To The Word – Day 11

₁UYakobi wayehlala eKanana, kwelo lizwe wayemi kulo uyise ngaphambili. ₂Nanga amagqabantshintshi ngoYakobi.

Akuba yinkwenkwe eneshumi linesixhenxe leminyaka ubudala, uJosefu wayedla ngokuhamba nabakhuluwa bakhe abangoonyana bakaBhiliya noZilipha, amaqadi kayise, baye kwalusa impahla. Wayedla ngokubaxela kuyise ngezinto ezingekho mgaqweni ababezenza.

₃USirayeli wayemthanda ngaphezu kwabo bonke abantakwabo uJosefu, kuba yena wavela selaluphele uSirayeli. Wamenzela ingubo embeje-mbeje. ₄Bathi abantakwabo bakuphawula ukuba uyise umthanda ukugqitha bona uJosefu, bamthiya kangangokude bangakwazi nokuthetha kakuhle naye.

₅Ngabusuku buthile uJosefu waba nephupha, athe akulilawula kubakhuluwa bakhe, bamthiya ngakumbi. ₆Wathi kubo: “Khanive ndinixelele iphupha lam. ₇Ndiphuphe sisemasimini, sibopha izithungu zengqolowa. Suka esam isithungu sema nkqo, zaza ezenu zeza kusingqonga, zakhahlela kuso.”

₈Bathe abakhuluwa bakhe: “Ngaba uba uza kuba yikumkani, size thina silawulwe nguwe?” Loo nto yelo phupha yamenza wanetyheneba kubo, nangenxa yeentetho zakhe.

₉Uphinde wanelinye iphupha uJosefu, wabuya wabalawulela abantakwabo, esithi: “Kweli iphupha ndibone ilanga, nenyanga, neenkwenkwezi ezilishumi elinanye, zikhahlela kum.”

₁₀Ulilawule nakuyise eli phupha. Wamngxolisa uyise, esithi: “Suk' apha, phupha lini eli athi unyoko nabantakwenu kunye nam sikhahlele wena!” ₁₁Abakhuluwa bakaJosefu bammonela, kodwa yena uyise wamana elijika-jika engqondweni eli phupha.

₁₂Ngamini ithile abakhuluwa bakaJosefu babeseShekem besalusa impahla, ₁₃wathi uSirayeli kuJosefu: “Ndifuna ukukuthuma kubantakwenu eShekem apho bayalusela khona impahla.”

Uthe uJosefu: “Kulungile, tata.”

₁₄Uthe uYakobi: “Khawuye kukhangela ukuba abantakwenu basahleli kakuhle na, nokuba akukho monakalo ukhoyo na empahleni, ubuye uze kundazisa.” Wanduluka ke uJosefu kuloo ntili yeHebron, ethunywe eShekem.

Wahamba waya kufika eShekem uJosefu. ₁₅Kuthe esabhadula kwelo zwe, kwavela ndoda ithile, yambuza yathi: “Ufuna ntoni?”

₁₆“Ndifuna abantakwethu abalusa impahla; ungandixelela apho bakhoyo?” utshilo uJosefu.

₁₇“Sebemkile,” itshilo loo ndoda. “Ndibavele besithi baza kuya eDotan.” Wenjenjeya ke uJosefu ukulandela abantakwabo, wada waya kugaleleka eDotan, apho wafika bekhona.

₁₈Bambona esekude, waza wathi efika kubo baba sebenze iyelenqe lokumbulala. ₁₉Bathi bakumbona: “Nanku esiza laa mphuphi. ₂₀Masimbulale, size isidumbu sakhe sisifake kwelinye lala maqula atshileyo, sithi uqwengwe ngamarhamncwa, sibone ke ukuba aya kuthini na loo maphupha akhe.”

₂₁URubhen wabavela kuloo nto, wafuna ukumsindisa uJosefu, wathi: “Hayini, madoda, ₂₂masingambulali siphalaze igazi lomntakwethu. Makaphoswe nje kweli qula lilapha entlango, kodwa ningamenzakalisi.” Ethetha loo nto nje wayeceba ukumhlangula kubo, aze amgoduse amse kuyise. ₂₃Akufika kubantakwabo uJosefu, bamkhulula loo ngubo imbeje-mbeje, ₂₄baza bamthatha bamphosa equleni elingenamanzi.

₂₅Kuthe ke besatya, kwee gqi igqiza lamaIshmayeli, evela eGiliyadi, esinga eJiputa. Ayeqhuba iinkamela ezithwele intlaka yesiqhumiso, namafutha anamakha, nentlaka yokuqhola. ₂₆UJuda wabhekisa kubantakwabo, wathi: “Iza kusenzela ntoni into yokubulala umntakwethu, khona sesibufihlile obo bugwinta? ₂₇Masithengise ngaye kula maIshmayeli. Ngaloo ndlela asiyi kumenzakalisa. Andithi gxebe ligazi lethu eliya?” Bavumelana naye abanye. ₂₈Kwathi xa kwakudlula iqela labarhwebi bamaMidiyan, bamkhupha uJosefu kuloo mhadi, bamthengisa ngamashumi amabini eesiliva kumaIshmayeli, awamthathayo amsa eJiputa.

₂₉Akuya kuvela kwelo qula uRubhen, wafika engekho uJosefu, wasuka wakrazula izambatho zakhe ngenxa yosizi awayenalo. ₃₀Wabuyela kubaninawa bakhe, wathi: “Madoda, laa nkwenkwe ayikho phaya; ndiza kuyithini le nto?”

₃₁Banqumla ibhokhwe, baza ingubo kaJosefu bayityikila ngelo gazi layo. ₃₂Bayithatha loo ngubo, bayisa kuyise, bafika bathi: “Sichole le nto; khawufanise ukuba ngaba asiyiyo eyonyana wakho na?”

₃₃UYakobi wayifanisa kwangoko, wathi: “Yingubo yomntwanam le! Kwowu, uqwengwe ngamarhamncwa! Hayi, amqwenga-qwengile umntwanam uJosefu!” ₃₄Wazikrazula izambatho zakhe uYakobi, elusizi; wanxiba ezamarhonya, ezila. Wamzilela ithuba elide unyana wakhe. ₃₅Beza kumthuthuzela bonke oonyana neentombi zakhe, kodwa wala, akavuma ukuthuthuzeleka. Uthe kubo: “Ndiya kude ndife ndisamzilele umntwana wam.” Wazila rhoqo ke, ezilela unyana wakhe uJosefu.

₃₆Ngelo xesha amaMidiyan ayeselemthengisile uJosefu eJiputa kuPotifare, elinye lamagosa okumkani waseJiputa, elaliyinduna yabalindi bebhotwe lakomkhulu.

₁Ngelo xesha ke uJuda wabashiya abantakwabo, waya kuhlala nomfo ogama linguHira, owayehlala kwidolophu iAdulam. ₂UJuda wabona apho intombi yomKanana ogama linguShuwa. Wayithatha yaba ngumkakhe, ₃yazala inkwenkwe ekwathiwa nguEre igama layo. ₄Uphinde wazala enye inkwenkwe, kwathiwa igama layo nguOnan. ₅Uzele enye inkwenkwe kwakhona, yona kwathiwa nguShela. Wayehlala eKezibhi uJuda ukuzalwa kwale nkwenkwe.

₆UJuda wamfunela umfazi uEre unyana wakhe omkhulu. Igama lakhe lalinguTamare. ₇UEre wayeziphethe kakubi, loo nto yabangela ukuba *uNdikhoyo abunqamle ubomi bakhe. ₈UJuda uthe uOnan, umninawa kaEre, makadibane nomka-mkhuluwa wakhe, khon' ukuze azalele umkhuluwa wakhe abantwana ngokwesiko. ₉UOnan, esazi ukuba wayengazi kuzizalela abo bantwana, wathi rhoqo ukumane eyichithela phantsi imbewu yakhe ngalo lonke ixesha adibana noTamare, khon' ukuze angathathi, angamzaleli bantwana umkhuluwa wakhe. ₁₀Loo nto wayithiya kakhulu uNdikhoyo, waza wabunqamla ubomi bukaOnan. ₁₁Uthe ke uJuda kumolokazana wakhe uTamare makakhe agoduke, aye kuhlala kowabo engumhlolokazi, de kukhule uShela unyana omncinci. Watsho kuba esoyika hleze afe noShela kwanjengabakhuluwa bakhe. Wagoduka ke uTamare.

₁₂Emva kwethuba umka-Juda intombi kaShuwa wabhubha. Akuba ephumile ehlathini uJuda, wahamba nogxa wakhe uHira waseAdulam, baya eTimna, apho kwakuchetywa khona iigusha zakhe. ₁₃Kwabakho mntu uthile uhlebela uTamare ukuba uyisezala wayesiya kucheba iigusha zakhe eTimna. ₁₄UTamare wazikhulula iimpahla zokuzila awayezinxibile, wafihla nobuso bakhe ngesigqubuthelo, waza wahlala phantsi ngasesangweni lase-Enayim, eyayiyidolophu esendleleni eya eTimna. Wayesazi ukuba uShela unyana omncinci kaJuda wayeselekhulile, kodwa yena Tamare wayengekanikezelwa kuye.

₁₅Akumbona uTamare, uJuda waba lihenyukazi nje, kuba wayebufihlile ubuso bakhe. ₁₆Wawela indlela, waya kuye, wafika wathi: “Khawutsho, ufuna ndikunike ntoni?” Esitsho nje wayengaqondi ukuba ubhekisa kumolokazana wakhe.

UTamare ke waphendula wathi: “Yintoni ongandinika yona wena?”

₁₇Uthe uJuda: “Ndakuthumela itakane lebhokhwe.”

UTamare uthe: “Kulungile ukuba undinika isibambiso ndisigcine kude kufike elo takane.”

₁₈“Ndikunike sibambiso sini?” ubuze watsho uJuda.

Uthe uTamare: “Ndinike eso siphawulo sakho kunye nomtya waso, naloo msimelelo wakho.” Wamnika ke uJuda. Balala, wathatha uTamare. ₁₉Wagoduka, wafika wothula eso sigqubuthelo wayesithwele, wanxiba impahla yakhe yokuzila.

₂₀UJuda wathumela uHira ugxa wakhe ukuba ase elo takane, aze athathe ezo zinto wayebambise ngazo kuloo mfazi. Kodwa akazange amfumane loo mfazi uHira. ₂₁Wabuza kubafo abathile base-Enayim wathi: “Liye phi elaa henyukazi laliba secaleni kwendlela?”

Bathi ke bona: “Akuzange kubekho henyukazi apha.”

₂₂Wabuyela kuJuda, wathi: “Andimfumananga; yaye namadoda alapho athi akuzange kubekho henyukazi apho.”

₂₃Wathi uJuda: “Akukho nto; masezihlala kuye ezo zinto zam. Nto nje andifuni kuba yintlekisa ebantwini. Kambe mna ndilingile ukuhlawula, kodwa lona ihenyukazi alifumaneki.”

₂₄Emva kweenyanga ezintathu waxelelwa uJuda kwathiwa: “UTamare umolokazana wakho ubeziphethe kakubi, ngoku ke umithi.”

UJuda wathi: “Mkhupheleni ngaphandle, atshiswe ngomlilo ade afe.”

₂₅Kuthe xa bamqhubayo, wathumela abantu kuyisezala ukuba bamxelele bathi: “UTamare uthi: ‘Ndimithiswe ngulo mntu ezizezakhe ezi zinto: isiphawulo nomtya waso, nomsimelelo. Khawuzijongisise, ukhangele ukuba ngaba zezikabani na.’ ”

₂₆UJuda wazazi kwangoko, wathi: “Akanatyala. Ndim ongahambanga ngesiko. Bendimelwe kukumnikezela kunyana wam uShela.” Waba uqale wagqibelisa uJuda ukulala noTamare.

₂₇Kuthe xa kusondela ilixa lokubeleka, kwabonakala ukuba wayeza kuzala amawele. ₂₈Xa alunywayo elinye iwele lavelisa isandla, waza umfazi owayembelekisa wasibamba, wasibopha ngomsonto obomvu eso sandla, wathi: “Lo uvele tanci.”

₂₉Kodwa sabuya satshona isandla, kwaza kwavela elinye iwele kuqala. Wathi ke loo mfazi: “Wenjenje kanti ukuzivulela indlela!” Kwathiwa ke igama lalo nguPerezi. ₃₀Ke yena umntakwabo wavela enalaa msonto ubomvu, kwathiwa yena nguZera.

₁Ke kaloku amaIshmayeli aya naye eJiputa uJosefu, afika amthengisa kuPotifare, owayengomnye wamaphakathi okumkani waseJiputa, owayenguyena nduna yabalindi basebhotwe. ₂*UNdikhoyo waba naye uJosefu, wamphumeza kwinto yonke. Wayehlala endlwini yenkosi yakhe yomJiputa, ₃eyaqondayo ukuba uJosefu wayephantsi kogcino lukaNdikhoyo, yaye yayinesandla sikaNdikhoyo yonke into ayenzayo. ₄Wakholiseka nguJosefu uPotifare, wamenza intonga yakhe yasekhosi. Ngoko ke wamenza induna yomzi wakhe nomlawuli wempahla yakhe yonke. ₅Ukususela ngoko uNdikhoyo wawuthamsanqelisa umzi waloo mJiputa, kunye nemfuyo yakhe, namasimi akhe, nayo yonke into awayenayo, ngenxa kaJosefu. ₆Yonke into yakhe ke uPotifare wayinikela elulawulweni lukaJosefu, akwabikho nto yimbi azikhathaza ngayo ngaphandle nje kokuthatha icephe atye.

UJosefu wayemile kakuhle, eyinzwana yomfana. ₇Kwakuba mzuzu umka-Potifare wafikelwa ngumnqweno ngoJosefu, wazicelela isondo kuye. ₈UJosefu wala, esithi: “Inkosi yam ijonge kum, mna Josefu, ngento yonke yayo; ayisazikhathazi nganto, kuba ithembe mna. ₉Yaye indinike lonke igunya emzini wayo; nguwe kuphela endingenagunya kuye. Ke ndingathini mna ukwenza into embi kangako, ndimone uThixo?” ₁₀Naxa wazingayo lo mfazi ukucela isondo kuJosefu mihla le, uJosefu yena wala ukuyenza loo nto.

₁₁Kwathi ngenye imini, uJosefu engene endlwini kaPotifare, eye kusebenza, wafika kungekho nasinye isicaka. ₁₂Umka-Potifare wambamba, emtsala ngengubo, wathi: “Yiza kaloku!” Kodwa waphuncula uJosefu, wabalekela ngaphandle, washiya loo ngubo yakhe eyiphethe ngesandla loo mfazi. ₁₃Uthe loo mfazi akuphawula ukuba uJosefu uyishiyile ingubo yakhe, wabalekela ngaphandle, ₁₄wabiza izicaka zakhe, wazibonisa loo ngubo. Watsho esithi: “Laa mHebhere ungeniswe ngumyeni wam emzini wam uyasihlazisa, kuba ungene egumbini lam efuna ukundidlwengula. Kodwa mna ndizincede ngokutsho esikrakra esi isikhalo. ₁₅Wothuswe seso sikhalo, wabalekela ngaphandle, eshiya loo ngubo yakhe ngakum.”

₁₆Wayigcina ke loo ngubo kaJosefu kwada kwabuya inkosi yakhe. ₁₇Ithe yakufika nayo wayenzela eli bali: “Laa mHebhere umngenise ekhaya apha ungene egumbini lam, efun' ukundihlazisa. ₁₈Ndizincede ngokutsho esikrakra sona isikhalo, ukuze abalekele ngaphandle. Washiya nale ngubo yakhe ngakum.”

₁₉Waqumba kakhulu uPotifare akuyiva loo nto ithethwa ngumkakhe, ₂₀wathi uJosefu makabanjwe, avalelwe entolongweni ekwakuvalelwa kuyo amabanjwa kakumkani.

Wahlala apho. ₂₁Kodwa nalapho uNdikhoyo waba ngakuJosefu, wamthamsanqelisa, watsho wathandwa ngujela. ₂₂Ujela wamnyusela uJosefu, wangumphathi wamanye amabanjwa. Yonke into eyenziwa entolongweni yajonga yena. ₂₃UNdikhoyo wamphumeza uJosefu kangangokude ujela angabi sajongana nemisebenzi eyayijongwe nguJosefu, kuba uNdikhoyo wayemthamsanqelisa.

₁Emva kwexesha injoli kakumkani waseJiputa, kunye nombhaki oyintloko, bayona inkosi yabo ukumkani. ₂Wacaphuka ukumkani zizenzo zala madoda, ₃wawafaka ke entolongweni kumzi wenduna yabalindi, apho kwakugcinwe khona uJosefu. ₄Bahlala ke entolongweni apho, yaza induna yenza uJosefu umququzeleli wabo.

₅Ngabusuku buthile bakuba besentolongweni ithutyana, injoli yaba nephupha, kwanaye nombhaki waba nelakhe iphupha. Amaphupha abo ayethetha izinto ngezinto. ₆Akufika kubo uJosefu ngentsasa, wababona bematshekile. ₇Ubuze wathi: “Kutheni ingathi nikhathazekile nje namhlanje?”

₈Bathe bona: “Sibe namaphupha phezolo, yaye akukho namnye umntu apha okwaziyo ukuwachaza into ayithethayo.”

“NguThixo otyhila inkcazelo yamaphupha,” utshilo uJosefu. Watsho esithi: “Ndilawuleleni amaphupha enu.”

₉Kuqale injoli, yathi: “Mna ndiphuphe kukho umdiliya ngaphambi kwam, ₁₀unamasebe amathathu. Kuthe nje kuvele amagqabi, kwantshula iintyatyambo, neediliya zavuthwa. ₁₁Bendiphethe indebe kakumkani, ndazikha iidiliya ezo, ndazikhamela endebeni, ndazinika ukumkani.”

₁₂Uthe uJosefu: “Nantsi into ethethwa leli phupha lakho: Amasebe amathathu ziintsuku ezintathu. ₁₃Ngeentsuku ezintathu ukumkani uza kukukhulula, akuxolele, akubuyisele emsebenzini wakho. Uza kubuya ube yinjoli yendebe yakhe njengoko ubuyiyo ngaphambili. ₁₄Uzuncede ke kodwa, ungandilibali xa izinto sezikulungele, uncede uthethe ngam kukumkani, ndikhululwe kule ntolongo. ₁₅Ikakade mna ndebiwa kwilizwe lamaHebhere, ukanti nalapha eJiputa akukho nto ndiyenzileyo ibinokundingenisa entolongweni.”

₁₆Uthe naye umbhaki wezonka, akubona ukuba into iphupha lenjoli eliyithethayo iyanandipheka, naye walilawula kuJosefu iphupha lakhe, esithi: “Mna, kwelam iphupha bendithwele ngentloko iibhaskiti ezintathu. ₁₇Kwephezulu ibhaskiti bekukho zonke iindidi zokutya kukakumkani okwenziwa ngumbhaki, kwafika iintaka zakuxhola.”

₁₈UJosefu uthe: “Nantsi into ethethwa liphupha lakho: Iibhaskiti ezintathu zithetha iintsuku ezintathu. ₁₉Ukumkani uza kukukhulula ngeentsuku ezintathu, kodwa uza kunqunyulwa intloko, uze uxhonywe esibondeni, zize iintaka zikuxhole.”

₂₀Ngomhla wokukhunjulwa kokuzalwa kukakumkani, ngemva kweentsuku ezintathu ukususela koku, ukumkani wenzela iindedeba zasebhotwe itheko. Wayikhulula injoli nombhaki, beziswa phambi kwezo ndedeba. ₂₁Injoli yabuyiselwa kumsebenzi wayo ebikade iwenza, ₂₂kodwa yena umbhaki wanqunyulwa intloko. Kwaba njengokutsho kukaJosefu.

₂₃Kodwa injoli yamlibala kwaphela uJosefu.

₁Kwadlula iminyaka yamibini, ukumkani waseJiputa waphupha emi ngakumlambo iNayile, ₂apho kwathi gqi iimazi zeenkomo ezityebileyo ezisixhenxe, ziphuma emlanjeni, zigramza apho phezu komlambo. ₃Kuthe thu ezinye iimazi ezinqinileyo, ezikwasisixhenxe. Zafika zema ngakwezo zaziphezu komlambo. ₄Zaza ezo mazi zinqinileyo zazithi bimbilili ezo zityebileyo. Kwesi sithuba waphaphama ukumkani.

₅Uphinde walala, wabuya waphupha kwakhona. Ubone izikhwebu ezisixhenxe zengqolowa, zizihle, zivuthiwe, zikhula kwisikhondo esinye. ₆Kusuke kwantshula ezinye izikhwebu zengqolowa. Ezo zazintshwenyile, zimbatshiswe lulophu lwasempumalanga. ₇Ezo zikhwebu zazintshwenyile zazithi bimbilili eziya zihle izikhwebu. Uphaphamile ukumkani, waza waziqonda ukuba ubephupha.

₈Kwasa ekhathazekile yile nto, waza wathi makubizwe zonke izanuse noosiyazi baseJiputa. Wabalawulela amaphupha akhe, kodwa bonke batsho phantsi, ababi nako ukuwachaza.

₉Kuvele injoli, yathi kukumkani: “Mandiyivume namhla into yokuba ndenze impazamo. ₁₀Ngokuya wawukhathazekile ngenxa yam nombhaki, wasivalela entolongweni emzini womphathi-balindi bebhotwe, ₁₁kwathi ngabusuku buthile saphupha. Elowo waba nelakhe iphupha, engathethi nto inye loo maphupha. ₁₂Apho kwakukho umfana womHebhere, evalelwe nathi, engumququzeleli womphathi-balindi. Sathi sakumlawulela wasichazela sobabini amaphupha ethu. ₁₃Kwenzeka kanye njengoko wayetshilo: mna ndabuyiselwa emsebenzini wam, waxhonywa yena umbhaki.”

₁₄Ukumkani wathi makabizwe uJosefu, waza ngoko nangoko wakhululwa entolongweni. Akuba etshevile, wanxiba kakuhle, wasiwa kukumkani. ₁₅Waza wathi ukumkani kuJosefu: “Ndinephupha ekungekho bani ube nako ukulichaza. Ke ndivile ukuba uyakwazi ukuchaza amaphupha.”

₁₆UJosefu uphendule ngelithi: “Mhlekazi, andikwazi kuchaza maphupha, koko nguThixo oya kuchazela ukumkani iphupha lakhe.”

₁₇Ulilawule ke iphupha lakhe ukumkani wenjenje: “Ndiphuphe ndimi phezu komlambo iNayile. ₁₈Ndabona kuvela iimazi zeenkomo ezisixhenxe ezityebileyo emlanjeni apho, zigramza. ₁₉Kuvele esinye isixhenxe seemazi ezinqinileyo. Zaziyeyona migqutsuba ndakha ndayibona kwelaseJiputa. ₂₀Loo migqutsuba ke yazithi bimbilili ezo mazi zityebileyo. ₂₁Kambe ke ayikhange ibonakale loo nto, kuba zasala ziyiloo migqutsuba kwanjengangaphambili. Ndaphaphama ke. ₂₂Emva koko ke ndibuye ndaphupha ndibona izikhwebu ezisixhenxe ezihle zengqolowa, zintshula sikhondweni sinye. ₂₃Kuphinde kwantshula nezinye ezisixhenxe izikhwebu zizibi ngathi zitshazwe lulophu lwasempumalanga, ₂₄zazithi ginyi-ginyi eziya zikhwebu zihle. Ndiwalawule la maphupha kwizanuse zalapha, kodwa akwabikho namnye unokundichazela.”

₂₅Uthe ukuphendula uJosefu: “Omabini la maphupha athetha into enye, mhlekazi. UThixo ebekuxelela into aza kuyenza. ₂₆Iimazi ezityebileyo ezisixhenxe yiminyaka esixhenxe, ukanti nezikhwebu ezihle ezisixhenxe zikwayiminyaka esixhenxe. Athetha into enye omabini la maphupha. ₂₇Zona iimazi ezisixhenxe ezinqinileyo, ezivele mva, kwakunye nezikhwebu ezisixhenxe ezibi, ezitshaziswe lulophu lwasempumalanga, yiminyaka esixhenxe yendlala. ₂₈Kunjengokuba besenditshilo, mhlekazi, uThixo ubekuxelela into aza kuyenza. ₂₉Kuza kubakho iminyaka esixhenxe yendyebo kulo lonke elaseJiputa, ₃₀emva koko kubekho iminyaka esixhenxe yendlala; yaye yonke loo minyaka yendyebo iya kuba ngathi ayizange yabakho ngenxa yendlala eya kuligqiba lonke ilizwe. ₃₁Koba ngathi akuzange kubekho ntlutha, kuba indlala eyolandela yoba yeyoyikekayo. ₃₂Ukuphinda-phindwa kwephupha lakho kuthetha ukuthi uThixo selesenzile isigqibo, yaye uselembovu ukuyenza le nto.

₃₃“Ngoko ke, mhlekazi, khetha indoda elumkileyo, enamava, uyenze umphathiswa kweli lizwe. ₃₄Kufuneka utyumbe nabanye abaphathi abaza kugcina isihlanu sesivuno kule minyaka isixhenxe yendyebo. ₃₅Kufuneka bakuqokelele ukutya kule minyaka izayo yendyebo, babe negunya lokuvula oovimba ezixekweni, kugcinwe apho. ₃₆Kukutya okugciniweyo kaloku okuya kondla abantu kwiminyaka yendlala eya kulandela kweli laseJiputa. Ngale ndlela ke abasayi kulamba abantu.”

₃₇Ukumkani namaphakathi akhe balivuma eli cebo likaJosefu, ₃₈watsho esithi kubo: “Ngaba singafumana ndoda yimbi ngaphandle koJosefu, umfo owambathiswe ngoMoya kaThixo?”

₃₉Ubhekise kuJosefu ke ukumkani, wathi: “Nguwe oyiboniswe nguThixo le nto yonke. Kucacile ke ukuba asinakubuya sifumane mntu wumbi onobulumko namava, ingenguwe. ₄₀Ndiza kwenza wena ube ngumphathiswa elizweni lam. Bonke abantu bam baya kuthobela wena. Igunya lakho liya kuba ngaphantsi kwelam qha. ₄₁Ngoko ke ndithi ungumphathiswa kulo lonke elaseJiputa.”

₄₂Watsho ukumkani wakhulula emnweni wakhe umsesane owawukrwelwe uphawu lokumkani, wawufaka emnweni kaJosefu. Wamthi wambu ngomnweba owenziwe ngelinen entle, watsho emgaxela entanyeni ngesidanga esenziwe ngegolide. ₄₃Wamnika enye yeenqwelo zakhe ukuba ajikeleze ngayo njengesekela likakumkani. Wamnika namaphakathi okuhamba emgabulela izigcawu endleleni esithi: “Shenxani nikhahlele!” Wamiselwa ke uJosefu, waba ngumphathiswa waseJiputa.

₄₄Wathi ukumkani kuye: “Ukumkani ndim, ndithi ke akukho bani kulo lonke elaseJiputa oya kwenza nto engakhululelwanga nguwe.”

_45-46Watsho ke ethiya uJosefu igama abizwa ngalo eJiputa elinguZafenati-paneya, wamzekela nomfazi, uAsenati intombi kaPotifare umbingeleli waseOni.

Ukuqala kwakhe ukungena kwakumkani waseJiputa wayemashumi mathathu ubudala uJosefu. Wemka ebhotwe, walijikeleza lonke elaseJiputa. ₄₇Ngale minyaka isixhenxe yendyebo saba sikhulu kakhulu isivuno. ₄₈Wasivalela koovimba isivuno uJosefu kuzo zonke iidolophu. Kwidolophu nganye wayeqokelela ukutya okuvunwe kumasimi alapho. ₄₉Ingqolowa yayiyintaphane kangangokuba wada wayeka ukuyiveyisha uJosefu. Yayingangentlabathi ukuba ninzi kwayo.

₅₀UAsenati intombi kaPotifera, umbingeleli waseOni, wazalela uJosefu oonyana ababini ngaphambi kwendlala. ₅₁Unyana olizibulo wathi igama lakhe nguManase, kuba esithi: “UThixo undiphumzile ndatsho ndazilibala iinkxwaleko zam, andawakhumbula namawethu.” ₅₂Owesibini unyana wathi nguEfrayim, kuba esithi: “UThixo undiphe inzala kwilizwe endihlupheke kulo.”

₅₃Yaphela ke yona iminyaka yendyebo eJiputa, ₅₄yagaleleka iminyaka yendlala, kanye njengoko wayetshilo uJosefu. Kwalanjwa kuwo onke amanye amazwe, kodwa kulo lonke elaseJiputa kwakukho intlutha. ₅₅Athe akulamba amaJiputa, aya kuzicelela ukutya kukumkani. Wathi ke yena makaye kuJosefu, aze enze loo nto awayalela yona. ₅₆Yakhula indlala, yaligqiba lonke elaseJiputa. Wabavula ke oovimba uJosefu, wawathengisela ingqolowa amaJiputa. ₅₇Babevela ngeenkalo zonke abantu elizweni, beze kuthenga ingqolowa kuJosefu, kuba indlala yayiligqugqisile lonke.

₁Phambi komsobomvu ngeCawe uMariya waseMagadala waya engcwabeni, wafika ilitye lokuvala ingcwaba lisusiwe. ₂Wabaleka, waya kuSimon Petros nalaa mfundi wayethandwa nguYesu, wathi kubo: “Bayithathile iNkosi engcwabeni. Asazi apho bayibeke khona.”

₃Banduluka ke uPetros nomnye umfundi lowo, baya kufika engcwabeni. ₄Babebaleka kunye, kodwa omnye umfundi lo wamshiya ngamendu uPetros, wafika kuqala engcwabeni. ₅Wathoba nje, wawabona amalaphu elinen, engakhange angene. ₆Wagaleleka noPetros, wangena engcwabeni. Wawabona amalaphu ephantsi. ₇Ilaphu uYesu awayebotshwe ngalo intloko, walibona lilodwa, lisongiwe. ₈Wangena ke naloo mfundi obefike kuqala engcwabeni. Akukhangela wakholwa. ₉Kaloku babengaliqondi ilizwi *leziBhalo elithi umelwe kukuba avuke ekufeni. ₁₀Baza ke bagoduka abafundi.

₁₁UMariya wayemi ngasengcwabeni elila. Esalila njalo wathoba, wakhangela engcwabeni, ₁₂wabona izithunywa zezulu ezibini zambethe ezimhlophe, zihleli apho bekukho umzimba kaYesu, esinye sihleli ngasentloko, esinye singasezinyaweni. ₁₃Zathi ke kuye: “Ulilela ntoni?”

Wathi kuzo: “Ithathiwe iNkosi yam. Andazi nokuba ibekwe phi na.”

₁₄Esatsho, waguquka, wabona uYesu emi; akaqonda noko ukuba nguYesu. ₁₅Wathi kuye uYesu: “Ulilela ntoni, wethu? Ufuna bani?”

Ecinga ukuba ngumgcini-sitiya, wathi kuye: “Ndixelele, mnumzana, apho umbeke khona, ukuba umsusile, ze ndiye kumthatha.”

₁₆Wathi kuye uYesu: “Mariya!”

Waguqukela kuye, wathi kuye ngesiHebhere: “Rabhoni,” oko kukuthi: “Mfundisi.”

₁₇Waza wathi uYesu: “Sukundibamba, kuba andikenyuki ndiye kuBawo. Hamba uye kuxelela abahlobo bam ukuba sendinyuka, ndisiya kuBawo okwanguYihlo, uThixo wam okwanguThixo wenu.”

₁₈Ke ngoko uMariya waseMagadala waya kubaxelela abafundi ukuba uyibonile iNkosi, waza wabaxelela nomyalezo wayo.

₁₉Ngokuhlwa ngaloo mini yeCawe abafundi babehlangene, bezivalile iingcango kuba besoyika amaJuda. Wafika uYesu, wema phakathi kwabo, wathi: “Uxolo malube nani.” ₂₀Etshilo wababonisa izandla zakhe nephango lakhe. Baza bafikelwa luvuyo abafundi bakuyibona iNkosi. ₂₁Waphinda wathi kubo uYesu: “Uxolo malube nani. Njengokuba uBawo endithumile mna, nani ndiyanithuma.” ₂₂Akuba etshilo ke wabaphefumlela, wathi: “Yamkelani uMoya oyiNgcwele. ₂₃Bonke abantu enibaxolelayo izono zabo baya kuxolelwa; kanti bonke eningabaxoleliyo abayi kuxolelwa.”

₂₄UTomas, omnye wabafundi abalishumi elinambini, lo kuthiwa nguWele, wayengekho phakathi kwabafundi ukufika kukaYesu kubo. ₂₅Ke ngoko abanye abafundi bathi kuye: “Siyibonile iNkosi!”

Kodwa yena wathi kubo: “Ndingekawaboni nje amanxeba ezikhonkwane ezandleni zayo, ndifake umnwe emanxebeni ayo, nesandla sam ndisifake ephangweni layo, andisoze ndikholwe.”

₂₆NgeCawe elandelayo, behlangene kwakhona endlwini abafundi bakaYesu, ekho noTomas, wafika uYesu, iingcango zivaliwe, wathi: “Uxolo malube nani.” ₂₇Waza wathi kuTomas: “Faka apha umnwe wakho, uzibone izandla zam. Solule isandla sakho, usifake ephangweni lam. Yeka ukungakholwa oku! Kholwa!”

₂₈Waphendula uTomas wathi kuye: “Nkosi yam! Thixo wam!”

₂₉Wathi kuye uYesu: “Uyakholwa ngoku, kuba undibonile? Hayi uyolo lwâbo bakholwa bengandibonanga!”

₃₀Mininzi neminye imiqondiso awayenzayo uYesu beyibona abafundi bakhe, engabhalwanga kule ncwadi. ₃₁Ezi ke izinto zibhalelwe ukuze nikholwe ukuba uYesu unguye *uKrestu, uNyana kaThixo; nokuze nithi nikholwa, nibe nobomi ngenxa yegunya legama lakhe.

₁Emva koko uYesu waphinda wazibonakalisa kubafundi bakhe ngakuLwandle lwaseTibheriya. Kwahamba ngolu hlobo ukuzibonakalisa kwakhe:

₂USimon Petros, noTomas ekuthiwa nguWele, noNataniyeli waseKana eGalili, kunye noonyana bakaZebhedi, nabanye abafundi ababini, babendawonye. ₃Waza wathi kubo uSimon Petros: “Ndisaya kuloba.”

Baza bathi kuye: “Nathi sohamba nawe.” Baya ke bekhwele isikhitshana, kodwa àbabamba nto ngobo busuku. ₄Ukuthi chapha komsobomvu nako kumi uYesu elunxwemeni. Phofu abafundi babengaqondi ukuba nguYesu. ₅Wathi ke ngoko uYesu kubo: “Anibambanga ntlanzi, bafana?”

Bamphendula bathi: “Hayi.”

₆Waza wathi kubo: “Phosani umnatha ngasekunene kwesikhitshana. Nobambisa ke.” Bawuphosa, baza ngenxa yobuninzi beentlanzi ababi nako ukuwutsala umnatha.

₇Ke ngoko loo mfundi obethandwa nguYesu wathi kuPetros: “YiNkosi!” USimon Petros, akuva ukuba yiNkosi le, wazithi wambu ngengubo, kuba wayetyedile, watsho waziphosa emanzini. ₈Ke bona abanye abafundi baya elunxwemeni ngesikhitshana, bawurhuqa umnatha, uzele ziintlanzi. Kwakumalunga neemitha ezilikhulu ukuya elunxwemeni. ₉Bakuhla esikhitshaneni, babona umlilo wamalahle, kukho intlanzi kuwo kwanesonka. ₁₀Wathi kubo uYesu: “Khanize neentlanzi kwezi nisand' ukuzibamba.”

₁₁USimon Petros wakhwela esikhitshaneni, wawurhuqela elunxwemeni umnatha, uzele ziintlanzi ezinkulu, zilikhulu elinamashumi amahlanu anantathu zizonke. Nangona zazininzi kangako umnatha awuqhaqhekanga. ₁₂Waza wathi kubo uYesu: “Yizani kutya.” Akubangakho namnye kubafundi ube nabuganga bakuthi: “Ungubani wena?” Kaloku babesazi ukuba yiNkosi. ₁₃Wasondela uYesu, wasithatha isonka, wabanika; wathatha nentlanzi, wabanika.

₁₄Oku kuzibonakalisa kukaYesu kubafundi bakhe kwakukokwesithathu emva kokuvuka kwakhe ekufeni.

₁₅Emva kokuba betyile, uYesu wathi kuSimon Petros: “Simon, nyana kaYohane, uyandithanda na ngaphezu kwaba?”

Wathi kuye: “Ewe, Nkosi, uyazi ukuba ndiyakuthanda.” Wathi kuye uYesu: “Yondla amatakane am.” ₁₆Aphinde athi kuye okwesibini uYesu: “Simon, nyana kaYohane, uyandithanda na?”

Wathi kuye: “Ewe, Nkosi, uyazi ukuba ndiyakuthanda.” Wathi kuye uYesu: “Yalusa iigusha zam.” ₁₇Wathi kuye okwesithathu uYesu: “Simon, nyana kaYohane, uyandithanda na?”

Wev' intw' embi uPetros ebuzwa okwesithathunje nguYesu esithi: “Uyandithanda na?” Waza wathi kuYesu: “Nkosi, izinto zonke uyazazi; uyazi ukuba ndiyakuthanda.”

Wathi kuye uYesu: “Yondla iigusha zam. ₁₈Ndithi kuwe, inene, oko ubusemtsha ubuzibhinqisa, uye apho uthanda ukuya khona, kodwa xa sewaluphele uya kuziphakamisa izandla zakho, ubhinqiswe ngomnye, akuse apho ungathandi kuya khona.” ₁₉Esitsho nje uYesu, wayesalatha indlela uPetros awayeza kufa ngayo ukudumisa uThixo. Wandula ukuthi: “Ndilandèle, wena.”

₂₀Wakhangela ngasemva uPetros, wabona laa mfundi wayethandwa nguYesu elandela, lowa wayehleli ecaleni kukaYesu esidlweni, waza wabuza kuYesu ukuba ngubani na owayeza kumngcatsha. ₂₁Wathi ke kuYesu uPetros akumbona lo mfundi: “Nkosi, kuya kuthekani ngalo?”

₂₂Waza wathi kuye uYesu: “Ukuba ndifuna abekho ndide ndibuye, inamsebenzi mni loo nto kuwe? Ndilandèle, wena.”

₂₃Yathetheka ke le ntetho phakathi kwabalandeli bakaYesu, kusithiwa loo mfundi akayi kufa. Kodwa uYesu wayengatshongo kuye ukuba akayi kufa; wayethe: “Ukuba ndifuna abekho ndide ndibuye, inamsebenzi mni na loo nto kuwe?”

₂₄Nguye ke lo mfundi ozingqinayo ezi zinto, wazibhala nokuzibhala. Siyazi ke ukuba ubungqina bakhe buyinyaniso.

₂₅Zininzi nezinye izinto awazenzayo uYesu. Ukuba bezinokubhalwa zonke ngazinye, ndithelekelela okokuba ihlabathi liphela belingenakuziqulatha iincwadi ebeziya kubhalwa.