To The Word – Day 150

₁Sekuphelile konke lokho, u-Israyeli wonke owayekhona waphuma waya emizini yakwaJuda, waphula izinsika, wagawula o-Ashera,* wadiliza izindawo eziphakemeyo nama-altare kwaJuda wonke, nakwaBenjamini, nakwa-Efrayimi, nakwaManase, waze waqeda konke. Base bebuyela bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, kwaba yilowo nalowo efeni lakhe, emizini yakubo.

₂UHezekiya wamisa izigaba zabapristi nezamaLevi ngezigaba zabo, kwaba yilowo nalowo njengenkonzo yakhe, abapristi namaLevi beminikelo yokushiswa neminikelo yokuthula, ukuba bakhonze, babonge, badumise emasangweni ekamu* likaJehova, ₃nesabelo senkosi emfuyweni yayo ukuba sibe ngeseminikelo yokushiswa, eseminikelo yokushiswa yasekuseni neyakusihlwa, neseminikelo yokushiswa yamasabatha, neyokwethwasa kwenyanga, neyemikhosi emisiweyo njengokulotshiweyo emthethweni kaJehova. ₄Washo kubantu abakhileyo eJerusalema ukuba banike abapristi namaLevi izabelo, ukuze babambelele emthethweni kaJehova. ₅Lanele ukusakazeka nje leli zwi, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli banikela kakhulu ngolibo lwamabele, nolwewayini, nolwamafutha, nolwezinyosi, nakuzo zonke izithelo zamasimu, baletha kakhulu okweshumi kwakho konke. ₆Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli nabakwaJuda ababehlala emizini yakwaJuda baletha nabo okweshumi kwezinkabi nezimvu nokweshumi kwezinto ezingcwele ezazingcweliselwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, bakubeka izinqwaba ngezinqwaba. ₇Ngenyanga yesithathu baqala ukubeka izisekelo zezinqwaba, ngenyanga yesikhombisa baziqeda. ₈Lapho uHezekiya nezikhulu beza ukuzibona izinqwaba, bambonga uJehova nabantu bakhe u-Israyeli.

₉UHezekiya wababuza abapristi namaLevi ngezinqwaba. ₁₀U-Azariya umpristi omkhulu wendlu kaSadoki wathi: “Kusukela ekuqaleni kokulethwa kweminikelo endlini kaJehova sidlile sasutha, sashiya okuningi, ngokuba uJehova ubusisile abantu bakhe; okuseleyo yile ngcebo.”

₁₁Wayesesho uHezekiya ukuba kulungiswe amakamelo endlini kaJehova; bawalungisa-ke. ₁₂Base bengenisa iminikelo, nokweshumi, nezinto ezingcwele ngokuthembeka; uKhonaniya, umLevi, waba ngumphathi walokho; uShimeyi umfowabo waba ngowesibili. ₁₃OJehiyeli, no-Azaziya, noNahati, no-Asaheli, noJerimoti, noJozabadi, no-Eleyeli, noJisimakiya, noMahati, noBenaya babe ngababonisi phansi kwesandla sikaKhonaniya noShimeyi umfowabo ngesiyalezo sikaHezekiya inkosi no-Azariya umphathi wendlu kaNkulunkulu.

₁₄UKore, indodana kaJimna umLevi, umlindisango wasesangweni lasempumalanga, wayephethe iminikelo yesihle kaNkulunkulu ukuba abele iminikelo kaJehova nezinto ezingcwele. ₁₅Phansi kwakhe kwakungo-Edene, noMiniyamini, noJeshuwa, noShemaya, no-Amariya, noShekaniya emizini yabapristi ezikhundleni zabo ukuba babele abafowabo ngezigaba zabo abakhulu njengabancane, ₁₆ngaphandle kwabesilisa ababhaliweyo ngezizukulwane zabo, kusukela kwabaneminyaka emithathu kuya phezulu, bonke ababengena endlini kaJehova ngendaba yomsebenzi wabo wemihla ngemihla ngezimfanelo zabo nezigaba zabo; ₁₇abapristi babhalwa ngezindlu zawoyise, namaLevi abhalwa kusukela kwaneminyaka engamashumi amabili kuya phezulu ngezimfanelo zawo nezigaba zawo. ₁₈Babhalwa ngezizukulwane kanye nezingane zabo, nawomkabo, namadodana abo, namadodakazi abo, isixuku sonke, ngokuba bazingcwelisa ngobungcwele ezikhundleni zabo.

₁₉Namadodana ka-Aroni, abapristi ababe semasimini amadlelo emizi yabo, imizi ngemizi, ayenamadoda abizwa ngegama ukuba anike bonke abesilisa babapristi nawo onke amaLevi abhaliweyo ngezizukulwane izabelo.

₂₀Wenze njalo uHezekiya kwaJuda wonke; wenza okuhle nokulungile nokuthembekile phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. ₂₁Emisebenzini yonke ayiqalayo enkonzweni yendlu kaNkulunkulu, nasemthethweni, nasemiyalweni, ukuba afune uNkulunkulu wakhe, wakwenza ngayo yonke inhliziyo yakhe, waphumelela.

₁Emva kwalezo zinto naleso sibonelo sokuthembeka kwafika uSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya, wangena kwaJuda, wamisa malungana nemizi ebiyelweyo, wathi uyakuzifohlela yona. ₂Lapho uHezekiya esebona ukuthi uSaneheribi ufikile nokuthi uqonda ukulwa neJerusalema, ₃welulekana nezikhulu zakhe namaqhawe akhe ukuba bavimbe amanzi emithombo eyayingaphandle komuzi; bamsiza. ₄Kwabuthana abantu abaningi, bavimba yonke imithombo, nomfudlana owawugobhoza phakathi nezwe, bathi: “Kungangani ukuba kufike amakhosi ase-Asiriya, afumane amanzi amaningi, na?” ₅Waziqinisa, wakha lonke ugange olwaludiliziwe, wabeka imibhoshongo phezu kwalo, nolunye ugange ngaphandle, waqinisa iMilo emzini kaDavide, wenza izikhali nezihlangu eziningi.

₆Wabeka izinduna zempi phezu kwabantu, wazibuthela bona esigcawini ngasesangweni lomuzi, wakhuluma kahle kubo, wathi: ₇“Qinani, nime isibindi, ningesabi, ningapheli amandla ngenkosi yase-Asiriya nangesixuku sonke esinayo, ngokuba onathi mkhulu kunonaye; ₈okunaye yingalo yenyama; okunathi nguJehova uNkulunkulu wethu ukuba asisize, alwe izimpi zethu.” Abantu bencika emazwini kaHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda.

₉Emva kwalokho uSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya wathuma izinceku zakhe eJerusalema wayephambi kweLakishi nabo bonke ababusi benaye kuHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda nakuye wonke uJuda waseJerusalema, wathi:

₁₀“Usho kanje uSaneheribi, inkosi yase-Asiriya, uthi: Nethembani nina, njengokuba nihlala nivinjezelwe eJerusalema, na? ₁₁UHezekiya akaniyengi yini ukuba aninikele, nife ngendlala nangokoma, ethi: ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu uyakusophula esandleni senkosi yase-Asiriya,’ na? ₁₂Yena lowo Hezekiya akasusanga yini izindawo eziphakemeyo nama-altare akhe, wayala uJuda neJerusalema, wathi: ‘Niyakukhuleka phambi kwe-altare linye, nishise impepho,’ na?

₁₃“Anazi yini ukuthi mina nawobaba senzeni kubo bonke abezizwe na? Onkulunkulu babezizwe babe namandla yini nakanjani okophula izwe labo esandleni sami na? ₁₄Ngubani phakathi kwabo bonke onkulunkulu balezo zizwe ezachithwa ngobaba owayenamandla okophula abantu bakhe esandleni sami, ukuze uNkulunkulu wenu anophule nina esandleni sami, na? ₁₅Ngalokho uHezekiya makanganikhohlisi, anganiyengi ngale ndlela, ningakholwa nguye, ngokuba kwakungekho nkulunkulu nakusiphi isizwe noma kumuphi umbuso owayenamandla okophula abantu bakhe esandleni sami nasesandleni sawobaba; kakhulu kangakanani anganophula esandleni sami uNkulunkulu wenu na?”

₁₆Izinceku zakhe zazikhuluma nokunye okuphambene noJehova uNkulunkulu nenceku yakhe uHezekiya. ₁₇Wayelobe nencwadi yokumhlambalaza uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, wakhuluma okuphambene naye, wathi: “Njengalokho onkulunkulu babezizwe bengabophulanga abantu babo esandleni sami, kanjalo uNkulunkulu kaHezekiya akayikubophula abantu bakhe esandleni sami.” ₁₈Bamemeza ngezwi elikhulu ngolimi lwabaJuda kubantu baseJerusalema ababe sogangeni ukuba babethuse, babesabise, ukuze bawuthathe umuzi. ₁₉Bakhuluma ngoNkulunkulu waseJerusalema njengangawonkulunkulu babantu bomhlaba abangumsebenzi wezandla zabantu.

₂₀UHezekiya inkosi no-Isaya umprofethi, indodana ka-Amose, bakhuleka ngenxa yalokho, bakhala ngasezulwini. ₂₁UJehova wathuma ingelosi eyanquma onke amaqhawe anamandla, nabaholi, nezinduna ekamu* lenkosi yase-Asiriya. Yayisibuyela ezweni layo ijabhile. Isingenile endlini kankulunkulu wayo, ababephume ezibilinini zayo bayibulala khona ngenkemba.

₂₂UJehova wasindisa-ke uHezekiya nabakhileyo eJerusalema esandleni sikaSaneheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya nasesandleni sabo bonke abanye, wabahola nxazonke. ₂₃Abaningi baletha izipho kuJehova eJerusalema namagugu kuHezekiya inkosi yakwaJuda, waze waphakanyiswa emehlweni abo bonke abezizwe ngasemuva.

₂₄Ngalezo zinsuku uHezekiya wagula waze waba sengozini yokufa; wakhuleka kuJehova; yena wakhuluma kuye, wamnika isibonakaliso. ₂₅Kepha uHezekiya akabuyiselanga okuhle okwenzelwe yena, ngokuba inhliziyo yakhe yayikhukhumele; ngalokho kwaba khona ulaka phezu kwakhe, naphezu kukaJuda, naphezu kweJerusalema. ₂₆Kepha lapho uHezekiya esezithoba ekukhukhumaleni kwenhliziyo yakhe, yena nabakhileyo eJerusalema, ulaka lukaJehova alubehlelanga emihleni kaHezekiya.

₂₇UHezekiya wayenengcebo nodumo oluningi kakhulu, wazenzela izindlu zesiliva, nezegolide, nezamatshe angamagugu, nezamakha, nezezihlangu, nezezinto zonke ezinxanelekayo, ₂₈nezinqolobane zezithelo zamabele nezewayini nezamafutha, nezibaya zezinhlobo zonke zezilwane, nezindawo zezimvu. ₂₉Wazenzela nemizi, nemfuyo yezimvu, nezinkomo eziningi, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wayemnike impahla eningi kakhulu.

₃₀Yena lowo Hezekiya wavimbezela umthombo wasenhla wamanzi aseGihoni, wawaqondisa ngasentshonalanga komuzi kaDavide. UHezekiya waphumelela emisebenzini yakhe yonke. ₃₁Kanjalo namaqondana nezithunywa zezikhulu zaseBabele ezathumela kuye ukubuza ngesibonakaliso esenziwa ezweni uNkulunkulu wamshiya ukumvivinya nje ukuba azi konke okusenhliziyweni yakhe.

₃₂Ezinye izindaba zikaHezekiya nezenzo zakhe ezinhle, bheka, zilotshiwe embonweni ka-Isaya umprofethi, indodana ka-Amose, encwadini yamakhosi akwaJuda nakwa-Israyeli. ₃₃UHezekiya wayeselala koyise; bammbela emmangweni wamathuna amadodana kaDavide; wonke uJuda nabakhileyo eJerusalema bamenzela udumo ekufeni kwakhe. UManase indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁UManase wayeneminyaka eyishumi nambili ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka engamashumi ayisihlanu nanhlanu eJerusalema. ₂Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova njengezinengiso zabezizwe uJehova abaxosha phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₃Wabuye wakha izindawo eziphakemeyo uHezekiya uyise azidilizile; wamisela oBali ama-altare, wenza o-Ashera,* wakhuleka kulo lonke ibandla lasezulwini, walikhonza. ₄Wakha ama-altare endlini kaJehova, uJehova asho ngayo ukuthi: “Igama lami liyakuba khona eJerusalema kuze kube phakade.” ₅Wakhela nalo lonke ibandla lasezukwini ama-altare emagcekeni omabili endlu kaJehova. ₆Wadabulisa abantwana bakhe emlilweni esigodini sendodana kaHinomu, wahlola imihlola, wenza imilingo, wenza amalumbo, wamisa abanamadlozi, nabathakathi, wenza okubi okuningi emehlweni kaJehova, waze wamcunula.

₇Wabeka umfanekiso obaziweyo wesithombe awenzileyo endlini kaNkulunkulu asho ngayo uNkulunkulu kuDavide nakuSolomoni indodana yakhe ukuthi: “Kule ndlu naseJerusalema engilikhethile ezizweni zonke zakwa-Israyeli ngiyakubeka igama lami kuze kube phakade; ₈futhi angisayikususa unyawo luka-Israyeli ezweni engilimisele oyihlo, uma beyakugcina kuphela ukwenza konke engibayale ngakho, wonke umthetho, nezimiso, nezahlulelo, ngesandla sikaMose.” ₉UManase wadukisa uJuda nabakhileyo eJerusalema, baze benza okubi kunabezizwe uJehova abachitha phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli.

₁₀UJehova wakhuluma kuManase nakubantu bakhe, kepha kabalalelanga. ₁₁Ngalokho-ke uJehova wabehlisela izinduna zempi yenkosi yase-Asiriya; zambamba uManase ngamaketanga, zambopha ngawozankosi, zamuyisa eBabele. ₁₂Lapho esekuhluphekeni, wanxusa kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe, wazithoba kakhulu phambi kukaNkulunkulu wawoyise. ₁₃Wakhuleka kuye; wancengwa nguye, wezwa ukunxusa kwakhe, wambuyisela eJerusalema embusweni wakhe. Wayesekwazi uManase ukuthi uJehova nguye onguNkulunkulu.

₁₄Emva kwalokho wakha ugange olungaphandle komuzi kaDavide ngasentshonalanga kwaseGihoni esigodini kuze kube sekungeneni kweSango Lezinhlanzi; walihaqa i-Ofeli, waliphakamisa kakhulu; wabeka izinduna ezinamandla emizini yonke ebiyelweyo yakwaJuda.

₁₅Wasusa onkulunkulu babezizwe nesithombe endlini kaJehova, nawo onke ama-altare ayewakhile entabeni yendlu kaJehova naseJerusalema, wakulahla ngaphandle komuzi. ₁₆Wakha i-altare likaJehova, wanikela phezu kwalo ngemihlatshelo yeminikelo yokuthula neyokubonga, washo kuJuda ukuba bamkhonze uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. ₁₇Nokho abantu babesahlaba ezindaweni eziphakemeyo, kodwa kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo kuphela.

₁₈Ezinye izindaba zikaManase, nomkhuleko wakhe kuNkulunkulu wakhe, namazwi ababoni ababewakhuluma kuye egameni likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, bheka, kulotshiwe ezindabeni zamakhosi akwa-Israyeli. ₁₉Umkhuleko wakhe, nokunxuswa kukaNkulunkulu nguye, nazo zonke izono zakhe, nazo zonke iziphambeko zakhe, nezindawo akha kuzo izindawo eziphakemeyo, amisa kuzo o-Ashera* nezithombe ezibaziweyo, engakazithobi, bheka, lokho kulotshiwe ezindabeni zikaHozayi. ₂₀UManase wayeselala koyise; bammbela endlini yakhe; u-Amoni indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₂₁U-Amoni wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili nambili ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka emibili eJerusalema. ₂₂Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova njengalokho enzile uManase uyise; u-Amoni wahlabela zonke izithombe ezibaziweyo ayezenzile uManase uyise, wazikhonza. ₂₃Akazithobanga phambi kukaJehova njengalokho ebezithobile uManase uyise kepha yena lowo Amoni wenza amacala akhe aba maningi.

₂₄Izinceku zakhe zamenzela ugobe, zambulala endlini yakhe. ₂₅Kepha abantu bezwe bababulala bonke ababeyenzele inkosi u-Amoni ugobe; abantu bezwe bambeka uJosiya indodana yakhe inkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₁UJosiya wayeneminyaka eyisishiyagalombili ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nanye eJerusalema. ₂Wenza okulungile emehlweni kaJehova, wahamba ngezindlela zikaDavide uyise, kachezukelanga ngakwesokunene nangakwesokhohlo.

₃Ngomnyaka wesishiyagalombili wokubusa kwakhe esengumfana waqala ukufuna uNkulunkulu kaDavide uyise; ngomnyaka weshumi nambili waqala ukuhlambulula uJuda neJerusalema, wasusa izindawo eziphakemeyo, nawo-Ashera,* nezithombe ezibaziweyo, nezithombe ezibunjiweyo. ₄Bawadiliza phambi kwakhe ama-altare awoBali; nama-altare empepho ayephezu kwawo wawanquma; waphula o-Ashera,* nezithombe ezibaziweyo, nezithombe ezibunjiweyo, wakucolisisa, wakuvumvuzela phezu kwamathuna ababenikele kukho. ₅Wawashisa amathambo abapristi ema-altare abo, wahlambulula uJuda neJerusalema. ₆Emizini yakwaManase, nakwa-Efrayimi, nakwaSimeyoni kwaze kwaba nakwaNafetali wacinga ezindlini zabo nxazonke. ₇Wawadiliza ama-altare, waphula o-Ashera* nezithombe ezibaziweyo kwaba luthuli, wawanquma onke ama-altare empepho ezweni lonke lakwa-Israyeli, wabuyela eJerusalema.

₈Ngomnyaka weshumi nesishiyagalombili wokubusa kwakhe esehlambululile izwe nendlu, wathuma uShafani, indodana ka-Asaliya, noMahaseya umbusi womuzi, noJowa indodana kaJowahazi, umabhalana, ukuba bayilungise indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.

₉Bafika kuHilikiya umpristi omkhulu, bayinikeza imali eyayilethwe endlini kaNkulunkulu iqoqwe ngamaLevi, abalindisango, esandleni sakwaManase no-Efrayimi, nakuyo yonke insali yakwa-Israyeli, nakuye wonke uJuda noBenjamini, nakwabakhileyo eJerusalema; ₁₀bayinikeza ezandleni zababewenza umsebenzi ababeyiphethe indlu kaJehova; bona bayinika ababesebenza umsebenzi wasendlini kaJehova ukuba bayilungise, bayiqinise indlu; ₁₁bayinika nababazi nabakhi ukuba bathenge amatshe abaziweyo nemithi yokuhlanganisa, benze imishayo yezindlu amakhosi akwaJuda abezichithile.

₁₂Amadoda enza umsebenzi wawo ngokuthembeka; ababonisi phezu kwabo babe ngoJahati no-Obadiya amaLevi, emadodaneni akwaMerari, noZakariya noMeshulamu emadodaneni amaKohati, ukuba babahole, kanye namaLevi onke ayeqonda izinto zokubethwa. ₁₃Ayephezu kwabathwala imithwalo, ahola bonke abenza umsebenzi wezinkonzo ngezinkonzo; kumaLevi kwakukhona nababhali, nezinduna, nabalindisango.

₁₄Lapho beyikhipha imali eyayilethwe endlini kaJehova, uHilikiya, umpristi, wafumana incwadi yomthetho kaJehova eyalotshwa ngesandla sikaMose. ₁₅UHilikiya wathatha wathi kuShafani umbhali: “Ngifumene incwadi yomthetho endlini kaJehova.” UHilikiya wayinika uShafani incwadi.

₁₆UShafani wayiyisa incwadi enkosini, waletha nombiko wokuthi: “Konke okwanikelwa ezandleni zezinceku zakho ziyakwenza. ₁₇Ziyithululile imali eyafunyanwa endlini kaJehova, zayinikeza ezandleni zababonisi nasezandleni zezisebenzi.” ₁₈UShafani umbhali wayitshela inkosi, wathi: “UHilikiya umpristi unginike incwadi.” UShafani wafunda kuyo phambi kwenkosi.

₁₉Kwathi lapho inkosi isizwile amazwi omthetho, yaziklebhula izingubo zayo. ₂₀Inkosi yayala oHilikiya, no-Ahikamu indodana kaShafani, no-Abidoni indodana kaMika, noShafani umbhali, no-Asaya inceku yenkosi, yathi: ₂₁“Hambani ningibuzele kuJehova, mina nabaseleyo kwa-Israyeli nakwaJuda ngamazwi encwadi efunyenweyo, ngokuba inkulu intukuthelo kaJehova ethululelwe phezu kwethu, ngokuba obaba abaligcinanga izwi likaJehova ukwenza njengakho konke okulotshiweyo kule ncwadi.”

₂₂Wayesehamba uHilikiya nabanye benkosi, baya kuHulida umprofethikazi, umkaShalumi indodana kaThokathi kaHasira, umgcinizingubo – wahlala eJerusalema enxenyeni yesibili – bakhuluma kuye ngokunjalo.

₂₃Wathi kubo: “Usho kanje uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: Tshelani umuntu onithume kimi ukuthi: ₂₄‘Usho kanje uJehova, uthi: Bhekani, ngiyakwehlisela okubi phezu kwale ndawo naphezu kwabakhileyo kuyo, zonke iziqalekiso ezilotshiweyo encwadini abayifundileyo phambi kwenkosi yakwaJuda, ₂₅ngokuba bangishiyile, bashisela abanye onkulunkulu impepho baze bangicunula ngayo yonke imisebenzi yezandla zabo; intukuthelo yami isithululelwe kule ndawo, ayiyikucinywa.’ ₂₆Kepha enkosini yakwaJuda eyanithuma ukubuza kuJehova niyakusho kuyo kanje, nithi: ‘Usho kanje uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: Maqondana namazwi owezwileyo, ₂₇ngenxa yokuba inhliziyo yakho yayithambile, wazithoba phambi kukaNkulunkulu ekuzweni kwakho amazwi akhe ngale ndawo nangabakhileyo kuyo, yebo, wazithoba phambi kwami, waziklebhula izingubo zakho, wakhala phambi kwami, mina ngikuzwile, usho uJehova. ₂₈Bheka, ngiyakukubuthela koyihlo, ubuthelwe ethuneni lakho ngokuthula, angaboni amehlo akho konke okubi engiyakukwehlisela phezu kwale ndawo naphezu kwabakhileyo kuyo.’ ” Babuyisela enkosini leli zwi.

₂₉Inkosi yayisithumela, yabutha onke amalunga akwaJuda naseJerusalema. ₃₀Inkosi yakhuphukela endlini kaJehova kanye nabo bonke abantu bakwaJuda nabakhileyo eJerusalema, nabapristi, namaLevi, nabantu bonke, abakhulu nabancane, wafunda ezindlebeni zabo onke amazwi encwadi yesivumelwano ebifunyenwe endlini kaJehova. ₃₁Inkosi yema endaweni yayo, yenza isivumelwano phambi kukaJehova ukumlandela uJehova nokugcina imiyalo yakhe, nobufakazi bakhe, nezimiso zakhe ngayo yonke inhliziyo yayo nangawo wonke umphefumulo wayo ukuba iwenze amazwi esivumelwano ayelotshwe kule ncwadi.

₃₂Wenza ukuba bonke abafunyanwa eJerusalema nakwaBenjamini beme kuso. Abakhileyo eJerusalema benza njengesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu wawoyise.

₃₃UJosiya wazisusa zonke izinengiso emazweni onke akwa-Israyeli, wenza ukuba bonke abafunyanwa kwa-Israyeli bakhonze, bamkhonze uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. Zonke izinsuku zakhe abasukanga ekumlandeleni uJehova uNkulunkulu wawoyise.

₁UJosiya wamenzela uJehova iphasika eJerusalema; balihlaba iphasika ngolweshumi nane lwenyanga yokuqala. ₂Wamisa abapristi ezikhundleni zabo, wabaqinisa emsebenzini wendlu kaJehova. ₃Washo kumaLevi afundisa wonke u-Israyeli, ayengcwele kuJehova, wathi: “Bekani umphongolo ongcwele endlini ayakhayo uSolomoni indodana kaDavide, inkosi yakwa-Israyeli; akusayikubakho mthwalo emahlombe enu; khonzani manje uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nabantu bakhe u-Israyeli. ₄Zilungiseni ngezindlu zawoyihlo ngezigaba zenu njengokubhala kukaDavide inkosi yakwa-Israyeli nanjengokubhala kukaSolomoni indodana yakhe, ₅nime endaweni engcwele njengamaqembu ezindlu zawoyise babafowenu, abantu besizwe, yilelo nalelo libe nesigaba sendlu kayise yamaLevi. ₆Lihlabeni iphasika, nizingcwelise, nilungisele abafowenu ukuba benze njengezwi likaJehova ngesandla sikaMose.”

₇UJosiya wabanika abantu besizwe bonke ababekhona emihlambini amawundlu namazinyane ezimbuzi, onke abengaweminikelo yephasika, umumo uyizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amathathu nezinkunzi eziyizinkulungwane ezintathu; lokho kwakungokwempahla yenkosi.

₈Izikhulu zakhe zabanika abantu, nabapristi, namaLevi iminikelo yesihle. OHilikiya, noZakariya, noJehiyeli, abaphathi bendlu kaNkulunkulu, babanika abapristi amawundlu ayizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu ayisithupha nezinkabi ezingamakhulu amathathu, kube ngokweminikelo yephasika. ₉OKhonaniya, noShemaya, noNethaneli, abafowabo, noHashabiya noJehiyeli, noJozabadi, izinduna zamaLevi, bawanika amaLevi amawundlu ayizinkulungwane eziyisihlanu nezinkabi ezingamakhulu ayisihlanu, kube ngokweminikelo yephasika.

₁₀Yayisilungiswa-ke inkonzo; abapristi bema ezindaweni zabo namaLevi ngezigaba zawo njengesiyalezo senkosi. ₁₁Balihlaba iphasika, abapristi bafafaza ngezandla zabo, amaLevi alihlinza. ₁₂Ayisusa iminikelo yokushiswa ukuba ayabele njengamaqembu ezindlu zawoyise babantu besizwe, ukuze banikele ngayo kuJehova njengokulotshiweyo encwadini kaMose. Enze njalo nakuzo izinkabi. ₁₃Alosa iphasika ngomlilo njengokomthetho, neminikelo engcwele ayosa emakhanzini, nasezocweni, nasemabhodweni, ashesha akuletha kubantu besizwe. ₁₄Ngasemuva azilungiselela wona nabapristi, ngokuba abapristi, amadodana ka-Aroni, babesekunikeleni iminikelo namanoni kwaze kwaba sebusuku; ngalokho amaLevi azilungiselela wona nabapristi, amadodana ka-Aroni.

₁₅Abahlabeleli, amadodana ka-Asafa, babe sendaweni yabo njengokwesiyalezo sikaDavide, no-Asafa, noHemani, noJeduthuni umboni wenkosi; abalindisango babengasesangweni; kwakungadingeki ukuba basuke emsebenzini wabo, ngokuba abafowabo amaLevi babalungisela.

₁₆Yayisilungiswa-ke inkonzo kaJehova ngalusuku lunye ukwenza iphasika nokunikela ngeminikelo yokushiswa e-altare likaJehova njengesiyalezo senkosi uJosiya. ₁₇Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli ababekhona balenza iphasika ngaleso sikhathi nomkhosi wesinkwa esingenamvubelo izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. ₁₈Alenziwanga iphasika elinjengalelo kwa-Israyeli kusukela emihleni kaSamuweli umprofethi, nawo onke amakhosi akwa-Israyeli awenzanga iphasika elinjengalelo elenziwa nguJosiya, nabapristi, namaLevi, naye wonke uJuda no-Israyeli owayekhona, kanye nabakhileyo eJerusalema. ₁₉Ngomnyaka weshumi nesishiyagalombili wokubusa kukaJosiya leli phasika lenziwa.

₂₀Emva kwakho konke lokho uJosiya eselilungisile ithempeli, uNekho inkosi yaseGibithe wenyuka ukulwa neKharikemishi ngase-Ewufrathe; uJosiya waphuma ukumhlangabeza. ₂₁Kepha wathuma izithunywa, wathi: “Nginamsebenzi muni nawe nkosi yakwaJuda na? Angiphambene nawe namuhla, kepha ngiphambene nendlu engilwa nayo; uNkulunkulu ungitshelile ukuba ngisheshe; mgweme uNkulunkulu onami ukuba angakuchithi.”

₂₂Kepha uJosiya akaphendukanga kuye, kodwa waziguqula ukuba alwe naye; akalalelanga amazwi kaNekho emlonyeni kaNkulunkulu, weza ukulwa esigodini saseMegido.

₂₃Abacibishelayo bacibishela inkosi; inkosi yathi ezincekwini zayo: “Ngikhipheni, ngokuba ngikhutshaziwe kakhulu.” ₂₄Izinceku zayo zayikhipha enqoleni, zayikhwelisa enqoleni yesibili eyayinayo, zayiyisa eJerusalema; yafa, yembelwa emathuneni awoyise. Wonke uJuda neJerusalema bamlilela uJosiya.

₂₅Naye uJeremiya wamlilela uJosiya; bonke abahlabeleli besilisa nabesifazane bakhuluma ngoJosiya ekulileni kwabo kuze kube namuhla; bakwenza kwaba yisimiso kwa-Israyeli; bheka, kulotshiwe eziLilweni.

₂₆Ezinye izindaba zikaJosiya, nezenzo zakhe ezinhle njengokulotshiweyo emthethweni kaJehova, ₂₇nezindaba zakhe, ezokuqala nezokugcina, bheka, zilotshiwe encwadini yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli nakwaJuda.

₁Abantu bezwe bathatha uJehowahazi indodana kaJosiya, bambeka inkosi esikhundleni sikayise.

₂UJehowahazi wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili nantathu ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa izinyanga ezintathu eJerusalema. ₃Inkosi yaseGibithe yamsusa eJerusalema, yathelisa izwe amatalenta* ayikhulu esiliva netalenta legolide. ₄Inkosi yaseGibithe yabeka u-Eliyakimi umfowabo inkosi kwaJuda naseJerusalema, yaguqula igama lakhe labanguJehoyakimi. UNekho wathatha uJehowahazi umfowabo, wamyisa eGibithe.

₅UJehoyakimi wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili nanhlanu ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka eyishumi nanye eJerusalema; wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. ₆Kwenyukela kuye uNebukadinesari inkosi yaseBabele, wambopha ngamaketanga ukuba amyise eBabele. ₇UNebukadinesari wayisa ezinye izitsha zendlu kaJehova eBabele, wazibeka ethempelini lakhe eBabele.

₈Ezinye izindaba zikaJehoyakimi, nezinengiso azenzayo, nokunye okufumaniseke kuye, bheka, kulotshiwe encwadini yamakhosi akwa-Israyeli nakwaJuda; uJehoyakini indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

₉UJehoyakini wayeneminyaka eyisishiyagalombili ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa izinyanga ezintathu nezinsuku eziyishumi eJerusalema; wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova. ₁₀Ekuqaleni komnyaka inkosi uNebukadinesari yathumela yamletha eBabele kanye nezitsha ezinxanelekayo zendlu kaJehova, yabeka uSedekiya, umfowabo, inkosi kwaJuda naseJerusalema.

₁₁USedekiya wayeneminyaka engamashumi amabili nanye ekuqaleni kwakhe ukubusa, wabusa iminyaka eyishumi nanye eJerusalema. ₁₂Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe; akazithobanga phambi kukaJeremiya umprofethi womlomo kaJehova. ₁₃Wayihlubuka inkosi uNebukadinesari eyayimfungisile uJehova, wenza lukhuni intamo yakhe, wenza lukhuni nenhliziyo yakhe ukuba ingaphendukeli kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. ₁₄Zonke izikhulu zabapristi nabantu baphambuka kakhulu ngezinengiso zabezizwe, bayingcolisa indlu kaJehova ayingcwelisileyo eJerusalema.

₁₅UJehova uNkulunkulu wawoyise wathuma kubo ngezandla zezithunywa zakhe, ethuma njalonjalo, ngokuba wahawukela abantu bakhe nendawo yakhe yokuhlala; ₁₆kepha baziklolodela izithunywa zikaNkulunkulu, bawadelela amazwi akhe, babaphatha kabi abaprofethi bakhe, yaze yavuka intukuthelo kaJehova ngabantu bakhe, kwaze kwangabakho ukwelashwa. ₁₇Ngalokho wabehlisela inkosi yamaKaledi eyabulala izinsizwa zabo ngenkemba endlini yabo engcwele, ayihawukelanga nansizwa, nantombi, naxhegu, nogugileyo; wabanikela bonke esandleni sayo. ₁₈Zonke izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu, ezinkulu nezincane, nengcebo yendlu kaJehova, nengcebo yenkosi neyezikhulu zayo, konke lokho wakuyisa eBabele. ₁₉Bayishisa indlu kaNkulunkulu, baludiliza ugange lwaseJerusalema, bazishisa zonke izinqaba ngomlilo, bazichitha zonke izitsha ezinxanelekayo zakhona.

₂₀Abasele enkembeni wabathumbela eBabele; baba yizinceku zakhe nezamadodana akhe, kwaze kwabusa umbuso wasePheresiya ₂₁ukuba ligcwaliseke izwi likaJehova ngomlomo kaJeremiya, lize laneliswe izwe ngamasabatha alo sonke isikhathi liyincithakalo laligcina isabatha kuze kugcwaliswe iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa.

₂₂Ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKoresi inkosi yasePheresiya ukuba kufezeke izwi likaJehova ngomlomo kaJeremiya uJehova wavusa umoya kaKoresi inkosi yasePheresiya ukuba amemezele embusweni wakhe wonke, alobe futhi ngokuthi:

₂₃“Usho kanje uKoresi, inkosi yasePheresiya, uthi: ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wezulu unginikile yonke imibuso yomhlaba; ungiyalile ukumakhela indlu eJerusalema lakwaJuda. Noma ngumuphi phakathi kwenu kubo bonke abantu bakhe, uNkulunkulu makabe naye, akhuphuke.’ ”