UDANYELI

1 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kukaJehoyakhimi+ inkosi yakoJuda, inkosi yaseBhabhiloni uNebhukhadinezari yafika yavimbezela iJerusalema.+ 2 Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uJehova wanikela uJehoyakhimi inkosi yakoJuda kanye lezinye izitsha zendlu kaNkulunkulu* weqiniso esandleni seNkosi uNebhukhadinezari.+ Inkosi le yathatha izitsha lezo yahamba lazo elizweni laseShinari*+ endlini kankulunkulu* wayo yafika yazifaka endlini yenotho kankulunkulu wayo.+

3 Inkosi yasitshela u-Ashiphenazi umkhokheli weziphathamandla zesikhosini ukuthi alethe amanye ama-Israyeli,* ikakhulu lawo azalwa ezimulini zesikhosini lezabahlonitshwa.+ 4 Kwakumele kube ngabasakhulayo* abangelasici, ababukekayo, abahlakaniphileyo, abalolwazi, labaqedisisayo+ futhi abangenelisa ukusebenza esigodlweni senkosi. U-Ashiphenazi kwakufanele abafundise ulimi lwamaKhaledi lendlela yawo yokubhala.* 5 Inkosi yahlela lokuthi baphiwe izibiliboco zayo kanye lewayini elalinathwa yiyo. Kwakumele bafundiswe* okweminyaka emithathu besekusithi ngemva kwalesosikhathi baqalise ukusebenzela inkosi.

6 Phakathi kwabo kwakulabanye ababevela esizwaneni sakoJuda.* Amabizo abo kwakunguDanyeli,*+ loHananiya,* loMishayeli,* lo-Azariya.*+ 7 Induna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini yabanika amanye amabizo.* UDanyeli yamnika ibizo elithi Bhelitheshazari,+ uHananiya yamnika elithi Shadrekhi, uMishayeli yamnika elithi Mishekhi, u-Azariya yena yamnika elithi Abhedinikho.+

8 UDanyeli wazimisela enhliziyweni yakhe ukuthi wayengasoze azingcolise ngokudla izibiliboco zenkosi kumbe ngokunatha iwayini layo. Ngakho wakhuluma lenduna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini ecela ukuthi angazingcolisi ngezinto lezo. 9 UNkulunkulu weqiniso wenza ukuthi induna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini ibe lomusa lesihawu+ kuDanyeli. 10 Kodwa induna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini yathi kuDanyeli: “Ngiyayesaba inkosi yami ehloniphekayo ngoba yiyo ethe linikwe ukudla lokhu kanye lokunathwayo. Izathini inkosi nxa isibona abanye abasakhulayo* abalingana lani bebukeka kodwa lina licakile? Ngiyabe ngizakuba lecala phambi kwenkosi.” 11 UDanyeli wasekhuluma lomphathi owayekhethwe yinduna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini ukuthi agcine uDanyeli, loHananiya, loMishayeli, lo-Azariya wathi: 12 “Ngiyacela, ake ulinge izinceku zakho okwamalanga alitshumi uziphe imibhida lamanzi kuphela. 13 Ngemva kwalokho ubusuqathanisa imizimba yethu leyabasakhulayo* abadla izibiliboco zenkosi, wahlulele izinceku zakho ngalokho okubonayo.”

14 Ngakho wavuma ukwenza ababekutsho, wabalinga okwamalanga alitshumi. 15 Ngemva kwamalanga alitshumi basebekhangeleka bebahle futhi bezimukile* ukwedlula bonke abasakhulayo* ababesidla izibiliboco zenkosi. 16 Umphathi wabo kasazange abaphe izibiliboco zenkosi lewayini ababeliphiwa, kodwa wayesebanika imibhida. 17 UNkulunkulu weqiniso wanika abasakhulayo* laba abane ukuhlakanipha lolwazi njalo wabancedisa ukuthi bazwisise wonke amabhuku. UDanyeli wanikwa lesiphiwo sokuzwisisa yonke imibono lamaphupho.+

18 Sathi sesifikile isikhathi inkosi eyayithe balethwe ngaso,+ induna yeziphathamandla zesikhosini yabahambisa kuNebhukhadinezari. 19 Inkosi yathi ikhuluma labo yathola ukuthi kakho phakathi kweqembu lonke owayenjengoDanyeli, loHananiya, loMishayeli, lo-Azariya.+ Basebeqhubeka-ke besebenzela inkosi. 20 Kuzo zonke indaba inkosi eyayibabuza zona ezazidinga ukuhlakanipha lokuzwisisa, yabathola bengcono ngokuphindwe ka-10 ukwedlula zonke izinyanga+ labaphristi abenza amasalamusi ababekuwo wonke umbuso wayo. 21 UDanyeli wahlala khona kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kweNkosi uKhoresi.+

2 Ngomnyaka wesibili wokubusa kwakhe, uNebhukhadinezari waphupha amaphupho njalo wakhathazeka kakhulu*+ waze waswela ubuthongo. 2 Ngakho wathi kubizwe abaphristi abenza amasalamusi, lezinyanga, lezanuse kanye lamaKhaledi* ukuze bazomtshela iphupho lakhe. Lakanye bangena bafika bama phambi kwenkosi.+ 3 Inkosi yasisithi kubo: “Ngiphuphe iphupho futhi ngikhathazekile kakhulu* ngoba ngifuna ukwazi ukuthi ngiphupheni.” 4 AmaKhaledi aphendula inkosi ngesi-Aramu*+ athi: “Bayethe nkosi! Phila kuze kube nini lanini. Tshela izinceku zakho iphupho lakho besesikuchasisela ukuthi litshoni.”

5 Inkosi yaphendula amaKhaledi yathi: “Nanku esengizimisele ukukwenza: Nxa lingangitshelanga iphupho lami langichazela lokuthi litshoni, lizaqunywaqunywa njalo izindlu zenu zizakwenziwa izambuzi zomphakathi.* 6 Kodwa nxa lingangitshela iphupho lami lokuthi litshoni, lizathola izipho lomvuzo kanye lodumo olukhulu.+ Ngakho ngitshelani iphupho lami lokuthi litshoni.”

7 Aphendula okwesibili athi: “Inkosi kayilandisele izinceku zayo iphupho layo besesiyichasisela ukuthi litshoni.”

8 Inkosi yasisithi kuwo: “Ngiyabona ukuthi lizama ukutshova isikhathi ngoba selikwazi esengizimisele ukukwenza. 9 Nxa lingehluleka ukungitshela iphupho lami lizathola isigwebo esifananayo lonke.* Selivumelane ukungitshela amanga lokungiqila licabanga ukuthi ngizatshintsha ingqondo. Ngitshelani iphupho lami ukuze ngibone ukuthi liyenelisa ukulichasisa.”

10 AmaKhaledi aseyiphendula inkosi athi: “Akulamuntu emhlabeni ongenelisa ukwenza lokho okufunwa yinkosi ngoba kayikho inkosi enkulu loba umbusi* owake wacela into enjalo kwabenza amasalamusi kumbe ezinyangeni loba kulabo abayizazi zezinkanyezi.* 11 Lokho inkosi ekucelayo kunzima, akulamuntu ongayichasisela khona ngaphandle kwabonkulunkulu abangahlali ebantwini.”

12 Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokho yazonda yadla amalahle, yasibeka umlayo wokuthi kubulawe wonke amadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni.+ 13 Umlayo wathi usubekiwe njalo amadoda ahlakaniphileyo esezabulawa, kwadingwa uDanyeli labangane bakhe ukuze labo babulawe.

14 Ngalesosikhathi uDanyeli walanda u-Ariyokhi induna yabalindi benkosi wafika wakhuluma laye ngonanzelelo langokuhlakanipha. U-Ariyokhi wayesendleleni esiyabulala amadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni. 15 UDanyeli wabuza u-Ariyokhi isiphathamandla senkosi wathi: “Kanti kungani inkosi ikhiphe umlayo olukhuni kangaka?” U-Ariyokhi wasemlandisela udaba lonke.+ 16 Ngakho uDanyeli waya enkosini wacela ukuthi imnike isikhathi ukuze abuye azoyichasisela iphupho layo.

17 UDanyeli wasesiya endlini yakhe wafika wethula udaba lolu kubangane bakhe uHananiya loMishayeli lo-Azariya. 18 Wacela ukuthi bakhuleke kuNkulunkulu wasezulwini, bacele ukuthi abe lesihawu kubo, abavezele imfihlo le ukuze yena labangane bakhe bangabulawa kanye lamadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni.

19 Ngemva kwalokho uDanyeli wavezelwa imfihlo le ngombono ebusuku,+ wasedumisa uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, 20 wathi:

24 Ngemva kwalokho uDanyeli waya ku-Ariyokhi, lowo owayekhethwe yinkosi ukuthi abulale wonke amadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni,+ wathi kuye: “Ungabulali ngitsho leyodwa indoda ehlakaniphileyo yaseBhabhiloni. Ngihambisa enkosini ngiyeyichasisela iphupho layo.”

25 U-Ariyokhi wahle wahamba loDanyeli enkosini wathi kuyo: “Sengiyitholile indoda engakuchasisela iphupho lakho nkosi futhi ingomunye wabathunjiweyo bakoJuda.”+ 26 Inkosi yasisithi kuDanyeli owayebizwa ngokuthi nguBhelitheshazari:+ “Uqinisile sibili ukuthi ungangitshela iphupho lami ungichazele lokuthi litshoni?”+ 27 UDanyeli wayiphendula wathi: “Amadoda ahlakaniphileyo, lezinyanga, labaphristi abenza amasalamusi, lezazi zezinkanyezi ngeke benelise ukuveza imfihlo ebuzwa yinkosi.+ 28 Kodwa ukhona uNkulunkulu osemazulwini owenelisa ukuveza izinto ezifihlakeleyo*+ njalo usekuvezele wena Nkosi Nebhukhadinezari okuzakwenzakala ekucineni kwezinsuku. Nanti iphupho lakho kanye lemibono oyibone ulele embhedeni wakho:

29 “Uthe usalele embhedeni wakho nkosi, imicabango yakho yakufikisa kulokho okuzakwenzakala ngesikhathi esizayo njalo lowo owenelisa ukuveza izinto ezifihlakeleyo* usekwazisile okuzakwenzakala. 30 Kodwa ukuvezelwa kwami imfihlo le akutsho ukuthi ngihlakaniphe kakhulu ukwedlula bonke abaphilayo. Kwenzelwe ukuthi wena nkosi ukwazi ukuthi iphupho lakho litshoni ukuze uzwisise imicabango ebisengqondweni yakho.+

31 “Uthe ukhangela ephutsheni lakho nkosi wabona inkalakatha yesithombe. Isithombe leso ebesisikhulu kakhulu futhi sikhazimula, besimi phambi kwakho njalo sisesabeka. 32 Ikhanda laso belenziwe ngegolide elihlambulukileyo,+ isifuba lengalo kwenziwe ngesiliva,+ isisu lemilenze kwenziwe ngekhopha,+ 33 imbala yaso ibingeyensimbi+ njalo inyawo zaso ziyinsimbi ehlangene lebumba.*+ 34 Uthe ulokhu ukhangele wabona ilitshe liqetshulwa kodwa kaliqetshulwanga yizandla zomuntu. Ilitshe lelo lifike latshaya isithombe enyaweni zaso ezenziwe ngensimbi lebumba laziphahlaza.+ 35 Ngalesosikhathi insimbi, lebumba, lekhopha, lesiliva, legolide kuhle kwacholwa konke kwaba njengomule osesizeni* ngesikhathi sehlobo, umoya wasukuphephula konke kwaphela du. Kodwa ilitshe elitshaye isithombe likhule laba yintaba enkulu egcwala umhlaba wonke.

36 “Yilo-ke iphupho lakho nkosi. Khathesi sizakuchasisela ukuthi litshoni. 37 Wena nkosi uyinkosi yamakhosi. UNkulunkulu wasezulwini ukuphe umbuso,+ lobukhulu, lamandla, lenkazimulo 38 njalo unikele abantu esandleni sakho kungelani lokuthi bahlala ngaphi, lezinyamazana zeganga lezinyoni zezulu, wakwenza waba ngumbusi phezu kwakho konke lokhu.+ Ikhanda elenziwe ngegolide nguwe.+

39 “Kodwa ngemva kwakho kuzakuba lomunye umbuso+ ophansi kulowakho, besekuvela omunye umbuso wesithathu owekhopha ozabusa umhlaba wonke.+

40 “Umbuso wesine wona uzabe uqine njengensimbi.+ Njengoba nje insimbi idiliza futhi ichole yonke into, umbuso lo uzacobodisa njalo uphahlaze yonke imibuso le njengensimbi ecobodisayo.+

41 “Njengoba ubonile ukuthi inyawo lamazwane esithombe bekulibumba* elihlangene lensimbi, umbuso lo uzakwehlukana phakathi. Kodwa enye ingxenye yawo izaqina njengensimbi njengoba ubonile ukuthi insimbi ibihlangene lebumba elibuthakathaka. 42 Njengoba nje amazwane enyawo zesithombe abeyinsimbi ehlangene lebumba, umbuso lo uzakuba lamandla nganxanye, ube buthakathaka nganxanye. 43 Ingxenye yawo izaxubana labantu* njengoba nje ubone insimbi ihlangene lebumba elibuthakathaka. Kodwa akusoze kube lokumanyana ngoba insimbi lebumba akuhlangani.

44 “Ngesikhathi samakhosi lawo, uNkulunkulu osezulwini uzabeka umbuso+ ongasoze utshabalaliswe.+ Umbuso lowo awusoze udluliselwe kwabanye abantu.+ Uzayibhidliza yonke imibuso le uyiqede du+ njalo yiwo wodwa ozakuma kuze kube nini lanini,+ 45 njengoba ulibonile ilitshe liqetshulwa entabeni kodwa lingaqetshulwanga yizandla zomuntu, laphahlaza insimbi, lekhopha, lebumba, lesiliva kanye legolide.+ UNkulunkulu Omkhulu useyazisile inkosi lokho okuzakwenzakala ngesikhathi esizayo.+ Iphupho leli liliqiniso, elikutshoyo kuzakwenzakala sibili.”

46 Ngemva kwalokho iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari yaguqa yathi mbo phansi phambi kukaDanyeli yazehlisa kuye. Yasisithi anikwe isipho njalo atshiselwe impepha.* 47 Inkosi yasisithi kuDanyeli: “Sengibonile ukuthi uNkulunkulu wakho nguNkulunkulu wabonkulunkulu leNkosi yamakhosi njalo uyenelisa ukuveza izinto ezifihlakeleyo* ngoba ukwenze wenelisa ukuveza imfihlo le.”+ 48 Inkosi yasinika uDanyeli isikhundla esiphezulu, yamupha lezipho ezinengi ezinhle. Yamenza waba ngumbusi phezu kwaso sonke isabelo seBhabhiloni+ futhi waba yinduna yeziphathamandla eyayikhangela wonke amadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni. 49 Inkosi yasibeka uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho+ ukuthi babe ngabaphathi besabelo seBhabhiloni njengokucela kukaDanyeli. Kodwa uDanyeli yena wayesebenza esigodlweni senkosi.

3 INkosi uNebhukhadinezari yenza isithombe segolide esasizingalo ezingu-60* ubude, lengalo eziyisithupha* ububanzi, yasisimisa egcekeni laseDura esabelweni seBhabhiloni. 2 Ngemva kwalokho, iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari yathumela ilizwi lokuthi kubuthaniswe ondunankulu, leziphathamandla, lababusi,* labacebisi, labagcinizikhwama, labahluleli, labomantshi, labo bonke abaphathi bezabelo ukuthi babuye emkhosini wokunikela isithombe esasimiswe yiNkosi uNebhukhadinezari.

3 Ngakho ondunankulu, leziphathamandla, lababusi,* labacebisi, labagcinizikhwama, labahluleli, labomantshi labo bonke abaphathi bezabelo babuthana emkhosini wokunikela isithombe esasimiswe yiNkosi uNebhukhadinezari. Bafika bama phambi kwesithombe esasimiswe nguNebhukhadinezari. 4 Isithunywa* senkosi sasesimemeza ngelizwi elikhulu sathi: “Zwanini mahlabezulu, lani bantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo labantu bendimi ezitshiyeneyo, 5 nxa lingezwa ukukhala kophondo lomhlanga, lechacho, lehabhu* elincane, lesiginci, lomqangala omkhulu* lokunye konke okukhaliswayo, lonke kumele lithi mbo phansi likhonze isithombe segolide esimiswe yiNkosi uNebhukhadinezari. 6 Loba ngubani ongasoze azilahle phansi akhonze isithombe, uzaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo+ ngokucwayiza kwelihlo.” 7 Ngakho kwathi kuzwakala ukukhala kophondo lomhlanga, lechacho, lehabhu elincane, lesiginci, lokunye konke okukhaliswayo, bonke abantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo lendimi ezitshiyeneyo bazilahla phansi bakhonza isithombe segolide esasimiswe yiNkosi uNebhukhadinezari.

8 Ngalesosikhathi amanye amaKhaledi asondela phambili amangalela* amaJuda. 9 Afika enkosini uNebhukhadinezari athi: “Bayethe nkosi, phila kuze kube nini lanini. 10 Angithi wena nkosi ubeke umlayo wokuthi wonke umuntu ozakuzwa ukukhala kophondo lomhlanga, lechacho, lehabhu elincane, lesiginci, lomqangala omkhulu* lokunye konke okukhaliswayo, kumele azilahle phansi akhonze isithombe segolide, 11 njalo uthe loba ngubani ongasoze azilahle phansi akhonze isithombe uzaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo.+ 12 Kodwa kulamanye amaJuda owabeke ukuthi abe ngabaphathi esabelweni seBhabhiloni: UShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho.+ Amadoda la ayakudelela nkosi, awabakhonzi onkulunkulu bakho njalo ayala ukukhonza isithombe segolide osimisileyo.”

13 INkosi uNebhukhadinezari yathi ikuzwa lokhu yazonda yabhubhudla amagwebu, yasisithi uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho balethwe kuyo. Balethwa-ke phambi kwenkosi. 14 UNebhukhadinezari wathi kubo: “Shadrekhi, Mishekhi lo-Abhedinikho, kuliqiniso yini ukuthi alibakhonzi onkulunkulu bami+ lokuthi liyala ukukhonza isithombe segolide engisimisileyo? 15 Khathesi luzakhala futhi uphondo, lomhlanga, lechacho, lehabhu elincane, lesiginci, lomqangala omkhulu* lokunye konke okukhaliswayo. Nxa lingazilahla phansi likhonze isithombe engisenzileyo, angisoze ngihluphane lani. Kodwa nxa lingayala ukukhonza isithombe lesi lizaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo ngokucwayiza kwelihlo. Libona angani ukhona yini unkulunkulu ongalikhulula esandleni sami?”+

16 UShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho baphendula inkosi bathi: “Nkosi Nebhukhadinezari, ayikho enye impendulo esizakupha yona ngendaba le. 17 Nxa singaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo uNkulunkulu wethu esimkhonzayo ngeke ehluleke ukusikhulula kuso lokusikhulula esandleni sakho.+ 18 Kodwa lanxa engasoze asikhulule, inkosi ayihlale ikwazi ukuthi kasisoze sibakhonze onkulunkulu bayo kanye lesithombe segolide esimisileyo.”+

19 UNebhukhadinezari wathi ekuzwa lokhu wavutha ngolaka, wazondela uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho, ubuso bakhe baze batshintsha,* wasesithi isithando somlilo sibaselwe okuphindwe kasikhombisa ukwedlula ukubaselwa kwaso okujayelekileyo. 20 Wasethuma amanye amadoda alamandla ayesebuthweni lakhe ukuthi abophe uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho, abesebaphosela esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo.

21 Ngakho amadoda la abotshwa elokhu egqoke amajazi awo, lezigqoko zawo, lezingwane kanye lezinye impahla, asephoselwa esithandweni somlilo ovuthayo. 22 Amalangabi omlilo abulala amadoda ayephosela uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho esithandweni somlilo ngoba sasitshisa ngendlela engajayelekanga futhi lomlayo wenkosi wawulukhuni. 23 Bobathathu uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho bawela esithandweni somlilo bebotshiwe.

24 Ngemva kwalokho iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari yathi lothu isiyethukile, yasisithi kuziphathamandla zayo: “Kanti kasibophanga amadoda amathathu sawaphosela emlilweni?” Zayiphendula zathi: “Kunjalo nkosi.” 25 Yathi: “Phela sengibona amadoda amane ezihambela ekhululekile phakathi komlilo, kawatshanga ngitsho futhi owesine ukhanya angathi yindodana yabonkulunkulu.”

26 UNebhukhadinezari wasesondela entubeni yesithando somlilo ovuthayo wathi: “Shadrekhi, Mishekhi lo-Abhedinikho lina zinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,+ phumani lize lapha!” UShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho basebephuma emlilweni. 27 Ondunankulu, leziphathamandla, lezikhulu zesikhosini kanye lababusi* ababebuthene lapho,+ babona ukuthi umlilo wawungawatshisanga amadoda la,*+ kwakungela lolulodwa unwele lwawo olwaluhaqazwe ngumlilo, lamajazi awo ayelokhu enjalo futhi akula loyedwa owayenuka umlilo.

28 UNebhukhadinezari wasesithi: “Kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu kaShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho+ othume ingilosi yakhe wahlenga izinceku zakhe. Bathembele kuye, baphikisa umlayo wenkosi njalo bebezimisele ukufa kulokuthi bakhonze omunye unkulunkulu ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu wabo.+ 29 Yikho nanku umlayo esengiwunika abantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo labantu abakhuluma indimi ezitshiyeneyo: Loba ngubani ozakhuluma kubi ngoNkulunkulu kaShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho kumele aqunywaqunywe njalo indlu yakhe yenziwe isambuzi somphakathi,* ngoba kakho omunye unkulunkulu owenelisa ukuhlenga njengaye.”+

30 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yanika uShadrekhi loMishekhi lo-Abhedinikho izikhundla eziphezulu esabelweni seBhabhiloni.+

4 “Mina Nebhukhadinezari inkosi ngithi kini lonke mahlabezulu, lani bantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo lendimi ezitshiyeneyo emhlabeni wonke: Ukuthula kwenu akwande! 2 Ngiyathokoza ukulitshela ngezibonakaliso lezimanga engizenzelwe nguNkulunkulu oPhezukonke. 3 Izibonakaliso zakhe zinkulu kakhulu njalo izenzo zakhe ziyamangalisa. Umbuso wakhe ngumbuso ongapheliyo njalo yena ubusa kusukela kwesinye isizukulwane kusiya kwesinye.+

4 “Mina Nebhukhadinezari ngangichelesile endlini yami ngikhomba ngophakathi esigodlweni sami. 5 Ngaphupha iphupho elangethusayo. Ngathi ngilele embhedeni wami kwafika imifanekiso lemibono ekhanda lami eyangitshayisa ngovalo.+ 6 Ngasengikhipha ilizwi lokuthi kubizwe wonke amadoda ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni ukuze angichasisele ukuthi iphupho lami litshoni.+

7 “Ngalesosikhathi kwafika abaphristi abenza amasalamusi, lezinyanga, lamaKhaledi* kanye lezazi zezinkanyezi.+ Ngathi sengibatshelile iphupho lami behluleka ukungichasisela ukuthi litshoni.+ 8 Ekucineni kwafika uDanyeli lowo owayelebizo likankulunkulu wami+ elithi Bhelitheshazari.+ Umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele+ wawuphezu kwakhe njalo ngamtshela iphupho lami ngathi:

9 “‘Bhelitheshazari nduna yabaphristi abenza amasalamusi,+ ngikwazi mhlophe ukuthi umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele uphezu kwakho+ lokuthi ayikho imfihlo ongehluleka ukuyichasisa.+ Ngichasisela ukuthi imibono engiyibone ephutsheni lami itshoni.

10 “‘Ngithe ngilele embhedeni wami kwafika imibono ekhanda lami. Ngibone isihlahla+ phakathi laphakathi komhlaba njalo besiside okumangalisayo.+ 11 Isihlahla leso sikhule saqina, saba side saze safika khonale emazulwini futhi sabonakala lasemikhawulweni yomhlaba wonke. 12 Amahlamvu aso abemahle njalo besilezithelo ezinengi lokudla okwenela izidalwa zonke. Inyamazana zeganga beziphumula emthunzini waso, inyoni zezulu zihlala engatsheni zaso futhi konke okuphilayo bekusidla kuso.

13 “‘Ngithe ngilokhu ngisakhangele imibono efike ekhanda lami ngilele embhedeni wami ngabona isithunywa* esingcwele sisehla sivela ezulwini.+ 14 Simemeze ngelizwi elikhulu sathi: “Gamulani isihlahla leso siwele phansi+ beseliquma ingatsha zaso, lithintithe amahlamvu aso futhi lichithachithe izithelo zaso. Izinyamazana kazibaleke ngaphansi kwaso, lenyoni zisuke engatsheni zaso. 15 Kodwa tshiyani isidindi kanye lempande zaso emhlabathini phakathi kotshani, sibotshwe ngebhanti lensimbi lelekhopha. Kasimanziswe ngamazolo avela phezulu njalo kasihlale lezinyamazana phakathi kotshani.+ 16 Kasithathelwe inhliziyo yomuntu, siphiwe inhliziyo yenyamazana kuze kudlule+ izikhathi eziyisikhombisa.+ 17 Umlayo lo ulethwe yizithunywa+ njalo isicelo lesi ngeselizwi labangcwele, ukuze abantu abaphilayo bakwazi ukuthi oPhezukonke ulamandla phezu kwemibuso yabantu+ lokuthi umbuso uwunika loba ngubani afuna ukumnika, ngitsho lomuntukazana okhangelelwa phansi uyambeka phezu kwawo.”

18 “‘Yilo iphupho engiliphuphileyo mina Nebhukhadinezari inkosi. Khathesi wena Bhelitheshazari ngichasisela ukuthi litshoni ngoba wonke amanye amadoda ahlakaniphileyo ombuso wami ayehluleka ukungichasisela.+ Kodwa wena uyenelisa ukungitshela ngoba umoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele uphezu kwakho.’

19 “Ngalesosikhathi uDanyeli owayebizwa ngokuthi nguBhelitheshazari+ wakhathazeka okwesikhatshana, imicabango yakhe yaqalisa ukumethusa.

“Inkosi yasisithi, ‘Bhelitheshazari, ungethuswa liphupho leli lengcazelo yalo.’

“UBhelitheshazari wathi, ‘Awu nkosi yami, okusephutsheni leli akwehlele abakuzondayo, lengcazelo yalo yehlele izitha zakho.

20 “‘Isihlahla osibonileyo sikhule saqina, saba side saze sayafika khonale emazulwini, sabonakala emhlabeni wonke,+ 21 njalo amahlamvu aso abemahle, izithelo zaso zizinengi futhi besilokudla okwenela izidalwa zonke. Inyamazana zeganga bezihlala ngaphansi kwaso, inyoni zezulu zihlala engatsheni zaso.+ 22 Isihlahla leso nguwe nkosi ngoba usukhule waba lamandla, ubukhulu bakho sebuphakame baze bayafika emazulwini+ lombuso wakho usuqhele waze wayafika emikhawulweni yomhlaba.+

23 “‘Kanti njalo inkosi ibone isithunywa* esingcwele+ sisehla sivela ezulwini sathi: “Gamulani isihlahla leso siwele phansi lisitshabalalise, kodwa litshiye isidindi saso sibotshwe ngebhanti lensimbi lelekhopha phakathi kotshani beganga njalo lisitshiye lempande zaso emhlabathini. Kasimanziswe ngamazolo avela phezulu njalo sihlale lezinyamazana zeganga phakathi kotshani kuze kudlule izikhathi eziyisikhombisa.”+ 24 Nansi ingcazelo yakhona nkosi: Lokhu yikho oPhezukonke asemise ukuthi kwehlele kuwe nkosi yami ehloniphekayo. 25 Uzaxotshwa ebantwini uyehlala lezinyamazana zeganga. Uzakudla utshani njengenkomo, umanziswe ngamazolo avela phezulu+ futhi kuzadlula+ izikhathi eziyisikhombisa,+ uze ukwazi ukuthi oPhezukonke ulamandla phezu kwemibuso yabantu lokuthi umbuso uwunika loba ngubani afuna ukumnika.+

26 “‘Kodwa nxa usukwazi ukuthi ukhona obusayo ezulwini,* umbuso wakho uzaphinda ube ngowakho njengoba nje kutshiwo ukuthi isidindi sesihlahla lempande zaso+ kutshiywe kunjalo. 27 Yikho-ke, nkosi yami ngicela wamukele isixwayiso engikupha sona. Tshiya izono zakho wenze okulungileyo, uyekele lobubi obenzayo futhi ube lesihawu kubayanga. Mhlawumbe ungaqhubeka uphumelela.’”+

28 Lakanye konke lokhu kwenzakala enkosini uNebhukhadinezari.

29 Kwasekudlule izinyanga ezingu-12 njalo inkosi yayihambahamba phezu kophahla lwesigodlo seBhabhiloni, 30 isithi: “Le kayisiyo yini iBhabhiloni Enkulu engayakha ngamandla ami lobukhulu bami ukuthi ibe yindlu yobukhosi lokuthi ngithole udumo olukhulu?”

31 Inkosi yathi ilokhu isakhuluma ilizwi lehla livela ezulwini lathi: “Nanku umbiko wakho Nkosi Nebhukhadinezari, ‘Usuwuthathelwe umbuso+ 32 njalo usuxotshwa ebantwini. Uzahlala lezinyamazana zeganga, udle utshani njengenkomo futhi kuzadlula izikhathi eziyisikhombisa, uze ukwazi ukuthi oPhezukonke ulamandla phezu kwemibuso yabantu lokuthi umbuso uwunika loba ngubani afuna ukumnika.’”+

33 Ngalesosikhathi ilizwi lelo lagcwaliseka kuNebhukhadinezari. Waxotshwa ebantwini waqalisa ukudla utshani njengenkomo. Umzimba wakhe wamanziswa ngamazolo avela phezulu, inwele zakhe zakhula zaba zinde njengensiba zokhozi lenzipho zakhe zaba njengezenyoni.+

34 “Ekupheleni kwalesosikhathi+ mina Nebhukhadinezari ngakhangela emazulwini, ingqondo yami yaqalisa ukusebenza kuhle. Ngasengimdumisa oPhezukonke, ngamnika udumo lenkazimulo lowo ophila kuze kube nini lanini ngoba umbuso wakhe ngumbuso ongapheliyo njalo ubusa kusukela kwesinye isizukulwane kusiya kwesinye.+ 35 Bonke abahlala emhlabeni abasilutho kuye njalo wenza intando yakhe ebuthweni elisemazulwini lakulabo abahlala emhlabeni. Kakho ongamvimba+ loba ongathi kuye, ‘Kanti wenzani?’+

36 “Ngalesosikhathi ingqondo yami yaqalisa ukusebenza kuhle, inkazimulo yombuso wami kanye lobukhulu bami lobukhazikhazi bami kwaphenduka kimi.+ Iziphathamandla zami labahlonitshwa baphinda bangidinga, ngabuyiselwa embusweni wami njalo ngaphiwa udumo olukhulu kakhulu.

37 “Ngakho mina Nebhukhadinezari sengiyidumisa njalo sengiyiphakamisa, ngiyikhazimulise iNkosi yamazulu+ ngoba yonke imisebenzi yayo iliqiniso, lezindlela zayo zilungile+ njalo iyenelisa ukwehlisa abazikhukhumezayo.”+

5 INkosi uBhelishazari+ yenzela abahlonitshwa bayo abayinkulungwane idili elikhulu njalo yayinatha iwayini iphambi kwabo.+ 2 UBhelishazari wathi esedakiwe wasesithi akulethwe izitsha zegolide lezesiliva ezazithethwe nguyise uNebhukhadinezari ethempelini eJerusalema.+ Wayefuna ukuthi yena labahlonitshwa bakhe lamakhosikazi akhe labanye abafazi ayelabo banathe ngazo. 3 Zalethwa-ke izitsha zegolide ezazithethwe ethempelini, endlini kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema. Inkosi labahlonitshwa bayo, lamakhosikazi ayo labanye abafazi bayo banatha ngazo. 4 Balinatha iwayini badumisa onkulunkulu begolide, labesiliva, labekhopha, labensimbi, labezigodo kanye labamatshe.

5 Khonokho nje kwavela isandla somuntu saqalisa ukubhala emdulini wesigodlo senkosi owawuqondane loluthi lwesibane futhi inkosi yayisikhangele isandla leso sibhala. 6 Ubuso benkosi bahloba,* yafikelwa yimicabango eyethusayo, ukhalo lwayo lwaxega,+ amadolo atshayana.

7 Inkosi yasimemeza yathi kubizwe izinyanga lamaKhaledi* lezazi zezinkanyezi.+ Yathi emadodeni la ahlakaniphileyo aseBhabhiloni: “Loba ngubani ozabala umbhalo lo, angichasisele ukuthi utshoni uzagqokiswa izigqoko ezilombala oyibubende,* leketane yegolide entanyeni yakhe+ futhi uzakuba ngumbusi wesithathu embusweni.”+

8 Asesondela-ke wonke amadoda ahlakaniphileyo ayesebenzela inkosi kodwa ehluleka ukuwubala umbhalo lokuchasisela inkosi ukuthi utshoni.+ 9 Ngakho iNkosi uBhelishazari yatshaywa luvalo ubuso bayo bahloba, labahlonitshwa bayo basebeswele lokuthi babambe ngaphi.+

10 Indlovukazi yathi isiwazwile amazwi enkosi labahlonitshwa bayo yangena lapho okwakusenzelwa khona idili yafika yathi: “Nkosi yami, phila kuze kube nini lanini. Ungavumi ukuthi imicabango yakho ikwethuse lokuthi ubuso bakho buhlobe. 11 Embusweni wakho kulendoda elomoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele. Ngensuku zikayihlo kwatholakala ukuthi indoda le yayilolwazi, lokuzwisisa kanye lokuhlakanipha okunjengokwabonkulunkulu.+ Uyihlo iNkosi uNebhukhadinezari wayibeka ukuthi ibe yinduna yabaphristi abenza amasalamusi, lezinyanga, lamaKhaledi* lezazi zezinkanyezi.+ Yikho okwenziwa nguyihlo, nkosi yami. 12 Phela uDanyeli, lowo inkosi eyamnika ibizo elithi Bhelitheshazari+ wayesenelisa ukuchasisa amaphupho lamalibho lokuxazulula izindaba eziyimpicabadala*+ ngoba wayelokuzwisisa lolwazi kanye lengqondo ekhaliphileyo. Kabizwe uDanyeli, akutshele ukuthi umbhalo lo utshoni.”

13 Ngakho uDanyeli walethwa phambi kwenkosi. Inkosi yathi kuye: “Nguwe yini uDanyeli omunye wabathunjiweyo bakoJuda,+ abathunjwa koJuda+ ngubaba, inkosi? 14 Sengizwile ukuthi umoya wabonkulunkulu uphezu kwakho,+ lokuthi wena ulolwazi, lokuzwisisa kanye lokuhlakanipha okumangalisayo.+ 15 Ngithe kulethwe amadoda ahlakaniphileyo lezinyanga phambi kwami ukuze azobala umbhalo lo, angichasisele lokuthi utshoni. Kodwa ayehlulekile ukungitshela ukuthi umbiko lo utshoni.+ 16 Manje ngizwe kuthiwa wena uyenelisa ukuchasisa izinto ezinje+ lokuxazulula izindaba eziyimpicabadala.* Nxa ungenelisa ukubala umbhalo lo lokungichasisela ukuthi utshoni, uzagqokiswa izigqoko ezilombala oyibubende, leketane yegolide entanyeni futhi uzakuba ngumbusi wesithathu embusweni.”+

17 UDanyeli waphendula inkosi wathi: “Ungazigcinela izipho zakho nkosi njalo unike abanye umvuzo wakho. Kodwa mina ngizayibalela inkosi umbhalo lo besengiyichasisela ukuthi utshoni. 18 Nkosi, uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke wanika uyihlo uNebhukhadinezari umbuso lobukhulu lodumo kanye lenkazimulo.+ 19 Abantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo lezindimi ezitshiyeneyo babemqhuqha uyihlo+ ngenxa yesikhundla esiphezulu ayesinikwe nguNkulunkulu. Ayefuna ukumbulala wayembulala, ayefuna ukumtshiya ephila amtshiye ephila, afuna ukumphakamisa wayemphakamisa futhi ayefuna ukumyangisa wayemyangisa.+ 20 Kodwa wathi esezikhukhumeza njalo eseyisiqholo waqalisa ukuba liqhalaqhala,+ wasesehliswa esihlalweni sombuso wakhe wakhitshwa lesithunzi ayelaso. 21 Waxotshwa ebantwini, inhliziyo yakhe yatshintshwa yaba njengeyenyamazana, wayahlala labobabhemi beganga. Wadla utshani njengenkomo, umzimba wakhe wamanziswa ngamazolo avela phezulu waze wakwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke ulamandla phezu kwemibuso yabantu lokuthi umbuso uyawunika loba ngubani afuna ukumnika.+

22 “Kodwa wena Bhelishazari, ndodana yakhe, kawuzange uzithobe lanxa ubukwazi konke lokhu. 23 Uziphakamisile wamelana leNkosi yamazulu,+ wasuthumela ukuthi kulethwe kuwe izitsha zendlu yayo.+ Wena labahlonitshwa bakho lamakhosikazi akho labanye abafazi bakho linathele kuzo iwayini, ladumisa onkulunkulu besiliva labegolide, labekhopha, labensimbi, labezigodo, labamatshe, onkulunkulu abangaboni lutho labangezwa lutho futhi abangazi lutho+. Awuzange umkhazimulise uNkulunkulu ophethe impilo yakho+ lezindlela zakho zonke. 24 Yikho nguye othumele isandla esifike sabhala emdulini.+ 25 Umbhalo obhalwe yisandla yilo: MENE, MENE, THEKHELI, PHASINI.

26 “Nanku okutshiwo ngamazwi la: Elithi MENE, litsho ukuthi uNkulunkulu usezibalile insuku zombuso wakho njalo usewufikise ekucineni.+

27 “Elithi THEKHELI, litsho ukuthi wena ulinganisiwe esikalini watholakala ulula.

28 “Elithi PHERESI, litsho ukuthi umbuso wakho usudatshulwe phakathi waphiwa amaMede lamaPhesiya.”+

29 Ngemva kwalokho uBhelishazari wafaka umlayo, uDanyeli wasegqokiswa izigqoko ezilombala oyibubende, leketane yegolide entanyeni njalo kwamenyezelwa ukuthi uzakuba ngumbusi wesithathu embusweni.+

30 Ngalobobusuku uBhelishazari inkosi yamaKhaledi wabulawa.+ 31 Umbuso wasuphiwa uDariyu+ umMede owayeleminyaka engaba ngu-62.

6 UDariyu wakubona kukuhle ukuthi abeke ondunankulu abangu-120 kuwo wonke umbuso wakhe.+ 2 Ondunankulu+ laba babekhangelwa yiziphathamandla eziphezulu ezintathu futhi omunye wazo kwakunguDanyeli.+ Babebika kuziphathamandla lezi konke ababekwenza ukuze inkosi ingalahlekelwa yilutho. 3 Kodwa uDanyeli wayetshiyene kakhulu lezinye iziphathamandla eziphezulu labondunankulu ngoba wayelengqondo ekhaliphileyo.+ Yikho inkosi yayisifuna ukumnika isikhundla esiphezulu kuwo wonke umbuso wayo.

4 Ngalesosikhathi iziphathamandla eziphezulu labondunankulu baqalisa ukudinga icala ababengammangalela ngalo uDanyeli endabeni zombuso. Kodwa kabatholanga lutho olunxele ayelwenza loba ababengammangalela ngalo ngoba wayethembekile, ewenza kuhle umsebenzi wakhe futhi engelabuqili. 5 Amadoda la asesithi: “Akulalutho esizaluthola esingamangalela ngalo uDanyeli. Esingambamba ngakho kuphela yilokho okuphathelane lomthetho kaNkulunkulu wakhe.”+

6 Ngakho iziphathamandla eziphezulu labondunankulu baya enkosini beliqembu, bafika bathi kuyo: “Nkosi Dariyu phila kuze kube nini lanini. 7 Zonke izikhulu zesikhosini, leziphathamandla, labondunankulu, lababusi* bezabelo, labacebisi benkosi zihlanganise amakhanda ukuze zibeke umlayo wesikhosini okumele ulandelwe. Sivumelane ukuthi okwamalanga angu-30 loba ngubani ozabonakala ethandaza* komunye unkulunkulu kumbe komunye umuntu ngaphandle kwakho nkosi, kumele aphoselwe emgodini wezilwane.+ 8 Khathesi siyakucela nkosi ukuthi uwubeke umlayo lo njalo uwusayine+ ukuze ungatshintshwa, njengoba nje umthetho wamaMede lamaPhesiya ungeke uguqulwe.”+

9 Ngakho iNkosi uDariyu yawusayina umlayo.

10 UDanyeli wathi esizwa ukuthi umlayo ususayiniwe, wasuka waya endlini yakhe ekamelweni elisephahleni elalilamawindi avulwe akhangela eJerusalema.+ Waqhubeka eguqa kathathu ngelanga ethandaza njalo edumisa uNkulunkulu wakhe njengalokho ayejayele ukukwenza. 11 Ngalesosikhathi amadoda lawo atheleka afica uDanyeli ethandaza ecela njalo encenga ukuthi uNkulunkulu wakhe abe lomusa kuye.

12 Amadoda la asesiya enkosini afika ayikhumbuza ngomlayo wesikhosini athi: “Kanti awuzange uwusayine yini umlayo wokuthi okwamalanga angu-30 loba ngubani ozabonakala ethandaza* komunye unkulunkulu kumbe komunye umuntu ngaphandle kwakho nkosi, kumele aphoselwe emgodini wezilwane?” Inkosi yaphendula yathi: “Indaba le imiswe yaqina, ngoba umthetho wamaMede lamaPhesiya ngeke uguqulwe.”+ 13 Ahle atshela inkosi athi: “UDanyeli omunye wabathunjiweyo bakoJuda+ uyakudelela nkosi njalo kalandaba lomlayo owusayinileyo. Ukhuleka kathathu ngelanga.”+ 14 Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokho yakhathazeka kakhulu yazama ukucabanga ukuthi ingamkhulula njani uDanyeli. Ilanga laze latshona ilokhu izama zonke izindlela zokumsindisa. 15 Ekucineni amadoda la aqhubana aya enkosini afika athi kuyo: “Nkosi, khumbula ukuthi umthetho wamaMede lamaPhesiya uthi loba yiwuphi umlayo omiswe yinkosi ngeke utshintshwe.”+

16 Inkosi yathi uDanyeli alethwe, wasephoselwa emgodini wezilwane.+ Inkosi yathi kuDanyeli: “UNkulunkulu wakho omkhonza zikhathi zonke uzakukhulula.” 17 Ngemva kwalokho kwathathwa ilitshe lafakwa emlonyeni womgodi wezilwane. Inkosi yabeka uphawu phezu kwalo ngendandatho yayo langendandatho yabahlonitshwa bayo ukuze okwenziwe kuDanyeli kungatshintshwa.

18 Inkosi yasibuyela esigodlweni sayo. Yazila ubusuku bonke, yala lokuthi bayilethele okokuzilibazisa* njalo kayibuquthanga mhlalokho.* 19 Kwathi sekusemadabukakusa yavuka yagijimela emgodini wezilwane. 20 Yathi ifika nje eduze komgodi wezilwane yabiza uDanyeli ngelizwi lodanileyo yathi: “Danyeli, nceku kaNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu wakho omkhonza zikhathi zonke ukuvikele yini ezilwaneni?” 21 UDanyeli wahle wayiphendula inkosi wathi: “Awu nkosi, phila kuze kube nini lanini. 22 UNkulunkulu wami uthumele ingilosi yakhe yavala imilomo yezilwane.+ Kazingilimazanga+ ngoba ngitholakale ngingelacala phambi kwakhe njalo akulalutho olubi engilwenzileyo kuwe nkosi yami.”

23 Inkosi yathi ikuzwa lokhu yathokoza kakhulu, yasisithi uDanyeli akhutshwe emgodini wezilwane. Waphuma engela lona inxeba ngoba wayethembele kuNkulunkulu wakhe.+

24 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yabeka umlayo, kwasekulethwa amadoda ayemangalele* uDanyeli, aphoselwa emgodini wezilwane kanye labantwabawo labafazi bawo. Izilwane zahle zabahlangabeza bengakafiki laphansi zavodloza wonke amathambo abo.+

25 INkosi uDariyu yasibhalela bonke abantu bezizwe ezitshiyeneyo lendimi ezitshiyeneyo emhlabeni wonke+ yathi: “Ukuthula kwenu akwande! 26 Kuzo zonke izindawo ezisembusweni wami, ngibeka umlayo wokuthi abantu bamesabe njalo bamhloniphe uNkulunkulu kaDanyeli+ ngoba unguNkulunkulu ophilayo, okhona kuze kube nini lanini. Umbuso wakhe awusoze utshabalaliswe loba sekutheni futhi lobukhosi bakhe ngobaphakade.+ 27 Uyakhulula,+ asindise njalo wenza izibonakaliso lezimanga emazulwini lasemhlabeni+ ngoba ukhulule uDanyeli emandleni ezilwane.”

28 Yikho-ke uDanyeli waqhubeka ephumelela embusweni kaDariyu+ lasembusweni kaKhoresi umPhesiya.+

7 Ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaBhelishazari+ inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, uDanyeli wathi elele embhedeni wakhe+ waphupha iphupho wabona lemibono. Walibhala phansi iphupho lelo+ kanye lakho konke okumayelana lezinto lezo. 2 UDanyeli wathi:

“Ngathi ngisakhangele emibonweni yami ebusuku ngabona imimoya emine yamazulu idunga ulwandle olukhulu,+ 3 kwasekuphuma izilo ezine ezinkulu+ elwandle futhi zazingafanani.

4 “Esokuqala sasinjengesilwane+ silempiko ezinjengezokhozi.+ Ngaqhubeka ngilokhu ngibukele, impiko zaso zaze zakhitshwa sasesiphakanyiswa emhlabeni njalo samiswa ngenyawo ezimbili njengomuntu futhi sanikwa inhliziyo yomuntu.

5 “Ngasengibona esinye isilo sesibili esinjengebhere.+ Sasiphakamise icele laso elilodwa njalo emlonyeni waso kwakulembambo ezintathu ezaziphakathi laphakathi kwamazinyo aso. Isilo lesi satshelwa kwathiwa, ‘Sukuma udle inyama enengi.’+

6 “Ngemva kwalokho ngaqhubeka ngikhangele ngasengibona esinye isilo esinjengengwe.+ Emhlane waso sasilempiko ezine ezinjengezenyoni. Isilo lesi sasilamakhanda amane+ njalo sanikwa amandla okubusa.

7 “Ngemva kwalokho ngaqhubeka ngikhangele imibono eyafika kimi ebusuku, ngasengibona isilo sesine. Sasisesabeka, sisethusa, siqine ngendlela engajayelekanga njalo silamazinyo ensimbi amakhulu. Sasitshaya sibhuqe, sifohloze, kuthi okuseleyo sikugxobagxobe ngenyawo zaso.+ Sasitshiyene lazo zonke ezinye izilo ezazifike kuqala kulaso futhi sasilempondo ezilitshumi. 8 Ngathi ngisakhangele impondo lezo, ngicabangisisa ngazo, kwavela olunye uphondo oluncane+ phakathi kwazo njalo impondo ezintathu zokuqala zakhitshwa phambi kwalo. Uphondo lolu lwalulamehlo anjengawomuntu kanye lomlomo owawukhuluma amazwi okuzikhukhumeza.+

9 “Ngaqhubeka ngikhangele kwaze kwabekwa izihlalo zobukhosi, uSimakade+ wahlala phansi.+ Izigqoko zakhe zazimhlophe njengongqwaqwane,+ inwele zakhe zimhlophe njengoboya bezimvu. Isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi sasingamalangabi omlilo futhi amaviri aso ayengumlilo ovuthayo.+ 10 Kwakulesifula somlilo esasigeleza sisuka phambi kwakhe.+ Inkulungwane eziphindwe ngezinkulungwane zaqhubeka zimkhonza njalo izinkulungwane ezilitshumi eziphindwe ngezinkulungwane ezilitshumi zazimi phambi kwakhe.+ Inkundla+ yahlala* phansi, kwavulwa amabhuku.

11 “Ngalesosikhathi ngaqhubeka ngikhangele ngenxa yamazwi okuzikhukhumeza ayekhulunywa luphondo.+ Ngangilokhu ngikhangele isilo leso saze sabulawa, umzimba waso waphoselwa emlilweni watshabalaliswa. 12 Kodwa ezinye zonke izilo+ zathathelwa ubukhosi bazo njalo ukuphila kwazo kwelulwa okwesikhathi lenkathi ethile.

13 “Ngaqhubeka ngikhangele imibono eyafika kimi ebusuku, ngabona lowo owayenjengendodana yomuntu+ esiza lamayezi ezulu njalo wavunyelwa ukungena kuSimakade,+ wasondezwa eduze kwakhe. 14 Wasenikwa ubukhosi+ lodumo+ kanye lombuso ukuze bonke abantu lezizwe labantu bendimi zonke bamkhonze.+ Ubukhosi bakhe yibukhosi baphakade obungasoze budlule njalo umbuso wakhe kawusoze utshabalaliswe.+

15 “Mina Danyeli ngakhathazeka emoyeni wami ngoba imibono eyafika ekhanda lami yangethusa.+ 16 Ngasondela eduze komunye walabo ababemi khonapho ngambuza ukuthi kutshoni sibili lokhu. Wasengiphendula wangichasisela ukuthi izinto lezi zitshoni.

17 “‘Izilo lezi ezine ezinkulu+ ngamakhosi amane azakuba khona emhlabeni.+ 18 Kodwa abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu oPhakemeyo+ bazawamukela umbuso+ njalo umbuso uzakuba ngowabo+ kuze kube phakade, kuze kube nini lanini.’

19 “Kodwa ngangifuna ukwazi okunengi ngesilo sesine esasitshiyene lazo zonke ezinye. Phela sona sasisesabeka kakhulu, silamazinyo ensimbi lenzipho zekhopha. Sasitshaya sibhuqe, sifohloze, kuthi okuseleyo sikugxobagxobe ngenyawo zaso.+ 20 Ngangifuna ukwazi langempondo ezilitshumi+ ezazisekhanda laso, lolunye uphondo olwamilayo, kwathi ezinye impondo ezintathu zakhithika phambi kwalo.+ Uphondo lwakhona lwalulamehlo lomlomo owawukhuluma amazwi okuzikhukhumeza njalo lwalulukhulu kulezinye impondo.

21 “Ngaqhubeka ngikhangele uphondo lolu lusilwa labangcwele futhi lwalubehlula,+ 22 kwaze kwafika uSimakade+ njalo kwahlulelwa kusekelwa abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu oPhakemeyo,+ futhi safika isikhathi esibekiweyo sokuthi abangcwele bathathe umbuso.+

23 “Lowo owayengichasisela wathi: ‘Isilo sesine ngumbuso wesine ozakuba khona emhlabeni. Uzabe utshiyene layo yonke eminye imibuso, uzatshaya ubhuqe umhlaba wonke, uwugxobagxobe njalo uwufohloze.+ 24 Impondo ezilitshumi ngamakhosi alitshumi azavela embusweni lowo. Ngemva kwamakhosi la kuzakuba lenye inkosi ezabe itshiyene lamakhosi okuqala futhi izayangisa amakhosi amathathu.+ 25 Inkosi le izakhuluma kubi ngoPhezukonke+ njalo izaqhubeka ihlukuluza abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu oPhakemeyo. Izazama ukutshintsha izikhathi lomthetho njalo abangcwele bazanikelwa esandleni sayo okwesikhathi, lezikhathi, lengxenye yesikhathi.*+ 26 Kodwa inkundla yahlala* phansi, inkosi le yasithathelwa ubukhosi bayo ukuze ibhujiswe njalo itshabalaliswe iphele nya.+

27 “‘Umbuso lobukhosi lobukhulu bayo yonke imibuso engaphansi kwamazulu kwasekuphiwa abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu oPhakemeyo.+ Umbuso wabo ngumbuso ongapheliyo+ njalo yonke imibuso izabakhonza, ibalalele.’

28 “Lesi yiso isiphetho sendaba. Kodwa mina Danyeli ngakhathazeka kakhulu ngenxa yemicabango yami, ubuso bami bahloba* futhi indaba le ngayigcina enhliziyweni yami.”

8 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kweNkosi uBhelishazari,+ mina Danyeli ngabona omunye umbono ngemva kwalowo engangiwubone kuqala.+ 2 Umbono lo wafika ngisesigodlweni seShushani,*+ esabelweni se-Elami+ njalo embonweni lo ngangiseceleni komgelo* wamanzi ose-Ulayi. 3 Ngathi ngiphakamisa amehlo ami ngabona inqama+ imi eduze komgelo* wamanzi futhi yayilempondo ezimbili.+ Zombili impondo lezi zazizinde kodwa olunye lwalulude kulolunye njalo olude lwakhona yilo olwamila ekucineni.+ 4 Ngabona inqama igijimela entshonalanga lasenyakatho laseningizimu isiyahlasela njalo azikho izilo zeganga ezazingama phambi kwayo. Akulamuntu owayengakhulula loba yini emandleni ayo.*+ Yayizenzela umathanda futhi iziphakamisa.

5 Ngathi ngilokhu ngikhangele ngabona impongo+ ithutsha ivelela entshonalanga idabula phakathi komhlaba wonke ingathintanga phansi. Yayilophondo olukhulu phakathi laphakathi kwamehlo ayo.+ 6 Yaqonda lapho okwakulenqama elempondo ezimbili engangiyibone imi eduze komgelo* wamanzi futhi yagijimela kuyo isidla amahabula.

7 Ngabona impongo iyisondelela inqama njalo yayizonde kakhulu. Yayingqikila yephula impondo zayo ezimbili njalo inqama yaswela amandla okumisana layo. Impongo le yayiwisela phansi inqama yayigxobagxoba njalo kakho owayengayilamulela emandleni ayo.*

8 Ngemva kwalokho impongo yaziphakamisa kakhulu kodwa yathi isanda kuba lamandla, uphondo lwayo olukhulu lwephuka. Kwasekumila impondo ezinkulu ezine esikhundleni salo futhi zazikhangele kuyo yonke imimoya emine yamazulu.+

9 Kolunye lwazo kwaphuma olunye uphondo oluncane olwakhula lwaba yinkalakatha lukhangele eningizimu lasempumalanga kanye laseLizweni Elicecisiweyo.*+ 10 Uphondo lolu lwakhula kakhulu lwaze lwayathinta ibutho elisemazulwini, lwabangela ukuthi amanye amabutho lezinye izinkanyezi kuwele phansi emhlabeni, lwakugxobagxoba konke. 11 Lwaziphakamisa lwaze lwamelana loMkhokheli webutho njalo umhlatshelo wezikhathi zonke owenzelwa uMkhokheli wamiswa futhi lendawo yakhe engcwele eyayimiswe yaqina yadilizelwa phansi.+ 12 Ibutho kanye lomhlatshelo wezikhathi zonke kwanikelwa esandleni sophondo ngenxa yesiphambeko. Lwaqhubeka luphosela iqiniso phansi, lwenza santando lwaphumelela.

13 Ngasengisizwa ongcwele ekhuluma futhi omunye ongcwele wasesithi kulowo okhulumayo: “Kuzaze kube nini umbono womhlatshelo wezikhathi zonke, lowesiphambeko esibangela ukutshabalala ulokhu usenza+ ukuthi indawo engcwele lebutho kugxotshwagxotshwe?” 14 Wasesithi kimi: “Kuze kudlule amalanga angu-2 300* futhi loba sekutheni indawo engcwele izabuyiselwa esimeni sayo esifaneleyo.”

15 Mina Danyeli ngathi ngilokhu ngikhangele umbono ngizama ukuwuzwisisa, ngasengibona othile owayekhanya angathi ngumuntu emi phambi kwami. 16 Ngasengisizwa ilizwi lomuntu phakathi komgelo we-Ulayi+ ememeza esithi: “Gabriyeli+ mncedise azwisise akubonileyo.”+ 17 Wasondela eduze lalapho engangimi khona, wathi efika kimi ngesaba kakhulu ngasengiguqa ngathi mbo phansi. Wasesithi kimi: “Zwisisa ndodana yomuntu ukuthi umbono lo ngowesikhathi sokucina.”+ 18 Kodwa wathi esakhuluma lami, ngajunywa yibuthongo ubuso bami bulokhu buthe mbo phansi. Wasengithinta wangisukumisa ngama lapho engangimi khona kuqala.+ 19 Wathi: “Khathesi sengikwazisa okuzakwenzakala engxenyeni yokucina yesikhathi solaka lukaNkulunkulu ngoba lokhu ngokwesikhathi sokucina esibekiweyo.+

20 “Inqama elempondo ezimbili oyibonileyo imela amakhosi amabili eMede lePhesiya.+ 21 Impongo eloboya obukhulu imela inkosi yaseGrisi+ njalo uphondo olukhulu obeluphakathi laphakathi kwamehlo ayo lumela inkosi yokuqala.+ 22 Uphondo olwephukileyo kwasekumila ezine esikhundleni salo+ ngamakhosi amane azavela esizweni sayo kodwa kawasoze abe lamandla njengayo.

23 “Engxenyeni yokucina yombuso wamakhosi la, abenza okubi sebexhwale baze bafika ekucineni, kuzakuba lenkosi eyesabekayo, ezwisisa izinto eziyimpicabadala.* 24 Amandla ayo azakuba makhulu kodwa ayabe engaveli kuyo. Izabangela umonakalo omkhulu kakhulu futhi izaphumelela kukho konke ekwenzayo. Izatshabalalisa abalamandla kanye labantu abangcwele.+ 25 Izayenga abantu ngobuqili bayo ukuze iphumelele njalo izazikhukhumeza enhliziyweni yayo iphinde itshabalalise abanengi ngesikhathi abantu behlalisekile.* Izamelana loMkhokheli wabakhokheli kodwa izahlifizwa, hatshi ngezandla zomuntu.

26 “Okukhulunywe embonweni ngokuhlwa langokusa kuliqiniso kodwa umbono lo kumele uwugcine uyimfihlo ngoba okukuwo kuzakwenzakala esikhathini esikhatshana esizayo kusukela khathesi.”+

27 Ngakho mina Danyeli ngazizwa ngidiniwe futhi ngagula okwamalanga athile.+ Ngasengivuka ngenza umsebenzi wenkosi+ kodwa ngangilokhu ngimdambiyana ngenxa yalokho engangikubonile futhi akulamuntu owayengakuzwisisa.+

9 Ngomnyaka wokuqala kaDariyu+ indodana ka-Ahasuweru, owayedabuka kwabosendo lwamaMede njalo ekhethwe ukuthi abe yinkosi embusweni wamaKhaledi,+ 2 ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kwakhe, mina Danyeli ngazwisisa emabhukwini* inani leminyaka elaliqanjwe elizwini likaJehova elalisiya kumphrofethi uJeremiya mayelana lokuthi iJerusalema yayizahlala ilunxiwa okweminyaka emingaki.+ Iminyaka le yayingu-70.+ 3 Yikho ngakhangelisa ubuso bami kuJehova uNkulunkulu weqiniso ngathandaza ngimncenga. Ngazila ukudla+ ngagqoka isembatho sesaka njalo ngazithela ngomlotha. 4 Ngathandaza kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngivuma izono zethu. Ngathi:

“Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu weqiniso, Nkulunkulu omkhulu lowesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe, olothando oluqotho+ kulabo abamthandayo labagcina imithetho yakhe,+ 5 sonile, saphambanisa, senza okubi njalo sahlamuka.+ Siphambukile satshiya imilayo yakho kanye lemithetho yakho. 6 Asizange sizilalele izinceku zakho, abaphrofethi,+ ezazikhuluma ebizweni lakho emakhosini ethu, lakuziphathamandla zethu, lakubokhokho bethu kanye lakubo bonke abantu ababeselizweni. 7 Awu Jehova, wena ulungile. Kodwa thina inhloni zisiphethe njengoba nje kunjalo lamuhla ebantwini bakoJuda lasezakhamizini zeJerusalema, lakubo bonke abako-Israyeli abaseduze labakhatshana, kuwo wonke amazwe obahlakazele kuwo ngoba abazange bathembeke kuwe.+

8 “Awu Jehova silenhloni thina lamakhosi ethu leziphathamandla zethu kanye labokhokho bethu ngoba sonile kuwe. 9 Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu ulesihawu futhi uyathethelela+ kodwa thina sikuhlamukele.+ 10 Kasililalelanga ilizwi lakho Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, ngoba kasiyilandelanga imithetho owasinika yona usebenzisa izinceku zakho abaphrofethi.+ 11 Bonke abako-Israyeli bawephulile uMthetho wakho njalo baphambukile, abalilalelanga ilizwi lakho. Yikho uthululele phezu kwethu isiqalekiso kanye lesifungo okubhalwe eMthethweni kaMosi inceku kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ ngoba sonile kuwe. 12 Usukwenzile lokho owawuthe uzakwenza kithi+ lakubabusi bethu* ngoba usehlisele umonakalo omkhulu. Lokho okwehlele iJerusalema+ akukaze kwenzakale loba nini ngaphansi kwamazulu. 13 Umonakalo wonke lo wehlele phezu kwethu+ njengoba nje kubhaliwe eMthethweni kaMosi, kodwa asizange sicele umusa kuwe Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu ngoba asikutshiyanga okubi ebesikwenza+ njalo asizange sitshengise ukuthi siyalizwisisa iqiniso lakho.

14 “Waqhubeka ukhangele Jehova, waze wasehlisela umonakalo. Yonke imisebenzi oyenzileyo ilungile Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu kodwa thina kasililalelanga ilizwi lakho.+

15 “Awu Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, wena owakhipha abantu bakho elizweni laseGibhithe ngesandla sakho esilamandla,+ wenza ukuthi ibizo lakho laziwe kuze kube lamuhla,+ sonile senza okubi. 16 Awu Jehova, wena uhlala usenza okulungileyo,+ ngicela ususe ulaka lwakho lokuthukuthela kwakho edolobheni lakho iJerusalema, intaba yakho engcwele. Phela bonke abakhelane lathi+ bayayichothoza iJerusalema kanye labantu bakho ngenxa yezono zethu kanye lamacala abakhokho bethu. 17 Khathesi Nkulunkulu wethu, lalela umthandazo wenceku yakho, uzwe izikhalazo zayo, yenza ubuso bakho bukhazimule endaweni yakho engcwele+ esilunxiwa.+ Kwenze lokhu ngenxa yebizo lakho Jehova. 18 Awu Nkulunkulu wami, lalelisisa uzwe! Vula amehlo ubone ukuchitheka kwethu lokwedolobho elalibizwa ngebizo lakho. Ayisikho ukuthi sithandaza kuwe ngenxa yemisebenzi yethu elungileyo, kodwa isihawu sakho esikhulu+ yiso esenza sikhuleke kuwe sikuncenga. 19 Awu Jehova ngicela uzwe. Awu Jehova ngicela usithethelele.+ Awu Jehova ngicela ulalelisise, usincede. Ungaphuzi ngoba lokhu ukwenzela wena Nkulunkulu wami, idolobho lakho labantu bakho kubizwa ngebizo lakho.”+

20 Ngathi ngilokhu ngisakhuluma, ngithandaza ngivuma izono zami lezabantu bakithi abako-Israyeli, ngicela lokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wami asenzele umusa ahawukele intaba yakhe engcwele,+ 21 ngaso kanye lesosikhathi ngilokhu ngithandaza, kwafika uGabriyeli+ indoda engangiyibone embonweni.+ Wangifica ngidinwe ngifile futhi kwasekuyizikhathi zomnikelo owawusenziwa ntambama. 22 Wangisiza ukuthi ngiyizwisise kuhle indaba wathi:

“Danyeli, khathesi ngilande ukuzokuncedisa ukuthi uzwisise njalo uqedisise. 23 Uthe uqalisa ukutsho isikhalazo sakho uncenga, kwafika umbiko ovela kuNkulunkulu kimi, futhi ngilapha nje ngizokutshela wona ngoba wena uligugu kakhulu.*+ Ngakho cabangisisa ngendaba le njalo uwuzwisise umbono.

24 “Kulamaviki angu-70* amiselwe abantu bakini kanye ledolobho lakini elingcwele+ ukuze kususwe isiphambeko, kuqedwe isono,+ kuhlawulelwe icala,+ kulethwe ukulunga okungapheliyo,+ kufakwe isidindo embonweni lasesiphrofethweni*+ kanye lokuthi kugcotshwe indawo eNgcwele Kakhulu.* 25 Kumele ukwazi njalo uzwisise ukuthi kusukela ekukhitshweni kwelizwi lokuthi kuvuselelwe njalo kwakhiwe kutsha iJerusalema+ kuze kuyefika kuMesiya*+ uMkhokheli,+ kuzakuba lamaviki ayisikhombisa, lamaviki angu-62.+ Izavuselelwa njalo yakhiwe kutsha, ibe legceke ledolobho kanye lomgelo kodwa kuyabe kuyizikhathi ezinzima.

26 “Ngemva kwamaviki angu-62 uMesiya uzabulawa*+ asale engelalutho.+

“Abantu bomkhokheli ozayo bazatshabalalisa idolobho leli kanye lendawo engcwele.+ Isiphetho sakhona sizakuza angathi yisikhukhula. Kuzakuba lempi kuze kube sekucineni njalo sekuhlelwe ukuthi kube lomonakalo.+

27 “Kanti njalo yena uzagcina isivumelwano sisebenza okweviki eyodwa esenzela abanengi. Kodwa iviki izakuthi isiphakathi laphakathi, enze ukuthi imihlatshelo leminikelo kuphele.+

“Phezu kophiko lwezinto ezenyanyekayo kuzabe kulalowo obangela umonakalo+ futhi lokho okumisiweyo kuzathululelwa lakulowo ochithiweyo kuze kufike ukutshabalala.”

10 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kukaKhoresi+ inkosi yePhesiya, uDanyeli owayebizwa ngokuthi nguBhelitheshazari+ wanikwa isambulo. Umbiko awutholayo wawuphathelane lokulwisana okukhulu njalo wawuliqiniso. Wawuzwisisa umbiko lo futhi wancediswa ukuthi akuqedisise lokho ayekubonile.

2 Ngalezonsuku mina Danyeli ngasengilamaviki amathathu agcweleyo ngikhala.+ 3 Angizange ngidle izibiliboco njalo angizange ngifake inyama loba iwayini emlonyeni wami, angizange ngigcobe amafutha okwamaviki amathathu agcweleyo. 4 Mhlaka 24 ngenyanga yokuqala ngathi ngisekhunjini lomfula omkhulu uThigrisi,*+ 5 ngabona indoda eyayigqoke izigqoko zelineni+ njalo ekhalweni lwayo yayibophe ibhanti legolide lase-Ufazi. 6 Umzimba wayo wawucazimula njengekhrisolithe,*+ ubuso bayo buphazima angathi ngumbane. Amehlo ayo ayenjengezibane ezibhebhayo, inyawo lengalo zayo kwakunjengekhopha ekhazimulayo+ njalo amazwi ayo ayezwakala angathi ngawabantu abanengi. 7 Mina Danyeli, yimi ngedwa engawubonayo umbono lo.+ Amadoda engangilawo kawabonanga lutho kodwa abanjwa ngumhedehede abaleka ayacatsha.

8 Ngasala sengingedwa njalo ngathi ngibona umbono lo omkhulu ngaphela amandla, ubuso bami bahloba, ngaba mdambiyana.+ 9 Ngemva kwalokho ngayizwa ikhuluma kodwa ngathi ngiyilalele ikhuluma ngajunywa yibuthongo ubuso bami buthe mbo phansi.+ 10 Ngasengisizwa isandla singithinta,+ sanginyikinya ngavuka ngaguqa ngamadolo ngibambelele phansi. 11 Yathi kimi:

“Danyeli wena ndoda eligugu kakhulu,*+ ngicela ulalelisise amazwi engizakutshela wona khathesi. Sukuma ume lapho obumi khona ngoba ngithunywe kuwe.”

Yathi isitsho njalo kimi ngasukuma ngiqhuqha.

12 Yasisithi kimi: “Ungesabi+ Danyeli, amazwi akho azwakele kusukela ngelanga lokuqala owazinikela ngalo ngenhliziyo yakho yonke ukuthi uzwisise izinto lezi kanye lokuthi uzithobe phambi kukaNkulunkulu wakho. Ngilapha nje ngenxa yamazwi akho+ 13 kodwa inkosana+ yombuso wasePhesiya ibilokhu ilwisana lami okwamalanga angu-21. Kuze kwabuya uMikhayeli*+ omunye wabakhokheli abaphakemeyo wanginceda njalo bengilokhu ngikhonale eceleni kwamakhosi asePhesiya. 14 Ngilande ukuzokuncedisa ukuthi uzwisise lokho okuzakwehlela abantu bakini ekucineni kwezinsuku,+ ngoba umbono owubonileyo uphathelane lalokho okuzakwenzakala esikhathini esizayo.”+

15 Yathi ingitshela amazwi la, ngakhangela phansi ngehluleka ukukhuluma. 16 Lowo owayenjengomuntu wathinta izindebe zami+ ngasengivula umlomo ngathi kulowo owayemi phambi kwami: “Nkosi yami ngiyaqhuqha ngenxa yombono lo njalo angiselamandla.+ 17 Pho inceku yakho ingenelisa njani ukukhuluma lawe nkosi yami?+ Angiselamandla njalo sengisehluleka lokuphefumula.”+

18 Lowo owayenjengomuntu waphinda wangithinta wangiqinisa.+ 19 Wasesithi: “Ungesabi+ wena ndoda eligugu kakhulu.*+ Ukuthula akube lawe.+ Qina ndoda, qina.” Wathi elokhu esakhuluma lami ngezwa sengiqinile ngasengisithi: “Khuluma nkosi yami ngoba usungiqinisile.”

20 Wasesithi: “Uyakwazi yini ukuthi bengilandeni kuwe? Khathesi ngizabuyela ngiyekulwa lenkosana yePhesiya.+ Nxa sengisukile, inkosana yeGrisi izabuya. 21 Lanxa kunjalo ngizakutshela izinto ezibhalwe emabhukwini eqiniso. Kakho ngitsho loyedwa ongisekelayo ezintweni lezi ngaphandle kukaMikhayeli+ umkhokheli wakini.+

11 “Ngakho-ke ngomnyaka wokuqala wokubusa kukaDariyu+ umMede ngasukuma ukuze ngimqinise* futhi ngimvikele.* 2 Engizakutshela khona khathesi kuzagcwaliseka loba sekutheni:

“Kuzavela amanye amakhosi amathathu ePhesiya njalo kuzakuba leyesine ezabuthelela inotho enengi ukwedlula amanye. Izathi isilamandla ngenxa yenotho yayo, iqoqe konke ukuze ihlasele umbuso weGrisi.+

3 “Kanti njalo kuzavela inkosi elamandla futhi izabusa ngamandla amakhulu,*+ izenzele loba yini eyifunayo. 4 Kodwa izathi isivelile umbuso wayo uzadilizwa wehlukane uye kuyo yonke imimoya yomine yamazulu.+ Lanxa kunjalo, awusoze uye kuzizukulwane zayo njalo ngeke ube lamandla ebilawo ngoba umbuso wayo uzasitshunwa uye kwabanye.

5 “Omunye wezinduna zebutho layo, inkosi yaseningizimu, uzakuba lamandla. Kodwa ukhona ozamnqoba futhi ozabusa ngamandla amakhulu ukwedlula awakhe.

6 “Ngemva kweminyaka ethile, amakhosi la azamanyana. Indodakazi yenkosi yaseningizimu izakuya enkosini yasenyakatho yenze isivumelwano layo. Kodwa indodakazi izaphelelwa ngamandla ayo njalo inkosi le ayisoze ime futhi amandla ayo azaphela. Indodakazi lalabo ababuya layo bazanikelwa ezandleni zabanye abantu kanye lalowo owayizalayo, lalowo owayeyinika amandla ngalezozikhathi. 7 Empandeni zendodakazi leyo kuzavela lowo olihlumela abesesima esikhundleni sakhe.* Uzalanda ibutho njalo uzamelana lenqaba yenkosi yasenyakatho futhi uzabahlasela abehlule. 8 Uzathatha onkulunkulu babo, labantu abathunjiweyo, lezithombe zabo zensimbi kanye lezinto zabo eziligugu ezenziwe ngesiliva legolide aye lakho eGibhithe. Okweminyaka ethile kasoze asondele enkosini yasenyakatho 9 njalo inkosi le yiyo ezabuya izomelana lombuso wenkosi yaseningizimu kodwa izabuyela elizweni layo.

10 “Amadodana ayo* azalungiselela impi, aqoqe ibutho elikhulu njalo elilamandla. Izahamba ihlasela, ithanyele ilizwe lonke njengesikhukhula. Kodwa izabuyela emuva, ilwe ize iyefika enqabeni yayo.

11 “Inkosi yaseningizimu izafuthelana ibisiphuma iyekulwa lenkosi yasenyakatho. Yona* izaqoqa ixuku elikhulu kodwa ixuku lelo lizanikelwa esandleni saleyo nkosi.* 12 Ixuku lizathathwa njalo inkosi izazikhukhumeza enhliziyweni yayo. Izabangela ukuthi kuwe amatshumi ezinkulungwane. Lanxa izakuba lamandla amakhulu kayisoze iwasebenzise.

13 “Inkosi yasenyakatho izabuyela iyeqoqa ixuku elikhulu kulelakuqala njalo ekucineni kwezikhathi, ngemva kweminyaka ethile, izabuya sibili isilebutho elikhulu kanye lezinto ezinengi. 14 Ngalezozikhathi abanengi bazamelana lenkosi yaseningizimu.

“Kanti njalo abalodlakela phakathi kwabantu bakini bazathatheka belandela labo abazama ukwenza ukuthi umbono ugcwaliseke kodwa abasoze baphumelele.*

15 “Inkosi yasenyakatho izabuya imise idundulu lokuhlasela, ithumbe idolobho elivikelwe ngemiduli. Amabutho eningizimu lamaqhawe awo athenjiweyo awasoze enelise ukuqhubeka esilwa njalo awasoze abe lamandla okumelana lesitha. 16 Lowo ozamelana layo* uzazenzela umathanda futhi akulamuntu ozakuma phambi kwakhe. Uzakuma eLizweni Elicecisiweyo*+ njalo amandla okutshabalalisa azakuba sesandleni sakhe. 17 Uzazimisela ukuza ngamandla amakhulu ombuso wakhe njalo kuzakwenziwa isivumelwano laye. Uzakwenza okusengqondweni yakhe njalo indodakazi yabesifazana izanikelwa kuye ukuze ayehlisele umonakalo. Kayisoze ime futhi ayisoze iqhubeke ingeyakhe. 18 Uzasuka aye emazweni aseduze kolwandle njalo uzathumba indawo ezinengi. Kodwa induna yebutho izalisusa ihlazo elivela kuye, liphele du. Izakwenza ukuthi libuyele kulowo olilethileyo. 19 Ngemva kwalokho uzabuyela aqonde ezinqabeni zelizwe lakhe. Kodwa uzakhubeka awe futhi kasoze aphinde abonakale.

20 “Esikhundleni sakhe kuzavela lowo ozabangela ukuthi umuntu obhadalisa imithelo* adlule embusweni okhazimulayo. Loba kunjalo, uzaphahlazwa ngemva kwensuku ezilutshwana lanxa lokhu kungasoze kwenzakale ngolaka kumbe ngempi.

21 “Esikhundleni sakhe kuzavela lowo okhangelelwa phansi* njalo abasoze bamnike inkazimulo yombuso. Uzabuya ngesikhathi abantu behlalisekile* athathe umbuso ngobuqili. 22 Amabutho esikhukhula azathanyelwa aphele du ngenxa yakhe njalo azaphahlazwa njengalokho okuzakwenziwa kuMkhokheli+ wesivumelwano.+ 23 Ngenxa yesivumelwano abazasenza laye, uzaqhubeka esenza ubuqili njalo uzakuma, abe lamandla esebenzisa isizwe esincane. 24 Ngesikhathi abantu behlalisekile* uzakuya ezindaweni ezinothileyo zesabelo, enze lokho okungazange kwenziwe ngoyise labokhokho bakhe. Uzakwabela abantu impahla lenotho lokunye okuthunjiweyo njalo uzabumba amacebo amelane lezindawo ezivikelwe ngemiduli kodwa konke lokhu uzakwenza okwesikhatshana nje.

25 “Uzazimisela ngamandla akhe langenhliziyo yakhe ukuthi ayehlasela inkosi yaseningizimu, ehamba lebutho elikhulu. Inkosi yaseningizimu yona izalungiselela impi ilebutho elikhulu kakhulu njalo elilamandla amakhulu. Kodwa kasoze ame ngoba bazabumba amacebo bamelane laye. 26 Abantu bakhe abadla izibiliboco zakhe yibo abazakwenza ukuthi awe.

“Ibutho lakhe lizathanyelwa* liphele du njalo abanengi bazabulawa.

27 “Inhliziyo zamakhosi la amabili zizahlala zihlose ukwenza okubi futhi azahlala etafuleni yinye eqambelana amanga. Kodwa akulalutho oluzaphumelela ngoba ukuphela kuzafika ngesikhathi esibekiweyo.+

28 “Izabuyela* elizweni layo ilempahla enengi kakhulu njalo inhliziyo yayo izamelana lesivumelwano esingcwele. Izakwenza okusengqondweni yayo ibisibuyela elizweni layo.

29 “Ngesikhathi esibekiweyo izaphenduka izohlasela iningizimu. Kodwa khathesi akusoze kufanane lakuqala, 30 ngoba imikhumbi yaseKhithimu+ izamelana layo futhi izasala iyangekile.

“Izabuyela iyethululela ulaka lwayo esivumelwaneni esingcwele,+ iyenze okusengqondweni yayo. Kanti njalo izabuyela iye kulabo abatshiya isivumelwano esingcwele. 31 Amabutho ayo azasukuma futhi azangcolisa indawo engcwele+ lenqaba, asuse lomhlatshelo wezikhathi zonke.+

“Kanti njalo kuzafakwa amanyala abangela umonakalo.+

32 “Izasebenzisa amazwi obuqili* ukuze iphambukise abenza okubi besephula isivumelwano esingcwele. Kodwa abantu abamaziyo uNkulunkulu wabo bazaphumelela benze okusezinhliziyweni zabo. 33 Abalokuqedisisa+ phakathi kwabantu bazanceda abanengi ukuthi bazwisise. Bazawiselwa phansi* ngenkemba, lelangabi, lokuthunjwa langokuthathelwa impahla yabo njalo lokhu kuzakwenzakala okwamalanga athile. 34 Kodwa nxa sebewisiwe,* bazancediswa kancane njalo abanengi bazazihlanganisa labo besebenzisa amazwi obuqili.* 35 Kanti njalo abanye abalokuqedisisa bazawiswa* ukuze kwenziwe umsebenzi wokucenga omayelana labo njalo bahlanjululwe benziwe babe msulwa+ kuze kube yisikhathi sokucina, ngoba lokhu ngokwesikhathi esimisiweyo.

36 “Inkosi izazenzela umathanda njalo izaziphakamisa, izikhukhumeze phezu kwabo bonke abanye onkulunkulu. Izakhuluma izinto ezimangalisayo ihlasela uNkulunkulu wabonkulunkulu.+ Izakhanya iphumelela, ukuthululwa kolaka kuze kufike ekucineni ngoba lokho okumisiweyo kumele kwenzakale. 37 Ayisoze ibe lendaba loNkulunkulu waboyise futhi ayisoze ibe lendaba lokufunwa ngabesifazana kumbe omunye nje unkulunkulu. Kodwa izaziphakamisa phezu kwabo bonke abantu. 38 Izanika unkulunkulu wezinqaba inkazimulo, unkulunkulu owayengaziwa ngoyise izamnika inkazimulo isebenzisa isiliva, legolide, lamatshe aligugu lezinye izinto eziligugu. 39 Izaphumelela ukulwisana lezinqaba eziqine kakhulu ilonkulunkulu* wezizweni. Abayihloniphayo izabanika* inkazimulo enkulu njalo izabenza babuse phakathi kwabanengi. Izakwabela abantu umhlabathi ngentengo.

40 “Ngesikhathi sokucina inkosi yaseningizimu izafuqana layo, kodwa inkosi yasenyakatho izatheleka njengesiphepho ilezinqola zayo labagadi bamabhiza kanye lemikhumbi eminengi, iyihlasele. Izangena emazweni iwathanyele njengesikhukhula. 41 Izangena laseLizweni Elicecisiweyo*+ futhi amazwe amanengi azagenqulwa.* Kodwa amazwe la alandelayo yiwo azaphunyuka esandleni sayo: I-Edomi leMowabi lengxenye enkulu yama-Amoni. 42 Izaqhubeka isebenzisa amandla ayo imelana lamazwe njalo ilizwe laseGibhithe alisoze liphunyuke. 43 Izakuba lamandla phezu kwamagugu afihliweyo egolide lawesiliva laphezu kwazo zonke izinto eziligugu zaseGibhithe. Abantu beLibhiya labeTopiya bazayilandela.*

44 “Kodwa izakwethuswa yimibiko evela empumalanga lasenyakatho futhi izaphuma ithukuthele isidla amalahle ukuze itshaye ibhuqe njalo itshabalalise abanengi. 45 Izagxumeka amatende obukhosi bayo phakathi kolwandle olukhulu lentaba engcwele eLizweni Elicecisiweyo.*+ Kanti njalo izahamba ize iyefika esiphethweni sayo futhi kakho loyedwa ozayinceda.

12 “Ngalesosikhathi uMikhayeli,*+ umkhokheli ophakemeyo+ omela abantu bakini uzasukuma njalo kuzakuba lesikhathi sokuhlupheka esingakaze sibe khona selokhu kwadabuka izizwe kuze kube yilesosikhathi. Ngalesosikhathi abantu bakini bazaphunyuka,+ bonke abantu abazatholakala bebhaliwe ebhukwini.+ 2 Kanti njalo abanengi abaleleyo emhlabathini bazavuka, abanye bazavuka bathole ukuphila okungapheliyo kodwa abanye bazavuka basolwe futhi bathole ihlazo elingapheliyo.

3 “Abalokuqedisisa bazakhazimula kakhulu njengokukhanya kwesibhakabhaka njalo abancedisa abanengi ukuthi babe ngabalungileyo bazakhanya njengezinkanyezi kuze kube nini lanini.

4 “Kodwa wena Danyeli gcina amazwi la eyimfihlo njalo ulivale ngci ibhuku lelo kuze kube yisikhathi sokucina.+ Abanengi bazachwayisisa bajule ebhukwini* futhi ulwazi lweqiniso luzakuba lunengi.”+

5 Ngemva kwalokho mina Danyeli ngakhangela ngabona abanye ababili bemi khonapho. Omunye wayemi kuleli icele ekhunjini lomfula, omunye emi kwelinye icele ekhunjini lomfula.+ 6 Omunye wabo wasekhuluma lendoda eyayiphezu kwamanzi esifula eyayigqoke ilineni+ wathi: “Kuzathatha isikhathi esinganani ukuthi ukuphela kwezenzakalo lezi ezimangalisayo kufike?” 7 Ngemva kwalokho indoda eyayiphezu kwamanzi esifula igqoke ilineni, yaphakamisela isandla sayo sokudla lesandla sayo senxele emazulwini. Ngasengiyizwa ifunga ngalowo ophila kuze kube nini lanini+ isithi: “Kuzakuba ngokwesikhathi esimisiweyo, lezikhathi ezimisiweyo kanye lengxenye yesikhathi.* Nxa ukuphahlazwa kwamandla abantu abangcwele kuphela nje,+ lezinto zonke lezi zizaphela.”

8 Lanxa ngakuzwa okwakutshiwo, angikuzwisisanga,+ ngasengisithi: “Nkosi yami, izinto lezi zizaphetha ngani?”

9 Wasengiphendula wathi: “Zihambele Danyeli ngoba amazwi la kumele agcinwe eyimfihlo futhi evalwe ngci kuze kube yisikhathi sokucina.+ 10 Abanengi bazazihlambulula bazenze babe msulwa njalo bazacengwa.+ Abaxhwalileyo bazakwenza okubi futhi kakho loyedwa omubi ozazwisisa, kodwa abaqedisisayo bazazwisisa.+

11 “Kusukela esikhathini sokukhitshwa komhlatshelo wezikhathi zonke+ kanye lokufakwa kwamanyala abangela umonakalo+ kuzakuba lezinsuku ezingu-1 290.

12 “Uyathokoza lowo oqhubeka elinde ngabomvu kuze kufike ukucina kwensuku ezingu-1 335!

13 “Wena qhubeka ubambelele uze uyefika ekucineni. Uzaphumula, kodwa ekucineni kwezinsuku uzasukuma uthole isabelo sakho.”*+