UJEREMIYA
1 La ngamazwi kaJeremiya* indodana kaHilikhiya, omunye wabaphristi base-Anathothi+ elizweni lakoBhenjamini. 2 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuye ngensuku zikaJosiya+ indodana ka-Amoni+ inkosi yakoJuda. Kwakungumnyaka wesi-13 wokubusa kukaJosiya. 3 Lafika futhi ngensuku zikaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, kwaze kwaba sekupheleni komnyaka wesi-11 wokubusa kukaZedekhiya+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda. Laqhubeka lifika kuye abantu beJerusalema baze bathunjwa ngenyanga yesihlanu.+
4 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lathi:
5 “Ngakwazi* ngingakakubumbi+ esibelethweni sikanyoko,
Ngakwenza waba ngcwele ungakazalwa,*+
Njalo ngakwenza waba ngumphrofethi ezizweni.”
6 Kodwa mina ngathi: “Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova!
Angenelisi ukukhuluma+ ngoba ngisesengumfana nje.”*+
7 UJehova wasesithi kimi:
“Ungaze wathi ungumfana nje,
Ngoba kumele uye kubo bonke engizakuthuma kubo,
Ukhulume konke engizakutshela khona.+
9 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova welula isandla sakhe wathinta umlomo wami.+ UJehova wasesithi kimi: “Sengifake amazwi ami emlonyeni wakho.+ 10 Lamuhla ngikubeka phezu kwezizwe laphezu kwemibuso ukuze usiphune njalo uwisele phansi, utshabalalise futhi udilize, wakhe njalo uhlanyele.”+
11 Ilizwi likaJehova laphinda lafika kimi lathi: “Ubonani Jeremiya?” Mina ngathi: “Ngibona ugatsha lwesihlahla sama-alimondi.”
12 UJehova wathi kimi: “Ubone kuhle sibili. Ngihlala ngiphapheme ukuze ngigcwalise ilizwi lami.”
13 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi okwesibili lathi: “Ubonani?” Mina ngaphendula ngathi: “Ngibona imbiza* exhwathayo. Ifulathele inyakatho futhi umlomo wayo ukhangele eningizimu.” 14 UJehova wasesithi kimi:
“Umonakalo uzavelela enyakatho,
Njalo uzakwehlela bonke abantu abahlala elizweni.+
15 Ngibiza zonke izizwana zemibuso yasenyakatho, kutsho uJehova.+
Zizabuya zonke zibeke izihlalo zazo zobukhosi
Emagedini eJerusalema,+
Zigombolozele imiduli yayo,
Zihlasele wonke amadolobho akoJuda.+
16 Ngizabahlulela ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi abazenzileyo,
Ngoba bangitshiyile+
Benzela abanye onkulunkulu+ imihlatshelo,
Bakhothamela lezinto abazenze ngezandla zabo.+
17 Kodwa wena kumele uwulungele umsebenzi,
Usukume ubatshele konke engikutshela khona.
Ungabesabi,+
Ukuze lami ngingakwenzi wethuke phambi kwabo.
18 Lamuhla ngikwenze waba lidolobho elivikelweyo,
Lensika yensimbi lemiduli yekhopha ukuze umelane lalo lonke ilizwe,+
Lamakhosi abantu bakoJuda lezikhulu zabo,
Labaphristi babo kanye labo bonke abantu abaselizweni.+
19 Bazakulwa lawe sibili,
Kodwa abasoze bakunqobe,
Ngoba ngilawe+ futhi ngizakusindisa, kutsho uJehova.”
2 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lathi: 2 “Hamba uyememezela lokhu eJerusalema uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Ngikukhumbula kuhle ukuzinikela kwakho usesemutsha,+
Lothando owawulalo ngesikhathi sisathembisene,+
Lokuthi wangilandela enkangala,
Elizweni elingahlanyelwanga lutho.+
3 U-Israyeli wayengcwele kuJehova,+ eyizithelo zokuqala zesivuno sakhe.”’
‘Loba ngubani owayemhlasela wayesiba lecala,
Ehlelwe ngumonakalo,’ kutsho uJehova.”+
4 Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina abendlu kaJakhobe,
Lani lonke elivela ezimulini zendlu ka-Israyeli.
5 UJehova uthi:
“Okhokho benu basolani kimi,+
Okwenza bangitshiya baya khatshana lami,
Balandela izithombe ezingelancedo,+ labo bacina bengaselancedo?+
6 Abazange babuze bathi, ‘Ungaphi uJehova,
Lowo owasikhipha elizweni leGibhithe,+
Wasikhokhela sidabula enkangala,
Elizweni elilugwadule+ elilamagodi,
Ilizwe elomileyo+ elilamathunzi amnyama,
Okungelamuntu odlula kulo,
Lelingahlalwa muntu?’
7 Ngaliletha elizweni elilezihlahla zezithelo,
Ukuze lidle izithelo zazo lakho konke okuhle okukulo.+
Kodwa lina lafika langcolisa ilizwe lami,
Lenza ilifa lami lenyanyeka.+
8 Abaphristi abazange babuze ukuthi ungaphi uJehova,+
Labo okwakumele bafundise abantu uMthetho abazange bangazi,
Abelusi bangihlamukela,+
Abaphrofethi baphrofetha ngoBhali,+
Balandela onkulunkulu abangelancedo.
9 Ngakho uJehova uthi, ‘Ngizaqhubeka ngilethesa amacala,+
Lamadodana amadodana enu ngizawethesa amacala.’
10 ‘Chaphani liye ezihlengeni zaseKhithimu+ libone,
Khangelani libone ukuthi into enje seyake yenzakala yini,
Lithumele ilizwi eKhedari+ licabangisise ngakho.
11 Kambe kulesizwe esake satshiya onkulunkulu baso salandela onkulunkulu abangelancedo?
Kodwa abantu bami batshiye inkazimulo yami balandela izinto ezingelancedo.+
12 Akulimangalise lokhu lina mazulu,
Lethuke lithuthumele,’ kutsho uJehova,
13 ‘Ngoba abantu bami benze izinto ezimbili ezimbi:
Bangitshiyile mina lanxa ngingumthombo wamanzi okuphila,+
Bazigebhela eyabo imigodi,
Imigodi engagcini manzi.’
14 ‘U-Israyeli kasinceku kumbe isigqili esizalelwe endlini yenkosi yaso,
Manje kungani ethunjiwe?
15 Izilwane ezilamandla ziyambhongela,+
Njalo ziyahwabha.
Sezitshabalalise ilizwe lakhe,
Amadolobho akhe athungelwe ngomlilo ukuze angahlalwa muntu.
16 Abantu baseNofi*+ labaseThaphanesi+ badla ekhanda lakho.
17 Kayisuwe yini ozilethele uhlupho lolu,
Ngokutshiya uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho,+
Owayekukhokhela ekutshengisa indlela?
Kungani ufuna ukuya e-Asiriya+
Uyenatha amanzi omfula uYufrathe?
19 Izinto ezimbi owazenzayo kumele zikufundise isifundo,
Usolwe ngenxa yokungathembeki kwakho.
Kumele wazi futhi ubone ukuthi kubuhlungu njalo kubi kangakanani+
Ukutshiya uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho.
Utshengise ukuthi awungesabi ngitsho,’+ kutsho iNkosi Enkulu, uJehova wamabutho.
20 ‘Ngephula ijogwe lakho+ kudala,
Ngaqamula lamaketane akho.
Kodwa wena wathi: “Angisoze ngikukhonze.”
Walala wazichaya,
Ufeba+ phezu kwawo wonke amaqaqa aphakemeyo, langaphansi kwazo zonke izihlahla eziyizithingithingi.+
21 Ngakuhlanyela uyisihlahla esihle samagilebisi abomvu+ awenhlanyelo enhle.
Pho kungani usutshintshe waba yisihlahla samagilebisi eganga esilamahlumela amabi?’+
22 ‘Lanxa ungaze ugeze ngesoda langesepa enengi,
Uzabe ulokhu ungcolile phambi kwami ngoba icala lakho likhulu,’+ kutsho iNkosi Enkulu uJehova.
23 Manje kungani usithi, ‘Mina angizange ngizingcolise,
Angizange ngilandele oBhali’?
Khangela indlela obuziphatha ngayo esigodini,
Ucabangisise ngalokho okwenzileyo.
Unjengekamela elincane elisikazi elilesiqubu,
Eligijima ligcwale yonke indawo.
24 Unjengobabhemi ojayelane lomango wenkangala,
Ohamba enukanuka edinga omduna ngoba etshiswa yinkanuko.
Ngubani ongambamba nxa esetshiswa yinkanuko?
Zonke ezinduna ezimdingayo akumelanga zizihluphe,
Zizamthola ngesikhathi sakhe.
25 Mana ngoba uzacina usuhamba phansi ngenyawo,
Lomphimbo wakho ucine usuwomile.
Kodwa wena uthi, ‘Akuncedi lokho!+
26 Abako-Israyeli sebeyangekile,
Sebelenhloni njengesela elibanjwe litshontsha,
Bayangekile bona lamakhosi abo lezikhulu zabo,
Labaphristi labaphrofethi babo.+
27 Bathi esihlahleni, ‘Wena ungubaba,’+
Besebesithi elitsheni, ‘Nguwe owangizalayo.’
Mina bayangifulathela, abafuni lokungikhangela.+
Kodwa ngesikhathi sokuhlupheka kwabo bazakuthi,
‘Buya usisindise!’+
28 Khathesi bangaphi onkulunkulu bakho owazenzela bona?+
Kababuye bakusindise njengoba ususebunzimeni,
Phela onkulunkulu bakho banengi njengamadolobho akho, wena Juda.+
29 ‘Kungani liqhubeka liphikisana lami?
Kungani lonke lingihlamukela?’+ kutsho uJehova.
Inkemba yakho iqede abaphrofethi,+
Angathi yisilwane esilolaka.
31 Bantu bami, ake lilalele ilizwi likaJehova.
Sengibe yinkangala yini kwabako-Israyeli?
Sengibe lilizwe elimnyama okwesabekayo yini?
Manje kungani abantu bami besithi, ‘Sizihambela loba ngaphi esifuna khona.
Asisoze siphenduke kuwe’?+
32 Kambe intombi ingakhohlwa imiceciso yayo?
Umakoti angayikhohlwa yini imigaxo yakhe?
Kodwa abantu bami bona bangikhohlwe okwesikhathi eside.+
33 Wena ungowesifazana okwazi kuhle ukuhuga amadoda!
Usuzifundise ukwenza izinto ezimbi.+
34 Igazi labantu abangabayanga futhi abangelacala ligcwele ezigqokweni zakho,+
Ligcwele kuzo zonke izembatho zakho
Lanxa ngingabatholanga begqekeza.+
35 Kodwa wena uthi, ‘Angilacala.
Kumele ukuthi khathesi kasangizondelanga.’
Lanxa kunjalo mina ngizakujezisa
Ngoba uthi awonanga lutho.
36 Kungani ukuthatha kancane ukungathembeki kwakho?
37 Ngenxa yalokho uzaphuma uthwele imikhono ekhanda,+
Ngoba uJehova ubalahlile labo obathembileyo,
Abasoze bakuncede ngalutho.”
3 Abantu bayabuza bathi: “Nxa indoda ingaxotsha umkayo abesesuka ayethathwa ngenye indoda, kambe indoda eyamxotshayo ingambuyelela yini?”
Ilizwe lingcoliswe kakhulu.+
“Wena usufebe lamadoda amanengi,+
Manje usungaphenduka kimi futhi?” kutsho uJehova.
2 “Phakamisa amehlo akho ukhangele emaqaqeni angelazihlahla.
Kungaphi lapho ongazange ubanjwe khona iganyavu?
Wawuhlala eceleni kwemigwaqo ulinde amadoda,
Njengomuntu ozulazula* enkangala.
Uqhubeka ungcolisa ilizwe
Ngobufebe bakho langezenzo zakho ezimbi.+
3 Ngenxa yalokho izulu livaliwe,+
Lezulu lokucina alisoze line.
Uyakhanya ukuthi uyisifebe esixhwalileyo,
Awulanhloni ngitsho.+
4 Kodwa khathesi uyangibiza usithi,
‘Baba, wena ungumngane wami kusukela ebutsheni bami!+
5 Kambe kulomuntu ongahlala ezondile,
Kumbe ahlale ebambe isikhwili?’
Ukhuluma njalo,
Kodwa uqhubeka usenza konke okubi ongakwenza.”+
6 Ngensuku zeNkosi uJosiya,+ uJehova wathi kimi: “‘Ukubonile yini okwenziwe ngu-Israyeli ongathembekanga? Ukhwele phezu kwazo zonke izintaba eziphakemeyo, waya langaphansi kwazo zonke izihlahla eziyizithingithingi esiyafeba.+ 7 Uthe esenze konke lokhu, ngaqhubeka ngimtshela ukuthi aphenduke kimi,+ kodwa kazange aphenduke. UJuda yena wayelokhu embukele udadewabo ongathembekanga.+ 8 Ngathi ngikubona lokhu ngamxotsha u-Israyeli ongathembekanga,+ ngamnika incwadi yokumdivosa ngenxa yobufebe bakhe.+ Kodwa udadewabo oliqili uJuda kazange esabe, laye wasuka wayafeba.+ 9 Wayefeba engagqize qhakala njalo waqhubeka engcolisa ilizwe efeba lamatshe lezihlahla.+ 10 Phezu kwakho konke lokhu, udadewabo oliqili uJuda wayesenza angathi uyaphenduka kimi kodwa engiqila, kazange aphenduke ngenhliziyo yonke,’ kutsho uJehova.”
11 UJehova wasesithi kimi: “U-Israyeli ongathembekanga ungcono kuloJuda oliqili.+ 12 Hamba enyakatho uyememezela amazwi la uthi:+
“‘“Phenduka wena Israyeli ohlamukayo,” kutsho uJehova.’+ ‘“Angisoze ngikukhangele ngizondile+ ngoba ngiqotho,” kutsho uJehova.’ ‘“Angisoze ngihlale ngikuzondele. 13 Wena vuma icala lakho ngoba uhlamukele uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho. Phela waqhubeka ulala labezinye izizwe* ngaphansi kwazo zonke izihlahla eziyizithingithingi. Ilizwi lami awuzange ulilalele,” kutsho uJehova.’”
14 “Phendukani kimi lina bantwana abahlamukayo,” kutsho uJehova, “ngoba mina sengibe yinkosi yenu.* Ngizathatha oyedwa edolobheni, ngithathe lababili esizwaneni, ngiliqoqe ngililethe eZiyoni.+ 15 Ngizalinika abelusi abazakwenza lokho okuthokozisa inhliziyo yami+ njalo bazalinika ulwazi kanye lokuhlakanipha.* 16 Ngalezonsuku lizakuba banengi futhi lizathela izithelo elizweni,” kutsho uJehova.+ “Abasoze baphinde bathi, ‘Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova!’ Abasoze baphinde balicabange kumbe balikhumbule loba balikhanuke. Kalisoze liphinde lenziwe. 17 Ngalesosikhathi bazakuthi iJerusalema yisihlalo sobukhosi sikaJehova+ njalo izizwe zonke zizabuya eJerusalema zizodumisa ibizo likaJehova.+ Abasoze baphinde baqinise amakhanda belandela inhliziyo zabo ezimbi.”
18 “Ngalezonsuku abendlu yakoJuda labendlu yako-Israyeli+ bazahamba bonke. Bazabuya bonke bevela elizweni elisenyakatho besiza elizweni engalinika okhokho babo ukuthi libe lilifa labo.+ 19 Ngangicabanga ngisithi, ‘Ngizakubeka phakathi kwamadodana ami, ngikunike ilizwe elihle, ilifa elihle kakhulu phakathi kwezizwe.’*+ Ngangicabanga lokuthi uzangibiza uthi, ‘Baba,’ lokuthi awusoze ungitshiye. 20 ‘Ungiqilile wena ndlu ka-Israyeli, njengowesifazana ongathembekanga otshiya umkakhe,’+ kutsho uJehova.”
21 Kuzwakala umsindo emaqaqeni angelazihlahla.
Abantu bako-Israyeli bayakhala futhi bayancenga,
Ngoba baphambukile endleleni,
Bamkhohlwa uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo.+
22 “Phendukani kimi lina madodana ahlamukayo.
Ngizalisilisa ukuze lingaphindi lihlamuke.”+
“Sesibuyile, sesiphendukile kuwe,
Ngoba wena Jehova unguNkulunkulu wethu.+
23 Ukuxokozela esasikwenza ezintabeni lemaqaqeni kwakuyikuziyenga nje.+
UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu nguye umsindisi ka-Israyeli.+
24 Kodwa into le elihlazo iqede* konke okwasetshenzelwa ngokhokho bethu kusukela sisesebatsha,+
Iqede izimvu zabo lenkomo zabo,
Lamadodana abo kanye lamadodakazi abo.
25 Asilaleni phansi siyangekile,
Sembeswe lihlazo lethu,
Ngoba sonile kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu,+
Thina labobaba bethu kusukela ebutsheni bethu kuze kube lamuhla.+
Asililalelanga ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.”
4 “Aluba belingaphenduka kimi, awu bantu bako-Israyeli,
Nxa belingaphenduka kimi,
Lisuse izithombe zenu ezenyanyekayo phambi kwami,
Belingasoze lithunjwe,”+ kutsho uJehova.
2 “Nxa lingafunga ngeqiniso langobuqotho kanye lokulunga lithi,
‘Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo!’
3 UJehova uthi ebantwini bakoJuda labeJerusalema:
“Limani emasimini,
Liyekele ukulima endaweni elameva.+
4 Sokani libe ngabakaJehova,
Sokani inhliziyo zenu,+
Lina bantu bakoJuda lani elihlala eJerusalema,
Ukuze ulaka lwami lungavuthi njengomlilo,
Lulavuke kuswelakale ongalucitsha,
Ngenxa yezenzo zenu ezimbi.”+
5 Khulumani ngakho koJuda, likumemezele eJerusalema,
Memezani litshaye uphondo kulo lonke ilizwe,+
Limemeze kakhulu lithi: “Buthanani ndawonye,
Sibalekele emadolobheni avikelwe ngemiduli.+
6 Phakamisani uphawu olutshengisa indlela eya eZiyoni.
Dingani indawo yokucatsha, lingami ndawonye,”
Ngoba ngiletha umonakalo ovela enyakatho,+ umonakalo omkhulu.
Sisukile endaweni yaso ukuze sizotshabalalisa ilizwe lakho.
Amadolobho akho azasala engamanxiwa, kungelamuntu ohlala kuwo.+
8 Ngakho gqokani izembatho zamasaka+
Likhale* futhi lilile,
Ngoba ulaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo lulokhu luphezu kwethu.
9 “Ngalelolanga inhliziyo yenkosi izaphela amandla,”+ kutsho uJehova,
“Lezikhulu zizatshaywa luvalo,
Abaphristi bazakwethuka bathithibale, labaphrofethi bamangale.”+
10 Ngakho ngathi: “Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, ubayengile sibili abantu laba+ kanye leJerusalema wathi, ‘Lizakuba lokuthula,’+ yona inkemba isezintanyeni zethu.”
11 Ngalesosikhathi kuzathiwa ebantwini laba laseJerusalema:
“Umoya otshisayo ovela emaqaqeni asenkangala
Uzavunguza phezu kwendodakazi* yabantu bami.
Akusimoya wokwela amabele kumbe owokuwahlambulula.
12 Ngizabiza umoya olamandla uvela ezindaweni lezo,
Ngibatshele isigwebo sabo.
13 Isitha sizakuza njengamayezi ezulu,
Izinqola zaso zinjengomoya wesiphepho.+
Amabhiza aso alesiqubu ukwedlula izinkozi.+
Maye saphela thina!
14 Hlambulula inhliziyo yakho wena Jerusalema, ususe okubi ukuze usindiswe.+
Kuzaze kube nini ulokhu ufukamele imicabango emibi?
15 Kuzwakala ilizwi libika izindaba ezivela koDani,+
Limemezela umonakalo ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi.
16 Kubikeni lokhu ezizweni,
Likumemezele eJerusalema.”
“Abalindi* bayeza bevela elizweni elikhatshana,
Bazamemeza befuna ukuhlasela amadolobho akoJuda.
17 Bazayihanqa macele wonke iJerusalema njengabalindi behanqa insimu,+
Ngenxa yokuthi ingihlamukele,”+ kutsho uJehova.
18 “Izindlela zakho lezenzo zakho zizalethwa phezu kwakho.+
Uzakwehlelwa ngumonakalo obuhlungu,
Ngoba inhliziyo yakho igcwele ukuhlamuka!”
19 Maye babo, maye babo!
Inhliziyo yami ibuhlungu kakhulu.
Inhliziyo yami itshaya ngamandla.
20 Kubikwe umonakalo phezu komonakalo,
Ngoba ilizwe lonke selitshabalele.
Amatende ami adilizwe ngesikhatshana nje,
Ngesikhatshana amaseyili amatende ami abesetshabalele.+
21 Kuzaze kube nini ngilokhu ngibona uphawu olutshengisa ukuthi yiphi indlela eya eJerusalema
Njalo ngisizwa uphondo lukhala?+
22 “Abantu bami bayizithutha,+
Abalandaba lami.
Bangabantwana abayiziphukuphuku, abangelalwazi.
Bahlakaniphele ukwenza okubi kuphela,
Kodwa bayehluleka ukwenza okuhle.”
23 Ngakhangela ilizwe ngabona liyinkangala nje engelalutho,+
Ngakhangela emazulwini kodwa ukukhanya kwakungasekho.+
24 Ngakhangela izintaba ngabona zizamazama,
Ngakhangela lamaqaqa ngabona enyikinyeka.+
25 Ngakhangela ngabona kungaselamuntu,
Lenyoni zonke seziphaphile.+
26 Ngathi ngisithi mehlo suka ngabona ilizwe elivundileyo seliyinkangala,
Lamadolobho alo wonke esediliziwe.+
Lokho kwakwenziwe nguJehova,
Ngenxa yolaka lwakhe oluvuthayo.
27 UJehova uthi: “Ilizwe lonke lizasala lingamanxiwa,+
Kodwa angisoze ngilitshabalalise ngokupheleleyo.
28 Ngenxa yalokho ilizwe lizalila,+
Lamazulu aphenduke abe mnyama,+
Ngoba mina sengikhulumile futhi sengikumisile,
29 Nxa kungazwakala umsindo wabagadi bamabhiza lamabutho alemitshoko,
Abantu bonke edolobheni bayabaleka+
Bangene ezixukwini,
Bakhwele lemadwaleni,+
Wonke amadolobho asale engelabantu,
Kungela ngitsho umuntu ohlala kuwo.”
30 Khathesi uzakwenzani njengoba usutshabalele?
Wawujayele ukugqoka izigqoko ezibomvu,
Uzicecise ngemiceciso yegolide
Njalo uzicombacombe emehlweni ngokumnyama.
Kodwa akuncedanga ngalutho ukuzicomba kwakho,+
Ngoba labo ababekuhawukela sebekulahlile,
Khathesi sebefuna ukukubulala.+
31 Ngizwe ukububula okungathi ngokowesifazana ogulayo,
Lokukhala okungathi ngokowesifazana obeletha umntwana wokuqala,
Lilizwi lendodakazi yaseZiyoni ekhefuzelayo.
Yelula izandla zayo ithi:+
“Maye babo, sengidiniwe ngababulali laba!”
5 Hambahambani emigwaqweni yeJerusalema,
Likhangelisise yonke indawo libone.
Hambani liyekhangela lasemagcekeni edolobho,
Libone kumbe lingamthola yini umuntu owenza okulungileyo,+
Njalo othembekileyo.
Nxa lingamthola, iJerusalema ngizayithethelela.
2 Lanxa bangaze bathi: “Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo!”
Bayabe belokhu befunga amanga.+
3 Awu Jehova, amehlo akho awadingi abathembekileyo yini?+
Ubajezisile abantu bakho kodwa abazwanga lutho,
Lanxa uphose wabaqeda abazange balalele.+
4 Kodwa mina ngithe enhliziyweni yami: “Laba ngabantukazana sibili,
Benza ubuthutha ngoba abayazi indlela kaJehova,
Abazazi izahlulelo zikaNkulunkulu wabo.
5 Ngakho ngizakuya ebantwini abahlonitshwayo ngikhulume labo,
Ngoba kumele ukuthi bona bayayazi indlela kaJehova,
Bayazazi lezahlulelo zikaNkulunkulu wabo.+
Kodwa bonke bephule ijogwe
Baqamula lezintambo.”
6 Ngenxa yalokhu isilwane esiphuma eguswini siyabahlasela,
Leganyana elivela enkangala liyabadlithiza.
Ingwe layo iyabacathamela emadolobheni abo,
Bonke abaphumayo iyabadabudabula,
Ngoba amacala abo manengi,
Lezenzo zabo ezimbi zinengi kakhulu.+
7 Ngingalithethelela njani lisenza lokhu?
Amadodana enu angitshiyile,
Afunga ngonkulunkulu wamanga.+
Ngawanika akuswelayo,
Kodwa aqhubeka efeba,
Esiyagcwala endlini yewule.
8 Banjengamabhiza atshiswa yinkanuko,
Ngamunye wabo utshisekela ukulala lomfazi wenye indoda.+
9 Ngakho uJehova uthi: “Kambe ngingayekela ukubajezisa bona besenza izinto lezi?
Ngingayekela sibili ukuphindisela esizweni esinje?”+
10 “Buyani lizohlasela amasimu ayo amagilebisi,
Kodwa lingawatshabalalisi ngokupheleleyo.+
Yephulani izingatsha ezincane,
Ngoba ayisizo zikaJehova.
11 Abendlu yako-Israyeli labendlu yakoJuda
Bangikhohlise kakhulu,” kutsho uJehova.+
12 “Bamlahlile uJehova njalo baqhubeka besithi,
‘Kasoze enze lutho.+
Akulamonakalo ozasehlela,
Asisoze sihlaselwe ngenkemba loba siqedwe yindlala.’+
13 Abaphrofethi baphrofetha izinto ezingekhoyo,
Ilizwi likaNkulunkulu alikho kubo.
Kwangathi bangaba njengamazwi abo!”
14 Ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho uthi:
“Ngenxa yokuthi abantu laba bakhuluma izinto lezi,
Sengisenza amazwi ami abe ngumlilo emlonyeni wakho,+
Bona babe zinkuni.
Umlilo uzabatshabalalisa.”+
15 “Ngizakulethela isizwe esivela khatshana kakhulu, wena ndlu yako-Israyeli,”+ kutsho uJehova,
“Isizwe esesilesikhathi eside sikhona,
Isizwe sakudala,
Esilolimi ongalwaziyo,
Njalo esilabantu abakhuluma izinto ongazizwayo.+
16 Isikhwama sabo semitshoko sinjengengcwaba elivulekileyo,
Bonke bangamaqhawe.
17 Bazatshabalalisa isivuno sakho baqede lesinkwa sakho,+
Babulale amadodana akho lamadodakazi akho.
Bazaqeda izimvu zakho lenkomo zakho,
Batshabalalise amasimu akho amagilebisi lawezihlahla zomkhiwa.
Bazahlasela ngenkemba badilize amadolobho akho owathembileyo avikelwe ngemiduli.”
18 UJehova uthi, “Kodwa langalezonsuku angisoze ngilitshabalalise liphele.+ 19 Nxa bangakubuza bathi, ‘Kungani uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu esehlisele konke lokhu?’ kumele ubaphendule uthi, ‘Njengoba lahlamukela uNkulunkulu lakhonza unkulunkulu wezinye izizwe elizweni lenu, lizasebenzela abantu bezinye izizwe elizweni elingayisilo lenu.’”+
20 Khulumani ngalokhu endlini kaJakhobe,
Likumemezele koJuda lithi:
21 “Zwanini lina bantu abayizithutha labangelangqondo:+
22 ‘Kanti alingesabi yini?’ kutsho uJehova,
‘Akufanelanga yini lithuthumele phambi kwami?
Phela yimi engafaka itshebetshebe ukuthi ibe ngumngcele wolwandle,
Umngcele ozahlala ukhona, ongeke weqiwe lulwandle.
Lanxa amagagasi alo engaphakama, ngeke aweqe,
Lanxa ehlokoma kawedluli aye ngale kwawo.+
23 Kodwa abantu laba balenhliziyo elukhuni futhi bayahlamuka,
Baphambukile bazihambela ngendlela abayifunayo.+
24 Kabatsho ezinhliziyweni zabo ukuthi:
“Asimesabeni uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu,
Osinika izulu ngesikhathi salo,
Izulu lokuqala lezulu lokucina,
Lowo oba leqiniso lokuthi siyasithola isikhathi sokuvuna.”+
25 Iziphambeko zenu yizo ezenze ukuthi lingazitholi izinto lezi,
Izono zenu sezenze ukuthi lingakutholi okuhle.+
26 Phakathi kwabantu bami kulabantu abenza okubi.
Baqhubeka becatheme njengabantu abathiya inyoni.
Bafaka imijibila eyingozi,
Babambe abantu.
27 Izindlu zabo zigcwele impahla abayithole ngobuqili,+
Njengesilugu esigcwele inyoni.
Yikho belamandla futhi benothile.
28 Bazimukile njalo bayacazimula,
Benza izinto ezimbi ezinengi.
29 Ngakho uJehova uthi: “Kambe ngingayekela ukubajezisa bona besenza izinto lezi?
Ngingayekela sibili ukuphindisela esizweni esinje?
30 Elizweni kwenzakale into emangalisayo leyesabekayo.
31 Abaphrofethi baphrofetha amanga,+
Abaphristi basebenzisa izikhundla zabo ukuze bazenzele umathanda phezu kwabantu,
Njalo abantu bami bakuthanda kunjalo.+
Kodwa lizakwenzani nxa ukuphela sekufikile?”
6 Balekani liyecatsha khatshana leJerusalema madodana kaBhenjamini.
Lilumathise uphawu lomlilo eBhethi-hakheremu,
Ngoba kuza umonakalo uvela enyakatho, umonakalo omkhulu.+
2 Indodakazi yaseZiyoni ifanana lowesifazana omuhle othola konke akufunayo.+
3 Abelusi bazakuza lemihlambi yabo,
Bafike bamise amatende abo bayigombolozele,+
Ngamunye eselusa izimvu zakhe.+
4 “Lungelani ukulwa layo!
Sukumani siyihlasele kusesemini!”
“Maye kithi ngoba ilanga selisiyatshona,
Sekuzakuba mnyama!”
5 “Sukumani siyihlasele ebusuku,
Sidilize izinqaba zayo.”+
6 UJehova wamabutho uthi:
“Gamulani izihlahla lenze idundulu lokuhlasela iJerusalema.+
Idolobho leli kumele lijeziswe,
Ngoba abantu bayacindezelwa kulo.+
7 Njengomgodi ogobhoza amanzi aqandayo,
IJerusalema igobhoza okubi kuphela.
Udlakela lokucindezelwa kwabantu kugcwele phakathi kwayo.+
Ngibona imikhuhlane lezifo kuphela.
8 Vuma ukukhuzwa wena Jerusalema, ngoba ungayekela ngizakwenyanya ngikutshiye.+
Ngizakutshabalalisa ngikutshiye ungahlalwa muntu.”+
9 UJehova wamabutho uthi:
“Bazaqeda bonke abako-Israyeli abaseleyo, njengabantu abakha amagilebisi okucina.
Phinda welule isandla sakho njengomuntu obutha amagilebisi emasimini.”
10 “Ngikhulume lobani ngimxwayise?
Ngubani ozalalela?
Phela indlebe zabo zivalekile* yikho bengalaleli.+
Bayaleyisa ilizwi likaJehova,+
Alibathokozisi ngitsho.
11 Ngifuthelene ngolaka lukaJehova,
Sengidiniwe yikuluvalela phakathi.”+
“Luthululele ebantwaneni abasemgwaqweni,+
Lasemajaheni abutheneyo,
Bonke bazathunjwa, kuzathunjwa indoda lomkayo,
Kuthunjwe abagugileyo labaluphele kakhulu.+
12 Izindlu zabo zizanikwa abanye,
Konke lamasimu abo lamakhosikazi abo.+
Ngizakwelulela isandla sami ebantwini abahlala elizweni,” kutsho uJehova.
13 “Kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu, bonke benza inzuzo ngobuqili,+
Kusukela kumphrofethi kusiya kumphristi, bonke nje baqila abantu.+
14 Belapha inxeba labantu bami besenza angathi alilibi kakhulu besithi,
‘Kulokuthula! Kulokuthula!’
Khona kungelakuthula.+
15 Bayayangeka yini ngezinto ezenyanyekayo abazenzileyo?
Abalanhloni ngitsho!
Akusathi thiki kubo nxa besenza okubi!+
Yikho bazakuwa ndawonye labawayo.
Bazakhubeka nxa sengibajezisa,” kutsho uJehova.
16 UJehova uthi:
“Manini lapho okuhlangana khona imigwaqo libone.
Buzani ngemigwaqo yakudala,
Libuze ukuthi indlela enhle ingaphi, beselihamba ngayo,+
Lithole ukuphumula.”
Kodwa bona bathi: “Asisoze sihambe ngayo.”+
Kodwa bona bathi: “Asisoze silalele.”+
18 “Ngakho zwanini lina zizwe!
Lizwe lani bantu,
Lokho okuzakwenzakala kubo.
19 Lalela lawe mhlaba!
Ngizakwehlisela abantu laba umonakalo,+
Ube ngumvuzo wobuqili babo,
Ngoba abawalalelanga amazwi ami,
Bawephule umthetho wami.”
20 “Ngilendaba yini lokuthi libuya lenhlaka yokwenza impepha evela eShebha,
Lemihlanga enukelelayo* eliyithatha elizweni elikhatshana?
Iminikelo yenu yokutshiswa egcweleyo angiyamukeli,
Lemihlatshelo yenu ayingithokozisi.”+
21 Ngakho uJehova uthi:
“Sengifakela abantu laba izikhubekiso,
Njalo zizabakhuba.
22 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Kuza isizwe esikhulu sisuka ezindaweni zomhlaba ezikhatshana,
Kuza abantu abavela elizweni elisenyakatho.+
23 Bazabamba umtshoko lomkhonto.*
Balesihluku njalo abasoze babe lesihawu,
Amazwi abo azazwakala angani yikuhlokoma kolwandle.
Bagade amabhiza,+
Njalo bahlelwe njengamabutho bezokuhlasela, awu ndodakazi yaseZiyoni.”
24 Siwuzwile umbiko walokho,
Izandla zethu zaphela amandla.+
Siphakathi kosizi,
Sizwa ubuhlungu obunjengemihelo yowesifazana obelethayo.+
25 Lingaphumi liye egangeni,
Lingahambi emgwaqweni,
Ngoba isitha sithwele inkemba,
Bonke abantu bayesaba.
26 Awu ndodakazi yabantu bami,
Gqoka isembatho sesaka+ ugiqike emlotheni,
Ulile kabuhlungu+ njengomuntu olilela indodana yakhe eyiyo yodwa,
Ngoba isitha sizatheleka phezu kwethu masinyane.+
27 “Sengikwenze* waba ngumcengi wensimbi phakathi kwabantu bami,
Ukuze ubahlolisise.
Yikho kumele unanzelele futhi uhlolisise izindlela zabo.
Banjengekhopha lensimbi,
Bonke nje bonakele.
29 Abavuthela ngakho umlilo sekutshile.
Emlilweni wabo kulomnuso.*
30 Kuzathiwa bayisiliva esilahliweyo,
Ngoba uJehova usebalahlile.”+
7 Leli lilizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova lisithi: 2 “Mana egedini lendlu kaJehova umemezele ilizwi leli uthi, ‘Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lonke lina bantu bakoJuda, elingena ngamagedi la lisiyakhothama phambi kukaJehova. 3 UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Tshintshani izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu. Lingenza njalo ngizalivumela ukuthi liqhubeke lihlala endaweni le.+ 4 Lingawathembi amazwi obuqili lithi, ‘Leli lithempeli likaJehova, lithempeli likaJehova, lithempeli likaJehova!’+ 5 Nxa lingazitshintsha sibili izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu, lahlulele kuhle phakathi komuntu lomakhelwane wakhe,+ 6 liyekele ukucindezela abantu bezinye izizwe lezintandane labafelokazi,+ lingabulali abantu abangelacala endaweni le futhi lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu ukuze lingaziletheli uhlupho,+ 7 lapho-ke ngizalivumela ukuthi liqhubeke lihlala endaweni le, elizweni engalinika okhokho benu ukuthi libe ngelabo kokuphela.”’”
8 “Kodwa lina lithembe amazwi obuqili,+ awasoze alincede ngalutho. 9 Kambe lingatshontsha,+ libulale abantu, lifebe, lifunge amanga,+ lenzele uBhali imihlatshelo+ futhi lilandele abanye onkulunkulu elalingabazi, 10 beselibuya lizokuma phambi kwami endlini le ebizwa ngebizo lami lisithi lizasindiswa, lina lisenza zonke izinto lezi ezenyanyekayo? 11 Kanti selibona angathi indlu le ebizwa ngebizo lami ilubhalu lwamasela?+ Khathesi sengizibonele ngawami okwenzakalayo,” kutsho uJehova.
12 “‘Hambani endaweni yami eShilo,+ indawo engayikhetha kuqala ukuthi ibizo lami lihlale kuyo,+ liyebona ukuthi ngayenzani ngenxa yezinto ezimbi ezazisenziwa ngabako-Israyeli.+ 13 Kodwa lina liqhubeke lisenza konke lokhu,’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Lanxa bengilokhu ngikhuluma lani ngiphindaphinda,* alizange lilalele.+ Bengiqhubeka ngilibiza kodwa belingasabeli.+ 14 Lokho engakwenza eShilo+ yikho engizakwenza endlini le ebizwa ngebizo lami+ elithembele kuyo,+ lasendaweni le engalinika yona lina labokhokho benu. 15 Ngizalixotsha phambi kwami, njengoba nje ngaxotsha bonke abafowenu, zonke izizukulwane zako-Efrayimi.’+
16 “Kodwa wena ungabathandazeli abantu laba. Ungathandazi loba ukhale ubancengela+ ngoba angisoze ngikulalele.+ 17 Awukuboni yini lokho abakwenzayo emadolobheni akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema? 18 Amadodana atheza inkuni, oyise babasa umlilo futhi abesifazana bavuba ifulawa ukuze benzele iNdlovukazi Yezulu*+ iminikelo yamakhekhe. Bathululela abanye onkulunkulu iminikelo yokunathwayo ukuze bangithukuthelise.+ 19 ‘Kanti balimaza mina yini? Hatshi, bayazilimaza bona njalo bazilethela ihlazo,’+ kutsho uJehova. 20 Ngakho-ke iNkosi Enkulu uJehova ithi, ‘Ngizathululela intukuthelo yami lolaka lwami endaweni le.+ Ngizayithululela phezu kwabantu laphezu kwezinyamazana, lasezihlahleni ezisegangeni laphezu kwezithelo zomhlabathi. Ulaka lwami luzavutha futhi alusoze lucitshwe.’+
21 “UJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Hambani liyehlanganisa iminikelo yenu yokutshiswa leminye imihlatshelo, lidle inyama.+ 22 Ngelanga okhokho benu engabakhipha ngalo elizweni leGibhithe, angizange ngibatshele loba ngibanike imilayo ephathelane leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye lemihlatshelo.+ 23 Kodwa ngabanika umlayo othi: “Lalelani ilizwi lami, ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wenu lina libe ngabantu bami.+ Kumele lihambe ngezindlela zonke engithe lihambe ngazo ukuze liphumelele.”’+ 24 Kodwa abazange balalele loba babe lendaba lalokho engakutshoyo.+ Balandela abakucabangayo,* baqinisa intamo belandela inhliziyo zabo ezimbi+ njalo babuyela emuva kulokuthi baye phambili. 25 Lokhu bakwenza kusukela ngelanga okhokho benu abaphuma ngalo elizweni leGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla.+ Ngakho ngaqhubeka ngithuma kini izinceku zami ezingabaphrofethi. Ngangizithuma nsuku zonke ngiphindaphinda.*+ 26 Kodwa abazange balalele futhi abazange babe lendaba lalokho engangikutsho.+ Baqinisa intamo, benza okubi okwedlula lokho okwakwenziwe ngokhokho babo!
27 “Uzabatshela amazwi la+ kodwa abasoze bakulalele, uzababiza kodwa abasoze basabele. 28 Wena uzakuthi kubo, ‘Lesi yisizwe esingazange sililalele ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu waso futhi esingazange sivume ukulaywa. Akula loyedwa othembekileyo futhi kakho okhuluma ngokuthembeka.’+
29 “Gela inwele zakho ezinde* uzilahle, ulile emaqaqeni angelazihlahla ngoba uJehova usesitshiyile isizukulwane lesi futhi uzasilahla ngoba simthukuthelisile. 30 ‘Abantu bakoJuda benze okubi phambi kwami. Bafake izithombe zabo ezenyanyekayo endlini ebizwa ngebizo lami ukuze bayingcolise,’+ kutsho uJehova. 31 ‘Bakhe izindawo eziphakemeyo* eThofethi, esigodini sendodana kaHinomi,*+ ukuze batshisele khona amadodana lamadodakazi abo emlilweni,+ into engingazange ngibatshele ukuthi bayenze njalo engazange ifike enhliziyweni yami.’*+
32 “‘Ngakho ziyeza izinsuku lapho indawo le engasoze ibizwe ngokuthi yiThofethi loba isigodi sendodana kaHinomi,* kodwa izabizwa ngokuthi yisigodi sokubulawa. Bazangcwaba abantu eThofethi kuze kusale kungaselandawo,’+ kutsho uJehova. 33 ‘Izidumbu zabantu laba zizakuba yikudla kwenyoni lezinyamazana njalo akulamuntu ozazethusa zibaleke.+ 34 Ngizaqeda umsindo wokuthokoza lowokujabula futhi akusoze kuzwakale ilizwi lomyeni lelikamakoti+ emadolobheni akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema ngoba ilizwe lizasala lingamanxiwa.’”+
8 UJehova uthi: “Ngalesosikhathi amathambo amakhosi akoJuda, lamathambo ezikhulu zawo, lawabaphristi, lawabaphrofethi kanye lawabantu abahlala eJerusalema azakhitshwa emangcwabeni abo. 2 Azachaywa elangeni lasenyangeni lakulo lonke ibutho elisemazulwini* ababelithanda futhi belikhonza, belilandela njalo belitshisekela, bekhothama phambi kwalo.+ Kawasoze abuthwe loba angcwatshwe. Azakuba ngumquba emhlabathini.”+
3 “Abazasala emulini le eyenza okubi, bazakubona kungcono ukuthi bafe kulokuthi baphile ezindaweni engizabenza basabalale kuzo,” kutsho uJehova wamabutho.
4 “Kumele uthi kubo, ‘UJehova uthi:
“Bazakuwa bangavuki yini?
Nxa oyedwa angaphenduka, omunye laye kasoze aphenduke yini?
5 Kungani abantu beJerusalema beqhubeka bengathembekanga kimi?
Ababutshiyi ubuqili babo,
Bayala ukuphenduka.+
6 Ngathiya indlebe ngaqhubeka ngilalele, kodwa babekhuluma izinto ezingalunganga.
Akulamuntu owaphenduka watshiya okubi ayekwenza kumbe owayezibuza esithi, ‘Kanti kuyini engikwenzayo?’+
Bonke baqhubeka bebuyela kulokho okwenziwa ngabantu abanengi angathi libhiza ligijimela empini.
7 Ingabuzane elisemkhathini liyasazi isikhathi salo,
Lejuba lenkonjane kanye lezinye inyoni ezincane ziphenduka ngaso kanye isikhathi sazo.*
Kodwa abantu bami bona abazizwisisi izahlulelo zikaJehova.”’+
8 ‘Lingatsho njani ukuthi lihlakaniphile lokuthi lilawo umthetho kaJehova?
Phela ababhali benu babhala amanga wodwa ngosiba lwabo.+
9 Abahlakaniphileyo bayangisiwe,+
Bethukile futhi bazabanjwa.
Abalilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova.
Pho balenhlakanipho bani?
10 Ngizathatha abafazi babo ngibanike amanye amadoda,
Ngithathe amasimu abo ngiwanike abanye abantu,+
Ngoba kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu, bonke benza inzuzo ngobuqili,+
Kusukela kumphrofethi kusiya kumphristi, bonke nje baqila abantu.+
11 Belapha inxeba labantu bami besenza angathi alilibi kakhulu besithi,
“Kulokuthula! Kulokuthula!”
Khona kungelakuthula.+
12 Bayayangeka yini ngezinto ezenyanyekayo abazenzileyo?
Abalanhloni ngitsho!
Akusathi thiki kubo nxa besenza okubi!+
Yikho bazakuwa ndawonye labawayo.
Bazakhubeka nxa sengibajezisa,’+ kutsho uJehova.
13 UJehova uthi, ‘Nxa sengibabutha ngizabaqeda bonke.
Akusoze kusale amagilebisi ezihlahleni zamagilebisi loba amakhiwane ezihlahleni zomkhiwa, njalo amahlamvu azabuna.
Engabapha khona kuzabalahlekela.’”
14 “Kanti sihlaleleni lapha?
Asiqoqaneni siyengena emadolobheni avikelwe ngemiduli+ siyefela khona,
Ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu uzasiqeda sonke.
Usipha amanzi aletshefu ukuthi siwanathe,+
Ngoba sonile kuJehova.
15 Besilethemba lokuthi kuzakuba lokuthula kodwa akulanto enhle efikileyo,
Besilethemba lokuthi sizasiliswa kodwa sehlelwe yibunzima obukhulu!+
16 Kuzwakala ukuthimula kwamabhiza koDani.
Nxa amabhiza esitha ekhonya,
Ilizwe lonke liyazamazama.
Isitha siyangena sitshabalalise ilizwe kanye lakho konke okukulo,
Sitshabalalise idolobho kanye labantu abahlala kulo.”
17 “Ngithumela izinyoka phakathi kwenu,
Izinyoka eziyingozi elingeke lizenzele amasalamusi,
Zizaliluma sibili,” kutsho uJehova.
18 Usizi lwami alupheli,
Inhliziyo yami ibuhlungu.
19 Kuzwakala isililo sabantu bekhalela uncedo elizweni elikhatshana,
Sizwakala endodakazini yabantu bami, bathi:
“UJehova kakho yini eZiyoni?
Lenkosi yeZiyoni kayikho yini phakathi kwayo?”
“Kungani bengithukuthelisile ngezithombe zabo,
Langabonkulunkulu bezinye izizwe abangelancedo?”
20 “Isikhathi sokuvuna siphelile, lehlobo selidlulile,
Kodwa thina asisindiswanga!”
21 Ngidabukile enhliziyweni ngenxa yokuwa kwendodakazi yabantu bakithi,+
Ngidanile,
Njalo ngiyesaba kakhulu.
Kungani indodakazi yabantu bakithi ingazange yelatshwe?+
9 Aluba nje ikhanda lami belingumthombo wamanzi,
Lamehlo ami engumthombo wezinyembezi,+
Bengizakhala ubusuku lemini,
Ngikhalela abantu bakithi ababuleweyo.
2 Aluba bengilendlu yezihambi enkangala,
Bengizasuka ngibatshiye abantu bakithi,
Ngoba bonke bayizifebe,+
Abathembekanga ngitsho.
3 Bahlala bekulungele ukuqamba amanga angathi ngumuntu ogobise idandili* efuna ukutshoka umtshoko.
Akulamuntu othembekileyo elizweni, bonke baqamba amanga.+
“Basuka kokubi bayekwenza okunye okubi,
Njalo abangilaleli ngitsho,”+ kutsho uJehova.
4 “Lonke nanzelelani omakhelwane benu,
Lingabathembi ngitsho labafowenu,
Ngoba bonke abafowenu bangabathengisi,+
Labomakhelwane benu bathanda ukukhuluma kubi ngabanye.+
5 Ngamunye wabo uqila umakhelwane wakhe,
Kakho okhuluma iqiniso.
Bafundise ulimi lwabo ukukhuluma amanga,+
Bayazidinisa ngokwenza izinto ezimbi.
6 Abantu ohlala phakathi kwabo bangamaqili,
Abafuni ukungazi ngenxa yobuqili babo,” kutsho uJehova.
7 Ngakho uJehova wamabutho uthi:
“Ngizabancibilikisa njengensimbi ngibahlole.+
Kambe kuyini okunye engingakwenza ngendodakazi yabantu bami?
8 Ulimi lwabo lunjengomtshoko oyingozi, lukhuluma amanga.
Nxa umuntu ekhuluma lomakhelwane wakhe wenza angathi kulokuthula,
Kodwa ngaphakathi ebumba amacebo okumcathamela.”
9 Ngakho uJehova uthi: “Kambe ngingayekela ukubajezisa bona besenza izinto lezi?
Ngingayekela sibili ukuphindisela esizweni esinje?+
10 Ngizakhala ngililele izintaba,
Ngizalila* ngenxa yamadlelo asegangeni,
Ngoba atshile futhi akuselamuntu odlula khona,
Akusazwakali lomsindo wezifuyo.
Izinyoni lezinyamazana lazo zibalekile, kazisekho.+
11 Ngizakwenza iJerusalema ibe yinqwaba yamatshe+ lendawo yamakhanka,+
Ngizatshabalalisa amadolobho akoJuda kusale kungelamuntu ohlala khona.+
12 Ngubani ohlakaniphe okokuthi angakuzwisisa lokhu?
UJehova utshele bani ukuthi akhulume ngakho?
Kungani ilizwe selitshabalele?
Kungani selitshe laba njengenkangala,
Njalo kungaselamuntu odlula kulo?”
13 UJehova waphendula wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi bawutshiyile umthetho wami engabanika wona njalo abawulandelanga. Abazange balilalele ilizwi lami, 14 kodwa baqinise intamo balandela inhliziyo zabo lezithombe zikaBhali,+ besenza lokho oyise ababafundisa khona.+ 15 Ngakho uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Ngizakwenza abantu laba badle isihlahlakazana esibaba gamu,* ngibanathise lamanzi aletshefu.+ 16 Ngizabasabalalisa bagcwale ezizweni bona laboyise ababengazazi.+ Ngizakwenza ukuthi baxotshaniswe ngenkemba ngize ngibaqede bonke.’+
17 UJehova wamabutho uthi,
‘Cabangisisani ngokwenzakalayo,
Libize abesifazana abahlabela izingoma zokulila,+
Lalabo abaziwa ngokulila,
18 Ukuze babuye masinyane bazosililela,
Sikhale ezimathonsi,
Amehlo ethu ajuluke izinyembezi.+
19 Phela kuzwakale abantu belila eZiyoni+ besithi:
“Awu lakanye saphela!
Sehlelwe lihlazo elikhulu!
Sitshiye ilizwe lethu futhi imizi yethu idiliziwe.”+
20 Lina besifazana lalelani ilizwi likaJehova,
Indlebe zenu kazizwe ilizwi eliphuma emlonyeni wakhe.
Fundisani amadodakazi enu ingoma le yokulila,
Lani liyifundisane.+
21 Ukufa kungene ngamawindi,
Kwangena lasezinqabeni zethu,
Kuzothatha abantwana abasemigwaqweni,
Lamajaha asemagcekeni edolobho.’+
22 Ubatshele uthi, ‘UJehova uthi:
“Izidumbu zabantu zizakuba njengomquba emhlabathini,
Zizakuba njengezikhwebu zamabele asanda kuqunywa ngumuntu ovunayo,
Kodwa kungelamuntu ongazibutha.”’”+
23 UJehova uthi:
“Ohlakaniphileyo kangazigqaji ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe;+
Lolamandla kangazigqaji ngamandla akhe;
Lonothileyo kangazigqaji ngenotho yakhe.”+
24 “Lowo ozigqajayo kazigqaje ngalokhu:
Ukuthi ulokuqedisisa lokuthi uyangazi mina,+
Ukuthi nginguJehova, lowo olothando oluqotho, owahlulela kuhle njalo owenza okulungileyo emhlabeni,+
Ngoba lokho yikho okungithokozisayo,”+ kutsho uJehova.
25 UJehova uthi, “Ziyeza insuku lapho engizajezisa khona bonke abasokileyo kodwa bengasokanga okweqiniso.+ 26 Ngizajezisa labaseGibhithe,+ labakoJuda,+ labako-Edomi,+ lama-Amoni+ labakoMowabi+ labo bonke abahlala enkangala abagela inwele zabo emaceleni,+ ngoba zonke izizwe azisokanga njalo bonke abako-Israyeli abasokanga enhliziyweni.”+
10 Zwanini ilizwi uJehova alikhulume mayelana lani, bantu bako-Israyeli. 2 UJehova uthi:
“Lingafundi imikhuba yezinye izizwe,+
Lingethuswa yizibonakaliso ezisemkhathini
Lanxa izizwe zisethuka nxa zizibona.+
3 Imikhuba yabantu bezinye izizwe ayincedi ngalutho.
Umbazi ugamula isihlahla egangeni,
Abesesibaza ngethuluzi lakhe enze isithombe.+
4 Isithombe leso bayasicecisa ngesiliva langegolide,+
Basibethelele phansi ngesando langezipikili ukuze singawi.+
5 Izithombe zabo azikhulumi,+ zinjengezithombe zokwethusa inyoni ensimini yamakhukhamba.
Ziyathwalwa ngoba azihambi.+
Ungazesabi ngoba ngeke zikulimaze,
Njalo ngeke zikwenzele okuhle.”+
7 Ngubani ongeke akwesabe, Nkosi yezizwe zonke?+ Wena kumele wesatshwe,
Ngoba phakathi kwabo bonke abahlakaniphileyo ezizweni lasemibusweni yonke,
Kakho loyedwa onjengawe.+
9 Isiliva esikhandiweyo silethwa sivela eThashishi,+ legolide livela e-Ufazi,
Sisetshenziswa zingcitshi zomsebenzi labakhandi bensimbi.
Izithombe zabo bazigqokisa izembatho eziluhlaza leziyibubende.*
Zonke zenziwe zingcitshi.
10 Kodwa uJehova nguNkulunkulu weqiniso.
UnguNkulunkulu ophilayo+ leNkosi yaphakade.+
Uzathukuthela umhlaba uzamazame,+
Akulasizwe esizalumela ulaka lwakhe.
11* Nanku okumele ubatshele khona:
“Onkulunkulu abangenzanga amazulu lomhlaba
Bazatshabalala emhlabeni langaphansi kwamazulu.”+
12 UNkulunkulu wenza umhlaba ngamandla akhe,
Walimisa ilizwe ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe,+
Welula amazulu ngokuqedisisa kwakhe.+
13 Nxa ekhuluma,
Amanzi asemazulwini ayahlokoma,+
Wenza kuqubuke amayezi emikhawulweni yomhlaba,+
Kuphazime lombane nxa izulu lisina.
Uvulela umoya oseziphaleni zakhe.+
14 Bonke abantu benza izinto ezitshengisa ukuthi abacabangi lokuthi abalalwazi.
Wonke umkhandi wensimbi uzayangiswa ngenxa yesithombe asenzileyo,+
Ngoba isithombe sakhe sensimbi siyisiphamaso,
15 Izithombe azincedi ngalutho futhi ziyinhlekisa.+
Zizatshabalala ngosuku lokwahlulelwa kwazo.
16 Lowo oyisabelo sikaJakhobe kafanani lezithombe lezi,
Ngoba nguye owenza konke.
Abako-Israyeli bayintonga yelifa lakhe.+
Ibizo lakhe nguJehova wamabutho.+
17 Qoqa impahla yakho,
Wena wesifazana ovinjezelweyo.
18 UJehova uthi:
“Khathesi ngizasusa abantu abahlala elizweni leli ngibaphosele khatshana,+
Njalo ngizabehlisela usizi.”
19 Maye kimi ngiwile!+
Inxeba lami alelapheki.
Yikho ngathi: “Lo ngumkhuhlane wami, kumele ngiwubekezelele.
20 Itende lami lidilikile lentambo zalo ziqamukile.+
Amadodana ami angitshiyile, awasekho.+
Akulamuntu ongavusa itende lami loba aphakamise amalembu alo.
21 Abelusi benze izinto ezingelangqondo.+
Abambuzanga uJehova,+
Yikho benze izinto ezitshengisa ukuthi abaqedisisi,
Yonke imihlambi yabo isisabalele.”+
22 Lalela! Kulombiko ozayo!
Kuza ukuzamazama okukhulu okuvela elizweni elisenyakatho,+
Kuzatshabalalisa amadolobho akoJuda kuwatshiye eyindawo yamakhanka.+
23 Awu Jehova, ngiyakwazi ukuthi umuntu kalamandla okuqondisa indlela yakhe.
Umuntu kaliphiwanga ilungelo lokuqondisa izinyathelo zakhe.+
24 Awu Jehova ngiqondisa ngendlela oyibona ifanele,
25 Thululela ulaka lwakho ezizweni ezingelandaba lawe,+
Lasebantwini abangalibiziyo ibizo lakho,
Ngoba bahlasele uJakhobe.+
11 Leli lilizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova lisithi: 2 “Zwanini amazwi esivumelwano engasenzayo lina bantu!
“Watshele* abantu bakoJuda lalabo abahlala eJerusalema, 3 uthi kubo, ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Uqalekisiwe umuntu ongawalaleliyo amazwi esivumelwano lesi+ 4 engasenza labokhokho benu ngelanga engabakhipha ngalo elizweni leGibhithe,+ phakathi kweziko lokuncibilikisa insimbi.+ Ngabalaya ngathi, ‘Lalelani ilizwi lami, lenze konke engilitshela khona. Lingenza njalo lizakuba ngabantu bami, mina ngibe nguNkulunkulu wenu,+ 5 ukuze ngigcwalise isifungo engasenza kubokhokho benu. Ngafunga ukuthi ngizabanika ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju,+ njengoba nje kunjalo lamuhla.’”’”
Mina ngaphendula ngathi: “Ameni* Jehova.”
6 UJehova wasesithi kimi: “Khuluma wonke amazwi la emadolobheni akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema uthi: ‘Zwanini amazwi esivumelwano lesi liwenze. 7 Kusukela ngelanga engakhipha ngalo okhokho benu elizweni leGibhithe kuze kube lamuhla, bengilokhu ngibakhuza* ngisithi: “Lalelani ilizwi lami.”+ 8 Kodwa abazange balalele loba babe lendaba lalokho engangikutsho. Bonke baqinisa amakhanda balandela inhliziyo zabo ezimbi.+ Abazange benze engangibatshele khona, yikho ngabehlisela konke okusemazwini esivumelwano lesi engabanika sona.’”
9 UJehova wasesithi kimi: “Abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema babumbe icebo lokungihlamukela. 10 Babuyele ezonweni zabokhokho babo ababengafuni ukulalela amazwi ami,+ balandela abanye onkulunkulu babakhonza.+ Abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda bephule isivumelwano engasenza labokhokho babo.+ 11 Ngakho uJehova uthi, ‘Ngizabehlisela umonakalo+ abangasoze bawubalekele. Bazangibiza bacele uncedo, kodwa angisoze ngibalalele.+ 12 Ngalesosikhathi abantu abahlala emadolobheni akoJuda laseJerusalema bazakuyacela uncedo kubonkulunkulu abanikela kubo imihlatshelo,+ kodwa onkulunkulu labo abasoze babancede nxa sebesebunzimeni. 13 Onkulunkulu bakho wena Juda sebebanengi njengamadolobho akho njalo wakhe ama-alithare okwenzela uBhali imihlatshelo.+ Ama-alithare owakhele unkulunkulu lo olihlazo asemanengi njengemigwaqo yeJerusalema.’
14 “Kodwa wena* ungabathandazeli abantu laba. Ungakhali ubancengela kumbe ubathandazela+ ngoba angisoze ngilalele nxa sebengibiza besebunzimeni.
15 Abantu bami engibathandayo babuya njani endlini yami?
Phela abanengi babo benza izinto ezimbi.
Kambe bangawubalekela umonakalo ozayo ngokwenza imihlatshelo ngezifuyo zabo?
Bazathokoza yini ngalesosikhathi?
16 UJehova wake wakubiza ngokuthi uyisihlahla sama-oliva esihle,
Isihlahla esihle esilezithelo ezinhle.
Ngomdumo omkhulu ukulumathise ngomlilo,
Wephula ingatsha zakho.
17 “UJehova wamabutho owakuhlanyelayo+ usekhulumile ukuthi uzakwehlelwa ngumonakalo. Lokhu kuzakwenzakala ngenxa yezinto ezimbi ezenziwa ngabantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda. Bayangithukuthelisa ngokwenzela uBhali imihlatshelo.”+
18 UJehova wangitshela ukuze ngazi.
Ngalesosikhathi wangenza ngabona ababekwenza.
19 Nganginjengemvana elungileyo eyahlatshwa.
Ngangingazi ukuthi bangibumbela amacebo amabi besithi:+
“Asitshabalaliseni isihlahla lezithelo zaso,
Asimbulaleni simsuse emhlabeni,
Ukuze ibizo lakhe lingaphindi likhunjulwe.”
Ngivumela ngibone ukuphindisela kwakho kubo,
Ngoba udaba lwami ngilubeke kuwe.
21 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngamadoda e-Anathothi+ afuna ukukubulala esithi: “Ungaphrofethi ngebizo likaJehova+ ngoba sizakubulala,” 22 uJehova wamabutho uthi: “Ngizawajezisa, amajaha azabulawa ngenkemba+ njalo amadodana lamadodakazi abo azaqedwa yindlala.+ 23 Akulamuntu ozasala phakathi kwabo ngoba ngizakwehlisela abantu base-Anathothi+ umonakalo ngomnyaka engizabajezisa ngawo.”
12 Ulungile Jehova+ nxa ngisethula izikhalazo zami kuwe,
Ulungile nxa ngikhuluma lawe ngendlela owahlulela ngayo.
Kodwa kungani abantu abenza okubi bephumelela?+
Kungani abantu abalobuqili bengakhathazeki ngalutho?
2 Ubahlanyelile baba lempande,
Sebekhule baze bathela izithelo.
Bahlala bekhuluma ngawe, kodwa awukho enhliziyweni zabo.+
3 Wena Jehova ungazi kuhle+ futhi uyangibona.
Uhlole inhliziyo yami wathola ukuthi ivumelana lawe.+
Bakhethe njengezimvu eziyahlatshwa,
Ubagcinele ilanga labo lokubulawa.
4 Kuzaze kube nini ilizwe lilokhu lomile?
Kuzaze kube nini utshani bonke obusegangeni butshile?+
Inyamazana lenyoni kuphelile,
Ngenxa yezinto ezimbi ezenziwa ngabahlala elizweni.
Phela bathi: “Kaboni ukuthi kuyini okuzakwenzakala kithi.”
5 Nxa udinwa ugijima lamabutho,
Uzakwenelisa yini ukugijima lamabhiza?+
Lanxa ulesibindi nxa uselizweni elilokuthula,
Awusoze wesabe yini usuphakathi kwegusu elimnyama eliseduze kukaJodani?
6 Phela labafowenu abazalwa nguyihlo
Bakukhohlisile.+
Bayamemeza bekhuluma kubi ngawe.
Lanxa bangaze bakutshele izinto ezinhle,
Ungabathembi.
7 “Ngitshiye indlu yami+ lelifa lami.+
Othandekayo wami sengimnikele ezandleni zezitha zakhe.+
8 Lowo olilifa lami usenjengesilwane esiseguswini.
Ungibhongele,
Yikho sengimzonda.
9 Kimi usenjengenyoni ezingelayo emibalabala,
Ezinye inyoni ezizingelayo ziyamhanqa zimhlasele.+
Buyani lonke zinyamazana zeganga libuthane,
Wozani lidle.+
10 Abelusi abanengi sebetshabalalise insimu yami yamagilebisi,+
Banyathenyathela indawo yami elizweni.+
Batshabalalise indawo yami bayitshiya iyinkangala.
11 Ilifa lami selilunxiwa,
Selomile.
Ngilibona lingaselalutho.+
Ilizwe lonke seliyinkangala,
Kodwa akulamuntu ozihlupha ngakho.+
12 Abahlaselayo bathutshe ngazo zonke indlela ezivuthiweyo ezidabula enkangala,
Inkemba kaJehova izabulala abantu kusukela emngceleni welizwe kusiya komunye umngcele.+
Kakho ozahlala ngokuthula.
13 Bahlanyele ingqoloyi kodwa bavuna ameva.+
Basebenze nzima kodwa abatholanga lutho.
Bazayangeka ngesivuno sabo,
Ngenxa yolaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo.”
14 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova kubo bonke omakhelwane abenza okubi, abahlasela ilizwe* engenza ukuthi abantu bami bako-Israyeli bahlale kulo,+ uthi: “Ngizabasusa elizweni labo,+ ngisuse lendlu yakoJuda phakathi kwabo. 15 Kodwa ngemva kokubasusa ngizaphinda ngibe lesihawu kubo, ngibuyisele ngamunye wabo elifeni lakhe lasendaweni yakhe.”
16 “Nxa bangafunda izindlela zabantu bami, bafunde lokufunga ngebizo lami besithi, ‘Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo,’ njengoba nje babefundisa abantu bami ukufunga ngoBhali, lapho-ke labo ngizabenza babe ngabantu bami. 17 Kodwa nxa isizwe leso singalaleli, ngizasisusa ngisitshabalalise siphele,” kutsho uJehova.+
13 UJehova wangitshela wathi: “Hamba uyethenga ibhanti lelineni ulibophe ekhalweni lwakho, kodwa ungalifaki emanzini.” 2 Ngakho ngalithenga ibhanti njengoba uJehova wayetshilo ngasengilibopha ekhalweni. 3 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi okwesibili lathi: 4 “Thatha ibhanti owalithengayo olibophe ekhalweni, uye emfuleni uYufrathe ufike ulifihle engoxweni yedwala.” 5 Ngakho ngahamba ngayalifihla duze komfula uYufrathe, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo kimi.
6 Kodwa ngemva kwensuku ezinengi uJehova wathi kimi: “Suka uye emfuleni uYufrathe ufike uthathe ibhanti engakutshela ukuthi ulifihle.” 7 Ngakho ngaya emfuleni uYufrathe ngafika ngagebha ngathatha ibhanti lapho engangilifihle khona. Ngananzelela ukuthi ibhanti lelo laselibolile, lingasancedi.
8 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kimi lathi: 9 “UJehova uthi, ‘Le yiyo indlela engizaqeda ngayo ukuzikhukhumeza kukaJuda lokuzigqaja kweJerusalema.+ 10 Abantu laba abenza okubi futhi abangafuni ukulalela lokho engibatshela khona,+ beqinisa amakhanda belandela inhliziyo zabo+ labanye onkulunkulu, bebakhonza njalo bebakhothamela, bazakuba njengebhanti leli elingasancedi ngalutho.’ 11 ‘Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli labo bonke abantu bakoJuda ngabenza banamathela kimi njengebhanti elinamathela ekhalweni lomuntu oligqokileyo ukuze babe ngabantu bami,+ bangikhazimulise,+ bangidumise njalo babe yinto enhle. Kodwa bona abazange balalele,’+ kutsho uJehova.
12 “Nanku okunye okumele ubatshele khona, ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Zonke imbiza ezinkulu kumele zigcwaliswe ngewayini.”’ Bona bazakuphendula bathi, ‘Kanti asikwazi yini ukuthi zonke imbiza ezinkulu kumele zigcwaliswe ngewayini?’ 13 Wena ubaphendule uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Bonke abantu abahlala elizweni leli ngizabenza badakwe.+ Ngizadakisa amakhosi ahlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida, labaphristi, labaphrofethi, labo bonke abantu abahlala eJerusalema. 14 Njengembiza enkulu itshayaniswa lenye imbiza enkulu, ngizakwenza obaba batshabalalise amadodana abo,+ lamadodana atshabalalise oyise. Angisoze ngibe lesihawu loba ngibazwele kumbe ngibe lomusa kubo. Akulanto ezangivimba ukuthi ngibatshabalalise,”+ kutsho uJehova.’
15 Lalelani lizwe,
Lingazikhukhumezi ngoba uJehova usekhulumile.
16 Dumisani uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu,
Engakalethi ubumnyama,
Lenyawo zenu zingakakhubeki ezintabeni esezisembeswa ngumnyama.
Lizalindela ukukhanya,
Kodwa yena uzakwenza kube mnyama bhuqe,
Uzatshintsha ukukhanya kube ngumnyama owesabekayo.+
17 Nxa lingalaleli,
Ngizakhala ngisekusithekeni ngenxa yokuzigqaja kwenu.
18 Tshela inkosi lonina wenkosi+ uthi, ‘Hlalani endaweni ephansi,
Ngoba imiqhele yenu emihle izakuwa emakhanda enu.’
19 Amadolobho aseningizimu avaliwe,* akulamuntu ongawavula.
Bonke abantu bakoJuda sebethunjiwe, babuthwe bonke bahanjiswa ekuthunjweni.+
20 Phakamisa amehlo akho ubone labo abavela enyakatho.+
Ungaphi umhlambi owawuphiwayo? Zingaphi izimvu zakho ezinhle?+
21 Uzathini nxa usujeziswa
Ngabangane bakho obathandayo owawulabo kusukela kudala?+
Awusoze ujunywe yimihelo yini njengowesifazana obelethayo?+
22 Kodwa nxa ungathi enhliziyweni yakho, ‘Kungani ngehlelwe yizinto lezi?’+
Kungenxa yokuthi isono sakho sikhulu yikho unqunuliwe,+
Lezithende zakho zibuhlungu.
23 Kambe umKhushi* angalitshintsha ijwabu lakhe? Lengwe ingawatshintsha yini amabala ayo?+
Nxa lokhu kungenzakala, kutsho ukuthi lani lingenelisa ukwenza okuhle,
Lina bantu eselifunde ukwenza okubi.
24 Ngakho ngizabachithachitha njengamahlanga aphetshulwa ngumoya wenkangala.+
25 Lesi yiso isabelo sakho, ilifa engikuphe lona,” kutsho uJehova,
26 Ngakho ngizakwembula izigqoko zakho zifike ebusweni,
Abantu babone ubunqunu bakho,+
27 Lobufebe+ bakho lokukhonya kwakho njengebhiza utshiswa yinkanuko,
Kanye lobuwule bakho obenyanyekayo.
Ngikubonile ukuziphatha kwakho okulihlazo+
Okwenza emaqaqeni lasegangeni.
Maye kuwe Jerusalema!
Kuzaze kube nini ulokhu ungcolile?”+
14 Leli lilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya elalimayelana lendlala:+
2 Abantu bakoJuda bayalila,+ lamagedi abo awile.
Bahlezi phansi behlulukelwe,
Njalo kuzwakala isililo eJerusalema.
3 Amakhosi abo athuma izinceku zawo ukuthi ziyekukha amanzi.
Ziyahamba ziyewadinga emithonjeni kodwa zithole komile,
Beseziphenduka zithwele imbiza zamanzi ezingelalutho.
Zifika zidanile futhi ziyangekile,
Zimboze amakhanda azo.
4 Umhlabathi womile
Ngenxa yokuthi akulazulu elizweni.+
Abalimi bamangele futhi bamboze amakhanda abo.
5 Lempalakazi ilitshiya egangeni izinyane layo elisanda kuzalwa,
Ngoba akuselatshani.
6 Obabhemi beganga bamile emaqaqeni angelazihlahla,
Badonsa umoya njengamakhanka bezama ukuphefumula.
Amehlo abo awasaboni kuhle ngoba akulatshani.+
7 Lanxa iziphambeko zethu ziveza ukuthi sonile,
Sicela usincede, awu Jehova, ngenxa yebizo lakho,+
Ngoba iziphambeko zethu sezizinengi,+
Njalo sonile kuwe.
8 Awu themba labantu bako-Israyeli, wena obasindisayo+ nxa besekuhluphekeni,
Kungani unjengesihambi elizweni,
Esihlala ubusuku obubodwa nje sidlule?
9 Kungani unjengomuntu omangeleyo?
Kungani unjengomuntu olamandla kodwa ongenelisi ukusindisa abantu bakhe?
Ngakho ungasilahli.
10 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngabantu laba: “Bathanda ukuhamba,+ abazibambanga inyawo zabo.+ Yikho uJehova kathokozi ngabo,+ uzakhumbula iziphambeko zabo abajezisele izono zabo.”+
11 UJehova wasesithi kimi: “Ungathandazi ucela ukuthi ngibenzele okuhle abantu laba.+ 12 Bazila ukudla bengincenga kodwa angibalaleli.+ Banikela ngeminikelo yokutshiswa egcweleyo langeminikelo yamabele kodwa ayingithokozisi.+ Ngizabaqeda ngenkemba, langendlala langesifo.”*+
13 Mina ngasengisithi: “Awu Nkosi Enkulu Jehova, abaphrofethi bathi kubo, ‘Alisoze libulawe ngenkemba loba lihlaselwe yindlala kodwa ngizalinika ukuthula okukhulu endaweni le.’”+
14 UJehova wasesithi kimi: “Abaphrofethi baphrofetha amanga ngebizo lami.+ Angibathumanga, angibalayanga futhi angikhulumanga labo.+ Baphrofetha kini imibono yamanga lokuhlahlula okungancediyo njalo bakhuluma ubuqili obusezinhliziyweni zabo.+ 15 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Abaphrofethi laba abaphrofetha ngebizo lami mina ngingabathumanga futhi abatshela abantu ukuthi abasoze babulawe ngenkemba loba bahlaselwe yindlala elizweni leli, bazabulawa ngenkemba baqedwe layindlala.+ 16 Izidumbu zalabo ababelalela iziphrofetho zabo zizagcwala emigwaqweni yeJerusalema ngenxa yendlala lenkemba. Akulamuntu ozabangcwaba+ bona labomkabo, lamadodana abo lamadodakazi abo ngoba ngizabehlisela isijeziso esibafaneleyo.’+
17 “Kumele uthi kubo,
‘Amehlo ami kawajuluke izinyembezi ubusuku lemini, ngikhale ngingathuli,+
Ngoba indodakazi yabantu bami eyintombi egcweleyo ihlaselwe yephulwa,+
Yasala ilenxeba elibi.
18 Nxa ngingaya egangeni,
Ngibona abantu ababulewe ngenkemba.+
Nxa ngingangena edolobheni,
Ngibona abagula imikhuhlane ebangelwa yindlala!+
Abaphrofethi labaphristi babhodabhoda elizweni abangalaziyo.’”+
19 Usumlahle kokuphela yini uJuda? Usuyenyanya yini iZiyoni?+
Kungani usitshaye kabuhlungu sasala singaselapheki?+
Besilethemba lokuthi kuzakuba lokuthula kodwa akulanto enhle efikileyo,
Besilethemba lokuthi sizasiliswa kodwa sehlelwe yibunzima obukhulu!+
20 Siyavuma ukuthi senze okubi, awu Jehova,
Siyazivuma leziphambeko zabokhokho bethu,
Ngoba sonile kuwe.+
21 Ungasilahli ngenxa yebizo lakho,+
Ungaseyisi isihlalo sakho sobukhosi esikhazimulayo.
Khumbula isivumelwano owasenza lathi, ungasephuli.+
22 Kambe izithombe ezingelancedo zingaliletha yini izulu,
Lomkhathi uwodwa ungawuletha na umfefezo?
Nguwe wedwa awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu ongakwenza lokhu.+
Sibeka ithemba lethu kuwe,
Ngoba nguwe wedwa owenze lezizinto.
15 UJehova wathi kimi: “Lanxa uMosi loSamuyeli bebengama phambi kwami+ bengingasoze ngibazwele abantu laba. Baxotshe phambi kwami, kabahambe. 2 Nxa bangakubuza bathi, ‘Manje siyengaphi?’ wena ubaphendule uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Ozabulawa ngumkhuhlane otshabalalisayo kabulawe yiwo!
Ozabulawa yinkemba kabulawe yinkemba!+
Lozabulawa yindlala kabulawe yindlala!
Lalowo ozathunjwa kathunjwe!”’+
3 “UJehova uthi, ‘Ngizabehlisela inhlupho ezine,*+ inkemba ezababulala, lezinja ezizahudula izidumbu zabo kanye lenyoni lenyamazana zeganga ezizabadla zibaqede.+ 4 Ngizabehlisela umonakalo ozakwenza ukuthi yonke imibuso yomhlaba yesabe+ ngenxa yalokho uManase indodana kaHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda ayekwenza eJerusalema.+
5 Ngubani ozakuba lesihawu kuwe Jerusalema?
Ngubani ozakuzwela?
Ngubani ozakuma abuze ukuthi unjani?’
Yikho ngizakwelula isandla sami ngikutshabalalise,+
Ngoba sengidiniwe ngokukuzwela.
7 Ngizabaphosela emoyeni ngefologwe yokwela emagedini edolobho.
Ngizabulala abantwababo.+
Abantu bami ngizabatshabalalisa
Ngoba abafuni ukutshiya izindlela zabo.+
8 Abafelokazi bazakuba banengi kuletshebetshebe yolwandle.
Ngizakwenza izitha zibahlasele emini libalele, zihlasele omama lamadodana abo.
Ngizabehlisela ukwesaba okukhulu belibele.
9 Owesifazana obezele amadodana ayisikhombisa kaselamandla,
Wehluleka ngitsho lokuphefumula.
Ilanga limtshonele emini,
Useyangekile, inhloni zimphethe.’
‘Abalutshwana abaseleyo
Ngizabanikela ezitheni zabo zibahlasele ngenkemba,’ kutsho uJehova.”+
10 Maye kimi mama ngoba wangizala!+
Sengingumuntu ohlala esilwa njalo exabana labantu bonke elizweni.
Angilasikwelede somuntu futhi angibolekanga lutho emuntwini,
Kodwa bonke bayangithethisa.
11 UJehova wathi: “Ngizakuncedisa loba sekutheni,
Ngikukhulule nxa usuphakathi kobunzima,
Ngesikhathi usukhathazekile ngenxa yesitha esikuhlaselayo.
12 Ukhona yini ongephula insimbi ibe yizicucu,
Insimbi yenyakatho loba ikhopha?
13 Ngizakwenza ukuthi izitha zithumbe impahla yakho lamagugu akho.+
Angisoze ngiwathengise kodwa azathunjwa ngenxa yazo zonke izono owazenza kulo lonke ilizwe lakho.
14 Ngizawanika izitha zakho
Ziwathathe zihambe lawo elizweni ongalaziyo,+
Ngoba ulaka lwami luyavutha.
Luzavutha phezu kwenu.”+
Ungangiyekeli ngitshabalala ngoba wena uyaphuza ukuthukuthela.
Khumbula ukuthi ngiyathukwa ngenxa yakho.+
16 Amazwi akho atholakala ngawadla;+
Ilizwi lakho lenza inhliziyo yami yagubhazela ngentokozo,
Ngoba ngibizwa ngebizo lakho, awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wamabutho.
17 Angihlali labantu abathanda injabulo ngizithokozise labo.+
18 Kungani ubuhlungu engibuzwayo bungapheli lenxeba lami lingapholi?
Inxeba lami alelapheki.
Kambe lina lizakuba ngumthombo wamanzi ongagobhoziyo yini,
Okungelamuntu ongawuthemba?
19 Ngakho uJehova uthi:
“Nxa ungaphenduka kimi, ngizakwamukela,
Njalo uzakuma phambi kwami.
Nxa ungehlukanisa okuligugu kulokho okungelancedo,
Uzakuba ngumlomo* wami.
Bazaphenduka baze kuwe,
Kodwa wena awusoze uye kubo.”
20 “Sengikwenze waba ngumduli wekhopha ebantwini laba.+
Bazakulwa lawe sibili,
Kodwa abasoze bakunqobe,+
Ngoba ngilawe ukuze ngikukhulule njalo ngikusindise,” kutsho uJehova.
21 “Ngizakukhulula esandleni sabantu abenza okubi,
Ngikusindise ebantwini abalesihluku.”
16 Ilizwi likaJehova laphinda lafika kimi lathi: 2 “Akumelanga uthathe umfazi njalo akumelanga ube lamadodana lamadodakazi endaweni le, 3 ngoba nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngamadodana lamadodakazi azalwa elizweni leli kanye labonina laboyise: 4 ‘Bazabulawa yimikhuhlane etshabalalisayo+ njalo akulamuntu ozabakhalela loba abangcwabe. Bazakuba ngumquba emhlabathini.+ Bazaqedwa yinkemba layindlala+ futhi izidumbu zabo zizadliwa zinyoni lezinyamazana.’
5 UJehova uthi,
‘Ungayi endlini yesililo,
Ungangeni kuyo usiyaduduza abalilayo kumbe usiyakhala,+
Ngoba ukuthula kwami sengikususile ebantwini laba,
Ngasusa lothando lwami* kanye lesihawu sami,’+ kutsho uJehova.
6 ‘Kuzakufa abancane labakhulu elizweni leli.
Abasoze bangcwatshwe,
Njalo akulamuntu ozabakhalela.
Kakho ozazisika loba aphuce ikhanda ngenxa yabo.*
7 Akulamuntu ozanika abalilayo ukudla,
Ukuze abaduduze ngokufelwa kwabo.
Kakho ozabanika iwayini lokubaduduza,
Ukuze banathe baduduzeke ngokufelwa ngoyise loba ngonina.
8 Ungangeni lasendlini yedili,
Usiyahlala labo ukuze udle njalo unathe.’
9 “Phela uJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Ngensuku zenu ngizaqeda umsindo wentokozo lowokujabula endaweni le futhi akusoze kuzwakale ilizwi lomyeni loba elikamakoti.+ Lokhu ngizakwenza phambi kwamehlo enu.’
10 “Nxa ungatshela abantu wonke amazwi la, bazakubuza bathi, ‘Kungani uJehova esithi uzasehlisela umonakalo ongaka? Senze cala bani futhi soneni kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu?’+ 11 Kumele ubaphendule uthi, ‘“Kungenxa yokuthi okhokho benu bangitshiya+ baqhubeka belandela abanye onkulunkulu, bebakhonza futhi bebakhothamela.+ Bangitshiya njalo abawulalelanga umthetho wami,”+ kutsho uJehova. 12 “Lina lenze okubi ukwedlula lokho okwenziwa ngokhokho benu+ futhi lonke lilenkani, liqhubeka lilandela inhliziyo zenu ezimbi kulokuthi lingilalele.+ 13 Ngizalisusa elizweni leli ngiyelilahlela elizweni elingalaziyo futhi elalingaziwa ngokhokho benu.+ Selikhonale lizakhonza abanye onkulunkulu ubusuku lemini+ ngoba angisoze ngibe lomusa kini.”’
14 “UJehova uthi: ‘Ziyeza insuku lapho abangasoze baphinde bathi: “Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, owakhipha abantu bako-Israyeli elizweni leGibhithe!”+ 15 Kodwa bazakuthi: “Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, owakhipha abantu bako-Israyeli elizweni elisenyakatho lakuwo wonke amazwe ayebenze basabalala kuwo!” Ngizababuyisela elizweni labo, ilizwe engalinika okhokho babo.’+
16 ‘Ngizathumela abagoli benhlanzi abanengi.
Bazabadinga babagole.
Ngemva kwalokho ngizathuma abazingeli abanengi,
Babazingele kuzo zonke intaba lakuwo wonke amaqaqa,
Babadinge lasezingoxweni zamadwala,’ kutsho uJehova,
17 ‘Ngoba amehlo ami ayakubona konke abakwenzayo.
Ngeke bangifihlele lutho,
Lesono sabo ngiyasibona.
18 Ngizaqala ngokubapha sonke isijeziso esifanele izono zabo lamacala abo,+
Ngoba bangcolise ilizwe lami ngezithombe zabo ezenyanyekayo futhi ezingaphiliyo.
Bagcwalise ilifa lami ngezinto ezenyanyekayo.’”+
19 Awu Jehova, ungamandla ami lenqaba yami,
Uyindawo engibalekela kuyo nxa ngisebunzimeni.+
Izizwe zizabuya kuwe zivela emikhawulweni yomhlaba,
Zifike zithi: “Okhokho bethu baqhubeka bekhonza onkulunkulu bamanga,
Iziphamaso ezingancedi ngalutho.”+
20 Kambe umuntu angazenzela onkulunkulu bakhe?
Uyabe esenza iziphamaso nje.+
21 “Ngakho ngizabafundisa,
Ngalesosikhathi ngizabenza bawazi amandla ami lobukhulu bami,
Bazakwazi ukuthi ibizo lami nguJehova.”
17 “Isono sabantu bakoJuda sibhalwe ngensimbi,
Sibhalwe ngomcijo wedayimana ezinhliziyweni zabo,
Lasezimpondweni zama-alithare abo.
2 Amadodana abo akhumbula ama-alithare abo kanye lezithombe zika-Ashera,*+
Eceleni kwezihlahla eziyizithingithingi laphezu kwamaqaqa aphakemeyo,+
3 Laphezu kwezintaba ezisemaphandleni.
Ngizakwenza ukuthi izitha zithumbe impahla yakho lamagugu akho wonke,+
Zizathumba izindawo zakho eziphakemeyo* ngenxa yezono owawuzenza kulo lonke ilizwe lakho.+
4 Uzalitshiya wedwa ilifa engakunika lona.+
Ngizakwenza usebenzele izitha zakho elizweni ongalaziyo,+
Ngoba wenze ulaka lwami lwavutha njengomlilo.+
Luzavutha kokuphela.”
5 UJehova uthi:
“Uqalekisiwe umuntu* othembela ebantwini,+
Othembela emandleni omuntu,+
Njalo olenhliziyo efulathela uJehova.
6 Uzakuba njengesihlahla esithe qekele enkangala.
Kasoze akubone okuhle nxa kusiza.
Uzahlala ezindaweni ezomileyo enkangala,
Elizweni eligcwele isawudo okungelamuntu ongahlala kulo.
8 Uzakuba njengesihlahla esihlanyelwe eceleni kwamanzi,
Esinabisa impande zaso ziyefika esifuleni.
Kasoze akuzwe ukutshisa nxa kufika,
Njalo amahlamvu akhe azahlala eluhlaza.+
Ngomnyaka wendlala kasoze akhathazeke,
Uzaqhubeka ethela izithelo.
9 Inhliziyo iyakhohlisa* ukwedlula loba yini njalo imbi kakhulu.+
Ngubani ongayizwisisa?
10 Mina Jehova ngihlola inhliziyo,+
Ngihlolisise lemicabango ejulileyo,*
Ukuze nginike umuntu ngamunye umvuzo ofanele izenzo zakhe,
Njalo ohambelana lezithelo zemisebenzi yakhe.+
11 Njengesikhwehle esifukamela amaqanda esingawabekelanga,
Unjalo umuntu othola inotho ngobuqili.+
Izamphelela masinyane,
Njalo ekucineni kuzakhanya ukuthi kalangqondo.”
12 Isihlalo sobukhosi esikhazimulayo besilokhu siphakeme kusukela ekuqaleni,
Njalo siyindawo yethu engcwele.+
13 Awu Jehova, themba labantu bako-Israyeli,
Bonke abakutshiyayo bazayangeka.
Labo abakuhlamukelayo* bazabhalwa emhlabathini,+
Ngoba bakutshiyile Jehova, lanxa wena ungumthombo wamanzi okuphila.+
14 Ngisilisa awu Jehova, ngisile.
Ngisindisa ngisinde,+
Ngoba mina ngiyakudumisa.
15 Kulabanye abathi kimi:
“Lingaphi ilizwi likaJehova?+
Kaligcwaliseke phela!”
16 Kodwa mina angizange ngiyekele ukukulandela ngoba wena ungumelusi wami,
Njalo angizange ngifise ukuthi usuku lokuhlupheka lufike.
Ukwazi kuhle konke engikukhulumileyo,
Konke kwenzakale phambi kwamehlo akho.
17 Ungangenzi ngesabe,
Wena uyisiphephelo sami ngosuku lokuhlupheka.
18 Abangihlukuluzayo kabayangiswe,+
Kodwa ungavumi ukuthi mina ngiyangeke.
Kabethuke baqhaqhazele,
Kodwa ungavumi ukuthi mina ngethuswe.
Balethele usuku lwakho lokuhlupheka,+
Ubatshabalalise baphele bonke.
19 UJehova wathi kimi: “Hamba uyekuma egedini elikhulu,* lelo amakhosi akoJuda angena ngalo laphuma ngalo, uye lakuwo wonke amagedi eJerusalema.+ 20 Kumele uthi kubo, ‘Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina makhosi akoJuda, labantu bonke bakoJuda kanye lani lonke elihlala eJerusalema elingena ngamagedi la. 21 UJehova uthi: “Nanzelelani ukuthi alithwali imithwalo ngelanga leSabatha lokuthi aliyingenisi emagedini eJerusalema.+ 22 Akumelanga likhiphe imithwalo emizini yenu ngelanga leSabatha njalo akumelanga lenze loba yiwuphi umsebenzi.+ Gcinani usuku lweSabatha lungcwele njengoba nje ngatshela okhokho benu ukuthi benze njalo.+ 23 Kodwa abazange balalele loba babe lendaba lalokho engangibatshela khona. Baqinisa amakhanda, bala ukulalela ngibalaya.”’+
24 “‘UJehova uthi: “Kodwa nxa lingalalela konke engikutshoyo njalo lingangenisi imithwalo emagedini edolobho ngelanga leSabatha, ligcine ilanga leSabatha lingcwele ngokungenzi loba yiwuphi umsebenzi,+ 25 lapho-ke amakhosi lezikhulu zawo ezihlala* esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida+ bazangena edolobheni leli ngamagedi la begade inqola lamabhiza, bona kanye lezikhulu zabo, labantu bakoJuda lalabo abahlala eJerusalema.+ Idolobho leli lizahlalwa kuze kube nini lanini. 26 Abantu bazabuya bevela emadolobheni akoJuda lasezindaweni ezisemangweni weJerusalema. Bazavela koBhenjamini,+ lasezindaweni eziphansi,+ lasezintabeni, laseNegebhi* bezoletha endlini kaJehova iminikelo yokutshiswa egcweleyo,+ lemihlatshelo,+ leminikelo yamabele,+ lemihlatshelo yokubonga kanye lenhlaka yokwenza impepha.+
27 “‘“Kodwa nxa lingayekela ukungilalela, lehluleke ukugcina usuku lweSabatha lungcwele, lithwale imithwalo liyingenise ngamagedi eJerusalema ngelanga leSabatha, ngizawatshisa ngomlilo amagedi eJerusalema ngitshise lezinqaba zayo+ futhi awusoze ucitshwe.”’”+
18 Leli lilizwi elafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova: 2 “Suka uye endlini yombumbi,+ ungafika lapho ngizakutshela amazwi ami.”
3 Ngakho ngaya endlini yombumbi ngamthola esebenzisa iviri lokubumba. 4 Kodwa isitsha ayesibumba saphambaniseka, wasesidiliza wabumba esinye isitsha ngendlela ayefuna ngayo.*
5 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kimi lathi: 6 “‘Lokho okwenziwe ngumbumbi lo ngeke ngikwenze kini yini bantu bako-Israyeli?’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Njengebumba esandleni sombumbi, lani linjalo esandleni sami, lina bantu bako-Israyeli.+ 7 Nxa ngingakhuluma ngokusiphuna lokudiliza kanye lokutshabalalisa isizwe loba umbuso,+ 8 kodwa lesosizwe besesitshiya ukwenza okubi engisixwayise ngakho, lami ngizatshintsha ingqondo* ngingasehliseli umonakalo ebengihlose ukusehlisela wona.+ 9 Nxa ngingavele ngikhulume ngokwakha lokuhlanyela isizwe loba umbuso, 10 kodwa lesosizwe senze okubi phambi kwami njalo singalaleli ilizwi lami, ngizatshintsha ingqondo* ngingasenzeli okuhle ebengihlose ukusenzela khona.’
11 “Khathesi ngicela utshele abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Ngilungiselela ukuletha umonakalo njalo ngisacabanga ukuthi ngilijezise njani. Ngakho phendukani litshiye izindlela zenu ezimbi, litshintshe lezenzo zenu kanye lendlela eliziphatha ngayo.”’”+
12 Bona bathi: “Akuncedi lokhu!+ Thina sizakwenza esikucabangayo njalo ngamunye wethu uzalandela inhliziyo yakhe embi.”+
13 Ngakho-ke uJehova uthi:
“Ngicela libuze izizwe.
Ngubani oseke wezwa into enjengale?
Intombi egcweleyo yako-Israyeli yenze into eyesabekayo.+
14 Kambe ungqwaqwane oseziqongweni zeLebhanoni unganyamalala?
Amanzi aqandayo ageleza evela khatshana angoma yini?
15 Kodwa isizwe sami singikhohliwe.+
Senzela izinto ezingelancedo imihlatshelo,+
Njalo senza abantu bakhubeke ezindleleni zaso, izindlela zakudala,+
Bahambe ngezindledlana zeganga ezimahadlahadla.
16 Ngakho ilizwe laso lizakwehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo,+
Wonke umuntu odlulayo uzalikhangela ethuke, anikine ikhanda.+
17 Ngizabachithachitha phambi kwesitha, njengomoya wempumalanga uphephula umule.
Ngizabafulathela ngosuku lokuhlupheka kwabo, angisoze ngibakhangele.”+
18 Ngakho bathi: “Buyani sibumbe icebo lokuhlasela uJeremiya+ ngoba umthetho uzahlala ukhona kubaphristi bethu, lamadoda ahlakaniphileyo awasoze aphelelwe yizeluleko njalo labaphrofethi abasoze baswele amazwi. Buyani siphikisane laye singakulaleli akutshoyo.”
19 Awu Jehova, ngicela ungilalele,
Ngicela uzwe ukuthi izitha zami zithini.
20 Kambe okuhle kungabuyiselwa ngokubi?
Phela sebegebhe igodi befuna ukungibulala.+
Khumbula ukuthi bengisima phambi kwakho ngikhuluma kuhle ngabo,
Ukuze ulaka lwakho lungabehleli.
21 Ngakho yenza amadodana abo aqedwe yindlala,
Ubanikele bonke babulawe ngenkemba.+
Omkabo kababe ngabafelokazi futhi labantwababo kababulawe.+
Amadoda abo kawabulawe yisifo esitshabalalisayo,
Lamajaha aqedwe yinkemba empini.+
22 Akuzwakale isililo ezindlini zabo
Nxa usuletha abantu abazathumba impahla yabo belibele,
Ngoba bagebhe igodi ukuze bangibambe,
Bafakela lenyawo zami imijibila.+
23 Kodwa wena Jehova,
Uwazi kuhle wonke amacebo abawenzayo ukuze bangibulale.+
Ungabathetheleli icala labo,
Ungasisusi isono sabo phambi kwakho.
19 UJehova wathi kimi: “Hamba uyethenga imbiza yomdaka kumbumbi.+ Ngemva kwalokho uthathe abanye abadala besizwe labanye abadala abangabaphristi, 2 uhambe labo esigodini sendodana kaHinomi,+ egedini lezindengezi. Nxa ungafika lapho ukhulume amazwi engizakutshela wona. 3 Kumele uthi, ‘Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina makhosi akoJuda lani bantu beJerusalema. UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi:
“‘“Sengizaletha umonakalo endaweni le. Loba ngubani ozakuzwa ngawo indlebe zakhe zizancencetha, 4 ngoba bangitshiyile+ bangcolisa lendawo le.+ Banikela imihlatshelo kubonkulunkulu abangabaziyo, lababengaziwa ngokhokho babo langamakhosi akoJuda njalo sebegcwalise indawo le ngegazi labantu abangelacala.+ 5 Bakhele uBhali izindawo eziphakemeyo* ukuze batshise amadodana abo emlilweni, besenzela uBhali iminikelo yokutshiswa,+ into engingazange ngibatshele yona lengingatshongo ukuthi bayenze. Into le ayizange ifike lasenhliziyweni yami.”’*+
6 “‘“Ngakho ziyeza insuku lapho indawo le engasoze ibizwe ngokuthi yiThofethi loba isigodi sendodana kaHinomi, kodwa izabizwa ngokuthi yisigodi sokubulawa,”+ kutsho uJehova. 7 “Endaweni le ngizakwenza ukuthi amacebo abantu bakoJuda labeJerusalema angaphumeleli. Ngizakwenza ukuthi izitha zabo zibabulale ngenkemba lokuthi babulawe yilabo ababazingelayo. Izidumbu zabo zizadliwa zinyoni lezinyamazana.+ 8 Idolobho leli ngizalehlisela umonakalo owesabekayo futhi lizakuba yinhlekisa.* Wonke umuntu odlula kulo uzalikhangela ethuke njalo uzatshaya umlozwi ngenxa yazo zonke inhlupho ezilehleleyo.+ 9 Ngizakwenza ukuthi badle amadodana lamadodakazi abo. Ngamunye wabo uzakudla umakhelwane wakhe* ngenxa yendlala ezakuba khona ngesikhathi bevinjezelwe yizitha zabo kanye lalabo abafuna ukubabulala.”’+
10 “Ngemva kwalokho kumele uphahlaze imbiza phambi kwamadoda ozahamba lawo, 11 ubususithi kuwo, ‘UJehova wamabutho uthi: “Ngizatshabalalisa abantu laba ledolobho leli njengomuntu ophahlaza isitsha sombumbi sisale singasalungiseki. Bazangcwaba abantu eThofethi kuze kusale kungaselandawo yokungcwaba.”’+
12 “UJehova uthi, ‘Lokhu yikho engizakwenza endaweni le lasebantwini abahlala kuyo. Ngizakwenza idolobho leli libe njengeThofethi. 13 Izindlu zabantu beJerusalema lezindlu zamakhosi akoJuda zizangcola njengendawo le, iThofethi.+ Zizangcola zonke izindlu ababenikelela kuzo imihlatshelo ababeyenzela lonke ibutho elisemazulwini*+ besephahleni, benikela langeminikelo yokunathwayo kwabanye onkulunkulu.’”+
14 UJeremiya wathi esevela eThofethi lapho uJehova ayemthume ukuthi ayephrofetha khona, wama egumeni lendlu kaJehova wakhuluma labantu bonke wathi: 15 “UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Abantu abahlala edolobheni leli labahlala emadolobheni aseduze kwalo ngizabehlisela wonke umonakalo engakhuluma ngawo ngoba baqinise amakhanda, bala ukulalela amazwi ami.’”+
20 UPhashuri indodana ka-Imeri, owayengumphristi futhi ekhangela konke okwakusenziwa endlini kaJehova, wayelalele ngesikhathi uJeremiya ephrofetha izinto lezi. 2 UPhashuri watshaya umphrofethi uJeremiya wasembophela emapulankeni amakhulu+ ayesegedini lakoBhenjamini elingaphezulu, endlini kaJehova. 3 Kodwa ngelanga elilandelayo wamkhulula emapulankeni ayembophele kuwo, uJeremiya wasesithi kuye:
“UJehova uthe awusenguye uPhashuri kodwa usuyiKwethuka Okugcwele Indawo Yonke.+ 4 Ngakho uJehova uthi, ‘Engizakwenza khona kuzakwethusa wena labo bonke abangane bakho. Izitha zabo zizababulala ngenkemba phambi kwamehlo akho+ futhi ngizanikela bonke abantu bakoJuda esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni. Izabathumba ibase eBhabhiloni ifike ibabulale ngenkemba.+ 5 Yonke inotho yedolobho leli, lempahla yonke, lakho konke okuligugu kanye lenotho yonke yamakhosi akoJuda ngizakunikela esandleni sezitha zabo.+ Zizakuthumba konke zihambe lakho eBhabhiloni.+ 6 Wena Phashuri labo bonke abahlala endlini yakho lizathunjwa. Uzakuya eBhabhiloni futhi uzafela khona. Yikho lapho wena labangane bakho elizangcwatshwa khona ngoba uphrofethe amanga ebantwini laba.’”+
7 Ngangingakholwa Jehova kodwa wena wangenza ngakholwa.*
Watshengisa ukuthi ulamandla kulami, wanqoba.+
Sengibe yinhlekisa ebantwini ilanga lonke;
Bonke abantu bayangihleka.+
8 Loba nini nxa ngikhuluma kumele ngimemeze ngithi,
“Kuza udlakela lomonakalo!”
Ilizwi likaJehova lenze ngathukwa futhi ngachothozwa ilanga lonke.+
9 Ngakho ngathi: “Angisoze ngikhulume ngaye,
Angisoze ngiphinde ngikhulume ngebizo lakhe.”+
Kodwa enhliziyweni yami ilizwi lakhe laba njengomlilo ovuthayo, kwaba angathi kulomlilo ovalelwe emathanjeni ami.
Ngasengidiniwe ngokulivalela ngaphakathi,
Kwala ukuthi ngiqhubeke ngithule.+
10 Kunengi okubi engezwa abantu bekukhuluma ngami,
Ngangisesaba ngoba banengi ababengisongela.+
Babesithi: “Asimsoleni, asimsoleni!”
Bonke abantu ababengifisela ukuthula babekhangelele ukuthi ngehlelwe ngokubi,+
Besithi: “Mhlawumbe uzakwenza ubuthutha aphambanise,
Besesimnqoba siziphindiselele kuye.”
11 Kodwa uJehova wayelami njengeqhawe elilamandla.+
Yikho labo abangihlukuluzayo bezakhubeka futhi bengasoze banqobe.+
Bazayangeka kakhulu ngoba abasoze baphumelele,
Ukuyangiswa kwabo kuzahlala kukhunjulwa.+
12 Kodwa wena Jehova wamabutho uyamhlola olungileyo.
Ubona inhliziyo lemicabango ejulileyo.*+
13 Hlabelelani uJehova! Mdumiseni uJehova!
Ngoba ukhulule umuntu ongumyanga ezandleni zabantu abenza okubi.
14 Kaliqalekiswe ilanga engazalwa ngalo!
Kalingabusiswa ilanga umama angibeletha ngalo!+
15 Kaqalekiswe umuntu owabikela ubaba indaba ezinhle wathi:
“Uzalelwe umntwana ongumfana!”
Wamenza wathokoza kakhulu.
16 Lowomuntu kafanane lamadolobho uJehova awatshabalalisa wangazisoli.
Kazwe isililo ekuseni lomkhosi wempi emini.
17 Kungani engangibulalanga ngisesesiswini sikamama,
Ukuze umama abe lingcwaba lami,
Ahlale ezithwele engabelethi?+
18 Kungani ngaphuma esibelethweni sikamama?
Khathesi sengiphakathi kokuhlupheka losizi,
Lensuku zami zizaphela ngiphakathi kwehlazo.+
21 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya ngesikhathi iNkosi uZedekhiya+ ithume uPhashuri+ indodana kaMalikhija, loZefaniya+ indodana kaMahaseya umphristi, ukuthi baye kuye bafike bathi: 2 “Sicela usibuzele kuJehova ngoba uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni uyasihlasela.+ Mhlawumbe uJehova angasenzela esinye sezimanga azenza kudala ukuze uNebhukhadinezari asuke kithi angasihlaseli.”+
3 UJeremiya wathi kubo: “Nanku okumele likutshele uZedekhiya, 4 ‘UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Ngizaphendulela kuwe izikhali oziphethe ezandleni zakho, olwa ngazo lenkosi yeBhabhiloni+ kanye lamaKhaledi akugombolozeleyo phandle komduli. Ngizaziqoqa* phakathi laphakathi kwedolobho leli. 5 Ngizakulwa lawe+ ngesandla eseluliweyo langengalo elamandla, ngentukuthelo enkulu langolaka oluvuthayo.+ 6 Ngizabulala abantu abahlala edolobheni leli ngesifo esitshabalalisayo.+ Kuzakufa umuntu lenyamazana.”’
7 “‘UJehova uthi: “UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda, lezinceku zakhe labantu abahlala edolobheni leli abangazange babulawe yisifo lenkemba kanye lendlala, ngizabanikela esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni. Ngizabanikela lasezitheni zabo lakulabo abafuna ukubabulala.+ UNebhukhadinezari uzababulala ngenkemba. Kasoze abazwele loba abe lesihawu kumbe abe lomusa kubo.”’+
8 “Kumele uthi ebantwini laba, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Ngibeka phambi kwenu indlela eya ekuphileni lendlela eya ekufeni. 9 Labo abazasala edolobheni leli bazabulawa yinkemba lendlala lesifo. Kodwa loba ngubani ozaphuma ayezinikela kumaKhaledi aligombolozeleyo uzaqhubeka ephila, umvuzo wakhe kuzakuba yimpilo yakhe.”’*+
10 “‘UJehova uthi: “Ngizimisele ukwehlisela idolobho leli okubi hatshi okuhle.+ Lizanikelwa esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni+ njalo izalithungela ngomlilo.”+
11 “‘Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina abendlu yenkosi yakoJuda. 12 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova kini lina abendlu kaDavida:
“Yahlulelani kuhle nsuku zonke ekuseni,
Lilamulele umuntu othathelwa impahla yakhe liqili,+
Ukuze ulaka lwami lungavuthi njengomlilo,+
Luvuthe kungabi lomuntu ozalucitsha,
Ngoba lenza izinto ezimbi.”’+
13 ‘Ngizalijezisa lina elihlala esigodini,
Lina elihlala edolobheni eliphezu kwamadwala,’ kutsho uJehova.
‘Lina elithi: “Ngubani ozakwehla azokulwa lathi?
Ngubani ozahlasela indawo esihlala kuyo?”
14 Ngizalijezisa
Ngokuhambelana lezenzo zenu,’+ kutsho uJehova.
‘Ngizatshisa igusu lenu,
Ngilobise zonke izinto eziseduze kwenu.’”+
22 UJehova uthi: “Hamba endlini yenkosi* yakoJuda ufike uyitshele ilizwi leli. 2 Kumele uthi, ‘Zwana ilizwi likaJehova nkosi yakoJuda ehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida. Lalela wena lezinceku zakho labantu bakho abangena emagedini la. 3 UJehova uthi: “Yahlulelani kuhle futhi lenze okulungileyo, lilamulele umuntu othathelwa impahla yakhe liqili. Lingamphathi kubi umuntu wesinye isizwe ohlala phakathi kwenu njalo lingahlukuluzi intandane lomfelokazi.+ Akumelanga libulale abantu abangelacala endaweni le.+ 4 Nxa lingalalela lenze konke engikutshoyo, amakhosi ahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida+ azangena emagedini esigodlo lesi egade izinqola lamabhiza, wona lezinceku zawo kanye labantu bawo.”’+
5 “‘Kodwa nxa lingayekela ukulalela amazwi la, ngifunga ngami uqobo, indlu le izakuba lunxiwa,’+ kutsho uJehova.
6 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngendlu yenkosi yakoJuda,
‘Kimi ufanana leGiliyadi,
Unjengesiqongo seLebhanoni.
Kodwa ngizakwenza ube yinkangala,
Alikho lelilodwa idolobho lakho elizahlala abantu.+
7 Ngizaletha abantu abazakutshabalalisa,
Ngamunye elezikhali zakhe.+
Bazagamula imisedari yakho emihle
Bayiphosele emlilweni.+
8 “‘Abantu bezizwe ezinengi bazadlula edolobheni leli babuzane bathi: “Kungani uJehova enze into enje edolobheni leli elikhulu?”+ 9 Abanye bazaphendula bathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi batshiya isivumelwano sikaJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, bakhothamela abanye onkulunkulu babakhonza.”’+
10 Lingamkhaleli ofileyo,
Njalo lingamlileli.
Kodwa okumele limkhalele kakhulu ngulowo ohambayo,
Ngoba kasoze aphinde aphenduke azobona ilizwe azalelwa kulo.
11 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngoShalumi*+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, obusa esikhundleni sikayise uJosiya+ njalo osesukile endaweni le, uthi: ‘Kasoze aphinde aphenduke. 12 Uzafela endaweni leyo abamthumbe bamhambisa kuyo. Kasoze aphinde alibone ilizwe leli.’+
13 Maye kulowo owakha indlu yakhe ngokwenza okubi,
Akhe izindlu zaphezulu ngokwenza okungalunganga,
Osebenzisa umuntu wakibo mahala,
Engamholisi lutho.+
14 Lowo othi, ‘Ngizazakhela indlu yami enkulu,
Elezindlu zaphezulu ezinkulu.
Ngizayifaka amawindi,
Ngiyicecise ngamapulanka omsedari besengiyipenda ibe bomvu.’
15 Kambe uzaqhubeka ubusa ngenxa yokuthi wakha ngemisedari eminengi kulabanye?
Uyihlo laye wayesidla njalo enatha,
Kodwa wayesahlulela kuhle futhi esenza okulungileyo.+
Yikho kwamhambela kuhle.
16 Wayelumela udaba lomuntu ocindezelwayo longumyanga,
Yikho kwamhambela kuhle.
‘Lokho ayisikho yini okwakutshengisa ukuthi uyangazi?’ kutsho uJehova.
17 ‘Kodwa wena amehlo akho lenhliziyo yakho kusekutholeni inzuzo ngokwenza okubi,
Lasekubulaleni abantu abangelacala,
Lasekuqileni abanye lokubathathela impahla yabo.’
18 “Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngoJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya, inkosi yakoJuda,
‘Abasoze bamkhalele besithi:
“Awu mfowethu! Awu dadewethu!”
Abasoze bamlilele besithi:
“Maye ngenkosi yethu! Udumo lwayo selutshabalele!”
19 Uzangcwatshwa njengobabhemi.+
Uzahudulwa ayelahlelwa khatshana,
Ngaphandle kwamagedi eJerusalema.’+
20 Qansa uye eLebhanoni umemeze,
Uphakamise ilizwi lakho eBhashani,
Umemeze e-Abharimi,+
Ngoba zonke izithandwa zakho zitshabalele.+
21 Ngakhuluma lawe ngesikhathi uzibona uhlezi kuhle.
Kodwa wena wathi, ‘Angisoze ngilalele.’+
Lokhu yikho obukwenza kusukela usesemutsha,
Awuzange ulilalele ilizwi lami.+
22 Bonke abelusi bakho bazakweluswa ngumoya,+
Lezithandwa zakho zizathunjwa.
Lapho-ke uzayangeka ubelenhloni ngenxa yawo wonke umonakalo okwehleleyo.
23 Wena ohlala eLebhanoni,+
Olesidleke phakathi kwemisedari,+
Uzabubula kabuhlungu nxa ubunzima sebukwehlele,
Uzakuzwa ubuhlungu obunjengemihelo yowesifazana obelethayo!”+
24 “‘Ngifunga ngami uqobo,’ kutsho uJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, ‘lanxa wena Khoniya*+ ndodana kaJehoyakhimu+ inkosi yakoJuda, ubuyindandatho elophawu esesandleni sami sokudla, bengizakukhipha! 25 Ngizakunikela kulabo abafuna ukukubulala, lakulabo obesabayo. Ngizakunikela esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yaseBhabhiloni lakumaKhaledi.+ 26 Wena lonyoko owakuzalayo ngizalilahlela kwelinye ilizwe elingazalelwanga kulo futhi yikho lapho elizafela khona. 27 Alisoze liphinde liphenduke elizweni elifisa ukubuyela kulo.+
28 Kanti uKhoniya yimbiza efileyo lengelancedo yini?
Uyisitsha esingafunwa ngumuntu yini?
Kungani yena lezizukulwane zakhe belahliwe,
Belahlelwe elizweni abangalaziyo?’+
29 Awu mhlaba, we mhlaba, zwana ilizwi likaJehova wena mhlaba.
30 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
‘Bhala ukuthi umuntu lo kalamntwana,
Ukuthi kasoze aphumelele empilweni,*
Ngoba kakho owesizukulwane sakhe ozathatha ubukhosi,
Ahlale esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida, abuse koJuda.’”+
23 “Maye kubelusi abatshabalalisa izimvu ezidla emadlelweni ami njalo bazenze zisabalale indawo yonke!” kutsho uJehova.+
2 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngabelusi abelusa izimvu zakhe: “Lichithachithe izimvu zami, laqhubeka lisenza ukuthi zisabalale. Alizange lizikhangele.”+
“Yikho ngizalijezisa ngenxa yezenzo zenu ezimbi,” kutsho uJehova.
3 “Ngemva kwalokho ngizaqoqa izimvu zami ezisele kuwo wonke amazwe engangizichithachithele kuwo,+ ngizibuyisele emadlelweni azo+ futhi zizazalana zibe zinengi.+ 4 Ngizabeka abelusi abazazelusa kuhle.+ Kazisoze ziphinde zethuke loba zesabe njalo ayikho leyodwa ezalahleka,” kutsho uJehova.
5 UJehova uthi: “Ziyeza insuku lapho engizavusela khona uDavida ihlumela elihle.*+ Inkosi izabusa+ ngokuqedisisa, yahlulele kuhle njalo yenze okulungileyo elizweni.+ 6 Ngensuku zayo abantu bakoJuda bazakhululwa+ futhi abako-Israyeli bazahlala bevikelekile.+ Izabizwa ngebizo elithi: UJehova Uyikulunga Kwethu.”+
7 UJehova uthi: “Ziyeza insuku lapho abangasoze baphinde bathi, ‘Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, owakhipha abantu bako-Israyeli elizweni leGibhithe!’+ 8 Kodwa bazakuthi, ‘Sifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, owakhipha izizukulwane zabantu bako-Israyeli elizweni elisenyakatho lakuwo wonke amazwe ayezenze zasabalala kuwo, waziphendukisa.’ Ngakho zizahlala elizweni lazo.”+
9 Kubaphrofethi ngithi:
Inhliziyo yami idabukile.
Wonke amathambo ami ayaqhaqhazela.
Ngifanana lomuntu odakiweyo,
Nginjengomuntu odakwe liwayini,
Ngenxa kaJehova lamazwi akhe angcwele.
10 Elizweni kugcwele abantu abafebayo,+
Ilizwe liyalila ngoba liqalekisiwe,+
Lamadlelo asegangeni atshile.+
Izenzo zabo zimbi futhi bawasebenzisa kubi amandla abo.
11 “Abaphrofethi labaphristi baxhwalile.*+
Lasendlini yami ngithole okubi abakwenzayo,”+ kutsho uJehova.
12 “Indlela yabo izatshelela njalo izakuba mnyama;+
Bazafuqwa bawe.
Ngizabehlisela umonakalo
Ngomnyaka engizabajezisa ngawo,” kutsho uJehova.
13 “Kubaphrofethi beSamariya+ ngibone izinto ezenyanyekayo.
Iziphrofetho zabo zivela kuBhali,
Benza abantu bami bako-Israyeli bahlanhlathe.
14 Kubaphrofethi beJerusalema ngibone izinto ezesabekayo.
Bayafeba+ njalo bathanda ukuqamba amanga.+
Bakhuthaza ababi ukuthi baqhubeke besenza izinto ezimbi,
Kabayekeli ukwenza okubi.
15 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho mayelana labaphrofethi:
“Ngizabenza badle isihlahlakazana esibaba gamu,*
Ngibanathise amanzi aletshefu,+
Ngoba abaphrofethi beJerusalema benze abantu elizweni lonke bahlamuka.”
16 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
17 Baqhubeka besithi kulabo abangangihloniphiyo,
‘UJehova uthi: “Lizakuba lokuthula.”’+
Wonke umuntu olandela inhliziyo yakhe embi bathi kuye,
‘Akulamonakalo ozakwehlela.’+
18 Ngubani ome phakathi kwabantu abaseduze loJehova
Ukuze abone njalo azwe ilizwi lakhe?
Ngubani olalele ilizwi lakhe walizwa?
19 Umoya wesiphepho sikaJehova uzavunguza ngolaka,
Uzavunguza njengesivunguzane esilamandla phezu kwekhanda lomuntu owenza okubi.+
20 Ulaka lukaJehova alusoze luphele,
Aze agcwalise futhi enze lokho akuhlosileyo enhliziyweni yakhe.
Ekucineni kwezinsuku lizakuzwisisa kuhle lokhu.
21 Ngangingabathumanga abaphrofethi kodwa bona bagijima.
Baphrofetha ngingazange ngikhulume labo.+
22 Kodwa aluba bama phakathi kwabantu abaseduze lami,
Babezakwenza abantu bami bazwe amazwi ami,
Babenze batshiye izindlela zabo ezimbi lezenzo zabo ezimbi.”+
23 UJehova uthi: “Kanti mina nginguNkulunkulu nxa ngiseduze kuphela yini? Angisuye Nkulunkulu yini lanxa ngikhatshana?”
24 “Kambe kulomuntu ongacatsha endaweni esithekileyo ngehluleke ukumbona?”+ kutsho uJehova.
“Konke okusezulwini lokusemhlabeni angikuboni yini?”+ kutsho uJehova.
25 “Ngezwa abaphrofethi bephrofetha amanga ngebizo lami besithi, ‘Ngiphuphile! Ngiphuphile!’+ 26 Kuzaze kube nini ukuphrofetha amanga kusezinhliziyweni zabaphrofethi? Baphrofetha amanga asezinhliziyweni zabo.+ 27 Batshelana amaphupho abo behlose ukwenza abantu bami bakhohlwe ibizo lami njengaboyise abakhohlwa ibizo lami ngenxa kaBhali.+ 28 Umphrofethi ophuphileyo kalilandise iphupho lakhe, kodwa lowo olelizwi lami kalikhulume ngeqiniso.”
“Kanti amahlanga angafanana lamabele?” kutsho uJehova.
29 UJehova uthi: “Ilizwi lami alifanani lomlilo yini?+ Alifanani lesando esikhulu esitshaya amadwala abe yizicucu?”+
30 UJehova uthi: “Ngizabajezisa abaphrofethi abatshontshela abanye amazwi ami.”+
31 “Ngizabajezisa abaphrofethi,” kutsho uJehova, “labo abathi ngemilomo yabo, ‘UNkulunkulu uthe!’”+
32 “Ngizabajezisa abaphrofethi abatshela abantu bami amaphupho amanga, bebenza bahlanhlathe ngamanga abo langokuzikhukhumeza kwabo,”+ kutsho uJehova.
“Kodwa mina angizange ngibathume kumbe ngikhulume labo. Ngakho abasoze babancede ngalutho abantu laba,”+ kutsho uJehova.
33 “Nxa abantu laba loba umphrofethi kumbe umphristi bangathi kuwe, ‘Ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo,’* kumele ubaphendule uthi, ‘“Lina yini elingumthwalo osindayo! Ngizalilahlela khatshana,”+ kutsho uJehova.’ 34 Umphrofethi loba umphristi kumbe umuntu othi, ‘Ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo!’ ngizamjezisa kanye labendlu yakhe. 35 Ngamunye wenu ukhuluma lomakhelwane wakhe* lomfowabo esithi, ‘UJehova uphendule wathini? UJehova utheni?’ 36 Yikho akumelanga liqhubeke lisithi ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo ngoba amazwi enu yiwo angumthwalo osindayo futhi litshintshe amazwi kaNkulunkulu wethu, uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ophilayo.
37 “Kumele ubuze umphrofethi uthi, ‘UJehova ukuphendule wathini? UJehova utheni? 38 Nxa lingaqhubeka lisithi, “Ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo,” uJehova uthi: “Ngenxa yokuthi lithe, ‘Ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo,’ mina sengilitshelile ukuthi lingabokuthi: “Ilizwi likaJehova lingumthwalo osindayo,” 39 ngizaliphakamisa ngililahlele khatshana lami, lina ledolobho engalipha lona labokhokho benu. 40 Ngizalehlisela ihlazo elingapheliyo lokuyangeka okungasoze kuphele, okuzahlala kukhunjulwa.”’”+
24 UNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni wathumba uJekhoniya*+ indodana kaJehoyakhimu+ inkosi yakoJuda, lezikhulu zakoJuda, lezingcitshi zomsebenzi kanye labakhandi bensimbi, wabathatha eJerusalema wabasa eBhabhiloni.+ Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wangitshengisa amabhasikiti amabili ayelamakhiwane, ayebekwe phambi kwethempeli likaJehova. 2 Eyinye ibhasikiti yayilamakhiwane amahle kakhulu angathi yizithelo zokuqala zomkhiwa, kodwa eyinye yayilamakhiwane abolileyo, ebole okokuthi ayengadleki.
3 UJehova wasengibuza wathi: “Ubonani Jeremiya?” Mina ngathi: “Ngibona amakhiwane. Amanye mahle kakhulu kodwa abolileyo abole kakhulu okokuthi awadleki.”+
4 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kimi lathi: 5 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Abantu bakoJuda abathunjiweyo engibasuse endaweni le ngabasa elizweni lamaKhaledi ngizabenzela umusa ngoba banjengamakhiwane amahle. 6 Ngizahlala ngibakhangele ukuze ngibenzele okuhle njalo ngizababuyisela elizweni leli.+ Ngizabakha ngingabadilizi, ngibahlanyele ngingabasiphuni.+ 7 Ngizakwenza inhliziyo zabo zifise ukungazi, bazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.+ Bazakuba ngabantu bami, mina ngibe nguNkulunkulu wabo+ ngoba bazaphenduka kimi ngenhliziyo yonke.+
8 “‘Kodwa mayelana lamakhiwane amabi kakhulu okokuthi awadleki,+ uJehova uthi: “Unjalo kimi uZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda, lezikhulu zakhe, labantu beJerusalema abasele elizweni leli kanye lalabo abahlala elizweni leGibhithe.+ 9 Ngizabehlisela umonakalo ozakwenza ukuthi yonke imibuso yomhlaba yesabe.+ Ngizabehlisela ihlazo, abantu bahlale bekhuluma ngabo. Bazakuba yinhlekisa futhi bazaqalekiswa+ kuzo zonke izindawo engizabenza basabalale kuzo.+ 10 Ngizakwenza ukuthi bahlaselwe ngenkemba+ futhi ngizathumela indlala lesifo esitshabalalisayo,+ baze baphele bonke elizweni engabanika lona bona labokhokho babo.”’”
25 Leli lilizwi elimayelana labantu bonke bakoJuda. Lafika kuJeremiya ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda. Kwakungumnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni. 2 Umphrofethi uJeremiya wakhuluma labantu* bonke bakoJuda labo bonke abahlala eJerusalema wathi:
3 “Kusukela ngomnyaka wesi-13 wokubusa kukaJosiya+ indodana ka-Amoni inkosi yakoJuda, kuze kube lamuhla, okweminyaka yonke le engu-23, ilizwi likaJehova belifika kimi futhi bengihlala ngikhuluma lani ngiphindaphinda* kodwa alizange lilalele.+ 4 UJehova wathuma kini zonke izinceku zakhe ezingabaphrofethi. Wayezithuma kokuphela kodwa alizange lilalele futhi alizange libe lendaba lalokho ezazikutsho.+ 5 Zazisithi kini, ‘Phendukani, ngamunye wenu atshiye izindlela zakhe ezimbi lezenzo zakhe ezimbi.+ Lapho-ke lizahlala okwesikhathi eside elizweni uJehova alinika lona kudala lina labokhokho benu. 6 Lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu kumbe libakhonze loba libakhothamele, lingithukuthelisa ngezinto elizenze ngezandla zenu ngoba lingenza njalo ngizalehlisela umonakalo.’
7 “‘Kodwa alizange lingilalele,’ kutsho uJehova. ‘Langithukuthelisa ngezinto elizenze ngezandla zenu, lazilethela umonakalo.’+
8 “Ngakho uJehova wamabutho uthi, ‘“Ngenxa yokuthi aliwalalelanga amazwi ami, 9 ngizabiza zonke izizwe zasenyakatho,”+ kutsho uJehova. “Ngizabiza inceku yami uNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni.+ Ngizabaletha bazohlasela ilizwe leli,+ labantu abahlala kulo kanye lazo zonke izizwe lezi eziligombolozeleyo.+ Ngizalitshabalalisa lezizwe zonke lezi eziligombolozeleyo, ngilenze into eyesabekayo, ngiliqede lonke. Lizakuba yinhlekisa ebantwini.* 10 Ngizaqeda umsindo wokuthokoza lowokujabula elizweni.+ Akusoze kuzwakale ilizwi lomyeni lelikamakoti.+ Lomsindo welitshe lokuchola awusoze uzwakale njalo akusoze kube lesibane esikhanyisayo. 11 Lonke ilizwe leli lizasala lingamanxiwa futhi abantu bazakwesaba nxa bebona okwenzakale kulo. Izizwe lezi zizakuba ngaphansi kwenkosi yeBhabhiloni okweminyaka engu-70.”’+
12 “‘Kodwa nxa iminyaka engu-70 isiphelile+ ngizayijezisa inkosi yeBhabhiloni kanye lesizwe sayo ngenxa yecala labo,’+ kutsho uJehova. ‘Ngizakwenza ilizwe lamaKhaledi libe ngamanxiwa kuze kube nini lanini.+ 13 Ngizakwehlisela ilizwe lelo konke engikukhulumileyo mayelana lalo, konke okubhalwe ebhukwini leli okuphrofethwe nguJeremiya mayelana lezizwe zonke. 14 Ngizabuyisela kubo lokho okufanele izenzo zabo lemisebenzi yezandla zabo.+ Izizwe ezinengi lamakhosi amakhulu+ azakwenza abeBhabhiloni babe yizigqili zawo.’”+
15 UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wathi kimi: “Thatha inkomitsho yewayini yolaka lwami esesandleni sami, unathise zonke izizwe engizakuthuma kuzo. 16 Zizanatha zidiyazele zenze angathi zinhlanya ngenxa yenkemba engizazihlasela ngayo.”+
17 Ngakho ngathatha inkomitsho eyayisesandleni sikaJehova, nganathisa zonke izizwe uJehova ayengithume kuzo.+ 18 Ngaqalisa ngeJerusalema, lamadolobho akoJuda,+ lamakhosi ayo kanye lezikhulu zayo ukuze ngibehlisele umonakalo owesabekayo, ngibatshabalalise babe yinhlekisa futhi baqalekiswe,+ njengoba kunjalo lamuhla. 19 Ngalandela ngoFaro inkosi yeGibhithe, lezinceku zakhe, lezikhulu zakhe, labo bonke abantu bakhe,+ 20 labantu bonke bezinye izizwe abahlala elizweni lakhe. Nganathisa lawo wonke amakhosi elizwe lase-Uzi, lawo wonke amakhosi elizwe lamaFilisti,+ awe-Ashikheloni,+ leGaza, le-Ekhroni lalawo ayesele e-Ashidodi. 21 Ngalandela ngabako-Edomi,+ labakoMowabi,+ labako-Amoni,+ 22 lawo wonke amakhosi aseThire, laweSidoni,+ lamakhosi ezihlenge eziselwandle,* 23 labaseDedani,+ leThema, leBhuzi kanye labo bonke abagela inwele zabo emaceleni.+ 24 Nganathisa lawo wonke amakhosi ama-Arabhu,+ lamakhosi wonke abantu bezinye izizwe abahlala enkangala, 25 lawo wonke amakhosi aseZimri, lawe-Elami,+ lawamaMede,+ 26 lawo wonke amakhosi asenyakatho aseduze kanye lalawo akhatshana, ngokulandelana kwawo, layo yonke eminye imibuso esemhlabeni. Inkosi yaseSheshaki*+ izanatha ngemva kwabo bonke.
27 “Kumele uthi kubo, ‘UJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Nathani lidakwe lize lihlanze, liwe lingavuki+ ngenxa yenkemba engizalihlasela ngayo.”’ 28 Nxa bangayala ukuthatha inkomitsho obanika yona ukuthi banathe, uthi kubo, ‘UJehova wamabutho uthi: “Kumele linathe! 29 Nxa ngiqala ngokwehlisela umonakalo edolobheni elibizwa ngebizo lami,+ kambe lina ngingayekela ukulijezisa?”’+
“‘Lizajeziswa loba sekutheni ngoba ngibiza inkemba ezamelana labo bonke abantu abahlala emhlabeni,’ kutsho uJehova wamabutho.
30 “Kumele uphrofethe wonke amazwi la uthi kubo,
‘UJehova uzakhwaza esendaweni ephakemeyo,
Uzakwenza ilizwi lakhe lizwakale esendaweni yakhe engcwele.
Uzabhonga esahlulela labo abasendaweni yakhe yokuhlala,
Amemeze njengalabo abavoxa amagilebisi,
Uzahlabela ingoma yokunqoba bonke abahlala emhlabeni.’
31 ‘Kuzazwakala umsindo emaphethelweni omhlaba,
Ngoba uJehova uphikisana lezizwe.
Uzakwahlulela bonke abantu,+
Abahlasele ngenkemba abenza okubi,’ kutsho uJehova.
32 UJehova wamabutho uthi:
‘Umonakalo uyasabalala usuka kwesinye isizwe usiya kwesinye.+
Isiphepho esilolaka sizavunguza sisuka ezindaweni ezikhatshana.+
33 “‘Labo ababulewe nguJehova ngalelolanga bazagcwala umhlaba wonke, kusukela komunye umkhawulo womhlaba kusiya komunye. Abasoze bakhalelwe kumbe babuthwe loba bangcwatshwe. Bazakuba njengomquba emhlabathini.’
34 Khalani lina belusi, limemeze kakhulu!
Zigiqeni phansi lina zikhulu zabantu,*
Ngoba isikhathi sokubulawa lokuchithachithwa kwenu sesifikile.
Lizakuwa njengesitsha esiligugu!
35 Abelusi baswele indawo yokubalekela,
Lezikhulu zabantu* ngeke ziphunyuke.
37 Indawo zokuhlala ezilokuthula aziselalutho oluphilayo
Ngenxa yolaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo.
38 Njengesilwane esilolaka siphuma esikhundleni saso,+ utshiye indawo yakhe yokuhlala.
Ilizwe labo selibe yinto eyesabekayo
Ngenxa yenkemba eqede abantu
Langenxa yolaka lwakhe oluvuthayo.”
26 Ekuqaliseni kokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, ilizwi likaJehova lafika lathi: 2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Mana egumeni lendlu kaJehova ukhulume labo* bonke abantu abahlala emadolobheni akoJuda ababuya bezokhonza* endlini kaJehova. Batshele konke engikulaye khona, ungatshiyi lokukodwa. 3 Mhlawumbe bazalalela, ngamunye wabo aphenduke atshiye indlela yakhe embi, besengitshintsha ingqondo* ngingabehliseli umonakalo engihlose ukubehlisela wona ngenxa yezenzo zabo ezimbi.+ 4 Batshele uthi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Nxa lingayekela ukungilalela, liyekele ukulandela umthetho wami engiwubeke phambi kwenu, 5 njalo lingalaleli amazwi ezinceku zami ezingabaphrofethi engiqhubeka ngizithuma kini lanxa lingazilaleli,+ 6 ngizakwenza indlu le ibe njengeShilo,+ ngenze ledolobho leli liqalekiswe yizo zonke izizwe ezisemhlabeni.’”’”+
7 Abaphristi labaphrofethi labo bonke abantu bamuzwa uJeremiya ekhuluma amazwi la endlini kaJehova.+ 8 UJeremiya wathi eseqedile ukukhuluma konke uJehova ayethe akutshele bonke abantu, abaphristi labaphrofethi labo bonke abantu bambamba bathi kuye: “Uzakufa loba sekutheni. 9 Kungani uphrofethe ngebizo likaJehova wathi indlu le izakuba njengeShilo, ledolobho leli lizatshabalala kusale kungelamuntu kulo?” Bonke abantu bambuthanela uJeremiya endlini kaJehova.
10 Izikhulu zakoJuda zathi zisizwa amazwi la zasuka endlini yenkosi* zaya endlini kaJehova, zafika zahlala egedini elitsha lendlu kaJehova.+ 11 Abaphristi labaphrofethi bakhuluma lezikhulu labantu bonke bathi: “Umuntu lo kumele abulawe+ ngoba uphrofethe okubi ngedolobho leli njengoba lani lizizwele ngezenu indlebe.”+
12 UJeremiya wasesithi kuzo zonke izikhulu lasebantwini bonke: “UJehova nguye ongithume ukuthi ngikhulume wonke amazwi la eliwazwileyo,+ ngiphrofethe mayelana ledolobho leli lendlu le. 13 Ngakho-ke tshintshani izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu lilalele ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu. Lingenza njalo, uJehova uzatshintsha ingqondo* angalehliseli umonakalo athe uzalehlisela wona.+ 14 Kodwa mina ngisezandleni zenu. Yenzani kimi elikubona kulungile njalo kufanele. 15 Kodwa kumele lazi ukuthi nxa lingangibulala, lina ledolobho leli labantu abahlala kulo lizakuba lecala legazi ngoba uJehova nguye sibili ongithumileyo ukuthi ngilitshele wonke amazwi la.”
16 Izikhulu labo bonke abantu bathi kubaphristi labaphrofethi: “Umuntu lo akumelanga abulawe ngoba lokho asitshele khona ukukhulume ngebizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.”
17 Kusenjalo abanye abadala besizwe basukuma baqalisa ukukhuluma labantu bonke bathi: 18 “UMikha+ waseMoreshethi waphrofetha ngensuku zikaHezekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda wathi ebantwini bonke bakoJuda, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho:
“IZiyoni izalinywa angathi yinsimu,
IJerusalema izadilizwa isale ingamanxiwa,+
Intaba yethempeli* izafanana lezindawo eziphakemeyo eziseguswini.”’*+
19 “UHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda labo bonke abantu bakoJuda bambulala yini? Angithi uHezekhiya wesaba uJehova, wamncenga uJehova ukuthi abe lomusa kubo? Yikho phela uJehova watshintsha ingqondo,* wayekela ukubehlisela umonakalo ayethe uzabehlisela wona.+ Kodwa thina sesifuna ukuzilethela umonakalo.
20 “Kwakulenye indoda okwakuthiwa ngu-Urija indodana kaShemaya, eyayivela eKhiriyathi-jeyarimi.+ Yaphrofetha ngebizo likaJehova mayelana ledolobho leli kanye lelizwe leli, ikhuluma amazwi anjengalawo akhulunywa nguJeremiya. 21 INkosi uJehoyakhimu+ lawo wonke amaqhawe ayo lezikhulu zayo bawezwa amazwi akhe, inkosi yasisithi kumele abulawe.+ U-Urija wathi esizwa lokho wesaba wabalekela eGibhithe. 22 INkosi uJehoyakhimu yasithuma u-Elinathani+ indodana ka-Akhibhori lamanye amadoda ukuthi baye eGibhithe. 23 Bafika bamthatha u-Urija eGibhithe babuya laye, iNkosi uJehoyakhimu yasimbulala ngenkemba+ yalahlela isidumbu sakhe emangcwabeni abantukazana.”
24 U-Ahikhamu+ indodana kaShafani+ wamvikela uJeremiya, yikho kazange anikelwe ebantwini ukuthi bambulale.+
27 UJehoyakhimu indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda wathi eqala ukubusa, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya. 2 UJeremiya wathi: “UJehova uthe kimi, ‘Yenza imichilo lejogwe ukugaxe entanyeni yakho, 3 ubusukuthatha ukunike izithunywa ezibuye eJerusalema kuZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda ziyekunika inkosi yako-Edomi,+ leyakoMowabi,+ leyama-Amoni,+ leyeThire+ kanye lenkosi yaseSidoni.+ 4 Uzitshele ukuthi zifike zithi emakhosini azo:
“‘“UJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi kumele lifike lithi emakhosini enu, 5 ‘Yimi engenza umhlaba labantu kanye lezinyamazana ezisemhlabeni. Konke ngakwenza ngamandla ami amakhulu langengalo yami eyeluliweyo, ngasengikunika loba ngubani engangifuna ukumnika khona.+ 6 Wonke amazwe la sengiwanikele esandleni senceku yami uNebhukhadinezari+ inkosi yeBhabhiloni. Ngimnike ngitsho lezinyamazana zeganga ukuthi zibe ngaphansi kwakhe. 7 Zonke izizwe zizakuba ngaphansi kwakhe langaphansi kwendodana yakhe lomzukulu wakhe kuze kufike isikhathi sokuwa kombuso wakhe.+ Ngalesosikhathi izizwe lamakhosi amakhulu zizamenza isigqili.’+
8 “‘“‘Loba yiwuphi umbuso kumbe isizwe esala ukubuswa nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni loba ukuba ngaphansi kwejogwe lakhe, ngizasijezisa ngenkemba+ langendlala langesifo esitshabalalisayo ngize ngisiqede ngesandla sikaNebhukhadinezari,’ kutsho uJehova.
9 “‘“‘Ngakho lingabalaleli abaphrofethi benu, labahlahlulayo, labaphupha amaphupho, labenza amasalamusi kanye lezangoma zenu ezithi kini: “Alisoze libuswe yinkosi yeBhabhiloni.” 10 Baphrofetha amanga kini, yikho ngizalisusa elizweni lenu ngilihambise endaweni ekhatshana, ngilichithachithe litshabalale lonke.
11 “‘“‘Kodwa abantu besizwe esizavuma ukuba ngaphansi kwejogwe lenkosi yeBhabhiloni futhi siyisebenzele, ngizabavumela ukuthi baqhubeke* beselizweni labo, balime njalo bahlale kulo,’ kutsho uJehova.”’”
12 Ngatshela loZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda amazwi afananayo ngathi: “Vumani ukuba ngaphansi kwejogwe lenkosi yeBhabhiloni liyisebenzele yona kanye labantu bayo. Lingenza njalo lizaqhubeka liphila.+ 13 Kungani wena labantu bakho kumele life libulawa yinkemba+ lendlala+ lesifo esitshabalalisayo?+ Phela uJehova uthe lokhu yikho okuzakwehlela isizwe esingasoze sivume ukubuswa yinkosi yeBhabhiloni. 14 Lingawalaleli amazwi abaphrofethi abalitshela ukuthi alisoze libuswe yinkosi yeBhabhiloni,+ ngoba baphrofetha amanga kini.+
15 “UJehova uthi, ‘Baphrofetha amanga ngebizo lami, angizange ngibathume. Ngenxa yalokho ngizalichithachitha litshabalale, lina labaphrofethi abaphrofetha kini.’”+
16 Ngatshela abaphristi kanye labantu bonke laba ngathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Lingawalaleli amazwi abaphrofethi benu abaphrofetha kini besithi: “Sekuseduze ukuthi izitsha zendlu kaJehova zilethwe zivela eBhabhiloni!”+ Baphrofetha amanga kini.+ 17 Lingabalaleli, vumani ukubuswa yinkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuze liqhubeke liphila.+ Kungani kumele idolobho leli libe ngamanxiwa? 18 Kodwa nxa bengabaphrofethi beqiniso futhi ilizwi likaJehova likubo, kabancenge uJehova wamabutho ukuthi izitsha ezisele endlini kaJehova lasendlini yenkosi* yakoJuda leziseJerusalema zingathathwa zihanjiswe eBhabhiloni.’
19 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho ngezinsika,+ lenkalakatha yetanka yamanzi,*+ lezinqola+ kanye lezitsha ezisele edolobheni leli, 20 lezo uNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni angazange azithathe ngesikhathi ethumba uJekhoniya indodana kaJehoyakhimu inkosi yakoJuda, emsusa eJerusalema emusa eBhabhiloni kanye lazo zonke izikhulu zakoJuda lezeJerusalema.+ 21 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli mayelana lezitsha ezisele endlini kaJehova, lasendlini yenkosi* yakoJuda kanye laseJerusalema: 22 ‘“Zizathathwa zihanjiswe eBhabhiloni+ futhi zizahlala lapho kuze kube lilanga engizazikhumbula ngalo. Lapho-ke ngizaziphendukisa ngizibuyisele endaweni le,”+ kutsho uJehova.’”
28 Ngalowomnyaka, ekuqaleni kokubusa kukaZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda, ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kwakhe ngenyanga yesihlanu, umphrofethi uHananiya indodana ka-Azuri waseGibhiyoni+ wakhuluma lami endlini kaJehova phambi kwabaphristi labantu bonke wathi: 2 “UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Ngizakwephula ijogwe lenkosi yeBhabhiloni.+ 3 Iminyaka emibili ingakapheli ngizaletha zonke izitsha zendlu kaJehova ezathathwa nguNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni endaweni le wazihambisa eBhabhiloni.+ 4 UJekhoniya+ indodana kaJehoyakhimu+ inkosi yakoJuda, labo bonke abakoJuda abathunjwa bahanjiswa eBhabhiloni+ ngizabaphendukisa endaweni le ngoba ngizakwephula ijogwe lenkosi yeBhabhiloni,’ kutsho uJehova.”
5 Umphrofethi uJeremiya wakhuluma lomphrofethi uHananiya phambi kwabaphristi labantu bonke ababemi endlini kaJehova. 6 Umphrofethi uJeremiya wathi: “Ameni!* Kwangathi uJehova angakwenza lokhu! UJehova kawagcwalise amazwi owakhulumayo, alethe endaweni le izitsha zendlu kaJehova labo bonke abantu abathunjwa bahanjiswa eBhabhiloni. 7 Kodwa ngicela ulalele ilizwi engizakutshela lona bonke abantu laba besizwa. 8 Abaphrofethi abaphrofetha kudala mina lawe singakabi ngabaphrofethi, babejayele ukuphrofetha mayelana lamazwe amanengi lemibuso emikhulu, bekhuluma ngezimpi, ngomonakalo langezifo ezitshabalalisayo. 9 Nxa umphrofethi angaphrofetha ngokuthi kuzakuba lokuthula, ilizwi lakhe beseligcwaliseka, kuzakhanya ukuthi uJehova nguye sibili omthumileyo umphrofethi lo.”
10 Umphrofethi uHananiya wathi esizwa lokho wathatha ijogwe elalisentanyeni kaJeremiya umphrofethi walephula.+ 11 UHananiya wasekhuluma phambi kwabantu bonke wathi: “UJehova uthi, ‘Ngizalephula njalo ijogwe likaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni, ngisuse zonke izizwe ngaphansi kwalo iminyaka emibili ingakapheli.’”+ UJeremiya umphrofethi wasuka wahamba.
12 Umphrofethi uHananiya wathi esephule ijogwe elaligaxwe nguJeremiya umphrofethi, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 13 “Hamba uyetshela uHananiya uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Wephule ijogwe lesigodo+ kodwa esikhundleni salo kuzakwenziwa ijogwe lensimbi.” 14 UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Zonke izizwe lezi ngizazigaxa ijogwe lensimbi zibe ngaphansi kukaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni zimsebenzele.+ Ngizamnika ngitsho lezinyamazana zeganga.”’”+
15 Umphrofethi uJeremiya wasesithi kumphrofethi uHananiya:+ “Ngicela ulalele Hananiya! UJehova kakuthumanga kodwa wena wenze abantu bakholwa amanga.+ 16 Ngakho uJehova uthi, ‘Ngizakususa emhlabeni. Lonyaka uzakufa ngoba wenze abantu bahlamukela uJehova.’”+
17 Umphrofethi uHananiya wafa ngalowomnyaka, ngenyanga yesikhombisa.
29 La ngamazwi encwadi uJeremiya umphrofethi ayithumela eseJerusalema. Yayisiya kubadala besizwe ababethunjiwe, lakubaphristi, lakubaphrofethi lakubo bonke abantu ababethunjwe nguNebhukhadinezari eJerusalema wabahambisa eBhabhiloni. 2 Wayithumela ngesikhathi iNkosi uJekhoniya,+ lendlovukazi,+ leziphathamandla zesigodlweni, labakhokheli bakoJuda labeJerusalema, lezingcitshi zomsebenzi kanye labakhandi bensimbi sebesukile eJerusalema.+ 3 Wayiphathisa u-Elasa indodana kaShafani,+ loGemariya indodana kaHilikhiya, ababethunywe eBhabhiloni nguZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda, ebathume kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni. Yayisithi:
4 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kubo bonke abantu abathunjiweyo, labo abangela ukuthi bathunjwe eJerusalema bahanjiswe eBhabhiloni, 5 ‘Yakhani izindlu lihlale kuzo, lilime izingadi lidle izithelo zazo. 6 Thathani abafazi lizale amadodana lamadodakazi. Dingelani amadodana enu abafazi, lendise lamadodakazi enu ukuze labo babe lamadodana lamadodakazi. Kumele lande elizweni elikulo, lingabi balutshwana. 7 Sebenzelani ukuthi kube lokuthula edolobheni engenza ukuthi lithunjwe lihanjiswe kulo, lilithandazele kuJehova ngoba nxa kungaba lokuthula kulo, lani lizakuba lokuthula.+ 8 UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Lingavumi ukuqilwa ngabaphrofethi benu labahlahlulayo abaphakathi kwenu+ futhi lingawalaleli amaphupho abo, 9 ngoba baphrofetha amanga kini ngebizo lami, angibathumanga,”+ kutsho uJehova.’”
10 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Nxa isiphelile iminyaka engu-70 liseBhabhiloni, ngizalikhumbula+ ngigcwalise isithembiso sami, ngiliphendukise endaweni le.’+
11 “‘Ngikwazi kuhle lokho engikucabangayo ngani,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘ngifuna libe lokuthula, hatshi ukuthi lehlelwe ngokubi,+ ngifuna ukulinika ithemba kanye lekusasa elihle.+ 12 Lizangibiza libuye lizothandaza kimi futhi mina ngizalilalela.’+
13 “‘Lizangidinga lingithole+ ngoba lizabe lingidinga ngenhliziyo yonke.+ 14 Ngizakwenza ukuthi lingithole,’+ kutsho uJehova. ‘Ngizaqoqa abathunjiweyo benu, ngilibuthe kuzo zonke izizwe lezindawo engilichithachithele kuzo,’+ kutsho uJehova. ‘Ngizalibuyisela endaweni engenza ukuthi lisuswe kuyo.’+
15 “Kodwa lina lithi, ‘UJehova usinike abaphrofethi eBhabhiloni.’
16 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova enkosini ehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida+ lakubo bonke abantu abahlala edolobheni leJerusalema, abafowenu abangahambanga lani ekuthunjweni, 17 ‘UJehova wamabutho uthi: “Ngizabathumela inkemba lendlala lesifo esitshabalalisayo+ futhi ngizabenza babe njengamakhiwane abole okokuthi awasadleki.”’+
18 “‘Ngizabaxotshanisa ngenkemba,+ ngibabulale ngendlala langesifo esitshabalalisayo. Ngizabehlisela umonakalo ozakwenza ukuthi yonke imibuso yomhlaba yesabe.+ Ngizabaqalekisa ngibenze into emangalisayo ezakwenza oyibonayo atshaye umlozwi,+ futhi bazathukwa ezizweni zonke engizabenza basabalale kuzo.+ 19 Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi abazange bawalalele amazwi ami engathuma izinceku zami ezingabaphrofethi ukuthi zibatshele wona, ngizithuma kubo ngiphindaphinda,’*+ kutsho uJehova.
“‘Lani alizange lilalele,’+ kutsho uJehova.
20 “Ngakho zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lonke lina bantu elithunjiweyo, engalisusa eJerusalema ngalisa eBhabhiloni. 21 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, mayelana lo-Ahabi indodana kaKholaya, loZedekhiya indodana kaMahaseya, abaphrofetha amanga kini ngebizo lami,+ uthi, ‘Ngizabanikela esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni. Uzababulala phambi kwenu. 22 Okuzakwenzakala kubo kuzakuba yisiqalekiso esizakhulunywa yibo bonke abantu bakoJuda abathunjiweyo abaseBhabhiloni, besithi: “Kwangathi uJehova angakwenza ube njengoZedekhiya lo-Ahabi, abatshiswa yinkosi yeBhabhiloni ngomlilo!” 23 Lokho kuzakwenzakala ngoba benze ihlazo ko-Israyeli,+ befeba labafazi babomakhelwane babo njalo beqamba amanga ngebizo lami, bekhuluma izinto engingabatshelanga zona.+
“‘“Mina yimi engikwaziyo futhi ngingufakazi walokho,”+ kutsho uJehova.’”
24 “UShemaya+ umNehelami umtshele uthi, 25 ‘UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Wena wathumela izincwadi ngebizo lakho kubo bonke abantu abaseJerusalema, lakuZefaniya+ indodana kaMahaseya umphristi, lakubo bonke abaphristi usithi, 26 ‘UJehova usekwenze waba ngumphristi esikhundleni sikaJehoyada umphristi ukuthi ukhangele konke okwenzakala endlini kaJehova, ube leqiniso lokuthi nxa kulomuntu ohlanyayo ozenza umphrofethi, uyabotshelwa emapulankeni amakhulu.+ 27 Manje kungani ungamkhuzi uJeremiya wase-Anathothi+ ozenza umphrofethi phakathi kwenu?+ 28 Phela uthumele ilizwi kithi eBhabhiloni esithi: “Lizahlala lapho okwesikhathi eside! Yakhani izindlu lihlale kuzo, lilime lezingadi lidle izithelo zazo,+—”’”’”
29 UZefaniya+ umphristi wathi ebalela umphrofethi uJeremiya incwadi le, 30 ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 31 “Thumela ilizwi kubo bonke abantu abathunjiweyo uthi kubo, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova mayelana loShemaya umNehelami: “Ngenxa yokuthi uShemaya waphrofetha kini lanxa ngangingamthumanga, wazama ukulenza likholwe amanga,+ 32 uJehova uthi, ‘Ngizamjezisa uShemaya umNehelami lezizukulwane zakhe. Kakho owendlu yakhe ozasala phakathi kwabantu laba futhi kasoze akubone okuhle engizakwenzela abantu bami ngoba ukhuthaze abantu ukuthi bahlamukele uJehova,’ kutsho uJehova.”’”
30 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 2 “UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Wonke amazwi engizakutshela wona wabhale phansi encwadini. 3 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, “Ziyeza insuku lapho engizaqoqa khona abantu bami abathunjiweyo, abako-Israyeli labakoJuda,+ ngibalethe elizweni engalinika okhokho babo baphinde bahlale kulo,”+ kutsho uJehova.’”
4 Nanka amazwi uJehova awatshela abako-Israyeli labakoJuda.
5 UJehova uthi:
“Lizwe abantu bekhala beqhaqhazela;
Bayesaba, akulakuthula.
6 Ngicela libuze ukuthi kulendoda eyake yabeletha yini.
Manje kungani ngibona wonke amadoda aqinileyo ebambe izisu zawo
Njengowesifazana osebeletha?+
Kungani ubuso babo sebumhlophe?
7 Maye! Lolu kuzakuba lusuku olunzima.*+
Akukaze kube losuku olunjengalo,
Yisikhathi sokuthi uJakhobe ehlelwe yibunzima,
Kodwa uzakhululwa.”
8 “Ngalolosuku,” kutsho uJehova, “ngizakwephula ijogwe elisentanyeni yabo ngiqamule lemichilo ababotshwe ngayo. Abantu bezinye izizwe abasoze baphinde babenze izigqili. 9 Bazakhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo njalo basebenzele inkosi yabo uDavida engizayibeka phezu kwabo.”+
10 “Kodwa wena nceku yami Jakhobe ungesabi,” kutsho uJehova,
“Ungethuki wena Israyeli,+
Ngoba ngizakusindisa ngikhatshana,
Ngikhulule abantwabakho elizweni abathunjwa bahanjiswa kulo.+
UJakhobe uzabuyela ayehlala kuhle engesabi lutho,
Akulamuntu ozamenza esabe.”+
11 UJehova uthi, “Ngilawe ukuze ngikusindise.
12 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Inxeba lakho alelapheki.+
Isilonda sakho asisoze siphole.
13 Akulamuntu ozakuncengela,
Isilonda sakho aselapheki,
Akulamuntu ozakusilisa.
14 Zonke izithandwa zakho sezikukhohliwe.+
Azisakudingi,
Ngoba ngikuhlasele angathi ngiyisitha sakho,+
Ngakujezisa njengomuntu olesihluku,
Ngenxa yokuthi icala lakho likhulu lezono zakho zinengi.+
15 Kungani ukhaliswa linxeba lakho?
Ubuhlungu obuzwayo abupheli!
Ngikwehlisele lokhu
Ngenxa yokuthi icala lakho likhulu lezono zakho zinengi.+
Bonke abakuhlaselayo bazahlaselwa.
Ngizakwenza bonke abathumba impahla yakho bathathelwe impahla yabo.”+
17 “Kodwa ngizakusilisa ngelaphe lamanxeba akho,”+ kutsho uJehova,
“Lanxa bekubiza ngokuthi ungolahliweyo besithi:
‘UyiZiyoni engadingwa muntu.’”+
18 UJehova uthi:
“Ngizaqoqa abathunjiweyo abetende likaJakhobe,+
Ngibe lesihawu ngamathabanikeli akhe.
Idolobho lizakwakhiwa eqaqeni elalivele lakhiwe kulo,+
Lenqaba izakuma endaweni yayo efaneleyo.
19 Kubo kuzazwakala uhleko lezingoma zokubonga.+
20 Amadodana akhe azaphumelela njengakudala,
Isizwe sakhe sizakuma siqine phambi kwami.+
Ngizabajezisa bonke abamhlukuluzayo.+
21 Umkhokheli uzavela kuye,
Umbusi avele phakathi kwezizukulwane zakhe.
Ngizamsondeza eduze, asondele kimi.”
“Nxa ngingenzanga njalo, ngubani ongaba lesibindi sokusondela kimi?” kutsho uJehova.
22 “Lizakuba ngabantu bami,+ mina ngibe nguNkulunkulu wenu.”+
23 Umoya wesiphepho sikaJehova uzavunguza ngolaka,+
Uzavunguza ngamandla phezu kwekhanda lomuntu owenza okubi.
24 Ulaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo alusoze luphele,
Aze agcwalise futhi enze lokho akuhlosileyo enhliziyweni yakhe.+
Ekucineni kwezinsuku lizakuzwisisa lokhu.+
31 UJehova uthi, “Ngalesosikhathi ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabantu bazo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli njalo bona bazakuba ngabantu bami.”+
2 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Ngesikhathi abako-Israyeli besiya endaweni ababezaphumula kuyo,
Abantu abangabulawanga ngenkemba benzelwa umusa enkangala.”
3 UJehova wabonakala kimi ngisendaweni ekhatshana wathi:
4 Ngizaphinda ngikwakhe kutsha, wakheke.+
5 Uzaphinda uhlanyele amagilebisi ezintabeni zeSamariya;+
Abalimi bazawahlanyela badle izithelo zawo.+
6 Luyeza usuku lapho abalindi abasezintabeni zako-Efrayimi abazamemeza khona bathi:
‘Buyani siqanse intaba iZiyoni siye kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.’”+
7 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
“Memezani uJakhobe lithokoze.
Memezani ngentokozo ngoba lina liphezu kwezizwe.+
Memezelani ilizwi lidumise lithi,
‘Awu Jehova sindisa abantu bakho, abaseleyo bako-Israyeli.’+
Phakathi kwabo kuzabe kuleziphofu lezigoga,+
Kuzabe kulabesifazana abazithweleyo lababelethayo, bonke behlangene.
Bazaphenduka lapha belixuku elikhulu.+
9 Bazakuza bekhala.+
Ngizabakhokhela nxa sebengincenga befuna ngibe lomusa kubo.
Ngizabakhokhela ngibase ezifuleni zamanzi,+
Ngibahambise endleleni evulekileyo engasoze ibenze bakhubeke,
Ngoba mina nginguYise ka-Israyeli futhi u-Efrayimi lizibulo lami.”+
10 Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina zizwe,
Lilimemezele ezihlengeni ezikhatshana+ lithi:
“Lowo owachithachitha abako-Israyeli uzabaqoqela ndawonye.
Uzabakhangela njengomelusi eluse izimvu zakhe.+
12 Bazakuza bamemeze ngentokozo bephezu kwentaba iZiyoni,+
Bajabule ngenxa yezinto ezinhle ezivela kuJehova.
Bazathokoza ngenxa yamabele lewayini elitsha+ kanye lamafutha,
Bajabule ngenxa yamazinyane ezimvu lamathole asemhlambini.+
13 “Ngalesosikhathi intombi egcweleyo izagida ithokoza,
Kugide lamajaha lamaxhegu.+
14 Ngizanika abaphristi ukudla okunengi.
Abantu bami bazathokoza ngenxa yezinto ezinhle engizabenzela zona,”+ kutsho uJehova.
15 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
‘Kuzwakala ilizwi eRama,+ kulokukhala lokulila:
16 UJehova uthi:
“‘Thula ungakhali, yesula izinyembezi emehlweni akho,
Ngoba uzathola umvuzo ngenxa yalokho okwenzileyo,’ kutsho uJehova.
‘Amadodana akho azaphenduka evela elizweni lesitha.’+
17 ‘Likhona ithemba lokuthi ikusasa lakho lizakuba lihle,’+ kutsho uJehova.
‘Amadodana akho azaphenduka elizweni lawo.’”+
18 “Ngikuzwile sibili ukukhala kuka-Efrayimi esithi,
‘Ungikhuzile lami ngavuma ukuqondiswa
Njengethole elingathanjiswanga.
Ngibuyisela, lami ngizahle ngiphenduke,
Ngoba wena unguJehova uNkulunkulu wami.
Ngayangeka ngaba lenhloni,+
Ngoba ngangithwele ihlazo lezenzo zobutsha bami.’”
20 “U-Efrayimi kasindodana yami eligugu engiyithandayo yini?+
Lanxa ngihlala ngimsola, ngiyamkhumbula.
Yikho ngimzwela kangaka.+
Ngizakuba lesihawu kuye sibili,” kutsho uJehova.+
21 “Faka izimpawu emgwaqweni,
Ufake lamabhakane.+
Uwunanzelele umgwaqo omkhulu, umgwaqo ozahamba ngawo.+
Phenduka wena ntombi egcweleyo yako-Israyeli, phenduka emadolobheni akho.
22 Kuzaze kube nini ulokhu uhlanhlatha wena ndodakazi engathembekanga?
UJehova wenze into entsha emhlabeni:
Owesifazana udinga indoda ngamehlo abomvu.”
23 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: “Bazaphinda bakhulume amazwi la elizweni lakoJuda lasemadolobheni alo nxa sengibuyisela bonke abathunjiweyo babo elizweni labo. Bazakuthi: ‘Kwangathi uJehova angakubusisa wena khaya lokulunga,+ ntaba engcwele.’+ 24 Abantu bazahlala elizweni lakoJuda lakuwo wonke amadolobho alo. Abalimi labelusi bazahlala kulo ngokuthula.+ 25 Ngizavuselela odiniweyo, nginike olambileyo ukudla.”+
26 Ngathi ngisizwa lokhu ngaphaphama ngavula amehlo. Ngangilele ubuthongo obumnandi.
27 UJehova uthi, “Ziyeza insuku lapho engizakwenza abendlu yako-Israyeli labendlu yakoJuda babe banengi. Ngizakwenza lezifuyo zabo zande.”+
28 “Njengoba ngangibakhangele ukuze ngibasiphune, ngibawisele phansi, ngibadilize, ngibahlasele njalo ngibatshabalalise,+ ngizabakhangela futhi ukuze ngibakhe njalo ngibahlanyele,”+ kutsho uJehova. 29 “Ngalezonsuku abasoze baphinde bathi, ‘Obaba badla amagilebisi amunyu kodwa amazinyo abantwana yiwo atshelelayo.’+ 30 Lowo lalowo uzafela icala lakhe. Loba ngubani ozakudla amagilebisi amunyu nguye ozakuba lamazinyo atshelelayo.”
31 UJehova uthi, “Ziyeza insuku lapho engizakwenza khona isivumelwano esitsha+ lendlu yako-Israyeli lendlu yakoJuda. 32 Isivumelwano lesi asisoze sifanane laleso engasenza labokhokho babo ngelanga engababamba ngesandla ngibakhipha elizweni laseGibhithe.+ ‘Isivumelwano engasenza labo basephula+ lanxa kwakuyimi ngedwa inkosi yabo,’* kutsho uJehova.”
33 “Nansi isivumelwano engizasenza labendlu ka-Israyeli ngemva kwensuku lezo: Ngizafaka umthetho wami ngaphakathi kwabo,+ ngiwubhale ezinhliziyweni zabo.+ Ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo, bona babe ngabantu bami,”+ kutsho uJehova.
34 “Ngamunye wabo kasoze aphinde afundise umakhelwane wakhe loba umfowabo esithi, ‘Mazi uJehova!’+ ngoba bonke bazangazi kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu.+ Ngizabathethelela icala labo njalo angisoze ngibe ngisasikhumbula isono sabo,”+ kutsho uJehova.
35 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova,
Osinika ilanga ukuze lisikhanyisele emini,
Obeka imithetho eqondisa inyanga lezinkanyezi ezikhanyisa ebusuku,
Odunga ulwandle enze amagagasi alo ahlokome,
Lowo obizwa ngokuthi nguJehova wamabutho:+
36 “‘Njengoba imithetho le izahlala isebenza,’ kutsho uJehova,
‘Izizukulwane zako-Israyeli lazo zizahlala ziyisizwe phambi kwami.’”+
37 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “‘Njengoba nje amazulu engeke alinganiswe, lezisekelo zomhlaba zingeke zihlolisiswe, lami ngeke ngizilahle zonke izizukulwane zako-Israyeli lanxa zenze konke lokhu,’ kutsho uJehova.”+
38 “Ziyeza insuku lapho okuzakwakhiwa khona idolobho+ likaJehova kusukela emphotshongweni kaHananeli+ kusiyafika egedini elisekhoneni,”+ kutsho uJehova. 39 “Intambo yokulinganisa+ izakwelulwa ize iyefika eqaqeni lwaseGarebhi, ibisiphambuka iqonde eGowa. 40 Yonke indawo kusukela esigodini esilezidumbu lomlotha,* lasemasimini wonke, kutshaye kuze kuyefika esigodini seKhidroni+ lasekhoneni legedi lamabhiza+ elingasempumalanga, izakuba yindawo engcwele kuJehova.+ Kayisoze iphinde idilizwe loba itshabalaliswe.”
32 Leli lilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya ngomnyaka wetshumi wokubusa kukaZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda. Kwakungumnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari.*+ 2 Ngalesosikhathi amabutho enkosi yeBhabhiloni ayevimbezele iJerusalema futhi umphrofethi uJeremiya wayevalelwe egumeni labalindi+ esigodlweni senkosi* yakoJuda. 3 UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda wayevalele uJeremiya+ esithi, “Kungani uphrofetha izinto ezinje? Uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Ngizanikela idolobho leli esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni njalo izalithumba.+ 4 UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda kasoze aphunyuke ezandleni zamaKhaledi. Uzanikelwa enkosini yeBhabhiloni loba sekutheni futhi uzayibona ngawakhe, bakhulume bekhangelene.”’+ 5 UJehova uthi, ‘Inkosi yeBhabhiloni izathatha uZedekhiya imhambise eBhabhiloni, njalo uzahlala khona ngize ngibone engingakwenza ngaye. Lanxa liqhubeka lisilwa lamaKhaledi alisoze linqobe.’”+
6 UJeremiya wathi: “Ilizwi likaJehova lifike kimi lathi, 7 ‘UHanameli indodana kaShalumi umfowabo kayihlo uzafika kuwe athi: “Thenga insimu yami ese-Anathothi+ ngoba nguwe owokuqala olelungelo lokuyithenga.”’”*+
8 UHanameli indodana yomfowabo kababa wafika kimi egumeni labalindi, njengoba nje uJehova wayetshilo. Wathi kimi: “Ngicela uthenge insimu yami ese-Anathothi elizweni lakoBhenjamini ngoba ulelungelo lokuyithenga* ibe ngeyakho. Yikho yithenge.” Ngathi ngisizwa lokhu ngahle ngazi ukuthi leli kwakulilizwi elivela kuJehova.
9 Ngakho ngayithenga insimu le eyayise-Anathothi kuHanameli indodana yomfowabo kababa. Ngamlinganisela imali yakhe+ yaba ngamashekheli* ayisikhombisa lenhlamvu zesiliva ezilitshumi. 10 Ngayifaka esikalini ngayilinganisa, ngasengiyibhala phansi encwadini yesivumelwano sokuthengiselana.+ Ngavala incwadi le ngayifaka uphawu ngasengibiza abantu ukuthi bazofakaza.+ 11 Ngathatha incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthengiselana eyayivaliwe yafakwa uphawu, njengoba nje umthetho wawusithi kumele kwenziwe njalo. Ngathatha laleyo eyayingafakwanga uphawu, 12 ngayinika uBharukhi+ indodana kaNeriya+ indodana kaMahaseyiya, phambi kukaHanameli indodana yomfowabo kababa, labofakazi ababesayine incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthengiselana, laphambi kwawo wonke amaJuda ayehlezi egumeni labalindi.+
13 Ngakhuluma loBharukhi phambi kwabo ngathi: 14 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: ‘Thatha incwadi lezi, incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthengiselana evalwe yafakwa uphawu, laleyo engafakwanga uphawu, uzifake embizeni yomdaka ukuze zihlale isikhathi eside.’ 15 UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Abantu bazaphinda bathenge izindlu lendawo lamasimu amagilebisi elizweni leli.’”+
16 Ngathi senginike uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya incwadi yesivumelwano sokuthengiselana, ngathandaza kuJehova ngathi: 17 “Awu Jehova Nkosi Enkulu! Nguwe owenza amazulu lomhlaba ngamandla akho amakhulu+ langengalo yakho eyeluliweyo. Wena akulalutho olukumangalisayo. 18 Wenzela izinkulungwane zabantu umusa omkhulu* kodwa ujezise amadodana ngenxa yezono zaboyise.+ UnguNkulunkulu weqiniso, umkhulu futhi ulamandla, njalo ubizwa ngokuthi unguJehova wamabutho. 19 Inhloso yakho iyamangalisa,* lezenzo zakho zitshengisa ukuthi ulamandla.+ Amehlo akho abona konke okwenziwa ngabantu+ ukuze unike ngamunye lokho okufanele izindlela zakhe lezenzo zakhe.+ 20 Wenza izimangaliso lezibonakaliso elizweni leGibhithe, ezilokhu zikhunjulwa kuze kube lamuhla. Wenza ibizo lakho laziwa ko-Israyeli lakubo bonke abantu,+ njengoba kunjalo lamuhla. 21 Wakhipha abantu bakho elizweni leGibhithe ngezibonakaliso langezimangaliso. Wabakhulula ngesandla sakho esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo kanye lezenzo ezesabekayo.+
22 “Ngemva kwesikhathi wabanika ilizwe owathembisa okhokho babo+ ukuthi uzabanika lona, ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju.+ 23 Bafika kulo balithatha laba ngelabo kodwa abazange balilalele ilizwi lakho loba balandele umthetho wakho. Abazange benze lokukodwa owawubalaye ukuthi bakwenze, yikho ubehlisele wonke umonakalo lo.+ 24 Abantu sebehlasele idolobho balivimbezela befuna ukulithumba.+ Lizanqotshwa ngamaKhaledi loba sekutheni ngoba alihlasela ngenkemba+ njalo kulendlala lesifo esitshabalalisayo.+ Konke owakukhulumayo sekwenzakele njengoba ubona. 25 Idolobho leli lizanikelwa ezandleni zamaKhaledi loba sekutheni. Kodwa wena Nkosi Enkulu Jehova uthe kimi, ‘Thenga insimu ngemali ubize abantu bakufakazele.’”
26 Ngalesosikhathi ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 27 “Mina nginguJehova, uNkulunkulu wabantu bonke. Kambe kukhona okungangehlula? 28 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Ngizanikela idolobho leli kumaKhaledi lasesandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni. Uzalinqoba+ 29 futhi amaKhaledi ahlasela idolobho leli azangena alithungele ngomlilo litshe.+ Azatshisa lezindlu abantu ababenikela imihlatshelo kuBhali bephezu kwazo ephahleni, benikela langeminikelo yokunathwayo kwabanye onkulunkulu befuna ukungithukuthelisa.’+
30 “‘Abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda benze okubi kuphela phambi kwami kusukela ebutsheni babo.+ Abako-Israyeli baqhubeka bengithukuthelisa ngezinto abazenzayo,’ kutsho uJehova. 31 ‘Phela abantu bedolobho leli bebengithukuthelisa bevusa ulaka lwami kusukela ngelanga abakha ngalo idolobho leli kuze kube lamuhla.+ Yikho kumele lisuswe phambi kwamehlo ami,+ 32 ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi ezenziwa ngabantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda. Bonke nje, amakhosi,+ labakhokheli,+ labaphristi, labaphrofethi,+ labantu bakoJuda kanye lezakhamizi zeJerusalema bangithukuthelisile. 33 Bangifulathele abazange bangikhangele.+ Lanxa bengibafundisa kanenginengi* abazange bangilalele ngibalaya.+ 34 Bafake izithombe zabo ezenyanyekayo endlini ebizwa ngebizo lami ukuze bayingcolise.+ 35 Phezu kwalokho bakhele uBhali izindawo eziphakemeyo* esigodini sendodana kaHinomi,*+ ukuze batshisele khona amadodana lamadodakazi abo emlilweni, besenzela uMolekhi imihlatshelo.+ Into le abayenzayo angizange ngibatshele ukuthi bayenze,+ ayizange ifike enhliziyweni yami* ngoba iyenyanyeka futhi yenza abakoJuda bone.’
36 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli mayelana ledolobho leli elikhuluma ngalo lisithi lizanikelwa esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni ilihlasele ngenkemba, lihlaselwe yindlala kanye lesifo esitshabalalisayo, 37 ‘Ngizabaqoqa bevela emazweni wonke engangibachithachithele kuwo ngesikhathi ngibathukuthelele kakhulu lolaka lwami luvutha ngenxa yabo,+ njalo ngizabaphendukisa endaweni le bahlale kuyo bevikelekile.+ 38 Bazakuba ngabantu bami, mina ngibe nguNkulunkulu wabo.+ 39 Ngizabenza babe nhliziyonye,+ bahambe ngendlela eyodwa ukuze bahlale bengesaba, bathole izibusiso bona labantwababo.+ 40 Ngizakwenza labo isivumelwano esingapheliyo,+ esokuthi angisoze ngiyekele ukubenzela okuhle.+ Ngizabenza bangesabe ukuze bangangitshiyi.+ 41 Ngizathokoza ngabo ngibenzele okuhle+ futhi ngizabahlanyela elizweni leli bahlale kulo kokuphela.+ Lokhu ngizakwenza ngenhliziyo yami yonke langomphefumulo* wami wonke.’”
42 “UJehova uthi, ‘Njengoba nje ngehlisela abantu laba wonke umonakalo lo, ngizabanika konke okuhle engibathembisa khona.+ 43 Abantu bazaphinda bathenge amasimu elizweni leli+ lanxa lina lisithi: “Ilizwe leli seliyinkangala engelamuntu loba inyamazana futhi selinikelwe kumaKhaledi.”’
44 “‘Amasimu azathengwa ngemali, kubhalwe izivumelwano zokuthengiselana zivalwe zifakwe uphawu. Kuzabuya abantu bezokufakazela lokhu bevela elizweni lakoBhenjamini,+ lasezindaweni ezigombolozele iJerusalema, lasemadolobheni akoJuda,+ lasemadolobheni asezintabeni, lasemadolobheni asezindaweni eziphansi,+ lasemadolobheni aseningizimu ngoba ngizaletha abathunjiweyo babo,’+ kutsho uJehova.”
33 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya okwesibili ngesikhathi elokhu evalelwe egumeni labalindi,+ lathi: 2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova owenza umhlaba, uJehova owawubumbayo wawumisa waqina, yena obizwa ngokuthi nguJehova, uthi, 3 ‘Ngibizani mina ngizaliphendula, ngihle ngilitshele izinto ezimangalisayo lezingazwisisekiyo ebelingazazi.’”+
4 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngezindlu ezisedolobheni leli lezindlu zamakhosi akoJuda, ezidilizwe ngesikhathi idolobho livinjezelwe futhi lihlaselwa ngenkemba.+ 5 Nanku akutshoyo ngabantu abayakulwa lamaKhaledi, begcwalisa izindawo lezi ngezidumbu zalabo engibabuleleyo ngenxa yentukuthelo yami lolaka lwami, labo abenze okubi babangela ukuthi ngingalikhangeli idolobho leli, uthi: 6 ‘Ngizabelapha baqine.+ Ngizabasilisa ngibaphe ukuthula okukhulu leqiniso.+ 7 Ngizaletha abathunjiweyo bakoJuda labako-Israyeli,+ ngibakhe njengalokho engakwenza ekuqaliseni.+ 8 Ngizabahlambulula kuzo zonke izono zabo abazenze kimi,+ ngibathethelele zonke izono zabo leziphambeko zabo.+ 9 Ibizo leJerusalema lizakwenza ngithokoze kakhulu. Lizakwenza ukuthi zonke izizwe ezisemhlabeni ezizakuzwa ngakho konke okuhle engikwenzele abantu bami+ zingidumise futhi zingikhazimulise. Zizakwesaba ziqhuqhe+ ngenxa yakho konke okuhle engikwenzele abantu bami kanye lokuthula engibanike khona.’”+
10 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Endaweni le elithi isiyinkangala engelamuntu loba isifuyo, emadolobheni akoJuda angasahlali muntu lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema engelabantu loba izifuyo, kuzaphinda kuzwakale 11 umsindo wokuthokoza lokujabula,+ lelizwi lomyeni lelikamakoti lelalabo abathi: “Bongani uJehova wamabutho ngoba uJehova muhle.+ Uthando lwakhe oluqotho luhlala kuze kube nini lanini!”’+
“‘Bazaletha iminikelo yokubonga endlini kaJehova,+ ngoba ngizaphendukisa abathunjiweyo bazohlala elizweni leli njengoba kwakunjalo ekuqaleni,’ kutsho uJehova.”
12 “UJehova wamabutho uthi: ‘Elizweni leli eliyinkangala engelamuntu loba isifuyo, lakuwo wonke amadolobho alo kuzaphinda kube lamadlelo lapho abelusi abazakwelusela khona imihlambi yabo.’+
13 “‘Emadolobheni asezintabeni, lasemadolobheni asezindaweni eziphansi, lasemadolobheni aseningizimu, elizweni lakoBhenjamini, lasezindaweni ezisemangweni weJerusalema,+ lasemadolobheni akoJuda,+ imihlambi izaphinda idlule ngaphansi kwesandla salowo oyibalayo,’ kutsho uJehova.”
14 “UJehova uthi, ‘Ziyeza insuku lapho engizagcwalisa khona isithembiso esihle engasenzayo mayelana labako-Israyeli labakoJuda.+ 15 Ngalezonsuku langalesosikhathi ngizahlumisela uDavida ihlumela elihle*+ futhi lizakwahlulela kuhle, lenze okulungileyo elizweni.+ 16 Ngensuku lezo abakoJuda bazasindiswa+ njalo abantu beJerusalema bazahlala bevikelekile.+ IJerusalema izabizwa ngebizo elitsho ukuthi uJehova uyikulunga kwethu.’”+
17 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Akusoze kuswelakale umuntu wosendo lukaDavida ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sako-Israyeli.+ 18 Lakubaphristi abangamaLevi akusoze kuswelakale umuntu ozakuma phambi kwami ukuze anikele iminikelo yokutshiswa egcweleyo, atshise leminikelo yamabele kanye lemihlatshelo.’”
19 Ilizwi likaJehova laphinda lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 20 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Njengoba nje lingeke lenelise ukwephula isivumelwano engasenza lelanga, lesivumelwano engasenza lobusuku, lenze ukuthi kungabi lelanga kumbe ubusuku ngesikhathi esifaneleyo,+ 21 ngeke lenelise ukwephula isivumelwano engasenza lenceku yami uDavida,+ lenze ukuthi kungabi lendodana yakhe ezahlala esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi ibuse.+ Alisoze lenelise lokwephula isivumelwano sami labaphristi abangamaLevi, abenza inkonzo engcwele phambi kwami.+ 22 Njengoba nje ibutho elisemazulwini* lingeke libalwe, letshebetshebe eselwandle ingeke ilinganiswe, ngizazandisa zibe njalo izizukulwane zenceku yami uDavida kanye lamaLevi enza inkonzo engcwele phambi kwami.’”
23 Ilizwi likaJehova laphinda lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 24 “Uyabezwa yini abantu laba abathi, ‘UJehova uzazilahla imuli ezimbili ayezikhethile’? Beyisa abantu bami njalo abababoni beyisizwe.
25 “UJehova uthi: ‘Njengoba nje ngenza isivumelwano esiqinileyo lelanga lobusuku+ ngabeka lemithetho eqondisa amazulu lomhlaba,+ 26 angisoze ngizilahle izizukulwane zikaJakhobe lezenceku yami uDavida, ngenze ukuthi kuswelakale abosendo lwakhe abazabusa izizukulwane zika-Abrahama lo-Isaka loJakhobe. Ngizaqoqa abathunjiweyo+ babo ngibe lesihawu kubo.’”+
34 Leli lilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya ngesikhathi uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni lalo lonke ibutho lakhe, layo yonke imibuso yomhlaba engaphansi kwakhe kanye labantu bakhe bonke, behlasela iJerusalema lawo wonke amadolobho ayeseduze kwayo:+
2 “UJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi, ‘Hamba uyekhuluma loZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda uthi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Ngizanikela idolobho leli esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni futhi izalithungela ngomlilo.+ 3 Awusoze uphunyuke enkosini yeBhabhiloni kodwa uzabanjwa loba sekutheni unikelwe kuyo.+ Uzayibona ngamehlo akho likhulume likhangelene njalo uzathathwa uhanjiswe eBhabhiloni.’+ 4 Lanxa kunjalo zwana ukuthi ilizwi likaJehova lithini kuwe Zedekhiya nkosi yakoJuda, ‘Nanku uJehova akutshoyo ngawe: “Awusoze ubulawe ngenkemba. 5 Uzakufa ngokuthula+ njalo bazakutshisela impepha nxa usungcwatshwa njengalokho abakwenzela oyihlo ababengamakhosi phambi kwakho. Bazakukhalela besithi, ‘Maye ngenkosi yethu!’ ngoba ‘mina sengikhulumile,’ kutsho uJehova.”’”’”
6 Umphrofethi uJeremiya wakhuluma wonke amazwi la kuZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda eJerusalema, 7 ngesikhathi amabutho eBhabhiloni esilwa leJerusalema lawo wonke amadolobho akoJuda ayesele.+ Ayesilwa leLakhishi+ le-Azekha+ ngoba yiwo wodwa amadolobho ayevikelwe ngemiduli ayesasele koJuda.
8 Leli lilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya ngemva kokuthi iNkosi uZedekhiya yenze isivumelwano labo bonke abantu beJerusalema esokuthi bakhulule izigqili zabo.+ 9 Bonke kwakumele bakhulule izigqili zabo ezingamaHebheru ukuze kungabi lomJuda olesigqili esingumJuda. 10 Ngakho zonke izikhulu labo bonke abantu balalela. Balandela okwakutshiwo yisivumelwano leso, esokuthi bonke abantu kwakumele bakhulule izigqili lezigqilikazi zabo, bangaphindi babenze izigqili. Balalela babayekela bahamba. 11 Kodwa ngemva kwesikhathi baphinda baziphendukisa izigqili lezigqilikazi zabo ababezikhululile, bazibamba ngamandla ukuthi zibasebenzele. 12 Ngakho ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya livela kuJehova lathi:
13 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Ngenza isivumelwano labokhokho benu+ ngelanga engabakhipha ngalo elizweni leGibhithe, ilizwe lobugqili,+ ngathi: 14 “Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa ngamunye wenu kufanele akhulule isigqili sakhe esingumHebheru asithengayo esesimsebenzele iminyaka eyisithupha. Kufanele amkhulule umfowabo ahambe.”+ Okhokho benu abazange bangilalele kumbe babe lendaba lalokho engangibatshela khona. 15 Kodwa lina like latshintsha izenzo zenu lenza okulungileyo phambi kwami, lakhulula izigqili zenu ezingabafowenu njalo lenza isivumelwano phambi kwami endlini ebizwa ngebizo lami. 16 Lanxa kunjalo seliphinde langitshiya langcolisa ibizo lami.+ Liphendukise izigqili lezigqilikazi zenu elalizikhulule lazivumela ukuthi ziye lapho ezifuna ukuya khona. Liziphendukisile lazibamba ngamandla ukuthi zilisebenzele.’
17 “Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Alingilalelanga endabeni yokukhulula izigqili zenu ezingabafowenu labomakhelwane benu.+ Nansi-ke inkululeko engiyimemezela kini,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘lizabulawa ngenkemba, liqedwe yindlala+ lesifo esitshabalalisayo. Ngizalehlisela umonakalo ozakwenza yonke imibuso yomhlaba yesabe.+ 18 Lokhu yikho okuzakwenzakala ebantwini abangazange bagcine isivumelwano sami, abangawalandelanga amazwi esivumelwano abasenza phambi kwami ngesikhathi bequma ithole lisiba yiziqa ezimbili futhi bedabula phakathi kweziqa lezo.+ 19 Abakhokheli bakoJuda labeJerusalema, leziphathamandla zesigodlweni, labaphristi, labo bonke abantu abaselizweni abadabula phakathi kweziqa ezimbili zethole, 20 ngizabanikela ezitheni zabo lakulabo abafuna ukubabulala. Izidumbu zabo zizakuba yikudla kwenyoni zezulu lokwezinyamazana.+ 21 Ngizanikela loZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda lezikhulu zakhe ezitheni zabo lakulabo abafuna ukubabulala. Ngizabanikela lasezandleni zamabutho enkosi yeBhabhiloni,+ asebuyele emuva ayekela ukulihlasela.’+
22 “UJehova uthi, ‘Ngizakhipha umlayo ngiwaphendukise edolobheni leli. Azakulwa lalo alinqobe abeselitshisa ngomlilo.+ Ngizakwenza amadolobho akoJuda abe yinkangala engahlali muntu.’”+
35 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya ngensuku zikaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, lathi: 2 “Hamba kwabemuli yamaRekhabi+ ukhulume labo, ubusubuya labo endlini kaJehova ubangenise kwenye yezindlu zokudlela ubanike iwayini.”
3 Ngakho ngathatha uJazaniya indodana kaJeremiya indodana kaHabhaziniya, labafowabo, lawo wonke amadodana akhe labo bonke nje abemuli yamaRekhabi, 4 ngaya labo endlini kaJehova. Ngafika ngabangenisa endlini yamadodana kaHanana indodana ka-Igidaliya, umuntu kaNkulunkulu weqiniso. Indlu le yayiseceleni kwendlu yokudlela eyayisetshenziswa yizikhulu, eyayiphezu kwendlu yokudlela kaMahaseya indodana kaShalumi owayelinda emnyango. 5 Ngabeka amankomitsho lezitsha ezigcwele iwayini phambi kwamadoda angamaRekhabi ngathi kuwo: “Nanti iwayini, nathani.”
6 Kodwa wona athi: “Asisoze sinathe iwayini ngoba uJehonadabi*+ indodana kaRekhabi ukhokho wethu wasitshela wathi, ‘Lina lamadodana enu akumelanga linathe iwayini loba sekutheni. 7 Akumelanga lakhe izindlu, lilime, lihlanyele loba lithenge amasimu amagilebisi. Kodwa kumele lihlale ematendeni kokuphela ukuze liphile isikhathi eside elizweni elihlala kulo lingabezizweni.’ 8 Yikho siqhubeka silalela ilizwi likaJehonadabi indodana kaRekhabi ukhokho wethu, silandela konke asitshela khona. Thina labomkethu, lamadodana ethu lamadodakazi ethu asilinathi iwayini. 9 Kasakhi izindlu zokuhlala, asilamasimu amagilebisi loba amanye amasimu njalo asilimi. 10 Siqhubeka sihlala ematendeni njalo silalela konke esakutshelwa ngukhokho wethu uJehonadabi.* 11 Kodwa uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yaseBhabhiloni wathi esehlasela ilizwe+ sathi, ‘Wozani singene eJerusalema sibalekele ibutho lamaKhaledi lelamaSiriya.’ Yikho khathesi sihlala eJerusalema.”
12 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 13 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Hamba uyekhuluma labantu bakoJuda lalabo abahlala eJerusalema uthi: “Ngangingahlali ngilincenga yini ukuthi lilalele amazwi ami?”+ kutsho uJehova. 14 “UJehonadabi indodana kaRekhabi watshela izizukulwane zakhe ukuthi zinganathi iwayini, futhi ziyalilalela ilizwi lakhe. Azilinathi iwayini kuze kube lamuhla, zilalela lokho ezakutshelwa ngukhokho wazo.+ Mina ngikhulume lani ngiphindaphinda* kodwa alizange lingilalele.+ 15 Bengilokhu ngithuma izinceku zami ezingabaphrofethi, ngizithuma kini ngiphindaphinda*+ ngisithi, ‘Ngicela liphenduke, ngamunye wenu atshiye izindlela zakhe ezimbi+ enze okulungileyo! Lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu futhi lingabakhonzi. Lingenza njalo, lizaqhubeka lihlala elizweni engalinika lona lina labokhokho benu.’+ Kodwa alizange lingilalele loba libe lendaba lalokho engikutshoyo. 16 Izizukulwane zikaJehonadabi indodana kaRekhabi ziwulalele umlayo ezawuphiwa ngukhokho wazo,+ kodwa abantu laba abangilalelanga.”’”
17 “Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: ‘Ngizakwehlisela abantu bakoJuda lalabo abahlala eJerusalema wonke umonakalo engabatshela ngawo ngibaxwayisa+ ngoba bengilokhu ngikhuluma labo kodwa abazange balalele, ngiqhubeke ngibabiza kodwa abazange basabele.’”+
18 UJeremiya wakhuluma labemuli yamaRekhabi wathi: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Ngenxa yokuthi liyawulalela umlayo elawuphiwa ngukhokho wenu uJehonadabi futhi liqhubeka lilandela wonke amazwi akhe, lisenza konke alitshela khona, 19 nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: “Akusoze kuswelakale owesizukulwane sikaJehonadabi* indodana kaRekhabi ozakhonza phambi kwami.”’”
36 Ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 2 “Thatha incwadimgoqwa ubhale wonke amazwi engakutshela wona mayelana labantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda+ kanye lazo zonke izizwe,+ kusukela ngelanga ngiqala ukukhuluma lawe ngensuku zikaJosiya kuze kube lamuhla.+ 3 Mhlawumbe abendlu yakoJuda bazakuthi besizwa ngawo wonke umonakalo engihlose ukubehlisela wona baphenduke batshiye izindlela zabo ezimbi, besengibathethelela amacala abo lezono zabo.”+
4 UJeremiya wasebiza uBharukhi+ indodana kaNeriya wamtshela wonke amazwi uJehova ayewakhulume kuye, uBharukhi wawabhala encwadinimgoqwa.+ 5 UJeremiya watshela uBharukhi wathi: “Mina angenelisi ukungena endlini kaJehova ngoba angivunyelwa. 6 Ngakho nguwe okumele uhambe uyebala amazwi kaJehova engikutshele ukuthi uwabhale encwadinimgoqwa. Kumele uwabale endlini kaJehova abantu besizwa ngelanga lokuzila ukudla, ubalele bonke abantu bakoJuda abazabuya bevela emadolobheni abo. 7 Mhlawumbe uJehova angakuzwa ukuncenga kwabo becela ukuthi abe lomusa kubo futhi labo bangaphenduka ezindleleni zabo ezimbi, ngoba lukhulu ulaka lukaJehova njalo ubathukuthelele kakhulu abantu laba.”
8 Ngakho uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya wakwenza konke uJeremiya umphrofethi ayemtshele khona. Wabalela abantu ababesendlini kaJehova+ amazwi kaJehova ayesencwadinimgoqwa.
9 Ngomnyaka wesihlanu wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, ngenyanga yesi-9, bonke abantu beJerusalema labo bonke abantu ababeze eJerusalema bevela emadolobheni akoJuda batshelwa ukuthi bazile ukudla phambi kukaJehova.+ 10 UBharukhi wabala incwadimgoqwa elamazwi kaJeremiya endlini kaJehova, endlini yokudlela kaGemariya+ indodana kaShafani+ umbhali, eyayisegumeni elingaphezulu duze kwegedi elitsha lendlu kaJehova.+ Wayibala abantu bonke besizwa.
11 UMikhaya indodana kaGemariya indodana kaShafani wathi esizwa amazwi kaJehova ayebhalwe encwadinimgoqwa, 12 waya endlini kanobhala eyayisesigodlweni senkosi. Zonke iziphathamandla zesigodlweni zazihlezi lapho. Kwakulo-Elishama+ unobhala, loDelaya indodana kaShemaya, lo-Elinathani+ indodana ka-Akhibhori,+ loGemariya indodana kaShafani, loZedekhiya indodana kaHananiya kanye labo bonke abakhokheli. 13 UMikhaya watshela izikhulu wonke amazwi ayezwe uBharukhi ewabala encwadinimgoqwa abantu belalele.
14 Ngakho zonke izikhulu zathuma uJehudi indodana kaNethaniya, indodana kaShelemiya indodana kaKhushi ukuthi ayetshela uBharukhi athi: “Buya lencwadimgoqwa oyibalele abantu.” UBharukhi indodana kaNeriya wathatha incwadimgoqwa waya kuzo. 15 Izikhulu zathi kuye: “Sicela uhlale phansi usibalele.” Yikho uBharukhi wabalela izikhulu lezo incwadimgoqwa.
16 Izikhulu zathi ziwezwa wonke amazwi ayesencwadinimgoqwa zakhangelana zethukile, zathi kuBharukhi: “Kumele siyitshele sibili inkosi wonke amazwi la.” 17 Zaphinda zathi kuye: “Sicela usitshele ukuthi uwathethe ngaphi wonke amazwi la. NguJeremiya yini obekutshela wona?” 18 UBharukhi waphendula wathi: “Nguye ongitshele wonke amazwi la, mina ngawabhala nge-inki encwadinimgoqwa.” 19 Izikhulu zathi kuBharukhi: “Hambani liyecatsha, wena loJeremiya, kungabi lomuntu okwaziyo ukuthi lingaphi.”+
20 Ngemva kwalokho izikhulu zaya enkosini. Zangena egumeni, zafika zatshiya incwadimgoqwa endlini ka-Elishama unobhala, zasezitshela inkosi konke ezazikuzwile.
21 Ngakho inkosi yathuma uJehudi+ ukuthi ayethatha incwadimgoqwa, wasehamba wayayithatha endlini ka-Elishama unobhala. UJehudi waqala ukuyibalela inkosi lazo zonke izikhulu ezazimi eceleni kwayo. 22 Inkosi yayihlezi endlini eyayihlala kuyo ngesikhathi somqando njalo phambi kwayo kwakulembawula. Kwakuyinyanga yesi-9.* 23 UJehudi wayesithi engabala amakhasi amathathu loba amane, inkosi iyiqume ngengqamu kanobhala ingxenye ayibalileyo iyiphosele embawuleni. Yenza njalo yonke incwadimgoqwa yaze yaphelela emlilweni. 24 Inkosi lezinceku zayo zonke ezezwa wonke amazwi la abazange besabe loba badabule izembatho zabo. 25 Lanxa u-Elinathani+ loDelaya+ loGemariya+ bayincenga inkosi ukuthi ingayitshisi incwadimgoqwa, ayizange ibalalele. 26 Phezu kwalokho, inkosi yathuma uJerameli indodana yenkosi, loSeraya indodana ka-Aziriyeli, loShelemiya indodana ka-Abhideli ukuthi bayebamba uBharukhi unobhala loJeremiya umphrofethi. Kodwa uJehova wabafihla.+
27 Inkosi yathi isitshise incwadimgoqwa eyayilamazwi ayebhalwe nguBharukhi etshelwa nguJeremiya,+ ilizwi likaJehova laphinda lafika kuJeremiya lathi: 28 “Thatha enye incwadimgoqwa ubhale wonke amazwi abesencwadinimgoqwa yakuqala etshiswe nguJehoyakhimu inkosi yakoJuda.+ 29 Kumele ukhulume ngoJehoyakhimu inkosi yakoJuda uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Utshise incwadimgoqwa leyana wathi, ‘Kungani ubhale ukuthi inkosi yeBhabhiloni izabuya loba sekutheni itshabalalise ilizwe leli, iqede abantu lezinyamazana?’+ 30 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngoJehoyakhimu inkosi yakoJuda, ‘Kakho owosendo lwakhe ozahlala esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida+ njalo isidumbu sakhe asisoze singcwatshwe. Sizatshiswa lilanga emini sitshazwe ngumqando ebusuku.+ 31 Ngizamjezisa yena lezizukulwane zakhe lezinceku zakhe ngenxa yezono zabo. Bona labantu beJerusalema labakoJuda ngizabehlisela umonakalo engathi ngizabehlisela wona+ ngoba abangilalelanga.’”’”+
32 UJeremiya wathatha enye incwadimgoqwa wayinika uBharukhi indodana kaNeriya unobhala.+ UJeremiya waphinda wamtshela wonke amazwi ayesencwadinimgoqwa eyatshiswa+ nguJehoyakhimu inkosi yakoJuda, uBharukhi wawabhala. Kwangezelelwa lamanye amazwi amanengi anjengalawo.
37 UZedekhiya+ indodana kaJosiya waba yinkosi esikhundleni sikaKhoniya*+ indodana kaJehoyakhimu. Wabekwa nguNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuthi abe yinkosi elizweni lakoJuda.+ 2 Kodwa uZedekhiya lezinceku zakhe kanye labantu abahlala elizweni abazange bawalalele amazwi uJehova awakhuluma esebenzisa uJeremiya umphrofethi.
3 INkosi uZedekhiya yathuma uJehukhali+ indodana kaShelemiya, loZefaniya+ indodana kaMahaseya umphristi ukuthi baye kuJeremiya umphrofethi bafike bathi kuye: “Sicela usithandazele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.” 4 UJeremiya wayezihambela ekhululekile phakathi kwabantu ngoba babengakamfaki ejele.+ 5 Ngalesosikhathi ibutho likaFaro lalisiza livela eGibhithe.+ Ngakho amaKhaledi ayevimbezele iJerusalema athi ekuzwa lokho asuka eJerusalema.+ 6 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kuJeremiya umphrofethi lathi: 7 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Inkosi yakoJuda elithume ukuthi lizobuza kimi kumele liyitshele lithi: “Ibutho likaFaro elizokuncedisa lizabuyela elizweni lalo eGibhithe.+ 8 AmaKhaledi azaphenduka alwe ledolobho leli alinqobe, abeselithungela ngomlilo.”+ 9 UJehova uthi, “Lingaziyengi lisithi, ‘AmaKhaledi asehambile, awasoze aphinde asihlasele,’ ngoba azaphenduka. 10 Lanxa belinganqoba lonke ibutho lamaKhaledi elilwa lani, kusale abalimeleyo kuphela, bebezaphuma ematendeni abo balithungele ngomlilo idolobho leli.”’”+
11 Ibutho lamaKhaledi lathi selisukile eJerusalema ngenxa yebutho likaFaro,+ 12 uJeremiya wasuka eJerusalema esiya elizweni lakoBhenjamini+ ukuze ayethola isabelo sakhe phakathi kwabantu bakibo. 13 Kodwa wathi efika egedini lakoBhenjamini, isikhulu esasikhangela abalindi okwakuthiwa ngu-Irija indodana kaShelemiya, indodana kaHananiya, sambamba uJeremiya umphrofethi sathi kuye: “Usuhlamukela kumaKhaledi!” 14 UJeremiya wathi: “Hatshi! Angihlamukeli kumaKhaledi.” Kodwa u-Irija kazange amlalele uJeremiya. Wambopha wamhambisa ezikhulwini. 15 Izikhulu zamthukuthelela uJeremiya,+ zamtshaya zamvalela endlini+ kaJehonathani unobhala, eyayenziwe yaba yijele. 16 UJeremiya wafakwa esitokisini esimnyama esasingaphansi kwendlu futhi wahlala lapho okwamalanga amanengi.
17 INkosi uZedekhiya yambizela endlini yayo* yasimbuza ngudlu+ yathi, “Likhona yini ilizwi elivela kuJehova?” UJeremiya waphendula wathi, “Ye likhona!” Waseqhubeka wathi, “Uzanikelwa esandleni senkosi yeBhabhiloni!”+
18 UJeremiya waphinda wathi enkosini uZedekhiya: “Kanti ngikoneleni wena lezinceku zakho labantu laba ukuthi selingaze lingifake ejele? 19 Khathesi bangaphi abaphrofethi benu ababephrofetha besithi, ‘Inkosi yeBhabhiloni ayisoze ilihlasele ilizwe leli njalo ayisoze ilwe lani’?+ 20 Ngicela ungilalele nkosi yami, wamukele isicelo sami. Ngicela ungangibuyiseli endlini kaJehonathani+ unobhala ngoba ngingafela khona.”+ 21 Ngakho iNkosi uZedekhiya yathi uJeremiya avalelwe egumeni labalindi.+ Nsuku zonke wayephiwa isinkwa esasivela emgwaqweni wabapheki bezinkwa.+ UJeremiya waphiwa isinkwa leso kwaze kwaba yilapho isinkwa siphela edolobheni+ njalo waqhubeka ehlala egumeni labalindi.
38 UShefathiya indodana kaMathani, loGedaliya indodana kaPhashuri, loJukhali+ indodana kaShelemiya kanye loPhashuri+ indodana kaMalikhija bezwa uJeremiya ekhuluma labo bonke abantu esithi: 2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, ‘Lowo ozasala edolobheni leli uzabulawa yinkemba kumbe yindlala loba yisifo esitshabalalisayo.+ Kodwa lowo ozazinikela* kumaKhaledi uzaqhubeka ephila futhi umvuzo wakhe kuzakuba yimpilo yakhe.’*+ 3 UJehova uthi, ‘Loba sekutheni idolobho leli lizanikelwa ebuthweni lenkosi yaseBhabhiloni futhi izalinqoba.’”+
4 Izikhulu zathi enkosini: “Sicela ukuthi umuntu lo abulawe+ ngoba amazwi awakhulumayo enza amabutho asele edolobheni leli kanye labo bonke abantu baphele amandla. Umuntu lo kafuni abantu laba babe lokuthula, ufuna behlelwe ngumonakalo.” 5 INkosi uZedekhiya yaphendula yathi: “Usezandleni zenu. Phela mina ngeke ngenelise ukulivimba.”
6 Ngakho zathatha uJeremiya zamehlisa ngentambo emgodini kaMalikhija indodana yenkosi. Umgodi lo wawusegumeni labalindi+ futhi wawungelamanzi, ulodaka kuphela. UJeremiya waqalisa ukutshona edakeni.
7 U-Ebhedi-meleki+ umTopiya owayeyisiphathamandla* esigodlweni senkosi wezwa ukuthi uJeremiya wayefakwe emgodini. Ngalesosikhathi inkosi yayihlezi egedini lakoBhenjamini.+ 8 Yikho u-Ebhedi-meleki waphuma endlini yenkosi* wayakhuluma lenkosi wathi: 9 “Awu nkosi yami, lokho amadoda la akwenze uJeremiya umphrofethi kubi kakhulu! Amphosele emgodini futhi uzafela khona ngenxa yendlala, njengoba kungaselasinkwa edolobheni.”+
10 Inkosi yasisithi ku-Ebhedi-meleki umTopiya: “Thatha amadoda angu-30 lapha lihambe liyekhipha umphrofethi uJeremiya emgodini engakafi.” 11 Ngakho u-Ebhedi-meleki wathatha amadoda wahamba lawo endlini yenkosi.* Bafika endlini engaphansi kwaleyo okwakugcinwa kuyo inotho,+ bathatha amalembu adabukileyo lezigqoko ezindala bakwehlisela kuJeremiya emgodini ngezintambo. 12 U-Ebhedi-meleki umTopiya wasesithi kuJeremiya: “Ngicela ufake amalembu lezigqoko lezo emakhwapheni ukuze intambo zingakulimazi.” UJeremiya wasesenza njalo. 13 Bamdonsa uJeremiya ngezintambo bamkhipha emgodini. Ngemva kwalokho uJeremiya waqhubeka ehlala egumeni labalindi.+
14 INkosi uZedekhiya yabiza uJeremiya umphrofethi yathi abuye egedini lesithathu lendlu kaJehova. Inkosi yasisithi kuJeremiya: “Kulento engifuna ukukubuza yona, ungangifihleli lutho.” 15 UJeremiya wasesithi kuZedekhiya: “Nxa ngingakutshela uzangibulala. Lanxa ngingakweluleka awusoze ungilalele.” 16 Ngakho iNkosi uZedekhiya yafunga kuJeremiya ensitha yathi: “Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo osinika ukuphila, angisoze ngikubulale futhi angisoze ngikunikele ezandleni zamadoda afuna ukukubulala.”
17 UJeremiya wasesithi kuZedekhiya: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Nxa ungazinikela* ezikhulwini zenkosi yeBhabhiloni awusoze ubulawe, ledolobho leli alisoze litshiswe ngomlilo. Wena labemuli yakho lizaqhubeka liphila.+ 18 Kodwa nxa ungayekela ukuzinikela* ezikhulwini zenkosi yeBhabhiloni, idolobho leli lizanqotshwa ngamaKhaledi alitshise ngomlilo+ njalo wena awusoze uphunyuke esandleni sawo.’”+
19 INkosi uZedekhiya yasisithi kuJeremiya: “Ngesaba amaJuda ahlamukele kumaKhaledi ngoba nxa nginganikelwa kuwo angangenza isihluku.” 20 Kodwa uJeremiya wathi: “Awusoze unikelwe kuwo. Ngicela ulalele ilizwi likaJehova engikutshela lona. Ungenza njalo kuzakuhambela kuhle futhi uzaqhubeka uphila. 21 Kodwa nxa ungayekela ukuzinikela* kumaKhaledi, nanku uJehova angitshengise khona: 22 Bonke abesifazana abasele endlini yenkosi* yakoJuda bayakhitshwa bahanjiswe ezikhulwini zenkosi yeBhabhiloni+ futhi bathi,
‘Amadoda obuwathembile akuyengile futhi akwehlule.+
Enze unyawo lwakho lwatshona edakeni.
Khathesi asekutshiyile abuyela emuva.’
23 Wonke amakhosikazi akho lamadodana akho azahanjiswa kumaKhaledi futhi wena awusoze uphunyuke esandleni sawo. Inkosi yeBhabhiloni izakubamba+ njalo idolobho leli lizatshiswa ngomlilo ngenxa yakho.”+
24 UZedekhiya wasesithi kuJeremiya: “Ungatsheli muntu izinto lezi ukuze ungabulawa. 25 Nxa izikhulu zingezwa ukuthi ngikhulume lawe besezibuya zithi kuwe, ‘Sicela usitshele ukuthi utheni enkosini. Ungasifihleli lutho, asisoze sikubulale.+ Inkosi itheni kuwe?’ 26 Kumele uphendule uthi, ‘Bengicela enkosini ukuthi ingangibuyiseli endlini kaJehonathani ukuze ngingafeli khona.’”+
27 Ngemva kwesikhathi izikhulu zeza kuJeremiya zaqalisa ukumbuza. UJeremiya wazitshela konke inkosi eyayithe azitshele khona. Ngakho azisatshongo lutho kuye ngoba akulamuntu owayezwile ukuthi babexoxe ngani. 28 UJeremiya waqhubeka esegumeni labalindi+ kwaze kwaba lilanga iJerusalema eyanqotshwa ngalo. Wayelokhu elapho ngesikhathi iJerusalema inqotshwa.+
39 Ngomnyaka wesi-9 wokubusa kukaZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda, ngenyanga yetshumi, uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni weza lebutho lakhe lonke bafika bavimbezela iJerusalema.+
2 Mhlaka 9 ngenyanga yesine, ngomnyaka wesi-11 wokubusa kukaZedekhiya, badiliza umduli wedolobho.+ 3 Zonke izikhulu zenkosi yeBhabhiloni zangena edolobheni zahlala egedini eliphakathi laphakathi.+ KwakuloNerigali-sharezeri uSamugari,* loNebho-sarisekhimi uRabhisarisi,* loNerigali-sharezeri uRabhimagi* lazo zonke ezinye izikhulu zenkosi yeBhabhiloni.
4 UZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda lawo wonke amabutho bathi bebabona babaleka+ baphuma edolobheni ebusuku ngendlela eqonda engadini yenkosi. Baphuma ngegedi eliphakathi kwemiduli emibili, babaleka ngendlela eqonda e-Arabha.+ 5 Kodwa amabutho amaKhaledi abaxotshanisa, amthola uZedekhiya emagcekeni eJerikho.+ Ambamba amhambisa kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni owayeseRibhila+ elizweni leHamathi.+ UNebhukhadinezari wamgweba uZedekhiya. 6 Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yathi amadodana kaZedekhiya abulawe phambi kwamehlo akhe khonapho eRibhila. Yaphinda yathi kubulawe lezikhulu zonke zakoJuda.+ 7 Ngemva kwalokho uNebhukhadinezari wabulala uZedekhiya amehlo wamenza waba yisiphofu, wasembopha ngamaketane ekhopha ukuze amhambise eBhabhiloni.+
8 AmaKhaledi atshisa indlu yenkosi* lezindlu zabantu,+ adiliza lemiduli yeJerusalema.+ 9 UNebhuzaradani+ induna yabalindi wathumba bonke abantu ababesele edolobheni wabahambisa eBhabhiloni. Wathatha labo ababehlamukele kuye labo bonke nje abantu ababesele.
10 Kodwa watshiya elizweni lakoJuda abantu ababezidubekela, bengabayanga bokucina. Ngalelolanga wabanika amasimu amagilebisi lamanye amasimu ababezasebenza kuwo.*+
11 UNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni wakhuluma ngoJeremiya kuNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi wathi: 12 “Mthathe kodwa ungamenzi lutho. Umgcine futhi umuphe konke akucelayo.”+
13 Ngakho uNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi, loNebhushazibhani uRabhisarisi,* loNerigali-sharezeri uRabhimagi* lazo zonke izikhulu zenkosi yeBhabhiloni bathuma amadoda 14 ayathatha uJeremiya egumeni labalindi,+ asemhambisa kuGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu+ indodana kaShafani+ ukuze aye laye endlini yakhe. Ngakho uJeremiya wayesehlala labantu.
15 Ngesikhathi uJeremiya evalelwe egumeni labalindi,+ ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuye lathi: 16 “Hamba uyetshela u-Ebhedi-meleki+ umTopiya uthi, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: “Sengiwagcwalisa amazwi ami engawakhuluma ngedolobho leli ngisithi ngizalehlisela umonakalo, angisoze ngilenzele okuhle. Ngalelolanga uzakubona lokho kusenzakala.”’
17 “‘Kodwa wena ngizakukhulula ngalelolanga, awusoze unikelwe ebantwini obesabayo,’ kutsho uJehova.
18 “‘Ngizakusindisa loba sekutheni, awusoze ubulawe ngenkemba. Umvuzo wakho kuzakuba yimpilo yakho*+ ngoba ungithembile,’+ kutsho uJehova.”
40 Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya ngesikhathi uNebhuzaradani+ induna yabalindi esemkhulule eRama.+ Wayemlethe lapho ebotshwe ngamaketane ezandleni. Wayephakathi kwabo bonke abantu beJerusalema labakoJuda ababehanjiswa eBhabhiloni. 2 Induna yabalindi yathatha uJeremiya yasisithi kuye: “UJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wakhuluma ukuthi indawo le izakwehlelwa ngumonakalo lo, 3 futhi uJehova usekwenzile lokho akukhulumayo ngoba lina lona kuJehova njalo alizange lilalele ilizwi lakhe. Yikho lokhu kulehlele.+ 4 Lamuhla sengikukhulula amaketane asezandleni zakho. Nxa ukubona kukuhle ukuthi sihambe sonke eBhabhiloni asihambe, mina ngizakugcina. Kodwa nxa ungafuni ukuhamba lami eBhabhiloni ungasala. Khangela! Ilizwe lonke liphambi kwakho, yana loba ngaphi lapho ofuna ukuya khona.”+
5 UJeremiya wathi elokhu engakatshibiliki, uNebhuzaradani wathi: “Buyela kuGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu+ indodana kaShafani,+ obekwe yinkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuthi akhangele amadolobho akoJuda, uyehlala laye phakathi kwabantu kumbe uye loba ngaphi lapho ofuna khona.”
Induna yabalindi yasinika uJeremiya ukudla lesipho, yamyekela wahamba. 6 Ngakho uJeremiya waya kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu eMizipha,+ wahlala laye phakathi kwabantu ababesele elizweni.
7 Ngemva kwesikhathi zonke izinduna zamabutho ezazisegangeni lamabutho azo zezwa ukuthi inkosi yeBhabhiloni yayibeke uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu ukuthi akhangele ilizwe kanye labantu abangabayanga ababesele elizweni, obaba labomama labantwana ababengahanjiswanga eBhabhiloni.+ 8 Ngakho izinduna zamabutho zaya kuGedaliya eMizipha.+ Izinduna lezo kwakungu-Ishmayeli+ indodana kaNethaniya, loJohanani+ loJonathani amadodana kaKhareya, loSeraya indodana kaThanihumethi, lamadodana ka-Efayi umNethofa, loJezaniya+ indodana kaMahakhathi. Zahamba lamabutho azo. 9 UGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu indodana kaShafani wafunga phambi kwazo lamabutho azo wathi: “Lingesabi ukuba ngaphansi kwamaKhaledi. Hlalani elizweni libe zinceku zenkosi yeBhabhiloni. Lingenza njalo kuzalihambela kuhle.+ 10 Mina ngizahlala eMizipha ukuze ngilimele kumaKhaledi azabuya kithi. Kodwa lina qoqani iwayini, lezithelo zehlobo lamafutha likugcine ezimbizeni ezinkulu njalo lihlale emadolobheni eliwathetheyo.”+
11 Wonke amaJuda ayekoMowabi, lako-Amoni, lako-Edomi kanye lalawo ayekwamanye amazwe, lawo ezwa ukuthi inkosi yeBhabhiloni yayitshiye abanye abantu koJuda lokuthi yayibeke uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu indodana kaShafani ukuthi abakhangele. 12 Wonke amaJuda aqalisa ukusuka kuzo zonke izindawo ayesabalele kuzo, abuyela elizweni lakoJuda kuGedaliya eMizipha. Aqoqa iwayini, lezithelo zehlobo kwaba kunengi kakhulu.
13 UJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho ezazisegangeni beza kuGedaliya eMizipha. 14 Bathi kuye: “Uyakwazi yini ukuthi uBhalisi inkosi yama-Amoni+ uthume u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya ukuthi azokubulala?”+ Kodwa uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu kazange abakholwe.
15 UJohanani indodana kaKhareya wakhuluma ensitha loGedaliya eMizipha wathi: “Ngifuna ukuyabulala u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya njalo akulamuntu ozakwazi ngakho. Kungani kumele akubulale, bonke abantu bakoJuda ababuthene kuwe basabalale futhi abaseleyo bakoJuda batshabalale?” 16 Kodwa uGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu wathi kuJohanani indodana kaKhareya: “Ungakwenzi lokho ngoba okutshoyo ngo-Ishmayeli kungamanga.”
41 Ngenyanga yesikhombisa, u-Ishmayeli+ indodana kaNethaniya indodana ka-Elishama owayengowesikhosini futhi engomunye wezikhulu zenkosi, wabuya lamadoda alitshumi kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu eMizipha.+ Bathi besadla loGedaliya eMizipha, 2 u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya lamadoda alitshumi ayelaye basukuma babulala uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu indodana kaShafani ngenkemba. U-Ishmayeli wambulala uGedaliya owayebekwe yinkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuthi akhangele ilizwe. 3 U-Ishmayeli wabulala lamaJuda wonke ayeloGedaliya eMizipha kanye lamabutho amaKhaledi ayekhonapho.
4 Ngosuku lwesibili uGedaliya ebulewe, kungakabi lomuntu okwaziyo okwakwenzakele, 5 kwafika amadoda angu-80 evela eShekhemu+ leShilo+ laseSamariya.+ Ayezisike azisika, agela lendevu futhi izembatho zawo zazidabukile.+ Ayethwele iminikelo yamabele lenhlaka yokwenza impepha,+ eyiletha endlini kaJehova. 6 U-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya wasuka eMizipha esiyawahlangabeza ehamba ekhala. Wathi ehlangana lawo wathi kuwo: “Buyani kuGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu.” 7 Amadoda la athi efika edolobheni, u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya lamadoda ayelaye bawabulala bawaphosela emgodini.
8 Kodwa kwakulamadoda alitshumi phakathi kwawo athi ku-Ishmayeli: “Ungasibulali ngoba silengqoloyi, lebhali, lamafutha loluju esikufihle egangeni.” Ngakho u-Ishmayeli kazange awabulale ngesikhathi ebulala abafowabo. 9 U-Ishmayeli wathatha zonke izidumbu zalabo ayebabulele waziphosela emgodini omkhulu owawugejwe yiNkosi u-Asa ngesikhathi isilwa loBhahasha inkosi yako-Israyeli.+ U-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya wagcwalisa umgodi lo ngezidumbu zabantu ayebabulele.
10 Wathumba bonke abantu ababeseMizipha,+ lamadodakazi enkosi labo bonke ababesele eMizipha, labo uNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi ayebeke uGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu ukuthi abakhangele. U-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya wabathumba wasesuka esiya kuma-Amoni.+
11 UJohanani+ indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho ezazilaye bathi besizwa ngakho konke okubi okwakwenziwe ngu-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya, 12 bathatha wonke amadoda basuka besiyakulwa lo-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya, bamthola emanzini amanengi* eGibhiyoni.
13 Abantu bonke ababelo-Ishmayeli bathokoza bebona uJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho ezazilaye. 14 Bonke abantu ababethunjwe ngu-Ishmayeli eMizipha+ baphenduka babuyela loJohanani indodana kaKhareya. 15 Kodwa u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya lamadoda angu-8 baphunyuka bambalekela uJohanani baya kuma-Amoni.
16 UJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho ezazilaye bathatha bonke abantu ababesuke eMizipha, labo ababebakhulule ku-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya ngemva kokubulala kwakhe uGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu. Basuka eGibhiyoni lamadoda, lamabutho, labesifazana, labantwana leziphathamandla zesigodlweni babuyela emuva. 17 Bahamba bayahlala endaweni yezihambi kaKhimihami eseduze kweBhethilehema+ behlose ukudlula baye eGibhithe+ 18 bebalekela amaKhaledi. Basebewesaba ngoba u-Ishmayeli indodana kaNethaniya wayebulele uGedaliya indodana ka-Ahikhamu, lowo owayebekwe yinkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuthi akhangele ilizwe.+
42 Zonke izinduna zamabutho, loJohanani+ indodana kaKhareya, loJezaniya indodana kaHoshaya, labantu bonke kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu, baya 2 kuJeremiya umphrofethi bafika bathi: “Sicela ulalele isicelo sethu. Sicela usithandazele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, uncengele bonke abantu laba abaseleyo ngoba sasibanengi kodwa kusele abalutshwana nje,+ njengoba lawe ubona. 3 Kwangathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho angasitshela indlela okumele sihambe ngayo lalokho okumele sikwenze.”
4 UJeremiya umphrofethi wabaphendula wathi: “Ngilizwile futhi ngizalithandazela kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ngimtshele lokho elikucelayo. Ngizalitshela konke uJehova azakutsho eliphendula, angisoze ngilifihlele lutho.”
5 Baphendula uJeremiya bathi: “UJehova kabe ngufakazi oleqiniso futhi othembekileyo, asijezise nxa singayekela ukwenza konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu azakuthi usitshele khona. 6 Thina sizalilalela ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu esikuthuma kuye, kungelani lokuthi asitshela khona kuhle kumbe kubi. Sizalalela ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu ukuze kusihambele kuhle.”
7 Ngemva kwamalanga alitshumi ilizwi likaJehova lafika kuJeremiya. 8 Ngakho wabiza uJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho kanye labantu bonke, kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu.+ 9 Wathi kubo: “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, lowo elingithume ukuthi ngilithandazele kuye ngilincengela, uthi: 10 ‘Nxa lingaqhubeka lihlala elizweni leli ngizalakha, angisoze ngilidilize njalo ngizalihlanyela ngingalisiphuni ngoba ngizazisola* ngomonakalo engilehlisele wona.+ 11 Lingayesabi inkosi yeBhabhiloni, leyo eliyesabayo.’+
“‘Lingayesabi ngoba ngilani ukuze ngilisindise futhi ngilikhulule esandleni sayo,’ kutsho uJehova. 12 ‘Ngizakuba lesihawu kini+ njalo layo izakuba lesihawu kini ilibuyisele elizweni lenu.
13 “‘Kodwa nxa lingathi, “Hatshi, asisoze sihlale elizweni leli!” beseliyekela ukulalela ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu 14 lithi, “Hatshi, thina sizakuya elizweni leGibhithe+ lapho esingasoze sibone khona impi loba sizwe ukukhala kophondo kumbe siswele ukudla. Yikho lapho esizahlala khona,” 15 zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina abaseleyo bakoJuda. Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: “Nxa lizimisele ngenhliziyo yonke ukuya eGibhithe beselihamba liyehlala khona,* 16 inkemba leyo eliyesabayo izalithola elizweni leGibhithe, lendlala eliyesabayo izalilandela khonale futhi lizafela khona.+ 17 Bonke abantu abazimisele ukuya eGibhithe bayehlala khona bazabulawa yinkemba loba yindlala kumbe yisifo esitshabalalisayo. Kakho loyedwa wabo ozasinda loba ozawubalekela umonakalo engizabehlisela wona.”’
18 “UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi: ‘Njengoba ngathululela intukuthelo yami lolaka lwami ebantwini ababehlala eJerusalema,+ ngizathululela ulaka lwami phezu kwenu nxa lingaya eGibhithe. Ngizaliqalekisa ngilehlisele umonakalo owesabekayo futhi lizathukwa libe lihlazo,+ njalo alisoze liphinde liyibone indawo le.’
19 “UJehova ulitshelile lina abaseleyo bakoJuda ukuthi lingayi eGibhithe. Kumele lazi ukuthi ngilixwayisile lamuhla 20 ngalitshela ukuthi isono senu sizalibulalisa. Phela lingithume kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu lathi, ‘Sicela usithandazele kuJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, ubususitshela konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu akukhulumileyo, sizakwenza.’+ 21 Mina ngilitshelile lamuhla kodwa lina alisoze lililalele ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu futhi alisoze likwenze lokho angithume ukuthi ngilitshele khona.+ 22 Ngakho yazini ukuthi loba sekutheni lizabulawa yinkemba, yindlala kanye lesifo esitshabalalisayo endaweni leyo elifisa ukuyahlala kuyo.”+
43 UJeremiya wathi eseqedile ukutshela bonke abantu wonke amazwi la avela kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo, esebatshele konke uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo ayemthume ukuthi abatshele khona, 2 u-Azariya indodana kaHoshaya, loJohanani+ indodana kaKhareya, lawo wonke amadoda azikhukhumezayo athi kuJeremiya: “Ukhuluma amanga! UJehova uNkulunkulu wethu kakuthumanga ukuthi uzositshela ukuthi singayihlala eGibhithe. 3 Kodwa uBharukhi+ indodana kaNeriya, nguye othe usitshele konke lokhu ukuze sinikelwe kumaKhaledi asibulale, kumbe asithumbe asihambise eBhabhiloni.”+
4 Ngakho uJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho kanye labantu bonke abalilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova elokuthi bahlale elizweni lakoJuda. 5 Kodwa uJohanani indodana kaKhareya lazo zonke izinduna zamabutho bathatha bonke abantu bakoJuda ababesele, labo ababebuye bazohlala elizweni lakoJuda bevela kuzo zonke izizwe ababesabalele kuzo.+ 6 Bathatha amadoda, labesifazana, labantwana, lamadodakazi enkosi kanye labantu bonke ababetshiywe nguNebhuzaradani+ induna yabalindi kuGedaliya+ indodana ka-Ahikhamu+ indodana kaShafani.+ Bathatha loJeremiya umphrofethi loBharukhi indodana kaNeriya. 7 Abalilalelanga ilizwi likaJehova kodwa baya elizweni leGibhithe, bahamba baze bayafika eThahaphanesi.+
8 Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kuJeremiya eThahaphanesi lathi: 9 “Thatha amatshe amakhulu uwafihle esitubhini sezitina esisemnyango wendlu kaFaro eThahaphanesi, ubusuwavala ngodaka. Wenze lokhu abantu bakoJuda bekhangele, 10 ubususithi kubo, ‘UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: “Ngizabiza inceku yami uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yaseBhabhiloni+ njalo ngizabeka isihlalo sayo sobukhosi phezu kwamatshe la engiwafihlileyo. Izafaka itende layo lesikhosini phezu kwawo.+ 11 UNebhukhadinezari uzabuya azohlasela ilizwe leGibhithe.+ Loba ngubani okumele abulawe yisifo esitshabalalisayo uzabulawa yiso, loba ngubani okumele athunjwe uzathunjwa, njalo loba ngubani okumele abulawe ngenkemba uzabulawa ngenkemba.+ 12 Ngizathungela izindlu zabonkulunkulu* beGibhithe ngomlilo.+ UNebhukhadinezari uzatshisa izindlu zabo abathumbe. Uzazithandela ngelizwe leGibhithe angathi ngumelusi ezithandela ngesembatho sakhe futhi uzasuka lapho ahambe ngokuthula.* 13 Uzadiliza izinsika zeBhethi-shemeshi* eziselizweni leGibhithe futhi atshise izindlu zabonkulunkulu* beGibhithe ngomlilo.”’”
44 Nanti ilizwi elafika kuJeremiya elalisiya kuwo wonke amaJuda ayehlala elizweni leGibhithe,+ laseMigidoli,+ laseThahaphanesi,+ laseNofi*+ kanye laselizweni lePhatrosi:+ 2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Liwubonile wonke umonakalo engiwehlisele iJerusalema+ lawo wonke amadolobho akoJuda. Wonke asengamanxiwa, awasahlali muntu.+ 3 Lokhu kungenxa yezinto ezimbi elalizenza lingithukuthelisa, linikela imihlatshelo+ njalo likhonza abanye onkulunkulu elalingabazi lina labokhokho benu.+ 4 Ngaqhubeka ngithuma kini zonke izinceku zami ezingabaphrofethi, ngizithuma ngiphindaphinda* ngisithi: “Ngicela lingenzi into le eyenyanyekayo engiyizondayo.”+ 5 Lanxa kunjalo alilalelanga futhi alizange libe lendaba lalokho engangikutsho, yikho lingazange litshiye okubi elalikwenza kodwa laqhubeka lisenzela abanye onkulunkulu imihlatshelo.+ 6 Ngakho ngathulula intukuthelo yami lolaka lwami oluvuthayo phezu kwamadolobho akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema, kwatshabalala kwaba ngamanxiwa njengoba kunjalo lamuhla.’+
7 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Kungani lizilethela umonakalo omkhulu kangaka? Phela kuzatshabalala wonke amadoda labesifazana, labantwana lezinsane kusale kungelamuntu osindileyo koJuda. 8 Kungani lingithukuthelisa ngezenzo zenu ngokunikela imihlatshelo kwabanye onkulunkulu elizweni leGibhithe elihambe layahlala kulo? Lizatshabalala liphele, libe ngabantu abathukiweyo futhi libe yinhlekisa kuzo zonke izizwe zomhlaba.+ 9 Selizikhohliwe yini izinto ezimbi ezazisenziwa ngokhokho benu, lezenzo ezimbi zamakhosi akoJuda,+ lezenzo ezimbi zamakhosikazi abo+ kanye lezenzo zenu ezimbi lezamakhosikazi enu,+ ezazisenziwa elizweni lakoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema? 10 Kuze kube lamuhla alizange lizehlise loba lingesabe.+ Kaliyilandelanga imithetho yami lemilayo engalinika yona lina labokhokho benu.’+
11 “Ngakho uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uthi, ‘Ngizalehlisela umonakalo loba sekutheni, ngitshabalalise bonke abakoJuda. 12 Ngizakwenza abaseleyo bakoJuda ababezimisele ukuyahlala elizweni leGibhithe batshabalale eGibhithe.+ Bazabulawa ngenkemba, baqedwe layindlala. Bazakufa ngenkemba langendlala kusukela komncane kusiya komkhulu. Ngizabaqalekisa ngibehlisele umonakalo owesabekayo futhi bazathukwa babe lihlazo.+ 13 Labo abahlala elizweni leGibhithe ngizabajezisa njengoba nje ngajezisa iJerusalema. Ngizabajezisa ngenkemba langendlala langesifo esitshabalalisayo.+ 14 AbakoJuda abaseleyo abahamba bayahlala elizweni leGibhithe abasoze baphunyuke kumbe basinde babuyele elizweni lakoJuda. Bazafisa ukubuyela bayehlala khona kodwa abasoze babuyele, ngaphandle kwabalutshwana nje abazasinda.’”
15 Wonke amadoda ayekwazi ukuthi omkawo babenikela imihlatshelo kwabanye onkulunkulu lawo wonke amakhosikazi ayemi khonapho, lonke nje iqembu elikhulu elalilapho kanye labo bonke abantu ababehlala ePhatrosi+ elizweni leGibhithe,+ baphendula uJeremiya bathi: 16 “Asisoze sililalele ilizwi olikhulume kithi ngebizo likaJehova. 17 Kodwa sizakwenza konke esikukhulume ngemilomo yethu. Sizanikela imihlatshelo kuNdlovukazi Yezulu* njalo sithulule iminikelo yokunathwayo phambi kwayo,+ njengoba sasisenza thina labokhokho bethu, lamakhosi ethu, lezikhulu zethu emadolobheni akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema ngesikhathi sisidla isinkwa sisutha futhi sizihlalele kuhle kungelalutho olusikhathazayo. 18 Kusukela ngesikhathi siyekela ukunikela imihlatshelo kuNdlovukazi Yezulu* lokuthulula iminikelo yokunathwayo phambi kwayo, sesiswela futhi siqhubeka siqedwa yinkemba layindlala.”
19 Abesifazana bona baqhubeka bathi: “Ngesikhathi sisenzela iNdlovukazi Yezulu* imihlatshelo futhi sithulula iminikelo yokunathwayo phambi kwayo, sasivunyelwe ngomkethu ukuthi sinikele ngamakhekhe abunjwe afanana layo lokuthi sithulule iminikelo yokunathwayo phambi kwayo.”
20 UJeremiya wasephendula bonke abantu ababelapho, amadoda labomkawo kanye labo bonke ababekhuluma laye, wathi: 21 “UJehova wayikhumbula imihlatshelo yenu laleyo eyenziwa ngokhokho benu, lamakhosi enu, lezikhulu zenu labantu bonke emadolobheni akoJuda lasemigwaqweni yeJerusalema,+ kazange ayikhohlwe! 22 Kodwa uJehova wacina engasenelisi ukubekezelela izenzo zenu ezimbi lezinto ezenyanyekayo elalizenza. Yikho ilizwe lenu lehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo lathukwa, latshabalaliswa lasala lingasahlali muntu, njengoba nje linjalo lamuhla.+ 23 Umonakalo lo ulehlele njengoba liwubona lamuhla ngenxa yokuthi lenze imihlatshelo le futhi lonela uJehova. Alililalelanga ilizwi likaJehova njalo aliwulandelanga umthetho wakhe lemilayo yakhe kanye lezikhumbuzo zakhe.”+
24 UJeremiya waqhubeka ekhuluma labo bonke abantu labesifazana esithi: “Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova bantu bakoJuda, lonke lina eliselizweni leGibhithe. 25 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ‘Konke lina labomkenu elikukhulumileyo ngemilomo yenu likwenzile ngezandla zenu. Lithe: “Sizanikela imihlatshelo kuNdlovukazi Yezulu* sithulule leminikelo yokunathwayo phambi kwayo njengoba nje sifungile.”+ Lina abesifazana lizakwenza konke elikufungileyo, lizazigcwalisa izifungo zenu.’
26 “Yikho zwanini ilizwi likaJehova, lonke lina bantu bakoJuda elihlala elizweni leGibhithe: ‘UJehova uthi, “Ngifunga ngebizo lami elikhulu ngisithi akulamuntu wakoJuda ozaphinda afunge ngebizo lami+ kulo lonke ilizwe leGibhithe. Kakho ozakuthi, ‘Ngifunga ngoJehova uNkulunkulu ophilayo, iNkosi Enkulu!’+ 27 Khathesi ngibakhangele ukuze ngibehlisele okubi hatshi okuhle.+ Bonke abantu bakoJuda abaselizweni leGibhithe bazatshabalala ngenkemba langendlala baze baphele.+ 28 Balutshwana abazaphunyuka abangasoze babulawe yinkemba futhi bazasuka elizweni leGibhithe babuyele elizweni lakoJuda.+ Lapho-ke bonke abakoJuda abaseleyo ababuya bazohlala elizweni leGibhithe bazakwazi ukuthi ngelikabani ilizwi eligcwalisekileyo, ukuthi ngelami kumbe ngelabo!”’”
29 “UJehova uthi, ‘Nanku elizabona ngakho ukuthi ngizalijezisa elizweni leli, ukuze likwazi ukuthi ilizwi lami engalikhulumayo ngisithi ngizalehlisela umonakalo lizagcwaliseka loba sekutheni. 30 UJehova uthi: “Ngizanikela uFaro Hofira inkosi yeGibhithe ezitheni zakhe lakulabo abafuna ukumbulala, njengoba nje nganikela uZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni, owayeyisitha sakhe futhi efuna ukumbulala.”’”+
45 Ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda, ngesikhathi uBharukhi+ indodana kaNeriya ebhala encwadinimgoqwa amazwi ayewatshelwa nguJeremiya,+ umphrofethi uJeremiya wathi kuye:
2 “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ngawe Bharukhi, 3 ‘Wena uthe: “Maye ngami! UJehova wengezelele usizi ebuhlungwini bami. Sengikhale ngaze ngadinwa futhi angikutholi ukuphumula.”’
4 “Ngakho kumele uthi kuye, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: “Khangela! Engikwakhileyo ngiyakudiliza, lengikuhlanyeleyo ngiyakusiphuna. Lokhu ngizakwenza elizweni lonke.+ 5 Kodwa wena uzifunela* izinto ezinkulu. Yekela ukudinga izinto ezinjalo.”’
“‘Phela sekuseduze ukuthi ngilethe umonakalo kubo bonke abantu,+ kodwa wena ngizakusindisa* loba ngaphi lapho oya khona,’+ kutsho uJehova.”
46 Leli lilizwi uJehova alitshela umphrofethi uJeremiya mayelana lezizwe:+ 2 Nanku akutshoyo ngeGibhithe,+ mayelana lebutho likaFaro Nekho+ inkosi yeGibhithe, owayesemfuleni uYufrathe futhi owanqotshwa nguNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni eKharikhemishi. Lokhu kwenzakala ngomnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimu+ indodana kaJosiya inkosi yakoJuda. Uthi:
3 “Lungisani amahawu enu amakhulu lamancane,*
Liye empini.
4 Bophani amabhiza liwagade lina bagadi bamabhiza.
Lime ezindaweni zenu ligqoke izingwane zenu.
Lolongani imikhonto ligqoke lamajazi enu ensimbi.
5 ‘Kungani bekhanya bethukile?
Sebebuyela emuva, amabutho abo anqotshiwe.
Bayaphaphatheka, amabutho abo abaleka engathalazi emuva.
Bonke nje bayesaba,’ kutsho uJehova.
6 ‘Olejubane uyehluleka ukubaleka, lamabutho kawenelisi ukuphunyuka.
Bakhubekile bawa enyakatho,
Ekhunjini lomfula uYufrathe.’+
7 Ngubani lo oza angathi ngumfula uNayili?
Ngubani oza njengemifula elamanzi agubhazelayo?
8 IGibhithe iza angathi ngumfula uNayili,+
Iza njengemifula elamanzi agubhazelayo,
Ithi, ‘Ngizaphakama ngisibekele umhlaba,
Ngitshabalalise idolobho labantu abahlala kulo.’
9 Gijimani lina mabhiza!
Tshayelani angathi liyahlanya bagadi bezinqola!
Amabutho kawahlasele,
Kawahlasele amabutho eKhushi lawePhuthi athwala amahawu,+
10 “Usuku lolo ngolukaJehova wamabutho iNkosi Enkulu, lusuku lokuphindisela ezitheni zakhe. Inkemba izakudla isuthe, iqede ukoma kwayo ngegazi labo ngoba uJehova wamabutho iNkosi Enkulu uzakwenza umhlatshelo elizweni lasenyakatho, ngasemfuleni uYufrathe.+
11 Hamba eGiliyadi uyethatha ibhalisamu,+
Wena ntombi egcweleyo, ndodakazi yaseGibhithe.
Usebenzise imithi eminengi kodwa ayikuncedanga,
Ngoba akulamuthi ongakwelapha.+
12 Izizwe zizwile ukuthi uyangisiwe,+
Ukukhala kwakho kuzwakale ilizwe lonke.
Isotsha ligwenxwa ngelinye isotsha,
Womabili awele phansi.”
13 Leli lilizwi uJehova alitshela umphrofethi uJeremiya mayelana lokuza kukaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni ezohlasela ilizwe leGibhithe:+
14 “Kukhulume eGibhithe, ukumemezele eMigidoli.+
Kumemezele eNofi* laseThahaphanesi.+
Uthi: ‘Manini ezindaweni zenu lizilungiselele,
Ngoba inkemba izaqeda abantu emaceleni akho wonke.
15 Kungani amabutho akho alamandla ethanyelwe aphela?
Ehlulekile ukuma aqine,
Ngoba uJehova uwafuqile awela phansi.
16 Bayakhubeka bawe ngobunengi.
Bathi komunye lomunye:
“Sukuma sibuyele ebantwini bakithi laselizweni lethu,
Sibalekele inkemba le elesihluku.”’
17 Khonale bayamemeza besithi,
‘UFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe uyakhuluma kakhulu kodwa kenzi lutho,
18 ‘Ngifunga ngami uqobo,’ kutsho iNkosi elebizo elithi Jehova wamabutho,
‘Uzangena* abe njengeThabhori+ phakathi kwezintaba,
LanjengeKhameli+ eceleni kolwandle.
19 Lungisa umthwalo wakho wokuya ekuthunjweni,
Wena ndodakazi ehlala eGibhithe,
Ngoba iNofi* izakwehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo.
Izatshiswa ngomlilo* isale ingelamuntu ohlala kuyo.+
20 IGibhithe injengethokazi elihle,
Kodwa izahlaselwa yizibawu ezivela enyakatho.
21 Lamabutho ayo ewaqhatshileyo anjengamathole anonileyo,
Kodwa lawo atshibilike abaleka.
Ehlulekile ukuma aqine,+
Ngoba usuku lokwehlelwa ngumonakalo luwafikele,
Sesifikile isikhathi sokujeziswa kwawo.’
22 ‘IGibhithe yenza umsindo onjengowenyoka ebalekayo,
Ngoba bayihlasele ngamandla bethwele amahloka
Angathi ngamadoda agamula izihlahla.
23 Bazagamula baqede igusu layo lanxa likhanya angathi alingeneki,’ kutsho uJehova,
‘Ngoba banengi ukwedlula izintethe, ngeke babalwe.
24 Indodakazi yaseGibhithe izayangiswa.
Izanikelwa ebantwini benyakatho.’+
25 “UJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: ‘Khathesi sengifuna ukujezisa u-Amoni+ waseNo,*+ loFaro, leGibhithe, labonkulunkulu bayo+ kanye lamakhosi ayo. Ngizamjezisa sibili uFaro labo bonke abathembele kuye.’+
26 “‘Ngizabanikela kulabo abafuna ukubabulala, kuNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni+ lasezincekwini zakhe. Kodwa ngemva kwalokho iGibhithe izaphinda ihlalwe njengakudala,’ kutsho uJehova.+
27 ‘Kodwa wena nceku yami Jakhobe ungesabi,
Ungethuki Israyeli,+
Ngoba ngizakusindisa uselizweni elikhatshana,
Ngikhulule abantwabakho elizweni ababethunjwe bahanjiswa kulo.+
UJakhobe uzabuyela ayehlala ngokuthula engesabi lutho,
Akulamuntu ozamenza esabe.+
28 Yikho ungesabi nceku yami Jakhobe ngoba ngilawe,’ kutsho uJehova.
47 Leli lilizwi likaJehova elafika kumphrofethi uJeremiya mayelana lamaFilisti,+ uFaro engakanqobi iGaza. 2 UJehova uthi:
“Khangela! Kuza amanzi evela enyakatho,
Azakuba ngumfula okhukhulayo.
Azakhukhula ilizwe lakho konke okukulo,
Akhukhule idolobho labantu abahlala kulo.
Amadoda azakhala,
Labo bonke abahlala elizweni bazalila.
3 Nxa besizwa amasondo amabhiza esitha,
Lokugadlazela kwezinqola zempi,
Lomsindo wamaviri azo,
Obaba abasoze baphenduke ukuthi bayesiza abantwababo,
Ngoba bayabe sebephele amandla.
4 Luyeza usuku lokutshabalalisa wonke amaFilisti,+
5 Abantu beGaza bazaphuca amakhanda ngenxa yosizi.
I-Ashikheloni isithulisiwe.+
Lina abaseleyo abasesigodini,
Lizaqhubeka lizisikasika kuze kube nini?+
6 Awu nkemba kaJehova!+
Uzaphumula nini?
Buyela esikhwameni sakho,
Uphumule uthule.
7 Izaphumula njani
Yona ithunywe nguJehova?
Ithunywe khona kanye
E-Ashikheloni lasekhunjini lolwandle.”+
48 Nanku uJehova wamabutho, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, akutshoyo ngamaMowabi:+
“Maye ngeNebho+ ngoba isitshabalalisiwe!
IKhiriyathayimi+ isiyangisiwe yathunjwa.
Inqaba yabo idiliziwe basala beyangekile.+
2 IMowabi kabasayiniki udumo.
Babumbe icebo lokuyihlasela beseHeshibhoni+ besithi:
‘Wozani sisiqede sonke isizwe sabo.’
Lawe Madimeni kumele uthule,
Ngoba inkemba iyakulandela.
3 Kuzwakala ukukhala eHoronayimi,+
Ngoba isibhidliziwe yasala ingamanxiwa.
4 IMowabi isitshabalalisiwe,
Abantwabayo abancane bayakhala.
5 Abantu baqansa umqanso weLuhithi bekhala ezimathonsi.
Endleleni eyehla isuka eHoronayimi kuzwakala ukukhala okuzwisa usizi ngenxa yomonakalo obehleleyo.+
6 Balekani ukuze lisinde!
Kumele libe njengesihlahla somjunipha enkangala.
7 Lina lizathunjwa
Ngoba lithembe izinto elizenzileyo lenotho yenu.
UKhemoshi+ uzahanjiswa ekuthunjweni,
Labaphristi bakhe lezikhulu zakhe.
8 Isitha sizahlasela wonke amadolobho,
Alikho elizasala.+
Isigodi sizatshabalala,
Lezindawo ezichayileyo zizaqothulwa, njengoba nje uJehova etshilo.
9 Fakelani abantu bakoMowabi uphawu emgwaqweni,
Ngoba bazabaleka nxa sebehlaselwa.
Amadolobho abo azakuba ngamanxiwa esabekayo,
Asale engasahlali muntu.+
10 Uqalekisiwe umuntu ongenzi umsebenzi kaJehova ngenhliziyo yonke!
Uqalekisiwe lowo ongafuni ukubulala ngenkemba yakhe!
11 AbakoMowabi bebehlezi kuhle kusukela bebancane,
Njengewayini eselilesikhathi eside lingathintwanga.
Abakaze bathululelwe kwenye imbiza,
Loba bathunjwe.
Yikho indlela abanambitheka ngayo ingatshintshanga,
Lephunga labo lilokhu lifanana.
12 “‘Ngakho ziyeza insuku,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘lapho engizathuma khona abantu ukuthi bayebathulula njengewayini. Bazathulula konke okusezimbizeni zabo bazigonqamise, baphahlaze imbiza zabo ezinkulu zibe yizicucu. 13 AbakoMowabi bazayangeka ngonkulunkulu wabo uKhemoshi njengoba nje abako-Israyeli bayangeka ngeBhetheli ababeyithembile.+
14 Lingatsho njani ukuthi lingamaqhawe alamandla futhi likulungele ukulwa empini?’+
15 ‘IMowabi itshabalalisiwe,
Lamadolobho ayo ahlaselwe,+
Amajaha ayo alamandla asebulewe,’+
Kutsho iNkosi elebizo elithi Jehova wamabutho.+
16 Sekuseduze ukuthi abakoMowabi behlelwe ngumonakalo,
Lokuwa kwabo sekusondele.+
17 Bonke abaseduze kwabo bazabazwela,
Bonke abazi ibizo labo.
Batshele uthi: ‘Udondolo oluqinileyo lwephukile, intonga enhle iqamukile!’
18 Yehla ebukhazikhazini bakho,
Uhlale phansi ubunile,* wena ndodakazi ehlala eDibhoni,+
Ngoba isitha sakoMowabi sizokuhlasela,
Sizadiliza izinqaba zakho.+
19 Mana emgwaqweni ubukele wena ohlala e-Aroweri.+
Buza indoda ebalekayo lowesifazana ophunyukileyo uthi, ‘Kwenzenjani?’
20 AbakoMowabi sebeyangisiwe futhi sebesesaba.
Khala uklabalale.
Ubikele abase-Arinoni+ ukuthi iMowabi isitshabalele.
21 “UNkulunkulu uselahlulele ilizwe elichayileyo.+ Wahlulele iHoloni, leJahazi,+ leMefahathi,+ 22 leDibhoni,+ leNebho,+ leBhethi-dibhilayathimi, 23 leKhiriyathayimi,+ leBhethi-gamuli, leBhethi-meyoni,+ 24 leKheriyothi,+ leBhozira, lawo wonke amadolobho aselizweni lakoMowabi, aseduze kanye lalawo akhatshana.
25 ‘Amandla akoMowabi asephelile,
Ingalo yakhe yephuliwe,’ kutsho uJehova.
26 ‘Mdakise+ ngoba uziphakamisile phambi kukaJehova.+
IMowabi iyagiqika emahlanzweni ayo,
Isiyinhlekisa.
27 Awuzange umhleke yini u-Israyeli?+
Kanti watholakala phakathi kwamasela yini,
Ukuthi wawungaze unikine ikhanda ukhulume kubi ngaye?
28 Sukani emadolobheni enu liyehlala emadwaleni, lina elihlala koMowabi,
Libe njengejuba elakha isidleke salo eliweni.’”
29 “Sizwile ngokuzigqaja kweMowabi, iyazikhukhumeza kakhulu.
Sizwile ngokuziphakamisa kwayo, lokuzigqaja kwayo, lokuzikhukhumeza kwayo kanye lokuzitshaya kwayo isifuba.”+
30 “‘Ngiyalwazi ulaka lwayo,’ kutsho uJehova,
‘Kodwa ekukhulumayo akusoze kwenzakale.
Ayisoze yenze lutho.
31 Ngenxa yalokho ngizayililela iMowabi,
Ngizabakhalela bonke abakoMowabi,
Ngililele lamadoda aseKhiri-heresi.+
32 Wena sihlahla samagilebisi saseSibhima+ ngizakukhalela,
Ngizakulilela ukwedlula indlela engalilela ngayo iJazeri.+
Amahlumela akho amahle asechaphe ulwandle,
Asefike elwandle kanye laseJazeri.
Isitha sakho sesifikile,
Sesifikile ezithelweni zakho zehlobo lasemagilebisini owavunileyo.+
33 Ukuthokoza lokujabula akusekho engadini
Kanye laselizweni lakoMowabi.+
Sengenze ukuthi iwayini lingasagelezi lisuka esikhamelweni sewayini.*
Kakho ozavoxa amagilebisi ethokoza.
Ukumemeza okuzazwakala kuyabe kungayisikho kokujabula.’”+
34 “‘Kusukela eHeshibhoni+ kusiya e-Eliyale+ yizililo zodwa.
Bayaklabalala bekhala kuze kuyefika eJahazi,+
Kusukela eZowari kuze kuyefika eHoronayimi+ lase-Egilathi-shelishiya.
Lamanzi aseNimirimi azakutsha.+
35 Ngizakwenza ukuthi koMowabi
Kungabi lomuntu oletha umnikelo endaweni ephakemeyo,
Lalowo owenzela unkulunkulu wakhe umhlatshelo,’ kutsho uJehova.
36 Yikho inhliziyo yami izakhalela uMowabi angathi yifluthi,*+
Izalilela amadodana aseKhiri-heresi angathi yifluthi,*
Ngoba inotho yakhe izanyamalala.
37 Bonke baphuce amakhanda,+
Bagela lendevu.
38 “‘Ephahleni lwazo zonke izindlu zakoMowabi,
Lasemagcekeni amadolobho abo
Yizililo zodwa,
Ngoba ngimphahlazile uMowabi,
Njengembiza esilahliwe,’ kutsho uJehova.
39 ‘IMowabi iyesaba kakhulu! Qhinqani isililo!
IMowabi isifulathele ngenxa yokuyangeka!
IMowabi isiyinhlekisa,
Bonke abaseduze kwayo bethukile.’”
40 “UJehova uthi:
41 Amadolobho azanqotshwa,
Lezinqaba zizathunjwa.
Ngalolosuku inhliziyo zamabutho akoMowabi
Zizakuba njengenhliziyo yowesifazana osebeletha.’”
43 Ukwesaba legodi lomjibila kuphambi kwenu,
Lina elihlala koMowabi,’ kutsho uJehova.
44 ‘Loba ngubani obalekayo ngoba esesaba uzawela egodini,
Loba ngubani ophuma egodini uzabanjwa ngumjibila.’
‘Phela uyeza umnyaka lapho engizajezisa khona abakoMowabi,’ kutsho uJehova.
45 ‘Labo ababalekayo bazakuma emthunzini weHeshibhoni sebephele amandla.
Umlilo uzavelela eHeshibhoni,
Lelangabi lizavela edolobheni likaSihoni,+
Litshise ibunzi likaMowabi,
Lokhakhayi lwamaqhawe abo alesihluku.’+
46 ‘Maye kuwe Mowabi!
Abantu bakaKhemoshi+ baphelile.
Amadodana akho athunjiwe,
Lamadodakazi akho athethwe ahanjiswa ekuthunjweni.+
47 Kodwa ekucineni kwezinsuku ngizabaqoqa abathunjiweyo bakoMowabi,’ kutsho uJehova.
‘Lapha yikho okuphelela khona umlayezo wokwahlulelwa kwabakoMowabi.’”+
49 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngama-Amoni:+
“Kanti u-Israyeli kalamadodana?
Kalandlalifa yini?
Pho kungani uMalikhamu+ esethethe indawo yakoGadi?+
Kungani abantu bakhe sebehlala emadolobheni ako-Israyeli?”
2 “‘Ziyeza insuku,’ kutsho uJehova,
‘Lapho engizakwenza kuzwakale isimemezelo sempi kuhlaselwa iRabha+ yama-Amoni.+
IRabha izasala ingamanxiwa,
Amadolobho aseduze kwayo azatshiswa ngomlilo.’
‘Abako-Israyeli bazalithatha ilizwe kulabo ababebathathele lona,’+ kutsho uJehova.
3 ‘Lila wena Heshibhoni ngoba i-Ayi isitshabalalisiwe!
Khalani lina madolobho aseduze kweRabha,
Gqokani izembatho zamasaka.
Lilani lihambahambe ezibayeni ezakhiwe ngamatshe,*
Ngoba uMalikhamu uzathunjwa
Labaphristi bakhe lezikhulu zakhe.+
4 Kungani uzigqaja ngezigodi zakho
Langamagceke akho ageleza amanzi, wena ndodakazi engathembekanga?
Uthembe inotho yakho,
Njalo uthi: “Ngubani ozangihlasela?”’”
5 “INkosi Enkulu uJehova wamabutho ithi:
‘Ngizakwenza ukuthi wehlelwe ngumonakalo owesabekayo,
Ozavela kubo bonke abakugombolozeleyo.
Abantu bakho bazasabalala bagcwale yonke indawo,
Kakho ozaqoqa ababalekayo.’”
6 “‘Kodwa ngemva kwesikhathi ngizabaqoqa abathunjiweyo bako-Amoni,’ kutsho uJehova.”
7 Nanku uJehova wamabutho akutshoyo ngo-Edomi, uthi:
“Kanti akusekho yini ukuhlakanipha eThemani?+
Lalabo abalokuqedisisa abaselawo yini amacebo amahle?
Ukuhlakanipha kwabo akusasebenzi yini?
8 Balekani libuyele emuva!
Hambani liyehlala esigodini lina bantu baseDedani!+
Ngizakwehlisela u-Esawu umonakalo,
Nxa isikhathi sami sokumjezisa sesifikile.
9 Nxa abavuni bamagilebisi bebengafika kuwe,
Bebengeke bavune batshiye okunye yini?
Nxa amasela ebengakungenela ebusuku,
Abengeke yini athathe lokho akufunayo kuphela?+
10 Kodwa u-Esawu ngizamphundla konke alakho.
Ngizaziveza egcekeni izindawo acatsha kuzo,
Ukuze angenelisi ukucatsha.
11 Tshiya izintandane zakho,
Mina ngizazigcina,
Labafelokazi bakho bazathemba mina.”
12 UJehova uthi: “Nxa labo abangagwetshelwanga ukuthi banathe okusenkomitshini bezanatha kuyo, kambe wena usungasala ungajeziswanga? Uzajeziswa loba sekutheni ngoba kumele unathe okusenkomitshini yami.”+
13 “Ngifungile,”* kutsho uJehova, “ukuthi iBhozira izakwehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo,+ ithukwe, itshabalaliswe futhi iqalekiswe. Wonke amadolobho ayo azakuba ngamanxiwa kuze kube nini lanini.”+
14 Ngizwe umbiko ovela kuJehova,
Kulesithunywa esithunywe ezizweni ukuthi sithi:
“Buthanani limhlasele u-Edomi,
Lungiselelani impi.”+
15 “Sengikwenze waba yisizwe esincane phakathi kwezizwe,
Ngikwenze wadeleleka ebantwini.+
16 Ukwesatshwa kwakho kukukhohlisile,
Lokuzigqaja kwakho kukuqilile,
Wena ohlala ezimbalwini zamadwala,
Laseqaqeni oluphakeme kulawo wonke.
Lanxa ungaze wakhe isidleke sakho khonale phezulu njengokhozi,
Ngizakwethula,” kutsho uJehova.
17 “U-Edomi uzakwehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo.+ Wonke umuntu ozadlula kuye uzamkhangela ethuke, atshaye umlozwi ngenxa yazo zonke inhlupho ezimehleleyo.” 18 UJehova uthi, “Njengoba nje kwatshabalala idolobho leSodoma leleGomora kanye lamadolobho ayeseduze kwawo,+ akulamuntu ozahlala ko-Edomi futhi kakho ozakwakha khona.+
19 “Njengesilwane+ siphuma ezixukwini eziseceleni komfula uJodani, kulomuntu ozahlasela amadlelo avikelekileyo. Ngizabenza babaleke elizweni labo, besengibeka lowo engimkhethileyo ukuthi alibuse. Ngubani onjengami? Ngubani ongamelana lami? Ukhona yini umelusi ongama phambi kwami?+ 20 Ngakho zwanini lina bantu lokho uJehova asekhethe ukukwenza nge-Edomi lalokho asekucabangile ngabantu beThemani:+
Abancane emhlambini bazahudulwa loba sekutheni.
Indawo yabo yokuhlala izasala ingamanxiwa ngenxa yezenzo zabo.+
21 Umsindo wokuwa kwabo wenze umhlaba wazamazama.
Kulesililo esikhulu!
Umsindo uzwakala laseLwandle Olubomvu.+
22 Isitha sizaqansa siye phezulu njengokhozi, besesisehla ngesiqubu esikhulu,+
Sizavula impiko zaso sehlele phezu kweBhozira.+
Ngalolosuku inhliziyo zamabutho ako-Edomi
Zizakuba njengenhliziyo yowesifazana obelethayo.”
23 Nanti ilizwi elimayelana leDamaseko:+
“IHamathi+ le-Ariphadi ziyangisiwe,
Ngoba zizwe umbiko omubi.
Abantu bazo baphele amandla ngenxa yokwesaba.
Ulwandle luyagubhazela futhi aluthuliseki.
24 IDamaseko isisesaba.
Itshibilikile yazama ukubaleka kodwa iyehluleka ngenxa yokwesaba.
Yehlelwe yibuhlungu losizi,
Njengowesifazana obelethayo.
25 Kungani abantu bengabalekanga edolobheni elilodumo,
Edolobheni lokuthokoza?
26 Amajaha alo azakuwa emagcekeni edolobho,
Wonke amabutho alo azaphela ngalelolanga,” kutsho uJehova wamabutho.
27 “Ngizathungela imiduli yeDamaseko ngomlilo,
Uzatshisa inqaba zikaBheni-hadadi.”+
28 Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova ngeKhedari+ langemibuso yeHazori, leyo uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni ayihlaselayo, uthi:
“Suka uye eKhedari,
Uyetshabalalisa abantu basempumalanga.
29 Amatende abo lemihlambi yabo kuzathunjwa,
Amalembu amatende kanye layo yonke impahla yabo izathathwa,
Amakamela abo azathunjwa,
Bakhale kubo bathi, ‘Kuyesabeka yonke indawo!’”
30 “Balekani liyekhatshana!
Hambani liyehlala ezigodini lina bantu beHazori,” kutsho uJehova,
“Ngoba uNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni wenze icebo lokulihlasela,
Ubumbe icebo lokulwa lani.”
31 “Suka uyehlasela isizwe sabantu abahlezi ngokuthula,
Abangesabi lutho!” kutsho uJehova.
“Ilizwe labo alilaminyango lemigoqo. Bahlala bodwa.
32 Amakamela abo azathunjwa,
Lemfuyo yabo enengi izathathwa.
Labo abagela inwele zabo emaceleni,+
Ngizabachithachitha yonke indawo.
Umonakalo engizabehlisela wona uzathutsha uvela kuzo zonke indawo,” kutsho uJehova.
33 “IHazori izakuba yindawo ehlala amakhanka,
Izakuba ngamanxiwa kuze kube nini lanini.
Akulamuntu ozahlala kuyo,
Kakho ozakwakha khona.”
34 Nanti ilizwi likaJehova elafika kuJeremiya umphrofethi mayelana le-Elami,+ ekuqaliseni kokubusa kukaZedekhiya+ inkosi yakoJuda: 35 “UJehova wamabutho uthi, ‘Sengisephula idandili* labantu be-Elami+ elibenza babe lamandla. 36 Ngizakwenza i-Elami ihlaselwe macele wonke* njalo ngizachithachitha abantu bayo yonke indawo. Akulasizwe esizasala singelabantu abavela e-Elami.’”
37 “Ngizakwenza abase-Elami baphele amandla phambi kwezitha zabo laphambi kwalabo abafuna ukubabulala. Ngizabehlisela umonakalo lolaka lwami oluvuthayo,” kutsho uJehova. “Ngizathuma inkemba ibalandele ngize ngibaqede bonke.”
38 “Ngizabeka isihlalo sami sobukhosi e-Elami,+ ngibulale inkosi lezikhulu zayo,” kutsho uJehova.
39 “Kodwa ekucineni kwezinsuku ngizabaqoqa abathunjiweyo be-Elami,” kutsho uJehova.
50 Nanti ilizwi uJehova alikhuluma ngomphrofethi uJeremiya mayelana leBhabhiloni,+ ilizwe lamaKhaledi:
2 “Khulumani ngakho phakathi kwezizwe, likumemezele kuzo.
Phakamisani uphawu likumemezele.
Lingafihli lutho!
Kumele lithi, ‘IBhabhiloni isinqotshiwe.+
UBheli useyangisiwe.+
UMerodakhi usesesaba.
Izithombe zeBhabhiloni ziyangisiwe,
Izithombe zayo ezenyanyekayo* sezisesaba.’
3 Ihlaselwe yisizwe esivela enyakatho.+
Senze ilizwe layo laba ngamanxiwa esabekayo,
Akulamuntu ohlala kulo.
Abantu babalekile lezinyamazana zabaleka,
Basukile kulo.”
4 UJehova uthi, “Ngalezonsuku langalesosikhathi abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda bazahlangana.+ Bazahamba bekhala+ njalo bazadinga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo bendawonye.+ 5 Bazabuza indlela eya eZiyoni bekhangele kuyo.+ Bazakuthi, ‘Wozani simanyane loJehova senze laye isivumelwano esingapheliyo esizahlala sikhunjulwa.’+ 6 Abantu bami sebengumhlambi wezimvu ezilahlekileyo.+ Abelusi babo babenze bahlanhlatha.+ Babahambise ezintabeni, benza bazulazula ezintabeni lasemaqaqeni. Sebeyikhohliwe indawo yabo yokuphumula. 7 Loba ngubani obatholileyo ubahlasele,+ njalo izitha zabo zithi, ‘Asilacala ngoba bonele uJehova njalo benze okubi phambi kukaJehova, indawo yokulunga lethemba labokhokho babo.’”
8 “Balekani liphume eBhabhiloni,
Phumani elizweni lamaKhaledi,+
Libe njengezifuyo ezikhokhela umhlambi.
9 Phela ngizavusela iBhabhiloni ixuku lezizwe ezinkulu,
Ngizaziletha zivela elizweni elisenyakatho.+
Zizahlela amabutho azo ziyihlasele.
Yikho lapho ezanqotshwa khona.
Imitshoko yazo injengemitshoko yeqhawe,
Etshiya abazali bengelabantwana.+
Ayikhuthi lapho okumele itshaye khona.
10 Ilizwe lamaKhaledi lizathunjwa.+
Bonke abazathumba impahla yalo bazanotha,”+ kutsho uJehova.
Waqhubeka uqolotsha njengethokazi liqolotsha etshanini,
Njalo wawulokhu ukhonya njengamabhiza.
12 Unyoko uyangisiwe.+
Yena owakuzalayo udanile.
Unyoko mncinyane phakathi kwezizwe,
Unjengogwadule lenkangala engelamanzi.+
Loba ngubani odlula kuyo uzayikhangela ethuke,
Atshaye umlozwi ngenxa yenhlupho eziyehleleyo.+
14 Thutshani ndawo zonke lizohlasela iBhabhiloni,
Lonke lina eligobisa idandili.*
15 Memezelani impi, liyihlasele macele wonke iBhabhiloni.
Isizinikele ezitheni zayo.
Phindiselani kuyo,
Lenze kuyo lokho ekwenze kwabanye.+
16 Bulala umhlanyeli eBhabhiloni,
Lalowo othwala isikela ngesikhathi sokuvuna.+
Ngamunye uzabuyela ebantwini bakibo ngenxa yenkemba elesihluku,
Uzabaleka aye elizweni lakibo.+
17 “Abantu bako-Israyeli banjengezimvu ezichitheke zagcwala indawo yonke.+ Izilwane zibenze basabalala.+ Inkosi yase-Asiriya yiyo eyaqalisa ukubadla,+ uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni waseqhoba amathambo abo.+ 18 Ngakho uJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: ‘Ngizakwenza enkosini yeBhabhiloni laselizweni layo lokho engakwenza enkosini yase-Asiriya.+ 19 Ngizaphendukisa u-Israyeli emadlelweni akhe+ futhi uzakudla eKhameli laseBhashani.+ Uzakudla asuthe ezintabeni zako-Efrayimi+ lezaseGiliyadi.’”+
20 UJehova uthi, “Ngalezonsuku langalesosikhathi,
Icala labako-Israyeli lizadingwa
Kodwa alisoze litholakale,
Lezono zabakoJuda azisoze zitholakale
Ngoba ngizabathethelela labo engivumele ukuthi basale.”+
21 “Hambani liyehlasela ilizwe laseMerathayimi lalabo abahlala ePhekhodi.+
Babulaleni libaqede libatshabalalise,” kutsho uJehova.
“Yenzani konke engilitshele khona.
22 Kuzwakala umsindo wempi elizweni,
Kulomonakalo omkhulu.
23 Isando esikhulu esicobodisa izizwe zomhlaba sephuliwe saqanyulwa!+
IBhabhiloni isitshabalele phakathi kwezizwe!+
24 Ngikufakele umjibila wena Bhabhiloni, wabanjwa,
Ubungazi lutho ngakho.
Utholakele wathunjwa,+
Ngoba uphikisane loJehova.
25 UJehova uvule isiphala sakhe
Wakhipha izikhali zakhe ngoba uthukuthele.+
INkosi Enkulu uJehova wamabutho ilomsebenzi okumele iwenze
Elizweni lamaKhaledi.
26 Buyani livela ezindaweni ezikhatshana lizohlasela iBhabhiloni.+
Vulani iziphala zayo.+
Buthelelani impahla yayo ibe njengenqumbi yamabele.
Yitshabalaliseni ngokupheleleyo.+
Akungabi lomuntu osala kuyo.
27 Bulalani wonke amajongosi ayo,+
Ahambiseni lapho azabulawelwa khona.
Maye kubo ngoba ilanga labo selifikile,
Sesifikile isikhathi sokujeziswa kwabo!
28 Kuzwakala umsindo wabantu ababalekayo,
Ababaleka besuka elizweni leBhabhiloni,
Besiyamemezela eZiyoni ukuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wethu usephindisele,
Ephindiselela ithempeli lakhe.+
29 Bizani abatshoka imitshoko bazohlasela iBhabhiloni,
Bonke abagobisa idandili.+
Misani izinkamba liyigombolozele; akungabi lomuntu ophunyukayo.
Phindiselani kuyo lokho ebikwenza.+
Lenze kuyo lokho ekwenze kwabanye.+
Phela izikhukhumezile phambi kukaJehova,
Phambi koNgcwele ka-Israyeli.+
31 “Ngizakujezisa+ wena oyisiqholo,”+ kutsho iNkosi Enkulu uJehova wamabutho,
“Ilanga lakho lizafika, sizafika isikhathi sokuthi ngikujezise.
32 Wena oyisiqholo uzakhubeka uwe,
Kungabi lomuntu ozakuvusa.+
Ngizathungela amadolobho akho ngomlilo,
Ulobise konke okuseduze kwakho.”
33 UJehova wamabutho uthi:
“Abantu bako-Israyeli labakoJuda bayacindezelwa,
Bonke ababathumbileyo abafuni ukubayekela,+
Bayala ukubakhulula.+
34 Kodwa uMhlengi wabo ulamandla.+
Ibizo lakhe nguJehova wamabutho.+
Loba sekutheni uzalumela udaba lwabo,+
Ukuze alethe ukuthula elizweni,+
Enze abantu baseBhabhiloni behlelwe yikwesaba okukhulu.”+
35 “AmaKhaledi azahlaselwa ngenkemba,” kutsho uJehova,
“Izabulala abantu abahlala eBhabhiloni lezikhulu zayo kanye labahlakaniphileyo bayo.+
36 Abantu abakhuluma amanga* bazahlaselwa ngenkemba babe yiziphukuphuku.
Inkemba izabulala amabutho ayo njalo azakwehlelwa yikwesaba.+
37 Inkemba izaqeda amabhiza lezinqola zabo zempi,
Iqede labo bonke abantu bezinye izizwe abaphakathi kweBhabhiloni,
Bazakuba njengabesifazana.+
Inkemba izaqeda inotho yayo, izathathwa yonke.+
38 Maye ngamanzi ayo ngoba azakutsha.+
IBhabhiloni lilizwe eligcwele izithombe,+
Abantu bayo baqhubeka besenza angathi bayahlanya ngenxa yemibono yabo eyethusayo.
IBhabhiloni ayisoze iphinde ihlalwe ngabantu,
Akulamuntu ozahlala kuyo kuzo zonke izizukulwane.”+
40 “Njengoba nje uNkulunkulu watshabalalisa idolobho leSodoma leleGomora+ kanye lamadolobho ayeseduze kwawo,+ akulamuntu ozahlala eBhabhiloni futhi kakho ozakwakha khona,”+ kutsho uJehova.
41 Khangela! Kulabantu abathutsha bevela enyakatho.
Kuzabizwa isizwe esikhulu esilamakhosi amakhulu,+
Sizabizwa sivela ezindaweni ezikhatshana zomhlaba.+
42 Amabutho aso athwele imitshoko lemikhonto.*+
Alesihluku, awalasihawu ngitsho.+
Nxa egade amabhiza awo
Umsindo wawo ungathi ngumdumo wamanzi olwandle.+
Ahlasela indodakazi yaseBhabhiloni emanyene angathi ngumuntu oyedwa.+
Izwa ubuhlungu obukhulu,
Ubuhlungu obunjengemihelo yowesifazana obelethayo.
44 “Njengesilwane siphuma ezixukwini eziseceleni komfula uJodani, kulomuntu ozahlasela amadlelo avikelekileyo. Kodwa ngesikhatshana nje ngizabenza babaleke elizweni labo, besengibeka lowo engimkhethileyo ukuthi alibuse.+ Ngubani onjengami? Ngubani ongamelana lami? Ukhona yini umelusi ongama phambi kwami?+ 45 Ngakho zwanini lina bantu lokho uJehova asekhethe ukukwenza ngeBhabhiloni+ lalokho asekucabangile ngabantu abahlala elizweni lamaKhaledi.
Abancane emhlambini bazahudulwa loba sekutheni.
Indawo yabo yokuhlala izasala ingamanxiwa ngenxa yezenzo zabo.+
46 Umsindo wokunqotshwa kweBhabhiloni uzenza umhlaba uzamazame,
Kuzazwakala isililo esikhulu phakathi kwezizwe.”+
51 UJehova uthi:
2 Ngizathumela abantu abela amabele eBhabhiloni,
Bazakwela iBhabhiloni ilizwe layo lisale lingelalutho.
Bazayihlasela macele wonke ngelanga lokwehlelwa kwayo ngumonakalo.+
3 AbeBhabhiloni abalwa ngemitshoko kabangawagobisi amadandili* abo.
Amabutho ayo kawangagqoki amajazi awo ensimbi.
Lingawazweli amajaha ayo.+
Tshabalalisani wonke amabutho ayo.
4 Azabulawa elizweni lamaKhaledi,
Azagwazwa emigwaqweni yeBhabhiloni.+
5 U-Israyeli loJuda kabatshiywanga* nguNkulunkulu wabo, uJehova wamabutho.+
Kodwa ilizwe lamaKhaledi lilamacala amanengi phambi koNgcwele ka-Israyeli.
6 Balekani eBhabhiloni,
Lisindise impilo zenu.+
Lingabulawa ngenxa yecala layo,
Ngoba sekuyisikhathi sokuthi uJehova aphindisele.
Uzaphindisela kuyo lokho ekwenze kwabanye.+
7 IBhabhiloni ibiyinkomitsho yegolide esandleni sikaJehova.
Yenze wonke umhlaba wadakwa.
8 IBhabhiloni iwe masinyane yephuka.+
Yilileleni!+
Yidingeleni ibhalisamu lipholise ubuhlungu bayo, mhlawumbe ingasila.”
9 “Sizamile ukwelapha iBhabhiloni kodwa kayelapheki.
Yitshiyeni sihambe, ngamunye aye elizweni lakibo,+
Ngoba isono sayo sesifike emazulwini;
Sifike khonale emayezini.+
10 UJehova usilwele watshengisa ukuthi asilacala.+
Buyani eZiyoni sikhulume ngemisebenzi kaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu.”+
11 “Lolani imitshoko,+ lithathe lamahawu ayisigombolozi.*
UJehova usequbule umoya wamakhosi amaMede,+
Ngoba uhlose ukutshabalalisa iBhabhiloni.
UJehova uyaphindisela, uphindiselela ithempeli lakhe.
12 Phakamisani uphawu+ lokuhlasela imiduli yeBhabhiloni.
Ngezelelani abalindi, fakani abalindi.
Abazacathama kabahlale belungele ukulwa,
Ngoba uJehova usebumbe icebo lokuhlasela,
Njalo uzakwenza lokho akukhulumileyo ngabantu abahlala eBhabhiloni.”+
13 “Wena owesifazana ohlala emanzini amanengi,+
Olenotho enengi,+
Ukuphela kwakho sekufikile, awusoze uphinde wenze inzuzo.+
14 UJehova wamabutho ufunge ngokuphila kwakhe wathi,
‘Ngizakugcwalisa ngamadoda amanengi njengezintethe,
Azamemeza ngentokozo esekunqobile.’+
15 UNkulunkulu wenza umhlaba ngamandla akhe,
Wamisa ilizwe ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe,+
Welula amazulu ngokuqedisisa kwakhe.+
16 Nxa ekhuluma,
Amanzi asemazulwini ayahlokoma,
Wenza kuqubuke amayezi emikhawulweni yomhlaba,
Kuphazime lombane nxa izulu lisina.
Uvulela umoya oseziphaleni zakhe.+
17 Bonke abantu benza izinto ezitshengisa ukuthi abacabangi lokuthi abalalwazi.
Wonke umkhandi wensimbi uzayangiswa ngenxa yesithombe asenzileyo,+
Ngoba isithombe sakhe sensimbi siyisiphamaso,
18 Izithombe azincedi ngalutho+ futhi ziyinhlekisa.
Zizatshabalala ngosuku lokwahlulelwa kwazo.
19 Lowo oyisabelo sikaJakhobe kafanani lezithombe lezi,
Ngoba nguye owenza konke.
Uyintonga yelifa lakhe.+
Ibizo lakhe nguJehova wamabutho.”+
20 “Wena uyinduku yami, isikhali sami sempi,
Ngizakusebenzisa ukuchoboza izizwe.
Ngizatshabalalisa imibuso ngawe.
21 Ngizakusebenzisa ukuchoboza ibhiza lomgadi walo.
Ngawe ngizaphahlaza inqola yempi lalowo oyigadileyo.
22 Ngizakusebenzisa ukuchoboza owesilisa lowesifazana.
Ngawe ngizachoboza ixhegu lomfana,
Ngichoboze ijaha lentombi.
23 Ngizakusebenzisa ukuchoboza umelusi lomhlambi wakhe.
Ngawe ngizachoboza umlimi lezifuyo zakhe alima ngazo,
Ngichoboze ababusi* labasekeli babo.
24 Ngizaphindisela eBhabhiloni lakubo bonke abantu abahlala elizweni lamaKhaledi,
Ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi abazenza eZiyoni phambi kwenu,”+ kutsho uJehova.
Ngizakwelulela isandla sami kuwe ngikugiqe usuke emadwaleni,
Ngikwenze ube yintaba etshileyo.”
26 “Abantu abasoze bathathe kuwe ilitshe eliyisiqokoqela kumbe ilitshe lesisekelo,
Ngoba uzatshabalala kuze kube nini lanini,”+ kutsho uJehova.
27 “Phakamisani uphawu elizweni.+
Tshayani uphondo phakathi kwezizwe.
Tshelani izizwe ukuthi zilungele ukulwa leBhabhiloni,
Bekani umuntu ozabutha amabutho azakulwa layo.
Amabhiza kawabuye emanengi angathi zintethe ezincane.
28 Tshelani izizwe ukuthi zilungele ukulwa layo,
Tshelani amakhosi amaMede+ lababusi* labasekeli babo,
Lawo wonke amazwe abawabusayo.
29 Umhlaba uzazamazama njalo unyikinyeke,
Ngoba lokho uJehova akucabangileyo ngeBhabhiloni kuzakwenzakala,
Ilizwe leBhabhiloni lizasala lingamanxiwa ayesabekayo, kungelamuntu ohlala kulo.+
30 Amabutho aseBhabhiloni aseyekele ukulwa.
Ahlezi ezinqabeni zawo.
Imizi yeBhabhiloni ithungelwe ngomlilo,
Imigoqo yayo yephulwa.+
31 Isithunywa siyagijima siyehlangana lesinye isithunywa,
Obika izindaba uhlangana lomunye obika izindaba,
Besiyabikela inkosi yeBhabhiloni ukuthi idolobho layo selinqotshiwe macele wonke,+
32 Lokuthi amazibuko* asethunjiwe,+
Lezikepe ezenziwe ngemihlanga yephaphirasi sezitshisiwe,
Njalo amabutho ayaqhaqhazela ngokwesaba.”
33 UJehova wamabutho uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi:
“Indodakazi yeBhabhiloni injengesiza.*
Sekuyisikhathi sokuthi igandelwe,
Sekuseduze ukuthi ifikelwe yisikhathi sokuvuna.”
34 “UNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni ungitshabalalisile.+
Ungenze ngaphithana ikhanda.
Ungibeke phansi njengesitsha esingelalutho.
Ungiginyile angathi uyinyoka enkulu,+
Wagcwalisa isisu sakhe ngezinto zami ezinhle,
Wasengilahlela khatshana.
35 ‘IBhabhiloni kayehlelwe ludlakela elwenze kithi lasemizimbeni yethu!’ kutsho abantu abahlala eZiyoni.+
‘Abantu abahlala elizweni lamaKhaledi kababe lecala ngenxa yegazi lethu!’ kutsho abantu abahlala eJerusalema.”
36 Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova:
Ngizakomisa ulwandle lwayo ngenze lemithombo yayo itshe.+
Izakwehliselwa umonakalo owesabekayo, owenza loba ngubani oyibonayo atshaye umlozwi,
Akulamuntu ozahlala kuyo.+
38 Bonke bazabhonga njengezilwane,
Bahwabhe njengemidlwane yezilwane.”
39 “Bazakuthi sebethabile ngibenzele idili ngibadakise,
Ukuze bathokoze kakhulu.+
Lapho-ke bazalala ubuthongo obungapheliyo,
Abangasoze baphaphame kubo,’+ kutsho uJehova.
40 “Ngizabaletha endaweni abazabulawelwa kuyo angathi ngamazinyane ezimvu,
Lanjengezinqama kanye lembuzi.”
Lowo obeludumo lomhlaba wonke usethunjiwe!+
IBhabhiloni isingamanxiwa ayesabekayo phakathi kwezizwe!
42 Ulwandle lukhuphukile lwembesa iBhabhiloni.
Amagagasi alo amanengi ayembesile.
43 Amadolobho ayo asengamanxiwa ayesabekayo, aseyinkangala engelamanzi.
Ilizwe okungelamuntu ozahlala kulo njalo okungelamuntu ozadabula phakathi kwalo.+
Izizwe azisoze zisaya kuye,
Njalo umduli weBhabhiloni uzadilika.+
45 Phumani kuyo bantu bami!+
Balekani ukuze lisinde,+ balekelani ulaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo!+
46 Lingapheli amandla kumbe lesabe ngenxa yombiko elizawuzwa elizweni.
Ngomnyaka owodwa kuzafika umbiko,
Kolandelayo kufike omunye umbiko,
Omayelana lodlakela elizweni kanye lombusi ovukela omunye umbusi.
47 Ngakho zwanini! Insuku ziyeza
Lapho engizajezisa khona izithombe zeBhabhiloni.
Lonke ilizwe layo lizayangeka,
Izidumbu zabo bonke abantu abazabulawa zizasala zithe dandalazi phakathi kwayo.+
48 Amazulu lomhlaba lakho konke okukuwo
Kuzamemeza ngentokozo ngokuwa kweBhabhiloni,+
Abazayitshabalalisa bazavela enyakatho,”+ kutsho uJehova.
49 “IBhabhiloni ayizange ibulale abantu bako-Israyeli kuphela,+
EBhabhiloni kubulewe abantu abavela kuwo wonke umhlaba.
50 Lina elibalekela inkemba qhubekani ligijima, lingami!+
Khumbulani uJehova lisendaweni ekhatshana,
Kwangathi lingacabanga ngeJerusalema.”+
51 “Siyangekile ngoba sizwe abantu besichothoza.
Sibanjwe zinhloni
Ngoba abantu bezinye izizwe bangene ezindaweni* ezingcwele zendlu kaJehova.”+
52 “Ngakho zwanini! Insuku ziyeza,” kutsho uJehova,
“Lapho engizajezisa khona izithombe zeBhabhiloni.
Kulo lonke ilizwe layo abalimeleyo bazabubula.”+
53 “Lanxa iBhabhiloni ingakhwela iye ezulwini,+
Iqinise izinqaba zayo ezinde,
Ngizathumela abazayitshabalalisa,”+ kutsho uJehova.
54 “Lalelani! Kuzwakala isililo eBhabhiloni,+
Kuzwakala umsindo womonakalo omkhulu elizweni lamaKhaledi,+
55 Ngoba uJehova utshabalalisa iBhabhiloni,
Uzathulisa ilizwi layo elikhulu.
Amagagasi ayo azakwenza umsindo onjengowamanzi amanengi,
Umsindo wawo uzazwakala khatshana.
56 Lowo otshabalalisayo uzafika eBhabhiloni.+
Amabutho eBhabhiloni azanqotshwa,+
Amadandili awo ephulwe,
Ngoba uJehova nguNkulunkulu ojezisa umuntu ngamunye ngendlela emfaneleyo.+
Uzaphindisela loba sekutheni.+
57 Ngizakwenza izikhulu zayo lamadoda ayo ahlakaniphileyo adakwe,+
Ngidakise lababusi* bayo labasekeli babo lamabutho ayo.
Bazalala ubuthongo obungapheliyo,
Abangasoze baphaphame kubo,”+ kutsho iNkosi elebizo elithi Jehova wamabutho.
58 UJehova wamabutho uthi:
“Lanxa umduli weBhabhiloni ubanzi uzadilizwa wonke,+
Lanxa amagedi ayo emade azatshiswa ngomlilo.
Abantu bazasebenzela into engekhoyo;
Izizwe zizasebenza nzima zisenza izinto ezizaqedwa ngumlilo.”+
59 Leli lilizwi uJeremiya umphrofethi alitshela uSeraya indodana kaNeriya,+ indodana kaMahaseyiya, ngesikhathi esiya eBhabhiloni loZedekhiya inkosi yakoJuda. Kwakungumnyaka wesine wokubusa kukaZedekhiya. USeraya wayengumphathi wezinto zenkosi. 60 UJeremiya wabhala encwadini eyodwa wonke umonakalo owawuzakwehlela iBhabhiloni. Waloba amazwi wonke la mayelana leBhabhiloni. 61 UJeremiya watshela uSeraya wathi: “Nxa ungafika eBhabhiloni njalo uyibone, kumele ubalele phezulu wonke amazwi la. 62 Ngemva kwalokho uthi, ‘Awu Jehova, uthe indawo le izatshabalaliswa isale ingelamuntu kumbe inyamazana ehlala kuyo futhi izakuba ngamanxiwa kuze kube nini lanini.’+ 63 Nxa ungaqeda ukubala incwadi le, ubophele ilitshe kuyo uyijikele phakathi komfula uYufrathe, 64 ubususithi, ‘Le yiyo indlela iBhabhiloni ezacwila ngayo ingaphindi ibonakale+ ngenxa yomonakalo engizayehlisela wona. Abantu bayo bazaphela amandla.’”+
Amazwi kaJeremiya aphelela lapha.
52 UZedekhiya+ wayeleminyaka engu-21 ngesikhathi esiba yinkosi futhi wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engu-11. Unina kwakunguHamuthali+ indodakazi kaJeremiya waseLibhina. 2 UZedekhiya waqhubeka esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, elandela konke okwakusenziwa nguJehoyakhimu.+ 3 UJehova wayethukuthele, yikho izinto lezi zenzakala koJuda laseJerusalema waze wacina ebasusile phambi kwakhe.+ UZedekhiya wahlamukela inkosi yeBhabhiloni.+ 4 Mhlaka 10 ngenyanga yetshumi ngomnyaka wesi-9 wokubusa kukaZedekhiya, uNebhukhadinezari* inkosi yeBhabhiloni wabuya lebutho lakhe lonke wazohlasela idolobho leJerusalema. Bafika bamisa inkamba basebesakha umduli wokulivimbezela, baligombolozela.+ 5 Idolobho lavinjezelwa kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wesi-11 wokubusa kweNkosi uZedekhiya.
6 Mhlaka 9 ngenyanga yesine+ indlala yayisinzima edolobheni, kwakungaselakudla elizweni.+ 7 Ekucineni amaKhaledi adiliza umduli wedolobho avula isikhala. Wonke amabutho eNkosi uZedekhiya abaleka edolobheni ebusuku aphuma ngegedi eliphakathi kwemiduli emibili duze lengadi yenkosi. Abaleka ngendlela eqonda e-Arabha.+ Ngalesosikhathi amaKhaledi ayelokhu egombolozele idolobho. 8 Ibutho lamaKhaledi layixotshanisa inkosi layithola+ emagcekeni eJerikho. Wonke amabutho ayo abaleka asabalala ayitshiya. 9 AmaKhaledi ambamba uZedekhiya amhambisa enkosini yeBhabhiloni eRibhila elizweni laseHamathi. Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yasimgweba. 10 Yabulala amadodana kaZedekhiya phambi kwamehlo akhe, yabulala lazo zonke izikhulu zakoJuda khonapho eRibhila. 11 Yabulala uZedekhiya amehlo yamenza waba yisiphofu,+ yambopha ngamaketane ekhopha yasihamba laye eBhabhiloni, yafika yamvalela ejele lapho ahlala khona waze wafa.
12 Mhlaka 10 ngenyanga yesihlanu ngomnyaka wesi-19 wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari inkosi yeBhabhiloni, uNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi owayeyinceku yenkosi yeBhabhiloni, wafika eJerusalema.+ 13 Watshisa indlu kaJehova+ lendlu yenkosi,* lazo zonke izindlu zaseJerusalema. Waphinda watshisa lezindlu zonke ezinkulu. 14 Lonke ibutho lamaKhaledi elalihamba lenduna yabalindi ladiliza imiduli yeJerusalema layiwisela phansi.+
15 UNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi wathumba abanye abantukazana labo bonke abantu ababesele edolobheni. Wathatha labantu ababehlamukele enkosini yeBhabhiloni kanye lazo zonke izingcitshi zomsebenzi.+ 16 Kodwa watshiya abanye abantu abangabayanga kakhulu elizweni ukuthi basebenze emasimini amagilebisi njalo babe yizigqili.+
17 AmaKhaledi abhidliza insika zekhopha+ zendlu kaJehova lezinqola+ kanye letanka yamanzi+ eyayenziwe ngekhopha eyayisendlini kaJehova, asethatha yonke ikhopha ahamba layo eBhabhiloni.+ 18 Athatha lamakani, lamafotsholo, lezigelo zokuquma intambo zezibane, lemiganu,+ lamankomitsho,+ lazo zonke izitsha zekhopha ezazisetshenziswa ethempelini. 19 Induna yabalindi yathatha izinditshi,+ lenkezwana zokuthwala amalahle, lemiganu yokuchela, lamakani, lezinti zezibane,+ lamankomitsho kanye leminye imiganu. Konke lokhu kwakwenziwe ngegolide elicengekileyo langesiliva esicengekileyo.+ 20 Insika zombili, letanka yamanzi, lenkunzi ezingu-12+ ezazingaphansi kwetanka yamanzi, lezinqola iNkosi uSolomoni eyayizenzele indlu kaJehova, kwakwenziwe ngekhopha enengi kakhulu engeke ilinganiswe.
21 Insika ngayinye yayizingalo* ezingu-18 ubude, njalo kwakungadingeka intambo ezingalo ezingu-12 ukuyithandela yonke.+ Ubuqatha bekhopha ezazenziwe ngayo babulingana lobubanzi beminwe emine* nxa ihlanganisiwe. Insika ngayinye yayigubhekile phakathi ingelalutho. 22 Isiduku* esasiphezu kwayo sasingesekhopha futhi sasizingalo ezinhlanu ubude.+ Isefa lemiceciso yamaharinathi eyayigombolozele isiduku kwakubunjwe ngekhopha. Insika yesibili layo yayinjalo kanye lamaharinathi ayo. 23 Emaceleni kwakulemiceciso yamaharinathi engu-96. Yonke imiceciso yamaharinathi eyayisemasefeni yayingu-100.+
24 Induna yabalindi yathatha loSeraya+ umphristi okhokhelayo lomsekeli wakhe uZefaniya+ kanye labalindi beminyango abathathu.+ 25 Edolobheni wathatha isiphathamandla sesigodlweni esasikhangele ibutho, labangane benkosi abayisikhombisa ababesedolobheni, lonobhala wenduna yebutho owayekhangela ukubuthwa kwamabutho elizweni. Wathatha lamanye amadoda angu-60 ayetholakale edolobheni. 26 UNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi wabathatha wabahambisa enkosini yeBhabhiloni eRibhila. 27 Inkosi yeBhabhiloni yababulala eRibhila+ elizweni leHamathi. Le yiyo indlela abantu bakoJuda abathunjwa ngayo basuswa elizweni labo.+
28 Laba yibo abantu uNebhukhadinezari abathumbayo. Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kwakhe wathumba amaJuda angu-3 023.+
29 Ngomnyaka wesi-18 wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari+ kwathathwa abantu abangu-832 eJerusalema.
30 Ngomnyaka wesi-23 wokubusa kukaNebhukhadinezari, uNebhuzaradani induna yabalindi wathumba amaJuda angu-745.+
Sebebonke abantu abathunjwayo babengu-4 600.
31 Ngomnyaka wesi-37 wokuthunjwa kukaJehoyakhini+ inkosi yakoJuda, mhlaka 27 ngenyanga yesi-12, u-Evili-merodakhi inkosi yeBhabhiloni wakhipha uJehoyakhini inkosi yakoJuda ejele. Yiwo umnyaka u-Evili-merodakhi aqalisa ngawo ukubusa.+ 32 Wakhuluma laye ngomusa futhi wabeka isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi saba phezu kwezihlalo zobukhosi zamanye amakhosi ayelaye eBhabhiloni. 33 Ngakho uJehoyakhini wakhipha izigqoko zakhe zejele njalo kusukela lapho wadla etafuleni yenkosi yeBhabhiloni okwempilo yakhe yonke. 34 Nsuku zonke wayephiwa ukudla okuvela enkosini yeBhabhiloni. Lokhu kwenzakala okwempilo yakhe yonke waze wafa.
Ibizo leli lingabe lisitsho ukuthi, “UJehova uyaphakamisa.”
Kumbe, “Ngakukhetha.”
NgesiHebheru, “ungakaphumi esibelethweni.”
Kumbe, “ngisesemncane.”
Kumbe, “ngizakusindisa.”
Kumbe, “imbiza elomlomo omkhulu.”
Kumbe, “baseMemfisi.”
Lapha kutshiwo isifula seNayili.
Kumbe, “onkulunkulu bezizweni.”
NgesiHebheru, “Njengom-Arabhu.”
Kumbe, “labonkulunkulu bezinye izizwe.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “ngumkenu.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “bazalelusa ngokwazi langokuhlakanipha.”
NgesiHebheru, “elamabutho ezizwe.”
Kumbe, “unkulunkulu olihlazo uqede.”
Lapha kutshiwo uJehova.
Kumbe, “Litshaye izifuba zenu.”
Lolu lulimi olusankondlo olungabe lutshengisa uzwelo loba isihawu.
Kumbe, “Inhloli.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “umkhosi wempi.”
Kumbe, “ngizisole.”
NgesiHebheru, “azisokwanga.”
Akwaziwa ukuthi ibizo lemihlanga le eliqondileyo yiliphi sibili.
Kumbe, “lejavelini.”
Lapha kutshiwo uJeremiya.
Umnuso yinsinjana encibilika lula esetshenziswa ukuhlanganisa insimbi ezimbili.
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngikhuluma.”
Lo kwakungunkulunkulukazi owayekhonzwa ngabako-Israyeli ababehlamukile. Kungenzakala ukuthi wayengunkulunkulukazi wenzalo.
Kumbe, “amacebo abo.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngivuka ngovivi.”
Kumbe, “zesifungo.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala ebaleni elithi, “IGehena.”
Kumbe, “engqondweni yami.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala ebaleni elithi, “IGehena.”
Lapha kutshiwo ilanga lenyanga lezinkanyezi.
Kumbe, “ziyasazi isikhathi sazo sokuthutha.”
Kumbe, “akulamuthi.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Kumbe, “Ngizahlabela ingoma yokulila.”
Kumbe, “umhlonyane.”
NgesiNgisi umbala oyibubende yi-purple.
Emibhalweni yokuqala ivesi le yayibhalwe ngesi-Aramu.
Kumbe, “Asiphefumuli.”
Kukhanya angathi lapha kwakukhulunywa loJeremiya.
Kumbe, “Akube njalo.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngibakhuza.”
Lapha kukhulunywa loJeremiya.
NgesiHebheru, “lezinso.”
Kumbe, “ilifa.”
Kumbe, “avinjezelwe.”
Kumbe, “umTopiya.”
Kumbe, “langomkhuhlane.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “imihlobo emine yesahlulelo.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “ubuyela nyovane.”
Kumbe, “ngomlayezo wesahlulelo.”
Kumbe, “ngumkhulumeli.”
Kumbe, “lothando oluqotho.”
Kukhanya angathi le yimikhuba yezinye izizwe eyayisisenziwa ngabako-Israyeli nxa belila.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Kumbe, “umuntu olamandla.”
Kumbe, “umuntu olamandla.”
Kumbe, “iliqili.”
NgesiHebheru, “lezinso.”
NgesiHebheru, “Bonke abangihlamukelayo.” Lapha kungabe kutshiwo uJehova.
NgesiHebheru, “egedini lamadodana abantu.”
Kumbe, “lamakhosana ahlala.”
Kumbe, “laseningizimu.”
NgesiHebheru, “njengoba kwakuqondile emehlweni ombumbi ukwenza njalo.”
Kumbe, “ngizazisola.”
Kumbe, “ngizazisola.”
NgesiHebheru, “Bazalitshayela umlozwi.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Kumbe, “engqondweni yami.”
Kumbe, “abantu bazalitshayela umlozwi.”
Kumbe, “omunye wakhe; umngane wakhe.”
Lapha kutshiwo ilanga lenyanga lezinkanyezi.
NgesiHebheru, “Wangiyenga Jehova, ngayengeka.”
NgesiHebheru, “lezinso.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “Ngizawaqoqa.”
Kumbe, “uzaphunyuka lokuphila kwakhe.”
Kumbe, “esigodlweni senkosi.”
UShalumi wayebizwa langokuthi nguJehowahazi.
UKhoniya wayebizwa langokuthi nguJehoyakhini langokuthi nguJekhoniya.
NgesiHebheru, “sikaNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
NgesiHebheru, “ngensuku zakhe.”
Kumbe, “indlalifa elungileyo.”
Kumbe, “bayahlamuka.”
Kumbe, “umhlonyane.”
Kumbe, “Balithembisa izinto ezingekhoyo.”
Ibala lesiHebheru elisetshenziswe lapha lingatsho isahlulelo esinzima esivela kuNkulunkulu kumbe into esindayo.
Kumbe, “lomunye wakhe; lomngane wakhe.”
NgesiHebheru, “UNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
UJekhoniya wayebizwa langokuthi nguJehoyakhini langokuthi nguKhoniya.
NgesiHebheru, “kukaNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “ngabantu.”
NgesiHebheru, “bengivuka ngovivi ngikhuluma.”
Kumbe, “Abantu bazalitshayela umlozwi.”
NgesiHebheru, “esihlenge esiselwandle.”
Kukhanya angani leli ngelinye ibizo leBhabhiloni.
NgesiHebheru, “zomhlambi.”
NgesiHebheru, “zomhlambi.”
NgesiHebheru, “zomhlambi.”
Kumbe, “ngabo.”
Kumbe, “bezokhothama.”
Kumbe, “besengizisola.”
Kumbe, “esigodlweni senkosi.”
Kumbe, “uzazisola.”
NgesiHebheru, “yendlu.”
Kumbe, “lezintaba ezigcwele izihlahla.”
Kumbe, “wazisola.”
NgesiHebheru, “baphumule.”
Kumbe, “lasesigodlweni senkosi.”
Le yitanka yamanzi eyayisethempelini futhi yayenziwe ngekhopha.
Kumbe, “lasesigodlweni senkosi.”
Kumbe, “Akube njalo!”
NgesiHebheru, “ngivuka ngovivi ngizithuma.”
NgesiHebheru, “sikaNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
NgesiHebheru, “olukhulu.”
Kumbe, “Ngizakuqondisa.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “Ngizabenza bahlonitshwe.”
Kumbe, “ngiqhubeke ngikutshengisa uthando oluqotho.”
Kumbe, “Uphume uyegida labathokozayo.”
Kumbe, “abantwabakhe.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngazitshaya umlenze.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “umkabo.”
Kumbe, “lomlotha ohlangene lamafutha.” Lapha kutshiwo umlotha owawuhlangene lamafutha emihlatshelo.
NgesiHebheru, “kukaNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “endlini yenkosi.”
NgesiHebheru, “lokuyihlenga.”
NgesiHebheru, “lokuyihlenga.”
Ishekheli yayilingana lamagremu angu-11,4. Khangela iSengezo ku-B14.
Kumbe, “Utshengisa izinkulungwane zabantu uthando oluqotho.”
Kumbe, “Izeluleko zakho ziyamangalisa.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngibafundisa.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala ebaleni elithi, “IGehena.”
Kumbe, “engqondweni yami.”
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
Kumbe, “indlalifa elungileyo.”
Lapha kutshiwo ilanga lenyanga lezinkanyezi.
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
NgesiHebheru, “uJonadabi.” Ukuthi “Jonadabi” yikufitshaniswa kwebizo elithi “Jehonadabi.”
NgesiHebheru, “uJonadabi.” Ukuthi “Jonadabi” yikufitshaniswa kwebizo elithi “Jehonadabi.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngikhuluma.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngizithuma.”
NgesiHebheru, “sikaJonadabi.” Ukuthi “Jonadabi” yikufitshaniswa kwebizo elithi “Jehonadabi.”
Inyanga le yayiqala phakathi kukaNovember iyephela phakathi kukaDecember. Khangela iSengezo ku-B15.
UKhoniya wayebizwa langokuthi nguJehoyakhini langokuthi nguJekhoniya.
NgesiHebheru, “nguNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “esigodlweni sayo.”
NgesiHebheru, “ozaphuma aye.”
Kumbe, “futhi uzaphunyuka lokuphila kwakhe.”
NgesiHebheru, “owayengumthenwa.”
Kumbe, “esigodlweni senkosi.”
Kumbe, “esigodlweni senkosi.”
NgesiHebheru, “ungaphuma uye.”
NgesiHebheru, “ukuphuma uye.”
NgesiHebheru, “ukuphuma uye.”
Kumbe, “esigodlweni senkosi.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumele ukuthi leli kwakulibizo lokuhlonipha.
Kumbe, “indunankulu yesigodlo.”
Kumbe, “induna yabenza amasalamusi.”
Kumbe, “isigodlo senkosi.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “ababezasebenza kuwo bengabhadalwa.”
Kumbe, “indunankulu yesigodlo.”
Kumbe, “induna yabenza amasalamusi.”
Kumbe, “Uzaphunyuka lokuphila kwakho.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “echibini elikhulu.”
Kumbe, “ngizezwa ubuhlungu obukhulu.”
Kumbe, “liyehlala khona okwesikhatshana.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “amathempeli abonkulunkulu.”
Kumbe, “engalimalanga.”
Kumbe, “zendlu yelanga; zethempeli lelanga.” Lapha kutshiwo iHeliyopholisi.
Kumbe, “amathempeli abonkulunkulu.”
Kumbe, “laseMemfisi.”
NgesiHebheru, “ngangivuka ngovivi ngizithuma.”
Lo kwakungunkulunkulukazi owayekhonzwa ngabako-Israyeli ababehlamukile. Kungenzakala ukuthi wayengunkulunkulukazi wenzalo.
Lo kwakungunkulunkulukazi owayekhonzwa ngabako-Israyeli ababehlamukile. Kungenzakala ukuthi wayengunkulunkulukazi wenzalo.
Lo kwakungunkulunkulukazi owayekhonzwa ngabako-Israyeli ababehlamukile. Kungenzakala ukuthi wayengunkulunkulukazi wenzalo.
Lo kwakungunkulunkulukazi owayekhonzwa ngabako-Israyeli ababehlamukile. Kungenzakala ukuthi wayengunkulunkulukazi wenzalo.
NgesiHebheru, “sikaNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “ukhangelele ukuthola.”
Kumbe, “ngizakunika impilo yakho ibe ngumvuzo wakho.”
NgesiHebheru, “nguNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Amahawu amancane ayejayele ukuthwalwa ngamabutho asebenzisa imitshoko.
Kumbe, “eMemfisi.”
NgesiHebheru, “isikhathi esibekiweyo sedlula.”
Lapha kutshiwo lowo ozanqoba iGibhithe.
Kumbe, “iMemfisi.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “Izakuba lunxiwa.”
Idolobho leli lalibizwa langokuthi yiThebhesi.
Kumbe, “Ngizakuqondisa.”
Lapha kutshiwo iKhrethe.
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “emhlabathini owomileyo.”
Lapha kutshiwo indawo okuvoxelwa kuyo amagilebisi.
Lapha kutshiwo ifluthi eyayitshaywa esililweni.
Lapha kutshiwo ifluthi eyayitshaywa esililweni.
Kumbe, “ezibayeni zezimvu.”
NgesiHebheru, “Ngifunge ngokuphila kwami.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
NgesiHebheru, “yimimoya emine esuka emagumbini amane amazulu.”
Ibala lesiHebheru elisetshenziswe lapha lingabe lihambelana lebala elitsho ubulongwe futhi lisetshenziswa nxa kukhulunywa ngento enyanyisayo.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
NgesiHebheru, “azathuliswa.”
Kumbe, “Abaphrofethi bamanga.”
Kumbe, “lenyamazana ezitshaya umkhulungwane.”
Kumbe, “lamajavelini.”
Kukhanya angani leli ngelinye ibizo lelizwe lamaKhaledi.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
NgesiHebheru, “kabafelwanga.”
Ezinye inguqulo zithi, “ligcwalise izikhwama zemitshoko.”
Kumbe, “Asiphefumuli.”
Kumbe, “ogavena.”
Kumbe, “labogavena.”
Izibuko yindawo lapho okuchatshwa khona umfula.
Khangela iNgcazelo Yamabala.
NgesiHebheru, “UNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kukhanya angani leli ngelinye ibizo leBhabhiloni.
Kumbe, “bahlasele izindawo.”
Kumbe, “labogavena.”
NgesiHebheru, “uNebhukhadirezari.” Le ngenye indlela ibizo lakhe elibhalwa ngayo.
Kumbe, “lesigodlo senkosi.”
Ingalo yayilingana lamasentimitha angu-44,5. Khangela iSengezo ku-B14.
Ububanzi bomunwe babulingana lamasentimitha angu-1,85. Khangela iSengezo ku-B14.
Isiduku kwakungumceciso owawufakwa phezu kwensika.