To The Word – Day 197

₁“Mntundini, shumayela ubhekise kwiintaba zakwaSirayeli, uthi: Zintaba zakwaSirayeli, yivani ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo. ₂Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Iintshaba zathi ngani: ‘Yehaa, iintaba zamandulo zezethu ngoku!’ ₃Ke ngoko shumayela uthi: Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Kuba benidlakaze banizingela ndaweni zonke, naza ke ngoko naba phantsi kwamasalela eentlanga, nayinto yokungcikivwa nondaba-mlonyeni, ₄ngoko, zintaba zakwaSirayeli, liveni ilizwi leNkosi uNdikhoyo: Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo kwiintaba neenduli, kwiingxingwa neentlambo, kumabhodlo asebugxwayibeni nezixeko ezingamanxuwa ngenxa yokutyhuthulwa nokuba yintlekisa yamasalela eentlanga ezingabamelwane – ₅itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ngenxa yekhwele suka ndawakhalimela amasalela ezinye iintlanga kwane-Edom, kuba bathe bechulumanca, iintliziyo zabo zizele mome yinkohlakalo, bawuthatha umhlaba wam, bawenza owabo, ukuze bawathimbe amadlelo. ₆Ngoko ke shumayela ubhekise kwilizwe lakwaSirayeli, kwiintaba neenduli neengxingwa neentili, uthi: Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndithethe ngekhwele ndisemsindweni, kuba ziningcikivile iintlanga. ₇Itsho ke ngoko iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndimisa isibhozo ndisithi iintlanga ezimelene nani nazo ziya kungcikivwa.

₈“Kodwa nina, zintaba zakwaSirayeli, niza kuvelisa amasebe neziqhamo zibe zezabantu bam amaSirayeli, kuba sebeza kugoduka. ₉Ndiyavelana nani, ndaye ndiza kunibonelela; niza kulinywa nihlwayelwe. ₁₀Ndiya kunandisela abemi, nditsho nkqu yonke indlu kaSirayeli. Ziya kuba nabantu izixeko, avuswe amabhodlo. ₁₁Ndiya kulandisa inani labantu nemfuyo; ziya kuchuma zande. Ndiya kumisa abantu kuni, kube ngcono kuni kunangaphambili. Niya kuqonda ngoko ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo. ₁₂Ndiya kubenza abantu bam, amaSirayeli, banyathele phezu kwenu. Niya kuba ziintaba zabo, nibe lilifa labo. Anisoze niphinde nibahluthe abantwana babo.

₁₃“Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo kwilizwe lakwaSirayeli ukuthi: Njengoko abantu besithi: ‘Uyabaqwenga abantu, isizwe usihluthe abantwana,’ ₁₄ngoku ke akuyi kuphinda uqwenge abantu, uhluthe nesizwe abantwana, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo. ₁₅Andiyi kuphinda ndikwenze unyamezele ukugxwalwa zizizwe, ube yintlekisa yabantu, nokuba siwe isizwe sakho, itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo.”

₁₆Kwakhona ndeva ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo lisithi: ₁₇“Mntundini, amaSirayeli aligqwalisile ilizwe ngesimo nangezenzo zawo ngexesha ayehlala kulo. Isimo sawo emehlweni am nqwa nomfazi ohlambayo. ₁₈Ndayikhuphela kuwo ke ingqumbo yam, kuba ayeliphalazile igazi elizweni, alixabhela ngezithixo. ₁₉Ndawasarhaza ezizweni aziimbacu emazweni, ndabohlwaya ngokwesimo nezenzo zawo. ₂₀Naphi na apho ahamba khona ezizweni alinyelisa igama lam elingcwele, kuba kwakusithiwa: ‘Aba ngabantu bakaNdikhoyo, kodwa kwanyanzeleka balishiye ilizwe lakhe.’ ₂₁Ndakhathazeka ngenxa yegama lam elingcwele elalinyeliswa yindlu kaSirayeli ezizweni ayebhacele kuzo.

₂₂“Ngoko ke, yithi kwindlu kaSirayeli: Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Into endiyenzayo andiyenzi ngenxa yenu, maSirayeli, kodwa kungenxa yegama lam elingcwele enilenze ladelwa ezizweni enihamba kuzo. ₂₃Ndiza kwenza bubonwe ubungcwele begama lam elilodwa eniligqwalisileyo ezizweni. Izizwe ke ziya kuqonda ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo, xa zindibona ndingoyedwa ngento endinenzela yona.

₂₄“Ndiya kunilanda ezizweni, ndinibuthe kuwo onke amazwe, ndinibuyisele kwelakowenu. ₂₅Ndiya kunitshiza ngamanzi acocekileyo ukuze nicoceke; ndiya kukukhupha ukungcola kuni, ndinenze nahlukane nezithixo. ₂₆Ndiya kuninika intliziyo entsha, ndiniphe nomoya omtsha; ndiya kuyikhupha kuni intliziyo eqaqadeke okwelitye, ndininike intliziyo yentobeko. ₂₇Ndiya kufaka uMoya wam kuni, nitsho nilulamele imimiselo yam, niyigcine ngononelelo imithetho yam. ₂₈Niya kuhlala elizweni endandilabele ookhokho benu; niya kuba ngabantu bam, mna ndibe nguThixo wenu. ₂₉Ndiya kunihlangula ekungcoleni kwenu, ndigunyazise isivuno esikhulu sengqolowa, nize nahlukane nendlala. ₃₀Ndiya kuyenza iqhame imithi, sichume nesivuno emasimini, ukuze ningabuye nihlazeke ezintlangeni ngenxa yendlala. ₃₁Niya kuzikhumbula ke iindlela zenu ezigwenxa, nezenzo zenu ezikhohlakeleyo, nize nizisole ngezono nangezenzo zenu ezilizothe. ₃₂Qondani ukuba oku andikwenzi ngenxa yenu, itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo. Yibani neentloni, nizive nihlazekile ngenxa yesimo senu, ndlu kaSirayeli.

₃₃“Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Mhla ndanihlambulula ezonweni zenu ndiya kubabuyisela abantu ezixekweni, avuswe amabhodlo. ₃₄Umhlaba oyinkangala uya kulinywa, uze ungalali ube yinkangala kubantu abacanda kuwo. ₃₅Baya kuthetha bathi: ‘Lo mhlaba ubufudula uyinkangala, ngoku unjengomyezo waseIdeni; izixeko ebekufudula kusenxuweni zidilikile, ngoku zinqatyisiwe zimiwe.’ ₃₆Ngoko ke amasalela eentlanga ezimelene nani aya kuqonda ukuba mna Ndikhoyo ndiyivusile into ebidiliziwe, ndatyala apho bekusenkangala. Ndithethile mna Ndikhoyo, ndiya kuyenza loo nto.

₃₇“Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Kwakhona ndiza kukuphulaphula ukubongoza kwendlu kaSirayeli, ndibenzele oku: Ndiya kubenza abantu bayo bande okweegusha, ₃₈babe baninzi okwemihlambi yedini eJerusalem ngomhla wesidlo esimiselweyo. Izixeko ebezidilikile ziya kuzala yintlaninge yabantu, ngathi yimihlambi yeegusha. Baya kuqonda ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo.”

₁Amandla *kaNdikhoyo andongamela, waza wandifunqula ngoMoya wakhe, wandibeka esizikithini sentlambo eyayizele ngamathambo. ₂Wandijikelezisa phakathi kwawo, ndaza ndabona amathambo amaninzi ethe waca apho entlanjeni; ayesele ome nko. ₃Waza wathi: “Mntundini, angaba saphila na la mathambo?”

Ndaphendula ndathi: “Nguwe owaziyo, Mhlekazi Ndikhoyo.”

₄Wathi ke kum: “Shumayeza la mathambo, uthi kuwo: Mathambondini omileyo, yivani ilizwi likaNdikhoyo! ₅Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo kula mathambo ukuthi: Ndiya kufaka umoya kuni ukuze nidle ubomi. ₆Ndiya kunamathelisa imisipha kuni, ndigqume ngenyama, ndize ndinambathise ngolusu. Ndiya kunifaka umoya, nize nibe ngabaphilayo. Niya kutsho nazi ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo.”

₇Ndashumayela ke njengoko ndandiyalelwe. Ndathi, ndisashumayela njalo, ndeva isandi esirhwashazayo, aza amathambo ahlangana, ithambo ladibana nelinye. ₈Ndajonga kwaza kwavela imisipha nenyama kuwo, ambathiswa ngolusu, kodwa ayengekabi namoya.

₉Waza wathi kum: “Shumayeza umoya; wushumayeze, mntundini, uthi kuwo: ‘Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Moyandini, yiza uvela kwimimoya yomine, uphefumlele abafe ngekrele, khon' ukuze babe ngabaphilayo.’ ” ₁₀Ndashumayela ke njengoko endiyalela, waza umoya wangena kuwo, aba ngabaphilayo, avuka ema ngeenyawo – inyambalala yomkhosi.

₁₁Wathi ke kum: “Mntundini, la mathambo yindlu kaSirayeli iphela. Ithi: ‘Amathambo ethu omile; ithemba lethu lidakile; kuphelile kuthi.’ ₁₂Ke shumayela uthi kuyo: ‘Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Bantu bam, ndiza kuwavula amangcwaba enu, ndize ndinikhuphe kuwo. Ndiza kunibuyisela ezweni lakwaSirayeli. ₁₃Niya kuqonda ke nina, bantu bam, ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo, xa ndiwavula amangcwaba enu, ndinikhupha kuwo. ₁₄Ndiya kufaka uMoya wam kuni, ukuze niphile, ndize ndinibeke ezweni lenu. Niya kuqonda ukuba mna Ndikhoyo ndithethile ndenza, utsho uNdikhoyo.’ ”

₁₅Ndeva ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo lisithi: ₁₆“Mntundini, thatha intonga, ubhale la mazwi kuyo: ‘EkaJuda namaSirayeli avana naye.’ Uze uthathe enye intonga, ubhale la mazwi kuyo: ‘Intonga kaEfrayim eyekaJosefu nayo yonke indlu kaSirayeli evana naye.’ ₁₇Zidibanise zibe yintonga enye, zihlale zinjalo esandleni sakho.

₁₈“Xa amawenu ekubuza esithi: ‘Akusichazeli na into ethethwa sesi senzo?’ ₁₉yithi kubo: ‘Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndiza kuthatha intonga kaJosefu neyamaSirayeli avana naye esesandleni sikaEfrayim, ndiyidibanise nekaJuda, ndizenze zibe yintonga enye. Ziya kuba yintonga enye ke esandleni sam.’ ₂₀Babonise iintonga obhale kuzo, ₂₁uze uthi kubo: ‘Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndiya kuwaphuthuma amaSirayeli kwizizwe abalekele kuzo. Ndiya kuwaqokelela kuzo zonke iindawo, ndiwabuyisele ezweni lawo. ₂₂Abantu bakwaSirayeli ndiya kubenza isizwe esinye elizweni, phezu kweentaba zikaSirayeli. Baya kulawulwa ngukumkani omnye, bengasokuze babuye babe zizizwe ezibini, okanye bahlulwa-hlulwe babe ziikumkani ezimbini. ₂₃Abayi kuphinda bazingcolise *ngezithixo zabo ezingamasikizi okanye nangezinye izikreqo zabo, kuba ndiya kubahlangula bangabi sabuyela esonweni, ndibahlambulule. Baya kuba ngabantu bam, nam ndibe nguThixo wabo.

₂₄“ ‘Isicaka sam uDavide siya kuba yikumkani yabo; xa bebonke baya kuba nomalusi omnye. Baya kuhamba ngokwemithetho yam, bayinyamekele imimiselo yam bayenze. ₂₅Baya kuhlala elizweni endalabela isicaka sam uYakobi, ilizwe ababemi kulo ooyihlo. Baya kuhlala apho bona, nabantwana babo, nabantwana babantwana babo naphakade. UDavide isicaka sam uya kuba yinkosi yabo naphakade. ₂₆Ndiya kwenza umnqophiso woxolo nabo; uya kuba ngumnqophiso wanaphakade. Ndiya kubazinzisa, ndibenze bande, ize isibingelelo sam sihlale phakathi kwabo naphakade. ₂₇Ikhaya lam liya kuba phakathi kwabo; ndiya kuba nguThixo wabo, bona babe ngabantu bam. ₂₈Ziya kwazi ke izizwe ukuba mna Ndikhoyo ndim omchongileyo uSirayeli, xa isibingelelo sam siphakathi kwabo ngonaphakade.’ ”

₁Ndeva ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo lisithi: ₂“Mntundini, bhekisa kuGogi welizwe laseMogogi, inkosi enkulu yaseMesheki naseTubhali; umkhalimele ₃uthi: Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndiyalwa nawe, Gogi, nkosi enkulu yaseMesheki naseTubhali. ₄Ndiya kukujika, ndifake amagwegwe emihlathini yakho, ndikurhuqe nomkhosi wakho uphela, amahashe akho, umkhosi okhwele amahashe otsho ngezingaziwayo izivatho, isihlwele sonke siphethe amakhaka neengweletshetshe, bonke beqhiwule amakrele abo. ₅IPeshiya neKushe nePuti ziya kuba phakathi kwabo, bonke bephethe amakhaka, benxibe iminqwazi yokuzikhusela, ₆neGomere nomkhosi wayo uphela, neBhete-togarma iya kuvela kwelikude emantla nomkhosi wayo wonke, intlaninge yezizwe ezilapho kuwe.

₇“Lunga, uhlale uchophile; nelo bandla ulihlanganisileyo uhlale uligqalile. ₈Emva kweentsuku ezininzi uya kufunzwa umkhosi wakho. Kwiminyaka ezayo uya kuhlasela ilizwe elinoxolo, elibantu balo bahlanganiswe kwintlaninge yezizwe baza kutsho kwiintaba zakwaSirayeli ebekusoloko kusenkangala kuzo. Bakhutshwe ezizweni, ke ngoku bahleli bengalindele ngozi. ₉Wena nomkhosi wakho uphela nentlaninge yezizwe niya kunyuka nivuthuza okwesiphango; niya kufana nelifu eligubungele umhlaba.

₁₀“Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ngaloo mini uya kuceba iqhinga elingendawo. ₁₁Uya kuthi: ‘Ndiza kuhlasela ilizwe elidolophu zingenandonga zikhuselayo; ndiza kuhlasela abantu boxolo bengalindele ngozi – bonke behlala apho kungekho zindonga zikhuselayo nazingcango namivalo. ₁₂Ndiya kuthimba ndityhuthule, ndithathe amaxhoba, ndonakalise kwezo zixeko bezifudula zingamanxuwa nabantu bazo abaqokelelwe ezizweni, abazizityebi ngemfuyo nangempahla, abahlala esizikithini selizwe.’ ₁₃IShebha neDan nabarhwebi baseTashishe neelali zayo zonke baya kuthi kuwe: ‘Uze kuthimba na? Eli bandla uliqokelelele ukuza kutyhuthula na? Liza kumka nesiliva negolide nemfuyo nempahla jikelele ngokuyithimba?’

₁₄“Ngoko ke, mntundini, shumayela uthi kuGogi: Itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ngaloo mhla xa abantu bam amaSirayeli behleli bengalindele ngozi akuyi kuyiqaphela na loo nto? ₁₅Uya kuphuma endaweni yakho kwelikude emantla, uhambe nentlaninge yezizwe, zonke zikhwele amahashe, ibandla elikhulu, umkhosi onamandla. ₁₆Uya kuhlasela abantu bam amaSirayeli okwelifu ligqume umhlaba. Kwimihla ezayo, Gogi, ndiya kukwenza uhlasele ilizwe lam, ukuze zazi izizwe ukuba ndingcwele xa ndizibonakalisa kuwe zijongile.

₁₇“Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Akunguye na lowo ndakha ndathetha ngaye ngezicaka zam *abashumayeli bakwaSirayeli? Ngelo xesha bashumayela ngeminyaka ezayo besithi ndiya kukwenza ubahlasele. ₁₈Ngaloo mhla kuya kwenzeka oku: Xa uGogi ehlasela ilizwe lamaSirayeli ndiya kuvukwa ngumsindo oshushu, itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo. ₁₉Ngenxa yekhwele nomsindo wam ndathi: Ngenene kuya kubakho inyikima enkulu elizweni lakwaSirayeli. ₂₀Iintlanzi elwandle, iintaka esibhakabhakeni, izilo endle, nazo zonke izilwanyana ezirhubuluzayo emhlabeni, nabo bonke abantu ehlabathini baya kungcangcazela ngenxa yobukho bam. Ziya kubhukuqwa iintaba; aya kudilika amawa, nazo zonke iindonga ziwe phantsi. ₂₁Ndiya kumema amakrele kuzo zonke iintaba zam ukuza kutyakatya uGogi, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo. Abacala-nye baya kubulalana. ₂₂Ndiya kumohlwaya ngobhubhani nangobugwinta; ndiya kunisa izandyondyo zemvula, isichotho nesalfure evuthayo phezu kwakhe naphezu komkhosi wakhe nezo zizwe ahamba nazo. ₂₃Ndiya kuba ndibonisa ubungangamsha bam; ndibe ke ndiyazazisa kwintlaninge yezizwe. Baya kuqonda ukuba mna ndinguNdikhoyo.”

₁“Mntundini, mkhalimele uGogi, uthi: Itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndiyalwa nawe, Gogi, nkosi enkulu yaseMesheki naseTubhali. ₂Ndiza kukujika ndikurhuqe. Ndiza kukulanda kwelikude emantla, ndikuse ezintabeni zakwaSirayeli. ₃Isaphetha sakho ndiya kusibetha siwe kwisandla sakho sasekhohlo, neentolo zakho ziwe kwisandla sakho sasekunene. ₄Wena nawo wonke umkhosi wakho nesizwe sakho siphela niya kufela ezintabeni zakwaSirayeli. Ndiya kunenza nibe kukutya kweentaka namarhamncwa. ₅Niya kufela endle elubala, kuba kuthethe mna, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo. ₆IMagogi nabemi baselunxwemeni abangalindele ngozi ndiya kubathumela ngomlilo ukuze bazi ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo.

₇“Ndiya kulazisa igama lam elingcwele kubantu bam amaSirayeli. Andiyi kuvuma lingcoliswe igama lam elingcwele, kwaye nezizwe ziya kwazi ukuba mna Ndikhoyo ndinguYedwa wakwaSirayeli. ₈Iyeza! Ewe, iza kufika, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo. Yile mini bendiyixela ke leyo. ₉Noko abantu abahlala ezixekweni zakwaSirayeli baya kuphuma bazibase zitshe izixhobo zabo, iingweletshetshe namakhaka amakhulu, izaphetha neentolo, amabhunguza nemikhonto. Iya kuphela iminyaka esixhenxe bezenza iinkuni zokubasa. ₁₀Akusayi kubakho mfuneko yakutheza endle nokugawula iinkuni emahlathini, kuba baya kubasa izixhobo. Baya kuthimba kwa-abo bebefudula bethinjwa ngabo, batyhuthule abo bebefudula betyhuthulwa ngabo, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo.

₁₁“Ngaloo mhla uGogi uya kungcwatyelwa kwaSirayeli, kwintlambo ekuhanjwa kuyo ngabahambi abaya ngasempumalanga ngakuLwandle oluFileyo. Elo ngcwaba liya kuxaba endleleni yabahambi, kuba aya kuba elapho amangcwaba kaGogi nesihlwele sakhe siphela. Iya kubizwa ngokuba yintlambo yesihlwele sikaGogi.

₁₂“Indlu kaSirayeli iya kubangcwaba iinyanga ezisixhenxe ukuze licoceke ilizwe. ₁₃Baya kungcwatywa sisizwe siphela, ize loo mini yobungangamsha bam ibe ludumo kubo, itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo.

₁₄“Kuya kumiselwa amadoda aya kuzingisa ngokulicoca ilizwe. Amanye aya kuhamba lonke ilizwe, amanye angcwabe ezo zidumbu zisabonakalayo phezu komhlaba. Emva kweenyanga ezisixhenxe aya kuqalisa ukuzingela kulo lonke ilizwe, ₁₅kuze kwenziwe umqondiso apho kubhaqwe khona ithambo lomntu de lingcwatywe ngabangcwabayo kwintlambo yesihlwele sikaGogi. ₁₆Apho kuya kubakho nesixeko esiyiHamona. Kuya kuba njalo ke ukuhlanjululwa kwelizwe.

₁₇“Mntundini, itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Biza zonke iintlobo zeentaka nazo zonke izilo zasendle, uthi: ‘Yizani niqokelelane kweli dini ndinilungiselela lona, inyhikityha yedini phezu kweentaba zakwaSirayeli. Apho niza kutya inyama nisele negazi. ₁₈Niya kutya inyama yeengangamsha, nisele negazi leenkosi zalo mhlaba ngokungathi ziinkunzi zeegusha namatakane, iibhokhwe neenkunzi zeenkomo, zonke zityetyiswe eBhashan. ₁₉Kwidini endinilungiselela lona niya kutya amanqatha nide niwatyekeze, nisele igazi nide ninxile lilo. ₂₀Kwisithebe sam niya kutya amahashe nabakhweli bawo, iingangamsha nazo zonke iindidi zamadoda omkhosi,’ itsho iNkosi uNdikhoyo.

₂₁“Udumo lwam ndiya kulubonisa ezizweni, ukuze zonke izizwe zisazi isohlwayo nobugadalala besandla sam. ₂₂Ukususela kuloo mini isizwe sakwaSirayeli siya kundazi ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo uThixo waso. ₂₃Izizwe ziya kwazi ukuba abantu bakwaSirayeli bathinjwa ngenxa yesono sabo, kuba babenganyanisekanga kum. Ke mna ndazifihla kubo, ndaza ndabanikezela ezintshabeni zabo, bonke babulawa ngekrele. ₂₄Ndabohlwaya kangangokudyobheka kwabo nakangangezikreqo zabo. Ndazifihla kubo.

₂₅“Ngako oko itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo ukuthi: Ndiya kuyijika imeko kaYakobi, ndibe novelwano kubo bonke abantu bakwaSirayeli; ndiya kuba nekhwele ngenxa yegama lam elingcwele. ₂₆Ngexesha abahleli bekhuselekile ezweni labo bengalindele ngozi baya kulilibala ihlazo labo nokunganyaniseki kwabo kum ngaphambili. ₂₇Ndakuba ndibaphuthumile ezizweni, ndababutha emazweni eentshaba zabo, zonke izizwe ndiya kuzibonisa ngabo ukuba akukho namnye unjengam. ₂₈Baya kwazi ngoko ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo uThixo wabo, kuba, nakuba ndabathumela ezizweni baba ngabathinjwa, ndiya kubaqokelela, ndibabuyisele ezweni labo, ndingashiyi namnye. ₂₉Andiyi kuphinda ndizifihle kubo, kodwa ndiya kuphokozela uMoya wam kumaSirayeli, itsho iNgangalala uNdikhoyo.”

₁Ngonyaka wamashumi amabini anesihlanu wokuthinjwa kwethu, kanye ekuqalekeni konyaka, ngomhla weshumi enyangeni, kunyaka weshumi elinane emva kokoyiswa kweJerusalem, ngaloo mini kanye ndasiva isandla *sikaNdikhoyo, wandithatha wandisa eJerusalem. ₂Wandithatha ngemibono evela kuThixo, wandisa kwilizwe lakwaSirayeli, waza wandibeka phezu kwentaba ephakamileyo eyayinezakhiwo ezazingathi sisixeko kwicala langezantsi. ₃Wandisa apho, ndaza ndabona umfo owayekhangeleka ngathi sisinyithi. Wayemi esangweni, ephethe intsontelo yelinen noluthi lokulinganisa. ₄Wathi kum: “Mntundini, uze ujonge ngamehlo akho, uphulaphule ngeendlebe zakho, uyithathele ingqalelo yonke into endiza kukubonisa yona, kuba ulapha nje uziselwe loo nto. Uze umzi wakwaSirayeli uwuxelele konke okubonileyo.”

₅Ndabona udonga olujikeleze yonke inkundla yendlu kaThixo. Ubude boluthi lokulinganisa olwaluphethwe yiloo ndoda babuziimitha ezintathu. Yalinganisa udonga, yaza yafumana luziimitha ezintathu ububanzi ngokunjalo nomphakamo.

₆Iye kwisango elijonge empumalanga. Ihambe ngezinyuko zesango, yalinganisa umgubasi walo, yaza yafumana uziimitha ezintathu ukungena. ₇Amagumbi abalindi eludongeni ayeziimitha ezintathu ubude nobubanzi, baza ububanzi beendonga eziwahlula-hlulayo baziimitha ezimbini ezinesiqingatha. Umgubasi wesango ekungeneni kwevaranda ejongene nendlu kaThixo wawuziimitha ezintathu ukungena.

₈Yaza ke yalinganisa ivaranda yesango. ₉Yayiziimitha ezine ukungena, aza amacala ayo ayimitha ububanzi. Ivaranda yesango yayijongene nendlu kaThixo.

₁₀Apha ngaphakathi kwesango elijonge empumalanga ayemathathu amagumbi eludongeni macala. Ayelingana omathathu, ngokunjalo neendonga eziwahlula-hluleyo. ₁₁Ke ngoko yalinganisa ububanzi besango; babuziimitha ezintlanu, ubude bona buziimitha ezintandathu ezinesiqingatha. ₁₂Phambi kwegumbi eliseludongeni ngalunye kwakukho udonga olusisiqingatha semitha ukuphakama, wona amagumbi aseludongeni enamacala alinganayo aziimitha ezintathu. ₁₃Yaza ke yalinganisa isango ukusuka emantla odonga olungemva lwegumbi olusedongeni elikwelinye icala kuye kuthi nqo kwelingaphesheya, yafumana ingumgama oziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha phakathi kwawo. ₁₄Yenze umlinganiso wazo zonke iindonga eziphongomileyo apha ngaphakathi kwesango, yafumana iimitha ezingamashumi amathathu. Lo mlinganiso uthi ngqu ngevaranda ejongene nentendelezo. ₁₅Umgama ukusuka ekungeneni kwesango kuye kuma entla evaranda wawungamashumi amabini anantlanu eemitha. ₁₆Phezu kwamagumbi aseludongeni kunye neendonga eziphongomileyo ngaphakathi kwesango kwakwakhiwe udongana olulungqameko luneendawo ezivulekileyo. Kwakunjalo nasevarandeni. Zonke iindawo ezivulekileyo zazijonge ngaphakathi. Iindonga eziphongomileyo bezihonjiswe ngesundu.

₁₇Le ndoda yandingenisa kwintendelezo yokuqala. Apho ke ndabona amagumbi nendlela egangathiweyo ejikeleze yonke intendelezo. Amagumbi ayayamene nendlela le ayengamashumi amathathu. ₁₈Le ndlela igangathiweyo yayihamba ithi ngqu emasangweni, ububanzi bayo bulingana nobude bawo. Le ke ibiyindlela esemazantsi. ₁₉Yalinganisa umgama ukusuka phakathi kwisango elingezantsi kuye kuthi gaa ngaphandle kwentendelezo engaphakathi; wawuziimitha ezimashumi mahlanu kwisango lasempumalanga ngokunjalo nakwelingentla.

₂₀Yaza yalinganisa ubude nobubanzi besango elijonge emantla nelingena kwintendelezo yokuqala. ₂₁Amagumbi aseludongeni, emathathu kwicala ngalinye, iindonga zawo, eziphongomileyo kwanevaranda yalo, zifana nqwa ngomlinganiselo neziya ndawo zesango lokuqala. Ubude bebuziimitha ezingamashumi amabini anantlanu, ububanzi buziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha. ₂₂Iimbombo zalo nevaranda yalo nemihombiso yesundu zazilingana totse neziya zesango elijonge empumalanga. Amanqwanqwa alo asixhenxe ayejongene nevaranda. ₂₃Kwakukho isango lenkundla engaphakathi elijongene nesango elingentla njengoko kunjalo empumalanga. Wenza umlinganiselo ukusuka kwelinye isango ukuya kwelinye, waza waba ngamashumi amahlanu eemitha.

₂₄Yaza yandisa kwicala elingezantsi, apho ndibone isango elijonge ngezantsi. Yenza umlinganiselo wamacala alo kwanowevaranda yalo, yafumana ufana nowamanye amasango. ₂₅Isango nevaranda yalo lalineembobo phezulu njengakwamanye amasango. Ubude balo yayiziimitha ezingamashumi amabini anantlanu, ububanzi buziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha. ₂₆Amanqwanqwa alo ayesixhenxe, ejongene nevaranda yalo. Lalinemihombiso yesundu ezindongeni eziphongomileyo macala omabini. ₂₇Nayo intendelezo engaphakathi yayinesango elijonge emazantsi. Yenza umlinganiso womgama ukusuka kwisango elingaphakathi kuye kwelingaphandle, waba ngamashumi amahlanu eemitha.

₂₈Le ndoda yandingenisa kwintendelezo engaphakathi ngesango langezantsi, yaza yenza umlinganiso wesango elo. Lalilingana namanye. ₂₉Amagumbi aseludongeni neendonga eziphongomileyo nevaranda yalo zazilingana nezamanye amasango. Isango nevaranda yalo zazineembobo zijikelezile macala onke. Ubude balo babuziimitha ezingamashumi amabini anantlanu, ububanzi buziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha. ₃₀(Iivaranda zamasango angena kwintendelezo engaphakathi ayeziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha ububanzi, neemitha ezimbini ezinesiqingatha semitha ukungena.) ₃₁Ivaranda yayijonge kwintendelezo yokuqala. Amacala ayo ayehonjiswe ngamasundu. Amanqwanqwa okuya kuyo ayesibhozo.

₃₂Yaza yandisa empumalanga yentendelezo yangaphakathi, yenza umlinganiso wesango; wawulingana nowamanye. ₃₃Amagumbi aseludongeni neendonga eziphongomileyo nevaranda yayo zazimlinganiso mnye nowamanye. Isango nevaranda zazineembobo zijikelezile macala onke. Ubude balo babuziimitha ezingamashumi amabini anantlanu, ububanzi buziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha. ₃₄Ivaranda yalo yayijonge kwintendelezo yokuqala, amacala ayo ehonjiswe ngamasundu, esibhozo amanqwanqwa okungena kuyo.

₃₅Yandisa kwisango elingentla, yaza yenza umlinganiso walo. Ifumene lilingana namanye, ₃₆ngokunjalo namagunjana aseludongeni neendonga eziphongomileyo kwanevaranda eyayineembobo yonke. Ubude balo babuziimitha ezingamashumi amabini anantlanu, ububanzi buziimitha ezilishumi elinambini nesiqingatha. ₃₇Ivaranda yalo yayijonge kwintendelezo engaphandle. Amacala ayo omabini ayehonjiswe ngesundu, amanqwanqwa aya kuyo esibhozo.

₃₈Malunga nevaranda yesango ngalinye kwaphakathi kwakukho igumbi elinomnyango apho ayehlanjwa khona amadini atshiswayo. ₃₉Kwivaranda yesango kwakumi iitafile ezimbini macala omabini ekwakuxhelelwa kuzo amadini atshiswayo, nawesono, nawetyala. ₄₀Malunga nodonga olungaphandle lwevaranda yesango kufuphi namanqwanqwa aya ekungeneni kwesango elingentla kwakumi iitafile ezimbini, zaza zambini kwakhona ngaphaya kwawo. ₄₁Ngoko ke zazine iitafile kwicala ngalinye lesango – iitafile ezisibhozo zizonke – apho ayexhelelwa khona amadini. ₄₂Kwakukho iitafile ezine zelitye elilungisiweyo zokusebenzela amadini atshiswayo, itafile nganye iziisentimitha ezingamashumi asixhenxe anantlanu ubude, ikwanjalo nobubanzi, neesentimitha ezingamashumi amahlanu umphakamo. Amadini atshiswayo namanye amadini ayehlinzwa phezu kwazo ngempahla yokuhlinza ₄₃eyayibekwa ethaleni eliseludongeni, thala elo elalibubanzi bungangesandla. Iitafile zazenzelwe ukubeka inyama yamadini.

₄₄Ngaphandle kwesango elingaphakathi kwakukho amagumbi amabini, elinye limi ecaleni lesango elingentla lijonge ezantsi, elinye ecaleni lesango elingezantsi lijonge entla. ₄₅Le ndoda yathi kum: “Igumbi elijonge ngezantsi lelababingeleli abasebenza indlu kaThixo, ₄₆elijonge ngentla lelababingeleli abasebenza iqonga. Abo ngoonyana bakaZadoki, ekukuphela kwabaLevi abanokusondela *kuNdikhoyo babingelele phambi kwakhe.”

₄₇Yenza umlinganiso wentendelezo, yafumana amacala elingana: amashumi amahlanu eemitha ubude namashumi amahlanu eemitha ububanzi. Lona iqonga lamadini laliphambi kwendlu kaThixo.

₄₈Le ndoda yandisa kwivaranda yendlu kaThixo, yaza yalinganisa amacala evaranda leyo; ububanzi macala babuziimitha ezimbini ezinesiqingatha. Ekungeneni ububanzi babuziimitha ezisixhenxe, ububanzi beendonga eziphongomileyo macala buyimitha enesiqingatha. ₄₉Ivaranda yayiziimitha ezilishumi ububanzi, yaza yaba ziimitha ezintandathu ukusuka ekungeneni kuye entla. Bekunyukwa ngamanqwanqwa ukuya kuyo, kumi iintsika malunga namacala ayo.