U-ESTA

1 Le yindaba eyenzakala ezinsukwini zika-Ahasuweru* owayebusa izabelo ezingu-127+ kusukela e-Indiya kusiya eTopiya.* 2 Ngalezonsuku iNkosi u-Ahasuweru yayibusa isesigodlweni sayo eShushani.*+ 3 Kwathi ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kwayo, yenzela zonke izikhulu zayo kanye lezinceku zayo idili. Kulelodili kwakulebutho lePhesiya+ leMede,+ labahlonitshwa kanye lababusi bezabelo. 4 Inkosi yabatshengisa inotho yombuso wayo okhazimulayo, lobukhulu bawo kanye lobucwazicwazi bobukhosi bayo okwensuku ezinengi, insuku ezingu-180. 5 Insuku lezi zathi seziphelile, inkosi yenzela abantu bonke ababesesigodlweni seShushani* idili, kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu. Idili leli lathatha amalanga ayisikhombisa njalo lenzelwa egcekeni lesivande sesigodlo senkosi. 6 Isivande leso sasiceciswe ngamakhetheni amhlophe laluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka. Ayebotshwe ngentambo ezenziwe ngamalembu amhlophe lelineni eyibubende* njalo elengiswe ngamaringi esiliva ezinsikeni zamatshe amibalabala. Igceke lakhona lalilamasofa egolide lawesiliva njalo phansi lalilungiswe ngelitshe elibomvu okuthiwa yiphofiri, lamatshe alemibalabala, lamaphareli kanye lamatshe amnyama alamabala amhlotshana.

7 Iwayini lalinathwa ngamankomitsho egolide* njalo wonke ayeyimihlobo etshiyeneyo. Iwayini lesikhosini lalilinengi kakhulu kuzikhanyela ukuthi inkosi inothile. 8 Kwakubekwe umlayo wokuthi akulamuntu okwakufanele atshelwe ukuthi anathe okunganani ngoba inkosi yayikhulume leziphathamandla zesigodlo sayo ukuthi umuntu ngamunye azenzele santando.

9 INdlovukazi uVashithi+ layo yayenzele abesifazana idili endlini yeNkosi* u-Ahasuweru.

10 Ngosuku lwesikhombisa, inkosi yathi isilisuthi iwayini, inhliziyo yayo isichelesile, yakhuluma loMehumani, loBhizitha, loHaribhona,+ loBhigitha, lo-Abhagitha, loZethari, loKharikhasi, iziphathamandla zesikhosini eziyisikhombisa ezaziyizinceku zeNkosi u-Ahasuweru. 11 Yathi zilethe indlovukazi yayo uVashithi igqoke umqhele wobukhosi ukuze izotshengisa abantu lezikhulu ubuhle bayo ngoba yayiyisiqamulamayezi. 12 Kodwa iNdlovukazi uVashithi yayilokhu isala ukuya enkosini njalo ayiwulalelanga umlayo wenkosi eyayiwutshelwe yiziphathamandla zesikhosini. Inkosi yazonda yadla amalahle, yafuthelana ngolaka.

13 Ngakho inkosi yakhuluma lamadoda ayehlakaniphile layezwisisa ukuthi indaba ezinjalo ziphathwa njani. (Phela kuzo zonke izindaba zayo yayicebisana labo bonke ababewazi umthetho kanye lokwahlulela. 14 Ababeseduze kwayo kwakunguKharishena, loShethari, lo-Adimatha, loThashishi, loMeresi, loMasena, loMemukani, izikhulu eziyisikhombisa+ zePhesiya leMede. Amadoda la ayelemvumo yokuya enkosini njalo ayelezikhundla eziphezulu embusweni.) 15 Inkosi yabuza yathi: “Umthetho uthi kwenziweni ngeNdlovukazi uVashithi ngoba ayiwulalelanga umlayo weNkosi u-Ahasuweru ewutshelwe yiziphathamandla zesikhosini?”

16 UMemukani wakhuluma phambi kwenkosi lezikhulu wathi: “INdlovukazi uVashithi kayiphambaniselanga inkosi kuphela,+ kodwa iphambanisele zonke izikhulu labo bonke abantu kuzo zonke izabelo zeNkosi u-Ahasuweru. 17 Phela wonke amakhosikazi azathi esizwa lokho okwenziwe yiNdlovukazi uVashithi adelele omkawo esithi, ‘INkosi u-Ahasuweru layo yabiza iNdlovukazi uVashithi kodwa yala.’ 18 Lamuhla wonke amakhosazana ePhesiya leMede akwaziyo lokho okwenziwe yindlovukazi azakhuluma lazo zonke izikhulu zenkosi, besekugcwala ukudelela lentukuthelo. 19 Yikho nxa kulungile enkosini, akubekwe umthetho esigodlweni, ubusubhalwa phansi emithethweni yePhesiya leMede engeke itshintshwe;+ umthetho wokuthi uVashithi angasaqali ukuza phambi kweNkosi u-Ahasuweru. Inkosi kayimthathele isikhundla sakhe sesikhosini siphiwe owesifazana ongcono kulaye. 20 Nxa umlayo wenkosi usufikile kuzo zonke izindawo ezisembusweni wayo omkhulu, wonke amakhosikazi azahlonipha omkawo kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu.”

21 Icebo leli layithokozisa inkosi lezikhulu zayo futhi yakwenza okwakukhulunywe nguMemukani. 22 Yikho-ke yathumela izincwadi kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso,+ isabelo ngasinye sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yokuloba, abantu bonke babhalelwa ngezindimi zabo. Batshelwa ukuthi wonke amadoda kumele abuse emizini yawo njalo akhulume ngolimi lwawo lomdabuko.

2 Ngemva kwalezizinto, ulaka lweNkosi u-Ahasuweru+ selwehlile, yakhumbula okwakwenziwe nguVashithi+ kanye lesigwebo ayesiphiwe.+ 2 Izinceku zenkosi zasezisithi: “Inkosi kayidingelwe intombi ezigcweleyo ezinhle 3 njalo kayibeke izinduna kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso wayo+ ukuze zilethe zonke intombi ezigcweleyo futhi ezinhle, endlini yabesifazana* esigodlweni seShushani.* Intombi lezo zizakhangelwa nguHegayi+ umthenwa wenkosi olinda abesifazana njalo kufanele ziphiwe izinto zokuzicomba lezokuzilungisa.* 4 Intombi ezathandwa kakhulu yinkosi yiyo ezathatha isikhundla sikaVashithi+ ibe yindlovukazi.” Icebo leli layithokozisa inkosi, yasikwenza lokho.

5 Esigodlweni seShushani*+ kwakulenye indoda engumJuda okwakuthiwa nguModekhayi.+ Wayeyindodana kaJayiri, indodana kaShimeyi, indodana kaKhishi, umBhenjamini,+ 6 futhi wayephakathi kwalabo abasuswa eJerusalema kanye lenkosi yakoJuda uJekhoniya,*+ bethunjwe nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi yaseBhabhiloni. 7 UModekhayi wayesondla uHadasa* owayebizwa ngokuthi ngu-Esta. U-Esta wayeyintandane njalo eyindodakazi yomfowabo kayise+ kaModekhayi. Wayelitshatshazi futhi elomzimba omuhle. Wathi esefelwe nguyise lonina uModekhayi wamthatha wamgcina waba yindodakazi yakhe. 8 Kwathi ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo sekumenyezelwe, lezintombi ezinengi sezilethwa esigodlweni seShushani* njalo zihanjiswa kuHegayi+ owayegcina abesifazana, u-Esta laye wahanjiswa endlini yenkosi* wasiwa kuHegayi.

9 UHegayi wamthanda u-Esta njalo waba lomusa kuye,* wahle wahlela ukuthi alungiselwe izinto zokuzicomba lezokuzilungisa+ kanye lalokho okwakumele akudle. Wamupha lamantombazana ayisikhombisa ayekhethwe endlini yenkosi. Waphinda wamthatha yena lamantombazana ayemncedisa wabahlalisa endaweni enhle kakhulu endlini yabesifazana.* 10 U-Esta kazange akhulume lutho ngabantu bakibo+ langezihlobo zakhe ngoba uModekhayi+ wayethe akugcine kuyimfihlo.+ 11 Nsuku zonke uModekhayi wayedlula phambi kweguma lendlu yabesifazana* ukuze azwe ukuthi u-Esta unjani lokuthi uqhuba njani.

12 Intombi ngayinye yayithola ithuba lokuya enkosini u-Ahasuweru nxa isiqede izinyanga ezingu-12 ilungiswa ngezinto abesifazana okwakumele balungiswe ngazo. Nansi indlela ababelungiswa ngayo ukuze babe bahle: Babegcotshwa amafutha emure+ okwezinyanga eziyisithupha baphinde bagcotshwe amafutha ebhalisamu+ lamanye amagcobo okwezinye inyanga eziyisithupha. 13 Ngemva kwalokho intombi yayiyabe isikulungele ukuya enkosini njalo yayiphiwa loba yini eyicelayo nxa isisuka endlini yabesifazana* isiya endlini yenkosi. 14 Ntambama yayisiya enkosini, ekuseni ibisibuyela iye endlini yesibili yabesifazana eyayikhangelwa ngumthenwa wenkosi+ uShashigazi owayelinda abanye abafazi benkosi. Kodwa intombi yayingabuyeli enkosini ngaphandle nxa inkosi iyithandile njalo yayibiza ngebizo layo.+

15 Lafika-ke ithuba lokuthi u-Esta owayekhuliswe+ nguModekhayi aye enkosini. U-Esta wayeyindodakazi ka-Abhihayili umfowabo kayise kaModekhayi njalo kazange acele lutho ngaphandle kwalokho akutshelwa ngumthenwa wenkosi uHegayi owayegcina abesifazana. (Bonke abantu ababembona babethokoza ngaye.) 16 U-Esta wahanjiswa enkosini u-Ahasuweru endlini yesikhosini, ngenyanga yetshumi, inyanga kaThebhethi,* ngomnyaka wesikhombisa+ wokubusa kwayo. 17 Inkosi yamthanda u-Esta ukwedlula bonke abesifazana, yaba lomusa kuye* njalo yathokoza ngaye ukwedlula zonke izintombi. Yafaka umqhele wobukhosi ekhanda lakhe yasimnika isikhundla sokuba yindlovukazi+ esasingesikaVashithi.+ 18 Ngemva kwalokhu inkosi yenzela zonke izikhulu zayo lezinceku zayo idili elikhulu, kwakulidili lika-Esta. Yasimemezela ukukhululwa kuzo zonke izabelo njalo yaqhubeka inika abantu izipho kusiya ngalokho okwakuphuma esandleni sayo.

19 UModekhayi wayehlezi* egedini lenkosi ngesikhathi intombi*+ zibuthaniswa okwesibili. 20 U-Esta kazange akhulume lutho ngezihlobo zakhe langabantu bakibo+ njengoba nje uModekhayi wayetshilo. Waqhubeka emlalela uModekhayi njengalokho ayekwenza ngesikhathi esahlala laye.+

21 Ngalezonsuku uModekhayi ehlezi egedini lenkosi, uBhigithani loThereshi abalindi bomnyango, ababeyiziphathamandla esigodlweni senkosi bazonda basebebumba icebo lokubulala iNkosi u-Ahasuweru. 22 Kodwa uModekhayi wakuzwa lokho wahle wayabikela iNdlovukazi u-Esta, yona yasihambisa umbiko lo ovela kuModekhayi enkosini. 23 Ngakho yahlolisiswa indaba kwasekutholakala ukuthi iliqiniso. Amadoda la alengiswa esigodweni futhi konke lokhu kwabhalwa phambi kwenkosi ebhukwini lezenzakalo zangalesosikhathi.+

3 Ngemva kwalokho iNkosi u-Ahasuweru yaphakamisa uHamani+ indodana kaHamedatha um-Agagi+ yamnika udumo ngokumfaka esikhundleni esiphezulu ukwedlula zonke ezinye iziphathamandla ezazilaye.+ 2 Zonke izinceku zenkosi ezazisegedini lenkosi zazizilahla phansi zikhothamela uHamani ngoba inkosi yayithe yikho okumele kwenziwe kuye. Kodwa uModekhayi wala ukumkhothamela kumbe ukuthi mbo phansi phambi kwakhe. 3 Ngakho izinceku zenkosi ezazisegedini lenkosi zathi kuModekhayi: “Kungani ungawulaleli umlayo wenkosi?” 4 Zazikhuluma laye nsuku zonke kodwa yena wayengalaleli. Yikho zacina zitshela uHamani zifuna ukubona ukuthi uModekhayi wayezayekelwa enjalo yini;+ phela wayetshele izinceku lezo ukuthi ungumJuda.+

5 UHamani wathi ebona ukuthi uModekhayi kafuni ukumkhothamela lokuthi mbo phansi phambi kwakhe, wazonda wadla amalahle.+ 6 Bathi sebemtshele ukuthi uModekhayi ungumhlobo bani wahle wazitshela ukuthi nxa engabulala uModekhayi kuphela uyabe engenzanga lutho. Ngakho uHamani wadinga icebo lokutshaya abhuqe wonke amaJuda kuzo zonke izindawo embusweni ka-Ahasuweru, bonke nje abakibo kaModekhayi.

7 Ngenyanga yokuqala, inyanga kaNisani,* ngomnyaka wesi-12+ wokubusa kweNkosi u-Ahasuweru, baphosa iPhuri,+ okutsho inkatho, phambi kukaHamani ukuze bathole ilanga kanye lenyanga yokwenza lokho njalo inkatho yadla inyanga yesi-12, inyanga ka-Adari.*+ 8 UHamani wasetshela iNkosi u-Ahasuweru wathi: “Kulabantu abagcwele yonke indawo kuzo zonke izabelo zombuso wakho+ njalo basabalele phakathi kwabantu.+ Imithetho yabo itshiyene leyabanye abantu futhi abayilaleli imithetho yenkosi. Nxa inkosi ingabayekela benjalo, izinto zingonakala. 9 Nxa kulungile enkosini, akubhalwe umlayo wokuthi babhujiswe. Mina ngizanika iziphathamandla amathalenta* esiliva angu-10 000, abesefakwa enothweni yesikhosini.”*

10 Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokhu yahle yakhipha indandatho yayo elophawu+ esandleni, yayiqhubela uHamani+ indodana kaHamedatha, um-Agagi,+ owayeyisitha samaJuda. 11 Inkosi yathi kuHamani: “Isiliva labantu kusesandleni sakho, yenza okubona kufanele.” 12 Ngakho bonke omabhalani+ benkosi babizwa mhlaka 13 ngenyanga yokuqala. Basebebhala+ phansi yonke imilayo kaHamani eyayisiya kubondunankulu benkosi, lakubabusi* ababekhangela izabelo, lezikhulu zabantu abatshiyeneyo. Isabelo ngasinye sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yokuloba labantu bonke babhalelwa ngezindimi zabo. Umbhalo lo wawubhalwe ngebizo leNkosi u-Ahasuweru wadindwa ngophawu lwendandatho yayo.+

13 Izincwadi zathunyelwa kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi kusetshenziswa izithunywa.* Zazilomlayo wokuthi wonke amaJuda kumele atshaywe abhuqwe, abulawe, atshabalaliswe aphele nya kungelani lokuthi ngomncane kumbe ngomkhulu, ngumntwana kumbe ngowesifazana. Kwakumele abulawe ngelanga elilodwa nje, mhlaka 13 ngenyanga yesi-12, inyanga ka-Adari+ futhi athathelwe impahla zawo.+ 14 Amazwi encwadi le kwakumele abe ngumthetho ozalandelwa kuzo zonke izabelo njalo amenyezelwe kubo bonke abantu ukuze balungiselele lelolanga. 15 Masinyane nje izithunywa* zaphuma,+ zilandela umlayo wenkosi; umthetho lo wamenyezelwa lasesigodlweni seShushani.*+ Inkosi loHamani basebehlala phansi banatha kodwa abantu bedolobho leShushani* babephithene amakhanda.

4 UModekhayi+ wathi ekuzwa konke okwasekwenzakele,+ wadabula izigqoko zakhe wagqoka isembatho sesaka njalo wazithela ngomlotha. Wasedabula phakathi kwedolobho ehlaba umkhosi, ekhala kabuhlungu. 2 Wahamba waze wayafika esangweni lenkosi kodwa kangenanga ngoba kwakungavunyelwa ukuthi umuntu angene khona egqoke isembatho sesaka. 3 Kuzo zonke izabelo+ lapho okwafika khona ilizwi lenkosi lomthetho wayo, amaJuda ayeqhinqa isililo, ezila ukudla,+ ekhala ezimathonsi njalo ehlaba umkhosi. Amanengi ayelele emasakeni futhi ezibhuqa emlotheni.+ 4 Izincekukazi zika-Esta labathenwa bakhe bafika bamtshela okwakusenzakala. Indlovukazi yakhathazeka kakhulu yasithumela uModekhayi izigqoko ukuze akhiphe isembatho sesaka kodwa yena kazamukelanga. 5 U-Esta wasebiza uHathakhi omunye wabathenwa owayekhethwe yinkosi ukuthi asebenzele indlovukazi, wamthuma ukuthi aye kuModekhayi ayezwisisa ukuthi kuhamba njani lokuthi kutshoni lokhu.

6 Ngakho uHathakhi wasuka waya kuModekhayi egcekeni ledolobho phambi kwegedi lenkosi. 7 UModekhayi wasemlandisela konke okwakwenzakale kuye langemali+ uHamani ayethembise ukuthi uzayibhadala ingene enothweni yesigodlweni ukuze amaJuda abulawe.+ 8 Wasemnika lencwadi eyayibhalwe umthetho owawumenyezelwe eShushani*+ mayelana lokubhujiswa kwabo. Kwakumele ayeyitshengisa u-Esta njalo amchasisele ekutshoyo, amtshele+ lokuthi aye enkosini ayecela ukuthi ibe lesihawu kubo njalo ancengele abantu bakibo.

9 UHathakhi wasehamba wayabikela u-Esta konke ayekutshelwe nguModekhayi. 10 U-Esta wasesithi uHathakhi kabuyele kuModekhayi+ ayemtshela amazwi la: 11 “Zonke izinceku zenkosi labantu abasezabelweni zayo bakwazi mhlophe ukuthi loba yiphi indoda loba owesifazana ofika egumeni lenkosi elingaphakathi+ engabizwanga, kulomthetho owodwa zwi osebenzayo: Lowomuntu kumele abulawe, angasila kuphela nxa inkosi imelulele intonga yayo yegolide.+ Manje mina sengilamalanga angu-30 ngingabizwanga enkosini.”

12 UModekhayi wathi esewuzwile umbiko ovela ku-Esta, 13 wasemphendula wathi: “Ungacabangi ukuthi ukuba sendlini yenkosi kuzakwenza usile nxa amanye amaJuda esebulawa. 14 Phela nxa ungazithulela ngalesisikhathi, ukukhululwa lokusindiswa kwamaJuda kuzavela kwenye indawo+ kodwa wena labendlu kayihlo lizabulawa. Kwazi bani, engxenye wangena esikhosini ngenxa yohlupho olunjengalolu.”+

15 U-Esta wasephendula uModekhayi wathi: 16 “Hamba uyebuthanisa wonke amaJuda aseShushani* lingizilele.+ Lingadli njalo linganathi lutho okwensuku ezintathu,+ ubusuku lemini. Lami ngizazila lezincekukazi zami. Ngemva kwalokho ngizahamba enkosini lanxa umthetho ungavumi, nxa ngingafa ngiyabe ngifile.” 17 Ngakho uModekhayi wahamba wayakwenza konke ayekutshelwe ngu-Esta.

5 Ngelanga lesithathu+ u-Esta wagqoka ezesikhosini wayakuma maqondana lendlu yenkosi egumeni elingaphakathi, esigodlweni senkosi.* Inkosi yona yayihlezi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi endlini yayo ikhangele emnyango. 2 Inkosi yathi imbona u-Esta emi egumeni yathokoza ngaye, yelulela kuye intonga yayo yegolide+ eyayiyiphethe. U-Esta wasesondela wathinta isihloko sentonga.

3 Inkosi yambuza yathi: “Kutheni Ndlovukazi Esta? Kuyini okucelayo? Lanxa kungaba yingxenye yombuso wami, uzakuphiwa!” 4 U-Esta waphendula wathi: “Nxa inkosi ithanda, bengicela ukuthi inkosi kanye loHamani+ babuye lamuhla edilini engilenzele inkosi.” 5 Yikho inkosi yathi ezincekwini zayo: “Tshelani uHamani abuye masinyane ukuze kwenziwe okucelwa ngu-Esta.” Inkosi loHamani basebesiya edilini elalenziwe ngu-Esta.

6 Bathi besanatha iwayini edilini, inkosi yathi ku-Esta: “Tshono okufunayo. Uzakuphiwa! Kuyini okucelayo? Lanxa kungaba yingxenye yombuso wami, uzakuphiwa okucelayo!”+ 7 U-Esta waphendula wathi, “Isikhalazo sami lesicelo sami yilesi: 8 Nxa ngithole umusa kuwe nkosi njalo nxa kuyithokozisa inkosi ukuzwa isikhalazo sami lokwenza engikucelayo, inkosi loHamani kababuye kusasa edilini engizabenzela lona. Kusasa ngizakwenza lokho inkosi ekutshoyo.”

9 Mhlalokho uHamani wahamba ethabe efile, inhliziyo yakhe ichelesile. Kodwa uHamani wathi ebona uModekhayi egedini lenkosi njalo enanzelela ukuthi kasukumi nxa embona lokuthi kamqhuqhi ngitsho, wamzondela kakhulu uModekhayi.+ 10 Kodwa uHamani wazibamba waya endlini yakhe, wasethumela ilizwi ebiza abangane bakhe lomkakhe uZereshi.+ 11 UHamani wazitshaya isifuba ngenotho yakhe enengi langamadodana akhe amanengi+ langokuthi inkosi yayimphakamisile yamnika isikhundla esiphezu kwazo zonke iziphathamandla lezinceku zenkosi.+

12 UHamani waphinda wathi: “Phezu kwalokho yimi ngedwa zwi enginxuswe yiNdlovukazi u-Esta ukuthi ngizokuba lenkosi edilini elenzileyo.+ Lakusasa nginxusiwe futhi ukuthi ngizokuba layo kanye lenkosi.+ 13 Kodwa konke lokhu akungisuthisi ngitsho nxa ngilokhu ngibona uModekhayi umJuda ehlezi egedini lenkosi.” 14 Ngakho umkakhe uZereshi labo bonke abangane bakhe bathi kuye: “Wothi kumiswe ugodo, lube zingalo ezingu-50* ubude. Ekuseni utshele inkosi ukuthi uModekhayi alengiswe kulo,+ ubusuzihambela-ke lenkosi uyezikholisela edilini.” UHamani walibona lilihle kakhulu icebo leli wasehlela ukuthi ugodo lolo lumiswe.

6 Ngalobobusuku inkosi kayizange ibuquthe ubuthongo.* Yikho yacela ukuthi kulethwe ibhuku elalibhalwe izenzakalo zangalesosikhathi,+ yasilibalelwa. 2 Ebhukwini lelo kwatholakala umbiko owawulethwe nguModekhayi mayelana loBhigithani loThereshi, abalindi bomnyango ababeyiziphathamandla esigodlweni senkosi, abasebebumbe icebo lokubulala iNkosi u-Ahasuweru.+ 3 Inkosi yasibuza yathi: “UModekhayi waphiwa yini udumo lomvuzo ngalokho akwenzayo?” Izinceku zenkosi zaphendula zathi: “Kenzelwanga lutho.”

4 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yathi: “Kanti lo osegumeni ngubani?” UHamani wayesanda kufika egumeni elingaphandle+ kwendlu yenkosi* ezokhuluma layo ngokuthi uModekhayi alengiswe esigodweni ayemlungisele sona.+ 5 Izinceku zenkosi zathi kuyo: “NguHamani+ omi egumeni.” Inkosi yasisithi: “Mngeniseni.”

6 UHamani wathi esengenile inkosi yathi kuye: “Kuyini okumele kwenzelwe lowo inkosi efisa ukumupha udumo?” UHamani wasesithi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Kambe ngubani inkosi engamnika udumo ngaphandle kwami?”+ 7 UHamani wasesithi enkosini: “Nanku okumele kwenzelwe lowo inkosi efisa ukumupha udumo: 8 Akulethwe isembatho sesikhosini+ esigqokwa yinkosi, lebhiza eligadwa yinkosi, letheswe umqhele wesikhosini ekhanda. 9 Isembatho leso kanye lebhiza akube sesandleni somunye weziphathamandla zenkosi ezihloniphekayo, izinceku besezigqokisa lowomuntu inkosi efisa ukumupha udumo, abesegadiswa ibhiza abhodiswe egcekeni ledolobho. Kumele zimemeze phambi kwakhe zithi: ‘Khangelani libone lokho okwenzelwa lowo inkosi efisa ukumupha udumo!’”+ 10 Inkosi yahle yathi kuHamani: “Hamba khathesi, uyethatha isembatho lebhiza wenze lokho okukhulumileyo kuModekhayi umJuda ohlezi egedini lenkosi. Ungatshiyi lokukodwa kulokho okukhulumileyo.”

11 Ngakho uHamani wathatha isembatho sesikhosini lebhiza, wasegqokisa uModekhayi+ futhi wamgadisa ibhiza wabhoda laye egcekeni ledolobho ehamba ememeza phambi kwakhe esithi: “Khangelani libone lokho okwenzelwa lowo inkosi efisa ukumupha udumo!” 12 Ngemva kwalokho uModekhayi wabuyela egedini lenkosi, kodwa uHamani wasuka masinyane waya endlini yakhe ekhala, ezivale ikhanda ngelembu. 13 UHamani wafika walandisela umkakhe uZereshi+ labo bonke abangane bakhe okwakwenzakale kuye. Abeluleki bakhe* lomkakhe uZereshi basebesithi kuye: “Nxa kuyikuthi uModekhayi lo osuqale ukuwa phambi kwakhe ngowosendo lwakoJuda, awusoze umehlule, uzakuwa ubhazalale phambi kwakhe.”

14 Bathi belokhu besakhuluma laye, iziphathamandla zenkosi zafika zahle zamthatha zahamba laye edilini elalenziwe ngu-Esta.+

7 Ngakho inkosi loHamani+ baya edilini elalenziwe yiNdlovukazi u-Esta. 2 Ngelanga lesibili belokhu besedilini lewayini, inkosi yaphinda yathi ku-Esta: “Tshono okufunayo Ndlovukazi Esta, uzakuphiwa! Kuyini okucelayo? Lanxa kungaba yingxenye yombuso wami, uzakuphiwa okucelayo!”+ 3 INdlovukazi u-Esta yaphendula yathi: “Nxa ngithole umusa kuwe nkosi njalo nxa kuyithokozisa inkosi, engikufunayo lengikucelayo yikuthi mina labantu bakithi+ siqhubeke siphila. 4 Mina labantu bakithi sithengisiwe+ ukuthi sitshaywe sibhuqwe, sibulawe futhi sitshabalaliswe siphele nya.+ Aluba besithengiselwe ukuba yizigqili lezigqilikazi bengizazithulela. Kodwa uhlupho lolu akumelanga luyekelwe ngoba luzaphambanisa lenkosi.”

5 INkosi u-Ahasuweru yaphendula iNdlovukazi u-Esta yathi: “Ngubani okwenzileyo lokho? Ngubani lowomuntu olesibindi sokwenza into enjalo?” 6 U-Esta wathi: “Umuntu oyisitha njalo ololunya nguyenalo uHamani olomoya omubi.”

UHamani waqhuqha waba ngumhlanga esesaba inkosi lendlovukazi. 7 Inkosi yathi lothu isivutha ngolaka, yaphuma edilini yaya esivandeni sesigodlo kodwa uHamani yena wasukuma waqalisa ukuncenga u-Esta ukuze angabulawa ngoba wananzelela ukuthi inkosi yayisizimisele ukumjezisa. 8 Inkosi yasiphenduka ivela esivandeni sesigodlo yathi ingena endlini okwakusenzelwa kuyo idili lewayini yathola uHamani esezijikele esofeni lapho okwakulo-Esta khona. Inkosi yakhwaza yathi: “Hawu, usefuna lokubamba indlovukazi iganyavu endlini yami?” Amazwi la athi ephuma nje emlonyeni wenkosi, uHamani bahle bamvala ubuso. 9 UHaribhona+ omunye weziphathamandla zesikhosini wasesithi: “UHamani umise logodo lokulengisa uModekhayi,+ yena owaletha umbiko owasindisa inkosi.+ Ugodo lolo lusemzini wakhe njalo luzingalo ezingu-50* ubude.” Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokhu yathi: “Mlengiseni kulo.” 10 Ngakho bamthatha uHamani bayamlengisa esigodweni ayesilungisele uModekhayi, ulaka lwenkosi lwehla.

8 Ngalelolanga iNkosi u-Ahasuweru yanika iNdlovukazi u-Esta yonke indlu kaHamani+ owayeyisitha samaJuda;+ njalo uModekhayi wafika enkosini ngoba u-Esta wayeseyitshelile ukuthi bahlobana njani.+ 2 Inkosi yasithatha indandatho yayo+ elophawu eyayisiyithathele uHamani yayipha uModekhayi. U-Esta wasebeka konke okukaHamani ezandleni zikaModekhayi.+

3 U-Esta waphinda wayakhuluma lenkosi. Wafika wazilahla phansi enyaweni zayo wakhala, eyincenga ukuthi ilungise uhlupho olwalubangelwe nguHamani um-Agagi njalo idilize icebo ayelibumbile ngamaJuda.+ 4 Inkosi yasiselulela intonga yayo yegolide ku-Esta,+ wasesukuma wama phambi kwayo. 5 Wathi: “Nxa kulungile enkosini njalo ngithole umusa kuyo, nxa inkosi ikubona kufanele futhi ithokoza ngami, akubhalwe umlayo ozakwesula amazwi asezincwadini zendoda leyana elolunya, uHamani+ indodana kaHamedatha um-Agagi,+ ayezibhalele ukuthi kutshabalaliswe amaJuda kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi. 6 Kambe ngingakumela yini ukubona umonakalo ozakwehlela abantu bakithi? Ngingakumela yini ukubona izihlobo zami zitshabalala?”

7 INkosi u-Ahasuweru yasitshela iNdlovukazi u-Esta loModekhayi umJuda yathi: “Senginike u-Esta+ yonke indlu kaHamani njalo ngithe uHamani ayelengiswa esigodweni+ ngenxa yecebo lakhe lokuhlasela amaJuda. 8 Ngakho bhalani ngebizo lenkosi lokho elikubona kufanele ukuze kuncedwe amaJuda beselikudinda ngendandatho elophawu lwenkosi ngoba wonke umlayo obhalwe ngebizo lenkosi wadindwa ngendandatho yayo elophawu ngeke utshintshwe.”+

9 Yikho omabhalani benkosi bahle babizwa. Kwakumhlaka 23 ngenyanga yesithathu, inyanga kaSivani,* basebebhala yonke imilayo kaModekhayi eyayisiya kumaJuda, lakubondunankulu,+ lababusi,* lezikhulu zezabelo,+ kusukela e-Indiya kusiyafika eTopiya ezabelweni ezingu-127. Isabelo ngasinye sabhalelwa ngendlela yaso yokuloba labantu bonke babhalelwa ngendimi zabo, amaJuda lawo abhalelwa ngendlela yawo yokuloba langolimi lwawo.

10 UModekhayi wabhala umlayo ngebizo leNkosi u-Ahasuweru wawudinda ngendandatho yayo elophawu,+ wasethuma izithunywa* ezazigade amabhiza alesiqubu ayesetshenziswa emisebenzini yesikhosini kuphela ukuthi zihambise izincwadi ezazibhalwe umlayo lo. 11 Ezincwadini lezi inkosi yapha amaJuda kuwo wonke amadolobho imvumo yokuthi abuthane, azivikele futhi abulale, atshaye abhuqe njalo atshabalalise lonke ibutho elizawahlasela kuloba yisiphi isizwe kumbe isabelo, abulale labesifazana bezitha zawo labantwana, athathe lempahla yazo.+ 12 Lokhu kwakumele kwenziwe ngelanga elilodwa kuzo zonke izabelo zeNkosi u-Ahasuweru, mhlaka 13 ngenyanga yesi-12, inyanga ka-Adari.*+ 13 Amazwi ayebhalwe ezincwadini lezo kwakumele abe ngumthetho kuzo zonke izabelo futhi kwakumele amenyezelwe kubo bonke abantu, ukuze ngalelolanga amaJuda alungele ukuphindisela ezitheni zawo.+ 14 Izithunywa* ezazigade amabhiza ayesetshenziswa emisebenzini yesikhosini zaphuma masinyane zigijima ngesiqubu ngenxa yelizwi lenkosi. Umthetho lo wamenyezelwa lasesigodlweni seShushani.*+

15 UModekhayi waphuma phambi kwenkosi egqoke isembatho sesikhosini esilombala oluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka kanye lomhlophe, egqoke lomqhele omkhulu wegolide, wafaka lejazi elihle elenziwe ngelembu elilombala oyibubende.*+ Kwaba lokuthokoza okukhulu edolobheni leShushani.* 16 LakumaJuda kwaba yisikhathi sokukhululeka,* lokuthokoza, lokuhlonitshwa njalo aba lethemba. 17 Kuzo zonke izabelo lasemadolobheni wonke okwafika khona umlayo wenkosi lomthetho wayo, amaJuda athaba, athokoza njalo enza amadili lemibuthano yokujabula. Abantu abanengi elizweni basebezithi bangamaJuda+ ngenxa yokwesaba amaJuda.

9 Mhlaka 13 ngenyanga yesi-12, inyanga ka-Adari,*+ ngelanga okwakumele kulandelwe ngalo ilizwi lenkosi kanye lomthetho wayo,+ izitha zamaJuda zazikhangelele ukuwanqoba kodwa izinto zatshintsha, amaJuda azehlula izitha zawo.+ 2 AmaJuda abuthana kuwo wonke amadolobho awo, kuzo zonke izabelo zeNkosi u-Ahasuweru+ ukuze alwe lalabo ababefuna ukuwahlasela njalo kakho owayelamandla okumelana lawo ngoba abantu bonke babewesaba.+ 3 Zonke izikhulu zezabelo, labondunankulu+ lababusi* kanye lababephatha imisebenzi yenkosi basekela amaJuda ngoba babesesaba uModekhayi. 4 UModekhayi wayesengumuntu omkhulu+ esigodlweni senkosi* futhi udumo lwakhe lwalulokhu lusabalala kuzo zonke izabelo ngoba wayelokhu esiba lamandla.

5 AmaJuda azitshaya azibhuqa izitha zawo, azibulala zonke ngenkemba zaphela du. Azenzela santando ezitheni zawo.+ 6 Esigodlweni seShushani,*+ abulala futhi atshabalalisa abantu abangu-500. 7 Abulala loPharishandatha, loDalifoni, lo-Asiphatha, 8 loPhoratha, lo-Adaliya, lo-Aridatha, 9 loPharimashitha, lo-Arisayi, lo-Aridayi, loVayizatha, 10 amadodana alitshumi kaHamani indodana kaHamedatha, owayeyisitha samaJuda.+ Kodwa amaJuda athi esebabulele kawazange athathe impahla yabo.+

11 Ngalelolanga inani labantu ababulawa esigodlweni seShushani* labikwa enkosini.

12 Inkosi yasitshela iNdlovukazi u-Esta yathi: “Esigodlweni seShushani* amaJuda abulele futhi atshabalalisa abantu abangu-500 kanye lamadodana kaHamani alitshumi. Kuyini asekwenzile kwezinye izabelo zenkosi?+ Tshono okunye okufunayo, uzakuphiwa. Kukhona yini okunye okucelayo? Kuzakwenziwa.” 13 U-Esta waphendula wathi: “Nxa kukuhle enkosini,+ bengicela ukuthi lakusasa amaJuda aseShushani* avunyelwe ukwenza lokho obekutshiwo ngumthetho lamuhla,+ lokuthi amadodana kaHamani alitshumi alengiswe esigodweni.”+ 14 Inkosi yasisithi kwenziwe lokho. Umthetho wamenyezelwa eShushani* futhi amadodana kaHamani alitshumi alengiswa.

15 AmaJuda ayeseShushani* aphinda abuthana mhlaka 14 ngenyanga ka-Adari,+ abulala abantu abangu-300 eShushani* kodwa kawazange athathe impahla yabo.

16 Lakwezinye izabelo zenkosi amaJuda abuthana ukuze azivikele.+ Atshaya athanyela izitha zawo,+ abulala abantu abangu-75 000 ababewazonda kodwa kawazange athathe impahla yabo. 17 Lokhu kwenzakala mhlaka 13 ngenyanga ka-Adari, kwathi mhlaka 14 aphumula futhi enza lelolanga laba lilanga ledili kanye lokuthokoza.

18 AmaJuda ayeseShushani* abuthana mhlaka 13,+ lamhlaka 14,+ asephumula mhlaka 15 njalo enza lelolanga laba lilanga ledili kanye lokuthokoza. 19 Kodwa amaJuda ayehlala emadolobheni asezigabeni ezikhatshana enza umhlaka 14 wenyanga ka-Adari waba lilanga ledili kanye lokuthokoza, kwaba lilanga lokukholisa+ lesikhathi sokwabelana ukudla labanye.+

20 UModekhayi+ wabhala phansi zonke izehlakalo lezi futhi wathumela izincwadi kuwo wonke amaJuda, kuzo zonke izabelo zeNkosi u-Ahasuweru eziseduze lezikhatshana. 21 Wawatshela ukuthi minyaka yonke athakazelele umhlaka 14 lomhlaka 15 wenyanga ka-Adari, 22 ngoba ngalawomalanga amaJuda akhululeka ezitheni zawo futhi ngaleyonyanga usizi ayephakathi kwalo lwatshintsha lwaba yikuthokoza, lokulila+ kwawo kwaba lilanga lokujabula. Kwakumele enze amalanga lawo abe zinsuku zamadili lokuthokoza njalo abe yisikhathi sokwabelana ukudla labanye, lesokupha abayanga izipho.

23 AmaJuda avuma ukuthi ayezalenza minyaka yonke idili leli lokuthi ayezalandela lokho uModekhayi ayewabhalele khona, 24 ngoba uHamani+ indodana kaHamedatha um-Agagi+ owayeyisitha sawo wonke amaJuda wayebumbe icebo lokutshabalalisa amaJuda+ njalo wayephose iPhuri,+ okutsho inkatho, ehlose ukwethusela amaJuda lokuwabhubhisa. 25 Kodwa u-Esta wathi esephambi kwenkosi, inkosi yabeka umlayo obhalwe phansi othi:+ “Konke okubi uHamani abefuna ukukwenza kumaJuda+ akubuyiselwe kuye.” UHamani lamadodana akhe balengiswa esigodweni.+ 26 Yikho amaJuda abiza amalanga lawo ngokuthi yiPhurimi ethathela ebizweni elithi Phuri.*+ Ngenxa yakho konke okwakubhalwe encwadini le lakho konke ayekubonile, lalokho okwakuwehlele, 27 amaJuda azimisela ukuthi wona lezizukulwane zawo labo bonke ababezabambana lawo+ babengasoze bayekele ukunanza amalanga la amabili lokuthi ngesikhathi esibekiweyo minyaka yonke babezakwenza konke okwakubhalwe phansi mayelana lawo. 28 Amalanga la kwakumele akhunjulwe njalo athakazelelwe yimuli ngayinye, yisabelo ngasinye ledolobho ngalinye kuzo zonke izizukulwane. AmaJuda akumelanga ayekele ukuwagcina amalanga la ePhurimi njalo izizukulwane zawo kumele ziwananze kokuphela.

29 Ngemva kwalokho iNdlovukazi u-Esta, indodakazi ka-Abhihayili, loModekhayi umJuda basebenzisa amandla abo ngokugcweleyo babhala incwadi yesibili beqinisa indaba yePhurimi. 30 Izincwadi zasezithunyelwa kuwo wonke amaJuda ezabelweni ezingu-127+ ezazisembusweni ka-Ahasuweru+ njalo zazilamazwi okuthula leqiniso, 31 ukuze ziqinise ukunanzwa kwamalanga ePhurimi ngezikhathi zawo ezibekiweyo, kulandelwa lokho uModekhayi umJuda leNdlovukazi u-Esta ababethe kwenziwe+ kanye lomlandu amaJuda ayezethese wona lezizukulwane zawo+ mayelana lokugcina amalanga la, lokuthi ayezazila ukudla+ futhi enze imithandazo yokuncenga.+ 32 Umlayo ka-Esta waqinisa konke okwakuphathelane lePhurimi+ njalo wabhalwa ebhukwini.

10 INkosi u-Ahasuweru yabasebenzisa ngenkani abantu elizweni lasezihlengeni eziselwandle.

2 Yonke imisebenzi yakhe emikhulu ayenza ngamandla akhe, lakho konke okuphathelane lesikhundla esatholwa nguModekhayi+ inkosi isimphakamisile,+ kubhaliwe ebhukwini lembali+ yamakhosi eMede lePhesiya.+ 3 UModekhayi umJuda wayephiwe isikhundla esilandela eseNkosi u-Ahasuweru. AmaJuda ayemqakathekisa kakhulu njalo ehlonitshwa ngabafowabo abanengi. Wayebenzela okuhle abantu bakibo futhi esebenzela ukuthi zonke izizukulwane zabo zibe lenhlalakahle.*