To The Word – Day 120

₁Ngomnyaka weshumi nesikhombisa kaPheka indodana kaRemaliya u-Ahazi indodana kaJothamu, inkosi yakwaJuda, waba yinkosi. ₂U-Ahazi wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka eyishumi nesithupha eJerusalema; akenzanga okulungile emehlweni kaJehova, uNkulunkulu wakhe, njengoDavide uyise. ₃Kepha wahamba ngendlela yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli, yebo, wadabulisa nendodana yakhe emlilweni njengezinengiso zabezizwe uJehova abaxosha phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₄Wahlaba, washisa impepho ezindaweni eziphakemeyo, nasemagqumeni, naphansi kwayo yonke imithi eluhlaza.

₅Ngaleso sikhathi uResini, inkosi yase-Aramu, noPheka indodana kaRemaliya, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, benyukela eJerusalema ukulwa nalo; bamvimbezela u-Ahazi, kepha babengenakumahlula. ₆Ngaleso sikhathi uResini inkosi yase-Aramu wabuyisela i-Elati e-Aramu, waxosha abaJuda e-Elati; ama-Aramu afika e-Elati, ahlala khona kuze kube namuhla.

₇U-Ahazi wathuma izithunywa kuThigilati Phileseri inkosi yase-Asiriya ngokuthi: “Mina ngiyinceku yakho nendodana yakho: yenyuka, ungisindise esandleni senkosi yase-Aramu nasesandleni senkosi yakwa-Israyeli angivukelayo.” ₈U-Ahazi wathatha isiliva negolide elafunyanwa endlini kaJehova nasengcebeni endlini yenkosi, walithuma enkosini yase-Asiriya laba yisipho. ₉Inkosi yase-Asiriya yamlalela; inkosi yase-Asiriya yenyuka ukuhlasela iDamaseku, yalithatha, yathumbela abantu balo eKhiri, yambulala uResini.

₁₀Inkosi u-Ahazi yaya eDamaseku ukumhlangabeza uThigilati Phileseri inkosi yase-Asiriya, yabona i-altare elaliseDamaseku; inkosi u-Ahazi yathumela ku-Uriya, umpristi, isimo se-altare nesifanekiso salo njengokwenziwa kwalo konke. ₁₁U-Uriya, umpristi, wayesakha i-altare: njengakho konke inkosi u-Ahazi ebikuthumile iseDamaseku walenze njalo u-Uriya umpristi, yaze yabuya inkosi u-Ahazi eDamaseku. ₁₂Inkosi isibuyile eDamaseku, inkosi yalibona i-altare; inkosi yasondela e-altare, yenyukela kulo. ₁₃Yashisa umnikelo wayo wokushiswa nomnikelo wayo wempuphu, yathulula umnikelo wayo wokuphuzwa, yafafaza igazi leminikelo yokuthula e-altare. ₁₄Kepha i-altare lethusi elaliphambi kukaJehova, yalisusa ngaphambi kwendlu phakathi kwe-altare nendlu kaJehova, yalibeka ohlangothini lwasenyakatho lwe-altare layo.

₁₅Inkosi u-Ahazi yamyala u-Uriya umpristi ngokuthi: “Shisa e-altare elikhulu umnikelo wokushiswa wasekuseni, nomnikelo wempuphu wakusihlwa, nomnikelo wokushiswa wenkosi, nomnikelo wayo wempuphu kanye nomnikelo wokushiswa wabo bonke abantu bezwe, nomnikelo wabo wempuphu, neminikelo yabo yokuphuzwa, ulifafaze ngalo lonke igazi lomnikelo wokushiswa nalo lonke igazi lomhlatshelo; kodwa i-altare lethusi liyakuba ngelami ukubuza ngalo.” ₁₆U-Uriya umpristi wenza njengakho konke inkosi u-Ahazi eyale ngakho.

₁₇Inkosi u-Ahazi yanquma izindini zezinqe, yasusa kuzo umcengezi wokugeza, yehlisa ulwandle ezinkabini zethusi ezaziphansi kwawo, yawubeka endaweni egandayiwe ngamatshe. ₁₈Indlela esibekelweyo yesabatha ababeyakhe endlini nendawo yokungena yenkosi engaphandle yakuphambukisela endlini kaJehova ngenxa yenkosi yase-Asiriya.

₁₉Ezinye izindaba zika-Ahazi azenzayo angithi zilotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwaJuda na? ₂₀U-Ahazi wayeselala koyise, wembelwa koyise emzini kaDavide; uHezekiya indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁Ngomnyaka weshumi nambili ka-Ahazi inkosi yakwaJuda uHosheya indodana ka-Ela waba yinkosi eSamariya kwa-Israyeli, wabusa iminyaka eyisihiyagalolunye. ₂Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, nokho kungenjengamakhosi akwa-Israyeli ayephambi kwakhe.

₃Kwenyuka ukulwa naye uShalimaneseri inkosi yase-Asiriya; uHosheya waba yisikhonzi sakhe, wathela intela kuye. ₄Inkosi yase-Asiriya yafumana ugobe kuHosheya, ngokuba wayethume izithunywa kuSo inkosi yaseGibithe, engasenyusi ntela enkosini yase-Asiriya njengokwenza kwakhe imihla ngemihla; ngalokho inkosi yase-Asiriya yamvalela, yambopha etilongweni. ₅Inkosi yase-Asiriya yayisenyuka, yadabula izwe lonke, yenyukela eSamariya, yalivimbezela iminyaka emithathu. ₆Ngomnyaka wesishiyagalolunye kaHosheya, inkosi yase-Asiriya yalithatha iSamariya, yathumbela u-Israyeli e-Asiriya, yababeka eHala, naseHabori ngasemfuleni waseGozani, nasemizini yamaMede.

₇Kwaba njalo, ngokuba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babonile kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo owabakhuphula ezweni laseGibithe esandleni sikaFaro inkosi yaseGibithe, besaba abanye onkulunkulu, ₈bahamba ngezimiso zabezizwe uJehova abaxosha phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli nezamakhosi akwa-Israyeli azenzileyo. ₉Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli benza ngasese izinto ezingalungile kuJehova uNkulunkulu, bazakhela izindawo eziphakemeyo emizini yabo yonke ngasemibhoshongweni yabalindi nasemizini ebiyelweyo. ₁₀Bazimisela izinsika nawo-Ashera* emagqumeni onke aphakemeyo naphansi kwayo yonke imithi eluhlaza, ₁₁bashisa khona impepho ezindaweni zonke eziphakemeyo njengokwenza kwabezizwe uJehova abaxosha phambi kwabo, benza izinto ezimbi ukumcunula uJehova, ₁₂bakhonza izithombe uJehova ashilo ngazo kubo ukuthi: “Aniyikwenza le nto.” ₁₃Nokho uJehova wayexwayisile o-Israyeli noJuda ngesandla sabo bonke abaprofethi nababoni ukuthi: “Phendukani ezindleleni zenu ezimbi, nigcine imiyalo yami nezimiso zami njengawo wonke umthetho engayala ngawo oyihlo nengawuthuma kini ngesandla sezinceku zami abaprofethi.”

₁₄Kepha abalalelanga; benza lukhuni intamo yabo njengentamo yawoyise abangakholwanga nguJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. ₁₅Badelela izimiso zakhe, nesivumelwano sakhe asenzayo nawoyise, nezixwayiso abaxwayisa ngazo, balandela okuyize, benza okuyize, balandela abezizwe ababebazungeza, uJehova abayale ngabo ukuthi abayikwenza njengabo.

₁₆Bashiya yonke imiyalo kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, bazenzela izithombe ezibunjiweyo, amathole amabili, benza no-Ashera,* bakhuleka kulo lonke ibandla lasezulwini, bakhonza uBali. ₁₇Badabulisa amadodana abo namadodakazi abo emlilweni, babhula, benza imilingo, bazithengisela ukwenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova ukumcunula.

₁₈Ngalokho uJehova wathukuthelela u-Israyeli, wabasusa ebusweni bakhe; akusalanga muntu, isizwe sakwaJuda kuphela. ₁₉Naye uJuda akagcinanga imiyalo kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, kepha wahamba ngezimiso zakwa-Israyeli azenzileyo. ₂₀UJehova wala yonke inzalo ka-Israyeli, wayihlupha, wayinikela esandleni sabaphangi, waze wayilahla ebusweni bakhe.

₂₁Ngokuba wahlwitha u-Israyeli endlini kaDavide; bambeka uJerobowamu indodana kaNebati inkosi; uJerobowamu wamqubula u-Israyeli ukuba angamlandeli uJehova, wamonisa ngesono esikhulu. ₂₂Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bahamba ezonweni zonke zikaJerobowamu azenzayo, abasukanga kuzo, ₂₃uJehova waze wamsusa u-Israyeli ebusweni bakhe njengokukhuluma kwakhe ngesandla sazo zonke izinceku zakhe abaprofethi. Wayesethunjwa u-Israyeli ezweni lakubo, wayiswa e-Asiriya kuze kube namuhla.

₂₄Inkosi yase-Asiriya yalanda abantu eBabele, naseKhutha, nase-Ava, naseHamati, naseSefarivayimi, yabahlalisa emizini yaseSamariya esikhundleni sabantwana bakwa-Israyeli; badla iSamariya, bahlala emizini yalo. ₂₅Kwathi ekuqaleni kokuhlala kwabo khona abamesabanga uJehova; ngalokho uJehova wathuma izingonyama phakathi kwabo, zabulala abanye kubo. ₂₆Base bekhuluma enkosini yase-Asiriya, bethi: “Abezizwe obasusileyo wabahlalisa emizini yaseSamariya abawazi umthetho kaNkulunkulu wezwe; ngalokho uthumile izingonyama phakathi kwabo; bheka, ziyababulala, ngokuba abawazi umthetho kaNkulunkulu wezwe.”

₂₇Inkosi yase-Asiriya yayisiyala ngokuthi: “Yisani khona omunye wabapristi enibathumbile lapho, ahambe ahlale khona, abafundise umthetho kaNkulunkulu wezwe.” ₂₈Wayesefika omunye wabapristi ababebathumbile eSamariya, wahlala eBethele, wabafundisa ukumesaba uJehova.

₂₉Kodwa zonke izizwe zazenzela onkulunkulu bazo, zababeka ezindlini zezindawo eziphakemeyo ezazenziwe ngamaSamariya, kwaba yileso naleso sizwe emizini esasihlezi kuyo. ₃₀Abantu baseBabele benza uSukoti Benoti, abantu baseKhuti benza uNerigali, abantu baseHamati benza u-Ashima, ₃₁ama-Avi enza oNibihazi noTharithaki, amaSefarivayimi ashisa abantwana bawo ngomlilo ko-Adirameleki no-Anameleki, onkulunkulu bamaSefarivayimi. ₃₂Kepha babemkhonza noJehova, bazenzela phakathi kwabo abapristi bezindawo eziphakemeyo ababahlabela ezindlini zezindawo eziphakemeyo. ₃₃Bamesaba uJehova, bakhonza nawonkulunkulu babo njengomthetho wezizwe ababesuswe phakathi kwazo.

₃₄Kuze kube namuhla benza njengemithetho yakuqala: abamesabi uJehova, abenzi njengezimiso, nezimemezelo zabo, nomthetho wabo, nemiyalo yabo uJehova ayala ngayo abantwana bakwaJakobe amutha u-Israyeli, ₃₅uJehova enza nabo isivumelwano, wabayala wathi: “Aniyikwesaba abanye onkulunkulu, ningakhothameli kubo, ningabakhonzi, ningabahlabeli; ₃₆kepha uJehova owanikhuphula ezweni laseGibithe ngamandla amakhulu nangengalo eyeluliweyo yena niyakumesaba, kuyena niyakukhothamela, nimhlabele yena; ₃₇izimiso nezimemezelo nomthetho nemiyalo anilobela khona yikho eniyakukugcina ukuba nikwenze; ningesabi abanye onkulunkulu; ₃₈aniyikukhohlwa isivumelwano engisenzile nani, ningesabi abanye onkulunkulu; ₃₉kepha niyakwesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu; yena uyakunophula esandleni sazo zonke izitha zenu.”

₄₀Nokho abalalelanga, kodwa benza njengemithetho yabo yakuqala. ₄₁Zesaba-ke lezo zizwe uJehova, kepha zakhonza izithombe zazo ezibaziweyo, kanjalo nabantwana bazo nabantwana babantwana bazo; njengalokho benzile oyise, benze njalo nabo kuze kube namuhla.

₁Kwathi ngomnyaka wesithathu kaHosheya indodana ka-Ela, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, uHezekiya indodana ka-Ahazi inkosi yakwaJuda waba yinkosi. ₂Wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili nanhlanu ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka engamashumi amabili nesishiyagalolunye eJerusalema; igama likanina lalingu-Abi indodakazi kaZakariya. ₃Wenza okulungile emehlweni kaJehova njengakho konke akwenzileyo uDavide uyise. ₄Wasusa izindawo eziphakemeyo, wadiliza izinsika, wanquma o-Ashera,* wachitha inyoka yethusi ayeyenzile uMose, ngokuba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babeshisa impepho kuyo kwaze kwaba ngalezo zinsuku; yabizwa ngokuthi uNehushitani. ₅Wamethemba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakwa-Israyeli kwaze kwangabakho onjengaye phakathi kwawo onke amakhosi akwaJuda nakuwo ayengaphambi kwakhe. ₆Ngokuba wabambelela kuJehova, akasukanga ekumlandeleni, kepha wagcina imiyalo yakhe uJehova ayala ngayo uMose. ₇UJehova wayenaye; nomaphi lapho eya khona, waphumelela; wayihlubuka inkosi yase-Asiriya, kayikhonzanga. ₈Wachitha amaFilisti kwaze kwaba seGaza nemikhawulo yalo, imibhoshongo yabalindi nemizi ebiyelweyo.

₉Kwathi ngomnyaka wesine wenkosi uHezekiya owawungumnyaka wesikhombisa kaHosheya indodana ka-Ela, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli, uShalimaneseri inkosi yase-Asiriya wenyuka walivimbezela iSamariya. ₁₀Ngasekupheleni kweminyaka emithathu balithatha; ngomnyaka wesithupha kaHezekiya owawungumnyaka wesishiyagalolunye kaHosheya inkosi yakwa-Israyeli iSamariya lathathwa. ₁₁Inkosi yase-Asiriya yathumbela u-Israyeli e-Asiriya, yababeka eHala naseHabori ngasemfuleni waseGozani nasemizini yamaMede, ₁₂ngokuba abalalelanga izwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, kepha beqa isivumelwano sakhe; konke ayala ngakho uMose inceku kaJehova kabavumanga ukukulalela nokukwenza.

₁₃Ngomnyaka weshumi nane wenkosi uHezekiya, uSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya wenyuka wahlasela yonke imizi ebiyelweyo yakwaJuda, wayithatha. ₁₄UHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda wathumela enkosini yase-Asiriya eLakishi, wathi: “Ngonile; buya kimi; okubeka kimi ngiyakukwenza.” Inkosi yase-Asiriya yamnqumela uHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda amatalenta* angamakhulu amathathu esiliva namatalenta angamashumi amathathu egolide. ₁₅UHezekiya wamnika lonke isiliva elalifunyanwa endlini kaJehova nasengcebeni endlini yenkosi.

₁₆Ngaleso sikhathi uHezekiya wanquma izivalo zethempeli likaJehova nezinsika uHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda ayezinamekile, wakunika inkosi yase-Asiriya.

₁₇Inkosi yase-Asiriya yathuma oTharithani, noRabi Sarisi, noRabi Shake ukuba basuke eLakishi, baye enkosini uHezekiya eJerusalema, benempi enkulu. Benyuka bafika eJerusalema. Sebenyukile bafika, bema ngasemseleni wechibi lasenhla elingasendleleni yeNsimu yoMhlanzi. ₁₈Bayibiza inkosi, kwaphumela kubo u-Eliyakimi indodana kaHilikiya owayephezu kwendlu, noShebina umbhali, noJowa indodana ka-Asafa, umabhalana.

₁₉Wathi kubo uRabi Shake: “Ake nisho kuHezekiya, nithi: ‘Isho kanje inkosi enkulu, inkosi yase-Asiriya, ithi: Yithemba lini leli olethembayo na? ₂₀Wena uyakhuluma, kepha kungamazwi angawomlomo nje lana ngesu nangamandla okulwa. Pho, wethemba bani, lokhu ungihlubukile, na? ₂₁Manje bheka, wethemba udondolo lwalo mhlanga ofecekileyo oyiGibithe; kepha uma umuntu ezimelela ngalo, luyakungena esandleni sakhe, lusihlabe; unjalo uFaro inkosi yaseGibithe kubo bonke abamethembayo. ₂₂Kepha uma nithi kimi: “Siyamethemba uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu,” akusiye yini ozindawo zakhe eziphakemeyo nama-altare akhe akususile uHezekiya, wathi kuJuda nakulo iJerusalema: “Niyakukhuleka phambi kwaleli altare eJerusalema,” na?

₂₃“ ‘Ngalokho ake uvumelane nenkosi yami, inkosi yase-Asiriya, ngiyakukunika amahhashi ayizinkulungwane ezimbili, uma ungabeka izinkweli kuwo. ₂₄Pho, ungaphindisela emuva kanjani nenduna eyodwa ezincekwini ezincane zenkosi yami na? Nokho wethemba iGibithe ukuthola khona izinqola nabamahhashi. ₂₅Manje ngenyukele yini ngaphandle kukaJehova kule ndawo ukuba ngiyichithe na? UJehova wathi kimi: “Yenyukela kulelo zwe, ulichithe.” ’ ”

₂₆Base bethi u-Eliyakimi indodana kaHilikiya noShebina noJowa kuRabi Shake: “Ake ukhulume ezincekwini zakho ngesi-Aramu, ngokuba siyaluzwa, ungakhulumi kithi ngolimi lwabaJuda ezindlebeni zabantu abasogangeni.”

₂₇Kepha uRabi Shake wathi kubo: “Inkosi yami ingithumile yini enkosini yakho nakuwena ukukhuluma lawa mazwi na? Hhayi kulaba bantu yini abahlezi ogangeni ukuba badle amasimba abo, baphuze umshobingo wabo kanye nani, na?”

₂₈Wayesema uRabi Shake, wamemeza ngezwi elikhulu ngolimi lwabaJuda, wakhuluma wathi: “Zwanini amazwi enkosi enkulu, inkosi yase-Asiriya. ₂₉Isho kanje inkosi, ithi: ‘Maningakhohliswa nguHezekiya, ngokuba akayikuba namandla okunophula esandleni sami; ₃₀futhi uHezekiya makanganenzi nethembe uJehova ngokuthi: “UJehova uyakusophula nokusophula, nalo muzi awuyikunikelwa esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya.” ’

₃₁“Ningamlaleli uHezekiya, ngokuba inkosi yase-Asiriya isho kanje, ithi: ‘Yenzani ukuthula nami, niphumele kimi, nidle, kube yilowo nalowo emvinini wakhe, kube yilowo nalowo emkhiwaneni wakhe, niphuze, kube yilowo nalowo amanzi omthombo wakhe, ₃₂ngize ngifike, nginiyise ezweni elinjengezwe lakini, izwe lamabele nelewayini, izwe lesinkwa nelezivini, izwe leminqumo nezinyosi, ukuba niphile, ningafi.’ Futhi ningamlaleli uHezekiya, lapho eniyenga ngokuthi: ‘UJehova uyakusophula.’ ₃₃Abanye onkulunkulu bezizwe bake bophula nokophula yini izwe lakubo esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya na? ₃₄Baphi onkulunkulu baseHamati nase-Aripadi na? Baphi onkulunkulu baseSefarivayimi, nabaseHena, nabase-Iva, na? Balophulile iSamariya esandleni sami na? ₃₅Ngobani phakathi kwabo bonke onkulunkulu bamazwe abophule izwe lakubo esandleni sami ukuba uJehova alophule iJerusalema esandleni sami na?”

₃₆Kepha abantu bathula, abamphendulanga ngazwi, ngokuba umyalo wenkosi wathi: “Ningamphenduli.”

₃₇Base befika u-Eliyakimi indodana kaHilikiya owayephezu kwendlu, noShebina umlobi, noJowa indodana ka-Asafa, umabhalana, kuHezekiya, izingubo zabo ziklebhukile, bamlandisa amazwi kaRabi Shake.

₁Kwathi inkosi uHezekiya ikuzwile lokho, yaklebhula izingubo zayo, yazembesa indwangu yamasaka, yangena endlini kaJehova. ₂Yathuma u-Eliyakimi owayephezu kwendlu, noShebina umbhali, namalunga abapristi, bembeswe izindwangu zamasaka, ku-Isaya umprofethi, indodana ka-Amose. ₃Bathi kuye: “Usho kanje uHezekiya, uthi: ‘Lolo suku lungusuku losizi nolokusolwa nolokudelelwa, ngokuba abantwana sebefikile ekuzalweni, kepha amandla okubeletha awakho. ₄Mhlawumbe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho uyakuzwa onke amazwi kaRabi Shake othunywe yinkosi yase-Asiriya, inkosi yakhe, ukweyisa uNkulunkulu ophilayo, asole amazwi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho awezwileyo; ngalokho phakamisela insali esafunyanwayo umkhuleko wakho.’ ”

₅Izinceku zenkosi uHezekiya sezifikile ku-Isaya, ₆u-Isaya wathi kuzo: “Niyakusho kanje enkosini yenu, nithi: ‘Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Ungesabi lawo mazwi owezwileyo, izinceku zenkosi yase-Asiriya ezingithuke ngawo. ₇Bhekani, ngiyakubeka umoya kuyo, izwe amahemuhemu, ibuyele ezweni lakubo, ngiyiwise ngenkemba ezweni lakubo.’ ”

₈Wayesebuya uRabi Shake, wafumana inkosi yase-Asiriya ilwa neLibina, ngokuba wayezwile ukuthi isukile eLakishi.

₉Kepha isizwile ngoTirahaka inkosi yaseKushe ukuthi: “Bheka, uphumile ukulwa nawe, yabuye yathuma izithunywa kuHezekiya, yathi: ₁₀‘Niyakukhuluma kanje kuHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda, nithi: “UNkulunkulu wakho omethembayo makangakukhohlisi ngokuthi iJerusalema aliyikunikelwa esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya.” ₁₁Bheka, wena uzwile okwenziwe ngamakhosi ase-Asiriya kuwo onke amazwe ngokuwachitha; pho, wena uyakophulwa na? ₁₂Onkulunkulu balezo zizwe ezachithwa ngobaba, iGozani, neHarana, neResefi, nabantwana base-Edene abaseThelasari, bazophula na? ₁₃Iphi inkosi yaseHamati, nenkosi yase-Aripadi, nenkosi yomuzi waseSefarivayimi, naseHena, nase-Iva, na?’ ”

₁₄UHezekiya wayamukela incwadi esandleni sezithunywa, wayifunda; uHezekiya wayesenyukela endlini kaJehova, wayeneka phambi kukaJehova.

₁₅UHezekiya wakhuleka phambi kukaJehova, wathi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ohlezi phezu kwamakherubi,* wena unguNkulunkulu, wena wedwa, wemibuso yonke yomhlaba, wena wenzile izulu nomhlaba. ₁₆Beka, Jehova, indlebe yakho, uzwe; vula amehlo akho, Jehova, ubone, uzwe amazwi kaSaneheribi athume ukweyisa ngawo uNkulunkulu ophilayo.

₁₇“Yiqiniso, Jehova; amakhosi ase-Asiriya achithile izizwe namazwe azo, ₁₈alahlile onkulunkulu bawo emlilweni, ngokuba babengesibo onkulunkulu, babe ngumsebenzi wezandla zomuntu kuphela, umuthi namatshe; ngalokho abachithile. ₁₉Manje, Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, ake usisindise esandleni sakhe ukuba yonke imibuso yomhlaba yazi ukuthi wena Jehova unguNkulunkulu, yebo, wena wedwa.”

₂₀U-Isaya indodana ka-Amose wathumela kuHezekiya, wathi: “Usho kanje uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: ‘Lokho okukhuleke kimi ngoSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya ngikuzwile.’ ₂₁Nanti izwi uJehova alikhulumile ngaye:

₃₂“Ngalokho usho kanje uJehova ngenkosi yase-Asiriya, uthi:

₃₅Kwathi ngalobo busuku kwaphuma ingelosi kaJehova, yabulala ekamu* labase-Asiriya abayizinkulungwane eziyikhulu namashumi ayishiyagalombili nanhlanu; sekuvukwa ngakusasa, bheka, kwakuyizidumbu zodwa ezifileyo. ₃₆Wayesesuka uSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya, wahamba, wabuya, wahlala eNineve.

₃₇Kwathi ekhuleka endlini kaNisiroki unkulunkulu wakhe, o-Adirameleki noSareseri bambulala ngenkemba, babalekela ezweni lase-Ararati. U-Esari Hadoni indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁Ngalezo zinsuku uHezekiya wagula, wayephansi kokufa. Kwafika kuye u-Isaya umprofethi, indodana ka-Amose, wathi kuye: “Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Yalela indlu yakho, ngokuba uyakufa, awuyikusinda.”

₂Wayesephendulela ubuso bakhe odongeni, wakhuleka kuJehova, wathi: ₃“Ngiyacela, Jehova: ake ukhumbule ukuthi ngihambile phambi kwakho ngeqiniso nangenhliziyo epheleleyo, ngenzile okuhle emehlweni akho.” Wayesekhala uHezekiya ngokukhala okukhulu.

₄Kwathi u-Isaya engakaphumi emzini ongaphakathi, izwi likaJehova lafika kuye, lathi: ₅“Buya, uthi kuHezekiya umholi wabantu bami: ‘Usho kanje uJehova uNkulunkulu kaDavide uyihlo, uthi: Ngizwile umkhuleko wakho, ngibonile izinyembezi zakho; bheka, ngiyakukuphilisa; ngosuku lwesithathu uyakwenyukela endlini kaJehova. ₆Ngiyakwenezela ezinsukwini zakho iminyaka eyishumi nanhlanu, ngikophule wena nalo muzi esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya; ngiyakuwuvikela lo muzi ngenxa yami nangenxa yenceku yami uDavide.’ ”

₇Wathi u-Isaya: “Landani isigaxa samakhiwane.” Basilanda, basibeka ethumbeni, wasinda.

₈Wayesethi uHezekiya ku-Isaya: “Siyakuba yini isibonakaliso sokuthi uJehova uyangiphilisa nokuthi ngiyakwenyukela endlini kaJehova ngosuku lwesithathu na?”

₉Wathi u-Isaya: “Lesi siyakuba yisibonakaliso kuwe esivela kuJehova sokuthi uJehova uyakukwenza lokho akukhulumileyo: isithunzi siyakuya phambili izinyathelo eziyishumi, noma siyakubuya izinyathelo eziyishumi na?”

₁₀UHezekiya wathi: “Kulula kuso isithunzi ukuba selule izinyathelo eziyishumi; qha, isithunzi masibuye izinyathelo eziyishumi.”

₁₁U-Isaya umprofethi wakhala kuJehova, wasibuyisa isithunzi izinyathelo eziyishumi ebesizehlile ezinyathelweni zika-Ahazi.

₁₂Ngaleso sikhathi uMerodaki Baladani indodana kaBaladani, inkosi yaseBabele, wathuma abanezincwadi nesipho kuHezekiya, ngokuba wayezwile ukuthi uHezekiya kade egula. ₁₃UHezekiya wabalalela, wababonisa yonke indlu yengcebo yakhe, isiliva, negolide, namakha, namafutha amahle, nendlu yezikhali zakhe, nakho konke okwafunyanwa engcebeni yakhe; akubangakho nto endlini yakhe nasembusweni wakhe wonke angababonisanga yona.

₁₄Wayesefika u-Isaya umprofethi enkosini uHezekiya, wathi kuye: “Batheni labo bantu; beze kuwe bevelaphi na?”

Wathi uHezekiya: “Bavela ezweni elikude eBabele.”

₁₅Wayesethi: “Baboneni endlini yakho na?”

UHezekiya wathi: “Babone konke okusendlini yami; akukho nto phakathi kwengcebo yami engingababonisanga yona.”

₁₆U-Isaya wathi kuHezekiya: “Yizwa izwi likaJehova: ₁₇Bheka, izinsuku ziyeza, lapho konke okusendlini yakho nalokho oyihlo abakubekelele khona kuze kube namuhla kuyakuyiswa eBabele; akuyikusala lutho, usho uJehova. ₁₈Nasemadodaneni akho ayakuphuma kuwe, oyakuwazala, bayakuwathatha abe yizinceku endlini yobukhosi yenkosi yaseBabele.”

₁₉Wayesethi uHezekiya ku-Isaya: “Lihle izwi likaJehova olikhulumileyo.” Wathi futhi: “Akunjalo, uma kuyakuba khona ukuthula nokulondeka emihleni yami, na?”

₂₀Ezinye izindaba zikaHezekiya, nawo onke amandla akhe, nokwenza kwakhe ichibi nomsele, nokungenisa kwakhe amanzi emzini, angithi kulotshiwe encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla yamakhosi akwaJuda na? ₂₁UHezekiya wayeselala koyise. UManase indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.