U-EZRA

1 Ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaKhoresi+ inkosi yasePhesiya, uJehova wathinta inhliziyo* kaKhoresi inkosi yePhesiya. Ngakho inkosi yenza isimemezelo kuwo wonke umbuso wayo ukuze ilizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa nguJeremiya+ ligcwaliseke. Isimemezelo leso yasibhala phansi+ njalo sasisithi:

2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguKhoresi inkosi yasePhesiya, ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu wamazulu usenginike yonke imibuso yomhlaba+ njalo ungithume ukuthi ngimakhele indlu eJerusalema+ yakoJuda. 3 Ngakho loba ngubani okhona phakathi kwabantu bakhe, uNkulunkulu wakhe kabe laye futhi kaye eJerusalema koJuda ayekwakha kutsha indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Phela yena unguNkulunkulu weqiniso njalo indlu yakhe yayiseJerusalema.* 4 Loba ngubani ongowezizweni+ kuloba yiphi indawo kancediswe ngomakhelwane bakhe. Kabamnike isiliva, legolide, lempahla, lezifuyo kanye lomnikelo wokuzithandela wendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ eyayiseJerusalema.’”

5 Ngemva kwalokho abakhokheli bezimuli zakoJuda lezakoBhenjamini labaphristi kanye lamaLevi balungiselela uhambo lokuyakwakha kutsha indlu kaJehova eyayiseJerusalema. Kwahamba bonke nje abantu uNkulunkulu ayethinte inhliziyo zabo.* 6 Bonke omakhelwane babo babanceda* ngokubanika izitsha zesiliva, lezegolide, lempahla, lezifuyo lezinye izinto eziligugu, kungabalwanga yonke iminikelo yokuzithandela eyayilethiwe.

7 INkosi uKhoresi layo yakhipha izitsha zendlu kaJehova ezazithethwe nguNebhukhadinezari eJerusalema wayazifaka endlini kankulunkulu wakhe.+ 8 UKhoresi inkosi yasePhesiya wathi uMithiredathi umgcinisikhwama azilethe abesezibalela uSheshibhazari*+ induna yakoJuda.

9 Nanzi izinto ezabalwayo: Izitsha zegolide ezingu-30 ezinjengebhasikiti, lezitsha zesiliva ezingu-1 000 ezinjengebhasikiti, lezinye izitsha ezingu-29, 10 lemiganu yegolide emincane engu-30, lemiganu yesiliva emincane engu-410, lezinye izitsha ezingu-1 000. 11 Zonke izitsha zegolide lezesiliva zazingu-5 400. USheshibhazari wasuka lakho konke lokhu ngesikhathi abantu ababethunjiwe+ besuka eBhabhiloni besiya eJerusalema.

2 Laba yibo abantu bakulesisabelo abafika bevela ekuthunjweni,+ labo ababethethwe nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yabasa eBhabhiloni.+ Ngemva kwesikhathi babuyela eJerusalema, lakoJuda, omunye lomunye waya edolobheni lakibo.+ 2 Bafika loZerubhabheli,+ loJeshuwa,+ loNehemiya, loSeraya, loRelayiya, loModekhayi, loBhilishani, loMisipha, loBhigivayi, loRehumi kanye loBhahana.

Inani lamadoda ako-Israyeli lalimi kanje:+ 3 Abesizukulwane sikaPharoshi babengu-2 172, 4 abesizukulwane sikaShefathiya babengu-372, 5 abesizukulwane sika-Eyira+ babengu-775. 6 Abesizukulwane sikaPhahathi-mowabi+ ababezalwa emulini kaJeshuwa lekaJowabi babengu-2 812, 7 abesizukulwane sika-Elami+ babengu-1 254, 8 abesizukulwane sikaZathu+ babengu-945. 9 Abesizukulwane sikaZakhayi babengu-760, 10 abesizukulwane sikaBhani babengu-642, 11 abesizukulwane sikaBhebhayi babengu-623, 12 abesizukulwane sika-Azigadi babengu-1 222, 13 abesizukulwane sika-Adonikhami babengu-666, 14 abesizukulwane sikaBhigivayi babengu-2 056, 15 abesizukulwane sika-Adini babengu-454, 16 abesizukulwane sika-Atheri ababengabendlu kaHezekhiya babengu-98, 17 abesizukulwane sikaBhezayi babengu-323. 18 Abesizukulwane sikaJora babengu-112, 19 abesizukulwane sikaHashumi+ babengu-223, 20 abesizukulwane sikaGibhari babengu-95, 21 amadoda aseBhethilehema ayengu-123. 22 Amadoda aseNethofa ayengu-56, 23 amadoda e-Anathothi+ ayengu-128, 24 abesizukulwane sika-Azimavethi babengu-42, 25 amadoda aseKhiriyathi-jeyarimi leKhefira leBheherothi ayengu-743. 26 Amadoda aseRama+ leGebha+ ayengu-621, 27 amadoda eMikhimasi ayengu-122, 28 amadoda aseBhetheli le-Ayi+ ayengu-223, 29 amadoda aseNebho+ ayengu-52. 30 Amadoda aseMagibhishi ayengu-156, 31 abesizukulwane somunye u-Elami babengu-1 254, 32 abesizukulwane sikaHarimi babengu-320, 33 abesizukulwane sikaLodi lesikaHadidi lesika-Ono babengu-725. 34 Amadoda eJerikho ayengu-345, 35 abesizukulwane sikaSenaya babengu-3 630.

36 Inani labaphristi+ lalimi kanje: Abesizukulwane sikaJedaya+ ababengabendlu kaJeshuwa+ babengu-973, 37 abesizukulwane sika-Imeri+ babengu-1 052, 38 abesizukulwane sikaPhashuri+ babengu-1 247, 39 abesizukulwane sikaHarimi+ babengu-1 017.

40 Inani lamaLevi+ lalimi kanje: Abesizukulwane sikaHodaviya ababezalwa emulini kaJeshuwa lekaKhadimiyeli+ babengu-74. 41 Inani labahlabeleli+ lalimi kanje: Abesizukulwane sika-Asafi+ babengu-128. 42 Abesizukulwane sabalindi bamagedi+ kwakuyilaba: Abesizukulwane sikaShalumi, labesika-Atheri, labesikaThalimoni,+ labesika-Akhubi,+ labesikaHathitha, labesikaShobhayi. Sebebonke babengu-139.

43 Ababeyizisebenzi zethempelini*+ kwakuyilaba: Abesizukulwane sikaZiha, labesizukulwane sikaHasufa, labesizukulwane sikaThabhayothi, 44 labesizukulwane sikaKherosi, labesizukulwane sikaSiyaha, labesizukulwane sikaPhadoni, 45 labesizukulwane sikaLebhana, labesizukulwane sikaHagaba, labesizukulwane sika-Akhubi, 46 labesizukulwane sikaHagabi, labesizukulwane sikaSalimayi, labesizukulwane sikaHanana, 47 labesizukulwane sikaGideli, labesizukulwane sikaGahari, labesizukulwane sikaReyaya, 48 labesizukulwane sikaRezini, labesizukulwane sikaNekhoda, labesizukulwane sikaGazami, 49 labesizukulwane sika-Uza, labesizukulwane sikaPhaseya, labesizukulwane sikaBhesayi, 50 labesizukulwane sika-Asina, labesizukulwane sikaMewunimi, labesizukulwane sikaNefusimi, 51 labesizukulwane sikaBhakhibhukhi, labesizukulwane sikaHakhupha, labesizukulwane sikaHahuri, 52 labesizukulwane sikaBhaziluthi, labesizukulwane sikaMehida, labesizukulwane sikaHarisha, 53 labesizukulwane sikaBharikhosi, labesizukulwane sikaSisera, labesizukulwane sikaThema, 54 labesizukulwane sikaNeziya, labesizukulwane sikaHathifa.

55 Izizukulwane zezisebenzi zikaSolomoni kwakuyilezi: Abesizukulwane sikaSothayi, labesizukulwane sikaSoferethi, labesizukulwane sikaPheruda,+ 56 labesizukulwane sikaJayala, labesizukulwane sikaDakhoni, labesizukulwane sikaGideli, 57 labesizukulwane sikaShefathiya, labesizukulwane sikaHathili, labesizukulwane sikaPhokherethi-hazebhayimi, labesizukulwane sika-Ami.

58 Inani lazo zonke izisebenzi zethempelini* kanye lezizukulwane zezisebenzi zikaSolomoni laliyi-392.

59 Abantu abalandelayo beza bevela eTheli-mela, leTheli-hasha, leKherubi, le-Adoni, le-Imeri kodwa behluleka ukuveza ukuthi babevela kuyiphi imuli ko-Israyeli+ lokuthi babedabuka khona yini: 60 Abesizukulwane sikaDelaya labesizukulwane sikaThobhiya labesizukulwane sikaNekhoda, bebonke babengu-652. 61 Abesizukulwane sabaphristi kwakuyilaba: Abesizukulwane sikaHabhaya, labesizukulwane sikaHakhozi,+ labesizukulwane sikaBhazilayi+ owayethethe eyinye yamadodakazi kaBhazilayi weGiliyadi wasebizwa ngebizo likayisezala. 62 Laba badinga amabizo osendo lwakibo emabhukwini ezembali kodwa abawatholanga, yikho bakhitshwa emsebenzini wokuba ngabaphristi.*+ 63 Umbusi wesabelo* wabatshela ukuthi bangadli ukudla okungcwele+ kuze kube lomphristi ozabuza uNkulunkulu esebenzisa i-Urimi leThumimi.*+

64 Abantu bonke* sebehlangene babeyi-42 360,+ 65 ngaphandle kwezigqili lezigqilikazi zabo ezazingu-7 337. Babelabahlabeleli besilisa labesifazana abangu-200. 66 Amabhiza abo ayengu-736, imbongolo* zingu-245, 67 amakamela abo ayengu-435, obabhemi bengu-6 720.

68 Bathi befika endlini kaJehova eJerusalema abanye abakhokheli bezimuli banikela ngokuzithandela,+ bekhipha iminikelo eyayizasetshenziswa endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ukuze yakhiwe kutsha* endaweni yayo.+ 69 Umuntu ngamunye wanikela ngalokho ayesenelisa ukunikela ngakho njalo bafaka amadrakhima* egolide angu-61 000 lamamina*+ esiliva angu-5 000 esikhwameni semali yomsebenzi. Baletha lamajazi abaphristi angu-100. 70 Abaphristi, lamaLevi, labanye abantu, labahlabeleli, labalindi bamagedi kanye lezisebenzi zethempelini* bahlala emadolobheni abo njalo bonke abako-Israyeli bahlala emadolobheni abo.+

3 Ama-Israyeli* ayesehlezi emadolobheni awo njalo inyanga yesikhombisa+ yathi iqala asuka ayabuthana eJerusalema elenhloso yinye. 2 UJeshuwa+ indodana kaJehozadakhi labanye abaphristi kanye loZerubhabheli+ indodana kaSheyalithiyeli+ labafowabo, basukuma bakha i-alithare likaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ukuze banikele kulo imihlatshelo yokutshiswa njengoba nje kwakulotshiwe eMthethweni kaMosi,+ umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.

3 Ngakho balimisa i-alithare lapho elalikhona kuqala lanxa babesesaba abantu bezizwe ezazingomakhelwane.+ Baqalisa ukunikela phezu kwalo imihlatshelo yokutshiswa eyayisiya kuJehova, imihlatshelo yokutshiswa+ eyekuseni leyantambama. 4 Benza loMkhosi Wezihonqo* belandela lokho okubhaliweyo,+ futhi nsuku zonke babenikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa eyayifuneka usuku ngalunye.+ 5 Ngemva kwalokho benza umnikelo wokutshiswa owawusenziwa zikhathi zonke+ leminikelo yokuthwasa kwenyanga+ leminikelo yayo yonke imikhosi kaJehova engcwele+ kanye leyomuntu wonke owayenikele ngokuzithandela+ kuJehova. 6 Kusukela mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yesikhombisa+ baqalisa ukunikela kuJehova imihlatshelo yokutshiswa lanxa isisekelo sethempeli likaJehova sasingakafakwa.

7 Bathatha imali bayinika ababazi bamatshe+ lababezingcitshi zomsebenzi.+ Basebethatha ukudla lokunathwayo kanye lamafutha banika abantu beSidoni labeThire, ukuze balethe izigodo zomsedari ngolwandle zisuka eLebhanoni zisiya eJopha.+ UKhoresi inkosi yasePhesiya+ nguye owayebanike imvumo yokwenza lokho.

8 Ngomnyaka wesibili bephendukile eJerusalema endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, ngenyanga yesibili, uZerubhabheli indodana kaSheyalithiyeli, loJeshuwa indodana kaJehozadakhi, labo bonke abafowabo labaphristi lamaLevi bawuqalisa umsebenzi bekanye labantu bonke ababuya eJerusalema bevela ekuthunjweni.+ Babeka amaLevi ayeleminyaka engu-20 kusiya phezulu ukuthi akhangele umsebenzi wokwakha indlu kaJehova. 9 Ngakho uJeshuwa lamadodana akhe kanye labafowabo loKhadimiyeli lamadodana akhe, amadodana kaJuda, bahlangana ndawonye ukuze bakhangele labo ababesebenza endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Abanye ababelabo ngamadodana kaHenadadi+ lamadodana awo kanye labafowabo, amaLevi.

10 Ababesakha bathi sebesifakile isisekelo sethempeli likaJehova,+ abaphristi bagqoka izembatho zabo bathwala amacilongo,+ amaLevi amadodana ka-Asafi wona athwala amasimbali,* basebesukuma badumisa uJehova belandela imilayo kaDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli.+ 11 Bonke baqalisa ukuhlabela beyivuma+ ingoma bedumisa njalo bebonga uJehova, “ngoba muhle futhi uthando lwakhe oluqotho ku-Israyeli luhlala kuze kube nini lanini.”+ Ngemva kwalokho abantu bonke bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu bedumisa uJehova ngoba isisekelo sendlu kaJehova sasesifakiwe. 12 Inengi labaphristi lamaLevi labakhokheli bezimuli, amadoda amadala ayebone ithempeli lakuqala,+ athi ebona isisekelo sendlu le sisakhiwa akhala kakhulu, kwathi abanye abanengi babememeza kakhulu bethokoza.+ 13 Abantu behluleka ukwehlukanisa umsindo wokukhala lomsindo wokuthaba, ngoba abantu babememeza kakhulu umsindo wabo waze wezwakala khatshana khonale.

4 Izitha zabantu bakoJuda labakoBhenjamini+ zathi zisizwa ukuthi abantu ababevela ekuthunjweni+ basebesakha ithempeli likaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, 2 zahle zaya kuZerubhabheli labakhokheli bezimuli zathi kubo: “Kasakheni sonke ngoba lathi siyamkhonza* uNkulunkulu wenu+ njalo besilokhu sinikela imihlatshelo kuye kusukela ezinsukwini zenkosi ye-Asiriya u-Esa-hadoni+ eyasiletha lapha.”+ 3 Kodwa uZerubhabheli loJeshuwa kanye labakhokheli bezimuli zako-Israyeli babaphendula bathi: “Ngeke lakhe lathi indlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.+ Sizazakhela sodwa indlu kaJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli njengokutsho kukaKhoresi inkosi yasePhesiya.”+

4 Ngakho abantu ababesezindaweni eziseduze baqhubeka besenza ukuthi abantu* bakoJuda baphelelwe lidlabuzane lamandla okuqhubeka ngomsebenzi wokwakha.+ 5 Baqhatsha abacebisi ababezamelana labo ukuze amacebo abo afadalale+ kuzo zonke insuku zikaKhoresi inkosi yasePhesiya kwaze kwaba yisikhathi uDariyu+ esiba yinkosi ePhesiya. 6 U-Ahasuweru wathi eqala ukubusa, babhala incwadi bemangalela izakhamizi zakoJuda lezeJerusalema. 7 Langensuku zika-Athakisekisi inkosi yePhesiya, uBhishilamu loMithiredathi loThabheli labanye ayesebenza labo babhalela iNkosi u-Athakisekisi incwadi; bayihumutshela elimini lwesi-Aramu+ besebenzisa inhlamvu zamabala esi-Aramu.*

8 * URehumi isiphathamandla sikahulumende loShimishayi umbhali, babhalela iNkosi u-Athakisekisi incwadi besola iJerusalema. 9 (Yayivela kuRehumi isiphathamandla sikahulumende, loShimishayi umbhali, labo bonke ababesebenza labo, labahluleli labanye ababusi,* labonobhala labantu base-Erekhi+ labaseBhabhiloni, lezakhamizi zeSusa,+ okutsho ama-Elami,+ 10 lezinye izizwe ezathunjwa yisikhulu esasingumhlonitshwa u-Asinaphari wayazihlalisa emadolobheni eSamariya+ lasesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula.* Nanka 11 amazwi encwadi abayithumela inkosi,)

“Kuwe Nkosi Athakisekisi. Yithi izinceku zakho, amadoda asesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula: 12 Sithe sikubikele nkosi ukuthi abantu bakoJuda abasuke kuwe besiza kithi sebefikile eJerusalema. Sebelakha kutsha idolobho elixhwalileyo lelihlamukayo; sebeyiqeda imiduli+ njalo sebelungisa izisekelo. 13 Inkosi kumele ikwazi lokuthi nxa idolobho leli lingakhiwa kutsha lemiduli yalo iphele, abasoze babhadale imithelo ekhitshwa ngabantu bonke, lemithelo+ yempahla kanye leyemigwaqo. Lokhu kuzakwenza ukuthi kube lokusilela enothweni yamakhosi. 14 Njengoba sisidla isawudo lesigodlweni* njalo kungaqondanga ukuthi siphongukhangela nje abantu befuna ukuphambanisa izifiso zenkosi, sikuthumele incwadi sikubikela lokhu, 15 ukuze kudingisiswe emabhukwini ezembali abokhokho bakho.+ Uzakuthola sibili emabhukwini la njalo uzakwazi ukuthi leli lidolobho elahlamukayo futhi liyingozi emakhosini lasezabelweni. Phakathi kwalo bekuhlala kulabantu abatshotshozela ukuvukela umbuso kusukela ezikhathini zasendulo. Yikho idolobho leli latshabalaliswa.+ 16 Sifuna inkosi yazi ukuthi nxa idolobho leli lingakhiwa kutsha lemiduli yalo iphele, inkosi kayisoze iphinde ibe lamandla* phezu kwesabelo esingaphetsheya komfula.”+

17 Ngakho inkosi yathumela ilizwi kuRehumi isiphathamandla sikahulumende loShimishayi umbhali, lakubo bonke ababesebenza labo ababehlala eSamariya lasesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula yathi:

“Ngiyalibingelela! 18 Sengiyibalelwe ngokucacileyo* incwadi elisithumele yona. 19 Ngibeke umlayo wokuthi kudingisiswe, kwasekutholakala ukuthi edolobheni lelo kwakusiba lokuvukela amakhosi lokuhlamuka kanye labantu ababefuna ukugenqula umbuso.+ 20 Kanti njalo eJerusalema kwakulamakhosi alamandla ayebusa kuso sonke isabelo esingaphetsheya komfula. Imithelo ekhitshwa ngabantu bonke, lemithelo yempahla kanye leyemigwaqo yayibhadalwa kuwo. 21 Ngakho bekani umlayo wokuthi amadoda la ame ukusebenza ukuze idolobho lelo lingakhiwa kutsha ngize ngibeke omunye umlayo. 22 Libe leqiniso lokuthi kaliyihlaleli indaba le ukuze kungabi lamuntu oqhubeka ephambanisa izifiso zenkosi.”+

23 URehumi loShimishayi umbhali kanye labanye ababesebenza labo bathi sebebalelwe incwadi eyayivela enkosini u-Athakisekisi bahle basuka baya eJerusalema kumaJuda bafika bamisa umsebenzi ngenkani. 24 Wama-ke umsebenzi wokwakha indlu kaNkulunkulu eyayiseJerusalema. Kwahlala kunjalo kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wesibili wokubusa kukaDariyu, inkosi yasePhesiya.+

5 Ngemva kwalokho umphrofethi uHagayi+ lomphrofethi uZakhariya+ umzukulu ka-Ido+ baphrofetha kumaJuda ayehlala koJuda laseJerusalema. Babephrofetha ngebizo likaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli owayephezu kwabo. 2 Kwathi sekunjalo uZerubhabheli+ indodana kaSheyalithiyeli, loJeshuwa+ indodana kaJehozadakhi baqalisa ukwakha kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu+ eyayiseJerusalema. Abaphrofethi bakaNkulunkulu babelabo, bebasekela.+ 3 Ngalesosikhathi uThathenayi, umbusi* wesabelo esingaphetsheya komfula* loShethari-bhozenayi kanye lababesebenza labo bababuza bathi: “Ngubani oliphe imvumo yokuthi lakhe indlu le lokuthi liqedise isakhiwo lesi?” 4 Baphinda bathi kubo: “Sitsheleni amabizo amadoda asebenza kulesisakhiwo.” 5 Kodwa ilihlo likaNkulunkulu lalibakhangele abadala bamaJuda+ njalo kabazange babamise kwaze kwathunyelwa umbiko kuDariyu, kwasekulindelwa ukuthi kubuye incwadi evela kuye emayelana lendaba le.

6 Nansi incwadi eyathunyelwa enkosini uDariyu nguThathenayi umbusi* wesabelo esingaphetsheya komfula loShethari-bhozenayi labanye ababusi ayesebenza labo, ababesesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula. 7 Bathumela umbiko kuyo njalo nanku abakubhalayo:

“Kuwe Nkosi Dariyu:

“Ukuthula akube lawe! 8 Sithe sikubikele nkosi ukuthi sike safika esabelweni sakoJuda endlini kaNkulunkulu omkhulu. Sithole indlu le isakhiwa ngamatshe amakhulu egiqwa efakwa ezindaweni zawo, lamapulanka esefakwa emidulini. Abantu bakhona basebenza ngamandla sibili futhi umsebenzi uya phambili ngenxa yokuthi bakhuthele. 9 Yikho-ke sibuze abadala babo sathi: ‘Ngubani oliphe imvumo yokuthi lakhe indlu le lokuthi liqedise isakhiwo lesi?’+ 10 Sibabuze lamabizo abo ukuze sikubhalele phansi amabizo amadoda akhokhelayo.

11 “Nansi impendulo abasiphe yona: ‘Sizinceku zikaNkulunkulu wamazulu lomhlaba njalo sakha kutsha indlu eyayakhiwe yaphela+ eminyakeni eminengi eyadlulayo, isakhiwa yinkosi enkulu yako-Israyeli. 12 Kodwa okhokho bethu bamthukuthelisa uNkulunkulu wamazulu,+ wasebanikela esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari+ umKhaledi owayeyinkosi yaseBhabhiloni. Inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yayidiliza indlu le,+ yathumba abantu yabasa eBhabhiloni.+ 13 Loba kunjalo, ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaKhoresi inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, iNkosi uKhoresi yabeka umlayo wokuthi indlu kaNkulunkulu+ yakhiwe kutsha. 14 Kanti njalo yakhipha izitsha zegolide lezesiliva ethempelini laseBhabhiloni+ yazinika indoda okuthiwa nguSheshibhazari*+ eyayimkhethe ukuthi abe ngumbusi.*+ Izitsha lezo zazingezendlu kaNkulunkulu futhi zazithethwe nguNebhukhadinezari ethempelini laseJerusalema waziletha ethempelini laseBhabhiloni. 15 UKhoresi wathi kuSheshibhazari: “Thatha izitsha lezo uhambe lazo eJerusalema uyezibuyisela ethempelini, okutsho indlu kaNkulunkulu okumele yakhiwe kutsha lapho eyayikhona kuqala.”+ 16 USheshibhazari wasefika wakha isisekelo sendlu kaNkulunkulu+ eJerusalema. Indlu le ibilokhu isakhiwa kusukela ngalesosikhathi kuze kube khathesi kodwa ayikapheli.’+

17 “Ngakho nxa kukuhle enkosini, akudingisiswe emibhalweni esendlini yenotho yesikhosini eBhabhiloni ukuze kubonakale ukuthi iNkosi uKhoresi yawubeka yini umlayo wokuthi indlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema+ yakhiwe kutsha. Besicela lokuthi okumiswe yinkosi mayelana lendaba le kuthunyelwe kithi.”

6 INkosi uDariyu yawubeka umlayo, kwasekudingisiswa emibhalweni yezembali eyayisendlini okwakugcinelwa khona inotho eBhabhiloni. 2 Kwatholakala incwadimgoqwa esigodlweni se-Ekhibhathana esabelweni seMede. Nanku okwakubhalwe kuyo:

3 “Ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kwenkosi uKhoresi, iNkosi uKhoresi yabeka umlayo mayelana lendlu kaNkulunkulu eyayiseJerusalema+ yathi: ‘Indlu le kayakhiwe kutsha ibe yindawo abazanikela kuyo imihlatshelo njalo izisekelo zayo kumele zibekwe ziqiniswe. Ubude bayo kabube zingalo ezingu-60* lobubanzi bayo bube zingalo ezingu-60+ 4 futhi kayibe lemizila emithathu yamatshe amakhulu agiqwe afakwa ezindaweni zawo lomzila owodwa wamapulanka.+ Imali yokwenza lezizinto kayithathwe endlini yenkosi.+ 5 Kanti njalo izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu ezegolide lezesiliva ezazithethwe nguNebhukhadinezari ethempelini elaliseJerusalema wabuya lazo eBhabhiloni,+ kazibuyiselwe ukuze ziyefakwa endaweni yazo endlini kaNkulunkulu.’+

6 “Ngakho wena Thathenayi mbusi* wesabelo esingaphetsheya komfula*+ lawe Shethari-bhozenayi labanye ababusi elisebenza labo abasesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula, lingasondeli endaweni leyo. 7 Lingawuphambanisi umsebenzi owenziwa endlini kaNkulunkulu. Umbusi* wakoJuda labadala bakoJuda bazayakha kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu lapho eyayikhona. 8 Ngilinika lomlayo ophathelane lalokho okumele likwenzele abadala bakoJuda ukuze bakhe kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu: Kumele kuthathwe imali esikhwameni senotho yesikhosini+ evela emithelweni eqoqwe esabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula inikwe amadoda la masinyane ukuze aqhubeke ngomsebenzi engaphanjaniswa yilutho.+ 9 Abaphristi abaseJerusalema kumele baphiwe loba yini abazayicela, kungaba ngamajongosi+ lenqama+ kanye lemvana,+ okuzakuba ngokweminikelo etshiselwa uNkulunkulu wasezulwini. Kabaphiwe lengqoloyi,+ lesawudo,+ lewayini+ kanye lamafutha+ njalo izinto lezi kumele baziphiwe nsuku zonke loba sekutheni, 10 ukuze baqhubeke benikela iminikelo yokutshiswa ethokozisa uNkulunkulu wamazulu njalo bakhulekele inhlalakahle* yenkosi lamadodana ayo.+ 11 Ngibeke lomlayo wokuthi loba ngubani ozakwephula umthetho lo, kuzakhitshwa ugodo endlini yakhe abesephakanyiswa abethelwe kulo. Indlu yakhe izakwenziwa isambuzi somphakathi* ngenxa yalelocala. 12 Kanti njalo uNkulunkulu owenze ukuthi ibizo lakhe lihlale lapho,*+ katshabalalise loba yiphi inkosi loba abantu abazazama ukwephula umlayo lo, befuna ukudiliza indlu kaNkulunkulu eseJerusalema. Mina Dariyu, yimi engibeka umlayo lo futhi engikutshoyo akwenziwe ngokuphangisa.”

13 Yikho uThathenayi umbusi* wesabelo esingaphetsheya komfula loShethari-bhozenayi+ labanye ababesebenza labo bahle bakwenza masinyane konke iNkosi uDariyu eyayibatshele khona. 14 Abadala bakoJuda baqhubeka besakha njalo umsebenzi wawusiya phambili,+ bekhuthazwa ngamazwi omphrofethi uHagayi+ lomphrofethi uZakhariya+ umzukulu ka-Ido. Bawuqeda sibili umsebenzi wokwakha belandela umlayo kaNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli+ lomlayo kaKhoresi+ lokaDariyu+ kanye loka-Athakisekisi+ inkosi yasePhesiya. 15 Mhlaka 3 ngenyanga ka-Adari* basebeyiqedile indlu kaNkulunkulu njalo kwakungumnyaka wesithupha wokubusa kweNkosi uDariyu.

16 Ngemva kwalokho abako-Israyeli labaphristi lamaLevi+ labantu bonke ababevela ekuthunjweni benza umkhosi wokunikela indlu kaNkulunkulu bethokoza. 17 Banikela ngenkunzi ezingu-100 lenqama ezingu-200 lemvana ezingu-400 emkhosini lo wokunikela indlu kaNkulunkulu. Basebekhipha impongo ezingu-12 ukuthi zibe ngumnikelo wesono wabo bonke abako-Israyeli njalo zazilingana lenani lezizwana zako-Israyeli.+ 18 Baphinda babeka abaphristi emaqenjini abo, babeka lamaLevi ezigabeni zawo, belandela lokho okwakubhalwe ebhukwini likaMosi+ ukuze abantu laba benze umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema.+

19 Kanti njalo ababevela ekuthunjweni bananza iPhasika mhlaka 14 ngenyanga yokuqala.+ 20 Abaphristi lamaLevi basebezihlambululile+ bonke futhi basebehlanzekile. Basebewuhlaba umhlatshelo wePhasika besenzela bona labanye abaphristi kanye labantu bonke ababevela ekuthunjweni. 21 Ngemva kwalokho abako-Israyeli ababevela ekuthunjweni badla umhlatshelo lo belabantu bonke ababemanyene labo futhi abasebetshiye imikhuba engcolileyo eyayisenziwa ngabanye abantu ababehlala elizweni ukuze bakhonze* uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.+ 22 Baphinda bananza uMkhosi Wesinkwa Esingelamvubelo+ okwamalanga ayisikhombisa bejabula kakhulu ngoba uJehova wayebenze bathokoza, wenza lokuthi inkosi ye-Asiriya ibe lomusa kubo.+ Inkosi le yabasekela* emsebenzini wokwakha indlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.

7 Ngemva kwalezizinto, ngesikhathi sokubusa kuka-Athakisekisi+ inkosi yasePhesiya, u-Ezra*+ wabuyela eJerusalema esuka eBhabhiloni. Wayeyindodana kaSeraya,+ indodana ka-Azariya, indodana kaHilikhiya,+ 2 indodana kaShalumi, indodana kaZadokhi, indodana ka-Ahithubi, 3 indodana ka-Amariya, indodana ka-Azariya,+ indodana kaMerayothi, 4 indodana kaZerahiya, indodana ka-Uzi, indodana kaBhukhi, 5 indodana ka-Abhishuwa, indodana kaFiniyasi,+ indodana ka-Eliyazari,+ indodana ka-Aroni+ umphristi okhokhelayo. 6 U-Ezra weza evela eBhabhiloni. Wayengumbhali futhi eyisazi soMthetho* kaMosi+ owawuvela kuJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Inkosi yamnika konke ayekucela ngoba isandla sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe sasiphezu kwakhe.

7 Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kweNkosi u-Athakisekisi, amanye ama-Israyeli, labaphristi, lamaLevi,+ labahlabeleli,+ labalindi bamagedi+ kanye lezisebenzi zethempelini*+ basuka baya eJerusalema. 8 U-Ezra yena wafika eJerusalema ngenyanga yesihlanu ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kwenkosi. 9 Wayesuke eBhabhiloni mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yokuqala njalo wafika eJerusalema mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yesihlanu ngoba isandla* sikaNkulunkulu wakhe sasiphezu kwakhe.+ 10 U-Ezra wayeselungise inhliziyo* yakhe ukuze ahlole uMthetho kaJehova lokuthi enze lokho okutshoyo+ njalo afundise abako-Israyeli+ izimiso lezahlulelo zawo.

11 Nanka amazwi ayesencwadini iNkosi u-Athakisekisi eyayinika u-Ezra umphristi, owayengumbhali futhi eyazi kuhle imithetho kaJehova lemilayo yakhe ko-Israyeli:

12 * “U-Athakisekisi+ inkosi yamakhosi, kuwe mphristi Ezra, wena ongumbhali woMthetho kaNkulunkulu wamazulu: Ukuthula akube lawe. 13 Sengibeke umlayo wokuthi loba ngubani phakathi kwabantu bako-Israyeli abasembusweni wami labaphristi babo lamaLevi abafuna ukuhamba lawe eJerusalema, kabahambe.+ 14 Inkosi labacebisi bayo abayisikhombisa bayakuthuma ukuthi uyehlolisisa ukuthi uMthetho kaNkulunkulu wakho owuphetheyo* uyalandelwa yini eJerusalema lakoJuda, 15 lokuthi uthathe isiliva legolide okunikelwe ngesihle yinkosi labacebisi bayo kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ohlala eJerusalema. 16 Kuzamele uthathe laso sonke isiliva legolide ozalithola kuzo zonke izabelo zeBhabhiloni kanye lezipho ezilethwe ngabantu labaphristi, besenzela indlu kaNkulunkulu wabo eseJerusalema.+ 17 Thatha leyomali uhle uthenge ngayo inkunzi,+ lezinqama,+ lemvana+ kanye leminikelo yamabele+ leminikelo yokunathwayo.+ Konke lokhu kumele uhambe lakho uyekwethula e-alithareni lendlu kaNkulunkulu wakho eJerusalema.

18 “Wena labafowenu thathani isiliva legolide lenze loba yini eliyibona ifanele, ehambelana lentando kaNkulunkulu wenu. 19 Zonke izitsha zomsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu wakho ozazinikwa, kumele uyezethula phambi kukaNkulunkulu eJerusalema.+ 20 Konke okunye okufunekayo endlini kaNkulunkulu wakho okumele unikele ngakho, uzakuthatha esikhwameni senotho yesikhosini.+

21 “Mina Nkosi Athakisekisi ngibeka umlayo oya kubo bonke abagcinizikhwama abasesabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula,* ngithi konke okuzacelwa ngu-Ezra+ umphristi, umbhali woMthetho kaNkulunkulu wamazulu kakuphiwe masinyane, 22 lanxa kungaba ngamathalenta* esiliva angu-100, ingqoloyi egcwala amakhori* angu-100, lewayini+ eligcwala amabhathi* angu-100, lamafutha+ agcwala amabhathi angu-100 kanye lesawudo+ elingeke lilinganiswe. 23 Konke uNkulunkulu wamazulu athi kwenziwe endlini yakhe kakwenziwe ngokukhuthala ukuze ulaka lukaNkulunkulu wamazulu+ lungehleli embusweni wenkosi lasemadodaneni ayo.+ 24 Kanti njalo siyalazisa ukuthi imithelo ekhitshwa ngabantu bonke, lemithelo+ yempahla leyemigwaqo, akumelanga ibhadaliswe abaphristi, lamaLevi, labahlabeleli,+ labalindi bamagedi, lezisebenzi zethempelini*+ kanye lezinye izisebenzi zendlu kaNkulunkulu.

25 “Ngakho wena Ezra sebenzisa ukuhlakanipha okunikwe nguNkulunkulu wakho,* ubeke omantshi labahluleli ukuze bahlulele abantu bonke esabelweni esingaphetsheya komfula, bonke abayaziyo imithetho kaNkulunkulu wakho njalo kumele ufundise loba ngubani ongayaziyo.+ 26 Wonke umuntu ongawulaleliyo uMthetho kaNkulunkulu wakho lomthetho wenkosi, kanikwe isigwebo masinyane, kungaba ngesokubulawa loba esokuxotshwa, loba esokubhadaliswa kumbe esokufakwa ejele.”

27 Kadunyiswe uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bethu, yena okufake enhliziyweni yenkosi ukuthi yenze indlu kaJehova eseJerusalema ibenhle kakhulu.+ 28 Ungitshengise uthando oluqotho phambi kwenkosi+ labacebisi+ bayo lazo zonke izikhulu zayo ezilamandla. Yikho ngibe lesibindi ngoba isandla sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wami besiphezu kwami, ngasengibuthanisa wonke amadoda akhokhelayo* ko-Israyeli ukuze ahambe lami.

8 Nanka amabizo abakhokheli bezimuli loluhlu losendo lwabantu engasuka labo eBhabhiloni ngesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi u-Athakisekisi:+ 2 Umkhokheli wamadodana kaFiniyasi+ kwakunguGeshomu, owamadodana ka-Ithamari+ kwakunguDanyeli, owamadodana kaDavida kwakunguHathushi, 3 owamadodana kaShekhaniya lamadodana kaPharoshi kwakunguZakhariya njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-150 ababebhalisile, 4 owamadodana kaPhahathi-mowabi+ kwakungu-Eliyeho-nayi indodana kaZerahiya njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-200, 5 owamadodana kaZathu+ kwakunguShekhaniya indodana kaJahaziyeli njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-300, 6 owamadodana ka-Adini+ kwakungu-Ebhedi indodana kaJonathani njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-50, 7 owamadodana ka-Elami+ kwakunguJeshaya indodana ka-Athaliya njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-70, 8 owamadodana kaShefathiya+ kwakunguZebhadiya indodana kaMikhayeli njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-80, 9 owamadodana kaJowabi kwakungu-Obhadiya indodana kaJehiyela njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-218, 10 owamadodana kaBhani kwakunguShelomithi indodana kaJosifiya njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-160, 11 owamadodana kaBhebhayi+ kwakunguZakhariya indodana kaBhebhayi njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-28, 12 owamadodana ka-Azigadi+ kwakunguJohanani indodana kaHakhathani njalo wayelabesilisa abangu-110, 13 owamadodana ka-Adonikhami+ ayengawokucina, kwakungu-Elifelethi loJeyiyeli loShemaya njalo babelabesilisa abangu-60, 14 owamadodana kaBhigivayi+ kwakungu-Uthayi loZabhudi njalo babelabesilisa abangu-70.

15 Ngababuthanisa emfuleni oya e-Ahava+ njalo sakhempa khonapho okwensuku ezintathu. Kodwa ngathi ngikhangela abantu labaphristi ngathola ukuthi amaLevi ayengekho. 16 Ngasengibiza u-Eliyezeri, lo-Ariyeli, loShemaya, lo-Elinathani, loJaribi, lo-Elinathani, loNathani, loZakhariya, loMeshulami, ababengamadoda akhokhelayo kanye loJoyaribhi lo-Elinathani ababesenza umsebenzi wokufundisa. 17 Ngabathuma ku-Ido umkhokheli wendawo okuthiwa yiKhasifiya. Ngathi batshele u-Ido labafowabo, izisebenzi zethempelini ezaziseKhasifiya,* ukuthi basilethele izinceku zendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu. 18 Njengoba isandla* sikaNkulunkulu wethu sasiphezu kwethu, baletha indoda ehlakaniphileyo eyayivela emadodaneni kaMahili+ umzukulu kaLevi indodana ka-Israyeli. Indoda le kwakuthiwa nguSherebhiya+ njalo yabuya labafowabo lamadodana ayo, amadoda angu-18; 19 kanye loHashabhiya eloJeshaya owosendo lwamaMerari,+ labafowabo lamadodana abo, amadoda angu-20. 20 Kwakulezisebenzi zethempelini ezingu-220,* njalo amabizo azo zonke ayebhaliwe ebhukwini. UDavida lezikhulu zakhe yibo ababenike izisebenzi zethempelini umsebenzi wokuncedisa amaLevi.

21 Ngasengimemezela ukuthi kuzilwe ukudla khonapho emfuleni u-Ahava ukuze sizithobe phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu njalo simcele ukuthi asikhokhele phakathi kohambo lwethu, asivikele thina labantwabethu layo yonke impahla yethu. 22 Ngaba lenhloni zokucela ukuthi inkosi isiphe amasotsha labagadi bamabhiza ukuze basivikele nxa singahlaselwa yizitha endleleni. Phela sasitshele inkosi sathi: “Isandla* sikaNkulunkulu siphezu kwabo bonke abamthembayo,+ kodwa amandla akhe lolaka lwakhe kumelana labo bonke abamlahlayo.”+ 23 Yikho sazila ukudla sacela ukuthi uNkulunkulu wethu asincedise endabeni le, wasesizwa isikhalazo sethu.+

24 Ngemva kwalokho ngakhetha abaphristi abakhokhelayo abangu-12, uSherebhiya loHashabhiya+ kanye labafowabo abalitshumi. 25 Ngasengibalinganisela isiliva legolide kanye lezitsha. Lokhu kwakungumnikelo wendlu kaNkulunkulu+ owawulethwe yinkosi labacebisi bayo, lezikhulu zayo labo bonke abako-Israyeli ababekhona. 26 Ngabalinganisela amathalenta* esiliva angu-650, lezitsha zesiliva ezingu-100 ezazilingana lamathalenta amabili, lamathalenta egolide angu-100, 27 lemiganu yegolide emincane engu-20 eyayilingana lamadarikhi* angu-1 000, lezitsha ezimbili zekhopha elohlonzi ecazimulayo ezaziligugu njengegolide.

28 Ngasengisithi kubo: “Lina lingcwele kuJehova,+ lezitsha lezi zingcwele njalo isiliva legolide ngumnikelo wokuzithandela ophiwe uJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu. 29 Gcinani izinto lezi ngonanzelelo lize liyezilinganisa phambi kwabaphristi abakhokhelayo lamaLevi lezikhulu zezimuli zako-Israyeli eJerusalema,+ ezindlini ezingaphakathi kwendlu kaJehova.” 30 Ngakho abaphristi lamaLevi bathatha konke ababekulinganiselwe, isiliva legolide lezitsha ukuze bakuhambise endlini kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema.

31 Sasuka emfuleni u-Ahava+ mhlaka 12 ngenyanga yokuqala+ saqonda eJerusalema njalo isandla sikaNkulunkulu wethu sasiphezu kwethu. Wasivikela ukuze singahlaselwa yizitha labantu ababengasicathamela endleleni. 32 Safika eJerusalema+ sahlala khona okwamalanga amathathu. 33 Kwathi ngelanga lesine salinganisa igolide, lesiliva lezitsha endlini kaNkulunkulu+ wethu. Izinto lezi sazinika uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Urija umphristi owayelo-Eliyazari indodana kaFiniyasi lamaLevi, uJozabhadi+ indodana kaJeshuwa loNowadiya indodana kaBhinuwi.+ 34 Izinto zonke zabalwa, zalinganiswa futhi sonke isisindo sazo sabhalwa phansi. 35 Ababevela ekuthunjweni banikela imihlatshelo yokutshiswa kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Banikela ngenkunzi ezingu-12+ zika-Israyeli wonke, lenqama ezingu-96,+ lemvana ezinduna ezingu-77, lempongo ezingu-12+ ezaba ngumnikelo wesono. Konke lokhu kwakungumnikelo otshiselwa uJehova.+

36 Ngemva kwalokho sathatha imilayo yenkosi+ sayinika ondunankulu* benkosi lababusi* besabelo esingaphetsheya komfula*+ njalo babasekela abantu babapha konke okwakufuneka endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+

9 Kwathi izinto lezi sezenziwe zaphela, iziphathamandla zahle zangilanda zathi kimi: “Abantu bako-Israyeli labaphristi lamaLevi kabazehlukanisanga labantu bezinye izizwe njalo balokhu belandela imikhuba eyenyanyekayo+ yamaKhenani, lamaHithi, lamaPherizi, lamaJebusi, lama-Amoni, lamaMowabi, lamaGibhithe+ kanye lama-Amori.+ 2 Bathethe abafazi phakathi kwamadodakazi abantu laba, bathathela lamadodana abo+ abafazi kubo. Khathesi abantu abangcwele+ sebehlangene* labantu bezinye izizwe+ njalo abaphambili esonweni lesi yiziphathamandla labasekeli bababusi.”

3 Ngathi ngikuzwa lokhu ngadabula isigqoko sami lejazi lami elingelamikhono, ngadonsa ezinye inwele ekhanda lami ngazisiphuna, ngasiphuna lendevu zami, ngasengihlala phansi ngiphelelwe. 4 Bonke ababewahlonipha amazwi kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli babuya bazobuthana kimi ngenxa yokungathembeki kwabantu ababevela ekuthunjweni. Mina ngangilokhu ngihlezi ngilesithuli kwaze kwaba yisikhathi somnikelo wamabele+ owawusenziwa ntambama.

5 Kwathi sekuyisikhathi somnikelo wamabele+ owawusenziwa ntambama ngasukuma lapho engangihlezi khona ngihlulukelwe, isigqoko sami lejazi lami elingelamikhono kudabukile. Ngasengiguqa phansi, ngelulela izandla zami kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami, 6 ngathi: “Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngiyangekile njalo ngizwa kungangifanelanga ukuthandaza kuwe ngoba izono zethu seziphindwe kanengi phezu kwamakhanda ethu njalo amacala ethu asekhwele aze ayafika emazulwini.+ 7 Icala lethu belilokhu lilikhulu+ kusukela ezinsukwini zabokhokho bethu kuze kube lamuhla. Thina lamakhosi ethu labaphristi bethu sanikelwa ezandleni zamakhosi ezinye izizwe ngenxa yamacala ethu. Kanti njalo sadliwa yinkemba,+ sathunjwa,+ sathathelwa impahla zethu+ futhi saba lihlazo, njengalokhu okwenzakalayo lamuhla.+ 8 Kodwa khathesi Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu usube lomusa kithi okwesikhatshana nje, ngokuvumela ukuthi abaseleyo baphunyuke langokusinika indawo evikelekileyo* endaweni yakho engcwele,+ ukuze wenze amehlo ethu akhazimule njalo usivuselele kancane ebugqilini bethu, awu Nkulunkulu wethu. 9 Lanxa siyizigqili+ awuzange usitshiye ebugqilini bethu Nkulunkulu wethu kodwa usitshengise uthando oluqotho phambi kwamakhosi asePhesiya+ ukuze usivuselele, sakhe indlu yakho Nkulunkulu wethu+ futhi sivuselele lamanxiwa ayo lokuthi usiphe umduli wokuvikela* koJuda kanye laseJerusalema.

10 “Awu Nkulunkulu wethu, sithini khathesi ngalokho osekwenzakele? Sesiyitshiyile imithetho yakho 11 owasinika yona usebenzisa izinceku zakho ezingabaphrofethi, usithi: ‘Ilizwe elizalithatha kalihlanzekanga ngenxa yokungcola kwabantu balo okubangelwa yimikhuba yabo eyenyanyekayo. Sebeligcwalise ngokungcola kwabo+ kusukela komunye umkhawulo kusiya komunye. 12 Ngakho lingendiseli amadodakazi enu emadodaneni abo, lingavumi amadodana enu+ athathe amadodakazi abo njalo lingenzi izinto ezizabalethela ukuthula lempumelelo+ ukuze liqine, lidle okuhle okuselizweni futhi lilithathe libe lilifa lamadodana enu kokuphela.’ 13 Zinengi izinto ezisehleleyo ngenxa yecala lethu lezenzo zethu ezimbi. Kodwa wena Nkulunkulu wethu awuzange usiphathe ngendlela efanele izono zethu+ futhi uvumele ukuthi thina esilapha siphunyuke.+ 14 Kambe sesingaphinda sephule imithetho yakho ngokwendiselana labantu abenza izinto ezenyanyekayo?+ Phela lokhu bekungenza usizondele kakhulu, usitshabalalise sonke, kungabi ngitsho loyedwa oseleyo kumbe ozasinda. 15 Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wena ulungile,+ ngoba thina abaseleyo sisilile kwaze kwafika lelilanga. Khathesi siphambi kwakho lecala lethu, lanxa kungafanelanga ukuthi sime phambi kwakho ngenxa yalokhu esikwenzileyo.”+

10 U-Ezra wathi esathandaza+ evuma izono zabantu bakibo, ekhala njalo elele ethe mbo phansi phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, kwabuthana kuye ixuku elikhulu lamadoda labesifazana labantwana bako-Israyeli futhi abantu babekhala ezimathonsi. 2 UShekhaniya indodana kaJehiyela+ omunye wamadodana ka-Elami+ wathi ku-Ezra: “Kasizange sithembeke kuNkulunkulu wethu ngoba sithethe abafazi kwezinye izizwe.+ Lanxa kunjalo, ithemba lisesekhona ku-Israyeli. 3 Yikho-ke asenzeni isivumelwano loNkulunkulu wethu,+ sixotshe bonke abafazi esabathatha ezizweni kanye labantwababo. Kasilandeleni okutshiwo nguJehova kanye lalabo abahlonipha imilayo kaNkulunkulu wethu.+ Kasenzeni okutshiwo nguMthetho. 4 Vuka ngoba indaba le iqondane lawe njalo lathi siyakusekela. Qina, wenze okumele ukwenze.”

5 U-Ezra wasevuka wathi abaphristi abakhokhelayo lamaLevi kanye labo bonke abako-Israyeli bafunge ukuthi bazakwenza lokho okukhulunyiweyo.+ Lakanye bafunga. 6 U-Ezra wasesuka phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso waya endlini* kaJehohanani indodana ka-Eliyashibhi. Kodwa kazange afike adle loba anathe amanzi ngoba wayelila ngenxa yokungathembeki okwakwenziwe ngabantu ababevela ekuthunjweni.+

7 Ngemva kwalokho bamemezela kulo lonke elakoJuda leJerusalema batshela bonke abavela ekuthunjweni ukuthi babuye bazobuthana eJerusalema. 8 Izikhulu labadala bavumelana ukuthi loba ngubani owayezathatha insuku ezintathu engafikanga uzathathelwa yonke impahla yakhe axotshwe ebantwini bako-Israyeli.*+ 9 Ngakho wonke amadoda akoJuda lawakoBhenjamini abuthana eJerusalema kungakadluli amalanga amathathu njalo kwakumhlaka 20 ngenyanga yesi-9. Bonke abantu babehlezi egumeni lendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, beqhaqhazela ngenxa yendaba ababeyibizelwe langenxa yezulu elikhulu elalisina.

10 U-Ezra umphristi wasesukuma wathi kubo: “Kalizange lithembeke kuNkulunkulu ngoba lithethe abafazi kwezinye izizwe.+ Lokhu sekwenze langezelela icala lika-Israyeli. 11 Ngakho vumani izono zenu kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu lenze intando yakhe. Zehlukaniseni labantu bezinye izizwe labafazi benu bezizweni.”+ 12 Ibandla lonke laseliphendula ngelizwi elikhulu lathi: “Kungumlandu wethu ukuthi senze konke okutshoyo. 13 Kodwa ngeke senelise ukuqhubeka simi phandle ngoba yisikhathi sezulu njalo abantu banengi. Indaba le ngeke ilungiswe ngelanga elilodwa loba amabili ngoba ukuhlamuka esikwenzileyo kukhulu kakhulu. 14 Yikho sicela ukuthi izikhulu zethu ezisikhokhelayo zimele ibandla lonke+ lokuthi bonke abasemadolobheni ethu abathethe abafazi bezizweni babuye ngesikhathi esibekiweyo njalo babuye labadala labahluleli bedolobho ngalinye ukuze sehlise ulaka lukaNkulunkulu mayelana lendaba le.”

15 Kodwa uJonathani indodana ka-Asaheli loJahizeya indodana kaThikhiva abazange bakuvume lokho njalo uMeshulami loShabhethayi+ ababengamaLevi bavumelana labo. 16 Lanxa kunjalo, ababevela ekuthunjweni benza lokho ababekutsheliwe. U-Ezra umphristi labo bonke abakhokheli bezimuli ababelamabizo ayebhaliwe, bahlangana bebodwa mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yetshumi ukuze bahlafune udaba lolu. 17 Yikho mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yokuqala basebeqedelane lamadoda wonke ayethethe abafazi bezizweni, 18 njalo kwatholakala ukuthi lamanye amadodana abaphristi ayethethe abafazi bezizweni:+ Kuzizukulwane zikaJeshuwa+ indodana kaJehozadakhi labafowabo kwakunguMahaseya, lo-Eliyezeri, loJaribi kanye loGedaliya. 19 Yikho bathembisa ukuxotsha abafazi babo njalo ngamunye wayezathatha inqama emhlambini anikele ngayo ngoba babelecala.+

20 Kuzizukulwane zika-Imeri+ kwakunguHanani loZebhadiya. 21 Kuzizukulwane zikaHarimi+ kwakunguMahaseya, lo-Elija, loShemaya, loJehiyela kanye lo-Uziya. 22 Kuzizukulwane zikaPhashuri+ kwakungu-Eliyonayi, loMahaseya, lo-Ishmayeli, loNethaneli, loJozabhadi kanye lo-Eleyasa. 23 KumaLevi kwakunguJozabhadi, loShimeyi, loKhelaya, (okutsho uKhelitha) loPhethahiya, loJuda kanye lo-Eliyezeri. 24 Kubahlabeleli kwakungu-Eliyashibhi, kubalindi bamagedi kwakunguShalumi loThelemu lo-Uri.

25 Kwabanye abako-Israyeli, kuzizukulwane zikaPharoshi+ kwakunguRamiya, lo-Iziya, loMalikhija, loMijamini, lo-Eliyazari, loMalikhija kanye loBhenaya. 26 Kuzizukulwane zika-Elami+ kwakunguMathaniya, loZakhariya, loJehiyela,+ lo-Abhidi, loJeremothi kanye lo-Elija. 27 Kuzizukulwane zikaZathu+ kwakungu-Eliyonayi, lo-Eliyashibhi, loMathaniya, loJeremothi, loZabhadi kanye lo-Aziza. 28 Kuzizukulwane zikaBhebhayi+ kwakunguJehohanani, loHananiya, loZabhayi kanye lo-Athilayi. 29 Kuzizukulwane zikaBhani kwakunguMeshulami, loMalukhi, lo-Adaya, loJashubhi, loSheyali kanye loJeremothi. 30 Kuzizukulwane zikaPhahathi-mowabi+ kwakungu-Adena, loKhelali, loBhenaya, loMahaseya, loMathaniya, loBhezaleli, loBhinuwi kanye loManase. 31 Kuzizukulwane zikaHarimi+ kwakungu-Eliyezeri, lo-Ishija, loMalikhija,+ loShemaya, loShimeyoni, 32 loBhenjamini, loMalukhi kanye loShemariya. 33 Kuzizukulwane zikaHashumi+ kwakunguMathenayi, loMathatha, loZabhadi, lo-Elifelethi, loJeremayi, loManase kanye loShimeyi. 34 Kuzizukulwane zikaBhani kwakunguMahadayi, lo-Amramu, lo-Uweli, 35 loBhenaya, loBhedaya, loKheluhi, 36 loVaniya, loMeremothi, lo-Eliyashibhi, 37 loMathaniya, loMathenayi kanye loJasu. 38 Kuzizukulwane zikaBhinuwi kwakunguShimeyi, 39 loShelemiya, loNathani, lo-Adaya, 40 loMakhinadebhayi, loShashayi, loSharayi, 41 lo-Azareli, loShelemiya, loShemariya, 42 loShalumi, lo-Amariya kanye loJosefa. 43 Emadodeni aseNebho kwakunguJeyiyeli, loMathithiya, loZabhadi, loZebhina, loJadayi, loJoweli kanye loBhenaya. 44 Wonke amadoda la ayethethe abafazi bezinye izizwe+ njalo abaxotsha abafazi laba labantwababo.+