24 – Umndeni

Ngakho uNkulunkulu wamdala umuntu ngesimo sakhe, wamdala ngesimo sikaNkulunkulu; wadala owesilisa lowesifazana. UNkulunkulu wababusisa wathi kubo, “Zalani lande ngobunengi; wugcwaliseni umhlaba, liwubuse. Busani phezu kwezinhlanzi zolwandle lezinyoni zemoyeni laphezu kwezidalwa zonke ezihambayo emhlabathini.”

UJehova uNkulunkulu wathi, “Kakukuhle ukuba indoda ibe yodwa. Ngizamenzela umsizi omfaneleyo.” Manje-ke uJehova uNkulunkulu wayesebumbile ngomhlabathi zonke izinyamazana zeganga lazo zonke izinyoni zemoyeni. Waziletha emuntwini ukuthi aziphe amabizo; kwathi loba yikuthini asibiza ngakho isidalwa esiphilayo, kwaba yilona bizo laso. Ngakho umuntu wapha amabizo kuzo zonke izifuyo, lezinyoni zemoyeni lazo zonke izinyamazana zeganga. Kodwa u-Adamu wayengelaye umsizi omfaneleyo.

Yikho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza indoda yalala ubuthongo bokufa; kwathi khonapho isalele wathatha olunye ubambo lwendoda waseyivala leyondawo ngenyama. Yikho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza umfazi ngobambo ayeluthethe endodeni, wasemletha endodeni. Indoda yathi, “Lo manje uselithambo lamathambo ami lenyama yenyama yami; usezabizwa ngokuthi ‘mfazi,’ ngokuba wathathwa endodeni.”

Ngalesisizatho indoda izadela uyise lonina imanyane lomkayo, bona babe nyamanye. Indoda lomkayo babehambaze, bengelazo inhloni.

Indoda yathi, “Umfazi owambeka lapha lami  —  ungiphile ezinye izithelo zesihlahla ngazidla.” Yikho uJehova uNkulunkulu wathi kowesifazana, “Kuyini lokhu osukwenzile na?” Owesifazana wathi, “Inyoka ingikhohlisile, ngadla.”

Njalo ngizafaka ubutha phakathi kwakho lowesifazana, laphakathi kwenzalo yakho leyowesifazana; uzahlifiza ikhanda lakho, njalo wena uzamnqanda isithende sakhe.” Kowesifazana wathi, “Ngizakwandisa ngokuphindiweyo izinhlungu zakho nxa ubeletha; ngobuhlungu uzazala abantwana. Inkanuko yakho izakuba sendodeni yakho, yona izabusa phezu kwakho.” Ku-Adamu wathi, “Ngokuba ulalele umkakho wadla isihlahla engangikulaye ngathi, ‘ungaqali ukusidla,’ “Uthukiwe umhlabathi ngenxa yakho; ngobuhlungu uzakudla okuphuma kuwo zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakho.

U-Adamu wamutha umkakhe wathi ngu-Eva, ngokuba wayezakuba ngunina wabo bonke abaphilayo.

U-Adamu wembatha lomkakhe u-Eva wasethatha isisu wazithwala wazala uKhayini. Wathi, “Ngosizo lukaJehova sengibelethe indoda.” Muva wazala umfowabo u-Abela. Kwathi u-Abela waba ngumfuyi wemihlambi yezimvu, kanti uKhayini yena wasebenza umhlabathi. Ngokuya kwesikhathi uKhayini waletha ezinye izithelo zomhlabathi ukuba ngumnikelo kuJehova. Kodwa u-Abela waletha izitho ezinonileyo zisuka kwamanye amazibulo omhlambi wakhe. UJehova wamthokozela u-Abela kanye lomnikelo wakhe, kodwa kamthokozelanga uKhayini lomnikelo wakhe. Yikho uKhayini wazonda kakhulu, lobuso bakhe bahloba. UJehova wasesithi kuKhayini, “Uzondeleni na? Kungani ubuso bakho buhlobile? Kambe ungaze wenze okulungileyo, kawuyikwamukelwa yini? Kodwa nxa ungenzi okulungileyo, isono sicwathile emnyango wakho; sitshisekela ukukuthumba, kodwa kumele usahlule.” Kwathi uKhayini wathi kumfowabo u-Abela, “Kake sihambe siye egangeni.” Kwathi bekhonale egangeni uKhayini wamhlasela umfowabo u-Abela wambulala. UJehova wasesithi kuKhayini, “Ungaphi umfowenu u-Abela na?” Waphendula wathi, “Angazi. Ngingumgcini wakhe umfowethu na?” UJehova wathi, “Usuwenzeni? Lalela! Igazi lomfowenu liyakhala kimi lisuka emhlabathini. Manje usuqalekisiwe njalo usuxotshiwe kuwo umhlabathi osuvule umlomo wawo ukwamukela igazi lomfowenu lisuka esandleni sakho.

Lo ngumlando olotshiweyo ngosendo luka-Adamu. Kwathi uNkulunkulu edala umuntu wamenza ngomfuziselo kaNkulunkulu. Wabadala baba ngowesilisa lowesifazana wababusisa. Kwathi sebedaliwe wababiza ngokuthi “abantu.”

Kwathi u-Adamu esephile iminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi amathathu wathola indodana eyafana laye xathu; wayibiza ngokuthi nguSethi. USethi esezelwe u-Adamu waphila iminyaka engamakhulu aficamibili, njalo wayelamanye amadodana lamadodakazi. Isiyonke iminyaka ka-Adamu yayingamakhulu aficamunye lamatshumi amathathu, yikho wasesifa.

Kwathi abantu sebesanda ngobunengi emhlabeni, bezala amadodakazi,

UJehova wathi kuNowa, “Ngena emkhunjini, wena kanye lendlu yakho yonke, ngokuba ngikufumane ulungile kulesi isizukulwane.

UNkulunkulu wambusisa uNowa lamadodana akhe wathi kubo, “Zalani lande ngobunengi ligcwalise umhlaba.

UJehova wathi ku-Abhrama, “Suka elizweni lakini, lebantwini bakini lasendlini kayihlo uye elizweni engizakutshengisa lona. “Ngizakwenza ube yisizwe esikhulu njalo ngizakubusisa. Ngizakwenza ibizo lakho libe likhulu, njalo uzakuba yisibusiso. Ngizababusisa labo abakubusisayo, njalo lowo okuqalekisayo ngizamqalekisa; ngakho bonke abantu bomhlaba bazabusiswa ngawe.”

“Mina ngokwami ngithi lesi yisivumelwano sami lawe: uzakuba nguyise wezizwe ezinengi. Kawusayi kubizwa kuthiwe Abhrama; ibizo lakho selizakuba ngu-Abhrahama, ngokuba sengikwenze uyise wezizwe ezinengi. Ngizakwenza uzuze inzalo enengi; ngizakwenza izizwe ngawe, njalo amakhosi azaphuma kuwe. Ngizaqinisa isivumelwano sami sibe yisivumelwano sanini lanini phakathi kwami lawe kanye lezizukulwane ezizayo ukuba nguNkulunkulu wakho, loNkulunkulu wezizukulwane zakho ngemva kwakho.

UNkulunkulu waphinda wathi njalo ku-Abhrahama, “USarayi yena umkakho, ungabe usambiza ngokuthi nguSarayi; ibizo lakhe selinguSara. Ngizambusisa, njalo ngizakunika indodana ngaye. Ngizambusisa ukuze abe ngunina wezizwe; amakhosi ezizwe azavela kuye.” U-Abhrahama wawa wathi mbo ngobuso phansi; wahleka wazitshela wathi, “Kambe indodana ingazalwa ngumuntu oseleminyaka elikhulu na? USara angamzala umntwana yena eseleminyaka engamatshumi aficamunye na?”

Ngokuba sengimkhethile, ukuze aqondise abantwabakhe lomuzi wakhe, yena esedlule, ukugcina indlela kaJehova ngokwenza okulungileyo lokuqondileyo, ukuze uJehova amenzele u-Abhrahama lokho amthembise khona.”

Kwathi uJehova waba lomusa kuSara njengoba wayetshilo, uJehova wamenzela uSara lokho ayekuthembisile. USara wazithwala wazalela u-Abhrahama ebudaleni bakhe indodana ngesikhathi sonaleso uNkulunkulu ayemthembise sona. U-Abhrahama wayitha ibizo elithi Isaka leyondodana ayizalelwa nguSara.

U-Isaka wamngenisa ethenteni likanina uSara, wahle wamthatha uRabheka. Ngakho wasesiba ngumkakhe, wamthanda; u-Isaka waduduzeka ngemva kokufa kukanina.

Izizukulwane zakho zizakuba njengothuli lomhlabathi, yikho lizaqhela liye entshonalanga lasempumalanga, enyakatho laseningizimu. Bonke abantu bomhlaba bazabusiswa ngenxa yakho lenzalo yakho.

UJakhobe wezwa emthanda uRakheli wasesithi, “Ngizakusebenzela okweminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze ungiphe indodakazi yakho encane uRakheli.” ULabani wathi, “Kungcono ngimuphe wena kulokuba ngimuphe enye indoda. Hlala lapha lami.” UJakhobe waseyisebenza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze azuze uRakheli, kodwa yakhanya ingathi yizinsukwana ezimbalwa kuye ngenxa yothando kuye.

URakheli wathi ebona ukuthi wayengazaleli uJakhobe abantwana, wasekhwelezela udadewabo. Wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Ngizalisa abantwana, ngoba kungaba ngcono ngihle ngife!” UJakhobe wamzondela wathi, “SenginguNkulunkulu mina, onguye okuvalileyo ukuthi ungazali?”

UJehova wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Buyela elizweni laboyihlo lasezihlotsheni zakho, mina ngizakuba lawe.”

Ngakho uJakhobe wasesithi kwabomuzi wakhe lakubo bonke ababelaye, “Lahlani onkulunkulu bezizweni labo elilabo, lizihlambulule, lintshintshe lezigqoko zenu.

UJosefa wehluleka ukuzibamba phambi kwazo zonke izinceku zakhe, wasememeza wathi, “Sukani lonke lapha kimi!” Ngakho kakho owayekhona loJosefa lapho eziveza kubafowabo. Wakhala waphumisela waze wezwiwa ngamaGibhithe, labendlu kaFaro bezwa ngalokho. UJosefa wathi kubafowabo, “Mina nginguJosefa! Kambe ubaba usaphila na?” Kodwa abafowabo behluleka ukumphendula ngokuba besaba kakhulu bephambi kwakhe.

uJosefa walungiselwa inqola yakhe waqonda eGosheni ukuyahlangana loyise u-Israyeli. UJosefa wonela ukumuthi nhla wamgona uyise, wakhala okwesikhathi eside.

Ngakho uJosefa wasehlalisa uyise labafowabo eGibhithe, wabapha indawo emanonweni elizwe, esiqintini saseRamesesi, njengokulaya kukaFaro. UJosefa waphinda wapha uyise labafowabo kanye lendlu yonke kayise ukudla, kusiya ngobunengi babantwababo.

Ungakhothameli izithombe, njalo ungazikhonzi. Ngoba mina Jehova uNkulunkulu wakho nginguNkulunkulu olobukhwele, ojezisa abantwana ngenxa yezono zaboyise kuze kube yisizukulwane sesithathu lesesine salabo abangizondayo,

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

“Wonke umuntu ohlasela uyise kumbe unina kumele abulawe.

“Lingaqilibezeli umfelokazi kumbe intandane,

olothando olungapheliyo kuzinkulungwane ethethelela ububi, iziphosiso lezono. Ikanti abalamacala kabayekeli bengajeziswanga; wehlisela ububi baboyise phezu kwabantwana, laphezu kwabantwana babantwana kusiya kusizukulwane sesithathu lesesine.”

Njalo lapho likhetha amanye amadodakazi abo ukuba abe ngabafazi bamadodana enu kuzakuthi lapho amadodakazi lawo esezibhixa kubonkulunkulu bawo, ahugele amadodana enu ekwenzeni okunjalo.

“ ‘Ngulowo lalowo kini kahloniphe unina loyise njalo kumele ligcine amaSabatha ami. Mina nginguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

“ ‘Lingamzondi umfowenu ngezinhliziyo zenu. Khuzani umakhelwane likhululekile ukuze lingabi lomlandu njengaye.

“ ‘Lowo othuka uyise loba unina kabulawe. Usethuke uyise loba unina ngakho usefanele ukufa.

“ ‘Kabangathathi abafazi abangcolileyo ngenxa yobufebe loba abehlukana lamadoda abo ngokuba abaphristi bangcwele kuNkulunkulu.

“ ‘Umfazi amthathayo kabe yintombi egcweleyo. Kangathathi umfelokazi, isalukazi loba umfazi ongcoliswe yibufebe, kodwa athathe kuphela intombi egcweleyo ebantwini bakibo,

“ ‘Ngakho-ke, lo yiwo umlayo wobukhwele nxa owesifazana ephambukile wazingcolisa yena endile, loba nxa indoda ifikelwa yibukhwele ngoba ilesazela ngomkayo. Umphristi uzamisa owesifazana phambi kukaJehova asebenzise lumlayo ngokugcweleyo kowesifazana. Indoda izabe imsulwa ekoneni konke, kodwa owesifazana uzathwala izehlakalo zonke zesono sakhe.’ ”

“Lokho okutshiwo ngamadodakazi kaZelofehadi kuqondile. Kufanele ubaphe isabelo sabo selifa ezihlotsheni zikayise njalo ubaphe ilifa likayise. “Tshono uthi kwabako-Israyeli, ‘Nxa indoda ife ingelandodana, ilifa layo kaliphiwe indodakazi yayo. Nxa ingelandodakazi, ilifa layo kaliphiwe abafowabo. Nxa ingelabafowabo ilifa layo kaliphiwe abafowabo bakayise. Nxa uyise engelabafowabo, ilifa layo kaliphiwe oyisihlobo esiseduzane kwabosendo lwayo, ukuze libe ngelakhe. Lokho kumele kube ngumthetho oyisimiso kwabako-Israyeli, njengokulaywa kukaMosi nguJehova.’ ”

Lokhu yikho ukulaya kukaJehova ngamadodakazi kaZelofehadi: Bakhululekile ukwendela loba kukubani obathathayo kodwa akube ngabosendo lwesizwana sikayise. Kalikho ilifa ko-Israyeli elizasuka esizwaneni lisiya kwesinye isizwana, ngoba wonke owako-Israyeli kumele agcine ilizwe lesizwana eliyilifa labokhokho bakhe. Yonke indodakazi ezakuba yindlalifa yelizwe esizwaneni sako-Israyeli kumele yendele emuntwini wesizwana sosendo lukayise, ukuze wonke owako-Israyeli abe lelifa laboyise. Kalikho ilifa elizasuka esizwaneni lisiya kwesinye isizwana, ngoba loba yisiphi isizwana sako-Israyeli kumele sigcine ilizwe eliyilifa laso.”

Kodwa linanzelele, liqaphelisise ukuze lingakhohlwa izinto elizibonileyo loba zilibaleke ezinhliziyweni zenu ekuphileni kwenu konke. Fundisani abantwabenu ngalezizinto njalo labo babofundisa abantwababo labantwana babantwana. Khumbulani usuku elema ngalo phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu eHorebi, lapho athi khona kimi, “Buthanisa abantu ukuze bezwe amazwi ami ukuze bakwazi ukungiphakamisa nxa belokhu besahlala elizweni njalo bafundise abantwababo.”

“Hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko, njengokulaywa nguJehova uNkulunkulu wakho, ukuze ubempilonde lokuthi kukuhambele kuhle elizweni uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akunika lona.

Imilayo le engikupha yona lamuhla kumele ibe sezinhliziyweni zenu. Igcizeleleni kubantwabenu. Khulumani ngayo nxa lihlezi emakhaya enu lanxa lihamba ezindleleni, nxa lilele phansi loba nxa livuka.

Lingendiselani lazo. Lingendiseli amadodakazi enu emadodaneni azo, kumbe lithathele amadodana enu amadodakazi azo, ngoba azaphambula amadodana enu ekungikhonzeni abesekhonza abanye onkulunkulu, kuthi ulaka lukaJehova luvuthe lulitshise litshabalale.

Uyavikela izimfanelo zezintandane kanye labafelokazi, njalo uyabathanda abangabezizweni phakathi kwenu, ubanika ukudla lezambatho.

Bafundiseni ngawo abantwabenu, lixoxe ngawo nxa lihlezi emakhaya enu kanye lalapho lihamba endleleni, lapho lilala phansi lanxa livuka.

Linanzelele lilandele iziqondiso zonke engilinika zona, ukuze kulihambele kuhle lina kanye labantwabenu abezayo ngemuva kwenu, ngoba lizabe lenze okuhle njalo kulungile emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu.

Thokozani edilini lenu  —  lina, amadodana enu kanye lamadodakazi enu, izisebenzi zenu zesilisa lezisebenzi zesifazana, kanye labaLevi, abezizweni, abangelaboyise kanye labafelokazi abahlezi emadolobheni enu.

Kayingathathi abafazi abanengi funa inhliziyo yayo idukiswe. Kayingazinothisi ngesiliva langegolide elinengi kakhulu.

Ukhona osethembise owesifazana kodwa engakamthathi ukuthi abe ngumkakhe na? Kabuyele emzini wakhe, funa afe empini kuthi omunye umuntu amthathe.”

Uma indoda ilabafazi ababili, ithande omunye kodwa omunye ingamthandi, kuthi bobabili bayizalele amadodana kodwa izibulo libe yindodana yomfazi engamthandiyo, uba ehlela ukwabela amadodana akhe impahla yakhe, akumelanga emuke izibulo lakhe ilungelo lalo aliphe indodana yomfazi amthandayo esikhundleni sezibulo langempela, indodana yomfazi engamthandiyo. Kufanele itshengisele ukuthi indodana yomfazi ongathandwayo yilo izibulo ngokuyinika isabelo esiphindwe kabili sempahla yayo yonke. Leyo ndodana iyisitshengiselo sakuqala samandla kayise. Ilungelo lobuzibulo ngelayo.

Uma indoda ilendodana eyisiqholo njalo engumhlamuki engalaleli uyise lonina nxa beyikhuza, uyise lonina bazayibamba bayise kubakhokheli esangweni ledolobho lakibo. Bazakuthi kubakhokheli, “Indodana yethu le iyisiqholo njalo ingumhlamuki. Ayisilaleli. Iyisixhwali njalo iyisidakwa.” Ngakho wonke amadoda akulelodolobho azayitshaya ngamatshe ize ife. Lifanele liqede bonke ububi phakathi kwenu. U-Israyeli wonke uzakuzwa lokhu esabe.

Nxa indoda ithatha umfazi, kuthi ngemva isike yalala laye, ingamthakazeleli imgcone imbize ngamagama amabi, isithi, “Ngathatha umfazi lo, kodwa ngathi ngilala laye ngafumana ukuthi kaseyiyontombi egcweleyo,” ngakho uyise lonina wentombi bazaletha ubufakazi ebadaleni bakulelodolobho esangweni bokutshengisa ukuthi ibikade iyintombi. Uyise wentombi uzakuthi ebadaleni, “Ngendisela indodakazi yami endodeni le, kodwa ayisamfuni. Khathesi isiyigcona isithi, ‘Indodakazi yakho kangiyifumananga iyintombi egcweleyo? Kodwa nampu ubufakazi bokuthi indodakazi yami iyintombi egcweleyo.” Ngakho abazali bentombi bazakwendlala ilembu phambi kwabadala bakulelodolobho, kuthi abadala bayijezise leyondoda. Bazayihlawulisa amashekeli esiliva alikhulu, bawanike uyise wentombi, ngoba indoda le isigcone intombi yako-Israyeli. Intombi izaqhubeka ingumfazi wayo indoda; okwempilo yayo yonke akumelanga iyale lintombi. Nxa kungenzeka ukuthi umlandu ewetheswayo uliqiniso njalo kungaze kwafunyanwa ubufakazi bobuntombi bayo, izalethwa emnyango wendlu kayise kuthi amadoda akulelodolobho ayitshayele khona ngamatshe ize ife. Yenze into eyangisayo ko-Israyeli ngokungaziphathi ngesikhathi isahlala emzini kayise. Kumele liqede ububi phakathi kwenu. Nxa indoda ingafunyanwa ilele lomfazi wenye indoda bobabili kumele babulawe. Kufanele liqede ububi ko-Israyeli.

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

Nxa indoda ingathatha umfazi kodwa angayithokozisi ngoba indoda ifumene ihlazo ngaye ibe isimlobela incwadi yokwehlukana, imnike, ibisimxotsha endlini yayo, kuthi esesukile endlini yaleyondoda athathwe ngeyinye indoda, layo leyondoda eyesibili imsole imnike incwadi yokwehlukana, imqhubele ibe isimxotsha emzini wayo, kumbe leyondoda ife, kutsho ukuthi indoda yakhe yakuqala, eyamalayo, ayivunyelwa ukumthatha futhi ngemva kokuba eselalelihlazo. Lokho kungaba yisinengiso emehlweni kaJehova. Lingalethi isono elizweni uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alinika lona ukuba libe yilifa lenu.

Nxa indoda isanda kuthatha, akufanelanga ukuba ithunyelwe empini loba ukuthi iphiwe umsebenzi oqakathekileyo.

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu othelela uyise loba unina ihlazo.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

“Kaqalekiswe umuntu ovimbela ukuthonisiswa ngokulunga kowezizweni, longelayise kanye lomfelokazi.” Ngakho abantu bonke bazakuthi, “Ameni!”

Okufihlakeleyo kungokukaJehova uNkulunkulu wethu, kodwa izinto ezambuliweyo zingezethu kanye labantwabethu kuze kube nini nini, ukuze silandele wonke amazwi alo umlayo.

Lizabuthanisa abantu  —  amadoda, abafazi labantwana, kanye labezizweni abahlala emadolobheni enu  —  ukuze bazizwele bafunde ukwesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu balandele ngonanzelelo wonke amazwi alumthetho. Abantwabakho, abangawaziyo lumthetho, kumele bawuzwe njalo bafunde ukwesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu ngaso sonke isikhathi lisahlezi kulelilizwe elizachapha uJodani ukuba liyelithatha.”

Yikho-ke ngicela ukuthi lifunge kimi ngoJehova ukuthi lizakuba lomusa emulini yami ngoba lami ngitshengise umusa kini. Nginikani isitshengiselo esiqinisekileyo esokuthi lizaphephisa impilo kababa lomama, abanewethu labodadewethu labo bonke abangababo, njalo lizasisindisa ekufeni.”

“Ekuseni kumele lisondeze isizwana ngesizwana. Isizwana esikhethwa nguJehova kuzamele sisondele phambili usendo ngosendo; usendo oluzakhethwa nguJehova luzasondela imuli ngemuli; imuli ezakhethwa nguJehova izasondela umuntu ngamunye.

“Kodwa lingabaleka beselisiba lobungane lalabo abasindileyo phakathi kwezizwe lezi ezizasala phakathi kwenu njalo lingavumelana lokuthathana lokudlelana lazo, lapho lingaba leqiniso lokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu kasoze azixotshe izizwe phambi kwenu. Kodwake zizakuba yimijibila lezithiyo kini, zizakuba yiziswebhu emihlane yenu lameva emehlweni enu, lize libhujiswe elizweni leli elihle uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alinika lona.

Kodwa nxa ukukhonza uJehova kukhanya kungathandeki kini, khethani phakathi kwenu namhlanje lowo eliza mkhonza, kumbe ngonkulunkulu okhokho benu ababebakhonza ngaphetsheya koMfula kumbe onkulunkulu bama-Amori, lawo elihlala elizweni lawo. Kodwa mina lendlu yami sizakhonza uJehova.”

Ngalesisikhathi abako-Israyeli basuka kuleyondawo babuyela ekhaya ezizwaneni zabo lakuzinsendo zabo, ngulowo lalowo elifeni lakhe.

URuthe waphendula wathi, “Ungangifundekeli ukuba ngikutshiye loba ukuba ngikufulathele. Lapho oya khona ngizakuya khona, lalapho ozahlala khona ngizahlala khona. Abantu bakini bazakuba ngabakithi, loNkulunkulu wakho uzakuba nguNkulunkulu wami.

LoRuthe umMowabi, umfelokazi kaMaheloni sengimzuzile ukuba abe ngumkami, ukuze kugcinakale ibizo lomufi kanye lempahla yakhe, lokuze ibizo lakhe linganyamalali emulini loba embalini yomuzi. Lingofakazi lamhlanje!”

“U-Elikhana umkakhe, wayesithi kuye, “Hana, ukhalelani na? Kungani na ungadli? Kungani udanile? Kuwe angiqakathekanga ukudlula amadodana alitshumi na?”

Wafunga esithi, “Awu, Jehova Somandla, uma ungakhangela nje usizi lwencekukazi yakho ungikhumbule, njalo ungayikhohlwa incekukazi yakho kodwa uyiphe indodana, lapho-ke ngizayinika uJehova okwezinsuku zonke zokuphila kwayo, njalo akulampuco ezake isetshenziswe ekhanda layo.”

Ngakhulekela umntwana lo, njalo uJehova usengiphile engakucelayo. Ngakho khathesi sengimnika uJehova. Uzanikwa uJehova impilo yakhe yonke.” Wakhonza uJehova khonapho.

Amadodana ka-Eli ayengabantu abaxhwalileyo, ayengamnanzi uJehova.

Kodwa uSamuyeli wayekhonza phambi kukaJehova  —  umfana egqoka isambatho samahlombe selineni.

Umfana uSamuyeli waqhubeka ekhula ngomzimba langokuthandeka kuJehova lasebantwini.

Ngizakuba nguyise, yena abe yindodana yami. Angenza okubi ngizamjezisa ngomqwayi wabantu, ukuklebhula okwenziwa ngabantu.

Inkosi uSolomoni yayibathanda kakhulu abafazi bezizweni kanye lendodakazi kaFaro  —  amaMowabi, ama-Amoni, ama-Edomi, amaSidoni lamaHithi. Babengabezizwe uJehova ayethe kwabako-Israyeli, “Lingathathani labo, ngoba bazaguqulela izinhliziyo zenu kubonkulunkulu babo.” Lanxa kunjalo, uSolomoni wabambelela kubo ngothando. Wayelabafazi abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa ababezalwa esikhosini labanye abafazi beceleni abangamakhulu amathathu; lakanye abafazi bakhe bamlahlekisa. Ekuluphaleni kwakhe uSolomoni, abafazi bakhe baphambulela ukholo lwakhe kwabanye onkulunkulu, inhliziyo yakhe ayizange ilandele uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe ngokupheleleyo, akusabanga njengokwenhliziyo kaDavida uyise.

Ngakhoke lingendiseli amadodakazi enu kumadodana abo kumbe amadodana enu athathe amadodakazi abo. Lingadingi isibopho sobudlelwano labo loba nini, ukuze liqine lidle izinto ezinhle zelizwe elizalitshiyela abantwabenu njengelifa laphakade.

Kwathi u-Ezra umphristi wasukuma wathi kubo, “Kalithembekanga; lisuke lathatha abafazi bezizweni, lengeza icala lika-Israyeli. Manje-ke fakazani izono zenu kuJehova, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu, lenze intando yakhe. Zahlukaniseni kulababantu elakhelene labo lasebafazini benu abezizwe.” Inkundla yonke yaphendula ngelizwi elikhulu yathi: “Uqondile! Kumele senze njengoba usitsho.

Umkakhe wathi kuye, “Ulokhu ubambelele kubo ubuqotho bakho na? Mthuke uNkulunkulu uzifele!” Waphendula wathi, “Ukhuluma njengomfazi oyisiwula. Sizakwamukela okuhle kuNkulunkulu singalwamukeli uhlupho na?” Kukho konke lokhu uJobe kenzanga isono ngakutshoyo.

Ukumisile ukudunyiswa yizindebe zabantwana lezinsane ngenxa yezitha zakho, ukuze uthulise isitha lomphindiseli.

ulamulele izintandane labacindezelweyo, ukuze kuthi umuntu, ongowasemhlabeni, angabe esesabeka futhi.

Kanti wena wangikhupha esiswini; wangenza ngakuthemba kusukela ebeleni likamama. Kusukela ekuzalweni kwami ngabekwa ezandleni zakho; kusukela esiswini sikamama ulokhu unguNkulunkulu wami.

Loba obaba lomama bengangidela, uJehova uzangemukela.

Ngangimutsha, manje sengiluphele, kodwa angizange ngibone abalungileyo bedelwa loba abantwababo becela isinkwa. Bayaphana kokuphela njalo bayebolekana nje; abantwababo bazabusiswa.

Ngeqiniso ngavele ngazalwa ngilesono, ngaba yisoni ngiqalisa esiswini sikamama. Ngempela wena ufuna iqiniso elisuka emibilini; uyangifundisa ukuhlakanipha ngaphakathi kwami.

Uyise wezintandane, umlamuleli wabafelokazi, nguNkulunkulu emzini wakhe ongcwele. UNkulunkulu uyabalungisela indawo ezimulini labo abalesizungu, ukhokhela izibotshwa ngokuhlabela; kodwa abahlamuki bahlala elizweni elomileyo.

Ngizavula umlomo wami ngemifanekiso, ngizakhuluma izinto ezifihlekileyo, izinto zekadeni  — esakuzwayo lesikwaziyo esakutshelwa ngokhokho bethu. Kasizukuzifihlela abantwana babo; sizasitshela isizukulwana esizayo ngemisebenzi emangalisayo kaJehova, amandla akhe, lemimangaliso aseyenzile. UJakhobe wammisela imithetho wabeka umlayo ko-Israyeli, walaya okhokho bethu ukuthi bawufundise abantwababo, ukuze aziwe yisizukulwane esilandelayo, kanye labantwana abazazalwa, kuthi labo batshele abantwababo. Yikho-ke bazabeka ithemba labo kuNkulunkulu njalo abasoze bakhohlwa izenzo zakhe kodwa bagcine imilayo yakhe. Kabayikuba njengabokhokho babo ababeyisizukulwana esilobuqholo lesihlamukayo, ozinhliziyo zabo zazingathembekanga kuye.

Lamulelani ababuthakathaka lezintandane; melani amalungelo abayanga labahlukuluzwayo.

Njengalokhu uyise elozwelo ebantwaneni bakhe, kanjalo uJehova ulozwelo kulabo abamesabayo;

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

We zizukulwane zika-Abhrahama inceku yakhe, we madodana kaJakhobe, abakhethiweyo bakhe. UnguJehova uNkulunkulu wethu; izahlulelo zakhe zisemhlabeni wonke. Uyasikhumbula isivumelwano sakhe nini lanini, ilizwi lomlayo wakhe, okwezizukulwane ezizinkulungwane,

Lomfazi oyinyumba umenza ahlale kuhle emzini wakhe afane lalowo ongunina wabantwana. Dumisani uJehova

Sengathi uJehova angalenza lande, lonke lina kanye labantwana benu.

Amadodana ayilifa elivela kuJehova, abantwana bangumvuzo ovela kuye. Njengemitshoko esandleni sebutho anjalo amadodana azelwe ngumuntu esesemutsha. Ubusisiwe umuntu omxhaka wakhe ugcwele yona. Kabayikuyangeka nxa sebedibana lezitha entubeni.

Umkakho wesifazana uzakuba njengevini elithela kakhulu phakathi kwendlu yakho; amadodana akho azakuba njengamahlumela e-oliva esetafuleni yakho.

njalo sengathi ungaphila uze ubone abantwana babantwabakho. Ukuthula kakube ku-Israyeli.

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

Ngokuba wadala ingaphakathi yobuyimi; wangiphetha kuhle ndawonye esiswini sikamama. Ngiyakudumisa ngokuthi ngabunjwa ngesimanga esesabekayo; iyamangalisa imisebenzi yakho, lokho ngikwazi kamhlophe. Isimo samathambo ami sasingafihlekanga kuwe lapho ngangisenziwa endaweni esithekileyo. Lapho ngangiselukelwa ndawonye ezinzikini zomhlaba, amehlo akho awubona umzimba wami ungakabi lesimo. Zonke izinsuku ezamiselwa mina zabhalwa encwadini yakho lalunye lwazo lungakabi khona.

majaha lezintombi, maxhegu labantwana. kabalidumise ibizo likaJehova, ngokuba ibizo lakhe lodwa liphakeme; inkazimulo yakhe ingaphezulu komhlaba lamazulu.

Lalela, ndodana yami, izeluleko zikayihlo njalo ungadeli imfundiso kanyoko.

Ndodana yami, ungeyisi ukulaya kukaJehova njalo ungacaphukeli ukukhuza kwakhe, ngokuba uJehova ulaya labo abathandayo, njengoyise elaya indodana yakhe ayithandayo.

Zwanini, madodana ami, izeluleko zikayihlo; lalelani lizuze ukuqedisisa. Ngilipha izifundiso ezipheleleyo; ngakho lingalahli imfundiso yami. Ngathi ngisengumfana emzini kababa, ngisebuthakathaka, ngiyimi ngedwa ingane kamama, wangifundisa ubaba wathi, “Abambe amazwi ngenhliziyo yakho yonke; gcina imilayo yami ukuze uphile.

Zwana mntanami, yamukela lokho engikutshoyo, ukuze izinsuku zokuphila kwakho zibe zinengi. Ngiyakukhokhela endleleni yokuhlakanipha, ngikuqondise ezindleleni eziqondileyo.

Ndodana yami, zwana lokhu engikutshoyo; lalelisisa amazwi ami. Ungawasusi emehlweni akho, agcine enhliziyweni yakho; ngokuba ayikuphila kulabo abawafumanayo; lokuqina komzimba wonke womuntu. Phezu kwakho konke, gcina inhliziyo yakho, ngoba ingumthombo wokuphila kwakho.

Sengathi ungabusiswa umthombo wakho njalo sengathi ungathokoza ngomfazi wobutsha bakho. Oyimpalakazi ethandekayo, imbabala ebutshelezi  —  amabele akhe sengathi angakusuthisa lanini, nini lanini ukhangwe luthando lwakhe.

Ndodana yami, gcina imilayo kayihlo ungadeli imfundiso kanyoko.

Izaga zikaSolomoni: Indodana ehlakaniphileyo iletha ukuthokoza kuyise, kodwa indoda eyisiwula iletha ukudabuka kunina.

Olethela abendlu yakhe uhlupho ilifa lakhe yize, lesihawu sizakuba yinceku yohlakaniphileyo.

Umfazi olesimilo ungumqhele womkakhe, kodwa umfazi oyangisayo unjengokubola kwamathambo akhe.

Indodana ehlakaniphileyo iyemukela izeluleko zikayise, kodwa ihlongandlebe kalilaleli nxa likhuzwa.

Umuntu olungileyo utshiyela isizukulwane sakhe ilifa, kodwa inotho yesoni ibekelwa abalungileyo.

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

Umfazi ohlakaniphileyo uyakha indlu yakhe, kodwa lowo oyisiwula uyayibhidliza ngezandla zakhe.

Isiwula siyakulahla ukulaya kukayise, kodwa owemukela ukuqondiswa uveza ukuhlakanipha.

Indodana ehlakaniphileyo iletha intokozo kuyise, kodwa indoda eyisiwula yeyisa unina.

Isisebenzi esihlakaniphileyo sizabusa indodana eyangisayo, sizakwabelwa ilifa njengomunye wamadodana.

Abazukulu bangumqhele wabalupheleyo, njalo labantwana baziqhenya ngabazali babo.

Umngane ulothando ngezikhathi zonke, lomzalwane uzalelwa izikhathi zenhlupheko.

Indodana eyisiwula ithelela uyise usizi lokudabuka kulowo owayizalayo.

Lowo ozuza umfazi ufumana okuhle, athole umusa kuJehova.

Indodana eyisiwula iyamchitha uyise, lomfazi wendoda olenkani unjengamanzi athonta futhifuthi. Izindlu lenotho yilifa elizuzwa ebazalini, kodwa umfazi ozwisisayo indoda imphiwa nguJehova.

Qondisa indodana yakho, ngoba lokho kuzayisiza; ungabi lengxenye yokuyibulala.

Lowo ontshontshela uyise, axotshe unina yindodana ethelela inhloni lehlazo.

Umuntu olungileyo uphila impilo encomekayo; babusisiwe abantwabakhe abamfuzayo.

Lomntwana waziwa ngezenzo zakhe, ngokuthi isimilo sakhe sihle, siqotho.

Aluba umuntu esethuka uyise loba unina, isibane sakhe sizacinywa abe semnyameni omubi.

Ilifa elizuzwa lula ekuqaleni alilakubusiswa ekucineni.

Kungcono ukuhlala mazonzo ephahleni lwendlu kulokuhlala ndlu yinye lomfazi olenkani.

Kungcono ukuhlala enkangala kulokuhlala lomfazi olenkani lolicaphucaphu.

Fundisa umntwana indlela amele ahambe ngayo, kuzakuthi esemdala kayikuphambuka kuyo.

Ubuthutha bubotshelwe enhliziyweni yomntwana, kodwa uswazi lokuqondisa luzabuxotshela khatshana.

Ungayekeli ukumlaya umntwana; ukumtshaya ngoswazi akuyikumbulala. Mjezise ngoswazi ukuze uphephise umphefumulo wakhe ekufeni. Ndodana yami, aluba inhliziyo yakho ihlakaniphile, inhliziyo yami layo izathokoza; ingaphakathi yami izajabula lapho izindebe zakho zikhuluma okulungileyo.

Lalela uyihlo owakuletha emhlabeni, njalo ungeyisi unyoko nxa eseluphele. Thenga iqiniso ungalithengisi; zuza ukuhlakanipha lokuzikhuza lokuzwisisa. Uyise womuntu olungileyo uyathokoza kakhulu; lowo olendodana ehlakaniphileyo uyathokoza ngayo. Sengathi uyihlo lonyoko bangathokoza; sengathi lowo owakuzalayo angajabula! Ndodana yami, ngipha inhliziyo yakho, amehlo akho ahlale ezindleleni zami,

Kungcono ukuhlala ekhulusini lophahla lwendlu kulokuhlala ndlu yinye lomfazi olomlomo.

Umfazi olenkani unjengamathonsi angapheliyo mhlana kufefeza;

Lowo ogcina umthetho yindodana eqedisisayo, kodwa umngane wezixhwali uyangisa uyise.

Lowo owebela uyise loba unina athi, “Akusinto embi” uyafana lomuntu obhidlizayo.

Uswazi lokuqondisa lunika ukuhlakanipha, kodwa umntwana oyekelwayo uhlazisa unina.

Qondisa indodana yakho, izakupha ukuthula; izaletha injabulo emphefumulweni wakho.

“Bakhona abathuka oyise, abangababusisiyo onina; labo abazibona belungile ikanti kabahlambululwanga emanyaleni abo; labo abamehlo abo ahlezi egcwele ulaka, abakhangela ngokudelela;

“Ilihlo elihleka uyise, elidelela ukulalela unina, lizakotsholwa ngamawabayi asesigodini, lizadliwa ngamanqe.

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

“Hawu, ndodana yami! Hawu ndodana yethumbu lami! Hawu, ndodana yezifungo zami, ungadlalisi amandla akho ebafazini, izifutho zakho kulabo abadiliza amakhosi.

Ngubani na ongathola umfazi olesimilo? Uligugu elidlula kakhulu amatshe amahle. Indoda yakhe iyamthemba ngokupheleleyo njalo kayisweli lutho oluqakathekileyo. Uyenzela okuhle, hatshi okubi, empilweni yakhe yonke. Uyakhetha kuhle iwulu lesikusha akweluke kuhle ngezandla ezikhutheleyo. Unjengemikhumbi yabathengisi, eletha ukudla okuvela kude. Uvuka ekuseni kusesemnyama; alungisele abomuzi wakhe ukudla abele lezincekukazi zakhe. Uyayihlolisisa insimu mandulo kokuyithenga; ngalokho akuzuzayo uyahlanyela isivini sakhe. Uwubamba ngokukhuthala umsebenzi wakhe; aqinise izingalo zakhe emsebenzini. Uyananzelela ukuthi ukuthengisa kwakhe kulembuyiselo, lokuthi isibane sakhe kasicimi ebusuku. Uphatha uluthi lokuphotha ngesandla sakhe abesebamba ngeminwe yakhe isigudugudu sokweluka. Welula izingalo zakhe kubayanga njalo ulezandla ezilula kwabaswelayo. Lapho kukhithika ungqoqwane, kalakwesaba ngabendlu yakhe; ngoba bonke bagqoke ezibomvu. Uthunga izigubuzelo zombheda wakhe; agqoke ilineni elihle lezigqoko eziyibubende. Indoda yakhe iyahlonitshwa enkundleni lapho efika ihlale ndawonye lezikhulu zelizwe. Uthunga izigqoko zelineni azithengise, abathengi bemigaxo bayizuza kuye. Wembethe amandla lesithunzi; uyahleka loba kusiza izinsuku ezimbi. Ukhuluma ngenhlakanipho, lezeluleko eziqondileyo zisolimini lwakhe. Unqinekela ezomuzi wakhe njalo kadli isinkwa sobuvila. Abantwabakhe bayambonga bathi ubusisiwe; lendoda yakhe layo iyamdumisa ithi, “Banengi abafazi abenza izimangaliso zobuhle kodwa wena uyabedlula bonke.” Ukubukeka kuyakhohlisa, lobuhle buyaphela; kodwa umfazi owesaba uJehova kadunyiswe. Kaphiwe umvuzo wobuhle abenzayo, imisebenzi yakhe imlethele udumo enkundleni.

Ababili bangcono kuloyedwa, ngoba balomvuzo obonakalayo ngomsebenzi wabo. Omunye angawa, umngane wakhe uyamncedisa amvuse. Kodwa maye lowomuntu owayo kungelamuntu ongamsiza amvuse! Njalo uma ababili belala ndawonye bazakhudumezana. Kanti umuntu angakhudumala kanjani eyedwa na? Loba umuntu engehlulwa nxa eyedwa, ababili bangazivikela. Intambo elemicu emithathu kayiqamuki lula.

Kholisa impilo lomfazi wakho omthandayo kuzo zonke izinsuku zale impilo eyize uNkulunkulu akunike yona ngaphansi kwelanga  —  zonke izinsuku zakho eziyize. Phela lesi yiso isabelo sakho empilweni phakathi komtshikatshika wakho ngaphansi kwelanga.

Njengoba ungayazi indlela yomoya, loba ukubunjwa komzimba esiswini sikanina, yikho ungeke uzwisise umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu, uMenzi wezinto zonke.

Khumbula uMdali wakho ngezinsuku zobutsha bakho, kungakafiki izinsuku zokuhlupheka njalo kusondele leminyaka lapho ozakuthi, “Angizuzi kuthokoza kuzo”  —

Phumani phandle madodakazi aseZiyoni, libone iNkosi uSolomoni ithwele umqhele, umqhele eyawetheswa ngunina mhla welanga atshada ngalo, ilanga inhliziyo yakhe yathokoza ngalo.

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

Ngoba sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe indodana, umbuso uzakuba phezu kwamahlombe akhe. Uzabizwa ngokuthi uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu uSomandla, uBaba Waphakade, iNkosana yokuThula.

Njengowesifazana okhulelweyo lapho esezabeletha uyabhinqika ekhaliswa yibuhlungu, lathi sabanjalo phambi kwakho, O Jehova. Sasikhulelwe, sabhinqika ebuhlungwini kodwa sazala umoya. Kasilethanga kukhululwa emhlabeni; kasibazalelanga lutho abantu basemhlabeni.

Abaphilayo, abaphilayo  —  bayadumisa njengalokhu engikwenzayo lamhla; oyise batshela abantwababo ngobuqotho bakho.

Ngilalelani lina zihlenge; zwanini lokhu lina zizwe ezikude. UJehova wangibiza ngingakazalwa; kusukela ekuzalweni kwami ubelitsho ibizo lami.

“Owesifazana angamkhohlwa umntanakhe omunyayo na, angabi lesihelo emntwaneni amzeleyo na? Lanxa engamkhohlwa, mina angiyikukukhohlwa!

Ngoba uMenzi wakho engumyeni wakho  —  uJehova uSomandla libizo lakhe oNgcwele ka-Israyeli unguMhlengi wakho; ubizwa ngokuthi nguNkulunkulu womhlaba wonke. UJehova uzakubiza njengowesifazana olahliweyo, odabukileyo emoyeni  —  owesifazana owenda esesemncane, waphanga waliwa,” kutsho uNkulunkulu wakho.

Wonke amadodana akho azafundiswa nguJehova, njalo kuzakuba kukhulu ukuthula kwabantwabakho.

Ngiyathokoza kakhulu kuJehova; umphefumulo wami uyajabula ngoNkulunkulu wami. Ngoba ungigqokise izigqoko zokusindiswa, wangicecisa ngezambatho zokulunga, njengomyeni ececisa ikhanda lakhe njengomphristi, lanjengomlobokazi ezicecise ngamatshe akhe aligugu.

Njengejaha lithatha intombi, ngokunjalo amadodana akho azakuthatha; lanjengomyeni ethokozela umakoti wakhe, ngokunjalo uNkulunkulu uzathokoza ngawe.

Ngizaliduduza njengomama eduduza umntanakhe, njalo lizaduduzeka eJerusalema.”

“Ngingakakubumbi esiswini ngakwazi, ungakazalwa ngakukhetha ngakubeka ukuba ngumphrofethi ezizweni.”

“Indoda ingehlukana lomkayo ayitshiye endele kwenye indoda, kufanele imbuyise futhi na? Kambe ilizwe kalingeke langcoliswa kakhulukazi na? Kodwa wena usuphile njengewule elilezithandwa ezinengi  —  kambe khathesi ungabuyela kimi na?” kutsho uJehova.

U-Israyeli ongathembekanga ngamnika incwadi yakhe yesehlukaniso ngamxotsha ngenxa yobufebe bakhe bonke. Kodwa ngabona ukuthi udadewabo ongathembekanga, uJuda, kesabanga, laye wasuka wayafeba.

“Phendukani, bantu abangathembekanga,” kutsho uJehova, “ngoba ngingumyeni wenu. Ngizalikhetha  —  oyedwa edolobheni lababili kusendo  —  ngililethe eZiyoni.

uma lingancindezeli owezizweni, izintandane loba umfelokazi njalo lingachithi gazi elingelacala kule indawo, njalo uma lingalandeli abanye onkulunkulu okuzalilimaza, ngizalivumela ukuba lihlale kule indawo, elizweni engalinika okhokho benu ukuba libe ngelabo kuze kube nini lanini.

Thathani abafazi lizale amadodana lamadodakazi; dingelani amadodana enu abafazi lendise lamadodakazi enu, ukuze lawo abe lamadodana kanye lamadodakazi; inani lenu lande ngapho; lingehli.

“ ‘Ngenxa yokuthi izinsuku zobutsha bakho kawuzikhumbulanga kodwa wangithukuthelisa ngezinto zonke lezi, ngeqiniso lokhu okwenzileyo ngizakwehlisela phezu kwekhanda lakho, kutsho uJehova Wobukhosi. Kanje kawenzanga isigwebo kuzo zonke lezizenzo zakho ezinengayo na? “ ‘Bonke abatsho izaga bazasitsho isaga lesi ngawe esithi: “Indodakazi ifuna unina.”

Umphefumulo owonayo yiwo ozakufa. Indodana kayiyikuba lecala likayise, loba uyise abe lecala lendodana. Ukulunga komuntu olungileyo kuzabalelwa kuye, lobubi bomubi buzamelana laye.

Ngatsho kubantwana babo enkangala ngathi, “Lingalandeli izimiso zaboyihlo loba ligcine imithetho yabo loba lizingcolise ngezithombe zabo.

Phakathi kwakho iphathe uyise lonina ngokweyisa; phakathi kwakho icindezele abezizweni iphathe kubi izintandane labafelokazi.

Akumelanga bathathe abafelokazi loba abesifazana abehlukana labomkabo; kumele bathathe izintombi ezimsulwa kuphela zozalo lwako-Israyeli loba abafelokazi babaphristi.

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

Kutsheleni abantwabenu, abantwabenu labo bakutshele ababantwababo, abantwababo bakutshele isizukulwane esilandelayo.

Lilani njengentombi egqoke isaka idabukele umyeni wobutsha bayo.

“Emva kwalokho, ngizathela uMoya wami ebantwini bonke. Amadodana enu lamadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, abadala benu bazaphupha amaphupho, izinsizwa zakini zizabona imibono.

Ababili bayahamba bebonke ngaphandle kokuba bevumelene ukwenzanjalo na?

Ngoba indodana idumaza uyise, indodakazi ivukela unina, umalukazana avukele uninazala  —  izitha zomuntu ngamalunga endlu yakhe.

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

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

Uzaguqulela izinhliziyo zaboyise ebantwaneni babo, lezinhliziyo zabantwana ziguqukele kuboyise; kungenjalo ngizakuza ngilitshaye ilizwe ngesiqalekiso.”

Umbhalo wosendo lukaJesu Khristu indodana kaDavida, indodana ka-Abhrahama: U-Abhrahama wayenguyise ka-Isaka, u-Isaka uyise kaJakhobe, uJakhobe uyise kaJuda labafowabo, uJuda uyise kaPherezi loZera, unina owayenguThamari, uPherezi uyise kaHezironi, uHezironi uyise ka-Aramu, u-Aramu uyise ka-Aminadabi, u-Aminadabi uyise kaNahishoni, uNahishoni uyise kaSalimoni, uSalimoni uyise kaBhowazi, unina owayenguRahabi, uBhowazi uyise ka-Obhedi, unina owayenguRuthe, u-Obhedi uyise kaJese, uJese enguyise weNkosi uDavida. UDavida wayenguyise kaSolomoni, unina owayengumka-Uriya, uSolomoni uyise kaRehobhowami, uRehobhowami uyise ka-Abhija, u-Abhija uyise ka-Asa, u-Asa uyise kaJehoshafathi, uJehoshafathi uyise kaJehoramu, uJehoramu uyise ka-Uziya, u-Uziya uyise kaJothamu, u-Jothamu uyise ka-Ahazi, u-Ahazi uyise kaHezekhiya, uHezekhiya uyise kaManase, uManase uyise ka-Amoni, u-Amoni uyise kaJosiya, yena uJosiya owayenguyise kaJekhoniya labafowabo ngesikhathi sokubuthelwa eBhabhiloni. Ngemuva kokubuthelwa eBhabhiloni: uJekhoniya wayenguyise kaSheyalithiyeli, uSheyalithiyeli uyise kaZerubhabheli, uZerubhabheli uyise ka-Abhiyudi, u-Abhiyudi uyise ka-Eliyakhimu, u-Eliyakhimu uyise ka-Azori, u-Azori uyise kaZadoki, uZadoki uyise ka-Akhimu, u-Akhimu uyise ka-Eliyudi, u-Eliyudi uyise ka-Eliyazari, u-Eliyazari uyise kaMathani, uMathani uyise kaJakhobe, uJakhobe enguyise kaJosefa, umkaMariya, owazala uJesu obizwa ngokuthi nguKhristu.

Kanjalo-ke kwakulezizukulwane ezilitshumi lane sezizonke kusukela ku-Abhrahama kusiya kuDavida, ezilitshumi lane kusukela kuDavida kusiya ekuthunjweni eBhabhiloni, njalo ezilitshumi lane kusukela ekuthunjweni kusiya kuKhristu.

UJesu Khristu wazalwa kanje: Unina uMariya wayethembisane loJosefa ukuthi bazatshada, kodwa kwathi bengakahlangani wabonakala esezithwele, kwenziwe ngoMoya oNgcwele. Ngokuba umkakhe uJosefa wayeyindoda elungileyo njalo engafuni ukumyangisa ebantwini, wafuna ukumlahla ngasese. Uthe esekucabangile lokhu, kwafika kuye ingilosi yeNkosi ephutsheni yathi, “Josefa ndodana kaDavida, ungesabi ukuthatha uMariya umlethe ekhaya abe ngumkakho ngokuba lokhu akumithiyo kuvela kuMoya oNgcwele. Uzabeletha indodana ozayetha ibizo uthi nguJesu, ngokuba uzasindisa abantu bakhe ezonweni zabo.” Konke lokhu kwenzakala ukugcwalisa okwakutshiwo yiNkosi ngomphrofethi ukuthi: “Intombi epheleleyo izakhulelwa izale indodana, bayibize ngokuthi ngu-Imanuweli  —  okutsho ukuthi, uNkulunkulu ulathi.” UJosefa esevukile wenza lokho ingilosi yeNkosi eyayimtshele khona wahamba loMariya ekhaya waba ngumkakhe. Kodwa kazange embathe laye waze wabeletha indodana. Wayetha ibizo wathi nguJesu.

Zangena endlini zambona umntwana lonina uMariya, zakhothama zamkhonza. Zasezivula izimpahla zazo eziligugu zamkhunga ngezipho zegolide lempepha lemure.

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.

“Kwathiwa, ‘Lowo olahla umfazi wakhe kamuphe incwadi yesahlukaniso.’ Kodwa mina ngilitshela ngithi lowo olahla umfazi wakhe, ngaphandle kokuba efebile, umenza afebe, njalo lowo othatha umfazi olahliweyo uyafeba.

“Ngubani kini madoda okuthi nxa indodana yakhe icela isinkwa ayiphe ilitshe na? Loba ithi icela inhlanzi ayiphe inyoka? Nxa lina okuthi loba libabi likwazi ukupha abantwabenu izipho ezilungileyo pho kangakanani uYihlo wenu osezulwini uzabapha izipho ezinhle labo abacela kuye!

“Lingakhumbuli ukuthi ngilethe ukuthula emhlabeni. Kangizanga ukuletha ukuthula kodwa inkemba. Ngoba ngize ukuxabanisa ‘indoda loyise, indodakazi lonina umalokazana loninazala  — izitha zomuntu zizakuba ngabendlu yakhe.’ “Lowo othanda uyise loba unina kulami kangifanelanga; lowo othanda indodana yakhe loba indodakazi yakhe kulami kangifanelanga;

UJesu wayeyazi imicabango yabo wasesithi kubo, “Yilowo lalowo umbuso owehlukene phakathi kawumi.

UJesu elokhu esakhuluma lamaxuku abantu, unina labafowabo babemi phandle befuna ukukhuluma laye. Omunye wamtshela wathi, “Unyoko labafowenu bemi phandle, bafuna ukukhuluma lawe.” Wamphendula wathi, “Ngubani ongumama njalo ngobani abangabafowethu na?” Wakhomba abafundi bakhe wathi, “Nampa abangumama labangabafowethu. Ngoba ingqe ngubani owenza intando kaBaba osezulwini ungumfowethu, ungudadewethu njalo ungumama.”

Kasindodana yombazi na? Ibizo likanina kasuMariya na, labafowabo kabasoJakhobe loJosefa loSimoni loJudasi na? Odadewabo kabakho yini khonapha lathi? Pho indoda le yazizuza ngaphi izinto zonke lezi?” Bakhubeka ngaye. Kodwa uJesu wathi kubo, “Lapho umphrofethi angeladumo khona kusedolobheni lakibo lasemzini wakhe.”

Phela uNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko’ njalo ‘Yilowo owethuka uyise loba unina ufanele abulawe.’ Kodwa lina lithi nxa umuntu esithi kuyise loba kunina, ‘Loloncedo ongabe uluzuzile kimi yisipho esiqanjulelwe uNkulunkulu; kasamelanga ‘ahloniphe’ uyise ngaso. Ngaleyondlela liyachitha ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngenxa yesiko lenu.

Wabiza umntwana omncinyane wammisa phakathi kwabo. 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. “Njalo lowo owamukela umntwana omncane njengalo egameni lami wemukela mina. Kodwa loba ngubani owenza omunye walaba abancinyane abakholwa kimi ukuthi enze isono, kungaba ngcono kuye ukuthi kulengiswe entanyeni yakhe ilitshekazi lokuchola agaluliswe enzikini yolwandle.

“Nanzelelani ukuthi lingeyisi lamunye walaba abancinyane. Phela ngilitshela ukuthi izingilosi zabo ezulwini zihlezi zibubona ubuso bukaBaba ezulwini. (

“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.

Abanye abaFarisi beza kuye ukuzamlinga. Bambuza bathi, “Kusemthethweni yini ukuthi indoda ilahle umkayo loba kungasiphi isizatho?” Waphendula wathi, “Kalikubalanga yini ukuthi ekuqaleni uMdali ‘wabenza baba yisilisa lesifazana,’ wathi, ‘Ngalesi isizatho indoda izatshiya uyise lonina ihlanganiswe lomkayo, kuthi laba ababili bazakuba yinyamanye?’ Ngakho kabasebabili, kodwa sebemunye. Ngakho lokho uNkulunkulu asekuhlanganisile akungehlukaniswa muntu.” Babuza bathi, “Kungani pho uMosi walaya ukuthi indoda imuphe umkayo incwadi yesahlukaniso imxotshe?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “UMosi walivumela ukuthi lilahle omkenu ngokuba izinhliziyo zenu zazilukhuni. Kodwa kwakungenjalo ekuqaleni. Ngilitshela ukuthi lowo olahla umkakhe, ngaphandle kokuba efebile, athathe omunye umfazi uyaphinga.” Abafundi bathi kuye, “Nxa kumi kanjalo phakathi kwendoda lomkayo kungcono ukungathathi.”

Kwasekulethwa abantwana abancinyane kuJesu ukuba ababeke izandla abakhulekele. Kodwa abafundi babakhuza labo ababalethayo. UJesu wathi, “Yekelani abantwana beze kimi, lingabavimbeli, ngokuba umbuso wezulu ungowabanjengalaba.”

Njalo bonke labo abatshiye izindlu zabo, loba abafowabo, loba odadewabo kumbe uyise loba unina kumbe abantwana loba amasimu ngenxa yami bazakwamukeliswa okwandiswe ngekhulu njalo bazakudla ilifa lokuphila kwaphakade.

Bambuza bathi, “Uyabezwa nje abantwana laba ukuthi bathini?” “Yebo,” waphendula uJesu, “Kalikaze lifunde ukuthi, “ ‘Ezindebeni zabantwana lezinsane uyimisile indumiso’?”

“Umbuso wezulu unjengenkosi eyalungisela indodana yayo idili lomthimba. Yathuma izisebenzi zayo kulabo ababemenyiwe edilini ukuba beze kodwa bala ukuza. “Yaphinde yathuma ezinye izisebenzi yathi, ‘Batsheleni labo abanxusiweyo ukuthi sengililungisile idili. Ngihlabe izinkabi lezinkomo ezinonisiweyo, konke sekulungile. Wozani edilini lomthimba.’

Hambani liye emahlanganweni ezindlela linxuse loba ngubani elimbonayo.’ Ngakho izisebenzi zangena ezitaladini zabutha bonke abantu ezababonayo, abalungileyo lababi, indlu yomthimba yagcwala izethekeli. “Kodwa kwathi inkosi ingena ukuzabona izethekeli yananzelela khonapho indoda eyeyingavunulanga izigqoko zomtshado. Yabuza yathi, “Mfowethu, ungene njani lapha ungelazigqoko zomthimba?’ Indoda yatsha amathe.

Ngalonalelolanga abaSadusi, abathi kakukho ukuvuka kwabafileyo, beza kuye belombuzo. Bathi, “Mfundisi, uMosi wasitshela wathi uma indoda ingafa ingazalanga mntwana, umfowabo kamthathe umfelokazi amzalele abantwana. Kwakulabafowabo abayisikhombisa phakathi kwethu. Wathatha owakuqala wasesifa, kwathi ngoba engazuzanga mntwana watshiyela umkakhe umfowabo. Kwaphinda lokho kowesibili lowesithathu, njalo kwaze kwaba ngowesikhombisa. Ekucineni wafa lowomfazi. Manje-ke ekuvukeni kwabafileyo uzakuba ngumka bani walabo abayisikhombisa ngoba phela bonke babemthethe?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Liyalahleka ngokuba kaliyazi imiBhalo njalo lamandla kaNkulunkulu. Ekuvukeni kwabafileyo abantu kabayikuthatha loba bendiswe; bazakuba njengezingilosi ezulwini. Kodwa mayelana lokuvuka kwabafileyo  —  kalifundanga yini lokho uNkulunkulu akutsho kini ukuthi, ‘NginguNkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, uNkulunkulu ka-Isaka loNkulunkulu kaJakhobe? Kasuye uNkulunkulu wabafileyo kodwa ngowabaphilayo.”

Futhi lingabizi muntu emhlabeni ngokuthi ‘baba’, ngokuba lilo Yihlo oyedwa, yena osezulwini.

Ngoba ezinsukwini kungakabi khona uzamcolo, abantu babesidla benatha, bethatha njalo besendisa, kwaze kwaba lusuku uNowa angena ngalo emkhunjini;

“Kulesosikhathi umbuso wezulu uzakuba njengezintombi ezilitshumi ezathatha izibane zazo zaphuma ukuyahlangabeza umyeni.

uJakhobe indodana kaZebedi lomfowabo uJohane (laba wabetha ibizo wathi bangoBhowaji, okutsho ukuthi Amadodana Omdumo);

Uma indlu ivukelana, leyondlu ngeke ime.

Kwasekufika unina kaJesu labafowabo. Bema phandle bathuma omunye umuntu ukuyambiza. Abantu abanengi babehlezi bemhanqile, basebemtshela bathi, “Unyoko labafowenu baphandle bayakudinga.” Wabuza wathi, “Ngobani abangumama labafowethu na?” Wasekhangela labo ababehlezi laye bemhanqile wathi, “Nampa abangumama labafowethu! Loba ngubani owenza intando kaNkulunkulu ngumfowethu, ngudadewethu njalo ngumama.”

Kanti angithi nguye yini umbazi lo? Kasindodana kaMariya yini le, umnewabo kaJakhobe, loJosefa, loJuda loSimoni? Odadewabo angithi bakhona khonapha?” Kwenza bamcaphukela lokho. UJesu wathi kubo, “Umphrofethi kalalo udumo kuphela edolobheni lakibo, phakathi kwezihlobo zakhe lendlini yakwabo.”

Phela uMosi wathi, ‘Hlonipha uyihlo lonyoko’ njalo wathi, ‘Noma ngubani othuka uyise loba unina kumele abulawe.’ Kodwa lina lithi uma umuntu esithi kuyise loba unina: ‘Loba lusizo bani obungaluzuza kimi luli “Khobhani” (okutsho ukuthi yisipho esabelwe uNkulunkulu), beselisithi angamenzeli lutho uyise loba unina. Ngaleyondlela liyalichitha ilizwi likaNkulunkulu ngamasiko enu eliwedlulisela kuzizukulwane. Futhi lenza izinto ezinengi ezinjalo.”

Wathatha umntwana omncinyane wammisa phakathi kwabo. Wamthatha wamgona wathi kubo, “Yilowo owamukela oyedwa walaba bantwana abancinyane ebizweni lami wemukela mina; njalo lowo ongamukelayo kemukeli mina kodwa wamukela lowo owangithumayo.”

“Aluba umuntu ekhubekisa oyedwa walaba abancinyane abakholwa kimi ukuba enze isono, bekungaba ngcono kuye ukuthi aphoselwe olwandle ebotshelwe ilitshe elikhulu entanyeni yakhe.

Abanye abaFarisi beza bamlinga ngokumbuza bathi, “Kusemthethweni yini ukuthi indoda imale umfazi wayo na?” Waphendula wathi, “UMosi waliyala wathini?” Bathi, “UMosi wayivumela indoda ukuthi ibhale incwadi yokuchitha umtshado ibisimxotsha.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kwakungenxa yokuthi zazilukhuni izinhliziyo zenu okwenza uMosi walibhalela umthetho lo. Kodwa ekuqaleni kwendalo uNkulunkulu ‘wabenza indoda lomfazi.’ Ngalesisizatho indoda izatshiya uyise lonina imanyane lomfazi wayo, kuthi labo bobabili babe nyamanye. Yikho kabasebabili, sebemunye. Ngakho, lokho uNkulunkulu asekuhlanganisile akungehlukaniswa muntu.” Bathi sebengenile endlini njalo, abafundi bambuza uJesu ngalokhu. Waphendula wathi, “Loba ngubani olahla umfazi wakhe athathe omunye umfazi uyafeba kuye. Laye uma elahla indoda yakhe endele kwenye, uyafeba.”

Abantu babeletha abantwana abancinyane kuJesu ukuze ababeke izandla, kodwa abafundi babakhuza. UJesu wathi ekubona lokho wacaphuka. Wathi kubo, “Yekelani abantwana abancane beze kimi, lingabavaleli, ngokuba umbuso kaNkulunkulu ungowabanjengalaba. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi loba ngubani ongayikwemukela umbuso kaNkulunkulu njengomntwana omncane kayikungena kuwo.” Wasebathatha abantwana ebaphatha, wababeka izandla wababusisa.

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

UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ngithi kakho osetshiye ikhaya kumbe abafowabo, loba odadewabo, kumbe unina loba uyise, loba umntwana kumbe amasimu ngenxa yami levangeli ozakwehluleka ukwamukeliswa okuphindwe ngekhulu kuso lesi isikhathi samanje (amakhaya, abafowabo, odadewabo, onina, abantwana lamasimu  —  kwengezwe ukuhlukunyezwa) lasesikhathini esizayo, ukuphila kwaphakade.

Bathi, “Mfundisi, uMosi wasibhalela ukuthi uma umfowabo wendoda angafa atshiye umfazi kodwa kungelabantwana, leyondoda kayimthathe umfelokazi izalele umfowabo abantwana. Manje-ke kwakulabafowabo abayisikhombisa. Owokuqala wathatha wasesifa engazalanga. Owesibili wamthatha umfelokazi, waphinda laye wafa engelamntwana. Kwabanjalo lowesithathu. Iqiniso yikuthi kakho kubo bonke bosikhombisa owaba labantwana. Ekucineni kwafa yena umfazi. Ekuvukeni kwabafileyo uzakuba ngumfazi wawuphi njengoba bonke bosikhombisa babetshade laye?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kalilahleki yini ngokuba lingayazi imibhalo loba amandla kaNkulunkulu? Nxa abafileyo sebevuka kabayikuthatha loba bathathwe; bazakuba njengezingilosi ezulwini. Mayelana lokuvuka kwabafileyo  —  kalibalanga yini encwadini kaMosi, emlandweni wesihlahla, ukuthi uNkulunkulu wathi kuye, ‘NginguNkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, uNkulunkulu ka-Isaka loNkulunkulu kaJakhobe.

“Umfowabo uzanikela umfowabo ekufeni, loyise anikele umntanakhe. Abantwana bazahlamukela abazali babo bababulalise.

Kodwa ingilosi yathi kuye, “Ungesabi, Zekhariya; umthandazo wakho usuzwakele. Umkakho u-Elizabethi uzakuzalela indodana ofanele ukuyetha ibizo uthi nguJohane. Uzakuba yintokozo lenjabulo kuwe, njalo abanengi bazathokoza ngenxa yokuzalwa kwakhe, ngokuba uzabamkhulu emehlweni eNkosi. Kakumelanga anathe iwayini lanini loba yini ebilisiweyo, njalo uzagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele kusukela ekuzalweni kwakhe. Uzabuyisa abantu bako-Israyeli abanengi eNkosini uNkulunkulu wabo. Uzahamba phambili kweNkosi, ngomoya langamandla ka-Elija, ukuguqulela izinhliziyo zaboyise kubantwana babo labayiziqholo elwazini lwabalungileyo  —  ukuqondisa abantu abalungiselelwe iNkosi.”

Ngenyanga yesithupha uNkulunkulu wathuma ingilosi uGabhariyeli eNazaretha, idolobho elaliseGalile, ukuya entombini emsulwa eyayithembise ukutshada lendoda eyayithiwa nguJosefa, owesizukulwane sikaDavida. Ibizo lentombi emsulwa kwakunguMariya. Ingilosi yaya kuye yathi, “Sabona, wena othandiweyo! INkosi ilawe.” Amazwi ayo amhlupha kakhulu uMariya wamangala ukuthi kanti kwakuyikubingelela bani lokhu. Kodwa ingilosi yathi kuye, “Ungesabi, Mariya, uthole umusa kuNkulunkulu. Uzakhulelwa uzale indodana, uyethe ibizo uthi nguJesu. Uzabangumuntu omkhulu abizwe ngokuthi yiNdodana yoPhezukonke. INkosi uNkulunkulu izamupha isihlalo sikayise uDavida, njalo uzabusa phezu kwendlu kaJakhobe laphakade; umbuso wakhe kawuyikuphela.” UMariya wayibuza ingilosi wathi, “Lokho kuzakwenzakala kanjani njengoba mina ngimsulwa ngingayazi indoda?” Ingilosi yaphendula yathi, “UMoya oNgcwele uzakwehlela phezu kwakho, lamandla akhe oPhezukonke azakusibekela. Ngakho ongcwele ozazalwa uzathiwa yiNdodana kaNkulunkulu.

Kwathi u-Elizabethi esizwa ukubingelela kukaMariya, umntwana wanyakaza esiswini sakhe, u-Elizabethi wagcwaliswa ngoMoya oNgcwele. Wakhuluma ngelizwi elikhulu wathi, “Ubusisiwe wena phakathi kwabesifazana, njalo ubusisiwe umntwana ozamzala! Kodwa kungani ngiphiwe inhlanhla engaka mina, ukuba ngethekelelwe ngunina weNkosi yami? Ngonele ukuzwa ukubingelela kwakho kungena ezindlebeni zami, umntwana osesiswini sami wanyakaza ngentokozo.

Kwathi-ke uJosefa laye wahamba esuka edolobheni leNazaretha eseGalile waya eJudiya, eBethilehema idolobho likaDavida, ngokuba waye ngowendlu losendo lukaDavida. Wayakhona ukuyabhalisa eloMariya, owayesethembise ukwendela kuye, esekhulelwe. Bathi bekhonale safika isikhathi sokubelethwa komntwana, wazibula ngendodana. Wayigoqela ngamalembu wayilalisa emkolweni wokudlela izifuyo ngokuba babengelandawo endlini yezihambi.

Ngosuku lwesitshiyambili, sekuyisikhathi sokuthi asokwe, wethiwa ibizo elithi nguJesu, ibizo ayelithiwe yingilosi engakamithwa. Kwathi lapho sesiphelile isikhathi sabo sokuhlanjululwa mayelana loMkhuba kaMosi, uJosefa loMariya bamusa eJerusalema ukumnikela eNkosini (njengokulotshiweyo eMthethweni weNkosi ukuthi, “Lonke izibulo lesilisa lifanele linikelwe eNkosini”),

Abazali bakhe bathi bembona bamangala kakhulu. Unina wathi kuye, “Ndodana, kungani usinqinekisa kangaka? Uyihlo lami besesikhathazekile sikudinga.” Yena wabuza wathi, “Belivele lingidingelani kanti? Belingazi yini ukuthi bekumele ngibe sendlini kaBaba?” Kodwa kabazwisisanga lokho ayekutsho kubo. Wasehamba labo eNazaretha wahlala ebalalela. Kodwa unina wazenza igugu zonke lezi izinto enhliziyweni yakhe.

UJesu wayeseleminyaka engaba ngamatshumi amathathu eqalisa umsebenzi wakhe wokutshumayela. Kwakukhunjulwa ukuthi uyindodana kaJosefa, indodana kaHeli, indodana kaMathathi, indodana kaLevi, indodana kaMeliki, indodana kaJanayi, indodana kaJosefa, indodana kaMathathiyasi, indodana ka-Amosi, indodana kaNahumi, indodana ka-Esili, indodana kaNagayi, indodana kaMahathi, indodana kaMathathiyasi, indodana kaSemeyini, indodana kaJoseki, indodana kaJoda, indodana kaJohanani, indodana kaResa, indodana kaZerubhabheli, indodana kaSheyalithiyeli, indodana kaNeri, indodana kaMeliki, indodana ka-Adi, indodana kaKhosamu, indodana ka-Elimadami, indodana ka-Eri, indodana kaJoshuwa, indodana ka-Eliyezeri, indodana kaJorimu, indodana kaMathathi, indodana kaLevi, indodana kaSimiyoni, indodana kaJuda, indodana kaJosefa, indodana kaJonami, indodana ka-Eliyakhimu, indodana kaMeleya, indodana kaMena, indodana kaMathatha, indodana kaNathani, indodana kaDavida, indodana kaJese, indodana ka-Obhedi, indodana kaBhowazi, indodana kaSalimoni, indodana kaNashoni, indodana ka-Aminadabi, indodana kaRama, indodana kaHezironi, indodana kaPherezi, indodana kaJuda, indodana kaJakhobe, indodana ka-Isaka, indodana ka-Abhrahama, indodana kaThera, indodana kaNahori, indodana kaSerugi, indodana kaRewu, indodana kaPhelegi, indodana ka-Ebheri, indodana kaShela, indodana kaKhayinani, indodana ka-Ariphahadi, indodana kaShemu, indodana kaNowa, indodana kaLameki, indodana kaMethusela, indodana ka-Enoki, indodana kaJaredi, indodana kaMahalaleli, indodana kaKhenani, indodana ka-Enoshi, indodana kaSethi, indodana ka-Adamu, indodana kaNkulunkulu.

Unina kaJesu labafowabo beza ukuzambona kodwa behluleka ukufinyelela kuye ngenxa yokuminyana kwabantu. Omunye wamtshela wathi, “Unyoko labafowenu bakulindele phandle, bafuna ukukubona.” Waphendula wathi, “Umama labafowethu yilabo abalizwayo ilizwi likaNkulunkulu balenze.”

“Ngubani kini bobaba, okuthi nxa indodana yakho icela inhlanzi wena uyiphe inyoka na? Loba icela iqanda uyiphe inkume na? Nxa lina, elithi loba libabi, kodwa likwazi ukupha abantwabenu izipho ezilungileyo, pho uYihlo osezulwini uzabapha ngokudlulayo kangakanani uMoya oNgcwele kulabo abamcelayo!”

Bazadabukana, uyise axabane lendodana, indodana ixabane loyise, unina lendodakazi, indodakazi ixabane lonina, uninazala axabane lomalokazana, umalokazana loninazala.”

“Nxa umuntu esiza kimi kodwa angaze azonda uyise lonina, umkakhe labantwana, abafowabo labodadewabo  —  yebo, kanye lempilo yakhe  —  ngeke abe ngumfundi wami. Lowo ongathwali isiphambano sakhe angilandele ngeke abe ngumfundi wami.

UJesu waqhubeka wathi: “Kwakukhona indoda eyayilamadodana amabili. Encinyane yathi kuyise, ‘Baba, ngipha esami isabelo selifa.’ Ngakho uyise wasebehlukanisela impahla yakhe bobabili. “Ngemuva kwesikhatshana indodana encane yabutha konke okungokwayo, yasuka yaya elizweni elikude yafika khonale yayichitha inotho yayo ngempilo yokuxhwala. Isitshaye yachitha konke, kwaba khona indlala enkulu kulolonke ilizwe lelo, yasiswela kakhulu. Yasisiyadinga umsebenzi komunye umuntu wakulelo lizwe owayisa esiqintini sakhe ukuyagcina izingulube. Yabona kungcono kuyo ukuthi ixotshe iphango ngalawo makhafutha ayedliwa yizingulube, kodwa kayizange iphiwe lutho langubani. “Kwathi lapho ingqondo yayo isibuyile yathi, ‘Kambe zingaki izisebenzi zikababa ezidla zize zitshiye, kodwa nanku mina ngisifa yindlala! Ngizasuka ngibuyele kubaba ngifike ngithi kuye: Baba, ngenzile isono phambi kwezulu lakuwe. Kangisafanelanga ukuthiwa ngiyindodana yakho; ngenza ngibe njengomunye wezisebenzi zakho.’ 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.

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

Ngakho lina ziqapheleni. “Aluba umfowenu esenza isono, mkhuze, kuthi nxa ezisola, mthethelele. Aluba esona kuwe kakhombisa ngosuku lulunye, eze kuwe kakhombisa esithi, ‘Ngiyaxolisa,’ mthethelele.”

Abantu njalo babeletha abantwana kuJesu ukuthi ababeke izandla. Abafundi bonela ukukubona lokhu babakhuza. Kodwa uJesu wabizela kuye abantwana wathi, “Yekelani abantwana beze kimi, lingabaleli, ngokuba umbuso kaNkulunkulu ungowabanjengalaba. Ngilitshela iqiniso, lowo ongawemukeliyo umbuso kaNkulunkulu njengomntwana omncane kasoze afa awungena.”

UJesu wathi kubo, “Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi kakho osetshiye ikhaya loba umfazi kumbe abafowabo loba abazali kumbe abantwana ngenxa yombuso kaNkulunkulu ozakwehluleka ukuzuza ngokuphindwe kanengi esikhathini samanje lesikhathini esizayo, ukuphila okungapheliyo.”

Abanye abaSadusi abathi kakukho ukuvuka kwabafileyo beza kuJesu belombuzo. Bathi, “Mfundisi, uMosi wasibhalela ukuthi nxa umfowabo wendoda angafa atshiye umfazi kodwa bengalabantwana indoda leyo kumele imngene umfelokazi ukuze izalele umfowabo abantwana. Pho kwakukhona abafowabo abayisikhombisa. Owokuqala wathatha umfazi kodwa wafa engalamntwana. Owesibili njalo lowesithathu laye bamthatha, kwathi bonke bosikhombisa benza njalo bafa bengatshiyanga bantwana. Ekucineni umfazi laye wafa. Pho-ke, ekuvukeni kwabafileyo uzakuba ngumfazi wawuphi njengoba bonke bosikhombisa babemthethe?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Abantu balesi isikhathi bayathatha njalo bayendiswa. Kodwa labo abazabe befanele ukuba lengxenye kulesosikhathi lasekuvukeni kwabafileyo kabazukuthatha loba bendiswe,

Ikanti kulabo bonke abamemukelayo, kulabo abakholwayo ebizweni lakhe, wabapha ilungelo lokuba ngabantwana bakaNkulunkulu  — abantwana abangazalwanga ngendlela yemvelo, kumbe ngokuzikhethela komuntu, loba ngokuthanda kwendoda, kodwa abazelwe ngokukaNkulunkulu.

Ngosuku lwesithathu kwaba khona umthimba eKhana laseGalile. Unina kaJesu wayekhona,

Umtshakazi ngowomyeni. Umkhaphi womyeni uyamnakekela, amlalele, abelokuthokoza nxa esizwa ilizwi lomyeni. Lokho kuthokoza kungokwami, okwamanje sekuphelele. Yena ufanele abemkhulu; mina kufanele kunciphe ukuqakatheka kwami.

Wamtshela owesifazana wathi, “Hamba uyobiza umkakho uze laye lapha.” Waphendula wathi, “Kangilandoda.” UJesu wathi kuye, “Uqondile nxa usithi kawulandoda. Iqiniso liyikuthi usube lamadoda amahlanu, futhi indoda le olayo khathesi kayisiyakho. Lokho okutshiloyo kuliqiniso.”

Uyise wananzelela ukuthi leso sasiyiso kanye isikhathi uJesu atsho kuye ukuthi, “Indodana yakho izaphila.” Yikho yena kanye labendlu yakhe bonke bakholwa.

Bathi, “Kanti kasuJesu lo indodana kaJosefa na? Oyise lonina kasibazi na? Pho angakutsho kanjani manje ukuthi, ‘Ngehla ngivela ezulwini’?”

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.

Kangisoze ngilitshiye liyizintandane, ngizabuya kini.

Owesifazana nxa ebeletha uzwa ubuhlungu ngoba isikhathi sakhe sesifikile; kodwa nxa umntwana esezelwe uyakhohlwa ubuhlungu lobo ngenxa yentokozo yokuthi sekuzelwe umntwana emhlabeni.

Eduze kwesiphambano sakhe uJesu kwakumi unina, udadewabo kanina, uMariya umkaKilopasi loMariya uMagadalena. UJesu wathi ebona unina lapho lomfundi ayemthanda emi lapho eduze, wathi kunina, “Mama, nansi indodana yakho,” wathi kumfundi, “Nangu unyoko.” Kusukela kulesosikhathi umfundi lowo wamthatha unina wamusa ekhaya lakhe.

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

‘Ngezinsuku zokucina, uNkulunkulu uthi, Ngizathululela uMoya wami kubo bonke abantu. Amadodakazi enu azaphrofetha, izinsizwa zenu zizabona imibono, lamaxhegu enu azaphupha amaphupho.

Isithembiso ngesenu labantwabenu njalo ngesabo bonke abakude  —  esabo bonke iNkosi uNkulunkulu wethu ezababiza.”

Yena lendlu yakhe yonke babekhonza, bemesaba uNkulunkulu; wayenika ngesihle labo abaswelayo njalo ekhuleka kuNkulunkulu kokuphela.

Uzakulethela ilizwi eliyilo elizakusindisa wena kanye lendlu yakho.’

Kwathi yena kanye labendlu yakhe sebebhaphathiziwe, wasinxusela emzini wakhe. Wathi, “Nxa lingemukela njengekholwa eNkosini, wozani lizohlala endlini yami.” Wasincenga savuma.

Baphendula bathi, “Kholwa eNkosini uJesu, uzasindiswa  —  wena kanye lendlu yakho.” Base bemtshumayeza ilizwi leNkosi kanye labanye abendlu yakhe. Ngalelohora lebusuku umlindijele wabathatha wabagezisa imvimvinya zabo; kwasekusithi khonokho nje yena labendlu yakhe bahle babhaphathizwa. Umlindijele wabesa endlini yakhe wabapha ukudla. Indlu yakhe yonke yaba lokuthokoza ngokuba base bekholwa kuNkulunkulu.

Njengesibonelo, ngomthetho owesifazana owendileyo ubotshelwe kumkakhe nxa esaphila, kodwa umkakhe angafa, uyakhululwa emthethweni wokuthathana. Kungakho-ke, angendela kwenye indoda umkakhe esaphila uthiwa yisifebe. Kodwa umkakhe angafa, uyakhululwa kulowomthetho angabi yisifebe, lanxa esesendela kwenye indoda.

ngoba labo abakhokhelwa nguMoya kaNkulunkulu bangamadodana kaNkulunkulu. Ngoba kalamukelanga umoya olenza libe yizigqili futhi zokwesaba, kodwa lamukela uMoya wobudodana. Njalo siyamemeza ngawo sithi, “Abha, Baba.” UMoya uqobo uyafakaza lomoya wethu ukuthi thina singabantwana bakaNkulunkulu. Ngakho, uma singabantwana, siyizindlalifa  —  izindlalifa zikaNkulunkulu lezindlalifa kanye loKhristu, uma sihlanganyela laye impela ezinhluphekweni zakhe ukuze sihlanganyele laye njalo enkazimulweni yakhe.

Indalo ilindile ngokuthakazelela okukhulu ukuba amadodana kaNkulunkulu abonakaliswe. Ngoba indalo ihlezi ihlukuluzekile njalo, kungasintando yayo, kodwa kungentando yalowo oyihlukuluzayo, ngethemba lokuthi indalo yona ngokwayo izakhululwa ebugqilini bokonakala ilethwe kunkululeko elenkazimulo yabantwana bakaNkulunkulu. Siyakwazi ukuthi indalo yonke ibubula njengaye osebuhlungwini bokuhelelwa kuze kube khathesi.

Njengalokhu omunye lomunye wethu elomzimba owodwa olezitho ezinengi, njalo izitho lezi zonke kazenzi msebenzi munye, Ngokunjalo kuKhristu thina abanengi sibumba umzimba owodwa, njalo ilunga ngalinye ngelalawo wonke amanye.

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. Lokhu ngikutsho njengokuvumela, hatshi njengomlayo. Sengathi ngabe wonke umuntu unjengami. Kodwa umuntu ngamunye ulesipho sakhe esivela kuNkulunkulu, omunye ulalesi isipho, omunye laye ulalesiyana.

Kwabangendanga labafelokazi ngithi: Kuhle kubo ukuba bahlale bengendanga, njengami. Kodwa uma bengeke bazithibe, kabende, ngoba ukwenda kungcono kulokutshiseka ngokufisa. Abathatheneyo ngibapha umlayo lo (hatshi mina, kodwa iNkosi): Umfazi akumelanga ehlukane lendoda yakhe. Kodwa uma ekwenzile, kahlale engendanga loba abuyisane lendoda yakhe. Lendoda akumelanga imlahle umkayo.

Kwabanye ngithi (mina, hatshi iNkosi): Uma umzalwane elomfazi ongasilokholwa ovumayo ukuhlala laye, akumelanga amlahle. Njalo uma umfazi elendoda engasilokholwa evumayo ukuhlala laye, akumelanga ayilahle. Ngoba indoda engakholwayo isingcweliswe ngomkayo, lomfazi ongakholwayo usengcweliswe ngendoda yakhe ekholwayo. Kungenjalo ngabe abantwana benu bangcolile, kodwa okwamanje bangcwele. Kodwa uma ongakholwayo etshiya, myekeleni enze njalo. Indoda ekholwayo loba kungumfazi phakathi komumo onje kabotshelwanga; uNkulunkulu usibizele ukuhlala ngokuthula. Wazi njani, mfazi, langabe uzasindisa indoda yakho. Loba, wazi njani ndoda, langabe uzasindisa umkakho?

Mayelana lezintombi ezigcweleyo: Kangilamlayo ovela eNkosini kodwa ngahlulela njengothembekileyo ngomusa weNkosi. Ngenxa yokukhathazeka kwakhathesi, ngicabanga ukuthi kuhle kini ukuba lihlale linjengoba linjalo. Uthethe na? Ungadingi ukwehlukana. Kawuthathanga na? Ungathathi. Kodwa uma uthatha, kawenzanga sono njalo nxa intombi egcweleyo isenda kayonanga. Kodwa labo abathathanayo bazabona izinhlupho ezinengi kulokhukuphila, njalo ngifuna ukuliphephisa kulokhu. Engikutshoyo, bazalwane, yikuthi isikhathi sifitshane. Kusukela khathesi kusiya phambili labo abalabafazi kabaphile kungathi kabalabo:

Ngifuna ukuba linganqineki. Umuntu ongathathanga unqinekela izindaba zeNkosi  —  ukuba angayithokozisa kanjani iNkosi. Kodwa umuntu othetheyo unqinekela izindaba zalo umhlaba  —  ukuba angamthokozisa kanjani umkakhe  — lezifiso zakhe zehlukene phakathi. Umfazi ongendanga loba intombi egcweleyo inqinekela izindaba zeNkosi: Isifiso sayo yikuzinikela eNkosini ngakho kokubili umzimba lomoya. Kodwa umfazi owendileyo unqinekela izindaba zalo umhlaba  —  ukuba angamthokozisa kanjani umkakhe. Ngitsho lokhu ukuba kube lusizo kini, hatshi ukulivimbela. Ngifuna ukuba liphile ngendlela eqondileyo ngokuzinikela okupheleleyo eNkosini.

Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi uziphatha ngokungafanelanga entombini egcweleyo athandana layo, esilokhu isiba ndala, njalo esizwa kusithi kufanele athathe, kenze njengokuthanda kwakhe. Kenzi sono. Kumele bathathane. Kodwa umuntu osenze isinqumo engqondweni yakhe engacindezelwanga kodwa elamandla okuzibamba esifisweni sakhe, njalo osemise engqondweni yakhe ukungayithathi intombi leyo  —  umuntu lo laye wenza into eqondileyo. Ngakho-ke lowo othatha intombi egcweleyo wenza okuqondileyo, kodwa lowo ongayithathiyo wenza okungcono kakhulu. Owesifazana ubotshelwe endodeni yakhe uma isaphila. Kodwa indoda yakhe ingafa, ukhululekile ukwendela kwenye ayithandayo, kodwa kumele ibe seNkosini. Ngokubona kwami, uyathokoza kakhulu uma ehlala enjalo  —  njalo ngiyakholwa ukuthi ngiloMoya kaNkulunkulu.

Kodwa ngifuna ukuba likwazi ukuthi inhloko yamadoda wonke nguKhristu, lenhloko yowesifazana yindoda, lenhloko kaKhristu nguNkulunkulu. Yonke indoda ekhuleka loba iphrofithe ikhanda layo limboziwe ihlaza ikhanda layo. Lowesifazana wonke okhuleka loba aphrofithe ikhanda lakhe lingambozwanga uhlaza ikhanda lakhe  —  kufana lokuthi ikhanda lakhe liphuciwe. Uma owesifazana engambozi ikhanda, kumele agele izinwele zakhe; njalo uma kulihlazo kowesifazana ukugela loba ukuphuca izinwele zakhe, kumele alimboze ikhanda lakhe. Indoda akumelanga imboze ikhanda layo, ngoba iyisifanekiso lodumo lukaNkulunkulu, kodwa owesifazana uludumo lwendoda. Ngoba indoda kayivelanga kowesifazana, kodwa owesifazana wavela endodeni, njalo indoda kayidalelwanga owesifazana, kodwa owesifazana wadalelwa indoda. Ngakho-ke, njalo ngenxa yezingilosi, owesifazana kumele abe lophawu lwamandla ekhanda lakhe. Kodwa eNkosini, owesifazana weyeme endodeni, lendoda yeyeme kowesifazana. Ngoba njengoba owesifazana wavela endodeni, ngokunjalo indoda layo izalwa ngowesifazana. Kodwa izinto zonke zivela kuNkulunkulu. Ahlulelani lina ngokwenu: Kulungile yini ukuba owesifazana akhuleke kuNkulunkulu ikhanda lakhe lingambozwanga na? Imvelo yezinto uqobo kayilifundisi yini ukuba uma owesilisa elezinwele ezinde, kulihlazo kuye, kodwa owesifazana nxa elezinwele ezinde, kuludumo lwakhe? Ngoba waphiwa izinwele ezinde njengesimbozo. Uma umuntu efuna ukuba lenkani ngalokho, kasilawo omunye umkhuba  —  lamabandla kaNkulunkulu kawalawo.

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.

Ngisesengumntwana, ngakhuluma njengomntwana, ngacabanga njengomntwana, nganakana njengomntwana. Sengiyindoda ngaziyekela izindlela zobuntwana.

abesifazana kumele bathule emabandleni. Kabavunyelwa ukukhuluma, kodwa kumele bazithobe, njengokutsho koMthetho. Nxa befuna ukubuza ngolutho oluthile, kumele babuze omkabo emakhaya; ngoba kulihlazo ukuthi owesifazana akhulume ebandleni. Konje ilizwi likaNkulunkulu lavela kini na? Loba lina yini kuphela abantu elafika kubo na? Uma umuntu ecabanga ukuthi ungumphrofethi loba ukuthi ulesipho sokomoya, kavume ukuthi lokhu engililobela ngakho kungumlayo weNkosi. Uma lokhu engakunaki, laye akayikunakwa.

Lingazibopheli ndawonye labangakholwayo. Ngoba ukulunga lobubi kulokuhambelana bani na? Loba yibudlelwano bani obungaba khona phakathi kokukhanya lobumnyama na? Yikuzwana bani okukhona phakathi kukaKhristu loBheliyali na? Yikuhambelana bani okholwayo alakho longakholwayo na? Yisivumelwano bani esikhona phakathi kwethempeli likaNkulunkulu lezithombe na? Ngoba thina silithempeli likaNkulunkulu ophilayo. Njengoba uNkulunkulu wathi: “Ngizahlala labo ngihambe phakathi kwabo, njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo bona babe ngabantu bami.” “Ngakho phumani kubo lehlukane labo, kutsho iNkosi. Lingathinti lutho olungcolileyo, mina ngizalemukela.” “Mina ngizakuba nguYihlo, lina lizakuba ngamadodana lamadodakazi ami, kutsho iNkosi uSomandla.”

Mina ngilobukhwele ngani ngobukhwele bokukholwa. Ngathembisa ukulendisela endodeni eyodwa, uKhristu, ukuze ngilethule kuyo liyintombi epheleleyo.

Engikutshoyo yikuthi nxa indlalifa isesengumntwana, kayehlukananga lesigqili lanxa nje ingumnikazi welifa lonke. Ingaphansi kwabaphathi lababambeli kuze kufike isikhathi esabekwa nguyise.

Njengokuba lingamadodana, uNkulunkulu wathuma uMoya omemezayo esithi, “Abha Baba.” Ngakho kawuseyiso sigqili, kodwa indodana; ngakho njengoba usuyindodana, uNkulunkulu usekwenze waba yindlalifa futhi.

Ngakho kasisayikuba yizingane, siphoswa emuva laphambili ngamagagasi, siphetshulwa lapha lalaphaya yimimoya yonke yokufundisa kanye lokuhlakanipha lobuqili babantu ngamasu abo enkohliso.

Bafazi zehliseleni phansi kwabomkenu njengaseNkosini. Ngoba indoda iyinhloko yomfazi njengoKhristu eyinhloko yebandla, elingumzimba wakhe, yena onguMsilisi walo. Ngakho njengebandla lizehlisela phansi kuKhristu, ngokunjalo abesifazana kumele bazehlisele phansi kubomkabo ezintweni zonke. Madoda, thandani omkenu, njengo-Khristu owathanda ibandla wazinikela ngenxa yalo ukuba alenze libe ngcwele, elihlambulula ngokuligezisa ngamanzi ngokusebenzisa ilizwi, kanye lokulethula kuye njengebandla elilenkazimulo, elingelachatha loba umxhele loba esinye nje isici, kodwa lingcwele njalo lingelacala. 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.

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.

Njengabaphostoli bakaKhristu sasingaba ngumthwalo kini, kodwa saba mnene kini njengomama esondla abantwana bakhe abancinyane.

Ngoba liyakwazi ukuthi ngamunye wenu saliphatha njengoyise ephatha abantwana bakhe,

Ngifuna ukuba abesifazana bagqoke ngokuchumileyo, ngokuhle lokufaneleyo, kungabi ngezinwele ezelukiweyo loba igolide loba amangqongqo loba izigqoko ezidulayo, kodwa ngezenzo ezinhle, ezifanele abesifazana abathi bayamkhonza uNkulunkulu. Owesifazana kumele afunde ethule langokuzithoba okupheleleyo. Kangivumeli ukuba owesifazana afundise loba ukuba lamandla phezu kowesilisa; kumele athule. Ngoba u-Adamu wabunjwa kuqala; kwalandela u-Eva. Njalo u-Adamu kasuye owakhohliswayo; ngowesifazana owakhohliswayo wasesiba yisoni. Kodwa abesifazana bazasindiswa ngokuzala abantwana, uma beqhubeka ngokukholwa, langothando kanye lobungcwele ngokufaneleyo

Umbonisi akumelanga abe ngosolekayo, abe yindoda yomfazi oyedwa, ezithibayo, elamandla okuzibamba, ehloniphekayo, ephatha kuhle izihambi, engafundisa, engayisiso sidakwa, engeladlakela kodwa emnene, engathandi ingxabano, engathandi mali. Kayibe ngephatha kuhle umuzi wayo ibone ukuba abantwana bayo bayayilalela ngenhlonipho efaneleyo. (Uma umuntu engakwazi ukuphatha umuzi wakhe, angaliphatha njani ibandla likaNkulunkulu na?)

Ngokunjalo, labomkabo kumele babe ngabesifazana abahloniphekayo, abanganyeyiyo kodwa abazithibayo labathembekileyo ezintweni zonke. Umdikoni kabe lomfazi oyedwa kuphela njalo ophatha kuhle abantwana bakhe kanye labendlu yakhe.

Ungamkhuzi ngolaka umuntu omdala, kodwa mncenge ngokungathi nguyihlo. Amajaha aphathe njengabafowenu, abesifazana abadala njengonyoko, abesifazana abatsha njengodadewenu, ngokuhlambuluka okupheleleyo. Woba lonanzelelo olufaneleyo kubafelokazi abaswelayo kakhulu. Kodwa uma umfelokazi elabantwana kumbe abazukulu, labo kumele bafunde kuqala kulakho konke ukusebenzisa ukholo lwabo ngokukhathalela abendlu yakwabo ngalokho besenanisa kubazali babo lakubazali babazali babo, ngoba lokhu kuyamthokozisa uNkulunkulu.

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

Akulamfelokazi ozabekwa eluhlwini lwabafelokazi ngaphandle kokuba eseleminyaka edlula amatshumi ayisithupha, obengokade ethembekile kumkakhe, njalo edumile ngezenzo zakhe ezinhle, ezinjengokondla abantwana, lokuphatha kuhle izihambi, lokugezisa izinyawo zabangcwele, lokusiza abahluphekayo kanye lokuzinikela kuzo zonke izenzo ezinhle. Abafelokazi abasebatsha ungababeki eluhlwini olunjalo. Ngoba lapho izinkanuko zabo zomzimba sezikhulela ukuzinikela kwabo kuKhristu, bafuna ukwenda. Ngalokho bazilethela ukwahlulelwa phezu kwabo, ngoba bephule isithembiso sabo sokuqala. Langaphandle kwalokho, basuka babe lomkhuba wokuvilapha batshone benquma lezindlu. Njalo kababi ngamavila nje kuphela, kodwa bangabanyeyi labathandi bezindaba zabanye, besitsho izinto okungafanelanga bazitsho. Ngakho, abafelokazi abasebatsha ngibacebisa ukuba bende, babe labantwana, baphathe izindlu zabo njalo banganiki isitha ithuba lokuba kube lokuhleba. Abanye bavele sebedukile balandela uSathane. Uma umuntu okholwayo elabafelokazi emzini wakhe, kumele abasize hatshi ukuyekela besinda ibandla, ukuze ibandla lisize abafelokazi abaswela kakhulu.

Kodwa wena qhubeka ngalokho okufundileyo njalo wakukholwa, ngoba uyabazi labo okufunde kubo, kanye lokuthi kusukela ebuntwaneni wayazi njani imibhalo eNgcwele, engakwenza uhlakaniphele ukusindiswa ngokukholwa kuKhristu uJesu.

Omdala kumele abe ngongasolekiyo, indoda elomfazi oyedwa, indoda elabantwana abakholwayo njalo abangelacala lobudlwangudlwangu loba ukwedelela.

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.

Lanxa wayeyindodana wafunda ukulalela kulokhu ahlupheka ngakho,

Ngokukholwa uNowa esexwayisiwe ngezinto ezazingakabonakali, ngokwesaba okungcwele wakha umkhumbi ukuba ahlenge abendlu yakhe. Ngokukholwa kwakhe wawulahla umhlaba waba yindlalifa yokulunga okuza ngokukholwa.

Njalo selilikhohliwe lelizwi lokulikhuthaza elikhuluma kini njengamadodana elithi: “Ndodana yami, ungeyisi ukulaya kweNkosi. Njalo ungalahli ithemba lapho ikukhuza, 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!

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

Ukukholwa okwamukelwa nguNkulunkulu uBaba okuhlambulukileyo njalo kungelasici yilokhu: ukugcina izintandane labafelokazi ekuhluphekeni kwabo, kanye lokuzigcina thina ngokwethu ekungcolisweni ngumhlaba.

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.

Ngokunjalo, bafazi zehliseleni kubomkenu ukuze kuthi uma abanye babo bengalikholwa ilizwi, bahugeke ngokuziphatha kwabomkabo kungekho kukhuluma, lapho bebona ukuhlanzeka lenhlonipho yokuphila kwenu. Ubuhle benu kabungaveli ekuziceciseni kwangaphandle, okunjengezinwele ezelukiweyo lokugqiza izigqizo zegolide kanye lokugqoka izigqoko ezinhle. Kodwa kumele bube ngobangaphakathi kwenu, ubuhle obungapheliyo bomoya omnene lothuleyo, oligugu elikhulu emehlweni kaNkulunkulu. Ngoba le yiyo indlela abesifazana abangcwele bakudala ababethembe uNkulunkulu ababejwayele ukuzicola ngayo. Babezehlisa kubomkabo, njengoSara owalalela u-Abhrahama wambiza ngokuthi yinkosi yakhe. Lingamadodakazi kaSara uma lisenza okulungileyo njalo lingavumeli ukwesaba. Ngokufanayo, madoda ekuphileni kwenu labomkenu wobani lozwelo, libaphathe ngenhlonipho njengababuthakathaka labayizindlalifa kanye lani zesipho sokuphila esomusa, ukuze kungabi lalutho oluzavimbela imikhuleko yenu. Okokucina lonke hlalisanani ngokuthula; wobani lozwelo, lithandane njengabazalwane, libe lesihawu kanye lokuthobeka.

Majaha, ngokunjalo zehliseni kwabadala. Lonke zembathiseni ngokuthobeka omunye komunye, ngoba, “UNkulunkulu umelana labazigqajayo kodwa abe lomusa kwabathobekileyo.”

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?

Kungithokozise kakhulu ukufumana abanye babantwana benu bephila ngeqiniso, njengokulaywa kwethu nguBaba.

Angilakuthokoza okukhulu okudlula ukuzwa ukuthi abantwabami baphila ngokweqiniso.

Isibonakaliso esikhulu lesimangalisayo sabonakala ezulwini: owesifazana egqoke ilanga, inyanga ingaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe, umqhele wezinkanyezi ezilitshumi lambili usekhanda lakhe. Wayezithwele, njalo ekhala ngobuhlungu bomhelo ngoba wayesezabeletha. Kwabuya kwabonakala esinye isibonakaliso ezulwini: umgobho omkhulukazi obomvu olamakhanda ayisikhombisa lezimpondo ezilitshumi kanye lemiqhele eyisikhombisa emakhanda awo. Umsila wawo wakhucula ingxenye yesithathu yezinkanyezi emkhathini waziphosela emhlabeni. Umgobho wema phambi kowesifazana owayesezabeletha, ukuze kuthi umntwana angazalwa uhle umtshwabadele. Wazala indodana, umntwana wesilisa, ozabusa izizwe zonke ngentonga yensimbi. Umntanakhe wahluthunelwa phezulu kuNkulunkulu lasesihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi. Owesifazana wabalekela enkangala endaweni ayeyilungiselwe nguNkulunkulu, lapho aye zagcinakala khona okwezinsuku eziyi-1,260.

Kasithokozeni sithabe simuphe udumo. Ngoba umthimba weWundlu usufikile lomlobokazi walo usezilungisele. Ilineni elihle, elicazimulayo elihlanzekileyo, uliphiwe ukuba agqoke.” (Ilineni elihle limele imisebenzi emihle yabangcwele.) Ingilosi yasisithi kimi, “Loba ukuthi: ‘Babusisiwe labo abanxusiweyo edilini lomtshado weWundlu!’ ” Yengeza yathi, “La ngamazwi aqotho kaNkulunkulu.”

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

Enye yezingilosi eziyisikhombisa eyayilemiganu eyisikhombisa eyayigcwele izifo zokucina eziyisikhombisa yeza yathi kimi, “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umlobokazi, umkaWundlu.”

UMoya lomlobokazi bathi, “Woza!” Ozwayo katsho athi, “Woza!” Loba ngubani owomileyo, keze; njalo loba ngubani ofisayo, kathathe isipho esingabhadalelwayo samanzi okuphila.