UJOSHUWA

1 Kwathi uMosi inceku kaJehova isifile, uJehova wakhuluma lenceku+ kaMosi, uJoshuwa*+ indodana kaNuni wathi: 2 “Inceku yami uMosi isifile.+ Ngakho lungiselela ukuchapha uJodani lesizwe sonke sako-Israyeli+ liye elizweni engizalinika lona. 3 Ngizalipha wonke umhlabathi elizanyathela kuwo njengoba nje ngathembisa uMosi.+ 4 Ilizwe lenu lizasukela enkangala lize liyefika eLebhanoni, lisuke emfuleni omkhulu uYufrathe litshaye lize liyefika eLwandle Olukhulu* olusentshonalanga,+ lihlanganise lelizwe lonke lamaHithi.+ 5 Akulamuntu ozakwehlula okwempilo yakho yonke.+ Ngizakuba lawe+ njengoba nje ngangiloMosi. Angisoze ngikutshiye njalo angisoze ngikulahle.+ 6 Ngakho qina+ ube lesibindi ngoba nguwe ozakhokhela abantu laba ukuze bathathe ilizwe engathembisa okhokho babo ukuthi ngizabanika lona.+

7 “Qina ube lesibindi njalo wenze konke okuseMthethweni owawuphiwa nguMosi inceku yami. Ungaphambukeli kwesokudla kumbe kwesenxele+ ukuze konke okwenzayo+ ukwenze ngokuhlakanipha loba ngaphi lapho oya khona. 8 Ibhuku leli loMthetho akumelanga lisuke emlonyeni wakho+ futhi kumele ulibale ngelizwi eliphansi* ubusuku lemini ukuze wenze konke okubhalwe kulo.+ Ungenza njalo uzahlakanipha+ kuloba yini oyenzayo futhi konke okwenzayo kuzaphumelela. 9 Angikutshelanga yini ukuthi uqine ube lesibindi? Ungesabi njalo ungatshaywa luvalo ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho uzakuba lawe loba ngaphi lapho oya khona.”+

10 UJoshuwa wasekhuluma labaphathi babantu wathi: 11 “Dabulani phakathi kwamatende litshele abantu lithi, ‘Lungisani imiphako ngoba ngemva kwensuku ezintathu lizachapha uJodani liyethatha ilizwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alinika lona.’”+

12 UJoshuwa wakhuluma labakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase wathi: 13 “Khumbulani ukuthi uMosi inceku kaJehova wathi kini:+ ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ulinike ilizwe leli ukuze lihlale kulo ngokuthula. 14 Izifuyo zenu labomkenu labantwabenu bazasala ngapha kukaJodani,*+ elizweni uMosi alinika lona. Kodwa amabutho+ enu wonke kumele achaphe phambi kwabafowenu+ ehlomele impi. Kumele lincedise abafowenu 15 baze balithathe ilizwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu abanika lona njalo bahlale ngokuthula, njengoba lani uJehova elenze lahlala ngokuthula. Ngemva kwalokho selingabuyela elizweni lenu elaliphiwayo ukuthi lihlale kulo, ilizwe elaliphiwa nguMosi inceku kaJehova elisempumalanga kukaJodani.’”+

16 Ngakho baphendula uJoshuwa bathi: “Konke ositshele khona sizakwenza futhi sizakuya loba ngaphi lapho othi siye khona.+ 17 Sizalalela konke ositshela khona njengoba sasimlalela loMosi. UJehova uNkulunkulu wakho kabe lawe njengoba nje wayeloMosi.+ 18 Loba ngubani okuhlamukelayo longakulaleliyo uzabulawa.+ Wena qina+ ube lesibindi.”

2 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni wathuma inhloli ezimbili ukuthi zisuke eShithimi+ ziyehlola ilizwe. Wathi kuzo: “Hambani liyehlola ilizwe, lihlolisise ikakhulu iJerikho.” Ngakho amadoda la ahamba afika endlini yowesifazana oyisifebe okuthiwa nguRahabi,+ ahlala khona. 2 Inkosi yaseJerikho yabikelwa ukuthi kulamadoda ako-Israyeli afike ebusuku ezohlola ilizwe. 3 Inkosi yathi isizwa lokhu yathumela ilizwi kuRahabi yathi: “Khipha amadoda asendlini yakho ngoba alande ukuzohlola lonke ilizwe.”

4 URahabi wathatha amadoda la amabili wawafihla. Wasesithi, “Amadoda elikhuluma ngawo afikile sibili kodwa angikwazi ukuthi abevela ngaphi. 5 Aphume sekumnyama igedi ledolobho selizavalwa. Angikwazi ukuthi aqonde ngaphi kodwa nxa lingawalandela masinyane lizawathola.” 6 (Kodwa yena wayekhwele lawo ephahleni wawafihla phakathi kwemihlanga eyayibuthelelwe lapho.) 7 Ngakho amadoda aseJerikho awalandela eqonde emazibukweni*+ kaJodani. Athi esanda kuphuma, igedi ledolobho lahle lavalwa.

8 URahabi wakhwela ephahleni amadoda azinhloli engakalali, 9 wathi kuwo: “Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uJehova uzalinika ilizwe+ leli lokuthi bonke abantu balapha bayalesaba.+ Abantu bonke elizweni sebephele amandla ngenxa yenu,+ 10 ngoba sezwa ukuthi uJehova womisa amanzi oLwandle Olubomvu ngesikhathi lisuka eGibhithe+ lokuthi lawenzani amakhosi amabili ama-Amori uSihoni+ lo-Ogi,+ lawo elawabulala ngaphetsheya* kukaJodani. 11 Sathi sikuzwa lokhu saphela amandla. Khathesi bonke abantu sebehlalele evalweni ngenxa yenu, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nguNkulunkulu phezulu emazulwini laphansi+ emhlabeni. 12 Ngakho ngicela lifunge kimi ngoJehova ukuthi lizakuba lothando oluqotho emulini kababa njengoba lami ngibe lothando oluqotho kini, futhi ngicela linginike isibonakaliso esitshengisa ukuthi lizakwenza elikuthembisayo.* 13 Ngicela lisindise ubaba lomama, labafowethu labodadewethu labo bonke abangababo, lingasibulali.”+

14 Amadoda la amphendula athi: “Kungcono kufe thina esikhundleni sokuthi kufe lina! Ngesikhathi uJehova esesinika ilizwe lenu, sizakuba lomusa kini senze lokho esikuthembisileyo nxa lingasoze likhulume ngendaba le.” 15 Ngemva kwalokho wawanika intambo wathi ehle ngayo ewindini ngoba indlu yakhe yayisemdulini+ wedolobho, yakhelwe phezu kwawo. 16 Wasesithi kuwo: “Qondani ezintabeni liyecatsha khona okwamalanga amathathu ukuze abalidingayo bangalitholi. Nxa sebephendukile selingasuka lizihambele.”

17 Amadoda la athi kuye: “Sizagcwalisa isifungo esisenze kuwe+ nxa ungenza lokhu: 18 Nxa sesingena elizweni leli kumele sithole ubophele intambo le ebomvu ewindini osikhiphe ngalo. Kumele ubize uyihlo lonyoko labafowenu kanye lazo zonke izihlobo zikayihlo, babuye endlini yakho.+ 19 Nxa kungaba lomuntu ophumayo endlini yakho abesebulawa, icala lizakuba ngelakhe, thina asisoze sibe lecala. Kodwa kungabulawa umuntu ophakathi kwendlu yakho, icala lizakuba ngelethu. 20 Nxa ungatshela abantu ngendaba le+ sizabe sesikhululekile esifungweni esisenze kuwe.” 21 URahabi waphendula wathi: “Kulungile, konke elikukhulumileyo ngizakwenza.”

Basebevalelisana, amadoda la ahamba. Ngemva kwalokho wabophela intambo ebomvu ewindini. 22 Inhloli lezi zaya ezintabeni zahlala khona okwamalanga amathathu, amadoda ayezidinga aze abuyela eJerikho. Amadoda aseJerikho ayedinge inhloli lezi kuyo yonke imigwaqo kodwa kawazange azithole. 23 Inhloli ezimbili zehla ezintabeni zachapha umfula zaya kuJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, zafika zamlandisela konke okwakwenzakele. 24 Zathi kuJoshuwa: “UJehova usesinike+ lonke ilizwe. Phela bonke abantu elizweni sebephele amandla ngenxa yokusesaba.”+

3 UJoshuwa wavuka ngovivi wasuka lama-Israyeli wonke eShithimi+ baya eJodani. Kodwa kabazange bawuchaphe umfula, balala ubusuku bonke eduze kwawo.

2 Ngemva kwensuku ezintathu abaphathi babantu+ badabula phakathi kwamatende 3 behamba besithi ebantwini: “Lingabona abaphristi abangamaLevi+ sebethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, lihle lisuke ezindaweni zenu libalandele. 4 Kodwa libe khatshana lebhokisi lesivumelwano ngezingalo ezingaba ngu-2 000.* Lingasondeli eduze kwalo ukuze liyibone kuhle indlela ngoba kalikaze lihambe ngayo.”

5 UJoshuwa wasesithi ebantwini: “Zihlambululeni*+ ngoba kusasa uJehova uzalenzela+ izinto ezimangalisayo.”

6 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wakhuluma labaphristi wathi: “Thwalani ibhokisi+ lesivumelwano lihambe phambi kwabantu.” Ngakho balithwala bahamba phambi kwabantu.

7 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: “Lamuhla ngizaqalisa ukukunika udumo phambi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli+ ukuze bakwazi ukuthi ngizakuba lawe+ njengoba nje ngangiloMosi.+ 8 Nanku okumele ukutshele abaphristi abathwala ibhokisi lesivumelwano: ‘Lingafika ekhunjini lomfula uJodani, kumele lingene emanzini beselisima mpo.’”+

9 UJoshuwa wathi kwabako-Israyeli: “Buyani lizokuzwa ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu utheni.” 10 Wasesithi: “Nanku okuzakwenza lazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu ophilayo ulani,+ lokuthi uzawaxotsha phambi kwenu amaKhenani, lamaHithi, lamaHivi, lamaPherizi, lamaGirigashi, lama-Amori lamaJebusi:+ 11 Ibhokisi lesivumelwano seNkosi yomhlaba wonke lizahamba phambi kwenu lize liyefika emfuleni uJodani. 12 Khethani amadoda angu-12 ezizwaneni zako-Israyeli, lithathe indoda eyodwa esizwaneni ngasinye.+ 13 Abaphristi abathwele ibhokisi likaJehova iNkosi yomhlaba wonke bazathi bengena nje emfuleni uJodani, amanzi ageleza evela ngaphezulu azakuma abe ngumduli.”+

14 Abantu bathi besuka ematendeni abo besiyachapha umfula uJodani, abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi+ lesivumelwano bahamba phambi kwabo. 15 (Umfula uJodani uyagcwala uze uchithe+ ngesikhathi sokuvuna.) Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano bathi bengena nje emfuleni uJodani, 16 amanzi ayegeleza evela ngaphezulu ama aba ngumduli khatshana khonale edolobheni le-Adamu eliseduze leZarethani, kwathi lawo ayegelezela eLwandle lwe-Arabha, uLwandle Lwesawudo, ageleza aphela. Ngakho umfula wama ukugeleza njalo abantu bachapha maqondana leJerikho. 17 Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova bama emhlabathini owomileyo+ phakathi komfula uJodani. Abako-Israyeli bachapha emhlabathini owomileyo+ njalo abaphristi baqhubeka bemi isizwe sonke saze sachapha.

4 Isizwe sonke sathi sesiqedile ukuchapha umfula uJodani, uJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: 2 “Khetha amadoda angu-12 phakathi kwabantu, uthathe indoda eyodwa esizwaneni ngasinye,+ 3 ubususithi kuwo: ‘Thathani amatshe angu-12 phakathi komfula uJodani lapho okume khona abaphristi,+ liwathwale liyewabeka endaweni elizalala kuyo.’”+

4 Ngakho uJoshuwa wabiza amadoda angu-12 ayewakhethe phakathi kwabako-Israyeli. Wayekhethe indoda eyodwa esizwaneni ngasinye. 5 UJoshuwa wasesithi kuwo: “Dlulani liye phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu phakathi komfula uJodani. Ngamunye wenu adobhe ilitshe elilodwa alithwale ehlombe. Inani lamatshe kumele lilingane lenani lezizwana zako-Israyeli. 6 Amatshe la azakuba yisikhumbuzo kini. Nxa abantwabenu bangalibuza ukuthi ngawani,+ 7 kumele libatshele lithi: ‘Amatshe la ngawokunceda abako-Israyeli+ ukuthi bahlale bekhumbula okwenzakala ngesikhathi bechapha umfula uJodani. Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi+ lesivumelwano sikaJehova bathi bengena nje emfuleni uJodani, amanzi ama ukugeleza.’”

8 Ngakho abako-Israyeli benza lokho uJoshuwa ayebatshele khona. Bathatha amatshe angu-12 phakathi komfula uJodani njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuJoshuwa. Bawathwala bahamba lawo endaweni ababezalala kuyo, bafika bawabeka khona. Inani lamatshe la lalilingana lenani lezizwana zako-Israyeli.

9 UJoshuwa waphinda wabeka amanye amatshe angu-12 phakathi komfula uJodani lapho okwakumi khona+ abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano. Amatshe la alokhu ekhona kuze kube lamuhla.

10 Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi baqhubeka bemile phakathi komfula uJodani abantu baze baqeda ukwenza konke uJehova ayekutshele uJoshuwa. Konke lokhu kwakuhambelana lalokho uMosi ayekutshele uJoshuwa. Abantu bachapha baya ngaphetsheya. 11 Bathi beqeda nje ukuchapha, abaphristi balandela bethwele ibhokisi likaJehova, bonke abantu bebakhangele.+ 12 AbakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase bachapha behlomele impi+ behamba phambi kwabako-Israyeli, njengoba nje uMosi wayebatshelile.+ 13 Kwachapha amadoda angaba ngu-40 000 ayehlomile ehamba phambi kukaJehova esiya emagcekeni aseJerikho.*

14 Ngalolosuku uJehova wamnika udumo uJoshuwa phambi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli+ futhi bamhlonipha kakhulu* okwempilo yakhe yonke, njengoba nje babemhlonipha kakhulu uMosi.+

15 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: 16 “Tshela abaphristi abathwele ibhokisi+ loBufakazi ukuthi baphume emfuleni uJodani.” 17 Ngakho uJoshuwa wathi kubaphristi: “Phumani emfuleni.” 18 Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi+ lesivumelwano sikaJehova bathi bephuma nje emfuleni, inyawo zabo zinyathela emhlabathini owomileyo, amanzi omfula aqala ukugeleza, umfula wagcwala waze wachitha+ njengakuqala.

19 Abantu basuka eJodani mhlaka 10 ngenyanga yokuqala bafika bahlala eGiligali+ emngceleni osempumalanga kweJerikho.

20 UJoshuwa wathatha amatshe angu-12 ababewathethe emfuleni uJodani wawabuthelela eGiligali.+ 21 Wasekhuluma labako-Israyeli wathi: “Nxa abantwabenu sebelibuza kusasa ukuthi amatshe la ngawani,+ 22 libatshele lithi: ‘Abako-Israyeli bachapha umfula uJodani emhlabathini owomileyo+ 23 uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu aze omise umfula uJodani phambi kwabo. Amanzi omfula oma baze bachapha bonke njengalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu akwenza sichapha+ uLwandle Olubomvu. 24 Lokhu wayekwenzela ukuthi abantu emhlabeni bakwazi ukuthi isandla sikaJehova silamandla+ lokuthi lani lihlale limesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.’”

5 Wonke amakhosi ama-Amori+ ayesentshonalanga kukaJodani, lawo wonke amakhosi aseKhenani+ ayehlala eceleni kolwandle aphela amandla+ futhi esaba kakhulu esizwa ukuthi uJehova womise umfula uJodani abako-Israyeli+ bachapha.

2 Ngalesosikhathi uJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: “Yenza izingqamu* usoke+ amadoda ako-Israyeli.”* 3 Ngakho uJoshuwa wenza izingqamu* wasesoka amadoda ako-Israyeli eGibheya-haralothi.*+ 4 Nanku okwenza uJoshuwa wasoka amadoda ako-Israyeli: Wonke amadoda angamabutho* aphuma eGibhithe afela enkangala ngesikhathi besemangweni bevela eGibhithe.+ 5 Bonke abantu abaphuma eGibhithe babesokile. Kodwa labo abazalelwa endleleni ngesikhathi abako-Israyeli besenkangala ngemva kokuphuma kwabo eGibhithe babengasokwanga. 6 Abako-Israyeli babhoda enkangala okweminyaka engu-40,+ amadoda angamabutho ayephume eGibhithe aze afa wonke ngoba ayengamlalelanga uJehova.+ UJehova wafunga kuwo ukuthi wayengasoze awavumele ukuthi alibone ilizwe+ uJehova athembisa okhokho bethu ukuthi uzasinika lona,+ ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju.+ 7 Esikhundleni sawo+ kwangena amadodana awo njalo yiwo uJoshuwa awasokayo ngoba ayengazange asokwe ngesikhathi besendleleni.

8 Amadoda wonke athi esesokiwe, abako-Israyeli baqhubeka behlala lapho ababekhona aze aphola.

9 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: “Lamuhla ngilisusile kini* ihlazo laseGibhithe.” Ngakho indawo leyo ilokhu ibizwa ngokuthi yiGiligali*+ kuze kube lamuhla.

10 Abako-Israyeli baqhubeka behlala eGiligali emagcekeni aseJerikho.* Benza iPhasika kusihlwa mhlaka 14 ngenyanga yokuqala.+ 11 Ngosuku olwalandela ilanga lePhasika baqalisa ukudla ukudla kwalelolizwe. Badla isinkwa esingelamvubelo+ lamabele akhanzingiweyo. 12 Imana yacina ukuba khona ngelanga abako-Israyeli+ abadla ngalo ukudla kwalelolizwe njalo kabaphindanga bayidla futhi. Ngalowomnyaka+ baqalisa ukudla ukudla kwaseKhenani.

13 UJoshuwa wathi eseseduze leJerikho wathi uthi mehlo suka wabona indoda+ imi phambi kwakhe iphethe inkemba.+ Wasesiya kuyo wafika wayibuza wathi: “Ungowethu yini kumbe ungowezitha zethu?” 14 Yona yaphendula yathi: “Ngize lapha ngoba ngiyinduna yebutho likaJehova.”+ UJoshuwa uthe ekuzwa lokho wazilahla phansi wathi mbo ngobuso, wasesithi kuyo: “Inkosi yami ifuna ukuyitshelani inceku yayo?” 15 Induna yebutho likaJehova yaphendula uJoshuwa yathi: “Khipha amanyathela akho ngoba indawo omi kuyo ingcwele.” UJoshuwa wahle wenza njalo.+

6 IJerikho yayivalwe ngci ngenxa yama-Israyeli. Akulamuntu owayephuma loba owayengena.+

2 UJehova wakhuluma loJoshuwa wathi: “Sengiyinikele esandleni sakho iJerikho lenkosi yayo kanye lamabutho ayo alamandla.+ 3 Wonke amabutho enu kumele abhode idolobho lonke kanye ngelanga. Lokhu kumele likwenze okwamalanga ayisithupha. 4 Kufanele kube labaphristi abayisikhombisa abazahamba phambi kwebhokisi, ngamunye wabo ethwele uphondo lwenqama. Ngelanga lesikhombisa lizabhoda idolobho kasikhombisa njalo kumele abaphristi bahambe betshaya uphondo.+ 5 Nxa abantu bangezwa uphondo lwenqama lukhala* kumele bamemeze kakhulu kube lokuhlokoma kwempi. Wonke umduli wedolobho uzadilika,+ abantu besebezithela phakathi kwedolobho, ngamunye wabo aqonde phambili.”

6 Ngakho uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni wabiza abaphristi wasesithi kubo: “Thathani ibhokisi lesivumelwano, kuthi abaphristi abayisikhombisa bahambe phambi kwebhokisi likaJehova,+ ngamunye ethwele uphondo lwenqama.” 7 Ngemva kwalokho wathi emabuthweni: “Bhodani idolobho. Kumele kube lamabutho ahlomileyo+ azahamba phambi kwebhokisi likaJehova.” 8 Njengoba nje uJoshuwa wayetshilo, abaphristi abayisikhombisa ababethwele impondo zenqama bahamba phambi kukaJehova ngamunye etshaya uphondo lwakhe. Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova lalingemva kwabo. 9 Amabutho ahlomileyo ayehamba phambi kwabaphristi ababetshaya uphondo. Ngemva kwebhokisi kwakulamanye amabutho njalo abaphristi babetshaya uphondo kokuphela.

10 UJoshuwa wayetshele abantu wathi: “Lingaqali ukumemeza futhi lingakhulumi lutho. Lihlale lithule kuze kube lilanga engizalitshela ngalo ukuthi limemeze, beselimemeza.” 11 Bathwala ibhokisi likaJehova babhoda lalo idolobho kanye nje kuphela. Ngemva kwalokho abantu babuyela ematendeni abo lapho abalala khona ubusuku bonke.

12 Ngelanga elilandelayo uJoshuwa wavuka kusesele, abaphristi basebethwala ibhokisi+ likaJehova. 13 Abaphristi abayisikhombisa ababethwele impondo zenqama babehamba phambi kwebhokisi likaJehova betshaya uphondo kokuphela. Phambi kwabo kwakulamabutho ayehlomile njalo ngemva kwebhokisi likaJehova kwakulandela amanye amabutho. Impondo zazikhala zingathuli. 14 Langelanga lesibili balibhoda kanye idolobho, basebebuyela ematendeni abo. Lokhu bakwenza insuku eziyisithupha.+

15 Ngelanga lesikhombisa bavuka ekuseni kakhulu. Njengensukwini balibhoda idolobho kodwa mhlalokho balibhoda kasikhombisa. Kungalelolanga kuphela abalibhoda khona kasikhombisa.+ 16 Bathi sebelibhoda okwesikhombisa abaphristi batshaya uphondo. UJoshuwa wasesithi ebantwini: “Memezani+ ngoba uJehova uselinikele kini idolobho! 17 Tshayani libhuqe+ idolobho lonke kanye lakho konke okuphakathi kwalo. Konke ngokukaJehova. Lizatshiya uRahabi+ isifebe kuphela labo bonke elizabathola endlini yakhe ngoba wafihla inhloli esasizithumile.+ 18 Lingasondeli ezintweni okumele zitshabalaliswe+ ukuze lingazihawukeli licine selizithatha,+ beselisehlisela abako-Israyeli uhlupho bacine sebetshabalaliswa.+ 19 Kodwa sonke isiliva legolide lakho konke okwenziwe ngekhopha langensimbi kungcwele kuJehova.+ Kumele liyekufaka esiphaleni senotho kaJehova.”+

20 Impondo zakhala+ futhi abantu bathi bezizwa baklabalala kwaba lokuhlokoma kwempi, wonke umduli wadilikela phansi,+ bazithela phakathi kwedolobho balithatha. 21 Babulala wonke amadoda labesifazana ababephakathi, abantwana labadala, inkomo lezimvu kanye labobabhemi,+ bakuqeda konke ngenkemba.

22 UJoshuwa wakhuluma lamadoda amabili ayehlole ilizwe wathi: “Hambani endlini yowesifazana oyisifebe, liyemthatha labo bonke abangakibo njengoba nje lafunga kuye.”+ 23 Ngakho inhloli lezi zahamba zayathatha uRahabi loyise lonina labafowabo labo bonke abangakibo.+ Zabuya labo zayabahlalisa ngaphandle kwenkamba yama-Israyeli.

24 Bathungela lonke idolobho ngomlilo njalo konke okuphakathi kwatsha kwaloba. Kodwa isiliva legolide lezinto ezazenziwe ngekhopha langensimbi bazithatha bayazifaka esiphaleni senotho yendlu kaJehova.+ 25 URahabi isifebe lemuli kayise labo bonke abangakibo yibo kuphela uJoshuwa angababulalanga+ ngoba uRahabi wafihla inhloli ezazithunywe nguJoshuwa ukuthi ziyehlola iJerikho.+ Lalamuhla+ uRahabi ulokhu ehlala phakathi kwabako-Israyeli.

26 Ngalesosikhathi uJoshuwa wafunga wathi: “UJehova kamqalekise umuntu ozakwakha kutsha idolobho leJerikho. Uzathi efaka isisekelo salo afelwe lizibulo lakhe, athi esefaka amagedi alo+ afelwe yisicino sakhe.”

27 UJehova wayeloJoshuwa+ njalo udumo lwakhe lwasabalala emhlabeni wonke.+

7 Kodwa abako-Israyeli abalalelanga lokho ababekutsheliwe mayelana lezinto okwakumele zitshabalaliswe. U-Akhani+ indodana kaKhami indodana kaZabhidayi indodana kaZera owesizwana sakoJuda, wathatha ezinye zakhona.+ Ngakho uJehova wabathukuthelela kakhulu abako-Israyeli.+

2 Ngalesosikhathi uJoshuwa wathuma amadoda ukuthi asuke eJerikho aye edolobheni le-Ayi+ eliseduze leBhethi-aveni empumalanga yeBhetheli.+ Wathi kuwo: “Hambani liyehlola ilizwe.” Amadoda la asehamba ayahlola i-Ayi. 3 Athi esephendukile kuJoshuwa amtshela athi: “Akulasizatho sokuthi kuhambe lonke ibutho. I-Ayi inganqotshwa ngamadoda angaba ngu-2 000 loba angu-3 000 kuphela. Ungatshoni udinisa wonke amabutho ngoba abantu base-Ayi balutshwana.”

4 Ngakho kwahamba amabutho angaba ngu-3 000. Amadoda ase-Ayi athi ephuma ezokulwa lawo, amabutho la abaleka.+ 5 Abase-Ayi bawaxotshanisa amabutho ako-Israyeli besukela egedini ledolobho behla lawo baze bayafika eShebharimi,* behamba bewabulala. Ngalelolanga kwafa amadoda ako-Israyeli angu-36. Abantu bathi bekuzwa lokho besaba kakhulu baphela amandla.

6 Ngakho uJoshuwa labadala bako-Israyeli badabula izembatho zabo baguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi likaJehova kwaze kwaba ntambama. Babelokhu bezithela ngenhlabathi emakhanda. 7 UJoshuwa wasesithi: “Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, kambe ungachaphisa abantu laba umfula uJodani ukuze ubanikele esandleni sama-Amori abatshaye ababhuqe? Ngabe phela sahle sazihlalela ngaphetsheya kukaJodani!* 8 Awu Jehova, ngicela ungixolele ngokukhuluma kanje, kambe ngingathini njengoba abako-Israyeli bebalekele izitha zabo? 9 AbaseKhenani labo bonke abantu abahlala elizweni leli bazathi bekuzwa lokho basihanqe, bahlasele isizwe sethu basithanyele siphele du.* Pho uzathini ngebizo lakho eliphakemeyo?”+

10 UJehova wasephendula uJoshuwa wathi: “Sukuma! Kungani uguqile wathi mbo phansi ngobuso? 11 Abako-Israyeli bonile, bephule isivumelwano+ engasenza labo. Batshontshe+ izinto obekufanele zitshabalaliswe+ bazifihla empahleni yabo.+ 12 Yikho abako-Israyeli abasoze benelise ukulwa lezitha zabo. Bazazifulathela babaleke ngoba labo sekumele batshabalaliswe. Kangisoze ngiqhubeke ngilani lize lizisuse phakathi kwenu izinto obekumele zitshabalaliswe.+ 13 Sukuma khonapho uyetshela abantu ukuthi bazihlambulule,*+ uthi kubo: ‘Zihlambululeni lilungiselela ilanga lakusasa ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Bantu bako-Israyeli, phakathi kwenu kulezinto obekumele zitshabalaliswe. Yikho kalisoze lenelise ukunqoba izitha zenu ngaphandle kokuthi lisuse izinto lezo phakathi kwenu. 14 Kusasa ekuseni kumele lime ngezizwana zenu. Isizwana uJehova azasikhetha+ sizasondela phambili, usendo ngalunye lume lodwa. Abantu bosendo uJehova azalukhetha bazasondela phambili, bame ngezimuli zabo. Besekusithi emulini uJehova azayikhetha kusondele umuntu ngamunye. 15 Umuntu ozatholakala elezinto obekumele zitshabalaliswe uzatshiswa ngomlilo+ lakho konke okungokwakhe ngoba wephule isivumelwano+ sikaJehova wenza into elihlazo ko-Israyeli.”’”

16 Ngelanga elilandelayo uJoshuwa wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wabiza abako-Israyeli wabamisa ngezizwana zabo, kwasekukhethwa isizwana sakoJuda. 17 Wathi usendo ngalunye lwesizwana sakoJuda lume lodwa, kwasekukhethwa usendo lukaZera.+ Ngemva kwalokho wathi umuntu ngamunye wosendo lukaZera asondele, kwasekukhethwa uZabhidayi. 18 Wasesithi umuntu ngamunye emulini kaZabhidayi asondele phambili. Kwasekukhethwa+ u-Akhani indodana kaKhami, indodana kaZabhidayi, indodana kaZera owesizwana sakoJuda. 19 UJoshuwa wathi ku-Akhani: “Ndodana yami, ngicela unike uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli udumo, uvume kuye konke okwenzileyo. Ngicela ungitshele okwenzileyo, ungangifihleli lutho.”

20 U-Akhani waphendula uJoshuwa wathi: “Liqiniso sibili ukuthi yimi engonileyo kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Nanku engikwenzileyo: 21 Ngithe ngikhangela empahleni ngabona isembatho sezikhulu esihle saseShinari,+ lamashekheli* esiliva angu-200 legolide elilesisindo esingamashekheli angu-50, ngakuhawukela ngasengikuthatha. Izinto lezi ngizigqibele etendeni lami, isiliva legolide yikho okungaphansi.”

22 UJoshuwa uthe ekuzwa lokhu wathuma izithunywa ukuthi zigijime ziye etendeni lika-Akhani. Zathola isembatho sifihliwe etendeni lakhe, isiliva legolide kungaphansi. 23 Ngakho zathatha izinto lezo zaziletha kuJoshuwa lasebantwini bonke bako-Israyeli zazibeka phambi kukaJehova. 24 UJoshuwa labantu bako-Israyeli basebethatha u-Akhani+ indodana kaZera, lesiliva, lesembatho sezikhulu kanye legolide.+ Bathatha amadodana lamadodakazi akhe, lenkomo zakhe labobabhemi, lembuzi lezimvu kanye letende lakhe, lakho konke okungokwakhe, bahamba lakho esigodini se-Akhori.+ 25 UJoshuwa wasesithi: “Kungani usidalele uhlupho+ olungaka? Lawe uJehova uzakwehlisela uhlupho lamuhla.” Ngakho abako-Israyeli babakhanda ngamatshe+ basebebatshisa ngomlilo.+ Bonke bafa bekhandwa ngamatshe. 26 Ngemva kwalokho abantu babuthelela inqwaba yamatshe phezu kwesidumbu sika-Akhani njalo amatshe la alokhu ekhona kuze kube lamuhla. Ngakho ulaka lukaJehova lwaphela.+ Indawo le ilokhu ibizwa ngokuthi yisigodi se-Akhori.*

8 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: “Ungesabi futhi ungatshaywa luvalo.+ Thatha amabutho wonke uyehlasela i-Ayi. Sengiyinikele esandleni sakho inkosi yase-Ayi labantu bayo ledolobho layo kanye lelizwe layo.+ 2 Owakwenza eJerikho lasenkosini yayo+ kwenze lase-Ayi lasenkosini yayo. Kodwa impahla lezifuyo elizazithola e-Ayi lingazithathela zona zibe ngezenu. Kumele uthume amanye amabutho ayecathama ngemva kwedolobho.”

3 UJoshuwa wasuka lawo wonke amabutho akhe esiyahlasela i-Ayi. Wakhetha amabutho angu-30 000 alamandla wasewathuma ebusuku. 4 Wawatshela wathi: “Lifike licathame ngemva kwedolobho kodwa lingabi khatshana lalo. Lonke kumele lihlale lilungele ukuhlasela. 5 Mina lamabutho engilawo sizaqonda edolobheni. Nxa bengaphuma bezosihlasela njengakuqala+ sizabaleka sibuyele emuva. 6 Bazasixotshanisa becabanga ukuthi sesibaleka njengakuqala.+ Kodwa thina sizabuyela emuva sisenzela ukubadonsela khatshana ledolobho labo. 7 Lina-ke lizaphuma lapho elicathame khona lihlasele idolobho lilithumbe. UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzakwenza ukuthi lilinqobe. 8 Nxa lingalithumba idolobho kumele lihle lilithungele ngomlilo.+ Kumele lenze konke uJehova akukhulumileyo. Sengilitshelile okumele likwenze.”

9 UJoshuwa wasewakhipha amabutho la, aya lapho ayezacathama khona. Afika acathama endaweni ephakathi kweBhetheli le-Ayi, entshonalanga kwe-Ayi. UJoshuwa lamanye amabutho bona basala lapho ababekhona, balala khona.

10 UJoshuwa wavuka ekuseni kakhulu waqoqa amabutho. Wasuka labadala bako-Israyeli bakhokhela amabutho besiya e-Ayi. 11 Wonke amabutho+ ayeloJoshuwa ahamba aze ayafika phambi kwedolobho le-Ayi njalo afika amisa inkamba yawo enyakatho ye-Ayi. Inkamba yawo ledolobho le-Ayi kwakwehlukaniswe yisigodi. 12 UJoshuwa wayethume amanye amabutho angaba ngu-5 000 ukuthi ayecathama+ phakathi kweBhetheli+ le-Ayi, entshonalanga kwedolobho. 13 Amabutho ayeloJoshuwa wona amisa inkamba yawo enyakatho kwedolobho,+ kwasekusithi amanye acathama entshonalanga kwedolobho.+ Ngalobobusuku uJoshuwa wehlela esigodini.

14 Inkosi yase-Ayi yathi ikubona lokhu yahle yaphuma ekuseni kakhulu ilamadoda edolobho layo ukuze iyedibana labako-Israyeli endaweni ekhangelane lenkangala. Yayingakwazi ukuthi kwakulamabutho ayecatheme ngemva kwedolobho. 15 Kwathi amadoda ase-Ayi esehlasela, uJoshuwa labo bonke abako-Israyeli babaleka ngendlela eqonda enkangala.+ 16 Kwabizwa wonke amadoda ayesedolobheni ukuthi axotshanise uJoshuwa labako-Israyeli. Abaxotshanisa aze acina esekhatshana ledolobho lawo. 17 Akusalanga lendoda eyodwa e-Ayi leBhetheli. Wonke aphuma axotshanisa abako-Israyeli, atshiya amagedi edolobho ekhamisile.

18 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: “Phakamisa umkhonto osesandleni* sakho ukhombele i-Ayi+ ngoba ngizayinikela esandleni sakho.”+ Ngakho uJoshuwa waphakamisa umkhonto wakhe wakhombela idolobho le-Ayi. 19 Wathi ewuphakamisa nje, amabutho ayecatshile aphuma lapho ayekhona aqonda edolobheni alithumba. Masinyane nje ayeselithungele ngomlilo.+

20 Amadoda ase-Ayi athi enyemukula abona intuthu iqonga isiya phezulu idolobho selisitsha, aphela amandla aswela lokuthi abalekele ngaphi. Amabutho ako-Israyeli ayebalekela enkangala aphenduka awahlasela. 21 Kwathi uJoshuwa labo bonke ayelabo bebona intuthu yedolobho iqonga isiya phezulu bahle bakwazi ukuthi amabutho abo ayeselithumbile idolobho, basebetshibilika bahlasela amadoda ase-Ayi. 22 Amanye amabutho ayesedolobheni aphuma abahlangabeza. Amadoda ase-Ayi ayesephakathi laphakathi, abako-Israyeli sebewavimbezele ngapha langapha. Bawabulala wonke, akuphunyukanga loyedwa.+ 23 Kodwa inkosi yase-Ayi+ bayibamba bayiletha kuJoshuwa iphila.

24 Ama-Israyeli athi esebabulele ngenkemba bonke abantu base-Ayi ababebalandele enkangala, abuyela wonke e-Ayi afika abulala wonke umuntu ngenkemba. 25 Ngalelolanga kwafa bonke abantu base-Ayi. Babengu-12 000, kungamadoda labesifazana. 26 UJoshuwa waqhubeka ephakamise umkhonto*+ ngesandla sakhe kwaze kwabulawa+ wonke umuntu wase-Ayi. 27 Abako-Israyeli bazithathela izifuyo lempahla eyayise-Ayi njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuJoshuwa.+

28 UJoshuwa wayilobisa ngomlilo i-Ayi yasala iyinqwaba yamatshe.+ Lalamuhla ilokhu injalo. 29 Walengisa inkosi yase-Ayi esigodweni* kwaze kwaba ntambama. Ilanga lithe selisiyatshona, wathi isidumbu sayo sethulwe esigodweni.+ Basithwala bayasilahlela egedini ledolobho, basebebuthelela inqwaba yamatshe phezu kwaso. Lalamuhla amatshe la alokhu ekhona.

30 UJoshuwa wasesakhela uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli i-alithare entabeni i-Ebhali.+ 31 Lokhu yikho uMosi inceku kaJehova ayekutshele abako-Israyeli futhi kubhaliwe eMthethweni+ kaMosi, ukuthi: “Yenza i-alithare ngamatshe angathintwanga ngethuluzi lensimbi.”+ Banikela kuJehova iminikelo yokutshiswa phezu kwalo, benza lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano.+

32 UJoshuwa wasebhala ematsheni amazwi oMthetho+ afanana lalawo uMosi ayewabhale phambi kwabako-Israyeli.+ 33 Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli+ labezinye izizwe, labadala, labaphathi, labahluleli bama baphahla ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova, bekhangelene labaphristi abangamaLevi ababelithwele. Abanye babemi* phambi kwentaba iGerizimu, abanye bephambi* kwentaba i-Ebhali+ (njengoba nje uMosi inceku kaJehova wayetshilo).+ Abantu bako-Israyeli benza lokho ukuze babusiswe. 34 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wawabala ngelizwi eliphezulu wonke amazwi oMthetho.+ Wabala izibusiso+ leziqalekiso+ njengoba zazinjalo ebhukwini loMthetho. 35 Wabalela phezulu wonke amazwi uMosi ayewatshele abantu futhi wawabala phambi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli.+ Abesifazana labo babekhona labantwana kanye labantu bezinye izizwe+ ababehlala phakathi kwabako-Israyeli.+

9 Lokhu kwafika endlebeni zamakhosi amaHithi, lama-Amori, lamaKhenani, lamaPherizi, lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi.+ Amakhosi la ayebusa entshonalanga komfula uJodani+ elizweni lezintaba, laseShefela kanye lasekhunjini loLwandle Olukhulu*+ laphambi kweLebhanoni. 2 Amanyana ukuze alwe loJoshuwa labako-Israyeli.+

3 AbaseGibhiyoni+ labo bakuzwa lokho uJoshuwa ayekwenze eJerikho+ le-Ayi.+ 4 Ngakho babumba icebo, bathatha imiphako yabo bayifaka ezikhwameni ezindala bazigaxa kubobabhemi. Bathatha lemigodla yezikhumba zewayini ezigugileyo, ezasezidabuke zathungwa. 5 Lamanyathela ababewagqokile ayesegugile futhi ethungwe athungwa. Babegqoke izigqoko ezindala ezazijujukile njalo izinkwa ababezithwele zasezomile, sezivuthuka lokuvuthuka. 6 Basuka baya eGiligali+ bafika bakhuluma loJoshuwa lamadoda ako-Israyeli bathi: “Sivela elizweni elikhatshana kakhulu. Sicela lenze isivumelwano lathi.” 7 Kodwa amadoda ako-Israyeli aphendula amaHivi*+ athi: “Engxenye lihlala eduze lathi. Pho singasenza njani isivumelwano lani?”+ 8 AmaHivi asesithi kuJoshuwa: “Siyizinceku zakho.”

UJoshuwa wasewabuza wathi: “Lingobani futhi livela ngaphi?” 9 Amphendula athi: “Siyizinceku zakho futhi sivela elizweni elikhatshana.+ Silapha ngenxa yebizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. Siluzwile udumo lwakhe lakho konke akwenza eGibhithe.+ 10 Sezwa lalokho akwenza emakhosini amabili ama-Amori ayengaphetsheya komfula uJodani,* uSihoni+ inkosi yeHeshibhoni lo-Ogi+ inkosi yeBhashani owayese-Ashitharothi. 11 Ngakho abadala besizwe sethu labantu bakithi bathe kithi, ‘Thathani imiphako lingene indlela liyebabona. Lifike lithi kubo: “Sizakuba zinceku zenu,+ sicela lenze isivumelwano lathi.”’+ 12 Izinkwa lezi zazitshisa sisuka emizini yethu sisiza lapha. Kodwa khathesi sezomile futhi sezivuthuka+ njengoba libona. 13 Izikhumba lezi zewayini zazizintsha ngesikhathi sizigcwalisa kodwa khathesi sezidabukile.+ Amanyathela ethu lezembatho zethu sekumadabudabu ngenxa yobude bomango.”

14 Abako-Israyeli bathi bekuzwa lokhu bayihlola imiphako yamadoda la kodwa abazange babuze kuJehova.+ 15 Ngakho uJoshuwa wenza labo isivumelwano sokuthi babengasoze bababulale, wabathembisa lokuthi babezahlalisana labo ngokuthula.+ Abakhokheli bako-Israyeli labo bafunga kubo.+

16 Ngemva kwamalanga amathathu benze isivumelwano labo, bezwa ukuthi babehlala eduze labo. 17 Abako-Israyeli basuka lapho ababekhona, kwathi ngelanga lesithathu bafika emadolobheni ayehlala amadoda la. Amadolobho la kwakuyiGibhiyoni,+ leKhefira, leBheherothi kanye leKhiriyathi-jeyarimi.+ 18 Kodwa abako-Israyeli abazange bawahlasele ngoba abakhokheli babefunge ngebizo likaJehova+ uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Ngakho bonke abantu baqalisa ukukhonona besola lokho okwakwenziwe ngabakhokheli babo. 19 Abakhokheli basebesithi kubo: “Akuvumi ukuthi sibabulale ngoba sifunge ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 20 Ngakho asisoze sibabulale ukuze uNkulunkulu angasithukutheleli ngoba sifungile kubo.”+ 21 Izinduna zaqhubeka zathi: “Lingababulali, bazakuba yizisebenzi zethu bathezele abantu inkuni njalo babakhele lamanzi.” Lokhu yikho izinduna ezabathembisa khona.

22 UJoshuwa wasebabiza wathi kubo: “Kungani lisiqilile lathi livela khatshana kakhulu lina lihlala khonapha eduze lathi?+ 23 Kusukela lamuhla liqalekisiwe+ futhi lizahlala liyizigqili. Lizatheza inkuni njalo likhe lamanzi azasetshenziswa endlini kaNkulunkulu wami.” 24 Baphendula uJoshuwa bathi: “Yikuthi izinceku zakho zatshelwa ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu watshela uMosi inceku yakhe ukuthi alinike lonke ilizwe lokuthi litshabalalise bonke abantu abahlala kulo.+ Ngakho sesaba ukuthi lizasibulala+ sasesibumba icebo leli.+ 25 Khathesi sisezandleni zakho. Yenza kithi loba kuyini okubona kulungile njalo kuqondile.” 26 Ngakho uJoshuwa wabavikela kwabako-Israyeli njalo abazange bababulale. 27 Ngalelolanga wabenza baba yizigqili zokutheza inkuni lokukha amanzi ayezasetshenziswa ngabako-Israyeli+ kanye lase-alithareni likaJehova elalizakuba sendaweni ayezayikhetha.+ Lalamuhla balokhu beyizigqili.+

10 U-Adoni-zedekhi inkosi yeJerusalema wezwa ukuthi uJoshuwa wayenqobe i-Ayi wayitshabalalisa njalo wenza enkosini+ yayo lokho ayekwenze eJerikho lasenkosini yayo,+ lokuthi abaseGibhiyoni sebenze isivumelwano sokuthula labako-Israyeli+ bahlalisana kuhle labo. 2 Yikho wesaba wathuthumela+ ngoba idolobho leGibhiyoni lalilikhulu njengedolobho lesikhosini. Lalilikhulu ukwedlula i-Ayi+ futhi wonke amadoda ayehlala kulo ayengamaqhawe. 3 Ngakho u-Adoni-zedekhi inkosi yeJerusalema wathumela ilizwi kuHohami inkosi yeHebroni,+ loPhiramu inkosi yeJamuthi, loJafiya inkosi yeLakhishi, loDebhiri inkosi ye-Egiloni,+ 4 wathi: “Buyani lizongincedisa ukuhlasela iGibhiyoni ngoba yenze isivumelwano sokuthula loJoshuwa labantu bako-Israyeli.”+ 5 Ngakho amakhosi amahlanu ama-Amori+ asuka lamabutho awo aya eGibhiyoni afika ayihanqa ukuze alwe layo. Kwakulenkosi yeJerusalema, lenkosi yeHebroni, lenkosi yeJamuthi, lenkosi yeLakhishi kanye lenkosi ye-Egiloni.

6 Amadoda aseGibhiyoni asethumela ilizwi kuJoshuwa eGiligali+ athi: “Ungasilahli, siyizigqili zakho!+ Buya masinyane uzosilamulela ngoba wonke amakhosi ama-Amori aselizweni lezintaba asebuthene ukuze asihlasele.” 7 UJoshuwa uthe ekuzwa lokhu wasuka eGiligali lebutho lakhe lonke elaligoqela lamadoda ayeyazi kuhle impi.+

8 UJehova wasesithi kuJoshuwa: “Ungabesabi+ ngoba bonke sengibanikele esandleni sakho.+ Akula loyedwa wabo ozamelana lawe.”+ 9 UJoshuwa lamabutho akhe basuka eGiligali bahamba ubusuku bonke, batheleka kubo besalibele. 10 UJehova wabaphithanisa amakhanda phambi kwama-Israyeli.+ Ngakho ama-Israyeli abulala abanengi kakhulu eGibhiyoni, axotshana labo emqansweni weBhethi-horoni ebabulala umango wonke baze bayafika e-Azekha leMakheda. 11 Bathe besabaleka besehla ngomgwaqo weBhethi-horoni uJehova wabehlisela isiqhotho esikhulu kwaze kwayafika e-Azekha, bafa baphela bonke. Isiqhotho sabulala abantu abanengi kakhulu ukwedlula labo ababulawa ngabako-Israyeli ngenkemba.

12 UJehova wawatshaya wawabhuqa ama-Amori phambi kwabako-Israyeli. Kungalelolanga lapho uJoshuwa akhuluma khona loJehova phambi kwabako-Israyeli wathi:

“Langa, mana mpo+ phezu kweGibhiyoni!+

Lawe nyanga, ume phezu kwesigodi se-Ayijaloni!”

13 Ngakho ilanga lama mpo lenyanga kayizange itshede, abako-Israyeli baze baphindisela ezitheni zabo. Ilanga lama phakathi laphakathi kwesibhakabhaka, laqhubeka likhanya esibhakabhakeni okosuku lonke. Konke lokhu kubhaliwe ebhukwini likaJashari.+ 14 Alukaze lube khona usuku olunjalo ngoba mhlalokho uJehova walalela ayekutshelwe ngumuntu,+ into ayengakaze ayenze futhi angazange aphinde ayenze. UJehova wayebalwela sibili abako-Israyeli!+

15 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa labo bonke abako-Israyeli babuyela enkambeni yabo eGiligali.+

16 Amakhosi amahlanu wona ayebalekele eMakheda+ afika acatsha ebhalwini. 17 UJoshuwa wabikelwa ukuthi amakhosi amahlanu ayetholakale eMakheda+ ecatshile ebhalwini, 18 wasesithi: “Giqani amatshe amakhulu livale ubhalu beselitshiya abanye belindile. 19 Kodwa lina lonke qhubekani lixotshanisa izitha zenu lizibulale.+ Lingazivumeli ukuthi zifike emadolobheni azo ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzinikele esandleni senu.”

20 UJoshuwa labako-Israyeli babulala amabutho esitha amanengi kakhulu, kwasala amalutshwana. Asalayo abaleka ayangena emadolobheni ayevikelwe ngemiduli emikhulu. 21 Ngemva kwalokho wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli abuyela kuJoshuwa enkambeni eyayiseMakheda kungela loyedwa olimeleyo. Akulamuntu owaphinda wasongela abako-Israyeli. 22 UJoshuwa wasesithi: “Vulani ubhalu likhiphe amakhosi amahlanu aphakathi liwalethe lapha.” 23 Ngakho bawakhipha amakhosi lawo amahlanu. Kwakulenkosi yeJerusalema, lenkosi yeHebroni, lenkosi yeJamuthi, lenkosi yeLakhishi kanye lenkosi ye-Egiloni.+ 24 Bawathatha amakhosi la bawaletha kuJoshuwa, wasebiza wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli, wathi ezinduneni zamabutho ayehambe lazo: “Sondelani linyathele amakhosi la entanyeni.” Yikho zasondela zanyathela amakhosi la intamo.+ 25 UJoshuwa wasesithi kubo: “Lingesabi futhi lingatshaywa luvalo.+ Qinani libe lesibindi ngoba lokhu yikho uJehova azakwenza kuzo zonke izitha zenu elilwa lazo.”+

26 UJoshuwa wasewabulala wonke wawalengisa ezigodweni* ezinhlanu. Alenga kwaze kwaba ntambama. 27 Ilanga lathi selitshonile uJoshuwa wathi izidumbu zawo zethulwe ezigodweni+ ziyelahlelwa ebhalwini amakhosi la ayecatshe kulo. Ngemva kwalokho bagiqela amatshe amakhulu emlonyeni wobhalu njalo amatshe la alokhu ekhona kuze kube lamuhla.

28 UJoshuwa wathumba iMakheda+ wabulala zonke izakhamizi zayo ngenkemba. Wabulala inkosi yayo labo bonke abantu, kakho loyedwa owasalayo.+ Wenza enkosini yeMakheda+ lokho ayekwenze enkosini yeJerikho.

29 UJoshuwa wasuka eMakheda lawo wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli wayahlasela iLibhina.+ 30 UJehova wanikela inkosi yayo+ labantu bayo ezandleni zabako-Israyeli. Babulala wonke umuntu ngenkemba, akuzange kuphunyuke loyedwa. Benza enkosini yayo lokho ababekwenze enkosini yeJerikho.+

31 UJoshuwa lamabutho wonke ako-Israyeli basuka eLibhina baya eLakhishi.+ Bafika bamisa inkamba eduze ledolobho leLakhishi balihlasela. 32 UJehova wanikela iLakhishi esandleni sabako-Israyeli bayithumba ngelanga lesibili. Bayihlasela babulala wonke umuntu ngenkemba.+ Benza kuyo lokho ababekwenze eLibhina.

33 UHoramu inkosi yeGezeri+ wasuka esiyahlomulela iLakhishi kodwa uJoshuwa wamnqoba yena labantu bakhe, akusalanga loyedwa wabo.

34 UJoshuwa lawo wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli basuka eLakhishi bayamisa inkamba eduze le-Egiloni+ ukuze balwe layo. 35 Bayihlasela bayithumba ngelanga elilodwa, babulala wonke umuntu ngenkemba njengalokho ababekwenze eLakhishi.+

36 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa lamabutho wonke ako-Israyeli basuka e-Egiloni baya eHebroni+ bafika balwa layo. 37 Bayihlasela bathumba amadolobho ayo, babulala inkosi yayo ngenkemba labo bonke ababekuyo, abatshiyanga lomuntu oyedwa. UJoshuwa wenza kuyo lokho ayekwenze i-Egiloni, waqeda bonke abantu ababelapho.

38 UJoshuwa lawo wonke amabutho ako-Israyeli batshibilika baya eDebhiri+ bafika balwa layo. 39 Wayinqoba wathumba inkosi yayo lamadolobho ayo wasebulala bonke abantu+ ngenkemba. Wabaqeda bonke, kakho owasala ephila.+ Wenza eDebhiri lasenkosini yayo lokho ayekwenze eLibhina lasenkosini yayo lalokho ayekwenze eHebroni.

40 UJoshuwa walinqoba lonke ilizwe lezintaba, iNegebhi leShefela+ lazo zonke izindawo ezazisemawatheni* ezintaba kanye lamakhosi azo. Wayebulala wonke umuntu ayemthola lapho, engatshiyi muntu ephila,+ njengoba nje uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wayetshilo.+ 41 UJoshuwa wabanqoba bonke kusukela eKhadeshi-bhaneya+ kwaze kwayafika eGaza,+ wathatha lelizwe lonke laseGosheni+ kwaze kwayafika eGibhiyoni.+ 42 UJoshuwa wawanqoba wonke amakhosi la wathatha amazwe awo ngasikhathi sinye ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wayebalwela abako-Israyeli.+ 43 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu uJoshuwa wabuyela eGiligali+ lamabutho wonke ako-Israyeli.

11 UJabhini inkosi yeHazori wathi ekuzwa lokhu wathumela ilizwi kuJobhabhi inkosi yeMadoni,+ lasenkosini yeShimroni, lasenkosini ye-Akhishafi,+ 2 lasemakhosini ayesenyakatho elizweni lezintaba, lalawo ayesemagcekeni* eningizimu yeKhinerethi kanye laweShefela lasemawatheni* ezintaba zaseDori+ ngokuya entshonalanga. 3 Wathumela ilizwi kumaKhenani+ ayesempumalanga lentshonalanga, lakuma-Amori,+ lamaHithi, lamaPherizi, lamaJebusi ayehlala ezintabeni, lakumaHivi+ ayesekele intaba iHemoni+ elizweni leMizipha. 4 Ngakho amakhosi la aphuma lawo wonke amabutho awo, bebanengi angathi yitshebetshebe ekhunjini lolwandle njalo belamabhiza amanengi lezinqola zempi ezinengi. 5 Amakhosi la ahlangana esifudlaneni seMeromi njengokuvumelana kwawo, asemisa inkamba yawo ukuze alwe labako-Israyeli.

6 UJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: “Ungabesabi+ ngoba kusasa ngesikhathi lesi ngizabanikela esandleni sama-Israyeli, ababulale abaqede. Amabhiza abo kumele liwaqume imisipha,+ izinqola zabo lizitshise ngomlilo.” 7 Ngakho uJoshuwa wasuka lawo wonke amabutho akhe bayabahlasela. Batheleka phezu kwabo besalibele esifudlaneni seMeromi. 8 UJehova wabanikela esandleni sama-Israyeli+ abanqoba. Abaxotshanisa baze bayafika eSidoni Enkulu+ laseMisirefothi-mayimi+ lasesigodini seMizipha empumalanga. Ababulala bonke, akula loyedwa owasalayo.+ 9 UJoshuwa wenza kubo konke uJehova ayemtshele khona. Amabhiza abo wawaquma imisipha watshisa lezinqola zabo ngomlilo.+

10 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa watshibilika walubangisa eHazori, wafika wayithumba wabulala inkosi yayo ngenkemba.+ Phela iHazori yayilidolobho elalithenjiwe emibusweni leyo. 11 Babulala bonke abantu beHazori ngenkemba, babaqeda du!+ Akulamuntu owasala ephila.+ Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wathungela lonke idolobho ngomlilo. 12 Wawanqoba wonke amadolobho abo, wabulala lamakhosi abo ngenkemba.+ Wenza njengoba nje uMosi inceku kaJehova wayemtshelile, wabatshaya wababhuqa.+ 13 Kodwa abako-Israyeli kabawatshisanga amadolobho ayakhelwe emaqaqeni. UJoshuwa watshisa iHazori kuphela. 14 Abako-Israyeli bazithathela+ yonke impahla lezifuyo ezazisemadolobheni la. Kodwa bonke abantu ababekuwo bababulala ngenkemba babaqeda du!+ Akulamuntu abamtshiya ephila.+ 15 Konke uMosi ayekutshelwe nguJehova wakutshela uJoshuwa,+ yena wakwenza konke. Akula lokukodwa uJoshuwa angakwenzanga phakathi kwezinto uJehova ayezitshele uMosi.+

16 UJoshuwa walinqoba lonke ilizwe lezintaba. Wanqoba leNegebhi+ yonke, lalo lonke ilizwe leGosheni, leShefela,+ le-Arabha,+ wathatha layo yonke indawo yako-Israyeli elezintaba kanye lezigodi zayo. 17 Wanqoba kusukela entabeni iHalakhi ekhangelane leSeyiri, waze wayafika eBhali-gadi+ esigodini seLebhanoni, phansi kwentaba iHemoni.+ Wawehlula wonke amakhosi elizwe leli, wawathumba wawabulala. 18 UJoshuwa walwa lamakhosi la okwesikhathi eside. 19 Akula lelilodwa idolobho elenza isivumelwano sokuthula labako-Israyeli ngaphandle kwamaHivi ayehlala eGibhiyoni.+ Wonke amanye amadolobho balwa lawo bawanqoba.+ 20 UJehova wabayekela baba lenkani+ balwa labako-Israyeli ngoba wayengafuni ukubatshengisa isihawu,+ kodwa wayehlose ukubatshabalalisa. Bonke kwakumele babulawe baphele njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuMosi.+

21 Ngalesosikhathi uJoshuwa wasuka wayabulala wonke ama-Anakhi+ ayehlala ezintabeni, eHebroni, laseDebhiri, lase-Anabhi, lasezintabeni zakoJuda lakuyo yonke indawo yako-Israyeli elezintaba. UJoshuwa wawatshaya wawabhuqa watshabalalisa+ amadolobho awo. 22 Akula ma-Anakhi asala elizweni lako-Israyeli. Asala+ eGaza+ leGathi+ lase-Ashidodi+ kuphela. 23 Ngakho uJoshuwa walithatha lonke ilizwe njengoba nje uJehova wayethembise uMosi.+ Ilizwe lelo walinika abako-Israyeli laba lilifa labo, balabelana ngezizwana zabo.+ Zaphela-ke izimpi kwaba lokuthula elizweni.+

12 Abako-Israyeli bawanqoba amakhosi ayebusa elizweni elisempumalanga komfula uJodani, bathatha amazwe awo kusukela esigodini se-Arinoni+ kuze kuyefika entabeni iHemoni+ kanye layo yonke i-Arabha kusiya ngasempumalanga.+ 2 Omunye wamakhosi la kwakunguSihoni+ inkosi yama-Amori. Wayehlala eHeshibhoni njalo wayebusa e-Aroweri+ eyayisemqolweni wesigodi se-Arinoni.+ lndawo yonke kusukela phakathi kwesigodi se-Arinoni kuze kuyefika esigodini seJabhokhi yayingeyakhe njalo wayebusa lengxenye yeGiliyadi. Isigodi seJabhokhi sasiphinda sibe ngumngcele wama-Amoni. 3 Wayebusa le-Arabha kuze kuyefika eLwandle lweKhinerethi*+ empumalanga, atshaye aze ayefika eLwandle lwe-Arabha, uLwandle Lwesawudo. Umbuso wakhe wawuthatha leBhethi-jeshimothi eseduze loLwandle Lwesawudo, uqhubeke uze uyefika eduze lentaba iPhisiga+ eseningizimu.

4 Bathatha lelizwe lika-Ogi+ inkosi yeBhashani owayengomunye wamaRefayimi+ okucina. Wayehlala e-Ashitharothi lase-Edreyi, 5 ebusa entabeni iHemoni leSalekha leBhashani+ yonke, kuze kuyefika emngceleni wamaGeshuri lamaMahakhathi+ lengxenye yeGiliyadi, kusiyafika elizweni likaSihoni inkosi yeHeshibhoni.+

6 Amakhosi la anqotshwa+ nguMosi inceku kaJehova kanye labako-Israyeli. Ngemva kwalokho uMosi inceku kaJehova wanika abakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase ilizwe lawo.+

7 UJoshuwa labako-Israyeli banqoba amakhosi amanengi ayebusa entshonalanga komfula uJodani, kusukela eBhali-gadi+ esigodini seLebhanoni+ kuze kuyefika entabeni iHalakhi+ ekhangelene leSeyiri.+ Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wabela+ izizwana zako-Israyeli ilizwe lelo. 8 Kwakulilizwe lezintaba kanye leShefela, le-Arabha, lenkangala leNegebhi.+ Ilizwe leli lalingelamaHithi, lama-Amori,+ lamaKhenani, lamaPherizi, lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi.+ Amakhosi abawanqobayo yilawa:

13 UJoshuwa wayesemdala futhi eseluphele.+ Ngakho uJehova wathi kuye: “Wena usumdala kakhulu futhi usuluphele kodwa likhulu ilizwe okusamele lilithathe.* 2 Nanzi izindawo eziseleyo:+ Lonke ilizwe lamaFilisti lelamaGeshuri,+ 3 (kusukela lapho okwehlukana khona umfula uNayili* empumalanga kweGibhithe kuze kuyefika emngceleni we-Ekhroni osenyakatho, indawo okwakuthiwa ngeyamaKhenani),+ lamazwe amakhosi amahlanu amaFilisti,+ iGaza le-Ashidodi+ le-Ashikheloni+ leGathi+ le-Ekhroni,+ lelizwe lama-Avimi+ 4 eningizimu, lalo lonke ilizwe lamaKhenani, leMeyara yamaSidoni,+ kuqhubeke kuze kuyefika e-Afekhi lasemngceleni wama-Amori, 5 lelizwe lamaGebhali+ layo yonke iLebhanoni ngasempumalanga kusukela eBhali-gadi ephansi kwentaba iHemoni kusiya eLebho-hamathi,*+ 6 lelizwe lonke lamaSidoni+ elisezintabeni elisukela eLebhanoni+ lize liyefika eMisirefothi-mayimi.+ Abantu laba ngizabaxotsha phambi kwabako-Israyeli.+ Ilizwe labo kumele ulabele abako-Israyeli libe lilifa labo njengoba nje ngatsho kuwe.+ 7 Labele izizwana zako-Israyeli ezingu-9 lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase.”+

8 AbakoRubheni labakoGadi lenye ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase bathatha ilizwe ababeliphiwe nguMosi ukuthi libe lilifa labo empumalanga komfula uJodani. Nanti ilizwe abaliphiwa nguMosi inceku kaJehova:+ 9 Lalisukela e-Aroweri+ emqolweni wesigodi se-Arinoni+ ligoqele ledolobho eliphakathi kwesigodi, lawo wonke amagceke aseMedebha kuze kuyefika eDibhoni, 10 kanye lawo wonke amadolobho kaSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owayebusa eseHeshibhoni, kusiyafika emngceleni wama-Amoni,+ 11 leGiliyadi lelizwe lamaGeshuri lamaMahakhathi,+ layo yonke intaba iHemoni leBhashani+ yonke kuze kuyefika eSalekha,+ 12 lendawo yonke eyayibuswa ngu-Ogi inkosi yeBhashani owayebusa ese-Ashitharothi le-Edreyi. (U-Ogi wayengomunye wamaRefayimi+ okucina.) UMosi wabanqoba wabathathela lonke ilizwe labo.+ 13 Kodwa ama-Israyeli kawazange awasuse+ amaGeshuri lamaMahakhathi. Yikho amaGeshuri lamaMahakhathi elokhu ehlala phakathi kwabako-Israyeli kuze kube lamuhla.

14 Isizwana sako-Levi yiso sodwa angazange asiphe ilifa.+ Elabo ilifa+ yiminikelo etshiselwa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, njengoba nje wayebathembisile.+

15 UMosi wanika isizwana sakoRubheni ilifa laso, wabanika ngezimuli zabo. 16 Ilizwe labo lalisukela e-Aroweri ekucineni kwesigodi se-Arinoni, ligoqela ledolobho eliphakathi kwesigodi lamagceke wonke aseMedebha, 17 leHeshibhoni lawo wonke amadolobho akhelane layo+ asemagcekeni, leDibhoni leBhamothi-bhali leBhethi-bhali-meyoni,+ 18 leJahazi,+ leKhedemothi,+ leMefahathi,+ 19 leKhiriyathayimi, leSibhima,+ leZerethi-shahari eyayisentabeni eduze lesigodi, 20 leBhethi-phewori lamawatha* ePhisiga+ leBhethi-jeshimothi,+ 21 lawo wonke amadolobho ayesemagcekeni, lendawo zonke ezazibuswa nguSihoni inkosi yama-Amori owayebusa eseHeshibhoni.+ UMosi wamnqoba+ uSihoni labakhokheli bamaMidiyani, u-Evi loRekhemu loZuri loHuri loRebha.+ Abakhokheli laba babengaphansi kukaSihoni njalo babehlala elizweni lakhe. 22 Phakathi kwabantu ababulawa ngabako-Israyeli ngenkemba kwakuloBhalamu+ owayehlahlula,+ indodana kaBheyori. 23 Umngcele wabakoRubheni kwakuyiJodani futhi leli kwakulilifa labo ababelabelwe ngezimuli zabo. Ilifa leli laligoqela amadolobho lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

24 UMosi wanika lesizwana sakoGadi ilifa laso, wabanika ngezimuli zabo. 25 Ilizwe labo laligoqela iJazeri,+ lamadolobho wonke eGiliyadi, lengxenye yelizwe lama-Amoni,+ litshaye lize liyefika e-Aroweri ekhangelane leRabha.+ 26 Lalisukela eHeshibhoni+ lize liyefika eRamathi-mizipha leBhethonimi, lisuke eMahanayimi+ lize liyetshaya emngceleni weDebhiri 27 lasezindaweni ezisesigodini, iBhethi-haramu leBhethi-nimira+ leSukhothi+ leZafoni, indawo yonke eyayibuswa nguSihoni inkosi yeHeshibhoni.+ Umfula uJodani yiwo owawungumngcele wabo kuze kuyefika eLwandle lweKhinerethi*+ empumalanga kukaJodani. 28 Leli yilo ilifa lesizwana sakoGadi abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo. Laligoqela amadolobho kanye lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

29 UMosi wanika lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase ilifa laso, wabanika ngezimuli zabo.+ 30 Ilizwe labo lalisuka eMahanayimi+ lithathe yonke iBhashani lendawo zonke ezazibuswa ngu-Ogi inkosi yeBhashani, lazo zonke izigaba zeJayiri+ eziseBhashani. Indawo yabo yayigoqela amadolobho angu-60. 31 lngxenye yeGiliyadi le-Ashitharothi le-Edreyi,+ lamadolobho ayebuswa ngu-Ogi inkosi yeBhashani, kwaphiwa amanye amadodana* kaMakhiri+ indodana kaManase, bawapha ngezimuli zawo.

32 Lezi yizo izindawo uMosi abapha zona emagcekeni akoMowabi* ngaphetsheya kweJodani empumalanga kweJerikho.+

33 Kodwa uMosi kazange asiphe ilifa+ isizwana sakoLevi ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli nguye ilifa labo, njengoba wayebathembisile.+

14 Abako-Israyeli bathatha ilizwe leKhenani laba ngelabo. Ilizwe leli balabelwa ngu-Eliyazari umphristi loJoshuwa indodana kaNuni labakhokheli bezimuli zezizwana zako-Israyeli, babapha lona ukuthi libe lilifa labo.+ 2 Labiwa ngenkatho+ njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuMosi, laba ngelezizwana zako-Israyeli ezingu-9 lengxenye yesizwana+ sakoManase. 3 UMosi wayenike izizwana ezimbili lenye ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase ilifa ngaphetsheya* komfula uJodani.+ Kodwa amaLevi wona kazange awanike ilifa.+ 4 Izizukulwane zikaJosefa zehlukaniswa zaba yizizwana ezimbili,+ isizwana sakoManase lesako-Efrayimi.+ AmaLevi wona awazange aphiwe indawo eyayizakuba lilifa lawo kodwa aphiwa amadolobho+ ayezahlala kuwo kanye lamadlelo ezifuyo zawo kuphela.+ 5 Abako-Israyeli babelana ilizwe belandela lokho uJehova ayekutshele uMosi.

6 UKhalebhi indodana kaJefune umKhenizi lamadoda akoJuda balanda uJoshuwa beseGiligali,+ uKhalebhi+ wathi kuye: “Ukwazi mhlophe ukuthi uJehova wathini+ ngami lawe kuMosi umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ ngesikhathi siseKhadeshi-bhaneya.+ 7 Ngangileminyaka engu-40 ngesikhathi uMosi inceku kaJehova esithi ngisuke eKhadeshi-bhaneya ngiyehlola ilizwe.+ Sathi sesiphendukile ngambikela konke engangikubonile kunjengoba kunjalo.+ 8 Lanxa abafowethu engangihambe labo benza abantu besaba, mina ngalandela uJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngenhliziyo yonke.+ 9 Ngalelolanga uMosi wafunga wathi: ‘Ilizwe onyathele kulo lizahlala lililifa lakho lelamadodana akho ngoba ulandele uJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngenhliziyo yonke.’+ 10 UJehova ukwenzile akuthembisayo,+ ungigcinile+ iminyaka yonke le engu-45 kusukela uJehova esenza isithembiso lesi kuMosi ngesikhathi abako-Israyeli besenkangala.+ Lalamuhla lokhu ngisaphila, sengileminyaka engu-85. 11 Ngilokhu ngisaqinile njengamhla uMosi engithuma. Ngiseselawo amandla okuya empini lawokusebenza, njengoba nje nganginjalo ngalesosikhathi. 12 Ngakho ngicela unginike indawo le elezintaba uJehova angithembisa yona ngalelolanga. Lanxa wezwa ukuthi endaweni le kulama-Anakhi+ ahlala emadolobheni alemiduli emikhulu,+ ngileqiniso lokuthi uJehova uzangincedisa+ ngiwathathele indawo yawo njengoba nje uJehova wangithembisa.”+

13 Ngakho uJoshuwa wambusisa uKhalebhi indodana kaJefune wasemnika iHebroni yaba lilifa lakhe.+ 14 Lalamuhla iHebroni ilokhu ingekaKhalebhi indodana kaJefune ngoba walandela uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngenhliziyo yonke.+ 15 Kuqala iHebroni kwakuthiwa yiKhiriyathi-abha.+ (U-Abha kwakulibizo lendoda edumileyo phakathi kwama-Anakhi.) Zaphela-ke izimpi kwaba lokuthula elizweni.+

15 Ilizwe elanikwa+ isizwana sakoJuda ngezimuli zaso lalitshaya lize liyefika emngceleni wako-Edomi+ lasenkangala yaseZini, lifike lasekucineni kweNegebhi ngaseningizimu. 2 Umngcele wabo ongaseningizimu wawusukela eLwandle Lwesawudo+ ekhunjini oluseningizimu, 3 uqhubeke uqonde eningizimu uye emqansweni we-Akhirabhimi,+ udlule uye eZini, ubusuphambuka uye eKhadeshi-bhaneya,+ uqanse udlule eHezironi le-Adari, uthi usubanga eKharikha uphambuke 4 uqonde e-Azimoni+ udlule uze uyefika esihotsheni* seGibhithe,+ utshaye uze uyephelela elwandle.* Lo yiwo owawungumngcele wabo ngaseningizimu.

5 Umngcele ongasempumalanga kwakuluLwandle Lwesawudo futhi wawucina lapho uJodani athela khona. Umngcele wenyakatho wona wawuqalisela lapho uJodani+ athela khona elwandle, 6 uye eBhethi-hogila+ udlule ngasenyakatho yeBhethi-arabha,+ uyefika elitsheni likaBhohani+ indodana kaRubheni. 7 Wawudlula uye eDebhiri esigodini se-Akhori,+ uphenduke uqonde enyakatho ukhangele eGiligali+ ephambi komqanso we-Adumimi oseningizimu kwesihotsha, udlule esifudlaneni se-Eni-shemeshi+ uyephelela e-Eni-rogeli.+ 8 Usuka lapho wawutshaya uyefika esigodini sendodana kaHinomi+ uye emaqaqeni ayeseningizimu kweJerusalema,+ idolobho lamaJebusi.+ Wawuqansa uye esiqongweni sentaba ekhangelene lesigodi sikaHinomi ngasentshonalanga. Intaba le isekucineni kwesigodi seRefayimi ngokuya enyakatho. 9 Umngcele wawusuka esiqongweni sentaba uze uyefika esifudlaneni samanzi eNefuthowa,+ udlule uye emadolobheni aseduze lentaba i-Efroni, utshaye uze uyefika eBhahala ebizwa langokuthi yiKhiriyathi-jeyarimi.+ 10 Umngcele wawusuka eBhahala ubhode ngasentshonalanga uye entabeni iSeyiri, udlule eceleni kwentaba iJeyarimi ngasenyakatho, eKhesaloni, ubususehla uye eBhethi-shemeshi+ udlule uye eThimina.+ 11 Wawufika lasemaqaqeni ase-Ekhroni+ ngokuya enyakatho, udlule uye eShikheroni uqanse usiya entabeni iBhahala, uze uyefika eJabhineli. Umngcele lo wawuhamba uze uyephelela elwandle.

12 Ngasentshonalanga umngcele kwakulikhumbi loLwandle Olukhulu.*+ Lo yiwo umngcele owawugombolozele izizukulwane zakoJuda ngezimuli zabo.

13 UKhalebhi+ indodana kaJefune waphiwa ilifa phakathi kwezizukulwane zakoJuda njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuJoshuwa. Waphiwa iKhiriyathi-abha ebizwa langokuthi yiHebroni.+ (U-Abha wayenguyise ka-Anakhi.) 14 UKhalebhi waxotsha amadodana amathathu ka-Anakhi:+ uSheshayi lo-Ahimani loThalimayi.+ 15 Wasuka lapho wayahlasela abantu beDebhiri.+ (Kuqala iDebhiri yayibizwa ngokuthi yiKhiriyathi-sefa.) 16 UKhalebhi wasesithi: “Indoda ezahlasela iKhiriyathi-sefa iyinqobe ngizayinika indodakazi yami u-Akhisa ibe ngumkayo.” 17 U-Othiniyeli+ indodana kaKhenazi+ umfowabo kaKhalebhi wayihlasela wayinqoba. Ngakho uKhalebhi wamnika indodakazi yakhe u-Akhisa+ yaba ngumkakhe. 18 U-Akhisa wathi esehamba wancenga umkakhe ukuthi acele insimu kuyise uKhalebhi. U-Akhisa wehla kubabhemi wakhe,* uKhalebhi wasembuza wathi: “Ufunani?”+ 19 Waphendula wathi, “Njengoba ungiphe indawo eningizimu* ngicela ungibusise ungiphe leGulothi-mayimi.”* Ngakho wamupha iGulothi ephezulu leGulothi ephansi.

20 Leli yilo ilifa lesizwana sakoJuda ngezimuli zabo.

21 Amadolobho esizwana sakoJuda ayeseduze lomngcele wako-Edomi+ ngaseningizimu yilawa: iKhabhuzeli, le-Ederi, leJaguri, 22 leKhina, leDimona, le-Adada, 23 leKhedeshi, leHazori, le-Ithinani, 24 leZifi, leThelemu, leBheyalothi, 25 leHazori-hadatha, leKheriyothi-hezironi ebizwa langokuthi yiHazori, 26 le-Amama, leShema, leMolada,+ 27 leHazari-gada, leHeshimoni, leBhethi-phelethi,+ 28 leHazari-shuwali, leBheri-shebha,+ leBhiziyothiya, 29 leBhahala, le-Iyimu, le-Ezemu, 30 le-Elitholadi, leKhesili, leHoma,+ 31 leZikhilagi,+ leMadimana, leSansana, 32 leLebhawothi, leShilihumi, le-Ayini kanye leRimoni.+ Kwakulamadolobho angu-29 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

33 EShefela+ kwakule-Eshithawoli, leZora,+ le-Ashina, 34 leZanowa, le-Eni-ganimi, leThaphuwa, le-Enamu, 35 leJamuthi, le-Adulamu,+ leSokho, le-Azekha,+ 36 leSharayimi,+ le-Adithayimi, leGedera kanye leGederothayimi.* Kwakulamadolobho angu-14 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

37 KwakuleZenani, leHadasha, leMigidali-gadi, 38 leDiliyeni, leMizipha, leJokhitheyeli, 39 leLakhishi,+ leBhozikhathi, le-Egiloni, 40 leKhabhoni, leLahimami, leKhithilishi, 41 leGederothi, leBhethi-dagoni, leNahama kanye leMakheda.+ Kwakulamadolobho angu-16 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

42 KwakuleLibhina,+ le-Etheri, le-Ashani,+ 43 le-Ifitha, le-Ashina, leNezibhi, 44 leKheyila, le-Akhizibi leMaresha. Kwakulamadolobho angu-9 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

45 Kwakule-Ekhroni lezigaba zayo kanye lamadolobho aseduze kwayo. 46 Kusukela e-Ekhroni kusiya entshonalanga, indawo yabo yayigoqela wonke amadolobho aseduze le-Ashidodi lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

47 Kwakule-Ashidodi+ lezigaba zayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leGaza+ lezigaba zayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, kwehle kuze kuyefika esihotsheni seGibhithe lasoLwandle Olukhulu* lakuzo zonke izindawo eziseduze kwalo.+

48 Elizweni lezintaba khona kwakuleShamiri, leJathiri,+ leSokho, 49 IeDana, leKhiriyathi-sana ebizwa langokuthi yiDebhiri, 50 le-Anabhi, le-Eshithemo,+ le-Animi, 51 leGosheni,+ leHoloni kanye leGilo.+ Kwakulamadolobho angu-11 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

52 Kwakule-Arabhu, leDuma, le-Eshani, 53 leJanimu, leBhethi-thaphuwa, le-Afekha, 54 leHumitha, leKhiriyathi-abha ebizwa langokuthi yiHebroni+ kanye leZiyori. Kwakulamadolobho angu-9 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

55 KwakuleMawoni,+ leKhameli, leZifi,+ leJutha, 56 leJeziriyeli, leJokhideyamu, leZanowa, 57 leKhayini, leGibheya leThimina.+ Kwakulamadolobho alitshumi lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

58 KwakuleHalihuli, leBhethi-zuri, leGedori, 59 leMaharathi, leBhethi-anothi le-Elithekhoni. Kwakulamadolobho ayisithupha lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

60 KwakuleKhiriyathi-bhali, ebizwa langokuthi yiKhiriyathi-jeyarimi+ kanye leRabha. Amadolobho la ayemabili lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

61 Enkangala kwakuleBhethi-arabha,+ leMidini leSekhakha, 62 leNibhishani, ledolobho lesawudo, le-Eni-gedi.+ Kwakulamadolobho ayisithupha lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

63 AbakoJuda behluleka ukuxotsha+ amaJebusi+ ayehlala eJerusalema.+ Yikho lalamuhla elokhu ehlala eJerusalema phakathi kwabantu bakoJuda.

16 Umngcele welizwe elabelwa izizukulwane zikaJosefa+ ngenkatho+ wawusukela kuJodani eJerikho uyefika esifudlaneni esisempumalanga kweJerikho, udabule enkangala eqalisela eJerikho uyefika ezintabeni zaseBhetheli.+ 2 Usuka eBhetheli eseLuzi wawuqhubeka uze uyefika emngceleni wama-Arikhi e-Atharothi, 3 ubusuqonda entshonalanga emngceleni wamaJafilethi, utshaye uze uyefika emngceleni weBhethi-horoni+ ephansi ufike leGezeri+ uyephelela elwandle.

4 Izizukulwane zikaJosefa,+ isizwana sakoManase lesako-Efrayimi, zalithatha ilizwe lazo.+ 5 Nanku umngcele welizwe elaphiwa izizukulwane zako-Efrayimi ngezimuli zazo: Umngcele wabo osempumalanga kwakuyi-Atharothi-adari+ futhi wawutshaya uze uyefika eBhethi-horoni+ ephezulu. 6 Umngcele lo wawuhamba uze uyefika elwandle. Wawusuka enyakatho yeMikhimethathi+ uqonde empumalanga uyefika eThanathi-shilo leJanowa. 7 Wawusuka eJanowa uye e-Atharothi leNahara uqhubeke uze uyefika eJerikho,+ wehlele emfuleni uJodani. 8 Usuka eThaphuwa+ wawuqonda entshonalanga uyefika esihotsheni seKhana uyephelela elwandle.+ Leli yilo ilifa elaphiwa isizwana sako-Efrayimi ngezimuli zabo. 9 Amanye amadolobho esizwana sako-Efrayimi ayephakathi kwelizwe* elaphiwa abakoManase.+ Amadolobho la ayelezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

10 Abako-Efrayimi abazange bawaxotshe amaKhenani ayehlala eGezeri+ kodwa bawacindezela+ bawenza izisebenzi zabo. Lalamuhla+ amaKhenani alokhu ehlala labantu bako-Efrayimi.

17 Kwenziwa inkatho,+ isizwana sakoManase sasesiphiwa ilifa laso ngoba uManase+ wayelizibulo+ likaJosefa. Izibulo likaManase uMakhiri+ uyise kaGiliyadi wayeliqhawe, yikho waphiwa iGiliyadi leBhashani.+ 2 Izizukulwane zikaManase ezazisele zaphiwa elazo ilifa ngezimuli zazo. Kwakungamadodana ka-Abhiyezeri,+ lakaHeleki, laka-Asiriyeli, lakaShekhemu, lakaHeferi lakaShemida. Amadoda la ayeyizizukulwane zikaManase indodana kaJosefa njalo afakwa ngezimuli zawo.+ 3 UZelofehadi+ indodana kaHeferi indodana kaGiliyadi indodana kaMakhiri indodana kaManase wayengelabantwana abangabafana, wayelamadodakazi kuphela. Amabizo awo kwakunguMahila, loNowa, loHogila, loMilikha loThiriza. 4 Amadodakazi kaZelofehadi aya ku-Eliyazari+ umphristi loJoshuwa indodana kaNuni lakubakhokheli besizwe afika athi: “UJehova watshela uMosi ukuthi asinike ilifa phakathi kwabafowethu.”+ Ngakho aphiwa ilifa phakathi kwabafowabo bakayise+ njengoba uJehova wayetshilo.

5 Ngaphandle kwelizwe leBhashani leGiliyadi elaliphetsheya* komfula uJodani,+ abakoManase baba lezinye indawo ezilitshumi, 6 ngoba amadodakazi kaManase lawo aphiwa ilifa kanye labafowabo. Enye ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase yaphiwa ilizwe leGiliyadi.

7 Umngcele wakoManase wawusukela ko-Asheri uye eMikhimethathi+ ekhangelane leShekhemu+ ubusuqonda eningizimu elizweni labantu be-Eni-thaphuwa. 8 Ilizwe leThaphuwa+ lalingelabakoManase, kodwa idolobho leThaphuwa elalisemngceleni wakoManase lalingelezizukulwane zako-Efrayimi. 9 Umngcele wawusehlela esihotsheni seKhana, uqonde eningizimu kwaso. Lanxa indawo le yayingeyakoManase+ kwakulamadolobho ako-Efrayimi. Umngcele wakoManase wawusenyakatho yesihotsha njalo wawuphelela elwandle.+ 10 Ilizwe lako-Efrayimi laliseningizimu, elakoManase lona lisenyakatho. Ulwandle lwalungumngcele+ wakoManase njalo enyakatho babengcelelane labako-Asheri, empumalanga bengcelelane labako-Isakhari.

11 Elizweni lako-Isakhari lelako-Asheri, abakoManase baphiwa iBhethi-sheyani lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, le-Ibhiliyami+ lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leDori+ labantu bayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, le-Eni-dori+ labantu bayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leThanakhi+ labantu bayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leMegido labantu bayo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo. Baphiwa indawo ezintathu ezazisemaqaqeni.

12 Kodwa izizukulwane zakoManase zehluleka ukuwathatha amadolobho la. AmaKhenani aqhubeka ehlezi ngenkani elizweni.+ 13 Abako-Israyeli bathi sebelamandla bacindezela+ amaKhenani ukuthi abasebenzele, kodwa kabazange bawaxotshe wonke elizweni.+

14 Izizukulwane zikaJosefa zathi kuJoshuwa: “Kungani usiphe isabelo+ esisodwa kuphela ukuthi sibe lilifa lethu? Phela thina sibanengi ngoba uJehova uyasibusisa.”+ 15 UJoshuwa wabaphendula wathi: “Nxa kuyikuthi libanengi ngenani eguswini liyezicentela indawo elizweni lamaPherizi+ lamaRefayimi,+ njengoba lisithi ilizwe lezintaba lako-Efrayimi+ lincane kakhulu.” 16 Izizukulwane zikaJosefa zaphendula zathi: “Ilizwe lezintaba kaliseneli njalo wonke amaKhenani ahlala esigodini alezinqola zensimbi.*+ AseBhethi-sheyani+ lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo lasesigodini seJeziriyeli.”+ 17 UJoshuwa waphendula abako-Efrayimi labakoManase izizukulwane zikaJosefa wathi: “Libanengi futhi lilamandla. Yikho alisoze libe lesabelo esisodwa,+ 18 lizaphiwa lelizwe lezintaba libe ngelenu.+ Lanxa liligusu lizalicenta futhi yilo elizakuba ngumngcele wenu. AmaKhenani lizawehlula kuphela lanxa elamandla njalo elezinqola zensimbi.”*+

18 Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli babuthana eShilo+ bamisa itende lokuhlangana,+ njengoba basebelithethe ilizwe.+ 2 Kodwa kwakusasele izizwana zako-Israyeli eziyisikhombisa ezazingakathathi ilifa lazo. 3 UJoshuwa wakhuluma labako-Israyeli wathi: “Kuzaze kube nini lilokhu lidonda ukuthatha ilizwe elilinikwe+ nguJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu? 4 Khethani amadoda amathathu esizwaneni ngasinye. Ngizawathuma ukuthi abhode ilizwe lonke alihlole abesebhala phansi ukuthi limi njani, ukuze isizwana ngasinye sabelwe ilifa laso. Ngemva kwalokho azaphenduka kimi. 5 Kumele alehlukanise libe yizabelo eziyisikhombisa.+ AbakoJuda bazaqhubeka besendaweni yabo eningizimu,+ abakoJosefa bona baqhubeke besendaweni yabo enyakatho.+ 6 Lina bhalani phansi ukuthi ilizwe limi njani lilehlukanise libe yizabelo eziyisikhombisa, beseliletha lapha elikubhalileyo. Mina ngizalenzela inkatho+ phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu. 7 Kodwa amaLevi kawasoze athole isabelo phakathi kwenu+ ngoba ilifa lawo+ yikuba ngabaphristi bakaJehova. AbakoGadi labakoRubheni lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase+ sebathatha ilifa labo abaliphiwa nguMosi inceku kaJehova empumalanga komfula uJodani.”

8 Ngakho amadoda ayethunyiwe alungiselela ukuhamba. UJoshuwa wathi kuwo: “Bhodani ilizwe lilihlole libhale phansi ukuthi limi njani, beseliphenduka kimi. Mina ngizakwenza inkatho phambi kukaJehova eShilo.”+ 9 Amadoda la asuka abhoda ilizwe alihlola, asebhala phansi ukuthi limi njani ngamadolobho alo, alehlukanisa laba yizabelo eziyisikhombisa. Konke lokho akubhala ebhukwini asebuyela kuJoshuwa enkambeni yaseShilo. 10 UJoshuwa wabenzela inkatho phambi kukaJehova eShilo.+ Ngemva kwalokho wabela abako-Israyeli ilizwe ngezizwana zabo.+

11 Sekwenziwe inkatho, abakoBhenjamini baphiwa indawo yabo ngezimuli zabo. Indawo abayiphiwayo yayiphakathi kwesizwana sakoJuda+ labantu bakoJosefa.+ 12 Ngasenyakatho umngcele wabo wawuqalisela kuJodani uqanse uyefika emaqaqeni asenyakatho kweJerikho,+ uqhubeke uqonda ezintabeni ezisentshonalanga uze uyefika enkangala eseBhethi-aveni.+ 13 Wawudlula uze uyefika emaqaqeni aseningizimu kweLuzi ebizwa langokuthi yiBhetheli,+ usuke lapho uye e-Atharothi-adari+ entabeni eseningizimu kweBhethi-horoni+ ephansi. 14 Entabeni le ekhangelane leBhethi-horoni umngcele wawufika uphambuke uqonde eningizimu, uqhubeke uhambela ngasentshonalanga uze uyefika edolobheni lakoJuda iKhiriyathi-bhali ebizwa langokuthi yiKhiriyathi-jeyarimi.+ Lo kwakungumngcele wabo osentshonalanga.

15 Umngcele oseningizimu wawusukela emaphethelweni eKhiriyathi-jeyarimi uhambe uqonde entshonalanga uze uyefika esifudlaneni samanzi eNefuthowa.+ 16 Umngcele wawusehla uyefika ekucineni kwentaba esenyakatho kwesigodi seRefayimi+ ekhangelane lesigodi sendodana kaHinomi,+ ubususehlela esigodini sikaHinomi utshaye uze uyefika emaqaqeni aseningizimu kwedolobho lamaJebusi+ kanye lase-Eni-rogeli.+ 17 Umngcele wawusuka enyakatho uhambe uze uyefika e-Eni-shemeshi, uphume uye eGelilothi ephambi komqanso we-Adumimi,+ wehlele elitsheni+ likaBhohani+ indodana kaRubheni. 18 Wawuqhubeka uye emawatheni* asenyakatho phambi kwe-Arabha, ubusuqonda e-Arabha. 19 Usuka lapho umngcele wawuqonda emaqaqeni eBhethi-hogila+ uyephelela enyakatho yoLwandle Lwesawudo+ lapho uJodani athela khona. Lo kwakungumngcele wabo oseningizimu. 20 Umngcele wabo wempumalanga kwakunguJodani. Leli yilo ilifa lezizukulwane zakoBhenjamini ngezimuli zabo njalo le kwakuyimingcele yelizwe labo.

21 Amadolobho esizwana sakoBhenjamini abawabelwa ngezimuli zabo yilawa: iJerikho, leBhethi-hogila, le-Emekhi-khezizi, 22 leBhethi-arabha,+ leZemarayimi, leBhetheli,+ 23 le-Avimi, lePhara, le-Ofira, 24 leKhefari-amoni, le-Ofini leGebha.+ Kwakungamadolobho angu-12 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

25 Baphiwa leGibhiyoni,+ leRama, leBheherothi, 26 leMizipha, leKhefira, leMoza, 27 leRekhemu, le-lripheyeli, leTharala, 28 leZela,+ leHa-elefi, leJebusi ebizwa langokuthi yiJerusalema,+ leGibheya+ leKhiriyathi. Kwakungamadolobho angu-14 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

Leli yilo ilifa lezizukulwane zakoBhenjamini abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo.

19 Inkatho yesibili+ yaba ngeyesizwana sakoSimiyoni+ basebephiwa ilifa labo ngezimuli zabo. Indawo abayiphiwayo yayiphakathi kwelifa labakoJuda.+ 2 Ilifa labo laligoqela iBheri-shebha,+ leShebha, leMolada,+ 3 leHazari-shuwali,+ leBhala, le-Ezema,+ 4 le-Elitholadi,+ leBhethuli, leHoma, 5 leZikhilagi,+ leBhethi-marikhabhothi, leHazari-susa, 6 leBhethi-lebhawothi+ leSharuheni. Kwakungamadolobho angu-13 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 7 Baphiwa le-Ayini, leRimoni, le-Etheri le-Ashani.+ Kwakungamadolobho amane lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 8 Baphiwa izigaba zonke ezaziseduze lamadolobho la kuze kuyefika eBhahalathi-bheri ebizwa langokuthi yiRama yaseningizimu. Leli lilifa labakoSimiyoni abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo. 9 Izizukulwane zikaSimiyoni zaphiwa ilifa phakathi kwesizwana sakoJuda ngoba indawo eyayiphiwe abakoJuda yayinkulu kakhulu. Yikho izizukulwane zikaSimiyoni zathola ilifa endaweni yakoJuda.+

10 Inkatho yesithathu+ yaba ngeyezizukulwane zikaZebhuloni+ basebephiwa ilifa labo ngezimuli zabo. Umngcele wendawo yabo wawuhamba uze uyefika eSaridi, 11 ubusuqonda eMarala entshonalanga ufike eDabheshethi ubususehlela esigodini esiphambi kweJokhiniyamu. 12 Wawusuka eSaridi uqonde empumalanga utshaye uze uyefika emngceleni weKhisilothi-thabhori ubususiya eDabherathi+ uqanse uye eJafiya. 13 Usuka lapho wawuqhubeka usiya empumalanga eGathi-heferi+ lase-Ethi-khazini ubusuqonda eRimoni, uhambe uze uyefika eNeya. 14 Wawufika lapho uphambuke uye eHanathoni enyakatho uyephelela esigodini se-Ifithayeli. 15 Indawo yabo yayigoqela leKhathathi, leNahalali, leShimroni,+ le-Idala, leBhethilehema.+ Kwakungamadolobho angu-12 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 16 Leli yilo ilifa labakoZebhuloni abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo.+ Kwakungamadolobho lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

17 Inkatho yesine+ yaba ngeyezizukulwane zika-Isakhari+ zaseziphiwa ilifa ngezimuli zazo. 18 Umngcele wabako-Isakhari wawuhamba uze uyefika eJeziriyeli+ laseKhesulothi leShunemi,+ 19 leHafarayimi leShiyoni le-Anaharathi, 20 leRabhithi leKhishiyoni le-Ebhezi, 21 leRemethi le-Eni-ganimi+ le-Eni-hada leBhethi-phazezi. 22 Umngcele wawufika laseThabhori+ leShahazuma leBhethi-shemeshi njalo wawuphelela kuJodani. Kwakungamadolobho angu-16 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 23 Leli yilo ilifa lesizwana sako-Isakhari abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo.+ Baphiwa amadolobho lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

24 Inkatho yesihlanu+ yaba ngeyesizwana sako-Asheri+ basebephiwa ilifa labo ngezimuli zabo. 25 Umngcele wabo wawuhamba eHelikhathi+ leHali leBhetheni le-Akhishafi, 26 le-Alameleki le-Amadi leMishali. Wawuqhubeka uze uyefika entshonalanga eKhameli+ laseShihori-libhinathi. 27 Wawuphenduka uqonde empumalanga eBhethi-dagoni uze uyefika koZebhuloni lasesigodini se-Ifithayeli enyakatho, uqhubeke usiya eBhethi-emekhi leNeyiyeli uyedlula eKhabhuli kwesenxele, 28 udlule usiya e-Ebhroni, leRehobhi, leHamoni leKhana uze uyefika eSidoni+ Enkulu. 29 Umngcele wawuphenduka uqonde eRama uyefika edolobheni leThire+ elivikelwe ngemiduli, uphenduke futhi uye eHosa uyephelela elwandle emangweni we-Akhizibi, 30 le-Uma, le-Afekhi+ leRehobhi.+ Kwakungamadolobho angu-22 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 31 Leli yilo ilifa lesizwana sako-Asheri abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo.+ Baphiwa amadolobho la lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

32 Inkatho yesithupha+ yaba ngeyezizukulwane zikaNafithali zaseziphiwa ilifa lazo ngezimuli zazo. 33 Umngcele wabakoNafithali wawuqalisela eHelefi kanye lasesihlahleni esikhulu seZananimi,+ uye e-Adami-nekhebi leJabhineli uhambe uze uyefika eLakhumi, uphelele emfuleni uJodani. 34 Umngcele wawuphenduka uqonde entshonalanga usiya e-Azinothi-thabhori, uhambe uyefika eHukhokhi uqhubeke usiya koZebhuloni ngaseningizimu. Entshonalanga umngcele wabo wawutshaya uze uyefika ko-Asheri, empumalanga wawuhamba uze uyefika koJuda eduze komfula uJodani. 35 Amadolobho abo ayevikelwe ngemiduli kwakuyiZidimi, leZeri, leHamathi,+ leRakhathi, leKhinerethi, 36 le-Adama, leRama, leHazori,+ 37 leKhedeshi,+ le-Edreyi, le-Eni-hazori, 38 leYironi, leMigidali-eli, leHoremi, leBhethi-anathi, leBhethi-shemeshi.+ Kwakungamadolobho angu-19 lezigaba eziseduze kwawo. 39 Leli yilo ilifa lesizwana sakoNafithali abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo.+ Kwakungamadolobho lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

40 Inkatho yesikhombisa+ yaba ngeyesizwana sakoDani+ basebephiwa ilifa labo ngezimuli zabo. 41 Umngcele welifa labo kwakuyiZora,+ le-Eshithawoli, le-Iri-shemeshi, 42 leShalabhini,+ le-Ayijaloni,+ le-Ithila, 43 le-Eloni, leThimina,+ le-Ekhroni,+ 44 le-Elithekhe, leGibhethoni,+ leBhahalathi, 45 leJehudi, leBhene-bherakhi, leGathi-rimoni,+ 46 leMejakhoni leRakhoni. Umngcele wabo wawudlula eduze leJopha.+ 47 Indawo yabakoDani yayincane kakhulu ingabeneli.+ Ngakho basuka bayahlasela iLeshemu+ bayinqoba babulala abantu balapho ngenkemba, basebethatha idolobho lelo bahlala kulo. Batshintsha ibizo leLeshemu bayibiza ngokuthi yiDani. UDani kwakungukhokho wabo.+ 48 Leli yilo ilifa lakoDani abalabelwa ngezimuli zabo. Baphiwa amadolobho la lezigaba eziseduze kwawo.

49 Baqeda-ke ukwabela izizwana zako-Israyeli ilizwe ukuze zilithathe libe lilifa lazo. Ngemva kwalokho abako-Israyeli banika uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni ilifa phakathi kwabo. 50 Bamnika idolobho ayelicelile iThiminathi-sera,+ njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo. Idolobho leli lalisezintabeni zako-Efrayimi. Walivuselela wasehlala kulo.

51 Leli yilo ilifa elabiwa+ ngenkatho ngu-Eliyazari umphristi loJoshuwa indodana kaNuni kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zezizwana zako-Israyeli ngesikhathi beseShilo+ phambi kukaJehova, emnyango wetende lokuhlangana.+ Waphela umsebenzi wokwaba ilizwe.

20 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi kuJoshuwa: 2 “Khuluma labako-Israyeli uthi, ‘Khethani amadolobho okuphephela+ engathuma uMosi ukuthi alitshele ngawo. 3 Umuntu obulala omunye ngengozi kumbe engahlosanga uzabalekela khona ukuze lowo ofuna ukuphindisela*+ angambulali. 4 Kumele abalekele kwelinye lamadolobho la+ afike ame egedini ledolobho+ abesesethula udaba lwakhe ebadaleni. Bona bazamamukela bamngenise edolobheni, bamnike lendawo yokuhlala. 5 Nxa lowo ofuna ukuphindisela* engamxotshanisa aze afike edolobheni, akumelanga abadala bamvumele ukuthi ambulale umuntu lo ngoba ubengamzondi+ umakhelwane wakhe* kodwa umbulele engahlosanga. 6 Kumele aqhubeke esedolobheni lelo aze athonisiswe phambi kwebandla.+ Ngemva kwalokho uzahlala edolobheni lelo kuze kufe umphristi omkhulu+ oyabe esesikhundleni ngalesosikhathi. Nxa umphristi esefile, umuntu owabulala omunye ngengozi usengabuyela edolobheni abaleka kulo ayehlala emzini wakhe.’”+

7 Ngakho banikela kuNkulunkulu idolobho leKhedeshi+ eliseGalile ezintabeni zakoNafithali, leShekhemu+ ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi leKhiriyathi-abha+ esezintabeni zakoJuda, ebizwa langokuthi yiHebroni. Amadolobho la yiwo ababezaphephela kuwo. 8 Empumalanga kweJerikho phetsheya kukaJodani bakhetha iBhezeri+ esendaweni eyinkangala emagcekeni esizwana sakoRubheni. Bakhetha leRamothi+ eseGiliyadi esizwaneni sakoGadi, leGolani+ eseBhashani esizwaneni sakoManase.+

9 Amadolobho la yiwo akhethwayo ukuze loba ngubani owako-Israyeli kumbe owesinye isizwe ohlala phakathi kwabo abalekele khona nxa angabulala umuntu ngengozi. Wayezaphephela khona+ ukuze lowo ofuna ukuphindisela* angambulali engakathonisiswa phambi kwebandla.+

21 Abakhokheli bezimuli zakoLevi balanda umphristi u-Eliyazari+ loJoshuwa indodana kaNuni labakhokheli bezizwana zako-Israyeli, 2 bafika bakhuluma labo eShilo+ elizweni leKhenani bathi: “UJehova watshela uMosi ukuthi kumele siphiwe amadolobho esizahlala kuwo kanye lamadlelo ezifuyo+ zethu.” 3 Ngakho abako-Israyeli bapha amaLevi amadolobho+ kanye lamadlelo ezindaweni ezazililifa labo,+ njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo.

4 Inkatho yokuqala yaba ngeyezimuli zamaKhohathi.+ AmaLevi ayeyizizukulwane zika-Aroni umphristi aphiwa amadolobho angu-13 phakathi kwesizwana sakoJuda+ lesakoSimiyoni+ lesakoBhenjamini.+

5 Amanye amaKhohathi aphiwa amadolobho phakathi kwesizwana sako-Efrayimi+ lesakoDani laphakathi kwengxenye yesizwana sakoManase.+ Amadolobho la ayelitshumi.

6 AmaGeshoni+ wona aphiwa amadolobho phakathi kwesizwana sako-Isakhari lesako-Asheri lesakoNafithali, laphakathi kwengxenye yesizwana sakoManase eyayiseBhashani.+ Amadolobho la ayengu-13.

7 Izimuli zamaMerari+ zaphiwa amadolobho angu-12 phakathi kwesizwana sakoRubheni lesakoGadi lesakoZebhuloni.+

8 Ngakho abako-Israyeli banika amaLevi amadolobho la lamadlelo awo ngenkatho, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kuMosi.+

9 Nanka amabizo+ amadolobho abawaphiwayo phakathi kwesizwana sakoJuda lesakoSimiyoni, 10 lawo aphiwa amadodana ka-Aroni ayengamaLevi emuli kaKhohathi njengoba inkatho yokuqala yaba ngeyawo: 11 Ezintabeni zakoJuda babanika iKhiriyathi-abha+ ebizwa langokuthi yiHebroni+ kanye lamadlelo ayo. (U-Abha wayenguyise ka-Anakhi.) 12 Kodwa wonke nje umango wedolobho lelo lezigaba zalo kwaphiwa uKhalebhi indodana kaJefune ukuthi kube lilifa lakhe.+

13 Amadodana ka-Aroni umphristi bawanika iHebroni+ idolobho okwakungaphephela khona umuntu owayebulele omunye,+ kanye lamadlelo ayo, leLibhina+ lamadlelo ayo, 14 leJathiri+ lamadlelo ayo, le-Eshithemowa+ lamadlelo ayo, 15 leHoloni+ lamadlelo ayo, leDebhiri+ lamadlelo ayo, 16 le-Ayini+ lamadlelo ayo, leJutha+ lamadlelo ayo, leBhethi-shemeshi lamadlelo ayo. Amadolobho la angu-9 ayephakathi kwezizwana lezi ezimbili.

17 Esizwaneni sakoBhenjamini babanika iGibhiyoni+ lamadlelo ayo,+ leGebha lamadlelo ayo, 18 le-Anathothi+ lamadlelo ayo, le-Alimoni lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

19 Wonke amadolobho aphiwa izizukulwane zika-Aroni ezingabaphristi ayengu-13 njalo bazinika lamadlelo awo.+

20 Amanye amaLevi emuli yamaKhohathi abelwa amadolobho ngenkatho esizwaneni sako-Efrayimi. 21 Bawanika iShekhemu+ idolobho lokuphephela*+ elisezintabeni zako-Efrayimi kanye lamadlelo ayo, leGezeri+ lamadlelo ayo, 22 leKhibhizayimi lamadlelo ayo, leBhethi-horoni+ lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

23 Esizwaneni sakoDani bawanika i-Elithekhe lamadlelo ayo, leGibhethoni lamadlelo ayo, 24 le-Ayijaloni+ lamadlelo ayo, leGathi-rimoni lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

25 Phakathi kwengxenye yesizwana sakoManase baphiwa iThanakhi+ lamadlelo ayo, leGathi-rimoni lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amabili.

26 Zonke ezinye izimuli zamaKhohathi zaphiwa amadolobho alitshumi kanye lamadlelo awo.

27 AmaLevi emuli yamaGeshoni+ aphiwa iGolani+ idolobho lokuphephela* elaliseBhashani, lapho okwakuhlala khona enye ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase, aphiwa lamadlelo ayo kanye leBheyeshithera lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amabili.

28 Esizwaneni sako-Isakhari+ baphiwa iKhishiyoni lamadlelo ayo, leDabherathi+ lamadlelo ayo, 29 leJamuthi lamadlelo ayo, le-Eni-ganimi lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

30 Esizwaneni sako-Asheri+ baphiwa iMishali lamadlelo ayo, le-Abhidoni lamadlelo ayo, 31 leHelikhathi+ lamadlelo ayo, leRehobhi+ lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

32 Phakathi kwesizwana sakoNafithali baphiwa iKhedeshi+ idolobho lokuphephela*+ eliseGalile lamadlelo ayo, leHamothi-dori lamadlelo ayo, leKharithani lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amathathu.

33 Wonke amadolobho ezimuli zamaGeshoni ayengu-13 njalo zaphiwa lamadlelo awo.

34 Phakathi kwesizwana sakoZebhuloni,+ amaLevi ezimuli zamaMerari+ aphiwa iJokhiniyamu+ lamadlelo ayo, leKharitha lamadlelo ayo, 35 leDimina lamadlelo ayo, leNahalali+ lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

36 Phakathi kwesizwana sakoRubheni baphiwa iBhezeri+ lamadlelo ayo, leJahazi lamadlelo ayo,+ 37 leKhedemothi lamadlelo ayo, leMefahathi lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

38 Phakathi kwesizwana sakoGadi+ baphiwa iRamothi idolobho lokuphephela* eliseGiliyadi+ lamadlelo ayo, leMahanayimi+ lamadlelo ayo, 39 leHeshibhoni+ lamadlelo ayo, leJazeri+ lamadlelo ayo. Kwakungamadolobho amane.

40 Wonke amadolobho abelwa amaLevi ezimuli zamaMerari ayengu-12.

41 Ngakho esewonke amadolobho aphiwa amaLevi phakathi kwelifa labako-Israyeli ayengu-48 njalo aphiwa lamadlelo awo.+ 42 Idolobho ngalinye laligonjolozelwe ngamadlelo. Alikho lelilodwa elalingelamadlelo.

43 UJehova wanika abako-Israyeli lonke ilizwe ayefunge kubokhokho babo+ ukuthi uzabapha lona. Abako-Israyeli balithatha bahlala kulo.+ 44 UJehova wenza kwaba lokuthula kulo lonke ilizwe ayebaphe lona ukuthi bahlale kulo, njengoba nje wayefungile kubokhokho babo.+ Akulasitha esenelisa ukumelana labo.+ UJehova wanikela zonke izitha zabo esandleni sabo.+ 45 Asikho lesisodwa isithembiso esihle uJehova ayesenze kwabako-Israyeli esingazange sigcwaliseke. Konke ayebathembise khona kwenzakala.+

22 UJoshuwa wasebiza abakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase 2 wathi kubo: “Likwenzile konke elakutshelwa nguMosi+ inceku kaJehova futhi belikulalela konke ebengilitshela khona.+ 3 Alizange libatshiye abafowenu kuze kube lamuhla+ njalo likwenzile lokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alitshela khona.+ 4 UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu usebaphile abafowenu indawo yokuhlala futhi sekulokuthula elizweni njengoba nje wayethembisile.+ Yikho khathesi selingabuyela ematendeni enu elizweni elalinikwa nguMosi inceku kaJehova, elingaphetsheya kukaJodani.*+ 5 Kodwa libe leqiniso lokuthi liyayigcina imilayo kanye lemithetho elayinikwa+ nguMosi inceku kaJehova, limthande uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu,+ lihambe ezindleleni zakhe zonke,+ lilalele imilayo yakhe,+ linamathele kuye+ futhi limkhonze+ ngenhliziyo yonke langomphefumulo* wonke.”+

6 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wababusisa wasesithi babuyele emizini yabo. 7 UMosi wayenike ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase ilifa eBhashani,+ uJoshuwa yena wasenika enye ingxenye yesizwana sakoManase indawo yokuhlala entshonalanga kukaJodani+ ndawonye labafowabo. Bathi sebesuka besiya emizini yabo uJoshuwa wababusisa, 8 wasesithi kubo: “Selilenotho enengi, isiliva legolide, lezifuyo ezinengi, lekhopha lensimbi lezigqoko ezinengi kakhulu.+ Thathani konke lokhu+ libuyele ematendeni enu, liyekwabelana labafowenu.”

9 Ngemva kwalokho abakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase basuka eShilo elizweni leKhenani besiya elizweni leGiliyadi+ ababeliphiwe nguMosi+ ukuthi bahlale kulo njengokutsho kukaJehova. 10 Bathi sebefike emangweni weJodani oselizweni leKhenani, abakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase bakha inkalakatha ye-alithare eceleni komfula uJodani. 11 Abanye abako-Israyeli bezwa+ ukuthi abakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase bakhe i-alithare emngceleni welizwe leKhenani emangweni weJodani oselizweni labako-Israyeli. 12 Bathi bekuzwa lokho babuthana bonke eShilo+ befuna ukuyakulwa labo.

13 Abako-Israyeli bathuma uFiniyasi+ indodana ka-Eliyazari umphristi ukuthi aye elizweni leGiliyadi kwabakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase. 14 Wahamba labakhokheli abalitshumi. Umkhokheli ngamunye wayemela isizwana esisodwa sako-Israyeli njalo bonke babengabakhokheli bezimuli zosendo lwabo phakathi kwezinkulungwane zabako-Israyeli.+ 15 Bathi sebefike eGiliyadi kwabakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase bathi kubo:

16 “Nanku okutshiwo ngabantu bakaJehova: ‘Kuyini lokhu elikwenzileyo?+ Kalithembekanga kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Lina lamuhla selimtshiyile uJehova lakha i-alithare, lamhlamukela uJehova.+ 17 Selilikhohliwe yini icala esalenza ePheyori? Lanxa uJehova wajezisa abantu bakhe+ ngesifo esibi, lalamuhla silokhu singakazihlambululi esonweni leso. 18 Kodwa lina selifuna ukutshiya uJehova! Nxa lingamhlamukela uJehova, kusasa uzathukuthelela bonke abantu bako-Israyeli.+ 19 Nxa libona angani ilizwe elihlala kulo kalihlanzekanga, chaphani lizohlala lathi ngapha elizweni likaJehova+ lapho okulethabanikeli likaJehova khona.+ Esikucelayo nje yikuthi lingamhlamukeli uJehova ngokwakha elinye i-alithare thina sivele silalo i-alithare likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu,+ ngoba lokho kungenza lathi sikhanye sesingabahlamuki. 20 Selikhohliwe yini ukuthi kwenzakalani u-Akhani+ indodana kaZera aze atshontshe izinto okwakumele zitshabalaliswe? UNkulunkulu wathukuthelela bonke abantu bako-Israyeli+ futhi u-Akhani kayisuye yedwa owafayo ngenxa yokona kwakhe.’”+

21 AbakoRubheni labakoGadi lengxenye yesizwana sakoManase bathi besizwa lokhu baphendula abakhokheli bezinkulungwane zako-Israyeli+ bathi: 22 “UJehova uNkulunkulu omkhulu kulabo bonke onkulunkulu+ uyalazi iqiniso. UJehova uNkulunkulu omkhulu kulabo bonke onkulunkulu uyalazi iqiniso njalo labako-Israyeli bazalazi. Nxa kuyikuthi simhlamukele uJehova futhi asithembekanga kuye, kangasilamuleli lamuhla. 23 Nxa i-alithare leli silakhele ukuthi sesifuna ukuhlamukela uJehova senzele kulo iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yamabele lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano, uJehova uzasijezisa+ sibili. 24 Kodwa okwenze sakha i-alithare leli yikuthi besisesaba ukuthi kusasa abantwabenu bazathi kubantwabethu: “Lina alilalungelo lokukhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 25 UJehova wenze umfula uJodani waba ngumngcele phakathi kwethu lani lina abakoRubheni labakoGadi. Yikho alilalungelo lokukhonza uJehova.” Nxa abantwabenu bangatshonjalo bazavimbela abantwabethu ukukhonza uJehova.’

26 “Yikho sithe kungcono sakhe i-alithare, hatshi elokwenzela iminikelo yokutshiswa loba imihlatshelo, 27 kodwa elizakuba yibufakazi phakathi kwethu lani+ kanye lezizukulwane zethu ezizayo ukuthi lathi sizaqhubeka sikhonza uJehova njalo sisenza imihlatshelo leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano+ phambi kwakhe. Senzela ukuthi kusasa abantwabenu bangathi kubantwabethu: ‘Lina alilalungelo lokukhonza uJehova.’ 28 Yikho sithe nxa bangatsho njalo kithi lasezizukulwaneni zethu ezizayo sizaphendula sithi: ‘Khangelani, nanti i-alithare elakhiwa ngokhokho bethu elifanana lelikaJehova. Kabazange balakhele ukuthi libe ngelokwenzela iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo kodwa ukuthi libe yibufakazi phakathi kwethu lani.’ 29 Ngeke simhlamukele uJehova loba sekutheni njalo kasisoze simtshiye uJehova+ ngokwakha i-alithare leminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yamabele leminye imihlatshelo. Kodwa thina iminikelo sizayenzela e-alithareni likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu eliphambi kwethabanikeli.”+

30 UFiniyasi umphristi labakhokheli lezinduna zezinkulungwane zako-Israyeli ezazihambe laye basuthiseka+ ngempendulo abayiphiwa ngabakoRubheni labakoGadi kanye labakoManase. 31 Ngakho uFiniyasi indodana ka-Eliyazari umphristi waphendula abakoRubheni labakoGadi labakoManase wathi: “Lamuhla sesikwazi ukuthi uJehova ulathi ngoba akulanto embi eliyenzileyo phambi kukaJehova. Sesikwazi ukuthi uJehova kasoze abajezise abako-Israyeli.”

32 UFiniyasi umphristi labakhokheli basuka eGiliyadi kwabakoRubheni labakoGadi baya elizweni leKhenani, bafika babikela abako-Israyeli ilizwi ababelithwele. 33 Abako-Israyeli basuthiseka ngabakuzwayo badumisa uNkulunkulu. Abasaphindanga bakhuluma ngokuhlasela abakoRubheni labakoGadi balobise konke okuselizweni labo.

34 AbakoRubheni labakoGadi banika i-alithare* leli ibizo ngoba besithi, “Lingufakazi phakathi kwethu ukuthi uJehova nguNkulunkulu weqiniso.”

23 UJoshuwa wathi esemdala futhi eseluphele,+ sekwedlule iminyaka eminengi uJehova enqobe izitha zabako-Israyeli ezazibahanqile njalo sekulokuthula elizweni,+ 2 wabiza bonke abako-Israyeli,+ abadala besizwe, abakhokheli labahluleli labaphathi,+ wathi kubo: “Mina sengimdala futhi sengiluphele. 3 Lazibonela ngawenu lokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu akwenza kuzo zonke izizwe lezi esenzela lina. UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nguye owayelilwela.+ 4 Ngazitshaya ngazibhuqa+ zonke izizwe kusukela kuJodani kuze kuyefika eLwandle Olukhulu* entshonalanga, ilizwe lazo ngasengilabela+ izizwana zenu+ ngenkatho ukuthi libe lilifa lenu. Lanxa zisesekhona ezinye izizwe eziseleyo, ilizwe lazo ngalabela lina. 5 UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu nguye owaxotsha izitha zenu phambi kwenu+ wazisusa elizweni, lina laselilithatha njengoba nje uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu wayelithembisile.+

6 “Kumele liqine libe lesibindi lilandele konke okubhalwe ebhukwini loMthetho+ kaMosi futhi likwenze, lingaphambukeli kwesokudla loba kwesenxele+ 7 njalo lingabi lobudlelwano lezizwe lezi+ eziseleyo. Lingakhonzi onkulunkulu bazo futhi lingabakhothameli,+ njalo lingaqali lokukhuluma amabizo abo+ loba ukufunga ngabo. 8 Kufanele libambelele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu+ njengalokho ebelikwenza kuze kube lamuhla. 9 UJehova uzazixotsha phambi kwenu+ izizwe ezinkulu lezilamandla. Phela kuze kube lamuhla+ akulamuntu owenelise ukumelana lani. 10 Oyedwa wenu uzaxotshanisa abayinkulungwane+ ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uyalilwela+ njengoba wayethembisile.+ 11 Ngakho mthandeni uJehova uNkulunkulu+ wenu ngoba lingenza njalo lizahlala livikelekile.+

12 “Kodwa nxa lingaphambuka lilandele izizwe lezi eziseleyo,+ lendiselane lazo+ njalo libe lobudlelwano lazo, 13 lihle lazi ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu kasoze aqhubeke ezixotsha phambi kwenu+ izizwe lezi. Zizakuba ngumjibila kini lomchilo wokulibhaxabula emhlane+ kanye lameva emehlweni enu, lize liphele lonke elizweni leli elihle uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu aliphe lona.

14 “Mina sengizakufa.* Kodwa lina likwazi kuhle* ukuthi akukho lokukodwa uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alithembisa khona okungazange kugcwaliseke. Konke kwenzakala, akula ngitsho lokukodwa akukhulumayo okungenzakalanga.+ 15 Njengoba nje uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ezigcwalisile+ zonke izithembiso ezinhle alithembisa zona, kutsho ukuthi uJehova ngeke ehluleke ukulehlisela zonke inhlupho alitshela ngazo lokulisusa elizweni leli elihle uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu aliphe lona.+ 16 Nxa lingephula isivumelwano uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alitshela ukuthi lisigcine, liyekhonza abanye onkulunkulu libakhothamele, uJehova uzalithukuthelela+ ahle alisuse lonke elizweni elihle aliphe lona.”+

24 UJoshuwa wasebuthanisa zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli eShekhemu, wabiza abadala bako-Israyeli, abakhokheli labahluleli labaphathi,+ bayakuma phambi kukaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 2 UJoshuwa wakhuluma labantu bonke wathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Kudala+ okhokho benu,+ okugoqela uThera uyise ka-Abrahama loNahori, babehlala ngaphetsheya komfula* futhi babekhonza abanye onkulunkulu.+

3 “‘Ngemva kwesikhathi ngasusa ukhokho wenu u-Abrahama+ ngaphetsheya komfula* ngamletha elizweni leKhenani ngathi alibhode lonke ilizwe leli njalo ngenza izizukulwane zakhe zaba zinengi.+ Ngamnika u-Isaka;+ 4 u-Isaka yena ngamnika uJakhobe lo-Esawu.+ Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Esawu ngamnika intaba iSeyiri;+ uJakhobe lamadodana akhe bona baya eGibhithe.+ 5 Ngathuma uMosi lo-Aroni+ eGibhithe, ngehlisela abantu beGibhithe izinhlupho+ ngasengilikhipha khona. 6 Ngathi sengibakhiphile oyihlo eGibhithe+ futhi sebeseduze lolwandle, abaseGibhithe babaxotshanisa ngamabhiza langezinqola zempi baze bayafika eLwandle Olubomvu.+ 7 Bakhala kuJehova+ becela uncedo, ngasengifaka iyezi elimnyama phakathi kwabo labaseGibhithe. Ngasibekela+ abaseGibhithe ngamanzi elwandle njalo lazibonela ngawenu lokho engakwenzayo eGibhithe.+ Ngemva kwalokho lahlala enkangala okweminyaka eminengi.+

8 “‘Ngaliletha elizweni lama-Amori ayehlala ngaphetsheya kukaJodani.* Alwa lani+ kodwa ngawanikela esandleni senu ukuze lithathe ilizwe lawo, ngawathanyela ngawaqeda du phambi kwenu.+ 9 UBhalakhi indodana kaZiphori inkosi yakoMowabi walwa labako-Israyeli. Wabiza uBhalamu indodana kaBheyori ukuthi iliqalekise.+ 10 Kodwa angizange ngimlalele uBhalamu.+ Ngakho walibusisa kanengi+ njalo ngalikhulula esandleni sakhe.+

11 “‘Lachapha uJodani+ laya eJerikho. Abakhokheli beJerikho,*+ ama-Amori, lamaPherizi, lamaKhenani, lamaHithi, lamaGirigashi, lamaHivi lamaJebusi balwa lani kodwa ngabanikela esandleni senu.+ 12 Ngabaqeda amandla* balibalekela,+ njengalokho engakwenza emakhosini amabili ama-Amori. Kalibaxotshanga ngenkemba zenu kumbe ngamadandili.*+ 13 Ngalipha ilizwe elingazange liliginqele lamadolobho elingazange liwakhe,+ lafika lahlala kuwo. Lidla amagilebisi lama-oliva elingazange liwahlanyele.’+

14 “Yikho-ke mesabeni uJehova limkhonze, libe qotho kuye* futhi lithembeke.*+ Susani onkulunkulu ababekhonzwa ngokhokho benu ngaphetsheya komfula* laseGibhithe,+ likhonze uJehova. 15 Kodwa nxa lingafuni ukukhonza uJehova khethani lamuhla ukuthi lizakhonza bani.+ Lingazikhethela ukukhonza onkulunkulu ababekhonzwa ngokhokho benu ngaphetsheya komfula*+ kumbe onkulunkulu bama-Amori elihlala elizweni lawo.+ Kodwa mina lemuli yami sizakhonza uJehova.”

16 Abantu baphendula bathi: “Ngeke sitshiye uJehova sikhonze abanye onkulunkulu. 17 NguJehova uNkulunkulu wethu owakhipha thina labokhokho bethu elizweni lobugqili,+ eGibhithe.+ Wenza lezimangaliso ezinkulu phambi kwethu,+ waqhubeka esigcinile indlela yonke futhi esivikela ebantwini bonke esadabula phakathi kwabo.+ 18 UJehova wasusa bonke abantu kanye lama-Amori ayehlala elizweni leli. Ngakho lathi sizakhonza uJehova ngoba unguNkulunkulu wethu.”

19 UJoshuwa wasesithi kubo: “Kalingeke lenelise ukumkhonza uJehova ngoba unguNkulunkulu ongcwele+ njalo ufuna abantu bazinikele kuye kuphela.+ Nxa lingayekela ukwenza njalo, kasoze alixolele iziphambeko zenu lezono zenu.+ 20 Nxa lingatshiya uJehova likhonze onkulunkulu bezizweni, uzaliphendukela alihlasele aliqede lonke lanxa ubelenzela okuhle.”+

21 Kodwa abantu baphendula uJoshuwa bathi: “Thina sizakhonza uJehova kuphela!”+ 22 UJoshuwa wasesithi ebantwini: “Liyazifakazela lina ngokwenu ukuthi selikhethe ukukhonza uJehova.”+ Bona baphendula bathi: “Ye lokho siyakufakaza.”

23 UJoshuwa wasesithi: “Nxa kunjalo susani onkulunkulu bezizweni abaphakathi kwenu, libeke inhliziyo zenu kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.” 24 Abantu bamphendula bathi: “Sizakhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu futhi sizalalela akutshoyo!”

25 Ngakho uJoshuwa wenza isivumelwano labantu ngalelolanga njalo wabafakela imithetho lezimiso eShekhemu. 26 UJoshuwa wasebhala amazwi la encwadini yoMthetho kaNkulunkulu.+ Wathatha ilitshe elikhulu+ walibeka ngaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu esiseduze lendawo engcwele kaJehova.

27 UJoshuwa waqhubeka wathi ebantwini bonke: “Ilitshe leli likuzwile konke uJehova asitshele khona, yikho lizakuba ngufakazi wethu.+ Lizakuba ngufakazi wenu ukuze lingamtshiyi uNkulunkulu.” 28 Ngemva kwalokho uJoshuwa wabakhulula abantu, ngamunye wabo wabuyela endaweni yakhe ayiphiwayo.+

29 Konke lokhu sekwenzakele uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni inceku kaJehova wafa. Wayeseleminyaka engu-110.+ 30 Bamngcwaba endaweni eyayililifa lakhe eThiminathi-sera+ ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi, enyakatho kwentaba iGahashi. 31 Abako-Israyeli baqhubeka bekhonza uJehova ngesikhathi uJoshuwa esaphila langensuku zabadala abasala bephila uJoshuwa esefile, ababekubonile konke uJehova ayekwenzele abako-Israyeli.+

32 Amathambo kaJosefa+ ababesuke lawo eGibhithe angcwatshwa eShekhemu endaweni eyayithengwe nguJakhobe emadodaneni kaHamori,+ uyise kaShekhemu. Indawo le wayithenga ngezinhlamvu zemali ezingu-100+ njalo yaba lilifa lamadodana kaJosefa.+

33 U-Eliyazari indodana ka-Aroni laye wafa,+ basebemngcwaba eqaqeni lukaFiniyasi indodana yakhe+ ayeluphiwe ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi.