EYESIBILI EYEMILANDO

1 Ubukhosi bukaSolomoni indodana kaDavida baqhubeka buqina futhi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wayelaye, wamenza waba lamandla kakhulu.+

2 USolomoni wabiza bonke abantu bako-Israyeli, izinduna zezinkulungwane lezamakhulu, labahluleli kanye labakhokheli bonke bako-Israyeli ababengabakhokheli bezimuli zaboyise. 3 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni labantu bonke baya endaweni ephakemeyo eyayiseGibhiyoni+ ngoba yikho lapho okwakuletende lokuhlangana likaNkulunkulu weqiniso, elalenziwe nguMosi inceku kaJehova enkangala. 4 Kodwa uDavida wayethethe ibhokisi likaNkulunkulu weqiniso eKhiriyathi-jeyarimi+ walisa endaweni ayeyilungisile, etendeni ayelimise eJerusalema.+ 5 Phambi kwethabanikeli likaJehova kwakubekwe i-alithare lekhopha+ elalenziwe nguBhezaleli+ indodana ka-Uri, indodana kaHuri. USolomoni labantu bonke babethandaza phambi kwalo.* 6 USolomoni wenza iminikelo khonapho phambi kukaJehova. Wenza imihlatshelo yokutshiswa engu-1 000 phezu kwe-alithare+ lekhopha elaliphambi kwetende lokuhlangana.

7 Ngalobobusuku uNkulunkulu wabonakala kuSolomoni wathi kuye: “Cela loba yini ofuna ngikunike yona.”+ 8 USolomoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu: “Ubulothando oluqotho futhi olukhulu kubaba uDavida+ njalo usungenze ngaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+ 9 Khathesi-ke Jehova Nkulunkulu, kwangathi lokho owakuthembisa ubaba uDavida kungagcwaliseka+ ngoba ungibeke ngaba yinkosi yabantu laba abanengi njengothuli.+ 10 Ngicela ungiphe ukuhlakanipha lolwazi+ ukuze ngikhokhele abantu laba, ngoba ngubani ongenelisa ukwahlulela abantu bakho+ abanengi kangaka?”

11 UNkulunkulu wasesithi kuSolomoni: “Njengoba lokhu kuyikho okufisayo enhliziyweni yakho njalo ungazange ucele inotho, lempahla enengi, lodumo, lempilo ende, kumbe ukuthi labo abakuzondayo bafe, kodwa ucele ukuhlakanipha lolwazi ukuze wahlulele abantu bami engikubeke ukuthi ube yinkosi+ phezu kwabo, 12 ngizakunika ukuhlakanipha lolwazi, ngiphinde ngikunike lenotho, lempahla enengi, lodumo, okungazange kutholwe ngamakhosi abusa ngaphambi kwakho njalo okungasoze kutholwe yilawo azabusa ngemva kwakho.”+

13 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni wasuka phambi kwetende lokuhlangana endaweni ephakemeyo eyayiseGibhiyoni,+ waya eJerusalema. USolomoni wabusa phezu kwabako-Israyeli 14 njalo waqhubeka engezelela izinqola zempi lamabhiza.*+ Wayelezinqola zempi ezingu-1 400, lamabhiza angu-12 000.* Wayekugcina emadolobheni+ ezinqola zempi laseduze lalapho ayehlala khona eJerusalema.+ 15 Inkosi yenza ukuthi eJerusalema kube lesiliva legolide elinengi njengamatshe.+ Yenza lezigodo zomsedari zaba zinengi angathi yizihlahla zomsikhamori eziseShefela.+ 16 Amabhiza kaSolomoni ayethengwe eGibhithe+ futhi izisebenzi ezazithengela inkosi zazithenga umhlambi wamabhiza* ngentengo efakiweyo.+ 17 EGibhithe inqola ngayinye yayithengwa ngenhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-600, ibhiza elilodwa lizinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-150. Babesithi bangawathenga, labo bawathengisele wonke amakhosi amaHithi lamakhosi eSiriya.

2 USolomoni wathi akwakhiwe indlu ezadumisa ibizo+ likaJehova, kwakhiwe lesigodlo sombuso wakhe.+ 2 USolomoni wakhetha amadoda angu-80 000 ayezabaza amatshe ezintabeni,+ langu-70 000 ayezakwenza eminye imisebenzi.* Wakhetha langu-3 600 ayezakhangela izisebenzi.+ 3 Phezu kwalokho uSolomoni wathumela ilizwi kuHiramu+ inkosi yeThire wathi: “Ngicela ungithumezele izigodo zomsedari, njengoba nje wazithumezela ubaba uDavida ngesikhathi esakha indlu ayezahlala kuyo.*+ 4 Khathesi sengisakha indlu ezadumisa ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu wami ukuze ngiyinikele kuye njalo ngitshisele khona impepha+ phambi kwakhe. Kuzafakwa kuyo isinkwa+ sokubukiswa zikhathi zonke futhi kuzakwenzelwa kuyo iminikelo yokutshiswa ekuseni lantambama,+ langamaSabatha,+ lasekuthwaseni kwenyanga,+ langezikhathi zemikhosi+ kaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu. Lokhu yikho okumele kwenziwe ngabako-Israyeli zikhathi zonke. 5 Indlu engizayakha izakuba nkulu ngoba uNkulunkulu wethu mkhulu ukwedlula bonke abanye onkulunkulu. 6 Ngubani ongenelisa ukumakhela indlu? Phela lezulu ngokwalo, lona kanye izulu lamazulu alenelisi ukumthwala.+ Manje mina ngingubani ukuthi ngimakhele indlu? Engingakwenza nje yikumakhela indlu yokwenzela iminikelo yokutshiswa. 7 Ngakho ngicela ungithumele umuntu oyingcitshi ekusebenzeni ngegolide, langesiliva, langekhopha,+ langensimbi, langewulu eyibubende,* lebomvu, langohali oluluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka futhi okwaziyo ukufaka imiceciso. Uzasebenzela koJuda laseJerusalema elabantu bami abazingcitshi engabaphiwa ngubaba uDavida.+ 8 Ngicela ungithumezele lezigodo zaseLebhanoni ezomsedari, lezomjunipha,+ lezom-aligami+ ngoba ngiyakwazi ukuthi izisebenzi zakho zikwazi kuhle ukugamula izihlahla zaseLebhanoni.+ Izisebenzi zami zizasebenza lezakho,+ 9 ukuze zingilungisele amapulanka amanengi kakhulu ngoba indlu engizayakha izabe inkulu okwamagama. 10 Izinceku zakho ezizagamula izihlahla ngizazinika ukudla.+ Ngizazinika ingqoloyi engamakhori* angu-20 000, lebhali engamakhori angu-20 000, lewayini engamalitha angu-440 000,* lamafutha angamalitha angu-440 000.”*

11 UHiramu inkosi yeThire wathi ekuzwa lokhu wabhalela uSolomoni incwadi wathi: “UJehova uyabathanda abantu bakhe, yikho ekwenze waba yinkosi yabo.” 12 Waqhubeka wathi: “Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, owenza izulu lomhlaba ngoba uphe iNkosi uDavida indodana ehlakaniphileyo,+ eqedisisayo njalo ezwisisayo,+ ezakwakhela uJehova indlu futhi yakhe lesigodlo sombuso wayo. 13 Ngithumela kuwe uHiramu-abhi,+ indoda eyingcitshi njalo eqedisisayo. 14 Uyindodana yowesifazana wakoDani kodwa uyise ngoweThire. Uyingcitshi ekusebenzeni ngegolide, langesiliva, langekhopha, langensimbi, langamatshe, langamapulanka, langewulu eyibubende, langohali oluluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, langamalembu abomvu+ kanye lamalembu amahle. Uyenelisa ukwenza loba yiwuphi umceciso kanye lokwenza loba yiwuphi umsebenzi wobungcitshi angawunikwa.+ Uzasebenza labantu bakho abazingcitshi kanye labakayihlo inkosi yami uDavida. 15 Khathesi ngicela ukuthi inkosi yami ithumeze ingqoloyi, lebhali, lamafutha, lewayini ekuthembise izinceku zayo.+ 16 Thina sizagamula inani lezigodo ozifunayo eLebhanoni,+ sizibophe besesizichaphisa ulwandle sizihambise eJopha,+ wena ubusuzithwala uhambe lazo eJerusalema.”+

17 USolomoni wabala wonke amadoda ezinye izizwe ayehlala ko-Israyeli,+ kwatholakala angu-153 600. Lokhu wakwenza ngemva kokubalwa kwabantu okwenziwa nguyise uDavida.+ 18 Wathi angu-80 000 asebenze ukubaza amatshe+ ezintabeni, angu-70 000 aphiwe eminye imisebenzi* njalo wakhetha angu-3 600 ukuthi akhangele izisebenzi.+

3 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni waqalisa ukwakha indlu kaJehova+ eJerusalema entabeni iMoriya,+ lapho uJehova ayebonakale khona kuyise uDavida.+ Indlu le wayakha esizeni* sika-Onani+ umJebusi, endaweni uDavida ayeyilungisile. 2 Waqalisa ukwakha ngelanga lesibili ngenyanga yesibili, ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kwakhe. 3 Isisekelo sendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso esabekwa nguSolomoni sasizingalo ezingu-60 ubude, lezingalo ezingu-20 ububanzi,+ kusetshenziswa isilinganiso sakuqala.* 4 Ivurandi elaliphambi kwethempeli lalizingalo ezingu-20 ubude, lilingana lobubanzi bendlu. Ukuphakama lalizingalo ezingu-20.* Phakathi waligudula ngegolide elicengekileyo.+ 5 Indlu enkulu wayicecisa ngamapulanka omjunipha waseyigudula ngegolide elihlambulukileyo.+ Wayicecisa langemifanekiso yezihlahla zelala+ langamaketane.+ 6 Phezu kwalokho wacecisa indlu ngamatshe amahle aligugu.+ Igolide+ alisebenzisayo lalivela ePhavayimi. 7 Indlu yonke wayigudula ngegolide.+ Wagudula imiduli, lezitubhu, lentungo, leminyango, wabaza lemiceciso yamakherubhi emidulini.+

8 Wenza leNgcwelengcwele+ futhi ubude bayo babulingana lobubanzi bendlu.* Yayizingalo ezingu-20 ubude njalo iyizingalo ezingu-20 ububanzi. Wayigudula ngegolide elihlambulukileyo+ elingamathalenta* angu-600. 9 Igolide elasetshenziswa ukwenza izipikili lalilesisindo esingamashekheli* angu-50. Izindlu ezazisephahleni lazo wazigudula ngegolide.

10 ENgcwelengcwele wenza amakherubhi amabili wasewahuqa ngegolide.+ 11 Impiko zamakherubhi+ la zazizingalo ezingu-20 ubude nxa zihlanganisiwe. Uphiko olulodwa lwekherubhi lokuqala lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu ubude njalo lwaluthinte umduli wendlu. Olunye uphiko lwekherubhi leli lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu njalo lwaluthinte uphiko lwelinye ikherubhi. 12 Uphiko lokuqala lwekherubhi lesibili lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu njalo lwaluthinte umduli kwelinye icele lendlu. Olunye uphiko lwalo lwaluzingalo ezinhlanu futhi lwaluthinte uphiko lwekherubhi lokuqala. 13 Impiko zamakherubhi la zazelulwe zaba zingalo ezingu-20. Ayemi ngenyawo ekhangele eNdaweni Engcwele.

14 Wenza lekhetheni+ ngohali oluluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka, langewulu eyibubende,* lebomvu, langelembu elihle, waselithungela+ imiceciso yamakherubhi.

15 Waphinda wenza lensika+ ezimbili phambi kwendlu. Insika ngayinye yayizingalo ezingu-35 ubude. Isiduku* esasiphezu kwensika ngayinye sasizingalo ezinhlanu.+ 16 Wenza lamaketane anjengomgaxo ofakwa entanyeni wasewagaxa ezidukwini ezaziphezu kwezinsika. Wabumba lemiceciso engu-100 enjengezithelo zamaharinathi wayifaka emaketaneni. 17 Insika lezi wazimisa phambi kwethempeli. Eyinye wayimisa esandleni sokudla,* eyinye kwesenxele.* Eyayisesandleni sokudla wayibiza ngokuthi nguJakhini,* eyayisesandleni senxele wayibiza ngokuthi nguBhowazi.*

4 Ngemva kwalokho wenza i-alithare lekhopha.+ Lalizingalo ezingu-20 ubude, lezingalo ezingu-20 ububanzi, lezingalo ezilitshumi ukuphakama.

2 Waphinda wabumba inkalakatha yetanka+ yamanzi* ngensimbi encibilikisiweyo. Yayiyisigombolozi futhi ububanzi bomlomo wayo babuzingalo ezilitshumi. Yayizingalo ezinhlanu ukuphakama njalo kwakungadingeka intambo eyizingalo ezingu-30 ukuyithandela yonke.+ 3 Ngaphansi komlomo wayo kwakulemiceciso enjengamaqhaga+ eyayiyigombolozele yonke, ingalo ngayinye ilemiceciso elitshumi. Imiceciso le yayisemizileni emibili njalo yayibunjwe yabambana letanka kwaba yintonye. 4 Itanka yayihlaliswe phezu kwenkunzi ezingu-12+ ezazibunjiwe. Ezintathu zazikhangele enyakatho, ezintathu zikhangele entshonalanga, ezintathu zikhangele eningizimu njalo ezintathu zikhangele empumalanga. Zonke zazifulathelene futhi itanka yayihlezi phezu kwazo. 5 Ubuqatha bensimbi itanka eyayenziwe ngayo babulingana lobubanzi beminwe emine nxa ihlangene.* Umlomo wayo wawenziwe wafana lowenkomitsho, kungathi liluba eliqhakazileyo. Itanka le yayingathwala amanzi angamalitha angu-66 000.*

6 Waphinda wenza lenditshi zokugezisela ezilitshumi. Ezinhlanu wazifaka esandleni sokudla, kwathi ezinye ezinhlanu wazifaka kwesenxele.+ Yikho lapho ababegezisela khona izinto ezazisetshenziswa nxa kusenziwa iminikelo yokutshiswa.+ Kodwa abaphristi babegeza+ ngamanzi ayesetankeni.

7 Wenza lezinti zezibane ezilitshumi ngegolide+ elandela indlela okwakumele zenziwe ngayo,+ wazifaka ethempelini. Ezinhlanu wazifaka esandleni sokudla, ezinye ezinhlanu wazifaka kwesenxele.+

8 Waphinda wenza lamatafula alitshumi wawafaka ethempelini. Wafaka amahlanu esandleni sokudla, amanye amahlanu wawafaka kwesenxele.+ Wenza lemiganu yegolide engu-100.

9 Waselungisa iguma+ labaphristi+ leguma elikhulu+ kanye lamagedi awo. Amagedi wawahuqa ngekhopha. 10 Wafaka itanka esandleni sokudla eceleni eliseningizimu kusiya ngasempumalanga.+

11 UHiramu wenza lamakani lamafotsholo kanye lemiganu.+

Wawuqeda umsebenzi ayewenzela iNkosi uSolomoni endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ Nanku akwenzayo: 12 Wenza insika+ ezimbili leziduku ezifana lodiwo ezaziphezu kwensika lezo. Wenza lamasefa+ ekhopha amabili ayevala iziduku lezo ezaziphezu kwezinsika, 13 lemiceciso engu-400 eyayibunjwe njengamaharinathi,+ wayifaka emasefeni womabili. Isefa ngayinye yayilemizila emibili yemiceciso le ukuze yembathise iziduku ezifana lodiwo ezaziphezu kwensika ezimbili.+ 14 Wenza lenqola* ezilitshumi kanye lenditshi ezilitshumi ezaziphezu kwezinqola,+ 15 letanka, lenkunzi ezingu-12 ezazingaphansi kwayo,+ 16 lamakani, lamafotsholo, lamafologwe.+ UHiramu-abhi+ wenza zonke izitsha lezi ngekhopha ecazimulayo, ezenzela iNkosi uSolomoni ukuze zifakwe endlini kaJehova. 17 Izinto lezi inkosi yazibumbela esigabeni seJodani, endaweni eyisidaka ephakathi kweSukhothi+ leZereda. 18 Izinto ezenziwa nguSolomoni zazizinengi kakhulu. Ikhopha eyasetshenziswayo akuzange kwaziwe ukuthi yayilesisindo esinganani.+

19 USolomoni wenza zonke izitsha+ zendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Wenza i-alithare legolide,+ lamatafula+ okwakuzabekwa kuwo isinkwa sokubukiswa.+ 20 Wenza lezinti zezibane kanye lezibane zazo ngegolide elicengekileyo+ ukuze zikhanyise phambi kwendlu engaphakathi njengoba kwakutshiwo. 21 Wenza lemiceciso yamaluba aqhakazileyo, lezibane, lensimbi zokukhipha intambo zezibane esezitshile.* Konke lokhu wakwenza ngegolide elicengekileyo. 22 Wenza lemiganu, lamankomitsho, lezigelo zokuquma intambo zezibane kanye lenkezwana zokuthwala amalahle. Izinto lezi lazo wazenza ngegolide elicengekileyo. Wenza ngegolide+ iminyango yendlu, izivalo zeNgcwelengcwele+ lezivalo zendlu yethempeli.

5 USolomoni wawuqeda wonke umsebenzi wendlu kaJehova+ okwakumele awenze. Wangenisa endlini leyo izinto uyise uDavida ayezibekele inkonzo engcwele,*+ wasethatha isiliva legolide lezitsha zonke wakufaka ezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ 2 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni wabuthanisa abadala bako-Israyeli, bonke abakhokheli bezizwana kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zaboyise. Babuya eJerusalema bezothatha ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova edolobheni likaDavida,+ iZiyoni.+ 3 Wonke amadoda ako-Israyeli abuthana phambi kwenkosi ngesikhathi somkhosi* owenziwa ngenyanga yesikhombisa.+

4 Bonke abadala bako-Israyeli bathi sebefikile, amaLevi athwala ibhokisi.+ 5 Athwala ibhokisi, letende lokuhlangana+ lazo zonke izitsha ezingcwele ezazisetendeni. Abaphristi lamaLevi* bakuthwala konke lokhu. 6 INkosi uSolomoni labantu bonke bako-Israyeli ababebizwe ukuthi bazohlangana layo babephambi kwebhokisi. Kwenziwa imihlatshelo+ ngezimvu lenkomo ezinengi kakhulu ezazingeke zibalwe. 7 Ngemva kwalokho abaphristi bafaka ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova endaweni yalo endlini engaphakathi, iNgcwelengcwele. Balibeka ngaphansi kwempiko zamakherubhi.+ 8 Impiko zamakherubhi zazivulekile ziphezu kwendawo okwakubekwe kuyo ibhokisi. Yikho amakherubhi ayeyembese ibhokisi lezibambo zalo.+ 9 Izibambo zazizinde zibonakala eNdaweni Engcwele ephambi kwendlu engaphakathi, kodwa zazingakhanyi nxa umuntu ephandle. Izinto lezi zilokhu zikhonapho kuze kube lamuhla. 10 Kwakungelalutho phakathi kwebhokisi ngaphandle kwamatshe amabili oMthetho afakwa nguMosi eHorebhi,+ lapho uJehova esenza isivumelwano+ labantu bako-Israyeli ngesikhathi bephuma eGibhithe.+

11 Bonke abaphristi ababekhona babezihlambululile*+ kungelani lokuthi babekuliphi iqembu.+ Abaphristi bathi bephuma endaweni engcwele, 12 wonke amaLevi angabahlabeleli+ ayemi empumalanga kwe-alithare elabaphristi abangu-120 ababetshaya amacilongo.+ Ayekhokhelwa ngu-Asafi,+ loHemani,+ loJeduthuni,+ lamadodana abo labafowabo futhi ayegqoke izigqoko ezinhle, ethwele amasimbali* leziginci lamahabhu.* 13 Abatshaya amacilongo labahlabeleli babelokhu bedumisa futhi bebonga uJehova bendawonye, betshaya amacilongo lamasimbali lezinye iziginci bedumisa uJehova “ngoba muhle futhi uthando lwakhe oluqotho luhlala kuze kube nini lanini.”+ Ngalesosikhathi indlu kaJehova yembeswa liyezi.+ 14 Abaphristi behluleka ukwenza inkonzo yabo ngenxa yeyezi ngoba inkazimulo kaJehova uNkulunkulu weqiniso+ yayisigcwele endlini yakhe.

6 USolomoni wathi ekubona lokho wathi: “Jehova, wena wathi uzahlala emnyameni+ owesabekayo. 2 Khathesi sengikwakhele indlu ephakemeyo, indawo ozahlala kuyo kuze kube nini lanini.”+

3 INkosi uSolomoni yatshibilika yabusisa bonke abantu bako-Israyeli. Ngalesosikhathi abantu babemile.+ 4 Yathi: “Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lowo okwenzileyo ngezandla zakhe lokho akukhuluma ngomlomo wakhe lapho ethembisa ubaba uDavida esithi, 5 ‘Kusukela ngelanga engakhipha ngalo abantu bami bako-Israyeli eGibhithe, angikaze ngikhethe idolobho kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli ukuthi ngakhelwe kulo indlu okuzadunyiswa khona ibizo lami,+ njalo angizange ngikhethe muntu ukuthi akhokhele abantu bami bako-Israyeli. 6 Kodwa khathesi sengikhethe iJerusalema+ ukuthi ibe yindawo lapho okuzadunyiswa khona ibizo lami, njalo ngikhethe uDavida ukuthi abuse abantu bami bako-Israyeli.’+ 7 UDavida ubaba wayefisa kakhulu* ukwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli+ lidunyiswe. 8 Kodwa uJehova wathi kuDavida ubaba, ‘Ubufisa kakhulu* ukwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami lidunyiswe futhi isifiso sakho besisihle. 9 Kodwa ayisuwe ozakwakha indlu le, indodana yakho ozayizala yiyo ezakwakha indlu ezakwenza ibizo lami lidunyiswe.’+ 10 UJehova usekwenzile lokho ayekuthembisile. Yimi esengingene esikhundleni sikaDavida ubaba futhi sengihlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli,+ njengoba nje uJehova wathembisa.+ Sengakhe lendlu ezakwenza ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli lidunyiswe, 11 njalo ngifake kuyo ibhokisi okugcinwe kulo isivumelwano+ uJehova asenza labantu bako-Israyeli.”

12 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni wama phambi kwe-alithare likaJehova, abantu bonke bako-Israyeli bephambi kwakhe, wasephakamisela izandla zakhe phezulu.+ 13 (Phela uSolomoni wayeyenze isiteji sekhopha wasifaka phakathi laphakathi kweguma.+ Sasizingalo* ezinhlanu ubude, lezingalo ezinhlanu ububanzi njalo sizingalo ezintathu ukuphakama. Ngakho wama phezu kwaso.) Waguqa phambi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli ephakamisele izandla zakhe ezulwini+ 14 wathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, akula omunye uNkulunkulu onjengawe ezulwini lasemhlabeni. Wena uyasigcina isivumelwano sakho futhi ulothando oluqotho ezincekwini zakho ezilandela imithetho yakho ngenhliziyo yonke.+ 15 Usigcwalisile isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida ubaba.+ Wathembisa ngowakho umlomo futhi lamuhla ukwenzile ngesandla sakho+ lokho owawukuthembisile. 16 Khathesi-ke Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngicela usigcine isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida ubaba usithi, ‘Nxa amadodana akho angananzelela indlela aphila ngayo, athembeke futhi alalele umthetho wami+ njengoba nje lawe ubuhamba ezindleleni zami,+ akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lwakho ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli.’ 17 Ngakho-ke Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ngicela usigcwalise isithembiso owasenza encekwini yakho uDavida.

18 “Kambe wena Nkulunkulu ungahlala labantu emhlabeni?+ Phela izulu ngokwalo, lona kanye izulu lamazulu alenelisi ukukuthwala.+ Pho indlu le engikwakhele yona ke?+ Incane kakhulu! 19 Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, khathesi ngicela ulalele umthandazo wenceku yakho, lesicelo sayo sokuthi ube lomusa kuyo. Ngicela uyizwe inceku yakho ekhalela uncedo, uzwe lomthandazo ewuthandaza phambi kwakho. 20 Amehlo akho kawahlale ekhangele indlu le ebusuku lemini, akhangele indawo le owathi ibizo lakho lizakuba kuyo,+ ukuze ulalele umthandazo inceku yakho ewenza ikhangele endaweni le. 21 Kwangathi ungalalela inceku yakho nxa ithandaza icela uncedo, ulalele lezicelo abantu bakho bako-Israyeli abazenza bekhangele endaweni le.+ Sengathi ungezwa usendaweni yakho yokuhlala ezulwini,+ uzwe njalo uthethelele.+

22 “Nxa umuntu angonela umakhelwane wakhe, umakhelwane wakhe amfungise* ukuze atshengise ukuthi ayisuye okwenzileyo lokho, umuntu lo owonileyo abesesiza phambi kwakho e-alithareni endlini le,+ 23 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini wahlulele izinceku zakho, ujezise umuntu owenze okubi, umnike umvuzo walokho akwenzileyo+ njalo utsho ukuthi olungileyo kalacala ubusumnika umvuzo wokulunga kwakhe.+

24 “Nxa abantu bakho bako-Israyeli banganqotshwa yizitha zabo ngenxa yokuthi bebeqhubeka bekonela,+ besebephenduka badumise ibizo lakho+ njalo bathandaze+ phambi kwakho besendlini le+ bekuncenga ukuthi ube lomusa kubo, 25 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini+ uthethelele isono sabantu bakho bako-Israyeli, ubabuyisele elizweni owabanika lona, bona labokhokho babo.+

26 “Nxa amazulu angavaleka kungabi lezulu+ ngoba bebeqhubeka bekonela,+ besebethandaza bekhangele endaweni le badumise ibizo lakho njalo batshiye izono zabo ngenxa yokuthi ubajezisile,+ 27 sengathi ungezwa usezulwini uthethelele isono sezinceku zakho, abantu bako-Israyeli, ubusubafundisa okuhle okumele bakwenze+ njalo wenze ukuthi izulu line+ elizweni lakho owalinika abantu bakho ukuthi libe lilifa labo.

28 “Nxa kungaba lendlala elizweni,+ kumbe isifo,+ kumbe umoya otshisa izilimo, loba umkhuhlane ohlasela izilimo,+ loba umtshitshi wentethe, kumbe intethe ezitshaya zibhuqe emasimini,+ kumbe nxa izitha zingabavimbezela kwelinye lamadolobho aselizweni,+ loba kube lolunye uhlupho kumbe umkhuhlane,+ 29 besekusithi loba ngubani kumbe bonke abantu bakho bako-Israyeli bathandaze+ becela ukuthi ube lomusa kubo+ njalo baphakamise izandla zabo bekhangele endlini le,+ (ngoba umuntu ngamunye uyalwazi uhlupho lwakhe lobuhlungu aphakathi kwabo),+ 30 kwangathi ungezwa usezulwini lapho ohlala khona,+ ubathethelele+ ubusunika umuntu ngamunye umvuzo ohambelana lezenzo zakhe ngoba wena uyazazi inhliziyo zabo. (Nguwe wedwa okwazi kuhle okusenhliziyweni yomuntu.)+ 31 Lokhu kuzakwenza bakwesabe njalo bahambe ezindleleni zakho zonke insuku behlala elizweni owalinika okhokho bethu.

32 “Lomuntu wesinye isizwe ongayisuye wako-Israyeli osuka elizweni elikhatshana ngoba ezwe ngebizo lakho elikhulu,*+ langesandla sakho esilamandla langengalo yakho eyeluliweyo, obuya lapha azothandaza ekhangele endlini le,+ 33 kwangathi ungamlalela usezulwini lapho ohlala khona, wenze konke lowomuntu wesinye isizwe acela ukuthi umenzele khona ukuze bonke abantu abasemhlabeni balazi ibizo lakho+ njalo bakwesabe njengabantu bakho bako-Israyeli, bakwazi ukuthi indlu le engiyakhileyo yenza ukuthi ibizo lakho lidunyiswe.

34 “Nxa abantu bakho ungabathuma+ loba ngaphi ukuthi bayekulwa lezitha zabo, besebethandaza+ kuwe bekhangele edolobheni leli olikhethileyo lasendlini engiyakhele ukuthi yenze ibizo lakho lidunyiswe,+ 35 sengathi ungawuzwa umthandazo wabo usezulwini, uzwe lesicelo sabo sokuthi ube lomusa kubo, ubusubancedisa.+

36 “Nxa bangakonela (njengoba kungelamuntu ongoniyo),+ ubusubathukuthelela ubanikele esitheni sabo sibathumbe sihambe labo elizweni laso, kungelani lokuthi likhatshana kumbe liseduze,+ 37 besebezisola bekhonale elizweni lesitha sabo, baphenduke kuwe bakuncenge ukuthi ube lomusa kubo beselizweni lesitha sabo besithi, ‘Sonile senza okubi, siphambanisile,’+ 38 besebephenduka kuwe ngenhliziyo yonke+ langomphefumulo* wonke bekhonale elizweni abathunjwe+ bahanjiswa kulo, njalo bathandaze kuwe bekhangele elizweni labo owalinika okhokho babo futhi bekhangele edolobheni olikhethileyo+ lasendlini engiyakhele ukuthi yenze ibizo lakho lidunyiswe, 39 kwangathi ungawuzwa umthandazo wabo usezulwini lapho ohlala khona, uzwe lesicelo sabo sokuthi ube lomusa kubo, ubusubanceda+ njalo ubathethelele abantu bakho abakoneleyo.

40 “Khathesi-ke awu Nkulunkulu wami, kwangathi ungavula amehlo akho ubone, futhi ulalele imithandazo eyenziwa endaweni le.*+ 41 Phakama awu Jehova Nkulunkulu, uye endaweni yakho yokuphumula,+ wena lebhokisi lakho lesivumelwano elitshengisa ukuthi ulamandla. Kwangathi abaphristi bakho Jehova Nkulunkulu bangembatha insindiso, abantu bakho abaqotho bathokoze ngobuhle bakho.+ 42 Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu, ungamlahli ogcotshiweyo wakho.+ Kwangathi ungalukhumbula uthando lwakho oluqotho owalutshengisa inceku yakho uDavida.”+

7 USolomoni wathi eqeda nje ukuthandaza,+ kwehla umlilo uvela ezulwini+ watshisa umnikelo wokutshiswa kanye lemihlatshelo, inkazimulo kaJehova yagcwala indlu yonke.+ 2 Abaphristi behluleka ukungena endlini kaJehova ngoba inkazimulo kaJehova yayisigcwele endlini kaJehova.+ 3 Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli babekhangele ngesikhathi umlilo usehla, lenkazimulo kaJehova isembesa indlu. Baguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso endaweni eyayigandelwe ngamatshe, babonga uJehova “ngoba muhle futhi uthando lwakhe oluqotho luhlala kuze kube nini lanini.”

4 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi labantu bonke benza imihlatshelo phambi kukaJehova.+ 5 INkosi uSolomoni yenza umhlatshelo ngenkomo ezingu-22 000 langezimvu ezingu-120 000. Ngakho inkosi labo bonke abantu bathakazelela ukuphela kokwakhiwa kwendlu kaNkulunkulu+ weqiniso. 6 Abaphristi babemi ezindaweni zabo, lamaLevi emi ezindaweni zawo ethwele iziginci ezazitshaywa nxa kuhlatshelelwa uJehova.+ (INkosi uDavida yayenze iziginci lezi ukuze zisetshenziswe nxa kubongwa uJehova, “ngoba uthando lwakhe oluqotho luhlala kuze kube nini lanini.” UDavida wayetshaya iziginci lezi nxa edumisa uNkulunkulu.) Abaphristi babemi maqondana lamaLevi betshaya amacilongo,+ bewakhalisela phezulu. Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli babemile.

7 Ngalelolanga inkosi yangcwelisa indawo esegumeni eliphambi kwendlu kaJehova ngoba kwasekumele yenzele kuyo iminikelo yokutshiswa,+ inikele langamafutha emihlatshelo yobudlelwano. Phela i-alithare lekhopha+ elalenziwe nguSolomoni lalilincane kakhulu ukuthi kwenzelwe kulo imihlatshelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yamabele+ kanye leyamafutha.+ 8 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni labantu bonke bako-Israyeli benza umkhosi okwamalanga ayisikhombisa.+ Kwakulabantu abanengi kakhulu ababebuye bevela eLebho-hamathi* kuze kuyefika esihotsheni* seGibhithe.+ 9 Banikela e-alithareni okwamalanga ayisikhombisa, benza ledili okwamalanga ayisikhombisa. Kodwa umhlangano ongcwele+ bawenza ngelanga lesi-8.* 10 Kwasekusithi ngelanga lesi-23 ngenyanga yesikhombisa, uSolomoni wathi abantu babuyele emizini yabo. Babuyela bethokoza+ njalo lenhliziyo zabo zichelesile ngenxa yakho konke okuhle uJehova ayekwenzele uDavida loSolomoni labantu bakhe bako-Israyeli.+

11 USolomoni waqeda ukwakha indlu kaJehova lendlu yakhe.*+ Waphumelela+ ukwenza konke ayekufisa ngendlu kaJehova langendlu yakhe. 12 UJehova wabonakala kuSolomoni+ ebusuku wathi kuye: “Ngiwuzwile umthandazo wakho futhi indlu le sengiyikhethile ukuthi ibe yindawo okuzanikelwa kuyo imihlatshelo+ yami. 13 Nxa ngingavala amazulu, ngenze ukuthi kungabi lezulu, kumbe nxa ngingathumela intethe ukuthi zitshabalalise ilizwe, kumbe ngithumele isifo ebantwini bami, 14 abantu bami ababizwa+ ngebizo lami besebezithoba+ bathandaze becela ukuthi ngibe lomusa kubo futhi batshiye izenzo zabo ezimbi,+ lapho-ke ngizabezwa ngisezulwini ngibathethelele izono zabo njalo ngivuselele ilizwe labo.+ 15 Ngizahlala ngibalalela labo abathandaza besendaweni le+ futhi amehlo ami azahlala ebabona. 16 Sengikhethe indlu le ngayenza yaba ngcwele ukuze ibizo lami lihlale kuyo kuze kube nini lanini.+ Ngizaqhubeka ngiyikhangele futhi inhliziyo yami izahlala ikuyo zikhathi zonke.+

17 “Nxa ungahamba ezindleleni zami njengoyihlo uDavida, wenze konke engikutshele khona njalo ulalele imithetho yami lezahlulelo zami,+ 18 ngizabuqinisa ubukhosi bakho,+ njengoba nje ngenza isivumelwano loyihlo uDavida+ ngisithi, ‘Akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lwakho ozabusa abako-Israyeli.’+ 19 Kodwa nxa lingangifulathela, liyekele ukulandela izimiso zami lemilayo yami engilinike yona, beselihamba liyekhonza abanye onkulunkulu libakhothamele,+ 20 ngizabasusa abako-Israyeli elizweni lami engibaphe lona+ futhi indlu le engiyenze yaba ngcwele ngenxa yebizo lami ngizayisusa phambi kwami. Ngizakwenza ibe yinhlekisa futhi ichothozwe ngabantu bezizwe zonke.+ 21 Indlu le izakuba lunxiwa njalo wonke umuntu odlulayo uzayikhangela amangale+ kakhulu athi, ‘Kungani uJehova enze into enje elizweni leli lasendlini le?’+ 22 Bazamphendula bathi, ‘Ubehlisele+ umonakalo lo ngenxa yokuthi bamtshiyile uJehova+ uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo owabakhipha elizweni leGibhithe,+ balandela abanye onkulunkulu babakhonza+ futhi babakhothamela.’”

8 Kwathi kusiyaphela iminyaka engu-20, uSolomoni wayeseyakhe indlu kaJehova lendlu yakhe.*+ 2 Wakha kutsha amadolobho uHiramu+ ayemnike wona, wasehlalisa ama-Israyeli kuwo. 3 USolomoni wahlasela iHamathi-zobha wayinqoba. 4 Wakha kutsha iThadimori enkangala kanye lawo wonke amadolobho ayeleziphala+ ayewakhe eHamathi.+ 5 Waphinda wakha leBhethi-horoni ephezulu+ kanye leBhethi-horoni ephansi,+ amadolobho ayevikelwe ngemiduli langamagedi lemigoqo. 6 Wakha leBhahalathi+ kanye lawo wonke amadolobho ayeleziphala zikaSolomoni, lawezinqola zakhe+ zempi, lawamabutho agada amabhiza. USolomoni wakha konke nje ayefuna ukukwakha eJerusalema, laseLebhanoni, lakulo lonke ilizwe elalingaphansi kombuso wakhe.

7 Bonke abantu ababengayisibo bako-Israyeli,+ ababeyizizukulwane zama-Amori, lezamaHithi, lezamaPherizi, lezamaHivi, lezamaJebusi,+ 8 labo ababesele elizweni, bathathwa nguSolomoni ukuthi bamsebenzele futhi balokhu beyizigqili kuze kube lamuhla.+ Abantu bako-Israyeli babengazange babatshabalalise.+ 9 Kodwa uSolomoni kazange enze abako-Israyeli babe yizigqili+ ngoba yibo ababengamabutho akhe, labaphathi bebutho, lezinduna zamabutho agada amabhiza+ lezinqola zempi. 10 Kwakulezinduna zabaphathi ezingu-250 futhi yizo ezazikhangela izisebenzi+ zeNkosi uSolomoni.

11 USolomoni wasusa indodakazi kaFaro+ edolobheni likaDavida, wayayihlalisa endlini ayeyakhele yona+ ngoba wayesithi: “Lanxa engumkami, akumelanga ahlale endlini kaDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli ngoba izindawo okuke kwafika khona ibhokisi likaJehova zingcwele.”+

12 Ngemva kwalokho uSolomoni wanikela kuJehova imihlatshelo yokutshiswa+ e-alithareni+ likaJehova ayelakhe phambi kwevurandi.+ 13 Walandela lokho okwakusenziwa nsuku zonke, wenza leminikelo elandela lokho uMosi ayethe kwenziwe ngamaSabatha,+ lasekuthwaseni kwenyanga,+ langesikhathi semikhosi emithathu eyayisenziwa minyaka yonke,+ uMkhosi Wesinkwa Esingelamvubelo,+ loMkhosi Wamaviki+ kanye loMkhosi Wezihonqo.*+ 14 Phezu kwalokho wanika amaqembu abaphristi+ imisebenzi yawo, elandela umlayo kayise uDavida. Wanika lamaLevi izindawo okwakumele asebenzele kuzo ukuze adumise+ njalo enze inkonzo yawo esebenza labaphristi, besenza konke okwakumele kwenziwe nsuku zonke. Amaqembu abalindi bamagedi wawanika amagedi+ okwakumele alinde kuwo njengokutsho kukaDavida umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 15 Abazange baphambuke emlayweni inkosi eyayiwunike abaphristi lamaLevi mayelana leziphala kanye lezinye indaba ezitshiyeneyo. 16 Wonke umsebenzi kaSolomoni wawuhlelwe kuhle kusukela kubekwa+ isisekelo sendlu kaJehova kwaze kwaba sekupheleni kwayo. Baqeda-ke+ ukwakha indlu kaJehova.

17 Ngalesosikhathi uSolomoni waya e-Eziyoni-gebheri+ le-Elothi,+ ekhunjini oluselizweni lako-Edomi.+ 18 UHiramu+ wathumela kuye izisebenzi zakhe lemikhumbi kanye labatshayeli bemikhumbi ababelwazi kuhle ulwandle. Bahamba lezisebenzi zikaSolomoni e-Ofiri+ bayathatha igolide+ elingamathalenta* angu-450 baliletha enkosini uSolomoni.+

9 Indlovukazi yeShebha+ yezwa ngodumo lukaSolomoni, ngakho yabuya eJerusalema izomlinga ngemibuzo ephicayo. Yafika lezinceku zayo ezinengi kakhulu, lamakamela ayethwele amafutha ebhalisamu, legolide+ elinengi kanye lamatshe aligugu. Yahamba kuSolomoni yafika yakhuluma laye ngezinto zonke eyayifuna ukuzazi.+ 2 USolomoni wayiphendula yonke imibuzo yayo. Kazange ehluleke ukuchasisa loba yini eyabuzwa yindlovukazi le.

3 Indlovukazi yeShebha yathi isibone ukuhlakanipha+ kukaSolomoni lendlu ayeyakhile,+ 4 lokudla okwakusiba setafuleni yakhe,+ lendlela izinceku zakhe ezazihlezi ngayo, lendlela abaphathi bezitsha* lababeletha okunathwayo ababesebenza ngayo lababegqoka ngayo, lemihlatshelo yokutshiswa uSolomoni ayeyinikela endlini kaJehova+ zikhathi zonke, yamangala kakhulu 5 yathi enkosini: “Engakuzwayo ngiselizweni lami mayelana lokuhlakanipha kwakho lemisebenzi yakho* kuliqiniso sibili. 6 Kodwa angizange ngikukholwe engakuzwayo ngaze ngafika lapha ngazibonela ngawami.+ Engakutshelwayo ngenhlakanipho yakho enkulu+ kulutshwana kakhulu. Engikubonileyo kwedlula khatshana lokho engakuzwayo.+ 7 Bayathokoza kakhulu abantu bakho futhi ziyathokoza lezinceku zakho ezima phambi kwakho zikhathi zonke zilalela inhlakanipho yakho. 8 Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho owakuthandayo wakubeka esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. UNkulunkulu wakho wakubeka waba yinkosi ukuze abako-Israyeli bahlulelwe kuhle langokulunga ngoba yena uyabathanda abako-Israyeli+ futhi ufuna bahlale kuze kube nini lanini.”

9 Ngemva kwalokho indlovukazi yeShebha yanika inkosi igolide+ elingamathalenta* angu-120 lamafutha ebhalisamu amanengi kakhulu kanye lamatshe aligugu. Akuzange kuphinde kulethwe amafutha ebhalisamu amanengi njengalawo indlovukazi yeShebha eyawanika iNkosi uSolomoni.+

10 Phezu kwalokho izinceku zikaHiramu lezinceku zikaSolomoni ezazibuya legolide lase-Ofiri,+ zazibuya lezigodo ze-aligami kanye lamatshe aligugu.+ 11 Inkosi yasebenzisa izigodo ze-aligami ukwenza amasitephisi endlu kaJehova+ lawendlu yenkosi.*+ Yenza lamahabhu* leziginci zabahlabeleli.+ Kwakungakaze kubonakale izigodo ezinjalo elizweni lakoJuda.

12 USolomoni wanika indlovukazi yeShebha konke eyayikufuna lalokho eyayikucela, kwaze kwadlula lokho yona eyayimphathele khona. Indlovukazi yeShebha yasuka yabuyela elizweni layo lezinceku zayo.+

13 Igolide+ elalitholwa nguSolomoni ngomnyaka lalingamathalenta angu-666, 14 kungabalwa lelo ayelithola kubathengi labathengisi, lalelo elalilethwa yiwo wonke amakhosi ama-Arabhu, lababusi* belizwe ababeletha igolide lesiliva kuye.+

15 INkosi uSolomoni yenza amahawu amakhulu angu-200 ngegolide elihlanganiswe lensimbi.+ (Ihawu+ ngalinye lalenziwe ngegolide elingamashekheli* angu-600 elihlanganiswe lensimbi.) 16 Yenza lamahawu amancane* angu-300 ngegolide elihlanganiswe lensimbi. (Ihawu ngalinye lalenziwe ngegolide elingamamina* amathathu.) Yawafaka eNdlini yeGusu laseLebhanoni.+

17 Inkosi yenza lesihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu ngempondo zendlovu, yasihuqa ngegolide elicengekileyo.+ 18 Kwakulamasitephisi ayisithupha ayeqansa esiya esihlalweni sobukhosi futhi isihlalo sobukhosi sasilesenabelo* senyawo esasenziwe ngegolide. Isihlalo sobukhosi sasilezindawo zokubeka ingalo njalo eceleni ngalinye kwakulesilwane+ esibunjiweyo, duze lendawo yokubeka ingalo. 19 Kwakulezilwane+ ezibunjiweyo ezingu-12 ezazimi emasitephisini ayisithupha, kuleziyisithupha kwelinye icele leziyisithupha kwelinye. Akula omunye umbuso owawulesihlalo sobukhosi esifanana laleso. 20 Zonke izitsha iNkosi uSolomoni eyayinatha ngazo zazenziwe ngegolide futhi zonke izitsha ezaziseNdlini yeGusu laseLebhanoni zazenziwe ngegolide elicengekileyo. Kwakungelalutho olwalwenziwe ngesiliva ngoba isiliva sasingasilutho ngensuku zikaSolomoni.+ 21 Imikhumbi yenkosi yayihamba eThashishi+ lezinceku zikaHiramu.+ Yayibuya kanye ngemva kweminyaka emithathu ithwele igolide, lesiliva, lempondo zendlovu,+ lenkawu, lamaphikhokho.

22 INkosi uSolomoni yayinothile futhi ihlakaniphile+ ukwedlula wonke amakhosi omhlaba. 23 Wonke amakhosi omhlaba ayefisa ukumbona uSolomoni ukuze azizwele ngezawo inhlakanipho eyayifakwe nguNkulunkulu weqiniso enhliziyweni yakhe.+ 24 Ayebuya lezipho, izitsha zesiliva lezegolide, lezigqoko,+ lezikhali, lamafutha ebhalisamu, lamabhiza lezimbongolo.* Lokhu kwakusenzakala minyaka yonke. 25 USolomoni wayelezibaya zamabhiza ezingu-4 000 kanye lezinqola njalo amabhiza akhe ayengu-12 000.*+ Konke lokhu wayekugcina emadolobheni ezinqola zempi laseduze lalapho ayehlala khona eJerusalema.+ 26 Wayebusa phezu kwawo wonke amakhosi kusukela emfuleni* kuze kuyefika elizweni lamaFilisti lasemngceleni weGibhithe.+ 27 Inkosi yenza ukuthi eJerusalema kube lesiliva esinengi njengamatshe. Yenza lezigodo zomsedari zaba zinengi angathi yizihlahla zomsikhamori eziseShefela.+ 28 Abantu babephathela uSolomoni amabhiza avela eGibhithe+ lasemazweni wonke.

29 Yonke imbali kaSolomoni+ kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni, ibhaliwe emibhalweni kaNathani+ umphrofethi, lasesiphrofethweni sika-Ahija+ umShiloni, lasemibhalweni elemibono ka-Ido+ umboni, emayelana loJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi. 30 USolomoni wabusa eJerusalema phezu kwabo bonke abako-Israyeli okweminyaka engu-40. 31 Wafa wangcwatshwa edolobheni likaDavida uyise.+ Indodana yakhe uRehobhowami yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

10 URehobhowami waya eShekhemu+ ngoba bonke abako-Israyeli babebuthene khona ukuze bambeke ukuthi abe yinkosi.+ 2 UJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi wathi ekuzwa lokho waphenduka evela eGibhithe. (Ngalesosikhathi wayelokhu eseGibhithe ngoba wayebalekele iNkosi uSolomoni.)+ 3 Ngakho bathumela ilizwi bathi ayebizwa. UJerobhowami labo bonke abako-Israyeli balanda uRehobhowami bafika bathi kuye: 4 “Uyihlo wayesithwalise ijogwe elinzima.+ Kodwa nxa wena ungenza umthwalo esasiwuthwaliswe nguyihlo ube lula futhi usiphungulele umsebenzi onzima ayesinike wona, sizakuba zinceku zakho.”

5 URehobhowami wathi kubo: “Buyelani liphenduke kimi ngemva kwamalanga amathathu.” Ngakho abantu basuka bahamba.+ 6 INkosi uRehobhowami yakhuluma lamadoda amadala ayezinceku zikayise* uSolomoni ngesikhathi esaphila yathi: “Ngicela lingicebise ukuthi ngibaphendule njani abantu laba.” 7 Bamphendula bathi: “Nxa ungaba lomusa ebantwini laba, wenze abakufunayo futhi ubaphe impendulo ezabathokozisa, bazahlala bezinceku zakho.”

8 Kodwa uRehobhowami kazange alilalele icebo ayeliphiwe ngamadoda amadala.* Wasuka wayakhuluma lamajaha ayekhule lawo ayesezinceku zakhe.+ 9 Wathi kuwo: “Ngicela lingicebise ukuthi singabaphendula njani abantu laba abathi kimi, ‘Yenza umthwalo osindayo esawuthwaliswa nguyihlo ube lula.’” 10 Amajaha ayekhule lawo athi kuye: “Nanku okumele ukutsho ebantwini abathe kuwe, ‘Uyihlo wenza umthwalo wethu waba nzima kodwa wena kumele uwenze ube lula.’ Uthi kubo, ‘Ucikilicane wami uzakuba qatha ukwedlula ukhalo lukababa. 11 Ubaba walithwalisa umthwalo onzima kodwa mina ngizawenza ube nzima kakhulu. Ubaba wayelitshaya ngemichilo kodwa mina ngizalibhaxabula ngemvubu.’”

12 UJerobhowami labo bonke abantu babuyela kuRehobhowami ngelanga lesithathu, njengoba wayethe baphenduke kuye ngelanga lesithathu.+ 13 Inkosi yaphendula abantu ngamazwi alukhuni, ayizange ilalele lokho amadoda amadala ayeyicebise* khona. 14 Yalandela lokho eyayikucetshiswe ngamajaha eyayikhule lawo, yathi ebantwini: “Ngizangezelela umthwalo wenu ngiwenze ube nzima kakhulu. Ubaba wayelijezisa ngemichilo kodwa mina ngizalibhaxabula ngemvubu.” 15 Inkosi ayizange ibalalele abantu ngoba uNkulunkulu weqiniso+ nguye owayebangele ukuthi konke lokhu kwenzakale, ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi uJehova athuma u-Ahija+ waseShilo ukuthi ayelitshela uJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi.

16 Bonke abako-Israyeli bathi bebona ukuthi inkosi ayifuni ukubalalela, bayiphendula bathi: “Kanti vele silasiphi isabelo kuDavida? Akulalifa esizalithola endodaneni kaJese. Buyelani kubonkulunkulu benu bantu bako-Israyeli. Khathesi zigcinele indlu yakho Davida.”+ Abako-Israyeli bahle babuyela emizini yabo.*+

17 Kodwa uRehobhowami waqhubeka ebusa ama-Israyeli ayehlala emadolobheni akoJuda.+

18 INkosi uRehobhowami yathuma uHadoramu+ owayekhangela labo ababebuthelwe ukuthi basebenzele inkosi, kodwa abako-Israyeli bamkhanda ngamatshe wafa. INkosi uRehobhowami yona yagada inqola yayo yabalekela eJerusalema.+ 19 Abako-Israyeli bayihlamukela indlu kaDavida kusukela ngalesosikhathi kuze kube lamuhla.

11 URehobhowami wathi efika eJerusalema waqoqa wonke amadoda akoJuda lawakoBhenjamini,+ amabutho angu-180 000 ayefundele impi,* ukuze ayekulwa labako-Israyeli abuyisele umbuso kuye.+ 2 Kusenjalo ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuShemaya+ umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso lathi: 3 “Khuluma loRehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni inkosi yakoJuda kanye lama-Israyeli wonke akoJuda lakoBhenjamini uthi, 4 ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Akumelanga liyekulwa labafowenu. Ngamunye wenu kabuyele emzini wakhe ngoba yimi engibangele ukuthi konke lokhu kwenzakale.”’”+ Ngakho balilalela ilizwi likaJehova babuyela. Abasamhlaselanga uJerobhowami.

5 URehobhowami wahlala eJerusalema njalo wakha amadolobho avikelwe ngemiduli koJuda. 6 Wakha* iBhethilehema,+ le-Ethami, leThekhowa,+ 7 leBhethi-zuri, leSokho,+ le-Adulamu,+ 8 leGathi,+ leMaresha, leZifi,+ 9 le-Adorayimi, leLakhishi,+ le-Azekha,+ 10 leZora, le-Ayijaloni,+ leHebroni.+ La ngamadolobho akoJuda lakoBhenjamini ayevikelwe ngemiduli. 11 Waphinda wawaqinisa kakhulu amadolobho la avikelweyo njalo wafaka abakhokheli bamabutho kuwo. Wayehambisa ukudla lamafutha lewayini emadolobheni la. 12 Wahambisa lamahawu amakhulu lemikhonto emadolobheni wonke, wawaqinisa kakhulu. Waqhubeka ebusa koJuda lakoBhenjamini.

13 Abaphristi lamaLevi ababeselizweni lonke lako-Israyeli basuka ezindaweni zabo bayasekela uRehobhowami. 14 AmaLevi atshiya amadlelo awo lelifa lawo+ aya koJuda laseJerusalema ngenxa yokuthi uJerobhowami lamadodana akhe bawaxotsha emsebenzini wokuba ngabaphristi bakaJehova.+ 15 UJerobhowami wabeka abakhe abaphristi ezindaweni eziphakemeyo*+ njalo yibo ababezakhokhela nxa kukhonzwa amadimoni anjengembuzi+ lezithombe zamathole ayezenzile.+ 16 Abantu bezizwana zonke zako-Israyeli ababezimisele ngenhliziyo yonke ukukhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, balandela abaphristi lamaLevi eJerusalema besiyanikela imihlatshelo kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.+ 17 Okweminyaka emithathu baqinisa ubukhosi bakoJuda, basekela uRehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni. Balandela indlela kaDavida loSolomoni okweminyaka leyo emithathu.

18 URehobhowami wathatha uMahalathi indodakazi kaJerimothi indodana kaDavida. Unina kaMahalathi kwakungu-Abhihayili indodakazi ka-Eliyabi+ indodana kaJese. 19 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wamzalela amadodana, uJewushi loShemariya loZahamu. 20 URehobhowami waphinda wathatha loMahakha umzukulu ka-Abhisalomu.+ Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wamzalela u-Abhija,+ lo-Athayi, loZiza, loShelomithi. 21 URehobhowami wayethanda uMahakha umzukulu ka-Abhisalomu ukwedlula wonke amanye amakhosikazi akhe labafazi bakhe beceleni.+ Wayelamakhosikazi angu-18 labafazi beceleni abangu-60, njalo waba lamadodana angu-28 lamadodakazi angu-60. 22 URehobhowami wabeka u-Abhija indodana kaMahakha ukuthi abe ngumkhokheli wabafowabo ngoba wayefuna ukumenza inkosi. 23 Kodwa wenza ngokuhlakanipha wathumela amanye amadodana akhe kuzo zonke izabelo zakoJuda lezakoBhenjamini, kuwo wonke amadolobho avikelweyo.+ Wawanika impahla enengi futhi wawadingela abafazi abanengi.

12 Ubukhosi bukaRehobhowami bathi busanda kuqina+ futhi eselamandla, watshiya uMthetho kaJehova,+ bonke abako-Israyeli labo bamlandela. 2 Ngomnyaka wesihlanu wokubusa kweNkosi uRehobhowami, uShishakhi+ inkosi yeGibhithe wabuya wazohlasela iJerusalema ngoba abako-Israyeli babengasathembekanga kuJehova. 3 Wayelezinqola zempi ezingu-1 200 labagadi bamabhiza abangu-60 000, lamanye amabutho amanengi kakhulu ayengeke abalwe, ayebuye lawo evela eGibhithe. KwakulabeLibhiya labeTopiya+ lamaSukhi. 4 Wathumba amadolobho akoJuda ayevikelwe ngemiduli wacina esefikile eJerusalema.

5 UShemaya+ umphrofethi wabuya kuRehobhowami labakhokheli bakoJuda ababebuthene eJerusalema ngenxa kaShishakhi wathi kubo: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Lina lingitshiyile yikho lami sengilinikela+ esandleni sikaShishakhi.’” 6 Inkosi labakhokheli bako-Israyeli bathi besizwa lokho bazehlisa+ bathi: “UJehova ulungile.” 7 UJehova wabona ukuthi bazehlisile, ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kuShemaya lathi: “Angisoze ngibatshabalalise+ ngoba bazehlisile, ngizabakhulula masinyane. Angisoze ngithulule ulaka lwami phezu kweJerusalema ngisebenzisa uShishakhi. 8 Kodwa bazakuba zinceku zakhe ukuze bawazi umehluko phakathi kokuba zinceku zami lokuba zinceku zamakhosi amanye* amazwe.”

9 UShishakhi inkosi yeGibhithe wahlasela iJerusalema, wathatha inotho eyayisendlini kaJehova+ leyayisendlini yenkosi.* Wathatha konke kanye lamahawu egolide uSolomoni ayewenzile.+ 10 Ngakho iNkosi uRehobhowami yenza amahawu ekhopha esikhundleni salawo ayethethwe, yasitshela izinduna zabalindi* ezazilinda egedini lesigodlo ukuthi ziwakhangele. 11 Inkosi yayisithi nxa ifika endlini kaJehova, abalindi babuye bawathwale amahawu lawo. Ngemva kwalokho babewabuyisela endlini yabalindi. 12 Ulaka lukaJehova aluzange lwehlele phezu kwenkosi.+ Kazange ayitshabalalise inkosi labantu bayo+ ngoba yazehlisa njalo kukhona okuhle okwatholakala koJuda.+

13 INkosi uRehobhowami yaqinisa isikhundla sayo eJerusalema yaqhubeka ibusa. URehobhowami wayeleminyaka engu-41 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa okweminyaka engu-17 eJerusalema, idolobho uJehova ayelikhethe kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli ukuthi abeke kulo ibizo lakhe. Unina kwakuthiwa nguNahama futhi wayengum-Amoni.+ 14 URehobhowami wenza okubi ngoba wayengazimiselanga enhliziyweni yakhe ukudinga uJehova.+

15 Imbali kaRehobhowami kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni ibhaliwe emibhalweni kaShemaya+ umphrofethi leka-Ido+ umboni esemibhalweni yosendo. Kwakuhlala kulezimpi phakathi kukaRehobhowami loJerobhowami.+ 16 URehobhowami wafa wangcwatshwa edolobheni likaDavida,+ indodana yakhe u-Abhija+ yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

13 Ngomnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kweNkosi uJerobhowami, u-Abhija waba yinkosi yakoJuda.+ 2 Unina kwakunguMikhaya+ indodakazi ka-Uriyeli waseGibheya.+ U-Abhija wabusa okweminyaka emithathu eJerusalema njalo kwaba lempi phakathi kwakhe loJerobhowami.+

3 U-Abhija waya empini lamabutho angu-400 000 ayelamandla futhi eyifundele impi.*+ UJerobhowami laye wabuya wazodibana laye elamabutho angu-800 000 ayengamaqhawe alamandla futhi ayeyifundele impi.* 4 U-Abhija wama entabeni iZemarayimi esezintabeni zako-Efrayimi wathi: “Zwana wena Jerobhowami lani lonke bantu bako-Israyeli, 5 alikwazi yini ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wanika uDavida umbuso phezu kwabako-Israyeli ngesivumelwano sesawudo*+ ukuze yena lamadodana akhe+ babuse kuze kube nini lanini?+ 6 Kodwa uJerobhowami+ indodana kaNebhathi, owayeyinceku kaSolomoni indodana kaDavida, wavukela inkosi yakhe wayihlamukela.+ 7 Amadoda ayengelancedo futhi eswele okokwenza aqhubeka ebuthana kuye, acina ehlamukele uRehobhowami indodana kaSolomoni ngoba ngalesosikhathi uRehobhowami wayesesengumfana futhi engelasibindi sokumelana labo.

8 “Khathesi licabanga ukuthi lingenelisa ukulwa lombuso kaJehova osezandleni zamadodana kaDavida, ngoba lithembe ukuthi libanengi njalo lilamathole egolide elawenzelwa nguJerobhowami ukuthi abe ngonkulunkulu benu.+ 9 Alibaxotshanga yini abaphristi bakaJehova,+ izizukulwane zika-Aroni kanye lamaLevi, lafaka abenu abaphristi lilandela lokho okwenziwa ngezinye izizwe?+ Loba ngubani owayebuya lejongosi kumbe lezinqama eziyisikhombisa, lalimbeka ukuthi abe ngumphristi walokho okungayisikho Nkulunkulu. 10 Kodwa thina owethu uNkulunkulu nguJehova,+ futhi kasimtshiyanga. Abaphristi abayizizukulwane zika-Aroni balokhu besenza inkonzo engcwele phambi kukaJehova njalo amaLevi ayabancedisa. 11 Benzela uJehova iminikelo yokutshiswa nsuku zonke ekuseni lantambama,+ bamtshisele lempepha.+ Babeka izinkwa zokubukiswa+ etafuleni eyenziwe ngegolide elicengekileyo, futhi nsuku zonke ntambama+ balumathisa izibane+ ezisezintini zezibane ezenziwe ngegolide, ngoba thina senza lokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu akufunayo, kodwa lina limtshiyile. 12 Khathesi khangelani! UNkulunkulu weqiniso ulathi njalo uyasikhokhela. Silabaphristi bakhe abatshaya amacilongo empi ukuze silungele ukulwa lani. Awu madoda ako-Israyeli, lingalwi loJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu ngoba alisoze linqobe.”+

13 UJerobhowami wathuma amanye amabutho akhe ukuthi abhode ayecathama ngemva kwabakoJuda. Amanye amabutho akhe ayezahlasela ephambili, amanye athutshe ngemuva. 14 Amadoda akoJuda athi etshibilika abona ukuthi ayehlaselwa emuva laphambili, asekhala kuJehova+ ngapha abaphristi betshaya amacilongo bewakhalisela phezulu. 15 Amadoda akoJuda amemeza kwaba lokuhlokoma kwempi. Ngalesosikhathi ememeza, uNkulunkulu weqiniso wenza u-Abhija labakoJuda bamnqoba uJerobhowami labo bonke abako-Israyeli. 16 Abako-Israyeli bababalekela abakoJuda njalo uNkulunkulu wenza ukuthi banqotshwe ngabakoJuda. 17 U-Abhija labantu bakhe babulala amabutho ako-Israyeli amanengi kakhulu. Kwafa amadoda angu-500 000 ayeyifundele impi.* 18 Amadoda ako-Israyeli ayangiswa ngalesosikhathi, kodwa amadoda akoJuda anqoba ngenxa yokuthi ayethembele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wawo.+ 19 U-Abhija waqhubeka exotshanisa uJerobhowami, wathumba lamadolobho akhe. Wathumba iBhetheli+ lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leJeshana lamadolobho aseduze kwayo kanye le-Efroni+ lamadolobho aseduze kwayo. 20 UJerobhowami kazange aphinde abe lamandla ngesikhathi sika-Abhija. UJehova wamtshaya wafa.+

21 U-Abhija waqhubeka esiba lamandla. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi waba lamakhosikazi angu-14+ futhi waba lamadodana angu-22 lamadodakazi angu-16. 22 Yonke nje imbali ka-Abhija, lokho akwenzayo lamazwi akhe, kubhaliwe emibhalweni ka-Ido+ umphrofethi.

14 U-Abhija wafa bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida,+ indodana yakhe u-Asa yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe. Ngensuku zayo kwaba lokuthula elizweni okweminyaka elitshumi.

2 U-Asa wenza okuhle lokulungileyo phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. 3 Wasusa ama-alithare+ abantu bezinye izizwe lezindawo eziphakemeyo,* wadiliza lezinsika+ ezikhonzwayo njalo wagamula izithombe zika-Ashera.*+ 4 Phezu kwalokho watshela abantu bakoJuda ukuthi bamdinge uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo njalo balandele okutshiwo nguMthetho lemilayo. 5 Kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda wasusa izindawo eziphakemeyo lama-alithare empepha,+ futhi ngesikhathi ebusa kwaba lokuthula elizweni. 6 Wakha amadolobho avikelweyo koJuda+ ngoba ngaleyominyaka kwakulokuthula elizweni njalo kwakungelamuntu omhlaselayo ngenxa yokuthi uJehova wayemnike ukuthula.+ 7 Watshela abantu bakoJuda wathi: “Kasakheni amadolobho la siwagombolozele ngemiduli langemiphotshongo,+ sifake amagedi lemigoqo.* Phela ilizwe lilokhu lingelethu ngoba simdingile uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, simdingile yena wasipha ukuthula kuzo zonke indawo.” Ngakho umsebenzi wabo wokwakha waphumelela.+

8 U-Asa wayelamabutho avela koJuda angu-300 000 ayehlome ngemikhonto langamahawu amakhulu. KoBhenjamini kwakulamabutho alamandla angu-280 000 ayehlome ngemitshoko+ langamahawu amancane.*

9 Ngemva kwesikhathi uZera umTopiya wabuya lebutho elilamadoda angu-1 miliyoni lezinqola zempi ezingu-300+ ezokulwa laye. Wathi efika eMaresha,+ 10 u-Asa waphuma esiyakulwa laye. Bama endaweni zabo balungela ukulwa esigodini seZefatha eMaresha. 11 U-Asa wasethandaza kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe+ wathi: “Awu Jehova, wena awulandaba lokuthi obancedayo banengi kumbe abalamandla.+ Sicela usincede Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu ngoba sithembele kuwe,+ size ngebizo lakho sizokulwa labantu bonke laba.+ Awu Jehova, wena unguNkulunkulu wethu, ungavumi ukuthi umuntu akunqobe.”+

12 Ngakho uJehova wenza ukuthi u-Asa labantu bakoJuda bawanqobe amaTopiya. AmaTopiya abaleka,+ 13 u-Asa labantu bakhe bawaxotshanisa baze bayafika eGerari.+ Bawabulala baze bawaqeda wonke. UJehova lebutho lakhe bawatshabalalisa amaTopiya. Ngemva kwalokho abakoJuda bathumba impahla enengi kakhulu. 14 Bahlasela lawo wonke amadolobho aseGerari ngoba uJehova wenza ukuthi abantu balapho besabe kakhulu. Bathumba impahla enengi emadolobheni wonke lawa ngoba kunengi kakhulu ababengakuthatha. 15 Bahlasela labelusi ababehlala ematendeni, bathumba imihlambi yezimvu leyamakamela, basebebuyela eJerusalema.

15 Umoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kuka-Azariya indodana ka-Odedi. 2 Ngakho wasuka wayahlangabeza u-Asa wathi kuye: “Zwana Asa lani lonke bantu bakoJuda labakoBhenjamini, uJehova uzaqhubeka elani nxa lani lingaqhubeka lilaye.+ Nxa lingamdinga lizamthola*+ kodwa nxa lingamtshiya laye uzalitshiya.+ 3 Abako-Israyeli bahlala isikhathi eside bengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu weqiniso, bengelamphristi obafundisayo futhi bengawugcini umthetho.+ 4 Kodwa bathi sebesebunzimeni baphenduka kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, bamdinga bamthola.*+ 5 Ngalezozikhathi kwakungahambeki lula ngoba elizweni lonke abantu babengahlalisekanga. 6 Isizwe sasihlasela esinye isizwe, idolobho lihlasela elinye ngoba uNkulunkulu wayebangele ukuthi kube lokuxokozela lenhlupho ezitshiyeneyo.+ 7 Kodwa wena qina ungapheli amandla+ ngoba uzathola umvuzo ngenxa yomsebenzi wakho.”

8 U-Asa wathi esizwa amazwi la, lesiphrofetho sika-Odedi umphrofethi, waba lesibindi wasusa izithombe ezenyanyekayo kulo lonke ilizwe lakoJuda+ lelakoBhenjamini, lakuwo wonke amadolobho ayewathumbile ayesezintabeni zako-Efrayimi. Waphinda wavuselela le-alithare likaJehova elaliphambi kwevurandi likaJehova.+ 9 Wabuthanisa bonke abakoJuda labakoBhenjamini labezinye izizwe ababevela ko-Efrayimi lakoManase lakoSimiyoni,+ ababebuye kuye ngobunengi bevela ko-Israyeli ngoba babebona ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wayelaye. 10 Babuthana eJerusalema ngenyanga yesithathu, ngomnyaka wesi-15 wokubusa kuka-Asa. 11 Ngalelolanga banikela kuJehova ngenkomo ezingu-700 lezimvu ezingu-7 000 ababezithethe empahleni ababeyithumbile. 12 Benza lesivumelwano sokuthi babezamdinga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo ngenhliziyo yonke langomphefumulo wonke.*+ 13 Loba ngubani owayengasoze amdinge uJehova uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli wayezabulawa, kungelani lokuthi ngomncane kumbe ngomdala, ngowesilisa kumbe ngowesifazana.+ 14 Ngakho bafunga kuJehova ngelizwi eliphezulu, njalo babememeza ngentokozo betshaya uphondo lamacilongo. 15 Bonke abakoJuda bathokoza ngesifungo ababesenzile ngoba babesenze ngenhliziyo yonke njalo bazimisela ukumdinga uNkulunkulu futhi bamthola.*+ UJehova waqhubeka ebapha ukuphumula kuzo zonke indawo.+

16 INkosi u-Asa yakhipha ugogo wayo uMahakha+ esikhundleni sokuba yindlovukazi ngoba wayeyenze isithombe esenyanyekayo ukuze sisetshenziswe nxa kukhonzwa isithombe sika-Ashera.*+ U-Asa wasigamula isithombe leso esasisenyanyeka, wasichola wasesitshisa esigodini seKhidroni.+ 17 Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo* azizange zidilizwe+ ko-Israyeli.+ Lanxa kunjalo u-Asa wayezinikele ngenhliziyo yonke* okwempilo yakhe yonke.+ 18 Wahambisa endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso izinto yena loyise ababezenze zaba ngcwele, isiliva legolide kanye lezitsha ezitshiyeneyo.+ 19 Akuzange kube lempi kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wesi-35 wokubusa kuka-Asa.+

16 UBhahasha+ inkosi yako-Israyeli wabuya wazohlasela abakoJuda ngomnyaka wesi-36 wokubusa kuka-Asa. Waqalisa ukwakha* iRama+ ukuze kungabi lomuntu ozaphuma kumbe ozangena elizweni lika-Asa inkosi yakoJuda.+ 2 Ngakho u-Asa wathatha isiliva legolide elalisezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu kaJehova+ lasendlini yenkosi,* wakuthumela kuBheni-hadadi inkosi yeSiriya+ eyayihlala eDamaseko wathi: 3 “Kulesivumelwano phakathi kwami lawe, laphakathi kukababa loyihlo. Ngikuthumele isiliva legolide, buya uzokwephula isivumelwano sakho loBhahasha inkosi yako-Israyeli ukuze asuke kimi.”

4 UBheni-hadadi wayilalela iNkosi u-Asa, wasethuma izinduna zamabutho akhe ukuthi ziyehlasela amadolobho ako-Israyeli. Zahlasela i-Ijoni,+ ledolobho lakoDani,+ le-Abheli-mayimi, lazo zonke iziphala zamadolobho akoNafithali.+ 5 UBhahasha wathi ekuzwa lokho wahle watshiya umsebenzi wokwakha* iRama. 6 INkosi u-Asa yahamba labantu bonke bakoJuda bayathwala amatshe lezigodo uBhahasha ayesakha ngazo+ iRama,+ yasisuka yayakwakha ngazo* iGebha+ leMizipha.+

7 Ngalesosikhathi uHanani+ umboni* waya ku-Asa inkosi yakoJuda wafika wathi kuye: “Ibutho lenkosi yeSiriya seliphunyukile esandleni sakho+ ngenxa yokuthi wena uthembele enkosini yeSiriya kulokuthi uthembele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. 8 Ibutho leTopiya leLibhiya lalingekho likhulu yini? Lalingelazinqola zempi ezinengi labagadi bamabhiza abanengi yini? Kodwa uJehova wenza ukuthi ulinqobe+ ngenxa yokuthi wawuthembele kuye. 9 Amehlo kaJehova ayakuhlolisisa konke okwenzakala emhlabeni,+ ukuze atshengise amandla akhe ngokunceda labo abazinikele kuye ngenhliziyo yonke.+ Wenze ubuthutha endabeni le. Kusukela khathesi uzahlala usezimpini.”+

10 U-Asa wathi ekuzwa lokho wamzondela kakhulu uHanani umboni. Wamfaka ejele ngoba wayemthukuthelele njalo waqalisa lokuphatha kubi abanye abantu embusweni wakhe. 11 Imbali ka-Asa kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni ibhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi akoJuda lawako-Israyeli.+

12 Ngomnyaka wesi-39 wokubusa kwakhe, u-Asa waqalisa ukubulawa zinyawo wacina esegula kakhulu. Langesikhathi esegula kazange adinge uncedo kuJehova kodwa waya kubelaphi. 13 U-Asa wafa ngomnyaka wesi-41 wokubusa kwakhe, wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe.+ 14 Bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida,+ engcwabeni elikhulu ayezenzele lona. Bamlalisa phezu kohlaka* olwaluthelwe amafutha ebhalisamu lamanye amafutha anukelelayo ayehlanganiswe ngobungcitshi.+ Babasa lomlilo omkhulu betshengisa ukuthi bayamhlonipha.*

17 UJehoshafathi+ indodana ka-Asa waba yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise njalo waqinisa isikhundla sakhe ko-Israyeli. 2 Wafaka amabutho kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda avikelwe ngemiduli lakulo lonke ilizwe lakoJuda, kanye lasemadolobheni ako-Efrayimi ayethunjwe+ nguyise u-Asa. 3 UJehova waqhubeka eloJehoshafathi ngoba wahamba ezindleleni zikakhokho wakhe uDavida+ njalo kazange akhonze oBhali. 4 Wamdinga uNkulunkulu kayise+ njalo walandela imilayo yakhe,* kazange alandele imikhuba eyayisenziwa ngabako-Israyeli.+ 5 UJehova waqhubeka ewuqinisa umbuso kaJehoshafathi+ futhi bonke abantu bakoJuda babemupha izipho. Waba lenotho enengi kanye lodumo olukhulu.+ 6 Waba lesibindi sokulandela izindlela zikaJehova futhi wasusa izindawo eziphakemeyo*+ kanye lezithombe zika-Ashera*+ koJuda.

7 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kwakhe wathuma izikhulu zakhe uBheni-hayili, lo-Obhadiya, loZakhariya, loNethaneli, loMikhaya ukuthi ziyefundisa abantu emadolobheni akoJuda. 8 Zahamba lamaLevi la: UShemaya, loNethaniya, loZebhadiya, lo-Asaheli, loShemiramothi, loJehonathani, lo-Adonija, loThobhija, loThobhi-adonija. Kanti njalo kwakulabaphristi+ u-Elishama loJehoramu. 9 Baqalisa ukufundisa koJuda futhi babelebhuku loMthetho kaJehova.+ Bawabhoda wonke amadolobho akoJuda befundisa abantu.

10 Yonke imibuso eyayiseduze lakoJuda yamesaba uJehova, yikho ayizange ilwe loJehoshafathi. 11 AmaFilisti ayebhadala umthelo kuJehoshafathi ngezipho langemali. Ama-Arabhu wona amnika inqama ezingu-7 700 lempongo ezingu-7 700, ekhipha emihlambini yawo.

12 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka esiba lamandla.+ Wakha izindawo ezivikelweyo+ lamadolobho aleziphala+ koJuda, 13 wenza lemisebenzi emikhulu emadolobheni akoJuda. Wayelamabutho lamaqhawe alamandla eJerusalema 14 futhi ayehlelwe aba ngamaqembu kusiya ngezindlu zaboyise. KoJuda kwakulezinduna zezinkulungwane: Induna yokuqala kwakungu-Adinahi futhi wayelamaqhawe alamandla+ angu-300 000. 15 Ngaphansi kwakhe kwakulenduna uJehohanani. Yena wayelamaqhawe alamandla angu-280 000. 16 Ngaphansi kwakhe kwakulo-Amasiya indodana kaZikhiri, owayezinikele ukusebenzela uJehova. Yena wayelamaqhawe alamandla angu-200 000. 17 KoBhenjamini+ kwakulo-Eliyada iqhawe elilamandla, njalo wayelamadoda angu-200 000 ayehlome ngemitshoko langamahawu.+ 18 Ngaphansi kwakhe kwakuloJehozabhadi futhi wayelamadoda angu-180 000 ayehlomele impi. 19 Bonke laba babesebenzela inkosi njengalabo inkosi eyayibafake emadolobheni avikelweyo kulo lonke elakoJuda.+

18 Lanxa uJehoshafathi wayenothe kakhulu futhi elodumo olukhulu,+ wenza isivumelwano lo-Ahabi+ ngokwendiselana laye. 2 Ngemva kweminyaka waya ku-Ahabi eSamariya.+ U-Ahabi wahlabela uJehoshafathi labantu ayehamba labo izimvu* lenkomo ezinengi njalo wamncenga* ukuthi ahambe laye bayehlasela iRamothi-giliyadi.+ 3 U-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi kuJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda: “Uzahamba lami yini eRamothi-giliyadi?” Yena wamphendula wathi: “Mina lawe singabantu banye, labantu bami ngabakho. Sizakuba lawe empini.”

4 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka wathi enkosini yako-Israyeli: “Kodwa ngicela uqale ubuze ukuthi uJehova uthini.”+ 5 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yasiqoqa abaphrofethi abangu-400 yababuza yathi: “Sihambe yini siyekulwa leRamothi-giliyadi kumbe singayi?” Bona bayiphendula bathi: “Hamba nkosi ngoba uNkulunkulu weqiniso uzakwenza ukuthi uyinqobe.”

6 UJehoshafathi wasesithi: “Kanti lapha akulamphrofethi kaJehova+ yini sibuze lakuye?”+ 7 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yaphendula uJehoshafathi yathi: “Ukhona oyedwa+ esingabuza kuye ukuthi uJehova uthini kodwa ngiyamzonda ngoba kakaze aphrofethe okuhle ngami, uhlala ephrofetha okubi.+ NguMikhaya indodana ka-Imla.” Kodwa uJehoshafathi wathi: “Inkosi kayingatsho njalo.”

8 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yasibiza esinye isiphathamandla sayo sesigodlweni yathi kuso: “Phangisa+ uyethatha uMikhaya indodana ka-Imla.” 9 Inkosi yako-Israyeli loJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda babehlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi begqoke izigqoko zesikhosini. Babesesizeni* esisegedini leSamariya futhi bonke abaphrofethi babephrofetha phambi kwabo. 10 UZedekhiya indodana kaKhenana wenza impondo zensimbi wasesithi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘AmaSiriya uzawahlaba ngempondo lezi uze uwaqede.’” 11 Bonke abaphrofethi babephrofetha okufananayo besithi: “Hamba eRamothi-giliyadi, uzanqoba.+ UJehova uzayinikela esandleni senkosi.”

12 Isithunywa esasithunywe ukuyabiza uMikhaya sathi kuye: “Bonke abaphrofethi bakhuluma okuhle enkosini futhi bayavumelana. Ngicela lawe ukhulume amazwi anjengawabo,+ ukhulume okuhle.”+ 13 Kodwa uMikhaya wathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, mina ngizakhuluma loba yini uNkulunkulu wami azangitshela yona.”+ 14 UMikhaya wafika enkosini, inkosi yasimbuza yathi: “Mikhaya, sihambe yini siyekulwa leRamothi-giliyadi kumbe singayi?” Yena wahle waphendula wathi: “Hamba uzanqoba. UNkulunkulu uzabanikela esandleni sakho.” 15 Inkosi yasisithi kuye: “Ufuna ngikufungise kuze kube kangaki ukuthi ungangitsheli olunye ulutho kodwa ukhulume iqiniso ebizweni likaJehova?” 16 UMikhaya wasesithi: “Ngibona bonke abako-Israyeli besabalele ezintabeni njengezimvu ezingelamelusi.+ UJehova uthe, ‘Abantu laba abalankosi, omunye lomunye kabuyele emzini wakhe ngokuthula.’”

17 Ngakho inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi kuJehoshafathi: “Angikutshelanga yini ukuthi kasoze aphrofethe okuhle ngami kodwa uzakhuluma okubi kuphela?”+

18 UMikhaya wasesithi: “Zwana ilizwi likaJehova: Ngibone uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi,+ lonke ibutho elisemazulwini+ limi ngakwesokudla sakhe lakwesenxele.+ 19 UJehova wasesithi, ‘Ngubani ozaqila u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli ukuze ahambe ayefela eRamothi-giliyadi?’ Omunye ubekhuluma lokhu, omunye ekhuluma lokhuya. 20 Enye ingilosi+ yasihamba yayakuma phambi kukaJehova yathi, ‘Mina ngizamqila.’ UJehova waseyibuza wathi, ‘Uzamqila njani?’ 21 Yona yaphendula yathi, ‘Ngizahamba kuye ngenze bonke abaphrofethi bakhe bamqambele amanga.’ UNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Uzamqila sibili futhi icebo lakho lizaphumelela. Hamba uyekwenza okutshoyo.’ 22 Yikho uJehova wenze ukuthi abaphrofethi bakho+ bakuqambele amanga. Kodwa iqiniso yikuthi uJehova uthe uzakwehlelwa ngumonakalo.”

23 UZedekhiya+ indodana kaKhenana walanda uMikhaya+ wamtshaya esihlathini+ wathi: “Umoya kaJehova udlule njani kimi wayakhuluma lawe?”+ 24 UMikhaya wasephendula wathi: “Ngelanga ozangena ngalo endlini engaphakathi usiyacatsha uzabona ukuthi lokho kwenzakale njani.” 25 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi: “Thathani uMikhaya lihambe laye ku-Amoni umphathi wedolobho lakuJowashi indodana yenkosi. 26 Libatshele lithi, ‘Inkosi ithi: “Fakani umuntu lo ejele,+ limnike ukudla okuncane* lamanzi amalutshwana ngize ngiphenduke ngokuthula.”’” 27 Kodwa uMikhaya wathi: “Nxa ungaphenduka ngokuthula, uJehova uyabe engakhulumanga lami.”+ Wasephinda wathi: “Ngithemba lonke liyawezwa amazwi ami.”

28 Inkosi yako-Israyeli loJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda basuka baya eRamothi-giliyadi.+ 29 Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi kuJehoshafathi: “Ngizahamba empini ngizifihlile ukuze banganginanzeleli ukuthi ngingubani, kodwa wena kumele ugqoke izembatho zakho zesikhosini.” Ngakho inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi isisiya empini yatshintsha izigqoko zayo ukuze abantu bangayinanzeleli. 30 Inkosi yeSiriya yayitshele izinduna ezikhokhela amabutho ayehamba ngezinqola yathi: “Lingalwi lamuntu, kungaba ngomncane loba omkhulu. Lina lihlasele inkosi yako-Israyeli kuphela.” 31 Izinduna zamabutho ayehamba ngezinqola zathi zibona uJehoshafathi zahle zathi: “Nansi inkosi yako-Israyeli.” Ngakho zatshibilika zamhlasela, uJehoshafathi waqalisa ukukhala ecela uncedo.+ UJehova uNkulunkulu wamnceda, wabaphambula ukuze bangamhlaseli. 32 Izinduna zamabutho zathi zibona ukuthi ayisiyo inkosi yako-Israyeli zahle zaphenduka zayekela ukumxotshanisa.

33 Enye indoda yatshoka umtshoko ingaqondanga muntu, umtshoko wayagwaza u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli lapho okwakuhlangana khona insimbi zejazi lakhe lempi. Ngakho inkosi yathi kulowo owayetshayela inqola: “Tshibilika ungikhiphe lapho okuliwa khona ngoba bangilimaze kubi.”+ 34 Balwa ilanga lonke kwaba nzima. Inkosi yako-Israyeli babelokhu beyijekile enqoleni ikhangele amaSiriya kwaze kwaba ntambama. Ilanga lathi litshona inkosi yafa.+

19 UJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda wabuyela kuhle+ endlini yakhe* eJerusalema. 2 UJehu+ indodana kaHanani+ umboni waphuma wayahlangabeza iNkosi uJehoshafathi wathi kuyo: “Kumele uncede abantu abenza okubi yini+ futhi uthande abantu abazonda uJehova?+ UJehova ukuzondele kakhulu ngenxa yalokhu okwenzileyo. 3 Lanxa kunjalo kulezinto ezinhle ezitholakale kuwe,+ ngoba ususe izithombe zika-Ashera* elizweni futhi walungisa inhliziyo* yakho ukuze udinge uNkulunkulu weqiniso.”+

4 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka ehlala eJerusalema. Waphinda waphuma wahambela abantu kusukela eBheri-shebha kuze kuyefika ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi+ ukuze abancede babuyele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.+ 5 Wabeka labahluleli kulo lonke ilizwe, kuwo wonke amadolobho+ akoJuda avikelwe ngemiduli. 6 Wathi kubo: “Kumele linanzelele nxa lisahlulela ngoba lokhu alikwenzeli umuntu kodwa likwenzela uJehova, njalo yena uyabe elani nxa lisahlulela.+ 7 Mesabeni uJehova+ linanzelele elikwenzayo ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu kafuni muntu owahlulela kubi+ lobandlululayo+ kumbe ovuma ukufunjathiswa.”+

8 LaseJerusalema uJehoshafathi wabeka amanye amaLevi labaphristi kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zaboyise ukuthi bahlulele bemele uJehova lokuthi balungise izindaba zabantu beJerusalema.+ 9 Wabatshela wathi: “Mesabeni uJehova lenze umsebenzi wenu ngokuthembeka langenhliziyo yonke.* 10 Nxa abafowenu abahlala kwamanye amadolobho bangaletha indaba emayelana lokubulawa komuntu,+ kumbe babuze ngomthetho othile, loba umlayo, lezimiso, lezahlulelo, kufanele libaxwayise ukuze bangabi lecala phambi kukaJehova. Lingayekela ukwenza njalo, ulaka lwakhe luzakwehlela kini lakubafowenu. Lokhu yikho okumele likwenze ukuze lingabi lecala. 11 Nangu u-Amariya umphristi okhokhelayo, nguye ozalikhokhela kuzo zonke izindaba eziphathelane loJehova.+ UZebhadiya indodana ka-Ishmayeli nguye okhokhela abakoJuda kuzo zonke izindaba eziphathelane lenkosi. AmaLevi wona azalincedisa. Wobani lesibindi lenze umsebenzi, kwangathi uJehova angaba lalabo abenza okuhle.”+

20 Ngemva kwalokho amaMowabi+ lama-Amoni+ lamanye ama-Amonimi* abuya ezokulwa loJehoshafathi. 2 Ngakho uJehoshafathi watshelwa ukuthi kulebutho elikhulu elizomhlasela lisuka esabelweni solwandle* ko-Edomi+ lokuthi laseliseHazazoni-thamari, okutsho i-Eni-gedi.+ 3 UJehoshafathi wathi ekuzwa lokho wesaba, wazimisela ukudinga uJehova.+ Yikho wathi bonke abantu bakoJuda bazile ukudla. 4 AbakoJuda babuthana ndawonye ukuze babuze kuJehova.+ Babuya bevela kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda bezobuza kuJehova.

5 Abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema babuthana phambi kweguma elitsha endlini kaJehova. UJehoshafathi wasukuma 6 wathi:

“Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wabokhokho bethu, ayisuwe yini uNkulunkulu osemazulwini?+ Ayisuwe yini obusa phezu kwayo yonke imibuso yezizwe?+ Isandla sakho silamandla amangalisayo, akulamuntu ongamelana lawe.+ 7 Awu Nkulunkulu wethu, angithi abantu ababehlala elizweni leli wabaxotsha phambi kwabantu bakho bako-Israyeli, ilizwe labo wasulinika izizukulwane zika-Abrahama+ umngane wakho ukuthi lihlale lingelazo? 8 Zahlala kulo njalo zakwakhela lapho indawo engcwele edumisa ibizo lakho+ zisithi: 9 ‘Nxa singehlelwa ngumonakalo, kungaba yinkemba kumbe isahlulelo esibuhlungu loba isifo, sizakuma phambi kwendlu le laphambi kwakho (ngoba ibizo lakho lisendlini le),+ sikubize sicele ukuthi usincedise ebunzimeni njalo wena uzasizwa usincede.’+ 10 Khathesi nampa abantu bako-Amoni labakoMowabi labezintabeni zeSeyiri,+ labo ongazange uvumele abako-Israyeli ukuthi babahlasele ngesikhathi bephuma elizweni leGibhithe. Abako-Israyeli babayekela abazange babatshabalalise.+ 11 Kodwa khathesi bona sebesixotsha elizweni lakho owasinika lona ukuthi libe lilifa lethu.+ 12 Awu Nkulunkulu wethu, awusoze ubajezise yini?+ Phela thina asilamandla okulwa labantu bonke laba abazosihlasela. Asikwazi lokuthi senzeni+ kodwa sikhangele kuwe.”+

13 Ngalesosikhathi wonke amadoda akoJuda ayemi phambi kukaJehova elamakhosikazi awo labantwabawo* abakhulu labancane.

14 Abantu bathi besabuthene umoya kaJehova wehlela kuJahaziyeli indodana kaZakhariya, indodana kaBhenaya, indodana kaJeyiyeli, indodana kaMathaniya, umLevi wosendo luka-Asafi. 15 Wathi: “Lalelani lonke bantu bakoJuda, lani elihlala eJerusalema kanye lawe Nkosi Jehoshafathi. Nanku uJehova akutshoyo kini, ‘Lingalesabi ixuku leli elikhulu futhi lingatshaywa luvalo ngoba impi ayisiyo yenu ngekaNkulunkulu.+ 16 Kusasa kumele liyehle liyehlangana labo, bazabuya ngendlela edlula ezintabeni zaseZizi, futhi lina lizabathola ekucineni kwesigodi lingakafiki enkangala yeJeruweli. 17 Alisoze lilwe empini le, lina manini ezindaweni zenu lingasuki,+ libone uJehova elisindisa.+ Lingesabi bantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema futhi lingatshaywa luvalo.+ Kusasa phumani liyemelana labo, uJehova uzakuba lani.’”+

18 UJehoshafathi wathi esizwa lokho waguqa wathi mbo phansi ngobuso. Bonke abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema labo bazilahla phansi phambi kukaJehova, bamkhonza uJehova. 19 AmaLevi ayeyizizukulwane zikaKhohathi+ lezikaKhora asukuma adumisa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngelizwi elikhulu.+

20 Ngelanga elilandelayo bavuka ekuseni kakhulu, baqonda enkangala yeThekhowa.+ Bathi sebesuka uJehoshafathi wasukuma wathi: “Lalelani bantu bakoJuda lani elihlala eJerusalema, wobani lokholo kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ukuze lenelise ukuma liqine. Wobani lokholo kubaphrofethi+ bakhe, lingenza njalo lizaphumelela.”

21 Wathi esecebisane labantu, wakhetha amadoda ayezahlabelela+ uJehova. Amadoda la ayezamdumisa egqoke izigqoko ezingcwele, ehamba phambi kwamadoda ahlomileyo esithi: “Bongani uJehova ngoba uthando lwakhe oluqotho luhlala kuze kube nini lanini.”+

22 Bathi beqalisa ukuhlabela ngentokozo bedumisa, uJehova wenza ukuthi amadoda ako-Amoni lawakoMowabi lawezintabeni zeSeyiri ahlaselwe engalindelanga. Amadoda la ayezokulwa labakoJuda aqalisa ukubulalana wodwa.+ 23 Ama-Amoni lamaMowabi ahlamukela abantu ababehlala ezintabeni zeSeyiri+ abatshabalalisa. Athi eseqedile ukubulala abantu beSeyiri, aqalisa ukubulalana wodwa aze aqedana.+

24 Abantu bakoJuda bathi befika emphotshongweni wokulinda owawusenkangala,*+ bakhangela lapho okwakulamabutho khona babona sekuyizidumbu zodwa zithe daca emhlabathini.+ Akula loyedwa owayesele ephila. 25 UJehoshafathi labantu bakhe bathola kulempahla enengi lezigqoko lezinye izinto eziligugu. Bafika babutha impahla yamabutho lawo baze behluleka lokuyithwala.+ Kwabathatha amalanga amathathu ukuthwala yonke impahla eyayilapho ngoba yayinengi kakhulu. 26 Ngelanga lesine babuthana esigodini seBherakha,* badumisa* uJehova belapho. Yikho babiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yisigodi seBherakha.+ Ilokhu ibizwa njalo kuze kube lamuhla.

27 Ngemva kwalokho uJehoshafathi wakhokhela wonke amadoda akoJuda laweJerusalema, babuyela eJerusalema bethokoza ngoba uJehova wayebenze banqoba izitha zabo.+ 28 Bangena eJerusalema betshaya iziginci lamahabhu*+ lamacilongo,+ baqonda endlini kaJehova.+ 29 Yonke imibuso yezizwe yamesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu ngesikhathi isizwa ukuthi wayelwe lezitha zabako-Israyeli.+ 30 Umbuso kaJehoshafathi waqhubeka ulokuthula ngoba uNkulunkulu wakhe wayemnika ukuthula* kuyo yonke indawo.+

31 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka ebusa koJuda. Wayeleminyaka engu-35 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-25. Unina kwakungu-Azubha indodakazi kaShilihi.+ 32 UJehoshafathi waqhubeka elandela okwakusenziwa nguyise u-Asa+ futhi kazange aphambuke, wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova.+ 33 Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo* azizange zidilizwe+ futhi abantu babengakalungisi inhliziyo zabo ukuthi badinge uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.+

34 Yonke imbali kaJehoshafathi kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni, ibhaliwe emibhalweni kaJehu+ indodana kaHanani+ eyafakwa ebhukwini lamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 35 UJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda wenza isivumelwano lenkosi yako-Israyeli u-Ahaziya, eyayisenza okubi.+ 36 Bavumelana ukuthi benze imikhumbi eyayizakuya eThashishi.+ Imikhumbi le bayenzela e-Eziyoni-gebheri.+ 37 Kodwa u-Eliyezeri indodana kaDodavahu weMaresha waphrofetha ngoJehoshafathi wathi: “UJehova uzakudiliza lokho okwenzileyo+ ngoba wenze isivumelwano lo-Ahaziya.” Ngakho imikhumbi yabo yabhidlika+ yehluleka ukuya eThashishi.

21 UJehoshafathi wafa wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe edolobheni likaDavida, indodana yakhe uJehoramu yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+ 2 Abafowabo bakaJehoramu ababengamadodana kaJehoshafathi kwakungu-Azariya, loJehiyela, loZakhariya, lo-Azariya, loMikhayeli, loShefathiya. Bonke laba babengamadodana kaJehoshafathi inkosi yako-Israyeli. 3 Uyise wayewanike izipho ezinengi zesiliva lezegolide lezinye izinto eziligugu, kanye lamadolobho akoJuda avikelwe ngemiduli.+ Kodwa ubukhosi wabunika uJehoramu+ ngoba nguye owayelizibulo.

4 UJehoramu wathi esethethe ubukhosi bukayise, waqinisa isikhundla sakhe ngokubulala bonke abafowabo+ ngenkemba, wabulala labanye abakhokheli bako-Israyeli. 5 UJehoramu wayeleminyaka engu-32 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-8.+ 6 Wenza lokho okwakusenziwa ngamakhosi ako-Israyeli,+ walandela izenzo zabendlu ka-Ahabi ngoba wayethethe+ indodakazi ka-Ahabi. Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova. 7 Lanxa kunjalo uJehova wayengafuni ukutshabalalisa abendlu kaDavida ngenxa yesivumelwano ayesenze loDavida,+ njengoba wayethembise ukuthi kuzahlala+ kulomuntu wosendo lwakhe obusayo eJerusalema.*

8 Ngensuku zikaJehoramu abako-Edomi bahlamukela abakoJuda+ babeka eyabo inkosi.+ 9 Ngakho wasuka labakhokheli bamabutho akhe kanye lazo zonke izinqola zakhe zempi. Abako-Edomi bamhanqa yena lezinduna zamabutho akhe ahamba ngezinqola, kodwa wavuka ebusuku wabahlasela wabanqoba. 10 Abako-Edomi bahlamukela abakoJuda kusukela ngalesosikhathi kuze kube lamuhla. ILibhina+ layo yamhlamukela ngalesosikhathi ngoba wayetshiye uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bakhe.+ 11 Wakha izindawo eziphakemeyo*+ ezintabeni zakoJuda ukuze enze abantu beJerusalema bakhonze abanye* onkulunkulu. Wenza abantu bakoJuda baphambuka.

12 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uJehoramu wamukela incwadi evela ku-Elija+ umphrofethi, isithi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu kakhokho wakho uDavida, ‘Awuzange wenze okwakusenziwa nguyihlo uJehoshafathi+ lokwakusenziwa ngu-Asa+ inkosi yakoJuda. 13 Kodwa ulandele indlela zamakhosi ako-Israyeli,+ wabangela ukuthi abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema bakhonze abanye*+ onkulunkulu njengalokho okwenziwa ngabendlu ka-Ahabi.+ Uze wabulala labafowenu+ abendlu kayihlo, ababengcono kulawe. 14 Ngenxa yalokho uJehova uzaletha umonakalo ebantwini bakho, lasemadodaneni akho, lakumakhosikazi akho, lakuyo yonke impahla yakho. 15 Uzabulawa yimikhuhlane eminengi njalo uzakuba lomkhuhlane emathunjini akho. Umkhuhlane lo uzaqhubeka usiba mubi usuku ngosuku, amathumbu aze aphumele phandle.’”

16 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wenza+ ukuthi uJehoramu ahlaselwe ngamaFilisti+ lama-Arabhu+ ayeseduze kwamaTopiya. 17 Bahlasela ilizwe lakoJuda bangena ngenkani, bathatha yonke impahla abayithola endlini yenkosi.*+ Bathatha lamadodana ayo kanye lamakhosikazi ayo, batshiya uJehowahazi*+ kuphela, indodana yakhe encane. 18 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu, uJehova watshaya uJehoramu ngomkhuhlane wamathumbu ongelaphekiyo.+ 19 Kwathi sekwedlule iminyaka emibili, amathumbu akhe aphumela phandle ngenxa yomkhuhlane wakhe futhi wafa esizwa ubuhlungu obukhulu. Abantu bakhe abazange babase umlilo omkhulu wokumhlonipha, njengalokho okwakwenzelwe okhokho bakhe.+ 20 Wayeleminyaka engu-32 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-8. Akulamuntu owamkhalelayo esefile. Bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida+ kodwa abazange bamngcwabe emangcwabeni amakhosi.+

22 Ngemva kwalokho abantu beJerusalema babeka u-Ahaziya indodana kaJehoramu encane kulawo wonke ukuthi abe yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe, ngoba amabutho ayebuye lama-Arabhu ayehlasele inkamba yakoJuda abulala wonke amadodana amadala.+ Ngakho u-Ahaziya indodana kaJehoramu waqalisa ukubusa koJuda.+ 2 U-Ahaziya wayeleminyaka engu-22 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okomnyaka owodwa. Unina kwakungu-Athaliya+ umzukulu* ka-Omri.+

3 U-Ahaziya laye walandela okwakusenziwa ngabendlu ka-Ahabi,+ ngoba umeluleki wakhe kwakungunina futhi wayemkhuthaza ukwenza okubi. 4 Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova njengabendlu ka-Ahabi ngoba yibo ababa ngabeluleki bakhe ngemva kokufa kukayise. Lokhu kwenza wehlelwa ngumonakalo omkhulu. 5 Walalela icebo labo wahamba loJehoramu indodana ka-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli besiyakulwa loHazayeli+ inkosi yeSiriya eRamothi-giliyadi.+ Yikho lapho uJehoramu alinyazwa khona ngamabutho atshoka imitshoko. 6 Ngakho wabuyela eJeziriyeli+ ukuze amanxeba akhe aphole njengoba wayelinyaziwe eRama ngesikhathi esilwa loHazayeli inkosi yeSiriya.+

U-Ahaziya* indodana kaJehoramu+ inkosi yakoJuda waya eJeziriyeli esiyabona uJehoramu+ indodana ka-Ahabi ngoba wayelimele.*+ 7 Wathi ekhonale kuJehoramu, uNkulunkulu wahle wasebenzisa lelothuba ukuze amtshabalalise. Yikho lapho ahamba khona loJehoramu besiyahlangabeza uJehu+ umzukulu* kaNimishi, owayegcotshwe nguJehova ukuthi atshabalalise abendlu ka-Ahabi.+ 8 UJehu wathi eqalisa ukujezisa abendlu ka-Ahabi, wathola abakhokheli bakoJuda lamadodana abafowabo baka-Ahaziya ababezinceku zika-Ahaziya wababulala.+ 9 Ngemva kwalokho uJehu wadinga u-Ahaziya futhi izinceku zakhe zamthola ecatshile eSamariya, zasezimletha kuJehu zambulala. Zamngcwaba+ ngoba zathi: “Ungumzukulu kaJehoshafathi owadinga uJehova ngenhliziyo yonke.”+ Kwabendlu ka-Ahaziya akula owaba lamandla okuthatha ubukhosi.

10 U-Athaliya+ unina ka-Ahaziya wathi ebona ukuthi indodana yakhe isifile, wabulala bonke abakoJuda abendlu yesikhosini.+ 11 Kodwa uJehoshabhethi indodakazi yenkosi wamthatha ngudlu* uJehowashi+ indodana ka-Ahaziya emadodaneni enkosi ayezabulawa, wamfihla endlini yokulala engaphakathi. Wamgcina lapho elomuntu owayemnakekela. UJehoshabhethi indodakazi yenkosi uJehoramu+ wenelisa ukufihla uJehowashi ukuze u-Athaliya angamboni, yikho engazange ambulale.+ (UJehoshabhethi wayeyinkosikazi kaJehoyada+ umphristi futhi engudadewabo ka-Ahaziya.) 12 Baqhubeka bemfihlile uJehowashi okweminyaka eyisithupha endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Ngalesosikhathi u-Athaliya nguye owayebusa elizweni.

23 Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa uJehoyada waba lesibindi wenza isivumelwano lezinduna zamakhulu,+ u-Azariya indodana kaJerohamu, lo-Ishmayeli indodana kaJehohanani, lo-Azariya indodana ka-Obhedi, loMahaseya indodana ka-Adaya kanye lo-Elishafathi indodana kaZikhiri. 2 Ngemva kwalokho babhoda kulo lonke elakoJuda, baqoqa amaLevi+ kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zaboyise. Bathi befika eJerusalema, 3 abantu bonke benza isivumelwano+ lenkosi endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. UJehoyada wasesithi kubo:

“Khangelani! Indodana yenkosi izabusa njengoba nje uJehova wathembisa mayelana lamadodana kaDavida.+ 4 Nanku okumele likwenze: Ingxenye eyodwa yabaphristi lamaLevi abayabe besebenza+ ngeSabatha izalinda iminyango.+ 5 Enye ingxenye izakuba sendlini yenkosi,*+ besekusithi enye ibe segedini lesisekelo. Bonke abanye abantu bazabe besemagumeni endlu kaJehova.+ 6 Lingavumeli muntu ukuthi angene endlini kaJehova, ngaphandle kwabaphristi lamaLevi abayabe besenza inkonzo yabo.+ Bona bangangena ngoba bangcwele njalo bonke abantu kumele benze lokho uJehova afuna bakwenze. 7 AmaLevi kumele ayigombolozele inkosi, ngamunye wawo ethwele izikhali zakhe. Loba ngubani ongena endlini kumele abulawe. Hambani lenkosi loba ngaphi lapho eya khona.”*

8 AmaLevi labantu bonke bakoJuda benza khona kanye ababekutshelwe nguJehoyada umphristi. Ngamunye wabo wathatha amadoda ayewakhokhela okwakumele alinde ngeSabatha kanye lalawo okwakungamelanga alinde ngeSabatha,+ njengoba uJehoyada umphristi wayengazange avumele ukuthi amaqembu ayesebenza atshayise+ emisebenzini yawo. 9 UJehoyada umphristi wanika izinduna zamakhulu+ imikhonto lamahawu amancane* kanye layisigombolozi ayengaweNkosi uDavida,+ ayesendlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ 10 Ngemva kwalokho wamisa bonke abantu eduze le-alithare kanye lethempeli, kusukela kwesokudla kusiya kwesenxele. Bonke babegombolozele inkosi, ngamunye wabo ethwele isikhali sakhe. 11 Baphuma lendodana yenkosi,+ babeka umqhele ekhanda layo kanye lencwadimgoqwa yoMthetho,+ bayenza inkosi. UJehoyada lamadodana akhe bayigcoba ukuthi ibe yinkosi, basebememeza besithi: “Kayibe lempilo ende inkosi!”+

12 U-Athaliya wathi esizwa umsindo wabantu begijima futhi bedumisa inkosi, wahle wasuka waya endlini kaJehova+ lapho okwakulabantu khona. 13 Wabona inkosi imi emnyango eceleni kwensika.* Abakhokheli+ lababetshaya amacilongo babemi lenkosi futhi bonke abantu babethokoza+ betshaya amacilongo, abahlabeleli lababetshaya amachacho bekhokhela ekudumiseni. U-Athaliya wathi ebona lokho wadabula izigqoko zakhe wamemeza wathi: “Bayahlamuka! Bayahlamuka!” 14 UJehoyada umphristi watshela izinduna zamakhulu ezazikhokhela ibutho wathi: “Msuseni phakathi kwabalindi. Loba ngubani ozamlandela limbulale ngenkemba.” Umphristi uJehoyada wayevele wabatshela wathi: “Lingambulaleli endlini kaJehova.” 15 Yikho bambamba bahamba laye. Bathi befika egedini lamabhiza esigodlweni senkosi* bahle bambulala.

16 UJehoyada wenza isivumelwano phakathi kwakhe labantu bonke kanye lenkosi, esokuthi bazaqhubeka bengabantu bakaJehova.+ 17 Ngemva kwalokho bonke abantu baya endlini kaBhali* bafika bayidiliza.+ Badiliza lama-alithare akhe lezithombe zakhe,+ babulala loMathani umphristi kaBhali+ phambi kwama-alithare lawo. 18 UJehoyada wathi indlu kaJehova ikhangelwe ngabaphristi lamaLevi. UDavida wayebahlele baba ngamaqembu ukuze bakhangele indlu kaJehova, njalo benzele uJehova+ imihlatshelo yokutshiswa belandela lokho okubhalwe eMthethweni kaMosi,+ bethokoza futhi behlabela izingoma njengoba nje uDavida wayetshilo. 19 Wafaka labalindi bamagedi+ ukuthi balinde amagedi endlu kaJehova ukuze kungabi laloba ngubani ongcolileyo* ozangena. 20 Wahamba lezinduna zamakhulu,+ lezikhulu, lababusi babantu kanye labantu bonke, baphelekezela inkosi besuka endlini kaJehova. Bangena esigodlweni senkosi* ngegedi elingaphezulu bayahlalisa inkosi esihlalweni sobukhosi+ sombuso.+ 21 Ngakho bonke abantu bathokoza futhi kwaba lokuthula edolobheni ngoba u-Athaliya basebembulele ngenkemba.

24 UJehowashi wayeleminyaka eyisikhombisa ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi+ futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-40. Unina kwakunguZibhiya weBheri-shebha.+ 2 UJehowashi waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova ngesikhathi uJehoyada umphristi+ esaphila. 3 UJehoyada wakhethela uJehowashi amakhosikazi amabili njalo uJehowashi waba lamadodana lamadodakazi.

4 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJehowashi waba lesifiso esikhulu sokulungisa indlu kaJehova.+ 5 Ngakho wabuthanisa abaphristi lamaLevi wathi kubo: “Hambani emadolobheni akoJuda liqoqe imali ebantwini bonke bako-Israyeli ukuze kulungiswe indlu kaNkulunkulu+ wethu umnyaka ngomnyaka. Kwenzeni lokhu khathesi.” Kodwa amaLevi awazange akwenze masinyane.+ 6 Ngakho inkosi yabiza uJehoyada umphristi okhokhelayo yathi kuye:+ “Kungani ungatshelanga amaLevi ukuthi aqoqe umthelo ongcwele wabantu bako-Israyeli koJuda laseJerusalema, lowo uMosi+ inceku kaJehova athi ukhitshwe ukuze usetshenziswe etendeni lobufakazi?+ 7 Phela amadodana ka-Athaliya,+ owesifazana lowana owayesenza okubi, agqekeza endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ athatha zonke izinto ezingcwele ezazisendlini kaJehova ukuze ayezisebenzisa ukukhonza oBhali.” 8 Inkosi yathi kwenziwe ibhokisi+ laselibekwa ngaphandle kwendlu kaJehova.+ 9 Ngemva kwalokho kwamenyezelwa endaweni zonke zakoJuda leJerusalema ukuthi abantu balethe umthelo+ ongcwele kuJehova, lowo uMosi inceku kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ayethe abako-Israyeli bawulethe ngesikhathi besenkangala. 10 Bonke abakhokheli labantu bonke bathokoza,+ baqhubeka beletha iminikelo beyifaka ebhokisini laze lagcwala.*

11 AmaLevi ayesithi angabona ukuthi imali isinengi kakhulu alethe ibhokisi enkosini, unobhala wenkosi lomsekeli womphristi okhokhelayo besebebuya bayikhiphe yonke imali ebhokisini,+ balibuyisele endaweni yalo. Lokhu babekwenza nsuku zonke futhi baqoqa imali enengi kakhulu. 12 Inkosi loJehoyada babethatha imali leyo bayinike labo ababekhangela umsebenzi owawusenziwa endlini kaJehova. Babeqhatsha ababazi bamatshe lezingcitshi zomsebenzi ukuze zilungise indlu kaJehova.+ Babeqhatsha labakwazi ukukhanda insimbi lekhopha ukuze bancedise emsebenzini wokulungisa indlu kaJehova. 13 Ababekhangela umsebenzi wokulungisa indlu kaNkulunkulu bawuqalisa umsebenzi njalo umsebenzi waqhubeka kuhle. Babuyisela indlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso esimeni sayo sokuqala futhi bayiqinisa. 14 Bathi bewuqeda nje umsebenzi bathatha imali eyayisele bayiletha enkosini lakuJehoyada, yasetshenziswa ukwenza izitsha zendlu kaJehova, lamankomitsho, lezitsha zegolide lezesiliva,+ lezitsha zokwenza inkonzo engcwele kanye lalezo ezazisetshenziswa nxa kusenziwa iminikelo. Baqhubeka besenza imihlatshelo yokutshiswa+ endlini kaJehova zikhathi zonke uJehoyada esaphila.

15 UJehoyada wafa esemdala futhi esuthisekile ngempilo. Wafa eleminyaka engu-130. 16 Bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida emangcwabeni amakhosi+ ngoba wenza okuhle ko-Israyeli,+ ekwenzela uNkulunkulu weqiniso lendlu yakhe.*

17 Ngemva kokufa kukaJehoyada, abakhokheli bakoJuda beza enkosini bafika baguqa phambi kwayo, inkosi yabalalela. 18 Abantu batshiya indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo baqalisa ukukhonza izithombe zika-Ashera* lezinye izithombe. UNkulunkulu wabathukuthelela abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema ngenxa yesono sabo. 19 UJehova waqhubeka ethumela abaphrofethi kubo ukuze babancede babuyele kuye. Babelokhu bebaxwayisa kodwa bona abazange balalele.+

20 Umoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela kuZakhariya indodana kaJehoyada+ umphristi, wasesima phambi kwabantu endaweni ephakemeyo wathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguNkulunkulu weqiniso, ‘Kungani lisephula imilayo kaJehova? Alisoze liphumelele. Limtshiyile uJehova yikho laye ezalitshiya.’”+ 21 Kodwa babumba icebo lokumbulala,+ basebemkhanda ngamatshe egumeni lendlu kaJehova+ belandela lokho ababekutshelwe yinkosi. 22 INkosi uJehowashi ayizange ilukhumbule uthando oluqotho eyalutshengiswa nguJehoyada. Yabulala indodana yakhe uZakhariya. UZakhariya wathi esesifa wathi: “Kwangathi uJehova angakubona lokhu futhi akujezise.”+

23 Ekuqaleni komnyaka, ibutho leSiriya labuya lizokulwa loJehowashi. Lahlasela amadolobho akoJuda leJerusalema,+ labulala bonke abakhokheli babantu.+ Lathumela enkosini yeDamaseko yonke impahla elaliyithumbile. 24 Lanxa ibutho leSiriya lalilamadoda amalutshwana, uJehova wenza ukuthi linqobe ibutho lakoJuda elalilikhulu kakhulu+ ngoba abakoJuda babemtshiyile uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo. Ngakho amaSiriya amjezisa uJehowashi. 25 Amtshiya elimele* kakhulu futhi athi esesukile, izinceku zakhe zabumba icebo lokumbulala ngoba wayebulele amadodana* kaJehoyada+ umphristi. Yikho zambulala elele embhedeni wakhe.+ Bamngcwaba edolobheni likaDavida,+ kodwa kabazange bamngcwabe emangcwabeni amakhosi.+

26 Ababumba icebo lokumbulala+ kwanguZabhadi indodana yowesifazana wako-Amoni okwakuthiwa nguShimeyathi, loJehozabhadi indodana yowesifazana wakoMowabi okwakuthiwa nguShimirithi. 27 Okuphathelane lamadodana kaJehowashi lezimemezelo ezinengi ezazimayelana laye,+ kanye lokulungiswa kwendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ kubhaliwe emibhalweni esebhukwini lamakhosi. Indodana yakhe u-Amaziya yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

25 U-Amaziya wayeleminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-29. Unina kwakunguJehowadani futhi wayengoweJerusalema.+ 2 U-Amaziya waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova kodwa kazange akwenze ngenhliziyo yonke. 3 Wathi esewumise waqina umbuso wakhe, wahle wabulala izinceku zakhe ezazibulele uyise ngesikhathi eyinkosi.+ 4 Kodwa kazange awabulale amadodana azo, ngoba wayelandela lokho okubhalwe eMthethweni osebhukwini likaMosi lapho okulomlayo kaJehova othi: “Obaba akumelanga bafele izono zamadodana abo, lamadodana akumelanga afele izono zaboyise. Umuntu kumele afele isono sakhe kuphela.”+

5 U-Amaziya wabuthanisa abantu bakoJuda wabamisa ngezimuli zaboyise. Wahlela bonke abantu bakoJuda labakoBhenjamini+ ngezinduna zezinkulungwane lezamakhulu, wasebhala phansi abaleminyaka engu-20 kusiya phezulu.+ Wathola ukuthi kwakulamadoda angu-300 000 ayengaba sebuthweni futhi ayeyifundele impi,* esenelisa ukulwa ngomkhonto lokusebenzisa ihawu elikhulu. 6 Wabhadala abako-Israyeli ngamathalenta* esiliva angu-100, bona bamnika amabutho alamandla angu-100 000. 7 Kodwa umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wafika kuye wathi: “Awu nkosi, ungahambi lebutho lako-Israyeli ngoba uJehova kabasekeli abako-Israyeli,+ akula ngitsho loyedwa amsekelayo kwabako-Efrayimi. 8 Kodwa wena hamba lebutho lakho kuphela, ulwe ngesibindi empini. Ungayekela ukwenza njalo, uNkulunkulu weqiniso angakuyekela unqotshwe yisitha sakho ngoba yena ulamandla okukunceda+ lawokwenza ukuthi unqotshwe.” 9 U-Amaziya wasesithi emuntwini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso: “Pho senzeni ngamathalenta angu-100 ebesengiwanike amabutho ako-Israyeli?” Umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso wamphendula wathi: “UJehova uyenelisa ukukunika okunengi kakhulu ukwedlula lokho.”+ 10 Ngakho u-Amaziya wathi amabutho ayevele ko-Efrayimi abuyele kibo. Kodwa amabutho la abazondela kakhulu abantu bakoJuda, abuyela kibo efuthelene.

11 U-Amaziya waqunga isibindi wakhokhela amabutho akhe baya esigodini sesawudo+ bafika babulala amadoda eSeyiri angu-10 000.+ 12 Amadoda akoJuda athumba amabutho angu-10 000 ahamba lawo esiqongweni seliwa afika awaphosela phansi wonke aphahlazeka. 13 Kodwa amabutho u-Amaziya ayethe abuyele kibo angahambi laye empini+ ahlasela amadolobho akoJuda kusukela eSamariya+ kwaze kwayafika eBhethi-horoni.+ Abulala abantu abangu-3 000 futhi athumba impahla enengi kakhulu.

14 U-Amaziya wathi esevela nqoba ama-Edomi, wabuya labonkulunkulu babantu beSeyiri wabenza onkulunkulu bakhe.+ Waqalisa ukubakhothamela lokubatshisela imihlatshelo. 15 Ngakho uJehova wamthukuthelela kakhulu u-Amaziya wasethumela umphrofethi wakhe kuye. Umphrofethi wafika wathi: “Kungani ulandela onkulunkulu abehluleke ukuvikela abantu babo esandleni sakho?”+ 16 Wathi elokhu esakhuluma inkosi yathi: “Ngubani okubeke ukuthi ube ngumeluleki wenkosi?+ Thula,+ ngizacina ngisithi bakubulale.” Kodwa engakathuli umphrofethi wathi: “Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu usehlose ukukutshabalalisa ngoba wenze lokhu futhi awuzange ulalele ngikucebisa.”+

17 U-Amaziya inkosi yakoJuda wabonisana labeluleki bakhe, wasethumela ilizwi kuJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi indodana kaJehu inkosi yako-Israyeli wathi: “Buya sidibane empini.”*+ 18 UJehowashi inkosi yako-Israyeli wathumela ilizwi ku-Amaziya inkosi yakoJuda wathi: “Isihlahlakazana sameva seLebhanoni sathumela ilizwi kumsedari weLebhanoni sisithi, ‘Yendisela indodakazi yakho endodaneni yami.’ Kodwa kwadlula inyamazana yeganga yaseLebhanoni yasinyathela isihlahlakazana sameva. 19 Wena uthe, ‘Khangela! Nginqobe abako-Edomi.’+ Yikho usuzigqaja futhi usufuna ukudunyiswa. Kodwa hlala endlini yakho.* Kungani usufuna ukuzidalela umonakalo ozakubulalisa wena labantu bakoJuda?”

20 Kodwa u-Amaziya kazange alalele+ ngoba uNkulunkulu weqiniso wayesehlose ukumnikela esandleni sesitha+ ngenxa yokuthi wayesekhonza onkulunkulu bako-Edomi.+ 21 Ngakho uJehowashi inkosi yako-Israyeli wasuka wayadibana lo-Amaziya inkosi yakoJuda empini eBhethi-shemeshi+ yakoJuda. 22 AbakoJuda banqotshwa ngabako-Israyeli, ngamunye wabaleka waya emzini wakhe.* 23 UJehowashi inkosi yako-Israyeli wabamba u-Amaziya inkosi yakoJuda indodana kaJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi* eBhethi-shemeshi, wahamba laye eJerusalema. Wafika wadiliza umduli weJerusalema kusukela egedini lako-Efrayimi+ kusiyafika egedini elisekhoneni,+ umango ongaba ngamamitha angu-178.* 24 Wathatha lonke igolide lesiliva lazo zonke izitsha ezazisendlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, ezazikhangelwa ngu-Obhedi-edomi kanye lalezo ezazisezindlini zokugcinela inotho yendlu yenkosi.*+ Wathumba labantu wasebuyela eSamariya.

25 U-Amaziya+ indodana kaJehowashi inkosi yakoJuda waphila iminyaka engu-15 ngemva kokufa kukaJehowashi+ indodana kaJehowahazi, inkosi yako-Israyeli.+ 26 Yonke imbali ka-Amaziya, kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni, ibhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi akoJuda lawako-Israyeli. 27 Kusukela ngesikhathi u-Amaziya etshiya ukulandela uJehova, benza icebo+ lokumhlamukela eJerusalema. Yikho wabaleka waya eLakhishi kodwa bathuma amadoda amlandela khonale afika ambulala. 28 Bamthwala ngamabhiza bayamngcwaba edolobheni lakoJuda emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe.

26 Ngemva kwalokho bonke abantu bakoJuda bathatha u-Uziya+ bambeka ukuthi abe yinkosi esikhundleni sikayise u-Amaziya.+ Ngalesosikhathi wayeleminyaka engu-16. 2 INkosi u-Amaziya yathi isifile,+ u-Uziya wakha kutsha i-Elothi+ wayibuyisela ebantwini bakoJuda. 3 Wayeleminyaka+ engu-16 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-52. Unina kwakunguJekholiya njalo wayengoweJerusalema.+ 4 U-Uziya waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova njengoyise+ u-Amaziya. 5 Waqhubeka emdinga uNkulunkulu ngensuku zikaZakhariya owamfundisa ukwesaba uNkulunkulu weqiniso. Ngesikhathi esamdinga uJehova, uNkulunkulu weqiniso wamenza waphumelela.+

6 Waphuma wayakulwa lamaFilisti,+ wadiliza umduli weGathi+ loweJabhina+ kanye lowe-Ashidodi.+ Wakha amadolobho emangweni we-Ashidodi lakwezinye indawo zamaFilisti. 7 UNkulunkulu weqiniso waqhubeka emncedisa ukulwa lamaFilisti lamaMewunimi kanye lama-Arabhu+ ayehlala eGubhali. 8 Ama-Amoni+ aqalisa ukubhadala umthelo ku-Uziya njalo udumo lwakhe lwasabalala lwaze lwayafika eGibhithe ngoba wayelamandla kakhulu. 9 Phezu kwalokho u-Uziya wakha imiphotshongo+ eqinileyo eJerusalema duze legedi elisekhoneni,+ legedi lesigodi+ kanye lasensikeni yomduli. 10 Wakha lemiphotshongo+ enkangala njalo wagebha imigodi yamanzi* eminengi ngenxa yokuthi wayelezifuyo ezinengi. Lokhu wakwenza laseShefela kanye lasemagcekeni. Wayelabalimi ezingadini zamagilebisi ezazisezintabeni laseKhameli ngoba wayethanda ukulima.

11 U-Uziya wayelebutho elalihlala lilungele ukulwa. Lalijayele ukuphuma liyehlasela lihlelwe laba ngamaqembu. Ababebala amabutho bewabhala+ phansi nguJeyiyeli unobhala+ loMahaseya isikhulu. Babekhokhelwa nguHananiya omunye wezikhulu zenkosi. 12 Bonke abakhokheli bezimuli zaboyise ababekhangela amabutho la alamandla babengu-2 600. 13 Babekhokhela amabutho angu-307 500 ayehlomile futhi elungele ukulwa. Kwakulibutho elilamandla elalisekela inkosi ekulweni lezitha zayo.+ 14 U-Uziya wanika wonke amabutho akhe amahawu, lemikhonto,+ lezingwane zempi, lamajazi ensimbi,+ lemitshoko kanye lezavutha.+ 15 Kanti njalo omanjinela bakhe benza imitshina yokulwa empini. Bayenzela eJerusalema, bayifaka emiphotshongweni+ lasemakhoneni emiduli yedolobho. Yayisenelisa ukutshoka imitshoko lokuphosa amatshe amakhulu. Ngakho udumo luka-Uziya lwasabalala lwayafika khatshana ngoba uNkulunkulu wamncedisa kakhulu futhi waba lamandla.

16 Kodwa wathi esiba lamandla nje waqalisa ukuzikhukhumeza futhi lokho kwamlethela umonakalo. Kazange athembeke kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngoba wangena ethempelini likaJehova ukuze atshise impepha e-alithareni lokutshisela impepha.+ 17 U-Azariya umphristi labanye abaphristi bakaJehova abangu-80 ababelesibindi bahle bamlandela. 18 Bayikhuza iNkosi u-Uziya bathi: “Akulunganga Uziya ukuthi wena utshisele uJehova impepha.+ Ngabaphristi kuphela okumele batshise impepha ngoba bayizizukulwane zika-Aroni.+ Yibo uNkulunkulu abenze baba ngcwele. Phuma endaweni engcwele ngoba lokhu okwenzileyo yikungathembeki njalo awusoze uthole udumo oluvela kuJehova ngenxa yalokho okwenzileyo.”

19 Kodwa u-Uziya wathukuthela kakhulu+ elokhu ethwele umganu wokutshisela impepha. Wathi elokhu ethukuthelele abaphristi, ubulephero+ baqalisa ukuphuma ebunzini lakhe khonapho phambi kwabaphristi endlini kaJehova, eceleni kwe-alithare lokutshisela impepha. 20 U-Azariya umphristi okhokhelayo labo bonke abaphristi bathi bemkhangela babona ukuthi wayesetshaywe ngobulephero ebunzini. Ngakho bahle bamkhiphela phandle futhi laye wahle waphuma masinyane ngoba uJehova wayesemtshayile.

21 INkosi u-Uziya yaba lobulephero yaze yafa futhi yayisihlala yodwa kwenye indlu.+ Yayingasavunyelwa ukuya endlini kaJehova. Indodana yayo uJothamu yiyo eyayisiphethe isigodlo senkosi,* isahlulela abantu elizweni.+

22 Yonke imbali ka-Uziya kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni yabhalwa ngumphrofethi u-Isaya+ indodana ka-Amozi. 23 U-Uziya wafa bamngcwaba emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe. Bamngcwaba ensimini eyayiseduze lamangcwaba amakhosi ngoba bathi: “Ulobulephero.” Ngemva kwalokho indodana yakhe uJothamu+ yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

27 UJothamu+ wayeleminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-16. Unina kwakunguJerusha indodakazi kaZadokhi.+ 2 UJothamu waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova njengoyise u-Uziya.+ Yena kazange angene endaweni okwakungafanelanga angene kuyo ethempelini likaJehova.+ Kodwa abantu baqhubeka besenza okubi. 3 Wakha igedi lendlu kaJehova elingaphezulu+ njalo wenza umsebenzi omnengi ekwakhiweni komduli we-Ofeli.+ 4 Wakha lamadolobho+ ezintabeni zakoJuda,+ lezindawo ezivikelweyo+ kanye lemiphotshongo+ emaguswini. 5 Walwa lenkosi yama-Amoni+ waze wayinqoba. Yikho ngalowomnyaka ama-Amoni amnika amathalenta* esiliva angu-100, lengqoloyi egcwala izilinganiso zamakhori* ezingu-10 000 kanye lebhali egcwala izilinganiso zamakhori ezingu-10 000. Ama-Amoni aqhubeka emnika izinto lezi langomnyaka wesibili lowesithathu.+ 6 Ngakho uJothamu waqhubeka esiba lamandla ngoba wayezimisele ukuhamba ezindleleni zikaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.

7 Yonke imbali kaJothamu, okugoqela izimpi azilwayo lalokho akwenzayo kubhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi ako-Israyeli lawakoJuda.+ 8 Wayeleminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema+ okweminyaka engu-16. 9 UJothamu wafa wangcwatshwa edolobheni likaDavida,+ indodana yakhe u-Ahazi yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

28 U-Ahazi+ wayeleminyaka engu-20 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-16. Kazange enze okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova, kenzanga njengoDavida ukhokho wakhe.+ 2 Walandela okwakusenziwa ngamakhosi ako-Israyeli,+ waze wenza lezithombe+ zaboBhali ngensimbi. 3 Phezu kwalokho wenza imihlatshelo esigodini sendodana kaHinomi* njalo watshisa lamadodana akhe emlilweni,+ elandela izenzo ezenyanyekayo ezazisenziwa yizizwe+ uJehova azixotsha phambi kwabako-Israyeli. 4 Waqhubeka enikela futhi etshisa imihlatshelo ezindaweni eziphakemeyo*+ lasemaqaqeni langaphansi kwazo zonke izihlahla eziyizithingithingi.+

5 Ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wenza ukuthi inkosi yeSiriya+ imnqobe, yasithumba abantu abanengi yabahambisa eDamaseko.+ Wamnikela lasesandleni senkosi yako-Israyeli futhi yona yabulala abantu bakhe abanengi kakhulu. 6 UPhekha+ indodana kaRemaliya wabulala amadoda akoJuda alesibindi angu-120 000 ngelanga elilodwa. Lokhu kwenzakala ngenxa yokuthi abakoJuda babetshiye uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.+ 7 UZikhiri iqhawe lako-Efrayimi wabulala uMahaseya indodana yenkosi, lo-Azirikhamu owayekhangela isigodlo senkosi, kanye lo-Elikhana umsekeli wenkosi. 8 Abako-Israyeli bathumba abantu abangu-200 000 ezihlotsheni zabo zakoJuda. Bathumba abesifazana, lamadodana, lamadodakazi kanye lempahla enengi kakhulu bahamba layo eSamariya.+

9 Kodwa khonale kwakulomphrofethi kaJehova okwakuthiwa ngu-Odedi. Waphuma wayahlangabeza ibutho elalisiza eSamariya wathi kulo: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu unikele abantu bakoJuda esandleni senu+ ngenxa yokuthi ubebathukuthelele kakhulu, njalo lina libabulele ngesihluku esikhulu esize sayafika emazulwini. 10 Khathesi selifuna ukwenza abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema babe zinceku lezincekukazi zenu.+ Kanti lina kalonanga yini kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu? 11 Ngakho ngilalelani libuyisele abantu elibathumbileyo kubafowenu ngoba uJehova ulithukuthelele kakhulu.”

12 Ezinye izinduna zako-Efrayimi zasuka zayakhuluma lalabo ababevela empini. Induna lezo kwakungu-Azariya indodana kaJehohanani, loBherekhiya indodana kaMeshilemothi, loJehizikhiya indodana kaShalumi, lo-Amasa indodana kaHadilayi. 13 Zathi kubo: “Lingabuyi lezithunjwa lezo lapha ngoba lokhu kuzakwenza sibe lecala kuJehova. Elifuna ukukwenza kuzangezelela ezonweni zethu lasemacaleni ethu, ngenxa yokuthi isono sethu sivele sikhulu futhi uNkulunkulu ubathukuthelele kakhulu abako-Israyeli.” 14 Ngakho amabutho ayehlomile anika abakhokheli labo bonke abantu bako-Israyeli izithunjwa lempahla+ yonke ayeyithumbile. 15 Amadoda ayekhethiwe athatha abantu ababethunjiwe, asenika bonke ababengelazigqoko izigqoko ayezithatha empahleni ezithunjiweyo. Abapha izigqoko, lamanyathela, lokudla, lokunathwayo kanye lamafutha okugcoba. Labo ababengelamandla abathwala ngabobabhemi abahambisa kubafowabo eJerikho, idolobho lezihlahla zelala. Ngemva kwalokho abuyela eSamariya.

16 Ngalesosikhathi iNkosi u-Ahazi yacela amakhosi e-Asiriya ukuthi ayincedise.+ 17 Ama-Edomi aphinda abuya azohlasela koJuda athumba abantu. 18 AmaFilisti+ lawo abuya ahlasela amadolobho aseShefela+ lawaseNegebhi yakoJuda, athumba iBhethi-shemeshi,+ le-Ayijaloni,+ leGederothi, leSokho lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leThimina+ lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, leGimizo lamadolobho aseduze kwayo, asehlala kuwo. 19 UJehova wamjezisa uJuda ngenxa ka-Ahazi inkosi yako-Israyeli, ngoba wayekela abantu bakoJuda bezenzela umathanda futhi lokhu kwabangela ukuthi benze izono ezinengi phambi kukaJehova.

20 UThiligathi-philineseri+ inkosi ye-Asiriya wamhlasela futhi wamlethela inhlupho+ kulokuthi amncedise. 21 U-Ahazi wayethethe yonke impahla eyayisendlini kaJehova lasendlini yenkosi*+ lasezindlini zeziphathamandla, wayinika inkosi ye-Asiriya kodwa yona ayizange imncedise. 22 INkosi u-Ahazi yathi isisebunzimeni yenza okubi kakhulu phambi kukaJehova kulakuqala. 23 Yaqalisa ukunikela kubonkulunkulu beDamaseko+ ababeyinqobile+ futhi yathi: “Onkulunkulu bamakhosi aseSiriya bawancedisile, yikho lami ngizanikela kubo ukuze bangincedise.”+ Kodwa lokhu kwenza ukuthi yona labantu bonke bako-Israyeli behlelwe ngumonakalo. 24 Phezu kwalokho u-Ahazi wathatha izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ wazibulala, wavala leminyango yendlu kaJehova+ njalo wakha ama-alithare akhe kuyo yonke iJerusalema. 25 Wakha izindawo eziphakemeyo kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda ukuze atshisele abanye onkulunkulu+ imihlatshelo. Wamthukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bakhe.

26 Yonke imbali yakhe lakho konke akwenzayo, kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi akoJuda lawako-Israyeli.+ 27 U-Ahazi wafa bamngcwaba edolobheni leJerusalema, kodwa kabazange bamngcwabe emangcwabeni amakhosi ako-Israyeli.+ Ngemva kwalokho indodana yakhe uHezekhiya yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

29 UHezekhiya+ wayeleminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-29. Unina kwakungu-Abhija indodakazi kaZakhariya.+ 2 UHezekhiya waqhubeka esenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova+ njengokhokho wakhe uDavida.+ 3 Ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kwakhe, ngenyanga yokuqala, wavula iminyango yendlu kaJehova wayilungisa.+ 4 Ngemva kwalokho wabuthanisa abaphristi lamaLevi egcekeni elisempumalanga, 5 wathi kubo: “Lalelani maLevi. Zihlambululeni lihlambulule*+ lendlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu, lisuse konke okungcolileyo endaweni engcwele.+ 6 Phela obaba bethu babengathembekanga futhi benza okubi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.+ Bamfulathela+ uJehova bamtshiya, bafulathela lethabanikeli lakhe. 7 Bavala iminyango yevurandi+ bacitsha lezibane+ njalo bayekela ukutshisela uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli impepha+ lokunikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa+ endaweni engcwele. 8 Ngakho uJehova wabathukuthelela abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema,+ wabehlisela umonakalo owesabekayo owabangela ukuthi loba ngubani owayewubona lowayesizwa ngawo ethuke futhi atshaye umlozwi,* njengoba lani lizibonela ngawenu.+ 9 Lokhu yikho okwabangela ukuthi okhokho bethu babulawe ngenkemba+ lokuthi amadodana lamadodakazi ethu labomkethu bathunjwe.+ 10 Ngakho ngiyafisa kakhulu* ukwenza isivumelwano loJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli+ ukuze ulaka lwakhe oluvuthayo lusuke kithi. 11 Madodana ami, lesi ayisiso isikhathi sokuhlala ligoqe izandla* ngoba uJehova ulikhethile ukuthi lime phambi kwakhe limenzele inkonzo engcwele+ futhi litshise imihlatshelo.”+

12 AmaLevi athi ekuzwa lokho ahle asukuma aqalisa umsebenzi. KumaKhohathi+ kwasukuma uMahathi indodana ka-Amasayi, loJoweli indodana ka-Azariya. KumaMerari+ kwasukuma uKhishi indodana ka-Abhidi, lo-Azariya indodana kaJehaleleli. KumaGeshoni+ kwasukuma uJowa indodana kaZima, lo-Edeni indodana kaJowa. 13 Emadodaneni ka-Elizafani kwasukuma uShimiri loJewuweli, emadodaneni ka-Asafi+ kwasukuma uZakhariya loMathaniya. 14 Emadodaneni kaHemani+ kwasukuma uJehiyela loShimeyi, emadodaneni kaJeduthuni+ kwasukuma uShemaya lo-Uziyeli. 15 Baqoqa abafowabo bazihlambulula, basebebuya ukuze bazohlambulula indlu kaJehova+ belandela amazwi kaJehova ayekhulunywe yinkosi. 16 Abaphristi bangena endlini kaJehova ukuze bayihlambulule. Bakhipha konke okungcolileyo abakuthola ethempelini likaJehova bayakufaka egumeni+ lendlu kaJehova, amaLevi asekuthatha ayakulahlela esigodini seKhidroni.+ 17 Baqalisa ukuhlambulula indlu ngelanga lokuqala ngenyanga yokuqala, baqhubeka baze bayafika evurandini likaJehova+ ngelanga lesi-8. Bahlambulula indlu kaJehova okwamalanga angu-8. Umsebenzi lo bawuqeda ngelanga lesi-16 ngenyanga yokuqala.

18 Ngemva kwalokho baya enkosini uHezekhiya bafika bathi kuyo: “Sesiyihlambululile yonke indlu kaJehova, le-alithare leminikelo yokutshiswa+ lazo zonke izitsha zalo+ kanye letafula yesinkwa sokubukiswa+ lazo zonke izitsha zayo. 19 Sesizilungisile sazihlambulula+ zonke izitsha iNkosi u-Ahazi eyayizikhiphe ethempelini ngesikhathi ibusa njalo isenza okungalunganga.+ Ziphambi kwe-alithare likaJehova.”

20 INkosi uHezekhiya yavuka ekuseni kakhulu yaqoqa abakhokheli bedolobho basebesiya endlini kaJehova. 21 Bathatha inkunzi eziyisikhombisa, lenqama eziyisikhombisa, lemvana ezinduna eziyisikhombisa, lempongo eziyisikhombisa bahamba lakho ukuze kube ngumnikelo wesono wabendlu yenkosi, lowendawo engcwele, lowabantu bakoJuda.+ Watshela abaphristi, izizukulwane zika-Aroni, ukuthi banikele ngakho konke lokhu e-alithareni likaJehova. 22 Bahlaba inkomo,+ abaphristi bathatha igazi lazo balifafaza e-alithareni,+ basebebulala inqama bafafaza igazi lazo e-alithareni. Babulala lemvana ezinduna, igazi lazo balifafaza e-alithareni. 23 Ngemva kwalokho baletha impongo zomnikelo wesono phambi kwenkosi laphambi kwabantu, babeka izandla zabo phezu kwazo. 24 Abaphristi babulala impongo lezo, benza umnikelo wesono ngegazi lazo e-alithareni ukuze bahlawulele bonke abantu bako-Israyeli, ngoba inkosi yayithe umnikelo wokutshiswa lomnikelo wesono kwakumele wenzelwe bonke abako-Israyeli.

25 Inkosi yathi amaLevi ame endlini kaJehova ethwele amasimbali* leziginci lamahabhu*+ kulandelwa lokho okwakhulunywa nguDavida,+ loGadi+ umboni wenkosi, loNathani+ umphrofethi. Umlayo lo wawuvele kuJehova esebenzisa abaphrofethi bakhe. 26 Yikho amaLevi ama ethwele iziginci zikaDavida, abaphristi bona bethwele amacilongo.+

27 INkosi uHezekhiya yasisithi kwenziwe umhlatshelo wokutshiswa e-alithareni.+ Bathi beqalisa ukwenza umnikelo wokutshiswa, kwaqaliswa lengoma kaJehova kutshaywa amacilongo, kulandelwa ukukhala kweziginci zikaDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli. 28 Bonke abantu bakhothamisa amakhanda ngesikhathi ingoma ihlatshelwa kutshaywa lamacilongo. Lokhu bakwenza umnikelo wokutshiswa waze waphela. 29 Bathi beqeda nje ukwenza umnikelo, inkosi labo bonke abantu baguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso. 30 INkosi uHezekhiya kanye labakhokheli batshela amaLevi ukuthi adumise uJehova ngezingoma zikaDavida+ lo-Asafi+ umboni. Ngakho bamdumisa bethokoza kakhulu basebeguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso.

31 Ngemva kwalokho uHezekhiya wathi: “Njengoba selizinikele kuJehova,* buyani lemihlatshelo kanye leminikelo yokubonga endlini kaJehova.” Ngakho abantu baqalisa ukuletha imihlatshelo leminikelo yokubonga. Loba ngubani owayesizwa kusitsho enhliziyweni yakhe waletha leminikelo yokutshiswa.+ 32 Iminikelo yokutshiswa eyalethwa ngabantu kwakuzinkomo ezingu-70, lenqama ezingu-100, lemvana ezinduna ezingu-200. Konke lokhu kwakungumnikelo wokutshiswa owawusiya kuJehova.+ 33 Benza eminye iminikelo engcwele ngenkomo ezingu-600 lezimvu ezingu-3 000. 34 Kodwa abaphristi babebalutshwana ukuthi bahlinze yonke iminikelo yokutshiswa, yikho abafowabo abangamaLevi babancedisa+ umsebenzi waze waphela futhi kwaze kwaba yilapho abaphristi bezihlambulula.+ Phela amaLevi ayekukhuthalele ukuzihlambulula ukwedlula abaphristi. 35 Kwakuleminikelo yokutshiswa+ eminengi kakhulu kanye lamafutha emihlatshelo yobudlelwano,+ leminikelo yokunathwayo eyenziwa leminikelo yokutshiswa.+ Yavuselelwa njalo inkonzo eyayisenziwa endlini kaJehova. 36 Ngakho uHezekhiya labo bonke abantu bathokoza ngenxa yalokho uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayekwenzele abantu.+ Phela wonke umsebenzi wawenziwe ngesikhatshana.

30 UHezekhiya wathumela ilizwi kwabako-Israyeli+ labakoJuda njalo wabhalela abako-Efrayimi labakoManase+ izincwadi, ebatshela ukuthi babuye endlini kaJehova eJerusalema bezonanza iPhasika likaJehova uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli.+ 2 Inkosi lezikhulu zayo labantu bonke eJerusalema bavumelana ukunanza iPhasika ngenyanga yesibili,+ 3 njengoba babengenelisanga ukulenza ngesikhathi salo+ ngoba abaphristi ababezihlambululile+ babebalutshwana futhi labantu babengabuthananga eJerusalema. 4 Lokhu kwakhanya kukuhle enkosini lakubo bonke abantu. 5 Ngakho bacabanga ukumemezela kulo lonke elako-Israyeli, kusukela eBheri-shebha kuze kuyefika koDani+ ukuthi abantu babuye bazokwenzela uJehova uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli iPhasika eJerusalema, ngoba babengakaze babuthane balenze belandela lokho okwakubhalwe eMthethweni.+

6 Inkosi yathuma izithunywa kulo lonke elako-Israyeli lelakoJuda. Zazithwele izincwadi ezazivela enkosini lasezikhulwini zayo, ezazisithi: “Bantu bako-Israyeli phendukani kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama lo-Isaka lo-Israyeli, ukuze abuyele kwabaseleyo abaphunyuke ezandleni zamakhosi e-Asiriya.+ 7 Lingabi njengabokhokho benu lanjengabafowenu abangazange bathembeke kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo, okwenza wacina ebehlisela umonakalo owesabekayo njengoba lani lizibonela.+ 8 Lingabi yiziqholo njengabokhokho benu,+ zehliseni kuJehova libuye endaweni yakhe engcwele,+ aseyenze yaba ngcwele kuze kube nini lanini. Khonzani uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ukuze ulaka lwakhe oluvuthayo lusuke kini.+ 9 Nxa lingabuyela kuJehova, labo abathumba abafowenu lamadodana enu bazakuba lesihawu kubo+ babavumele ukuthi baphenduke elizweni leli+ ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ulozwelo lesihawu.+ Kasoze ayekele ukuba lomusa kini nxa lingaphenduka kuye.”+

10 Ngakho izithunywa zahamba idolobho ngedolobho kulo lonke elako-Efrayimi lelakoManase.+ Zahamba zaze zayafika lakoZebhuloni. Kodwa abantu babezihleka futhi bezichothoza.+ 11 Lanxa kunjalo abanye esizwaneni sako-Asheri lesakoManase lesakoZebhuloni bazehlisa babuya eJerusalema.+ 12 UNkulunkulu weqiniso wababusisa abakoJuda njalo wabamanyanisa* ukuze benze lokho ababekulaywe yinkosi lezikhulu zayo, njengokutsho kukaJehova.

13 Kwabuthana ixuku elikhulu labantu eJerusalema ngenyanga yesibili+ ukuze bananze uMkhosi Wesinkwa Esingelamvubelo.+ Kwakulabantu abanengi kakhulu. 14 Basuka bayakhipha ama-alithare ayeseJerusalema+ kanye lawo wonke ama-alithare+ okutshisela impepha, bayawalahlela esigodini seKhidroni. 15 Ngemva kwalokho bahlaba umhlatshelo wePhasika ngelanga lesi-14 ngenyanga yesibili. Abaphristi lamaLevi bayangeka, ngakho bazihlambulula* basebeletha iminikelo yokutshiswa endlini kaJehova. 16 Bama ezindaweni zabo belandela okutshiwo eMthethweni kaMosi umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Ngemva kwalokho abaphristi bafafaza igazi+ elalilethwe ngamaLevi. 17 Kwakulabantu abanengi ababengazihlambululanga, yikho amaLevi kwasekumele abahlabele imihlatshelo yePhasika bonke ababengahlanzekanga+ ukuze abenze babe ngcwele phambi kukaJehova. 18 Kwakulabantu abanengi ababengazihlambululanga, ikakhulu labo ababevela ko-Efrayimi, lakoManase,+ lako-Isakhari, lakoZebhuloni. Lanxa kunjalo balidla iPhasika, abalandelanga lokho okwakubhalwe eMthethweni. Ngakho uHezekhiya wabathandazela wathi: “Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu omuhle+ angabathethelela 19 bonke abalungise inhliziyo zabo ukuze badinge uNkulunkulu weqiniso+ uJehova, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo, lanxa bebengahlanjululwanga ngokuvumelana lomthetho wezinto ezingcwele.”+ 20 UJehova wamlalela uHezekhiya, wasebathethelela* abantu.

21 Ngakho ama-Israyeli ayeseJerusalema athakazelela uMkhosi Wesinkwa Esingelamvubelo+ okwamalanga ayisikhombisa ethokoza kakhulu.+ AmaLevi labaphristi babedumisa uJehova nsuku zonke, betshayela uJehova+ iziginci zabo zizwakalela phezulu. 22 Phezu kwalokho uHezekhiya wakhuluma lawo wonke amaLevi ayetshengisa ukuthi ayaqedisisa enkonzweni ayeyenzela uJehova futhi wawakhuthaza. Abantu baqhubeka besidla okwamalanga ayisikhombisa omkhosi,+ besenza lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano+ njalo bebonga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.

23 Bonke bavumelana ukuthi baqhubeke bethakazelela umkhosi okwamanye amalanga ayisikhombisa. Ngakho bawuthakazelela bejabula okwamanye amalanga ayisikhombisa.+ 24 Abaphristi babezihlambulula ngobunengi babo.+ UHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda wanika abantu inkunzi ezingu-1 000 lezimvu ezingu-7 000. Izikhulu zakhe zona zanika abantu inkunzi ezingu-1 000 lezimvu ezingu-10 000.+ 25 Bonke abantu bakoJuda, labaphristi, lamaLevi, labo bonke ababevela ko-Israyeli,+ labantu bezinye izizwe+ ababevela koJuda lako-Israyeli baqhubeka bethokoza. 26 Kwaba lentokozo enkulu eJerusalema ngoba kusukela ensukwini zikaSolomoni indodana kaDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli, okunje kwakungakaze kwenzakale eJerusalema.+ 27 Ekucineni amaLevi angabaphristi asukuma abusisa abantu.+ UNkulunkulu wawezwa amazwi awo njalo lomthandazo wawo wafika ezulwini, indawo yakhe engcwele ahlala kuyo.

31 Bathi beqeda umkhosi, bonke abantu bako-Israyeli ababekhona basuka baya emadolobheni akoJuda bafika bagamula izithombe zika-Ashera,*+ badiliza insika ezazikhonzwa,+ lezindawo eziphakemeyo,*+ lama-alithare+ kulo lonke elakoJuda, lakoBhenjamini, lako-Efrayimi kanye lakoManase.+ Badiliza konke nje, ngemva kwalokho bonke babuyela emadolobheni abo, ngamunye waya emzini wakhe.

2 UHezekhiya wahlela abaphristi ngamaqembu abo,+ lamaLevi ngamaqembu awo+ ukuze benze imisebenzi ababeyiphiwe.+ Babesenza iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo yobudlelwano futhi besenza inkonzo engcwele, bebonga njalo bedumisa emagedini amaguma kaJehova.+ 3 Kwathathwa enye impahla yenkosi kwenziwa ngayo iminikelo yokutshiswa,+ leminikelo yekuseni leyantambama,+ leminikelo yokutshiswa eyenziwa ngamaSabatha+ lasekuthwaseni kwenyanga+ langezikhathi zemikhosi,+ njengoba nje kubhaliwe eMthethweni kaJehova.

4 Phezu kwalokho watshela abantu abahlala eJerusalema ukuthi banike abaphristi lamaLevi+ lokho okumele bakuthole ukuze banamathele* ngokupheleleyo emthethweni kaJehova. 5 Umlayo wathi usanda kubekwa, ama-Israyeli ahle aletha iminikelo eminengi kakhulu. Aletha izithelo zokuqala zamabele, lewayini elitsha, lamafutha,+ loluju, lakho konke ababekuthole emasimini.+ Baletha lokwetshumi kwakho konke ababelakho njalo kwakukunengi kakhulu.+ 6 Abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda ababehlala emadolobheni akoJuda baletha lokwetshumi kwemihlambi yenkomo leyezimvu kanye lokwetshumi kwezinto ezingcwele+ ezazinikelwe kuJehova* uNkulunkulu wabo. Bakuletha bakuqoqa kwaba kunengi kakhulu. 7 Baqalisa ukubuthelela iminikelo yabo ngenyanga yesithathu+ baze bayaqeda ngenyanga yesikhombisa.+ 8 UHezekhiya lezikhulu zakhe bathi befika futhi bebona iminikelo eyayibuthelelwe, badumisa uJehova babusisa labantu bako-Israyeli.

9 UHezekhiya wasebuza abaphristi lamaLevi ngeminikelo leyo eyayibuthelelwe. 10 U-Azariya umkhokheli wabaphristi owosendo lukaZadokhi, wamphendula wathi: “Kusukela abantu beqalisa ukuletha iminikelo endlini kaJehova,+ bebesidla besutha futhi kunengi kakhulu okuseleyo ngoba uJehova ubabusisile abantu bakhe. Yikho kukunengi kangaka okuseleyo.”+

11 UHezekhiya wathi ekuzwa lokhu wabatshela ukuthi balungise iziphala*+ ezazisendlini kaJehova. Ngakho bazilungisa. 12 Baqhubeka beletha iminikelo ngokuthembeka. Babeletha lokwetshumi+ kanye lezinto ezingcwele. UKhonaniya umLevi nguye owabekwa ukuthi akhangele konke lokhu futhi umsekeli wakhe kwakungumfowabo uShimeyi. 13 Abaphathi ababebekwe yiNkosi uHezekhiya ukuthi bancedise uKhonaniya lomfowabo uShimeyi kwakunguJehiyela, lo-Azaziya, loNahathi, lo-Asaheli, loJerimothi, loJozabhadi, lo-Eliyeli, lo-Isimakhiya, loMahathi, loBhenaya. U-Azariya yena wayekhangela indlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 14 UKhore indodana ka-Imna, umLevi owayelinda egedini elisempumalanga,+ wayekhangela iminikelo yokuzithandela+ eyayilethwa kuNkulunkulu weqiniso. Nguye owayenika abanye iminikelo eyayilethwa kuJehova+ kanye lezinto ezingcwele kakhulu.+ 15 Ngaphansi kwakhe kwakulo-Edeni, loMiniyamini, loJeshuwa, loShemaya, lo-Amariya, loShekhaniya futhi babesemadolobheni abaphristi.+ Baphathiswa umsebenzi wokwabela abafowabo ababesemaqenjini atshiyeneyo+ ukudla okulinganayo, bonke abakhulu labancane. 16 Abafowabo laba babephiwa ukudla njengalabo ababebhalwe emibhalweni yosendo yalabo ababebuya endlini kaJehova nsuku zonke bezokwenza imisebenzi yabo ngamaqembu abo. Ababebhalwe emibhalweni yosendo kwakungabesilisa, kusukela kwabaleminyaka emithathu kusiya phezulu.

17 Abaphristi babebhalwe emibhalweni yosendo kusiya ngezimuli zaboyise.+ Kwakunjalo langamaLevi ayeleminyaka engu-20 kusiya phezulu,+ kusiya ngemisebenzi eyayisenziwa ngamaqembu awo.+ 18 Emibhalweni yosendo lwamaLevi kwakubhalwe labomkawo, lamadodana awo, lamadodakazi awo kanye labantwana abancane. Babebhalwe bonke ngenxa yokuthi amaLevi ayezigcine engcwele ukuze enze imisebenzi engcwele ayeyiphathisiwe, njengoba ayethembekile. 19 Kwakubhalwe lezizukulwane zika-Aroni, abaphristi ababehlala ngaphandle kwamadolobho abo.+ Emadolobheni wonke kwakhethwa amadoda ayezanika bonke abesilisa phakathi kwabaphristi ukudla, anike laye wonke umuntu owayebhalwe emibhalweni yosendo lwamaLevi.

20 UHezekhiya wenza lokhu kulo lonke elakoJuda futhi waqhubeka esenza okuhle lokulungileyo njalo ethembekile phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. 21 Konke akwenzayo ukuze adinge uNkulunkulu wakhe, kungaba yilokho okuphathelane lomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ loba okuphathelane loMthetho lemilayo, wakwenza ngenhliziyo yonke futhi waphumelela.

32 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu uHezekhiya ayekwenze ngokuthembeka,+ uSenakheribhi inkosi ye-Asiriya wabuya ezohlasela koJuda. Wavimbezela amadolobho avikelweyo ehlose ukudiliza imiduli yawo awathumbe.+

2 UHezekhiya wathi ebona ukuthi uSenakheribhi usefikile lokuthi ufuna ukuhlasela iJerusalema, 3 wabonisana lezikhulu zakhe lamaqhawe akhe, wakhetha ukuthi avimbe amanzi ayempompoza ngaphandle kwedolobho.+ Izikhulu lamaqhawe akhe bamsekela. 4 Kwaqoqwa abantu abanengi bavimba amanzi ayempompoza kanye lamanzi omfula owawudabula elizweni. Bathi: “Kungani kumele amakhosi e-Asiriya athole kulamanzi amanengi?”

5 Phezu kwalokho uHezekhiya wasebenza nzima evuselela wonke umduli wedolobho owawudilikile, wasesakha imiphotshongo phezu kwawo. Wakha lomunye umduli ngaphandle. Waphinda wavuselela loqaqa*+ lwedolobho likaDavida njalo wenza izikhali ezinengi kakhulu kanye lamahawu. 6 Wabeka izinduna zamabutho ukuthi zikhangele abantu futhi bonke wababuthanisa egcekeni elisegedini ledolobho, wabakhuthaza wathi: 7 “Qinani libe lesibindi, lingesabi futhi lingatshaywa luvalo ngenxa yenkosi ye-Asiriya+ labo bonke abantu bayo ngoba abalathi banengi ukwedlula abalayo.+ 8 Yona ithembe amandla abantu kodwa thina siloJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, uzasincedisa futhi asilwele izimpi zethu.”+ Abantu baqina besizwa amazwi kaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda.+

9 USenakheribhi inkosi ye-Asiriya wathi eseLakhishi,+ elebutho lakhe lonke elilamandla kanye lezikhulu zakhe, wathuma izithunywa eJerusalema. Wathi ziye kuHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda lakubo bonke abantu bakoJuda ababeseJerusalema+ zifike zithi:

10 “USenakheribhi inkosi ye-Asiriya uthi, ‘Kanti lithembeni? Kuyini okwenza liqhubeke liseJerusalema yona ivinjezelwe?+ 11 Nxa uHezekhiya esithi kini: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu uzasikhulula esandleni senkosi ye-Asiriya,”+ uyabe engaliqili yini? Kasoze alenze libulawe yindlala lokoma yini? 12 Angithi nguye uHezekhiya owadiliza izindawo eziphakemeyo*+ zikaNkulunkulu wenu* lama-alithare akhe,+ wasesithi ebantwini bakoJuda labeJerusalema: “Kufanele likhothame phambi kwe-alithare elilodwa futhi yilo okumele litshisele kulo imihlatshelo.”+ 13 Alikwazi yini lokho mina labokhokho bami esakwenza zonke izizwe?+ Onkulunkulu bezizwe lezo benelisa yini ukukhulula amazwe abantu babo esandleni sami?+ 14 Nguphi phakathi kwabo bonke onkulunkulu bezizwe lezi ezatshabalaliswa ngokhokho bami owenelisa ukukhulula abantu bakhe esandleni sami? Pho uNkulunkulu wenu angenelisa njani ukulikhulula esandleni sami?+ 15 Lingamvumeli uHezekhiya eliqila futhi eliyenga kangaka.+ Lingamkholwa ngoba akulankulunkulu kuloba yiwuphi umbuso loba isizwe owenelisa ukukhulula abantu bakhe esandleni sami lasezandleni zabokhokho bami. Pho uNkulunkulu wenu angenelisa njani ukulikhulula esandleni sami?’”+

16 Izinceku zikaSenakheribhi zakhuluma lokunye okunengi zichothoza uJehova uNkulunkulu weqiniso lenceku yakhe uHezekhiya. 17 Wabhala lezincwadi+ ethethisa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli+ futhi emchothoza esithi: “UNkulunkulu kaHezekhiya kasoze enelise ukukhulula abantu bakhe esandleni sami,+ njengoba nje onkulunkulu bezinye izizwe behluleka ukukhulula abantu babo esandleni sami.” 18 Izinceku zikaSenakheribhi zaqhubeka zimemeza zikhuluma labantu beJerusalema ababesemdulini ngolimi lwamaJuda zifuna ukubethusela ukuze besabe, zihlose ukuthumba idolobho.+ 19 Zakhuluma kubi ngoNkulunkulu weJerusalema, ngendlela ezazikhuluma ngayo ngabonkulunkulu bezizwe zomhlaba abenziwe ngabantu. 20 Loba kunjalo iNkosi uHezekhiya lomphrofethi u-Isaya+ indodana ka-Amozi baqhubeka bethandaza ngendaba le, bekhalela uncedo+ kuNkulunkulu osezulwini.

21 Ngakho uJehova wathumela ingilosi, yafika yabulala wonke amaqhawe alamandla+ labakhokheli lezinduna ezazisenkambeni yenkosi ye-Asiriya. USenakheribhi wabuyela elizweni lakhe eyangekile. Ngemva kwesikhathi wangena endlini kankulunkulu* wakhe futhi amanye amadodana akhe ambulalela khonapho ngenkemba.+ 22 UJehova wamsindisa uHezekhiya labantu ababehlala eJerusalema esandleni sikaSenakheribhi inkosi ye-Asiriya, lasezitheni zabo zonke njalo wabanika ukuphumula kuzo zonke indawo. 23 Abantu abanengi baletha izipho kuJehova eJerusalema, lezinto ezinhle kakhulu kuHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda.+ UHezekhiya wayesehlonitshwa kakhulu yizizwe zonke.

24 Ngalezonsuku uHezekhiya wagula wabangwa lezibi. Wathandaza kuJehova+ futhi yena wamphendula wamnika isibonakaliso.+ 25 Lanxa kunjalo uHezekhiya kazange atshengise ukuthi uyabonga ngokuhle ayekwenzelwe ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yazikhukhumeza. Lokhu kwenza ukuthi uNkulunkulu amthukuthelele yena labantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema. 26 Kodwa uHezekhiya wazithoba, yena labantu beJerusalema bayekela ukuzikhukhumeza.+ Ngakho ulaka lukaJehova aluzange lwehlele kubo ngensuku zikaHezekhiya.+

27 UHezekhiya wanotha kakhulu futhi waba lodumo.+ Wakha izindawo zokugcinela+ isiliva, legolide, lamatshe aligugu, lamafutha ebhalisamu, lamahawu, lazo zonke izitsha eziligugu. 28 Wakha leziphala zokugcinela amabele lewayini elitsha lamafutha. Wakha lezibaya zembuzi lezezimvu kanye lezemihlobo yonke yezifuyo. 29 Waphinda wakha amadolobho futhi waba lezifuyo ezinengi, izimvu lembuzi lenkomo ngoba uNkulunkulu wamupha impahla enengi. 30 UHezekhiya wavimba amanzi omthombo waseGihoni+ ongaphezulu,+ wenza ukuthi ageleze esiya entshonalanga yedolobho likaDavida,+ njalo waphumelela kukho konke ayekwenza. 31 Abakhulumeli beziphathamandla zeBhabhiloni bathi befika bezombuza ngesibonakaliso+ esasenzakale elizweni,+ uNkulunkulu weqiniso wamyekela wazikhethela ayezakwenza ukuze amhlole+ abone konke okwakusenhliziyweni yakhe.+

32 Yonke imbali kaHezekhiya lakho konke akwenzayo okwakutshengisa ukuthi ulothando oluqotho+ kubhaliwe emibonweni yomphrofethi u-Isaya+ indodana ka-Amozi, ebhukwini lamakhosi akoJuda lawako-Israyeli.+ 33 UHezekhiya wafa wangcwatshwa emqansweni oya emangcwabeni amadodana kaDavida,+ njalo bonke abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema bamngcwaba ngenhlonipho. Ngemva kwalokho indodana yakhe uManase yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

33 UManase+ wayeleminyaka engu-12 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-55.+

2 Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova elandela izenzo ezenyanyekayo zezizwe uJehova ayezixotshe phambi kwabako-Israyeli.+ 3 Wakha kutsha izindawo eziphakemeyo* ezazidilizwe+ nguyise uHezekhiya, wakhela oBhali ama-alithare njalo wenza lezithombe zika-Ashera.* Wakhothamela lonke ibutho elisemazulwini* walikhonza.+ 4 Wakha lama-alithare endlini kaJehova,+ leyo uJehova ayekhulume ngayo wathi: “Ibizo lami lizakuba seJerusalema kuze kube nini lanini.”+ 5 Waphinda wakhela lonke ibutho elisemazulwini* ama-alithare emagumeni womabili endlu kaJehova.+ 6 Watshisa amadodana akhe+ esigodini sendodana kaHinomi,+ wenza lamasalamusi,+ wahlahlula, wathakatha, futhi wavumela ukuthi kube lezangoma labalomoya wokutshela abantu ngekusasa.+ Wenza izinto ezinengi kakhulu ezimbi phambi kukaJehova wamthukuthelisa.

7 Wathatha isithombe ayesibazile wasifaka endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ leyo uNkulunkulu ayekhulume ngayo kuDavida lakuSolomoni indodana yakhe wathi: “Ngizafaka ibizo lami+ endlini le laseJerusalema, idolobho engilikhethileyo kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, ukuze lihlale khona kokuphela. 8 Angisoze ngiphinde ngibasuse abako-Israyeli elizweni engalinika okhokho babo nxa bangenza konke engabatshela khona, konke okuseMthethweni kanye lezimiso lezahlulelo engabanika zona ngisebenzisa uMosi.” 9 UManase waqhubeka edukisa abakoJuda labahlala eJerusalema. Wabangela ukuthi benze okubi kakhulu ukwedlula izizwe uJehova ayezitshabalalise phambi kwabako-Israyeli.+

10 UJehova waqhubeka ekhuluma loManase labantu bakhe kodwa abazange balalele.+ 11 Ngakho uJehova wenza ukuthi izinduna zamabutho enkosi ye-Asiriya zibahlasele. Zamthumba uManase zamfaka izingwegwe futhi zambopha ngamaketane ekhopha amabili zasezihamba laye eBhabhiloni. 12 Wathi esesebunzimeni wancenga uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ukuthi abe lomusa kuye, njalo waqhubeka ezehlisa kakhulu phambi kukaNkulunkulu wabokhokho bakhe. 13 Waqhubeka ethandaza kuye futhi uNkulunkulu wakuzwa ukuncenga kwakhe, wasizwa lesicelo sakhe sokuthi abe lomusa kuye, wasembuyisela eJerusalema ebukhosini bakhe.+ Ngakho uManase wakwazi ukuthi uJehova nguye uNkulunkulu weqiniso.+

14 Ngemva kwalokho wakha umduli wangaphandle wedolobho likaDavida,+ esigodini esisentshonalanga yeGihoni.+ Wakha waze wayafika egedini lenhlanzi.+ Waqhubeka ewakha umduli waze wayafika e-Ofeli+ njalo wawakha waba mude kakhulu. Kanti njalo wafaka izinduna zamabutho kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda avikelweyo. 15 Wasusa onkulunkulu bezinye izizwe kanye lesithombe esasibaziwe esasisendlini kaJehova,+ lawo wonke ama-alithare ayewakhile entabeni yendlu kaJehova+ laseJerusalema, wasesithi konke lokhu kulahlelwe phandle kwedolobho. 16 Walungisa i-alithare likaJehova+ waqalisa ukunikela kulo imihlatshelo yobudlelwano+ lemihlatshelo yokubonga,+ wasetshela bonke abakoJuda ukuthi bakhonze uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 17 Lanxa kunjalo, abantu baqhubeka besenza imihlatshelo ezindaweni eziphakemeyo. Kodwa basebeyenzela uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo kuphela.

18 Yonke imbali kaManase, okugoqela umthandazo wakhe ekhuleka kuNkulunkulu wakhe kanye lamazwi abaphrofethi* abakhuluma laye ngebizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ibhaliwe embalini yamakhosi ako-Israyeli. 19 Umthandazo wakhe+ wokuncenga lendlela owaphendulwa ngayo, lazo zonke izono zakhe lokungathembeki kwakhe,+ lalapho ayakha khona izindawo eziphakemeyo wafaka izithombe zika-Ashera*+ lezithombe ezibaziweyo ngesikhathi engakazithobi kuNkulunkulu, kubhaliwe emibhalweni yabantu bakhe ababebona imibono. 20 UManase wafa wangcwatshwa emzini wakhe, indodana yakhe u-Amoni yasisiba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

21 U-Amoni+ wayeleminyaka engu-22 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka emibili.+ 22 Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova njengalokho okwakwenziwe nguyise uManase.+ Wenza imihlatshelo kuzo zonke izithombe ezibaziweyo ezazenziwe+ nguyise uManase njalo waqhubeka ezikhonza. 23 Kodwa kazange azehlise phambi kukaJehova+ njengoyise uManase owazehlisayo.+ Yena wenza izinto ezinengi kakhulu ezimbi. 24 Izinceku zakhe zabumba icebo lokumhlamukela,+ zambulala endlini yakhe. 25 Kodwa abantu belizwe bababulala bonke ababehlamukele iNkosi u-Amoni,+ basebebeka indodana yayo uJosiya+ ukuthi ibe yinkosi esikhundleni sayo.

34 UJosiya+ wayeleminyaka engu-8 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-31.+ 2 Wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova wahamba ezindleleni zikakhokho wakhe uDavida. Kazange aphambukele kwesokudla loba kwesenxele.

3 Ngomnyaka wesi-8 wokubusa kwakhe, esesengumfana nje, waqalisa ukudinga uNkulunkulu kaDavida ukhokho wakhe.+ Kwathi ngomnyaka wesi-12 waqalisa ukuhlambulula iJerusalema lelizwe lakoJuda+ esusa izindawo eziphakemeyo,*+ lezithombe zika-Ashera,* lezithombe ezibaziweyo+ kanye lezithombe zensimbi. 4 Abantu badiliza ama-alithare kaBhali bekhokhelwa nguJosiya, lama-alithare okutshisela impepha ayephezu kwawo. Wadiliza izithombe zika-Ashera* lezithombe ezibaziweyo lezithombe zensimbi njalo wazichola zaba yimpuphu, wasechithela impuphu leyo phezu kwamangcwaba alabo ababesenza imihlatshelo ezithombeni lezo.+ 5 Watshisela amathambo abaphristi phezu kwama-alithare abo.+ Wayihlambulula njalo iJerusalema lelizwe lakoJuda.

6 Emadolobheni akoManase lawako-Efrayimi+ lawakoSimiyoni kuze kuyefika koNafithali lasemanxiweni aseduze kwawo, 7 wadiliza ama-alithare njalo wachoboza izithombe zika-Ashera* lezithombe ezibaziweyo,+ zasala ziyimpuphu. Wadiliza lawo wonke ama-alithare okutshisela impepha kulo lonke ilizwe lako-Israyeli.+ Ngemva kwalokho wabuyela eJerusalema.

8 Ngomnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kwakhe, eseqedile ukuhlambulula ilizwe kanye lethempeli,* wathuma uShafani+ indodana ka-Azaliya, loJowa indodana kaJowahazi owayebhala okwakusenzakala, loMahaseya umphathi wedolobho ukuthi bayelungisa indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.+ 9 Bafika kuHilikhiya umphristi omkhulu bamnika imali eyayilethwe endlini kaNkulunkulu, leyo amaLevi ayelinda iminyango ayeyiqoqe koManase, lako-Efrayimi, lakulo lonke ilizwe lako-Israyeli,+ lakoJuda, lakoBhenjamini, lasebantwini abahlala eJerusalema. 10 Imali leyo yaphiwa labo ababebekwe ukuthi bakhangele umsebenzi owawusenziwa endlini kaJehova. Ababesebenza endlini kaJehova bona basebenzisa imali leyo ukulungisa indlu yakhe. 11 Bayinika izingcitshi zomsebenzi labakhi ukuze bathenge amatshe abaziweyo lezigodo zokusekela indlu njalo bavuselele izindlu amakhosi akoJuda ayeziyekele zadilika.+

12 Amadoda la awenza ngokuthembeka umsebenzi lo.+ AmaLevi ayebekwe ukuthi abakhangele kwakunguJahathi lo-Obhadiya abosendo lwamaMerari,+ loZakhariya loMeshulami abosendo lwamaKhohathi.+ AmaLevi ayezingcitshi zokuhlabela+ 13 yiwo ayekhangela ezinye izisebenzi* lalabo ababesenza eminye imisebenzi etshiyeneyo. Amanye amaLevi ayengonobhala, amanye engabaphathi futhi amanye engabalindi bamagedi.+

14 Bathi bekhipha imali eyayilethwe endlini kaJehova,+ uHilikhiya umphristi wathola ibhuku loMthetho kaJehova+ ayewunike ama-Israyeli esebenzisa uMosi.+ 15 UHilikhiya wasesithi kuShafani unobhala: “Ngithole ibhuku loMthetho endlini kaJehova.” Wasenika uShafani ibhuku lelo. 16 UShafani wahamba lalo enkosini wafika wathi kuyo: “Izinceku zakho ziyakwenza konke ozitshele ukuthi zikwenze. 17 Zithethe yonke imali etholakale endlini kaJehova zayinika izisebenzi kanye lalabo ababekwe ukuthi bakhangele umsebenzi.” 18 UShafani unobhala waqhubeka wathi enkosini: “Kulebhuku engiliphiwe+ ngumphristi uHilikhiya.” UShafani waseqalisa ukulibalela inkosi.+

19 Inkosi yathi isizwa amazwi ayeseMthethweni yadabula izigqoko zayo,+ 20 yasitshela uHilikhiya lo-Ahikhamu+ indodana kaShafani, lo-Abhidoni indodana kaMikha, loShafani unobhala kanye lo-Asaya inceku yayo, yathi: 21 “Hambani liyengibuzela kuJehova ngamazwi asebhukwini leli elitholakeleyo, libuzele lalabo abaseleyo ko-Israyeli lakoJuda ngoba ulaka lukaJehova oluzakwehlela phezu kwethu lukhulu, ngenxa yokuthi okhokho bethu abazange balandele amazwi kaJehova. Abakwenzanga okubhalwe ebhukwini leli.”+

22 Ngakho uHilikhiya labo bonke ababethunywe yinkosi baya kumphrofethikazi+ uHulida. UHulida wayeyinkosikazi kaShalumi indodana kaThikhiva indodana kaHarihasi, owayekhangela indlu okwakugcinelwa kuyo izigqoko. Wayehlala esigabeni esitsha sedolobho leJerusalema njalo yikho lapho amadoda la akhuluma laye khona.+ 23 Wathi kuwo: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Kumele litshele indoda elithume kimi lithi: 24 “UJehova uthi, ‘Ngizakwehlisela umonakalo endaweni le lakubo bonke abahlala kuyo,+ ngibehlisele lazo zonke iziqalekiso ezibhalwe ebhukwini+ elibalwe phambi kwenkosi yakoJuda. 25 Ngizathulula ulaka lwami phezu kwendawo le njalo alusoze luphele+ ngoba abantu laba bangitshiyile+ batshisela abanye onkulunkulu imihlatshelo, bengithukuthelisa+ ngakho konke abakwenza ngezandla zabo.’” 26 Kodwa enkosini yakoJuda elithume ukuthi lizobuza kuJehova kumele lithi, “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli mayelana lamazwi owazwileyo:+ 27 ‘Ngiwuzwile umthandazo wakho ngenxa yokuthi inhliziyo yakho ikwamukele okuzwileyo, wazehlisa phambi kukaNkulunkulu ngesikhathi usizwa amazwi aphathelane lendawo le labantu abahlala kuyo. Ngikuzwile+ ngoba uzithobile phambi kwami wadabula izigqoko zakho njalo wakhala phambi kwami, kutsho uJehova. 28 Ngenxa yalokho, amehlo akho awasoze awubone umonakalo engizawehlisela indawo le labantu abahlala kuyo.+ Uzakufa* ungcwatshwe engcwabeni lakho ngokuthula.’”’”

Basuka lapho bayatshela inkosi impendulo. 29 Ngakho inkosi yathumela ilizwi yathi kubizwe bonke abadala bakoJuda labeJerusalema.+ 30 Yaya endlini kaJehova ilamadoda wonke akoJuda labantu abahlala eJerusalema, labaphristi lamaLevi. Yahamba labo bonke nje abantu, abancane labakhulu, yasibabalela wonke amazwi ayesebhukwini lesivumelwano elalitholakale endlini kaJehova.+ 31 Inkosi yama endaweni yayo yenza isivumelwano*+ phambi kukaJehova, esokuthi izalandela uJehova njalo ilalele imilayo yakhe lezikhumbuzo zakhe kanye lemithetho yakhe ngenhliziyo yonke langomphefumulo* wonke.+ Yathembisa ukuthi izakwenza konke okusemazwini esivumelwano ayebhalwe ebhukwini lelo.+ 32 Yakhuthaza bonke ababeseJerusalema lakoBhenjamini ukuthi bagcine isivumelwano leso. Bonke abahlala eJerusalema bakwenza lokho okwakubhalwe esivumelwaneni sabokhokho babo.+ 33 UJosiya wakhipha zonke izinto* ezenyanyekayo ezazikulo lonke ilizwe lako-Israyeli,+ wasiza bonke abako-Israyeli ukuthi bakhonze uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. Ngesikhathi esaphila abazange batshiye ukukhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo.

35 UJosiya wathakazelela iPhasika+ likaJehova eJerusalema, futhi bahlaba umhlatshelo wePhasika+ mhlaka 14 ngenyanga yokuqala.+ 2 Wanika abaphristi imisebenzi yabo, wasebakhuthaza ukuthi benze inkonzo okwakumele bayenze endlini kaJehova.+ 3 Ngemva kwalokho wakhuluma lamaLevi, isizwana esasingcwele kuJehova futhi esasilomsebenzi wokufundisa bonke abantu bako-Israyeli,+ wathi: “Fakani ibhokisi elingcwele endlini eyakhiwa+ nguSolomoni indodana kaDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli. Lingasalithwali emahlombe.+ Khathesi menzeleni inkonzo engcwele uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu labantu bakhe bako-Israyeli. 4 Lungiselelani umsebenzi lo ngamaqembu enu langezimuli zaboyihlo, lilandela lokho okwabhalwa nguDavida+ inkosi yako-Israyeli lendodana yakhe uSolomoni.+ 5 Kumele lingene endaweni engcwele, lime ngamaqembu ezimuli zabafowenu, abantu bako-Israyeli. Emulini ngayinye yako-Israyeli kumele kube leqembu lemuli yamaLevi elizabenzela inkonzo. 6 Hlabani umhlatshelo wePhasika+ njalo lizihlambulule* beselisenzela abafowenu amalungiselelo, ukuze lenze lokho uJehova akutshela uMosi.”

7 UJosiya wanika abantu amazinyane ezimvu amaduna* lamazinyane embuzi amaduna ukuze abe yimihlatshelo yePhasika yabo bonke ababekhona. Esewonke ayengu-30 000. Wabanika lenkomo ezingu-3 000. Konke lokhu kwakuthethwe empahleni yenkosi.+ 8 Izikhulu zakhe zanika abaphristi lamaLevi labantu iminikelo yokuzithandela. Abakhokheli bendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, uHilikhiya+ loZakhariya loJehiyela, banika abaphristi imihlatshelo yePhasika engu-2 600 lenkomo ezingu-300. 9 Izinduna zamaLevi uHashabhiya, loJeyiyeli, loJozabhadi kanye loKhonaniya labafowabo uShemaya loNethaneli zanika amaLevi imihlatshelo yePhasika engu-5 000 lenkomo ezingu-500.

10 Kwathi konke sekulungile abaphristi bama ezindaweni zabo, lamaLevi ama ngamaqembu awo+ njengoba nje inkosi yayitshilo. 11 Bahlaba imihlatshelo+ yePhasika futhi abaphristi bafafaza e-alithareni igazi layo ababeliphiwe ngamaLevi.+ AmaLevi aqhubeka ehlinza.+ 12 Ngemva kwalokho balungisa iminikelo yokutshiswa ukuze bayabele bonke abantu ababebuthene bengamaqembu, kusiya ngezimuli zaboyise. Iminikelo le yayizanikelwa kuJehova njengoba kubhaliwe ebhukwini likaMosi. Benza njalo langenkomo. 13 Bapheka* umnikelo wePhasika emlilweni belandela indlela okwakuvele kusenziwa ngayo.+ Bapheka leminikelo engcwele ngezimbiza lamabhodo lamapani, basebeyiletha masinyane ebantwini bonke. 14 Benza amalungiselelo abo lawabaphristi ngenxa yokuthi abaphristi, izizukulwane zika-Aroni, babenikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa lamafutha kuze kube sebusuku. Ngakho amaLevi alungisa imihlatshelo yawo yePhasika kanye leyezizukulwane zika-Aroni ezazingabaphristi.

15 Abahlabeleli ababengamadodana ka-Asafi+ babesezindaweni zabo, kulandelwa umlayo owawubekwe nguDavida,+ lo-Asafi,+ loHemani, loJeduthuni+ umboni wenkosi. Abalindi bamagedi babesemagedini atshiyeneyo.+ Akuzange kudingakale ukuthi basuke emisebenzini yabo ngoba abafowabo abangamaLevi babenzela amalungiselelo ePhasika. 16 Wonke umsebenzi okwakumele wenzelwe uJehova ngalelolanga wenziwa ukuze kuthakazelelwe iPhasika,+ kunikelwe leminikelo yokutshiswa e-alithareni likaJehova kulandelwa umlayo weNkosi uJosiya.+

17 Ngalesosikhathi ama-Israyeli ayekhona athakazelela iPhasika kanye loMkhosi Wesinkwa Esingelamvubelo okwamalanga ayisikhombisa.+ 18 Kwakungakaze kube lePhasika elinjalo ko-Israyeli kusukela ezinsukwini zomphrofethi uSamuyeli. Akulankosi ko-Israyeli eyayike yenza iPhasika elinjengalelo elenziwa nguJosiya,+ labaphristi, lamaLevi, labantu bonke bakoJuda labako-Israyeli ababekhonapho kanye lalabo ababehlala eJerusalema. 19 IPhasika leli lenziwa ngomnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kukaJosiya.

20 Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu, uJosiya eselungise ithempeli, uNekho+ inkosi yeGibhithe wafika ezokulwa eKharikhemishi eduze kukaYufrathe. UJosiya wasephuma esiyakulwa laye.+ 21 Ngakho inkosi yeGibhithe yathuma izithunywa kuye yathi: “Awu nkosi yakoJuda, wena ungena ngaphi empini le? Lamuhla angilandanga ukuzokulwa lawe, ngizokulwa lesinye isizwe njalo uNkulunkulu uthi ngiphangise. Yekela ukuphikisana loNkulunkulu ngoba yena ulami. Ungayekela ukwenza njalo uzakwehlisela umonakalo.” 22 Kodwa uJosiya kazange asuke khonapho, watshintsha izigqoko ukuze bangamnanzeleli+ wasesiyakulwa laye. Kazange awalalele amazwi kaNekho ayevela kuNkulunkulu. Wahamba wayakulwa laye egcekeni leMegido.+

23 Amabutho ayesilwa ngemitshoko amgwaza uJosiya, wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe: “Ngisusani lapha ngoba sengilimele kakhulu.” 24 Ngakho izinceku zakhe zamkhipha enqoleni ayekuyo zamfaka enqoleni yakhe yesibili,* zasezimhambisa eJerusalema. UJosiya wafa wangcwatshwa emangcwabeni abokhokho bakhe+ njalo bonke abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema bamlilela. 25 UJeremiya+ wahlabelela uJosiya ingoma yokulila njalo bonke abahlabeleli besilisa labesifazana+ balokhu behlabela ngoJosiya ezingomeni zabo zokulila kuze kube lamuhla. Kwenziwa isinqumo sokuthi izingoma lezi zihlatshelwe ko-Israyeli futhi zibhaliwe ezingomeni zokulila.

26 Yonke imbali kaJosiya lalokho akwenzayo ngenxa yothando lwakhe oluqotho, elandela lokho okubhalwe eMthethweni kaJehova, 27 kanye lalokho akwenzayo kusukela ekuqaleni kuze kuyefika ekucineni, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi ako-Israyeli lawakoJuda.+

36 Abantu belizwe bathatha uJehowahazi+ indodana kaJosiya bambeka ukuthi abe yinkosi eJerusalema esikhundleni sikayise.+ 2 UJehowahazi wayeleminyaka engu-23 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okwenyanga ezintathu. 3 Inkosi yeGibhithe yamsusa esikhundleni sokuba yinkosi eJerusalema futhi yabhadalisa abantu belizwe amathalenta* esiliva angu-100 lethalenta elilodwa legolide.+ 4 UNekho+ inkosi yeGibhithe wabeka u-Eliyakhimu umfowabo kaJehowahazi ukuthi abe yinkosi yakoJuda leJerusalema, wamtshintsha ibizo waba nguJehoyakhimu. Kodwa wathatha umfowabo uJehowahazi wahamba laye eGibhithe.+

5 UJehoyakhimu+ wayeleminyaka engu-25 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-11. Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.+ 6 UNebhukhadinezari+ inkosi yeBhabhiloni wafika wamhlasela, wambopha ngamaketane amabili ekhopha wahamba laye eBhabhiloni.+ 7 UNebhukhadinezari wathatha ezinye izitsha zendlu kaJehova wahamba lazo eBhabhiloni, wafika wazibeka esigodlweni sakhe.+ 8 Yonke imbali kaJehoyakhimu lezinto ezenyanyekayo azenzayo kanye lakho konke okubi okwatholakala kuye, kubhaliwe ebhukwini lamakhosi ako-Israyeli lawakoJuda. Indodana yakhe uJehoyakhini yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.+

9 UJehoyakhini+ wayeleminyaka engu-18 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi, futhi wabusa eJerusalema okwenyanga ezintathu lamalanga alitshumi. Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova.+ 10 Ekuqaliseni komnyaka,* iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari yathi uJehoyakhini ayethathwa alethwe eBhabhiloni,+ kulethwe lezitsha eziligugu zendlu kaJehova.+ Yabeka uZedekhiya umfowabo kayise kaJehoyakhini ukuthi abe yinkosi yakoJuda leJerusalema.+

11 UZedekhiya+ wayeleminyaka engu-21 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-11.+ 12 Waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Kazange azehlise kumphrofethi uJeremiya+ owayekhuluma laye ethunywe nguJehova. 13 Wahlamukela iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari+ eyayimfungise ngoNkulunkulu, njalo waqhubeka eqinisa ikhanda futhi ewomisa inhliziyo yakhe. Wala ukulalela uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 14 Abantu kanye labo bonke abaphristi abakhokhelayo benza okubi kakhulu. Baqhubeka besenza zonke izinto ezenyanyekayo ezazisenziwa ngezinye izizwe. Bangcolisa indlu kaJehova+ eyayiseJerusalema, ayeyenze yaba ngcwele.

15 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo wayelokhu ebaxwayisa esebenzisa izithunywa zakhe. Wabaxwayisa ephindaphinda ngoba wayezwela abantu bakhe lendawo yakhe yokuhlala. 16 Kodwa babezihleka izithunywa zikaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ beseyisa amazwi azo+ njalo bechothoza labaphrofethi bakhe.+ Ulaka lukaJehova lwacina lusehlela phezu kwabantu bakhe+ baze basala bengasancediseki.

17 Ngakho wathuma inkosi yamaKhaledi+ ukuthi ibahlasele, yafika yabulala amajaha ngenkemba+ endlini engcwele.+ Kayizange izwele muntu kungelani lokuthi lijaha, yintombi, ngolupheleyo loba ngogulayo.+ UNkulunkulu wanikela konke esandleni sayo.+ 18 Yathatha zonke izitsha ezazisendlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, ezinkulu lezincane, lenotho eyayisendlini kaJehova kanye lenotho yenkosi leyezikhulu zayo yahamba lakho eBhabhiloni.+ 19 Yatshisa indlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ yadiliza umduli weJerusalema+ futhi yatshisa ngomlilo yonke imiphotshongo eqinileyo. Yatshabalalisa konke okwakuligugu.+ 20 Bonke ababengabulawanga ngenkemba+ yabathumba yabasa eBhabhiloni. Baba zinceku zayo+ lezamadodana ayo kwaze kwaqalisa ukubusa umbuso wePhesiya,+ 21 ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi likaJehova alikhuluma esebenzisa uJeremiya,+ lelizwe libhadale wonke amasabatha alo.+ Ngesikhathi ilizwe lingamanxiwa laligcina isabatha, kwaze kwaphela iminyaka engu-70.+

22 Ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaKhoresi+ inkosi yePhesiya, uJehova wathinta inhliziyo kaKhoresi. Ngakho inkosi le yenza isimemezelo kuwo wonke umbuso wayo, ukuze ilizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa nguJeremiya+ ligcwaliseke. Isimemezelo leso yasibhala phansi+ njalo sasisithi: 23 “Nanku okutshiwo nguKhoresi inkosi yePhesiya, ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wamazulu usenginike yonke imibuso yomhlaba+ njalo ungithume ukuthi ngimakhele indlu eJerusalema koJuda.+ Ngakho loba ngubani phakathi kwabantu bakhe angaya eJerusalema njalo kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe angaba laye.’”+