To The Word – Day 37

₁Kwathi abantu bakhonona, kwabakubi ezindlebeni zikaJehova; esekuzwile uJehova, yavutha intukuthelo yakhe; umlilo kaJehova washa phakathi kwabo, wabaqeda abasemkhawulweni wekamu.* ₂Abantu base bekhala kuMose; uMose wakhuleka kuJehova, umlilo wabohla. ₃Igama laleyo ndawo laqanjwa ngokuthi iThabehera, ngokuba umlilo kaJehova washa phakathi kwabo.

₄Ingxubevange eyayiphakathi kwabo yaqala ukufisa nokufisa; nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli babuye bakhala, bathi: “Ngubani oyakusipha inyama ukuba sidle na? ₅Siyakhumbula izinhlanzi esazidla eGibithe ngesihle, namakukamba,* namakhabe, namaliki,* nohanyanisi,* nesweli; ₆kepha manje umphefumulo wethu usuwomile; akukho lutho impela; ngaphandle kwaleli mana* akukho lutho emehlweni ethu.”

₇Imana* lafana nembewu yekoriyanderi,* nokubonakala kwalo kwakunjengokubonakala kwenhlaka yebedola.* ₈Abantwana baphuma ukuliqoqa, baligaya ematsheni, noma beligqula ezigqulweni, balipheka emakhanzini, benza ngalo amaqebelengwane; ukuzwakala kwalo kwakunjengokuzwakala kweqebelengwane lamafutha. ₉Nxa amazolo elala phezu kwekamu* ebusuku, imana* lawela phezu kwawo.

₁₀UMose wezwa abantu bekhala emindenini yabo, kwaba yilowo nalowo muntu ngasemnyango wetende lakhe; intukuthelo kaJehova yavutha kakhulu; kwakukubi emehlweni kaMose. ₁₁UMose wathi kuJehova: “Uyiphatheleni kabi inceku yakho na? Angifumananga ngani umusa emehlweni akho ukuba ubeke umthwalo wabo bonke laba bantu phezu kwami na? ₁₂Ngakhulelwa bonke laba bantu yini, ngabazala, ukuze uthi kimi: ‘Bagone ngasesifubeni sakho njengomondli egona umntwana oncelayo, ubayise ezweni owalifungela oyise,’ na? ₁₃Ngingathathaphi inyama ukubanika bonke laba bantu na? Ngokuba bakhala kimi, bathi: ‘Siphe inyama ukuba sidle.’ ₁₄Anginakuthwala bonke laba bantu ngedwa, ngokuba kuyangisinda. ₁₅Uma ungiphatha kanje, ake ungibulale nokungibulala, uma ngifumene umusa emehlweni akho; mangingaluboni usizi lwami.”

₁₆UJehova wakhuluma kuMose, wathi: “Ngibuthele amadoda angamashumi ayisikhombisa amalunga akwa-Israyeli, owaziyo ukuthi angamalunga abantu nezinduna zabo, uwalethe etendeni lokuhlangana ukuba eme khona nawe. ₁₇Ngiyakwehla, ngikhulume nawe khona, ngithathe okomoya ophezu kwakho, ngikubeke kuwo; ayakuthwala umthwalo wabantu kanye nawe, ukuze ungawuthwali wedwa.

₁₈“Yisho kubantu ukuthi: ‘Zingcweliseleni olwangakusasa, niyakudla inyama, lokhu nikhalile ezindlebeni zikaJehova ngokuthi: “Ngubani oyakusipha inyama ukuba sidle, ngokuba kwakukuhle kithi eGibithe,” ngalokho uJehova uyakuninika inyama, nize nidle. ₁₉Aniyikuyidla usuku lube lunye, noma izinsuku zibe zimbili, noma izinsuku zibe yisihlanu, noma izinsuku zibe yishumi, noma izinsuku zibe ngamashumi amabili, ₂₀kepha inyanga epheleleyo, ize iphume ngamakhala enu, inengeke kini, ngokuba nimlahlile uJehova ophakathi kwenu, nakhala phambi kwakhe ngokuthi: “Saphumelani eGibithe na?” ’ ”

₂₁Wayesethi uMose: “Abantu engiphakathi kwabo bayizinkulungwane ezingamakhulu ayisithupha abayimigundatshani; wena-ke uthi: ‘Ngiyakubanika inyama ukuba badle inyanga epheleleyo.’ ₂₂Bayakuhlatshelwa izimvu nezinkomo ukuba zibanele na? Noma bayakubuthelwa yini izinhlanzi zonke zolwandle ukuba zibanele na?”

₂₃UJehova wathi kuMose: “Isandla sikaJehova sifinyele na? Usuyakubona uma izwi lami liyakwenzeka kuwe noma qha.”

₂₄UMose waphuma, wabatshela abantu amazwi kaJehova; wabutha amadoda angamashumi ayisikhombisa amalunga abantu, wawamisa ngasetendeni nxazonke. ₂₅UJehova wehla ngefu, wakhuluma kuye, wathabatha okomoya ophezu kwakhe, wakubeka kumalunga angamashumi ayisikhombisa; kwathi umoya esahlezi kuwo, aprofetha, kepha awaze akuphinda.

₂₆Kodwa kwasala amadoda amabili ekamu,* igama lenye lalingu-Elidadi, igama leyesibili linguMedadi; umoya wayehlala phezu kwawo; ayephakathi kwalawo alotshiweyo, kepha awayanga etendeni; aprofetha ekamu. ₂₇Kwagijima insizwa, yabika kuMose, yathi: “O-Elidadi noMedadi bayaprofetha ekamu.”*

₂₈UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku kaMose, owabakhethiweyo bakhe, waphendula wathi: “Nkosi yami, Mose, benqabele.”

₂₉UMose wathi kubo: “Unomhawu ngenxa yami na? Sengathi bonke abantu bakaJehova bangaba ngabaprofethi, uJehova abeke uMoya wakhe phezu kwabo.”

₃₀UMose wangena ekamu,* yena namalunga akwa-Israyeli.

₃₁Kwavuka umoya ovela kuJehova, waletha izigwaca zivela ngaselwandle, waziwisa ngasekamu* kungathi ibanga losuku ngalapha nebanga losuku ngalapha kwekamu nxazonke, nokuphakama phezu komhlaba kungathi izingalo ezimbili. ₃₂Abantu bavuka lonke lolo suku, nobusuku bonke, nalo lonke usuku olulandelayo, babutha izigwaca; owabutha okuncane wabutha amahomere* ayishumi; bazenekela ngasekamu* nxazonke. ₃₃Inyama isekhona phakathi kwamazinyo abo, ingakahlafunwa, ulaka lukaJehova lwavuthela abantu, uJehova wabashaya abantu ngokufa okukhulu kakhulu. ₃₄Igama laleyo ndawo laqanjwa ngokuthi iKibiroti Hathawa,* ngokuba bambela abantu abafisayo.

₃₅Abantu basuka eKibiroti Hathawa, baya eHaseroti; bahlala eHaseroti.

₁OMiriyamu no-Aroni bakhuluma bemelene noMose ngenxa yowesifazane wakwaKushe amthathile; ngokube wayethathile owesifazane wakwaKushe. ₂Bathi: “Imbala uJehova ukhulumile kuMose kuphela na? Akakhulumanga nakithi na?” UJehova wakuzwa.

₃Kodwa lowo muntu uMose wayemnene kunabo bonke abantu ababesebusweni bomhlaba.

₄UJehova wayesekhuluma ngokuzumayo kuMose naku-Aroni nakuMiriyamu, wathi: “Wozani nina nobathathu etendeni lokuhlangana.” Baphuma bobathathu. ₅UJehova wehla esensikeni yefu, wema ngasemnyango wetende, wabiza o-Aroni noMiriyamu; baphuma bobabili. ₆Wayesethi: “Yizwani manje amazwi ami: uma kukhona umprofethi phakathi kwenu, mina Jehova ngiyakuzibonakalisa kuye ngombono, ngikhulume kuye ngephupho. ₇Inceku yami uMose akanjalo; uthembekile endlini yami yonke; ₈ngiyakukhuluma naye umlomo nomlomo ngokusobala, kungabi ngamazwi ayimfumbe; isimo sikaJehova uyakusibona; anesabanga ngani ukukhuluma ngenceku yami uMose na?”

₉Intukuthelo kaJehova yabavuthela; wayesemuka.

₁₀Ifu lasuka phezu kwetende; bheka, uMiriyamu wayesenochoko, enjengeqhwa; u-Aroni wambheka uMiriyamu; bheka, wayenochoko.

₁₁U-Aroni wathi kuMose: “O nkosi, ake ungabeki isono phezu kwethu ngalokho esikwenzile ngobuwula, nangalokho esone ngakho. ₁₂Ake angabi njengofileyo, onyama yakhe idliwe inxenye, nxa ephuma esizalweni sikanina.”

₁₃UMose wakhala kuJehova, wathi: “O Nkulunkulu, mawumphulukise, ngiyakuncenga.”

₁₄UJehova wathi kuMose: “Uma uyise ebemkhafulele ebusweni, ubengebe namahloni izinsuku eziyisikhombisa na? Makavalelwe ngaphandle kwekamu* izinsuku eziyisikhombisa; ngasemva kwalokho uyakubuye angeniswe.”

₁₅UMiriyamu wavalelwa ngaphandle kwekamu* izinsuku eziyisikhombisa; abantu abahambanga, waze wabuyiswa uMiriyamu.

₁₆Ngasemuva abantu basuka eHaseroti, bamisa ehlane lasePharanu.

₁UJehova wakhuluma kuMose, wathi: ₂“Thuma wena abantu ukuba bahlole izwe laseKhanani engibanika lona abantwana bakwa-Israyeli; uthume umuntu waleso naleso sizwe sawoyise, kube yilowo nalowo abe yinduna phakathi kwabo.”

₃UMose wabathuma-ke besuka ehlane lasePharanu ngesiyalezo sikaJehova; bonke babo babe ngabantu abayizinhloko zabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₄Lawa angamagama abo:

₁₆Yilawo amagama amadoda athunywa nguMose ukuhlola izwe. UMose wambiza uHosheya indodana kaNuni ngokuthi uJoshuwa.

₁₇UMose wabathuma ukuhlola izwe laseKhanani, wathi kubo: “Yenyukani ngalapha, niye ngaseningizimu, nikhuphukele ezintabeni, ₁₈nibone izwe ukuthi linjani, nabantu abakhe kulo ukuthi banamandla noma babuthakathaka, bayingcosana noma baningi yini, ₁₉nokuthi izwe abakhe kulo linjani, noma lihle noma libi, nokuthi imizi abahlala kuyo injani, noma ngamakamu* noma yizinqaba, ₂₀nokuthi izwe linjani, noma livundile noma limpofu, noma linezinkuni noma qha. Yibani nesibindi, nibuye nezithelo zezwe.” Kwase kuyisikhathi sezithelo zokuqala zomvini.

₂₁Base behamba-ke, bahlola izwe kusukela ehlane laseSini kuze kube seRehobe ekuyeni ngaseHamati. ₂₂Benyukela ngaseningizimu, bafika eHebroni; o-Ahimani, noSheshayi, noTalimayi, abantwana bakwa-Anaki, babelapho. IHebroni lakhiwa iminyaka eyisikhombisa lingakakhiwa iSowani laseGibithe. ₂₃Bafika esiGodini sase-Eshikoli,* banquma khona igatsha elinehlukuzo lezithelo zomvini, balithwala ngothi phakathi kwababili, kanye namapomegranati* namakhiwane. ₂₄Leyo ndawo yathiwa isiGodi sase-Eshikoli* ngenxa yehlukuzo abantwana bakwa-Israyeli abalinquma khona. ₂₅Base bebuya ekuhloleni izwe ngasekupheleni kwezinsuku ezingamashumi amane.

₂₆Baya bafika kuMose naku-Aroni nakuyo yonke inhlangano yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ehlane lasePharanu eKadeshi, babuyisela izwi kubo nakuyo yonke inhlangano, bababonisa izithelo zezwe. ₂₇Bamtshela bathi: “Safika-ke ezweni owasithuma kulo; ngempela livame ubisi nezinyosi; lokhu kuyizithelo zalo. ₂₈Nokho abantu abakhe ezweni banamandla, imizi ibiyelwe, mikhulu kakhulu; futhi sabona abantwana bakwa-Anaki khona. ₂₉U-Amaleki wakhile ezweni laseningizimu; amaHeti, namaJebusi, nama-Amori ahlala ezintabeni; amaKhanani akhile ngaselwandle naseceleni kweJordani.”

₃₀UKalebi wathulisa abantu phambi kukaMose, wathi: “Masenyuke khona manje, silidle, ngokuba sinamandla okulinqoba.”

₃₁Kepha amadoda ayenyuke naye athi: “Asinakwenyuka, sihlasele labo bantu, ngokuba banamandla kunathi.” ₃₂Base belandisa abantwana bakwa-Israyeli umbiko omubi ngezwe ababelihlolile, bathi: “Izwe esilidabulile ukulihlola liyizwe elidla abakhileyo kulo; bonke abantu esababona kulo bangabantu abajaheleyo. ₃₃Sabona khona iziqhwaga, amadodana ka-Anaki ayela eziqhwageni; emehlweni ethu saba njengezintethe, saba njalo nasemehlweni abo.”

₁Inhlangano yonke yayisiphakamisa izwi layo, yakhala. Abantu bakhala izinyembezi ngalobo busuku. ₂Bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bakhonona ngoMose nango-Aroni; yonke inhlangano yathi kubo: “Sengathi nga safa ezweni laseGibithe, noma sengathi nga safa kuleli hlane. ₃UJehova usilethelani kuleli zwe, siwe ngenkemba na? Omkethu nabancane bethu bayakuba yimpango; bekungengcono yini kithi ukubuyela eGibithe na?” ₄Bathi omunye komunye: “Masibeke induna, sibuyele eGibithe.”

₅Khona oMose no-Aroni bawa ngobuso babo phambi kwebandla lonke lenhlangano yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₆UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni noKalebi indodana kaJefune ababephakathi kwabahlola izwe baklebhula izingubo zabo, ₇bakhuluma kuyo yonke inhlangano yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, bathi: “Izwe esalidabula ukulihlola liyizwe elihle kakhulu. ₈Uma uJehova esithanda, uyakusingenisa kulelo zwe, asinike lona, izwe elivame ubisi nezinyosi. ₉Kodwa ningahlubuki kuJehova, futhi ningesabi abantu balelo zwe; ngokuba bayisinkwa kithi; umthunzi wabo usukile phezu kwabo, kodwa uJehova unathi; ningabesabi.”

₁₀Kepha inhlangano yonke yathi mabakhandwe ngamatshe. Inkazimulo kaJehova yabonakala etendeni lokuhlangana kubo bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli.

₁₁UJehova wayesekhuluma kuMose, wathi: “Koze kube nini laba bantu bengidelela na? Koze kube nini bengakholwa yimi ngezibonakaliso zonke engizenzile phakathi kwabo na? ₁₂Ngiyakubashaya ngesifo, ngibaphuce ifa, ngikwenze isizwe esikhulu nesinamandla kunabo.”

₁₃UMose wathi kuJehova: “Khona abaseGibithe bayakukuzwa, ngokuba wakhuphula laba bantu ngamandla akho phakathi kwabo, ₁₄babatshele abakhe kuleli zwe; bezwile ukuthi wena Jehova uphakathi kwalaba bantu, babonane nawe Jehova ubuso nobuso; ifu lakho limi phezu kwabo, wena uhamba phambi kwabo usensikeni yefu emini nasensikeni yomlilo ebusuku. ₁₅Manje-ke uma ubulala laba bantu njengomuntu munye, izizwe ezizwe udumo lwakho ziyakukhuluma zithi: ₁₆‘Ngokuba uJehova ebengenamandla okungenisa abantu bakhe ezweni alifungela kubo, ngalokho ubabulele ehlane.’

₁₇“Kalokhu ake abe makhulu amandla eNkosi njengokusho kwakho ukuthi: ₁₈‘UJehova uyephuza ukuthukuthela, uvame umusa, uthethelela ububi neziphambeko, angayekeli nokho onecala, kepha ahambele ububi bawoyise kubantwana, kuze kube sezizukulwaneni sesithathu nesesine.’ ₁₉Ake uthethelele ububi balaba bantu ngokobukhulu bomusa wakho, njengalokho uyekele laba bantu kusukela eGibithe kuze kube manje.”

₂₀UJehova wathi: “Yebo, ngiyathethelela njengezwi lakho; ₂₁kepha impela, kuphila kwami nenkazimulo kaJehova eyakugcwalisa wonke umhlaba, ₂₂lokhu bonke labo bantu ababone inkazimulo yami nezibonakaliso zami engazenza eGibithe nasehlane bengilingile kayishumi, abalalela izwi lami, ₂₃abayikubona ngempela izwe engalifungela oyise, futhi aliyikubonwa muntu walabo abangidelela; ₂₄kepha inceku yami uKalebi, lokhu wayenomunye umoya, wangilandela ngokupheleleyo, yena ngiyakumngenisa ezweni aya kulo; inzalo yakhe iyakulidla. ₂₅Ama-Amaleki namaKhanani akhile esigodini; jikani kusasa, ningene ehlane ngasendleleni eya eLwandle Olubomvu.”

₂₆UJehova wakhuluma kuMose naku-Aroni, wathi: ₂₇“Koze kube nini le nhlangano embi ikhonona ngami na? Ngizwile ukukhonona kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli abakhonona ngakho ngami. ₂₈Yisho kubo ukuthi: ‘Kuphila kwami, ngiyakwenza kini impela njengalokho nikhulumile ezindlebeni zami: ₂₉izidumbu zenu ziyakuwa kuleli hlane, nabo bonke ababalwayo kini njengokomumo wenu wonke, kusukela kwabaneminyaka engamashumi amabili kuya phezulu, abakhononile ngami, ₃₀abayikungena ngempela ezweni engaphakamisa ngalo isandla sami ukuthi bengiyakunakhisa kulo, ngaphandle kukaKalebi indodana kaJefune noJoshuwa indodana kaNuni. ₃₁Kepha abancane benu enasho ngabo ukuthi bayakuba yimpango, bona ngiyakubangenisa, balazi izwe enalilahla. ₃₂Nina-ke, izidumbu zenu ziyakuwa kuleli hlane. ₃₃Abantwana benu bayakuba ngabelusi ehlane iminyaka engamashumi amane, bathwale ukuphinga kwenu, izidumbu zenu zize ziqedwe ehlane. ₃₄Njengokomumo wezinsuku enahlola ngazo izwe, izinsuku ezingamashumi amane, umnyaka ngosuku, niyakuthwala ububi benu, yebo, iminyaka engamashumi amane, nize nazi ukuthi kunjani uma ngimelana nani.’ ₃₅Mina Jehova ngikhulumile; ngiyakwenza lokho ngempela kuyo yonke le nhlangano embi engihlanganyeleyo; kuleli hlane bayakuqedwa, bafele khona.”

₃₆Nalawo madoda athunywa nguMose ukuhlola izwe, abuya akhononisa yonke inhlangano ngaye ngokuletha umbiko omubi ngezwe, ₃₇wona lawo madoda aletha umbiko omubi ngezwe afa ngesifo phambi kukaJehova. ₃₈Kepha uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni noKalebi indodana kaJefune ababenalawo madoda ukuhlola izwe basinda.

₃₉UMose wakhuluma lawo mazwi kubo bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli; abantu balila kakhulu. ₄₀Bavuka ekuseni kakhulu, benyukela esiqongweni sentaba, bathi: “Bhekani, sesilapha, kepha siyakuya endaweni ayithembisile uJehova, ngokuba sonile.”

₄₁UMose wathi: “Neqelani izwi likaJehova na? Akuyikuphumelela. ₄₂Ningenyuki, ngokuba uJehova akakho phakathi kwenu, ukuba ningashaywa ebusweni bezitha zenu. ₄₃Ngokuba ama-Amaleki namaKhanani alapho ngaphambi kwenu; niyakuwa ngenkemba, lokhu nibuyele emuva ekumlandeleni uJehova; ngalokho uJehova akayikuba khona phakathi kwenu.”

₄₄Ngokuzidla bakhuphukela nokho esiqongweni sentaba, kepha umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova noMose awuphumanga ekamu.* ₄₅Ayesehla ama-Amaleki kanye namaKhanani ayehlala kuleyo ntaba, abashaya, abaqothula kwaze kwaba seHorma.

₁UJehova wakhuluma kuMose, wathi: ₂“Yisho kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli, uthi kubo: ‘Nxa nifika ezweni eniyakwakha kulo, engininika lona, ₃nenze umnikelo womlilo kuJehova, umnikelo wokushiswa, noma umhlatshelo wokugcwalisa isithembiso, noma umnikelo wesihle, noma owemikhosi yenu emisiweyo, ukwenza iphunga elimnandi kuJehova, owezinkomo noma owezimvu, ₄khona-ke onikela ngomnikelo wakhe woletha kuJehova umnikelo wempuphu wokweshumi kwempuphu ecolekileyo exovwe nokwesine kwehini* lamafutha; ₅newayini libe ngumnikelo wokuphuzwa, okwesine kwehini* ngemvana inye, wolilungisela umnikelo wokushiswa noma umhlatshelo.

₆“ ‘Kepha inqama uyakuyilungisela okweshumi okubili kwempuphu ecolekileyo exovwe nokwesithathu kwehini* lamafutha, kube ngumnikelo wempuphu; ₇uyakunikela okwesithathu kwehini lewayini libe ngumnikelo wokuphuzwa nephunga elimnandi kuJehova.

₈“ ‘Nxa ulungisa iduna libe ngumnikelo wokushiswa, noma umhlatshelo wokugcwalisa isithembiso, noma kube yiminikelo yokuthula kuJehova, ₉uyakunikela ngomnikelo wempuphu wokweshumi okuthathu kwempuphu ecolekileyo exovwe nenxenye yehini* lamafutha kanye neduna. ₁₀Uyakunikela ngenxenye yehini* lewayini libe ngumnikelo wokuphuzwa, kube ngumnikelo womlilo wephunga elimnandi kuJehova. ₁₁Kuyakwenziwa kanjalo ngaleyo naleyo nkunzi, noma ngaleyo naleyo nqama, noma ngaleyo naleyo mvana yeduna, noma ngamazinyane ezimbuzi. ₁₂Njengokomumo eniwulungisayo niyakwenze njalo kuleyo naleyo njengokomumo wazo.

₁₃“ ‘Bonke abokuzalwa ekhaya bayakwenza lezo zinto ngaleyo ndlela, benikela ngomnikelo womlilo wephunga elimnandi kuJehova. ₁₄Uma umfokazi egogobele kuwe, noma ubani ophakathi kwenu ezizukulwaneni zenu eyakunikela ngomnikelo womlilo wephunga elimnandi kuJehova, uyakwenza njengalokhu nenza nina. ₁₅Ebandleni kuyakuba yisimiso sinye kini nakumfokazi ogogobeleyo kini, isimiso esiphakade ezizukulwaneni zenu; njengani uyakuba njalo umfokazi phambi kukaJehova. ₁₆Kuyakuba ngumthetho munye nesimiso sinye kinina nakumfokazi ogogobeleyo kini.’ ”

₁₇UJehova wakhuluma kuMose, wathi: ₁₈“Yisho kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli, uthi kubo: ‘Nxa nifika ezweni enginiyisa kulo, ₁₉kuyakuthi, lapho nidla isinkwa sezwe, ninikele ngomnikelo wokuphakanyiswa kuJehova. ₂₀Ngolibo lomgqakazo wenu niyakunikela ngeqebelengwane libe ngumnikelo wokuphakanyiswa; njengalokhu nenza umnikelo wokuphakanyiswa wesibuya, niyakuwenza kanjalo. ₂₁Ngolibo lomgqakazo wenu niyakunika uJehova umnikelo wokuphakanyiswa ezizukulwaneni zenu.

₂₂“ ‘Nxa niduka ningagcini yonke le miyalo uJehova ayikhulumile kuMose, ₂₃konke uJehova aniyalile ngesandla sikaMose, kusukela osukwini uJehova ayala ngalo nangasemuva ezizukulwaneni zenu, ₂₄kuyakuthi uma kwenziwe kungengamabomu, futhi kungesemehlweni enhlangano, inhlangano yonke inikele ngeduna libe ngumnikelo wokushiswa wephunga elimnandi kuJehova kanye nomnikelo wayo wempuphu, nomnikelo wayo wokuphuzwa ngokomthetho, nempongo ibe nye, ibe ngumnikelo wesono. ₂₅Umpristi uyakuyenzela yonke inhlangano yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ukubuyisana, baze bathethelelwe, ngokuba kwakungengamabomu, futhi balethile umnikelo wabo, umnikelo womlilo kuJehova, nomnikelo wabo wesono phambi kukaJehova ngesiphosiso sabo; ₂₆yonke inhlangano yabantwana bakwa-Israyeli iyakuthethelelwa kanye nomfokazi ogogobeleyo kubo, ngokuba kubo bonke abantu kwakungesiphosiso.

₂₇“ ‘Uma umuntu ona kungengamabomu, uyakunikela ngembuzikazi enomnyaka munye, ibe ngumnikelo wesono. ₂₈Umpristi uyakwenzela umuntu ophosisayo ukubuyisana, nxa ona kungengamabomu phambi kukaJehova ukumenzela ukubuyisana, athethelelwe. ₂₉Niyakuba nomthetho munye kowenza kungengamabomu, nakowokuzalwa ekhaya phakathi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli nakumfokazi ogogobeleyo phakathi kwabo.

₃₀“ ‘Kepha okwenza ngesandla esiphakemeyo, noma engowokuzalwa ekhaya noma engumfokazi, uyamhlambalaza uJehova; lowo muntu uyakunqunywa kubantu bakubo. ₃₁Ngokuba udelele izwi likaJehova, nomyalo wakhe uwaphulile; lowo muntu uyakunqunywa impela, ububi bakhe bube phezu kwakhe.’ ”

₃₂Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli besesehlane bafumana umuntu otheza izinkuni ngosuku lwesabatha. ₃₃Abamfumana etheza izinkuni bamyisa kuMose naku-Aroni nakuyo yonke inhlangano. ₃₄Bambeka ukuba alindwe, ngokuba kwakungakanqunywa ukuthi kuyakwenziwani kuye. ₃₅UJehova wathi kuMose: “Lowo muntu wobulawa nokubulawa; yonke inhlangano iyakumkhanda ngamatshe ngaphandle kwekamu.”* ₃₆Yonke inhlangano yamkhiphela ngaphandle kwekamu,* yamkhanda ngamatshe, wafa, njengalokho uJehova emyalile uMose.

₃₇UJehova wakhuluma kuMose, wathi: ₃₈“Yisho kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli, usho kubo ukuba bazenzele insephe emiphethweni yezingubo zabo ezizukulwaneni zabo, futhi ukuba babeke igoda eliluhlaza ensepheni yemiphetho yonke; ₃₉lokhu kuyakuba kini insephe ukuba niyibheke, nikhumbule yonke imiyalo kaJehova, niyenze, ningahambi ngeyenu inhliziyo nangawenu amehlo enanivama ukukulandela ngokuphinga, ₄₀ukuba nikhumbule, niyenze yonke imiyalo yami, nibe ngcwele kuNkulunkulu wenu. ₄₁NginguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu owanikhipha ezweni laseGibithe, ngibe nguNkulunkulu wenu; nginguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.”

₁UPawulu, obizelwe ngentando kaNkulunkulu ukuba abe ngumphostoli kaJesu Kristu, noSostene umzalwane, ₂kulo ibandla likaNkulunkulu eliseKorinte, kubo abangcwelisiwe kuKristu Jesu, ababiziweyo abangcwele, kanye nabo bonke abakhuleka egameni leNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu ezindaweni zonke, eyabo neyethu:

₃Makube kini umusa nokuthula okuvela kuNkulunkulu uBaba wethu naseNkosini uJesu Kristu.

₄Ngibonga uNkulunkulu wami ngesikhathi sonke ngani ngenxa yomusa kaNkulunkulu eniwuphiweyo kuKristu Jesu ₅ukuthi ezintweni zonke nicetshisiwe kuye, ekukhulumeni konke nasekwazini konke, ₆njengalokho ubufakazi ngoKristu baqiniswa kini, ₇ukuze ningasilalelwa nasinye isiphiwo somusa, nisahlalele ukwambulwa kweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu, ₈yena oyakuniqinisa nani kuze kube sekupheleni, ningabi nacala ngosuku lweNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu. ₉Uthembekile uNkulunkulu, okungaye nabizelwa ekuhlanganyeleni neNdodana yakhe uJesu Kristu iNkosi yethu.

₁₀Kepha ngiyanincenga, bazalwane, ngegama leNkosi yethu uJesu Kristu ukuba nikhulume zwilinye nonke, kungabikho ukwahlukana phakathi kwenu, kodwa nipheleliswe emqondweni munye nasekuboneni kunye. ₁₁Ngokuba ngitsheliwe ngani bazalwane bami ngabendlu kaKlowe ukuthi kukhona ukuphikisana phakathi kwenu. ₁₂Ngisho lokhu ukuthi yilowo nalowo kini uthi: “Mina ngingokaPawulu”; “Mina ngingoka-Apholo”; “Mina ngingokaKhefase”; “Mina ngingokaKristu”.

₁₃UKristu wahlukanisiwe yini? UPawulu wabethelwa esiphambanweni ngenxa yenu na? Nabhapathizwa egameni likaPawulu na? ₁₄Ngibonga uNkulunkulu ngokuba ngingabhapathizanga muntu kini, kuphela oKrispu noGayu, ₁₅funa kube khona othi nabhapathizwa egameni lami. ₁₆Kodwa ngabhapathiza nabendlu kaStefana; ngaphandle kwalokho angazi ukuba ngabhapathiza omunye. ₁₇Ngokuba uKristu kangithumanga ukuba ngibhapathize, kepha ukuba ngishumayele ivangeli, kungabi ngokuhlakanipha kwamazwi, funa isiphambano sikaKristu senziwe ize.

₁₈Ngokuba izwi lesiphambano kwababhubhayo lingubuwula, kepha kithina esisindiswayo lingamandla kaNkulunkulu. ₁₉Ngokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi:

₂₀Siphi isazi na? Uphi umbhali na? Uphi umphikisi walesi sikhathi na? UNkulunkulu kakwenzanga kube yize ukuhlakanipha kwaleli zwe na? ₂₁Ngokuba njengalokho ekuhlakanipheni kukaNkulunkulu izwe alimazanga uNkulunkulu ngokuhlakanipha kwalo, kwaba kuhle kuNkulunkulu ukusindisa abakholwayo ngobuwula bentshumayelo. ₂₂Ngokuba abaJuda babiza izibonakaliso, namaGreki afuna ukuhlakanipha, ₂₃kepha thina sishumayela uKristu obethelwe esiphambanweni, isikhubekiso kubaJuda, ubuwula kubo abezizwe, ₂₄kepha kubo ababiziweyo, abaJuda namaGreki, sishumayela uKristu, amandla kaNkulunkulu nokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu. ₂₅Ngokuba ubuwula bukaNkulunkulu buhlakaniphile kunabantu; nobuthakathaka bukaNkulunkulu bunamandla kunabantu.

₂₆Ngokuba bhekani ukubizwa kwenu bazalwane: kababaningi abahlakaniphileyo ngokwenyama, kababaningi abanamandla, kababaningi abayizikhulu, ₂₇kodwa izinto zobuwula zezwe uNkulunkulu uzikhethile ukuba ajabhise abahlakaniphileyo; nezinto ezibuthakathaka zezwe uNkulunkulu uzikhethile ukuba ajabhise izinto ezinamandla; ₂₈nezinto eziphansi zezwe nezinto ezidelelwayo uNkulunkulu wazikhetha, nezinto ezingekho, ukuba achithe ezikhona, ₂₉ukuze kungabikho nyama ezibongayo phambi kukaNkulunkulu. ₃₀Kepha ngaye nikuJesu Kristu owenzelwe thina ukuhlakanipha okuvela kuNkulunkulu nokulunga kanye nokungcweliswa nokuhlengwa, ₃₁ukuze kuthi njengokulotshiweyo:

₁Nami, bazalwane, ekufikeni kwami kini angifikanga ngobungcweti bokukhuluma nobokuhlakanipha, ngimemezele kini ubufakazi bukaNkulunkulu. ₂Ngokuba nganquma ukuthi angiyikwazi okunye phakathi kwenu, kuphela uJesu Kristu, lowo obethelwe esiphambanweni. ₃Mina ngangikini ngobuthakathaka, nangokwesaba, nangokuthuthumela okukhulu; ₄nokukhuluma kwami nokushumayela kwami akubanga ngamazwi okuhlakanipha ahungayo, kepha kwaba ngesibonakaliso sikaMoya nesamandla, ₅ukuze ukukholwa kwenu kungemi ngokuhlakanipha kwabantu, kume ngamandla kaNkulunkulu.

₆Kepha ukuhlakanipha sikukhuluma phakathi kwabapheleleyo, ukuhlakanipha kambe okungesikho okwalesi sikhathi nokwababusi balesi sikhathi, ababhubhayo. ₇Kodwa sikhuluma ukuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu emfihlakalweni efihliweyo uNkulunkulu akumisela ngaphambili kube yinkazimulo yethu, kusukela kwaphakade, ₈okungaziwa namunye wababusi balesi sikhathi; ngokuba uma bebekwazi, babengayikuyibethela esiphambanweni iNkosi yenkazimulo; ₉kepha kunjengokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi:

₁₁Ngokuba ngumuphi kubantu owazi okomuntu, uma kungesiye umoya womuntu okuye na? Ngokunjalo nokukaNkulunkulu akwaziwa muntu, kuphela nguMoya kaNkulunkulu. ₁₂Kepha thina asamukelanga umoya wezwe kodwa umoya ovela kuNkulunkulu, ukuze sikwazi esikuphiwe nguNkulunkulu ngomusa, ₁₃esikhuluma ngakho futhi, kungengamazwi afundiswa ngukuhlakanipha kwabantu kodwa afundiswa nguMoya, sichaza okomoya ngokomoya. ₁₄Umuntu wemvelo kakwamukeli okukaMoya kaNkulunkulu, ngokuba kungubuwula kuye; angekuqonde, ngokuba kubonisiswa ngokomoya. ₁₅Kepha ongowomoya ubonisisa konke, kodwa yena kabonisiswa muntu. ₁₆Ngokuba ngubani owake wazi umqondo weNkosi ukuba angaze ayifundise na? Kepha thina sinomqondo kaKristu.