20 – Umkhuleko

Yikho u-Abhrahama waphinda wakhuluma njalo wathi: “Njengoba sengibe lesibindi esingaka sokukhuluma loJehova, loba ngingasulutho mina, ngiluthuli nje lomlotha,

Yase ikhuleka yathi, “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, yenza ngiphumelele lamuhla, utshengise umusa enkosini yami u-Abhrahama. Khangela-ke, nanku ngimi lapha eceleni komthombo lo, njalo amadodakazi abantu balelidolobho asesiza ukuzakukha amanzi. Kungasake kuthi ngingathi entombini, ‘Ake ungikhele amanzi ngenkezo yakho nginathe,’ yona ithi, ‘Natha, njalo ngizanathisa lamakamela akho’  —  kube yiyo kanye oyikhethele inceku yakho u-Isaka. Ngalesi isikhathi ngizakwazi ukuthi usutshengise umusa enkosini yami.” Ingakaqedi ukukhuleka, uRabheka waphuma ethwele imbiza yakhe yamanzi ehlombe lakhe. Wayeyindodakazi kaBhethuweli indodana kaMilikha, owayengumfazi womfowabo ka-Abhrahama uNahori.

U-Isaka wakhuleka kuJehova ekhulekela umkakhe ngokuba wayeyinyumba. UJehova wawuphendula umthandazo wakhe, umkakhe uRabheka wazithwala.

Ngakho uJakhobe wasala yedwa, kwathi indoda ethile yabindana laye kwaze kwaba semathathakusa. Leyondoda yathi ngokubona ukuthi kayimehluli yamxhakalaza enyongeni uJakhobe, inyonga yakhe yakhumuka elokhu ebindana laleyondoda. Indoda yasisithi, “Ngiyekela ngihambe ngoba sekusile.” Kodwa uJakhobe wamphendula wathi, “Kangisoze ngikuyekele uhambe ngaphandle kokuthi ungibusise.” Indoda yambuza yathi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho na?” Wathi, “NginguJakhobe.” Yikho indoda yase isithi, “Ibizo lakho kalisayikuba nguJakhobe, kodwa u-Israyeli, ngokuba usutshukane loNkulunkulu kanye labantu wanqoba.” UJakhobe wathi, “Akungitshele ibizo lakho.” Kodwa waphendula wathi “Ulibuzelani ibizo lami na?” Wasembusisa khona lapho. Yikho uJakhobe wabiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yiPheniyeli esithi, “Kungoba ngimbonile uNkulunkulu ubuso ngobuso, kodwa impilo yami kayilinyazwanga.”

UMosi wayekhonale loJehova izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane engadli sinkwa kumbe ukunatha amanzi. Amazwi esivumelwano  —  lemilayo elitshumi  —  wawaloba ezibhebhedwini zamatshe.

Kodwa uMosi lo-Aroni bawa phansi ngobuso bakhala bathi, “O Nkulunkulu, Nkulunkulu wemiphefumulo yabantu bonke, uzathukuthelela abantu bonke jikelele ngenxa yomuntu oyedwa owonileyo na?”

Kodwa nxa likhonale lingadinga uJehova wenu, lizamfumana nxa limdinga ngezinhliziyo zenu ezipheleleleyo langomphefumulo wenu wonke. Nxa selisesizini zonke lezizinto sezilehlela, lapho-ke ngezinsuku ezizayo lizabuyela kuJehova wenu limlalele. Phela uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu unguJehova olomusa; kayikulidela loba alibhubhise loba alibale isivumelwano sakhe asenza labokhokho benu, leso asiqinisa kubo ngesifungo.

Kwathi ekukhweleni kwami intaba ngisiyakwamukela izibhebhedu zamatshe, izibhebhedu zesivumelwano uJehova asenza lani, ngahlala entabeni okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane; angidlanga sinkwa njalo angizange nginathe amanzi.

Kanti-ke njalo ngazilahla ngawa phambi kukaJehova okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amane njalo lobusuku obungamatshumi amane; angidlanga sinkwa njalo angizange nginathe amanzi, ngenxa yezono zonke elaselizidalile, lisenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova njalo lamthukuthelisa waze wazonda.

Ngazilahla ngawa phambi kukaJehova okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amane kanye lobusuku obungamatshumi amane ngoba uJehova wayethe uzalibhubhisa.

Ngasengihlale phezu kwentaba izinsuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane, njengalokhu engangikwenze kuqala, lakanye wangilalela futhi okwalesi isikhathi. Kwakungasikufisa kwakhe ukulibhubhisa.

UJoshuwa wadabula izigqoko zakhe wathi mbo phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova, wala elokhu enjalo kwaze kwahlwa. Abakhokheli bako-Israyeli labo benza njalo, basebezithela ngothuli emakhanda abo.

Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli, abantu bonke, baya eBhetheli, bahlala khona bekhala phambi kukaJehova. Ngalelolanga bazila kwaze kwaba kusihlwa banikela leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye leminikelo yobudlelwane kuJehova.

UJehova weza wema khonapho, ebiza njengakuqala esithi, “Samuyeli! Samuyeli!” USamuyeli wathi, “Khuluma, ngoba inceku yakho ilalele.”

Mina-ke kangiyikukwenza ukuthi ngenze isono kuJehova ngokungalikhulekeli. Njalo ngizalifundisa indlela enhle lelungileyo.

Ngalokho uSolomoni wema e-alithareni likaJehova phambi kwebandla lonke lako-Israyeli, welula izandla zakhe waziphakamisela ezulwini wasesithi: “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kakho uNkulunkulu onjengawe ezulwini phezulu loba emhlabeni ngaphansi  —  wena ogcina isithembiso sakho sothando lezinceku zakho, wena oqhubeka ngenhliziyo yonke endleleni yakho.

Kwathi uSolomoni eseqedile imithandazo le lezikhalazo kuJehova, waphakama wema phambi kwe-alithare likaJehova, lapho ayekade eguqe khona ephakamisele izandla zakhe ezulwini.

Kuthe ngesikhathi somhlatshelo, u-Elija umphrofethi wasondela wakhuleka esithi, “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, lo-Isaka lo-Israyeli, veza obala lamuhla ukuthi wena unguNkulunkulu ko-Israyeli kanye lokuthi mina ngiyinceku yakho, lokuthi zonke lezizinto ngizenza ngokulaya kwakho. Akungiphendule O Jehova, akungiphendule ukuze lababantu bakwazi ukuthi wena Jehova, unguNkulunkulu, lokuthi njalo uguqula izinhliziyo zabo.” Khonokho umlilo kaJehova wehla watshisa umhlatshelo, inkuni, amatshe lomhlabathi, kwaze kwatsha lamanzi ayesemgelweni. Abantu bonke bekubona lokhu, bazilahla phansi bakhala bathi, “UJehova  —  nguye uNkulunkulu! UJehova  —  nguye uNkulunkulu!”

Akubeke indlebe yakho, O Jehova, uzwe; vula amehlo akho, O Jehova, ubone; lalela amazwi kaSenakheribi awathumelayo ukuthuka uJehova ophilayo.

Khathesi, O Jehova, Nkulunkulu wethu, sikhulule esandleni sakhe, ukuze imibuso yonke emhlabeni ibone, yazi ukuthi wena wedwa, O Jehova, unguNkulunkulu.”

UHezekhiya waphendula ubuso bakhe wakhangela emdulini wakhuleka kuJehova wathi, “Khumbula, O Jehova ukuthi bengiziphethe njani phambi kwakho ngokwethembeka, ngokuzinikela ngenhliziyo yami yonke njalo ngenze okulungileyo emehlweni akho.” UHezekhiya walila kabuhlungu.

UJabhezi wakhuleka kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wathi: “Sengathi ungangibusisa uqhelise ilizwe lami! Isandla sakho kasibe lami, ungivikele ebubini, ngingehlelwa yibuhlungu.” UNkulunkulu wamnika lokho ayekucela.

Bongani uJehova, litshumayele ibizo lakhe, lizazise phakathi kwabantu izenzo zakhe.

Funani uJehova lamandla akhe, limdinge yena njalonjalo.

Bongani uJehova ngoba ulungile. Uthando lwakhe olungapheliyo lumi kokuphela.

Njalo babemele beme ngezinyawo ekuseni nsuku zonke ukubonga lokudumisa uJehova. Kwakufanele benze njalo lantambama,

USolomoni wasesima phambi kwe-alithare likaJehova phambi kwalo lonke ibandla lako-Israyeli welula izandla zakhe. Wayenze isitubhu sethusi, ubude baso buzingalo ezinhlanu, lobubanzi baso buzingalo ezinhlanu njalo buzingalo ezintathu ukuya phezulu, sona wayesimise phakathi laphakathi kweguma elingaphandle. Wema phezu kwesitubhu waseguqa phambi kwalo lonke ibandla lako-Israyeli waphakamisela izandla zakhe ezulwini. Wasesithi: “O Jehova Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kakho uNkulunkulu ofanana lawe ezulwini lasemhlabeni  —  wena ogcina isivumelwano sakho sothando lezinceku zakho eziqhubeka endleleni yakho ngezinhliziyo ezipheleleyo.

Kodwa-ke akuzwe umkhuleko wenceku yakho lokucela kwayo umusa, Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ulalele ukukhala lokukhuleka kwenceku yakho ekwenzayo phambi kwakho. Ebusuku lemini amehlo akho kakhangele lindlu, yona eyindawo owathi iBizo lakho lizakuba kuyo. Akuzwe umkhuleko wenceku yakho ngalindawo. Akulalele ukucela kwenceku yakho lokwabantu bakho bako-Israyeli bekhulekela lindawo. Akuzwe ezulwini, lona eliyindawo yakho yokuhlala; ukuze uthi ungezwa, uthethelele.

akuthi nxa umkhuleko kumbe isicelo sisenziwa laloba ngubani wabantu bakho bako-Israyeli  —  ngulowo lalowo ebona izinhlupheko lezinsizi zakhe njalo ephakamisela izandla zakhe kulelithempeli  — akuzwe wenze usezulwini, eliyindawo yakho yokuhlala. Thethelela, uphathe umuntu ngamunye, kusiya ngezenzo zakhe, ngoba wena uyayazi inhliziyo yakhe (phela nguwe wedwa owazi izinhliziyo zabantu), ukuze bakwesabe bahambe ezindleleni zakho besaphila elizweni owalipha okhokho bethu.

“Ngakho-ke, Nkulunkulu wami sengathi amehlo akho angavuleka lezindlebe zakho zilalele imithandazo eyenziwa kule indawo.

nxa abantu bami, ababizwa ngebizo lami, bezazithoba bakhuleke badinge ubuso bami njalo batshiye izindlela zabo ezimbi, kulapho ngizakuzwa khona ngisezulwini ngithethelele izono zabo njalo ngiphephise ilizwe labo. Ngalokho amehlo ami azavuleka, lezindlebe zami zizalalela imikhuleko eyenziwa kulindawo.

Wenza okubi wona ngoba engazange abeke inhliziyo yakhe ekumdingeni uJehova.

U-Asa wasekhuleka kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wathi: “Jehova, kakho omunye onjengawe ongavikela ababuthakathaka kwabalamandla. Sisize, O Jehova Nkulunkulu wethu, ngoba thina sithembele kuwe, ngebizo lakho siphumile ukuba silwe lalelibutho lempi elikhulu kangaka. O Jehova, unguNkulunkulu wethu; umuntu angezake amelane lawe.”

Benza isivumelwano sokuba bamdinge uJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise, ngezinhliziyo zabo ezipheleleyo langomoya.

Abaphristi labaLevi bema babusisa abantu, uNkulunkulu wabezwa, ngoba imithandazo yabo yafika ezulwini, endaweni yakhe engcwele ahlala kiyo.

INkosi uHezekhiya lomphrofethi u-Isaya indodana ka-Amozi bakhala ngomkhuleko kuNkulunkulu ngalokhu.

Khonapho, ekhunjini loMgelo we-Ahava, ngamemezela ukuzila ukudla, ukuze sizehlise phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu simcele asiphe uhambo oluhle, thina labantwabethu, lezimpahla zethu zonke. Ngaba lenhloni ukucela kuJehova amabutho labakhweli bamabhiza ukuthi basivikele ezitheni endleleni ngoba inkosi sasiyitshele sathi, “Isandla somusa sikaNkulunkulu wethu siphezu kwakhe lowo okhangele kuye, kodwa ulaka lwakhe olukhulu luyavutha kulabo abamfulathelayo.” Ngakho sazila ukudla, samncenga uNkulunkulu wethu ngakho lokhu, wawuphendula umkhuleko wethu.

Kwathi-ke ngomhlatshelo wa-kusihlwa, ngaphakama ekuzehliseni kwami, isigqoko sami lejazi lami kudabukile, ngaguqa, izandla zami zivuliwe kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngakhuleka ngathi: “O Nkulunkulu wami, ngiyangekile kakhulu njalo ngilenhloni ukuphakamisela ubuso bami kuwe, Nkulunkulu wami, ngokuba izono zethu ziphakeme kulamakhanda ethu lecala lethu selifikile emazulwini.

U-Ezra wasesuka endlini kaNkulunkulu waya endlini kaJehohanani indodana ka-Eliyashibi. Elapho kadlanga lutho njalo kazange anathe manzi, ngokuba waqhubeka elilela ukungathembeki kwezithunjwa.

Ngathi sengizwile lezizinto ngahlala phansi ngakhala. Okwezinsuku ezithile ngalila, ngazila ukudla njalo ngikhuleka phambi kukaJehova wasezulwini. Ngasengisithi: “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu wasezulwini, uNkulunkulu omkhulu owesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe sothando lalabo abamthandayo, abalalela imilayo yakhe, ake kuthi indlebe yakho ilalele lamehlo akho avuleke ukuze uzwe umkhuleko okhulekwa yinceku yakho kuwe imini lobusuku, ikhulekela izinceku zakho, abantu bako-Israyeli. Ngiyazivuma izono ezenziwe kuwe yithi aba-Israyeli, kugoqela mina lendlu kababa.

U-Ezra wamdumisa uJehova, uNkulunkulu omkhulu, kwathi bonke abantu baphendula baphakamisa izandla zabo bathi, “Ameni! Ameni!” Basebekhothama bekhonza uJehova bethe mbo ngobuso phansi.

Ngelanga lamatshumi amabili lane aleyonyanga, aba-Israyeli bahlangana ndawonye, bazila ukudla begqoke amasaka njalo bezithele uthuli emakhanda abo. Labo ababengaba-Israyeli ngomdabuko bazehlukanisa kwabezizwe. Bema ezindaweni zabo bavuma izono zabo lobubi babokhokho babo.

Kuzo zonke izabelo lapho isimiso somthetho lomlayo wenkosi okwafika khona, kwaba lokulila okukhulu kubaJuda, bezila ukudla, bekhala njalo belila. Abanengi balala emlotheni begqoke amasaka okulila.

“Hamba uyebuthanisa ndawonye bonke abaJuda abaseSusa, lingizilele ukudla. Lingaze ladla loba ukunatha okwezinsuku ezintathu, ebusuku lemini. Mina kanye lezincekukazi zami sizazila njengani. Nxa lokhu sekwenziwe, ngizakuya enkosini loba nje lokho kungekho emthethweni. Nxa ngibhubha, ngiyabe ngibhubhile.”

Ekuzwa lokho uJobe wasukuma wadabula isambatho sakhe, waphuca ikhanda lakhe. Wazilahla phansi wakhonza

“Kodwa aluba bekuyimi, bengizamncenga uNkulunkulu; bengizakwethula udubo lwami kuye. Uyazenza izimanga ezingelakulinganiswa, imimangaliso engelakubalwa.

Kanti nxa wena uzakhangela kuNkulunkulu uncenge kuSomandla,

“Ikanti nxa ugxilisa inhliziyo yakho kuye uphakamisele izandla zakho kuye,

Ubusungibizela ecaleni, ngizaphendula, kumbe ungiyekele ngikhulume, lawe uphendule.

Uzakhuleka kuye, yena akuzwe, ugcwalise izifungo zakho.

Kaphenduli nxa abantu bebiza ngenxa yobuqholo bababi. Ngempela uNkulunkulu kakulaleli ukuncenga kwabo kwamanga; uSomandla kayilaleli into enjalo.

UJobe esebakhulekele abangane bakhe, uJehova wamenza waphumelela njalo wamupha okunengi okuphindwe kabili kwalokho ayelakho kuqala.

Ngikhala kakhulu kuJehova laye angiphendule esentabeni yakhe engcwele.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Ngeleziginci. Ihubo likaDavida Ngiphendula lapho ngikubiza, O Nkulunkulu wami olungileyo. Ake ungiphumuze ekuhlulukelweni engikukho; woba lomusa kimi uzwe umkhuleko wami.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Kwabemifece. Ihubo likaDavida. Zwana amazwi ami, O Jehova, hawukela ukububula kwami. Lalela ukukhala kwami ngidinga uncedo, Nkosi yami loNkulunkulu wami, ngokuba ngikhuleka kuwe. Ekuseni, O Jehova, Ekuseni uyalizwa ilizwi lami; ekuseni ngibeka izicelo zami phambi kwakho ngilinde ngithembile.

Labo abalaziyo ibizo lakho bazathemba kuwe, ngoba wena, Jehova, kawubafulatheli abakudingayo.

Ngenxa yokuzigqaja kwakhe omubi kamdingi uJehova; kuyo yonke imicabango yakhe akulandawo kaNkulunkulu.

Umkhuleko kaDavida Zwana, O Jehova, ukuncenga kwami okulungileyo; lalela ukukhala kwami. Beka indlebe yakho emkhulekweni wami  —  kawusuki ezindebeni ezikhohlisayo.

Ngikhala kuwe, O Nkulunkulu ngokuba uzangiphendula; ake ungilalele uzwe umthandazo wami.

Ekukhathazekeni kwami ngamemeza kuJehova; ngakhala kuNkulunkulu wami ngicela usizo. Walizwa ilizwi lami esethempelini lakhe; ukukhala kwami kwafinyelela kuye, ezindlebeni zakhe.

ngikhokhela eqinisweni lakho ungifundise ngokuba unguNkulunkulu uMsindisi wami, lethemba lami likuwe izinsuku zonke.

Yinye into engiyicelayo kuJehova, yilokhu engikudingayo: ukuba ngihlale endlini kaJehova zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwami, ngibuke ubuhle bukaJehova, lokuthi ngimdinge ethempelini lakhe.

Zwana ilizwi lami lapho ngimemeza O Jehova; woba lomusa kimi ungiphendule. Ithi inhliziyo yami ngawe, “Dinga ubuso bakhe!” Ubuso bakho, Jehova ngizabudinga.

Lindela uJehova; qina ume isibindi ulindele uJehova.

Ihubo likaDavida Ngikhala kuwe, O Jehova, Dwala lami; ungangivaleli indlebe yakho. Phela uma ulokhu uthule ngizakuba njengalabo asebengene egodini. Zwana ukukhala kwami ngicela umusa, nxa ngikhala kuwe ngicela usizo, nxa ngiphakamisela izandla zami eNdaweni yakho eNgcwelengcwele.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Ihubo likaDavida Kuwe Jehova, sengifumene isiphephelo; mangingayangiswa lanini; ngikhulula ngokulunga kwakho. Ngipha indlebe yakho, woza ngokuphangisa ungihlenge; woba lidwala lami lokuphephela, inqaba eqinileyo yokungisindisa.

Ngamdinga uJehova wangiphendula; wangikhulula kukho konke engangikwesaba. Labo abakhangele kuye bayakhazimula; ubuso babo bungeke bembeswe lihlazo. Isihlupheki lesi samemeza, uJehova wasizwa; wasisindisa kuzo zonke izinhlupheko zaso. Ingilosi kaJehova iyabazungeza labo abamesabayo, ibakhulule. Nambithani libone ukuthi uJehova ulungile; ubusisiwe umuntu ophephela kuye.

Amehlo kaJehova akhangele abalungileyo lezindlebe zakhe ziyezwa ukukhala kwabo; ubuso bukaJehova bumelana labenza okubi, ukuba acitshe ukukhunjulwa kwabo emhlabeni. Abalungileyo bayakhala kuJehova abezwe; uyabakhulula kuzo zonke izinhlupheko zabo. UJehova useduze labo abalezinhliziyo ezephukileyo asindise labo abadabukileyo emoyeni.

Ngizakubonga phakathi komhlangano omkhulu; ngikudumise ngiphakathi kwezixuku zabantu.

Chuma phambi kukaJehova umlindele ngesineke; ungakhathazeki nxa abantu bephumelela ngezindlela zabo, nxa bephutshisa amaqhinga abo amabi.

“Zwana umthandazo wami, O Jehova, lalela isikhalazo sami ngicela uncedo; ungabi ligcikandlebe nxa ngikhala. Phela ngihlala lawe nginjengesihambi, ngiyisethekeli njengoba okhokho bonke babenjalo.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. ElikaDavida. Ihubo. Ngamlindela ngesineke uJehova; waphendukela ngakimi wezwa ukukhala kwami.

Zinengi, Jehova, Nkulunkulu wami, izimangaliso ozenzileyo. Izinto owasilungiselela zona kakho ongazibala kuwe; aluba bengingakhuluma loba ngilandise ngazo, zingaba zinengi ngokweqileyo ukuzibalisa.

Kodwa-ke sengathi bonke abakudingayo bangathokoza bajabule kuwe; sengathi labo abathanda insindiso yakho bangahlala besithi, “UJehova kadunyiswe!” Kodwa mina ngiyahlupheka, ngiyaswela; sengathi uJehova angangikhumbula. Ulusizo lwami lomkhululi wami; O Nkulunkulu wami, ungalibali.

Emini uJehova uyaluqondisa uthando lwakhe ebusuku ingoma yakhe ikhona kimi  —  umthandazo kuNkulunkulu wempilo yami.

“Thulani, lazi ukuba mina nginguNkulunkulu; ngizaphakanyiswa phakathi kwezizwe; ngizaphakanyiswa emhlabeni.” UJehova uSomandla ulathi, uNkulunkulu kaJakhobe uyinqaba yethu.

Yenzani imihlatshelo yokubonga kuNkulunkulu, gcwalisani izifungo zenu koPhezukonke, njalo lize kimi mhla lisekuhluphekeni; ngizalikhulula, lani lizangidumisa.”

Ngempela wena ufuna iqiniso elisuka emibilini; uyangifundisa ukuhlakanipha ngaphakathi kwami.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Kutshaywa iziginci. Imasikili kaDavida. Lalela umthandazo wami, O Nkulunkulu, ungafulatheli isikhalo sami;

Kodwa ngiyambiza uNkulunkulu, uJehova angisindise. Kusihlwa, ekuseni lemini ngiyakhala ngisosizini, yena uyalizwa ilizwi lami.

Yethula iziswelo zakho kuJehova yena uzakusekela; akazukuyekela abalungileyo bawe.

Hawu Mandla ami, ngiyakulindela; wena, O Nkulunkulu, uyinqaba yami, Nkulunkulu wami olothando. UNkulunkulu uzahamba phambi kwami angenze ngiklolode phezu kwalabo abangingcolisayo.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Kutshaywa iziginci. ElikaDavida. Zwana ukukhala kwami, O Nkulunkulu; lalela umkhuleko wami. Ngisemkhawulweni womhlaba ngiyakubiza, ngiyabiza lapho inhliziyo yami isiphela amandla; ngikhokhelela edwaleni eliphakeme kulami.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. KuJeduthuni. Ihubo likaDavida. Umphefumulo wami ufumana ukuphumula kuNkulunkulu kuphela; ukusindiswa kwami kuvela kuye. Yena yedwa uyilo idwala lami lensindiso yami; uyinqaba yami, kangisoze ngihlukunyezwe lanini.

Fumana ukuphumula, O mphefumulo wami, kuNkulunkulu kuphela; ithemba lami livela kuye. Yena yedwa ulidwala lami lensindiso; uyinqaba yami, kangisoze ngihlukunyezwe. Insindiso yami lodumo lwami kweyeme kuNkulunkulu; ulidwala lami eliqinileyo, isiphephelo sami. Thembani kuye ngezikhathi zonke, lina bantu; likhuphe konke okusezinhliziyweni zenu kuye, ngokuba uNkulunkulu uyisiphephelo sethu.

Ihubo likaDavida. WayeseNkangala yakoJuda. O Nkulunkulu, unguNkulunkulu wami, ngiyakudinga ngitshiseka; umphefumulo wami uyakomela, umzimba wami uyakudinga, elizweni elomileyo eseligugile lapho okungelamanzi khona.

Ngakhala kuye ngomlomo wami; indumiso yakhe yayisolimini lwami. Aluba ngangikade ngigogosa isono enhliziyweni yami, uJehova ngabe kazange angilalele; kodwa ngeqiniso uNkulunkulu walalela walizwa ilizwi lami ngikhuleka. Kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu ongawulahlanga umkhuleko wami futhi ongagodlanga uthando lwakhe kimi.

Sengidiniwe ngokumemeza ngicela uncedo; umphimbo wami usuwome qha. Amehlo ami aseze efiphele, edinga uNkulunkulu wami.

Abayanga bazabona bajabule  —  lina elimdingayo uNkulunkulu, sengathi izinhliziyo zenu zingaphila!

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Itshuni ethi, “Ungabhidlizi.” Ihubo lika-Asafi. Ingoma. Siletha ukubonga kuwe, O Nkulunkulu, siletha ukubonga, ngoba iBizo lakho liseduze; abantu bayakhuluma ngemisebenzi yakho emangalisayo.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. KuJeduthuni, Elika-Asafi. Ihubo. Ngakhala kuNkulunkulu ngicela uncedo; ngakhala kuNkulunkulu ukuthi angizwe. Ngathi ngikhathazekile ngamdinga uJehova; ebusuku ngazelula izandla azazezadinwa lomphefumulo wami wala ukududuzeka.

Ngizalalela lokho uNkulunkulu uJehova azakutsho; uthembisa abantu bakhe ukuthula, abangcwele bakhe  —  kodwa mabangabuyeli ebuwuleni babo.

Zwana umkhuleko wami, O Jehova; lalela ukukhala kwami ngicela umusa. Mhla ngiphakathi kokuhlupheka ngizakhala kuwe, ngokuba uzangiphendula.

Ingoma. Ihubo lamadodana kaKhora. Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Itshuni ethi, Mahalathi leyanothi (Ukuhlupheka lokuchukuluzwa) Imasikili kaHemani umEzira. O Jehova, Nkulunkulu ongisindisayo, ebusuku lemini ngikhala kuwe. Akuthi umkhuleko wami ufinyelele kuwe; phendula indlebe yakho izwe ukukhala kwami.

Kodwa ngikhala kuwe ngoncedo, O Jehova; ekuseni umthandazo wami uyafika kuwe.

Sifundise ukubala kuhle izinsuku zethu, ukuze sizuze inhliziyo yenhlakanipho.

Lowo ohlala ekusithekeni koPhezukonke uzaphumula emthunzini kaSomandla.

Uzangibiza, ngimphendule; ngizakuba laye ekuhluphekeni, ngizamkhulula ngimenzele udumo.

Ihubo. Ingoma. Elosuku lweSabatha. Kuhle ukudumisa uJehova lokuhlabelela ebizweni lakho, wena oPhezukonke, ukumemezela uthando lwakho ekuseni lokuthembeka kwakho ebusuku,

Wozani, kasikhothame simkhonze, kasiguqe phambi kukaJehova uMenzi wethu; ngokuba unguNkulunkulu wethu, thina singabantu bedlelo lakhe, umhlambi awunakekelayo. Lamuhla, nxa lisizwa ilizwi lakhe, lingazenzi lukhuni izinhliziyo zenu njengoba lenzenjalo eMeribha, njengelakwenza ngaleliyana ilanga eMasa enkangala,

Umkhuleko womuntu okhathazekileyo. Lapho esephela umoya eseqhinqa isililo phambi kukaJehova. Zwana umkhuleko wami, O Jehova; ukukhala kwami ngicela uncedo kakufike kuwe. Ungangifihleli ubuso bakho nxa ngikhathazekile. Ngipha indlebe yakho; nxa ngibiza ngiphendula masinyane.

Uzaphendula imithandazo yabahluphekayo; kazukweyisa isicelo sabo.

Thokozani egameni lakhe elingcwele; akuthi izinhliziyo zabamdingayo uJehova zithokoze. Khangelani kuJehova lasemandleni akhe; funani ubuso bakhe kokuphela.

Amadolo ami asebuthakathaka ngokuzila ukudla; umzimba wami usuzacile usutshwabhene.

Ngiyamthanda uJehova ngokuba walizwa ilizwi lami; wezwa ukukhala kwami ngicela umusa. Ngokuba wangipha indlela yakhe, ngizambiza kokuphela uma ngisaphila. Izibopho zokufa zangithandela, ubuhlungu obukhulu bengcwaba bangehlela; ngagajelwa yikuhlupheka losizi. Ngasengibiza igama likaJehova: “O Jehova, ake ungisindise!”

Ngizakwenzela umhlatshelo womnikelo wokubonga ngilibize igama likaJehova.

Ngathi ngidabukile ngakhala kuJehova, waphendula ngokungikhulula.

Ngizakubonga, ngokuba ungiphendule; usuyinsindiso yami.

Babusisiwe labo abagcina imilayo yakhe, abayidinga ngenhliziyo yabo yonke.

Ngikudinga ngenhliziyo yami yonke; ungangiyekeli ngiphambuke emilayweni yakho.

Ngiyabiza ngayo yonke inhliziyo yami; ngiphendula, mina ngizalalela imithetho yakho. Ngiyakubiza, ngisindisa mina ngizagcina izimiso zakho. Ngivuka emathathakusa ngikhale kuwe ngicela usizo; sengibeke ithemba lami elizwini lakho. Amehlo ami alala ekhangele ngemilindo yonke yobusuku, ukuze ngicabange ngezithembiso zakho. Zwana ilizwi lami ngokuya kothando lwakho; londoloza impilo yami, O Jehova, ngokuya kwemithetho yakho.

Ingoma yemiqanso. Ngingaphansi ekujuleni ngiyakhala kuwe, O Jehova; O Jehova, zwana ilizwi lami. Izindlebe zakho kazilalele ukukhala kwami ngicela umusa.

Ngiyamlindela uJehova, umphefumulo wami uyalinda, ngibeka ithemba lami elizwini lakho. Umphefumulo wami ulindela uJehova okudlula abalindi bemelele ukusa, okudlula abalindi bemelele ukusa.

Bongani uJehova, ngokuba ulungile. Uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.

Bongani uNkulunkulu wabonkulunkulu. Uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.

Bongani uJehova wamakhosi: Uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.

Ihubo likaDavida O Jehova, ngiyakubiza; woza masinyane kimi. Zwana ilizwi lami nxa ngikubiza. Sengathi umkhuleko wami ungema phambi kwakho njengempepha; kuthi ukuphakama kwezandla zami kube njengomhlatshelo wakusihlwa.

Ihubo likaDavida. Wayesebhalwini. Umthandazo. Ngiyamemeza kakhulu kuJehova; ngiphakamisela ilizwi lami kuJehova ngicela umusa. Ngithululela ukusola kwami phambi kwakhe; phambi kwakhe ngichaza ukuhlupheka kwami.

Ihubo likaDavida O Jehova, zwana umkhuleko wami, zwana ukukhala kwami ngicela umusa; ngokuthembeka kwakho langokulunga kwakho woza uzongiphumuza.

Amehlo abo bonke akhangela kuwe, wena ubaphe ukudla kwabo ngesikhathi esifaneleyo. Uyavula isandla sakho usuthise izidingo zakho konke okuphilayo. UJehova ulungile kuzo zonke izindlela zakhe njalo ulothando kukho konke akwenzayo. UJehova useduze kulabo abacela kuye, kubo bonke abacela kuye ngeqiniso. Uyagcwalisa izidingo zalabo abamesabayo; uyezwa ukukhala kwabo abasindise.

“Lapho-ke bazangibiza kodwa kangiyikusabela; bazangidinga bangangifumani. Ngoba babeluzonda ulwazi kabaze bakhetha ukwesaba uJehova, ngoba kabavumanga iseluleko sami, badelela ukukhuza kwami,

Ngiyabathanda labo abangithandayo, labo abangidingayo bayangifumana.

Loba ngubani ongawulaleliyo umthetho, lemikhuleko yakhe izakuba yisinengiso.

Ungawalazeli ngomlomo wakho, ungabi liphasaphasa enhliziyweni yakho uphange uthembise kuNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu usezulwini ikanti wena usemhlabeni, ngakho kawabe malutshwana amazwi akho.

Imikhosi yenu yokuthwasa kwezinyanga lamadili enu amisiweyo umphefumulo wami uyakuzonda. Sekube ngumthwalo kimi; sengikhathele ngokukuthwala. Lapho lichaya izandla zenu likhuleka, ngizalifihlela amehlo ami; loba selikhuleka imikhuleko eminengi, angiyikulalela. Izandla zenu zigcwele igazi; gezani libe ngabahlambulukileyo. susani izenzo zenu ezimbi phambi kobuso bami. Yekelani ukwenza okubi,

Ngizamlindela uJehova, ofihlela indlu kaJakhobe ubuso bakhe. Ngizabeka ithemba lami kuye.

Umphefumulo wami uyakulangazelela ebusuku, ekuseni umoya wami uyakukhumbula. Lapho ukwahlulela kwakho kufika emhlabeni, abantu basemhlabeni bayakufunda ukulunga.

Awu bantu baseZiyoni, abahlala eJerusalema, alisayikulila. UJehova uzakuba lomusa kini nxa licela usizo. Uzaliphendula khonokho nje ekulizweni kwakhe.

kodwa labo abathemba uJehova bazawavuselela amandla abo. Bazaqonga ngezimpiko njengezinkozi, bazagijima kodwa bangadinwa, bazahamba kodwa bangapheli amandla.

Mdingeni uJehova esatholakala, mbizeni eseseduzane.

laba ngizabaletha entabeni yami engcwele, ngibaphe intokozo endlini yami yokukhulekela. Iminikelo yabo yokutshiswa, lemihlatshelo, kuzakwamukelwa e-alithareni lami; ngoba indlu yami izathiwa yindlu yokukhuleka yezizwe zonke.”

Lokhu yikho ukuzila engikukhethileyo na, ukuthi umuntu azithobe okosuku olulodwa nje? Yikuthi umuntu akhothamise ikhanda lakhe njengomhlanga nje, lokulala esakeni lemlotheni na? Lokho yikho elithi yikuzila, usuku olwamukelekayo kuJehova na? “Lokhu akusikho yini ukuzila engikukhethileyo: ukukhulula izibopho zokungalungi lokuthukulula imichilo yejogwe, kukhululwe abacindezelweyo, kwephulwe amajogwe wonke na?

Kodwa ububi benu sebulahlukanise loNkulunkulu wenu; lezono zenu sezisithe ubuso bakhe kini ukuze angezwa.

“Ngaziveza kulabo abangangicelanga; ngafunyanwa yilabo abangangidinganga. Isizwe esingakhulekanga kimi ngathi kuso, ‘Ngilapha, ngilapha.’

Ngizabaphendula bengakakhuleki; ngibezwe besakhuluma.

Ngakho nanku akutshoyo uJehova: ‘Ngizabehlisela umonakalo abangeke baphephe kuwo. Lanxa sebekhala kimi kangiyikubalalela. Amadolobho ako-Juda labantu baseJerusalema bazakuyakhala kubonkulunkulu ababatshisela impepha, kodwa kabasoze babasize ngalutho lapho uhlupho selubehlela.

Ngoba ngiyawazi amacebo engilawo ngani,” kutsho uJehova, “amacebo okuliphumelelisa hatshi ukulilimaza, amacebo okulinika ithemba kanye lesikhathi esizayo. Ngaleso sikhathi lizangibiza lizekhuleka kimi, njalo ngizalizwa. Lizangidinga lingifumane uma lingidinga ngenhliziyo yenu yonke. Lizangifumana,” kutsho uJehova, “njalo ngizalibuyisa livela ekuthunjweni. Ngizaliqoqa ezizweni zonke lasezindaweni zonke engalixotshela kuzo,” kutsho uJehova, “njalo ngilibuyise endaweni engalithatha kuyo ngilisa ekuthunjweni.”

‘Ngibiza ngizakusabela, ngikutshele izinto ezinkulu ezifihlakeleyo ongazaziyo.’

Ngakho yana endlini kaJehova ngosuku lokuzila ukudla ubalele abantu amazwi kaJehova asemqulwini owawaloba ngikutshela. Abalele bonke abantu bakoJuda abangena bevela emadolobheni akibo. Engxenye bazaletha isicelo sabo phambi kukaJehova, omunye lomunye aphenduke ezindleleni zakhe ezimbi, ngoba intukuthelo lolaka okumenyezelwe kulababantu nguJehova kukhulu.”

“Ngalezozinsuku, ngalesosikhathi,” kutsho uJehova, “abantu bako-Israyeli ndawonye labantu bakoJuda bazahamba bekhala bedinga uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. Bazabuza indlela eya eZiyoni bakhangelise ubuso babo kuyo. Bazakuza bazibophele kuJehova ngesivumelwano esingapheliyo esingayikukhohlakala.

UJehova ulungile kulabo abathemba kuye, kulowo omdingayo; kuhle ukulinda ngokuthula, ukulindela insindiso kaJehova.

Asiphakamiseleni izinhliziyo zethu lezandla zethu kuNkulunkulu ezulwini sithi:

Wasesithi kimi, “Uyakubona lokhu na, ndodana yomuntu? Uzabona izinto ezenyanyeka kakhulu kulalokhu.” Wasengisa egumeni lendlu kaJehova elingaphakathi, njalo khonapho ekungeneni kwethempeli, phakathi komkhandlu le-alithare, kwakulamadoda ayengaba ngamatshumi amabili lanhlanu. Ayekhothamele phansi elangeni empumalanga, efulathele ithempeli likaJehova. Ubuso bawo bukhangele empumalanga. Wathi kimi, “Sewake wakubona lokhu na ndodana yomuntu? Kuyinto encane na ukuthi indlu kaJuda yenze izinto ezenyanyekayo abazenza lapha? Kumele ilizwe baligcwalise futhi ngodlakela, njalo bangithukuthelise kokuphela na? Bakhangele bebeka ugatsha empumulweni yabo! Ngakho ngizabaphatha ngentukuthelo; angiyikuba lesihawu kubo ngibayekele. Lanxa sebeklabalalela ezindlebeni zami, kangiyikubalalela.”

Uyaguqula izikhathi lezibanga; uyawabeka amakhosi aphinde awaqethule. Unika inhlakanipho kwabahlakaniphileyo lolwazi kwabaqedisisayo. Uhlazulula izinto ezizikileyo lezifihlakeleyo; uyakwazi okucatshe emnyameni, lokukhanya kuhlala kuye. Ngiyakubonga njalo ngiyakudumisa, O Nkulunkulu wabokhokho: Ungiphile inhlakanipho lamandla, usungazisile mina lokho esikucelileyo kuwe, ususazisile thina iphupho lenkosi.”

Abongameli besikhosini, labalisa, lababusi bezigaba, labeluleki lababusi bemikhono yelizwe bonke sebevumelene ukuthi inkosi kayikhuphe isimemezelo iwugcizelele umlayo othi noma ngubani othandaza kuwuphi unkulunkulu noma umuntu phakathi kwalezi izinsuku ezingamatshumi amathathu, ngaphandle kokukhuleka kuwe wena, O nkosi, uzaphoselwa emgodini wezilwane. Manje, O nkosi, sikhuphe lesosimemezelo sibhalwe phansi ukuze singaguqulwa  —  njengoba kunjalo ngemithetho yamaMede lamaPhesiya, engaguqulwayo.” Ngakho inkosi uDariyu yawubhala phansi lowomthetho.

Kwathi uDanyeli esezwile ukuthi umthetho wawusukhutshiwe, waya ekhaya endlini yakhe ephezulu esitezi eyayilamawindi avulwe akhangela eJerusalema. Kathathu ngelanga wayezilahla phansi ngamadolo akhuleke, ebonga uNkulunkulu wakhe, njengalokho ayevele ekwenza mandulo. Kwase kusithi amadoda la aqhubana elixuku afica uDanyeli ekhuleka ecela usizo kuNkulunkulu. Asesiya enkosini ayakhuluma layo ngomthetho owaphuma esigodlweni, athi: “Kawukhuphanga isimemezelo yini sokuthi ngezinsuku ezilandelayo ezingamatshumi amathathu noma ngubani othandaza komunye unkulunkulu noma umuntu ngaphandle kokuthandaza kuwe, O nkosi, uzaphoselwa emgodini wezilwane?” Inkosi yaphendula yathi, “Lowomthetho umi  —  njengemithetho yamaMede lamaPhesiya, engeke iguqulwe.” Asesithi enkosini, “UDanyeli, ongomunye wabathunjwa bakoJuda, kakunanzi, wena nkosi, kanye lomthetho owawubhala phansi. Ulokhu ekhuleka kathathu ngelanga.”

Yikho ngaphendukela kuJehova uNkulunkulu ngamncenga ngomthandazo langokulabhela, langokuzila, ngigqoke amasaka ngazininda ngomlotha. Ngakhuleka kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngafakaza ngathi: “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu omkhulu, owesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe sothando lalabo bonke abamthandayo, abagcina imilayo yakhe, senzile isono njalo senza okubi. Sisuke saxhwala, sahlamuka; siyifulathele imilayo yakho kanye lemithetho yakho.

“Manje-ke, Nkulunkulu wethu, zwana imithandazo lokulabhela kwenceku yakho. Ngenxa yebizo lakho, O Jehova, ake uhawukele indlu yakho engcwele esibhidlikile. Beka indlebe yakho, O Nkulunkulu, uzwe; vula amehlo akho ubone incithakalo yedolobho elibizwa ngeBizo lakho. Kasilethi lezizicelo kuwe ngoba silungile, kodwa ngenxa yesihawu sakho esikhulu. O Jehova, lalela! O Jehova, thethelela! O Jehova, zwana wenze! Ngenxa yebizo lakho, O Nkulunkulu wami, ungaphuzi, ngokuba idolobho lakho labantu bakho kubizwa ngeBizo lakho.”

Ngathi ngikhuluma njalo ngikhuleka, ngivuma isono sami, lesono sabantu bakithi abako-Israyeli, ngiletha isikhalo sami kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngentaba yakhe engcwele  — ngilokhu ngisakhuleka, uGabhriyeli, indoda engayibonayo embonweni wokuqala, weza kimi entweza kungesikhathi somhlatshelo wakusihlwa. Wangilaya wathi kimi, “Danyeli, khathesi sengilande ukukupha ukuqonda lokuzwisisa. Wonele ukuqalisa ukukhuleka impendulo yahle yaphiwa, eyiyo engizokutshela yona, ngokuba uyaqakathekiswa kakhulu. Ngakho-ke, cabanga ngalo ilizwi, uwuzwisise umbono ukuthi:

Kulesosikhathi mina Danyeli ngalila okwamaviki amathathu. Angizange ngikudle ukudla okuconsayo; inyama loba iwayini kakuzange kuzithinte izindebe zami; njalo kangizange ngisebenzise amagcobo lakanye kwaze kwaphela amaviki amathathu.

Isandla sangithinta ngezwa sengiqhaqhazela ezandleni lemadolweni. Wathi, “Danyeli, uyaqakathekiswa kakhulu, nanzelela amazwi esengizawakhuluma kuwe, usukume, ngokuba manje ngithunywe kuwe.” Wathi esitsho lokhu kimi ngasukuma ngiqhaqhazela. Waseqhubeka wathi, “Ungesabi, Danyeli. Kulokhu kwasukela mhla ubeka ingqondo yakho ukuzuza ukuzwisisa lokuzithoba phambi kukaNkulunkulu wakho, amazwi akho ezwakala, yikho ngilapha ngenxa yalokho. Kodwa inkosi yombuso wasePhesiya yangivimbela okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amabili lanye. Kwasekusithi uMikhayeli, omunye wamakhosana amakhulu, weza ezongisiza, ngokuba ngangivalelwe khonale yinkosi yasePhesiya. Manje ngilande ukuzakuchasisela lokho okuzakwenzakala ebantwini bakini esikhathini esizayo, ngokuba umbono umayelana lesikhathi esizafika.” Uthe esitsho lokhu kimi ngakhothamisela ubuso bami phansi ngehluleka ukukhuluma.

Ngizabuyela endaweni yami baze balivume icala labo. Njalo bazabudinga ubuso bami; esizini lwabo bazangidinga impela.”

Memezelani ukuzila okungcwele; bizani ibandla elingcwele. Memani abadala labo bonke abahlala elizweni, baye endlini kaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, likhale kuJehova.

“Lakhathesi,” kutsho uJehova, “phendukelani kimi ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke, ngokuzila langokukhala lokulila.” Dabulani izinhliziyo zenu hatshi izigqoko zenu. Buyelani kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ngoba ulomusa lesihawu, uyaphuza ukuthukuthela njalo ulothando olukhulu, njalo uyaxola ukuthumela umonakalo.

Ephakathi kwenhlanzi uJona wathandaza kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Wathi: “Ekuhluphekeni kwami ngambiza uJehova, wangiphendula. Ngisekujuleni kwengcwaba ngacela uncedo, wena wakulalela ukukhala kwami.

“Lapho impilo yami yayisincipha, ngakhumbula wena, Jehova, umthandazo wami waphakamela kuwe, ethempelini lakho elingcwele.

Abantu beNineve babekholwa kuNkulunkulu. Bamemezela ukuthi kuzilwe ukudla, njalo bonke kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane bavunula amasaka. Ilizwi selifikile enkosini yaseNineve, yasukuma esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, yakhumula izingubo zayo zobukhosi, yazembathisa isaka yahlala phansi ebhuqwini. Yase ikhupha isimemezelo eNineve esithi: “Ngomthetho wenkosi lezikhulu zayo: Akungavunyelwa muntu kumbe inyamazana, imihlambi yezinkomo loba eyezimvu ukuthi ithinte ulutho oludliwayo; makungavunyelwa kudle kumbe kunathe. Kodwa akuthi umuntu loba yinyamazana kwembathe amasaka. Wonke umuntu kamemeze ngokukhawuleza kuNkulunkulu. Kabadele izindlela zabo zobubi lobudlwangudlwangu babo. Ngubani okwaziyo na? Mhlawumbe uNkulunkulu angadeda kuthi ngesihawu sakhe aphenduke elakeni lwakhe olwesabekayo ukuze singabhubhi.” Kwathi uNkulunkulu esebonile abakwenzayo ukuthi baguquka ezindleleni zabo zobubi, wabazwela isihawu kazabe esabehlisela incithakalo ayesonge ngayo.

Lapho-ke bazakhala kuJehova, kodwa kayikubaphendula. Ngalesosikhathi uzabafihlela ubuso bakhe ngenxa yobubi ababenzileyo.

Kodwa mina ngilindele uJehova ngethemba, ngilindele uNkulunkulu uMsindisi wami; uNkulunkulu wami uzangizwa.

Dingani uJehova, lonke lina abathobekileyo belizwe, lina elenza lokho akulayayo. Dingani ukulunga, dingani ukuthobeka; mhlawumbe lingavikelwa ngosuku lwentukuthelo kaJehova.

“Buza bonke abantu belizwe kanye labaphristi uthi, ‘Lapho lalizila ukudla lilila ngenyanga yesihlanu leyesikhombisa okweminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa esidlule kambe lalizilela mina ngeqiniso na?

njalo izakhamizi zedolobho leli zizakuya kwezakuleliyana zifike zithi, ‘Kasihambe khathesi lokhu siyoncenga uJehova, simfune uJehova uSomandla. Mina sengihamba.’ Kuzakuthi abantu abanengi lezizwe ezilamandla zizakuza eJerusalema ukuzafuna uJehova uSomandla bezocela kuye.

Le ingxenye yesithathu ngizayifaka emlilweni; ngizabancibilikisa ngibacenge njengesiliva ngibahlolisise njengegolide. Bazalibiza igama lami, lami ngizabaphendula; ngizakuthi, ‘Bangabantu bami,’ labo bazakuthi, ‘UJehova unguNkulunkulu wethu.’ ”

Wazila ukudla okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amane, lobusuku obungamatshumi amane, wacina eselambile kakhulu.

Kodwa mina ngilitshela ukuthi, Thandani izitha zenu, libathandazele labo abalihluphayo,

“Nxa lithandaza lingabi njengabazenzisi, ngokuba bathanda ukukhuleka bemi emasinagogeni lasemahlanganweni emigwaqo ukuze babonwe ngabantu. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi sebewutholile owabo umvuzo ngokugcweleyo. Nxa likhuleka, ngenani endlini yenu, livale umnyango beselikhuleka kuYihlo ongabonakaliyo. Kuzakuthi uYihlo obonayo okwenziwa ensitha uzalivuza. Njalo nxa likhuleka lingenzi ubugabazi linqongoloza njengabahedeni, ngoba bacabanga ukuthi bazazwiwa ngenxa yamazwi abo amanengi. Lingabi njengabo, ngoba uYihlo uyakwazi elikuswelayo loba lingakakuceli kuye.

“Kumele lithandaze kanje: ‘Baba wethu osezulwini, malihlonitshwe ibizo lakho, umbuso wakho kawuze, intando yakho yenziwe emhlabeni njengalokhu isenziwa ezulwini. Siphe lamuhla ukudla kwethu kwensuku zonke. Sixolele imilandu yethu, njengoba lathi sesibaxolele abalemilandu kithi. Ungasikhokheleli ekulingweni, kodwa usisindise koMubi.’

“Lapho lizila ukudla lingabonakali linyukubele njengalokhu okwenziwa ngabazenzisi, ngoba bazona ukukhangeleka kobuso babo ukuze abantu babone ukuthi bazilile. Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi sebewutholile owabo umvuzo ngokugcweleyo. Kodwa lina nxa lizila, gcobani amafutha emakhanda enu, ligeze ubuso benu, ukuze kungabonakali ebantwini ukuthi lizilile, kodwa kuYihlo kuphela ongabonakaliyo: njalo uYihlo obona ensitha uzalivuza.

Ngakho lingazihluphi lisithi, ‘Sizakudlani?’ kumbe ‘Sizanathani?’ loba ‘Sizavunulani na?’ Ngoba abahedeni bagijimela zona lezi zonke izinto, kodwa uYihlo wasezulwini uyakwazi ukuthi liyaziswela. Kodwa funani kuqala umbuso wakhe lokulunga kwakhe, kuzakuthi-ke zonke lezizinto liziphiwe lazo.

“Celani, lizaphiwa; dingani, lizafumana; qoqodani, lizavulelwa. Ngoba wonke ocelayo uyaphiwa; odingayo uyafumana; lalowo oqoqodayo uzavulelwa umnyango. “Ngubani kini madoda okuthi nxa indodana yakhe icela isinkwa ayiphe ilitshe na? Loba ithi icela inhlanzi ayiphe inyoka? Nxa lina okuthi loba libabi likwazi ukupha abantwabenu izipho ezilungileyo pho kangakanani uYihlo wenu osezulwini uzabapha izipho ezinhle labo abacela kuye!

Kwasekufika abafundi bakaJohane bambuza bathi, “Kungani thina njalo labaFarisi sizila, kodwa abafundi bakho kabazili?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Izethekeli zomyeni zingalila kanjani esesekhona phakathi kwazo na? Sizafika isikhathi lapho umyeni ezasuswa kuzo; kulapho-ke bezazila.

Ngalesosikhathi uJesu wathi, “Ngiyakubonga, Baba, Nkosi yezulu lomhlaba, ngokuba uzifihlile lezizinto kwabahlakaniphileyo labafundileyo, wazambulela abantwana abancinyane.

Esebachithile waya ewatheni lentaba eyedwa wayakhuleka. Kwathi sekuhlwile wayekhonale eyedwa,

“Njalo ngiyalitshela ukuthi aluba ababili kini emhlabeni bevumelana loba ngalutho bani elilucelayo lizalwenzelwa nguBaba osezulwini. Ngoba lapho okuhlangana khona ababili loba abathathu ngebizo lami, ngizabe ngikhona labo lami.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi uma lilokukholwa njalo lingathandabuzi, kalisoze lenze nje okwenziwe kulesi isihlahla somkhiwa, kodwa njalo lingathi kule intaba, ‘Suka, ziphosele olwandle,’ lakanye kwenzeke. Uma likholwa lizaphiwa loba yini eliyicelayo ngomthandazo.”

Wasethatha inkomitshi wabonga, waseyedlulisela kubo esithi, “Nathani kuyo lonke.

UJesu wasehamba labafundi bakhe endaweni eyayithiwa yiGetsemane, wasesithi kubo, “Hlalani lapha, mina ngisaya laphayana ukuyakhuleka.” Wathatha uPhethro lamadodana womabili kaZebedi wahamba labo, waseqalisa ukuhlulukelwa lokukhathazeka. Wasesithi kubo, “Umphefumulo wami ugajelwa lusizi kuze kuthi ngife. Hlalani lapha lilinde lami.” Wahamba ibanganyana, wasezilahla phansi wathi mbo ngobuso wakhuleka wathi, “Baba, uma kungenzeka, sengathi inkomitshi le ingasuswa kimi. Kodwa akungabi ngokuthanda kwami, kodwa kube ngokuthanda kwakho.” Wasebuya kubafundi bakhe wabafica sebelele. Wabuza uPhethro wathi, “Lina madoda kambe kulehlule ukulinda kanye lami okwehora elilodwa nje? Lindani likhuleke ukuze lingaweli ekulingweni. Umoya uyathanda kodwa umzimba ubuthakathaka.” Wahamba njalo okwesibili wakhuleka wathi, “Baba, nxa kungenzeki ukuthi inkomitshi le isuswe ngaphandle kokuthi ngiyinathe, kayenziwe intando yakho.”

Kusonaleso isikhathi ikhetheni lethempeli laqhekezeka kabili kusukela phezulu kusiya phansi. Umhlaba wazamazama lamatshe aqhekezeka.

Ekuseni kakhulu, kusesempondozankomo, uJesu wavuka waphuma endlini waya endaweni esekusithekeni wayakhuleka.

Ngalesosikhathi abafundi bakaJohane labaFarisi babezila. Abanye abantu beza babuza uJesu bathi, “Kungani abafundi bakaJohane labafundi babaFarisi bezila kodwa abakho kabazili?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Izethekeli zomyeni zingazila kanjani na esesekhona lazo? Zingeke, nxa elokhu ekhona lazo. Kodwa siyeza isikhathi lapho umyeni ezasuswa kuzo, mhlalokhoke zizazila.

Esehlukene labo waya entabeni wayakhuleka.

UJesu wathi, “Uthi ‘ongakwenza’? Yonke into iyenzakala kulowo okholwayo.” Masinyane uyise womfana wamemeza wathi, “Ngiyakholwa; ake ungisize ngehlule ukungakholwa kwami!”

Waphendula wathi, “Lolu uhlobo luphuma ngomthandazo kuphela.”

Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi nxa omunye esithi entabeni le, ‘Suka, ziphosele olwandle,’ engelakuthandabuza enhliziyweni yakhe, kodwa ekholwa ukuthi lokho akutshoyo kuzakwenzakala, kuzakwenziwa kuye. Ngakho ngiyalitshela ukuthi loba kuyini elikucelayo ngomthandazo, kholwani ukuthi selikwamukele, sekuzakuba ngokwenu.

Njalo uma lisima likhuleka, nxa lilesikhwili komunye, mthetheleleni, ukuze uYihlo ezulwini alithethelele izono zenu. Kodwa nxa lingathetheleli, loYihlo osezulwini kazukulithethelela izono zenu.”

Baya endaweni eyayithiwa yiGetsemane, uJesu wathi kubafundi bakhe, “Hlalani lapha mina ngisayakhuleka.” Wathatha uPhethro loJakhobe loJohane wasuduka labo, waseqalisa ukukhathazeka kakhulu wahlulukelwa. Wathi kubo, “Umphefumulo wami udabukile kakhulu ngosizi kungathi ngingaze ngife. Hlalani lapha lilinde.” Wagudluka njalo kubo wazilahla phansi wakhuleka ukuthi aluba kungenzeka lelohora lingedlula kuye. Wathi, “Abha, Baba, konke kungenzakala kuwe. Ake ususe inkezo le kimi. Kodwa kakungabi yintando yami, kodwa kube yintando yakho.” Wasebuyela kubafundi bakhe wabafumana belele. Wathi kuPhethro, “Simoni. Ulele? Wehlulekile ukulinda ihora elilodwa kuphela? Lindani likhuleke ukuze lingaweli ekulingweni. Umoya uyathanda, kodwa umzimba ubuthakathaka.”

Ikhetheni lethempeli ladabuka kabili lisuka phezulu kusiya phansi.

Ngokuba kakukho okwahlulayo kuNkulunkulu.”

wasesiba ngumfelokazi waze waba lamatshumi aficamibili lane ubudala. Kazange lanini asuke ethempelini kodwa wayekhonza ubusuku lemini, ezila njalo ethandaza. Weza kubo ngalona lelo ithuba, wabonga kuNkulunkulu, wakhuluma ngomntwana kubo bonke ababe lindele ukuhlengwa kweJerusalema.

Kwathi bonke abantu bebhaphathizwa, loJesu laye wabhaphathizwa. Wathi ekhuleka izulu lavuleka

lapho alingwa khona nguSathane okwezinsuku ezingamatshumi amane. Kadlanga lutho ngalezonsuku, kodwa wacina eselambile ekupheleni kwazo.

Kodwa kanengi uJesu wayesithi nyelele ayosithela ezindaweni ezithuleyo ayokhuleka.

Bathi kuye, “Abafundi bakaJohane bayazila kanengi bekhuleka, njalo labafundi babaFarisi labo benze njalo, kodwa abakho bahlala besidla, benatha.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kungenzeka yini ukuzilisa ukudla abamenyiweyo emthimbeni umyeni esahlezi labo na? Kodwa sizafika isikhathi lapho umyeni ezasuswa kubo; ngalezo izinsuku bazazila ukudla.”

Ngelinye ilanga uJesu waphuma waya ewatheni lentaba esiya khuleka, waba khonale ubusuku bonke ekhuleka kuNkulunkulu.

“Kodwa ngiyalitshela lina elingizwayo, ngithi: Thandani izitha zenu, yenzani okuhle kwabalizondayo, babusiseni labo abalithukayo, libathandazele labo abalichukuluzayo.

Kwakungaba yizinsuku ezificamibili ngemva kokuba uJesu esekhulumile lokho, wathatha uPhethro loJohane loJakhobe waya entabeni ukuya khuleka. Wathi ekhuleka isimo sobuso bakhe saguquka lezigqoko zakhe zakhazimula njengokuphazima kombane.

Ngelinye ilanga uJesu wayekhuleka kwenye indawo. Wathi eseqedile, omunye wabafundi bakhe wathi kuye, “Nkosi, sifundise ukukhuleka, njengo-Johane owafundisa abafundi bakhe.” Wathi kubo, “Nxa likhuleka, alibokuthi: “ ‘Baba, kalidunyiswe ibizo lakho, umbuso wakho kawuze, Siphe usuku ngosuku isinkwa sethu sansuku zonke. Sithethelele izono zethu, ngokuba lathi siyabathethelela bonke abasonayo thina. Njalo ungasiholeli ekulingweni.’ ”

Wasesithi kubo, “Ake kuthi omunye wenu ulomngane, aye kuye phakathi kobusuku athi, ‘Mfowethu, akungeboleke izinkwa ezintathu, ngoba umngane wami ophakathi kohambo uzofihla ikhanda kwami, kodwa kangilalutho engingamupha lona.’ “Besekusithi ongaphakathi aphendule athi, ‘Ungangikhathazi. Umnyango usukhiyiwe njalo mina labantwabami sesilele. Ngingezake ngivuke ngikuphe loba yini.’ Ngiyalitshela ukuthi loba ubengafuni ukuvuka amuphe isinkwa ngokuba engumngane, kodwa ngenxa yokuphikelela kwendoda uzaze avuke amuphe konke akuswelayo.

“Ngakho ngithi kini: Celani lizaphiwa; dingani lizafumana; qoqodani lizavulelwa umnyango. Ngoba wonke ocelayo uyaphiwa; lowo odingayo uyafumana; lakulowo oqoqodayo umnyango uyavulwa. “Ngubani kini bobaba, okuthi nxa indodana yakho icela inhlanzi wena uyiphe inyoka na? Loba icela iqanda uyiphe inkume na? Nxa lina, elithi loba libabi, kodwa likwazi ukupha abantwabenu izipho ezilungileyo, pho uYihlo osezulwini uzabapha ngokudlulayo kangakanani uMoya oNgcwele kulabo abamcelayo!”

njengamadoda elindele inkosi yawo ukuba ibuye edilini lomthimba, ukuze kuthi nxa ifika iqoqoda aphange ayivulele umnyango. Kuzakuba kuhle kulezozinceku inkosi yazo ezifica zilindile nxa ifika. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi yona izagqokela ukubadekela, bona bahlale beyame etafuleni, yona ibadekele.

UJesu wasetshela abafundi bakhe umzekeliso ukubatshengisa ukuthi kumele bakhuleke kokuphela bangadinwa. Wathi, “Kwelinye idolobho kwakulomahluli owayengamesabi uNkulunkulu njalo engakhathali lutho ngomuntu. Kwakukhona umfelokazi kulelodolobho owayehlezi esiza kuye kokuphela emncenga esithi, ‘Akungincede ngalowo engixabana laye.’ “Okwesikhathi eside umahluli wayesala. Kodwa wacina esithi, ‘Lokuba ngingamesabi uNkulunkulu njalo ngingakhathali ngomuntu, kodwa ngenxa yokuthi umfelokazi lo uselokhu engibelesela sengizamlungisela, ukuthi angaze aze angingene emathanjeni ngoba elokhu esiza!’ ” Njalo iNkosi yasisithi, “Likuzwisise lokho okutshiwo ngumahluli ongalunganga. Manje-ke kambe uNkulunkulu kayikubalungisela yini abakhethiweyo bakhe abakhuleka kuye imini lobusuku? Uzabe elokhu ebanina yini? Ngiyalitshela, uzabalungisela, futhi masinyane. Kodwa, nxa iNdodana yoMuntu isifika, izakufumana ukukholwa emhlabeni na?”

“Amadoda amabili aya ethempelini ukuyakhuleka, omunye engumFarisi njalo omunye engumthelisi. UmFarisi wasukuma wakhuleka ngalokho ayeyikho khona yena wathi; ‘Nkulunkulu, ngiyakubonga ukuthi kanginjengabanye abantu  —  izigebengu, izixhwali, izifebe  —  njalo kangifani lomthelisi lo. Ngiyazila kabili ngeviki njalo ngiyanikela okwetshumi okwenzuzo yami yonke.’ “Kodwa umthelisi wema laphayana kude laye. Wesaba kanye lokukhangela ezulwini, kodwa wazidutshuza esifubeni wathi, ‘Nkulunkulu, woba lesihawu kimi engiyisoni.’ “Ngiyalitshela ukuthi indoda le, hatshi leyana enye, yabuyela ekhaya isilungisiwe phambi kukaNkulunkulu. Ngokuba lowo oziphakamisayo uzakwehliswa, lozehlisayo uzaphakanyiswa.”

Hlalani lilindile, likhulekele ukuthi liphephe kukho konke osekuzakwenzeka masinyane, lokuthi libe lamandla okuma phambi kweNdodana yoMuntu.”

Kodwa sengikukhulekele wena, Simoni, ukuthi ukholo lwakho lungehluleki. Akubokuthi nxa usubuyile kimi uqinise abafowenu.”

Esefikile kuleyondawo, wathi kubo, “Khulekani ukuze lingaweli ekulingweni.” Wasuduka kubo okwebanga lokuphosa ilitshe, waguqa phansi wakhuleka wathi, “Baba, uma uthanda susa inkomitshi le kimi; kodwa akungabi ngeyami intando, kodwa kwenziwe eyakho.” Ingilosi yabonakala kuye ivela ezulwini yamqinisa. Kwathi edabukile kakhulu, wakhuleka ngokutshiseka, izithukuthuku zakhe zangathi ligazi lithontela phansi. Wathi esephakeme ekukhulekeni wabuyela kubafundi bakhe wabafica belele, bekhathele ngenxa yosizi. Wababuza wathi, “Kungani lilele na? Vukani likhuleke ukuze lingaweli ekulingweni.”

UJesu wathi, “Baba, baxolele, ngokuba kabakwazi abakwenzayo.” Njalo base besabelana izigqoko zakhe ngokwenza inkatho.

ngoba ilanga lema ukukhanya. Ikhetheni lethempeli ladabuka kabili.

UJesu wasezithatha izinkwa, wakhuleka, wasezabela labo abasebehlezi phansi, wabapha njengokufuna kwabo. Wenza njalo langezinhlanzi.

Lowo ongoka-Nkulunkulu uyakuzwa lokho uNkulunkulu akutshoyo. Isizatho sokuthi lingezwa siyikuthi kalisibo bakaNkulunkulu.”

Siyakwazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu kazilaleli izoni. Ulalela umuntu olobunkulunkulu owenza intando yakhe.

Umlindi uyamvulela isango, lezimvu ziyalilalela ilizwi lakhe. Izimvu zakhe uzibiza ngamabizo azikhokhele. Esezivulele zonke ezakhe, uhamba phambi kwazo, izimvu zakhe zimlandele ngokuba ziyalazi ilizwi lakhe.

Ngilazo ezinye izimvu ezingasizo zalo umhlambi. Lazo ngimele ngizilethe. Lazo futhi zizalilalela ilizwi lami, ukuze kube lomhlambi owodwa lomalusi oyedwa.

Ezami izimvu ziyalilalela ilizwi lami; ngiyazazi lazo ziyangilandela.

Yikho base belisusa ilitshe. UJesu wasekhangela phezulu wathi, “Baba ngiyakubonga ukuthi ungizwile. Mina bengisazi ukuthi uhlala ungizwa, kodwa ngikutshela lokhu ngisenzela abantu abemi lapha, ukuze bakholwe ukuthi ungithumile.” Esetshilo lokhu uJesu wamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu wathi, “Lazaro, phuma!”

Njalo ngizakwenza noma yini eliyicelayo ngebizo lami, ukuze iNdodana ilethe inkazimulo kuBaba. Lingangicela noma yini ngebizo lami, ngizayenza. Uma lingithanda lizakwenza lokho engiliyala khona. Ngizacela kuBaba ukuthi alinike omunye uMeluleki, uMoya weqiniso, ukuba abe lani lanini. Ilizwe ngeke limamukele uMeluleki lo ngokuba kalimboni njalo kalimazi. Kodwa lina liyamazi ngokuba uhlala lani njalo uzaba lani.

Kodwa uMeluleki, uMoya ONgcwele, uBaba azamthumela ebizweni lami, uzalifundisa zonke izinto njalo uzalikhumbuza konke engikukhulumileyo kini.

Uma lihlala kimi lamazwi ami ehlala kini, celani loba yini eliyifunayo, lizayiphiwa.

Kalingikhethanga, kodwa ngalikhetha mina ukuthi lihambe liyothela izithelo  —  izithelo ezizahlala njalo. Lapho-ke uBaba uzalinika loba yini eliyicelayo ngebizo lami.

Kodwa yena uMoya weqiniso nxa esefikile uzalikhokhelela kulo lonke iqiniso. Kazukuzikhulumela yena; uzakhuluma lokho akuzwayo kuphela, njalo uzalitshela lokho okusezakuza.

Ngiqinisile ngithi uBaba uzalinika loba yini eliyicelayo ngebizo lami. Kuze kube manje kalikaceli lutho ngebizo lami. Celani, lizakwamukeliswa, ukuze ukuthokoza kwenu kuphelele.

UJesu esekutshilo lokhu, wakhangela ezulwini wakhuleka wathi: “Baba, isikhathi sesifikile. Khazimulisa iNdodana yakho, ukuze iNdodana yakho ikukhazimulise. Ngokuba wayinika amandla phezu kwabantu bonke ukuthi ibaphe ukuphila okungapheliyo kubo bonke labo obanike yona. Manje-ke yilokhu ukuphila okungapheliyo: ukuthi bakwazi wena, onguwe wedwa uNkulunkulu weqiniso, uJesu Khristu omthumileyo. Sengikulethele inkazimulo emhlabeni ngokuphelelisa umsebenzi owanginika wona ukuthi ngiwenze. Manje, Baba, akungikhazimulise phambi kwakho ngaleyonkazimulo engangilayo lawe umhlaba ungakabi khona. “Ngikuvezile kulabo owangipha bona emhlabeni. Babengabakho; wangipha bona njalo labo balilalele ilizwi lakho. Khathesi sebesazi ukuthi konke lokho onginike khona kuvela kuwe. Ngoba ngabanika amazwi owanginika wona bona bawemukela. Bakwazi ngeqiniso ukuthi ngavela kuwe, njalo bakholwa ukuthi ungithumile. Ngikhulekela bona. Kangikhulekeli umhlaba, kodwa labo onginike bona, ngoba bangabakho. Konke engilakho kungokwakho, lalokho konke olakho kungokwami. Lenkazimulo isikimi ngabo. Kangisayikuhlala emhlabeni kusukela kulesi isikhathi, kodwa bona balokhu besemhlabeni, mina ngiza kuwe. Baba Ongcwele, bavikele ngamandla ebizo lakho  —  ibizo owanginika lona  —  ukuze babe munye njengalokhu thina simunye. Ngathi ngiselabo ngabavikela ngabagcina bephephile ngalelobizo owanginika lona. Kakulahlekanga loyedwa ngaphandle komntwana wesihogo ukuze kugcwaliseke uMbhalo. “Sengisiza kuwe manje, kodwa ngiyazitsho lezizinto ngisesemhlabeni, ukuze babe layo ngokugcweleyo intokozo yami ngaphakathi kwabo. Ngibaphile ilizwi lakho ngakho umhlaba usubazondile, ngoba bengaseyibo bomhlaba njengoba lami ngingasuye womhlaba. Umthandazo wami kawusikho ukuthi ubasuse emhlabeni kodwa ukuthi ubavikele komubi. Kabasibo bomhlaba, njengoba lami ngingasiwawo. Bangcwelise ngalo iqiniso; ilizwi lakho liliqiniso. Njengalokhu wangithuma emhlabeni, lami ngibathumile emhlabeni. Ngenxa yabo ngiyazingcwelisa ukuze labo bangcweliswe ngoqotho. “Umthandazo wami kawusiwo wabo bodwa. Ngikhulekela njalo labo abazakholwa kimi ngenxa yobufakazi babo, ukuthi bonke babemunye, Baba, njengoba wena ukimi lami ngikuwe. Sengathi labo bangaba kithi ukuze umhlaba ukholwe ukuthi ungithumile. Ngibaphile inkazimulo owangipha yona, ukuze babe munye njengalokhu thina simunye: mina ngibe kubo lawe ukimi. Sengathi bangaba lokumanyana okupheleleyo ukutshengisa umhlaba ukuthi ungithumile njalo ubathandile njengalokhu ungithandile mina. “Baba, ngifuna ukuthi labo ongiphe bona babe lami lapho engikhona, njalo bayibone inkazimulo yami, inkazimulo onginike yona ngoba wangithanda umhlaba ungakadalwa. “Baba Olungileyo, loba umhlaba ungakwazi, mina ngiyakwazi, njalo bayakwazi ukuthi ungithumile. Ngikuvezile wena kubo njalo ngizaqhubeka ukwenza ukuthi waziwe ukuze kuthi uthando olalo kimi lube ngolwabo njalo lokuthi mina ngokwami ngibe kubo.”

Bonke laba bahlangana kokuphela bekhuleka, bekanye labesifazana loMariya unina kaJesu kanye labafowabo bakaJesu.

Kwathi kufika usuku lwePhentekhosti, babendawonye endaweni yinye. Masinyane kwabakhona umsindo unjengokuvunguza komoya wesiphepho usehla uvela ezulwini wagcwala indlu yonke ababehlezi kuyo. Babona okwakungathi ngamalangabi omlilo asuka ehlukana ahlala kulowo lalowo wabo. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele, basebeqalisa ukukhuluma ezinye izindimi njengokuphiwa kwabo amandla nguMoya.

Sebekuzwile lokhu baphakamisa amazwi abo bonke bakhuleka kuNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Nkosi ebusayo, wena wenza izulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle lakho konke okukulezi zindawo.

Sebekhulekile, indawo ababekuyo yazamazama. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele balikhuluma ngesibindi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu.

Sebefikile babathandazela ukuthi bemukele uMoya oNgcwele,

UKhoneliya waphendula wathi, “Ezinsukwini ezine ezedlulileyo ngangisendlini yami ngikhuleka ngalonaleli ihora, ngehora lesithathu emini. Masinyane indoda eyayigqoke ezikhazimulayo yema phambi kwami, yathi, ‘Khoneliya, uNkulunkulu usewuzwile umkhuleko wakho wakhumbula lezipho zakho kubayanga.

Ngakho uPhethro wagcinwa entolongweni, kodwa ibandla laphitsheka limkhulekela kuNkulunkulu. Ngobusuku obandulela ukuthonisiswa kukaPhethro nguHerodi, uPhethro wayelele ephahlwe ngamabutho amabili, ebotshiwe ngamaketane amabili, kumi abalindi entubeni. Masinyane ingilosi yeNkosi yavela, kwabakhona ukukhanya kulelokamela lentolongo. Yaphumputha uPhethro ohlangothini yamvusa, yathi, “Phangisa, vuka!” Amaketane akhithika ezingalweni zikaPhethro.

Yikho bathi sebezilile njalo sebekhulekile, bababeka izandla babakhupha.

UPhawuli loBhanaba babakhethela abadala kulelo lalelo ibandla, babanikela eNkosini ngomthandazo langokuzila ngoba bebeke ithemba labo kuyo iNkosi.

Sekungaba phakathi kwamabili ebusuku uPhawuli loSila bakhuleka bahlabela amahubo kuNkulunkulu, ezinye izibotshwa zibalalele. Masinyane kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba kwaze kwanyikinyeka izisekelo zentolongo. Izivalo zentolongo zathi gwabu zavuleka, amaketane ezibotshwa athukuluka.

UPhawuli esebeke izandla zakhe phezu kwabo uMoya oNgcwele wehlela kubo, bakhuluma ngezindimi njalo baphrofetha.

Esekutshilo lokhu waguqa phansi kanye labo bonke wakhuleka.

Pho usalindeleni? Sukuma, ubhaphathizwe, ugeze kusuke izono zakho, ubiza ibizo lakhe.’

Esekutshilo lokhu, wathatha isinkwa wabonga kuNkulunkulu phambi kwabo bonke. Wasesihlephula wadla.

Ngokufananayo, uMoya uyasisiza ebuthakathekeni bethu. Kasikwazi okumele sikukhulekele, kodwa uMoya uqobo uyasincengela ububula okungeke kuchazwe ngamazwi. Njalo yena lowo ohlola izinhliziyo zethu uyayazi ingqondo kaMoya, ngoba uMoya uyabancengela abangcwele ngokwentando kaNkulunkulu.

Bazalwane, isifiso senhliziyo yami lomkhuleko wami kuNkulunkulu ngabako-Israyeli yikuba basindiswe.

Thokozani ekwethembeni, libekezele ekuhlukuluzweni, libambelele ekukhulekeni.

Lowo okhangela olunye usuku njengoluqakathekileyo, wenzela iNkosi. Lowo odla inyama, udlela iNkosi, ngoba uyambonga uNkulunkulu; njalo lowo oyekelayo, wenzela iNkosi, njalo uyambonga uNkulunkulu.

Ngiyalincenga bazalwane, ngeNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu langothando lukaMoya, ukuba lihlanganyele lami ekutshikatshikeni kwami ngokungikhulekela kuNkulunkulu.

Ngoba okhuluma ngezindimi kakhulumi ebantwini kodwa kuNkulunkulu. Impela kakho omzwayo; ukhuluma izimfihlakalo ngomoya wakhe.

Lowo okhuluma ngolimi oluthile uyazakha, kodwa lowo ophrofithayo wakha ibandla.

Ngakho-ke umuntu okhuluma ngezindimi kumele akhulekele ukuba achasise lokho akutshoyo. Ngoba uma ngikhuleka ngezindimi, umoya wami uyakhuleka, kodwa ingqondo yami kayilazithelo. Pho ngenzeni na? Ngizakhuleka ngomoya wami, kodwa ngizakhuleka langengqondo yami; ngizahlabela ngomoya wami, kodwa ngizahlabela langengqondo yami. Uma libonga uNkulunkulu ngomoya wenu, angatsho kanjani ozithola esephakathi kwalabo abangazwisisiyo ukuthi, “Ameni” ekubongeni kwenu, yena engakwazi elikutshoyo na? Lingabe libonga kuhle sibili, kodwa omunye umuntu kabusisekanga. Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu ngoba mina ngikhuluma ngezindimi ukudlula lina lonke. Kodwa ebandleni ngithanda ukukhuluma amazwi amahlanu azwakalayo ngifundisa abanye kulamazwi ayizinkulungwane ezilitshumi ngezindimi.

Ngakho-ke izindimi ziyisibonakaliso, hatshi kwabakholwayo kodwa kwabangakholwayo; kodwa ukuphrofitha ngokwabakholwayo hatshi abangakholwayo. Ngakho uma ibandla lonke libuthene umuntu wonke akhulume ngezindimi, kuthi abanye abangezwayo loba abangakholwayo bangene, kambe kabazukuthi izingqondo zenu ziphambene na? Kodwa uma ongakholwayo loba omunye ongaqedisisiyo engena lapho abantu bonke bephrofitha, uzavunyiswa yibo bonke ukuthi uyisoni njalo ahlulelwe yibo bonke, lezimfihlo zenhliziyo yakhe zizavezwa obala. Ngakho uzakhothamela phansi akhonze uNkulunkulu esithi, “UNkulunkulu impela uphakathi kwenu!”

Uma omunye ekhuluma ngezindimi, ababili  —  loba kungabangadluli abathathu  —  kumele kukhulume oyedwa ngesikhathi, njalo omunye kumele achasise. Nxa kungelamchasisi, okhulumayo kumele athule ebandleni, azikhulumele yedwa njalo loNkulunkulu.

Ngakho-ke, bazalwane bami, tshisekelani ukuphrofitha, njalo lingenqabeli ukukhuluma ngezindimi.

angikaze ngiyekele ukulibongela, ngilikhumbula emikhulekweni yami. Ngiyaqhubeka ngicela ukuba uNkulunkulu weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, uYise oyinkazimulo, alinike uMoya wokuhlakanipha lokwambulelwa, ukuze limazi ngcono.

Ngoba ngaye sobabili siyafinyelela kuYise ngoMoya munye.

Ngakho-ke, kuye lowo ongenza okukhulu kakhulu kulalokho esikucelayo kumbe esikucabangayo, mayelana lamandla akhe asebenzayo phakathi kwethu, kakube lodumo kuye ebandleni lakuKhristu uJesu kuzizukulwane zonke, kuze kube nini lanini! Ameni.

Khulumisanani ngamahubo, lamaculo kanye langezingoma zokomoya. Hlabelani lenzele iNkosi imiculo ezinhliziyweni zenu, limbonge kokuphela uNkulunkulu uBaba ngenxa yezinto zonke, ngebizo leNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu.

Khulekani ngoMoya ezikhathini zonke ngezinhlobo zonke zemikhuleko lezicelo. Ngalokhu qaphelani liqhubeke kokuphela libakhulekela bonke abangcwele.

Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu wami sikhathi sonke lapho ngilikhumbula. Emikhulekweni yami yonke ngikhulekela lonke, ngihlezi ngikhuleka ngokuthokoza

Njalo umkhuleko wami yilo: ukuba uthando lwenu lwande kokuphela ekwazini lasekuzikeni lokuqedisisa, ukuze lanelise ukubona okuhle njalo lihlambuluke lingabi lasici kuze kube lusuku lukaKhristu, ligcwele izithelo zokulunga eziza ngoJesu Khristu  —  ukuba adunyiswe njalo abongwe uNkulunkulu.

Lingakhathazeki ngalutho, kodwa ezintweni zonke, ngokukhuleka langokuncenga, ngokubonga, bekani izicelo zenu kuNkulunkulu. Ukuthula kukaNkulunkulu okudlula ukuqedisisa konke, kuzalinda izinhliziyo zenu lezingqondo zenu kuKhristu uJesu.

Ngingazenza zonke izinto ngaye onginika amandla. Kodwa kwakukuhle ukuba lihlanganyele lami ekuhluphekeni kwami.

UNkulunkulu wami uzalinika konke elikuswelayo mayelana lenotho yakhe emangalisayo kuKhristu uJesu.

Simbonga kokuphela uNkulunkulu, uYise weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, nxa silikhulekela,

Ngenxa yalokhu, kusukela mhla sisizwa ngani, kasizange siyekele ukulikhulekela sicela uNkulunkulu ukuba aligcwalise ngokwazi intando yakhe ngakho konke ukuhlakanipha komoya kanye lokuqedisisa.

Zinikeleni ekukhulekeni, liqaphele njalo libonga. Lisikhulekele lathi futhi, ukuba uNkulunkulu avulele ilizwi lethu umnyango, ukuze sitshumayele imfihlakalo kaKhristu, engayibotshelwayo.

U-Ephafra, ongomunye wenu lenceku kaKhristu uJesu, uyalibingelela. Uhlezi elikhulekela kakhulu, ukuba liqine kuyo yonke intando kaNkulunkulu, liphelele njalo lithembile.

Sihlala silibongela lonke kuNkulunkulu, siliqamba emikhulekweni yethu.

Thokozani kokuphela; khulekani kokuphela; bongani kukho konke, ngoba lokhu kuyintando kaNkulunkulu ngani kuKhristu uJesu.

Bazalwane, sikhulekeleni.

Okokucina, bazalwane, sikhulekeleni ukuba ilizwi leNkosi lingaqhubeka ngokuphangisa njalo lidunyiswe, njengalokhu okwakunjalo kini.

Ngakho-ke kuqala, ngiyakhuthaza ukuba izicelo, lemikhuleko, lokuthandazela abanye, kanye lokubonga kwenzelwe abantu bonke  — amakhosi labo bonke abaphethe amandla, ukuze sihlale ngokuthula empilweni enhle kukho konke ukumesaba uNkulunkulu lobungcwele.

Ngifuna amadoda ezindaweni zonke aphakamise izandla ezingcwele ekhuleka, kungelakuthukuthela kumbe ukuphikisana.

Ngoba konke uNkulunkulu akudalayo kulungile, njalo akulalutho okumele lwaliwe uma lusamukelwa ngokubonga, ngoba kungcweliswe yilizwi likaNkulunkulu lomkhuleko.

Umfelokazi oswelayo kakhulu njalo esele eyedwa ubeka ithemba lakhe kuNkulunkulu njalo aqhubeke ebusuku lemini ekhuleka ecela usizo kuNkulunkulu.

Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu engimkhonzayo, njengokwenziwa ngokhokho bami, ngesazela esimsulwa, lapho ngikukhumbula kokuphela emikhulekweni yami ebusuku lemini.

Ngihlezi ngimbonga kokuphela uNkulunkulu wami lapho ngikukhumbula emikhulekweni yami,

Kudala uNkulunkulu wakhuluma kubokhokho ngabaphrofethi ezikhathini ezinengi langezindlela ezehlukeneyo, kodwa ngalezizinsuku zokucina ukhulume kithi ngeNdodana yakhe, ayibeka ukuba yindlalifa yezinto zonke, yona adala ngayo izulu lomhlaba.

Njengoba kutshiwo: “Lamhla, uma lisizwa ilizwi lakhe, lingazenzi zibe lukhuni izinhliziyo zenu njengelakwenzayo ekuhlamukeni.”

Ngakho uNkulunkulu wabuya wamisa olunye usuku, elubiza ngokuthi Lamuhla, lapho kwathi emva kwesikhathi eside wakhuluma ngoDavida, njengokwakutshiwo mandulo ukuthi: “Lamhla, uma lisizwa ilizwi lakhe lingazenzi zibe lukhuni izinhliziyo zenu.”

Kasisondeleni esihlalweni sobukhosi somusa ngesibindi, ukuze samukele isihawu njalo sithole umusa wokusisiza ezikhathini zokuswela kwethu.

Ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaJesu emhlabeni, wakhuleka wacela ngokukhala kakhulu langezinyembezi kuye lowo owayengamsindisa ekufeni, njalo wezwakala ngenxa yokuzehlisa kwakhe okuhloniphekayo. Lanxa wayeyindodana wafunda ukulalela kulokhu ahlupheka ngakho,

Ngakhoke, bazalwane, njengoba silethemba lokungena eNdaweni eNgcwele kaKhulu ngegazi likaJesu,

Kungelakukholwa akwenzakali ukuthokozisa uNkulunkulu, ngoba oza kuye kumele akholwe ukuthi ukhona lokuthi uyabanika umvuzo labo abadinga ngobuqotho.

Ngakho, ngoJesu, kasinikeleni njalonjalo kuNkulunkulu umhlatshelo wokubonga  —  isithelo sezindebe ezivuma ibizo lakhe.

Uma omunye wenu eswela ukuhlakanipha kumele acele kuNkulunkulu, obanikayo bonke ngokuphana engadinganga sici, uzakuphiwa. Kodwa lapho ecela kumele akholwe angathandabuzi, ngoba othandabuzayo unjengegagasi lolwandle eliphetshulwa ngumoya uliphose.

Lapho licela, kaliphiwa ngoba licela ngenjongo embi, ukuba lichithe lokho elikuzuzayo ezinjabulweni zenu.

Sondelani phansi kukaNkulunkulu laye uzasondela kini. Gezani izandla zenu lina zoni, lihlambulule lezinhliziyo zenu, lina abangqondombili. Dabukani, lilile, likhale. Guqulani ukuhleka kwenu kube yikukhala, kuthi ukuthokoza kwenu kube yikudana. Zithobeni phambi kweNkosi, izaliphakamisa.

Kukhona yini kini ohluphekayo na? Kakhuleke. Ukhona othokozayo na? Kahlabele izingoma zokudumisa. Ukhona kini ogulayo na? Kumele abize abadala bebandla bamkhulekele njalo bamgcobe ngamafutha ebizweni leNkosi. Umkhuleko owenziwe ngokukholwa uzakwenza lowomuntu ogulayo asile; iNkosi izamvusa. Uma enze isono, uzathethelelwa. Ngakho-ke vumani izono zenu omunye komunye njalo likhulekelane ukuze lisiliswe. Umkhuleko womuntu olungileyo ulamandla njalo uyasebenza. U-Elija wayengumuntu njengathi. Wakhuleka ngokutshiseka ukuba izulu lingani, lakanye kalinanga elizweni iminyaka emithathu lengxenye. Wakhuleka futhi, amazulu aletha izulu, kwathi umhlaba lawo wathela izilimo zawo.

Ngoba amehlo eNkosi aphezu kwabalungileyo, lezindlebe zayo ziyayilalela imikhuleko yabo, kodwa ubuso beNkosi bumelana lalabo abenza okubi.”

Ukuphela kwezinto zonke sekusondele. Ngakho kumele liqedisise njalo lizithibe ukuze likhuleke.

Yethulani kuye konke ukukhathazeka kwenu ngoba yena uyalikhathalela.

Uma sivuma izono zethu, yena uthembekile njalo ulungile, uzasithethelela izono zethu asihlambulule kukho konke ukungalungi kwethu.

njalo samukela kuye konke esikucelayo, ngoba siyayilalela imilayo yakhe senze okumthokozisayo.

Silesiqiniselo lesi ekusondeleni kuNkulunkulu: ukuthi uma sicela ulutho ngokwentando yakhe, uyasizwa. Uma sisazi ukuthi uyasizwa  —  loba kuyini esikucelayo  —  siyakwazi ukuthi silakho esikucele kuye.

Mngane wami othandekayo, ngiyakhuleka ukuba ube lempilo enhle, kanye lokuthi konke kukuhambele kuhle njengalokhu umphefumulo wakho uphila kuhle.

Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.

Lowo olendlebe, kezwe okutshiwo nguMoya emabandleni.”