To The Word – Day 57

₁Kepha abantwana bakwa-Israyeli beqa ngokuqalekisiweyo, lokhu u-Akani kaKarmi kaZabidi kaZera, owesizwe sakwaJuda, ethatha kukho okuqalekisiweyo; intukuthelo kaJehova yabavuthela abantwana bakwa-Israyeli.

₂UJoshuwa wathuma amadoda, asuka eJeriko aya e-Ayi eliseceleni kweBeti Aveni ngasempumalanga kwaseBethele, wakhuluma kuwo, wathi: “Khuphukani, nilihlole izwe.” Amadoda akhuphuka ahlola i-Ayi.

₃Abuyela kuJoshuwa, athi kuye: “Mabangakhuphuki bonke abantu; makuhambe amadoda kungathi izinkulungwane ezimbili noma ezintathu, alichithe i-Ayi; ungabakhathazi bonke abantu ngokuya khona, ngokuba bayingcosana nje.” ₄Kwase kukhuphukela khona abantu abayizinkulungwane ezintathu, kepha babaleka phambi kwamadoda ase-Ayi. ₅Amadoda ase-Ayi abulala abantu abangamashumi amathathu nesithupha, abaxosha esuka phambi kwesango aze afika eShebarimi, ababulala emthambekeni; izinhliziyo zabantu zaphela amandla, zaba njengamanzi.

₆UJoshuwa waziklebhula izingubo zakhe, wawa ngobuso emhlabathini phambi komphongolo kaJehova kwaze kwahlwa, yena namalunga akwa-Israyeli; bathela uthuli emakhanda abo. ₇UJoshuwa wathi: “Maye, Nkosi Nkulunkulu! Ubaweliseleni iJordani nakanye laba bantu ukuba usinikele esandleni sama-Amori, usibhubhise, na? Sengathi nga saneliswa ukuhlala ngaphesheya kweJordani! ₈O Nkosi, ngiyakuthini, lapha abakwa-Israyeli sebefulathele izitha zabo na? ₉Ngokuba amaKhanani nabo bonke abakhileyo ezweni bayakukuzwa, basihaqe, banqume igama lethu emhlabeni; uyakwenzela ntoni igama lakho elikhulu na?”

₁₀UJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: “Sukuma; uweleni kanje ngobuso bakho na? ₁₁U-Israyeli wonile, yebo, beqile isivumelwano sami engabayala ngaso, yebo, bathathile nakukho okuqalekisiweyo, futhi bebile, baqambile amanga, bakubeka kweyabo impahla. ₁₂Ngalokho abantwana bakwa-Israyeli abanakuma phambi kwezitha zabo, bayafulathela izitha zabo, ngokuba sebeqalekisiwe; angisayikuba nani, uma ningachithi okuqalekisiweyo phakathi kwenu.

₁₃“Suka ungcwelise abantu, uthi: ‘Zingcweliseleni ingomuso, ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli usho kanje, uthi: Kukhona okuqalekisiweyo phakathi kwakho, Israyeli; awunakuma phambi kwezitha zakho, ningakakususi okuqalekisiweyo phakathi kwenu.

₁₄“ ‘Kusasa niyakusondezwa ngezizwe zakini; kuyakuthi isizwe asithathayo uJehova sisondele ngemindeni; umndeni awuthathayo uJehova uyakusondela ngezindlu; indlu ayithathayo uJehova iyakusondela ngabantu. ₁₅Kuyakuthi othathwayo enokuqalekisiweyo ashiswe ngomlilo, yena nakho konke anakho, ngokuba eqile isivumelwano sikaJehova nangokuba esebenzile ubuwula kwa-Israyeli.’ ”

₁₆UJoshuwa wayesevuka ekuseni kakhulu, wasondeza u-Israyeli ngezizwe zakubo; isizwe sakwaJuda sathathwa. ₁₇Wayesesondeza imindeni yakwaJuda; wathatha umndeni wakwaZera, wawusondeza umndeni wakwaZera ngabantu, kwathathwa uZabidi. ₁₈Wayisondeza indlu yakhe ngabantu; u-Akani kaKarmi kaZabidi kaZera, owesizwe sakwaJuda, wathathwa.

₁₉UJoshuwa wayesethi ku-Akani: “Ndodana yami, ake umnike uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli inkazimulo, uvume kuye, ungitshele okwenzileyo, ungangifihleli.”

₂₀U-Akani wamphendula uJoshuwa, wathi: “Kuyiqiniso, ngonile kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngenza ukuthi nokuthi. ₂₁Ngabona empangweni ingubo enhle yaseShineyari, namashekeli* angamakhulu amabili esiliva, nesigaxa segolide esinesisindo esingamashekeli angamashumi ayisihlanu, ngakufisa, ngakuthatha; bheka, kuthukusiwe emhlabathini phakathi kwetende lami, nesiliva liphansi kwakho.”

₂₂UJoshuwa wayesethuma izithunywa, zagijimela etendeni; bheka kwakuthukusiwe etendeni lakhe, isiliva liphansi. ₂₃Zakukhipha phakathi kwetende, zakuyisa kuJoshuwa nakubo bonke abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, bakubeka phansi phambi kukaJehova. ₂₄UJoshuwa nabo bonke abakwa-Israyeli benaye bamthatha u-Akani indodana kaZera, nesiliva, nengubo, nesigaxa segolide, namadodana akhe, namadodakazi akhe, nezinkabi zakhe, nezimbongolo zakhe, nezimvu zakhe, netende lakhe, nakho konke anakho, bakukhuphulela esigodini sase-Akori. ₂₅UJoshuwa wayesethi: “Usihlupheleni na? UJehova uzakukuhlupha namuhla.” Bonke abakwa-Israyeli bamkhanda ngamatshe; babashisa ngomlilo, babakhanda ngamatshe. ₂₆Bamisa phezu kwakhe inqwaba yamatshe; isekhona nanamuhla; uJehova waphenduka entukuthelweni yake enkulu. Ngalokho igama laleyo ndawo laqanjwa ngokuthi isigodi sase-Akori kuze kube namuhla.

₁UJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: “Ungesabi, ungabi naluvalo; suka nabo bonke abantu bempi, ukhuphuke uye e-Ayi; bheka, nginikele esandleni sakho inkosi yase-Ayi, nabantu bayo, nomuzi wayo, nezwe layo; ₂uyakwenza kulo i-Ayi nenkosi yalo njengalokho wenza kulo iJeriko nenkosi yalo; impango yalo kuphela nezinkomo zalo niyakuziphangela khona. Wuqamekele umuzi emva kwawo.”

₃UJoshuwa wasuka kanye nabo bonke abantu bempi ukuba akhuphukele e-Ayi; uJoshuwa wakhetha amadoda ayizinkulungwane ezingamashumi amathathu amaqhawe anamandla, wawathuma ebusuku. ₄Wawayala ngokuthi: “Bhekani, niyakuwuqamekela umuzi, emva komuzi, ningayi kude kakhulu nomuzi, nihlale nilungele nonke. ₅Mina nabantu bonke abanami siyakusondela emzini; kuyakuthi lapho bephuma ukusihlasela njengakuqala, sibaleke phambi kwabo. ₆Bayakuphuma, basilandele, size sibasuse emzini, ngokuba bayakusho ukuthi: ‘Babaleka phambi kwethu njengakuqala,’ bese sibaleka phambi kwabo; ₇niyakusuka ekuqamekeleni, niwudle umuzi, ngokuba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uyakuwunikela esandleni senu. ₈Kuyakuthi lapho seniwuthathile umuzi, nithungele umuzi ngomlilo, nenze njengezwi likaJehova; bhekani, senginiyalile.”

₉UJoshuwa wayesebathuma, baya ukuyoqamekela, bahlala phakathi kweBethele ne-Ayi ngasentshonalanga kwase-Ayi; uJoshuwa walala lobo busuku phakathi kwabantu.

₁₀UJoshuwa wavuka ekuseni kakhulu, wabutha abantu, wakhuphuka, yena namalunga akwa-Israyeli, phambi kwabantu, waya e-Ayi. ₁₁Bonke abantu bempi ayenabo bakhuphuka, basondela, baya phambi komuzi, bamisa ngasenyakatho kwase-Ayi; kwakukhona isigodi phakathi kwakhe ne-Ayi. ₁₂Wathatha amadoda kungathi izinkulungwane eziyisihlanu, wawaqamekelisa phakathi kweBethele ne-Ayi ngasentshonalanga komuzi. ₁₃Sebehleliwe abantu, lonke ibandla elalingasenyakatho komuzi nabaqamekeleyo babo ababengasentshonalanga komuzi, uJoshuwa waya ngalobo busuku phakathi kwesigodi.

₁₄Kwathi inkosi yase-Ayi ikubona lokho, ashesha avuka ekuseni amadoda omuzi, aphuma ukuhlasela u-Israyeli, yona nabantu bayo, endaweni enqunyiweyo ngaphambi kwehlane; yayingazi nokho ukuthi babekhona abayiqamekeleyo ngasemva komuzi. ₁₅UJoshuwa nabo bonke abakwa-Israyeli benza kungathi bahluliwe phambi kwabo, babaleka ngendlela eya ehlane. ₁₆Bonke abantu basemzini babizwa ukuba babaxoshe; bamxosha uJoshuwa, basuswa emzini. ₁₇Akusalanga muntu e-Ayi naseBethele ongaphumanga ukubaxosha abakwa-Israyeli, bawushiya umuzi ugengelezile, babaxosha abakwa-Israyeli.

₁₈UJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: “Yelulela umkhonto osesandleni sakho ngase-Ayi, ngokuba ngiyakulinikela esandleni sakho.” UJoshuwa welulela-ke umkhonto osesandleni sakhe ngasemzini. ₁₉Abaqamekeleyo bashesha basuka endaweni yabo, bagijima lapho eselula isandla sakhe, bangena emzini, bawuthatha; bawuthungela ngomlilo masinyane.

₂₀Lapho amadoda ase-Ayi ebheka emva kwabo, abona, bheka, umusi womuzi wenyukela ngasezulwini; ayengenamandla ukubaleka ngalapha noma ngalapha, lapho abantu ababebalekele ngasehlane sebephendukela ababaxoshayo. ₂₁Ngokuba nxa uJoshuwa nabo bonke abakwa-Israyeli bebona ukuthi abaqamekeleyo bawuthathile umuzi nokuthi umusi womuzi wenyuka, base bebuyela emuva, bawabulala amadoda ase-Ayi. ₂₂Labo abanye baphuma emzini ukuba babahlasele baze babe phakathi kuka-Israyeli, abanye ngalapha, abanye ngalapha, bababulala, kwaze kwangasala muntu owaphunyuka, wabaleka. ₂₃Inkosi yase-Ayi bayibamba isaphila, bayiyisa kuJoshuwa.

₂₄Kwathi lapho u-Israyeli eseqedile ukubulala bonke abakhileyo e-Ayi endle ehlane, lapho ebebaxoshele khona, bese bewe bonke ngosiko lwenkemba baze baqedwa, bonke abakwa-Israyeli babuyela e-Ayi, balichitha ngosiko lwenkemba. ₂₅Bonke abawa ngalolo suku, abesilisa nabesifazane, babeyizinkulungwane eziyishumi nambili, abantu bonke base-Ayi. ₂₆UJoshuwa akabuyisanga isandla sakhe awelula ngaso umkhonto, engakaqothuli bonke abakhileyo e-Ayi. ₂₇Izinkomo kuphela nempango yalowo muzi u-Israyeli waziphangela khona, njengezwi likaJehova amyala ngalo uJoshuwa.

₂₈UJoshuwa wayeselishisa i-Ayi, walenza laba yiduma lenxiwa kuze kube phakade; liyincithakalo kuze kube namuhla. ₂₉Inkosi yase-Ayi wayiphanyeka emthini kwaze kwahlwa; ukushona kwelanga uJoshuwa wabayala ukuba behlise isidumbu sayo emthini, basintshinga ngasesikhaleni sesango lomuzi, wamisa phezu kwaso inqwaba enkulu yamatshe ekhona nanamuhla.

₃₀Khona uJoshuwa wamakhela uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli i-altare entabeni yase-Ebali, ₃₁njengalokho uMose inceku kaJehova wayala abantwana bakwa-Israyeli, njengokulotshiweyo encwadini yomthetho kaMose, i-altare lamatshe angabaziwe, angaphakanyiselwanga muntu insimbi; banikela phezu kwalo ngeminikelo yokushiswa kuJehova, banikela ngeminikelo yokuthula. ₃₂Waloba khona ematsheni impinda yomthetho kaMose ayilobayo phambi kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₃₃Bonke abakwa-Israyeli namalunga abo, nezinduna zabo, nabahluleli babo babemi ngalapha nangalapha komphongolo phambi kwabapristi bamaLevi abathwala umphongolo wesivumelwano sikaJehova, abafokazi nabokuzalwa ekhaya, inxenye yabo ibhekene nentaba yaseGerizimu, inxenye yabo ibhekene nentaba yase-Ebali, njengalokho uMose inceku kaJehova ebeyalile, ukuba babusise abantu bakwa-Israyeli kuqala.

₃₄Ngasemuva wafunda onke amazwi omthetho, isibusiso nesiqalekiso, njengakho konke okulotshiwe encwadini yomthetho. ₃₅Akwabakho zwi kukho konke akuyalayo uMose, angalifundanga uJoshuwa phambi kwebandla lonke lakwa-Israyeli, nabesifazane, nabantwana, nabafokazi ababehamba phakathi kwabo.

₁Kwathi lapho onke amakhosi ayengaphesheya kweJordani, ezintabeni, nasemathafeni, nasogwini lonke loLwandle Olukhulu olubhekene neLebanoni, amaHeti, nama-Amori, namaKhanani, namaPherizi, namaHivi, namaJebusi, esezwa lokho, ₂abuthana ndawonye ukuba alwe noJoshuwa no-Israyeli nganhliziyonye.

₃Kepha bathi ukuba abakhileyo eGibeyoni bezwa lokho uJoshuwa ayekwenzile kulo iJeriko ne-Ayi, ₄nabo benza ubuqili, bahamba bazenzisa kwangathi bayizithunywa, babeka amasaka agugileyo ezimbongolweni zabo, nezimvaba zewayini ezigugileyo neziklebhukileyo, ebesezithungiwe, ₅nezicathulo ezigugileyo eziciciyelweyo zisezinyaweni zabo, bembethe nezingubo ezigugileyo; isinkwa sonke somphako wabo sasomile, sikhuntile. ₆Baya kuJoshuwa ekamu* laseGiligali, bathi kuye nakumadoda akwa-Israyeli: “Sivela ezweni elikude; ngalokho manenze manje isivumelwano nathi.”

₇Amadoda akwa-Israyeli athi kumaHivi: “Mhlawumbe nakhile phakathi kwethu; singenza kanjani isivumelwano nani na?”

₈Bathi kuJoshuwa: “Siyizinceku zakho.”

UJoshuwa wathi kubo: “Ningobani, futhi nivelaphi na?”

₉Bathi kuye: “Izinceku zakho zivela ezweni elikude kakhulu ngenxa yegama likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, ngokuba siluzwile udumo lwakhe, nakho konke akwenzayo eGibithe, ₁₀nakho konke akwenza kuwo amakhosi omabili ama-Amori ayengaphesheya kweJordani, uSihoni inkosi yaseHeshiboni no-Ogi inkosi yaseBashani, eyayise-Ashitaroti. ₁₁Amalunga ethu nabo bonke abakhileyo ezweni lakithi bakhuluma kithi, bathi: ‘Phathani ezandleni zenu umphako wendlela, niye nibahlangabeze, nithi kubo: “Siyizinceku zenu; manenze isivumelwano nathi.” ’ ₁₂Lesi sinkwa somphako wethu sasithatha sisashisa ezindlini zethu ngosuku esaphuma ngalo ukuba siye kini; kepha manje, bhekani, sesomile, sikhuntile; ₁₃lezi zimvaba zewayini esazigcwalisa zazizintsha; bhekani, seziklebhukile; lezi zingubo zethu nezicathulo zethu sezigugile ngenxa yendlela ende kakhulu.”

₁₄Amadoda ayesethatha emphakweni wabo engabuzanga umlomo kaJehova. ₁₅UJoshuwa wabethembisa ukuthula, wenza isivumelwano nabo ukuba baphile; izikhulu zenhlangano zafunga kubo.

₁₆Kwathi emva kwezinsuku ezintathu sebesenzile isivumelwano nabo, bezwa ukuthi bangabakhelwane babo nokuthi bahlala phakathi kwabo. ₁₇Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli base besuka, bafika emizini yabo ngosuku lwesithathu; imizi yabo yayiyiGibeyoni, neKefira, neBeroti, neKiriyati Jeharimi. ₁₈Abantwana bakwa-Israyeli ababachithanga, ngokuba izikhulu zenhlangano zazifungile kubo uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Yonke inhlangano yakhonona ngezikhulu. ₁₉Zonke izikhulu zase zithi kuyo yonke inhlangano: “Sifungile kubo uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli; ngalokho asinakubathinta manje. ₂₀Siyakwenza lokho kubo, sibayeke baphile, funa sehlelwe lulaka ngenxa yesifungo esasifunga kubo.” ₂₁Izikhulu zase zithi kubo: “Mabayekwe baphile; baba ngabagawuli bemithi nabakhi bamanzi kuyo yonke inhlangano njengalokho izikhulu zazibatshelile.”

₂₂UJoshuwa wababiza, wakhuluma kubo, wathi: “Nisikhohliseleni ngokuthi: ‘Sikude kakhulu nani,’ lokhu nakhile phakathi kwethu, na? ₂₃Ngalokho seniqalekisiwe, akuyikunqamuka ukuvela kini izigqila, abagawuli bemithi nabakhi bamanzi kuyo indlu kaNkulunkulu wami.”

₂₄Bamphendula uJoshuwa, bathi: “Kungokuba izinceku zakho zatshelwa nokutshelwa ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wayala inceku yakhe uMose ukuba aninike izwe lonke, achithe bonke abakhileyo ezweni phambi kwenu; ngalokho sesaba kakhulu ngokuphila kwethu ngenxa yenu, sakwenza lokho. ₂₅Bheka, manje sesisesandleni sakho; okuhle nokulungile emehlweni akho ukuba ukwenze kithi, kwenze.”

₂₆Wayesenze njalo kubo, wabophula esandleni sabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, baze bangababulali. ₂₇UJoshuwa wabenza ngalolo suku abagawuli bemithi nabakhi bamanzi kuyo inhlangano nakulo i-altare likaJehova kuze kube namuhla endaweni abeyakuyikhetha.

₁Umpristi omkhulu wayesethi: “Nembala lokhu kunjalo na?”

₂Yena wathi: “Madoda, bazalwane, nani bobaba, lalelani. UNkulunkulu wenkazimulo wabonakala kubaba u-Abrahama eseMesopotamiya, engakakhi eHarana, ₃wathi kuye: ‘Phuma ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho, uye ezweni engizakukukhombisa lona.’

₄“Khona waphuma ezweni lamaKaledi, waya wakha eHarana. Kwathi esefile uyise, uNkulunkulu wamsusa lapho, wamhlalisa kuleli zwe enakhe kulo nina manje. ₅Kepha akamnikanga ifa kulo, ngisho nelingangonyawo, wathembisa kodwa ukuthi uzakumnika lona libe ngelakhe nelenzalo yakhe emva kwakhe, engakabi namntwana. ₆UNkulunkulu wakhuluma kanje, wathi: ‘Inzalo yakhe izakuba ngumfokazi ezweni lezizwe; bayakuyenza izigqila, bayiphathe kabi iminyaka engamakhulu amane. ₇Kepha leso sizwe abayakuba yizigqila kuso ngiyakusahlulela mina, washo uNkulunkulu, andukuba baphume, bangikhonze kule ndawo.’ ₈Wayesemnika isivumelwano sokusoka; kanjalo-ke wazala u-Isaka, wamsoka ngosuku lwesishiyagalombili; u-Isaka wazala uJakobe, uJakobe wazala okhokho abayishumi nambili.

₉“Okhokho baba nomhawu ngoJosefa, bathengisa ngaye, wasiwa eGibithe; kodwa uNkulunkulu wayenaye, ₁₀wamkhipha kuzo zonke izinhlupheko zakhe, wamupha umusa nokuhlakanipha phambi kukaFaro inkosi yaseGibithe; yena wammisa abe ngumbusi eGibithe nakuyo yonke indlu yakhe.

₁₁“Kepha kwafika indlala kulo lonke iGibithe nakwaKhanani, nokuhlupheka okukhulu; obaba kabafumana ukudla. ₁₂UJakobe esezwile ukuthi kukhona ukudla eGibithe, wathuma obaba ngokokuqala; ₁₃kwathi ngokwesibili uJosefa waziwa ngabafowabo; kwabonakala kuFaro isizwe sakubo kaJosefa. ₁₄UJosefa wayesethumela wabiza uJakobe uyise nabakubo bonke, abantu abangamashumi ayisikhombisa nanhlanu. ₁₅UJakobe wehlela eGibithe; wafa yena nawobaba. ₁₆Bayiswa eSikemi, babekwa ethuneni alithenga u-Abrahama ngenani lesiliva kumadodana kaHamori eSikemi.

₁₇“Kepha sesisondele isikhathi sesithembiso uNkulunkulu asisho ku-Abrahama, banda abantu, baba baningi eGibithe, ₁₈kwaze kwavela enye inkosi eGibithe ebingamazi uJosefa. ₁₉Yona yasiphatha ngobuqili isizwe sakithi, yabahlupha obaba ngokubalahlisa izingane zabo zingaphili.

₂₀“Ngaleso sikhathi kwazalwa uMose, waba muhle kuNkulunkulu; wondliwa izinyanga ezintathu endlini kayise; ₂₁eselahliwe, indodakazi kaFaro yamthola, yazondlela yena ukuba abe yindodana yayo. ₂₂UMose wafundiswa ukuhlakanipha konke kwabaseGibithe; waba namandla ngamazwi nangemisebenzi yakhe.

₂₃“Kuthe eseneminyaka engamashumi amane ezelwe, kwafika enhliziyweni yakhe ukuba abamele abafowabo, abantwana bakwa-Israyeli. ₂₄Wabona umuntu ephathwa kabi, wamvikela, wamphindisela ohlushwayo, wambulala owaseGibithe. ₂₅Ubethemba ukuthi abafowabo bayakuqonda ukuthi uNkulunkulu ubanika ukusindiswa ngesandla sakhe; kepha abakuqondanga. ₂₆Nangangomuso wafika kubo belwa, wazama ukubalamula, babuyisane, wathi: ‘Madoda, ningabazalwane; niphathanelani kabi na?’

₂₇“Kepha lowo owayemona umakhelwane wakhe wamhlohloloza wathi: ‘Ubekwe ngubani ube ngumbusi nomahluleli phezu kwethu na? ₂₈Usufuna ukungibulala nami, njengalokho ubulele owaseGibithe izolo na?’ ₂₉Khona uMose wabaleka ngenxa yalelo zwi, waba ngumfokazi ezweni lakwaMidiyani, lapho azala khona amadodana amabili.

₃₀“Kwathi sekuphelele iminyaka engamashumi amane, kwabonakala kuye ehlane lentaba yaseSinayi ingelosi iselangabini lomlilo esihlahleni. ₃₁UMose ekubona wamangala ngalowo mbono; esasondela ukuba abhekisise, kwafika izwi leNkosi, lathi: ₃₂‘NginguNkulunkulu wawoyihlo, uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama noka-Isaka nokaJakobe.’ UMose wathuthumela, akaba nasibindi sokubhekisisa.

₃₃“INkosi yayisithi kuye: ‘Khumula izicathulo ezinyaweni zakho, ngokuba indawo omi kuyo ingumhlabathi ongcwele. ₃₄Ngikubonile nokukubona ukuhlushwa kwesizwe sami esiseGibithe, ngizwile ukububula kwaso; sengehlile ukuba ngibakhiphe. Woza kalokhu, ngizakukuthumela eGibithe.’

₃₅“UMose lowo abamalayo bethi: ‘Ubekwe ngubani ube ngumbusi nomahluleli na?’ nguyena amthumayo uNkulunkulu ngesandla sengelosi eyabonakala kuye esihlahleni, abe ngumbusi nomhlengi. ₃₆Yena lowo wabakhipha enza izimangaliso nezibonakaliso ezweni laseGibithe, naseLwandle Olubomvu, nasehlane iminyaka engamashumi amane.

₃₇“Nguye uMose lowo owathi kubantwana bakwa-Israyeli: ‘UNkulunkulu uyakunivusela umprofethi kubafowenu onjengami.’ ₃₈Nguye lowo owayesebandleni ehlane kanye nengelosi eyakhuluma naye entabeni yaseSinayi kanye nawobaba, nowamukela amazwi okuphila, ukuze aninike wona.

₃₉“Kepha obaba abavumanga ukumlalela, kodwa bamhlohloloza, babuyela emuva eGibithe ngezinhliziyo zabo, ₄₀bathi ku-Aroni: ‘Senzele onkulunkulu abazakuhamba phambi kwethu; ngokuba uMose lowo owasikhipha ezweni laseGibithe, asazi ukuba wehlelwe yini.’ ₄₁Benza ithole ngaleyo mihla, baletha umhlatshelo esithombeni, bajabula ngemisebenzi yezandla zabo. ₄₂Kepha uNkulunkulu wabafulathela, wabadedela ukuba bakhonze ibandla lezulu, njengokuba kulotshiwe encwadini yabaprofethi ukuthi:

₄₄“Kwakukhona itende lobufakazi kobaba ehlane njengalokho akuyalayo yena owakhuluma noMose ukuba alenze ngomfanekiso abewubonile; ₄₅obaba benoJoshuwa balamukela, balingenisa ezweni lezizwe azixoshayo uNkulunkulu ebusweni bawobaba, kwaze kwaba semihleni kaDavide ₄₆owathola umusa ebusweni bukaNkulunkulu, wacela ukufunela uNkulunkulu kaJakobe idokodo. ₄₇Kepha nguSolomoni owamakhela indlu.

₄₈“Kodwa oPhezukonke akahlali ezindlini ezenziwe ngezandla njengokusho komprofethi ukuthi:

₅₁“Nina bantamo zilukhuni, abangasokile ezinhliziyweni nasezindlebeni, nimelana njalo noMoya oNgcwele; njengoyihlo ninjalo nani. ₅₂Ngumuphi kubaprofethi oyihlo abangamzingelanga na? Bababulala ababememezela ngaphambili ukuza koLungileyo, eseningabakhapheli nababulali bakhe, ₅₃nina enamukela umthetho ngokuyala kwezingelosi, kepha aniwugcinanga.”

₅₄Kwathi bekuzwa lokho, bahlabeka ezinhliziyweni, bamgugudela amazinyo. ₅₅Kepha yena egcwele uMoya oNgcwele wagqolozela ezulwini, wabona inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, noJesu emi ngakwesokunene sikaNkulunkulu, ₅₆wathi: “Bheka, ngibona izulu livuliwe, neNdodana yomuntu imi ngakwesokunene sikaNkulunkulu.”

₅₇Base bekhamuluka ngezwi elikhulu, bavala izindlebe, batheleka kuye kanyekanye, ₅₈bamkhiphela ngaphandle komuzi, bamkhanda ngamatshe. Ofakazi babeka izingubo zabo ngasezinyaweni zensizwa egama layo linguSawulu.

₅₉UStefanu bamkhanda ngamatshe ekhuleka ethi: “Nkosi Jesu, yamukela umoya wami.” ₆₀Wayeseguqa phansi, wamemeza ngezwi elikhulu, wathi: “Nkosi, ungababaleli lesi sono.” Eseshilo lokho walala ubuthongo.

₁Kepha uSawulu wayevumelene nabo ngokubulawa kwakhe.

Ngalolo suku kwavela ukuzingelwa okukhulu kwebandla laseJerusalema; bahlakazeka bonke emazweni aseJudiya naseSamariya; kwasala abaphostoli bodwa. ₂Amadoda akholwayo ammbela uStefanu, amkhalela isililo esikhulu. ₃Kepha uSawulu walichitha ibandla, engena ezindlini ngezindlu, ehudula abesilisa nabesifazane, wabafaka etilongweni.

₄Abahlakazekileyo base behamba, beshumayela izwi levangeli. ₅UFiliphu wehlela emzini waseSamariya, wabashumayeza uKristu. ₆Izixuku zalalela nganhliziyonye okwakhulunywa nguFiliphu, zizwa, zibona izibonakaliso azenzayo. ₇Ngokuba kwaphuma omoya abangcolileyo kwabaningi abakhwelwa yibo, bememeza ngezwi elikhulu; nabaningi abafe uhlangothi nabayizinyonga baphulukiswa; ₈kwaba khona ukuthokoza okukhulu kulowo muzi.

₉Kepha kwakukhona indoda ethile, nguSimoni igama layo, eyayikade yenza imilingo kulowo muzi, isimangalisa isizwe saseSamariya, izishaya umuntu omkhulu; ₁₀banamathela kuye bonke kusukela kwabancinyane kuze kube kwabakhulu, bethi: “Lo ungamandla kaNkulunkulu abizwa ngokuthi Makhulu,” ₁₁babenamathela kuye, ngokuba ebamangalisile isikhathi eside ngemilingo yakhe. ₁₂Kepha bathi ukuba bakholwe nguFiliphu eshumayela ivangeli ngombuso kaNkulunkulu nangegama likaJesu Kristu, babhapathizwa abesilisa nabesifazane. ₁₃Naye uSimoni wakholwa; wathi esebhapathiziwe, wanamathela kuFiliphu, wamangala ebona izibonakaliso nemisebenzi emikhulu yamandla eyenziwayo.

₁₄Kwathi ukuba abaphostoli baseJerusalema bezwe ukuthi iSamariya lilamukele izwi likaNkulunkulu, bathumela kubo oPetru noJohane; ₁₅sebehlele khona babakhulekela ukuba bamukele uMoya oNgcwele, ₁₆ngokuba wayengakehleli nakoyedwa kubo; kodwa babesabhapathiziwe egameni leNkosi uJesu kuphela. ₁₇Khona babeka izandla phezu kwabo; base bamukela-ke uMoya oNgcwele.

₁₈Kepha uSimoni, ebonile ukuthi ngokubekwa kwezandla zabaphostoli uyaphiwa uMoya, waletha imali kubo, ₁₉wathi: “Ngipheni nami lawo mandla, ukuze yilowo nalowo engibeka izandla phezu kwakhe amukele uMoya oNgcwele.”

₂₀Kepha uPetru wathi kuye: “Isiliva lakho malibhubhe kanye nawe, ngokuba uthi isipho sikaNkulunkulu singathengwa ngemali. ₂₁Awunasabelo nalifa kuleli zwi, ngokuba inhliziyo yakho ayilungile phambi kukaNkulunkulu. ₂₂Ngakho-ke phenduka kulobu bubi bakho, unxuse eNkosini, ingabe ungathethelelwa yini isizindlo senhliziyo yakho, ₂₃ngokuba ngiyabona ukuthi usenyongweni ebabayo nasekuboshweni kokubi.”

₂₄USimoni wayesephendula ethi: “Nginxuseleni nina eNkosini, ukuze kungehleli lutho kimi lwalokho enikushiloyo.”

₂₅Kuthe sebefakazile, belikhulumile izwi leNkosi, babuyela eJerusalema, bashumayela ivangeli emizaneni eminingi yabaseSamariya.

₂₆Kepha ingelosi yeNkosi yakhuluma kuFiliphu, yathi: “Suka uye ngaseningizimu endleleni ephuma eJerusalema ehlela eGaza; yona iyihlane.” ₂₇Wayesesuka wahamba. Bheka, nansi indoda yase-Etiyopiya, umthenwa, isikhulu sikaKhandakhe inkosikazi yase-Etiyopiya, ebiphezu kwengcebo yayo yonke, ebifikile eJerusalema izakukhuleka; ₂₈ibisibuya, ihlezi enqoleni yayo, ifunda umprofethi u-Isaya. ₂₉UMoya wathi kuFiliphu: “Sondela, unamathele kuleyo nqola.”

₃₀UFiliphu wayesegijimela kuyo, wayizwa ifunda umprofethi u-Isaya, wathi: “Uyakuqonda kambe lokhu okufundayo na?”

₃₁Yona yathi: “Ngingakwazi kanjani, uma kungekho ongiholayo na?” Yamnxusa uFiliphu ukuba akhwele ahlale nayo.

₃₂Kepha isahlukwana sombhalo ebisifunda yilesi esithi:

₃₄Kepha umthenwa wathatha wathi kuFiliphu: “Ngiyacela, umprofethi ukhuluma lokho ngobani na? Uzisho yena noma omunye na?” ₃₅UFiliphu wavula umlomo wakhe, eqala kulowo mbhalo washumayela ivangeli ngoJesu.

₃₆Kwathi besahamba endleleni, bafika emanzini. Umthenwa wathi: “Bheka, nanka amanzi; kwalani ukuba ngibhapathizwe na?” ₃₇UFiliphu wathi kuye: “Uma ukholwa ngenhliziyo yonke, kungenziwa.”

Waphendula wathi: “Ngiyakholwa ukuthi uJesu Kristu uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.” ₃₈Wayala ukuba inqola ime. Behlela emanzini bobabili, uFiliphu nomthenwa; wambhapathiza. ₃₉Kwathi sebekhuphukile emanzini, uMoya weNkosi wamhlwitha uFiliphu, umthenwa akabe esambona, kodwa wahamba ngendlela yakhe ethokoza. ₄₀Kepha uFiliphu wafunyanwa e-Azotu, wahamba eshumayela ivangeli kuyo yonke imizi, waze wafika eKesariya.

₁Kepha uSawulu esafutha ngokusongela nokubulala abafundi beNkosi, waya kumpristi omkhulu, ₂wacela kuye izincwadi zokuya eDamaseku emasinagogeni,* kuze kuthi uma efumana abantu baleyo Ndlela, abesilisa nabesifazane, abayise eJerusalema beboshiwe. ₃Kepha ekuhambeni kwakhe, esesondela eDamaseku, kwambaneka masinyane nxazonke ukukhanya okuvela ezulwini. ₄Wawa phansi emhlabathini, wezwa izwi lithi kuye: “Sawulu, Sawulu, ungizingelelani na? Kulukhuni kuwe ukukhahlela ezinkandini.”

₅Wayesethi: “Ungubani, Nkosi?”

Yathi: “Mina nginguJesu omzingelayo wena; ₆kodwa vuka ungene emzini, uzakutshelwa lokhu omelwe ukukwenza.”

₇Kepha amadoda ayehamba naye ayemi engenakukhuluma, ngokuba ezwa izwi kodwa ayengaboni muntu. ₈USawulu wayesevuka phansi; kepha esevulile amehlo akhe, kabonanga lutho. Base bembamba ngesandla, bamyisa eDamaseku. ₉Izinsuku zaba ntathu engaboni, engadli, engaphuzi.

₁₀Kwakukhona eDamaseku umfundi othile, igama lakhe lingu-Ananiya; iNkosi yathi kuye ngombono: “Ananiya!”

Yena wathi: “Ngikhona, Nkosi.”

₁₁INkosi yayisithi kuye: “Suka uye esitaladini esithiwa Siqondile, ufune endlini kaJuda umuntu ogama lakhe linguSawulu waseTarsu; ngokuba bheka, uyakhuleka; ₁₂ubonile indoda, igama layo lingu-Ananiya, ingena, ibeka izandla phezu kwakhe ukuba abone.”

₁₃Kepha u-Ananiya waphendula wathi: “Nkosi, ngizwile ngabaningi ngaleyo ndoda konke okubi ekwenzile kwabangcwele bakho eJerusalema; ₁₄nalapha unamandla avela kubapristi abakhulu okubopha bonke abakhuleka egameni lakho.”

₁₅INkosi yayisithi kuye: “Hamba, ngokuba lo uyisitsha sami esikhethiweyo sokuphatha igama lami phambi kwabezizwe, namakhosi, nabantwana bakwa-Israyeli, ₁₆ngokuba mina ngizakumbonisa konke amelwe ukuhlushwa ngakho ngenxa yegama lami.”

₁₇Khona wahamba u-Ananiya, wangena endlini, wabeka izandla phezu kwakhe, wathi: “Sawulu umzalwane, iNkosi uJesu eyabonakala kuwe endleleni oze ngayo, ingithumile ukuba ubuye ubone, ugcwaliswe ngoMoya oNgcwele.” ₁₈Kwawa masinyane emehlweni akhe kwangathi inkwethu, wabona, wasukuma, wabhapathizwa; ₁₉esedlile wathola amandla.

Wahlala nabafundi baseDamaseku izinsuku ezithile. ₂₀Masinyane washumayela emasinagogeni* ngoJesu ukuthi yena uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu. ₂₁Kepha bamangala bonke abezwayo, bathi: “Lo asiye yini owachitha eJerusalema abakhuleka kulelo gama, nalapha uze ngalokhu ukuba abaqhube beboshiwe kubapristi abakhulu na?” ₂₂Kodwa uSawulu wakhula kakhulu emandleni, wahlula abaJuda abakhileyo eDamaseku eqinisa ukuthi lowo unguKristu.

₂₃Sekudlule izinsuku eziningi, abaJuda benza icebo lokuba bambulale. ₂₄Kepha icebo labo laziwa nguSawulu. Babemhlalela nasemasangweni imini nobusuku ukuba bambulale. ₂₅Abafundi base bemthatha ebusuku, bamehlisa ogangeni, bemewula ngeqoma.

₂₆Esefikile eJerusalema wazama ukuzihlanganisa nabafundi; kepha bonke bamesaba, bengakholwa ukuthi ungumfundi. ₂₇Kodwa uBarnaba wamthatha, wamyisa kubaphostoli, wabalandisa ngokuthi uyibonile iNkosi endleleni, nokuthi ikhulumile kuye, nokuthi eDamaseku wayeshumayele ngesibindi ngegama likaJesu. ₂₈Wayenabo eJerusalema, engena ephuma, eshumayela ngesibindi ngegama leNkosi, ₂₉ekhuluma ephikisana nabaJuda abakhuluma isiGreki; bona bazama ukumbulala. ₃₀Abazalwane sebekwazi lokho bamehlisela eKesariya, bamthumela eTarsu.

₃₁Njalo-ke ibandla laba nokuthula kulo lonke laseJudiya, naseGalile, naseSamariya, lakheka, lihamba ekwesabeni iNkosi, landa ngenduduzo kaMoya oNgcwele.

₃₂Kwathi uPetru ehambela izindawo zonke, wehlela nakwabangcwele abakhe eLida. ₃₃Wafumana khona umuntu othile ogama lakhe lingu-Eneya, owayeselele ecansini iminyaka eyisishiyagalombili efe uhlangothi. ₃₄Khona uPetru wathi kuye: “Eneya, uJesu Kristu uyakuphilisa; vuka, wendlule icansi lakho.” Wayesevuka masinyane. ₃₅Bambona bonke abakhe eLida naseSarona, baphendukela eNkosini.

₃₆EJopha kwakukhona umfundikazi othile ogama lakhe linguThabitha, okungukuthi uDorka ngokuhunyushwa; yena wayenemisebenzi eminingi emihle nokwabela abampofu izipho. ₃₇Kwathi ngalezo zinsuku wagula, wafa; sebemgezile bambeka ekamelweni eliphezulu. ₃₈Kepha iLida laliseduze neJopha; ngakho-ke abafundi sebezwile ukuthi uPetru ukhona lapho, bathuma kuye amadoda amabili emncenga ethi: “Ungalibali ukuza kithi.” ₃₉Wayesesuka uPetru, wahamba nabo. Esefikile, bamyisa ekamelweni eliphezulu; abafelokazi bonke beza kuye bekhala, bembonisa izambatho nezingubo abezenzile uDorka esenabo.

₄₀Kepha uPetru wabakhipha bonke, waguqa ngamadolo, wakhuleka, waphendukela esidunjini, wathi: “Thabitha, vuka!” Wayesevula amehlo akhe, wabona uPetru, walulama. ₄₁Yena wambamba ngesandla, wamsukumisa. Wayesebiza abangcwele nabafelokazi, wambeka phambi kwabo ephilile. ₄₂Kwezwakala lokho kulo lonke iJopha; abaningi bakholwa yiNkosi. ₄₃Wayesehlala izinsuku eziningi eJopha kwaSimoni umshuki.