23 – Uthando

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

UJakhobe waseyisebenza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze azuze uRakheli, kodwa yakhanya ingathi yizinsukwana ezimbalwa kuye ngenxa yothando kuye.

“Hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko ukuze impilo yakho ibende elizweni akunika lona uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho.

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

“Ungahlangana lenkomo kumbe ubabhemi wesitha sakho elahlekile, mnqande umbuyisele kumnikazi. Nxa ufica ubabhemi womuntu okuzondayo ewiswe ngumthwalo, ungamtshiyi, umncedise umvuse.

Wadlula phambi kukaMosi ememezela esithi, “UJehova, UJehova; uNkulunkulu olesihawu lomusa, ophuzayo ukuthukuthela, ogcwele uthando lobuqotho,

“ ‘Lingamzondi umfowenu ngezinhliziyo zenu. Khuzani umakhelwane likhululekile ukuze lingabi lomlandu njengaye. “ ‘Lingaphindiseli loba ligodle isikhwili komunye wabantu bakini, kodwa thandani umakhelwane wenu njengalokhu lizithanda lina. Mina yimi uJehova.

Lowo owezizweni elihlala laye kaphathwe njengowozalo elizweni. Limthande njengoba lizithanda lina lalingabezizweni eGibhithe. Mina yimi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

“ ‘Uma omunye wabantu bakini esiba ngumyanga owehluleka ukuziphilisa phakathi kwenu, msizeni njengelingakwenza kowezizweni kumbe ohlezi lani okwesikhatshana, ukuze aqhubeke ehlala lani. Akungabi lanzuzo eliyithatha kuye, kodwa mesabeni uNkulunkulu wenu, ukuze umuntu wakini aqhubeke ehlala lani. Lingameboleki imali elenzalo kumbe limthengisele ukudla kulenzuzo.

(UMosi wayeyindoda ethobeke kakhulu, ethobeke ukwedlula wonke amadoda asemhlabeni.)

Thanda uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ngenhliziyo yakho yonke langomoya wakho wonke kanye langamandla akho wonke.

Yazini-ke ukuthi uJehova wenu unguNkulunkulu; unguNkulunkulu othembekileyo, ogcina isivumelwano sothando kuze kufike esizukulwaneni senkulungwane salabo abamthandayo njalo begcina imilayo yakhe. Kodwa labo abamzondayo uzaphindisela kubo ngokubabhubhisa; kayikuphuza ukuphindisela kulabo abamzondayo.

Uyavikela izimfanelo zezintandane kanye labafelokazi, njalo uyabathanda abangabezizweni phakathi kwenu, ubanika ukudla lezambatho. Ngakho kuzamele lithande abezizweni, njengoba lina lalingabezizweni eGhibhithe.

Thandani uJehova wenu lilondoloze okwakhe, izimiso, imithetho lemilayo yakhe ngazo zonke izikhathi.

Ngakho lingalalela ngokwethembeka imilayo yami engilinika yona lamuhla  —  ukuthanda uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu njalo limkhonze ngenhliziyo yenu yonke, langomphefumulo wenu wonke

lingalaleli amazwi alowo mphrofethi loba umuntu wamaphupho. UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzabe uyalilinga efuna ukubona kumbe liyamthanda yini ngezinhliziyo zenu kanye langomphefumulo wenu wonke.

Mupheni okunengi njalo lokhu likwenze ngezinhliziyo ezingelamona; kanti-ke ngenxa yalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzalibusisa kuyo yonke imisebenzi yenu lakukho konke elibeka izandla zenu kukho. Kuzahlala kulokhu kulabantu abangabayanga elizweni. Ngakho ngiyalilaya ukuba phanini ngezandla ezivulekileyo kubafowenu kanye lakubo bonke abangabayanga labaswelayo elizweni lenu.

Ngamunye lina lonke kumele lize liphethe isipho kusiya ngokuthi liphiwe labusiswa ngokunganani nguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

UJehova uNkulunkulu wenu uzasoka izinhliziyo zenu kanye lezinhliziyo zezizukulwana zenu, ukuze limthande ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke langomoya wenu wonke, liphile.

kanye lokuthi limthande uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, lilalele ilizwi lakhe, libambelele liqine kuye, ngoba uJehova uyikuphila kwenu, njalo nguye ozalinika iminyaka eminengi lihlezi elizweni afunga ukuba uzalinika okhokho benu, u-Abrahama, u-Isaka loJakhobe.

Kodwa linanzelele kakhulu ukuthi lilondoloza umlayo lomthetho uMosi inceku kaJehova alinika wona: Ukuthanda uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ukuhamba ezindleleni zakhe zonke, ukulalela imilayo yakhe, ukuba-mbelela kuye lokumsebenzela ngenhliziyo yenu yonke lomphefumulo wenu wonke.”

“Musa ukuba ukhuluma ngokuzigqaja kanje loba uyekele umlomo wakho ukhuluma ukuzikhukhumeza okunje, ngoba uJehova unguNkulunkulu owaziyo, njalo izenzo zilinganiswa nguye.

Emva kokuba uDavida eseqedile ukukhuluma loSawuli, uJonathani waba moya munye loDavida, wamthanda njengoba ezithanda yena ngokwakhe. Kusukela ngalolosuku uSawuli wahlala loDavida akaze amvumela ukubuyela endlini kayise. Njalo uJonathani wenza isivumelwano loDavida ngoba wayemthanda njengoba ezithanda yena ngokwakhe. UJonathani wakhupha isambatho ayesigqokile wasinika uDavida, lebhatshi lakhe, lenkemba yakhe, idandili lakhe kanye lebhanti lakhe.

Umfana esehambile uDavida wasukuma eceleni langaseningizimu kwelitshe, wakhothama kathathu phambi kukaJonathani, ubuso bakhe bukhangele phansi. Emva kwalokho bangana, bakhala bendawonye  —  kodwa uDavida wakhala kakhulu. UJonathani wasesithi kuDavida, “Hamba ngokuthula, ngoba sifungelane ubungane omunye komunye ebizweni likaJehova sisithi, ‘UJehova ungufakazi phakathi kwami lawe, laphakathi kwenzalo yakho leyami nini lanini.” ’ UDavida wasesuka, loJonathani wasebuyela edolobheni.

“Indoda esilahlekelwa lithemba iswela ukuxhaswa ngabangane, lokuba angabe isidele ukwesaba uSomandla.

Khumbula, O Jehova, isihawu sakho esikhulu kanye lothando, ngokuba konke kuvela ekadeni. Ungakhumbuli izono zami zobutsha lezindlela zokuhlamuka kwami; ngikhumbula ngokufanele uthando lwakho, ngokuba ulungile, O Jehova.

Uhola abathobekileyo kulokho okuqondileyo abafundise indlela yakhe.

Zonke izindlela zikaJehova zilothando, ziyathembeka kulabo abagcina izimiso zesivumelwano sakhe.

Mthandeni uJehova, lina bangcwele bakhe! UJehova uyabalondoloza abathembekileyo, kodwa abazigqajayo uyabaphindisela ngokugcweleyo.

Uthando lwakho, Jehova, lufika emazulwini, ukuthembeka kwakho esibhakabhakeni. Ukulunga kwakho kunjengezintaba ezesabekayo, ukwahlulela kuhle kwakho njengolwandle olukhulu. O Jehova, uyamlondoloza umuntu kanye lenyamazana. Luligugu elinganani uthando lwakho olungaphuthiyo! Bonke abantu abayizikhulu labahluphekayo bazuza isiphephelo emthunzini wamaphiko akho.

Ungasigodli isihawu sakho kimi, O Jehova; sengathi uthando lwakho leqiniso lakho kungahlala kungivikele.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Ihubo likaDavida. Ubusisiwe lowo onanza abahluphekayo; uJehova uyamkhulula ngezikhathi zokuhlupheka. UJehova uzamvikela alondoloze impilo yakhe; uzambusisa phakathi kwelizwe angamyekeli emandleni ezitha zakhe. UJehova uzamqinisa lanxa elele egula njalo amsilise avuke ekuguleni kwakhe.

Kumqondisi wokuhlabela. Ihubo likaDavida. Kwakufike umphrofethi uNathani kuye uDavida owayefebile loBhathisheba. Ake ungihawukele, hawu Nkulunkulu, ngenxa yothando lwakho olungaphuthiyo; ngenxa yesihawu sakho esikhulu yesula iziphambeko zami.

Ngiphendula, O Jehova, ngenxa yokulunga kothando lwakho; emuseni wakho omkhulu phendukela kimi.

Uyathethelela njalo ulungile, O Jehova, ugcwele uthando kulabo abakhuleka kuwe.

Kodwa wena, O Jehova, unguNkulunkulu olozwelo, olobubelo, ophuza ukuzonda, owandayo ngothando lokuthembeka.

Lowo ochothoza umakhelwane wakhe ngasese, lowo ngizamthulisa; olamehlo asesiphundu lenhliziyo ezigqajayo, lowo kangilasikhathi laye.

UJehova ulesihawu njalo ulomusa, uyaphuza ukuthukuthela, kodwa uyanda ngothando. Kahlali ebeka imilandu njalo, futhi kagcini ulaka lwakhe kokuphela; kasiphathi ngokufanele izono zethu kumbe asijezise ngokulingene iziphambeko zethu. Ngokuba njengokuphakama komkhathi ngaphezu komhlaba, lukhulu kangako uthando lwakhe kulabo abamesabayo; njengobukhatshana bempumalanga kuyo intshonalanga kanjalo ususile iziphambeko zethu kithi.

Kodwa kusukela phakade kusiya phakade uthando lukaJehova lukulabo abamesabayo, lokulunga kwakhe ebantwaneni babantwana

Mbongeni uJehova ngokuba ulungile; uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.

Ngakho kabambonge uJehova ngothando lwakhe olungaphuthiyo lezenzo zakhe ezimangalisayo azenzela abantu, ngokuba ubenza bakholwe abonileyo asuthise abalambileyo ngezinto ezinhle.

Ngokuba lukhulu uthando lwakhe kithi, lokuthembeka kukaJehova kumi kuze kube phakade. Dumisani uJehova.

Ingoma yemiqanso. ElikaDavida. Bheka kuhle, kuyabukeka kangakanani nxa abazalwane behlezi ndawonye ngokuzwana!

Bongani uNkulunkulu wasezulwini. Uthando lwakhe lumi laphakade.

UJehova ulobubele lesihawu, uphuza ukuthukuthela ande ngothando. UJehova ulungile kubo bonke; ulesihawu kukho konke akwenzayo.

UJehova uyabasekela abathobekileyo kodwa abaphosele phansi ababi.

Akungasuki kuwe loba nini uthando lokuthembeka; kubophele entanyeni yakho, ukubhale egwalibeni lenhliziyo yakho.

Natha amanzi kowakho umgqomo, amanzi agelezayo kowakho umthombo. Kambe imithombo yakho iyekelwe igeleza emigwaqweni, lezifula zakho zamanzi zigelezele ezinkundleni zabantu na? Kazibe ngezakho wena wedwa, ungazabelani labafokazana nje. Sengathi ungabusiswa umthombo wakho njalo sengathi ungathokoza ngomfazi wobutsha bakho. Oyimpalakazi ethandekayo, imbabala ebutshelezi  —  amabele akhe sengathi angakusuthisa lanini, nini lanini ukhangwe luthando lwakhe. Hawu, ndodana yami, kungani uthunjwa yisifebekazi? Kungani ugona iqolo lomfazi wenye indoda?

Ziyisithupha izinto uJehova azizondayo, eziyisikhombisa eziyisinengiso kuye: amehlo atshengisa ukudelela, ulimi oluqamba amanga, izandla ezichitha igazi elingelacala, inhliziyo egaya izibozi, izinyawo eziphangisa ukuya ebubini, ufakazi wamanga, okhuluma inkohliso lomuntu oletha ukuxabana kubazalwane.

Ukwesaba uJehova yikuzonda ububi; ngiyakuzonda ukuzazisa lobuqholo, ukuziphatha kubi lenkulumo ebolileyo.

Ngiyabathanda labo abangithandayo, labo abangidingayo bayangifumana.

Inzondo idunga ingxabano, kodwa uthando lusibekela bonke ububi.

Nxa kungena ukuzigqaja kungena lokweyisa, kodwa ukuzithoba kuhamba lenhlakanipho.

Umuntu olomusa uyazisiza, kodwa umuntu ololunya uyazilimaza.

Ophayo ngesihle uyazuza okunengi kulakuqala, lowo ogodlayo ungenelwa yibuyanga. Lowo ophanayo uzaphumelela; owonga abanye laye uzakongiwa.

Lowo ongasebenzisi uswazi uyayizonda indodana yakhe, kodwa lowo oyithandayo unqinekela ukuyiqondisa.

Lowo oweyisa umakhelwane wenza isono, kodwa ubusisiwe olomusa kwabaswelayo.

Lowo ocindezela abayanga weyisa uMenzi wabo, kodwa olomusa kwabaswelayo udumisa uNkulunkulu.

Impendulo ethobileyo iyaludedisa ulaka, kodwa ilizwi elilukhuni livusa ulaka.

UJehova uyayibhidliza indlu yomuntu oziphakamisayo, kodwa indawo yomfelokazi kayiyikuncitshiswa.

UJehova uyabazonda bonke abazikhukhumezayo. Ngempela kabayikuphepha ukujeziswa. Isono siyahlawulelwa ngothando langokwethembeka; ngokwesaba uJehova umuntu uyaphepha ebubini.

Ukuzigqaja kwandulela ukubhujiswa, umoya omubi ulandelwa yikuwa. Kungcono umoya othobekileyo lokuhlala kwabacindezelweyo kulokwabelana impango labazigqajayo.

Amazwi amahle alikhekheba loluju, amnandi emphefumulweni njalo ayelapha emathanjeni.

Ofihla ukona komunye uqinisa umthandano, kodwa okuhlazululayo wehlukanisa abangane abasekhwapheni.

Umngane ulothando ngezikhathi zonke, lomzalwane uzalelwa izikhathi zenhlupheko.

Ulimi lulamandla okuphila lokufa, njalo labo abaluthandayo bazakudla izithelo zalo.

Umuntu olabangane abanengi ucina kubi, kodwa kuba khona umngane othembeka okudlula umfowenu.

Olomusa kubayanga upha uJehova, uzakumvuza ngalokho akwenzayo.

Umuntu uloyisa uthando olungaqamukiyo; kungcono ukuba ngumyanga kulokuba lamanga.

Ukwenza okulungileyo lokufaneleyo kuyathandeka kuJehova kulomhlatshelo. Amehlo okuzikhukhumeza lenhliziyo ezigqajayo, okuyikho okukhokhela ababi, konke yizono!

Uma umuntu egcika izindlebe zakhe ukuze angezwa ukukhala kwabayanga, laye uzakuthi esekhala angalalelwa muntu.

Lowo odinga ukuhlakanipha lothando uzuza ukuphila, ukuphumelela lodumo.

Lowo oqaphela umlomo wakhe lolimi lwakhe uyaziphephisa ezingozini. Umuntu ozigqajayo loyisiqholo ibizo lakhe ngu “Sedeleli,” wenza izinto ngokuziqakisa okukhulu.

Umuntu ophanayo uzabusiswa, ngokuba wabela abayanga ukudla kwakhe.

Xotsha isedeleli, lenkani ihle iphume; ukuxabana lokuthukana kuyaphela. Othanda inhliziyo ehlanzekileyo, onkulumo yakhe ipholile uzakuba ngumngane wombusi.

Nxa isitha sakho silambile siphe ukudla sidle; nxa somile siphe amanzi sinathe. ngokwenza lokho umokhela amalahle avuthayo ekhanda, njalo uJehova uzakubusisa.

Lowo ophayo abayanga kayikuswela lutho, kodwa ovala amehlo ingathi kababoni uzuza iziqalekiso ezinengi.

Umuntu othukuthelayo udala ingxabano, kodwa lowo olicaphucaphu wenza izono ezinengi.

Ukuzigqaja komuntu kuyamehlisa, kodwa umuntu ochumileyo uzuza udumo.

“Kukhona izinto ezintathu ezingimangalisayo kakhulu, ezine engingazizwisisiyo: indlela yengqungqulu emkhathini, umzila wenyoka edwaleni, indlela yomkhumbi olwandle, lendlela yejaha lentombi.

“Bamele labo abehlulekayo ukuzikhulumela, uwamele amalungelo alabo abangelalutho. Khuluma njalo wahlulele ngokulunga; alwele amalungelo abayanga labaswelayo.”

Ungaphangisi ukufuthelana ngaphakathi, ngokuba ulaka luhlezi lugonwe yiziwula.

Ingoma yezingoma kaSolomoni. Kangange ngezangiwo zomlomo wakhe  —  ngokuba uthando lwakho luyathandeka kulewayini. Limnandi iphunga lamagcobo akho; ibizo lakho linjengamakha achathaziweyo. Akumangalisi izintombi zikuthanda kangaka! Ngithatha uhambe lami  —  kasiphangise! Inkosi kayingingenise endlini yayo. Siyathokoza njalo siyajabula ngawe; sizalubabaza uthando lwakho okudlula iwayini. Kabazenzi ukuba bakuthande!

Sithandwa sami, ngikufanisa lensikazi yebhiza libotshiwe lidonsa inqola kaFaro. Izihlathi zakho zinhle zilalawo macici, intamo yakho ngemigaxo ekhazimulayo. Sizakwenzela amacici egolide, ebalazwe ngesiliva. Khonapho inkosi isetafuleni amakha ami alanqaza iphunga lawo elimnandi. Kimi isithandwa sami sinjengemfuko yemure ithe khoxo phakathi kwamabele ami. Kimi isithandwa sami sinjengelixha lempoko zehena eliphuma esivinini se-Eni Gedi. Bakithi, umuhle njani sithandwa sami! Ngeqiniso umuhle! Amehlo akho angamajuba. Umuhle ngempela, sithandwa sami! Bakithi, uyabukeka! Umbheda wethu butshani obuluhlaza tshoko.

Ngililuba laseSharoni, imbali yasezigodini. Njengembali phakathi kwameva sinjalo isithandwa sami phakathi kwezintombi. Njengesihlahla se-aphula phakathi kwezihlahla zeganga sinjalo isithandwa sami phakathi kwamajaha. Kumnandi kimi ukuhlala emthunzini waso, lezithelo zakhe ziyahlabusa kimi. Useke wangisa endlini yedili, lophawu lwakhe kimi luthando. Ngiqinisani ngamavini onyisiweyo, lingivuselele ngama-aphula, ngoba sengiyathiswa luthando. Ingalo yakhe yokhohlo ingaphansi kwekhanda lami, kuthi ingalo yakhe yokunene ingigonile. Madodakazi aseJerusalema, ngiyaliqonqosela ngemiduna yezimpala langezinsikazi zeganga: Lingamethusi loba limvuse usithandwa aze azifunele yena. Zwanini! Yisithandwa sami! Khangelani! Nansi siyeza, siseqa ezintabeni siqolotsha emaqaqeni. Isithandwa sami sinjengempala loba ithole lomziki. Khangela! Nansiyana simi ngale komduli wakwethu, sikhangele sibona emawindini, silunguza ngezimbotshana.

Isithandwa sami sakhuluma sathi kimi, “Sukuma, sithandwa sami, wena omuhle, woza sihambe. Khangela! Ubusika sebudlulile; isikhathi sezulu sesidlule. Amaluba asebonakala emmangweni; isikhathi sokutshiloza kwezinyoni sesifikile, ukukhala kwamajuba sekuzwakala elizweni lakithi. Umkhiwa usuthela izithelo zawo zakuqala; amavini aqhakazayo aseletha iphunga elimnandi. Sukuma, woza sithandwa sami; wena omuhle wami, woza sihambe.” Juba lami elisezingoxweni zedwala, ekusithekeni kwamawa entaba, akungitshengise ubuso bakho, akungizwise ilizwi lakho; ngokuba limnandi ilizwi lakho, lobuso bakho buyabukeka. Sibambeleni amakhanka, amakhanka amancinyane onayo ezivinini, izivini zethu esezithela. Usithandwa sami ngowami lami ngingowakhe; uzithokozisa ngokuba phakathi kwamaluba. Akuze kube emadabukakusa lapho kunyamalala khona izithunzi, phenduka sithandwa sami, ube njengempala loba njengegogo elisengumntwana phezu kwezintaba ezilamakhelekethe.

Madodakazi aseJerusalema, ngiyaliyala ngezimpala langezimpalakazi zeganga; lingaluvusi lokuba liluphazamise uthando luze luzithandele. Ngubani lo ozayo eqhamuka enkangala kungathi yisikhatha sentuthu, eziqhole ngamakha emure lenhlaka eyenziwe ngemihlobo yonke yezinongo zomthengisi?

Kayisibuhle bakho, sithandwa sami! Awu, ayisibuhle, bakithi! Amehlo akho embeswe liveli angamajuba. Inwele zakho zinjengomhlambi wezimbuzi zisehla entabeni iGileyadi. Amazinyo akho anjengomhlambi wezimvu zisanda kugundwa, zisuka kugeziswa yileyo ihamba laleyo ewelelana layo; kayikho ethe qekele yodwa. Izindebe zakho zinjengozwezwe olubomvu; muhle umlomo wakho. Izihlathi zakho ezembeswe liveli lakho zinjengephomegranathi elidatshulwe phakathi. Intamo yakho injengomphotshongo wokulinda kaDavida, owakhiwa waba muhle kakhulu; kulengiswe kuwo amahawu ayinkulungwane, wonke angamahawu amaqhawe. Amabele akho bubili bawo anjengamazinyane amabili, njengamaphahla amazinyane empala adobhadobha utshani phakathi kwezimbali. Nxa kusesemadabukakusa izithunzi zingakabaleki emuntwini, ngizakuya entabeni yemure laseqaqeni lwamakha amnandi. Umuhle ikonke yonke yakho, ntokazi yami; Kakulasiyinga kuwe.

Uyithumbile inhliziyo yami, dadewethu, mlobokazi wami; uyithumbile inhliziyo yami ngokungithi jeqe ngamehlo akho, langengqongqo elilodwa lomgaxo wakho. Luthokozisa kanganani uthando lwakho, dadewethu, mlobokazi wami! Lumnandi kakhulu kulewayini, lephunga lamakha akho kulawo wonke amafutha! Izindebe zakho ziconsa ubumnandi njengoluju, mlobokazi wami; uchago loluju kungaphansi kolimi lwakho. Iphunga lezivunulo zakho linjengeleLebhanoni. Uyisivande esibiyelweyo, dadewethu, mlobokazi wami; ungumthombo obiyelweyo, lesiphethu esihuqelweyo sagcikwa. Izilimo zakho ziyisivande samaphomegranethi alezithelo ezinhle zilehena lenadi, inadi lesafroni, ikhalamu lesinamoni, lemihlobo yonke yezihlahla zempepha, imure lenhlaba lazo zonke iziyoliso zekhethelo. Uyisiphethu sesivandeni, umthombo ogeleza amanzi ugeleza usehla eLebhanoni. Phethuka moya wenyakatho, woza moya weningizimu! Phephetha esivandeni sami, ukuze amakha aso agcwale indawo yonke. Akuthi isithandwa sami size esivandeni saso sikholise izithelo zaso zekhethelo.

Sengingenile esivandeni sami, dadewethu, mlobokazi wami; sengiyibuthile imure yami lesiyoliso sami. Sengizidlile izinhlanga zami loluju lwami; sengiyinathile iwayini yami lochago lwami. Dlanini, we zihlobo, linathe; nathani lizidele, lina zithandani. Ngalala kodwa inhliziyo yami ivukile. Zwana! Isithandwa sami siyaqoqoda: “Ngivulela, dadewethu, sithandwa sami, juba lami, wena ongelasiyinga. Ikhanda lami ligcwele amazolo, izinwele zami zilobumanzi bobusuku.” Sengisikhulule isigqoko sami ngisigqoke futhi na? Sengizigezile izinyawo zami ngibuye ngizingcolise futhi na? Isithandwa sami sangenisa isandla saso embotsheni yomnyango; inhliziyo yami yagubhazela ifuna sona.

Lina madodakazi aseJerusalema, ngiyaliqonqosela uma lisifumana isithandwa sami lizasitshelani? Sitsheleni ukuthi mina sengiyathiswa luthando. Isithandwa sakho singcono ngakuphi kulezinye izithandwa wena omuhle okudlula bonke abesifazana? Singcono ngani isithandwa sakho kulezinye osungaze usigqabhazele kangaka?

Isithandwa sami siyakhazimula sincwaba, siyabonakala laphakathi kwezinkulungwane ezilitshumi. Ikhanda laso liligolide elicengwe kakhulu; izinwele zaso ziyibulembu, zimnyama okwewabayi. Amehlo aso anjengamajuba esezifuleni ezilamanzi, agezwe ngochago, amiswa njengamatshe engcebo. Izihlathi zaso zinjengendima yeziyoliso ezikhupha iphunga lamakha. Izindebe zaso zinjengezimbali, ziconsa imure. Izingalo zaso yimiqwayi yegolide elixutshwe ngekhrisolithe. Umzimba waso unjengophondo lwendlovu olulolongiweyo lwaceciswa ngamasafire. Imilenze yaso yizinsika zelitshe eliqinileyo elibutshelezi nxa limiswe ezisekelweni zegolide elicengekileyo. Isithombo saso sinjengeLebhanoni, ngesekhethelo njengemisedari yakhona. Umlomo waso uyibumnandi qobo lwabo; siyabukeka ngokupheleleyo. Lesi yiso isithandwa sami, yena umngane wami, we madodakazi aseJerusalema.

Ngingowaso isithandwa sami, laso singowami; siyazulazula phakathi kwezimbali.

Susa amehlo akho kimi; angihubula igwebu. Izinwele zakho zinjengomhlambi wezimbuzi zisehla eGileyadi.

Zinhle kakhulu izinyawo zakho emanyathelweni, Hawu ndodakazi yenkosana! Amathebe akho amahle anjengamatshe aligugu, ingathi abunjwa kuhle yingcitshi. Inkaba yakho yindingilizana yesiphathelo esihle esihlala sigcwele iwayini elixutshiweyo. Ukhalo lwakho luyinqunjana yengqoloyi ezingelezwe yizimbali. Amabele akho anjengamazinyane amabili, amaphahla empala. Intamo yakho injengomphotshongo wezimpondo zendlovu. Amehlo akho ayiziziba zeHeshibhoni eduze lesango laseBathi Rabhini. Impumulo yakho injengomphotshongo waseLebhanoni ukhangele iDamaseko. Ikhanda lakho lingumqhele kuwe njengentaba iKhameli. Izinwele zakho zingumceciso wobukhosi; inkosi ithunjiwe ngamagoda azo. Wamuhle bantu njalo uyathokozisa, hawu, sithandwa, ngezintokozo zakho! Uluthi lwakho luthe klwi, njengesihlahla sephamu, lamabele akho anjengelixha lezithelo. Ngathi, “Ngizakhwela esihlahleni sephamu; ngizaziphatha lezozithelo zalo.” Sengathi amabele akho angaba njengamaxha evini, amakha okuphefumula kwakho abe njengama-aphula, lomlomo wakho ube njengewayini elidlula wonke. Sengathi iwayini lelo lingaya kusithandwa sami, ligeleze kakuhle ezindebeni lasemazinyweni.

Ngingowaso isithandwa sami, silangathela mina. Woza, sithandwa sami, kasihambe siye emaphandleni, kasiyolala emizini. Kasihambe ekuseni ezivinini ukuyabona ingabe amavini asenunkula, ingabe amaluba awo aseqhakazile  —  lapho ngizakupha uthando lwami. Izihlahla zemandrake zikhupha iphunga elimnandi, kuthi emnyango wakwethu kube lezibiliboco zonke ezintsha lezindala, engikubekele zona, sithandwa sami.

Ingalo yakhe yobunxele ngiyiqamele ikanti ingalo yakhe yokunene ingigonile.

Madodakazi aseJerusalema, ngiyaliqonqosela: Lingamethusi kumbe lingamvusi usithandwa aze aziphaphamele yena. Ngubani lo oqhamukayo evela enkangala na, eyeme isithandwa sakhe? Ngikuvusile ngaphansi kwesihlahla se-aphula; kulapho unyoko akumithela khona, kulapho yena owayehelelwa wakuzalela khona.

Ngibeka ngibe njengesidindo enhliziyweni yakho, njengesidindo engalweni yakho; ngoba uthando lulamandla njengokufa, ubukhwele balo kabuyekethisi njengengcwaba. Luyatshisa njengomlilo obhebha kakhulu, njengelangabi elivuthayo. Izimpophoma zamanzi ngeke zilucime uthando; imifula ngeke ilukhukhule. Uma umuntu enganika yonke inotho yomuzi wakhe ngenxa yothando kungaba yinhlekisa.

Amehlo omuntu oziphakamisayo azathobekiswa lokuzazisa kwabantu kwehliselwe phansi; uJehova kuphela nguye ozaphakanyiswa ngalolosuku. UJehova uSomandla ulosuku alubekele bonke abazazigqaja labazikhukhumezayo; olwakho konke okuphakemeyo (bazathobekiswa),

Kodwa umuntu ohloniphekayo wenza amacebo ahloniphekayo, njalo uma ngezenzo ezihloniphekayo.

Nganikela umhlana wami kulabo ababengitshaya, lezihlathi zami kulabo abacutha izindevu zami; ubuso bami angibufihlanga ekugconweni lekukhafulelweni.

Weyiswa njalo waliwa ngabantu, umuntu wezinsizi, njalo ekujayele ukuhlupheka. Lowo abantu abangafuniyo ukukhangelana laye. Weyiswa, asimhloniphanga. Ngempela wathatha ubucubi bethu wathwala izinsizi zethu, kodwa thina sathi utshaywe nguNkulunkulu, ebethwe nguye, njalo uhlutshiwe. Kodwa wagwazwa ngenxa yeziphambeko zethu, wachobozwa ngenxa yokona kwethu, ukuhlutshwa kwakhe kwasilethela ukuthula, njalo sasiliswa ngamanxeba akhe. Thina sonke njengezimvu, silahlekile, lowo lalowo wethu uphambukele endleleni yakhe; njalo uJehova ubeke phezu kwakhe ukona kwethu sonke. Wacindezelwa wahlutshwa, kodwa kawuvulanga umlomo wakhe; wakhokhelwa ukuya bulawa njengewundlu, njalo njengemvu ithule phambi komgundi wayo, laye kawuvulanga umlomo wakhe.

Akusikwabela abalambayo ukudla kwakho lokunika umnyanga ongumhambuma indawo yokuhlala  —  lapho ubona abanqunu ubagqokise, lokungafulatheli izihlobo zakho zegazi na?

njalo uma unika abalambayo ukudla kwakho, wanelise leziswelo zabacindezelweyo, ukukhanya kwakho kuzavela emnyameni, ubusuku bakho buzakuba njengemini.

Ngizalandisa ngomusa kaJehova, izenzo okumele adunyiswe ngenxa yazo, ngakho konke uJehova asenzele khona yebo, izinto ezinengi ezinhle azenzele indlu ka-Israyeli, ngesihawu sakhe langomusa wakhe omkhulu.

UJehova wabonakala kithi kudala esithi: “Ngikuthandile ngothando olungapheliyo; ngikuhole ngesisa esikhulu.

Ngenxa yothando olukhulu lukaJehova kasibhujiswanga, ngoba isihawu sakhe asipheli. Sitsha ukusa kwamalanga; kukhulu ukuthembeka kwakho.

Ngakhuleka kuJehova uNkulunkulu wami ngafakaza ngathi: “O Jehova, Nkulunkulu omkhulu, owesabekayo, ogcina isivumelwano sakhe sothando lalabo bonke abamthandayo, abagcina imilayo yakhe,

Ngizakwendisela kimi kuze kube nininini; ngizakwendisa ngokulunga langemfanelo, ngothando langesihawu. Ngizakwendisa ngokuthembeka, njalo uzamamukela uJehova.

Ukutshengisile wena muntu okuhle. UJehova ufunani kuwe na? Ukwenza okulungileyo lokuthanda umusa kanye lokuhamba ngokuzithoba loNkulunkulu wakho.

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

UJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ulawe, ulamandla okusindisa. Uzathokoza kakhulu ngawe, uzakududuza ngothando lwakhe, uzakuthokozela ngokuhlabelela.”

“Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uSomandla, uthi: ‘Yehlulelani ngobuqotho; litshengise isihawu lozwelo omunye komunye. Lingamcindezeli umfelokazi noma intandane, lowezizweni noma umyanga. Lingakhumbulelani okubi ezinhliziyweni zenu.’

“Babusisiwe abampofu emoyeni ngoba umbuso wezulu ngowabo. Babusisiwe labo abakhalayo ngoba bazaduduzwa. Babusisiwe abathobekileyo, ngoba bazazuza ilifa lomhlaba. Babusisiwe labo abalambela bomele ukulunga, ngoba bazasuthiswa. Babusisiwe abalesihawu, ngoba bazakwenzelwa isihawu. Babusisiwe abahlanzekileyo enhliziyweni ngoba bazabona uNkulunkulu. Babusisiwe abalamulayo, ngoba bazathiwa ngamadodana kaNkulunkulu. Babusisiwe abahlukunyezwayo ngenxa yokulunga, ngoba umbuso wezulu ungowabo. “Libusisiwe lina nxa abantu belithuka, belihlukumeza njalo beligcona ngobubi bonke ngenxa yami. Thokozani lijabule ngokuba mkhulu umvuzo wenu ezulwini, ngoba bahlukunyezwa ngaleyondlela abaphrofethi ababephambi kwenu.

Kodwa ngilitshela ngithi loba ngubani ozondela umfowabo uzakwahlulelwa emthethwandaba. Njalo lowo othi kumfowabo, ‘Silima ndini,’ uzathonisiswa eMphakathini. Kodwa lowo othi, ‘Wena siwula!’ uzakuba sengozini yomlilo wesihogo. “Ngakho-ke uma uletha umnikelo wakho ealithareni ubusukhumbula ukuthi umfowenu ulesikhwili lawe, tshiya khonapho isipho sakho phambi kwe-alithare. Qala uyexolisana laye umfowenu anduba ubuye uzokupha umnikelo wakho.

“Selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Ilihlo ngelihlo, njalo izinyo ngezinyo.’ Kodwa mina ngiyalitshela ngithi, Lingamelani lomuntu omubi. Nxa omunye angakutshaya esihlathini sokunene, mphendulele lesinye njalo. Njalo uma omunye efuna ukukumangalela ukuze akuthathele isigqoko sakho, myekele athathe lejazi lakho njalo. Uma omunye ekubamba ngamandla ukuthi uhambe ikhilomitha elilodwa, hamba laye abe mabili. Muphe lowo ocelayo kuwe, njalo ungamfulatheli lowo ofuna ukweboleka kuwe.

“Selezwa ukuthi kwathiwa, ‘Thanda umakhelwana wakho, usizonde isitha sakho.’ Kodwa mina ngilitshela ukuthi, Thandani izitha zenu, libathandazele labo abalihluphayo, ukuze libe ngamadodana kaYihlo osezulwini. Wenza ilanga lakhe liphume kwababi labalungileyo, anise izulu kwabenza okuhle lakwabangalunganga. Uma lithanda labo abalithandayo kuphela, lizazuza mvuzo bani na? Kabenzi njalo na labathelisi? Aluba libingelela abafowenu bodwa, kuyini elikwenzayo okudlula abanye na? Kabenzi khona lokho labahedeni yini? Ngakho wobani ngabapheleleyo njengalokhu uYihlo wenu wasezulwini ephelele.

“Qaphelani ukuthi lingenzi ‘izenzo zenu ezinhle’ phambi kwabantu ukuze balibone. Uma lisenza njalo kaliyikuba lomvuzo ovela kuYihlo ezulwini. “Yikho nxa lisipha abaswelayo lingamemezeli ngamacilongo njengokwenziwa ngabazenzisi emasinagogeni lasezitaladini ukuze badunyiswe ngabantu. Ngilitshela iqiniso sebewemukele owabo umvuzo ngokugcweleyo. Kodwa nxa lina lisipha abaswelayo isandla senu sokhohlo masingakwazi lokho esikwenzayo esokunene, ukuze ukupha kwenu kube sensitha. Kuzakuthi uYihlo obonayo ensitha alivuze.

Phela uma libaxolela abantu nxa belonile uYihlo osezulwini laye uzalixolela. Kodwa uma lingabaxoleli abantu izono zabo uYihlo kayikulixolela izono zenu.

“Kakho ongakhonza amakhosi amabili. Mhlawumbe uzathanda enye azonde enye, loba uzabambelela kwenye azonde enye. Lingazake likhonze uNkulunkulu njalo leMali.

“Lingehluleli funa lani lehlulelwe. Ngoba ngaleyondlela elahlulela ngayo abanye lani lizakwehlulelwa ngayo, langalesosilinganiso elisisebenzisayo lani lizalinganiselwa ngaso. “Ubonelani isicucwana esiselihlweni lomfowenu, unganqinekeli ugodo olukwelakho ilihlo? Loba uzakutsho kanjani kumfowenu ukuthi, ‘Wothi ngikukhuphe isicucwana elihlweni lakho,’ wena ulokhu ulogodo kwelakho ilihlo? Mzenzisi, qala ususe ugodo elihlweni lakho ukuze ubone kakuhle nxa usukhupha isicucwana esiselihlweni lomfowenu.

Kuzo zonke izinto yenzani kwabanye lokho elifuna bakwenze kini, ngokuba lokhu yikho okugoqela uMthetho labaPhrofethi.

“Wozani kimi lina lonke elikhatheleyo lelisindwayo, ngizaliphumuza. Zithwaliseni ijogwe lami, lifunde kimi, ngokuba ngimnene ngithobekile enhliziyweni, njalo lizazuza ukuphumula kwemiphefumulo yenu. Ngokuba ijogwe lami lilula lomthwalo wami kawusindi.”

Wasesithi, “Ngiqinisile ngithi kini, ngaphandle kokuba liguquke libe njengabantwana abancinyane, kalisoze lafa langena embusweni wezulu. Ngakho lowo ozithobayo njengomntwana lo nguye omkhulu kulabo bonke embusweni wezulu.

“Kambe lithini na? Uma indoda ilezimvu ezilikhulu enye iqambuke kwezinye, kayiyikuzitshiya yini lezo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye ezintabeni iyoyidinga leyo eqambukileyo? Ithi ingayifumana, ngiyalitshela, iyathokoza ngaleyo okudlula lezo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lesificamunye ezingazange ziqambuke. Ngaleyondlela uYihlo ezulwini kafisi ukuthi lamunye walaba abancinyane alahleke.

“Uma umfowenu esenza okubi kuwe, yana kuye umtshengise isiphambeko sakhe lilodwa lobabili. Uma ekulalela usumzuzile umfowenu.

UPhethro weza kuJesu wabuza wathi, “Nkosi, umfowethu ngizamthethelela kangaki nxa elokhu engona na? Kuze kube kakhombisa na?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngithi, hatshi kakhombisa, kodwa okwezikhathi ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa.

hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko,’ njalo ‘thanda umakhelwana njengoba uzithanda wena.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Aluba ufuna ukuthi uphelele, thengisa yonke inotho yakho uphe abayanga, lapho-ke uzakuba lenotho ezulwini. Usungeza ungilandele.”

“Kunjalo owokucina uzakuba ngowokuqala, lowokuqala abe ngowokucina.”

Kakunjalo kini. Kodwa loba ngubani ofuna ukuba mkhulu phakathi kwenu kabe yinceku yenu, lalowo ofuna ukuba ngowokuqala kabe yisichaka senu  — njengeNdodana yoMuntu engezelanga ukuzakhonzwa, kodwa ukukhonza, lokunikela ukuphila kwayo kube lihlawulo labanengi.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “ ‘Thanda iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ngenhliziyo yakho yonke langomphefumulo wakho wonke langengqondo yakho yonke.’ Yiwo oyingqala njalo odlula yonke imilayo. Owesibili unjengawo: ‘Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengalokhu uzithanda wena.’

Omkhulu kulani lonke phakathi kwenu uzakuba yinceku yenu. Ngokuba lowo oziphakamisayo uzathotshiswa, lalowo ozithobayo uzaphakanyiswa.

Lapho-ke iNkosi izakuthi kulabo abangasekunene kwayo, ‘Wozani, lina elibusisiweyo nguBaba; thathani ilifa lenu, umbuso owalungiselwa lina kulokhu kwadalwa umhlaba. Ngokuba ngangilambile, langinika ulutho oludliwayo, ngangomile langipha okunathwayo, ngangiyisihambi langingenisa, ngangiswela izambatho langigqokisa, ngangigula langonga, ngangisentolongweni lazongibona.’ “Abalungileyo bazamphendula bathi, ‘Nkosi, sakubona nini ulambile sakupha ukudla na, kumbe womile sakunathisa? Sakubona nini uyisihambi sakungenisa na, kumbe uswela izambatho sakugqokisa? Sakubona nini ugula kumbe usentolongweni seza sazakubona na?’ “INkosi izaphendula ithi, ‘Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi loba yini elayenzela loba ngomncinyane kanganani walaba abazalwane bami, lakwenzela mina.’

“INkosi izakuthi kulabo abasekhohlo kwayo, ‘Xekani kimi lina elithukiweyo liye emlilweni wanininini owalungiselwa uSathane lezingilosi zakhe. Ngokuba ngangilambile, kalingiphanga lutho lokudla, ngangomile kalingiphanga lutho lokunatha, ngangiyisihambi kalingingenisanga, ngangiswela izambatho kalingigqokisanga, ngangigula njalo ngisentolongweni kalizange lingidinge.’ “Labo bazaphendula bathi, ‘Nkosi, sakubona nini ulambile kumbe womile kumbe uyisihambi kumbe ungelazigqoko kumbe ugula noma usentolongweni asaze sakunceda na?’ “Izaphendula ithi, ‘Ngiqinisile ngithi, loba kuyini elingakwenzelanga oyedwa nje omncinyane kulabo bonke walaba, kalikwenzelanga mina.’

kweza kuye owesifazana ephethe umfuma wamakha adula kakhulu wawathela ekhanda likaJesu owayeyeme etafuleni.

Wahamba ibanganyana, wasezilahla phansi wathi mbo ngobuso wakhuleka wathi, “Baba, uma kungenzeka, sengathi inkomitshi le ingasuswa kimi. Kodwa akungabi ngokuthanda kwami, kodwa kube ngokuthanda kwakho.”

Wahlala phansi uJesu wabiza abalitshumi lambili wathi kubo, “Aluba ekhona ofuna ukuba ngowokuqala, kabe ngosekucineni, abe yisisebenzi sabo bonke.”

Akunjalo kini. Kodwa lowo othanda ukuba mkhulu phakathi kwenu kumele abe yinceku yenu, lalowo ofuna ukuba ngowokuqala kabe yisigqili senu lonke. Ngoba leNdodana yoMuntu kayizelanga ukuzakhonzwa, kodwa ukuzakhonza, njalo ukunikela impilo yayo ibe yinhlawulo yabanengi.”

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

Thanda iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ngenhliziyo yakho yonke langomphefumulo wakho wonke langengqondo yakho yonke langamandla akho wonke.’ Owesibili yilo: ‘Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengoba uzithanda.’ Kawukho umlayo omkhulu kulale.” Indoda yaphendula yathi, “Utsho kuhle, mfundisi. Uqondile nxa usithi uNkulunkulu munye, kakho omunye ngaphandle kwakhe. Ukumthanda ngenhliziyo yakho yonke, ngokuzwisisa konke kwakho langamandla akho wonke, lokuthanda umakhelwana wakho njengoba uzithanda wena kuqakathekile kulayo yonke iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo.”

Kwathi eseBhethani eyeme etafuleni emzini wendoda eyayithiwa nguSimoni uMlephero, owesifazana weza ephethe umfuma wamakha adulayo kakhulu, enziwe ngenadi elipheleleyo. Wawugumula umfuma wathela amakha ekhanda likaJesu.

UJohane waphendula wathi, “Leyondoda elamajazi amabili kayimuphe ongelalo elinye lalowo olokudla kenze njalo.”

“Kodwa ngiyalitshela lina elingizwayo, ngithi: Thandani izitha zenu, yenzani okuhle kwabalizondayo, babusiseni labo abalithukayo, libathandazele labo abalichukuluzayo. Umuntu angakutshaya esihlathini sakho lesi, muphe lalesiyana. Umuntu angakwemuka ijazi lakho ungamaleli ukuthatha lebhatshi. Phanini loba ngubani ocelayo kini, njalo uma umuntu ethatha ulutho lwakho ungaluthonisi. Yenza kwabanye lokho ofuna ukuthi bakwenze kuwe.

“Uma lithanda labo abalithandayo, lokho kulibuyiselani na? Lezoni lazo ziyabathanda abazithandayo. Njalo uma lisenza okuhle kulabo abalungileyo kini, lokho kulibuyiselani? Lezoni ziyakwenza lokho. Njalo uma liboleka labo elizazuza imbadalo kubo, lokho kulibuyiselani na? Lezoni ziboleka izoni zilindele ukubhadalwa ngokugcweleyo.

Kodwa thandani izitha zenu, lizenzele okuhle, njalo lizeboleke lingalindeli lutho kuzo. Lapho-ke umvuzo wenu uzakuba mkhulu, njalo lizakuba ngamadodana akhe oPhezukonke, ngokuba ulomusa kwabangabongiyo labayizigangi. Wobani lesihawu njengoYihlo olesihawu. “Lingehluleli, yikho lani kaliyikwehlulelwa. Lingamlahli omunye, yikhona lani lingayikulahlwa. Thethelelani, lani lizathethelelwa. Phanini, lani lizaphiwa. Kuzathiwa qithi kini kugcwaliswe phamu, kwabandezelwa, kwakhuhlu-zwa kwaze kwaphuphuma. Ngoba ngasonaleso silinganiso elisisebenzisayo, lani lizalinganiselwa ngaso.”

Kwathi owesifazana othile owayephila impilo yesono kulelodolobho esezwile ukuthi uJesu wayesidla endlini yomFarisi weza ephethe umfuma wamakha, kwathi esemi ngemuva kukaJesu ngasezinyaweni ekhala, wamanzisa izinyawo zakhe ngezinyembezi. Wasezesula izinyawo zikaJesu ngezinwele zakhe, wazanga wasethela amakha kuzo.

“Amadoda amabili ayelesikwelede semali kumeboleki wemali. Oyedwa wayelesikwelede samadenariyu angamakhulu amahlanu, omunye esamatshumi amahlanu. Bobabili babengelayo imali yokumbhadala, ngakho wasewucitsha umlandu wabo bobabili. Manje nguwuphi wabo ozamthanda okudlula omunye na?” USimoni waphendula wathi, “Ngibona kungathi ngulowo owaxolelwa isikwelede esikhulu.” UJesu wathi, “Ubone kuhle.” Wasephendukela kowesifazana wathi kuSimoni, “Uyambona na owesifazana lo? Ngifikile endlini yakho, kawungiphanga amanzi ezinyawo zami, kodwa yena uthambise izinyawo zami ngezinyembezi zakhe, wazesula ngezinwele zakhe. Kawunganganga, kodwa owesifazana lo selokhu ngingenileyo lapha akemanga ukwanga izinyawo zami. Kawuthelanga amafutha ekhanda lami, kodwa yena uthele amakha ezinyaweni zami. Yikho-ke ngiyakutshela ukuthi izono zakhe ezinengi sezithethelelwe  —  ngokuba utshengise uthando olukhulu. Kodwa lowo othethelelwe okuncinyane uthanda kancinyane.”

Waphendula wathi, “Thanda iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho ngenhliziyo yakho yonke, langomphefumulo wakho wonke, langamandla akho wonke, njalo langengqondo yakho yonke;’ njalo, ‘Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengoba uzithanda wena.’ ”

UJesu waphendula ngokuthi: “Indoda yayihamba iphuma eJerusalema isiya eJerikho, yaqabuka isihlaselwa ngabaphangi. Bayihlubula izigqoko zayo, bayitshaya base behamba, beyitshiya iqalekile. Kwakulomphristi owayehamba ngaleyo ndlela, owathi eyibona indoda leyo waceza kwelinye icele. Wenza njalo lomLevi, wafika kuleyondawo wayibona indoda wakhekheleza wedlula. Kodwa umSamariya, wathi ezihambela wafika lapho indoda eyayikhona, wathi eyibona wayizwela usizi. Waya kuyo, wawabopha amanxeba ayo, elokhu ethela amafutha lewayini. Waseyikhweza kubabhemi wakhe indoda leyo wayisa endlini yezihambi wayinakekela. Ngosuku olulandelayo wakhupha izinhlamvu ezimbili zesiliva wazinika umphathi wendawo. Wathi, ‘Mgcine, kuzakuthi nxa sengibuya ngizalibhadala lezozindleko eziyabe zisele.’ “Ngubani pho kulaba abathathu wena obona ukuthi wayengumakhelwana wendoda leyo eyahlaselwa ngabaphangi na?” Isazi somthetho saphendula sathi, “Ngulowo owaba lesihawu kuyo.” UJesu wamtshela wathi, “Hamba wenze njalo.”

“Nxa omunye ekunxusa edilini lomthimba, ungaze wathatha indawo eqakathekileyo, funa kunxuswe umuntu omkhulu kulawe. Nxa kunjalo umalinxusa uzakuza athi kuwe, ‘Ake uxekele lo omunye isihlalo sakho.’ Uzabe usuyangekile ususiyahlala endaweni ephansi kakhulu. Kodwa uma unxusiwe, hlala endaweni ephansi kakhulu, ukuze kuthi nxa umakunxusa efika kuwe uzakuthi, ‘Mngane, suka uye endaweni engcono.’ Lapho-ke uzabe uphakanyisiwe phambi kwabo bonke abanxuswe kanye lawe. Ngoba wonke umuntu oziphakamisayo uzakwehliswa, kuthi lowo ozehlisayo uzaphakanyiswa.”

UJesu wasesithi kumamnxusa, ‘Nxa usenza idili emini loba kusihlwa unganxusi abangane bakho, loba abafowenu kumbe izihlobo kumbe omakhelwana abanothileyo; ungenza njalo labo bangakunxusa, kuthi-ke lawe usuwenanisiwe. Kodwa nxa usenza idili, nxusa abayanga, izilima, izigoga, iziphofu, lapho uzabusiswa. Loba bengasoze bakwenanise lawe, uzakwenaniswa ekuvukeni kwabalungileyo.”

Ngakho yaphakama yaya kuyise. “Kodwa kwathi ilokhu isebucwala uyise wayibona wayizwela isihawu; wagijimela kuyo indodana yakhe, wayigona, wayanga. “Indodana yathi kuye, ‘Baba, ngenzile isono phambi kwezulu lakuwe. Kangisafanelanga ukuthiwa ngiyindodana yakho.’ “Kodwa uyise wathi ezincekwini zakhe, ‘Phangisani! Lethani isigqoko esihle okudlula ezinye limgqokise. Lifake indandatho emunweni wakhe, limgqokise lamanyathela ezinyaweni zakhe. Beseliletha ithole elinonisiweyo lilihlabe. Kasenzeni idili sithokoze. Ngokuba indodana yami le yayisifile kodwa isiphila njalo; yayilahlekile manje isifunyenwe.’ Waqalisa manje umkhosi wokujabula.

“Kakulanceku engakhonza amakhosi amabili. Izazonda enye ithande enye, loba izazinikela kwenye iyizonde enye. Lingeze lakhonza kanyekanye uNkulunkulu leMali.”

Aluba esona kuwe kakhombisa ngosuku lulunye, eze kuwe kakhombisa esithi, ‘Ngiyaxolisa,’ mthethelele.”

“Ngiyalitshela ukuthi indoda le, hatshi leyana enye, yabuyela ekhaya isilungisiwe phambi kukaNkulunkulu. Ngokuba lowo oziphakamisayo uzakwehliswa, lozehlisayo uzaphakanyiswa.”

Kodwa uZakhewu wasukuma wathi eNkosini, “Khangela, Nkosi! Okwamanje nje senginika ingxenye yenotho yami kwabampofu, njalo uma ngike ngadlelezela omunye umuntu loba ngakuphi, ngizambhadala ngokuphindwe kane lokho engakuthathayo.”

Wathi, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi umfelokazi lo ongumyanga unikele okudlula bonke abanye. Bonke lababantu banikele becupha enothweni; kodwa yena ngobuyanga bakhe uphosele konke abe lakho ukuthi kumphilise.”

Kodwa kalimelanga libe njalo. Endaweni yalokho lowo ongomkhulu kulani lonke kabe kungathi ngongumntwana kini lonke, lalowo obusayo abe nguye okhonza abanye. Ngoba ngubani omkhulu kulomunye, lowo ohleziyo etafuleni yokudla langabe lowo odekayo na? Kakusilowo osetafuleni na? Kodwa mina ngiphakathi kwenu njengalowo olidekelayo.

Kodwa waphendula wathi, “Nkosi, ngizimisele ukuhamba lawe entolongweni lasekufeni.”

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

“UNkulunkulu walithanda ilizwe waze wanikela iNdodana yakhe iyiyo yodwa ukuze kuthi loba ngubani okholwa kuyo angabhubhi kodwa abe lokuphila okungapheliyo. Ngokuba uNkulunkulu kathumanga iNdodana yakhe emhlabeni ukuba iwulahle umhlaba, kodwa ukuba umhlaba usindiswe ngayo.

Yena ufanele abemkhulu; mina kufanele kunciphe ukuqakatheka kwami.

Isizatho sokuba uBaba angithande yikuthi ngiyayinikela impilo yami  —  ngizaphinde ngiyithathe.

UJesu wakhala. AbaJuda basebesithi, “Liyabona ukuthi wayemthanda njani!”

UMariya wasethatha umfuma wenadi ecengekileyo, engaba yingxenye yelitha amakha adulayo kakhulu; wawathela ezinyaweni zikaJesu wasezesula ngezinwele zakhe. Indlu yagcwala ngephunga elimnandi lamakha lawo.

Kwakumandulo kweDili lePhasika. UJesu wayekwazi ukuthi isikhathi sasesifikile esokuthi asuke kulo umhlaba aye kuYise. Wayehlezi ebathanda abakhe abasemhlabeni, khathesi wasebatshengisa ukujula kothando lwakhe.

Ngemuva kwalokho wase ethela amanzi enditshini waseqalisa ukugezisa izinyawo zabafundi bakhe, wazesula ngethawulo leyo ayezibophe ngayo.

Manje-ke njengoba mina, iNkosi yenu loMfundisi, sengigezise izinyawo zenu, lani limele ligezisane izinyawo. Sengilenzele isibonelo ukuthi lenze njengoba ngilenzele mina. Ngiqinisile ukuthi kakulanceku enkulu kulenkosi yayo, njalo isithunywa kasisikhulu kulalowo osithumileyo. Lingaze lizazi lezi izinto lizabusiswa nxa lizenza.

Omunye wabo, lowomfundi owayethandwa nguJesu wayeyeme etafuleni eduzane laye.

“Ngilinika umlayo omutsha: Thandanani. Limele lithandane njengoba lami ngilithandile. Bonke abantu bazakwazi ukuthi lingabafundi bami uma lithandana.”

Uma lingithanda lizakwenza lokho engiliyala khona.

Lowo olayo imilayo yami, ayilalele, nguye ongithandayo. Lowo ongithandayo uzathandwa nguBaba, njalo lami ngizamthanda ngiziveze kuye.”

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Nxa ekhona ongithandayo uzalalela imfundiso yami. UBaba uzamthanda, njalo sizakuza kuye sakhe umuzi wethu kanye laye. Lowo ongangithandiyo kayikulalela imfundiso yami. Amazwi la eliwezwayo kawasiwami; angakaBaba ongithumileyo.

“Njengoba uBaba engithandile, kanjalo lami ngilithandile. Manje-ke hlalani othandweni lwami. Aluba lilalela imilayo yami, lizahlala lisothandweni lwami, njengoba lami ngilalele imilayo kaBaba ngihlala ngisothandweni lwakhe. Ngilitshelile lokhu ukuze ukuthokoza kwami kube kini njalo ukuze ukuthokoza kwenu kuphelele. Umlayo wami yilo: Thandanani njengoba ngilithandile lina. Kakho olothando olukhulu kulaye onikela ukuphila kwakhe kubangane bakhe. Lingabangane bami uma lisenza lokho engiliyala khona. Kangisalibizi ngokuthi liyizinceku ngokuba inceku kayiwazisisi umsebenzi wenkosi yayo. Kodwa ngithe kini lingabangane ngoba konke engakufunda kuBaba ngilazisile.

Nanku umlayo wami: Thandanani.

Hatshi, uBaba yena ngokwakhe uyalithanda ngoba lingithandile lakukholwa ukuthi ngavela kuNkulunkulu.

mina ngibe kubo lawe ukimi. Sengathi bangaba lokumanyana okupheleleyo ukutshengisa umhlaba ukuthi ungithumile njalo ubathandile njengalokhu ungithandile mina.

Ngikuvezile wena kubo njalo ngizaqhubeka ukwenza ukuthi waziwe ukuze kuthi uthando olalo kimi lube ngolwabo njalo lokuthi mina ngokwami ngibe kubo.”

Sebeqedile ukudla, uJesu wathi kuSimoni Phethro, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, ungithanda ngeqiniso na okudlula laba abanye?” Wathi, “Yebo, Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Phana amazinyane ami ukudla.” UJesu waphinda wathi, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, uyangithanda ngeqiniso na?” Waphendula wathi, “Yebo, Nkosi, uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Gcina izimvu zami.” Wasesithi kuye ngokwesithathu, “Simoni, ndodana kaJohane, uyangithanda na?” UPhethro wadabuka ngoba uJesu wambuza ngokwesithathu wathi, “Uyangithanda na?” Wathi, “Nkosi, uyazazi izinto zonke; uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyakuthanda.” UJesu wathi, “Phana izimvu zami ukudla.

Wonke amakholwa ayendawonye, ehlanganyela kukho konke. Bathengisa izinto zabo lezimpahla zabo banika loba ngubani oswelayo. Izinsuku zonke baqhubeka behlangana emagumeni ethempeli, njalo behlephula isinkwa emakhaya abo besidla ndawonye ngezinhliziyo ezimhlophe, eziqinisekileyo,

Kakho owayeswela phakathi kwabo. Kwakusithi izikhathi ngezikhathi labo ababe leziqinti loba izindlu bazithengise balethe imali yentengo bayethule kubaphostoli yabelwe loba ngubani ngokuswela kwakhe.

Kwathi belokhu bemkhanda uStefane wakhuleka wathi, “Nkosi Jesu, yamukela umoya wami.” Wathi khubembe ngamadolo phansi wamemeza wathi, “Nkosi, ungababekeli umlandu ngalesisono.” Kuthe esetsho lokho walala.

Indoda engumthenwa yayibala indima yombhalo ethi: “Waqhutshwa njengemvu isiwa esilaheni, njengezinyane lemvu elithula zwi phambi komgundi, kanjalo kazange awuvule umlomo wakhe. Ekugconweni kwakhe wancitshwa ukwahlulelwa okuqondileyo. Ngubani ongakhuluma ngezizukulwane zakhe na? Ngokuba ukuphila kwakhe kwasuswa emhlabeni.”

Kukho konke engakwenzayo ngalibonisa ukuthi ngalendlela yokusebenza nzima kumele sisize ababuthakathaka, sikhumbula amazwi eNkosi uJesu athi: ‘Ukupha kubusisekile okudlula ukwamukela.’ ”

Njalo ithemba kalisidanisi, ngoba uNkulunkulu usethululele uthando lwakhe ezinhliziyweni zethu ngoMoya oNgcwele, asinike yena. Liyabona, ngesikhathi esifaneleyo, lapho sasisesebuthakathaka, uKhristu wafela abangakholwa kuNkulunkulu. Akuvamanga ukuthi umuntu afele umuntu olungileyo, lanxa kungaba lolesibindi sokufela umuntu olungileyo. Kodwa uNkulunkulu ubonakalisa uthando lwakhe kithi ngalokhu: Siseseyizoni, uKhristu wasifela. Njengoba khathesi sesilungiswe ligazi lakhe, pho sizasindiswa kakhulu kangakanani elakeni lukaNkulunkulu ngaye! Ngoba uma lapho sasiyizitha zikaNkulunkulu sabuyiselwa kuye ngokufa kweNdodana yakhe, kuzakuba kukhulu kangakanani, sesibuyiselwe, ukuhlengwa kwethu ngokuphila kwakhe!

Ngubani ozasehlukanisa lothando lukaKhristu na? Yikuhlupheka kumbe ukudubeka loba ukuhlukuluzwa kumbe indlala loba ukuhamba ze loba ingozi kumbe inkemba na? Njengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ngenxa yakho sikhangelane lokufa ilanga lonke; sibalwa njengezimvu ezizahlatshwa.” Hatshi, kuzo zonke lezizinto singaphezu kokuba ngabanqobi ngaye owasithandayo.

Ngoba ngiyakholwa ukuthi loba yikufa kumbe ukuphila, loba yizingilosi kumbe amadimoni, loba likhathesi kumbe isikhathi esizayo, loba kungamandla bani, loba kuyikuphakama kumbe ukutshona, loba olunye ulutho kukho konke okudaliweyo, akuyikusehlukanisa lothando lukaNkulunkulu olukuKhristu uJesu iNkosi yethu.

Ngoba ngomusa engiwuphiweyo ngithi kini lonke: Lingacabangi ngokuzazisa kakhulu okudlula okufaneleyo, kodwa lizicabangele ngokuqonda, ngokumayelana lesilinganiso sokukholwa uNkulunkulu aliphe khona.

Uthando kumele lube qotho. Zondani okubi libambelele kokulungileyo. Zimiseleni omunye komunye ngothando lobuzalwane. Hloniphanani okudlula ukuzihlonipha kwenu. Lingaphelelwa yikutshiseka, kodwa gcinani ukutshiseka kwenu komoya, likhonza iNkosi. Thokozani ekwethembeni, libekezele ekuhlukuluzweni, libambelele ekukhulekeni. Bapheni abantu bakaNkulunkulu abaswelayo. Zejwayezeni ukuphana.

Babusiseni labo abalihluphayo; busisani lingaqalekisi. Thokozani lalabo abathokozayo, lilile lalabo abalilayo. Hlalisanani ngokuzwana. Lingazigqaji, kodwa lihlanganele labantukazana. Lingazikhukhumezi. Lingaphindiseli muntu okubi ngokubi. Nanzelelani ukwenza okulungileyo phambi kwabantu bonke. Uma kusenzakala, kusiya mayelana lokubona kwenu, hlalani ngokuthula labantu bonke.

Lingaphindiseli, bangane bami, kodwa litshiyele ulaka lukaNkulunkulu ithuba, ngoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ukuphindisela ngokwami; ngizaphindisela,” kutsho iNkosi. Esikhundleni salokho: “Uma isitha senu silambile, sipheni ukudla; uma somile, sinikeni okunathwayo. Ngokwenza lokhu, lokhela amalahle avuthayo ekhanda laso.” Linganqotshwa ngokubi, kodwa nqobani ububi ngobuhle.

Lingayekeli umlandu ungahlawulwanga, ngaphandle kokuqhubeka komlandu wokuthandana, ngoba lowo othanda umuntu wakibo usewugcwalisile umthetho. Imilayo ethi, “Ungafebi,” “Ungabulali,” “Ungebi,” “Ungahawukeli” kanye leminye imilayo engabe ikhona ihlanganiswa ngumthetho lo othi: “Thanda umakhelwane wakho njengoba uzithanda wena.” Uthando kalwenzi ngozi kumakhelwane. Ngakho uthando luyikugcwaliswa komthetho.

Mamukeleni lowo okholo lwakhe lubuthakathaka, kungekho kwahlulela ezindabeni eziphikisekayo.

Pho wena, kungani usahlulela umzalwane wakho na? Loba kungani useyisa umzalwane wakho na? Ngoba sonke sizakuma phambi kwesihlalo sikaNkulunkulu sokwahlulela. Kulotshiwe ukuthi: “ ‘Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona,’ kutsho uJehova, ‘amadolo wonke azaguqa phambi kwami; izindimi zonke zizavuma kuNkulunkulu.’ ” Ngakho-ke omunye lomunye wethu uzabika akwenzayo kuNkulunkulu.

Ngakho kasiyekeleni ukwahlulelana. Esikhundleni salokho zimisele engqondweni yakho ukuba ungabeki isikhubekiso kumbe umgoqo endleleni yomzalwane wakho. Njengalowo oseNkosini uJesu, ngiyakholwa ngokupheleleyo ukuthi akulakudla okungcolileyo khona ngokwakho. Kodwa uma umuntu ecabanga ukuba ulutho lungcolile, ngakho kuye lungcolile. Uma umfowenu ekhathazeka ngenxa yalokho okudlayo, kawusenzi okothando. Ungachithi umfowenu owafelwa nguKhristu ngokudla kwakho.

Ngakho kasenzeni imizamo yonke yokwenza okusilethela ukuthula lokusizana ebuntwini.

Thina esilamandla sifanele ukubekezelela ukwehluleka kwababuthakatha, hatshi ukuba sizithokozise. Lowo lalowo wethu kumele athokozise umakhelwana wakhe ngokuhle kuye, ukuze amakhe. Ngoba loKhristu kazithokozisanga, kodwa njengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Ukuthula kwalabo abalithukayo kwehlele phezu kwami.” Ngoba konke okwalotshwa kudala kwalotshelwa ukusifundisa, ukuze kuthi ngokubekezela langokukhuthazwa yimibhalo sibe lethemba. Sengathi uNkulunkulu onika ukubekezela lenkuthazo angalipha umoya wokumanyana phakathi kwenu lapho lilandela uKhristu Jesu, ukuze kuthi nganhliziyo yonke langomlomo munye lidumise uNkulunkulu loYise weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu. Ngakho yamukelani, omunye lomunye, njengalokhu uKhristu walamukela, ukuze kudunyiswe uNkulunkulu.

Bingelelanani ngokwangana okungcwele. Wonke amabandla kaKhristu ayalibingelela.

Ngiyalincenga, bazalwane, ukuba libaqaphele labo abadala ukwahlukana bebeka izivimbelo endleleni yenu, okuphambene lemfundiso elayifundayo. Baxwayeni. Ngoba abantu abanjalo kabakhonzi Nkosi yethu uKhristu, kodwa izinkanuko zabo. Ngenkulumo emnandi langobuqili bakhohlisa izingqondo zabantu abayiziphukuphuku.

Kodwa kunjengoba kulotshiwe ukuthi: “Akulalihlo eselibonile, akulandlebe esizwile akulangqondo esicabangile ngalokho uNkulunkulu akulungisele labo abamthandayo,”  —

Khona lokhu ukuthi impela kulokumangalelana phakathi kwenu kutsho ukuba selehlulwe ngokupheleleyo. Kakungcono yini ukwamukela ukoniwa? Kakungcono yini ukwamukela ukuqilibezelwa?

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

Lanxa ngikhululekile ngingasuye womunye umuntu, ngizenza isigqili ebantwini bonke, ukuze ngizuze abanengi uma kusenzeka.

Akulamuntu omele azidingele okuhle, kodwa okuhle kwabanye.

Lingakhubekisi muntu, loba kungamaJuda, amaGiriki loba ibandla likaNkulunkulu  — lalapho ngizama ukuthokozisa abantu bonke ngezindlela zonke. Ngoba kangidingi okuhle kwami kodwa okuhle kwabanengi, ukuze basindiswe.

ukuze kungabi lokwahlukana emzimbeni, kodwa ukuba izitho zawo zibe lokuzwelana okufananayo. Uma esinye isitho sibongwa, izitho zonke zithokoza laso.

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. Loba nginganika abayanga konke engilakho nginikele lomzimba wami emalangabini, kodwa ngingelalo uthando, kangizuzi lutho. Uthando luyabekezela, uthando lulomusa. Kalulamona, kaluzincomi, kaluzigqaji. Kalusisosiqholo, kaluzifuneli okwalo, kaluphangisi ukuthukuthela, kalubambeli zikhwili. Uthando kaluthokozeli okubi kodwa luthokozela iqiniso. Luhlezi luvikela, luhlezi lukholwa, luhlezi luthemba, luhlezi lubekezela. Uthando kalupheli. Kodwa lapho okuleziphrofetho khona, zizaphela, lapho okulezindimi khona, zizathuliswa; lapho okulokwazi khona, kuzakwedlula.

Okuthathu lokhu kuma kunjalo: ukukholwa, ithemba lothando. Kodwa okukhulu kwalokhu luthando.

Landelani indlela yothando lizifune ngokutshiseka izipho zakomoya ikakhulu isipho sokuphrofitha.

Yenzani konke ngothando.

Ngoba uthando lukaKhristu luyasifuqa, ngoba siyakholwa ukuba oyedwa wafela bonke, ngakho bonke bafa. Wafela abantu bonke ukuze abaphilayo bangaziphileli bona ngokwabo, kodwa lowo owabafelayo wavuswa njalo.

Kodwa, njengezisebenzi zikaNkulunkulu sizethula ngazo zonke izindlela: ngokubekezela okukhulu; ekuhluphekeni, ebunzimeni kanye lasezinsizini; ekutshayweni, ekuvalelweni entolongweni lakuziphithiphithi; ukusebenza nzima, ukungalali ebusuku kanye lendlala; ukuhlambuluka, ukuqedisisa, ukubekezela kanye lomusa; ngoMoya oNgcwele langothando oluqotho; ngokukhuluma iqiniso langamandla kaNkulunkulu; ngezikhali zokulunga esandleni sokudla lesenxele; ngodumo langehlazo, ukukhulunyelwa kubi lokukhulunyelwa kuhle; siqotho, kodwa sikhangelwa njengabakhohlisi; siyaziwa kodwa sikhangelwa njengabangaziwayo, abafayo, kodwa siqhubeka siphila; siyatshaywa, kodwa kasibulawanga, sisosizini, kodwa sihlezi sijabula; simpofu, kodwa sinothisa abanengi; kasilalutho, kodwa silezinto zonke.

Ekulingweni kwawo okunzima kakhulu, lokuthokoza kwawo okukhulu kanye lobuyanga bawo bokucina kugcwele ukuphana okumangalisayo. Ngoba ngiyafakaza ukuthi anikela okunengi njengayengakwanelisa, kanye lokudlula amandla awo. Bona ngokwabo, basincenga ngokuphangisa ukuba babe lethuba lokuhlanganyela kulokhukusebenzela abangcwele. Kabenzanga njengesasikulindele, kodwa bazinikela eNkosini kuqala, muva bazinikela kithi kuvumelana lentando kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa njengoba lisenza kuhle ezintweni zonke  —  ekukholweni, lekukhulumeni, lekwazini, lekuzimiseleni okupheleleyo kanye lakukho ukusithanda kwenu  —  bonani ukuthi lenza kuhle futhi kulo umusa wokuphana. Angilibekeli mlayo, kodwa ngifuna ukuhlola ubuqotho bothando lwenu ngokuluqathanisa lokuzimisela kwabanye. Ngoba liyawazi umusa weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, ukuthi lanxa wayenothile, kodwa waba ngumyanga ngenxa yenu, ukuze kuthi ngobuyanga bakhe lina linothe.

Ngoba uma isifiso sikhona, isipho siyamukeleka mayelana lalokho umuntu alakho, hatshi mayelana lalokho angelakho.

Ngakho-ke, tshengisani abantu laba ubufakazi bothando lwenu kanye lesisusa sokuzigqaja kwethu ngani, ukuze amabandla wonke alubone.

Umuntu ngamunye kanike lokho amise enhliziyweni yakhe ukukunikela, kungabi luhonono loba ngokubanjwa ngamandla, ngoba uNkulunkulu uthanda onikela ngokuthokoza.

Ngenxa yokuthobeka lokuthamba kukaKhristu ngiyalincenga  —  mina Phawuli “owethukayo” nxa ngilani ubuso ngobuso, kodwa ngilesibindi nxa ngikude!

Yikho nje, ngenxa kaKhristu, ngithokozela ubuthakathaka, lezithuko, lezinhlupho, lokuhlukuluzwa, lokukhathazeka. Ngoba nxa ngibuthakathaka, kulapho-ke ngilamandla.

Okokucina, bazalwane, salani kuhle. Funani ukuphelela, lilalele isicelo sami, libe ngqondo yinye, lihlale ngokuthula. UNkulunkulu wothando lokuthula uzakuba lani. Bingelelanani ngokwanga okungcwele.

Sengathi umusa weNkosi uJesu Khristu, lothando lukaNkulunkulu, lokuhlanganyela kukaMoya oNgcwele kungaba lani lonke.

AkulamJuda loba umGiriki, isigqili loba okhululekileyo, owesilisa loba owesifazana, ngoba lonke limunye kuKhristu uJesu.

Ngoba kuKhristu uJesu ukusoka loba ukungasoki akulasizo. Into kuphela eyiyo eqakathekileyo yikukholwa kuzibonakaliso ngothando.

Lina, bazalwane bami, labizelwa ukuba likhululeke. Kodwa lingasebenzisi inkululeko yenu ukuthokozisa imvelo yenu yesono; kodwa sizanani ngothando. Umthetho wonke uhlanganiswa ngumlayo owodwa othi: “Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengoba uzithanda.” Uma liqhubeka lilumana lidlana, qaphelani hlezi liqedane du.

Izenzo zemvelo yesono zisobala: ubufebe, lokungesabi ukujeziswa, lokuxhwala; ukukhonza izithombe lobuthakathi; inzondo, lokuxabana, lomona, lentukuthelo, lobuhwaba, lokungezwani, lokungavumelani kanye lomhawu; ukudakwa, lokuzitika ngamanyala kanye lokunye okunjalo. Ngiyalixwayisa, njengoba ngenza ngaphambili, ukuthi abaphila kanje kabayikulidla ilifa lombuso kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa izithelo zikaMoya luthando, lokuthokoza, lokuthula, lokubekezela, lomusa, lokulunga, lokuthembeka, lobumnene kanye lokuzithiba. Ezintweni ezinje akulamthetho.

Bazalwane, uma umuntu ehilelwe yisono esithile lina abomoya kumele limbuyise kakuhle. Kodwa lizinanzelele; lani futhi lingalingwa. Thwalani imithwalo yomunye lomunye, ngalokho lizagcwalisa umthetho kaKhristu.

Uma umuntu ezitshaya ulutho yena engasilutho, uyazikhohlisa. Umuntu ngamunye kahlole izenzo zakhe. Ngalokho angaziqhenya, kungekho ukuziqathanisa lomunye,

Kasingadinwa yikwenza okuhle, ngoba ngesikhathi esifaneleyo sizavuna isivuno uma singadeli. Ngakho-ke, njengokuba silethuba, kasenzeni okulungileyo ebantwini bonke, ikakhulu kulabo abangabemuli yabakholwayo.

Ngoba wasikhetha kuye umhlaba ungakadalwa ukuba sibe ngcwele singelasici ebusweni bakhe. Ngothando

Ngenxa yalokhu, mina, sekulokhu ngizwe ngokukholwa kwenu eNkosini uJesu kanye lothando lwenu kubo bonke abangcwele, angikaze ngiyekele ukulibongela, ngilikhumbula emikhulekweni yami.

Kodwa ngenxa yothando lwakhe olukhulu kithi, uNkulunkulu olesihawu esikhulu, wasenza saba ngabaphilayo loKhristu lanxa sasifile eziphambekweni  —  lina selisindisiwe ngomusa.

Ngoba siyibuciko bukaNkulunkulu, sidalelwe kuKhristu uJesu ukuba senze imisebenzi emihle, uNkulunkulu ayilungisa ngaphambili ukuba siyenze.

ukuze uKhristu ahlale ezinhliziyweni zenu ngokukholwa. Ngiyakhuleka njalo ukuba, ligxilile njalo liqinile ethandweni, libe lamandla, kanye labangcwele bonke, ukuba liqedisise ububanzi lobude lokudepha kanye lokutshona kothando lukaKhristu, lokuba lilwazi uthando lolu oludlula ukwazi  —  ukuze ligcwaliswe ngesilinganiso sokugcwala okupheleleyo kukaNkulunkulu.

Ngakho, njengesibotshwa seNkosi, ngiyalincenga ukuba liphile impilo efanele ukubizwa elakwamukelayo. Wobani ngabathobekileyo labamnene okupheleleyo; bekezelani, libekezelelane ethandweni. Zamani ngamandla wonke ukugcina ukumanyana kukaMoya ngesibopho sokuthula.

Lowo obekade entshontsha kangantshontshi futhi, kodwa kumele asebenze, enze ulutho olusizayo ngezandla zakhe, ukuze abe langakwabela abaswelayo. Akungabi lenkulumo embi ephuma emilonyeni yenu, kodwa okusizayo ekwakheni abanye mayelana leziswelo zabo, ukuba kusize labo abalalelayo. Njalo lingamdabukisi uMoya oNgcwele kaNkulunkulu, elabekwa ngaye uphawu lwelanga lokuhlengwa. Susani yonke inzondo, lokuthukuthela, lolaka, lokuxabana lesinyeyo, kanye lobubi bonke. Wobani lomusa lozwelo omunye komunye, lithethelelane njengalokhu uNkulunkulu walithethelela ngoKhristu.

Ngakho wobani ngabalingiseli baka-Nkulunkulu, njengabantwana abathandwa kakhulu liphile impilo yothando, njengalokhu uKhristu wasithanda wazinikela ngenxa yethu njengomnikelo olephunga elimnandi lomhlatshelo kaNkulunkulu.

Zehliseleni phansi omunye komunye lihlonipha uKhristu.

Madoda, thandani omkenu, njengo-Khristu owathanda ibandla wazinikela ngenxa yalo

Ngayonale indlela, amadoda kumele abathande omkawo njengemizimba yawo. Lowo othanda umfazi wakhe uyazithanda. Belo, kakho owake wazonda umzimba wakhe, kodwa uwunika ukudla awulondoloze, njengokwenziwa nguKhristu ebandleni  — ngoba thina siyizitho zomzimba wakhe.

“Ngenxa yalokhu indoda izatshiya uyise lonina ihlanganiswe lomkayo, njalo ababili laba bazakuba nyamanye.” Le yimfihlakalo enkulu  —  kodwa mina ngikhuluma ngoKhristu lebandla. Kodwa omunye lomunye wenu laye kathande umkakhe njengoba ezithanda, lomfazi kumele ahloniphe indoda yakhe.

Bantwana lalelani abazali benu eNkosini, ngoba lokhu kulungile. “Hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko”  —  okungumlayo wokuqala olesithembiso  — “ukuze kukulungele lokuba ube lempilo ende emhlabeni.” Boyise, lingabathukuthelisi abantwana benu, kodwa bondleni ngokufundisa langokulaya kweNkosi. Zigqili, lalelani amakhosi enu asemhlabeni ngenhlonipho langokwesaba, ngobuqotho bezinhliziyo, njengoba lingalalela uKhristu.

Ukuthula kakube kubazalwane, lothando lokukholwa okuvela kuNkulunkulu uYise laseNkosini uJesu Khristu. Umusa kawube kubo bonke abayithandayo iNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu ngothando olungapheliyo.

UNkulunkulu angafakaza ukuthi lonke ngilikhumbula kangakanani ngothando lukaKhristu uJesu. Njalo umkhuleko wami yilo: ukuba uthando lwenu lwande kokuphela ekwazini lasekuzikeni lokuqedisisa, ukuze lanelise ukubona okuhle njalo lihlambuluke lingabi lasici kuze kube lusuku lukaKhristu,

Uma kukhona okukhuthazayo ngokuhlangana loKhristu, uma kulenduduzo evela ethandweni lwakhe, uma kulobudlelwano loMoya, uma kulozwelo lesihawu, phelelisani intokozo yami ngokuba ngqondo nye, lilothando lunye, limunye emoyeni njalo linjongo yinye. Lingenzi lutho ngokuzikhukhumeza loba ukuziphakamisa okuyize, kodwa ngokuthobeka. Khangelani abanye njengabangcono kulani. Lowo lalowo wenu kangakhathaleli inzuzo yakhe kuphela kodwa akhathalele lenzuzo yabanye.

Isimo sengqondo yenu kumele sifanane lesikaKhristu uJesu: Yena okwathi ngemvelo enguNkulunkulu kacabanganga ukulingana loNkulunkulu kuyilutho olungafinyelelwa kodwa wazenza ize, wathatha isimo senceku, yena enziwe ngesifanekiso somuntu. Wathi ebunjwe wabonakala njengomuntu, wazithoba walalela kwaze kwaba sekufeni ukufa kwasesiphambanweni.

Ngakho-ke, bazalwane bami, lina engilithandayo njalo ngilikhumbula, ntokozo yami lomqhele wami, kumele liqine kanjalo eNkosini, bangane abathandekayo!

Simbonga kokuphela uNkulunkulu, uYise weNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu, nxa silikhulekela, ngoba sizwile ngokukholwa kwenu kuKhristu uJesu langothando elithanda ngalo abangcwele bonke  —

Khathesi ngiyathokoza ngokulihluphekela kwami, njalo ngiyagcwalisa emzimbeni okulokhu kusasilela mayelana lezinhlupheko zikaKhristu, ngenxa yomzimba wakhe, olibandla.

Injongo yami yikuthi bakhuthazeke ezinhliziyweni njalo bamanyane ethandweni, ukuze babe lenotho egcweleyo yokuqedisisa okupheleleyo, ukuze bayazi imfihlakalo kaNkulunkulu, okutsho uKhristu,

Kodwa khathesi zilahleni zonke izinto ezinjengalezi: ulaka, ukuthukuthela, inzondo, ukunyeya lenkulumo ebolileyo. Lingaqambelani amanga, njengoba selihlubule uqobo lwenu oludala lezenzo zalo lembatha uqobo lwenu olutsha olwenziwa lube lutsha ekwazini ngesifanekiso sikaMdali walo. Lapho akukho mGriki loba umJuda, osokileyo loba ongasokanga, iqaba, umSikhethiya, isigqili loba okhululekileyo, kodwa uKhristu uyikho konke, njalo ukubo bonke.

Ngakho, njengabantu bakaNkulunkulu abakhethiweyo, abangcwele labathandwa kakhulu, zembeseni ngesihawu, umusa, ukuzithoba, ubumnene kanye lokubekezela. Bekezelelanani, lithethelelane loba kuyinsolo bani omunye angaba layo ngomunye. Thethelelani njengoba iNkosi yalithethelela. Phezu kwakho konke lokhu ukulunga yembathani uthando, olukubophela ndawonye kube yikumanyana okupheleleyo. Ukuthula kukaKhristu kakubuse ezinhliziyweni zenu, ngoba, njengezitho zomzimba munye, labizelwa ukuthula. Njalo bongani. Ilizwi likaKhristu kalihlale phakathi kwenu ngokupheleleyo lapho lifundisana njalo liselulekana ngokuhlakanipha konke, lalapho lihlabela amahubo, lamaculo kanye lezingoma zokomoya ngokubonga uNkulunkulu ezinhliziyweni zenu. Langabe kuyini elikwenzayo, ngelizwi loba ngesenzo, konke kwenzeni ngebizo leNkosi uJesu, libonge uNkulunkulu uYise ngaye.

Bafazi, zehliseleni phansi kwamadoda enu, njengokufanele iNkosi. Madoda, thandani omkenu lingabi lesihluku kubo. Bantwana, lalelani abazali benu ezintweni zonke, ngoba lokhu kuyayithokozisa iNkosi. Boyise, lingabathukuthelisi abantwana benu, hlezi badumazeke.

Zigqili, lalelani amakhosi enu omhlaba ezintweni zonke; likwenze, hatshi kuphela ngokuba elikhangele loba ukuthi alithande, kodwa ngobuqotho bezinhliziyo langokuhlonipha iNkosi. Langabe kuyini elikwenzayo kusebenzeni ngenhliziyo yenu yonke, njengokusebenzela iNkosi, hatshi abantu,

Hlakaniphani kulokho elikwenzayo kwabangaphandle; sebenzisani amathuba wonke ngokugcweleyo. Ingxoxo yenu kayihlale igcwele umusa, ifakwe itshwayi, ukuze likwazi ukuphendula umuntu wonke.

Sengathi iNkosi ingandisa uthando lwenu kuthi olomunye lomunye luphumelele komunye kanye lakumuntu wonke, njengokwenziwa ngolwethu kini. Kayilinike amandla angaphakathi ukuze lingasoleki njalo libe ngcwele phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu loBaba ekufikeni kweNkosi yethu uJesu labangcwele bayo bonke.

Mayelana lothando olobuzalwane akusweleki ukuba sililobele, ngoba lina uqobo lafundiswa nguNkulunkulu ukuba lithandane. Njalo ngempela, liyabathanda abazalwane bonke kulo lonke elaseMakhedoniya. Kodwa siyalincenga, bazalwane, ukuthi lenzenjalo kokuphela.

Ngakho qinisanani njalo lakhane, njengoba impela likwenza. Siyalicela, bazalwane, ukuba libahloniphe labo abasebenza nzima phakathi kwenu, abangaphezu kwenu eNkosini abalilayayo futhi. Bahlonipheni kakhulu ngothando ngenxa yomsebenzi wabo. Hlalisanani ngokuthula. Njalo siyalincenga, bazalwane, baxwayiseni labo abangamavila liqinise abalovalo, lisize ababuthakathaka, libekezelele umuntu wonke. Qaphelani kungabi khona ophindisela okubi ngokubi, kodwa lihlale lizama ukuba lomusa omunye komunye kanye lakwabanye abantu.

Kumele sibonge uNkulunkulu kokuphela ngenxa yenu, bazalwane, njengoba kufanele, ngoba ukukholwa kwenu kuyakhula njalonjalo, lothando elilalo omunye lomunye wenu alalo kwabanye luyanda. Ngakho-ke, phakathi kwamabandla kaNkulunkulu thina siyazincoma ngokuqinisela kwenu lokukholwa phakathi kwakho konke lokhukuhlukuluzwa kanye lokuhlupheka elikubekezelelayo. Konke lokhu kuyibufakazi bokuthi ukwahlulela kukaNkulunkulu kulungile, ngakhoke lizabalwa njengabafanele umbuso kaNkulunkulu, eliwuhluphekelayo.

Sengathi iNkosi ingaqondisa izinhliziyo zenu ethandweni lukaNkulunkulu lasekubekezeleni kuka-Khristu.

Inhloso yalo umlayo luthando oluvela enhliziyweni emhlophe, lesazela esihle lokholo oluqotho.

Umusa weNkosi wathululelwa phezu kwami ngokwanda okukhulu, ndawonye lokukholwa kanye lothando okukuKhristu uJesu.

Ungavumeli muntu ukuba akweyise ngenxa yokuthi usakhula, kodwa abakholwayo benzele isibonelo ngokukhuluma, langokuphila, langothando langokukholwa kanye langokuhlambuluka.

Uma umuntu enganakekeli izihlobo zakhe, ikakhulu abendlu yakwabo, uselulahlile ukholo lwakhe njalo mubi kakhulu kulongakholwayo.

Kodwa wena, muntu kaNkulunkulu, kubalekele konke lokhu, ufune ukulunga, lokulalela uNkulunkulu, lokukholwa, lothando, lokubekezela kanye lobumnene.

Ngiyambonga uNkulunkulu engimkhonzayo, njengokwenziwa ngokhokho bami, ngesazela esimsulwa, lapho ngikukhumbula kokuphela emikhulekweni yami ebusuku lemini. Lapho ngikhumbula izinyembezi zakho, ngifisa ukukubona, ukuze ngibe lokuthokoza okukhulu.

Ngoba uNkulunkulu kasiphanga umoya wobugwala, kodwa umoya wamandla, lowothando kanye lowokuzithiba. Ngakho ungabi lenhloni ukufakaza ngeNkosi yethu, loba ube lenhloni ngami isibotshwa sayo. Kodwa hlanganyela lami ekuhluphekeleni ivangeli, ngamandla kaNkulunkulu,

Inceku yeNkosi kumele ixwaye ingxabano; kodwa kumele ibe lomusa ebantwini bonke, yanelise ukufundisa, ingabi lenzondo. Abaphikisayo kumele ibaluleke kuhle, ngethemba lokuthi uNkulunkulu uzabaguqula izinhliziyo baholelwe ekwazini iqiniso,

Abantu bazakuba ngabazithandayo, labathanda imali, labazikhukhumezayo, labazigqajayo, labathukayo, labangalaleli abazali babo, labangabongiyo, labangcolileyo, abangelathando, labangathetheleliyo, labahlebayo, labangazikhuziyo, labalesihluku, labangakuthandiyo okuhle, labalamacebo amabi, labacaphuka ngeze, labaziphakamisayo, labathanda injabulo kulokuthanda uNkulunkulu  — belesimo sokukholwa kuNkulunkulu kodwa belandula amandla akho ukukholwa. Ungahlanganyeli labo.

Kodwa wena, wazi konke ngemfundiso yami, lempilo yami, lenjongo yami, lokukholwa, lokubekezela, lothando, lokuqinisela,

Kumele ufundise okuvumelana lemfundiso eqotho. Fundisa amadoda amadala ukuzithiba, afanele ukuhlonitshwa, azikhuze, njalo aqine ekukholweni, lethandweni kanye lasekubekezeleni. Ngokunjalo, fundisa abesifazana abadala ukuba babe ngabahloniphayo ekuphileni kwabo, bangabi ngabahlebi kumbe babuswe liwayini, kodwa ukuba bafundise okulungileyo. Ngakho bangafundisa abesifazana abatsha ukuba bathande omkabo labantwana babo, ukuba bazikhuze njalo bahlambuluke, lokuba bakhuthale emakhaya, lokuba lomusa, lokuba bazehlisele ngaphansi kwabomkabo, ukuze kungabi khona ogcona ilizwi likaNkulunkulu. Ngokunjalo, khuthaza abesilisa abatsha ukuba bazikhuze. Kukho konke babekele isibonelo ngokwenza okuhle. Ekufundiseni kwakho tshengisa ubuqotho lokuzimisela kanye lokukhuluma okulengqondo okungeke kusolwe ukuze kuthi labo abakuphikisayo bayangeke ngoba bengelalutho olubi abangalutsho ngathi.

Khumbuza abantu ukuba bazehlisele ngaphansi kwababusi, labaphathi, lokuba balalele, lokuba balungele ukwenza loba kuyini okuhle, lokunganyeyi muntu, lokuba lokuthula kanye lozwelo, kanye lokubonakalisa ukuzithoba okuqotho ebantwini bonke. Ngesinye isikhathi lathi sake saba yiziwula, singalaleli, sikhohliswa njalo sithunjwe yizinhlobo zonke zezinkanuko kanye lezinjabulo. saphila phakathi kwenzondo lomhawu, sizondwa njalo sizondana. Kodwa kwathi umusa lothando lukaNkulunkulu uMsindisi wethu sekubonakele, wasisindisa, hatshi ngenxa yezinto ezilungileyo esasizenzile, kodwa ngenxa yesihawu sakhe. Wasisindisa ngokugeziswa kokuzalwa kutsha kanye lokuvuselelwa nguMoya oNgcwele,

Ngihlezi ngimbonga kokuphela uNkulunkulu wami lapho ngikukhumbula emikhulekweni yami, ngoba ngiyezwa mayelana lothando lwakho lokukholwa eNkosini uJesu kanye lothando lwakho kubo bonke abangcwele.

Uthando lwakho lungiphe ukuthokoza okukhulu lokududuzeka, ngoba wena, mzalwane, uvuselele izinhliziyo zabangcwele. Ngakho, lanxa kuKhristu ngingaba lesibindi ngikulaye ukuba wenze lokho okumele ukwenze, kodwa ngiyakuncenga ngenxa yothando. Ngakho-ke mina, enginguPhawuli  —  umuntu omdala khathesi oyisibotshwa sikaKhristu uJesu futhi  —

UNkulunkulu kasuye ongalunganga; kasoke awukhohlwe umsebenzi wenu lothando elamtshengisa lona njengoba lasiza abantu bakhe njalo liyaqhubeka libasiza.

Ngoba ngizathethelela okubi kwabo, njalo angiyikukhumbula izono zabo futhi.”

Njalo kasicabangeni ukuba singakhuthazana kanjani ethandweni lasezenzweni ezinhle. Kasingakudeli ukuhlangana, njengalokhu abanye abajayele ukukwenza, kodwa kasikhuthazane  —  ikakhulu njengoba libona uSuku lusondela.

ngoba iNkosi ilaya labo ebathandayo, ijezise wonke emamukela njengendodana.” Bekezelelani ukuhlupheka njengokulaywa; uNkulunkulu uliphatha njengamadodana akhe. Ngoba yiyiphi indodana engalaywa nguyise na? Uma lingalaywa (umuntu wonke uyalaywa), liyabe lingabantwana abazalwa ngokungemthetho abangasiwo amadodana uqobo. Phezu kwalokho, sonke sake saba labobaba abasilayayo njalo sabahlonipha ngenxa yalokho. Pho kufanele sizehlise kakhulu okungakanani kuBaba wemimoya yethu njalo siphile!

Qhubekani lithandana njengabazalwane. Lingakhohlwa ukwamukela izihambi, ngoba ngokwenza njalo abanye abantu bamukela izingilosi bengazi. Khumbulani abasentolongweni ngokungathi lani liyizibotshwa kanye labo, kanye lalabo abaphethwe kubi ngokungathi lani uqobo liyahlupheka.

Njalo lingakhohlwa ukwenza okulungileyo kanye lokwabela abanye, ngoba uNkulunkulu uyathokoza ngemihlatshelo enje.

Umzalwane olesimo esiphansi kumele aziqhenye ngesikhundla sakhe esiphezulu.

Bazalwane bami abathandekayo, qaphelani lokhu: Umuntu wonke umele aphange alalele, aphuze ukukhuluma, njalo aphuze lokuthukuthela, ngoba ukuthukuthela komuntu kakulethi ukuphila okulungileyo okufiswa nguNkulunkulu. Ngakho-ke lahlani amanyala wonke lobubi obande kangaka, lilamukele ngokuthobeka ilizwi elahlanyelwa kini, elingalisindisa.

Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi uyakholwa kodwa engabambi ulimi lwakhe okuqinileyo, uyazikhohlisa njalo lokholo lwakhe luyize.

Kasithi umuntu ufika emhlanganweni wenu egqize indandatho yegolide egqoke lezigqoko ezinhle, besekungena umyanga egqoke izigqoko ezinithizelayo. Nxa limnaka kakhulu lowo ogqoke izigqoko ezinhle lithi kuye, “Nansi isihlalo esingcono,” kodwa kongumyanga lithi, “Wena mana laphayana,” kumbe lithi, “Hlala phansi eduze kwezinyawo zami,” kalibandlululanga njalo laba ngabahluleli abalemicabango emibi na? Lalelani, bazalwane bami abathandekayo: Konje uNkulunkulu kabakhethanga yini labo abangabayanga emehlweni omhlaba ukuba babe ngabanothileyo ekukholweni kanye lokudla ilifa lombuso awuthembisa labo abamthandayo na? Kodwa lina libathukile abayanga. Abanothileyo akusibo yini abadinga inzuzo ngani? Akusibo yini abalihudulela emithethwandaba?

Uma liwugcina sibili umthetho wobukhosi otholakala eMbhalweni othi, “Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengalokhu uzithanda,” lenza okulungileyo. Kodwa uma libandlulula lenza isono njalo lilahlwa ngumthetho njengabephuli bomthetho.

ngoba ukwahlulela okungalasihawu kuzakuba kulowo obengelasihawu. Isihawu sinqoba ukwahlulela!

Kasithi umzalwane loba umzalwanekazi kalazigqoko lokudla kwansuku zonke. Uma omunye wenu esithi kuye, “Hamba, ngikufisela okuhle; hlala ukhudumala njalo usutha,” kodwa angenzi lutho ngaleziziswelo zakhe zomzimba, kusizani na? Ngokunjalo, ukukholwa nje kuphela, uma kungelamisebenzi kufile.

Ngokufanayo ulimi luyisitho esincane somzimba, kodwa luyazincoma kakhulu. Cabangani ngehlathi elikhulu elithungelwa yinhlansi encane yomlilo. Ulimi lalo lungumlilo, umhlaba wobubi phakathi kwezitho zomzimba. Lungcolisa lonke uqobo lomuntu, luyithungele ngomlilo yonke impilo yakhe, lalo luthungelwe ligehe ngomlilo.

Ngubani ohlakaniphileyo loqedisisayo phakathi kwenu na? Kakubo-nakalise ngokuphila kwakhe kuhle, langezenzo ezenziwa ngokuzithoba okuvela ekuhlakanipheni. Kodwa uma ligcine umhawu lokulangazela kobukhwele ezinhliziyweni zenu, lingazincomi ngakho kumbe liphike iqiniso.

Ngoba lapho okulomhawu khona lokutshisekela kokuzisuthisa kulapho okutholwa khona ingxabangxoza kanye lezenzo zonke ezimbi. Kodwa ukuhlakanipha okuvela ezulwini okokuqala kuhlambulukile; besekuthanda ukuthula, kulozwelo, kuyazehlisa, kugcwele isihawu lezithelo ezinhle, kakukhethi njalo kuqotho. Abalamuli abahlanyela ukuthula bathola isivuno sokulunga.

Kuyini okubangela ukulwa lezingxabano phakathi kwenu na? Kakuveli ezinkanukwenu zenu ezilwayo phakathi kwenu na? Lifuna ulutho oluthile kodwa kalilutholi. Liyabulala njalo lihawukele, kodwa kalingeke likuthole lokho elikufunayo. Liyaxabana lilwe. Kalilalutho ngoba kaliceli kuNkulunkulu. Lapho licela, kaliphiwa ngoba licela ngenjongo embi, ukuba lichithe lokho elikuzuzayo ezinjabulweni zenu.

kodwa yena usinika umusa owengeziweyo. Yikho nje umbhalo usithi, “UNkulunkulu umelana labazigqajayo kodwa abanike umusa abathobekileyo.” Ngakho-ke zehliseni kuNkulunkulu. Menqabeni uSathane, uzalibalekela. Sondelani phansi kukaNkulunkulu laye uzasondela kini. Gezani izandla zenu lina zoni, lihlambulule lezinhliziyo zenu, lina abangqondombili. Dabukani, lilile, likhale. Guqulani ukuhleka kwenu kube yikukhala, kuthi ukuthokoza kwenu kube yikudana. Zithobeni phambi kweNkosi, izaliphakamisa. Bazalwane, lingachothozani. Umuntu okhuluma kubi ngomzalwane wakhe, loba amahlulele, ukhuluma kubi ngomthetho awahlulele. Lapho lisahlulela umthetho, kaliwugcini, kodwa liyawahlulela.

Ngakho loba ngubani okwaziyo okulungileyo okumele akwenze kodwa angakwenzi, wenza izono.

Lani futhi, bekezelani liqine, ngoba ukufika kweNkosi sekusondele. Lingasolani, bazalwane, hlezi lahlulelwe. UMahluleli umi emnyango! Bazalwane, njengesibonelo sokubekezela ekuhluphekeni, khumbulani abaphrofethi abakhuluma ngebizo leNkosi.

Ngakho-ke vumani izono zenu omunye komunye njalo likhulekelane ukuze lisiliswe. Umkhuleko womuntu olungileyo ulamandla njalo uyasebenza.

Njengoba khathesi selizihlambulule ngokulalela iqiniso ukuze libe lothando oluqotho kubazalwane benu, thandanani kakhulu, kusuka enhliziyweni.

Ngakho lahlani ububi bonke lenkohliso yonke, lokuzenzisa, lomona, kanye lesinyeyo senhlobo zonke. Njengabantwana abasanda kuzalwa, funani uchago lomoya oluhlambukileyo, ukuze likhuliswe yilo ekusindisweni kwenu,

Tshengisani inhlonipho eqondileyo kwabanye. Thandani ubuzalwane babakholwayo, mesabeni uNkulunkulu, lihloniphe iNkosi. Zigqili, zehliseni emakhosini enu ngenhlonipho yonke, hatshi kuphela kulawo alungileyo lalozwelo, kodwa lakulawo alolaka.

Labizelwa lokhu, ngoba uKhristu walihluphekela, walitshiyela isibonelo, ukuba lilandele amanyathelo akhe. “Yena kenzanga sono, njalo akukho nkohliso eyatholakala emlonyeni wakhe.” Kwathi bemchaphaza ngezinhlamba zabo, yena kaphindiselanga; lapho ehlupheka, kazange asonge. Kodwa wathembeka kulowo owahlulela ngokulunga.

Okokucina lonke hlalisanani ngokuthula; wobani lozwelo, lithandane njengabazalwane, libe lesihawu kanye lokuthobeka. Lingabuyiseli okubi ngokubi loba inhlamba ngenhlamba, kodwa ngesibusiso, ngoba labizelwa ukuze lizuze ilifa lokubusiswa.

Phezu kwakho konke, thandanani ngokupheleleyo, ngoba uthando lugqibela izono ezinengi. Yamukelanani emakhaya enu kungekho kukhonona. Lowo lalowo kumele asebenzise loba yisiphi isipho somoya asamukelayo ekusizeni abanye, ewusebenzisa ngobuqotho umusa kaNkulunkulu ngezimo zawo ezahlukeneyo.

Majaha, ngokunjalo zehliseni kwabadala. Lonke zembathiseni ngokuthobeka omunye komunye, ngoba, “UNkulunkulu umelana labazigqajayo kodwa abe lomusa kwabathobekileyo.” Ngakho-ke zithobeni ngaphansi kwesandla sikaNkulunkulu esilamandla, ukuze aliphakamise ngesikhathi esifaneleyo. Yethulani kuye konke ukukhathazeka kwenu ngoba yena uyalikhathalela.

Bingelelanani ngokwangana kothando. Ukuthula kakube kini lonke elikuKhristu.

Ngenxa yalesisizatho, yenzani imizamo yonke ukuba lengeze ukulunga ekukholweni kwenu; lekulungeni, lengeze ukwazi; lekwazini, lengeze ukuzithiba; lekuzithibeni, lengeze ukubekezela; lekubekezeleni, lengeze ukumesaba uNkulunkulu; lekumesabeni uNkulunkulu, lengeze umusa wobuzalwane; lasemuseni wobuzalweni, lengeze uthando.

Kodwa uma umuntu elalela ilizwi lakhe, uthando lukaNkulunkulu luyapheleliswa sibili kuye. Nanku esazi ngakho ukuthi sikuye:

Lowo othi usekukhanyeni kodwa ezonda umzalwane wakhe ulokhu esebumnyameni. Othanda umzalwane wakhe uhlala ekukhanyeni, njalo akulalutho kuye olungamenza akhubeke. Kodwa lowo ozonda umzalwane wakhe usebumnyameni njalo uyazula ebumnyameni; kakwazi lapho aya khona, ngoba ubumnyama sebumenze waba yisiphofu.

Lingawuthandi umhlaba loba olunye ulutho olusemhlabeni. Uma umuntu ethanda umhlaba, uthando lukaBaba kalukho kuye.

Yeka ubukhulu bothando uBaba asinika lona, ukuba sibizwe ngokuthi singabantwana bakaNkulunkulu! Njalo lokho yikho esiyikho! Okwenza umhlaba thina ungasazi yikuthi laye kawumazanga.

Leli yilizwi elalizwayo kusukela ekuqaleni: Kumele sithandane.

Siyakwazi ukuthi sesidlulile ekufeni saya ekuphileni, ngoba siyabathanda abazalwane bethu. Lowo ongathandiyo ulokhu esekufeni. Lowo ozonda umzalwane wakhe ungumbulali, njalo liyakwazi ukuthi akulambulali olokuphila okungapheliyo kuye. Nanku esazi ngakho ukuthi uthando luyini: UJesu Khristu wadela ukuphila kwakhe ngenxa yethu. Lathi kufanele sidele ukuphila kwethu ngenxa yabazalwane bethu. Uma umuntu enothile abone umzalwane wakhe oswelayo kodwa angabi lesihawu kuye, uthando lukaNkulunkulu lungaba kuye kanjani na? Bantwana abathandekayo, kasingathandi ngamazwi loba ulimi kuphela kodwa ngezenzo langeqiniso.

Nanku umlayo wakhe: ukukholwa ebizweni leNdodana yakhe, uJesu Khristu, lokuthandana njengokusilaya kwakhe.

Bangane abathandekayo, kasithandaneni, ngoba uthando luvela kuNkulunkulu. Umuntu wonke othandayo uzelwe nguNkulunkulu njalo uyamazi uNkulunkulu. Lowo ongathandiyo kamazi uNkulunkulu, ngoba uNkulunkulu uluthando. UNkulunkulu walubonakalisa kanje uthando lwakhe kithi: Wathumela emhlabeni iNdodana yakhe eyiyo yodwa ukuba siphile ngayo. Lolu luthando: kungayisikuthi sasimthanda uNkulunkulu, kodwa ukuthi yena wasithanda wathumela iNdodana yakhe njengomhlatshelo wenhlawulo yezono zethu. Bangane abathandekayo, njengoba uNkulunkulu wasithanda kangaka, lathi kumele sithandane. Kakho owake wabona uNkulunkulu; kodwa uma sithandana, uNkulunkulu uhlala kithi lothando lwakhe luyapheleliswa kithi.

Ngakho siyazi njalo sithembe uthando uNkulunkulu alalo kithi. UNkulunkulu uluthando. Ohlala ethandweni, uhlala kuNkulunkulu, loNkulunkulu kuye. Uthando luyapheleliswa kithi ukuze sibe lesibindi ngosuku lokwahlulelwa, ngoba kulo umhlaba lathi sinjengaye. Ethandweni akulakwesaba. Uthando olupheleleyo luyaxotsha ukwesaba, ngoba ukwesaba kukhumbuza isijeziso. Umuntu owesabayo kapheleliswa ethandweni. Siyathanda ngoba yena wasithanda kuqala. Uma umuntu esithi, “Mina ngiyamthanda uNkulunkulu,” kodwa ezonda umfowabo, ulamanga. Ngoba umuntu ongamthandiyo umfowabo, ambonayo, angeke amthande uNkulunkulu angakaze ambone. Njalo wasinika umlayo lo: Lowo othanda uNkulunkulu kumele athande lomfowabo.

Umuntu wonke okholwayo ukuthi uJesu nguKhristu uzelwe nguNkulunkulu, njalo umuntu wonke othanda uyise womntwana uyamthanda lomntwana wakhe lowo. Sikwazi kanje ukuthi siyabathanda abantwana bakaNkulunkulu: ngokuthanda uNkulunkulu sigcina imilayo yakhe. Ukuthanda uNkulunkulu yilokhu: ukulalela imilayo yakhe. Njalo imilayo yakhe kayinzima,

Umusa, lesihawu kanye lokuthula okuvela kuNkulunkulu uBaba lakuJesu Khristu, iNdodana kaBaba, kuzakuba lathi ngeqiniso langothando.

Khathesi-ke, nkosikazi ethandekayo, ngikulobela umlayo omutsha kodwa esasilawo kusukela ekuqaleni. Ngicela ukuba sithandane. Uthando yilolu: ukuba siphile ngokulalela imilayo yakhe. Njengoba uzwile kusukela ekuqaleni, umlayo wakhe yikuthi uphile impilo yothando.

Zigcineni lisethandweni luka-Nkulunkulu lisalindele isihawu seNkosi yethu uJesu Khristu ukuba ilingenise ekuphileni okulaphakade. Yibani lesihawu kulabo abathandabuzayo; lenyule abanye emlilweni libasilise; kwabanye bonakalisani isihawu, kuhlangene lokwesaba  —  lizonde lezigqoko ezingcoliswe yimizimba exhwalileyo.

lokuvela kuJesu Khristu, ongufakazi othembekileyo, izibulo elivela kwabafileyo, lombusi wamakhosi asemhlabeni. Kuye osithandayo lowasikhululayo ezonweni zethu ngegazi lakhe,

Kodwa ngilale insolo ngawe: Usuludelile uthando lwakho lwakuqala.

Ngiyazazi izenzo zakho, lothando lwakho, kanye lokuthi khathesi ususenza okunengi kulakuqala.

Labo engibathandayo ngiyabakhuza ngibajezise. Ngakhoke woba lokutshiseka, uphenduke.

Kabasoze balambe futhi; njalo kabasoze bome futhi. Ilanga kalisayikuhlaba phezu kwabo loba ukutshisa okuhangulayo. Ngoba iWundlu elingaphakathi kwesihlalo sobukhosi lizakuba ngumelusi wabo; lizabaholela emithonjeni yamanzi okuphila. UNkulunkulu uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo.”

Ngabona iDolobho eliNgcwele, iJerusalema elitsha, lisehlela phansi liphuma ezulwini kuNkulunkulu lilungiswe njengomlobokazi ececele umkakhe.

Uzazesula zonke izinyembezi emehlweni abo. Akusayikuba khona futhi ukufa loba ukulila loba ukukhala loba ubuhlungu, ngoba umumo omdala wezinto usudlule.” Lowo owayehlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi wathi, “Ngenza izinto zonke zibe zintsha!” Wabuya wathi, “Kulobe lokhu, ngoba amazwi la aqotho njalo aliqiniso.” Wasesithi kimi, “Sekwenzakele. Mina ngingu-Alfa lo-Omega, ukuQala lokuCina. Lowo owomileyo ngizamnathisa emthonjeni wamanzi okuphila kungekho mbadalo. Lowo onqobayo uzakudla ilifa lakho konke lokhu, njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wakhe yena abe yindodana yami.