To The Word – Day 117

₁UMowabi wahlubuka kwa-Israyeli emva kokufa kuka-Ahabi. ₂U-Ahaziya wawa eheleni lekamelo lakhe eliphezulu laseSamariya, wagula, wathuma izithunywa, wathi kuzo: “Hambani nibuze kuBali Zebubi unkulunkulu wase-Ekroni, uma ngiyakusinda kulokhu kugula kwami.”

₃Kepha ingelosi kaJehova yathi ku-Eliya waseThishibi: “Suka ukhuphuke ukuhlangabeza izithunywa zenkosi yaseSamariya, uthi kuzo: ‘Kungokuba kungekho Nkulunkulu kwa-Israyeli ukuba niye nibuze kuBali Zebubi unkulunkulu wase-Ekroni na?’ ” ₄Ngalokho uJehova usho kanje, uthi: “Umbhede okhuphukele kuwo awuyikwehlika kuwo, kepha uyakufa nokufa.” Wayesesuka u-Eliya.

₅Izithunywa zabuyela kuye; wathi kuzo: “Nibuyeleni na?”

₆Zathi kuye: “Kwakhuphuka umuntu ukuba asihlangabeze, wathi kithi: ‘Hambani, nibuyele enkosini enithumileyo, nithi kuyo: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Kungokuba kungekho Nkulunkulu kwa-Israyeli ukuba uthume ukubuza kuBali Zebubi unkulunkulu wase-Ekroni na? Ngalokho umbhede okhuphukele kuwo awuyikwehlika kuwo, kepha uyakufa nokufa.” ’ ”

₇Wathi kuzo: “Bekungumuntu onjani owakhuphuka ukunihlangabeza, wanitshela lawo mazwi na?”

₈Zathi kuye: “Umuntu wayenengubo yoboya, ebhince ibhande* lesikhumba okhalweni lwakhe.”

Wathi: “Bekungu-Eliya waseThishibi.”

₉Wayesethuma kuye induna yamashumi ayisihlanu inamashumi ayisihlanu ayo. Yakhuphukela kuye; bheka, wayehlezi esiqongweni sentaba. Yakhuluma kuye, yathi: “We muntu kaNkulunkulu, inkosi ishilo ukuthi: ‘Yehla.’ ”

₁₀U-Eliya waphendula, wathi enduneni yamashumi ayisihlanu: “Uma ngingumuntu kaNkulunkulu, makwehle umlilo ezulwini, ukuqede wena namashumi ayisihlanu akho.” Wehla-ke umlilo ezulwini, wayiqeda yona namashumi ayisihlanu ayo.

₁₁Wabuye wathuma kuye enye induna yamashumi ayisihlanu inamashumi ayisihlanu ayo. Yathatha yathi kuye: “We muntu kaNkulunkulu, isho kanje inkosi, ithi: ‘Shesha wehle.’ ”

₁₂Wayesephendula u-Eliya, wathi kubo: “Uma ngingumuntu kaNkulunkulu, makwehle umlilo ezulwini, ukuqede wena namashumi ayisihlanu akho.” Wehla-ke umlilo kaNkulunkulu ezulwini, wayiqeda yona namashumi ayisihlanu ayo.

₁₃Wabuye wathuma induna yesithathu yamashumi ayisihlanu inamashumi ayisihlanu ayo. Yakhuphuka le nduna yesithathu yamashumi ayisihlanu, yafika yaguqa ngamadolo phambi kuka-Eliya, yamnxusa, yathi kuye: “We muntu kaNkulunkulu, ukuphila kwami nokuphila kwalezi zinceku zakho ezingamashumi ayisihlanu makube yigugu emehlweni akho. ₁₄Bheka, kwehle umlilo ezulwini, waqeda izinduna zamashumi ayisihlanu ezimbili zokuqala zinamashumi ayisihlanu azo; kepha manje makube yigugu emehlweni akho ukuphila kwami.”

₁₅Ingelosi kaJehova yathi ku-Eliya: “Yehla naye, ungamesabi.” Wasuka wehla naye, waya enkosini.

₁₆Wayesethi kuyo: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Lokhu uthume izithunywa ukubuza kuBali Zebubi unkulunkulu wase-Ekroni kungokuba kungekho Nkulunkulu kwa-Israyeli ukuba kubuzwe ngezwi lakhe na? Ngalokho awuyikwehlika embhedeni okhuphukele kuwo, kepha uyakufa nokufa.’ ” ₁₇Yayisifa njengezwi likaJehova alikhulumileyo u-Eliya. UJehoramu waqala ukubusa esikhundleni sakhe ngomnyaka wesibili kaJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafati, inkosi yakwaJuda, ngokuba wayengenandodana. ₁₈Ezinye izindaba zika-Ahaziya azenzayo angithi zilotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli na?

₁Kwathi lapho uJehova ebeyakumkhuphula u-Eliya aye ezulwini ngesivunguvungu, u-Eliya wasuka eGiligali no-Elisha. ₂U-Eliya wathi ku-Elisha: “Ake uhlale lapha, ngokuba uJehova ungithumile eBethele.”

Kepha u-Elisha wathi: “Kuphila kukaJehova nokuphila komphefumulo wakho, angiyikukushiya.” Behlela-ke eBethele.

₃Amadodana abaprofethi ayeseBethele aphuma, aya ku-Elisha, athi kuye: “Uyazi yini ukuthi uJehova uyakususa inkosi yakho kuwe namuhla na?”

Wathi: “Yebo, ngiyakwazi; thulani.”

₄U-Eliya wathi kuye: “Elisha, ake uhlale lapha, ngokuba uJehova ungithumile eJeriko.”

Kepha wathi: “Kuphila kukaJehova nokuphila kwakho, angiyikukushiya.” Bafika-ke eJeriko.

₅Amadodana abaprofethi ayeseJeriko asondela ku-Elisha, athi kuye: “Uyazi yini ukuthi uJehova uyakususa inkosi yakho kuwe namuhla na?”

Wathi: “Yebo, ngiyakwazi; thulani.”

₆U-Eliya wathi kuye: “Ake uhlale lapha, ngokuba uJehova ungithumile eJordani.”

Kepha wathi: “Kuphila kukaJehova nokuphila kwakho, angiyikukushiya.” Bahamba-ke bobabili.

₇Abantu abangamashumi ayisihlanu bamadodana abaprofethi baya bema khashana maqondana nabo; bona bobabili bema ngaseJordani. ₈U-Eliya wathatha ingubo yakhe, wayisonga, washaya amanzi, ahlukana ngalapha nangalapha, bawela bobabili emhlabathini owomileyo.

₉Kwathi sebewelile, u-Eliya wathi ku-Elisha: “Cela engiyakukwenzela khona ngingakasuswa kuwe.”

Wathi u-Elisha: “Makuphindwe kabili umoya wakho phezu kwami.”

₁₀Kepha wathi: “Ucele into elukhuni; nokho, uma ungibona lapha ngisuswa kuwe, kuyakuba njalo kuwe; kodwa uma ungangiboni, akuyikuba njalo.”

₁₁Kwathi beselokhu behamba bekhuluma, bheka, nanso inqola yomlilo namahhashi omlilo, kwabahlukanisa bobabili; u-Eliya wakhuphukela ezulwini ngesivunguvungu. ₁₂U-Elisha wakubona, wamemeza wathi: “Baba, baba, nqola ka-Israyeli nabamahhashi bakhe!” Akabe esambona futhi; wabamba izingubo zakhe, waziklebhula kabili.

₁₃Wacosha ingubo ka-Eliya ebiwile kuye, wabuya, wema ngasogwini lwaseJordani. ₁₄Wayithatha ingubo ka-Eliya ebiwile kuye, washaya amanzi, wathi: “Uphi uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Eliya na?” Esewashayile amanzi, ahlukana ngalapha nangalapha; u-Elisha wawela.

₁₅Esembonile amadodana abaprofethi aseJeriko ayemalungana naye, athi: “Umoya ka-Eliya uhlezi phezu kuka-Elisha.” Afika ukumhlangabeza, akhothamela phansi phambi kwakhe. ₁₆Athi kuye: “Bheka, kukhona phakathi kwezinceku zakho amadoda angamashumi ayisihlanu anamandla; mawahambe, afune inkosi yakho; kumbe uMoya kaJehova umkhuphulile, wamlahla entabeni ethile noma esigodini esithile.”

Kepha wathi: “Ningawathumi.”

₁₇Amncengisisa waze waba namahloni; wayesethi: “Thumani.” Ayesethuma abantu abangamashumi ayisihlanu; bamfuna izinsuku ezintathu, kepha abamtholanga. ₁₈Babuyela kuye esahlezi eJeriko; wathi kubo: “Angishongo yini kini ukuthi: ‘Ningahambi,’ na?”

₁₉Kepha abantu bomuzi bathi ku-Elisha: “Bheka, isiza somuzi sihle, njengokuba inkosi ibona, kepha amanzi mabi, izwe liyabhulubisa.”

₂₀Wathi: “Ngiletheleni isitsha esisha, nibeke usawoti kuso.” Basiletha kuye.

₂₁Waphuma, waya emthonjeni wamanzi, waphonsa kuwo usawoti, wathi: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Ngelaphile lawa manzi; akusayikuvela ukufa kuwo nokubhuluba.’ ” ₂₂Elashwa-ke amanzi kuze kube namuhla njengezwi lika-Elisha alikhulumayo.

₂₃Wenyuka lapho, waya eBethele; esenyuka endlelni, kwaphuma abafana emzini, bamklolodela, bathi kuye: “Yenyuka wena mpandlandini! Yenyuka wena mpandlandini!” ₂₄Wabheka emva kwakhe, wababona, wabaqalekisa egameni likaJehova. Kwase kuphuma ehlathini amabhere* amabili ezinsikazi, adwengula abafana abangamashumi amane nambili kubo. ₂₅Wasuka khona, waya entabeni yaseKarmeli; esuka lapho wabuyela eSamariya.

₁UJehoramu indodana ka-Ahabi waba yinkosi kwa-Israyeli eSamariya ngomnyaka weshumi nesishiyagalombili kaJehoshafati inkosi yakwaJuda, wabusa iminyaka eyishumi nambili. ₂Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova kepha kungenjengoyise nonina, ngokuba wasusa insika kaBali abeyenzile uyise. ₃Nokho wanamathela ezonweni zikaJerobowamu indodana kaNebati onisa ngazo u-Israyeli, kasukanga kuzo.

₄UMesha inkosi yakwaMowabi owayefuyile kakhulu izimvu wathela enkosini yakwa-Israyeli uboya bamawundlu ayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu nobezinqama eziyizinkulungwane eziyikhulu. ₅Kwathi lapho esefile u-Ahabi, inkosi yakwaMowabi yahlubuka inkosi yakwa-Israyeli. ₆Inkosi uJehoramu yaphuma eSamariya ngaleso sikhathi, yabala wonke u-Israyeli. ₇Yaya yathumela kuJehoshafati inkosi yakwaJuda, yathi: “Inkosi yakwaMowabi ingihlubukile; ungahamba nami, silwe noMowabi, na?”

Wathi: “Ngiyakwenyuka, mina njengawe, abantu bami njengabantu bakho, amahhashi ami njengamahhashi akho.”

₈Wathi futhi: “Siyakwenyuka ngayiphi indlela na?”

Yathi: “Ngendlela yasehlane lakwa-Edomi.”

₉Yayisihamba inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, nenkosi yakwaJuda, nenkosi yakwa-Edomi; azungeza indlela yezinsuku eziyisikhombisa; kwakungekho manzi empi nawezinkomo ezibalandelayo.

₁₀Yayisithi inkosi yakwa-Israyeli: “Maye, ngokuba uJehova ubuthile lawa makhosi amathathu ukuwanikela esandleni sakwaMowabi!”

₁₁Kepha uJehoshafati wathi: “Akakho lapha umprofethi kaJehova ukuba sibuze kuJehova ngaye na?”

Enye yezinceku zenkosi yakwa-Israyeli yaphendula yathi: “Ukhona u-Elisha indodana kaShafati owathela amanzi ezandleni zika-Eliya.”

₁₂Wayesethi uJehoshafati: “Izwi likaJehova likuye.” Base behlela kuye inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, noJehoshafati, nenkosi yakwa-Edomi.

₁₃Kepha u-Elisha wathi enkosini yakwa-Israyeli: “Nginamsebenzi muni nawe na? Hamba uye kubaprofethi bakayihlo nakubaprofethi bakanyoko.”

Kepha inkosi yakwa-Israyeli yathi kuye: “Hhayi, ngokuba uJehova ubizile lawo makhosi amathathu ukuwanikela esandleni sakwaMowabi.”

₁₄Wayesethi u-Elisha: “Kuphila kukaJehova Sebawoti engimi phambi kwakhe, uma bengingamazisi uJehoshafati inkosi yakwaJuda, ngempela ngingeze ngakubheka, ngingeze ngakubona. ₁₅Kepha manje ngiletheleni umbethi wogubhu.” Kwathi umbethi wogubhu esabetha, isandla sikaJehova saba kuye. ₁₆Wathi: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Yenza lo mfula ube nemigodi ngemigodi.’ ₁₇Ngokuba uJehova usho kanje, uthi: ‘Aniyikubona umoya, aniyikubona imvula, kepha lo mfula uyakugcwala amanzi; niyakuphuza nina, nezinkomo zenu, nezinye izilwane zenu.’ ₁₈Lokhu kulula emehlweni kaJehova; uyakunikela abakwaMowabi esandleni senu. ₁₉Niyakuchitha yonke imizi ebiyelweyo nayo yonke imizi ekhethekileyo; niyakuwisa yonke imithi emihle, nivimbe yonke imithombo yamanzi, none zonke iziqephu zomhlaba ngamatshe.”

₂₀Kwathi ekuseni ngesikhathi sokunikela ngomnikelo wempuphu, bheka, kwafika amanzi ngasendleleni yakwa-Edomi, izwe lagcwala amanzi.

₂₁Sebezwile bonke abakwaMowabi ukuthi amakhosi enyukile ukulwa nabo, babuthana bonke abaqale ukubhinca izikhali kuya phezulu, bema emkhawulweni. ₂₂Bavuka ekuseni, ilanga lakhanya emanzini, abakwaMowabi bawabona amanzi malungana nabo ebomvu njengegazi; ₂₃bathi: “Lokhu kuyigazi; ngempela amakhosi alwile, abulalene enye nenye; ngalokho ekuphangeni-ke, Mowabi!”

₂₄Sebefike ekamu* lika-Israyeli, abakwa-Israyeli basuka bashaya abakwaMowabi, baze babaleka ebusweni babo; bangena ezweni labo bechitha abakwaMowabi. ₂₅Bachitha imizi, naseziqeshini zonke ezinhle zomhlaba baphonsa, kwaba yilowo nalowo itshe lakhe, bazigcwalisa; bavimba yonke imithombo yamanzi, bawisa yonke imithi emihle, kwaze kwasala amatshe aseKhiri Haresheti kuphela; kepha abezindwayimana bazungeza, balishaya.

₂₆Yathi ibona inkosi yakwaMowabi ukuthi ukulwa kuyayahlula, yathatha abantu abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abahosha inkemba ukufohlela enkosini yakwa-Edomi, kepha bahluleka. ₂₇Yayisithatha izibulo layo ebeliyakubusa esikhundleni sayo, yanikela ngalo libe ngumnikelo wokushiswa phezu kogange. Abakwa-Israyeli behlelwa yintukuthelo enkulu, basuka kuyo, babuyela ezweni lakubo.

₁Kwakhala ku-Elisha owesifazane othile wabafazi bamadodana abaprofethi, wathi: “Inceku yakho, indoda yami, ifile; wena uyazi ukuthi inceku yakho yayimesaba uJehova; sekufike umtshelekisi ukuzithathela abafana bami ababili babe yizigqila.”

₂U-Elisha wathi kuye: “Ngikwenzele ntoni na? Ngitshele. Unantoni endlini?”

Wathi: “Incekukazi yakho ayinalutho endlini ngaphandle komfuma wamafutha.”

₃Wayesethi: “Hamba utsheleke izitsha ngaphandle kubo bonke abakhelwane bakho, izitsha ezingenalutho, zingabi yingcosana. ₄Wongena, uzivalele ngesivalo, wena namadodana akho, uthele ezitheni zonke lezo, ubeke ezigcweleyo eceleni.”

₅Wasuka kuye, wazivalela yena namadodana akhe ngesivalo; wona aletha kuye, yena wathela. ₆Kwathi izitsha sezigcwele, wathi endodaneni yakhe: “Sondeza kimi nesinye isitsha.”

Kepha yathi kuye: “Akusekho sitsha.” Amafutha anquma-ke.

₇Wayeseya ukumtshela lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu. Wathi yena: “Hamba uthengise ngamafutha, ukhokhe isikwenetu sakho, uzondle wena namadodana akho ngaseleyo.”

₈Kwathi ngelinye ilanga u-Elisha wadlulela eShunemi lapho kwakukhona owesifazane ocebileyo, wamcindezela ukuba adle isinkwa. Kwakuthi njalo nxa edlula, waphambukela khona ukuba adle. ₉Wathi endodeni yakhe: “Bheka, manje sengiyazi ukuthi ungumuntu ongcwele kaNkulunkulu, odlula kithi njalonjalo. ₁₀Ake sixhume odongeni ikamelo phezulu, simbekele khona umbhede, netafula, nesihlalo, nothi lwesibani; kuyakuthi lapho eza kithi, aphambukele khona.”

₁₁Kwathi ngelinye ilanga wafika khona, waphambukela ekamelweni, walala khona. ₁₂Wathi kuGehazi inceku yakhe: “Mbize lo mShunemikazi,” wema phambi kwakhe. ₁₃Wathi kuye: “Ake usho kuye ukuthi: ‘Bheka, usinakekele ngakho konke lokhu kunakekela; ungenzelwa ntoni na? Uthanda ukukhulunyelwa enkosini noma enduneni yempi na?’ ”

Wathi: “Ngihlezi phakathi kwabantu bakithi.”

₁₄Wayesethi: “Angenzelwa ntoni na?”

UGehazi wathi: “Impela akanandodana, nendoda yakhe isindala.”

₁₅Wayesethi: “Mbize.” Wambiza; wema emnyango.

₁₆Wathi: “Ngalesi sikhathi ngomnyaka ozayo uyakusingatha indodana.”

Wathi: “Hhayi, nkosi, wena muntu kaNkulunkulu, ungaqambi amanga encekukazini yakho.”

₁₇Kepha owesifazane wakhulelwa, wazala indodana ngaleso sikhathi ngomnyaka olandelayo njengokusho kuka-Elisha kuye.

₁₈Kwathi umfana esekhulile, waphuma ngelinye ilanga, waya kuyise kubavuni. ₁₉Wathi kuyise: “Ngafa ikhanda! Ngafa ikhanda!”

Wayesethi encekwini yakhe: “Myise kunina.” ₂₀Yamthatha, yamyisa kunina; wahlala emathangeni akhe kwaze kwaba semini, wafa. ₂₁Wakhuphuka, wambeka embhedeni womuntu kaNkulunkulu, wamvalela, waphuma.

₂₂Wabiza indoda yakhe, wathi: “Ake ungithumele enye yezinceku nenye yezimbongolo ukuba ngigijimele kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu, bese ngibuya.”

₂₃Kepha wathi: “Uyelani kuye namuhla na? Akusilo olokwethwasa kwenyanga, akusilo isabatha.”

Wathi: “Kahle.”

₂₄Wayesebophela imbongolo, wathi encekwini yakhe: “Qhuba, uhambe njalo, ungangimisi ekuhambeni, uma ngingakutsheli.” ₂₅Wayesehamba-ke, wafika kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu entabeni yaseKarmeli. Kwathi lapho lowo muntu kaNkulunkulu embona esekude, wathi kuGehazi inceku yakhe: “Bheka, nanguya umShunemikazi; ₂₆ake ugijime, umhlangabeze, uthi kuye: ‘Usahlezi kahle na? Indoda yakho isahlezi kahle na? Umntanakho usahlezi kahle na?’ ”

Wathi: “Sisahlezi kahle.”

₂₇Wafika kumuntu kaNkulunkulu entabeni, wabamba izinyawo zakhe. UGehazi wasondela ukuba amxoshe, kepha umuntu kaNkulunkulu wathi: “Myeke, ngokuba inhliziyo yakhe imunyu phakathi kwakhe; uJehova ungifihlele lokho, kangitshelanga.”

₂₈Wayesethi: “Ngake ngacela yini indodana enkosini yami na? Angishongo yini ukuthi: ‘Ungangikhohlisi,’ na?”

₂₉Wayesethi kuGehazi: “Bhinca izikhali zakho, uthathe udondolo lwami ngesandla sakho, uhambe; uma uhlangana nomuntu, ungambingeleli; uma umuntu ekubingelela, ungamphenduli, ubeke udondolo lwami ebusweni bomntwana.”

₃₀Unina womntwana wathi: “Kuphila kukaJehova nokuphila kwakho, angiyikukushiya.” Wayesesuka wamlandela.

₃₁UGehazi wadlulela ngaphambi kwabo, walubeka udondolo ebusweni bomntwana; akwabakho zwi nakunaka. Ngalokho wabuya ukumhlangabeza, wamtshela ukuthi: “Umntwana akavukanga.”

₃₂U-Elisha esengene endlini, bheka, umntwana wayefile elele embhedeni wakhe. ₃₃Wangena, wabavalela bobabili isivalo, wakhuleka kuJehova. ₃₄Wakhuphuka, walala phezu komntwana, wabeka umlomo wakhe phezu komlomo wakhe, namehlo akhe phezu kwamehlo akhe, nezandla zakhe phezu kwezandla zakhe; lapho esekhothama phezu kwakhe, inyama yomntwana yafudumala. ₃₅Wayesebuya, wahambahamba khona endlini, waya emuva, waya phambili; wakhuphuka, wakhothama phezu kwakhe; umntwana wathimula kasikhombisa; umntwana wavula amehlo akhe.

₃₆Wayesembiza uGehazi, wathi: “Mbize lowo mShunemikazi.” Wambiza. Esengene kuye, wathi: “Thatha indodana yakho.” ₃₇Wayesefika, wawa ngasezinyaweni zakhe, wakhothama phansi; wayithatha indodana yakhe, waphuma.

₃₈U-Elisha wabuyela eGiligali; kwakukhona indlala kulelo zwe; amadodana abaprofethi ayehlezi phambi kwakhe; wathi encekwini yakhe: “Bheka ikhanzi elikhulu, uphekele amadodana abaprofethi ukudla.”

₃₉Kwaphuma omunye, waya endle ukukha imifino, wafumana intandela yasendle, wabutha kuyo izintangazane; yagcwala ingubo yakhe; wafika, waziklabelela ekhanzini lokudla, ngokuba babengazazi. ₄₀Base bethululela abantu ukuba badle. Kwathi besadla lokho kudla, bakhala bathi: “We muntu kaNkulunkulu, kukhona ukufa ekhanzini.” Babengasenakudla.

₄₁Kepha wathi: “Lethani impuphu.” Wayiphonsa ekhanzini, wathi: “Thululela abantu ukuba badle.” Kwakungasekho okubi ekhanzini.

₄₂Kwavela umuntu waseBali Shalisha, walethela lo muntu kaNkulunkulu ukudla kolibo, izinkwa zebhali* ezingamashumi amabili nezikhwebu ezintsha zamabele enqalathini yakhe. Wathi: “Banike abantu ukuba badle.”

₄₃Kepha isikhonzi sakhe sathi: “Uthini? Ngibeke lokhu phambi kwabantu abayikhulu na?”

Wathi: “Banike ukuba badle, ngokuba usho kanje uJehova, uthi: ‘Bayakudla, kusale.’ ” ₄₄Sase sikubeka phambi kwabo; badla, kwasala njengezwi likaJehova.

₁UNahamani induna yempi yenkosi yase-Aramu wayengumuntu omkhulu phambi kwenkosi yakhe, otusekayo, ngokuba uJehova wayenikile i-Aramu ukunqoba ngaye; futhi wayeyiqhawe elinamandla, kepha wayenochoko.

₂Ama-Aramu ayephumile ngamaviyo, abuya ezweni lakwa-Israyeli enentombazana encane; yayiyincekukazi yomkaNahamani. ₃Yathi enkosikazini yayo: “Sengathi inkosi yami ingaba phambi komprofethi oseSamariya; khona ibiyakuphiliswa ochokweni lwayo.”

₄Yangena, yatshela inkosi yayo, yathi: “Intombazana yasezweni lakwa-Israyeli yasho ukuthi nokuthi.”

₅Inkosi yase-Aramu yayisithi: “Yiya khona; ngizakuthuma incwadi enkosini yakwa-Israyeli.” Wasuka, wahamba namatalenta* ayishumi esiliva nezinhlamvu eziyizinkulungwane eziyisithupha zegolide, nezingubo eziyishumi zokuphendulela. ₆Waletha incwadi enkosini yakwa-Israyeli, ethi: “Manje, lapho le ncwadi ifika kuwe, bheka, ngithumile uNahamani inceku yami kuwe ukuba umphilise ochokweni lwakhe.”

₇Kwathi inkosi yakwa-Israyeli isiyifundile incwadi, yaklebhula izingubo zayo, yathi: “Mina nginguNkulunkulu yini ukuba ngibulale, ngiphilise, ukuze lo athumele kimi umuntu ukumphilisa ochokweni lwakhe, na? Ake niqonde, nibone ukufuna kwakhe ithuba lokulwa nami.”

₈Kwathi u-Elisha umuntu kaNkulunkulu esezwile ukuthi inkosi yakwa-Israyeli iklebhulile izingubo zayo, wathumela enkosini, wathi: “Uklebhuleleni izingubo zakho na? Makeze kimi, aze azi ukuthi kukhona umprofethi kwa-Israyeli.” ₉Wayesefika uNahamani namahhashi akhe nezinqola zakhe, wema ngasemnyango wendlu ka-Elisha. ₁₀U-Elisha wathuma isithunywa kuye ngokuthi: “Hamba ugeze kasikhombisa eJordani; kuyakuthi inyama ibuyele kuwe, uhlambuluke.”

₁₁Kepha uNahamani wathukuthela, wahamba, wathi: “Bheka, bengithi uyakuphumela nokuphumela kimi, eme abize igama likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe, aphunge ngesandla sakhe phezu kwaleyo ndawo, aphilise onochoko. ₁₂O-Abana noFariphari, imifula yaseDamaseku, abangcono kunawo onke amanzi akwa-Israyeli na? Ngingegeze kuyo yini, ngihlambuluke, na?” Wayesephenduka, wahamba ethukuthele.

₁₃Kepha izinceku zasondela, zakhuluma kuye, zathi: “Baba, uma umprofethi ebekhulume kuwe into enkulu, ngabe ungayenzanga na? Kakhulu kangakanani, uma ethi kuwe: ‘Geza, uhlambuluke,’ na?” ₁₄Wayesehla, wazicwilisa kasikhombisa eJordani njengezwi lomuntu kaNkulunkulu; inyama yakhe yabuya yaba njengenyama yomntwana omncane, wahlambuluka.

₁₅Wayesebuyela kulowo muntu kaNkulunkulu, yena nabantu bakhe bonke, weza, wema phambi kwakhe, wathi: “Bheka, sengiyazi ukuthi akakho uNkulunkulu emhlabeni wonke, kwa-Israyeli kuphela; ngakho ake wamukele isipho encekwini yakho.”

₁₆Kepha wathi: “Kuphila kukaJehova engimi phambi kwakhe, angiyikwamukela lutho.” Wamncengisisa ukuba asamukele, wenqaba kodwa.

₁₇Wayesethi uNahamani: “Uma kunjalo, inceku yakho mayinikwe umthwalo weminyuzi* emibili womhlabathi, ngokuba inceku yakho ayisayikunikela ngomnikelo wokushiswa nomhlatshelo kwabanye onkulunkulu, kuJehova kuphela. ₁₈Kule nto uJehova makayithethelele inceku yakho: ekungeneni kwenkosi yami endlini kaRimoni ukukhuleka khona, isencika esandleni sami, ngiguqe nami endlini kaRimoni, lapho ngiguqa endlini kaRimoni, uJehova makayithethelele inceku yakho le nto.”

₁₉Wathi kuye: “Hamba ngokuthula.” Wahamba, wasuka kuye ibangana.

₂₀Kepha uGehazi inceku ka-Elisha umuntu kaNkulunkulu wathi: “Bheka, inkosi yami imyekile uNahamani lo wase-Aramu ngokungamukeli ezandleni zakhe akulethayo; kuphila kukaJehova, ngiyakugijima, ngimlandele, ngithathe into kuye.”

₂₁UGehazi wamlandela-ke uNahamani. UNahamani wathi ukumbona umuntu egijima emva kwakhe, wehlika enqoleni ukumhlangabeza, wathi: “Nisahlezi kahle na?”

₂₂Wathi: “Sisahlezi kahle. Inkosi yami ingithumile ngokuthi: ‘Bheka, manje kufike kimi izinsizwa ezimbili zamadodana abaprofethi zivela ezintabeni zakwa-Efrayimi; ake uzinike italenta* lesiliva nezingubo ezimbili zokuphendulela.’ ”

₂₃UNahamani wathi: “Vuma, wamukele amatalenta* amabili.” Wamncengisisa, wabopha amatalenta amabili esiliva ezinqalathini ezimbili kanye nezingubo ezimbili zokuphendulela, wakunikela ezincekwini zakhe ezimbili; zakuthwala phambi kwakhe. ₂₄Esefike egqumeni wakuthatha esandleni sazo, wakubeka endlini, wavumela abantu ukuba bahambe; basuka. ₂₅Kepha yena wangena, wema phambi kwenkosi yakhe. U-Elisha wathi kuye: “Uvelaphi, Gehazi?”

Wathi: “Inceku yakho ayiyanga ndawo.”

₂₆Wayesethi: “Ayiyanga yini inhliziyo yami, lapho lowo muntu ephenduka enqoleni yakhe ukukuhlangabeza, na? Sekuyisikhathi sokwamukela izingubo, neminqumo, nezivini, nezimvu, nezinkabi, nezinceku, nezincekukazi, na? ₂₇Uchoko lukaNahamani luyakunamathela kuwe nasenzalweni yakho kuze kube phakade.” Wayesephuma yena ebusweni bakhe enochoko, emhlophe njengeqhwa.