GENESISI

1 Ekucaleni Nkulunkulu wadala emazulu nemhlaba.+

2 Umhlaba bewute lutfo futsi kute lobekuhlala kuwo. Bekunemanti lashonako kuyo yonkhe indzawo futsi kumnyama,+ umoya waNkulunkulu*+ wawehla wenyuka ngetulu kwemanti.+

3 Nkulunkulu watsi: “Akube nekukhanya.” Ngako kukhanya+ kwaba khona. 4 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi kukhanya kuhle, ngako wabese wehlukanisa kukhanya nebumnyama. 5 Nkulunkulu wabita kukhanya ngekutsi Yimini, kodvwa bumnyama wabubita ngekutsi Busuku.+ Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lekucala.

6 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Akube nemkhatsi+ lotawehlukanisa emanti, wehlukanise emanti langephansi nemanti+ langetulu.” 7 Ngako Nkulunkulu wabese wenta umkhatsi, wehlukanisa emanti langephansi kwalomkhatsi+ nalawo langetulu. Kwavele kwaba njalo. 8 Nkulunkulu wabita lomkhatsi ngekutsi Sibhakabhaka.* Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lesibili.

9 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Emanti langephansi kwemazulu akabutsane ndzawonye, kuvele umhlabatsi lowomile.”+ Kwavele kwaba njalo. 10 Nkulunkulu wabita umhlabatsi lowomile ngekutsi nguMhlaba,+ kodvwa lamanti wawabita ngekutsi Lwandle.+ Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi loku kuhle.+ 11 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Umhlaba awuvete tjani, uvete netitjalo letikhipha inhlanyelo kanye netihlahla tetitselo ngetinhlobo tato, titsele titselo futsi tikhiphe nenhlanyelo.” Kwavele kwaba njalo. 12 Ngako umhlaba wabese uveta tjani, netitjalo+ letikhipha inhlanyelo, kanye netihlahla tetitselo letikhipha inhlanyelo, kuye ngetinhlobo tato. Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi loku kuhle. 13 Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lesitsatfu.

14 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Akube netibane+ emazulwini* kuze tehlukanise imini nebusuku,+ futsi titawuba sibonakaliso, tikhombise tikhatsi temnyaka, emalanga kanye neminyaka.+ 15 Titawuba semazulwini,* tikhanyisele umhlaba.” Kwavele kwaba njalo. 16 Ngako Nkulunkulu wenta lilanga nenyeti,* lilanga belitawukhanyisa emini+ kantsi inyeti beyitawukhanyisa ebusuku, futsi wenta netinkhanyeti.+ 17 Nkulunkulu watibeka emazulwini* kuze tikhanyise emhlabeni, 18 tikhanyise emini nasebusuku futsi tehlukanise bumnyama nekukhanya.+ Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi loku kuhle. 19 Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lesine.

20 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Emanti akagcwale tilwane,* futsi tilwane letindizako atindize esibhakabhakeni, ngetulu kwemhlaba.”+ 21 Ngako Nkulunkulu wadala tilwane letinkhulu taselwandle nato tonkhe tilwane* letihamba emantini ngetinhlobo tato, nato tonkhe tilwane letindizako ngetinhlobo tato. Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi loku kuhle. 22 Nkulunkulu wabese uyatibusisa, watsi: “Talanani nandze nigcwale elwandle,+ netilwane letindizako atigcwale emhlabeni.” 23 Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lesihlanu.

24 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Umhlaba awuvete tilwane* ngetinhlobo tato, tilwane letifuywako, netilwane letihumako* kanye netilwane tesiganga ngetinhlobo tato.”+ Kwavele kwaba njalo. 25 Ngako Nkulunkulu wabese wenta tilwane tesiganga ngetinhlobo tato, netilwane letifuywako ngetinhlobo tato kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letihumako ngetinhlobo tato. Nkulunkulu wabona kutsi loku kuhle.

26 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Asente+ bantfu bafane natsi,*+ basifute,+ futsi babuse tinhlanti taselwandle, tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni, netilwane letifuywako, babuse wonkhe umhlaba kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letihumako letikhona kuwo.”+ 27 Ngako Nkulunkulu wadala bantfu ngemfanekiso wakhe, bafana naye; wabadala kwaba ngulomdvuna nalomsikati.+ 28 Nkulunkulu wabese uyababusisa, watsi kubo: “Talanani nandze nigcwale emhlabeni+ futsi niwuncobe,+ nibuse+ tinhlanti taselwandle, tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni, nato tonkhe tilwane letikhona emhlabeni.”

29 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Ngininika tonkhe titjalo letikhipha inhlanyelo letikhona kuwo wonkhe umhlaba kanye nato tonkhe tihlahla letinetitselo letikhipha inhlanyelo, futsi titawuba kudla kwenu.+ 30 Tonkhe tilwane tesiganga letikhona emhlabeni, tonkhe tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni nato tonkhe tintfo letiphilako* letihamba emhlabeni, ngitinika tonkhe titjalo letiluhlata kutsi tibe kudla kwato.”+ Kwavele kwaba njalo.

31 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu wakubona konkhe lebekakwentile, futsi kwakukuhle kakhulu.+ Ngako kwahlwa kwaphindze kwasa; leli bekulilanga lesitfupha.

2 Ngako kudalwa kwemazulu nemhlaba nako konkhe lokukuwo* kwaphela.+ 2 Ngelilanga lesi-7, Nkulunkulu besekawucedzile umsebenti lebekawenta, futsi kusukela ngalelolanga waphumula kuwo wonkhe umsebenti wakhe.+ 3 Nkulunkulu wabese uyalibusisa lilanga lesi-7 futsi watsi lingcwele, ngobe kusukela ngalelolanga waphumula kuwo wonkhe umsebenti lebekawentile, kuto tonkhe tintfo lebekahlose kutenta.

4 Lona ngumlandvo wemazulu nemhlaba ngesikhatsi adalwa, ngelilanga Jehova* Nkulunkulu ladala ngalo umhlaba nelizulu.+

5 Ngaleso sikhatsi, bekusete tihlahla emhlabeni futsi bekute netitjalo lebetimila, ngobe Jehova Nkulunkulu bekangakayinisi imvula emhlabeni futsi bekusete nemuntfu longawulima. 6 Kodvwa bekuphakama inkhungu emhlabatsini, imantise wonkhe umhlaba.

7 Jehova Nkulunkulu wabese wenta umuntfu ngelutfuli+ lwemhlabatsi, waphefumulela emakhaleni akhe umoya wekuphila+ futsi umuntfu waba ngumuntfu lophilako.*+ 8 Ngemuva kwaloko, Jehova Nkulunkulu wahlanyela insimu e-Edeni,+ nawuya emphumalanga, wase umbeka lapho lomuntfu lebekamdalile.+ 9 Jehova Nkulunkulu wenta kutsi emhlabatsini kumile tonkhe tihlahla letibukeka kahle naletidliwako, futsi wabeka nesihlahla sekuphila+ emkhatsini walensimu kanye nesihlahla sekwati lokuhle nalokubi.+

10 Bekunemfula lowawunisela lensimu, ugeleta usuka e-Edeni, futsi bewehlukana ube yimifula lemine.* 11 Umfula wekucala bekutsiwa yiPhishoni; lona ngulomfula lobewutungeleta lonkhe live laseHavila, lapho bekuneligolide khona. 12 Ligolide lelalitfolakala kulelive belilihle. Bekukhona nenhlaka* kanye nelitje le-oniksi. 13 Umfula wesibili bekutsiwa yiGihoni; lona ngulomfula lobewutungeleta lonkhe live laseKushe. 14 Umfula wesitsatfu bekutsiwa yiHidekheli;*+ lona ngulomfula lobewuya ngasemphumalanga ye-Asiriya.+ Kantsi umfula wesine bekutsiwa yiYufrathe.+

15 Jehova Nkulunkulu wase uyamtsatsa umuntfu umbeka ensimini yase-Edeni kuze ayilime futsi ayinakekele.+ 16 Jehova Nkulunkulu wamyala umuntfu watsi: “Ungadla titselo tato tonkhe tihlahla letisensimini ngekutsandza kwakho.+ 17 Kodvwa ungasidli sitselo sesihlahla sekwati lokuhle nalokubi, ngobe mhlazana usidla, uyawukufa nekufa.”+

18 Ngemuva kwaloko, Jehova Nkulunkulu watsi: “Akusikuhle kutsi umuntfu ahlale yedvwa. Ngitamentela umsiti lotawuba ngumphelelisi wakhe.”+ 19 Jehova Nkulunkulu wadala tonkhe tilwane tesiganga ngemhlabatsi nato tonkhe tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni, futsi watiletsa kumuntfu khona atewubona kutsi utatetsa maphi emagama; nobe nguliphi ligama umuntfu labeletsa silwane* ngasinye, kwaba ngilo ligama laso.+ 20 Ngako umuntfu watetsa tonkhe tilwane letifuywako, tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni kanye nato tonkhe tilwane tesiganga, kodvwa yena bekete umsiti longumphelelisi wakhe. 21 Jehova Nkulunkulu wenta kutsi umuntfu ehlelwe butfongo lobukhulu, kwatsi aselele watsatsa lolunye lwetimbambo takhe, ngemuva kwaloko wase uyavala lapho abelutsetse khona. 22 Ngalolubhambo labelutsetse kumuntfu, Jehova Nkulunkulu wenta umfati, wase umletsa kulomuntfu.+

23 Ngako lomuntfu watsi:

24 Kungako indvodza itawushiya babe wayo namake wayo inamatsele kumkayo,* futsi batawuba nyamanye.+ 25 Lendvodza nalomfati wayo bebahamba ngcunu+ bobabili; kodvwa bebete emahloni.

3 Inyoka+ beyihlakaniphe* kwendlula tonkhe tilwane tesiganga lebetentiwe nguJehova Nkulunkulu. Ngako yatsi kulomfati: “Nkulunkulu ushito yini vele kutsi ningatidli tonkhe titselo tetihlahla letisensimini?”+ 2 Umfati watsi kulenyoka: “Singatidla tonkhe titselo tetihlahla letisensimini.+ 3 Kodvwa mayelana nesitselo sesihlahla lesisemkhatsini wensimu,+ Nkulunkulu utsite: ‘Ningasidli, futsi ningasitsintsi ngisho nekusitsintsa; ngobe nanenta njalo nitakufa.’” 4 Ngako inyoka yatsi kulomfati: “Angeke nife.+ 5 Ngobe Nkulunkulu uyati kutsi mhlazana nisidla, emehlo enu ayawuvuleka, nibe njengaye, nati lokuhle nalokubi.”+

6 Ngako-ke lomfati wabona kutsi lesihlahla sikufanele kudliwa nekutsi sibukeka sisihle, futsi siyatsandzeka. Ngako wakha sitselo saso wasidla.+ Ngemuva kwaloko, wanika nendvodza yakhe ngesikhatsi sebandzawonye, futsi nayo yasidla.+ 7 Emehlo abo bobabili abese ayavuleka, babona kutsi bangcunu. Ngaleso sizatfu bahlanganisa emacembe emkhiwa batentela tembatfo tekufihla bungcunu babo.+

8 Kwatsi naseliyawushona, beva livi laJehova Nkulunkulu njengobe bekahamba kulensimu, futsi lendvodza nemfati wayo babhaca emkhatsini wetihlahla kute Jehova Nkulunkulu angababoni. 9 Jehova Nkulunkulu abesolo abita lendvodza atsi: “Ukuphi?” 10 Ekugcineni yatsi: “Ngilivile livi lakho, kodvwa bengesaba ngobe bengingcunu, ngako ngase ngiyabhaca.” 11 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu watsi: “Ngubani lokutjele kutsi ungcunu?+ Sewusidlile yini sitselo salesihlahla lengikuyale kutsi ungasidli?”+ 12 Lendvodza yatsi: “Lomfati longinike yena ungiphe sitselo salesihlahla, ngase ngiyasidla.” 13 Jehova Nkulunkulu wase utsi kulomfati: “Yini lena loyentile?” Yena watsi: “Inyoka ingikhohlisile, ngase ngiyadla.”+

14 Jehova Nkulunkulu wase utsi enyokeni:+ “Ngenca yekutsi wente loku, sewucalekisiwe emkhatsini wato tonkhe tilwane letifuywako nato tonkhe tilwane tesiganga. Utawuhamba ngesisu futsi udle lutfuli kuphila kwakho konkhe. 15 Ngitawenta kutsi kube nebutsa*+ emkhatsini wakho+ nemfati,+ nasemkhatsini wentalelwane*+ yakho nentalelwane*+ yakhe. Yona itawufihlita* inhloko yakho,+ futsi wena utayilimata* esitsendzeni.”+

16 Kumfati watsi: “Ngitawenta kutsi uve buhlungu lobukhulu nawutetfwele; utawubeleka bantfwana kabuhlungu, ufise kuba nendvodza yakho, futsi yona itakubusa.”

17 Ku-Adamu* watsi: “Njengobe ulalele umfati wakho, wadla sitselo salesihlahla lengikuyale ngaso ngatsi:+ ‘Ungasidli,’ umhlabatsi sewucalekisiwe ngenca yakho.+ Utawudla umkhicito wawo kabuhlungu kuphila kwakho konkhe.+ 18 Umhlabatsi utawuveta emanyeva nelukhula futsi wena utawudla lokumila emhlabatsini. 19 Utawudla sinkhwa* losijulukele, udzimate ubuyele emhlabatsini, ngobe watsatfwa+ kuwo. Ngenca yekutsi ulutfuli, utawubuyela elutfulini.”+

20 Ngemuva kwaloko, Adamu wetsa umfati wakhe watsi ngu-Eva* ngobe bekatawuba ngumake wabo bonkhe bantfu.*+ 21 Jehova Nkulunkulu wentela Adamu nemkakhe tembatfo letindze tesikhumba kute batigcoke.+ 22 Jehova Nkulunkulu wase utsi: “Nyalo umuntfu sewufana natsi, sewati lokuhle nalokubi.+ Ngako kufanele ngente lokutsite kuze angakhi sitselo esihlahleni sekuphila+ futsi asidle bese uphila phakadze.” 23 Ngaleso sizatfu, Jehova Nkulunkulu wamcosha ensimini yase-Edeni+ kuze alime umhlabatsi latsatfwa+ kuwo. 24 Ngako wamcosha umuntfu, kwase kutsi ngasemphumalanga yensimu yase-Edeni wabeka emakherubhi+ kanye nenkemba levutsa emalangabi futsi lebeyiphendvuphendvuka. Loku wakwenta kute avimbe indlela leya kulesihlahla sekuphila.

4 Adamu waya ecansini na-Eva umfati wakhe, futsi Eva wakhulelwa.+ Ngesikhatsi abeleka Khayini,+ watsi: “Ngitfole indvodzana ngelusito lwaJehova.” 2 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watala Abela,+ umnakaboKhayini.

Abela waba ngumelusi, kodvwa Khayini waba ngumlimi. 3 Ngalelinye lilanga, Khayini waletsa sivuno sakhe kuze ente umnikelo kuJehova. 4 Abela yena wanikela ngematibulo emhlambi wakhe,+ lokufaka ekhatsi nemanoni awo. Jehova wamemukela Abela nemnikelo wakhe,+ 5 kodvwa akazange amemukele Khayini nemnikelo wakhe. Ngaleso sizatfu Khayini watfukutsela wabila futsi wajabha.* 6 Ngako Jehova watsi kuKhayini: “Watfukutsela kangaka kwente njani? Yini lekujabhise ngalendlela? 7 Nawungashintja wente lokuhle, angeke yini nawe wemukeleke?* Kodvwa nawungashintji, sono siyakunyonyobela emnyango, sifuna kukuncoba; utawukhona yini kusehlula?”

8 Ngemuva kwaloko, Khayini watsi ku-Abela umnakabo: “Asihambe siye etsafeni.” Ngako ngesikhatsi sebasetsafeni, Khayini washaya Abela umnakabo futsi wambulala.+ 9 Ngemuva kwaloko Jehova watsi kuKhayini: “Uphi umnakenu Abela?” Khayini watsi: “Angimati. Kantsi mine ngigadzana naye yini?” 10 Nkulunkulu watsi: “Yini lena loyentile? Lalela! Ingati yemnakenu iyakhala kimi isemhlabatsini.+ 11 Ngako sewucalekisiwe futsi utawucoshwa kulendzawo lapho ucitse khona ingati yemnakenu.+ 12 Nawulima umhlabatsi, angeke usitfole sivuno.* Utawuphila ngekubaleka futsi uhambe uzulazula emhlabeni.” 13 Khayini watsi kuJehova: “Sijeziso sesono sami sikhulu kakhulu, ngeke ngikhone kusibeketelela. 14 Lamuhla uyangicosha kulendzawo,* futsi angeke usanginaka; sengitawuphila ngekubaleka futsi ngihambe ngizulazula emhlabeni. Nobe ngubani lotangikhandza utangibulala.” 15 Jehova watsi kuye: “Ngesizatfu saloko, nobe ngubani lobulala Khayini kutawuphindziselwa kuye tikhatsi letingu-7.”

Ngako Jehova wentela* Khayini luphawu kuze kubete umuntfu lotamkhandza ambulale. 16 Ngemuva kwaloko Khayini wesuka embikwaJehova, wahamba wayohlala endzaweni yaseNodi,* lesemphumalanga ye-Edeni.+

17 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, Khayini waya ecansini nemfati wakhe,+ futsi lomfati wakhe wakhulelwa, wase utala Enoki. Ngemuva kwaloko Khayini wakha lidolobha, walibita ngelibito la-Enoki indvodzana yakhe. 18 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi Enoki watala Iradi. Iradi watala Mehujayeli, Mehujayeli watala Methushayeli, kwase kutsi Methushayeli watala Lameki.

19 Lameki watsatsa bafati lababili. Libito lemfati wakhe wekucala bekungu-Ada, kantsi libito lemfati wakhe wesibili bekunguSila. 20 Ada watala Jabale. Jabale waba ngumuntfu wekucala lowahlala emathendeni abe angumfuyi. 21 Libito lemnakabo bekunguJubale. Jubale waba wekucala kubantfu labebadlala emahabhu nemintjingo. 22 Sila watala Thubali-khayini, lobekenta yonkhe inhlobo yemathulusi elitfusi newensimbi. DzadzewaboThubali-khayini bekunguNama. 23 Lameki washo nankha emavi kubafati bakhe, bo-Ada naSila:

25 Adamu waphindze waya ecansini na-Eva umfati wakhe, futsi watala indvodzana. Eva wetsa lendvodzana ngekutsi nguSethi,*+ ngobe watsi: “Nkulunkulu ungiphe lenye indvodzana* esikhundleni sa-Abela, ngobe Khayini wambulala.”+ 26 Sethi naye watala indvodzana, wayibita ngekutsi ngu-Enoshi.+ Ngaleso sikhatsi bantfu bacala kubita libito laJehova.

5 Lona ngumlandvo wa-Adamu. Ngesikhatsi* Nkulunkulu amdala, wamenta wafana naye.+ 2 Wabadala kwaba ngulomdvuna nalomsikati.+ Ngalesikhatsi abadala,+ wababusisa futsi wababita ngekutsi Bantfu.*

3 Ngesikhatsi Adamu aneminyaka lengu-130, watala indvodzana lefana naye futsi leyamfuta, wayibita ngekutsi nguSethi.+ 4 Ngemuva kwekutala Sethi, Adamu waphila iminyaka lengu-800, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 5 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Adamu layiphila beyingu-930, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.+

6 Ngesikhatsi Sethi aneminyaka lengu-105, watala Enoshi.+ 7 Ngemuva kwekutala Enoshi, Sethi waphila iminyaka lengu-807, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 8 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Sethi layiphila beyingu-912, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

9 Ngesikhatsi Enoshi aneminyaka lengu-90, watala Khenani. 10 Ngemuva kwekutala Khenani, Enoshi waphila iminyaka lengu-815, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 11 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Enoshi layiphila beyingu-905, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

12 Ngesikhatsi Khenani aneminyaka lengu-70, watala Mahalaleli.+ 13 Ngemuva kwekutala Mahalaleli, Khenani waphila iminyaka lengu-840, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 14 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Khenani layiphila beyingu-910, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

15 Ngesikhatsi Mahalaleli aneminyaka lengu-65, watala Jarede.+ 16 Ngemuva kwekutala Jarede, Mahalaleli waphila iminyaka lengu-830, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 17 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Mahalaleli layiphila beyingu-895, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

18 Ngesikhatsi Jarede aneminyaka lengu-162, watala Enoki.+ 19 Ngemuva kwekutala Enoki, Jarede waphila iminyaka lengu-800, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 20 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Jarede layiphila beyingu-962, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

21 Ngesikhatsi Enoki aneminyaka lengu-65, watala Methusela.+ 22 Ngemuva kwekutala Methusela, Enoki wachubeka ahamba naNkulunkulu weliciniso iminyaka lengu-300, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 23 Enoki waphila iminyaka lengu-365. 24 Enoki wachubeka ahamba naNkulunkulu weliciniso.+ Ngemuva kwaloko akazange asaba khona, ngobe Nkulunkulu wamtsatsa.+

25 Ngesikhatsi Methusela aneminyaka lengu-187, watala Lameki.+ 26 Ngemuva kwekutala Lameki, Methusela waphila iminyaka lengu-782, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 27 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Methusela layiphila beyingu-969, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

28 Ngesikhatsi Lameki aneminyaka lengu-182, watala indvodzana. 29 Wayetsa watsi nguNowa,*+ futsi watsi: “Lona utasidvudvuta* ekukhandlekeni kwetfu nasekusebenteni kamatima ngenca yemhlabatsi Jehova lawucalekisa.”+ 30 Ngemuva kwekutala Nowa, Lameki waphila iminyaka lengu-595, futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati. 31 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Lameki layiphila beyingu-777, ngemuva kwaloko wafa.

32 Ngesikhatsi Nowa aneminyaka lengu-500, waba nebantfwana. Emabito abo bekuboShemi,+ Hhamu+ naJafethi.+

6 Ngesikhatsi bantfu bacala kwandza emhlabeni futsi batala nemadvodzakati, 2 emadvodzana aNkulunkulu*+ weliciniso acala kunaka kutsi lamadvodzakati abemahle. Ngako atikhetsela lawatsandzako, awenta bafati bawo. 3 Jehova wabese utsi: “Angeke ngimbeketelele sikhatsi lesidze umuntfu,+ ngobe uyinyama.* Utawuphila iminyaka lengu-120.”+

4 BekunemaNefili* emhlabeni ngaleso sikhatsi, kanye nangemuva kwaso. Ngaleso sikhatsi emadvodzana aNkulunkulu weliciniso achubeka aya ecansini nemadvodzakati ebantfu, futsi atala bantfwana. Labantfwana bebangemachawe lanemandla asendvulo lebekatiwa kakhulu.

5 Ngako Jehova wabona kutsi umuntfu bekenta tintfo letimbi kakhulu emhlabeni, nekutsi tifiso tenhlitiyo yakhe betitimbi ngaso sonkhe sikhatsi.+ 6 Jehova watisola* ngekutsi udale umuntfu emhlabeni, futsi weva buhlungu enhlitiyweni yakhe.+ 7 Jehova wabese utsi: “Ngitabacotfula emhlabeni bantfu lengibadalile, bona kanye netilwane letifuywako, netilwane letihumako, kanye netilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni, ngobe ngiyatisola ngekutsi ngabadala.” 8 Kodvwa Nowa wemukelwa nguJehova.

9 Lona ngumlandvo waNowa.

Nowa abeyindvodza lelungile+ futsi amsulwa* kunebantfu bangesikhatsi sakhe.* Nowa wahamba naNkulunkulu weliciniso.+ 10 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, Nowa watala emadvodzana lamatsatfu, boShemi, Hhamu, naJafethi.+ 11 Kodvwa umhlaba wase wonakele kakhulu emehlweni aNkulunkulu weliciniso, futsi bewugcwele budlova. 12 Nkulunkulu wabuka emhlabeni, wabona kutsi umhlaba wonakele;+ bonkhe bantfu bebenta tintfo letimbi.+

13 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu watsi kuNowa: “Sengincume kubabhubhisa bonkhe bantfu, ngobe umhlaba ugcwele budlova ngenca yabo, ngako ngitababhubhisa bonkhe kanye nemhlaba.+ 14 Takhele umkhumbi* ngetingodvo letinhle.*+ Kufanele wakhe emakamelo ekhatsi kulomkhumbi, bese uwuhuca ngelitiyela+ ngekhatsi nangephandle. 15 Kufanele uwakhe ngalendlela: Lomkhumbi kufanele ube ngemamitha langaba ngu-134* budze, ube ngemamitha langaba ngu-22* bubanti, nemamitha langaba ngu-13* kuphakama. 16 Kufanele wakhe lifasitelo lelitawungenisa kukhanya kulomkhumbi, libe ngemasentimitha langaba ngu-45 kusuka etulu. Lomkhumbi kufanele ube nemnyango emhlubulweni wawo,+ futsi kufanele ube netitezi letintsatfu.

17 “Mine ngitawuletsa zamcolo+ emhlabeni, lotawubhubhisa konkhe lokuphilako* ngephansi kwemazulu. Tonkhe tintfo letisemhlabeni titawucotfulwa.+ 18 Mine ngenta sivumelwane nawe. Ngako kufanele ungene kulomkhumbi, wena nemadvodzana akho, kanye nemfati wakho nabomalukatane bakho.+ 19 Kulomkhumbi kufanele ungenise tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane,+ tihambe ngatimbili kute titewusindza kanye nawe, kube ngulesidvuna nalesisikati;+ 20 kube tilwane letindizako ngetinhlobo tato, tilwane letifuywako ngetinhlobo tato, kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letihumako ngetinhlobo tato. Eluhlotjeni ngalunye, kufanele utingenise ngatimbili kute titewuchubeka tikhona.+ 21 Wena kufanele utsatse lonkhe luhlobo lwekudla,+ lokutawudliwa nguwe nalokutawudliwa nguletilwane.”

22 Nowa wakwenta konkhe Nkulunkulu lamyala kutsi akwente. Wenta njengobe bekatjeliwe.+

7 Ngemuva kwaloko Jehova watsi kuNowa: “Ngena emkhunjini, wena kanye nemndeni wakho ngobe nguwe kuphela lengikutfole ulungile kulesitukulwane.+ 2 Kuto tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letihlantekile kufanele utsatse letingu-7,*+ lesidvuna nalesisikati; futsi kuto tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letingakahlanteki kufanele utsatse timbili, lesidvuna nalesisikati; 3 nakuto tonkhe tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni kufanele utsatse letingu-7,* lesidvuna nalesisikati kuze titewusindza futsi titalane tigcwale umhlaba wonkhe.+ 4 Ngobe ngemuva kwemalanga langu-7 ngitawunisa imvula+ emhlabeni letawutsatsa emalanga langu-40 nebusuku lobungu-40,+ futsi ngitawucotfula konkhe lokuphilako lokusemhlabeni lengikudalile.”+ 5 Ngako Nowa wakwenta konkhe Jehova labetsite akwente.

6 Nowa abeneminyaka lengu-600 budzala ngesikhatsi zamcolo ufika emhlabeni.+ 7 Nowa nemadvodzana akhe, nemfati wakhe, kanye nabomalukatane bakhe, bangena emkhunjini usengakacali zamcolo.+ 8 Tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letihlantekile, tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letingakahlanteki kanye nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letindizako, nato tonkhe tintfo letihamba emhlabeni,+ 9 tangena ngatimbili emkhunjini, letindvuna naletinsikati njengobe Nkulunkulu abetjele Nowa. 10 Ngemuva kwemalanga langu-7, wefika zamcolo emhlabeni.

11 Ngelilanga lesi-17, enyangeni yesibili, ngesikhatsi Nowa aneminyaka lengu-600 budzala, onkhe emanti* lasesibhakabhakeni atfuluka futsi kwavuleka libhudlo lemanti emazulwini.+ 12 Lemvula yana emalanga langu-40 nebusuku lobungu-40. 13 Ngalelolanga Nowa wangena emkhunjini nemadvodzana akhe, boShemi, Hhamu naJafethi+ kanye nemfati wakhe nabomalukatane bakhe labatsatfu.+ 14 Bangena nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane tesiganga, tilwane letifuywako, tilwane letisemhlabeni letihumako, nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letindizako, lokutinyoni kanye naletinye tilwane letinetimphiko. 15 Tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letiphilako* tachubeka tingena emkhunjini lapho bekunaNowa khona, tihamba ngatimbili. 16 Kwangena tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane, kwaba ngulesidvuna nalesisikati, njengobe Nkulunkulu abetjele Nowa. Ngemuva kwaloko Jehova wawuvala umnyango wemkhumbi.

17 Lozamcolo wachubeka emalanga langu-40, nalamanti achubeka akhuphuka futsi aphakamisa lomkhumbi, wantanta ngetulu kwemhlaba. 18 Emanti ambonya wonkhe umhlaba futsi andza, kodvwa umkhumbi bewuntanta etikwawo. 19 Lamanti aba manyenti kakhulu emhlabeni kangangekutsi tonkhe tintsaba letindze letingephansi kwemazulu tambonyeka.+ 20 Lamanti akhula aba ngetulu kwetintsaba ngemamitha langaba ngu-7.*

21 Ngako kwafa konkhe lokuphilako* lobekuhamba emhlabeni:+ tilwane letindizako, tilwane letifuywako, tilwane tesiganga, tilwane letincane letihamba tibe libulo kanye nabo bonkhe bantfu.+ 22 Konkhe lokuphilako lobekusemhlabeni lowomile kwafa.+ 23 Ngako Nkulunkulu wacotfula konkhe lokuphilako lobekusemhlabeni, lokufaka ekhatsi bantfu, tilwane, tilwane letihumako kanye netilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni. Konkhe kwacotfulwa emhlabeni;+ kwasindza Nowa kuphela kanye nalabo lebebanaye emkhunjini.+ 24 Emanti achubeka ambonye wonkhe umhlaba emalanga langu-150.+

8 Nkulunkulu akazange amkhohlwe* Nowa nato tonkhe tilwane tesiganga, kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letifuywako lebetinaye emkhunjini,+ ngako Nkulunkulu wenta kutsi kuhhushe umoya emhlabeni, futsi emanti acala kwehla. 2 Onkhe emanti lasesibhakabhakeni ayekela kutfuluka nelibhudlo lemanti asemazulwini lancamuka, ngako imvula yayekela kuna.*+ 3 Ngemuva kwaloko emanti acala kwehla kancane kancane emhlabeni. Kwatsi nasekuphele emalanga langu-150, lamanti besekabohlile. 4 Ngelilanga lesi-17, enyangeni yesi-7, lomkhumbi wafike wahlala etikwentsaba lese-Ararathi. 5 Lamanti bekasolo abohla kwaze kwaba yinyanga yesi-10. Ngelilanga lekucala laleyo nyanga, tintsaba tacala kuvela.+

6 Ngako nakuphela emalanga langu-40, Nowa wavula lifasitelo+ labelakhile kulomkhumbi 7 futsi watfumela lihhwabayi; lelihhwabayi belisolo lihamba liphindze libuye kwaze kwaba ngulapho emanti asha emhlabeni.

8 Wabese utfumela lituba kute liyohlola kutsi lamanti sekabohlile yini. 9 Lelituba alizange liyitfole indzawo yekuhlala, ngako labuyela kuNowa ngobe emanti abesolo ambonye wonkhe umhlaba.+ Nowa welula sandla walibamba walingenisa emkhunjini. 10 Walindza lamanye emalanga langu-7, futsi waphindze watfumela lelituba. 11 Naselishonile lilanga, lelituba labuyela kuNowa, futsi wabona licembe lelisha lesihlahla semncumo emlonyeni walo! Ngako wavele wati kutsi lamanti sekehlile.+ 12 Walindza lamanye emalanga langu-7. Ngemuva kwaloko waphindze watfumela lelituba, kodvwa alizange lisabuya.

13 Ngemnyaka wesi-601,+ ngelilanga lekucala, enyangeni yekucala, lamanti besekashile emhlabeni; futsi Nowa wavula etulu kulomkhumbi, wabona kutsi umhlaba besewucala koma. 14 Ngelilanga lesi-27, enyangeni yesibili, umhlaba bese womile.

15 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi kuNowa: 16 “Phuma emkhunjini, wena nemfati wakho, emadvodzana akho kanye nabomalukatane bakho.+ 17 Phuma nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letiphilako,+ tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letindizako, netilwane letifuywako, nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letihumako tasemhlabeni, kuze titewutalana, tandze tigcwale umhlaba.”+

18 Ngako Nowa waphuma akanye nemadvodzana akhe,+ umfati wakhe kanye nabomalukatane bakhe. 19 Tonkhe tilwane letiphilako, tonkhe tilwane letihumako, tonkhe tilwane letindizako, nako konkhe lokuhamba emhlabeni kwaphuma emkhunjini ngetinhlobo tako.+ 20 Nowa wabese wakhela Jehova li-al’thare,+ futsi watsatsa letinye tetilwane letihlantekile naletinye tetilwane letindizako letihlantekile+ wanikela ngato kuleli-al’thare, taba ngumnikelo wekushiswa.+ 21 Jehova wabese uva liphunga lelimnandzi. Ngako Jehova watsi enhlitiyweni yakhe: “Angeke ngiphindze ngiwucalekise* umhlaba+ ngenca yemuntfu, ngobe umuntfu unesifiso lesibi enhlitiyweni yakhe kusukela asemncane aze ayoba mdzala;+ futsi angeke ngiphindze ngiticotfule tonkhe tintfo letiphilako njengobe ngentile.+ 22 Kusukela nyalo, kutawuhlale kukhona kuhlanyela nekuvuna, kubandza nekushisa, busika nelihlobo, imini nebusuku.”+

9 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu wabusisa Nowa nemadvodzana akhe, watsi kubo: “Talanani nandze nigcwale umhlaba.+ 2 Nitawuchubeka nesatjwa ngito tonkhe tilwane letiphilako letisemhlabeni, nato tonkhe tilwane letindiza esibhakabhakeni, nato tonkhe tilwane letihumako, kanye nato tonkhe tinhlanti letiselwandle. Konkhe loku ngikubeka ngephansi kwenu.*+ 3 Tonkhe tilwane letiphilako letihamba emhlabeni ningatidla.+ Njengobe nganinika titjalo kutsi tibe kudla kwenu, naletilwane ngininika tona tonkhe kutsi nitidle.+ 4 Kodvwa inyama lenengati+ kufanele ningayidli,+ ngobe ingati isho kuphila.* 5 Ngetulu kwaloko, konkhe lokuphilako lokutawucitsa ingati yenu kutawulandzisa ngaleyo ngati lecitsekile. Nangabe umuntfu abulewe silwane, naso kufanele sibulawe. Nangabe umuntfu abulala umnakabo, loyo muntfu utawulandzisa.+ 6 Nobe ngubani lobulala umuntfu, naye utawubulawa+ ngulomunye umuntfu, ngobe Nkulunkulu wenta umuntfu ngemfanekiso wakhe.+ 7 Kodvwa nine, talanani nandze nigcwale umhlaba.”+

8 Ngako Nkulunkulu watsi kuNowa nasemadvodzaneni akhe: 9 “Nyalo ngenta sivumelwane nani+ nebantfwana benu labatawuvela ngemuva kwenu, 10 kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letiphilako* lenaphuma nato emkhunjini, lokutinyoni, tilwane letifuywako kanye netilwane tesiganga, lokungito tonkhe tilwane letisemhlabeni.+ 11 Nasi lesivumelwane lengisenta nani: Angeke ngiphindze ngitibhubhise tilwane nebantfu* ngazamcolo futsi angeke ngiphindze ngimletse zamcolo kuze ngibhubhise umhlaba.”+

12 Nkulunkulu wachubeka watsi: “Lolu luphawu lwalesivumelwane lengisenta nani kanye nato tonkhe tilwane letiphilako* letikanye nani, lesitawusebenta nakuto tonkhe titukulwane letiseta. 13 Ngibeka umushi wenkosazana emafini. Utawuba luphawu lwalesivumelwane lengisente nemhlaba. 14 Kutawutsi njalo nangibeka lifu ngetulu kwemhlaba, kuvele nalomushi wenkosazana kulelifu. 15 Nakanjani ngitasikhumbula lesivumelwane lengasenta nani kanye nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letiphilako;* nemanti angeke aphindze abe nguzamcolo lotawubhubhisa konkhe lokuphilako.+ 16 Lomushi wenkosazana utawuvela kulelifu; mine ngitawubona futsi ngikhumbule lesivumelwane lesihlala njalo lengasenta nato tonkhe tinhlobo tetilwane letiphilako* letisemhlabeni.”

17 Nkulunkulu waphindze watsi kuNowa: “Lolu luphawu lwalesivumelwane lengisenta nani kanye nako konkhe lokuphilako lokusemhlabeni.”+

18 Emadvodzana aNowa laphuma emkhunjini bekunguShemi, naHhamu kanye naJafethi.+ Hhamu wase utala Khenani.+ 19 Lawa bekungemadvodzana aNowa, futsi bonkhe bantfu labasemhlabeni bavela kuwo, base bagcwala wonkhe umhlaba.+

20 Nowa waba ngumlimi, ngako walima insimu yemagilebisi. 21 Ngalelinye lilanga wanatsa liwayini, wadzakwa wase uyakhumula uba ngcunu ethendeni lakhe. 22 Hhamu, babe waKhenani, wabona bungcunu bababe wakhe, wase utjela bomnakabo lababili lebebangephandle. 23 Ngako boShemi naJafethi batsatsa ingubo bayibeka emahlombe abo base bahamba nyova. Befika bafihla bungcunu bababe wabo, babuke eceleni, futsi abazange babubone.

24 Ngesikhatsi Nowa avuka futsi eva ngaloko lokwentiwe yindvodzana yakhe lencane, 25 watsi:

“Akacalekiswe Khenani,+

Futsi akabe sigcili sabomnakabo.”+

26 Wachubeka watsi:

Khenani akaphindze abe sigcili sakhe.”

28 Ngemuva kwaZamcolo, Nowa waphila iminyaka lengu-350.+ 29 Seyiyonkhe iminyaka Nowa layiphila, yaba ngu-950, wase uyafa.

10 Lona ngumlandvo wemadvodzana aNowa, boShemi,+ Hhamu naJafethi.

Ngemuva kwaZamcolo, batala emadvodzana.+ 2 Emadvodzana aJafethi bekunguGomeri,+ Magogi,+ Madayi, Javani, Thubali,+ Mesheki+ naThirasi.+

3 Emadvodzana aGomeri bekungu-Ashkenazi,+ Rifathi naThogama.+

4 Emadvodzana aJavani bekungu-Elishahi,+ Thashishi,+ Khithimu+ naDodanimi.

5 Laba bekubokhokho bebantfu lebebahlala etichingini futsi labasakatekela etindzaweni tabo ngetilwimi, imindeni kanye nangetive tabo.

6 Emadvodzana aHhamu bekunguKushe, Misrayimi,+ Phuthi+ naKhenani.+

7 Emadvodzana aKushe bekunguSeba,+ Havila, Sabta, Rama,+ naSabtekha.

Emadvodzana aRama bekunguSheba naDedani.

8 Kushe watala Nimrodi. Nimrodi abengumuntfu wekucala lowaba nemandla lamakhulu emhlabeni. 9 Waba ngumtingeli lomkhulu futsi wamelana naJehova. Kungako bantfu bavame kutsi: “UnjengaNimrodi, umtingeli lomkhulu lowamelana naJehova.” 10 Emadolobha ekucala embusweni wakhe bekuyiBhabheli,+ i-Ereki,+ i-Akhadi, neKhaline, lebekaseShinari.+ 11 Nakesuka lapho waya e-Asiriya,+ wakha iNineve,+ iRehobothi-iri, iKhala, 12 neReseni lesemkhatsini weNineve neKhala: Onkhe lamadolobha alidolobha lelikhulu.*

13 Misrayimi watala Ludi,+ Anami, Lehabi, Nafethuhi,+ 14 Phathrusi,+ Khasuluhi (lokwavela kuye emaFilisti),+ naKhaftori.+

15 Khenani watala Sidoni+ litibulo lakhe, kwalandzela Hethi,+ 16 kanye nemaJebhusi,+ ema-Amori,+ emaGirigashi, 17 emaHivi,+ ema-Akhi, emaSini, 18 ema-Avadi,+ emaSemari, nemaHamathi.+ Ngemuva kwaloko imindeni yemaKhenani yasakateka. 19 Umncele wemaKhenani bewusuka eSidoni uyewufika eGerari,+ edvute neGaza,+ uze uyewufika eSodoma, eGomora,+ e-Adma, naseZeboyimu,+ edvute neLasha. 20 Lawa bekungemadvodzana aHhamu ngemindeni yawo, tilwimi, tindzawo kanye netive tawo.

21 Shemi naye watala bantfwana. Abengukhokho wawo onkhe emadvodzana a-Ebheri+ futsi angumnakabo lomncane waJafethi.* 22 Emadvodzana aShemi bekungu-Elamu,+ Ashuri,+ Aphakisadi,+ Ludi na-Aramu.+

23 Emadvodzana a-Aramu bekungu-Uzi, Huli, Getheri naMashe.

24 Aphakisadi watala Shela,+ futsi Shela watala Ebheri.

25 Ebheri watala emadvodzana lamabili. Yekucala beyibitwa ngekutsi nguPhelegi,*+ ngobe ngesikhatsi sayo umhlaba* bewehlukene. Libito lemnakabo bekunguJokthane.+

26 Jokthane watala Almodadi, Shelefi, Hasamavete, Jera,+ 27 Hadoramu, Uzali, Dikila, 28 Obali, Abimayeli, Sheba, 29 Ofiri,+ Havila naJobabi; onkhe lawa bekungemadvodzana aJokthane.

30 Indzawo lebebahlala kuyo beyisuka eMesha ize iyofika eSefari, sifundza lesiseMphumalanga lesinetintsaba.

31 Lawa bekungemadvodzana aShemi ngemindeni yawo, tilwimi, tindzawo kanye netive tawo.+

32 Lena bekuyimindeni yemadvodzana aNowa ngetitukulwane tayo kanye nangetive tayo. Ngemuva kwaZamcolo, tive tavela kulemindeni, tasakatekela kuwo wonkhe umhlaba.+

11 Umhlaba wonkhe bewusolo ukhuluma lulwimi lunye futsi usebentisa emagama lafanako. 2 Njengobe bantfu bebahamba baya ngasemphumalanga, batfola litsafa lebeliseShinari+ babese bahlala khona. 3 Bakhuluma bodvwa batsi: “Asibhakeni titini, sitishise ngemlilo.” Ngako basebentisa titini esikhundleni sematje, basebentisa nelitiyela esikhundleni seludzaka. 4 Babese batsi: “Asitakheleni lidolobha nembhoshongo lofika emazulwini, futsi asitenteleni ligama kuze singasakateki kuwo wonkhe umhlaba.”+

5 Jehova walibona lelidolobha nalombhoshongo bantfu lebebawakha. 6 Jehova wabese utsi: “Labantfu bamunye futsi bakhuluma lulwimi lunye,+ ngiko sebenta loku. Kute intfo labayicabangako labangehluleka kuyenta. 7 Ngako asehle+ siyosanganisa lulwimi lwabo kuze bangevani.” 8 Ngako-ke Jehova wabahlakata basakatekela emhlabeni wonkhe,+ futsi kancane kancane bayekela kwakha lelidolobha. 9 Kungako labitwa ngekutsi yiBhabheli,*+ ngobe Jehova wasanganisa lulwimi lebelukhulunywa emhlabeni, futsi Jehova wabahlakata, basakatekela emhlabeni wonkhe.

10 Lona ngumlandvo waShemi.+

Shemi abeneminyaka lengu-100 budzala ngesikhatsi atala Aphakisadi+ eminyakeni lemibili ngemuva kwaZamcolo. 11 Ngemuva kwekutala Aphakisadi, Shemi waphila iminyaka lengu-500 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.+

12 Ngesikhatsi Aphakisadi asaneminyaka lengu-35, watala Shela.+ 13 Ngemuva kwekutala Shela, Aphakisadi waphila iminyaka lengu-403 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

14 Ngesikhatsi Shela asaneminyaka lengu-30, watala Ebheri.+ 15 Ngemuva kwekutala Ebheri, Shela waphila iminyaka lengu-403 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

16 Ngesikhatsi Ebheri asaneminyaka lengu-34, watala Phelegi.+ 17 Ngemuva kwekutala Phelegi, Ebheri waphila iminyaka lengu-430 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

18 Ngesikhatsi Phelegi asaneminyaka lengu-30, watala Rehu.+ 19 Ngemuva kwekutala Rehu, Phelegi waphila iminyaka lengu-209 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

20 Ngesikhatsi Rehu asaneminyaka lengu-32, watala Serugi. 21 Ngemuva kwekutala Serugi, Rehu waphila iminyaka lengu-207 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

22 Ngesikhatsi Serugi asaneminyaka lengu-30, watala Nahori. 23 Ngemuva kwekutala Nahori, Serugi waphila iminyaka lengu-200 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

24 Ngesikhatsi Nahori asaneminyaka lengu-29, watala Thera.+ 25 Ngemuva kwekutala Thera, Nahori waphila iminyaka lengu-119 futsi waba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati.

26 Ngemuva kwekuba neminyaka lengu-70, Thera watala Abrama,+ Nahori+ naHarani.

27 Lona ngumlandvo waThera.

Thera watala Abrama, Nahori, naHarani; Harani yena watala Loti.+ 28 Harani wafela eveni latalelwa kulo, lokuyi-Uri,+ indzawo yemaKhaledi.+ Wafa ngesikhatsi babe wakhe Thera asaphila. 29 Bo-Abrama naNahori batsatsa bafati. Libito lemfati wa-Abrama bekunguSarayi,+ libito lemfati waNahori bekunguMilkha.+ Harani bekangubabe waMilkha naJiskha. 30 Sarayi bekete imbeleko,+ angabatfoli bantfwana.

31 Thera wabese utsatsa Abrama indvodzana yakhe, naLoti umtukulu wakhe,+ lobekayindvodzana yaHarani, watsatsa naSarayi malukatane wakhe, lobekangumfati wa-Abrama indvodzana yakhe, waphuma nabo e-Uri, indzawo yemaKhaledi baya eKhenani.+ Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi befika eHarani+ futsi bahlala khona. 32 Thera waphila iminyaka lengu-205, ngemuva kwaloko wafela eHarani.

12 Jehova watsi ku-Abrama: “Phuma eveni lakini, ushiye tihlobo takho nendlu yababe wakho, uye eveni lengitakukhombisa lona.+ 2 Ngitakwenta ube sive lesikhulu, ngikubusise, ngente nelibito lakho latiwe kakhulu, futsi utawuba sibusiso kulabanye.+ 3 Ngitawubabusisa labo labakubusisako, ngibacalekise labo labakucalekisako,+ futsi tonkhe tive letisemhlabeni titawubusiswa* ngawe.”+

4 Ngako Abrama wahamba njengobe Jehova abemtjelile, futsi Loti wahamba naye. Abrama abeneminyaka lengu-75 nakesuka eHarani.+ 5 Watsatsa Sarayi umfati wakhe,+ naLoti indvodzana yemnakabo,+ nato tonkhe tintfo lebebanato+ kanye netigcili lebebatitfole eHarani, base baya eveni laseKhenani.+ Nabefika eKhenani, 6 Abrama walihamba lonkhe lelive waze wayewufika endzaweni lebitwa ngekutsi yiShekhemu,+ lesedvute netihlahla letinkhulu taseMore.+ Ngaleso sikhatsi, bantfu baseKhenani bebahlala kuleyo ndzawo. 7 Jehova wabese ubonakala ku-Abrama, futsi watsi kuye: “Lelive ngitalinika bantfwana* bakho.”+ Ngako Abrama wakhela Jehova li-al’thare kuleyo ndzawo, ngobe kulapho abonakala khona kuye. 8 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi wesuka lapho waya esifundzeni lesinetintsaba lesisemphumalanga yeBetheli+ wamisa emathende, iBetheli yaba ngasenshonalanga, i-Ayi+ yaba ngasemphumalanga. Kuleyo ndzawo, wafike wakhela Jehova li-al’thare+ futsi wadvumisa libito laJehova.+ 9 Ngemuva kwaloko, Abrama wesuka lapho waya ngaseNegebhu,+ futsi abehamba amisa emathende akhe.

10 Kwaba nendlala eKhenani, ngako Abrama wehlela eGibhithe kuze ayewuhlala khona sikhashana,*+ ngobe indlala beyibhoke kakhulu.+ 11 Nasebatawungena eGibhithe, watsi kuSarayi umfati wakhe: “Kunalokutsite lengicela sikukhulume. Ngiyati kutsi umuhle kakhulu.+ 12 Ngako bantfu baseGibhithe batawutsi nabakubona batsi: ‘Ngumfati wakhe lona.’ Batawubese bayangibulala, kodvwa wena bakushiye. 13 Ngicela ubotsi ungudzadzewetfu, kuze konkhe kungihambele kahle, futsi bangangibulali.”+

14 Ngekushesha nje Abrama nakangena eGibhithe, bantfu bakhona bambona Sarayi kutsi abemuhle kakhulu. 15 Netindvuna taFaro tambona futsi tacala kubabata buhle bakhe kuFaro, ngako watsatfwa wayiswa endlini yaFaro. 16 Faro wamphatsa kahle Abrama ngenca yaSarayi, futsi wamupha timvu, tinkhomo, timbongolo, tinceku, tincekukati kanye nemakamela.+ 17 Ngako Jehova washaya Faro nendlu yakhe ngetishayo letibuhlungu ngenca yaSarayi, umfati wa-Abrama.+ 18 Faro wase ubita Abrama watsi kuye: “Yini lena longente yona? Awukangitjeli ngani kutsi lona ngumfati wakho? 19 Kungani utsite: ‘Lona ngudzadzewetfu,’+ ngize nje ngicishe ngimtsatse abe ngumfati wami? Nangu, mtsatse uhambe naye!” 20 Faro watjela tinceku takhe kutsi timkhulule. Ngako tamkhulula, yena kanye nemfati wakhe, nako konkhe labenako.+

13 Abrama wase uyesuka eGibhithe waya eNegebhu,+ akanye nemfati wakhe nako konkhe labekanako, naLoti wahamba naye. 2 Abrama abenemfuyo lenyenti, nelisiliva neligolide+ lelinyenti. 3 Abehamba emisa emathende nakesuka eNegebhu aya eBetheli, kwaze kwaba ngulapho efika endzaweni lesemkhatsini weBetheli ne-Ayi,+ lapho bekake wamisa lithende lakhe khona, 4 futsi bekake wakha li-al’thare kuleyondzawo. Nakefika lapho, Abrama wadvumisa libito laJehova.

5 Loti naye lebekahamba na-Abrama, abenetimvu, tinkhomo kanye nemathende. 6 Ngako lendzawo yabese ayisabalungeli kutsi bahlale kuyo bonkhe, ngobe tintfo tabo bese titinyenti kakhulu. 7 Ngaleso sizatfu, belusi ba-Abrama nebelusi baLoti bacabana. (Ngaleso sikhatsi, emaKhenani nemaPheresi abehlala kuleyondzawo.)+ 8 Ngako Abrama watsi kuLoti:+ “Ngicela kutsi mine nawe singacabani ngobe sibandzawonye, nebelusi betfu nabo akukafaneli bacabane. 9 Ungakhetsa nome nguyiphi indzawo loyifunako. Ngako-ke ngicela kutsi simane sehlukane. Nangabe uya ngesencele mine ngitakuya ngesekudla, kodvwa nawuya ngesekudla mine ngitakuya ngesencele.” 10 Ngako Loti wayibuka lendzawo futsi wabona sonkhe sifundza saseJordane+ kuze kuyewufika eSowari.+ Wabona kutsi besinemanti lamanyenti, njengengadzi* yaJehova+ nanjengelive laseGibhithe (ngesikhatsi Jehova asengakayibhubhisi iSodoma neGomora). 11 Loti wakhetsa sonkhe sifundza saseJordane, futsi wesuka nako konkhe lokukwakhe waya ngasemphumalanga. Ngako-ke behlukana na-Abrama. 12 Abrama wahlala eveni laseKhenani, Loti yena wahlala emadolobheni lasesifundzeni saseJordane.+ Ekugcineni Loti wamisa emathende akhe edvute neSodoma. 13 Bantfu baseSodoma bebenta tintfo letimbi, futsi bebona kakhulu kuJehova.+

14 Ngemuva kwekutsi bo-Abrama naLoti behlukene, Jehova watsi ku-Abrama: “Ngicela sewuphakamise emehlo, futsi ubuke ngasenyakatfo ulapho ume khona, ubuke ngaseningizimu, ngasemphumalanga nangasenshonalanga, 15 ngobe lonkhe lelive lolibonako ngitalinika wena nebantfwana* bakho, futsi litawuhlala lingelenu.+ 16 Bantfwana bakho ngitabenta babe ngangelutfuli lwemhlabatsi, futsi njengobe umuntfu angeke akhone kulubala, nebantfwana bakho kute lotawukhona kubabala.+ 17 Ngako-ke, lihambe lonkhe lelive, ngobe ngitakunika lona.” 18 Ngako Abrama wachubeka ahlala emathendeni. Ngemuva kwesikhatsi wesuka wayohlala ngasetihlahleni letinkhulu taseMamre,+ eHebroni,+ futsi wakhela Jehova li-al’thare kuleyondzawo.+

14 Ngaleso sikhatsi, Amrafeli abeyinkhosi yaseShinari,+ Ariyoki ayinkhosi yase-Elasare, Khedolawomere+ ayinkhosi yase-Elamu,+ futsi Thidali abeyinkhosi yaseGoyimu. 2 Lamakhosi alwa naBhera inkhosi yaseSodoma,+ Bhisha inkhosi yaseGomora,+ Shinabe inkhosi yase-Adma, Shemebere inkhosi yaseZeboyimu,+ kanye naSowari inkhosi yaseBhela. 3 Onkhe lamakhosi lamane ahlangana eTsafeni laseSidimu,+ lokuLwandle Lweluswayi.*+

4 Kwaphela iminyaka lengu-12 lamakhosi lasihlanu abuswa nguKhedolawomere, kodvwa amvukela ngemnyaka wesi-13. 5 Ngako ngemnyaka wesi-14, Khedolawomere nemakhosi labekanye nawo bancoba emaRefa e-Ashtherothe-khanayimu, emaZuzi eHhamu, ema-Emi+ eShave-khiriyathayimu, 6 bancoba nemaHori+ entsabeni yawo iSeyiri+ baze bayawufika e-Eli-pharani lesehlane. 7 Babese babuyela emuva futsi befika e-Eni-mishpati, lokuyiKhadeshi,+ batsatsa yonkhe indzawo yema-Amaleki+ kanye nema-Amori,+ labehlala eHasesoni-thamari.+

8 Ngaleso sikhatsi, inkhosi yaseSodoma yaphuma ikanye nenkhosi yaseGomora, nenkhosi yase-Adma, nenkhosi yaseZeboyimu, kanye nenkhosi yaseBhela, lokuyiSowari futsi bahlangana eTsafeni laseSidimu, 9 kute bayewukulwa naKhedolawomere inkhosi yase-Elamu, Thidali inkhosi yaseGoyimu, Amrafeli inkhosi yaseShinari na-Ariyoki inkhosi yase-Elasare.+ Lamakhosi lamane alwa nalamakhosi lasihlanu. 10 LiTsafa laseSidimu beligcwele imigodzi yelitiyela, futsi inkhosi yaseSodoma neyaseGomora nemabutfo awo, betama kubaleka kodvwa bagcumukela kulemigodzi, kwatsi labanye babalekela esifundzeni lesinetintsaba. 11 Ngako lamakhosi lamane lancoba atsatsa tonkhe tintfo letatiseSodoma naseGomora kanye nako konkhe kudla kwakhona ase ayahamba.+ 12 Atsatsa naLoti indvodzana yemnakabo-Abrama, njengobe abehlala eSodoma,+ atsatsa netintfo takhe ahamba.

13 Ngemuva kwaloko indvodza letsite lebeyiphunyulile yeta yatobikela Abrama umHebheru. Ngaleso sikhatsi abehlala* ngasetihlahleni letinkhulu taMamre um-Amori.+ Mamre abengumnakabo-Eshkoli na-Aneri,+ futsi lamadvodza bekabambisene na-Abrama. 14 Abrama weva kutsi sihlobo*+ sakhe sitfunjiwe. Ngako watsatsa emadvodza labececeshiwe, lobekutisebenti takhe letingu-318 letatalelwa emndenini wakhe, futsi wagijimisa lamakhosi waze wayawufika kaDani.+ 15 Kwatsi ebusuku, Abrama wehlukanisa libutfo lakhe, lokutisebenti takhe, futsi bawahlasela lamakhosi bawancoba. Bawacosha baze bayawufika eHoba, lesenyakatfo yeDamaseko. 16 Watsatsa Loti sihlobo sakhe, kanye netintfo takhe. Waphindze watsatsa naleletinye tintfo, kuhlanganise nebafati nalabanye bantfu, wabuya nabo bonkhe.

17 Ngesikhatsi Abrama abuya kuyewuncoba Khedolawomere nemakhosi labekanye naye, inkhosi yaseSodoma yamhlangabeta eTsafeni laseShave, lokuliTsafa leNkhosi.+ 18 Melkhisedeki+ lobekayinkhosi yaseSalema+ waletsa sinkhwa neliwayini; abengumphristi waNkulunkulu Losetikwako Konkhe.+

19 Ngemuva kwaloko wambusisa watsi:

Ngako Abrama wanika Melkhisedeki incenye yinye kuletingu-10 kuto tonkhe letintfo labetitsetse nakancoba lamakhosi.+

21 Ngemuva kwaloko inkhosi yaseSodoma yatsi ku-Abrama: “Nginike labantfu, wena utitsatsele tonkhe letintfo.” 22 Kodvwa Abrama watsi kuyo: “Ngiphakamisa sandla sami ngiyafunga kuJehova longuNkulunkulu Losetikwako Konkhe, futsi longuMdali welizulu nemhlaba, 23 kutsi ngeke ngitsatse lutfo lwakho, kusukela emtiyeni kuyawufika etintsanjeni tetincabule, khona ungatobese utsi: ‘Ngimnjingisile Abrama.’ 24 Kute lokunye lengitakutsatsa, ngaphandle kwaloko lesekudliwe ngulamajaha. Lamadvodza lengihamba nawo, bo-Aneri, Eshkoli naMamre,+ nawo akatsatse incenye yawo.”

15 Ngemuva kwaloko, Abrama wabona umbono, weva nelivi laJehova litsi: “Ungesabi+ Abrama. Mine ngisihlangu sakho,+ futsi umvuzo wakho utawuba mkhulu kakhulu.”+ 2 Abrama waphendvula watsi: “Nkhosi Lephakeme Jehova, utanginikani ngobe solo ngite umntfwana futsi loyo lotawuba yindlalifa yami ngu-Eliyezeri, indvodza yaseDamaseko?”+ 3 Abrama wachubeka watsi: “Awukanginiki bantfwana,*+ futsi inceku* yami ngiyo letawuba yindlalifa.” 4 Kodvwa Jehova wamphendvula watsi: “Leyo ndvodza angeke ibe yindlalifa yakho, kodvwa yindvodzana* yakho letawuba yindlalifa.”+

5 Wabese utsi akaphumele ngephandle, futsi watsi kuye: “Ngicela ubuke etulu emazulwini, futsi ubale tinkhanyeti nawungakhona kutibala.” Ngemuva kwaloko watsi: “Batawuba ngako-ke nebantfwana* bakho.”+ 6 Abrama wakholwa kuJehova,+ futsi Nkulunkulu watsi ulungile.*+ 7 Wachubeka watsi: “NginguJehova, lowakukhipha e-Uri, lokuyindzawo yemaKhaledi, kuze ngikunike lelive kutsi libe lakho.”+ 8 Abrama waphendvula watsi: “Nkhosi Lephakeme Jehova, ngitawati ngani kutsi lendzawo itawuba ngeyami?” 9 Nkulunkulu wamphendvula watsi: “Tsatsa litfokati lelineminyaka lemitsatfu, imbutikati leneminyaka lemitsatfu, imvu lendvuna leneminyaka lemitsatfu, lituba, nelizini lelituba.” 10 Watsatsa konkhe loku wakuhlahlela ekhatsi, ngakunye kwaba tincenye letimbili, nguleyo naleyo ncenye wayibeka macondzana nalenye. Letinyoni tona akazange atihlahlele. 11 Ngemuva kwaloko, emangce ehlela kulenyama yaletilwane, kodvwa Abrama abesolo awacosha.

12 Naseliyawushona, Abrama wehlelwa butfongo lobukhulu futsi ephusheni wabona bumnyama lobukhulu nalobesabekako. 13 Ngemuva kwaloko, Nkulunkulu watsi ku-Abrama: “Yati kutsi bantfwana* bakho batawuba bantfu bekuhamba eveni lelingasilo labo, futsi bantfu bakulelo live batabagcilata baphindze babahluphe iminyaka lengu-400.+ 14 Kodvwa leso sive ngitawusehlulela,+ bese bantfwana bakho bayakhululeka futsi bahambe netintfo letinyenti.+ 15 Wena utawuphila sikhatsi lesidze bese uyafa; futsi utawungcwatjwa nabokhokho bakho.+ 16 Kodvwa labantfwana bakho batawubuya kulendzawo+ sebasitukulwane sesine, ngobe sisengakefiki sikhatsi sekujeziswa kwema-Amori.”+

17 Naselishonile lilanga futsi sekumnyama, kwavela intfutfu futsi kwendlula lutsi loluvutsako emkhatsini waletilwane lebekatihlahlele. 18 Ngalelolanga, Jehova wenta sivumelwane+ na-Abrama watsi: “Bantfwana* bakho ngitabanika lelive,+ kusukela emfuleni waseGibhithe kuze kuyofika emfuleni lomkhulu, iYufrathe:+ 19 lokulive lemaKheni,+ nemaKhenizi, nemaKhadimoni, 20 nemaHethi,+ nemaPheresi,+ nemaRefa,+ 21 nema-Amori, nemaKhenani, nemaGirigashi kanye nemaJebhusi.”+

16 Sarayi umfati wa-Abrama bekangabatfoli bantfwana,+ kodvwa bekanencekukati lengumGibhithe lebitwa ngekutsi nguHagari.+ 2 Ngaleso sizatfu, Sarayi watsi ku-Abrama: “Ngite bantfwana, ngobe Jehova ungivalile kutsi ngitale. Ngicela kutsi ulale nencekukati yami, mhlawumbe nje ingangitalela bantfwana.”+ Ngako Abrama wakulalela loko lobekushiwo nguSarayi. 3 Ngesikhatsi Abrama asahleti iminyaka lengu-10 eveni laseKhenani, Sarayi wamniketa Hagari, incekukati yakhe lengumGibhithe kutsi abe ngumfati wakhe. 4 Ngako Abrama waya ecansini naHagari futsi wakhulelwa. Ngesikhatsi Hagari abona kutsi sewukhulelwe, wabese ucala kwedzelela Sarayi.

5 Sarayi watsi ku-Abrama: “Lobuhlungu lengibuvako bubangelwe nguwe. Ngimi lokunike incekukati yami,* kodvwa itsite nayibona kutsi seyikhulelwe, yacala kungedzelela. Shengatsi Jehova angehlulela kutsi ngubani loneliphutsa emkhatsini wami nawe.” 6 Ngako Abrama watsi kuSarayi: “Lencekukati yakho ingaphansi kwakho. Yenta kuyo nobe yini locabanga kutsi ikahle.” Sarayi wabese uhlupha Hagari, ngaleso sizatfu, wagcina abalekile.

7 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, ingilosi yaJehova yatfola Hagari ehlane, emtfonjeni losendleleni leya eShuri.+ 8 Yatsi kuye: “Hagari, ncekukati yaSarayi, uchamukaphi futsi ulibangisephi?” Hagari wayiphendvula watsi: “Ngibalekela Sarayi.” 9 Lengilosi yaJehova yatsi kuye: “Hamba ubuyele kuSarayi futsi utitfobe kuye.” 10 Lengilosi yaJehova yabese itsi: “Nkulunkulu utayandzisa kakhulu intalelwane yakho, kuze kube lukhuni ngisho nekuyibala.”+ 11 Lengilosi yaJehova yachubeka yatsi: “Njengobe ukhulelwe, utawutala indvodzana. Kufanele uyibite ngekutsi ngu-Ishmayeli,* ngobe Jehova uvile ngekuhlupheka kwakho. 12 Njengembongolo yesiganga,* kute umuntfu lotawukhona kuyicondzisa. Itawumelana nabo bonkhe bantfu futsi nabo bamelane nayo. Itawuhlala edvute nabo bonkhe bomnakabo.”*

13 Ngako Hagari wadvumisa libito laJehova labekhuluma naye, watsi: “UnguNkulunkulu lobona tonkhe tintfo.”*+ Wambita kanjalo ngobe abetitjela atsi: “Kusho kutsi vele ngimbonile loyo longibonako.” 14 Kungako lomtfombo wabitwa ngekutsi yiBheri-lahayi-rohi.* (Usemkhatsini weKhadeshi neBheredi.) 15 Ngako Hagari watalela Abrama indvodzana, futsi Abrama wabita lendvodzana yakhe lebeyitelwe nguHagari ngekutsi ngu-Ishmayeli.+ 16 Abrama abeneminyaka lengu-86 ngesikhatsi Hagari atala Ishmayeli.

17 Ngesikhatsi Abrama asaneminyaka lengu-99, Jehova wabonakala kuye watsi: “NginguNkulunkulu Somandla. Hlala wetsembekile kimi futsi ube msulwa.* 2 Ngitasicinisekisa sivumelwane lengasenta nawe,+ futsi ngitawenta bantfwana bakho babe banyenti kakhulu.”+

3 Ngako Abrama waguca watsintsa ngebuso phansi, Nkulunkulu wachubeka wakhuluma naye watsi: 4 “Ngente sivumelwane nawe,+ futsi utawuba ngubabe wetive letinyenti.+ 5 Ngeke usabitwa ngekutsi ungu-Abrama,* kodvwa libito lakho sekutawuba ngu-Abrahama,* ngobe ngitawenta kutsi ube ngubabe wetive letinyenti. 6 Ngitawenta bantfwana bakho babe banyenti kakhulu, futsi kuwe kutawuvela tive letinyenti kanye nemakhosi lamanyenti.+

7 “Ngitawusigcina sivumelwane lengisente nawe+ nebantfwana* bakho kanye nato tonkhe titukulwane letiseta, futsi lesivumelwane sitawuhlala phakadze. Ngitawuba nguNkulunkulu wakho newentalelwane* yakho letakuta emvakwakho. 8 Lonkhe lelive laseKhenani lebewuhlala kulo njengesihambi+ ngitalinika wena nentalelwane* yakho letakuta emvakwakho, futsi litawuhlala lingelenu. Mine ngitawuba nguNkulunkulu walentalelwane yakho.”+

9 Nkulunkulu wachubeka watsi ku-Abrahama: “Wena nentalelwane* yakho letawuta emvakwakho, kufanele nisigcine lesivumelwane kuto tonkhe titukulwane. 10 Nasi sivumelwane sami nawe, lokufanele wena nentalelwane* yakho letawuta emvakwakho nisigcine: Bonkhe labadvuna emkhatsini wenu kufanele basoke.+ 11 Kufanele nisoke, futsi loku kutawuba luphawu lwesivumelwane lesikhona emkhatsini wami nawe.+ 12 Kuto tonkhe titukulwane takho, bonkhe bantfwana labadvuna labanemalanga langu-8 budzala kufanele basokwe.+ Bonkhe labatalelwe endlini yakho nabo bonkhe labangasiyo intalelwane yakho futsi lobatsenge kubantfu bekuhamba, nabo kufanele basokwe. 13 Bonkhe labadvuna labatalelwe endlini yakho nabo bonkhe lobatsengile kufanele basokwe,+ futsi lesivumelwane lesisemtimbeni wenu kufanele sihlale phakadze. 14 Nobe ngumuphi lomdvuna longeke asoke kufanele abulawe, ngobe usephulile sivumelwane sami.”

15 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu watsi ku-Abrahama: “Umfati wakho ungasambiti ngekutsi nguSarayi*+ ngobe libito lakhe sekutawuba nguSara.* 16 Ngitambusisa futsi utakutalela indvodzana.+ Ngitambusisa mbamba, futsi kuye kutawuvela tive letinyenti kanye nemakhosi lamanyenti.” 17 Ngako Abrahama waguca watsintsa phansi, wahleka futsi wakhuluma ngenhlitiyo+ watsi: “Kodvwa vele indvodza leneminyaka lengu-100 ingamtfola yini umntfwana, futsi Sara usengatala yini njengobe asaneminyaka lengu-90?”+

18 Abrahama watsi kuNkulunkulu weliciniso: “Shengatsi ungambusisa Ishmayeli!”+ 19 Ngako Nkulunkulu watsi: “Sara umfati wakho utakutalela indvodzana futsi kufanele uyibite ngekutsi ngu-Isaka.*+ Ngitasicinisekisa sivumelwane sami naye, sibe sivumelwane lesitawuhlala phakadze nakubantfwana*+ bakhe labatawuta emvakwakhe. 20 Kodvwa ngisivile sicelo sakho lesimayelana na-Ishmayeli. Ngako ngitambusisa futsi ngente bantfwana bakhe babe banyenti kakhulu. Kuye kutawuvela baholi labangu-12, futsi utawuba sive lesikhulu.+ 21 Kodvwa sivumelwane sami ngitawusicinisekisa na-Isaka,+ loyo Sara latakutalela yena ngalesikhatsi lesi emnyakeni lotako.”+

22 Nkulunkulu watsi nakacedza kukhuluma na-Abrahama wabese uyamshiya. 23 Ngemuva kwaloko Abrahama watsatsa Ishmayeli indvodzana yakhe nabo bonkhe labadvuna lebebatalelwe endlini yakhe, kanye nabo bonkhe lebekabatsengile, wabasoka ngalo lelolanga, njengobe Nkulunkulu abemtjelile.+ 24 Abrahama abeneminyaka lengu-99 ngesikhatsi asokwa.+ 25 Ishmayeli, indvodzana yakhe abeneminyaka lengu-13 ngesikhatsi asokwa.+ 26 Abrahama kanye na-Ishmayeli, indvodzana yakhe, basokwa ngalona lelolanga. 27 Bonkhe labadvuna lebebasendlini yakhe, lokungulabo lebebatalelwe khona kanye nalabo lebebatsengwe kubantfu bekuhamba, basokwa naye.

18 Ngemuva kwaloko, Jehova+ wabonakala ku-Abrahama ngasetihlahleni letinkhulu taseMamre.+ Abrahama abehleti ngasemnyango welithende lakhe, futsi nelilanga beselishisa kakhulu. 2 Watsi nakaphakamisa emehlo, wabona emadvodza lamatsatfu eme bucalu naye.+ Nakawabona, wesuka emnyango welithende wagijima wawahlangabeta, wafike waguca embikwawo. 3 Wabese utsi: “Jehova,* nangabe ngitfole umusa kuwe, ngicela ungayendluli inceku yakho. 4 Ngicela kuniletsela emanti kuze nigezwe tinyawo;+ ngemuva kwaloko niphumule ngephansi kwesihlahla. 5 Njengobe nite encekwini yenu, ngicela kuniletsela sinkhwa nitewudla* bese nichubeka neluhambo lwenu.” Lamadvodza atsi: “Kulungile, ungenta njengobe usho.”

6 Ngako Abrahama waphutfuma waya ethendeni kuSara, wafike watsi: “Phangisa, tsatsa bobhasikidi labatsatfu* bafulaha ubhuce inhlama, wente tinkhwa.” 7 Abrahama wase uyagijima uya emhlambini wakhe wafike wakhetsa inkunzana lenhle futsi lekhuluphele. Wayinika sisebenti sakhe futsi sayilungisa ngekushesha. 8 Wabese utsatsa bhotela nelubisi kanye nalenkunzana labeyilungisile wabanika kona. Njengobe lamadvodza adla, Abrahama wema eceleni kwawo ngephansi kwalesihlahla.+

9 Ambuta atsi: “Uphi Sara+ umkakho?” Waphendvula watsi: “Ulathendeni.” 10 Lenye kulamadvodza yatsi: “Ngitawubuya kuwe ngesikhatsi lesifanako emnyakeni lotako, futsi Sara umkakho utawuba nendvodzana.”+ Ngaleso sikhatsi Sara abelalele asemnyango welithende lebelingemuva kwalendvodza. 11 Bo-Abrahama naSara besebakhule kakhulu.+ Sara besekamdzala kakhulu kutsi angatfola bantfwana.*+ 12 Ngako Sara wahleka yedvwa, watsi: “Njengobe mine sengimdzala kangaka futsi nenkhosi yami seyikhulile, ngisengayitfola yini lenjabulo?”+ 13 Jehova wase utsi ku-Abrahama: “Uhlekani Sara futsi kungani atsi: ‘Ngitamtfola yini vele umntfwana njengobe sengimdzala kangaka?’ 14 Kukhona yini lokungehlula Jehova?+ Ngitawubuya kuwe ngesikhatsi lesifanako emnyakeni lotako, futsi Sara umkakho utawuba nendvodzana.” 15 Kodvwa Sara waphika ngobe bekesaba, watsi: “Cha angikahleki!” Nkulunkulu watsi: “Vele uhlekile.”

16 Ngesikhatsi lamadvodza asukuma alungela kuhamba, abuka ngaseSodoma,+ futsi Abrahama wawaphekeletela kute awakhombise indlela. 17 Jehova watsi: “Kufanele yini vele ngimfihlele Abrahama loko lengitakwenta?+ 18 Phela Abrahama utawuba sive lesikhulu nalesinemandla, futsi tonkhe tive temhlaba titawubusiswa* ngaye.+ 19 Ngimati kahle Abrahama futsi ngiyaciniseka kutsi utawafundzisa emadvodzana akhe kanye netitukulwane takhe kutsi tente lokulungile emehlweni aJehova,+ kuze Jehova afeze loko lametsembise kona.”

20 Jehova wabese utsi: “Kukhala lokukhona ngeSodoma nangeGomora kukhulu+ futsi netono tayo tinyenti kakhulu.+ 21 Ngitawehla ngiyobuka kutsi loko lengikuvako kuliciniso yini, nekutsi loko labakwentako kubi yini vele. Ngifuna kukwati loku.”+

22 Lamadvodza esuka lapho aya ngaseSodoma, kodvwa Jehova+ wasala na-Abrahama. 23 Ngako Abrahama wasondzela watsi: “Utababhubhisa yini vele bantfu labalungile nawubhubhisa lababi?+ 24 Asesitsi kunebantfu labalungile labangu-50 kulelidolobha. Utababhubhisa bonkhe yini bantfu labakulelidolobha, futsi angeke yini ulicolele ngenca yalaba labalungile labangu-50? 25 Akube khashane nawe kwenta ngalendlela, kutsi ubhubhise labalungile kanye nalababi, nekutsi bonkhe batfole sijeziso lesifanako.+ Loko akube khashane nawe.+ Njengobe unguMehluleli wemhlaba wonkhe, ngeke yini wente lokulungile?”+ 26 Ngako Jehova watsi: “Nangabe ngitfola bantfu labalungile labangu-50 eSodoma, ngitalicolela lonkhe lelidolobha ngenca yabo.” 27 Kodvwa Abrahama wachubeka watsi: “Jehova, ngicela ungivumele kutsi ngichubeke ngikhulume, ngisho nobe ngilutfuli nemlotsa. 28 Asesitsi kunalabasihlanu labangakalungi emkhatsini walaba labangu-50 labalungile. Utalibhubhisa yini lonkhe lelidolobha ngenca yabo?” Nkulunkulu watsi: “Angeke ngilibhubhise nangabe ngitfola labalungile labangu-45.”+

29 Kodvwa waphindze wakhuluma naye watsi: “Asesitsi-ke utfola labangu-40.” Nkulunkulu wamphendvula watsi: “Angeke ngilibhubhise ngenca yalaba labangu-40.” 30 Wachubeka watsi: “Jehova, ungangitfukutseleli,+ kodvwa ngicela ungivumele ngichubeke: Asesitsi utfola labangu-30 kuphela.” Nkulunkulu waphendvula watsi: “Angeke ngilibhubhise nangabe ngitfola labalungile labangu-30.” 31 Wachubeka watsi: “Jehova, ngicela ungivumele kutsi ngichubeke ngikhulume: Asesitsi-ke utfola labangu-20 kuphela.” Nkulunkulu wamphendvula watsi: “Angeke ngilibhubhise ngenca yalaba labalungile labangu-20.” 32 Ekugcineni watsi: “Jehova, mane ungangitfukutseleli, kodvwa ngicela ungivumele ngikhulume kwekugcina: Asesitsi utfola labangu-10 nje kuphela.” Nkulunkulu wamphendvula watsi: “Angeke ngilibhubhise ngenca yalaba labalungile labangu-10.” 33 Jehova watsi nakacedza kukhuluma na-Abrahama wahamba,+ na-Abrahama wabuyela endzaweni yakhe.

19 Letingilosi letimbili tefika sekuhwalele eSodoma, futsi Loti abehleti egedeni lalelidolobha. Nakabona letingilosi, wasukuma watihlangabeta, wafike waguca, wabuka phansi.+ 2 Watsi: “Banumzane, ngicela nimane niphambukele endlini yenceku yenu, nilale khona kulobusuku futsi nigezwe netinyawo. Ngemuva kwaloko ningavuka ekuseni kakhulu nichubeke neluhambo lwenu.” Letingilosi tatsi: “Cha, sitawulala esitaladini salelidolobha.” 3 Loti abesolo atincenga, kangangekutsi tagcine tihambe naye taya endlini yakhe. Wafike watentela kudla, watibhakela nesinkhwa lesite imvubelo, futsi tadla.

4 Kwatsi nje tisengakalali letingilosi, onkhe emadvodza alelidolobha laseSodoma, kusukela kulabancane kuya kulabadzala, abutsana atungeleta indlu yaLoti abanga umsindvo. 5 Abesolo amemeta Loti atsi: “Aphi lamadvodza lafike lapha kuwe lamuhla kusihlwa? Wakhiphe uwaletse lapha kuze sitewulala nawo.”+

6 Ngako Loti waphuma waya kulamadvodza aseSodoma, futsi wavala umnyango. 7 Wafike watsi: “Banaketfu, ngicela ningenti lutfo lolubi. 8 Nginemadvodzakati lamabili langakaze alale nendvodza. Ngicela kuwakhipha ngininike wona kuze nente nobe yini kuwo, kodvwa ngicela kutsi ningenti lutfo kulamadvodza ngobe afihle inhloko* lapha endlini yami.”+ 9 Nakeva loko, lamadvodza atsi: “Khwesha!” Achubeka atsi: “Lomuntfu ungumchamuki, kodvwa unesibindzi sekusehlulela! Lesitakwenta kuwe kubi kakhulu kunaloko besitakwenta kulamadvodza.” Ngako asondzela* kuLoti futsi afuna nekuphula sivalo. 10 Lamadvodza* labesendlini abamba Loti amngenisa ngekhatsi, futsi avala nemnyango. 11 Kodvwa ashaya lamadvodza labesemnyango walendlu ngebumphumphutse, kusukela kulabancane kuya kulabadzala, kangangekutsi lamadvodza aseSodoma atilimata solo aphumphutsa umnyango.

12 Lamadvodza labesendlini abese atsi kuLoti: “Unato yini letinye tihlobo lapha? Tikhiphe kulendzawo, kungaba bakhwenyane, emadvodzana, emadvodzakati, nato tonkhe letinye tihlobo takho letikulelidolobha. 13 Ngobe sitayibhubhisa lendzawo, ngesizatfu sekutsi kukhala lokukhona ngayo kukhulu kakhulu embikwaJehova,+ kungako Jehova asitfume kutsi sitelibhubhisa lelidolobha.” 14 Ngako Loti wahamba, wakhuluma nebakhwenyane bakhe lebebatawutsatsa emadvodzakati akhe, futsi abesolo abatjela atsi: “Sheshisani, niphume kulendzawo ngobe Jehova utalibhubhisa lelidolobha!” Kodvwa kulabakhwenyane bakhe, Loti abebonakala shengatsi uyadlala nje.+

15 Ekuseni ngeluvivi, letingilosi tagcugcutela Loti kutsi aphangise, tatsi: “Sheshisa, utsatse umfati wakho nemadvodzakati akho lamabili lonawo lapha, kuze ningabhujiswa kanye nalelidolobha!”+ 16 Ngesikhatsi Loti solo enta kancane, Jehova waba nemusa kuye,+ futsi lamadvodza ambamba ngesandla, yena kanye nemfati wakhe nemadvodzakati akhe lamabili, aphuma nabo abashiya ngephandle kwalelidolobha.+ 17 Ngekushesha nje ngesikhatsi lamadvodza sekabakhiphele ngephandle kwalelidolobha, lenye yawo yatsi: “Balekani kuze nisindzise kuphila kwenu! Ningabuki emuva+ futsi ningemi kunobe nguyiphi indzawo kulesifundza!+ Balekelani esifundzeni lesinetintsaba kuze ningatewubhujiswa!”

18 Ngako Loti watsi kuwo: “Jehova, ngicela kungayi kuleyondzawo! 19 Ngiyacela, ngobe ube neluvelo encekwini yakho, waba nemusa* lomkhulu kuyo, ngekuyigcina iphila.+ Kodvwa-ke angeke ngikhone kubalekela esifundzeni lesinetintsaba ngobe ngiyesaba kutsi ngingahle ngehlelwe yinhlekelele futsi ngife.+ 20 Kunelidolobha lelincane lelisedvute lengingabalekela kulo. Ngicela kumane ngiyobhaca khona, futsi liyindzawo lencane nje. Ngitawusindza lapho.” 21 Nkulunkulu watsi kuye: “Kulungile, ngitakucabangela+ ngekutsi ngingalibhubhisi lelidolobha lokhuluma ngalo.+ 22 Sheshisa ubalekele khona, ngobe kute lengitakwenta udzimate ufike kuleyondzawo!”+ Kungako lelidolobha alibita ngekutsi yiSowari.*+

23 Lilanga beseliphumile ngesikhatsi Loti efika eSowari. 24 Jehova wenta kutsi kune umlilo nesibabule eSodoma naseGomora, futsi bewuvela kuye Jehova emazulwini.+ 25 Ngako wawabhubhisa lamadolobha, wabhubhisa sonkhe lesifundza, kuhlanganise nabo bonkhe bantfu bakhona kanye netitjalo.+ 26 Kodvwa umfati waLoti, lobekasemuva kwakhe wagucuka wabuka emuva, futsi waba yinsika yeluswayi.+

27 Ekuseni kakhulu Abrahama waya kulendzawo lapho bekakhulume naJehova khona.+ 28 Nakabuka ngaseSodoma naseGomora nakuyo yonkhe indzawo yalesifundza, wabona intfo leyesabekako. Kwakunentfutfu lenkhulu lebeyisuka kuleyondzawo ifana nentfutfu yemlilo lomkhulu!+ 29 Ngesikhatsi Nkulunkulu abhubhisa lamadolobha alesifundza, wamkhumbula Abrahama ngekutsi akhiphe Loti kulamadolobha lawabhubhisa, lokungemadolobha Loti labehlala kuwo.+

30 Ngemuva kwesikhatsi Loti wesuka eSowari nemadvodzakati akhe lamabili futsi wahlala esifundzeni lesinetintsaba,+ ngobe abesaba kuhlala eSowari.+ Ngako wahlala emgedzeni kanye nalamadvodzakati akhe lamabili. 31 Indvodzakati yakhe lendzala yatsi kulena lencane: “Babe semdzala, futsi kute indvodza kulendzawo lengalala natsi njengobe bonkhe bantfu benta. 32 Wota simnike liwayini, futsi silale naye kuze sitewumtalela bantfwana.”

33 Ngako ngalobo busuku bebasolo banatsisa babe wabo liwayini. Lendvodzakati yaLoti lendzala yalala naye, kodvwa Loti akazange ati kutsi yalala nini futsi yavuka nini. 34 Ngelilanga lelilandzelako, lendvodzakati lendzala yatsi kulena lencane: “Ngilele naye babe itolo ebusuku. Nalamuhla ebusuku asiphindze simnatsise liwayini. Wena utawubese uyahamba uyolala naye, kuze simtalele bantfwana.” 35 Ngako nakulobo busuku, bebasolo banatsisa babe wabo liwayini. Lendvodzakati yakhe lencane yalala naye, kodvwa Loti akazange ati kutsi yalala nini futsi yavuka nini. 36 Omabili lamadvodzakati aLoti akhulelwa, akhuleliswa nguLoti longubabe wawo. 37 Lendvodzakati yakhe lendzala yabeleka indvodzana futsi yayibita ngekutsi nguMowabi.+ Lona ngubabe webantfu lamuhla lababitwa ngekutsi ngemaMowabi.+ 38 Nalendvodzakati lencane yabeleka indvodzana, futsi yayibita ngekutsi nguBhenami. Lona ngubabe webantfu lamuhla lababitwa ngekutsi ngema-Amoni.+

20 Abrahama wesuka lapho+ waya eveni laseNegebhu futsi wahlala emkhatsini weKhadeshi+ neShuri.+ Ngesikhatsi asahlala* eGerari,+ 2 Abrahama abevame kutsi Sara ngudzadzewakhe.+ Ngako Abimeleki inkhosi yaseGerari watsi akulandvwe Sara futsi wamtsatsa.+ 3 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu wakhuluma na-Abimeleki ebusuku, wakhuluma naye ephusheni watsi: “Utakufa ngenca yalomfati webantfu lomtsetse,+ ngobe ungumfati walenye indvodza.”+ 4 Kodvwa Abimeleki abengakamtsintsi* Sara. Ngako-ke watsi: “Jehova, utasibulala yini lesive ngisho nobe simsulwa?* 5 Angitsi Abrahama utsite: ‘Lona ngudzadzewetfu,’ kantsi naSara utsite: ‘Lona ngumnaketfu.’ Loku ngikwente ngenhlitiyo lecotfo futsi bengingati kutsi ngenta intfo lembi.” 6 Ngako Nkulunkulu weliciniso wakhuluma naye kuleliphupho watsi: “Ngiyati kutsi loku ukwente ngenhlitiyo lecotfo, futsi bengikuvimba kute ungoni kimi. Kungako ngingakakuvumeli kutsi umtsintse. 7 Ngako-ke mbuyisele emuva lomfati walendvodza, ngobe ingumphrofethi+ futsi itakuncusela+ kute uchubeke uphila. Kodvwa nawungambuyiseli emuva, yati kutsi wena nayo yonkhe indlu yakho nitakufa.”

8 Abimeleki wavuka ekuseni ngeluvivi, wabita tonkhe tisebenti takhe, watitjela konkhe loku, futsi tesaba kakhulu. 9 Abimeleki wabese ubita Abrahama, watsi kuye: “Yini lena losente yona? Kukhona yini lengikone ngako, uze ungonise kangaka, mine kanye nembuso wami? Lentfo longente yona ayikalungi.” 10 Abimeleki wachubeka watsi: “Bewuhloseni ngesikhatsi wenta loku?”+ 11 Abrahama watsi: “Kungobe bengititjela ngitsi: ‘Bantfu bakulendzawo abamesabi Nkulunkulu, futsi batangibulala ngenca yemfati wami.’+ 12 Kantsi-ke vele ungudzadzewetfu mbamba, ngobe babe wetfu munye kodvwa asitalwa ngumake munye, futsi mine ngamtsatsa waba ngumfati wami.+ 13 Ngesikhatsi Nkulunkulu angitjela kutsi ngiphume endlini yababe,+ ngatsi kulomkami: ‘Nayi indlela lotawukhombisa ngayo kutsi uyangitsandza:* Nobe ngukuphi lapho siya khona, ubotsi: “Lona ngumnaketfu.”’”+

14 Abimeleki wabese utsatsa timvu, tinkhomo, tinceku netincekukati watinika Abrahama, futsi wakhulula naSara wamnika yena. 15 Abimeleki wabuye watsi: “Nali live lami, ungahlala nobe ngukuphi lapho utsandza khona.” 16 KuSara watsi: “Umnakenu ngimnika nati tinhlavu telisiliva letingu-1 000.+ Tiluphawu kubo bonkhe labanawe nakubo bonkhe bantfu kutsi wena umsulwa,* nekutsi kuhlambalateka kwakho sekususiwe.” 17 Abrahama wabese uyamncusela kuNkulunkulu weliciniso, futsi Nkulunkulu wamelapha Abimeleki nemfati wakhe kanye netincekukati takhe, base batfola bantfwana, 18 ngobe Jehova bekente kutsi bonkhe bafati labasendlini ya-Abimeleki babe bete imbeleko* ngenca yaSara umfati wa-Abrahama.+

21 Jehova wamkhumbula Sara njengobe abeshito, futsi Jehova wakwenta loko labemetsembise kona.+ 2 Ngako-ke Sara wakhulelwa,+ watala indvodzana ngalesikhatsi Nkulunkulu labesishito futsi Abrahama abesamdzala kakhulu.+ 3 Abrahama wetsa lendvodzana yakhe labeyitalelwe nguSara ngekutsi ngu-Isaka.+ 4 Wayisoka lendvodzana yakhe ngesikhatsi inemalanga langu-8 budzala, njengobe nje Nkulunkulu abemyalile.+ 5 Abrahama abeneminyaka lengu-100 ngesikhatsi kutalwa Isaka indvodzana yakhe. 6 Ngako Sara watsi: “Nkulunkulu ungente ngajabula; bonkhe bantfu nabeva lendzaba batawujabula kanye nami.”* 7 Wachubeka watsi: “Ngubani nje lobekangasho ku-Abrahama kutsi Sara utamtalela bantfwana? Buka-ke, sengimtalele indvodzana ngisho nobe sekamdzala.”

8 Lomntfwana wakhula futsi walunyulwa. Abrahama wenta lidzili lelikhulu ngalelilanga Isaka lalunyulwa ngalo. 9 Kodvwa Sara abesolo abona kutsi indvodzana yaHagari+ umGibhithe, labeyitalele Abrahama, beyihlupha Isaka.+ 10 Ngaleso sizatfu Sara watsi ku-Abrahama: “Cosha lencekukati nendvodzana yayo, ngobe angeke ibe yindlalifa kanye na-Isaka indvodzana yami!”+ 11 Kodvwa loko Sara lakusho ngalendvodzana kwamphatsa kabi Abrahama.+ 12 Ngako Nkulunkulu watsi ku-Abrahama: “Kungakuphatsi kabi loku Sara lakushoko ngalomfana nangalencekukati yakho. Mlalele* ngobe intalelwane* yakho itawuvela ku-Isaka.+ 13 Nakulendvodzana yalencekukati+ ngitawuveta sive,+ ngobe nayo ingumntfwana* wakho.”

14 Abrahama wavuka ekuseni ngeluvivi, watsatsa sinkhwa kanye nesikhwama sesikhumba lesinemanti wakunika Hagari. Wametjatsisa kona wase utsi akahambe nalomfana.+ Ngako Hagari wahamba wazulazula ehlane laseBherisheba.+ 15 Kwatsi nasekuphele lamanti lakulesikhwama sesikhumba, washiya lomfana ngephansi kwetihlahla. 16 Wase uhamba libanga lelilingana nekudubula kwebutjoki wafike wahlala yedvwa, watsi: “Angifuni kubona lomfana nakafa.” Ngako wahlalela khashane wase udzindza sililo.

17 Nkulunkulu wakuva kukhala kwalomfana,+ ngako ingilosi yaNkulunkulu yakhuluma naHagari isezulwini yatsi:+ “Ukhalelani Hagari? Ungesabi, ngobe Nkulunkulu ukuvile kukhala kwalomfana lapho alele khona. 18 Sukuma umphakamise, futsi umbambe ngesandla, ngobe ngitawumenta abe sive lesikhulu.”+ 19 Nkulunkulu wavula emehlo aHagari futsi wabona umtfombo wemanti. Ngemuva kwaloko waya kuwo wagcwalisa lesikhwama sesikhumba ngemanti, wase unatsisa lomfana. 20 Nkulunkulu waba nalomfana+ njengobe akhula. Abehlala ehlane futsi waba yingcweti ekusebentiseni butjoki. 21 Wahlala ehlane lasePharani,+ futsi make wakhe wamtsatsela umfati eveni laseGibhithe.

22 Ngaleso sikhatsi, Abimeleki akanye naPhikoli indvuna yelibutfo lakhe watsi ku-Abrahama: “Nkulunkulu uyakusekela kuko konkhe lokwentako.+ 23 Ngako funga kimi embikwaNkulunkulu kutsi utawetsembeka kimi, kubantfwana bami kanye nakubatukulu bami, nekutsi utawuba nemusa* kimi nakulabantfu bakulelive lobewusolo uhlala kulo, ngendlela nami lengaba nemusa ngayo kuwe.”+ 24 Abrahama watsi: “Yebo ngiyafunga.”

25 Kodvwa Abrahama wakhala ku-Abimeleki watsi tinceku ta-Abimeleki titsetse umtfombo wakhe wemanti ngeludlame.+ 26 Abimeleki wamphendvula watsi: “Angati kutsi ngubani lowente loko, futsi nawe awuzange ungitjele ngako, ngiyacala nje kukuva lamuhla.” 27 Abrahama wabese utsatsa timvu netinkhomo watinika Abimeleki, futsi bobabili benta sivumelwane. 28 Ngesikhatsi Abrahama akhetsa timvu letingu-7 letinsikati emhlambini futsi atimisa todvwa, 29 Abimeleki watsi kuye: “Utimiselani todvwa letimvu letingu-7 letinsikati?” 30 Abrahama watsi: “Tsatsa letimvu letingu-7 letinsikati lengikunika tona, futsi titawuba bufakazi bekutsi ngimi logubhe lomtfombo.” 31 Kungako leyo ndzawo ayibita ngekutsi yiBherisheba,*+ ngobe kulapho bobabili bafunga khona. 32 Ngako benta sivumelwane+ eBherisheba, ngemuva kwaloko Abimeleki wahamba naPhikoli indvuna yelibutfo lakhe, babuyela eveni lemaFilisti.+ 33 Abrahama wabese uhlanyela sihlahla lokutsiwa yithamariske eBherisheba, futsi kuleyo ndzawo wadvumisa libito laJehova+ longuNkulunkulu lohlala phakadze.+ 34 Abrahama wahlala* sikhatsi lesidze* eveni lemaFilisti.+

22 Ngemuva kwaloko, Nkulunkulu weliciniso wavivinya kukholwa kwa-Abrahama,+ watsi: “Abrahama!” Yena watsi: “Yebo Nkhosi!” 2 Nkulunkulu wabese utsi: “Ngicela utsatse Isaka, indvodzana yakho loyitsandza kakhulu nalekuphela kwayo,+ uhambe uye eveni laseMoriya+ futsi unikele ngaye abe ngumnikelo wekushiswa kulenye yetintsaba lengitakukhombisa yona.”

3 Ngako Abrahama wavuka ekuseni ngeluvivi wabophela imbongolo wabese utsatsa tinceku takhe letimbili kanye na-Isaka indvodzana yakhe. Wakabha tinkhuni labetawutisebentisa nakenta lomnikelo wekushiswa, ngemuva kwaloko wahamba waya kulendzawo Nkulunkulu weliciniso labemtjele ngayo. 4 Ngelilanga lesitsatfu, Abrahama waphakamisa emehlo futsi wayibona lendzawo isesekhashanyana. 5 Wabese utsi kuletinceku takhe: “Salani lana nalembongolo, mine nendvodzana yami sisaya lapha siyewukhonta Nkulunkulu, futsi sitawubese siyabuya.”

6 Ngako Abrahama watsatsa letinkhuni labetawutisebentisa nakenta lomnikelo wekushiswa watetfwesa Isaka indvodzana yakhe. Ngemuva kwaloko watsatsa umlilo nemukhwa,* bobabili base bayahamba. 7 Isaka wabese utsi kubabe wakhe Abrahama: “Babe!” Yena watsi: “Yebo ndvodzana!” Isaka wachubeka watsi: “Ngiyawubona umlilo kanye netinkhuni, kodvwa iphi imvu letawuba ngumnikelo wekushiswa?” 8 Abrahama wamphendvula watsi: “Ndvodzana, Nkulunkulu nguye lotasinika lemvu letawuba ngumnikelo wekushiswa.”+ Ngako-ke bobabili bachubeka bahamba.

9 Ekugcineni befika kulendzawo Nkulunkulu weliciniso labemtjele ngayo. Abrahama wakha li-al’thare lapho, wabeka netinkhuni etikwalo. Watsatsa Isaka indvodzana yakhe wambopha tandla netinyawo futsi wambeka etikwaletinkhuni lebetikuleli-al’thare.+ 10 Abrahama wabese utsatsa lomukhwa* kuze atewubulala lendvodzana yakhe.+ 11 Kodvwa ingilosi yaJehova yammemeta isezulwini yatsi: “Abrahama, Abrahama!” Yena waphendvula watsi: “Yebo Nkhosi!” 12 Lengilosi yabese itsi: “Ungambulali lomfana futsi ungamlimati. Nyalo sengiyati kutsi uyamesaba Nkulunkulu ngobe awukangigodleli indvodzana yakho lekuphela kwayo.”+ 13 Nakeva loko, Abrahama waphakamisa emehlo, futsi lapha phambidlana kwakhe wabona imvu lendvuna ibambeke ngetimphondvo etihlahleni. Ngako waya kuyo wayitsatsa, wanikela ngayo yaba ngumnikelo wekushiswa esikhundleni sendvodzana yakhe. 14 Abrahama wabese ubita leyondzawo ngekutsi yiJehova-jayra.* Kungako nalamuhla kusatsiwa: “Entsabeni yakhe Jehova utasiniketa tintfo lesitidzingako.”+

15 Lengilosi yaJehova yakhuluma na-Abrahama kwesibili isezulwini 16 yatsi: “Jehova utsi: ‘Ngitifunga mine,+ kutsi njengobe wente loku wangayigodli indvodzana yakho lekuphela kwayo,+ 17 nakanjani ngitakubusisa futsi intalelwane* yakho ngitayandzisa ibe ngangetinkhanyeti tasemazulwini, nangangesihlabatsi lesiselugwini lwelwandle,+ futsi intalelwane* yakho itawutsatsa emadolobha* etitsa tayo.+ 18 Tonkhe tive temhlaba titawubusiswa* ngentalelwane*+ yakho, ngobe wena ulilalele livi lami.’”+

19 Abrahama wabese ubuyela kuletinceku takhe, futsi bonkhe besuka babuyela emuva eBherisheba.+ Abrahama wachubeka ahlala khona.

20 Ngemuva kwaloko Abrahama watfola umbiko lotsi: “Milkha utalele umnakenu Nahori emadvodzana:+ 21 Litibulo lakhe ngu-Uzi, kulandzele Buzi, bese kuta Khemuweli longubabe wa-Aramu, 22 kulandzele Khesede, Hazo, Phildashi, Jidilafe naBethuweli.”+ 23 Bethuweli watala Rebheka.+ Milkha watalela Nahori umnakabo-Abrahama lamadvodzana langu-8. 24 Nemfati wakhe lomncane labebitwa ngekutsi nguRewuma, naye watala nankha emadvodzana: Theba, Gahamu, Thahashi naMakha.

23 Sara waphila iminyaka lengu-127.+ 2 Wafela eKhiriyathi-abha,+ lokuyiHebroni,+ leseveni laseKhenani.+ Abrahama wakhala futsi walila ngenca yekufa kwaSara. 3 Ngemuva kwaloko Abrahama washiya sidvumbu semkakhe wayawukhuluma nemaHethi+ watsi: 4 “Ngingumchamuki nesihambi kulendzawo yenu.+ Ngicela ninginike indzawo yekungcwaba kuze ngingcwabe umkami.” 5 EmaHethi amphendvula atsi: 6 “Nkhosi sicela usilalele. Wena ungumholi* lokhetfwe nguNkulunkulu lapha emkhatsini wetfu.+ Umkakho ungamngcwaba kunobe nguyiphi indzawo kuleti lesingcwaba kuto. Kute ngisho namunye kitsi longeke akunike indzawo yakhe nalotakuvimbela kutsi ungcwabe lomkakho.”

7 Ngako Abrahama wakhotsama embikwemaHethi,+ lobekubantfu baleyo ndzawo 8 watsi kuwo: “Nangabe ningivumela kutsi ngingcwabe umkami kulendzawo, ngicela ningilalele futsi nicele Efroni indvodzana yaZohari 9 kutsi angitsengisele umhume wakhe loseMakhaphela, ekugcineni kwensimu yakhe. Ngicela angitsengisele wona embikwenu ngentsengo lefanele+ kuze ngibe nendzawo yekungcwaba.”+

10 Efroni umHethi abehleti nalamanye emadvodzana aHethi. Ngako waphendvula Abrahama embikwawo onkhe emaHethi nasembikwabo bonkhe lebebangena egedeni lalelidolobha+ watsi: 11 “Cha nkhosi yami! Ngicela ungilalele. Ngikunika lensimu kanye nalomhume lokuyo futsi ngikunika embikwabo bonkhe bantfu bakitsi. Ngako ungamngcwaba khona umkakho.” 12 Abrahama wakhotsama embikwebantfu bakuleyo ndzawo 13 futsi wakhuluma na-Efroni embikwabo bonkhe, watsi: “Lalela, mine ngitakunika yonkhe imali yalensimu. Ngicela uyitsatse kuze ngingcwabe umkami kulendzawo.”

14 Ngako Efroni wamphendvula watsi: 15 “Nkhosi yami, lendzawo ibita tinhlavu telisiliva* letingu-400, kodvwa-ke loko akukabaluleki kangako kimi nawe. Ngako ungamngcwaba umkakho kuyo.” 16 Nakeva loko lebekushiwo ngu-Efroni, Abrahama wamkalela letinhlavu telisiliva lebekakhulume ngato embikwemaHethi, lokutinhlavu telisiliva* letingu-400 nakukalwa ngesikali lebesisetjentiswa batsengisi.+ 17 Ngako kwavunyelwana kutsi insimu ya-Efroni leseMakhaphela futsi lebukene neMamre, nemhume lowawukuyo kanye nato tonkhe tihlahla lebetikulensimu 18 sekutsengiselwe Abrahama embikwemaHethi nasembikwabo bonkhe labebangena egedeni lalelidolobha. 19 Ngemuva kwaloko Abrahama wangcwaba Sara umkakhe emhumeni lobewukulensimu leseMakhaphela futsi lebukene neMamre, lokuyiHebroni, leseveni laseKhenani. 20 Ngako emaHethi aniketa Abrahama lensimu nalomhume lobewukuyo kuze kube yindzawo yakhe yekungcwaba.+

24 Abrahama abesamdzala kakhulu ngeminyaka futsi Jehova abembusisile kuto tonkhe tintfo.+ 2 Abrahama wakhuluma nenceku yakhe lendzala kunato tonkhe tinceku lebetisendlini yakhe, futsi lebeyibuke konkhe lanako,+ watsi: “Ngicela ufake sandla sakho ngephansi kwelitsanga lami, 3 ngitakufungisa kuJehova, longuNkulunkulu wemazulu nemhlaba, kutsi indvodzana yami angeke uyitsatsele umfati emadvodzakatini aseKhenani lahlala kulendzawo.+ 4 Kodvwa kufanele uye eveni lakitsi nasetihlotjeni tami,+ ufike utsatsele indvodzana yami Isaka umfati.”

5 Lenceku yatsi: “Ngente njani nangabe lentfombi ingavumi kuta nami kulendzawo? Ngiyitsatse yini indvodzana yakho ngiyiyise kulelive lowasuka kulo?”+ 6 Abrahama watsi: “Ngicela ungayiyisi indvodzana yami lapho.+ 7 Jehova Nkulunkulu wemazulu, lowangikhipha endlini yababe naseveni letihlobo tami+ futsi lowakhuluma nami, nalowafunga kimi watsi:+ ‘Intalelwane*+ yakho ngitayinika lelive,’+ yena utawutfumela ingilosi yakhe kutsi ihambe embikwakho,+ futsi nakanjani wena utawutsatsela indvodzana yami umfati kulelo live.+ 8 Nangabe-ke lentfombi ingafuni kuhamba nawe, utawukhululeka kulesifungo, kodvwa ungayiyisi indvodzana yami lapho.” 9 Ngemuva kwaloko lenceku yafaka sandla sayo ngephansi kwelitsanga la-Abrahama inkhosi yayo, yafunga kuye mayelana naloku.+

10 Ngako lenceku yatsatsa emakamela langu-10 a-Abrahama inkhosi yayo futsi yahamba. Yatsatsa netinhlobonhlobo tetipho, yaya eMesophothamiya, edolobheni lebekuhlala kulo Nahori. 11 Yafike yalalisa lamakamela eceleni kwemtfombo wemanti lebewungaphandle kwalelidolobha kuze aphumule. Kwase kunguntsambama, sikhatsi labasikati lebebakha ngaso emanti. 12 Ngako yathantaza yatsi: “Jehova, Nkulunkulu wenkhosi yami Abrahama, ngicela uphumelelise lelilanga lalamuhla futsi ube nemusa* ku-Abrahama inkhosi yami. 13 Nyalo ngime lapha kulomtfombo, futsi emadvodzakati ebantfu bakulelidolobha eta lana kutewukha emanti. 14 Ngako intfombi lengitawutsi kuyo: ‘Ngicela unginatsise emanti kulembita yakho,’ yona iphendvule itsi: ‘Unganatsa, futsi ngitawunatsisa nemakamela akho,’ akube ngiyo loyikhetsela inceku yakho Isaka; futsi lena akube yindlela lengitawubona ngayo kutsi uyentele umusa inkhosi yami.”

15 Yatsi ingakacedzi kuthantaza, kwachamuka Rebheka indvodzakati yaBethuweli,+ lobekayindvodzana yaMilkha+ umfati waNahori,+ umnakabo-Abrahama, etjetse imbita yemanti. 16 Rebheka abemuhle kakhulu, ayintfombi ntfo, futsi abengakaze aye ecansini nemuntfu lomdvuna. Wehlela emtfonjeni, wafike wagcwalisa imbita yakhe yemanti, wase ubuyela emuva. 17 Ngaso leso sikhatsi lenceku yagijima yaya kuye, yafike yatsi: “Ngicela unginatsise emanti kulembita yakho.” 18 Wayiphendvula watsi: “Kulungile nkhosi.” Ngekushesha wetfula lembita, wanatsisa lenceku. 19 Nakacedza kuyinatsisa, watsi: “Ngitawukhela nalamakamela akho emanti aze acedze kunatsa.” 20 Ngekushesha watfulula lamanti labekulembita yakhe, wawatfululela lakunatsela khona tilwane futsi abesolo agijima aya kulomtfombo, akhela onkhe lamakamela emanti. 21 Sonkhe leso sikhatsi, lenceku beyisolo ithulile imbuka futsi imangele, itibuta kutsi Jehova abelubusisile yini loluhambo lwayo.

22 Ngesikhatsi lamakamela asacedzile kunatsa, lenceku yamnika indandatho yeligolide lefakwa ekhaleni lenesisindvo lesingemagremu langaba sitfupha* kanye nemabhengela lamabili eligolide lanesisindvo lesingemagremu langu-114,* 23 yase itsi: “Asewusho, uyindvodzakati yabani? Ikhona yini indzawo endlini yababe wakho lesingalala kuyo kulobusuku?” 24 Watsi kuyo: “Ngiyindvodzakati yaBethuweli,+ loyindvodzana yaMilkha naNahori.”+ 25 Wachubeka watsi: “Sinetinhlanga kanye nekudla lokunyenti lokungadliwa ngulamakamela futsi sinayo nendzawo leningalala kuyo.” 26 Ngako lendvodza yaguca futsi yakhotsama embikwaJehova 27 yatsi: “Akadvunyiswe Jehova, Nkulunkulu wenkhosi yami Abrahama ngobe abesolo ayentela umusa inkhosi yami futsi etsembekile kuyo. Jehova ungicondzise endlini yetihlobo tenkhosi yami.”

28 Ngako Rebheka wagijima wayawutjela make wakhe kanye nalabanye ngaloku. 29 Bekunemnakabo, libito lakhe kunguLabani,+ futsi Labani wagijima waya kulendvodza lebeyisemtfonjeni. 30 Watsi nakabona lendandatho yasekhaleni kanye nalamabhengela lasetandleni tadzadzewabo futsi amuva achaza loko lokushiwo ngulendvodza, waya kuyo njengobe beyisolo ime nemakamela ayo emtfonjeni. 31 Wafike watsi: “Wota wena lobusiswe nguJehova. Kungani solo ume lapha? Sengikulungisele indzawo, wena kanye nemakamela akho.” 32 Ngako lendvodza yangena endlini futsi Labani wakhumula lamakamela wawanika tinhlanga kanye nalokunye kudla. Wanika lendvodza emanti ekugeza tinyawo tayo kanye netalalamanye emadvodza lebeyihamba nawo. 33 Kodvwa ngesikhatsi sekubekwa kudla embikwayo, lendvodza yatsi: “Angeke ngize ngidle ngingakanitjeli loko lengite ngako.” Labani watsi: “Kulungile ungakhuluma.”

34 Ngako yatsi: “Ngiyinceku ya-Abrahama.+ 35 Jehova uyibusise kakhulu inkhosi yami, wayenta yanjinga kakhulu, yaba netimvu, tinkhomo, lisiliva neligolide, tinceku netincekukati, emakamela kanye netimbongolo.+ 36 Ngetulu kwaloko, Sara umfati wenkhosi yami wayitalela indvodzana ngisho nobe besekamdzala kakhulu,+ futsi inkhosi yami itayinika konkhe lenako.+ 37 Ngako inkhosi yami ingifungisile yatsi: ‘Ungayitsatseli indvodzana yami umfati emadvodzakatini aseKhenani, indzawo lengihlala kuyo.+ 38 Kodvwa kufanele uye endlini yababe nasetihlotjeni tami,+ ufike utsatsele indvodzana yami umfati.’+ 39 Kepha ngitsite enkhosini yami: ‘Ngente njani nangabe lentfombi ingavumi kuta nami kulendzawo?’+ 40 Yona yatsi kimi: ‘Mine bengisolo ngimlalela Jehova,+ ngako utawutfumela ingilosi+ yakhe ihambe nawe futsi aluphumelelise luhambo lwakho. Wena kufanele utsatsele indvodzana yami umfati emndenini wakitsi nasendlini yababe.+ 41 Nangabe uya emndenini wakitsi kodvwa bangakuniki lomfati, utawukhululeka kulesifungo losente kimi.’+

42 “Ngitsite nangifika emtfonjeni lamuhla, ngathantaza ngatsi: ‘Jehova, Nkulunkulu wenkhosi yami Abrahama, ngicela uphumelelise luhambo lwami. 43 Nyalo ngime lapha kulomtfombo. Ngako nakufika intfombi+ itewukha emanti ngitawutsi: “Ngicela kunatsa kulembita yakho yemanti,” 44 yona itsi: “Unganatsa, futsi ngitawukhela nemakamela akho emanti ekunatsa.” Lena akube ngiyo intfombi Jehova layikhetsile kutsi ibe ngumfati wendvodzana yenkhosi yami.’+

45 “Ngitsite nje ngisengakacedzi kuthantaza, kwachamuka Rebheka etjetse imbita yemanti, wehlela emtfonjeni wafike wakha emanti. Ngibese ngitsi kuye: ‘Ngicela unginatsise.’+ 46 Ngekushesha uvele wetfula lembita, watsi: ‘Unganatsa,+ futsi ngitawunatsisa nalamakamela akho.’ Ngako unginatsisile waphindze wanatsisa nalamakamela. 47 Ngemuva kwaloko ngimbutile ngatsi: ‘Uyindvodzakati yabani?’ Yena watsi: ‘Ngiyindvodzakati yaBethuweli, loyindvodzana yaMilkha naNahori.’ Ngako ngimfake lendandatho ekhaleni kanye nalamabhengela lasetandleni takhe.+ 48 Ngibese ngiyaguca ngakhotsama embikwaJehova futsi ngamdvumisa Jehova Nkulunkulu wenkhosi yami Abrahama,+ longicondzise endleleni lefanele kuze ngitsatse indvodzakati yemnakabonkhosi yami kutsi ibe ngumfati wendvodzana yayo. 49 Ngako ngicela nisho kutsi niyafisa yini kuba nemusa enkhosini yami nekwetsembeka kuyo; kodvwa nangabe ningafisi, ngicela ningitjele kuze ngitewuhamba ngiyofuna kulenye indzawo.”*+

50 Ngako Labani naBethuweli baphendvula batsi: “Lendzaba ivela kuJehova. Tsine angeke sikhone kuvuma nome kwala.* 51 Nangu Rebheka embikwakho. Mtsatse uhambe naye, kuze abe ngumfati wendvodzana yenkhosi yakho, njengobe nje Jehova akhulumile.” 52 Lenceku ya-Abrahama yatsi nayiva lamavi, yavele yaguca embikwaJehova. 53 Ngemuva kwaloko, yakhipha tintfo letentiwe ngelisiliva nangeligolide kanye netimphahla yatinika Rebheka, yase inika umnakabo kanye namake wakhe tintfo letiligugu. 54 Ngemuva kwaloko lenceku kanye nalamadvodza labehamba nayo, badla futsi banatsa base bayalala.

Nayivuka ekuseni, lenceku yatsi: “Ngikhululeni ngibuyele enkhosini yami.” 55 Ngako umnakabo Rebheka kanye namake wakhe bayiphendvula batsi: “Sicela ahlale emalanga langaba ngu-10, ngemuva kwaloko utawubese uyahamba.” 56 Kodvwa yatsi kubo: “Ngicela ningangivimbi ngobe Jehova sewuluphumelelisile luhambo lwami. Ngikhululeni ngihambe kuze ngibuyele enkhosini yami.” 57 Ngako batsi: “Asibite Rebheka sive kuye.” 58 Bambita Rebheka batsi kuye: “Utawuhamba yini nalendvodza?” Yena watsi: “Yebo ngitawuhamba.”

59 Ngako bamkhulula Rebheka+ kanye nemnakekeli*+ wakhe, nalenceku ya-Abrahama nemadvodza lebeyihamba nawo. 60 Babese bayambusisa batsi kuye: “Dzadzewetfu, shengatsi ungaba netinkhulungwane tetinkhulungwane* tebantfwana, futsi shengatsi intalelwane* yakho ingatsatsa emadolobha etitsa tayo.”+ 61 Rebheka kanye nebasiti bakhe bagibela emakamela balandzela lenceku. Ngako lenceku yamtsatsa Rebheka yahamba naye.

62 Isaka wachamuka ngaseBheri-lahayi-rohi,+ ngobe abehlala eNegebhu.+ 63 Beseliyawushona futsi Isaka abephumile ahambahamba esigangeni kuze ayewudla ematsambo engcondvo.+ Watsi nakaphakamisa emehlo wabona kuchamuka emakamela. 64 NaRebheka watsi nakaphakamisa emehlo wabona Isaka, futsi ngekushesha wehla ekameleni. 65 Wase ubuta lenceku watsi: “Ngubani loya lohamba lapha futsi lota langakitsi?” Lenceku yatsi: “Yinkhosi yami.” Ngako Rebheka watsatsa liduku lakhe watimbonya ngalo. 66 Lenceku yatjela Isaka konkhe lebeyikwentile. 67 Ngemuva kwaloko, Isaka wangenisa Rebheka ethendeni lamake wakhe Sara.+ Wamtsatsa waba ngumfati wakhe, futsi wamtsandza kakhulu.+ Isaka wadvudvuteka ngemuva kwekufelwa ngumake wakhe.+

25 Abrahama watsatsa lomunye umfati, futsi libito lakhe kwakunguKethura. 2 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi Kethura watala Zimrani, Jokshane, Medani, Midiyani,+ Ishbaki kanye naShuwa.+

3 Jokshane watala Sheba naDedani.

Emadvodzana aDedani bekubo-Ashurimu, Lethushi kanye naLewumi.

4 Emadvodzana aMidiyani bekubo-Efa, Eferi, Hanoki, Abida kanye na-Elda.

Bonkhe laba bekubatukulu baKethura.

5 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi Abrahama wanika Isaka konkhe lebekanako,+ 6 kodvwa emadvodzana alalabanye bafati bakhe wawaniketa tipho. Ngesikhatsi Abrahama asaphila, lamadvodzana wawahambisa wawayisa ngasemphumalanga, wawasusa edvute na-Isaka indvodzana+ yakhe, aya endzaweni lebitwa ngekutsi live laseMphumalanga. 7 Abrahama waphila iminyaka lengu-175. 8 Ngemuva kwaloko wafa, sekamdzala kakhulu futsi enetisekile ngekuphila. Wangcwatjwa njengabo bonkhe bantfu bakubo. 9 Emadvodzana akhe, bo-Isaka na-Ishmayeli bamngcwaba emhumeni loseMakhaphela, ensimini ya-Efroni indvodzana yaZohari umHethi, lebeyibukene neMamre,+ 10 futsi lena bekungulensimi Abrahama lebekayitsenge kumaHethi. Wangcwatjwa lapho, endzaweni lokwangcwatjwa kuyo Sara, umfati wakhe.+ 11 Ngesikhatsi Abrahama sekafile, Nkulunkulu wachubeka abusisa Isaka indvodzana+ ya-Abrahama, futsi Isaka abehlala edvute naseBheri-lahayi-rohi.+

12 Nangu umlandvo wa-Ishmayeli+ indvodzana ya-Abrahama, layitalelwa nguHagari+ umGibhithe, lobekayincekukati yaSara.

13 Nankha emadvodzana a-Ishmayeli, futsi abekwe ngekwemabito awo nangemindeni yawo: Litibulo lakhe bekunguNebayothi,+ kulandzele Khedari,+ Adbeli, Mibsamu,+ 14 Mishma, Duma, Masa, 15 Hadadi, Thema, Jeturi, Nafishi kanye naKhedema. 16 Lawa bekungemadvodzana a-Ishmayeli, futsi lawa ngemabito awo ngekwemiti yawo nangekwetindzawo labekamise kuto emathende.* Bekabaholi labangu-12 balemindeni yawo.+ 17 Ishmayeli waphila iminyaka lengu-137. Ngemuva kwaloko wafa futsi wangcwatjwa njengabo bonkhe bokhokho* bakhe. 18 Labantfu bebahlala eHavila+ edvute neShuri,+ lesondzelene neGibhithe, baze bayewufika e-Asiriya. Bakha edvute nato tonkhe tihlobo tabo.*+

19 Nangu umlandvo wa-Isaka indvodzana ya-Abrahama.+

Abrahama watala Isaka. 20 Isaka abeneminyaka lengu-40 ngesikhatsi atsatsa Rebheka, indvodzakati yaBhethuweli+ um-Aramu wasePhadani-aramu, lobekaphindze abe ngudzadzewaboLabani um-Aramu. 21 Isaka abesolo ancenga Jehova mayelana nemfati wakhe ngobe abengabatfoli bantfwana. Ngako Jehova wakuva kuncenga kwakhe futsi Rebheka wakhulelwa. 22 Labantfwana lebebasesiswini sakhe bebalwa,+ kangangekutsi Rebheka watsi: “Nangabe kutawuba njena, ngisaphilelani?” Ngako wabuta Jehova ngaloku. 23 Jehova watsi kuye: “Esiswini sakho kunetive letimbili+ futsi kunebantfu lababili labehlukene.+ Lesinye sive sitawuba nemandla kunalesi lesinye,+ futsi lomdzala utawuba ngephansi kwalomncane.”+

24 Sefika sikhatsi sekutsi abeleke, futsi bekunemaphahla esiswini sakhe. 25 Luswane lwekucala lwaphuma lubovu wonkhe umtimba futsi lugcwele boya,+ ngako balubita ngekutsi ngu-Esawu.*+ 26 Ngemuva kwaloko nemnakabo naye waphuma futsi abebambe sitsendze sa-Esawu,+ ngako bambita ngekutsi nguJakobe.*+ Isaka abeneminyaka lengu-60 ngesikhatsi Rebheka atala labantfwana.

27 Njengobe labafana bakhula, Esawu waba nelikhono lekutingela,+ futsi abehlala asehlatsini, kodvwa Jakobe yena abeyindvodza lelungile ahlala emathendeni.+ 28 Isaka abetsandza Esawu ngobe bekamnika letilwane labetitingela, kantsi Rebheka abetsandza Jakobe.+ 29 Ngalelinye lilanga, ngesikhatsi Jakobe apheka sitjulo, Esawu wabuya ehlatsini adziniwe. 30 Ngako watsi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usheshise ungiphe leso sitjulo* lesibovu, ngobe ngifile yindlala.” Kungako lelinye libito lakhe kwatsiwa ngu-Edomu.*+ 31 Jakobe wamphendvula watsi: “Cale ungitsengisele butibulo bakho!”+ 32 Esawu watsi: “Buka nje sengitakufa, manje bubaluleke ngani butibulo kimi?” 33 Jakobe wachubeka watsi: “Funga kucala!” Ngako Esawu wafunga, futsi wamtsengisela kanjalo Jakobe butibulo bakhe.+ 34 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe waniketa Esawu sinkhwa kanye nesitjulo semalentili,* ngako wadla futsi wanatsa wase uyahamba. Ngaleyondlela Esawu wakhombisa kutsi akanendzaba nebutibulo bakhe.

26 Kwaba nendlala eveni, lefana naleyo leyaba khona ngesikhatsi sa-Abrahama.+ Ngako Isaka waya eGerari ku-Abimeleki inkhosi yemaFilisti. 2 Jehova wabonakala kuye watsi: “Ungayi eGibhithe, kodvwa hlala eveni lengitakukhombisa lona. 3 Hlala kulelive, ube sihambi kulo.+ Mine ngitawuchubeka nginawe ngiphindze ngikubusise, ngobe yonkhe lendzawo ngitayinika wena nentalelwane* yakho,+ futsi ngitasifeza lesifungo lengasenta kubabe wakho Abrahama, nangitsi:+ 4 ‘Intalelwane* yakho ngitayandzisa ibe ngangetinkhanyeti tasemazulwini,+ ngiyinike yonkhe lendzawo.+ Ngentalelwane* yakho tonkhe tive temhlaba titawubusiswa,’*+ 5 ngobe Abrahama walilalela livi lami futsi wachubeka enta loko lengikufunako, wayigcina imiyalo yami kanye nemitsetfo yami.”+ 6 Ngako Isaka wachubeka ahlala eGerari.+

7 Ngesikhatsi bantfu bakulendzawo bachubeka bambuta ngemfati wakhe, bekatsi: “Lona ngudzadzewetfu,”+ ngobe bekesaba kubatjela kutsi ngumfati wakhe. Naku bekatitjela kona: “Bantfu bakulendzawo batangibulala ngenca yaRebheka,” ngobe Rebheka abemuhle kakhulu.+ 8 Ngalelinye lilanga, sekwendlule sikhatsi lesitsite, Abimeleki inkhosi yemaFilisti abebuke efasitelweni futsi wabona Isaka abambabamba* Rebheka umfati wakhe.+ 9 Ngaso leso sikhatsi Abimeleki wabita Isaka watsi kuye: “Lona ngumkakho mosi! Pho kungani utsite ngudzadzewenu?” Isaka wamphendvula watsi: “Kungobe bengesaba kutsi ngitawubulawa ngenca yakhe.”+ 10 Abimeleki wachubeka watsi: “Yini lena losente yona?+ Lomunye umuntfu abetawuvele alale nalomfati wakho, bese usibangela licala!”+ 11 Ngako Abimeleki watjela bonkhe bantfu watsi: “Nobe ngubani lotawutsintsa lendvodza nobe umfati wayo utawubulawa!”

12 Isaka wacala kulima kuleyo ndzawo, futsi ngalowo mnyaka watfola sivuno lesiphindvwe tikhatsi letingu-100, ngobe Jehova abembusisa.+ 13 Wanjinga futsi wachubeka andlondlobala waze waba netintfo letinyenti kakhulu. 14 Waba nemihlambi yetimvu netinkhomo kanye netisebenti letinyenti.+ EmaFilisti abese amdlela umona.

15 Ngako lamaFilisti atsatsa umhlabatsi, avala yonkhe imitfombo leyayimbiwe tisebenti tababe wakhe Abrahama ngesikhatsi asaphila.+ 16 Ngemuva kwaloko, Abimeleki watsi ku-Isaka: “Suka lapha endzaweni yetfu ngobe sewunemandla kakhulu kunatsi.” 17 Isaka wesuka futsi wamisa emathende ngasesihosheni saseGerari,+ wahlala khona. 18 Waphindze wemba lemitfombo leyayimbiwe ngesikhatsi sababe wakhe Abrahama futsi leyayigcitjwe ngemaFilisti ngemuva kwekufa kwa-Abrahama.+ Wayibita ngemagama babe wakhe labeyinikete wona.+

19 Ngesikhatsi tinceku ta-Isaka tigubha kulesihosha, tatfola umtfombo lonemanti lahlobile. 20 Belusi baseGerari balwa nebelusi ba-Isaka batsi: “Lamanti lawa etfu.” Ngako Isaka wabita lomtfombo ngekutsi yi-Eseki,* ngobe bebalwe naye. 21 Baphindze bemba lomunye umtfombo, nawo babalwisa ngawo. Ngako Isaka wawubita ngekutsi yiSitna.* 22 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, wesuka kuleyo ndzawo futsi wemba lomunye umtfombo, kodvwa abazange babalwise ngawo. Ngako wawubita ngekutsi yiRehobothi* ngobe bekatsi: “Jehova sewusinike indzawo lenkhulu, wasenta saba nebantfwana labanyenti kulelive.”+

23 Ngemuva kwaloko wesuka waya eBherisheba.+ 24 Ngalobo busuku, Jehova wabonakala kuye watsi: “Mine nginguNkulunkulu wababe wakho Abrahama.+ Ungesabi+ ngobe nginawe futsi ngitakubusisa ngiphindze ngibandzise bantfwana* bakho ngenca ya-Abrahama inceku yami.”+ 25 Ngako Isaka wakha li-al’thare kuleyo ndzawo, wadvumisa nelibito laJehova.+ Wemisa lithende lakhe+ futsi tisebenti takhe temba umtfombo lapho.

26 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, Abimeleki wesuka eGerari weta ku-Isaka ahamba na-Ahuzathi umeluleki wakhe kanye naPhikoli indvuna yelibutfo lakhe.+ 27 Isaka watsi kubo: “Nitokwentani lapha? Angitsi beningitondza, naze nangicosha endzaweni yenu?” 28 Bamphendvula batsi: “Sesibonile kutsi Jehova unawe.+ Ngako naku lesitsite sitakusho kuwe: ‘Siyacela, asimane sente sifungo nawe, futsi sente nesivumelwane+ 29 sekutsi ngeke wente lutfo lolubi kitsi njengobe natsi singentanga lutfo lolubi kuwe, ngobe sakuphatsa kahle, futsi sakuhambisa ngekuthula. Nyalo Jehova sewukubusisile.’” 30 Ngako Isaka wabentela lidzili, futsi badla baphindze banatsa. 31 Bavuka ekuseni kakhulu, benta sifungo naye.+ Isaka wabese uyabavalelisa, ngemuva kwaloko bahamba ngekuthula.

32 Ngalelolanga, tisebenti ta-Isaka teta kuye tambikela ngemtfombo lebetiwugubhile,+ tatsi: “Siwatfolile emanti!” 33 Ngako wawubita ngekutsi yiSheba. Kungako nalamuhla lelidolobha lisabitwa ngekutsi yiBherisheba.+

34 Ngesikhatsi Esawu sekaneminyaka lengu-40, watsatsa Judithi indvodzakati yaBeri umHethi, watsatsa naBhasemathi indvodzakati ya-Eloni umHethi.+ 35 Labomalukatane bebabangela bo-Isaka naRebheka lusizi lolukhulu.*+

27 Ngesikhatsi Isaka sekamdzala kakhulu futsi angasaboni emehlweni, wabita Esawu+ indvodzana yakhe lendzala, watsi: “Ndvodzana!” Yena waphendvula watsi: “Yebo babe!” 2 Isaka wachubeka watsi: “Nyalo sengikhule kakhulu, futsi angati nekutsi ngitawufa nini. 3 Ngako ngicela utsatse butjoki bakho uhambe uye ehlatsini, uyongitingelela inyamatane.+ 4 Ngemuva kwaloko ubongentela kudla lokumnandzi lengikutsandzako bese ungiletsela kona, khona ngitewudla futsi ngikubusise ngaphambi kwekutsi ngife.”

5 Ngesikhatsi Isaka akhuluma na-Esawu, Rebheka abelalele. Esawu wahamba waya ehlatsini wayawutingela inyamatane kuze abuye nayo.+ 6 Rebheka watsi kuJakobe indvodzana yakhe:+ “Ngisandza kuva babe wakho akhuluma nemnakenu Esawu atsi: 7 ‘Hamba uyotingela inyamatane futsi ungentele kudla lokumnandzi. Ngemuva kwaloko ngitawudla bese ngiyakubusisa embikwaJehova ngaphambi kwekutsi ngife.’+ 8 Ngako ndvodzana yami, ngicela ungilalelisise futsi wente loko lengitakutjela kona.+ 9 Yani emhlambini, ukhetse timbuti letimbili letisetincane futsi letikhuluphele kuze ngilungisele babe wakho kudla lokumnandzi, ngendlela layitsandzako. 10 Utawubese uyakutsatsa ukumikisa kubabe wakho atewudla, kuze akubusise ngaphambi kwekutsi afe.”

11 Jakobe watsi kumake wakhe Rebheka: “Ingani Esawu umnaketfu uneboya lobunyenti+ kantsi mine ngite. 12 Ngitawenta njani nangabe babe angitsintsa?+ Kutawuba shengatsi ngiyamedzelela, futsi ngitatiletsela sicalekiso esikhundleni sesibusiso.” 13 Make wakhe watsi: “Akucalekiswe mine esikhundleni sakho, ndvodzana. Kodvwa wena yenta loko lengikutjela kona, hamba uyolandza letimbuti.”+ 14 Ngako Jakobe wahamba walandza letimbuti watiletsa kumake wakhe Rebheka. Rebheka walungisa kudla lokumnandzi ngendlela Isaka layitsandzako. 15 Ngemuva kwaloko, Rebheka waya endlini watsatsa timphahla letinhle ta-Esawu, watigcokisa Jakobe.+ 16 Watsatsa naletikhumba taletimbuti watifaka etandleni taJakobe nasentsanyeni yakhe, lapho ete khona boya.+ 17 Wase utsatsa lokudla lokumnandzi labekwentile kanye nesinkhwa wakunika Jakobe.+

18 Jakobe waya kubabe wakhe wefika watsi: “Babe!” Isaka watsi: “Yebo ndvodzana! Kodvwa ungubani wena, ungu-Esawu nobe unguJakobe?” 19 Jakobe watsi: “Ngingu-Esawu litibulo lakho.+ Sengikwentile loko longitfume kona. Ngicela uvuke futsi udle lenyama yalenyamatane kuze utengibusisa.”+ 20 Ngako Isaka watsi kuye: “Kwentiwe yini ndvodzana kutsi usheshe uyitfole?” Yena watsi: “Kungobe Jehova Nkulunkulu wakho uyiletse kimi.” 21 Isaka wabese utsi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usondzele ndvodzana ngitokutsintsa, kuze ngive kutsi unguye mbamba yini Esawu indvodzana yami.”+ 22 Jakobe wasondzela futsi Isaka wamtsintsa, ngemuva kwaloko Isaka watsi: “Tandla tona ta-Esawu, kodvwa lelivi laJakobe.”+ 23 Isaka akazange abone kutsi ngubani ngobe tandla taJakobe besetineboya njengeta-Esawu. Ngako wambusisa.+

24 Ngemuva kwaloko wambuta watsi: “Ungiyo mbamba yini indvodzana yami Esawu?” Jakobe watsi: “Yebo nginguye.” 25 Ngako Isaka watsi: “Ngiletsele lenyama yenyamatane kuze ngidle, ngemuva kwaloko ngitakubusisa.” Ngako Jakobe wayiletsa futsi babe wakhe wayidla, wamletsela neliwayini wanatsa. 26 Isaka wabese utsi: “Ngicela usondzele ndvodzana utewunganga.”+ 27 Jakobe wasondzela wamanga, futsi Isaka waliva liphunga letimphahla takhe.+ Wabese uyambusisa, watsi:

“Liphunga lendvodzana yami linjengeliphunga lesiganga lesibusiswe nguJehova. 28 Shengatsi Nkulunkulu weliciniso angakwehlisela ematolo asemazulwini,+ akunike nemhlabatsi lovundzile,+ inala yekudla kanye neliwayini lelisha.+ 29 Bantfu ababe ngephansi kwakho, netive atikukhotsamele. Bani ngetulu kwebanakenu, futsi bona abakukhotsamele.+ Bonkhe bantfu labakucalekisako nabo abacalekiswe, futsi ababusiswe bonkhe labakubusisako.”+

30 Ngesikhatsi Isaka acedza nje kubusisa Jakobe futsi naJakobe asandza kusuka kuye, Esawu umnakabo wabuya ekutingeleni.+ 31 Naye walungisa kudla lokumnandzi wakuletsa kubabe wakhe, watsi: “Ngicela uvuke babe, utewudla lenyama indvodzana yakho lekulungisele yona, kuze ungibusise.” 32 Isaka watsi kuye: “Ungubani ndvodzana?” Yena watsi: “Ngingu-Esawu, litibulo lakho.”+ 33 Ngako Isaka wetfuka kakhulu futsi watsi: “Ngubani kantsi lona longitingelele inyamatane wangiletsela yona? Sengivele ngidlile, naye ngambusisa, futsi nakanjani utawubusiswa!”

34 Nakeva loko lokushiwo ngubabe wakhe, Esawu wakhala kabuhlungu wamemeta, futsi watsi: “Babe, ngicela ungibusise nami!”+ 35 Kodvwa Isaka watsi: “Umnakenu ute lapha kimi ngebucili, watsatsa lesibusiso lebekufanele sitfolwe nguwe.” 36 Nakeva loko watsi: “Kodvwa vele ubitwa kufanele ngekutsi nguJakobe,* angitsi sekwesibili solo atsatsa indzawo yami?+ Wacale watsatsa butibulo bami,+ nyalo sewutsetse sibusiso sami!”+ Wachubeka watsi: “Babe, kute yini sibusiso lesisele longanginiketa sona?” 37 Isaka wamphendvula watsi: “Buka nje ngimbeke ngetulu kwakho,+ futsi ngitsite bonkhe bomnakabo batawuba ngephansi kwakhe, ngamnika nenala yekudla kanye neliwayini lelisha.+ Yini nje lesesele lengingakunika yona ndvodzana?”

38 Esawu watsi kubabe wakhe: “Kute ngisho nasinye nje babe sibusiso longanginika sona? Ngicela nami ungibusise!” Esawu wakhala kabuhlungu wadzindza sililo.+ 39 Ngako Isaka watsi:

“Wena angeke uhlale eveni lelinemhlaba lovundzile futsi angeke uwatfole ematolo asemazulwini.+ 40 Utawuhlale usebentisa inkemba+ futsi utawuba ngephansi kwemnakenu.+ Kodvwa nasewungasakhoni kukubeketelela loko, utawuphuma ngephansi kwelijoka lakhe.”+

41 Ngaleso sizatfu Esawu wamtondza umnakabo ngenca yesibusiso babe wakhe labemnike sona,+ futsi abesolo atsi enhlitiyweni yakhe: “Emalanga ekulilela babe sekayasondzela.+ Ngemuva kwawo ngitambulala Jakobe umnaketfu.” 42 Rebheka watsi nakeva ngaloko lebekushiwo ngu-Esawu, wavele wabita Jakobe, watsi kuye: “Umnakenu ufuna kukubulala* kuze atiphindziselele. 43 Ngako ndvodzana yami, ngicela wente loko lengikutjela kona. Baleka uye eHarani kumnaketfu Labani.+ 44 Ubohlala khona kuze kwehle intfukutselo yemnakenu, 45 kuze kube ngulapho nelulaka lwakhe selwehlile futsi sekakukhohliwe loko lomente kona. Ngemuva kwaloko, ngitawutfumela livi kutsi ubuye. Angifuni kulahlekelwa ngini nobabili ngelilanga linye.”

46 Ngemuva kwaloko Rebheka abesolo atsi ku-Isaka: “Mine sengikhatsele kuphila ngenca yalamadvodzakati aHethi. NaJakobe nakangatsatsa umfati kulamadvodzakati aHethi,+ lafanana nalawa lahlala lapha, ngitawube ngisaphilelani?”+

28 Ngako Isaka wabita Jakobe, wambusisa waphindze watsi kuye: “Ungamtsatsi umfati kulamadvodzakati aseKhenani.+ 2 Hamba uye ePhadani-aramu, endlini yaBethuweli, mkhulu wakho lotala make wakho, futsi utitsatsele umfati emadvodzakatini amalume wakho, Labani.+ 3 Nkulunkulu Somandla utakubusisa utale bantfwana labanyenti. Batawukwandza, babe sive lesikhulu.+ 4 Utawunika wena kanye nebantfwana* bakho sibusiso lasinika Abrahama,+ kuze nitsatse lelive lebenitihambi kulo, lelo Nkulunkulu laliniketa Abrahama.”+

5 Ngako Isaka wahambisa Jakobe, futsi Jakobe wesuka waya ePhadani-aramu, kaLabani indvodzana yaBethuweli um-Aramu,+ umnakaboRebheka,+ lokungumake waJakobe na-Esawu.

6 Esawu wabona kutsi Isaka ubusise Jakobe futsi wamhambisa waya ePhadani-aramu kuze ayotsatsa umfati khona. Abevile nekutsi nakambusisa utsite: “Ungamtsatsi umfati kulamadvodzakati aseKhenani,”+ 7 futsi wabona nekutsi Jakobe umlalele make wakhe nababe wakhe, wahamba waya ePhadani-aramu.+ 8 Esawu wase uyabona kutsi babe wakhe akabatsandzi labafati bakhe labangemaKhenani.+ 9 Ngako waya ku-Ishmayeli indvodzana ya-Abrahama futsi watsatsa Mahalathi, indvodzakati ya-Ishmayeli, lobekangudzadzewabo Nebayothi wamenta umfati, ngetulu kwalaba lebesavele anabo.+

10 Jakobe wesuka eBherisheba wachubeka ahamba alibangise eHarani.+ 11 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi wefika kulenye indzawo, futsi walungiselela kulala lapho ngobe lilanga beselivele lishonile. Ngako watsatsa lelinye lematje labekuleyo ndzawo walibeka kuze acamele kulo, ngemuva kwaloko walala.+ 12 Ngesikhatsi aselele, waphupha. Wabona titebhisi* lebetisuka phansi emhlabeni tize tiyofika emazulwini, futsi tingilosi taNkulunkulu betehla tenyuka kuto.+ 13 Ngetulu kwaletitebhisi kwakunaJehova, futsi watsi:

“NginguJehova, Nkulunkulu wamkhulu wakho Abrahama naNkulunkulu wababe wakho Isaka.+ Lelive lolele kulo ngitakunika lona, wena kanye nentalelwane* yakho.+ 14 Intalelwane* yakho itawuba ngangemhlabatsi,+ futsi itawusabalala igcwale enshonalanga nasemphumalanga, enyakatfo naseningizimu. Yonkhe imindeni lesemhlabeni itawubusiswa* ngawe nangentalelwane* yakho.+ 15 Mine nginawe. Ngitakuvikela nobe ngukuphi lapho uya khona, futsi utawubuya kulelive.+ Angeke ngikushiye, naloko lengikwetsembise kona ngitakwenta.”+  

16 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe waphaphama, watsi: “Nembala Jehova ukulendzawo, futsi bengingakwati loko.” 17 Ngako wefikelwa kwesaba futsi watsi: “Maye iyamangalisa lendzawo! Nakanjani lena yindlu yaNkulunkulu,+ futsi leli ligede lasemazulwini.”+ 18 Jakobe wavuka ekuseni kakhulu, watsatsa lelitje labecamele kulo walimisa laba luphawu futsi watsela emafutsa ngetulu kwalo.+ 19 Ngako leyondzawo wayibita ngekutsi yiBetheli,* kodvwa ngaphambi kwaloko lelidolobha belibitwa ngekutsi yiLuzi.+

20 Jakobe wabese uyafunga, watsi: “Nangabe Nkulunkulu atawuchubeka anami, angivikela kuloluhambo lwami, angipha nesinkhwa kuze ngidle kanye netimphahla tekugcoka, 21 futsi nangabe ngitawubuya ngekuthula endlini yababe, nakanjani Jehova utawube akhombisile kutsi unguNkulunkulu wami. 22 Nalelitje lengilente luphawu litawuba yindlu yaNkulunkulu+ futsi nakanjani ngitamnika kwelishumi kwako konkhe langinika kona.”

29 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe wachubeka neluhambo lwakhe, walibangisa eveni lebantfu baseMphumalanga. 2 Wabese ubona umtfombo wemanti emadlelweni kanye nemihlambi lemitsatfu yetimvu ilele eceleni kwawo, ngobe belusi bebavame kuyinatsisa kuwo. Bekunelitje lelikhulu lebekuvalwe ngalo lomtfombo. 3 Bekutsi naseyiphelele yonkhe lemihlambi, labelusi bagicite lelitje, bese bayayinatsisa. Naseyinatsile, bebabese bayalibuyisela lelitje.

4 Jakobe watsi kulabelusi: “Nisuka kuphi bomnaketfu?” Bona batsi: “Sisuka eHarani.”+ 5 Wase utsi: “Niyamati yini Labani+ umtukulu waNahori?”+ Bamphendvula batsi: “Siyamati.” 6 Nabasho loko, watsi kubo: “Unjani emphilweni?” Bona bamphendvula batsi: “Uyaphila, futsi nanguya naRakheli+ indvodzakati yakhe eta nemhlambi wetimvu!” 7 Wase utsi: “Kusesemini, futsi kusengakabi sikhatsi sekuvalela imihlambi. Natsisani letimvu, bese nitiyisa emadlelweni.” 8 Labelusi bamphendvula batsi: “Asikavumeleki kwenta loko kuze kube ngulapho sekuhlanganiswe yonkhe imihlambi futsi kugicitwe lelitje lokuvalwe ngalo lomtfombo. Ngemuva kwaloko singabese siyayinatsisa.”

9 Watsi asakhuluma nabo, kwefika Rakheli netimvu tababe wakhe ngobe naye bekelusa. 10 Ngesikhatsi Jakobe abona Rakheli indvodzakati yamalume wakhe Labani kanye naletimvu, wesuka ngekushesha wayawususa lelitje lebekuvalwe ngalo lomtfombo wabese unatsisa letimvu tamalume wakhe Labani. 11 Ngemuva kwaloko wanga Rakheli futsi Jakobe wakhala kakhulu wamemeta. 12 Watjela Rakheli kutsi usihlobo* sababe wakhe nekutsi uyindvodzana yaRebheka. Rakheli wesuka ngematubane wayawutjela babe wakhe.

13 Ngesikhatsi Labani+ eva ngaJakobe indvodzana yadzadzewabo, wagijima wayomhlangabeta. Wamgaca waphindze wamcabuza wase ungena naye endlini yakhe. Nasebasendlini, Jakobe wamtjela konkhe lebekwentekile. 14 Labani watsi kuye: “Wena ulitsambo lami kanye nenyama yami.”* Ngako wahlala naye inyanga yonkhe.

15 Labani watsi kuJakobe: “Njengobe usihlobo sami,*+ loko kusho kutsi sekufanele ungisebentele mahhala yini? Ngitjele kutsi ngikubhadale ngani.”+ 16 Labani bekanemadvodzakati lamabili. Libito lalendzala bekunguLeya kantsi lencane bekunguRakheli.+ 17 Emehlo aLeya bekangasimahle, kantsi Rakheli yena bekeme kahle futsi amuhle kakhulu. 18 Jakobe bekatsandza Rakheli, ngako watsi: “Ngitimisele kukusebentela iminyaka lengu-7 kuze unginike Rakheli indvodzakati yakho lencane.”+ 19 Labani wamphendvula watsi: “Kuncono kutsi ngimnike wena kunekutsi ngimnike lenye indvodza. Chubeka uhlala nami.” 20 Jakobe wasebenta iminyaka lengu-7 kuze atfole Rakheli,+ kodvwa emehlweni akhe leso sikhatsi saba shengatsi ngemalanga lambalwa ngobe bekamtsandza kakhulu.

21 Jakobe wase utsi kuLabani: “Emalanga ami asaphelile, ngako nginike yena abe ngumkami kuze ngiye ecansini naye.” 22 Ngemuva kwaloko Labani wabita onkhe emadvodza endzawo futsi wenta lidzili. 23 Kodvwa ebusuku, watsatsa Leya indvodzakati yakhe wamnika Jakobe kuze aye naye ecansini. 24 Labani waphindze watsatsa Zilpha incekukati yakhe, wamnika Leya indvodzakati yakhe kuze abe sisebenti sakhe.+ 25 Ekuseni Jakobe wabona kutsi bamnike Leya. Ngako watsi kuLabani: “Yini lena loyentile? Angitsi bengikusebentela kuze ngitfole Rakheli, manje ungikhohliseleni?”+ 26 Labani wamphendvula watsi: “Akuhambisani nelisiko letfu kutsi kwendze indvodzakati lencane kodvwa kusale lendzala. 27 Cale ucedze liviki lonkhe unalomfati wakho. Ngemuva kwaloko ngitakunika Rakheli, kodvwa kutawudzingeka ungisebentele leminye iminyaka lengu-7.”+ 28 Jakobe wenta njengobe Labani amtjelile futsi wacedza liviki lonkhe anaLeya. Ngemuva kwaloko, Labani wamniketa Rakheli kutsi abe ngumfati wakhe. 29 Ngetulu kwaloko Labani watsatsa Bilha+ incekukati yakhe, wamniketa Rakheli kutsi abe sisebenti sakhe.+

30 Jakobe wabese uya ecansini naRakheli futsi abemtsandza kakhulu kwendlula Leya. Wasebentela Labani leminye iminyaka lengu-7.+ 31 Ngesikhatsi Jehova abona kutsi Leya akatsandvwa,* wenta kutsi akhulelwe,*+ kodvwa Rakheli yena abengabatfoli bantfwana.+ 32 Ngako Leya wakhulelwa futsi watala indvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguRubeni,*+ ngobe bekatsi: “Jehova ukubonile kuhlupheka kwami+ futsi nyalo indvodza yami seyitangitsandza.” 33 Waphindze wakhulelwa, watala indvodzana, wase utsi: “Jehova ungivile ngobe bengingatsandvwa, wangipha lenye indvodzana.” Ngako wayibita ngekutsi nguSimeyoni.*+ 34 Wakhulelwa futsi, watala indvodzana, wabese utsi: “Manje indvodza yami seyitangitsandza kakhulu ngobe ngiyitalele emadvodzana lamatsatfu.” Ngako wabita lendvodzana ngekutsi nguLevi.*+ 35 Waphindze wakhulelwa futsi, watala indvodzana wase utsi: “Nyalo ngitamdvumisa Jehova.” Ngaleso sizatfu, lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguJuda.*+ Ngemuva kwaloko wema kutala.

30 Rakheli watsi nakabona kutsi akakamtaleli Jakobe bantfwana, waba nemona ngadzadzewabo futsi watsi kuJakobe: “Nginike bantfwana, ngale kwaloko ngitakufa.” 2 Jakobe wamtfukutselela Rakheli, watsi kuye: “Kantsi nginguNkulunkulu yini mine? Nguye lokwente kutsi ungabatfoli bantfwana.”* 3 Rakheli watsi: “Nangu Bilha+ incekukati yami. Mtsatse ulale naye atewungitalela* bantfwana kuze nami ngitfole bantfwana ngaye.” 4 Ngako watsatsa Bilha incekukati yakhe wamnika Jakobe kutsi abe ngumfati wakhe, futsi Jakobe waya naye ecansini.+ 5 Bilha wakhulelwa, ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watalela Jakobe indvodzana. 6 Ngemuva kwaloko Rakheli watsi: “Nkulunkulu ube ngumehluleli wami, walilalela nelivi lami futsi wanginika indvodzana.” Kungako ametsa ngekutsi nguDani.*+ 7 Bilha incekukati yaRakheli, waphindze wakhulelwa futsi ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watalela Jakobe indvodzana yesibili. 8 Ngemuva kwaloko Rakheli watsi: “Ngilwe kamatima nadzadzewetfu, futsi ekugcineni ngiphumelele!” Ngako lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguNaftali.*+

9 Ngesikhatsi Leya abona kutsi bekangasabatfoli bantfwana, watsatsa Zilpha incekukati yakhe wamniketa Jakobe kutsi abe ngumfati wakhe.+ 10 Ngako Zilpha incekukati yaLeya watalela Jakobe indvodzana. 11 Ngemuva kwaloko Leya watsi: “Kungihambele kahle!” Ngako lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguGadi.*+ 12 Zilpha incekukati yaLeya, waphindze watalela Jakobe indvodzana yesibili. 13 Leya watsi: “Maye ngiyajabula! Nakanjani labanye bafati nabo batawutsi ngiyajabula.”+ Ngako lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi ngu-Asheri.*+

14 Ngalelinye lilanga, Rubeni+ abetihambela ensimini ngesikhatsi sekuvunwa kwakolo, futsi watfola titselo lebekucatjangwa kutsi tisita umuntfu kutsi akhulelwe.* Ngako watitsatsa watimikisa kumake wakhe Leya. Rakheli wabese utsi kuLeya: “Ngicela ungiphe letinye taletitselo lotinikwe yindvodzana yakho.” 15 Leya watsi kuye: “Akukeneli yini kutsi utsatse indvodza yami?+ Nyalo sewufuna nekutsatsa letitselo letitfolwe yindvodzana yami.” Ngako Rakheli watsi: “Kulungile. Lamuhla utawulala naye nangabe utanginika letitselo letitfolwe yindvodzana yakho.”

16 Ntsambama ngesikhatsi Jakobe abuya emadlelweni, Leya waphuma wamhlangabeta futsi watsi: “Lamuhla utawulala nami ngobe ngitsengise ngetitselo tentalo letitfolwe yindvodzana yami kuze ngibe nawe.” Ngako Jakobe waya naye ecansini ngalobo busuku. 17 Nkulunkulu wawuva umthantazo waLeya futsi wawuphendvula. Wakhulelwa, ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watalela Jakobe indvodzana yesihlanu. 18 Ngemuva kwaloko Leya watsi: “Nkulunkulu unginike umvuzo* ngobe incekukati yami ngiyinike indvodza yami.” Ngako lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi ngu-Isakhari.*+ 19 Leya waphindze wakhulelwa, ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watalela Jakobe indvodzana yesitfupha.+ 20 Ngemuva kwaloko watsi: “Nkulunkulu ungiphe sipho lesihle. Ekugcineni, indvodza yami seyitangitsandza+ ngobe ngiyitalele emadvodzana lasitfupha.”+ Ngako lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguZebuloni.*+ 21 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watala indvodzakati futsi wayibita ngekutsi nguDina.+

22 Ekugcineni Nkulunkulu wamkhumbula Rakheli, wawuva umthantazo wakhe futsi wamphendvula ngekutsi amente atfole bantfwana.*+ 23 Ngako wakhulelwa, watala indvodzana. Ngemuva kwaloko watsi: “Nkulunkulu ukususile kuhlanjalatwa kwami!”+ 24 Lendvodzana wayibita ngekutsi nguJosefa,*+ futsi watsi: “Jehova ungengetele lenye indvodzana.”

25 Ngekushesha ngemuva kwekutsi Rakheli atele Josefa, Jakobe wakhuluma naLabani watsi: “Ngikhulule ngiye ekhaya naseveni lakitsi.+ 26 Ngivumele ngihambe nebafati bami nebantfwana bami lengikusebentele ngenca yabo, ngobe uyati kahle indlela lengikusebentele ngayo.”+ 27 Ngako Labani watsi kuye: “Nangabe unemusa kimi, ngicela uhlale ngobe sengibubonile bufakazi* ngabona kutsi Jehova ungibusisa ngenca yakho.” 28 Wachubeka watsi: “Ngitjele kutsi ufuna ngikubhadale ngani futsi ngitakunika kona.”+ 29 Jakobe watsi: “Uyayati indlela lengikusebentele ngayo nekutsi imfuyo yakho bengiyiphetse njani.+ 30 Ngesikhatsi ngifika bewunetintfo letimbalwa, kodvwa nyalo imfuyo yakho seyandze kakhulu yaba yinyenti, naJehova abesolo akubusisa kusukela ngefika. Manje mine ngitawusebentela nini umndeni wami?”+

31 Labani watsi: “Yini lofuna ngikunike yona?” Jakobe yena watsi: “Kute sidzingo sekutsi ungibhadale! Ngitawuchubeka ngelusa imfuyo yakho futsi ngiyinakekela, nangabe nje utangentela naku:+ 32 Ngitawuhamba emkhatsini wemfuyo yakho lamuhla. Ngicela wehlukanise tonkhe timvu letinemabala naletinemacabhacabha, nawo onkhe emazinyane etimvu lansundvu kanye nato tonkhe timbutikati letinemabala naletinemacabhacabha. Kusukela nyalo, leto titawuba tami.+ 33 Kulunga* kwami kuyongifakazela ngalelinye lilanga nawufika utewubuka lemfuyo letawuba yami; tonkhe timbutikati letitawube tite emacabhacabha nemabala, nemazinyane etimvu langasinsundvu, kutawusho kutsi tebiwe nawutatitfola kimi.”

34 Ngako Labani watsi: “Kulungile, akube njengobe usho.”+ 35 Ngalelolanga Labani wehlukanisa timbuti letindvuna letinemishi naletinemabala, nato tonkhe timbutikati letinemacabhacabha nemabala, nato tonkhe letinalokumhlophe kanye nawo onkhe emazinyane etimvu lansundvu, wase utinika emadvodzana akhe kutsi atinakekele. 36 Ngemuva kwaloko wesuka kuJakobe wahamba libanga lelingatsatsa emalanga lamatsatfu, futsi Jakobe wachubeka elusa imfuyo yaLabani lebeyisele.

37 Jakobe wabese utsatsa tindvuku letisemanti tesihlahla sestorakisi,* nesema-alimondi kanye nesepleni, futsi watebula watenta imishi taveta tingodvo letimhlophe. 38 Ngemuva kwaloko wabeka letindvuku embikwalemfuyo, emiseleni, nalapho beyinatsela khona, kuze nayifika itewunatsa bese iyakhanuka embikwaletindvuku.

39 Ngako lemfuyo beyifike ikhanuke embikwaletindvuku, bese itala emazinyane lanemishi, lanemacabhacabha kanye nalanemabala. 40 Jakobe wabese wehlukanisa lamazinyane futsi lemfuyo wayibukisa ngakulena lebeyinemishi nakuyo yonkhe lebeyinsundvu emfuyweni yaLabani. Ngemuva kwaloko wehlukanisa imfuyo yakhe kuleyo yaLabani. 41 Bekutsi nangabe lemfuyo lenemandla ikhanuka, Jakobe abeke letindvuku kulemisele lesembikwayo kuze ikhanuke embikwaletindvuku. 42 Kodvwa nangabe lemfuyo ibutsakatsaka, abengatibeki letindvuku. Ngako ngaso sonkhe sikhatsi lemfuyo lebutsakatsaka beyiba yaLabani, kepha lena lenemandla ibe yaJakobe.+

43 Jakobe wandlondlobala kakhulu, waba nemfuyo lenyenti, tinceku netincekukati, emakamela kanye netimbongolo.+

31 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, Jakobe weva emadvodzana aLabani akhuluma odvwa, atsi: “Jakobe utitsetse tonkhe tintfo tababe, futsi unjinge ngenca yato.”+ 2 Jakobe bekatsi nakabuka buso baLabani, abone kutsi indlela labesambuka ngayo beseyishintjile.+ 3 Ngako Jehova watsi kuJakobe: “Buyela eveni labokhokho bakho nasetihlotjeni takho,+ futsi ngitawuchubeka nginawe.” 4 Jakobe wase utfumela umlayeto kuboRakheli naLeya kutsi bete emadlelweni lapho kwakunemfuyo yakhe khona. 5 Nabefika watsi kubo:

“Ngiyabona kutsi indlela babe wenu langibuka ngayo seyishintjile,+ kodvwa nobe kunjalo Nkulunkulu wababe abesolo anami.+ 6 Nani nati kahle kutsi babe wenu ngimsebentele ngawo onkhe emandla ami.+ 7 Yena wetame kungetsembeki kimi ngekutsi ashintje liholo lami tikhatsi letinyenti;* kodvwa Nkulunkulu akazange amvumele kutsi angilimate. 8 Bekutsi nakatsi: ‘Letinemacabhacabha titawuba takho,’ wonkhe umhlambi utale letinemacabhacabha; nanakatsi: ‘Letinemishi titawuba takho,’ wonkhe umhlambi uvele utale letinemishi.+ 9 Ngako Nkulunkulu abesolo anginika imfuyo yababe wenu. 10 Ngalelinye lilanga ngesikhatsi lemfuyo seyikhanuka, ngabona ephusheni kutsi timbuti letindvuna lebetikhwela lomhlambi betinemishi, tinemacabhacabha kanye nemabala.+ 11 Ngako ingilosi yaNkulunkulu weliciniso yakhuluma nami kuleliphupho yatsi: ‘Jakobe!’ mine ngatsi: ‘Yebo Nkhosi.’ 12 Yachubeka yatsi: ‘Buka, tonkhe letimbuti letindvuna letikhwela lomhlambi tinemishi, nemacabhacabha, kanye nemabala. Ngako mine ngikubonile konkhe Labani lakwentako kuwe.+ 13 NginguNkulunkulu weliciniso, lowabonakala kuwe eBetheli+ ngesikhatsi utsela emafutsa* ngetulu kwelitje futsi ufunga kimi.+ Vuka uphume kulelive, ubuyele eveni lowatalelwa kulo.’”+

14 Ngako boRakheli naLeya batsi kuJakobe: “Lisekhona yini lifa lesitalitfola endlini yababe? 15 Angitsi usitsatsa njengetihambi njengobe asitsengisile, futsi wadla nemali lesatsengwa ngayo?+ 16 Wonkhe lomcebo Nkulunkulu lawutsetse kubabe, ngewetfu kanye nebantfwana betfu.+ Ngako kwente konkhe loko Nkulunkulu lakutjele kona.”+

17 Jakobe wesuka watsatsa bantfwana bakhe nebafati bakhe wabagibeta emakameleni,+ 18 futsi wagalela yonkhe imihlambi yakhe, watsatsa nato tonkhe tintfo lebesekanato.+ Watsatsa imfuyo yakhe labeyitfole ePhadani-aramu, wabuyela kubabe wakhe Isaka, eveni laseKhenani.+

19 Rakheli weba tithico* tababe wakhe Labani njengobe abengekho ayohhula timvu.+ 20 NaJakobe wambalekela Labani um-Aramu, ngobe akazange amtjele kutsi sewuyahamba. 21 Wabaleka nako konkhe labenako, wewela uMfula iYufrathe.*+ Wabese ulibangisa eGileyadi, lokusifundza lesinetintsaba.+ 22 Ngelilanga lesitsatfu, Labani wabikelwa kutsi Jakobe ubalekile. 23 Ngako watsatsa tihlobo takhe* wamlandzela libanga lelingatsatsa emalanga langu-7, futsi wamtfola eGileyadi, lokusifundza lesinetintsaba. 24 Ebusuku, Nkulunkulu wakhuluma naLabani um-Aramu+ ephusheni+ watsi: “Uboyinaka indlela lotawukhuluma ngayo naJakobe, ngisho nobe loko lokukhulumako kukuhle nobe kukubi.”*+

25 Ngako Labani wefika kuJakobe njengobe Jakobe abemise emathende akhe entsabeni, kantsi Labani netihlobo takhe bebawamise eGileyadi, lokusifundza lesinetintsaba. 26 Labani watsi kuJakobe: “Yini lena loyentile? Ungikhohliseleni, futsi uwatsetseleni nemadvodzakati ami njengetigcili letitfunjwe emphini? 27 Awukangitjeli ngani kutsi uyahamba, futsi ungikhohliseleni? Kube bewungitjelile, ngabe ngikuvalelise ngenjabulo nangetingoma, ngemathamborini nangemahabhu. 28 Awukanginiki nelitfuba lekutsi ngange batukulu* bami nemadvodzakati ami. Lolokwentile kubulima. 29 Nginawo emandla ekukulimata, kodvwa Nkulunkulu wababe wakho ukhulume nami itolo ebusuku, watsi: ‘Uboyinaka indlela lotawukhuluma ngayo naJakobe, ngisho nobe loko lokukhulumako kukuhle nobe kukubi.’+ 30 Sizatfu sekutsi uhambe kutsi bewusolo ufuna kubuyela endlini yababe wakho, kodvwa-ke ubebeleni bonkulunkulu bami?”+

31 Jakobe watsi kuLabani: “Bengesaba futsi ngicabanga kutsi utangemuka emadvodzakati akho. 32 Nobe ngubani lotamtfola analabonkulunkulu bakho, utakufa. Phenya tonkhe letintfo tami embikwebanaketfu futsi utsatse lokukwakho.” Kodvwa Jakobe abengati kutsi letithico betebiwe nguRakheli. 33 Ngako Labani wangena ethendeni laJakobe, ethendeni laLeya kanye nasethendeni laletincekukati letimbili,+ kodvwa akazange atitfole letithico takhe. Ekugcineni waphuma ethendeni laLeya waya ethendeni laRakheli. 34 Rakheli abetsetse letithico watifaka ngephansi kwesihlalo selikamela, wase uhlala etikwato. Ngako Labani waphenyisisa lonkhe lithende kodvwa wangatitfola. 35 Rakheli watsi kubabe wakhe: “Ungangitfukutseleli nkhosi yami, angeke ngikhone kusukuma ngobe ngisesikhatsini.”+ Labani wachubeka aphenyisisa, kodvwa wangatitfoli letithico.+

36 Jakobe watfukutsela futsi wabalisela Labani. Ngemuva kwaloko watsi kuye: “Yini lengiyentile, futsi ngikone ngani kutsi ungaze ungitfungatse kangaka? 37 Njengobe sewuphenyisise tonkhe tintfo tami, kukhona yini lokutfolile lokukwakho? Kubeke lapha embikwebanaketfu kuze behlulele kutsi ngubani loneliciniso kimi nawe. 38 Kuleminyaka lengu-20 lengiyicitse nginawe, timvu kanye netimbuti takho atikaze tiphunte,+ futsi netimvu takho letindvuna angikaze ngitidle. 39 Angikaze ngibuye nesifuyo lesidliwe tilwane tesiganga,+ futsi nakwentekile loko, bekudzingeka kutsi ngisibhadale. Ngisho nobe sifuyo sebiwe emini nobe ebusuku, wena bewufuna ngisibhadale. 40 Emini bengishiswa lilanga, ebusuku ngishushudvwe ngemakhata, futsi bengiphelelwa ngisho nabutfongo.+ 41 Sengihleli iminyaka lengu-20 endlini yakho. Ngasebenta iminyaka lengu-14 kuze ngitfole emadvodzakati akho lamabili, ngaphindze ngasebenta iminyaka lengu-6 ngelusa imfuyo yakho, futsi wena bewulibala kushintja liholo lami tikhatsi letinyenti.+ 42 Kube bekungasiko kutsi Nkulunkulu wababe,+ naNkulunkulu wa-Abrahama, futsi longuNkulunkulu lowesatjwa ngu-Isaka+ abenami, wena ngabe ungihambise ngilengisa tandla. Nkulunkulu ukubonile kuhlupheka kanye nekukhandleka kwami, kungako nje akwekhutile itolo ebusuku.”+

43 Ngako Labani watsi kuJakobe: “Lamadvodzakati kanye nalabantfwana ngebami futsi nalemfuyo ngeyami. Konkhe lokulambikwakho kwami nalamadvodzakati ami. Ngako-ke kute lokubi lebengingakwenta kulamadvodzakati ami nakulabantfwana bawo. 44 Wota sente sivumelwane, futsi sitawuba bufakazi emkhatsini wetfu.” 45 Ngako Jakobe watsatsa litje walimisa laba luphawu.+ 46 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe watsi etihlotjeni takhe: “Butsani ematje!” Ngako bawabutsa bawenta indvundvuma. Nabacedza badlela etikwayo. 47 Labani wayibita ngekutsi yiJega-sahadutha,* kodvwa Jakobe wayibita ngekutsi yiGaledi.*

48 Labani watsi: “Lendvundvuma yematje ibufakazi emkhatsini wetfu lamuhla.” Kungako yabitwa ngekutsi yiGaledi,+ 49 nangekutsi Sicongosekulindza, ngobe Labani watsi: “Shengatsi Jehova angachubeka asibuka nasesehlukene. 50 Nangabe utawaphatsa kabi lamadvodzakati ami futsi utsatse labanye bafati, ubokhumbula kutsi ngisho nobe kute lomunye lobonako, Nkulunkulu yena ungufakazi emkhatsini wetfu sobabili.” 51 Labani wachubeka watsi kuJakobe: “Nayi indvundvuma yematje futsi nali nelitje leliluphawu lengilimise emkhatsini wetfu. 52 Lendvundvuma yematje kanye nalelitje leliluphawu kubufakazi+ bekutsi angeke ngendlulele ngale kuze ngikulimate, kantsi nawe angeke wendlulele ngale kuze ungilimate. 53 Shengatsi Nkulunkulu wa-Abrahama+ naNkulunkulu waNahori kanye naNkulunkulu wababe wabo, angehlulela emkhatsini wetfu.” NaJakobe wafunga ngaLoyo lowesatjwa ngubabe wakhe Isaka.+

54 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe wenta umhlatjelo entsabeni, wabita tihlobo takhe kutsi titewudla sinkhwa. Ngako badla futsi bacitsa busuku bonkhe kulentsaba. 55 Labani wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wanga batukulu* bakhe+ nemadvodzakati akhe futsi wababusisa.+ Ngemuva kwaloko wesuka wabuyela ekhaya.+

32 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe naye wesuka wahamba. Watsi asahamba wahlangana netingilosi taNkulunkulu. 2 Ngekushesha nje nakatibona, Jakobe watsi: “Lena yinkambu yelibutfo laNkulunkulu!” Ngako wabita leyo ndzawo ngekutsi yiMahanayimu.*

3 Jakobe wabese utfumela titfunywa kutsi tihambe embili tiye ku-Esawu umnakabo eveni laseSeyiri,+ lokuyindzawo yaka-Edomu,+ 4 futsi watsi kuto: “Naku lenitakusho ku-Esawu inkhosi yami: ‘Inceku yakho Jakobe itsi: “Sonkhe lesikhatsi bengisolo ngihleti naLabani.*+ 5 Futsi senginetinkhomo, timbongolo, timvu, tinceku netincekukati.+ Ngako-ke ngitfumele lomlayeto kuze ngatise inkhosi yami, khona ngitewutfola umusa emehlweni ayo.”’”

6 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi letitfunywa tabuya, tatsi kuJakobe: “Simbonile umnakenu Esawu. Nyalo usendleleni utewuhlangana nawe, futsi uhamba nemadvodza langu-400.”+ 7 Ngaleso sizatfu Jakobe wesaba kakhulu futsi wakhatsateka.+ Ngako wehlukanisa labantfu lebebanaye, wehlukanisa nalemihlambi yakhe, tinkhomo, kanye nemakamela, wakwenta kwaba ngemacembu lamabili. 8 Watsi: “Nakwenteka Esawu ahlasela linye lalamacembu, lelelinye litawukhona kubaleka.”

9 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe wathantaza watsi: “Awu Nkulunkulu wamkhulu wami Abrahama, naNkulunkulu wababe wami Isaka, wena Jehova lotsite kimi: ‘Buyela eveni lakini kanye nasetihlotjeni takho futsi mine ngitakubusisa,’+ 10 alungifaneli lonkhe lolutsandvo lolucotfo nekwetsembeka longikhombise kona, mine nceku yakho,+ ngobe lomfula iJordane ngawewela ngiphetse indvuku nje kuphela kodvwa nyalo senginemacembu lamabili.+ 11 Ngicela+ kutsi ungisindzise esandleni sa-Esawu umnaketfu, ngobe ngiyesaba kutsi kungenteka ete angihlasele+ kanye nalabantfwana nabomake babo. 12 Futsi wena watsi kimi: ‘Ngitakubusisa, ngente nebantfwana* bakho babe ngangesihlabatsi saselwandle, lesingeke sibalwe ngenca yebunyenti baso.’”+

13 Ngako wacitsa busuku kuleyo ndzawo. Ngemuva kwaloko watsatsa letinye tetintfo takhe kuze atiphe umnakabo-Esawu.+ 14 Bekutimbuti letinsikati letingu-200, timbuti letindvuna letingu-20, timvu letinsikati letingu-200, timvu letindvuna letingu-20, 15 emakamela lamunyisako langu-30, tinkhomati letingu-40, tinkunzi letingu-10, timbongolo letinsikati letingu-20 kanye netimbongolo+ letindvuna letikhulile letingu-10.

16 Konkhe loku wakuniketa tinceku takhe, inceku ngayinye wayiniketa umhlambi letawubuka, futsi watsi kuto: “Hambani embili niwele, nifike nehlukanise lemihlambi, kube nemkhatsi loyehlukanisako.” 17 Watjela inceku yakhe yekucala watsi: “Nakwenteka umnaketfu Esawu ahlangana nawe futsi akubute atsi: ‘Ngubani inkhosi yakho? Uya kuphi futsi yabani lemfuyo lelambikwakho?’ 18 wena ubotsi: ‘Ngisisebenti senceku yakho Jakobe. Tonkhe letintfo tisipho lasitfumela enkhosini yami Esawu+ futsi naye Jakobe usendleleni uyasilandzela.’” 19 Waphindze wakhuluma nenceku yakhe yesibili, neyesitsatfu kanye nabo bonkhe lebebachuba lemihlambi, watsi: “Nguloko-ke lokufanele nikusho ku-Esawu nanihlangana naye. 20 Nibophindze nitsi kuye: ‘Inceku yakho Jakobe nayo isendleleni iyasilandzela.’” Ngobe abecabanga atsi: ‘Nangingamane nje ngitincengele kuye ngekutsi ngitfumele sipho kucala,+ kungenteka nasengihlangana naye angemukele kahle.’ 21 Ngako lesipho sewela kucala, kodvwa yena wacitsa busuku lapho bebamise khona emathende.

22 Ebusuku, wavuka watsatsa bafati bakhe lababili+ netincekukati takhe letimbili,+ nemadvodzana akhe langu-11 wewela litibuko lokutsiwa yiJabhoki.+ 23 Ngako wabatsatsa wabeweta lomfudlana,* waphindze weweta nato tonkhe letinye tintfo lebekanato.

24 Jakobe wagcine asasele yedvwa. Kwabese kuvela indvodza* letsite, yalwa naye kwaze kwadzabuka kusa.+ 25 Nayibona kutsi uyayehlula, lendvodza yambamba enyongeni futsi inyonga yaJakobe yakhumuka njengobe bebasolo balwa.+ 26 Ngemuva kwaloko lendvodza yatsi: “Ngiyekele ngihambe ngobe sekuyasa.” Jakobe watsi: “Ngeke ngikuyekele uhambe ungakangibusisi.”+ 27 Ngako yatsi kuye: “Ungubani libito lakho?” Yena watsi: “NginguJakobe.” 28 Lendvodza yase itsi: “Libito lakho angeke kusaba nguJakobe kodvwa sewutawuba ngu-Israyeli,*+ ngobe ulwisene naNkulunkulu+ kanye nebantfu futsi ekugcineni waphumelela.” 29 NaJakobe wayibuta watsi: “Wena ungubani libito lakho?” Kodvwa lendvodza yatsi: “Ulifunelani libito lami?”+ Ngemuva kwaloko yambusisa kuleyo ndzawo. 30 Ngako Jakobe wabita lendzawo ngekutsi yiPheniyeli,*+ ngobe watsi: “Ngibonene naNkulunkulu buso nebuso kodvwa ngisaphila.”+

31 Lilanga laphuma nakasandza nje kusuka ePhenuweli,* futsi abechuta ngenca yalenyonga yakhe lebeyikhumukile.+ 32 Kungako kuze kube ngulamuhla ema-Israyeli angawudli umsipha welitsanga losenyongeni, ngobe lendvodza yabamba inyonga yaJakobe ngalomsipha welitsanga.

33 Jakobe watsi nakaphakamisa emehlo, wabona kuchamuka Esawu ahamba nemadvodza langu-400.+ Ngako watsatsa labantfwana wabaniketa Leya, Rakheli naletincekukati letimbili.+ 2 Wabeka letincekukati nebantfwana bato ngembili,+ kwalandzela Leya nebantfwana bakhe,+ kwase kugcina Rakheli+ naJosefa. 3 Yena wahamba embikwabo futsi abehambe aguca kwaze kwaba tikhatsi letingu-7 njengobe asondzela kumnakabo.

4 Esawu wagijima wamhlangabeta, wefike wamgaca futsi wamanga, bobabili bakhala kakhulu. 5 Esawu watsi nakaphakamisa emehlo, wabona labafati nalabantfwana futsi watsi: “Bobani laba lohamba nabo?” Jakobe watsi: “Laba bantfwana Nkulunkulu layibusise ngabo inceku yakho.”+ 6 Ngako letincekukati tasondzela kanye nebantfwana bato futsi bonkhe bakhotsama embikwakhe, 7 naLeya wasondzela nebantfwana bakhe, nabo bakhotsama. Ngemuva kwaloko kwasondzela Josefa naRakheli, nabo futsi bakhotsama.+

8 Esawu watsi: “Kungani utfumele bonkhe labantfu nalemihlambi lebengihlangana nayo?”+ Jakobe waphendvula watsi: “Bengentela kutsi ngitfole umusa enkhosini yami.”+ 9 Ngako Esawu watsi: “Cha mnaketfu, tsatsa tintfo takho.+ Mine nginetintfo letinyenti kakhulu.” 10 Kodvwa Jakobe watsi: “Nangabe ungemukela, ngicela utsatse lesipho lengikunika sona ngobe ngisiletse ngenca yekutsi bengifuna kukubona. Nyalo sengibone buso bakho, kwaba shengatsi ngibone buso baNkulunkulu, ngobe ungemukele kahle.+ 11 Ngicela usitsatse lesipho lengisitfumele ngenjongo yekukufisela lokuhle,+ ngobe Nkulunkulu ungentele umusa futsi nginato tonkhe tintfo lengitidzingako.”+ Ngako wachubeka amncenga wagcine asasitsetse.

12 Ngemuva kwaloko Esawu watsi: “Asisuke sihambe, futsi mine ngitawuhamba kucala.” 13 Kodvwa Jakobe watsi: “Nkhosi yami, uyabona kutsi labantfwana bancane+ nekutsi ngihamba netimvu netinkhomo letimunyisako. Nangitawujakisa lomhlambi lilanga nje libe linye, utawufa wonkhe. 14 Ngako nkhosi yami, ngicela uhambe kucala, mine ngitawuchubeka ngihamba kancane ngendlela lelungele imfuyo yami kanye nalabantfwana, ngize ngifike kuwe eSeyiri.”+ 15 Esawu watsi: “Ngicela kukushiya nalabanye bantfu bami.” Kodvwa Jakobe watsi: “Ukwentelani loko? Mine ngicela inkhosi yami imane ingentele umusa.” 16 Ngako-ke ngalelolanga, Esawu wahamba wabuyela eSeyiri.

17 Jakobe wahamba waya eSukhothi+ futsi wefike watakhela indlu, wakhela nemfuyo yakhe emadlangala. Kungako lendzawo ayibita ngekutsi yiSukhothi.*

18 Ngemuva kwekutsi asuke ePhadani-aramu,+ Jakobe wahamba kahle wefika aphephile edolobheni lokutsiwa yiShekhemu,+ leliseveni laseKhenani,+ futsi wamisa emathende akhe edvute nalelodolobha. 19 Watsenga indzawo emadvodzaneni aHamori, babe waShekhemu, wase umisa emathende akhe kuyo. Lendzawo wayitsenga ngetinhlavu temali letingu-100.+ 20 Wakha li-al’thare kuleyo ndzawo, waletsa libito watsi: Nkulunkulu unguNkulunkulu wa-Israyeli.+

34 Dina indvodzakati yaJakobe, layitalelwa nguLeya+ abevame kuvakashela* emantfombatane akulelo live.+ 2 Ngesikhatsi Shekhemu indvodzana yaHamori umHivi,+ longumholi walelo live ambona, wamdlwengula wamona. 3 Shekhemu wakhangeka kakhulu ngaDina, indvodzakati yaJakobe futsi wamtsandza, ngako wamsoma.* 4 Ekugcineni Shekhemu watsi kubabe wakhe Hamori:+ “Ngicela ungitsatsele lentfombi ibe ngumfati wami.”

5 Ngesikhatsi Jakobe eva kutsi Shekhemu udlwengule Dina indvodzakati yakhe, emadvodzana akhe abesemadlelweni eluse imfuyo yababe wawo. Ngako Jakobe akazange asho lutfo aze abuya. 6 Ngemuva kwaloko, babe waShekhemu lokunguHamori, waya kuJakobe wayokhuluma naye. 7 Kodvwa ngalesikhatsi emadvodzana aJakobe lebekasemadlelweni ayiva lendzaba, abuyela ekhaya ngekushesha. Eva buhlungu futsi atfukutsela kakhulu ngobe Shekhemu abetsele Israyeli ngelihlazo ngekutsi adlwengule indvodzakati yaJakobe,+ lokuyintfo lebekungakafaneli yentiwe.+

8 Hamori watsi: “Shekhemu indvodzana yami utsandza indvodzakati yakho. Ngako ngicela umnike yona ibe ngumfati wakhe, 9 futsi asendziselane, sakhe buhlobo. Sinikeni emadvodzakati enu, nani ningatitsatsela emadvodzakati etfu.+ 10 Ningahlala natsi, futsi nani lelive litawuba ngelenu. Hlalani futsi nisebente, nitive nikhululekile kulo.” 11 Ngako Shekhemu watsi kubabe waDina nakubomnakabo: “Ngicela kumane ngitfole umusa emehlweni enu, futsi ngitaninika nobe yini leniyicelako. 12 Ningabita ngisho nelilobolo lelisetulu kanye netipho,+ futsi ngitimisele kuninika nobe yini leniyifunako. Nine nje nginikeni lentfombi ibe ngumfati wami.”

13 Ngako emadvodzana aJakobe akhohlisa Shekhemu kanye nababe wakhe Hamori ngobe Shekhemu abedlwengule Dina, longudzadzewabo. 14 Atsi kubo: “Angeke size siyente intfo lenjalo, kutsi sitsatse dzadzewetfu simnike indvodza lengakasoki,*+ ngobe loko kulihlazo kitsi. 15 Sitawuvuma kuphela nangabe nitawufanana natsi, nisoke bonkhe bantfu benu labadvuna.+ 16 Ngemuva kwaloko sitaninika emadvodzakati etfu, natsi sititsatsele emadvodzakati enu, futsi sitawuhlala nani sibe munye. 17 Kodvwa nangabe ningasoki, njengobe sinicela, sitawutsatsa dzadzewetfu sihambe naye.”

18 Lamavi abo amjabulisa Hamori+ nendvodzana yakhe Shekhemu.+ 19 Shekhemu wakwenta ngekushesha loko lebebakucelile,+ ngobe abeyitsandza indvodzakati yaJakobe, futsi abehlonishwa kakhulu endlini yababe wakhe.

20 Ngako Hamori nendvodzana yakhe Shekhemu baya egedeni lelidolobha, bakhuluma nemadvodza akulelidolobha,+ batsi: 21 “Lamadvodza afuna sakhe nawo kuthula. Asibavumeleni bahlale kulelive futsi basebente kulo, ngobe lelive likhulu kakhulu, sonkhe singakhona kuhlala kulo. Tsine sitawutsatsa emadvodzakati abo abe bafati betfu, natsi sibanike emadvodzakati etfu.+ 22 Kodvwa-ke kuze lamadvodza avume kuhlala natsi futsi sibe munye nawo, kufanele bonkhe labadvuna labalapha kitsi basoke njengalamadvodza.+ 23 Ngemuva kwaloko tintfo tawo, umcebo wawo, kanye nayo yonkhe imfuyo yawo kutawuba kwetfu. Ngako asivumeni kutsi ahlale natsi.” 24 Bonkhe labo lebebaphuma egedeni lalelidolobha bamlalela Hamori kanye naShekhemu indvodzana yakhe, futsi bonkhe labadvuna basoka, lokungibo bonkhe labo lebebabutsene lapho.

25 Ngelilanga lesitsatfu, ngesikhatsi bonkhe labantfu basesetinhlungwini, emadvodzana aJakobe lamabili, boSimeyoni naLevi, banakaboDina,+ batsatsa tinkemba tabo bangena kulelidolobha kungakalindzeli muntfu futsi babulala bonkhe bantfu labadvuna.+ 26 Babulala Hamori nendvodzana yakhe Shekhemu ngenkemba. Ngemuva kwaloko baya endlini yaShekhemu batsatsa Dina bahamba naye. 27 Nalalamanye emadvodzana aJakobe afika kulamadvodza labebulewe futsi atsatsa konkhe lebekukulelidolobha, ngobe Shekhemu abedlwengule dzadzewabo.+ 28 Atsatsa imihlambi yetimvu, yetimbuti, neyetinkhomo, atsatsa netimbongolo nako konkhe lebekukulelidolobha kanye nalobekungephandle. 29 Atsatsa tonkhe tintfo tabo, nabo bonkhe bantfwana kanye nebafati balabantfu, futsi atsatsa konkhe lebekusetindlini.

30 Nakeva loku, Jakobe watsi kuSimeyoni naLevi:+ “Maye ningiletsele tinkinga letinyenti ngekwenta kutsi bantfu balelive bangitondze, ngisho lamaKhenani nemaPheresi. Mine ngite bantfu labanyenti, ngako batawuhlangana bangihlasele, futsi nakanjani batangicotfula mine nendlu yami.” 31 Kodvwa bona batsi: “Besingeke sivume kutsi dzadzewetfu aphatfwe njengengwadla.”

35 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu watsi kuJakobe: “Suka uye eBetheli+ futsi uhlale khona. Ubongakhela li-al’thare lapho, mine Nkulunkulu weliciniso lengabonakala kuwe ngesikhatsi ubalekela umnakenu Esawu.”+

2 Ngako Jakobe watjela yonkhe indlu yakhe kanye nabo bonkhe lebebanaye watsi: “Lahlani labonkulunkulu betive leninabo,+ nitihlambulule, nishintje netingubo tenu, 3 bese siyesuka siya eBetheli. Ngitawufika lapho ngakhe li-al’thare, ngilakhele Nkulunkulu weliciniso, Loyo lowangiphendvula ngesikhatsi ngicindzetelekile waphindze waba nami nobe ngukuphi* lapho bengiya khona.”+ 4 Ngako banika Jakobe bonkhe labonkulunkulu betive lebebanabo kanye nemacici lebebawafake etindlebeni tabo, futsi Jakobe wakumbela* ngephansi kwesihlahla lesikhulu lebesisedvute neShekhemu.

5 Ngesikhatsi bachubeka neluhambo lwabo, Nkulunkulu wabangela kutsi bantfu lebebasemadolobheni laseceleni kwabo bafikelwe kwesaba lokukhulu, ngako abazange bawacoshe ngemuva emadvodzana aJakobe. 6 Ekugcineni, Jakobe nabo bonkhe labantfu labehamba nabo befika eLuzi,+ lokuyiBetheli, indzawo leseveni laseKhenani. 7 Jakobe wakha li-al’thare kuleyo ndzawo, wase uyibita ngekutsi yi-Eli-betheli,* ngobe kulapho Nkulunkulu weliciniso ativeta khona kuye ngesikhatsi abalekela umnakabo.+ 8 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi Debhora,+ labengumnakekeli waRebheka wafa futsi wangcwatjwa entansi kweBetheli, ngaphansi kwesihlahla sem-okhi. Ngako Jakobe wabita lendzawo ngekutsi yi-Aloni-bhakhuthi.*

9 Nkulunkulu waphindze wabonakala kuJakobe ngesikhatsi abuya ePhadani-aramu futsi wambusisa. 10 Nkulunkulu watsi kuye: “Libito lakho unguJakobe.+ Kodvwa angeke usabitwa ngekutsi unguJakobe, sewutawubitwa ngekutsi ungu-Israyeli.” Ngemuva kwaloko wacala kumbita nga-Israyeli.+ 11 Nkulunkulu wachubeka watsi kuye: “NginguNkulunkulu Somandla.+ Ngitawukwenta ube nebantfwana labanyenti, futsi kuwe kutawuvela tive letinyenti+ kanye nemakhosi.+ 12 Lelive lengaliniketa Abrahama na-Isaka ngitawulinika wena kanye nentalelwane* yakho letawuvela emvakwakho.”+ 13 Ngemuva kwaloko Nkulunkulu wamshiya, wesuka kulendzawo lebekakhulume naye kuyo.

14 Ngako Jakobe wemisa litje leliluphawu kulendzawo lebekakhulume naNkulunkulu kuyo, futsi watsela umnikelo walokunatfwako ngetulu kwalo waphindze watsela nemafutsa.+ 15 Jakobe wachubeka abita lendzawo Nkulunkulu lebekakhulume naye kuyo ngekutsi yiBetheli.+

16 Ngemuva kwaloko besuka eBetheli. Nasebakhashanyana ne-Efratha, kwefika sikhatsi sekutsi Rakheli abeleke futsi wahelwa kamatima. 17 Ngesikhatsi asenebulukhuni bekubeleka lomntfwana, umbelekisi watsi kuye: “Ungesabi ngobe utayitfola nalena indvodzana.”+ 18 Kwatsi nje lapho Rakheli sekafa, wetsa lomntfwana ngekutsi nguBhenoni,* kodvwa Jakobe wametsa ngekutsi nguBhenjamini.*+ 19 Ngako Rakheli wafa futsi wangcwatjwa ngasendleleni leya e-Efratha, lokuyiBhetlehema.+ 20 Jakobe wabeka litje lelikhulu ngetulu kwelithuna lakhe; lelitje lisatfolakala nalamuhla ethuneni laRakheli.

21 Ngemuva kwaloko Israyeli wesuka futsi wamisa emathende khashanyana nembhoshongo wase-Ederi. 22 Ngalelinye lilanga ngesikhatsi Israyeli sekahlala kuleyo ndzawo, Rubeni walala naBilha umfati lomncane wababe wakhe, futsi Israyeli weva ngaloko.+

Emadvodzana aJakobe abengu-12. 23 Emadvodzana lawatalelwa nguLeya bekunguRubeni+ litibulo lakhe, kube nguSimeyoni, Levi, Juda, Isakhari, naZebuloni. 24 Emadvodzana aRakheli bekunguJosefa naBhenjamini. 25 Emadvodzana Jakobe lawatalelwa nguBilha, incekukati yaRakheli bekunguDani naNaftali. 26 Kantsi emadvodzana lawatalelwa nguZilpha, incekukati yaLeya bekunguGadi na-Asheri. Onkhe lawa ngemadvodzana Jakobe latalelwa wona ePhadani-aramu.

27 Jakobe wagcine afikile eMamre+ leseKhiriyathi-abha, lokuyiHebroni lapho kwakuhlala khona babe wakhe Isaka, nalapho Abrahama na-Isaka bebake baba tihambi khona.+ 28 Isaka waphila iminyaka lengu-180.+ 29 Ngemuva kwaloko Isaka wafa futsi wangcwatjwa njengabo bonkhe bantfu bakubo, sekamdzala kakhulu futsi enetisekile ngekuphila.* Ngako bo-Esawu naJakobe, emadvodzana akhe bamngcwaba.+

36 Lona ngumlandvo wa-Esawu, lobitwa nangekutsi ngu-Edomu.+

2 Esawu watsatsa bafati emadvodzakatini aseKhenani: Ada+ indvodzakati ya-Eloni umHethi,+ na-Oholibama+ indvodzakati ya-Ana, umtukulu waSibeyoni umHivi 3 kanye naBhasemathi+ indvodzakati ya-Ishmayeli, lobekangudzadzewabo Nebayothi.+

Lawa ngemadvodzana a-Esawu latalwa ngesikhatsi aseKhenani. 6 Ngemuva kwaloko Esawu watsatsa bafati bakhe, emadvodzana nemadvodzakati akhe kanye nawo onkhe emalunga emndeni wakhe. Watsatsa nemfuyo yakhe kanye nato tonkhe letinye tilwane, nawo wonkhe umcebo labekawutfole+ eveni laseKhenani, wahamba waya endzaweni lekhashanyana naJakobe umnakabo.+ 7 Loko wakwenta ngobe tintfo lebebanato bese titinyenti kakhulu kangangekutsi bebangasakhoni kuhlala ndzawonye. Lendzawo lebebahlala* kuyo beyingasabeneli ngobe bebanemihlambi leminyenti. 8 Esawu wahamba wayewuhlala esifundzeni lesinetintsaba saseSeyiri.+ Esawu ubitwa nangekutsi ngu-Edomu.+

9 Lona ngumlandvo wa-Esawu longukhokho wesive sema-Edomu, lebesiphila esifundzeni lesinetintsaba saseSeyiri.+

10 Nankha emabito emadvodzana a-Esawu: Elifazi indvodzana ya-Ada, umfati wa-Esawu, naRehuweli indvodzana yaBhasemathi, umfati wa-Esawu.+

11 Emadvodzana a-Elifazi bekunguThemani,+ Omari, Sefo, Gatamu kanye naKhenazi.+ 12 Thimna waba ngumfati lomncane wa-Elifazi indvodzana ya-Esawu. Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi watala Amaleki.+ Laba batukulu ba-Ada, umfati wa-Esawu.

13 Emadvodzana aRehuweli bekunguNahathi, Zera, Shama naMiza. Laba batukulu baBhasemathi,+ umfati wa-Esawu.

14 Oholibama watalela Esawu emadvodzana, bekunguJewushe, Jalamu naKhora. Oholibama abengumfati wa-Esawu, ayindvodzakati ya-Ana futsi angumtukulu waSibeyoni.

15 Naba baholi bemadvodzana a-Esawu,+ labavela ku-Elifazi, litibulo la-Esawu: UMholi Themani, uMholi Omari, uMholi Sefo, uMholi Khenazi,+ 16 uMholi Khora, uMholi Gatamu, uMholi Amaleki. Laba baholi labatalwa ngu-Elifazi+ eveni laka-Edomu, futsi babatukulu ba-Ada.

17 Nankha emadvodzana aRehuweli, indvodzana ya-Esawu: UMholi Nahathi, uMholi Zera, uMholi Shama neMholi Miza. Laba baholi labatalwa nguRehuweli eveni laka-Edomu,+ futsi babatukulu baBhasemathi umfati wa-Esawu.

18 Nankha emadvodzana a-Oholibama, umfati wa-Esawu: UMholi Jewushe, uMholi Jalamu kanye neMholi Khora. Laba baholi labatalwa ngu-Oholibama indvodzakati ya-Ana, umfati wa-Esawu.

19 Ngulawo-ke emadvodzana a-Esawu kanye nebaholi bawo. Esawu bekabitwa nangekutsi ngu-Edomu.+

20 Nankha emadvodzana aSeyiri umHori, labehlala kulelo live:+ Lotani, Shobali, Sibeyoni, Ana,+ 21 Dishoni, Eseri kanye naDishani.+ Laba baholi bemaHori, emadvodzana aSeyiri, eveni laka-Edomu.

22 Emadvodzana aLotani bekunguHori naHemami futsi dzadzewaboLotani bekunguThimna.+

23 Nankha emadvodzana aShobali: Alvani, Manahathi, Ebali, Shefo na-Onamu.

24 Emadvodzana aSibeyoni+ bekungu-Aya na-Ana. Ana watfola imitfombo yemanti lashisako ehlane, ngesikhatsi eluse timbongolo tababe wakhe Sibeyoni.

25 Bantfwana ba-Ana bekunguDishoni na-Oholibama labeyindvodzakati yakhe.

26 Emadvodzana aDishoni bekunguHemdani, Eshbani, Jithrani naKherani.+

27 Nankha emadvodzana a-Eseri: Bilhani, Zavani na-Akhani.

28 Emadvodzana aDishani bekungu-Uzi na-Arani.+

29 Naba baholi bemaHori: UMholi Lotani, uMholi Shobali, uMholi Sibeyoni, uMholi Ana, 30 uMholi Dishoni, uMholi Eseri kanye neMholi Dishani.+ Laba baholi bemaHori ngekulandzelana kwabo eSeyiri.

31 Lawa ngemakhosi labusa eveni laka-Edomu+ kusengakabusi inkhosi ka-Israyeli:*+ 32 Bhela indvodzana yaBheyori wabusa ka-Edomu, futsi ligama lelidolobha labusa kulo bekuyiDinihabha. 33 Nakufa Bhela, Jobabi indvodzana yaZera waseBhosra wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 34 Ngesikhatsi Jobabi afa, Hushamu waseveni lemaThemani wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 35 Nakufa Hushamu, kwabusa Hadadi indvodzana yaBedadi, lowancoba bakaMidiyani+ endzaweni* yakaMowabi, futsi lidolobha labusa kulo kwakuyi-Avithi. 36 Nakufa Hadadi, kwabusa Samla waseMasreka esikhundleni sakhe. 37 Nakufa Samla, Shawula waseRehobothi leseceleni kweMfula, wacala kubusa esikhundleni sakhe. 38 Nakufa Shawula, Bhali-hanani indvodzana ya-Akbori wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 39 Ngesikhatsi Bhali-hanani indvodzana ya-Akbori afa, Hadari wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. Lidolobha labusa kulo bekuyiPhawu, kantsi libito lemfati wakhe bekunguMehethabeli indvodzakati yaMatredi, lobekayindvodzakati yaMezahabe.

40 Ngulawa-ke emabito ebaholi labavela ku-Esawu ngemindeni yabo, ngetindzawo labebahlala kuto kanye nangemabito abo: UMholi Thimna, uMholi Alva, uMholi Jethethi,+ 41 uMholi Oholibama, uMholi Ela, uMholi Phinoni, 42 uMholi Khenazi, uMholi Themani, uMholi Mibsari, 43 uMholi Magdiyeli neMholi Iramu. Laba baholi baka-Edomu ngetindzawo lebebahlala kuto.+ Esawu bekangukhokho wesive saka-Edomu.+

37 Jakobe wachubeka ahlala eveni laseKhenani, lapho bekuke kwahlala khona babe wakhe asihambi.+

2 Lona ngumlandvo waJakobe.

Ngesikhatsi Josefa+ asaneminyaka lengu-17 budzala, abeluse+ nemadvodzana aBilha+ kanye nemadvodzana aZilpha,+ bafati bababe wakhe. Josefa wabikela babe wakhe ngetintfo letimbi lebetentiwe ngulabomnakabo. 3 Israyeli abetsandza Josefa kakhulu kwendlula onkhe lamanye emadvodzana akhe,+ ngobe wamtala asamdzala, ngako wamentela ingubo yelikhetselo.* 4 Ngesikhatsi bomnakabo babona kutsi babe wabo umtsandza kakhulu kwendlula bona, bamtondza futsi bebangasamkhulumisi kahle.

5 Ngemuva kwesikhatsi, Josefa waba neliphupho wase ulitjela bomnakabo,+ futsi bamtondza kakhulu. 6 Watsi kubo: “Ngicela nilalele naku lengikubhudzile. 7 Besisekhatsi nensimu, sibopha titfungo takolo. Sitfungo sami sibese siyaphakama, sema sacondza kantsi titfungo tenu tisitungeletile taphindze tasikhotsamela.”+ 8 Banakabo batsi kuye: “Usho kutsi utawuba yinkhosi yetfu futsi usibuse?”+ Ngako bamtondza kakhulu ngenca yemaphupho akhe nangenca yaloko bekakushito.

9 Ngemuva kwaloko, waba nalelinye liphupho futsi walitjela banakabo watsi: “Sengiphindze ngaba nalelinye liphupho. Nyalo lilanga, inyeti netinkhanyenti letingu-11 kungikhotsamele.”+ 10 Wabese ulitjela babe wakhe kanye nebanakabo, futsi babe wakhe wamtsetsisa watsi: “Lisho kutsini leliphupho lakho? Usho kutsi mine namake wakho nabomnakenu sitawuta sikhotsame embikwakho?” 11 Ngako bomnakabo bamdlela umona,+ kodvwa babe wakhe wawagcina engcondvweni lamavi aJosefa.

12 Bomnakabo bayisa umhlambi wababe wabo emadlelweni lasedvutane neShekhemu.+ 13 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi Israyeli watsi kuJosefa: “Angitsi bomnakenu beluse imihlambi edvute naseShekhemu? Wota ngikutfume kubo.” Josefa watsi: “Kulungile.” 14 Israyeli watsi: “Ngicela uhambe uyohlola kutsi bomnakenu basaphila yini. Ubongibukela kutsi imfuyo yami injani, bese uyabuya uyangibikela.” Ngako wamtfuma wasuka etsafeni laseHebroni,+ waya ngaseShekhemu. 15 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, wahlangana nendvodza letsite njengobe bekasolo ahambahamba esigangeni. Lendvodza yambuta yatsi: “Ufunani?” 16 Yena watsi: “Ngifuna bomnaketfu. Ngicela ungitjele kutsi belusele ngakuphi.” 17 Lendvodza yachubeka yatsi: “Sebesukile lapha ngobe ngibeve batsi: ‘Asambeni siye eDothani.’” Ngako Josefa wahamba afuna bomnakabo futsi wabatfola eDothani.

18 Bomnakabo bambona asekhashanyana. Watsi asengakefiki kubo, benta lisu lekumbulala. 19 Bakhuluma bodvwana batsi: “Ase nibuke! Nangu lomphuphi wemaphupho.+ 20 Wotani simbulale bese simjika kulomunye walemigodzi, sitawubese sitsi udliwe silwane sesiganga lesiyingoti. Sitawubona-ke kutsi lamaphupho akhe atawuphelelaphi.” 21 Ngesikhatsi Rubeni+ eva loko, wetama kumsindzisa futsi watsi: “Asingambulali.”+ 22 Wabese utsi: “Ningambulali.+ Mjikijeleni kulomgodzi lokulelihlane, kodvwa ningamlimati.”*+ Rubeni abefuna kumsindzisa kuze abuyele naye kubabe wakhe.

23 Kwatsi nje lapho Josefa efika kubomnakabo, bamkhumula lengubo lenhle labeyigcokile,+ 24 futsi bamtsatsa bamjikijela kulomgodzi. Ngaleso sikhatsi lomgodzi bewute emanti.

25 Ngemuva kwaloko bahlala phansi badla. Batsi nabaphakamisa emehlo babona kuchamuka licembu lema-Ishmayeli+ lebelisuka eGileyadi lihamba nemakamela alo. Lamakamela abetfwele ilabhidanu,* ibhalisamu nemagcolo etihlahla,+ futsi lama-Ishmayeli abelibangise eGibhithe. 26 Nakawabona, Juda watsi kubomnakabo: “Kutasisita ngani kubulala umnaketfu bese siyafihla kutsi simbulele?+ 27 Ngako-ke asimtsengiseni+ kulama-Ishmayeli futsi singamlimati. Phela lona ngumnaketfu, uyingati yetfu nenyama yetfu.” Ngako bamlalela Juda. 28 Ngesikhatsi kwendlula labantfu baka-Ishmayeli,*+ banakaboJosefa bamkhipha kulomgodzi futsi bamtsengisa kubo ngetinhlavu temali letingu-20.+ Lamadvodza atsatsa Josefa aya naye eGibhithe.

29 Ngesikhatsi Rubeni abuyela kulomgodzi futsi abona kutsi Josefa akasekho, wadzabula timphahla takhe. 30 Nakefika kubomnakabo watsi: “Lomntfwana akasekho! Ngitawenta njani mine?”

31 Ngako batsatsa lengubo yaJosefa, babulala imbuti lendvuna base benya lengubo engatini yayo. 32 Ngemuva kwaloko, bamikisa lengubo kubabe wabo futsi batsi: “Sitfole naku. Ase ubukisise kutsi akusiyo yini ingubo yendvodzana yakho.”+ 33 Jakobe wayibukisisa futsi watsi: “Lena yingubo yaJosefa indvodzana yami! Udliwe silwane sesiganga lesiyingoti, futsi lapho akhonakhona uticucwana!” 34 Ngako Jakobe wadzabula timphahla takhe futsi wembatsa indvwangu yelisaka elukhalo, walilela indvodzana yakhe emalanga lamanyenti. 35 Onkhe emadvodzana nemadvodzakati akhe abesolo etama kumdvudvuta, kodvwa akazange awalalele nakamdvudvuta. Bekahlale atsi: “Ngitakuya eThuneni*+ solo ngililela indvodzana yami!” Jakobe wachubeka akhalela Josefa.

36 Labantfu baka-Ishmayeli* batsengisa Josefa eGibhithe kuPhotifari, lobekasiphatsimandla saFaro+ nendvuna yabogadzi.+

38 Ngaleso sikhatsi, Juda washiya bomnakabo wahamba wayewumisa emathende dvutane nalenye indvodza yase-Adulamu lebeyibitwa ngekutsi nguHira. 2 Kuleyo ndzawo, Juda wabona indvodzakati yendvodza lengumKhenani+ lokutsiwa nguShuwa. Ngako wayitsatsa lendvodzakati wayenta umfati futsi waya nayo ecansini, 3 yase iyakhulelwa. Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi yabeleka indvodzana, Juda wayetsa watsi ngu-Eri.+ 4 Yaphindze yakhulelwa futsi yatala indvodzana, yayibita ngekutsi ngu-Onani. 5 Yakhulelwa futsi, yatala lenye indvodzana, yayibita ngekutsi nguShela. Juda abese-Akzibi+ ngesikhatsi kutalwa Shela.

6 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, Juda watsatsela Eri litibulo lakhe umfati, futsi libito lakhe kwakunguThamari.+ 7 Kodvwa Eri litibulo laJuda bekenta tintfo letimbi embikwaJehova, ngako Jehova wambulala. 8 Nakabona loko, Juda watsi ku-Onani: “Lala nalomfati wemnakenu futsi umngene kuze utewutalela umnakenu bantfwana.”+ 9 Kodvwa Onani bekati kutsi labantfwana angeke babe bakhe.+ Ngako bekutsi lapho alala nalomfati wemnakabo, acitsele sidvodza phansi emhlabatsini kuze angetumtalela bantfwana.+ 10 Loko labekwenta bekukubi emehlweni aJehova, ngako naye wambulala.+ 11 Juda watsi kumalukatane wakhe Thamari: “Hlala endlini yababe wakho, ube ngumfelokati kuze kube ngulapho sekakhulile Shela.” Loku wakusho ngobe abetitjela atsi: ‘NaShela kungenteka afe njengalabomnakabo.’+ Ngako Thamari wahamba wahlala endlini yababe wakhe.

12 Kwendlula sikhatsi, futsi umfati waJuda, labeyindvodzakati yaShuwa+ wafa. Kwatsi nasekasicedzile sikhatsi sekulilela umfati wakhe, Juda waya emadvodzeni labehhula timvu takhe eThimna+ akanye naHira wase-Adulamu.+ 13 Thamari watfola umbiko lotsi: “Babetala wakho uyakhuphuka uya eThimna uyewuhhula timvu takhe.” 14 Nakeva loko, wakhumula tinzilo takhe, wativala ngeliduku ebusweni futsi watimbonya ngendvwangu emahlombe wase uyewuhlala esangweni lase-Enayimu, lelisendleleni leya eThimna. Loku wakwenta ngobe wabona kutsi Shela sewukhulile kodvwa solo abakamniki yena kutsi abe yindvodza yakhe.+

15 Juda watsi nakambona wacabanga kutsi uyingwadla, ngobe abetivale buso. 16 Ngako waya kuye eceleni kwendlela lapho abekhona khona futsi watsi: “Wota ngitewulala nawe.” Juda abengati kutsi lona kwakungumalukatane wakhe.+ Thamari watsi: “Yini lotanginika yona nangilala nawe?” 17 Juda wamphendvula watsi: “Ngitakunika imbuti leseyincane emhlambini wami.” Kodvwa yena watsi: “Sikhona yini sibambiso longanginika sona njengobe isengakefiki lembuti?” 18 Juda wachubeka watsi: “Yini lofuna ngikunike yona njengesibambiso?” Thamari watsi: “Nginikete indandatho yakho+ yesicinisekiso nentsambo yayo kanye nalendvuku lesesandleni sakho.” Ngako wamniketa wabese ulala naye, futsi Thamari wakhulelwa. 19 Ngemuva kwaloko wasukuma wahamba futsi wasusa nalendvwangu labetimbonye ngayo emahlombe, wase ugcoka inzilo yakhe.

20 Juda waniketa indvodza yase-Adulamu+ imbuti leseyincane kutsi iyimikise kuThamari kuze lendvodza ibuye naletintfo labemnikete tona njengesibambiso, kodvwa ayizange isamtfola. 21 Yabuta emadvodza akuleyo ndzawo, yatsi: “Iphi lengwadla* lehlala ngasendleleni e-Enayimu?” Lamadvodza atsi: “Akukaze kube nengwadla kulendzawo.” 22 Ekugcineni lendvodza yabuyela kuJuda yatsi: “Angikamtfoli, futsi emadvodza akuleya ndzawo atsite: ‘Akukaze kube nengwadla kulendzawo.’” 23 Ngako Juda watsi: “Kulungile akatitsatse letintfo, kuze singatewutiletsela lihlazo. Mine ngimtfumelele lembuti, kodvwa wangamtfoli.”

24 Ngemuva kwetinyanga letintsatfu kwenteke loko, Juda watfola umbiko lotsi: “Malukatane wakho Thamari ugwadlile futsi sewukhulelwe ngenca yaloko.” Nakeva loko, Juda watsi: “Mkhipheleni ngephandle futsi ashiswe ngemlilo.”+ 25 Njengobe bamkhiphela ngephandle, Thamari watfumela umlayeto kubabetala wakhe watsi: “Umnikati wanati tintfo nguye longitfolise lesisu.” Wabese utsi: “Ngako ngicela nihlole kutsi tabani letintfo, ngisho lendandatho yesiciniseko nalentsambo yayo kanye nalendvuku.”+ 26 Juda watihlola letintfo futsi watsi: “Akanacala ngobe ngimi lengingakamniki indvodzana yami+ Shela kutsi ibe yindvodza yakhe.” Ngako akazange aphindze alale naye ngemuva kwaloko.

27 Nakufika sikhatsi sekutsi Thamari abeleke, kwatfolakala kutsi kunemaphahla esiswini sakhe. 28 Njengobe abeleka, lomunye walabantfwana wakhipha sandla futsi ngekushesha umbelekisi watsatsa intsambo lebovu wayibopha kulesandla, watsi: “Lona uphume kucala.” 29 Kodvwa ngekushesha nje lomntfwana nakasibuyisela emuva lesandla, umnakabo waphuma futsi lombelekisi wababata watsi: “Wena sewuphuma ngenkhani!” Ngako lomntfwana wabitwa ngekutsi nguPheresi.*+ 30 Ngemuva kwaloko nalomnakabo lobekanentsambo lebovu esandleni waphuma, futsi yena wabitwa ngekutsi nguZera.+

39 Josefa watsatfwa wayiswa eGibhithe.+ Lomunye umGibhithe lobitwa ngekutsi nguPhotifari,+ labesiphatsimandla saFaro futsi ayindvuna yabogadzi, wamtsenga kuma-Ishmayeli+ labefike naye. 2 Kodvwa Jehova wachubeka anaJosefa.+ Ngesizatfu saloko waphumelela futsi wanikwa nemisebenti endlini yemphatsi wakhe longumGibhithe. 3 Lomphatsi wakhe wabona kutsi Jehova abenaye, nekutsi Jehova abephumelelisa konkhe Josefa labekwenta.

4 Josefa wachubeka atfola umusa emehlweni emphatsi wakhe, futsi wamenta waba yinceku yakhe. Ngako wambeka kutsi engamele indlu yakhe, wambeka nangetulu kwako konkhe labenako. 5 Kusukela ngesikhatsi Josefa labekwa ngaso kutsi engamele indlu yaPhotifari nako konkhe labenako, Jehova wachubeka ayibusisa lendlu yalomGibhithe ngenca yakhe. Jehova wabusisa konkhe Photifari labenako endlini yakhe nako konkhe labenako kuleyo ndzawo.+ 6 Ekugcineni waphatsisa Josefa konkhe labenako kutsi akunakekele, futsi Photifari akazange asakhatsateka ngalutfo ngephandle kwekudla lebekakudla. Ngetulu kwaloko, Josefa wakhula waba yindvodza leyakheke kahle futsi waba likhwa.

7 Ngemuva kwako konkhe loku, umfati waPhotifari wacala kukhangwa nguJosefa, watsi kuye: “Lala nami.” 8 Kodvwa Josefa wala kulala nalomfati wemphatsi wakhe, watsi: “Njengobe sekunami landlini, umphatsi wami akasakhatsateki ngalutfo, futsi ungiphatsise konkhe lanako. 9 Kute lomunye lomkhulu kunami kulendlu, nemphatsi wami akakangigodleli lutfo ngaphandle kwakho ngobe wena ungumfati wakhe. Ngako ngingayenta njani intfo lembi kangaka, ngone kuNkulunkulu?”+

10 Onkhe emalanga, lomfati waPhotifari abehlale ancenga Josefa, kodvwa Josefa akazange avume kulala naye nobe kucitsa sikhatsi naye. 11 Ngalelinye lilanga, Josefa waya endlini yaPhotifari kuze ente umsebenti wakhe, futsi bekute letinye tisebenti kuleyondlu. 12 Ngako-ke umfati waPhotifari wabamba Josefa ngengubo yakhe, watsi kuye: “Lala nami!” Kodvwa Josefa wabaleka waphumela ngephandle, washiya lengubo etandleni talomfati waPhotifari. 13 Lomfati waPhotifari watsi nakabona kutsi Josefa ushiye lengubo yakhe futsi wabaleka, 14 wamemeta lamadvodza lasebenta endlini yakhe watsi kuwo: “Asenibuke! Photifari usiletsele lomHebheru kutsi atewuhlekisa ngatsi. Ute lapha endlini afuna kulala nami, kodvwa ngivele ngamemeta. 15 Utsite nakangiva ngimemeta futsi ngikhala, washiya lengubo yakhe wabaleka.” 16 Ngemuva kwaloko lomfati wabeka lengubo eceleni kwakhe kwaze kwafika Photifari, umphatsi waJosefa.

17 Ngako nakefika wamtjela ngalendzaba, watsi: “Lesisebenti lesingumHebheru losiletsele sona sifike lapha kimi sitewuhlekisa ngami. 18 Kodvwa ngitsite nje nangimemeta futsi ngikhala, sashiya lengubo yaso sabaleka.” 19 Photifari watsi nakeva loko lokushiwo ngulomfati wakhe, njengobe abemtjela atsi: “Nguloku lesisebenti sakho lesingente kona,” watfukutsela wabila. 20 Ngako Photifari watsatsa Josefa wamfaka ejele, lapho inkhosi beyigcina khona tiboshwa. Josefa wachubeka avalelwe lapho.+

21 Kodvwa Jehova abesolo anaJosefa, amentela umusa* futsi wamenta watsandzeka emehlweni endvuna yelijele.+ 22 Ngako lendvuna yelijele yabeka Josefa kutsi engamele tonkhe tiboshwa lebetikulelijele. Bekunguye labecondzisa yonkhe imisebenti lebetiyenta.+ 23 Lendvuna yelijele beyingakhatsateki ngalutfo lebeluphatsiswe Josefa, ngobe Jehova abenaye futsi Jehova abephumelelisa konkhe labekwenta.+

40 Ngemuva kwaloko, indvuna yeliwayini+ yenkhosi yaseGibhithe kanye nendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa benta lokubi kuFaro, inkhosi yaseGibhithe. 2 Ngako Faro watitfukutselela letisebenti takhe letimbili, lendvuna yeliwayini nalendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa,+ 3 futsi wativalela ejele lebelibukwe yindvuna yabogadzi,+ lapho naJosefa abevalelwe khona.+ 4 Lendvuna yabogadzi yatsi Josefa akahlale naletisebenti tenkhosi aphindze atinakekele.+ Ngako letisebenti tahlala ejele sikhatsi lesitsite.*

5 Letindvuna tenkhosi yaseGibhithe lebetivalelwe ejele, lokuyindvuna yeliwayini nendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa, taba nemaphupho ngebusuku bunye, nguleyo naleyo yaba neliphupho layo lebelinenchazelo yalo. 6 Ngelilanga lelilandzelako, ngesikhatsi Josefa angena futsi atibona, betibonakala tikhatsatekile. 7 Ngako wabuta letindvuna taFaro lebetiboshwe naye watsi: “Kungani nibukeka nikhatsatekile lamuhla?” 8 Tona tamphendvula tatsi: “Sobabili sibe nemaphupho, kodvwa kute umuntfu longasichazela wona.” Josefa watsi: “Akusuye yini Nkulunkulu lochaza emaphupho?+ Ngitjeleni wona.”

9 Ngako lendvuna yeliwayini yatjela Josefa liphupho layo, yatsi: “Ephusheni lami ngibone sihlahla semagilebisi. 10 Lesihlahla besinemagala lamatsatfu, futsi njengobe kuvela emahlumela kubese kuchakaza timbali, ngemuva kwaloko taveta emagilebisi. 11 Mine bengiphetse indzebe yaFaro, ngako ngitsetse lamagilebisi ngawahlutela kuyo, ngemuva kwaloko ngamnika yona.” 12 Josefa watsi kulendvuna yeliwayini: “Nayi inchazelo yaleliphupho lakho: Lamagala lamatsatfu amelela emalanga lamatsatfu. 13 Ngemuva kwemalanga lamatsatfu kusukela lamuhla, Faro utakukhulula* akubuyisele emsebentini wakho,+ futsi wena utawuphindze umtselele liwayini njengobe bewenta ekucaleni ngesikhatsi useyindvuna yakhe yeliwayini.+ 14 Kodvwa ubongikhumbula nangabe tintfo setikuhambela kahle. Ngicela ungentele umusa* futsi uchazele Faro ngami kuze ngitewuphuma kulendzawo. 15 Ecinisweni ngatfunjwa eveni lemaHebheru,+ futsi kute lutfo lengilwentile lapha lolubangele kutsi ngivalelwe ejele.”*+

16 Ngesikhatsi lendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa ibona kutsi lenchazelo lebeyishiwo nguJosefa beyiyinhle, yatsi kuye: “Nami ngibe neliphupho, futsi enhloko bengetfwele bobhasikidi labatsatfu labanetinkhwa letimhlophe. 17 Kulobhasikidi lobewungetulu, bekunato tonkhe tinhlobo tetintfo lebetibhakelwe Faro futsi bekunetinyoni lebetidla letintfo letikulobhasikidi.” 18 Ngako Josefa watsi: “Nayi inchazelo yaleliphupho lakho: Labobhasikidi labatsatfu bamelela emalanga lamatsatfu. 19 Ngemuva kwemalanga lamatsatfu kusukela lamuhla, Faro utakuncuma inhloko* futsi akulengise elugodvweni, netinyoni tidle inyama yakho.”+

20 Ngalelilanga lesitsatfu bekulilanga lekugubha kutalwa kwaFaro.+ Ngako Faro wentela tonkhe tisebenti takhe lidzili, wase ukhiphela* lendvuna yeliwayini nalendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa embikwaletisebenti takhe. 21 Wabuyisela lendvuna yeliwayini emsebentini wayo, futsi yachubeka yentela Faro indzebe yeliwayini. 22 Kodvwa walengisa lendvuna yebabhaki betinkhwa elugodvweni, njengobe nje Josefa abechazile.+ 23 Lendvuna yeliwayini ayizange isamkhumbula Josefa, kunaloko beyisolo imkhohlwa.+

41 Ngemuva kweminyaka lemibili, Faro wabhudza+ aseceleni kweMfula iNayili. 2 Kulomfula wabona kuphuma tinkhomo letinhle letikhuluphele letingu-7, futsi betidla tjani lobuseceleni kweNayili.+ 3 Ngemuva kwekutsi kuphume leti letikhuluphele, wabona letinye tinkhomo letimbi letondzile letingu-7 nato tiphuma kulomfula iNayili. Letinkhomo tema eceleni kwaleti letikhuluphele lebetime elusentseni lwalomfula. 4 Letinkhomo letimbi letondzile tabese tidla leti letinhle letikhuluphele letingu-7. Ngemuva kwaloko Faro waphaphama.

5 Wabuyela wayolala, waphindze wabhudza. Kuleliphupho wabona ematimba akolo langu-7 avela eluhlangeni lunye. Lamatimba abegcwele futsi amahle.+ 6 Ngemuva kwekutsi kuvele lamatimba lagcwele futsi lamahle, kwavela nalamanye langu-7, kodvwa wona abezacile, ahangulwe nangumoya wasemphumalanga. 7 Lamatimba labunile abese amita lawa langu-7 lagcwele futsi lamahle. Ngemuva kwaloko Faro waphaphama futsi wabona kutsi abebhudza.

8 Ekuseni Faro wakhatsateka kakhulu. Ngako watsi akulandvwe bonkhe baphristi baseGibhithe labenta imilingo nawo onkhe emadvodza akhona lahlakaniphile. Wabatjela lamaphupho akhe, kodvwa kute lowakhona kumchazela kutsi asho kutsini.

9 Ngako indvuna yeliwayini yatsi kuFaro: “Lamuhla ngivuma tono tami. 10 Wena nkhosi yami Faro wangitfukutselela mine kanye nendvuna yebabhaki. Ngako wasivalela ejele lebelibukwe yindvuna yabogadzi.+ 11 Ngemuva kwaloko sobabili saba nemaphupho ngebusuku bunye, futsi lamaphupho etfu abenetinchazelo letingafani.+ 12 Lena ejele besinalelinye lijaha lelingumHebheru, lebeliyinceku yendvuna yabogadzi.+ Ngesikhatsi silitjela ngalamaphupho etfu,+ lasichazela sobabili kutsi asho kutsini. 13 Loko lelijaha lebelisichazele kona kwenteka njengobe lishito. Mine ngabuyiselwa emsebentini wami, kodvwa lendvuna yebabhaki yalengiswa.”+

14 Ngako Faro watsi akulandvwe Josefa,+ futsi bamlandza ngekushesha ejele.*+ Josefa wahhula enhloko, wahhula nesilevu, washintja netimphahla takhe wase uya kuFaro. 15 Faro watsi kuye: “Ngibe neliphupho, kodvwa kute lokhonako kungichazela lona. Ngivile kutsi wena utsi ungatjelwa liphupho bese uyalichaza.”+ 16 Josefa wamphendvula watsi: “Mine angisilutfo! Kodvwa Nkulunkulu nguye lotakuchazela lamaphupho akho.”+

17 Faro wachubeka watsi kuJosefa: “Kuleliphupho ngibhudze ngime eceleni kweMfula iNayili. 18 Kulomfula kuphume tinkhomo letinhle letikhuluphele letingu-7, tadla tjani lobuseceleni kweNayili.+ 19 Ngemuva kwekutsi kuphume leti letikhuluphele, ngibese ngibona letinye tinkhomo letimbi letondzile letingu-7 nato tiphuma kulomfula. Angikaze ngitibone tinkhomo letimbi njengaleti kulo lonkhe live laseGibhithe. 20 Letinkhomo letimbi letondzile tibese tidla leti letikhuluphele letingu-7. 21 Kodvwa kute umuntfu lobekangasho kutsi letinkhomo letondzile tidle leti letikhuluphele, ngobe betisolo tondzile njengasekucaleni. Ngemuva kwaloko ngibese ngiyaphaphama.

22 “Ngiphindze ngaba nalelinye liphupho, futsi ngibone ematimba akolo langu-7 avela eluhlangeni lunye. Lamatimba abegcwele futsi amahle.+ 23 Ngemuva kwekutsi kuvele lamatimba lagcwele futsi lamahle, kuvele lamanye ematimba langu-7, kodvwa wona abezacile, ahangulwe nangumoya wasemphumalanga. 24 Lamatimba lazacile abese amita lawa langu-7 lagcwele futsi lamahle. Ngako-ke lamaphupho ngiwatjele baphristi labenta imilingo,+ kodvwa kute lokhone kungichazela wona.”+

25 Josefa watsi kuFaro: “Emaphupho akho nkhosi yami Faro ayafanana. Nkulunkulu weliciniso sewukutjelile loko latawukwenta.+ 26 Letinkhomo letikhuluphele letingu-7 tisho iminyaka lengu-7. Nalamatimba lamahle akolo langu-7 asho iminyaka lengu-7. Lamaphupho akho ayafanana. 27 Letinkhomo letingu-7 letimbi futsi letondzile letivele ngemuva kwekutsi kuvele leti letingu-7 letikhuluphele, tisho iminyaka lengu-7, nalamatimba akolo lete lutfo lahangulwe ngumoya wasemphumalanga asho iminyaka lengu-7 yendlala. 28 Njengobe ngikutjelile nkhosi yami Faro, Nkulunkulu weliciniso abekukhombisa loko latawukwenta.

29 “Kutawuba neminyaka lengu-7 yenala lenkhulu kulo lonkhe live laseGibhithe. 30 Kodvwa ngemuva kwaleminyaka lengu-7 yenala kutawuba neminyaka lengu-7 yendlala. Yonkhe lenala lebeyike yaba khona kulelive ngeke isakhunjulwa futsi lendlala itawuhlasela lonkhe lelive.+ 31 Lenala angeke ikhunjulwe ngenca yalendlala letawuba khona ngemuva kwayo, ngobe itawuba matima kakhulu. 32 Sizatfu sekutsi leliphupho uboniswe lona kabili nkhosi yami Faro, kutsi Nkulunkulu weliciniso sewuvele ukuncumile loku, futsi utawukwenta masinyane.

33 “Ngako wena nkhosi yami Faro kufanele ufune indvodza lenekucondza futsi lehlakaniphile, uyibeke kutsi yengamele lonkhe lelive laseGibhithe. 34 Kufanele ubeke netindvuna kulo lonkhe lelive, ubutse incenye leyodvwa kuletisihlanu tako konkhe kudla lokutawutfolakala kuleminyaka lengu-7 yenala.+ 35 Letindvuna titawubutsa konkhe kudla kuleminyaka letako yenala, tikugcine emadolobheni tiphindze tikulondvolote khona, futsi konkhe lokudla kutawuba kwakho nkhosi yami Faro.+ 36 Kutawusetjentiswa kuleminyaka lengu-7 yendlala letawuba khona kulelive laseGibhithe, kuze lelive lingacedvwa ngulendlala.”+

37 Lamavi amjabulisa Faro kanye nato tonkhe tinceku takhe. 38 Ngako watsi kuto: “Singamtfola yini lomunye umuntfu lonemoya waNkulunkulu, ngaphandle kwalendvodza?” 39 Faro wabese utsi kuJosefa: “Njengobe Nkulunkulu akwente kutsi wati tonkhe letintfo, kute lomunye umuntfu lonekucondza nalohlakaniphe njengawe. 40 Wena utakwengamela indlu yami futsi bonkhe bantfu bami batawulalela nobe yini loyishoko.+ Kodvwa njengobe mine ngiyinkhosi,* ngitawuba mkhulu kunawe.” 41 Faro wachubeka watsi kuJosefa: “Ngikubeka kutsi wengamele lonkhe lelive laseGibhithe.”+ 42 Ngemuva kwaloko Faro wakhumula indandatho yesicinisekiso lebeyisesandleni sakhe, wayifaka esandleni saJosefa waphindze wamgcokisa netingubo letentiwe ngelineni lecolisakele, wamgabisa nebuhlalu beligolide entsanyeni yakhe. 43 Ngetulu kwaloko, Faro wamgibelisa enkalishini yakhe yesibili labenayo, futsi bantfu bebamemeta bahamba ngembili kwalenkalishi, batsi: “Avurekhi!”* Ngaleyo ndlela Faro wambeka kutsi engamele lonkhe live laseGibhithe.

44 Faro wachubeka watsi kuJosefa: “Mine nginguFaro, kodvwa kute lutfo umuntfu langalwenta* kulo lonkhe lelive laseGibhithe ngaphandle kwekutsi agunyatwe nguwe.”+ 45 Ngemuva kwaloko Faro wetsa Josefa watsi nguSafenathi-phaneya, wamniketa na-Asenathi+ indvodzakati yaPhotifera, umphristi wase-Oni* kutsi abe ngumfati wakhe. Josefa wabese ucala kwengamela* lelive laseGibhithe.+ 46 Abeneminyaka lengu-30 budzala+ ngesikhatsi aya embikwaFaro* inkhosi yaseGibhithe.

Ngemuva kwaloko Josefa wesuka kuFaro futsi wahambahamba kulo lonkhe live laseGibhithe. 47 Eminyakeni lengu-7 yenala, live laseGibhithe lakhicita kudla lokunyenti kakhulu. 48 Josefa wachubeka abutsa konkhe kudla lokwatfolakala kuleminyaka lengu-7 kulelive laseGibhithe, futsi abekugcina emadolobheni akhona. Kulelo nalelo dolobha, bekugcinwa kudla lokutfolakele emasimini laseceleni kwalo. 49 Josefa wachubeka abutsa lokudla kwagcine sekukunyenti kakhulu, kwaba ngangesihlabatsi saselwandle, futsi baze bayekela ngisho nekukukala ngobe bekungasakaleki.

50 Ngesikhatsi usengakefiki umnyaka lokwacala ngawo indlala, Asenathi indvodzakati yaPhotifera umphristi wase-Oni* watalela Josefa emadvodzana lamabili.+ 51 Josefa wabita litibulo lakhe ngekutsi nguManase,*+ ngobe bekatsi: “Nkulunkulu ungente ngakhohlwa tonkhe tinkinga tami, ngakhohlwa ngisho nayo yonkhe indlu yababe.” 52 Indvodzana yakhe yesibili wayibita ngekutsi ngu-Efrayimu,*+ ngobe bekatsi: “Nkulunkulu ungiphe bantfwana eveni lengihlupheke kulo.”+

53 Leminyaka lengu-7 yenala lebeyikhona kulelive laseGibhithe yaphela,+ 54 kwabese kucala iminyaka lengu-7 yendlala, njengobe nje Josefa abeshito.+ Lendlala yahlasela tonkhe letinye tindzawo, kodvwa kwakunekudla kulo lonkhe live laseGibhithe.+ 55 Ngekushesha nje, lonkhe live laseGibhithe lahlaselwa ngulendlala, ngako bantfu bacala kukhala kuFaro bafuna kudla.+ Faro watsi kubo bonkhe bantfu baseGibhithe: “Hambani kuJosefa, futsi nente nobe yini lanitjela yona.”+ 56 Lendlala yagcine ihlasele wonkhe umhlaba.+ Josefa wavula tonkhe tindzawo labegcine khona lokudla kulelive laseGibhithe wase ukutsengisela labantfu bakhona,+ ngobe lendlala beseyimatima kakhulu kulelive. 57 Ngetulu kwaloko, bantfu labachamuka kuto tonkhe tindzawo temhlaba beta eGibhithe kuze batewutsenga kudla kuJosefa, ngobe lendlala beseyimatima kakhulu kuwo wonkhe umhlaba.+

42 Ngesikhatsi Jakobe eva kutsi kunekudla eGibhithe,+ watsi emadvodzaneni akhe: “Nihletileni nibukana emehlweni, ningenti lutfo?” 2 Wachubeka watsi: “Ngivile kutsi kunekudla eGibhithe. Ngako hambani niyekhona niyewusitsengela kudla, kuze singabulawa ngulendlala.”+ 3 Ngaleso sizatfu, bomnakabo Josefa labangu-10+ bahamba baya eGibhithe bayawutsenga kudla. 4 Kodvwa Jakobe akazange avume kutsi Bhenjamini,+ umnakabo Josefa ahambe nalabomnakabo, ngobe bekatsi: “Angase ehlelwe yinhlekelele futsi afe.”+

5 Ngako lamadvodzana a-Israyeli ahamba nalabanye bantfu lebebayotsenga kudla, ngobe lendlala beseyifike naseveni laseKhenani.+ 6 Josefa bekunguye labephetse lonkhe live laseGibhithe,+ futsi nguye labetsengisela bonkhe labantfu lebebachamuka kuto tonkhe tincenye temhlaba kudla.+ Ngako banakabo befika kuye, baguca embikwakhe.+ 7 Ngesikhatsi Josefa ababona, wavele wabona kutsi laba bomnakabo, kodvwa akazange abatjele kutsi ungubani.+ Wakhuluma nabo ngelulaka watsi: “Nisuka kuphi?” Bona batsi: “Sisuka eveni laseKhenani futsi sitewutsenga kudla.”+

8 Ngako Josefa wababona labomnakabo, kodvwa bona bebangaboni kutsi nguye. 9 Ngaso leso sikhatsi, Josefa wakhumbula lamaphupho laba nawo ngalabomnakabo,+ futsi watsi kubo: “Nine nitinhloli! Nitewuhlola kutsi ngutiphi tindzawo leningatihlasela melula* kulelive!” 10 Bona batsi kuye: “Cha nkhosi, tinceku takho titewutsenga kudla. 11 Sonkhe singemadvodzana ababe munye, futsi setsembekile. Asisito tinhloli.” 12 Kodvwa yena watsi: “Ninemanga! Vele nitewuhlola kutsi ngutiphi tindzawo leningatihlasela melula kulelive!” 13 Batsi kuye: “Tsine singemajaha langu-12,+ latalwa ngubabe munye+ lohlala eveni laseKhenani. Umnaketfu lomncane usele nababe,+ kantsi lomunye akasekho.”+

14 Nangetulu kwaloko, Josefa watsi kubo: “Kunjengobe nje ngishito kutsi nitinhloli! 15 Ngitawuhlola kuze ngibone kutsi nikhuluma liciniso yini. Ngifunga ngekuphila kwaFaro kutsi angeke nginivumele nihambe aze afike lomnakenu lomncane.+ 16 Ngako tfumani lomunye wenu kutsi ayolandza lomnakenu, nine labanye nitawuvalelwa. Ngalendlela kutawubonakala kutsi nikhuluma liciniso yini. Ngifunga ngekuphila kwaFaro kutsi naningakwenti loko, vele kutawusho kutsi nitinhloli.” 17 Ngemuva kwaloko, wabavalela emalanga lamatsatfu.

18 Ngalelilanga lesitsatfu, Josefa watsi kubo: “Mine ngiyamesaba Nkulunkulu, ngako yentani loku lenginitjela kona kuze nichubeke niphila. 19 Nangabe netsembekile, shiyani munye wenu kulendlu lenivalelwe kuyo, kodvwa nine labanye ningaya ekhaya nihambise lokudla kuze imindeni yenu ingabulawa yindlala.+ 20 Nibobuya nalomnakenu lomncane kuze kubonakale kutsi nicinisile, futsi nanenta njalo angeke nife.” Ngako bakwenta loko.

21 Labomnakabo bakhuluma bodvwa batsi: “Sesiyavuna ngaloko lesakwenta kumnaketfu,+ ngobe sabubona buhlungu labebuva ngesikhatsi asincenga kutsi sibe nemusa kuye, kodvwa asizange simlalele. Kungako nyalo sesikulolusizi.” 22 Rubeni watsi kubo: “Angitsi ngasho kutsi ningamlimati lomfana, kodvwa nine nangangilaleli.+ Nyalo ingati yakhe seyifunwa kitsi.”+ 23 Bebangati kutsi Josefa uyakuva loko lebebakusho, ngobe bekunemuntfu labehumusha. 24 Ngako Josefa wesuka kubo futsi wakhala.+ Watsi nakabuyela kubo waphindze wakhuluma nabo, wase utsatsa Simeyoni+ embikwabo wamvalela.+ 25 Josefa watsi akugcwaliswe kudla emasakeni abo, kubuyiselwe nalemali yabo kulamasaka. Watsi abanikwe nekudla labatakudzinga endleleni. Ngako babentela loko.

26 Batsatsa lamasaka abo ekudla bawetfwesa timbongolo tabo, base bayahamba. 27 Ngesikhatsi sebasendzaweni lebebatawulala kuyo, lomunye wabo wavula lisaka lakhe kuze anike imbongolo yakhe kudla, futsi wabona imali yakhe kulelisaka. 28 Ngako watsi kubomnakabo: “Imali yami bayibuyisile, nayi lapha esakeni!” Ngenca yaloko tinhlitiyo tabo takhatsateka kakhulu futsi bakhuluma bodvwa ngekwesaba, batsi: “Nkulunkulu ukwentelani loku kitsi?”

29 Nabefika eKhenani, kubabe wabo Jakobe, bamtjela konkhe lebekubehlele, batsi: 30 “Lendvodza leyengamele lonkhe live laseGibhithe ikhulume natsi ngelulaka,+ futsi yatsi sitinhloli. 31 Kodvwa tsine sitsite kuyo: ‘Asisito tinhloli. Singemadvodza letsembekile.+ 32 Singemajaha langu-12,+ latalwa ngubabe munye. Lomunye umnaketfu akasekho,+ kantsi umnaketfu lomncane usele nababe eveni laseKhenani.’+ 33 Kodvwa lendvodza ibese itsi: ‘Naku lengitawubona ngako kutsi netsembekile: Munye wenu akasale lapha,+ kodvwa nine labanye ningaya ekhaya nihambise lokudla kuze imindeni yenu ingabulawa yindlala.+ 34 Nibobese nibuya nemnakenu lomncane, khona ngitewubona kutsi vele anisito tinhloli kodvwa ningemadvodza letsembekile. Ngemuva kwaloko ngitaninika lomnakenu, futsi ningachubeka nitsenga kulelive.’”

35 Nabatfulula lamasaka, nguloyo naloyo watfola imali yakhe esakeni lakhe. Ngesikhatsi bona kanye nababe wabo babona lemali, besaba kakhulu. 36 Babe wabo Jakobe watsi kubo: “Ningivise buhlungu!+ Josefa akasekho,+ naSimeyoni naye akasekho,+ futsi nyalo senifuna kutsatsa Bhenjamini! Tonkhe letintfo tehlela mine!” 37 Kodvwa Rubeni watsi kubabe wakhe: “Nangabe ngingabuyi naye, ukhululekile kutsi ubulale emadvodzana ami lamabili.+ Ngako ngicela umnike mine, futsi ngitawubuya naye.”+ 38 Nanobe kunjalo, Jakobe watsi: “Ngeke ngivume kutsi nihambe nalendvodzana yami, ngobe umnakabo wafa, ngako sengisele nayo nje kuphela.+ Nayingehlelwa yinhlekelele endleleni, nitawukwenta kutsi ngiye eThuneni*+ nginetinsizi ekugugeni kwami.”+

43 Lendlala yabhoka kakhulu kulelive.+ 2 Ngako kwatsi nasekuphelile lokudla lebebakutsenge eGibhithe,+ babe wabo watsi kubo: “Buyelani niyositsengela lokunye kudla.” 3 Juda wabese utsi kuye: “Leya ndvodza yasitjela kahle yatsi singaphindzi sibuye nangabe singeti nemnaketfu.+ 4 Nangabe uvuma kutsi sihambe nalomnaketfu, sitakuya siyewutsenga kudla. 5 Kodvwa nawungavumi, ngeke siye ngobe lendvodza yatsi singabuyi nangabe singeti naye.”+ 6 Ngako Israyeli+ wababuta watsi: “Kungani ningibangele yonkhe lenhlupheko ngekutsi nitjele lendvodza ngalomnakenu?” 7 Bona bamphendvula batsi: “Lendvodza yabuta ngatsi nangetihlobo tetfu, yatsi: ‘Usaphila yini babe wenu? Ukhona yini lomunye umnakenu leninaye?’ futsi sayitjela konkhe.+ Besitakwati ngani kutsi itawubese itsi: ‘Nibobuya nemnakenu’?”+

8 Juda wancenga babe wakhe Israyeli watsi: “Ngivumele kutsi ngitsatse lomfana+ futsi sihambe naye lena eGibhithe kuze singabulawa yindlala,+ tsine kanye nawe nebantfwana betfu.+ 9 Kuphila kwakhe kutawuba setandleni tami.+ Ngimi lotawulandzisa nganobe yini lengenteka kuye. Nangabe ngingabuyi naye, ngitawuba nelicala kuwe kuko konkhe kuphila kwami. 10 Kube nje savele sahamba ngalesa sikhatsi, nyalo ngabe sesiye kabili eGibhithe.”

11 Ngako babe wabo Israyeli watsi kubo: “Nangabe-ke kunjalo, yentani loku: Tsatsani tintfo letinhle letikulelive nitifake emasakeni enu kuze tibe sipho salendvodza.+ Nitawutsatsa ibhalisamu lencane,+ luju lwetinyosi, ilabhidanu,* emagcolo lanemakha,+ emantongomane ephisitakhiwo kanye nema-alimondi. 12 Tsatsani imali lephindvwe kabili kunaleyekucala futsi nijikise nalemali lenayitfola emasakeni enu,+ mhlawumbe nje kwenteka liphutsa. 13 Tsatsani nalomnakenu Bhenjamini nihambe naye, nibuyele kulendvodza. 14 Shengatsi Nkulunkulu Somandla angenta kutsi lendvodza inentele umusa, ikhulule Simeyoni umnakenu futsi ingamtsatsi naBhenjamini. Kodvwa-ke nangabe kusho kutsi kufanele ngive buhlungu, kulungile!”+

15 Ngako bomnakabo Josefa batsatsa lesipho nalemali lephindvwe kabili, batsatsa naBhenjamini. Ngemuva kwaloko, bahamba baya eGibhithe bafike bema embikwaJosefa.+ 16 Ngesikhatsi Josefa abona Bhenjamini, wavele wakhuluma nendvodza leyengamele indlu yakhe watsi: “Ngenisa lamadvodza endlini bese uyahlaba, futsi ulungise sidlo, ngobe atakudla nami lamuhla emini.” 17 Ngekushesha lendvodza yenta njengobe Josefa abeshito.+ Yabatsatsa yabayisa endlini yakhe. 18 Kodvwa bomnakaboJosefa besaba ngesikhatsi bayiswa endlini yaJosefa, futsi batsi: “Basiletse lana ngenca yalemali lesayitfola emasakeni etfu ngesikhatsi site kwekucala. Nyalo batasihlasela, basente tigcili, batsatse naletimbongolo tetfu.”+

19 Ngako baya kulendvodza lebeyibuke indlu yaJosefa, futsi bakhuluma nayo ngasemnyango. 20 Batsi: “Ncesi mnumzane, sike sefika lapha sitewutsenga kudla.+ 21 Kodvwa ngesikhatsi sisendzaweni lebesitawulala kuyo, savula emasaka etfu satfola imali yetfu iphelele yonkhe, kuwo onkhe lamasaka.+ Ngako sicela kuyibuyisa. 22 Siphetse lenye imali yekutsenga kudla. Vele nje asati kutsi ngubani lolowabuyisela lemali kulamasaka.”+ 23 Ngako lendvodza yatsi: “Kulungile, ningesabi. Nkulunkulu wenu naNkulunkulu wababe wenu nguye lofake lemali emasakeni enu. Mine ngayitfola imali yenu.” Ngemuva kwaloko lendvodza yakhulula Simeyoni yamletsa kubo.+

24 Yabese ibangenisa endlini yaJosefa, yabanika emanti ekugeza tinyawo, futsi yapha netimbongolo tabo kudla. 25 Balungisa lesipho+ lebebatawusinika Josefa nakefika emini, ngobe besebavile kutsi batawudla lapha endlini yakhe.+ 26 Ngesikhatsi Josefa angena endlini, bamniketa lesipho futsi baguca bakhotsama embikwakhe.+ 27 Ngemuva kwaloko wababuta imphilo, waphindze watsi: “Unjani lomuntfu lomdzala, ngisho babe wenu lenangitjela ngaye? Usaphila yini?”+ 28 Bona batsi: “Babe wetfu, inceku yakho usekhona, futsi usaphila.” Ngemuva kwaloko baguca bamkhotsamela.+

29 Ngesikhatsi ababuka futsi abona Bhenjamini umntfwana wamake wakhe,+ Josefa watsi: “Nguye yini lona lomnakenu lomncane lenangitjela ngaye?”+ Wase utsi kuBhenjamini: “Shengatsi Nkulunkulu angaba nemusa kuwe ndvodzana.” 30 Josefa waphuma ngekushesha waya endzaweni labengakhalela kuyo ngobe abengasakhoni kutibamba ngenca yekubona lomnakabo. Wangena kulelinye likamelo lelithulile wafike wakhala.+ 31 Ngemuva kwaloko wageza buso wase uyaphuma njengobe abesacedzile kukhala. Wafike watjela tisebenti takhe watsi: “Phakelani lokudla.” 32 Josefa bamphakela yedvwana, nebanakabo babaphakela bodvwana, nalabantfu baseGibhithe nabo babaphakela bodvwa, ngobe bantfu baseGibhithe bebangadli nemaHebheru, njengobe loku bekwenyanyeka kumaGibhithe.+

33 BanakaboJosefa bebahleti embikwakhe, futsi bahleti ngebudzala babo, kwacala litibulo+ kwaze kwayogcina lomncane. Bebasolo babukana bamangele. 34 Josefa abesolo atfumela kudla lebekusetafuleni lakhe kutsi kuyiswe etafuleni labo, kodvwa kwaBhenjamini abekuphindza kasihlanu.+ Ngako bachubeka badla futsi banatsa, baze besutsa.

44 Ngemuva kwaloko, Josefa watsi kulendvodza lebeyengamele indlu yakhe: “Gcwalisa lamasaka alamadvodza ngekudla langakhona kukwetfwala bese ufaka imali yawo esakeni ngalinye.+ 2 Kodvwa ubofaka nendzebe yami yelisiliva esakeni lalolomncane kanye nalemali latsenge ngayo kudla.” Lendvodza yenta njengobe Josefa ayitjelile.

3 Kwatsi nasekusile, bomnakabo Josefa bahamba netimbongolo tabo. 4 Batsi basengakahambi libanga lelidze kusuka edolobheni, Josefa watsi kulendvodza lebeyengamele indlu yakhe: “Sukuma, ulandzele lamadvodza! Nawuwatfola ubotsi kuwo: ‘Nibangelwe yini kutsi niphindzisele lokuhle ngalokubi? 5 Niyitsatseleni lendzebe inkhosi yami lenatsela kuyo nalefundza ngayo tibonakaliso? Nente intfo lembi kakhulu.’”

6 Ngako lendvodza yabalandzela, futsi yatsi nayibakhandza yabatjela lamavi labekhulunywe nguJosefa. 7 Kodvwa bomnakabo Josefa baphendvula lendvodza batsi: “Kungani inkhosi yetfu ikhuluma kanjena? Tinceku takho betingeke tiyente intfo lenjalo. 8 Phela nalemali lesayitfola emasakeni etfu siyibuyisile kuwe sisuka eveni laseKhenani.+ Besingaleba njani-ke lisiliva nobe ligolide endlini yenkhosi? 9 Nangabe itfolakala kulomunye wetfu, akabulawe bese kutsi tsine labanye sibe tigcili tenkhosi yakho.” 10 Lendvodza yabaphendvula yatsi: “Akwenteke njengobe nisho: Loyo letawutfolakala kuye utawuba sigcili, kodvwa nine labanye ngeke nibe nelicala.” 11 Ngako ngekushesha, bomnakabo Josefa behlisa emasaka abo bawabeka phansi base bayawavula. 12 Lendvodza yaphenyisisa kuwo onkhe lamasaka, kusukela kulalomdzala kwaze kwaya kulalomncane. Ekugcineni lendzebe yatfolakala esakeni laBhenjamini.+

13 Bomnakabo Josefa badzabula tingubo tabo, futsi ngamunye wabo watsatsa umtfwalo wakhe wawubeka embongolweni yakhe, base babuyela emuva kulelidolobha. 14 Ngesikhatsi Juda+ nabomnakabo bangena endlini yaJosefa, bamtfola aselapho futsi baguca embikwakhe.+ 15 Josefa watsi kubo: “Yini lena leniyentile? Beningati yini kutsi mine nginelikhono lekufundza tibonakaliso?”+ 16 Juda wamphendvula watsi: “Singatsini enkhosini yetfu? Yini lesingayenta kuze inkhosi ibone kutsi silungile? Nkulunkulu weliciniso sewuwembulile emaphutsa etinceku takho.+ Nyalo sesitigcili takho nkhosi, tsine kanye naloyo lokutfolakele kuye lendzebe!” 17 Josefa wabaphendvula watsi: “Angeke ngiyente intfo lenjalo! Loyo lokutfolakele kuye lendzebe nguye lotawuba sigcili sami.+ Nine labanye hambani ngekuthula, nibuyele kubabe wenu.”

18 Juda wase ukhuluma naJosefa watsi kuye: “Ngiyakuncenga nkhosi yami, ngicela kukhuluma nawe futsi ngicela ungangitfukutseleli ngobe wena ufana naFaro kimi.+ 19 Wena nkhosi wasibuta watsi: ‘Nisenaye yini babe futsi ukhona yini lomunye umnakenu?’ 20 Sakuphendvula satsi: ‘Babe sinaye kodvwa sewukhule kakhulu futsi unendvodzana lencane layitele asamdzala.+ Umnakabo sewafa,+ lokusho kutsi sekusele yona yodvwa kumake wayo+ futsi babe uyitsandza kakhulu.’ 21 Ngemuva kwaloko nkhosi, watsi kitsi: ‘Hambani niyewumlandza nibuye naye kuze ngimbone.’+ 22 Kodvwa sakuphendvula satsi: ‘Lomfana angeke akhone kushiya babe wakhe, ngobe nakangamshiya, babe wakhe angavele afe.’+ 23 Wena nkhosi watsi kitsi: ‘Ningabuyi kimi nangabe ningamletsi umnakenu lomncane.’+

24 “Ngako sahamba sabuyela kubabe samtjela loko lebewukushito nkhosi. 25 Ngemuva kwesikhatsi babe watsi: ‘Buyelani emuva niyewusitsengela kudla.’+ 26 Tsine samphendvula satsi: ‘Angeke sikhone kubuyela eGibhithe. Sitakuya kuphela nangabe umnaketfu lomncane angahamba natsi ngobe lendvodza yatsi singabuyi nangabe singeti naye.’+ 27 Babe, inceku yakho, watsi kitsi: ‘Nati kahle kutsi umkami wangitalela emadvodzana lamabili kuphela.+ 28 Kodvwa yinye yawo yangishiya futsi ngacabanga ngatsi: “Kungenteka kutsi idzabudzabulwe silwane yaba ticucwana!”+ Kusukela ngaleso sikhatsi, angiphindzanga ngayibona. 29 Nakungenteka nitsatse lona nihambe naye futsi ehlelwe yingoti, nitawukwenta kutsi ngehlele eThuneni*+ nginetinsizi+ ekugugeni kwami.’

30 “Ngako nakwenteka ngingabuyeli nalomfana kubabe, njengobe amtsandza ngendlela latitsandza ngayo, 31 utawutsi nakabona kutsi akekho, avele afe futsi tinceku takho titawubangela kutsi babe ehlele eThuneni* anetinsizi ekugugeni kwakhe. 32 Mine nceku yakho, ngetsembise babe kutsi kuphila kwalomfana kutawuba setandleni tami, ngatsi: ‘Nangabe ngingabuyi naye, ngitawuba nelicala kuwe kuko konkhe kuphila kwami.’+ 33 Ngiyacela nkhosi, akusale mine nceku yakho, ngibe sigcili sakho kunekutsi kusale lomfana, kuze abuyele emuva nabomnakabo. 34 Ngingabuyela njani kubabe ngingahambi nalomfana? Angeke ngikumele kubona buhlungu lobungamehlela!”

45 Ngako Josefa wabese uyehluleka kutibamba embikwato tonkhe tisebenti takhe.+ Watsi: “Khiphani bonkhe labantfu!” Besekute muntfu endlini ngesikhatsi sekativeta kubomnakabo.+

2 Ngemuva kwaloko, wakhala kakhulu kangangekutsi bantfu baseGibhithe bamuva futsi nendlu yaFaro yamuva. 3 Josefa wase utsi kubomnakabo: “Mine nginguJosefa. Usaphila yini babe?” Bomnakabo behluleka kumphendvula ngobe bebamangele kakhulu. 4 Josefa watsi kubo: “Ngicela nisondzele.” Ngako basondzela.

Ngemuva kwaloko watsi: “NginguJosefa, umnakenu lenamtsengisa eGibhithe.+ 5 Kodvwa ngicela ningaphatseki kabi futsi ningasolani ngekutsi nangitsengisa lapha, ngobe nguNkulunkulu lowangitfuma kutsi ngite kucala kunani lapha kuze ngisindzise kuphila kwebantfu.+ 6 Lona sengumnyaka wesibili wendlala eveni,+ futsi kuseta leminye iminyaka lesihlanu lapho kungeke kulinywe nobe kuvunwe khona. 7 Kodvwa Nkulunkulu ungitfume kutsi ngite kucala kunani lapha kuze ngisindzise situkulwane+ senu emhlabeni* futsi nichubeke niphila ngemandla akhe lamakhulu. 8 Ngako akusini lenangitfumela lapha, kodvwa ngatfunywa nguNkulunkulu weliciniso kuze angente umeluleki lomkhulu* waFaro, nenkhosi yayo yonkhe indlu yakhe, angente nembusi walo lonkhe live laseGibhithe.+

9 “Sheshisani nibuyele kubabe, nifike nitsi kuye: ‘Indvodzana yakho Josefa itsi: “Nkulunkulu ungibeke ngaba yinkhosi kulo lonkhe live laseGibhithe.+ Ngicela ute kimi masinyane.+ 10 Utawuhlala endzaweni yaseGosheni+ kuze ube dvutane nami, wena nemadvodzana akho, batukulu bakho, imfuyo yakho kanye nato tonkhe tintfo lonato. 11 Ngitaniletsela kudla kuleyo ndzawo,+ ngobe kuseta leminye iminyaka lesihlanu yendlala. Ngale kwaloko wena nendlu yakho nitawubulawa yindlala futsi konkhe lonako kutawuphela.”’ 12 Nyalo-ke nine nemnaketfu Bhenjamini seniyatibonela kutsi vele nginguJosefa, mine lengikhuluma nani.+ 13 Nibotjela babe ngesikhundla lesenginaso eGibhithe nangako konkhe lenikubonile. Phangisani nilandze babe nite naye lapha.”

14 Ngako Josefa wagaca* Bhenjamini umnakabo futsi wakhala, naBhenjamini wakhala njengobe agace umnakabo.+ 15 Josefa wacabuza bonkhe bomnakabo futsi wakhala, ngemuva kwaloko labomnakabo bakhuluma naye.

16 Lendzaba yekutsi bomnakabo Josefa befikile yevakala nasendlini yaFaro. Ngako Faro netinceku takhe bajabula kakhulu. 17 Faro watsi kuJosefa: “Tjela bomnakenu kutsi babophele imitfwalo yabo etimbongolweni tabo, bahambe baye eveni laseKhenani, 18 befike batsatse babe wakho kanye nendlu yakhe bete kimi. Ngitawubanika tintfo letinhle letikulelive laseGibhithe futsi batawuhlala encenyeni lenotsile* yalelive.+ 19 Naku lokunye lokufanele ubatjele+ kona: ‘Tsatsani tinkalishi+ talapha eGibhithe kuze nigibelise bantfwana benu nebafati benu futsi kufanele nigibelise babe wenu kulenye yato bese nita lapha.+ 20 Ningakhatsateki ngetintfo tenu,+ ngobe tonkhe tintfo letinhle letikulelive laseGibhithe titawuba tenu.’”

21 Emadvodzana a-Israyeli enta kanjalo, futsi Josefa wawanika tinkalishi njengobe Faro abeshito, wawanika netintfo lebekatatidzinga endleleni. 22 Wanika ngamunye wawo ingubo yinye, kodvwa Bhenjamini wamnika tinhlavu telisiliva letingu-300 kanye netingubo letisihlanu.+ 23 Josefa watfumelela babe wakhe timbongolo letingu-10 letetfwele tintfo letinhle taseGibhithe, netimbongolo letinsikati letingu-10 letetfwele kolo, sinkhwa kanye nalokunye babe wakhe labetakudzinga endleleni. 24 Ngako wabahambisa labomnakabo futsi njengobe bahamba watsi kubo: “Ngicela ningatfukutselelani endleleni.”+

25 Labomnakabo besuka eGibhithe baya kubabe wabo Jakobe eveni laseKhenani. 26 Befika bambikela batsi: “Josefa usaphila, futsi nguye lobusa lonkhe lelive laseGibhithe!”+ Kodvwa Jakobe waphelelwa ngemandla ngobe abengakukholwa loko lebebakusho.+ 27 Ngesikhatsi bamtjela onkhe lamavi labeshiwo nguJosefa futsi abona naletinkalishi lamtfumelele tona, wavuseleleka emoyeni. 28 Israyeli watsi: “Sengenelisekile! Josefa indvodzana yami usaphila! Kufanele ngihambe ngiyombona ngisengakafi!”+

46 Ngako Israyeli watsatsa konkhe labenako* wahamba. Ngesikhatsi efika eBherisheba,+ wenta imihlatjelo kuNkulunkulu wababe wakhe Isaka.+ 2 Ebusuku, Nkulunkulu wakhuluma na-Israyeli embonweni watsi: “Jakobe, Jakobe!” Yena watsi: “Yebo Nkhosi!” 3 Nkulunkulu watsi: “Mine nginguNkulunkulu weliciniso, naNkulunkulu wababe wakho.+ Ungesabi kuya eGibhithe, ngobe ngitawufike ngikwente ube sive lesikhulu lapho.+ 4 Mine ngitawuhamba nawe eGibhithe futsi ngitawuphindze ngikubuyise kulendzawo.+ Josefa nguye lotawuvala emehlo akho nasewufile.”+

5 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe wesuka eBherisheba. Emadvodzana a-Israyeli agibeta babe wawo kuletinkalishi lebetitfunyelwe nguFaro, yena nebantfwana bawo kanye nebafati bawo. 6 Batsatsa imfuyo yabo kanye netintfo lebebatitfole eveni laseKhenani. Jakobe nabo bonkhe bantfwana bakhe bahamba baze befika eGibhithe. 7 Wangena eGibhithe ahamba nemadvodzana nemadvodzakati akhe kanye nebatukulu bakhe. Bonkhe bantfwana bakhe bangena naye.

8 Lawa ngemabito emadvodzana a-Israyeli langena eGibhithe,+ lokungemadvodzana aJakobe: Umntfwana wekucala waJakobe bekunguRubeni.+

9 Emadvodzana aRubeni bekunguHanoki, Phalu, Hesroni naKhami.+

10 Emadvodzana aSimeyoni+ bekunguJemuweli, Jamini, Ohade, Jakhini, Zohari, naShawula+ indvodzana layitalelwa ngumfati longumKhenani.

11 Emadvodzana aLevi+ bekunguGeshoni, Khohati naMerari.+

12 Emadvodzana aJuda+ bekungu-Eri, Onani, Shela,+ Pheresi+ naZera.+ Kodvwa bo-Eri na-Onani bafela eKhenani.+

Emadvodzana aPheresi bekunguHesroni naHamule.+

13 Emadvodzana a-Isakhari bekunguThola, Phuwa, Iyobi naShimroni.+

14 Emadvodzana aZebuloni+ bekunguSeredi, Eloni naJaleli.+

15 Lawo ngemadvodzana* Leya lawatalela Jakobe ePhadani-aramu, naDina indvodzakati yakhe.+ Asawonkhe emadvodzana nemadvodzakati aJakobe abengu-33.

16 Emadvodzana aGadi+ bekunguSefoni, Hagi, Shuni, Esboni, Eri, Arodi na-Areli.+

17 Emadvodzana a-Asheri+ bekunguJimna, Jishuwa, Jishvi, Bheriya naSera dzadzewabo.

Emadvodzana aBheriya bekunguHebere naMalkhiyeli.+

18 Lawo ngemadvodzana aZilpha,+ incekukati Labani layinika Leya indvodzakati yakhe. Sebabonkhe bantfwana labatalela Jakobe bebangu-16.

19 Emadvodzana aRakheli umfati waJakobe bekunguJosefa+ naBhenjamini.+

20 EGibhithe, Asenathi+ indvodzakati yaPhotifera umphristi wase-Oni* watalela Josefa emadvodzana lamabili, boManase+ na-Efrayimu.+

21 Emadvodzana aBhenjamini+ bekunguBhela, Bekheri, Ashbeli, Gera,+ Namani, Ehi, Roshe, Muphimi, Huphimi+ na-Adi.+

22 Lawo ngemadvodzana Rakheli lawatalela Jakobe. Asawonkhe* abengu-14.

23 Indvodzana* yaDani+ bekunguHushimu.+

24 Emadvodzana aNaftali+ bekunguJasiyeli, Guni, Jeseri naShilemi.+

25 Lawo ngemadvodzana aBilha, incekukati Labani layinika Rakheli indvodzakati yakhe. Sebabonkhe bantfwana Bilha labatalela Jakobe bebangu-7.

26 Bonkhe bantfu lebebavela kuJakobe futsi labaya naye eGibhithe bebangu-66, ngaphandle kwabomalukatane bakhe.+ 27 Josefa watalelwa emadvodzana lamabili* eGibhithe. Sebabonkhe bantfu lebebavela endlini yaJakobe labaya eGibhithe, bebangu-70.+

28 Jakobe watfuma Juda+ kutsi ahambe embili ayotjela Josefa kutsi sebalibangise eGosheni.+ Ngesikhatsi befika, 29 Josefa watsatsa inkalishi yakhe wayohlangabeta babe wakhe Israyeli eGosheni. Watsi nakefika kuye wavele wamgaca* futsi wadzindza sililo sikhatsi lesidze.* 30 Israyeli wabese utsi kuJosefa: “Nyalo sengingafa, ngobe sengibubonile buso bakho futsi sengiyati kutsi usaphila.”

31 Ngemuva kwaloko, Josefa watjela bomnakabo kanye nendlu yababe wakhe watsi: “Asengihambe ngiye kuFaro+ ngiyombikela ngitsi: ‘Bomnaketfu lebebaseveni laseKhenani sebafikile kanye nayo yonkhe indlu yababe.+ 32 Babelusi+ futsi bafuyile,+ bete nayo yonkhe imihlambi yabo kanye nato tonkhe tintfo tabo.’+ 33 Nangabe Faro anibuta atsi: ‘Ngumuphi umsebenti leniwentako?’ 34 nibotsi: ‘Tinceku takho betisolo tinakekela imfuyo kusukela ebusheni kuze kube ngunyalo,+ njengobe nabokhokho betfu bebenta.’ Ngaleyondlela Faro utanivumela kutsi nihlale endzaweni yaseGosheni+ ngobe belusi betimvu bayenyanyeka kubantfu baseGibhithe.”+

47 Josefa wahamba wayewubikela Faro+ watsi: “Sewufikile babe nabomnaketfu kanye nemihlambi yabo yetimvu netimbuti neyetinkhomo nato tonkhe tintfo labesuke nato eKhenani, nyalo basendzaweni yaseGosheni.”+ 2 Weta nabomnakabo labasihlanu, wafike wabetfula kuFaro.+

3 Faro watsi kulabomnakabo Josefa: “Nenta msebenti muni?” Bona batsi: “Tinceku takho telusa timvu, futsi nabokhokho betfu bebenta loyo msebenti.”+ 4 Ngemuva kwaloko batsi kuFaro: “Sitele kutewukhosela kulelive+ ngobe eKhenani+ sekute emadlelo lesingadlisa kuwo imfuyo yetfu ngenca yekutsi indlala ibhoke kakhulu. Ngako siyacela, mane uvumele tinceku takho kutsi tihlale endzaweni yaseGosheni.”+ 5 Faro wabese utsi kuJosefa: “Babe wakho nabomnakenu bete kuwe. 6 Lelive laseGibhithe lisetandleni takho. Tsatsa babe wakho nabomnakenu ubahlalise endzaweni lenhle kakhulu kulelive.+ Abahlale endzaweni yaseGosheni, futsi nangabe emkhatsini wabo kukhona labanelikhono lekwelusa, babeke kutsi banakekele imfuyo yami.”

7 Ngemuva kwaloko Josefa waletsa babe wakhe Jakobe kuFaro, wafike wametfula kuye. Jakobe wabese ubusisa Faro. 8 Faro wabuta Jakobe watsi: “Uneminyaka lemingakhi?” 9 Yena watsi: “Ngineminyaka lengu-130 futsi kuphila kwami konkhe ngikucitse ngihlala njengesihambi. Lena bekuyiminyaka lematima,+ kodvwa mincane nangiyicatsanisa neminyaka bokhokho bami labayicitsa bahlala njengetihambi.”+ 10 Ngemuva kwaloko Jakobe wabusisa Faro wase uyamshiya.

11 Ngako Josefa wabeka babe wakhe nabomnakabo eveni laseGibhithe futsi wabaniketa umhlaba endzaweni lenhle kakhulu, lokuyindzawo yaseRamsesi,+ njengobe nje Faro abeshito. 12 Josefa wachubeka aniketa babe wakhe nabomnakabo kanye nayo yonkhe indlu yababe wakhe kudla,* futsi bekabanika kuye ngekutsi banebantfwana labangakhi.

13 Kudla* kwaphela kuyo yonkhe indzawo, ngobe lendlala beseyibhoke kakhulu, futsi simo saba sibi kakhulu eveni laseGibhithe naseveni laseKhenani ngenca yalendlala.+ 14 Josefa wabutsa yonkhe imali bantfu baseGibhithe nebaseKhenani lebebatsenga ngayo kudla,+ futsi lemali abesolo ayiletsa endlini yaFaro. 15 Ngekuhamba kwesikhatsi, imali yaphela eveni laseGibhithe kanye naseveni laseKhenani, ngako bonkhe bantfu baseGibhithe babese beta kuJosefa batsi: “Sinikete kudla! Usho kutsi sesingaze sife embikwakho ngenca yekutsi sesite imali?” 16 Josefa watsi kubo: “Nangabe imali yenu seyiphelile, letsani imfuyo yenu. Naninginika lemfuyo, mine ngitawuniniketa kudla.” 17 Ngako baletsa imfuyo yabo kuJosefa. Josefa abebaniketa kudla bese bona bamniketa emahhashi abo, imihlambi yetimvu, yetimbuti neyetinkhomo, kanye netimbongolo. Kuloyo mnyaka, Josefa wachubeka abaniketa kudla, bona bamniketa yonkhe imihlambi yabo.

18 Nasewuphelile lowo mnyaka, labantfu beta kuJosefa emnyakeni lolandzelako batsi: “Sifuna kukwatisa nkhosi kutsi yonkhe imali kanye nemfuyo yetfu sesikunikete wena. Nyalo kute lutfo lesesisele nako, ngaphandle kwemitimba yetfu kanye nelive letfu. 19 Usho kutsi sesingafa nje embikwakho, nelive letfu lisale lite muntfu? Kuncono utsenge tsine nalelive letfu bese wena usinika kudla, futsi sitawuba tigcili taFaro, nalelive letfu libe lakhe. Sinikete inhlanyelo kuze singatewubulawa yindlala, nelive letfu lingatewuhlala lite lutfo.” 20 Josefa watsenga yonkhe indzawo yebantfu baseGibhithe yabese iba yaFaro, ngobe bonkhe batsengisa ngendzawo yabo ngenca yekutsi lendlala beseyimatima kakhulu. Ngako-ke lendzawo yabese iba yaFaro.

21 Ngemuva kwaloko wasusa labantfu kuto tonkhe tincenye taseGibhithe wabayisa emadolobheni lehlukahlukene.+ 22 Indzawo yebaphristi ngiyo kuphela langazange ayitsenge,+ ngobe nguFaro lobekaniketa baphristi kudla futsi bebaphila ngalokudla Faro labebaniketa kona. Kungako-ke bangazange bayitsengise indzawo yabo. 23 Josefa wabese utsi kulabantfu: “Lamuhla, nine nendzawo yenu nginitsengile kuze nibe baFaro. Nayi inhlanyelo, hambani niyewuhlanyela emasimu enu. 24 Nasenivuna, nibotsatsa incenye leyodvwa kuletisihlanu niyinike Faro,+ bese kutsi loko lokusalako nikwente inhlanyelo lenitayisebentisa emasimini enu, lokunye kube kudla kwenu, kwebantfwana benu nekwayo yonkhe indlu yenu.” 25 Ngako batsi kuye: “Ukusindzisile kuphila kwetfu.+ Sicela kutsi simane sitfole umusa emehlweni akho nkhosi, futsi sitawuba tigcili taFaro.”+ 26 Josefa wabese ukwenta umtsetfo loku. Nalamuhla lomtsetfo wekutsi incenye leyodvwa kuletisihlanu iba yaFaro usasebenta eveni laseGibhithe. Indzawo yebaphristi ngiyo kuphela lengazange ibe yaFaro.+

27 Bantfu baka-Israyeli bachubeka bahleti eveni laseGibhithe, endzaweni yaseGosheni.+ Bahlala khona, baba nebantfwana futsi bandza kakhulu.+ 28 Jakobe waphila iminyaka lengu-17 eveni laseGibhithe. Ngako seyiyonkhe iminyaka layiphila yaba ngu-147.+

29 Ngesikhatsi Israyeli sekatakufa,+ wabita indvodzana yakhe Josefa, watsi: “Nangabe ngitfole umusa emehlweni akho, ngicela ubeke sandla sakho ngephansi kwelitsanga lami, ukhombise kutsi uyangitsandza* nekutsi wetsembekile kimi. Ngicela kutsi ungangingcwabi lapha eGibhithe.+ 30 Nangifa,* ubongitsatsa uyongingcwaba lapho kwangcwatjwa khona bokhokho bami.”+ Josefa watsi: “Ngitokwenta njengobe usho.” 31 Jakobe wabese utsi: “Ngicela ufunge.”+ Ngako Josefa wafunga kuye. Ngemuva kwaloko Israyeli waguca phansi embikwaNkulunkulu ngasenhloko yembhedze wakhe.+

48 Ngemuva kwaloko, Josefa wabikelwa kwatsiwa: “Babe wakho uyagula.” Ngako watsatsa emadvodzana akhe lamabili, boManase na-Efrayimu wahamba nawo.+ 2 Jakobe wase utjelwa kutsi indvodzana yakhe Josefa seyifikile. Ngako Israyeli wetama kuvuka, wahlala embhedzeni wakhe. 3 Wase utsi kuJosefa:

“Nkulunkulu Somandla wabonakala kimi eLuzi, eveni laseKhenani, wangibusisa.+ 4 Watsi kimi: ‘Wena ngitawukwenta ube nebantfwana labanyenti, futsi wandze kakhulu, ngikwente ube sive lesikhulu.+ Lelive ngitalinika intalelwane* yakho letawuvela ngemuva kwakho, libe lifa layo phakadze.’+ 5 Ngako-ke lamadvodzana lamabili lotalelwe wona lapha eGibhithe ngisengakefiki mine, ami.+ Bo-Efrayimu naManase batawuba bami+ njengobe boRubeni naSimeyoni nabo babami. 6 Kodvwa bantfwana lotawubatala ngemuva kwalaba batawuba bakho. Batawutfola incenye yemhlaba kuleyo letawube ilifa labomnakabo.+ 7 Ngesikhatsi ngisuka ePhadani, make wakho Rakheli wafela+ eceleni kwami eveni laseKhenani kantsi bekusadzingeka sitsatse luhambo loludze loluya e-Efratha.+ Ngako ngamngcwaba ngasendleleni leya e-Efratha, lokuyiBhetlehema.”+

8 Nakabona emadvodzana aJosefa, Israyeli watsi: “Bobani laba?” 9 Josefa watsi kubabe wakhe: “Lawa ngemadvodzana ami Nkulunkulu langiphe wona kulelive.”+ Israyeli watsi kuye: “Ngicela uwasondzete kimi kuze ngiwabusise.”+ 10 Israyeli besekanenkinga yemehlo njengobe besekakhulile, futsi bekangasaboni. Ngako Josefa wawasondzeta lamadvodzana akhe, Israyeli wase uyawacabuza waphindze wawagaca. 11 Israyeli watsi kuJosefa: “Bengingacabangi kutsi ngiyoke ngiphindze ngibubone buso bakho,+ kodvwa Nkulunkulu ungente ngabona ngisho nebantfwana* bakho.” 12 Josefa wabese uyawakhweshisa lamadvodzana akhe ngasemadvolweni a-Israyeli, waguca phansi wakhotsama.

13 Josefa watsatsa lamadvodzana akhe lamabili wawasondzeta kuJakobe, wabamba Efrayimu+ ngesandla sakhe sangesekudla wammisa ngesencele sa-Israyeli, Manase+ wambamba ngesencele wammisa ngesekudla sa-Israyeli. 14 Kodvwa Israyeli wabeka sandla sakhe sangesekudla enhloko ya-Efrayimu, nanobe abengulomncane, wase ubeka sandla sakhe sangesencele enhloko yaManase. Loko wakwenta ngenhloso, ngisho nobe bekati kutsi Manase abengumntfwana wekucala.+ 15 Ngemuva kwaloko wabusisa Josefa watsi:+

17 Josefa waphatseka kabi ngesikhatsi abona kutsi babe wakhe abebeke sandla sakhe sangesekudla enhloko ya-Efrayimu, ngako wetama kusisusa enhloko ya-Efrayimu kuze asibeke enhloko yaManase. 18 Watsi kubabe wakhe: “Cha babe, ngulona longumntfwana wekucala.+ Ngako beka sandla sakho sangesekudla enhloko yakhe.” 19 Kodvwa babe wakhe wala kwenta njalo, watsi: “Ngiyati ndvodzana yami. Naye utawuba sive futsi abe mkhulu. Kodvwa lomnakabo lomncane utawuba mkhulu kakhulu kunaye,+ nebantfwana* bakhe batawuba banyenti kakhulu kube shengatsi tive letinyenti.”+ 20 Ngako Jakobe wababusisa ngalelolanga,+ watsi:

Ngaleyo ndlela wachubeka abeka Efrayimu kucala kunaManase.

21 Ngemuva kwaloko Israyeli watsi kuJosefa: “Mine sengitakufa,+ kodvwa Nkulunkulu utawuhlale anani futsi utawunibuyisela eveni labokhokho benu.+ 22 Wena ngikunika lenye incenye yelive* ngetulu kwaleyo lengiyinika bomnakenu, lengayitsatsa kuma-Amori ngenkemba nangebutjoki.”

49 Jakobe wabita emadvodzana akhe watsi: “Sondzelani lapha nonkhe, ngitenitjela loko lokutawenteka kini emalangeni letako. 2 Buyani nilalele, nine madvodzana aJakobe, nilalele babe wenu Israyeli.

3 “Wena Rubeni+ ungumntfwana wami wekucala,+ nemandla ami kanye nesicalo semandla ami ekutala. Bewunesitfunti nemandla lamakhulu. 4 Kodvwa ngenca yekutsi waba njengemagagasi wangatibambi ngeke ube mkhulu, ngobe walala nemfati wababe wakho,+ futsi ngaleso sikhatsi wangcolisa umbhedze wami. Wenta intfo lembi kakhulu!

5 “BoSimeyoni naLevi bayelamana.+ Tikhali tabo batisebentisela budlova.+ 6 Mphefumulo* wami, ungatihlanganisi nabo. Awu nhlitiyo yami* ungatihlanganisi nelicembu labo, ngobe nasebatfukutsele babulala bantfu,+ bajube nemisipha yetinkunzi kute batijabulise. 7 Ayicalekiswe intfukutselo yabo ngobe yimbi, alucalekiswe nelulaka lwabo ngobe lute luvelo.+ Ngitawubasakata eveni laJakobe, ngibasakate naseveni la-Israyeli.+

8 “Wena Juda+ utawudvunyiswa bomnakenu.+ Titsa takho utatincoba.*+ Emadvodzana ababe wakho atawukhotsama embikwakho.+ 9 Juda uliwundlu lelibhubesi.+ Wena ndvodzana yami utawutsi ungadla inyamatane, ubese uyasukuma. Utawulala futsi utelule njengelibhubesi. Ngubani longaba nesibindzi sekukuvusa? 10 Intfonga yebukhosi ngeke isuke kuJuda,+ nentfonga yembusi ngeke isuke emkhatsini wetinyawo takhe kuze kube ngulapho kufika Shilo,*+ loyo bantfu labatawumlalela.+ 11 Yena utawubopha imbongolo yakhe esihlahleni semagilebisi nelitfole lakhe lembongolo alibophele esihlahleni lesihle semagilebisi, awashe timphahla takhe ewayinini netingubo takhe ewayinini lelibovu. 12 Emehlo akhe abovu njengeliwayini, nematinyo akhe amhlophe njengelubisi.*

13 “Zebuloni+ utawuhlala ngaselugwini lwelwandle, lapho imikhumbi ihlala khona ibanjwe ngemahhuka,+ nemncele wakhe utawufika ngaseSidoni.+

14 “Isakhari+ ufana nembongolo lenemandla, lelala phansi ibe isatfwele emasaka lamabili, ngala nangala. 15 Utawubona kutsi lendzawo yekuphumula yinhle nekutsi lelive liyatsandzeka. Utawugobondzela kuze atfwale umtfwalo losindzako futsi utawusebenta njengesigcili.

16 “Njengobe Dani+ angulesinye setive ta-Israyeli,+ utawehlulela bantfu bakhe. 17 Shengatsi Dani angaba yinyoka eceleni kwemgwaco, abe yinyoka leneluphondvo lengasendleleni, leyo leluma lihhashi etincatseni lize liwise nemgibeli walo.+ 18 Awu Jehova, ngitawumela insindziso levela kuwe.

19 “Gadi+ utawuhlaselwa libutfo letigebengu, kodvwa naye utalilandzela alihlasele.+

20 “Asheri+ utawuba nenala yekudla, futsi utawuveta kudla lokufanele emakhosi.+

21 “Naftali+ uyinyamatane lenematubane. Ukhuluma emavi lamnandzi.+

22 “Josefa+ ulihlumela lesihlahla lesitsela titselo, sihlahla lesingasemtfonjeni lesinemagala lakhula aze acance lubondza. 23 Kodvwa bantfu labasebentisa butjoki bebasolo bamhlasela, bamdubula, futsi bamtondza.+ 24 Ngisho nobe kunjalo, butjoki bakhe bahlala endzaweni yabo,+ netandla takhe tachubeka tinemandla futsi ticinile.+ Loku bekwentiwa ngulonemandla waJakobe, umelusi nelidvwala la-Israyeli. 25 Josefa uvela kuNkulunkulu wababe wakho futsi Nkulunkulu utamsita. Usekelwa nguSomandla, futsi Nkulunkulu utambusisa ngetibusiso letivela ezulwini naletivela ngephansi kwemhlaba,+ ambusise ngebantfwana labanyenti nangemfuyo. 26 Tibusiso lotinikwe ngubabe wakho titawuba tinkhulu kunetibusiso tetintsaba letihlala phakadze, tibe tinkhulu kunetintfo letinhle tetintsatjana letihlala njalo.+ Letibusiso titawuchubeka tisenhloko yaJosefa, enhloko yaloyo lokhetfwe kubomnakabo.+

27 “Bhenjamini+ utawuhlala adzabula tinyamatane njengemphisi.+ Ekuseni utawudla lenyamatane, bese kutsi entsambama ehlukanise loko lakubambile.”+

28 Bonkhe laba bative letingu-12 taka-Israyeli, futsi nguloko babe wabo lakusho kubo ngesikhatsi ababusisa. Wanika ngamunye wabo sibusiso lebesimfanele.+

29 Ngemuva kwaloko watsi kubo: “Sengitawufa. Nibongingcwaba lapho kwangcwatjwa khona bokhokho bami,+ emhumeni losensimini ya-Efroni umHethi,+ 30 lomhume usensimini yaseMakhaphela lebukene neMamre eveni laseKhenani. Lena ngulensimu Abrahama layitsenga ku-Efroni umHethi kuze ibe yindzawo yekungcwaba. 31 Ngulapho kwangcwatjwa khona Abrahama naSara umfati wakhe.+ Na-Isaka+ kanye naRebheka umfati wakhe nabo bangcwatjwa lapho, futsi nami ngamngcwaba lapho Leya. 32 Lensimu nalomhume lokuyo kwatsengwa emadvodzaneni aHethi.”+

33 Jakobe wacedza kuniketa emadvodzana akhe leticondziso. Ngemuva kwaloko walala embhedzeni wase uyafa, futsi wangcwatjwa njengabo bonkhe bantfu bakubo.+

50 Ngako Josefa watijika kubabe wakhe,+ wakhalela ebusweni bakhe futsi wamcabuza. 2 Ngemuva kwaloko Josefa watjela tinceku takhe letibodokotela kutsi tigcobise sidvumbu sababe wakhe kuze singonakali.+ Ngako basigcobisa sidvumbu sa-Israyeli, 3 futsi batsatsa emalanga langu-40 njengobe leso bekusikhatsi lesitsatfwako nakugcotjiswa sidvumbu. Bantfu baseGibhithe bachubeka bamkhalela Jakobe kwate kwaphela emalanga langu-70.

4 Atsi nakaphela emalanga ekulilela Jakobe, Josefa wakhuluma netiphatsimandla* taFaro watsi: “Nangabe ngitfole umusa emehlweni enu, ngicela nendlulise nangu umlayeto kuFaro: 5 ‘Babe wangifungisa+ watsi: “Sengiyafa.+ Kufanele ungingcwabe endzaweni lengatilungisela yona+ leseveni laseKhenani.”+ Ngicela ungivumele ngihambe ngiyewumngcwaba, ngemuva kwaloko ngitawubuya.’” 6 Faro waphendvula watsi: “Hamba uyewungcwaba babe wakho njengobe nje akufungisa.”+

7 Ngako Josefa wahamba wayewungcwaba babe wakhe, futsi tonkhe tinceku taFaro tahamba naye, tikhulu+ taFaro kanye nato tonkhe tikhulu telive laseGibhithe. 8 Wahamba nabo bonkhe bendlu yakhe, nabomnakabo kanye nendlu yababe wakhe.+ Bashiya bantfwana babo labancane kanye nemfuyo yabo kuphela endzaweni yaseGosheni. 9 Bahamba netincola+ kanye nalabebagibele emahhashi futsi baba sicumbi lesikhulu sebantfu. 10 Ngako befika endzaweni yekubhulela kolo lese-Athadi, esifundzeni saseJordane. Kuleyo ndzawo bafike baba lusizi futsi bakhala kabuhlungu. Josefa wachubeka alilela babe wakhe emalanga langu-7. 11 Bantfu balapho, lokubantfu baseKhenani bababona bakhala kulendzawo yekubhulela kolo lese-Athadi, futsi batsi: “Labantfu baseGibhithe baselusizini lolukhulu!” Kungako leyo ndzawo lesesifundzeni saseJordane yabitwa ngekutsi yi-Abela-misrayimu.*

12 Emadvodzana aJakobe akwenta konkhe loko labewatjele kutsi akwente.+ 13 Ahamba nesidvumbu sakhe aya naso eveni laseKhenani afike amngcwaba emhumeni losensimini yaseMakhaphela, lebukene neMamre. Leyo ngulensimu Abrahama layitsenga ku-Efroni umHethi kuze ibe yindzawo yekungcwaba.+ 14 Ngemuva kwekungcwaba babe wakhe, Josefa wabuyela eGibhithe akanye nabomnakabo nabo bonkhe lebebahambe naye.

15 Ngesikhatsi bomnakabo Josefa babona kutsi babe wabo sewufile, batsi: “Kungenteka kutsi Josefa usasitondza futsi utawutiphindziselela ngenca yako konkhe lokubi lesakwenta kuye.”+ 16 Ngako batfumela umlayeto kuJosefa batsi: “Ngaphambi kwekutsi babe afe watsi: 17 ‘Naku lokufanele nikusho kuJosefa: “Ngicela ucolele bomnakenu kuko konkhe lokubi labakone ngako ngekutsi bakuphatse kabi ngalendlela.”’ Ngako sicela usicolele ngato tonkhe tono lesatenta kuwe, tsine tinceku taNkulunkulu wababe wakho.” Josefa wakhala ngesikhatsi eva lamavi. 18 Ngemuva kwaloko bomnakabo beta kuye bafike baguca embikwakhe, base batsi: “Asimane sibe tinceku takho!”+ 19 Josefa watsi kubo: “Ningesabi. Mine angeke ngitibeke endzaweni yaNkulunkulu. 20 Ngisho nobe nine benitimisele kwenta lokubi kimi,+ kodvwa Nkulunkulu abehlose kutsi ekugcineni loko kube ngulokuhle futsi alondvolote kuphila kwebantfu labanyenti, njengobe nje enta nalamuhla.+ 21 Ngako-ke ningesabi. Mine ngitawuchubeka ngininiketa kudla, nine kanye nebantfwana benu.”+ Josefa wabadvudvuta futsi wabacinisekisa.

22 Josefa wachubeka ahlala eGibhithe, yena kanye nendlu yababe wakhe, futsi waphila iminyaka lengu-110. 23 Waphila waze wabona batukulu ba-Efrayimu,+ kanye nemadvodzana aMakhire,+ indvodzana yaManase. Labantfwana abebatsatsa njengebantfwana bakhe.* 24 Ekugcineni Josefa wakhuluma nabomnakabo watsi: “Mine sengiyafa, kodvwa nakanjani Nkulunkulu utanisita+ futsi anikhiphe kulelive, animikise eveni lafunga kutsi utalinika Abrahama, Isaka naJakobe.”+ 25 Ngako Josefa wawafungisa emadvodzana a-Israyeli, watsi: “Nakanjani Nkulunkulu utanisita. Ngicela kutsi ematsambo ami nihambe nawo naniphuma kulendzawo.”+ 26 Josefa wafa aneminyaka lengu-110, futsi sidvumbu sakhe basigcobisa kuze singonakali,+ ngemuva kwaloko bamfaka ebhokisini eGibhithe.