22 – Izimangaliso

Ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu wadala amazulu lomhlaba. Umhlaba wawungelasimo njalo ungelalutho, ubumnyama babengame phezulu kolwandle njalo uMoya kaNkulunkulu wawuzulazula ngaphezulu kwamanzi. Yikho uNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Akubekhona ukukhanya,” lakanye kwabakhona ukukhanya.

uJehova uNkulunkulu wambumba umuntu ngothuli lomhlabathi waphefumulela emakhaleni akhe umphefumulo wokuphila, yikho umuntu wasesiba yinto ephilayo.

UFaro wathi kuJosefa, “Ngiphuphile iphupho kodwa kakho ongangicasisela lona. Kodwa ngizwa kuthiwa wena, nxa ungalizwa iphupho uyalicasisa.” UJosefa wamphendula uFaro wathi, “Ngeke ngikwenze, kodwa uNkulunkulu uzamnika uFaro impendulo ayidingayo.”

Lapho-ke ingilosi kaJehova yabonakala kuye iphakathi kwamalangabi omlilo esixukwini. UMosi wabona ukuthi loba isixuku sasibhebha asizange sitshe silobe. Ngakho uMosi wacabanga esithi, “Ngizasondela ngiyebona isimanga lesi ukuba kungani isixuku singatshi silobe.” Kwathi uJehova ebona ukuthi usesondele ukuba ayekhangela, uNkulunkulu wasemmemeza ngelizwi elaliphuma kulesosixuku wathi, “Mosi! Mosi!” UMosi wathi, “Ngilapha.” UNkulunkulu wathi, “Ungasondeli. Khupha amanyathela akho, ngoba indawo omi kuyo ingumhlabathi ongcwele.”

UJehova wathi kuye, “Kuyini lokho okusesandleni sakho?” Waphendula wathi, “Yinduku.” UJehova wathi, “Iphosele phansi emhlabathini.” UMosi wayiphosa phansi yasiphenduka yaba yinyoka, wayibalekela. UJehova wasesithi kuye, “Yelula isandla sakho uyidobhe ngomsila.” UMosi welula isandla wayibamba inyoka yasiphenduka yaba yinduku esandleni sakhe. UJehova wathi, “Lokhu yikwenzela ukuthi bakholwe ukuthi uJehova, uNkulunkulu waboyise, uNkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, uNkulunkulu ka-Isaka loNkulunkulu kaJakhobe ubonakele kuwe.”

UJehova wabuye wathi, “Faka isandla sakho phakathi kwesigqoko sakho.” UMosi wasefaka isandla sakhe esigqokweni sakhe, kwathi lapho esesikhupha, sasesimhlophe njengongqoqwane sesilobulephero.” Wathi njalo, “Sibuyisele isandla sakho esigqokweni sakho.” UMosi wasifaka isandla sakhe esigqokweni, wathi esesikhupha sasesibuyele esimeni saso, sesifanana lejwabu lakhe.” UJehova wasesithi, “Uma bengayikukholwa loba bengananzi izibonakaliso zokuqala, mhlawumbe bazakholwa ezesibili. Kodwa nxa bengakholwa izibonakaliso lezi ezimbili loba bengakulaleli, uzathatha amanzi emfuleni uNayili uwathele emhlabathini owomileyo. Amanzi ozawathatha emfuleni azaphenduka abe ligazi emhlabathini owomileyo.”

u-Aroni wasebatshela konke uJehova ayekutshele uMosi. Wenza lezibonakaliso phambi kwabantu, bakholwa. Kwathi besizwa ukuthi uJehova uyabakhathalela, njalo wayelubonile usizi lwabo, bakhothama phansi bamkhonza.

Kodwa ngizakwenza inhliziyo kaFaro ibe lukhuni, njalo lanxa ngizakwandisa izimangaliso zami elizweni laseGibhithe,

“Uma uFaro angathi kini limenzele isimangaliso, wena uzakuthi ku-Aroni, “Thatha intonga yakho uyiphose phambi kukaFaro, izaphenduka ibe yinyoka.” Ngakho uMosi lo-Aroni baya kuFaro. Bafika benza njengokulaywa kwabo nguJehova. U-Aroni waphosa intonga yakhe phansi phambi kukaFaro lezikhulu zakhe, yaphenduka yaba yinyoka. UFaro wasebiza izanuse lezinyanga zaseGibhithe. Lazo zenza izimanga ngendlela efanayo. Bonke baphosela izintonga zabo phansi zaphenduka zaba zinyoka. Kodwa inyoka ka-Aroni yaziginya zonke izinyoka.

UMosi lo-Aroni benza njengokulaywa kwabo nguJehova. Waphakamisa intonga yakhe phambi kukaFaro lezikhulu zakhe watshaya amanzi kaNayili aphenduka aba ligazi. Izinhlanzi zikaNayili zafa. Umfula wanuka kubi okokuthi abaseGibhithe babengeke bawanathe amanzi akhona. Igazi laseligcwele indawo yonke. Kodwa izanuse zaseGibhithe lazo ngemilingo yazo zenza izimanga ezifananayo. Ngalokho inhliziyo kaFaro yala ilokhu ilukhuni. Kabalalelanga oMosi lo-Aroni njengoba uJehova wayevele etshilo. UFaro wabuyela esigodlweni sakhe engakunaki lokho.

UJehova wathi kuMosi, “Buyela njalo kuFaro uthi kuye, ‘UJehova uthi, “Vumela abantu bami bahambe bayengikonza. Ungala ngizathumela uhlupho lwamaxoxo elizweni lakho. Umfula uNayili uzagcwala amaxoxo. Azangena esigodlweni sakho lasendlini yakho yokulala, lasembhedeni wakho; angene lezindlini zezikhulu zakho lezabantu bakho. Azagcwala ezindaweni zenu zokuphekela, lasemiganwini yenu yokuvubela izinkwa. Amaxoxo la azakuba phezu kwakho laphezu kwabantu bakho kanye lezikhulu zakho.’ ” UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Tshela u-Aroni akhombele intonga emifuleni, lasezifudlaneni lasezizibeni zonke zaseGibhithe ukuze kube lamaxoxo ezindaweni zonke zelizwe.” U-Aroni welulela isandla sakhe emanzini eGibhithe, amaxoxo agcwala ilizwe lonke. Kodwa-ke izanuse lazo zenzanjalo ngemilingo yazo yensitha  —  zenza kwaba lamaxoxo elizweni lonke leGibhithe.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Tshela u-Aroni uthi, ‘Phakamisa intonga yakho utshaye uthuli lomhlabathi, uthuli luzaphenduka lube yizintwala elizweni lonke laseGibhithe.’ ” Benza njengokulaywa kwabo, kwathi u-Aroni eselule isandla sakhe ephethe intonga watshaya uthuli, izintwala zahlasela abantu lezifuyo zabo. Izanuse lazo zazama ukwenza izintwala ngemilingo yazo, kodwa zehluleka. Izintwala zazisebantwini lezinyamazaneni. Izanuse zathi kuFaro, “Lokhu kungumunwe kaNkulunkulu.” Kodwa inhliziyo kaFaro yayilukhuni, eyisiqholo. Kabalalelanga njengoba uJehova wayevele etshilo.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Kusasa ubovuka ekuseni kakhulu uhlangabeze uFaro lapho esiya emanzini. Ubokuthi kuye, ‘Vumela abantu bami bahambe bayengikhonza. Ungala, ngizathumela umtshitshi wempukane kuwe, ebantwini bakho lezindlini zenu. Izindlu zabantu baseGibhithe zizagcwala impukane lomhlabathi ugcwale zona. “ ‘Kodwa ngalolosuku akuyikuba njalo eGosheni lapho okuhlala khona abantu bami. Akuyikuba lemitshitshi yempukane khona. Ngakho uzakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova uNkulunkulu womhlaba wonke. Ngizakwenza kube lomahluko phakathi kwabantu bami labantu bakho. Lesisibonakaliso esiyisimanga sizakwenzakala kusasa.’ ” UJehova wenza njengoba wayetshilo. Impukane ezinengi okwesabeka kakhulukazi zagcwala esigodlweni sikaFaro lasezindlini zezikhulu zakhe, lakulo lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe; zalitshabalalisa.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Yana kuFaro uthi kuye, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, uNkulunkulu wamaHebheru, ukuthi, “Yekela abantu bami bahambe, ukuze bayengikhonza.” Ungabalela ukuthi bahambe ube ulokhu ubabambile uJehova uzakwehlisela isifo esibi ezifuyweni zakho emadlelweni  —  amabhiza enu, obabhemi lamakamela njalo lezinkomo, izimvu lezimbuzi. Kodwa uJehova uzakwenza umahluko phakathi kwezifuyo zaba-Israyeli lezamaGibhithe ukuze kungafi lasinye isifuyo saba-Israyeli.” UJehova wamisa isikhathi esithile wathi, “UJehova uzakwenza lokhu kusasa elizweni leli.” Lakanye ngelanga elilandelayo uJehova wakwenza: Zonke izifuyo zamaGibhithe zafa, kodwa akufanga ngitsho lasinye isifuyo sama-Israyeli. UFaro wathuma amadoda ukuyahlola umonakalo afumana ukuthi kwakungafanga sifuyo lasinye sama-Israyeli. Kodwa inhliziyo yakhe yala ilokhu ilukhuni, wabalela abantu ukuthi bahambe.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi lo-Aroni, “Thathani umlotha omlutshwana eziko lifike kuFaro uMosi awutsahazele emoyeni phambi kwakhe. Uzakuba luthuli phezu kwelizwe lonke laseGibhithe, lapho-ke kuzaphihlika amathumba amabi ebantwini lasezinyamazaneni kulo lonke ilizwe.” Ngakho bathatha umlotha eziko baya kuFaro. UMosi wawutsahazela emoyeni, abantu bonke lezinyamazana zonke kwamilwa ngamathumba aphihlikayo. Izangoma zehluleka ukumisana loMosi ngenxa yamathumba ayezibulala kanye lamaGibhithe wonke. Kodwa uJehova wayenza yaba lukhuni inhliziyo kaFaro wala ukulalela uMosi lo-Aroni njengoba uJehova wayevele etshilo kuMosi.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Yelula isandla sakho siye phezulu ukuze kune isiqhotho eGibhithe lonke, phezu kwabantu lezinyamazana laphezu kwakho konke okukhulayo emasimini aseGibhithe.” UMosi wonela ukukhomba ngentonga yakhe phezulu uJehova wehlisa umdumo lesiqhotho, umbane walavuka phansi emhlabathini. Ngakho uJehova wanisa isiqhotho elizweni laseGibhithe. Isiqhotho satshaya umbane walavuka yonke indawo. Sasingakaze sibe khona isiphepho esinjalo sekulokhu isizwe saseGibhithe saba khona. Isiqhotho satshaya saqothula yonke into egangeni, abantu lezinyamazana; sabhuqa konke okukhulayo emasimini, saphundla izihlahla zonke. Indawo eyasilayo yiGosheni lapho okwakulabako-Israyeli khona. UFaro wasebiza uMosi lo-Aroni. Wathi kubo, “Okwamanje ngenze isono. UJehova uqondile, kukanti mina labantu bami kasiqondanga.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Yelula isandla sakho phezu kweGibhithe ukuze kwehle isikhongwane, izintethe, kulo lonke ilizwe zidle zigugude konke okukhulayo emmangweni, konke lokho okwatshiywa yisiqhotho.” UMosi wayiphakamisa intonga yakhe phezu kweGibhithe, uJehova wasequbula umoya wempumalanga wavunguza elizweni lonke ngalelolanga lobusuku bakhona. Ekuseni umoya waletha izintethe. Zalihlasela lonke elaseGibhithe zagcwala silikici kuzo zonke izindawo zelizwe ngobunengi bazo. Kwakungakaze kube khona isikhongwane esingako njalo singeyikufa saba khona njalo lanini. Intethe lezo zavala zahuqa umhlabathi waba mnyama bhuqe. Zatshaya zabhuqa konke okwakusele ngesikhathi sesiqhotho, konke lani okwakukhula emmangweni kanye lezithelo zezihlahla. Akusalanga lutho oluluhlaza ezihlahleni loba yizimila bani kulo lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe. UFaro waphanga wabiza uMosi lo-Aroni wathi, “Ngonile kuJehova uNkulunkulu wenu lakini.

UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Yelulela isandla sakho emkhathini ukwenzela ukuthi umnyama wembese iGibhithe lonke  —  umnyama ophumputhekayo.” Ngakho uMosi waseselulela emkhathini isandla sakhe kwathi gubu umnyama okhasa phansi walembesa lonke elaseGibhithe okwezinsuku ezintathu. Kakho owayesabona omunye njalo kakho owayengasuka endaweni yakhe okwalezonsuku ezintathu. Kodwa ama-Israyeli ayelakho ukukhanya ezindaweni ayehlala kuzo.

Phakathi kobusuku uJehova wawagongoda wonke amazibulo eGibhithe, kusukela ezibulweni likaFaro owayesesihlalweni sokukhosi kusiya ezibulweni lesibotshwa esasisentolongweni, kanye lamazibulo ezifuyo. UFaro lezikhulu zakhe zonke lawo wonke amaGibhithe bavuka ebusuku basiqhinqa isililo esikhulu eGibhithe ngoba kungekho ndlu layinye lapho okwakungafiwanga khona. Ebusuku uFaro wabiza uMosi lo-Aroni wathi, “Hambani! Sukani ebantwini bami, lina lama-Israyeli. Hambani liyekhonza uJehova njengokucela kwenu. Thathani imihlambi yenu, njengokutsho kwenu lihambe. Njalo ake lingibusise.” AmaGibhithe akhuthaza ukuthi baphangise baphume elizweni. Bathi, “Engxenye singafa sonke!”

Kwathi khonapho ingilosi kaNkulunkulu eyayikade ihamba phambili kwempi ka-Israyeli yasuka yayahamba ngemuva kwabo. Insika yeyezi layo yatshuduka yasuka phambili yayakuma ngemuva kwabo, yehlukanisa impi yamaGibhithe leyama-Israyeli. Ubusuku bonke iyezi laletha ubumnyama kuleli icele (lamaGibhithe), laletha ukukhanya ngakuleliyana icele (lama-Israyeli); ngakho kabakho abasondela kwabanye ubusuku bonke. Ngakho uMosi waseselulela ingalo yakhe phezu kolwandle, kwathi ngalobobusuku uJehova wafuqela ulwandle emuva ngomoya wempumalanga olamandla kwasala umhlabathi owomileyo. Amanzi adabukana phakathi, kwathi aba-Israyeli bazihambela phakathi kolwandle emhlabathini owomileyo amanzi eludonga ngapha langapha kwabo. AmaGibhithe abalandela, amabhiza wonke kaFaro, izinkolo labagadi bamabhiza bonke babalandela phakathi elwandle. Kwathi ngomlindo wokucina wobusuku uJehova wakhangela phansi esensikeni yomlilo leyezi, wakhangela phansi empini yamaGibhithe wayidunga yaswela ukwazi. Wenza ukuthi amavili ezinkolo zawo akhumuke okwenza kwaba nzima ukuthi aqhubeke lula. AmaGibhithe asesithi, “Kasisuke kuma-Israyeli. UJehova uyabalwela ukuba behlule amaGibhithe.” UJehova wasesithi kuMosi, “Phakamisa isandla sakho phezu kolwandle ukuze amanzi abuyele ambokothe amaGibhithe lezinkolo zawo labagadi bamabhiza.” UMosi waseselula isandla sakhe phezu kolwandle, kwathi emadabukakusa amanzi abuyela endaweni yawo. AmaGibhithe ayebaleka eqonda emanzini uJehova wawagubuzela ngamanzi olwandle. Amanzi aqubuka abuyela emuva agubuqela izinqola labagadi bamabhiza, layo yonke impi kaFaro eyalandela aba-Israyeli olwandle. Akusilanga loyedwa kubo. Kodwa abako-Israyeli badabula elwandle emhlabathini owomileyo kulezindonga zamanzi esandleni sokudla lakwesenxele.

Wathi, “Uma lilalela kakuhle ilizwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, lenze okulungileyo kuye, lilandele imilayo yakhe njalo ligcine lezimemezelo zakhe, kangisoze ngilehlisele iziga lezo engazehlisela amaGibhithe; ngoba nginguJehova olisilisayo.”

uJehova wasesithi, “Lalelani amazwi ami: “Nxa kulomprofethi kaJehova phakathi kwenu, ngiziveza kuye ngemibono, ngikhuluma laye emaphutsheni.

akulamuntu loyedwa owabona inkazimulo yami kanye lezibonakaliso zezimanga engazenza eGibhithe lasenkangala kodwa kaze angilalela njalo wangilinga okungaba ngamahlandla alitshumi  —

Lasondela lema ngaphansi kwentaba ilavuka amalangabi eqonga phezulu, kulamayezi amnyama lomnyama owesabekayo. Ngakho uJehova wakhuluma lani ephakathi komlilo. Lezwa umdumo welizwi kodwa alizange libone lutho; kwaba yilizwi lodwa nje. Wakhupha ilizwi lokubuyisana, imiLayo eLitshumi, waselilaya ukuba liyilandele njalo wayiloba ezibhebhedwini zamatshe ezimbili.

Sikhona na esinye isizwe esake sezwa uJehova ekhuluma ephakathi kwelangabi lomlilo, njengalokhu eselikuzwile, saphila na? Kukhona na unkulunkulu oseke wazama ukuzithathela esinye isizwe phakathi kwesinye, ngokuhlola, ngemilingo yezibonakaliso, lezimangaliso, lezimpi, ngesandla esilamandla langokwelula ingalo, loba izenzo ezinkulu ezesabekayo, njengakho konke uJehova wenu alenzela khona eGibhithe lizibonela ngamehlo enu?

Thina sazibonela ngawethu amehlo uJehova ethumele izibonakaliso lezimangaliso  —  ezinkulu lezesabekayo  —  phezu kweleGibhithe laphezu kukaFaro labo bonke abendlu yakhe.

UJehova uzaliphephisa emikhuhlaneni yonke. Kayikulehlisela imikhuhlane yonke eyesabekayo elaliyibona eGibhithe, kodwa uzayehlisela kulabo abalizondayo.

Lazibonela ngawenu amehlo imilingo eminkulu, izibonakaliso zemilingo lezimanga, isandla esilamandla lokwelulwa kwengalo, khona okwasetshenziswa nguJehova wenu ukulikhupha. UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzakuphinda khonokho kubo laba abantu elibesabayo.

UJehova walichumisa, wabangela indlala kanti njalo walipha ukudla okuyimana, ukudla lokho laboyihlo abangazange bakwazi, kuyikulifundisa ukuthi umuntu kaphili ngesinkwa kuphela zwi kodwa ngalo lonke ilizwi eliphuma emlonyeni kaJehova. Izigqoko zenu aziguganga njalo lezinyawo zenu azivuvukanga kuleyo minyaka engamatshumi amane.

Kusukela lapho, kakukabi lomunye njalo umphrofethi ko-Israyeli onjengoMosi, owayesaziwa nguJehova ubuso ngobuso, owenza zonke lezozimanga lezibonakaliso ayethunywe nguJehova ukuba ayezenza eGibhithe  —  kuFaro lakuzo zonke izikhulu zakhe lakulo lonke ilizwe lakhe. Ngoba kakho okakaze atshengisele amandla amakhulu kangako loba ukwenza izenzo ezesabekayo uMosi azenzayo emehlweni abo bonke abako-Israyeli.

Ngakho kwathi abantu sebesuke ezihonqweni ukuze bayochapha uJodani abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano bahamba phambili. UJodani uhlala egcwele ngezikhathi zonke zokuvuna. Kukanti kwathi abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi sebefika eJodani izinyawo zabo zithinta amanzi, amanzi ayevelela ngaphezulu ema ukugeleza. Abuthana aba yinqwaba ema khatshana laphaya, malungana ledolobho elithiwa yi-Adamu duzane leZarethani kukanti amanzi ayegelezela phansi ngekuyeni olwandle lwe-Arabha (okutsho uLwandle Lwetshwayi) ahle ehlukaniswa ngokupheleleyo. Ngakho-ke abantu bachaphela ngaphetsheya malungana leJerikho. Abaphristi ababethwele ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova bema bathi mpo emhlabathini owomileyo phakathi kweJodani, ngesikhathi abantu bonke bako-Israyeli bechapha isizwe sonke saze saqeda ukuchapha emhlabathini owomileyo.

Ngelanga lesikhombisa bavuka emadabukakusa babhoda idolobho kasikhombisa ngendlela efanayo, ngaphandle kokuthi ngalelolanga babhoda kasikhombisa. Ngokwesikhombisa, kwathi abaphristi bekhalisa amacilongo, uJoshuwa walaya abantu wathi, “Memezani! Ngoba uJehova useliphe idolobho. Idolobho, lakho konke okukulo kuzakwahlukaniselwa uJehova. URahabi isifebe lalabo ahlala labo endlini yakhe yibo abazasindiswa, ngenxa yokuthi wafihla izinhloli esazithumayo. Kodwa xwayani izinto ezahlukaniselwe ukubhujiswa, ukwenzela ukuthi lingazehliseli ukubhujiswa ngokuthatha okunye kwalezo zinto. Lokho kungenza ukuthi izihonqo zako-Israyeli zehlelwe luhlupho zitshabalaliswe njalo. Sonke isiliva legolide lezinto zonke ezenziwe ngethusi langensimbi ezingcwele ziletheni kuJehova. Ngakho kumele zifakwe esiphaleni sakhe sengcebo.” Kwathi amacilongo ekhala abantu bahlaba umkhosi; ekukhaleni kwecilongo, abantu sebehlaba umkhosi omkhulu, umduli wabhidlika, ngakho wonke umuntu wangena phakathi balithatha idolobho.

Ngalelo langa uJehova wanikela ngalo ama-Amori kwabako-Israyeli, uJoshuwa wathi kuJehova phambi kwabako-Israyeli; “We langa, mana uthi mpo ngaphezu kweGibheyoni, We nyanga, lawe mana ngaphezu kweSigodi se-Ayijaloni.” Ngakho ilanga lema lathi mpo, lenyanga yema, isizwe saze saphindisela ezitheni zaso, njengoba kulotshiwe eGwalweni lukaJasha. Ilanga lema phakathi laphakathi kwesibhakabhaka laphuza ukutshona okosuku lonke.

USamsoni waya eThimina eloyise lonina. Bathe sebebanga ezivinini zeThimina kwathutsha ibhuklwana lesilwane libhonga lisiya kuye. Umoya kaNkulunkulu wafika kuye ngamandla wasidabula ngezandla zakhe njengayengakwenza edabula izinyane lembuzi. Kodwa uyise lonina kabatshelanga ayekwenzile.

USamsoni wasebamba izinsika ezimbili eziphakathi, ithempeli elaligxile kuzo. Waziqinisa ngokweyama kuzo, isandla sakhe sokudla sikwenye lesenxele sikwenye, uSamsoni wathi, “Kangife lamaFilisti!” Wafuqa ngamandla akhe wonke, ithempeli lawela phezu kwababusi labantu bonke ababephakathi kwalo. Ngalokho wabulala abantu abanengi ekufeni kwakhe kulalapho esaphila.

Aphinda alithwala alisa ethempelini likaDagoni. Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bevuka ekuseni kakhulu okwalandelayo, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova! Bamthatha uDagoni bambeka endaweni yakhe. Kodwa ngakusasa ekuseni bathi bevuka, nango uDagoni, ewele phansi ngobuso phambi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova! Ikhanda lakhe lezandla kwakugumukile kuthe qekele eduze lomnyango; kwakusele umzimba wakhe kuphela.

Isandla sikaJehova sasinzima phezu kwabantu base-Ashidodi laseduze kwayo; wehlisela incithakalo phezu kwabo yabahlupha langamathumba. Kwathi abantu base-Ashidodi bebona okwakusenzakala, bathi, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli akumelanga lihlale lathi lapha, ngoba isandla sakhe sinzima phezu kwethu laphezu kukaDagoni unkulunkulu wethu.” Ngakho babiza bonke ababusi bamaFilisti bababuza bathi, “Sizakwenzani ngebhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli na?” Baphendula bathi, “Ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli liseni eGathi.” Ngakho ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu balisa eGathi. Kodwa kwathi sebelihambisile, isandla sikaJehova samelana lalelodolobho, okwenza kwaba lokuthuthumela okukhulu kulo. Wahlupha abantu bedolobho lelo, abatsha labadala, ngokuphihlika kwamathumba. Ngakho ibhokisi lesivumelwalo sikaNkulunkulu lasiwa e-Ekhroni. Kwathi ibhokisi lesivumelano sikaNkulunkulu lifika e-Ekhroni, abantu base-Ekhroni bakhala besithi, “Sebelethe ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankululunkulu ka-Israyeli kithi lapha ukuzasibulala kanye labantu bakithi.” Ngakho babiza bonke ababusi bamaFilisti, bathi, “Susani ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikankulunkulu ka-Israyeli; kalibuyele emuva endaweni yalo, hlezi lisibulale thina kanye labantu bakithi.” Ngoba ukufa kwakwenze kwaba lokuthuthumela edolobheni; isandla sikaNkulunkulu sasinzima kakhulu phezu kwalo. Abangafanga babehlutshwa ngamathumba, njalo umkhosi wedolobho waya phezulu ezulwini.

Kodwa uNkulunkulu watshaya abanye babantu baseBhethi Shemeshi, wabulala abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa babo ngoba babelunguze phakathi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaJehova. Abantu balila ngenxa yokugadla okunzima uJehova ayekwenze kubo, njalo abantu baseBhethi Shemeshi babuza bathi, “Pho ngubani ongema phambi kukaJehova, uNkulunkulu lo ongcwele na?”

Kodwa uDavida wathi kuSawuli, “Inceku yakho yayiselusa izimvu zikayise. Kwathi kufike isilwane kumbe ibhere lajwamula imvu emhlambini, ngalilandela, ngalitshaya ngahlenga imvu emlonyeni walo. Lathi liyangihlasela ngalidumela ngoboya balo, ngalitshaya ngalibulala. Inceku yakho seyabulala kokubili isilwane lebhere; umFilisti lo ongasokanga uzakuba njengokunye kwakho, ngoba weyise amabutho kaNkulunkulu ophilayo. UJehova owangikhululayo ezinzitsheni zesilwane lasezinzitsheni zebhere uzangikhulula esandleni somFilisti lo.” USawuli wathi kuDavida, “Hamba, uJehova kabe lawe.”

UDavida wathi kumFilisti, “Wena uzemelana lami ngenkemba lomkhonto kanye lomdikadika, kodwa mina ngizemelana lawe ngebizo likaJehova uSomandla, uNkulunkulu wamabutho ka-Israyeli wena omeyisayo. Lamhla uJehova uzakunikela kimi, ngizakulahla phansi ngiqume ikhanda lakho. Lamhlanje izinyoni zasemoyeni lezinyamazana zasemhlabeni ngizazinika izidumbu zebutho lamaFilisti, njalo umhlaba wonke uzakwazi ukuthi kuloNkulunkulu ko-Israyeli. Bonke labo ababuthene lapha bazakwazi ukuthi uJehova kahlengi ngenkemba loba ngomkhonto, ngoba impi ngekaJehova, njalo lonke uzalinikela ezandleni zethu.” Kwathi umFilisti esondela eduze ukuba amhlasele, uDavida ngokuphangisa wagijimela phambili endaweni yokulwela ukuba amhlangabeze. UDavida wangenisa isandla sakhe emxhakeni wakhe wathatha ilitshe, waliphosa ngesavutha latshaya umFilisti ebunzini. Ilitshe latshona ebunzini lakhe, wadilikela phansi ngobuso. UDavida wamnqoba kanjalo umFilisti ngesavutha langelitshe; engelankemba esandleni sakhe wamlahla phansi umFilisti wambulala. UDavida wagijima wema phezu kwakhe. Wabamba inkemba yomFilisti wayihwatsha esikhwameni sayo. Esembulele, waquma ikhanda lakhe ngenkemba. Kwathi amaFilisti ebona ukuthi iqhawe lawo laselifile, aphenduka abaleka.

Kwathi sebefike esizeni sikaNakhoni, u-Uza wananabela ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkuluu walibamba ngoba izinkabi zazikhubeka. Ulaka lukaJehova lwavutha ngo-Uza ngenxa yesenzo sakhe sokungahloniphi, ngakho uNkulunkulu wamtshaya njalo wahle wafela khonapho phansi kwebhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu.

U-Elija umThishibi owayevela ngaseThishibi eGileyadi, wasesithi ku-Ahabi, “Njengoba uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, engimkhonzayo ephila, akuyikuba lamazolo njalo akuyikuba lezulu okweminyaka embalwa ezayo ngaphandle kokuba ngitsho.”

Umfelokazi waphendula wathi, “Ngeqiniso lanjengoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ephila, angilaso isinkwa  —  ngilengcosana nje yefulawa engcebethwini encane lamafutha angenganani ediweni. Ngidobha incwathi lezi nje ngiya lazo ngekhaya ukuze ngiyezigoqozela engingakudla mina lendodana yami, kube yikho esizakudla  —  anduba sife.” U-Elija wathi kumfelokazi, “Ungesabi. Hamba uye ekhaya uyekwenza khonokho okutshoyo. Kodwa uqale ungiphekele iqebelengwana eliyisinkwa ngalokho olakho ube usuliletha lapha kimi, anduba uziphekele okwakho lendodana yakho. Ngoba lokhu yikho uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli akutshiloyo: ‘Impuphu esengcebethwini kayiyikuphela, lamafutha asediweni kawayikuphela, kuze kufike usuku uJehova azanisa ngalo izulu elizweni?’ ” Wasuka lapho wayakwenza njengalokho ayekutshilo u-Elija. Ngakho kwahlala kulokudla kuka-Elija lomfelokazi labendlu yakhe okwezinsuku zonke. Ngoba ifulawa elutshwana eyayisengcebethwini ayiphelanga, kanti njalo lamafutha agobhoza kokuphela kazaphela njengokutsho kukaJehova ku-Elija.

Ngemva kwesikhatshana indodana yomfelokazi owayengumninindlu yagula. Wakhula umkhuhlane ngamandla, yaze yema ukuphefumula. Umfelokazi wathi ku-Elija, “Kanti kuyini ongizondela khona, wena muntu kaNkulunkulu? Kambe ungabe ulande ukuzangikhumbuza ngesono sami ukuze ubulale indodana yami na?” U-Elija waphendula wathi, “Nginika indodana yakho.” Wayiphatha ngezandla indodana, wakhwela layo waya endlini ephezulu ayehlala kuyo, wayilalisa embhedeni wakhe. Wasecela ngamandla kuJehova esithi. “Yebo Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, wehlisele umonakalo lakulo umfelokazi engihlezi kuye na, ngokubangela ukufa kwendodana yakhe na?” Wasezelula ecambalala phezu komfana kathathu ecela kuJehova, esithi, “Wena Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, ake ubuyisele impilo yalumntwana!” UJehova wakuzwa ukukhala kuka-Elija lakanye impilo yomfana yabuyela, wavuka waphila. U-Elija wamphakamisa umntwana wamthwalela endlini ephansi. Wamqhubela unina wasesithi kunina, “Khangela ubone, indodana yakho iyaphila!” Umfelokazi wasesithi ku-Elija, “Khathesi sengisazi ukuthi ungumuntu kaNkulunkulu lokuthi ilizwi likaJehova elivela emlonyeni wakho liliqiniso.”

Wakha i-alithare ngebizo likaJehova ngalawo matshe, wagebha umgelo ozingelezela i-alithare okungangena kuwo igokoko lamabele. Walungisa inkuni, wasika inyama yenkunzi wenza amaqatha, waseyibeka phezu kwenkuni. Wasesithi kubo, “Gcwalisani imigqomo emine emikhulu ngamanzi libe seliwathela phezu komhlatshelo laphezu kwenkuni.” Wathi, “Kwenzeni futhi,” bakwenza lokho njalo. Wathi, “Kwenzeni okwesithathu,” lakanye bakwenza bephinda okwesithathu. Amanzi agcwala aze agcwala lasemgelweni owawugombolozele i-alithare. 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!”

U-Elija wasethatha ingubo yakhe, wayigoqa watshaya ngayo amanzi. Amanzi adabuka phakathi amanye aba kwesokunene amanye kwesokhohlo, basebechapha emhlabathini owomileyo.

Besahamba belokhu bekhuluma, kwafika inqola yokulwa yomlilo lamabhiza ayo avuthayo yabehlukanisa, ngakho u-Elija waya ezulwini ngesivunguzane. U-Elisha ebona lokhu wamemeza wathi, “Baba! Baba! Izinqola zokulwa labamabhiza okulwa ako-Israyeli!” UElisha kasazange aphinde ambone futhi. Wasethatha izigqoko zakhe wazidabula. Wasedobha ingubo eyayiwe ku-Elija wabuyela emuva wayakuma okhunjini lomfula uJodani. Wathatha ingubo eyayiwe kuye watshaya ngayo amanzi wathi, “Ungaphi khathesi uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Elija?” Wasetshaya amanzi, adabuka phakathi amanye kwesokunene amanye kwesokhohlo, wasechaphela ngaphetsheya.

Esuka lapho u-Elisha waya eBhetheli. Esahamba endleleni, kwavela kulowomuzi ixuku lentanga yabatsha lamhoza lisithi, “Qhubeka, wena mpabanga! Qhubeka, wena mpabanga!” Wanyemukula, wabakhangela wasebehlisela isiqalekiso ngebizo likaJehova. Kwasekuvela amabhere amabili ehlathini afohloza abangamatshumi amane lababili babo.

U-Elisha wamphendula wathi, “Ngingakunceda kanjani na? Akungitshele, kulani endlini yakho?” Umfelokazi wathi, “Incekukazi yakho ayilalutho ngaphandle kwengcosana yamafutha.” U-Elisha wasesithi, “Hamba uyekweboleka izimbiza ezinengi kubomakhelwana bakho bonke. Ungaceli ezilutshwana nje. Ubusungena endlini yakho lamadodana akho uvale umnyango. Ubusuthululela amafutha embizeni inye nganye, ithi ingagcwala uyibeke eceleni.” Wasuka kuye kwathi ngemva kwesikhathi wavala umnyango lamadodana akhe. Amadodana amqhubela izimbiza yena elokhu ezigcwalisa ngamafutha. Kuthe izimbiza zonke sezigcwele, wathi endodaneni yakhe, “Letha enye futhi.” Kodwa yaphendula yathi, “Akuselambiza eseleyo.” Amafutha kazabe esajuluka. Wasuka wayatshela umuntu kaNkulunkulu, owathi, “Hamba uyethengisa amafutha lawo ubhadale izikwelede zakho. Wena lamadodana akho lizaphila ngaseleyo.”

Ekufikeni kwakhe endlini u-Elisha, wafumana lakanye nangu umfana usembhedeni wakhe ufile. Wangena wavala umnyango baba bobabili lomfana wasekhuleka kuJehova. Wakhwela embhedeni wacambalala phezu komfana, umlomo emlonyeni, amehlo emehlweni, izandla ezandleni. Uthe esazelula phezu komfana, umzimba womfana waqalisa ukukhudumala. U-Elisha wafulathela wahambahamba endlini waphinda wabuyela embhedeni wacambalala phezu komfana. Umfana wathimula kakhombisa wasevula amehlo.

Kwaphakululwa ukuba abantu badle, kodwa bathi beqalisa ukudla bamemeza bathi, “Awu muntu kaNkulunkulu kulokufa embizeni!” Kabazabe besakudla. U-Elisha wathi, “Lethani ifulawa.” Wayifaka embizeni wasesithi, “Baphakuleleni abantu badle.” Ngalokho kwakungaselabuthi embizeni. Kwafika indoda ethile ivela eBhali-Shalisha, iphathele umuntu kaNkulunkulu izinkwa zebhali ezingamatshumi amabili, zibhakwe ngezilimo zakuqala. U-Elisha wathi, “Nikani abantu badle.” Inceku yakhe yathi, “Ngingababela njani abantu abalikhulu okungaka?” Kodwa u-Elisha wathi, “Phakululela abantu badle. Ngoba ilizwi likaJehova lithi: ‘Bazakudla baze bakutshiye.’ ” Inceku yasiphakululela abantu, badla baze bakutshiya, njengokutsho kwelizwi likaJehova.

U-Elisha wathuma isigijimi ukuthi siyotshela uNamani sithi: “Hamba, uyegeza kakhombisa emfuleni uJodani, inyama yakho izahluma njalo lawe uhlambuluke.” Kodwa uNamani wasuka ethukuthele wasesithi: “Mina benginakana ukuthi ngempela uzaphuma eze kimi ame abize ibizo likaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe, aphakamise isandla phezu kwezilonda angelaphe ubulephero. Imifula yaseDamaseko, i-Abhana leFariphari ayingcono yini kulemifula yako-Israyeli na? Bengingeze ngageza kuyo ngihlambuluke na?” Ngakho wafulathela wahamba ethukuthele. Izinceku zikaNamani zamlanda zathi kuye, “Baba, alubana umphrofethi ubekutshele ukuthi wenze into enkulu ube ungayikuyenza na? Pho, kwehlula ngaphi nxa esithi, ‘Geza uhlambuluke’!” Yikho ukusuka kwakhe esiya khonale efika egeza kakhombisa, njengokulaywa kwakhe ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu, inyama yakhe yahluma njalo yahlambuluka kungathi ngeyomfana omncinyane.

Omunye wathi egamula ihloka lakhe laqamuka isihloko salo sawela emanzini. Wasekhala esithi, “Nkosi yami, ihloka leli bengilebolekile.” Umuntu kaNkulunkulu wasebuza esithi, “Liwele ngaphi?” Uthe esemtshengisile indawo yakhona, u-Elisha wagamula uswazi waluphosela khonapho, lokho kwenza ihloka lelo landenda. Wasesithi, “Lenyule emanzini.” Umuntu lowo welula isandla sakhe walenyula.

Inkosi yase-Aramu yayisempini kulwiwa labako-Israyeli. Ngemva kokukhulumisana lezikhulu zayo inkosi yathi, “Inkamba yami ngizayimisa ekuthinithini.” Umuntu kaNkulunkulu wathumela ilizwi enkosini yako-Israyeli lisithi, “Qaphela ungedluli kuleyana indawo, ngoba ama-Aramu azakwehla aye khona.” Ngakho inkosi yako-Israyeli yahlolisisa kuleyondawo eyayiqanjwe ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu. U-Elisha wakuphinda enkosini lokhu kuxwayisa kanenginengi, ukuze izivikele ezindaweni ezinjengalezi. Lokhu kwayithukuthelisa inkosi yase-Aramu. Yabiza izikhulu zayo yazihwabhela yathi, “Aliyikungitshela yini ukuthi phakathi kwethu ngubani oseceleni lenkosi yako-Israyeli na?” Esinye sezikhulu zakhe sathi, “Kakho phakathi kwethu nkosi yami, kodwa u-Elisha, umphrofethi wako-Israyeli, ulakho ukutshela inkosi yako-Israyeli ngawonalawo amazwi owakhuluma usendlini yakho yokulala.”

Kuthe inceku yomuntu kaNkulunkulu ivuka ekuseni ngelanga elilandelayo yaphuma phandle yathola amabutho alamabhiza lezinqola zokulwa sezihonqolozele idolobho. Inceku yethuka yathi, “Maye, nkosi yami, sizakwenzenjani na?” Umphrofethi wathi, “Ungesabi. Labo abalathi banengi kulalabo abangakubo.” U-Elisha wasekhuleka wathi, “O Jehova, vula amehlo akhe ukuze abone.” Ngakho uJehova wavula amehlo enceku, yakhangela yabona amaqaqa agcwele amabhiza lezinqola zokulwa ezomlilo zihonqolozele u-Elisha. Kuthe izitha zisondela kuye, u-Elisha wakhuleka kuJehova wathi, “Tshaya lababantu babe yiziphofu.” Ngakho wabaphumputhekisa, njengokucela kuka-Elisha. U-Elisha wabatshela wathi, “Akusiwo umgwaqo njalo akusiwo umuzi eliwudingayo. Ngilandelani, ngizalikhokhela liye emuntwini elimdingayo.” Ngakho wabakhokhelela eSamariya. Sebephakathi komuzi, u-Elisha wathi, “Jehova, vula amehlo alababantu ukuze babone.” Ngakho uJehova wavula amehlo abo, bazibonela ukuthi babephakathi kweSamariya.

Kwathi kwesinye isikhathi abako-Israyeli bengcwaba indoda ethile, babona nampa abahlaseli; basebelahlela isidumbu leso ethuneni lika-Elisha. Kuthe isidumbu leso sithinta amathambo ka-Elisha, indoda leyo yavuka yasukuma yama ngezinyawo zayo.

U-Isaya waphendula wathi, “Nansi isibonakaliso sikaJehova kuwe, esokuthi uJehova uzakwenza akuthembisayo. Kambe isithunzi sizakuya phambili amanyathelo alitshumi kumbe sizabuyela emuva amanyathelo alitshumi na?” UHezekhiya wathi kulula ukuba isithunzi siye phambili amanyathelo alitshumi, kodwa kasiyi emuva amanyathelo alitshumi.” Ngakho umphrofethi u-Isaya wacela kuJehova, uJehova wenza ukuthi isithunzi sibuyele emuva okwamanyathelo alitshumi esasehle ngawo ekhwelelweni lika-Ahazi.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu laficamunye wokubusa kwakhe u-Asa wahlaselwa ngumkhuhlane ezinyaweni zakhe. Loba umkhuhlane wakhe wawubuhlungu kakhulu, kazange adinge usizo kuJehova, kodwa wayesiya ezinyangeni.

Kodwa kwathi u-Uziya eselamandla amakhulu, ukuziqhenya kwakhe kwamlethela incithakalo. Kazange athembeke kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe, waze wangena ethempelini likaJehova, ukuba ayetshisa imphepha ealithareni lempepha. U-Azariya umphristi labanye abaphristi bakaJehova abangamatshumi aficamibili abalezibindi bamlandela phakathi ethempelini. Bajamelana laye bathi kuye, “Akulunganga ukuthi wena, Uziya, utshisele uJehova impepha. Lokho ngokwabaphristi, abenzalo ka-Aroni, abehlukaniselwa ukutshisa impepha. Phuma kulindawo engcwele, ngoba awuzange wethembeke, njalo awuyikuphakanyiswa nguJehova uNkulunkulu.” U-Uziya owayephethe udengezi lokutshisela impepha esandleni sakhe, wathukuthela. Uthe elokhu esakhwazela abaphristi ngokuba kwabo phambi kwe-alithare lempepha ethempelini likaJehova, kwaqalisa ubulephero ebunzini lobuso bakhe. Kwathi u-Azariya umphristi omkhulu labanye abaphristi bemkhangela, babona eselobulephero ebunzini lakhe, ngakho baphanga bamkhuphela phandle. Lakanye yena ngokwakhe wayevele esefisa ukuphuma, ngoba uJehova wayesemtshayile.

Wathumela izibonakaliso ezingummangaliso lezimanga kuFaro, kuzo zonke izinduna zakhe lakubo bonke abantu belizwe lakhe, ngokuba wawukwazi ukuthi amaGibhithe abaphatha njani ngodlakela. Wazenzela ibizo, elimiyo kuze kube lamuhla.

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

Kodwa lina lingigcona ngamanga; lonke liyizinyanga ezingelamsebenzi!

Awu Jehova, Nkulunkulu wami, ngacela kuwe uncedo wangisilisa.

UJehova uzamqinisa lanxa elele egula njalo amsilise avuke ekuguleni kwakhe. Ngathi, “O Jehova ake ungihawukele; ngisilisa, ngoba ngonile kuwe.”

Nguwe Nkulunkulu owenza izimanga; uyawatshengisa amandla akho ebantwini.

othethelelayo zonke izono zakho akusilise zonke izifo zakho, ohlenga impilo yakho egodini akwethese uthando lesihawu, osuthisa izifiso zakho ngezinto ezinhle ukuze ubutsha bakho buvuselelwe njengengqungqulu.

Uyabathoba abadabukileyo enhliziyweni abophe amanxeba abo.

Ngakho-ke uJehova yena ngokwakhe uzanika isibonakaliso: Intombi emsulwa izathatha isisu izale indodana ezayetha ibizo ithi ngu-Imanuweli.

Kodwa wagwazwa ngenxa yeziphambeko zethu, wachobozwa ngenxa yokona kwethu, ukuhlutshwa kwakhe kwasilethela ukuthula, njalo sasiliswa ngamanxeba akhe.

Kodwa ngizakusilisa ngipholise lamanxeba akho,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘ngoba kuthiwa ungolahliweyo, iZiyoni okungekho olendaba lalo.’

Wenza izibonakaliso lezimangaliso eGibhithe, waqhubeka uzenza kwaze kwaba yilolusuku, khona ko-Israyeli laphakathi koluntu lonke, wathola udumo olukhulu lungolwakho lalamhlanje. Wakhupha abantu bakho u-Israyeli eGibhithe ngezibonakaliso langezimangaliso; ngesandla esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo kanye lokwesaba okukhulu.

Isandla sikaJehova sasiphezu kwami, njalo wangikhuphela phandle ngoMoya kaJehova wangibeka phakathi kwesigodi; sasigcwele amathambo. Wangisa emuva laphambili phakathi kwawo, njalo ngabona amathambo amanengi kakhulu phansi esigodini, amathambo ayome kakhulu. Wangibuza wathi, “Ndodana yomuntu, kambe amathambo la angaphila na?” Mina ngathi, “Awu Jehova Wobukhosi, wena kuphela nguwe owaziyo.” Wasesithi kimi, “Phrofetha emathanjeni la uthi kuwo, ‘Mathambo omileyo, zwanini ilizwi likaJehova! Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi kula amathambo: Ngizakwenza umoya ungene phakathi kwenu, njalo lizakuba lokuphila. Ngizaxhuma imisipha kini ngenze inyama ihlume phezu kwenu njalo ngibeke ijwabu phezu kwenu; ngizafaka umoya phakathi kwenu, njalo lizakuba lokuphila. Lapho-ke lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguJehova.’ ” Ngakho ngaphrofetha njengokulaywa kwami. Kwathi ngisaphrofetha, kwaba lomsindo, umsindo okhehlezelayo, njalo amathambo aqoqona ndawonye, ithambo ethanjeni. Ngakhangela, imisipha lenyama kwavela phezu kwawo kwathi ijwabu lawembesa, kodwa kwakungelamoya phakathi kwawo. Wasesithi kimi, “Phrofetha emoyeni, phrofetha, ndodana yomuntu, uthi kuwo, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova Wobukhosi: Woza, wena moya, uvela ezindaweni zonke, uphefumulele kubo ababulawayo, ukuba baphile.’ ” Ngakho ngaphrofetha njengokungilaya kwakhe, umoya wasungena kuwo; aba lokuphila njalo ema ngezinyawo zawo  —  kulixuku elikhulukazi.

Inkosi yambuza uDanyeli (njalo othiwa nguBhelitheshazari), “Kambe ungangitshela na engakubonayo ephutsheni lami uphinde ulichasise?” Waphendula uDanyeli wathi, “Kasikho isihlakaniphi, noma isangoma, noma umasalamusi, noma isanuse esingayihlahlulela inkosi imfihlakalo eyidingayo, kodwa ukhona uNkulunkulu ezulwini owambula zonke izimfihlakalo. Utshengise inkosi uNebhukhadinezari okuzakwenzakala ngezinsuku ezizayo. Iphupho lakho lemibono eyafika engqondweni yakho ulele embhedeni wakho yile: “Wathi ulele khonapho, hawu nkosi, ingqondo yakho yaphatha izinto ezisezakuza, kwathi umhlahluli wezinkinga wakubonisa okuzakwenzakala. Okwami yikuthi ngiyambulelwe imfihlakalo le, kungesukuthi yingoba ngilenhlakanipho eyeqa eyabanye abaphilayo, kodwa ukuze kuthi wena, O nkosi, uyazi incazelo njalo ukuze uzwisise okwakuphithikene engqondweni yakho.

Lapho-ke uNebhukhadinezari waphuphuma ngolaka kuShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, wahle waguqula indlela aye esebaphatha ngayo. Walaya ukuthi isithando somlilo sibaselwe sitshise okuphindwe kakhombisa kulenjayelo waphinda walaya ukuthi abanye bamabutho angobambapheqe bempi yakhe bababophe oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko babaphosele esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Yikho amadoda la abotshwa elokhu egqokile amajazi awo, lamabhulugwe, leziqhiyo kanye lezinye izigqoko, aphoselwa esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Umlayo wenkosi wawuthukuthele kakhulu lesithando somlilo sitshisa okokuthi amalangabi omlilo awabulala amanxusa ayefuqela oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, kwathi amadoda la womathathu ayebotshwe nko awela phakathi kwesithando somlilo olavuzayo. Khonapho inkosi uNebhukhadinezari wathi lothu ngokumangala, wabuza abacebisi bakhe wathi, “Kanti angithi abemathathu amadoda esiwabophileyo sawaphosela emlilweni na?” Baphendula bathi, “Liqiniso lelo, O nkosi.” Wathi, “Khangelani! Ngibona amadoda amane ehambahamba phakathi komlilo, engabotshwanga njalo engalinyazwanga lutho, njalo owesine lowo ukhangeleka njengendodana yabonkulunkulu.” UNebhukhadinezari wasesondela emlonyeni wesithando somlilo olavuzayo wamemeza wathi, “Shadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, zinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, phumani! Wozani lapha!” Ngakho oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko baphuma emlilweni, kwathi ababusi bezigaba, labalisa, lababusi bemikhono yelizwe labeluleki besikhosini bababunganyela. Babona ukuthi umlilo wawungabalimazanga imizimba yabo, njalo kungahaqazekanga lalunye unwele lwamakhanda abo; izambatho zabo zingahangulekanga, njalo kunganuki mlilo kubo. UNebhukhadinezari wasesithi, “Kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu waboShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, othume ingilosi yakhe wasindisa izinceku zakhe! Bathemba kuye badelela umlayo wenkosi njalo bazimisela ukunikela izimpilo zabo kulokuthi bakhonze loba badumise omunye unkulunkulu ngaphandle kowabo uNkulunkulu. Ngakho sengimisa isimemezelo ukuthi abantu loba ngabasiphi isizwe kumbe ulimi abakhuluma okubi ngoNkulunkulu kaShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko kabaqunywaqunywe izicucu, lezindlu zabo zenziwe izinqwaba zezibi, ngokuba kakho omunye unkulunkulu ongasindisa ngale indlela.” Inkosi yase ibanika izikhundla eziphezulu oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko elizweni laseBhabhiloni.

Inkosi uNebhukhadinezari, Kubantu bonke benhlanga, kuzizwe zonke lakubantu bendimi zonke, abahlala kuwo wonke umhlaba: Sengathi inganda kini inhlalakahle! Kuyintokozo kimi ukulitshela ngezibonakaliso ezimangalisayo lezinkinga uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke angenzele zona. Zinkulu kangakanani izibonakaliso zakhe, zingakaya izimangaliso zakhe! Umbuso wakhe ungumbuso ongelasiphelo; umbuso wakhe umi kusukela kulesi kusiya kulesiyana isizukulwane.

Masinyane nje kwavela iminwe yesandla somuntu yaloba emdulini eduzane loluthi lwesibane esigodlweni. Inkosi yasibukela isandla siloba. Ubuso bayo bahloba yethuka amadolo ayo aze atshayana, imilenze yathamba yathi wohlo phansi.

Ngakho inkosi yasikhupha umlayo, basebemletha uDanyeli bamphosela emphandwini wezilwane. Inkosi yathi kuDanyeli, “Sengathi uNkulunkulu wakho omkhonzayo njalonjalo angakuhlenga!” Kwalethwa ilitshe lathiwa khinsi emnyango womgodi, inkosi yase ilinameka ngendandatho yayo yobukhosi langezindandatho zezikhulu zayo, ukuze umumo kaDanyeli ungaguqulwa. Yikho inkosi yase ibuyela esigodlweni sayo yazila ukudla lokunatha ubusuku bonke. Yehluleka ukulala. Kwathi kudabuka ukusa inkosi yathi khwatshu yahaluzela isiya emgodini wezilwane. Ithe isifikile emgodini, yamemeza uDanyeli ngelizwi losizi yathi, “Danyeli, nceku kaNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu wakho omkhonza njalonjalo ukuphephisile yini ezilwaneni?” UDanyeli waphendula wathi, “O nkosi, mana njalo! UNkulunkulu wami uthume ingilosi yakhe yayivala imilomo yezilwane. Kazingilimazanga ngokuba ngifunyanwe ngingelacala phambi kwakhe. Njalo kangikaze ngenze okubi kuwe, O nkosi.” Inkosi yathaba yafa yakhupha umlayo wokuba uDanyeli akhutshulwe emgodini lowo. UDanyeli esekhutshiwe emgodini, kakubonakalanga nxeba kuye, ngokuba wathemba kuNkulunkulu wakhe. Inkosi yalaya ukuthi balethwe labo ababemangalele uDanyeli ngamanga baphoselwa emgodini wezilwane kanye labafazi babo labantwababo. Bathi bengakathinti phansi emgodini izilwane zabaqaga zabafohloza wonke amathambo abo.

Inkosi uDariyu yasilobela bonke abantu, lezizwe zonke lenhlanga zendimi zonke kulo lonke ilizwe yathi: “Sengathi impilo enhle inganda kini! “Ngikhupha isimemezelo sokuthi kuzo zonke izindawo zombuso wami abantu kabesabe, bakhonze uNkulunkulu kaDanyeli. “Ngokuba unguNkulunkulu ophilayo omiyo kuze kube phakade; umbuso wakhe kawuyikubhidlizwa, lobukhosi bakhe kabuyikufa baphela. Uyakhulula, asindise; wenza izibonakaliso lemimangaliso emazulwini lasemhlabeni. Umhlangulile uDanyeli emandleni ezilwane.”

“Emva kwalokho, ngizathela uMoya wami ebantwini bonke. Amadodana enu lamadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, abadala benu bazaphupha amaphupho, izinsizwa zakini zizabona imibono. Lakuzinceku zami, ezesilisa lezesifazana, ngizathela uMoya wami ngalezonsuku. Ngizabonakalisa izimangaliso emazulwini lasemhlabeni, igazi lomlilo lezikhatha zentuthu. Ilanga lizaphendulwa libe ngumnyama lenyanga ibe ligazi phambi kokuba kufike usuku olukhulu lukaJehova olwesabekayo.

UJesu wahamba kulo lonke iGalile efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso, esilisa zonke izifo lemikhuhlane ebantwini. Udumo lwakhe lwanda kulo lonke elaseSiriya, abantu babaletha kuye bonke ababegula belezifo ezahlukeneyo, labo ababesebuhlungwini obukhulu, abaphethwe ngamadimoni, abalesithuthwane labayizilima, bonke wabasilisa.

Indoda eyayilobulephero yeza yaguqa phambi kwakhe yathi, “Nkosi uma uthanda ungangenza ngihlambuluke.” UJesu welula isandla sakhe wayithinta wathi, “Ngiyathanda, hlambuluka!” Masinyane nje yasila ebulepherweni bayo.

Kwathi lapho uJesu esengenile endlini kaPhethro, wabona uninazala kaPhethro elele embhedeni ephethwe ngumkhuhlane. Wamthinta esandleni umkhuhlane wahle waphuma kuye, wavuka wamlungisela ukudla.

Sekuntambama abanengi ababelamadimoni balethwa kuye wayikhupha imimoya ngelizwi njalo wasilisa bonke abagulayo. Lokhu kwakugcwalisa okwakhulunywa ngoMphrofethi u-Isaya ukuthi: “Wathatha ubuthakathaka bethu wathwala izifo zethu.”

Masinyane nje kwaqubuka isiyaluyalu sesiphepho echibini, amagagasi akhaphakela phezu kwesikepe. Kodwa uJesu wayelele. Abafundi bahamba bayamvusa besithi, “Nkosi, silamulele! Nanku sesigalula!” Waphendula wathi, “Lina bokukholwa okuncane, kungani lisesaba kangaka?” Wasephakama wawukhuza umoya kanye lamagagasi, kwasekuthula nya. Amadoda amangala abuza athi, “Ngumuntu bani lo? Uze alalelwe ngumoya kanye lamagagasi!”

Wathi ekufikeni kwakhe ngakwelinye icele lelizwe lamaGadarini wahlangabezwa ngamadoda amabili ayekhwelwe ngamadimoni eqhamuka emathuneni. Babetshinga bebheda, kungasadluli muntu ngaleyondlela. Bamemeza bathi, “Ufunani ngathi, Ndodana kaNkulunkulu? Uze lapha ukuzasi-chukuluza singakafiki isikhathi esimisiweyo na?” Bucwala kwabo kwakulomhlambi omkhulu wezingulube usidla. Amadimoni amncenga uJesu athi, “Nxa usikhupha sithumele emhlambini wezingulube.” Wathi kuwo, “Hambani!” Aphuma ayangena ezingulubeni, kwathi umhlambi wonke waqubuka waqonda iliwa lodonga wagxumukela echibini wafela emanzini. Labo ababezelusile izingulube baphaphatheka baqonda edolobheni bayabika konke lokhu, besitsho lalokho okwenzakala kulawomadoda ayelamadimoni. Khonapho idolobho lonke lazimuka ukuyahlangana loJesu. Bathi sebembonile bamncenga ukuba asuke emmangweni wakibo.

Amanye amadoda aletha kuye umuntu owaye ome izitho elele ecansini. UJesu ebona ukukholwa kwabo wathi kowome izitho, “Woba lesibindi, ndodana; izono zakho sezithethelelwe.” Bekuzwa lokho abanye abafundisi bomthetho bahleba bodwa bathi, “Umuntu lo uyahlambaza!” Esazi imicabango yabo uJesu wathi kubo, “Kungani licabanga izinto ezimbi ezinhliziyweni zenu na? Yikuphi okulula, ukuthi, ‘Izono zakho sezithethelelwe’ kumbe ukuthi, ‘Sukuma uhambe’? Kodwa ukuze lazi ukuthi iNdodana yoMuntu ilamandla okuthethelela izono emhlabeni … ” Wasesithi kowome izitho, “Sukuma, thatha icansi lakho uhambe uye ekhaya.” Indoda yasukuma yaqonda ekhaya. Ixuku lathi likubona lokhu abantu besaba kakhulu; basebemdumisa uNkulunkulu owayenike amandla la ebantwini.

Khonokho owesifazana owayehlutshwa ngumopho okweminyaka elitshumi lambili weza ngemva kwakhe wabamba umphetho wejazi lakhe. Wazitshela wathi, “Aluba nje ngingathinta ijazi lakhe kodwa lokhu, ngizasila.” UJesu wanyemukula wambona. Wathi kuye, “Mana isibindi, ndodakazi, ukukholwa kwakho sekukusilisile.” Lakanje owesifazana lowo wasila ngalesosikhathi.

UJesu wathi esengenile endlini yombusi, ebona abahlabeleli bokulila kanye lexuku elalixokozela, wathi kubo, “Phumani. Intombazana kayifanga kodwa ilele.” Kodwa bamhleka. Ixuku labantu selikhutshelwe phandle, wangena wayibamba ngesandla intombazana yaphakama. Isenzakalo lesi samemetheka kuwo wonke ummango.

Kwathi uJesu esuka lapho amadoda ayiziphofu amabili amlandela ememeza esithi, “Sihawukele, Ndodana kaDavida!” Esengenile endlini iziphofu lezo zeza kuye wazibuza wathi, “Liyakholwa na ukuthi ngingakwenza lokhu?” “Yebo, Nkosi,” bamphendula. Wasezithinta amehlo wathi kuzo, “Kuzakwenziwa kini njengokukholwa kwenu;” basiliswa babona. UJesu wabaqonqosela wathi, “Akungabi lomuntu ozakwazi ngalokhu.” Kodwa zasuka lapho zafakaza ngaye ummango wonke welizwe lelo.

Ekuphumeni kwalezoziphofu, kwalethwa kuJesu indoda eyayikhwelwe lidimoni iyisimungulu. Kwathi idimoni selikhutshwiwe indoda leyo eyayiyisimungulu yakhuluma. Ixuku labantu lamangala abantu bathi, “Akukaze kubonwe okunje ko-Israyeli.”

UJesu wanquma kuwo wonke amadolobho lemizi efundisa emasinagogeni abo, etshumayela izindaba ezinhle ezombuso njalo eselapha zonke izifo lemikhuhlane.

UJesu wabizela ndawonye abafundi bakhe abalitshumi lambili wabapha amandla okukhupha imimoya emibi lokusilisa zonke izifo lemikhuhlane.

Philisani abagulayo, vusani abafileyo, hlambululani abalobulephero likhuphe amadimoni. Lamukelisiwe kungelambadalo, lani phanini kungelambadalo.

Iziphofu zenziwa zibone, abaqhugezayo bayahamba kuhle, labo abalobulephero bayasiliswa, izacuthe ziyezwa, abafileyo bayavuswa, lezindaba ezinhle ziyatshumayelwa kubayanga.

khonapho kulendoda eyayitshwabhene isandla. Kwathi ngoba bedinga indlela yokubeka uJesu icala bambuza bathi, “Kuyavunyelwa yini emthethweni ukusilisa ngeSabatha na?” Wathi kubo, “Nxa omunye wenu elemvu esuka iwele egodini ngeSabatha, kazukuyibamba ayikhuphe na? Pho umuntu uligugu elinganani kulemvu! Yikho-ke kusemthethweni ukwenza okuhle ngeSabatha.” Wasesithi kuleyondoda, “Yelula isandla sakho.” Ngakho yaselula sesisilile ngokupheleleyo, sesiqinile njengesinye.

UJesu esekunanzelele lokho wasuka kuleyondawo. Abanengi bamlandela, wasilisa bonke abagulayo babo,

Basebeletha kuye indoda eyayiledimoni, eyayiyisiphofu njalo iyisimungulu. UJesu wayisilisa yakwazi ukukhuluma lokubona. Bonke abantu bamangala bathi, “Kambe lo angabe uyiNdodana kaDavida na?”

Kodwa uma ngikhupha amadimoni ngoMoya kaNkulunkulu, kutsho ukuthi umbuso kaNkulunkulu usufikile kini.

Njalo kenzanga imimangaliso eminengi khona ngenxa yokusilela kwabo ukukholwa.

Ekukhuphukeni kwakhe uJesu wabona ixuku labantu elikhulu wabazwela usizi ngakho wasesilisa abagulayo babo.

Kwathi selithambeme abafundi beza kuye bathi, “Le yindawo esesikhaleni, njalo sekuntambama. Wothi abantu laba kabahambe ukuze bayozithengela ukudla emadolobheni.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kakudingeki ukuthi bahambe. Bapheni lina ukudla.” Baphendula bathi, “Thina esilakho lapha yizinkwa ezinhlanu lezinhlanzi ezimbili.” Wathi, “Kuletheni lapha.” Wasetshela abantu ukuthi kabahlale phansi etshanini. Wasethatha izinkwa zonhlanu lezinhlanzi zombili wakhangela ezulwini wabonga, wasehlephula izinkwa. Waseziqhubela abafundi, abafundi labo bazinika abantu. Bonke badla basutha, abafundi bakhe babutha imvuthu ezasalayo bagcwalisa izitsha ezilitshumi lambili. Inani lalabo abadlayo lalingaba ngamadoda ayizinkulungwane ezinhlanu, ngaphandle kwabesifazana labantwana.

Ngesikhathi somlindo wesine ebusuku uJesu waya kubo ehamba phezu kwechibi. Kwathi abafundi bembona ehamba phezu kwechibi besaba kakhulu. “Lithonga,” batsho, bekhala ngokwesaba. Kodwa uJesu waphanga wathi kubo, “Bekani amaphaphu phansi! Yimi. Lingesabi.”

UPhethro waphendula wathi, “Nkosi, uma kunguwe, tshono ukuba ngize kuwe phezu kwamanzi.” Wathi, “Woza.” Khonapho uPhethro wasephuma esikepeni, wahamba phezu kwamanzi weza kuJesu. Kodwa wathi ebona umoya wesaba, kwathi eseqala ukutshona wakhala wathi, “Nkosi, akungisize!” Khonokho uJesu welula isandla sakhe wambamba. Wathi kuye, “Wena olokholo oluncinyane, kungani uthandabuzile?” Bonela ukungena esikepeni umoya wathula. Kwathi labo ababesesikepeni bamkhonza bathi, “Ngempela uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.”

Kwathi abantu bakuleyondawo sebemnanzelele uJesu bathumela ilizwi kuwo wonke ummango wakulelo. Abantu babaletha bonke abagulayo babo kuye bamncenga ukuthi avumele labo abagulayo ukuthi bathinte nje umphetho wesigqoko sakhe, kwathi bonke labo abamthintayo basiliswa.

Umfazi ongumKhenani owaleyondawo weza kuye ezokhala esithi, “Nkosi, Ndodana kaDavida, ake ungihawukele! Indodakazi yami ithwele nzima itshukunyezwa ngamadimoni.” UJesu kazange amphendule. Ngakho abafundi bakhe beza kuye bamkhuthaza bathi, “Mxotshe, nangu uselokhu ememeza esilandela.” Waphendula wathi, “Ngathunywa kuphela ezimvini ezilahlekileyo zako-Israyeli.” Owesifazana lowo weza waguqa phambi kwakhe wathi, “Nkosi, ake ungisize.” Waphendula uJesu wathi, “Kakulunganga ukuthatha isinkwa sabantwana usiphosele ezinjeni zabo.” Owesifazana wathi, “Yebo, Nkosi, kanti angithi izinja ziyayidla imvuthu ewa etafuleni labaninizo.” UJesu wasephendula wathi, “Mfazi, ulokholo olukhulu! Isicelo sakho sesamukelwe.” Indodakazi yakhe yahle yasila ngasonaleso isikhathi.

Kweza kuye amaxuku amakhulu abantu beletha abaqhugezayo, iziphofu, izigoga, izimungulu labanye abanengi bababeka phambi kwakhe; wabasilisa. Abantu bamangala ukubona izimungulu sezikhuluma, izigoga seziphila, abaqhugezayo sebezihambela leziphofu sezibona. Bamdumisa uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.

UJesu wabiza abafundi bakhe wathi, “Ngilesihawu ngalaba abantu; sebehlale lami izinsuku ezintathu bengadlanga lutho. Angithandi ukubachitha belambile, funa bayathe ezindleleni.” Abafundi bakhe bamphendula bathi, “Singasithatha ngaphi isinkwa esaneleyo endaweni esesikhaleni kangaka ukuba sisuthise ixuku elingaka na?” UJesu wabuza wathi, “Lilezinkwa ezingaki?” Bathi, “Eziyisikhombisa lezinhlanzi ezincane ezimbalwa.” Wasetshela ixuku labantu ukuba bahlale phansi. Wasethatha lezozinkwa eziyisikhombisa lezinhlanzi, kwathi esebongile, wazihlephula waziqhubela abafundi, labo bazinika abantu. Bonke badla basutha. Ngemva kwalokho abafundi babutha imvuthu kwagcwala izitsha eziyisikhombisa. Inani lalabo abadlayo laliyizinkulungwane ezine, ngaphandle kwabafazi labantwana.

Khonapho waguquka isimo emehlweni abo. Ubuso bakhe bakhazimula njengelanga lezigqoko zakhe zaba mhlophe njengokukhanya.

Bathi sebefike exukwini labantu indoda ethile yamqonda uJesu yaguqa phambi kwakhe. Yathi, “Nkosi, ake uhawukele indodana yami. Ilesithuthwane esiyijumayo kanengi, iyahlupheka kakhulu. Kanengi iwela emlilweni kumbe emanzini. Ngiyilethile kubafundi bakho kodwa behlulekile ukuyisilisa.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Hawu, lina sizukulwane esingakholwayo lesonakeleyo. Ngizahlala lani kuze kube nini na? Ngizalibekezelela kuze kube nini na? Mletheni lapha kimi umfana lowo.” UJesu walikhuza idimoni laphuma emfaneni wahle wasila kusona lesosikhathi.

Abafundi basebesiza kuJesu ngasese bambuza bathi, “Kungani sehlulekile ukulixotsha idimoni na?” Waphendula wathi, “Ngokuba ukholo lwenu luncinyane. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi nxa lingaba lokholo loba luluncinyane njengenhlamvu yemastadi, lingathi entabeni le, ‘Suduka lapha uye laphayana’ izasuduka. Kakukho kini okungasoze kwenzeke.” (

Kodwa ukuze singabakhubi, yana echibini uphosele iwuka yakho khona. Ubothatha inhlanzi yokuqala ozayibamba; uvule umlomo wayo uzafumana khona uhlamvu lwemali engamadrakhima amane. Ithathe uyiphe bona ibe ngumthelo wami lani.”

“Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi, ingqe yikuphi elikubophayo emhlabeni kuzabotshwa ezulwini, njalo lokho elikuthukululayo emhlabeni kuzathukululwa ezulwini. “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 wabakhangela wathi, “Ngokwabantu, lokhu kakwenzeki, kodwa kuNkulunkulu zonke izinto ziyenzeka.”

Amadoda amabili ayiziphofu ayehlezi eceleni komgwaqo. Athi esizwa ukuthi uJesu wayesedlula khonapho amemeza athi, “Nkosi, Ndodana kaDavida, sihawukele!” Ixuku labantu lawakhuza lathi kawathule, kodwa amemeza ngamandla athi, “Nkosi, Ndodana kaDavida, sihawukele!” UJesu wema wawabiza, wawabuza wathi, “Lifuna ukuba ngilenzeleni?” Aphendula athi, “Nkosi, sifuna ukuthi sibone.” UJesu wawazwela isihawu wawabambabamba emehlweni awo. Masinyane nje ahle abona asemlandela.

Iziphofu labaqhugezelayo beza kuye ethempelini wabasilisa.

Wabona isihlahla somkhiwa eceleni kwendlela waqambukela kuso kodwa wathola kungelalutho kuso ngaphandle kwamahlamvu nje. Wasesithi kuso, “Ungaphindi uthele izithelo lanini!” Khonapho nje isihlahla sahle sabuna. Abafundi bathi bekubona lokhu bamangala kakhulu. Babuza bathi, “Kwenzeke kanjani ukuthi isihlahla somkhiwa sibune masinyane kangaka?” 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.”

Kwaba lokuzamazama okukhulu komhlaba ngoba ingilosi yeNkosi yehla ivela ezulwini, yaya ethuneni yaligiqela eceleni ilitshe yahlala phezu kwalo.

Kakho lapha; usevukile njengoba watsho. Wozani libone indawo abelele kuyo. Selizahamba masinyane liyotshela abafundi bakhe lithi: ‘Usevukile kwabafileyo, usehamba phambi kwenu ukuya eGalile. Kulapho elizambona khona. Mina sengilitshelile manje.’ ”

UJesu weza kubo wathi, “Wonke amandla ezulwini lasemhlabeni aphiwe mina.

Khonokho nje indoda eyayisesinagogini labo eyayiphethwe ngumoya omubi yamemeza yathi, “Ufunani kithi, Jesu waseNazaretha? Ulande ukuzasibhubhisa na? Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ungubani  —  ungoNgcwele kaNkulunkulu!” “Thula!” kukhwaza uJesu. “Phuma kuye!” Umoya omubi wayidlukuluza ngamandla indoda waphuma kuyo unqongoloza. Abantu bamangala baze babuzana bathi, “Kuyini lokhu? Yikufundisa okutsha  —  okulokwazi! Futhi ulaya imimoya emibi imlalele.” Izindaba ngaye zamemetheka ngokuphangisa kuwo wonke ummango waseGalile.

Bonela ukusuka esinagogeni bahamba loJakhobe loJohane baya emzini kaSimoni lo-Andreya. Uninazala kaSimoni wayelele phansi ephethwe ngumkhuhlane, basebetshela uJesu ngaye. Yikho wasesiya kuye, wambamba ngesandla wamvusa. Umkhuhlane wamtshiya wahle waqalisa ukubadekela ukudla.

Ngaleyontambama ilanga selitshonile abantu baletha kuJesu bonke abagulayo labaphethwe ngamadimoni. Idolobho lonke lagcwala emnyango, uJesu wasilisa abanengi ababelezifo ezehlukeneyo. Njalo wakhupha amadimoni amanengi, kodwa kaze awavumela amadimoni ukuthi akhulume ngoba ayemazi ukuthi ungubani.

Kanjalo walibhoda lonke elaseGalile etshumayela emasinagogini abo njalo ekhupha amadimoni.

Kweza kuye indoda eyayilobulephero yamncenga iguqe phansi ngamadolo yathi, “Aluba uthanda ungangihlambulula.” UJesu eyizwela isihawu welula isandla sakhe wayibamba indoda. Wathi, “Ngiyathanda. Hlanzeka!” Masinyane ubulephero baphela, wasila. UJesu wahle wathi kahambe, wamqonqosela wathi, “Unanzelele ukuthi ungatsheli muntu ngalokhu. Kodwa hamba uziveze kumphristi unikele ngemihlatshelo eyamiswa nguMosi eyokuhlanzeka kwakho kube yibufakazi kubo.” Kodwa wasuka wahle wavula isifuba sakhe wayisakaza indaba. Ngenxa yalokho uJesu wayengabe esangena obala edolobheni kodwa wasehlala ngaphandle ezindaweni ezingelabantu. Loba kunjalo abantu babelokhu bethululeka besiza kuye beqhamuka inxa zonke.

Kwafika amadoda eletha owayome umhlubulo ethwelwe ngabane babo. Kwathi ngoba bengafinyeleli kuJesu laye ngenxa yesixhobexhobe bavula intuba ephahleni malungana loJesu, baphendla behlisela isendlalo esasilele indoda eyome umhlubulo. Kwathi uJesu ebona ukholo lwabo wathi endodeni eyome umhlubulo, “Ndodana, izono zakho sezithethelelwe.” Kwakuhlezi khonapho abanye babafundisi bomthetho, benakana besithi, “Umuntu lo ukhulumeleni kanjalo? Uyahlambaza! Ngubani ongathethelela izono ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu yedwa?” Masinyane uJesu wakwazi emoyeni wakhe ukuthi yilokho ababekucabanga ezinhliziyweni zabo, wasesithi kubo, “Linakanelani izinto lezi? Yikuphi okulula: ukuthi kowome umhlubulo: ‘Izono zakho sezithethelelwe,’ loba ukuthi, ‘Phakama, thatha icansi lakho uhambe’? Kodwa ukuze lazi ukuthi iNdodana yoMuntu ilamandla emhlabeni ukuthethelela izono … ” Wathi kowome umhlubulo, “Ngiyakutshela ngithi phakama, thatha icansi lakho uye ekhaya.” Waphakama wathatha icansi lakhe wahamba waphuma bonke bemkhangele. Lokho kwamangalisa umuntu wonke, bamdumisa uNkulunkulu besithi, “Kasikaze sikubone okunje!”

Ngesinye isikhathi wangena esinagogini, kukhona lapho indoda elesandla esitshwabheneyo. Abanye babo babedinga izaba lokwethesa uJesu icala, yikho bamlinda ukubona ingabe wayezayelapha yini ngeSabatha. UJesu wathi endodeni yesandla esitshwabheneyo, “Sukuma ume phambi kwabo bonke.” UJesu wasebabuza wathi, “Kuyini okusemthethweni na ngeSabatha; ukwenza okuhle loba ukwenza okubi, ukuhlenga impilo kumbe ukubulala?” Kodwa bathula zwi. Wabakhangela ngolaka, ehlutshwa yibuqholo bezinhliziyo zabo, wasesithi kuleyondoda, “Yelula isandla sakho.” Yaselula, isandla sesilunge saphelela.

Phela wayesesilise abanengi, yikho labo ababelezifo babeminyezela befuna ukumthinta. Kwakusithi imimoya emibi ingambona iguqe phambi kwakhe imemeze ithi, “UyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.” Kodwa wayiqonqosela ukuthi ingaze yakhuluma ukuthi ungubani.

Wehlukanisa abalitshumi lambili wabamisa ukuba ngabaphostoli ababezakuba laye ukuze abathume ezindaweni bayotshumayela lokuba lamandla okukhupha amadimoni.

Kwaqubuka isiyaluyalu sesiphepho, amagagasi asakazeka esikepeni kwaze kwangathi sesigalula. UJesu wayengemuva ezilalele emendlalweni obuthakathaka. Abafundi bamvusa bathi, “Hawu, mfundisi kawunanzi yini uma sigalula?” Waphakama wawukhuza umoya wathi emagagasini, “Zwi! Pholani!” Yikho umoya wasuthula kwasekuphola nya. Wathi kubafundi bakhe, “Kungani lisesaba kangaka? Lilokhu lingakholwa na?” Babethuthumela babuzana bathi, “Ungubani lo na? Kambe aze alalelwe ngumoya lamagagasi!”

Kwathi uJesu ephuma esikepeni kwaqhamuka emathuneni indoda elomoya omubi yamhlangabeza. Indoda le yayihlala emathuneni, kungaselamuntu ongayibopha loba langeketane. Ngoba yayihlezi ibotshiwe izandla lezinyawo kodwa iqamule amaketane iqamule lezinsimbi ezinyaweni zayo. Kwakungekho muntu owayelamandla okuyinqoba. Ubusuku lemini yayihlaba umkhosi isemathuneni lasezintabeni, izisike ngamatshe. Yathi ibona uJesu isebucwala yagijima yafika yazilahla phansi ngamadolo phambi kwakhe. Yaklabalala yathi, “Ufunani ngami Jesu, Ndodana kaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke? Funga kuNkulunkulu ukuthi kawuzukungichukuluza!” Ngoba uJesu wayesethe kuyo, “Phuma kuyo indoda le, wena moya omubi!” UJesu waseyibuza wathi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho?” Yaphendula yathi, “Ibizo lami nguLigiyoni, ngokuba sibanengi.” Yamncenga uJesu futhi futhi ukuthi angabaxotshi kulowommango. Kwakulomhlambi omkhulu wezingulube usidla ewatheni lentaba eduze khonapho. Amadimoni amncenga uJesu athi, “Sithumele ezingulubeni; sivumele singene kuzo.” Wabavumela, baphuma omoya ababi bayangena ezingulubeni. Umhlambi wazo lowo owawungaba yizinkulungwane ezimbili wathi zimu wehla eliweni lechibi wagalula. Labo ababezelusile izingulube babaleka bayabika lokho edolobheni kanye lasemaphandleni, yikho abantu baqubuka bayabona lokho okwakwenzakele. Bathi befika kuJesu bayibona indoda eyayikade ikhwelwe ngamadimoni ngobunengi bawo, ihlezi khonapho, igqokile njalo ingqondo isibuyile, besaba kakhulu. Labo ababekubonile kusenzakala batshela abantu okwenzakalayo endodeni eyayikhwelwe ngamadimoni  —  balandisa njalo langezingulube. Abantu basebemncenga uJesu ukuthi asuke emmangweni wakibo.

Kwakulowesifazana khonapho owayephethwe yikopha sekumhluphe iminyaka elitshumi lambili. Wayesehlupheke kakhulu loba wayebhadalazwa ngabelaphi, njalo esechithe konke ayelakho, kodwa ekubeni abe ngcono kwakusiya phambili. Wathi esezwile ngoJesu wazithukuza exukwini labantu weza kuye ngemuva wabamba ijazi lakhe, ngokuba wacabanga wathi, “Aluba ngithinta izigqoko zakhe kodwa nje, ngizasila.” Masinyane ukopha kwakhe kwakhawula wezwa emzimbeni wakhe ukuthi wayesekhululekile ekuhluphekeni kwakhe. Khonokho uJesu wananzelela ukuthi amandla ayephumile kuye. Waphendukela exukwini labantu wabuza wathi, “Ngubani othinte izigqoko zami?” Abafundi bakhe bamphendula bathi, “Lawe uyababona abantu beminyezelana kuwe, kodwa uyabuza uthi, ‘Ngubani ongithintileyo?’ ” Kodwa uJesu wala elokhu ethalaza ukuze abone ukuthi ngubani okwenzileyo lokho. Ngakho owesifazana owayekwazi okwasekwenzakele kuye weza wazilahla ezinyaweni zakhe ethuthumela ngokwesaba wahle wafakaza iqiniso. Wathi kowesifazana, “Ndodakazi, ukholo lwakho lukusilisile. Hamba ngokuthula ukhululeke ekuhluphekeni kwakho.”

UJesu elokhu esakhuluma kweza amanye amadoda ephuma endlini kaJayiru, induna yesinagogi. Athi, “Indodakazi yakho isifile. Kambe usamhluphelani umfundisi na?” Akaze akunaka lokho ababekutsho uJesu, wasetshela induna yesinagogi wathi, “Ungesabi; kholwa nje kuphela.” Kavumelanga muntu ukuba amlandele ngaphandle kukaPhethro, loJakhobe loJohane umfowabo kaJakhobe. Bathi befika emzini wenduna yesinagogi uJesu wabona isiphithiphithi abantu bekhala benqongoloza. Wangena wathi kubo, “Ngesani isiphithiphithi sonke lesi lomkhosi wonke lo? Umntwana kafanga kodwa ulele.” Kodwa bamhleka. Esebakhuphele phandle bonke wathatha uyise womntwana lonina kanye labafundi ayelabo wangena lapho umntwana ayekhona. Wambamba ngesandla wathi kuye, “Thalitha khumi!” (okutsho ukuthi, “Ntombazana, ngithi kuwe, sukuma!”) Masinyane intombazana yasukuma yahambahamba (wayemdala okweminyaka elitshumi lambili). Lokhu kwabamangalisa baphela amandla.

Kwathi ngeSabatha wafundisa esinagogini, abanengi abamuzwayo bamangala. “Indoda le yazithatha ngaphi izinto zonke lezi?” babuza. “Yinhlakanipho enganani le ayiphiwayo aze akwazi lokwenza imimangaliso!

Wayengeke enze izimangaliso lapho ngaphandle kokubeka izandla abalutshwana abantu abagulayo abasilise.

Wabiza abalitshumi lambili beza kuye, wabathumela ngababili wabapha amandla phezu kwemimoya emibi.

Bakhupha amadimoni amanengi, bagcoba abantu abanengi abagulayo ngamafutha babaphilisa.

Ngalesi isikhathi kwasekusemini kakhulu, ngakho abafundi bakhe beza kuye bathi, “Le yindawo esesikhaleni, njalo sekusemini kakhulu. Yekela abantu bahambe ukuze baziyele ezindaweni lasemizini bazithengele ukudla.” Kodwa waphendula wathi, “Bapheni lina ukudla.” Bathi kuye, “Lokho kungathatha umholo wendoda owenyanga eziyisificamibili! Uthi sihambe siyochitha imali engako sithenge isinkwa sibaphe badle?” Wabuza wathi, “Lilezinkwa ezingaki na? Ake liyokhangela.” Sebezibonile bathi, “Zinhlanu lezinhlanzi ezimbili.” UJesu wasebalaya ukuthi bahlalise bonke abantu phansi etshanini ngamaxuku. Yikho bahlala phansi ngamaxuku alikhulu. Abanye ngamatshumi amahlanu. Wazithatha izinkwa zonhlanu lezinhlanzi zombili wakhangela ezulwini, wabonga, wazihlephula izinkwa. Waseziqhubela abafundi bakhe ukuba bazabele abantu. Waphinda wabehlukanisela izinhlanzi zombili. Bonke badla basutha, abafundi basebebutha imvuthu zezinkwa lezinhlanzi bagcwalisa izitsha ezilitshumi lambili. Abadlayo babengamadoda azinkulungwane ezinhlanu.

Wabona abafundi begwedla ngamandla ngoba umoya wawuphikisana labo. Kwathi ngomlindo wesine webusuku waya kubo ehamba phezulu echibini. Wayengathi usesedlula kubo kodwa bathi bembona ehamba phezu kwechibi bacabanga ukuthi lithongo. Bahlaba umkhosi ngokuba bonke bambona besaba. Masinyane wabakhulumisa wathi, “Manini isibindi! Yimi. Lingesabi.” Wasengena kubo esikepeni umoya wahle wathula. Bamangala kakhulu,

Bonela ukuphuma esikepeni abantu bahle bamnanzelela uJesu. Bagijima indawana yonke kulowommango bethwala abagulayo ngamacansi bebasa ngaphi langaphi lapho ayekhona. Loba wayengaze aye ngaphi  —  emizini, emadolobheni loba emaphandleni  —  babeka abagulayo ezindaweni zokuthengisela. Bamncenga ukuthi abavumele bathinte nje umphetho wesigqoko sakhe, kwathi bonke labo abamthintayo basila.

UJesu wasuka kuleyondawo waya emmangweni waseThire. Wangena endlini kodwa kafunanga ukuthi kwaziwe; kodwa wayengeke azifihle ukuthi ukhona. Owesifazana owayelendodakazi yakhe encinyane eyayikhwelwe ngumoya omubi wonela ukuzwa ngaye weza wayazilahla ezinyaweni zakhe. Umfazi lo wayengumGiriki, owazalelwa eFenikhe yaseSiriya. Wancenga uJesu ukuthi akhuphe idimoni endodakazini yakhe. Wamtshela wathi kuye, “Qala uyekele abantwana badle basuthe, ngokuba kakulunganga ukuthatha ukudla kwabantwana ukuphosele izinja zabo.” Wathi owesifazana, “Yebo, Nkosi, kodwa izinja lazo ezingaphansi kwetafula ziyadla imvuthuluka.” UJesu wamtshela wathi, “Ngenxa yempendulo enhle kangaka usungahamba; idimoni seliphumile endodakazini yakho.” Owesifazana wabuyela ekhaya wafumana umntanakhe elele embhedeni, idimoni selihambile.

Khonale abantu bamlethela indoda eyayiyisacuthe isehluleka lokukhuluma, bamcela ukuthi abeke isandla sakhe phezu kwayo. UJesu wayisusela eceleni kwexuku labantu wasefaka iminwe yakhe ezindlebeni zaleyondoda. Wasekhafula wathinta ulimi lwayo indoda. Wakhangela ezulwini wakhokha umoya wathi kuyo, “EFifatha!” (okutsho ukuthi, “Vuleka!”) Ngalokhu izindlebe zendoda zavuleka, ulimi lwayo lwatshwaphuluka yahle yaqalisa ukukhuluma kuhle. UJesu wabaqonqosela ukuthi bangatsheli muntu. Kodwa wathi ngokwenza njalo baqhubeka ngamandla befakaza ngakho. Abantu bamangala baphela amandla. Bathi, “Konke asekwenzile kuhle. Uyenza futhi lezacuthe zizwe, lezimungulu zikhulume.”

Ngalezozinsuku kwaphinde kwabuthana elinye ixuku labantu. Kwathi ngoba bengelalutho lokudla uJesu wabiza abafundi bakhe wathi kubo, “Ngilosizi ngalaba abantu; sebebe lami okwezinsuku ezintathu kodwa bengadli lutho. Ngingababuyisela emakhaya belambile bazayatha endleleni ngoba abanye babo bavela kude.” Abafundi bakhe baphendula bathi, “Kodwa kungaphi endaweni ekhatshana kangaka lapho umuntu angathola khona ukudla okwaneleyo ukubapha?” UJesu wababuza wathi, “Lilezinkwa ezingaki na?” Bathi, “Eziyisikhombisa.” Wasetshela abantu ukuthi bahlale phansi emhlabathini. Esezithethe izinkwa zosikhombisa wabonga, wazihlephula wazipha abafundi bakhe ukuba baqhubele abantu. Lakanye benza khonokho. Babelezinhlanzana ezimbalwa njalo; wazithandazela lazo wathi abafundi kabazabele abantu. Abantu badla basutha. Ngemuva kwalokho abafundi badobha imvuthu kwagcwala izitsha eziyisikhombisa. Ababekhona kwakungamadoda azinkulungwane ezine. Esebabuyisele emakhaya,

Bafika eBhethisayida, abanye abantu baletha indoda eyayiyisiphofu bancenga uJesu ukuba ayibeke isandla. Wasithatha isiphofu leso wasibamba ngesandla wasiholela ngaphandle komuzi. Esekhafulele emehlweni aso wasibeka izandla uJesu wabuza wathi, “Kukhona okubonayo na?” Sathalaza sathi, “Ngibona abantu; bakhangeleka njengezihlahla ezihambahambayo.” UJesu waphinde wabeka izandla zakhe emehlweni ayo indoda leyo. Amehlo ayo asevuleka, ukubona kwayo kwalunga, isibona zonke izinto kakuhle.

Ngemva kwezinsuku ezine uJesu wathatha uPhethro loJakhobe loJohane wakhwela labo entabeni ephakemeyo lapho ababa bodwa khona. Bekhona lapho waguquka isimo phambi kwabo. Izigqoko zakhe zaba mhlophe okukhazimulayo, zaba mhlophe okungazake kwenziwe muntu emhlabeni.

Kwaphendula indoda ethile exukwini yathi, “Mfundisi, ngikulethele indodana yami ekhwelwe ngumoya omenza abe yisimungulu. Uthi ungamjuma umlahlele phansi. Usuka abhubhudle amagwebu, agedle amazinyo, ome qha umzimba. Ngibacelile abafundi bakho ukuthi bawukhuphe umoya kodwa behluleka.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Hawu, lina sizukulwane esingakholwayo, ngizahlala lani kuze kube nini na? Ngilibekezelele kuze kube nini? Mletheni kimi umfana.” Basebemletha kuye. Umoya wonela ukumbona uJesu wamlahla phansi umfana wazigiqagiqa ekhihliza amagwebu ngomlomo. UJesu wabuza uyise womfana wathi, “Sekulesikhathi esinganani enje umfana?” Wathi, “Kusukela ebuntwaneni. Kuhlezi kumphosela emlilweni loba emanzini kufuna ukumbulala. Kodwa aluba kukhona ongakwenza ake usihawukele usisize.” UJesu wathi, “Uthi ‘ongakwenza’? Yonke into iyenzakala kulowo okholwayo.” Masinyane uyise womfana wamemeza wathi, “Ngiyakholwa; ake ungisize ngehlule ukungakholwa kwami!” UJesu esebona ukuthi ixuku laligijimela kuye wawukhuza umoya omubi wathi, “Wena moya oyisacuthe lesimungulu, ngiyakulaya mina, ngithi phuma kuye ungaphindi ungene kuye futhi.” Umoya waklabalala wamgiqa phansi umfana wamhlukuluza waphuma. Umfana wathi daca waba yisidumbu, abanengi bathi, “Usefile.” Kodwa uJesu wambamba ngesandla wamdonsa wammisa ngezinyawo wema.

UJesu wabakhangela wathi, “Ngokwabantu kakwenzeki, kodwa hatshi ngoNkulunkulu; zonke izinto ziyenzakala ngoNkulunkulu.”

Basebefika eJerikho. Kwathi uJesu labafundi bakhe kanye lexuku elikhulu sebesuka edolobheni, indoda eyisiphofu, uBhathimewu (kutsho indodana kaThimewu) yayihlezi eceleni kwendlela icela. Yathi isizwa ukuthi kwakunguJesu waseNazaretha yanqolonga yathi, “Jesu, Ndodana kaDavida, ake ungihawukele!” Abanengi bayikhuza bathi kayithule, kodwa yaqhubeka yamemeza ngamandla isithi, “Ndodana kaDavida, ake ungihawukele!” UJesu wema wathi, “Mbizeni.” Basebeyibiza indoda eyisiphofu bathi, “Thokoza ndoda! Phakama! Uyakubiza.” Walahla ijazi lakhe phansi wasukuma weza kuJesu. UJesu wambuza wathi, “Ufuna ngikwenzeleni na?” Indoda eyisiphofu yathi, “Rabi, ngifuna ukuthi ngibone.” UJesu wathi, “Hamba-ke, ukukholwa kwakho sekukusilisile.” Masinyane yahle yabona yase ilandela uJesu endleleni.

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Woba lokholo kuNkulunkulu. 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.

Lathi, “Lingaze lethuka. Lidinga uJesu umNazarini obebethelwe. Usevukile! Kakho lapha. Bonani, nansi indawo lapho bebembeke khona.

Lezi zibonakaliso zizabalandela labo abakholwayo: Ngebizo lami bazakhupha amadimoni; bazakhuluma ngezindimi ezintsha; bazadobha izinyoka ngezandla zabo; bazakuthi banganatha okubulalayo kungaze kwabalimaza lakancinyane; bazabeka izandla zabo phezu kwabantu abagulayo, basile.”

Ngemva kokuba iNkosi uJesu esekhulume labo, wathathwa wakhwela waya ezulwini wahlala ngakwesokunene sikaNkulunkulu.

Abafundi bahamba bayatshumayela ezindaweni zonke, iNkosi yasebenza labo yaqinisa ilizwi layo ngezibonakaliso ezazilisekela.

Ngokuba kakukho okwahlulayo kuNkulunkulu.”

Esinagogeni lapho kwakulendoda eyayiphethwe lidimoni, umoya ongcolileyo. Yaklabalala ngelizwi layo lonke yathi, “Hawu! Ufunani kithi, Jesu waseNazaretha? Ulande ukuza sibhubhisa na? Ngiyakwazi ukuthi ungubani  —  ungoNgcwele kaNkulunkulu!” “Thula!” watsho ngolaka uJesu. “Phuma kuye!” Idimoni layilahla phansi indoda phambi kwabo bonke laphuma lingayilimazanga indoda. Bonke abantu bamangala kakhulu bakhulumisana bathi, “Yikufundisa bani lokhu? Ulaya imimoya emibi ngegunya langamandla layo iphume!” Zamemetheka izindaba ngaye kuwo wonke ummango walapho.

UJesu wasuka esinagogeni waya emzini kaSimoni. Uninazala kaSimoni wayegula ebanjwe ngumkhuhlane onzima, base becela uJesu ukuthi amsize. Wasekhothamela kuye wakhuza umkhuhlane lowo wahle wamyekela. Wathi lothu masinyane wahle walungisela uJesu ukudla.

Kwathi ilanga selitshona, abantu baletha kuJesu bonke ababe lemikhuhlane eyehlukeneyo wabaphilisa ngokubeka izandla phezu kwalowo lalowo ngamunye. Phezu kwalokho, amadimoni aphuma kwabanengi ememeza esithi, “Wena uyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu!” Kodwa wawakhuza kazawavumela ukuthi akhulume ngokuba ayemazi ukuthi unguKhristu.

Eseqedile ukukhuluma wathi kuSimoni, “Gwedla ungene emanzini atshonayo ucwilise amambule akho ukuze ubambe inhlanzi.” USimoni waphendula wathi, “Nkosi, sisebenze gadalala ubusuku bonke kodwa kasibambanga lutho. Kodwa njengoba usitsho njalo sengizawehlisa amambule.” Kwathi sebenze njalo babamba izinhlanzi ezaba zinengi kwaze kwaqalisa ukudabuka amambule. Base bebiza abakhula babo kwesinye isikepe ukuthi bazobelekelela. Beza abakhula babo kwesinye isikepe ukuthi bazobelekelela. Beza bazigcwalisa zombili izikepe zathi phamu zaze zaqalisa ukutshona. Kwathi uSimoni Phethro ekubona lokhu wazilahla phansi phambi kukaJesu wathi, “Suka kimi, Nkosi; ngingumuntu oyisoni!” Ngokuba yena labakhula bakhe babemangele ngezinhlanzi ababezibambile,

Kwathi uJesu ekwelinye lamadolobho kweza indoda eyayigcwele ubulephero. Yathi ibona uJesu yathi mbo phansi ngobuso yamncenga yathi, “Nkosi, uma uthanda ungangihlambulula.” UJesu welula isandla sakhe wayithinta indoda leyo. Wathi, “Ngiyathanda. Hlambuluka!” Masinyane nje ubulephero bahle baphela. UJesu waseyilaya wathi, “Ungatsheli muntu, kodwa hamba uyozitshengisa kumphristi ubusunikela umhlatshelo owayalwa nguMosi owokuhlanjululwa kwakho, ukuze kube yibufakazi kubo.” Kodwa udumo lwakhe lwanda ngamandla, yikho amaxuku abantu eza ukuza muzwa lokusiliswa emikhuhlaneni yabo.

Ngelinye ilanga elokhu efundisa, kwakuhlezi khonapho abaFarisi labafundisi bomthetho ababephuma emizini yonke yaseGalile abanye bevela eJudiya laseJerusalema. Amandla eNkosi ayekhona kuye ukuze asilise abagulayo. Kwafika amanye amadoda ethwele owome umhlubulo ngecansi bezama ukungena laye endlini bambeke phambi kukaJesu. Bathi sebehlulekile ngenxa yokuminyana kwabantu bakhwela ephahleni bamehlisela phansi ngesikhala bamuthi qithi phakathi kwabantu phambi kukaJesu. Kwathi uJesu ebona ukholo lwabo wathi, “Mzalwane, izono zakho sezithethelelwe.” AbaFarisi labafundisi bomthetho bakhonona bathi, “Ungubani yena lo umuntu okhuluma inhlamba na? Ngubani ongathethelela izono ngaphandle kukaNkulunkulu kuphela na?” UJesu wayekwazi abakucabangayo wasebuza wathi, “Kungani linakana izinto ezinje ezinhliziyweni zenu na? Yikuphi okulula: ukuthi, ‘Izono zakho sezithethelelwe,’ loba ukuthi, ‘Sukuma uhambe’? Kodwa ukuze lazi ukuthi iNdodana yoMuntu ilamandla emhlabeni awokuthethelela izono … ” Wasesithi koyisilima, “Ngiyakutshela ngithi sukuma uthathe icansi lakho uye ekhaya.” Masinyane wathi lothu phambi kwabo, wabutha ayekade elele phezu kwakho waya ekhaya edumisa uNkulunkulu. Wonke umuntu wamangala, badumisa uNkulunkulu. Baba lesithuli bathi, “Lamuhla sesibone izimanga.”

Ngelinye iSabatha waya esinagogeni wafundisa, khonapho kulendoda elesandla sokudla esitshwabheneyo. AbaFarisi labafundisi bomthetho babedinga izaba lokubeka uJesu icala, yikho bamlinda ukubona ingabe wayezasilisa ngeSabatha. Kodwa uJesu wakwazi ababekucabanga, wasesithi endodeni yesandla esitshwabheneyo, “Sukuma ume phambi kwabantu bonke.” Lakanye yasukuma yema khonapho. UJesu wasesithi kubo, “Ngiyalibuza, yikuphi okusemthethweni ngelanga leSabatha: ukwenza okuhle kumbe ukwenza okubi, ukusindisa impilo kumbe ukuyibhubhisa?” Wabakhangela wababhoda bonke, wasesithi endodeni leyo, “Yelula isandla sakho.” Yenza njalo, isandla sayo sasiliswa ngokupheleleyo.

Wehla labo bema esigcawini. Kwakubuthene ixuku elikhulu elabafundi bakhe njalo kulabantu abanengi bevela kulo lonke elaseJudiya, leJerusalema lasemakhunjini olwandle eThire leSidoni, ababeze ukuza muzwa lokuzakwelatshwa izifo zabo. Labo ababehlutshwa ngomoya ababi basiliswa, kwathi bonke abantu bazama ukumthinta ngoba amandla ayephuma kuye ebasilisa bonke.

Khonapho inceku yenduna yekhulu eyayiligugu kakhulu enkosini yayo, yayigula isilengela ekufeni. Induna yekhulu yezwa ngoJesu yathuma kuye abanye abadala babaJuda icela ukuba eze azosilisa inceku yayo. Bafika kuJesu bamncenga kakhulu bathi, “Indoda le ifanele ukuthi uyenzele lokhu, ngokuba iyasithanda isizwe sakithi njalo yiyo eyakha isinagogi yethu.” Ngakho uJesu wahamba labo. Wayengasekhatshana lendlu lapho induna yekhulu yathuma abangane bayo ukuyakuthi kuye, “Nkosi, ungazihluphi, akungifanelanga mina ukuthi ungene ngaphansi kophahla lwami. Yikho okwenze ukuthi ngingazake nginakane ukuthi ngize kuwe. Kodwa tshono ilizwi nje, inceku yami izasila. Ngokuba mina ngokwami ngingumuntu olawulayo, ngilamabutho angaphansi kwami. Lo ngimtshela ngithi, ‘Hamba,’ ahambe; kuloyana ngithi, ‘Woza,’ eze. Ngingathi encekwini yami, ‘Yenza lokhu,’ ikwenze.” UJesu wathi ekuzwa lokhu, wamangala ngaye, wasephendukela exukwini labantu ababemlandela wathi, “Ngiyalitshela, kangikaluboni ukholo olukhulu kangaka kanye lako-Israyeli.” Abantu ababethunyiwe babuyela endlini bafica inceku isiziphilela.

Wathi esebanga entubeni yedolobho, khonapho umuntu ofileyo wayethwelwe ekhutshelwa ngaphandle  —  eyiyo yodwa indodana kanina wayo, lowonina engumfelokazi. Ixuku elikhulu labantu bedolobheni lalilaye. Kwathi uJesu embona umfelokazi, wamzwela usizi wathi kuye, “Ungakhali.” Wasesondela wathinta ithala elalilesidumbu, kwathi labo ababelithwele bema mpo. Wathi, “Jaha, ngithi kuwe vuka!” Indoda efileyo yavuka yahlala, yasikhuluma, uJesu wayinika unina. Bonke bagcwala ukwesaba badumisa uNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Umphrofethi omkhulu usevelile phakathi kwethu. UNkulunkulu usefikile ukuzasiza abantu bakhe.” Udumo lukaJesu lwamemetheka kulo lonke elaseJudiya, lemmangweni wakhona.

Ngasona leso sikhathi uJesu wasilisa abanengi ababelezifo, lemikhuhlane lemimoya emibi, wathungulula iziphofu ezinengi. Waseziphendula izithunywa wathi, “Buyelani liyobikela uJohane elikubonileyo lelikuzwileyo: Iziphofu zenziwa zibone, abaqhulayo bayahamba, labo abalobulephero bayasiliswa, izacuthe ziyezwa, abafileyo bayavuswa lezindaba ezinhle ziyatshunyayelwa kubayanga.

kanye labesifazana ababephilisiwe emimoyeni emibi lezifeni: uMariya (owayethiwa nguMagadalena) okwakuphume kuye amadimoni ayisikhombisa;

Ngelinye ilanga uJesu wathi kubafundi bakhe, “Kasiyeni ngaphetsheya kwechibi.” Base bengena esikepeni bahamba. Bathe belokhu behamba yena walala. Kwafika isiphepho phezu kwechibi isikepe saqalisa ukugalula, baba sengozini embi. Abafundi bahamba bayamvusa besithi, “Nkosi, Nkosi, nanku sesigalula bo!” Wavuka wawukhuza umoya lamanzi ayeyabuka; isiphepho sadeda, kwathula cwaka. Wababuza abafundi bakhe, wathi, “Kungaphi ukukholwa kwenu na?” Babuzana ngokumangala lokwesaba bathi, “Kanti ungubani lo? Ukhuza kanye lomoya lamanzi kumlalele.”

Kwathi uJesu esehla okhunjini wahlangabezwa yindoda ephethwe lidimoni iqhamuka ngasedolobheni. Indoda le yayisilesikhathi eside ingavunuli zigqoko, ingahlali endlini, kodwa ihlala emathuneni. Yathi ibona uJesu, yahlaba umkhosi yazilahla ezinyaweni zakhe iklabalala ngelizwi elikhulu isithi, “Ufuna ukungenzani, Jesu, Ndodana kaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke? Ngiyakuncenga, ungaze wangichukuluza!” Ngokuba uJesu wayeseyale umoya omubi ukuthi uphume kuleyondoda. Izikhathi ezinengi wawumdumela, kwale loba wayebotshwe ngamaketane ezandleni lezinyaweni njalo ehlezi elindiwe, wayewaqamula amaketane idimoni limfuqele enkangala. UJesu wambuza wathi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho?” “NginguLigiyoni,” waphendula, ngoba amadimoni amanengi ayengene kuye. Amncenga futhi futhi ukuthi angawalayi ukuthi ayewolokothela eMgodini oNgelamkhawulo. Umhlambi omkhulu wezingulube wawusidla khonapho eceleni koqaqa. Amadimoni acela uJesu ukuthi awavumele ukuyangena kuzo, laye wawavumela. Amadimoni aphuma endodeni ayangena ezingulubeni, umhlambi wathi zimu ubaleka wayakhalakathela eliweni wagxumukela echibini wagalula. Labo ababelusile izingulube lezo bonela ukubona okwasekwenzakele babaleka bayabika edolobheni lemmangweni wakhona, abantu base beqonda khonale ukuyabona okwasekwenzakele. Bathi befika kuJesu bayifumana indoda okwakukhutshwe kuyo amadimoni ihlezi ezinyaweni zikaJesu, igqokile njalo ingqondo isibuyile; besaba kakhulu. Labo ababebonile kusenzakala batshela abantu ukuthi indoda eyayiphethwe lidimoni yasiliswa njani. Kwasekusithi bonke abantu bommango wamaGerasene bamcela uJesu ukuthi kasuke kubo ngokuba babekhulelwa yikwesaba. Ngakho wangena esikepeni wahamba.

Khonapho kwakulowesifazana owayekade ephethwe yikopha okweminyaka elitshumi lambili, kodwa kungekho owayengamsiza. Weza ngemuva kukaJesu wathinta umphetho wesigqoko sakhe, kwathi masinyane ukopha kwaphela. UJesu wabuza wathi, “Ngubani ongithintileyo?” Kwathi ngoba bonke bephika uPhethro wathi, “Nkosi, abantu bayaminyezelana besondela kuwe.” Kodwa uJesu wathi, “Ukhona ongithintileyo; ngiyazi ukuthi amandla aphumile kimi.” Owesifazana esebone ukuthi uzacina eboniwe weza ethuthumela wazilahla ezinyaweni zakhe. Wachaza phambi kwabantu bonke ukuthi kungani wayemthintile uJesu lokuthi wasiliswa njani masinyane. UJesu wasesithi kuye, “Ndodakazi, ukholo lwakho lukusilisile. Hamba ngokuthula.”

Kwathi uJesu elokhu esakhuluma omunye weza evela endlini kaJayirosi umbusi wesinagogi, wafika wathi, “Indodakazi yakho isifile. Ungabe usamhlupha umfundisi.” UJesu wathi ekuzwa lokhu wathi kuJayirosi, “Ungesabi, wena kholwa kuphela, izaphiliswa.” Wathi esefikile endlini kaJayirosi kavumelanga muntu ukungena laye ngaphandle kukaPhethro loJohane loJakhobe, kanye loyise womntwana lonina. Kunjalo nje inengi labantu babekhihliza isililo bekhalela intombazana. UJesu wathi kubo, “Thulani ukukhala. Kafanga kodwa ulele.” Bamhleka uJesu ngoba besazi ukuthi intombazana yayisifile. Kodwa wayibamba ngesandla wathi, “Mntanami, vuka!” Umoya wayo wabuya, masinyane yasukuma yathi lothu! UJesu wasesithi kabamnike ukudla. Abazali bakhe bamangala, kodwa wabalaya ukuthi bangatsheli muntu ngalokho okwakwenzakele.

UJesu esebizele abaLitshumi Lambili ndawonye wabapha amandla lemvumo ukuthi bakhuphe wonke amadimoni, belaphe lemikhuhlane, njalo wasebathuma ukuyatshumayela umbuso kaNkulunkulu lokuphilisa abagulayo,

Base besuka bangena imizi ngemizi, betshumayela ivangeli njalo besilisa abantu ezindaweni zonke.

kodwa amaxuku abantu ezwa ukuthi ukhonale base bemlandela. Wabemukela wabatshela ngombuso kaNkulunkulu, wasilisa labo ababekuswela ukusiliswa.

Emini abaLitshumi Lambili beza kuye bathi, “Wothi abantu kabahambe ukuze baye emizini eseduze lasemaphandleni bayozidingela ukudla lezindawo zokulala ngokuba lapha sisendaweni ekhatshana eyisikhala.” Waphenduka wathi, “Bapheni lina ukudla.” Baphendula bathi, “Thina silezinkwa ezinhlanu lezinhlanzi ezimbili kuphela  —  ngaphandle kokuthi sihambe siyothenga ukudla kwabantu bonke laba.” (Kwakulamadoda angaba yizinkulungwane ezinhlanu khonapho.) Kodwa wathi kubafundi bakhe, “Bahlaliseni phansi ngamaxuku abantu abangamatshumi amahlanu ngalinye.” Benza njalo abafundi, wonke umuntu wahlala phansi. Wathatha izinkwa zonhlanu lezinhlanzi zombili wakhangela ezulwini, wabonga wasezihlephula. Waseziqhubela abafundi ukuthi bazinike abantu. Bonke badla basutha, abafundi basebebutha bagcwalisa izitsha ezilitshumi lambili imvuthuluka eyasalayo.

Wathi ekhuleka isimo sobuso bakhe saguquka lezigqoko zakhe zakhazimula njengokuphazima kombane.

Enye indoda exukwini yamemeza yathi, “Mfundisi, ngiyakuncenga ukuthi uke ukhangele indodana yami, ngoba inguye yedwa umntwana engilaye. Umoya uyamjuma abeseklabalala; uyamgiqa ajanquke abesebhubhudla amagwebu emlonyeni. Usuhlezi udlala ngaye nje usufuna ukumqeda. Bengicele abafundi bakho ukuthi bawuxotshe kodwa behlulekile.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Hawu, sizukulwane esingakholwayo, esixhwalileyo, ngihlale lani kuze kube nini ngilokhu ngilibekezelela na? Ilethe lapha indodana yakho.” Kwathi lapho umfana elokhu esalethwa kuye idimoni lambhuqa phansi ebhinqika. Kodwa uJesu wawukhuza umoya omubi, wamsilisa umfana wambuyisela kuyise. Bonke bamangala kakhulu ngobukhulu bukaNkulunkulu. Kwathi wonke umuntu esamangele ngalokho uJesu ayekwenzile, wathi kubafundi bakhe,

“Nxa lifika edolobheni lamukelwe khona, dlanini lokho elikuphiwayo. Silisani abagulayo abayabe belapho, njalo libatshele lithi, ‘Umbuso kaNkulunkulu useduze kwenu.’

Ngiliphile amandla okugxoba izinyoka lezinkume lokunqoba wonke amandla esitha; kakukho okuzalilimaza. Kodwa lingathatshiswa yikuthi imimoya iyazithoba kini, kodwa thokoziswani yikuthi amabizo enu alotshiwe ezulwini.”

UJesu wayekhupha idimoni elaliyisimungulu. Lathi idimoni selisuka, indoda eyayiyisimungulu yakhuluma, ixuku labantu lamangala.

Ngelinye iSabatha uJesu wayefundisa kwelinye isinagogi, khonapho kulowesifazana owayengenwe ngumoya wamenza isilima okweminyaka elitshumi leficamibili. Wayegogekile esehluleka ukuhlala aqonde. Kwathi uJesu embona wambizela phambili wathi kuye, “Mama, usukhululwe ekugogekeni kwakho.” Wasebeka izandla zakhe phezu kwakhe, masinyane nje owesifazana watshwaphuluka waqonda wasedumisa uNkulunkulu. Umbusi wesinagogi wacunuka ngoba uJesu wayesilise ngeSabatha wathi ebantwini, “Ziyisithupha izinsuku zokwenza umsebenzi. Ngakho libokuza lizosiliswa kulezozinsuku, hatshi ngeSabatha.” INkosi yamphendula yathi, “Lina bazenzisi! Kalikwenzi yini lonke lapha ukuthi mhla weSabatha likhulule inkabi yenu loba ubabhemi esibayeni liyokunathisa na? Manje-ke owesifazana lo oyindodakazi ka-Abhrahama, obebotshwe nguSathane okweminyaka eminengi, elitshumi leficamibili, lithi kangakhululwa yini ngeSabatha kulokho obekumbophile?” Wathi esekutshilo lokhu bayangeka bonke ababephikisana laye, ikanti abantu babethokoza ngazo zonke izinto ezimangalisayo ayezenza.

Waphendula wathi, “Hambani liyotshela ikhanka lelo lithi, ‘Ngizawaxotsha amadimoni, ngisilise abantu, lamuhla lakusasa langosuku lwesithathu ngize ngiyiphethe indima yami.’

Phambi kwakhe khonapho kwakulendoda eyayilesifo sikambizankulu, esivuvukisa izitho. UJesu wasebuza abaFarisi lezazi zomthetho wathi, “Kusemthethweni yini kumbe hatshi ukusilisa ngosuku lweSabatha na?” Kodwa bathula. Yikho waseyibamba indoda leyo wayisilisa wathi kayihambe.

Abaphostoli bathi eNkosini, “Yandisa ukholo lwethu!” Waphendula wathi, “Nxa lilokukholwa loba kukuncinyane njengenhlamvu yemastadi lingathi kulesisihlahla somabhulosi, ‘Quphuka lapha uyogxumeka olwandle,’ sizalilalela.

Wathi efika komunye umuzi wahlangabezwa ngamadoda alitshumi ayelobulephero. Bema bucwala bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu bathi, “Jesu, Nkosi, sihawukele!” Wathi ebabona wathi kubo, “Hambani liyoziveza kubaphristi.” Bathi besahamba bahlambuluka. Omunye wabo wathi ngokubona ukuthi usesilile wabuya, edumisa uNkulunkulu ngelizwi elikhulu. Wazilahla phansi ezinyaweni zikaJesu wambonga  —  yena wayengumSamariya. UJesu wabuza wathi, “Kanti kabahlanjululwanga bonke abalitshumi yini? Bangaphi abanye abayisificamunye na? Ubengekho yini obengabuya azoletha udumo kuNkulunkulu ngaphandle kwalesi isizwe na?” Wasesithi kuye, “Phakama uhambe; ukukholwa kwakho kukusilisile.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Lokho okungenzekiyo emandleni abantu kuyenzakala kwakaNkulunkulu.”

UJesu esebanga eJerikho kwakulendoda eyisiphofu eyisiceli ihlezi eceleni kwendlela icela. Yathi isizwa kudlula ixuku labantu yabuza ukuthi kuyini okwakusenzakala. Bayitshela bathi, “UJesu waseNazaretha uyedlula khonapha.” Yamemeza yathi, “Jesu, Ndodana kaDavida, ake ungihawukele!” Labo ababehamba phambili bayikhuza bathi kayithule, kodwa yona yasimemeza ngamandla yathi, “Ndodana kaDavida ake ungihawukele!” UJesu wema wathi indoda leyo kayilethwe kuye. Isifikile uJesu wayibuza wathi, “Ufuna ukuthi ngikwenzeleni na?” Yaphendula yathi, “Nkosi, ngifuna ukuthi ngibone.” UJesu wathi kuyo, “Kuzuze-ke ukubona; ukukholwa kwakho kukusindisile.” Masinyane yahle yabona yasimlandela uJesu idumisa uNkulunkulu. Kwathi bonke abantu bekubona lokho, labo bamdumisa uNkulunkulu.

Omunye wabo wayigalela inceku yomphristi ophezulu, wayiquma indlebe yayo yokunene. Kodwa uJesu waphendula wathi, “Kakufuneki lokhu!” Waseyibamba indlebe yalowomuntu wamsilisa.

Kakho lapha; usevukile! Khumbulani ukuthi walitshela njani eseselani eGalile wathi:

Kwathi iwayini seliphelile unina kaJesu wathi kuye, “Sebephelelwe liwayini.” Waphendula uJesu wathi, “Mama, mina lawe singena njani kulokho na? Isikhathi sami kasikafiki.” Unina wasesithi ezincekwini, “Libokwenza loba kuyini azalitshela khona.” Eduze kwalapho kwakumi izimbiza zamatshe eziyisithupha, uhlobo lolo abaJuda ababelusebenzisa enkonzweni yokuzihlambulula, ngayinye imbiza ingagcwala amalitha alikhulu kusiya ekhulwini elilamatshumi amahlanu. UJesu wathi ezincekwini, “Zigcwaliseni amanzi izimbiza lezi;” yikho bazigcwalisa zathi thwaca. Wasezitshela wathi, “Khathesi-ke khanini khonapho lise kumphathi wedili.” Benza njalo, umphathi wedili wahubula wawanambitha amanzi ayesephendulwe aba liwayini. Kakwazanga ukuthi lavela ngaphi, kodwa izince-ku ezaziwakhile amanzi zazisazi. Wasebizela umnyeni eceleni wathi, “Wonke umuntu uletha iwayini elimnandi kuqala, kuthi nxa izethekeli sezinathe kakhulu kube yikhona ekhupha elibi; kodwa wena ugodle elimnandi kuze kube khathesi.” Lo ummangaliso wakhe wokuqala, uJesu wawenza eKhana laseGalile. Wabonakalisa kanjalo inkazimulo yakhe, abafundi bakhe base bebeka ukholo lwabo kuye.

Kwathi eseJerusalema eDilini lePhasika abantu abanengi bayibona imimangaliso ayeyenza base bekholwa ebizweni lakhe.

Weza kuJesu ebusuku wathi, “Rabi, siyazi ukuthi ungumfundisi ovela kuNkulunkulu. Ngokuba kakho obengayenza imimangaliso oyenzayo wena uma uNkulunkulu engelaye.”

Wabuya njalo wethekelela eKhana laseGalile, lapho aguqula khona amanzi aba liwayini. Kwakukhona lapho isiphathamandla sasesikhosini esasigulelwa yindodana yaso eKhaphenawume. Kwathi indoda leyo isizwile ukuthi uJesu wayesefikile eGalile evela eJudiya yaya kuye yamncenga ukuthi eze azosilisa indodana yayo eyase ilengela ekufeni. UJesu wamtshela wathi, “Ngaphandle kokuthi lina bantu libone izibonakaliso ezididayo lezimangaliso kalisoze lafa lakholwa.” Sathi isiphathamandla sasesikhosini, “Mnumzana, woza umntanami engakafi.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Usungahamba. Indodana yakho izaphila.” Indoda yalikholwa ilizwi likaJesu yahamba. Yathi ilokhu iseza isesendleleni izinceku zayo zayihlangabeza zayibikela ukuthi indodana yayo yayisiphila. Isibuzile ukuthi kwakuyisikhathi bani lapho indodana yayo yasila ngaso, zathi kuyo, “Umkhuhlane uyixolele izolo ngehora lesikhombisa.” Uyise wananzelela ukuthi leso sasiyiso kanye isikhathi uJesu atsho kuye ukuthi, “Indodana yakho izaphila.” Yikho yena kanye labendlu yakhe bonke bakholwa.

EJerusalema kukhona ichibi eduze lesango leZimvu, elithiwa ngesi-Aramu yiBhethisida, elalihonqolozelwe ngezinsika ezinhlanu ezibiyelweyo. Khonapho abantu abayizilima abanengi babandise ukulala  —  iziphofu, abaqhugezelayo, abome umhlubulo  —  belindele ukuqubuka kwamanzi; ( ngokuba kwakusithi ngezikhathi ezithile ingilosi yeNkosi yayisehlela echibini, amanzi adungadungwe, besekusithi umuntu oqalayo ukungena emanzini ngemuva kokudungeka kwawo asiliswe loba kukuwuphi umkhuhlane owawumbambile.) Omunye owayelapho wayesebe yisigoga okweminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lesificamibili. Kwathi uJesu embona elele khonapho njalo esetsheliwe ukuthi kade abanjalo okwesikhathi eside, wambuza wathi, “Uyafuna na ukuba usile?” Oyisilima waphendula wathi, “Mnumzana, kangilamuntu wokungisiza angingenise echibini lapho amanzi edungwa. Ngithi lapho ngizama ukungena omunye angingenele kuqala.” UJesu wasethi kuye, “Sukuma! Thatha icansi lakho uhambe.” Khonokho nje indoda yasila; yathatha icansi layo yahamba. Lokhu kwenzakala ngelanga leSabatha,

njalo walandelwa lixuku elikhulu labantu ngokuba babona imimangaliso ayeyenzile kwababegula.

UJesu wathi uyakhangela wabona ixuku labantu elikhulu lisiza kuye, wathi kuFiliphu, “Sizasithenga ngaphi isinkwa ukuze abantu laba badle?” Wabuza lokhu emlinga nje kuphela ngokuba wayevele esekwazi ayezakwenza. UFiliphu wamphendula wathi, “Amadenariyo angamakhulu amabili ngeke athenge isinkwa esaneleyo ukuthi lowo lalowo azuze ucezwana!” Omunye wabafundi bakhe, u-Andreya, umfowabo kaSimoni Phethro, wakhuluma wathi, “Nangu umfana olezinkwa zebhali ezinhlanu lezinhlanzi ezimbili ezincinyane, kodwa zingafika ngaphi ebantwini abanengi kangaka na?” UJesu wathi, “Hlalisani abantu phansi.” Kwakulotshani obunengi kuleyondawo, asehlala phansi amadoda ubunengi bawo bungaba yizinkulungwane ezinhlanu. UJesu wasezithatha izinkwa, wakhuleka, wasezabela labo abasebehlezi phansi, wabapha njengokufuna kwabo. Wenza njalo langezinhlanzi. Kwathi bonke sebanelisiwe yikudla, wasesithi kubafundi bakhe, “Buthani imvuthu eseleyo. Kakungalahlwa lutho.” Ngakho bazibutha bagcwalisa izitsha ezilitshumi lambili ngemvuthu zezinkwa zebhali ezatshiywa yilabo ababedlile. Abantu sebewubonile ummangaliso awenzayo uJesu baqalisa ukuthi, “Ngeqiniso lo nguye uMphrofethi ozafika emhlabeni.”

Sebegwedle okwamakhilomitha amahlanu loba ayisithupa bambona uJesu esiza esikepeni ehamba phezu kwamanzi; bethuka kakhulu. Kodwa wathi kubo, “Yimi; lingesabi.” Babefuna ukumngenisa esikepeni, kwathi masinyane isikepe sahle safika ekhunjini lapho ababeqonde khona.

Besizwa lokhu badobha amatshe befuna ukumkhanda, kodwa uJesu wasithela, waphunyuka wasuka emagumeni ethempeli.

UJesu wathi elokhu ehamba wabona indoda eyayiyisiphofu kwasekuzalweni kwayo. Abafundi bakhe bambuza bathi, “Rabi, ngubani owenza isono, indoda le noma abazali bayo ukuze izalwe iyisiphofu na?” UJesu wathi, “Kakusikho ukuthi abazali bayo loba yona indoda le yenza isono, kodwa lokhu kwenzakala ukuze umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu ubonakaliswe empilweni yayo. Nxa kulokhu kusemini simele siwenze umsebenzi wakhe ongithumileyo. Ubusuku buyeza lapho kungelamuntu ongasebenza khona. Nxa ngisekhona emhlabeni, ngiyikukhanya komhlaba.” Esetshilo lokhu wakhafulela emhlabathini, wavuba udaka ngamathe waluname-ka emehlweni endoda. Wayitshela wathi, “Hamba uyogeza esizibeni saseSilowami: (Igama leli litsho ukuthi ‘uThunyiwe’). Ngakho indoda yahamba yayageza, yabuyela ekhaya isibona. Omakhelwane bayo lalabo abahlezi beyibona icela babuza bathi, “Kakusiyo yini indoda le eyayihlala icela?”

Kakho osewake wezwa ngokuvulwa kwamehlo omuntu owazalwa eyisiphofu. Aluba umuntu lo ubengaveli kuNkulunkulu ubengasoze enze lutho.”

Wathi, “Lisuseni ilitshe.” UMatha, udadewabo wendoda efileyo wathi, “Nkosi, kodwa khathesi sekulephunga elibi, ngoba usebe lapha izinsuku ezine.” UJesu wasesithi, “Kangikutshelanga yini ukuthi uma ukholwa uzabona inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu na?” 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!” Indoda efileyo yaphuma, izandla zayo lezinyawo kusongiwe ngamaqhele elineni, kulelembu limboze ubuso. UJesu wathi kubo, “Khuphani izivunulo zokungcwaba limyekele ahambe.”

Abaphristi abakhulu labaFarisi basebebiza umhlangano woMphakathi. “Kanti sivele senzani?” babuzana. “Nangu phela umuntu lo esenza imimangaliso eminengi.

Lokuba uJesu wayeyenzile yonke imimangaliso le emehlweni abo, babelokhu bengakholwa kuye.

Kholwani kimi uma ngisithi ngikuBaba loBaba ukimi; loba kodwa lokhu kholwani ngenxa yobufakazi bemimangaliso ngokwayo. Ngiqinisile ukuthi lowo okholwayo kimi uzakwenza lokho ebengikade ngikwenza. Uzakwenza izinto ezinkulu kulalezi ngokuba ngiya kuBaba.

Njalo ngizakwenza noma yini eliyicelayo ngebizo lami, ukuze iNdodana ilethe inkazimulo kuBaba. Lingangicela noma yini ngebizo lami, ngizayenza.

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

Kusihlwa ngalolosuku lokuqala lweviki, abafundi babendawonye behluthulele iminyango ngoba besesaba abaJuda, uJesu wafika wema phakathi kwabo wathi, “Ukuthula kakube kini!” Esekutshilo lokhu wabatshengisa izandla zakhe lohlangothi lwakhe. Abafundi bathaba bafa nxa beyibona iNkosi.

Kwathi lapho abanye abafundi bemtshela ukuthi babeyibonile iNkosi, wathandabuza wathi, “Ngaphandle kokuthi ngibone izibavu zezipikili ezandleni zakhe ngibeke umunwe wami emanxebeni ezipikili, ngifake isandla sami ohlangothini lwakhe, kangisoze ngikholwe.” Sekudlule iviki abafundi bakhe babesendlini njalo, loTomasi elabo. Lokuba iminyango yayihluthulelwe uJesu wafika wema phakathi kwabo wathi, “Ukuthula kakube kini!” Wasesithi kuTomasi, “Beka umunwe wakho lapha; bona izandla zami. Yelula isandla sakho usibeke ohlangothini lwami. Khawula ukuthandabuza ukholwe.” UThomasi wathi kuye, “Nkosi yami, Nkulunkulu wami!”

UJesu wenza eminye imimangaliso eminengi abafundi bakhe bekhangele, kodwa engabhalwanga kule incwadi.

USimoni Phethro wabatshela wathi, “Ngisayagola inhlanzi” bona bathi, “Sizahamba lawe.” Ngakho baphuma bayangena esikepeni, kodwa kababambanga lutho ngalobobusuku. Ekuseni kakhulu uJesu wema ekhunjini, kodwa abafundi kabananzelelanga ukuthi kwakunguJesu. Wabamemeza wathi, “Bangane, lilokhu lingabambanga nhlanzi yini?” Baphendula bathi, “Hatshi.” Wathi, “Phosani umambule wenu ngasekunene kwesikepe lizazuza khona. Bathe sebenze njalo behluleka ukudonsa umbule ngenxa yobunengi bezinhlanzi. Lowomfundi owayethandwa nguJesu wathi kuPhethro, “YiNkosi!” USimoni Phethro wonela ukuzwa esithi, “YiNkosi,” wazembathisa ngesigqoko sakhe sejazi (ngoba wayesikhumule) weqela emanzini. Abanye abafundi balandela ngesikepe behola umbule ugcwele izinhlanzi, ngoba babengakhatshana lokhumbi, kungaba yizinyathelo ezilikhulu. Ekufikeni kwabo okhunjini babona umlilo wamalahle uvutha kulenhlanzi phezulu, kanye lesinkwa. UJesu wathi kubo, “Lethani ezinye izinhlanzi elizibambileyo.” USimoni Phethro wakhwela esikepeni wadonsela umambule okhunjini. Wawugcwele izinhlanzi ezinkulu, zilikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu lantathu, kodwa loba zinengi kangaka umambule kawuqhewukanga.

UPhethro wanyemukula wabona umfundi lowo uJesu ayemthanda ebalandela. (Nguye lowo oweyama kuJesu esidlweni, owabuzayo wathi, “Nkosi, ngubani ozakunikela na?”) UPhethro wathi embona wathi, “Nkosi, kanti lo-ke?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Aluba ngifuna ukuthi asale ephila ngize ngibuye kulani lawe lokho? Wena kumele ungilandele.” Ngenxa yalokhu, kwahungazwa phakathi kwabazalwane ukuthi umfundi lo wayengezukufa. Kodwa uJesu katshongo ukuthi wayengezukufa; wathi nje kuphela, “Uma ngifuna ukuthi asale ephila ngize ngibuye, kulani lawe lokho na?”

UJesu wenza ezinye izinto ezinengi njalo. Aluba zonke nganye zazingabhalwa phansi, ngibona ingathi lomhlaba wonke wawuzaswela indawo yezincwadi ezazingabhalwa.

Ngemuva kokuhlupheka kwakhe waziveza emadodeni la watshengisa iziqiniselo ezinengi ukuthi wayephila. Wabonakala kubo okwesikhathi esiyizinsuku ezingamatshumi amane, ekhuluma ngombuso kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa lina lizakwamukela amandla nxa uMoya oNgcwele esefikile phezu kwenu; njalo lizakuba ngofakazi bami eJerusalema, lakulo lonke eleJudiya lase-Samariya, lasemikhawulweni yomhlaba.” Esekutshilo lokhu wakhutshulwa phambi kwamehlo abo, iyezi lamfihla ababe besambona.

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. Ngalesosikhathi eJerusalema kwakuhlala abaJuda ababemesaba uNkulunkulu bevela kuyo yonke imibuso yomhlaba. Bathi ngokuzwa umsindo lo, kwabuthana ixuku labantu bemangele ngokuba ubani lobani wabezwa bekhuluma ngolimi lwakhe.

‘Ngezinsuku zokucina, uNkulunkulu uthi, Ngizathululela uMoya wami kubo bonke abantu. Amadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, izinsizwa zenu zizabona imibono, lamaxhegu enu azaphupha amaphupho. Laphezu kwezinceku zami, ezesilisa lezesifazana ngizawuthulula uMoya wami kulezozinsuku, yikho bazaphrofetha. Njalo ngizatshengisa izimanga ezulwini phezulu lezibonakaliso emhlabeni phansi, igazi lomlilo lezikhatha zentuthu. Ilanga lizaphendulwa umnyama lenyanga izakuba njengegazi kungakafiki usuku olukhulu lweNkosi, olukhazimulayo.

“Bantu bako-Israyeli, zwanini lokhu: UJesu waseNazaretha wayeyindoda eyamiswa nguNkulunkulu kini ngemimangaliso, langezinkinga lezibonakaliso uNkulunkulu azenzayo phakathi kwenu ngaye, njengoba lina ngokwenu lisazi.

Wonke umuntu wagcwala ukuthithibala, njalo abaphostoli benza izimanga lezibonakaliso ezinengi.

Indoda eyayigogekile kwasekuzalweni kwayo yayithwalwa isiwe esangweni lethempeli elalibizwa ngokuthi iSango Elihle, lapho yayibekwa khona izinsuku zonke ukuthi icele kulabo ababengena emagumeni ethempeli. Yathi ibona uPhethro loJohane bengena yabacela imali. UPhethro wayijolozela, wenza njalo loJohane. UPhethro wasesithi, “Sikhangele!” Yikho indoda yabakhangela, ithembe ukuthi izazuza ulutho kubo. UPhethro wasesithi, “Isiliva kumbe igolide kangilakho, kodwa engilakho ngikunika khona. Ebizweni likaJesu Khristu waseNazaretha, sukuma uhambe.” Wambamba ngesandla sokudla wamsukumisa, kwathi masinyane izinyawo lezinqagala zaqina. Wathi lothu ngezinyawo zakhe wahle wahamba. Wasehamba labo ethempelini, ezihambela, eseqa njalo edumisa uNkulunkulu, bamnanzelela ukuthi nguye lowo owayehlala ecela esangweni lethempeli elalithiwa iSango Elihle, bamangala baphela amandla ngalokho okwakwenzakele kuye. Isiceli silokhu sithe sece kuboPhethro loJohane, bonke abantu bamangala beza kubo begijima endaweni eyayithiwa liKhulusi likaSolomoni.

UPhethro wathi ekubona lokhu wathi kubo: “Bantu bako-Israyeli, lokhu kulimangaliselani na? Kungani lisijolozela kungathi ngawethu amandla loba ngokholo lwethu simenzile umuntu lo wahamba?

Ngokukholwa ebizweni likaJesu, indoda le eliyibonayo, eliyaziyo yenziwe yaqina. Lilibizo likaJesu lokukholwa okuza ngaye okulethe lokhu kusila okupheleleyo kuyo njengoba lonke libona.

Bathi ngokubona isibindi sikaPhethro loJohane njalo benanzelela ukuthi ngabantu makhaza ababengafundanga, batsha amathe, bakunanzelela ukuthi amadoda la ake aphila loJesu. Kodwa njengoba babeyibona indoda eyayisilisiwe imi khonapho labo, baswela ukuthi bangathini. Yikho kwathiwa kabasuke emphakathini weSanihedrini umphakathi wasala uhlanganisa amakhanda. Babuzana bathi, “Kambe senzeni ngamadoda la na? Bonke abahlala eJerusalema bayakwazi ukuthi benze ummangaliso obabazekayo, lathi singeke sikulandule lokho.

Ngakho, Nkosi, zwana izisongo zabo uphe izinceku zakho amandla ukuthi zilikhulume ilizwi lakho ngesibindi esikhulu. Yelula isandla sakho ukusilisa lokwenza imimangaliso, lezinkinga ngebizo lenceku yakho engcwele uJesu.” Sebekhulekile, indawo ababekuyo yazamazama. Bonke bagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele balikhuluma ngesibindi ilizwi likaNkulunkulu.

Indoda eyayithiwa ngu-Ananiya ilomkayo uSafira labo bathengisa isiqinti sabo. Wavumelana lomkakhe ukuthi afihle enye imali ibe ngeyabo, kwathi enye wayethula kubaphostoli. UPhethro wasesithi, “Ananiya, kwenzeka kanjani ukuthi uSathane usegabhele inhliziyo yakho usuze uqamba amanga kuMoya oNgcwele, wazigcinela ingxenye yemali eliyizuzileyo ngesiqinti senu na? Kanti besingesisenu yini singakathengiswa? Njalo lapho sesithengisiwe, imali ibingaqondananga lani na? Kuyini okubangele ukuthi ukhumbule ukwenza into enje na? Kawuqambelanga muntu amanga lawo kodwa uwaqambele uNkulunkulu.” U-Ananiya wonela ukukuzwa lokhu watshayeka phansi wafa. Bonke abezwa ngalesisenzakalo bangenwa yikwesaba okukhulu. Kwasekungena amajaha agoqela isidumbu sakhe amthwalela phandle ayamngcwaba. Ngemuva kwamahora amathathu umkakhe laye wangena engazi okwasekwenzakele. UPhethro wambuza wathi, “Ake ungitshele, yiyo yini le intengo eliyizuzileyo wena lo-Ananiya eyesiqinti senu na?” Wathi, “Yebo, yiyo intengo yaso.” UPhethro wathi kuye, “Lenzeni ukuthi livumelane ukulinga uMoya weNkosi na? Lalela! Yizisinde zamadoda esezisemnyango asengcwabe umkakho, yikho bazakuthwala lawe.” Khonokho wasakazeka phansi eduze kukaPhethro wafa. Asengena amajaha yena esefile amthwala aphuma laye aya mngcwaba malungana lomkakhe. Ibandla lonke lafikelwa yikwesaba okukhulu kanye labo bonke abezwayo ngalezi izehlakalo.

Abaphostoli benza imimangaliso eminengi lezinkinga ebantwini. Amakholwa wonke ayevame ukuhlangana ndawonye eKhulusini likaSolomoni. Kakho omunye owaqunga isibindi wayahlanganyela labo, lokuba basebezenzele ugazi ebantwini. Kungenani, amadoda labafazi abanengi bakholwa eNkosini, bengezelela ubunengi babo. Kwathi ngenxa yalokho abantu baletha abagulayo ezitaladini babalalisa emibhedeni lemacansini ukuze kuthi nje isithunzi kodwa sikaPhethro sisithe abanye babo lapho esedlula. Amaxuku abantu abuthana eqhamuka emizini eyayiseduze kweJerusalema, beletha abagulayo babo lalabo ababehlukuluzwa yimimoya emibi, kwathi bonke basiliswa.

Kodwa ebusuku ingilosi yeNkosi yavula iminyango yentolongo yabakhupha. Yathi, “Hambani liyokuma emagumeni ethempeli litshele abantu lonke ilizwi lempilo entsha.” Kwathi emadabukakusa bahle bangena emagumeni ethempeli, bafundisa abantu njengokutshelwa kwabo. Ekufikeni komphristi omkhulu leqembu lakhe bahle babiza iSanihedrini  —  inkundla yonke yabadala bako-Israyeli  —  bathumela ilizwi entolongweni lokuthi kulethwe abaphostoli, kodwa izithunywa zathi zifika entolongweni zafumana bengasekho. Yikho zasezibuyela zayabika zathi, “Sifumane intolongo ivaliwe kuhle labalindi bemi eminyango; kodwa kuthe sesiyivulile, kasibonanga muntu phakathi.” Induna yabalindi bethempeli kanye labaphristi abakhulu bathi bekuzwa lokhu batsha amathe, bamangala ukuthi into le yayikhombani. Kwasekufika omunye umuntu wathi, “Zwanini! Amadoda eliwaphosele ejele emi emagumeni ethempeli afundisa abantu.”

Kwathi uStefane, indoda eyayigcwele umusa kaNkulunkulu, lamandla, yenza izimanga lemimangaliso phakathi kwabantu.

Bonke ababehlezi phakathi kweSanihedrini bamnanzelela uStefane babona ukuthi ubuso bakhe babufana lobuso bengilosi.

“Sekwedlule iminyaka engamatshumi amane, ingilosi yavela kuMosi iselangabini lesixuku esibhebhayo enkangala eduze kweNtaba iSinayi.

Wabakhokhela baphuma eGibhithe wenza izimanga lemimangaliso eGibhithe, oLwandle Olubomvu lokweminyaka engamatshumi amane enkangala.

Kwathi amaxuku abantu emuzwa uFiliphu njalo ebona imimangaliso ayeyenza bonke bakulalelisisa lokho ayekukhuluma. Omoya ababi baphuma ebantwini abanengi beklabalala, njalo abanengi ababome imihlubulo labayizilima basiliswa. Ngakho kwaba lentokozo enkulu kulelodolobho.

USimoni laye ngokwakhe wakholwa wabhaphathizwa. Walandela uFiliphu ngaphi langaphi, wamangaliswa yiziboniso lemimangaliso ayibonayo.

Bathi bephuma emanzini uMoya weNkosi wahle wamthatha uFiliphu, indoda engumthenwa ayabe isambona njalo, kodwa yaqhubeka ngendlela yayo ithokoza. Kodwa uFiliphu wabonakala e-Azotha, walibhudula ilizwe etshumayela ivangeli kuyo yonke imizi waze wayafika eKhesariya.

Wathi esebanga eDamaseko ohanjeni lwakhe, masinyane kwaphazima ukukhanya inxa zonke kuye. Wawela phansi wezwa ilizwi lisithi kuye, “Sawuli, Sawuli, ungihlukumezelani na?” USawuli wabuza wathi, “Ungubani, Nkosi?” Ilizwi lathi, “NginguJesu omhlukumezayo. Manje sukuma uye edolobheni lapho ozatshelwa khona omele ukwenze.” Amadoda ayehamba loSawuli ema lapho esetshe amathe; balizwa ilizwi kodwa kababonanga muntu. USawuli wavuka phansi, kodwa wathi uvula amehlo akhe wayengasaboni lutho. Yikho bamhola ngesandla bangena laye eDamaseko. Wabayisiphofu okwezinsuku ezintathu, engadli njalo enganathi lutho.

U-Ananiya wasehamba esiya kuleyondlu wangena. Wabeka izandla zakhe phezu kukaSawuli wathi, “Mzalwane, Sawuli, iNkosi  —  uJesu, owabonakala kuwe endleleni usiza lapha ungithumile ukuze ukwazi ukubona njalo futhi ugcwaliswe ngoMoya oNgcwele.” Masinyane, kwakhithika emehlweni kaSawuli okwakungathi zinkwethu, wasebona njalo. Wasukuma wabhaphathizwa,

Wafumana khonale indoda eyayithiwa ngu-Eniya, eyisigulani esome umhlubulo esehlezi elele okweminyaka eficamibili. UPhethro wathi kuye, “Eniya, uJesu Khristu uyakusilisa. Vuka uthathe icansi lakho.” Masinyane u-Eniya wasukuma. Bonke labo ababehlala eLida laseSharoni bambona baphendukela eNkosini.

Ngasonalesosikhathi wagula wafa, isidumbu sakhe sageziswa salaliswa endlini ephezulu. ILida yayiseduze kweJopha; yikho abafundi sebezwile ukuthi uPhethro wayeseLida, bathuma amadoda amabili kuye bamncenga bathi, “Sicela ukuthi uze ngokuphangisa!” UPhethro wahamba labo, wathi ekufikeni kwakhe wasiwa endlini leyo ephezulu. Bonke abafelokazi bema bemhanqile, bekhala, bemtshengisa izambatho lezinye izigqoko ezazithungwe nguDokhasi esaphila labo. UPhethro wabakhupha bonke endlini; waseguqa ngamadolo wakhuleka. Wasephendukela kowesifazana wathi kuye, “Thabitha, vuka!” Owesifazana wasevula amehlo akhe, wathi ebona uPhethro wahlala. Wambamba ngesandla wamsukumisa. Wasebiza amakholwa labafelokazi wamethula kubo esephila. Lokhu kwasuka kwaziwa kulo lonke iJopha, abantu abanengi bakholwa eNkosini.

ukuthi uNkulunkulu wamgcoba kanjani uJesu waseNazaretha ngoMoya oNgcwele langamandla, lokuthi wahamba izindawana zonke esenza ubuhle njalo esilisa bonke ababesemandleni omubi, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wayelaye.

Esembophile wamphosela entolongweni, wamnikela ukuba alindwe ngamaqula amane amabutho ngalinye lilamabutho amane. UHerodi wayefuna ukuthi ngemuva kwePhasika amkhuphele obala athonisiswe phambi kwabantu. 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. Ingilosi yasisithi kuye, “Gqoka, ufake lamanyathelo akho.” UPhethro wenzenjalo. Ingilosi yamtshela yathi, “Yembatha ijazi lakho ungilandele. UPhethro wayilandela ngaphandle kwentolongo, kodwa wayedidekile engakwazi ukuthi lokho ingilosi eyayikwenza kwakusenzakala ngempela; wayekhumbula ukuthi ubona umbono. Bedlula kubalindi, owokuqala lowesibili bafika esangweni lensimbi elaliphumela edolobheni. Lazivulekela baphuma. Kwathi sebehambe baphutsha umgwaqo wedolobho, ingilosi yaphanga yamtshiya. Kwayikhona uPhethro eqaqabuka, wathi, “Khathesi sengisazi kungelakuthandabuza ukuthi iNkosi ithume ingilosi yayo yangihlenga ezibotshweni zikaHerodi lakukho konke obekufiswa ngabaJuda.”

Kodwa u-Elima isanuse (phela yikho ibizo lakhe elikutshoyo) waphikisana labo wazama ukuphambukisa usibalukhulu ekukholweni. Kwasekusithi uSawuli, owayethiwa njalo nguPhawuli, egcwele uMoya oNgcwele wamjolozela u-Elima wathi, “Wena ungumntwana kaSathane lesitha sakho konke okulungileyo! Ugcwele zonke izinhlobo zokudlelezela. Kawuyikufa wakhawula yini ukuhlinikeza izindlela eziqondileyo? Khathesi-ke isandla seNkosi sizakutshaya. Uzakuba yimpumputhe, awuzukubona ukukhanya kwelanga okwesikhathi esithile.” Masinyane wehlelwa yinkungu lomnyama, waphumputha, waswela umuntu wokumhola ngesandla. Kwathi usibalukhulu esekubonile lokho okwakwenzakele wakholwa, ngoba wamangaliswa yimfundiso ngeNkosi.

UPhawuli loBhanaba bahlala isikhathi eside khona lapho bekhulumela iNkosi ngesibindi. INkosi yaqinisa ilizwi lomusa wayo ngokubapha amandla okwenza imimangaliso lezimanga.

EListra kwakulendoda eyayiyisigoga ikwazi ukuhlala kuphela, ilokhu yazalwayo ingakaze ihambe. Yamlalela uPhawuli lapho wayekhuluma. UPhawuli wayijolozela wabona ukuthi yayikholwa ukuba ingasiliswa wasememeza wathi, “Sukuma ngezinyawo zakho!” Ngalokho indoda yathi lothu yahle yahamba.

Wonke umhlangano wathula zwi balalela uBhanaba loPhawuli belandisa ngemimangaliso lezimanga uNkulunkulu ayezenzile kwabeZizwe ngabo.

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. Umlindijele waphaphama, wathi ngokubona iminyango yentolongo ivulekile wakhokha inkemba yakhe esefuna ukuzibulala ngoba ekhumbula ukuthi izibotshwa zasezibalekile.

UNkulunkulu wenza imimangaliso engajayelekanga ngoPhawuli. Izifinyo lamathawulo okwakuthintiswe yena kwakusiwa kwabagulayo bahle basile emikhuhlaneni yabo lemimoya emibi iphume kubo.

Kwakulejaha elalithiwa nguYuthikhu lihlezi ewindini, labanjwa yibuthongo uPhawuli elokhu ekhuluma engaqedi. Lathi selibubhudla ubuthongo, lawela phansi lisuka esitezi sesithathu labuthwa selifile. UPhawuli wehla, wazilahla phezu kwejaha lelo waligona wathi, “Lingethuki, liyaphila!” wasebuyela phezulu esitezi wahlephula isinkwa wadla. Esekhulume kwaze kwasa, wasuka. Abantu balisa ekhaya ijaha liphila, bona baduduzeka kakhulu.

UPhawuli watheza umnyaba wenkuni, wasesithi kasibase kwaphuma inhlangwana isixotshwa ngumlilo yahle yamnamathela esandleni. Abahlali besihlenge bathi bebona inyoka ilenga esandleni sakhe bathi omunye komunye, “Indoda le iyisigebengu; ngoba loba isindile olwandle uKwahlulelakuhle kakumvumelanga ukuthi aphile.” Kodwa uPhawuli wayithintitha inyoka wayilabhulela emlilweni yena kaze alimala lakancane. Abantu babelinde okwesikhathi eside bengaboni lutho olubi lusenzakala kuye, baguqula imicabango yabo basebesithi ungunkulunkulu.

Eduze kwalapho kwakulepulazi lingelikaPhabhiliyu, owayeyisona sikhulu esiphethe isihlenge. Wasemukela ngesihle emzini wakhe wasihlalisa khona okwezinsuku ezintathu esiphethe kuhle. Uyise wayegula elele phansi ephethwe luqhuqho lesihudo. UPhawuli wayambona, kwathi esekhulekile, wambeka izandla wamsilisa. Kwathi sekwenzakele lokhu, bonke abagulayo esihlengeni beza basiliswa.

Ngakho-ke, ukukholwa kuvela ekuzweni ilizwi, lelizwi lizwakala ngelizwi likaKhristu.

ngamandla ezibonakaliso lezimangaliso, ngamandla kaMoya. Ngakho indlela yonke kusukela eJerusalema kusiya e-Ilirikhumu, sengilitshumayele ngokugcweleyo ivangeli likaKhristu.

AmaJuda afuna izibonakaliso zezimangaliso lamaGiriki adinga ukuhlakanipha, kodwa thina sitshumayela uKhristu owabethelwayo: isikhubekiso kumaJuda lobuthutha kwabezizwe, kodwa kulabo ababizwe nguNkulunkulu, amaJuda lamaGiriki, uKhristu ongamandla kaNkulunkulu lokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu.

Ekufikeni kwami kini, bazalwane, kangifikanga lobugabazi bokukhuluma kumbe ukuhlakanipha okukhulu lapho ngatshumayela kini ubufakazi ngoNkulunkulu. Ngoba ngazimisela ukungazi lutho ngiseselani ngaphandle kukaJesu Khristu yena owabethelwayo. Ngafika kini ngibuthakathaka ngisesaba, njalo ngithuthumela kakhulu. Ilizwi lami lentshumayelo yami akubanga ngamazwi okuhlakanipha lahugayo, kodwa kubonakalisa amandla kaMoya, ukuze ukukholwa kwenu kungeyami ekuhlakanipheni kwabantu, kodwa emandleni kaNkulunkulu.

Emuntwini ngamunye ukubonakaliswa kukaMoya kwenzelwa ukusiza umuntu wonke. Omunye ngoMoya uphiwa amandla okukhuluma ngokuhlakanipha, omunye amandla okukhuluma ngokwazi ngaye uMoya munye lowo, omunye uphiwa ukukholwa ngoMoya munye lowo, omunye uphiwa izipho zokusilisa ngawona lowo uMoya munye, omunye uphiwa amandla okwenza izimangaliso, omunye uphiwa ukuphrofitha, omunye uphiwa amandla okukhuluma izinhlobo ezahlukeneyo zezindimi, omunye njalo aphiwe ukuchasisa izindimi. Konke lokhu kungumsebenzi kaMoya munye oyedwa, njalo ukupha umuntu ngamunye, njengokuthanda kwakhe.

Ebandleni uNkulunkulu wabeka abaphostoli kuqala kulabo bonke, okwesibili abaphrofethi, okwesithathu abafundisi, kwaba labenza izimangaliso, lalabo abalezipho zokusilisa, labo abalakho ukusiza abanye, labo abalezipho zobuphathi, kanye lalabo abakhuluma izinhlobo zezindimi ezehlukeneyo. Bonke bangabaphostoli na? Bonke bangabaphrofethi na? Bonke bangabafundisi na? Bonke bayazenza izimangaliso na? Bonke balezipho zokusilisa na? Bonke bakhuluma ngezindimi na? Bonke bayachasisa na? Kodwa zifuneni ngokutshiseka izipho ezinkulu. Khathesi-ke ngizalitshengisa indlela eyiyo enhle kakhulu.

Loba ngikhuluma ngezindimi zabantu lezezingilosi, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, ngiyinsimbi nje ekhalayo loba izenge elincencethayo. Loba ngilesipho sokuphrofitha, ngingaqedisisa izimfihlakalo zonke kanye lokwazi konke, njalo uma ngilokukholwa okungasusa izintaba, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, kangisilutho.

Landelani indlela yothando lizifune ngokutshiseka izipho zakomoya ikakhulu isipho sokuphrofitha. Ngoba okhuluma ngezindimi kakhulumi ebantwini kodwa kuNkulunkulu. Impela kakho omzwayo; ukhuluma izimfihlakalo ngomoya wakhe. Kodwa umuntu wonke ophrofithayo ukhuluma ebantwini ukuba abaqinise, abakhuthaze njalo abaduduze. Lowo okhuluma ngolimi oluthile uyazakha, kodwa lowo ophrofithayo wakha ibandla. Ngifisa ukuba lonke likhulume ngezindimi, kodwa ikakhulu ukuba liphrofithe. Ophrofithayo mkhulu kulalowo okhuluma ngezindimi, ngaphandle kokuba echasisa, ukuze ibandla lakheke. Ngakho-ke, bazalwane, uma ngifika kini ngikhulume ngezindimi, ngilosizo bani kini, ngaphandle kokuba ngililethele ukwambulwa okuthile loba ukwazi loba isiphrofitho kumbe imfundiso, na?

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!”

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

Izinto eziphawula umphostoli  —  izibonakaliso, lezimanga kanye lezimangaliso  —  zenziwa phakathi kwenu ngokubekezela okukhulu.

Ngakho-ke, kuye lowo ongenza okukhulu kakhulu kulalokho esikucelayo kumbe esikucabangayo, mayelana lamandla akhe asebenzayo phakathi kwethu,

LoNkulunkulu wakufakaza ngezibonakaliso, langezimanga, langezimangaliso ezahlukeneyo, langezipho zikaMoya oNgcwele ezabiwa ngokwentando yakhe.

Ukukholwa yikuba leqiniso lalokhu esikulindeleyo njalo kuqinisekile ngalokho esingakuboniyo.

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

Kodwa lapho ecela kumele akholwe angathandabuzi, ngoba othandabuzayo unjengegagasi lolwandle eliphetshulwa ngumoya uliphose.

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.

Ngatshibilika ukuze ngimbone lowo owayengikhulumisa. Sengiphendukile ngabona izinti zezibane zegolide eziyisikhombisa, njalo phakathi kwezinti zezibane kwakulomuntu “owayenjengendodana yomuntu,” egqoke isambatho esasifika phansi ezinyaweni zakhe, ibhanti legolide libophe isifuba sakhe. Ikhanda lakhe lezinwele zakhe kwakumhlophe njengewulu, kumhlophe nke njengongqoqwane, lamehlo akhe ayenjengomlilo ovuthayo. Izinyawo zakhe zazinjengethusi elikhazimulayo emvuthweni, ilizwi lakhe linjengokuhuba kwamanzi agelezayo. Esandleni sakhe sokunene wayephethe izinkanyezi eziyisikhombisa, emlonyeni wakhe kwaphuma inkemba ebukhali enhlendlambili. Ubuso bakhe babunjengelanga likhanyisa ngenkazimulo yalo yonke.

Ngabuya ngabona izulu elitsha lomhlaba omutsha, ngoba izulu lakuqala lomhlaba wakuqala kwasekudlule, njalo ulwandle lwalungasekho. Ngabona iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema elitsha, lisehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu lilungiswe njengomlobokazi ececele umkakhe.