayeli ukuba aye kwizidlo zamadini awayesenzelwa *izithixo zamaMowabhi. AmaSirayeli akutya oko kutya, amnqula


text:
waza wathi kuMosis: “Thatha iinkokheli zamaSirayeli, uzibulale, uzixhome esidlangalaleni phambi *kwesibingelelo, khon' ukuze udambe umsindo wam ngakumaSirayeli.”


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis wathi kwizikhulu zakwaSirayeli: “Ngamnye kuni makabulale amawabo azibandakanye noBhali wasePehore.”


text:
Omnye umSirayeli wathatha umMidiyanikazi, wangena naye kwakhe, ebonwa nguMosis nangamaSirayeli ephela, ngexesha awayesazilile esesangweni lesibingelelo.


text:
Uthe akuyibona le nto uPineyasi, unyana kaElazare, umzukulwana wombingeleli uAron, wee sululu, wemka apho kuloo ndibano, wathatha umkhonto,


text:
walandela loo ndoda naloo mfazi, wangena apho ententeni, wabinza ngomkhonto, wabadibanisa bobabini. Ngaloo ndlela ke ubhubhani owayephethe amaSirayeli wanqamka.


text:
“Ngenxa yale nto yenziwe nguPineyasi, umsindo wam uthothile ngakumaSirayeli. Kaloku yena ngenxa yenzondelelo yakhe usiphuhlisile isidima sam ebandleni, ndaza ke ngoko andalitshabalalisa.


text:
Yena ngokunjalo nenzala yakhe boba ngababingeleli abangasoze bathini. Kaloku yena ube nekhwele ngoThixo wakhe, waza ke ngaloo ndlela wamngxengxezela uSirayeli.”


text:
Igama lomSirayeli owabulawa kunye nomMidiyanikazi yayinguZimri, unyana kaSalu, inkulu yomzi othile kwindlu kaSimon.


text:
kuba abonise ubutshaba kuni ngokunikhohlisa, nangenxa kaKozibhi owabulawa mhla ngobhubhani obangwe sisithwakumbe sasePehore.”


text:
“Libaleni ibandla lamaSirayeli liphela ngokwezindlu, nibale amadoda ukususela kubudala obuyiminyaka emashumi mabini ukunyuka, lawo afanelekileyo ukungena emkhosini.”


text:
Ngenene ke bawuthobela loo myalelo, bawaqokelela onke amadoda ayiloo ntanga. Ke kaloku ahlanganisana kuloo mathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko. Lawo ke yayingamaSirayeli awayevela eJiputa:


text:
Inani lamadoda ale mizi ke yayingamashumi amane anesithathu amawaka, anamakhulu asixhenxe, namashumi amathathu.


text:
noonyana bakhe uNemuweli, uDatan, noAbhiram. Lo Datan nalo Abhiram ke ngabaya babenyulwe ngamaSirayeli. Bamvukela uMosis noAron, baza bazibandakanya nehlokondiba likaKora ngexesha ababevukela *uNdikhoyo.


text:
Kaloku umhlaba wavuleka wabaginya, baza bafa kunye noKora nabalandeli bakhe abatshatyalaliswa ngumlilo bengamakhulu amabini namashumi amahlanu amadoda. Ke bona baba sisilumkiso kumaSirayeli.


text:
Indlu kaJuda; imizi yayo: amaShela, amaPerezi, namaZera. Isizukulwana samaPerezi ngamaHezeron namaHamuli. Isibini koonyana bakaJuda, uEre no-Onan, bafela eKanana.


text:
UZelofehadi unyana kaHefere wayengenanyana, iziintombi zodwa. Nanga amagama azo: uMala, uNoha, uHogela, uMilika, noTiza.


text:
Amadoda ale mizi ke ayengamashumi amathathu anambini amawaka, mashumi amahlanu. Le ke yinzala kaJosefu.


text:
Lilonke inani lamaSirayeli angamadoda yaba ngamakhulu amathandathu ananye amawaka, namakhulu asixhenxe, anamashumi amathathu.


text:
Umzi obanzi ilifa lawo malibe likhulu, elomzi onganeno libe nganeno. Umzi ngamnye uya kufumana ilifa lawo ngokwenani lababhaliweyo.


text:
Kwinzala yayo kukho nale mizi: amaLibheni, amaHebron, amaMali, amaMushi, namaKora. UKohati nguyise ka-Amram


text:
owathatha umLevikazi uJokobhedi owazalelwa eJiputa. Ke yena wazalela uAmram oonyana ababini, uAron noMosis, nentombi uMiriyam.


text:
Ke bona abaLevi abangamadoda ababudala buyinyanga nangaphezulu baba ngamashumi amabini anantathu amawaka. Phofu ke bona baba noludwe lwabo bodwa, kuba zange banikwe mhlaba kwaSirayeli.


text:
Le ke yimizi eyadweliswa nguMosis noElazare xa babesenza ubalo lwamaSirayeli kumathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko.


text:
Kumadoda awayebalwe nguMosis noAron kwintlango yeSinayi, kubalo lokuqala, kwakungasekho nob' ibe nye.


text:
Kaloku *uNdikhoyo wayethe onke aya kufela entlango, kusinde uKalebhi unyana kaJefune, noYoshuwa unyana kaNune. Nangoku ke kwaba njalo.


text:
UMala, uNowa, uHogela, uMilika, noTiza, ziintombi zikaZelofehadi unyana kaHefere, kaGiliyadi, kaMakire, kaManase. Ngoko ke ziintombi zakwaManase unyana kaJosefu.


text:
Ke zona zaya kuMosis noElazare umbingeleli, benamadoda amakhulu ndawonye noSirayeli ephela. Babehlanganisene esangweni *lesibingelelo.


text:
Zafika zathi: “Utata wafela entlango engazalanga nyana. Akadibananga neqela likaKora elavukela *uNdikhoyo, koko yena wafela isono sakhe.


text:
Ngani ukuba igama likabawo liduke kwaSirayeli ngokuba wayengenanyana? Sincede usinike isabelo nathi phakathi kwamawethu.”


text:
“Iintombi zikaZelofehadi zenze isicelo esifanelekileyo, ngoko ke mazinikwe isabelo phakathi kwamawazo. Ilifa likayise maliwele kuzo.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba ayinabantakwayo nayisekazi, ilifa elo malinikwe nabani na osesona sizalwana sayo sisondeleyo. Eli siko ke amaSirayeli makalithobele njengomqathango ongundoqo, alenze njengoko ndikuyaleleyo mna Ndikhoyo.’ ”


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathetha noMosis, wathi: “Nyuka uqabele intaba iAbharim, ulijonge ulibuke elo lizwe ndiza kulinika amaSirayeli.


text:
Kaloku nobabini nawuvukela umyalelo wam kwintlango iZin. Wathi uSirayeli akundikhalazela ngenxa yemeko yamanzi eMeribha nina nala ukusiphuhlisa isihomo samandla am phambi kwakhe.” (IMeribha ke ngumthombo oseKadeshe kwintlango iZin.)


text:
UNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis wathi: “Thatha uYoshuwa unyana kaNune, oyindoda endiyixhobise ngoMoya wam, ummisele ngokumbeka izandla.


text:
Biza uSirayeli ephela, nombingeleli uElazare, uze uYoshuwa ummisele angene ezihlangwini zakho apho phambi kwabo.


text:
Ke yena uya kuxhomekeka kumbingeleli uElazare, kuba kaloku yena intando yam uya kuyaziswa *ziiurim neethumim. Ngale ndlela baya kubhexeshwa nguElazare kuyo yonke imicimbi yabo.”


text:
Ke uMosis wenza ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo. UYoshuwa wammisa phambi kombingeleli uElazare ndawonye nebandla loonyana bakaSirayeli.


text:
Ngokunjalo uMosis wambeka izandla uYoshuwa, wammisela ukuba angene ezihlangwini zakhe ngokwelizwi likaNdikhoyo.


text:
makayalele amaSirayeli athi: “Ngamathuba amisiweyo ndinikeni amadini akukutya okunikelwa kum ngomlilo, idini elivumba limnandi.


text:
“Nanga ke loo madini okutya kufuneka anikelwe ngomlilo kuNdikhoyo: amadini atshiswayo emihla ngemihla, isibini samaxhwane angamaduna angenasiphako.


text:
Ixhwane ngalinye ke malihambe nomnikelo weenkozo ongumgubo wengqolowa obunzima buyikhilogram enye, udityaniswe nelitha yamafutha omnquma acwengileyo.


text:
Elo ke lidini lomlilo lemihla ngemihla; laqala ukwenziwa entabeni iSinayi, ilidini lokutya elivumba likholekileyo kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Ngorhatya kothathwa elaa xhwane liseleyo, kuqhutywe njengakusasa; ngokunjalo nangomnikelo othululwayo ohamba nalo. Elo ke lidini lomlilo elivumba liyolileyo kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
“*NgoMhla wokuPhumla makwenziwe idini ngesibini samaxhwane angamaduna angenasiphako: iikhilogram ezimbini zomgubo wengqolowa udityaniswe namafutha omnquma ube ngumnikelo weenkozo, ngokunjalo nomnikelo wewayini.


text:
Eli dini litshiswayo ke malenziwe ngayo yonke imihla yokuphumla, lisongeza kwidini elitshiswayo lemihla ngemihla elihamba nomnikelo othululwayo.”


text:
“Ekuqaleni kwenyanga nganye makwenzelwe *uNdikhoyo idini elitshiswayo: iinkunzi zeenkomo eziselula zibe mbini, inkunzi yegusha, isixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna angenasiphako onke.


text:
Umnikelo weenkozo mawube ngumgubo wengqolowa odityaniswe namafutha omnquma. Inkunzi nganye yenkomo yohamba neekhilogram ezintathu zomgubo wengqolowa; ize inkunzi yegusha yona ihambe neekhilogram ezimbini;


text:
ke lona ixhwane ngalinye lohamba nekhilogram enye. La ngamadini atshiswayo; angumnikelo wokutya osondezwa ngomlilo, ivumba elithandekayo kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Inkunzi yenkomo ihamba nomnikelo oziilitha ezimbini zewayini; inkunzi yegusha ihamba nomnikelo oyilitha enesiqingatha sewayini; lize lona ixhwane ngalinye lihambe nomnikelo oyilitha yewayini. Lowo ke ngummiselo mayela nedini elitshiswayo lomhla wokuqala wokuthwasa kwenyanga nganye enyakeni.


text:
Ngaphezu kwelo dini litshiswayo lemihla ngemihla ke lihamba nomnikelo othululwayo, makwenziwe idini lesono ngebhokhwe eliduna.”


text:
Ngomhla weshumi elinesihlanu koqala umbhiyozo. Ke kwiintsuku ezisixhenxe kosetyenziswa isonka esinganyuswanga.


text:
UNdikhoyo makenzelwe idini lomlilo, libe lidini elitshiswayo. Yoba ziinkunzi zeenkomo eziselula zibe mbini, inkunzi yegusha, nesixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Makwenziwe umnikelo weenkozo ngomgubo wengqolowa oxutywe namafutha omnquma: iikhilogram ezintathu zohamba nenkunzi yenkomo nganye; iikhilogram ezimbini zihambe nenkunzi yegusha,


text:
Ngokunjalo ke makwenziwe idini lesono ngebhokhwe eliduna, khon' ukuze ibe ngumsitho wokucamagushela amaSirayeli.


text:
Kwangaloo ndlela ke, isithuba seentsuku ezisixhenxe, nikelani kuNdikhoyo idini lomlilo elivumba likholekileyo kuye. Eli ke longeza kwidini elitshiswayo lemihla ngemihla elihamba nomnikelo othululwayo.


text:
“Iiveki ezisixhenxe emva *kwePasika ngosuku lokuqala kumsitho wesivuno xa ninikela ulibo oluziinkozo *kuNdikhoyo, makube yintlanganiso yokunqula, kungàsetyenzwa.


text:
Makwenziwe idini elitshiswayo elivumba likholekileyo kuNdikhoyo: Yoba ziinkunzi zeenkomo eziselula zibe mbini, inkunzi yegusha, kunye nesixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Makwenziwe umnikelo weenkozo ngomgubo wengqolowa oxutywe namafutha omnquma; iikhilogram ezintatu zohamba nenkunzi yenkomo, zize iikhilogram ezimbini zihambe nenkunzi yegusha;


text:
La ke, kunye nomnikelo othululwayo, ongeza idini elitshiswayo lemihla ngemihla ngokunjalo nedini leenkozo. Ngenene ezi zilwanyana mazingabi nasiphako.”


text:
“Ngomhla wokuqala kwinyanga yesixhenxe makube yintlanganiso eyodwa yokunqula, ningawuphathi umsebenzi. Ngaloo mini ke makukhaliswe amaxilongo.


text:
Yenzelani *uNdikhoyo idini elitshiswayo elivumba likholekileyo kuye: inkunzi yenkomo eselula, inkunzi yegusha, nesixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Makwenziwe umnikelo weenkozo ngomgubo wengqolowa oxutywe namafutha omnquma: iikhilogram ezintathu zomgubo wengqolowa zohamba nenkunzi yenkomo, iikhilogram ezimbini zihambe nenkunzi yegusha,


text:
La madini ke ongeza laa madini atshiswayo enziwa rhoqo kusuku lokuqala enyangeni nomnikelo weenkozo, ngokunjalo nedini elitshiswayo lemila ngemihla elihamba nomnikelo weenkozo nothululwayo. La madini omlilo alivumba elimnandi kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
“Ngomhla weshumi kwinyanga yesixhenxe makube yintlanganiso eyodwa yokunqula, ukutya nomsebenzi kuzilwe.


text:
Yenzani idini elitshiswayo; lona lilivumba eliyolileyo *kuNdikhoyo: inkunzi yenkomo eselula, inkunzi yegusha nesixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Yenzani umnikelo weenkozo ngomgubo wengqolowa oxutywe namafutha omnquma: iikhilogram ezintathu zihambe nenkunzi yenkomo, iikhilogram ezimbini zihambe nenkunzi yegusha;


text:
Makwenziwe idini lesono ngebhokhwe eliduna ukongeza kulaa bhokhwe yocamagushelo nedini elitshiswayo lemihla ngemihla elihamba nomnikelo weenkozo nothululwayo.”


text:
“Ngomhla weshumi elinesihlanu kwinyanga yesixhenxe makube yintlanganiso eyodwa yokunqula, ningawuphathi umsebenzi. Yenzelani *uNdikhoyo itheko iintsuku zibe sixhenxe.


text:
Ngalo mhla wokuqala yenzelani uNdikhoyo idini lomlilo elivumba limnandi kuye: ishumi elinesithathu leenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula, iinkunzi zeegusha zibe mbini, neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Yenzani umnikelo weenkozo ngomgubo wengqolowa oxutywe namafutha omnquma: iikhilogram ezintathu zomgubo zihambe nenkunzi yenkomo nganye, iikhilogram ezimbini zihambe nenkunzi yegusha nganye,


text:
Makwenziwe nedini lesono ngebhokhwe eliduna. Onke ke la madini ongeza idini elitshiswayo lemihla ngemihla elihamba nomnikelo weenkozo nothululwayo.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesibini makwenziwe amadini ngeenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula zibe lishumi elinambini, iinkunzi zeegusha zibe mbini, neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesithathu makunikelwe ishumi elinanye leenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula, isibini seenkunzi zeegusha, neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesine makunikelwe ishumi leenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula, isibini seenkunzi zeegusha, neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesihlanu makunikelwe iinkunzi zeenkomo eziselula zibe lithoba, iinkunzi zeegusha zibe mbini, neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesithandathu makunikelwe isibhozo seenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula, iinkunzi zeegusha zibe mbini, namaxhwane angamaduna alishumi elinesine, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Ngosuku lwesixhenxe konikelwa isixhenxe seenkunzi zeenkomo eziselula, neenkunzi zeegusha ezimbini, ndawonye neshumi elinesine lamaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
Makwenziwe idini elitshiswayo libe lidini lomlilo elimkholisayo uNdikhoyo: inkunzi yenkomo eselula, inkunzi yegusha, nesixhenxe samaxhwane angamaduna, angenasiphako onke.


text:
“Le ke yimimiselo mayela namadini atshiswayo, neminikelo yeenkozo nethululwayo, neyobudlelwane, ekufuneka niyenzele uNdikhoyo ngokusesikweni ngamaxesha ayo. La madini neminikelo ongeza kumadini ezithembiso okanye awokuqhutywa yintliziyo.”


text:
“Indoda xa ithe yenza isibhambathiso kuNdikhoyo, okanye xa ithe yenza isifungo sokuzibophelela, mayingasaphuli eso sifungo, koko mayikufezekise konke ekuthembisileyo.


text:
Kodwa ke xa athe akuva ngale nyewe uyise, wala ukuba isifezekise eso sithembiso, ayisabophelelekanga kuso. UNdikhoyo uya kuyixolela, kuba yalelwe nguyise ukuba mayisifezekise.


text:
“Kambe ukuba intombi yenze isithembiso, iqonda okanye ingaqondi, mhlawumbi yafungela ukuzila into ethile, yaza ke kamva yenda,


text:
ke yena wathi akusiva umyeni wayo akathetha nto, isifungo eso okanye isithembiso sohlala siyibophile.


text:
Kodwa ke ukuba ithe yakuva ngesi sifungo indoda yayo yasichasa eso sifungo okanye isithembiso, siya kuba sitshitshile; futhi ke xa kunjalo noNdikhoyo uya kuyixolela.


text:
“Ke yena umhlolokazi okanye umfazi owahlukene nendoda yakhe, xa ethe wenza isithembiso okanye isifungo, uya kunyanzeleka ukuba asifezekise.


text:
yaza yathi yakuyiva loo nto indoda yakhe ayathetha nto, ayasichasa eso sithembiso okanye isifungo, uya kunyanzeleka ukuba asifezekise.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba ithe yakusiva eso sifungo indoda yakhe yasichasa, soba sitshitshisiwe eso sithembiso okanye isifungo, kuba kaloku indoda yakhe imalele ukuba asifezekise; ngoko ke noNdikhoyo uya kumxolela.


text:
Ukuba ke indoda leyo ithe yakuva ngeso sifungo yathatha ithuba ingathethi nto, yoba iyasixhasa eso sithembiso okanye isifungo azibophe ngaso umfazi wayo; ewe, yoba isixhasile xa ingathethanga nto yakuba ivile ngaso.


text:
Phofu ke ukuba ithule yathula yajika ngengomso yasitshitshisa eso sifungo, ityala lokungafezekiswa kwaso loba semagxeni ayo.”


text:
Nantso ke imimiselo eyanikwa uMosis nguNdikhoyo mayela nendoda nomfazi wayo, ngokunjalo mayela nentombi ekowayo.


text:
Ngoko ke uMosis wayalela amaSirayeli, wathi: “Xhobisani amadoda omkhosi ukuze ahlasele amaMidiyani, aphindezele ngenxa kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Indlu nganye ke yakhetha yakhupha iwaka lamadoda, aza ke ewonke alishumi elinambini lamawaka alibophe aligangatha.


text:
UMosis ke wawukhupha lo mkhosi, uhamba nombingeleli uPineyasi unyana kaElazare. Yena waya edabini ephethe izitya ezingcwele namaxilongo okuhlaba umkhosi.


text:
kunye neekumkani ezintlanu zamaMidiyani: uEvi, uRekem, uZure, uYuri, noRebha. Bambulala noBhalam unyana kaBhehore.


text:
AmaSirayeli athimba abafazi bamaMidiyani nabantwana bawo, ayithatha yonke imfuyo yawo, azenzela nakubutyebi bawo.


text:
bakusa kuMosis noElazare noSirayeli ephela. Bona ke babemise kumathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko.


text:
Senilibele ngoku ukuba yayingabafazi abâlandela icebo likaBhalam, baza bawawexula amaSirayeli, amvukela *uNdikhoyo ePehore? Kaloku nantso into eyehlisela abantu bakaNdikhoyo ngobhubhani.


text:
Bonke ke kuni ababuleleyo nabathe bachukumisa izidumbu mabahlale ngaphandle komzi iintsuki zibe sixhenxe. Ngosuku lwesithathu nolwesixhenxe zihlambululeni ndawonye nâbo nibathimbileyo.


text:
Ngokunjalo ke hlambululani yonke into eyeyokunxiba, nayo yonke into eyenziwe ngofele, uboya bebhokhwe, okanye umthi.”


text:
Umbingeleli uElazare wathetha naloo madoda awayevela emfazweni, wathi: “Nantsi imimiselo enikelwe uMosis nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Uthe yonke into engatshiyo enjengegolide, isiliva, ubhedu, intsimbi, inkcenkce, okanye ilothe, mayihlanjululwe ngokufakwa emlilweni, ize ifakwe emanzini okuhlambulula. Izinto ezizezinye ke zona zohlanjululwa ngamanzi okuhlambulula kuphela.


text:
Ngosuku lwesixhenxe ke kofuneka nizihlambe iimpahla zenu; xa kunjalo ke noba nihlambulukile ngokusesikweni, nibe nako nokungena emzini.”


text:
“Thatha uElazare neenkulu zezindlu zamaSirayeli, nibale yonke into eniyithimbileyo kunye namabanjwa nemfuyo.


text:
Onke amaxhoba lawo wahluleni kubini ngokulinganayo. Esinye isahlulo soba sesamajoni, esinye ke sibe sesebandla lonke.


text:
Kwisahlulo samajoni thathani umrhumo kaNdikhoyo; wona ke woba libanjwa elinye kwangamakhulu amahlanu. Nosebenzisa kwaloo mlinganiselo ke nakwimfuyo.


text:
Ke kwisahlulo samaSirayeli thathani libe linye kumabanjwa angamashumi amahlanu, niqhube kwangaloo mlinganiselo ke nakwimfuyo. Ezi zinto ke zona zinikeni abaLevi abo balusa *isibingelelo.”


text:
Nalu ke uludwe lwamaxhoba awathinjwa ngumkhosi xa ewonke: amakhulu amathandathu namashumi asixhenxe anantlanu amawaka eegusha neebhokhwe;


text:
Ke isahlulo samajoni saba ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi amathathu anesixhenxe samawaka namakhulu amahlanu eegusha neebhokhwe;


text:
Zona iinkomo zangamashumi amathathu anesithandathu amawaka; aza ke amashumi asixhenxe anambini aba ngumrhumo kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Iidonki ke zona zazingamashumi amathathu amawaka namakhulu amahlanu; waza ke wona umrhumo kaNdikhoyo waba ngamashumi amathandathu ananye.


text:
Iintombi namantombazana zaba lishumi elinesithandathu lamawaka; umrhumo kaNdikhoyo ke waba ngamashumi amathathu anambini.


text:
Kwesi sahlulo ke uMosis wathatha lalinye kumashumi amahlanu amabanjwa, ngokunjalo nakwimfuyo, wanika abaLevi ababesalusa isibingelelo ngokwelizwi likaNdikhoyo.


text:
Nanku umnikelo ke ophuma kwizinto zegolide esizifumeneyo sonke ngabanye: imixhaka, iibhengile, imisesane, amacici, namaso. Sizinikela ukuba zibe sisicamagushelo sobomi bethu kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
Ngoko ke uMosis noElazare bayithatha igolide leyo, bayisa esibingelelweni, khon' ukuze ibe sisikhumbuzo samaSirayeli kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke kaloku amaRubhen namaGadi ayenemihlambi emikhulu yeenkomo. Athe ke akuwuqonda umhlaba waseJazere naseGiliyadi ukuba uyifanele imfuyo,


text:
“Lo mhlaba amaSirayeli awuphiwe *nguNdikhoyo – sitsho ezi dolophu: iAtaroti, iDibhon, iJazere, iNimra, iHeshbhon, iElale, iSebham, iNebho, neBheyoni – ungumhlaba olungele iinkomo, ibe ke nathi sineenkomo ezininzi.


text:
Ngoko ke kunganjani xa lo mhlaba unikwa thina, ube sisabelo sethu, sime apha kuwo, singabi sayiwela iJordan? Siyakubongoza.”


text:
UMosis waphendula wathi: “Ngaba ke nina nifuna ukuhlala apha nisonge izandla xa wona amawenu esiya emfazweni?


text:
Ningathini kaloku ukusuka niwatyhafise ngolo hlobo amaSirayeli, xa wona ewela iJordan, esiya kuthatha umhlaba awuphiwe nguNdikhoyo?


text:
Bahamba baya kuma ngentili ye-Eshkoli, bawubona lo mhlaba, kodwa bathi bakubuya bawatyhafisa amaSirayeli, khon' ukuze angezi kweli lizwe aliphiweyo nguNdikhoyo.


text:
‘Ngenxa yokuba bengakholosanga ngam, kula madoda akwiminyaka emashumi mabini nangaphezulu aphuma eJiputa akukho nanye iya kungena kwelo lizwe ndabathembisa ngalo ooAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi.’


text:
“Esi sifungo ke sabandakanya bonke ngaphandle kukaKalebhi unyana kaJefune umKeni, noYoshuwa unyana kaNune. Kaloku bona bakholosa ngoNdikhoyo.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wakhathazeka, waza amaSirayeli wawabhadulisa entlango isithuba seminyaka engamashumi amane, sada safa saphela eso sizukulwana sasimonile.


text:
Nina ke eningene ezihlangwini zooyihlo, nisisizukulwana esitsha esigwenxa esizimisele ukuhlisela umsindo kaNdikhoyo phezu kwamaSirayeli kwakhona.


text:
Nani ke, maRubhen namaGadi, ukuba niyala ukunamathela kuye ngoku, uya kuphinda awalahle entlango amaSirayeli, ize ke intshabalalo yawo ibe yimhemhe yenu.”


text:
Ke wona asuka aya kuMosis, ambongoza athi: “Sivumele sakhele iigusha zethu iintlanti, futhi sakhele iintsapho zethu iidolophu.


text:
Sizimisele ukuxhoba siwakhokele amawethu emadabini, siwancedise ade awume loo mhlaba uza kuba ngowawo. Ke zona iintsapho zethu siya kuzishiya zihleli kwiidolophu ezinqatyisiweyo, zingabi nakuchukunyiswa ngabantu beli lizwe.


text:
Ngokunjalo ke thina soze sifumane sabelo samhlaba phaya phesheya kweJordan, kuba kaloku esethu nasi ngeneno empuma yeJordan.”


text:
UMosis waphendula wathi: “Xa kunjalo ke, zilungiseleleni apha phambi kukaNdikhoyo, nizimisele ukuya edabini.


text:
Onke amajoni enu kufuneka awele iJordan ekhokelwe nguNdikhoyo, azihlasele iintshaba zakhe ade azoyise, uNdikhoyo


text:
awohluthe umhlaba wazo. Emva koko ke noba nako ukubuya; kaloku noba nimanelisile uNdikhoyo ndawonye namawenu. Ke wona lo mhlaba woba sisabelo senu enisinikwe nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba anisifezekisanga esi sithembiso, ze nazi ukuba nimonile uNdikhoyo, ibe ke sona isono senu siya kuba yinto kuni.


text:
Ngoko ke yakhelani iintsapho zenu iidolophu, nakhele nemfuyo yenu iintlanti, kambe nisifezekise isithembiso senu.”


text:
Ke kaloku amaGadi namaRubhen aphendula athi: “Izicaka zakho ziya kwenza ngokwelizwi lakho, mhlekazi.


text:
Ke thina sonke sesilungele ukungena phantsi koNdikhoyo. Soxhoba siyiwele iJordan; siya kulwa emfazweni ngokomyalelo wakho.”


text:
wathi: “Ukuba amaGadi namaRubhen ayiwelile iJordan, aza alwa kumkhosi kaNdikhoyo, naza ke noyisa nalithimba elo lizwe, ke wona ze niwanike umhlaba waseGiliyadi, ibe sisabelo sawo.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba akayiwelanga iJordan aya kulwa kunye nani, isabelo sawo osifumana kwelaseKanana kunye nani.”


text:
Siya kuwela siye kwilizwe laseKanana, silwe siphantsi kwakhe, ukuze singaphulukani nesabelo sethu apha kwimpuma yeJordan.”


text:
Ngoko ke uMosis wabela amaGadi, amaRubhen, nenxalenye yabakwaManase, wonke ummandla kakumkani uSihon wama-Amori, ndawonye nokakumkani uOgi waseBhashan, ngokunjalo needolophu namaphandle awujikelezileyo.


text:
iNebho, iBhali-mehon (eli ke igama latshintshwa), neSibhema. Iidolophu abazakhayo bazithiya ngokutsha.


text:
Ke bona abakwaMakire, unyana kaManase, bahlasela umhlaba waseGiliyadi, bawagxotha ama-Amori awayelapho, baza bema kuwo loo mhlaba.


text:
UJayire wendlu kaManase wahlasela iidolophana ezithile, waza wazithatha wazibiza ngokuba ziidolophana zikaJayire.


text:
Le yimbali echaza ngeendawo awathi emisa kuzo ngokwezindlu zawo amaSirayeli ukuphuma kwawo eJiputa ekhokelwa nguMosis noAron.


text:
AmaSirayeli anduluka eJiputa ngomhla weshumi elinesihlanu kwinyanga yokuqala enyakeni, kusuku olulandela *iPasika, aphuma engafihlakalanga eRamesi, ekhokelwa nguNdikhoyo, ebonwa ngamaJiputa


text:
awayexakeke kukungcwaba oonyana bawo abangamazibulo ababebulewe nguNdikhoyo. Ngesi senzo ke uNdikhoyo wazicacisa ukuba ungumakhonya *nakoothixo bamaJiputa.


text:
Ayishiya iPi-hahiroti, awela uLwandle oluBomvu, angena kwintlango yase-Etam; aza ke athi emva kweentsuku ezintathu aya kugaleleka emisa eMora.


text:
Ukunduluka kwawo apho ke aya kumisa e-Elim, kuba khona kwakukho imithombo yamanzi elishumi elinambini nemithi yesundu engamashumi asixhenxe.


text:
Ukuphuma kwawo eRefidim esiya kwintaba iHore, emisa kwezi ndawo zilandelayo: kwintlango iSinayi, iKibroti-hatava, iHazeroti, iRitema, iRimon-pereze, iLibhena, iRisa, iKehelata, intaba iShefere, iHarada, iMakeloti, iTahati, iTera, iMiteka, iHashemona, iMoseroti, iBhene-yakan, iHori-hagidegadi, iYotebhata, iAbrona, iEziyon-gebhere, eKadeshe kwintlango yeZin, nangakwintaba iHore emideni yase-Edom.


text:
Ke kaloku ngokuyalelwa nguNdikhoyo umbingeleli uAron waqabela kwintaba iHore. Ke yena wafela apho ngomhla wokuqala kwinyanga yesihlanu kunyaka wamashumi amane amaSirayeli andulukayo eJiputa. Wayeneminyaka elikhulu elinamashumi amabini anantathu walibonayo ilanga.


text:
Ukuphuma kwintaba iHore, ukuya kumathafa aseMowabhi amaSirayeli emisa kwezi ndawo zilandelayo: eZalmona, ePunon, eObhoti, eIye-abharim emdeni womhlaba waseMowabhi, eDibhon yakwaGadi, eAlmon-diblatayim, kwintaba iAbharim, ngakwintaba iNebho, nakumathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko phakathi kweBhete-yeshimoti neentili zeShitim.


text:
Ke kaloku kwathi xa alapho kuloo mathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko, *uNdikhoyo wanika uMosis le miyalelo,


text:
ze nibakhuphe nibagxothe abemi bakhona. *Izithixo zabo ezenziwe ngobhedu nangamatye ze nizitshabalalise ndawonye neendawo abanqulela kuzo.


text:
Loo mhlaba wabo ze niwahlula-hlulele izindlu nemizi yenu *ngamaqashiso; imizi leyo ke ze niyabele ngokobubanzi bayo.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba anibagxothanga bonke abemi balo, abo baseleyo boba yinkathazo njengeliso eliphandliweyo kuni, okanye kufane nokuba nihlatywe ngameva; ewe, bojika banilwe.


text:
Ngaphezu koko ke ukuba anibagxothanga ndonitshabalalisa njengoko ndandizimisele ukutshabalalisa bona kakade.”


text:
le miyalelo, wathi makayigqithisele kumaSirayeli, athi: “Nantsi ke imida yelizwe laseKanana endinipha lona.


text:
Umda wangezantsi uya kusuka kwintlango iZin, ubhijele kumda wase-Edom. Ngasempuma uya kuthatha kumazantsi oLwandle oluFileyo,


text:
uhle ujonge kwinkalo yeAkrabhim, utyhutyhumeze ungene eZin, uyokuthi gaa ngeKadeshe-bhaneya. Ukuphuma apho uya kujonga emantla-ntshona, uye eHazare-adare, uphumele eAzemon,


text:
Uya kuhla uye eRibhela kwimpuma yeAyin, utyhutyhumeze kwiinduli ezikwimpuma yonxweme loLwandle lwaseGalili;


text:
uze ke wenjenjeya ukuhla ngomlambo iJordan, uye kuthi gaa ngoLwandle oluFileyo. “Yomine ke le yimida yelizwe lenu.”


text:
UMosis ke waxelela amaSirayeli, wathi: “Nâlo ke ilizwe eniza kulizuza *ngamaqashiso, ilizwe elabelwe izindlu ezilithoba ezinesiqingatha *nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke zona izindlu zikaRubhen, uGadi, kunye nesiqingatha sikaManase, zisifumene isabelo sazo ngokwemizi yazo ngaphesheya kwimpuma yeJordan malunga neJeriko.”


text:
Nanga ke amagama eenkokheli ezo: Indlu Inkokheli KwaJuda uKalebhi unyana kaJefune KwaSimon uShemuweli unyana ka-Amihudi KwaBhenjamin uElidade unyana kaKiselon KwaDan uBhuki unyana kaJogeli KwaManase kaJosefu uHaniyeli unyana kaEfodi KwaEfrayim kaJosefu uKemuweli unyana kaShiftan KwaZebhulon uElizafan unyana kaParnaki KwaIsakare uPaltiyeli unyana ka-Azana Kwa-Ashere uAbhihudi unyana kaShelomi KwaNafetali uPedayeli unyana ka-Amihudi.”


text:
“Xelela amaSirayeli ukuba kuloo mihlaba ayinikiweyo makahlulele abaLevi iidolophu ezithile ndawonye namadlelo azingqongileyo.


text:
Amadlelo makasuke kwiindonga zesixeko abhekele phaya isithuba esingamakhulu amane anamashumi amahlanu eemitha macala,


text:
khon' ukuze ubekho ummandla olinganayo ongamakhulu asithoba eemitha ngapha nangapha, isixeko sona siphakathi.


text:
AbaLevi ze nibanike iidolophu zibe ntandathu, apho umntu angabalekela khona xa abulele omnye ngengozi. Ngaphezu koko ke banikeni ezinye iidolophu zibe ngamashumi amane anambini


text:
Inani leedolophu ezinikwa abaLevi kwindlu nganye loxhomekeka kubungakanani bomhlaba waloo ndlu. Kweneedolophu ezininzi phungula kakhulu; kweneedolophu ezimbalwa phungula kancinci.”


text:
Xa elapho ke woba usindile kwimpindezelo yesizalwana sikamfi. Umntu otyholwa ngokubulala omnye akufuneki abulawe lingakhange lithethwe enkundleni ityala lakhe.


text:
Ezi dolophu zoba yindawo yokubalekela kumaSirayeli, kanti nakwiintlanga ezingabangeneleli okanye abemi. Nabani na ke obulele umntu ngengozi woba nokubalekela kwenye yazo.


text:
“Kambe ke yena umntu obulele omnye esebenzisa isixhobo esiyintsimbi, ilitye, okanye umthi, woba netyala lokubulala, isigwebo sakhe ibe kukubulawa.


text:
Uxanduva lokubulala isigwinta eso loba phezu kwesizalwana esingumphindezeli. Apho sisifumene khona masisibulale eso sigwinta.


text:
“Ukuba umntu unomntu amzondayo waza wambulala ngokumeyelisela, ukumgibisela ngento, okanye ukumlalela,


text:
noba kukumbetha ngamanqindi, loo mntu unetyala lokubulala, makabulawe. Uxaduva lokubulala eso sigwinta loba kwisizalwana esingumphindezeli womfi lowo; ngoko ke masisibulale apho sisifumene khona.


text:
“Kambe ke ukuba umntu ubulele omnye ngengozi, kungengakuba ebemzonda, noba umbulele ngokumeyelisela okanye ukumgibisela ngento,


text:
kwimeko enjalo ityala maligwetywe yinkundla, nayo ke igwebele lo ubuleleyo, ingesiso isizalwana sikamfi esifuna impindezelo.


text:
Inkundla mayimhlangule umbulali lowo kwisizalwana sikamfi; makabuyiselwe kwakuloo dolophu ebephephele kuyo. Umbulali lo ke makahlale apho kude kufe loo mntu ungumbingeleli omkhulu kwelo thuba, lowo uthanjiswe ngamafutha angcwele.


text:
Loo mntu ubuleleyo makahlale apho kuloo dolophu yokuphephela kude kufe umbingeleli omkhulu; emva koko ke angagoduka.


text:
“Umntu otyholwa ngokubulala angáfunyanwa enetyala aze abulawe kuphela xa kukho amangqina; ke lona ingqina elinye alanele ukuxhasa isityholo sombulali.


text:
Ukuba umntu ubalekele kwidolophu yokuphephela makangavunyelwa akhuphe intlawulo khon' ukuze abe nokugoduka engekafi umbingeleli omkhulu.


text:
Ze ningalifaki *umlaza ilizwe lakowenu. Kaloku ubugwinta buyalingcolisa ilizwe. Ibe ke ucamagushelo alunakwenzelwa ilizwe ekuphalazwe igazi kulo, ngaphandle kokuba kuphalazwe igazi lesigwinta eso.


text:
Ningaze nilifake umlaza ilizwe enihlala kulo; kaloku mna ndinguNdikhoyo, ndihlala phakathi kwabantu bam amaSirayeli.”


text:
Iinkulu zendlu yakwaGiliyadi unyana kaMakire umzukulwana kaManase unyana kaJosefu, zaya kuMosis enezinye iinkokheli.


text:
Zafika zathi: “*UNdikhoyo wakuyalela ukuba amaSirayeli uwabele umhlaba *ngamaqashiso. Ngokunjalo wathi umhlaba womntakwethu uZelofehadi uze uwunike iintombi zakhe.


text:
Kambe ke xa zithe zendela ndlwini yimbi, loo mhlaba wazo uwela kuloo ndlu; ngaloo ndlela ke umhlaba olilifa lethu utsho unciphe.


text:
Ngonyaka wobuyiselo xa yonke imihlaba ebithengiwe ibuyiselwa kubanini bayo bamandulo, imihlaba yeentombi zikaZelofehadi ibuyela kwezo zindlu zendele kuzo; ngaloo ndlela ke uyancipha umhlaba olilifa lakowethu.”


text:
Ngoko ke uMosis wathetha namaSirayeli, wawanika lo myalelo kaNdikhoyo uthi: “Le nto ithethwa ngamaManase yinyani.


text:
Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Iintombi zikaZelofehadi zikhululekile ukuba zendele nakubani na, kodwa ke kube kwakule ndlu yakowazo.


text:
Umhlaba olilifa lendlu yakwaSirayeli mawungadluleli kwizindlu ngezindlu. Umhlaba womSirayeli ngamnye kufuneka uhlale ungowaloo ndlu azalwa kuyo nanini na.


text:
Intombi yomSirayeli efumene ilifa lomhlaba kufuneka yendele kwakuloo ndlu yakowayo. Ngale ndlela ke umhlaba wookhokho bendlu ethile uya kujikeleza kwakuloo ndlu,


text:
Ke kaloku uMala, uTiza, uHogela, uMilika, noNoha, iintombi zikaZelofehadi, zenza ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis, zendela kwimizi yendlu yakowazo.


text:
Ewe, zendela kwakwimizi yendlu kaManase unyana kaJosefu, yaza ke ngolo hlobo imihlaba kayise ayaphuma kule ndlu yakowazo.


text:
Nantso ke imiyalelo nemimiselo eyanikwa amaSirayeli nguNdikhoyo ngoMosis, kuloo mathafa aseMowabhi phesheya kweJordan malunga neJeriko.


text:
Le yintetho uMosis awayibhekisayo kumaSirayeli xa ayesentlango phesheya kweJordan kwicala lasempumalanga. Babekwintili yeJordan ngaseSufi, phakathi kweParan nezi dolophu: iTofele, iLabhan, iHazeroti, neDizahabhi.


text:
Luhambo lweshumi elinanye lweentsuku ukusuka kwintaba iHorebhe ukuya eKadeshe-bhaneya xa udlula kweleentaba lase-Edom.


text:
Ngomhla wokuqala kwinyanga yeshumi elinanye yonyaka wamashumi amane amaSirayeli aphumayo eJiputa, uMosis wawaxelela zonke izinto awayeziyalelwe *nguNdikhoyo malunga nawo.


text:
Ngeli xesha ke kwakusemveni kokoyiswa kokumkani uSihon wama-Amori owayehlala eHeshbhon; ngokunjalo nokumkani uOgi waseBhashan owayekwiidolophu iAshtaroti ne-Edreyi.


text:
“Xa sasikwintaba iHorebhe uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu wathetha nathi, wathi: ‘Seninethuba elide nikule ntaba.


text:
Ngoko ke ndulukani, nisinge ngakumhlaba weentaba wama-Amori, niye kwizizwe eziwungqongileyo kwintili yeJordan, nommandla weentaba ngokunjalo, namathafa kumazantsi aloo ngingqi, ukuya kuthi xhaxhe kunxweme lolwandle. Ewe, jongani kwelaseKanana, niphumele kwiintaba zeLebhanon, niyokuthi gaa ngomlambo omkhulu iEfrati.


text:
Niyabona, lo mhlaba ndiwunika nina. Ngoko ke hambani niwuthathe, nime kuwo. Kaloku ndênza isibhambathiso sokuwunika ookhokho benu, uAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi, ngokunjalo nezizukulwana zabo.’ ”


text:
Kambe ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wookhokho benu wanga anganandisa kaliwaka, anithamsanqelise ngokwesithembiso sakhe!


text:
Kodwa ke, uxanduva olungaka lokusombulula amaqhina anixakayo ndingaluthwala njani ndedwa? Nditsho imithwalo yenu neembambano zenu.’


text:
Kungoko ke ndathi: ‘Kwindlu nganye khethani amadoda azizilumko ezaziwayo, amadoda anamava, ukuze ndiwamisele ajongane nezidla umzi.’


text:
Ngoko ke ndawathatha loo madoda azizilumko anamava naniwakhethe ngokwezindlu zenu, ndawamisela ukuba ajongane neengxaki zenu. Ndawamisa ke ajongana namaqela angabantu abangamawaka, amakhulu, namashumi ngamahlanu, namashumi ngamanye. Ngokwenjenjalo ndaba ndinimisela amagosa ngokwezindlu zenu zonke.


text:
“Ngelo xesha ke ndabayalela abaphicotha iimbambano ezivelayo phakathi kwenu, ndathi: ‘Umcimbi ngamnye ze niwuphicothe ningenaxanasi, noba ngowamaSirayeli odwa okanye ngowomSirayeli nomngeneleli.


text:
Ze ningakhethi buso xa nigwebayo, koko ze nigwebe ulowo nalowo, noba ungubani na, ngokufanayo. Ze ningabi nadyudyu, ningoyiki mntu, kuba nigweba ngegunya likaThixo. Ke yona imicimbi enoyisayo ze niyizise kum, ndiyigwebe ngokwam.’


text:
“Ke kaloku senza ngokomlomo *kaNdikhoyo, sanduluka entabeni iHorebhe, sacanda kweso sidikidiki sentlango eyoyikekayo, sajonga kweleentaba kuma-Amori. Sathi ke sakufika eKadeshe-bhaneya


text:
ndathi ke mna: ‘Ngoku nifikile kumhlaba weentaba kwelama-Amori, mhlaba lowo asinika wona uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.


text:
Niyabona, uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, uninike lo mhlaba. Ngoko ke hambani niwuthathe, nime kuwo, njengoko uNdikhoyo uThixo wookhokho aniyalelayo. Sanukuba nexhala okanye noyike.’


text:
“Kambe ke nina nonke neza kum, nathi: ‘Masithumele iintlola, ziye kuwujonga umhlaba, zisicebise ngeyona ndlela singayithathayo, futhi zisicebise nangokuma kweedolophu zakhona.’


text:
Ke kaloku sevana ngaloo ndawo, ndaza ke mna ndanyula ishumi elinambini lamadoda, yanye kwindlu nganye.


text:
Ekubuyeni kwawo asiphathela iziqhamo zakhona, enza nengxelo ethi elo lizwe asinika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu lihle liyintombazana.


text:
Nahlala phantsi nakhalaza, nisithi: ‘UNdikhoyo usithiyile; ebengekhe asikhuphe kwelaseJiputa, aze azokusibeka esichengeni sokubulawa ngala ma-Amori!


text:
Siya kuya phi na ke ngoku? Andithi kaloku nala madoda besiwathumile asityhafisile esithi abantu belo lizwe bomelele, futhi bade kunathi, ngokunjalo bahlala kwiidolophu ezinkulu ezibiyelwe ngeendonga ezirhec' izulu; kananjalo babone neengxilimbela ezingoonyana baka-Anaki!’


text:
nasentlango. Andithi kaloku yena wanibeleka njengoko uyise enjenjalo kunyana wakhe, yonke loo ndlela kude kube ngoku?’


text:
kanti nguye owayesoloko enikhokela ade anifunele nendawo eningamisa kuyo. Ewe, kaloku wayenikhokela ngelangatye lomlilo ebusuku, ukuze niyibone indlela emanihambe ngayo, aze anikhokele ngomqulu welifu emini.”


text:
‘Inene, akukho namnye kuni, sizukulwanandini esigwenxa, uya kungena kwelo lizwe lihle kunene ndabathembisa ngalo ngesifungo ooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
Kuphela longenwa nguKalebhi unyana kaJefune. Kaloku yena wahlala enyanisekile kum, ndaye ke elo lizwe walihlolayo ndiza kulinikela kuye nesizukulwana sakhe.’


text:
“Kwakukwangenxa yenu ukuze uNdikhoyo akhathazeke, athi kum: ‘Nawe ngokwakho soze uthi cakatha kwelo lizwe.


text:
Kambe ke ihlakani lakho, uYoshuwa unyana kaNune, nguye oya kulingena elo lizwe; mkhuthaze, kuba nguye oya kungenisa uSirayeli kwelo lizwe elililifa lakhe.’


text:
“Ngaphezu koko ke uNdikhoyo wathi: ‘Ngabantwana benu kuphela abaya kungena kwelo lizwe; nditsho abo bangekakwazi ukwahlula okubi kokuhle, abo kanye nanisithi nina boba ngamaxhoba otshaba. Elo lizwe ndiya kulinikela kubo, limiwe ngabo.


text:
“Ke nina naphendula nathi kum: ‘Simonile uNdikhoyo. Ngoko ke siza kujika silihlasele elo lizwe ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.’ Ngenene ke nonke naqulela imfazwe, nicinga ukuba yoba yindlwana iyanetha ukuhlasela eleentaba.


text:
Ke yena uNdikhoyo wathi kum: ‘Balumkise uthi: “Ningayi kulwa; andiyi kuhamba nani ndinilwele; niya koyiswa ziintshaba zenu.” ’


text:
Ndanixelela ke loo mazwi kaNdikhoyo, kodwa zange niwakhathalele. Ewe, nasuka namgwilikela, naza nathi ngelo kratshi lenu nalihlasela eleentaba.


text:
Asuka ke wona ama-Amori awayehlala kwezo ntaba, athi quba phezu kwenu oku kwebubu leenyosi. Aningena ke, aniswantsulisa, nada naya kufika eHoma, anoyisela kwezo ntaba zaseSeyire.


text:
“Emva koko sanduluka sangena entlango ngendlela eya kuLwandle oluBomvu, ngokwelizwi *likaNdikhoyo. Apho ke sathatha ithuba elide ukujikeleza ezo ntaba zaseSeyire.


text:
Ke ngoko uzubayale abantu, uthi: “Ngoku seniza kungena kweleentaba laseSeyire, umhlaba wamawenu inzala kaEsawu. Ke wona aza kunoyika,


text:
kambe ke ze nizilumkele ningawaqali, kuba kaloku andiyi kuninika nomhlathana lo kumhlaba wawo. Intaba yeSeyire ndayinika uEsawu nenzala yakhe.


text:
“Khumbulani kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu unithamsanqele kuko konke enikwenzileyo. Unilondolozile ngalo lonke uhambo lwenu kwesi sithabazi sentlango. Kula mashumi mane eminyaka uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ebenani, anaswela nto.


text:
“Ngoko ke sanduluka, sagqitha eSeyire, nditsho kumhlaba wamawethu inzala kaEsawu, sayishiya indlela yasentlango ephuma e-Elati nase-Eziyon-gebhere eya kuLwandle oluFileyo, sajika sasinga kwintlango yaseMowabhi.


text:
UNdikhoyo wandiyala wathi: ‘Uze ungawabandezeli uwaqale amaMowabhi, inzala kaLothe, kuba ndiwaphe idolophu yaseAra. Ke andiyi kukunika nendawana le kumhlaba wawo.’


text:
“Apho ke eAra kwakumi uhlanga olomeleleyo, kusithiwa ngamaEma. Nawo ayeziingxilimbela njengama-Anaki.


text:
Wona amaHori ayekade emi eSeyire, aza agxothwa yinzala kaEsawu, yawaphanzisa kwema yona kuloo mhlaba wawo, kwanjengokuba noSirayeli ezigxothile iintshaba zakhe kumhlaba awuphiwe nguNdikhoyo.


text:
“Ngoku ke kwakusekuyiminyaka emashumi mathathu anesibhozo saphumayo eKadeshe-bhaneya. Onke amajoni eso sizukulwana ayeselafa ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Xa nilapho ke noba kufuphi kumhlaba wama-Amon, inzala kaLothe. Ze ningawabandezi okanye niwaqale; kaloku andiyi kuninika nento le kumhlaba endawunika wona.’


text:
“Lo mmandla ke ukwaziwa ngokuba ngumhlaba wamaRafa, gama elo lilelabantu ababemi khona ngaphambili, ke wona ama-Amon ayesithi ngamaZamzum.


text:
Nabo babeziingxilimbela njengama-Anaki. Babeluhlanga olomeleleyo, bebaninzi ngamanani. Phofu ke uNdikhoyo wabatshabalalisa, khon' ukuze umhlaba wabo umiwe ngama-Amon.


text:
UNdikhoyo wenza kwaloo nto kumaEdom, inzala kaEsawu leyo imi kweleentaba eSeyire. Wawatshabalalisa amaHori, khon' ukuze amaEdom eme kuloo mhlaba wawo. Asekuwo ke unanamhla.


text:
Ke amaKrete, awayevela kwisiqithi saseKrete, awatshabalalisa ama-Avi, awayemi ntlandlolo kwiidolophu zonke ukuya kuthi xhaxhe eGaza, aza ema khona.


text:
“Sakuba ke sigqithile eMowabhi, uNdikhoyo wathi: ‘Ke ngoku sukani niwele umlambo iAnoni. USihon ukumkani wama-Amori oseHeshbhon sendimnikele esandleni senu, ngokunjalo nomhlaba wakhe. Mhlaseleni, niye niwuhluthe umhlaba wakhe.


text:
Ukusukela namhlanje bonke abantu belimiweyo ndiza kubenza banoyike, barhwaqeliswe yingxelo yoko nikwenzileyo.’ ”


text:
“Ngoko ke ndathumela kukumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon xa thina sasikwintlango yeKedemoti, ndizama uxolo, ndisithi:


text:
Ukutya namanzi esiwasebenzisileyo siya kuwahlawula. Kuphela into esiyifunayo kukugqitha nje emhlabeni wakho,


text:
side siye kuwela umlambo iJordan, singene kwilizwe esiliphiwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu. Ke yona inzala kaEsawu eseSeyire ndawonye namaMowabhi aseAra asivumele ukuba sicande emhlabeni wawo.’


text:
“Kambe ke ukumkani uSihon wala ukuba sicande emhlabeni wakhe. Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu wayemenze wanenkani waqaqadeka, khon' ukuze simoyise siwuthathe lo mhlaba wakhe simi kuwo unangoku.


text:
“UNdikhoyo ke wathetha nam, wathi: ‘Uyabona ke, ukumkani uSihon sendimgqibile; akusekho yakhe. Ngoko ke ngenani niwuthathe umhlaba wakhe, nime kuwo.’


text:
Kambe ke yena uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu wamnikela kuthi, samoyisa noonyana bakhe nawo wonke umkhosi wakhe.


text:
Ngokunjalo ke sahlasela satshabalalisa kuzo zonke iidolophu, amadoda, abafazi, ndawonye nabantwana, asashiya nempunde le. Iidolophu sazitshabalalisa; ke sathimba kuphela iinkomo namanye amaxhoba.


text:
Sazitshabalalisa zonke iidolophu ukusukela eArure ekungeneni kwintili yeAnoni, nesixeko esisembindini waloo ntili, ukuya kuthi gaa ngeGiliyadi. Ukomelela kweendonga zezo dolophu kwaba yintwan' encinci kuthi. NguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu owakunikela kuthi konke oku.


text:
Kambe ke asisondelanga kummandla wama-Amon, okanye kunxweme lomlambo iJabhoko, nakwiidolophu zomhlaba weentaba, nakuyo nayiphi na indawo esasingayalelwanga ngayo nguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.”


text:
“Ke kaloku senyuka saya eBhashan. Ke yena ukumkani uOgi waphuma nawo wonke umkhosi wakhe, wasihlasela ngase-Edreyi.


text:
*UNdikhoyo ke wathi kum: ‘Musani ukumoyika; ndimnikele ezandleni zenu, ndawonye nomkhosi wakhe, nawo wonke umhlaba wakhe. Nakuye yenzani kwangaloo ndlela nenza ngayo kuSihon ukumkani wama-Amori eHeshbhon.’


text:
“Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo wamnikezela kuthi nokumkani uOgi waseBhashan, saza samxabela ndawonye nabantu bakhe, akwasala namnye.


text:
Ngokunjalo ke sazihlasela sazithatha zonke iidolophu zakhe, asashiya noba ibe nye. Xa zizonke yaba ziidolophu ezimashumi mathandathu yonke loo ngingqi yaseAgobhi, eyayiphantsi ko-Ogi ukumkani waseBhashan.


text:
Zonke ke ezo dolophu zazinqatyisiwe zibiyelwe ngeendonga, zinamasango omelezwe ngemivalo yentsimbi; phofu zazikho needolophu ezazingabiyelwanga.


text:
Zonke ke sazitshabalalisa, sabulala ndoda, mfazi, namntwana wembala, kanye kwangalaa ndlela senza ngayo kwiidolophu zikakumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon.


text:
“Ngelo thuba ke sawuthatha wonke umhlaba wezo kumkani zimbini zama-Amori, ngasempuma yomlambo iJordan, ukusuka kumlambo iAnoni ukuya kwintaba iHermon.


text:
Sawuthatha wonke ummandla kakumkani uOgi waseBhashan: ezo dolophu zikuloo mathafa, ummandla waseGiliyadi naseBhashan, sada saya kutsho empuma kwiidolophu zaseSaleka nase-Edreyi.


text:
“Ukumkani uOgi waba ngowokugqibela kumaRafa. Wayelala ebhedini yentsimbi. Yayiziimitha ezine ubude, zikwisithuba sesibini ububanzi. Nangoku ke isekhona kwidolophu yama-Amon iRabha.”


text:
“Ukuwuthatha kwethu umhlaba osempumalanga yeJordan, amaRubhen namaGadi ndawanika ummandla ongasentla kweArure ngakumlambo iAnoni, nenxalenye yeleentaba zaseGiliyadi, ngokunjalo needolophu zakhona.


text:
Ke sona isiqingatha samaManase ndasinika loo mhlaba useleyo waseGiliyadi, ngokunjalo neBhashan iphela apho kwakulawula uOgi. Yonke loo ngingqi yaseAgobhi kwelaseBhashan yayisaziwa ngokuba ngumhlaba wamaRafa.


text:
UJayire wendlu kaManase wawuthatha wonke loo mmandla waseAgobhi, iBhashan, ukuya kutsho kwimimandla yaseGeshuri naseMahaka. Ezo dolophu ke wazithiya ngaye; nangoku ke kusathiwa zezikaJayire.


text:
AmaRubhen namaGadi ndawabela ummandla waseGiliyadi ukuya kumlambo iAnoni. Umbindi waloo ntili yangumda ongezantsi; umda ongasentla wona yangumlambo iJabhoko onxalenye yawo yayingumda wama-Amon.


text:
Ngasentshonalanga umda wabo wawuye kuthi xhaxhe ngomlambo iJordan; ngasentla usuka kuLwandle lwaseGalili uye kuthi gaa ngoLwandle oluFileyo ngezantsi, uze uye kuthi rhece kumalengalenga entaba iPisga empumalanga.


text:
“Kananjalo ngelo thuba ndaniyalela, ndathi: ‘UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uninikile loo mhlaba usempumalanga yomlambo iJordan ukuba nime kuwo. Ke wona umkhosi wenu wuxhobiseni, niwuthumele uwele iJordan, wandulele amawawo.


text:
Abafazi nabantwana, ngokunjalo nomhlambikazi weenkomo zenu, mabasale apha kwezi dolophu ndinabele zona.


text:
Wancedeni amawenu nawo ade azinze kuloo mhlaba awuphiwe nguNdikhoyo kwintshonalanga yomlambo iJordan, njengoko selenzile nakuni. Emva koko ke noba nako ukubuyela apha kulo mhlaba usisabelo senu.’


text:
“Ndaza ke ndathetha noYoshuwa, ndathi: ‘Sowuyibonile ke into eyênziwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu kookumkani ababini, uSihon no-Ogi. Úsaza kwenza kwaloo nto ke nakubo bonke ookumkani obahlaselayo kwelo lizwe ùya kulo.


text:
‘Mhlekazi Ndikhoyo, nakalokunje wena sowundikrobisile kumsebenzi wakho omkhulu omangalisayo oseluwuqalile. Akukho *thixo wumbi ezulwini nasemhlabeni onako ukwenza imisebenzi enjengale uyenzileyo ukuba mikhulu!


text:
Ndiyakubongoza kaloku, Ndikhoyo, ndivumele ndiyiwele iJordan, ndiwubone loo mhlaba mhle kunene, ngaphesheya phaya, ezaa nduli zibukekayo ngokunjalo naloo ntaba yeLebhanon.’


text:
“Kambe ke ngenxa yenu, bantundini, uNdikhoyo wacaphuka, akandiphulaphula, suka wathi: ‘Kwanele; sukuba sathetha nokuthetha! Andisafuni kuva nto ngalo mcimbi.


text:
Nto nje hamba uqabele kwincochoyi yentaba iPisga, ulibuke ujonge ngasentla, ezantsi, empuma, nasentshonalanga. Uya kulibona kuphela ngamehlo, kuba awusoze uwuwele umlambo iJordan.


text:
UYoshuwa myale, umkhuthaze, umomeleze, kuba nguye oza kukhokela amaSirayeli awele aye kuma kwelo lizwe ulibonayo.’


text:
UMosis wawayala amaSirayeli, wathi: “Le mimiselo ndinifundisa yona yithobeleni, khon' ukuze niphile, nibe nako ukungena kwelo lizwe niliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wookhokho benu.


text:
Nazibonela ngokwenu into awayenzayo uNdikhoyo eBhali-pehore. Wabatshabalalisa bonke ababenqula uBhali wasePehore,


text:
“Niyabona ke, ndinifundise yonke imimiselo nemigaqo ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wam, khon' ukuze niyithobele nakulizuza elo lizwe niza kungena kulo.


text:
Yithobeleni niyigcine, zize ezinye izizwe ziniqonde ukuba ninobulumko nengqiqo. Zakuva ngale mimiselo ziya kutsho ukuthi: ‘Hayi, ukulumka nokuba nengqiqo kolu hlanga olukhulu!’


text:
Sisiphi na esinye isizwe esikhulu kangangokuba *uthixo waso abe kufutshane kuso njengoko uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu esondele kuthi xa simthandaza?


text:
Sisiphi na esinye isizwe esikhulu kangangokuba sibe nemimiselo nemigaqo enjengalo mthetho endiwaneka phambi kwenu namhlanje?


text:
Lumkani ke, nizigcine ubomi benu bonke, hleze nikulibale konke enakubonayo ngamehlo enu, kulibaleke nakwiinkumbulo zenu. Ze nibalisele abantwana benu, ngokunjalo nabazukulwana


text:
ngalaa mini nanimi phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kwintaba iHorebhe, apho wathetha nam wathi: ‘Bahlanganise ndawonye aba bantu, ukuze baweve amazwi am, bafunde ukundihlonela nanini na besadla amazimba kweli gada lomhlaba, nokuze bafundise nabantwana babo.’


text:
“Kaloku nakha nasondela nafika nema emazantsi entaba eyayigqunywe yintshinyela yomsi, inamalangatye omlilo awayedangazela esibhakabhakeni.


text:
UNdikhoyo wathetha nani ekuloo mlilo, naza nakuva ukuthetha kwakhe, kodwa anabi nako mpela ukubona ubuqu bakhe – ibililizwi kuphela.


text:
Wawubhengeza kuni umnqophiso wakhe emaniwuthobele, nditsho imithetho elishumi ayibhale kumacwecwe amabini amatye.


text:
UNdikhoyo wandiyala ukuba ze ndinifundise imimiselo nemigaqo eniya kuyithobela kwelo niwelela kulo ukuba nilimé.”


text:
“Xa *uNdikhoyo wayethetha nani eselangatyeni lomlilo kwintaba iHorebhe, zange nisibone isiqu sakhe. Ncedani ke nizigcine,


text:
Ningaze nilingeke nizinqule nizibuse izinto enizibona esibhakabhakeni: ilanga, inyanga, neenkwenkwezi. UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ezi zinto uziyekele ezinye izizwe ukuba zizinqule.


text:
Ke nina ningabantu uNdikhoyo abahlangule eJiputa kwiziko lomlilo. Wanikhupha apho, khon' ukuze anenze abantu bakhe ncakasana njengokuba kunjalo namhlanje.


text:
“Ngenxa yenu uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu waxabana nam, wafunga ukuba andiyi kuwuwela umlambo iJordan ndilibone ilizwe lendyebo aninika lona.


text:
Ngoko ke mna andizukuwuwela umlambo, koko ndiza kufela apha, kodwa ke nina seniza kuwela niye kuma kwelo lizwe lendyebo.


text:
Zigcineni kunene, ningaze niwulibale umnqophiso ophakathi kwenu noNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nisuke niwugqithe umyalelo wakhe, niziqingqele umfanekiso noba ngowantoni na.


text:
“Naxa senaluphele kwelo lizwe, senide nanabantwana nabazukulwana, ukuba nithe nona ngokuziqingqela umfanekiso, noba ngoluhlobo luni na, nenza okubi phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, niyamcaphukisa.


text:
Ke ngoko namhlanje izulu nomhlaba ngamangqina am: ukuba nithe nenjenjalo niya kukhawuleza ningabikho kwelo lizwe. Aniyi kuhlala thuba lide phaya phesheya kweJordan, kweli lizwe niya kulo ngoku. Niya kutshatyalaliswa niphele tu.


text:
Apho ke niya kunqula *oothixo abenziwe ngabantu, abenziwe ngomthi, nangamatye: oothixo abangaboniyo, abangevayo, abangatyiyo, bengajoji nokujoja.


text:
Niya kuthi ke nakumfuna uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu nikuloo meko nimfumane; ewe, ukuba nimfuna nimlangazelela ngomxhelo wenu wonke niya kumfumana.


text:
Niya kuthi kamva nakuba sengxakini zibe zinihlele zonke ezi zinto, nitsho nibuyele kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nimthobele.


text:
Yena unguThixo onemfesane. Akayi kunilahla kuphele, okanye anitshabalalise; ewe, akayi kuwulibala umnqophiso awawenza ngokwakhe nookhokho benu.”


text:
“Ze nifunisise nibuzise ngamaxesha amandulo ningekazalwa, de kuye kwixesha apho uThixo wadala umntu emhlabeni. Ze nibuzise ehlabathini liphela. Ngaba into enjengale yakha yehla na ngaphambili? Ngaba ukhona na umntu owakha weva ngento enjengale?


text:
Ngaba sikho na isizwe esakha seva uThixo ethetha naso eselangatyeni lomlilo, saza saphila, njengani?


text:
Ukhona na omnye *uthixo owakha waphuthuma abantu kwesinye isizwe, waza wabenza abakhe ncakasana? Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu amandla obungangamsha bakhe wawabonakalisa phambi kwenu; wezisa izibetho neemfazwe, wenza imiqondiso nemimangaliso, watsho kwehla izinto ezirhwaqelisayo, nto leyo wayenzayo ngenxa yenu eJiputa.


text:
Wahlokomisa ilizwi lakhe emazulwini kuba eniqeqesha. Nathi nilapha emhlabeni wanibonisa umlilokazi wakhe, waza wathetha nani elapho kuwo.


text:
Wathi ngenxa yokubathanda ookhokho benu waninyula wanikhupha kwelaseJiputa ngamandla akhe angummangaliso nangobukho bakhe,


text:
waza wagxotha izizwe ezikhulu nezinamandla kunani, khon' ukuze aningenise kwimihlaba yazo, mihlaba leyo iseyeyenu unanamhla.


text:
“Kuvumeni nikwamkele ukuba uNdikhoyo unguThixo wamazulu nehlabathi. Akukho Thixo wumbi ngaphandle kwakhe.


text:
Yonke imimiselo nemiyalelo yakhe endininike yona namhlanje yithobeleni, khon' ukuze liqaqambe ikamva lenu nezizukulwana zenu. Ngaloo ndlela ke niya kuma ngonaphakade kweli lizwe aniphe lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.”


text:
apho umntu wayengaphephela khona, ukuze asinde xa ebulele umntu ongelotshaba lwakhe ngengozi. Xa ebalekele kwezi dolophu wayengenakubulawa.


text:
Indlu kaRhubhen wayinika idolophu yaseBhezere kweso sithabazi sentlango; indlu kaGadi yona wayinika iRamoti kwelaseGiliyadi; waza ke yona indlu kaManase wayinika iGolani eBhashan.


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis wawandlala phambi kwamaSirayeli umthetho kaThixo, ewakhumbuza ngazo zonke izicwangciso nemimiselo nemigaqo yakhe. Kwakusemva kokuphuma kwawo eJiputa, xa ayekuloo ntili iphesheya kweJordan, malunga neBhete-pehore. Apha ke kwakukummandla owawukade ungokaSihon ukumkani wama-Amori owayehlala eHeshbhon. Kaloku uMosis namaSirayeli amoyisa ukuphuma kwabo eJiputa.


text:
Bema emhlabeni wakhe, ngokunjalo nakokaOgi ukumkani waseBhashan phesheya kweJordan, owayengomnye wookumkani ababini aba bama-Amori.


text:
Lo mhlaba ke wawusuka eArure ekungeneni komlambo iAnoni, ugongothe unyuke uyokutsho kwintaba iSiriyon (okanye intaba iHermon).


text:
Kwangokunjalo wawuthatha nengingqi ephesheya kweJordan uhle uyokutsho kuLwandle oluFileyo, empuma uyokurheca amazantsi entaba iPisga.


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis wawabiza onke amaSirayeli, waza wadanduluka wenjenje: “Hoyina, maSirayeli! Phulaphulani, nantsi imimiselo nemigaqo endiyibhengeza ezindlebeni zenu namhlanje. Yifundeni ngenyameko, nize niyithobele.


text:
Lo mnqophiso akawenzanga noobawo nje qha, koko wawenza nathi sonke ngabanye, thina baphilayo namhlanje.


text:
Ngelo thuba ke mna ndema phakathi kwenu noNdikhoyo ndinivakalisela awayekuthetha, kuba kaloku nina nasuka noyika nakubona umlilo, anavuma ukusondela entabeni. “UNdikhoyo wathetha nani, wathi:


text:
“ ‘Ungaze uziqingqele umfanekiso wothixo, nditsho nokuba ngowantoni na esesibhakabhakeni phezulu, okanye esemhlabeni phantsi, okanye nokuba yeyasemanzini aphantsi komhlaba.


text:
“ ‘Ungaze ulikhankanye ngelize igama lam; mna Ndikhoyo Thixo wakho andiyi kumxolela ofumana alibize igama lam.


text:
Ke wona umhla wesixhenxe lusuku lwam olulodwa lokuphumla. Ngoko ke makungabikho mntu usebenzayo ngalo mhla; nditsho nawe, umntwana wakho, nesicaka sakho, nemfuyo yakho, ngokunjalo nomngeneleli ohlala phakathi kwenu. Nesicaka sakho masiphumle kwanjengawe.


text:
Kaloku khumbula ukuba nawe ubulikhoboka kwelaseJiputa, ndaza ke mna Ndikhoyo Thixo wakho ndakukhulula ngamandla obungangamsha bam. Yiyo ke le nto ndikuyalela ukuba uwubeke uMhla wokuPhumla.


text:
“ ‘Mhlonele uyihlo ndawonye nonyoko njengoko mna Ndikhoyo onguThixo wakho ndikuyalelayo, khon' ukuze ube nokuzinza uxhamle intlala-kahle kwelo lizwe ndikunika lona mna Ndikhoyo Thixo wakho.


text:
“ ‘Musa ukunqwenela umfazi wenye indoda; ngokunjalo nomzi wayo, nentsimi yayo, nesicaka sayo, nenkomo yayo, nedonki yayo, nayo nantoni na eyeyomnye umntu.’


text:
“Nantso ke imithetho awayibhengezayo kuni uNdikhoyo xa ninonke ngokuya nanihlangene entabeni. Ewe, akukho yimbi imithetho awayivakalisayo ngokuya wayethetha ngelizwi elikhulu eselangatyeni lomlilo kwintshinyela yomsi. Ke yona wayibhala kumacwecwe amabini amatye, wayinika mna.”


text:
“Kaloku xa intaba yayingumlilo nje yonke, nathi nakuliva ilizwi esithokothokweni sobumnyama, amadoda amakhulu kunye neentloko zezindlu zenu eza kum,


text:
nathi: ‘*UNdikhoyo uThixo wethu usibonisile isihomo nobungangamsha bakhe; kaloku simve ethetha eselangatyeni lomlilo! Namhlanje siyaqonda ukuba kuyenzeka ukuba umntu aphile nangona uThixo athethe naye.


text:
Kodwa ke, ngani ukuba sizibeke emngciphekweni wokufa? Hayi bo! Laa ntleke-ntleke yomlilo iya kusitshabalalisa. Singafa ukuba uthe waqhubela phambili uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu ukuthetha nathi.


text:
Ngaba kukho mntu ukhe waphila akuba eve uThixo ophilayo ethetha njengoko thina simvileyo elangatyeni lomlilo?


text:
Hayi, Mosis, makuye wena, ukuphulaphule konke akuthethayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu; uze ke ubuye uze kusixelela. Ke thina siya kuphulaphula simthobele.’


text:
“Ke kaloku uNdikhoyo wathi akukuva ukuthetha kwenu, wathi kum: ‘Ndiyivile into ethethwa ngaba bantu; ndiyayamkela.


text:
Akwaba bebeya kusoloko benezimvo ezinje! Akwaba bebeya kuhlala bendihlonipha bayithobele imiyalelo yam, khon' ukuze balungelwe bona nezizukulwana zabo naphakade.


text:
Kambe ke, wena Mosis, sala apha kunye nam, ukuze ndikunike imiyalelo, nemimiselo, nemigaqo, uze uwafundise ke amaSirayeli, khon' ukuze ayithobele kwelo lizwe ndiwapha lona.’


text:
“MaSirayeli, noba sekutheni yenzani yonke into aniyaleleyo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Yithobeleni yonke imithetho yakhe ningayityesheli nakancinane.


text:
Ewe, hambani ngokwemimiselo yonke kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, khon' ukuze nizinze kwelo lizwe ningena kulo, nixhamle intlala-kahle nide nikhokhobe.”


text:
“Nanku ke umyalelo, imigaqo, nemimiselo endithunywe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ukuba ndinifundise yona. Ngoko ke ze niyithobele nakufika kwelo lizwe niya kulo.


text:
Ngalo lonke ithuba lobomi bakho, wena nezizukulwana zakho, kufuneka nimhlonele uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uyithobele imithetho nemiyalelo yakhe endikunike yona, khon' ukuze ube nokuxhamla ubomi obude.


text:
Hoyina, maSirayeli! Yiphulaphuleni niyithobele le miyalelo! Xa niyenzile ke loo nto nolungelwa nande kakhulu kwelo lizwe lendyebo eliphuphuma ubisi nobusi, elo nilinikwa ngokwesithembiso sikaNdikhoyo uThixo wooyihlo.


text:
Ngoko ke mthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ngomxhelo wakho wonke, nangomoya wakho wonke, ngokunjalo nangamandla akho onke.


text:
Uze uyibethelele ekufundiseni abantwana bakho, uthethe ngayo xa usekhaya, kanti noba useluhambeni, naxa ulalayo, ngokunjalo naxa uvukayo.


text:
Uze uyiqhinele ibe ngumqondiso esandleni sakho, ngokunjalo nasebunzi, khon' ukuze ihlale isisikhumbuzo.


text:
“Ngokwesifungo sakhe kookhokho benu, uAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi, *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kuninika ilizwe elizixeko zihle zikhulu, nangona phofu ungazakhanga ngokwakho.


text:
Izindlu zakhona ziphuphuma ubuyoko-yoko ongabulalekanga ngabo. Uya kufumana amaqula aselembiwe, ngokunjalo nezidiliya nezinquma esezityaliwe. Xa sowusitya uhlutha


text:
hleze umsindo kaNdikhoyo uvuthe, anitshabalalise ningabikho kulo mhlaba. Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ohlala phakathi kwenu nguThixo onekhwele.


text:
Iziyalo nezicwangciso ngokunjalo nemimiselo eniyinikwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ze niyithobele ngenyameko.


text:
Kuphela ze nenze ezo zinto athi uNdikhoyo zintle zilungile, khon' ukuze nilungelwe. Xa nisenjenjalo ke noba nako ukulizuza elo lizwe lihle kunene lathenjiswa nguNdikhoyo kookhokho benu ngesifungo.


text:
“Kaloku kumaxesha ezayo unyana wakho uya kukubuza athi: ‘Kwakutheni ukuze uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu akunike ezi zicwangciso nale mimiselo, nale migaqo nje?’ Ke wena uze umxelele uthi:


text:
‘Kaloku sasingamakhoboka ekumkani yaseJiputa, waza ke uNdikhoyo wasikhulula ngamandla akhe amakhulu.


text:
Ewe, sayibona ngamehlo imiqondiso nemimangaliso erhwaqelisayo awayenzayo uNdikhoyo kumaJiputa, ngokunjalo nakukumkani nendlu yakhe.


text:
Wasikhulula kwelaseJiputa, ukuze asibeke apha kweli lizwe awayebathembise ngalo oobawo-mkhulu ngesifungo.


text:
Ngokwenjenjalo ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu wasiyalela ukuba siyithobele le mimiselo simhlonele, size ke silungelwe bonke ubomi bethu, siphile njengokuba kunjalo namhlanje.


text:
“*UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uza kuningenisa kwelo lizwe niya kuma kulo. Uza kugxotha izizwe ezininzi kulo; ewe, yoba sisixhenxe sonke sezizwe ezikhulu nezinamandla kunani. Nazi ke: amaHeti, amaGirgashi, ama-Amori, amaKanana, amaPerezi, amaHivi, namaJebhusi.


text:
Ke akuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ezinikele kuni ezi zizwe nazoyisa, kufuneka nizitshabalalise ziphele nya. Ningaze nenze mvumelwano kunye nazo, futhi ze ningabi nanceba tu kuzo.


text:
kuba ningáthi niyenzile loo nto zibawexule bamlahle uNdikhoyo abantwana benu, banqule thixo bambi. Ingáthi ikhe yenzeka loo nto uNdikhoyo acaphuke anitshabalalise ngoko nangoko.


text:
Ngoko ke ze nenjenje kuzo: wadilizeni amaqonga azo, iintsika zazo zamatye niziqhekeze zibe ziingceba, ke yona imifanekiso yesithixokazi sazo uAshera ze niyinqunqe, ukanti imifanekiso yazo eqingqiweyo noyitshisa ngomlilo.


text:
Le nto ke noyenza kuba kaloku nina niyimilowo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Kaloku kuzo zonke izizwe zehlabathi uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uninyulele ukuze nibe ngabantu abalibango lakhe elilodwa.


text:
“Ke kaloku uNdikhoyo akathanga nca nani waninyula kuba nibaninzi kunezinye izizwe; hayi, kaloku nanisesona sizwe sincinci ehlabathini liphela.


text:
UNdikhoyo uninyule kuba enithanda, efuna ukusigcina isifungo awasenzela ooyihlo-mkhulu. Kwakungenxa yeso sizathu ukuze anihlangule ngamandla akhe amakhulu, anikhulule ebukhobokeni phantsi kokumkani waseJiputa.


text:
Khumbulani kaloku ukuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu lo nguThixo ekukuphela kwakhe, kungekho wumbi ngaphaya; futhi ke uthembekile. Uyawugcina umnqophiso wakhe, futhi izibele zakhe ziphuphumela kwâbo bamthandayo beyigcina imiyalelo yakhe kuse kumawaka ezizukulwana.


text:
Kambe uya kuziphindezela ngqo kwabo bamthiyileyo, abatshabalalise; ewe, akayi kulibazisa ukuziphindezela.


text:
Ngoko ke wuthobeleni ngenyameko lo myalelo nale mimiselo ngokunjalo nale migaqo ndininike yona namhlanje ukuba niyenze.”


text:
“Ukuba nithe nayiphulaphula nayithobela le migaqo, *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kuthi rhoqo ukuwugcina umnqophiso wakhe nani, zithi ke nezibele zakhe ziphuphumele kuni ngokwesifungo sakhe kooyihlo.


text:
Uthando lwakhe uya kulubonakalisa kuni, anithamsanqele kangangokuba niqhame nande. Intsikelelo yakhe yofikelela kuni, nizale abantwana, nasemasimini enu nivune ukudla okwaneleyo: okuziinkozo, iwayini, neoyile. Kanti ke neenkomo zenu uya kuzandisa, nditsho nempahla yenu emfutshane ngokunjalo. Yonke ke le nto uya kunenzele kwelo lizwe wanithembisa ngalo kooyihlo-mkhulu ngesifungo.


text:
Ehlabathini liphela akuyi kubakho sizwe sithamsanqeleke njengani. Phakathi kwenu soze abekho umntu ngokunjalo nemfuyo engazaliyo.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kunikhusela kuzo zonke izifo; soze aniyekele ngezifo ezifana nezo zoyikekayo zaseJiputa, kambe ke zona iintshaba zenu uya kuzibetha ngezi zifo.


text:
Ze nizitshabalalise zonke izizwe azinikele kuni uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ningazenzeli nceba konke-konke. Ze ningazikhonzi izithixo zazo, kuba ngokwenjenjalo noba nizenzela umgibe.


text:
Kambe ze ningaxhalabi, koko khumbulani into awayenzayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kukumkani waseJiputa nakwiJiputa iphela,


text:
nditsho ezo zibetho zirhwaqelisayo nazibonayo ngawenu amehlo: loo miqondiso, naloo mimangaliso, ngokunjalo nobungangamsha namandla awanikhulula ngawo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Uya kwenjenjalo ke nakwezi zizwe nizoyikayo.


text:
Ewe, abo baseleyo kuzo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kubathumela ngoonomeva, abagubhulule apho bazimeleyo khona, batshabalale.


text:
Ngoko ke sanukunkwantya ngenxa yaba bantu, kuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu unani, abe ke yena unguThixo omkhulu orhwaqelisayo.


text:
Ekungeneni kwenu uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kuzigxotha ngokuzigxotha ezi zizwe. Aniyi kusuka nizitshabalalise ngaxesha-nye, kuba ngaloo ndlela angasuka ande amarhamncwa, ke nina nibe semngciphekweni.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kuzinikela ezandleni zenu iintshaba zenu, azenze zibe namanwele, zidideke, zitshabalale ziphele.


text:
Izikumkani zazo uya kuzinikela ezandleni zenu; ke nina niya kuzitshabalalisa zingabi sakhunjulwa. Akukho mntu uya kuba nako ukumelana nani, naye ke niya kutshabalalisa nivuthulule konke nje.


text:
Imifanekiso eqingqiweyo *yezithixo zabo ze niyitshise. Igolide nesiliva eyenziwe ngayo loo mifanekiso ze ningayibaweli niyithathe, hleze nizenzele umgibe ngayo; kaloku yona ilisikizi kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
Le mifanekiso ze ningayingenisi emizini yenu, hleze nithi ngokwenjenjalo nizithathele ishwangusha kwanjengokuba nayo iqalekisiwe. Kufuneka niyithiye niyenyanye imifanekiso, kuba kaloku imelwe kukutshatyalaliswa.”


text:
“Niyabona ke, le miyalelo ndininike yona namhlanje ze niyithobele kangangoko, khon' ukuze niphile nande, ningene kwelo lizwe wabathembisa ngalo ngesifungo uNdikhoyo ooyihlo.


text:
Ngamana aningeyilibali indlela anikhokele ngayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kolu hambo lude kangaka ukucanda intlango, kula mashumi mane eminyaka, enifundisa intobeko, enilinga khon' ukuze aqonde ukuba niza kuyithobela kusini na imiyalelo yakhe!


text:
Wanithoba eniyekela ngendlela, waza kananjalo wanipha *imana, kutya oko naningakwazi, nina ngokunjalo nooyihlo-mkhulu. Le nto ke wayenza kuba efuna niqonde nazi ukuba ubomi bomntu abuxhomekanga kutyeni kuphela, koko buxhomekeke kuwo onke amazwi kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kula mashumi mane eminyaka impahla yakho yokunxiba zange iguge, kananjalo neenyawo zakho zange zidumbe.


text:
“Qondani kaloku nizikise ukuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uyaniqeqesha njengomzali eqeqesha abantwana bakhe.


text:
Kaloku ngoku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uningenisa kwilizwe elihle kunene, ilizwe lemifula ebaleka amanzi, ilizwe elinemithombo, ilizwe eligqabhuka imisinga yamanzi ezintlanjeni nasezindulini.


text:
Elo ke lilizwe lentlutha; soze niswele nto khona. Ilitye lakhona liyintsimbi, ukanti kwiinduli zalo ningavula imigodi yekopolo.


text:
Kwelo lizwe niya kutya nihluthe, nibulele nidomboze kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ngenxa yelo lizwe lihle kunene aniphe lona.”


text:
“Niyabona ke ze ningamlibali *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ngokuthi ningayithobeli le miyalelo, nale migaqo, ngokunjalo nale mimiselo ndininika yona namhlanje.


text:
Kaloku yena wanikhokela kweso sithabazi sentlango eyoyikekayo, apho kwakukho iinyoka ezinobuhlungu ndawonye noonomadudwane. Apho kanye kuloo nkangala ingenamanzi wanivelisela amanzi eliweni lenyengane.


text:
Kaloku apho entlango wanondla *ngemana, ukutya okwakungaziwa, kungazange kutyiwe nangooyihlo-mkhulu. Wanithoba ngokunilinga ngezo meko zinjalo, khon' ukuze ekugqibeleni anithamsanqele ngezinto ezintle!


text:
Ngokutsho noba nilibele ukuba nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu onithe jize ngobutyebi. Le nto ke uyenza kuba ezinzisa umnqophiso awawenzayo nooyihlo-mkhulu ngesifungo.


text:
“Mhlenikwezeni namlibala uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nalandela thixo bambi, nabahlonela nabakhonza, inene namhlanje mna ndiyalingqinela elithi niya kutshabalala niphele tu!


text:
Ke kaloku, ukuba animthobelanga uNdikhoyo, uya kunitshabalalisa, kwanjengokuba eza kuzitshabalalisa ezo zizwe ukungena kwenu kwelo lizwe.”


text:
“Niyabona ke, maSirayeli, seniza kuwela iJordan, ningene kwilizwe elimiwe zezinye izizwe ezikhulu nezomeleleyo kunani. Izixeko zazo zikhulu, futhi zibiyelwe ngeendonga ezirhec' izulu.


text:
Nabantu bakhona bade, bomelele, bayinzala ka-Anaki, ibe ke niyazi ukuba kuthiwa akukho mntu unokumelana nama-Anaki.


text:
Kambe ke nina niza kuzibonela ngokwenu, kuba *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uza kunandulela engumlilo odangazelayo. Ezo zizwe úya kuzoyisa azithobe, nize nina nizigxothe nizitshabalalise ngokukhawuleza ngokwesithembiso sakhe.


text:
“Xa uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu selenigxothele ezi zizwe, ze ningacingi ukuba nifanelekile. Hayi, akunjalo, nto nje uNdikhoyo ezigxotha nje ezi zizwe kungenxa yenkohlakalo yazo.


text:
Isizathu asikuba nina nilungile, nigqibelele, le nto uNdikhoyo anivumeleyo nawuthatha umhlaba yazo, nangenxa yokuba ezimisele ukusigcina isithembiso awayesenze nooyihlo-mkhulu ooAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi, ngokufunga.


text:
Ngenene mayicace mhlophe into yokuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu eninika eli lizwe lihle kangaka nje akukho ngenxa yobulungisa benu, kuba kambe nina nisisizwe esineenkani.


text:
“Nokhumbula kaloku ukuba nina namcaphukisa uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu entlango. Ukusukela kwimini enemka ngayo eJiputa nada naza kufika apha, namvukela okokoko.


text:
Ndenyuka entabeni, ndisiya kuphuthuma amacwecwe amatye apho wawubhalwe khona umnqophiso awenze nani uNdikhoyo. Ndahlala apho ke amashumi amane eentsuku nobusuku bazo, ndingatyi ndingaseli.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wandinika amacwecwe amabini amatye apho wayeyibhale khona ngesakhe isandla yonke into awayithethayo apho entabeni ngokuya wayeselangatyeni lomlilo, mhla ngembizo.


text:
Ewe, emveni kwezo ntsuku zimashumi mane nobusuku bazo, uNdikhoyo wandinika amacwecwe amabini amatye apho wayewubhale khona umnqophiso.


text:
“Ke kaloku uNdikhoyo wathi: ‘Khawuleza uhle, kuba abantu bakho owabakhokela uphuma nabo eJiputa bonile. Ngokukhawuleza nje sebephumile endleleni endabayalela yona; ngoku bazenzele umfanekiso otyhidiweyo.’


text:
Ngoko ke ndiyeke ndibatshabalalise nya, ndilicime igama labo ehlabathini. Ke wena ndiya kukwenza ube sisizwe esikhulu nesomeleleyo kunabo.’


text:
“Ngoko ke ndehla apho entabeni, ndiphethe loo macwecwe mabini amatye apho wawubhalwe khona umnqophiso. Ke kaloku intaba leyo yayidangazela umlilo.


text:
Ndathi ndakukhangela ndabona ukuba nimvukele uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu; nonile nazityhidela umfanekiso wenkunzi yenkomo; ewe, ngokukhawuleza nje seniphumile endleleni enaniyalelwe yona nguNdikhoyo.


text:
“Kwakhona ke ndazikhahlela phantsi phambi koNdikhoyo amashumi amane eentsuku nobusuku bazo, ndingatyi ndingaseli. Le nto ke ndayenza kuba nina nanimonile kakhulu namcaphukisa ngobubi enabenzayo uNdikhoyo.


text:
Ndandisoyika gqitha, kuba uNdikhoyo wayekhathazekile, ecaphuka kangangokuba waphantse wanitshabalalisa. Kambe ke nangeso isihlandlo uNdikhoyo wandiphulaphula.


text:
UNdikhoyo wayecatshukiswe kakhulu nanguAron, yaye ke naye wayeseza kumtshabalalisa, koko ke naye ndamthandazela kwangelo thuba.


text:
Lona ke elo sikizi nanizenzele lona – nditsho loo nkunzi yenkomo nanizityhidele yona – ndayithatha ndayiphosa emlilweni. Ndaza ke kamva ndayikroboza ndayicola yangumgubo, ndaza ndawugalela kumlanjana owawuphuma apho entabeni.


text:
NaseKadeshe-bhaneya wathi akuniyalela ukuba ningene niwuthathe loo mhlaba wayenipha wona namvukela, anakholosa ngaye nimthobele.


text:
Ewe, kuloo mashumi mane eentsuku ndahlala ndizikhahlele phantsi phambi koNdikhoyo, kuba ndandisazi ukuba seletshilo ukuthi uza kunitshabalalisa.


text:
Ndadanduluka ndathi: ‘Awu, Ndikhoyo, Nkosi yam! Ndiyakubongoza, musa ukubatshabalalisa abantu abalibango lakho, owabahlangula wabakhulula ngamandla obungangamsha bakho kwelaseJiputa.


text:
Khawukhumbule izicaka zakho, ooAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi, ungabasi so aba bantu baneenkani, bazizikhohlakali ezigwenxa,


text:
okanye amaJiputa osuka athi: “UNdikhoyo wayengenako ukubathatha abantu bakhe abase kwelo lizwe wayebathembise ngalo. Kungenxa yokuba ebathiyile ukuze emke nabo aye kubaphosa entlango, khon' ukuze ababulale khona.”


text:
Andithi na kaloku, Nikhoyo, aba ngabantu abalibango lakho, abantu bakho ncakasana, owabakhulula ngamandla obungangamsha bakho kwelaseJiputa?’ ”


text:
“Ngelo thuba ke *uNdikhoyo wandiyalela wathi: ‘Qingqa amanye amacwecwe amabini amatye, afane nalawa okuqala, uwenzele ityesi ngomthi. Nyuka intaba, uze kum,


text:
ukuze apho kuloo macwecwe ndibhale laa nto ndandiyibhale kulawa wawaphulayo, uze ke uwafake apho etyesini.’


text:
“Ke kaloku ndayenza ityesi leyo ngomngampunzi, ndaza ndaqingqa namanye amacwecwe amabini amatye afana nalawa okuqala, ndenyuka nawo apho entabeni.


text:
UNdikhoyo wabhala ke apho kuloo macwecwe kwalaa mazwi wayewabhale kulawa okuqala, imithetho elishumi leya wayenixelele yona ngokuya wayeselangatyeni lomlilo, mhla ngembizo entabeni. UNdikhoyo ke wawabuyisela kum amacwecwe lawo,


text:
ndaza ke ndehla nawo apho entabeni. Ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo ke ndawafaka kulaa tyesi ndandiyenzile. Aselapho ke unanamhla.


text:
“AmaSirayeli ke anduluka apho kuloo maqula amaYakana, ajonga eMosera. UAron wafela apho ke, waza wangcwatywa, yona indawo yakhe yobubingeleli yathathwa ngunyana wakhe uElazare.


text:
Ukuphuma kwawo ke apho aya kugaleleka eGudegoda, aza agqithela eYotebhata, umhlaba owawunemisinga yamanzi.


text:
Ngelo xesha ke uNdikhoyo wabahlulela abaLevi umsebenzi wokulondoloza ityesi yomnqophiso, baququzelele *esibingelelweni sikaNdikoyo, bathamsanqele egameni lakhe. Yimisebenzi leyo basayenzayo unangoku.


text:
Kungenxa yeso sizathu ke indlu kaLevi ingazange inikwe mhlaba ulilifa nje, njengezinye izindlu; ilifa layo yinkonzo kaNdikhoyo ngokwesithembiso sikaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
“Nangesi ke isihlandlo, kwanjengesiya sokuqala, ndahlala apho entabeni amashumi amane eentsuku nobusuku bazo. Kwakhona ke uNdikhoyo wandiva kuba kwakungeyontando yakhe ukunitshabalalisa.


text:
Wathi ke kum uNdikhoyo: ‘Phakama uye kubakhokela abantu, khon' ukuze bangene balithathe elo lizwe ndibathembise ngalo ooyihlo ngesifungo.’ ”


text:
“Phulaphulani ke, maSirayeli, ingaba yintoni afuna niyenze *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu? Ufuna nimhlonele, ningaphambuki endleleni yakhe. Ufuna nimthande, nimkhonze ngengqondo yenu yonke nangomoya wenu wonke,


text:
Kaloku amazulu, nditsho amazulu awo amazulu, ngakaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nehlabathi lelakhe, ngokunjalo nako konke okukulo.


text:
Kambe ke uNdikhoyo ooyihlo wabathanda, wathi nca kubo, wanyula nina sizukulwana sabo kuzo zonke iintlanga, njengoko kusenjalo unanamhla.


text:
Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu nguThixo woothixo, iNkosi yeenkosi; nguThixo oyingangamsha; uyingangalala ehloniphekileyo engakhethi cala, ibe ke akanyobeki.


text:
Yena uyazikhusela iinkedama ndawonye nabahlolokazi. Nabangeneleli uyabathanda, ababonelele ngokutya nangempahla yokunxiba.


text:
Uyimbangi yokudumisa kwenu, unguThixo wenu; ibe ke nizibonele ngawenu amehlo izinto ezinkulu nezimangalisayo anenzela zona.


text:
Ukuya kwabo eJiputa ooyihlo-mkhulu babengamashumi asixhenxe kuphela. Kodwa ke ngoku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu unandisile natsho nayinyambalala enjengeenkwenkwezi esibhakabhakeni.”


text:
“Ngoko ke uze umthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ugcine isigxina sakhe, nemimiselo yakhe, nemigaqo nemiyalelo yakhe, nanini nanini.


text:
Khumbula kaloku ukuba yayingengabo abantwana benu abângcamla amava engqeqesho kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nditsho ubukhulu bakhe, namandla akhe, nobungangamsha bakhe,


text:
nemiqondiso yakhe. Uzibonele ngokwakho izinto azenzileyo kukumkani wamaJiputa nelizwe lakhe liphela.


text:
Andithi na kaloku uyibonile indlela awuvuthulule ngayo umkhosi wamaJiputa ndawonye neenqwelo zawo zamahashe, xa wawunisukelisa, waza yena wawukhukulisa kuLwandle oluBomvu, nto leyo eyabatshabalalisa nya.


text:
Nisazikhumbula izigigaba azenzileyo kuDatan noAbhiram oonyana bakaEliyabhi wendlu kaRubhen. Kaloku umhlaba wakhamisa wabaginya behleli, ndawonye neentsapho zabo, iintente zabo, nemfuyo yabo; yonke ke loo nto isenzeka amaSirayeli onke ekhangele.


text:
“Ze niyithobele yonke imiyalelo endininike yona namhlanje. Xa niyenzile loo nto noba nawo amandla, niwele iJordan, ningene nilithathe elo lizwe niya kulo, libe lelenu.


text:
Niya kuzinza kwelo lizwe lendyebo wayebathembise ngalo ngesifungo uNdikhoyo ooyihlo-mkhulu ndawonye nenzala yabo.


text:
Kaloku eli lizwe niza kuma kulo alifani nelaseJiputa apho nivela khona. Kaloku apho nanihlwayela imbewu, nisebenza nzima ninkcenkceshela oku komntu onesitiya;


text:
“Ngoko ke yithobeleni le miyalelo ndininika yona namhlanje, nimthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nimkhonze ngengqondo yenu yonke nangomoya wenu wonke.


text:
Xa nisenjenjalo ke uNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Ndiya kuyinisa imvula ngamaxesha ayo – entlako-hlaza nasekwindla – khon' ukuze nivune ukudla okuziinkozo, iwayini, namafutha omnquma;


text:
Xa ninokuyenza ke loo nto, uNdikhoyo angakhathazeka gqitha, atsho awavale amazulu, ingani imvula, nomhlaba ungavelisi nto, ke nina nikhawuleze nitshabalale kanye apho kwelo lizwe lihle kunene aninike lona uNdikhoyo.


text:
“Ngoko ke la mazwi ndininike wona ze niwalondoloze abe sezingqondweni zenu nasemoyeni wenu. Ze niwaqhinele ezandleni abe ngumqondiso, ngokunjalo nasebunzi, khon' ukuze ahlale esisikhumbuzo.


text:
Ze niwafundise abantwana benu, nincokole ngawo xa nihleli ekhaya, ngokunjalo naxa niseluhambeni; nditsho xa nilalayo naxa nivukayo.


text:
Xa niyenzile ke loo nto, nozinza, nina nenzala yenu, kwelo lizwe wayebathembise ngalo oyihlo-mkhulu ngesifungo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Ewe, niya kuma kulo nanini nanini sisekho nje isibhakabhaka phezu kwehlabathi.


text:
“Le miyalelo ndininike yona ze niyithobele ngenyameko; ze nimthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nibambelele kuye, nihambe ngendlela yakhe.


text:
Ke yena ekungeneni kwenu uya kuzidudula azigxothe zonke ezo zizwe, nize ke nina nohluthe umhlaba wezizwe ezikhulu nezomeleleyo kunani.


text:
Uya kuba ngowenu wonke umhlaba enithe nanyathela kuwo. Imida yenu iya kusuka ezantsi entlango ityhutyhumeze iyokutsho kwiintaba zeLebhanon ngasentla; empuma iya kuthatha kumlambo iEfrati iyokuthi xhaxhe ngolwandle ngasentshonalanga.


text:
Akukho bani uya kuba nako ukumelana nani. Naphi na apho nihamba khona kwelo lizwe, uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kubarhwaqelisa banoyike abantu bakhona ngokwesithembiso sakhe.


text:
kambe ke yoba sisiqalekiso ukuba nithe anayithobela, koko natyekela bucala nanqula thixo bambi eningazange nabanqula ngaphambili.


text:
Akuba enifikisile uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kweli lizwe niya kuma kulo, ze nithamsanqele phezu kwentaba iGerizim kanti ke niqalekise phezu kwentaba iEbhali.


text:
Ezi ntaba zimbini zisentshona kumlambo iJordan, kummandla wamaKanana ame kwintili yeJordan. Zingasentshona kude kufuphi nemioki yaseMore ngaseGiligali.


text:
Sekumbomvu niyiwele iJordan, ningene kwelo lizwe aninika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Nakuba ningenile nema kulo ke,


text:
“Nantsi imimiselo nemigaqo ekofuneka niyithobele ngalo lonke ixesha lokudla kwenu ubomi kwelo lizwe niliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
Ze nizitshabalalise ziphele tu ezo ndawo zinqulela kuzo *oothixo bazo ezaa zizwe zalaa mhlaba niya kuwohlutha; nditsho ezisezintabeni eziphakamileyo, nezisezindulini, neziphantsi kwemithi eyokozelayo.


text:
Amaqonga azo ze niwadilize; ke zona iintsika zazo zamatye ze niziqhekeze zibe ziingceba. Imifanekiso yazo eqingqiweyo ka-Ashera isithixokazi sazo ze niyitshise; ngokunjalo neminye imifanekiso yazo eqingqiweyo ze niyinqunqe niyitshabalalise, acinywe amagama azo kwezo ndawo.


text:
Kumhlaba wenu uphela uNdikhoyo uya kukhetha indawo ibe nye qha apho liya kuzinza khona igama lakhe, ahlale khona, zize zithi ke zonke izindlu zenu zibuzise kuye khona.


text:
Apho ke niya kuwenzela khona amadini enu atshiswayo ndawonye nawaphi na amadini angamanye, nezishumi, iminikelo, nezipho enibhambathisa ngazo, ngokunjalo namazibulo eenkomo naweegusha.


text:
Apha phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu onithamsanqelisayo nina neentsapho zenu niya kuxhamla ubuncwane bezinto enibulaleke ngazo.


text:
“Ngelo xesha ke ze ningenzi njengoko niqhele ukwenza ngako. Ukuza kuthi gaa ngoku benisenza okulungileyo emehlweni enu,


text:
kuba kaloku beningekangeni kwelo lizwe niliphiwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, apho niya kuphumla ngokonwaba khona.


text:
Nakuthi nakuyiwela iJordan, uNdikhoyo anivumele ningene kwelo lizwe, nime kulo. Uya kunigcina nikhuselekile ezintshabeni, nihlale ngenzolo.


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kunyula indawo ibe nye apho liya kuzinza khona igama lakhe, ahlale khona. Zonke ke izinto endiniyalele ngazo nozisa khona: amadini atshiswayo namanye angawambi, izishumi neminikelo yemveliso yenu, ngokunjalo nezipho ezizodwa enibhambathisa ngazo kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Ze nonwabe ke apho phambi kwakhe ndawonye neentsapho nezicaka zenu kunye nabaLevi enihlala nabo, kuba kaloku bona ababelwanga mhlaba ungowabo njengani.


text:
koko kufuneka niwenzele kuloo ndawo ayinyulileyo uNdikhoyo kumhlaba wenye yezindlu zenu. Amadini enu atshiswayo nowenzela kuloo ndawo kuphela, ngokunjalo ke nazo zonke izinto endiniyalele ukuba nizenze.


text:
“Kambe ke nikhululekile ukuba nixhele kwimfuyo yenu, niyixhelele naphi na apho nihlala khona. Ningatya kangangoko nithamsanqeliswa nguNdikhoyo. Xa ninonke abahlambulukileyo nabangahlambulukanga bangayitya inyama leyo kwanjengokuba nisenza kweyebhadi okanye inxala.


text:
Into eniyinikela kuNdikhoyo mayingatyelwa apho nihlala khona; ngokunjalo nezishumi zengqolowa, iwayini entsha, namafutha omnquma, noba ngamazibulo eenkomo okanye aweegusha, nezipho enibhambathise ngazo kuNdikhoyo, okanye ezokuqhutywa yintliziyo, kanti ke nawuphi na umnikelo.


text:
Le minikelo kufuneka niyityele phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, kuloo ndawo ayinyulele ukuzinziswa kwegama lakhe. Yona ke mayityiwe nini nabantwana, izicaka ngokunjalo nabaLevi enihlala nabo, nikuxhamle ngokonwaba ukubulaleka kwenu.


text:
“Uya kuthi ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu akuwandisa umhlaba wenu ngokwesithembiso sakhe, nixhele nitye inyama nanini na nifuna.


text:
Ukuba indawo leyo yonqulo ikude, ningaxhela kwimfuyo yenu, nityele apho emakhaya ngokuthanda kwenu ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo njengoko ndanichazelayo.


text:
Nabani na angayitya le nyama, ehlambulukile okanye engahlambulukanga, kwanjengokuba niyitya inyama yebhadi okanye eyenxala.


text:
Inyama emaningayityi yenegazi; kaloku ubomi busegazini, ibe ke akufuneki nitye inyama ndawonye nobomi.


text:
Ukuba niyazikhwebula ekutyeni igazi uNdikhoyo uya kukholiseka nini, futhi ke kulunge kuni, ngokunjalo nakwizizukulwana zenu.


text:
Yonke into eninikela ngayo kuThixo, nezipho enibhambathise ngazo, ziseni kuloo ndawo uNdikhoyo ayinyulileyo.


text:
Nowanikela eqongeni likaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu amadini enu atshiswayo, inyama negazi. Igazi ze nilithulule apho ngaseqongeni, inyama yona niyitye.


text:
Nyamekani niyithobele le miyalelo ndininika yona, ukuze nilungelwe ndawonye nezizukulwana zenu, nanini nanini, kuba kaloku noba nisenza yonke into ngokusesikweni nangendlela emkholisayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.”


text:
“Niyabona ke, *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kuzitshabalalisa ezi zizwe xa ningenayo emhlabeni wazo, ke nina ningene nime kuwo.


text:
Akuba ezitshabalalisile ke uNdikhoyo ezi zizwe, lumkani ningangeni kumgibe wokubuzisa *ngoothixo bazo, nisithi: ‘Zibakhonza njani oothixo ezi zizwe, ukuze nathi senjenjalo?’


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ze ningamnquli ngeendlela ezibanqula ngayo oothixo bazo, kuba kaloku zona zinqula ngeendlela ezimanyumnyezi azicaphukelayo uNdikhoyo. Kaloku zona zide zitshise abantwana bazo emlilweni, zisenzela izithixo zazo amadini.


text:
“Konke endiniyalela kona kwenzeni ngokwelizwi lam, ningaphambuki nakancinane ngokusuka nandise okanye niphungule.


text:
“Ukuba kuvela umshumayeli okanye umlawuli-maphupha phakathi kwenu, evakalisa ummangaliso okanye umqondiso oza kubakho,


text:
ize ke kwenzeke ngokwaloo mmangaliso okanye loo mqondiso, aze athi: ‘Masilandele *thixo bambi’ – thixo abo eningazange nibazi – aqhubele phambili athi: ‘Masibanqule,’


text:
ze ningawathatheli ngqalelo amazwi aloo mshumayeli okanye loo mphuphi. Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uyanivavanya, khon' ukuze aqonde ukuba nimthanda ngengondo iphela nangomoya uphela na.


text:
NguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu emanimlandele, nimhlonele. Mthobeleni, niyenze imiyalelo yakhe; futhi mkhonzeni, nibambelele kuye.


text:
Nabani na ongumshumayeli okanye umphuphi oniqhubela ekuvukeleni uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu mbulaleni. Kaloku uNdikhoyo lo ngulo wanikhupha eJiputa apho naningamakhoboka khona. Umntu onjalo uzama ukunilukuhla, khon' ukuze niphulukane nehambo eniyalelwe yona nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Ubugwenxa mabususwe mpela phakathi kwenu.


text:
“Nkqu nomntakwenu, noba ngunyana okanye intombi, mhlawumbi umfazi wakho omthandayo, noba sisihlobo sakho esisenyongweni, singakulukuhla sikukhuthaze ngasese ngelithi: ‘Masiye kunqula thixo bambi’ – thixo abo ongabaziyo nabangazange banqulwe nangooyihlo-mkhulu,


text:
Kambe ke ungaze umqhelisele nakancinci; ungamphulaphuli. Ungaze ube nalusini nanceba kuye; ungaze umqume.


text:
Ewe, mgibisele ngamatye umbulale, kuba ebezama ukukuqweqwedisa, khon' ukuze umlahle uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho owakukhulula ulikhoboka eJiputa.


text:
Aya kuthi ke akuyiva loo nto, atsho onke amaSirayeli oyike, kungaze kubekho mntu phakathi kwenu ulenzayo isikizi elinjalo.


text:
ukuba kukho zinkewu zilulahlekisileyo uhlanga apho esixekweni, zisithi: ‘Masiye kunqula abanye oothixo’ – thixo abo eningabaziyo.


text:
Nakuba niluvile ke umingi-mingi olunjalo, luphandeni ngokucokisekileyo; nithi ke ukuba luyinyani, kwaye kucace mhlophe ukuba ngenene likho isikizi elinjalo elenzekileyo,


text:
Ziqokeleleni zonke izinto ezizezâbo bantu, nizifumbe ebaleni lembutho. Watshiseni onke loo maxhoba ndawonye nesixeko eso, nenzele uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu umnikelo otshiswayo. Mayisale ilinxuwa nanini nanini, ingaze iphinde yakhiwe.


text:
Ningabokuzishiyela nento le kwebezimiselwe ukutshatyalaliswa. Ukuba niyenzile ke loo nto uNdikhoyo uya kwetha emsindweni wakhe, abe novelwano ngani. Ngenene wosikwa yinceba, anandise ngokwesithembiso sesifungo sakhe kooyihlo-mkhulu


text:
xa nithe nayithobela imiyalelo yakhe endinimisele yona namhlanje, nakwenza konke akufunayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.”


text:
“Nina ningabantwana *bakaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ngoko ke ze ningaziqaphuli okanye nibe nendawo eniyichebayo entloko xa nizilela abangasekhoyo, njengoko zisenza ezinye iintlanga.


text:
Kaloku nina niyimilowo kaNdikhoyo ncakasana; kuzo zonke izizwe zehlabathi nina waninyula ukuba nibe libango lakhe.”


text:
Isilwanyana emasityiwe sesineempuphu ezicandiweyo, esetyisayo. Yona inkamela, umvundla, nembila, azityiwa. Zona azihlambulukanga, kuba ziyetyisa, kodwa iimpuphu zazo azicandwanga.


text:
Ngokunjalo nehagu ayityiwa, kuba nayo ayihlambulukanga; kaloku iimpuphu zayo zicandiwe, kodwa ayetyisi. Ezi zilwanyana ke ze ningazityi, futhi nezidumbu zazo ningaze nizichukumise.


text:
Kambe ke nazi ezingàtyiwayo: ukhozi, isikhova, ukhetshe, intambanane, untloyiya, ixhalanga, ihlungulu, inciniba, ingabangaba, ukhwalimanzi, udebeza, ingwamza, isihulu-hulu, ubhobhoyi, nelulwane – zonke ezi nezifana nazo.


text:
“Isilwanyana esifileyo asityiwa. Kambe ke zona iintlanga eziphakathi kwenu zingasitya, okanye ningasithengisa nakubahambi. Ke nina niyimilowo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu – abantu bakhe ncakasana. “Ningaze nipheke itakane ngobisi lukanina.”


text:
“Kufuneka nisibekele bucala isishumi – oko kukuthi isahlulo seshumi kuyo yonke imveliso yakho yamasimi minyaka le.


text:
Ngoko ke wosithatha isishumi eso, uye naso kulaa ndawo inyulwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ukuze lizinze khona igama lakhe, usityele khona phambi kwakhe – noba yingqolowa, iwayini entsha, amafutha omnquma, okanye amazibulo enkomo noba ngawegusha. Le nto ke noyenza khon' ukuze nifunde ukuhlala nimhlonela uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
Xa kunokwenzeka ukuba ithi kanti indawo leyo yonqulo ikude gqitha kumakhaya enu, ukuba nibe nako ukuthwala imveliso leyo anithamsanqele ngayo uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, niye nayo kuyo, ze nenjenje:


text:
Ze nifike nithenge ngayo nokuba yintoni na – ingayinkomo, igusha, iwayini, noba yenye into eselwayo, nantoni na eniyinqwenelayo. Nothi ke apho phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nihlale kunye neentsapho zenu, nixhamle ezo zidlo nonwabile.


text:
Njalo ekupheleni konyaka wesithathu, thathani isishumi semveliso yenu, nisigcine kwezo ndawo nihlala kuzo.


text:
Esi yoba sisabelo sabaLevi njengoko bengenamhlaba bona, ndawonye nabangeneleli, iinkedama, nabahlolokazi abahlala phakathi kwenu. Kofuneka beze bathathe batye banele. Le nto ke yenzeni khon' ukuze uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu anithamsanqele kuyo yonke into eniyenzayo.”


text:
Le nto ke noyenza ngolu hlobo: Nabani na obeboleke uwabo ulutho kufuneka alicime elo tyala, angabi sayithatha loo nto, kuba lithuba lokucinywa kwamatyala elimiselwe *nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke yena uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kunithamsanqela kwelo lizwe aninika lona, kangangokuba kungabikho namnye umntu olihlwempu,


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kunithamsanqela ngokwesithembiso sakhe. Niya kuba nako ukubolekisa ezizweni, kodwa nina ngokwenu ningaboleki nto mntwini. Niya kuba namagunya phezu kwezizwe, kodwa nina akukho sizwe siya kuba namagunya phezu kwenu.


text:
“Kwelo lizwe aninika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ukuba kuthe kwakho umwenu dolophini ithile osweleyo, uze ungavimbi usifinyeze isandla sakho, wale ukumnceda.


text:
Uze ungali ukumboleka into ngenxa yokuba sowukufuphi unyaka wokucinywa kwamatyala. Into enjalo yinkohlakalo; uze ungayivumeli ingene nokungena oku engqondweni yakho. Xa uthe wala ukumnceda, yena uya kubhenela kuNdikhoyo, uze ke wena ube netyala.


text:
Yiba nezinwe, umphe ungakrokri; ke yena uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kukuthamsanqela kuyo yonke into oyenzayo.


text:
Baya kusoloko bekhona abahlelelekileyo; ngoko ke ndiyaniyala ukuba ze nibe nezinwe ngakumawenu nakwabahlelelekileyo namahlwempu apho kwelo lizwe lenu.”


text:
“Xa umwenu umHebhere okanye umHebherekazi ethe wathengiswa kuwe, walikhoboka lakho, aze akusebenzele iminyaka ibe mithandathu, uze umkhulule ngowesixhenxe.


text:
Uze ube nezinwe, umphe kwizinto othamsanqelwe ngazo *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho: iigusha, ingqolowa, newayini.


text:
Khumbula ukuba nawe wawukhe walikhoboka kwelaseJiputa, waza uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wakukhulula. Kungoko ndikunika lo myalelo namhlanje.


text:
“Kambe ke xa ikhoboka lakho lisithi: ‘Andifuni kukhululeka ndikushiye,’ lisitsho kuba likuthanda, kuba lanelisekile nguwe nekhaya lakho,


text:
uze ulithathe ulise elucangweni lwendlu yakho, uligqoboze iindlebe ngenyatyhowa. Ngolo hlobo ke loba likhoboka lakho bonke ubomi balo. Yoba seso ke nakwikhoboka elibhinqileyo.


text:
Uze ungakhathazeki xa kufuneka ukhulule ikhoboka lakho; kaloku lona likusebenzele iminyaka emithandathu ngesiqingatha sexabiso obuya kulihlawula xa ubuliqeshile. Ukuba wenza ngale ndlela ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kukuthamsanqela kuko konke okwenzayo.”


text:
“Onke amazibulo angamaduna eenkomo naweegusha ayinxaxheba *kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho; ezi nkomo uze ungazisebenzisi, ngokunjalo neegusha ungazichebi.


text:
Minyaka le ke uya kuwathatha uye nawo kwindawo anqulelwa kuyo uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ufike uwaxhele uwatyele khona nosapho lwakho.


text:
Kambe ke xa kukho elinesiphako kula mazibulo, noba liyaqhwalela, mhlawumbi liyimfama, okanye linaso nasiphi na isiphako, uzungamenzeli idini ngalo uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Elinjalo ungalixhela ulityele ekhaya. Xa ninonke, nihlambulukile ningahlambulukanga, ningalitya kwanjengokuba nisitya inxala okanye imbabala.


text:
“*UNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uze umzimase ngokwenza umbhiyozo *wePasika ngenyanga ka-Abhibhi. Kaloku yena wakukhulula ngabusukwazana buthile ngayo le nyanga kwelaseJiputa.


text:
Ngoko ke ngaloo mini uzuye kuloo ndawo yokunqula yalathwe nguNdikhoyo ukuzinzisa igama lakhe, ufike wenze idini ngegusha okanye inkomo, usenzela uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho isidlo sePasika.


text:
Kweli theko ke isonka uzusitye singanyuswanga. Iintsuku ezisixhenxe ke uzusebenzise isonka esinganyuswanga, kwanjengokuba wênzayo ukumka kwakho eJiputa buphuthu-phuthu. Yitya eso sonka ke – sona kothiwa sisonka seenzingo – khon' ukuze ungaze uyilibale nanini na imini owaphuma ngayo eJiputa.


text:
Isithuba seentsuku ezisixhenxe ke kofuneka kungabikho namnye apho kwelo lizwe lakho ugcina igwele endlwini yakhe. Inyama yaloo nto ixhelwe ngolo rhatya lokuqala ize ityiwe igqitywe kwangobo busuku.


text:
“Izinto ozixhelela eli theko lePasika uzuzixhelele phaya endaweni eyalathwe nguNdikhoyo, eli theko ungalenzeli kwenye indawo apho kwelo lizwe ulinikwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Idini lePasika uzulenze ngongcwalazi selitshona ilanga, xesha elo wathi waphuma ngalo eJiputa.


text:
Inyama leyo ke uzuyojele apho endaweni yonqulo, uyityele khona, nize nibuyele kwezo ndawo nihlala kuzo.


text:
Ngezo ntsuku zintandathu zilandelayo ke uzutye isonka esinganyuswanga; ngolu lwesixhenxe ke kofuneka ungaphathi msebenzi, koko nihlangane ninqule uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.”


text:
uze ke wenze umsitho wokubhiyozela ulibo, usenzela *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Le nto ke uzuyenze ngokuzisa iminikelo yezinwe zakho ngokobungakanani beentsikelelo akunike zona.


text:
“Uze wonwabe ube nemihlali phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wakho: wena, nabantwana bakho, nezicaka, nabaLevi, nabangeneleli, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi eninabo kwelo lizwe lenu. Lo msitho ke mawenzelwe kuloo ndawo yonqulo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo ukuzinzisa igama lakhe.


text:
“Emva kokuba uyibhulile ingqolowa wayikhama nediliya, uze wenze umsitho wamaphempe iintsuku zibe sixhenxe.


text:
Ngelo thuba ke yonwaba ube nemihlali, wena, nabantwana bakho, nezicaka, nabaLevi, nabangeneleli, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi abaphakathi kwenu.


text:
Menzele umsitho *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ngokubhiyoza iintsuku zibe sixhenxe endaweni yonqulo eyalathwe nguye. Uzuvuye wonwabe, kuba kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uwuthamsanqele umsebenzi wakho watsho ngesivuno esincomekayo.


text:
“Kathathu ngonyaka onke amadoda esi sizwe kufuneka aye kunqula uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho kuloo ndawo yalathwe nguye: *ngePasika, ngomsitho wolibo, nangomsitho wamaphempe. Indoda nganye kufuneka ize inento eyiphetheyo


text:
“Kufuneka isizwe ngasinye simiselwe abalamli namanye amagosa kuzo zonke iidolophu zelo lizwe ulinikwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. La madoda ke kufuneka alawule abantu angakhethi buso.


text:
Kufuneka angabugqwethi ubulungisa, angabi nagobe xa esenza izigqibo, angazamkeli izicengo, kuba izipho ezihamba nezicengo zimfamekisa namehlo ezilumko, ngokunjalo namadoda anyanisekileyo atsho enze izigqibo ezingafanelekanga.


text:
Maxa onke kufuneka kulawule ubulungisa bodwa phakathi kwenu, khon' ukuze niphile nilimé elo lizwe nilinikwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.”


text:
“Xa usenzela *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho iqonga uze ungemisi mthi umele *isithixokazi uAshera ecaleni kwalo.


text:
“Ungaze uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho umenzele idini ngenkomo okanye igusha enesiphako, kuba ilisikizi kuye into enjalo.


text:
“Xa uthe weva ukuba kwenye yeedolophu zenu kukho indoda okanye umfazi owenza ububi ngokutyeshela umnqophiso kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho,


text:
akreqe akhonze *thixo bambi, okanye anqule ilanga, inyanga, noba ziinkwenkwezi – zinto ezo zinxamnye nomyalelo kaNdikhoyo –


text:
ingxelo enjalo uzuyiphande ude ubufumane ubunyani bayo. Ukuba yinyani ukuba ububi obunjalo buhlile kwaSirayeli,


text:
Kambe ke angábulawa kuphela xa kukho abantu ababini nangaphezulu abanobu bungqina ngaye; kanti ke akanakubulawa ngobungqina bomntu omnye kuphela.


text:
Kananjalo abantu abaya kuphosa amatye okuqala ngamangqina lawo, aze ke alandelwe ngabo bonke abanye abantu. Ngaloo ndlela ke woba ubuncothule ububi phakathi kwenu.


text:
“Xa abalamli besoyiswa ngamatyala athile, nokuba ngawokwenzakalisa, ngaweembambano, okanye awokuhlasela, makaziswe kuloo ndawo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Umcimbi lowo uzuwubhekise kubabingeleli babaLevi ngokunjalo nomlamli osesikhundleni ngelo thuba, bawuphicothe bawugwebe umcimbi.


text:
Nabani na ongamthobeliyo umlamli okanye umbingeleli omisiweyo makabulawe, ukuze ngaloo ndlela buncothulwe ububi kwaSirayeli.


text:
Wonke ubani uya kuthi akuyiva loo nto atsho oyike, kungabi sabakho bani ungomnye uphinda enze into enjalo.”


text:
“Wakuba ungenile wada wazinza kwelo lizwe uliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uya kuthi: ‘Nathi masibe nokumkani kwanjengezinye izizwe ezisingqongileyo.’


text:
Qinisekisa ke ukuba loo ndoda uyikhethela ukuba ibe ngukumkani yileyo inyulwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Umntu omawumkhethe ngumntwan' othuthu, ingabi yintlanga.


text:
Ke ukumkani lowo makangazifuneli mhlambi wamahashe ukomeleza umkhosi wakhe, angaze athumele abantu eJiputa ukuba baye kumthengela amahashe, kuba kaloku uNdikhoyo wayalela wathi: ‘AmaSirayeli makangaze abuyele eJiputa.’


text:
Ukumkani makangabi nabafazi baninzi, kuba loo nto ingamenza akreqe kuNdikhoyo; kananjalo makangaziqwebeli butyebi basiliva nagolide.


text:
“Ukumkani lowo ke akungena esihlalweni sakhe makazenzele incwadi yomthetho ngokuthatha amazwi aleyo yamandulo igcinwe ngababingeleli bakwaLevi.


text:
Le ncwadi ke aze angahlukani nayo. Kubo bonke ubomi bakhe makahlale eyifunda, khon' ukuze afunde ukumhlonela uNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe, awathobele amazwi alo mthetho, ayenze imimiselo yawo.


text:
Le nto ke iya kumnceda, khon' ukuze angazenzi bhetele kunamawabo, angayityesheli nakancinane imiyalelo kaNdikhoyo. Ngaloo ndlela ke uya kulawula iminyaka emininzi, ngokunjalo nenzala yakhe iya kulawula kwaSirayeli izizukulwana ngezizukulwana.”


text:
“Indlu kaLevi yona ngababingeleli; ayiyi kuzuza sabelo nalifa njengamanye amaSirayeli, ndaweni yaloo nto ilifa layo ngamadini atshiswayo anikelwa *kuNdikhoyo.


text:
AbaLevi abazukunikwa sabelo njengezinye izindlu; kaloku esabo isabelo nelifa bubudlelwane noNdikhoyo ngokwesithembiso sakhe.


text:
“Nanini na kusenziwa idini ngenkomo noba yigusha, ababingeleli inxaxheba yabo ngumkhono, intloko, nolusu.


text:
KumaSirayeli ephela uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wanyula uLevi nendlu yakhe ukuba abuse kwezobubingeleli nanini nanini.


text:
“Nawuphi na umLevi, noba uhlala phi na apho kwaSirayeli, ukuba uyafuna, angaya kulaa ndawo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo,


text:
Naye ke makafumane inxaxheba ekwangangaleyo izuzwa ngabanye ababingeleli, nangona anenzuzo ayifumene ngokuthengiswa kwempahla yakowabo.”


text:
“Wakufika ke kwelo lizwe uliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uze ungawalinganisi amasiko amanyumnyezi alandelwa zizizwe zakhona.


text:
Ungaze uthathe unyana wakho okanye intombi yakho wenze ngaye idini elitshiswayo; abantu bakuni mabangaze bavumise, okanye bambulule, mhlawumbi bachile,


text:
Kaloku abantu abenza iintlondi ezinje banezothe kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Ziintlondi ezilolu hlobo ezabangela ukuba azigxothe iintlanga zelaa lizwe ekungeneni kwenu.


text:
“Kwelo lizwe uya kulo abantu obagxotha khona bayavumisa bambulule, kodwa ke wena *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho akafuni uyenze loo nto.


text:
Ndaweni yaloo nto uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kuvelisa *umshumayeli ofana nam lo, ophuma kwakumawenu. Uzuncede ke umthobele.


text:
“Kaloku mhla nanihlangene kwintaba iHorebhe nandibongoza nisithi: ‘Asisakulangazeleli ukuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu athethe nathi yena siqu, asisathandi ukubona umlilo odiza ubukho bakhe, kuba soyika ukuthi mhlawumbi sife.’


text:
Ndiya kubanika umshumayeli ophuma kwakubo, afane nawe lo. Ke yena amazwi am aya kuphuma ngomlomo wakhe, aze abaxelele yonke imimiselo yam.


text:
Ke yena umshumayeli ongomnye, ozigwagwisa ngokuthi uthetha egameni lam ndingamthumanga, wobulawa. Koba kwangokunjalo nakoshumayela egameni *loothixo abangabambi.’


text:
Ukuba umshumayeli uthetha egameni likaNdikhoyo ize ingenzeki loo nto ayithethileyo, nomqonda ukuba udaba lwakhe aluphumi kuNdikhoyo, koko uyazithethela nje; ngoko ke sanukuziduba ngaye.”


text:
“Akuba ke *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ezitshabalalisile ezo zizwe zimhlaba wazo awupha wena, naza nazigxotha nema kwiidolophu zazo ngokunjalo nemizi yazo,


text:
lahlule kathathu elo lizwe, kummandla ngamnye ukhethe idolopu efikeleleka lula, uzilungise iindlela eziya kuyo. Úya kuthi ke umntu obulele omnye abe nokuphephela kwenye yazo, afumane ukukhuseleka.


text:
Inkqubo iya kuhamba ngolu hlobo: Umntu obulele omnye ngengozi, engelotshaba lwakhe, wobalekela kwenye yazo ukuze asinde.


text:
Ukuba abantu ababini baphumile baya kutheza ehlathini, waza ke wathi omnye wabo esagawula umthi lasuka lapoqa izembe lakhe laza lamenzakalisa wafa omnye lowo, lo ebegawula makaphephele kwenye yezo dolophu ukuzisindisa.


text:
Xa umgama ekufuneka uhanjwe ngulowo ubalekayo umde, isizalwane esingumphindezeli soba nako ukumfumana lo ubuleleyo engekafiki, simbulale nakuba engenatyala yena ngokwakhe. Andithi na kaloku umbulele ngengozi lo mntu engelotshaba lwakhe!


text:
“Xa uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ethe walandisa elo lizwe lakho, wakongezela wonke umhlaba awuthembise ookhokho bakho efunga,


text:
kofuneka uphinde ukhethe nezinye iidolophu zibe ntathu. Uzukwenze ke konke endikuyaleleyo namhlanje, ubonakalise ukumthanda uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uhlale uziphatha ngokweemfundiso zakhe.


text:
Ezi dolophu ziyimfuneko, khon' ukuze abantu abamsulwa bangabi loxhoba lokubulawa kwelo lizwe uliphiwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
“Kambe ke xa umntu elalele umwabo amthiyileyo wamgebenga engacingele nto, waza wabalekela kwenye yezi dolophu,


text:
amadoda amakhulu aloo dolophu yakhe makamlande, amnikezele kwisizalwane sikamfi esingumphindezeli, size sisibulale isigebenga eso.


text:
Umntu onjalo sukuba natarhu mpela kuye. Ubugebenga mabutshayelwe buphele tu kwaSirayeli, khon' ukuze nihlale ngoxolo.”


text:
“Ungaze uwuhlehlise umlimandlela wentsimi yommelwane wakho. Kaloku wona wamiswa ngamanyange mandulo kwelo lizwe uliphiwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.”


text:
“Ingqina elinye alanele xa umntu ebekwa ityala, nokuba wone kanjani na. Ubutyala bommangalelwa kufuneka bumelwe ngamangqina amabini okanye amathathu.


text:
bobabini mabasiwe phambi *koNdikhoyo endaweni yonqulo, ityala elo liphicothwe ngababingeleli nabagwebi abasesikhundleni.


text:
Abagwebi mabenze uphando olunzulu, baze bathi xa befumanisa ukuba ummangali lo umdyoba nje uwabo lo,


text:
bohlwaye ummangali lowo ngesohlwayo ebelindele ukuba siya kunikwa ummangalelwa lowo. Ngale ndlela ke wobutshayela ububi buphele phakathi kwenu.


text:
Baya kuthi ke abanye abantu bakuyiva le nto yenzekileyo batsho boyike, kungabi sabakho mntu uphinda ayenze into enjalo.


text:
Ewe, uzungabi natarhu mpela; isohlwayo sibe bubomi ngobomi, iliso ngeliso, izinyo ngezinyo, isandla ngesandla, nonyawo ngonyawo.”


text:
“Xa uthe waphuma usiya kulwa notshaba, waza wabona ukuba lona luneenqwelo namahashe, nomkhosi walo ungaphezulu kowakho, sukoyika. *UNdikhoyo uThixo wakho owakukhupha eJiputa uya kuba nawe.


text:
‘Hoyina, maSirayeli! Namhla ilizwe lifile! Kambe ke sanukuba nantaka, ningabi nadyudyu! Musan' ukuphaphazela!


text:
“Ke zona iinduna ziya kubhekisa emkhosini zithi: ‘Ngaba kukho ndoda na apha kuni esandula ukwakha indlu, kodwa ingekayivuli? Xa kunjalo ke lowo makabuy' umva agoduke. Kungenjalo, xa athe akabuya emfazweni, loo ndlu yakhe iya kuvulwa mntu wumbi.


text:
Ngaba kukho indoda esandula ukutyala isidiliya, kodwa ingekavuni kuso? Xa kunjalo ke leyo mayibuy' umva; kungenjalo, xa ithe ayabuya emfazweni, loo wayini yayo iya kuxhanyulwa mntu wumbi.


text:
Ngaba kukho indoda elobolayo na apha phakathi kwenu? Xa ikho mayibuye umva; hleze ithi xa kwenzekile ayabuya emfazweni, lowo owayeza kuba ngumkayo atshatwe yindoda yimbi.’


text:
“Kwakhona iinduna ziya kubuzisa zithi: ‘Ngaba kukho indoda enentliziyo kanina na apha? Xa kunjalo ke mayibuy' umva, hleze isulele namanye.’


text:
Kambe ke xa abemi abo bengafuni kunikezela, bekhetha ukulwa, umkhosi wakho mawusingqinge eso sixeko.


text:
Kambe ke ungabathimba abafazi, nabantwana, nemfuyo, nako konke okulapho kweso sixeko. Ungayisebenzisa yonke into elixhoba oyithimbe kolo tshaba lwakho; uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ukuphile.


text:
“Kodwa ke xa uhlasela isixeko esikwakwelo lizwe uliphiwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uzubulale konke nje.


text:
Vuthulula utshabalalise wonke umntu: amaHiti, ama-Amori, amaKanana, amaPerezi, amaHivi, namaJebhusi, ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Batshabalaliseni khon' ukuze banganiwexuleli ekumoneni uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, banifundise ezaa ndlela zabo zimasikizi bazinqula ngazo *izithixo zabo.


text:
“Xa uhlasela isixeko, sukuyigawula imithi yaso yeziqhamo, noba ungade usingqinge ixesha elide kangakanani na. Ungazitya iziqhamo ezo, kodwa ke ungayitshabalalisi yona imithi. Kungani uhlasele imithi ingelotshaba lwakho nje!


text:
“Xa sewukwelo lizwe uza kuliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, waza wafumana umntu enzakaliswe wafa engaphandle komzi, ube wena ungazi ukuba ubulewe ngubani na,


text:
kufuneka amadoda amakhulu nabagwebi baye kuloo ndawo afele kuyo, bafike balinganise umgama ukusuka kuloo ndawo ukuya kwiidolophu ezikufutshane.


text:
Ke wona amadoda amakhulu aloo dolophu iyeyona ikufuphi kuloo mntu kofuneka akhethe ithokazi lenkomo elingazange lisebenze.


text:
Aya kulithatha ke, aye nalo ngasentlanjeni engatshiyo, apho kungazange kwalinywa, afike alaphule ilungu lentamo.


text:
Ababingeleli bakwaLevi kofuneka babekho nabo apho, kuba ngabo abanyulwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ukuba baqwalasele imicimbi yonqulo, baze bathamsanqele egameni likaNdikhoyo, bade baphicothe bagwebe kwimibandela yeembambano nobugwinta.


text:
Onke ke amadoda amakhulu aloo dolophu ikufuphi kufuneka ahlambe izandla phezu kwelo thokazi laphulwe ilungu lentamo,


text:
Awu, Ndikhoyo, nceda, waxolele amaSirayeli owawahlangula eJiputa. Lala ngenxeba usixolele, ungalibeki phezu kwethu eli tyala legazi elimsulwa.’


text:
ikhulule izambatho efike nazo. Emva koko ke mayihlale apho, izilele ikhaya layo ngokunjalo nabazali bayo isithuba esingangenyanga, wandule ke ukuyithatha ibe ngumkakho.


text:
Kamva ke, xa ungasayifuni, yikhulule ihambe iye apho ithande khona. Kaloku uyenze umkakho; ngoko ke akunalungelo lakuyithengisa ibe likhoboka.”


text:
“Ukuba indoda inabafazi ababini, omnye imthanda kunomnye, baza ke bobabini bazala oonyana, kwaza kwathi kanti lo ulizibulo akanguye owomfazi oyintandane,


text:
ngoku ke xa le ndoda ifuna ukubabela ilifa layo, mayingabi nagobe ngokubhekiselele kulo nyana womfazi oyintandane, imnike inxaxheba yonyana wamazibulo.


text:
Unyana wamazibulo makanikwe ilifa eliphindwe kabini, nokuba akazalwa ngumfazi oyintandane. Kaloku nguye oluphawu lwamandla kayise. Ilungelo lenkulu lelakhe.”


text:
Baya kuthetha benjenje: ‘Lo nyana wethu unenkani, uyinjubaqa; akasiphulaphuli. Ulidla-kudla, futhi ulinxila.’


text:
Amadoda edolophu leyo makamxulube ngamatye ade afe, khon' ukuze buncothulwe ububi phakathi kwenu. Aya kuthi ke amaSirayeli akuyiva le nto ihlileyo atsho oyike.”


text:
makungade kuse isaxhonyiwe. Mayithulwe ingcwatywe kwangaloo mini; kaloku umntu oxhonywe emthini uqalekisiwe nguThixo. Ngoko ke mawungcwatywe umzimba, khon' ukuze *ungagqwaliseki umhlaba owuphiwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Kodwa ke ukuba umniniyo uhlala kude okanye akuyazi ukuba yekabani na, yithathe uyigcine kwakho. Akufika ke umniniyo eyifuna mnike.


text:
Yenza kwaloo nto nokuba yidonki okanye yimpahla yokunxiba oyicholeyo, nayo nantoni na yomwenu elahlekileyo.


text:
“Abafazi mabanganxibi iimpahla zamadoda, ngokunjalo namadoda makangazinxibi iimpahla zabafazi, kuba abantu abenza imikhuba elolo hlobo banezothe kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
“Ukuba ubonisele intaka emthini okanye phantsi, waza wafumanisa ukuba imazi leyo iyafukama okanye inamathole, sukuyibamba uyithathe imazi leyo.


text:
Amathole wona ungawathatha, kodwa ke yena unina myeke, khon' ukuze uxhamle ubomi obude obunenkqubela.


text:
“Xa usakha indlu yenzele ungqameko apha emaphethelweni ephahla, khon' ukuze ungabi natyala lakubulala xa umntu ewe khona waza wafa.


text:
“Kumbandela onje ke abazali bomfazi baya kuthatha ubungqina bobuntombi, baye nabo enkundleni kumadoda amakhulu edolophu leyo.


text:
Wothetha enjenje ke uyise: ‘Lo mfo wathatha le ntombi yam ukuba ibe ngumkakhe; kodwa ngoku udikiwe yiyo.


text:
Uyayityhola ngokuthi: “Kuthe kanti ibingeyontombi.” Kambe ke, nabu ubungqina obudiza ubuntombi bomntwan' am; khangelani, niyayibona le ngubo; injani?’


text:
Kwangokunjalo indoda leyo iya kuhlawuliswa ikhulu leesiliva, lize linikwe uyise wentombi leyo, kuba le ndoda ihlaze intombi yamaSirayeli. Ngaphezu koko ke, lo mfazi uya kuhlala engumkayo; soze abe nelungelo lokumala nanini na.


text:
amadoda amakhulu edolophu leyo aya kumkhupha kowabo, amxulube ngamatye ade afe. Kaloku wenze ihlazo phakathi kwamawabo, wavula ubuhlanti bukayise engendanga. Ngale ndlela ke noba nibuncothule ububi kwaSirayeli.”


text:
“Xa umfo othile ebhaqwe ekrexeza nomka-mntu, mababulawe bobabini. Ngaloo ndlela ke noba nibuncothule ububi kwaSirayeli.


text:
bobabini mabathathwe bakhutshelwe ngaphandle kwedolophu, baxulutywe ngamatye bade bafe. Intombi le mayibulawe kuba ingenzanga mizamo ikhale, nangona ibingéviwayo. Ke yona indoda le mayibulawe kuba ithathe isondo kwintombi eyendayo. Ngale ndlela ke noba nibuncothule ububi phakathi kwenu.


text:
Ke yona intombi leyo mayingenziwa nto, kuba ayenzanga sono sifanele ukuba ife. Kaloku eli tyala lifana nelendoda ehlasele enye yayenzakalisa,


text:
loo ndoda mayikhuphe ikhazi eliziisiliva ezimashumi mahlanu, iyithathe loo ntombi ibe ngumkayo. Kaloku izithathele isondo ngenkani; ngoko ke mayingaze yahlukane nayo nanini na.


text:
“Indoda elithenwa ngokutyunyuzwa, okanye enqunyulwe ubudoda, ize ingabandakanywa nebandla labantu *bakaNdikhoyo.


text:
“Umntwana wombulo ngokunjalo nenzala yakhe kude kuye kwisizukulwana seshumi maze angabandakanywa nebandla labantu bakaNdikhoyo.


text:
“UmAmon okanye umMowabhi, ngokunjalo nenzala yakhe kude kuye kwisizukulwana seshumi, aze angabandakanywa nebandla labantu bakaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kaloku wona ala ukukupha ukutya namanzi ngokuya wawuvela eJiputa; ndaweni yaloo nto aqesha uBhalam unyana kaBhehore, owayephuma kwisixeko iPetore kwelaseMesopotami, ukuba akuqalekise.


text:
Kodwa ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho zange amhoye uBhalam lowo; ndaweni yaloo nto wasijika isiqalekiso eso saba yintsikelelo ngenxa yokuba ekuthanda.


text:
“Ungaze uwajongele phantsi amaEdom; kaloku uyazalana nawo. NamaJiputa uzungaze uwajongele phantsi; kaloku wawukhe waba ngumphambukeli elizweni lawo.


text:
Ukuba ijoni lithe *lanomlaza ngenxa yokuba lichithe ubudoda lilele, maliphumele ngaphandle, lihlale apho.


text:
Phakathi kwezikrweqe zakho malubekho ulugxa, khon' ukuze uthi xa uye ese uzimbele umngxuma owohlala kuwo.


text:
Kaloku *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uhlala kunye nawe, khon' ukuze akukhusele, ube nokuzoyisa iintshaba zakho. Ungaze wenze nto ilihlazo, khon' ukuze angakufulatheli uNdikhoyo.”


text:
Nemali efunyenwe ngale ndlela mayingaze iziswe endlwini *kaNdikhoyo uThixo ngenxa yaso nasiphi na isibhambathiso. Kaloku lo mkhwa ulisikizi kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Ungayibiza inzala ngento oyiboleke intlanga, ungayibizi kumwenu. Xa uwuthobele lo myalelo uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kuyithamsanqelisa yonke into oyenzayo kwelo lizwe uya kuma kulo.


text:
“Xa wenze isibhambathiso kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uzungalibazisi ukusifezekisa. Kaloku uNdikhoyo uyasibanga, ibe ke sisono ukungasiphumezi.


text:
“Xa uhamba ngomlimandlela wesidiliya somntu, ungáyikha idiliya, uyitye kangangoko ufuna; kodwa uze ungayigaleli ntweni, uhambe nayo.


text:
Ukuba uhamba ngomlimandlela wentsimi yomntu enengqolowa, ungáyikha utye kangangoko ufuna, kodwa ungayisiki ngerhengqe.”


text:
“Ukuba indoda ithathe umfazi, yaza kamva yakruquka nguye ngenxa yesizathu esithile, kufuneka imbhalele incwadi yokwahlukana, ize imnike, ibe ke iyamgxotha ngolo hlobo.


text:
yaza nayo yamala yambhalela incwadi yokwahlukana yamgxotha, okanye ke mhlawumbi le ndoda yakhe yesibini isuke yatshaba,


text:
laa ndoda yakhe yokuqala ayinalungelo lokuphinda imthathe. Kaloku ngoku *unomlaza. Xa ingasuka imthathe kwakhona yoba lisikizi elo *kuNdikhoyo. Ngoko ke elo lizwe uliphiwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ungaze *uligqwalise ngamasikizi anjalo.”


text:
“Indoda esandula ukuthath' umfazi mayingaphumi nomkhosi. Nakuwo nawuphi na umsebenzi onjalo mayikhululeke ixesha elingangonyaka, khon' ukuze ihlale ekhaya yonwabe nomkayo.


text:
“Xa kukho into oyiboleke omnye umntu, sukumenza abambise ngelitye lakhe lokusila, nditsho nkqu imbokotho; kaloku ngolo hlobo loo mzi ungaba wohluthwe indlela yawo yokwenza ukutya.


text:
“Nawuphi na umntu oqweqwedise umSirayeli, waza wamenza ikhoboka lakhe, okanye wamthengisa ukuze abe likhoboka, makabulawe. Ngaloo ndlela ke noba nibuncothule ububi phakathi kwenu.


text:
“Xa kukho umntu ogula sisifo solúsu, yenza ngenyameko kanye ngokwemigqaliselo oyinikwa ngababingeleli; yenza ngokwemiyalelo endabanika yona.


text:
“Xa kukho into oyiboleke umntu othile, sukungena endlwini yakhe xa uye kulanda impahla abambisa ngayo;


text:
koko yibuyisele kuye ukutshona kwelanga, kuba uyayifuna ngexesha lokulala. Úya kuthamsanqeliswa ke nguloo mntu, nesenzo sakho sibe sesobulungisa emehlweni kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
“Isicaka osiqeshileyo esisweleyo sukusiqhatha noba singumSirayeli okanye siyintlanga ehlala kwakwezo dolophu zenu.


text:
Yonke imihla ukutshona kwelanga mhlawule ngomsebenzi wakhe; kaloku loo mali uyayifuna, uqamele ngayo. Xa ungamhlawuli uya kukuxela kuNdikhoyo, uze ke wena ube netyala.


text:
“Abazali mabangabulawa ngenxa yamatyala enziwe ngabantwana babo, nabantwana mabangabulawa ngenxa yamatyala enziwe ngabazali babo; umntu makabulawe ngenxa yesono asenze ngokwakhe.


text:
“Uzungayigqwethi inyaniso xa kuthethwa ityala labangeneleli neenkedama. Xa umhlolokazi eboleke ulutho, sukuyithatha ingubo yakhe abambisa ngayo.


text:
Kaloku khumbula ukuba nawe wawukhe walikhoboka eJiputa, waza ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wakukhulula; yiloo nto ke ndikunika lo myalelo nje.


text:
“Ukuba ushiye isithungu sengqolowa entsimini xa uvunayo, sukuphinda usiphuthume; sesoba sesabangeneleli abahlala phakathi kwenu, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi, khon' ukuze uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho akuthamsanqele kuyo yonke into oyenzayo.


text:
Ngokunjalo naxa uvuna idiliya sukukhwahlaza; leyo iseleyo yeyabangeneleli, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi.


text:
Mayingaze iphume engqondweni yakho into yokuba nawe wawukhe walikhoboka eJiputa; yiyo loo nto ke mna ndikuyala ngolu hlobo nje.


text:
“Xa amaSirayeli amabini exabene, aza asana enkundleni, omnye wawo ke wafunyaniswa engenatyala, waza ke wagwetywa omnye lo;


text:
ukuba ugwetywe ikatsi, umgwebi makatsho acanjalaliswe. Inani lemivumbo yakhe loxhomekeka kwelo tyala alenzileyo.


text:
Angákatswa ukuya kwimivumbo emashumi mane, kodwa ke ingadluli apho. Kaloku xa inokuba ngaphezu kwaleyo wòba umthobile umwenu.


text:
“Ukuba oonyana bomntu omnye bahlala mzini-mnye, aze omnye lo asweleke engenanyana, umhlolokazi lowo kamfi akufuneki athathwe ndoda yamzi wumbi; kaloku luxanduva lomntakwabo-mfi ukumthatha amenze umfazi.


text:
Ke unyana wokuqala abaya kumzala bobabini woba ngunyana kamfi, khon' ukuze umlibo wakhe ungatshitshi kwaSirayeli.


text:
Kambe ke ukuba umntakwabo-mfi lo akafuni kumthatha, umka-mfi makaye kuxelela amadoda amakhulu edolophu leyo, athi: ‘Umntakwabo-mfi akavumi kuwenza umsebenzi wakhe; uyala ukuvelisela umfi inzala phakathi kwamaSirayeli.’


text:
umka-mfi lowo makaye kuye ekho namadoda amakhulu edolophu leyo, afike akhulule isihlangu sakhe, amtshicele ebusweni, athi: ‘Nantso ke into eyenziwayo kumntu ongafuniyo ukuvelisela umntakwabo inzala.’


text:
“Ukuba amadoda amabini ayalwa, aze umfazi wenye azame ukuncedisa indoda yakhe ngokubamba le ilwa nayo ngobudoda,


text:
“Xa usebenzisa isilinganiso sukwenza buqhophololo mayela nobunzima nobungakanani. Izilinganiso zakho mazibe zezizizo ngalo lonke ixesha.


text:
Sisebenzise ngokunyaniseka isilinganiso, khon' ukuze uhlale ithuba elide kwelo lizwe akunika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Wona ahlangana nani nidiniwe, niphelelwe ngamandla, aza ababulala bonke abo baberhuqeka ngasemva. Kaloku ayengamoyiki uThixo.


text:
Ngoko ke akuba uNdikhoyo ekuhlangule kuzo zonke iintlanga ezikungqongileyo, waza wawuma umhlaba akunika wona ukuba ube lilifa lakho, uze uwabulale uwatshayele ama-Amaleki atsho alibaleke. Uyabona ke, uze ungaphazami!”


text:
umntu ngamnye aze athathe ibhaskiti, afake ulibo lwento nganye ayilimileyo, aye nayo kuloo ndawo yonqulo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ukuzinzisa igama lakhe.


text:
Akufika ke uya kuya kumbingeleli osesikhundleni ngelo xesha, afike athi kuye: ‘Ngoku ndivakalisa kuNdikhoyo uThixo wam ukuba ndingenile kwelo lizwe wayethembise ngesifungo ukusinika lona koobawo-mkhulu.’


text:
“Ke yena umbingeleli lowo uya kuyithatha ibhaskiti leyo, ayibeke phambi kweqonga lamadini kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Apho ke phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wena uya kucengceleza la mazwi, uthi: ‘Ubawo-mkhulu wayesisibhadu-bhadu esiphaleleyo somAram esafuduka saya kuphambukela kwelaseJiputa. Ewe, babembalwa ukuya kwabo, kodwa babuya sebesisizwe esikhulu esomeleleyo.


text:
Ke thina sazibika kuNdikhoyo uThixo woobawo-mkhulu. Yena wasiva isikhalo sethu, wakubona oko kubandezeleka, naloo hambo-nzima, ngokunjalo nengcinezelo esasikuyo.


text:
Ngobo bungangamsha naloo mandla akhe ke wasikhupha kwelaseJiputa. Wenza imiqondiso nemimangaliso, wabetha kwehla izinto ezirhwaqelisayo.


text:
Ngoko ke ngoku, Ndikhoyo, ndikuphathele olu libo lwesivuno somhlaba ondiphe wona.’ “Wakuba utshilo ke, ibhaskiti leyo uya kuyibeka phantsi apho phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, umnqule.


text:
Ewe, vuya, ube nemincili ngenxa yendyebo wena nendlu yakho akunike yona uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. NabaLevi kunye nabangeneleli abahlala apho phakathi kwenu mababe nenxaxheba apho kulo msitho.


text:
“Njalo kunyaka wesithathu, ongunyaka wezishumi, khupha isishumi sesivuno sakho, usinike abaLevi, nabangeneleli, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi, khon' ukuze bathi xa bebonke, kuzo zonke izixeko, batye banele. Wakuba wenjenjalo ke


text:
thetha noNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uthi: ‘Ngoku ke ndiyikhuphile inxaxheba yakho; ndiyiphe abaLevi, nabangeneleli, neenkedama, nabahlolokazi, ngokomyalelo owandinika wona. Ewe, andiphambukanga okanye ndilibale namnye kwimiyalelo yakho ngesishumi.


text:
Andityanga nento le kuso xa ndandizilile; andakhupha nento le kuso kowam umzi xa *ndandinomlaza; futhi andithathanga nento le kuso ndenza idini labangasekhoyo. Ndikuthobele, Ndikhoyo Thixo wam. Ewe, ndenze konke obundiyalele kona mayela nesishumi.


text:
Ngoko ke khawondele ezantsi ukwelo khaya lakho likhethekileyo – izulu – ujonge usapho lwakho amaSirayeli, uwathi jize ngamathamsanqa, ngokunjalo nalo mhlaba usiphe wona. Ewe, yenza ngokwesifungo sakho koobawo-mkhulu – nditsho eso selizwe eliphuphuma ubisi nobusi.’ ”


text:
“Namhlanje ke *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uniyalela ukuba niyithobele yonke imimiselo nemithetho yakhe. Ewe, nyanisekani niyithobele ngomxhelo wenu uphela.


text:
“Ngokunjalo ke namhlanje niyivakalisile into yokuba uNdikhoyo nguThixo wenu; futhi nithembisile ukuba niya kumthobela, niyenze imimiselo nemiyalelo nemithetho yakhe.


text:
Kunamhlanje nje ke uNdikhoyo uyivakalisile into yokuba unamkele naba ngabantu bakhe ncakasana ngokwesithembiso sakhe; ngoko ke uyaniyala, uthi yithobeleni imiyalelo yakhe.


text:
Ke yena uya kuniphakamisa, nibe ngaphezu kwazo zonke izizwe awazidalayo, khon' ukuze nityibele nibonga nilizisele udumo nesithozela igama lakhe. Ngenene niya kuba ngabantu bakaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ngokomlomo wakhe.”


text:
UMosis ekunye namadoda amakhulu akwaSirayeli wathi: “Ze niyithobele yonke imiyalelo endininika yona namhlanje.


text:
Mhla nayiwela iJordan nangena kwelo lizwe niliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ze nimise amatye amakhulu, niwatyabeke ngefutha,


text:
niwabhale kuwo onke amazwi alo mthetho. Xa seniwelile nangena kwelo lizwe lobisi nobusi nalithenjiswa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wooyihlo-mkhulu, la matye ze niwamise kwintaba iEbhali, niwatyabeke ngefutha ngokwalo myalelo ndininika wona namhlanje.


text:
Apho ke ze nakhele uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu iqonga lamadini ngamatye angaqingqwanga ngezixholo zentsimbi.


text:
Kaloku iqonga enilakhela uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kufuneka libe lelamatye angaqingqwanga. Kulapho ke ekufuneka ninikele ngamadini atshiswayo,


text:
UMosis ekunye nababingeleli babaLevi ke wabhekisa kumaSirayeli, wathi: “Khanindibolek' iindlebe, maSirayeli! Namhlanje nibe ngabantu bakaNdikhoyo ncakasana. Nguye iNkosi yenu.


text:
“Xa seniyiwelile iJordan ezi zizwe zilandelayo ze zime kwintaba iGerizim xa kuthamsanqelwa amaSirayeli: uSimon, uLevi, uJuda, uIsakare, uJosefu, noBhenjamin.


text:
Kanti ke nazi eziya kuma kwintaba iEbhali xa kuqalekiswa: uRubhen, uGadi, uAshere, uZebhulon, uDan, noNafetali.


text:
‘Uqalekisiwe umntu oqingqa umfanekiso ngelitye, umthi, noba sisinyithi, aze awunqule emfihlakalweni. Into enjalo lisikizi kuNdikhoyo.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula besithi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na odela uyise noba ngunina.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na oshenxisa umlimandlela wommelwane.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na olahlekisa imfama endleleni.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na ogqwetha inyaniso xa kuthethwa ityala labangeneleli neenkedama nabahlolokazi.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu owambatha umka-yise, kuba unyelisa uyise.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu owambatha udade wabo, nditsho intombi kayise nokuba yekanina.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu othengwayo khon' ukuze agebenge abamsulwa.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’


text:
“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na ongazithobeliyo aziphumeze iimfundiso zalo mthetho.’ “Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’ ”


text:
“Ke ukuba ulithobele ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, wayenza ngononophelo imiyalelo endikunika yona namhlanje, uNdikhoyo uya kukuphakamisa kunazo zonke izizwe zehlabathi.


text:
“Wosikelelwa, umfazi wakho azale, emasimini indyebo ibe ngako, yona imfuyo yande, kubekho amathole namatakane.


text:
“UNdikhoyo uya kukuvathisa ngoloyiso, nditsho noba sewuhlaselwa ziintshaba. Zothi noba sezivela kwicala elithile, wena uzibethe zithi saa macal' onke.


text:
“UNdikhoyo uThixo uya kuwuthamsanqela umsebenzi wakho, izisele zakho zihlale ziphuphuma. Uya kukuthi jize ngamathamsanqa kwelo lizwe akunika lona.


text:
“Ukuba niyithobele imiyalelo nahamba ngokwelizwi lakhe, uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kunimisela nibe ngabantu bakhe ncakasana ngokwesithembiso sakhe.


text:
“Ziya kuthi ke izizwe zehlabathi, zakuqonda ukuba uNdikhoyo unenze abantu bakhe, zitsho zinihlonele.


text:
“Ewe, uNdikhoyo wokuthi jize ngenkqubela, uzale abantwana, imfuyo yakho ibe namathole namatakane, amasimi akho axakathe isivuno kwelo lizwe uNdikhoyo wafunga ukubanika lona ooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kuwavula amazulu ngexesha elililo, imvula ayiphokoze kuvimba wakhe, awuthamsanqele umsebenzi wakho, khon' ukuze ungasweli nto, koko ubolekis' ezizweni, phofu wena ngokwakho ube ungafuni nto mntwini.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukwenza ube yimbalasane phakathi kwezizwe, ungabi semxukuxeleni. Uya kuba soloko unenkqubela, ungaze uwe phantsi, ukuba uyithobele wayenza imiyalelo yakhe endikunika yona namhlanje.


text:
Noba sekutheni na ungaze uphambuke nakancinane kule miyalelo; ungaze unqule ubuse *oothixo abangabambi.”


text:
“Kambe ke ukuba akulithobelanga ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ukuba akuyenzanga yonke le miyalelo nale mimiselo ndikunika yona namhlanje, ziya kukufumana iziqalekiso:


text:
“UNdikhoyo uya kukuzisela ishwangusha, kube sisiphithi-phithi nenkxwaleko kuyo yonke into oyenzayo, suka uhlelwe sisithwakumbe ude utshabalale ngephanyazo, ngenxa yobubi obenzileyo bokumlahla ungamthobeli uNdikhoyo.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngezifo ngezifo, akutshayele uphele nya, ungawuhlali lo mhlaba uza kungena kuwo ngoku.


text:
Uya kukubetha ngezifo ezidla umzimba, umkhuhlane, necesina. Umoya onolophu uya kuwatshabalalisa amasimi akho, akuyekele ngembalela kwanezifo kwizilimo zakho. Ezi zibetho ke ziya kukuthi nca ude ungabikho.


text:
“UNdikhoyo uya kuzipha uloyiso iintshaba zakho, zikuvuyelele. Wothi uzihlasela kweli cala, zona zikubethe uthi saa macal' onke. Zonke ke izizwe zehlabathi ziya kuthi zakuyibona le nto ikuhleleyo zitsho zihlasimle.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngamathumba uxel' amaJiputa. Umzimba wakho uya kuphanjwa zizilonda nalukhwekhwe, urhawuzelelwe ingekho nendlela yokukunyanga.


text:
Uya kuba ngathi uyimfama, uphampathe ngoku ilanga lihlab' umhlaba. Kuyo yonke into oyenzayo akuyi kuba nampumelelo. Uya kuba sisisulu sengcinezelo, uphangwe, kungekho bani ungakuncedayo.


text:
“Noba sewulobola intombi, kovela mntu wumbi ayixhaphaze. Noba sowusakha indlu, soze uyihlale. Uya kuba ngatyala isidiliya, ungacholi naphantsi kuso.


text:
Nenkomo yakho iya kuxhelwa ujongile, kodwa ungakhothi naphantsi kuloo nyama. Idonki yakho iya kuthinjwa ubukele, ungaze ubuye uyibone. Iigusha zakho ziya kunikelwa ezintshabeni, kungabikho namntu ungakuncedayo.


text:
Oonyana neentombi zakho ziya kunikezelwa kwezinye iintlanga ujongile. Uya kutyabuk' amehlo ujong' enkalweni, ulindele ukubuya kwabantwana bakho, kungekho nto unokuyenza.


text:
Kuya kuvela uhlanga ongalwaziyo, lufike luvune izilimo zakho obulalekileyo ngazo, ke wena into oya kuyizuza yingcinezelo nentshutshiso engaphele ndawo.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngamathumba anganyangekiyo emadolweni nasemilenzeni, athi tshitshilili ukusuka entloko kuye kuthi xhaxhe ngeenyawo.


text:
“Wena, ngokunjalo nokumkani ommiseleyo, uNdikhoyo uya kunithatha anise kwilizwe eningalaziyo, elingazange laziwa nangooyihlo-mkhulu. Apho ke uya kunqula *thixo bambi abenziwe ngomthi, ngokunjalo nabamatye.


text:
“Uya kuthi ngoku ubuhlwayele kakhulu uvune into engekhoyo. Kaloku isivuno sakho siya kunqunquthwa ziinkumbi.


text:
Uya kuba ngatyala isidiliya usihlakule usilungise, ungazuzi diliya nawayini, kuba kaloku siya kungenelwa ngurhuxeshe.


text:
Umnquma uya kubakho kuyo yonke indawo kwelo lizwe, kodwa wena ungabi nawo amafutha okuthambisa, kuba umnquma lowo uya kuvuthuluka.


text:
“Abangeneleli belakowenu baya kubalasela baye beqaqamba ngokuqaqamba, ke nina niye nidodobala ngokudodobala.


text:
Baya kubolekisa kuwe, ube ke wena ungenanto yakubolekisa. Ekugqibeleni ke baya kuba ziinkokheli, wena ube ngumlandeli.


text:
“Zonke ke ezi ziqalekiso ziya kukujikeleza zide zikufumane, zikuvuthulule uphele, ngenxa yokuba ungaliphulaphulanga ilizwi likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ungayenzanga imiyalelo nemimiselo endikunike yona.


text:
“Nakuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wakusikelela ngeendlela zonke nje, akuvumanga ukumnqula ngokuthakazela ngexesha lentlutha.


text:
Ngoko ke uya kubusa iintshaba akuthumele ngazo uNdikhoyo. Uya kucikidwa yindlala, unxano, nobuze, naziindidi ngeendidi zeentswelo. Uya kukukhama ngedyokhwe yentsimbi ude utshabalale.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukuthumela ngohlanga oluvela kwelikude eziphelweni zehlabathi, abantu abantetho ungayivayo; bona ke baya kukurhewula njengokhozi.


text:
Iinkomo nesivuno sakho siya kuba lilifa labo, ube ke ubulawa yindlala. Aba bantu baya kutshayela konke nje: ingqolowa, iwayini entsha, amafutha omnquma, inkomo nenzala yayo, ngokunjalo negusha; ke wena ude utshabalale.


text:
Baya kuzihlasela bazingqinge zonke iidolophu zelo lizwe akunika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, nezo ndonga zinde ukholosa ngazo ziya kudilika zifadalale.


text:
“Xa sezikungqingile iintshaba zakho uya kuxineka ucikideke yindlala kangangokuba ude utye nabantwana bakho obaphiwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.


text:
Nditsho namadoda aphucukileyo anesisa ngelo thuba aya kuphalala ebethwa yindlala, kangangokuba ade atye abantwana bawo. Indoda iya kuvimba nomntakwayo, nomfazi wayo oyintanda, nditsho nowokugqibela osekhoyo kubantwana bayo.


text:
Kwanomfazi ozitshoyo, intokazi esisigcodololo esichula ukunyathela, naye uya kuziphatha kwangolo hlobo. Luya kuthi lwakuningqinga utshaba acikidwe liphango, aphalale kangangokuba ade atye nosana agqib' ukulizala, ngokunjalo nomkhaya lowo, yonke ke le nto eyiba. Ewe, uya kude avimbe nendoda le yakhe yebhongo; asisathethi ke ngabantwana bakhe.


text:
“Ukuba akuyithobelanga ngenyameko imfundiso yalo mthetho ubhalwe kule ncwadi, ukuba uthe awalihlonipha eli gama lizukileyo linobuqaqawuli likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho,


text:
wena ngokunjalo nenzala yakho úya kunibetha ngezithwakumbe ezingaqhelekanga nezingaphele ndawo, nezifo ezoyikekayo ezingeva yeza.


text:
“Ngaphezu koku uNdikhoyo uya kukuthumela ngazo zonke iindidi zezifo nezithwakumbe, nditsho nezo zingaxelwanga kule ncwadi yomthetho; ke zona ziya kukutshabalalisa.


text:
Nokuba nande nada nayinyambalala enjengeenkwenkwezi ezisesibhaka-bhakeni, liqaqobana nje eliya kusinda, kuba kaloku ningamthobelanga uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
Kwanjengokuba uNdikhoyo wayenemihlali ngani waza waninika inkqubela wanandisa, kuya kuba kwanjalo ukunivuthulula nokunitshabalalisa kwakhe. Niya kuncothulwa nifuduswe kweli lizwe ningena kulo ngoku.


text:
“UNdikhoyo uya kukusasaza ezizweni jikelele, ehlabathini liphela, apho ke uya kunqula *oothixo abenziwe ngomthi nabenziwe ngamatye, thixo abo ungazange ubanqule ngaphambili, bengazange banqulwa ngooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
Soze ufumane nzolo naphi naphi, ungasoze ufumane nandawo yakuphumla. UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngonxunguphalo, ukuphalala, nokuncama.


text:
Ubomi bakho buya kuhlala busemngciphekweni. Imini nobusuku uya kuhlala ududa luloyiko, usoloko uxhalele ukufa.


text:
Uya kuba liphakuphaku ngenxa yobubi obubonayo. Kuya kuthi kwakuba kusasa uthi: ‘Akwaba belitshona,’ uthi ke lakutshona: ‘Akwaba beliphuma.’


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kukubuyisela eJiputa ngeenqanawa, nangona nje ndandithe soze uphinde ubuyele khona. Apho ke uya kuzama ukuzithengisa kwiintshaba zakho, kodwa ke akukho bani uya kuze akuthenge.”


text:
Nantsi ke imiqathango yomnqophiso *uNdikhoyo awayalela uMosis ukuba awenze namaSirayeli kwelaseMowabhi; yona ixhasa umnqophiso owenziwa nguNdikhoyo kwintaba iHorebhe.


text:
UMosis wawahlanganisa ndawonye amaSirayeli, waza wathetha nawo wenjenje: “Nizibonele ngokwenu into eyenziwe nguNdikhoyo kukumkani waseJiputa, nakumaphakathi akhe, nelizwe lakhe liphela.


text:
Kule minyaka ingamashumi amane ndinikhokela entlango, impahla yenu yokunxiba, ngokunjalo neembadada zenu, azikhange ziguge.


text:
Beningenasonka nawayini natywala, kodwa uNdikhoyo unilungiselele, khon' ukuze nimqonde ukuba unguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
Sithe ke sakufika kulo mhlaba baphuma beza kusihlasela ookumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon nokumkani uOgi waseBhashan. Kambe ke saboyisa.


text:
Umhlaba wabo ke sawuthimba, sawahlulela indlu kaRubhen nekaGadi ngokunjalo nesiqingatha sakwaManase.


text:
Ngoko ke yithobeleni ngenyameko imiqathango yalo mnqophiso, khon' ukuze nibe nempumelelo kuyo yonke into eniyenzayo.


text:
“Namhlanje ke nimi phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nina xa ninonke – iintloko zezindlu zakuni, amadoda amakhulu, amaphakathi namadoda akwaSirayeli ephela,


text:
ukuze uNdikhoyo animisele nibe ngabantu bakhe ncakasana, yena ke abe nguThixo wenu ngokwesithembiso sakhe nanjengoko wafungayo kooyihlo-mkhulu, uAbraham noIsake noYakobi.


text:
koko usenza nabo bonke, nabangekhoyo apha namhlanje, ngokunjalo nani nina nimi phambi kwakhe namhlanje.


text:
“Niyazi ukuba kwakunjani na kwelaseJiputa; futhi nisayikhumbula indlela esahamba ngayo sicanda kwimihlaba yezinye izizwe.


text:
Lumkani ke hleze kubekho ndoda, mfazi, noba ngumzi, okanye isizwe kwezimi apha namhlanje, esiya kuthi simfulathele uNdikhoyo uThixo, sinqule *oothixo beentlanga. Ze niqiniseke ingaze ibekho phakathi kwenu ingcambu eyityhefu evelisa iziqhamo ezikrakra.


text:
Xa umntu ololo hlobo athi akuyiva imiqathango yalo mnqophiso azikhohlise entliziyweni yakhe, athi: ‘Mna andinakuhlelwa nto; ndohlala eluxolweni noxa ndisenza ukuthanda kwam,’ into enjalo ingabangela ukuba kutshatyalaliswe konke nje, olungileyo nongendawo.


text:
Ewe, uNdikhoyo akayi kuba natarhu kumntu onjalo. Ndaweni yaloo nto uya kucaphuka, uvuthe umsindo wakhe, zize zithi neziqalekiso ezibhaliweyo apha kule ncwadi zimgubungele, ade ke uNdikhoyo amcime igama kwelimiweyo.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kwenza umzekelo ngaye kuzo zonke izizwe zakwaSirayeli, amhlisele izithwakumbe ngokweziqalekiso zomnqophiso obhalwe kule ncwadi yomthetho wakhe.


text:
“Oonyana benu abaya kuvela emva kwenu, ngokunjalo neentlanga eziphuma kumazwe akude, ziya kusibona isithwakumbe nenkxwaleko ayihlisele ilizwe lenu uNdikhoyo.


text:
Umhlaba uya kubharha, wambathiswe yisulfure netyuwa. Awuyi kuvelisa nto; akuyi kuntshula nokhula olu lwembala. Elo lizwe liya kuba njengeSodom neGomora, iAdama neZebhoyim, awathi ngenxa yengqumbo nomsindo wazitshabalalisa uNdikhoyo.


text:
“Zonke iintlanga ziya kubuza zithi: ‘Kwakutheni ukuze uNdikhoyo awenjenje lo mhlaba? Wayekhathazwe yintoni ade abe nomsindo kangaka?’


text:
Impendulo ke iya kuthi: ‘Kungenxa yokuba betyeshele umnqophiso ophakathi kwabo noNdikhoyo uThixo wooyise-mkhulu; mnqophiso lowo bângena kuwo ekubakhupheni kwakhe eJiputa.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wavutha ngumsindo, waza elo lizwe walihlisela ezi ziqalekiso zibhalwe apha kule ncwadi.


text:
Ewe, wakhathazeka gqitha, wabancothula ngomsindo kwelakowabo, wabafudusela kwilizwe lasemzini apho basekhoyo unanamhla.’


text:
“Kambe ke zona izinto ezifihlakeleyo zezikaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu, ukanti ke zona ezityhiliweyo ziya kusoloko zizezethu nabantwana bethu. Ngoko ke masiyithobele imiqathango yalo mthetho.”


text:
“Zakuba zifikile zonke ezi ntsikelelo endikuxelele ngazo, zaza zakuhlela neziqalekiso, kungenzeka ukuba uzithathele ingqalelo naphi na apho uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho athe wakusasaza khona phakathi kweentlanga.


text:
Kwakuba njalo ke, wena nabantwana bakho buyelani kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nimthobele ngomxhelo wonke, nangomoya wenu uphela, ngokwale miyalelo ndikunika yona namhlanje.


text:
Wosuka ke yena uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho abe nemfesane ngakuwe, akubuyisele ubuncwane bakho. Uya kuniqokelela anibuyise kuloo mazwe anisasaze kuwo.


text:
Noba ningade nibe nisarhake naya kutsho empelazwe, yena uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kuniqokelela anibuyise,


text:
khon' ukuze anibuyisele kumhlaba wooyihlo, ube ngowenu. Ngelo thuba uya kunithi jize ngengayiwayo yona inkqubela, futhi anandise ngokuthe kratya kooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kuyalùsa intliziyo yakho neentliziyo zabazukulwana bakho, khon' ukuze nimthande ngomxhelo wonke nomoya uphela, nidle ubomi.


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uya kukupha intlutha kuko konke okwenzayo; ùya kuphiwa inzala, ube nenyambalala yeenkomo, ngokunjalo namasimi akho achume. Kuya kuba luvuyo kuNdikhoyo ukukunika intlutha, kwanjengokuba kwakuluvuyo kuye ukwenjenjalo kooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
Kambe ke kofuneka nilithobele ilizwi likaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nenze ngokwale miyalelo nale mimiselo ibhalwe apha kule ncwadi yomthetho wakhe. Ngenene kofuneka nibuyele kuye ngomxhelo wenu uphela.


text:
Awukho phezulu esibhakabhakeni, ukuba ningade nikhale, nithi: ‘Yaz'ba ngubani na oya kunyuka aye esibhakabhakeni asithobele wona uze kuthi, khon' ukuze sibe nokuwuva siwenze?’


text:
Kwangokunjalo awukho ngaphesheya kolwandle, ukuba ningade nikhale, nithi: ‘Yaz'ba ngubani na oya kuwela ulwandle, awuthathe awusondeze kuthi, ukuze siwuve siwenze?’


text:
Hayi khona, nakanye! Kaloku lo myalelo awukude kuwe: uthetha ngawo qho, uyawuthanda, uwuthobela nokuwuthobela.


text:
Mna ndikuyalela namhlanje ukuba umthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uhambe ngeendlela zakhe, uyithobele uyenze imiyalelo nemimiselo nezithethe zakhe. Wakwenjenjalo uya kuphila wande, uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho akuthamsanqele kwelo lizwe ungenela ukuya kuma kulo.


text:
“Kambe ke ukuba uthe wajika, wala ukuphulaphula, wawexulwa ngabanye *oothixo, wakhahlela kubo, wabanqula,


text:
ndiyakuxelela ngayo yona le mini ukuba inene uya kutshabalala. Awuyi kuba nabomi bude kwelo lizwe liphesheya kweJordan ungenela ukuya kuma kulo ngoku.


text:
Amazulu nehlabathi ayangqina namhlanje ukuba ndithi khetha phakathi kobomi nokufa, naphakathi kweentsikelelo neziqalekiso. Kambe ke ndithi kheth' ubomi, khon' ukuze uphile, wena nenzala yakho.


text:
Mthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, uliphulaphule ilizwi lakhe, uthi nca kuye. Kaloku nguye okunika ubomi noya kukolulela iminyaka kwelo lizwe wabathembisa ngalo ngesifungo ooyihlo-mkhulu, uAbraham noIsake noYakobi.”


text:
wathi: “Ngoku sendinekhulu mashumi mabini eminyaka. Andisenako ukunikhokela. Kaloku *uNdikhoyo wandazisa ukuba andiyi kuyiwela iJordan.


text:
NguNdikhoyo ngokwakhe oza kunikhokela niwele, azivuthulule zitshabalale iintlanga zelaa lizwe, ukuze ke nina ningene nime kulo. Ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo nguYoshuwa oza kunikhokela niwele iJordan.


text:
UNdikhoyo uya kuzitshabalalisa ezo ntlanga kwanjengokuba wenzayo kookumkani bama-Amori, uSihon no-Ogi, awabatshabalalisayo kunye nomhlaba wabo.


text:
Qinani nikhaliphe, ningaxhali, ningabi nayo nedyudyu. Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ungakuni; soze arhoxe okanye anilahle.”


text:
UMosis wabiza uYoshuwa, wathetha naye phambi kwawo onke amaSirayeli, wathi: “Qina ukhaliphe! Kaloku nguwe oza kukhokela aba bantu, uye kubadlisa ilifa labo kwelo lizwe uNdikhoyo wabathembisa ngalo ngesifungo ooyise-mkhulu.


text:
NguNdikhoyo ngokwakhe oza kunikhokela, ahambe nani. Soze arhoxe, engasoze anilahle; ngoko ke yomelelani ningoyiki.”


text:
Lo mthetho ke uMosis wawubhala, wawunikezela kubabingeleli bakwaLevi ababejongene netyesi yomnqophiso *kaNdikhoyo, ngokunjalo nakumadoda amakhulu akwaSirayeli.


text:
Wabayala wathi: “Njalo xa kuphela unyaka wesixhenxe, kusondela unyaka wokucinywa kwamatyala, lo mthetho mawufundwe kumsitho wamaphempe.


text:
Mawufundelwe amaSirayeli xa ewonke mhla eze kunqula uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kuloo ndawo yalathwe nguye.


text:
Makuqokelelwe bonke abantu – amadoda, abafazi, nabantwana, ngokunjalo nabangeneleli abalapho phakathi kwenu – khon' ukuze bawuve, bafunde ukumhlonela uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, bazithobele bazenze ngondileko iimfundiso zalo mthetho.


text:
Ngale ndlela ke nabantwana benu abangekawazi lo mthetho baya kuwuva. Ngoko ke baya kufunda ukumthobela bamhlonele uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ngalo lonke ithuba nihleli kwelo lizwe niza kungena kulo phesheya kweJordan.”


text:
*UNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuMosis, wathi: “Ngoku sekumbovu ukuba ufe. Ngoko ke biza uYoshuwa, uye naye *esibingelelweni, khon' ukuze ndimyale.” Ngenene ke uMosis noYoshuwa baya esibingelelweni,


text:
UNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Wena uza kufa ngoku. Wakuba ufile, aba bantu baza kukreqa, bandilahle, banqule *oothixo abanqulwa kwelo lizwe baza kuma kulo ngoku, bawutyeshele umnqophiso endawenza nabo.


text:
Yakwenzeka loo nto ndiya kuvutha ngumsindo, ndibalahle, ndibafulathele, batshabalale. Baya kuhlelwa ziinzingo bahlupheke. Ngaloo mini baya kuvakala besithi: ‘Kunje nje nje kungenx' enokuba uThixo wethu engasekho ngakuthi.’


text:
Inene, ngaloo mini ndiya kubafulathela ngenxa yabo bonke ububi ababenzileyo ngokubhenela kwabanye oothixo.


text:
Kaloku ndiza kuwangenisa kuloo mhlaba wobisi nobusi ndathembisa ngawo ooyise-mkhulu. Akuxhamla loo ntlala-kahle osuka akreqe, anqule thixo bambi, andidele, awutyeshele umnqophiso wam.


text:
Kweso sithuba ke aya kuhlelwa yintlekele nentlupheko. Ke yona le ngoma iya kuba isaculwa sisizukulwana, ibe lingqina elidandalazisa isono samaSirayeli. Andithi na kaloku, kanye ngoku ndingekawangenisi nokuwangenisa kwelo lizwe ndawathembisa ngalo, sendiyibona imikhwa yawo.”


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wamyalela wenjenje noYoshuwa unyana kaNune: “Qina ukhaliphe, kuba nguwe oza kukhokela amaSirayeli, uye kuwangenisa kwelo lizwe ndawathembisa ngalo ngesifungo; ibe ke mna ndiza kuba nawe.”


text:
“Thathani, nantsi ke incwadi yomthetho. Yibekeni ecaleni letyesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, khon' ukuze ibe lingqina likaNdikhoyo ngamaSirayeli.


text:
Kaloku ndiyanazi ukuba nizizibhoja ezinenkani. Ngexesha lokudla kwam ubomi benivukelana naye uNdikhoyo; nobeka phi na ukumvukela xa ndingasekhoyo?


text:
Ngoko ke khanihlanganise amadoda amakhulu ezizwe zakowenu neenduna zenu, ukuze ndiwaxelele ezi zinto. Ndiza kubiza amazulu nehlabathi, ukuze andingqinele.


text:
Kaloku ndiyazi ukuba xa ndingasekho niya kuba ziinjubaqa, niphambuke kule ndlela ndiniyalele yona. Kananjalo ke, kumaxesha ezayo, niya kuhlelwa ziintlekele ngenxa yokuba nixhokonxa uNdikhoyo ngobubi bezithixo ezenziwe zizandla zenu.”


text:
Imfundiso yam iza kuchaphaza njengemvula, itshone njengombeth' emhlabeni, amazwi am awe njengomkhumezelo phezu kohlaza, abe njengomvimbi phezu kotyani.


text:
YiNgxondorha emsebenz' ufezekileyo; iindlela zakhe bubulungisa bodwa; uThixo othembekileyo enyanisekile, yena lilungisa elingenakumbi.


text:
Kambe ke nina nigwenxa, ngoko ke ngenxa yokubhatyaza kwenu aniselulo usapho lwakhe, sizukulwanandini sigoso sinxaxhileyo!


text:
Ngani ukuba nimphathe kanj' uNdikhoyo, zidengendini zabantu ezingaqiqiyo? Kaloku yena nguYihlo noMdali wenu; nguye owanenzayo waza wanibonelela.


text:
Khanibuzise niqonde ngezamandulo; khaniphande nive ngezizukulwana ezadlulayo. Amanyange wona aya kunibalisela; amadod' amakhulu aya kunichubela.


text:
Xenikweni uPhezukonke wazabela ilifa izizwe; yena wabahlula-hlula oonyana babantu, waza izizwe wazimisela imida yazo ngokobungakanani boonyana bakaSirayeli.


text:
Wambhaqa kwimpengempenge yentlango, kwinkangala egxwala amarhamncwa, waza wamchola, wampelesa, wamkhusel' okokhozo lweliso lakhe,


text:
njengokhozi lukhusela amantshontsho alo, lundanda luwathwale ngaloo maphiko alo, xa luwakhupha endlwini yalo.


text:
Wamqabelisa imimango enyukayo, wayixhamla imveliso yelizwe; watya ubusi emaweni, waza umnquma wavelisa elulwalweni.


text:
Iimazi zeenkomo nezeebhokhwe yayiziintsengwanekazi; oozinkomo, zibhokhwe, neegusha yayingamateke-teke, nditsho oku kweenkomo zaseBhashan. Ingqolowa ingachum' iliphupha; asisathethi ke ngediliya naloo wayini ingayiwayo.


text:
Kambe ke uYeshurun suka wahlutha wada wakhabalaza; ewe, wakhula wakhukhumala wada waxhathisa. Waza ke wamfulathela uThixo adalwe nguye, wayibukula eyona Ngxondorha imsindisayo.


text:
Suka waxhelel' iindimoni ezingengoThixo; izithixo awayengazazi ngaphambili, izinto ezingazange zinqulwe nangamanyange.


text:
Wathi: “Ubuso bam ndiza kubufihla, ndibone ukuba loba yintoni ikamva labo; kuba basisizukulwana esigwenxa, abantwana abangathembekanga.


text:
Ngezi zithixo bayandikhweletisa; ngale mifanekiso bayandixhokonxa. Nam ke ndobakhweletisa ngohlanga olungebantu bam; ndobaxhokonxa ngohlanga olungenangqondo.


text:
Kaloku umsindo wam uvutha njengomlilo, udangazela kuye kuthi gaa kwelabafileyo; utshisa umhlaba nemveliso yawo, ude ulenye neziseko zeentaba.


text:
Baya kuthi shuu yindlala nephango, bacikidwe ngubhubhani nezifo-yifo, amarhamncwa abaqwenge ngezo ngxavula zawo, bathi nca bubuhlungu bezirhubuluzayo.


text:
Ezindleleni ikrele lishiy' izigede, nasemagumbini bankwantye barhwaqele. Abafana neentombi itshoba lilal' umbethe; iintsana neengwevu nazo zithi dwe.


text:
nto nje kuthi qath' iintshaba zabo, hleze zigcolode zide zizincome, zithi namhla zibuye noloyiso, ukanti ikwandim obathe vithe-vithe.”


text:
Iwaka lingaze loyiswe ngumntu omnye; ishumi lamawaka libalek' ababini, ukanti abaphoxwanga yiNgxondorha yabo, mhlawumbi bayekelwe nguNdikhoyo?


text:
Kuba isidiliya sazo sesaseSodom; ngumdiliya wamasimi aseGomora. Idiliya yazo inetyhefu, izikhinkci zayo ziyakrakra.


text:
Ke yona impindezelo nokubuyekeza kokwam; ngokuhamba kwexesha zode zityibilike. Imini yazo isemnyango; izingqi zentshabalalo ziza zikhawulezile.”


text:
Kaloku uNdikhoyo wobavelela abantu bakhe, avelane nazo izicaka zakhe, akuba eqonda ukuba baphelelwe, kungasekho mahluko phakathi kwenkosi nesicaka.


text:
Abo batye amanqatha amadini enu, baza basela neminikelo yewayini, mabeze kuninceda kaloku; mabavele kaloku, banikhusele.


text:
“Niyabona ke, ndim, ewe ndim ndedwa uThixo; akukho thixo wumbi ngaphandle kwam. Ndiyabulala, ndidlisa ubomi; ndiyenzakalisa, ndiyanyanga futhi; tu ohlangulayo esandleni sam.


text:
‘Ndiza kulilol’ ikrele lam elidangazelayo; ndihlasele kutsho kuvele ubulungisa. Ke zona iintshaba zam ndozohlwaya, abandithiyileyo ndibaphindezele.


text:
Iintolo zam ziza kuxhaph' igazi; ikrele lam liza kudl' enyameni; nditsho igazi labaxatyelweyo nabathinjwa, nkqu negazi leentloko ezinesihlwitha zeentshaba.”


text:
Hoyina, zizwe, dumisani ngenxa yabantu bakaNdikhoyo! Kalok' uyalibuyekeza igazi lezicaka zakhe. Zidliwe yimpindezelo iintshaba zakhe; kambe ke uyazicamagushela izono zabantu bakhe nelizwe lakhe.


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis noYoshuwa unyana kaNune bawucengceleza wonke lo mbongo, khon' ukuze amaSirayeli awuve.


text:
wathi kuwo: “Wathatheleni ingqalelo onke la mazwi endiwabhekise kuni namhlanje. Ze niwayalele abantwana benu, khon' ukuze bafunde ukuyithobela ngenyameko yonke imfundiso yalo mthetho.


text:
Kaloku le mfundiso ayikuko ukulavuza nje, koko bubomi kuni. Ngoko ke yithobeleni niyenze, khon' ukuze nibe nokuma ixesha elide kwelo lizwe niya kulo phesheya kweJordan.”


text:
“Yiya kwiintaba zeAbharim kwelaseMowabhi malunga neJeriko. Nyuka intaba iNebho, ulibheke elo lizwe laseKanana ndiza kuwangenisa kulo amaSirayeli.


text:
Kaloku nina nobabini naningathembekanga kum phakathi kwamaSirayeli. Ewe, ngokuya naniseMeribha ngakwidolophu iKadeshe kwintlango iZin nasithoba isidima sam phambi kwamaSirayeli.


text:
“Kwintaba iSinayi gqi qhaphu *uNdikhoyo; njengelanga wathi gqi kwaEdom. Wabengezela evela kwiintaba zeParan; wavela enamawaka-waka ezithunywa zakhe, kudangazela okomlilo ngasekunene kwakhe.


text:
Hayi ukubathanda kwakho abantu bakho! Ewe, uyabafumbatha bonke abalibango lakho. Kungoko basuka bathi guqaqa ezinyaweni zakho, bethobela umnwe wakho,


text:
Wena Ndikhoyo waba ngukumkani kaYeshurun, zakuba zihlanganisene iinkokheli zabantu, zakuba ziqukene izizwe zakwaSirayeli.”


text:
Wasuka ke uMosis wathetha ngoRubhen, wenjenje: “URubhen makahlal' ehleli angaze atshitshe, nakuba engengakanani ngamanani.”


text:
NgoJuda wathi: “Kambe ke, wena Ndikhoyo, bek' iindlebe umphulaphule uJuda, ubuye ummanye namawabo. Yena wazilwela ngezo zandla zakhe, Ndikhoyo, ke ngoko msize ezintshabeni zakhe.”


text:
NgoLevi wathi: “Ndikhoyo, *iiurim neethumim otyhila intando yakho ngazo, zezentandane yakho uLevi, yena lowo wamvavanyayo eMasa, owabambana naye emanzin' aseMeribha.


text:
Ngoyise nonina wathi: ‘Andiseva ngani.’ Ngabantakwabo wathi: ‘Andinazi.’ Ngabantwana bakhe wathi: ‘Andisenanto nani.’ Ewe, yena wanonophela ilizwi lakho, wanyaniseka kumnqophiso wakho.


text:
Uya kufundisa uSirayeli imimiselo yakho, ayale abantu ngomyalelo wakho. Uya kwenza isiqhumiso phambi kwakho, anikele namadini atshiswayo eqongeni lakho.


text:
Ndikhoyo, nceda umthi jize ngokomelela, waneliseke ngumsebenzi awenzayo. Ke bona abamvukelayo bavikive; abamthiyayo mabangaze babuye bavele.”


text:
NgoBhenjamin wathi: “UNdikhoyo uyamthanda uBhenjamin; yena usoloko emalusile. Uhlala ekhuselekile imini yonke; yena umi phantsi kwephiko lakhe.”


text:
NgoJosefu wathi: “Ke lona ithamsanqa likaNdikhoyo likwaJosefu; umhlaba wakhe mawunyakamiswe yimvula nangamanzi emithombo ampompoza phantsi komhlaba.


text:
Umhlaba wakhe mawuvelise eyona-yona; uthamsanqelwe kukulunga kukaNdikhoyo owayekho etyholweni elivuthayo. La mathamsanqa makavele kwaJosefu, yena olitshawe phakathi kwabantakwabo.


text:
UJosefu nkunzi yakwabani ukomelela, emise okwenyathi – mpondo ezo zizezamawaka akwaManase namashumi amawaka akwaEfrayim. Ngazo uhlabanisela izizwe; ewe, nezo ziseziphelweni zehlabathi.”


text:
NgoZebhulon noIsakare wathi: “KwaZebhulon makube yimihlali ukucanda elwandle; kwaIsakare makube yimivuyo ukuhlala ekhaya.


text:
Izizwe bozimemela entabeni yabo, bawenzele apho amadini afanelekileyo. Bona bamfimfitha indyebo yaselwandle, ubutyebi babo babubhaqe elunxwemeni.”


text:
NgoGadi wathi: “Makabongwe owandisa uGadi. UGadi ubuthuma njengengonyama ukuze aqwenge ingalo noba lukhakhayi.


text:
Yena uzikhethela ezona-zona elizweni, kuba wabelwa inxaxheba yengqwayi-ngqwayi. Umela ubulungisa nemimiselo kaNdikhoyo, zakuba zihlanganisene iinkokheli zakwaSirayeli.”


text:
NgoNafetali wathi: “Yena uNafetali wamkelekile; uphuphuma intsikelelo kaNdikhoyo. Ilifa lakhe lisuka elwandle lihle.”


text:
NgoAshere wathi: “UAshere yena unoyolo kunabo bonke; makabe yintandane kubantakwabo, umhlaba wakhe uchume ngumnquma.


text:
“Yeshurun, akakho onjengoThixo wakho, ophalisa isibhakabhaka eze kukusiza, ngobungangamsha bakhe aphalise amafu.


text:
Kwamandulo uThixo yena waba likhaya; waba soloko ekuxhasa ngezo ngalo zakhe. Iintshaba zakho waziswantsulisa, wathi: ‘Mazitshatyalaliswe!’


text:
Ngoko ke uSirayeli uhleli ngenzolo, umthombo kaYakobi uthe geqe, uthe gcobho kwelengqolowa newayini, apho izulu lifefeza umbethe.


text:
Hay' uyolo onalo wena, Sirayeli! Nguban' ongad' afike kuwe, sizwendini sasindiswa nguNdikhoyo, okwalikhakha nekrele lakho, okuhlanganiselayo akuthi jize ngoloyiso? Neentshaba zakho zitsho zikubongoze, wena uthimbe iindawo zazo eziphakamileyo.”


text:
Ke kaloku uMosis wesuka kuloo mathafa aseMowabhi, wenyuka intaba iNebho, waya kutsho kuloo ncopho kuthiwa yiPisga imalunga neJeriko. Wathi elapho ke *uNdikhoyo wambonisa lonke elo lizwe: ummandla waseGiliyadi ukunyuka ukuya kutsho kwaDan;


text:
nawo wonke umhlaba wakwaNafetali; imimandla yakwaEfrayim nakwaManase, nowakwaJuda ukuya kuthi xhaxhe ngolwandle;


text:
ngokunjalo namazantsi akwaJuda; neso sithabazi samathafa ukusuka eZoware ukuya kuma ngeJeriko isixeko samasundu.


text:
UNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Nanko ke umhlaba endathembisa ngawo ngesifungo uAbraham, uIsake, noYakobi, ndisithi ndakuze ndiwunike abazukulwana babo. Ndifuna uwubone nje, kuba wena ngokwakho awuzukuya kungena kuwo.”


text:
UNdikhoyo wamngcwaba apho kwiintili zaseMowabhi malunga nedolophu iBhete-pehore. Kambe ke akukho bani uyazi ncam indawo elikuyo ingcwaba lakhe unanamhla.


text:
Ukufa kwakhe uMosis wayenekhulu elinamashumi amabini eminyaka, kodwa esomelele, engabikwa hlaba, namehlo akhe engekabi nalo norhatyazo.


text:
AmaSirayeli amzilela iintsuku ezimashumi mathathu apho kuloo mathafa aseMowabhi. Zaba ke zifezekile iintsuku zokuzila.


text:
UYoshuwa unyana kaNune wazaliswa bubulumko nokuqonda, kuba kaloku uMosis wambeka izandla emngenisa ezihlangwini zakhe. NamaSirayeli ke amthobela uYoshuwa, enza ngokwemiyalelo eyanikwa uMosis nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Akukho mshumayeli wumbi wakha wenza imiqondiso nemimangaliso enjengaleyo uMosis wayethunywa nguNdikhoyo ukuba ayenze kwelaseJiputa kukumkani wakhona namaphakathi akhe,


text:
kungekho namshumayeli wakha wabonakalisa imisebenzi yamandla ngendlela erhwaqelisa njengaleyo wasebenza ngayo uMosis phakathi kwamaSirayeli jikelele.


text:
Akuba ebhubhile uMosis, isicaka *sikaNdikhoyo, uNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuYoshuwa unyana kaNune owayesisandla sikaMosis,


text:
wathi: “UMosis, isicaka sam, ubhubhile. Ke wena namaSirayeli ephela wuweleni umlambo iJordan, niye kwelo lizwe ndininika lona.


text:
Imida yenu yosuka ezantsi entlango, iye kuma ngeentaba zaseLebhanon emantla, isuke empumalanga kumlambo iEfrati, ibandakanye ummandla wamaHeti, iye kuthi gaa ngolwandle entshonalanga.


text:
Akukho namnye uya kumelana nawe yonke imihla yokudla kwakho ubomi. Ndiya kuhlala ndisecaleni kwakho njengoko bendenjenjalo nakuMosis. Andiyi kukuyekela; andiyi kukushiya.


text:
Yomelela, ukhaliphe, kuba uza kubangenisa aba bantu kweli lizwe endithembise ooyise-mkhulu ngesifungo ukuba loba lilifa labo.


text:
Yomelela ke, ukhaliphe kunene! Uze unyamekele ukuwuthobela wonke umthetho owuwiselwe nguMosis isicaka sam. Khon' ukuze ube nempumelelo naphi na apho uya khona, ungàze uphambuke kuwo nakancinane.


text:
Kufuneka incwadi yomthetho ikukhokele kuyo yonke into oyithethayo. Uze uyifunde uyigocagoce ubusuku nemini, uzazi uzithobele izinto ezibhaliweyo kuyo. Xa wenjenjalo woba nenkqubela nempumelelo.


text:
Kaloku ndim okuyalelayo. Yomelela ke, ukhaliphe. Uze ungoyiki unkwantye; kaloku mna Ndikhoyo Thixo wakho ndiya kusoloko ndisecaleni kwakho naphi na apho unyathela khona.”


text:
“Tyhutyhani umzi, nixelele amaSirayeli ukuba alungise umphako wendlela, kuba kuza kuhanjwa emva kweentsuku ezintathu, kuwelwe iJordan, kuthinjwe ilizwe enilinikwe *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ukuze libe lelenu.”


text:
“Ze nikhumbule ukuba uMosis, isicaka sikaNdikhoyo, wathi uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uninika lo mhlaba ungasempumalanga kweJordan ukuba ube ngowenu, niphumle kuwo.


text:
Abafazi benu nabantwana nemfuyo banokusala ngasempuma kweJordan, kodwa amadoda omkhosi kufuneka axhobe, awele kuqala kunamanye amaSirayeli, aye kuwanceda


text:
ade awuthimbe umhlaba ongasentshonalanga yeJordan awunikwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ukuze ube ngowawo aphumle kuwo. Kuya kuthi ke akuba nendawo yokuphumla eyeyawo njengani, nani nibuyele emakhaya kumhlaba ongasempumalanga kweJordan eniwabelwe nguMosis isicaka sikaNdikhoyo.”


text:
Sokuthobela kanye ngalaa ndlela sasithobela uMosis ngayo. Akwaba uNdikhoyo uThixo wakunceda njengoko wamncedayo uMosis.


text:
Nabani na ophikisana nawe, angawathobeli amazwi akho, angenzi nantoni na usiyalelayo, wobulawa. Nto nje yomelela wena, ukhaliphe!”


text:
Emva koko ke uYoshuwa into kaNune wathumela ngasekhusini iintlola zambini zisuka apho babekhulule khona eShitim, wathi: “Hambani niye kuhlola ilizwe laseKanana, ngokukodwa idolophu iJeriko.” Esukile ke loo madoda aya kungena kumzi wehenyukazi uRahabhi.


text:
Ukumkani waseJeriko waxelelwa kwathiwa: “Kukho amaSirayeli afikileyo ngobu busuku, eze kuhlola eli lizwe.”


text:
Ukumkani wathumela izigidimi kuRahabhi esithi: “Wakhuphe loo madoda asendlwini yakho, kuba aze kuhlola ilizwe lonke.”


text:
URahabhi waphendula wathi: “Ewe, ebekho amadoda ebefikile apha kwam, phofu andiwazi ukuba abe evela phi na. Kambe ke ahambe ukutshona kwelanga, kungekavalwa namasango edolophu le. Andikhange ndibuze apho aya khona, kodwa ukuba niyawasukela ningawafumana.” (Ethetha le nto nje uRahabhi ezo ntlola wayezifihle phezu kwendlu, zingaphantsi komqhaphu owawubekwe apho.)


text:
Ahamba ke loo madoda ngendlela eya kumazibuko eJordan, esukela iintlola ezo. Avalwa kwangoko amasango.


text:
wafika wathi: “Ndiyazi ukuba *uNdikhoyo ulinike nina eli lizwe. Bonke abemi beli lizwe bayankwantya nini; boyika ngokokude baphelelwe ngamandla.


text:
Sayiva nento yokuba uNdikhoyo walomisa uLwandle oluBomvu ukuba niwele ukunduluka kwenu eJiputa. Saziva neendaba zokubatshabalalisa tu kwenu ooSihon no-Ogi iikumkani zama-Amori ezazimi kwelaa cala lingasempumalanga yeJordan.


text:
Soyika kakhulu ukuvakala kwezo ndaba, sonke apha satsho saphelelwa ngamandla. UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu nguye olawula emazulwini nalapha emhlabeni.


text:
Ngoku ke khanifunge ngegama lakhe ukuba nobenzela inceba abantu basekhaya njengoko nam ndinenzele inceba, nindinike nomqondiso oqinisekileyo.


text:
Ndithembiseni ukuba nomsindisa utata, nomama, nabantakwethu, noodadethu, kunye neentsapho zabo, singàbulawa thina.”


text:
Athi loo madoda: “Ubomi bethu sibuthenga ngobenu. Ukuba wena akuyithethanga mntwini le nto sihambele yona apha kweli lizwe, siyathembisa ukuba sonenzela inceba xa uNdikhoyo esinikezela lo mhlaba.”


text:
Indlu kaRahabhi yayiseludongeni olubiyele idolophu. Wawakhupha ngefestile ke loo madoda, ehla ngentambo.


text:
Wathi: “Ze niye kuzimela ezintabeni, ningabonwa ngamadoda athunywe ngukumkani. Ze nihlale apho iintsuku ezintathu, de loo madoda abuye, nandule ke nina ukugoduka.”


text:
Zathi iintlola kuRahabhi: “Asiyi kuba natyala lokungasigcini isifungo osifungise sona ukuba akukwenzanga oku:


text:
xa singena kweli lizwe kufuneka ubophelele lo msonto ubomvu kule festile usikhuphe ngayo. Kufuneka uze noyihlo nonyoko nabantakwenu, nabo bonke abantu bakowenu, ubahlanganisele endlwini yakho.


text:
Ukuba ngaba kubekho mntu uphumela ngaphandle kule ndlu, aze abulawe, lityala lakhe. Kanti ke xa kwenzakaliswe umntu esendlwini yakho, ityala loba lelethu.


text:
Ezo ntlola zabaleka, zaya kuzimela ezintabeni, zahlala apho iintsuku ezintathu. Amadoda ayethunywe ngukumkani azikhangela kulo lonke ngasendleleni engazifumani, ada ancama abuyela eJeriko.


text:
Zehla ke entabeni iintlola, zawuwela umlambo, zabuyela kuYoshuwa, zamxelela konke okwehlayo kuhambo lwazo,


text:
zathi: “Inene, uNdikhoyo elaa lizwe lonke ulinikezela kuthi, yaye abantu balapho bonke baphelelwe ngamandla ngenxa yokoyika.”


text:
Ngengomso uYoshuwa namaSirayeli ephela bavuka xa kumpondo zankomo, banduluka eShitim, baya kuma phezu kweJordan lo gama balinde ukuwela.


text:
ziyalela abantu zisithi: “Xa nibona ityesi yomnqophiso *kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kunye nababingeleli abangabaLevi abayithweleyo, ze niphakame, niphume, nilandele.


text:
Kaloku niza kuhamba ngendlela eningazange niyihambe ngaphambili; kuya kufuneka ke nilandele ababingeleli. Kodwa kufuneka ningasondeli kwityesi yomnqophiso. Ze kubekho umgama omalunga nekhilomitha enye phakathi kwayo nani.”


text:
UYoshuwa ke wathi ebantwini: “Zihlambululeni, kuba ngomso uNdikhoyo uza kwenza imimangaliso phakathi kwenu.”


text:
Waza wabhekisa kubabingeleli wathi: “Thwalani ityesi yomnqophiso niwele, baze abantu balandele.” Benjenjalo ke ababingeleli.


text:
Wathi uNdikhoyo kuYoshuwa: “Into endiza kuyenza namhlanje iya kukwenza utsho uhlonipheke kumaSirayeli, aqonde ukuba ndinawe nanjengoMosis.


text:
Yithi kubabingeleli abathwele ityesi yomnqophiso ze bathi bakufika emlanjeni iJordan, bangene beme enyeleni.”


text:
Noqonda ngale nto ukuba uThixo ophilayo ukho phakathi kwenu: nguye oya kuwaswantsulisa amaKanana, amaHeti, amaHivi, amaPerezi namaGirgashi, ama-Amori kunye namaJebhusi.


text:
Niyabona, ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, iNkosi yehlabathi liphela, yiyo enandulelayo ukuwela iJordan.


text:
Bakuthi cakatha emanzini ababingeleli abathwele ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, iNkosi yehlabathi liphela, umlambo iJordan uya kuma, ahlanganiselane ndawonye amanzi avela ngentla.”


text:
Yayilixesha lokuvuna, umlambo uzele, uphuphuma. Ukunduluka kwamaSirayeli ukuya kuwela iJordan, ababingeleli babewakhokele, bethwele ityesi yomnqophiso. Kuthe nje ukuba bathi cakatha emlanjeni,


text:
ema amanzi avela ngentla, ahlanganiselana ada aya kutsho eAdam, idolophu emelene neZaretan. Amanzi ahlayo ukusinga kuLwandle oluFileyo anqamka, baza ke abantu bawelela kufuphi neJeriko.


text:
Lo gama abantu bakwaSirayeli bawelayo behamba kumhlaba owomileyo, ababingeleli ababethwele ityesi yomnqophiso babemi zinzi kumhlaba owomileyo apho esizikithini somlambo iJordan, bada bawela baphelela abantu.


text:
Yithi makathathe ishumi elinambini lamatye kulaa ndawo bekume zinzi kuyo ababingeleli esazulwini seJordan, awathwale loo matye, aze awabeke apho kuya kuba kukhululwe khona ngokuhlwa namhlanje.”


text:
wathi: “Ngenani emlanjeni iJordan, nigqithe kwityesi yomnqophiso kaThixo uNdikhoyo, ize indoda nganye ixwaye ilitye eliza kumela isizwe ngasinye samaSirayeli.”


text:
Watsho esithi: “La matye ngumqondiso kumaSirayeli ngazo zonke iziganeko zikaNdikhoyo. Xa bebuza ngomso abantwana benu besithi: ‘Ngawantoni na la matye?’


text:
nobaxelela ukuba ngamhla ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo yayiwela umlambo, ema amanzi, ahlanganiselana eJordan. La matye ohlala esisikhumbuzo kumaSirayeli sesiganeko esehla kule ndawo.”


text:
AmaSirayeli enza ngokomyalelo kaYoshuwa. Awakhetha amatye alishumi elinambini emlanjeni iJordan ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo kuYoshuwa, lalinye kwisizwe ngasinye, awasa kulaa ndawo kwakuza kukhululwa kuyo ngaloo mhla.


text:
UYoshuwa yena wabeka amanye amatye alishumi elinambini kulaa ndawo kwakumi kuyo ababingeleli ababethwele ityesi yomnqophiso, phakathi emlanjeni iJordan. (Aselapho unanamhla loo matye.)


text:
Ababingeleli bema njalo emlanjeni iJordan kwada kwagqitywa yonke into ekwakuthiwe kuYoshuwa mayenziwe ngabantu. Zizinto ezaziyalelwe nguMosis zonke ezo. Abantu bakhawuleza ukuwela umlambo.


text:
Amadoda esizwe sakwaRubhen nesakwaGadi, kunye nenxalenye yesizwe sakwaManase, awela kuqala kunabo bonke abantu, exhobile, njengoko wayetshilo kuwo uMosis.


text:
Kwawela amashumi mane amawaka amadoda axhobele idabi, aya kutsho kwezo ntili zeJeriko, ekhatshwa nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Into eyenziwa nguNdikhoyo ngalo mhla yatsho amaSirayeli amhlonela uYoshuwa. Amhlonela bonke ubomi bakhe njengoko amhlonelayo uMosis.


text:
AmaSirayeli ayiwela iJordan ngomhla weshumi kwinyanga yokuqala, afika amisa iintente eGiligali engasempumalanga yeJeriko.


text:
Wathi kumaSirayeli: “Xa bathe abantwana benu babuza kuni, boyise, besithi: ‘Ngawantoni na la matye?’


text:
Kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu wawanqumamisa amanzi eJordan, khon' ukuze niwele umlambo womile, kanye ngalaa ndlela womisa ngayo amanzi oLwandle oluBomvu khon' ukuze siwele.


text:
Loo nto ke iya kwenza ukuba bonke abemi belizwe bawaqonde amandla kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nani nimoyike ngalo lonke ixesha.”


text:
Zonke iikumkani zama-Amori ngasentshonalanga kweJordan, nazo zonke ezamaKanana ezigudle ulwandle, zeva ngesiganeko esenziwa nguNdikhoyo sokomisa iJordan ada awela onke amaSirayeli. Zankwantya, zaphelelwa ngamandla ngenxa yamaSirayeli.


text:
Ngelo xesha *uNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “Sebenzisa iintshengeca zelitye lenyengane, uwaluse amaSirayeli angolukanga.”


text:
Ukumka kwamaSirayeli eJiputa onke amakhwenkwe ayesele alukile. Kodwa ke kuthe ngenxa yokubhadula entlango amashumi amane eminyaka akwabikho thuba lakwalusa nkwenkwe. Kanti ke onke amadoda ayeselekwixabiso lokuya emfazweni ukufuduka kwabo eJiputa ayeselebhubhile ngenxa yokungamthobeli uNdikhoyo. Njengoko watshoyo kooyise-mkhulu uNdikhoyo akazange awavumele alibone ilizwe laseKanana eliphuphuma ubisi nobusi.


text:
Oonyana uNdikhoyo awabakhulisa endaweni yooyise ngabo aba awabalusayo ngoku uYoshuwa, kuba kaloku babengazange boluka.


text:
UNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “Namhlanje ndilisusile kuni ihlazo lokuba ngamakhoboka aseJiputa.” Yiyo ke loo nto loo ndawo kwathiwa ukubizwa kwayo yiGiligali, igama esabizwa ngalo.


text:
Ngexesha amaSirayeli ayeseseGiligali entilini yaseJeriko, enza umsitho *wePasika ngokuhlwa komhla weshumi elinesine waloo nyanga.


text:
*Imana yaphela ngengomso, akaphinda ayifumana amaSirayeli, aza ngaloo nyaka atya ukutya okuveliswe yiKanana.


text:
Xa wayeselapho ngaseJeriko uYoshuwa, wagagana nomfo ophethe ikrele. Waya kuye uYoshuwa, wafika wathi: “Ngaba ungakuthi, okanye ulutshaba?”


text:
“Nakanye, ndikho nje mna ndiyingqwayi-ngqwayi yomkhosi *kaNdikhoyo,” utshilo lo mfo. Wazikhahlela phantsi uYoshuwa, wathi: “Mhlekazi, mna ke ndisisicaka sakho; ufuna ndenze ntoni?”


text:
Yathi loo ngqwayi-ngqwayi yomkhosi kaNdikhoyo: “Khulula iimbadada zakho ezo. Lo mhlaba umi kuwo ngumhlaba ongcwele.” Wenjenjalo ke uYoshuwa.


text:
Amasango eJeriko ayevalwe mba ukuze amaSirayeli angabi nako ukungena. Kwakungekho mntu uphumayo nongenayo kweso sixeko.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “IJeriko ndiyinikela kuwe, kunye nokumkani wayo, kwakunye namagorha ayo.


text:
Kufuneka ababingeleli babe sixhenxe, elowo ephethe isigodlo, bahambe ngaphambi kwetyesi yomnqophiso. Ngosuku lwesixhenxe kufuneka wena nomkhosi wakho nisijikeleze kasixhenxe isixeko, ababingeleli bona bavuthele izigodlo.


text:
Kuya kuthi ke xa bevuthela isandi eside ababingeleli, nihlabe umkhosi, nimemeze, zidilike iindonga zeJeriko. Wandule ke ukungena macal' onke ngaphakathi kwesixeko wonke umkhosi.”


text:
UYoshuwa wababiza ababingeleli, wathi kubo: “Thathani ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, baze abasixhenxe kuni bahambe ngaphambi kwayo, bephethe izigodlo.”


text:
Waza ke wayalela umkhosi wakhe ukuba ujikeleze isixeko, amanye amadoda axhobileyo ahambe ngaphambi kwetyesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kwathi uYoshuwa esathetha njalo beza phambili abo babingeleli basixhenxe bephethe izigodlo ezisixhenxe, bazivuthela, baza balandelwa yityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Ibutho lamadoda axhobileyo lahamba phambi kwabababingeleli ababevuthela izigodlo, elinye ibutho lalandela ityesi yomnqophiso. Wonke loo gama izigodlo bezihlokoma.


text:
UYoshuwa wawayalela amadoda akhe wathi: “Ze ningahlabi mkhosi, ningakhwazi. Ewe, ze ningakhe nilinge niyivule imilomo yenu, ide ibe lolo suku niya kuyalelwa ndim.”


text:
Loo madoda ke ajikeleza isixeko kwakanye, ehamba netyesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, aza abuyela esikhululweni, alala.


text:
Ngengomso uYoshuwa wavuka kwangentseni, nababingeleli baphinda bayithwala ityesi yomnqophiso njengezolo.


text:
Kwahamba amadoda axhobileyo ngaphambili, kwalandela ababingeleli abavuthela izigodlo abasixhenxe, kweza ababingeleli abathwele ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, kwaza ekugqibeleni yangamadoda axhobileyo.


text:
Ngolu suku lwesibini basijikeleza kanye isixeko, baza babuyela kwasesikhululweni. Loo nto bayenza iintsuku zantandathu.


text:
Ngosuku lwesixhenxe bavuka kwangomsobomvu, baza basijikeleza kasixhenxe isixeko, kwanjengalaa ndlela babenze ngayo. Ewe, ngale imini baphindelela kwada kwasixhenxe ukusijikeleza.


text:
Ngesihlandlo sesixhenxe, xa ababingeleli babevuthela izigodlo, uYoshuwa wathi kumadoda akhe: “Ze nihlabe umkhosi, nimemeze, kuba uNdikhoyo usinikile esi sixeko!


text:
Isixeko, nayo yonke into ekuso, kufuneka zitshatyalaliswe mpela, zibe ngumnikelo kuNdikhoyo ngomlilo. NguRahabhi ihenyukazi yedwa kunye nabantu bakowabo amabasindiswe, kuba yena wazifihla iintlola zethu.


text:
Ze ningathathi nto ekufuneka itshatyalaliswe; xa nenjenjalo nozibizela intshabalalo ngokunokwenu, nihlisele amaSirayeli ishwangusha xa ewonke.


text:
Yonke into eyenziwe ngesiliva, negolide, nobhedu, okanye ngentsimbi, mayahlulelwe uNdikhoyo. Kufuneka ifakwe koovimba bakaNdikhoyo.”


text:
Bazivuthela izigodlo ababingeleli. Athi akuziva amadoda, ahlaba umkhosi ememeza, zadilika iindonga! Wasuka umkhosi waya ngqo esixekweni, wafika wasithimba.


text:
Asenza umnikelo kuNdikhoyo isixeko, afaka ikrele umntu wonke, abulala amadoda nabafazi, abatsha nabadala. Abulala iinkomo, iigusha, kunye needonki.


text:
UYoshuwa wathi la madoda mabini ayeziintlola makaye kwaRahabhi, eze naye nabantu bakowabo, njengoko ayethembisile.


text:
Aya ke, abuya naye uRahabhi, kunye noyise, nonina, nabantakwabo, kunye nabo bonke abantu bakowabo. Bathatha wonke loo mzi uphela, babahlalisa ngakwisikhululo samaSirayeli.


text:
Bantumeka umlilo kweso sixeko, satsha nqu, kunye nento yonke eyayilapho. Igolide, nesiliva, nezinto zobhedu, nentsimbi, bazithatha bazisa koovimba bakaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kodwa uYoshuwa wabasindisa ooRahabhi nabantu bakowabo, yaye uRahabhi usekho kwaSirayeli unanamhla, kuba wafihla iintlola ezazithunyelwe eJeriko nguYoshuwa.


text:
UYoshuwa wafunga wathi: “Uqalekisiwe nguNdikhoyo umntu ovusa esi sixeko saseJeriko. Akubeka isiseko saso woswelekelwa lizibulo lakhe. Akuvusa amasango aso woswelekelwa nguntondo wakhe.”


text:
Akazange athembeke amaSirayeli kumyalelo *kaNdikhoyo wokuba angathathi nto kufuneka itshatyalalisiwe eJeriko. Umfo owawudelayo loo myalelo nguAkana, unyana kaKarmi, umzukulwana kaZabhedi wakwaZera wesizwe sakwaJuda. Loo nto yawuvuthisa umsindo kaNdikhoyo ngakumaSirayeli.


text:
UYoshuwa wathumela amadoda asuka eJeriko esiya eAyi, idolophu eyayingasempumalanga yeBhetele, imelene neBhetaven, ukuba aye kuhlola elo lizwe. Aya ke, ayihlola iAyi,


text:
abuya athi kuYoshuwa: “Akukho mfuneko yakusa wonke umkhosi eAyi. Makuye nokuba ngamawaka amabini okanye amathathu amadoda. Noko abantu baseAyi bambalwa.”


text:
Amadoda aseAyi awajika emasangweni edolophu loo madoda, awaleqa ewahlisa induli ukuya kutsho ezixhotyeni, abulala amashumi amathathu anantandathu. AmaSirayeli atyhafa, ankwantya kukoyika.


text:
UYoshuwa kunye namadoda amakhulu bazikrazula izambatho zabo, bazikhahlela phantsi ngaphambi kwetyesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, bahlala benjenjalo kwada kwahlwa. Babezigalele nangothuli entloko, bebonakalisa intlungu ababenayo.


text:
UYoshuwa wakhala wathi: “Ndikhoyo, Mhlekazi, wawusiwezela ntoni ke kambe eJordan? Wawufuna ukuza kusitshabalalisa ngala ma-Amori? Akwaba sasisuke sahlala ngaphesheya kweJordan kwaba kanye!


text:
Akuyiva le nto amaKanana kunye nabemi beli lizwe, baza kuza bonke, basicime igama. Ke wena, uza kuthini ngegama lakho elidume kangaka?”


text:
AmaSirayeli enze isono! Awaphule umnqophiso wam, awugqitha umyalelo ebendiwanike wona, athatha ezinye izinto kwebekufuneka zitshatyalaliswe mpela. Azibile, aza axoka nokuxoka, azifihla phakathi kwezinto zawo.


text:
Yiyo ke loo nto engenakumelana notshaba nje amaSirayeli. Ebaleka nje kungenxa yokuba nawo emelwe kukutshabalala! Andikubuya ndibe phakathi kwenu nide nibe nizitshabalalisile izinto ebekufuneka zitshatyalaliswe.


text:
“Phakama ke, ubahlambulule abantu. Yithi kubo mabazihlambulule ngenxa yokuya kwenzeka ngomso, kuba mna Ndikhoyo, Thixo wamaSirayeli, ndithi kubo: ‘Phakathi kwenu kukho oko bekumelwe kukunikelwa kum ngokutshatyalaliswa. Anisoze nibe nakumelana notshaba de nahlukane nezo zinto.’


text:
“Baxelele ke ukuba ngomso kusasa baza kubizwa ngokwezizwe zabo. Eso sizwe salathiweyo nguNdikhoyo kufuneka size ngaphambili ngokwezindlu zaso, ize indlu eyalathiweyo ize ngaphambili ngokomzi, kuze kumzi owalathiweyo kuphume indoda nganye.


text:
Loo ndoda ke yalathiweyo kwaza kwafunyanwa kuyo ezo zinto kufuneka zitshatyalalisiwe, yotshiswa kunye nako konke okukokwayo. Kaloku iwaphule umnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, yenza ubuyatha kwaSirayeli.”


text:
Kwangentsasa ngengomso uYoshuwa wawabiza amaSirayeli, izizwe ngezizwe. Isizwe sakwaJuda salathwa nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Seza ngaphambili isizwe sakwaJuda ngokwezindlu zaso, kwaza kwalathwa indlu kaZera. Kuloo ndlu kaZera kwathiwa imizi yayo mayize ngaphambili,


text:
kwaza kwalathwa umzi kaZabhedi. Eza ngaphambili amadoda aloo mzi, kwaza kwalathwa uAkana unyana kaKarmi umzukulwana kaZabhedi wakwaZera wesizwe sakwaJuda.


text:
Wathi kuye uYoshuwa: “Mfo wam, mzukise uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli, uzityande igila kuye, uyivume into oyenzileyo, ungandifihleli.”


text:
phakathi kwamaxhoba ndabona umnweba omhle owenziwe eBhabheli, nesiliva ebunzima buziikhilogram ezimbini, kunye necwecwe legolide elibunzima bungaphezu kwesiqingatha sekhilogram. Ndazinqwenela, ndazithatha ke. Naziya zombelwe phaya endlwini yam, isiliva yona ingaphantsi.”


text:
UYoshuwa wathi makuye amadoda apho. Akhawuleza ke, aza azifumana zombelwe apho ngenene ezo zinto, isiliva ingaphantsi yona.


text:
UYoshuwa, ekunye namaSirayeli, bamthatha uAkana, kunye naloo siliva, naloo golide, naloo mnweba, nditsho nkqu noonyana neentombi zakhe, imfuyo yakhe, nentente yakhe, konke okwakhe, babasa kwintili yeAkore.


text:
Wathi uYoshuwa: “Kutheni usifake enkathazweni nje? Nawe ke ngoku uNdikhoyo uza kukuhlisela inkathazo.” Umntu wonke wamxuluba ngamatye uAkana. Nosapho lwakhe nalo baluxuluba ngamatye, balutshisa kunye nako konke okwakhe.


text:
Bafumba amatye phezu kwakhe – aselapho unanamhla. Yathiywa njalo ke loo ndawo, kwathiwa yintili yeAkore. Yathomalala ke nengqumbo kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke kaloku wathi *uNdikhoyo kuYoshuwa: “Uze ungoyiki, ungankwantyi. Thatha wonke umkhosi wakho, uhlasele iAyi. Ukumkani waseAyi, kunye nabantu bakhe, nesixeko sakhe, kunye nalo mhlaba wakhe, ndimnikele ezandleni zakho.


text:
Nalapha eAyi uze wenze laa nto wawuyenze eJeriko nakukumkani wakhona. Kodwa ngoku amaxhoba eenkomo kunye nezinye izinto nize nizithathele zona. Nize nizilungiselele ukuyiqubula loo dolophu, nibe nabalaleli ngapha kwayo.”


text:
UYoshuwa waxhabashela ukuya eAyi kunye nomkhosi wakhe. Wakhetha amawaka amashumi mathathu awona angamakhalipha kumadoda omkhosi, wawakhupha ngobusuku


text:
nalo myalelo: “Phulaphulani! Zimelani ngapha kwesixeko, ningabi kude, nihlale nichophe phezu kwezikrweqe.


text:
Mna kunye namadoda ahamba nam sosivelela ngaphambili isixeko. Xa amadoda aseAyi asihlangabezayo thina siya kujika sibaleke njengokwesihlandlo sokuqala.


text:
nina niya kuphuma kuloo ndawo benizimele kuyo, nihlasele isixeko, nisithimbe. UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu wosinikela ezandleni zenu.


text:
Nakuba nisithimbile eso sixeko, ze nisintumeke umlilo ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo. Ze nenjenjalo; ndiyaniyalela!”


text:
Wawandulula ke loo madoda uYoshuwa, ahamba aya kulinda ezimele ngasentshonalanga yeAyi, phakathi kweAyi neBhetele. Yena uYoshuwa wasala apho babekhulule khona ngobo busuku.


text:
Wavuka ekuseni uYoshuwa, wahlanganisa elakhe iqela lomkhosi. Wenjenjeya ewukhokelela eAyi kunye neenkokheli zawo.


text:
Lo mkhosi wahamba ujonge ngqo eAyi, wafika wagxumeka iintente zawo emantla esixeko, ahlulwe naso yintili.


text:
Ngelo xesha uYoshuwa wayeselethathe amawaka amahlanu amadoda, wawafihla ngakwintshonalanga yesixeko, phakathi kweAyi neBhetele.


text:
Amiswa ngeendawo zawo ke loo madoda, elungele idabi, iintente zawo zimi ngasemantla esixeko, amanye amadoda ezifihlile ngasentshonalanga. Ngobo busuku uYoshuwa wangena kuloo ntili.


text:
Akabanga saphozisa maseko ukumkani waseAyi akuwubona ekuseni umkhosi kaYoshuwa. Wesuka kwangoko, wawuhlangabeza kunye namadoda akhe kuloo ntili ikhangelene nentlango, engaqondi phofu ukuba kukho amadoda alaleleyo ngaphaya kwesixeko.


text:
Kwahlatywa umkhosi, aphuma onke amadoda aseAyi, awusukela umkhosi kaYoshuwa. Lo gama asukelayo wawuya usithi tyishi umgama ophakathi kwawo nesixeko.


text:
Akwasala nanye indoda eBhetele naseAyi engawasukelanga amaSirayeli, yaza iAyi yasala ingenabani wakuyikhusela.


text:
UNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “Khomba eAyi ngomkhonto wakho, kuba ndiyinikezela kuwe loo dolophu.” Wenjenjalo uYoshuwa.


text:
Uthe nje akusiphakamisa isandla, laa mkhosi wakhe wawuzimela wesuka iindulumbane wangena esixekweni, wasintumeka umlilo.


text:
Athe akubheka amadoda aseAyi abona kufunquza intshinyela yomsi ngasesibhakabhakeni. Akazange abe nakubalekela ndawo, kuba amaSirayeli awayezenza ngathi ayabaleka ajika angena kuwo.


text:
Kaloku wathi uYoshuwa neqela lakhe bakuqonda ukuba isixeko sithinjiwe liqela elalizimele, yaye sasisele silidangatye ngumlilo, bajika bawahlasela amadoda aseAyi.


text:
AmaSirayeli awayethimbe isixeko afika aza kunceda edabini. Aba ke amadoda aseAyi angqingwe macal' onke ngamaSirayeli, abulawa onke. Akubangakho mntu usindayo, kungazange kuphuncule bani,


text:
AmaSirayeli, akuba ewabulele onke loo madoda ayeleqwe ngawo emasimini nasentlango, abuyela kwaseAyi, afika abulala yonke into engumntu apho.


text:
AmaSirayeli azithathela imfuyo kwanamanye amaxhoba njengoko uNdikhoyo wawayalelayo ngomlomo kaYoshuwa.


text:
Ukumkani waseAyi yena waxhonywa emthini, wayekwa apho kwada kwarhatyela. Kwathi ngorhatya wathi uYoshuwa isidumbu sikakumkani masithulwe siye kulahlwa emasangweni esixeko. Kwafunjwa phezu kwaso ingqumba yamatye asekho apho unanamhla.


text:
Emva koko ke uYoshuwa wenzela *uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli, iqonga lamadini phezu kwentaba iEbhali,


text:
elenze njengoko uMosis, isicaka sikaNdikhoyo, wayeyalele. Walenza ngamatye angaqingqwanga, ngokomyalelo osencwadini yomthetho kaMosis. Kwelo qonga kwakusenziwa amadini atshiswayo kunye nawobudlelane.


text:
AmaSirayeli onke, amadoda amakhulu, amagosa, nabalamli, kwakunye nabangeneleli, bema bephahle ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, bejongene nababingeleli bomlibo ka-Aron ababeyithwele. Elinye iqela lalimi ngakwintaba iGerezim, elinye limi ngakwintaba iEbhali. Kaloku uMosis, isicaka sikaNdikhoyo, wayethe maze benjenje lakufika ithuba lokubhengeza amathamsanqa uNdikhoyo awanika abantu bakhe amaSirayeli.


text:
Kwesi sithuba ke uYoshuwa wabafundela umthetho uphela, nditsho iintsikelelo neziqalekiso njengoko zibhaliwe encwadini yomthetho.


text:
UYoshuwa ke wayifundela elo bandla liphela imiyalelo kaMosis, engashiyanga nesuntswana eli. Ayekho namakhosikazi, nabantwana, kwakunye nabangeneleli abemi phakathi kwamaSirayeli.


text:
Imbali yokutshatshela kwamaSirayeli yaya kuvakala nakwiikumkani ezazimi ngasentshonalanga kweJordan: kweleentaba, emazantsi eentaba, nasemantla konxweme lolwandle, ukuya kutsho eLebhanon. Ezo ke yayiziikumkani ezazilawula amaHeti, ama-Amori, amaKanana, amaPerezi, amaHivi, namaJebhusi.


text:
baza bagqiba ekubeni mabenze iqhinga. Bathume izigidimi zilayishe ukutya ezimbongolweni ngeengxowa ezigugileyo.


text:
Zenyuka zaya esikhululweni eGiligali, zafika zathi kuYoshuwa namaSirayeli: “Singabantu abavela kwilizwe elikude. Size kucela kuni imvisiswano yokuhlalisana ngoxolo.”


text:
Bona baphendula bathi: “Mhlekazi, sivela kwelikude; saye sivile ngezigigaba *zikaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, nangayo yonke into awayenza eJiputa,


text:
kwakunye nakwenze kwiikumkani ezimbini zama-Amori ngaphesheya kweJordan, kukumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon kunye nokumkani uOgi waseBhashan owayemi eAshtoreti.


text:
Amadoda amakhulu akuthi, kunye nabemi bonke belakowethu, bathi kuthi: ‘Zenzeleni umphako wendlela, nihambe niye kubo, nithi: “Sizizicaka zenu. Visisanani nathi, sihlalisane ngoxolo.” ’


text:
Khangela umphako wethu wesonka. Ukunduluka kwethu ekhaya sisiza apha, esi sonka sasiseshushu. Ngoku sesomile, singunde nokungunda.


text:
Iimvaba zewayini zazizele, zintsha, ngoku sezikrazukile. Neempahla zethu kunye neembadada zigugile luhambo olude.”


text:
NoYoshuwa ke wasivuma isicelo sawo soxolo, wanqophisana nawo ngelithi akayi kubulawa. Zafunga iinkokheli zebandla lamaSirayeli, zathi loo mnqophiso aziyi kuwutyeshela.


text:
Kwathi kungekadluli neentsuku ezintathu senziwa isivumelwano, eva amaSirayeli ukuba abo bantu yayingabamelwane bawo, behlala kufuphi nawo.


text:
Anduluka ke amaSirayeli, athi emva kweentsuku ezintathu agaleleka apho kwakuhlala khona loo madoda. Izixeko zawo yayiyiGibheyon, iKefira, iBheroti, kunye neKiriyati-yarim.


text:
Kambe ke amaSirayeli akazange ababulale aba bantu, kuba kaloku iinkokheli zebandla lawo zazibenzele isifungo ngegama likaNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli. Lonke ibandla lakwaSirayeli lazikhalazela iinkokheli,


text:
zaza iinkokheli zathi: “Kaloku safunga ngegama likaNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli kwaba bantu. Ke ngoko asinakubenza nto konke.


text:
UYoshuwa wathi mabeziswe kuye abantu baseGibheyon, wabhekisa kubo wathi: “Nisikhohlisele ntoni nisithi nivela kude nje, kanti nihlala kufuphi?


text:
Niqalekisiwe ngenxa yento eniyenzileyo. Niya kuhlala ningamakhoboka, nithuthe amanzi, nicande neenkuni zomzi woThixo wam.”


text:
Bathi ukuphendula bona: “Mhlekazi, sibangwe kukuva ukuba kuyinyani ukuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu wayalela uMosis ukuba wonke lo mhlaba makawunike nina, batshabalalise bonke abemi bawo, ke ngoko sasoyikela nobomi bethu.


text:
kodwa wathi mababe ngamakhoboka okukha amanzi nokucanda iinkuni zamaSirayeli nezeqonga lamadini kaNdikhoyo. Loo msebenzi basawenza unanamhla kuloo ndawo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo.


text:
UAdoni-zedeki ukumkani waseJerusalem weva ukuba uYoshuwa wayithimba iAyi wayitshabalalisa, waza nekumkani yalapho wayibulala kanye njengoko wayenzile naseJeriko nakukumkani walapho. Weva nokuba amaGibheyon anqophisene namaSirayeli, yaye ngoku ahlalisana nawo ngoxolo.


text:
Abemi baseJerusalem yabaxhalisa kakhulu le meko, kuba kaloku iGibheyon yayisisixeko esibalulekileyo esilingana nezinye ezingamaziko olawulo. IGibheyon le yayingaphezulu kweAyi, nomkhosi wakhona unamagorha amadoda.


text:
Ngoko ke ukumkani uAdoni-zedeki wathumela izigidimi kukumkani uHoham waseHebron, nakukumkani uPiram waseYamuti, nakukumkani uYafiya waseLakishe, nakukumkani uDebhiri wase-Eglon, esithi:


text:
Zasuka ke ezi kumkani zintlanu zama-Amori – eyaseJerusalem neyaseHebron, eyaseYamuti neyaseLakishe kunye neyase-Eglon – zahlanganyela iGibheyon, zayihlasela.


text:
Amadoda aseGibheyon athumela isigidimi kuYoshuwa esikhululweni eGiligali, esithi: “Nceda ungasiyekeli thina zicaka zakho. Khawuleza uze kusinceda usisindise, kuba iinkosi zonke zama-Amori asezintabeni zisihlanganyele; ziyasihlasela.”


text:
Waza *uNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “Uze ungaboyiki. Sendibanikele esandleni sakho. Akukho nanye kwezo kumkani enokumelana nawe.”


text:
UYoshuwa nomkhosi wakhe wahamba ubusuku bonke ukusuka eGiligali besiya eGibheyon, bafika bawaqubula ama-Amori.


text:
UNdikhoyo wawenza adideka ama-Amori ukufika komkhosi wamaSirayeli. AmaSirayeli abaswantsulisa eGibheyon, abasukela ukunyuka inkalo yaseBhete-horon ukubheka eAzeka naseMakeda.


text:
Ngeli xesha babaleka amaSirayeli ukuhla ithambeka, uNdikhoyo wabatyhumfuza ngesichotho konke ukwenjenjeya ukuya eAzeka. Abaninzi bafa sisichotho ngaphezu kokubulawa ngamaSirayeli.


text:
Ngaloo mhla uNdikhoyo amaSirayeli wawoyisela ngawo ama-Amori uYoshuwa wabhekisa kuNdikhoyo phambi kwawo onke amaSirayeli, wathi: “ ‘Langa, yima phezu kweGibheyon. Wena nyanga, yima phezu kwentili iAyalon.’


text:
Lema bhunxe ilanga, nenyanga nayo ayahamba, kwada kwaba aloyisile utshaba amaSirayeli.” Oku kwenzeka njengoko kuxeliwe kwiNcwadi kaYashare. Ilanga lema bhunxe embindini wesibhakabhaka, alakhawuleza ukutshona isithuba esingangemini iphela.


text:
Akuzange kubekho umhla onjalo ngaphambili. Nangasemva koko awuzange ubekho konke umhla awathi uNdikhoyo waliphulaphula ilizwi lomntu. Wawalwela ke khona uNdikhoyo amaSirayeli!


text:
Ke nina ze ningahlali apho, koko lusukeleni utshaba, ningaluvumeli lubalekele ezixekweni zalo. Kaloku *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu selebanikele ezandleni zenu.”


text:
Umkhosi kaYoshuwa waluswantsulisa utshaba, kambe abambalwa babaleka bade baya kungena ezixekweni ezinqatyisiweyo zakomawabo, basinda.


text:
Abuya onke amadoda omkhosi kaYoshuwa, ehamba ngoxolo, aya esikhululweni esasiseMakeda, kungekho nto inokuwaphazamisa.


text:
Wavulwa ke umqolomba, zaza zasiwa kuYoshuwa iikumkani zaseJerusalem, eHebron, eYamuti, eLakishe, nase-Elon.


text:
UYoshuwa wawabiza ke onke amadoda akwaSirayeli, wathi kubaphathi-mkhosi: “Yizani apha nizinyathele entanyeni ezi kumkani.” Benjenjalo,


text:
wathi ke uYoshuwa: “Nize ningoyiki ninkwantye! Yomelelani nikhaliphe! Yiyo le into aza kuyenza uNdikhoyo kuzo zonke iintshaba zenu enilwa nazo.”


text:
UYoshuwa wazixabela ke ezo zikumkani, wathi mazixhonywe emithini emihlanu. Zajinga apho ke kwada kwaba ngorhatya.


text:
Kwathi ngongcwalazi uYoshuwa wayalela ukuba zithulwe izidumbu zazo. Zaphoswa kwakuloo mqolomba bezizimele kuwo, kwavalwa ngamatye amakhulu apho. Aselapho unanamhla.


text:
Kwangaloo mini uYoshuwa wahlasela iMakeda, wayithimba kwakunye nekumkani valapho. Kwabulawa wonke ubani kweso sixeko, akwasala namnye. Kwikumkani yaseMakeda wenza kwalaa nto wayeyenze kukumkani waseJeriko.


text:
Nalapho *uNdikhoyo wasinikela isixeko nokumkani waso ezandleni zamaSirayeli. Abulala wonke ubani apho, akashiya mntu. Nalapho kukumkani uYoshuwa wenza eso saseJeriko.


text:
UNdikhoyo wayinikezela iLakishe ezandleni zamaSirayeli, waza uYoshuwa wangena kuyo ngosuku lwesibini. Isixeko nabo bonke abakuso wasitshabalalisa njengoko wênjenjalo eLibhena.


text:
Kweza ukumkani uHoram waseGezere, ezokunceda amaLakishe, wachithwa kunye nomkhosi wakhe, babulawa bonke, akwasala nempunde le.


text:
bayoyisa kwangaloo mini. Babulala ukumkani walapho, nabantu bonke beso sixeko, kwakunye nabeelali ezimelene naso. Wathi masitshatyalaliswe eso sixeko uYoshuwa, kanye njenge-Eglon. Akuzange kusinde mntu apho.


text:
bayoyisa, kunye nokumkani wayo, neelali ezimelene nayo. Kwatshatyalaliswa ukumkani naye wonke umntu owayelapho, akwasala namnye. Nalapho wenza kwaesaseLibhena nesaseHebron.


text:
UYoshuwa wabatshabalalisa bonke abemi belo zwe. Abantu ababemi kweleentaba, emathambekeni ngasempumalanga, kumazants' eentaba zasentshona, kwakunye nabo babemi kwimimandla yentlango ngasemazantsi, neekumkani zabo bonke. Wayethatha phambi konyawo atshayele yonke into ephefumlayo, ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli.


text:
Waloyisa ukusukela eKadeshe-bhaneya emazantsi, kuse eGaza ngaselwandle, nawo wonke ummandla waseGeshon, kuse eGibheyon emantla.


text:
Le mimandla yonke uYoshuwa wayoyisa ephume umkhosi isihlandlo sasinye, kuba kaloku wayesilwelwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli.


text:
Ukumkani uJabhin waseHazore uthe akuva ngeziqwenga ezazisenziwa ngamaSirayeli, wathumela isigidimi kukumkani uJobhabhi waseMadon nakwiikumkani zaseShimron naseAkeshafi,


text:
nakwiikumkani ezazikweleentaba emantla, eJordan kwintili esemzantsi woLwandle lwaseGalili, emazantsi eentaba, nakunxweme lwangaseDore.


text:
Wasithumela nakumaKanana aphahle iJordan, kuma-Amori, kumaHeti, kumaPerezi, nakumaJebhusi kweleenduli, kwanakumaHivi awayemi phantsi kwentaba iHermon kummandla waseMizpa.


text:
Ezo kumkani zeza nemikhosi yazo yonke, inyambalala yamajoni esith' ilanga, ekwanjalo namahashe neenqwelo ubuninzi.


text:
Zahlanganisa imikhosi yazo ezo kumkani, zaya kugxumeka iintente ngakumlanjana iMerom, zilungele ukulwa namaSirayeli.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuYoshuwa: “Uzungaboyiki wena. Ngeli xesha ngomso ndoba sendiwancedile amaSirayeli ukubabulala bonke. Kufuneka amahashe abo niwatshece imisipha, nezo nqwelo zabo nizintumeke umlilo.”


text:
Wayinikela ezandleni zabo loo mikhosi uNdikhoyo, bayoyisa, bayisukela ukuya kutsho emantla eMisefoti-mayim naseSidon enkulu, kwaya kutsho entshonalanga kuloo ntili yaseMizpa. Babatyakatya kwada akwabikho namnye useleyo.


text:
Wajika apho uYoshuwa, waya kuthimba iHazore, wayibulala nekumkani yalapho. (Ngaloo mihla iHazore yayisesona sikumkani siyinjinga kwezo zalapho.)


text:
Wazithimba zonke ezo zixeko ezinookumkani uYoshuwa, ebulala wonke umntu kwanokumkani, kanye njengoko wayeyalelwe nguMosis isicaka sikaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kambe ke akazange azitshise amaSirayeli izixeko ezazakhiwe ezindulini; yaba yiHazore yodwa awathi uYoshuwa mayitshiswe.


text:
Kaloku uNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis, waza uMosis yena wayigqithisela kuYoshuwa loo miyalelo, ke yena uYoshuwa wayithobela. Wenza konke okwayalelwa nguNdikhoyo kuMosis.


text:
UYoshuwa wawuthimba wonke loo mhlaba: eleenduli, amazantsi eentaba ngasemantla nangasemazantsi, wonke ummandla waseGoshen, nentlango esezantsi, kwakunye naloo ntili yeJordan.


text:
Lo mmandla usuka kwintaba iHalaki ngase-Edom ezantsi, wenjenjeya ukuya kutsho eBhali-gadi emantla kuloo ntili yeLebhanon ngaphantsi kwentaba iHermon. UYoshuwa walwa ithuba elide neekumkani zalapha, kodwa ekugqibeleni wazoyisa, wazibulala.


text:
YiGibheyon qha isixeko esanqophisana namaSirayeli. Kulapho ayehlala khona amaHivi. Zonke ezinye izixeko zoyiswa edabini.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wazinika isibindi sokulwa namaSirayeli, khon' ukuze zitshatyalaliswe ziphele tu kungekho lusizi. Yayingumyalelo kaNdikhoyo lowo kuMosis.


text:
Ngelo xesha uYoshuwa waya kutshabalalisa ama-Anaki ahlala kweleenduli eHebron, eDebhiri, eAnabhi, nakuzo zonke iinduli zakwaJuda nakwaSirayeli. Wawatshabalalisa kunye nezixeko zawo zonke uYoshuwa.


text:
KwaSirayeli akuzange kusinde namnye umntu wesizwe sama-Anaki. Babekho kambe abasindayo eGaza, eGati, naseAshdode.


text:
Wawuthimba wonke loo mhlaba uYoshuwa ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis. Wawunika amaSirayeli ukuba bawume, libe lilifa lawo, khon' ukuze isizwe ngasinye sifumane indawo yaso. Kwabakho uxolo elizweni.


text:
AmaSirayeli ayesele oyisa awuthimba nomhlaba ongasempumalanga yeJordan, ukususa kuloo ngingqi yeAnon, kunyuse loo ntili yeJordan, kuye kutsho kwintaba iHermon.


text:
Owokuqala ukumkani owoyiswayo yaba nguSihon umAmori owayelawula ummandla waseHeshbhon. Icala leGiliyadi laliphantsi kwakhe, ukususela eArure (engakumlambo iAnon) nasembindini wengingqi leyo, ukwenjenjeya ukusa eJabhoko (engumda welama-Amon).


text:
Intili yeJordan ukususela kuLwandle lwaseGalili nayo yayikwalapho, ukusa ezantsi eBhete-yeshimoti (engasempumalanga yoLwandle oluFileyo) kwenjenjeya kuse emazantsi entaba iPisga.


text:
Woyiswa naye ukumkani uOgi waseBhashan owayengowokugqibela kumaRafa. Wayephethe iAshtaroti kunye ne-Edreyi.


text:
Intaba iHermon, iSaleka, kunye nayo yonke iBhashan, kuse kwimida yeGeshuri neMahaka, necala leGiliyadi, kuye kutsho kummandla kakumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon, nazo zazikwalawulwa yile kumkani.


text:
Ezi kumkani zombini zoyiswa nguMosis namaSirayeli. Umhlaba wazo uMosis isicaka *sikaNdikhoyo wawunika isizwe sakwaRubhen nesakwaGadi nesiqingatha sesizwe sakwaManase.


text:
UYoshuwa kunye namaSirayeli bazoyisa iikumkani ezazimi kummandla ongasentshonalanga yeJordan, ukusuka eBhali-gadi kwintili vaseLebhanon kuse kwintaba iHalaki ezantsi kufuphi neSeyire. Wawohlulela izizwe zakwaSirayeli lo mmandla uYoshuwa, ukuba ziwume.


text:
Nazi iziphaluka zalo mmandla: eleenduli, amazantsi eentaba zasentshona, intili yeJordan namazantsi eentaba zayo, iingingqi zangasempuma, kunye nentlango engasezantsi. Lo mmandla yayingumhlaba wamaHiti, ama-Amori, amaKanana, amaPerezi, amaHivi, namaJebhusi.


text:
Mhlenikweni uYoshuwa wayeselaluphele kakhulu, *uNdikhoyo wathi kuye: “Sewumdala kakhulu ngoku, Yoshuwa, ukanti umhlaba ekusafuneka uthinjwe usemkhulu.


text:
Yiyo le imimandla esaseleyo: ummandla wamaFilistiya (akumkani zawo zihlala eGaza naseAshdode, eAshkelon, eGati, nase-Ekron); ummandla wamaGeshure (ekudla ngokuthiwa ngowamaKanana, usuka ngakwintlambo iShihore ngakwimida yeJiputa, kuse emantla kwimida yase-Ekron); ummandla wama-Avi;


text:
ummandla wamaKanana ongasezantsi kwakunye neMeyara (engumhlaba wamaSidon), kuse eAfeka ngakwimida yama-Amori;


text:
elamaGebhali kunye neLebhanon iphela ukubheka ngasentshona ukususela eBhali-gadi esemzantsi wentaba iHermon, kuse kuloo nkalo yeHamati;


text:
wonke ummandla wamaSidon ahlala kweleentaba phakathi kweentaba zaseLebhanon neMisefoti-mayim. “Bonke abemi balapho ndobakhupha apho ukufika kwamaSirayeli. Loo mhlaba uzuwabele amaSirayeli kanye ngalaa ndlela bendikuxelele yona, ube lilifa lezizwe ezilithoba kunye nesiqingatha sakwaManase.”


text:
Isizwe sakwaRubhen nesakwaGadi kwakunye nesinye isiqingatha sakwaManase zona zaziseziwabelwe umhlaba wazo nguMosis isicaka *sikaNdikhoyo. Loo mhlaba wawungasempumalanga kweJordan.


text:
Wawuye kuthi xhaxhe eArure ummandla wabo, phezu kwentili iAnoni, nakwisixeko esasikuloo ntili, uthathe onke loo mathafa aseMedebha ukusa eDibhon.


text:
Wenjenjeya ukusa kwimida yaseAmon, waquka zonke ezo zixeko zaziphantsi kwekumkani yama-Amori uSihon owayephethe eHeshbhon.


text:
Lo mmandla wawuquka iGiliyadi, utyhutyhe imimandla yaseGeshure naseMahaka, uthathe yonke intaba iHermon nayo yonke iBhashan ukuya kutsho eSaleka.


text:
Ukwalapho nomhlaba kaOgi owaba yikumkani yokugqibela kumaRafa, owayephethe iAshtaroti ne-Edreyi. Ezi ntlanga zonke zoyiswa nguMosis, wawuthimba umhlaba wazo.


text:
Kambe ke amaSirayeli wona akazange abagxotha abantu baseGeshure naseMahaka; basahlala kunye namaSirayeli unangoku.


text:
UMosis akazange ababele mhlaba abaLevi. Bona esabo isabelo, ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis, yinxaxheba bayifumana kumadini atshiswayo enzelwa uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli.


text:
ummandla waso wawuye kuthi xhaxhe ngeArure phezu kwentili iAnoni, udibanise nesixeko esisembindini waloo ntili, kunye naloo mathafa ajikeleze iMedebha,


text:
Wawucanda kwezo dolophu zikuloo mathafa, uwuthathe wonke umhlaba wekumkani yama-Amori uSihon, owayephethe eHeshbhon. UMosis wayoyisa le kumkani ndawonye nezilawuli zaseMidiyan: uEvi, uRekem, uZure, noYuri, kunye noRebha. La madoda ayezizibonda ezaziphantsi kokumkani uSihon.


text:
Umlambo iJordan yayingumda wangasentshonalanga wesizwe sakwaRubhen. Zizo ke ezo izixeko needolophu ezabelwa imizi yesizwe sakwaRubhen zaba lilifa lazo.


text:
ummandla waso uthathela eJazere udibanise zonke izixeko zaseGiliyadi, udibanise nesiqingatha sommandla wama-Amon, kuye kuthi xhaxhe ngeArure ekhangelene neRabha.


text:
Kwintili yeJordan wawuthatha iBhete-haram, iBhete-nimra, iSukoti, kunye neZafon, nawo wonke ummandla kakumkani uSihon waseHeshbhon. Umda wabo ngasentshona yayingumlambo iJordan kuse emantla kuLwandle lwaseGalili.


text:
ummandla waso waya kuthi xhaxhe ngeMahanayim, wadibanisa neBhashan – wonke ummandla kakumkani uOgi waseBhashan, kunye nazo zonke ezo lali zimashumi mathandathu zaseJayire eBhashan.


text:
Uthatha isiqingatha seGiliyadi, udibanise iAshtaroti ne-Edreyi, iidolophu ezazingamaziko olawulo zelizwe likakumkani uOgi waseBhashan. Wonke lo mmandla wabelwa isiqingatha semizi eyinzala kaMakire unyana kaManase.


text:
Kodwa ke uMosis akazange ababele mhlaba bona abaLevi. Elabo ilifa nguNdikhoyo uThixo wamaSirayeli ngokwesithembiso sakhe.


text:
Le yinkcukacha yokwabelwa kwamaSirayeli umhlaba waseKanana ongasentshonalanga kweJordan. Lo mhlaba wabelwa abantu nguElazare umbingeleli, noYoshuwa unyana kaNune, bekunye neentloko zezindlu zezizwe zamaSirayeli.


text:
Umhlaba olilifa lezizwe ezilithoba elinesiqingatha wasikwa ngokwenza *amaqashiso ngokomyalelo *kaNdikhoyo kuMosis.


text:
Umhlaba ongasempumalanga kweJordan uMosis wayeselewabele izizwe ezibini ezinesiqingatha. (Inzala kaJosefu yayizizizwe ezibini: esakwaManase nesakwaEfrayim.) Kambe ke abaLevi bona uMosis akazange ababele mhlaba. Ndaweni yaloo nto babelwa izixeko bahlala kuzo, kunye namadlelo empahla.


text:
Abantu besizwe sakwaJuda bafika kuYoshuwa eGiligali, uKalebhi unyana kaJefune umKenezi wathi kuYoshuwa: “Uyayazi into eyathethwa kuMosis umfo wakwaThixo *nguNdikhoyo mayela nawe kunye nam eKadeshe-bhaneya.


text:
Ndandimashumi mane ubudala ngamhla uMosis wandithumayo ndesuka eKadeshe-bhaneya ndaza kuhlola lo mhlaba. Ndamphathela ingxelo ngokungafihlisi,


text:
kuba ndamthobela ngomxhelo wam wonke uNdikhoyo uThixo. Kambe ke amadoda awayekunye nam abatsho bankwantya abantu.


text:
Ke ngoko uMosis wafunga wathi kum: ‘Inene, laa mhlaba unyathele kuwo woba lilifa lakho ndawonye nenzala yakho ngonaphakade, kuba umthobele ngomxhelo wonke uNdikhoyo uThixo wam.’


text:
Ke uNdikhoyo usandigcinile njengoko wathembisayo. Kambe sekudlule amashumi amane anantlanu eminyaka oko uNdikhoyo wathetha loo nto kuMosis ngokuya amaSirayeli ayebhadula entlango. Ndim lo ke, ndimashumi asibhozo anantlanu eminyaka ndisidla amazimba,


text:
kodwa ndisengumqabaqaba njengoko ndandinjalo ukundithuma kwakhe uMosis. Ndisomelele; ndingaya emfazweni, ndingenza nantoni na.


text:
Ngoku ke ndabele eliya leentaba ndalithenjiswa nguNdikhoyo mhla ndenza ingxelo. Nawe ngokwakho weva ngaloo mini ukuba olwaa hlanga lweengxilimbela kuthiwa ngama-Anaki ayehlala apho ezixekweni ezikhulu ezingqingwe ngeendonga. Ukuba uNdikhoyo ungakum ndozichitha kanye njengoko yena watshoyo.”


text:
Unanamhla oku iHebron iseyeyenzala kaKalebhi unyana kaJefune umKenazi, kuba yena wamthobela ngomxhelo wonke uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli.


text:
Ngaphambili iHebron kwakusithiwa sisixeko sika-Arbha. (UArbha ngoyena mAnaki mkhulu.) Kwabakho uxolo elizweni.


text:
Nguwo lo umhlaba owabelwa izindlu zesizwe sakwaJuda *ngamaqashiso: Lo mhlaba waya kutsho kumda wase-Edom ezantsi kwentlango.


text:
uhle ubheke ezantsi ukusuka kwiNkalo yooNomadudwana, ugqithele eZin. Wawutyhutyha amazantsi eKadeshe-bhaneya, udlule eHezeron, unyuke usinge eAdare, ujike ujonge ngaseKareka,


text:
wenjenjeya usinga eAzemon, ugudle intlambo ekuthiwa yeyeJiputa, ujonge elwandle, apho ufika ume khona. Ngumda ongasezantsi wakwaJuda ke lowo.


text:
Umda wangasempumalanga wawuluLwandle oluFileyo, wenjenjeya uye kutsho apho umlambo iJordan ungena khona elwandle. Wawuqala apho umda wangasentla,


text:
unyuke ubheke ngaseBhete-hogela, ubheke entla eBhete-arabha. Wawusuka apho unyukele kwiLitye likaBhohan (uBhohan ngunyana kaRubhen),


text:
usuke ngakwintili yeAkore, unyukele eDebhiri, uze ujike ujonge emantla ngaseGiligali. IGiligali le yayijonge inkalo yeAdumim esemazantsi omfula lowo. Wawugqithela kwimithombo yase-En-shemeshe, wenjenjeya ukuya e-En-rogele,


text:
uze unyuke utyhutyhe intili yoonyana bakaHinom esethambekeni lenduli ekwakumi kuyo isixeko samaJebhusi (yiJerusalem ke leyo), usuke apho unyuse intaba, utsho encotsheni ngakwicala langasentshona lentili iHinom ngasentla kumaphethelo entili yamaRafa.


text:
Usuka apho usinge emthonjeni waseNefetowa, ugqithele kwizixeko ezingakwintaba iEfron. Uyajika apho, ubheke ngaseBhala (oko kukuthi iKiriyati-yarim),


text:
apho ujikela ngasentshonalanga yeBhala, ujonge kwintaba iSeyire, uphume kwicala elingasentla lentaba iYarim (oko kukuthi iKesalon), uhle uye eBhete-shemeshe, ugqithele eTimna.


text:
Lo mda wawunyuka uye kwinduli engasentla kwe-Ekron, ujike ujonge eShikeron, udlule intaba iBhala, wenjenjeya ukusinga eYabheneli. Wawuhamba uyokuma ngolwandle


text:
Inxalenye yommandla wakwaJuda wabelwa uKalebhi unyana kaJefune wesizwe sakwaJuda, ngokomyalelo *kaNdikhoyo kuYoshuwa. Wabelwa iHebron, isixeko sika-Arbha, uyise ka-Anaki.


text:
UKalebhi wathi: “Intombi yam uAkesa ndoyendisela kumntu oya kuze ayihlasele ayithimbe iKiriyati-sefere.”


text:
UOteniyeli unyana womntakwabo-Kalebhi uKenazi wasithimba ke eso sixeko, waza uKalebhi wayendisela kuye intombi yakhe uAkesa.


text:
Bakuba betshatile wacenga uOteniyeli amvumele acele umhlaba kuyise. Wehla kwidonki awayekhwele kuyo uAkesa, waza uKalebhi wabuza wathi: “Kwenzeke ntoni?”


text:
Wathi ukuphendula uAkesa: “Ndicela intsikelelo. Kaloku umhlaba ondinike wona ukwindawo ebharhileyo. Nceda undinike imithombo.” UKalebhi ke wamnika imithombo angasentla nengasezantsi.


text:
Izixeko zabo ezazisemazantsi, ezo zazikufuphi nomda wase-Edom, yayizezi: iKabhezeli, iEdere, iYagure,


text:
iLebhawoti, iShilim, iAyin, kunye neRimon. Yaba zizixeko ezimashumi mabini anethoba zizonke, kwakunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
iSharayim, iAditayim, neGedera (okanye iGederotayim). Yaba zizixeko ezilishumi elinesine kunye neelali ezazizingqongile.


text:
Kwakukho nezinye izixeko ezilishumi linantandathu ezazingqongwe ziilali. YayiyiZenan, iHadasha, iMigdali-gadi, iDilan, iMizpa, iYoketeli, iLakishe, iBhozekati, iEglon, iKabhon, iLamam, iKitilishe, iGederoyi, iBhete-dagoni, iNama, kunye neMakeda.


text:
Kanti ke kwakukho nezinye izixeko ezilithoba ezazingqongwe ziilali: iLibhena, iEtere, iAshan, i-Ifeta, iAshna, iNezibhi, iKeyila, iAkezibhi, kunye neMaresha.


text:
Yayikwalapho iAshdode kunye neGaza kwanezixeko neelali zazo, zithe thande de kuye kuthi xhaxhe kwintlambo ekuthiwa yeyeJiputa nakunxweme lolwandle.


text:
iGoshen, neHolon, kunye neGilo. Yayizizixeko ezilishumi linambini zizonke kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
iHumta, iKiriyati-arbha (yiHebron ke leyo), kunye neZiwore, izixeko ezilithoba kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Kwakukho neKiriyati-bhali (okanye iKiriyati-yarim) kunye neRabha: izixeko ezibini neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Kodwa ke kambe amaJuda akazanga aba nako ukuwagxotha amaJebhusi awayemi eJerusalem. Asahlala apho nangoku kunye noonyana bakaJuda.


text:
Umda ongezantsi womhlaba owabelwa inzala kaJosefu wawuqala eJordan kufuphi neJeriko, kwindawo eyayikwicala langasempumalanga yemithombo yaseJeriko, wenjenjeya ubhekisa ngasentlango. Wasuka eJeriko walityhutyha eleentaba ukusa eBhetele.


text:
Wehla wajonga ngasentshona kummandla wamaYafeleti, waya kuma kummandla waseBhete-horon engasezantsi. Wedlula apho ujonge eGezere, waya kuma ngolwandle.


text:
Nanku ummandla wezindlu zakwaEfrayim: Umda wabo wawusuka eAtaroti-adare ubheke ngasempumalanga eBhete-horon ekumantla,


text:
usuke apho uye kutsho elwandle. Ngasemantla apho yayiyiMikemetati, kuthi ngasempumalanga yalapho ujike umda ujonge iTanati-shilo, udlule apho kwangasempuma yalapho, ujonge eYanowa.


text:
Apho umda wawucanda ngasentshonalanga ukusuka ngaseTapuwa, ubheke kwintlambo iKana, uye kuma ngolwandle. Nguwo ke lowo umhlaba owaba lilifa lezindlu zesizwe sakwaEfrayim.


text:
Abazange bawagxothe amaKanana awayemi eGezere. Ahlala ke namaEfrayim kwada kwakaloku amaKanana, kodwa ênza umsebenzi ngokunyanzelwa.


text:
Inxalenye yomhlaba ongasentshonalanga kweJordan wabelwa ezinye izindlu zezindlu eziyinzala yonyana omkhulu kaJosefu uManase *ngamaqashiso. UMakire, uyise kaGiliyadi, wayengunyana omkhulu kaManase, umfo oligorha emfazweni. Yiyo ke loo nto wabelwa iGiliyadi neBhashan, ezingasempumalanga kweJordan.


text:
Umhlaba ongasentshonalanga kweJordan wona wabelwa inxalenye yezindlu zesizwe sakwaManase: ooAbhiyezere, Heleki, Aseriyeli, Shekem, Hefere, noShemida. Aba ngokwezindlu zabo yayingabazukulwana abangamadoda bakaManase unyana kaJosefu.


text:
UZelofehadi unyana kaHefere, ozalwa nguGiliyadi unyana kaMakire ozalwa nguManase, yena akazanga azale madoda, yaba ziintombi zodwa. Nanga amagama azo: uMala, noNowa, uHogela, noMilika, kunye noTirza.


text:
Zaya kuElazare umbingeleli, bekunye noYoshuwa unyana kaNune kwaneenkokheli, zafika zathi: “*UNdikhoyo uyalele uMosis ngelithi nathi aze asabele umhlaba kunye nezizalwana zethu ezingamadoda.” Ke ngoko zawunikwa umhlaba kwanjenge-zizalwana zabo ezingamadoda njengoko uNdikhoyo wayetshilo.


text:
Isizwe sakwaManase saba nezabelo ezilishumi nje ukongezelela kwiGiliyadi neBhashan engasempumalanga kweJordan,


text:
kungenxa yokuba abazukulwana bakaManase abaziintombi nabangamadoda babelwa umhlaba. Umhlaba waseGiliyadi wona wabelwa enye inxalenye yabazukulwana bakaManase.


text:
Ummandla wesizwe sakwaManase wawusuka eAshere use eMikemetati ngasempumalanga yeShekem. Umda wawusihla uye ngasezantsi, uquke bonke abantu base-En-tapuwa.


text:
Umhlaba owawungqinge iTapuwa wawungowakwaManase, kodwa sona isixeko saseTapuwa esisemdeni sasisesenzala kaEfrayim.


text:
Wawusihla loo mda ubheke ezantsi ngakwintlambo iKana. Izixeko ezingezantsi kwaloo ntlambo yayizezakwaEfrayim, nakuba zazikummandla wakwaManase nje. Umda wakwaManase wawucanda ngakwicala elingasentla kwaloo ntlambo, uye kuma ngolwandle.


text:
Isizwe sakwaEfrayim sasingasezantsi, esakwaManase sona singasentla, ulwandle lungasentshona. UAshere wayemi ngasentla koManase, uIsakare emi ngasempuma.


text:
Ngaphakathi kwemida yakwaIsakare nakwa-Ashere iBhete-shan kunye neIbleyam, neelali ezizingqongileyo, yayizezakwaManase, kwakunye neDore engaselwandle, ne-Endore, iTanaki, iMegido, kwaneelali ezizijikelezileyo.


text:
Isizwe sakwaManase kambe asizanga sibe nako ukubagxotha abemi bezo zixeko, kuba amaKanana ayezimisele ukuhlala khona.


text:
Naxa amaSirayeli selenamandla, akabanga nako ukuzithimba ezo zixeko zamaKanana, kambe awanyanzela ukuba abe zizicaka.


text:
Bathi kuYoshuwa abazukulwana bakaJosefu: “Ngani ukuba usinike isiqwenga sibe sinye somhlaba, ukanti sibaninzi kangaka ngenxa yokuthamsanqeliswa kunene *nguNdikhoyo?”


text:
Wathi uYoshuwa: “Ukuba nibaninzi kangangokuba neleentaba lakwaEfrayim lingananeli, yiyani emahlathini, nifike nigece nizivulele umhlaba kwelamaPerezi namaRafa.”


text:
Baphendula bathi: “Eliya leentaba aliphangalele kangangokuba lingasanela, kanti ke phaya ezintilini amaKanana aneenqwelo zentsimbi, la ahlala eBhete-shan nalawa ahlala kule ntili yeYizereli xa ewonke.”


text:
Wathi uYoshuwa kubo: “Ngenene, ndlu kaJosefu, nina zinto zikaEfrayim nani zinto zikaManase, nibaninzi, yaye ninamandla. Niza kusongezwa isabelo senu.


text:
Eleentaba lelenu, nditsho lilihlathi linjalo. Kufuneka niligece nime kulo lonke. AmaKanana wona kufuneka niwagxothe, nditsho enezo nqwelo zentsimbi, omelele enjalo.”


text:
Ibandla lakwaSirayeli lahlangana eShilo, lamisa *isibingelelo *sikaNdikhoyo apho. Naxa umhlaba wawuseluthinjiwe


text:
Wabhekisa kumaSirayeli ke uYoshuwa wenjenje: “Niya kulibazisa kude kube nini ukuya kuthimba umhlaba enawunikwa nguNdikhoyo, uThixo wooyihlo-mkhulu?


text:
Ndikhetheleni amadoda abe mathathu kwisizwe ngasinye, ndiwathume aye kulicanda ilizwe, abhale iinkcukacha zalo ngokwelifa lesizwe ngasinye. Kufuneka aphinde eze kum akugqiba.


text:
Loo mhlaba ke uya kwabiwa wahlulwe ube ziziqwenga ezisixhenxe. UJuda wohlala ngezantsi kummandla wakhe, noJosefu wohlala kowakhe ummandla ngasentla.


text:
Ze nizibhale iinkcukacha zezo ziphaluka zosixhenxe, nize nazo kum nakugqiba. Mna ke ndokwenza amaqashiso, ndiqonde umnqweno kaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu ngani.


text:
AbaLevi bona abayi kwabelwa isabelo njengani; kaloku esabo isabelo kukuba ngababingeleli abakhonza uNdikhoyo. Zona ke izizwe zakwaGadi noRubhen nesiqingatha sikaManase sebelabelwe elabo ilifa phaya ngasempumalanga kweJordan, alinikwa nguMosis isicaka sikaNdikhoyo.”


text:
Anduluka ke loo madoda, aya kucanda umhlaba, emva kokuba uYoshuwa wayethe: “Ze niwujikeleze niwucande loo mhlaba, nizibhale iinkcukacha zawo, nibuye nize kum. Mna ndoqonda kuNdikhoyo ngokwenza *amaqashiso apha eShilo.”


text:
Awujikeleza ke loo mhlaba loo madoda, abhala echaza ukuba awahlule njani waziziqwenga ezisixhenxe, enza noludwe lwezixeko. Babuyela kuYoshuwa esikhululweni eShilo.


text:
UYoshuwa wenza amaqashiso phambi koNdikhoyo, waza ke wazabela izizwe zakwaSirayeli ebezingekabi namhlaba iziqwenga zomhlaba, ewaba ngokwezindlu zazo.


text:
Kwaqala kwaphuma iqashiso lommandla wezindlu zesizwe sakwaBhenjamin. Umhlaba wabo wawumi phakathi kwesizwe sakwaJuda nesakwaJosefu.


text:
Ngasentla umda wabo wawuqala eJordan, unyuke loo mathambeka angasentla kweJeriko, wenjenjeya ukusinga ngasentshona, utyhutyha eleentaba, uye kuma ngentlango iBhete-aven.


text:
Wawunyuka ithambeka kwicala elingasezantsi eLuzi (yiBhetele ke leyo) uhle ubheke eAtaroti-adare entabeni engezantsi kweBhete-horon emzantsi.


text:
Lo mda wawujika ujonge emazantsi usuka kwicala elingasentshonalanga yeleentaba, wenjenjeya ukusinga eKiriyati-bhali (iKiriyati-yarim) yesizwe sakwaJuda. Ngumda wangasentshona lo.


text:
Umda wangasezantsi wawuqala ngasemaphethelweni eKiriyati-yarim ngasentshona, ubheke kumthombo waseNefetowa,


text:
usuke apho uhle ubheke phantsi kwentaba ejonge kwintili yoonyana bakaHinom engasentla kwentili yamaRafa. Wawusuka apho uhle utyhutyhe loo ntili iHinom kwithambeka emazantsi esixeko samaJebhusi, ubheke ngase-En-rogele.


text:
Uyajika ujonge emantla e-En-shemeshe, uze ugqithele eGeliloti ngakwinkalo yeAdumim. Ukusuka apho uyehla uye ngakwiLitye likaBhohan (uBhohan wayengunyana kaRubhen),


text:
uze udlule ngasentla kwengxingwa eBhete-hogela, uye kuphela ngasentla apho umlambo iJordan ungena khona kuLwandle oluFileyo. Lo ke yayingumda wangasezantsi.


text:
IJordan yona yayingumda wangasempumalanga. Yiyo ke leyo imida yomhlaba owabelwa izindlu zesizwe sakwaBhenjamin, walilifa lazo.


text:
iZela, iHayelefe, nesixeko samaJebhusi (oko kukuthi iJerusalem), kwakunye neGibheya, neKiriyati-yarim. Yayilishumi elinesine lezo zixeko ezazingqongwe ziilali. Nguwo ke lowo umhlaba owabelwa izindlu zesizwe sakwaBhenjamin.


text:
*Iqashiso lesibini laphumela isizwe sakwaSimon ngokwezindlu zaso. Ilifa laso lalikummandla wakwaJuda.


text:
iBhete-lebhawoti, kunye neSharuhen. Yayizizixeko ezilishumi linantathu kunye neelali ezazizingqongile.


text:
Zonke iilali ezazingqonge ezo zixeko zazikwalapho kude kuse eBhalati-bhere (ekuthiwa yiRama) kwintlango engasezantsi. Nguwo ke lowo umhlaba owabelwa izindlu zesizwe sakwaSimon, waba lilifa lazo.


text:
Umhlaba wakwaJuda inxalenye yawo yabelwa isizwe sakwaSimon ukuba ibe lilifa laso, kuba wawumkhulu ngaphezu kokuba isizwe sakwaJuda sasiwudinga.


text:
Ngesihlandlo sesithathu *iqashiso laphumela isizwe sakwaZebhulon ngokwezindlu zaso. Umda welifa lesi sizwe waya kuma ngeSaridi.


text:
Ukusuka apho umda wacanda ngasentshona waya kutsho eMarala, wegqitha eDabhesheti nakwintlambo iYokeneham.


text:
Kwicala elingaphaya kweSaridi wenjenjeya ukuya ngasempuma kumda weKiseloti-tabhore, wedlulela eDabherati ukusinga eYafiya.


text:
Ukusuka apho wakhweza kwicala langasempumalanga, ujonge eGati-hefere nase-Eti-kazin, wajika wajonga ngaseRimon usinga eNeha.


text:
Wawuquka ezi zixeko: iKatati, iNalali, iShimron, i-Idala, kunye neBhetelehem. Yaba lishumi linambini lezixeko kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Lo mda wadibanisa iTabhore, iShazuma, kunye neBhete-shemeshe, uye kuma ngeJordan. Wawunezixeko ezilishumi linantandathu kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Ezo zixeko kunye nezo lali zazikumhlaba owabelwa izindlu zesizwe sakwaIsakare ukuze ube lilifa lazo.


text:
kwakunye neAlam-meleki, iAmadi, kunye neMishali. Ngasentshonalanga wawudlula eKarmele naseShikore-libhenati.


text:
Ukujika kwawo ngasempumalanga wawusinga ngaseBhete-dagoni, udlule kwaZebhulon nakwintili i-Ifeta-eli ukubheka ngasentla eBhete-emeki naseNeyeli. Wenjenjeya ukunyuka ucanda ngasekunene kweKabhuli,


text:
Wawujika apho ujonge eRama, ude uye kutsho kwisixeko saseTire esinqatyisiweyo, ujike ujonge ngaseHosa, uye kuma ngolwandle. Wawuquka iMahalabhi, iAkezibhi,


text:
iUma, iAfeki, kunye neRehobhi. Yayingamashumi mabini nambini ezixeko kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Umda waso wawusuka eHelefe uye kutsho kum-oki oseZananim, udlulele eAdami-nekebhe naseYabheneli kude kuse eLekum, uye kuma ngeJordan.


text:
Apho wawufika ujonge ngasentshonalanga uye eAzenoti-tabhore, usuke apho uye eHukoki, ubethe ngakuZebhulon emazantsi, udlule kwa-Ashere ngasentshonalanga, naseJordan kwicala langasempumalanga.


text:
iYiron, iMigdali-eli, iHorem, iBhete-anati, kunye neBhete-shemeshe. Yayilishumi linethoba lezixeko kunye neelali ezizingqongileyo.


text:
Athi akulahlekelwa ngumhlaba wawo amaDan aya kuhlasela iLeshem. Ayithimba yaba yeyawo akuba ebabulele abemi balapho. Ema apho, alijika negama layo iLeshem, athi ukuyibiza kwayo yiDan, eyithiya ngokhokho wawo uDan.


text:
ngokomyalelo *kaNdikhoyo. Amnika iTimnata-sera, isixeko awasicelayo. ITimnata-sera yayikweleentaba kwaEfrayim. Wasivusa eso sixeko uYoshuwa, wahlala apho.


text:
UElazare umbingeleli, ekunye noYoshuwa unyana kaNune, kwakunye neentloko zezindlu zezizwe zakwaSirayeli, babeyaba le mimandla ngokwenza *amaqashiso phambi koNdikhoyo eShilo ngasekungeneni *kwesibingelelo. Bawaba ke ngolo hlobo loo mhlaba bada bagqiba.


text:
Zoba ziindawo ekubalekela kuzo abantu abathe babulala omnye ngengozi okanye ngempazamo. Yoba ziindawo zokuzimela kwimpindezelo yezizalwana zaloo mntu ubuleweyo.


text:
Umntu oye kuzimela kwezo zixeko kufuneka anike inkcazelo ngesenzo sakhe enkundleni kumadoda amakhulu esangweni leso sixeko. Ngawo aya kumamkela amnike indawo yokuhlala phakathi kwawo.


text:
Xa umphindezeli athe walandela ekhondweni lalowo ubalekele apho, wona akasayi kumnikezela kuye – kaloku wambulala ngengozi umfi, bengazange baxabana ngaphambili.


text:
Umbulali angahlala apho kweso sixeko de kufike umhla wokuvavanywa kwetyala ngumzi. Akuba eswelekile umbingeleli omkhulu angabuyela ke kwisixeko sakowabo awayebaleke kuso.”


text:
Kwatyunjwa iKedeshe eGalili kweleentaba lakwaNafetali, neShekem kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim, kunye neKiriyati-arba (yiHebron ke leyo) kweleentaba lakwaJuda.


text:
Kumphesheya-Jordan ongasempuma yeJeriko kwatyunjwa ezi zixeko: kwisizwe sakwaRubhen yaba yiBhezere ekumathafa asentlango, kwisizwe sakwaGadi yaba yiRamoti eseGiliyadi, yaza kwaManase yaba yiGolan eBhashan.


text:
Zizo ke ezo izixeko ekwakunokuphephela kuzo nawuphi na umSirayeli okanye umngeneleli ohlala phakathi kwamaSirayeli. Injongo yazo yayikukuzimelisa umntu obulele omnye ngengozi, ukwenzela ukuba ze kungabikho mntu ubulawayo sisizalwana somfi engekemi enkundleni yamatyala ngaphambi kwebandla.


text:
Iintloko zezindlu zakwaLevi zaya kumbingeleli uElazare noYoshuwa unyana kaNune, bekunye neentloko zezindlu zakwaSirayeli.


text:
Zaya kubo eShilo kwelamaKanana, zafika zathi: “*UNdikhoyo wayethe kuMosis thina masinikwe izixeko kunye namadlelo azo.”


text:
AmaSirayeli ke ngoko, ethobela umyalelo kaNdikhoyo, acaphula kwilifa lawo, abanika ezinye izixeko zawo abaLevi kunye namadlelo azingqongileyo.


text:
*Iqashiso lokuqala laphumela imizi yendlu yabaLevi bakwaKohati, babelwa izixeko ezilishumi linantathu, ezazikummandla wakwaJuda, nowakwaSimon, kunye nowakwaBhenjamin.


text:
Inxalenye yemizi kaKohati yabelwa ishumi lezixeko ezazikwaEfrayim, kwaDan, nakwisiqingatha sasentshonalanga sakwaManase.


text:
Indlu yakwaGershon yabelwa ishumi elinantathu lezixeko kummandla wakwaIsakare, nakwa-Ashere, kwaNafetali, nakwisiqingatha sakwaManase esiseBhashan.


text:
Indlu yakwaMerari ngokwemizi yayo yabelwa ishumi elinambini lezixeko kummandla wakwaRubhen nakwaGadi nakwaZebhulon.


text:
Njengoko uNdikhoyo wayetshilo kuMosis amaSirayeli ababela abaLevi ezi zixeko namadlelo ngokwenza amaqashiso.


text:
Nazi ke izixeko ezabelwa abazukulwana baka-Aron, inzala kaLevi, bendlu kaKohati, ezazikummandla kaJuda noSimon: iqashiso laphumela bona kuqala,


text:
babelwa isixeko sika-Arbha (uArbha wayenguyise ka-Anaki) le kuthiwa yiHebron ngoku. Nantso kweleentaba kwaJuda. Bayinikwa kunye namadlelo ayo,


text:
kambe zona iilali eziyingqongileyo kunye namasimi zazisezabelwe uKalebhi unyana kaJefune, zaza zaba zezakhe.


text:
Ukongezelela kwiHebron (eyayisesinye sezixeko zokuphephela) kwahlonyelwa nezi zixeko kubazukulwana bombingeleli uAron: iLibhena,


text:
iAyin, iJuta, kunye neBhete-shemeshe, kwanamadlelo azo. Yayilithoba lezixeko kummandla wakwaJuda nakwaSimon.


text:
Banikwa izixeko ezine: iShekem namadlelo ayo kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim (yenye yezixeko zokuphephela nayo), iGezere,


text:
Kummandla wesiqingatha sikaManase esingasentshonalanga abelwa izixeko ezibini: iTanaki, neGati-rimon, kunye namadlelo azo.


text:
Abanye abaLevi bendlu kaGershon babelwa izixeko zazibini kummandla wesiqingatha sikaManase esingasempuma: yaba yiGolan eBhashan (esinye sezixeko sokuphephela) kunye neBheshtera namadlelo azo.


text:
Kummandla wakwaNafetali zaba zithathu: iKedeshe eGalili namadlelo ayo (yayisisixeko sokuphephela), iHamoti-dore, neKartan, namadlelo azo.


text:
AbaLevi bendlu yakwaMerari, yona eyayingekabonelelwa, babelwa izixeko zazine kwaZebhulon: iYokeneham, iKarta,


text:
Indlu kaMerari ke yabelwa ishumi linambini lezixeko zizonke, isabelwa ngokwezindlu zayo ngamaqashiso.


text:
AbaLevi babelwa izixeko ezingamashumi mane anesibhozo zizonke kummandla wamaSirayeli. Zonke ezo zixeko ngazinye zazinamadlelo azo.


text:
Wenjenjalo ke *uNdikhoyo ukuzalisekisa isithembiso awasenzayo kookhokho bamaSirayeli sokuba wowanika umhlaba. Ema kuloo mhlaba ke amaSirayeli akuba ewuthimbile.


text:
Wezisa uxolo kulo lonke elo zwe uNdikhoyo, njengoko wabathembisayo ngesifungo ookhokho babo. Iintshaba zawo zonke zange zibe nakumelana nawo amaSirayeli kuba uNdikhoyo wayezinikela ezandleni zawo iintshaba zawo.


text:
Wazigcina zonke izithembiso awazenza kumaSirayeli uNdikhoyo; ewe, akukho nalinye ilizwi alithethileyo angalifezekisanga.


text:
wathi: “Nikufezile konke enakuyalelwa sisicaka *sikaNdikhoyo uMosis, nayithobela yonke imiyalelo yam.


text:
Unanamhla aniwashiyanga enyanyeni amawenu, koko ninyamekele ukuthobela umthetho kaNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
Ngoku ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uwaphumzile amawenu, njengoko wathembisayo. Ke ngoko godukani niye kumhlaba ongowenu ongakwicala elingasempumalanga yeJordan, lowo nawunikwa nguMosis isicaka sikaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kambe maze ninyaniseke ngokupheleleyo ekuwuthobeleni umyalelo nomthetho eniwuwiselwe nguMosis isicaka sikaNdikhoyo, othi: ‘Mthande uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho; mthobele ezintweni zonke, uyigcine imiyalelo yakhe, unamathele kuye, umkhonze ngomxhelo wonke nangomoya wakho wonke.’ ”


text:
Kaloku uMosis wayabele isiqingatha sesizwe sakwaManase umhlaba eBhashan, kanti ke yena uYoshuwa wabela esinye isiqingatha sesizwe sakwaManase umhlaba ongasentshona kweJordan kunye namawabo. UYoshuwa wabandulula wabasikelela wathi:


text:
“Ngoku nigoduka nizizityebi, ninemfuyo eninzi, nesiliva, negolide, ubhedu, nentsimbi, nemfumba yezambatho. Ze niwabele amawenu kumaxhoba eniwafumene ezintshabeni.”


text:
AmaRubhen namaGadi nesiqingatha samaManase bagoduka. Amanye amaSirayeli bawashiya apho eShilo kwelamaKanana, basinga kwelakowabo eGiliyadi, ababeyifumene ngokomyalelo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis.


text:
Zathi zakufika eGeliloti ngaseJordan eKanana izizwe zakwaRubhen nakwaGadi noManase osempuma, zakha into enkulu yeqonga lamadini apho phezu komlambo.


text:
AmaSirayeli eva kusithiwa: “Khangelani uRubhen noGadi nesiqingatha sikaManase bakhe iqonga lamadini emdeni welaseKanana nganeno apha eGeliloti phezu komlambo iJordan!”


text:
Yakuvakala loo nto lonke ibandla lakwaSirayeli lahlangana eShilo, lizilungiselela ukuhlasela izizwe ezingaphesheya, empumalanga yeJordan.


text:
AmaSirayeli athuma umbingeleli uPineyasi unyana kaElazare kwaRubhen nakwaGadi nakwaManase ongaphesheya eGiliyadi.


text:
UPineyasi wahamba neshumi lamadoda aziinkokheli zezizwe ezilishumi zakwaSirayeli. La madoda ayeziintloko zezindlu.


text:
“Sithetha nje, sithetha egameni lebandla likaNdikhoyo liphela. Niyenzeleni into embi kangaka ngokungathembeki kuThixo kaSirayeli? Yini na ukuba nityeke kuNdikhoyo ngokuzakhela iqonga lamadini, nivukelane naye ngoku?


text:
Khange bube sisifundo na ubugwenxa obenzeke ePehore Kaloku uNdikhoyo wabetha ibandla xa lilonke ngobhubhani. Ngaba unanamhla anikahlanjululwa na kobo bugwenxa,


text:
le nto nityekayo ekumlandeleni uNdikhoyo? Xa namhlanje nimvukela uNdikhoyo, ngomso kosa eliqumbele lonke ibandla lakwaSirayeli.


text:
Xa umhlaba wenu ugqwalisekile, ngani ningaweli iJordan nje, niye apho simiyo *isibingelelo sikaNdikhoyo ezweni lakhe, nize kuma apha phakathi kwethu? Yekani ukumvukela uNdikhoyo nize nathi nisifake kolo vukelo lwenu ngokwenza qonga limbi lingelilo likaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.


text:
Ngaba senikulibele ukungathembeki kuka-Akana unyana kaZera, owathatha amaxhoba amakatshatyalaliswe, kwaza ngenxa yeso senzo kohlwaywa lonke ibandla lakwaSirayeli? UAkana akazange afe yedwa ngenxa yesono sakhe.”


text:
Oonyana bakaRubhen, noonyana bakaGadi, nesiqingatha sikaManase, benjenje ukuphendula iintloko zezizwe zakwaSirayeli:


text:
“Oyena unguThixo nguNdikhoyo! Ewe, oyena unguThixo nguye uNdikhoyo! Nguye owaziyo ukuba sikwenzeleni na oku, yaye nani sifuna nazi. Ukuba oku sikwenze ngokungathembeki kuNdikhoyo, okanye ngokumvukela, masingasindi ekufeni namhlanje.


text:
Yaye ukuba ngeli qonga sityekile ekumlandeleni uNdikhoyo ngokwenzela kulo amadini ethu atshiswayo, nawokudla, nawobudlelane, makasuke asigwebe yena ngenkqu.


text:
Hayi bo! Elaa qonga silenze ngenxa yexhala lokuba kwixesha elizayo abantwana benu basenokuthi kubantwana bethu: ‘Uyintoni kuni kakade uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli?


text:
Akanto yakwenza nani maRubhen namaGadi; wasahlula nani ngokwenza iJordan umda.’ Loo nto ke ingabangela ukuba abantwana bethu bayeke ukunqula uNdikhoyo.


text:
Kungoko ke satshoyo ukuthi: ‘Masakhe iqonga, kodwa kungabi ngenjongo yakunikela madini naminikelo kulo.’


text:
Hayi, sisitsho nje besisenzela thina nani, nezizukulwana ezizayo, ubungqina bokuba ngenene uNdikhoyo simnqula esibingelelweni sakhe ngamadini atshiswayo, nawobudlelane, nangeminikelo. Besisenzela ukuba abantwana benu bangaze bathi kwabethu: ‘Aninasabelo nina nanto yakwenza kuNdikhoyo.’


text:
Thina besiba abantwana bethu babeya kuthi xa ithe yehla into enjalo: ‘Naliya iqonga elifana nqwa neliya likaNdikhoyo lakhiwa ngoobawo. Ewe kambe, asililo lamadini neminikelo, lona lilingqina kumawethu nakumawenu.’


text:
Asingeke ke thina sivukele uNdikhoyo okanye sityeke kuye ngokwakha iqonga lamadini neminikelo elilelinye. ElikaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu lona limi esibingelelweni sakhe.”


text:
OoPineyasi neentloko zakwaSirayeli kunye nezezindlu, banela bakuba beyivile impendulo yamaRubhen namaGadi kunye neyesiqingatha samaManase.


text:
Umbingeleli uPineyasi, unyana kaElazare, wathi kuwo: “Ngoku siyazi ukuba uNdikhoyo uphakathi kwethu; animvukelanga. Ngoko ke amaSirayeli ephela asindile kumsindo wakhe.”


text:
UPineyasi ke neentloko zamaSirayeli bemka kwaRubhen nakwaGadi eGiliyadi, babuyela eKanana, baya kwenza ingxelo kumaSirayeli.


text:
Aneliseka yiloo ngxelo amaSirayeli, atsho abonga uThixo; akabi sathetha ngakuhlasela awutshabalalise umhlaba wamaRubhen namaGadi.


text:
Baza ke abantu bakwaRubhen nakwaGadi balibiza elo qonga ngokuthi: “Lingqina kuthi sonke ukuba uNdikhoyo unguThixo.” Baza ke bathi ukulibiza liNgqina.


text:
Lakuba ligqithile ithuba elide *uNdikhoyo uwaphumzile amaSirayeli ezintshabeni zawo ezaziwangqongile; noYoshuwa ngoku wayeselemdala aluphele.


text:
UYoshuwa wawabiza onke amaSirayeli, amadoda amakhulu, iintloko zezindlu, abalamli, kunye nabanye abangamagosa, wathi kubo: “Sendaluphele; ndigugile mna ngoku.


text:
Niyibonile yonke into ayenzileyo ngenxa yenu uNdikhoyo kuzo zonke iintlanga zalapha. UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ubesoloko enilwela kaloku.


text:
Khumbulani ukuba isizwe ngasinye kuni ndisabele umhlaba waso kumhlaba weentlanga endizitshabalalisileyo, kwanezo zisaseleyo phakathi kweJordan nolwandle ngasentshonalanga.


text:
UNdikhoyo uThixo wenu nguye ngenkqu owozigxotha phambi kwenu; wovulela nina indawo. Ke ngoko lo mhlaba ngowenu njengoko kanye wathembisayo.


text:
Ngoko ke yomelelani, ninyamekele nithobele yonke into ebhalwe kwincwadi yomthetho kaMosis, ningashiyi nendawo le.


text:
Nize ningazibandakanyi naba bantu basaseleyo apha, ningabizi namagama *oothixo babo, okanye nisebenzise amagama oothixo babo xa nifunga, ningabanquli abo thixo nikhahlele kubo.


text:
UNdikhoyo unigxothele izizwe ezikhulu nezinamandla ekungeneni kwenu, akwabikho bani unako ukumelana nani edabini.


text:
Nditsho nomntu omnye kuni angachitha-chitha iwaka eyedwa, kuba kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uyanilwela njengoko wathembisayo.


text:
ze nazi kakuhle ukuba uNdikhoyo akakubuy' azigxothe, anivulele indawo. Ndaweni yaloo nto ziya kusuka zibe ngathi zizabatha nezigu zokunigcayisela, zibe ngathi zizabhokhwe zokunitywatyusha, nameva asemehlweni, nide niphele nithi shwaka kulo mhlaba ulungileyo niwunikwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu.


text:
“Ngoku ke sendiza kufa. Nazi mhlophe ezintliziyweni zenu nasemiphefumlweni yenu ukuba akukho nanye into ayithembisileyo angayenzanga uNdikhoyo; ewe, akukho nanye into ayithethileyo angayiphumelelisanga.


text:
Kanti kwalo Ndikhoyo unenzela izinto ezintle kangaka uyakwazi ukubuya azise ububi anitshabalalise nithi shwaka kulo mhlaba ulungileyo aninike wona.


text:
Ewe, xa niwutyeshelayo umnqophiso athe maze niwugcine uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, nisuke nina nikhonze ninqule izithixo, wovutha umsindo wakhe, anitshabalalise ngephanyazo, niphele kuthi tu kulo mhlaba ulungileyo aninike wona.”


text:
UYoshuwa wenza imbizo yazo zonke izizwe zakwaSirayeli eShekem. Wabiza onke amadoda amakhulu, iintloko zezindlu, abalamli, kunye nabanye abangamagosa akwaSirayeli, bonke baya kuthi nqwadalala *ngasesibingelelweni *sikaNdikhoyo.


text:
Wabhekisa kubo bonke abantu uYoshuwa wenjenje: “Utsho uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli, ukuthi: ‘Kudala kanye ooyihlo-mkhulu uTera kunye noonyana bakhe uAbraham noNahore babemi ngaphesheya komlambo iEfrati, benqula *thixo bambi.


text:
Uyihlo-mkhulu uAbraham ndamkhupha apho ngaphesheya kwe-Efrati, walityhutyha lonke elaseKanana. Ndampha abantwana abaninzi. Ndamnika uIsake;


text:
uIsake yena ndamnika uYakobi noEsawu. UEsawu ndamnika ilizwe leentaba lase-Edom. Yena uYakobi noonyana bakhe behla baya eJiputa.


text:
Ndathuma uMosis noAron, amaJiputa ndawehlisela izibetho. Niyayazi into endawenza yona. Ndaza ke emva koko ndanikhupha eJiputa, naza nina naza kutsho kuLwandle oluBomvu. AmaJiputa akhupha iinqwelo zamahashe nomkhosi okhwele amahashe ukusukela ooyihlo, asinga kuLwandle oluBomvu.


text:
Kodwa bathi bakukhala ooyihlo, ndafaka ithunzi lobumnyama phakathi kwamaSirayeli namaJiputa. Ndawagubungela ngamanzi olwandle, eyela amaJiputa – niyayazi loo nto. “ ‘Nahlala entlango ithuba elide.


text:
Ndaza mna ndanizisa kumhlaba wama-Amori awayemi ngasempumalanga yeJordan. Alwa nani, kodwa mna ndawanikela ezandleni zenu. Nawuthatha umhlaba wawo, ndakuba mna ndiwatshabalalisile.


text:
Ukumkani uBhalaki wakwaMowabhi, unyana kaZipore, waqubisana namaSirayeli edabini. Wathumelela uBhalam, unyana kaBhehore, ukuba abizwe eze anishwabulele,


text:
kodwa andizange ndivume ukumphulaphula uBhalam. Ndaweni yaloo nto wamana ukunithamsanqelisa, ndaba ke ndinihlangule kuBhalaki.


text:
Nawela iJordan, naya eJeriko. Abemi balapho balwa nani, njengoko enjenjalo ama-Amori, namaPerezi, namaKanana, amaHiti, amaGirgashi, amaHivi, namaJebhusi, kodwa ndabanikela ezandleni zenu.


text:
Ndabathumela ngoonomeva abo balwa nani. Yiyo loo nto eyachitha iikumkani zama-Amori zombini – asilokrele nalutolo lwenu.


text:
Ndaninika umhlaba eningazanga nawusebenza nezixeko eningazanga nazakha. Ngoku nihlala apho nitye isivuno semidiliya eningayilimanga, neminquma eningazanga nabulaleka yiyo.’


text:
“UNdikhoyo mhloneleni, nimnqule ngentembeko ninyanisekile. Yahlukanani *nezithixo zookhokho benu ngexesha bengaphesheya kwe-Efrati naseJiputa, nikhonze uNdikhoyo yedwa.


text:
Ke ukuba kubi emehlweni enu ukumkhonza uNdikhoyo, khethani ngoku, ukuba nokhonza bani na nina, phakathi koothixo baseMesopotami booyihlo noothixo bama-Amori enimi kumhlaba wawo. Kodwa mna kunye nomzi wam, siya kukhonza uNdikhoyo.”


text:
NguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu owasikhulula thina nookhokho eJiputa ebukhobokeni. Siyayazi imiqondiso emikhulu awayenzayo. Wasilondoloza konke apho sihamba khona, wasikhusela xa besicanda phakathi kweentlanga.


text:
UNdikhoyo wasigxothela zonke iintlanga, nditsho kunye nama-Amori awayemi apha. Ngoko ke nathi sokhonza uNdikhoyo; nguye uThixo wethu.”


text:
UYoshuwa wathetha namaSirayeli wenjenje: “Aninako ukumkhonza uNdikhoyo. UNdikhoyo nguThixo owahlukileyo; unguThixo onekhwele. Akasayi kukuxolela ukumvukela kwenu nokumona kwenu,


text:
yaye ukuba niyamfulathela nikhonze izithixo zasemzini, wonijikela anihlisele ububi. Wonitshabalalisa niphele, ngoku kanye ebekade eniphethe kakuhle.”


text:
Wathi ke uYoshuwa: “Ningamangqina enu ngokwenu ke ukuba nina nizikhethele ukukhonza uNdikhoyo.” “Ewe, singamangqina,” batsho abantu.


text:
“Yahlukanani ke nazo ezo zithixo zasemzini ninazo,” watsho uYoshuwa, “nize ke nizinikele ngomxhelo wonke kuNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli.”


text:
Ngaloo mini, belapho eShekem, uYoshuwa wabenzela umnqophiso abantu, wabanika imimiselo nemithetho amabayithobele.


text:
Wayibhala yonke loo nto uYoshuwa encwadini yomthetho kaThixo. Waza emva koko wathatha ilitye elikhulu, walimisa phantsi komthi wom-oki ngakuloo ndawo wayenqulelwa kuyo uNdikhoyo.


text:
Wathi ebantwini bonke: “Niyabona, eli litye loba lelobungqina, kuba liwevile onke amazwi uNdikhoyo awabhekise kuthi. Lilo ke eloba lingqina xa nimkhanyela uThixo wenu.”


text:
Wafihlelwa eTimnata-sera, emhlabeni olilifa lakhe, kweleentaba kwaEfrayim, kumantla entaba iGahashe.


text:
AmaSirayeli ahlala ekhonza uNdikhoyo lo gama wayesaphila uYoshuwa. Akungabikho ahlala esenjenjalo nangalo gama ayesekho amadoda amakhulu awayenamava ngeziganeko ezikhulu ezenziwa nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Amathambo kaJosefu awayeze nawo eJiputa amaSirayeli, awangcwaba kumhlaba owathengwa nguYakobi eShekem koonyana bakaHamore uyise kaShekem ngekhulu leesiliva. Lo mhlaba waba lilifa lenzala kaJosefu.


text:
Wabhubha noElazare, unyana ka-Aron, waza wangcwatyelwa eGibheya kweleentaba kwaEfrayim, emhlabeni owabelwa uPineyasi unyana wakhe.


text:
Akuba engasekho uYoshuwa, amaSirayeli abuzisa *kuNdikhoyo, athi: “Ngubani onokusikhokela ukuya kuhlasela amaKanana?”


text:
Ke indlu kaJuda yathi kumawabo amaSimon: “Sincediseni xa silwa namaKanana ukuzuza isabelo sethu somhlaba, khon' ukuze nathi sinincedise xa nilwela esenu isabelo.” Ngoko ke ahamba nendlu kaJuda amaSimon.


text:
Bahlasela ke abendlu kaJuda, uNdikhoyo wawanikela ezandleni zabo amaKanana namaPerezi, baza babulala ishumi lamawaka eBhezeki.


text:
Ke yena uAdoni-bhezeki wabaleka, baza bona bamsukela, bambamba, bamnqumla oobhontsi bezandla nabeenyawo.


text:
UAdoni-bhezeki wathi: “Amashumi asixhenxe ookumkani ababhontsi babo bezandla neenyawo bashunqulweyo babefudula bechola-chola iimvuthuluka apho ndityela khona. Kodwa ke ngoku uThixo undiphindezele ngaloo nto ndandibenza yona.” Wathathwa ke, wasiwa eJerusalem, apho wafela khona.


text:
Abendlu kaJuda ke bayihlasela bayithimba iJerusalem. Abemi bayo babatshabalalisa, sona isixeko basifak' umlilo.


text:
Bahlasela namaKanana awayemi eHebron eyayibizwa ngokuba yiKiriyati-arbha mandulo. Bayoyisa ke imizi yamaSheshayi, ama-Ahiman, namaTalmayi.


text:
UOteniyeli, unyana kaKenazi umninawa omncinci kaKalebhi, wasithimba ke eso sixeko, waza ke uKalebhi wayendisela kuye intombi yakhe uAkesa.


text:
Bakuba betshatile wacenga uOteniyeli amvumele acele umhlaba kuyise. Wehla kwidonki awayekhwele kuyo uAkesa, waza uKalebhi wambuza wathi: “Kwenzeke ntoni?”


text:
Wathi ukuphendula uAkesa: “Ndicela intsikelelo. Kaloku umhlaba ondinike wona ukwindawo ebharhileyo. Nceda undinike imithombo.” UKalebhi ke wamnika imithombo engasentla nengasezantsi.


text:
Inzala kayise womka-Mosis, umKeni, yahamba nendlu kaJuda ukuphuma kwisiXeko samaSundu, yaya kumhlaba oyintlango ezantsi kweArade kwelakwaJuda, yaza ke yema phakathi kwabantu balapho.


text:
Ke uJuda noSimon badibana, baza bawoyisa amaKanana awayehlala eZefati. Eso sixeko basivuthulula, basitshabalalisa, baza basithiya igama eliyiHoma.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wayinceda indlu kaJuda, yawuthatha umhlaba okweleentaba. Phofu abakwaJuda zange babe nako ukubagxotha abantu ababemi kwintili egudle ulwandle, kuba babeneenqwelo ezenziwe ngentsimbi. Izixeko zabo ibiyiGaza, iAshkelon, ne-Ekron, zinemimandla yazo.


text:
Ngokomlomo kaMosis iHebron yanikwa uKalebhi, owagxotha izindlu ezintathu khona ezaziyinzala ka-Anaki.


text:
Kodwa ke amaBhenjamin zange awagxothe amaJebhusi awayehlala eJerusalem – asemi khona ndawonye namaBhenjamin unanamhla.


text:
Abendlu kaJosefu bahlasela iBhetele, ekwakusithiwa yiLuzi ngaloo maxesha. *UNdikhoyo wabanceda. Bathumela iintlola apho esixekweni,


text:
zaza zabona indoda iphuma khona, zathi kuyo: “Sibonise indlela yokungena esixekweni. Ukuba uthe wenjenjalo asiyi kukwenzakalisa.”


text:
Emva koko yaya kwelamaHiti, yakha isixeko, yathi yiLuzi igama laso. Sisabizwa ngelo gama ke nangoku.


text:
AmaManase zange azigxothe izizwe ezazihlala eBhete-shan, eTanaki, eDore, eIbleyam, eMegido, nakwiilali ezikufuphi nezi dolophu, kuba amaKanana ayezimisele ukuhlala apho.


text:
AmaZebhulon nawo zange awagxothe amaKanana awayehlala eKitron naseNalali, kodwa ahlala nawo, awenza izicaka.


text:
Nama-Ashere zange abagxothe abemi baseAko, nabaseSidon, nabaseAlabhi, nabaseAkezibhi, nabaseHelebha, nabaseAfeki, nabaseRehobhi.


text:
Indlu kaNafetali zange ibagxothe abemi baseBhete-shemeshe nabaseBhete-anati. Loo maKanana ke ahlala namaNafetali, aba zizicaka zawo.


text:
Ama-Amori ayezimisele ukunganikezeli eAyalon, naseShalabhim, nakwintaba iHeres; kodwa ke amaJosefu ada awongamela, aba zizicaka zawo.


text:
Isithunywa *sikaNdikhoyo saphuma eGiligali, saya eBhokim, saza sathi: “Ndanikhupha kwelaseJiputa, ndanizisa kweli lizwe ndabathembisa ngalo ooyihlo-mkhulu ngesifungo. Ndathi: ‘Andisoze ndiwaphule umnqophiso wam nani.


text:
Ke nina ze ningaze nenze mnqophiso nabemi beli lizwe. Kufuneka niwadilize amaqonga abo amadini.’ Kambe ke anenzanga ngokwelizwi endalithethayo kuni. Yintoni le niyenzileyo?


text:
Ngoko ke ndiyanazisa ukuba andiyi kuzigxotha ezi zizwe. Zona ke ziya kuba ngumgibe kuni, nirhintyelwe yindlela ezinqula ngayo *oothixo bazo.”


text:
Ngenxa yaloo nto ke igama laloo ndawo kuthiwa yiBhokim. Khona apho uNdikhoyo amenzela amadini amaSirayeli.


text:
Ke kaloku uYoshuwa amaSirayeli wawandulula. Indlu nganye yaya kuthatha esayo isabelo somhlaba esililifa layo.


text:
Ngalo lonke ixesha esadla ubomi uYoshuwa, amaSirayeli ambusa amnqula *uNdikhoyo. Nasekufeni kwakhe aqhubela phambili amnqula lo gama esaphila amadoda amakhulu awayeyibone ngamehlo imimangaliso awayeyenzele amaSirayeli uNdikhoyo.


text:
Wangcwatywa kumhlaba olilifa lakhe eTimnata-heres kweleentaba kwaEfrayim, ngasentla kwentaba iGahashe.


text:
Sakuba sitshonile sonke eso sizukulwana, kwavela sizukulwana simbi, singamaziyo uNdikhoyo, ngokunjalo naloo misebenzi yakhe wayeyenzela amaSirayeli.


text:
asuka amfulathela uNdikhoyo, uThixo wooyise-mkhulu, uThixo owawakhupha kwelaseJiputa. Asuka abusa *thixo bambi kwizithixo zabantu ababewangqingile. UNdikhoyo amcaphukisa ngokusuka akhahlele abuse ezo zithixo.


text:
Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo waba nomsindo, amaSirayeli wawayekela ngeentshaba, zawahlasela ziwaphanga. Wazivulela macala onke, zawongamela, ada akaba nako ukuzikhusela.


text:
Ayesithi xa ephumile aya edabini, uNdikhoyo awayekele, ngokomlomo wakhe. Kwathi ke kwakuba nje amaSirayeli abandezeleka kunene.


text:
Kambe ke wona amaSirayeli zange azikhathalele ezo nkokheli. Ewe kaloku, uSirayeli suka waqhogana nathixo bambi endaweni kaNdikhoyo. Ooyise bona babeyithobele imiyalelo kaNdikhoyo, kodwa sona isizukulwana esitsha sisuke saphuma kwelo khondo.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wayesithi xa enika amaSirayeli inkokheli ayixhase iwahlangule amaSirayeli ezintshabeni ngalo lonke ithuba lokudla kwayo ubomi. UNdikhoyo wayeba nenceba, kuba ayenesingqala egogoza phantsi kweengcinezelo.


text:
Kodwa ke kwakusithi yakubhubha inkokheli leyo, amaSirayeli abuyele kwesezolo, abe nesimo esilumezayo kunesooyise. Ayebusa anqule thixo bambi, engavumi ukwahlukana neenkani zawo, alumleke kwezo ndlela zawo zigwenxa.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wayesuka abe nomsindo, athi: “Esi sizwe siwaphule umnqophiso endayalela ooyise-mkhulu ukuba siwuthobele. Ngoko ke, ngenxa yokuba singandithobeli,


text:
Ndiya kuwalinga ngazo amaSirayeli, ndibone ukuba akayi kuhamba ngeendlela zam na, andithobele njengooyise-mkhulu.”


text:
Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo izizwe ezasalayo waziyeka apho kwelo lizwe. Kaloku uNdikhoyo ezi zizwe akazigxothanga ngokukhawuleza ngokuzinikela esandleni sikaYoshuwa.


text:
*UNdikhoyo washiya izizwe ezithile ukuze zibe luvavanyo kumaSirayeli awayengekangeni ezimfazweni kwelaseKanana.


text:
Le nto ke wayenza kuba efuna ukuzifundisa ngemfazwe zonke izizukulwana zamaSirayeli ezivelayo, ngakumbi ke ezo zazingazange zibe semadabini ngaphambili.


text:
Iintlanga ezasala kwelo lizwe ke yaba ngamaFilistiya neenkosi zawo ezintlanu, namaKanana ephela, namaSidon, namaHivi awayehlala kwiintaba zeLebhanon ukusuka kwintaba iBhali-hermon ukuya kuthi xhaxhe ngenkalo yeHamati.


text:
Zashiyelwa ukuba kuvavanywe amaSirayeli, khon' ukuze acace ukuba azimisele na ukuyithobela imimiselo eyanikezelwa nguNdikhoyo kookhokho bawo ngoMosis.


text:
Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo waba nomsindo, waza wawayekela ngokumkani uKushan-rishatayim waseAram-naharayim, wawoyisa, aba phantsi kwakhe iminyaka esibhozo.


text:
Ke kaloku amaSirayeli adanduluka akhala kuNdikhoyo, waza ke yena wawathumela umkhululi. Lowo ke yayinguOteniyeli unyana kaKenazi umninawe omncinci kaKalebhi.


text:
Ke kaloku uOteniyeli wonganyelwa nguMoya kaNdikhoyo, waza waba yinkokheli yamaSirayeli. UOteniyeli waya emfazweni, wathiwa jize ngoloyiso nguNdikhoyo, wamoyisa ukumkani uKushan-rishatayim waseAram.


text:
Aphinda amaSirayeli akreqa *kuNdikhoyo. Ngenxa yeso sizathu ke uNdikhoyo womeleza uEglon ukumkani wamaMowabhi, waqina kunawo.


text:
UEglon ke wadibana nama-Amon nama-Amaleki, baza bawahlasela amaSirayeli, basithatha isiXeko samaSundu.


text:
Aphinda amaSirayeli akhala kuNdikhoyo, waza ke yena wawathumela umkhululi uEhudi, inxele, unyana kaGera wendlu kaBhenjamin. AmaSirayeli athumela uEhudi kukumkani uEglon waseMowabhi, emphathele umrhumo.


text:
Ke uEhudi wazenzela isabile ebazwe macala, ingamashumi amahlanu eesentimitha ubude. Wayibophelela kwithangá lakhe lasekunene phantsi kwempahla.


text:
Kambe ke yena wajika ngakwimifanekiso yezithixo ekufuphi neGiligali, wabuya waya kuEglon, wafika wathi kuye: “Mhlekazi, ndicela khe sihlinz' impuku.” Ngoko ke ukumkani wathi: “Shenxani!” Zaphuma ke izicaka zakhe.


text:
Wathi ke esahleli apho kwelo gumbi lakhe lokuphola, likumgangatho ophezulu, suka uEhudi wonda ngaye, wathi: “Ndinomyalezo wakho ovela kuThixo.” Ke yena ukumkani wema ngenyawo.


text:
Ngesandla sasekhohlo uEhudi warhola isabile yakhe apho wayeyifihle khona ethangéni lakhe lokunene, wayimilisela kweso sisu sikakumkani.


text:
Yatshona yonke nywam nesiphatho sayo, yawagramza ayifihla loo mateketeke amanqatha. UEhudi wayiyeka apho, waza ke yena waya kuphuma ngasemva,


text:
wemka. Izicaka ke zeza, zaza zakusondela zabona tyhini iingcango zitshixiwe, zacinga ukuba fana ukumkani ulapho ngaphakathi, ese.


text:
Zakha zalinda umzuzu omde ucango lungavulwa. Zada zancama, zathatha izitshixo, zavula. Tyhini! Nanko umhlekazi ethe gangalala apho phantsi, itshoba lilel' umbethe.


text:
Zathi zisathingaza izicaka zikakumkani, wesuka wemka yena uEhudi, waya kugqitha kuloo mifanekiso yezithixo, waya kutsho eSeyira.


text:
Wathi akufika kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim wavuthela isigodlo, ahlangana amaSirayeli, wawakhokela wehla nawo kwezo nduli.


text:
Wathi kuwo: “Yizani! UNdikhoyo uzinikele ezandleni zenu iintshaba zenu amaMowabhi.” Ngoko ke amaSirayeli ehla, ekhokelwa nguEhudi, aza awalalela amaMowabhi emazibukweni ayeza kuyiwela ngawo iJordan; avala ke apho, akwawela nendoda enye le.


text:
Ngaloo mihla ke abulala kwisithuba seshumi lamawaka awona majoni omeleleyo anobukroti omkhosi wamaMowabhi; zange kusinde nelinye.


text:
Ewe, ngaloo mihla amaSirayeli awoyisa amaMowabhi, kwaza ke kwalandela iminyaka yenzolo engamashumi asibhozo.


text:
UEhudi walandelwa nguShamgare unyana ka-Anati. Naye ke wawakhulula amaSirayeli. Wabulala amaFilistiya angamakhulu amathandathu ngesixhobo sokuqhuba iinkomo esifana nomkhonto.


text:
Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo wawayekela oyiswa nguJabhin, ukumkani wamaKanana owayehlala eHazore. Injengele yomkhosi wakhe yayinguSisera owayehlala eHarosheti-hagoyim.


text:
UJabhin lo ke wayenamakhulu alithoba eenqwelo ezenziwe ngentsimbi. AmaSirayeli wawaphatha gadalala isithuba samashumi amabini eminyaka. AmaSirayeli ke asuka azibika kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Inkundla yakhe yayiphantsi komthi wesundu ekwakusithiwa ngokaDibhora kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim phakathi kweRama neBhetele. Ke wona amaSirayeli ayesiya kuye ukuze awacombululele imicimbi yawo.


text:
UDibhora wathumela wabiza uBharaki unyana ka-Abhinowam eKedeshe kwaNafetali. Wathetha naye wathi: “Nanku umyalelo ophuma kuNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli: Qokelela ishumi lamawaka amadoda kwaNafetali nakwaZebhulon, uhambe nawo uye kwintaba iTabhore.


text:
Ke mna ndiya kumenza uSisera, injengele yomkhosi kaJabhin, eze kuwe kumlambo iKishon. Uya kuba exhobile, eneenqwelo namabutho akhe, kodwa ke ndiya kumnikela esandleni sakho.”


text:
UBharaki ke waphendula wathi: “Kulungile, ukuba siza kuhamba kunye, kodwa ukuba akuyi wena, nam andiyi.”


text:
Ke yena wathi: “Ewe, ukuhamba oku ndiya kuhamba, kodwa ke uze wazi ukuba udumo lwale mfazwe aluyi kuza kuwe, kuba uNdikhoyo uya kumnikela emfazini uSisera lowo.” Ngoko ke uDibhora waya eKedeshe ehamba noBharaki.


text:
UBharaki wazibizela eKedeshe izizwe zakwaZebhulon nakwaNafetali. Wahamba neshumi lamawaka lamadoda, ekhatshwa nguDibhora.


text:
Ngaloo mihla uHebhere umKeni wayemise intente yakhe eKedeshe kufuphi nomthi omkhulu wom-oki eZananim. Yena wafuduka kumawabo, inzala kaHobhabhi usibali kaMosis.


text:
wawuqokelela umkhosi wakhe, amakhulu alithoba eenqwelo, nawo onke amadoda akhe, wawakhupha eHarosheti-hagoyim, waya nawo kumlambo iKishon.


text:
UDibhora ke wathi kuBharaki: “Phambili! UNdikhoyo uyakukhokela. Yiyo le imini amnikele ngayo esandleni sakho uSisera.” Wehla ke uBharaki apho entabeni iTabhore, enelo shumi lamawaka amadoda.


text:
Akuhlasela uBharaki, uNdikhoyo wamtsho wadideka uSisera ndawonye naloo mkhosi wakhe uneenqwelo. USisera ke wehla kuloo nqwelo yakhe, wabaleka ngeenyawo.


text:
Lo mkhosi uneenqwelo ke uBharaki wawusukelisa, wesa eHarosheti-hagoyim. Umkhosi kaSisera watshatyalaliswa wonke, akwasala nempunde le.


text:
USisera wabalekela ententeni kaJayeli, umka-Hebhere umKeni, kuba ukumkani uJabhin waseHazore wayevana nendlu kaHebhere.


text:
UJayeli waphuma wahlangabeza uSisera, waza wathi kuye: “Yiza, mhlekazi; ngena apha kwam, ungoyiki.” Wangena ke, waza uJayeli wamfihla ngaphaya komkhusane.


text:
Wathi kuye: “Khawuncede undiphe amanzi; ndinxaniwe.” Ke yena wamthululela amasi entsubeni, wamnika wasela, waza waphinda wamqhusheka.


text:
USisera wathi: “Yima emnyango. Xa kukho umntu obuzayo ukuba akungenanga ndoda na apha ententeni, yithi: ‘Hayi.’ ”


text:
USisera wasuka wee yoyi bubuthongo. Ke yena uJayeli wathatha isando nesikhonkwane sentente, wachwechwa waya kuye, wafika wabethelela isikhonkwane eso entloko kuSisera, saza saya kuphumela kwelinye icala, wafa ke uSisera.


text:
Wathi akufika uBharaki, esukela uSisera, uJayeli waphuma wamhlangabeza, wathi kuye: “Yiz' apha ndikubonise lo mntu umfunayo.” Wangena naye ke uBharaki, waza wamfumana uSisera edunduluze apho ententeni efile, isikhonkwane sentente sibethelelwe entloko.


text:
AmaSirayeli atyeda ngokuzimisela; abantu basukela phezulu ngokuzinikela! Dumisani *uNdikhoyo, nina mafa-nankosi!


text:
Inzwi kuni, nina bokumkani! Khanithi cwaka ke nani, matshawe, khe ndidanduluke ngengoma nombongo, khe ndimemelele nditsho ngoncuthu, ndidumis' uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli.


text:
Wena Ndikhoyo, wathi wakuphuma kwaSeyire, mhla wandolos' ushiy' iEdom, suk' umhlaba wanyikima, az' amazulu anyembezana, ke won' amaf' achaphaz' amanzi.


text:
Ewe, iintaba zasuka zaqhaqhazela phay' eSinayi phambi koNdikhoyo; nditsho uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli!


text:
Ngemihla kaShamgare unyana ka-Anati, nditsho ngezo mini zikaJayeli, abahambi banqaba bada banqamka, abantu sebegwegweleza ngezaa ndlela.


text:
Emaphandleni kwakukhal' ibhungane, iilali zakwaSirayeli zazingamaphanga, de kwavela mna Dibhora njengesikhukukazi.


text:
Suka bathatha thixo bambi, yaz' imfazwe yamrhewula uSirayeli. Kweso sine samawak' amaSirayeli, ikhaka nomkhonto zange ziphakanyiswe.


text:
Kuthi mandityibele ndityondyothele kwezo ngqwayi-ngqwayi zikaSirayeli, ndibong' amatsha-ntliziyo ngokuzilahlela ngokuzinikela. Dumisani uNdikhoyo, nina mafa-nankosi!


text:
Nina bakhwel' iidonki ezimhlophe; nina bahlala kwezingayiway' iisali, ngokunjalo nani bahamba ngeenyawo, zinyamekeleni ezi zinto, nicamngce ngazo.


text:
Khawuve ke, nal' ugwijo lweemvum' emaquleni! Zibhiyozel' uloyiso lukaNdikhoyo: uloyiso lwabantu bakh' amaSirayeli. Suk' abantu bakaNdikhoyo bangqisha, benjenjeya ukuya emasangweni.


text:
Vuka! Khawuvuke, Dibhora! Vuka uhlabele ingoma! Phakathi, Bharaki nyana ka-Abhinowam! Uz' ubuy' urhuq' abathinjwa!


text:
Baphuma kwaEfrayim baya kutsho entilini, ezinyaweni zabo inguBhenjamin namawabo; iingqwayi-ngqwayi zeza ziphuma kwaMakire, zona izithwala-ndwe zivela kwaZebhulon.


text:
Amatshawe akwaIsakare eza noDibhora; ewe, uIsakare wema noBharaki, bamlandela baya kutsho entilini. Kambe ke amaRubhen esuka athandabuza; ewe, wona esuka amathidala.


text:
Ngani ukuba nisale ezigusheni? Ukuze niv' abelusi bentyontyel' imihlambi? Ewe, amaRubhen asuka athandabuza, ke wona asuka aba mathidala.


text:
AmaGiliyadi asala phesheya kweJordan. Ngani na ukuba uDan ashiyeke ezinqanaweni? Yena uAshere wasal' elunxwemeni lolwandle; ewe, walibala ngaselunxwemeni.


text:
ETanaki ngakwintlambo yeMegido, ookumkani bahlangana khona bangquzulana; ewe, izikumkani zamaKanana zalwa, kodwa akukho ntimbo yasiliva zayifumanayo.


text:
Ke zona iimpuphuma zeKishon zabakhukulisa; ewe, iKishon umlambo wakudala. Phambili, yomelela, mphefumlo wam!


text:
Isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo sithi: “Mayibe lishwangusha kwaMerozi! Mabambathwe lilishwa abemi bayo! Kaloku bazibandezile abamsiza uNdikhoyo; abancedisanga bawadudule amagorha.”


text:
Uthamsanqelekile ke yena uJayeli, umfazi kaHebhere umKeni. Yena yimaz' ehlal' ezintenteni. Hay' ithamsanqa lakho, mfazindini!


text:
Wathath' isikhonkwane ngesandla, wee hlas' isando ngesinye; hlifi-i-i wamntlekez' uSisera, wasihloma saphumela kolo khakhayi!


text:
Ewe, wambetha wafinyela wafohleka; wamtsho wanaba tswii ezinyaweni zakhe, wawa waqotha-qotheka ezinyaweni zakhe, suka watoshalaza, yaphel' intw' ibithethwa!


text:
Unina wankolo-nkoloz' ejong' enkalweni; unakaSisera wanyondl' ezifestileni: “Iinqwelo zakhe zilibele phi, bethu? Ngan' ukuba acothe kangak' amahashe?”


text:
“Hayi, mhlawumbi baxakeke kukwab' amaxhoba: Imbelukazi, hayi, zimbini kwijoni ngalinye; kuSisera lilaph' elitofo-tofo elimabala-bala, elenkosazana liqhwaqhwalal' eliqhoqhonyiweyo.”


text:
Ewe, siyavuma, Ndikhoyo, makube njal' ukufa kweentshaba zakho! Ke bona abakuthandayo mabaqaqambe njengelanga xa liphumayo! Emva koko ke kwalandela amashumi amane eminyaka yenzolo.


text:
Kwakhona amaSirayeli aphinda akreqa *kuNdikhoyo, waza ke wawanikela ezandleni zamaMidiyan iminyaka esixhenxe.


text:
AmaMidiyan la ke ayewaphatha gadalala amaSirayeli. Ngoko ke amaSirayeli azenzela iindawo zokuzimela ezintabeni emiqolombeni nasemaweni ngenxa yokoyika amaMidiyan.


text:
Ezi ntlanga zazifika zimise kwimida yamaSirayeli, zizitshabalalise zonke izilimo, ziyokuma ezantsi ngaseGaza. Zazithimba konke okushukumayo: iigusha, iinkomo, needonki, zingawashiyeli nento le amaSirayeli.


text:
Zazisiza nemfuyo, neentente zazo, kutsho kunyakaze ngathi libubu leenkumbi. Lo mkhosi ke ukunye nezo nkamela wawusuka ube yinyambalala. Wawusuka ulitshabalalise ilizwe lonke,


text:
kangangokuba ahlwempuzeka amaSirayeli engenakwenza nto. Ngenxa yale mpatho yamaMidiyan ke amaSirayeli azibika kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke yena wawathumela umshumayeli owathi: “Utsho uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli ukuthi: ‘Ndanikhupha eJiputa, ilizwe enaningamakhoboka kulo.


text:
Ndanihlangula kumaJiputa nakwiintlanga ezanicinezelayo kweli lizwe. Ndazigxotha xa ningenayo, ndaza ndaninika umhlaba wazo.


text:
Ndaniyala ndathi: “Mna ndinguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu; ningaze niboyike oothixo bama-Amori enihlala emhlabeni wawo.” Kuloo nto yonke ke anindiphulaphulanga.’ ”


text:
Ke kaloku isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo saya kwilali yaseOfra, safika sahlala phantsi komthi wom-oki owawungokaJowashe, umfo womzi ka-Abhiyezere. Unyana wakhe uGidiyon wayebhula ingqolowa esixovulweni seediliya khon' ukuze angabonwa ngamaMidiyan.


text:
UGidiyon wathi kuso: “Ngxe, Mhlekazi! Ukuba uNdikhoyo unathi, kungani ukuba sihlelwe zizinto ezinje? Zaya phi eza zigigaba zezinto ezimangalisayo sasihlala sibaliselwa ngazo ngoobawo, kusithiwa uNdikhoyo wayezenza – ezo wazenzayo nasekubakhululeni kwakhe eJiputa? Kungokunje uNdikhoyo usilahlile; usinikele ezandleni zamaMidiyan.”


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wabheka kuye, wathi: “Hamba ngala mandla unawo, uwasindise amaSirayeli ezandleni zamaMidiyan. Kaloku ndim okugunyazisayo.”


text:
UGidiyon wathi: “Camagu, Nkosi yam, ndingawahlangula njani na amaSirayeli? Umzi wakowethu ungento nje kwaManase, nam ndingongazelwe nto kowethu nje?”


text:
UNdikhoyo waphendula wathi: “Ndiya kuba nawe. AmaMidiyan uya kuwatshayela, abe ngathi kuwe angumntu omnye.”


text:
UGidiyon waphendula wathi: “Ukuba ungakum, nceda undenzele umqondiso wokuba nguwe Ndikhoyo lo uthetha nam.


text:
Nceda, sukumka de ndibuye nomnikelo, ndiwubeke phambi kwakho.” Saphendula sathi: “Hayi ke, ndiza kuhlala apha ude ubuye.”


text:
UGidiyon ke waya kuxhela ibhokhwe esencinci, wayipheka. Wenza nesonka ngomgubo oziikhilogram ezilishumi. Intlama leyo zange ayidibanise nagwele. Inyama leyo wayifaka ebhaskitini, waza wawuphatha ngembiza umhluzi; waya nazo ezo zinto kwisithunywa sikaNdikhoyo esasiphantsi komthi wom-oki.


text:
Ke sona sathi kuye: “Inyama leyo nesonka zibeke phezu kweli litye, uzigalele umhluzi.” Wenjenjalo ke uGidiyon.


text:
Ke sona isithunywa eso sachukumisa inyama leyo nesonka ngentonga esasiyiphethe. Kwaqhambuka umlilo elityeni, wayilenya inyama leyo kunye nesonka eso. Emva koko isithunywa saphel' emehlweni.


text:
Waqonda ke uGidiyon ukuba sisithunywa sikaNdikhoyo esi asibonileyo. Wavakala esithi: “Yhuu, Ndikhoyo, Ngangalala! Isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo ndisibone ubuso ngobuso!”


text:
Ke uGidiyon wakhela uNdikhoyo iqonga lamadini kuloo ndawo, wathi igama lalo nguNdikhoyo-uluxolo. (Lisekhona ke nangoku eOfra, engumhlaba womzi ka-Abhiyezere.)


text:
Ngobo busuku ke uNdikhoyo wayalela uGidiyon wathi: “Thatha inkunzi yenkomo kwezikayihlo, nditsho le yesibini, le inesixhenxe seminyaka. Uzulidilize ke iqonga likayihlo elakhelwe uBhali, unqunqe nomfanekiso womthi wesithixokazi uAshera osecaleni kweqonga elo.


text:
Yakhela uNdikhoyo iqonga encotsheni yale nqaba, wenze idini elitshiswayo ngenkunzi yesibini leyo, ubase ngalaa mfanekiso ka-Ashera uwunqunqileyo.”


text:
UGidiyon wathatha amadoda alishumi kwizicaka zakhe, wenza ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo. Lo msebenzi ke wawenza ngobusuku, kuba esoyika amawabo nabamelwana.


text:
Bavuka ngentsasa elandelayo abantu baloo lali: nâlo iqonga likaBhali lidiliziwe, nomfanekiso ka-Ashera unqunqiwe, kwaza kwenziwa idini ngenkunzi yenkomo yesibini kwelo qonga lakhiwe kuloo ndawo!


text:
Babuzana ke bathi: “Ngubani na owenze le nto?” Bawuphanda ke lo mcimbi, beva kusithiwa: “NguGidiyon unyana kaJowashe owenze le nto!”


text:
Bathetha noJowashe ke, bathi: “Mkhuphe unyana wakho, simbulale! Udilize iqonga likaBhali, wawunqunqa umfanekiso ka-Ashera obungakulo.”


text:
UJowashe wathi kuloo madoda ayemrharhamela: “Kanti ngoku seningakuBhali? Nini abamkhuselayo? Wonke umntu ongakuBhali uza kufa kungekasi. Ukuba uBhali nguthixo makazilwele; kaloku kudilizwe iqonga lakhe.”


text:
Ukusukela ngoko ke uGidiyon kwathiwa nguJerubhali, kuba uJowashe ethe: “UBhali makahlanganise, kuba liqonga lakhe elidiliziweyo.”


text:
Ahlanganisana ke amaMidiyan nama-Amaleki nezizwe zasempumalanga, baza bawela iJordan, baya kumisa kwintili yaseYizereli.


text:
UGidiyon wagutyungelwa nguMoya kaNdikhoyo, wakhalisa isigodlo ememeza amawabo omzi ka-Abhiyezere ukuba abophelele amlandele.


text:
Wathumela izigidimi ukuba abizwe eze kuye amadoda onke akwaManase. Wathumela nakwa-Ashere, kwaZebhulon, nakwaNafetali, zaza ke zeza nezo zindlu.


text:
UGidiyon wathi ke kuThixo: “Ukuba ngenene uza kuhlangula amaSirayeli ngesandla sam naku ke endiza kukwenza:


text:
Ndiza kubeka uboya begusha phaya esandeni sengqolowa. Ukuba ke kuse ibuboya obo bodwa obunombethe, ungekho kodwa emhlabeni, ndiya kuqonda ke ukuba ngenene uza kuwahlangula ngesandla sam amaSirayeli.”


text:
Ngoku ke wathi uGidiyon kuThixo: “Ungakhathazeki; mandiphinde ndenze esinye isicelo. Nceda undiqinisekise kwakhona ngobu boya. Kwesi isihlandlo ndifuna uboya bome qoko, kodwa wona umhlaba ube manzi.”


text:
Ngobo busuku ke uThixo wayenza loo nto. Ngengomso kwasa uboya bomile, ke wona umhlaba wonke umanzi ngumbethe.


text:
UJerubhali, oko kukuthi uGidiyon, nawo onke amadoda akhe bavuka ngentseni, baya kumisa ngakumthombo waseHarodi. Ke yona ikampu yamaMidiyan yayikwintili engentla kwabo ngakwinduli yeMore.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuGidiyon: “La madoda unawo maninzi gqitha; andingekhe ndiwanikele ezandleni zawo amaMidiyan, hleze aqhayise athi: ‘Sizizuzele ngawethu amandla olu loyiso.’


text:
Ngoko ke thetha nawo uthi: ‘Nabani na ogubhayo luloyiko makagoduke, anyebeleze emke apha kwiintaba zeGiliyadi.’ ” Akuba etshilo ke kwajika amashumi amabini amawaka, kwaza kwasala ishumi lamawaka kuphela.


text:
UNdikhoyo waqhuba wathi kuGidiyon: “Nangoku asemaninzi la madoda unawo. Yihla nawo uye emfuleni; ndiza kuwaphungula. Ke indoda endithe mayihambe nawe, yohamba, kodwa endithe mayisale, mayisale.”


text:
UGidiyon ke waya nawo emanzini apho, waza uNdikhoyo wathi kuye: “Wahlula-hlule la madoda; yonke indoda esela amanzi ngokuwakha ngesandla, ngathi yinja ixhaph' amanzi, yahlule kuleyo icambalalayo xa iselayo.”


text:
Ke kaloku amadoda awakha ngezandla amanzi xa aselayo aba ngamakhulu amathathu; aza ke amanye lawo acambalala xa aselayo.


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wathi kuGidiyon: “Uyabona ke ngoku ndiza kunihlangula ngala makhulu mathathu axhapha amanzi, ndiwanikele ezandleni zakho la maMidiyan. Amanye la amadoda makagoduke.”


text:
Ngoko ke uGidiyon wawagodusa amaSirayeli, ngaphandle kwalaa makhulu mathathu awawugcina umphako ngokunjalo nezigodlo ebezize namanye. Ke wona amaMidiyan ayemise kwintili esezantsi kwabo.


text:
Ngobo busuku ke uNdikhoyo wathetha noGidiyon wathi: “Yihla uye ekampini yamaMidiyan; ndiwanikela esandleni sakho.


text:
Uya kuthi wakuziva iincoko zawo utsho ube nesibindi, uwahlasele.” Ngoko ke uGidiyon noPura isicaka sakhe behla baya kutsho emdeni wekampu yotshaba.


text:
AmaMidiyan nama-Amaleki nezizwe zasempumalanga babethe saa kuloo ntili, sebengathi libubu leenkumbi; kanti ke neenkamela zabo zaziyinyambalala engenakubalwa enjengentlabathi elunxwemeni lolwandle.


text:
Wafika uGidiyon xa kanye indoda ilawulela uwayo iphupha layo, isithi: “Ndiphuphe kuqengqeleka isonka serhasi; senze uqulukubhode sada saza kufika apha kulo mkhosi wethu, sabhodloza enye intente, sayibetha yasisicaba.”


text:
Uwayo lowo ke uthe ukuphendula: “Tyhini, mfondini; nanjani na, lowo ngumkhonto kaGidiyon unyana kaJowashe, umfo wakwaSirayeli. Loo nto ke ithetha ukuba lo mkhosi wamaMidiyan uphela uThixo uwunikela kuye.”


text:
UGidiyon akuliva eli phupha lalo mfo ngokunjalo nokuchazwa kwalo, wasuka wee guqaqa wanqula uThixo. Emva koko ke wabuyela kwakumaSirayeli, wafika wathi: “Qulani niye; uNdikhoyo uwunikele esandleni senu umkhosi wamaMidiyan.”


text:
Loo madoda omkhosi wakhe omakhulu mathathu wawahlula-hlula kathathu, waza indoda nganye wayinika isigodlo nengqayi enesikhuni esivuthayo ngaphakathi.


text:
Wawayala wathi: “Ze nindiqwalasele, nithi sakusondela phaya ekampini yotshaba, nenze loo nto ndiyenzayo.


text:
Xa mna neqela lam sikhalisa izigodlo nani ze nenjenjalo, nijikeleze loo kampu, ngokunjalo nikhwaze nithi: ‘Iwu-u-u, watsh' umkhonto kaNdikhoyo nokaGidiyon!’ ”


text:
UGidiyon nelo khulu lakhe lamadoda waya kufika emdeni wekampu yotshaba, kancinane nje phambi kobhadakazi ebusuku, kanye emva kokutshintshwa kwabalindi. Ke kaloku basuka batsho ngomtyangampo bekhalisa amaxilongo, bazikroboza nezo ngqayi babeziphethe.


text:
Omathathu amaqela ke enza kwaloo nto. Ngezandla zawo zokhohlo athi qhiwu ezo zikhuni zivuthayo; zaye izigodlo zikwesokunene, ekhwaza esithi: “Iwu-u-u, watsh' umkhonto kaNdikhoyo nokaGidiyon!”


text:
Onke ke loo madoda abamb' uhlelo, ewujikelezile loo mkhosi wotshaba, waza ke wacela kooxhongo, uhamba ubhomboloza.


text:
Kwathi ke kuloo ntswahla yayisenziwa ngamadoda kaGidiyon ngezigodlo zawo uNdikhoyo wawubetha wancitheka umkhosi wotshaba, walwa wabulalana wodwa. Wabaleka ke, waya ngaseZerera, waya kufikelela eBhete-shita, ukuya kutsho eAbhele-mehola kufuphi neTabhata.


text:
Kwesi sithuba ke nazo izizwe zakwaNafetali, kwa-Ashere, nakwaManase macal' onke, zahlatyelwa umkhosi, zeza nazo zawasukelisa amaMidiyan.


text:
UGidiyon wathumela izigidimi kulo lonke eleentaba lakwaEfrayim, esithi: “Yihlani nize kulwa namaMidiyan. Vingcan' amazibuko eJordan nasezintlanjeni nide niye kufika eBhete-bhara, khon' ukuze angaweli amaMidiyan.” AmaEfrayim eza ngendlu yawo, aza ke ayivingca iJordan neentlambo zayo ukuya kuthi xhaxhe ngeBhete-bhara.


text:
Azibamba zombini iinkosi zamaMidiyan, uOrebhe noZebhe. UOrebhe ambulalela kwiliwa likaOrebhe, ke yena uZebhe ambulalela kwisixovulelo-diliya sikaZebhe. Awasukela amaMidiyan, aza eza nentloko kaOrebhe nekaZebhe kuGidiyon owayengekayiweli iJordan ngelo xesha.


text:
Ke kaloku amaEfrayim athi kuGidiyon: “Bekutheni ukuze ungasibizi thina ukuphuma kwakho usiya kulwa namaMidiyan? Ngani ukuba usiphathe kanje?” Amxoxisa ngamandla.


text:
Ke yena waphendula wathi: “Ukukhwahlaza kwenu, maEfrayim, kube nengeniso egqithe lé kwisivuno sethu, thina ndlu ka-Abhiyezere.


text:
Kaloku uThixo uzinikele ezandleni zenu zombini iinkosi zamaMidiyan, uOrebhe noZebhe. Ngaba yintoni na mna endiyenzileyo egqithe oko nikwenzileyo nina?” Akuba etshilo ke yadamba ingqumbo yamaEfrayim ngakuGidiyon.


text:
Ngeli thuba ke uGidiyon nomkhosi wakhe omakhulu mathathu bafika kwiJordan. Nakuba babediniwe bayiwela, bawasukela amaMidiyan.


text:
Bakufika eSukoti uGidiyon wathi kubantu bakhona: “Umkhosi wam udiniwe; khaniwuphe isonka, kuba ndisukela ookumkani bamaMidiyan uZebha noZalmuna.”


text:
Amadoda amakhulu aseSukoti ala, athi: “Yini le? Ngaba sewuboyisile ooZebha noZalmuna, khon' ukuze umkhosi wakho siwunike isonka?”


text:
UGidiyon ke wathi: “Hayi ke, kulungile! Akuba ebanikele kum *uNdikhoyo ooZebha noZalmuna, nina ndiya kuniphala ngameva nenkunzane.”


text:
Wagqitha ke waya kutsho ePenuweli, nalapho ke wenza kwaeso sicelo kubantu balapho; nabo ke bamphendula kwangolo hlobo lwamaSukoti.


text:
Wathi ke kubo: “Akukho nto. Ndiza kubuya xa ndiloyisile utshaba, ndaye ke ndakuba ndibuyile ndiya kuyidiliza le nqaba yenu.”


text:
Ke uZebha noZalmuna nomkhosi wabo babeseKarekore. Kuloo mkhosi wabantu basempumalanga kwakuwe amadoda akwisithuba samawaka alikhulu elinamashumi amabini, kwasala ishumi elinesihlanu lamawaka kuphela.


text:
UGidiyon ke wenjenjalo ukumka ngaloo ndlela yabemi basentlango, ngakwimpuma yeNobha neJogebheha, waza wawuqubula loo mkhosi, wawoyisa.


text:
Ke bona ookumkani abo, uZebha noZalmuna, babaleka, waza ke wabasukela wababamba, watsho nomkhosi wabo warhwaqela.


text:
waza wabamba umfana waseSukoti, wamncina ngemibuzo. Lo mfana wabhalela uGidiyon amagama amadoda amakhulu angamashumi asixhenxe anesixhenxe aseSukoti.


text:
UGidiyon ke waya kumaSukoti, wafika wathi: “Naba ke uZebha noZalmuna enaniphoxisa ngam ngenxa yabo, nisithi: ‘Ngaba sewuboyisile na ooZebha noZalmuna, le nto selufuna siwunike isonka umkhosi wakhe odiniweyo?’ ”


text:
Ngoko ke wathatha ameva nenkunzane, wawaphala ngayo, ewafundisa isifundo amadoda amakhulu aseSukoti.


text:
UGidiyon wabuza uZebha noZalmuna wathi: “Ayeluhlobo luni na laa madoda nawabulalayo eTabore?” Ke bona baphendula bathi: “Ayefana nawe lowo kanye – onke ayengathi ngoonyana bokumkani.”


text:
UGidiyon wathi: “Yayingabantakwethu abazalwa ngumama. Inene, ndiyafunga, ekho nje uNdikhoyo, ukuba naningawabulalanga bendingazukunibulala nani ngoku.”


text:
Wayalela unyana wakhe omkhulu, uYetere, wathi: “Khwela kubo; babulale!” Kodwa ke inkwenkwe leyo yoyika, ayabinza, kuba yayiselula.


text:
UZebha noZalmuna bathi ke kuGidiyon: “Sibulale ngokwakho; kaloku indoda ibonakala ngamandla ayo.” UGidiyon ke wababulala, waza wazithatha izihombiso ezazisezintanjeni zeenkamela zabo.


text:
Emva koko ke amaSirayeli acela uGidiyon athi: “Masesilawulwa nguwe nenzala yakho. Kaloku nguwe osihlanguleyo kumaMidiyan.”


text:
Ke yena waphendula wathi: “Hayi, soze nilawulwe ndim nangunyana wam, koko niya kulawulwa *nguNdikhoyo.”


text:
Waqhuba ke wathi: “Mandicele le nto apha kuni: umntu ngamnye makandiphe icici alifumeneyo lisisabelo sakhe sempahla ethinjiweyo.” (Kaloku amaMidiyan, engamaIshmayeli nje, ayefaka amacici.)


text:
AmaSirayeli aphendula athi: “Kulungile, siyavuma ukuyenza loo nto.” Baneka ingubo phantsi, yaza ke yangulowo nalowo wabeka kuyo icici alifumeneyo.


text:
Loo macici egolide awawafumanayo ke uGidiyon aba kwisithuba samashumi amabini eekhilogram ubunzima bawo, ngaphandle kwentsimbi yokuhombisa, amaso, namalaphu amsobo ookumkani bamaMidiyan, nangaphandle kwezihombiso ezazifakwa ezintanyeni zeenkamela.


text:
Ke uGidiyon wayithatha loo golide, wenza *isidanga sonqulo ngayo, wasibeka apho kowabo eOfra. Onke ke amaSirayeli akreqa kuThixo ngenxa yeso sidanga. Le nto yaba ngumgibe kuGidiyon nomzi wakowabo.


text:
Kwaba njalo ke ukoyiswa kwamaMidiyan, akaba savusa mnyele. Ilizwe elo ke lafumana amashumi amane eminyaka yenzolo ngemihla kaGidiyon.


text:
UGidiyon ke unyana kaJowashe wasweleka selekhulile, waza wafihlwa kwingcwaba likayise uJowashe eOfra, idolophu yama-Abhiyezere.


text:
Emva kokusweleka kukaGidiyon ke amaSirayeli zange anyaniseke kuThixo, asuka anqula ooBhali. Asuka athi phithi nguBhali womnqophiso, emenza isithixo sawo,


text:
AmaSirayeli zange anyaniseke kumzi wakuloJerubhali (uGidiyon ukutsho) ngenxa yobulungisa owawubenzele bona.


text:
Unyana kaJerubhali uAbhimeleki waya eShekem kooninalume, wafika wathetha nabo nemizalwana yonke yendlu kayise nonina, wathi:


text:
“Khanithethe nabemi baseShekem xa bebonke, nithi: ‘Nikhetha ntoni na: kukho ukuphathwa ngabo bonke oonyana bakaJerubhali abangamashumi asixhenxe, okanye ukulawulwa nguye abe mnye?’ Khumbulani ukuba ndingumntakwenu.”


text:
Ooninalume ke bamthethelela kubemi baseShekem, baza ke nabo bavuma, kuba babesithi: “Ngumntakwethu.”


text:
Bamnika amashumi asixhenxe eesiliva ababeyithathe endlwini ekunqulelwa kuyo uBhali womnqophiso, waza yena waqesha ngayo iindlavini ukuba zibe ngamahlakani akhe.


text:
Waya nazo kowabo eOfra, waza ke wababulala bonke oonyana bakayise, ebabulalela phezu kwelitye elinye. Kambe ke yona inci kaJerubhali uYotam yazimela yaza yasinda.


text:
Baphuma ke abemi baseShekem nabo bonke abaseBhete-milo, bahlanganisana baya kumthi omkhulu wom-oki oseShekem, bammisela khona uAbhimeleki waba ngukumkani wabo.


text:
Akuyiva le nto uYotam waqabela kwintaba iGerizim, wakhwaza wathi: “Inzwi! Ndiphulaphuleni, maShekem! NoThixo mhlawumbi anganiphulaphula!


text:
Ke wona waphendula wathi: ‘Ngaba nifuna ndiyeke ngoku ukuvelisa amafutha abadunyiswa ngawo uThixo nabantu, khon' ukuze ndiyongamele eminye imithi?’


text:
Ke wona waphendula wathi: ‘Ngaba nifuna ndiyeke ukuvelisa ezi ziqhamo zimnandi kunene, khon' ukuze ndiyongamele eminye imithi?’


text:
Wona ke wathi: ‘Ngaba nifuna ndiyeke ukuvelisa iwayini le yonwabisa uThixo nabantu, khon' ukuze ndiyongamele eminye imithi?’


text:
Kodwa ke wona wathi: ‘Xa ngaba nizimisele ngenene ukundithambisa ndibe ngukumkani wenu, yizani kuzikhusela emthunzini wam; kungenjalo ke makuvele umlilo kula meva am, uyitshise imisedare yaseLebhanon.’ ”


text:
Waqhuba wathi ke uYotam: “Ngaba niyenze ngokunyaniseka na into yokummisela uAbhimeleki abe ngukumkani wenu? Ngaba nenziwe kukumxabisa nokumhlonipha uJerubhali? Ngaba esi senzo nisenza kwinzala yakhe siyifanele na imisebenzi yakhe?


text:
Kodwa ke namhlanje niyivukele inzala kabawo. Nibabulele oonyana bakhe, amashumi asixhenxe onke, phezu kwelitye elinye. Nithe uAbhimeleki unyana awamfumana enkazaneni ezalana nani, namenza ukumkani waseShekem.


text:
Ukuba ke akunjalo, ngamana angadangazela umlilo uAbhimeleki, abatshise abemi baseShekem nabaseBhete-milo; ngamana nabemi baseShekem nabaseBhete-milo bangamlenya ngomlilo noAbhimeleki.”


text:
UThixo wadala umoya ombi phakathi koAbhimeleki nabemi baseShekem, baza bona benza ubuqhetseba ngakuAbhimeleki.


text:
Le nto ke yenzeka ukuze uAbhimeleki nabemi baseShekem abamkhuthazileyo ekugwinteni amashumi asixhenxe oonyana bakaJerubhali, bajike badliwe yinja yabo.


text:
Abemi baseShekem bafuna abantu, bababeka ezintabeni, ukuze balalele uAbhimeleki; suka bona baphanga wonke umntu ogqithayo. Ke uAbhimeleki wayixelelwa yonke le nto.


text:
Ke kaloku kwafika uGali unyana kaEbhede eShekem enabantakwabo. Abemi baseShekem ke babethembele kuye.


text:
Baphuma ke baya kukha iidiliya ezidiliyeni zabo, baza baxovula benza iwayini, babhiyoza. Baphuma baya kwindlu yesithixo sabo, batya basela bamqalekisa uAbhimeleki.


text:
Wathi uGali unyana kaEbhede: “Xa engubani yena uAbhimeleki inzala kaShekem, ukuba sibe phantsi kwakhe? Akanyana kaJerubhali na? AsinguZebhule na ihlakani lakhe? Hayi bo! Masibuse amadoda akwaHamori usoShekem!


text:
Akwaba ibindim okhokela esi sizwe; bendiya kumsusa uAbhimeleki lo! Bendiya kumxelela ndithi: ‘Mawube ngathi uyaqina umkhosi wakho, uphume, khe sidibane.’ ”


text:
Wathumela izigidimi ngasese kuAbhimeleki eAruma, wathi: “UGali unyana kaEbhede nabantakwabo bagalelekile apha eShekem; baxhokonxa abantu khon' ukuze bakuchase.


text:
Ngomso, xa lithi chapha, ze nivuke nisiqubule nisihlasele isixeko. Aze athi ke uGali nomkhosi wakhe akuphuma esiza kulwa nenze oko isandla senu sinako ukukwenza.”


text:
Ngenene ke uAbhimeleki waphuma nomkhosi wakhe ngobusuku, baza bazimela ngaphandle kwaseShekem, bengamaqela amane.


text:
Bathe ke ooAbhimeleki bakumbona uGali ephuma esiya kuma esangweni lesixeko, nabo baphuma ezikhundleni zabo.


text:
Wababona ke uGali, waza wathi kuZebhule: “Khangela, nangaya amadoda esihla encotsheni yentaba!” UZebhule uphendule wathi: “Hayi, ngamathunzi nje eentaba la angathi ngabantu.”


text:
Kwakhona uGali wathi: “Khangela, nangaya amadoda esihla phaya embindini wentaba! Elinye iqela liza ngalaa ndlela ivela kum-oki wezangoma!”


text:
UZebhule waphendula wathi: “Aye phi kaloku amatshamba akho ngoku? Andithi kaloku nguwe kanye owawusithi: ‘Ngubani yena uAbhimeleki ukuba sibe phantsi kwakhe?’ Nango ke laa madoda obuphoxisa ngawo! Hamba kaloku, uphume uye kulwa nawo!”


text:
UGali wasaba, waza ke wasukelwa nguAbhimeleki. Abaninzi benzakalela kwalapho ukuya esangweni lesixeko.


text:
UAbhimeleki wahlala eAruma, waza uZebhule wamdudula uGali nabantakwabo baphuma eShekem, ababa saba nako ukuhlala khona.


text:
waza ke waphuma nomkhosi wakhe wawahlula-hlula kathathu, waya kubalalela emaphandleni. Wathi akubona abantu bephuma esixekweni, naye waphuma ekuzimeleni, wababulala.


text:
Wathi xa axhabashileyo uAbhimeleki neqela lakhe besiya esangweni, aba amanye amaqela la mabini ehlasela abasemaphandleni, ababulala.


text:
Kwaliwa imini yonke. UAbhimeleki wasihlasela isixeko eso, wasithimba, wababulala abantu baso, wasidiliza, umhlaba wawugalela ityuwa.


text:
Bathe ke bakuyiva le nto abemi baseShekem ababesenqabeni yakhona, basuka baya kuzimela kwigumbi elinqatyisiweyo lendlu kaBhali womnqophiso.


text:
waza ke waphuma nomkhosi wakhe, wanyuka intaba iZalmona. Apho ke wathatha izembe, wagawula isebe emthini, walixwaya emagxeni. Wathi kumadoda omkhosi wakhe: “Khawulezani nenjenjalo nani!”


text:
Yaba yileyo naleyo ke indoda yagawula isebe emthini; aza ke alandela uAbhimeleki. Ezo nkuni azayamisa apho kwelo gumbi; aza ke kamva azifaka umlilo, abantu belapho ngaphakathi. Bonke ke abantu ababesenqabeni yaseShekem bafa. Babekwisithuba sewaka lamadoda nababhinqileyo.


text:
Apho ke kwakukho inqaba eyomeleleyo kunene, aza ke onke amadoda nabo bonke ababhinqileyo (abemi bonke besixeko ukutsho) bangena kuyo. Bazitshixela, baya kuhlala phezulu eluphahleni.


text:
Ngoko nangoko ke wabiza umfana owayephatha izikhali zakhe, wathi: “Rhola ikrele lakho undibulale, ukuze kungathiwa ndibulewe ngumfazi.” Ngoko ke umfana lowo wamgwaza wafa.


text:
Ngale ndlela ke uThixo wabuphindezela ububi obabenziwe nguAbhimeleki kuyise ngokubulala abantakwabo abangamashumi asixhenxe.


text:
UThixo wabohlwaya nabantu baseShekem ngenxa yenkohlakalo yabo, njengoko wathethayo uYotam unyana kaJerubhali xa wayebashwabulela.


text:
Emva koAbhimeleki amaSirayeli akhululwa nguTola unyana kaPuwa umzukulwana kaDodo. Yena wayengowendlu kaIsakare, emi eShamire kweleentaba kwaEfrayim.


text:
Wayeyinkokheli kwaSirayeli iminyaka engamashumi amabini nantathu. Akusweleka wangcwatyelwa eShamire.


text:
Emva koTola kwalandela uJayire waseGiliyadi. Wayeyinkokheli kwaSirayeli amashumi amabini anambini eminyaka.


text:
Wayenoonyana abangamashumi amathathu, bonke bekhwele iidonki. Babenezixeko ezimashumi mathathu kwelo laseGiliyadi; nangoku ke kusathiwa ziidolophu zikaJayire.


text:
Kwakhona amaSirayeli aphinda amona *uNdikhoyo ngokusuka akhonze ooBhali nooAshtarte, ngokunjalo nezithixo zamaSiriya, amaSidon, ezamaMowabhi, ama-Amon, namaFilistiya. Amfulathela, ayeka ukumkhonza uNdikhoyo.


text:
Yaba yiminyaka esibhozo ezi zizwe ziwatshutshisa ziwacinezela amaSirayeli awayehlala phesheya kweJordan eGiliyadi kwelama-Amori.


text:
Ama-Amon ada ayiwela iJordan, ahlasela kwelakwaJuda, kwaBhenjamin, nakwaEfrayim. AmaSirayeli ayekwenkulu inkxwaleko.


text:
AmaSirayeli ke ada azibika kuNdikhoyo, athi: “Sikonile; sisuke sakufulathela, wena Thixo wethu, sanqula ooBhali.”


text:
amaSidon, ama-Amaleki, namaMawoni, anicinezela, naza nazibika kum. Andithi na kanene ndanihlangula kuwo?


text:
Nakuba kunjalo naphinda nandishiya, nakhonza thixo bambi; ngoko ke ngoku unakanye ukuba ndiphinde ndinihlangule.


text:
AmaSirayeli ke athi kuNdikhoyo: “Siyasivuma isono sethu. Yenza kuthi ngokubona kwakho; kambe ke nceda usihlangule namhlanje.”


text:
Asuke ke amaSirayeli abalahla oothixo basemzini, akhonza uNdikhoyo; waza ke yena wahlabeka ngenxa yokubandezeleka kwamaSirayeli.


text:
Ke ama-Amon axhobela imfazwe, aza ahlanganisana eGiliyadi. Ke wona amaSirayeli ahlanganisana aza emisa eMizpa.


text:
Ke kaloku amadoda amakhulu aseGiliyadi afakana imilomo esithi: “Ngaba ngubani oza kusikhokela silwe nala ma-Amon? Lowo uya kuba yintloko yethu sonke apha eGiliyadi.”


text:
wayenabanye oonyana, bezalwa ngumkakhe; bathi bakukhula bamgxotha uJefta. Bathi kuye: “Wena awunakuzuza lifa kwindlu katata; kaloku uzalwa mfazi wumbi.”


text:
Wasaba ke uJefta kubantakwabo, waya kuhlala kumhlaba waseTobhi. Apho ke kwabuthelana kuye iindlavini ezithile, zaza zaba ngamahlakani akhe.


text:
Waphendula ke yena wathi: “Andithi na kanene nandithiya kangangokuba nada nandigxotha endlwini kabawo. Ngani ke ngoku ukuba nithi nakuba sengxakini nize kum?”


text:
Ke wona azibika kuye athi: “Ewe, naxa kunjalo sibhenela kuwe ngoku, kuba sifuna uhambe nathi, ulwe nama-Amon. Uya kuba yintloko yethu sonke thina maGiliyadi.”


text:
UJefta ke wathi kumadoda aseGiliyadi: “Ukuba ndithe ndabuyela kuni, ndaza ngoncedo lukaNdikhoyo ndawoyisa ama-Amon, ngaba niyavuma ngenene ukuba ndibe yintloko yenu?”


text:
Ngenene ke uJefta wagoduka nawo amadoda amakhulu aseGiliyadi, baza ke abantu bakhona bammisela waba yintloko nenjengele yabo. Ke uJefta wayivakalisa imiqathango yokuvumelana kwabo eMizpa phambi koNdikhoyo.


text:
UJefta ke wathumela izigidimi kukumkani wama-Amon, ebuza esithi: “Yintoni isizekabani sokuba ulihlasele ilizwe lakowethu?”


text:
Ukumkani wama-Amon waziphendula izigidimi zikaJefta, wathi: “Ngokuya amaSirayeli ayevela eJiputa athatha umhlaba wam, ukusuka kumlambo iAnoni, ukuya kwiJabhoki, kuye kuqhina ngeJordan. Wubuyiseni ke ngoku ngaphandle kokuxambulisana.”


text:
esithi: “UJefta uthi: ‘Hayi, uyaphazama; uSirayeli zange athathe mhlaba wamaMowabhi namhlaba wama-Amon.


text:
Nantsi into eyenzekayo: AmaSirayeli ukuphuma kwawo eJiputa, anqumla intlango, aya kutsho kuLwandle oluBomvu, agaleleka eKadeshe.


text:
Athumela izigidimi kukumkani wase-Edom, ecela ukuba awavumele acande emhlabeni wakhe. Kodwa ke yena zange awavumele. Kwakhona athumela kukumkani waseMowabhi, acela ukuba awavumele anqumle emhlabeni wakhe, kodwa naye zange avume. Ngoko ke amaSirayeli ahlala apho eKadeshe.


text:
Asuka ke anqumla intlango, awucezela umhlaba wase-Edom nowaseMowabhi, ada aya kufika kwimpuma yeMowabhi, ngaphesheya komlambo iAnoni. Akazange angene kwelaseMowabhi, kuba kaloku iAnoni yayingumda.


text:
AmaSirayeli athumela kuSihon ukumkani wama-Amori eHeshbhon, athi: “Sivumele sinqumle siye emhlabeni wethu.”


text:
Kambe ke zange uSihon akholiseke ukuba banqumle emhlabeni wakhe. Suka waqokelela umkhosi wakhe eJahazi, waza wahlasela uSirayeli.


text:
Kodwa ke uNdikhoyo uThixo wamaSirayeli wamnikela ezandleni zamaSirayeli uSihon nomkhosi wakhe wonke. Ngoko ke amaSirayeli awuthimba wonke umhlaba wama-Amori awayehlala kuloo mmandla;


text:
ewe, wonke loo mhlaba wama-Amori, ukusuka ezantsi eAnoni ukuya kutsho phezulu eJabhoki, ngokunjalo nokusuka empuma entlango ukuya kuthi xhaxhe ngeJordan entshonalanga.


text:
Ngoko ke nguNdikhoyo uThixo wamaSirayeli owawagxothayo ama-Amori, khon' ukuze kungene abantu bakhe amaSirayeli. Ngaba uzama ukuwohlutha kuthi ke ngoku?


text:
Hlala wena naloo ndawo akunike yona uKemoshi uthixo wakho. Ke thina siza kuhlala kule siyinikwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.


text:
Ngaba wena ungcono kunoBhalaki unyana kaZipora, ukumkani waseMowabhi? Andithi yena zange acele mngeni kuSirayeli! Wakha walwa nathi kakade?


text:
Ngamakhulu amathathu eminyaka uSirayeli emi eHeshbhon naseAruri nakwiidolophu ezikuloo mmandla, ngokunjalo nakwizixeko eziphezu komlambo iAnoni. Ubukade uwuyekeleni lo mhlaba?


text:
Hayi bo, andikhange ndikwenze nto mna! Nguwe onxaxhayo ngokundihlasela. UNdikhoyo uMgwebi makagwebe ngokwakhe namhlanje phakathi kwamaSirayeli nama-Amon.’ ”


text:
Ke uJefta wafikelwa nguMoya kaNdikhoyo. Wanqumla iGiliyadi nommandla wakwaManase, waya kutsho eMizpa eGiliyadi, waza ke waphuma apho waya kuhlasela ama-Amon.


text:
into yokuqala ephume endlwini yam yandihlangabeza xa ndibuya sekuluxolo iya kuba yekaNdikhoyo; ndiya kuyenza idini elitshiswayo.”


text:
Wawavuthulula ukusuka eAruri ukuya eMiniti; yaba ngamashumi amabini ezixeko ukuya kutsho eAbhele-keramin. USirayeli wawangenela kwajub' ugodo, oyisakala ama-Amon.


text:
UJefta xa abuyayo esiya kufika emzini wakhe eMizpa, yaphuma intombi yakhe, yamhlangabeza ingqiyaza, ihamba ingqungqa, idlala intambula. Yayingumntwana okukuphela kwakhe, engenanyana nantombi ngaphandle kwakhe.


text:
Wathi ke akuyibona wakhathazeka, waziqwenga iimpahla zakhe. Wadanduluka wathi: “Awu, mntwan' am! Ngani ukuba undenjenje ukundixhela! Nguwe ngoku isizekabani sentlungu yam? Ewe, ndifungile ndamthembisa *uNdikhoyo, ngoko ke andinakubuya ngamva!”


text:
Yathi ke yona kuyise: “Hayi, tata, xa ubumthembisile uNdikhoyo ndenze loo nto ubumthembise ukuba uya kuyenza ngam; kaloku yena ukuphumelelisile wakuphindezela ezintshabeni zakho ama-Amon.”


text:
Ke yona yacela kuyise yathi: “Kambe ke, tata, ndicela le nto yodwa: Khawundiyeke iinyanga zibe mbini, khon' ukuze ndikhe ndibhadule nabalingane bam ezintabeni, ndiyizilele into yokuba ndiza kuhlala ndiyintombi.”


text:
Wavuma ke uyise, yaza ke yona yemka iinyanga zambini. Yahamba nezinye iintombi ezingabalingane bayo ibhadula ezintabeni, yazilela ubuntombi bayo.


text:
Zakuphela iinyanga ezimbini yabuyela kuyise, waza ke yena wenza ngokwesibhambathiso sakhe kuNdikhoyo. Ngoko ke yahlala iyintombi nto. Saqala kanjalo ke esi sithethe sakwaSirayeli


text:
Ke wona amaEfrayim axhobela imfazwe, aza aphuma aya eZafoni, afika athi kuJefta: “Bekungani ukuba ungasibizi thina xa usiya kulwa nama-Amon? Uyabona ke ngoku siza kuyitshisa indlu yakho wena uphakathi kuyo!”


text:
UJefta waphendula wathi: “Hayi kaloku, thina nabantu bam sasuka saxabana nama-Amon, saza sathi sakunibiza ukuba nize kusihlangula nasuka anasabela.


text:
Ndithe ke ndakuqonda ukuba anizi, ndasuka ndazilahlela, ndawuwela umda, ndaya kulwa, waza ke *uNdikhoyo wawanikela ezandleni zam. Ngani ukuba ngoku nina nifune kum?”


text:
Ke uJefta wawaqokelela amaGiliyadi, walwa nawo amaEfrayim, wawoyisa. (AmaEfrayim ke athi: “Nina maGiliyadi niziimbacu eziphuma kwaEfrayim nakwaManase.”)


text:
Ke kaloku amaGiliyadi avingca amazibuko eJordan, khon' ukuze amaEfrayim angaweli asabe. Kuthe ke, yakufika imbacu yakwaEfrayim, isithi kumaGiliyadi: “Khanindivumele ndiwele,” ayibuze athi: “Akunguye kodwa umEfrayim?” Ukuba iphendule yathi: “Hayi,”


text:
amaGiliyadi ayesithi kuye: “Khawuthi: ‘Shibholethi.’ ” Ukuba ungumEfrayim ebesuka angakwazi ukulibiza eli gama, koko athi: “Sibholethi.” Ayesuka amtsibele umntu lowo, ambulale apho ezibukweni leJordan. Ngelo thuba ke kwabulawa amaEfrayim angamashumi amane anambini amawaka.


text:
Yaba yiminyaka emithandathu uJefta eyinkokheli kwaSirayeli, waza ke wasweleka, wafihlwa ekhayeni lakhe eGiliyadi.


text:
Wayenoonyana abangamashumi amathathu neentombi ezikwangako. Iintombi zakhe wazendisela kwezinye izizwe; waza ngokunjalo noonyana bakhe wabathathela iintombi kwezinye izizwe. Wayeyinkokheli kwaSirayeli iminyaka esixhenxe uIbzan,


text:
Yena ke wayenoonyana abamashumi mane nabazukulwana abangoonyana abamashumi mathathu; babekhwele iidonki ezimashumi asixhenxe. Ke uAbdon waba yinkokheli kwaSirayeli iminyaka esibhozo.


text:
Ke kaloku amaSirayeli aphinda amona *uNdikhoyo, waza ke yena wawanikela ezandleni zamaFilistiya amashumi amane eminyaka.


text:
Ke kaloku kwakukho umfo waseZora ogama linguManowa. Yena wayengowendlu kaDan. Umkakhe wayelidlolo, engafumani bantwana.


text:
Ke isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo sabonakala kuye, saza sathetha naye sathi: “Njengoko ungazanga waba namntwana, ngoku uza kukhawula, uze ufumane unyana.


text:
Uyabona ke, kufuneka uzigcine, ungaseli wayini natywala, ungatyi nanye into engavunyelwanga ngumthetho kaThixo.


text:
Ewe, selukhulelwe; uza kuzala unyana. Ke yena ze zingaze zichetywe iinwele zentloko yakhe, kuba kaloku le nkwenkwe iya kuba *lilolo likaThixo kwasesizalweni sakho. Yiyo eya kuqala ukuhlangula amaSirayeli kumaFilistiya.”


text:
Lo mfazi ke waya kuxelela indoda yakhe, wathi: “Ndibone ndifikelwa ngumfo wakwaThixo onenkangeleko yesithunywa sikaThixo; uyoyikeka kakhulu. Andimbuzanga apho avela khona, engandixelelanga negama lakhe.


text:
Uthe kum: ‘Ùyabona, selukhulelwe; uza kuzala unyana. Ke ngoko uzungaseli wayini natywala, ungatyi nanye into engavunyelwanga ngumthetho kaThixo, kuba le nkwenkwe iya kuba lilolo likaThixo kwasesizalweni sakho, kude kube yimini yokufa kwayo.’ ”


text:
Ke kaloku uManowa wathandaza kuNdikhoyo, wathi: “Ngxe, Nkosi yam, khawuphinde umthumele umfo wakwaThixo obumthumile, eze kusifundisa ukuba siyiphathe kanjani na inkwenkwe leyo yakuvela.”


text:
UThixo ke wenza ngokwesicelo sikaManowa, isithunywa sakhe sabuya seza kumkakhe esemasimini, phofu yena uManowa engekho.


text:
Ke umfazi wakhawuleza waya kuxelela indoda yakhe, wathi: “Laa mfo ubeze kum ngalaa mini uphinde wabonakala!”


text:
Waphakama ke uManowa, walandela umkakhe. Wafika wayibuza ke indoda wathi: “Ungulaa mfo wayethethe nenkosikazi yam?” “Ndinguye,” watsho umfo lowo.


text:
Waqhuba ke uManowa wathi: “Ke, akuba ezalisekile la mazwi akho, imelwe kukuziphatha njani inkwenkwe leyo, yenze ntoni?”


text:
Into ephuma emdiliyeni makangayifaki emlonyeni, angaseli wayini natywala, angayityi nento engavunyelwanga ngumthetho kaThixo. Makakunyamekele konke endimyalele kona akwenze.”


text:
Ke uManowa wathi kwisithunywa sikaNdikhoyo: “Khawuhlale, khon' ukuze ndikuxhelele itakanana lebhokhwe.”


text:
Ke sathi kuye: “Nokuba ndingade ndihlale, sobe ndikutye ukutya kwakho. Into ongayenzayo wena kukwenzela uNdikhoyo idini elitshiswayo.” Kaloku uManowa wayengaqondi ukuba sisithunywa sikaNdikhoyo esi athetha naso.


text:
UManowa ke wasibuza isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo wathi: “Kakade ke ungubani igama lakho? Kuba ke sifuna ukukuwonga akuzaliseka la mazwi akho.”


text:
Saphendula ke sona sathi: “Ngani ukuba ubuze igama lam? Ligama elingummangaliso eligqitha ukuqonda!”


text:
Ngoko ke uManowa wathatha igatyana lebhokhwe kunye nokutya okuziinkozo, wenza idini phezu kwelitye, elenzela uNdikhoyo. UNdikhoyo wênza into emangalisayo uManowa nomkakhe bebukele.


text:
Wathi wakudangazela umlilo apho eqongeni, unyuka usiya ezulwini, uManowa nomkakhe basibona isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo sinyuka ngelo langatye, baza baziphosa emhlabeni. Abaphindanga ke basibone isithunywa eso.


text:
Kambe ke yena umkakhe waphendula wathi: “Ukuba uNdikhoyo ebefuna ukusibulala ngengalamkelanga idini lethu elitshiswayo nomnikelo wethu wokutya; futhi ngengasibonisanga okanye asixelele izinto ezinje.”


text:
Ke kaloku umka-Manowa wafumana umntwana oyinkwenkwe, baza bayithiya igama elinguSamson. Yakhula ke inkwenkwe leyo, uNdikhoyo wayithamsanqela.


text:
Akugoduka wathi kuyise nonina: “Ndibone intombi yomFilistiya eTimna; ke ndithatheleni yona ibe ngumfazi wam.”


text:
Uyise nonina bathi: “Ngani ukuba ude uye kuthatha umfazi kumaFilistiya angalukiyo? Bekungasekho zintombi na apha phakathi kwamawethu?” Kambe ke uSamson wathi: “Ndithatheleni yona, kuba ikuphela kwentombi endifaneleyo.”


text:
Uyise nonina babengaqondi ukuba le nto inomnwe kaThixo; kaloku uThixo wayefuna isizathu sokulwa namaFilistiya. Ngelo thuba kaloku amaSirayeli ayephantsi kwamaFilistiya.


text:
USamson wahamba noyise nonina, baya eTimna. Ngasezidiliyeni zaseTimna ke uSamson wabona igatyana lengonyama ligquma lisiza ngakuye.


text:
Suka ke yena wambeswa amandla nguMoya *kaNdikhoyo, waza ke waliqwenga ngathi uqwenga itakane lebhokhwe. Kambe ke akabaxelelanga abazali bakhe ngale nto.


text:
Emva kwethutyana ke waya kuyithatha ibe ngumfazi wakhe. Apho endleleni ke wakha wacebuka, kuba efuna ukuqonda ngaloo ngonyama wayeyibulele. Suka ke wayifumana selilibubu leenyosi elinobusi.


text:
Waphakula ubusi apho ke kuyo, wahamba ebutya; waphathela noyise nonina. Kambe ke akabaxelelanga ukuba ubusi obo ubuphakule kwisidumbu sengonyama.


text:
Uyise ke waya apho ebukhozini bakhe, waza yena uSamson wenza umbhiyozo khona, njengoko elo yayilisiko ababeqhuba ngalo abafana.


text:
Ke uSamson wathi kubo: “Makhe ndinenzele iqhina. Ukuba nithe nanako ukulicombulula ngezi ntsuku zisixhenxe zomtshato, ndoninika iingubo zelinen ezimashumi mathathu, ngokunjalo nezinye iimpahla zokuhomba ezikwangako.


text:
Kodwa ke ukuba anibanga nako ukulicombulula, niya kundinika amashumi amathathu eengubo zelinen, ngokunjalo nezinye iimpahla zokuhomba ezikwangako.” Ke bona bathi: “Yiza nalo sibone kaloku.”


text:
Waza ke yena wathi: “Kwaphuma ukutya kotyayo, kwavela incasa konamandla.” Yada yaba ziintsuku ezintathu emva koko bengekalikhululi elo qhina.


text:
Ngosuku lwesine ke bathethe nomtshakazi bathi: “Khawusincede ucenga-cengane nendoda yakho, ikuxelele eli qhina. Kungenjalo siza kuyitshisa le ndlu kayihlo, nitshele khona. Kakade ngaba nisimemele apha ukuze nisikhuthuze?”


text:
Umtshakazi lowo waya selenyembezana kuSamson, wafika wathi: “Hayi, kucacile ukuba awundithandi, undithiyile! Usuka wenzele amawethu iqhina, kodwa mna akundixeleli ukuconjululwa kwalo!” Waphendula ke yena wathi: “Ndingathini ukuxelela wena ndingekabaxeleli utata nomama?”


text:
Hayi ke, umtshakazi walilela umyeni wakhe zonke ezo ntsuku zomtshato. Wada woyisakala ngolu lwesixhenxe umyeni, wamxelela, kuba kucaca ukuba umhlalise manzondololwana. Ke umtshakazi lowo waya kuhlebela abafana bakowabo.


text:
Ngoko ke ngosuku lwesixhenxe, lingekatshoni ilanga, abafana abo beza kuSamson, bafika bathi: “Yintoni engaphezu kobusi ngobumnandi? Iyintoni enamandla ngaphezu kwengonyama?” USamson ke waphendula wathi: “Ukuba beningalimanga ngethokazi lam ngeningalicombululanga eli qhina.”


text:
Ke kaloku uSamson wambeswa amandla nguMoya kaNdikhoyo, waza wehla waya eAshkelon. Apho ke wabulala amashumi amathathu amadoda, waza wayithatha impahla yawo, wayinika abo bafana babecombulule iqhina lakhe. Ke yena wagoduka evutha ngumsindo ngenxa yale nto ihlileyo.


text:
Ke kaloku ekuhambeni kwexesha uSamson watyelela umkakhe xa kuvunwa ingqolowa. Wahamba eqhuba ibhokhwe. Wafika wathi kumkhwe wakhe: “Ndifuna khe ndiye egumbini lomkam.” Kambe ke yena wala,


text:
esithi: “Bendiba akusamfuni mpela, ndaza ke ndamnikela kumhlobo wakho ukuba abe ngumkakhe. Phofu udade wabo omncinci yinzwakazi kunaye; ngoko ke kunganjani useluthatha yena?”


text:
Ke kaloku wahamba wabamba amakhulu amathathu eempungutye. Wazidibanisa ngemisila ngambini ngambini, ebophelela ukhuni olunevithi apho ekudibaneni kwemisila.


text:
Ezo zikhuni wazintumeka ngomlilo, wazikhulula iimpungutye, zabalekela emasimini anengqolowa amaFilistiya. Ngale ndlela ke kwatsha izipha zengqolowa eseyivuniwe ngokunjalo neyayingekavunwa. Yatsha nemiyezo yediliya nomnquma.


text:
Athe amaFilistiya akubuzisa esithi: “Ngubani owenze le nto?” afumanisa kusithiwa: “NguSamson; ucatshukiswe ngumkhwe wakhe, umfo waseTimna, ngokusuka anikezele umkakhe kumhlobo wakhe.” Ngoko ke amaFilistiya asuka amtshisa loo mfo nentombi leyo.


text:
Ke amadoda akwaJuda abuza athi: “Kutheni le nto nize kusihlasela?” AmaFilistiya aphendula athi: “Size kubamba uSamson; sifuna ukumvisa le nto asivise yona nathi.”


text:
Kwaphuma amawaka amathathu amadoda apho kwaJuda, aya emqolombeni e-Etam, afika athetha noSamson, athi: “Ungathini ukusenza into enje? Akuyazi into yokuba siphantsi kwamaFilistiya?” Ke yena wathi: “Hayi, mna ndiwavise le nto ebendivise yona nawo.”


text:
Ke wona athi: “Size kukukhonkxa, ukuze sikuse kumaFilistiya.” USamson wathi: “Fungani ukuba anizi kundilimaza ngokwenu.”


text:
Aphendula ke wona athi: “Hayi, nakanye; nto nje sifuna ukukukhonkxa, sikunikezele kuwo.” Ngenene ke amqamangela ngeentsontelo ezimbini ezintsha, abuya naye apho emqolombeni.


text:
Uthe ke akufika eLerhi, amaFilistiya eza kuye egxalathelana ekhwaza. Ke kaloku wambeswa amandla nguMoya *kaNdikhoyo, zaza ezo ntsontelo wayebotshwe ngazo iingalo nezandla zaba ngathi ngumsonto ulenywa ngumlilo, zaza zakhululeka nezandla zakhe.


text:
Wadanduluka ke wathi: “Ngomhlathi wedonki ndawatsho aqungquluza. Ndigeqe iwaka lamadoda ngomhlathi wedonki.”


text:
USamson wasuka wanxanwa gqitha, waza wazibika kuNdikhoyo, wathi: “Mna sicaka sakho olu loyiso ndilufumene ngawe; ngani ke ngoku ukuba ndide ndife lunxano, ndibe sisisulu sezi ntlanga?”


text:
Ngoko ke uThixo wavula umngxuma emhlabeni khona apho eLerhi, kwaza ke kwaphuma amanzi. Wasela ke uSamson, abuya amandla akhe, waziva ehlaziyekile. Loo ndawo ke kwathiwa yiEn-hakore. Nangoku ke isekho apho eLerhi.


text:
Abantu baseGaza baxelelwa kwathiwa: “USamson ulapha.” Baza bawurhawula loo mzi ubusuku bonke, bamlalela nasemasangweni esixeko. Bahlala ubusuku bonke, besithi: “Kwakusa ngomso sombulala.”


text:
Kambe ke yena uSamson wavuka phakathi kobusuku, waya esangweni lesixeko, wafika wayibamba imigubasi kunye neengcango nomvalo, wasiphula konke. Wayixwaya emagxeni, waya nayo kwinduli ekhangelene neHebron.


text:
Ke izikhulu zamaFilistiya zaya kuyo, zathi: “Msondeze uSamson de akuxelele imfihlelo yala mandla akhe angaka, ucebise ukuba singenza kanjani na ukuze simbambe, simbophe, simoyise. Umntu ngamnye kuthi uya kukunika iisiliva ezilishumi elinanye lamakhulu.”


text:
Ngoko ke uDelila wacengana noSamson, wathi: “Ndihlebele; uwathatha phi la mandla angaka? Ungabotshwa ngantoni ukuze woyisakale?”


text:
USamson wamphendula wathi: “Ukuba ndingabotshwa ngesixhenxe seentsontelo ezingekomi, amandla am angatha, ndifane nabanye abantu.”


text:
Izikhulu zamaFilistiya ke zanika uDelila iintsontelo ezisixhenxe ezingekomi, waza ke wambopha ngazo uSamson.


text:
Ke kaloku uDelila wayefihle amadoda endlwini apho, waza ke wakhwaza wathi: “Nanga amaFilistiya, Samson!” Ke yena uSamson ezo ntsontelo wazithi gqashu-gqashu okomtya ulenywa ngumlilo. Ngoko ke imfihlelo yamandla akhe yasala ingaziwa mntu.


text:
UDelila wathetha noSamson, wathi: “Wena uphoxe ngam, wandixokisa. Khawundixelele ukuba ungabotshwa ngantoni na.”


text:
USamson waphendula wathi: “Ukuba banokundibopha ngeentsontelo ezintsha ezingekasebenzi, amandla am angetha, ndifane nabanye abantu.”


text:
Ke uDelila wathatha iintsontelo ezintsha, wambopha ngazo uSamson, waza wakhwaza wathi: “Nanga amaFilistiya, Samson!” AmaFilistiya ke ayelalele endlwini apho. Kodwa yena uSamson waziqhawula ezo ntsontelo ezazisezingalweni zakhe zanga yimisonto.


text:
UDelila wathi kuSamson: “Nangoku uyawaphoxa ngam, wandixokisa. Khawundixelele ukuba ungabotshwa ngantoni na.” Waphendula ke uSamson wathi: “Ukuba unokwenza amafrerha asixhenxe entloko kum, uze uwaluke kunye nemisonto, uwaqinise ngoluthi lokuluka, ndingetha amandla, ndifane nabanye abantu.”


text:
Ke uDelila wathi akulala uSamson wawaluka ngemisonto amafrerha asixhenxe kaSamson ewaqinisa ngoluthi, wakhwaza wathi: “Nanga amaFilistiya, Samson!” Wasuka wavuka uSamson, waluncothula uluthi, wayixhwitha imisonto.


text:
UDelila ke wathi kuSamson: “Ungathini ukuthi uyandithanda kodwa akundithembi! Kokwesithathu ngoku uphoxisa ngam, ibe ke nangoku akukandixeleli ukuba uwathatha phi la mandla angaka.”


text:
wamchazela konke, wathi: “Iinwele zam zange zichetywe. Ndanikelwa *ndalilolo likaThixo kwasekuzalweni kwam. Xa zinokuchetywa iinwele zam, angaphela amandla am, ndibe buthathaka nam, ndifane nabanye abantu.”


text:
UDelila akuqonda ukuba uxelelwe yonke inyaniso nguSamson, wathumela kwizikhulu zamaFilistiya, wathi: “Yizani kwakhona; undixelele konke.” Ke zeza zimphathele imali leyo.


text:
UDelila walalisa uSamson emathangeni akhe, waza ke wabiza umntu, wacheba amafrerha osixhenxe akhe. Ngokwenjenje ke uDelila wamenza waphelelwa ngamandla uSamson.


text:
Wathi: “Nanga amaFilistiya, Samson!” Ke yena wavuka ebuthongweni esithi: “Ndiya kubuya ndiwavuthulule ndiphuncuke.” Kambe ke wayengaqondi ukuba ushiyiwe *nguNdikhoyo.


text:
AmaFilistiya ke ambamba, amkhupha amehlo, amtyhaphaza. Amthatha amsa eGaza, amqamangela ngamatyathanga obhedu, amfaka emsebenzini wokusila entolongweni.


text:
Izikhulu zamaFilistiya zahlanganisana zabhiyoza, zisenzela uthixo wazo uDagoni isiyikayika sedini. Zadanduluka zathi: “Uthixo wethu ulunikele esandleni sethu utshaba lwethu uSamson!”


text:
Kwathi xa kumnandi apho kwelo theko, zathi: “Yizani noSamson, eze kusonwabisa!” Bathi ke bakumkhupha uSamson entolongweni, bahlekisa ngaye, bammisa phakathi kweentsika. Abantu ke bakumbona uSamson badumisa uthixo wabo, bathi: “Uthixo wethu ulunikele esandleni sethu utshaba lwethu oluzise intshabalalo kwilizwe lethu, lwabulala abantu bethu abaninzi kangaka!”


text:
USamson wathetha nomfana owayemrhola, wathi: “Khawume khe ndizive iintsika zesi sakhiwo. Ndifuna ukwayama ngazo.”


text:
Indlu leyo ke yayizele ngamadoda nabafazi. Zonke izikhulu zamaFilistiya zazilapho; bebonke abantu babekwisithuba samawaka amathathu, beseluphahleni, bembukele behlekisa ngoSamson.


text:
Ke kaloku uSamson wazibika kuNdikhoyo, wathi: “Ndikhoyo, Nkosi yam, ndikhumbule; nceda, Thixo wam, khawubuyise amandla am okwesi sihlandlo nje sodwa, ukuze ndiziphindezele kumaFilistiya ngenxa yesenzo sawo sokundikhupha amehlo.”


text:
Ke uSamson wafikelela kwiintsika ezisesizikithini sesakhiwo eso. Wabamba yanye ngesokunene, enye wayibamba ngesokhohlo;


text:
waza wadanduluka wathi: “Mandife kunye namaFilistiya!” Wazisunduza ngamandla akhe onke – folokohlo didli! Sadilika isakhiwo; zafela apho ezo zikhulu ndawonye nabo bonke ababekhona. Ekufeni kwakhe uSamson wabulala abantu abaninzi ngaphezu kwabo wababulala esadl' ubomi.


text:
Ke kaloku abantakwabo nawo onke amawabo baya kuwuthatha umzimba wakhe, bagoduka nawo. Bamfihla kwingcwaba likayise uManowa phakathi kweZora ne-Eshtawoli. Waba yinkokheli yamaSirayeli iminyaka engamashumi amabini.


text:
Yathetha nonina, yathi: “Ngokuya wawubelwe ishumi elinanye leesiliva ndakuva ushwabula. Kambe ke ikum loo mali; yathathwa ndim.” Unina wamsikelela, wathi: “*UNdikhoyo makakuthamsanqele, nyana wam.”


text:
Waza ke unyana lowo wayibuyisela kunina loo mali. Ke yena unina wathi: “Le mali ngoku yekaNdikhoyo; ndiyinikezela kuye ukuze unyana wam aqingqe umfanekiso, utyatyekwe ngesiliva, kwanomfanekiso otyhidiweyo. Ngoko ke le siliva ndiyibuyisela kwakuwe.”


text:
Imali leyo wayibuyisela kunina ke, yena wathatha amakhulu amabini kuloo siliva, wawanika ingcibi, eyakrola umfanekiso otyatyekwe ngesiliva, yenza nomnye otyhidiweyo. Wabekwa endlwini kaMika.


text:
Lo mfo unguMika ke wayenesibingelelo sakhe. Wenza imifanekiso eqingqiweyo ndawonye *nesidanga, waza wamisela omnye koonyana bakhe wangumbingeleli.


text:
Waphuma ke eBhetelehem, efuna indawo anokuxhwarha kuyo. Esabhadula njalo waya kugaleleka kwaMika kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim.


text:
UMika wambuza wathi: “Uvela phi?” Ke yena waphendula wathi: “NdingumLevi waseBhetelehem kwelakwaJuda. Ndifuna indawo endingaxhwarha kuyo.”


text:
UMika wathetha naye ke, wathi: “Sowuhlala apha kum, ube ngumfundisi nombingeleli wam; ndiya kukuhlawula ngeshumi leesiliva ngonyaka, ndawonye nempahla yokunxiba nokutya.”


text:
UMika wathi: “Njengokuba umbingeleli wam engumLevi nje, ndiyazi ukuba uNdikhoyo uya kundithi jize ngenkqubela.”


text:
Ngelo thuba ke uSirayeli wayengenakumkani. Ke yona indlu kaDan yayisazifunela umhlaba owawuza kuba lilifa layo, kuba ukuza kuthi ga ngoku yayingekafumani mhlaba ungowayo njengezinye izindlu zikaSirayeli.


text:
Ngoko ke amaDan akhetha amagorha amahlanu awaziwayo, amela isizwe sawo siphela. Awakhupha eZora nase-Eshtawoli, awayala athi: “Hlolani ilizwe elo.” Athi akufika kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim, alalisa kwaMika.


text:
Athe elapho akunakana ukubetha kolwimi lomfana womLevi, aza aya kuye, abuza athi: “Uzokwenza ntoni apha? Uze nabani?”


text:
Uphendule wathi: “Hayi, ndilapha nje ndinezigqibo noMika; undiqeshe ukuba ndibe ngumbingeleli wakhe.”


text:
La madoda ke amcela athi: “Khawusibuzele kuThixo, uqonde ukuba luza kuba nempumelelo na uhambo lwethu.”


text:
La madoda aphuma apho, afika eLayishe. Ke afumanisa ukuba abantu bakhona babengoyiki nto, koko babehleli ngokonwaba njengamaSidon. Yayiluhlanga oluzolileyo olungenanxa namntu, futhi lungaswele nto. Babemi kude namaSidon, futhi kungekho sizwe simbi banomnqophiso naso.


text:
La madoda ke athi akubuyela ekhaya eZora nase-Eshtawoli abuzwa ngamawawo kwathiwa: “Ibinjani na ihambo?”


text:
Ke wona aphendula athi: “Yizani, mawethu, masiye kuyihlasela iLayishe. Siwubonile laa mhlaba; mhle kakhulu. Ngoko ke sanukuba salibazisa; masithathe khona siye, siwohluthe laa mhlaba!


text:
Nakufika khona niya kufumanisa ukuba abantu bakhona bazihlalele nje, abanaxhala lanto. Ewe, ilizwe elo lithe gabalala; mayela neentswelo zomntu kukwanto zilungile, ibe ke uThixo ulinikele kuni.”


text:
Enyuka aya kumisa entshona yeKiriyati-yarim kwelakwaJuda. Ngenxa yeso sizathu ke loo ndawo isabizwa ngokuba yiMarhane-dan unangoku.


text:
Ke ezaa ntlola zintlanu zaziye kuhlola elo lizwe zada zaya kufika eLayishe, zathi kumawazo: “Ngaba benisazi na ukuba kwenye yezi zindlu kukho umfanekiso oqingqwe ngomthi watyatyekwa ngesiliva? Kukwakho nomnye umfanekiso otyhidiweyo, kunye *nemilonde-khaya, ndawonye *nesidanga. Niyayazi ke into emayenziwe!”


text:
Ke wona umkhosi omakhulu mathandathu amadoda, lowa wawuxhobe waf' amacala, wawuthe xonkxosholo esangweni.


text:
Ezo ntlola zathi ngqo endlwini, zafika zathatha loo mfanekiso uqingqiweyo, nalowo utyhidiweyo, kunye nemilonde-khaya ndawonye nesidanga, ngeli lixa yena umbingeleli wayesesesangweni nomkhosi lowo.


text:
La madoda ke athi akungena endlwini kaMika athatha imifanekiso leyo ndawonye nesidanga. Ke umbingeleli lowo wawabuza wathi: “Nenza ntoni?”


text:
Ke wona amyala athi: “Yithi tu, ungabi sayiphatha! Yiza, uhambe nathi, ube ngumfundisi nombingeleli wethu. Awutsho wena ukuba kubhetele ube ngumbingeleli wenye yezindlu zikaSirayeli endaweni yokuba ube ngumbingeleli womzi womntu omnye?”


text:
Eli cebo lamkholisa umbingeleli lowo, waza ke wasithatha isidanga nemifanekiso ikunye nalowo uqingqiweyo, wahamba namaDan lawo.


text:
Athe selemgama, uMika nabamelwana bahlab' umkhosi, baphuma besukelisa. Bathe bakusondela kumaDan apho


text:
UMika waphendula wathi: “Ningathini ukuthi: ‘Konakele phi?’ Nindohluthe oothixo bam endizenzele bona nombingeleli wam, nemka nabo! Ndosala nantoni mna?”


text:
Ke amaDan aphendula athi: “Kubhetele ungabi sasingxolela, hleze la madoda anengcwangu akuhlasele. Xa inokwenzeka into enjalo, ungafa ndawonye nomzi wakho.”


text:
Ke wona amaDan ahlabela mgama, ahamba. NoMika ke waqonda ukuba xa injalo ayingangaye, waza ke wajika wagoduka.


text:
AmaDan ke akuba emthathile umbingeleli lowo ndawonye noothixo bakaMika, ahamba aya kuhlasela iLayishe, loo dolophu izole kunye nabantu bayo. Babatshabalalisa abemi bayo, ke yona idolophu bayitshisa.


text:
Zange kubekho mhlanguli, kuba kaloku iLayishe le yayimgama eSidon, ibe ke nabemi bayo babengenamnqophiso nesinye isizwe. Ke iLayishe le yayimelene neBhete-rehobhi. AmaDan ke aphinda ayivusa loo dolophu, ema kuyo.


text:
AmaDan amisa umfanekiso oqingqiweyo wawo, aza amisela uJonatan, unyana kaGershom umzukulwana kaMosis, wangumbingeleli wesizwe. Nenzala yakhe ke yaba ngababingeleli besizwe sakwaDan, de elo zwe lathinjwa.


text:
Umfanekiso owawenziwe nguMika wahlala uhleli apho ke ngalo lonke ixesha isibingelelo sikaThixo sasisekho eShilo.


text:
Ngethuba eliphambi kokuba uSirayeli abe nokumkani kwakukho mLevi uthile owayehlala kude kweleentaba kwaEfrayim. Lo mfo wathatha intombi yaseBhetelehem kwelakwaJuda, wahlalisana nayo.


text:
Lo mLevi ke wayilanda ngezicengo, khon' ukuze babuyelane. Wayehamba nesicaka sakhe kunye needonki ezimbini. Le ntombi ke yamazisa kowayo umLevi lowo, waza ke uyise akumbona wamamkela ngezishushu.


text:
Uyise wentombi leyo wamnyanzelisa ukuba akhe ahlale umLevi lowo, waza ke wahlala iintsuku zantathu, besitya besela kunye.


text:
Ngentsasa yosuku lwesine bavuka sebelungele ukuhamba. Ke uyise wentombi wathetha nomkwenyana, wathi: “Qala utye, uhlaziyeke, uze ke uhambe kamva.”


text:
Bahlala ke umntu nomkhwenyana, batya basela. Usontombi lowo ke waphinda wacela umkhwenyana wathi: “Sowulala apha ngokuhlwanje, uzonwabise.”


text:
Ngentsasa yosuku lwesihlanu umLevi wavuka ezimisele ukuhamba, kodwa usontombi wathi: “Khawutye, ulinde kude kube semini noko.” Wahlala ke, batya bobabini.


text:
Wathi ke umLevi nentombi leyo ngokunjalo nesicaka sebezimisele ukunduluka, uyise wabanqanda, esithi: “Amathunzi anabile, nokuhlwa sekusondele; masenilala. Hlalani nizonwabise, nize ninduluke kusasa ngomso ukugoduka.”


text:
Ngesi ke isihlandlo umfo lowo akavumanga ukuphinda alale. Wanduluka, ehamba enezo donki zimbini ezineesali kwakunye nomasihlalisane lowo, waya kugaleleka ngaseJebhusi. (IJebhusi ke yile iyiJerusalem namhla.)


text:
Bakusondela eJebhusi imimi yayiselithambekile, saza isicaka sathi enkosini yaso: “Masesihlala apha eJebhusi, silalise khona.”


text:
Kambe ke inkosi yaso leyo yathi: “Hayi, kaloku asinakulala apha kwisixeko sabantu basemzini abangengawo amaSirayeli. Masigqithele phambili, siye kulala eGibheya okanye eRama.”


text:
Ngoko ke badlula apho eJebhusi. Kwathi xa lithi ndithenge, bagaleleka eGibheya kummandla wamaBhenjamin.


text:
Baphambuka ke endleleni, besiya kulala khona. Bangena ke, baya kutsho ebaleni lembutho, kungekho mntu ubanika indawo yokulala.


text:
Bathe beselapho kwathi gqi ixhego, livela emasimini. Lalingumngeneleli apho eGibheya, kodwa inkaba yalo ikweleentaba kwaEfrayim. Phofu ke abantu balapho yayingamaBhenjamin.


text:
Lathi ke lakubabona abahambi abo belapho ebaleni lembutho, labuza lathi: “Kuvelwa ngaphi, kusiyiwa phi?”


text:
UmLevi uphendule wathi: “Siphuma eBhetelehem kwelakwaJuda. Ukwenjenje oku siyagoduka, siya kummandla othe qelele kweleentaba kwaEfrayim. Kambe ke akukho mntu usinika ndawo yakulala.


text:
Sinako ukutya kweedonki zethu, ngokunjalo mna sicaka sakho kunye nesicakakazi sakho nomfana ohamba nathi sinaso isonka newayini. Hayi, asixakekanga kwelo cala.”


text:
Kwathi besonwabile apho, kwafika iindlavini ezithile, zayirhawula indlu leyo, zabetha ucango, zabhekisa kumnini-ndlu lowo zisithi: “Mkhuphe loo mfo umngenise endlwini yakho. Sifuna ukulala naye.”


text:
Kambe ke umninimzi waphuma, wathetha nazo, wathi: “Hayi, mawethu, ndiyanibongoza, sanukulenza elo nyala; lundwendwe lwam olu!


text:
Ndaweni yaloo nto thathani intombi yam kwanomfazi walo mfo. Mandinikhuphele bona, nenze ukuthanda kwenu kubo. Kodwa sanukuyenza into embi kangaka kulo mfo.”


text:
Kambe ke azivumanga ezo zibhoja. Ngoko ke umLevi lowo wakhupha loo masihlalisane wakhe, zaza ke zadlalisa ngaye zazenzela apho kuye kwada kwasa.


text:
Kwathi ekuseni umfazi lowo wabuya, wafika wawa ngasemnyango kuloo ndlu yexhego apho yayikhona indoda yakhe. Walala apho kwada kwasa.


text:
Kusasa yathi yakuvula umnyango indoda yakhe, iphuma iza kuhamba, yamfumana elele apho ngasemnyango, izandla zakhe zisembundwini.


text:
Yathetha naye, yathi: “Vuka sihambe!” Kwathi cwaka. Yaza ke yamthatha, yamxhoma edonkini, yagoduka naye.


text:
UmLevi lowo ke uthe akufika ekhaya wathatha imela. Umzimba waloo mfazi ke wawunqunqa waziziqwenga ezilishumi elinambini, waza ke isiqwenga ngasinye wasithumela kwenye yezindlu zikaSirayeli.


text:
Wonke ke umntu owayibonayo le nto wavakala esithi: “Zange siyive siyibone into enje! Into enje zange ihle okoko uSirayeli waphumayo eJiputa! Mayiqwalaselwe, kubonwe into emayenziwe!”


text:
USirayeli ephela, ukusuka kwaDan kuye kuqhina ngeBheshebha, ngokunjalo nomhlaba waseGiliyadi, ewe, lonke ibandla likaSirayeli lahlanganisana limoya mnye phambi *koNdikhoyo eMizpa.


text:
Zonke iinkulu zezindlu zikaSirayeli zazikho kwelo bandla labantu bakaThixo, ingamakhulu amane amawaka amajoni aphatha ikrele.


text:
NamaBhenjamin eva ukuba kudityenwe ngamaSirayeli eMizpa. AmaSirayeli athi: “Yitshoni; yenzeke kanjani na le ntlekele?”


text:
UmLevi omfazi wayegetyengiwe wachaza wathi: “Ndihambe nowakwam, ndaya kutsho kwaBhenjamin eGibheya, ndisiya kulalisa khona.


text:
Ke izikhulu zaseGibheya zaphuma ngobusuku, zarhawula indlu endandikuyo, zifuna mna. Zona zazizimisele ukundibulala, kodwa ke zasuka zamhlasela owakwam, zamdlwengula wada wafa.


text:
Ke mna ndawuthatha umzimba wakhe, ndawunqunqa, ndathumela isiqwenga kwindlu nganye kwezo zikaSirayeli. Kaloku aba bantu benze isikizi lenyala kwaSirayeli.


text:
AmaSirayeli ke atsho ngazwi-nye athi: “Xa sisonke akukho bani uza kugoduka namhlanje; ewe, akukho bani uya kubuyela endlwini yakhe.


text:
Nantsi into esiza kuyenza ngeGibheya: Siza kukhangela ukuba liya kuphuma nabani na iqashiso, aze ke loo madoda asikhokele ekuyihlaseleni.


text:
Isishumi samadoda akwaSirayeli siya kuthwala ukutya komkhosi, aze ke amanye la aye kohlwaya iGibheya ngenxa yesi senzo sayo sobuyatha isenzileyo kwaSirayeli.”


text:
Izizwe zakwaSirayeli zathumela izigidimi kuwo wonke ummandla wesizwe sakwaBhenjamin, zisithi: “Buyatha buni obu nibenzileyo?


text:
Ngoko ke zikhupheni ezo ndlavini zaseGibheya, sizibulale, silihlambe eli nyala kwaSirayeli.” Kambe ke amaBhenjamin zange awahoye amazwi athethwa ngamawabo amaSirayeli.


text:
Ndaweni yaloo nto amaBhenjamin aphuma kuzo zonke izixeko zawo, ahlangana eGibheya, aza aya kulwa namaSirayeli.


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Ngaloo mini akhupha amashumi amabini anesithandathu amajoni kuzo zonke izixeko zawo. Ngaphezu koko abemi baseGibheya bakhupha amajoni akhethiweyo angamakhulu asixhenxe,


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Amajoni amaSirayeli, ngaphandle kwamaBhenjamin, ayengamakhulu amane amawaka, onke engoompondo-zihlanjiwe.


text:
Ke amaSirayeli aya eBhetele, aza abuza kuThixo athi: “Yiyiphi na indlu emayiqale ukuhlasela uBhenjamin?” *UNdikhoyo ke wathi: “Mayibe nguJuda.”


text:
Wacombuluka ke umkhosi wamaBhenjamin, waphuma apho esixekweni, waza ngaloo mini wageqa amashumi amabini anambini amawaka amajoni amaSirayeli.


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Kambe ke ngengomso amaSirayeli omelezana; aphinda amajoni awo awamisa kwangalaa ndlela ayewamise ngayo ngezolo.


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Kaloku amaSirayeli ayeye kuzibika kuNdikhoyo, alila iinyembezi kwada kwahlwa. Abuzisa kuye kwakhona, athi: “Ngaba masiye na ukuya kulwa namawethu amaBhenjamin?” UNdikhoyo ke waphendula wathi: “Yiyani nilwe nawo.”


text:
Nangesi ke isihlandlo amaBhenjamin aphuma eGibheya, aza ageqa ishumi elinesibhozo lamawaka oompondo-zihlanjiwe bamaSirayeli.


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Aphuma ke onke amaSirayeli, aya kulila eBhetele. Ahlala apho phambi koNdikhoyo, akuzila ukutya kwada kwahlwa. Enza amadini atshiswayo, ngokunjalo nawobudlelwana, esenzela uNdikhoyo.


text:
Ngelo xesha ke ityesi yomnqophiso yayilapho eBhetele. Ke uPineyasi unyana kaElazare umzukulwana ka-Aron yayinguye umbingeleli apho. AmaSirayeli ke aphinda abuzisa kuNdikhoyo, athi: “Ngaba masiye ukuya kulwa namawethu amaBhenjamin, okanye masincame?” UNdikhoyo ke waphendula wathi: “Phakathi! Ngomso ndiza kunithi jize ngoloyiso!”


text:
Nangolu lwesithathu usuku amaSirayeli amhlasela uBhenjamin, amajoni akha uhlelo ekhangele iGibheya njenga-ngaphambili.


text:
AmaBhenjamin aphuma ukuhlangabeza, ada asishiya isixeko. Njengezolo ke akhe ageqa apho kumaSirayeli kuloo mathafa nakwindlela eya eBhetele neya eGibheya. Kwafa amashumi amathathu amaSirayeli.


text:
AmaBhenjamin athi: “Isesesezolo; siwafumene!” Ke wona amaSirayeli athi: “Masihlehle, khon' ukuze siwatsalele ezindleleni kude nesixeko.”


text:
Wathi ke umkhosi wamaSirayeli waqokelelana eBhali-tamare, waza lowa wawulalele ngaseGibheya wadyulukudela ukuphuma kwezo ziwana zingqonge isixeko.


text:
IGibheya ke yahlaselwa lishumi lamawaka angoompondo-zihlanjiwe, bekhethwe kuSirayeli ephela. Hayi ke, yaba yinkwa nenkwa, phofu yena uBhenjamin engaqondi ukuba namhlanje ihlile intlekele.


text:
UNdikhoyo wamoyisa uBhenjamin ngamaSirayeli. AmaSirayeli atshabalalisa amashumi amabini anantlanu amawaka anekhulu ngaloo mini, onke eziincutshe zekrele,


text:
waza ke uBhenjamin waqonda ukuba woyisiwe. Umkhosi wamaSirayeli wahlehla, kuba ukholose ngalowo wawulalele kufuphi neGibheya uzimele.


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Indili yomkhosi kaSirayeli nalo uzimeleyo wawuvumelene ngokuthi xa ubona umsi uthuquza unyuka apho esixekweni,


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umkhosi osedabini uya kubuya nawo ungene uhlasele. Ngeli thuba ke amaBhenjamin ayeselewabulele amaSirayeli amalunga namashumi amathathu. Ayesezincoma esithi: “Sesezolo nanamhlanje; siwafumene!”


text:
Kweso sithuba ke wasuka wavela umqondiso; suka kwavela umpokophela womsi, wathunquza uphuma apho esixekweni. Athi ke akujonga amaBhenjamin abona isixeko sawo singamalangatye nje!


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Suka ke amaSirayeli aguquka, ke wona amaBhenjamin asuka azizithwanga-thwanga, kuba eqonda ukuba ihlile intlekele.


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Azama ukuhlehla abalekele entlango, kodwa ke umkhosi wathi mbende emva kwabo. Axinwa atyakatywa nangamanye amadoda awayephuma ezidolophini.


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AmaSirayeli awarhawula amaBhenjamin, awasukela, aza awoyisa lula kude kufuphi neGibheya empumalanga.


text:
Amanye asabela entlango, esinga kumawa aseRimon, kwaza kwabulawa amawaka amahlanu ezindleleni. AmaSirayeli athi mbende emva kwawo ukuya kutsho eGidiyon, aza abulala amawaka amabini.


text:
Ngaloo mini yodwa kwafa amashumi amabini anantlanu amawaka amaBhenjamin, onke engoompondo-zihlanjiwe bamajoni.


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Kambe ke amakhulu amathandathu abalekela entlango, aya kutsho kuloo mawa aseRimon, ahlala apho iinyanga zane.


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AmaSirayeli ke abuya awatshabalalisa onke amaBhenjamin, ebulala konke: ndoda, mfazi, mntwana, nemfuyo le yembala. Azitshisa zonke iidolophu zaloo mmandla.


text:
Ke kaloku ngethuba amaSirayeli ayehlanganisene eMizpa ayebhambathisile phambi *koNdikhoyo athi: “Asisoze sendisele iintombi zethu kumaBhenjamin.”


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Ngoku ke amaSirayeli suke ahlanganisana phambi koThixo eBhetele; ahlala apho kwada kwahlwa, ehlahlamba ebindekile,


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esithi: “Ndikhoyo, Thixo kaSirayeli, ngani ukuba sihlelwe yinto enje? Ngani ukuba esinye isizwe sezizwe zakwaSirayeli sitshabalale siphele tu?”


text:
Ngentsasa elandelayo ke amaSirayeli akha iqonga apho, aza enza amadini atshiswayo kunye namadini obudlelwane.


text:
Abuzana athi: “Ngaba kukho indlu na yakwaSirayeli engazange iye kwimbizo esasinayo phambi koNdikhoyo eMizpa?” (Kaloku amaSirayeli ayenze isifungo esingqongqo, athi: “Nabani na ongayanga embizweni eMizpa uya kubulawa.”)


text:
Ngoku ke amaSirayeli ayenxubile ngenxa yabazalwana bawo amaBhenjamin. Avakala esithi: “Namhlanje uSirayeli ulahlekelwe yenye yezindlu zakhe.


text:
Nithi makuthiweni ukuze la maBhenjamin aseleyo azuze abafazi? Kaloku sabhambathisa phambi koNdikhoyo sathi asisoze siwendisele iintombi zethu.”


text:
Abuza ke amaSirayeli athi: “Ngaba kukho ndlu na ingazange iye eMizpa?” Afumanisa ukuba kwakungekho mntu waseJabheshe yaseGiliyadi.


text:
Ngoko ke ibandla lakhupha ishumi elinambini lamawaka amajoni angoompondo-zihlanjiwe, lawayalela ukuba aye eJabheshe, afike abulale wonke umntu nomfazi nomntwana lo wembala.


text:
Ke apho eJabheshe afumana amakhulu amane eentombi ezingazananga nandoda, aza azithatha aya nazo esikhululweni eShilo kumhlaba waseKanana.


text:
Ke amaBhenjamin abuya, aza amaSirayeli awanikezela ezo ntombi zaseJabheshe eGiliyadi zazisindile; kambe ke zange ziwanele amaBhenjamin lawo.


text:
Ngoko ke amadoda amakhulu athi: “Njengokuba betshatyalalisiwe nje abafazi kwaBhenjamin, sothini ukuyifumanela abafazi inxalenye yawo?”


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Aza athi: “Ingayinto embi ukuba kubekho indlu enqanyulwayo kwaSirayeli ngokungabi nazindlalifa. Makufunwe indlela yokuba indlu kaBhenjamin ingatshitshi.


text:
Kodwa thina ngokwethu asinako ukuyendisela iintombi zethu, njengoko senze isifungo sathi: ‘Nabani na owendisela intombi yakhe kwaBhenjamin uqalekisiwe.’


text:
Kambe ke umbhiyozo waminyaka le kaNdikhoyo eShilo sowusondele.” Ke iShilo yayingasentla kweBhetele, ngezantsi kweLebhona, kwimpuma yendlela ephakathi kweBhetele neShekem.


text:
nilalele. Nakuphawula ukuba ziphumile iintombi zaseShilo, zingqungqa, phumani ezidiliyeni, ibe ngulowo nalowo azithathele umfazi apho kuzo, aye naye kwaBhenjamin.


text:
Ukuba ooyise okanye abanakwazo beze kuxambulisana nathi, sothi kubo: ‘Siyanibongoza, baveleni. Kaloku asibafumanelanga abafazi emfazweni. Kambe ke nina nimsulwa – kaloku bazithwele; abazinikwanga nini iintombi zenu.’ ”


text:
Ngenene ke amaBhenjamin ayenza loo nto; indoda nganye kuwo yazikhethela umfazi kwezo ntombi zazingqungqa eShilo, yayithwala, yagoduka nayo. Egodukile ke amaBhenjamin abuya azakha iidolophu zawo, abuya ema kuzo.


text:
Ngexesha leenkokheli kwabakho indlala enkulu elizweni. Kwasuka mfo uthile waseBhetelehem kwaJuda, waphambukela eMowabhi kunye nomkakhe noonyana bakhe ababini.


text:
Igama lale ndoda lalinguElimeleki; elomkakhe lalinguNawomi, oonyana benguMalon noKiliyon. BabengamaEfrayim awayemi eBhetelehem kwaJuda, baza baya kuma elizweni laseMowabhi.


text:
ababetshathe iintombi zamaMowabhi. Inkulu yayizeke uOrpa, inci izeke uRute. Bahlala khona iminyaka emalunga neshumi,


text:
Akuva uNawomi ukuba *uNdikhoyo ubabonelele abantu bakhe ngesivuno esihle, uye walungiselela ukuya kowabo kunye noomolokazana bakhe ababini.


text:
Wayishiya loo ndawo wayehlala kuyo, wanduluka kunye noomolokazana bakhe, wangena endleleni esinga kwilizwe lakwaJuda.


text:
Wavakala esithi uNawomi koomolokazana bakhe: “Buyelani kumakhaya enu. Ubenga uNdikhoyo anganenzela izibele njengoko benisenza kum nakwabo basishiyileyo.


text:
Ubenga uNdikhoyo anganinika indawo yokuphumla, elowo endlwini yendoda yakhe.” UNawomi wabanga ebabulisa. Kodwa bona basuka basitsho isikhalo,


text:
“Hayini, zintombi zam, godukani,” watsho uNawomi. “Kutheni nafuna ukuhamba nam? Niba ndingabe ndiphinde ndizale oonyana, nize nina nibe ngabafazi babo?


text:
Hayi bo, godukani, zintombi zam; noko sendaluphele ngoku ukuba ndingabuye ndende. Kambe ke nokuba bendisenalo ithemba ndide mhlawumbi ndende nokwenda ngokuhlwanje, ndide ndizale noonyana,


text:
beningade nilinde bade bakhule, ningendeli kwabanye abantu? Hayi, zintombi zam, imeko yam ikrakra kuneyenu, kuba mna uNdikhoyo ngathi undifulathele.”


text:
Babuya bathathisa kwakhona ukukhala oomolokazana bakaNawomi. UOrpa wamanga embulisa uninazala, kodwa yena uRute wathana nca noNawomi.


text:
Wathi uNawomi: “Uyabona, umkhuluwakazi wakho ubuyele ebantwini bakhe nakoothixo bakhe. Nawe goduka kunye naye.”


text:
Waphendula uRute wathi: “Sukundinyanzela usithi mandikushiye. Apho uya khona, nam ndiya kuya, ndiye kuhlala nalapho uhlala khona, amawenu abe ngamawethu, noThixo wakho abe nguThixo wam.


text:
Ndiya kufa apho ufa khona, ndingcwatyelwe apho nam. *UNdikhoyo aze andihlisele elona shwangusha xa ndinokwahlulwa nto nawe; ewe, nditsho nokufa!”


text:
UNawomi akabanga saphinda awuvule owakhe umlomo, akubona okungako kona ukuzimisela kukaRute ukungahlukani naye.


text:
Bahamba ke bada baya kufika eBhetelehem. Bathi bakufika khona kwatsho kwathabatheka wonke ubani. Abafazi bathi: “Hi bethu, nithi nguNawomi nyani na lo?”


text:
Ekumkeni kwam apha ndandingenanto ndingenayo, kodwa ngoku uNdikhoyo undibuyisa ndiyimpula kalujaca. Nisatsholo ni ukuthi ndinguNawomi xa yena uNdikhoyo esuke wandicinezela nje – xa yena uSomandla esuke wandizisela iinkxwaleko?”


text:
Kwaba njalo ke ukubuya kukaNawomi evela eMowabhi, ehamba nomolokazana wakhe uRute umMowabhikazi. Kwakuxa kanye kuqaliswa ukuvunwa kwerhasi ukufika kwabo eBhetelehem.


text:
Kwakukho mfo uthile ogama linguBhowazi owayesisizalwane sasemzini kaNawomi. Wayengowesiduko sikaElimeleki, engumfo owaziwayo.


text:
UmMowabhikazi uRute wathi kuNawomi: “Mandikhe ndiye emasimini, ndibhikice kulaa ngqolowa ivunwayo, ndikhwahlaze emva komntu ondivumelayo.” “Hayi kulungile, ungahamba, mntwan' am,” watsho uNawomi.


text:
Wanduluka ke uRute ukuya emasimini. Wafika walandela abavuni, ehamba ebhikica. Kwathi kanti loo nto uyenza entsimini kaBhowazi owayezalana noElimeleki.


text:
Ke wafika uBhowazi, evela eBhetelehem. Wababulisa abavuni, esithi: “UNdikhoyo ubenga angaba nani!” Baphendula bathi bona: “Camagu! Akuthamsanqelise nawe uNdikhoyo!”


text:
Emva koko uBhowazi ubuze kwinduna ephethe abavuni, wathi: “Kanene yintombi yasemanini leya ndiyibonayo?”


text:
Ucele ukuba ndimvumele abhikice, akhwahlaze phakathi kwezithungu, elandela abavuni. Kudala elapha; akakhange aphumle oko kusile – usandula ukuyeka ngoku umbona ehleli phaya endaweni yokuphumla nje.”


text:
UBhowazi wathi kuRute: “Uyabona ke, ntombi yam, uzungemki apha, ungabi saya kubhikica kumasimi abanye abantu. Uze uncamathele kwiintombi ezi zisebenza kula masimi am.


text:
Uze uzilandele, ubhikice apho zivuna khona. Ndibaxelele abafana aba ukuba bangakukhathazi. Ukuba unxaniwe uze uye kusela kwezaa ngqayi zamanzi akhiwe ngabafana.”


text:
Waqubuda phambi koBhowazi uRute, wathi: “Mhlekazi, ngani ukuba undenzele ububele obungaka undihoye ndingowelinye ilizwe nje?”


text:
UBhowazi wathi: “Ndivile ngawe ukuba ubumphethe kakuhle unyoko-zala, naxa umyeni wakho selengasekho. Ude washiya uyihlo nonyoko, nditsho namawenu la embala, weza kuhlala phakathi kwabantu obungazani nabo.


text:
Ubenga ke uNdikhoyo angakuvuza ngomsebenzi wakho. Ewe, ubenga uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli, lo wena uze kuzifaka phantsi kwamaphiko akhe, angakubuyekeza kanobom.”


text:
URute wathi: “Ngenene, mhlekazi, unenceba; undithobe uvalo xa wenjenje ukuthetha nam ngobubele, mna sicakakazi sakho, naxa ndingoyena unganeno nakwizicakakazi zakho.”


text:
Kuthe xa kutyiwayo, uBhowazi wathi kuye: “Yiz' apha, uthathe isonka, usithi nkxu kwiwayini.” Ke uRute wahlala phantsi kunye neentombi ezingabavuni; waza uBhowazi wamnika ugcado, watya wahlutha, kwada kwasala.


text:
Ubuye waya kubhikica kwakhona uRute. UBhowazi yena wayalela izicaka zakhe, wathi: “Ze nimyeke ningamnqandi nokuba selebhikica ngasezithungwini.


text:
Kwada kwatshona ilanga uRute ekhwahlaza. Uthe akuyibhula wafumana malunga neshumi leekhilogram zengqolowa.


text:
Wayithwala wagoduka nayo, wayibonisa uninazala. Wamnika nokutya awayembekele kona kwisidlo sasemini.


text:
UNawomi wambuza wathi: “Ubhikice phi namhlanje? Ubusebenza kwabani? Wanga angasikeleleka lowo ukwenzele ububele.” URute wamxelela uninazala ukuba ubebhikica kumasimi kabani, esithi: “Ndisebenze entsimini yomfo ekuthiwa nguBhowazi.”


text:
Wavakala uNawomi esithi kumolokazana: “UNdikhoyo ozibele zihlala zihleli kwabaphilayo nabafileyo makamthamsanqelise uBhowazi!” Uqokele wathi: “Loo mfo usisizalwane esisondeleyo kuthi. Ungomnye wabantu esijonge kubo njengomkhululi.”


text:
Ke uRute umMowabhikazi wathi: “Kananjalo uBhowazi uthe mandincamathele kubasebenzi bakhe de kugqitywe ukuvunwa.”


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UNawomi uthe: “Ewe, mntwan' am, kuhle uhambe neentombi zaphaya kwaBhowazi. Usenokuhlelwa yinto embi kumasimi abanye abantu.”


text:
URute wancamathela kwezo ntombi zakwaBhowazi, ekhwahlaza kwada kwagqitywa ukuvunwa kwerhasi nengqolowa. Wayehlala no ninazala ngalo lonke elo xesha.


text:
UNawomi wathi kumolokazana wakhe: “Kufuneka ndikufunele owakho umzi, mntwan' am, apho uya konwaba khona.


text:
Laa mfo uBhowazi, lowa ubuthe nca kubasebenzi bakhe ukhwahlaza, sisizalwane esisondeleyo kuthi, esijonge kuye njengomkhululi. Ngokuhlwanje uza kubhula ele irhasi esandeni sakhe.


text:
Wena ke uze uhlambe, uziqhole, wambathe kakuhle, wandule ke ukuya esandeni sakhe. Kodwa ke uze ungazivezi kuye de agqibe isidlo sakhe.


text:
Xa eya kulala uze uqaphele apho aya kulala khona, uye kutyhila ingubo, ungqengqe ngasezinyaweni zakhe. Yena ke wokuxelela ukuba makuthiweni na.”


text:
Emva kwesidlo sakhe, kunye nezinto zokusithoba zakhona, uBhowazi waziva echulumacha. Wahamba waya kulala emazantsi esitha. Walandela uRute, echwechwa, wafika watyhila ingubo ngasezinyaweni zikaBhowazi, wangqengqa.


text:
Ezinzulwini zobusuku uBhowazi wothuka, weva ngesandla ukuba kukho umntu obhinqileyo ongqengqe ngasezinyaweni zakhe.


text:
Wambuza wathi: “Ungubani?” Waphendula yena wathi: “Ndim, mhlekazi, uRute isicakakazi sakho. Ndikhusele phantsi kwamaphiko akho. Kaloku wena usisizalwane esijonge kuso njengomkhululi.”


text:
“*UNdikhoyo makakuthamsanqelise, ntombi yam,” watsho uBhowazi. “Ubonakalisa intembeko engaphezulu kuleya yangaphambili. Akuzifunelanga umyeni osemtsha – nokuba ngosisityebi, nokuba ngongesiso.


text:
Thoba uvalo ke, ntombi yam. Yonke into oyifunayo ndoyenza, kuba kaloku nkqu nomzi uphela uyazi ukuba ungumfazi onesidima.


text:
Yinyaniso ukuba ndisisizalwana esisondeleyo, kodwa ke kukho esinye isizalwane esingumkhululi esisondeleyo kuwe ngaphezu kwam.


text:
Lala apha obu busuku. Kusasa ngomso siya kuva kuye ukuba uya kuncedwa nguye na okanye hayi. Ukuba ùza kukhululwa nguye, koba kulungile; kanti ke xa kungenjalo, ndifunga uNdikhoyo ongasoze afe, ndim oya kukukhulula. Lala ke, ntombi yam, kude kube kusasa.”


text:
Wangqengqa apho ke uRute ngasezinyaweni zikaBhowazi. Uvuke kunye neenkuku, bengekabi namanakani abantu, kuba kaloku uBhowazi wayethe: “Mayingaziwa bani into yokuba umntu obhinqileyo ukhe walala esandeni.”


text:
UBhowazi wathi kuRute: “Yiza nengubo oyambetheyo, ukhongozele,” waza wagalela kuyo ingqolowa eninzi (malunga namashumi amabini eekhilogram) wamthwalisa wabuyela edolophini.


text:
Akufika ekhaya uRute, uninazala uNawomi umbuze wathi: “Kwehla ntoni ke, mntwan' am?” URute wabalisa konke okwenziwe nguBhowazi.


text:
UNawomi wathi: “Linda, mntan' am, kude kucace okuza kwenzeka; indoda leyo ayiyi kuphumla lo mcimbi ungafikanga esiphelweni sawo.”


text:
Wenjenjeya uBhowazi ukusinga kwindawo yembizo ngasemasangweni omzi, wafika wahlala phantsi. Esahleli apho, kwathi gqi isizalwana sikaElimeleki esingumkhululi, esiya wayethethe ngaso kuRute, wasibiza esithi: “Khawuz' apha, mfondini, uhlale phantsi.” Siyile ke, safika sahlala phantsi,


text:
waza uBhowazi wabiza ishumi lamadoda amakhulu omzi, wathi kuwo: “Khanikhe nithi nqwadalala apha.” Enjenjalo ke.


text:
UBhowazi wabhekisa kwisizalwana sakhe esingumkhululi wenjenje: “UNawomi obuyileyo eMowabhi ufuna ukuwuthengisa lowa mhlaba womntakwethu uElimeleki.


text:
Ndithe lo mbandela ndokha ndiwuphalaze kuwe apha phambi kwaba bantu balapha kunye nala madoda makhulu akowethu, ndiqonde ukuba uyawuthatha na. Ukuba uyawuthatha, wuthathe; kodwa ukuba akuwuthathi, ndixelele. Kaloku akukho mntu unelungelo ngaphezu kwakho; nkqu nam ndilandela wena.” “Hayi, ndiza kuyithatha loo ntsimi,” watsho loo mfo.


text:
UBhowazi wathi: “Uze uqonde ukuba mhla wathatha laa ntsimi kuNawomi uthatha noRute, umka-mfi, ukuze lingaze licime igama lakhe kwilifa lakhe.”


text:
Uthe loo mfo: “Xa kunjalo ke mna andizi kuyithatha loo ntsimi, kuba ndiya kuba ndizifaka engxakini yokubeka umzi wam esichengeni. Ungayithatha wena; mna andinako.”


text:
Ngaloo maxesha xa kuthengiswa okanye kunananiselwana umthengisi wayekhulula imbadada, anike umthengi. Ayebonakalisa ngaloo ndlela amaSirayeli ukuba umcimbi ugqityiwe.


text:
UBhowazi ubhekise kwababelapho kunye namadoda amakhulu, wathi: “Namhlanje nonke ningamangqina okuba namhla ndithathe konke okukaElimeleki kuNawomi. Nditsho nokukaKiliyon noMalon oonyana bakhe.


text:
Ngaphezu koko umka-Malon, umMowabhikazi uRute, uza kuba ngumkam. Loo nto iya kwenza ukuba izinto zikamfi zihlale zizezakubo, lize negama lakhe lingaze licime kumawabo nasezimbalini zakowabo. Ningamangqina aloo nto ke namhlanje.”


text:
Amadoda amakhulu nabo bonke ababelapho ngasemasangweni bavuma bathi: “Singamangqina. *UNdikhoyo ubenga angamenza lo mfazi umthathayo afuze ooRakeli noLeya, bona bayakhayo indlu kaSirayeli. Nawe sikunqwenelela iwonga phakathi kwabemi base-Efrata, igama lakho libe nodumo eBhetelehem.


text:
Ngenzala oya kuyinikwa nguNdikhoyo ngalo mfazi yanga indlu yakho ingafana nekaPerezi unyana kaJuda ngoTamare.”


text:
UBhowazi ke wamthatha uRute waba ngumfazi wakhe. *UNdikhoyo wamthamsanqelisa, wamitha, wazala umntwana oyinkwenkwe.


text:
Abafazi balapho bathi kuNawomi: “Makabongwe uNdikhoyo ngokukupha umzukulwana onokujonga kuye! Belinga lingaba nodumo igama lakhe kwaSirayeli!


text:
Uya kubuhlaziya ubomi bakho, akulondoloze ekwaluphaleni kwakho. Umzalelwe ngumolokazana wakho okuthandayo noxabiso lakhe kuwe ligqitha ixabiso loonyana abasixhenxe.”


text:
Abafazi balapho bathi: “UNawomi unomntwana oyinkwenkwe.” Baza bamthiya igama, bathi nguObhedi. UObhedi yena ngulo wazala uJese uyise kaDavide.


text:
ERamatayim kwakukho mfo uthile ugama linguElikana, unyana kaJeroham, kaElihu, kaTowu wendlu kaZufi. Wayengowesizwe sakwaEfrayim kweleentaba.


text:
Lo mfo wayenabafazi ababini, uHana noPenina. UPenina wayezala, kodwa uHana yena engafumani bantwana.


text:
Minyaka le lo mfo wayedla ngokuya eShilo, aye kunqula *uNdikhoyo uThixo onamandla onke, anikele amadini. UHofeni noPineyasi, oonyana bakaEli, babengababingeleli bakaNdikhoyo apho.


text:
Yayisithi rhoqo le nto ukwenzeka xa beye kwaNdikhoyo eShilo minyaka le. UPenina wayesoloko emnukuneza ngokungazali kwakhe uHana, amtsho ade akhale ezimathontsi, angafuni nokutya oku.


text:
Kwakuba njalo indoda yakhe uElikana yayisithi: “Hana, ulilela ntoni? Kutheni ungatyi nokutya oku? Ukhathazwa yintoni kakade, selude waziduba wadandatheka kangaka? Andixabisekanga na kuwe ngaphezu koonyana abalishumi?”


text:
Ngamhla uthile, beseShilo apho, kwakuba kutyiwe kwaselwa, wasuka waphakama uHana, ebindekile, wazibika *kuNdikhoyo. Ngelo xesha umbingeleli uEli wayehleli esihlalweni sakhe ngasemnyango wendlu kaNdikhoyo. Ebuhlungu enjalo uHana, wathandaza,


text:
wenza isibhambathiso kuNdikhoyo, wathi: “Ndikhoyo Somandla, wanga ungayibona inkxwaleko yesicakazana sakho, usikhumbule, ungasilibali isicakazana sakho, kodwa usinike unyana. Ke ndomnikezela kuwe, Ndikhoyo, abe ngowakho bonke ubomi bakhe, yaye neenwele zakhe azinakuze zichetywe.”


text:
“Hayi, mhlekazi, andinxilanga,” waphendula watsho uHana. “Andikhange ndisele iwayini okanye utywala, nto nje ndibuhlungu kakhulu. Wena undibona ndibika intlungu yam kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Uze ungathi ndilitshijolo lomfazi. Ndithandaza ndingayeki nje, kungenxa yokuba ndibindekile ndihluphekile.”


text:
“Hayi ke, hamba ngoxolo; uThixo kaSirayeli uya kukwenzela ngokwesicelo sakho, ntombi yam,” watsho uEli.


text:
Usapho lukaElikana lwavuka kwangentseni. Baya kunqula *uNdikhoyo, emva koko banduluka ukubuyela kokwabo eRama. Ke uElikana wahlangana noHana umkakhe. Weviwa nguNdikhoyo umthandazo wakhe.


text:
Wakhawula, wazala inkwenkwe unyaka ungekapheli. Wathi: “Igama layo nguSamweli; kaloku ndayicela kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
UElikana ubuye waya nosapho lwakhe eShilo ukuya kunikela kuNdikhoyo idini lonyaka kunye nelesithembiso.


text:
UHana wasala ekhaya. Wathi kumyeni wakhe: “Ndakululumla usana lwam, ndolusa endlwini kaNdikhoyo, luhlale phambi kwakhe ubomi balo bonke.”


text:
Indoda yakhe uElikana yathi: “Kulungile, ungasala. Yenza loo nto uyibona ilungile. Ungalinda ude umlumle umntwana. Ubenga uNdikhoyo angasifezekisa isithembiso sakhe.” Wasala ke uHana, eluncancisa usana lwakhe, lwada lwalunyulwa.


text:
Wathi akululumla usana lwakhe uHana, waya nalo eShilo, eqhuba inkunzi yenkomo eminyaka mithathu, ephethe neshumi leekhilogram zomgubo wengqolowa, nemvaba ezele yiwayini. Wahamba noSamweli, emsa endlwini *kaNdikhoyo eShilo, eselula njalo.


text:
UHana wathi kuEli: “Camagu, nkosi yam! Usaphila nje ulingqina lam lokuba ndingulaa mfazi wayemi apha ethandaza kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Ngoku ke ndimbuyisela kuNdikhoyo, kuba bonke ubomi bakhe bobalowo ucelwe kuNdikhoyo.” Emva koko ke uSamweli wakhonza uNdikhoyo apho eShilo.


text:
Ke kaloku uHana wathandaza emtyibela *uNdikhoyo, wathi: “Intliziyo yam inemincili ngawe, Ndikhoyo! Uphondo lwam luphakanyisiwe nguwe. Awuhlangani umlomo wam kukuqhayisela iintshaba zam, ndichulumanca lusindiso lwam.


text:
“Yithini tu! Yekan' ukuzingca! Yithini cwaka, niyek' ukuzigwagwisa! Kaloku uNdikhoyo ngumazi wezinto zonke; nguye ogocagoca izenzo zabantu.


text:
Izihluthi zijika zibe ngabangqibi, izilambi zidlokove yintlutha. Usitshw' isixhenxe umfaz' ongazaliyo, az' ozalayo asal' ejijitheka.


text:
nguye ophakamis' iindway' eluthulini, abasuse eluthuthwini abahlelelekileyo, ababeke kunye neendwalutho, baxhamle uzuko lobukhosi. Iintsika zehlabathi zezikaNdikhoyo; walithi zinzi elimiweyo phezu kwazo.


text:
“Nguye umkhuseli weenyawo zabakholose ngaye. Bothi shwaka ebumnyameni abakhohlakeleyo. Akungamandla amntu ukuphumelela.


text:
Bobhanga kuthi tu abachas' uNdikhoyo; wozongom' emazulwini barhwaqele. Nguye olawula namaphethel' ehlabathi. Uya kumambesa ngamandla ukumkani, luphakame uphondo lomthanjiswa wakhe.”


text:
Bagoduka ke ooElikana baya eRama, yasala apho eShilo yona inkwenkwe, ikhonza uNdikhoyo phambi kombingeleli uEli.


text:
Kaloku inkqubo yababingeleli nabantu yayikukuthi xeshikweni nabani na enikezela idini, kuthi ngeli xesha imbiza yenyama ibilayo, sifike isicaka sombingeleli siphethe ifolokhwe entloko ineencula ezintathu.


text:
Besihlaba ngayo epanini, nokuba kuseketileni, okanye esityeni sokupheka, kungenjalo embizeni nje, aze umbingeleli azithathele loo ndawo iphume nefolokhwe. Kwakuqhutywa ngolu hlobo kuwo onke amaSirayeli ayeye eShilo.


text:
Kodwa ngoku bekuthi, singekatshi siphele isiqhumiso samanqatha, suka isicaka sombingeleli siye kuloo mfo unikezela idini, sithi kuye: “Nika umbingeleli inyama, ose! Akayifuni inyama yakho ephekiweyo; ufuna ekrwada.”


text:
Ukuba loo mntu uphendule wathi: “Kaloku kufuneka siqale sitshe siphele isiqhumiso samanqatha, wandule ukuthatha loo ndawo uyithandayo,” besisithi isicaka sombingeleli: “Hayi, ndinike ngoku; kungenjalo ndoyithatha ngetshova.”


text:
Yena uSamweli wayehlala ekhonza endlwini *kaNdikhoyo – inkwenkwana ethiwe wambu ngesidanga selineni.


text:
Minyaka le unina wayedla ngokumenzela umnwetyana, aye nawo eShilo, xa umyeni wakhe aye kwenzela uNdikhoyo idini lonyaka.


text:
UEli wayemthamsanqelisa uElikana nomkakhe uHana, athi: “Ubenga uNdikhoyo angenza lo mfazi akuzalele abanye abantwana endaweni yalo wamcelayo waza wamnikela kuye,” baze ke emva koko bagoduke.


text:
UNdikhoyo ngenene wamvelela uHana, waza wamitha, wazala abanye oonyana abathathu kunye neentombi ezimbini. Yona inkwenkwe uSamweli yakhulela kwaNdikhoyo.


text:
UEli ngeli xesha wayeselaluphele mpela. Wayesoloko esiva ngemikhwa emibi yoonyana bakhe kumaSirayeli. Wayiva nento yokuba babelala abafazi ababekhonza ngasemasangweni enkundla *yesibingelelo *sikaNdikhoyo.


text:
Kaloku umntu one omnye umntu angathethelelwa phambi koThixo; angalanyulelwa kanjani ke xa one uNdikhoyo ngokwakhe?” Ke bona oonyana bakhe abazange bamhoye, naye uNdikhoyo wayeselezimisele ukubatshabalalisa.


text:
Kwafika umfo wakwaThixo kuEli, wathi: “Utsho *uNdikhoyo ukuthi: ‘Wazi kakuhle ukuba ndazityhila kookhokho bakho, xa babengamakhoboka eJiputa phantsi kokumkani walapho.


text:
Uyayazi nento yokuba ndabatyumba phakathi kwezizwe zakwaSirayeli, ndathi bona boba ngababingeleli bam, basondele eqongeni lam, benze isiqhumiso, bagaxele *isidanga sam. Ndatsho nokuthi boba nenxaxheba kumadini anikelwa kum ngomlilo ngamaSirayeli.


text:
Kungani ke ukuba ninyelise amadini neminikelo emiselwe ndim endaweni yam? Kungani ukuba uxabise oonyana bakho ngaphezu kwam, suka nizingxale ngokuthatha ezona-zona ndawo ziphambili zeminikelo endiyenzelwa ngabantu bam amaSirayeli?’


text:
“Ngako oko uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli, uthi: ‘Mna ndathembisa ukuba indlu yakho nendlu kayihlo yoba ngababingeleli bam naphakade.’ Kodwa ngoku uNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Unotshe! Mna ndiwonga abo bandihlonelayo, abo bandidelayo ndibaqalekise.


text:
Iyeza imihla endiza kuwashunqula amandla akho namandla endlu kayihlo, khon' ukuze ingabikho ingwevu kumlibo wenu.


text:
Niya kubona imbandezelo endaweni yam, naxa amanye amaSirayeli aya kuba nempumelelo. Ewe, akusayi kubuya kubekho nkonde kowenu.


text:
Nokuba kungakho omnye wenzala yakho osasondela eqongeni, naloo nto iseza kukulilisa ikuhluphe, kuba inkoliso yamadoda endlu yakho iya kufa iselula.


text:
“ ‘Into eya kufikela uHofeni noPineyasi oonyana bakho iza kuba ngumqondiso kuwe wale nto yonke endiyithethileyo. Bona baza kufa ngamini-nye.


text:
Ndiza kumisela owam umbingeleli onyanisekileyo, oya kwenza intando yam yonke. Ndiya kuyizinzisa indlu yakhe, andikhonze lonke ixesha phambi kokumkani otyunjwe ndim.


text:
Bonke abomzi wakho abaya kusinda baya kuya kuloo mbingeleli wam, bazithobe kuye, bacele imali nento etyiwayo, bathi: “Ndivumele ukuncedisa ababingeleli, khon' ukuze ngaloo ndlela ndizuze into etyiwayo.” ’ ”


text:
Ke kaloku umfana uSamweli wayekhonza *kwaNdikhoyo phambi koEli. Ngaloo mihla udaba oluvela kuNdikhoyo lwalunqabile, kungekho mntu unemibono ivela kuye.


text:
UEli wayenorhatyazo emehlweni kangangokuba wayebona luzizi. Ngabusuku buthile uEli wayelele endaweni yakhe,


text:
uSamweli yena elele endlwini kaNdikhoyo apho kwakugcinwa khona ityesi yomnqophiso. Kwathi ekuzeni kokusa, isibane sisavutha,


text:
Wakhawuleza waya kuEli, wafika wathi: “Ndim lo; ubundibiza.” Wathi yena uEli: “Hayi, yiya kulala, mfo wam; andikhange ndikubize.” Waya kulala ke.


text:
UNdikhoyo wabuya wambiza uSamweli. Wavuka ke umfana, waya kwakuEli, wathi: “Mhlekazi, uyandibiza. Ndim lo!” Kambe yena uEli wathi: “Hayi, andikubizanga; yiya kulala, mfo wam.”


text:
Phofu umfana lo yena wayengekamazi uNdikhoyo; kaloku uNdikhoyo wayengekazityhili kuye ngelizwi lakhe.


text:
UNdikhoyo wabuya wambiza uSamweli isihlandlo sesithathu. Wavuka uSamweli, waya kwakuEli, wafika wathi: “Ndim lo, mhlekazi; ubundibiza.” Waqonda ngoku uEli ukuba nguNdikhoyo lo umana ebiza lo mfana.


text:
Wathi uEli kuye: “Hamba wena, yiya kulala. Xa ubuye weva ubizwa, uze uthi: ‘Thetha, Ndikhoyo; isicaka sakho siphulapule.’ ” Waya kulala ke uSamweli emandlalweni wakhe.


text:
Waza uNdikhoyo weza wema apho, wabiza kwakhona esithi: “Samweli! Samweli!” Wasabela uSamweli wathi: “Thetha; siphulaphule isicaka sakho.”


text:
Wathi ke uNdikhoyo kuSamweli: “Uyabona, ndiza kwenza into kwaSirayeli eya kutsho zithi nzwii iindlebe zabantu bonke abaya kuyiva.


text:
Phofu ke sendimxelele ukuba umzi wakowabo ndiza kuwohlwaya ngokupheleleyo ngenxa yesono asaziyo soonyana bakhe. Kaloku oonyana bakhe balinyelisa igama lam, waza yena akabakhalimela.


text:
Ke ngoko ndifunge ndathi kumzi kaEli: ‘Akukho dini namnikelo uya kuze ube nako ukulicamagushela ityala lakho.’ ”


text:
USamweli wangqengqa kwada kwasa. Uthe akuvuka, wavula iingcango zendlu yakwaNdikhoyo. Woyika ukubalisela uEli ngombono wakhe.


text:
Wambuza esithi: “Lizwi lini na eli uNdikhoyo alithethe kuwe? Musa ukundifihlela; ndixelele. UThixo uya kuba nento yokwenza nawe ukuba akundixeleli into yonke ayithethileyo.”


text:
Wachaza konke ke uSamweli, akafihla nto. Watsho wathi uEli: “Nguye uNdikhoyo; makenze loo nto abona ukuba ifanele ukwenziwa.”


text:
AmaSirayeli, ukususela eDan kuye eBheshebha, aqonda ukuba uSamweli *wayengumshumayeli onyanisekileyo kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Ilizwi likaSamweli lafikelela kumaSirayeli onke. Aphuma amaSirayeli, ahlangabezana namaFilistiya ukuya kulwa nawo. AmaSirayeli amisa e-Ebhenezere; wona amaFilistiya amisa eAfeki.


text:
AmaFilistiya akha uluhlu ukukhawulela amaSirayeli, kwahlanganwa, zanqoza, aswantsuliswa amaSirayeli ngamaFilistiya, kwawa amawaka amane amaSirayeli kwelo dabi.


text:
Ukufika kwawo ekampini amajoni asindileyo edabini akhuza amadoda amakhulu, athi: “Ngani ukuba namhlanje *uNdikhoyo asiyekele siswantsuliswe ngamaFilistiya? Masiye kuphuthuma ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo eShilo, ibe lapha phakathi kwethu, khon' ukuze isisindise esandleni seentshaba zethu.”


text:
Kwathunywa izigidimi eShilo ukuba ziye kuphuthuma ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo onamandla onke, yena ongqongwe *zizithunywa ezimaphiko. Kweza noonyana bakaEli uHofeni noPineyasi, bekhapha ityesi yomnqophiso.


text:
Atsho ngentlokomakazi enkulu amaSirayeli ukufika kwetyesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo ekampini, watsho wanyikima umhlaba!


text:
Athi akuyiva loo ntswahla amaFilistiya, athi: “Yeyantoni na le ntsholo ingaka ekampini yamaSirayeli?” Athe akuva ukuba kufike ityesi kaNdikhoyo ekampini yamaSirayeli,


text:
ankwantya kukoyika amaFilistiya, esithi: “Kufike uThixo ekampini yamaSirayeli! Yehaa! Ayizange ibekho into enjengale ngaphambili!


text:
Sifile thina! Yaz'ba sosinda kanjani na esandleni salo Thixo unamandla? Asinguye na owabatshabalalisela entlango ngezibetho amaJiputa?


text:
Yomelelani, maFilistiya! Yibani ngamadoda, hleze nathi sibe zizicaka zamaSirayeli kanye njengoko nawo ayezizicaka zethu! Kuf' ayayo, madoda!”


text:
Alwa ke amaFilistiya, awaswantsulisa amaSirayeli, aya kutshona ngezindlu zawo. Kwajub' ugodo kwelo dabi, kwawa amashumi amathathu amawaka amajoni akwaSirayeli.


text:
Yathinjwa ngamaFilistiya ityesi yomnqophiso kaThixo, oonyana bakaEli uHofeni noPineyasi basala apho itshoba lilel' umbethe.


text:
Kwabakho mfo uthile wakwaBhenjamin owaxhina ukusuka edabini, waya kugaleleka eShilo kwangaloo mini. Izambatho zakhe zazikrazukile, intloko izele luthuli.


text:
Ukufika kwaloo mfo uEli wayehleli ecaleni kwendlela, ejonge enkalweni, exhalele ityesi yomnqophiso. Loo ndoda yaziphalaza esixekweni ezo ndaba zimbi, kothuka wonke umntu, yaba sisikhalo sodwa.


text:
Akusiva eso sijwili uEli wabuza wathi: “Yintoni unobangela wale ngxolo?” Loo ndoda yakhawuleza yaya kuEli. (


text:
Yamxelela loo ndoda uEli, yathi: “Ndibhungce edabini kwanamhlanje, ndaxhina okoko ukuza apha.” “Kwenzekeni, mfo wam?” kubuza uEli.


text:
Wathi loo mfo ubhunce edabini ukuphendula: “AmaSirayeli aswantsulisiwe ngamaFilistiya, yaye kufe amaSirayeli amaninzi, noonyana bakho uHofeni noPineyasi baphakathi kwaloo madoda awileyo. Ndithi kuthinjwe nkqu netyesi kaThixo leyo.”


text:
Uthe akuva kukhankanywa netyesi yomnqophiso uEli, waphequka kweso sihlalo sakhe ngasesangweni, wophuka ilungu lentamo, wafa. Kaloku wayeselaluphele, ekwanesiqu. Wayeyinkokheli kwaSirayeli iminyaka engamashumi amane.


text:
Ngelo xesha umolokazana kaEli, umka-Pineyasi, wayekhulelwe, seleza kukhululeka. Wathi ke akuziva iindaba zokuthinjwa kwetyesi yomnqophiso kaThixo, nokuba uyisezala kunye nomyeni wakhe abasekho, wasuka waguqa, wazala. Zamongamela iintlungu zokubeleka.


text:
Kwathi xa aqhawukayo, abafazi ababembelekisa bathi kuye: “Qina, mfazi; uzele inkwenkwe.” Yena wasuka akaphendula, akabahoya nokubahoya oku.


text:
Wathi igama laloo mntwana nguIkabhodi, esithi: “Udumo lumkile kwaSirayeli,” kuba ityesi kaThixo ibithinjiwe, uyisezala nomyeni wakhe nabo babeswelekile.


text:
Ngentsasa elandelayo amaFilistiya afika, tyhini uDagoni uthe qungqululu emhlabeni, ewe ngobuso ngaphambi kwetyesi *kaNdikhoyo! Babuya bammisa kwasendaweni yakhe uDagoni.


text:
Kwakhona ngentsasa elandelayo bafike tyhini kwakhona nanko uDagoni equngquluze ngaphambi kwetyesi kaNdikhoyo! Ngoku wayeqhawuke intloko nezandla, zingasemgubasini wendlu leyo, yena uDagoni esele esisibhukubhuku nje. (


text:
Unanamhla oku ababingeleli bakaDagoni, nabani na ongena endlwini kaDagoni eseAshdode, uyawutsiba umgubasi ngenxa yale ntlekele.)


text:
UNdikhoyo wabaphatha gadalala abantu baseAshdode neziphaluka zayo. Wabathobela izibetho, wabathuthumbisa ngamathumba.


text:
Athi amadoda alapho akuqonda le meko: “Le tyesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli mayisuke apha phakathi kwethu. Naku esimise kakubi kunye noDagoni uthixo wethu.”


text:
Kwabizwa intlanganiso yeenkosi zamaFilistiya, kwabuzwa kuzo kwathiwa: “Nithi mayithiweni na le tyesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli?” Zaphendula zathi: “Mayisiwe eGati ityesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli.” Yasiwa apho ke.


text:
Nalapho uNdikhoyo wabamisa kakubi abantu, batsho bazizantanta, wabathuthumbisa ngamathumba, omncinci nomdala ngokufanayo.


text:
Yadluliselwa e-Ekron ityesi yomnqophiso kaThixo. Yathi isafikanje abantu balapho bakhalaza besithi: “Baze kusibulalisa ngalaa tyesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli thina nabantu bethu!”


text:
Abantu balapho babiza iinkosi zamaFilistiya, babhekisa kuzo bathi: “Sincedeni; yisuseni apha kuthi le tyesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli. Mayibuyele kowayo, hleze isibulale thina nabantu bethu.” Kaloku bonke abantu besixeko babenkwantyisiwe kukufa, kuba uThixo wayebamise kakubi.


text:
Abantu abangafanga babethuthunjiswa ngamathumba, senyuka isikhalo sesixeko, sada savakala nasezulwini.


text:
Andula ke amaFilistiya ukubiza ababingeleli noosiyazi balapho, bathi kubo: “Masiyithini na ityesi kaNdikhoyo? Kufuneka sithini na ukuyigodusa?”


text:
Baphendula ababingeleli noosiyazi bathi: “Kaloku xa niyigodusa ityesi yoThixo wamaSirayeli, kufuneka ikhatshwe ngento yokungxengxezela ityala, ingahambi ingaphethe nto. Xa nenjenjalo niya kuphila, nitsho niyiqonde nembangi yokuba athi rhoqo ukunohlwaya uThixo kaSirayeli.”


text:
Abuza amaFilistiya athi: “Ingakhatshwa ngantoni na yokungxengxezela ityala?” Bathi ukuphendula ababingeleli: “Kaloku kufuneka niyikhaphe ngamathumba amahlanu awenziwe ngegolide, kunye neempuku ezintlanu ezenziwe ngegolide; inye kwezo nto imele inkosi yamaFilistiya nganye. Kaloku nonke nabethwa ngobhubhani ngokufanayo kunye neenkosi zenu zontlanu.


text:
Ze niyenze ke, bethu, le mifuziselo yamathumba enu nezi mpuku zenu zibhubhisa ilizwe, nimzukise uThixo wamaSirayeli. Mhlawumbi ke angatsho apheze ukunibetha nina kunye *noothixo benu nelizwe lenu.


text:
Yini ukuba niqaqadeke, nixele amaJiputa nokumkani wawo? Kaloku uThixo wawaphatha gadalala amaJiputa, aza awayeka amaSirayeli agoduka.


text:
“Ngoko ke yenzani inqwelo entsha, nize neemazi ezimbini ezinamankonyane ezingayaziyo idyokhwe. Zibopheni, wona amankonyane niwafake esibaya.


text:
Ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo ze niyilayishe kuloo nqwelo, nize ecaleni layo nibeke ibhokisi enalaa mifuziselo yenziwe ngegolide, leyo ningxengxeza ngayo kuye. Nize ke iimazi niziyeke zizihambele.


text:
Ze nijonge ke. Xa inqwelo ithe yasinga kowayo ngaseBhete-shemeshe, soqonda ngaloo nto ukuba kuthe kanti nguThixo kaSirayeli lo usithumele le ntlekele. Kodwa ke ukuba ayiyanga ngakhona siya kwazi ukuba asinguye obesithuthumbisa, yinto nje efane yehla.”


text:
Ayilayisha ityesi yomnqophiso enqweleni, ayilayisha naloo bhokisi iphethe imifuziselo yeempuku namathumba eyenziwe ngegolide.


text:
Zenjenjeya ukusinga ngaseBhete-shemeshe ezo mazi, zithe ngqo endleleni, zihamba zinxakama njalo, zingatyekeli ngasekhohlo nasekunene. Zona iinkosi zamaFilistiya zazilandela zada zaya kuma ngomda waseBhete-shemeshe.


text:
Ukuthi gqi kwayo ityesi yomnqophiso abantu baseBhete-shemeshe babesentlanjeni, bevuna ingqolowa. Yeka ke imincili yabo bakuyibona ityesi yomnqophiso!


text:
Loo nqwelo yaya kuma malunga nelitye elikhulu entsimini yomfo ekwakusithiwa nguYoshuwa waseBhete-shemeshe. Bayinqunqa yaziinkuni loo nqwelo, baxhela nezo mazi, benzela ngazo uNdikhoyo idini elitshiswayo.


text:
AbaLevi bayithula ityesi yomnqophiso kunye naloo bhokisi yayinemifuziselo eyenziwe ngegolide, bazibeka phezu kwelo litye likhulu. Abemi baseBhete-shemeshe benzela uNdikhoyo iminikelo kunye namadini atshiswayo.


text:
AmaFilistiya ayethumele imifuziselo yamathumba emihlanu enziwe ngegolide, engxengxeza ngayo kuNdikhoyo. Umfuziselo ngamnye wawumele isixeko. Ezo zixeko yayiyiAshdode, iGaza, iAshkelon, iGati, kunye ne-Ekron.


text:
Bathumela kwanemifuziselo yeempuku ezenziwe ngegolide. Impuku nganye yayimele isixeko ngasinye sezo nkosi zintlanu zamaFilistiya, nditsho izixeko ezibiyelweyo kunye neziphaluka zazo. Elo litye lalisentsimini kaYoshuwa waseBhete-shemeshe lisemi apho unanamhla oku, libubungqina bento eyehla apho.


text:
UNdikhoyo wababetha abemi baseBhete-shemeshe, kwafa abangamashumi asixhenxe, kuba kaloku basuka bayijonga ityesi yomnqophiso. Kwazilwa ngabemi balapho, kuba uNdikhoyo ebhubhise abantu abaninzi kangaka.


text:
Abemi baseBhete-shemeshe bathi: “Kambe ke ngubani onako ukuma phambi *koNdikhoyo, lo Thixo wahluke kangaka? Singayithumela phi ityesi yakhe ukusuka apha?”


text:
Bathumela izigidimi eKiriyati-yarim ukuba ziye kuthi kubemi balapho: “Ayibuyisile amaFilistiya ityesi yomnqophiso. Yizani niyiphuthume.”


text:
Abemi baseKiriyati-yarim baya kuyiphuthuma ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo, bayisa emzini ka-Abhinadabhi owawusendulini. Bamisela uElazare, unyana waloo mfo, ukuba ibe nguye ogcina ityesi yomnqophiso kaNdikhoyo.


text:
Yahlala ithuba elide ityesi yomnqophiso *kaNdikhoyo eKiriyati-yarim. Yaba ngamashumi amabini eminyaka ilapho. Ngelo xesha onke amaSirayeli ayezibika kuNdikhoyo ukuba awancede.


text:
Ngoko ke uSamweli wathi kwindlu yonke kaSirayeli: “Ukuba ngenene nibuyele kuNdikhoyo ngentliziyo epheleleyo, kufuneka nahlukane *noothixo basemzini bonke, nilahle nemifanekiso yothixokazi uAshtaroti. Kufuneka nizimisele nizinikele kuNdikhoyo ngokupheleleyo, nikhonze yena yedwa. Yena ke wonihlangula esandleni samaFilistiya.”


text:
Emva koko uSamweli wathi: “Onke amaSirayeli makahlangane eMizpa. Mna ke ndiya kunithandazela kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
Kwayiwa ke eMizpa kuloo mbizo, kwakhiwa amanzi, aza aphalazwa, kusenziwa umnikelo kuNdikhoyo. Kwakuzilwe imini yonke, abantu besithi: “Sinetyala kuNdikhoyo.” (NguSamweli owaba yinkokheli yamaSirayeli eMizpa.)


text:
Athi akuva amaFilistiya ukuba nâko amaSirayeli eqokelelene eMizpa, aphuma ekhokelwa ziinkosi zawo ukuya kuhlasela amaSirayeli. Zaya kufika kumaSirayeli ezo ndaba, atsho awoyika amaFilistiya,


text:
athi kuSamweli: “Uze ungayeki ukusitarhuzela kuNdikhoyo uThixo wethu, khon' ukuze asihlangule kumaFilistiya.”


text:
USamweli wathatha itakane, wenzela uNdikhoyo ngalo idini elitshiswayo lilonke. Wacelela amaSirayeli uncedo kuNdikhoyo, weviwa nguNdikhoyo umthandazo wakhe.


text:
Kanye xa uSamweli wayesenza elo dini, asondela amaFilistiya, elungiselela ukuhlasela amaSirayeli. Kuthe kanye ngoko kwavakala ukuzongoma kukaNdikhoyo, kusiza ngakumaFilistiya, atsho adideka, awabaleka amaSirayeli.


text:
Emva koko uthathe ilitye lalinye uSamweli, walimisa phakathi kweMispa neShen, wathi igama laloo ndawo yiEbhenezere, esithi: “Kude kwakalokunje uNdikhoyo esinceda.”


text:
Kwaba njalo ke ukoyiswa kwamaFilistiya, ayeka ukuhlasela ummandla kaSirayeli. Ngalo lonke ixesha esaphila uSamweli isandla sikaNdikhoyo sasiwachasile amaFilistiya.


text:
Azibuyisela kwaSirayeli zonke izixeko ezaziphakathi kwe-Ekron neGati, ezo ayezithimbile amaFilistiya. Waba ke wonke ummandla kaSirayeli uyakhululeka kumaFilistiya. Kwabakho uxolo, nditsho naphakathi kwamaSirayeli nama-Amori.


text:
Minyaka le wayedla ngokwenza umjikelo, aye eBhetele, eGiligali, naseMizpa, afike apho alamle iimbambano zabantu.


text:
Ukusuka apho wayegoduka aye eRama, apho wayefika alamle nakhona. Apho eRama kulapho wakha iqonga lokwenzela uNdikhoyo amadini.


text:
Kambe ke bona babengamfuzanga uyise; bona babesemva kwenzuzo ngobuqhetseba, bengamathanda-kunyotywa, belamla ngesheyi.


text:
afika athi kuye: “Sewaluphele wena ngoku, yaye noonyana bakho abakufuzanga mpela. Ngoko ke sityumbele ukumkani, khon' ukuze nathi sifane nezinye izizwe, sibe nokumkani osilawulayo.”


text:
waza wathi kuye uNdikhoyo: “Bek' iindlebe uyiphulaphule into abayithethayo aba bantu. Ababukuli wena; ndim lo bangamfuniyo ukuba abalawule.


text:
Okoko ndaphuma nabo eJiputa, kude kube namhlanje, basoloko bendifulathela bekhonza thixo bambi; nangoku basayenza loo nto!


text:
Siphulaphule isicelo sabo, kodwa uze ubaqononondise ibacacele impatho abaya kuyifumana kwabo kumkani babafunayo.”


text:
wathi: “Ukumkani oya kunilawula uya kwenjenje: Woseka umkhosi ngoonyana benu. Abanye wobenza umkhosi weenqwelo, abanye babe ngumkhosi okhwela amahashe, abanye bagijime ngaphambi kwenqwelo yakhe.


text:
Abanye boba ngabaphathi-mabutho, abanye babe ngabaphathi-maqela, abanye balime amasimi akhe, bavune nokuvuna, kubekho nabo baxhonkxa izikhali zokulwa kunye nezixhobo zeenqwelo zakhe.


text:
Awona mahle amasimi enu, izidiliya, namabhoma eminquma, ukumkani wowahlutha awanike amaphakathi akhe.


text:
Izicaka nezicakakazi zenu, neenkabi zenu, ezona zintle, kwakunye needonki zenu, wozithimba zisebenzele yena.


text:
Nakuba nimfumene kwanina niya kumkhalazela loo kumkani nimtyumbileyo. Ke yena uNdikhoyo akayi kuba saniphulaphula.”


text:
UNdikhoyo waphendula wenjenje: “Kulungile ke, banike ukumkani.” USamweli ke uthe kumaSirayeli: “Makhe nigoduke, madoda.”


text:
Ke kaloku kwakukho indwalutho yakwaBhenjamin eyayinguKishe igama, unyana ka-Abhiyeli, kaZerore, kaBhekorati, ka-Afiya.


text:
UKishe wayenonyana ogama linguSawule, igatyana lenzwana yomfana. Lo mfana wayesukile egadeni evela kuwo onke amaSirayeli.


text:
Ke kaloku kwalahleka iidonki zikaKishe uyise kaSawule. UKishe wabiza uSawule, wathi kuye: “Hamba kunye nesinye isicaka, uye kufuna iidonki zam, mfo wam.”


text:
Banduluka ke abafana, bacanda kwaEfrayim kweleenduli, bawutyhutyha nommandla waseShalisha, abazifumana noko. Bajika baya kucanda nakummandla waseShalim, nalapho abazibona. Babuya bawutyhutyha ummandla wakwaBhenjamin, kodwa nalapho azabikho.


text:
Bathe bakufika kummandla waseZufi, uSawule wathi kwisicaka awayehamba naso: “Mfondini, ndithi mna masigoduke ngoku. Ngahle ubawo akasacingi ngazidonki ngoku, selenexhala ngathi.”


text:
Sithe isicaka: “Khawume! Apha kule dolophu kukho umfo wakwaThixo ohlonitshwe kakhulu nothi akuzithetha izinto zibe njengoko atshiloyo. Makhe siye kuye; mhlawumbi ke nathi angasibeka emkhondweni.”


text:
USawule uthe: “Mfondini, uthi siya kumnika ntoni? Asisenamphako nasezingxoweni; asinanto sinayo konke esingamnikayo umfo wakwaThixo lo. Ngaba sinento esinayo na?”


text:
Uthe uSamweli: “Ngxatsho ke! Utsho endodeni; masiye!” Baya ke kuloo dolophu kwakuhlala kuyo lo mfo wakwaThixo. Bathi besanyuka induli bejonge edolophini, bahlangana negqiza leentombi ezaziya kukha amanzi. Babuza kuzo bathi: “Ngaba imboni ikho na edolophini?” (Kaloku ngaloo maxesha *abashumayeli kwakusithiwa ziimboni.)


text:
Zathi ezo ntombi: “Ewe, ikhona. Yandulela nina. Khawulezani. Isandul' ukufika namhlanje apha edolophini. Ize kulaa msebenzi wokwenza idini phaya endulini.


text:
Ukuba niyasukela, noyifumana ingekanyuki phaya kulaa nduli ukuya kutya. Akusayi kutya bani ingekafiki yona. Kaloku kufuneka idini lisikelelwe yiyo kuqala, bandule abamenyiweyo ukutya. Sukelani ke, ningaphozisi maseko; noyifumana.”


text:
Basukela ooSamweli nesicaka ukusinga edolophini. Bathe bakungena baqubisana noSamweli esendleleni eya endulini.


text:
“Malunga neli xesha kanye ngomso ndiza kuthumela kuwe umfana ovela kwelakwaBhenjamin. Uze umthambise abe ngumlawuli wabantu bam amaSirayeli. Iza kuba nguye oya kubakhulula kumaFilistiya. Ndiyibonile inkxwaleko yabantu bam, ndasiva nesikhalo sabo.”


text:
Wathi uSamweli akumthi ntla uSawule, uNdikhoyo wathi kuye: “Nguloo mfana ke lowo bendithetha ngaye. Nguye oza kulawula abantu bam.”


text:
Wasuka uSawule waya kuSamweli owayesesangweni, wafika wathi: “Khawutsho, bawo, singayifumana phi imboni apha?”


text:
Uphendule ngelithi uSamweli: “Ndim loo mboni. Hambani apha phambi kwam, siye phaya kulaa ndawo kunqulelwa kuyo, nidle kunye nam namhlanje. Loo nto nize ngayo ndoyichaza ngomso, ndinikhulule ke, nihambe.


text:
Musani kuba sazikhathaza ngeedonki eziyâ bezilahlekile izolo elinye; sezifunyenwe. Ngubani na oza kuzuza elona wonga kwaSirayeli? Asinguwe na nomzi kayihlo uphela?”


text:
USawule uthe ukuphendula: “Mna ndingowakwaBhenjamin, esona sizwe sincinane kwaSirayeli, yaye nabesiduko sakowethu ngowona mzi uphantsi kweso sizwe. Kungani na ukuba uthethe nam ngolu hlobo?”


text:
USamweli wabangenisa ooSawule nesicaka sakhe egumbini elikhulu, wabahlalisa ezihlalweni zabona bahloniphekileyo phambi kwezinye iindwendwe ezimenyiweyo ezazimalunga namashumi amathathu.


text:
Waza ke umpheki weza nomlenze nokuhamba nawo, wawubeka phambi koSawule. Uthe ke uSamweli: “Nantso ke inyama obuyibekelwe. Yitye. Bendiyigcinele wena, ukuze uyitye kwesi sidlo kunye nabo bamenyiweyo.” USawule ke waba lundwendwe lukaSamweli ngaloo mini.


text:
Bathe ukubuya kulaa ndawo yokunqula, uSamweli wancokola noSawule endaweni eyakhiweyo phezu kwendlu. Walala apho ngobo busuku.


text:
Kuthe ekuseni uSamweli waya kuvusa uSawule kulaa ndawo wayelele kuyo, wathi: “Vuka ngoku, ndikukhulule uhambe.” Wavuka uSawule. Baphuma kunye noSamweli.


text:
Bathe xa bengasekuphumeni kwedolophu, wathi uSamweli kuSawule: “Yithi kwesi sicaka sakho masikhe sibe sihamba phambili.” Sahamba ke isicaka, waza ke uSamweli waqhuba wathi: “Khawuthi xha nje kancinci khe ndikuxelele udaba oluvela kuThixo.”


text:
Ke kaloku uSamweli urhole iqhaga elalinamafutha omnquma, wawagalela entloko kaSawule, wamanga, wathi: “Uyakuthambisa *uNdikhoyo ukuze ulawule abantu bakhe.


text:
Ukwahlukana kwethu namhlanje uya kuhlangana namadoda amabini phaya ngakwingcwaba likaRakeli eZeleza kumda wakwaBhenjamin. Aya kuthi kuwe: ‘Eziya donki ubuye kuzikhangela zifumanekile, yaye noyihlo akasazidubi ngazo ngoku, seleziduba ngawe. Selesithi: “Yaz'ba ndiza kuyithini na into yokungabuyi konyana wam?” ’


text:
“Ùya kudlula apho, uye kutsho eTabhore kumthi wom-oki, apho wohlangana khona namadoda amathathu esendleleni eya eBhetele ukuya kukhonza uThixo. Enye indoda yoba ithwele amatakane ebhokhwe amathathu, enye iphethe izonka ezithathu, enye ixwaye imvaba yewayini.


text:
Emva koko uya kufika kulaa nduli kaThixo iseGibheya, apho amaFilistiya anekampu yamajoni. Ekungeneni kwakho edolophini apho wohlangana nomgcelele *wabashumayeli, bevela endulini apho, behamba bebetha iihapu, amagubu, iimpempe, neekatala, beshumayela besemoyeni.


text:
Nawe ke uya kungenwa nguMoya kaNdikhoyo ngamandla, utsho ungenelele kuloo ntshumayelo nakuloo ntsholo yabo, ube mntu wumbi.


text:
Uya kundandulela ukuya eGiligali. Nakanjani ndiya kufika, senzele khona uNdikhoyo amadini atshiswayo nawobudlelane. Uze undilinde apho iintsuku ezisixhenxe, ndide ndifike, ndikuyalele into omawuyenze.”


text:
Uthe uSawule xa ejika enika uSamweli umva, uThixo wamnika mo yimbi uSawule. Yaye yonke loo miqondiso yayithethwe nguSamweli yazalisekiswa kwangaloo mini.


text:
Ukufika kukaSawule nesicaka eGibheya wahlangatyezwa ngumgcelele wabashumayeli. UMoya kaThixo wamngena ngamandla, waza naye wangenelela washumayela.


text:
Bathi bakumbona esenza loo nto abantu ababekade bemazi, babuzana besithi: “Yeha ke! Nithi ungenwe yini na unyana kaKishe? Nithi noSawule selewaba ngomnye *wabashumayeli na?”


text:
“Bangoonyana bakabani bona aba?” wavakala esitsho omnye wabemi balapho. Savela loo mini ke isaci esithi: “NoSawule lo kanti selewaba ngomnye wabashumayeli na?”


text:
Uyisekazi akumbona yena nesicaka sakhe, wathi: “Khawutsho; nivela phi?” “Besikhangela iidonki,” uphendule watsho uSawule. “Sithe ke sakungaziboni saya kuSamweli.”


text:
“Usixelele ukuba iidonki zifunyenwe.” NguSawule ke otshoyo; phofu akachaza nto kuyisekazi ngentetho kaSamweli ngombandela wokuba ngukumkani.


text:
Wabhekisa kubo wathi: “Utsho uNdikhoyo, uThixo kaSirayeli, ukuthi: ‘Ndim owakhupha amaSirayeli eJiputa, ndawahlangula kwingcinezelo yamaJiputa nezinye iikumkani.’


text:
Kodwa ngoku nimfulathele uThixo wenu onihlangulayo kuzo zonke iinkxwaleko neenzingo, naza nathi: ‘Simisele ikumkani isilawule.’ Ngoko ke, dwelani apha phambi koNdikhoyo ngokwezizwe zenu neziduko zenu.”


text:
Waza uSamweli wasondeza isizwe sakwaBhenjamin ngokweziduko zaso, kwaza kwatyunjwa indlu kaMatri, kuyo kwatyunjwa uSawule unyana kaKishe. Bamkhangela kodwa ababi nakumfumana.


text:
Baza babuza kuNdikhoyo bathi: “Ngaba selefikile na?” UNdikhoyo wathi: “Ewe, nankuya ezimele phaya emva kwemithwalo.”


text:
Akhawuleza aya kumrhola apho amadoda, amzisa ebantwini. Kwathi xa emi phakathi kwabo wavela ngentloko kubo bonke.


text:
Wenjenje ke uSamweli ukubhekisa ebantwini: “Nanku ke umntu otyunjwe nguNdikhoyo. Niyabona nani ukuba akukho namnye onjengaye phakathi kwethu.” Baduma bonke abantu, bathi: “Huntshu-u-u, ad' akhokhob' ukumkani!”


text:
Ke uSamweli wabachazela ngemigaqo yobukumkani, wayibhala encwadini, waza wayibeka phambi kukaNdikhoyo. Wabandulula ke bonke, bagoduka.


text:
Babakho kambe noongantweni ababesithi: “Yintoni engenziwa ngulaa mfo ukusihlangula?” Bamdela, abamenzela zinwe; phofu wathi cwaka yena uSawule.


text:
Ukumkani uNahashe wama-Amon wahlasela idolophu iJabheshe ekummandla wamaGiliyadi, wayivingcela. Amadoda onke alapho eJabheshe athi kukumkani uNahashe: “Masenze umnqophiso woxolo. Siyavuma ukukuthobela.”


text:
UNahashe uthe ukuphendula: “Loo mnqophiso ndiya kuwenza kuphela xa sivanayo ukuba ndikrolonqe iliso lasekunene kumntu ngamnye, khon' ukuze ndiwahlazise amaSirayeli.”


text:
Athe ukuphendula amadoda amakhulu aseJabheshe: “Khawusiphe iintsuku zibe sixhenxe, sikhe sithumele izigidimi kulo lonke elakwaSirayeli kuqala. Ukuba akakho osihlangulayo, sozincama sinikezele.”


text:
Ezo zigidimi zaya kugaleleka eGibheya kuloSawule. Zathi zakuziphalaza ezo ndaba, basitsho abantu isikhalo.


text:
Wayesafika evela emasimini neenkabi zakhe uSawule. “Kwenzeke ntoni ebantwini? Sisijwili sani esi basenzayo?” NguSawule obuzayo. Abantu bamxelela ezo ndaba zazize nezigidimi zaseJabheshe.


text:
Wathatha iinkabi zambini, wazihlahla zayimibengo, wathi izigidimi maziyise kulo lonke elakwaSirayeli, zihambe ziyala abantu zisithi: “Umntu ongayiyo emfazweni kunye noSawule noSamweli iinkabi zakhe zoba yimibengo.” AmaSirayeli onganyelwa kukuhlonela uNdikhoyo, aphuma onke, akwasala nempunde le.


text:
USawule wawaqokelela eBhezeki. Yayingamakhulu mathathu amawaka amadoda avela kwaSirayeli, namashumi mathathu amawaka amadoda avela kwaJuda.


text:
Izigidimi ezivela eJabheshe kwathiwa mazigoduke nomyalezo othi: “Ze niwaxelele amawenu nithi: ‘Ngomso oku, ngemini emaqanda, nobe nihlangulwe.’ ” Bavuya kakhulu wakufika loo myalezo abantu baseJabheshe.


text:
Kwangentseni ngengomso uSawule wawenza amabutho amathathu umkhosi wakhe. Wasuka indulumbane ukuphuma kwekhwezi, wawahlasela ama-Amon. Kuthe kwakuba yimini emaqanda baba sebewaxhaxhile. Aba ziintsali amadoda asindileyo, iyileyo izihambela yodwa.


text:
Emva koko amadoda aya kuSamweli, afika athi: “Aphi laa madoda ayesithi: ‘Singaphathwa nguSawule na thina?’ Wakhuphe, siwacime igama!”


text:
“Akuyi kubulawa mntu namhlanje, kuba olu lusuku uNdikhoyo ahlangule ngalo uSirayeli,” watsho uSawule.


text:
Kwayiwa ke, baza apho, ngaphambi kukaNdikhoyo, bazinzisa ubukumkani bukaSawule. Kwenziwa amadini obudlelwane apho, uSawule namaSirayeli ephela bebhiyozela eso siganeko.


text:
Wasuka ke uSamweli, wabhekisa kumaSirayeli ephela, wenjenje: “Niyabona, into ebeniyicelile kum ndiyenzile, ndammisela ukumkani wenu.


text:
Nanku; uza kunilawula. Mna sendaluphele ndaba yingwevu. Noonyana bam naba phakathi kwenu. Ndanikhokela ndisemtsha kude kuze kuthi gaa apha.


text:
Ndim lo ke, ndithi ukuba ndakha ndanona ndimangaleleni ngoku apha phambi *koNdikhoyo naphambi komthanjiswa wakhe ukumkani. Ndakha ndahlutha bani inkabi yakhe yenkomo okanye idonki? Ndakha ndacinezela bani na; ingubani endakha ndamngcungcuthekisa? Ngubani owakha wandinyoba ukundivala umlomo? Ukuba ndakha ndayenza into enjalo, ndiya kuyenza imbuyekezo.”


text:
Wahlokoma umzi wathi: “Akuzange wasicinezela nanini, ungazange wangcungcuthekisa bani nakanye; yaye akuzange wathatha nto mntwini.”


text:
Wathi ke uSamweli: “UNdikhoyo nomthanjiswa wakhe ukumkani ngamangqina am ke ukuba kutsho nina ukuthi ndimsulwa.” “Ewe,” kutsho abantu, “nguNdikhoyo ingqina lethu.”


text:
Uqhube wenjenje uSamweli: “Ingqina nguNdikhoyo lo watyumba uMosis noAron, waza wabakhupha ooyihlo-mkhulu eJiputa.


text:
Sondelani ke, ndiniyale phambi koNdikhoyo ngokunikhumbuza ngemisebenzi yobulungisa ayenzele nina nooyihlo.


text:
“Kwathi akuba seJiputa uYakobi nomzi wakhe, bazibika kuNdikhoyo, yena wathumela uMosis noAron ababakhuphayo eJiputa, beza kuma kulo mhlaba.


text:
Bathi bakuba lapha abantu bamlibala uNdikhoyo uThixo wabo. Yena ke ngoko wabanikela esandleni sikaSisera umphathi womkhosi waseHazore, nakumaFilistiya, nakukumkani wakwaMowabhi, – zintshaba zabo ezo ezabahlaselayo.


text:
Babuya bazibika kuNdikhoyo, besithi: ‘Ewe, sonile, kuba sikufulathele, Ndikhoyo, sanqula ooBhali nooAshtaroti. Sihlangule kwiintshaba zethu; sokhonza wena!’


text:
UNdikhoyo ke wathumela uGidiyon, noBharaki, noJefta, waza wagqibela ngam. Wanihlangula kwiintshaba zenu macala onke, nahlala ngenzolo.


text:
Kodwa nithe nakuqonda ukuba ukumkani uNahashe wama-Amon ufuna ukunihlasela, neza kum, nathi: ‘Sifuna ukumkani wethu,’ naxa uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu engukumkani wenu.”


text:
Utyatyadule wathi uSamweli: “Nanku ke ukumkani enimkhethileyo. Ufunwe nini ke; uNdikhoyo uyanikhululela ke ngoku.


text:
Kuya kuba hele, kube chosi, ukuba nje uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu niyamhlonela, nimkhonze, nimphulaphule, ningaphikisani nomyalelo wakhe, koko nimlandele nikunye nokumkani wenu onilawulayo.


text:
Kodwa ukuba animva uNdikhoyo, niphikisane nomyalelo wakhe, wonichasa njengoko wenjenjalo kooyihlo-mkhulu.


text:
Naxa ilixesha lokuvuna ingqolowa eli, ndiza kutsho kuNdikhoyo ahlise imvula neendudumo. Niya kuqonda ke ukuba imbi kuNdikhoyo le nto yokufuna kwenu ukumkani.”


text:
Wathandaza wabhekisa kuNdikhoyo ke uSamweli, kwaza kwangaloo mini kwafika iindudumo kunye nemvula, zithunyelwe nguNdikhoyo. Abantu ke ngoko bamoyika uNdikhoyo ngokunjalo noSamweli.


text:
Bonke bathi kuSamweli: “Sithandazele kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, singafi, thina zicaka zakho. Kuzo zonke izono zethu ebesikade sizenza songeze nobu bubi bokuzicelela ukumkani.”


text:
USamweli wathi: “Ze ningoyiki! Ewe kambe, naxa nenze bonke obu bubi, nize ningaphambuki nimke kuNdikhoyo, koko nize nimkhonze ngomxhelo uphela.


text:
Nize ningarhorhozeli emva *koothixo abangento. Abanako ukuninceda, bengenako ukunihlangula. Kaloku bona zizinto ezingento nje.


text:
Ngenxa yegama lakhe elikhulu uNdikhoyo akayi kubalahla abantu bakhe, kuba kwakholeka kuye ukunenza abantu bakhe ncakasana.


text:
Mna okokwam andingekhe ndimone uNdikhoyo ngokuyekelela ukunithandazela. Ndizimisele ukunifundisa ukuhamba indlela ethe mbo.


text:
Kodwa uNdikhoyo nize nimthobele nimkhonze ninyanisekile ngomxhelo uphela. Kaloku nizibonile ukuba zinkulu kwazo izinto anenzele zona.


text:
uSawule wakhetha amawaka amathathu amadoda akwaSirayeli. Amawaka amabini asala naye eMikimashe naseBhetele kweleentaba. Elinye iwaka walithumela eGibheya kummandla wakwaBhenjamin kunye noJonatan. Amanye amadoda wathi makagoduke.


text:
UJonatan wahlasela ikampana yamaFilistiya eyayiseGebha. Yaduma kwelamaFilistiya into yokuba amaSirayeli avus' umnyele. USawule wathumela izigidimi ukuba zihambe zibeth' izigodlo kulo lonke, zithi: “Bekan' iindlebe, maHebhere!”


text:
Weva ke uSirayeli ephela, kusithiwa: “USawule uyihlasele ikampana yamaFilistiya, asuka amaSirayeli aba lizothe kumaFilistiya.” Amadoda akwaSirayeli abizelwa kuSawule eGiligali.


text:
AmaFilistiya aqokelela umkhosi wokulwa namaSirayeli. Yaba ngamashumi amathathu amawaka eenqwelo zokulwa, namawaka amathandathu amadoda akhwele kuzo, nenyambalala yamajoni. Enjenjeya ukuya kumisa ikampu yawo eMikimashe ngasempumalanga yeBhetaven.


text:
Athi amadoda akwaSirayeli akubona ukuba mbi kwemeko yawo, nokuxinwa komkhosi wawo, asuka aya kuziqhusheka emiqolombeni nasezihlahleni, ezixhotyeni zamawa, emihadini, nasemaquleni.


text:
Amanye amaHebhere awelela ngaphesheya kweJordan kwimimandla yakwaGadi naseGiliyadi. Wasala eGiligali yena uSawule, esankwantya luloyiko amadoda awayesele naye.


text:
Walinda iintsuku zasixhenxe, njengoko wayeyalelwe nguSamweli. Akafika yena uSamweli eGiligali. Amadoda kaSawule aya echithakala,


text:
waza ke wathi: “Sondezani kum izinto zokwenza amadini atshiswayo namadini obudlelane.” Zithe zakusiwa, wanikela idini elitshiswayo.


text:
Wasuka uSamweli wabuza wathi: “Yintoni le uyenzileyo, Sawule?” Uphendule ngelithi uSawule: “Hayi, ndithe ndakubona amadoda echithakala, nawe ungafiki ngexesha obuthe uya kufika ngalo, namaFilistiya eqokelelana eMikimashe,


text:
ndaqonda ukuba la maFilistiya ngahle asihlasele apha eGiligali singekabhekisi *kuNdikhoyo. Ndeva ndinyanzelekile ke ukuba ndinikele idini elitshiswayo kuNdikhoyo.”


text:
“Wenze ubudenge ke khona!” kutsho uSamweli. “Uwutyeshele umyalelo kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Ukuba ubumthobele uNdikhoyo ubukumkani bakho kwaSirayeli bebuya kuma bumi.


text:
Kodwa ke ngoku luza kunqamka ulawulo lwakho, kuba uwutyeshele kaloku umyalelo kaNdikhoyo. UNdikhoyo uzityumbele enye indoda esenyongweni yakhe ukuba ibalawule abantu bakhe.”


text:
USamweli wesuka eGiligali waya eGibheya kummandla wakwaBhenjamin. USawule wawabala amadoda asele naye, wafumana ukuba amalunga namakhulu amathandathu.


text:
USawule nonyana wakhe uJonatan kunye nomkhosi wabo babemise eGebha kummandla wamaBhenjamin. Wona amaFilistiya amisa eMikimashe.


text:
Umkhosi wamaFilistiya wakhupha amahlelo amathathu. Elinye ihlelo laphuma laya ngaseOfra kummandla waseShuwali,


text:
KwaSirayeli kwakungekho bakhandi, kuba amaFilistiya athi: “AmaHebhere osuka enze amakrele nemikhonto.”


text:
Kwakufuneka amaSirayeli aye kumaFilistiya xa afuna ukulolelwa amakhuba namagaba, amazembe kunye neerhengqa zawo.


text:
Kwakuhlawulwa iqhosha lemali ngokulola izembe nangokulungisa incula, abe mabini xa kulolwa isikali sekhuba okanye kubazwa iimviko.


text:
Ke ngoko ngomhla wedabi kwakungekho nanye indoda kwaSirayeli eyayinekrele okanye umkhonto, ngaphandle nje kukaSawule nonyana wakhe uJonatan.


text:
Ngamhla uthile uJonatan unyana kaSawule wavakala esithi kumfana omphathela izikrweqe: “Masikhe siwelele ngaphesheya phaya kulaa kampana yamaFilistiya.” Phofu akayithethanga kuyise le nto uJonatan.


text:
USawule wayemise eMigron, phantsi komthi werharnati, kude kufuphi naseGibheya. Umkhosi wakhe wawungamadoda amalunga namakhulu amathandathu.


text:
*Isidanga sasiphathwa ngumbingeleli uAhiya unyana ka-Ahitubhi, umntakwabo-Ikabhodi, oonyana bakaPineyasi, abazukulwana bakaEli owayengumbingeleli *kaNdikhoyo eShilo. Akazanga akuqaphele ukumka kukaJonatan nkqu namadoda omkhosi kaSawule.


text:
Kuloo ngxingwa yaseMikimashe, le wayeza kuphumelela kuyo uJonatan xa awelela kwikampana yamaFilistiya, kwakukho amawa amabini, eziingqajolo, ephahle loo ngxingwa. Kwakusithiwa nguBhozeze elinye ukubizwa kwalo, elinye kusithiwa nguSene.


text:
Ubuye wathi uJonatan kuloo mfana umphathela izikrweqe: “Masiwelele kulaa kampana yeziya ntlanga zingalukiyo. Mhlawumbi angakwicala lethu uNdikhoyo. Akukho nto inokumthintela uNdikhoyo ukuba angahlanguli, nditsho nokuba sibaninzi, nokuba simbalwa.”


text:
Kodwa ke xa athe: ‘Nyukani nize kuthi,’ siya kunyuka, kuba lowo ngumqondiso wokuba uNdikhoyo uwanikele esandleni sethu.”


text:
Baziveza ke kwikampana yamaFilistiya, aza wona akubabona athi: “Tyhini, nangaya amaSirayeli ephuma kulaa mihadi ebezimele kuyo!”


text:
Atsho akhweba uJonatan kunye nalaa mfana umphathela izikrweqe, esithi: “Yizan' apha, sinifundise isifundo!” Uthe uJonatan kuloo mfana: “Ndilandele sinyuke; uNdikhoyo uwanikele esandleni samaSirayeli.”


text:
UJonatan wenyuka iliwa ekhasa, elandelwa nguloo mfana, baya kuphumela. Wawahlasela amaFilistiya uJonatan, kujuba ugodo nje, umfana egqibezela awileyo.


text:
Wadideka luloyiko wonke umkhosi wamaFilistiya, nditsho lowo usekampini, nalowo usemathafeni, nalowo ukwiikampana, nalowo ukumahlelo ahlaselayo. Bacela kwabasicatyana, watsho wanyikima umhlaba. Yayingumsebenzi kaThixo ke lo.


text:
Amadoda omkhosi kaSawule awayegade eGibheya kummandla wakwaBhenjamin, abona kuphithizela, amaFilistiya ethwangazela, ebaleka.


text:
Kweso sithuba uSawule ubhekise kumadoda esithi: “Khanibale amadoda akhoyo, nikhangele ukuba ngawaphi na angekhoyo.” Kwakwenziwa njalo kwacaca ukuba nguJonatan nomfana omphathela izikrweqe abangekhoyo.


text:
USawule ubize umbingeleli uAbhiya, esithi: “Yiza netyesi kaThixo.” (Ngelo xesha yayikho kunye namaSirayeli.)


text:
Lo gama uSawule esathetha nombingeleli, saya sikhula sona isiphithi-phithi phaya kwikampu yamaFilistiya. Waselesithi ke uSawule kumbingeleli: “Khawuyeke!”


text:
Waza uSawule wawuhlanganisa umkhosi wakhe, bawahlasela amaFilistiya. Kwakusisiphithi-phithi, amaFilistiya ethe thwanga, esilwa odwa.


text:
Amanye amaHebhere awayengakwicala lamaFilistiya, awayefudula ehlala nawo ekampini yawo, ajika angenela ngakuSawule noJonatan.


text:
Amanye awayebhacele kweleentaba lakwaEfrayim, athi akuva ukuba amaFilistiya ayaswantsuliswa, abuya angenela, asukelisa.


text:
Ngaloo mini amaSirayeli ayesengxakini. Kaloku uSawule wenza isifungo esibophelela abantu, wathi: “Inene, ndithi nabani na namhlanje okhe wasa nantoni na phantsi kwempumlo ndingeka-ziphindezeli kwiintshaba zam uqalekisiwe.” Ngoko ke akuzange kubekho mntu utyayo ngaloo mini.


text:
Bakungena ehlathini babona ubusi butsitsa, kodwa akubangakho bani ukhongozelayo atye; kaloku bonke babesoyika isiqalekiso sikaSawule.


text:
UJonatan yena wayengasivanga isifungo sikayise esibophelela abantu. Wahlaba ngentonga awayeyiphethe enqatheni lobusi, yabuya imanzi, wafaka emlonyeni, kwatsho kwee qabu kwangoko.


text:
Elinye ijoni lathi: “Uyihlo uwubophelele wonke umkhosi ngesifungo esingqongqo, esithi: ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na oya kuthi atye namhlanje.’ Yiloo nto amadoda ephelelwe ngamandla nje.”


text:
UJonatan akuyiva loo nto, wathi: “Ubawo ulifake enkathazweni ilizwe! Ndiziva ndidlamkile ngoku, ndakuba ndikhe ndangcamla intwana yobusi.


text:
Ngekukuhle kakhulu ukuba amawethu la ebeyekiwe akutya okuya kutya kuthinjwe kwiintshaba zethu. AmaFilistiya afileyo nge-engaphezulu koku.”


text:
Ngaloo mhla emva kokuba amaSirayeli ewatyakatyile amaFilistiya ukusuka eMikimashe kuse eAyalon, aziva ephelile kukudinwa.


text:
Asuka awatsibela amaxhoba, abamba iigusha, iinkomo, namathole, azixhela kwalapho, ayitya loo nyama isenegazi.


text:
Kwabakho abaya kuxelela uSawule, besithi: “Mhlekazi, nangaya amadoda esenza isono kuNdikhoyo ngokutya inyama enegazi.” “Nikreqile!” wavakala esitsho uSawule. “Makuqengqwe ilitye elikhulu, liziswe apha,


text:
niye phaya kulawa madoda, nithi ndithi makeze nezo nkomo neegusha zawo, azixhele apha, azitye, angenzi sono kuNdikhoyo ngokutya inyama enegazi.” Beza nazo ke ezo nkomo, bazixhela apho ngokuhlwa kwaloo mini.


text:
Wavakala esithi kumadoda omkhosi wakhe uSawule: “Masiwahlasele amaFilistiya ngobu busuku, siwahluthe amaxhoba kude kuvele umsobomvu, siwabulale onke.” Aphendula amadoda athi: “Qhuba ngokubona kwakho, mhlekazi.” Kuselapho kunqande umbingeleli, wathi: “Masive kuThixo kuqala.”


text:
USawule wabuza kuThixo esithi: “Ndingawahlasela kusini na amaFilistiya? Xa siwahlasele, uya kuwanikela esandleni sethu na?” Kodwa ngaloo mini akaphendulanga uThixo.


text:
Kwesi sithuba uSawule ubhekise kwiingqwayi-ngqwayi zomkhosi, wathi: “Sondelani nonke, niphande ukuba sono sini na esenziwe kuNdikhoyo namhlanje.


text:
Ndifunga uNdikhoyo ophilayo, lo ungumhlanguli kaSirayeli, ukuba loo mntu wenze lo monakalo uya kufa, nditsho nokuba nguJonatan unyana wam.” Kwathi nzwanga!


text:
Uthe uSawule kumkhosi wakhe uphela: “Kulungile ke, yimani kweliya cala nonke; mna noJonatan siza kuma kweli.” “Yenza ngokubona kwakho, mhlekazi,” yatsho impendulo.


text:
USawule ke wabhekisa kuNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli, wathi: “Nceda undinike impendulo enyanisekileyo.” Kwafika impendulo, isalatha ityala kuJonatan kunye noSawule, umkhosi wona ungenatyala.


text:
Ubuze uJonatan uSawule esithi: “Ndixelele, wenze sono sini?” UJonatan uphendule wathi: “Ndingcamle nje intwana yobusi ngomva wentonga yam. Ngaba mandifele loo nto?”


text:
Basuka abantu bathi: “NguJonatan lo uza kubulawa? Asinguye lo uzisele uSirayeli uloyiso olungaka? Unotshe! Sifunga uThixo ophilayo, akayi kuthiwa cha nto. Kuyo yonke into abeyenza namhlanje ubencedwa nguThixo.” Baba ke abantu bayamsindisa ekufeni uJonatan ngaloo ndlela.


text:
USawule ekubeni engene ezintanjeni zokulawula, wazilwa iintshaba zamaSirayeli kwiindawo ngeendawo. Walwa namaMowabhi, ama-Amon, kunye namaEdom, kwakunye neekumkani zaseZobha, namaFilistiya. Wayetshatshela konke apho aya khona edabini.


text:
Wayesilwa ngokukhalipha, wachitha nkqu nama-Amaleki. Wawahlangula amaSirayeli ekuhlaselweni ziintshaba zawo.


text:
Nanga amagama oonyana bakaSawule: nguJonatan, noIshvi, kunye noMalkishuwa. Ezintombini enkulu yayinguMerabhi, encinci inguMikali.


text:
Igama lomkakhe yayinguAyinowam, intombi ka-Ahimazi. Umkhosi wakhe wawuphantsi komntakwabo uAbhinere, unyana kaNere uyisekazi.


text:
Wahlala esilwa ngamandla namaFilistiya uSawule bonke ubomi bakhe. Wayedla ngokufaka emkhosini wakhe yonke indoda eyomeleleyo nelikhalipha.


text:
Ke kaloku uSamweli wabhekisa kuSawule wenjenje: “Ndim owathunywa *nguNdikhoyo ukuba ndikuthambise ube ngukumkani wabantu bakhe amaSirayeli. Phulaphula ke ngoku, uve udaba oluvela kuNdikhoyo. UNdikhoyo uThixo onamandla onke utsho ukuthi:


text:
‘Ama-Amaleki ndiza kuwohlwaya ngenxa yokuba ookhokho bawo bawalalela amaSirayeli xa wayevela eJiputa.


text:
Yiya kuwahlasela ama-Amaleki, utshayele konke okukokwawo. Ungashiyi nto; ubulale indoda, umfazi, umntwana, nkqu nosana olu lwembala; kufe zinkomo, zigusha, zinkamela, kunye nezo donki zawo.’ ”


text:
Wawuhlanganisela eTelayim wonke umkhosi wakhe uSawule, apho wafika wawumisa ngezintlu. Loo mkhosi wawungamakhulu amabini amawaka amajoni akwaSirayeli, kunye neshumi lamawaka lamajoni avela kwaJuda.


text:
Wathi kumaKeni: “Phumani nimke phakathi kwama-Amaleki, ukuze ningachatshazelwa ligazi xa ndiwatshabalalisayo. Kaloku ookhokho benu baba novelwano kumaSirayeli ukufuduka kwawo eJiputa.” Emka ke amaKeni phakathi kwama-Amaleki.


text:
Wawaswantsulisa uSawule ama-Amaleki, zinqoza okoko ukusuka eHavila kuye kutsho eShure ngasempumalanga yaseJiputa.


text:
USawule namadoda omkhosi wakhe bamyeka abambulala ukumkani uAgagi; iinkomo neegusha ezintle abazange bazibulale kunye namathole namatakane azo. Yonke into entle bayigcina, batshabalalisa nje imigqutsuba nezinto ezingenaxabiso kuphela.


text:
“Ndiyazisola ngokumenza ukumkani uSawule lo. Selenxaxhile kum ngokungawuthobeli umyalelo wam.” Wakhathazeka kakhulu uSamweli yile nto. Wahlala ubusuku bonke ezibika kuNdikhoyo.


text:
Uvuke ekuseni uSamweli, waya kukhangela uSawule. Ufike kusithiwa: “USawule uye eKarmele, waza apho wamisa ilitye lesikhumbuzo sakhe, wedlula nalapho waya eGiligali.”


text:
Walanda ekhondweni uSamweli, wada wamfumana, uSawule wathi: “Makakuthamsanqele uNdikhoyo, Samweli! Ndiwufezile umyalelo kaNdikhoyo!”


text:
“Xa kunjalo, kokwantoni oku kukhala kweegusha ndikuvayo kunye nokunxakama kweenkomo?” ubuzile uSamweli.


text:
Uthe uSawule ukuphendula: “Zezithinjwe ngamadoda omkhosi wam kuma-Amaleki. Zonke ezinye bazitshabalalisile; bagcina nje ezona zintle, ukuze bamenzele amadini ngazo uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.”


text:
“Khawume ke,” utshilo uSamweli, “ndikhe ndikuxelele ukuba utheni na kum uNdikhoyo phezolo.” “Ndixelele,” watsho uSawule.


text:
USamweli wathi: “Naxa wena wawuzibona uphantsi, kodwa wenziwa intloko yezizwe zakwaSirayeli. Wathanjiswa nguNdikhoyo ukuba ube ngukumkani wamaSirayeli,


text:
waza wakuyalela ukuba uye kutshabalalisa eziya zikhohlakali zama-Amaleki. Wakuxelela ukuba uze ulwe uwatshayele ade aphele onke kuthi tu.


text:
Ke kutheni ungamthobelanga nje uNdikhoyo? Wenze into embi phambi koNdikhoyo ngokungxamela ukuthatha amaxhoba.”


text:
“UNdikhoyo ndimthobele,” kutsho uSawule. “Ndiyile emfazweni ngokuthunywa nguye, ndambamba ukumkani uAgagi, kodwa ndawabulala onke amanye ama-Amaleki.


text:
Ke amajoni akazibulalanga ezona zintle iigusha neenkomo; eze nazo apha eGiligali, ukuza kwenzela uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho amadini.”


text:
Uqhube wenjenje uSamweli: “Ngaba yintoni emkholisayo uNdikhoyo: kukumthobela, okanye kukumenzela iminikelo namadini? Ukuthobela uNdikhoyo kubhetele kunokumenzela idini, nokuphulaphula kungcono kunamanqatha enkunzi!


text:
Ukumvukela uNdikhoyo nqwa nobugqwirha. Kanti nempakamo ifana nqwa nokunqula izithixo ngobubi. Ngenxa yokuba wena ulikhabile ilizwi likaNdikhoyo, naye ke uNdikhoyo uyakukhiqa ekulawuleni.”


text:
Uvakele selesithi uSawule kuSamweli: “Ndonile ngenene, kuba ndiphambukile kwilizwi likaNdikhoyo, ndayidela nemiyalelo yakho. Ndoyike umkhosi wam, ndenza ukuthanda kwawo.


text:
“Hayi, andizi kuhamba nawe. Kaloku wena ulikhabile ilizwi likaNdikhoyo, naye ke uNdikhoyo ukukhiqile ekulawuleni,” utshilo uSamweli.


text:
Uthe ke uSamweli: “Namhlanje uNdikhoyo ulukrazule kuwe ulawulo lwamaSirayeli, walunika ummelwane wakho olungileyo kunawe.


text:
USimakade uThixo kaSirayeli akaxoki yena, yaye akaguquguquki. Kaloku akangomntu ulala neli avuke neli.”


text:
Waphendula uSawule wathi: “Ewe kambe, ndonile. Kodwa ke wena bonakalisa imbeko kum phambi kwezithwala-ndwe zamajoni am nangaphambi kwamaSirayeli. Ndikhaphe ndiye kuqubuda kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakho.”


text:
USamweli wathi: “Zisani uAgagi ukumkani wama-Amaleki apha kum.” Wasiwa uAgagi kuSamweli, ehamba eziva ekhululekile emoyeni, esithi: “Hayi noko, ixhala elikrakra lokufa ligqithile.”


text:
Suka uSamweli wavakala esithi: “Ikrele lakho lishiye abazalikazi abaninzi bengenabantwana, nowakho ke ngoku unyoko uza kungabi namntwana.” Watsho emhlahla loo Agagi apho ngaphambi kukaNdikhoyo eGiligali.


text:
USamweli akazange abuye ambone ukumkani emva koko. Kambe ke wasoloko engcungcutheka ngenxa kaSawule. UNdikhoyo kaloku wayezisola ngokwenza kwakhe uSawule ukumkani.


text:
*UNdikhoyo wathi kuSamweli: “Koda kube nini uzingcungcuthekisa ngenxa kaSawule? Ndimkhiqile ekulawuleni amaSirayeli. Zalisa iqhaga lakho ngamafutha omnquma, uye eBhetelehem kwaJese, kuba ndityumbe omnye koonyana bakhe ukuba abe ngukumkani wamaSirayeli.”


text:
Ubuze wenjenje uSamweli: “Ndingathini ukuya? Angandibulala uSawule ukuyiva kwakhe loo nto!” UNdikhoyo uthe kuSamweli: “Uze uqhube ithokazi lenkomo, uthi uye kwenza idini apho.


text:
Uze ufike umeme uJese eze kwelo dini. Mna ke ndokuxelela into omawuyenze, ndikubonise nomntu omawumthambise abe ngukumkani.”


text:
USamweli wenjenjeya ukusinga eBhetelehem, ethunywe nguNdikhoyo. Wahlangatyezwa ngamadoda amakhulu edolophu, egubha kukoyika. Ambuza esithi: “Ngaba uze ngoxolo?”


text:
Uthe ukuphendula uSamweli: “Kunjalo kanye; ndize ngoxolo. Ndize kwenzela uNdikhoyo idini. Zihlambululeni, nize nani, sinyuse idini.” Waza uJese noonyana bakhe wabahlambulula, wabamema nabo ukuba beze edinini.


text:
Bakuba bezile edinini apho, wathi uSamweli akubona uEliyabhi unyana kaJese, wathetha yedwa esithi: “Inene, nanku umthanjiswa kaNdikhoyo emi phambi kwakhe.”


text:
Kodwa uNdikhoyo wathi kuSamweli: “Musa ukujonga ubunzwana bakhe nesithomo sakhe. Asinguye endimfunayo. Kaloku mna Ndikhoyo andijongi okujongwa ngabantu. Abantu bakhangela umfaneleko; mna Ndikhoyo ndikhangela ngaphakathi entliziyweni.”


text:
UJese ubize omnye unyana wakhe, uAbhinadabhi, wamgqithisa phambi koSamweli. USamweli wathi: “Hayi bo, nalo akafunwa nguNdikhoyo!”


text:
Bada bosixhenxe oonyana bakaJese bagqithiswa phambi koSamweli, yena emana esithi: “Hayi, akatyunjwanga nguNdikhoyo.”


text:
USamweli ubuzile kuJese: “Akunanyana bambi na?” Uthe uJese: “Ewe, ukho untondo; phofu usendle; walusa iigusha.” USamweli wathi: “Makaye kubizwa.” Watsho esithi: “Asizi kutya ade afike.”


text:
Ke uJese wathumela, waza waphuthunywa. Ebusweni ebekhangeleka esegazini, enamehlo abukhali, eyinzwana yomfo. UNdikhoyo ke wathi kuSamweli: “Nguye ke lowo, mthambise!”


text:
Wathatha elo qhaga lamafutha omnquma wayeliphethe uSamweli, wathambisa ngawo uDavide, abakhuluwa bakhe bejongile. Ukusukela ngaloo mini uDavide wangenwa ngamandla nguMoya kaNdikhoyo. Emva koko ke uSamweli yena wabuyela eRama.


text:
Ke kaloku uSawule washiywa nguMoya *kaNdikhoyo, waza waphathwa ngumoya okhohlakeleyo, uvunyelwe nguNdikhoyo.


text:
Ke, mhlekazi, yithi masikufunele umntu okwaziyo ukubetha uhadi; kuze kuthi xa ufikelwa ngulo moya mbi akudlalele uhadi, ubuye udlamke.”


text:
Sathi esinye isicaka: “UJese waseBhetelehem unonyana oyincutshe yengoma. Kanti ukwaligorha lomfana oziqhelileyo iimfazwe. Uliciko lokuthetha, ekwayinzwana, kwaye uNdikhoyo unaye.”


text:
USawule wathumela izigidimi eBhetelehem kuJese, wathi: “Ndithumele unyana wakho uDavide owalusa iigusha.”


text:
UJese ke wamthumela uDavide kwaSawule, eqhuba itakane lebhokhwe, kunye nedonki ekulayishwe kuyo izonka nemvaba yewayini.


