26 – Uhulumende

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

“Loba ngubani ochitha igazi lomuntu, igazi lakhe lizachithwa ngumuntu; ngokuba ngesimo sikaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu umenzile umuntu.

Lezi yizinsendo zamadodana kaNowa kusiya ngemindeni yazo, phakathi kwezizwe zawo. Kusukela kuwo la izizwe zachithekana kuwo wonke umhlaba ngemva kukazamcolo.

Umhlaba wonke wawulolimi lunye lokukhuluma okufananayo. Kwathi abantu belokhu betshudukela empumalanga, bafumana indawo evulekileyo eShinari basebesakha khona. Basebetshelana bathi, “Kasitshayeni izitina sizitshise kakhulu.” Babesebenzisa izitina endaweni yamatshe, lethara endaweni yodaka. Basebesithi, “Zwanini, kasizakheleni idolobho libe lomphongolo ofika emazulwini, ukuze sizenzele ibizo singaze sasabalala umhlaba wonke.” Kodwa uJehova wehla wazalibona idolobho kanye lomphongolo abantu ababewakha. UJehova wathi, “Nxa bengabantu banye bekhuluma limi lunye sebeqalisile ukwenza lokhu, pho kakukho okungabehlula. Zwanini, kasehleni siye phansi sisanganise ulimi lwabo bangabe besazwana.” Kanjalo uJehova wabahlakaza emhlabeni wonke, bakhawula ukwakha idolobho. Kungakho labizwa ngokuthi yiBhabheli  —  ngokuba khonapho uJehova wasanganisa ulimi lomhlaba wonke. Kusukela lapho uJehova wabahlakazela emhlabeni wonke.

“Ngizakwenza ube yisizwe esikhulu njalo ngizakubusisa. Ngizakwenza ibizo lakho libe likhulu, njalo uzakuba yisibusiso.

UNkulunkulu wathi kuye, “NginguNkulunkulu uSomandla; zalanani lande ngobunengi. Kuzaphuma kuwe isizwe lezinhlanga zezizwe, lamakhosi azavela emzimbeni wakho.

Wena-ke usuzaphatha isigodlo sami, kuthi bonke abantu bami bazalalela iziqondiso zakho. Mina ngizaba mkhulu kulawe ngesikhundla sesihlalo sobukhosi sami kuphela.” Yikho uFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Sengikubeka ukuthi wena uliphathe lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe.” UFaro wasethatha indandatho yophawu lwakhe eyayisemunweni wakhe wayifaka emunweni kaJosefa. Wamgqokisa izingubo zelineni elihle wamgqizisa iketane yegolide entanyeni. Kwathiwa usezahamba ngenqola yempi njengoba esenguye umsekeli wakhe oseduze, kwathi edlula abantu bahalalisa bathi, “Vulani indlela!” Wambeka-ke ukuthi aphathe ilizwe lonke laseGibhithe. UFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Mina nginguFaro, kodwa ngaphandle kwelizwi lakho kakho ozasiphakamisa isandla loba unyawo kulo lonke elaseGibhithe.”

Ngakho uMosi lo-Aroni baya kuFaro. Bafika benza njengokulaywa kwabo nguJehova. U-Aroni waphosa intonga yakhe phansi phambi kukaFaro lezikhulu zakhe, yaphenduka yaba yinyoka. UFaro wasebiza izanuse lezinyanga zaseGibhithe. Lazo zenza izimanga ngendlela efanayo. Bonke baphosela izintonga zabo phansi zaphenduka zaba zinyoka. Kodwa inyoka ka-Aroni yaziginya zonke izinyoka. Kodwa-ke, lanxa kwaba njalo, inhliziyo kaFaro yala ilokhu ilukhuni; njengoba uJehova wayetshilo.

Ngakho uMosi wasesithi, “Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Phakathi kobusuku ngizahambahamba kulo lonke elaseGibhithe. Wonke owesilisa olizubulo eGibhithe uzakufa, kusukela ezibulweni likaFaro ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi kuthathe kanye lezibulo lesigqili sentombazana esisebenza ukuchola, kanye lamazibulo ezinkomo uqobo. Kuzakuba lesililo esikhulu eGibhithe lonke, isililo esingakaze sibe khona njalo esingayikufa saba khona lanini. Kodwa kwabako-Israyeli akuyikuba lanja ezakhonkotha umuntu loba inyamazana.’ Lapho-ke lizakwazi ukuthi uJehova uyawabandlulula amaGibhithe kuma-Israyeli. Zonke izikhulu zakho lezi zizakuza kimi zimbele ubuso phansi phambi kwami zisithi, ‘Hambani, wena labo bonke abakulandelayo!’ Ngemva kwalokho ngizasuka.” UMosi wasesuka kuFaro elokhu ezonde evutha umlilo.

Phakathi kobusuku uJehova wawagongoda wonke amazibulo eGibhithe, kusukela ezibulweni likaFaro owayesesihlalweni sokukhosi kusiya ezibulweni lesibotshwa esasisentolongweni, kanye lamazibulo ezifuyo. UFaro lezikhulu zakhe zonke lawo wonke amaGibhithe bavuka ebusuku basiqhinqa isililo esikhulu eGibhithe ngoba kungekho ndlu layinye lapho okwakungafiwanga khona.

UJehova uzabusa kuze kube nini lanini.”

Ngilalela ngikucebisa, njalo uNkulunkulu makabe lawe. Kumele ube ngummeli wabantu kuNkulunkulu, ulethe izingxabano zabo kuye. Bafundise imilayo lemithetho ubatshengise indlela yokuphila lemisebenzi okumele ukuthi bayenze. Kodwa khetha amadoda anelisayo phakathi kwabantu bonke  —  amadoda azonda inzuzo eza ngobuqili  —  ubusubabeka babe yizinduna zezinkulungwane, zamakhulu, zamatshumi amahlanu, lezamatshumi. Benze babe ngabahluleli babantu kuso sonke isikhathi, kodwa kabalethe wonke amacala anzima kuwe bona baqume amacala alula. Lokho kuzakwenza ukuthi umthwalo wakho ube lula ngoba bazabe besabelana lawe.

Wakhetha amadoda anelisayo phakathi kuka-Israyeli wonke wabenza abakhokheli babantu, izinduna zezinkulungwane, zamakhulu, lamatshumi amahlanu lezamatshumi. Baba ngabahluleli babantu kuso sonke isikhathi. Amacala anzima bawaletha kuMosi, kodwa alula bawathonisa bona ngokwabo.

lina kimi lizakuba ngumbuso wabaphristi, lesizwe esingcwele.’ Yiwo amazwi okumele uwakhulume kwabako-Israyeli.” UMosi wabuyela ebantwini, wafika wabuthanisa abakhokheli babantu wabatshela okwakutshiwo nguJehova.

“Lingahlambazi uNkulunkulu kumbe lithuke umbusi wabantu benu.

“ ‘Lingazingcolisi noma kungayiphi yalezizindlela, ngoba yizo izindlela izizwe engizazidudula phambi kwenu ezazingcolisa ngazo. Kwaze kwangcola lelizwe; kungakho ngalijezisa ngesono salo, ilizwe labahlanza ababehlezi kulo. Kodwa lina gcinani izimiso zami kanye labezizwe abaphakathi kwenu, akufanelanga benze lezizinto ezenyanyekayo, ngokuba zonke lezizinto zenziwa ngabantu ababehlala kulelilizwe lina lingakafiki, ngakho ilizwe langcola. Nxa lingenza amanyala kulelilizwe, lizalikhafula njengendlela elakhafula ngayo izizwe ezalandulelayo.

“ ‘Gcinani zonke izimemezelo zami lemithetho yami liyilandele ukuze lelolizwe engililethe kulo ukuyahlala khona lingalikhafuli. “ ‘Lingabolandela amasiko ezizwe engizazixotsha phambi kwenu. Ngokuba bazenza zonke lezizinto ngabenyanya. Kodwa ngathi kini, “Lizalithumba ilizwe labo; ngizalipha lona libe yilifa lenu, ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju.” Mina yimi uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu olenze lehluka kwabezizwe.

Lezi yizimiso, imithetho lemilayo eyabekwa nguJehova ngoMosi entabeni iSinayi phakathi kwakhe labako-Israyeli.

Ekungeneni kwenu elizweni uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu alinika lona selilithethe laba ngelenu njalo selihlezi kulo, njalo selisithi, “Asibekeni inkosi isibuse ukuze sifanane lezinye izizwe esakhelene lazo,” wobani leqiniso lokuthi libeka inkosi ekhethwe nguJehova uNkulunkulu wenu. Kumele abe ngomunye wabafowenu. Lingafaki umuntu wezizweni ukuba alibuse, ongasiye wakini ko-Israyeli. Inkosi njalo akumelanga izifuyele amabhiza amanengi loba ithume abantu babuyele eGibhithe ukuyazuza amanye khona ngoba uJehova ulitshelile wathi, “Lingaphindi liyihambe njalo leyondlela.” Kayingathathi abafazi abanengi funa inhliziyo yayo idukiswe. Kayingazinothisi ngesiliva langegolide elinengi kakhulu.

Nxa isithatha isihlalo sobukhosi bombuso wayo kayithathe iphepha lomgoqwa izilobele kulo umthetho lo iwuthatha encwadini yabaphristi abangabaLevi. Umgoqwa lowo kawuhlale ukuyo, ihlale iwubala zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwayo ukuze ifunde ukwesaba uJehova uNkulunkulu wayo, ilandele ngokunanzelela wonke amazwi omthetho lo lalezi izimiso, njalo ukuze ingazitshayi ongcono kulabanye abakibo, ingaphambuki emthethweni iye ngasekunene loba ngasekhohlo. Ngakho yona kanye lezizukulwane zayo bazabusa isikhathi eside embusweni wayo ko-Israyeli.

Kwathi oPhezukonke esephe izizwe ilifa lazo, eselwahlukanisile uluntu, walufakela imingcele, kusiya ngenani lamadodana ka-Israyeli.

Abako-Israyeli bathi kuGidiyoni, “Sibuse  —  wena, lendodana yakho kanye lendodana yendodana yakho  —  ngoba usisindisile ezandleni zamaMidiyani.” Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi kubo, “Mina kangiyikulibusa, lendodana yami kayiyikulibusa. UJehova uzalibusa.”

Ngalezonsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi; umuntu wonke ezenzela ayekubona kulungile kuye.

USamuyeli eseluphele wabeka amadodana akhe ukuba ngabahluleli baka-Israyeli. Ibizo lezibulo lakhe lalinguJoweli, ibizo leyesibili lingu-Abhija, njalo ayesebenza eBherisheba. Kodwa amadodana akhe kawahambanga ezindleleni zakhe. Aphambukela eceleni emva kokuthola inzuzo yenkohliso amukela lemfumbathiso, onakalisa lokwahlulela ngemfanelo.

Kodwa kwathi besithi, “Sinike inkosi ezasikhokhela,” lokhu kwamcunula uSamuyeli; ngakho wakhuleka kuJehova. Njalo uJehova wathi kuye: “Lalela konke lokho abantu abakutshoyo kuwe; akusuwe abamalayo, kodwa bale mina njengoJehova wabo.

Ngakho balalele; kodwa ubaxwayise kakhulu njalo ubazise okuzakwenziwa kubo yinkosi ezababusa.” USamuyeli wabatshela wonke amazwi kaJehova abantu ababecela inkosi kuye. Wathi, “Nanku okuzakwenziwa yinkosi ezalibusa: Izathatha amadodana enu iwasebenzise lezinqola zayo zempi lamabhiza, njalo azagijima phambi kwezinqola zayo zempi. Amanye uzawenza abe ngabalawuli bezinkulungwane labalawuli bamatshumi amahlanu; njalo amanye azalima amasimu ayo avune kanye lamabele ayo, amanye njalo azakwenza izikhali zayo zempi kanye lezimpahla zezinqola zayo zempi. Izathatha amadodakazi enu ukuba abe ngabenzi bamakha labapheki kanye labapheki bezinkwa. Izathatha amasimu enu avundileyo lezivini kanye lezivande zama-oliva ikunike izinceku zayo. Izathatha okwetshumi emabeleni enu lokwesivuno samavini ikunike izikhulu zayo. Izisebenzi zenu ezesilisa lezesifazana lezinkomo zenu ezinhle kanye labobabhemi izakuthatha ikusebenzise. Izathatha okwetshumi emihlambini yenu njalo lina ngokwenu lizakuba yizigqili zayo. Nxa lolosuku selufikile lizakhalela ukukhululwa enkosini eliyikhethileyo, kodwa uJehova kayikuliphendula ngalolosuku.”

Kodwa abantu bala ukumlalela uSamuyeli. Bathi, “Hatshi! Sifuna inkosi ezasibusa. Laphoke sizakuba njengezinye izizwe zonke, silenkosi esikhokhelayo njalo ihambe phambi kwethu ilwe izimpi zethu.”

Kwathi uSamuyeli ebona uSawuli, uJehova wathi kuye, “Lo nguye umuntu engikhulume kuwe ngaye; uzabusa abantu bami.”

USamuyeli wasethatha umfuma wamafutha wawathela ekhanda likaSawuli wasemanga, esithi, “UJehova kakugcobanga ukuba ngumbusi welifa lakhe na?

Kodwa khathesi selimalile uNkulunkulu wenu, olihlengayo ezingozini zenu zonke lasezinsizini. Njalo selithe, ‘Hatshi, sibekele inkosi ezasibusa.’ Ngakho-ke khathesi zibonakaliseni phambi kukaJehova ngezizwana zenu langezinsendo zenu.”

USamuyeli wasesithi ebantwini bonke, “Liyambona yini umuntu osekhethwe nguJehova? Kakho lamunye onjengaye phakathi kwabantu bonke bako-Israyeli.” Abantu baklabalala besithi, “Impilo ende enkosini!” USamuyeli wachaza ebantwini imithetho yobukhosi. Wayiloba emqulwini wayibeka phambi kukaJehova. Emva kwalokho wabachitha abantu, ngulowo lalowo waya emzini wakhe.

USawuli laye waya kibo eGibheya ephelekezelwa ngabantu abangamaqhawe uNkulunkulu ayethinte izinhliziyo zabo. Kodwa ezinye izidlwangudlwangu zathi, “Umuntu lo angasikhulula kanjani na?” Zameyisa kazaze zamlethela zipho. Kodwa uSawuli wazithulela.

Kwathi uSawuli esezwe amazwi abo, uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla, wathukuthela kakhulu. Wathatha izinkabi ezimbili, waziquma zaba yiziqayiqa, wathumela iziqa lezithunywa kulo lonke elako-Israyeli, zimemezela zisithi, “Lokhu yikho okuzakwenziwa ezinkabini zikabani lobani ongalandeli uSawuli loSamuyeli.” Ukwesabeka kukaJehova kwehlela ebantwini, baphuma sebenjengomuntu munye.

Abantu basebesithi kuSamuyeli, “Ngubani owabuza wathi, ‘USawuli uzasibusa na?’ Balethe kithi labobantu sibabulale.”

Ngakho abantu bonke baya eGiligali bamqinisa uSawuli ukuba yinkosi phambi kukaJehova, njalo uSawuli labantu bonke bako-Israyeli baba lomkhosi omkhulu wokuthokoza.

“Kodwa kwathi lapho libona ukuthi uNahashi inkosi yama-Amoni wayesizalihlasela, lathi kimi, ‘Hatshi, sifuna inkosi yokusibusa,’ lanxa uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu wayeyinkosi yenu. Khathesi nansi inkosi eliyikhethileyo, yona elayicelayo; khangelani, uJehova uselibekele inkosi phezu kwenu. Uma limesaba uJehova limkhonze njalo limlalele lingahlamukeli imilayo yakhe, njalo uma lina kanye lenkosi elibusayo lilandela uJehova uNkulunkulu wenu  —  kuhle! Kodwa uma uJehova lingamlaleli, njalo uma lihlamukela imilayo yakhe, isandla sakhe sizamelana lani, njengoba sasimelane laboyihlo.

Bonke abantu bathi kuSamuyeli, “Khulekela izinceku zakho kuJehova uNkulunkulu wakho ukuze singafi, ngoba sesengeze kwezinye zonke izono zethu ngobubi bokucela inkosi.” USamuyeli waphendula wathi, “Lingesabi. Selibenzile bonke lobububi; kodwa lingamfulatheli uJehova; kodwa khonzani uJehova ngezinhliziyo zenu zonke.

Kodwa lingaphikelela ukwenza okubi, lina lenkosi yenu lizakhukhulwa.”

Walinda izinsuku eziyisikhombisa, isikhathi esasimiswe nguSamuyeli; kodwa uSamuyeli kezanga eGiligali; yikho abantu bakaSawuli baqalisa ukuchitheka. Ngakho wathi, “Ngilethelani umnikelo wokutshiswa leminikelo yobuzalwane.” USawuli wanikela umnikelo wokutshiswa. Kwathi khonokho nje eqeda ukunikela, uSamuyeli wafika, uSawuli waphuma wayambingelela. USamuyeli wabuza wathi, “Kuyini osukwenzile na?” USawuli waphendula wathi, “Kuthe ngibona abantu sebechitheka, lokuthi kawufikanga ngesikhathi esimisiweyo, kanye lokuthi amaFilisti abebuthana eMikhimashi, ngacabanga ngathi, ‘Khathesi amaFilisti azakuzangihlasela eGiligali, njalo kangicelanga umusa kuJehova.’ Ngakho ngizwe ngicindezeleka ukuba nginikele umnikelo wokutshiswa.” USamuyeli wathi, “Wenze ubuthutha. Kawuwugcinanga umlayo uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho akupha wona; aluba ubukwenzile lokho, ubezamisa umbuso wakho phezu kuka-Israyeli kokuphela. Kodwa umbuso wakho kawuyikuqhubeka; uJehova usedinge umuntu amthandayo ngenhliziyo yakhe wambeka ukuba ngumbusi wabantu bakhe, ngoba wena kawuwugcinanga umlayo kaJehova.”

Kodwa uSamuyeli waphendula wathi: “Kambe uJehova uthokozela iminikelo yokutshiswa lemihlatshelo ngokunjengokulalela ilizwi likaJehova na? Ukulalela kungcono kulomhlatshelo, lokukhathalela kungcono kulamahwahwa ezinqama. Ngoba ukuhlamuka kufana lesono sokuhlahlula, lobuqholo bufana lobubi bokukhonza izithombe. Ngokuba ilizwi likaJehova ulalile. Usekwalile njengenkosi.”

USawuli wasesithi kuSamuyeli, “Ngenzile isono. Ngephule umlayo kaJehova leziqondiso zakho. Ngesabe abantu ngavumela okwabo. Khathesi-ke ngiyakucela, thethelela isono sami ubuyele emuva lami, ukuze ngikhonze uJehova.” Kodwa uSamuyeli wathi kuye, “Angiyikubuyela emuva lawe. Ilizwi likaJehova ulalile, njalo uJehova usekwalile njengombusi wako-Israyeli!”

Ngakho uSamuyeli wathatha uphondo lwamafutha wamgcoba labanewabo bekhona; njalo kusukela ngalelolanga kusiya phambili, uMoya kaJehova wafika kuDavida ulamandla. Emva kwalokho uSamuyeli waya eRama.

Muva uDavida wakhathazeka ngokuquma umphetho wesambatho sikaSawuli. Wathi ebantwini bakhe, “UJehova kakwenqabele ukwenza into enje enkosini yami, ogcotshiweyo kaJehova.” Ngala amazwi uDavida wabakhuza abantu bakhe akaze wabavumela ukuthi bahlasele uSawuli. USawuli waphuma ebhalwini wazihambela. Lapho-ke uDavida waphuma ebhalwini wamemeza uSawuli esithi, “Nkosi, Nkosi yami!” Kwathi lapho uSawuli ekhangela emuva kwakhe, uDavida wakhothama waselala phansi ethe mbo phansi ngobuso.

Ngiyakwazi ukuthi uzakuba yinkosi impela kanye lokuthi umbuso wako-Israyeli uzamiswa ezandleni zakho. Khathesi-ke funga kimi ukuthi kawuyikubulala inzalo yami loba wesule ibizo lami kwabendlu kababa.” UDavida wafunga kuSawuli. Emva kwalokho uSawuli wabuyela ekhaya, kodwa uDavida labantu bakhe baya enqabeni.

Kodwa uDavida wathi ku-Abhishayi, “Ungambulali. Ngubani ongabeka isandla kogcotshiweyo kaJehova angabi lecala na?” Wasesithi, “Ngeqiniso elinjengoba uJehova ekhona, uJehova yena ngokwakhe uzamtshaya; mhlawumbe isikhathi sakhe sizafika afe, loba aye empini abhubhe. Kodwa uJehova kanqabele ukuba ngibeke isandla kogcotshiweyo kaJehova. Thatha umkhonto lesigxingi samanzi okuphansi kwekhanda lakhe, sihambe.” Ngakho uDavida wathatha umkhonto lesigxingi samanzi okwakuphansi kwekhanda likaSawuli, basebehamba. Bonke babelele ngoba uJehova wayebehlisele ubuthongo obukhulu.

UDavida waselibuza esithi, “Kungani ungesabanga ukuphakamisa isandla sakho ukuba ubulale ogcotshiweyo kaJehova na?” UDavida wabiza omunye wabantu bakhe wathi, “Sondela umgongode!” Ngakho wamgongoda wafa. Ngoba uDavida wayethe kuye, “Igazi lakho kalibe phezu kwekhanda lakho. Umlomo wakho ufakaze okubi ngawe lapho wena uthe, ‘Ngimbulele ogcotshiweyo kaJehova.’ ”

Ngakho abantu bakoJuda bafika eHebhroni bamgcobela khona uDavida ukuba yinkosi yendlu kaJuda. Kwathi uDavida esetsheliwe ukuthi abantu baseJabheshi Gileyadi yibo ababengcwabe uSawuli,

Lapho izinsuku zakho seziphelile usuphumula laboyihlo, ngizakwenza oyinzalo yakho athathe isikhundla sakho, ozaphuma emzimbeni wakho, ngizawuqinisa umbuso wakhe. Lowo nguye ozakwakhela iBizo lami indlu, njalo ngizaqinisa isihlalo sobukhosi sombuso wakhe kuze kube nininini. Ngizakuba nguyise, yena abe yindodana yami. Angenza okubi ngizamjezisa ngomqwayi wabantu, ukuklebhula okwenziwa ngabantu. Kodwa uthando lwami kaluyikususwa kuye lanini, njengokulususa kwami kuSawuli, engamsusayo phambi kwakho. Indlu yakho lombuso wakho kuzaqina nini lanini phambi kwami; isihlalo sakho sobukhosi sizakuma kuze kube nininini.’ ” UNathani wambikela uDavida wonke amazwi alesisambulelo.

UDavida walibusa lonke elako-Israyeli, esenza okwakulungile lokuqondileyo ebantwini bakhe bonke.

UNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wakhuluma, iDwala lika-Israyeli lathi kimi: ‘Lapho umuntu ebusa abantu ngokulunga, lapho ebusa ngokwesaba uNkulunkulu,

Bayibikela inkosi bathi, “UNathani umphrofethi ulapha.” Waya phambi kwenkosi wakhothama embele ubuso bakhe phansi.

UZadoki umphristi wathatha uphondo lwamafutha ethenteni elingcwele wagcoba uSolomoni. Ngakho bahle bavuthela icilongo kwathi abantu bonke bahlaba umkhosi behaya besithi, “Mpilonde Nkosi Solomoni!” Bonke bamlandela, bavuthela imihubhe bejabula kakhulu, kwaze kwanyikinyeka umhlaba.

USolomoni watshengisela uthando lwakhe kuJehova ngokuhamba ngezindlela njengokulaya kukayise uDavida, ngaphandle nje kokuthi wanikela iminekelo watshisa impepho ezindaweni eziphakemeyo. Inkosi yaya eGibheyoni ukuyanikela iminikelo, ngoba kwakuyiyo indawo eqhamileyo kweziphakemeyo, kunjalonje uSolomoni wanikela ngemihlatshelo eyinkulungwane kulelo-alithare.

Khonapho eGibheyoni uJehova waziveza kuSolomoni ebusuku emaphutsheni lapho uNkulunkulu athi, “Cela loba yini ofuna ukuba ngikunike yona.” USolomoni waphendula ngokuthi, “Utshengisele umusa omkhulu encekwini yakho, ubaba uDavida, ngenxa yokuthi wathembeka njalo elungile ngokuqonda enhliziyweni yakhe. Uqhubekele phambili ngomusa omkhulu kangaka wamnika indodana ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi lamuhla lokhu. “Khathesi, O Jehova Nkulunkulu wami, uyibekile inceku yakho yaba yinkosi esikhundleni sikababa uDavida. Kodwa ngivele ngingubani njengoba ngingumntwana ongakwaziyo ukuthwala enze umsebenzi awuphiweyo. Inceku yakho ilapha phakathi kwabantu bakho obakhethileyo, abantu abaqakathekileyo, abanengi okungabalwayo noma ukulandisa ngenani labo. Phana inceku yakho inhliziyo elobubelo ukuze ibuse abantu bakho lokuthi yahlukanise phakathi kokuhle lokubi. Ngoba ngubani olamandla okubusa abantu bakho abaqakatheke kangaka?” UJehova wathokoziswa yilesisicelo sikaSolomoni. Ngakho uNkulunkulu wathi kuye, “Njengoba ucele lokho kodwa ungacelanga impilo ende loba inotho, njalo awucelanga ukuthi ngabe izitha zakho ziyafa kodwa ucele inhliziyo elobubelo ekubuseni ngemfanelo, ngizakwenza lokho okucelileyo. Ngizakunika inhliziyo yenhlakanipho kanye lobubelo, kube yikuthi akukaze kube khona ofanana lawe, njalo kungelakuthi uzake abekhona. Phezu kwalokho, ngizakunika ongazange ukucele  —  kokubili inotho lokuhlonitshwa  —  kuze ekuphileni kwakho konke kungabi leyodwa inkosi ezalingana lawe. Kanti njalo nxa uzathatha inyathelo lami ulalele imilayo lemithetho yami njengalokhu okwenziwa nguyihlo uDavida, ngizakunika impilo ende.”

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

INkosi uSolomoni yayisedlula wonke amakhosi emhlabeni ngenotho langenhlakanipho.

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

UJehova wamthukuthelela uSolomoni ngoba inhliziyo yakhe yayisimfulathele uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, yena ayezibonakalise kuye kabili. Lanxa wayemlayile uSolomoni ukuba angalandeli abanye onkulunkulu, uSolomoni kazange awulandele umlayo kaNkulunkulu. Ngakho uJehova wasesithi kuSolomoni. “Njengoba le kuyiyo injongo yakho njalo awugcinanga isivumelwano sami kanye lezimiso zami, lezo engakulaya ngazo, impela ngizawuhluthuna umbuso wakho kuwe ngiwunike omunye wabantu abangaphansi kwakho.

Ngemva kwensuku ezintathu uJerobhowami labo bonke abantu babuyela kuRehobhowami, njengalokho okwakutshiwo yinkosi ukuthi, “Phendukani lize kimi ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu.” Inkosi yasiphendula abantu ngolaka. Yalahla izicebiso eyayiziphiwe ngabadala, yalandela ukucebisa kwabatsha, yathi, “Ubaba walethesa ijogwe elinzima, mina ngizalenza libe nzima okuphindiweyo. Ubaba walixathula ngemichilo, mina ngizalintinyela ngenkume.”

UJerobhowami wakha amathempeli ezindaweni eziphakemeyo wasebeka abaphristi emihlotsheni yonke yabantu, lakulabo ababengasibo abaLevi. Wamisa umkhosi ngosuku lwetshumi lanhlanu ngenyanga yetshumi lesificamibili, owawunjengomkhosi owasusenziwa koJuda, wanikela imihlatshelo ealithareni. Lokhu wakwenza eBhetheli, enikela ematholeni ayewenzile. LeBhetheli wabeka abaphristi ezindaweni eziphezulu ayezenzile.

Inkosi uJerobhowami isizwile isikhalo sendoda evela kuNkulunkulu nge-alithare leBetheli yelulela isandla sayo e-alithareni, yathi, “Mbambeni!” Kodwa isandla leso ayeselulile soma wehluleka ukusifinyeza. Kwathi i-alithare lalo ladatshulwa phakathi umlotha walo walahlwa, njengokwesibonakaliso esasethulwe ngumuntu kaNkulunkulu ngelizwi likaJehova.

Langemva kwalokhu, uJerobhowami kazange aguqule izindlela zakhe zokona, waqhubeka ekhetha abaphristi bendawo eziphakemeyo edobha nje ingqe ngubani ebantwini. Kwakusithi loba ngubani ofuna ukuba ngumphristi wayemgcobela indawo eziphezulu. Lesi kwakuyisono sendlu kaJerobhowami esakhokhelela ekuweni lasekudilikeni kwayo kayaze yaba khona emhlabeni.

Wonile okudlula bonke abakwandulelayo. Usuzidalele abanye onkulunkulu, izithombe ezikhandwe ngensimbi, ungithukuthelisile ngazonda njalo ungifulathele. “ ‘Ngenxa yalokho ngizakwehlisela incithakalo endlini kaJerobhowami. Ngizabhubhisa bonke abangamadoda okucina ekuzalweni kwabaka-Jerobhowami ko-Israyeli  —  loba yisigqili loba okhululekileyo. Ngizayitshisa indlu kaJerobhowami kungathi ngibase ilongwe, ize iphele du.

Njalo uzamlahla u-Israyeli ngenxa yezono zikaJerobhowami azenzileyo wakhokhelela lo-Israyeli ukuzenza.”

Ngomnyaka wetshumi lafica mibili wokubusa kukaJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi, u-Abhija waba yinkosi yakoJuda, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka emithathu. Ibizo likanina lalinguMahakha indodakazi ka-Abhshalomi. Wenza zonke izono ezazisenziwa nguyise, inhliziyo yakhe yayingekho ekukhonzeni uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe, inganjengenhliziyo kaDavida ukhokho wakhe.

U-Asa wenza okubukekayo phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguDavida uyise. Waxotsha abesilisa ababewula ngokwenzana abafazi wadiliza zonke izithombe ezazakhiwe ngoyise. Waze waxotsha kanye logogo wakhe uMahakha wamsusa esihlalweni sokuba yindlovukazi yomndlunkulu, ngoba wayebumbe isithombe esilihlazo sika-Ashera. U-Asa wasidilizela phansi lesisithombe wayasitshisela eSigodini saseKhidroni. Noma engadilizanga izindawo eziphakemeyo, inhliziyo ka-Asa yayinamathele kuJehova impilo yakhe yonke.

UNadabi indodana kaJerobhowami waba yinkosi yabako-Israyeli ngomnyaka wesibili ka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, njalo wabusa abako-Israyeli okweminyaka emibili. Wona wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, wahamba ngendlela kayise lasezonweni zakhe, lezo ezazibangele ukuthi u-Israyeli angene kuzo adale isono.

ngenxa yezono zikaJerobhowami ayezenzile njalo enguye owabangela ukuthi u-Israyeli one, ngoba wathukuthelisa uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.

Ngomnyaka wesithathu ka-Asa inkosi yakoJuda, uBhahasha indodana ka-Ahija waba yinkosi yalo lonke elako-Israyeli laseThiriza, njalo wabusa iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lane. Wona phambi kukaJehova, wahamba ngendlela kaJerobhowami lezono zakhe, lezo abangela u-Israyeli ukuthi azenze.

Bazadliwa yizinja abangabakaBhahasha abazafela edolobheni, kanti izinyoni zasemoyeni zizakudla labo abazafela emmangweni.”

Njalo ilizwi lafika livela kuJehova ngoJehu indodana kaHanani lisiya kuBhahasha labendlu yakhe, ngoba kulezono ezinengi ayezenzile emehlweni kaJehova, wamthukuthelisa ngezinto abazenzayo, waze wafanana labendlu ka-Jerobhowami  —  kanye lokuthi wayichitha.

Ngakho uZimiri wabhubhisa bonke abendlu kaBhahasha, kwaba njengokwatshiwo nguJehova owasongela uBhahasha ngomprofethi uJehu  — ngenxa yazo zonke izono azenzayo uBhahasha lendodana yakhe u-Ela; benza lo-Israyeli wona kwaze kwaqubula uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli wazonda ngenxa yezithombe zabo zeze.

UZimiri uthe ebona ukuthi idolobho laselithethwe, waya endaweni evikelekileyo wathungela isigodlo sesikhosini ngomlilo lapho ayekhona. Ngakho wafa, ngenxa yezono ayezidalile, esenza okubi phambi kukaJehova njalo kwakungaselamuntu ohamba ngendlela zikaJerobhowami lasezonweni ayengene kuzo lalezo ayebangela u-Israyeli ukuba azenze.

Kodwa u-Omiri wona waba lezono phambi kukaJehova, njalo yena wona okwedlula bonke abamandulelayo. Wahamba ngazo zonke izindlela zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi kanye lasezonweni zakhe, abangela ukuthi u-Israyeli azenze, ngalokho baqubula uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, wazonda ngenxa yezithombe zabo eziyize.

U-Ahabi indodana ka-Omiri waba lezono ezingaphezu kwalabo abamandulelayo phambi kukaJehova. Kwathi lanxa ebona kungasilutho ukungena ebubini bukaJerobhowami indodana kaNebhathi, wathatha uJezebeli indodakazi ka-Ethabhahali inkosi yamaSidoni, waseqalisa ukukhonza lokusebenzela uBhali. Wakhela uBhali ialithare ethempelini likaBhali ayelakhe eSamariya. U-Ahabi wenzela u-Ashera insika njalo kunengi akwenzayo okwathukuthelisa uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, okwedlula wonke amakhosi ako-Israyeli amandulelayo.

Lapho uJezebeli wayebulala abaphrofethi bakaJehova, u-Obhadiya wayethethe abalikhulu wayabafihla ezimbalwini ezimbili, bengamatshumi amahlanu ebhalwini lunye, wabathumela ukudla lamanzi.)

Uthe ebona u-Elija, wathi kuye, “Nguwe wena, wena oluhlupho ko-Israyeli?” U-Elija waphendula wathi, “Angibanganga hlupho ko-Israyeli. Kodwa nguwe labendlu kayi-hlo abalubangileyo. Selitshiye imilayo kaJehova lalandela oBhali. Mema abantu kulo lonke elako-Israyeli ngiyehlangana labo eNtabeni iKhameli. Njalo letha bonke abaphrofethi bakaBhali abangamakhulu amane lamatshumi amahlanu labaka-Ashera abangamakhulu amane, abadlela etafuleni kaJezebeli.”

U-Ahabi wasetshela uJezebeli ngakho konke okwakwenziwe ngu-Elija kanye lokuthi wababulala njani abaphrofethi ngenkemba. Ngalokho uJezebeli wathumela isithunywa ku-Elija ukuthi siyekuthi, “Onkulunkulu kabangihlanekele ngokwengezelelweyo nxa ngingakubulalanga kuze kube kusasa, njengoba usubulele abaphrofethi.”

Ilizwi likaJehova leza ku-Elija umThishibi lisithi: Yehla uyehlangabeza u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli obusa eSamariya. Usesivinini sikaNabothi, uye khona ukuze azithathele lesosivini. Ufike uthi kuye, Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova: ‘Awubulalanga umuntu wathumba impahla yakhe na?’ Ubususithi kuyo, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova; Khonapho lapho izinja ezikhothele khona igazi likaNabothi, kukhonapho kanye lapho izinja ezizakhothela khona elakho  —  ye, elakho kanye!’ ” U-Ahabi wathi ku-Elija, “Wo usungifumene, wena sitha sami!” U-Elija wamphendula wathi, “Yebo sengikufumene ngoba uzinikele ukwenza isono emehlweni kaJehova. Ngizokwehlisela ukubhujiswa. Ngizabhubhisa izizukulwana zakho ngisuse sonke isilisa sokucina ku-Ahabi ko-Israyeli  —  loba yisigqili loba ngokhululekileyo. Indlu yakho ngizayenza lokhu engakwenza ekaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi lekaBhahasha indodana ka-Ahija, ngoba ungithukuthelisile wabangela ukuthi u-Israyeli enze isono.’ “Ngalokho uJehova uthi ngoJezebeli: ‘Izinja zizamdabudabula uJezebeli zimdlele emidulini yaseJezereli.’ “Izinja zizakudla bonke abangabaka-Ahabi abafela edolobheni, izinyoni zezulu zizakudla labo abazafela emaphandleni.”

(Akuzange kube lendoda eyayifanana lo-Ahabi yena owazinikela ukuthi adale isono phambi kukaJehova, ekhuthazwa ngumkakhe uJezebeli. Waziphatha butshapha kakhulu elandela izithombe, njengama-Amori wona ayesuswe nguJehova phambi kuka-Israyeli.) U-Ahabi wathi esizwa lawomazwi, wadabula izigqoko zakhe, wembatha amasaka wazila. Walala embethe amasaka wahamba ngokuthobeka. Ngemva kwalokho ilizwi likaJehova lathi ku-Elija umThishibi: “Ukubonile na ukuthi u-Ahabi usezithobe kanganani phambi kwami? Ngenxa yokuzithoba kwakhe, angiyikumehlisela lokhu kubhujiswa esaphila, kodwa ngizakwehlisela endlini yakhe ezinsukwini zendodana yakhe.”

Inqola yokulwa bayigezisela esizibeni seSamariya (endaweni eyayigezela amawule), izinja zakhotha igazi layo, njengokutsho kwelizwi likaJehova. Konke okunye ngempilo langokubusa kuka-Ahabi lakho konke akwenzayo, ukwakha isigodlo esasiceciswe ngezimpondo zezindlovu, lamadolobho ayevikelwe okwenqaba, akulotshwanga na egwalweni lwembali yamakhosi ako-Israyeli?

Kukho konke ayekwenza wayesenyathelweni likayise u-Asa njalo kazange aphambuke; wenza konke okuhle emehlweni kaJehova uNkulunkulu. Kodwa izindawo eziphakemeyo zokukhonzela kazisuswanga, abantu babelokhu benikela imihlatshelo, betshisa impepha khonapho. UJehoshafathi wahlalisana ngokuthula lenkosi yako-Israyeli.

U-Ahaziya indodana ka-Ahabi waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya ngomnyaka wetshumi lesikhombisa wokubusa kukaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda, yena-ke wabusa ko-Israyeli okweminyaka emibili. Wona emehlweni kaJehova, ngoba wahamba enyathelweni likayise lelikanina walandela njalo izindlela zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, owabangela u-Israyeli ukuthi enze isono. Wasebenzela uBhali njalo wamkhonza wathukuthelisa uJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise.

Wasesithi enkosini, “Ilizwi likaJehova lithi: Kungenxa yokuthi akulaNkulunkulu yini ko-Israyeli ukuze uthume izithunywa ukuthi ziyohlahlula kuBhali-Zebhubhi, unkulunkulu we-Ekhroni na? Ngenxa yesenzo sakho lesi, awuyikuvuka kulowombheda olele kuwo. Ngempela uzakufa!” Lakanye wafa, njengelizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa ngu-Elija. Njengoba u-Ahaziya wayengelandodana, ubukhosi bakhe bathathwa nguJoramu owaba yinkosi ngomnyaka wesibili wokubusa kukaJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda.

UJoramu indodana ka-Ahabi waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya ngomnyaka wetshumi laficamibili wokubusa kukaJehoshafathi inkosi yakoJuda, yena wabusa okweminyaka elitshumi lambili. Wona emehlweni kaJehova, kodwa kwakungafanani lokukayise lonina ababekwenzile. Walahla ilitshe likaBhali elalizila elalibazwe nguyise. Kodwa wagxila ezonweni zikaJerobhowami indondana kaNebathi, lezo ayebangele u-Israyeli ukuthi azenze; kazange azifulathele.

Ngomnyaka wesihlanu kaJoramu indodana ka-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli, ngesikhathi uJehoshafathi eyinkosi yakoJuda, uJehoramu indodana kaJehoshafathi waqalisa ukubusa eyinkosi yakoJuda. Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lambili eqalisa ukubusa, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka eficamibili. Yena wahamba enyathelweni lamakhosi ako-Israyeli, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe ngabendlu ka-Ahabi, ngoba wayethethe indodakazi ka-Ahabi. Wona phambi kukaNkulunkulu.

U-Ahaziya waqalisa ukubusa eleminyaka engamatshumi amabili, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okomnyaka owodwa. Unina wayengu-Athaliya, umntanomntanakhe ka-Omiri inkosi yako-Israyeli. Wahamba ngenyathelo labendlu ka-Ahabi wona phambi kukaNkulunkulu, njengokwakwenziwe ngabendlu ka-Ahabi, ngoba wayeyisihlobo sabo ngokuthatha.

Ekufikeni kwakhe khonale wafumana izikhulu zebutho zihlezi ndawonye, wasesithi kuzo, “Mlawuli, ngilombiko kuwe.” UJehu wabuza wathi, “Ngokabani phakathi kwethu?” Yena waphendula wathi, “Ngowakho mlawuli webutho.” UJehu wasukuma wangena endlini. Umphrofethi wathela amafutha ekhanda likaJehu wasebika ukuthi, “Ilizwi likaJehova ka-Israyeli lithi: ‘Ngigcoba wena ukuba ube yinkosi phezu kwabantu bakaJehova, u-Israyeli. Kumele ubhubhise indlu ka-Ahabi inkosi yakho, njalo ngizaphindisela igazi lezinceku zami abaphrofethi kanye legazi lezinceku zonke zikaJehova elachithwa nguJezebeli. Indlu ka-Ahabi izabhujiswa. Ngizaqeda ko-Ahabi bonke abesilisa ko-Israyeli, isigqili loba okhululekileyo.

Ngakho uJehu waya eJezereli. UJezebeli wathi ekuzwa lokho, wazicomba ngesibhuda emehlweni weluka inwele zakhe waselunguza ngewindi. UJehu uthe engena esangweni, wambuza wathi, “Uza ngokuthula na, Zimiri, wena mbulali wenkosi yakho?” Yena wakhangela phezulu ewindini wabuza wathi, “Ngubani ongakimi na? Ngubani?” Abathenwa ababili loba abathathu bakhangela phansi kuye. UJehu wathi, “Msakazeleni phansi!” Ngakho basebemsakazela phansi, elinye igazi lakhe lachaphakela emdulini lasemabhizeni ayesegidagida emnyathela ngamasondo. UJehu wangena wafika wadla njalo wanatha. Wathi, “Ake limthathe lo owesifazana oqalekisiweyo liyemngcwaba, ngoba eyindodakazi yenkosi.” Kodwa bathe sebethi bayathatha isidumbu bafumana sekusele ikhanda lenyawo lezandla kuphela. Babuyela bayatshela uJehu yena owathi, “Leli yilizwi likaJehova alikhuluma ngenceku yakhe u-Elija umThishibi lisithi: ‘Esiqintini esiseJezereli izinja zizakudla inyama kaJezebeli, lesidumbu sikaJezebeli sizakuba njengomquba osegangeni elizweni laseJezereli ukuze kungabi khona ozakutsho ukuthi, ‘Lo nguJezebeli.’ ”

Ngakho uJehu wamema abantu bonke wabahlanganisa wasesithi kubo, “U-Ahabi ubekhonza uBhali kancinyane; uJehu uzamkhonza kakhulu. Ngakho memani bonke abaphrofethi bakaBhali, bonke abatshumayeli bakhe labaphristi bakhe. Linanzelele ukuthi kakho loyedwa ozasala, ngoba ngifuna ukwenza umhlatshelo omkhulu kuBhali. Ongayikubuya kasayikuphila.” UJehu wayebakhohlisa ngoba wayedinga ukubhubhisa abafundisi bakaBhali. UJehu wasesithi, “Bizani umhlangano wokudumisa uBhali.” Basebewumemezela. Wasethumela ilizwi kulo lonke elako-Israyeli, beza bonke abafundisi bakaBhali; kakho loyedwa ongezanga. Bagcwala baminyana ethempelini likaBhali kusukela emsamo kusiya emnyango. UJehu wasesithi kulowo owayegcina izigqoko zabakhonza uBhali, “Balethele izigqoko bonke abakhonza uBhali.” Ngakho wabalethela lezozigqoko. UJehu loJehonadabi indodana kaRekhabi bangena ethempelini likaBhali. UJehu wathi kubafundisi bakaBhali, “Linanzelele kungangeni loyedwa oyinceku kaNkulunkulu enkonzweni yenu, akube ngabakhonzi bakaBhali kuphela.” Ngakho bangena banikela benza lemihlatshelo yokutshiswa. UJehu wayelindise amadoda angamatshumi afica mibili wawaqonqosela wathi, “Loba ngubani ozayekela omunye walamadoda engiwabeke ezandleni zenu ephunyuka, ngizaphindisela ngempilo yakhe.”

Balidiliza lelolitshe likaBhali elikhonzwayo babhidliza lethempeli lakhe, balenza laba yindlu yokuyela ngaphandle kuze kube lalamuhla lokhu.

Kodwa uJehu kazange ananzelele ukugcina umthetho kaJehova ka-Israyeli ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke. Kazange atshiyane lezono ezazisenziwa nguJerobhowami, lezo ayebangele u-Israyeli ukuba azenze.

Uthe ethi mehlo suka, wabona nansi inkosi, yayimi eduze kwensika njengomkhuba. Izikhulu labatshayi bamacilongo babesekele inkosi, abantu bonke bejabula ngokutshaya amacilongo. Ngakho u-Athaliya wadabula izambatho zakhe wamemeza esithi, “Ukuhlamuka! Ukuhlamuka!”

UJowashi wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova ngayo yonke leyominyaka elaywa nguJehoyada umphristi. Kodwa indawo zokukhonzela azidilizwanga, ngakho abantu baqhubeka benikela imihlatshelo yabo khona, njalo betshisa impepha khona.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili lantathu wokubusa kukaJowashi indodana ka-Ahaziya inkosi yakoJuda, uJehowahazi indodana kaJehu waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya njalo wabusa okweminyaka elitshumi lesikhombisa. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova ngokulandela izono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, owayebangele u-Israyeli ukuthi azenze, njalo kazange axekelane lazo.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa ka-Jowashi inkosi yakoJuda, uJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya, yena-ke wabusa okweminyaka elitshumi lesithupha. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova njalo kazange axekelane lezono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, ayebangele u-Israyeli ukuthi azenze, waqhubeka ngazo.

Ngomnyaka wesibili kaJehowashi indodana kaJehowahazi inkosi yako-Israyeli, u-Amaziya indodana kaJowashi inkosi yakoJuda waqalisa ukubusa. Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu eqalisa ukubusa, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lafica munye. Unina kwakunguJehowadini, owayevela eJerusalema. Yena wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova, kodwa kwakungafanani lokukayise uDavida. Kukho konke ayekwenza walandela inyathelo likayise uJowashi. Kodwa izindawo zokukhonzela azizange zisuswe; abantu baqhubeka benikela imihlatshelo lokutshisa impepha kulezondawo.

Ngomnyaka wetshumi lanhlanu ka-Amaziya indodana kaJowashi inkosi yakoJuda, uJerobhowami indodana kaJehowashi inkosi yako-Israyeli waba yinkosi eSamariya, njalo wabusa okweminyaka engamatshumi amane lanye. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova njalo kazange atshiye lasinye sezono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, lezo abangela u-Israyeli ukuthi azenze.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa kaJerobhowami inkosi yako-Israyeli, u-Azariya indodana ka-Amaziya inkosi yakoJuda waqalisa ukubusa. Wayeleminyaka elitshumi lesithupha yokuzalwa esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lambili. Ibizo likanina lalinguJekholiya; evela eJerusalema. Wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise u-Amaziya. Kodwa izindawo zokukhonzela, azidilizwanga; abantu baqhubeka benikela imihlatshelo kanye lokutshisela imphepha kuzo. UJehova wehlisela inkosi u-Azariya ubulephero eyabugula yaze yafa, njalo yayihlala yodwa endlini yayo. UJothamu indodana yakhe wayegcina isigodlo senkosi, ephethe labantu belizwe.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu leminyaka efica mibili ka-Azariya inkosi yako-Juda, uZekhariya indodana kaJerobhowami waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya, njalo wabusa okwezinyanga eziyisithupha. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, njengalokho okwakwenziwe ngoyise. Kazange atshiye izono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, yena owabangela ukuba u-Israyeli azenze.

UShalumi indodana kaJabheshi waba yinkosi ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu lesifica munye ka-Uziya inkosi yakoJuda, yena wabusa eSamariya okwenyanga eyodwa. Ngakho uMenahemu indodana kaGadi wehla esuka eThiriza esiya eSamariya. Wahlasela uShalumi indodana kaJabheshi eSamariya, wambulala wasethatha ubukhosi.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amathathu laficamunye ka-Azariya inkosi yakoJuda, uMenahemu indodana kaGadi waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli, wabusa eSamariya okweminyaka elitshumi. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova. Ekubuseni kwakhe konke kazange atshiyane lezono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, ayebangele ukuba u-Israyeli azenze.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amahlanu ka-Azariya inkosi yakoJuda, uPhekhahiya indodana kaMenahemu waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya, yena wabusa okweminyaka emibili. UPhekhahiya wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova. Kazange atshiyane lezono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, ayebangele u-Israyeli ukuba azenze.

Ngomnyaka wamatshumi amahlanu lambili ka-Azariya inkosi yakoJuda, uPhekha indodana kaRemaliya waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya, njalo wabusa okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova. Kazange atshiyane lezono zikaJerobhowami indodana kaNebathi, ayebangele ukuthi u-Israyeli azenze.

Ngomnyaka wesibili kaPhekha indodana kaRemaliya inkosi yako-Israyeli, uJothamu indodana ka-Uziya inkosi yakoJuda waqalisa ukubusa. Waba yinkosi eleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ubudala bakhe, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lesithupha. Ibizo likanina kwakunguJerusha indodakazi kaZadoki. Wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova, njengalokho okwakwenziwe nguyise u-Uziya. Kodwa izindawo zokukhonzela kazisuswanga; abantu baqhubeka benikela imihlatshelo lokutshisa impepha khonale. UJothamu wavuselela iSango laNgaphezulu lethempeli likaJehova.

Ngomnyaka wetshumi lesikhombisa kaPhekha indodana kaRemaliya, u-Ahazi indodana kaJothamu inkosi yakoJuda waqalisa ukubusa. U-Ahazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili esiba yinkosi, yena wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lesithupha. Wayengafanani loyise uDavida, ngoba kazange enze ukulunga phambi kukaJehova. Wahamba ngezindlela zamakhosi ako-Israyeli waze wenza umhlatshelo wokutshiswa ngendodana yakhe, elandela izindlela ezingamanyala zezizwe uJehova ayezixotshe abako-Israyeli bengakangeni kulelolizwe. Wanikela imihlatshelo njalo watshisa impepha ezindaweni zokukhonzela phezu kwamaqaqa langaphansi kwazo zonke izihlahla eziyizithingithingi.

Ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili wokubusa kuka-Ahazi inkosi yakoJuda, uHosheya indodana ka-Ela waba yinkosi yako-Israyeli eSamariya, njalo wabusa iminyaka efica munye. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, kodwa akubanga njengokwamakhosi ako-Israyeli amandulelayo.

Ngomnyaka wesithathu kaHosheya indodana ka-Ela inkosi yako-Israyeli, uHezekhiya indodana ka-Ahazi inkosi yakoJuda waqalisa ukubusa. Wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lafica munye. Ibizo likanina lalingu-Abhija indodakazi kaZekhariya. Wenza okulungileyo phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise uDavida. Wadiliza izindawo zokukhonzela wabhidliza amatshe ababewakhonza kanye lezinsika zika-Ashera. Watshaya wenza izicucu inyoka yethusi eyayenziwe nguMosi, ngoba kuze kube yilesosikhathi abako-Israyeli babelokhu beyitshisela impepha. (Yayibizwa ngokuthi Nehushithani.) UHezekhiya wayethembele kuJehova ka-Israyeli. Kakho owayenjengaye kuwo wonke amakhosi akoJuda, loba kulabo abamandulelayo kumbe labo abamlandelayo ekubuseni. Wabambelela kuJehova kazange ayekele ukumlandela, wagcina imilayo uJehova ayeyinike uMosi.

Ngakho uHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda wathumela ilizwi enkosini yase-Asiriya eLakhishi esithi, “Ngiphambanisile. Suka kimi, mina ngizakubhadala konke okufunayo kimi.” Inkosi yase-Asiriya yathi uHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda kayinike amathalenta esiliva angamakhulu amathathu kanye legolide elingamathalenta angamatshumi amathathu. Ngakho uHezekhiya wamnika sonke isiliva esatholakala ethempelini likaJehova lasezindlini zenotho yesigodlweni senkosi. Ngalesisikhathi uHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda waxexebula igolide elalisezivalweni zethempeli likaJehova lelalinanyathiselwe emigubazini yethempeli likaJehova, walinika inkosi yase-Asiriya.

UHezekhiya wazamukela izithunywa wasezitshengisa konke ayelakho eziphaleni zakhe, isiliva, igolide, iziyoliso kanye lamafutha acengekileyo, izikhali zakhe kanye lakho konke okwakuphakathi kwengcebo yakhe. Akulalutho esigodlweni sakhe loba embusweni wakhe wonke uHezekhiya angazange azitshengise lona. Ngakho umphrofethi u-Isaya waya ku-Hezekhiya inkosi wambuza wathi, “Atheni amadoda layana njalo avela ngaphi?” UHezekhiya wathi: “Avela elizweni elikhatshana. Avele eBhabhiloni.” Umphrofethi wabuza njalo wathi: “Aboneni esigodlweni sakho?” UHezekhiya wathi, “Abone konke okusesigodlweni sami. Akukho loba okukodwa phakathi kokuligugu kwami engingawatshengisanga khona.” Ngakho u-Isaya wathi kuHezekhiya, “Zwana nanti ilizwi likaJehova lithi: Isikhathi siyeza ngeqiniso lapho konke okusesigodlweni sakho lalokho okhokho bakho abakugcinayo kuze kube lamuhla kuzathwalelwa eBhabhiloni, kakuyikusala lutho, kutsho uJehova.

UManase wayeleminyaka elitshumi lambili eqalisa ukubusa njalo wabusa okweminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lemihlanu eJerusalema. Ibizo likanina lalinguHefizibha. Wenza ububi emehlweni kaJehova, elandela imikhuba eyenyanyekayo yezizwe uJehova ayezixotshile phambi kuka-Israyeli. Wavuselela izindawo zokukhonzela ezazidilizwe nguyise uHezekhiya, wakha lamaalithare kaBhali wenza lensika ka-Ashera, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe ngu-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli. Wakhothamela zonke izinkanyezi zezulu wazikhonza. Wakha ama-alithare ethempelini likaJehova, lona uJehova ayethe, “EJerusalema ngizabeka khona iBizo lami.” Kuwo womabili amaguma ethempeli likaJehova, wakhela izinkanyezi zezulu ama-alithare. Wenza umhlatshelo ngendodana yakhe emlilweni, wavumisa, wenza imilingo, wasebenza lezanuse labemimoya. Wenza okubi kakhulu emehlweni kaJehova, wamthukuthelisa. Wathatha insika ebaziweyo ka-Ashera ayeyenzile wayifaka ethempelini, lona lelo kanye uJehova ayethe kuDavida lakuSolomoni indodana yakhe, “Kulelithempeli lakulo umuzi waseJerusalema, engiwukhethileyo kuzo zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, ngizabeka iBizo lami kuze kube nini nini.

Futhi uManase wachitha igazi elinengi kakhulu elingelacala waze waligcwalisa iJerusalema kusukela ekuqaleni kwalo kuze kube sekucineni, ngaphandle kwesono ayebangele uJuda ukuba asenze, ngakho benza isono emehlweni kaJehova.

U-Amoni waba yinkosi eleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka emibili. Ibizo likanina lalinguMeshulemethi indodakazi kaHaruzi; owayevela eJothibha. Wenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise uManase. Walandela konke okwakwenziwe nguyise, wakhonza izithombe ezazikhonzwa nguyise, njalo wazikhothamela. Wamdela uJehova wabokhokho bakhe, njalo kazange ahambe ngendlela kaJehova.

UJosiya waba yinkosi eleminyaka eficamibili eqalisa ukubusa njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lowodwa. Ibizo likanina lalinguJedida indodakazi ka-Adayiya; wayevela eBhozikhathi. Wenza okulungileyo emehlweni kaJehova njalo wahamba ezindleleni zonke zikayise uDavida, engaphambukeli eceleni kwesokudla loba esenxele.

UHilikhiya umphristi omkhulu wathi kuShafani unobhala, “Sengifumene uGwalo lweMithetho ethempelini likaJehova.” Walunika uShafani, owalufandayo. Ngakho wathi, “Izikhulu zakho sezibhadele imali ebisethempelini likaJehova njalo seziyigcinise izisebenzi kanye labakhangela ethempelini.” UShafani unobhala wasebikela inkosi esithi, “UHilikhiya umphristi usenginike ugwalo.” Ngakho uShefani waselubala phambi kwenkosi. Inkosi ithe isiwezwile amazwi oGwalo loMthetho, yadabula izingubo zayo. Yapha leziziqondiso kuHilikhiya umphristi, lo-Ahikhamu indodana kaShafani, lo-Akhibhori indodana kaMikhayiya loShafani unobhala kanye lenceku kaJehova u-Isaya, yathi: “Hambani kuJehova liyengibuzela mina labantu kanye loJuda wonke ngalokhu okulotshwe kulolugwalo olufunyenweyo. Lukhulu ulaka lukaJehova oluvuthayo kithi ngoba okhokho bethu kabawalalelanga amazwi alolugwalo: abakulandelanga konke okulotshiweyo kulo mayelana lathi.”

Wadilizela phansi ama-alithare ayakhiwe ngamakhosi akoJuda ephahleni eduze lendlu ephezulu ka-Ahazi lama-alithare uManase ayewakhile emagumeni womabili ethempeli likaJehova. Wawasusa lapho, wawachoboza, aba yizicucu waziphosela eSigodini seKhidroni. Inkosi yangcolisa izindawo zokukhonzela ezazingempumalanga kweJerusalema, ngaseningizimu kwentaba yokuXhwala zonalezo uSolomoni inkosi yako-Israyeli eyayizakhele u-Ashithorethi unkulunkulukazi oyisinengiso wamaSidoni, loKhemoshi unkulunkulu oyisinengiso wamaMowabi, kanye loMoleki oyisinengiso wama-Amoni. UJosiya wabhidliza amatshe okukhonza, waquma izinsika zika-Ashera, wafaka amathambo abantu abanengi endaweni yazo.

Wakwenza njalo uJosiya ukususa izangoma, labahlahluli, labonkulunkulu basezindlini, lezithombe kanye lazo zonke izinto zamanyala ezazikhona koJuda laseJerusalema. Lokhu kwakuyikugcwalisa izimiso zomlayo owawulotshwe encwadini umphristi uHilikhiya ayifumana ethempelini likaJehova. Ngaphambi kwakhe noma ngemva kwakhe uJosiya kakubanga khona inkosi eyafanana laye eyaphendukela kuJehova njengalokhu akwenzayo ngenhliziyo yakhe langomphefumulo wakhe wonke njalo langamandla akhe wonke mayelana lawo wonke uMthetho kaMosi. Kanti uJehova kadedanga ekuvutheni kolaka lwakhe olwavutha kakhulu koJuda ngenxa yazo zonke izinto uManase amthukuthelisa ngazo.

UJehoyahazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu ubudala bakhe esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema inyanga ezintathu. Ibizo likanina kwakunguHamuthali indodakazi kaJeremiya njalo wayevela eLibhina. Wenza ububi emehlweni kaJehova njengabokhokho bakhe.

UJehoyakhimi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ubudala bakhe ethatha ubukhosi, yena wabusa eJerusalema iminyaka elitshumi lanye. Ibizo likanina lalinguZelida indodakazi kaPhedaya owayevela eRuma. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, njengabokhokho bakhe.

UJehoyakhini wayeleminyaka elitshumi laficamibili esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okwezinyanga ezintathu. Ibizo likanina lalinguNehushita indodakazi ka-Elinathani; evela eJerusalema. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise.

Njengelizwi likaJehova, uNebhukhadinezari wabutha yonke inotho yasethempelini likaJehova lenotho yesigodlo senkosi, wabutha zonke izitsha zegolide ezazisethempelini likaJehova, ezazenziwe nguSolomoni inkosi yako-Israyeli, njengokutsho kukaJehova. Wathumba abaseJerusalema bonke: izikhulu zonke, lawo wonke amadoda empi lazo zonke izingcitshi ezileminwe, abantu abayizinkulungwane ezilitshumi. Kwasala abantukazana kuphela elizweni. UNebhukhadinezari wamthatha uJehoyakhini wayamgqilaza eBhabhiloni. Wathumba njalo eJerusalema unina wenkosi labafazi bayo lezikhulu zayo lamadoda aziwayo elizweni. Inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yathumbela eBhabhiloni wonke amadoda angamaqhawe, ayizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa, aqinileyo ayengaphuma impi, kanye lezingcitshi ezileminwe eziyinkulungwane.

UZedekhiya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanye ebekwa ukuba yinkosi, wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lanye. Ibizo likanina lalinguHamuthali indodakazi kaJeremiya, evela eLibhina. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova, njengokwakwenziwe nguJehoyakhini. Kwakungenxa yokuthukuthela kukaJehova ukuze kwenzakale konke lokhu eJerusalema lakoJuda, okwabangela ukuthi uJehova abachithe. UZedekhiya wayihlamukela inkosi yaseBhabhiloni.

Yona yathathwa yasiwa enkosini yaseBhabhiloni eRibhila, lapho eyafika yagwetshelwa khona. Babulala amadodana kaZedekhiya ekhangele. Basebemkhupha amehlo, bambopha ngamaketane ethusi bamusa eBhabhiloni.

USawuli wafa ngoba wayengathembekanga kuJehova; kaligcinanga ilizwi likaJehova wakhe waze wayadinga ukuqondiswa yizangoma, esikhundleni sokukhuleka kuJehova uNkulunkulu. Ngakho uJehova wamenza wafa wathatha ubukhosi wabunika uDavida indodana kaJese.

Bonke abako-Israyeli baya kuDavida eHebhroni bafika bathi: “Thina siyizihlobo zakho. Esikhathini esedluleyo, lanxa uSawuli eseseyinkosi, nguwe owawuvele ukhokhela u-Israyeli empini. Njalo uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho wathi kuwe, ‘Wena uzakuba ngumalusi wabantu bami u-Israyeli, uzakuba ngumbusi wabo.’ ”

“Kodwa uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, wakhetha mina kuyo yonke indlu yakwethu ukuba yinkosi yako-Israyeli kuze kube nininini. Wakhetha uJuda ukuba abe ngumkhokheli, kwathi khona endlini kaJuda wakhetha imuli yakwethu, kwazakuthi emadodaneni kababa kumthokozisile ukungibeka ngibe yinkosi kulo lonke elako-Israyeli. Kuwo wonke amadodana ami njengoba uJehova engiphe amanengi  —  umkhethile uSolomoni indodana yami ukuba ahlale esihlalweni sobukhosi esikhosini sombuso kaJehova ko-Israyeli.

Wathi kimi: ‘USolomoni indodana yakho yiyo ezangakhela indlu yami ilungise lamaguma ami, ngoba ngimkhethile ukuba abe yindodana yami, lami ngizakuba nguyise. Ngizawuqinisa umbuso wakhe kuze kube nininini nxa eqina ekugcineni imilayo yami lemithetho yami njengalokhu okwenzakalayo lamuhla.’ “Ngakho-ke phambi kwakhe wonke u-Israyeli, lebandla likaJehova uNkulunkulu, laphambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu: gcinani linanzelele imilayo kaJehova uNkulunkulu wenu, ukuze libe lelizwe elihle elizalitshiyela izizukulwane kube yilifa lazo kuze kube nininini.

UDavida indodana kaJese wayeyinkosi yabo bonke abako-Israyeli. Wabusa kwabako-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amane  —  eyisikhombisa eHebhroni kwathi engamatshumi amathathu lantathu eJerusalema. Wafa eseluphele eseleminyaka eminengi kakhulu lenotho lodumo; uSolomoni indodana yakhe waba yinkosi esikhundleni sakhe.

USolomoni indodana kaDavida waqina embusweni wakhe, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe wayelaye njalo wamenza waba mkhulu kakhulu. Kwathi uSolomoni wakhuluma kubo bonke abako-Israyeli  —  kusukela kubalawuli bezinkulungwane labalawuli bamakhulu, kusiya kubehluleli lakubo bonke abakhokheli bako-Israyeli, abayizinhloko zezimuli  — kwaze kwathi yena uSolomoni lebandla lonke baya endaweni yokukhonzela eGibheyoni, njengoba iThente lokuHlanganela likaNkulunkulu, elalenziwe nguMosi inceku kaJehova enkangala lalikuleyondawo. UDavida wayeselethe ibhokisi lesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu lisuka eKhiriyathi Jeyarimi elisa endaweni ayelilungisele yona, ngoba wayeselimisele ithente eJerusalema.

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

Kwathi uSolomoni eseqedile ukukhuleka, kwehla umlilo uvela ezulwini, waqhunqisa umnikelo wokutshiswa lemihlatshelo, inkazimulo kaJehova yagcwalisa ithempeli. Abaphristi behluleka ukungena ethempelini likaJehova ngoba laligcwele inkazimulo kaJehova. Kwathi lapho bonke abako-Israyeli bebona umlilo usehla lenkazimulo kaJehova ethempelini, bathi mbo ngobuso phansi embundwini weguma, badumisa bebonga uJehova besithi: “Yena ulungile; uthando lwakhe lumi kuze kube nininini,” Inkosi labantu bonke banikela imihlatshelo kuJehova. Ngalokho inkosi uSolomoni yanikela umhlatshelo wezinkomo ezizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili kanye lezimvu lezimbuzi ezizinkulungwane ezilikhulu elilamatshumi amabili. Ngakho inkosi labantu bonke banikela ithempeli likaNkulunkulu.

uJehova wabonakala kuye ebusuku wathi: “Ngiwuzwile umkhuleko wakho njalo sengizikhethele indawo le ukuba ibe lithempeli lemihlatshelo. Nxa ngivala iphezulu ukuze kungabi lezulu, loba ngithumela isifo phakathi kwabantu bami, nxa abantu bami, ababizwa ngebizo lami, bezazithoba bakhuleke badinge ubuso bami njalo batshiye izindlela zabo ezimbi, kulapho ngizakuzwa khona ngisezulwini ngithethelele izono zabo njalo ngiphephise ilizwe labo.

Inkosi uRehobhowami yaqinisa umbuso wayo eJerusalema njalo yaqhubeka ibusa. Ekugcotshweni kwakhe ubukhosi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amane lanye, wabusa okweminyaka elitshumi lesikhombisa eJerusalema umuzi kaJehova ayewukhethile phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli ukuze abeke iBizo lakhe. Ibizo likanina linguNahama, engowako-Amoni. Wenza okubi wona ngoba engazange abeke inhliziyo yakhe ekumdingeni uJehova.

U-Abhija lamabutho akhe babulala amadoda amanengi kakhulu, kwafa amadoda ako-Israyeli aqinileyo empini ayizinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amahlanu.

UJerobhowami kazange abuse futhi kusabusa u-Abhija. UJehova wamtshaya wafa.

U-Asa wenza okuhle lokulungileyo phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe. Wasusa wonke ama-alithare ezizweni lezindawo zokukhonzela, wadiliza izinsika zakhona lezithombe zikankulunkulukazi u-Ashera. Walaya abakoJuda ukuba bakhonze uJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise, balandele yonke imithetho lemilayo yakhe. Wavala izindawo zokukhonzela lama-alithare empepha kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda, ngakho kwaba lokuthula ekubuseni kwakhe.

Lanxa engasusanga izindawo zokukhonzela ko-Israyeli, u-Asa wayezinikele kuJehova ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke empilweni yakhe yonke.

U-Asa wazondela umboni ngenxa yalokho; wathukuthela wahle wamfaka entolongweni. Kusenjalo u-Asa waphatha abanye babantu ngochuku.

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

UJehova wayelaye uJehoshafathi ngoba ngeminyaka yakuqala wayehamba ngezindlela ezalandelwa nguyise uDavida. Kabadinganga oBhali, kodwa wadinga uNkulunkulu kayise njalo walalela imilayo yakhe kazange alingisele okwakusenziwa ngabako-Israyeli. UJehova wawuqinisa umbuso wakhe, bonke abakoJuda baletha izipho kuJehoshafathi, ngakho wanotha kakhulu njalo wahlonitshwa kakhulu. Inhliziyo yakhe yayikuJehova ngokuzinikela okukhulu ezindleleni zakhe; njalo wasusa zonke izindawo zokukhonzela wadiliza lezinsika zikankulunkulukazi u-Ashera koJuda.

UMikhaya waqhubeka wathi, “Ngakho zwanini ilizwi likaJehova: Ngabona uJehova ehlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi lebandla lonke lasezulwini limi ngakwesokudla langakwesenxele. Njalo uJehova wathi, ‘Ngubani ozakhohlisa u-Ahabi inkosi yako-Israyeli ukuba ahlasele eRamothi Gileyadi njalo ayofela khona na?’ Omunye wabonisa lokhu, omunye laye lokhuyana. Ekucineni kwasekuphuma umoya othile, wema phambi kukaJehova wathi: ‘Ngizamkhohlisa mina.’ UJehova wathi kuwo: ‘Ngendlela bani na?’ “Wona wathi: ‘Ngizahamba ngiyekuba ngumoya wokuqamba amanga emilonyeni yabo bonke abaphrofethi bakhe.’ “UJehova wathi: ‘Uzaphumelela ukumkhohlisa. Hamba-ke uyekwenza lokho.’ “Ngakho-ke uJehova ufake umoya wokuqamba amanga emilonyeni yalaba baphrofethi bakho, ngoba uJehova ukumisele okubi.”

Ngakho uZedekhiya indodana kaKhenana waphakama wayawakala uMikhaya ngempama ebusweni, watsho embuza wathi, “Umoya kaJehova wasuka njani kimi ukuyakhuluma kuwe na?” UMikhaya waphendula wathi, “Wena ngokwakho uzakubona lokho mhla ubalekela endlini engaphakathi usiyacatsha.” Inkosi yako-Israyeli yathi, “Bambani uMikhaya, limbuyisele ku-Amoni umbusi wedolobho lakuJowashi indodana yenkosi lithi: Nanku okutshiwo yinkosi, ithi: Valelani umuntu lo entolongweni, lingamniki lutho ngaphandle kwesinkwa lamanzi ngize ngiphenduke kukuhle.’ ” UMikhaya waqonqosela wathi, “Uma uzakufa waphenduka kukuhle, uJehova uyabe engakhulumanga ngami.” Waseqhubekela phambili wathi, “Liwabambisise amazwi ami, lina bantu lonke!”

Kodwa omunye watshoka kungananzelelwe umtshoko waphutsha emkhandlwini wesikhali wagwaza inkosi yako-Israyeli. Inkosi yatshela umtshayeli wenqola yokulwa yathi, “Phenduka uye le, ngisusa ekulweni lapha, sengilimele.” Impi yalwiwa ilanga lonke, njalo inkosi yako-Israyeli yeyama enqoleni yayo yokulwa ikhangele ama-Aramu kwaze kwaba ntambama. Kuthe litshona layo yabe isifa.

Ngokuqhubeka kwezikhathi, uJehoshafathi waba lesibopho asenza lo-Ahaziya inkosi yako-Israyeli, owayelecala lokwenza okubi. Wavumelana laye ukuba bakhe imikhumbi yokuthwala izimpahla zokuthengiselana. Ngemva kokuba isiyakhiwe e-Eziyoni Gebheri, u-Eliyezeri indodana kaDodavahu waseMaresha wakhuluma isiphrofetho esilahla uJehoshafathi, esithi, “Ngenxa yokuthi wenza isibopho lo-Ahaziya, uJehova uzadiliza lokho okwenzileyo.” Imikhumbi yabhidlika ayaze yenelisa ukungena olwandle isiyathengisa.

UJehoramu waba yinkosi eleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lambili, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka eficamibili. Walandela izindlela zamakhosi ako-Israyeli, njengalokho okwakwenziwe ngabendlu ka-Ahabi, ngoba wathatha indodakazi ka-Ahabi. Wenza okubi phambi kukaJehova.

UJehova wamvusela uJehoramu ulaka lwamaFilisti lama-Arabhu ayehlala eduzane lamaKhushi. Bahlasela koJuda, bangena khona bathutha zonke izimpahla ababezifumene esigodlweni senkosi, labantwabayo labomkayo. Akulandodana eyasalayo ngaphandle kuka-Ahaziya isicino sabo. Ngemva kwakho konke lokhu uJehova wehlisela uJehoramu isifo samathumbu esingelaphekiyo. Ngokuqhubeka kwesikhathi ekupheleni komnyaka wesibili, amathumbu akhe ahotshuka ngenxa yesifo, wafa esebuhlungwini obukhulu. Abantu bakhe abazange babase umlilo wokumhlonipha njengalokhu ababekwenza kuboyise.

U-Ahaziya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili ekubeni kwakhe yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okomnyaka owodwa. Unina wayengu-Athaliya, umntanomntanakhe ka-Omiri. Laye ngomunye owalandela izindlela zabendlu ka-Ahabi, ngoba unina wamkhuthaza ukwenza okubi. Wona phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe ngabendlu ka-Ahabi, ngoba ngemva kokufa kukayise bahle baba ngabacebisi bakhe, babangela ukuchitheka kwakhe.

Wasedinga u-Ahaziya abantu bakhe bambamba esecatshile eSamariya, bamletha kuJehu, wabulawa. Bamngcwaba ngoba bathi: “Wayeyindodana kaJehoshafathi owadinga uJehova ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke.” Ngakho kwakungaselamuntu endlini ka-Ahaziya olamandla okuwumisa umbuso.

U-Athaliya uthe esizwa umsindo wabantu begijima njalo behalalisa inkosi, wasuka waya kubo ethempelini likaJehova. Lakanye wayibona inkosi imi ensikeni yayo ngasemangenelweni. Izikhulu labavutheli bamacilongo besekele inkosi, njalo bonke abantu belizwe bejabula bevuthela amacilongo, kanye labahlabeleli bephethe izinto zokuhlabelela bekhokhela emkhosini wokuhaya inkosi. U-Athaliya wadabula izigqoko zakhe njalo wamemeza ethi: “Umvukela! Umvukela!”

UJehoyada wasesenza isivumelwano sokuthi yena kanye labantu lenkosi bazakuba ngabantu bakaJehova Bonke abantu baya ethempelini likaBhali, balidilizela phansi, babhidliza lama-alithare akhe lezithombe zakhe, babulala uMathani umphristi kaBhali phambi kwama-alithare. UJehoyada wabeka abalindi bethempeli likaJehova ezandleni zabaphristi, ababengabaLevi, bona uDavida ayevele ebenzele amazopho abo ethempelini, ukuze balethe iminikelo yokutshiswa kaJehova njengokulotshwa kwayo eMthethweni kaMosi, kulokujabula lokuhlabelela njengokulaya kukaDavida.

UJowashi waba yinkosi eleminyaka eyisikhombisa yokuzalwa, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amane. Ibizo likanina linguZibiya owayevela eBherisheba. UJowashi wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova iminyaka yonke uJehoyada engumphristi.

Ngakho uMoya kaNkulunkulu wehlela kuZekhariya indodana yomphristi uJehoyada. Wema phambi kwabantu wathi, “Nanku okutshiwo nguNkulunkulu: ‘Kungani lingalaleli imilayo kaJehova? Aliyikuphumelela. Ngenxa yokumlahla uJehova elikwenzileyo, laye uselilahlile.’ ” Kodwa bamhlamukela, kwathi ngokuqondisa kwenkosi bamkhanda bambulala ngamatshe egumeni lethempeli likaJehova. INkosi uJowashi ayizange izihluphe ngomusa eyayiwenzelwe nguJehoyada uyise kaZekhariya kodwa yabulala indodana yakhe, yona yathi ekufeni kwayo, “UJehova uNkulunkulu kakubone lokhu, aphindisele.”

U-Amaziya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ubudala ekubekweni kwakhe ukuba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili laficamunye. Ibizo likanina linguJehowadini evela eJerusalema. Wenza ukulunga emehlweni kaJehova, kodwa kakwenzanga ngenhliziyo yakhe yonke.

Kusukela ekuphambukeni kuka-Amaziya engasalandeli uJehova, bamsongela eJerusalema wabalekela eLakhishi, kodwa bathumela amadoda amlandela eLakhishi ambulalela khonale.

U-Uziya wayeleminyaka elitshumi lesithupha ubudala ekubeni kwakhe yinkosi njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lambili. Ibizo likanina linguJekholiya; evela eJerusalema. Wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise u-Amaziya. Wazimisela ukumdinga uNkulunkulu ngezinsuku zikaZekhariya, owamfundisa ukumesaba uNkulunkulu. Esamlandela uJehova, uNkulunkulu wampumelelisa.

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

UJothamu wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ubudala eqalisa ukubusa, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lesithupha. Ibizo likanina lalinguJerusha indodakazi kaZadoki. Wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova njengalokhu okwenziwa nguyise u-Uziya kodwa yena kasangenanga ethempelini likaJehova njengoyise. Lanxa kunjalo, abantu baqhubeka besenza okubi.

U-Ahazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili ubudala nyakana esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lesithupha. Kenzanga njengoyise uDavida, kazange enze okulungileyo emehlweni kaJehova. Wahamba ngezindlela zamakhosi ako-Israyeli njalo wabaza izithombe zokukhonza oBhali. Watshisa imihlatshelo eSigodini saseBheni Hinomu wanikela amadodana akhe emlilweni, elandela izindlela ezenyanyekayo zezizwe uJehova ayezixotshe mandulo kokufika kwabako-Israyeli.

Kwathi lanxa ephakathi kobunzima u-Ahazi watshengisela ukungethembeki okukhulu kuJehova. Wanikela imihlatshelo kubonkulunkulu baseDamaseko, ababemehlule, ngoba wakhumbula wathi, “Njengoba onkulunkulu bamakhosi ama-Aramu bewancedile, ngizanikela imihlatshelo kubo ukuze bangisize lami.” Kodwa-ke kwahle kwaba yikuwa kwakhe lokuchitheka kwabako-Israyeli. U-Ahazi wabutha zonke izitsha ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wazisusa. Wavala iminyango yethempeli likaJehova wasesakha ama-alithare kuwo wonke amajiko eJerusalema. Wakha izindawo zokukhonzela kuwo wonke amadolobho akoJuda ukuze atshisele onkulunkulu imihlatshelo; wathukuthelisa uJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise.

UHezekhiya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lemihlanu ubudala ethatha ubukhosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili laficamunye. Ibizo likanina lalingu-Abhija indodakazi kaZekhariya. Wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova, njengalokho okwenziwa nguyise uDavida. Ngenyanga yakuqala ngomnyaka wakuqala wokubusa kwakhe, wavula iminyango yethempeli likaJehova wayilungisa.

INkosi uHezekhiya lomphrofethi u-Isaya indodana ka-Amozi bakhala ngomkhuleko kuNkulunkulu ngalokhu. UJehova wathuma ingilosi, eyabhubhisa wonke amadoda empi labakhokheli lezikhulu enkambeni yenkosi yase-Asiriya. Ngakho wabuyela elizweni lakhe ngokuyangeka. Esengene ethempelini likankulunkulu wakhe, amanye amadodana akhe amjuqa ngenkemba. Ngalokho uJehova wamsindisa uHezekhiya labantu baseJerusalema esandleni sikaSenakheribi inkosi yase-Asiriya lakuzo zonke ezinye izitha. UJehova wabavikela wabaphatha kuhle nxa zonke. Abanengi balethela uJehova iminikelo eJerusalema kanye lezipho eziligugu kuHezekhiya inkosi yakoJuda. Kusukela lapho waba lesithunzi wahlonitshwa yizizwe zonke.

Ekufikeni kwamanxusa ayethunywe ngababusi beBhabhiloni bezobuza ngommangaliso owawenzekele elizweni, uNkulunkulu wamtshiya ukuze amhlole ukuthi azi konke okwakusenhliziyweni yakhe.

UManase waba yinkosi eleminyaka elitshumi lambili ubudala njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amahlanu lanhlanu. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, elandela izenzo zamanyala ezizwe ezasuswa nguJehova mandulo kokufika kwabako-Israyeli. Wavuselela izindawo zokukhonzela ezazibhidlizwe nguyise uHezekhiya; waphinda wakhela oBhali amaalithare kanye lezinsika zika-Ashera. Wakhothamela zonke izinkanyezi zezulu wazikhonza. Wakha ama-alithare ethempelini likaJehova, lona uJehova ayekhulume ngalo wathi: “IBizo lami lizahlala eJerusalema kuze kube nininini.” Emagumeni womabili ethempeli lika-Jehova, wakha ama-alithare ezinkanyezi zezulu. Wanikela amadodana akhe emlilweni eSigodini saseBheni Hinomi, wenza imilingo, ukuvumisa, lokuthakatha njalo wayahlahlula lakwabalemimoya. Wenza okubi kakhulu phambi kukaJehova, wamthukuthelisa. Wathatha isithombe ayesibazile wasibeka ethempelini likaNkulunkulu, lelo uNkulunkulu ayethe kuDavida lakundodana yakhe uSolomoni, “Kulelithempeli kanye laseJerusalema, engilikhethileyo ezizwaneni zako-Israyeli, ngizafaka iBizo lami kuze kube nininini. Angiyikuyekela izinyawo zabako-Israyeli zisuke kulelilizwe engalabela okhokho babo, nxa bezananzelela benze konke engabalaya ngakho okwemithetho, izimiso leziqondiso ezaphiwa uMosi.” Kodwa uManase wakhokhelela abakoJuda labaseJerusalema ekulahlekeni, benza ububi okwedlula izizwe uJehova azibhubhisa mandulo kokufika kwabako-Israyeli.

UJehova wakhuluma kuManase labantu bakhe, kodwa kabalalelanga. Ngakho uJehova wabehlisela abalawuli bamabutho enkosi yase-Asiriya, abathumba uManase, bamfaka umkhala emakhaleni, bambopha ngamaketane ethusi bamusa eBhabhiloni. Ekuhlulukelweni kwakhe wacela umusa kaJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise. Ngakho uthe esekhuleka kuJehova, wezwa ukuncenga kwakhe walalela isicelo sakhe; wambuyisela eJerusalema ebukhosini bakhe. Ngalokho uManase wakwazi ukuthi uJehova unguNkulunkulu.

Wasusa bonke onkulunkulu bezizweni wasusa lesithombe ethempelini likaJehova, lawo wonke ama-alithare ayewakhele eqaqeni lwethempeli kanye laseJerusalema; konke lokhu wakulahlela ngaphandle kwedolobho Wavuselela i-alithare likaJehova wenza imihlatshelo yobudlelwano leminikelo yokulunga phezu kwalo njalo watshela uJuda ukumkhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Kodwa abantu baqhubeka benikela imihlatshelo ezindaweni zokukhonzela, kodwa benikela kuphela kuJehova uNkulunkulu wabo.

U-Amoni wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili ubudala esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka emibili. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova, njengalokhu okwakwenziwe nguyise uManase. U-Amoni wakhonza njalo wanikela imihlatshelo kuzo zonke izithombe ezazenziwe nguManase. Kodwa kenzanga njengoyise uManase, ngoba yena kazehlisanga phansi kukaJehova; u-Amoni wenza amacala ngokuphindiweyo.

UJosiya waba yinkosi eleminyaka eficamunye ubudala njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lanye. Wenza ukulunga phambi kukaJehova njalo wahamba ngenyathelo likayise uDavida, kazange aphambukele kwesokudla loba esokhohlo. Ngomnyaka wesificamibili wokubusa kwakhe, elokhu esesengumntwana, waqalisa ukumdinga uNkulunkulu kakhokho wakhe uDavida. Ngomnyaka wetshumi lambili waqalisa ukuhlambulula elako-Juda laseJerusalema, wavala izindawo zokukhonzela, izinsika zika-Ashera, izithombe ezibaziweyo lezikhandiweyo. Ngeziqondiso zakhe kwabhidlizwa ama-alithare aboBhali; waqoba ama-alithare empepha ayengaphezu kwawo; wahlikiza izinsika zika-Ashera, izithombe kanye lemifanekiso. Lokhu wakuvidliza wasekuchithizela phezu kwamangcwaba alabo ababenikele imihlatshelo kulezozithombe.

UHilikhiya wathi kuShafani unobhala, “Sengilutholile uGwalo loMthetho ethempelini likaJehova.” Waselunika uShafani. Ngalokho uShafani waluthatha walusa enkosini wayibikela wathi: “Izikhulu zakho ziyakwenza konke ozilaye ukuba zikwenze. Sebeyibhadele imali leyo eyayisethempelini likaJehova njalo sebeyitshiyele abakhangeli bomsebenzi kanye lezisebenzi. Ngakho uShafani unobhala wabikela inkosi, wathi, “UHilikhiya umphristi usengiphe ugwalo.” Ngakho uShafani waselubala phambi kwenkosi. Inkosi yonela ukuzwa amazwi oMthetho, yadabula izambatho zayo yapha leziziqondiso kuHilikhiya, lo-Ahikhamu indodana kaShefani, lo-Abhidoni indodana kaMikha, loShafani unobhala kanye lo-Asaya inceku yenkosi yathi: “Hambani liyengibuzela kuJehova lensalela yako-Israyeli labakoJuda ngalokhu okulotshwe kulolugwalo olutholakeleyo. Lukhulu ulaka lukaJehova phezu kwethu ngenxa yabokhokho abangazange balilalele ilizwi likaJehova; kabenzanga ngendlela okulotshwe ngayo kulolugwalo.”

‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova uthi: Ngizakwehlisela lindawo labantu bayo incithakalo lazo zonke izethuko ezilotshiweyo egwalweni olufundwe phambi kwenkosi yakoJuda. Ngoba bangidelile batshisela abanye onkulunkulu impepha njalo bangithukuthelisile ngakho konke abakwenze ngezandla zabo, ulaka lwami luzakwehlela phezu kwalindawo njalo aluyikucitshwa. Tshelani inkosi yakoJuda, elithume ukuzabuza kuJehova lithi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, mayelana lamazwi owezwileyo: Njengoba uzisolile wazehlisa ngaphansi kukaNkulunkulu wezwa ukuthi utheni ngalindawo labantu bayo njalo langenxa yokuthi uzehlisile wazithoba phambi kwami wadabula izambatho zakho walila phambi kwami, ngikuzwile, utsho njalo uJehova.

Inkosi yema ensikeni yayo yavuselela isivumelwano sayo phambi kukaJehova  —  ukumkhonza uJehova lokwamukela imilayo yakhe, leziqondiso, lezimiso zakhe ngenhliziyo yayo yonke langomphefumulo wayo wonke, lokulalela amazwi esivumelwano esilotshiweyo ogwalweni. Yasifungisa bonke ababeseJerusalema labakoBhenjamini ukuba bazasigcina; abantu baseJerusalema bakwenza lokho belandela isivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho babo. UJosiya wasusa zonke izithombe ezenyanyekayo ezabelweni zonke ezazingezako-Israyeli, wenza bonke abako-Israyeli bamkhonza uJehova uNkulunkulu wabo. Ngezinsuku zokuphila kwakhe kazange aphambuke endleleni kaJehova uNkulunkulu waboyise.

UJehoyahazi wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu yobudala esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okwezinyanga ezintathu.

UJehoyakhimu wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanhlanu ubudala esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lanye. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe.

UJehoyakhini wayeleminyaka elitshumi laficamibili ubudala esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okwezinyanga ezintathu lezinsuku ezilitshumi. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova.

Kwathi entwasa, inkosi uNebhukhadinezari yathumela ukuthi bamlethe eBhabhiloni, kanye lezimpahla eziligugu ezazivela ethempelini likaJehova, wabeka uZedekhiya isihlobo sikaJehoyakhini ukuba yinkosi yakoJuda laseJerusalema.

UZedekhiya wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amabili lanye ubudala esiba yinkosi, njalo wabusa eJerusalema okweminyaka elitshumi lanye. Wenza ububi phambi kukaJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe njalo kazange azithobe ngaphansi komphrofethi uJeremiya, owayekhulumela uJehova. Wahlamukela inkosi uNebhukhadinezari, owayemfungise ngebizo likaNkulunkulu. Waba ntamolukhuni, inhliziyo yakhe kayaguquka, kazange azithobe kuJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Abakhokheli bonke babaphristi lababantu baqhubeka ngokungathembeki, belandela izenzo ezingamanyala zezizwe, bengcolisa ithempeli likaJehova, ayezehlukanisele lona eJerusalema.

Kodwa izithunywa zikaNkulunkulu babezihleka ulunya, beseyisa amazwi akhe njalo beklolodela abaphrofethi bakhe lwaze lwavutha ulaka lukaJehova ebantwini bakhe kungasekho okunganceda. Ngakho wathuma inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, yabulala amajaha akibo ngenkemba endlini engcwele, njalo akusindanga jaha loba ntombi, indoda endala loba oseluphele. UNkulunkulu wabanikela bonke esandleni sikaNebhukhadinezari. Wathutha zonke izimpahla zethempeli likaNkulunkulu wazisa eBhabhiloni, zonke ezincinyane lezinkulu, kanye lezenotho yethempelini likaJehova lezenotho yenkosi leyezikhulu zayo. Bathungela ngomlilo ithempeli likaNkulunkulu njalo badiliza umduli weJerusalema; batshisa zonke izigodlo batshabalalisa lakho konke okwakuligugu khonapho. Wathatha bonke ababesele bengadliwanga yinkemba wabasa eBhabhiloni baba yizichaka zakhe lezamadodana akhe kwaze kwangena umbuso wasePherisiya. Ilizwe lazuza ukuphumula kwalo kwamasabatha; kuso sonke isikhathi salo sencithakalo laphumula kwaze kwaphela iminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa ukugcwalisa ilizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa nguJeremiya.

Ngomnyaka wakuqala wenkosi uKhurosi wasePhesiya, ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa nguJeremiya, uJehova wathinta inhliziyo kaKhurosi inkosi yasePhesiya ukuthi akhuphe isimemezelo embusweni wakhe esilotshwe ukuthi: “Nanti ilizwi lenkosi yasePhesiya elithi: “UJehova, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini unginike yonke imibuso yomhlaba njalo ungikhethile ukuba ngimakhele ithempeli eJerusalema koJuda. Loba ngubani, wabantu bakhe phakathi kwenu  —  sengathi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakhe angaba laye, kahambe.’ ”

Kwathi ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKhurosi inkosi yasePhesiya, ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi likaJehova elakhulunywa nguJeremiya, uJehova wathinta inhliziyo kaKhurosi inkosi yasePhesiya ukuba yenze isimemezelo kuwo wonke umbuso wayo, ukuthi sibhalwe phansi kuthiwe: “Nanku okutshiwo yinkosi uKhurosi wasePhesiya: “ ‘UJehova, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, ungiphile yonke imibuso yasemhlabeni njalo ungikhethile ukuthi ngimakhele ithempeli eJerusalema koJuda. Loba ngubani wabantu bakhe phakathi kwenu  —  sengathi uNkulunkulu wakhe angaba laye  —  kahambe aye eJerusalema koJuda ayokwakha ithempeli likaJehova, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uNkulunkulu oseJerusalema.

Akuthi izinduna zethu zisimele thina sonke. Akuthi wonkemuntu emizini yethu othethe umfazi wabezizwe eze ngesikhathi esimisiweyo, eze labadala kanye labehluleli balowomuzi, luze ludede kithi ulaka olwesabekayo lukaNkulunkulu wethu.

Ngemva kwalezo zenzakalo, inkosi u-Ahasuweru wenza uHamani indodana kaHamedatha um-Agagi waba lodumo ngokumphakamisa wamupha isikhundla esiphakemeyo esihloniphekayo esedlula esezinye zezikhulu zonke. Zonke iziphathamandla zesigodlweni esangweni lenkosi zaguqa phansi zamkhothamela uHamani, ngoba inkosi yayilaye lokho ngaye. Kodwa uModekhayi kazange amkhothamele loba amkhonze. Kwathi iziphathamandla zasesigodlweni esangweni lenkosi zabuza uModekhayi zisithi, “Kungani ungalaleli umlayo wenkosi?” Bakhuluma laye izinsuku ngezinsuku kodwa wala ukwenza lokho. Ngakho bamtshela uHamani ngalokho befuna ukubona kumbe isenzo sikaModekhayi sasizakwamukeleka, ngoba wayebatshelile ukuthi yena ungumJuda.

Kwathi ngosuku lwetshumi lantathu ngenyanga yokuqala onobhala besigodlweni babizwa. Babhala ngokulotshwa kwesabelo sinye ngasinye njalo ngolimi lwabantu laba lalaba, yonke imilayo kaHamani eyayisiya kuziphathamandla zenkosi, ababusi bezabelo ezehlukeneyo kanye lasezikhulwini ezaziphethe abantu abehlukeneyo. Yayibhalwe ngebizo leNkosi u-Ahasuweru ngokwakhe yananyekwa ngophawu lwendandatho yakhe. Izincwadi zathunyelwa ngezigijimi kuzo zonke izabelo zenkosi kulomlayo wokuba kubhujiswe, kubulawe njalo kutshabalaliswe bonke abaJuda abatsha labadala, abesifazana labantwana ngelanga elilodwa, ilanga letshumi lantathu lwenyanga yetshumi lambili, enyangeni ethiwa ngu-Adari, njalo lokuphanga izimpahla zabo. Amazwi esimemezelo leso ayezakhutshwa abe ngumthetho omisiweyo kuzo zonke izabelo, aziswe bonke abantu bakuzo zonke izizwe ukuze bazilungiselele lolosuku. Izigijimi zakhuthazwa ngumlayo wenkosi, zaphuma zakhupha umthetho omisiweyo esigodlweni saseSusa. Inkosi loHamani bahlala phansi banatha, kodwa abedolobho laseSusa badideka.

Ngelanga lesithathu u-Esta wagqoka izembatho zakhe zobukhosi wema enkundleni engaphakathi kwesigodlo phambi kwendlu yenkosi. Inkosi yayihlezi esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi endlini yayo, ikhangele emnyango. Yathi ibona iNdlovukazi u-Esta emi enkundleni, yathokoza ngaye yasiselula intonga yayo yegolide eyayisesandleni sayo, yamkhomba ngayo. u-Esta wasesondela wathinta isihloko sentonga. Inkosi yasibuza yathi, “Kutheni Ndlovukazi Esta? Kuyini okucelayo na? Uzanikwa loba yini, okungafika kungxenye yombuso.”

Nxa ilizwe liwela ezandleni zababi, ubembesa amehlo abehluleli balo. Nxa kungayisuye, pho ngubani?

Kambe lowo ozonda ukwahlulela kuhle angabusa na? Liyamlahla yini Yena oqotho njalo olamandla?

Kakunguye yini othi emakhosini, ‘Kalisizi lutho,’ athi kwabayizikhulu, ‘Libabi,’

Kungani izizwe zixokozela na, labantu besakha amasu ayize? Amakhosi omhlaba azimisele lababusi bahlangana ndawonye ukumelana loJehova njalo bamelane lalowo Ogcotshiweyo Wakhe. Bathi, “Kasiwaqamuleni amaketane abo, silahle izibopho zabo.” Yena osesihlalweni ezulwini uyahleka; uJehova ubahleka ulunya.

“Sengiyibekile eyami inkosi phezu kweZiyoni, intaba yami engcwele.” Ngizasimemezela isimiso sikaJehova: Wathi kimi, “UyiNdodana yami; lamuhla senginguyihlo. Cela kimi, ngizakwenza izizwe zibe yilifa lakho, imikhawulo yomhlaba kube yinotho yakho. Uzazibusa ngentonga yobukhosi eyensimbi; uzazibhidliza zicubuzeke njengebumba.” Ngakho-ke lina makhosi, limukani; liyaxwayiswa lina babusi bomhlaba. Mkhonzeni uJehova ngokumesaba, lithokoze lithuthumele.

Ababi babuyela engcwabeni, zonke izizwe ezikhohlwa uNkulunkulu. Kodwa abaswelayo kabayikukhohlakala kokuphela, njalo lethemba labahlukuluzwayo kaliyikutshabalala. Vuka, hawu Jehova, ungayekeli umuntu anqobe; akuthi izizwe zahlulelwe phambi kwakho. Batshayise ngovalo, O Jehova; akuthi izizwe zikwazi ukuthi zingabantu nje.

UJehova ungumbusi kuze kube nini lanini; izizwe zizabhubha elizweni lakhe.

UJehova uyabahlola abalungileyo, kodwa ababi lalabo abathanda udlakela umphefumulo wakhe uyabazonda.

Yonke imikhawulo yomhlaba izakhumbula iphendukele kuJehova, njalo lezimuli zonke zezizwe zizakhothama phansi phambi kwakhe, ngokuba umbuso ungokaJehova njalo uyabusa phezu kwezizwe.

Ungubani na lowoJehova wenkazimulo? NguJehova uSomandla  —  nguye uJehova wenkazimulo.

UJehova uyawachitha amacebo ezizwe; uyazinyampisa izinhloso zabantu. Kodwa amacebo kaJehova ami aqinile nini lanini, izinhloso zenhliziyo yakhe kuzo zonke izizukulwane. Sibusisekile isizwe uNkulunkulu waso onguJehova, abantu abakhethayo baba yilifa lakhe.

Wesabeka kangakanani uJehova oPhezukonke, uJehova omkhulu kuwo wonke umhlaba! Wazehlula zonke izizwe zaba ngaphansi kwethu, abantu baba ngaphansi kwezinyawo zethu. Wasikhethela ilifa lethu, igugu likaJakhobe amthandayo. UNkulunkulu usekhuphukile phakathi komsindo wentokozo, uJehova uphakathi kokukhala kwamacilongo. Hlabelelani indumiso kuNkulunkulu, hlabelelani indumiso; hlabelelani indumiso kuJehova wethu, hlabelelani indumiso. Ngokuba uNkulunkulu unguJehova womhlaba wonke; hlabelelani kuye ihubo lokudumisa. UNkulunkulu uyazibusa izizwe; UNkulunkulu uhlezi esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi esingcwele.

Ngokuba uJehova unguNkulunkulu omkhulu, iNkosi ngaphezu kwabonkulunkulu bonke.

ngamacilongo langomsindo wophondo lwenqama  —  hlokomani ngentokozo phambi kukaJehova, iNkosi.

Izizwe zizalesaba ibizo likaJehova, wonke amakhosi omhlaba azahlonipha inkazimulo yakhe.

Amakhosi abusa ngenxa yami lababusi balakho ukutshaya imithetho elungileyo; amakhosana abusa ngami, lazo zonke izikhulu ezibusa emhlabeni.

Ukulunga kuyasiphakamisa isizwe, kodwa isono silihlazo lakubaphi abantu. Inkosi iyathokoza ngenceku ehlakaniphileyo, kodwa inceku ehlazisayo iyayithukuthelisa.

Izindebe zombusi zikhuluma kungathi lidlozi ngakho umlomo wakhe kawungaphambuli umthetho. Izilinganiso eziqondileyo zivela kuJehova; zonke izisindo ezisemgodleni zenziwa nguye. Amakhosi ayakuzonda ukwenza okubi, ngokuba isihlalo sobukhosi sakhelwe phezu kokulunga. Amakhosi athokoziswa yizindebe ezithembekileyo; ayamazisa umuntu okhuluma iqiniso. Ulaka lwenkosi luyisithunywa sokufa, kodwa umuntu ohlakaniphileyo uyaluxolisa. Nxa ubuso benkosi bulentokozo, kukhomba ukuphila; ukuthandwa yiyo kunjengeyezi lezulu entwasa.

Kakusifanelanga isiwula ukuthi sihlale enothweni  — kubi kangakanani ukuthi isigqili sibuse amakhosana. Ukuhlakanipha komuntu kumupha isineke; kumupha udumo ukunganaki ukuqalwa. Ukuthukuthela kwenkosi kunjengombhongo wesilwane, kodwa ukuthandwa yiyo kunjengamazolo otshanini.

Ulaka lwenkosi lunjengombhongo wesilwane; lowo oyizondisayo udelela impilo yakhe.

Inkosi nxa ihlezi esihlalweni sayo isahlulela, iyakuhlungula konke okubi ngamehlo ayo.

Inhliziyo yenkosi isezandleni zikaJehova, uyiholela lapho athanda khona njengomsele wamanzi.

Yesaba uJehova lombusi, ndodana yami, ungangenelani labahlamuki, ngoba laba bobabili bazakwehlisa ulaka lubabhubhise, ngoba phela kambe ngubani okwaziyo ukubhubhisa abangakwehlisa?

Kuyinkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ukufihla indaba; ukuchwayisisa indaba lodumo lwababusi. Njengalokhu izulu liphakeme lomhlaba ujulile, kanjalo imicabango yamakhosi kayifinyelelwa. Susa amakhafutha ahlangene lesiliva kuzasala isiliva esihle esomkhandi; susa abantu ababi phambi kwenkosi, isihlalo sayo sizaqiniswa ngokulunga. Ungaziphakamisi phambi kwenkosi, ungaziphendleli indawo phakathi kwezikhulu; kuba ngcono ukuthi yona ithi, “Woza uhlale ngapha,” kulokuthi yona ikwehlise phambi kwezikhulu. Lokho okubonileyo ngawakho amehlo

Njengesilwane esibhongayo loba ibhere elihlaselayo unjalo umuntu omubi nxa ebusa abantu abangelamandla. Umbusi ocindezelayo wehluleka ukwahlulela kuhle, kodwa lowo ozonda inzuzo yokuganga uzakuba lempilo ende.

Lapho kuphumelela abalungileyo abantu bayajabula; nxa kubusa izixhwali abantu bayabubula. Umuntu othanda ukuhlakanipha uletha intokozo kuyise, kodwa ohamba lezifebe utshaphaza inotho yakhe. Ngokubusa kuhle inkosi iyaliqinisa ilizwe layo, kodwa leyo elihaga lezivalamlomo iyalibhidliza.

Nxa umbusi elalela amanga, zonke izikhulu zakhe ziba zimbi. Umyanga lomcindezeli bakanye kulokhu: uJehova uvula amehlo abo bobabili. Nxa inkosi isahlulela abayanga kungelabandlululo, isihlalo sayo sobukhosi sizaqina.

“Kakusikho kwamakhosi, bakithi Lemuweli  —  kakusikho kwamakhosi ukunatha iwayini, kakusikho kwababusi ukunxwanela utshwala, funa badakwe bakhohlwe izimiso zomthetho, behluleke ukumisela kuhle abahluphekayo amalungelo abo.

Ngithi thobela umlayo wenkosi ngokuba wenza isifungo phambi kukaNkulunkulu. Ungawalazeli ukusuka phambi kwenkosi. Ungalumeli ulutho nxa lungaqondanga ngoba yona ingenza loba yini eyithandayo. Njengoba ilizwi lenkosi lingaphikiswa ngubani ongathi kuyo, “Kanti wenzani?”

Ungayithuki inkosi lasemicabangweni yakho, loba uqalekise abanothileyo loba usendlini yakho yokulala, ngoba mhlawumbe inyoni yasemoyeni ingawathwala amazwi akho, loba inyoni ephaphayo ingayabika okutshoyo.

Ilizwe lenu lichithekile, amadolobho enu atshiswa ngomlilo, umhlaba wenu uphundlwa ngabezizweni, phambi kwenu uqobo, uchitheka njengalapho udilizwa ngabezizweni. INdodakazi yaseZiyoni isele njengedumba esivinini, njengendlwana ensimini yamajodo, njengedolobho elihonqolozelweyo. Aluba uJehova uSomandla wayengasitshiyelanga abalutshwana abasindayo, sasizakuba njengeSodoma; sasizafana leGomora. Zwanini ilizwi likaJehova lina babusi baseSodoma, lalelani umthetho kaNkulunkulu wethu lina bantu baseGomora!

Yekelani ukuletha iminikelo eyize. Impepha yenu iyisinengiso kimi. IziNyanga ezithwasayo, amaSabatha lemihlangano  —  angingeke ngibekezelele imibuthano yenu yobubi. Imikhosi yenu yokuthwasa kwezinyanga lamadili enu amisiweyo umphefumulo wami uyakuzonda. Sekube ngumthwalo kimi; sengikhathele ngokukuthwala.

Uzakwahlulela phakathi kwezizwe, alamule izingxabano zabantu abanengi. Bazakhanda izinkemba zabo zibe yimihlathi yamakhuba kuthi imikhonto yabo ibe zingqamu zokuthena izihlahla. Isizwe asiyikuhlomela isizwe ngezinkemba loba sifundele ukulwa izimpi futhi.

“Ungabokuthi kungamacebo amabi konke abantu laba abathi kungamacebo amabi; ungakwesabi abakwesabayo njalo ungakuqhuqhi.

Ngoba sizalelwe umntwana, siphiwe indodana, umbuso uzakuba phezu kwamahlombe akhe. Uzabizwa ngokuthi uMeluleki Omangalisayo, uNkulunkulu uSomandla, uBaba Waphakade, iNkosana yokuThula. Ukwanda kombuso wakhe lokuthula akuyikuba lomkhawulo. Uzabusa esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaDavida laphezu kombuso wakhe, ewumisa njalo ewuqinisa ngokufaneleyo langokulunga, kusukela ngalesisikhathi kusiya phambili, kuze kube nininini. Ukutshisekela kukaJehova uSomandla kuzakufeza lokhu.

IBhabhiloni, igugu lemibuso, ubukhazikhazi bokuziqhenya kwamaKhaledi, lizachithwa nguNkulunkulu njengeSodoma leGomora. Akuyikuhlalwa kulo futhi loba kwakhiwe kulo kuzo zonke izizukulwane; akulam-Arabhi ozamisa ithente lakhe khona loba umalusi ozaphumuza imihlambi yakhe khona.

lizakutsho la amazwi okukloloda enkosini yaseBhabhiloni lithi: Umcindezeli usefikile ekucineni, ukuthukuthela kwakhe sekuphelile! UJehova useyephule intonga yababi, induku yobukhosi eyababusi,

Umhlaba ungcoliswa ngabantu bawo. kabayilalelanga imithetho, beqe imilayo bephula isivumelwano esingapheliyo. Ngakho-ke umhlaba uchithwa yisiqalekiso; abantu bawo kumele bahlupheke ngenxa yokona kwabo. Ngakho abantu abahlala emhlabeni bayatshiswa, njalo balutshwana kakhulu abaseleyo.

Khangelani, inkosi izabusa ngokulunga lababusi bazabusa ngemfanelo.

Ngoba uJehova ungumahluleli wethu, uJehova usinika imithetho, uJehova unguJehova wethu; nguye ozasikhulula.

athi ngoKhurosi, ‘Ungumalusi wami, uzafeza konke engikufunayo; uzakuthi ngeJerusalema, “Kalakhiwe futhi,” ngethempeli athi, “Izisekelo zalo kazakhiwe.” ’

“Nanku akutshoyo uJehova kogcotshiweyo wakhe, uKhurosi, engibamba isandla sakhe sokudla ukuba nginqobe izizwe eziphambi kwakhe, ngithathele amakhosi izihlangu zawo, ngivule iminyango phambi kwakhe ukuze amasango angavaleki:

Ngoba isizwe kumbe umbuso ongayikukukhonza uzatshabalala; uzachitheka uphele nya.

Khangela, lamhla ngikubeka phezu kwezizwe lemibuso ukuba usiphune udilize, ubhubhise njalo uchithe; ukuba wakhe njalo uhlanyele.”

Indlu ka-Israyeli lendlu kaJuda kazithembekanga impela kimi,” kutsho uJehova.

UJehova uthi, “Wena ndlu ka-Israyeli, ngizaletha isizwe esivela khatshana ukuba sikuhlasele  —  isizwe esidala esiqinileyo, isizwe ulimi lwaso ongalwaziyo, lenkulumo yaso ongayizwayo.

“Kusukela kwabancane kusiya kwabakhulu, bonke bayizihwaba ezifuna inzuzo; banjalo labaphrofethi kanye labaphristi, bonke benza inkohliso.

Kodwa uJehova unguNkulunkulu oqotho; unguNkulunkulu ophilayo, iNkosi yanininini. Lapho ethukuthele, umhlaba uyagedezela; izizwe azingeke zimelane lolaka lwakhe.

Kodwa uma isizwe singalaleli, ngizasisusa ngokupheleleyo ngisibhubhise,” kutsho uJehova.

Ilizwi likaJehova laselifika kimi lisithi; “Wena ndlu ka-Israyeli, ngingeze ngenza kuwe njengokwenziwa ngumbumbi lo na?” kutsho uJehova. “Njengebumba esandleni sombumbi lawe unjalo esandleni sami, wena ndlu ka-Israyeli. Uma ngimemezela langasiphi isikhathi ukuthi isizwe loba umbuso uzasuswa udilizwe, uchithwe, kuthi isizwe leso engisixwayisileyo siphenduke ebubini baso, ngizaxola ngingabe ngisasehlisela ebesengimise ukusehlisela khona. Njalo uma ngesinye isikhathi ngimemezela ukuthi isizwe kumbe umbuso ngizawakha ngiwumise, ube ususenza ububi emehlweni ami njalo ungangilaleli, ngizacabanga kutsha ngokuhle ebesengicebe ukukwenzela khona.

lawo amakhosi asenyakatho, eduze lakhatshana, elandelana  —  yonke imibuso esemhlabeni. Ngemva kwabo bonke, inkosi yaseSheshaki layo izalinatha. “Lapho-ke batshele uthi, ‘UJehova uSomandla, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli uthi: Nathani, lidakwe lihlanze, njalo liwe lingavuki futhi ngenxa yenkemba engizayithumela phakathi kwenu.’

Nanku akutshoyo uJehova uSomandla: “Khangelani! Umonakalo uyanda usuka kwesinye isizwe usiya kwesinye; isiphepho esikhulu siyavunguza sivela emikhawulweni yomhlaba.” Ngalesosikhathi labo ababulewe nguJehova bazakuba sezindaweni zonke  —  kusukela komunye kusiya komunye umkhawulo womhlaba. Kabayikukhalelwa loba babuthwe kumbe bangcwatshwe, kodwa bazakuba njengezibi emhlabathini. Khalani lilile lina belusi; giqikani ethulini lina bakhokheli bomhlambi. Ngoba isikhathi sokubulawa kwenu sesifikile; lizakuwa liphohlozeke njengokubunjiweyo. Abelusi laba kabayikuba lalapho abangabalekela khona, abakhokheli bomhlambi bengelandawo yokubalekela kuyo. Zwanini ukukhala kwabelusi, ukulila kwabakhokheli bomhlambi, ngoba uJehova uyalichitha idlelo labo.

Funani ukuthula lokuphumelela kwedolobho engilise ekuthunjweni kulo. Likhulekeleni kuJehova, ngoba uma liphumelela lani lizaphumelela.”

Yeka ukwephuka lokucezuka kwesando somhlaba wonke! Yeka ukuchitheka kweBhabhiloni phakathi kwezizwe!

“Balekani eBhabhiloni! Sindisani impilo yenu! Lingabhujiswa ngenxa yezono zayo. Yisikhathi sokuphindisela kukaJehova; uzaphindisela kuyo ngokufaneleyo. IBhabhiloni yayiyinkezo yegolide esandleni sikaJehova; yenza umhlaba wonke wadakwa. Izizwe zanatha iwayini layo; ngakho khathesi sezihlanya.

Lanxa iBhabhiloni ingafinyelela emkhathini iqinise izinqaba zayo eziphakemeyo, ngizathumela abachithi bayihlasele,” kutsho uJehova.

Ngizadakisa izikhulu zayo lezihlakaniphi zayo, kanye lababusi bayo, lezinduna kanye lamabutho; bazalala kokuphela bangavuki futhi,” kutsho uJehova, obizo lakhe nguJehova uSomandla. UJehova uSomandla uthi: “Umduli oqatha weBhabhiloni uzabhidlizwa lamasango ayo aphakemeyo athungelwe ngomlilo; abantu bazidinisela ize, umsebenzi wezizwe ungamafutha amalangabi nje kuphela.”

Uyaguqula izikhathi lezibanga; uyawabeka amakhosi aphinde awaqethule. Unika inhlakanipho kwabahlakaniphileyo lolwazi kwabaqedisisayo.

“Leli bekuyilo iphupho, manje-ke sesizalichazela inkosi. Wena, O nkosi uyinkosi yamakhosi. UNkulunkulu wasezulwini ukunikile umbuso, lamandla lobukhulu lodumo; uluntu lonke ulunikele ezandleni zakho kanye lezinyamazana zeganga lezinyoni zemoyeni. Loba zihlala ngaphi, ukwenze wena waba ngumbusi wakho konke. Ulikhanda leliyana legolide. “Ngemuva kwakho, kuzakuba khona omunye umbuso, ophansi kulowakho. Kuzalandela owesithathu owethusi ozabusa umhlaba wonke. Ekucineni kuzakuba lombuso wesine oqinileyo njengensimbi ngoba insimbi iyephula ivodloze yonke into  —  yikho njengoba insimbi isephula izinto zibe yizicucu, kanjalo umbuso lowo uzayichoboza yonke eminye. Njengoba ubonile ukuthi izinyawo lamazwane bekulengxenye yebumba elitshisiweyo lengxenye yensimbi, yikho lo uzakuba ngumbuso odabukene phakathi; loba nje uzakuba lamanye amandla ensimbi phakathi kwawo, njengalokhu uyibonile insimbi ixubene lebumba. Njengoba amazwane abelengxenye yensimbi, lengxenye yebumba, kanjalo umbuso lo uzakuba lamandla nganxanye, nganxanye ubucuzeke. Njalo njengoba ubonile insimbi ixubene lebumba elitshisiweyo, kanjalo abantu bazakuba yinhlanganisela bahlale bengamanyananga, njengoba insimbi ingahlangani lebumba. “Ngalesosikhathi samakhosi lawo uNkulunkulu wasezulwini uzabeka umbuso ongasoze wabhidlizwa lanini njalo ongasoze utshiyelwe abanye abantu. Uzayibhidliza yonke leyomibuso iphele, kodwa wona uzakuma laphakade. Le yiyo incazelo yombono welitshe elaqhekezwa entabeni, kungasingezandla zomuntu  —  ilitshe elaphahlaza insimbi, lethusi, lebumba, lesiliva kanye legolide kwaba yizicucu. “UNkulunkulu omkhulu uyitshengisile inkosi okuzakwenzeka ngesikhathi esizayo. Iphupho liliqiniso lencazelo iqondile.”

Inkosi uNebhukhadinezari wazilahla wathi mbo phambi kukaDanyeli wamkhonza wakhupha ilizwi lokuthi kenzelwe umnikelo atshiselwe impepha njalo. Inkosi yathi kuDanyeli, “Ngempela uNkulunkulu wakho nguNkulunkulu wabonkulunkulu leNkosi yamakhosi lomambuleli wezimfihlakalo, ngokuba ukwazile ukwambula imfihlakalo le.” Inkosi yasibeka uDanyeli esikhundleni esiphezulu yelekelela ngezipho ezinengi kuye. Yamenza waba ngumbusi kulo lonke ilizwe laseBhabhiloni njalo waba ngumphathi wazo zonke izazi zakhona. Isicelwe nguDanyeli, yaphinde yabeka uShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko baba ngabaphathi beziqinti zelizwe laseBhabhiloni, kodwa yena uDanyeli wasala esigodlweni.

INkosi uNebhukhadinezari yenza isithombe segolide, saphakama izingalo ezingamatshumi aficamunye lobubanzi obuzingalo ezificamunye, yasimisa egcekeni laseDura elizweni laseBhabhiloni. Yasibiza ababusi bezigaba, labalisa, ababusi bemikhono yelizwe, labeluleki, labaphathizikhwama, labehluleli, labomantshi kanye lazo zonke izikhulu zezigaba ukuza emkhosini wokubusisa isithombe leso ayesimisile, bema phambi kwaso. Umlawuli womkhosi wasememezela kakhulu wathi, “Mahlabezulu, lani zizwe zonke kanye lani bantu bezindimi zonke, nanku elilaywa ukuthi likwenze: Lingavele lizwe ukukhala kophondo, lomfece, lomhlanga, lomhubhe, lechacho, lezindweba layo yonke imihlobo yokuhlabela ngokukhalisa iziginci libokuthi mbo phansi lisikhonze isithombe segolide esimiswe yinkosi uNebhukhadinezari. Loba ngubani ongekukhothama asikhonze uzahle aphoselwe esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo.” Yikho, bonela ukuzwa ukukhala kophondo, lomfece, lomhlanga, lomhubhe, lechacho lemihlobo yonke yeziginci, bonke abantu, lezizwe labantu bezindimi zonke bathi mbo phansi bakhonza isithombe segolide inkosi uNebhukhadinezari eyayisimisile.

Ngalesisikhathi ezinye izingcazi zezinkanyezi zeza zachothoza abaJuda. Zathi enkosini uNebhukhadinezari, “Bayethe nkosi, mana njalo! Ukhuphile isimemezelo, wena nkosi, wathi wonke okuzwayo ukukhala kophondo, lomfece, lomhlanga, lomhubhe, lechacho lezindweba kanye lazo zonke iziginci ezikhaliswayo kathi mbo phansi akhonze isithombe segolide, lokuthi loba ngubani ongathi mbo phansi akhonze uzaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Kodwa bakhona abanye abaJuda obabeke ukuphatha ilizwe laseBhabhiloni  —  uShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhedineko  —  abangakhathali lutho ngawe, wena nkosi. Kababakhonzi onkulunkulu bakho njalo kabasikhonzi isithombe lesi osimisileyo.” Wazonda wabila uNebhukhadinezari, wasebiza oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko. Yikho amadoda la alethwa phambi kwenkosi, uNebhukhadinezari wathi kubo, “Kuliqiniso yini, Shadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, ukuthi kalibakhonzi onkulunkulu bami njalo kalisikhonzi isifanekiso segolide engisimisileyo? Manje nxa lingezwa ukukhala kophondo, lomfece, lomhlanga, lomhubhe, lechacho, lezindweba layo yonke imihlobo yezikhaliswayo, uma selizimisele ukuthi mbo phansi lisikhonze isifanekiso engasenzayo, kulungile. Kodwa uma lingasikhonzi lizaphoselwa ngokuphangisa esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Pho nguwuphi unkulunkulu ozalilamulela esandleni sami na?”

OShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko bayiphendula inkosi bathi, “Yebo Nebhukhadinezari, kakusweleki ukuthi sizivikele kuwe kule indaba. Singaphoselwa esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo, uNkulunkulu esimkhonzayo ulamandla okusisindisa kuwo, njalo uzasilamulela esandleni sakho, wena nkosi. Loba engasisindisi, sithanda ukuba ukwazi, wena nkosi, ukuthi sivele kasisoze sibakhonze onkulunkulu bakho kumbe sisidumise isifanekiso segolide leso osimisileyo.” Lapho-ke uNebhukhadinezari waphuphuma ngolaka kuShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, wahle waguqula indlela aye esebaphatha ngayo. Walaya ukuthi isithando somlilo sibaselwe sitshise okuphindwe kakhombisa kulenjayelo waphinda walaya ukuthi abanye bamabutho angobambapheqe bempi yakhe bababophe oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko babaphosele esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Yikho amadoda la abotshwa elokhu egqokile amajazi awo, lamabhulugwe, leziqhiyo kanye lezinye izigqoko, aphoselwa esithandweni somlilo olavuzayo. Umlayo wenkosi wawuthukuthele kakhulu lesithando somlilo sitshisa okokuthi amalangabi omlilo awabulala amanxusa ayefuqela oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, kwathi amadoda la womathathu ayebotshwe nko awela phakathi kwesithando somlilo olavuzayo.

Khonapho inkosi uNebhukhadinezari wathi lothu ngokumangala, wabuza abacebisi bakhe wathi, “Kanti angithi abemathathu amadoda esiwabophileyo sawaphosela emlilweni na?” Baphendula bathi, “Liqiniso lelo, O nkosi.” Wathi, “Khangelani! Ngibona amadoda amane ehambahamba phakathi komlilo, engabotshwanga njalo engalinyazwanga lutho, njalo owesine lowo ukhangeleka njengendodana yabonkulunkulu.” UNebhukhadinezari wasesondela emlonyeni wesithando somlilo olavuzayo wamemeza wathi, “Shadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, zinceku zikaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, phumani! Wozani lapha!” Ngakho oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko baphuma emlilweni, kwathi ababusi bezigaba, labalisa, lababusi bemikhono yelizwe labeluleki besikhosini bababunganyela. Babona ukuthi umlilo wawungabalimazanga imizimba yabo, njalo kungahaqazekanga lalunye unwele lwamakhanda abo; izambatho zabo zingahangulekanga, njalo kunganuki mlilo kubo.

UNebhukhadinezari wasesithi, “Kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu waboShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko, othume ingilosi yakhe wasindisa izinceku zakhe! Bathemba kuye badelela umlayo wenkosi njalo bazimisela ukunikela izimpilo zabo kulokuthi bakhonze loba badumise omunye unkulunkulu ngaphandle kowabo uNkulunkulu. Ngakho sengimisa isimemezelo ukuthi abantu loba ngabasiphi isizwe kumbe ulimi abakhuluma okubi ngoNkulunkulu kaShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko kabaqunywaqunywe izicucu, lezindlu zabo zenziwe izinqwaba zezibi, ngokuba kakho omunye unkulunkulu ongasindisa ngale indlela.” Inkosi yase ibanika izikhundla eziphezulu oShadreki, loMeshaki lo-Abhediniko elizweni laseBhabhiloni.

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

“ ‘Isinqumo lesi sibikwa yizithunywa, zona ezingcwele yizo ezimemezela lesi isigwebo, ukuze kuthi abaphilayo bazi ukuthi oPhezukonke uyinkosi yemibuso yabantu njalo uyabanikela loba kukubani amfunayo futhi enze babuswe ngumuntukazana.’

Uzaxotshwa ebantwini uyehlala lezinyamazana zeganga: uzakudla utshani njengezinkomo, ugxanxwe ngamazolo aphezulu. Kuzakudlula iminyaka eyisikhombisa uze uvume ukuthi oPhezukonke uyabusa phezu kwemibuso yabantu ayinika ingqe ngulowo amthandayo.

Ngakho-ke, O nkosi, kuhle ukuthi wamukele ukucebisa kwami: Yekela izono zakho wenze okulungileyo, lobubi bakho ube lomusa kwabacindezelweyo. Lapho-ke mhlawumbe ukuphumelela kwakho kungaqhubeka.”

Konke lokhu kwenzakala enkosini uNebhukhadinezari. Sekudlule izinyanga ezilitshumi lambili, inkosi ihambahamba ephahleni lwesigodlo saseBhabhiloni, yathi, “Kakusilo yini iBhabhiloni leli engalakha laba ngumuzi wobukhosi bami na?” Kwathi amazwi la elokhu esesemlonyeni wakhe kwehla ilizwi livela ezulwini lathi, “Nanku osukunqunyelwe, nkosi Nebhukhadinezari: Amandla akho obukhosi asesusiwe kuwe. Uzaxotshwa ebantwini uyehlala lezinyamazana zeganga; uzakudla utshani njengezinkomo. Kuzadlula iminyaka eyisikhombisa uze uvume ukuthi oPhezukonke uyabusa phezu kwemibuso yabantu ayiphe ingqe ngubani ngokuthanda kwakhe.” Masinyane nje okwakutshiwo ngoNebhukhadinezari kwagcwaliseka. Waxotshwa ebantwini wadla utshani njengezinkomo. Umzimba wakhe wagxanxwa ngamazolo aphezulu inwele zakhe zakhula njengezinsiba zengqungqulu, kwathi inzipho zakhe zaba njengenkumba zenyoni.

Ekupheleni kwalesosikhathi, mina, Nebhukhadinezari, ngaphakamisela amehlo ami ezulwini, ingqondo yami yabuya. Ngasengimdumisa oPhezukonke; ngambabaza, ngambonga yena ohleziyo kuze kube phakade. Ubukhosi bakhe buyibukhosi baphakade; umbuso wakhe umi kulesi lakulesiyana isizukulwane. Imihlobo yonke yabantu bomhlaba babonakala bengasilutho. Wenza njengokuthanda kwakhe ezidalweni zasezulwini lasebantwini basemhlabeni. Kakho ongasivimbela isandla sakhe loba athi kuye: “Kanti usuwenzeni?” Ngasonalesosikhathi ingqondo yami yabuya, udumo lwami lenkazimulo yami kwabuyiswa kimi ukusekela ubukhosi bombuso wami. Abeluleki bami lezikhulu zami bangidinga bangibuyisela esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, ngase ngisiba mkhulu kulakuqala. Ngakho-ke mina, uNebhukhadinezari, ngiyamdumisa njalo ngiyambabaza ngimphakamise uJehova wezulu, ngokuba konke akwenzayo kuqondile futhi lezindlela zakhe zonke zilungile. Njalo bonke abazigqajayo uyabathobisa.

Kulomuntu embusweni wakho olomoya wabonkulunkulu abangcwele phakathi kwakhe. Ngesikhathi sikayihlo watshengisa ukuqonda, lokukhalipha lenhlakanipho okufana lokwabonkulunkulu. Inkosi uNebhukhadinezari uyihlo  —  uyihlo inkosi, ngiyakutshela  —  yambeka ukuba yinduna yabomasalamusi, lezangoma, lezingcazi zezinkanyezi lezanusi.

“Yebo kambe nkosi, uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke wanika uyihlo uNebhukhadinezari ubukhosi lobukhulu lodumo kanye lenkazimulo. Ngenxa yesikhundla esiphezulu amnika sona, bonke abantu kanye lezizwe zonke labantu bendimi zonke babemqhuqha, bemesaba. Labo inkosi eyafuna ukubabulala, yababulala; labo eyafuna ukubaxolela, yabaxolela; labo eyafuna ukubakhweza ezikhundleni yabakhweza; kwathi labo eyafuna ukubayangisa, yabayangisa. Kodwa kwathi lapho inhliziyo yayo isilobuqholo, isilukhuni ngokuzigqaja yethulwa esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi yaphucwa udumo lwayo. Yaxotshwa ebantwini yaphiwa ingqondo yenyamazana; yahlala labobabhemi beganga, yadla utshani njengezinkomo; lomzimba wayo wagxanxwa ngamazolo omkhathi yaze yavuma ukuthi uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke nguye obusayo phezu kwemibuso yabantu, abeke phezu kwayo loba nguwuphi umbusi amthandayo.

“Kodwa wena ndodana yayo, hawu Bhelishazari, kawuzithobanga, lokuba ukwazi konke lokhu. Endaweni yalokho, uzimisele ukumelana loJehova wezulu. Wathi kakuthathwe izitsha zethempeli layo zilethwe kuwe, kwase kusithi wena lezikhulu zakho, labafazi bakho kanye labafazi bakho beceleni lanathela iwayini kuzo. Wadumisa onkulunkulu besiliva legolide, abethusi, lensimbi, lezigodo lamatshe, abangaboniyo, labangezwayo labangaqedisisiyo. Kodwa kawumhloniphanga uNkulunkulu ophethe ukuphila kwakho kanye lezindlela zakho zonke esandleni sakhe. Kungakho wathumela lesosandla esaloba lowombhalo. “Nanku umbhalo owawulotshiwe: MENE, MENE, THEKHELI, PHARISINI Nanku okutshiwo ngamagama la: Mene: UNkulunkulu usezibalile izinsuku zokubusa kwakho, usekuqedile. Thekheli: Usulinganisiwe esikalini wafunyanwa ulula. Pharisini: Umbuso wakho usuwahlukaniswe phakathi wabelwa amaMede lamaPhesiya.” Kwathi ngomlayo kaBhelishazari uDanyeli wagqokiswa eziyibubende, wagqiziswa iketane legolide entanyeni yakhe, kwamenyezelwa ukuthi usengumbusi wesikhundla sobuthathu elizweni. Ngabona lobobusuku uBhelishazari, inkosi yamaBhabhiloni wabulawa, kwathi uDariyu umMede wabuthatha ubukhosi eleminyaka engamatshumi ayisithupha lambili.

UDariyu wathanda ukubeka ababusi bezigaba abalikhulu lamatshumi amabili ukuba babuse kulo lonke ilizwe, wabeka abongameli abathathu phezu kwabo, omunye wabo enguDanyeli. Ababusi bezigaba babesethula kubo konke ukuze inkosi ingalahlekelwa lutho. Kwathi uDanyeli waba yisilomo wedlula abanye abongameli lababusi bezigaba ngokwenza kwakhe inkosi yaze yafisa ukumbeka phezu kwelizwe lonke. Ngenxa yalokho abongameli lababusi bezigaba badinga amabhada okumangalela uDanyeli ngendlela ayeqhuba ngayo kwezombuso, kodwa behluleka. Kabafumananga kungcola kuye ngokuba wayethembekile futhi engasihaga lemali njalo engayekethisi lutho. Ekucineni amadoda la athi, “Kasisoze safa salizuza izaba lokwethesa indoda le uDanyeli icala ngaphandle kwalokho okuphathelene lomthetho kaNkulunkulu wakhe.” Ngakho abongameli lababusi bezigaba baya enkosini belixuku bafika bathi: “O nkosi Dariyu, mana njalo! Abongameli besikhosini, labalisa, lababusi bezigaba, labeluleki lababusi bemikhono yelizwe bonke sebevumelene ukuthi inkosi kayikhuphe isimemezelo iwugcizelele umlayo othi noma ngubani othandaza kuwuphi unkulunkulu noma umuntu phakathi kwalezi izinsuku ezingamatshumi amathathu, ngaphandle kokukhuleka kuwe wena, O nkosi, uzaphoselwa emgodini wezilwane. Manje, O nkosi, sikhuphe lesosimemezelo sibhalwe phansi ukuze singaguqulwa  —  njengoba kunjalo ngemithetho yamaMede lamaPhesiya, engaguqulwayo.” Ngakho inkosi uDariyu yawubhala phansi lowomthetho.

Kwathi uDanyeli esezwile ukuthi umthetho wawusukhutshiwe, waya ekhaya endlini yakhe ephezulu esitezi eyayilamawindi avulwe akhangela eJerusalema. Kathathu ngelanga wayezilahla phansi ngamadolo akhuleke, ebonga uNkulunkulu wakhe, njengalokho ayevele ekwenza mandulo. Kwase kusithi amadoda la aqhubana elixuku afica uDanyeli ekhuleka ecela usizo kuNkulunkulu. Asesiya enkosini ayakhuluma layo ngomthetho owaphuma esigodlweni, athi: “Kawukhuphanga isimemezelo yini sokuthi ngezinsuku ezilandelayo ezingamatshumi amathathu noma ngubani othandaza komunye unkulunkulu noma umuntu ngaphandle kokuthandaza kuwe, O nkosi, uzaphoselwa emgodini wezilwane?” Inkosi yaphendula yathi, “Lowomthetho umi  —  njengemithetho yamaMede lamaPhesiya, engeke iguqulwe.” Asesithi enkosini, “UDanyeli, ongomunye wabathunjwa bakoJuda, kakunanzi, wena nkosi, kanye lomthetho owawubhala phansi. Ulokhu ekhuleka kathathu ngelanga.” Kwathi inkosi isikuzwile lokho yakhathazeka kakhulu; yayizimisele ukukhulula uDanyeli yenza yonke imizamo yokumsiza ilanga laze layatshona. Amadoda lawo asehamba elixuku aya enkosini athi kuyo, “Khumbula, O nkosi, ukuthi ngomthetho wamaMede lamaPhesiya kakulasimemezelo loba isimiso esikhutshwe yinkosi esingaguqulwa.”

Ngakho inkosi yasikhupha umlayo, basebemletha uDanyeli bamphosela emphandwini wezilwane. Inkosi yathi kuDanyeli, “Sengathi uNkulunkulu wakho omkhonzayo njalonjalo angakuhlenga!” Kwalethwa ilitshe lathiwa khinsi emnyango womgodi, inkosi yase ilinameka ngendandatho yayo yobukhosi langezindandatho zezikhulu zayo, ukuze umumo kaDanyeli ungaguqulwa. Yikho inkosi yase ibuyela esigodlweni sayo yazila ukudla lokunatha ubusuku bonke. Yehluleka ukulala.

Kwathi kudabuka ukusa inkosi yathi khwatshu yahaluzela isiya emgodini wezilwane. Ithe isifikile emgodini, yamemeza uDanyeli ngelizwi losizi yathi, “Danyeli, nceku kaNkulunkulu ophilayo, uNkulunkulu wakho omkhonza njalonjalo ukuphephisile yini ezilwaneni?” UDanyeli waphendula wathi, “O nkosi, mana njalo! UNkulunkulu wami uthume ingilosi yakhe yayivala imilomo yezilwane. Kazingilimazanga ngokuba ngifunyanwe ngingelacala phambi kwakhe. Njalo kangikaze ngenze okubi kuwe, O nkosi.” Inkosi yathaba yafa yakhupha umlayo wokuba uDanyeli akhutshulwe emgodini lowo. UDanyeli esekhutshiwe emgodini, kakubonakalanga nxeba kuye, ngokuba wathemba kuNkulunkulu wakhe.

Inkosi yalaya ukuthi balethwe labo ababemangalele uDanyeli ngamanga baphoselwa emgodini wezilwane kanye labafazi babo labantwababo. Bathi bengakathinti phansi emgodini izilwane zabaqaga zabafohloza wonke amathambo abo. Inkosi uDariyu yasilobela bonke abantu, lezizwe zonke lenhlanga zendimi zonke kulo lonke ilizwe yathi: “Sengathi impilo enhle inganda kini! “Ngikhupha isimemezelo sokuthi kuzo zonke izindawo zombuso wami abantu kabesabe, bakhonze uNkulunkulu kaDanyeli. “Ngokuba unguNkulunkulu ophilayo omiyo kuze kube phakade; umbuso wakhe kawuyikubhidlizwa, lobukhosi bakhe kabuyikufa baphela. Uyakhulula, asindise; wenza izibonakaliso lemimangaliso emazulwini lasemhlabeni. Umhlangulile uDanyeli emandleni ezilwane.” Ngakho uDanyeli waphumelela ngesikhathi sokubusa kukaDariyu lesokubusa kukaKhurosi umPhesiya.

Yaphiwa amandla lobukhosi lamandla okubusa; bonke abantu, lezizwe zonke labantu bendimi zonke bamkhonza. Ubukhosi bakhe yibukhosi obungapheliyo obungayikwedlula, lombuso wakhe kawusoze uchithwe.

‘Izilo ezine ezinkulu yimibuso emine ezaqhamuka emhlabeni. Kodwa abangcwele bakhe oPhezukonke bazawemukela umbuso ube ngowabo lanininini  —  yebo, okwanini lanini.’

“Ngase ngifisa ukwazi incazelo eqotho eyesilo sesine, esasingafanani lezinye njalo sisesabeka kakhulu, ngamazinyo aso ensimbi lezinzipho zethusi  —  isilo esafohloza sadla esikubambileyo sagxobagxoba okuseleyo. Ngafuna njalo ukwazi ngezimpondo ezilitshumi ekhanda laso langalolo olunye uphondo olwamilayo, okwathi ezinye ezintathu zawa phambi kwalo  —  lolophondo olwabonakala kakhulu kulezinye, olwalulamehlo kanye lomlomo owawukhuluma ngokukloloda.

“Wangipha incazelo le: ‘Isilo sesine singumbuso wesine ozavela emhlabeni. Uzaba lomahluko kweminye yonke imibuso njalo uzawuthumba wonke umhlaba, uwugxobagxobe, uwufohloze. Izimpondo ezilitshumi ngamakhosi alitshumi azavela kuwo lo umbuso. Ngemva kwawo kuzavela enye inkosi engafani lalayana awokuqala; izanqoba amakhosi amathathu.

Izakhuluma okubi ngoPhezukonke icindezele abangcwele bakhe izame ukuguqula izikhathi ezimisiweyo kanye lemithetho. Abangcwele bazanikelwa kuyo okwesikhathi esithile, izikhathi ezilengxenye yesikhathi. “Kodwa umthethwandaba uzahlala phansi, amandla ayo asuswe abhidlizwe okwanini lanini.

Lapho-ke ubukhosi, lamandla lobukhulu bemibuso leyo ngaphansi kwezulu lonke kuzaphiwa abangcwele, abantu bakhe oPhezukonke. Umbuso wakhe uzakuba ngumbuso ongapheliyo, njalo bonke ababusi bazamkhonza bamlalele.

Amakhosi la amabili alezinhliziyo ezigaya izibozi azahlala tafula linye aqambelane amanga, kodwa kungancedi lutho ngokuba isiphetho sizajinge sifike ngesikhathi esimisiweyo.

“Ngalesosikhathi uMikhayeli, umbusi omkhulu olinda abantu bakini, uzavela. Kuzakuba khona isikhathi sokuhlukumezeka okungazange kube khona kulokhu kwadabuka izizwe kuze kube yiso. Kodwa kulesosikhathi abantu bakini  —  bonke labo abalamabizo azafunyanwa elotshiwe encwadini  —  bazahlengwa.

Babeka amakhosi kungekho mvumo yami; bakhetha ababusi kungekho mvumo yami. Ngesiliva sabo langegolide, bazenzela izithombe zibe yikubhujiswa kwabo.

Uchithiwe, wena Israyeli, ngoba umelane lami, umelane lomsizi wakho. Ingaphi inkosi yakho, ukuba ikusize na? Bangaphi ababusi bakho kuwo wonke amadolobho akho, bona owathi ngabo, ‘Ngipha inkosi lababusi’? Ngakho ngakunika inkosi ngithukuthele, njalo ngolaka lwami ngayisusa.

Abantu beNineve babekholwa kuNkulunkulu. Bamemezela ukuthi kuzilwe ukudla, njalo bonke kusukela komkhulu kusiya komncinyane bavunula amasaka. Ilizwi selifikile enkosini yaseNineve, yasukuma esihlalweni sayo sobukhosi, yakhumula izingubo zayo zobukhosi, yazembathisa isaka yahlala phansi ebhuqwini. Yase ikhupha isimemezelo eNineve esithi: “Ngomthetho wenkosi lezikhulu zayo: Akungavunyelwa muntu kumbe inyamazana, imihlambi yezinkomo loba eyezimvu ukuthi ithinte ulutho oludliwayo; makungavunyelwa kudle kumbe kunathe. Kodwa akuthi umuntu loba yinyamazana kwembathe amasaka. Wonke umuntu kamemeze ngokukhawuleza kuNkulunkulu. Kabadele izindlela zabo zobubi lobudlwangudlwangu babo.

Lapho-ke mina ngathi, “Lalelani lina bakhokheli bakoJakhobe, lina babusi bendlu yako-Israyeli. Ukulunga akumelanga likwazi na, lina elizonda okuhle lithande okubi; elixebula isikhumba ebantwini bami lenyama emathanjeni abo; lina elibadla inyama abantu bami, lihlubule isikhumba sabo lichoboze lamathambo abo abe yizicucu; elibaqumaquma njengenyama yepani, lanjengenyama yembiza?”

Zwanini lokhu lina bakhokheli bendlu kaJakhobe, lani babusi bendlu ka-Israyeli, eleyisa ukulunga lihlanekele konke okuqondileyo; elakha iZiyoni ngokuchitha igazi; leJerusalema ngobubi.

Uzakwahlulela phakathi kwezizwe ezinengi alamule lezingxabano zezizwe ezilamandla ezindaweni ezikhatshana. Bazakhanda izinkemba zabo zibe yimilomo yamakhuba, lemikhonto yabo ibe zingqamu zokuthena izihlahla. Isizwe kasiyikuhlomela esinye isizwe ngenkemba, loba zifundele ukulwa impi futhi.

“Kodwa wena Bhethilehema Efratha, lanxa umncinyane phakathi kwezizwana zakoJuda, kuwe ngizavelelwa ngozakuba ngumbusi wako-Israyeli, omdabuko wakhe ngowasekadeni, kusukela ezikhathini zendulo.”

UJehova uzakuba yinkosi kuwo wonke umhlaba. Ngalolosuku kuzakuba loJehova oyedwa, lebizo lakhe libe yilo lodwa ibizo.

Kuzakuthi bonke abayinsalela kulezozizwe ezahlasela iJerusalema bazakhuphuka umnyaka ngomnyaka ukuyakhonza uJehova, uJehova uSomandla lokugubha uMkhosi weZihonqo. Nxa bezakuba khona abesinye isizwe emhlabeni abangayikuya eJerusalema ukuyakhonza uJehova, uJehova uSomandla, labo kabayikunelwa lizulu. Aluba abantu baseGibhithe bengayi ukuyakhonza, kabayikuzuza izulu. UJehova uzabehlisela isifo asehlisela lezozizwe ezingayiyo ukuyagubha uMkhosi weZihonqo. Lesi sizakuba yisijeziso seGibhithe lesijeziso sazo zonke izizwe ezingayiyo ukugubha uMkhosi weZihonqo.

UJesu esezelwe eBhethilehema laseJudiya ngesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi uHerodi kwafika eJerusalema iZazi zivela empumalanga, zabuza zathi, “Ungaphi lowo ozalelwe ukuba yinkosi yamaJuda na? Sayibona inkanyezi yakhe empumalanga ngakho size ukuzamkhonza.” Kwathi iNkosi uHerodi isikuzwile lokhu yakhathazeka kanye leJerusalema lonke njengaye. Kwathi esebizele ndawonye bonke abaphristi abakhulu lezazi zomthetho, wababuza ukuthi uKhristu wayezazalelwa ngaphi. Baphendula bathi, “EBhethilehema laseJudiya, ngokuba yilokhu okwalotshwa ngumphrofethi ukuthi: “ ‘Lawe Bhethilehema, elizweni lakoJuda, kawumncinyane kulabo bonke ababusi bakoJuda; ngokuba kuzavela umbusi kuwe ozakuba ngumalusi wabantu bami u-Israyeli.’ ”

Kwathi sezihambile ingilosi yeNkosi yabonakala kuJosefa ngephupho. Yathi, “Vuka uthathe umntwana lonina libalekele eGibhithe. Lihlale khonale ngize ngilitshele, ngoba uHerodi uzamdinga umntwana efuna ukumbulala.” Ngakho wavuka wathatha umntwana lonina kusebusuku waya eGibhithe lapho abahlala khona uHerodi waze wafa. Ngakho kwagcwaliseka lokho iNkosi eyayikutshilo ngomphrofethi ukuthi, “INdodana yami ngayibiza ukuthi iphume eGibhithe.”

Kwathi ukuba uHerodi ananzelele ukuthi iZazi zazimphicile wazonda wafa, wasekhupha umlayo ukuthi kubulawe bonke abafanyana eBhethilehema lasemmangweni wonke oseduze, bonke ababeleminyaka emibili langaphansi, kuhambelana lesikhathi leso ayesitshelwe yiZazi.

Waphinda njalo omubi wamusa entabeni ephakemeyo kakhulu wamtshengisa yonke imibuso yomhlaba lobukhazikhazi bayo. Wathi, “Ngizakunika konke lokhu aluba nje ungakhothama ungikhonze.” UJesu wathi kuye, “Suka kimi, Sathane! Ngokuba uMbhalo oNgcwele uthi: ‘Khonza iNkosi uNkulunkulu wakho, ukhonze yena yedwa.’ ”

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

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

“Libalimuke abantu; bazalimangalela ezinkundleni zamacala, balibhaxuze emasinagogeni abo. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi ukuze libe ngofakazi kubo lakwabezizwe. Kodwa nxa belibopha linganqineki ukuthi lizathini lokuthi likutsho kanjani. Ngalesosikhathi lizakwambulelwa okumele likutsho, ngokuba kuzakuba kungayisini elikhulumayo, kodwa kunguMoya kaYihlo ozabe ukhuluma ngani.

Nxa lihlukuluzwa endaweni ethile, balekelani kwenye. Ngilitshela iqiniso ukuthi kaliyikuqeda ukuwahambela wonke amadolobho ako-Israyeli iNdodana yoMuntu ingakafiki.

Ngasonaleso isikhathi uHerodi umbusi wezwa imibiko ngoJesu, wasesithi ezincekwini zakhe, “Lo nguJohane uMbhaphathizi; usevukile kwabafileyo! Yikho lokhu imimangaliso isenziwa nguye.”

UHerodi wayembophile uJohane wamfaka izinsimbi wamphosela entolongweni ngenxa kaHerodiyasi umkaFiliphu umfowabo, ngoba uJohane wayelokhu esithi kuye, “Kungaphandle komthetho ukuthi umthathe.” UHerodi wayefuna ukumbulala uJohane, kodwa wayesesaba abantu ngoba babesithi ungumphrofethi. Ngelanga lesikhumbuzo sokuzalwa kukaHerodi indodakazi kaHerodiyasi yabagidela yamjabulisa uHerodi kakhulu waze wathembisa ngesifungo ukuyipha loba yini eyayingayicela. Isicetshiswe ngunina yathi, “Ngipha lapha emganwini lo ikhanda likaJohane uMbhaphathizi.” Yasidideka inkosi, kodwa kwathi ngenxa yezifungo zayo langenxa yezethekeli zayo yalaya ukuba isicelo leso senziwe. Wathi uJohane kahle aqunywe ikhanda entolongweni. Ikhanda lakhe lalethwa lisemganwini laphiwa intombazana eyalithwalela kunina.

UJesu labafundi bakhe sebefikile eKhaphenawume abaqoqi bomthelo wamadrakhima amabili beza kuPhethro babuza bathi, “Kanti umfundisi wenu kawubhadali yini umthelo wethempeli?” Wathi, “Yebo, uyawuthela.” Kwathi uPhethro esengenile endlini uJesu nguye owakhuluma kuqala wabuza wathi, “Uthini kambe, Simoni? Amakhosi omhlaba ayithatha kubani inkongozelo lemithelo  —  emadodaneni abo na loba kwabanye abantu?” UPhethro waphendula wathi, “Kwabanye abantu.” UJesu wasesithi kuye, “Ngakho-ke amadodana akhululekile. Kodwa ukuze singabakhubi, yana echibini uphosele iwuka yakho khona. Ubothatha inhlanzi yokuqala ozayibamba; uvule umlomo wayo uzafumana khona uhlamvu lwemali engamadrakhima amane. Ithathe uyiphe bona ibe ngumthelo wami lani.”

Sitshele-ke, uthini ngalokhu? Kuqondile na ukuthela kuKhesari kumbe hatshi?” UJesu ngokwazi inhloso yabo embi wathi, “Lina bazenzisi, lenzani lizama ukungigwenxa na? Ake lingitshengise uhlamvu lwemali okuthelwa ngayo.” Bamlethela udenariyu, wasebabuza wathi, “Ngumfanekiso kabani lo? Njalo luphawu lukabani lolu?” Baphendula bathi, “NgokukaKhesari.” Wasesithi kubo, “Phanini uKhesari okungokukaKhesari loNkulunkulu okungokukaNkulunkulu.”

Ngakho ngilithumela abaphrofethi lamadoda ahlakaniphileyo labafundisi. Abanye babo lizababulala libabethele; abanye lizababhaxula emasinagogeni enu lilandelelane labo kuleli laleliyana idolobho.

Lizakuzwa ngezimpi lamahungahunga ezimpi, kodwa lingaze lethuka. Izinto ezinjalo zizakwenzeka, kodwa ukucina kulokhu kuseza. Isizwe sizahlasela isizwe, lombuso uhlasele umbuso. Kuzakuba lendlala lokuzamazama komhlaba ezindaweni ezitshiyeneyo. Konke lokhu kuyikuqalisa kobuhlungu bokuhelelwa. “Lapho lizanikelwa ukuba lihlutshwe njalo libulawe, futhi lizazondwa yizizwe zonke ngenxa yami.

Abaphristi abakhulu leSanihedrini yonke babedinga ubufakazi bamanga ngoJesu ukuze bambulale. Kodwa babuswela, lanxa abanengi ofakazi bamanga bavela. Ekucineni ababili beza phambili

Basebemkhafulela emehlweni njalo bammuhluza ngenqindi. Abanye bammakala bathi, “Phrofetha kithi, Khristu. Ngubani okutshayileyo?”

Ngalesosikhathi uJesu wamiswa phambi kombusi, umbusi wasebuza wathi, “Uyinkosi yamaJuda na?” “Yebo, kunjengoba usitsho,” kuphendula uJesu. Wayesithi nxa ethonisiswa ngabaphristi abakhulu labadala angaze aphendula. UPhilathu wasembuza wathi, “Awubuzwa yini ubufakazi abakwethesa bona?” Kodwa uJesu wathula, kazaphendula lamlandu munye  —  wammangalisa kakhulu umbusi.

Amabutho ombusi asemthatha uJesu amngenisa ePhritoriyamu, inkundla yombusi, wabuthanelwa liviyo lonke lamabutho. Bamkhumula izigqoko zakhe bamgqokisa ijazi elibomvu, basebeseluka umqhele wameva bamethesa wona. Bamphathisa intonga kwesokunene sakhe baguqa phambi kwakhe bamhoza. Bathi, “Bayethe, Nkosi yamaJuda!” Bamkhafulela, bamthathela leyontonga bamtshaya baphindaphinda ekhanda. Sebemhozile, bamhlubula ijazi bamgqokisa ezakhe. Basebemqhuba besiya mbethela.

Ngaphezu kwekhanda lakhe babeka umbhalo wecala lakhe usithi: LO NGUJESU, INKOSI YAMAJUDA.

Bathi, “Wasindisa abanye, kodwa uyehluleka ukuzisindisa yena! UyiNkosi yako-Israyeli! Kehle manje esiphambanweni ukuze simkholwe.

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

UJohane esephoselwe entolongweni uJesu waya eGalile ememezela izindaba ezinhle zikaNkulunkulu. Wathi, “Isikhathi sesifikile. Umbuso kaNkulunkulu ususeduze. Phendukani likholwe izindaba ezinhle!”

Inkosi uHerodi yezwa ngalokhu, ngoba ibizo likaJesu laselisaziwa kakhulu. Abanye babesithi, “UJohane uMbhaphathizi uvukile kwabafileyo, yikho amandla amangalisayo esebenza kuye.” Abanye bathi, “Ungu-Elija.” Kwabuye njalo abanye bathi, “Ungumphrofethi, njengomunye wabaphrofethi basendulo.” Kodwa kwathi uHerodi ekuzwa lokhu wathi, “UJohane, indoda engayiquma ikhanda usevukile kwabafileyo!”

Ngoba uHerodi yena ngokwakhe wayekhuphe ilizwi lokuthi uJohane abanjwe, wathi kabotshwe aphoselwe entolongweni. Wakwenza lokho ngenxa kaHerodiya, umfazi womfowabo uFiliphi ayesemthethe. Ngoba uJohane wayelokhu esithi kuHerodi, “Kakulunganga ukuthi uthathele umfowenu umfazi.” Ngakho uHerodiya wahlala elesikhwili ngoJohane efuna ukumbulala. Kodwa waswela indlela yokumbulala, ngokuba uHerodi wayemesaba uJohane emvikela, ngokumazi ukuthi wayeyindoda elungileyo njalo engcwele. Nxa wayemuzwa uJohane, wayedideka kakhulu, kodwa ethanda ukumlalela. Ekucineni lafika elingaliyo. Mhla wesikhumbuzo selanga lakhe lokuzalwa uHerodi wenza idili lezikhulu zakhe labalawuli bempi kanye labakhokheli abaziwayo eGalile. Kuthe indodakazi kaHerodiya isifikile yagida kamnandi yathokozisa uHerodi lezethekeli zakhe edilini. Inkosi yasisithi entombazaneni, “Ngicela loba yini, ngizakupha.” Wamthembisa wafunga wathi, “Loba yini oyicelayo ngizakupha kungaze kube yingxenye yombuso wami.” Yaphuma intombazana yayakuthi kunina, “Kambe ngiceleni?” Waphendula wathi, “Ikhanda likaJohane.” Masinyane intombazana yatheleka enkosini isilesicelo leso, yathi: “Ngifuna ukuthi ungiphe khathesi nje ikhanda likaJohane lisemganwini.” Inkosi yakhathazeka kakhulu, kodwa ngenxa yezifungo zayo langenxa yezethekeli zayo kayithandanga ukusala isicelo. Ngakho yahle yathumela umbulali ukuba alethe ikhanda likaJohane. Yahamba indoda, yaliquma ikhanda likaJohane entolongweni, yaliletha ikhanda lisemganwini. Inkosi yalethula entombazaneni, yona yalipha unina.

Beza kuye bathi, “Mfundisi, siyakwazi ukuthi uyindoda eqotho. Kawuguqulwanga ngabantu ngokuba kawulandeli ukuthi bangobani; kodwa ufundisa indlela kaNkulunkulu mayelana leqiniso. Kulungile yini ukuthela kuKhesari, kumbe hatshi? Sithele yini kumbe hatshi?” Kodwa uJesu wayekubona ukuzenzisa kwabo, wathi, “Lizamelani ukungithiya na? Ake lingiphe idenariyo ngibone.” Baluletha uhlamvu lolo, wasebabuza wathi, “Ngumfanekiso kabani lo? Lombhalo ngokabani?” Baphendula bathi, “NgokaKhesari.” UJesu wasesithi kubo, “Phanini uKhesari okukaKhesari loNkulunkulu okungokukaNkulunkulu.” Bamangala kakhulu ngaye.

Nxa lisizwa ngezimpi lamahungahunga ngezimpi, lingaze lethuka. Lezozinto kumele zenzakale, kodwa ukucina kulokhu kuseza. Isizwe sizavukela isizwe, lombuso uvukele umbuso. Kuzakuba lokuzamazama komhlaba ezindaweni ezinengi, lezindlala. Lezi ziyikuqala kokuhelelwa.

“Libohlala liqaphele. Lizanikelwa kubaphathi bezindawo litshaywe emasinagogweni. Ngenxa yami lizamiswa phambi kwababusi lamakhosi libe yibufakazi kubo. Njalo ivangeli kufanele liqale litshunyayelwe ezizweni zonke. Loba lingaze libotshwe lilethwe emthethwandabeni lingaze lazihlupha mandulo ukuthi lizakhuluma lithini. Khulumani ingqe yilokho elizakuphiwa ngalesosikhathi, ngoba kakusini elikhulumayo, kodwa nguMoya oNgcwele.

UJesu bamthatha bamusa kumphristi ophezulu, kwathi bonke abaphristi abakhulu, labadala labafundisi bomthetho babuthana ndawonye. UPhethro wamlandela ehambela khatshana, waze wayangena egumeni lomphristi ophezulu. Wahlala khonapho labalindi esotha umlilo. Abaphristi abakhulu leSanihedirini yonke babedinga ubufakazi obumlahlayo uJesu ukuze bambulale kodwa babuswela. Abanengi bafakaza amanga ngaye, kodwa amazwi abo kawavumelananga.

Umphristi ophezulu wadabula izigqoko zakhe wabuza wathi, “Sisabadingelani abanye ofakazi? Selikuzwile ukuhlambaza. Lithini manje?” Bonke bamlahla bathi ufanele ukufa. Abanye basebeqalisa ukumkhafulela; bamvala amehlo ngokumbopha, bamdutshuza ngenqindi bathi, “Phrofetha!” Abalindi basebemthatha bayamtshaya.

Ekuseni kakhulu abaphristi abakhulu, labadala, labafundisi bomthetho kanye leSanihedirini yonke bavumelana ngesinqumo sabo. Bambopha uJesu bamqhuba bayamethula kuPhilathu. UPhilathu wambuza wathi, “Uyinkosi yamaJuda na?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Yebo, njengoba usitsho nje.” Abaphristi abakhulu bamethesa amacala amanengi. Ngakho uPhilathu wambuza njalo wathi, “Kanti kungani ungaphenduli na? Khangela, bakubeka amacala amanengi.” Kodwa uJesu wala elokhu ethule, uPhilathu wamangala.

UPhilathu wabuza wathi, “Lifuna ukuthi ngilikhululele inkosi yabaJuda na?”

UPhilathu wasebabuza wathi, “Pho ngithini ngalo elimbiza ngokuthi uyinkosi yamaJuda na?” Bamemeza bathi, “Mbethele!”

UPhilathu wasebakhululela uBharaba ngokuba wayefuna ukusuthisa ixuku labantu. Wathi uJesu katshaywe, ngemva kwalokho wasebapha ukuba bambethele. Amabutho amqhuba uJesu amusa esigodlweni (kutshiwo iPhrethoriyamu) basebebiza iviyo lonke lamabutho laqoqana ndawonye. Bamgqokisa ijazi eliyibubende, base beseluka umqhele wameva bamethesa wona. Basebememeza besithi kuye, “Bayethe, nkosi yamaJuda!” Bamtshaya ekhanda ngomqwayi baphindaphinda, bamkhafulela. Baguqa phansi ngamadolo bamkhonza. Sebemhozile, bamhlubula ijazi eliyibubende bamgqokisa ezakhe izigqoko. Basebephuma laye bamqhuba ukuba bayombethela.

Umbhalo owaphanyekwayo owecala lakhe wawusithi: INKOSI YAMAJUDA.

Ake kuthi uKhristu lo, iNkosi le yako-Israyeli, yehle esiphambanweni ukuze sibone, sikholwe.” Lalabo ayebethelwe kanye labo, labo babemhlambaza.

Uzabangumuntu omkhulu abizwe ngokuthi yiNdodana yoPhezukonke. INkosi uNkulunkulu izamupha isihlalo sikayise uDavida, njalo uzabusa phezu kwendlu kaJakhobe laphakade; umbuso wakhe kawuyikuphela.”

Ngalezozinsuku uKhesari Agastu wakhupha isimemezelo wathi akube lokubalwa kwabantu kulo lonke ilizwe lombuso wamaRoma. (Lokhu kwakuyikubala kokuqala okwenzakala uKhwirinu engumbusi waseSiriya.) Wonke umuntu waya edolobheni lakibo wayabhalisa.

Ngomnyaka wetshumi lanhlanu wokubusa kukaThibheri Khesari  —  ngesikhathi uPhontiyu Philathu engumbusi eJudiya, uHerodi engumbusi eGalile, umfowabo uFiliphu engumbusi wase-Ithuriya leThrakhonithi, njalo loLisaniya engumbusi wase-Abhilene  — ngesikhathi leso u-Anasi loKhayifa bengabaphristi abaphezulu, kwafika ilizwi likaNkulunkulu kuJohane indodana kaZekhariya esenkangala.

Kodwa kwathi uJohane esekhuze uHerodi umbusi ngenxa kaHerodiya, umkamfowabo, langezinye izinto ezimbi ayezenzile, uHerodi wakwengezelela lokhu kuzo: Wamvalela uJohane entolongweni.

Ngalesosikhathi uHerodi umbusi wakuzwa konke lokho okwakusenzakala. Wakhathazeka kakhulu ngokuba abanye babesithi uJohane wayesevusiwe kwabafileyo, abanye labo bathi u-Elija wayebonakele, kanti abanye njalo bathi omunye wabaphrofethi bekadeni wayesevukile waphila. Kodwa uHerodi wathi, “UJohane ngamquma ikhanda. Pho ungubani-ke lo engizwa izinto ezinje ngaye?” Wazama ukuthi ambone.

Ngenxa yalokhu, uNkulunkulu wathi, ngokuhlakanipha kwakhe, ‘Ngizabathumela abaphrofethi labaphostoli, abanye bazababulala abanye bazabaphatha ngochuku.’ Ngakho lesisizukulwana yiso esizathwala umlandu wegazi labaphrofethi bonke elachithwayo, kulokhu kwadabuka umhlaba,

Nxa uhamba lommangaleli wakho lisiya kumahluleli, zama ngamandla ukuthi liqedelane lisesendleleni, funa akudonsele kumahluleli, lomahluleli abesekudlulisela enxuseni lona inxusa likuthele entolongweni.

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

“Yaphendula yathi, ‘Ngithi kini, lowo olakho uzaphiwa okunye okunengi, kodwa lowo ongelalutho, lalokho alakho uzakwemukwa. Kodwa izitha zami lezo ebe zingafuni ukuthi ngizibuse  —  ziletheni lapha lizibulalele phambi kwami.’ ”

Kufanele yini ukuthi sibhadale imithelo kuKhesari na, loba hatshi?” Wabubona ubuqili babo wathi kubo, “Ngitshengisani idenariyu. Kulomfanekiso kabani lombhalo kabani kuyo?” Baphendula bathi, “NgokaKhesari.” Wathi kubo, “Pho nikani uKhesari okungokukaKhesari, linike uNkulunkulu okungokukaNkulunkulu.”

Kodwa mandulo kwakho konke lokhu bazalibeka isandla, balihlukuluze. Bazalinikela emasinagogeni lasezintolongweni, kungenxa yebizo lami.

ukuze lidle njalo linathe etafuleni lami embusweni wami njalo lihlale ezihlalweni zobukhosi, lisahlulela izizwana zika-Israyeli ezilitshumi lambili.

Amadoda ayelinde uJesu aqalisa ukumhoza lokumtshaya. Bamvala amehlo bathi kuye, “Phrofitha! Ngubani okutshayileyo na?” Batsho ezinye izigcono ezinengi kuye. Emadabukakusa inkundla yabadala babantu, kanye labaphristi abakhulu labafundisi bomthetho yahlangana ndawonye, uJesu walethwa phambi kwabo. Bathi, “Uma unguKhristu sitshele.” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Ngingaze ngilitshele kalisoze lingikholwe,

Base bemethesa icala besithi, “Indoda le siyifice ixhwalisa isizwe sakithi. Iphikisana lokuthela imithelo kuKhesari njalo izitshaya uKhristu, inkosi.” Ngakho uPhilathu wasembuza uJesu wathi, “Uyinkosi yamaJuda na?” “Yebo, kunjengoba usitsho,” kuphendula uJesu. UPhilathu wasebikela abaphristi abakhulu kanye lesixuku sabantu wathi, “Kangiboni lutho lokwethesa umuntu lo icala.”

Amabutho lawo eza amhoza. Amnika iviniga yewayini athi, “Nxa uyinkosi yamaJuda, zisindise.” Kwakulombhalo wokwazisa ngaphezulu kwakhe owawusithi: LO UYINKOSI YAMAJUDA.

Ngoba umthetho walethwa ngoMosi; umusa leqiniso kweza ngoJesu Khristu.

UNathaneli wasefakaza wathi, “Rabi, uyindodana kaNkulunkulu; uyiNkosi ka-Israyeli.”

Kwakulendoda kubaFarisi eyayithiwa nguNikhodemu, elilunga lomphakathi wabaJuda ababusayo. Weza kuJesu ebusuku wathi, “Rabi, siyazi ukuthi ungumfundisi ovela kuNkulunkulu. Ngokuba kakho obengayenza imimangaliso oyenzayo wena uma uNkulunkulu engelaye.” Esephendula uJesu wathi, “Ngiyaqinisa ngithi ngaphandle kokuba umuntu azalwe futhi, angeke awubone umbuso kaNkulunkulu.”

Yikho abaJuda bamkhahlameza uJesu ngokuba wayesenza izinto lezi ngeSabatha.

UJesu esazi ukuthi babeqonde ukuza bazomenza inkosi ngenkani, wathi nyelele wabuyela entabeni yedwa.

Ngosuku olulandelayo ixuku elikhulu elalikade liseDilini lezwa ukuthi uJesu wayesendleleni esiza eJerusalema. Bathatha amagatsha elala baphuma ukuyamhlangabeza, bememeza besithi, “Hosana!” “Ubusisiwe lowo ozayo ngebizo leNkosi!” “Ubusisiwe oyiNkosi ka-Israyeli!”

UPhilathu wasengena njalo esigodlweni, wabiza uJesu wambuza wathi, “Wena uyinkosi yabaJuda na?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Lowo ngumcabango wakho yini, longabe kulabanye abakade bekhuluma lawe ngami?” UPhilathi waphendula wathi, “Ucabanga ukuthi ngingumJuda na? Ngabantu bakini labaphristi benu abakhulu abakulethe lapha kimi. Kanti uvele woneni?” UJesu wathi, “Umbuso wami kayisiwo walo umhlaba. Aluba kwakunjalo izinceku zami bezizakulwa ukuvalela ukuthi ngingabotshwa ngabaJuda. Kodwa hatshi, umbuso wami uvela kwenye indawo.” UPhilathu wathi, “Uyinkosi, phela!” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Uqondile ukuthi ngiyinkosi. Ngeqiniso ngazalelwa lokho, njalo ngalanda khona lokho emhlabeni, ukuzafakaza iqiniso. Bonke abemi eqinisweni bayangilalela.” UPhilathu wabuza wathi, “Liyini iqiniso na?” Esetshilo lokhu waphinda waphuma waya kubaJuda wathi, “Angifumani lutho lokumbeka icala. Kodwa kungumkhuba wenu ukuthi ngilikhululele esinye isibotshwa ngesikhathi sePhasika. Liyafuna yini ukuthi ngilikhululele inkosi yabaJuda na?”

baya kuye baphindaphinda bememeza besithi, “Bayethe, O Nkosi yabaJuda!”

UPhilathu wathi ekuzwa lokhu wesaba kakhulu, wasebuyela esigodlweni. Wabuza uJesu wathi, “Ungowangaphi wena?” kodwa uJesu kamphendulanga. UPhilathu wathi, “Uyala yini ukukhuluma lami? Awuboni yini ukuthi mina ngilamandla okukukhulula loba awokukubethela?” UJesu waphendula wathi, “Kawulawo amandla phezu kwami ongawaphiwanga evela phezulu. Ngakho-ke lowo onginikele kuwe ulecala lesono esikhulu okudlulayo.” Kusukela lapho uPhilathu wazama ukukhulula uJesu, kodwa abaJuda baqhubeka bememeza besithi, “Nxa uyekela umuntu lo ahambe, kawulabungane loKhesari. Lowo ozitshaya inkosi uphikisana loKhesari.”

Kwakulusuku lokuLungisela iViki yePhasika, ngehora lesithupha. UPhilathu wathi kubaJuda, “Nansi inkosi yenu.” Kodwa bamemeza bathi, “Msuse! Msuse! Mbethele!” UPhilathu wabuza wathi, “Ngibethele inkosi yenu na?” Abaphristi abakhulu bamphendula bathi, “Kasilankosi ngaphandle kukaKhesari.”

UPhilathu waloba umbhalo wananyathiselwa esiphambanweni. Wawubhalwe ukuthi: UJESU WASE-NAZARETHA, INKOSI YABAJUDA. AbaJuda abanengi bawufunda umbhalo lowo, ngoba indawo lapho uJesu abethelwa khona yayiseduze ledolobho, umbhalo lowo ulotshwe ngesiHebheru, ngesiLathini langesiGiriki. Abaphristi abakhulu bamaJuda basola kuPhilathu bathi, “Ungalobi uthi ‘INkosi yabaJuda.” Kodwa ukuthi umuntu lo wayezibiza ngokuthi uyinkosi yabaJuda.” UPhilathu waphendula wathi, “Esengikulobile, sengikulobile.”

Basebebabiza njalo basebebalaya ukuthi bangaqali ukukhuluma loba ukufundisa ngebizo likaJesu. Kodwa oPhethro loJohane baphendula bathi, “Kucazululeni lina ingabe kuqondile yini emehlweni kaNkulunkulu ukulalela lina kulokulalela uNkulunkulu. Phela singeke sayekela ukukhuluma ngalokho esikubonileyo lesikuzwileyo.” Sebebaqonqosele njalo babakhulula. Baswela ukuthi babezabajezisa njani, ngoba abantu bonke babemdumisa uNkulunkulu ngalokho okwakwenzakele.

Ekukhululweni kwabo oPhethro loJohane babuyela exukwini labo bababikela konke okwakutshiwo kibo ngabaphristi abakhulu labadala. Sebekuzwile lokhu baphakamisa amazwi abo bonke bakhuleka kuNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Nkosi ebusayo, wena wenza izulu, lomhlaba, lolwandle lakho konke okukulezi zindawo. Wena wakhuluma ngoMoya oNgcwele ngomlomo wenceku yakho, ubaba uDavida wathi: “ ‘Kungani izizwe zixokozela na, labantu besakha amacebo ngeze? Amakhosi omhlaba ayahloma ajame lababusi babuthane ndawonye ukumelana leNkosi bemelana njalo Laye Ogcotshiweyo.’ Ngempela uHerodi loPhontiyu Philathu bahlangana labeZizwe kanye labantu bako-Israyeli baceba ngenceku yakho engcwele, uJesu owamgcobayo. Benza lokho okwakumiswe ngaphambili ngamandla akho layintando yakho ukuthi kwakuzakwenzakala. Ngakho, Nkosi, zwana izisongo zabo uphe izinceku zakho amandla ukuthi zilikhulume ilizwi lakho ngesibindi esikhulu.

Kwasekusithi umphristi omkhulu kanye leqembu lakhe elalingelexuku labaSadusi bangenwa ngumhawu. Bababopha abaphostoli babaphosela entolongweni yomuntu wonke.

Kodwa ebusuku ingilosi yeNkosi yavula iminyango yentolongo yabakhupha. Yathi, “Hambani liyokuma emagumeni ethempeli litshele abantu lonke ilizwi lempilo entsha.” Kwathi emadabukakusa bahle bangena emagumeni ethempeli, bafundisa abantu njengokutshelwa kwabo. Ekufikeni komphristi omkhulu leqembu lakhe bahle babiza iSanihedrini  —  inkundla yonke yabadala bako-Israyeli  —  bathumela ilizwi entolongweni lokuthi kulethwe abaphostoli, kodwa izithunywa zathi zifika entolongweni zafumana bengasekho. Yikho zasezibuyela zayabika zathi, “Sifumane intolongo ivaliwe kuhle labalindi bemi eminyango; kodwa kuthe sesiyivulile, kasibonanga muntu phakathi.” Induna yabalindi bethempeli kanye labaphristi abakhulu bathi bekuzwa lokhu batsha amathe, bamangala ukuthi into le yayikhombani. Kwasekufika omunye umuntu wathi, “Zwanini! Amadoda eliwaphosele ejele emi emagumeni ethempeli afundisa abantu.” Besizwa lokho induna yahle yasuka lamanxusa ayo bayabaletha abaphostoli. Kabasebenzisanga udlakela ngoba besesaba ukuthi abantu babengabakhanda ngamatshe. Sebebalethile abaphostoli babamisa phambi kweSanihedrini ukuthi bathonisiswe ngumphristi omkhulu. Wathi, “Saliqonqosela ukuthi lingafundisi ngaleli ibizo. Kodwa seligcwalise iJerusalema ngemfundiso yenu njalo lizimisele ukusethesa umlandu ngegazi lomuntu lo.” UPhethro labanye abaphostoli baphendula bathi, “Simele silalele uNkulunkulu kulokulalela abantu!

Abaphostoli basuka eSanihedrini bethokoza ngokuba basebebonakalisile ukuthi babengalimela ihlazo lokulihluphekela iBizo.

Kungathi kwakuyisonalesi isikhathi lapho iNkosi uHerodi yabopha abanye ababe ngabebandla eqonde ukubahlukumeza. Wabulalisa uJakhobe umfowabo kaJohane ngenkemba. Wathi ngokubona ukuthi lokho kwakuthabisa abaJuda wabopha njalo loPhethro. Lokho kwenzakala ngezinsuku zoMkhosi weSinkwa Esingelamvubelo. Esembophile wamphosela entolongweni, wamnikela ukuba alindwe ngamaqula amane amabutho ngalinye lilamabutho amane. UHerodi wayefuna ukuthi ngemuva kwePhasika amkhuphele obala athonisiswe phambi kwabantu. Ngakho uPhethro wagcinwa entolongweni, kodwa ibandla laphitsheka limkhulekela kuNkulunkulu.

Ngobusuku obandulela ukuthonisiswa kukaPhethro nguHerodi, uPhethro wayelele ephahlwe ngamabutho amabili, ebotshiwe ngamaketane amabili, kumi abalindi entubeni. Masinyane ingilosi yeNkosi yavela, kwabakhona ukukhanya kulelokamela lentolongo. Yaphumputha uPhethro ohlangothini yamvusa, yathi, “Phangisa, vuka!” Amaketane akhithika ezingalweni zikaPhethro. Ingilosi yasisithi kuye, “Gqoka, ufake lamanyathelo akho.” UPhethro wenzenjalo. Ingilosi yamtshela yathi, “Yembatha ijazi lakho ungilandele. UPhethro wayilandela ngaphandle kwentolongo, kodwa wayedidekile engakwazi ukuthi lokho ingilosi eyayikwenza kwakusenzakala ngempela; wayekhumbula ukuthi ubona umbono. Bedlula kubalindi, owokuqala lowesibili bafika esangweni lensimbi elaliphumela edolobheni. Lazivulekela baphuma. Kwathi sebehambe baphutsha umgwaqo wedolobho, ingilosi yaphanga yamtshiya. Kwayikhona uPhethro eqaqabuka, wathi, “Khathesi sengisazi kungelakuthandabuza ukuthi iNkosi ithume ingilosi yayo yangihlenga ezibotshweni zikaHerodi lakukho konke obekufiswa ngabaJuda.” Sekumkhanyela kuhle lokhu, waqonda endlini kaMariya unina kaJohane, owayethiwa njalo nguMakho, lapho abantu abanengi babebuthene khona bekhuleka. UPhethro waqoqoda entubeni yangaphandle, kwathi inceku eyintombazana eyayithiwa nguRoda yayabuza ukuthi ngubani owayesemnyango. Isilizwile ilizwi likaPhethro yathaba yafa, yagijimela phakathi ingasawuvulanga, yabika yathi, “UPhethro usemnyango!” Bathi, “Uyahlanya wena.” Kwathi ngoba wala elokhu ephikelela ukuthi liqiniso, bathi, “Kutsho ukuthi yingilosi yakhe.” Kodwa uPhethro wala elokhu eqoqoda, bathi bevula umnyango bambona, bamangala kakhulu. UPhethro wabatshengisa ngesandla ukuthi bathule, wasebalandisela ukuthi iNkosi yamkhupha kanjani entolongweni. Wathi, “Libotshela uJakhobe labazalwane ngalokhu. Wasesuka waya kwenye indawo.

Ekuseni kwaba lokunyakazela okukhulu phakathi kwabebutho. Babuza bathi, “Kambe ngabe uPhethro wenzenjani?” Kwathi uHerodi esemthungathe waze wabeka phansi, wasethonisisa abalindi wasesithi kababulawe. UHerodi wasuka eJudiya waya eKhesariya wayahlala khona okwesikhathi esithile.

Wayekade exabana labantu beThire labeSidoni; basebehlangana ndawonye bacela ukukhuluma laye. Sebezuze ukusekelwa nguBhlastu inceku ethembekileyo enkosini, bacela ukuthula ngokuba ukudla kwabo babekuthola elizweni lenkosi. Mhla wosuku olumisiweyo uHerodi wagqoka ezobukhosi wahlala esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi wasekhuluma ebantwini. Bamemeza bathi, “Leli yilizwi likankulunkulu, hatshi elomuntu.” Masinyane nje, ngenxa yokuthi uHerodi wayengamkhonzi uNkulunkulu, ingilosi yeNkosi yamtshaya yamlahla phansi wadliwa zimpethu wafa.

Ixuku layingenela indaba yokuhlasela uPhawuli loSila, yikho omantshi bathi kabakhululwe izigqoko batshaywe. Sebebabhansule kabuhlungu babaphosela entolongweni kwathiwa umlindijele kabakhangele aqinisise. Esezwe lowomlayo wabafuqela endlini yentolongo ephakathi wababopha izinyawo wazibophela ezinsikeni.

Sekungaba phakathi kwamabili ebusuku uPhawuli loSila bakhuleka bahlabela amahubo kuNkulunkulu, ezinye izibotshwa zibalalele. Masinyane kwaba lokuzamazama komhlaba kwaze kwanyikinyeka izisekelo zentolongo. Izivalo zentolongo zathi gwabu zavuleka, amaketane ezibotshwa athukuluka. Umlindijele waphaphama, wathi ngokubona iminyango yentolongo ivulekile wakhokha inkemba yakhe esefuna ukuzibulala ngoba ekhumbula ukuthi izibotshwa zasezibalekile. Kodwa uPhawuli wamemeza wathi, “Ungazilimazi bo! Sikhona sonke!” Umlindijele wathi kakulethwe izibane, wangena wazilahla phambi kukaPhawuli loSila eqhaqhazela. Wasebakhuphela phandle wababuza wathi, “Madoda, ngenzeni ukuze ngisindiswe na?”

Kwathi sekusile omantshi bathuma amanxusa abo kumlindijele lalo umlayo othi; “Bakhulule abantu labo.” Umlindijele watshela uPhawuli wathi, “Omantshi sebethe wena loSila kalikhululwe. Selingahamba. Lihambe kuhle.” Kodwa uPhawuli wathi emanxuseni: “Basibhaxuza phambi kwabantu singazange sithonisiswe thina singamaRoma agcweleyo, basiphosela entolongweni. Kanti manje sebefuna ukusikhupha ngasese na? Hatshi! kabeze bona ngokwabo bazosikhupha.” Amanxusa akubika lokhu kubomantshi abathi ngokuzwa ukuthi uPhawuli loSila babe ngamaRoma agcweleyo bethuka. Beza ukuzabancenga, babakhupha entolongweni, babacela ukuthi basuke kulelodolobho. UPhawuli loSila sebephumile entolongweni baya endlini kaLidiya lapho abahlangana khona labazalwane babaqinisa. Basebesuka behamba.

Kodwa kwathi sebebaswele basebedonsela uJasoni labanye abazalwane abathile kubaphathi bedolobho bememeza besithi: “Amadoda la abekade edala uhlupho emhlabeni wonke manje aseze lapha, uJasoni yena wawemukela endlini yakhe. Bonke bahlinikeza imithetho kaKhesari besithi kulenye inkosi ethiwa nguJesu.” Bathi bekuzwa lokhu abantu labaphathi bedolobho badla ubhedu.

Ngomuntu oyedwa wenza zonke izizwe zabantu, ukuthi zakhe emhlabeni wonke; njalo wamisa izikhathi abazilungiselweyo lazo kanye izindawo abamele bahlale kuzo.

umlawuli wamabutho walaya ukuthi uPhawuli kangeniswe esikanisweni samabutho. Wayala ukuthi kabuzisiswe ngokutshaywa ukuthi kungani abantu babemvukela kanje. Bathi sebemlalisa phansi ukuthi bambhaxuze, uPhawuli wathi kumphathi wekhulu owayemi khonapho, “Kusemthethweni yini ukuthi utshaye umuntu ongumRoma ongetheswanga cala na?” Umphathi wekhulu esekuzwile lokho wayabikela umlawuli wamabutho wathi, “Usuzathini manje? Indoda le ingu-mRoma.” Umlawuli wamabutho waya kuPhawuli wambuza wathi, “Ake ungitshele, kanti ungumRoma na?” wathi, “Yebo, nginguye.” Umlawuli wamabutho wasesithi, “Mina ngakhupha ihlawulo elikhulu ukuzuza ilungelo lobuRoma.” UPhawuli waphendula wathi, “Kodwa mina nginguye ngokuzalwa.” Labo abasebelungele ukumbuzisisa bahle batshedela emuva masinyane. Umlawuli webutho ngokwakhe wethuka esenanzelela ukuthi wayebophe uPhawuli, umRoma, ngamaketane. Ngosuku olulandelayo, njengoba umlawuli wamabutho wayefuna ukwazi isibili ukuthi kungani uPhawuli wayebekwa icala ngabaJuda, wamkhulula walaya abaphristi leSanihedrini yonke ukuthi bahlangane. Wasemletha uPhawuli wammisa phambi kwabo.

UPhawuli wawujolozela umphakathi weSanihedrini wathi, “Bazalwane, sengiwugcwalisile umlandu wami kuNkulunkulu ngikhululekile enhliziyweni kuze kube lamuhla.” Umphristi ophezulu, u-Ananiya, kwamzondisa lokhu watshela labo ababemi eduze kukaPhawuli ukuthi bammuhluze umlomo. UPhawuli wathi kuye, “UNkulunkulu uzakumukula, wena mduli oconjwe ngekalaga emhlophe! Lapha uhlalele ukungahlulela ngomthetho, ikanti wena ngokwakho uyaweqa umthetho ngokulaya ukuthi ngitshaywe!” Labo ababemi eduze kukaPhawuli bathi, “Ulesibindi sokuthuka umphristi ophezulu kaNkulunkulu wena?” UPhawuli waphendula wathi, “Bazalwane, bengingazi ukuthi ungumphristi ophezulu; ngokuba kulotshiwe ukuthi: ‘Ungakhulumi okubi ngombusi wabantu bakini.’

UPhawuli wayesazi ukuthi abanye babo babe ngabaSadusi, abanye bengabaFarisi wasememeza phakathi kweSanihedrini wathi, “Bazalwane, mina ngingumFarisi, indodana yomFarisi. Ngithoniselwa ukuthi ngilethemba ekuvukeni kwabafileyo.” Wathi ngokutsho lokhu kwavuka umsindo phakathi kwabaFarisi labaSadusi, umphakathi wasudabukana phakathi. (AbaSadusi bathi kakulakuvuka ekufeni, lokuthi kakulazingilosi loba imimoya, kodwa abaFarisi bayakuvuma konke lokho ukuthi kukhona.) Kwaba lokuxokozela okubi, kwathi abanye abafundisi bomlayo ababe ngabaFarisi basukuma bayidaza inkani. Bathi, “Kasiboni lutho olubi ngendoda le. Kungaze kwenzeka yini ukuthi umoya kumbe ingilosi ikhulumile kuye na?” Yavutha inkani umlawuli webutho waze wesaba ukuthi uPhawuli wayezadatshudatshulwa yibo. Waselaya amabutho ukuthi ehle ayomsusa kubo ngamandla amlethe esikanisweni samabutho.

Esehlale izinsuku ezificamibili loba ezilitshumi labo wehlela eKhesariya, kwathi ngosuku olulandelayo wangenisa inkundla wathi kalethwe uPhawuli phambi kwakhe. Esefikile uPhawuli abaJuda ababefikile bevela eJerusalema bambunganyela, bethula amacala amanengi esabekayo ngaye, kodwa bengelabufakazi ngawo. UPhawuli wasezivikela wathi: “Angenzanga lutho oluphikisa umlayo wabaJuda kumbe ukudumaza ithempeli, kumbe oluphikisa uKhesari.” UFestu wayefuna ukwenzela abaJuda umusa, wathi kuPhawuli, “Uyavuma na ukuya eJerusalema ukuthi ngiyekuthonisisela khona ngala amacala?” Waphendula uPhawuli wathi: “Khathesi sengisiyakuma phambi kwenkundla kaKhesari, lapho engifanele ukuthonisiswa khona. Kangenzanga lutho kubaJuda, njengoba lawe usazi kakuhle. Kodwa, uma ngilecala lokwenza loba yini efanele ukufa kangali ukubulawa. Kodwa uma lawomacala engiwetheswa yilaba abaJuda engasiqiniso, kakho olelungelo lokunginikela kubo. Ngilidlulisela kuKhesari!” UFestu esehlanganise amakhanda lomphakathi wakhe, wathi, “Usulidlulisele kuKhesari. KuKhesari usuzahamba!”

Ngisuke ngadideka ukuthi ngizicubungule njani izindaba ezinjalo; yikho ngimbuzile ukuthi angavuma yini ukuya eJerusalema ayothonisiswa khona ngamacala la. Kuthe uPhawuli esethe ucela icala lakhe limiswe liyoqunywa nguMbusi oMkhulu, ngithe kagcinwe entolongweni ngize ngimdlulisele kuKhesari.”

Waphendula uPhawuli wathi, “Kangihlanyi, Mhlekazi omkhulu Festu. Engikutshoyo kuliqiniso njalo kulengqondo. Inkosi izijwayele lezizinto yikho ngikhuluma kuyo ngikhululekile. Ngiyakholwa ukuthi kakukho lokukodwa kukho okuyeqileyo inkosi, ngoba kakwenziwanga ejikweni ngokucatshelana. Nkosi Agripha, uyabakholwa na abaphrofethi? Ngiyazi ukuthi uyabakholwa.” U-Agripha wasesithi kuPhawuli, “Kambe ucabanga ukuthi ngesikhatshana lesi esifitshane kangaka ungangiphendula ngibe ngumKhristu?” UPhawuli waphendula wathi, “Loba sisifitshane langabe siside  —  ngiyathandaza kuNkulunkulu ukuthi kakungabi nguwe kuphela kodwa bonke abangizwayo lamuhla bangaba yilokho engiyikho mina, ngaphandle kwala amaketane.” Inkosi yaphakama, kanye lombusi loBhenikhe lalabo ababehlezi labo. Baphuma endlini, bathi sebekhuluma bodwa, bathi, “Indoda le kakulalutho elwenzayo olufanele ukufa loba ukutokisiswa.” U-Agripha wathi kuFestu, “Indoda ibizakhululwa aluba ibingedluliselanga icala layo kuKhesari.”

Izolo ebusuku ingilosi kaNkulunkulu mina engingowakhe njalo engimkhonzayo ime phambi kwami yathi, ‘Ungesabi, Phawuli. Kumele uyothonisiswa nguKhesari; njalo uNkulunkulu usebe lomusa wokukunika izimpilo zabo bonke owela labo.’

Sithe sesifikile eRoma uPhawuli wavunyelwa ukuhlala yedwa, elindwe ngelilodwa ibutho. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu uPhawuli wabiza abakhokheli babaJuda. Bathi sebehlangene wathi kubo: “Bazalwane bami, loba ngingenzanga lutho olubi ebantwini bakithi kumbe olwephula imikhubo yabokhokho bethu, ngabotshwa eJerusalema nganikelwa kumaRoma. Wona esengihlolile afisa ukungikhulula ngokuba ngangingelacala loba elakuphi ukuganga okwakungafanela ukufa. Kodwa kwathi ngoba abaJuda bakwala lokho ngabona sekufanele ukuthi ngikhalaze kuKhesari  —  kungayisikho ukuthi ngasengimangalela abantu bakithi.

Umuntu wonke kumele azithobe kulabo ababusayo, ngoba akukho mbuso ngaphandle kwalowo obekwe nguNkulunkulu. Imibuso ekhona ibekwe nguNkulunkulu. Ngakho, lowo ovukela umbuso uvukela okumiswe nguNkulunkulu, njalo labo abenza njalo bazilethela ukwahlulelwa. Ngoba ababusi kabesabeki kulabo abenza okulungileyo, kodwa kulabo abenza okubi. Liyafuna ukukhululeka ekwesabeni lowo obusayo na? Ngakho yenzani okulungileyo yena uzalincoma. Ngoba yena uyinceku kaNkulunkulu yokulenzela okuhle. Kodwa uma lisenza okubi, yesabani, ngoba inkemba kayiphatheli ize. Uyinceku kaNkulunkulu, ummeli wentukuthelo ukuba ehlisele isijeziso kowenza okubi. Ngakho, kuyaswelakala ukuzithoba kubabusi, hatshi kuphela ngenxa yokujeziswa okungenzakala kodwa langenxa yesazela. Ngenxa yalokhu futhi yikho nje lithela imithelo, ngoba ababusi bayizinceku zikaNkulunkulu, ezinikela isikhathi sazo sonke ekubuseni. Phanini abantu bonke okungokwabo: Uma ungathelanga, thela imithelo, uma kuyikuqoqwa kwemali, iqoqeni. Uma kuyikuhlonipha, hloniphani; uma kuyikudumisa, dumisani.

Kodwa siyalikhuluma ilizwi lokuhlakanipha kulabo asebekhulile, belo kungasikho kuhlakanipha kwalesisikhathi loba okwababusi balesisikhathi, asebezakuba yize. Hatshi, sikhuluma ngokuhlakanipha kukaNkulunkulu okufihlakeleyo, ukuhlakanipha obekukade uNkulunkulu akumisela inkazimulo yethu isikhathi singakaqalisi. Kakho kubabusi balesi isikhathi owakuzwisisayo, ngoba aluba kwakube njalo, babengayikuyibethela iNkosi yenkazimulo.

“Izinto zonke zivunyelwe kimi,”  —  kodwa akusikho konke okusizayo. “Izinto zonke zivunyelwe kimi”  —  kodwa angiyikubuswa lutho.

“Izinto zonke ziyavunyelwa”  —  kodwa akusizinto zonke ezilosizo. “Izinto zonke ziyavunyelwa”  —  kodwa akusizinto zonke ezakhayo.

Lapho-ke isiphetho sizafika esenikela umbuso kaNkulunkulu uYise emva kokuba esechithe ukubusa konke, lobukhosi kanye lamandla. Ngoba kumele abuse uNkulunkulu aze azibeke zonke izitha zakhe ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe.

AkulamJuda loba umGiriki, isigqili loba okhululekileyo, owesilisa loba owesifazana, ngoba lonke limunye kuKhristu uJesu. Uma lingabakaKhristu, ngalokho liyinzalo ka-Abhrahama, lezindlalifa mayelana lesithembiso.

Kodwa umbhalo uthini na? Uthi: “Susa isigqilikazi lendodana yaso, ngoba indodana yesigqilikazi kayiyikwabelana ilifa lendodana yowesifazana okhululekileyo.” Ngakho, bazalwane, thina kasisibo bantwana besigqilikazi, kodwa abowesifazana okhululekileyo.

UKhristu wasikhululela ukuba sibe lenkululeko. Ngakho manini liqine, lingavumeli ukuba libotshelwe futhi ejogweni lobugqili.

Umthetho wonke uhlanganiswa ngumlayo owodwa othi: “Thanda umakhelwana wakho njengoba uzithanda.”

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

ngaphezu kokubusa konke lobukhosi, lamandla kanye lombuso, lamabizo wonke angatshiwo, kungasikho ngalesisikhathi kuphela kodwa lakuleso esizayo. UNkulunkulu wabeka izinto zonke ngaphansi kwezinyawo zakhe wamkhetha ukuba abe yinhloko yezinto zonke ebandleni,

khumbulani ukuthi ngalesosikhathi lalehlukene loKhristu, lingabalelwa enzalweni yako-Israyeli njalo lingabezizweni kusivumelwano sesithembiso, lingelathemba njalo lingelaye uNkulunkulu emhlabeni.

Ngalokho-ke, kaliseyibo bezizweni lezihambi, kodwa seliyinzalo yakithi labantu bakaNkulunkulu, kanye lamalunga abendlu kaNkulunkulu,

Ngoba kasilwi lenyama legazi, kodwa silwa lababusi, lemibuso kanye lamandla omhlaba lo ogcwele ubumnyama, silwe njalo lamabutho emimoya emibi emibusweni yasemazulwini.

Ngakho-ke uNkulunkulu wamphakamisela endaweni ephezulu kakhulu wamnika ibizo elingaphezu kwamabizo wonke, ukuba amadolo wonke aguqe ebizweni likaJesu, ezulwini lasemhlabeni kanye langaphansi komhlaba, lezindimi zonke zivume ukuthi uJesu Khristu uyiNkosi, kube ludumo lukaNkulunkulu uYise.

Kodwa elethu ikithi lisezulwini. Njalo simlindele ngokutshiseka uMsindisi evela khonale, iNkosi uJesu Khristu,

Ngoba izinto zonke zadalwa ngayo: izinto ezisezulwini lezisemhlabeni, ezibonakalayo lezingabonakaliyo, loba kuyizihlalo zobukhosi kumbe amandla loba ababusi kumbe abaphathi; izinto zonke zadalwa ngayo zidalelwa yona.

Qaphelani kungabi khona olithumbayo ngenhlakanipho eyize lekhohlisayo, eyeyame emdabukweni wabantu lakuzimiso zemvelo yakulo umhlaba kungesikho kuKhristu.

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

Manje, kuyo iNkosi yaphakade, engafiyo, engabonakaliyo, uNkulunkulu yedwa, akube kuye udumo lenkazimulo kuze kube nini lanini. Ameni.

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

okuzalethwa nguNkulunkulu ngesikhathi sakhe  —  uNkulunkulu obusisekileyo njalo onguyena Mbusi kuphela, iNkosi yamakhosi loMbusi wababusi,

uma sibekezela sizabusa laye futhi. Uma simphika, laye futhi uzasiphika;

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.

Kodwa ngeNdodana uthi, “Isihlalo sakho sobukhosi, O Nkulunkulu, sizakuba khona kuze kube nininini, lokulunga kuzakuba yintonga yombuso wakho.

Isiqokoqela salokho esikutshoyo yilesi: Silaye umphristi omkhulu onjalo, owahlala phansi ngakwesokudla kwesihlalo sobukhosi soMkhulu ezulwini, okhonzayo endaweni engcwele, ithabanikeli elamiswa yiNkosi, hatshi ngabantu.

Abanye bahozwa batshaywa, kwathi abanye babotshwa ngamaketane bafakwa entolongweni. Batshaywa ngamatshe, baqunywa ngesaha baba ziqambili; babulawa ngenkemba. Bahamba begqoke izikhumba zezimvu lezikhumba zezimbuzi, beswela, behlukuluzwa, bephathwa kubi  — umhlaba kubo wawungabafanele. Bantula enkangala lasezintabeni lasezimbalwini kanye lasemilindini emhlabathini.

Lalelani abakhokheli benu lithobele amandla abo. Bayalilinda njengabantu okumele balandise ngani. Balaleleni ukuze umsebenzi wabo uthokozise, ungasindi, ngoba lokho akungeke kube lusizo kini.

Kodwa lina lingabantu abakhethiweyo, ubuphristi bobukhosi, isizwe esingcwele, abantu abangaba-kaNkulunkulu, ukuba limemezele izindumiso zakhe yena owalibiza lisemnyameni ukuba lize ekukhanyeni kwakhe okumangalisayo.

Bangane abathandekayo, ngiyalincenga, njengabezizweni lezihambi emhlabeni, ukuba lizile izinkanuko zesono ezilwa lemiphefumulo yenu. Philani impilo elungileyo phakathi kwabangakholwayo ukuze kuthi lanxa besithi lenza okubi, babone izenzo zenu ezilungileyo babonge uNkulunkulu mhla esiza kithi. Zehliseni ngenxa yeNkosi emibusweni yonke ebekwe phakathi kwabantu: loba enkosini, njengamandla amakhulu, loba kubabusi abathunywe yiyo ukuba bajezise labo abenza okubi kanye lokubonga labo abenza okulungileyo. Ngoba kuyintando kaNkulunkulu ukuthi ngokwenza okulungileyo lizaqeda inkulumo yokungazi yabantu abayiziwula. Philani njengabantu abakhululekileyo, kodwa lingasebenzisi inkululeko yenu njengezaba lokufihla ububi; philani njengezinceku zikaNkulunkulu. 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.

uma watshabalalisa amadolobho aseSodoma leGomora ngokuwatshisa abe ngumlotha, wawenza aba yisibonelo salokho okuzakwenzakala kwabangamesabiyo uNkulunkulu; njalo uma wahlenga uLothi, umuntu olungileyo, owayekhathazekile ngokuphila okungcolileyo kwabantu ababengelamthetho (ngoba lowomuntu olungileyo, owayehlala phakathi kwabo izinsuku zonke, wayehlutshwa yizenzo zabo ezimbi ayezibona layezizwa)  —

Lokhu kuliqiniso ikakhulu kulabo abalandela izinkanuko zokonakala ezemvelo yabo yesono njalo beseyisa umthetho. Ngesibindi lokuzikhukhumeza, abantu laba kabakwesabi ukuhlambaza izidalwa zasezulwini; ikanti lezingilosi, lanxa ziqinile njalo zilamandla amakhulu, kazizethesi macala ngokuhlambaza izidalwa ezinjalo phambi kweNkosi.

Umuntu wonke owenza izono wephula umthetho; ngempela, isono yikungabi lomthetho.

Ngokunjalo, abaphuphi laba bangcolisa imizimba yabo, baphike ukukhokhelwa, bachothoze lezidalwa zasezulwini.

UJohane, Emabandleni ayisikhombisa esifundeni sase-Asiya: Umusa lokuthula kakube kini kuvela kuye okhona, lowayekhona, lozakuza, lokuvela kubomoya abayisikhombisa phambi kwesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, lokuvela kuJesu Khristu, ongufakazi othembekileyo, izibulo elivela kwabafileyo, lombusi wamakhosi asemhlabeni. Kuye osithandayo lowasikhululayo ezonweni zethu ngegazi lakhe, njalo osenze saba ngumbuso labaphristi ukuba sisebenzele uNkulunkulu wakhe loYise  —  kakube kuye udumo lamandla kuze kube nininini! Ameni.

Lowo onqobayo, ngizamnika ilungelo lokuhlala lami esihlalweni sami sobukhosi, njengoba lami nganqoba ngasengihlala loBaba esihlalweni sakhe sobukhosi.

Khonokho nje ngahle ngehlelwa nguMoya, kwathi phambi kwami ngabona isihlalo sobukhosi ezulwini kulomuntu owayehlezi kuso. Lowo owayehlezi lapho wayefana lejaspa lekhaneliya. Umchilo wamakhosikazi owawufana le-emaralidi wawuzingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi. Kwakulezinye izihlalo zobukhosi ezingamatshumi amabili lane ezazizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi leso, kuzo kuhlezi abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane. Babegqoke okumhlophe njalo belemiqhele yegolide emakhanda abo. Esihlalweni sobukhosi kwaba lokuphazima kombane, lokundindizela kanye lokukhwaza kwezulu. Phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi kwakuvutha izibane eziyisikhombisa. Lezi zazingomoya abayisikhombisa bakaNkulunkulu. Phambi kwesihlalo futhi kwakulokwakungathi lulwandle lwengilazi, kucwebile njengelitshe elikhazimulayo. Phakathi, emaceleni wonke esihlalo sobukhosi, kwakulezidalwa ezine eziphilayo, zigcwele amehlo phambili langemuva.

Kuthi lapho izidalwa eziphilayo zimdumisa, zimhlonipha njalo zimbonga lowo ohleziyo esihlalweni sobukhosi njalo ophila kuze kube nininini, abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane bawela phansi phambi kwakhe ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, bamkhonze yena ophila kuze kube nininini. Babeka imiqhele yabo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi bathi:

Ubenze baba ngumbuso labaphristi ukuba bakhonze uNkulunkulu wethu, njalo bazabusa emhlabeni.” Ngakhangela ngasengisizwa amazwi ezingilosi ezinengi, ezaziyizinkulungwane lezinkulungwane, lezinkulungwane ezilitshumi ziphindwe okuzinkulungwane ezilitshumi. Zazizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi lezidalwa eziphilayo kanye labadala. Zahlabela ngamazwi aphezulu zisithi: “Lifanele iWundlu, elabulawayo, Ukwamukela amandla lenotho lenhlakanipho lokuqina lodumo lenkazimulo kanye lokudunyiswa!” Ngezwa izidalwa zonke ezulwini lasemhlabeni langaphansi komhlaba laselwandle lakho konke okukukho, kuhlabela kusithi: “Kuye ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi lakulo iWundlu kakube lenhlonipho lodumo lenkazimulo kanye lamandla kuze kube nininini!”

Emva kwalokhu ngakhangela, khonapho phambi kwami kwakulexuku elikhulukazi okungelamuntu owayengalibala, livela ezizweni zonke, lezizwaneni, lasebantwini kanye lasezindimini zonke, limi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi laphambi kweWundlu. Babegqoke izambatho ezimhlophe bephethe izingatsha zelala ngezandla zabo. Bamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu besithi: “Ukusindisa ngokukaNkulunkulu wethu, ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi, kanye lokweWundlu.” Izingilosi zonke zazimi zizingeleze isihlalo sobukhosi njalo zizingeleze abadala kanye lezidalwa ezine eziphilayo. Zathi mbo phansi ngobuso bazo phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi zakhonza uNkulunkulu

Ngakho-ke, “baphambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu bemkhonza emini lebusuku ethempelini lakhe; njalo yena ohlezi esihlalweni sobukhosi uzakwendlala ithente lakhe ngaphezu kwabo.

Ingilosi yesikhombisa yakhalisa icilongo layo, kwasekusiba lamazwi amakhulu ezulwini, ayesithi: “Umbuso wasemhlabeni usube ngumbuso weNkosi yethu loKhristu wayo, njalo izabusa kuze kube nininini.” Abadala abangamatshumi amabili lane, ababehlezi ezihlalweni zobukhosi phambi kukaNkulunkulu, bathi mbo phansi ngobuso babo bakhonza uNkulunkulu, besithi: “Siyakubonga Nkosi Nkulunkulu Somandla, okhona lowayekhona njalo, ngoba usuwathethe amandla akho amakhulu njalo usuqalisile ukubusa. Izizwe zazithukuthele; lolaka lwakho selufikile. Isikhathi sokwahlulela abafileyo sesifikile, kanye lesokuvuza izinceku zakho abaphrofethi labangcwele bakho kanye lalabo abalihloniphayo ibizo lakho, abancinyane labakhulu  —  kanye lesokuchitha labo abachitha umhlaba.”

Ngabuya ngabona isilo siphuma elwandle. Sasilezimpondo ezilitshumi lamakhanda ayisikhombisa, silemiqhele elitshumi phezu kwezimpondo zaso, njalo ekhanda ngalinye kulebizo elihlambazayo. Isilo engasibonayo sasinjengengwe, kodwa silezinyawo ezifana lezebhere lomlomo onjengowesilwane. Umgobho wanika isilo leso amandla awo lesihlalo sawo sobukhosi kanye lelungelo elikhulu.

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

Idolobho elikhulu lehlukana laba yizigaba ezintathu, amadolobho ezizwe abhidlika. UNkulunkulu wakhumbula iBhabhiloni eNkulu wayinika inkomitshi egcwele ukuvutha kolaka lwakhe. Izihlenge zonke zabaleka kwathi izintaba zanyamalala.

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

“Lokhu kufuna ingqondo elokuhlakanipha. Amakhanda ayisikhombisa ngamaqaqa ayisikhombisa owesifazana ahlezi phezu kwawo. Njalo angamakhosi ayisikhombisa. Amahlanu asewile, eyodwa ikhona, enye kayikaveli, kodwa nxa isisiza kumele ihlale isikhatshana. Inyamazana eyake yaba khona, njalo khathesi engasekho, yinkosi yesificamibili. Ngenye yalawo ayisikhombisa njalo isisiya ekubhujisweni kwayo. “Izimpondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo ngamakhosi alitshumi angakatholi mbuso, kodwa azathola amandla obukhosi okwehora elilodwa kanye lenyamazana. Anjongo yinye njalo azakupha inyamazana amandla awo kanye lelungelo.

Azakulwa impi leWundlu, kodwa iWundlu lizawanqoba ngoba liyiNkosi yamakhosi loMbusi wababusi  —  njalo lizakuba lilababiziweyo balo, abangabalandeli abakhethiweyo labathembekileyo.” Ingilosi yabuya yathi kimi, “Amanzi owabonileyo, lapho isiphingi esihlezi khona, ngabantu bemihlobo yonke, amaxuku, lezizwe kanye lezindimi. Inyamazana lezimpondo ezilitshumi ozibonileyo kuzasizonda isiphingi. Zizasichitha zisitshiye size; zizakudla inyama yomzimba waso zisitshise ngomlilo. Ngoba uNkulunkulu ubeke ezinhliziyweni zazo ukuba afeze injongo yakhe ngokuvuma ukunika isilo amandla azo okubusa, amazwi kaNkulunkulu aze agcwaliseke. Owesifazana ombonileyo lidolobho elikhulu elibusa amakhosi omhlaba.”

Yamemeza ngelizwi elikhulu yathi: “Idilikile! Idilikile iBhabhiloni eNkulu! Isibe likhaya lamadimoni Lommango wabomoya ababi, Lommango wezinyoni zonke ezingcolileyo lezenyanyekayo. Ngoba izizwe zonke zinathe iwayini elihlanyisayo lobufebe bayo. Amakhosi omhlaba afeba layo, labathengisi basemhlabeni banothiswa yinotho yayo edlulisileyo.”

“Lapho amakhosi asemhlabeni afeba layo njalo abelana layo inotho yayo ebona intuthu yokutsha kwayo, azayikhalela ayililele. Azatshaywa luvalo ngenxa yokuchukuluzwa kwayo, eme khatshana akhale esithi: “ ‘Maye! Maye, O dolobho elikhulu, O Bhabhiloni, dolobho lamandla! Ngehora linye nje incithakalo yakho ifikile!’

Ingilosi elamandla yasidobha ilitshe elingangelitshe elikhulu lokuchola yaliphosela elwandle, yathi: “Idolobho elikhulu laseBhabhiloni lizaphoselwa phansi ngodlakela olunje, lingaphindi libonakale futhi.

Emlonyeni wakhe kuphuma inkemba ebukhali agalela ngayo izizwe. Uzazibusa ngentonga yensimbi. Unyathela isikhamelo sewayini sentukuthelo yolaka lukaNkulunkulu uSomandla.

Esambathweni sakhe lasemlenzeni wakhe kulotshwe ibizo leli elithi: INKOSI YAMAKHOSI LOMBUSI WABABUSI.

Ngasengibona ingilosi imi elangeni, eyamemezela ngelizwi elikhulu ezinyonini zonke ezazindiza emoyeni isithi, “Wozani libuthanele idili elikhulu likaNkulunkulu, ukuze lidle inyama yemizimba yamakhosi, leyezinduna zempi, leyamadoda alamandla, eyamabhiza leyabagadi bawo, kanye leyabantu bonke, abakhululekileyo lezigqili, abancane labakhulu.” Ngabuya ngabona isilo lamakhosi asemhlabeni lamabutho awo ebuthanele ukulwa impi lomgadi webhiza kanye lebutho lakhe.

Babusisiwe njalo bangcwele labo abahlanganyela ekuvukeni ekufeni kwakuqala. Ukufa kwesibili akulamandla phezu kwabo, kodwa bazakuba ngabaphristi bakaNkulunkulu labakaKhristu njalo bazabusa laye okweminyaka eyinkulungwane.

Ngabuya ngabona isihlalo sobukhosi esikhulu kanye lalowo owayehlezi kuso. Umhlaba lomkhathi kwabaleka phambi kwakhe, akwaze kwaba lendawo yakho. Ngasengibona abafileyo, abancane labakhulu, bemi phambi kwesihlalo sobukhosi, kwasekuvulwa izincwadi. Kwavulwa enye incwadi, eyincwadi yokuphila. Abafileyo bahlulelwa mayelana lalokho ababekwenzile okwakulotshwe ezincwadini. Ulwandle lwakhupha abafileyo ababekulo, ukufa leHadesi kwakhupha abafileyo ababekukho, umuntu ngamunye wahlulelwa mayelana lalokho akwenzayo.

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.

Ingilosi yasingitshengisa umfula wamanzi okuphila, acengekileyo kakhulu, egeleza evela esihlalweni sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu leseWundlu esehla ephakathi komgwaqo omkhulu wedolobho. Eceleni ngalinye lomfula kwakulesihlahla sokuphila, sithela izithelo ezilitshumi lambili, sithela izithelo zaso nyanga zonke. Amahlamvu esihlahla leso ngawokwelapha izizwe. Akusoze kube lesiqalekiso futhi. Isihlalo sobukhosi sikaNkulunkulu leseWundlu zizakuba sedolobheni, njalo izinceku zakhe zizamkhonza. Zizabubona ubuso bakhe, lebizo lakhe lizakuba semabunzini azo. Akusayikuba lobusuku futhi. Kaziyikukuswela ukukhanya kwesibane loba okwelanga, ngoba iNkosi uNkulunkulu izazikhanyisela. Njalo zizabusa kuze kube nininini.