To The Word – Day 45

₁Lawa angamazwi uMose awakhuluma kubo bonke abakwa-Israyeli ngaphesheya kweJordani ehlane e-Araba, malungana neSufi, phakathi kwePharanu, neThofeli, neLabani, neHaseroti, neDi Zahabi, ₂kuyizinsuku eziyishumi nanye ukusuka eHorebe ngendlela yasentabeni yaseSeyiri ukuya eKadeshi Barineya.

₃Kwathi ngomnyaka wamashumi amane ngenyanga yeshumi nanye ngolokuqala lwenyanga uMose wakhuluma kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli njengakho konke uJehova amyale ngakho ukuba akukhulume kubo, ₄esenqobile uSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owahlala eHeshiboni, no-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani, owahlala e-Ashitaroti ngase-Edireyi.

₅Ngaphesheya kweJordani ezweni lakwaMowabi uMose waqala ukuchasisela lo mthetho ngokuthi:

₆“UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu wakhuluma kithi eHorebe, wathi: ‘Sekuyisikhathi eside nihlale kule ntaba; ₇phendukani nihambe, niye entabeni yama-Amori nasezindaweni zonke eziseduze nakhona e-Araba, ezintabeni, nangenzansi, naseningizimu, nangasogwini lolwandle, ezweni lamaKhanani, naseLebanoni, kuze kube semfuleni omkhulu, umfula u-Ewufrathe. ₈Bhekani, ngilibekile izwe phambi kwenu; ngenani nilidle izwe uJehova alifungela oyihlo, o-Abrahama, no-Isaka, noJakobe ukulinika bona nenzalo yabo emva kwabo.’

₉“Ngakhuluma kini ngaleso sikhathi, ngathi: ‘Anginakunithwala mina ngedwa; ₁₀uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu unandisile; bhekani, namuhla ningangezinkanyezi zezulu ngobuningi. ₁₁UJehova uNkulunkulu wawoyihlo makathasisele kulokhu eniyikho kayinkulungwane, anibusise, njengalokho wakhuluma kini. ₁₂Mina ngedwa ngingathwala kanjani izinhlupheko zenu, nemithwalo yenu, nokuxabana kwenu na? ₁₃Nizithathele amadoda ahlakaniphileyo, aqondileyo, aziwayo ezizweni zenu, ngiwenze abe yizinhloko phezu kwenu.’

₁₄“Nangiphendula nathi: ‘Okukhulumileyo kuhle kithi ukukwenza.’

₁₅“Ngase ngithatha izinhloko zezizwe zenu, amadoda ahlakaniphileyo naziwayo, ngawenza aba yizinhloko phezu kwenu: izinduna zezinkulungwane, nezinduna zamakhulu, nezinduna zamashumi ayisihlanu, nezinduna zamashumi, neziphathimandla ezizweni zenu. ₁₆Ngabayala abahluleli benu ngaleso sikhathi, ngathi: ‘Zwanini okuphakathi kwabafowenu, nahlulele ngokulungileyo phakathi komuntu nomfowabo, nomfokazi okuye. ₁₇Maningakhethi abantu ekwahluleleni, nimuzwe omncane njengomkhulu, ningesabi ubuso bamuntu, ngokuba ukwahlulela kungokukaNkulunkulu; indaba elukhuni kini niyilethe kimi, ngiyizwe.’ ₁₈Nganiyala ngaleso sikhathi ngakho konke ebeniyakukwenza.

₁₉“Sasuka eHorebe, sadabula lelo hlane elikhulu nelesabekayo enalibonayo ngasendleleni yasentabeni yama-Amori, njengalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu wasiyala, saze safika eKadeshi Barineya. ₂₀Ngase ngithi kini: ‘Senifikile entabeni yama-Amori uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu asinika yona. ₂₁Bhekani, uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ulibekile izwe phambi kwenu: khuphukani nilidle, njengalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wawoyihlo akhuluma kini; ningesabi, ningapheli amandla.’

₂₂“Nasondela kimi nina nonke, nathi: ‘Masithume amadoda phambi kwethu ukuba asihlolele izwe, asibuyisele izwi ngendlela esimelwe ukukhuphuka ngayo, nangemizi esiyakufika kuyo.’

₂₃“Leyo nto yaba nhle emehlweni ami, ngathatha kini amadoda ayishumi nambili, kwaba yindoda inye kuleso naleso sizwe. ₂₄Wona ayesephenduka, akhuphukela entabeni, afika esiGodini sase-Eshikoli, asihlola. ₂₅Athatha ngezandla zawo ezithelweni zezwe, azehlisela kithi, asibuyisela izwi, athi: ‘Yizwe elihle uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu asinika lona.’

₂₆“Nokho anithandanga ukukhuphuka, kepha nahlubuka esiyalezweni sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu; ₂₇nakhonona ematendeni enu, nathi: ‘Ngokuba uJehova wasizonda, wasikhipha ezweni laseGibithe ukuba asinikele esandleni sama-Amori, sichithwe. ₂₈Siyakukhuphukelaphi na? Abafowethu benzile izinhliziyo zethu ziphele amandla ngokusho ukuthi: “Abantu bakhulu, bade kunathi; imizi mikhulu, ibiyelwe kuze kube sezulwini; futhi sibonile amadodana ama-Anaki khona.” ’

₂₉“Ngase ngithi kini: ‘Ningashaywa luvalo, ningabesabi. ₃₀UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ohamba phambi kwenu uyakunilwela njengakho konke anenzela khona eGibithe emehlweni enu, ₃₁nasehlane lapho ubone khona ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wakuthwala njengendoda ithwala indodana yayo, endleleni yonke enahamba ngayo, naze nafika kule ndawo.’

₃₂“Noma kunjalo, anikholwanga nokho nguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ₃₃owahamba phambi kwenu endleleni ukunifunela indawo ukuba nimise kuyo amatende enu, ngomlilo ebusuku ukunibonisa indlela ebeniyakuhamba ngayo, nangefu emini.

₃₄“UJehova wezwa izwi lokukhuluma kwenu, wathukuthela, wafunga wathi: ₃₅‘Impela akuyikubona noyedwa walaba bantu balesi sizukulwane esibi izwe elihle engafunga ukubanika lona oyihlo, ₃₆ngaphandle kukaKalebi indodana kaJefune; yena uyakulibona; ngiyakumnika yena nabantwana bakhe izwe alinyatheleyo, ngokuba umlandele uJehova wakhe ngokupheleleyo.’

₃₇“Futhi uJehova wangithukuthelela ngenxa yenu, wathi: ‘Nawe awuyikungena khona; ₃₈uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni omi phambi kwakho uyakungena khona; mqinise wena, ngokuba uyakumenza u-Israyeli adle ifa lalo. ₃₉Abancane benu enasho ukuthi bayakuba yimpango, nabantwana benu abangakwazi namuhla okuhle nokubi bayakungena khona, ngibanike lona, balidle. ₄₀Kepha nina anophenduka, nihambe, niye ehlane ngendlela eya eLwandle Olubomvu.’

₄₁“Nase niphendula, nithi kimi: ‘Sonile kuJehova; siyakukhuphuka silwe njengakho konke asiyala ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu. Nabhincisa, kwaba yilowo nalowo izikhali zakhe zokulwa; kwase kuba lula kini ukuba nikhuphukele entabeni.’

₄₂“UJehova wayesethi kimi: ‘Yisho kubo ukuthi: “Ningakhuphuki, ningalwi, ngokuba angikho phakathi kwenu, ukuze ningabulawa phambi kwezitha zenu.” ’

₄₃“Ngakhuluma-ke kanjalo kini, analalela, kepha nahlubuka ezwini likaJehova, naziqhenya, nakhuphukela entabeni. ₄₄Ama-Amori ayehlala kuleyo ntaba aphuma anihlasela, anixosha njengokwenza kwezinyosi, aninqoba eSeyiri, kwaze kwaba seHorma. ₄₅Nabuye nakhala phambi kukaJehova, kepha uJehova akalalelanga izwi lenu, kanizwanga. ₄₆Nase nihlala eKadeshi izinsuku eziningi njengezinsuku enazihlala khona.

₁“Sase siphenduka sahamba, saya ehlane ngendlela eya eLwandle Olubomvu, njengalokho ebeshilo kimi uJehova. Sazungeza intaba yaseSeyiri izinsuku eziningi.

₂“UJehova wakhuluma kimi, wathi: ₃‘Sekuyisikhathi niyizungeza le ntaba; phendukani, niye ngasenyakatho. ₄Yala abantu ngokuthi: “Niyakudabula umkhawulo wabafowenu, abantwana bakwa-Esawu abahlala eSeyiri; bayakunesaba, kepha maniqaphele nokho, ₅ningalwi nabo, ngokuba angiyikuninika izwe labo, ngisho nendawo yamathe onyawo, lokhu ngimnikile u-Esawu intaba yaseSeyiri ibe yifa lakhe. ₆Niyakuthenga kubo ukudla ngemali ukuba nidle, nithenge kubo futhi amanzi ngemali ukuba niphuze.” ’

₇“Ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ukubusisile emsebenzini wonke wesandla sakho; ukwazile ukuhamba kwakho kuleli hlane elikhulu; nakule minyaka engamashumi amane uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho waba nawe, awuswelanga lutho.

₈“Sase sidlula sisuka kubafowethu, abantwana bakwa-Esawu abahlala eSeyiri, sashiya indlela yase-Araba, ne-Elati, ne-Esiyoni Geberi. Saphenduka sadlula ngendlela yasehlane lakwaMowabi.

₉“UJehova wayesethi kimi: ‘Ungakhathazi uMowabi, ungalwi nabo ekulweni, ngokuba angiyikukunika izwe lakhe libe yifa, lokhu ngibanikile abantwana bakwaLoti i-Ari libe yifa labo.’ ”

₁₀Kwakuhlala khona kuqala ama-Emi, abantu abakhulu, abaningi, abade njengama-Anaki; ₁₁laba bathiwa namaRefa njengama-Anaki, kepha abakwaMowabi bababiza ngokuthi ama-Emi. ₁₂AmaHori nawo ayehlala eSeyiri kuqala, kepha abantwana bakwa-Esawu bawaxosha, bawachitha phambi kwabo, bakha esikhundleni sawo njengalokho u-Israyeli enza kulo izwe elaliyifa lakhe, aphiwe lona nguJehova.

₁₃“ ‘Sukani kalokhu, niwele umfula iZeredi.’ Sase siwela-ke umfula iZeredi.

₁₄“Izinsuku esahamba ngazo sisuka eKadeshi Barineya saze sawela umfula iZeredi zaziyiminyaka engamashumi amathathu nesishiyagalombili, kwaze kwaphela isizukulwane samadoda empi phakathi kwekamu,* njengalokho uJehova afunga kuwo. ₁₅Futhi isandla sikaJehova sasimelene nawo ukuwachitha phakathi kwekamu,* aze aphela.

₁₆“Kwathi onke amadoda empi esephelile afa phakathi kwabantu, ₁₇uJehova wakhuluma kimi, wathi: ₁₈‘Wena uyakuwela i-Ari, umkhawulo wakwaMowabi; ₁₉lapho ususondela malungana nabantwana bakwa-Amoni, ungabakhathazi, ungalwi nabo, ngokuba angiyikukunika izwe labantwana bakwa-Amoni libe yifa lenu, lokhu ngibanikile lona abantwana bakwaLoti libe yifa labo.’ ”

₂₀Nalelo lithiwa izwe lamaRefa; amaRefa ahlala khona kuqala; kepha abakwa-Amoni bawabiza ngokuthi amaZamuzumi, ₂₁abantu abakhulu, abaningi, abade njengama-Anaki; kepha uJehova wabachitha phambi kwabo; babaxosha, bakha esikhundleni sabo, ₂₂njengalokho ebenzela abantwana bakwa-Esawu ababehlala eSeyiri, lapho ewachitha amaHori phambi kwabo, bawaxosha, bahlala esikhundleni sawo kuze kube namuhla; ₂₃kanjalo nama-Avi ayehlala emizaneni kwaze kwaba seGaza, anqoba amaKafitori ayevela eKafitori, akha esikhundleni sawo.

₂₄“ ‘Sukani nihambe, niwele umfula i-Arinoni; bhekani, nginikele esandleni sakho uSihoni umAmori, inkosi yaseHeshiboni, nezwe lakhe: qala ukulidla, ulwe naye ekulweni. ₂₅Namuhla ngiyakuqala ukubeka uvalo nokukwesaba phezu kwezizwe zonke eziphansi kwezulu, eziyakuzwa indaba yakho, zithuthumele, ziqhaqhazele ngenxa yakho.’

₂₆“Ngase ngithuma izithunywa kuSihoni inkosi yaseHeshiboni, zisuka ehlane laseKedemoti, zinamazwi okuthula, ngokuthi: ₂₇‘Mangidabule izwe lakho; ngiyakuhamba ngomgwaqo, ngingajiki ngakwesokunene noma ngakwesokhohlo. ₂₈Uyakuthengisa kimi ukudla ngemali ukuba ngidle, ningiphe amanzi ngemali ukuba ngiphuze; mangidabule kuphela ngezinyawo, ₂₉njengalokho bangenzela abantwana bakwa-Esawu ababehlala eSeyiri nabakwaMowabi ababehlala e-Ari, ngize ngiwele iJordani, ngingene ezweni uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu asinika lona.’ ₃₀Kepha uSihoni inkosi yaseHeshiboni akasivumelanga ukuba sidlule kuye, ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wenza lukhuni umoya wakhe, wenza ukuba ibe nenkani inhliziyo yakhe, ukuze amnikele esandleni sakho njenganamuhla.

₃₁“UJehova wayesethi kimi: ‘Bheka, ngiqalile ukunikela uSihoni nezwe lakhe phambi kwakho: qala ukulidla ukuba udle ifa lezwe lakhe.’

₃₂“USihoni waphuma wasihlasela, yena nabo bonke abantu bakhe, ukuzokulwa eJahasi. ₃₃UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu wamnikela phambi kwethu, samnqoba yena namadodana akhe nabantu bakhe bonke. ₃₄Sathatha yonke imizi yakhe ngaleso sikhathi, sachitha saqeda yonke imizi enamadoda nabesifazane nezingane; asishiyanga muntu; ₃₅izinkomo kuphela sazithathela zona zaba yimpango yethu kanye nempango yemizi esasiyithathile. ₃₆Kusukela e-Aroweri elisosebeni lomfula i-Arinoni nasemzini osesigodini kuze kube kwaGileyadi akubangakho muzi owasahlula ngokuphakama; uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu wayinikela yonke phambi kwethu; ₃₇izwe labantwana bakwa-Amoni nokho awusondelanga kulo, uhlangothi lomfula iJaboki, nemizi esezintabeni, nakuphi lapho uNkulunkulu wasenqabela khona.

₁“Sase siphenduka sakhuphuka ngendlela eya eBashani; u-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani waphuma wasihlasela, yena nabo bonke abantu bakhe, ukuzokulwa ngase-Edireyi. ₂UJehova wayesethi kimi: ‘Ungamesabi, ngokuba ngimnikele yena nabo bonke abantu bakhe nezwe lakhe esandleni sakho, wena wenze kuye, njengalokho wenza kuSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owahlala eHeshiboni.’

₃“UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu wayesenikela esandleni sethu naye u-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani nabantu bakhe bonke; samnqoba, akwaze kwasala muntu kuye. ₄Sathatha yonke imizi yakhe ngaleso sikhathi; akubangakho muzi esingawuthathanga kubo: imizi engamashumi ayisithupha, sonke isifunda sase-Arigobi, umbuso ka-Ogi eBashani. ₅Yonke lena yayiyimizi ebiyelwe ngezingange eziphakemeyo, namasango, nemigoqo, ngaphandle kwemizana eminingi kakhulu. ₆Sayichitha sayiqeda, njengalokho senza kuSihoni inkosi yaseHeshiboni, sichitha siqeda yonke imizi enamadoda nabesifazane nezingane. ₇Kepha izinkomo nempango yemizi sakuthatha kwaba yimpango yethu.

₈“Salithatha ngaleso sikhathi izwe esandleni samakhosi ama-Amori aphesheya kweJordani, kusukela esigodini sase-Arinoni kuze kube sentabeni yaseHermoni ₉eliyiHermoni elibizwa ngamaSidoni ngokuthi iSiriyoni nama-Amori alibiza ngokuthi iSeniri ₁₀yonke imizi yasethafeni, nalo lonke elakwaGileyadi, nalo lonke iBashani kuze kube seSaleka nase-Edireyi, imizi yasembusweni ka-Ogi eBashani. ₁₁Ngokuba u-Ogi kuphela, inkosi yaseBashani, wasala ensalini yamaRefa; bheka, ibhokisi lakhe laliyibhokisi lensimbi; angithi liseRaba kubantwana bakwa-Amoni; ubude balo babuyizingalo eziyisishiyagalolunye, nobubanzi balo buyizingalo ezine, ngokwengalo yomuntu.

₁₂“Lelo zwe salidla ngaleso sikhathi; izwe elisukela e-Aroweri elisesigodini sase-Arinoni, nenxenye yezintaba zakwaGileyadi, nemizi yalo, sabanika khona abakwaRubeni nabakwaGadi; ₁₃insali yakwaGileyadi, nalo lonke iBashani, umbuso ka-Ogi, nganika lokho inxenye yesizwe sakwaManase, sonke isifunda sase-Arigobi neBashani lonke elibizwa ngokuthi izwe lamaRefa. ₁₄UJayire indodana kaManase wathatha sonke isifunda sase-Arigobi kuze kube semkhawulweni wamaGeshuri nowamaMahakhathi, wasibiza – lona iBashani – ngegama lakhe ngokuthi iHawoti Jayire kuze kube namuhla. ₁₅Ngamnika uMakiri elakwaGileyadi. ₁₆AbakwaRubeni nabakwaGadi ngabanika okusukela kwaGileyadi kuze kube sesigodini sase-Arinoni phakathi nesigodi kwaba ngumkhawulo nasemfuleni iJakobi elingumkhawulo wabantwana bakwa-Amoni, ₁₇ne-Araba futhi, neJordani elingumkhawulo, kusukela eKinereti kuze kube seLwandle lwase-Araba, uLwandle Lukasawoti, phansi kwemithambeka yasePisiga ngasempumalanga.

₁₈“Ngaleso sikhathi nganiyala ngathi: ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uninikile leli zwe ukuba nilidle; niyakuwela nihlomile phambi kwabafowenu, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, nonke eningamadoda anesibindi. ₁₉Kepha omkenu, nabancane benu, nezinkomo zenu – ngiyazi ukuthi ninezinkomo eziningi – bayakuhlala emizini yenu engininike yona, ₂₀uJehova aze aphe abafowenu ukuphumula njengani, nabo balidle izwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ayakubanika lona ngaphesheya kweJordani, andukuba nibuyele, kube yilowo nalowo ezweni lakhe engininike lona.’

₂₁“Ngamyala uJoshuwa ngaleso sikhathi, ngathi: ‘Amehlo akho abonile konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu akwenzile kulawo makhosi amabili: kanjalo uJehova uyakwenza kuyo yonke imibuso eniyidabulayo. ₂₂Aniyikubesaba, ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nguyena onilwelayo.’

₂₃“Ngaleso sikhathi ngacela kuJehova, ngathi: ₂₄‘Nkosi Jehova, uqalile ukubonisa inceku yakho ubukhulu bakho nesandla sakho esinamandla, ngokuba ngumuphi unkulunkulu ezulwini nasemhlabeni ongenza njengemisebenzi yakho nanjengezenzo zakho zamandla na? ₂₅Ake ngiwele, ngilibone izwe elihle elingaphesheya kweJordani, leyo ntaba enhle, neLebanoni.’

₂₆“Kepha uJehova wangithukuthelela ngenxa yenu, akangizwanga; uJehova wayesethi kimi: ‘Mawudele; ungabe usakhuluma nami ngale ndaba. ₂₇Khuphukela esiqongweni sasePisiga, uphakamisele amehlo akho ngasentshonalanga, nangasenyakatho, nangaseningizimu, nangasempumalanga, ulibheke ngamehlo akho, ngokuba awuyikuliwela leli Jordani. ₂₈Kepha yala uJoshuwa, umqunge isibindi, umqinise, ngokuba uyakuwela phambi kwalaba bantu, abenze ukuba balidle izwe oyakulibona.’ ₂₉Sahlala-ke esigodini esimalungana neBeti Peyori.

₁“Manje-ke, Israyeli, yizwa izimiso nezahlulelo enginifundisa zona ukuba nizenze, nize niphile, ningene nilidle izwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wawoyihlo aninika lona. ₂Aniyikuthasisela ezwini enginiyala ngalo, ninganciphisi futhi kulo, ukuba nigcine imiyalo kaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu enginiyala ngayo.

₃“Amehlo enu abonile okwenziwa nguJehova ngenxa kaBali Peyori ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wabachitha phakathi kwakho bonke abantu ababemlandela uBali Peyori. ₄Kodwa nina enanamathela kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nisekhona nonke nanamuhla.

₅“Bhekani, nginifundisile izimiso nezahlulelo njengokungiyala kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wami ukuthi niyakwenza kanjalo phakathi kwezwe eningena kulo ukulidla. ₆Ngalokho manizigcine, nizenze, ngokuba lokhu kungukuhlakanipha kwenu nokuqonda kwenu emehlweni ezizwe eziyakuzizwa zonke lezi zimiso, zithi: ‘Impela lesi sizwe esikhulu singabantu abahlakaniphileyo nabaqondileyo.’ ₇Ngokuba yisiphi isizwe esikhulu esinonkulunkulu oseduze naso njengoJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, enjalo nanini lapho simbiza, na? ₈Yisiphi isizwe esikhulu esinezimiso nezahlulelo ezilungile njengawo wonke lo mthetho engiwubeka phambi kwenu namuhla na?

₉“Kepha xwaya, ugcine kahle umphefumulo wakho, funa ukhohlwe izinto azibonayo amehlo akho, zimuke enhliziyweni yakho izinsuku zonke zokuhamba kwakho; bazise zona abantwana bakho nabantwana babantwana bakho: ₁₀usuku owema ngalo phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho eHorebe, lapho uJehova wathi kimi: ‘Ngibuthele abantu, ngibezwise amazwi ami ukuba bafunde ukungesaba zonke izinsuku zokuhamba kwabo emhlabeni, bafundise nabantwana babo.’ ₁₁Nase nisondela, nema phansi kwentaba; intaba yavutha umlilo kwaze kwaba phakathi kwezulu, inobumnyama, namafu, nesigayegaye. ₁₂UJehova wayesekhuluma kini ephakathi komlilo; nezwa izwi likhuluma, kepha anibonanga simo, kwakuyizwi kuphela. ₁₃Wanimemezelela isivumelwano sakhe aniyala ngaso ukuba nisenze, imiyalelo eyishumi; wayiloba ezibhebheni ezimbili zamatshe. ₁₄UJehova wanginika ngaleso sikhathi ukunifundisa izimiso nezahlulelo ukuba nizenze ezweni eningena kulo ukulidla.

₁₅“Gcinani kahle imiphefumulo yenu, lokhu ningabonanga simo ngalolo suku uJehova akhuluma ngalo kini eHorebe ephakathi komlilo, ₁₆funa none, nizenzele izithombe ezibaziweyo, isimo somfanekiso wowesilisa noma owowesifazane, ₁₇noma umfanekiso wesilwane esisemhlabeni, noma umfanekiso wenyoni enamaphiko, endizayo emkhathini, ₁₈noma umfanekiso wesilwanyana esinwabuzelayo emhlabeni, noma umfanekiso wenhlanzi esemanzini phansi komhlaba, ₁₉funa uphakamisele amehlo akho ezulwini, nalapho ubona ilanga nenyanga nezinkanyezi, lonke ibandla lezulu, uyengwe, uze ukhuleke kukho, ukukhonze, okwabelwe izizwe zonke eziphansi kwezulu nguJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. ₂₀Kepha uJehova wakuthatha, wakukhipha esithandweni sensimbi, iGibithe, ube ngabantu befa kuye njenganamuhla.

₂₁“Futhi uJehova wangithukuthelela ngenxa yenu, wafunga ukuthi angiyikuwela iJordani nokuthi angiyikungena kulelo zwe elihle uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akunika lona libe yifa lakho, ₂₂kepha ngimelwe ukufa mina kulelizwe, ngingaweli iJordani; kodwa nina niyakuwela, nilidle lelo zwe elihle. ₂₃Xwayani, funa nikhohlwe isivumelwano sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu owasenza nani ngokuzenzela izithombe ezibaziweyo ngomfanekiso wento uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akwenqabela yona. ₂₄Ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ungumlilo oqothulayo, unguNkulunkulu onomhawu.

₂₅“Nxa uyakuzala abantwana nabantwana babantwana, nanxa senihlale isikhathi eside ezweni, none, nenze izithombe ezibaziweyo ngomfanekiso wento ethile, nenze okubi emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, nimthukuthelise, ₂₆ngifakazisa namuhla izulu nomhlaba ngani ukuthi niyakuphela nokuphela masinyane ezweni eniwela iJordani ukuya kulo ukuba nilidle; aniyikwandisa izinsuku zenu kulo: niyakuqothulwa nokuqothulwa. ₂₇UJehova uyakunihlakazela ezizweni, nisale niyingcosana phakathi kwabezizwe, lapho uJehova eyakuniholela khona. ₂₈Lapho niyakukhonza onkulunkulu, umsebenzi wezandla zabantu, imithi namatshe, abangaboni, abangezwa, abangahogeli. ₂₉Uma nina niselapho nimfuna uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, niyakumfumana, uma nimfuna ngayo yonke inhliziyo yenu nangawo wonke umphefumulo wenu. ₃₀Uma usekuhluphekeni, zikwehlela zonke lezi zinto, uyakuphendukela kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ngezinsuku zokugcina, ulalele izwi lakhe, ₃₁ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho unguNkulunkulu onomusa; akayikukushiya, angakubhubhisi, angakhohlwa isivumelwano sawoyihlo asifungela bona.

₃₂“Ngokuba ake ubuze izinsuku ezidlulileyo ezaziphambi kwakho, kusukela osukwini uNkulunkulu adala ngalo umuntu emhlabeni, kusukela kolunye uhlangothi lwezulu kuze kufike kolunye, uma kwake kwaba khona into engaka nokuba kwake kwezwakala okungangayo na? ₃₃Abantu bake balizwa yini izwi likaNkulunkulu likhuluma livela phakathi komlilo, njengalokho wena uzwile, baphile, na? ₃₄UNkulunkulu wake walinga yini ukuhamba eyozithabathela isizwe phakathi kwesinye isizwe ngezilingo, nangezibonakaliso, nangezimangaliso, nangempi, nangesandla esinamandla, nangengalo eyeluliweyo, nangengebhe enkulu njengakho konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu anenzela khona eGibithe phambi kwamehlo enu, na?

₃₅“Wena waboniswa lokho ukuba wazi ukuthi uJehova unguNkulunkulu, akakho omunye ngaphandle kwakhe. ₃₆Esezulwini wakuzwisa izwi lakhe ukuba akufundise; emhlabeni wakubonisa umlilo wakhe omkhulu; wena wezwa amazwi akhe evela phakathi komlilo. ₃₇Lokhu ebethanda oyihlo wakhetha inzalo yabo emva kwabo, wakukhipha yena uqobo ngamandla akhe amakhulu eGibithe ₃₈ukuba axoshe izizwe ezinkulu nezinamandla kunawe phambi kwakho, angenise wena, akunike izwe labo libe yifa lakho njenganamuhla.

₃₉“Yazi namuhla, ukungenise enhliziyweni yakho ukuthi uJehova unguNkulunkulu ezulwini phezulu nasemhlabeni phansi; akakho omunye. ₄₀Wogcina izimiso zakhe nemiyalo yakhe engikuyala ngakho namuhla ukuba kube kuhle kuwe, nakubantwana bakho emva kwakho, wandise izinsuku zakho ezweni uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akunika lona kuze kube phakade.”

₄₁Khona uMose wahlukanisa imizi emithathu ngaphesheya kweJordani ngasempumalanga ₄₂ukuba umbulali abalekele khona, obulala umakhelwane wakhe kungengamabomu, ebekade engamzondi, wothi aphile uma ebalekela komunye waleyo mizi: ₄₃iBeseri elisehlane ezweni lethafa libe ngowabakwaRubeni, neRamoti elikwaGileyadi libe ngowabakwaGadi, neGolanu eliseBashani libe ngowabakwaManase.

₄₄Yiwo umthetho uMose awubeka phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli; ₄₅yibo ubufakazi, nezimiso, nezahlulelo uMose akukhulumayo kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli ekuphumeni kwabo eGibithe, ₄₆ngaphesheya kweJordani esigodini malungana neBeti Peyori ezweni likaSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owahlala eHeshiboni, owanqotshwa nguMose nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli ekuphumeni kwabo eGibithe. ₄₇Balithatha izwe lakhe, balidla kanye nezwe lika-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani, amakhosi amabili ama-Amori ayengaphesheya kweJordani ngasempumalanga, ₄₈kusukela e-Aroweri eliseceleni kwesigodi sase-Arinoni kuze kube sentabeni yaseSiyoni eyiHermoni, ₄₉nalo lonke i-Araba ngaphesheya kweJordani ngasempumalanga, kuze kube seLwandle lwase-Araba phansi kwemithambeka yasePisiga.

₁Ukuqala kwevangeli likaJesu Kristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu. ₂Njengokulotshwe kumprofethi u-Isaya ukuthi:

₉Kwathi ngaleyo mihla kwafika uJesu evela eNazaretha laseGalile, wabhapathizwa nguJohane eJordani. ₁₀Wanele ukukhuphuka emanzini, wabona izulu livuleka, noMoya ehlela phezu kwakhe njengejuba. ₁₁Kwavela izwi ezulwini, lithi: “Wena uyiNdodana yami ethandekayo; ngithokozile ngawe.”

₁₂Masinyane uMoya wayesemqhubela ehlane. ₁₃Wayekhona ehlane izinsuku ezingamashumi amane elingwa nguSathane; wayendawonye nezilwane; izingelosi zamkhonza.

₁₄Emva kokuboshwa kukaJohane uJesu wafika eGalile eshumayela ivangeli likaNkulunkulu, ₁₅wathi: “Isikhathi sigcwalisekile, umbuso kaNkulunkulu ususondele; phendukani, nikholwe yivangeli.”

₁₆Kwathi edlula ngaselwandle lwaseGalile, wabona oSimoni no-Andreya umfowabo kaSimoni bephonsa inetha elwandle, ngokuba babe ngabadobi. ₁₇UJesu wayesethi kubo: “Ngilandeleni; ngiyakunenza nibe ngabadobi babantu.” ₁₈Base bewashiya masinyane amanetha, bamlandela.

₁₉Eseqhubekile ingcosana wabona uJakobe kaZebedewu noJohane umfowabo besemkhunjini, belungisa amanetha. ₂₀Wababiza masinyane; base bemshiya uyise uZebedewu emkhunjini kanye nezisebenzi, bamlandela.

₂₁Bangena eKapernawume. Kwathi masinyane ngesabatha wangena esinagogeni,* wafundisa. ₂₂Bamangala ngokufundisa kwakhe; ngokuba wabafundisa njengonamandla, kungenjengababhali.

₂₃Kwakukhona-ke esinagogeni* umuntu onomoya ongcolileyo, wamemeza, ₂₄wathi: “Sinamsebenzi muni nawe Jesu waseNazaretha? Uze ukusibhubhisa na? Ngiyakwazi ukuba ungubani – ungoNgcwele kaNkulunkulu.”

₂₅UJesu wamkhuza wathi: “Thula, uphume kuye!” ₂₆Umoya ongcolileyo wamhlukumeza, wakhala ngezwi elikhulu, waphuma kuye.

₂₇Bethuka bonke, babuzana bodwa, bathi: “Kuyini lokhu? Yisifundiso esisha esinamandla; nawomoya abangcolileyo uyabayala, bamlalele.” ₂₈Udumo lwakhe lwase lwanda masinyane kuso sonke isifunda saseGalile.

₂₉Sebephume esinagogeni* bangena masinyane endlini kaSimoni no-Andreya, benoJakobe noJohane. ₃₀Umkhwekazi kaSimoni wayelele enomkhuhlane; bashesha bamtshela ngaye. ₃₁Waya kuye, wamlulamisa embamba ngesandla; umkhuhlane wamyeka, wabakhonza.

₃₂Kwathi ukuba kuhlwe, selishonile ilanga, baletha kuye bonke abagulayo nabakhwelwe ngamademoni. ₃₃Umuzi wonke wawubuthene ngasemnyango. ₃₄Waphulukisa abaningi abaphethwe yizifo ngezifo, wakhipha amademoni amaningi, wayengawavumeli amademoni ukukhuluma, ngokuba ayemazi.

₃₅Ekuseni kusemnyama kakhulu, wavuka waphuma, waya endaweni eyihlane, wakhuleka khona. ₃₆USimoni nababe naye bamlandela ngokuphuthuma. ₃₇Sebemfumene bathi kuye: “Bonke bayakufuna.”

₃₈Wathi kubo: “Masiye kwezinye izindawo emizaneni eseduze ukuba ngishumayele nakhona; ngokuba ngiphumele khona lokho.” ₃₉Wahamba eshumayela emasinagogeni* abo kulo lonke iGalile, ekhipha amademoni.

₄₀Kwafika kuye onochoko, wamncenga eguqa ngamadolo, ethi kuye: “Uma uthanda, ungangihlambulula.”

₄₁UJesu wamhawukela, welula isandla, wamphatha, wathi kuye: “Ngiyathanda; hlambuluka.” ₄₂Lwasuka masinyane uchoko kuye, wahlambuluka.

₄₃Esemyalisisile washesha wammukisa, ₄₄wathi kuye: “Bheka, ungasho lutho kumuntu, kepha hamba uzibonakalise kumpristi, unikele ngokuhlanjululwa kwakho lokho okwayalelwa nguMose, kube ngubufakazi kubo.” ₄₅Kepha yena esephumile waqala ukuyandisa kakhulu nokuyidumisa le ndaba, ngangokuba uJesu wayengasenakungena emzini obala; wayesehlala ngaphandle ezindaweni eziyihlane; beza kuye bevela nxazonke.

₁Wabuye wangena eKapernawume emva kwezinsuku ezithile; kwezwakala ukuthi usendlini. ₂Kwase kubuthana abaningi, akwabe kusabakho ndawo nangasemnyango; wakhuluma izwi kubo. ₃Beza kuye bethwele umuntu ofe uhlangothi, ephethwe ngabantu abane. ₄Bengenakusondela kuye ngenxa yesixuku baqaqa uphahla lapho ekhona, bathi sebebhobozile behlisa uhlaka alele kulo ofe uhlangothi. ₅UJesu ebona ukukholwa kwabo wathi kofe uhlangothi: “Ndodana, uthethelelwe izono zakho.”

₆Kepha kwakukhona ababhali abathile behlezi khona, bezindla ezinhliziyweni zabo ngokuthi: ₇“Lo ukhulumelani kanje na? Uyahlambalaza. Ngubani ongathethelela izono, kungeyena uNkulunkulu yedwa na?”

₈UJesu ekwazi masinyane emoyeni wakhe ukuthi bazindla kanjalo phakathi kwabo, wathi kubo: “Nizindlelani ngalokhu ezinhliziyweni zenu na? ₉Yikuphi okulula ukuthi kofe uhlangothi: ‘Uthethelelwe izono zakho,’ noma ukuthi: ‘Vuka, uthathe uhlaka lwakho, uhambe,’ na? ₁₀Kepha ukuze nazi ukuthi iNdodana yomuntu inamandla emhlabeni okuthethelela izono” – wathi kofe uhlangothi – ₁₁“ngithi kuwe: Vuka, uthathe uhlaka lwakho, uye endlini yakho.” ₁₂Wayesevuka, wathatha masinyane uhlaka lwakhe, waphuma phambi kwabo bonke, baze bamangala bonke, bamdumisa uNkulunkulu, bathi: “Asizange sikubone okunje.”

₁₃Waphuma futhi, waya ngaselwandle; isixuku sonke sabantu seza kuye, wabafundisa. ₁₄Wathi edlula, wambona uLevi ka-Alfewu ehlezi endaweni yokuthela, wathi kuye: “Ngilandele.” Wasuka-ke, wamlandela.

₁₅Kwathi ehlezi ekudleni endlini yakhe, abathelisi abaningi nezoni bahlala noJesu nabafundi bakhe; ngokuba babe baningi, bamlandela. ₁₆Khona ababhali babaFarisi bembona edla nezoni nabathelisi bathi kubafundi bakhe: “Yini ukuba adle nabathelisi nezoni na?”

₁₇UJesu ekuzwa lokho wathi kubo: “Abaphilileyo abadingi inyanga, ngabagulayo bodwa; kangizelanga ukubiza abalungileyo kodwa izoni.”

₁₈Abafundi bakaJohane nabaFarisi babezila ukudla; beza bathi kuye: “Yini ukuba abafundi bakaJohane nabafundi babaFarisi bazile ukudla, kodwa abafundi bakho bangazili na?”

₁₉UJesu wathi kubo: “Abayeni bangazila yini, umyeni esenabo na? Bese naye umyeni bangezile. ₂₀Kodwa zizakufika izinsuku, lapho umyeni ezakususwa kubo; yikhona-ke bezakuzila ngalolo suku. ₂₁Akakho othungela isiziba esingakashukeki engutsheni endala, funa okusha okubekelwayo kuklebhule kwendala, kwande ukuklebhuka. ₂₂Futhi akakho othela iwayini elisha ezimvabeni ezindala, funa iwayini liqhumise izimvaba, lichitheke iwayini, nezimvaba zonakale; kodwa iwayini elisha lithelwa ezimvabeni ezintsha.”

₂₃Kwathi edabula amasimu ngesabatha, abafundi bakhe baqala ukukha izikhwebu behamba. ₂₄Base bethi kuye abaFarisi: “Bheka, bakwenzelani ngesabatha okungavunyelwe na?”

₂₅Wathi kubo: “Anizange nifunde yini akwenzayo uDavide mhla eswele, elambile yena nababe naye ₂₆ukuthi wangena endlini kaNkulunkulu enkathini ka-Abiyathara umpristi omkhulu, wadla izinkwa zokubukwa ezingavunyelwe ukudliwa muntu, ngabapristi bodwa, wanika nababe naye, na?”

₂₇Wayesethi kubo: “Isabatha lenzelwa umuntu, umuntu akenzelwanga isabatha. ₂₈Ngokunjalo iNdodana yomuntu iyinkosi neyesabatha.”