To The Word – Day 51

₁“Wakuba ungenile wema kwelo lizwe uliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ₂umntu ngamnye aze athathe ibhaskiti, afake ulibo lwento nganye ayilimileyo, aye nayo kuloo ndawo yonqulo yalathwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho ukuzinzisa igama lakhe. ₃Akufika 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.’

₄“Ke yena umbingeleli lowo uya kuyithatha ibhaskiti leyo, ayibeke phambi kweqonga lamadini kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. ₅Apho 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. ₆AmaJiputa asiphatha gadalala, asinyanzela ukuba sisebenze sibulaleka. ₇Ke thina sazibika kuNdikhoyo uThixo woobawo-mkhulu. Yena wasiva isikhalo sethu, wakubona oko kubandezeleka, naloo hambo-nzima, ngokunjalo nengcinezelo esasikuyo. ₈Ngobo bungangamsha naloo mandla akhe ke wasikhupha kwelaseJiputa. Wenza imiqondiso nemimangaliso, wabetha kwehla izinto ezirhwaqelisayo. ₉Wasithatha ke waza kusibeka apha, wasinika eli lizwe lobisi nobusi. ₁₀Ngoko ke ngoku, Ndikhoyo, ndikuphathele olu libo lwesivuno somhlaba ondiphe wona.’

“Wakuba utshilo ke, ibhaskiti leyo uya kuyibeka phantsi apho phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, umnqule. ₁₁Ewe, 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.

₁₂“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 ₁₃thetha 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. ₁₄Andityanga 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. ₁₅Ngoko 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.’ ”

₁₆“Namhlanje ke *uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uniyalela ukuba niyithobele yonke imimiselo nemithetho yakhe. Ewe, nyanisekani niyithobele ngomxhelo wenu uphela.

₁₇“Ngokunjalo ke namhlanje niyivakalisile into yokuba uNdikhoyo nguThixo wenu; futhi nithembisile ukuba niya kumthobela, niyenze imimiselo nemiyalelo nemithetho yakhe. ₁₈Kunamhlanje nje ke uNdikhoyo uyivakalisile into yokuba unamkele naba ngabantu bakhe ncakasana ngokwesithembiso sakhe; ngoko ke uyaniyala, uthi yithobeleni imiyalelo yakhe. ₁₉Ke 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.”

₁UMosis ekunye namadoda amakhulu akwaSirayeli wathi: “Ze niyithobele yonke imiyalelo endininika yona namhlanje. ₂Mhla nayiwela iJordan nangena kwelo lizwe niliphiwa *nguNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ze nimise amatye amakhulu, niwatyabeke ngefutha, _3-4niwabhale 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. ₅Apho ke ze nakhele uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu iqonga lamadini ngamatye angaqingqwanga ngezixholo zentsimbi. ₆Kaloku iqonga enilakhela uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu kufuneka libe lelamatye angaqingqwanga. Kulapho ke ekufuneka ninikele ngamadini atshiswayo, ₇ngokunjalo nenze namadini obudlelwana, nitye ninombulelo apho phambi koNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. ₈Kuloo matye atyatyekwe ngefutha ke ze niwabhale ngokucacileyo onke amazwi alo mthetho.”

₉UMosis ekunye nababingeleli babaLevi ke wabhekisa kumaSirayeli, wathi: “Khanindibolek' iindlebe, maSirayeli! Namhlanje nibe ngabantu bakaNdikhoyo ncakasana. Nguye iNkosi yenu. ₁₀Ngoko ke ze niyithobele imiyalelo nemimiselo endininika yona.”

₁₁Ngaloo mini uMosis wawayalela amaSirayeli, wathi: ₁₂“Xa seniyiwelile iJordan ezi zizwe zilandelayo ze zime kwintaba iGerizim xa kuthamsanqelwa amaSirayeli: uSimon, uLevi, uJuda, uIsakare, uJosefu, noBhenjamin. ₁₃Kanti ke nazi eziya kuma kwintaba iEbhali xa kuqalekiswa: uRubhen, uGadi, uAshere, uZebhulon, uDan, noNafetali.

₁₄“Ke bona abaLevi baya kuvakalisa la mazwi bekhwaza besithi: ₁₅‘Uqalekisiwe umntu oqingqa umfanekiso ngelitye, umthi, noba sisinyithi, aze awunqule emfihlakalweni. Into enjalo lisikizi kuNdikhoyo.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula besithi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₁₆“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na odela uyise noba ngunina.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₁₇“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na oshenxisa umlimandlela wommelwane.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₁₈“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na olahlekisa imfama endleleni.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₁₉“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na ogqwetha inyaniso xa kuthethwa ityala labangeneleli neenkedama nabahlolokazi.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₀“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu owambatha umka-yise, kuba unyelisa uyise.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₁“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na olala nesilwanyana.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₂“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu owambatha udade wabo, nditsho intombi kayise nokuba yekanina.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₃“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu owambatha umkhwekazi.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₄“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu ogebenga umwabo engabonwa.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₅“ ‘Uqalekisiwe umntu othengwayo khon' ukuze agebenge abamsulwa.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’

₂₆“ ‘Uqalekisiwe nabani na ongazithobeliyo aziphumeze iimfundiso zalo mthetho.’

“Ke bona abantu bophendula bathi: ‘Makube njalo!’ ”

₁“Ke ukuba ulithobele ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, wayenza ngononophelo imiyalelo endikunika yona namhlanje, uNdikhoyo uya kukuphakamisa kunazo zonke izizwe zehlabathi. ₂Xa uthe walithobela ke walenza lizwi likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, nâzi iintsikelelo owozixhamla:

₃“Wosikelelwa ezidolophini nasemaphandleni.

₄“Wosikelelwa, umfazi wakho azale, emasimini indyebo ibe ngako, yona imfuyo yande, kubekho amathole namatakane.

₅“Wosikelelwa, ingobozi yakho iphuphume isivuno, isitya sakho sokuxovulela sihlale sinentlama.

₆“Wosikelelwa ekuphumeni kwakho, nasekubuyeni kwakho ngokunjalo.

₇“UNdikhoyo uya kukuvathisa ngoloyiso, nditsho noba sewuhlaselwa ziintshaba. Zothi noba sezivela kwicala elithile, wena uzibethe zithi saa macal' onke.

₈“UNdikhoyo uThixo uya kuwuthamsanqela umsebenzi wakho, izisele zakho zihlale ziphuphuma. Uya kukuthi jize ngamathamsanqa kwelo lizwe akunika lona.

₉“Ukuba niyithobele imiyalelo nahamba ngokwelizwi lakhe, uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu uya kunimisela nibe ngabantu bakhe ncakasana ngokwesithembiso sakhe.

₁₀“Ziya kuthi ke izizwe zehlabathi, zakuqonda ukuba uNdikhoyo unenze abantu bakhe, zitsho zinihlonele.

₁₁“Ewe, uNdikhoyo wokuthi jize ngenkqubela, uzale abantwana, imfuyo yakho ibe namathole namatakane, amasimi akho axakathe isivuno kwelo lizwe uNdikhoyo wafunga ukubanika lona ooyihlo-mkhulu. ₁₂UNdikhoyo 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. ₁₃UNdikhoyo uya kukwenza ube yimbalasane phakathi kwezizwe, ungabi semxukuxeleni. Uya kuba soloko unenkqubela, ungaze uwe phantsi, ukuba uyithobele wayenza imiyalelo yakhe endikunika yona namhlanje. ₁₄Noba sekutheni na ungaze uphambuke nakancinane kule miyalelo; ungaze unqule ubuse *oothixo abangabambi.”

₁₅“Kambe ke ukuba akulithobelanga ilizwi *likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ukuba akuyenzanga yonke le miyalelo nale mimiselo ndikunika yona namhlanje, ziya kukufumana iziqalekiso:

₁₆“Woqalekiswa ezidolophini nasemaphandleni.

₁₇“Yoqalekiswa ingobozi yakho, nesitya sakho sokuxovulela ngokunjalo.

₁₈“Yoqalekiswa inzala yakho, nesivuno somhlaba wakho, kwanamathole namatakane emfuyo yakho.

₁₉“Woqalekiswa ekuphumeni kwakho, nasekubuyeni kwakho ngokunjalo.

₂₀“UNdikhoyo uya kukuzisela ishwangusha, kube sisiphithi-phithi nenkxwaleko kuyo yonke into oyenzayo, suka uhlelwe sisithwakumbe ude utshabalale ngephanyazo, ngenxa yobubi obenzileyo bokumlahla ungamthobeli uNdikhoyo. ₂₁UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngezifo ngezifo, akutshayele uphele nya, ungawuhlali lo mhlaba uza kungena kuwo ngoku. ₂₂Uya 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. ₂₃Ilanga liya kubalela esibhakabhakeni, umhlaba wome ube lilitye. ₂₄Imvula aya kuyinisa uNdikhoyo yoba zizaqhwithi nothuli, ude utshabalale.

₂₅“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.

₂₆“Xa senifile imizimba yenu iya kutyiwa ziintaka namarhamncwa, futhi kungabikho namntu uzigxothayo. ₂₇UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngamathumba uxel' amaJiputa. Umzimba wakho uya kuphanjwa zizilonda nalukhwekhwe, urhawuzelelwe ingekho nendlela yokukunyanga. ₂₈UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngogezo, ubumfama, nobuthwanga-thwanga. ₂₉Uya kuba ngathi uyimfama, uphampathe ngoku ilanga lihlab' umhlaba. Kuyo yonke into oyenzayo akuyi kuba nampumelelo. Uya kuba sisisulu sengcinezelo, uphangwe, kungekho bani ungakuncedayo.

₃₀“Noba sewulobola intombi, kovela mntu wumbi ayixhaphaze. Noba sowusakha indlu, soze uyihlale. Uya kuba ngatyala isidiliya, ungacholi naphantsi kuso. ₃₁Nenkomo 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. ₃₂Oonyana neentombi zakho ziya kunikezelwa kwezinye iintlanga ujongile. Uya kutyabuk' amehlo ujong' enkalweni, ulindele ukubuya kwabantwana bakho, kungekho nto unokuyenza. ₃₃Kuya kuvela uhlanga ongalwaziyo, lufike luvune izilimo zakho obulalekileyo ngazo, ke wena into oya kuyizuza yingcinezelo nentshutshiso engaphele ndawo. ₃₄Ububi obubonayo buya kukubetha utsho ube ligeza. ₃₅UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngamathumba anganyangekiyo emadolweni nasemilenzeni, athi tshitshilili ukusuka entloko kuye kuthi xhaxhe ngeenyawo.

₃₆“Wena, ngokunjalo nokumkani ommiseleyo, uNdikhoyo uya kunithatha anise kwilizwe eningalaziyo, elingazange laziwa nangooyihlo-mkhulu. Apho ke uya kunqula *thixo bambi abenziwe ngomthi, ngokunjalo nabamatye. ₃₇Kwezo zizwe akusasaze kuzo uNdikhoyo abantu baya kukuthela nqa, ube yintlekisa nondaba-mlonyeni.

₃₈“Uya kuthi ngoku ubuhlwayele kakhulu uvune into engekhoyo. Kaloku isivuno sakho siya kunqunquthwa ziinkumbi. ₃₉Uya kuba ngatyala isidiliya usihlakule usilungise, ungazuzi diliya nawayini, kuba kaloku siya kungenelwa ngurhuxeshe. ₄₀Umnquma uya kubakho kuyo yonke indawo kwelo lizwe, kodwa wena ungabi nawo amafutha okuthambisa, kuba umnquma lowo uya kuvuthuluka. ₄₁Oonyana neentombi uya kuba nabo nje ngegama, kuba baya kuthinjwa. ₄₂Imithi yakho yeziqhamo, ngokunjalo nezilimo, ziya kunqunquthwa yinkumbi.

₄₃“Abangeneleli belakowenu baya kubalasela baye beqaqamba ngokuqaqamba, ke nina niye nidodobala ngokudodobala. ₄₄Baya kubolekisa kuwe, ube ke wena ungenanto yakubolekisa. Ekugqibeleni ke baya kuba ziinkokheli, wena ube ngumlandeli.

₄₅“Zonke ke ezi ziqalekiso ziya kukujikeleza zide zikufumane, zikuvuthulule uphele, ngenxa yokuba ungaliphulaphulanga ilizwi likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ungayenzanga imiyalelo nemimiselo endikunike yona. ₄₆Ziya kuba ngumqondiso nesimanga kuwe nakwisizukulwana sakho kude kube nini-nini.

₄₇“Nakuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho wakusikelela ngeendlela zonke nje, akuvumanga ukumnqula ngokuthakazela ngexesha lentlutha. ₄₈Ngoko ke uya kubusa iintshaba akuthumele ngazo uNdikhoyo. Uya kucikidwa yindlala, unxano, nobuze, naziindidi ngeendidi zeentswelo. Uya kukukhama ngedyokhwe yentsimbi ude utshabalale. ₄₉UNdikhoyo uya kukuthumela ngohlanga oluvela kwelikude eziphelweni zehlabathi, abantu abantetho ungayivayo; bona ke baya kukurhewula njengokhozi. ₅₀Olu ke iya kuba luhlanga olungwanyalala, olungakhathalele mntu mdala, lungenanceba nasemntwaneni. ₅₁Iinkomo 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. ₅₂Baya kuzihlasela bazingqinge zonke iidolophu zelo lizwe akunika lona uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, nezo ndonga zinde ukholosa ngazo ziya kudilika zifadalale.

₅₃“Xa sezikungqingile iintshaba zakho uya kuxineka ucikideke yindlala kangangokuba ude utye nabantwana bakho obaphiwe nguNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. _54-55Nditsho 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. _56-57Kwanomfazi 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.

₅₈“Ukuba akuyithobelanga ngenyameko imfundiso yalo mthetho ubhalwe kule ncwadi, ukuba uthe awalihlonipha eli gama lizukileyo linobuqaqawuli likaNdikhoyo uThixo wakho, ₅₉wena ngokunjalo nenzala yakho úya kunibetha ngezithwakumbe ezingaqhelekanga nezingaphele ndawo, nezifo ezoyikekayo ezingeva yeza. ₆₀Uya kukuzisela ezaa zifo zaseJiputa wawuzoyika kunene, zaye ke zona ziya kunamathela kuwe.

₆₁“Ngaphezu koku uNdikhoyo uya kukuthumela ngazo zonke iindidi zezifo nezithwakumbe, nditsho nezo zingaxelwanga kule ncwadi yomthetho; ke zona ziya kukutshabalalisa. ₆₂Nokuba nande nada nayinyambalala enjengeenkwenkwezi ezisesibhaka-bhakeni, liqaqobana nje eliya kusinda, kuba kaloku ningamthobelanga uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. ₆₃Kwanjengokuba uNdikhoyo wayenemihlali ngani waza waninika inkqubela wanandisa, kuya kuba kwanjalo ukunivuthulula nokunitshabalalisa kwakhe. Niya kuncothulwa nifuduswe kweli lizwe ningena kulo ngoku.

₆₄“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. ₆₅Soze ufumane nzolo naphi naphi, ungasoze ufumane nandawo yakuphumla. UNdikhoyo uya kukubetha ngonxunguphalo, ukuphalala, nokuncama. ₆₆Ubomi bakho buya kuhlala busemngciphekweni. Imini nobusuku uya kuhlala ududa luloyiko, usoloko uxhalele ukufa. ₆₇Uya kuba liphakuphaku ngenxa yobubi obubonayo. Kuya kuthi kwakuba kusasa uthi: ‘Akwaba belitshona,’ uthi ke lakutshona: ‘Akwaba beliphuma.’ ₆₈UNdikhoyo 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.”

₁Waza ke uYesu wathetha nabo ngemizekeliso, esithi: “Umntu othile watyala isidiliya, wasibiyela, wemba isixovulelo seediliya, wakha imboniselo, wasiqeshisa kubalimi, wahambela kwelinye ilizwe. ₂Ngexesha lokuvuthwa kweziqhamo ke, wathuma isicaka kwabo balimi, ukuze bamnike eziqhameni zesidiliya eso. ₃Basuka bona basihlasela, basibetha, basindulula singaphathanga nto. ₄Wabuya ke wathuma esinye isicaka kubo. Sona basigqebha iinduma, basihlazisa. ₅Wabuya wathuma esinye, baza basibulala eso sicaka. Wathuma nezinye ke zazininzi, baza inxenye bayibetha, inxenye bayibulala. ₆Wathi ngoko, kusele mntu mnye angámthumayo, unyana oyintanda, wamthuma kubo ekugqibeleni, esithi: ‘Baya kumhlonela yena unyana wam.’ ₇Ke bona abo balimi bathi omnye komnye: ‘Yindlalifa le. Masiyibulale, ilifa libe lelethu.’ ₈Bambamba ke unyana lowo, bambulala, bamphosa ngaphandle kwesidiliya.

₉“Uya kwenza ntoni na ke ngoko umnini-sidiliya? Wofika abatshabalalise abo balimi, asinikele bantu bambi eso sidiliya. ₁₀Niyifundile kaloku *eziBhalweni indawo ethi:

₁₂Ababingeleli abaziintloko nabachazi-mthetho namadoda amakhulu babefuna ukumbamba ke uYesu, kuba kwakuqondakele ukuba uzekelisa ngabo. Kodwa babesoyika isihlwele, baza bamyeka bemka.

₁₃Kwathunyelwa ke kuYesu abathile *babaFarasi nabathile beqela *lamaHerode, ukuze bambambise ngamazwi. ₁₄Befikile ke bona, bathi kuye: “Mfundisi, siyazi ukuba uthembekile, ungenamkhethe, kuba akucengi bani, kodwa uyifundisa ngenyaniso indlela kaThixo. Khawutsho ke, ngaba kuvumelekile na ukurhafa *kuKhesare, okanye akuvumelekanga; masiyirhole irhafu, singayirholi, kusini na?”

₁₅Ke yena, ekwazi ukuhanahanisa kwabo, wathi kubo: “Nindilingelani na? Ndiziseleni imali ndiyibone.”

₁₆Bayizisa ke, waza wathi kubo: “Ngokabani na lo mfanekiso neli gama?”

Bathi kuye: “NgokaKhesare.”

₁₇Waphendula ke uYesu, wathi kubo: “Ke, nikani uKhesare okufanele uKhesare, ninike uThixo okufanele uThixo.”

Bamangaliseka yimpendulo yakhe.

₁₈Kweza *nabaSadusi kuYesu (bona bathi akukho luvuko lwabafileyo), bambuza besithi: ₁₉“Mfundisi, uMosis wasibhalela umthetho esithi: ‘Ukuba ubani uthe wafa, eshiya umfazi engekabi nabantwana, makathi umntakwabo amngene umfazi lowo, baze bamzalele abantwana umfi lowo.’ ₂₀Ke kaloku kwakukho oonyana bomntu abasixhenxe, yaza inkulu yazeka umfazi, yasweleka ingenabantwana. ₂₁Wathi ke owesibini wamngena, kodwa naye wasweleka engenabantwana. Benjenjalo ke ₂₂bosixhenxe, kodwa abashiya mntwana. Emva kwabo bonke wasweleka naye umfazi. ₂₃Ke ngoko eluvukweni lwabafileyo uya kuba ngumfazi wawuphi kubo? Kuba kaloku bosixhenxe babemthathile.”

₂₄Wabaphendula uYesu wathi: “Nilahlekiswa kukuba ningaziqondi *iziBhalo, ningawazi namandla kaThixo. ₂₅Kaloku xa abafileyo bathe babuya bavuka, àbazeki, àbendiswa; banjengezithunywa ezisezulwini. ₂₆Ngokusingisele kukuvuswa kwabafileyo, anifundanga na encwadini kaMosis, kwisiqendu esithetha ngetyholo elivuthayo, okokuba uThixo wathetha naye esithi: ‘Mna ndinguThixo ka-Abraham, uThixo kaIsake, uThixo kaYakobi’? ₂₇AkaThixo wabafileyo; unguThixo wabaphilayo. Ke nina nilahleke kakhulu.”

₂₈Kwafika omnye wabachazi-mthetho, wabeva bebambene ngemibuzo, waqonda ukuba uYesu ubaphendule kakuhle. Wambuza ke esithi: “Owona myalelo mkhulu kunayo yonke nguwuphi?”

₂₉UYesu wamphendula esithi: “Owona myalelo mkhulu ngulo uthi: ‘Yiva, Sirayeli, iNkosi uThixo wethu yiNkosi ényé. ₃₀Uze uyithande ke iNkosi uThixo wakho ngentliziyo yakho iphela, nangomphefumlo wakho uphela, nangengqondo yakho iphela, nangamandla akho ephela.’ ₃₁Owesibini ke ngulo: ‘Uze umthande ummelwane wakho kanye ngale ndlela uzithanda ngayo nawe.’ Akukho myalelo wumbi ubalulekileyo kunalé mibini.”

₃₂Umchazi-mthetho ke wathi kuye: “Ngxatsho ke, Mfundisi, unyanisile ukuthi mnye uThixo, kungekho wumbi ngaphandle kwakhe; ₃₃nokuthi umthande yena ngentliziyo iphela, nangengqiqo iphela, nangamandla ephela, nokuthi umthande ummelwane wakho kanye ngale ndlela uzithanda ngayo, kungaphezulu lee kunayo yonke imibingelelo namadini atshiswayo.”

₃₄UYesu embonile ukuba uphendule ngengqiqo, wathi kuye: “Akukude wena ekulawulweni nguThixo.” Emva koko akwaba sabakho mntu unobuganga bakumbuza nto.

₃₅Efundisa *endlwini kaThixo uYesu, wabuza esithi: “Batsho ngani na abachazi-mthetho ukuthi: ‘UKrestu ngunyana kaDavide’? ₃₆Kaloku uDavide ngokwakhe, ekhokelwa nguMoya oyiNgcwele, wathi:

Yamphulaphula ngomdla loo ndimbane yabantu.

₃₈Ekusifundiseni kwakhe uYesu isihlwele wayesithi: “Balumkeleni abachazi-mthetho, abathanda ukuhamba ngezambatho ezide, bethanda ukuba kukhahlelwe kubo kwiindawo zembutho, ₃₉befuna izihlalo eziphambili *ezindlwini zesikhungo, neendawo zamawonga ezidlweni. ₄₀Abo bayiphangayo imizi nemfuyo yabahlolokazi, baze bazenzise besitsho ngemilembelele yemithandazo, ngabo abaya kufumana esona sohlwayo sikhulu.”

₄₁UYesu waya kuhlala phantsi *endlwini kaThixo malunga nesikhongozeli-mali, wasibukela isihlwele sifaka imali kwisikhongozeli apho. Izityebi ezininzi zazinikela kakhulu. ₄₂Ke kwafika mhlolokazi uthile ulihlwempu, wafaka iimalana zambini, ezixabiso limalunga nesenti. ₄₃UYesu wababizela kuye abafundi bakhe, wathi kubo: “Ndithi kuni, inene, lo mhlolokazi ulihlwempu unikele ngaphezu kwabo bonke abafake imali kwisikhongozeli. ₄₄Kuba bonke abanye banikele bekhupha kwintabalala yabo, kanti yena eswele nje, uzibhokoxile, wanikela konke abenako.”

₁Xa ke uYesu wayephuma *endlwini kaThixo, omnye umfundi wakhe wathi kuye: “Mfundisi, uyawabona la matye angaka, nezi zakhiwo zingaka?”

₂Waphendula uYesu wathi kuye: “Uyazibona ezi zakhiwo zingaka? Akusayi kusala litye phezu kwelitye elingayi kudilizwa.”

₃UYesu wayehleli eNtabeni yemiNquma, ejongene *nendlu kaThixo, baza bambuza bebodwa ooPetros noYakobi noYohane noAndreya, besithi: ₄“Sixelele ukuba ziya kubakho nini na ezo zinto, nokuba uya kuba yintoni na umqondiso wokuzalisekiswa kwazo.”

₅Waza wabaphendula uYesu wathi: “Lumkani ningalahlekiswa bani, ₆kuba baninzi abaya kuza egameni lam, besithi banguye *uKrestu, balahlekise into eninzi yabantu. ₇Xa nithe neva ngeemfazwe nangamarhe eemfazwe, ze ningoyiki, kuba ezo zinto zimelwe kukubakho, kanti ke akukabi kuko ukuphela oko. ₈Uhlanga luya kuvukelana nohlanga, nokumkani avukelane nokumkani; kuya kubakho iinyikima zomhlaba kwiindawo ngeendawo, kubekho neendlala. Kunjengokuqala kwenimba ke oko.

₉“Zilumkeleni ke okwenu. Baya kuninikela ezinkundleni, nikatswe *ezindlwini zesikhungo, nimiswe phambi kwabalawuli nookumkani ngenxa yam, ningqine kubo. ₁₀Kuqala ke iindaba ezimnandi ezi zimelwe kukuvakaliswa kuzo zonke iintlanga. ₁₁Xa banibambayo banise ezinkundleni, musani ukuyixhalela into eniya kuyithetha, kodwa thethani oko nithe nakunikwa ngelo xesha, kuba asinini abathethayo, nguMoya oyiNgcwele. ₁₂Ke kaloku oonyana bomntu omnye baya kunikelana ekufeni, aze uyise anikele umntwana wakhe, baze nabantwana bavukele abazali, bababulale. ₁₃Niya kuthiywa ngabantu bonke ngenxa yegama lam. Ke lowo unyamezelayo kude kube sekupheleni wosindiswa.”

₁₄“Ke kaloku, xa nithe nalibona ‘isikizi elimanyumnyezi, mhla ngophanziso,’ lilapho lingamelwe kukuba khona (ofundayo makaqiqe), mabathi ngelo xesha abakwelakwaJuda babalekele ezintabeni. ₁₅Ophezu kwendlu ke makangehli ukuya kuthatha nto endlwini yakhe. ₁₆Nalowo usentsimini makangabi sayiphuthuma ingubo yakhe. ₁₇Hayi ke kwabanzima nabadlezana ngaloo mihla! ₁₈Thandazelani ukuba oku kungenzeki ebusika, ₁₉kuba ngaloo mihla kuya kubakho imbandezelo engazange ibekho ukususela ekudalweni kwendalo nguThixo, kude kube ngoku, kwaye ingasayi kuphinda ibekho enjalo. ₂₀Ke ukuba iNkosi ibingayinciphisanga loo mihla, bekungayi kubakho bani usindayo; kodwa iNkosi ithe, ngenxa yabanyulwa abachongwe yiyo, yayinciphisa imihla leyo.

₂₁“Ngelo xesha ke, ukuba ubani uthe kuni: ‘Nanku apha *uKrestu;’ nokuba uthe: ‘Nankuya phaya;’ musani ukukholwa kuloo nto; ₂₂kuba kuya kuvela abathi banguKrestu bengenguye, kuvele *nabashumayeli abangengabo, benze imiqondiso nemimangaliso kangangokuba bade balahlekise nabanyulwa bakaThixo, ukuba oko bekunokwenzeka. ₂₃Lumkani ke nina! Kaloku ndinixelele ezi zinto zingekenzeki.”

₂₄“Ngaloo mihla, emva kwayo loo mbandezelo, ilanga liya kwenziwa mnyama, ithi nenyanga ingakhanyi, ₂₅zithi neenkwenkwezi zivuthuluke ezulwini, nako konke okunamandla esibhakabhakeni kudunga-dungeke. ₂₆Baya kumbona ke ngelo xesha *uNyana woLuntu esiza esemafini, enamandla amakhulu nobuqaqawuli. ₂₇Ngelo xesha uya kuthuma izithunywa zezulu zibahlanganisele ndawonye abanyulwa bakhe, bevela kumacala omane omhlaba, kususela esiphelweni sehlabathi kuse esiphelweni sezulu.”

₂₈“Fundani kuwo umkhiwane ongumzekelo kuni. Xa sewuthe wathamba amasebe, wahluma amagqabi, niyazi ukuba ihlobo likufuphi. ₂₉Ngokukwanjalo ke, xa nithe nazibona ezo zinto zisenzeka, yazini ukuba kukufuphi, sekusemnyango. ₃₀Ndithi kuni, inene, esi sizukulwana asiyi kudlula, zingadanga zenzeke zonke ezi zinto. ₃₁Liya kudlula izulu nehlabathi; ke wona amazwi am akasayi kuze adlule.”

₃₂“Ke akukho bani uwaziyo loo mhla nelo xesha. Nezithunywa ezisezulwini azazi, engazi naye uNyana lo. Kuphela nguYise owaziyo. ₃₃Lumkani ke ningozeli, kuba anazi ukuba lofika nini na ixesha elo. ₃₄Kufana nomntu ohambeleyo eshiya indlu yakhe, aze azinike igunya izicaka zakhe, enika umsebenzi isicaka ngasinye, amyalele umgcinisango ukuba alinde. ₃₅Lindani ke, kuba ningâzi ukuba wofika nini na umninindlu. Kaloku angafika nanini na: nokuba kungolwemivundla, nokuba kusezinzulwini zobusuku, nokuba kungeenkuku zokuqala, nokuba kuxa kumpondo zankomo. ₃₆Lindani ke, hleze afike ngebhaqo, anifumane nilele. ₃₇Ke oko ndikuthethayo kuni, ndikutsho kubo bonke: Lindani!”

₁Ke kaloku kwakuziintsuku ezimbini phambi *kwePasika *netheko lezonka ezingenagwele. Ke ababingeleli abaziintloko nabachazi-mthetho babefuna iqhinga lokumbamba uYesu, bambulale. ₂Kodwa babesithi: “Oku makungenziwa ngePasika, hleze kubekho isiphithi-phithi.”

₃Kwathi uYesu eseBhetani, esetafileni endlwini kaSimon uZitshangubana, kwafika umntu obhinqileyo, eneqhaga lelitye lelabhastile, linamafutha angangxengwanga axabiso likhulu esiqholo esiyinadusi. Waliqhekeza ke elo qhaga, wathambisa intloko kaYesu ngamafutha lawo. ₄Kwakukho abathile abacaphukáyo, besithi omnye komnye: “Kutheni na ukuba kwenziwe le nkcitho yamafutha aqholiweyo? ₅Ngethengiswe ngemali engaphezu kweerandi ezingamakhulu amathathu, kwaphiwa amahlwempu.” Baza ke bayikhalazela loo ntokazi.

₆UYesu ke wathi: “Myekeni; nimkhathazelani? Úndenzele into entle. ₇Kaloku amahlwempu lawo nihleli ninawo: nanini na nakuthanda ningawanceda. Mna ke anihleli ninam. ₈Le ntokazi yenze loo nto ibinokuyenza. Umzimba wam iwuthambisele ukungewatywa kwangaphambili. ₉Ndithi kuni, inene, naphi na apho zithe zavakaliswa khona ezi ndaba zimnandi kulo lonke ihlabathi, iya kuxelwa nayo le nto iyenzileyo yona, ibe sisikhumbuzo ngayo.”

₁₀UJudas Sikariyoti, omnye wabafundi abalishumi elinambini, wesuka ke waya kubabingeleli abaziintloko ukuze amnikele kubo uYesu. ₁₁Bathi bona bakuva bavuya, bamthembisa ngemali. Yena ke wahlala efuna ithuba lokuba amnikele.

₁₂Ke kaloku ngowokuqala umhla *wetheko lezonka ezingenagwele, xa kwakubingelelwa itakane *lePasika, abafundi bakaYesu bathi kuye: “Ufuna ukuba siye kuyilungiselela phi na iPasika?”

₁₃Ke wathuma bababini kubafundi bakhe, wathi kubo: “Hambani niye esixekweni. Nodibana nomfo ophethe ingqayi yamanzi. Mlandeleni ke, ₁₄niye kuloo ndlu angena kuyo, nithi kumnini-mzi: ‘Uthi uMfundisi: “Liphi na igumbi leendwendwe elilungiselelwe mna, apho ndingáyidlela khona iPasika nabafundi bam?” ’ ₁₅Yena wonibonisa igumbi elikhulu, eliphezulu, linempahla yalo. Lungiselelani apho ke.”

₁₆Bahamba abo bafundi, baya kungena esixekweni, bafika kunjengoko wayetshilo, bayilungiselela iPasika.

₁₇Kwakuhlwa, wafika uYesu, enabafundi bakhe abalishumi elinambini. ₁₈Bakuba behleli besitya, uYesu wathi kubo: “Ndithi kuni, inene, omnye kuni apha, nina nityayo kunye nam, uya kundingcatsha.”

₁₉Baza ke baba buhlungu, besithi kuye ngabanye ngabanye: “Ngaba iya kuba ndim na? Ngaba iya kuba ndim na?”

₂₀Waphendula ke wathi kubo: “Iya kuba ngomnye kubafundi abalishumi elinambini, lowo usithi nkxu kunye nam isonka esityeni. ₂₁Okunene *uNyana woLuntu uyemka, njengoko zitshoyo ngaye *iziBhalo; kodwa hayi loo mntu angcatshwa nguye uNyana woLuntu! Ngekumlungele ukuba ebengazalwanga.”

₂₂Xa babesitya, uYesu wathatha isonka, wabulela, wasiqhekeza, wabanika, wathi: “Thathani nitye; ngumzimba wam lo.”

₂₃Wathatha nendebe, wabulela, wabanika, basela kuyo bonke. ₂₄Wathi ke kubo: “Ligazi lam eli elitywina umnqophiso, eliphalazwa ngenxa yabaninzi. ₂₅Ndithi kuni, inene, andiyi kuphinda ndisele kwincindi yomdiliya, kude kube yiloo mini ndiyisela intsha kwikomkhulu likaThixo.”

₂₆Bakuba becule indumiso, baphuma baya eNtabeni yemiNquma.

₂₇UYesu wathi kubo: “Ndiya kuba sisikhubekiso kuni nonke, kuba *iziBhalo zithi: ‘Ndiya kubulala umalusi, zichithakale iigusha!’ ₂₈Xa ke ndithe ndavuswa ekufeni, ndiya kunandulela ukuya kwelaseGalili.”

₂₉Wathi ke uPetros kuye: “Nokuba baya kukhubeka bonke, mna andingekhe!”

₃₀UYesu wathi kuye: “Ndithi kuwe, inene, namhlanje, kwangobu busuku, ingekakhali kabini inkuku, uya kundikhanyela kathathu.”

₃₁Kodwa yena waqokela wathi: “Noba kungade kufuneke ndife kunye nawe, andingekhe ndikukhanyele!”

Batsho ke bonke.

₃₂Ke kaloku bafika kumhlatyana ogama liyiGetsemane; waza uYesu wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Hlalani apha ngeli xa ndithandazayo.” ₃₃Wahamba noPetros noYakobi noYohane, waza wangenwa luvalo, wadandatheka kakhulu, ₃₄wathi kubo: “Intliziyo yam ibuhlungu ukufa, iligazi. Hlalani apha nilinde.”

₃₅Ehambele phambili umganyana ke, wawa emhlabeni, wathandazela ukuba loo ndebe ikrakra idlule kuye ukuba kunokwenzeka. ₃₆Wayesithi ke: “Bawo, wena akuxakwa nto. Yisuse kum le ntlungu. Noko ke, makungabi kokuthandwa ndim, makube kukuthanda kwakho.”

₃₇Wafika ke, wabafumana abo bafundi belele, wathi kuPetros: “Simon, ulele? Ubungenakulinda na okweli thutyana? ₃₈Lindani nithandaze, ukuze ningangeni ekuhendweni. Umoya wona okunene unentumekelelo, ke wona umzimba ubuthathaka.”

₃₉Wabuya wemka, waya kuthandaza kwangalawa mazwi. ₄₀Wathi akubuya wabafumana belele, kuba babesoyiswa bubuthongo. Bona ke baxakwa kukumphendula.

₄₁Wafika ke okwesithathu, wathi kubo: “Nisalele? Nisaphumla na? Kwanele! Lifikile ixesha! Ngoku *uNyana woLuntu unikelwa ezandleni zaboni. ₄₂Vukani, sihambe! Nanko lowo undinikelayo.”

₄₃Kwangoko, uYesu esathetha, wathi gqi uJudas ongomnye wabafundi abalishumi elinambini, ehamba nendimbane inamakrele neentonga, iphuma kubabingeleli abaziintloko nabachazi-mthetho namadoda amakhulu. ₄₄Ke kaloku umngcatshi lowo wayebanike umqondiso esithi: “Lowo ndithe ndamanga, nguye. Mbambeni, nimke naye angaphuncuki.”

₄₅Efikile ke uJudas, uye kuYesu, wathi: “Mfundisi!” Wamanga. ₄₆Bambamba ke uYesu, ₄₇waza omnye wâbo babemi khona, warhola ikrele, wasixabela isicaka sombingeleli omkhulu, wasinqumla indlebe. ₄₈UYesu ke wathi kubo: “Niphumele ukuza kubamba mna, ninamakrele neentonga nje, ngokungathi niphumele isihange? ₄₉Bendinani imihla ngemihla ndifundisa *endlwini kaThixo, naza anandibamba. Kodwa kunje ukuze zizaliseke *iziBhalo.”

₅₀Emva koko ke babaleka bonke abafundi, bamshiya.

₅₁UYesu wayelandelwa yindodana ethile, ithe wambu ingubo yelinen kuphela. Yona yabanjwa, ₅₂kodwa yasuka yayishiya ingubo leyo, yabaleka izé.

₅₃UYesu ke bamsa kumbingeleli omkhulu, baza babuthelana khona bonke ababingeleli abaziintloko, namadoda amakhulu, nabachazi-mthetho. ₅₄Ke yena uPetros walandela uYesu ebekele kude, wada waya kungena eyadini yomzi wombingeleli omkhulu, wahlala phantsi ndawonye nezicaka, wotha umlilo.

₅₅Ke ababingeleli abaziintloko nalo lonke *iBhunga babefuna ubungqina ngoYesu, ukuze bambulale, kodwa ababufumananga, ₅₆kuba nangona babebaninzi ababethetha ubuxoki ngaye, ubungqina babo babungahlangani.

₅₇Basuka ke abathile bangqina ubuxoki ngaye, besithi: ₅₈“Thina samva esithi: ‘Mna ndiya kuyichitha le *ndlu kaThixo yakhiwe ngabantu, ndize ngeentsuku ezintathu ndakhe enye engakhiwanga ngabantu.’ ” ₅₉Kanti ke nobabo ubungqina babungadibani.

₆₀Waphakama ke umbingeleli omkhulu, wabuza kuYesu esithi: “Phika, watyholwa! Ithini impendulo yakho?”

₆₁Kodwa yena wahlala wathi tu, akaphendula. Waphinda umbingeleli omkhulu wambuza esithi: “Unguye na *uKrestu, uNyana walowo ungowokubongwa?”

₆₂Wathi ke uYesu: “Ndinguye. Nangoku niya kumbona *uNyana woLuntu, ehleli ewongeni kwaSomandla, nimbone esiza ngamafu ezulu.”

₆₃Wazikrazula iingubo zakhe umbingeleli omkhulu, esithi: “Sisawafunelani na amangqina? ₆₄Nikuvile ukunyelisa kwakhe. Nithini na nina?”

Bamgweba ke bonke ukuba unetyala, besithi ufanele ukufa.

₆₅Yaza ke inxenye yabo yamtshicela, yamgquma ubuso, yambetha, isithi kuye: “Xela; ubethwe ngubani?” Nezicaka ke zamntlitha-ntlitha.

₆₆UPetros ke esezantsi eyadini yomzi, kweza kuye esinye kwizicakazana zombingeleli omkhulu. ₆₇Sithi sona sakumbona uPetros esotha, samqwalasela, sathi: “Nawe ubunaye umNazarete uYesu.”

₆₈Wakhanyela esithi: “Andazani konke nale nto uyithethayo!” Waphuma ke esiya ngasesangweni.

₆₉Isicakazana eso siphinde sambona, saza sathi kwabo babemi khona: “Lo ngomnye wabo.” ₇₀Waphinda ke wakhanyela uPetros.

Kwathi, kwakuba mzuzwana, abo babemi khona baphinda bathi kuPetros: “Inene, ungomnye wabo, kuba ungowaseGalili.”

₇₁Waza ke uPetros waziqalekisa efunga esithi: “Andimazi lo mntu nithetha ngaye!”

₇₂Yakhala okwesibini inkuku. Walikhumbula uPetros ilizwi awayelithethe kuye uYesu, esithi: “Ingekakhali kabini inkuku, woba undikhanyele kathathu.” Woyisakala ke, walila.