DANYELA

1 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kweKosi yakwaJuda uJehoyakhimu,+ iKosi yeBhabhiloni uNebukadinetsari yeza eJerusalema yaliragelela.+ 2 Ngokukhamba kwesikhathi uJehova wanikela iKosi yakwaJuda uJehoyakhimu esandleni sakhe,+ wathatha nezinye izitja zendlu kaZimu weqiniso, waziletha enarheni yeTjhinari*+ endlini kazimakhe. Izitjezi wazibeka ebulungelelweni lamagugu kazimakhe.+

3 Nje-ke ikosi yalayela u-Atjhipenazi isikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo, bona silethe amanye ama-Israyeli, kunye nalawo abelethwa ebukhosini nabelethwa ziinkhulu.+ 4 Bekufuze kube babantu abatjha abanganamtjhapho, abaqalekako, abahlakaniphileko, abanelwazi, abanelemuko+ nabangakghona ukusebenza esigodlweni. Bekufuze abafundise indlela yokutlola nelimi lamaKhaledi.* 5 Ukungezelela kilokho, ikosi yayala bona qobe langa banikelwe ukudla kwekosi okusezingeni eliphezulu newayini layo. Bekufuze babandulwe* iminyaka emithathu, nakuphela isikhatheso, benze umsebenzi wekosi.

6 Nje-ke hlangana nabo bekunabanye abavela ekorweni yakwaJuda: NguDanyela,*+ uRhananiya,* uMitjhayeli* no-Azariya.*+ 7 Isikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo sabathiya amagama;* uDanyela samthiya ngokuthi nguBhelithetjhatsari,+ uRhananiya samthiya ngokuthi nguTjhedreke, uMitjhayeli samthiya ngokuthi nguMitjhaka, u-Azariya samthiya ngokuthi ngu-Abhedinigo.+

8 Kodwana uDanyela waqunta ehliziywenakhe bona angekhe azisilaphaza ngokudla kwekosi namkha ngewayini layo. Nje-ke wabawa imvumo esikhulwini esiyihloko sesigodlo bona angazisilaphazi ngendlela leyo. 9 Yeke uZimu weqiniso wabangela isikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo bona sibe nomusa nesirhawu+ kuDanyela. 10 Kodwana isikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo sathi kuDanyela: “Ngisaba umphathami ikosi, okunguye onabele ukudla newayini. Kuzokuthiwani nakanganibona nondile ukudlula iintanga zenu? Nizongenza ngibe mlandu phambi kwekosi.” 11 Kodwana uDanyela wathi emtlhogomelini ebekabekwe sikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo bona atlhogomele uDanyela, uRhananiya, uMitjhayeli no-Azariya: 12 “Sibawa ulinge iinsebenzi zakho amalanga alitjhumi, asinikelwe imirorho bona sidle begodu sisele namanzi; 13 ngemva kwalokho umadanise indlela esiqaleka ngayo neyabatjha abadla ukudla kwekosi, bese ungaqunta bona wenzani ngathi.”

14 Nje-ke wasamukela isibawo sabo, wabahlola amalanga alitjhumi. 15 Nakuphela amalanga alitjhumi bebabonakala babahle begodu banepilo ukudlula boke abatjha ebebadla ukudla kwekosi. 16 Nje-ke umtlhogomeli bekasolo abanikela imirorho kuneembiliboco newayini lekosi. 17 Yeke uZimu weqiniso wanikela amasokana amane la ilwazi nelemuko layo yoke imitlolo nokuhlakanipha; uDanyela wanikelwa ukuzwisisa yoke imihlobo yemibono namabhudango.+

18 Nakufika isikhathi ebesibekwe yikosi bona balethwe,+ isikhulu esiyihloko sesigodlo sabaletha phambi kwakaNebukadinetsari. 19 Kwathi ikosi nayikhuluma nabo, abekho abanye esiqhemeni soke ebebanjengoDanyela, uRhananiya, uMitjhayeli no-Azariya;+ begodu baraga nokusebenzela ikosi. 20 Kinanyana ngiyiphi indaba ebeyifuna ukuhlakanipha nokuzwisisa ikosi ebeyibabuza ngayo, yabafumana bangcono ngokubuyelelwe kalitjhumi kunabo boke abaphristi ababosomlingo nababhuli+ embuswenayo woke. 21 Yeke uDanyela wahlala lapho bekwaba mnyaka wokuthoma weKosi uKoretjhi.+

2 Ngomnyaka wesibili wokubusa kwakhe, uNebukadinetsari waba namabhudango amanengi, watshwenyeka+ emoyeni kangangobana waphelelwa buthongo. 2 Nje-ke ikosi yakhupha umyalo wokobana kubizwe abaphristi ababosomlingo, ababhuli, abaloyi namaKhaledi* bona bazoyitjela ibhudango layo. Bafika bajama phambi kwayo.+ 3 Ikosi yathi kibo: “Ngibe nebhudango begodu ngatshwenyeka emoyeni ngombana ngifuna ukwazi ukuthi ngibhudangeni.” 4 AmaKhaledi* aphendula ikosi ngelimi lesi-Aramu*+ athi: “Maye! Kosi, kwanga ungaphila ngokungapheliko. Tjela iinsebenzi zakho bona ubhudangeni, sizokuhlathululela lona.”

5 Ikosi yathi kumaKhaledi:* “La mamezwami wamaswaphela: Nangabe aningitjeli ibhudango lami nokuthi litjho ukuthini, nizokuhlahlelwa nibe ziintokana begodu imizenu izokwenziwa indawo yokuzithumela yomphakathi. 6 Kodwana naningangitjela ibhudango lami nokuthi litjho ukuthini, ngizonipha izipho, umvuzo nokuhlonitjhwa okukhulu.+ Nje-ke ngitjelani ibhudango lami nokuthi litjho ukuthini.”

7 Bamphendula kwesibili bathi: “Ikosi ayitjele iinsebenzi zayo bona ibhudangeni, sizoyihlathululela ukuthi litjho ukuthini.”

8 Ikosi yaphendula: “Ngiyazi bona nikhambisa isikhathi ngombana niyalemuka ukuthi ngiqinisile ngamezwami. 9 Nangabe aningitjeli ibhudango lami, noke nizokufumana isigwebo sinye. Kodwana nivumelene ngokungitjela amala nokungikhohlisa bekube kulapho ubujamo butjhuguluka. Nje-ke ngitjelani ibhudango lami, ngizokwazi ukuthi nizokukghona ukulihlathulula.”

10 AmaKhaledi* athi ekosini: “Akunamuntu ephasini ongakghona ukwenza lokho ikosi ekufunako, ngombana akunakosi ekulu namkha umbusi okhe wabawa abaphristi ababosomlingo namkha ababhuli namkha amaKhaledi* intwenjalo. 11 Ikosi ibawa into ebudisi begodu akunamuntu ongakghona ukutjela ikosi lokhu ngaphandle kwabozimu abangahlali hlangana nabantu.”

12 Khonokho ikosi yasilingeka khulu yakhupha umyalo wokobana kubulawe woke amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni.+ 13 Nasele kukhutjhwe umyalo begodu amadoda ahlakaniphileko sekazokubulawa, kwafunwa noDanyela nabangani bakhe bona babulawe.

14 Ngesikhatheso uDanyela wakhuluma ngokuhlakanipha nangokuyelela no-Ariyoki induna yabonogada bekosi, ebeyiphume bona iyokubulala amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni. 15 Wabuza u-Ariyoki isikhulu sekosi wathi: “Kubayini ikosi ikhuphe umyalo onelunya kangaka?” Nje-ke u-Ariyoki wahlathululela uDanyela ngokwenzekileko.+ 16 UDanyela waya ekosini wayibawa bona imnikele isikhathi sokuyihlathululela ibhudango layo.

17 Ngemva kwalokho uDanyela waya endlinakhe, watjela abangani bakhe uRhananiya, uMitjhayeli no-Azariya ngendaba le. 18 Wababawa ukuthi bathandazele bona uZimu wezulwini abarhawukele malungana nefihlo le, ukuze uDanyela nabangani bakhe bangatjhatjalaliswa kunye namanye amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni.

19 UDanyela wembulelwa ifihlo leyo ngombono ebusuku.+ Yeke uDanyela wadumisa uZimu wezulwini. 20 UDanyela wathi:

24 Nje-ke uDanyela waya ku-Ariyoki, loyo ikosi emlayele bona abulale amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni,+ wathi kuye: “Ungawabulali amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni. Ngibawa ungise ekosini, ngizoyihlathululela ibhudango layo.”

25 Msinyana u-Ariyoki wathatha uDanyela wamusa ekosini wathi kiyo: “Hlangana nabantu abadingisiweko bakwaJuda+ ngifumene umuntu ongakuhlathululela ibhudango lakho.” 26 Ikosi yathi kuDanyela, loyo igama lakhe kunguBhelithetjhatsari:+ “Ungangitjela na ibhudango engilibhudangileko nokuthi litjho ukuthini?”+ 27 UDanyela wathi ekosini: “Akakho namunye wamadoda ahlakaniphileko, ababhuli, abaphristi ababosomlingo namkha abathukula ngeenkwekwezi ongakghona ukwambulela ikosi ifihlo eyibawako.+ 28 Kodwana kunoZimu wezulwini onguMambuli weemfihlo+ begodu uyazisile iKosi uNebukadinetsari ukuthi kuzokwenzekani engcenyeni yamaswaphela yamalanga. Nje-ke ngileli ibhudango lakho begodu le mibono ekufikeleko nawulele embhedenakho:

29 “Malungana nawe kosi, nawusembhedenakho ucabange ngalokho okuzokwenzeka esikhathini esizako begodu uMambuli weemfihlo ukwambulele okuzokwenzeka. 30 Nakungimi, akhenge ngambulelwe ifihlo le ngombana ngihlakaniphe khulu ukudlula abanye; kodwana, bona kwaziswe ikosi ihlathululo yebhudango layo, bona yazi imicabango esehliziywenayo.+

31 “Uthe usaqalile kosi, wabona isithombe* esikhulu. Isithombeso besisikhulu siphazima ngendlela erarako, sijame phambi kwakho begodu sithusa. 32 Ihloko yesithombeso bekungeyegolide+ lezinga eliphezulu, isifuba saso nemikhonwaso bekungeyesiliva,+ amathumbaso neenyonga zaso bekungezekhopha,+ 33 imilenzaso bekungeyesimbi,+ neenyawo zaso bekungezesimbi ehlanganiswe nomdaka.+ 34 Wasolo usiqalile bekwaba kulapho kuqephuka ilitje, ingasi ngezandla begodu labetha isithombe eenyaweni zesimbi ehlanganiswe nomdaka, zaphihlika.+ 35 Ngesikhatheso isimbi, umdaka, ikhopha, isiliva negolide bezihlangene ndawonye, zaphihlika zaba njengeenhluba zeselelweni sehlobo, zaphetjhulwa mumoya kwangasali nalinye. Kodwana ilitje elabetha isithombe laba yintaba ekulu, lazala iphasi loke.

36 “Ngilo-ke ibhudango lelo, nje-ke sizokutjela ikosi bona litjho ukuthini. 37 Wena kosi, kosi yamakhosi, loyo uZimu wezulwini akunikele umbuso,+ amandla nephazimulo, 38 wanikela nabantu esandleni sakho kungayi ngokuthi bahlala kuphi, kuhlanganise iimbandana neenyoni zomkayi, loyo uZimu amenze umbusi phezu kwakho koke,+ wena ngokwakho uyihloko yegolide.+

39 “Kodwana ngemva kwakho kuzokuvela omunye umbuso+ ophasi kunawe; bese kuvele omunye umbuso ongowekhopha, ongowesithathu, ozokubusa iphasi loke.+

40 “Malungana nombuso wesine, uzokuqina njengesimbi.+ Njengombana isimbi iphihliza yoke into, iye njengesimbi ephihlizako, uzokuphihliza, utjhabalalise koke lokhu.+

41 “Njengombana ubone iinyawo namazwani womdaka ohlanganiswe nesimbi, umbuso uzokuhlukana, kodwana okhunye ukuqina kwesimbi kuzokuba kiwo, njengombana ubone isimbi ihlangene nomdaka othambileko. 42 Njengombana amazwani neenyawo ziyisimbi ehlangene nomdaka, ingcenye yombuso loyo izokuqina bese kuthi enye ibe buthakathaka. 43 Njengombana ubone isimbi ihlangene nomdaka othambileko, ingcenye yombuso eqinileko izokuhlangana nabantu kodwana kokubili angekhe kunamathelane kube munye njengombana isimbi ingahlangani nomdaka.

44 “Emihleni yamakhosi lawo uZimu wezulwini uzokubeka umbuso+ ongekhe utjhatjalaliswe.+ Umbuso lo angeze udluliselwe kwabanye abantu,+ uzokutshidlha uqede yoke imibuso+ le begodu wona uzokujama ngokungapheliko+ 45 njengombana ubonile ukuthi kwaqephuka ilitje entabeni kodwana lingaqetjhulwa ngezandla nokuthi uzokutshidlha isimbi, ikhopha, umdaka, isiliva negolide.+ UZimu oMkhulu uyazisile ikosi bona kuzokwenzekani esikhathini esizako.+ Ibhudangweli liliqiniso nehlathululo yalo ithembekile.”

46 IKosi uNebukadinetsari yakhothama yahloma ihloko phasi phambi kwakaDanyela, yamhlonipha. Yakhupha umyalo wokobana anikelwe isipho athunyiselwe nepepho. 47 Ikosi yathi kuDanyela: “Kwamambala uZimakho nguZimu wabozimu neKosi yamakhosi noMambuli weemfihlo, ngombana ukghone ukwambula ifihlo le.”+ 48 Nje-ke ikosi yaphakamisa uDanyela yamnikela izipho ezinengi ezihle, yamenza umbusi phezu kwaso soke isifunda seBhabhiloni+ nenduna phezu kwawo woke amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni. 49 Ngesibawo sakaDanyela, ikosi yabeka uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo+ bona babe balawuli besifunda seBhabhiloni kodwana uDanyela wasebenza esigodlweni sekosi.

3 IKosi uNebukadinetsari yenza isithombe* segolide esimakhubhithi ama-60* ubude begodu simakhubhithi asi-6* ububanzi. Yasijamisa emmangweni othabaleleko weDura esifundeni seBhabhiloni. 2 Ngemva kwalokho iKosi uNebukadinetsari yathumela ilizwi lokobana kuhlangane boke abondunakulu, iinduna, ababusi, abeluleki, abaphathimali, abahluleli, abomarhastrada nabo boke abanqophisi beemfunda bona beze ekuvulweni kwesithombe esijanyiswe yiKosi uNebukadinetsari.

3 Ngalokho abondunakulu, iinduna, ababusi, abeluleki, abaphathimali, abahluleli, abomarhastrada nabo boke abanqophisi beemfunda bahlangana bona kuzokuvulwa isithombe esijanyiswe yiKosi uNebukadinetsari. Yeke bajama phambi kwesithombe esijanyiswe nguNebukadinetsari. 4 Umrhuweleli watjho ngelizwi elikhulu wathi: “Niyayalwa nina bantu, ntjhaba namalimi, 5 bona nanizwa itjhada lephondo, lamafuludi ahlukahlukeneko, lamaharibha, leenara ezihlukahlukeneko, nelayo yoke imihlobo yeenliliswa, kufuze niguqe nilotjhe isithombe segolide esijanyiswe yiKosi uNebukadinetsari. 6 Nanyana ngubani ongaguqi asilotjhe, uzokuphoselwa msinyana ngekehleni yomlilo ovutha kwamanikelela!”+ 7 Nje-ke kwathi boke abantu nabezwa itjhada lepalapala, lamafuludi ahlukahlukeneko, lamaharibha, leenara ezihlukahlukeneko, nelayo yoke imihlobo yeenliliswa, boke abantu, iintjhaba namalimi baguqa, balotjha isithombe segolide esijanyiswe yiKosi uNebukadinetsari.

8 Nje-ke ngesikhatheso amanye amaKhaledi* eza azokumangalela* amaJuda. 9 Athi eKosini uNebukadinetsari: “Bayede kosi, kwanga ungaphila ngokungapheliko. 10 Wena kosi, ukhuphe umyalo wokuthi nanyana ngimuphi umuntu ozwa itjhada lepalapala, lamafuludi ahlukahlukeneko, lamaharibha, leenara ezihlukahlukeneko, nelayo yoke imihlobo yeenliliswa kufuze aguqe, alotjhe isithombe segolide; 11 nokuthi nanyana ngubani ongekhe aguqe begodu asilotjhe kufuze aphoselwe ngekehleni yomlilo ovuthako.+ 12 Kodwana kunamaJuda athileko owabeke bona abe banqophisi besifunda seBhabhiloni: UTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo.+ Kosi, amadoda la akudelelile. Awalotjhi abozimu bakho begodu ayabhala ukulotjha isithombe segolide osijamisileko.”

13 Nakezwa lokho uNebukadinetsari wabhoka ngobukhali wayala bona kulethwe uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo. Yeke balethwa phambi kwekosi. 14 UNebukadinetsari wathi kibo: “Tjhedreke, Mitjhaka, Abhedinigo, kuliqiniso na ukuthi anilotjhi abozimu bami+ nokuthi niyabhala ukulotjha isithombe segolide engisijamisileko? 15 Nje-ke nanizwa itjhada lepalapala, lamafuludi ahlukahlukeneko, lamaharibha, leenara ezihlukahlukeneko, nelayo yoke imihlobo yeenliliswa, nangabe nikulungele ukuguqa benilotjhe isithombe engisenzileko, kulungile. Kodwana nangabe niyabhala ukusilotjha, nizokuphoselwa msinyana ngekehleni yomlilo ovuthako. Kazi ngimuphi uzimu onganisindisa esandleni sami?”+

16 UTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo baphendula ikosi bathi: “Nebukadinetsari, akutlhogeki sikuphendule endabeni le. 17 Nange kutlhogeka kosi, uZimethu esimlotjhako angakghona ukusisindisa ekehleni yomlilo ovuthako nokusihlangula esandleni sakho.+ 18 Kodwana ngitjho nanyana angakwenzi lokho, sibawa wazi kosi, ukuthi angekhe sibalotjhe abozimu bakho namkha silotjhe isithombe segolide osijamisileko.”+

19 Nakezwa lokho, uNebukadinetsari wakwata wadlhabhaza ngokwenziwe nguTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo kangangobana umkhumbulwakhe watjhuguluka ngokupheleleko ngabo, wakhupha nomyalo wokobana ikehla yomlilo ibaselelwe ngokubuyelelwe kalikhomba ukudlula okujayelekileko. 20 Wayala amanye amadoda anamandla webutho lakhe bonyana abophe uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo abaphosele ngekehleni yomlilo ovuthako.

21 Nje-ke amadoda la abotjhwa asambethe iimphuraphura, iingwani nazo zoke ezinye izambatho zawo, aphoselwa ekehleni yomlilo ovuthako. 22 Ngebanga lokuthi umyalo wekosi bewuqine khulu begodu ikehla beyitjhisa ngendlela erarako, amadoda athatha uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo ngiwo abulawa malangabi womlilo. 23 Kodwana amadoda amathathu la, uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo, awela ngekehleni yomlilo ovuthako abotjhiwe.

24 Ngemva kwalokho iKosi uNebukadinetsari yarhidlwa livalo, yasikima msinyana yathi eenkhulwini zayo eziphakemeko: “Angithi bewamathathu amadoda esiwabophileko sawaphosela emlilweni?” Zaphendula ikosi zathi: “Iye kosi.” 25 Yathi: “Qalani! Ngibona amadoda amane azikhambela ngokutjhaphulukileko ngaphakathi komlilo, awakatjhi begodu yesine ibonakala njengendodana yabozimu.”

26 UNebukadinetsari watjhidela emnyango wekehla yomlilo ovuthako, wathi: “Tjhedreke, Mitjhaka, Abhedinigo, nina nceku zakaZimu oPhezukoke,+ phumelani ngaphandle nizapha!” UTjhedreke, uMitjhaka no-Abhedinigo baphuma phakathi komlilo. 27 Abondunakulu, iinduna, ababusi neenkhulu eziphakemeko zekosi ebezihlangene lapho+ zabona ukuthi umlilo azange uyenze litho imizimba yamadoda la;+ asikho ngitjho nesihluthu sinye ehlokwenawo ebesirhatjulwe mlilo, iimphuraphura zawo bezisesenjalo, bewanganalo ngitjho nephunga lomlilo.

28 Nje-ke uNebukadinetsari wamemezela wathi: “Akadunyiswe uZimu kaTjhedreke, uMitjhaka, no-Abhedinigo,+ othumele ingilozakhe begodu wasindisa iinceku zakhe. Bathembele kuye benza okuphambene nomyalo wekosi begodu bebazimisele ukufa kunokulotjha omunye uzimu ngaphandle kwakaZimabo.+ 29 Nje-ke ngikhupha umyalo wokobana nanyana ngibaphi abantu, isitjhaba namkha ilimi abakhuluma nanyana yini embi ngoZimu kaTjhedreke, uMitjhaka, no-Abhedinigo kufuze bahlahlelwe nezindlu zabo zenziwe iindawo zokuzithumela zomphakathi;* ngombana akakho omunye uzimu ongasindisa njengalo.”+

30 Yeke ikosi yakhuphulela uTjhedreke, uMitjhaka, no-Abhedinigo eenkhundleni eziphezulu esifundeni seBhabhiloni.+

4 “Ivela eKosini uNebukadinetsari iya kibo boke abantu, iintjhaba nabantu bawo woke amalimi abahlala kilo loke iphasi: Ukuthula kwenu akwande! 2 Kuyangithabisa ukumemezela kini iimbonakaliso neemangaliso uZimu oPhezukoke azenze kimi. 3 Maye! Zikulu kangangani iimbonakaliso zakhe begodu zinamandla kangangani iimangaliso zakhe. Umbuswakhe uhlala ngokungapheliko nobukhosi bakhe ngebeenzukulwana neenzukulwana.+

4 “Mina Nebukadinetsari bengizigedlile kwami nginepumelelo esigodlweni sami. 5 Ngaba nebhudango elangithusa khulu. Ngisalele embhedenami, iinthombe nemibono engiyibonileko kwangithusa.+ 6 Nje-ke ngakhupha umyalo wokobana kulethwe kimi woke amadoda ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni bona azongihlathululela ibhudangwelo.+

7 “Ngesikhatheso kwangena abaphristi ababosomlingo, ababhuli, amaKhaledi* nabathukula ngeenkwekwezi.+ Ngithe nangibatjela ngebhudangwelo, babhalelwa kungihlathululela lona.+ 8 Ekugcineni kwangena phambi kwami uDanyela, loyo igama lakhe kunguBhelithetjhatsari+ othiyelelwe ngegama lakazimami+ begodu onommoya wabozimu abacwengileko,+ ngamtjela ngebhudangwelo:

9 “‘Bhelithetjhatsari nduna yabaphristi ababosomlingo,+ ngazi kuhle ukuthi unommoya wabozimu abacwengileko+ nokuthi ayikho ifihlo ebudisi kuwe.+ Nje-ke ngihlathululela imibono engiyibone ebhudangweni lami nokuthi itjho ukuthini.

10 “‘Emibonweni engifikele ngisalele embhedenami, ngabona umuthi+ ekabeni yephasi, bewumude ngokurarako.+ 11 Umuthi lo wakhula, wadzimelela, isitlhori sawo safika ezulwini begodu bewubonakala nemaphethelweni walo loke iphasi. 12 Amakarawo bewamahle, uneenthelo ezinengi begodu unokudla kwabo boke. Iimbandana bezihlala emthunzinawo, iinyoni zomkayi bezakhela eempandeni zawo begodu zoke iimbunjwa bezidla kiwo.

13 “‘Nangisaqale imibono le ngisalele embhedenami, ngabona isithunywa,* ocwengileko, ehla avela ezulwini.+ 14 Warhuwelela khulu, wathi: “Quntani umuthi loyo,+ quntani iimpande zawo, thintithani amakarawo nihlakaze neenthelo zawo! Iimbandana azibaleke ngaphasi kwawo neenyoni azisuke eempandeni zawo. 15 Kodwana tjhiyani isidindi nemirabhaso ehlabathini, nisibophe ngebhande lesimbi nekhopha hlangana notjani bemmangweni. Asithanjiswe mbethe wezulwini, sihlale neembandana hlangana neentjalo zephasi.+ 16 Ihliziywaso yomuntu ayitjhugululwe ibe ngeyesibandana begodu akudlule iinkhathi ezilikhomba+ phezu kwaso.+ 17 Umyalo lo uza ngeenthunywa,*+ nesibawesi siza ngelizwi labacwengileko, bona abantu abaphilako bazi ukuthi oPhezukoke uMbusi embusweni wabantu+ nokuthi uwunikela nanyana ngubani afuna ukumnikela wona, begodu kiwo ubeka ngitjho nomuntu onyazeka kunabo boke.”

18 “‘Ngilelo-ke ibhudango mina Kosi Nebukadinetsari engilibhudangileko, nje-ke wena Bhelithetjhatsari, ngihlathululela lona ngombana woke amanye amadoda ahlakaniphileko wembuswenami abhalelwe ukungihlathululela lona.+ Kodwana wena ungakghona ngombana unommoya wabozimu abacwengileko.’

19 “Ngesikhatheso uDanyela, loyo igama lakhe kunguBhelithetjhatsari,+ warhidlwa livalo isikhatjhana nemicabangwakhe yathoma ukumthusa.

“Ikosi yathi kuye, ‘Bhelithetjhatsari ungavumeli ibhudangweli nehlathululwalo kukuthuse.’

“UBhelithetjhatsari waphendula wathi, ‘Kosami, kwanga ibhudangweli lingasebenza kilabo abakuhloyileko nehlathululwalo isebenze emanabenakho.

20 “‘Umuthi owubonileko, owakhula khulu, wadzimelela, isitlhori sawo safika ezulwini, wabonakala ephasini loke,+ 21 ebewunamakari amahle, iinthelo ezinengi, nokudla kwabo boke, iimbandana ebezikhosela kiwo, lowo iinyoni zomkayi ebezakhela eempandeni zawo,+ 22 nguwe kosi, ngombana ukhule khulu, wadzimelela begodu iphazimulwakho ikhule beyayokufika ezulwini+ nobukhosi bakho bafika emaphethelweni wephasi.+

23 “‘Ikosi yabona isithunywa,* ocwengileko+ ehla avela ezulwini, obekathi: “Quntani umuthi loyo niwutjhabalalise, kodwana tjhiyani isidindi nemirabhaso ehlabathini, nisibophe ngebhande lesimbi nekhopha hlangana notjani bemmangweni. Asithanjiswe mbethe wezulwini, begodu sihlale neembandana bekudlule iinkhathi ezilikhomba phezu kwaso.”+ 24 Nasi ihlathululwalo kosi; ibhudangweli limyalo ovela koPhezukoke walokho okufuze kwehlele umphathami, ikosi. 25 Uzokuqothwa hlangana nabantu, begodu uzokuhlala neembandana, uzokudla utjani njengeenkomo; uzokuthanjiswa mbethe wezulwini+ begodu kuzokudlula iinkhathi ezilikhomba phezu kwakho,+ bekube kulapho wazi khona ukuthi oPhezukoke uMbusi embusweni wabantu nokuthi uwunikela nanyana ngubani afuna ukumnikela wona.+

26 “‘Kodwana njengombana kuthiwe kutjhiywe isiqu somuthi nemirabhaso,+ umbuswakho uzokuba ngowakho godu nasele wazi ukuthi uZimu uyabusa ezulwini. 27 Nje-ke kosi, kwanga iseluleko sami singamukeleka kuwe. Tjhuguluka ezonweni zakho ngokwenza okulungileko, nekukhohlakaleni kwakho ngokuthi ube nesirhawu kwabadududu. Mhlamunye ipumelelwakho izakungezelelwa.’”+

28 Koke lokhu kwehlela iKosi uNebukadinetsari.

29 Ngemva kweenyanga ezilitjhumi nambili, ikosi beyikhamba emfulelweni wesigodlo seBhabhiloni. 30 Ikosi beyithi: “Kghani le akusiliBhabhiloni eliKhulu engilakhele indlu yobukhosi ngamandlami nengilakhele iphazimulo yobukhosi bami?”

31 Ikosi ithe ingakaliginyi lelo, kwazwakala ilizwi livela ezulwini lathi: “Kuthiwa kuwe, Kosi Nebukadinetsari, ‘Umbuso uthethwe kuwe,+ 32 uyaqothwa ebantwini. Uzokuhlala neembandana, uzokudla utjani njengeenkomo, begodu kuzokudlula iinkhathi ezilikhomba phezu kwakho, bekube kulapho wazi khona ukuthi oPhezukoke uMbusi embusweni wabantu begodu uwunikela nanyana ngubani afuna ukumnikela wona.’”+

33 Khonokho ilizwelo lazaliseka kuNebukadinetsari. Waqothwa ebantwini, wadla utjani njengeenkomo, umzimbakhe wathanjiswa mbethe wezulwini, bekwaba kulapho iinhluthu zakhe ziba zide njengeensiba zekhozi begodu iinzipho zakhe zafana neenzipho zeenyoni.+

34 “Kuthe nakuphela isikhatheso+ mina Nebukadinetsari, ngaqala ezulwini, ngabuyelwa mkhumbulo; ngadumisa bengaphazimulisa oPhezukoke ophila ngokungapheliko, ngombana ubukhosi bakhe buhlala ngokungapheliko nombuswakhe ngoweenzukulwana neenzukulwana.+ 35 Zoke izakhamuzi zephasi ziqalwa njengezingasililitho begodu wenza ngokuvumelana nentandwakhe hlangana nebutho lezulwini nezakhamuzini zephasi. Akakho ongamvimba+ namkha athi kuye, ‘Wenzani?’+

36 “Khonokho ngabuyelwa mkhumbulo, ubukhazikhazi bombuswami, ubukhosi bami, nephazimulwami kwabuyela kimi.+ Ngafunwa beluleki bami neenkhulu, ngabuyiselwa embuswenami begodu kwangezelelwa ubukhulu kimi.

37 “Nje-ke mina Nebukadinetsari, ngidumisa, ngiphakamise bengiphazimulise iKosi yezulwini+ ngombana yoke imisebenzayo iliqiniso neendlela zayo zilungile+ nangombana ikghona ukuhlazisa abazikhakhazisako.”+

5 IKosi uBhelitjhatsari,+ yenzela iinkhulu zayo eziyikulungwana umnyanya omkhulu begodu beyisela iwayini phambi kwazo.+ 2 Adakwe liwayini, uBhelitjhatsari wakhupha umyalo wokobana kulethwe izitja zegolide nezesiliva uyise uNebukadinetsari azithatha ngethempelini eliseJerusalema,+ bona ikosi neenkhulu zayo, amakhohlwayo nabanye abafazi bayo basele ngazo. 3 Yeke baletha izitja zegolide ebezithethwe ethempelini lendlu kaZimu eseJerusalema, ikosi neenkhulu zayo, amakhohlwayo nabanye abafazi bayo basela ngazo. 4 Basela iwayini, badumisa abozimu begolide nebesiliva, bekhopha, besimbi, bekhuni nebelitje.

5 Khonokho kwabonakala imino yesandla somuntu, yathoma ukutlola ebodeni elitshidziweko lesigodlo sekosi phambi kwesibani, ikosi beyikghona ukubona ingemuva lesandla njengombana imino itlola. 6 Nje-ke ubuso bekosi batjhuguluka baba tshetlha, imicabangwayo yayithusa, imilenzayo yahlengezela,+ amadolwayo athoma ukubethana.

7 Ikosi yarhuwelela bona kubizwe ababhuli, amaKhaledi* nabathukula ngeenkwekwezi.+ Ikosi yathi emadodeni ahlakaniphileko weBhabhiloni: “Nanyana ngubani ongafunda umtlolo lo angihlathululele wona uzokwembathiswa isambatho esisipiridzana, afakwe nomgejiso wegolide entanyenakhe+ begodu uzokuba mbusi wesithathu embusweni.”+

8 Yeke kwangena woke amadoda ahlakaniphileko wekosi, kodwana abhalelwa kufunda umtlolo namkha ukuhlathululela ikosi bona utjho ukuthini.+ 9 IKosi uBhelitjhatsari yathukwa khulu nobuso bayo baba tshetlha; iinkhulu zayo zarareka.+

10 Indlovukazi nayizwa ngalokho ikosi neenkhulu zayo ebebakhuluma ngakho, yangena ngewolweni lomnyanya. Indlovukazi yathi: “Maye! Kosi, kwanga ungaphila ngokungapheliko. Ungayivumeli imicabangwakho ikuthuse namkha uvumele ubuso bakho bube tshetlha. 11 Kukhona indoda embuswenakho enommoya wabozimu abacwengileko. Emihleni kayihlo, beyiyindoda ekhanyiselweko, enelemuko nokuhlakanipha okufana nokuhlakanipha kwabozimu.+ Uyihlo, iKosi uNebukadinetsari yambeka bona abe yinduna yabaphristi ababosomlingo, ababhuli, amaKhaledi* nabathukula ngeenkwekwezi,+ uyihlo wakwenza lokho kosami. 12 Ngombana uDanyela, ikosi eyamthiya bona nguBhelithetjhatsari,+ bekanommoya ongakajayeleki, ilwazi nelemuko lokuhlathulula amabhudango, lokuhlathulula iinrarejo nelokurarulula imiraro ebudisi.*+ Nje-ke yala bona kubizwe uDanyela, uzokuhlathululela.”

13 Nje-ke uDanyela wangeniswa phambi kwekosi. Ikosi yambuza yathi: “UnguDanyela ovela ebantwini bakwaJuda abadingisiweko,+ loyo ubaba ikosi eyamkhupha kwaJuda?+ 14 Ngizwile ngawe ukuthi unommoya wabozimu+ nokuthi ukhanyiselwe begodu unelemuko nokuhlakanipha okungakajayeleki.+ 15 Nje-ke kulethwe kimi amadoda ahlakaniphileko nababhuli bona bazokufunda umtlolo lo begodu bangihlathululele wona, kodwana akhenge bakghone ukungihlathululela umlayezo lo.+ 16 Ngizwile bona ukghona ukuhlathulula+ nokurarulula imiraro ebudisi.* Yeke nawungakghona ukufunda umtlolo lo nokungihlathululela wona, uzokwembathiswa isambatho esisipiridzana, ufakwe nomgejiso wegolide entanyenakho begodu uzokuba mbusi wesithathu embusweni.”+

17 UDanyela wathi ekosini: “Ngiyazithokoza izipho zakhwezo ungazipha abanye. Nanyana kunjalo, ngizokufundela umtlolo lo begodu ngikuhlathululele wona. 18 Malungana nawe kosi, uZimu oPhezukoke wanikela uyihlo uNebukadinetsari umbuso, ubukhulu, idumo nobukhosi.+ 19 Ngebanga lobukhulu uZimu amnikela bona, boke abantu, iintjhaba namalimi bebathuthumela ngokusaba phambi kwakhe.+ Nanyana ngubani obekafuna ukumbulala bekambulala namkha amlise aphila nanyana ngubani obekafuna ukumphakamisa bekamphakamisa namkha amhlazise.+ 20 Kodwana kuthe lokha ihliziywakhe nayithoma ukuzikhakhazisa wathoma ukuba nekani kangangobana waziphakamisa,+ wehliswa esihlalweni sobukhosi embuswenakhe, bewalahlekelwa sithunzi sakhe. 21 Waqothwa ebantwini, ihliziywakhe yenziwa yaba njengeyesibandana, wahlala nabodumbana bommango. Wanikelwa bona adle utjani njengeenkomo, umzimbakhe wathanjiswa mbethe wezulwini, bekwaba kulapho azi ukuthi uZimu oPhezukoke uMbusi embusweni wabantu nokuthi uwunikela nanyana ngubani afuna ukumnikela wona.+

22 “Kodwana wena Bhelitjhatsari ndodanakhe, akhenge uzithobe, ngitjho nanyana ukwazi koke lokhu. 23 Kunalokho, uziphakamisile waphikisana neKosi yezulwini,+ wayala bona ulethelwe izitja zendlwayo.+ Ngemva kwalokho wena neenkhulu zakho, amakhohlwakho nabanye abafazi bakho nasela ngazo iwayini nadumisa abozimu besiliva nebegolide, bekhopha, besimbi, bekhuni nebamatje, abozimu abangaboni litho, abangezwa litho nabangazi litho.+ Akhenge uphazimulise uZimu ophethe ukuphila kwakho+ neendlela zakho zoke. 24 Nje-ke nguye othumele isandlesi, kwatlolwa umtlolo lo.+ 25 Nakhu umtlolo owatlolwako: MENE, MENE, TEKELE UFARSINI.

26 “Nasi ihlathululo yamezwi la: MENE, uZimu uwabalile amalanga wombuswakho begodu uwafikise ekupheleni.+

27 “TEKELE, ulinganisiwe esilinganisweni wafunyanwa ubulula.

28 “UFARSINI, umbuswakho uhlukaniswe phakathi, wanikelwa amaMede namaPheresiya.”+

29 Yeke uBhelitjhatsari wakhupha umyalo, kwambathiswa uDanyela isambatho esisipiridzana wafakwa umgejiso wegolide entanyeni; kwamenyezelwa ukuthi uzokuba mbusi wesithathu embusweni.+

30 Ngobusukobo uBhelitjhatsari ikosi yamaKhaledi* wabulawa.+ 31 UDariyasi+ umMede wafumana umbuso; bekaneminyaka ema-62 ubudala.

6 UDariyasi wabona kukuhle bona abeke abondunakulu abali-120 embuswenakhe woke.+ 2 Wabeka iinkhulu ezintathu eziphakemeko bona zibe baphathi babo ukuthi ikosi ingalobi litho; uDanyela bekangomunye weenkhulwezo.+ 3 Nje-ke uDanyela wazibonakalisa angcono khulu kunezinye iinkhulu eziphakemeko nabondunakulu ngombana bekanommoya ongakajayeleki+ begodu ikosi beyifuna ukumkhuphula imbeke phezu kombuswayo woke.

4 Ngesikhatheso iinkhulu eziphakemeko nabondunakulu bezifuna izinto ezingamangalela ngazo uDanyela ngokuphathelene neendaba zombuso kodwana azange zifumane nento yinye tere ebezingammangalela ngayo namkha into ekhohlakeleko ayenzako ngombana bekathembekile begodu akukho ukuliselela namkha ikohlakalo eyafunyanwa kuye. 5 Yeke amadoda la athi: “Akunanto esizoyifumana esingamangalela ngayo uDanyelakazi lo, ngaphandle kokuthi sifumane into ephikisana nomthetho kaZimakhe.”+

6 Nje-ke iinkhulu eziphakemekwezi nabondunakulu bangena ngekosini uDariyasi basiqhema, bathi kiyo: “Bayede Kosi Dariyasi, kwanga ungaphila ngokungapheliko. 7 Boke abeluleki bekosi, iinduna, abondunakulu, iinkhulu eziphakemeko zebukhosini nababusi, bahlanganise iinhloko bona kukhutjhwe umyalo okhandelako ozokusebenza amalanga ama-30, wokobana nanyana ngubani owenza isibawo kinanyana ngimuphi uzimu namkha umuntu ngaphandle kwakho, kosi, kufuze aphoselwe ngemgodini wamabhubezi.+ 8 Nje-ke kosi, sibawa uwuphasise umyalo loyo begodu uwutlikitle+ bona ungatjhugululwa, ngokuvumelana nomthetho wamaMede namaPheresiya, ongekhe watjhugululwa.”+

9 Nje-ke ikosi uDariyasi yawutlikitla umyalo okhandelako loyo.

10 Kodwana msinyana uDanyela nakezwa bona umyalo lo utlikitliwe, wangena ngendlinakhe. Waya ekumbeni esephahleni ebeyinamafesidere avulekele ngeJerusalema.+ Kathathu ngelanga bekaguqa athandaze begodu adumise uZimakhe, njengombana bekajayele ukwenza ngaphambi kwalokhu. 11 Ngesikhatheso amadoda lawo angena aphosekile ngendlini kaDanyela amfumana ancenga begodu arabhela umusa kuZimakhe.

12 Nje-ke atjhinga ekosini ayikhumbuza ngomyalo okhandelako okhutjhwe yikosi: “Akhenge na utlikitle umyalo okhandelako othi emalangeni ama-30, nanyana ngimuphi umuntu owenza isibawo kinanyana ngimuphi uzimu namkha umuntu ngaphandle kwakho, kufuze aphoselwe ngemgodini wamabhubezi?” Ikosi yaphendula yathi: “Indaba leyo iqinisekiswe kuhle ngokuvumelana nomthetho wamaMede namaPheresiya, ongeze watjhugululwa.”+ 13 Khonokho athi ekosini: “UDanyela, ongomunye wabadingisiweko bakwaJuda,+ ukudelelile kosi, wadelela nomyalo okhandelako owutlikitlileko, ngombana uthandaza kathathu ngelanga.”+ 14 Ithe ikosi ingezwa lokho, yatshwenyeka khulu, yacabanga indlela yokusindisa uDanyela; yenza koke engakwenza bona imsindise bekwatjhinga ilanga. 15 Ekugcineni amadoda lawo angena ngekosini asiqhema, athi kiyo: “Sibawa utjheje kosi, ukuthi umthetho wamaMede namaPheresiya uthi, nanyana ngimuphi umyalo okhandelako okhutjhwa yikosi angekhe utjhugululwe.”+

16 Nje-ke ikosi yakhupha umyalo, baletha uDanyela bamphosela ngemgodini wamabhubezi.+ Ikosi yathi kuDanyela: “UZimakho ohlala umlotjha uzokusindisa.” 17 Yeke kwalethwa ilitje kwavalwa ngalo umgodi, ikosi yalitshwaya ngedzilamnwanalo enetshwayo nedzilamnwana yeenkhulu zayo, ukwenzela bona kungabi nalitho elitjhugululwako ngokuphathelene noDanyela.

18 Ngemva kwalokho ikosi yatjhinga ngesigodlweni. Yazila ukudla ubusuku boke, azange ifune nanyana yini yokuyithabisa* begodu beyingakghoni ukulala ubusuku boke. 19 Kwathi ngamarimarima, ikosi yasikima yarhabela emgodini wamabhubezi. 20 Njengombana itjhidela emgodini, yarhuwelela uDanyela ngelizwi elitlhuwisako. Ikosi yathi kuDanyela: “Danyela, nceku kaZimu ophilako, uZimakho ohlala umlotjha ukusindisile na emabhubezini?” 21 Khonokho uDanyela wathi ekosini: “Bayede kosi, kwanga ungaphila ngokungapheliko. 22 UZimami uthumele ingilozakhe bona ivale imilomo yamabhubezi,+ nje-ke awakangilimazi+ ngombana benginganamlandu kuye begodu angikenzi litho elimbi kuwe, kosi.”

23 Ikosi yathaba khulu, yayala bona uDanyela akhutjhwe ngemgodini. UDanyela nakakhutjhwa ngemgodini, bekangakalimali nakancani ngombana wathembela kuZimakhe.+

24 Ngemva kwalokho ikosi yakhupha umyalo, kwalethwa amadoda ebekamangalele uDanyela, wona, amadodanawo nabafazi bawo baphoselwa ngemgodini wamabhubezi. Athi angakafiki ekugcineni komgodi, amabhubezi ababhudungela begodu aphohloza woke amathambabo.+

25 Nje-ke iKosi uDariyasi yatlolela boke abantu, iintjhaba namalimi abahlala ephasini loke,+ yathi: “Ukuthula akwande kini! 26 Ngikhupha umyalo wokobana kizo zoke iindawo zombuswami, abantu kufuze bahlengezele ngokusaba phambi kwakaZimu kaDanyela.+ Ngombana unguZimu ophilako ohlala kuze kube nini nanini. Umbuswakhe angekhe utjhatjalaliswe begodu ubukhosi bakhe buhlala ngokungapheliko.+ 27 Uyahlenga,+ asindise begodu enze iimbonakaliso neemangaliso ezulwini nephasini+ ngombana usindise uDanyela emandleni wamabhubezi.”

28 Ngalokho uDanyela waphumelela embusweni kaDariyasi+ nembusweni kaKoretjhi umPheresiya.+

7 Ngomnyaka wokuthoma weKosi yeBhabhiloni uBhelitjhatsari,+ uDanyela wafikelwa libhudango nemibono asalele embhedenakhe.+ Nje-ke walitlola phasi ibhudangwelo,+ watlola ngokuzeleko ngeendabezi. 2 UDanyela wathi:

“Bengibukele emibonwenami ebusuku, ngabona imimoya emine yezulwini iphehla ilwandle elikhulu.+ 3 Kwaphuma iimbandana ezine ezikulu+ ngelwandle, ngasinye sihlukile kwezinye.

4 “Sokuthoma besinjengebhubezi,+ sinamaphiko wekhozi.+ Ngabukela bekwaba kulapho kutsonyulwa amaphikwaso, saphakanyiswa ephasini, sajanyiswa ngeenyawo ezimbili njengomuntu begodu sanikelwa ihliziyo yomuntu.

5 “Ngisaqale njalo kwavela esinye isibandana sesibili, esinjengebhere.+ Saphakanyiswa ihlangothi linye, besiphethe iimbambo ezintathu ngamazinywaso; kwathiwa kiso, ‘Sikima, idla inyama enengi.’+

6 “Ngemva kwalokho ngasolo ngibukele, ngabona esinye isibandana esinjengengwe,+ kodwana ngemuva sinamaphiko amane afana newenyoni. Isibandanesi besineenhloko ezine+ begodu sanikelwa amandla wokubusa.

7 “Ngemva kwalokho ngaraga nokubukela emibonweni yebusuku, ngabona isibandana sesine, esisabisako, esithusako nesinamandla ngokurarako begodu besinamazinyo amakhulu wesimbi. Besirhiribidela, siphihlize begodu sigadange okuseleko ngeenyawo zaso.+ Besihlukile kizo zoke iimbandana ezivele ngaphambi kwaso begodu besineempondo ezilitjhumi. 8 Ngisacabangisisa ngeempondwezi, kwavela iphondo elincani+ hlangana nazo, kwathi iimpondo ezintathu kilezo zokuthoma zatsonyulwa phambi kwalo. Godu bekunamehlo afana newomuntu ephondweneli begodu bekunomlomo okhuluma ngokuzikhakhazisa.*+

9 “Ngasolo ngibukele bekwabekwa iinhlalo zobukhosi endawenazo begodu oMdala wamaLanga+ wahlala phasi.+ Isambatho sakhe besimhlophe njengegabhogo,+ iinhluthu zakhe bezinjengewulu ehlanzekileko. Isihlalo sakhe sobukhosi besimalangabi womlilo; amavili waso bekamlilo ovuthako.+ 10 Umlambo womlilo wageleza uphuma uvela kuye.+ Iinkulungwana eziyikulungwana zeengilozi bezimlotjha begodu iinkulungwana ezilitjhumi ezibuyelelwe ngeenkulungwana ezilitjhumi zeengilozi bezijame phambi kwakhe.+ IKhotho*+ yahlala phasi, kwavulwa neencwadi.

11 “Ngasolo ngibukele ngesikhatheso ngebanga letjhada lamezwi wokuzikhakhazisa* ebewakhulunywa liphondwelo,+ ngabukela bekwaba kulapho kubulawa isibandaneso begodu umzimbaso watjhatjalaliswa, wanikelwa bona utjhiswe ngomlilo. 12 Kodwana malungana nalezi ezinye iimbandana,+ zathathelwa ubukhosi bazo begodu zavunyelwa bona zirage nokuphila isikhathi esithileko.

13 “Ngasolo ngibukele emibonwenami yebusuku, ngabona othileko onjengendodana yomuntu eza ngamafu wezulwini,+ wavunyelwa ukungena koMdala wamaLanga,+ walethwa phambi kwakhe. 14 Wanikelwa ubukhosi,+ idumo+ nombuso, bona boke abantu, iintjhaba namalimi bamlotjhe.+ Ubukhosi bakhe bukhosi obuzokuhlala ngokungapheliko, obungekhe budlule nombuswakhe angekhe utjhatjalaliswe.+

15 “Malungana nami, Danyela, ummoyami watshwenyeka ngaphakathi ngombana imibono engayibonako yangithusa.+ 16 Ngaya komunye walabo ebebajame lapho ngayombawa bona angihlathululele ukuthi lokhu kuhlekuhle kutjho ukuthini. Wangiphendula, wangazisa ihlathululo yezintwezi.

17 “‘Iimbandana ezikulwezi, ezine,+ makhosi amane azokuvela ephasini.+ 18 Kodwana abacwengileko bakaZimu oPhakemeko,+ bazokwamukela umbuso,+ umbuso uzokuba ngewabo ngokungapheliko,+ kwamambala, nini nanini.’

19 “Nje-ke bengifuna ukwazi okungeziweko ngesibandana sesine ebesihluke kunazo zoke ezinye; ebesithusa ngokurarako, sinamazinyo wesimbi namazipho wekhopha begodu sirhiribidela, siphihliza begodu sigadanga okuseleko ngeenyawo zaso,+ 20 bengifuna ukwazi nangeempondo ezilitjhumi+ ezisehlokwenaso nangephondo elavelako okwawa amathathu phambi kwalo,+ iphondo ebelinamehlo nomlomo okhuluma ngokuzikhakhazisa* nebelibonakala lilikhulu kunamanye.

21 “Ngasolo ngibukele njengombana iphondwelo lilwa nabacwengileko, begodu belibahlula,+ 22 bekwafika oMdala wamaLanga,+ wakhupha isahlulelo esijamele abacwengileko bakaZimu oPhakemeko,+ kwafika nesikhathi esibekiweko sokobana abacwengileko banikelwe umbuso.+

23 “Nakhu akutjho: ‘Malungana nesibandana sesine, kunombuso wesine ozokuvela ephasini. Uzokuhluka kiyo yoke imibuso, uzokurhiribidela loke iphasi, uligadange begodu uliphihlize.+ 24 Malungana neempondo ezilitjhumi, kuzokuvela amakhosi alitjhumi embusweni loyo; kuthi kusesenjalo kuvele enye ngemva kwawo, izokuhluka kewokuthoma begodu izokuthobisa amakhosi amathathu.+ 25 Izokukhuluma amezwi aphikisa oPhezukoke,+ izokuragela phambili nokutlhorisa abacwengileko bakaZimu oPhakemeko. Izokufuna ukutjhugulula iinkhathi nomthetho, begodu bazokunikelwa esandleni sayo isikhathi, iinkhathi nengcenye yesikhathi.*+ 26 Kodwana iKhotho yahlala phasi, yayithathela ubukhosi, bona iyirhayile begodu iyitjhabalalise ngokupheleleko.+

27 “‘Umbuso, ubukhosi nobukhulu bemibuso engaphasi kwalo loke izulu, yanikelwa abantu abacwengileko bakaZimu oPhakemeko.+ Umbuswabo, mbuso ongapheliko,+ woke amakhosi azobalotjha begodu abalalele.’

28 “Indaba le iphelela la. Malungana nami, Danyela, imicabangwami ingithuse khulu, yeke ngatjhuguluka ngaba tshetlha; kodwana indaba le ngasolo ngiyibeke ehliziywenami.”

8 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kweKosi uBhelitjhatsari,+ mina Danyela, ngabona umbono ngemva kwalowo engawubona phambilini.+ 2 Embonweni loyo, njengombana ngiqalile, bengisesigodlweni seTjhutjhani,*+ esisesifundeni se-Elamu,+ embonweni loyo, bengijame eduze nomlanjana we-Ulayi. 3 Ngithe nangiphakamisa amehlwami, ngabona eduze nomlanjana kujame iramu+ elineempondo ezimbili.+ Iimpondo ezimbilezi bezizide kodwana elinye iphondo belilide ukudlula elinye begodu elideli lavela muva.+ 4 Ngabona iramu ligijima litjhinga etjingalanga, etlhagwini nesewula bona lisahlele, akunasibandana ebesikghona ukujama phambi kwalo begodu bekunganamuntu ongasindisa emandlenalo.+ Belizenzela umathanda begodu liziphakamisa.

5 Njengombana ngisaqalile, ngabona ipongo+ ivela etjingalanga irabhula ephasini loke kodwana ingathinti phasi. Ipongo le beyinephondo eliveleleko hlangana namehlwayo.+ 6 Beyitjhinga erameni elineempondo ezimbili, engalibona lijame eduze nomsele; beyigijimela kilo inelaka elikhulu.

7 Ngayibona itjhinga erameni, ngebelo elikhulu. Yaqhula iramu yaphula iimpondo zalo ezimbili, iramu akhenge libe namandla wokujama phambi kwayo. Yalidula phasi, yaligadanga begodu bekunganamuntu obekangalisindisa emandlenalo.

8 Nje-ke ipongo yaziphakamisa ngokudluleleko, kodwana kuthe lokha iba namandla, iphondo elikhulu laphuka; kwavela iimpondo ezine eziveleleko esikhundleni salo, ziqale ngemagumbini amane wephasi.*+

9 Kwelinye lazo kwavela elinye iphondo, elincani, lakhula khulu latomulukela nca ngesewula, ngepumalanga nangeNarheni Ehle.+ 10 Lakhula khulu belafika ebuthweni lezulwini, labangela amanye amabutho wezulwini nezinye iinkwekwezi bona ziwele ephasini, lazigadanga. 11 Laziphakamisa belaphikisana neKosana yebutho, yathathelwa umhlatjelo owenziwa qobe begodu indawo edzimeleleko yendlwayo ecwengileko yagirizwa.+ 12 Ngebanga lomtjhapho, ibutho nomhlatjelo owenziwa qobe kwanikelwa kilo; lasolo lilahlela iqiniso ephasini, lazenzela umathanda begodu laphumelela.

13 Ngezwa ocwengileko akhuluma, begodu omunye ocwengileko wathi kokhulumako: “Umbono womhlatjelo owenziwa qobe newomtjhapho obangela ukutjhabalalisa uzokuraga bekube kunini,+ bona wenze indawo ecwengileko nebutho kube zizinto zokugadangwa?” 14 Wathi kimi: “Bekudlule amalanga azii-2 300;* ngokuqinisekileko indawo ecwengileko izokubuyiselwa ebujamweni bayo obufaneleko.”

15 Nje-ke mina Danyela, ngithe ngisabukele umbono begodu ngifuna ukuwuzwisisa, kungakalindeleki ngabona othileko onjengomuntu ajame phambi kwami. 16 Ngemva kwalokho ngezwa ilizwi lomuntu hlangana ne-Ulayi,+ warhuwelela wathi: “Gabhariyeli,+ yenza umuntu loyo azwisise akubonileko.”+ 17 Nje-ke watjhidela lapho ebengijame khona, kodwana nakatjhidelako ngathukwa khulu kangangokuthi ngawa ngobuso. Wathi kimi: “Ndodana yomuntu, zwisisa ukuthi umbono lo ungowesikhathi sokuphela.”+ 18 Kodwana kuthe asakhuluma nami, ngalala ubuthongo obukhulu, ubuso bami busehlabathini. Wangithinta, wangijamisa lapho ebengijame khona.+ 19 Wathi: “Ngikwenza bona wazi lokho okuzokwenzeka engcenyeni yamaswaphela yesahlulelo, ngombana umbono lo ungowesikhathi esibekiweko sokuphela.+

20 “Iramu elineempondo ezimbili owalibonako lijamele amakhosi weMediya nePheresiya.+ 21 Ipongo* ijamele ikosi yeGirisi,+ iphondo elikhulu ebelihlangana namehlwayo lijamele ikosi yokuthoma.+ 22 Malungana nephondo elaphukako, kwavela amane esikhundleni salo,+ kuzokuvela imibuso emine esitjhabeni sekosi leyo, kodwana angeze ibe namandla alingana newayo.

23 “Engcenyeni yamaswaphela yokubusa kwayo, njengombana izenzo zabeqa umthetho zizabe sezifike ekupheleni, kuzokuvela ikosi ebonakala inelaka ezwisisa amezwi akhohlisako. 24 Izokuba namandla amakhulu, kodwana ingasi ngamandlayo. Izokutjhabalalisa ngendlela erarako, begodu izokuphumelela ithathe namagadango aphumelelako. Izokutjhabalalisa abanamandla, kuhlanganise nabantu abacwengileko.+ 25 Ngamaqhingayo izokusebenzisa ukukhohlisa bona iphumelele; begodu izoziphakamisa ehliziywenayo; ngesikhathi sevikeleko* izokutjhabalalisa abanengi. Izokuphikisa ngitjho nesikhulu seenkhulu zamabutho kodwana izokuphulwa kungasetjenziswa isandla somuntu.

26 “Okwatjhiwo embonweni malungana namalanga kuliqiniso, kodwana wena ungawutjeli muntu* umbono lo, ngombana uqalisele emalangeni amanengi kusukela nje.”+

27 Mina Danyela, ngazizwa ngidiniwe begodu ngagula amalangana.+ Ngemva kwalokho ngasikima ngenza umsebenzi wekosi+ kodwana bengisaqobekile ngebanga lalokho engikubonileko begodu akunamuntu obekangakuzwisisa.+

9 Ngomnyaka wokuthoma kaDariyasi+ indodana ka-Arhatjhiverotjhi, isizukulwana samaMede, owaba yikosi embusweni wamaKhaledi,*+ 2 emnyakeni wokuthoma wokubusa kwakhe, mina Danyela, ngalemuka ngeencwadi* ngokuya ngelizwi lakaJehova kuJoromiya umphorofidi bona isibalo seminyaka yokuzaliseka kokutjhatjalaliswa kweJerusalema+ sizokuba minyaka ema-70.+ 3 Ngaqala kuJehova uZimu weqiniso, ngambawa ngomthandazo, ngazila+ ngokumbatha umgodla nangokuzithela ngomlotha. 4 Ngathandaza kuJehova uZimami, ngavuma izono, ngathi:

“Jehova Zimu weqiniso, Zimu omkhulu nosabekako, ophetha isivumelwano sakhe, othanda labo abamthandako,+ balalele nemiyalwakhe,+ 5 sizizoni, senze okumbi, senza ngokukhohlakala begodu savukela,+ sitjhiye imiyalwakho nezahlulelo zakho. 6 Akhenge silalele iinceku zakho okubaphorofidi,+ abakhuluma egameni lakho emakhosinethu, emakhosanenethu, kibokhokho bethu nakibo boke abantu benarha. 7 Ukulunga ngekwakho Jehova kodwana thina sembeswe ziinhloni njengombana kunjalo namhlanjesi ebantwini bakwaJuda, ezakhamuzini zeJerusalema nakiwo woke ama-Israyeli aseduze nakude, kizo zoke iinarha owahlakazele kizo ngombana akhenge athembeke kuwe.+

8 “Maye! Jehova, amakhosethu, amakhosanethu nabokhokho bethu sembeswe ziinhloni, ngombana sonile kuwe. 9 Jehova Zimethu uyalibalela, unesirhawu+ kodwana sikuvukele.+ 10 Akhenge silalele ilizwi lakho Jehova Zimethu, sibhalelwe kulandela imithetho osibekele yona ngeenceku zakho okubaphorofidi.+ 11 Woke ama-Israyeli eqe umThethwakho, aphambuka ekulaleleni ilizwi lakho, nje-ke uthululele kithi isiqalekiso nesifungo ekutlolwe ngaso emThethweni kaMosi inceku kaZimu weqiniso,+ ngombana sonile kuwe. 12 Wenze ngokwamezwakho owakhulume malungana nathi+ namalungana nababusi bethu,* ngokusilethela ihlekelele ekulu; ephasini loke akhenge khekwenzeke into efana neyenzeke eJerusalema.+ 13 Njengombana kutloliwe emThethweni kaMosi, yoke ihlekelele yehlele phezu kwethu+ kodwana akhenge sibawe umusakho Jehova Zimethu ngokuphenduka emtjhaphwenethu,+ nangokutjengisa ukuthi siyakuzwisisa ukuthembeka kwakho.

14 “Nje-ke Jehova bewusolo uqalile begodu wasilethela ihlekelele, ngombana Jehova Zimethu ulungile kiyo yoke imisebenzi oyenzileko, nanyana kunjalo akhenge silalele ilizwi lakho.+

15 “Nje-ke Jehova Zimethu, wena owakhupha abantu bakho enarheni yeGibhide ngesandla sakho esinamandla,+ wazenzela negama bekwaba kunamhlanjesi,+ sonile begodu senze ngokukhohlakala. 16 Maye! Jehova, ngokuvumelana nazo zoke izenzo zakho zokulunga,+ siyabawa, kwanga ukusilingeka nelaka lakho kungasuka edorobheni leJerusalema, entabenakho ecwengileko; ngebanga lezono zethu nemitjhapho yabokhokho bethu, iJerusalema nabantu bakho bayinto yokuhlaziswa kibo boke abantu abababhodileko.+ 17 Nje-ke Zimethu, sibawa ulalele umthandazo nesibawo sencekwakho begodu ngebanga legama lakho Jehova, sibawa ubangele nobuso bakho buphazimule phezu kwendawakho ecwengileko+ etjhatjalalisiweko.+ 18 Vula iindlebe zakho Zimami, ulalele! Vula amehlwakho ubone ubujamo bethu obutlhuwisako nedorobho lethu elibizwa ngegama lakho ngombana asikubawi ngebanga lezenzo zethu zokulunga kodwana sikubawa ngesirhawu sakho esikhulu.+ 19 Maye! Jehova, sibawa ulalele. Maye! Jehova, sibawa ulibalele.+ Maye! Jehova, sibawa utjheje bewuthathe igadango. Sibawa ungariyadi ngebanga lakho Zimami ngombana igama lakho libizwe edorobheni lakho nebantwini bakho.”+

20 Nangisakhulumako, ngithandaza, ngivuma izono zami nezabantu bekhethu ama-Israyeli, ngenza isibawo sami somusa phambi kwakaJehova uZimami malungana nentaba ecwengileko kaZimami,+ 21 iye, nangisakhulumako emthandazweni, uGabhariyeli,+ indoda leya engiyibone ekuthomeni embonweni,+ yafika kimi ngidinwe khulu pheze ngesikhathi somnikelo wezipho wantambama. 22 Wangihlathululela, wathi:

“Danyela, ngize bona ngizokunikela ilemuko nokuzwisisa. 23 Nawuthoma ukwenza isibawo sakho, kuphume ilizwi begodu ngize kuwe bona ngizokubikela ngalo ngombana umumuntu oligugu.+ Nje-ke cabangela indaba le begodu uzwisise umbono lo.

24 “Kuneemveke ezima-70* ezibekelwe abantu bekhenu nedorobho lenu elicwengileko,+ bona kususwe ukweqiwa komthetho, kuqedwe isono,+ kuhlawulelwe umtjhapho,+ kulethwe ukulunga okungapheliko,+ kuqinisekiswe umbono nesiphorofido+ begodu kuzeswe oCwengileko wabaCwengileko.* 25 Kufuze wazi begodu uzwisise ukuthi kusukela ekukhutjhweni kwelizwi lokuvuselela nokwakha kabutjha iJerusalema+ bekufike uMesiya*+ oMdosiphambili,+ kuzokuba ziimveke ezili-7 neemveke ezima-62.+ Lizokuvuselelwa begodu lakhiwe kabutjha, libe netatawu lokuthengisela nomsele kodwana kuzokuba ziinkhathi ezibudisi.

26 “Ngemva kweemveke ezima-62, uMesiya uzokuquntwa,*+ angabi nomelamako.+

“Bese abantu bomdosiphambili ozako bazokutjhabalalisa idorobho nendawo ecwengileko.+ Ukuphela kwalo kuzokuba ngasuthi lipheliswe ngeenkhukhula. Kuzokuba nepi bekube sekupheleni, uZimu uqunte bona litjhatjalaliswe.+

27 “Uzokwenza isivumelwano sisebenze ebantwini abanengi iveke yinye; kuthi engcenyeni yeveke leyo, uzokubangela bona kuqedwe umhlatjelo nesipho somnikelo.+

“Ephikweni lezinto ezinyenyisako kuzokuba nobangela ukutjhabalala,+ bekufike isikhathi sokubhubhisa, kuzakuthi lokho uZimu akuquntileko kuthululelwe nakiloyo otjhabalalisako.”

10 Ngomnyaka wesithathu wokubusa kweKosi yePheresiya uKoretjhi,+ uDanyela obekabizwa ngokuthi nguBhelithetjhatsari+ wafumana umlayezo omalungana nepi ekulu, umlayezo loyo bewuliqiniso. Wawuzwisisa begodu walemuka nalokho akubonileko.

2 Emalangeni lawo, mina Danyela, ngalila+ iimveke ezintathu zoke. 3 Akhange ngidle litho elimnandi, akhange ngifake inyama namkha iwayini emlonyenami begodu akhange ngizizese ngamafutha iimveke ezintathu zoke. 4 Ngelanga lama-24 lenyanga yokuthoma, nangiseqadi komlambo omkhulu, iThigrisi,*+ 5 ngaphakamisa amehlo ngabona indoda imbethe ilineni,+ ibophe ibhande elenziwe ngegolide le-Ufazi edinini. 6 Umzimbayo bewufana nekhrisolithe,+ ubuso bayo buphazima njengombani, amehlwayo anjengeembani ezivutha umlilo, imikhono neenyawo zayo zifana nekhopha emanyazelako,+ itjhada lelizwi layo belizwakala njengelabantu abanengi. 7 Mina Danyela, ngawubona ngedwa umbono lo; abantu ebenginabo akhange bawubone.+ Nanyana kunjalo, behlelwa kusaba okukhulu, babaleka bayozifihla.

8 Bangitjhiya ngedwa begodu ngathi nangibona umbono omkhulu lo, ngaphelelwa mamandla ubuso bami bathunya khulu akhenge ngikghone ukwenza litho.+ 9 Kwathi kusesenjalo ngezwa ilizwi layo kodwana nayisakhulumako, ngahloma ihloko phasi ngalala ubuthongo obukhulu.+ 10 Ngezwa isandla singikghwatha,+ sangisikinya bona ngibambelele ngezandla ngiguqe ngamadolo. 11 Yathi kimi:

“Maye! Danyela muntu oligugu.+ Lalelisisa amezwi engizokutjela wona. Sikima ujame ngeenyawo, ngombana ngithunyelwe kuwe.”

Nangizwa amezwi la ngasikima, ngahlengezela.

12 Yaraga yathi kimi: “Ungasabi+ Danyela. Amezwakho azwakele ngelanga lokuthoma owazimisela ngalo ukufumana ilemuko begodu wazithoba phambi kwakaZimakho, ngizile ngebanga lamezwakho.+ 13 Kodwana ikosana+ yombuso wePheresiya yajamelana nami amalanga ama-21. Kodwana uMikhayeli,*+ ongomunye wamakhosana amakhulu, weza wazongisiza, ngasala lapho eqadi kwamakhosi wePheresiya. 14 Ngizele ukuzokuhlathululela bona khuyini ezokwehlela abantu bekhenu engcenyeni yokugcina yamalanga+ ngombana umbono lo ngewamalanga asezako.”+

15 Ngemva kokungitjela amezwi la, ngahloma ihloko phasi ngaphelelwa mamezwi. 16 Kwathi othileko ofana nomuntu wakghwatha umlomami,+ ngakghona ukukhuluma ngathi emuntwini ojame phambi kwami: “Kosami, ngiyahlengezela ngebanga lombono begodu ngiphelelwe mamandla.+ 17 Mina ncekwakho ngizokukhuluma njani nawe kosami?+ Ngombana anginamandla begodu angikghoni ukwenza litho.”+

18 Ofana nomuntu wangikghwathwa godu wangiqinisa.+ 19 Bese wathi: “Ungasabi,+ muntu oligugu.+ Koke kuzokukhambela kuhle.+ Qina, iye, qina.” Njengombana akhuluma nami ngaqina idolo, ngathi: “Khuluma kosami, ngombana sele ungiqinisile.”

20 Wathi: “Uyazi ukuthi kubayini ngize kuwe? Ngizokubuyela emva ngiyokulwa nekosana yePheresiya.+ Nangikhambako, kuzokufika ikosana yeGirisi. 21 Nanyana kunjalo, ngizokutjela izinto ezitlolwe encwadini yeqiniso. Akekho ongisekela ngokupheleleko kilokhu, ngaphandle kwakaMikhayeli,+ ikosanakho.+

11 “Malungana nami, ngomnyaka wokuthoma kaDariyasi+ umMede, ngasikima bona ngimsekele bengimqinise. 2 Lokho engizokutjela khona nje kuliqiniso:

“Qala! Kuzokusikima amanye amakhosi amathathu ePheresiya begodu yesine izokubuthelela umnotho omkhulu ukudlula woke amanye. Izakuthi ingaba namandla ngebanga lomnothwayo, ivuse yoke into bona ilwe nombuso weGirisi.+

3 “Ikosi enamandla izokusikima ibuse ngamandla amakhulu,+ izenzele umathanda. 4 Kodwana kuzakuthi nasele isikimile, umbuswayo uzokuphulwa uhlukaniselwe emimoyeni emine yezulu+ kodwana ingasi ebantwaneni bayo begodu ingasi ngamandla ebeyibusa ngawo ngombana umbuswayo uzokuruthulwa uye kwabanye.

5 “Ikosi yesewula izokuba namandla. Ikosi leyo ingenye yamakhosanayo kodwana omunye uzoyihlula begodu abuse ngamandla amakhulu adlula amandlayo wokubusa.

6 “Ngemva kweminyaka ethileko bazokwenza itjhebiswano, indodakazi yekosi yesewula izokuza ekosini yetlhagwini bona izokwenza isivumelwano. Kodwana indodakazi leyo angekhe iwabulunge amandla womkhonwayo begodu ikosi angekhe ijame nomkhonwayo angekhe ujame; indodakazi izokunikelwa emandleni wabanye, yona nalabo abayingenisako, uyise naloyo oyenza ibe namandla ngeenkhathezo. 7 Elinye ilunga elivela emndenini wendodakazi lizokuthatha isikhundla sakayise, lizokuza ebuthweni begodu lize lizokusahlela indawo evikelekileko yekosi yetlhagwini, lizokulwa nabo libahlule. 8 Godu lizokuza eGibhide liphethe abozimu balo, iinthombe zalo zesimbi, izinto zalo eziligugu zesiliva, zegolide nabathunjiweko. Lizokukhambela kude nekosi yetlhagwini iminyaka ethileko. 9 Kodwana ikosi yetlhagwini leyo izokuza izokulwa nombuso wekosi yesewula, ibuyele enarhenayo.

10 “Malungana namadodanayo, azokubhincela ipi begodu abuthelele ibutho elikhulu. Mbala izokuza begodu irhurhule njengesikhukhula. Kodwana izokubuyela emva begodu izokusolo ilwa beyiyokufika endawenayo evikelekileko.

11 “Ikosi yesewula izokusilingeka begodu izokuphuma iyokulwa nekosi yetlhagwini; yona izokubuthelela isiqubuthu esikhulu kodwana isiqubuthweso sizokunikelwa esandleni sekosi yangesewula. 12 Isiqubuthweso sizokuthathwa. Ihliziywayo izozikhakhazisa, izokubangela ukuwa kwamatjhumi weenkulungwana kodwana angekhe isisebenzise isikhundla sayo esinamandla.

13 “Ikosi yetlhagwini izokubuya, ibuthelele isiqubuthu esikhulu kunesekuthomeni; ekupheleni kweenkhathi, ngemva kweminyaka ethileko, izokuza nebutho elikhulu neentlabagelo ezinengi. 14 Ngeenkhathezo abanengi bazokuphikisana nekosi yesewula.

“Abanenturhu hlangana nabantu bekhenu bazokuthatheka bona balinge ukwenza umbono ube liqiniso kodwana bazokubhalelwa.

15 “Ikosi yetlhagwini izokuza yakhe umbundu wokuragelela begodu ithumbe idorobho elivikelekileko. Amabutho wekosi yesewula namasotjayo aphuma phambili angekhe ajame; angekhe abe namandla wokuragela phambili ajamile. 16 Loyo ozokulwa nekosi yesewula uzozenzela umathanda begodu akekho ozokujama phambi kwakhe. Uzokujama enarheni yomKghabiso,+ namandla wokutjhabalalisa azokuba sesandleni sakhe. 17 Uzozimisela ukuza ngawo woke amandla wombuswakhe begodu uzokwenza isivumelwano nayo; uzokwenza ngokuphumelelako. Malungana nendodakazi yabafazi, uzokunikelwa bona ayitjhabalalise. Angekhe ijame begodu angekhe irage ingeyakhe. 18 Uzokujikela eenarheni ezimagega nelwandle begodu uzokuthumba ezinengi. Umlawuli uzokuqeda ihlazo ebekamhlazisa ngalo, bona ihlazo lakhe liphele. Uzolenza libuyele kiloyo. 19 Ngemva kwalokho uzokubuyela endaweni evikelekileko yenarhakhe, uzokutherezela awe begodu angekhe asafumaneka.

20 “Esikhundleni sakhe kuzokujama omunye ozokubangela bona umthelisi adlule embusweni wobukhazikhazi kodwana ngemva kwamalangana uzokuphuka kodwana ingasi ngelaka namkha ngepi.

21 “Esikhundleni sakhe kuzokujama omunye onyenyisako begodu angekhe anikelwe ubukhulu bombuso; uzokufika hlangana nesikhathi sevikeleko* athathe umbuso ngobuqili. 22 Amabutho wesikhukhula azokurhurhulwa ngebanga lakhe begodu azokuphulwa njengombana kuzokuba njalo ngoMdosiphambili+ wesivumelwano.+ 23 Ngebanga letjhebiswano abanalo naye, uzokuragela phambili nokukhohlisa bekavuke abe namandla ngesitjhaba esincani. 24 Hlangana nesikhathi sevikeleko uzokuza eengcenyeni ezinothileko zesifunda begodu uzokwenza lokho abokhokho bakhe abangakhange bakwenze. Uzobahlukanisela okudlelezelweko, izinto ezifunyenwe epini nepahla; uzokuluka amanwakhe ngokujamelene neendawo ezivikelekileko kodwana lokho kuzokwenzeka isikhatjhana.

25 “Anebutho elikhulu uzokuvusa amandlakhe nehliziywakhe ngokujamelene nekosi yesewula, ikosi yesewula izozilungiselela ukulwa inebutho elikhulu khulu nelinamandla. Angekhe akghone ukujama ngombana bazokuluka amano ngokujamelene naye. 26 Labo abadla ukudla kwakhe okumnandi bazokubangela ukuwa kwakhe.

“Ibutho lakhe, lizokurhurhulwa begodu abanengi bazokurhayilwa.

27 “Malungana namakhosi amabili la, iinhliziyo zawo zizokutjhigamela ekwenzeni okumbi begodu azokuhlala etafuleni linye aleyelane amala. Kodwana akunalitho elizokuphumelela ngombana ukuphela kungokwesikhathi esibekiweko.+

28 “Ikosi yetlhagwini izokubuyela enarhenayo iphethe ipahla enengi, ihliziywayo izokulwisana nesivumelwano esicwengileko. Izokwenza ngokuphumelelako begodu ibuyele enarhenayo.

29 “Ngesikhathi esibekiweko izokubuya begodu isahlele isewula. Kodwana nje angekhe kube njengaphambilini, 30 ngombana imikhumbi yeKithi+ izokujamelana nayo begodu izokuthotjiswa.

“Izokubuyela emva inqophise ilaka layo esivumelwaneni esicwengileko+ begodu izokwenza ngokuphumelelako, izokubuyela emva begodu izokutjheja labo abatjhiye isivumelwano esicwengileko. 31 Amabutho avela kiyo azokusikima begodu azokuhlambalaza indlu ecwengileko,+ indawo evikelekileko, asuse neminikelo eyenziwa qobe.+

“Azokuhloma into enyenyisako ebangela ukutjhabalala.+

32 “Labo abenza ngokukhohlakala ngokujamelene nesivumelwano, izobadosela ekuhlubukeni ngamezwi wobuqili. Kodwana abantu abazi uZimabo bazokuthumba begodu benze ngokuphumelelako. 33 Bese kuthi labo abanelemuko+ hlangana nabantu bazokwenza abanengi bazwisise. Bazokwenziwa bona bawe ngesabula nangamalangabi, ngokuthunjwa nangokudlelezelwa, amalanga athileko. 34 Kodwana nabawiswako, bazokufumana isizo elincani begodu abanengi bazozibandakanya nabo ngokusebenzisa amezwi wokukhohlisa. 35 Kuthi abanye balabo abanelemuko bazokwenziwa bawe, bonyana kwenziwe umsebenzi wokucwengisa ngebanga labo, kuhlwengiswe begodu kwenziwe kube mhlophe twa+ bekufike isikhathi sokuphela ngombana kungokwesikhathi esibekiweko.

36 “Ikosi le izozenzela umathanda, iziphakamise begodu izidumise ukudlula nanyana ngimuphi uzimu; izokukhuluma izinto ezirarako nangokujamelene noZimu wabozimu.+ Izozibonakalisa iphumelela bekube kulapho isahlulelo sifika emaphethelweni ngombana okuquntiweko kufuze kwenzeke. 37 Angekhe ibe nendaba noZimu wabokhokho bayo namkha ibe nendaba nesifiso sabafazi namkha sananyana ngimuphi omunye uzimu kodwana izoziphazimulisa ngaphezu kwawo woke umuntu. 38 Esikhundleni sakhe izokuphazimulisa uzimu wendawo evikelekileko; izokunikela uzimu abokhokho bayo abangakhenge bamazi iphazimulo ngegolide, isiliva, amatje aligugu nangezinto eziligugu. 39 Izokwenza ngokuphumelelako malungana neendawo zokuphepha ezivikelekileko, isizwa nguzimu wezinye iintjhaba. Izokudumisa labo abayisekelako,* izobenza babuse hlangana nabanengi begodu izokwaba inarha ngentengo.

40 “Esikhathini sokuphela ikosi yesewula izokusunduzana nayo, ikosi yetlhagwini izokuza kiyo njengesiwuruwuru ineenkarana namabutho akhwele iinjomani nangemikhumbi eminengi; izokungena eenarheni izirhurhule njengesikhukhula. 41 Godu izokungena enarheni yomKghabiso+ begodu iinarha ezinengi zizokwenziwa bona ziwe. Kodwana ngilaba abazokuphunyurha esandleni sayo: ngu-Edomu, nguMowabi nengcenye ekulu yama-Amoni. 42 Izokusolo isebenzisa amandlayo ngokujamelene neenarha; godu malungana nenarha yeGibhide, angekhe iphunyurhe. 43 Izokubusa phezu kwamagugu afihliweko wegolide, wesiliva nakizo zoke izinto eziligugu zeGibhide. Bese kuthi amaLibhiya namaTopiya azoyilandela.

44 “Kodwana izokuthikanyezwa mibiko evela epumalanga netlhagwini, yeke izokuphuma ngelaka elikhulu bona iyokurhayila begodu inikele abanengi ekutjhatjalalisweni. 45 Izokuhloma amatende wobukhosi bayo hlangana nelwandle elikhulu nentaba ecwengileko yomKghabiso,+ izokutjhatjalaliswa begodu angekhe ibe nomsizi.

12 “Hlangana nesikhatheso uMikhayeli,+ ikosana ekulu+ ejamela abantu bekhenu, uzokusikima. Kuzokuba nesikhathi sesizi esingazange khesibe khona soloko kwaba nesitjhaba bekube sikhatheso. Godu hlangana nesikhatheso abantu bekhenu bazokuphunyurha,+ boke labo abafunyanwe batloliwe encwadini.+ 2 Abanengi balabo abalele ethulini lephasi bazokuvuka, abanye bavukele ekuphileni okungapheliko kuthi abanye bavukele ehlazweni elingapheliko.

3 “Labo abanelemuko bazokuphazimula njengomkayi begodu labo abaletha abanengi ekulungeni bazokumeruza njengeenkwekwezi bekube ngokungapheliko.

4 “Wena-ke Danyela, yenza amezwi la abe yifihlo begodu uvale incwadi le bekube sikhathi sokuphela.+ Abanengi bazokwehla banyuka* begodu ilwazi leqiniso lizokuba yinala.”+

5 Nje-ke mina Danyela, ngaqala, ngabona abanye ababili bajame lapho, bajame magega nomlanjana, omunye ngakileli ihlangothi omunye ngakwelinye.+ 6 Omunye wabo wathi endodeni embethe ilineni+ ebeyingehla kwamanzi womlanjana: “Kuzokuthatha isikhathi esingangani bona kufike isiphetho sezinto ezikarisakwezi?” 7 Yeke ngezwa indoda embethe ilineni ebeyingehla kwamanzi womlanjana ifunga ngoZimu ophila bekube nini nanini+ njengombana iphakamisela isandla sayo sokudla nesesincele ezulwini ithi: “Kuzokuba ngokwesikhathi esibekiweko, iinkhathi ezibekiweko nengcenye yesikhathi.* Msinyana ngemva kobana ukuphulwa kwamandla wabantu abacwengileko kufika esiphethweni,+ zoke izintwezi zizokufika esiphethweni sazo.”

8 Ngokuphathele nami, ngezwa kodwana bengingakghoni ukuzwisisa+ yeke ngathi: “Maye! Kosami, uzokuba yini umphumela wezintwezi?”

9 Nje-ke wathi: “Khamba Danyela ngombana amezwi la kufuze ahlale ayifihlo begodu avaliwe bekube sikhathi sokuphela.+ 10 Abanengi bazozihlwengisa bazenze babe mhlophe begodu bazokucwengisiswa.+ Abambi bazokwenza okumbi begodu abekho abambi abazokuzwisisa kodwana labo abanelemuko bazokuzwisisa.+

11 “Godu kusukela ngesikhathi ekususwe ngaso umnikelo owenziwa qobe+ begodu into enyenyisako ebangela ukutjhabalala ihlonyiwe,+ kuzokuba malanga ayi-1 290.

12 “Uyathaba ohlala alinde ngetjisakalo begodu ofika emalangeni ayi-1 335!

13 “Kodwana wena, raga bekube sekupheleni. Uzokuphumula kodwana uzokusikima bona ufumane isabelo sakho ekupheleni kwamalanga.”+