To The Word – Day 156

₁Bonke abantu babuthana njengomuntu munye esigcawini esasiphambi kweSango Lamanzi; bakhuluma ku-Ezra, umbhali, ukuba alethe incwadi yomthetho kaMose, uJehova ayeyale ngawo u-Israyeli.

₂U-Ezra, umpristi, wawuletha umthetho phambi kwebandla, abesilisa nabesifazane nabo bonke ababe nengqondo yokuzwa, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yesikhombisa. ₃Wafunda kuwo phambi kwesigcawu esasiphambi kweSango Lamanzi, kusukela ekuseni kuze kube semini, phambi kwabesilisa nabesifazane nababe nengqondo yokuzwa; izindlebe zabantu bonke zalalela incwadi yomthetho.

₄U-Ezra umbhali wayemi ebhesitulu* lamapulangwe ababelenzele lo mgomo; eceleni kwakhe kwakumi oMatithiya, noShema, no-Anaya, no-Uriya, noHilikiya, noMahaseya ngakwesokunene sakhe, nangakwesokhohlo sakhe ngoPhedaya, noMishayeli, noMalikhiya, noHashumi, noHashibadana, noZakariya, noMeshulamu.

₅U-Ezra wayivula incwadi emehlweni abantu bonke, ngokuba wayengaphezulu kwabantu bonke, nalapho eyivula, bonke abantu basukuma. ₆U-Ezra wambonga uJehova uNkulunkulu omkhulu. Bonke abantu baphendula bathi: “Amen, Amen,” bephakamisa izandla zabo; bakhothama, bakhuleka kuJehova, ubuso babo bubheke phansi.

₇NoJeshuwa, noBani, noSherebiya, noJamini, no-Akubi, noShabethayi, noHodiya, noMahaseya, noKelitha, no-Azariya, noJozabadi, noHanani, noPhelaya, namaLevi bafundisa abantu umthetho, abantu besezindaweni zabo. ₈Bafunda encwadini, emthethweni kaNkulunkulu, bephumisela kahle; bachaza, babaqondisa okufundwayo.

₉UNehemiya owayengumbusi, no-Ezra umpristi nombhali, namaLevi ayebafundisa abantu, bathi kubantu bonke: “Lolu suku lungcwele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu; ningalili, ningakhali.” Ngokuba bonke abantu bakhala, lapho bezwa amazwi omthetho.

₁₀Wayesethi kubo: “Hambani nidle okunonileyo, niphuze okumnandi, nithumele izabelo kwabangalungiselwanga lutho, ngokuba lolu suku lungcwele kuJehova; ningadabuki, ngokuba injabulo kaJehova iyinqaba yenu.”

₁₁AmaLevi ayesethulisa abantu bonke, ethi: “Thulani, ngokuba lolu suku lungcwele; ningadabuki.”

₁₂Abantu bonke bahamba ukuba badle, baphuze, bathumele izabelo, bajabule kakhulu, ngokuba babeqondile amazwi ababewazisiwe.

₁₃Ngosuku lwesibili kwabuthana izinhloko zawoyise babantu bonke, nabapristi, namaLevi ku-Ezra umbhali ukuba baqaphele amazwi omthetho. ₁₄Bafumanisa kulotshiwe emthethweni ukuthi uJehova wayeyalile ngesandla sikaMose ukuba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bahlale emadokodweni ngomkhosi wenyanga yesikhombisa, ₁₅bezwakalise, bathumele izwi emizini yabo yonke naseJerusalema lokuthi: “Phumani, niye entabeni, nilande amagatsha omnqumo, namagatsha omnqumo wasendle, namagatsha ombomvana, namagatsha esundu, namagatsha emithi edumbileyo, nenze amadokodo njengokulotshiweyo.”

₁₆Base bephuma abantu, balanda lokho, bazenzela amadokodo, kwaba yilowo nalowo ophahleni lwendlu, nasemagcekeni abo, nasemagcekeni endlu kaNkulunkulu, nasesigcawini seSango Lamanzi, nasesigcawini seSango lakwa-Efrayimi. ₁₇Ibandla lonke lababuyileyo ekuthunjweni lenza amadokodo, lahlala emadokodweni, ngokuba kusukela ezinsukwini zikaJeshuwa, indodana kaNuni, kuze kube yilolo suku abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babengenzanga kanjalo. Kwakukhona ukuthokoza okukhulu kakhulu.

₁₈Wafunda encwadini yomthetho kaNkulunkulu imihla ngemihla kusukela osukwini lokuqala kuze kube lusuku lokugcina. Bagubha umkhosi izinsuku eziyisikhombisa; ngosuku lwesishiyagalombili kwakungumhlangano ozothileyo njengomthetho.

₁Ngosuku lwamashumi amabili nane lwaleyo nyanga abantwana bakwa-Israyeli babuthana, bazila ukudla benezindwangu zamasaka nothuli phezu kwabo. ₂Inzalo ka-Israyeli yayizahlukanisa nabezizwe bonke, yayimi ivuma izono zayo nokona kwawoyise. ₃Basukuma endaweni yabo, bafunda encwadini yomthetho kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo inxenye yesine yosuku; inxenye yesine bavuma izono zabo, bakhuleka kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. ₄Kwase kukhwela ezikhwelweni zamaLevi oJeshuwa, noBani, noKadimiyeli, noShebaniya, noBuni, noSherebiya, noBani, noKhenani, bamemeza ngezwi elikhulu kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. ₅AmaLevi oJeshuwa, noKadimiyeli, noBani, noHashabineya, noSherebiya, noHodiya, noShebaniya, noPhethahiya athi: “Sukumani nimbonge uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu kusukela phakade kuze kube phakade.

“Malibongwe igama lakho elikhazimulayo, eliphakanyisiwe ngaphezu kwakho konke ukubonga nokudumisa. ₆Wena unguJehova, wena wedwa. Wenzile izulu, izulu lamazulu nalo lonke ibandla lawo, umhlaba nakho konke okukuwo, izilwandle nakho konke okukuzo, ulonda konke, nebandla lasezulwini likhuleka kuwe.

₇“Wena unguJehova uNkulunkulu owakhetha u-Abrama, wamkhipha e-Uri lamaKaledi, wametha igama lokuthi u-Abrahama; ₈wafumana inhliziyo yakhe ithembekile phambi kwakho, wenza isivumelwano naye ukunika inzalo yakhe izwe lamaKhanani, nelamaHeti, nelama-Amori, nelamaPherizi, nelamaJebusi, nelamaGirigashi, wawafeza amazwi akho, ngokuba ulungile.

₉“Wabona ukuhlupheka kwawobaba eGibithe, wezwa ukukhala kwabo ngaseLwandle Olubomvu; ₁₀wenza izibonakaliso nezimangaliso kuFaro nasezincekwini zakhe zonke, nakubo bonke abantu bezwe lakhe, ngokuba wazi ukuthi babebaqholoshela, wazenzela igama, njengalokhu kunjalo nanamuhla. ₁₁Wahlukanisa ulwandle phambi kwabo, badabula phakathi kolwandle emhlabathini owomileyo; nababaxoshayo wabaphonsa otweni njengetshe emanzini anamandla. ₁₂Wabahola ngensika yefu emini nangensika yomlilo ebusuku ukubakhanyisela endleleni ababeyakuhamba ngayo.

₁₃“Wehlela entabeni yaseSinayi, wakhuluma nabo usezulwini, wabanika izahlulelo ezilungileyo, nemithetho eqinisileyo, nezimiso, nemiyalo emihle; ₁₄wabazisa isabatha lakho elingcwele, wabayala ngemiyalo, nangezimiso, nangomthetho ngesandla sikaMose inceku yakho; ₁₅wabanika isinkwa esivela ezulwini ngokulamba kwabo, wabakhiphela amanzi edwaleni ngokoma kwabo, wabayala ukuba bangene ukulidla izwe owaphakamisa ngalo isandla sakho ukuba ubanike lona.

₁₆“Kepha bona nawoyise baqholosha, benza lukhuni izintamo zabo, kabalalelanga imiyalo yakho, ₁₇benqaba ukulalela, abakhumbulanga izimangaliso zakho owazenza phakathi kwabo, kepha benza lukhuni izintamo zabo, nangokuhlubuka kwabo bamisa induna ukuba babuyele ebugqileni babo; kodwa wena unguNkulunkulu othethelelayo, onomusa nesihe; wephuza ukuthukuthela, ugcwele isihawu; kawubashiyanga. ₁₈Yebo, lapho bezenzele ithole elibunjiweyo bethi: ‘Leli linguNkulunkulu wakho owakukhuphula eGibithe,’ benza izithuko ezinkulu, ₁₉nokho wena ngomusa wakho omkhulu awubashiyanga ehlane; insika yefu ayisukanga phezu kwabo emini ukubahola endleleni, nensika yomlilo ebusuku ukubakhanyisela endleleni ababeyakuhamba ngayo. ₂₀Wabanika nomoya wakho omuhle ukubafundisa; awugodlanga imana* lakho emilonyeni yabo, wabanika amanzi ngokoma kwabo. ₂₁Wabondla iminyaka engamashumi amane ehlane, kabaswelanga lutho; izingubo zabo aziguganga, nezinyawo azivuvukalanga.

₂₂“Wabanika imibuso nezizwe owababela khona izindawo ngezindawo; badla izwe likaSihoni, izwe lenkosi yaseHeshiboni, nezwe lika-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani. ₂₃Nabantwana babo wabandisa ngangezinkanyezi zezulu, wabangenisa ezweni owasho ngalo koyise ukuthi bayakungena ukulidla. ₂₄Abantwana bangena-ke, balidla izwe, wahlula phambi kwabo abakhe ezweni, amaKhanani, wabanikela ezandleni zabo, kanye namakhosi abo, nabantu bezwe, ukuba benze kubo njengokuthanda kwabo. ₂₅Bathatha imizi ebiyelweyo nezwe elivundileyo, badla izindlu ezigcwele okuhle konke: imithombo embiweyo, nezivini, neminqumo, nemithi eminingi yokudliwa; badla-ke, basutha, bakhuluphala, benama ngobuhle bakho obukhulu.

₂₆“Kepha babengalaleli, bakuhlubuka, balahla nyovane umthetho wakho, bababulala abaprofethi bakho abafakaza ngabo ukubabuyisela kuwe, benza izithuko ezinkulu. ₂₇Wawusubanikela esandleni sezitha zabo ezabahlupha; ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kwabo sebekhala kuwe, wena wabezwa usezulwini, nangomusa wakho omkhulu wabanika abasindisi ababasindisa esandleni sezitha zabo.

₂₈“Kepha sebephumulile, babuye benza okubi ebusweni bakho; wawusubashiya esandleni sezitha zabo, zaze zabusa phezu kwabo; kodwa lapho bebuye bekhala kuwe, wena wabezwa usezulwini, wabophula kaningi ngomusa wakho omkhulu, ₂₉wabaxwayisa ukuba ubabuyisele emthethweni wakho, kepha baqholosha, kabayilalelanga imiyalo yakho, kodwa bona ezahlulelweni zakho, okothi uma umuntu ezenza, uyakuphila ngazo, baphendula ihlombe ngenkani, benza lukhuni intamo yabo, abaze bezwa. ₃₀Nokho iminyaka eminingi wababekezelela, wabaxwayisa ngoMoya wakho ngesandla sabaprofethi bakho, kepha abezwanga; wawusubanikela esandleni sabantu bezizwe. ₃₁Nokho ngomusa wakho omkhulu awubaqothulanga, awubashiyanga, ngokuba unguNkulunkulu onomusa nobumnene.

₃₂“Ngalokho, Nkulunkulu wethu, Nkulunkulu omkhulu onamandla owesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano nomusa, yonke le nkathazo mayingabi ncane ebusweni bakho esificile thina, namakhosi ethu, nezikhulu zethu, nabapristi bethu, nabaprofethi bethu, nawobaba, nabo bonke abantu bakho, kusukela esikhathini samakhosi ase-Asiriya kuze kube namuhla. ₃₃Nokho wena ulungile kukho konke okusehleleyo, ngokuba wenze ngeqiniso, kepha thina sinecala; ₃₄namakhosi ethu, nezikhulu zethu, nabapristi bethu, nawobaba abagcinanga umthetho wakho, kabalalelanga imiyalo yakho nezixwayiso zakho obaxwayise ngazo. ₃₅Abakukhonzanga embusweni wabo, nasebuhleni bakho obukhulu owabanika bona, nasezweni elibanzi nelivundileyo owabapha lona ebusweni babo, ababuyanga emisebenzini yabo emibi.

₃₆“Bheka, siyizinceku namuhla, nezwe owalinika obaba ukuba badle izithelo zalo nokuhle kwalo, bheka, siyizinceku kulo. ₃₇Lithelela kakhulu amakhosi owabeke phezu kwethu ngenxa yezono zethu; abusa phezu kwemizimba yethu naphezu kwezinkomo zethu njengokuthanda kwawo; thina sisekuhluphekeni okukhulu.

₃₈“Ngenxa yakho konke lokho senza isivumelwano esiqinisileyo, sasiloba; kwanamatheliswa ngophawu yizikhulu zethu, namaLevi ethu, nabapristi bethu.”

₁Abanamathelisa nampa: uNehemiya umbusi, indodana kaHakaliya, noSedekiya, ₂noSeraya, no-Azariya, noJeremiya, ₃noPhashuri, no-Amariya, noMalikhiya, ₄noHathushi, noShebaniya, noMaluki, ₅noHarimi, noMeremoti, no-Obadiya, ₆noDaniyeli, noGinethoni, noBaruki, ₇noMeshulamu, no-Abiya, noMijamini, ₈noMahaziya, noBiligayi, noShemaya; labo babe ngabapristi. ₉AmaLevi: uJeshuwa indodana ka-Azaniya, noBinuwi wamadodana kaHenadadi, noKadimiyeli, ₁₀nabafowabo oShebaniya, noHodiya, noKelitha, noPhelaya, noHanani, ₁₁noMika, noRehobe, noHashabiya, ₁₂noZakuri, noSherebiya, noShebaniya, ₁₃noHodiya, noBani, noBeninu. ₁₄Izinhloko zabantu: oPharoshi, noPhahati Mowabi, no-Elamu, noZathu, noBani, ₁₅noBuni, no-Azigadi, noBebayi, ₁₆no-Adoniya, noBigivayi, no-Adini, ₁₇no-Atheri, noHezekiya, no-Azuri, ₁₈noHodiya, noHashumi, noBesayi, ₁₉noHarifi, no-Anathoti, noNobayi, ₂₀noMagiphiyashi, noMeshulamu, noHeziri, ₂₁noMeshezabeli, noSadoki, noJaduwa, ₂₂noPhelathiya, noHanani, no-Anaya, ₂₃noHosheya, noHananiya, noHashubi, ₂₄noHaloheshi, noPhiliha, noShobeki, ₂₅noRehumi, noHashabina, noMahaseya, ₂₆no-Ahiya, noHanani, no-Anani, ₂₇noMaluki, noHarimi, noBahana.

₂₈Abantu abaseleyo, abapristi, namaLevi, nabalindisango, nabahlabeleli, namaNethini,* nabo bonke ababezahlukanisile nabantu bezwe ukuba bazihlanganise nomthetho kaNkulunkulu, nawomkabo, namadodana abo, namadodakazi abo, bonke ababe nolwazi nokuhlakanipha, ₂₉babambelela kubafowabo, abakhulu babo, benza isithembiso nesifungo sokuba bahambe emthethweni kaNkulunkulu owanikwa ngesandla sikaMose inceku kaNkulunkulu, bagcine, benze yonke imiyalo kaJehova iNkosi yethu, nezahlulelo zakhe, nezimiso zakhe ₃₀ukuba singabaniki abantu bezwe amadodakazi ethu, singathatheli amadodana ethu amadodakazi abo, ₃₁nokuba lapho abantu bezwe beletha impahla, noma uhlobo oluthile lwamabele ngosuku lwesabatha ukuba bathengise ngakho, singathengi kubo ngesabatha nangosuku olungcwele, futhi siwuyeke umnyaka wesikhombisa nazo zonke izikwenetu.

₃₂Futhi sazimisela umthetho wokuba sithele inxenye yesithathu yeshekeli* ngomnyaka, ibe ngeyomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu, ₃₃eyesinkwa sokubukwa kanye nomnikelo wempuphu wemihla yonke nomnikelo oshiswa imihla yonke, neyamasabatha, neyokwethwasa kwenyanga, neyemikhosi emisiweyo, neyezinto ezingcwele, neyeminikelo yezono, ukuba kwenziwe ukubuyisana kuka-Israyeli nomsebenzi wonke wendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.

₃₄Senza inkatho thina bapristi namaLevi nabantu ngomnikelo wezinkuni ukuba zingeniswe endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu njengezindlu zawobaba ngezikhathi ezinqunyiweyo, iminyaka ngeminyaka, zibaswe phezu kwe-altare likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu njengokulotshiweyo emthethweni, ₃₅kulethwe endlini kaJehova ulibo lomhlabathi wethu nolibo lwezithelo zemithi yezinhlobo zonke iminyaka ngeminyaka, ₃₆kulethwe endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu namazibulo amadodana ethu, nawezimpahla zethu njengokulotshiweyo emthethweni, namazibulo ezinkomo zethu nawezimvu zethu, kubapristi abakhonza endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu; ₃₇silethe ulibo lomgqakazo wethu, neminikelo yethu yokuphakanyiswa, nezithelo zemithi yezinhlobo zonke, newayini namafutha kubapristi emakamelweni endlu kaNkulunkulu wethu, nokweshumi komhlabathi wethu kumaLevi, ngokuba wona amaLevi amukela okweshumi emizini yonke esilima kuyo. ₃₈Umpristi, indodana ka-Aroni, ubeyakuba namaLevi, lapho amaLevi amukela okweshumi; amaLevi ayakukhuphulela okweshumi kokweshumi endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu emakamelweni endlini yengcebo. ₃₉Ngokuba abantwana bakwa-Israyeli nabantwana bakwaLevi babeyakukhuphulela umnikelo wamabele, newayini, namafutha emakamelweni, lapho kukhona izitsha zendlu engcwele, nabapristi abakhonzayo, nabalindisango, nabahlabeleli; besingenakuyishiya indlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.

₁Izinduna zabantu zahlala eJerusalema; abantu abaseleyo benza inkatho ukuyisa omunye kwabayishumi njalo ukuba ahlale eJerusalema, umuzi ongcwele, nabayisishiyagalolunye kweminye imizi. ₂Abantu babusisa bonke abantu ababezinikela ngenhliziyo ukuhlala eJerusalema.

₃Nazi izinhloko zezwe ezazihlala eJerusalema; kepha emizini yakwaJuda bahlala emizini yabo, kwaba yilowo nalowo efeni lakhe: abakwa-Israyeli, nabapristi, namaLevi, namaNethini,* nabantwana bezinceku zikaSolomoni. ₄EJerusalema kwahlala abantwana abathile bakwaJuda nabakwaBenjamini. Kubantwana bakwaJuda: ngu-Athaya ka-Uziya, kaZakariya, ka-Amariya, kaShefathiya, kaMahalalele wabantwana bakwaPheresi, ₅noMahaseya kaBaruki, kaKholi Hoze, kaHazaya, ka-Adaya, kaJoyaribi, kaZakariya, indodana yomShiloni. ₆Onke amadodana kaPheresi ahlala eJerusalema ayengamadoda anamandla angamakhulu amane namashumi ayisithupha nesishiyagalombili.

₇Nampa abantwana bakwaBenjamini: uSalu kaMeshulamu, kaJohedi, kaPhedaya, kaKholaya, kaMahaseya, ka-Ithiyeli, kaJeshaya. ₈Emva kwakhe ngoGabayi noSalayi, bengamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili. ₉UJoweli, indodana kaZikiri, wayengumbonisi; uJuda, indodana kaHasenuwa, wayengowesibili emzini.

₁₀Kubapristi: nguJedaya, indodana kaJoyaribi, noJakini, ₁₁noSeraya kaHilikiya, kaMeshulamu, kaSadoki, kaMerayoti, ka-Ahithubi, umphathi wendlu kaNkulunkulu; ₁₂nabafowabo ababewenza umsebenzi abangamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili namashumi amabili nambili, no-Adaya kaJerohamu, kaPhelaliya, ka-Amisi, kaZakariya, kaPhashuri, kaMalikhiya; ₁₃nabafowabo, izinhloko zawoyise, bengamakhulu amabili namashumi amane nambili, no-Amashisayi ka-Azareli, ka-Ahizayi, kaMeshilemoti, ka-Imeri; ₁₄nabafowabo, amaqhawe anamandla, beyikhulu namashumi amabili nesishiyagalombili; umbonisi wabo wayenguZabidiyeli, indodana kaHagedolimi.

₁₅KumaLevi: nguShemaya kaHashubi, ka-Azirikamu, kaHashabiya, kaBuni, ₁₆noShabethayi noJozabadi bezinhloko zamaLevi ababephethe umsebenzi wangaphandle wendlu kaNkulunkulu, ₁₇noMathaniya, kaMika, kaZabidi, ka-Asafa, induna yomkhuleko wokubonga, noBakibukiya, owesibili phakathi kwabafowabo, no-Abida kaShamuwa kaGalali kaJeduthuni. ₁₈Onke amaLevi emzini ongcwele ayengamakhulu amabili namashumi ayisishiyagalombili nane. ₁₉Abalindisango o-Akubi noThalimoni nabafowabo ababelinda ngasemasangweni babe yikhulu namashumi ayisikhombisa nambili.

₂₀Abakwa-Israyeli abaseleyo, abapristi namaLevi, babe semizini yonke yakwaJuda, kwaba yilowo nalowo efeni lakhe.

₂₁AmaNethini* ahlala e-Ofeli; oSiha noGishipha babe phezu kwamaNethini.

₂₂Umbonisi wamaLevi eJerusalema kwakungu-Uzi kaBani, kaHashabiya, kaMathaniya, kaMika wamadodana ka-Asafa, abahlabeleli, engumphathi womsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu. ₂₃Ngokuba kwakukhona umyalo wenkosi ngabo, nomthetho wabahlabeleli njengokufunekayo imihla ngemihla.

₂₄UPhethahiya, indodana kaMeshezabeli, wabantwana bakwaZera, indodana kaJuda, wayengasesandleni senkosi ezindabeni zonke zabantu.

₂₅Emizaneni inamasimu ayo kwahlala abanye abantwana bakwaJuda: eKiriyati Araba nasemizaneni yalo, naseDiboni nasemizaneni yalo, naseJekabiseyeli nasemizaneni yalo, ₂₆naseJeshuwa, naseMolada, naseBeti Pheleti, ₂₇naseHasari Shuwali, naseBeri Sheba nasemizaneni yalo, ₂₈naseSikilagi, naseMekhona nasemizaneni yalo, ₂₉nase-Eni Rimoni, naseSora, naseJarimuthi, ₃₀naseZanowa, nase-Adulamu nasemizaneni yawo, naseLakishi inamasimu alo, nase-Azeka nasemizaneni yalo. Bamisa kusukela eBeri Sheba ukuze kube sesigodini sikaHinomu.

₃₁Abantwana bakwaBenjamini bahlala kusukela eGeba kuze kube seMikimasi, nase-Aya, naseBethele nasemizaneni yalo, ₃₂nase-Anathoti, naseNobi, nase-Ananiya, ₃₃naseHasori, naseRama, naseGitayimi, ₃₄naseHadidi, naseSeboyimi, naseNebalati, ₃₅naseLodi, nase-Ono, isiGodi Sababazi.

₃₆KumaLevi izigaba zakwaJuda zahlanganiswa noBenjamini.

₁Nampa abapristi namaLevi abakhuphuka noZerubabele indodana kaSheyalitiyeli noJeshuwa: oSeraya, noJeremiya, no-Ezra, ₂no-Amariya, noMaluki, noHathushi, ₃noShekaniya, noRehumi, noMeremoti, ₄no-Ido, noGinethoyi, no-Abiya, ₅noMijamini, noMahadiya, noBiliga, ₆noShemaya, noJoyaribi, noJedaya, ₇noSalu, no-Amoki, noHilikiya, noJedaya. Labo babe yizinhloko zabapristi nezabafowabo emihleni kaJeshuwa.

₈AmaLevi: ngoJeshuwa, noBinuwi, noKadimiyeli, noSherebiya, noJuda, noMathaniya owayephethe ukubonga, yena nabafowabo, ₉noBakibukiya no-Uno abafowabo, bemalungana nabo ngezigaba.

₁₀UJeshuwa wazala uJoyakimi; uJoyakimi wazala u-Eliyashibi; u-Eliyashibi wazala uJoyada; ₁₁uJoyada wazala uJonathani; uJonathani wazala uJaduwa.

₁₂Emihleni kaJoyakimi izinhloko zawoyise babapristi zaziyilezi: ekaSeraya: nguMeraya; ekaJeremiya: nguHananiya; ₁₃eka-Ezra: nguMeshulamu; eka-Amariya: nguJehohanani; ₁₄ekaMaluki: nguJonathani; ekaShebaniya: nguJosefa; ₁₅ekaHarimi: ngu-Adina; ekaMerayoti: nguHelekayi; ₁₆eka-Ido: nguZakariya; ekaGinethoni: nguMeshulamu; ₁₇eka-Abiya: nguZikiri; ekaMiniyamini, ekaMohadiya: nguPhilitayi; ₁₈ekaBiliga: nguShamuwa; ekaShemaya: nguJehonathani; ₁₉ekaJoyaribi: nguMathenayi; ekaJedaya: ngu-Uzi; ₂₀ekaSalayi: nguKhalayi; eka-Amoki: ngu-Ebere; ₂₁ekaHilikiya: nguHashabiya; ekaJedaya: nguNethaneli. ₂₂AmaLevi abhalwa emihleni ka-Eliyashibi, noJoyada, noJohanani, noJaduwa njengezinhloko zawoyise kanye nabapristi ekubuseni kukaDariyu umPheresiya. ₂₃Izinhloko zawoyise babantwana bakwaLevi zalotshwa encwadini yezindaba zemihla ngemihla, kwaze kwaba semihleni kaJohanani indodana ka-Eliyashibi. ₂₄Izinhloko zamaLevi nazi: oHashabiya, noSherebiya, noJeshuwa, indodana kaKadimiyeli, kanye nabafowabo malungana nabo, ukuba badumise, babonge njengemiyalo kaDavide, umuntu kaNkulunkulu, isigaba malungana nesigaba. ₂₅OMathaniya, noBakibukiya, no-Obadiya, noMeshulamu, noThalimoni, no-Akubi babe ngabalindisango, belinda izindlu zokubekelela ngasemasangweni. ₂₆Labo babe khona emihleni kaJoyakimi indodana kaJeshuwa kaJosadaki nasemihleni kaNehemiya umbusi no-Ezra, umbhali.

₂₇Ekuhlanjululweni kogange lwaseJerusalema bafuna amaLevi ezindaweni zawo zonke ukuba ayiswe eJerusalema ukwenza ukuhlambulula ngokuthokoza, nangokubonga, nangokuhlabelela ngamasimbali* nangezingubhu nangamahabhu.* ₂₈Abantwana babahlabeleli babuthana bevela ethafeni elalizungeza iJerusalema nasemizaneni yamaLevi, ₂₉naseBeti Giligali, nasemasimini aseGeba, nase-Azimaveti, ngokuba babezakhele imizana nxazonke zeJerusalema. ₃₀Abapristi namaLevi base bezihlambulula; bahlambulula nabantu, namasango, nogange.

₃₁Ngase ngikhuphulela ogangeni izikhulu zakwaJuda, ngabeka izigaba ezimbili ezinkulu ezabongayo, zahlaba ihele; esinye sahamba ngakwesokunene ogangeni, saya ngaseSangweni Lomquba; ₃₂emva kwaso kwahamba uHoshaya nenxenye yezikhulu zakwaJuda, ₃₃no-Azariya, no-Ezra, noMeshulamu, ₃₄noJuda, noBenjamini, noShemaya, noJeremiya, ₃₅kanye namadodana athile abapristi ephethe amacilongo: uZakariya kaJonathani, kaShemaya, kaMathaniya, kaMikhaya, kaZakuri, ka-Asafa, ₃₆nabafowabo oShemaya, no-Azareli, noMilalayi, noGilalayi, noMahayi, noNethaneli, noJuda, noHanani, bephethe izinto zokubethwa zikaDavide, umuntu kaNkulunkulu; u-Ezra, umbhali, wayengaphambi kwabo. ₃₇NgaseSangweni Lomthombo malungana nabo bakhuphuka ngezikhwelo zomuzi kaDavide ezikhwelweni zogange, ngasenhla kwendlu kaDavide, kwaze kwaba seSangweni Lamanzi.

₃₈Esinye isigaba saya ngakwesokhohlo, mina ngasilandela kanye nenxenye yabantu ogangeni, ngasenhla koMbhoshongo Wezithando, kwaze kwaba soGangeni Olubanzi, ₃₉nangenhla kweSango lakwa-Efrayimi, naseSangweni Elidala, naseSangweni Lezinhlanzi, naseMbhoshongweni KaHananeli naseMbhoshongweni KaHameya, kwaze kwaba seSangweni Lezimvu; bema eSangweni Letilongo.

₄₀Zase zima lezo zigaba zombili zababongayo endlini kaNkulunkulu kanye nami, nenxenye yababusi inami, ₄₁nabapristi o-Eliyakimi, noMahaseya, noMiniyamini, noMikhaya, no-Eliyohenayi, noZakariya, noHananiya, bephethe amacilongo, ₄₂noMahaseya, noShemaya, no-Eleyazare, no-Uzi, noJehohanani, noMalikhiya, no-Elamu, no-Ezeri. Abahlabeleli bahlabelela ngokuzwakalisayo, benoJizirahiya umbonisi wabo. ₄₃Banikela ngemihlatshelo emikhulu ngalolo suku, bathokoza, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wayebathokozisile ngentokozo enkulu; nabesifazane nabantwana bathokoza, kwezwakala kude ukuthokoza kweJerusalema.

₄₄Ngalolo suku amiswa amadoda ukuba abe ngabaphathi bamakamelo engcebo, nabeminikelo yokuphakanyiswa, nabolibo, nabokweshumi ukuba baqoqele kuwo njengamasimu emizi izabelo ezinqunyelwe abapristi namaLevi ngomthetho, ngokuba uJuda wathokoza ngabapristi namaLevi asebebekiwe. ₄₅Bagcina imfanelo kaNkulunkulu wabo nemfanelo yokuhlambulula kanye nabahlabeleli nabalindisango njengemiyalo kaDavide noSolomoni indodana yakhe. ₄₆Ngokuba nasemihleni kaDavide neka-Asafa kwasendulo kwakukhona abaholi babahlabeleli kanye nezihlabelelo zokudumisa nezokubonga uNkulunkulu. ₄₇Wonke u-Israyeli wayesenika emihleni kaZerubabele nasemihleni kaNehemiya abahlabeleli nabalindisango izabelo njengokufunekayo imihla ngemihla; bakungcwelisela amaLevi, namaLevi akungcwelisela amadodana ka-Aroni.

₁Ngalolo suku kwafundwa encwadini kaMose ezindlebeni zabantu; kwafunyanwa kulotshiwe kuyo ukuthi owakwa-Amoni nowakwaMowabi abanakungena ebandleni likaNkulunkulu kuze kube phakade, ₂ngokuba abahlangabezanga abakwa-Israyeli ngesinkwa namanzi, kepha babaqashela uBileyamu ukuba abaqalekise; kodwa uNkulunkulu wethu waphendula isiqalekiso saba yisibusiso. ₃Kwathi sebezwile umthetho, bahlukanisa no-Israyeli yonke ingxubevange.

₄Ngaphambi kwalokho u-Eliyashibi, umpristi, owayemiselwe amakamelo endlu kaNkulunkulu wethu, isihlobo sikaThobiya, ₅wayemlungisele ikamelo elikhulu, lapho kade bebeka khona iminikelo yempuphu, nenhlaka, nezitsha, nokweshumi kwamabele, newayini, namafutha, okwakunqunyelwe ngomthetho amaLevi, nabahlabeleli, nabalindisango, kanye neminikelo yabapristi.

₆Kepha kukho konke lokho ngangingekho eJerusalema, ngokuba ngomnyaka wamashumi amathathu nambili ka-Aritahishashita inkosi yaseBabele ngaya enkosini; nangasekugcineni kwezinsuku ngacela enkosini, ₇ngaya eJerusalema, ngaqonda okubi u-Eliyashibi akwenzele uThobiya ngokumlungisela ikamelo emagcekeni endlu kaNkulunkulu. ₈Kwaba kubi kakhulu kimi; ngalahla phandle zonke izinto zendlu kaThobiya zikhishwe ekamelweni. ₉Ngase ngithi mabahlambulule amakamelo; ngabuyisela khona izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu kanye neminikelo yempuphu nenhlaka.

₁₀Ngase ngazi ukuthi amaLevi awanikwanga izabelo zawo; amaLevi nabahlabeleli abenza umsebenzi babebalekele, kwaba yilowo nalowo ensimini yakhe. ₁₁Ngase ngiphikisana nababusi, ngathi: “Ishiyelweni indlu kaNkulunkulu na?” Ngababutha, ngababeka ezindaweni zabo.

₁₂Wonke uJuda wayeseletha okweshumi kwamabele, nokwewayini, nokwamafutha engcebeni. ₁₃Ngabeka abaphathizikhwama phezu kwengcebo: nguShelemiya umpristi, noSadoki umbhali, noPhedaya wamaLevi; eceleni kwabo kwakunguHanani kaZakuri kaMathaniya, ngokuba kwathiwa bathembekile; babeyakwabela abafowabo.

₁₄Ngalokho ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ungesuli izenzo zami zomusa engizenzileyo endlini kaNkulunkulu wami nasenkonzweni yayo.

₁₅Ngalezo zinsuku ngabona kwaJuda abanyathela izikhamo zewayini ngesabatha nabaletha izithungu zamabele, bethwesa izimbongolo, newayini, nezithelo zewayini, namakhiwane, nemithwalo yonke, bekungenisa eJerusalema ngosuku lwesabatha; ngabaxwayisa ngosuku abathengisa ngalo lokho kudla. ₁₆AbaseTire ababehlala khona bangenisa izinhlanzi nezimpahla zezinhlobo zonke, bathengisa ngakho ngesabatha kubantwana bakwaJuda naseJerusalema. ₁₇Ngase ngiphikisana nabakhulu bakwaJuda, ngathi kubo: “Okubi kuni lokhu enikwenzayo, nilona usuku lwesabatha na? ₁₈Abenzanga kanjalo oyihlo, noNkulunkulu wenu akehliselanga yini phezu kwenu konke lokho okubi, naphezu kwalo muzi, na? Nokho nina niyenezela intukuthelo phezu kuka-Israyeli ngokulona isabatha.”

₁₉Kwathi lapho amasango aseJerusalema eseqala ukuba mnyama lingakafiki isabatha, ngathi mazivalwe izivalo, ngathi futhi mazingavulwa lize lidlule isabatha, ngabeka ezinye izinceku zami ngasemasangweni ukuba kungangeniswa mthwalo ngosuku lwesabatha. ₂₀Abathengi nabathengisi bezimpahla zezinhlobo zonke base belala ngaphandle kweJerusalema kanye nakabili. ₂₁Ngabaxwayisa, ngathi kubo: “Nilalelani malungana noganga na? Uma niphinda, ngiyakubeka isandla sami kini.” Kusukela kuleso sikhathi abafikanga ngesabatha.

₂₂Ngasho kumaLevi ukuba azihlambulule, eze, alinde amasango, angcwelise usuku lwesabatha. Ngalokho ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ungihawukele ngokobuningi bomusa wakho.

₂₃Futhi ngalezo zinsuku ngabona abaJuda ababezithathele abesifazane base-Ashidodi, nabakwa-Amoni, nabakwaMowabi. ₂₄Abantwana babo bakhuluma ngokwenxenye ngesi-Ashidodi; bengenakukhuluma isiJuda bakhuluma ngolimi lwezizwe ngezizwe. ₂₅Ngabasola ngalokho, ngabathuka, ngashaya abanye abantu, ngabahluthula izinwele, ngabafungisa uNkulunkulu, ngathi: “Ninganiki amadodana abo amadodakazi enu, ningathatheli amadodana enu amadodakazi abo. ₂₆Akonanga ngalokho uSolomoni inkosi yakwa-Israyeli na? Phakathi kwezizwe eziningi kwakungekho nkosi enjengaye; wayethandekile kuNkulunkulu wakhe; uNkulunkulu wambeka inkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke; nokho abesifazane babezizwe bamonisa naye. ₂₇Sekuzwakele nangani ukuthi nenzile konke lokho okubi kakhulu ukuba niphambuke kuNkulunkulu wethu ngokuzithathela abesifazane babezizwe.”

₂₈Enye yamadodana kaJoyada indodana ka-Eliyashibi umpristi omkhulu yayingumkhwenyana kaSanibalati umHoroni; ngamxosha kimi.

₂₉Bakhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, ngokuba bangcolisile ubupristi nesivumelwano sabapristi nesamaLevi.

₃₀Ngase ngibahlambulula kukho konke okwabezizwe, nganquma izimfanelo zabapristi namaLevi, kwaba yilowo nalowo emsebenzini wakhe, ₃₁nomnikelo wezinkuni ngezikhathi ezinqunyiweyo, nolibo. Ngikhumbule, Nkulunkulu wami, kube kuhle kimi.