To The Word – Day 113

₁Kwathi ngomnyaka wamakhulu amane namashumi ayisishiyagalombili emva kokuphuma kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ezweni laseGibithe, ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaSolomoni phezu kwabakwa-Israyeli, ngenyanga kaZivi eyinyanga yesibili, waqala ukwakha indlu kaJehova.

₂Indlu inkosi uSolomoni eyayakhela uJehova, ubude bayo babuyizingalo ezingamashumi ayisithupha, nobubanzi bayo babungezingamashumi amabili, nokuphakama kwayo kwakuyizingalo ezingamashumi amathathu. ₃Umpheme ngaphambili kwendlu yethempeli wawuyizingalo ezingamashumi amabili ubude bawo maqondana nobubanzi bendlu; ububanzi bawo babuyizingalo eziyishumi ngaphambi kwendlu. ₄Wenzela indlu amafasitele anamahele angenakususwa. ₅Ngasodongeni lwendlu wakha izimpondo nxazonke ngasezindongeni zendlu nxazonke, ethempelini nasegumbini; wenza amakamelo asezinhlangothini nxazonke; ₆uphondo lwangaphansi lwaluyizingalo eziyisihlanu ububanzi balo, noluphakathi lwaluyizingalo eziyisithupha ububanzi balo, nolwesithathu lwaluyizingalo eziyisikhombisa ububanzi balo; ngokuba ngaphandle wenza uqaqa endlini nxazonke, ukuze imishayo ingangeni ezindongeni zendlu.

₇Indlu isakhiwa yakhiwa ngamatshe alungiswa enkwalini; akuzwakalanga sando nazembe naphiki* nanto yensimbi, isakhiwa.

₈Umnyango wekamelo lohlangothi eliphakathi wawuseceleni lokunene lendlu; kwakhushukwa ngezikhwelo ezishwilayo ukuya ophondweni olungaphakathi, kuphunywe kolungaphakathi kuyiwe kolwesithathu. ₉Wakha-ke kanjalo indlu, wayiqeda, wayifulela indlu ngemishayo nangamapulangwe emisedari.* ₁₀Wakha izimpondo zangasendlini yonke, yilolo nalolo lwaba yizingalo eziyisihlanu ukuphakama kwalo; zanamathela endlini ngemithi yemisedari.*

₁₁Izwi likaJehova lafika kuSolomoni, lathi: ₁₂“Kumi kanje maqondana nale ndlu oyakhayo: uma uyakuhamba ngezimiso zami, wenze izahlulelo zami, ugcine yonke imiyalo yami ukuba uhambe ngayo, ngiyakugcwalisa kuwe izwi engalikhuluma kuDavide uyihlo: ₁₃ngiyakuhlala phakathi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, ngingabashiyi abantu bami u-Israyeli.”

₁₄Wakha-ke uSolomoni indlu, wayiqeda. ₁₅Wakha izindonga zendlu ngaphakathi ngamapulangwe emisedari;* kusukela phansi endlini kuze kufike emishayweni yophahla wembesa ngamapulangwe ngaphakathi, wendlala phansi endlini ngamapulangwe emisayipuresi.* ₁₆Wakha futhi izingalo ezingamashumi amabili ngaseceleni lendlu lasemuva ngamapulangwe emisedari* kusukela phansi kuze kufike emishayweni, wazakhela phakathi okwaba yigumbi, okuyindawo engcwelengcwele. ₁₇Indlu yangaphambili yethempeli yayiyizingalo ezingamashumi amane. ₁₈Kwakungumsedari* ngaphakathi endlini, kubaziwe ngezintangazane nangezimbali eziqhakazileyo; konke kwakungumsedari, akubonakalanga tshe khona.

₁₉Walungisa igumbi phakathi endlini ukuba kubekwe khona umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova. ₂₀Phambi kwegumbi kwakuyizingalo ezingamashumi amabili ubude, nezingalo ezingamashumi amabili ngobubanzi, nezingalo ezingamashumi amabili ngokuphakama; wakunameka ngegolide elicwengekileyo, walembesa i-altare imisedari.* ₂₁USolomoni wayinameka indlu phakathi ngegolide elicwengekileyo, walivalela igumbi ngamaketanga egolide; walinameka nalo ngegolide. ₂₂Wanameka-ke yonke indlu ngegolide, yaze yaphelela indlu yonke; ne-altare lonke elalisegumbini walinameka ngegolide.

₂₃Egumbini wenza amakherubi* amabili ngomnqumo, yilelo nalelo liyizingalo eziyishumi ukuphakama kwalo. ₂₄Elinye iphiko lekherubi laliyizingalo eziyisihlanu, nelinye iphiko lekherubi laliyizingalo eziyisihlanu; kusukela esihlokweni selinye iphiko kuze kufike esihlokweni selinye kwakuyizingalo eziyishumi. ₂₅Elinye ikherubi laliyizingalo eziyishumi nalo; amakherubi omabili ayeyisilinganiso sinye nesimo sinye. ₂₆Ukuphakama kwelinye ikherubi kwakuyizingalo eziyishumi, nelinye ikherubi lalinjalo. ₂₇Wawabeka amakherubi phakathi nendlu engaphakathi; amakherubi awelula amaphiko, iphiko lelinye lathinta odongeni, nephiko lelinye ikherubi lathinta odongeni olunye; amaphiko awo athintana phakathi nendlu. ₂₈Wawanameka amakherubi ngegolide.

₂₉Wafekethisa zonke izindonga zendlu nxazonke ngezithombe ezibaziweyo zamakherubi, nangamasundu, nangezimbali eziqhakazileyo ngaphakathi nangaphandle. ₃₀Naphansi endlini wanameka ngegolide, ngaphakathi nangaphandle.

₃₁Wenzela umnyango wegumbi izivalo zomnqumo; ikhothamo nezinsika zomnyango kwakuyizinhlangothi eziyisihlanu. ₃₂Wenza-ke izivalo ezimbili ngomnqumo, wazifekethisa ngamakherubi abaziweyo, nangamasundu, nangezimbali eziqhakazileyo, wazinameka ngegolide, wembesa amakherubi namasundu igolide. ₃₃Wenzela futhi umnyango wethempeli izinsika zomnyango ngomnqumo, ziyizinhlangothi ezine, ₃₄nezivalo ezimbili ngomsayipuresi;* izinxenye zombili zaleso naleso sivalo zasongwa. ₃₅Wazifekethisa ngamakherubi, nangamasundu, nangezimbali eziqhakazileyo, wazinameka ngegolide kukho okubaziweyo.

₃₆Wakha igceke elingaphakathi ngezinhla ezintathu zamatshe abaziweyo, nohla lwemishayo yemisedari.*

₃₇Ngomnyaka wesine isisekelo sendlu kaJehova sase sibekiwe ngenyanga kaZivi. ₃₈Ngomnyaka weshumi nanye ngenyanga kaBuli eyinyanga yesishiyagalombili indlu yaqedwa kukho konke okwayo ngayo yonke imithetho yayo. Wayelokhu akha iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

₁Kepha uSolomoni wakha indlu yakhe iminyaka eyishumi nantathu, wayiqeda indlu yakhe yonke. ₂Wakha nendlu yehlathi laseLebanoni; ubude bayo babuyizingalo eziyikhulu, nobubanzi bayo babuyizingalo ezingamashumi ayisihlanu, nokuphakama kwayo kwakuyizingalo ezingamashumi amathathu phezu kwezinhla ezine zezinsika zemisedari,* imishayo yemisedari iphezu kwezinsika. ₃Yafulelwa ngemisedari* phezu kwemishayo engamashumi amane nanhlanu eyayiphezu kwezinsika eziyishumi nanhlanu, uhla lulunye. ₄Kwakukhona amahele ayizinhla ezintathu; ifasitele lalibhekene nefasitele izinhla ezintathu. ₅Yonke iminyango nezinsika kwakuyizinhlangothi ezine ngemishayo; ifasitele lalibhekene nefasitele izinhla ezintathu.

₆Wenza indlu yezinsika; ubude bayo babuyizingalo ezingamashumi ayisihlanu; nobubanzi bayo babuyizingalo ezingamashumi amathathu, inompheme nezinsika phambi kwayo, naphambi kwazo yisikhwelo.

₇Wenza umpheme wesihlalo sobukhosi lapho ebeyakwahlulela khona, umpheme wokwahlulela; wawembeswe imisedari* kusukela phansi kuze kufike phezulu. ₈Indlu yakhe lapho ebeyakuhlala khona kwelinye igceke phakathi kompheme yayenziwe kanjalo. Wenzela nendodakazi kaFaro abeyithathile uSolomoni indlu eyafana nalwo mpheme.

₉Konke lokho kwakhiwa ngamatshe anenani elikhulu, amatshe abaziwe ngezilinganiso, asahwe ngamasaha, ngaphakathi nangaphandle, kusukela esisekelweni kuze kufike phezulu, nangaphandle kuze kube segcekeni elikhulu. ₁₀Nesisekelo sasingamatshe anenani elikhulu, amatshe amakhulu, amatshe ayizingalo eziyishumi, namatshe ayizingalo eziyisishiyagalombili. ₁₁Naphezulu kwakungamatshe anenani elikhulu, amatshe abaziweyo ngezilinganiso, nemisedari.* ₁₂Igceke elikhulu nxazonke lalinezinhla ezintathu zamatshe abaziweyo nohla lwemisedari* njengegceke elingaphakathi lendlu kaJehova nompheme wendlu.

₁₃Inkosi uSolomoni yathumela yamlanda uHiramu eTire. ₁₄Wayeyindodana yomfelokazi wesizwe sakwaNafetali; uyise wayengumuntu ogcwele ukuhlakanipha, nengqondo, nokwazi ukwenza yonke imisebenzi yethusi. Wafika enkosini uSolomoni, wasebenza wonke umsebenzi wayo.

₁₅Wakhanda izinsika ezimbili zethusi, yileyo naleyo iyizingalo eziyishumi nesishiyagalombili ubude bayo, nomucu oyizingalo eziyishumi nambili wazungeza enye insika. ₁₆Wenza izihloko ezimbili ngethusi elibunjiweyo ukuba zibekwe phezu kwezinsika; ubude besinye isihloko babuyizingalo eziyisihlanu, nobude besinye isihloko babuyizingalo eziyisihlanu. ₁₇Kwakukhona ezihlokweni ezaziphezu kwezinsika imihlobiso yamanetha amahele, nezinsephe ezenziwe njengamaketanga, kuyisikhombisa kwesinye isihloko, nesikhombisa kwesinye. ₁₈Wenza amapomegranati;* kwakuyizinhla ezimbili nxazonke kwelinye inetha ukwembesa izihloko ezaziphezu kwezinsika; wenze njalo nakwesinye isihloko. ₁₉Izihloko ezaziphezu kwezinsika zasemphemeni zafaniswa neminduze; zaziyizingalo ezine. ₂₀Kwakukhona izihloko naphezu kwezinsika zombili eduze nesisu esasiseceleni kwenetha; amapomegranati* ayengamakhulu amabili, eyizinhla nxazonke phezu kwesinye isihloko. ₂₁Wazimisa izinsika ngasemphemeni wethempeli; wayimisa insika yokunene, waqamba igama layo ngokuthi uJakini, wayimisa nensika yasokhohlo, waqamba igama layo ngokuthi uBowazi. ₂₂Ezihlokweni zezinsika kwakukhona okufanisiwe neminduze; kwaphela kanjalo umsebenzi wezinsika.

₂₃Wenza nolwandle olubunjiweyo; lwaluyizingalo eziyishumi kusukela kolunye udini kuze kufike kolunye, lwaluyisiyingelezi; ukuphakama kwalo kwakuyizingalo eziyisihlanu; umucu oyizingalo ezingamashumi amathathu waluzungeza nxazonke. ₂₄Phansi kodini lwalo nxazonke kwakukhona izintangazane ezaluzungezayo izingalo eziyishumi, zizungeza ulwandle nxazonke; izintangazane zazisezinhleni ezimbili, zibunjiwe ekubunjweni kwalo.

₂₅Lwalumi phezu kwezinkabi eziyishumi nambili, ezintathu zibheke ngasenyakatho, ezintathu zibheke ngasentshonalanga, ezintathu zibheke ngaseningizimu, ezintathu zibheke ngasempumalanga; ulwandle lwalumiswe phezu kwazo, zonke zifulathelene. ₂₆Uhlonze lwalo lwalungangobubanzi besandla; udini lwalo lwalwenziwe njengodini lwendebe lunjengembali yomnduze; lwalulingene namabhati* ayizinkulungwane ezimbili.

₂₇Wenza izinqe eziyishumi zethusi; ubude besinqe sisinye babuyizingalo ezine, nobubanzi baso babuyizingalo ezine, nokuphakama kwaso kwakuyizingalo ezintathu. ₂₈Lezo zinqe zazenziwe kanje: zazinezindini; izindini zaziphakathi kwezinsiko; ₂₉kuzo izindini ezaziphakathi kwezinsiko kwakukhona izingonyama, nezinkabi, namakherubi;* kwakunjalo nakuzo izinsiko phezulu; phansi kwezingonyama nezinkabi kwakukhona imigexo elengayo yezimbali. ₃₀Yileso naleso sinqe sasinamasondo amane ethusi, nama-asi ethusi; lezi zinyawo ezine zazinamahlombe okuthwala; lawo mahlombe ayebunjiwe phansi komcengezi, enemigexo yezimbali ebhekene nawo onke. ₃₁Umlomo waso wawuphakathi kwesihloko; ukuphakama kwawo kwakuyingalo; umlomo wawo wawuyisiyingelezi njengokwenziwa kwesinqe, uyingalo nenxenye; nasemlonyeni kwakukhona okubaziweyo; izindini zawo zaziyizinhlangothi ezine, zingesiso isiyingelezi. ₃₂Lawo masondo amane ayephansi kwezindini; imbambelela yama-asi amasondo yayisesinqeni; ukuphakama kwesondo kwakuyingalo nenxenye. ₃₃Amasondo ayenziwe njengesondo lenqola; izimbambelela zawo zama-asi, namabhande* awo, nezipokwe* zawo, namanamfu* awo kwakubunjiwe konke.

₃₄Kwakukhona amahlombe okuthwala emagumbini omane aleso naleso sinqe, izingalo zihlangene nesinqe. ₃₅Phezu kwesinqe kwakukhona okuyisiyingelezi nxazonke; ukuphakama kwakho kwakuyinxenye yengalo, nezimbambelela zakho nezindini zakho zazihlangene nakho. ₃₆Ezibhebheni zezimbambelela zakho nasezindinini zakho waqopha amakherubi,* nezingonyama, namasundu njengendawo yakho konke ngakunye, kanye nemigexo yezimbali nxazonke. ₃₇Wenza kanjalo izinqe eziyishumi; zonke zazikubunjwa kunye, nesilinganiso sinye, nesimo sinye.

₃₈Wenza imicengezi eyishumi ngethusi; umcengezi munye wawulingene namabhati* angamashumi amane; yilowo nalowo mcengezi wawuyizingalo ezine, naphezu kwezinqe eziyishumi ngazinye kwakukhona umcengezi munye. ₃₉Wazibeka izinqe eziyisihlanu ngaseceleni lokunene lendlu neziyisihlanu ngaseceleni lasokhohlo lendlu; walubeka ulwandle ngaseceleni lokunene lendlu ngasempumalanga yangaseningizimu. ₄₀UHiramu wayenza leyo micengezi, namafosholo, nezitsha. UHiramu wayeseqeda ukwenza wonke umsebenzi abewenzela inkosi uSolomoni endlini kaNkulunkulu: ₄₁izinsika ezimbili, nezihloko ezimbili ezinjengezinkamba ezaziphezu kwezinsika, namanetha amabili okwembesa izihloko ezimbili ezinjengezinkamba ezaziphezu kwezinsika, ₄₂namapomegranati* angamakhulu amane amanetha omabili, izinhla ezimbili zamapomegranati kulelo nalelo netha, okwembesa izihloko zombili ezazinjengezinkamba ezaziphezu kwezinsika, ₄₃nezinqe eziyishumi, nemicengezi eyishumi ezinqeni, ₄₄nolwandle lunye, nezinkabi eziyishumi nambili phansi kolwandle, ₄₅namakhanzi, namafosholo, nezitsha; zonke lezo zinto uHiramu azenzela inkosi uSolomoni endlini kaJehova zaziyithusi eliphucuziweyo.

₄₆Inkosi yazibumba ethafeni laseJordani emhlabathini webumba phakathi kweSukoti neSaretani. ₄₇USolomoni waziyeka zonke izinto zingalinganiswanga ngenxa yobuningi bazo obukhulu kakhulu; nesisindo sethusi sasingenakutholwa.

₄₈USolomoni wenza-ke zonke izinto ezazisendlini kaJehova: i-altare legolide, netafula legolide okwakukhona kulo izinkwa zokubukwa, ₄₉nezinti zezibani zegolide elicwengekileyo eziyisihlanu ngakwesokunene neziyisihlanu ngakwesokhohlo phambi kwegumbi, nezimbali, nezibani, nezindlawu, ngegolide, ₅₀nezindebe, nezizenze, nezitsha, nezinkezo, nemicengezi yomlilo, ngegolide elicwengekileyo, nezingibe zegolide zezivalo zendlu engaphakathi, indawo engcwelengcwele, nezivalo zendlu yethempeli.

₅₁Sekuphelile wonke umsebenzi inkosi uSolomoni eyawenzayo endlini kaJehova, uSolomoni wangenisa izinto uyise uDavide ayezingcwelisile, isiliva, negolide, nezitsha, wakubeka engcebeni yendlu kaJehova.

₁Khona uSolomoni wabutha amalunga akwa-Israyeli nezinhloko zezizwe, izikhulu zawoyise babantwana bakwa-Israyeli enkosini uSolomoni eJerusalema, ukuba bakhuphule umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova emzini kaDavide oyiSiyoni. ₂Onke amadoda akwa-Israyeli abuthana enkosini uSolomoni emkhosini wasenyangeni ka-Ethanimi eyinyanga yesikhombisa.

₃Esefikile onke amalunga akwa-Israyeli, abapristi baphakamisa umphongolo. ₄Bakhuphula umphongolo kaJehova, netende lokuhlangana, nazo zonke izinto ezingcwele ezazisetendeni, kwakhushulwa ngabapristi namaLevi. ₅Inkosi uSolomoni nayo yonke inhlangano yakwa-Israyeli eyayihlangene kuyo babenayo phambi komphongolo, behlaba izimvu nezinkabi ezingenakulotshwa, zingenakubalwa ngobuningi bazo.

₆Abapristi bawungenisa umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova endaweni yawo egumbini lendlu, indawo engcwelengcwele, phansi kwamaphiko amakherubi.* ₇Ngokuba amakherubi ayewelula amaphiko awo phezu kwendawo yomphongolo, amakherubi asibekela umphongolo nezinti zawo ngaphezulu. ₈Izinti zazizinde kangako ukuba izihloko zezinti zibonakale endaweni engcwele phambi kwegumbi; kepha zazingabonakali ngaphandle; zisekhona lapho kuze kube namuhla. ₉Kwakungekho lutho emphongolweni, kuphela izibhebhe ezimbili zamatshe ezabekwa khona nguMose eHorebe, lapho uJehova enza isivumelwano nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ekuphumeni kwabo eGibithe.

₁₀Kwathi lapho abapristi sebephumile endaweni engcwele, ifu lagcwalisa indlu kaJehova, ₁₁abapristi baze bangema ukukhonza ngenxa yefu, ngokuba inkazimulo kaJehova yagcwalisa indlu kaJehova.

₁₂Khona wakhuluma uSolomoni, wathi: “UJehova ushilo ukuthi uyakuhlala esigayegayeni. ₁₃Ngikwakhele nokukwakhela indlu yokuhlala, indawo yokuhlala kwakho kuze kube phakade.”

₁₄Inkosi yayisiphenduka, yalibusisa lonke ibandla lakwa-Israyeli, lonke ibandla lakwa-Israyeli, lalimi. ₁₅Yathi:

“Makabongwe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli owakhuluma ngomlomo wakhe kuDavide ubaba, ukugcwalisile ngesandla sakhe, ethi: ₁₆‘Kusukela osukwini engakhipha ngalo abantu bami u-Israyeli eGibithe angikhethanga muzi ezizweni zonke zakwa-Israyeli ukwakha indlu ukuba igama lami libe khona lapho, kepha ngamkhetha uDavide abe phezu kwabantu bami u-Israyeli.’

₁₇“Kwakusenhliziyweni kaDavide ubaba ukwakhela igama likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli indlu. ₁₈Kepha uJehova wathi kuDavide ubaba: ‘Njengokuba kwakusenhliziyweni yakho ukwakhela igama lami indlu, wenza kahle, ngokuba kwakusenhliziyweni yakho lokho; ₁₉kepha wena awuyikuyakha indlu, kodwa indodana yakho eyakuphuma okhalweni lwakho yiyona eyakwakhela igama lami indlu.’

₂₀“UJehova uliqinsisile izwi alikhulumayo, ngokuba mina ngivelile esikhundleni sikaDavide ubaba, ngihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sakwa-Israyeli njengokusho kukaJehova, ngakhele igama likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli indlu. ₂₁Ngimisile lapho indawo yomphongolo okukuwo isivumelwano sikaJehova asenza nawobaba ekubakhipheni ezweni laseGibithe.”

₂₂USolomoni wema phambi kwe-altare likaJehova ebusweni balo lonke ibandla lakwa-Israyeli, welulela izandla zakhe ngasezulwini, ₂₃wathi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, akakho unkulunkulu onjengawe phezulu ezulwini nasemhlabeni phansi, ogcina isivumelwano nomusa nezinceku zakho ezihamba phambi kwakho ngayo yonke inhliziyo yazo, ₂₄ogcine nenceku yakho uDavide ubaba lokho owakusho kuyo; yebo, owakukhuluma ngomlomo wakho ukugcwalisile ngesandla sakho njengokuba kunjalo namuhla.

₂₅“Ngalokho, Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, gcina nenceku yakho uDavide ubaba lokho owakusho kuyo ukuthi: ‘Akuyikunqunywa muntu kuwe emehlweni ami ukuhlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sakwa-Israyeli, uma kuphela abantwana bakho beqaphela indlela yabo ukuba bahambe phambi kwami, njengalokho wena uhambe phambi kwami.’ ₂₆Ngalokho, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, maliqiniseke izwi lakho owalikhuluma encekwini yakho uDavide ubaba.

₂₇“Kepha uNkulunkulu uyakuhlala impela emhlabeni na? Bheka, izulu nezulu lamazulu alinakukwanela; pho, kakhulu kangakanani le ndlu encane engiyakhileyo na? ₂₈Mawubheke umkhuleko wenceku yakho nokunxusa kwayo, Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, uzwe ukukhala nokukhuleka inceku yakho ekukhuleka phambi kwakho namuhla ₂₉ukuba amehlo akho avulekele le ndlu ubusuku nemini, indawo owathi ngayo: ‘Igama lami liyakuba khona lapho,’ uze ulalele umkhuleko inceku yakho eyakuwukhuleka ibhekene nale ndawo. ₃₀Kulalele ukunxusa kwenceku yakho nokwabantu bakho u-Israyeli abayakukukhuleka bebhekene nale ndawo, ukuzwe usendaweni yakho yokuhlala ezulwini, nalapho usuzwile, uthethelele.

₃₁“Uma umuntu ona umakhelwane wakhe, athweswe isifungo sokumfungisa, abeseza ukufunga phambi kwe-altare lakho kule ndlu, ₃₂mawuzwe wena ezulwini, wenze, wahlulele izinceku zakho, kulahlwe onecala, ubeke indlela yakhe phezu kwekhanda lakhe, uthethelele olungileyo, umnike njengokulunga kwakhe.

₃₃“Lapho abantu bakho u-Israyeli benqotshwa yisitha, ngokuba bonile kuwe, kepha bese bebuya bephindela kuwe, balivume igama lakho, bakhuleke, banxuse kuwe kule ndlu, ₃₄mawuzwe wena ezulwini, uthethelele isono sabantu bakho u-Israyeli, ubabuyisele ezweni owalinika oyise.

₃₅“Lapho izulu livaliwe, imvula ingekho, ngokuba bonile kuwe, kepha bese bekhuleka bebhekene nale ndawo, balivume igama lakho, baphenduke esonweni sabo, ngokuba uyabajezisa, ₃₆mawuzwe wena ezulwini, uthethelele isono sezinceku zakho nesabantu bakho u-Israyeli, lapho ubafundisa indlela enhle abayakuhamba ngayo, uthume imvula ezweni lakho obanike abantu bakho libe yifa labo.

₃₇“Uma kukhona indlala ezweni, noma kukhona isifo, noma kukhona ukuhamuka, nesikhutha, nesikhonyane, nemiswenya, noma isitha sabo sibavimbezela ezweni lemizi yabo, noma kuyiphi inhlupheko nasiphi isifo, ₃₈bese kuzwakala namuphi umkhuleko nakuphi ukunxusa noma ngumuphi umuntu noma yibo bonke abantu bakho u-Israyeli abayakwazi, kube yilowo nalowo inhlupheko yasenhliziyweni yakhe, elulele izandla zakhe kule ndlu, ₃₉mawuzwe wena ezulwini, indawo yakho yokuhlala, uthethelele, wenze, unike yilowo nalowo njengezindlela zakhe, wena owaziyo inhliziyo yakhe ngokuba wena kuphela uyazi izinhliziyo zabo bonke abantwana babantu ₄₀ukuba bakwesabe zonke izinsuku zokuhlala kwabo ezweni owalinika obaba.

₄₁“Futhi owezizwe ongesiye owabantu bakho u-Israyeli, lapho evela ezweni elikude ngenxa yegama lakho ₄₂ngokuba bayakuzwa ngegama lakho elikhulu, nangesandla sakho esinamandla, nangengalo yakho eyeluliweyo lapho ebeseza ukukhuleka kule ndlu, ₄₃mawuzwe wena ezulwini, indawo yakho yokuhlala, wenze njengakho konke lo wezizwe akhala ngakho kuwe, ukuze bonke abantu bomhlaba bazi igama lakho, bakwesabe wena njengabantu bakho u-Israyeli nokuze bazi ukuthi le ndlu engiyakhileyo ibiziwe ngegama lakho.

₄₄“Uma abantu bakho bephuma impi ukulwa nesitha sabo ngendlela obathuma ngayo, bese bekhuleka kuJehova bebhekene nalo muzi owukhethileyo nale ndlu engiyakhele igama lakho, ₄₅mawuzwe wena ezulwini umkhuleko wabo nokunxusa kwabo, ubavume.

₄₆“Uma bona kuwe – ngokuba akukho muntu ongoniyo – bese wubathukuthelela wena, ubanikele esitheni, ukuze ababathumbayo babamukisele ezweni lesitha, likude noma liseduze, ₄₇kepha bese becabanga ezweni lapho bethunjelwe khona, baphenduke, banxuse kuwe ezweni lababathumbayo ngokuthi: ‘Sonile, senzile ngokuphambeneyo, saziphatha kabi;’ ₄₈uma bephendukela kuwe ngayo yonke inhliziyo yabo nangawo wonke umphefumulo wabo ezweni lezitha zabo ezabathumba, bakhuleke kuwe bebhekene nezwe lakubo owalinika oyise, umuzi owukhethileyo, nendlu engiyakhele igama lakho, ₄₉mawuzwe wena ezulwini, indawo yakho yokuhlala, umkhuleko wabo nokunxusa kwabo, ubavume, ₅₀uthethelele abantu bakho abonile kuwe nazo zonke iziphambeko zabo abaphambeke kuwe ngazo, ubanike ukuba bathole isihe phambi kwababathumbayo ukuba babaphathe ngesihe. ₅₁Ngokuba bangabantu bakho nefa lakho owalikhipha ezweni laseGibithe nasesithandweni sensimbi, ₅₂ukuba amehlo akho avulekele ukunxusa kwenceku yakho nokunxusa kwabantu bakho u-Israyeli ukubezwa kukho konke abakhala ngakho kuwe. ₅₃Ngokuba wena wabahlukanisa nabantu bonke bomhlaba, babe yifa lakho, njengalokho wakhuluma ngesandla sikaMose inceku yakho ekukhipheni obaba eGibithe, Nkosi Jehova.”

₅₄Kwathi uSolomoni eseqedile ukukhuleka wonke lo mkhuleko nalokho kunxusa kuJehova, wasuka e-altare likaJehova ekuguqeni ngamadolo akhe, izandla zakhe zelulelwe ngasezulwini. ₅₅Wema, wabusisa lonke ibandla lakwa-Israyeli ngezwi elikhulu, wathi:

₅₆“Makabongwe uJehova onike abantu bakhe u-Israyeli ukuphumula njengakho konke akushiloyo; akuwanga izwi elilodwa lakho konke ukukhuluma kwakhe okuhle akusho ngesandla sikaMose inceku yakhe. ₅₇UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu makabe nathi njengalokho ayenawobaba; makangasishiyi, angasilahli, ₅₈ukuze adonsele izinhliziyo zethu kuye ukuba sihambe ngezindlela zakhe zonke, sigcine imiyalo yakhe, nezimiso zakhe, nezahlulelo zakhe ayala ngakho obaba. ₅₉Lawo mazwi ami enginxuse ngawo phambi kukaJehova mawabe seduze noJehova uNkulunkulu wethu imini nobusuku ukuba avume inceku yakhe, avume nabantu bakhe u-Israyeli njengokudingeka kwemihla ngemihla, ₆₀ukuba abantu bonke bomhlaba bazi ukuthi uJehova nguye onguNkulunkulu; akakho omunye. ₆₁Inhliziyo mayibe kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu ngokupheleleyo, nihambe ngezimiso zakhe, nigcine imiyalo yakhe njenganamuhla.”

₆₂Inkosi naye wonke u-Israyeli enayo banikela ngomhlatshelo phambi kukaJehova. ₆₃USolomoni wanikela kube ngumhlatshelo weminikelo yokuthula, owanikela ngawo kuJehova, izinkunzi eziyizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili nambili nezimvu eziyizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi amabili. Inkosi nabo bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bahlambulula-ke indlu kaJehova.

₆₄Ngalona lolo suku inkosi yangcwelisa ingaphakathi legceke elalingaphambi kwendlu kaJehova, ngokuba wanikela lapho ngomnikelo wokushiswa, nangomnikelo wempuphu, nangamanoni eminikelo yokuthula, lokhu i-altare lethusi elaliphambi kukaJehova lalilincane ukuba liwamukele umnikelo wokushiswa, nomnikelo wempuphu, namanoni eminikelo yokuthula.

₆₅USolomoni wagubha-ke umkhosi ngaleso sikhathi naye wonke u-Israyeli enaye, ibandla elikhulu, kusukela ekuyeni eHamati kuze semfuleni waseGibithe, ngaphambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu izinsuku eziyisikhombisa nezinsuku eziyisikhombisa, okungukuthi izinsuku eziyishumi nane. ₆₆Ngosuku lwesishiyagalombili wabamukisa abantu, bayibusisa inkosi, baya ematendeni abo bejabula, bethokoza ngenhliziyo ngakho konke okuhle uJehova akwenzile kuDavide inceku yakhe naku-Israyeli abantu bakhe.

₁Kwathi uSolomoni eseqedile ukwakha indlu kaJehova, nendlu yenkosi, nakho konke ukufisa kukaSolomoni ayefune ukukwenza, ₂uJehova wabonakala kuSolomoni ngokwesibili, njengalokho ayebonakele kuye eGibeyoni. ₃UJehova wathi kuye: “Ngiwuzwile umkhuleko wakho nokunxusa kwakho onxuse ngakho phambi kwami; ngiyingcwelisile le ndlu oyakhileyo ukuba ngibeke khona igama lami kuze kube phakade; amehlo ami nenhliziyo yami kuyakuba khona izinsuku zonke.

₄“Wena-ke, uma uyakuhamba phambi kwami njengokuhamba kukaDavide uyihlo, ngenhliziyo engenacala nangobuqotho, ukuba wenze konke engikuyale ngakho, ugcine izimiso zami nezahlulelo zami, ₅ngiyakusimisa isihlalo sobukhosi sombuso wakho kwa-Israyeli kuze kube phakade, njengalokho ngasho kuDavide uyihlo ukuthi: ‘Akuyikunqunywa muntu kuwe esihlalweni sobukhosi sakwa-Israyeli.’

₆“Kodwa uma nibuya ekungilandeleni, nina noma abantwana benu, ningagcini imiyalo yami nezimiso zami engikubeke phambi kwenu, kepha nihambe nikhonze abanye onkulunkulu, nikhuleke kubo, ₇ngiyakumnquma u-Israyeli ezweni engimnike lona; nale ndlu engiyingcwelisele igama lami ngiyakuyilahla ebusweni bami, u-Israyeli abe yisaga nesifenqo phakathi kwabantu bonke. ₈Noma le ndlu iphakeme kangaka, bonke abadlula kuyo bayakumangala, banximfe, bathi: ‘UJehova wenzeleni kanje kuleli zwe nakule ndlu na?’ ₉Bayakuphendula ngokuthi: ‘Kungokuba bamshiya uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo owakhipha oyise ezweni laseGibithe, banamathela kwabanye onkulunkulu, bakhuleka kubo, babakhonza; ngalokho uJehova ubehlisele konke lokho okubi.’ ”

₁₀Kwathi ngasekupheleni kweminyaka engamashumi amabili uSolomoni akhe ngayo izindlu zombili, indlu kaJehova nendlu yenkosi, ₁₁uHiramu inkosi yaseTire owayemsizile uSolomoni ngemisedari* nangemisayipuresi* nangegolide njengokufisa kwakhe konke wanikwa yinkosi uSolomoni imizi engamashumi amabili ezweni laseGalile. ₁₂UHiramu waphuma eTire ukuyobona imizi uSolomoni amnike yona, ayimthokozisanga. ₁₃Wathi: “Iyini le mizi onginike yona, mfowethu, na?” Wayibiza ngokuthi izwe laseKabuli* kuze kube namuhla. ₁₄UHiramu wayesethuma enkosini amatalenta* ayikhulu namashumi amabili egolide.

₁₅Indaba yezisebenzi ezabizwa yinkosi uSolomoni ukwakha indlu kaJehova, nendlu yakhe, neMilo, nogange lwaseJerusalema, neHasori, neMegido, neGezeri inje: ₁₆uFaro inkosi yaseGibithe wayenyukile wathatha iGezeri, walishisa ngomlilo, wabulala amaKhanani ayehlezi emzini, walinika umkaSolomoni indodakazi yakhe, libe yisipho sakhe. ₁₇USolomoni wakha iGezeri neBeti Horoni laseNzansi, ₁₈neBalati, neTamari lasehlane lalelo zwe, ₁₉nayo yonke imizi yokubekelela uSolomoni ayenayo, nemizi yezinqola zakhe, nemizi yabamahhashi bakhe, nalokhu uSolomoni ayefisa ukwakha khona eJerusalema, naseLebanoni, nasezweni lonke lapho ebusa khona.

₂₀Abantu bonke abaseleyo kuma Amori, namaHeti, namaPherizi, namaHivi, namaJebusi, abangesibo abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, ₂₁abantwana babo abasala ezweni emva kwabo, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli ababengenamandla okubaqeda, kubona uSolomoni wabiza izisebenzi eziyizigqila kuze kube namuhla. ₂₂Kodwa kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli uSolomoni akakhiphanga izigqila ngokuba bona babe ngamadoda empi, nezinceku zakhe, nezikhulu zakhe, nezinduna zakhe, nabaphathi bezinqola zakhe, nabamahhashi bakhe. ₂₃Izinduna ezinkulu ezaziphethe umsebenzi kaSolomoni zazingamakhulu ayisihlanu namashumi ayisihlanu; zaziphethe abantu ababesebenza emsebenzini.

₂₄Kodwa indodakazi kaFaro yenyuka emzini kaDavide, yaya endlini yayo ayakhele yona; wayeselakha iMilo.

₂₅Kathathu ngomnyaka uSolomoni wanikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa nangeminikelo yokuthula e-altare ayelakhele uJehova, eshisa impepho kanye nayo phambi kukaJehova. Wayeseyiqedile indlu.

₂₆Inkosi uSolomoni yenza imikhumbi e-Esiyoni Geberi elingaseceleni kwe-Eloti ogwini loLwandle Olubomvu ezweni lakwa-Edomi. ₂₇UHiramu wathuma ngale mikhumbi izinceku zakhe, amadoda emikhumbi ayelwazi ulwandle, kanye nezinceku zikaSolomoni. ₂₈Zafika e-Ofiri, zalanda khona igolide, amatalenta* angamakhulu amane namashumi amabili, zaliletha enkosini uSolomoni.

₁Inkosikazi yaseSheba isizwile udumo lukaSolomoni ngegama likaJehova yeza ukumvivinya ngezimfumbe. ₂Yeza eJerusalema inehele elikhulu kakhulu, namakamela ethwele amakha, negolide eliningi kakhulu, namatshe ayigugu; isifikile kuSolomoni yakhuluma naye ngakho konke okusenhliziyweni yayo. ₃USolomoni wayiphendula ezindabeni zayo zonke. Kwakungekho nto eyayifihlelwe inkosi, engayitshelanga yona. ₄Inkosikazi yaseSheba isibonile konke ukuhlakanipha kukaSolomoni, nendlu ayakhileyo, ₅nokudla kwasetafuleni lakhe, nokuhlala kwezinceku zakhe, nokuma kwezikhonzi zakhe, nezambatho zazo, nabaphathizitsha bakhe, nomnikelo wakhe wokushiswa owanikela ngawo endlini kaJehova, akwabe kusabakho moya kuyo.

₆Yathi enkosini: “Yayiqinisile indaba engayizwa ezweni lami ngamazwi akho nangokuhlakanipha kwakho. ₇Kepha angikholwanga ngamazwi ngaze ngafika, kwabona amehlo ami; bheka, angitshelwanga nanxenye; udlula ngokuhlakanipha nenhlanhla udumo engaluzwa. ₈Babusisiwe abantu bakho, zibusisiwe lezi zinceku zakho ezimi njalo phambi kwakho, zizwa ukuhlakanipha kwakho. ₉Makabongwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho owenamele wena ukuba akubeke esihlalweni sobukhosi sakwa-Israyeli; ngokuba uJehova wamthanda u-Israyeli kuze kube phakade, ngalokho wakubeka inkosi ukuba wenze ukwahlulela nokulunga.”

₁₀Yanika inkosi amatalenta* ayikhulu namashumi amabili egolide, namakha amaningi kakhulu, namatshe ayigugu; akuzange kusafika amakha amaningi kangaka njengalawo inkosi uSolomoni eyaphiwa wona yinkosikazi yaseSheba.

₁₁Nemikhumbi kaHiramu eyathwala igolide livela e-Ofiri yathutha futhi e-Ofiri imi-alimugi* namatshe ayigugu. ₁₂Ngemi-alimugi* inkosi yenzela indlu kaJehova nendlu yenkosi izinsika kanye namahabhu* nezingubhu zabahlabeleli; imi-alimugi eminingi kangaka ayizange isafika, kayibonwanga futhi, kuze kube namuhla.

₁₃Inkosi uSolomoni yanika inkosikazi yaseSheba konke ekufunayo nekucelayo ngaphandle kwalokho uSolomoni ayinika khona ngokuphana kwenkosi. Yayisibuya, yaya ezweni layo, yona nezinceku zayo.

₁₄Isisindo segolide elalifika kuSolomoni iminyaka yonke sasingamatalenta* angamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi ayisithupha nesithupha egolide ₁₅ngaphandle kokuvela kubahwebi, nasenzuzweni yabathengisi, nasemakhosini ase-Arabiya, nakubabusi bezwe.

₁₆Inkosi uSolomoni yenza izihlangu ezingamakhulu amabili zegolide elikhandiweyo, kwaba ngamashekeli* angamakhulu ayisithupha egolide elikhandiweyo kuso isihlangu sisinye, ₁₇kanjalo namahawu angamakhulu amathathu egolide elikhandiweyo, amamane* amathathu egolide kulo ihawu lilinye; inkosi yawabeka endlini yehlathi laseLebanoni.

₁₈Inkosi yenza nesihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu sezimpondo zendlovu, yasinameka ngegolide elicwengekileyo. ₁₉Isihlalo sobukhosi sasinezikhwelo eziyisithupha, isihloko saso sasiyisiyingelezi emuva; kwakukhona imikhono ngalapha nangalapha kwendawo yokuhlala, kumi izingonyama ezimbili ngaseceleni kwemikhono. ₂₀Kwakumi izingonyama eziyishumi nambili ngalapha nangalapha ezikhwelweni eziyisithupha. Okunjalo akwenziwanga komunye umbuso. ₂₁Zonke izitsha zokuphuza zenkosi uSolomoni zaziyigolide, nazo zonke izitsha zendlu yehlathi laseLebanoni zaziyigolide elicwengekileyo, kungekho ezesiliva, lona lingento yalutho emihleni kaSolomoni. ₂₂Ngokuba inkosi yayinemikhumbi yaseTharishishi elwandle kanye nemikhumbi kaHiramu; kanye ngeminyaka emithathu yafika imikhumbi yaseTharishishi iletha igolide, nesiliva, nezimpondo zendlovu, nezimfene, namapikoko.*

₂₃Inkosi uSolomoni yaba nkulu kunawo onke amakhosi omhlaba ngengcebo nangokuhlakanipha. ₂₄Wonke umhlaba wafuna ukubona ubuso bukaSolomoni ukuba uzwe ukuhlakanipha kwakhe, uNkulunkulu akubekile enhliziyweni yakhe. ₂₅Baletha, kwaba yilowo nalowo isipho sakhe, izitsha zesiliva, nezitsha zegolide, nezingubo, nezikhali, namakha, namahhashi, neminyuzi,* okwenziwa iminyaka ngeminyaka.

₂₆USolomoni wabutha izinqola nabamahhashi; wayenezinqola eziyinkulungwane namakhulu amane nabamahhashi abayizinkulungwane eziyishumi nambili owakubeka emizini yezinqola nasenkosini eJerusalema. ₂₇Inkosi yenza isiliva livame eJerusalema njengamatshe, nemisedari* yayenza ibe njengemithombe esigodini ngobuningi. ₂₈Amahhashi uSolomoni ayenawo ayekhishwe eGibithe naseKuwe; abathengi benkosi bawamukela eKuwe ngemali yawo. ₂₉Inqola yenyuka yaphuma eGibithe ngamashekeli* angamakhulu ayisithupha esiliva nehhashi ngayikhulu namashumi ayisihlanu; bawakhiphela kanjalo onke amakhosi amaHeti namakhosi ase-Aramu ngezandla zabo.