To The Word – Day 150

₁Yakuba yonke le nto ifezekile, amaSirayeli awayelapho aphuma, aya kwiidolophu zakwaJuda, afika awaqhekeza amatye anqulwayo, azigawula iintsika zika-Ashera. Iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo azitshabalalisa, ngokunjalo namaqonga, kulo lonke elakwaJuda nakwaBhenjamin, kwaEfrayim nakwaManase. Akuba ezitshabalisile zonke ezo zinto, amaSirayeli onke agoduka aya ngeedolophu zawo emihlabeni yawo.

₂UHezekiya wamisela ababingeleli nabaLevi ngamaqela abo, iqela ngalinye ngokwemisebenzi yalo kubabingeleli nakubaLevi, ukuze banikele amadini atshiswayo nawobudlelwana, nokuze balungiselele, benze imibulelo, batsholoze ngeendumiso emasangweni endlu *kaNdikhoyo. ₃Ukumkani warhuma kwezakhe izinto, wanikela amadini atshiswayo akusasa nawamatshona, kwakunye namadini atshiswayo *eMihla yokuPhumla, awokuthwasa kwenyanga, nawamatheko amisiweyo, njengoko kubhaliweyo emthethweni kaNdikhoyo. ₄Abantu abahlala eJerusalem wabayalela ukuba bakhuphe izabelo zababingeleli nabaLevi, ukuze bona bakwazi ukuzinikezela ngokupheleleyo emthethweni kaNdikhoyo.

₅Akuwuva loo myalelo amaSirayeli enza izinwe, akhupha ulibo lwengqolowa newayini entsha, amafutha omnquma, nobusi, nayo yonke into eyimveliso yamasimi. Wamninzi umnikelo abawuzisayo, bethatha isishumi sento nganye. ₆Abantu bakwaSirayeli nakwaJuda ababehlala kwiidolophu zakwaJuda bezisa nezishumi zeenkomo nezeegusha ndawonye nesishumi sezinto ezingcwele bazinikela kuNdikhoyo uThixo wabo; ewe, bazigalela zaziingqumba. ₇Le nto ke bayiqala ngenyanga yesithathu, baza bayigqiba kwinyanga yesixhenxe. ₈UHezekiya enamaphakathi akhe wathi akuzibona ezo ngqumba wamdumisa uNdikhoyo, wabathamsanqelisa abantu bakhe amaSirayeli.

₉UHezekiya wathetha nababingeleli nabaLevi ngezo ngqumba, ₁₀waza ke umbingeleli omkhulu, uAzariya wendlu kaZadoki wathi: “Oko abantu baqalayo ukuzisa imirhumo yabo endlwini kaNdikhoyo, sitsho sanokutya okwaneleyo kude kubekho nentsalela, kuba uNdikhoyo ubathamsanqele abantu bakhe – ewe, le ntaphane ingaka ngamasalela.”

₁₁UHezekiya wayalela ukuba kulungiswe oovimba endlwini kaNdikhoyo; yenziwa ke loo nto. ₁₂Beza nayo ngenyameko ke yonke imirhumo leyo – izishumi neminikelo. Owayevelele lo msebenzi yayinguKonaniya umLevi encediswa ngumntakwabo uShimeyi. ₁₃Ukumkani uHezekiya noAzariya iphakathi elalongamele indlu kaThixo, bamisela la madoda ukuba asebenze phantsi koKonaniya nomntakwabo uShimeyi: uYehiyeli, uAzaziya, uNahati, uAsaheli, uJerimoti, uYozabhadi, uEliyeli, uIsemakiya, uMahati, noBhenaya.

₁₄Ke kaloku uKore unyana kaImna umLevi owayengumlindi wesango elisempuma, wayongamele iminikelo yokuqhutywa yintliziyo enikelwa kuThixo, esaba imirhumo kaNdikhoyo kwakunye nezipho ezizodwa. ₁₅Wayencediswa nguEden, uMiniyamin, uYeshuwa, uShemaya, uAmariya, noShekaniya, besebenza ngenyameko kwiidolophu zababingeleli, ababingeleli bebabela ngokwamaqela abo, abadala kwanabanci, bengenagobe.

₁₆Ngaphezu koko babela bonke abangamadoda abaminyaka mithathu nangaphezulu abamagama afumanekayo kuludwe lweenkcukacha zomlibo – bonke ababenelungelo lokungena endlwini kaNdikhoyo basebenze imisebenzi yabo yemihla ngemihla kumaqela ahlukeneyo ngokwemisebenzi yawo. ₁₇Bababela ababingeleli ababhaliswe kuludwe ngokwezindlu zabo, ngokunjalo nabaLevi abaminyaka imashumi mabini nangaphezulu, ngokwamaqela nemisebenzi yabo. ₁₈Babandakanya nabantwana, abafazi, oonyana neentombi zebandla lonke, abo bakuludwe lweenkcukacha zomlibo. Kaloku babethembekile ekuzihlambululeni.

₁₉Ke ababingeleli, inzala ka-Aron, abo babehlala emaphandleni ajikeleze iidolophu, kanti nasezidolophini, kwakhethwa amadoda ukuhambisa izabelo kuye wonke oyindoda phakathi kwabo, nakubo bonke abakuludwe lwemilibo yabaLevi.

₂₀Nantso ke imisebenzi eyenziwa nguHezekiya kulo lonke elakwaJuda; ewe, wenza okuhle nokufanelekileyo, wanyaniseka kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe. ₂₁Kuko konke awayekwenzela indlu kaThixo, nasekuthobeleni umthetho nemiyalelo, wayesoloko efunana noThixo wakhe, emsebenzela ngomxhelo wakhe wonke. Ngenxa yale nto ke waba nempumelelo.

₁Emva kwezo zenzo zentembeko zikaHezekiya elakwaJuda lahlaselwa nguSenakeribhe ukumkani waseAsiriya. Wazingqinga izixeko ezinqatyisiweyo, ezimisele ukutyhoboza azithimbele kuye. ₂UHezekiya akuqonda ukuba uSenakeribhe ugalelekile waye ezimisele ukulwa neJerusalem, ₃wathetha-thethana namaphakathi akhe, kunye namagosa omkhosi, eceba ukuvala amanzi asuka emithonjeni engaphandle kwesixeko, baza ke bavumelana naye. ₄Kwaqokelelwa iqela elikhulu labantu, baza bayivala yonke imithombo kunye nentlambo eyayinqumla kwelo lizwe. Babesithi: “Asinakubayeka ookumkani baseAsiriya beze, ze bafumane amanzi angaka.” ₅Wazabalaza ezilungisa zonke iindawo ezonakeleyo eludongeni, esakha neenqaba eziphakamileyo. Wakha nolunye udonga ngaphaya kwalo, waza walomeleza ungqameko lwesixeko sikaDavide. Kananjalo wenza nentaphane yezixhobo kunye namakhaka.

₆Abantu wabamisela amagosa omkhosi, waza wabaqokelela ebaleni lesixeko ngasesangweni, wabakhuthaza ngala mazwi, wathi: ₇“Yomelelani nikhaliphe! Ze ningabi nadyudyu okanye nityhafe ngenxa yokumkani waseAsiriya nomkhosi wakhe omkhulu; kaloku baninzi abangakuthi kunabo bangakuye. ₈Ngakuye ngamandla omntu, ukanti ngakuthi *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wethu oza kusinceda asilwele amadabi ethu.” Ke abantu batsho bomelela ngaloo mazwi kaHezekiya ukumkani wakwaJuda.

₉Kamva ke xa uSenakeribhe ukumkani waseAsiriya nomkhosi wakhe uphela babengqinge iLakishe, wathumela amagosa akhe nalo myalezo, ewubhekisa kuHezekiya ukumkani wakwaJuda kunye nabo bonke abantu bakwaJuda ababeseJerusalem, esithi: ₁₀“Ukumkani waseAsiriya uSenakeribhe uthi: Khanitsho, niqamele ngani, ukuze nihlale ngaphakathi kweJerusalem engqingiweyo nje? ₁₁UHezekiya lo uthi: ‘UNdikhoyo uThixo wethu uza kusihlangula esandleni sokumkani weAsiriya,’ uyanilahlekisa, ufuna nibulawe yindlala nalunxano. ₁₂Andithi kaloku uHezekiya ngokwakhe uzidilizile iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo kwakunye namaqonga, esithi kuJuda neJerusalem: ‘Nqulani kwiqonga elinye, nitshise namadini kwakulo’?

₁₃“Ngaba anizazi na izinto ezenziwa ngoobawo kunye nam lo kubantu bonke bezinye izizwe? Baba nako yini na oothixo bezo zizwe ukuhlangula umhlobo wabo esandleni sam? ₁₄Kwizizwe ezatshatyalaliswa ngoobawo, nguwuphi koothixo bazo owaba nako ukuhlangula abantu bazo kum? Uza kunihlangula njani lo Thixo wenu esandleni sam? ₁₅Hayi bo! Musani ukumyeka uHezekiya anikhohlise anilahlekise kangaka. Musani ukukholwa yinto ayithethayo, kuba akukho thixo nakusiphi na isizwe nombuso oselekhe wanako ukuhlangula abantu esandleni sam, nakweso soobawo. Wobeka phi ke lo Thixo wenu ukungabi nako ukunihlangula esandleni sam?”

₁₆Aqhabalaka ke amagosa kaSenakeribhe ethetha ngokuchaseneyo noNdikhoyo uThixo nangesicaka sakhe uHezekiya. ₁₇Kananjalo ukumkani lowo wabhala neeleta ethuka enyelisa uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli, esithi: “Kwanjengokuba oothixo bezinye izizwe bengabanga nako ukuhlangula abantu bazo esandleni sam, ngokunjalo ke nalo Thixo kaHezekiya akayi kubahlangula esandleni sam abantu bakhe.” ₁₈Baza ke bakhwaza bethetha isiHebhere bebhekisa kubantu baseJerusalem ababeseludongeni apho, beboyikisa bebagrogrisa ngenjongo yokuba boyike, ukuze ke basihlasele isixeko eso. ₁₉UThixo waseJerusalem bamnyelisa kanye ngaloo ndlela babebanyelisa ngayo oothixo bezinye izizwe, oothixo abenziwe ngezandla zabantu.

₂₀Ke kaloku ukumkani uHezekiya, ekunye *nomshumayeli uIsaya unyana ka-Amoze, lo mbandela bawubhekisa kuThixo ngomthandazo. ₂₁Ke uNdikhoyo wathumela isithunywa sakhe sawatshabalalisa onke amadoda omkhosi neenkokheli namaphakathi awayekumkhosi wokumkani waseAsiriya. Waza ke warhoxa wagoduka enyoshoza. Uthe ke esangene kwindlu yothixo wakhe, abanye koonyana bakhe basuka bambulala ngekrele.

₂₂Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo wamhlangula uHezekiya nabantu baseJerusalem esandleni sikaSenakeribhe ukumkani waseAsiriya, ngokunjalo nasesandleni sezinye izizwe. Bebonke wabakhusela macal' onke. ₂₃Baba baninzi abazisa iminikelo kuNdikhoyo eJerusalem, nezipho ezixabisekileyo kuHezekiya ukumkani wakwaJuda. Ukusukela ngoko ke waxatyiswa zizo zonke izizwe.

₂₄Ngelo thuba ke uHezekiya wahlabeka, waza wagulela ukungabikho. Wathandaza *uNdikhoyo, owasuka wamphendula ngomqondiso omangalisayo. ₂₅Kambe ke uHezekiya wayethiwe lwale likratshi, akabusabela ububele abenzelweyo; ngoko ke ingqumbo kaNdikhoyo yaba phezu kwakhe ndawonye noJuda neJerusalem. ₂₆Ke kaloku uHezekiya nabantu baseJerusalem baguquka kwelo kratshi labo, yaza ke loo ngqumbo kaNdikhoyo ayaphinda ibe phezu kwabo ngemihla kaHezekiya.

₂₇UHezekiya wayesisinhanha sesityebi ehlonelwe. Ke wazenzela oovimba bokugcina isiliva, igolide, amatye exabiso, iziqholo, amakhaka, nazo zonke iindidi zezinto ezixabisekileyo. ₂₈Kananjalo wakha izindlu zokugcina isivuno – ingqolowa, iwayini, namafutha omnquma – wakha nezitali zeendidi zeenkomo nezibaya zeegusha. ₂₉Wakha iidolophu, wazuza imihlambi yeegusha neenkomo – kaloku uThixo wayemphe ubutyebi obuninzi.

₃₀IkwanguHezekiya owavala amantla omthombo waseGihon, amanzi wawatsalela kwintshona yesixeko sikaDavide. Yayiqaqambile yonke into ayenzayo. ₃₁Kambe ke xa kwakuthunyelwe oonozaku-zaku kuye ngabalawuli baseBhabheli, beze kuqonda ngomqondiso omangalisayo owawubonakele apho elizweni lakhe, uThixo wamyekela khon' ukuze amvavanye akuqonde konke okwakusentliziyweni yakhe.

₃₂Kaloku ezinye zeziganeko zolawulo lukaHezekiya nemisebenzi yakhe yokuzinikela, nâzo zibhaliwe encwadini yombono yomshumayeli uIsaya unyana ka-Amoze, kwincwadi yookumkani bakwaJuda nabakwaSirayeli. ₃₃UHezekiya ke waya kuphumla kooyise, waza wangcwatyelwa kwicala elingasentla kwinduli enamafihlo esizukulwana sikaDavide. Ekuswelekeni kwakhe ke wonke uJuda ndawonye neJerusalem bamnika imbeko. Esikhundleni sakhe ke kwangena unyana wakhe uManase.

₁UManase wayeneshumi elinesibini leminyaka ukuqala kwakhe ukuba ngukumkani, waza ke walawula eJerusalem iminyaka emashumi mahlanu anesihlanu. ₂Wenza okukubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo, wasuka wahamba ekhondweni lemikhuba emasikizi yezo zizwe wazigxothayo uNdikhoyo phambi kwamaSirayeli. ₃Iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo ezazidilizwe nguyise uHezekiya yena wabuya wazivusa, kananjalo wakhela ooBhali amaqonga, wenza neentsika zika-Ashera. Wayequbuda nakwiindidi zonke zeenkwenkwezi, ezinqula. ₄Wakha amaqonga endlwini kaNdikhoyo, nangona uNdikhoyo wayethe: “Igama lam ndolimisa eJerusalem ngonaphakade.” ₅Kuzo zombini iinkundla zendlu kaNdikhoyo wakhela iinkwenkwezi amaqonga. ₆Oonyana bakhe ncam wabafaka emlilweni, esenza idini ngabo kwintili kaBhen-hinom. Wayethe phithi yimilingo, ukuvumisa, nobugqwirha, ehamba kumagqirha noosiyazi. Wayegqithisile ukwenza ububi emehlweni kaNdikhoyo, emqumbisa.

₇Wathatha umfanekiso oqingqiweyo awayewenzile, wawufaka endlwini kaThixo; ukanti ke uThixo wayemyalile uDavide ndawonye noSolomon unyana wakhe, wathi: “Igama lam ndolimisa kude kube ngunaphakade apha kule ndlu eJerusalem, ndawo leyo ndayinyulayo phakathi kwazo zonke izindlu zikaSirayeli. ₈Ukuba amaSirayeli abe nenyameko, akwenza konke endiwayalele kona, ayithobela yonke imithetho nemimiselo kwanemiqathango endayikhupha ngoMosis, mna andisoze ndibuye ndiwenze abhadule emke kweli lizwe ndalinika ooyise.” ₉Kambe ke yena uManase wamlahlekisa uJuda nabantu baseJerusalem, ngangokuba bade babalasele ekwenzeni ububi kunezo zizwe wazitshabalalisayo uNdikhoyo phambi kwamaSirayeli.

₁₀UNdikhoyo wathetha noManase nabantu bakhe, kodwa zange bakhathale. ₁₁Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo wabazisela iingqwayi-ngqwayi zomkhosi wokumkani waseAsiriya, owafika wamthimba uManase walibanjwa, wamqhoga impumlo, wambopha ngamakhamandela obhedu, wamsa eBhabheli. ₁₂Kuloo nkxwaleko ke uManase wazicengezela kuNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe, wazithoba warhuqa phantsi phambi koThixo wooyise. ₁₃Akuthandaza ke, uNdikhoyo wachukumiseka sisikhungo sakhe, wakuphulaphula ukuzibika kwakhe; ngoko ke wambuyisela embusweni wakhe eJerusalem. Watsho waqonda ke uManase ukuba uNdikhoyo nguThixo.

₁₄Emva koko ke walwakha udonga olungaphandle lwesixeko sikaDavide, kwintshona yomthombo waseGihon entilini, wada wee xhaxhe ngeSango leeNtlanzi, wayijikeleza induli yeOfeli, kananjalo ke waluphakamisa. Wamisa iingqwayi-ngqwayi zomkhosi kuzo zonke izixeko zakwaJuda ezinqatyisiweyo.

₁₅Wazisusa izithixo zasemzini, kunye nomfanekiso owawusendlwini kaNdikhoyo, kananjalo nawo onke amaqonga awayewakhe kwinduli yendlu kaThixo eJerusalem; xa zizonke ezo zinto wazikhuphela ngaphandle kwesixeko. ₁₆Waza ke walibuyisela iqonga likaNdikhoyo, kulo wenza amadini obudlelwane nawombulelo; uJuda wamyalela ukuba akhonze uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli. ₁₇Kambe ke bona abantu bathi rhoqo ukwenza amadini kwiindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo, kodwa bewenzela uNdikhoyo uThixo wabo.

₁₈Ke kaloku ezinye zeziganeko zolawulo lukaManase, kunye nomthandazo wakhe kuThixo wakhe, namazwi awathethwa ngabashumayeli kuye egameni likaNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli, nâzo encwadini yeembali zookumkani bakwaSirayeli. ₁₉Ewe, umthandazo wakhe nendlela awachukumiseka ngayo uThixo sisikhungo sakhe, ndawonye nazo zonke izono zakhe nokunganyaniseki kwakhe, nezo ndawo wazakha kuzo iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo, nalapho wazimisa khona iintsika zika-Ashera kwanemifanekiso eqingqiweyo, ngaphambi kokuzithoba kwakhe, yonke loo ngcombolo ibhaliwe kwiinkcukacha zeembongi. ₂₀UManase ke waya kuphumla kooyise, waza wangcwatywa kwibhotwe lakhe. Esikhundleni sakhe ke kwangena unyana wakhe uAmon.

₂₁Ke kaloku uAmon wayeneminyaka emashumi mabini anesibini ezelwe ukuqala kwakhe ukulawula, waza ke waba ngukumkani iminyaka emibini eJerusalem. ₂₂KwanjengoManase uyise naye wênza okubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo. UAmon wayeyenzela amadini ayinqule yonke imifanekiso eyayenziwe nguyise uManase. ₂₃Yena zange azithobe phambi koNdikhoyo njengoko wenjenjalo uyise uManase; ndaweni yoko wasuka walandisa ityala lakhe.

₂₄Ke amaphakathi ka-Amon amenzela iyelenqe, ambulalela kwakhe ebhotwe. ₂₅Ke bona abantu belo zwe bababulala bonke abo babenzele ukumkani uAmon iyelenqe, baza babeka unyana wakhe uJosiya wangukumkani esikhundleni sakhe.

₁UJosiya waqalisa ukulawula eneminyaka esibhozo, waza walawula eJerusalem iminyaka emashumi mathathu ananye. ₂Ke yena wênza okuhle emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo, ehamba ekhondweni likayise-mkhulu uDavide, enganxaxhi.

₃Kunyaka wesibhozo elawula, nakuba wayeselula, waqalisa ukufunana noThixo kayise-mkhulu uDavide. Kunyaka weshumi elinesibini waqalisa ukuzitshitshisa iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo kwaJuda naseJerusalem, wazisusa neentsika zika-Ashera kunye nemifanekiso eqingqiweyo netyhidiweyo. ₄Wayalela ukuba achithwe namaqonga kaBhali, kunye nalawo eziqhumiso ayephezu kwawo; wazintlekeza iintsika zika-Ashera, kwanemifanekiso eqingqiweyo netyhidiweyo. Ezi zinto wazikroboza waza wazisarhaza emangcwabeni abo babezinqula. ₅Amathambo ababingeleli baloo maqonga wawatshisela phezu kwawo; ngaloo ndlela ke wamhlambulula uJuda neJerusalem. ₆Kwiidolophu zakwaManase, kwaEfrayim, kwaSimon, de kuthi xhaxhe ngoNafetali, nakumabhodlo ajikelezileyo, ₇wawachitha amaqonga, wazisusa neentsika zika-Ashera, imifanekiso wayicola yangumgubo, onke amaqonga eziqhumiso wawadiliza kwaSirayeli ephela. Waza ke wabuyela eJerusalem.

₈Ngonyaka weshumi elinesibhozo elawula uJosiya, ekulihlambululeni kwakhe ilizwe elo kunye nendlu kaThixo, wathumela uShafan unyana ka-Azaliya noMaseya umlawuli-sixeko, kunye noJowa unyana kaYowahazi umgcini-manqaku, ukuze bahlaziye indlu kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe.

₉Baya kumbingeleli omkhulu uHilekiya, baza bamnika imali eyayiziswe endlwini kaThixo, eyayiqokelelwe ngabaLevi ababengabagcini-minyango, baza bayiqokelela kubantu bakwaManase, abakwaEfrayim, nakuwo onke amasalela kaSirayeli, nakubantu bakwaJuda nabakwaBhenjamin, ngokunjalo nakubemi baseJerusalem. ₁₀Bayigcinisa kubafo ababemiselwe ukuvelela umsebenzi wendlu kaNdikhoyo. Aba bafo ke bahlawula abasebenzi ababehlaziya indlu kaThixo. ₁₁Enye imali bayinika abachweli nabakhi ukuze bathenge amatye akroliweyo kunye nomthi wokuhlanganisa nowemiqadi ukuze kulungiswe ezo zakhiwo zayekwa zabhodloka ngookumkani bakwaJuda.

₁₂La madoda awenza ngentembeko loo msebenzi. Ayekhokelwa nguYahati no-Obhadiya, abaLevi abayinzala kaMerari, kunye noZakariya noMeshulam, inzala kaKohati. Aba baLevi bonke babeziingcungela ekudlaleni izikhalisi zengoma; ₁₃ngabo ababevelele abathwali bempahla nabasebenzi kwiinkalo ngeenkalo zomsebenzi. Bambi abaLevi babengoonobhala, namagosa, nabagcini-masango.

₁₄Bathe besakhupha imali eyayiziswe endlwini kaNdikhoyo, umbingeleli uHilekiya wayibhaqa incwadi yomthetho kaNdikhoyo, leyo yayinikelwe kuMosis. ₁₅UHilekiya wathetha noShafan unobhala, wathi: “Apha endlwini kaNdikhoyo ndiyifumene incwadi yomthetho.” Waza ke wayinika uShafan.

₁₆UShafan ke incwadi leyo wayisa kukumkani, wamazisa wathi: “Izicaka zakho ziyakwenza konke ezikuthunyiweyo. ₁₇Imali ebisendlwini kaNdikhoyo ziyithathile zayinikezela kubaveleli babasebenzi.” ₁₈Waza ke unobhala uShafan waxelela ukumkani wathi: “Umbingeleli uHilekiya undinike incwadi.” Wandula ke uShafan ukufundela ukumkani incwadi leyo.

₁₉Akuweva ke amazwi omthetho lowo, ukumkani wasuka wazikrazula izambatho zakhe. ₂₀Wayalela uHilekiya, uAhikam unyana kaShafan, uAbhedon unyana kaMika, unobhala uShafan, noAsayi intong' esekhosi kakumkani, wathi: ₂₁“Hambani niye kubuzisa kuNdikhoyo malunga nam namasalela kaSirayeli noJuda, malunga noko kubhaliweyo kule ncwadi ivelileyo. Ayinganganto ingqumbo kaNdikhoyo ayiphokozele phezu kwethu, kuba oobawo abawathobelanga amazwi kaNdikhoyo, abaziphathanga ngokwala mazwi abhalwe kule ncwadi.”

₂₂Ke kaloku uHilekiya nâbo wayethunywe nabo ngukumkani baya *kumshumayeli obhinqileyo uHulda, owayengumfazi kaShulam unyana kaTokati, kaHasera umgcini-wegumbi lezambatho. Yena ke wayehlala eJerusalem kwisithili sesibini.

₂₃Wathetha nabo wathi: “Utsho uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli ukuthi: Mxelele loo mntu unithumileyo nithi: ₂₄‘Utsho uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Uyabona, le ndawo, ikunye nabantu bayo, ndiza kuyizisela isithwakumbe. Ziza kuwa phezu kwayo zonke iziqalekiso ezibhaliweyo kule ncwadi ayifundelweyo ukumkani wakwaJuda. ₂₅Kaloku bandishiyile, baza benzela abanye *oothixo iziqhumiso. Ewe, bawuxhokonxile umsindo wam ngezi zinto bazenze ngezandla zabo. Ingqumbo yam iza kuwa phezu kwale ndawo, ingabi nakucimeka.’ ₂₆Ukumkani wakwaJuda onithume ukuza kubuzisa kuNdikhoyo mxeleleni nithi: ‘Mayela namazwi owevileyo utsho uNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli ukuthi: ₂₇Ngenxa yokuba wena uhlabekile, waza wazithoba phambi koThixo wakuba uwevile amazwi ayikhalimela ngawo uThixo le ndawo nabemi bayo, wada ke wena wazithoba phambi kwam, wakrazula nezambatho zakho, ulila phambi kwam, ngoko ke ndikuvile, utsho uNdikhoyo. ₂₈Wena ke ndiya kukusa kooyihlo, ungcwatywe unoxolo. Awakho amehlo akayi kusibona esi sithwakumbe ndiza kusithoba phezu kwale ndawo kunye nabemi bayo.’ ”

Loo mpendulo ke bayixelela ukumkani.

₂₉Ukumkani ke wawaqokelela onke amadoda amakhulu akwaJuda naseJerusalem. ₃₀Waya endlwini kaNdikhoyo, ehamba namadoda akwaJuda, abemi baseJerusalem, ababingeleli nabaLevi, enabantu bonke kuqalela koyena mncinci kuye koyena mkhulu. Wabafundela onke amazwi aloo ncwadi yomnqophiso, leyo yayifunyenwe endlwini kaNdikhoyo. ₃₁Ke ukumkani wema ngasentsikeni, wawuhlaziya umnqophiso wokuba yena uya kulandela uNdikhoyo, ayithobele imiyalelo, imiqathango, nemimiselo yakhe, oko akwenze ngentliziyo yakhe iphela, nomphefumlo wakhe uphela, ahambe ngokwamazwi omnqophiso abhalwe kule ncwadi.

₃₂Kananjalo wonke umntu eJerusalem nakwaBhenjamin wathi makazibophelele kuwo. Ke abemi baseJerusalem bayenza le nto ngokomnqophiso kaThixo, nditsho uThixo wooyise.

₃₃Kuwo wonke ummandla wakwaSirayeli uJosiya wazisusa izithixo ezingamasikizi, waza onke amaSirayeli wathi makakhonze uNdikhoyo uThixo wawo. Ngethuba lokudla kwakhe ubomi amaSirayeli zange ajike ekumlandeleni uNdikhoyo uThixo wooyise.

₁Ke kaloku uJosiya wenzela *uNdikhoyo itheko *lePasika eJerusalem, laza ke ixhwane lePasika laxhelwa ngomhla weshumi elinesine ngenyanga yokuqala. ₂Ababingeleli wabamisela kwimisebenzi yabo, wabakhuthaza emsebenzini wendlu kaNdikhoyo. ₃KubaLevi ababenikezelwe kuNdikhoyo befundisa uSirayeli wonke ephela wathi: “Yithatheni ityesi engcwele, niyifake endlwini awayakhela yona uSolomon unyana kaDavide ukumkani wakwaSirayeli. Mayingahlali niyithwele ngamagxa. Ngoku khonzani uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu ngokunjalo namaSirayeli. ₄Zilungiseleleni ngokwemizi yenu nangokwezintlu, ngokwendlela nemigqaliselo eyabhalwa nguDavide ukumkani wakwaSirayeli kunye nonyana wakhe uSolomon.

₅“Yimani engcweleni nineqela labaLevi kuluhlu ngalunye lwemizi yamawenu, abantu ngokubanzi. ₆Xhelani amaxhwane ePasika, nizihlambulule, amawenu niwalungiselele amaxhwane, nenze loo nto wayiyalezayo uNdikhoyo ngoMosis.”

₇Abantu ababelapho uJosiya wabalungiselela amashumi amathathu amawaka eegusha neebhokhwe ezizezedini lePasika, kwakunye namawaka amathathu eenkomo – zonke ezo zinto ziphuma kukumkani ngokwakhe.

₈Nawo amaphakathi akhe enza izinwe akhuphela abantu nababingeleli nabaLevi. UHilekiya noZakariya noYehiyeli, abaphathi bendlu kaThixo, banika ababingeleli amakhulu angamashumi amabini anesithandathu amaxhwane ePasika kunye neenkomo ezimakhulu mathathu. ₉Kwakhona uKonaniya noShemaya noNataniyeli, abantakwabo, kunye noHashabhiya noYehiyeli noYozabhadi iinkokheli zabaLevi, bakhupha amawaka amahlanu amaxhwane ePasika, kunye namakhulu amahlanu eenkomo egameni labaLevi.

₁₀Yalungiselelwa inkonzo leyo, ababingeleli bema ngeendawo zabo nabaLevi kwizintlu zabo ngokomyalelo kakumkani. ₁₁Axhelwa amaxhwane ePasika, baza ababingeleli bafefa ngelo gazi lalinikezelwe kubo, baba bona abaLevi behlinza. ₁₂Bawabeka bucala amadini atshiswayo, ukuze bawanikezele kwizintlu zemizi, ukuze zinikele kuNdikhoyo njengoko kubhaliwe encwadini kaMosis. Benjenjalo ke nasezinkomeni. ₁₃Ngokommiselo ke amaxhwane ePasika bawosa emlilweni, wona amadini awodwa bawapheka ngeembiza, oongxawu, neepani, baza ke baphakela abantu ngokukhawuleza. ₁₄Kamva ke balungiselela bona kunye nababingeleli. Kaloku ababingeleli, inzala ka-Aron, babesenza amadini atshiswayo nawamanqatha kwada kwahlwa. Ngoko ke abaLevi bazilungiselela bona ziqu kwanababingeleli bendlu ka-Aron.

₁₅Iimvumi, inzala ka-Asafu, zazimi ngeendawo zazo ngokomyalelo kaDavide noAsafu noHeman noYedutun imboni kakumkani. Kwisango ngalinye abagcini-masango abemkanga, kuba amawabo abaLevi babebalungiselele.

₁₆Ngelo thuba ke yonke inkonzo kaNdikhoyo yaqhutywa, kubhiyozelwa iPasika, kusenziwa namadini atshiswayo kwiqonga likaNdikhoyo ngokomyalelo kakumkani uJosiya. ₁₇Ngelo thuba ke amaSirayeli awayekhona apho ayibhiyozela iPasika, aqhuba neSidlo seZonka ezingaNyuswanga, iintsuku zasixhenxe. ₁₈Ukususela kwimihla yomshumayeli uSamweli iPasika le yayingazange iqhutywe ngolu hlobo kwaSirayeli, kungekho nakumkani kwabakwaSirayeli wakha waqhuba iPasika ngendlela awayenza ngayo uJosiya enababingeleli nabaLevi, naye wonke uJuda noSirayeli, abantu ababelapho eJerusalem. ₁₉Le Pasika ke yabhiyozelwa kunyaka weshumi elinesibhozo elawula uJosiya.

₂₀Ke kaloku emva kokuba uJosiya eyilungisile indlu kaThixo, uNeko ukumkani waseJiputa wenyuka waya kuhlasela iKarkemishe kumlambo iEfrati. Ke uJosiya wamhlangabeza. ₂₁Kambe ke uNeko wathumela izigidimi esithi: “Akukho mfazwe phakathi kwam nawe, kumkani wakwaJuda. Okweli lixa andihlaseli wena, koko ndihlasela isizwe esilutshaba lwam. UThixo uthe mandikhawulezise, ngoko ke wena musa ukuchasana noThixo ongakum, hleze akutshabalalise.”

₂₂Kodwa ke uJosiya zange ajike, koko wazenza mntu wumbi, wangena edabini. Ewe, zange ayiphulaphule into eyayithethwa kuye nguNeko owayeyalelwe nguThixo – wafunzela kuye, walwa naye kumathafa aseMegido.

₂₃Abatoli bamchana ukumkani uJosiya edabini apho, waza ke yena wathetha namaphakathi akhe, wathi: “Ndikhupheni; bandingxwelerhile.” ₂₄Bamkhupha ke kuloo nqwelo yakhe, bamfaka kwenye, baza bamsa eJerusalem, apho wafela khona. Wangcwatywa phakathi kwamangcwaba ooyise, waza ke wonke uJuda neJerusalem bamzilela.

₂₅Ke kaloku uJeremiya waqamba izililo ngoJosiya. Unanamhla ke zonke iimvumi, amadoda nabafazi, bahlabela ezo zililo xa bekhumbula uJosiya. Zona ke zada zasisithethe kwaSirayeli, zabhalwa kwiNcwadi yesiJwili.

₂₆Ke kaloku ezinye zeziganeko zolawulo lukaJosiya, kwanemisebenzi yakhe yokuzinikezela njengoko kubhaliweyo encwadini yomthetho kaNdikhoyo, ₂₇nazo zonke iziganeko zolawulo lwakhe, ukusukela ekuqalekeni kuye esiphelweni, nâzo encwadini yeembali zookumkani bakwaSirayeli nabakwaJuda.

₁Ke abantu belizwe bathatha unyana kaJosiya, uYowahazi bammisela esikhundleni sikayise, wangukumkani eJerusalem.

₂UYowahazi wangena ekulawuleni eneminyaka emashumi mabini anantathu, waza ke wangukumkani eJerusalem iinyanga ezintathu. ₃Ukumkani waseJiputa wamkhiqa eJerusalem, waza uJuda wamrhafisa isiliva ebunzima buziikhilogram ezingamawaka amathathu anamakhulu amane, kunye negolide ebunzima buziikhilogram ezingamashumi amathathu anamakhulu amane. ₄Ukumkani waseJiputa lowo wamisela umntakwabo-Yowahazi uEliyakim wangukumkani wakwaJuda naseJerusalem, waza waliguqula igama likaEliyakim wathi nguJoyakim. Ke yena umntakwabo uYowahazi wamthimba wamsa eJiputa.

₅UJoyakim waqala ukulawula eneminyaka emashumi mabini anantlanu, walawula eJerusalem iminyaka elishumi elinanye. Wênza okubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe. ₆Ke kaloku uNebhukadenezare ukumkani waseBhabheli wamhlasela, waza wamthimba wambopha ngamakhamandela obhedu, wamsa eBhabheli. ₇Kananjalo uNebhukadenezare wathatha inxenye yezitya zendlu kaNdikhoyo waya kuzibeka endlwini yothixo wakhe eBhabheli.

₈Ke ezinye zeziganeko zolawulo lukaJoyakim, nezinto ezimanyumnyezi awazenzayo, nako konke okwakhe, nâzo encwadini yookumkani bakwaSirayeli nabakwaJuda. UJoyakin unyana wakhe wangena esikhundleni sakhe.

₉UJoyakin waqala ukulawula eneminyaka elishumi elinesibhozo, waza walawula eJerusalem iinyanga ezintathu ezineshumi leentsuku. Wênza okubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo. ₁₀Ngentlakohlaza ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wathumela waya kuthathwa wasiwa eBhabheli kunye nezinto ezixabisekileyo zendlu kaNdikhoyo. Wathatha uyisekazi kaJoyakin uZedekiya wamenza ukumkani wakwaJuda naseJerusalem.

₁₁UZedekiya wayeneminyaka emashumi mabini ananye ezelwe ukuqala kwakhe ukuba ngukumkani, waza ke walawula eJerusalem iminyaka elishumi elinanye. ₁₂Wênza okubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe; zange amthobele *nomshumayeli uJeremiya owayemxelela ilizwi likaNdikhoyo.

₁₃UZedekiya wamvukela ukumkani uNebhukadenezare owayemfungise ngegama likaThixo. Wasuka walukhuni waneenkani, akavuma ukubuyela *kuNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli. ₁₄Ngaphezu koko ke zonke iinkokheli zababingeleli nezabantu zasuka azanyaniseka ngakumbi, zalandela izenzo ezimasikizi zeentlanga, baza ke bayixabhela indlu kaNdikhoyo, leyo yena wayingcwalisayo eJerusalem.

₁₅Ke kaloku uNdikhoyo uThixo wooyise waphindelela ukubalumkisa ngamazwi awawathumela ngezithunywa zakhe evelana nabantu bakhe ndawonye nendawo yakhe yokuhlala. ₁₆Kodwa ke bona basuka baphoxisa ngazo izithunywa zakhe, bawadelela amazwi akhe, bebagxeka abashumayeli bakhe; yada ke ingqumbo kaNdikhoyo yavuseleleka mayela nabantu bakhe, ayabi sanqandeka. ₁₇Wabaxhokonxela ukumkani wamaKaledi, owababulalayo abafana babo ngekrele, ebabulalela endaweni engcwele; ewe, akasindisanga mfana nantombi, ndoda naxhego. Xa bebonke uThixo wabanikezela esandleni sokumkani wamaKaledi. ₁₈Yena ke wazithatha zonke izinto ezazisetyenziswa endlwini kaThixo waya nazo eBhabheli – konke nje, ezincinci kwanezinkulu ndawonye nobutyebi bendlu kaNdikhoyo, nobukakumkani, nobamaphakathi. ₁₉Indlu kaThixo bayintumeka umlilo, baludiliza udonga lweJerusalem, baza bazitshisa nezixeko, batshabalalisa yonke into exabisekileyo khona.

₂₀Ke amasalela abhungcayo kwikrele wawathimba wawasa eBhabheli, aba zizicaka zakhe nezoonyana bakhe, wada ke wathwasa umbuso wasePeshiya. ₂₁Ngale ndlela ke azaliseka amazwi kaNdikhoyo awathethwa nguJeremiya, laza ilizwe laxhamla iminyaka yalo yokuphumla. Ewe, lonke elo xesha lalingamiwanga ilizwe beliphumla, nditsho iminyaka emashumi asixhenxe.

₂₂Ngonyaka wokuqala kakumkani uKoreshi wasePeshiya, ukuzalisekisa amazwi awawathetha ngomlomo kaJeremiya, *uNdikhoyo wawuxhokonxa umoya kakumkani uKoreshi wasePeshiya, waza wawisa umthetho kuwo wonke ummandla wakhe, wayalela ukuba ubhalwe, kusithiwa:

₂₃“Utsho uKoreshi, ukumkani wasePeshiya, ukuthi: ‘UNdikhoyo uThixo wezulu uzinikele kum zonke izikumkani zehlabathi; kananjalo undimisele ukuba ndimakhele indlu eJerusalem kwelakwaJuda. Ngoko ke, nabani phakathi kwenu nonke ongowabantu bakhe, ngamana uThixo wakhe waba naye, anduluke aye khona.’ ”