UNEHEMIYA

1 La ngamazwi kaNehemiya*+ indodana kaHakhaliya: Ngesikhathi ngisesigodlweni eShushani,*+ ngenyanga kaKhisilevi* ngomnyaka wesi-20, 2 kwafika omunye umfowethu okuthiwa nguHanani+ lamanye amadoda akoJuda, ngasengibabuza ngeJerusalema langamaJuda ayebuyele khona evela ekuthunjweni.+ 3 Bangiphendula bathi: “Abantu ababuyela koJuda besuka ekuthunjweni basebunzimeni obukhulu, okuselizweni lethu kuyayangisa.+ Imiduli yeJerusalema ilokhu idilikile+ lamagedi ayo alokhu enjalo kusukela atshiswa ngomlilo.”+

4 Ngathi ngikuzwa lokho ngahlala phansi ngakhala. Ngazila ukudla+ ngalila okwensuku ezinengi ngithandaza kuNkulunkulu wamazulu. 5 Ngathi: “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wamazulu, Nkulunkulu omkhulu lowesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe, olothando oluqotho kulabo abamthandayo labagcina imithetho yakhe.+ 6 Ngicela ungikhangele njalo uvule indlebe zakho, ulalele umthandazo wenceku yakho lamuhla. Ngithandazela abako-Israyeli ubusuku lemini+ ngivuma izono zabo phambi kwakho. Sonke sonile, lami nginje kanye labendlu kababa sonile kuwe.+ 7 Senze okubi phambi kwakho+ ngoba asiyilandelanga imithetho lemilayo yakho kanye lemithetho yakho yokwahlulela owayinika inceku yakho uMosi.+

8 “Ngicela ukhumbule ukuthi watshela* inceku yakho uMosi wathi: ‘Nxa lingenza okubi ngizalichithachitha phakathi kwezizwe.+ 9 Kodwa nxa lingaphenduka kimi lilalele imilayo yami futhi liyilandele, ngizaliqoqa+ lonke lanxa lingaze libe semaphethelweni omhlaba, ngililethe endaweni engikhethe ukuthi ibizo lami lihlale kuyo.’+ 10 Nkosi, abantu laba ngabakho futhi bayizinceku zakho. Wabakhulula ngamandla akho amakhulu langesandla sakho esilamandla.+ 11 Awu Jehova, ngicela ulalele umthandazo wenceku yakho kanye lemithandazo yezinceku zakho ezithokoziswa yikwesaba ibizo lakho. Ngicela ungibusise lamuhla, wenze indoda le ingizwele.”+

Ngalesosikhathi ngangisebenza ukunika inkosi iwayini.+

2 Ngenyanga kaNisani* ngomnyaka wesi-20+ wokubusa kweNkosi u-Athakisekisi,+ iwayini labekwa phambi kwayo. Njengensukwini ngalithatha iwayini ngalinika inkosi.+ Ngangingakaze ngime phambi kwenkosi ngidanile, 2 yikho inkosi yathi kimi: “Kungani ukhanya uhlobile wena ungaguli? Kutsho ukuthi kulento ekudlayo.” Ngathi ngisizwa lokhu ngethuka kakhulu.

3 Ngasengisithi enkosini: “Kayibe lempilo ende inkosi! Ngingayekela njani ukukhathazeka njengoba idolobho okwangcwatshwa kulo okhokho bami lilokhu lingamanxiwa, lamagedi alo elokhu enjalo kusukela atshiswa ngomlilo?”+ 4 Inkosi yangiphendula yathi: “Manje ubukhala ngani?” Yathi ingibuza ngahle ngathandaza kuNkulunkulu wamazulu.+ 5 Ngasengisithi enkosini: “Nxa inceku yakho ithole umusa kuwe nkosi futhi ukubona kukuhle ukuthi ngiye koJuda, ngicela ungivumele ngiyekwakha kutsha idolobho okwangcwatshwa kulo okhokho bami.”+ 6 Yasingiphendula yathi: “Uhambo lwakho luzathatha isikhathi esinganani? Uzaphenduka nini?” Inkosi yangivumela ukuthi ngihambe+ ngasengiyitshela ukuthi ngizaphenduka nini.+ Ngalesosikhathi inkosi yayihlezi lendlovukazi yayo.

7 Ngaphinda ngathi kuyo: “Nxa inkosi ikubona kulungile, ngicela ukuthi inginike izincwadi engizazinika ababusi* belizwe elingaphetsheya komfula*+ ukuze bangivumele ngidlule ngiye koJuda. 8 Ngicela lencwadi engizayinika u-Asafi okhangela igusu lenkosi ukuze anginike izigodo ezizakuba zinsika zamagedi enqaba+ yethempeli lezemiduli yedolobho+ lezendlu engizahlala kuyo.” Ngakho inkosi yanginika izincwadi lezo+ ngoba uNkulunkulu wami olomusa wayelami.+

9 Yangipha lezinduna zamabutho lamabutho ayegade amabhiza ukuthi angiphelekezele. Ngafika-ke kubabusi* belizwe elingaphetsheya komfula ngabanika izincwadi ezazivela enkosini. 10 USanibhalathi+ umHoroni loThobhiya+ isikhulu sama-Amoni+ bathi besizwa lokhu bazonda kakhulu. Akubaphathanga kuhle ukuthi kwasekufike umuntu ozonceda abako-Israyeli.

11 Ngemva kwesikhathi ngafika eJerusalema ngahlala khona amalanga amathathu. 12 Angizange ngitshele muntu lokho uNkulunkulu ayengithume ukuthi ngizokwenza eJerusalema. Ngavuka ebusuku lamadoda amalutshwana, ngathatha ubabhemi oyedwa engahamba ngimgadile. 13 Ngaphuma ngegedi lesigodi+ ngadlula phambi komthombo wenyoka enkulu ngaze ngayafika egedini lesilotheni.+ Ngahlolisisa imiduli yeJerusalema eyayidilikile lamagedi ayo ayetshiswe ngomlilo.+ 14 Ngadlulela egedini lomthombo+ lasechibini lenkosi. Kwakungelandawo yokuthi ubabhemi engangimgadile adlule. 15 Ngasengihamba ngisekele isigodi+ ngihlolisisa umduli wedolobho. Ngemva kwalokho ngaphenduka ngangena edolobheni ngegedi lesigodi.

16 Abasekeli bababusi+ babengakwazi ukuthi ngangiye ngaphi lokuthi ngangisiya kwenzani. Ngangingakawatsheli lutho amaJuda, labaphristi, lezikhulu, labasekeli bababusi kanye labantu ababezakwakha. 17 Kodwa ngacina ngisithi kubo: “Lani liyabubona ubunzima esikubo, iJerusalema ingamanxiwa lamagedi ayo atshiswa ngomlilo. Ngakho asakheni imiduli yeJerusalema ukuze singaqhubeki siyinhlekisa ebantwini.” 18 Ngasengibatshela ukuthi uNkulunkulu wami olomusa wayengisekele njani+ lokuthi inkosi yayitheni kimi.+ Bathi besizwa lokhu bathi: “Asisukumeni sakhe.” Ngakho baqinisana balungiselela ukwenza umsebenzi lo omuhle.+

19 USanibhalathi umHoroni loThobhiya+ isikhulu sama-Amoni+ loGeshemu um-Arabhu+ bathi bekuzwa lokhu basihleka+ beseyisa besithi: “Kanti vele lizama ukwenzani? Selifuna ukuhlamukela inkosi?”+ 20 Kodwa mina ngabaphendula ngathi: “UNkulunkulu wamazulu nguye ozasenza siphumelele.+ Thina sizalakha idolobho leli ngoba sizinceku zakhe. Lina alisibo balapha, akulanto engeyenu eJerusalema futhi akulanto eliyenzileyo lapha elingakhunjulwa ngayo.”+

3 U-Eliyashibhi+ umphristi omkhulu labafowabo abangabaphristi bakha igedi lezimvu+ balinikela kuNkulunkulu+ basebefaka izivalo. Bakha ingxenye yomduli kusukela lapho kusiyafika emphotshongweni kaMeya,+ bayinikela kuNkulunkulu. Benza njalo baze bayafika lemphotshongweni kaHananeli.+ 2 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha amadoda eJerikho,+ besekulandela uZakhuri indodana ka-Imri.

3 Amadodana kaHasenaya akha igedi lenhlanzi.+ Amisa imigubazi yalo+ asefaka izivalo lamawentshi lemigoqo. 4 Eceleni kwamadodana kaHasenaya kwakusakha uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Urija indodana kaHakhozi. Eceleni kukaMeremothi kwakusakha uMeshulami+ indodana kaBherekhiya indodana kaMeshezabheli, besekulandela uZadokhi indodana kaBhana. 5 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha abantu beThekhowa+ kodwa izikhulu zabo zala ukuzosebenza ngaphansi kwabakhokheli bazo.

6 UJoyada indodana kaPhaseya loMeshulami indodana kaBhesodeya bavuselela igedi ledolobho elidala.+ Bamisa imigubazi yalo basebefaka izivalo lamawentshi lemigoqo. 7 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha uMelathiya waseGibhiyoni+ loJadoni waseMeronothi. Amadoda la aseGibhiyoni leMizipha+ ayengaphansi kombusi* welizwe elingaphetsheya komfula.*+ 8 Eceleni kwawo kwakusakha u-Uziyeli indodana kaHarihaya, umkhandi wegolide, besekulandela uHananiya owayesebenza ukwenza amafutha okugcoba.* Bendlala amatshe phansi baze bayafika emdulini obanzi.+ 9 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha uRefaya indodana kaHuri, umphathi wengxenye yesabelo seJerusalema. 10 Kwakulandela uJedaya indodana kaHarumafi, owayevuselela umduli owawuphambi kwendlu yakhe futhi eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha uHathushi indodana kaHashabheniya.

11 UMalikhija indodana kaHarimi+ loHashubi indodana kaPhahathi-mowabi+ bona babevuselela eyinye ingxenye yomduli kanye lomphotshongo wama-oveni.+ 12 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha uShalumi indodana kaHaloheshi, umphathi wengxenye yesabelo seJerusalema. Wayesakha lamadodakazi akhe.

13 UHanuni labantu beZanowa+ bavuselela igedi lesigodi.+ Balakha bafaka izivalo zalo lamawentshi lemigoqo. Bavuselela umduli okomango ozingalo ezingu-1 000* baze bayafika egedini lesilotheni.+ 14 UMalikhija indodana kaRekhabi, umphathi wesabelo seBhethi-hakheremu,+ wavuselela igedi lesilotheni. Walakha wamisa imigubazi yalo wasefaka izivalo lamawentshi lemigoqo yalo.

15 UShaluni indodana kaKholihoze, umphathi wesabelo seMizipha,+ wavuselela igedi lomthombo.+ Walakha wasefaka uphahla lezivalo lamawentshi kanye lemigoqo yalo. Wavuselela lomduli weChibi+ Lomsele elaliseduze lengadi yenkosi,+ waqhubeka waze wayafika emasitephisini+ ayesehla esuka edolobheni likaDavida.+

16 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha uNehemiya indodana ka-Azibhukhi, umphathi wengxenye yesabelo seBhethi-zuri.+ Wavuselela umduli owawuphambi kwamangcwaba kaDavida*+ waze wayafika echibini+ elaligejiwe layakhwa, wafika lasendlini yamaqhawe.

17 Eceleni kukaNehemiya kwakusakha amaLevi. KwakuloRehumi indodana kaBhani, elandelwa nguHashabhiya umphathi wengxenye yesabelo seKheyila+ owayesakha emele isabelo sakhe. 18 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha abafowabo. Babekhangelwa nguBhavayi indodana kaHenadadi, umphathi wengxenye yesabelo seKheyila.

19 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha u-Ezeri indodana kaJeshuwa,+ umphathi weMizipha. Wayevuselela umduli owawuphambi komqanso owawusiya lapho okwakugcinwa khona izikhali, ensikeni yomduli.+

20 Wayelandelwa nguBharukhi indodana kaZabhayi,+ esebenza nzima esakha eyinye ingxenye yomduli kusukela ensikeni yawo kuze kuyefika emnyango wendlu ka-Eliyashibhi+ umphristi omkhulu.

21 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha uMeremothi+ indodana ka-Urija, indodana kaHakhozi. Wavuselela umduli kusukela emnyango wendlu ka-Eliyashibhi waze wayafika lapho ecina khona.

22 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha abaphristi ababehlala esigabeni seJodani,+ 23 belandelwa nguBhenjamini loHashubhi ababevuselela umduli owawuphambi kwendlu yabo. Eceleni kwabo kwakulo-Azariya indodana kaMahaseya, indodana ka-Ananiya, laye esakha phambi kwendlu yakhe. 24 Wayelandelwa nguBhinuwi indodana kaHenadadi owayevuselela umduli kusukela endlini ka-Azariya kusiyafika ensikeni yomduli,+ adlule aze ayefika ekhoneni.

25 Eceleni kwakhe kwakuloPhalali indodana ka-Uzayi, esakha phambi kwensika yomduli lomphotshongo ophezulu owawubambene lendlu yenkosi,*+ egumeni labalindi.+ UPhalali wayelandelwa nguPhedaya indodana kaPharoshi.+

26 Izisebenzi zethempelini*+ ezazihlala e-Ofeli+ zakha zaze zayafika empumalanga phambi kwegedi lamanzi+ lasemphotshongweni obanzi owawubambene lomduli wedolobho.

27 Eceleni kwabo kwakulabantu beThekhowa+ ababevuselela umduli kusukela emphotshongweni lo obanzi kuze kuyefika emdulini we-Ofeli.

28 Abaphristi bona babesakha umduli owawuphambi kwegedi lamabhiza,+ ngamunye wabo esebenza phambi kwendlu yakhe.

29 Eceleni kwabo kwakusakha uZadokhi+ indodana ka-Imeri, evuselela umduli owawuphambi kwendlu yakhe.

Wayelandelwa nguShemaya indodana kaShekhaniya owayelinda egedini elisempumalanga.+

30 Eceleni kwakhe kwakusakha uHananiya indodana kaShelemiya, loHanuni indodana yesithupha kaZalafi.

Babelandelwa nguMeshulami+ indodana kaBherekhiya, owayevuselela umduli owawuphambi kwendlu yakhe.

31 Eceleni kukaMeshulami kwakusakha uMalikhija owayelilunga leqembu labakhandi begolide. Wavuselela umduli waze wayafika endlini yezisebenzi zethempelini*+ kanye labathengisayo, phambi kwegedi lokuhlolwa. Waqhubeka wayafika lekhoneni lapho okulendlu ephezu komduli.

32 Kusukela ekhoneni elilendlu ephezu komduli kusiyafika egedini lezimvu+ kwakusakha abakhandi begolide kanye labathengisayo.

4 USanibhalathi+ wathi esizwa ukuthi sasesivuselela umduli wazonda wabila, njalo waqhubeka eseyisa amaJuda. 2 Wakhuluma phambi kwabangane bakhe lebutho leSamariya wathi: “Kanti kwenzani okungamaJuda lokhu? Kubona angani umsebenzi lo kungawenza kukodwa? Bangenelisa yini ukunikela imihlatshelo? Bazawakha bawuqede ngelanga elilodwa yini umduli? Kuyini kambe abangakwakha ngamatshe atshileyo aphakathi kwenqumbi yezibi?”+

3 UThobhiya+ um-Amoni+ owayemi eceleni kwakhe laye wangezelela wathi: “Nxa okulikhanka kungakhwela phezu komduli abawakhayo uyahle udilike.”

4 Ngakho ngathandaza ngathi: “Awu Nkulunkulu wethu, zwana ukuthi abantu laba baseyisa njani.+ Sicela konke okubi abasifisela khona ukubuyisele kubo+ njalo ubanikele ezitheni zabo zibathumbe bayekuba yizigqili. 5 Sicela ungalesuli icala labo futhi ungabathetheleli isono sabo+ ngoba bathethise abantu abayakhayo.”

6 Saqhubeka sivuselela umduli sivala zonke izikhala futhi umduli waphakama waze wafika ingxenye yobude bawo. Abantu baqhubeka besebenza ngenhliziyo yonke.

7 USanibhalathi, loThobhiya,+ lama-Arabhu,+ lama-Amoni labe-Ashidodi+ bathi besizwa ukuthi umsebenzi wokuvuselela umduli weJerusalema wawusiya phambili lokuthi kwakuvalwa zonke izikhala bazonda bagcwalelana. 8 Bavumelana ukuthi bahlangane bayehlasela iJerusalema ukuze baphambanise umsebenzi. 9 Kodwa thina sathandaza kuNkulunkulu wethu, safaka abantu ukuthi balinde ebusuku lemini.

10 Abantu bakoJuda labo basebesithi: “Abantu abaselamandla okuqhubeka besebenza. Asisoze safa saqeda ukwakha umduli njengoba lezibi zizinengi kangaka.”

11 Izitha zethu zazilokhu zisithi: “Sizabathutshela belibele sitheleke phezu kwabo sibabulale, simise umsebenzi.”

12 AmaJuda ayehlala eduze kwabo ayesithi engafika abe elokhu esixwayisa esithi: “Bazathutsha ndawo zonke basihlasele.”

13 Ngakho ngafaka abalindi ukuthi balinde emdulini ezindaweni eziyizigodi lezisemagcekeni. Babezalinda ngezimuli zabo behlome ngezinkemba langemikhonto, bephethe lamadandili.* 14 Ngathi ngibona ukuthi abantu sebesesaba ngasukuma ngakhuluma lezikhulu+ labasekeli bababusi labo bonke abantu, ngathi kubo: “Lingabesabi.+ Khumbulani ukuthi uJehova mkhulu njalo uyesabeka.+ Lwelani abafowenu, labomkenu, lamadodana enu, lamadodakazi enu kanye lemizi yenu.”

15 Izitha zethu zezwa ukuthi sesilazi icebo lazo kanye lokuthi uNkulunkulu weqiniso wayeselenze langaphumeleli. Thina sonke sabuyela emsebenzini saqhubeka sisakha umduli. 16 Kusukela ngalelolanga kwakusithi nxa amanye amadoda esakha umduli,+ amanye abe elindile* ehlome ngemikhonto lamahawu lamadandili futhi egqoke amajazi ensimbi. Abakhokheli+ bona babebasekela* bonke abantu bakoJuda 17 ngesikhathi besakha umduli. Lalabo ababesebenza ukuthwala izinto zokwakha babesebenza ngesandla esisodwa, esinye isandla siphethe isikhali. 18 Bonke abakhi babesebenza behlome inkemba ekhalweni futhi lowo owayezatshaya uphondo+ wayemi eceleni kwami.

19 Ngasengikhuluma lezikhulu labasekeli bababusi labantu bonke ngathi: “Umsebenzi mkhulu njalo sisebenza siqhelelene. 20 Yikho nxa lingezwa uphondo lukhala libuye lizobuthana lapha esikhona. UNkulunkulu wethu uzasilwela.”+

21 Ngakho saqhubeka sisebenza, ngapha eyinye ingxenye yamadoda iphethe imikhonto. Sasisebenza kusukela ilanga liphuma kuze kuphume izinkanyezi. 22 Ngalesosikhathi ngaphinda ngathi ebantwini: “Indoda ngayinye lesisebenzi sayo kumele balale phakathi kweJerusalema. Bazasebenza emini kuthi ebusuku batshintshane ukuba ngabalindi.” 23 Ngakho mina labafowethu lezisebenzi zami+ kanye labalindi yikho esakwenzayo. Sasesiswela ngitsho lesikhathi sokutshintsha izigqoko futhi ngamunye wethu wayesehlala ethwele isikhali sakhe ngesandla sokudla.

5 Amadoda ako-Israyeli labomkabo bakhala besola abafowabo abangamaJuda.+ 2 Abanye babesithi: “Silamadodana lamadodakazi amanengi, kumele sithole amabele ukuze sidle singabulawa yindlala.” 3 Abanye besithi: “Sesibambisa ngamasimu ethu engqoloyi lawamagilebisi lezindlu zethu ukuze sithole amabele ngesikhathi sendlala.” 4 Abanye bona babesithi: “Thina sesiboleka imali sitshiye sibambise ngamasimu ethu engqoloyi lawamagilebisi ukuze sibhadale umthelo wenkosi.+ 5 Phela laba ngabafowethu futhi siligazi linye, abantwabethu ngabantwababo. Kodwa thina sekumele sihambise amadodana lamadodakazi ethu ayekuba yizigqili. Sikhuluma nje amanye amadodakazi ethu aseyizigqili,+ kodwa akulalutho esingalwenza ngoba amasimu ethu engqoloyi lawamagilebisi athathwa ngabanye.”

6 Ngathi ngisizwa ukukhala kwabo lalokho ababekutsho ngazonda kakhulu. 7 Ngacabangisisa ngakho ngasengibasola kakhulu abasekeli bababusi lezikhulu, ngathi kubo: “Kungani libhadalisa abafowenu imali isilenzuzo phezulu?”+

Ngabiza umhlangano omkhulu ukuze silungise indaba le. 8 Ngathi kubo: “Senze konke ebesingakwenza ukuze sithenge abafowethu abangamaJuda ababeyizigqili ezizweni. Kodwa lamuhla yini eselibathengisa bona bengabafowenu.+ Litsho ukuthi sekumele sibathenge futhi?” Bathi besizwa lokhu bathula zwi baswela lokuthi bathini. 9 Ngaqhubeka ngathi: “Elikwenzayo akulunganga. Kumele limesabe uNkulunkulu wethu+ ukuze izizwe eziyizitha zethu zingaseyisi. 10 Lami nginje labafowethu lezinceku zami siyababoleka abantu imali lamabele. Ngicela siwuyekele umkhuba lo wokuboleka abantu imali sikhangelele ukuthola inzuzo.+ 11 Ngicela libabuyisele amasimu abo engqoloyi+ lawamagilebisi lawama-oliva kanye lezindlu zabo. Libabuyisele lenzuzo* yemali leyamabele leyewayini elitsha leyamafutha ebelibathathela yona.”

12 Bona baphendula bathi: “Sizazibuyisela izinto lezi futhi asisoze sibathonisise lutho. Sizakwenza khona kanye ositshele khona.” Ngakho ngabiza abaphristi, ngasengisithi amadoda lawo kawafunge ukuthi azakwenza lokho akuthembisileyo. 13 Ngathintitha izikhwama zesigqoko sami ngathi: “UNkulunkulu uzamthintitha kanje wonke umuntu ongasoze asigcine isithembiso lesi. Uzamsusa endlini yakhe amthathele lempahla yakhe ayisebenzelayo. Uzathintithwa ngalindlela asale engelalutho.” Abantu bonke baphendula bathi: “Ameni!”* Badumisa uJehova futhi benza lokho ababekuthembisile.

14 Okweminyaka engu-12 ngingumbusi*+ elizweni lakoJuda, kusukela ngomnyaka wesi-20+ wokubusa kweNkosi u-Athakisekisi,+ ngelanga eyangibeka ngalo ukuthi ngibe ngumbusi, kuze kube ngumnyaka wesi-32,+ mina labafowethu asizange sidle ukudla okumele kuphiwe umbusi.+ 15 Kodwa labo ababengababusi* ngaphambi kwami babebathwalise nzima abantu. Ngelanga babethatha amashekheli* esiliva angu-40 ebantwini ukuze bathenge isinkwa lewayini. Lezinceku zabo zazibacindezela abantu. Kodwa mina angizange ngikwenze lokhu+ ngoba ngangisesaba uNkulunkulu.+

16 Phezu kwalokho lami ngangisakha umduli wedolobho njalo izisebenzi zami zonke zazincedisa emsebenzini. Asizange sithathe nsimu.+ 17 Etafuleni yami kwakusidla abantu abangu-150, amaJuda labasekeli bababusi. Kwakusidla labezinye izizwe ababefika elizweni lethu. 18 Nsuku zonke kwakuhlatshwa inkunzi, lezimvu ezinonileyo eziyisithupha kubulawe lezinyoni. Ngemva kwamalanga alitshumi sasizithokozisa ngayo yonke imihlobo yewayini. Lanxa kunjalo angizange ngicele ebantwini ukudla okumele kuphiwe umbusi* ngoba abantu babevele besindwa yizinto ezazifunwa yinkosi. 19 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungikhumbule futhi ungibusise ngenxa yakho konke engikwenzele abantu laba.+

6 USanibhalathi loThobhiya+ loGeshemu um-Arabhu+ lazo zonke izitha zethu bezwa ukuthi ngasengiqedile ukwakha umduli+ lokuthi zonke izikhala zasezivaliwe, lanxa nje ngalesosikhathi ngangingakawafaki amagedi edolobho.+ 2 USanibhalathi loGeshemu bahle bangithumela ilizwi besithi: “Buya uzohlangana lathi emizini esemagcekeni ase-Ono.”+ Kodwa babefuna ukungihlasela. 3 Ngakho ngathuma izithunywa ukuthi ziyebatshela zithi: “Umsebenzi engiwenzayo mkhulu kakhulu, yikho angisoze ngenelise ukubuya. Kambe ngingatshiya umsebenzi umile ngilanda lina?” 4 Bangithumela ilizwi elifananayo kwaze kwaba kane, lami ngilokhu ngibapha impendulo efananayo.

5 USanibhalathi wathumela kimi inceku yakhe okwesihlanu ilelizwi elifananayo. Yayithwele incwadi evuliweyo 6 ibhalwe ukuthi: “Kulamahungahunga esiwezwa ngabantu bezizwe esakhelane lazo, athi wena lamaJuda lifuna ukuhlamuka.+ LoGeshemu+ utsho njalo. Yikho nje lisakha umduli wedolobho futhi sizwa kuthiwa nguwe ozakuba yinkosi yamaJuda. 7 Kuthiwa usukhethe labaphrofethi wabathuma ukuthi bamemezele ngawe kuyo yonke iJerusalema besithi, ‘Sekulenkosi koJuda!’ Manje lokhu kuzacina kufikile endlebeni zenkosi. Ngakho buya sizokhuluma silungise udaba lolu.”

8 Kodwa mina ngaphendula ngathi: “Akulanto enjalo eyenzakeleyo, wena nguwe okubumbileyo engqondweni yakho.” 9 Bonke babezama ukusethusela becabanga ukuthi sizaphela amandla sehluleke ukuwuqeda umsebenzi.+ Ngakho ngathandaza ngathi: “Nkulunkulu ngicela ungiqinise ngibe lamandla.”+

10 Ngasuka ngaya endlini kaShemaya indodana kaDelaya indodana kaMehethabheli. Ngalezonsuku wayengaphumi endlini. Wathi kimi: “Asibeke isikhathi sihlangane endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ethempelini. Sizafika sizivalele ethempelini ngoba bazabuya befuna ukukubulala. Bazafika ebusuku bakuhlasele.” 11 Kodwa ngaphendula ngathi: “Kambe indoda enjengami ingabaleka? Umuntu onjengami angangena ethempelini angafi?+ Ngitsho sibili ngeke ngingene!” 12 Ngananzelela ukuthi wayengathunywanga nguNkulunkulu kodwa wayethengwe nguThobhiya loSanibhalathi+ ukuthi aphrofethe amanga angiqile. 13 Babemthengile befuna angethusele ngicine ngisenza isono ukuze bangisole bangcolise ibizo lami.

14 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ungakukhohlwa okwenziwa nguThobhiya+ loSanibhalathi lomphrofethikazi uNowadiya kanye labo bonke abaphrofethi ababezama ukungethusa.

15 Saqeda ukwakha umduli mhlaka 25 ngenyanga ka-Eluli.* Kwasithatha amalanga angu-52.

16 Izitha zethu kanye lezizwe zonke ezingomakhelwane zathi zikubona lokho zayangeka kakhulu,+ zananzelela ukuthi uNkulunkulu nguye owayesincedisile emsebenzini lo. 17 Ngalezonsuku izikhulu+ zakoJuda zazithumela incwadi ezinengi kuThobhiya, futhi laye wayeziphendula. 18 Abantu bakoJuda abanengi bafunga ukuthi bazamsekela ngoba wayengumkhwenyana kaShekhaniya indodana ka-Eyira,+ njalo indodana yakhe uJehohanani yayithethe indodakazi kaMeshulami+ indodana kaBherekhiya. 19 Babehlala bengitshela ngezinto ezinhle ezenziwa nguThobhiya, besebesiyamtshela ukuthi mina ngitheni. UThobhiya wayesithi engezwa lokho angithumele izincwadi engethusela.+

7 Umduli wathi sewakhiwe+ ngafaka izivalo.+ Ngemva kwalokho abalindi bamagedi+ edolobho labahlabeleli+ kanye lamaLevi+ baphiwa imisebenzi yabo. 2 Ngakhetha umfowethu uHanani+ ukuthi abe ngumphathi weJerusalema encedisana loHananiya umphathi wenqaba+ yethempeli, owayeyindoda ethembekileyo futhi eyayimesaba uNkulunkulu weqiniso+ ukwedlula abantu abanengi. 3 Ngakho ngathi kubo: “Amagedi eJerusalema akumelanga avulwe kuze kube semini njalo abalindi kumele bawavale ngci bawentshe bengakatshayisi emsebenzini wabo. Khethani izakhamizi zeJerusalema ezizalinda, abanye bazalinda ezindaweni abamiswe kuzo, abanye balinde phambi kwezindlu zabo.” 4 Idolobho lalilikhulu kakhulu kodwa abantu babebalutshwana+ futhi lezindlu zazilokhu zingakakhiwa.

5 UNkulunkulu wami wakufaka enhliziyweni yami ukuthi ngibuthanise izikhulu labasekeli bababusi kanye labantu ukuze babhalise ngezimuli zabo.+ Ngathola ibhuku elalilamabizo abantu abafika kuqala eJerusalema bevela ekuthunjweni. Kwakubhalwe ukuthi:

6 “Laba yibo abantu bakulesisabelo abafika bevela ekuthunjweni, labo ababethunjwe+ nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi+ yeBhabhiloni. Babuyela eJerusalema, lakoJuda, omunye lomunye waya edolobheni lakibo.+ 7 Bafika loZerubhabheli,+ loJeshuwa,+ loNehemiya, lo-Azariya, loRahamiya, loNahamani, loModekhayi, loBhilishani, loMisipherethi, loBhigivayi, loNehumi kanye loBhahana.

Inani lamadoda ako-Israyeli lalimi kanje:+ 8 Abesizukulwane sikaPharoshi babengu-2 172, 9 abesizukulwane sikaShefathiya babengu-372, 10 abesizukulwane sika-Eyira+ babengu-652. 11 Abesizukulwane sikaPhahathi-mowabi+ ababezalwa emulini kaJeshuwa lekaJowabi+ babengu-2 818, 12 abesizukulwane sika-Elami+ babengu-1 254, 13 abesizukulwane sikaZathu babengu-845. 14 Abesizukulwane sikaZakhayi babengu-760, 15 abesizukulwane sikaBhinuwi babengu-648, 16 abesizukulwane sikaBhebhayi babengu-628, 17 abesizukulwane sika-Azigadi babengu-2 322. 18 Abesizukulwane sika-Adonikhami babengu-667, 19 abesizukulwane sikaBhigivayi babengu-2 067, 20 abesizukulwane sika-Adini babengu-655, 21 abesizukulwane sika-Atheri ababengabendlu kaHezekhiya babengu-98. 22 Abesizukulwane sikaHashumi babengu-328, 23 abesizukulwane sikaBhezayi babengu-324, 24 abesizukulwane sikaHarifi babengu-112, 25 abesizukulwane sikaGibhiyoni+ babengu-95. 26 Amadoda eBhethilehema leNethofa ayengu-188, 27 amadoda e-Anathothi+ ayengu-128, 28 amadoda eBhethi-azimavethi ayengu-42, 29 amadoda eKhiriyathi-jeyarimi+ leKhefira leBheherothi+ ayengu-743. 30 Amadoda aseRama leGebha+ ayengu-621, 31 amadoda eMikhimasi+ ayengu-122, 32 amadoda eBhetheli+ le-Ayi+ ayengu-123, 33 amadoda akweyinye iNebho ayengu-52. 34 Abesizukulwane somunye u-Elami babengu-1 254, 35 abesizukulwane sikaHarimi babengu-320, 36 amadoda eJerikho ayengu-345, 37 abesizukulwane sikaLodi lesikaHadidi lesika-Ono+ babengu-721, 38 abesizukulwane sikaSenaya babengu-3 930.

39 Inani labaphristi lalimi kanje:+ Abesizukulwane sikaJedaya abemuli kaJeshuwa babengu-973, 40 abesizukulwane sika-Imeri babengu-1 052, 41 abesizukulwane sikaPhashuri+ babengu-1 247, 42 abesizukulwane sikaHarimi+ babengu-1 017.

43 Inani lamaLevi+ lalimi kanje: Abesizukulwane sikaJeshuwa owemuli kaKhadimiyeli,+ omunye wamadodana kaHodeva babengu-74. 44 Inani labahlabeleli+ lalimi kanje: Abesizukulwane sika-Asafi+ babengu-148. 45 Abalinda emagedini+ kwakungabesizukulwane sikaShalumi, lesika-Atheri, lesikaThalimoni, lesika-Akhubi,+ lesikaHathitha lesikaShobhayi. Sebebonke babengu-138.

46 Ababeyizisebenzi zethempelini*+ kwakuyilaba: Abesizukulwane sikaZiha, labesizukulwane sikaHasufa, labesizukulwane sikaThabhayothi, 47 labesizukulwane sikaKherosi, labesizukulwane sikaSiya, labesizukulwane sikaPhadoni, 48 labesizukulwane sikaLebhana, labesizukulwane sikaHagaba, labesizukulwane sikaSalimayi, 49 labesizukulwane sikaHanana, labesizukulwane sikaGideli, labesizukulwane sikaGahari, 50 labesizukulwane sikaReyaya, labesizukulwane sikaRezini, labesizukulwane sikaNekhoda, 51 labesizukulwane sikaGazami, labesizukulwane sika-Uza, labesizukulwane sikaPhaseya, 52 labesizukulwane sikaBhesayi, labesizukulwane sikaMewunimi, labesizukulwane sikaNefushesimi, 53 labesizukulwane sikaBhakhibhukhi, labesizukulwane sikaHakhupha, labesizukulwane sikaHahuri, 54 labesizukulwane sikaBhazilithi, labesizukulwane sikaMehida, labesizukulwane sikaHarisha, 55 labesizukulwane sikaBharikhosi, labesizukulwane sikaSisera, labesizukulwane sikaThema, 56 labesizukulwane sikaNeziya, labesizukulwane sikaHathifa.

57 Izizukulwane zezisebenzi zikaSolomoni+ kwakuyilezi: Abesizukulwane sikaSothayi, labesizukulwane sikaSoferethi, labesizukulwane sikaPherida, 58 labesizukulwane sikaJala, labesizukulwane sikaDakhoni, labesizukulwane sikaGideli, 59 labesizukulwane sikaShefathiya, labesizukulwane sikaHathili, labesizukulwane sikaPhokherethi-hazebhayimi, labesizukulwane sika-Amoni. 60 Inani lazo zonke izisebenzi zethempelini*+ kanye lezizukulwane zezisebenzi zikaSolomoni laliyi-392.

61 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:+ 62 Abesizukulwane sikaDelaya labesizukulwane sikaThobhiya labesizukulwane sikaNekhoda, bonke babengu-642. 63 Amadodana abaphristi kwakuyilawa: Abesizukulwane sikaHabhaya labesizukulwane sikaHakhozi+ labesizukulwane sikaBhazilayi owayethethe eyinye yamadodakazi kaBhazilayi+ weGiliyadi wasebizwa ngebizo likayisezala. 64 Laba badinga amabizo osendo lwakibo ezincwadini zembali kodwa abawatholanga, yikho bakhitshwa emsebenzini wokuba ngabaphristi.*+ 65 Umbusi* wesabelo*+ wabatshela ukuthi bangadli ukudla okungcwele+ kuze kube lomphristi ozabuza kuNkulunkulu esebenzisa i-Urimi leThumimi.*+

66 Abantu bonke* sebehlangene babeyi-42 360,+ 67 ngaphandle kwezigqili lezigqilikazi zabo+ ezazingu-7 337. Babelabahlabeleli besilisa labesifazana abangu-245.+ 68 Amabhiza abo ayengu-736, imbongolo* zabo zingu-245, 69 amakamela abo engu-435, obabhemi bengu-6 720.

70 Abanye abakhokheli bezimuli banikela ngempahla yabo ukuze umsebenzi uhambe.+ Umbusi* wesabelo* yena wanikela ngamadrakhima egolide* angu-1 000, lemiganu engu-50, lezembatho zabaphristi ezingu-530.+ 71 Abanye abakhokheli bezimuli bancedisa emsebenzini ngokunikela ngamadrakhima egolide angu-20 000 lamamina* esiliva angu-2 200. 72 Abantu bona banikela ngamadrakhima egolide angu-20 000 lamamina esiliva angu-2 000 kanye lezembatho zabaphristi ezingu-67.

73 Abaphristi, lamaLevi, labalindi bamagedi, labahlabeleli,+ lezisebenzi zethempelini* labanye abantu bahlala emadolobheni abo.+ Kwathi kufika inyanga yesikhombisa+ bonke abantu bako-Israyeli basebehlezi emadolobheni akibo.+

8 Bonke abantu babuthana egcekeni elaliphambi kwegedi lamanzi,+ belenhloso eyodwa. Basebetshela u-Ezra+ umbhali* ukuthi alethe ibhuku loMthetho kaMosi,+ uJehova ayewunike abako-Israyeli.+ 2 Ngakho u-Ezra umphristi wabuya lalo ibhuku loMthetho phambi kwabantu+ ukuze alibalele amadoda labesifazana labo bonke ababesenelisa ukulalela bazwisise. Konke lokhu kwenzakala mhlaka 1 ngenyanga yesikhombisa.+ 3 Wabalela+ abantu ibhuku loMthetho egcekeni elaliphambi kwegedi lamanzi kusukela ekuseni kwaze kwaba semini enkulu. Kwakulamadoda labesifazana labo bonke ababesenelisa ukulalela bazwisise okukhulunywayo. Bonke abantu balalelisisa+ ngesikhathi ibhuku loMthetho libalwa. 4 U-Ezra umbhali* wayemi endaweni ephakemeyo eyayenziwe ngamapulanka yenzelwe umbuthano lo. Eceleni kwakhe esandleni sokudla kwakuloMathithiya, loShema, lo-Anaya, lo-Uriya, loHilikhiya loMahaseya. Ngakwesenxele kwakuloPhedaya, loMishayeli, loMalikhija,+ loHashumi, loHashibhadana, loZakhariya loMeshulami.

5 U-Ezra wavula ibhuku loMthetho bonke abantu bemkhangele ngoba wayemi endaweni ephakemeyo. Wathi elivula abantu bonke basukuma. 6 U-Ezra wadumisa uJehova uNkulunkulu weqiniso, uNkulunkulu omkhulu, abantu bonke bathi, “Ameni!* Ameni!”+ baphakamisa izandla. Ngemva kwalokho baguqa bathi mbo phansi ngobuso phambi kukaJehova. 7 UJeshuwa, loBhani, loSherebhiya,+ loJamini, lo-Akhubi, loShabhethayi, loHodiya, loMahaseya, loKhelitha, lo-Azariya, loJozabhadi,+ loHanana, loPhelaya ababengamaLevi babechasisa uMthetho+ abantu bemi khonapho. 8 Baqhubeka bebalela abantu ibhuku loMthetho kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Bawuchasisa wacaca ebantwini futhi baveza egcekeni ukuthi wawusitshoni, bebancedisa ukuthi bazwisise lokho ababebabalela khona.+

9 Abantu bonke bathi besizwa amazwi oMthetho bakhala. Ngakho uNehemiya owayengumbusi* wesabelo* ngalesosikhathi lo-Ezra+ umphristi owayengumbhali* kanye lamaLevi ayefundisa abantu bathi: “Ilanga leli lingcwele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.+ Yekelani ukukhala lokulila.” 10 UNehemiya wasesithi kubo: “Hambani liyekudla ukudla okumnandi, lizikholisele lokunathwayo okumnandi, linike lalabo abangelakudla+ ngoba ilanga leli lingcwele eNkosini yethu. Lingadani ngoba intokozo eliyiphiwa nguJehova ilenza libe lamandla.”* 11 AmaLevi ayethulisa bonke abantu esithi: “Lingakhali futhi lingadani ngoba ilanga leli lingcwele.” 12 Ngakho abantu basuka bayakudla banatha njalo banika labanye ukudla. Bathokoza kakhulu+ ngoba babewazwisisile amazwi ababewatsheliwe.+

13 Ngelanga lesibili abakhokheli bezimuli zonke, labaphristi, lamaLevi babuthana ku-Ezra umbhali* ukuze bawazwisise ngcono amazwi abhalwe eMthethweni. 14 Ebhukwini loMthetho bathola kubhalwe ukuthi uJehova wayetshele uMosi ukuthi abako-Israyeli kumele bahlale ezihonqweni ngesikhathi somkhosi wenyanga yesikhombisa,+ 15 lokuthi kwakumele bamemezele+ kuwo wonke amadolobho abo lakulo lonke idolobho laseJerusalema bathi: “Hambani ezintabeni liyegamula ingatsha zezihlahla zama-oliva, lezezihlahla zephayini, lezommethile, lezelala kanye lezinye nje ezilamahlamvu, beselizokwakha izihonqo njengoba nje kubhaliwe eMthwethweni.”

16 Abantu bathi sebekutsheliwe lokhu, basuka bayagamula ingatsha zokwenza izihonqo babuya lazo. Benza izihonqo ephahleni lwezindlu lasemagumeni emizi yabo, lasemagumeni endlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ lasegcekeni legedi lamanzi+ kanye lasegcekeni legedi lako-Efrayimi.+ 17 Bonke ababebuye bevela ekuthunjweni bakha izihonqo bahlala kuzo. Abako-Israyeli babengakaze bawenze ngalindlela umkhosi lo kusukela ngensuku zikaJoshuwa+ indodana kaNuni kuze kube ngalelolanga. Abantu bathokoza kakhulu.+ 18 Ibhuku loMthetho kaNkulunkulu weqiniso lalibalwa nsuku zonke,+ kusukela ngelanga lokuqala kwaze kwaba lilanga lokucina. Umkhosi lo bawenza okwamalanga ayisikhombisa, kwasekusiba lomhlangano ongcwele ngelanga lesi-8 belandela okutshiwo nguMthetho.+

9 Mhlaka 24 ngaleyonyanga abako-Israyeli babuthana bazila ukudla begqoke izembatho zamasaka, bezithela ngenhlabathi emakhanda.+ 2 Labo ababengabako-Israyeli ngomdabuko behlukana labantu bonke bezinye izizwe,+ basebesima bavuma izono zabo lezabokhokho babo.+ 3 Bama endaweni yabo babalela abantu ibhuku loMthetho+ kaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo okwamahora amathathu.* Ngemva kwalokho bavuma izono zabo okwamahora amathathu bekhotheme phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo.

4 UJeshuwa, loBhani, loKhadimiyeli, loShebhaniya, loBhuni loSherebhiya,+ loBhani, loKhenani bama endaweni ephakemeyo+ eyayilungiselwe amaLevi. Bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu bethandaza kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. 5 AmaLevi lawa, uJeshuwa, loKhadimiyeli, loBhani, loHashabheniya, loSherebhiya, loHodiya, loShebhaniya, loPhethahiya athi: “Sukumani lidumise uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu kuze kube nini lanini.+ Awu Nkulunkulu, kabalidumise ibizo lakho eliphakemeyo, lelo abantu abaswela amazwi afaneleyo okulikhazimulisa lokulibusisa.

6 “Wena wedwa unguJehova,+ nguwe owenza amazulu aphakemeyo lakho konke okukuwo,* wenza lomhlaba lakho konke okukuwo, lolwandle lakho konke okukulo. Konke lokhu kugcinwe nguwe njalo ibutho elisemazulwini* liyakukhothamela. 7 Wena unguJehova uNkulunkulu weqiniso owakhetha u-Abrama+ wamkhipha e-Uri+ idolobho lamaKhaledi, wamnika ibizo elithi Abrahama.+ 8 Wabona ukuthi uthembeke ngenhliziyo yonke kuwe+ yikho wenza laye isivumelwano wamthembisa ukuthi uzamnika ilizwe lamaKhenani, lamaHithi, lama-Amori, lamaPherizi, lamaJebusi lamaGirigashi ukuze libe ngelezizukulwane zakhe.+ Wazigcina izithembiso zakho ngenxa yokuthi ulungile.

9 “Wabubona ubunzima okhokho bethu ababephakathi kwabo eGibhithe+ futhi wezwa ukukhala kwabo beseLwandle Olubomvu. 10 Wenza izimangaliso lezibonakaliso ukuze ujezise uFaro lezinceku zakhe labo bonke abantu belizwe lakhe+ ngoba wawusazi ukuthi babehlukuluza+ abako-Israyeli. Wenza ukuthi ibizo lakho laziwe futhi lilokhu libatshazwa kuze kube lamuhla.+ 11 Wehlukanisa ulwandle phambi kwamehlo abo bachapha behamba emhlabathini owomileyo.+ Ababebaxotshanisa wabaphosela enzikini yolwandle njengelitshe liphoselwa emanzini alamagagasi esabekayo.+ 12 Emini wawubakhokhela ngeyezi* kuthi ebusuku ubakhokhele ngomlilo* ukuze ubakhanyisele lapho okwakumele bahambe khona.+ 13 Wehlela entabeni iSinayi+ njalo wakhuluma labo usezulwini+ wabapha izahlulelo zakho ezilungileyo, lemithetho eqondileyo, lezimiso ezinhle kanye lemilayo.+ 14 Wabatshela ukuthi bagcine iSabatha lakho elingcwele+ njalo wabanika imilayo lezimiso kanye lemithetho usebenzisa uMosi inceku yakho. 15 Wabanika isinkwa esivela ezulwini ngesikhathi belambile+ njalo wabakhiphela amanzi edwaleni ngesikhathi bomile.+ Wabatshela ukuthi bangene bathathe ilizwe owawufunge ukuthi uzabanika lona.

16 “Kodwa okhokho bethu abazange bayilalele imilayo yakho futhi baba yiziqholo,*+ bazenzela umathanda.+ 17 Babengafuni ukulalela+ njalo bazikhohlwa izimanga owawubenzele zona, baqinisa amakhanda bakhetha owabo umkhokheli ukuze babuyele bayekuba yizigqili eGibhithe.+ Kodwa wena unguNkulunkulu ozimiseleyo ukuthethelela, olozwelo* futhi olesihawu. Uyaphuza ukuthukuthela futhi ugcwele uthando oluqotho,+ yikho ungazange ubalahle.+ 18 Benza isithombe sethole ngensimbi bathi: ‘Lo nguNkulunkulu wethu owasikhipha eGibhithe,’+ njalo benza izinto ezimbi kakhulu betshengisa ukuthi abakuhloniphi. 19 Lanxa kunjalo wena waba lesihawu esikhulu kubo futhi awuzange ubalahle enkangala.+ Iyezi* elalibakhokhela alizange lisuke phezu kwabo emini, lomlilo* waqhubeka ubakhanyisela lapho okwakufanele bahambe khona ebusuku.+ 20 Wabapha umoya wakho* ukuze bahlakaniphe+ futhi awuzange ubancitshe imana.+ Wabanika lamanzi ngesikhathi bomile.+ 21 Wabapha ukudla okweminyaka engu-40 besenkangala.+ Babengasweli lutho, izigqoko zabo azizange zijujuke+ lenyawo zabo azizange zivuvuke.

22 “Wabenza banqoba imibuso lezizwe, wabanika imibuso ilandelana.+ Bathatha ilizwe likaSihoni+ inkosi yeHeshibhoni+ lelika-Ogi+ inkosi yeBhashani. 23 Wenza abantwababo baba banengi njengezinkanyezi ezisesibhakabhakeni+ wasubaletha elizweni owathembisa okhokho babo ukuthi uzabapha lona libe ngelabo.+ 24 Ngakho abantwababo bangena elizweni balithatha+ wena wasunqoba amaKhenani+ ayehlala kulelolizwe wawasusa phambi kwabo. Wanikela esandleni sabo amakhosi awo labo bonke abantu bakuleyondawo ukuze babenze loba yini abayifunayo. 25 Bathumba amadolobho avikelwe ngemiduli emikhulu,+ bathatha umhlabathi ovundileyo+ lezindlu ezigcwele izinto ezinhle. Bathola kulemigodi yamanzi, lamasimu amagilebisi lawama-oliva+ lezihlahla zezithelo ezinengi. Badla basutha, bazimuka. Babethokoza kakhulu ngenxa yakho konke okuhle owawubanika khona.

26 “Kodwa bahlamuka+ bafulathela uMthetho owawubaphe wona njalo abazange bakulalele. Babulala abaphrofethi bakho ababebaxwayisa bezama ukubabuyisela kuwe. Batshengisa ukuthi abakuhloniphi ngitsho.+ 27 Yikho wabanikela ezitheni zabo+ zabathwalisa nzima.+ Kodwa babekhala kuwe nxa sebesekuhluphekeni, wena ubazwe usemazulwini ubusuthumela abantu bakho ukuthi babakhulule ezitheni zabo+ ngoba ulesihawu esikhulu.

28 “Kodwa babesithi bangaphuma ebunzimeni bahle baqalise futhi ukwenza okubi phambi kwakho+ ubusubanikela ezitheni zabo ezazibacindezela.+ Babephinda baphenduke kuwe bezocela uncedo,+ wena ubalalele usemazulwini. Wawubakhulula njalonje ngoba ulesihawu esikhulu.+ 29 Wawubaxwayisa ufuna ukubabuyisela eMthethweni wakho kodwa baba yiziqholo bala ukulalela imilayo yakho.+ Bephula imilayo yakho eyenza umuntu aphile nxa eyilandela.+ Bakufulathela baqinisa amakhanda bengafuni ukulalela. 30 Wababekezelela+ okweminyaka leminyaka waqhubeka ubaxwayisa usebenzisa abaphrofethi bakho ababelomoya wakho, kodwa abazange balalele. Ekucineni wabanikela ezizweni ezazibagombolozele.+ 31 Lanxa kunjalo awuzange ubatshabalalise+ njalo awubalahlanga ngoba wena ulesihawu esikhulu. UnguNkulunkulu olozwelo futhi olesihawu.+

32 “Khathesi-ke Nkulunkulu wethu, Nkulunkulu omkhulu, olamandla futhi omangalisayo ogcine isivumelwano sakhe njalo watshengisa ukuthi ulothando oluqotho,+ ungabukhohlwa ubunzima obusehleleyo thina lamakhosi ethu, labakhokheli bethu,+ labaphristi bethu,+ labaphrofethi bethu,+ labokhokho bethu labo bonke abantu bakho, kusukela ngensuku zamakhosi ase-Asiriya+ kuze kube lamuhla. 33 Kukho konke okusehleleyo wena ubulokhu ulungile ngoba utshengise ukuthi uthembekile kodwa thina yithi esenze okubi.+ 34 Amakhosi ethu, labakhokheli bethu, labaphristi bethu, labokhokho bethu abawulalelanga uMthetho wakho futhi abayilandelanga imilayo yakho lezikhumbuzo owabapha zona ngesikhathi ubaxwayisa. 35 Langesikhathi umbuso wabo usesekhona, besakholisa izinto ezinengi ezinhle owawubapha zona njalo beselizweni elibanzi elilomhlabathi ovundileyo owawubanike lona, abazange bakukhonze+ kodwa baqhubeka besenza okubi. 36 Yikho lamuhla sesiyizigqili+ elizweni owalipha okhokho bethu ukuthi bahlale kulo bezidlela izithelo futhi bekholisa izinto ezinhle ezikulo. 37 Konke ukudla esikutholayo sekungokwamakhosi owabeke phezu kwethu ukuthi asibuse ngenxa yezono esizenzileyo.+ Azenzela umathanda phezu kwethu lasezifuyweni zethu, sithwele nzima.

38 “Ngenxa yakho konke lokhu senza isivumelwano esiqinileyo+ futhi sizasibhala phansi, besekusithi abakhokheli bethu lamaLevi labaphristi+ bafake uphawu kuso ukuze basiqinise.”

9 AmaLevi afaka uphawu lwawo esivumelwaneni lesi nguJeshuwa indodana ka-Azaniya, loBhinuwi omunye wamadodana kaHenadadi, loKhadimiyeli,+ 10 loShebhaniya, loHodiya, loKhelitha, loPhelaya, loHanana, 11 loMikha, loRehobhi, loHashabhiya, 12 loZakhuri, loSherebhiya,+ loShebhaniya, 13 loHodiya, loBhani loBheninu.

14 Abakhokheli abafaka uphawu lwabo esivumelwaneni lesi nguPharoshi, loPhahathi-mowabi,+ lo-Elami, loZathu, loBhani, 15 loBhuni, lo-Azigadi, loBhebhayi, 16 lo-Adonija, loBhigivayi, lo-Adini, 17 lo-Atheri, loHezekhiya, lo-Azuri, 18 loHodiya, loHashumi, loBhezayi, 19 loHarifi, lo-Anathothi, loNebhayi, 20 loMagiphiyashi, loMeshulami, loHeziri, 21 loMeshezabheli, loZadokhi, loJaduwa, 22 loPhelathiya, loHanana, lo-Anaya, 23 loHosheya, loHananiya, loHashubhi, 24 loHaloheshi, loPhiliha, loShobhekhi, 25 loRehumi, loHashabhina, loMahaseya, 26 lo-Ahija, loHanana, lo-Anani, 27 loMalukhi, loHarimi loBhahana.

28 Abanye ababelapho kwakungabaphristi, lamaLevi, labalindi bamagedi, labahlabeleli, lezisebenzi zethempelini,* labo bonke ababezehlukanise labantu bezinye izizwe ukuze balandele uMthetho kaNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ Babelamakhosikazi abo, lamadodana kanye lamadodakazi abo, labo bonke ababesenelisa ukuzwisisa isivumelwano lesi. 29 Bahlangana labafowabo abayizikhulu zabo, basebefunga ukuthi bazawugcina uMthetho kaNkulunkulu weqiniso abanika wona esebenzisa uMosi inceku yakhe lokuthi bangayekela ukwenza njalo bazaqalekiswa. Bafunga lokuthi bazalandela yonke imilayo lezahlulelo kanye lezimiso zikaJehova iNkosi yethu. 30 Bafunga bathi: “Asisoze sendisele amadodakazi ethu ebantwini bezinye izizwe njalo lathi asisoze sithathele amadodana ethu amakhosikazi ebantwini labo.+

31 “Nxa abantu bezinye izizwe bangabuya lempahla yabo kumbe lamabele abo bezothengisa ngelanga leSabatha,+ asisoze sithenge. Asisoze sithenge lutho ngaloba yiliphi ilanga elingcwele.+ Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa+ asisoze silime njalo sizacitsha zonke izikwelede.+

32 “Sizibekele lomlandu wokuthi ngamunye wethu akhiphe amagremu amane esiliva* ngomnyaka, azasetshenziswa endlini kaNkulunkulu* wethu,+ 33 ukuze kube lesinkwa sokubukiswa,+ leminikelo yamabele eyenziwa sikhathi sonke,+ leminikelo yokutshiswa eyenziwa maSabatha wonke+ laleyo eyenziwa ekuthwaseni kwenyanga.+ Azasetshenziswa langesikhathi semikhosi ebekiweyo,+ lasezintweni ezingcwele, lasekwenzeni iminikelo yesono+ ukuze kuhlawulelwe abako-Israyeli; njalo azasetshenziswa kukho konke okumele kwenziwe endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu.

34 “Sizakwenza inkatho phakathi kwabaphristi lamaLevi labantu bonke ukuze sabele imuli ngayinye isikhathi ezaletha ngaso inkuni endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu minyaka yonke. Inkuni lezo zizasetshenziswa e-alithareni likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu njengoba nje kubhaliwe eMthethweni.+ 35 Minyaka yonke sizaletha endlini kaJehova+ izithelo zokuqala zelizwe lethu lazo zonke izithelo zokuqala zezihlahla ezidliwayo. 36 Sizaletha lamadodana ethu angamazibulo lamazibulo enkomo zethu, lawembuzi zethu, lawezimvu zethu kanye lawezinye izifuyo,+ njengoba nje kubhaliwe eMthethweni. Konke lokhu sizakuletha endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu sikunike abaphristi abasebenza endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu.+ 37 Sizaletha lefulawa esiyenze ngamabele ethu okuqala,+ leminikelo yethu, lezithelo zazo zonke izihlahla,+ lewayini elitsha kanye lamafutha.+ Konke lokhu sizakuletha kubaphristi bakufake eziphaleni zendlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.+ Sizakhipha lokwetshumi kwalokho esikuvune emasimini sikunike amaLevi+ ngoba yiwo aqoqa okwetshumi kuwo wonke amadolobho asemaphandleni okulinywa kuwo.

38 “Indodana ka-Aroni engumphristi kumele ibe khona ngesikhathi amaLevi ethatha okwetshumi. LamaLevi kumele akhiphe okwetshumi kulokho ayabe ekuqoqile akuhambise endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu,+ kufakwe eziphaleni. 39 Abako-Israyeli lamaLevi kumele balethe iminikelo+ yamabele, lewayini elitsha, lamafutha+ eziphaleni zendlu kaNkulunkulu ngoba yikho lapho okugcinwa khona izitsha ezisetshenziswa endaweni engcwele, njalo yikho lapho okusebenza khona abaphristi labalindi bamagedi kanye labahlabeleli. Asisoze siyidele indlu kaNkulunkulu wethu.”+

11 Abakhokheli babantu yibo ababehlala eJerusalema.+ Yikho abantu benza inkatho+ ukuze bakhethe umuntu oyedwa phakathi kwabalitshumi ozahlala eJerusalema idolobho elingcwele, besekusithi abanye abangu-9 bahlale kwamanye amadolobho. 2 Abantu bababusisa bonke abavuma ukuyahlala eJerusalema.

3 Laba yibo abakhokheli besabelo ababehlala eJerusalema. (Kodwa inengi labantu bako-Israyeli, labaphristi, lamaLevi, lezisebenzi zethempelini,*+ lezizukulwane zezisebenzi zikaSolomoni+ lalihlala kwamanye amadolobho akoJuda, ngamunye wabo ehlala endaweni yakhe edolobheni lakibo.+

4 Kwakulabanye abantu bakoJuda labakoBhenjamini ababehlala eJerusalema.) Abakhokheli bakoJuda kwakuyilaba: U-Athaya indodana ka-Uziya, indodana kaZakhariya, indodana ka-Amariya, indodana kaShefathiya, indodana kaMahalaleli, omunye wamadodana kaPherezi,+ 5 loMahaseya indodana kaBharukhi, indodana kaKholihoze, indodana kaHazaya, indodana ka-Adaya, indodana kaJoyaribhi, indodana kaZakhariya, owemuli yakoShela. 6 Bonke abayizizukulwane zikaPherezi ababehlala eJerusalema babengu-468 futhi babengamadoda alamandla.

7 Abakhokheli bakoBhenjamini kwakuyilaba: USalu+ indodana kaMeshulami, indodana kaJowedi, indodana kaPhedaya, indodana kaKholaya, indodana kaMahaseya, indodana ka-Ithiyeli, indodana kaJeshaya. 8 Abanye ababekhona kwakunguGabhayi loSalayi. Bonke babengu-928. 9 UJoweli indodana kaZikhiri nguye owayengumphathi wabo eJerusalema. UJuda indodana kaHasenuwa wayengumsekeli wakhe.

10 Abaphristi kwakuyilaba: UJedaya indodana kaJoyaribhi, loJakhini,+ 11 loSeraya indodana kaHilikhiya, indodana kaMeshulami, indodana kaZadokhi, indodana kaMerayothi, indodana ka-Ahithubi+ owayengumkhokheli endlini kaNkulunkulu* weqiniso, 12 labafowabo ababesebenza ethempelini. Bonke babengu-822. Kwakulo-Adaya indodana kaJerohamu, indodana kaPhelaliya, indodana ka-Amizi, indodana kaZakhariya, indodana kaPhashuri,+ indodana kaMalikhija, 13 kanye labafowabo ababengabakhokheli bezimuli. Bonke babengu-242. Kwakulo-Amashisayi indodana ka-Azareli, indodana ka-Ahizayi, indodana kaMeshilemothi, indodana ka-Imeri, 14 kanye labafowabo ababengamadoda alamandla futhi alesibindi. Bonke babengu-128. Umphathi wabo kwakunguZabhidiyeli owayevela emulini edumileyo.

15 AmaLevi kwakuyilawa: UShemaya+ indodana kaHashubhi, indodana ka-Azirikhamu, indodana kaHashabhiya, indodana kaBhuni, 16 loShabhethayi+ loJozabhadi+ ababengabakhokheli bamaLevi, bekhangela umsebenzi owawusenziwa ngaphandle kwendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso, 17 loMathaniya+ indodana kaMikha, indodana kaZabhidayi, indodana ka-Asafi,+ owayengumhlabelisi njalo ekhokhela ekuhlabeleni ngesikhathi sokuthandaza,+ loBhakhibhukhiya owayengumsekeli wakhe, lo-Abhida indodana kaShamuwa, indodana kaGalali, indodana kaJeduthuni.+ 18 Wonke amaLevi ayehlala edolobheni elingcwele ayengu-284.

19 Abalindi bamagedi kwakuyilaba: U-Akhubi loThalimoni+ labafowabo. Bonke babengu-172.

20 Abanye abantu bako-Israyeli labaphristi kanye lamaLevi babehlala kwamanye amadolobho akoJuda, ngamunye wabo ehlala endaweni elilifa lakhe. 21 Izisebenzi zethempelini+ zazihlala* e-Ofeli.+ UZiha loGishipha yibo ababekhangela izisebenzi zethempelini.*

22 Owayengumphathi wamaLevi ayehlala eJerusalema ngu-Uzi indodana kaBhani, indodana kaHashabhiya, indodana kaMathaniya,+ indodana kaMikha, owayengomunye wamadodana ka-Asafi ayengabahlabeleli. Nguye owayekhangela umsebenzi owawusenziwa endlini kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 23 Kwakulomlayo owawufakwe yinkosi+ owokuthi abahlabeleli kumele baphiwe konke abakudingayo ilanga ngelanga. 24 UPhethahiya indodana kaMeshezabheli, owayengomunye wamadodana kaZera indodana kaJuda wayengumeluleki wenkosi kuzo zonke izindaba eziphathelane labantu.

25 Nanzi izigaba abantu ababehlala kuzo kanye lezindawo ezaziseduze kwazo: Abanye abantu bakoJuda babehlala eKhiriyathi-abha+ lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo, leDibhoni lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo, leJekhabhizeli+ lezigaba zayo, 26 leJeshuwa, leMolada,+ leBhethi-phelethi,+ 27 leHazari-shuwali,+ leBheri-shebha lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo, 28 leZikhilagi,+ leMekhona lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo, 29 le-Eni-rimoni,+ leZora,+ leJamuthi, 30 leZanowa,+ le-Adulamu lezigaba zayo, leLakhishi+ lezindawo eziseduze layo, le-Azekha+ lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo. Babehlala kusukela eBheri-shebha kuze kuyefika esigodini sikaHinomi.+

31 Abantu bakoBhenjamini babehlala eGebha,+ leMikhimashi, le-Ayija, leBhetheli+ lasemadolobheni aseduze kwayo, 32 le-Anathothi,+ leNobhi,+ le-Ananiya, 33 leHazori, leRama,+ leGithayimi, 34 leHadidi, leZebhoyimi, leNebhalathi, 35 leLodi, le-Ono+ isigodi sezingcitshi. 36 Amanye amaLevi ayehlala koJuda acelwa ukuthi ayehlala koBhenjamini.

12 AmaLevi kanye labaphristi abaphenduka loJeshuwa+ loZerubhabheli+ indodana kaSheyalithiyeli+ bevela ekuthunjweni yilaba: USeraya, loJeremiya, lo-Ezra, 2 lo-Amariya, loMalukhi, loHathushi, 3 loShekhaniya, loRehumi, loMeremothi, 4 lo-Ido, loGinethoyi, lo-Abhija, 5 loMijamini, loMahadiya, loBhiliga, 6 loShemaya, loJoyaribhi, loJedaya, 7 loSalu, lo-Amoki, loHilikhiya, loJedaya. Laba yibo ababengabakhokheli babaphristi labafowabo ngensuku zikaJeshuwa.

8 AmaLevi kwakunguJeshuwa, loBhinuwi, loKhadimiyeli,+ loSherebhiya, loJuda, loMathaniya+ owayekhokhela ekuhlabeleni ingoma zokubonga elabafowabo. 9 Abafowabo uBhakhibhukhiya lo-Uni babelinda bemi maqondana labo. 10 UJeshuwa wazala uJoyakhimi, uJoyakhimi wazala u-Eliyashibhi,+ u-Eliyashibhi wazala uJoyada,+ 11 uJoyada wazala uJonathani, uJonathani wazala uJaduwa.

12 Laba yibo abaphristi ababengabakhokheli bezimuli ngensuku zikaJoyakhimi: Owemuli kaSeraya+ kwakunguMeraya, owemuli kaJeremiya kunguHananiya, 13 owemuli ka-Ezra+ kunguMeshulami, owemuli ka-Amariya kunguJehohanani, 14 owemuli kaMalukhi kunguJonathani, owemuli kaShebhaniya kunguJosefa, 15 owemuli kaHarimi+ kungu-Adena, owemuli kaMerayothi kunguHelikhayi, 16 owemuli ka-Ido kunguZakhariya, owemuli kaGinethoni kunguMeshulami, 17 owemuli ka-Abhija+ kunguZikhiri, owemuli kaMiniyamini kungu . . . ,* owemuli kaMowadiya kunguPhilithayi, 18 owemuli kaBhiliga+ kunguShamuwa, owemuli kaShemaya kunguJehonathani, 19 owemuli kaJoyaribhi kunguMathenayi, owemuli kaJedaya+ kungu-Uzi, 20 owemuli kaSalayi kunguKhalayi, owemuli ka-Amoki kungu-Ebheri, 21 owemuli kaHilikhiya kunguHashabhiya, owemuli kaJedaya kunguNethaneli.

22 Abakhokheli bezimuli zamaLevi lezabaphristi babebhalwa phansi kusukela ngensuku zika-Eliyashibhi, loJoyada, loJohanani, loJaduwa+ kwaze kwayafika isikhathi sokubusa kukaDariyu wasePhesiya.

23 AmaLevi ayengabakhokheli bezimuli abhalwa phansi ebhukwini lembali yangalesosikhathi kwaze kwayafika ezinsukwini zikaJohanani indodana ka-Eliyashibhi. 24 Abakhokheli bamaLevi kwakunguHashabhiya loSherebhiya loJeshuwa+ indodana kaKhadimiyeli.+ Abafowabo babesima maqondana labo nxa bedumisa futhi bebonga uNkulunkulu, belandela lokho okwatshiwo nguDavida+ umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Iqembu labalindi lalisima liqondane lelinye. 25 UMathaniya,+ loBhakhibhukhiya, lo-Obhadiya, loMeshulami, loThalimoni, lo-Akhubi+ babengabalindi bamagedi+ belinda iziphala ezaziseduze lamagedi ethempeli. 26 Laba yibo ababesenza umsebenzi lo ngezinsuku zikaJoyakhimi indodana kaJeshuwa+ indodana kaJozadakhi, langensuku zikaNehemiya umbusi* wesabelo, lo-Ezra+ owayengumphristi futhi engumbhali.*

27 Kwathi sekuzanikelwa imiduli yeJerusalema abantu badinga amaLevi kuzo zonke izindawo ayehlala kuzo, bawaletha eJerusalema ukuze azothakazelela umkhosi wokunikela imiduli yedolobho, ethokoza futhi ehlabela izingoma zokubonga,+ etshaya lamasimbali* leziginci lamahabhu.* 28 Amadodana abahlabeleli abuthana evela* emagcekeni eJodani lakuzo zonke izindawo ezaziseduze leJerusalema lasezigabeni zamaNethofa.+ 29 Abanye abahlabeleli babesuka eBhethi-giligali,+ lasemangweni weGebha+ le-Azimavethi+ ngoba basebezakhele imizi endaweni lezi eziseduze leJerusalema. 30 Abaphristi lamaLevi bazihlambulula, bahlambulula labantu+ lamagedi+ kanye lomduli wedolobho.+

31 Ngatshela abakhokheli bakoJuda ukuthi bakhwele phezu komduli. Ngaphinda ngahlela ukuthi kube lamaqembu amabili amakhulu awabahlabeleli ababehlabela ingoma zokubonga belandelwa ngabantu ngemuva. Elinye iqembu lalihamba phezu komduli liqonde egedini lesilotheni+ ngakwesokudla. 32 UHoshaya labanye abakhokheli* bakoJuda babehamba ngemva kweqembu leli. 33 Babelo-Azariya, lo-Ezra, loMeshulami, 34 loJuda, loBhenjamini, loShemaya, loJeremiya. 35 Babehamba lamanye amadodana abaphristi ayethwele amacilongo:+ UZakhariya indodana kaJonathani, indodana kaShemaya, indodana kaMathaniya, indodana kaMikhaya, indodana kaZakhuri, indodana ka-Asafi,+ 36 labafowabo uShemaya, lo-Azareli, loMilalayi, loGilalayi, loMayi, loNethaneli, loJuda, loHanani. Babethwele iziginci ezifanana lezikaDavida+ umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso njalo u-Ezra+ umbhali* wayehamba phambi kwabo. 37 Bathi befika egedini lomthombo+ badlula amasitephisi+ edolobho likaDavida+ behamba phezu komduli emqansweni, badlula phezu kwendlu kaDavida bayafika egedini lamanzi+ ngasempumalanga.

38 Elinye iqembu labahlabeleli abahlabela ingoma zokubonga laya kwesenxele ngasengililandela ngilabanye* sihamba phezu komduli. Sadlula phezu komphotshongo wama-oveni+ sayafika emdulini obanzi.+ 39 Saqhubeka sayadlula egedini lako-Efrayimi,+ lasegedini ledolobho elidala,+ lasegedini lenhlanzi,+ lasemphotshongweni kaHananeli,+ lasemphotshongweni kaMeya kanye lasegedini lezimvu,+ safika sama egedini labalindi.

40 Ngemva kwesikhathi amaqembu la amabili afika ama phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Lami ngafika ngama khonapho ngilabanye abasekeli bababusi,* 41 lomphristi u-Eliyakhimu, loMahaseya, loMiniyamini, loMikhaya, lo-Eliyonayi, loZakhariya, loHananiya bethwele amacilongo. 42 UMahaseya laye wayekhona, loShemaya, lo-Eliyazari, lo-Uzi, loJehohanani, loMalikhija, lo-Elami, lo-Ezeri. Abahlabeleli babehlabelela phezulu bekhokhelwa ngu-Izirahiya.

43 Ngalelolanga abantu banikela imihlatshelo eminengi futhi babejabula+ ngoba uNkulunkulu weqiniso wayebaphe intokozo enkulu. Abesifazana labantwana labo babethokoza+ okokuthi umsindo owawuseJerusalema wazwakala lakhatshana.+

44 Ngalelolanga kwakhethwa amadoda ayezakhangela iziphala+ okwakugcinwa kuzo iminikelo+ lezithelo zokuqala+ lokwetshumi.+ Kwakumele afake kuzo iminikelo eyayivela emasimini edolobho ngalinye, leyo uMthetho owawusithi kufanele ikhitshwe+ ukuze kuncediswe abaphristi lamaLevi.+ Phela abantu babethokoza kakhulu koJuda ngenxa yomsebenzi owawusenziwa ngabaphristi lamaLevi. 45 Baqalisa-ke ukwenzela uNkulunkulu wabo inkonzo lokwenza umsebenzi wokuhlambulula konke nje. Abahlabeleli labalindi bamagedi labo baqalisa imisebenzi yabo. Bonke babelandela okwatshiwo nguDavida lendodana yakhe uSolomoni. 46 Phela kudala ngensuku zikaDavida lo-Asafi kwakulabaqondisi babahlabeleli labezingoma zokudumisa lokubonga uNkulunkulu.+ 47 Ngensuku zikaZerubhabheli+ langensuku zikaNehemiya, bonke abako-Israyeli babenika abahlabeleli labalindi bamagedi ukudla nsuku zonke.+ Babephinda babeke eceleni lokho okwakumele kuphiwe amaLevi,+ amaLevi wona abesethatha okunye kwalokho akuphiweyo akunike izizukulwane zika-Aroni.

13 Ngalelolanga ibhuku loMthetho kaMosi labalwa phambi kwabantu+ njalo bathola kubhalwe ukuthi ama-Amoni lamaMowabi+ akumelanga angene ebandleni likaNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ 2 ngoba awazange anike abako-Israyeli ukudla lamanzi kodwa athenga uBhalamu ukuthi abaqalekise.+ Lanxa kunjalo, uNkulunkulu wethu wasitshintsha isiqalekiso leso saba yisibusiso.+ 3 Abako-Israyeli bathi besizwa okutshiwo nguMthetho bahle baqalisa ukuzehlukanisa labo bonke ababedabuka kwezinye izizwe.+

4 Kungakenzakali konke lokho, umphristi owayekhangela iziphala zendlu kaNkulunkulu*+ wethu kwakungu-Eliyashibhi+ isihlobo sikaThobhiya.+ 5 U-Eliyashibhi wayenike uThobhiya indlu enkulu eyayikade isetshenziswa ukugcinela iminikelo yamabele, lenhlaka yokwenza impepha, lezitsha, lokwetshumi kwamabele, lokwewayini elitsha, lokwamafutha.+ Izinto lezi kwakumele ziphiwe amaLevi,+ labahlabeleli, labalindi bamagedi futhi okunye kwakungokwabaphristi.+

6 Kusenzakala konke lokhu ngangingekho eJerusalema ngoba ngomnyaka wesi-32+ wokubusa kuka-Athakisekisi+ inkosi yeBhabhiloni ngabuyela enkosini. Ngemva kwesikhathi ngacela enkosini ukuthi ngike ngiye eJerusalema. 7 Ngathi ngifika eJerusalema ngabona into embi eyayenziwe ngu-Eliyashibhi.+ Wayenike uThobhiya+ indlu yokugcinela impahla eyayisegumeni lethempeli likaNkulunkulu weqiniso. 8 Lokhu kwangicaphula kakhulu yikho ngathatha zonke impahla zikaThobhiya ngaziphosela phandle kwendlu. 9 Ngemva kwalokho ngathi izindlu zokugcinela impahla* zihlanjululwe ngasengibuyisela izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ lomnikelo wamabele kanye lenhlaka yokwenza impepha.+

10 Ngathola lokuthi amaLevi+ ayengasaphiwa lutho,+ yikho amaLevi labahlabeleli basebeyitshiyile imisebenzi yabo, ngamunye wayalima ensimini yakhe.+ 11 Ngakho ngabasola kakhulu abasekeli bababusi+ ngathi kubo: “Kungani indlu kaNkulunkulu ingasakhangelwa?”+ Ngasengibiza bonke abasebetshiye umsebenzi ngababuyisela emisebenzini yabo. 12 Bonke abakoJuda baletha okwetshumi+ kwamabele abo lokwewayini elitsha lokwamafutha, kwafakwa eziphaleni.+ 13 Ngasengifaka uShelemiya umphristi, loZadokhi umbhali,* loPhedaya umLevi ukuthi kube yibo abakhangela iziphala bencediswa nguHanana indodana kaZakhuri indodana kaMathaniya. Amadoda la ngawakhetha ngoba ayesaziwa ngokuthi athembekile. Umsebenzi wabo wawungowokwabela abafowabo ukudla.

14 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungikhumbule+ ngenxa yakho konke lokhu njalo ungalukhohlwa uthando lwami oluqotho lakho konke engikwenzele indlu yakho lemisebenzi eyenziwa phakathi kwayo.+

15 Ngalezonsuku ngabona abantu bakoJuda bevoxa amagilebisi besenza iwayini ngeSabatha.+ Babebuthelela amabele bawathwale ngabobabhemi. Babethwala lewayini lamagilebisi lamakhiwane leminye nje imithwalo beyingenisa eJerusalema ngelanga leSabatha.+ Ngakho ngabaxwayisa ukuthi bangathengisi ukudla ngalelolanga.* 16 Abantu beThire ababehlala eJerusalema babebuya lenhlanzi lezinye impahla bezozithengisela abantu bakoJuda eJerusalema ngelanga leSabatha.+ 17 Ngakho ngazisola kakhulu izikhulu zakoJuda ngathi kuzo: “Kungani lisenza into embi kangaka lingcolisa iSabatha? 18 Ayisikho yini lokho okwenziwa ngokhokho benu okwabangela ukuthi uNkulunkulu ehlisele umonakalo wonke lo phezu kwethu lasedolobheni leli? Manje kungani selisenza uNkulunkulu abathukuthelele kakhulu abako-Israyeli ngokungcolisa iSabatha?”+

19 Ilanga lathi selisiyatshona ngathi amagedi eJerusalema avalwe iSabatha lingakaqalisi. Ngabatshela lokuthi bangawavuli iSabatha lize liphele njalo ngathuma ezinye izisebenzi zami ukuthi zilinde emagedini ukuze kungabi lomuntu ongenisa impahla ngeSabatha. 20 Bonke abathengisi bempahla ezitshiyeneyo balala phandle kweJerusalema kanye loba kabili. 21 Yikho ngabaxwayisa ngathi kubo: “Kungani lilala duze lomduli wedolobho? Lingakuphinda futhi lokhu ngizalisusa ngenkani.” Kusukela ngalelolanga abazange baphinde babuye ngelanga leSabatha.

22 Ngatshela amaLevi ukuthi kumele ahlale ezihlambulula lokuthi abuye azolinda amagedi ukuze agcine iSabatha lingcwele.+ Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungikhumbule langenxa yalokho njalo ube lomusa kimi ngoba ulothando oluqotho futhi olumangalisayo.+

23 Ngalezonsuku ngananzelela ukuthi amanye amaJuda ayethethe abesifazana+ be-Ashidodi+ labako-Amoni labakoMowabi.+ 24 Abanye abantwababo babekhuluma* ulimi lwesi-Ashidodi, abanye bekhuluma indimi zezinye izizwe futhi bonke babengalwazi ulimi lwamaJuda. 25 Yikho ngawasola kakhulu amadoda lawo ngawaqalekisa, amanye ngawatshaya+ futhi ngawasiphuna inwele ngathi kuwo: “Fungani ngoNkulunkulu ukuthi alisoze lendisele amadodakazi enu emadodaneni abo, lokuthi alisoze lithathele amadodana enu amakhosikazi kubo njalo lani alisoze lithathe khona.+ 26 Abesifazana bezinye izizwe ayisibo yini abenza iNkosi uSolomoni yenza isono? Kuzo zonke izizwe kwakungelankosi enjengaye+ njalo wayethandwa nguNkulunkulu wakhe,+ yikho wambeka waba yinkosi phezu kuka-Israyeli wonke kodwa abesifazana bezinye izizwe bamenza waphambuka.+ 27 Kuyamangalisa ukuthi lani selisenza into embi kangaka! Kalithembekanga kuNkulunkulu wethu ngoba selithatha abafazi kwezinye izizwe.”+

28 Enye indodana kaJoyada+ indodana ka-Eliyashibhi+ umphristi omkhulu yayingumkhwenyana kaSanibhalathi+ umHoroni, yikho ngayixotsha.

29 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungakukhohlwa abakwenzileyo ngoba bangcolise ubuphristi lesivumelwano esenziwa labaphristi+ lamaLevi.+

30 Ngabahlambulula kuzo zonke izinto ezingcolileyo zabantu bezinye izizwe ngasenginika abaphristi lamaLevi imisebenzi, ngamunye wabo ngamnika umsebenzi oqondane laye.+ 31 Ngahlela ukuthi inkuni zilethwe+ ngezikhathi ezibekiweyo lokuthi kulethwe lezithelo zokuqala.

Awu Nkulunkulu wami, ngicela ungikhumbule ube lomusa kimi.+