12 – Ukuziphatha kabi kwezocansi

Ngalesisizatho indoda izadela uyise lonina imanyane lomkayo, bona babe nyamanye.

UJehova wasesithi kuye, “Insolo ngeSodoma leGomora inkulu kakhulu njalo isono sakhona siyesabeka okokuthi sengizakuya khona ngiyobona ingabe lokho abakwenzileyo kubi okulingana lensolo le esifikile kimi. Nxa kungenjalo, ngizakwazi.” Amadoda akhangela phambili aqonda eSodoma, kodwa u-Abhrahama wasala emi phambi kukaJehova. Yikho u-Abhrahama waya kuye wathi: “Uzakhucula abalungileyo kanye lababi na? Pho nxa kukhona abangamatshumi amahlanu kulelodolobho-ke? Ngempela uzawukhucula na ungalixoleli ngenxa yabangamatshumi amahlanu abalungileyo abakulo na? Akube khatshana lawe ukwenza into enjalo  —  ukubulala abalungileyo lababi. Kakube khatshana lawe lokho! Kambe uMahluleli womhlaba wonke kayikwenza okufaneleyo na?” UJehova wathi, “Uma ngifumana abangamatshumi amahlanu abalungileyo edolobheni laseSodoma, ngizalixolela lonke idolobho ngenxa yabo.” Yikho u-Abhrahama waphinda wakhuluma njalo wathi: “Njengoba sengibe lesibindi esingaka sokukhuluma loJehova, loba ngingasulutho mina, ngiluthuli nje lomlotha, pho uma inani labalungileyo lingaphansi ngabahlanu ematshumini amahlanu? Uzalibhubhisa idolobho lonke ngenxa yabantu abahlanu na?” Wathi, “Ngingafumana abangamatshumi amane lanhlanu kangiyikulibhubhisa.” Waphinda njalo wakhuluma laye wathi, “Nxa kufunyanwa amatshumi amane kuphelake?” Yena wathi, “Ngenxa yabangamatshumi amane kangizukukwenza.” Yikho wasesithi, “UJehova makangathukutheli, kodwa ake ngikhulume. Kungafunyanwa khona amatshumi amathathu-ke?” Waphendula wathi, “Kangizukukwenza ngingafumana khona amatshumi amathathu.” U-Abhrahama wathi, “Kambe njengoba ngibe lesibindi esingaka ngaze ngakhuluma loJehova, pho uma kufunyanwa abangamatshumi amabili khona kuphela-ke?” Wathi, “Ngenxa yabangamatshumi amabili kangiyikulibhubhisa.” Yikho wasesithi, “UJehova angathukutheli, kodwa ake ngikhulume kanye kuphela njalo. Kambe nxa kungafunywana itshumi lodwa-ke?” Waphendula wathi, “Ngenxa yabalitshumi kangiyikulibhubhisa.”

Izingilosi zombili zafika eSodoma kusihlwa, uLothi ehlezi esangweni ledolobho. Wathi ezibona wasukuma wazihlangabeza wathi mbo phansi ngobuso. Wathi, “Makhosi ami, ake liphambukele endlini yenceku yenu. Lingageza izinyawo zenu lilale khona anduba liqhubeke ngendlela yenu ekuseni.” Zaphendula zathi, “Hatshi, sizalala esigcawini phandle.” Kodwa waphikelela kakhulukazi zaze zahamba laye zangena endlini yakhe. Wazilungisela ukudla, wazenzela isinkwa esingelamvubelo, zadla. Zingakayilala, amadoda aqhamuka kuzo zonke izindawo zedolobho laseSodoma  —  amajaha lamaxhegu  —  bayihanqa indlu. Amemeza uLothi athi, “Angaphi amadoda afike kwakho lamuhla kusihlwa? Akhuphe eze lapha ngoba sifuna ukulala lawo.” ULothi waphuma wayakhuluma lawo wavala umnyango ngemuva kwakhe, wathi, “Hatshi, bangane bami. Lingayenzi into le embi kangaka. Khangelani, ngilamadodakazi amabili angakaze alale lendoda. Wothini ngiwalethe lapha kini lenze elikuthandayo ngawo. Kodwa lingenzi lutho kula amadoda ngoba angaphansi komthunzi wophahla lwami.” Aphendula athi, “Suka endleleni yethu.” Bathi njalo, “Umuntu lo weza lapha njengesizwe, kodwa khathesi usefuna ukuba ngumahluleli! Wena-ke sizakuthwalisa nzima kulawo.” Babelokhu beminyezela uLothi, bafuqela phambili bezama ukwephula isivalo. Kodwa amadoda lawo ayephakathi avula adonsela uLothi endlini avala isivalo. Yikho asewatshaya ngobuphofu amadoda ayesemnyango wendlu leyo, amajaha lamaxhegu, basebesehluleka ukubona umnyango.

Amadoda lawo amabili athi kuLothi, “Bakhona yini abanye olabo lapha abakhwenyana, amadodana kumbe amadodakazi, loba nje omunye edolobheni leli ongowakho? Bakhuphe lapha, ngokuba sizayibhubhisa indawo le. Insolo efika kuJehova ngalababantu inkulu kabi okokuthi useze wasithuma ukuthi silibhubhise.” Ngakho uLothi waphuma wayakhuluma labakhwenyana bakhe labo abasebethembise ukulobola amadodakazi akhe. Wathi, “Phangisani, phumani kulindawo, ngokuba uJehova usezalibhubhisa idolobho leli!” Kodwa abakhwenyana bakhe bacabanga ukuthi uyahlayaza. Kwathi emathathakusa izingilosi zakhuthaza uLothi zathi, “Phangisani! Thatha umkakho lamadodakazi akho womabili akhona lapha, ngoba lizaqabuka likhukhulwa nxa idolobho selijeziswa.” Wathi esatomatoma, amadoda amxhakalaza ngesandla kanye lesandla somkakhe lezamadodakazi akhe womabili abaholela ngaphandle kwedolobho bephephile, ngoba uJehova wayelomusa kubo. Bonela ukuthi bakhutshwe, omunye wazo wathi, “Balekani liqinise! Lingakhangeli emuva, njalo lingemi ndawo emagcekeni! Balekelani ezintabeni funa likhukhulwe!”

Yikho uJehova wasenisa umlilo wesolufa etshisayo phezu kweSodoma leGomora  —  uvela kuJehova usehla emazulwini.

Kodwa umkaLothi wakhangela emuva, waba yisiduli setshwayi.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu wafika ku-Abhimeleki ephutsheni ebusuku wathi kuye, “Usufile wena ngenxa yomfazi omthetheyo; ngumfazi owendileyo.”

Kwathi uShekemu, indodana kaHamori umHivi, umbusi walowommango, ebona uDina, wamthatha wenza ubudlova kuye.

Ngalesosikhathi amadodana kaJakhobe ayesebuyile evela egangeni evele esezwile okwasekwenzakele. Babelosizi njalo begcwele ulaka ngoba uShekemu wayenze into elihlazo ko-Israyeli ngokuhlobonga indodakazi kaJakhobe  —  into okwakungamelanga yenziwe.

OHamori lendodana yakhe uShekemu babajuqa ngenkemba bamkhupha uDina endlini kaShekemu bahamba. Amadodana kaJakhobe afikela phezu kwezidumbu aliphanga idolobho lapho udadewabo wayengcoliswe khona.

Kodwa bona baphendula bathi, “Bekufanele yini ukuthi aphathe udadewethu njengesifebe na?”

UJuda wathi embona wacabanga ukuthi libele lendlela, ngokuba wayezimbozile ubuso. Kwathi ngoba engamboni ukuthi ngumalokazana wakhe waya kuye eceleni komgwaqo wathi, “Woza manje, ngifuna ukulala lawe.” Yena wabuza wathi, “Uzangiphani ngingalala lawe?” Wathi, “Ngizakuthumezela izinyane lembuzi emhlambini wami.” “Uzangipha na ulutho lube yisibambiso ungakalithumezi?” kubuza uThamari. Wathi, “Ngikuphe sibambiso bani?” Waphendula wathi, “Isilengiso sophawu lwakho lentambo yaso, kanye lodondolo lwakho oluphetheyo.” Yikho wamupha lezozinto waselala laye, wahle wammithisa. Esesuka lapho uThamari wakhumula iveli lakhe wagqoka izigqoko zakhe zokuzila njalo. Kusenjalo uJuda wathumezela izinyane lembuzi ngomngane wakhe umAdulami ukuze abuyiselwe isibambiso sakhe esasikowesifazana lowo, kodwa wamswela. Wabuza amadoda ayehlala lapho wathi, “Lingaphi lelobele lendlela lesikhonzelo elalilapha eceleni komgwaqo e-Enayimi na?” Athi, “Kakuzange kube khona lowomuntu lapha.” Ngakho wasebuyela kuJuda wayakuthi, “Kangimfumananga. Futhi amadoda lawo ayehlala khona athi kakuzange kube lesifebe sesikhonzelo lapho.” UJuda wasesithi, “Myekele ahle akugcine khonokho alakho funa sicine sesiyinhlekisa. Ingqe yikuthi mina bengimthumezele izinyane lembuzi, kodwa kawusamfumananga.” Ngemva kwezinyanga ezintathu uJuda watshelwa ukuthi umalokazana wakhe uThamari wayesefebile wasethatha isisu. UJuda wathi, “Mkhupheni, atshiswe aze afe.” Kwathi khona lapho ekhutshwa wathumela ilizwi kuyisezala wathi, “Ngamithiswa yindoda engumnikazi walezi izinto.” Wengeza ngokuthi, “Akubone longabe uthi ngesikabani isilengiso sophawu lesi lentambo kanye lodondolo lolu.” UJuda wazazi izinto lezo wathi, “Ulungile kulami, ngoba kangisamphanga endodaneni yami uShela.” Kasaphindanga wembatha laye njalo.

kwasekusithi ngemva kwesikhathi inkosikazi yenkosi yakhe yathatheka ngoJosefa yathi, “Woza engutsheni lami!” Kodwa wala. Wamtshela wathi, “Njengoba kuyimi engiphetheyo, inkosi yami kayizihluphi ngalutho emzini wayo; yonke into elayo iyibeke ezandleni zami. Kakho omkhulu kulami kulumuzi. Inkosi yami kayingalisi lutho ngaphandle kwakho, ngoba wena ungumkayo. Pho ngingayenza kanjani into embi kanje ngenze isono kuNkulunkulu na?” Kwathi loba wamphikelela uJosefa insuku ngensuku, wala ukulala laye wala lokuthi ahlale laye. Ngolunye usuku wangena endlini ukuqhuba umsebenzi wakhe, izisebenzi zasendlini zingekho phakathi endlini. UmkaPhothifa wambamba ngesigqoko wathi, “Woza engutsheni lami!” Kodwa waphunyuka wabaleka waphuma endlini isigqoko sakhe sasala esandleni sowesifazana.

Kwathi ebona ukuthi utshiye isigqoko sakhe esandleni sakhe njalo wabaleka endlini, owesifazana wamemeza izisebenzi zendlini wathi kuzo, “Khangelani, umHebheru lo walethwa lapha ukuzadlala ngathi! Ungene lapha efuna ukulala lami, kodwa ngahlaba umkhosi. Uthe esizwa ngihlaba umkhosi ngidinga uncedo, wasetshiya isigqoko sakhe eceleni kwami wabaleka waphuma endlini.” Wasigcina isigqoko eceleni kwakhe inkosi kaJosefa yaze yabuya ngekhaya. Yikho waseyitshela indaba le wathi: “Isigqili somHebheru lesiyana owasilethela sona sifikile kimi ukuzadlala ngami. Kodwa ngonele ukuthi ngihlabe umkhosi ngidinga uncedo, utshiye isigqoko sakhe eceleni kwami wabaleka waphuma endlini.” Kwathi inkosi yakhe isizwile indaba eyayitshelwa ngumfazi esithi, “Singenze njalo isigqili sakho,” yazonda yabila. Inkosi yakhe uJosefa yamthatha yamphosela entolongweni, indawo lapho okwakutokisiswa khona izibotshwa zenkosi. Kodwa kwathi uJosefa ekhonapho entolongweni,

“Ungafebi.

“Ungahawukeli indlu kamakhelwane wakho. Ungahawukeli umfazi kamakhelwane wakho, loba isisebenzi sakhe sesilisa loba esesifazana, lenkabi yakhe, lobabhemi wakhe loba yini ekamakhelwane wakho.”

“Wonke umuntu olala lenyamazana kumele abulawe.

“ ‘Akungabi lamuntu osondela esihlotsheni sakhe esiseduze ukuthi alale laso. Mina nginguJehova. “ ‘Ungatheleli uyihlo ihlazo ngokulala lonyoko. Ngunyoko; ungalali laye. “ ‘Ungalali lomfazi kayihlo; lokho kuthelela uyihlo ihlazo. “ ‘Ungalali lodadewenu, loba indodakazi kayihlo loba indodakazi kanyoko, kungakhathalekile ukuthi wazalelwa ekhaya loba engxenye. “ ‘Ungalali lendodakazi yendodana yakho loba indodakazi yendodakazi yakho; lokhu kuzakuthelela ihlazo. “ ‘Ungalali lendodakazi yomfazi kayihlo, eyazalwa nguyihlo, ingudadewenu. “ ‘Ungalali lodadewabo kayihlo; uyisihlobo sikayihlo esiseduze kakhulu. “ ‘Ungalali lodadewabo kanyoko, uyisihlobo sikanyoko esiseduzane kakhulu. “ ‘Ungatheleli umfowabo kayihlo ihlazo ngokusondela kumkakhe ukuthi ulale laye, ngoba ungunyoko. “ ‘Ungalali lomalokazana wakho, ngumfazi wendodana yakho; ungalali laye. “ ‘Ungalali lomfazi womfowenu; kuzathelela umfowenu ihlazo. “ ‘Ungalali lowesifazane kanye lendodakazi yakhe. Ungalali lendodakazi yendodana yakhe loba indodakazi yendodakazi yakhe; bayizihlobo zakho eziseduzane. Lokhu kuyikuxhwala. “ ‘Ungathathi umfowabo womkakho ukuthi ulale laye nxa umkakho esaphila.

“ ‘Ungasondeli kowesifazane ukuthi ulale laye ngesikhathi engcolile ngoba esemfuleni. “ ‘Ungalali lomfazi kamakhelwana wakho ngoba uyazingcolisa ngaye. “ ‘Unganikeli loba nguwuphi wabantwabakho ukuthi babe ngumhlatshelo kunkulunkulu uMoleki, ngoba akufanelanga ukuthi ungcolise ibizo likaNkulunkulu wakho. Mina nginguJehova. “ ‘Ungalali lendoda njengendoda ilala lomfazi; lokhu kuyisinengiso. “ ‘Ungafebi lenyamazana uzingcolisa ngalokho. Owesifazana angafebi lenyamazana lokhu kuyisinengiso.

“ ‘Lingalulazisi amadodakazi enu ngokuwawulisa funa ilizwe lehlelwe yibubi bokuphinga.

“ ‘Aluba indoda ifeba lomfazi womunye  —  umfazi kamakhelwane  —  kababulawe bobabili isiphingi lesiphingikazi leso. “ ‘Aluba indoda ilala lomfazi kayise isembule ubunqunu bukayise. Leyondoda lonina lowo kababulawe. Bafanele ukufa. “ ‘Aluba indoda ilala lomalokazana wayo kababulawe bobabili. Lokho asebekwenzile kulihlazo. Bafanele ukufa. “ ‘Aluba indoda ilala lenye indoda ingathi ilala lomfazi, bobabili benze amanyala. Kababulawe. Bafanele ukufa. “ ‘Aluba indoda ithatha umfazi, ithathe lonina, lokhu kubi. Yona indoda labesifazana labo kabatshiswe ngomlilo ukuze kungabi lokuxhwala phakathi kwenu. “ ‘Aluba indoda iphinga isifuyo kayibulawe, isifuyo leso kasibulawe. “ ‘Aluba owesifazana ehahabela isifuyo aphinge laso mbulaleni owesifazana lowo kanye lesifuyo leso kababulawe; ngumlandu wabo.

“ ‘Aluba indoda ithatha udadewabo, indodakazi kayise loba ekanina balale bonke, kulihlazo. Kabaxotshwe kwabakibo. Isinqunule udadewabo ngakho isilomlandu. “ ‘Aluba indoda ilala lowesifazana esemfuleni isinqunule umthombo walowomfula laye owesifazana lowo usewembulile. Bobabili kabaxotshwe ebantwini bakibo. “ ‘Ungalali lodadewabo kanyoko loba okayihlo, ngoba kuyikunqunula isihlobo segazi. Lobabili lizakuba lomlandu. “ ‘Nxa umuntu elala lomkamfowabo kayise usenqunule umfowabo kayise. Balomlandu. Bazakufa bengelamntwana. “ ‘Nxa indoda ithatha umfazi womfowabo kuyisenzo sokungcola; usembule ubunqunu bomfowabo. Bazakufa bengelamntwana.

“ ‘Kabangathathi abafazi abangcolileyo ngenxa yobufebe loba abehlukana lamadoda abo ngokuba abaphristi bangcwele kuNkulunkulu. Bathatheni njengabantu abangcwele ngokuba mina Jehova olingcwelisayo ngingcwele. “ ‘Aluba indodakazi yomphristi izingcolisa ngokuba yisifebe, iyangisa uyise; kayitshiswe ngomlilo.

Kangathathi umfelokazi, isalukazi loba umfazi ongcoliswe yibufebe, kodwa athathe kuphela intombi egcweleyo ebantwini bakibo,

“Khuluma labako-Israyeli ubatshele ukuthi: ‘Nxa umfazi wendoda ephambuka engathembeki endodeni ngokulala lamanye amadoda, kodwa lokhu kungasobala endodeni yakhe lehlazo lelo lingabonakali (njengoba kungelafakazi njalo engabanjwanga ekwenza),

“ ‘Ngakho-ke, lo yiwo umlayo wobukhwele nxa owesifazana ephambukile wazingcolisa yena endile,

Kwathi indoda ethile yako-Israyeli yaletha umfazi womMidayani emulini yayo khonapho phambi kukaMosi laphambi kwabako-Israyeli bonke ababebuthene bekhala esangweni leThente lokuHlanganela.

“Ungafebi.

“Ungafisi umfazi kamakhelwana wakho. Ungahawukeli indlu kamakhelwana wakho loba isiqinti sakhe, isisebenzi sakhe sesilisa loba esesifazana, inkabi yakhe loba ubabhemi wakhe loba kuyini okukamakhelwana wakho.”

Owesifazana angagqoki izigqoko zesilisa, lowesilisa angagqoki izigqoko zowesifazana, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uyanengeka ngalowo owenza lokho.

Nxa kungenzeka ukuthi umlandu ewetheswayo uliqiniso njalo kungaze kwafunyanwa ubufakazi bobuntombi bayo, izalethwa emnyango wendlu kayise kuthi amadoda akulelodolobho ayitshayele khona ngamatshe ize ife. Yenze into eyangisayo ko-Israyeli ngokungaziphathi ngesikhathi isahlala emzini kayise. Kumele liqede ububi phakathi kwenu.

Nxa indoda ingafunyanwa ilele lomfazi wenye indoda bobabili kumele babulawe. Kufanele liqede ububi ko-Israyeli.

Nxa kungenzeka ukuthi indoda ihlangane lentombi esikhombile edolobheni ilale layo, lizabathatha bobabili libase esangweni lakulelodolobho libatshaye ngamatshe khona baze bafe  —  ngoba inkazana kayihlabanga umkhosi ukuthi ilanyulelwe yona isedolobheni, njalo indoda isixhwalise umfazi wenye indoda. Kumele liqede ububi phakathi kwenu.

Kodwa nxa kungenzeka ukuthi indoda ihlangane lentombi esikhombile egangeni ibe isiyibamba, indoda ekwenzileyo lokhu yiyo kuphela ezakufa. Lingenzi lutho entombini; kayenzanga sono esingabangela ukuthi ife. Lindaba iyafanana leyomuntu ohlasela abulale umakhelwana wakhe, ngoba indoda ifumene inkazana egangeni, noma intombi le ekhombileyo ibihlabe umkhosi, bekungelamuntu wokuyilamulela.

Nxa kungenzeka ukuthi indoda ihlangane lentombi engakakhombi ibe isiyibamba njalo kwazakale, indoda leyo izahlawula uyise wentombi amashekeli esiliva angamatshumi amahlanu. Kumele iyithathe ibe ngumfazi wayo ngoba isiyigconile. Akumelanga iyale ukuphila kwayo konke.

Akumelanga ukuthi umuntu athathe umkayise; angahlazisi umbheda kayise.

Loba ngubani ozelwe ngobufebe loba izizukulwane zakhe kuze kube ngesetshumi, kavunyelwa ukungena ebandleni likaJehova.

Akungabi lowesilisa wako-Israyeli loba owesifazana ozakuba liwule lethempelini. Lingaboletha inzuzo yowesifazana owulayo loba owesilisa owulayo endlini kaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ezobhadala loba yisiphi isithembiso, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uyanengeka ngabo bonke.

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu olala lomfazi kayise, ngoba ethelela umbheda kayise ihlazo.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu olala lenyamazana.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu olala lodadewabo, indodakazi kayise loba indodakazi kanina.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu olala loninazala.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

Ngelinye ilanga uSamsoni waya eGaza, lapho abona khona iwule. Walala lalo ngalobobusuku.

Ngalezozinsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi. UmLevi othile owayehlala esiqintini esikhatshana elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi wathatha umfazi weceleni eBhethilehema koJuda. Kodwa umfazi wayengathembekanga kuye. Wamtshiya wabuyela endlini kayise eBhethilehema, koJuda. Esehlale khona okwezinyanga ezine,

Besazitika, abanye babantu abaxhwalileyo bakulelodolobho bahanqa indlu leyo. Batshaya isivalo, bamemeza ixhegu elalingumnikazi wendlu besithi, “Mkhuphele phandle umuntu ongene endlini ukuze simenze umfazi.” Umnikazi wendlu waya phandle wathi kubo, “Hayi, bangane bami, lingenzi okubi kangaka. Njengoba umuntu eyisethekeli sami, lingenzi into le elihlazo. Khangelani, nansi indodakazi yami eyintombi egcweleyo, kanye lomfazi wendoda le weceleni. Ngizabaletha phandle kini, lingabasebenzisa lenze kubo konke elikufisayo. Kodwa lingenzi ihlazo elinjalo kule indoda.” Kodwa abantu labo kabamlalelanga. Ngakho indoda leyo yathatha umfazi wayo weceleni yamusa phandle kubo, bamdlovula njalo bamphatha kubi ubusuku bonke, kwathi emadabukakusa bamyekela wahamba. Ekuseni owesifazana lowo waya endlini lapho umkakhe ayehlezi khona, wawela emnyango walala khonapho kwaze kwakhanya. Esevukile umkakhe ekuseni wavula umnyango wendlu waphuma ukuba aqhubeke ngohambo lwakhe, wabona nango umfazi wakhe weceleni ewele emnyango wendlu, izandla zakhe zisekungeneni komnyango. Wathi kuye, “Vuka; kasihambe.” Kodwa kwakungelampendulo. Ngakho umuntu lowo wambeka phezu kukababhemi wakhe wasuka waya ekhaya. Esefikile ekhaya wathatha ingqamu waquma umfazi wakhe weceleni iziqayiqa ezilitshumi lambili wazithumela kuzo zonke izigaba zako-Israyeli. Umuntu wonke owakubonayo lokho wathi, “Into enje kayikaze ibonakale loba yenziwe, selokhu u-Israyeli waphuma eGibhithe. Cabangani ngakho! Kuhloleni! Sitsheleni okungenziwa!”

Sizathatha abantu abalitshumi phakathi kwabalikhulu kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, labalikhulu kwabayinkulungwane, labayinkulungwane kwabayizinkulungwane ezilutshumi ukuba badingele ibutho ukudla. Ekufikeni kwalo ibutho eGibheya koBhenjamini, lizabanika okubafaneleyo ngobudlova bonke lobu obenziwe ko-Israyeli.” Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlangana bamanyana njengomuntu munye bamelana ledolobho.

Ngalesosikhathi u-Eli, owayesemdala kakhulu, wezwa ngakho konke okwakusenziwa ngamadodana akhe ku-Israyeli wonke kanye lokuthi ayelala njani labesifazana ababesebenza esangweni leThente lokuHlanganela.

Ngelinye ilanga kusihlwa uDavida wavuka embhedeni wakhe wahambahamba phezu kophahla lwesigodlo. Esephahleni wabona owesifazana egeza. Owesifazana lowo wayemuhle kakhulu, uDavida wasethuma umuntu ukuyabuza ngaye. Umuntu lowo wathi, “Kanti lo kasuBhathisheba, indodakazi ka-Eliyami umka-Uriya umHithi na?” UDavida wathuma izithunywa ukuyamthatha. Weza kuye, wembatha laye. (Owesifazana lo wayezihlambulule ekungcoleni kwakhe.) Emva kwalokho wabuyela ekhaya. Owesifazana lowo wathatha isisu, wasethumela ilizwi kuDavida, esithi, “Sengilesisu.”

Kungani weyise ilizwi likaJehova ngokwenza okubi emehlweni akhe na? Ubulele u-Uriya umHithi ngenkemba wasuthatha umkakhe ukuba abe ngowakho. Umbulele ngenkemba yama-Amoni. Ngakho, khathesi, inkemba kayiyikusuka endlini yakho, ngoba ungeyisile wathatha umka-Uriya umHithi ukuba abe ngowakho.’ “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Ngizakulethela incithakalo ezavela kwabendlu yakho. Phambi kwamehlo akho uqobo, ngizathatha omkakho ngibaphe omunye oseduzane lawe, embathe labo emini libalele. Wena wakwenza ensitha, kodwa mina into le ngizayenza emini libalele phambi kuka-Israyeli wonke.’ ”

Kodwa esefike laso kuye ukuba adle, wamxhakala wathi, “Woza ulale lami, dadewethu.” Yena wathi kuye, “Ungaqali, mnewethu! Ungangigebengi. Into enje akumelanga yenziwe ko-Israyeli! Ungenzi into le embi. Mina ke? Ngingalisusela ngaphi ihlazo lami? Wena ke? Angithi ungafana lesinye seziphukuphuku ezixhwalileyo ko-Israyeli. Ake ukhulume lenkosi, kayisoze ingalele ukwendela kuwe.” Kodwa u-Amnoni wala ukumlalela, kwathi njengoba wayelamandla kulaye, wamgebenga.

Inkosi uSolomoni yayibathanda kakhulu abafazi bezizweni kanye lendodakazi kaFaro  —  amaMowabi, ama-Amoni, ama-Edomi, amaSidoni lamaHithi. Babengabezizwe uJehova ayethe kwabako-Israyeli, “Lingathathani labo, ngoba bazaguqulela izinhliziyo zenu kubonkulunkulu babo.” Lanxa kunjalo, uSolomoni wabambelela kubo ngothando. Wayelabafazi abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa ababezalwa esikhosini labanye abafazi beceleni abangamakhulu amathathu; lakanye abafazi bakhe bamlahlekisa. Ekuluphaleni kwakhe uSolomoni, abafazi bakhe baphambulela ukholo lwakhe kwabanye onkulunkulu, inhliziyo yakhe ayizange ilandele uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngokupheleleyo, akusabanga njengokwenhliziyo kaDavida uyise. USolomoni walandela u-Ashithorethi unkulunkulu wamaSidoni, loMoleki unkulunkulu onengekayo wama-Amoni. Ngalokho uSolomoni wona phambi kukaJehova; kazange alandele uJehova ngokupheleleyo, njengokwakwenziwe nguyise uDavida.

Kwakukhona lapho amadoda alala lamanye amadoda ezindaweni zemihlatshelo phakathi kwelizwe; abantu ababesenza wonke amanyala ezizwe uNkulunkulu ayezixotshile phansi kwabako-Israyeli.

Waxotsha abesilisa ababewula ngokwenzana abafazi wadiliza zonke izithombe ezazakhiwe ngoyise.

Waqeda insalela yamadoda ayehlobongana ayelokhu esasele lapho langemva kokubusa kukayise u-Asa.

Wadiliza izindlu zamadoda angamawule ezazikhona ethempelini lapho abesifazana ababeselukela khona u-Ashera amaveli.

“Ngasenza isivumelwano lamehlo ami ukuthi angakhangeli intombi ayihawukele.

Kuzakukhulula njalo koyisiphingikazi, lasemfazini wakho olamazwi akhohlisayo, osetshiye indoda yakhe yobutsha bakhe wadela isifungo asenza phambi kukaNkulunkulu.

Phela izindebe zesifebekazi zithonta uluju, lenkulumo yaso iyatshelela kulamafutha; kodwa ekucineni iyababa ingathi yinyongo, ibukhali njengenkemba esika nxa zombili.

Hawu, ndodana yami, kungani uthunjwa yisifebekazi? Kungani ugona iqolo lomfazi wenye indoda?

zikuvikela kowesifazana ongaziphathanga, laselimini olumnandi lomfazi ongelambeko. Ungasuki umfise ngenhliziyo yakho ngenxa yobuhle bakhe kumbe akuhuge ngamehlo akhe, ngoba iwule liyakululazisa ufane lesinkwa, kuthi isifebekazi sidilize impilo yakho uqobo. Kambe umuntu angokhela umlilo emathangazini akhe na zingaze zatsha izigqoko zakhe? Kambe umuntu angahamba phezu kwamalahle izinyawo zakhe zingaze zatsha na? Kunjalo kulowo olala lomfazi wenye indoda; kakho omthintayo ongayikujeziswa.

Kodwa indoda efebayo kayilangqondo; lowo okwenzayo lokho uyazibulala yena ngokwakhe.

lezizinto zizakuvikela emfazini oyisifebe, lakumkakho ongelambeko ngamazwi akhe adukisayo. Ngema ewindini lendlu yami ngalunguza ngesikhala. Ngabona phakathi kwaba yizithutha, ngananzelela phakathi kwamajaha ngabona ijaha elingelangqondo. Lalisehla ngomgwaqo liseduze lejiko, liqonda endlini yowesifazana ntambama sekunqunda amehlo, umnyama wobusuku usujiya. Khonokho nje kwaqhamuka owesifazana elihlangabeza egqoke okwesiwule ngoba eqophile.

Ngamazwana akhe amnandi waledukisa ijaha lelo; walihuga ijaha lelo ngolimi olumnandi. khonokho nje lahle lamlandela njengenkabi idonselwa ukuyabulawa, njengomziki uzingenisa emjibileni, umtshoko uze uyohlaba isibindi, njengenyoni ithothela ngaphansi kwesifu, ingaboni ukuthi isizingenise ekufeni. Ngakho-ke madodana ami, ngilalelani; Zwanini lokhu engikutshoyo. Lingayivumeli inhliziyo ikhangwe yizindlela zakhe, langabe iphumputhekele emikhubeni yakhe. Banengi labo asebadilizile; izinkubela zakhe zilucaca olwesabekayo. Indlu yakhe ingumgudu oya engcwabeni, iholela phansi ezindongeni zokufa.

Ukulunga kwabaqondileyo kuyabakhulula, kodwa abangathembekanga bagwenxwa yizinkanuko zabo ezimbi.

Umlomo wesifebekazi unjengomgodi otshonayo; lowo othukwe nguJehova uzawobokela kuwo.

ngokuba isifebe singumgodi otshonayo lomfazi olibele lendlela ungumthombo oyingozi. Uyacathamela njengesigebengu, andise amadoda angathembekanga.

Umuntu othanda ukuhlakanipha uletha intokozo kuyise, kodwa ohamba lezifebe utshaphaza inotho yakhe.

“Le yindlela yesiphingikazi: siyadla sesule umlomo waso besesisithi, ‘Angenzanga lutho olubi.’

Ngibona ukuthi uyingozi eyedlula ukufa umfazi ongumjibila, onhliziyo yakhe iyisithiyo njalo ozandla zakhe zingamaketane. Indoda eyesaba uNkulunkulu izaphepha kuye, kodwa isigangi uzasihilela.

Khangelani ukuthi idolobho elithembekileyo selibe yisifebe. Lake lagcwala ngokufaneleyo, ukulunga kwakuhlala kulo kodwa khathesi sekuhlala ababulali.

“Kodwa lina  —  wozani lapha lina, madodana esanusekazi lina nzalo yezifebe lamawule!

“Indoda ingehlukana lomkayo ayitshiye endele kwenye indoda, kufanele imbuyise futhi na? Kambe ilizwe kalingeke langcoliswa kakhulukazi na? Kodwa wena usuphile njengewule elilezithandwa ezinengi  —  kambe khathesi ungabuyela kimi na?” kutsho uJehova. “Khangela emiqolweni elugwadule ubone. Kungaphi lapho ongazange udlwangululwe khona? Emigwaqweni wahlala ulindele izithandwa, wahlala njengomhambuma enkangala. Ulingcolisile ilizwe ngobuwule bakho langobubi bakho. Ngalokho imikhizo imisiwe, lezulu lentwasa kalinanga. Ikanti wena ulobugagu bewule, awulanhloni.

Ekubuseni kwenkosi uJosiya, uJehova wathi kimi, “Ukubonile yini okwenziwe ngu-Israyeli ongathembekanga? Usekhwele phezu kwamaqaqa wonke aphakemeyo langaphansi kwezihlahla zonke eziluhlaza wafebela khona. Ngacabanga ukuthi emva kokuba esenze konke lokhu uzaphinda eze kimi, kodwa kabuyanga, lodadewabo ongathembekanga uJuda wakubona lokho. U-Israyeli ongathembekanga ngamnika incwadi yakhe yesehlukaniso ngamxotsha ngenxa yobufebe bakhe bonke. Kodwa ngabona ukuthi udadewabo ongathembekanga, uJuda, kesabanga, laye wasuka wayafeba.

Kodwa njengowesifazana ongathembekanga kumkakhe, ubungathembekanga kanjalo kimi wena ndlu ka-Israyeli,” kutsho uJehova.

Ngingalithethelela ngenxa yani na? Abantwana benu bangidelile, bafunga ngabonkulunkulu abangasibonkulunkulu, ngabanika konke abakuswelayo, kodwa bona bafeba baminyana ezindlini zamawule. Bangamabhiza amaduna asuthayo, agcwele inkanuko, omunye lomunye ekhalela umfazi wenye indoda.

“ ‘Kambe lizantshontsha njalo libulale, lifebe, lifunge amanga, litshisele uBhali impepha njalo lilandele abanye onkulunkulu elingakaze libazi,

ubufebe bakho lokububuliswa yisigwebo, ukuwula kwakho ungelanhloni! Ngizibonile izenzo zakho ezenyanyekayo phezu kwamaqaqa lasegangeni. Maye kuwe, wena Jerusalema! Koze kube nini ungahlambulukanga na?”

Lakubaphrofethi baseJerusalema sengibone into eyesabekayo: Bayafeba baphile ngamanga. Baqinisa izandla zabenza okubi, ukuba kungabi khona oguquka ebubini bakhe. Kimi bonke banjengeSodoma; abantu baseJerusalema banjengeGomora.”

ngoba benze izinto ezimbi kakhulu ko-Israyeli; bafeba labafazi babomakhelwane babo, baqamba amanga ngebizo lami, engingazange ngithi bakwenze. Ngiyakwazi njalo ngingufakazi kukho,” kutsho uJehova.

Kwaba lokudlova abesifazana eZiyoni kanye lezintombi ezimsulwa emadolobheni akoJuda.

“ ‘Kodwa wena wathemba ubuhle bakho wasebenzisa lodumo lwakho ekubeni liwule. Wachithela umusa wakho emuntwini wonke odlulayo kwathi ubuhle bakho baba ngobakhe. Wathatha ezinye zezambatho zakho wenza ubucwebecwebe bezindawo eziphakemeyo, lapho owaqhubekela khona ngobuwule bakho. Izinto ezinje akumelanga zenzakale, loba zike zivele zenzeke. Njalo wathatha leziceciso ezinhle zamatshe aligugu engakupha zona, iziceciso ezenziwa ngegolide lami lesiliva, wazenzela izithombe ezinduna wawula lazo.

“ ‘Wathatha futhi amadodana akho kanye lamadodakazi owangizalela wona wawanikela njengokudla ezithombeni. Ubuwule bakho babunganelanga na? Wabulala abantwabami wabanikela ezithombeni. Phakathi kwazo zonke izenzo zakho ezinengayo kanye lobuwule bakho kawuzikhumbulanga izinsuku zasebutsheni bakho, lapho wawunqunu njalo uze, uqhatshaqhatsha phakathi kwegazi lakho.

Ekuqaliseni kwemigwaqo yonke wakha izindawo zakho zokukhonzela ezidephileyo wonakalisa ubuhle bakho, wanikela umzimba wakho ngokuxabanisa okukhulu kuloba ngubani odlulayo. Wenza ubuwule lamaGibhithe, omakhelwane bakho abalesigweba, wangithukuthelisa ngokuba ngubuyazonke kwakho okukhulu. Ngakho ngelula isandla sami ukuba ngimelane lawe nganciphisa ilizwe lakho; ngakunikela ekuphangeni kwezitha zakho, amadodakazi amaFilisti, ethuswa yikuziphatha kwakho kobuxhwali! Wenza ubuwule lama-Asiriya futhi, ngoba wawungasuthiseki; njalo langasemva kwalokho wawulokhu ungakholwanga. Ngakho wandisa ukuxubanisa kwakho ukuba kungenise leBhabhiloni, ilizwe labathengisi, kodwa langalokhu kawusuthisekanga.

“ ‘Yeka ubuthakathaka bakho enhliziyweni, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi, lapho usenza zonke lezizinto, usenza njengewule elingelanhloni! Lapho usakha amadundulu akho ekuqaliseni kwemigwaqo yonke usenza lezindawo zakho zokukhonzela ezidephileyo ezinkundleni zonke, wawunganjengewule, ngoba wawuyala imbadalo. “ ‘Wena mfazi oyisifebe! Uthanda izihambi kulomkakho. Amawule wonke amukela imbadalo, kodwa wena zonke izithandwa zakho uzinika izipho, uzithenga ukuba zize kuwe zivela ezindaweni zonke zilanda ubuwule bakho. Ngakho ebuwuleni bakho wehlukile kwabanye, kakho okudingayo ukuba awule lawe. Wena wahlukile, ngoba upha imbadalo ikanti kayikho wena oyiphiwayo.

“ ‘Ngakho-ke, wena wule, zwana ilizwi likaJehova! Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Njengoba wachitha inotho yakho waveza lobunqunu bakho ebuwuleni bakho lezithandwa zakho, njalo ngenxa yazo zonke izithombe zakho ezinengayo, langenxa yokuthi wazipha igazi labantwana bakho, ngakho-ke ngizaziqoqa zonke izithandwa zakho owawuthokoza lazo, lezo owawuzithanda kanye lalezo owawuzizonda. Ngizaziqoqa ukuba zimelane lawe zivela ezindaweni zonke ngikunqunule phambi kwazo, njalo zizabubona bonke ubunqunu bakho. Ngizakunika isigwebo sokujeziswa kwabesifazana abafebayo njalo abachitha igazi; ngizakwehlisela phezu kwakho impindiselo yegazi yolaka lwami kanye lentukuthelo yobukhwele.

Bazatshisa izindlu zakho zilobe, bakujezise phambi kwabesifazana abanengi. Ngizabuqeda ubuwule bakho, njalo kawusayikuzibhadala futhi izithandwa zakho. Lapho-ke ulaka lwami kuwe luzadeda lokuthukuthela kwami kobukhwele kuzasuka kuwe; ngizaphola ngingabe ngisathukuthela futhi. “ ‘Ngenxa yokuthi izinsuku zobutsha bakho kawuzikhumbulanga kodwa wangithukuthelisa ngezinto zonke lezi, ngeqiniso lokhu okwenzileyo ngizakwehlisela phezu kwekhanda lakho, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi. Kanje kawenzanga isigwebo kuzo zonke lezizenzo zakho ezinengayo na?

Phakathi kwakho kulabantu abahlebayo abahlose ukuchitha igazi; phakathi kwakho kulalabo abadlela ezindaweni zokukhonzela entabeni benze lezenzo zesigweba. Phakathi kwakho kulalabo abangcolisa imibheda yaboyise; phakathi kwakho kulalabo abadlwengula abesifazana besesikhathini sabo, lapho bengahlanzekanga ngokomkhuba. Phakathi kwakho indoda yenza ukona okwenyanyekayo lomfazi kamakhelwana wayo, enye ingcolise umalokazana wayo ngendlela ehlazisayo; enye njalo idlwengula udadewabo, indodakazi kayise uqobo.

Ilizwi likaJehova lafika kimi lisithi: “Ndodana yomuntu, kwakulabesifazana ababili, amadodakazi omfazi munye. Baba ngamawule eGibhithe, beqalise ubuwule kusukela ebutsheni babo. Kulelolizwe amabele abo abanjwabanjwa lengaphambili yabo yaphathwaphathwa. Omdala wayethiwa ngu-Ohola, umnawakhe engu-Oholibha. Babengabami njalo bazala amadodana lamadodakazi. U-Ohola yiSamariya, u-Oholibha kuyiJerusalema. “U-Ohola waqalisa ubuwule esesengowami; njalo wakhanuka izithandwa zakhe, ama-Asiriya  —  amabutho agqoke okulifefe, ababusi kanye labalawuli bebutho, bonke babengamajaha amahle, kanye labagada amabhiza. Wazinikela njengewule kubo bonke abaphakemeyo base-Asiriya njalo wazingcolisa ngezithombe zabo bonke abakhanukayo. Kabudelanga ubuwule abuqalisa eGibhithe, lapho amajaha alala laye ebutsheni bakhe, ambambabamba ngaphambili, athululela lezinkanuko zawo phezu kwakhe. “Ngakho ngamnikela kuzithandwa zakhe, ama-Asiriya, ayewakhanuka. Amnqunula, athatha amadodana lamadodakazi akhe yena ambulala ngenkemba. Waba yisiga phakathi kwabesifazana, wajeziswa. “Umnawakhe u-Oholibha wakubona lokhu, kodwa ngenkanuko lobuwule bakhe wayexhwale kakhulu kulodadewabo. Laye wakhanuka ama-Asiriya  —  ababusi labalawuli bebutho, lamabutho agqoke okupheleleyo, labagadi bamabhiza, lawo wonke amajaha amahle. Ngabona ukuthi laye wazingcolisa; bobabili bahamba ndlelanye. “Kodwa yena ubuwule bakhe bengezeleleka futhi. Wabona amadoda efanekisiwe emdulini, izithombe zamaKhaledi ezifanekiswe ngokubomvu, zilamabhanti ezinkalweni zazo njalo zilamaqhiye alengayo emakhanda azo; zonke zikhanya angathi yizikhulu zezinqola zempi zamaBhabhiloni, inzalo yaseKhalediya. Kwathi khonokho nje ebabona wahle wabafisa wasethuma izithunywa kubo eKhalediya. Ngakho afika kuye, alala laye, njalo ezinkanukweni zawo amngcolisa. Emva kokuba esengcoliswe yiwo, wasuka kuwo enengekile. Kwathi lapho esesenza ubuwule bakhe obala njalo eveza lobunqunu bakhe, ngasuka kuye nginengekile, njengoba ngangisukile kudadewabo. Kodwa banda ngamandla ubuwule bakhe esekhumbula izinsuku zobutsha bakhe, lapho wayeliwule eGibhithe. Khonale wakhanuka izithandwa zakhe, ezazilezitho zangaphambili ezazifana lezabobabhemi, zikhihliza okufana lokwamabhiza. Ngakho walangazela isigweba sasebutsheni bakho, lapho okwathi useGibhithe ingaphambili yakho yabanjwabanjwa lamabele akho aphathwaphathwa.

Kanjalo-ke ngizaqeda isigweba lobuwule owabuqalisela eGibhithe. Kawuyikukhangela lezizinto uzikhanuke loba ukhumbule iGibhithe futhi. “Ngoba nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Sekuseduze ukuba ngikunikele kulabo abakuzondayo, kulabo owasuka kubo unengekile. Bazakuphatha ngenzondo njalo bathumbe yonke into owayisebenzelayo. Bazakutshiya unqunu uze, njalo ihlazo lobuwule bakho lizavela obala. Isigweba sakho lobuwule kwehlisele lokhu phezu kwakho, ngoba wafisa izizwe wazingcolisa wena ngokwakho ngezithombe zaso.

“Ngakho nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Njengoba usungikhohliwe wangifuqela ngemuva kwakho, kumele uthwale imivuzo yesigweba sakho kanye lobuwule bakho.” UJehova wathi kimi: “Ndodana yomuntu, uzakwahlulela u-Ohola lo-Oholibha na? Ngakho melana labo ngezenzo zabo ezinengayo, ngoba benze ubufebe njalo lezandla zabo zilegazi. Bafeba lezithombe zabo; banikela labantwana babo ababengizalele bona, njengokudla kuzo. Njalo benze lokhu kimi: Ngasonaleso isikhathi bangcolisa indlu yami engcwele batshaphaza lamaSabatha ami. Ngalo kanye usuku abanikela ngalo abantwana babo ezithombeni zabo, bangena endlini yami engcwele bayingcolisa. Lokho yikho abakwenzayo endlini yami.

Bathuma lezithunywa ebantwini ukuba beze bevela khatshana, kwathi sebefikile wabagezela, wacomba amehlo akho wasufaka leziceciso zakho. Wahlala embhedeni omuhle, kuletafula elilungisiweyo phambi kwawo owawufake phezu kwayo impepha yami lamafutha ami. “Umsindo wexuku elalithokoza wawumzungezile; amaSebhiya ayelethwe evela enkangala kanye lamadoda avela exukwini elixokozelayo, njalo bafaka amasongo ezingalweni zowesifazana lodadewabo kanye lemiqhele emihle emakhanda abo. Lapho-ke ngalowo owayesegugiswe yibufebe ngathi, ‘Khathesi kabamsebenzise njengewule, ngoba lokho yikho konke ayikho.’ Balala laye. Njengabesilisa belala lewule, ngokunjalo balala lalabobafazi abalesigweba, u-Ohola lo-Oholibha. Kodwa abantu abalungileyo bazabanika isijeziso sabesifazana abafebayo njalo bachithe legazi, ngoba bayizifebe njalo lezandla zabo zilegazi.

“Ngizakuqeda kanjalo ukuxhwala elizweni, ukuze bonke abesifazana baxwayiseke njalo bangenzi njengani. Lizajeziselwa ukuxhwala kwenu njalo lithwale lemivuzo yezono zenu zokukhonza izithombe. Lapho-ke lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.”

Kwathi uJehova eseqalise ukukhuluma ngoHoseya, uJehova wathi kuye, “Hamba uyethatha umfazi oyisifebe labantwana bobufebe, ngoba ilizwe lilecala lobufebe obubi kakhulu ngokweduka kuJehova.”

“Mkhuze unyoko, mkhuze, ngoba kasuye mkami, lami kangisuye mkakhe. Kasuse ukukhangeleka kobufebe ebusweni bakhe kanye lokungathembeki phakathi kwamabele akhe. Funa ngimhlubule abe nqunu, ngimenze abeze njengamhla ezalwa; ngizamenza abe njengenkangala, ngimenze abe yilizwe elomileyo ngimbulale ngokomela amanzi. Kangiyikubonakalisa uthando lwami ebantwaneni bakhe, ngoba bangabantwana bobufebe. Unina ubeliwule, njalo ubemule ngehlazo. Wathi, ‘Ngizazilandela izithandwa zami, ezingiphe ukudla kwami lamanzi ami, iwulu yami lelineni lami, amafutha ami lokunathwayo kwami.’

“Kulokuthuka kuphela, lokuqamba amanga lokubulala, lokuntshontsha kanye lobufebe; benza ububi bonke, njalo ukuchithwa kwegazi kulandela ukuchithwa kwegazi.

kwabantu bami. Badinga izeluleko esithombeni sesigodo baphendulwe yiluthi lwesigodo. Umoya wobuwule uyabedukisa; kabathembekanga kuNkulunkulu wabo. Banikela imihlatshelo ezingqongweni zezintaba batshise iminikelo phezu kwamaqaqa, ngaphansi kom-okhi, lomphophila kanye lomtherebhinti, lapho okulomthunzi omnandi. Ngakho amadodakazi enu enza ubuwule, labomalokazana benu benze ubufebe. “Angiyikuwajezisa amadodakazi enu lapho esenza ubuwule loba omalokazana benu lapho besenza ubufebe, ngoba amadoda uqobo azwana lamawule anikele imihlatshelo lamawule asezindaweni zokukhonzela  —  abantu abangelakuqedisisa bazabhubha.

Mina ngazi konke ngo-Efrayimi; u-Israyeli kafihlakalanga kimi. Efrayimi, khathesi ususenza ubufebe; u-Israyeli uxhwalile. “Izenzo zabo kazibavumeli ukubuyela kuNkulunkulu wabo. Umoya wobuwule usezinhliziyweni zabo; kabamamukeli uJehova.

Ungathokozi, we Israyeli; ungajabuli njengezinye izizwe. Ngoba ube ungathembekanga kuNkulunkulu wakho; uthanda umholo wewule ezizeni zonke zokubhulela.

Zenza inkatho ngabantu bami, zathenga amawule ngabafana; zathengisa amankazana ngewayini ukuze zinathe.

konke ngenxa yenkanuko embi yesifebe, siyakhanga, siyinkosikazi ephethe ubuthakathi, esifaka izizwe ebugqilini ngobuwule baso labantu ngobuthakathi baso.

Liyabuza lithi, “Kungani na?” Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova umi njengofakazi phakathi kwakho lomfazi wobutsha bakho, ngokuba umkhohlisile yena eyingxenye yakho, umfazi wesivumelwano sakho somtshado. UJehova kabenzanga baba munye na? Enyameni lemphefumulweni bangabakhe. Kungani bemunye? Ngokuba wayedinga inzalo ekholwayo kuNkulunkulu. Ngakho ziqaphele emphefumulweni wakho, ungaze wamkhohlisa umfazi wobutsha bakho. “Ngiyakuzonda ukuchitha umtshado,” kutsho uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, “njalo ngiyayizonda indoda evala ngokuhlukuluza umkayo njengalokhu izivala ngesivunulo,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla. Ngakho ziqaphele wena emphefumulweni wakho, ungaze wakhohlisa.

“Ngakho ngizasondela kini ukuzakwahlulela. Ngizaphangisa ukufakaza okubi ngezangoma, ngeziphingi, labafungela amanga, lalabo abadlelezela izisebenzi ngomholo wazo, labo abacindezela abafelokazi lezintandane, abangahluleli kuhle abezizweni, kodwa abangangesabiyo mina,” kutsho uJehova uSomandla.

“Selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Ungaphingi.’ Kodwa ngilitshela ukuthi lowo okhangela owesifazana amfise usephinge laye enhliziyweni yakhe.

Kodwa mina ngilitshela ngithi lowo olahla umfazi wakhe, ngaphandle kokuba efebile, umenza afebe, njalo lowo othatha umfazi olahliweyo uyafeba.

Ngokuba enhliziyweni kuphuma imicabango emibi, ukubulala, ukufeba, ukuphinga, ubusela, ukufakaza amanga lokunyeya.

Ngilitshela ukuthi lowo olahla umkakhe, ngaphandle kokuba efebile, athathe omunye umfazi uyaphinga.”

Lindani likhuleke ukuze lingaweli ekulingweni. Umoya uyathanda kodwa umzimba ubuthakathaka.”

Ngokuba okusuka ngaphakathi, okusuka enhliziyweni, kuphuma imicabango emibi, ukufeba, ukweba, ukubulala, ukuphinga, ubuhwaba, umona, ubuqili, ukuxhwala, umhawu, ukugcona, ubuqholo lobuthutha. Zonke lezi izono ziphuma ngaphakathi zenze umuntu abe ‘ngongahlanzekanga.’ ”

Waphendula wathi, “Loba ngubani olahla umfazi wakhe athathe omunye umfazi uyafeba kuye. Laye uma elahla indoda yakhe endele kwenye, uyafeba.”

Uyayazi imilayo: ‘Ungabulali, ungafebi, ungebi, ungafungeli ubufakazi bamanga, ungadlelezeli, hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko.”

“Loba ngubani olahla umkakhe athathe omunye umfazi uyafeba, njalo lendoda ethatha umfazi owalahlwayo iyafeba.

Uyayazi imilayo; ‘Ungafebi, ungabulali muntu, ungebi, ungaphi ubufakazi bamanga, hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko.’ ”

Abafundisi bomthetho labaFarisi baletha owesifazana owayebanjwe ephinga. Bammisa phambi kwabantu bathi kuJesu, “Mfundisi, owesifazana lo ukhandwe ephakathi kwakho ukuphinga. EMthethweni uMosi wasilaya ukuthi abesifazana abanjalo kabakhandwe ngamatshe. Manje wena uthini?” Umbuzo lo wawungumjibila wabo ukuze bazuze izaba lokumbeka icala. Kodwa uJesu wakhothama waseloba phansi ngomunwe. Kwathi ngoba belokhu bephikelela ngokumbuza walulama wathi kubo, “Nxa ekhona phakathi kwenu ongelasono kaqalise lowo ukuphosa ilitshe.” Waphinda wakhothama waloba phansi emhlabathini. Esetsho lokho labo abezwayo baqalisa ukunyomuka ngamunye bahamba, kuqalisa ngabadala bakhona, kwaze kwasala uJesu yedwa lowesifazana lowo elokhu emi khonapho. UJesu walulama wambuza wathi, “Mama, kanti sebeye ngaphi? Kasekho yini okwethesa icala?” “Kakuselamuntu, mnumzana,” kulandula owesifazana. “Lami-ke kangikulahli,” kusitsho uJesu. “Zihambele, kodwa ungaphindi wenze isono njalo.”

Esikhundleni salokho kasibalobeleni sibatshele ukuthi kabaxwaye ukudla okungcoliswe yizithombe, lokuphinga, lenyama yenyamazana ekhanyiweyo lobubende.

Xwayani ukudla okunikelwe izithombe, ububende, inyama yenyamazana ekhanyiweyo kanye lokuphinga. Lizabe lenze kuhle uma lizixwaya lezizinto. Salani kuhle.”

Abezizwe bona abakholwayo sesibalobele ngesinqumo sethu ukuthi kabaxwaye ukudla okunikelwe ezithombeni, bangadli ububende, lenyama yenyamazana ekhanyiweyo lokuphinga.”

Ngakho uNkulunkulu wabanikela esonweni sezinkanuko zezinhliziyo zabo zokungesabi ukujeziselwa ubufebe bokuhlazisana imizimba yabo omunye lomunye. Benana iqiniso likaNkulunkulu ngamanga, badumisa bekhonza izinto ezadalwayo kuloMdali odunyiswa kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni. Ngenxa yalokhu, uNkulunkulu wabanikela ezinkanukweni ezilihlazo. Labesifazana bakibo benana ukuphathana kwemvelo ngokungasikho kwemvelo. Ngokufanayo abesilisa labo badela ukuphathana kwemvelo labesifazana batshiseka ngokukhanukana. Abesilisa benza izenzo ezilihlazo lamanye amadoda, bazilethela isijeziso esifanele ukuxhwala kwabo.

Phezu kwalokho, njengoba bengazange bacabange ukuthi kufanele bagcine ukumazi uNkulunkulu, wabanikela engqondweni yokuxhwala, ukuba benze okungamelanga kwenziwe. Sebegcwele ngokonakala konke, ububi, lobuhaga kanye lokuxhwala. Bagcwale umhawu, lokubulala, lengxabano, lenkohliso kanye lolunya. Bangabanyeyi,

Lanxa besazi isimiso esilungileyo sikaNkulunkulu sokuthi labo abenza izinto ezinje bafanele ukufa, kabaqhubeki nje kuphela besenza zona kanye lezizinto kodwa bayavumelana njalo lalabo abazenzayo.

Ngakho lingavumeli isono ukuba sibuse imizimba yenu efayo ukuba livumele izinkanuko zaso ezimbi. Linganikeli izitho zemizimba yenu esonweni, njengezikhali zobubi, kodwa zinikeleni kuNkulunkulu, njengabavuswe kwabafileyo balethwa ekuphileni; linikele izitho zemizimba yenu kuye njengezikhali zokulunga.

Lokhu ngikubeka ngamazwi abantu ngoba libuthakathaka ngokwemvelo yobuntu benu. Njengoba lalinikela izitho zemizimba yenu ngobugqili emanyaleni lekuxhwaleni okwandayo, ngakho khathesi zinikeleni ngobugqili ekulungeni okuholela ebungcweleni.

Kungakho-ke, angendela kwenye indoda umkakhe esaphila uthiwa yisifebe. Kodwa umkakhe angafa, uyakhululwa kulowomthetho angabi yisifebe, lanxa esesendela kwenye indoda. Ngakho-ke, bazalwane bami, lani lafela emthethweni ngomzimba kaKhristu, ukuze libe ngabomunye, kuye owavuswa kwabafileyo, ukuze sithele izithelo kuNkulunkulu. Ngoba sisabuswa yimvelo elesono izinkanuko zesono ezavuswa ngumthetho zazisebenza emizimbeni yethu, okwenza sathelela ukufa izithelo.

kodwa ngibona omunye umthetho usebenza ezithweni zami, usilwa lomthetho wengqondo yami ungenza ngibe yisibotshwa somthetho wesono osebenzayo ezithweni zami.

Ngakho, khathesi akusekho ukulahlwa kulabo abakuKhristu uJesu, ngoba ngoKhristu uJesu umthetho woMoya wokuphila wangikhulula emthethweni wesono lokufa. Ngoba lokho umthetho owawungelamandla okukwenza ngokuba waxegiswa yimvelo elesono, uNkulunkulu wakwenza ngokuthuma iNdodana yakhe ngesimo somuntu olesono ukuba ibe ngumnikelo wesono. Ngakho isono yasilahla emuntwini olesono, ukuze izimiso ezilungileyo zomthetho zipheleliswe kithi, thina esingaphili ngokwemvelo yesono kodwa ngokoMoya. Labo abaphila ngokwemvelo yesono izingqondo zabo zigxile kulokho okufiswa yileyomvelo, kodwa labo abaphila ngokumayelana loMoya izingqondo zabo zigxile kulokho okufiswa nguMoya. Ingqondo yomuntu olesono yikufa, kodwa ingqondo ebuswa nguMoya yikuphila lokuthula; ingqondo yesono iyamzonda uNkulunkulu. Kayiwuvumi umthetho kaNkulunkulu, njalo ayingeke yenze njalo. Labo ababuswa yimvelo yesono abangeke bamthokozise uNkulunkulu.

Ngakho-ke, bazalwane, silomlandu  —  kodwa kawungabi yimvelo yesono, ukuba siphile ngokwawo. Ngoba uma liphila ngokwemvelo yesono, lizakufa; kodwa uma kunguMoya libulala izenzo ezimbi zomzimba, lizaphila,

Ngakho-ke, ngiyalincenga bazalwane, ngenxa yomusa kaNkulunkulu, ukuba linikele imizimba yenu njengemihlatshelo ephilayo, engcwele lemthokozisayo uNkulunkulu  —  okuyikukhonza kwenu ngomoya.

Imilayo ethi, “Ungafebi,” “Ungabulali,” “Ungebi,” “Ungahawukeli” kanye leminye imilayo engabe ikhona ihlanganiswa ngumthetho lo othi: “Thanda umakhelwane wakho njengoba uzithanda wena.”

Kasiziphatheni kuhle, njengasemini, hatshi emadilini okuminza lokudakwa, hatshi ekuxhwaleni kokufeba lentokozo yobugangi, hatshi ngokuxabana langomona. Kodwa zigqokiseni iNkosi uJesu Khristu, njalo lingacabangi ngokuthokozisa inkanuko yemvelo yenu yokona.

Kuyabikwa impela ukuthi kulobuxhwali bobufebe phakathi kwenu, njalo obohlobo olungenzakaliyo laphakathi kwabangakholwayo: Umuntu uthatha umkayise.

Ngalilobela encwadini yami ukuba lingahlanganyeli labantu abayizixhwali zezifebe  — ngingatsho abantu bakulo umhlaba abagangileyo, loba abayizihwaba lamaqili, loba abakhonza izithombe. Uma kunjalo kuzamele liwutshiye umhlaba lo. Kodwa khathesi ngililobela ukuba lingahlanganyeli lomuntu ozibiza ngokuthi ngumzalwane kodwa exhwalile eyisifebe loba isihwaba, umkhonzi wezithombe loba umnyeyi, isidakwa loba iqili. Umuntu onjalo lingadli laye. Kungumlandu wami na ukuba ngahlulele abangaphandle kwebandla? Akumelanga lahlulele labo abaphakathi na? UNkulunkulu uzakwahlulela labo abangaphandle. “Mxotsheni umuntu omubi phakathi kwenu.”

Kalazi yini ukuthi abaxhwalileyo kabayikudla ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu? Lingakhohliswa. Akulazifebe ezixhwalileyo loba abakhonza izithombe loba iziphingi loba amawule esilisa loba abesilisa abaphinganayo loba amasela loba izihwaba loba izidakwa loba abanyeyayo loba amaqili azakudla ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu. Njalo lokho yikho abanye benu ababe yikho. Kodwa selageziswa, selangcweliswa, selalungiswa ngebizo leNkosi uJesu Khristu langoMoya kaNkulunkulu wethu.

“Ukudla kwesisu lesisu sokudla”  —  kodwa uNkulunkulu uzakuchitha kokubili. Umzimba kawusiwo wokuxhwala lobufebe, kodwa ngoweNkosi, leNkosi ngeyomzimba.

Kalazi yini ukuthi imizimba yenu iyizitho zikaKhristu uqobo na? Kambe ngingathatha izitho zikaKhristu ngizihlanganise lesiphingi na? Hayi! Kalazi yini ukuthi lowo ozihlanganise lesiphingi uba munye laso emzimbeni? Ngoba kuthiwa, “Labo ababili bazakuba nyamanye.” Kodwa lowo ozihlanganisa leNkosi munye layo emoyeni. Balekelani ukuxhwala kobufebe. Zonke ezinye izono umuntu azenzayo zingaphandle komzimba wakhe, kodwa lowo owenza isono sobufebe wenza isono emzimbeni wakhe.

Mayelana lezindaba elaloba ngazo: Kuhle ukuba indoda ingathathi. Kodwa njengoba kulokuxhwala okungaka, indoda nganye kumele ibe lomkayo, lomfazi ngamunye abe lendoda yakhe. Indoda kumele igcwalise umlandu wayo wokuthathana kumkayo, kube njalo lomfazi endodeni yakhe. Umzimba womfazi owendileyo kawusuwakhe yedwa kodwa ngowendoda yakhe futhi. Ngokufanayo, umzimba wendoda kawusuwayo yodwa ngowomkayo futhi. Lingancitshani ngaphandle kokuba kungokuvumelana njalo okwesikhatshana, ukuze lizinikele ekukhulekeni. Libuye lihlangane futhi ukuze uSathane angalilingi ngenxa yokusilela kokuzithiba kwenu.

Kodwa uma bengeke bazithibe, kabende, ngoba ukwenda kungcono kulokutshiseka ngokufisa.

Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi uziphatha ngokungafanelanga entombini egcweleyo athandana layo, esilokhu isiba ndala, njalo esizwa kusithi kufanele athathe, kenze njengokuthanda kwakhe. Kenzi sono. Kumele bathathane.

Akumelanga senze ukuxhwala kobufebe njengokwenziwa ngabanye babo  —  njalo ngosuku olulodwa kwafa ababo abayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lantathu.

Ngakho uma licabanga ukuthi limi liqinile, qaphelani ukuba lingawi. Akulazilingo ezilehleleyo ngaphandle kokwejwayelekileyo ebantwini. Njalo uNkulunkulu uthembekile; akayikuvumela ukuba lilingwe ngokwedlula lokho elingakumela. Kodwa lapho lilingwa, uzalinika indlela yokuphunyuka ukuze limelane lakho.

Ngoba sonke kumele sime phambi kwesihlalo sokwahlulela sikaKhristu, ukuze lowo lalowo amukele okumfaneleyo okwezinto azenzayo esemzimbeni, langabe ngezinhle loba ezimbi.

Njengoba silezithembiso lezi, bazalwane abathandekayo, kasizihlambululeni ezintweni zonke ezingcolisa umzimba lomoya, siphelelise ubungcwele ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu.

Ngiyesaba ukuthi ekufikeni kwami futhi uNkulunkulu wami uzangidumaza phambi kwenu, njalo ngizakuba lusizi ngabanengi abenze izono ngaphambili njalo bengaphendukanga kulokhokungcola, isono sokufeba kanye lamanyala abangena kuwo.

Ngakho ngithi, philani ngoMoya, kaliyikuthokozisa izinkanuko zenu zemvelo elesono. Ngoba imvelo yesono ikhanuka okuphambene loMoya, loMoya okuphambene lemvelo yesono. Kuyaphikisana, ukuze lingenzi elikuthandayo. Kodwa uma likhokhelwa nguMoya, kalikho ngaphansi komthetho. Izenzo zemvelo yesono zisobala: ubufebe, lokungesabi ukujeziswa, lokuxhwala; ukukhonza izithombe lobuthakathi; inzondo, lokuxabana, lomona, lentukuthelo, lobuhwaba, lokungezwani, lokungavumelani kanye lomhawu; ukudakwa, lokuzitika ngamanyala kanye lokunye okunjalo. Ngiyalixwayisa, njengoba ngenza ngaphambili, ukuthi abaphila kanje kabayikulidla ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu.

Labo abangabakaKhristu sebayibethela esiphambanweni imvelo yabo yesono lokufutheka kwayo kanye lezinkanuko.

Lingakhohliswa: UNkulunkulu angeke ahlekwa. Umuntu uvuna lokho akuhlanyelayo. Lowo ohlanyela ukuthokozisa imvelo yakhe yesono, kuleyomvelo uzavuna ukuchitheka; lowo ohlanyela ukuthokozisa uMoya, kuMoya uzavuna ukuphila okulaphakade.

Lathi sonke sake saphila phakathi kwabo ngesinye isikhathi, sithokozisa izinkanuko zemvelo yethu yesono silandela lezifiso zayo kanye lemicabango. Njengabanye, ngemvelo sasiyizinto zolaka.

Sebelahlekelwe yisazela sonke, sebezinikele ekuthokoziseni umzimba ukuze benze izinhlobo zonke zokuxhwala, inkanuko iqhubeka ifuna okunengi.

Kodwa phakathi kwenu akungabi khona lokuncane ukuxhwala kobufebe, loba yikuphi ukungcola, loba okobuhwaba, ngoba lezizinto kazifanelanga ebantwini abangcwele bakaNkulunkulu. Njalo akumelanga kube lenhlamba, lenkulumo zobuthutha loba ubuphoxo, okuyizinto ezingafanelanga, kodwa kakube lokubonga. Ngoba kuliqiniso ukuthi: Akulamuntu oyisixhwali, longcolileyo loba oyisihwaba  —  umuntu onjalo ukhonza izithombe  —  olelifa embusweni kaKhristu lokaNkulunkulu.

Ngakho kubulaleni konke okungokwemvelo yenu yasemhlabeni: ukuxhwala kobufebe, ukungcola, inkanuko, izifiso ezimbi kanye lobuhwaba, okuyikukhonza izithombe.

Kuyintando kaNkulunkulu ukuba libe ngcwele: ukuba lixwaye ukuxhwala kobufebe; ukuba omunye lomunye wenu kumele afunde ukuthiba umzimba wakhe ngendlela engcwele lehloniphekayo, hatshi ngomfutho wenkanuko njengabangakholwayo, abangamaziyo uNkulunkulu;

Ngoba uNkulunkulu kasibizelanga ukuba sibe ngabangcolileyo, kodwa ukuba siphile impilo engcwele. Ngakho-ke lowo owalayo umlayo lo kalimuntu kodwa uNkulunkulu, yena olinika uMoya wakhe oNgcwele.

Siyakwazi lokuthi umthetho kawenzelwanga abantu abalungileyo, kodwa wenzelwa abeqa imithetho labahlamuki, abangamaziyo uNkulunkulu labayizoni, abangengcwele labangakholwayo; wenzelwa ababulala oyise labonina, lababulali, lezifebe, kanye lezixhwali, abathengisa izigqili labaqamba amanga kanye labafungela amanga  —  kanye lokunye okuphambene lemfundiso eqotho

Balekela izinkanuko ezimbi zobutsha ufune ukulunga, lokukholwa, lothando kanye lokuthula, ukanye lalabo abakhuleka eNkosini ngezinhliziyo ezimhlophe.

Abantu bazakuba ngabazithandayo, labathanda imali, labazikhukhumezayo, labazigqajayo, labathukayo, labangalaleli abazali babo, labangabongiyo, labangcolileyo, abangelathando, labangathetheleliyo, labahlebayo, labangazikhuziyo, labalesihluku, labangakuthandiyo okuhle, labalamacebo amabi, labacaphuka ngeze, labaziphakamisayo, labathanda injabulo kulokuthanda uNkulunkulu  — belesimo sokukholwa kuNkulunkulu kodwa belandula amandla akho ukukholwa. Ungahlanganyeli labo. Yibo laba abahahabela emakhaya bazuze amandla phezu kwabesifazana ababuthakathaka, abasindwa yizono njalo bebuswa yizinhlobo zonke zezinkanuko ezimbi,

Uyasifundisa ukuthi “Hayi” ekweyiseni uNkulunkulu lasezinkanukweni zasemhlabeni, njalo siphile ngokuzikhuza, ngokuqonda empilweni yokulalela uNkulunkulu ngesikhathi samanje,

Bonani ukuthi kakho oyisifebe, loba ongakhonzi uNkulunkulu njengo-Esawu okwathi ngenxa yokudla kunye wathengisa amalungelo elifa lakhe okuba yindodana endala.

Ukuthathana kumele kuhlonitshwe ngumuntu wonke, kuthi lombheda wokuthathana uhlale ungangcoliswanga, ngoba uNkulunkulu uzakwahlulela isifebe labo bonke abayiziphingi.

Ubusisiwe umuntu oqiniselayo ekulingweni, ngoba lapho esephumelele ekuhlolweni, uzaphiwa umqhele wokuphila, ukuphila uNkulunkulu akuthembisa labo abamthandayo. Ekulingweni, kakho omele athi, “UNkulunkulu uyangilinga.” Ngoba uNkulunkulu angeke alingwe yibubi, kumbe alinge umuntu; kodwa lowo lalowo ulingwa yinkanuko yakhe embi, lapho edonselwa kude ehugwa. Ngakho nxa inkanuko isiyemule izala isono; njalo isono lapho sesikhulile okugcweleyo, sizala ukufa.

Lapho licela, kaliphiwa ngoba licela ngenjongo embi, ukuba lichithe lokho elikuzuzayo ezinjabulweni zenu. Lina zifebe zabantu, kalikwazi yini ukuthi ubungane lomhlaba kuyikuzonda uNkulunkulu na? Umuntu okhetha ukuba ngumngane womhlaba uba yisitha sikaNkulunkulu.

Njengabantwana abalalelayo lingavumeli izinkanuko ezimbi elalilazo lingakazi.

Bangane abathandekayo, ngiyalincenga, njengabezizweni lezihambi emhlabeni, ukuba lizile izinkanuko zesono ezilwa lemiphefumulo yenu.

Ngakho, njengoba uKhristu wahlupheka emzimbeni wakhe, lani hlomani ngesimo esifanayo, ngoba lowo owahluphekayo emzimbeni wakhe usehlule isono. Ngakho-ke, ukuphila kwakhe kwasemhlabeni okuseleyo kakuphileli izinkanuko ezimbi zabantu, kodwa intando kaNkulunkulu. Ngoba selichithe isikhathi esaneleyo ngaphambili lisenza lokho abahedeni abakhetha ukukwenza  —  impilo yobudlova, inkanuko, lokudakwa, ukuzitika, ukuzivusa amadlabuzane kanye lezithombe eziyisinengiso.

Ngoba uma uNkulunkulu engaziyekelanga izingilosi ekwenzeni kwazo isono, kodwa wazisa egehena, wazifaka emigodini emnyama ukuba zigcinelwe ukwahlulelwa; uma engayekelanga umhlaba wasendulo lapho aletha uzamcolo ebantwini bawo ababengamesabi uNkulunkulu, kodwa wamvikela uNowa, umtshumayeli wokulunga, labanye abayisikhombisa; uma watshabalalisa amadolobho aseSodoma leGomora ngokuwatshisa abe ngumlotha, wawenza aba yisibonelo salokho okuzakwenzakala kwabangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu; njalo uma wahlenga uLothi, umuntu olungileyo, owayekhathazekile ngokuphila okungcolileyo kwabantu ababengelamthetho (ngoba lowomuntu olungileyo, owayehlala phakathi kwabo izinsuku zonke, wayehlutshwa yizenzo zabo ezimbi ayezibona layezizwa)  — uma lokhu kunjalo, uNkulunkulu uyakwazi ukuhlenga abantu abamesabayo ekulingweni kanye lokugcinela abangalunganga usuku lokwahlulela, eqhubeka ngokujeziswa kwabo. Lokhu kuliqiniso ikakhulu kulabo abalandela izinkanuko zokonakala ezemvelo yabo yesono njalo beseyisa umthetho. Ngesibindi lokuzikhukhumeza, abantu laba kabakwesabi ukuhlambaza izidalwa zasezulwini;

Ngamehlo agcwele ubufebe kabayekeli ukwenza isono; baxhwalisa abangaqinanga; bazingcitshi zobugovu  —  inzalo eqalekisiweyo!

Ngoba bakhuluma amazwi okuzikhukhumeza ayize, njalo ngokufuna izinkanuko zomzimba ezemvelo yabantu elesono, bahuga abantu asebebalekela labo abahlala ekoneni.

Kuqala, kumele liqedisise ukuthi ngezinsuku zokucina kuzafika abaklolodayo baklolode belandela izinkanuko zabo ezimbi.

Ngoba izinto zonke ezisemhlabeni  —  izinkanuko zabantu abalezono  —  ukulangazela kwamehlo abo kanye lokuzigqaja ngezimpahla  —  akuveli kuBaba kodwa emhlabeni. Umhlaba lezinkanuko zawo kuyadlula, kodwa umuntu owenza intando kaNkulunkulu uphila kuze kube nininini.

Ngoba abantu abathile abokulahlwa kwabo kwalotshwa endulo sebengene phakathi kwenu ngasese. Bangabantu abangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu abaguqulela umusa kaNkulunkulu ukuthi ubeyimvumo yokuganga bamphike loJesu Khristu onguyena Mbusi leNkosi yethu kuphela.

Lezingilosi ezingagcinanga izikhundla zazo zamandla kodwa zadela ikhaya lazo  —  lezi wazigcina ebumnyameni, zibotshwe ngamaketane angaqamukiyo zilindele ukwahlulelwa ngoSuku olukhulu. Ngokunjalo, iSodoma leGomora lamadolobho aseduzane azinikela ekuxhwaleni kobufebe lokonakala. Ayisibonelo salabo abezwa isijeziso somlilo wanini lanini. Ngokunjalo, abaphuphi laba bangcolisa imizimba yabo, baphike ukukhokhelwa, bachothoze lezidalwa zasezulwini.

Kodwa-ke kulezinto ezilutshwana engilensolo kuwe ngazo: Ulabantu khonapho ababambelele emfundisweni kaBhalami, owafundisa uBhalaki owahugela abako-Israyeli ekwenzeni isono ngokudla ukudla okwanikelwa ezithombeni kanye langokuxhwala kobufebe.

Kodwa-ke ngilale insolo ngawe: Uyambekezelela owesifazana lowana uJezebeli, ozibiza ngokuthi ngumphrofethikazi. Ngemfundiso yakhe udukisela izinceku zami ekuxhwaleni kobufebe lekudleni ukudla okunikelwe ezithombeni. Ngimnike isikhathi ukuba aphenduke ekuxhwaleni kwakhe, kodwa kafuni. Ngakho ngizamphosela phezu kombheda wokuhlupheka, njalo labo afeba labo ngizabenza bahlupheke kakhulu, ngaphandle kokuba baphenduke ezindleleni zakhe.

Njalo kabaphendukanga ezenzweni zabo zokubulala, lasebuthakathini babo, ekuxhwaleni kwabo kobufebe loba ebuseleni babo.

Ingilosi yesibili yalandela yathi, “Iwile! Iwile iBhabhiloni eNkulu eyenza izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini elihlanyisayo elobufebe bayo.”

Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa ezazilemiganu eyisikhombisa yeza kimi yathi, “Woza ngikutshengise ukujeziswa kwesiphingi esikhulu, sihlezi phezu kwamanzi amanengi. Amakhosi omhlaba afeba laso njalo abahlezi emhlabeni badakwa yiwayini yobufebe baso.”

Ngoba izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini elihlanyisayo lobufebe bayo. Amakhosi omhlaba afeba layo, labathengisi basemhlabeni banothiswa yinotho yayo edlulisileyo.”

“Lapho amakhosi asemhlabeni afeba layo njalo abelana layo inotho yayo ebona intuthu yokutsha kwayo, azayikhalela ayililele.

ngoba ukwahlulela kwakhe kuqotho njalo kulungile. Usilahlile isiphingi esikhulu esixhwalisa umhlaba ngobufebe baso. Uphindisele kuso igazi lezinceku zakhe.”

Kodwa amagwala, labangakholwayo, labaxhwalileyo, lababulali leziphingi, labathakathi, labakhonza izithombe labo bonke abaqamba amanga  —  indawo yabo izakuba sechibini lomlilo wesolufa ovuthayo. Lokhu yikufa kwesibili.”