To The Word – Day 155

₁Amazwi kaNehemiya indodana kaHakaliya.

Kwathi ngenyanga kaKhisilevi, ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili ngisendlini yenkosi yaseShushani, ₂kwafika uHanani omunye wabafowethu, yena nabantu bakwaJuda; ngababuza ngabaJuda ababesele besindile ekuthunjweni nangeJerusalema.

₃Bathi kimi: “Insali eseleyo ekuthunjweni lapho ezweni isekuhluphekeni okukhulu nasehlazweni; ugange lwaseJerusalema lubhidliziwe, namasango alo ashisiwe ngomlilo.”

₄Kwathi lapho ngizwa lawo mazwi, ngahlala phansi, ngakhala izinyembezi, ngalila izinsuku ezithile, ngazila ukudla, ngakhuleka phambi kukaNkulunkulu wezulu, ₅ngathi: “Ngiyanxusa, Jehova Nkulunkulu wezulu, wena Nkulunkulu omkhulu nowesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano nomusa nabakuthandayo nabagcina imiyalo yakho, ₆ukuba indlebe yakho ilalele, namehlo akho avuleke, ukuze uzwe umkhuleko wenceku yakho engiwukhuleka phambi kwakho ngalesi sikhathi imini nobusuku ngenxa yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli izinceku zakho, lapho ngivuma izono zabantwana bakwa-Israyeli esone ngazo kuwe; yebo, nami nendlu kababa sonile. ₇Senzile kabi kakhulu kuwe, asigcinanga imiyalo, nezimiso, nezahlulelo owayala ngakho inceku yakho uMose.

₈“Ake ulikhumbule izwi owayala ngalo inceku yakho uMose ngokuthi: ‘Uma niphambuka, mina ngiyakunihlakazela phakathi kwezizwe; ₉kepha uma nibuyela kimi, nigcine imiyalo yami, niyenze, noma abaxoshiweyo benu bebe semajukujukwini ezulu, ngiyakubabutha lapho nokho, ngibayise endaweni engiyikhethe ukubeka igama lami kuyo.’

₁₀“Bayizinceku zakho nabantu bakho obahlengile ngamandla akho amakhulu nangesandla sakho esiqinileyo. ₁₁Ngicela, Nkosi, ukuba indlebe yakho izwe umkhuleko wenceku yakho nomkhuleko wezinceku zakho ezithokoza ngokwesaba igama lakho, uhlahlamelise inceku yakho namuhla, uyinike umusa emehlweni alo muntu.”

Bheka, ngangingumphathisitsha wenkosi.

₁Kwathi ngenyanga kaNisani ngomnyaka wamashumi amabili ka-Aritahishashita inkosi, iwayini liphambi kwakhe, ngaliphakamisa iwayini, ngalinika inkosi. Ngangingazange ngibiphe phambi kwayo. ₂Inkosi yathi kimi: “Ubuso bakho bubipheleni, lokhu ungaguli, na? Lokhu kungukudabuka kwenhliziyo kuphela.”

Ngase ngesaba kakhulu. ₃Ngathi enkosini: “Mayime njalo inkosi; ubuso bami bungebiphe ngani, lapho umuzi, indawo yamathuna awobaba, uchithekile namasango awo eshiswe ngomlilo, na?”

₄Yayisithi inkosi kimi: “Ukhala ngani?”

Ngase ngikhuleka kuNkulunkulu wezulu. ₅Ngathi enkosini: “Uma kukuhle enkosini, uma inceku yakho ifumene umusa emehlweni akho, ungivumele ukuba ngiye kwaJuda emzini wamathuna awobaba ukuba ngiwuvuse.”

₆Inkosi yathi kimi, inkosikazi ihlezi eceleni kwayo: “Uhambo lwakho luyakuba yisikhathi esingakanani, nokubuya kuyakuba nini na?” Kwaba kuhle-ke enkosini ukuvuma ukuba ngihambe; ngayitshela isikhathi esithile.

₇Futhi ngathi enkosini: “Uma kukuhle enkosini, manginikwe izincwadi kubabusi phesheya koMfula,* ukuze bavume ukuba ngidlule ngize ngifike kwaJuda, ₈kanye nencwadi ku-Asafa umlindihlathi lenkosi ukuba anginike imithi yemishayo yamasango enqaba ehlangene nethempeli, neyongange lomuzi, neyendlu engiyakungena kuyo.” Inkosi yanginika lokhu ngokwesandla esihle sikaNkulunkulu wami esasiphezu kwami. ₉Ngase ngifika kubabusi phesheya koMfula,* ngabanika izincwadi zenkosi. Inkosi yayithume nami izinduna zempi nabamahhashi.

₁₀Kepha lapho umHoroni, uSanibalati, noThobiya inceku yakwa-Amoni sebezwile lokho, kwaba kubi kakhulu kubo ukuthi kufike umuntu ukufuna inhlalakahle ka-Israyeli.

₁₁Ngase ngifika eJerusalema, ngahlala khona izinsuku ezintathu. ₁₂Ngavuka ebusuku, mina nabantu abathile abayingcosana; angitshelanga muntu lokho uNkulunkulu akubeke enhliziyweni yami ukuba ngikwenzele iJerusalema; futhi kwakungekho silwane nami ngaphandle kwesilwane engangikhwele kuso.

₁₃Ngaphuma ngeSango Lesigodi ebusuku, ngaya eMthonjeni kaDrako* naseSangweni Lomquba, ngabuka izingange zaseJerusalema ezazibhidliziwe namasango alo ayeshiswe ngomlilo. ₁₄Ngase ngikhuphukela eSangweni Lomthombo naseChibini Lenkosi, kepha kwakungekho ndawo yokuba kudlule isilwane engangiphezu kwaso. ₁₅Ngangikhuphula umfudlana ebusuku, ngabuka ugange, ngaphenduka, ngangena ngeSango Lesigodi, ngaphindela emuva. ₁₆Ababusi babengazi lapho ngangiye khona nengikwenzileyo; futhi ngangingakabatsheli abaJuda, nabapristi, nabakhulu, nababusi, nabanye ababewenza umsebenzi.

₁₇Kepha ngase ngithi kubo: “Niyayibona inhlupheko esikuyona, lokhu iJerusalema lichithekile namasango alo eshiswe ngomlilo; wozani sivuse ugange lwaseJerusalema ukuba singabe sisaba yihlazo.” ₁₈Ngabatshela ngesandla sikaNkulunkulu wami esasisihle phezu kwami, nangamazwi enkosi eyayiwakhulume kimi. Bathi: “Masisuke sakhe,” beqinisela izandla zabo lowo msebenzi.

₁₉Kepha lapho uSanebalati, umHoroni, noThobiya inceku yakwa-Amoni, noGeshemi wase-Arabiya bezwa lokho, basihleka usulu, basidelela, bathi: “Yini lokhu enikwenzayo na? Niyakuyihlubuka inkosi na?”

₂₀Ngase ngibabuyisela amazwi, ngathi kubo: “UNkulunkulu wezulu uyakusiphumelelisa; ngalokho thina zinceku zakhe siyakusuka sakhe, kepha nina aninasabelo, nalungelo, nasikhumbuzo eJerusalema.”

₁Kwasuka u-Eliyashibi umpristi omkhulu nabafowabo abapristi, balakha iSango Lezimvu, balingcwelisa, bamisa izivalo zalo, yebo, kwaze kwaba naseMbhoshongweni KaHameya ababewungcwelisa, kwaze kwaba naseMbhoshongweni KaHananeli. ₂Eceleni kwakhe kwakha abantu baseJeriko, naseceleni kwabo kwakha uZakuri indodana ka-Imri.

₃ISango Lezinhlanzi lakhiwa ngamadodana kaHasenawa; abeka imishayo yalo, bamisa izivalo zalo nezihluthulelo zalo nemigoqo yalo. ₄Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uMeremoti, indodana ka-Uriya kaHakhosi. Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiya kaMeshezabeli. Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uSadoki indodana kaBahana. ₅Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa abaseThekhowa, kepha abakhulu babo abafakanga izintamo zabo emsebenzini wenkosi yabo.

₆ISango Elidala lalungiswa nguJoyada indodana kaPhaseya nanguMeshulamu indodana kaBesodeya, babeka imishayo yalo, bamisa izivalo zalo nezihluthulelo zalo nemigoqo yalo. ₇Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uMelathiya waseGibeyoni, noJadoni waseMeronoti, amadoda aseGibeyoni naseMispa, phansi kwesihlalo sombusi phesheya koMfula.* ₈Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa u-Uziyeli indodana kaHarihaya wabakhandi begolide. Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHananiya wabathaki. Baliyeka iJerusalema kwaze kwaba soGangeni Olubanzi. ₉Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uRefaya indodana kaHure, umbusi wenxenye yesifunda saseJerusalema. ₁₀Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uJedaya indodana kaHarumafi malungana nendlu yakhe. Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHathushi indodana kaHashabineya. ₁₁UMalikhiya, indodana kaHarimi, noHashubi, indodana kaPhahati Mowabi, balungisa elinye ibanga noMbhoshongo Wamaziko. ₁₂Eceleni kwabo kwalungisa uShalumi indodana kaHaloheshi, umbusi wenxenye yesifunda saseJerusalema, yena namadodakazi akhe.

₁₃ISango Lesigodi lalungiswa nguHanuni nabakhe eZanowa; balakha, bamisa izivalo zalo nezihluthelelo zalo nemigoqo yalo, nezingalo eziyinkulungwane zogange kwaze kwaba seSangweni Lomquba.

₁₄ISango Lomquba lalungiswa nguMalikhiya, indodana kaRekabi, umbusi wesifunda saseBeti Hakeremi; walakha, wamisa izivalo zalo nezihluthulelo zalo nemigoqo yalo.

₁₅ISango Lomthombo lalungiswa nguShaluni, indodana kaKholi Hoze, umbusi wesifunda saseMispa; walakha, walifulela, wamisa izivalo zalo nezihluthulelo zalo nemigoqo yalo, nogange lwaseChibini laseShela ngasensimini yenkosi, kwaze kwaba sezikhwelweni ezehla emzini kaDavide. ₁₆Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uNehemiya indodana ka-Azibuki, umbusi wenxenye yesifunda saseBeti Suri, kwaze kwaba sendaweni malungana namathuna kaDavide, nasechibini elimbiweyo, naseNdlini Yamaqhawe.

₁₇Emva kwakhe kwalungisa amaLevi, uRehumi indodana kaBani. Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa uHashabiya, umbusi wenxenye yesifunda saseKeyila esifundeni sakhe. ₁₈Emva kwakhe kwalungisa abafowabo, uBavayi indodana kaHenadadi, umbusi wenxenye yesifunda saseKeyila. ₁₉Eceleni kwakhe kwalungisa u-Ezeri indodana kaJeshuwa, umbusi waseMispa, elinye ibanga malungana nommango oya endlini yezikhali eNqutshini. ₂₀Emva kwakhe kwalungisa nokulungisa uBaruki indodana kaZabayi elinye ibanga, kusukela eNqutshini kuze kube semnyango wendlu ka-Eliyashibi umpristi omkhulu. ₂₁Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uMeremoti, indodana ka-Uriya kaHakhosi, elinye ibanga, kusukela emnyango wendlu ka-Eliyashibi kuze kube sekugcineni kwendlu ka-Eliyashibi.

₂₂Emva kwakhe kwalungisa abapristi, abantu basethafeni. ₂₃Emva kwabo kwalungisa oBenjamini noHashubi malungana nendlu yabo. Emva kwabo kwalungisa u-Azariya indodana kaMahaseya ka-Ananiya eceleni kwendlu yakhe. ₂₄Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uBinuwi indodana kaHenadadi elinye ibanga, kusukela endlini ka-Azariya kuze kube seNqutshini, kuze kube naseGumbini. ₂₅UPhalali, indodana ka-Uzayi, wayemalungana neNqubu nombhoshongo ophumeleleyo endlini yenkosi engasenhla ngasegcekeni letilongo. Emva kwakhe nguPhedaya indodana kaPharoshi. ₂₆AmaNethini* ayehlezi e-Ofeli kwaze kwaba sendaweni malungana neSango Lamanzi ngasempumalanga nombhoshongo ophumeleleyo. ₂₇Emva kwakhe kwalungisa abaseThekhowa elinye ibanga malungana nombhoshongo omkhulu ophumeleleyo kwaze kwaba sogangeni lwase-Ofeli.

₂₈Phezu kweSango Lehhashi kwalungisa abapristi, kwaba yilowo nalowo malungana nendlu yakhe. ₂₉Emva kwabo kwalungisa uSadoki indodana ka-Imeri malungana nendlu yakhe. Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uShemaya indodana kaShekaniya, umlindi weSango langaseMpumalanga. ₃₀Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uHananiya, indodana kaShelemiya, noHanuni, indodana yesithupha kaSalfi, elinye ibanga. Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiya malungana nekamelo lakhe. ₃₁Emva kwakhe kwalungisa uMalikhiya, omunye wabakhandi begolide, kwaze kwaba sendlini yamaNethini* neyabathengi malungana neSango Lokubala, kwaze kwaba nasekamelweni eliphezulu laseGumbini. ₃₂Phakathi kwekamelo eliphezulu laseGumbini neSango Lezimvu kwalungisa abakhandi begolide nabathengi.

₁Kepha kwathi lapho uSanibalati esezwile ukuthi sabe siluvusa ugange, wathukuthela, wavutha ulaka, waklolodela abaJuda. ₂Wakhuluma phambi kwabafowabo nempi yaseSamariya, wathi: “Benzani laba baJuda abangenamandla na? Bayekwe bebodwa na? Bahlabe yini? Bakuqede ngosuku na? Bavuse amatshe emfuthumfuthwini yamabibi lokhu eshisiwe na?”

₃UThobiya wakwa-Amoni wayengakuye, wathi: “Yebo, nalokho abakwakhayo, uma kukhuphuka impungushe, iyakulubhidliza ugange lwamatshe abo.”

₄Ngase ngikhuleka ngathi: “Yizwa, Nkulunkulu wethu, ngokuba sidelelekile, ubuyisele inhlamba yabo phezu kwamakhanda abo, ubanikele ukuba baphangwe ezweni lokuthunjwa; ₅ungalisibekeli icala labo, masingesulwa isono sabo phambi kwakho, ngokuba bakucunulile ngaphambi kwabakhi.”

₆Sase sivusa-ke ugange; lonke ugange lwahlanganiswa kwaze kwagamanxa, ngokuba abantu babenenhliziyo yokusebenza.

₇Kepha kwathi oSanibalati, noThobiya, nabase-Arabiya, nabakwa-Amoni, nabase-Ashidodi sebezwa ukuthi ukulungiswa kwezingange zaseJerusalema kuyaqhubeka, nokuthi izimfa seziqale ukuvalwa, bathukuthela kakhulu, ₈benza ugobe ukuba baye ukulwa neJerusalema, balilimaze. ₉Kepha sakhuleka kuNkulunkulu wethu, sabamisela abalindi imini nobusuku ngenxa yabo.

₁₀UJuda wathi: “Amandla abathwalayo aphelile; amabibi maningi; asisenakuluvusa ugange.”

₁₁Abamelene nathi bathi: “Abayikwazi, abayikubona size sifike phakathi kwabo, sibabulale, sivimbe umsebenzi.”

₁₂Kwathi lapho abaJuda ababehlala eceleni kwabo sebefika, bathi kithi kayishumi, bevela ezindaweni zonke: “Buyelani kithi.”

₁₃Ngase ngimisa ngenzansi ezindaweni ezisemva kogange nakwezisobala abantu ngemindeni yabo, benezinkemba zabo, nemikhonto yabo, neminsalo yabo. ₁₄Lapho sengibhekile, ngasuka ngathi kwabakhulu nakubabusi nakwabanye abantu: “Ningabesabi; khumbulani iNkosi enkulu neyesabekayo, nilwele abafowenu, namadodana enu, namadodakazi enu, nawomkenu, nezindlu zenu.”

₁₅Kwathi izitha zethu sezizwile ukuthi kwazeke kithi nokuthi uNkulunkulu wayeshafisile icebo labo, sabuyela sonke ogangeni, kwaba yilowo nalowo emsebenzini wakhe.

₁₆Kusukela kulolo suku inxenye yezinceku zami yasebenza emisebenzini, nenxenye yazo yaphatha imikhonto, nezihlangu, neminsalo, namabhantshi ensimbi; ababusi babe semva kwendlu yonke yakwaJuda. ₁₇Abavusayo ugange nabathwalayo imithwalo bazithwesa benza umsebenzi ngesinye isandla, nangesinye baphatha izikhali zabo; ₁₈nabakhi bonke babe nenkemba ibhincwe ezinkalweni zabo, bakha kanjalo. Owabetha icilongo wayengaseceleni kwami.

₁₉Ngokuba ngangithe kwabakhulu nakubabusi nakwabanye abantu: “Umsebenzi mkhulu, ubanzi, sahlukene ogangeni, omunye ukude nomunye. ₂₀Noma kuyiphi indawo lapho nizwa khona ukubethwa kwecilongo, buthanani khona, nize kithi; uNkulunkulu wethu uyakusilwela.”

₂₁Sase senza nathi umsebenzi wethu, inxenye iphethe imikhonto, kusukela ekuqaleni kokusa kuze kuphume izinkanyezi. ₂₂Kanjalo ngaleso sikhathi ngathi kubantu: “Yilowo nalowo kahlale nenceku yakhe phakathi kweJerusalema ukuba zibe ngabalindi bethu ebusuku, zisebenze emini.” ₂₃Mina nabafowethu, nezinceku zami, nabalindi abangilandelayo, kwakungekho kithi owakhumula izingubo zakhe; yilowo nalowo wayenesikhali esandleni sakhe.

₁Kwaba khona ukukhala okukhulu kwabantu nawomkabo ngabafowabo abaJuda. ₂Ngokuba babekhona abathi: “Thina namadodana ethu namadodakazi ethu sibaningi; masithole amabele ukuba sidle, siphile.”

₃Babe khona nabathi: “Sibambisile ngamasimu ethu, nangezivini zethu, nangezindlu zethu; masithole amabele ngenxa yendlala.”

₄Babe khona nabathi: “Sitshelekile imali yokuthela enkosini ngamasimu ethu nangezivini zethu. ₅Nokho inyama yethu injengenyama yabafowethu, abantwana bethu banjengabantwana babo; bheka, sithobisa amadodana ethu namadodakazi ethu, abe yizigqila; amanye amadodakazi ethu asethotshisiwe; futhi awakho amandla ezandleni zethu, ngokuba amasimu ethu nezivini zethu sekungokwabanye.”

₆Ngathukuthela kakhulu lapho ngizwa ukukhala kwabo nalawo mazwi. ₇Inhliziyo yami isicabangile, ngathethisana nabakhulu nababusi, ngathi kubo: “Nina nonke nibiza inzalo omunye komunye.” Ngase ngibiza ibandla elikhulu ngabo. ₈Ngathi kubo: “Thina njengamandla esinawo sihlengile abafowethu abaJuda ababethengiselwe abezizwe; seniyakuthengisa ngabafowenu, bathengiselwe kithi, na?” Bathula, abafumananga zwi.

₉Ngathi futhi: “Akukuhle enikwenzayo; beningehambe yini ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu wethu ngenxa yokuthukwa kwethu ngabezizwe, izitha zethu, na? ₁₀Nami nabafowethu nezinceku zethu sibatsheleke imali namabele. Ake siyeke ukubiza le nzalo. ₁₁Ake nibuyisele namhlanje amasimu abo, nezivini zabo, neminqumo yabo, nezindlu zabo, nenxenye yekhulu yemali, neyamabele, neyewayini, neyamafutha enikubiza kubo kube yinzalo.”

₁₂Base bethi: “Sizakubuyisela kubo, singabizi lutho kubo; sizakwenza njengokusho kwakho.”

Ngase ngibiza abapristi, ngabafungisa ukuba benze njengalelo zwi. ₁₃Ngavuthulula ingubo yami, ngathi: “UNkulunkulu makavuthulule kanjalo bonke abantu abangagcini leli zwi ezindlini zabo nasemfuyweni yabo; mabavuthululwe kanjalo, babe yize.”

Lonke ibandla lathi: “Amen,” ladumisa uJehova. Abantu base benza njengalelo zwi.

₁₄Futhi kusukela osukwini engamiswa ngalo ukuba ngibe ngumbusi wabo ezweni lakwaJuda, kwasemnyakeni wamashumi amabili kuze kube semnyakeni wamashumi amathathu nambili ka-Aritahishashita inkosi, iminyaka eyishumi nabili, mina nabafowethu asidlanga isinkwa sombusi. ₁₅Kepha ababusi bokuqala ababe phambi kwami babebathwesile abantu, bathatha kubo isinkwa newayini kanye namashekeli* angamashumi amane esiliva; nezinceku zachachaza phezu kwabantu; kepha mina angenzanga kanjalo ngenxa yokumesaba uNkulunkulu. ₁₆Phezu kwalokho ngabambelela emsebenzini wogange, asithenganga zwe; zonke izinceku zami zabuthana khona emsebenzini.

₁₇AbaJuda nababusi, abantu abayikhulu namashumi ayisihlanu, badla etafuleni lami, kanye nabafika kithi bevela kwabezizwe abasizungezayo. ₁₈Okwalungiselwa usuku lwaba lunye nje kwakuyinkabi nezimvu eziyisithupha ezikhethekileyo; ngalungiselwa nezinyoni newayini eliningi lezinhlobo zonke kanye ngezinsuku eziyishumi; nokho angicelanga isinkwa sombusi, ngokuba ubugqila babusinda phezu kwalaba bantu.

₁₉Ngikhumbulele, Nkulunkulu wami, ngenxa yakho konke engikwenzele laba bantu, kube kuhle kimi.

₁Kwathi lapho oSanibalati, noThobiya, noGeshemi wase-Arabiya, nezinye izitha sebezwile ukuthi ngivusile ugange nokuthi akusasele sikhala, noma ngaleso sikhathi ngangingakamisi izivalo emasangweni, ₂oSanibalati noGeshemi bathumela kimi, bathi: “Woza sihlangane komunye wemizana yasethafeni lase-Ono.” Babehlose ukwenza okubi kimi. ₃Ngathuma izithunywa kubo, ngathi: “Ngisebenza umsebenzi omkhulu, anginakwehla; umsebenzi ubuyakumelani, ngiwuyeke, ngehlele kini, na?” ₄Bathumela kane kimi ngaleyo ndlela; ngabaphendula ngokunjalo.

₅USanibalati wayesethuma inceku yakhe kimi kanjalo ngokwesihlanu, iphethe incwadi evulekileyo esandleni sayo. ₆Kwakulotshwe kuyo ukuthi: “Kuzwakele ezizweni, naye uGashimu uthi wena nabaJuda nihlose ukuhlubuka, okungalokho uvusa ugange, ube yinkosi yabo; yebo, anjalo amazwi. ₇Futhi ubekile abaprofethi ukuba bashumayele ngawe eJerusalema ukuthi uyinkosi kwaJuda. Njengokuba lawo mazwi eyakuzwakala enkosini, mawuze, silulekane.”

₈Ngase ngithumela kuye, ngathi: “Azikho izinto ezinjengalezo ozishoyo; ziqanjwe nguwe enhliziyweni yakho.”

₉Ngokuba bonke babesethusa bethi: “Izandla zabo ziyakudangala emsebenzini ukuba ungenziwa.” Ngase ngikhuleka ngathi: “Kepha manje, Nkosi, qinisa izandla zami.”

₁₀Ngase ngiya endlini kaShemaya indodana kaDelaya kaMehetabeli owayezivalele. Wathi: “Masihlangane endlini kaNkulunkulu phakathi kwethempeli, sivale iminyango yethempeli, ngokuba bayakufika ukukubulala, yebo, ebusuku bayakufika bakubulale.”

₁₁Ngathi: “Umuntu onjengami abaleke na? Ngubani onjengami ongangena ethempelini, aphile, na? Angingeni.” ₁₂Ngaqonda ukuthi uNkulunkulu wayengamthumile, kepha wakhuluma leso siprofetho ngami eqashiwe ngoThobiya noSanibalati. ₁₃Wayeqashelwe lokhu kokuba ngesabe, ngenze kanjalo, ngone, babe nombiko omubi, bangijivaze.

₁₄Ngakhuleka ngathi: “Khumbula, Nkulunkulu wami, oThobiya noSanibalati ngalezo zenzo zabo, nomprofethikazi uNohadiya, nabanye abaprofethi, ababengesabisa.”

₁₅Ugange lwaphela ngolwamashumi amabili nanhlanu lwenyanga ka-Eluli ngezinsuku ezingamashumi ayisihlanu nambili. ₁₆Kwathi lapho zonke izitha zikuzwa lokho, abezizwe bonke abasizungezayo, besaba, bayetha, ngokuba baqonda ukuthi lowo msebenzi wawenziwe nguNkulunkulu wethu.

₁₇Phezu kwalokho abakhulu bakwaJuda bathuma ngalezo zinsuku izincwadi eziningi kuThobiya, nezikaThobiya zafika kubo. ₁₈Ngokuba abaningi bakwaJuda babefungile kubo, ngokuba wayengumkhwenyana kaShekaniya indodana ka-Ara; indodana uJehohanani yayithathile indodakazi kaMeshulamu indodana kaBerekiya. ₁₉Bakhuluma ngezenzo zakhe ezinhle phambi kwami, bamukisa kuye amazwi ami. UThobiya wathuma izincwadi ukungesabisa.

₁Kwathi lapho ugange selwakhiwe, sengimisile izivalo, futhi kubekiwe abalindisango nabahlabeleli namaLevi, ₂ngayaleza uHanani umfowethu noHananiya induna yendlu yenkosi ukuba baphathe iJerusalema, ngokuba wayengumuntu othembekileyo, wamesaba uNkulunkulu kunabaningi. ₃Ngathi kubo: “Amasango aseJerusalema mawangavulwa lize lishise ilanga; besemi, mabavale izivalo, baziqinise; bekani abalindi kwabakhileyo eJerusalema, kube yilowo nalowo emlindweni wakhe, yilowo abe malungana nendlu yakhe.”

₄Umuzi wawubanzi nxazombili; wawumkhulu, kepha abantu babe yingcosana phakathi kwawo, izindlu zingakakhiwa. ₅UNkulunkulu wami wabeka enhliziyweni yami ukuba ngibuthe abakhulu, nababusi, nabantu, ukuze babhalwe ngezizukulwane. Ngafumana incwadi yezizukulwane zabakhuphuka kuqala, ngafumana kulotshiwe kuyo ukuthi:

₆Nampa abantwana bezwe abakhuphuka ekuthunjweni kubo ababethunjwe nguNebukadinesari inkosi yaseBabele, babuyela eJerusalema nakwaJuda, kwaba yilowo nalowo emzini wakubo, ₇abafika noZerubabele, noJeshuwa, noNehemiya, no-Azariya, noRahamiya, noNahamani, noMoridekayi, noBilishani, noMisipereti, noBigivayi, noNehumi, noBahana.

Umumo wamadoda abantu bakwa-Israyeli nanku: ₈abantwana bakwaPharoshi: yizinkulungwane ezimbili nekhulu namashumi ayisikhombisa nambili; ₉abantwana bakwaShefathiya: ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisikhombisa nambili; ₁₀abantwana bakwa-Ara: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi ayisihlanu nambili; ₁₁abantwana bakwaPhahati Mowabi babantwana bakwaJeshuwa noJowabe: yizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu ayisishiyagalombili neshumi nesishiyagalombili; ₁₂abantwana bakwa-Elamu: yinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisihlanu nane; ₁₃abantwana bakwaZathu: ngamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili namashumi amane nanhlanu; ₁₄abantwana bakwaZakayi: ngamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi ayisithupha; ₁₅abantwana bakwaBinuwi: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi amane nesishiyagalombili; ₁₆abantwana bakwaBebayi: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili; ₁₇abantwana bakwa-Azigadi: yizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amathathu namashumi amabili nambili; ₁₈abantwana bakwa-Adonikamu: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi ayisithupha nesikhombisa; ₁₉abantwana bakwaBigivayi: yizinkulungwane ezimbili namashumi ayisithupha nesikhombisa; ₂₀abantwana bakwa-Adini: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi ayisihlanu nanhlanu; ₂₁abantwana bakwa-Atheri kaHezekiya: ngamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalombili; ₂₂abantwana bakwaHashumi: ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili; ₂₃abantwana bakwaBesayi: ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi amabili nane; ₂₄abantwana bakwaHarifi: yikhulu neshumi nambili; ₂₅abantwana bakwaGibeyoni: ngamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nanhlanu.

₂₆Amadoda aseBetlehema naseNethofa: yikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili nesishiyagalombili; ₂₇amadoda ase-Anathoti: yikhulu namashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili; ₂₈amadoda aseBeti Azimaveti: ngamashumi amane nambili; ₂₉amadoda aseKiriyati Jeharimi, naseKhefira, naseBeyeroti: ngamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi amane nantathu; ₃₀amadoda aseRama naseGeba: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi amabili nanye; ₃₁amadoda aseMikimasi: yikhulu namashumi amabili nambili; ₃₂amadoda aseBethele nase-Ayi: yikhulu namashumi amabili nantathu; ₃₃amadoda elinye iNebo: ngamashumi ayisihlanu nambili; ₃₄abantwana bakwa-Elamu omunye: yinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi ayisihlanu nane; ₃₅abantwana bakwaHarimi: ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi amabili; ₃₆abantwana baseJeriko: ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi amane nanhlanu; ₃₇abantwana baseLodi, naseHadidi, nase-Ono: ngamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi amabili nanye; ₃₈abantwana baseSenawa: yizinkulungwane ezintathu namakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi amathathu.

₃₉Abapristi: abantwana bakwaJedaya, abendlu kaJeshuwa: ngamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi ayisikhombisa nantathu; ₄₀abantwana bakwa-Imeri: yinkulungwane namashumi ayisihlanu nambili; ₄₁abantwana bakwaPhashuri: yinkulungwane namakhulu amabili namashumi amane nesikhombisa; ₄₂abantwana bakwaHarimi: yinkulungwane neshumi nesikhombisa.

₄₃AmaLevi: abantwana bakwaJeshuwa kaKadimiyeli babantwana bakwaHodeva: ngamashumi ayisikhombisa nane.

₄₄Abahlabeleli: abantwana bakwa-Asafa: yikhulu namashumi amane nesishiyagalombili.

₄₅Abalindisango: abantwana bakwaShalumi,

₄₆AmaNethini:* ngabantwana bakwaSiha, nabantwana bakwaHasufa, nabantwana bakwaThabawoti,

₅₇Abantwana bezinceku zikaSolomoni:

₆₀Onke amaNethini* nabantwana bezinceku zikaSolomoni babe ngamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisihiyagalolunye nambili.

₆₁Nampa abakhuphuka eTheliMela, naseTheli Harisha, naseKherubi, nase-Adoni, nase-Imeri, kepha bebengenakusho izindlu zawoyise nozalo lwabo ukuba babe ngabakwa-Israyeli yini: ₆₂abantwana bakwaDelaya, nabantwana bakwaThobiya, nabantwana bakwaNekhoda: ngamakhulu ayisithupha namashumi amane nambili.

₆₃Kubapristi: ngabantwana bakwaHobaya, nabantwana bakwaHakhosi, nabantwana bakwaBarizilayi owathatha umfazi kumadodakazi kaBarizilayi wakwaGileyadi, wabizwa ngegama lawo.

₆₄Labo bafuna ukubhalwa kwabo phakathi kwababhaliweyo ngezizukulwane, kepha akufunyanwanga; ngalokho kwathiwa bangcolile, bakhishwa ebupristini. ₆₅Umbusi washo kubo ukuba bangadli okungcwelengcwele, kuze kuvele umpristi one-Urimi neThumimi.*

₆₆Lonke ibandla selihlangene laliyizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amane nambili namakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha, ₆₇ngaphandle kwezinceku zabo nezi ncekukazi zabo ezaziyizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa namakhulu amathathu namashumi amathathu nesikhombisa; babe nabahlabeleli besilisa nabesifazane abangamakhulu amabili namashumi amane nanhlanu. ₆₈Amahhashi abo ayengamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi amathathu nesithupha; iminyuzi* yabo yayingamakhulu amabili namashumi amane nanhlanu; ₆₉amakamela ayengamakhulu amane namashumi amathathu nanhlanu; izimbongolo zaziyizinkulungwane eziyisithupha namakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi amabili.

₇₀Ezinye izinhloko zanikelela umsebenzi; umbusi wanikelela isikhwama amadarike* ayinkulungwane egolide, nezitsha ezingamashumi ayisihlanu, nezambatho zabapristi ezingamakhulu ayisihlanu namashumi amathathu. ₇₁Ezinye izinhloko zawoyise zanikelela isikhwama somsebenzi amadarike* ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili egolide namamane* ayizinkulungwane ezimbili namakhulu amabili esiliva. ₇₂Abakunikelayo abanye abantu kwakungamadarike* ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amabili egolide, namamane* ayizinkulungwane ezimbili esiliva, nezambatho zabapristi ezingamashumi ayisithupha nesikhombisa.

₇₃Base behlala-ke abapristi, namaLevi, nabalindisango, nabahlabeleli, nabanye abantu, namaNethini,* naye wonke u-Israyeli emizini yabo.

Kwathi lapho inyanga yesikhombisa isifikile, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babe semizini yabo.