\NormalFont\ShortTitle{Abahluleli}

{\MT Abahluleli



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH U-Israyeli Ulwa Lensalela YamaKhenani
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kokufa kukaJoshuwa, abako-Israyeli babuza
{\ND{uThixo}} bathi, “Pho ngubani ozahamba kuqala ukuba ayesilwela lamaKhenani na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}{\ND{UThixo}} waphendula wathi, “NguJuda ozahamba; ilizwe sengilinikele ezandleni zabo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Lapho-ke abantu bakoJuda bathi kwabakoSimiyoni abafowabo, “Hambani lathi elizweni esalabelwayo, ukuyakulwa lamaKhenani. Lathi sizakwenanisa ngokuhamba lani kwelenu.” Ngakho abakoSimiyoni ahamba labo.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kwathi uJuda esehlasele,
{\ND{uThixo}} wanikela amaKhenani lamaPherizi ezandleni zabo, wabulala abantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi eBhezekhi.

\VS{5}Kukhonapho abafica khona u-Adoni-Bhezekhi balwa laye, baqothula amaKhenani kanye lamaPherizi.

\VS{6}U-Adoni-Bhezekhi wabaleka, kodwa baxotshana laye baze bambamba, bamquma izithupha zakhe lamazwane amakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}U-Adoni-Bhezekhi wasesithi, “Amakhosi angamatshumi ayisikhombisa ayequnywe izithupha zawo lamazwane amakhulu ayedobha imvuthuluka ngaphansi kwetafula yami. Khathesi uNkulunkulu usephindisele kimi ngalokho engakwenza kuwo.” Bamusa eJerusalema lapho afela khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Abantu bakoJuda bahlasela leJerusalema bayithumba. Bahlasela idolobho ngezinkemba balithungela ngomlilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Emva kwalokho, abantu bakoJuda bahamba bayakulwa lamaKhenani ayehlala elizweni lezintaba, iNegebi kanye lamawatha ezintaba angasentshonalanga.

\VS{10}Baqhubeka bayahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eHebhroni (kuqala eyayithiwa yiKhiriyathi Aribha) banqoba uSheshayi, u-Ahimani kanye loThalimayi.

\VS{11}Besuka lapho baqhubeka bayahlasela abantu ababehlala eDebhiri (kuqala eyayithiwa yiKhiriyathi-Sefa).


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UKhalebi wathi, “Ngizakwendisela indodakazi yami u-Akhisa endodeni ezahlasela ithumbe iKhiriyathi-Sefa.”

\VS{13}U-Othiniyeli, indodana kaKhenazi, umnawakhe kaKhalebi, wayithumba; ngakho uKhalebi wendisela indodakazi yakhe u-Akhisa kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngelinye ilanga u-Akhisa wafika ku-Othiniyeli wamkhuthaza ukuthi acele insimu kuyise. Lapho esehlile kubabhemi wakhe uKhalebi wambuza wathi, “Kuyini engingakwenzela khona?”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Waphendula wathi, “Ngicela ungenzele umusa obalulekileyo. Njengoba unginike umhlaba eNegebi, ngicela unginike lemithombo yamanzi.” Ngakho uKhalebi wamnika imithombo eyayingaphezulu leyayingaphansi.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Abayinzalo kayisezala kaMosi, amaKheni, bahamba labantu bakoJuda besuka edolobheni laMalala besiyahlala phakathi kwabantu basenkangala yakoJuda eNegebi eduze le-Aradi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Emva kwalokho abantu bakoJuda bahamba labakoSimiyoni abafowabo bahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eZefathi, idolobho basebelichitha ngokupheleleyo. Ngakho lathiwa yiHoma.

\VS{18}Abantu bakoJuda bathumba njalo iGaza, i-Ashikheloni kanye le-Ekroni, idolobho linye ngalinye kanye lelizwe lalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}{\ND{UThixo}} wayelabantu bakoJuda. Bathumba ilizwe lezintaba, kodwa behluleka ukuxotsha abantu ababesemagcekeni ngoba babelezinqola zempi ezenzwe ngensimbi.

\VS{20}Njengokuthembisa kukaMosi, iHebhroni yaphiwa uKhalebi, owaxotsha kuyo amadodana amathathu ka-Anakhi.

\VS{21}Kodwa abakoBhenjamini behluleka ukususa amaJebusi ayehlala eJerusalema; lalamhlanje amaJebusi ahlala khona labakoBhenjamini.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ngalesosikhathi abendlu kaJosefa bahlasela iBhetheli, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelabo.

\VS{23}Ekuthumeni kwabo abantu ukuba bayehlola iBhetheli (kuqala idolobho lelo lalithiwa yiLuzi),

\VS{24}inhloli zabona umuntu ephuma edolobheni zasezisithi kuye, “Sitshengise ukuthi singangena njani edolobheni, thina-ke sizabona ukuthi uphatheka kuhle.”

\VS{25}Ngakho wazitshengisa, zasezihlasela idolobho ngenkemba kodwa umuntu lowo zamyekela kanye labendlu yakhe bonke.

\VS{26}Ngakho-ke waya elizweni lamaHithi, lapho akha khona idolobho alibiza ngokuthi yiLuzi, okulokhe kuyilo ibizo lalo lalamhlanje.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Kodwa uManase kabaxotshanga abantu baseBhethi-Shani loba eThanakhi kumbe eDori loba e-Ibhiliyami kumbe eMegido kanye lasemizaneni yabo eseduzane, ngoba amaKhenani ayezimisele ukuhlala kulelolizwe.

\VS{28}Kwathi abako-Israyeli sebelamandla bawabamba ngamandla amaKhenani ukuba abasebenzele kodwa kabazange bawaxotshe wonke.

\VS{29}Labako-Efrayimi kabawaxotshanga amaKhenani ayehlala eGezeri, kodwa amaKhenani aqhubeka ehlala khona labo.

\VS{30}LabakoZebhuluni kabawaxotshanga amaKhenani ayehlala eKhithironi kanye laseNahaloli, asala ephakathi kwabo; kodwa bawabamba ngamandla ukuba abasebenzele.

\VS{31}Labako-Asheri kababaxotshanga labo ababehlala e-Akho, kumbe eSidoni, kumbe e-Ahilabi loba e-Akhizibhi kumbe eHelibha loba e-Afekhi kumbe eRehobhi,

\VS{32}njalo ngenxa yalokhu abantu bako-Asheri bahlala lamaKhenani ayeyakhe elizweni.

\VS{33}LabakoNafithali kababaxotshanga labo ababehlala eBhethi-Shemeshi kumbe eBhethi-Anathi; kodwa abakoNafithali labo bahlala lamaKhenani ayeyakhe elizweni, kwathi lawo ayehlala eBhethi-Shemeshi kanye leBhethi-Anathi abanjwa ngamandla ukuba abe yizisebenzi zabo.

\VS{34}Ama-Amori ancindezela abakoDani ukuba bahlale elizweni lezintaba, angabavumeli ukuba behlele phansi emagcekeni.

\VS{35}Njalo ama-Amori ayezimisele ukuhlala kokuphela eNtabeni iHeresi, le-Ayijaloni kanye leShalibhimi, kodwa kwathi amandla abendlu kaJosefa esemakhulu, lawo abanjwa ngamandla ukuba abe yizisebenzi.

\VS{36}Umngcele wama-Amori wawusekela uMkhandlu weNkume usiya eSela kanye langaphetsheya.




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH Ingilosi
{\ND{KaThixo}} EBhokhimi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yahamba isuka eGiligali isiya eBhokhimi yathi, “Ngalikhupha eGibhithe ngaliholela elizweni engafunga ukulinika okhokho benu. Ngathi, ‘Angiyikusephula isivumelwano sami lani,

\VS{2}njalo kaliyikwenza isivumelwano labantu balelilizwe, kodwa lizabhidliza ama-alithare abo.’ Kodwa lina kalingilalelanga. Likwenzeleni lokhu na?

\VS{3}Ngakho khathesi-ke ngiyalitshela ukuthi angiyikubaxotsha phambi kwenu, bazakuba yizifu kini njalo onkulunkulu babo bazakuba yimijibila kini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kwathi ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} isizikhulumile zonke lezizinto kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, abantu bakhala kakhulu,

\VS{5}indawo leyo bayibiza ngokuthi yiBhokhimi. Banikela imihlatshelo
{\ND{kuThixo}} khonapho.


\par }{\SH Ukungalaleli Lokwehlulwa
\par }
{\PP \VS{6}Emva kokuba uJoshuwa esebadedele abako-Israyeli, bahamba bayalithatha ilizwe, lowo lalowo endaweni eyilifa lakhe.

\VS{7}Abantu bamkhonza
{\ND{uThixo}} ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaJoshuwa labadala kulaye ababesele bephila njalo beyibonile imisebenzi emikhulu
{\ND{uThixo}} ayeyenzele abako-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku
{\ND{kaThixo}}, wafa eseleminyaka elikhulu letshumi.

\VS{9}Bamngcwaba emhlabeni oyilifa lakhe, eThimnathi-Heresi, elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, enyakatho kwentaba iGashi.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kwathi emva kokuba sonke isizukulwane leso sesiphelile, kwavela esinye isizukulwane esasingamazi
{\ND{uThixo}} kanye lalokho ayekwenzele abako-Israyeli.

\VS{11}Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli benza okubi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, bakhonza uBhali.

\VS{12}Bamdela
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu waboyise, owayebakhuphe eGibhithe. Balandela njalo bakhonza onkulunkulu abehlukeneyo babantu ababehlala phakathi kwabo. Bamthukuthelisa
{\ND{uThixo}}

\VS{13}ngoba bamdela bakhonza uBhali labo-Ashithorethi.

\VS{14}Ekubathukutheleleni kwakhe
{\ND{uThixo}} wabanikela ezandleni zababahlaselayo lababaphangayo. Wabanikela ezitheni zabo ezazibahanqile, ababengasenelisi ukumelana lazo.

\VS{15}Zonke izikhathi lapho abako-Israyeli bephuma ukuyakulwa, isandla
{\ND{sikaThixo}} samelana labo ukuba behlulwe, njengokufunga kwakhe kubo. Basebephakathi kohlupho olukhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kulapho-ke
{\ND{uThixo}} abeka khona abahluleli ababahlengayo ezandleni zabaphangi laba.

\VS{17}Belo kababalalelanga abahluleli babo kodwa baqhubeka bekhonza abanye onkulunkulu. Kabenzanga njengabokhokho babo, kodwa bona baphanga baphuma endleleni oyise ababehambe ngayo, indlela yokulalela imilayo
{\ND{kaThixo}}.

\VS{18}Ngasosonke isikhathi lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} ebabekela khona umahluleli, wayemthungamela umahluleli abahlenge ezandleni zezitha zabo lapho esaphila; ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} waba lesihawu kubo lapho bebubula ngaphansi kwalabo ababebancindezele lababebahlukuluza.

\VS{19}Kodwa lapho umahluleli esefile, abantu babuyela ezindleleni zokuxhwala okwedlula ezaboyise, belandela abanye onkulunkulu, bebasebenzele njalo bebakhonza, besala ukudela izenzo zabo ezimbi lezindlela zobuqholo.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wamthukuthelela kakhulu u-Israyeli wathi, “Njengoba isizwe lesi sesephule isivumelwano engasimisela okhokho baso njalo kasingilalelanga,

\VS{21}kangisayikuxotsha phambi kwaso iloba yisiphi isizwe phakathi kwezatshiywa nguJoshuwa ekufeni kwakhe.

\VS{22}Ngizasebenzisa zona ukuhlola abako-Israyeli ngibone ukuthi bazayigcina yini indlela
{\ND{kaThixo}}, bahambe kuyo njengokwenziwa ngokhokho babo.”

\VS{23}{\ND{UThixo}} wayevumele ukuthi lezozizwe zisale; kazixotshanga masinyane ngokuzinikela ezandleni zikaJoshuwa.




\par }\Chap{3}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Nanzi izizwe ezatshiywa
{\ND{nguThixo}} ukuze abahlole bonke abako-Israyeli ababengazibonanga izimpi eKhenani

\VS{2}(wenza lokhu ukuba azifundise izizukulwane zako-Israyeli ukulwiwa kwezimpi lezo ezazingazange zikubone ukulwa ngaphambilini):

\VS{3}ababusi abahlanu bamaFilistiya, amaKhenani wonke, amaSidoni, lamaHivi ahlala ezintabeni zaseLebhanoni kusukela eNtabeni iBhali-Hemoni kusiya eLebho Hamathi.

\VS{4}Babetshiyelwe ukuhlola abako-Israyeli ukuba kubonakale ukuthi bayayilalela na imilayo
{\ND{kaThixo}}, ayeyinike okhokho babo ngoMosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Abako-Israyeli babehlala phakathi kwamaKhenani, lamaHithi, lama-Amori, lamaPherizi, lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi.

\VS{6}Bathatha amadodakazi awo aba ngomkabo njalo bendisela amadodakazi abo emadodaneni awo, bakhonza labonkulunkulu bawo.


\par }{\SH U-Othiniyeli
\par }
{\PP \VS{7}Abako-Israyeli benza okubi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}; bamkhohlwa
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wabo bakhonza oBhali labo-Ashera.

\VS{8}Ulaka
{\ND{lukaThixo}} lwavuthela abako-Israyeli waze wabanikela ezandleni zikaKhushani-Rishathayimi inkosi yase-Aramu Naharayimu, lapho abantu bako-Israyeli ababangaphansi kombuso wayo iminyaka eyisificaminwembili.

\VS{9}Kodwa ekukhaleni kwabo
{\ND{kuThixo}}, wabalethela umhlengi, u-Othiniyeli indodana kaKhenazi, umnawakhe kaKhalebi, owabakhululayo.

\VS{10}Umoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wehlela kuye, wasesiba ngumahluleli wako-Israyeli waya empini.
{\ND{UThixo}} wanikela uKhushani-Rishathayimi inkosi ye-Aramu ezandleni zika-Othiniyeli, wamnqoba.

\VS{11}Ngakho ilizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane, u-Othiniyeli indodana kaKhenazi waze wafa.


\par }{\SH U-Ehudi
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, kwathi ngenxa yokuthi babenze lobububi
{\ND{uThixo}} wanika u-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi amandla phezu kuka-Israyeli.

\VS{13}Esenze ama-Amoni lama-Amaleki amanyana laye, u-Egiloni wayahlasela u-Israyeli, basebethumba idolobho laMalala.

\VS{14}Abako-Israyeli babangaphansi kombuso ka-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi iminyaka elitshumi layisificaminwembili.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Abako-Israyeli bakhala futhi
{\ND{kuThixo}}, wasebapha umhlengi u-Ehudi, indoda eyayilinxele indodana kaGera owakoBhenjamini. Abako-Israyeli bamthuma lesipho ku-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi.

\VS{16}U-Ehudi wayenze inkemba esika inxa zombili eyayingaba yingalo lengxenye ubude bayo, ayibophela ethangazini lakhe lwesokudla ngaphansi kwezigqoko zakhe.

\VS{17}Wasethula isipho ku-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi, owayengumuntu oqatha kakhulu.

\VS{18}Emva kokuba u-Ehudi esesethule isipho, walaya abantu ababesithwele ukuba bazihambele.

\VS{19}Ezithombeni eduze leGiligali yena uqobo wabuyela emuva, wathi, “Oh nkosi, ngilelizwi lakho eliyimfihlo.

\par }{\PP ” Inkosi yathi, “Thula!” Zonke izikhonzi zayo zasuka kuyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}U-Ehudi wayilanda isihlezi yodwa ekamelweni langaphezulu elipholileyo endlini yayo yobukhosi wathi, “Ngilelizwi lakho elivela kuNkulunkulu.” Kwathi inkosi isukuma esihlalweni sayo,

\VS{21}u-Ehudi wafinyelela ngesandla sakhe senxele, wahwatsha inkemba ethangazini lakhe kwesokudla wayithela esiswini senkosi.

\VS{22}Inkemba yatshona yasala ngesilanda, amathumbu akhe agcwala phansi. U-Ehudi kayingcothulanga inkemba, idanga layemboza.

\VS{23}U-Ehudi waphuma phandle, wavala iminyango yekamelo langaphezulu wayihluthulela.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Esehambile kweza izinceku zathola iminyango yekamelo langaphezulu ihluthulelwe. Zathi, “Kutsho ukuthi iye ngaphandle ekamelweni elingaphakathi kwendlu.”

\VS{25}Zalinda zaze zakhathazeka, kodwa ngoba ingasavulanga iminyango yekamelo lelo, zathatha ikhiye zayivula. Lapho-ke zabona inkosi yazo iwele phansi, isifile.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Zisalindile, u-Ehudi wasuka wahamba. Wedlula eduzane lezithombe wabalekela eSeyira.

\VS{27}Esefike lapho wakhalisa icilongo elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, abako-Israyeli basebesehla laye ezintabeni, yena ebakhokhele.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Wabalaya wathi, “Ngilandelani, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} usenikele uMowabi, isitha senu, ezandleni zenu.” Ngakho behlela laye phansi bemlandela, kwathi sebethumbe amazibuko eJodani ayewelela eMowabi, kabaze bavumela muntu ukuba achaphele ngaphetsheya.

\VS{29}Ngalesosikhathi babulala amaMowabi ayengaba zinkulungwane ezilitshumi, wonke ayeqinile elamandla; akukho muntu owaphunyukayo.

\VS{30}Ngalolosuku iMowabi yanqotshwa yi-Israyeli, ilizwe laselisiba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.


\par }{\SH UShamigari
\par }
{\PP \VS{31}Emva kuka-Ehudi kwaba loShamigari indodana ka-Anathi owabulala amaFilistiya angamakhulu ayisithupha ngesijujo senkabi. Laye wamkhulula u-Israyeli.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH UDibhora
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, emva kokuba u-Ehudi esefile.

\VS{2}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wabanikela ezandleni zikaJabhini, inkosi yaseKhenani, owayebusa eHazori. Umlawuli webutho lakhe wayenguSisera, owayehlala eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi.

\VS{3}Ngoba wayelezinqola zempi ezensimbi ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye munye njalo encindezele abako-Israyeli kabuhlungu okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili, bacela usizo
{\ND{kuThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngalesosikhathi u-Israyeli wayekhokhelwa nguDibhora umphrofethikazi, umkaLaphidothi.

\VS{5}Wayethonisela amacala ngaphansi kwesihlahla seLala likaDibhora phakathi kweRama leBhetheli elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, njalo abantu bako-Israyeli baya kuye ukuba kwenziwe izinqumo ngemibono yabo.

\VS{6}Wabiza uBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami waseKhedeshi koNafithali wathi kuye, “{\ND{UThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uyakulaya uthi: ‘Suka, uhambe labantu bakoNafithali labakoZebhuluni abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi ubakhokhelele eNtabeni iThabhori.

\VS{7}Ngizahugela uSisera, umlawuli webutho likaJabhini, lezinqola zakhe zempi kanye lamabutho emfuleni uKhishoni ngimnikele ezandleni zakho.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UBharakhi wathi kuye, “Nxa uhamba lami, ngizahamba; kodwa nxa ungahambi lami, kangiyikuhamba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UDibhora wathi, “Kulungile, ngizahamba lawe. Kodwa ngenxa yendlela oqhuba ngayo lokhu udumo kaluyikuba ngolwakho, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uzanikela uSisera kowesifazane.” Ngakho uDibhora wahamba loBharakhi eKhedeshi

\VS{10}lapho abizela khona uZebhuluni loNafithali. Abantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi bamlandela. UDibhora laye wahamba labo.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngalesosikhathi uHebheri umKheni wayetshiye amanye amaKheni, izizukulwane zikaHobhabhi, uyisezala kaMosi, wamisa ithente lakhe phansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi eZananimi eduze leKhedeshi.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Kwathi uSisera sebemtshelile ukuthi uBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami wayeseye eNtabeni iThabhori,

\VS{13}uSisera waqoqela ndawonye izinqola zakhe zempi ezensimbi ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye munye lawo wonke amadoda ayelaye, kusukela eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi kusiya emfuleni uKhishoni.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UDibhora wasesithi kuBharakhi, “Hamba! Lolu yilo usuku
{\ND{uThixo}} anikele ngalo uSisera ezandleni zakho. Kanti
{\ND{uThixo}} kahambanga phambi kwakho na?” Ngakho uBharakhi wehlela eNtabeni iThabhori elandelwa ngabantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi.

\VS{15}UBharakhi wathi esesondela
{\ND{uThixo}} wamhlasela uSisera lezinqola zakhe zonke zempi kanye lebutho ngenkemba, njalo uSisera watshiya izinqola zakhe zempi wabaleka ngezinyawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kodwa uBharakhi waxotshana lezinqola zempi lebutho waze wafika eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi. Wonke amabutho kaSisera abulawa ngenkemba, akukho muntu owasilayo.

\VS{17}Kodwa uSisera wabaleka ngezinyawo waze wayafika ethenteni likaJayeli, umkaHebheri umKheni, ngoba kwakulobudlelwano obuhle phakathi kukaJabhini inkosi yaseHazori lomndeni kaHebheri umKheni.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJayeli waphuma wahlangabeza uSisera wasesithi kuye, “Woza nkosi yami, ngena phakathi sibili. Ungesabi.” Ngakho uSisera wangena ethenteni likaJayeli, wasemembesa ngengubo.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Wasesithi, “Ngomile. Ake unginathise.” Wavula umxhaka wesikhumba sochago, wamnathisa, wasemembesa.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}USisera wasesithi, “Mana emnyango wethente. Kungaba lomuntu ofika akubuze athi, ‘Kulomuntu lapha na?’ wena kumele uthi ‘Hatshi.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Kodwa uJayeli, umkaHebheri, wathatha isikhonkwane sethente lesando, wamnyenyela ephakathi kobuthongo obukhulu, ngoba wayediniwe. Wabethela isikhonkwane enhlafunweni sangena saze sayafika emhlabathini, wafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UBharakhi wafika exotshana loSisera, uJayeli waphuma wayamhlangabeza. Wathi, “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umuntu omdingayo.” Ngakho wangena laye khonapho, uSisera wayelele isikhonkwane sethente singene satshona enhlafunweni yakhe esefile.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngalolosuku uNkulunkulu wamnqoba uJabhini, inkosi yamaKhenani, phambi kwabako-Israyeli.

\VS{24}Amandla abako-Israyeli okumelana loJabhini inkosi yamaKhenani akhula, aze amchitha.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH Ingoma KaDibhora
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalolosuku uDibhora loBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami bahlabela ingoma le:


\par }{\Q \VS{2}“Lapho amakhosana ko-Israyeli esekhokhela,

\par }{\QB lapho abantu bezinikela ngokuzithandela,

\par }{\QB dumisani
{\ND{uThixo}}!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}Zwanini lokhu lina makhosi! Lalelani lina babusi!

\par }{\QB Ngizahlabelela
{\ND{kuThixo}},

\par }{\QB ngizahlabelela;

\par }{\Q ngizahubela ihubo,

\par }{\QB {\ND{kuThixo}}uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{4}Awu
{\ND{Thixo}}, ekuqhamukeni kwakho eSeyiri,

\par }{\QB lapho usuka elizweni lase-Edomi,

\par }{\Q umhlaba wanyikinyeka, amazulu athululeka,

\par }{\QB amayezi athululela amanzi phansi.


\par }{\Q \VS{5}Izintaba zazamazama phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, yena owaseSinayi,

\par }{\QB phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{6}Ensukwini zikaShamigari indodana ka-Anathi,

\par }{\QB ensukwini zikaJayeli, imigwaqo yayideliwe;

\par }{\QB izihambi zithatha izindledlana ezimazombe.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Izakhamizi zako-Israyeli kazizange zilwe,

\par }{\QB zahlehlela emuva kwaze kwavela mina Dibhora,

\par }{\QB kwavela umama ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\Q \VS{8}UNkulunkulu wakhetha abakhokheli abatsha

\par }{\QB lapho impi isifike emasangweni edolobho,

\par }{\Q kodwa akulahawu kumbe umkhonto owabonakalayo

\par }{\QB phakathi kwezinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Inhliziyo yami ikanye lamakhosana ako-Israyeli,

\par }{\QB kanye labazinikela ngokuzithandela phakathi kwabantu.

\par }{\QB Dumisani
{\ND{uThixo}}!


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{10}Lina eligada obabhemi abamhlophe,

\par }{\QB lihlezi ezihlalweni zenu zengubo,

\par }{\QB lani elihamba emgwaqweni

\par }{\Q cabangani

\VS{11}ilizwi labahlabeleli ezindaweni zamanzi okunathisa.

\par }{\QB Bahuba ngokulunga
{\ND{kukaThixo}},

\par }{\QB ukunqoba kwezakhamizi zako-Israyeli.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q Lapho-ke abantu
{\ND{bakaThixo}}

\par }{\QB behlela emasangweni edolobho.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}‘Vuka, vuka, Dibhora!

\par }{\QB Vuka, vuka, uhlabele ingoma!

\par }{\Q Vuka weBharakhi!

\par }{\QB Uthumbe abathunjiweyo bakho, wena ndodana ka-Abhinowami.’


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}Ngakho abantu ababesele bafika ezikhulwini;

\par }{\QB abantu
{\ND{bakaThixo}} beza kimi labalamandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{14}Abanye bavela ko-Efrayimi, abamdabuko wabo use-Amaleki;

\par }{\QB uBhenjamini wayelabantu abakulandelayo.

\par }{\Q Izinduna zamabutho zavela eMakhiri,

\par }{\QB koZebhuluni labo abaphatha intonga yomlawuli webutho.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Amakhosana ako-Isakhari ayeloDibhora;

\par }{\QB yebo, u-Isakhari wayeloBharakhi

\par }{\QB emxhuma ngesiqubu ezigodini.

\par }{\Q Eziqintini zakoRubheni

\par }{\QB kwaba lokuhlolwa okukhulu kwezinhliziyo.


\par }{\Q \VS{16}Lahlalelani ezibayeni

\par }{\QB ukuzwa amakhwelo enqanda izimvu na?

\par }{\Q Eziqintini zakoRubheni,

\par }{\QB kwaba lokuhlolwa okukhulu kwezinhliziyo.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}UGiliyadi wahlala ngaphetsheya kweJodani.

\par }{\QB LoDani wasalelani ngasemikhunjini na?

\par }{\Q U-Asheri wasala ngasokhunjini

\par }{\QB wahlala emathekwini akhe olwandle.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Abantu bakoZebhuluni bafaka impilo yabo uqobo engozini;

\par }{\QB wenza njalo loNafithali emiqolweni yeganga.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}Amakhosi afika, alwa;

\par }{\QB amakhosi aseKhenani alwa,

\par }{\Q eThanakhi ngasemachibini aseMegido,

\par }{\QB kodwa kawazathwala isiliva, lempango.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Izinkanyezi zalwa zisemazulwini,

\par }{\QB zalwa loSisera zisezindleleni zazo.


\par }{\Q \VS{21}Umfula uKhishoni wabakhukhula,

\par }{\QB umfula wendulo, umfula uKhishoni.

\par }{\QB Phambili, mphefumulo wami; Qina!


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Kwaduma amasondo amabhiza ematha,

\par }{\QB ematha ehamba amabhiza akhe alamandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}‘Iqalekiseni iMerozi,’ kwatsho ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}},

\par }{\QB ‘Baqalekiseni kabuhlungu abantu bayo,

\par }{\Q ngoba kabezanga ukuzencedisa
{\ND{uThixo}},

\par }{\QB ukuzasiza
{\ND{uThixo}} emelane labalamandla.’


\par }{\BB \par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{24}Kabe ngobusiswe kakhulu kwabesifazane uJayeli,

\par }{\QB umkaHebheri umKheni,

\par }{\QB obusiswe kakhulu kwabesifazane abahlala emathenteni.


\par }{\Q \VS{25}Wacela amanzi, yena wamnika uchago,

\par }{\QB wamlethela amasi ngomganu ofanele izikhulu.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Wathatha isikhonkwane sethente ngesandla sakhe,

\par }{\QB isandla sakhe sokudla sathatha isando somkhandi.

\par }{\Q Watshaya uSisera, wachoboza ikhanda lakhe,

\par }{\QB waphahaza wabhoboza inhlafuno yakhe.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Wawohlokela ezinyaweni zakhe,

\par }{\QB wawa; wabhazalala khonapho.

\par }{\Q Wawohlokela ezinyaweni zakhe wawa;

\par }{\QB lapho awohlokela khona, wawela khonapho esefile.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{28}UnakaSisera walunguza ngefasitela;

\par }{\QB ngemva kwewindi wanqolonga wathi,

\par }{\Q ‘Kungani inqola yakhe yempi iphuze kangaka ukufika?

\par }{\QB Kungani ukugodlozela kwezinqola zakhe zempi kuphuzile?’


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Ohlakaniphe kakhulu kumakhosazana akhe wamphendula;

\par }{\QB impela yena uhlezi ezitshela esithi,


\par }{\Q \VS{30}‘Kanti kabafumani mpango bayabelane na;

\par }{\QB intombazana loba amabili indoda nganye,

\par }{\Q izigqoko ezimibalabala eziyimpango kaSisera,

\par }{\QB izigqoko ezimibalabala ezicecisiweyo,

\par }{\Q izigqoko eziceciswe kakhulu zentamo yami,

\par }{\QB konke lokhu kuyimpango?’


\par }{\BB \par }
{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{31}Ngakho sengathi zingabhubha zonke izitha zakho, Oh
{\ND{Thixo}}!

\par }{\QB Kodwa sengathi labo abakuthandayo bangaba njengelanga

\par }{\QB lapho liphuma ngamandla alo.”

\par }{\PP Kwasekusiba lokuthula elizweni iminyaka engamatshumi amane.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH UGidiyoni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abako-Israyeli benza okubi futhi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, wabanikela ezandleni zamaMidiyani iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

\VS{2}Ngenxa yokuthi umbuso wamaMidiyani wawuncindezela kakhulu, abako-Israyeli bazakhela amadumba ezingoxweni zezintaba, lasezimbalwini kanye lasezinqabeni.

\VS{3}Kwakusithi abako-Israyeli bangalima izilimo zabo, amaMidiyani lama-Amaleki kanye labanye abantu basempumalanga bahlasele ilizwe labo.

\VS{4}Bahlala elizweni bachitha izilimo umango wonke kusiya eGaza kabaze bamtshiyela lutho oluphilayo u-Israyeli, loba izimvu kumbe inkomo loba obabhemi.

\VS{5}Beza lezifuyo zabo lamathente abo benjengemitshitshi yezintethe ngobunengi. Ubunengi babantu lamakamela abo kwakungabaleki; bahlasela ilizwe balichithiza.

\VS{6}AmaMidiyani abaphundla abako-Israyeli baze bakhala
{\ND{kuThixo}} ukuba abasize.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kwathi abako-Israyeli sebekhalile
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngenxa yamaMidiyani,

\VS{8}wabathumela umphrofethi, owathi, “Nanku okutshiwo
{\ND{nguThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: Ngalikhupha eGibhithe, ngalikhupha elizweni lobugqili.

\VS{9}Ngalihluthuna emandleni eGibhithe lasezandleni zabancindezeli benu bonke. Ngabaxotsha phambi kwenu ngalipha ilizwe labo.

\VS{10}Ngathi kini, ‘Mina
{\ND{nginguThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenu, lingabakhonzi onkulunkulu bama-Amori, elihlala elizweni lawo.’ Kodwa kalingilalelanga.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yafika yahlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi e-Ofira esasingesikaJowashi umʼAbhiyezeri lapho indodana yakhe uGidiyoni eyayibhula khona amabele esikhamelweni sewayini ukuze iwafihlele amaMidiyani.

\VS{12}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} isibonakele kuGidiyoni yathi kuye, “{\ND{UThixo}} ulawe, butho elilamandla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Kodwa nkosi, nxa
{\ND{uThixo}} elathi, pho kungani konke lokhu kwenzakele kithi? Zingaphi izimanga zakhe zonke obaba abasitshela ngazo besithi, ‘{\ND{UThixo}} kasikhuphanga eGibhithe na?’ Kodwa khathesi
{\ND{uThixo}} usesidelile wasinikela ezandleni zamaMidiyani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}{\ND{UThixo}} waphendukela kuye wathi, “Hamba ngamandla olawo uhlenge u-Israyeli ezandleni zamaMidiyani. Kanti kangikuthumi na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UGidiyoni wabuza wathi, “Kodwa nkosi yami, u-Israyeli ngingamhlenga kanjani na? Usendo lwakwethu koManase kalulamandla, njalo mina ngingomncinyane emulini yakwethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}{\ND{UThixo}} waphendula wathi, “Ngizakuba lawe, njalo uzawacakazela phansi wonke amaMidiyani, ungatshiyi lamunye wabo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Nxa khathesi sengithole umusa emehlweni akho, nginika isibonakaliso sokuthi impela nguwe sibili okhuluma lami.

\VS{18}Ngiyakucela ukuba ungahambi ngize ngiphenduke ngilethe umnikelo wami ngiwubeke phambi kwakho.”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Ngizahlala uze uphenduke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UGidiyoni wangena phakathi wahlaba izinyane lembuzi, wasesenza isinkwa esingelamvubelo ngehefa yefulawa. Esebeke inyama esitsheni lomhluzi wayo embizeni, waphuma lakho wayakunikela kuye ngaphansi komʼOkhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yathi kuye, “Thatha inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo ukubeke phezu kwedwala leli, uthele umhluzi.” UGidiyoni wenza njalo.

\VS{21}Ngesihloko somqwayi eyayiwuphethe ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yathinta inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo. Umlilo walavuka edwaleni watshisa inyama lesinkwa. Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yasinyamalala.

\VS{22}Kwathi uGidiyoni esenanzelele ukuthi kwakuyingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}}, wamemeza wathi, “Awu,
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi! Ngibone ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} ubuso ngobuso!”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuye, “Ukuthula! Ungesabi. Kawuyikufa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngakho uGidiyoni wakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari khonapho walibiza ngokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} uyiKuthula. Kuze kube lamhla likhona e-Ofira lama-Abhiyezeri.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ngalobobusuku
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuye, “Thatha inkunzi yesibili emhlambini kayihlo, eleminyaka eyisikhombisa ubudala. Udilize i-alithari likayihlo alakhela uBhali, ugamule lezinsika zika-Ashera eziphansi kwalo.

\VS{26}Emva kwalokho wakhele
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho umhlobo we-alithari oluyilo engqongeni yalinqaba. Unikele inkunzi yesibili njengomnikelo wokutshiswa usebenzisa inkuni zensika zika-Ashera ozigamuleyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Ngakho uGidiyoni wathatha izinceku zakhe ezilitshumi wenza njengokutshelwa kwakhe
{\ND{nguThixo}}. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayesesaba abemuli yakwabo labantu basedolobheni, wakwenza ebusuku kulokuba kube semini.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Ekuseni kwathi abantu bedolobho lelo bevuka babona i-alithari likaBhali lidiliziwe, lezinsika zika-Ashera emaceleni alo ziganyulwe lenkunzi yesibili inikelwe phezu kwe-alithari elalisanda kwakhiwa!


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Babuzana besithi, “Ngubani owenze lokhu?”

\par }{\PP Kwathi sebebuzisise kakuhle babatshela ukuthi, “Kwenziwe nguGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Abantu bakulelodolobho bathonisa uJowashi bathi, “Ikhuphe indodana yakho. Kumele ife, ngoba idilize i-alithari likaBhali yagamula lezinsika zika-Ashera emaceleni alo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Kodwa uJowashi waphendula ixuku lelo elalifuthelene limhanqile wathi, “Lizakhulumela uBhali na? Lizama ukumhlenga na? Loba ngubani omlwelayo uzabulawa ekuseni! Nxa uBhali engunkulunkulu sibili, angazivikela nxa umuntu ediliza i-alithari lakhe.”

\VS{32}Ngakho ngalelolanga uGidiyoni bambiza ngokuthi “Jerubhi-Bhali,” besithi, “UBhali kalwe laye,” ngoba wadiliza i-alithari likaBhali.


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngalesosikhathi wonke amaMidiyani, lama-Amaleki kanye labanye abantu basempumalanga bamanyana bachapha iJodani, bamisa eSigodini saseJezerili.

\VS{34}Umoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wafika kuGidiyoni, wasetshaya icilongo emema ama-Abhiyezeri ukuba amlandele.

\VS{35}Wathuma izithunywa kulolonke elakoManase, ebatshela ukuba bahlome, lako-Asheri, koZebhuluni kanye lakoNafithali, ukuze labo bayebahlangabeza.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}UGidiyoni wathi kuNkulunkulu, “Nxa uzasindisa u-Israyeli ngesandla sami njengoba uthembisile,

\VS{37}khangela ngizabeka uboya bewulu esizeni. Kungaba lamazolo eboyeni bewulu kuphela iphansi lomile, ngizakwazi ukuthi uzamsindisa u-Israyeli ngesandla sami njengoba utshilo.”

\VS{38}Lokho yikho okwenzakalayo. Kusisa uGidiyoni wavuka ekuseni wakhama uboya wahluza amazolo, umganu wagcwala amanzi.


\par }{\PP \VS{39}UGidiyoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu, “Ungangithukutheleli. Ngivumela ngenze esinye isicelo esisodwa. Ngivumela ukuhlola kanye futhi ngoboya. Khathesi yomisa uboya kuthi iphansi ligcwale amazolo.”

\VS{40}Ngalobobusuku uNkulunkulu wenza njalo. Uboya kuphela yibo obabomile; iphansi lonke ligcwele amazolo.




\par }\Chap{7}{\SH UGidiyoni Wehlula AmaMidiyani
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ekuseni kakhulu uJerubhi-Bhali (lowo nguGidiyoni) labantu bakhe bonke bamisa emthonjeni waseHarodi. Izihonqo zamaMidiyani zazingasenyakatho kwabo esigodini eduzane lentaba yaseMore.

\VS{2}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi kuGidiyoni, “Abantu olabo banengi kakhulu ukuba nginikele amaMidiyani ezandleni zabo. Ukuze u-Israyeli angazincomi kimi esithi amandla akhe amsindisile,

\VS{3}memezela ebantwini khathesi nje uthi, ‘Lowo othuthumelayo ngenxa yokwesaba angabuyela emuva asuke eNtabeni iGiliyadi.’ ” Ngakho abantu abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili babuyela, kwathi abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi basala.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuGidiyoni, “Abantu balokhu bebanengi kakhulu. Behlisele emanzini, ngizakuhlolela bona khonale. Ngingathi, ‘Lo uzahamba lawe,’ uzahamba; kodwa ngingathi, ‘Lo kazukuhamba lawe,’ akayikuhamba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngakho uGidiyoni wabathatha abantu wabasa ngasemanzini. Khonapho
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuGidiyoni, “Yehlukanisa labo abaxhapha amanzi ngolimi lwabo njengenja kulabo abaguqa phansi ukuba banathe.”

\VS{6}Abantu abangamakhulu amathathu bakhaphazela amanzi emilonyeni yabo ngezandla zabo. Abanye bonke baguqa phansi ngamadolo abo ukuba banathe.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuGidiyoni, “Ngamadoda angamakhulu amathathu anathe equthile ngizakusindisa nginikele amaMidiyani ezandleni zakho. Amanye wonke adedele aye emizini yabo.”

\VS{8}Ngakho uGidiyoni wabuyisela inengi labako-Israyeli emathenteni abo wasala labangamakhulu amathathu, abayibo abathatha ukudla lamacilongo abanye.

\par }{\PP Izihonqo zamaMidiyani zazingaphansi kwakhe esigodini.

\VS{9}Ngalobobusuku
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuGidiyoni, “Vuka, yehla uyehlasela izihonqo ngoba ngizazinikela ezandleni zakho.

\VS{10}Nxa usesaba ukuhlasela, yehlela ezihonqweni lenceku yakho uPhura

\VS{11}ulalele abakutshoyo. Emva kwalokho uzakuba lesibindi sokuhlasela izihonqo.” Ngakho yena loPhura inceku yakhe behlela emaphethelweni ezihonqo.

\VS{12}AmaMidiyani lama-Amaleki kanye labanye bonke abasempumalanga babemise esigodini, bebanengi njengentethe. Amakamela abo ayengeke abalwe njengetshebetshebe okhunjini lolwandle.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UGidiyoni wafika omunye umuntu esatshela umngane wakhe iphupho lakhe. Wathi, “Ngiphuphe iphupho. Isinkwa sebhali esiyindilinga size sigiqikela ezihonqweni zamaMidiyani. Sitshaye ithente ngamandla amakhulu ithente lagenquka lawohlokela phansi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Umngane wakhe waphendula wathi, “Lokhu akungeke kube ngolunye ulutho ngaphandle kwenkemba kaGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi, umʼIsrayeli. UNkulunkulu usenikele amaMidiyani lezihonqo zonke ezandleni zakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kwathi uGidiyoni esezwe iphupho lelo lengcazelo yalo, wakhonza. Wabuyela ezihonqweni zako-Israyeli wamemeza esithi, “Vukani!
{\ND{UThixo}} usenikele izihonqo zamaMidiyani ezandleni zenu!”

\VS{16}Esehlukanise abantu abangamakhulu amathathu baba ngamaviyo amathathu, bonke wabanika amacilongo lezimbizanyana ezingelalutho, zilezibane phakathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Wathi kubo, “Ngikhangelani. Lingilandele. Lapho sengifike emaphethelweni ezihonqo, lenze engizabe ngikwenza.

\VS{18}Nxa mina labo bonke abalami sesitshaya amacilongo ethu, lina ezindaweni zonke zezihonqo likhalise awenu limemeza lisithi, ‘{\ND{NgekaThixo}} lekaGidiyoni.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UGidiyoni lamadoda alikhulu ayelaye bafika emaphethelweni ezihonqo ekuqaliseni komlindo waphakathi, besanda kuntshintsha abalindi. Bakhalisa amacilongo abo babulala lenkonxa ababeziphethe.

\VS{20}Amaviyo amathathu akhalisa amacilongo abulala inkonxa. Bephethe izibane ngezandla zabo zenxele, ezandleni zokudla bephethe amacilongo ababezawakhalisa, bamemeza bathi, “Inkemba
{\ND{kaThixo}} lekaGidiyoni!”

\VS{21}Umuntu munye ngamunye wayemi endaweni yakhe behanqe izihonqo, amaMidiyani wonke agijima, ehlaba umkhosi ebaleka.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Kwathi amacilongo angamakhulu amathathu esekhala,
{\ND{uThixo}} wenza ukuthi abantu ababesezindaweni zonke ezihonqweni bahlaselane ngezinkemba zabo. Ibutho labalekela eBhethi-Shitha ngokuya eZerera kusiyafika emngceleni we-Abheli-Mehola eduzane leThabathi.

\VS{23}Abako-Israyeli labakoNafithali, labako-Asheri labo bonke abakoManase babizwa, baxotshana lamaMidiyani.

\VS{24}UGidiyoni wathuma izithunywa kulolonke ilizwe lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi, esithi, “Yehlani lihlasele amaMidiyani lithumbe iziziba zaseJodani phambi kwawo kusiyafika eBhethi-Bhara.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Efrayimi babizwa bazithumba iziziba zaseJodani kusiyafika eBhethi-Bhara.

\VS{25}Bathumba labakhokheli bamaMidiyani ababili, u-Orebhi loZebhi. U-Orebhi bambulalela edwaleni lika-Orebhi, uZebhi esikhamelweni sewayini sikaZebhi. Baxotshana lamaMidiyani, amakhanda ka-Orebhi loZebhi bawasa kuGidiyoni owayeseJodani.




\par }\Chap{8}{\SH UZebha LoZalimuna
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abako-Efrayimi babuza uGidiyoni bathi, “Kungani usiphathe kanje na? Kungani ungasibizanga lapho ususiyakulwa lamaMidiyani?” Bamsola kakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Kodwa yena wabaphendula wathi, “Kuyini mina engikufezileyo okulingana lokwenu na? Amagrebisi ako-Efrayimi aseleyo ekuvuneni kawangcono kulamagrebisi esivuno esipheleleyo sako-Abhiyezeri na?

\VS{3}UNkulunkulu unikele u-Orebhi loZebhi, abakhokheli bamaMidiyani, ezandleni zenu. Kuyini lokho engikwenzileyo lapho ngiqathaniswa lani?” Ngalokhu ukuthukuthela kwabo kwadeda.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UGidiyoni labantu bakhe abangamakhulu amathathu sebediniwe kodwa belokhu bexotshana lawo, bafika eJodani bayichapha.

\VS{5}Wasesithi ebantwini baseSukhothi, “Phanini amabutho ami izinkwa; akhathele, njalo ngisaxotshana loZebha kanye loZalimuna, amakhosi aseMidiyani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kodwa izikhulu zaseSukhothi zathi, “Usulazo mathupha yini izandla zikaZebha loZalimuna? Kungani amabutho akho kumele siwanike izinkwa?”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Ngenxa yalokho, lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} esenikele uZebha loZalimuna esandleni sami, ngizaklaya imizimba yenu ngameva asenkangala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Esuka lapho waya ePheniweli, wenza isicelo esifanayo kubo, kodwa baphendula njengabantu beSukhothi.

\VS{9}Ngakho wathi ebantwini basePheniweli, “Ekuphendukeni kwami senginqobile, ngizawudiliza umphotshongo lo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngalesosikhathi uZebha loZalimuna babeseKhakhori lebutho labantu ababephosa babe zinkulungwane ezilitshumi lanhlanu, ababesele emabuthweni asempumalanga; izinkulungwane ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili zababesilwa ngenkemba zasezifile.

\VS{11}UGidiyoni wahamba ngendlela yamasili empumalanga kweNobha leJogibheha wahlasela ibutho elalilibele.

\VS{12}UZebha loZalimuna, amakhosi womabili aseMidiyani, babaleka, kodwa waxotshana labo wababamba, wawachitha wonke amabutho abo.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Emva kwalokho uGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wabuyela evela empini ngoKhalo lwaseHeresi.

\VS{14}Wabamba ijaha laseSukhothi walibuzabuza, ijaha lelo lamlobela amabizo eziphathamandla zaseSukhothi ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa, abadala bomuzi.

\VS{15}UGidiyoni wafika wathi ebantwini baseSukhothi, “Nangu uZebha loZalimuna elalingichothoza ngabo lisithi, ‘Usulazo yini izandla zikaZebha loZalimuna? Kungani amabutho akho akhatheleyo kumele siwanike izinkwa na?’ ”

\VS{16}Wathatha abadala bomuzi wasefundisa amadoda aseSukhothi isifundo ngokubajezisa ngameva asenkangala.

\VS{17}Wadiliza lomphotshongo wasePheniweli wabulala amadoda akulowomuzi.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Wabuza uZebha loZalimuna wathi, “Ngabantu abanjani labo elababulalayo eThabhori?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Ngabantu abanjengawe, lowo lalowo efana lenkosana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Labobantu babengabafowethu, amadodana kamama. Ngeqiniso njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} ephila, aluba labayekela bephila, kade bengingeyikulibulala.”

\VS{20}Wasephendukela kuJetha, indodana yakhe endala, wathi, “Babulale!” Kodwa uJetha kayihwatshanga inkemba yakhe, ngoba wayengumfanyana esesaba.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}UZebha loZalimuna bathi, “Woza, usibulale wena ngokwakho. ‘Njengoba indoda injalo, anjalo lamandla ayo.’ ” Ngakho uGidiyoni wasondela phambili wababulala, wasethatha imiceciso entanyeni zamakamela abo.


\par }{\SH Isithombe SikaGidiyoni
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}Abako-Israyeli bathi kuGidiyoni, “Sibuse wena, lendodana yakho kanye lendodana yendodana yakho ngoba usisindisile ezandleni zamaMidiyani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi kubo, “Mina kangiyikulibusa, lendodana yami kayiyikulibusa.
{\ND{UThixo}} uzalibusa.”

\VS{24}Wabuya wathi, “Ngilesicelo esisodwa, ukuthi omunye lomunye wenu angiphe icici esabelweni sempango yenu.” (Ukufaka amacici egolide kwakungumkhuba wama-Ishumayeli.)


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Baphendula bathi, “Sizathaba ukukunika wona.” Ngakho bendlala ingubo, kwathi umuntu ngamunye waphosela kuyo icici lempango yakhe.

\VS{26}Isisindo samacici egolide ayewacelile saba ngamashekeli angamakhulu alitshumi lesikhombisa, kungabalwa izigqizo lemigaxo lezembatho eziyibubende ezigqokwa ngamakhosi aseMidiyani loba amaketane ayesezintanjeni zamakamela awo.

\VS{27}UGidiyoni wenza isithombe ngegolide lelo, wasibeka e-Ofira, umuzi wakibo. Bonke abako-Israyeli bazingcolisa ngokusikhonza khonapho, njalo saba ngumjibila kuGidiyoni labendlu yakhe.


\par }{\SH Ukufa KukaGidiyoni
\par }
{\PP \VS{28}IMidiyani yanqotshwa kanjalo ngabako-Israyeli njalo kayizange ivuse ikhanda futhi. Ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaGidiyoni ilizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UJerubhi-Bhali indodana kaJowashi wabuyela ekhaya ukuyahlala khona.

\VS{30}Wayelamadodana angamatshumi ayisikhombisa angawakhe ngoba wayelabafazi abanengi.

\VS{31}Umkakhe weceleni, owayehlala eShekhemu, laye wamzalela indodana ayithi ngu-Abhimelekhi.

\VS{32}UGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wafa eseluphele kakhulu wangcwatshwa ethuneni likayise uJowashi e-Ofira yama-Abhiyezeri.


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Masinyane nje uGidiyoni esanda kufa abako-Israyeli bazingcolisa njalo ngokukhonza oBhali. Bamisa uBhali-Bherithi njengonkulunkulu wabo

\VS{34}kabaze bamkhumbula
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wabo owayebahlenge ezandleni zezitha zabo ezinhlangothini zonke.

\VS{35}Njalo kababanga lomusa kwabendlu kaJerubhi-Bhali (uGidiyoni) ngezinto zonke ezinhle ayebenzele zona.




\par }\Chap{9}{\SH U-Abhimelekhi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Abhimelekhi indodana kaJerubhi-Bhali waya kubomalumakhe eShekhemu lakubo bonke abosendo lukanina wathi kubo,

\VS{2}“Buzani bonke abantu baseShekhemu ukuthi, ‘Yikuphi okungcono kini: ukubuswa yiwo wonke amadodana kaJerubhi-Bhali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa kumbe indoda eyodwa?’ Likhumbule ukuthi mina ngingumzimba legazi lenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kwathi abanewabo bakanina sebekutshilo konke lokhu ebantwini baseShekhemu, bafuna ukumlandela u-Abhimelekhi, ngoba bathi, “Ungumfowethu.”

\VS{4}Bamnika amashekeli esiliva angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, athathwa ethempelini likaBhali-Bherithi, u-Abhimelekhi aqhatsha ngawo izigebenga ezingakhathaliyo, ezaba ngabalandeli bakhe.

\VS{5}Waya emzini kayise e-Ofira kwathi abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa, amadodana kaJerubhi-Bhali, wababulalela phezu kwedwala linye. Kodwa uJothamu, indodana encane kaJerubhi-Bhali waphepha ngokucatsha.

\VS{6}Emva kwalokho bonke abantu baseShekhemu labeBhethi Milo babuthana ngaphansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi ensikeni eShekhemu ukuba u-Abhimelekhi bamfake abe yinkosi.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kwathi uJothamu esetshelwe lokhu wakhwela waya esiqongweni seNtaba iGerizimu wanqolonga esithi kubo, “Ngilalelani, bantu baseShekhemu, ukuze uNkulunkulu alilalele.

\VS{8}Ngelinye ilanga izihlahla zasuka zayazigcobela inkosi yazo. Zathi esihlahleni se-oliva, ‘Woba yinkosi yethu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa isihlahla se-oliva saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela amafutha ami, okudunyiswa ngawo onkulunkulu labantu, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni somkhiwa, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Kodwa isihlahla somkhiwa saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela izithelo zami ezinhle kangaka njalo zimnandi, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Lapho-ke izihlahla zathi esihlahleni sevini, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kodwa isihlahla sevini saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela iwayini lami elithokozisa onkulunkulu labantu, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ekucineni zonke izihlahla zathi esihlahleni sameva, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Isihlahla sameva sathi ezihlahleni, ‘Nxa lifuna ngempela ukuthi lingigcobe ukuba ngibe yinkosi yenu, wozani lizecatsha emthunzini wami, kodwa nxa kungenjalo, akuphume umlilo esihlahleni sameva uqothule imsedari yaseLebhanoni!’


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Nxa lenze okubongekayo njalo ngobuqotho ekubekeni kwenu u-Abhimelekhi ukuba abe yinkosi, njalo nxa lenze okulungileyo kuJerubhi-Bhali labendlu yakhe, njalo nxa limphathe ngendlela emfaneleyo,

\VS{17}ngoba ubaba walilwela, wabeka impilo yakhe engozini ukuba alihlenge ezandleni zamaMidiyani

\VS{18}kodwa lamuhla selivukele abendlu kababa, kwathi amadodana akhe angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lawabulalela phezu kwedwala linye, kwathi u-Abhimelekhi, indodana yesigqilikazi sakhe, lamenza waba yinkosi yabantu baseShekhemu ngoba engumfowenu,

\VS{19}ngakho nxa lenzenjalo ngobuqotho kuJerubhi-Bhali labendlu yakhe lamuhla, thokozani ngo-Abhimelekhi, kube njalo laye ngani futhi!

\VS{20}Kodwa nxa lingenzanga njalo, akuphume umlilo ku-Abhimelekhi uliqothule, bantu baseShekhemu labaseBhethi Milo, njalo kuphume umlilo kini bantu baseShekhemu labaseBhethi Milo, uqothule u-Abhimelekhi!”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Emva kwalokhu uJothamu wabaleka, waya eBheri, wahlala khona ngoba wayesesaba umfowabo u-Abhimelekhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Kwathi u-Abhimelekhi esebuse abako-Israyeli iminyaka emithathu

\VS{23}uNkulunkulu wathumela umoya omubi phakathi kuka-Abhimelekhi labantu baseShekhemu bamhlamukela u-Abhimelekhi.

\VS{24}UNkulunkulu wenza lokhu ukuze ububi obenziwa emadodaneni kaJerubhi-Bhali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, ukuchithwa kwegazi lawo, buphindiselwe kumfowabo u-Abhimelekhi lasebantwini baseShekhemu, ababemsizile ekubulaleni kwakhe abafowabo.

\VS{25}Ekumelaneni kwabo laye abantu baseShekhemu laba babeka abantu ezingqongeni zezintaba ukuba bacathamele bonke abadlula lapho babaphange, njalo lokhu kwabikwa ku-Abhimelekhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wathuthela eShekhemu labafowabo, njalo abantu bakhona bamethemba.

\VS{27}Kwathi sebeye emasimini babutha amagrebisi bawagxoba, baba ledili ethempelini likankulunkulu wabo. Kwathi besidla njalo benatha, bamthuka u-Abhimelekhi.

\VS{28}Lapho-ke uGali indodana ka-Ebhedi, wathi, “Ungubani u-Abhimelekhi, loShekhemu ungubani, ukuba asibuse na? Akasindodana kaJerubhi-Bhali yini, njalo uZebhuli kasimsekeli wakhe na? Khonzani abantu baseHamori, yise kaShekhemu! Kungani kumele sikhonze u-Abhimelekhi na?

\VS{29}Sengathi ngabe abantu laba balawulwa yimi! Kade ngizamsusa. Kade ngizakuthi ku-Abhimelekhi, ‘Libize lonke ibutho lakho.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Kwathi uZebhuli umbusi wedolobho esizwa okwatshiwo nguGali indodana ka-Ebhedi, wathukuthela kakhulu.

\VS{31}Wathuma izithunywa ngasese ku-Abhimelekhi, esithi, “UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi kanye labafowabo sebeze eShekhemu njalo badunga idolobho ukuba likuvukele.

\VS{32}Ngakho wena labantu bakho kumele lize phakathi kobusuku limcathamele egangeni.

\VS{33}Ekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga, lisondele ukuba lilihlasele idolobho. Lapho uGali labantu bakhe bephuma ukuba balihlasele, lenze loba yini isandla senu esanelisa ukukwenza.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Ngakho-ke u-Abhimelekhi lamabutho akhe wonke basuka ebusuku bacathama ezindaweni ezifihlakeleyo eduze leShekhemu bengamaviyo amane.

\VS{35}UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wayephumile emi ekungeneni kwesango ledolobho kwathi u-Abhimelekhi lamabutho akhe baphuma lapho ababecatshe khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Kwathi uGali ebabona wathi kuZebhuli, “Khangela nampayana abantu bayehla besuka ezingqongeni zezintaba!”

\par }{\PP UZebhuli waphendula wathi, “Ubona amathunzi ezintaba kube angathi ngabantu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{37}Kodwa uGali wakhuluma futhi wathi, “Khangela, nampayana abantu bayehla besuka phakathi kwelizwe, njalo leviyo lamabutho liyeza livelela ngokuya esihlahleni sezangoma.”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}UZebhuli wasesithi kuye, “Kungaphi ukukloloda kwakho manje, wena owathi, ‘Ungubani u-Abhimelekhi ukuba asibuse na?’ Laba kabasibo yini abantu owawubahleka? Phuma uyekulwa labo!”


\par }{\PP \VS{39}Ngakho uGali waphuma labantu baseShekhemu walwa lo-Abhimelekhi.

\VS{40}U-Abhimelekhi wamxotsha, kwathi abanengi bafa belimele ekubalekeni, ibanga lonke kusiya ekungeneni kwesango.

\VS{41}U-Abhimelekhi wahlala e-Aruma, kwathi uZebhuli wamdudula uGali labafowabo eShekhemu.


\par }{\PP \VS{42}Ngelanga elalandelayo abantu baseShekhemu basuka baya egangeni, njalo lokhu kwabikwa ku-Abhimelekhi.

\VS{43}Ngakho wathatha abantu bakhe, wabehlukanisa baba ngamaviyo amathathu wathi kabacathanyelwe egangeni. Kwathi ebona abantu bephuma edolobheni wavuka ukuba abahlasele.

\VS{44}U-Abhimelekhi lamaviyo ayelaye bagijimela phambili endaweni esekungeneni kwesango ledolobho. Amaviyo amabili agijimela kulabo ababesegangeni ababulala.

\VS{45}Ngalo lonke lolosuku u-Abhimelekhi waqinisa ukulihlasela kwakhe idolobho lelo waze walithumba wabulala labantu balo. Idolobho walidiliza wasehaza itswayi phezu kwalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{46}Besizwa lokhu, abantu abasemphotshongweni weShekhemu bayangena enqabeni yethempeli lase-Eli-Bherithi.

\VS{47}Kwathi u-Abhimelekhi esizwa ukuthi basebebuthene lapho,

\VS{48}yena labantu bakhe bakhwela intaba iZalimoni. Wathatha ihloka wagamula amahlahla, wawetshata emahlombe akhe. Walaya abantu ababelaye wathi, “Phangisani! Yenzani lokhu elibone ngikwenza!”

\VS{49}Ngakho abantu bagamula amahlahla bamlandela u-Abhimelekhi. Bawabuthelela enqabeni leyo bayithungela ngomlilo abantu bephakathi. Ngakho bonke abantu ababephakathi komphotshongo waseShekhemu, amadoda labesifazane ababengaba yinkulungwane bafa.


\par }{\PP \VS{50}Emva kwalokho u-Abhimelekhi waya eThebhezi wayivimbezela wayithumba.

\VS{51}Kodwa phakathi kwedolobho lelo kwakulomphotshongo oqinileyo lapho wonke amadoda labesifazane, abantu bakulelodolobho ababebalekele khona. Bazikhiyela phakathi bakhwela phezu kophahla lomphotshongo.

\VS{52}U-Abhimelekhi waya emphotshongweni lowo wawuhlasela. Kodwa wathi esebanga emnyango womphotshongo ukuba awuthungele ngomlilo,

\VS{53}owesifazane othile wawisela imbokodo phezu kwekhanda lakhe yadabula ukhakhayi lwakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{54}Waphanga wabiza umthwali wezikhali zakhe wathi, “Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungibulale, ukuze bangathi, ‘Wabulawa ngowesifazane.’ ” Ngakho inceku yakhe yamgwaza, wafa.

\VS{55}Kwathi abako-Israyeli bebona ukuthi u-Abhimelekhi wayesefile, babuyela ekhaya.


\par }{\PP \VS{56}UNkulunkulu wabuphindisela kanje ububi u-Abhimelekhi ayebenze kuyise ngokubulala abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa.

\VS{57}UNkulunkulu wenza ukuthi labantu baseShekhemu babuhlawulele ububi babo. Isiqalekiso sikaJothamu indodana kaJerubhi-Bhali sehlela phezu kwabo.




\par }\Chap{10}{\SH UThola
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngemva kwensuku zika-Abhimelekhi kwavela umuntu wako-Isakhari, uThola indodana kaPhuwa, indodana kaDodo ukuba ahlenge u-Israyeli. Wayehlala eShamiri, elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi.

\VS{2}Wakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu; wasesifa, wangcwatshwa eShamiri.


\par }{\SH UJayiri
\par }
{\PP \VS{3}Walandelwa nguJayiri owaseGiliyadi, owakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili.

\VS{4}Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu, ayegada obabhemi abangamatshumi amathathu. Ayephethe amadolobho angamatshumi amathathu eGiliyadi, lalamhlanje abizwa ngokuthi Havothi Jayiri.

\VS{5}Ekufeni kwakhe uJayiri wangcwatshwa eKhamoni.


\par }{\SH UJeftha
\par }
{\PP \VS{6}Abako-Israyeli benza okubi futhi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}. Bakhonza oBhali labo-Ashithorethi, labonkulunkulu base-Aramu, labonkulunkulu baseSidoni, labonkulunkulu baseMowabi, labonkulunkulu bama-Amoni, kanye labonkulunkulu bamaFilistiya. Ngenxa yokuthi abako-Israyeli bamdela
{\ND{uThixo}} kabaze babe besamkhonza,

\VS{7}wabathukuthelela kakhulu. Wabanikela ezandleni zamaFilistiya lama-Amoni,

\VS{8}okwathi ngalowomnyaka abachitha abanqoba. Ancindizela abako-Israyeli bonke okweminyaka elitshumi lasificaminwembili ngasempumalanga kweJodani eGiliyadi, ilizwe lama-Amori.

\VS{9}Ama-Amoni futhi achapha iJodani ukuba alwe loJuda, loBhenjamini kanye lendlu ka-Efrayimi; u-Israyeli wayephakathi kohlupho olukhulu.

\VS{10}Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli bakhala
{\ND{kuThixo}} bathi, “Senze isono kuwe, sadela uNkulunkulu wethu sakhonza oBhali.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}{\ND{UThixo}} waphendula wathi, “Lapho amaGibhithe, lama-Amori, lama-Amoni, lamaFilistiya,

\VS{12}lamaSidoni, lama-Amaleki kanye lamaMawoni alincindezela lakhulekela usizo kimi, kangilihlenganga ezandleni zawo na?

\VS{13}Kodwa selingidelile lakhonza abanye onkulunkulu, ngakho angisayikulisindisa.

\VS{14}Hambani liyekhala kubonkulunkulu elibathembileyo. Kabalisindise nxa seliphakathi kokuhlupheka!”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kodwa abako-Israyeli bathi
{\ND{kuThixo}}, “Senze isono. Yenza kithi lokho okubona kulungile kuwe, kodwa ake usihlenge khathesi nje.”

\VS{16}Ngakho basusa onkulunkulu bezizweni phakathi kwabo bakhonza
{\ND{uThixo}}. Wayengeke alumele futhi usizi luka-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi ama-Amoni esebizelwe empini njalo emise eGiliyadi, abako-Israyeli abuthana amisa eMizipha.

\VS{18}Abakhokheli babantu baseGiliyadi bathi omunye komunye, “Lowo ozaqalisa ukuhlasela ama-Amoni uzakuba yinduna yabo bonke abahlala eGiliyadi.”




\par }\Chap{11}{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJeftha umGiliyadi wayelibutho elilamandla. Uyise wayenguGiliyadi; unina wayeyisifebe.

\VS{2}UmkaGiliyadi wamzalela amadodana, okwathi esekhulile asexotsha uJeftha. Athi kuye, “Wena akulalifa ozalithola emulini yakwethu ngoba uyindodana yomunye umfazi.”

\VS{3}Ngakho uJeftha wabaleka kubafowabo wayahlala elizweni laseThobhi, lapho abuthanelwa khona lixuku lezigebenga zamlandela.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Emva kwalokho, kwathi ama-Amoni esesilwa labako-Israyeli,

\VS{5}abadala baseGiliyadi bahamba bayathatha uJeftha elizweni laseThobhi.

\VS{6}Bathi kuye, “Woza ube ngumlawuli wamabutho ethu ukuze silwe lama-Amoni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UJeftha wathi kubo, “Kalingizondanga yini langixotsha endlini kababa na? Kungani lisiza kimi khathesi seliphakathi kohlupho?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Abadala baseGiliyadi bathi kuye, “Lanxa kunjalo, khathesi sesiphendukela kuwe; hamba lathi ekulweni lama-Amoni, njalo uzakuba yinduna yabo bonke abahlala eGiliyadi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJeftha waphendula wathi, “Nxa lingabuyela lami ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni
{\ND{uThixo}} awanikele kimi, ngizakuba yinduna yenu sibili na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Abadala baseGiliyadi baphendula bathi, “{\ND{UThixo}} ungufakazi wethu; sizakwenza njengoba usitsho impela.”

\VS{11}Ngakho uJeftha wahamba labadala baseGiliyadi, abantu bamenza waba yinduna lomlawuli wabo. Wawaphinda wonke amazwi akhe phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eMizipha.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Emva kwalokho uJeftha wathuma izithunywa enkosini yama-Amoni lombuzo othi: “Kuyini osibangisa khona uze uhlasele ilizwe lethu na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Inkosi yama-Amoni yaphendula izithunywa zikaJeftha yathi, “Abako-Israyeli sebesukile eGibhithe bathatha ilizwe lami kusukela e-Arinoni kusiya eJabhoki, umango wonke kusiya eJodani. Khathesi libuyiseleni ngokuthula.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UJeftha wazibuyisela izithunywa enkosini yama-Amoni

\VS{15}esithi,

\par }{\PM “Nanku okutshiwo nguJeftha: U-Israyeli kazange athathe ilizwe laseMowabi loba ilizwe lama-Amoni.

\VS{16}Kodwa ekusukeni kwakhe eGibhithe, u-Israyeli wadabula enkangala esiya oLwandle oluBomvu eqonda eKhadeshi.

\VS{17}U-Israyeli wathuma izithunywa enkosini yase-Edomi esithi, ‘Ake usinike imvumo yokudabula phakathi kwelizwe lakho,’ kodwa inkosi yase-Edomi kayilalelanga. Bathumela lasenkosini yaseMowabi, layo yala. Ngakho u-Israyeli wahlala eKhadeshi.


\par }{\PM \VS{18}Emva kwalokho bahamba bedabula phakathi kwenkangala, beceza ilizwe lase-Edomi lelaseMowabi, badlula beseceleni elingasempumalanga kwelizwe laseMowabi, bamisa ngakwelinye icele le-Arinoni. Kabangenanga elizweni laseMowabi, ngoba i-Arinoni yayingumngcele walo.


\par }{\PM \VS{19}U-Israyeli wasethuma izithunywa kuSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owayebusa eHeshibhoni, wathi kuye, ‘Akusivumele sidlule phakathi kwelizwe lakho sisiya endaweni yethu.’

\VS{20}Kodwa uSihoni kamthembanga u-Israyeli ukuba adlule phakathi kwelizwe lakhe. Wabutha abantu bakhe bonke wamisa eJahazi walwa lo-Israyeli.


\par }{\PM \VS{21}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, wanikela uSihoni labantu bakhe bonke ezandleni zika-Israyeli, wabehlula. U-Israyeli walithatha lonke ilizwe lama-Amori ayehlala kulelolizwe,

\VS{22}walithumba lonke elama-Amori kusukela e-Arinoni kusiya eJabhoki lokusuka enkangala kusiya eJodani.


\par }{\PM \VS{23}Njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ewaxotshile ama-Amori phambi kwabantu bakhe u-Israyeli, wena ulelungelo bani lokulithatha na?

\VS{24}Kawuyikuthatha lokho okuphiwa ngunkulunkulu wakho uKhemoshi na? Ngokunjalo, yiloba yikuphi
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wethu asiphe khona, sizakuthatha.

\VS{25}Wena ungcono yini kuloBhalaki indodana kaZiphori, inkosi yaseMowabi? Wake waxabana lo-Israyeli loba walwa laye na?

\VS{26}U-Israyeli wahlala eHeshibhoni iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu, e-Aroweri, lasemizaneni eseduzane kanye lakuyo yonke imizi elinganisane le-Arinoni. Kungani ungazihlangulanga lezondawo ngalesosikhathi?

\VS{27}Kangikonelanga, kodwa wena wenza okubi kimi ngokungihlasela ngempi. Akuthi
{\ND{uThixo}}, uMahluleli, ahlulele umbango ngalolosuku phakathi kwabako-Israyeli lama-Amoni.”


\par }{\MM \VS{28}Kodwa inkosi yama-Amoni kayilinakanga ilizwi eyayilithunyelwe nguJeftha.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Lapho-ke uMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wehlela kuJeftha. Wadabula eGiliyadi kanye lakoManase, wedlula eMizipha yaseGiliyadi, kuthe esuka lapho waqhubekela kuma-Amoni.

\VS{30}Njalo uJeftha wafunga isifungo
{\ND{kuThixo}} wathi, “Unganikela ama-Amoni ezandleni zami,

\VS{31}loba kuyini okuphuma emnyango wendlu yami ukuba kungihlangabeze lapho ngibuya nginqobile ngivela kuma-Amoni kuzakuba
{\ND{ngokukaThixo}}, njalo ngizakunikela njengomnikelo wokutshiswa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}UJeftha waya ngaphetsheya ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wawanikela ezandleni zakhe.

\VS{33}Watshabalalisa imizi engamatshumi amabili kusukela e-Aroweri kusiya eduze leMinithi, kusiyafika e-Abheli-Kheramimi. U-Israyeli wayinqoba kanjalo i-Amoni.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}UJeftha esebuyele emzini wakhe eMizipha, ngubani owaphuma wamhlangabeza ngaphandle kwendodakazi yakhe, igida kukhala amagedla! Yayiyiyo yodwa umntanakhe. Ngaphandle kwakhe wayengelandodana loba indodakazi.

\VS{35}Kwathi eyibona wadabula izigqoko zakhe wakhala esithi, “Oh! Ndodakazi yami! Usungidabule wangenza ngaba lusizi, ngoba ngifunge isifungo
{\ND{kuThixo}} engingeke ngisephule.”


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Yona yaphendula yathi, “Baba, wethule ilizwi lakho
{\ND{kuThixo}}. Kimi yenza njengoba uthembisile, njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} esephindisele ezitheni zakho, ama-Amoni.”

\VS{37}Wasesithi, “Kodwa ngicela ungivumele kulokhu okukodwa nje. Nginika izinyanga ezimbili ukuba ngizulazule ezintabeni ngilile labangane bami, ngoba angiyikwenda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Yena wathi, “Ungahamba.” Wayivumela ukuba ihambe okwezinyanga ezimbili. Yona lamantombazana lawo baya ezintabeni balila ngoba yayingasoze yende.

\VS{39}Emva kwezinyanga ezimbili yabuyela kuyise wasesenza lokho ayekufungile ngayo. Yayiyintombi egcweleyo.

\par }{\PP Kulokhu yikho okuvela khona umkhuba wama-Israyeli

\VS{40}wokuthi minyaka yonke izintombi zako-Israyeli ziyaphuma okwensuku ezine ukuba zikhumbule indodakazi kaJeftha umGiliyadi.




\par }\Chap{12}{\SH UJeftha Lo-Efrayimi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abantu bako-Efrayimi babiza amabutho abo, bachaphela eZafoni basebesithi kuJeftha, “Kungani wena wayakulwa lama-Amoni ungasibizanga ukuba sihambe lawe na? Sizakutshisela endlini yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UJeftha waphendula wathi, “Mina labantu bami sasilengxabano enkulu lama-Amoni njalo, lanxa nje ngalibiza, kalingihlenganga ezandleni zawo.

\VS{3}Kwathi sengibona ukuthi lalingeke lingisize, ngabeka impilo yami engozini ngachaphela ngaphetsheya ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni,
{\ND{uThixo}} wawanikela esandleni sami. Pho kungani lina lamhla selizekulwa lami?”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UJeftha wabuthanisa amadoda aseGiliyadi balwa lo-Efrayimi. AbaseGiliyadi babacakazela phansi ngoba abako-Efrayimi babethe, “Lina maGiliyadi labhazuka ko-Efrayimi lakoManase.”

\VS{5}AbaseGiliyadi bathumba amazibuko aseJodani awokuya ko-Efrayimi, njalo kwakusithi owako-Efrayimi osindileyo angathi, “Ngivumelani ngichaphele ngaphetsheya,” abantu baseGiliyadi babembuza bathi, “Ungowako-Efrayimi na?” Angaphendula athi, “Hayi,”

\VS{6}bathi, “Kulungile, wothi, ‘Shibholethi.’ ” Nxa angathi, “Sibholethi,” ngoba engeke alitsho kuhle, babemphuthuma bambulalele emazibukweni aseJodani. Abako-Efrayimi abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili babulawa ngalesosikhathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UJeftha wakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka eyisithupha. UJeftha wafa, wangcwatshwa emzini waseGiliyadi.


\par }{\SH U-Ibhizani, U-Eloni Lo-Abhidoni
\par }
{\PP \VS{8}Ngemva kwakhe, u-Ibhizani waseBhethilehema wakhokhela abako-Israyeli.

\VS{9}Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu lamadodakazi angamatshumi amathathu. Amadodakazi akhe wawendisela kwabangaphandle komhlobo wakibo kwathi amadodana akhe wawalethela izintombi ezingamatshumi amathathu ezingasizo zomhlobo wakibo ukuba zibe ngomkawo. U-Ibhizani wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka eyisikhombisa.

\VS{10}U-Ibhizani wafa, wangcwatshwa eBhethilehema.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngemva kwakhe, u-Eloni umZebhuluni wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka elitshumi.

\VS{12}U-Eloni wafa, wangcwatshwa e-Ayijaloni elizweni lakoZebhuluni.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngemva kwakhe, u-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli, owasePhirathoni, wakhokhela abako-Israyeli.

\VS{14}Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amane labazukulu besilisa abangamatshumi amathathu, ayegada obabhemi abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa. Wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka eyisitshiyagalombili.

\VS{15}U-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli wafa, wangcwatshwa ePhirathoni ko-Efrayimi, elizweni lezintaba elama-Amaleki.




\par }\Chap{13}{\SH Ukuzalwa KukaSamsoni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abako-Israyeli benza okubi njalo emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}, ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wabanikela ezandleni zamaFilistiya okweminyaka engamatshumi amane.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Umuntu othile waseZora, owayethiwa nguManowa, owosendo lwakoDani, wayelomfazi owayeyinyumba engelamntwana.

\VS{3}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yabonakala kuye yathi, “Uyinyumba kawulamntwana, kodwa uzathatha isisu ube lendodana.

\VS{4}Ngakho nanzelela ukuthi kawunathi wayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo kanye lokuthi ungadli ukudla okungcolileyo,

\VS{5}ngoba uzathatha isisu uzale indodana. Akungabi lempuco ezasetshenziswa ekhanda layo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri, owahlukaniselwe uNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni, njalo uzakukhulula abako-Israyeli ezandleni zamaFilistiya.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Emva kwalokho owesifazane lowo waya kumkakhe wamtshela wathi, “Kufike umuntu kaNkulunkulu kimi. Ubefana lengilosi kaNkulunkulu, esesabeka kakhulu. Angimbuzanga ukuthi ubevela ngaphi, njalo laye kangitshelanga ibizo lakhe.

\VS{7}Kodwa uthe kimi, ‘Uzathatha isisu uzale indodana. Ngakho-ke unganathi iwayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo, njalo ungadli lutho olungcolileyo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri kaNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni kuze kube lusuku lokufa kwakhe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UManowa wasekhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} esithi, “Awu Nkosi, ngiyakucela, umuntu kaNkulunkulu omthumileyo kabuye futhi azesifundisa ukuthi umfana ozazalwa wondliwa njani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UNkulunkulu wamuzwa uManowa, ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yafika njalo kowesifazane lowo esegangeni; kodwa umkakhe uManowa wayengekho.

\VS{10}Owesifazane lowo wagijima wayatshela umkakhe wathi, “Ukhona lapha! Umuntu engimbone mhlalokhuyana!”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UManowa wasuka walandela umkakhe. Esefikile kulowomuntu, wathi, “Unguwe yini lowo owakhuluma lomkami?”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Nginguye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngakho uManowa wambuza wathi, “Lapho amazwi akho esegcwalisekile, umfana kuzamele aphile njani njalo lomsebenzi wakhe uzakuba ngowani?”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yaphendula yathi, “Umkakho kumele enze konke engimtshele khona.

\VS{14}Kangadli lutho oluvela evinini, loba anathe iwayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo loba adle ukudla okungcolileyo. Kumele enze konke engimlaye khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UManowa wathi engilosini
{\ND{kaThixo}}, “Sifuna ukuba uhlale size sikuhlabele izinyane lembuzi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yaphendula yathi, “Loba lingangibamba ngamandla ukuba ngihlale, angiyikukudla ukudla kwenu. Kodwa nxa lilungisa umnikelo wokutshiswa, unikeleni
{\ND{kuThixo}}.” (UManowa kananzelelanga ukuthi kwakuyingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}}.)


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UManowa waseyibuza ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} esithi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho, ukuze sikubonge lapho ilizwi lakho seligcwalisekile?”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Yaphendula yathi, “Kungani ungibuza ibizo lami? Kaliqedisiseki.”

\VS{19}Lapho-ke uManowa wathatha izinyane lembuzi, ndawonye lomnikelo wamabele wakunikela
{\ND{kuThixo}} phezu kwedwala. Njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wenza into emangalisayo uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele:

\VS{20}Kwathi ilangabi libhebha lisuka e-alithareni lisiya ezulwini, ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yenyukela phezulu iphakathi kwelangabi. Bebona lokhu uManowa lomkakhe bathi mbo phansi ngobuso.

\VS{21}Kwathi ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} ingasazibonakalisanga futhi kuManowa lomkakhe, uManowa wananzelela ukuthi kwakuyingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Wasesithi kumkakhe, “Silahliwe, sizakufa. Sibone uNkulunkulu!”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kodwa umkakhe waphendula wathi, “Aluba
{\ND{uThixo}} ubeqonde ukusibulala, ubengasoze amukele umnikelo wokutshiswa lomnikelo wamabele ezandleni zethu, loba asitshengise zonke lezizinto kumbe asitshele lokhu asitshele khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Owesifazane wazala umfana wamuthi nguSamsoni. Wakhula
{\ND{loThixo}} wambusisa,

\VS{25}loMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} waqala ukuqubuka phakathi kwakhe eseseMahane Dani, phakathi kweZora le-Eshithawoli.




\par }\Chap{14}{\SH Ukuthatha KukaSamsoni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USamsoni waya eThimina wabona intombi engumFilistiya.

\VS{2}Esebuyele, wathi kuyise lonina, “Ngibone intombi engumFilistiya eThimina; ake liyengithathela yona ukuba ibe ngumkami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Uyise lonina baphendula bathi, “Kanti akulantombi eyamukelekayo yini phakathi kwezihlobo zakho loba phakathi kwabantu bonke bakithi? Usungaze uye kumaFilistiya angasokanga ukuba uthathe umfazi na?”

\par }{\PP Kodwa uSamsoni wathi kuyise, “Ngithathela yena. Nguye ongifaneleyo.”

\VS{4}(Uyise lonina babengazi ukuthi lokhu kwakuvela
{\ND{kuThixo}}, owayefuna ithuba lokumelana lamaFilistiya; ngoba ngalesosikhathi ayebusa abako-Israyeli.)


\par }{\PP \VS{5}USamsoni waya eThimina eloyise lonina. Bathe sebebanga ezivinini zeThimina kwathutsha ibhuklwana lesilwane libhonga liqonde yena.

\VS{6}Umoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wafika kuye ngamandla wasidabula ngezandla zakhe njengayengakwenza edabula izinyane lembuzi. Kodwa uyise lonina kabatshelanga ayekwenzile.

\VS{7}Emva kwalokho wahamba wayakhuluma lowesifazane lowo, wezwa emthanda.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Emva kwesikhathi esithile, esebuyele ukuba ayemthatha, waphambuka ukuba abone isidumbu sesilwane. Phakathi kwaso kwasekulomtshitshi wezinyosi ziloluju,

\VS{9}waluthapha ngezandla zakhe, wahamba eludla. Esefike ebazalini bakhe, wabapha olunye kodwa kabatshelanga ukuthi wayeluthaphe esidunjini sesilwane.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Uyise wahamba ukuyabona owesifazane lowo. USamsoni wenza idili khona, njengokwakungumkhuba wezinsizwa ezithathayo.

\VS{11}Ekufikeni kwakhe waphiwa abakhaphi abangamatshumi amathathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}USamsoni wasesithi kubo, “Lalelani ngilitshele ilibho. Lingangitshela ukuthi litshoni phakathi kwensuku eziyisikhombisa zedili, ngizalinika izembatho zelineni ezingamatshumi amathathu lezigqoko ezingamatshumi amathathu.

\VS{13}Nxa lingehluleka ukungitshela ukuthi litshoni, kumele linginike izembatho zelineni ezingamatshumi amathathu lezigqoko ezingamatshumi amathathu.”

\par }{\PP Bona bathi, “Sitshele ilibho lakho. Litsho silizwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Waphendula wathi,

\par }{\Q “Kokudlayo, kwaphuma okudliwayo;

\par }{\QB kokulamandla kwaphuma okumnandi.”

\par }{\MM Behluleka ukuyitsho impendulo okwensuku ezintathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngosuku lwesine bathi kumkaSamsoni, “Ncenga umkakho asichazele ilibho, hlezi sikutshise wena labendlu yakwenu life. Kanti usinxusele ukuzasiphanga lapha na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Lapho-ke umkaSamsoni waziphosela phezu kwakhe, ebubula esithi, “Uyangizonda. Kawungithandi ngeqiniso. Unike abantu bakithi ilibho; kodwa mina kawungitshelanga ukuthi litshoni.”

\par }{\PP Yena waphendula wathi, “Angilichazanga lakubaba lomama, pho ngingalichazelani kuwe na?”

\VS{17}Owesifazane lowo wakhala zonke lezinsuku eziyisikhombisa zedili. Ngakho ngosuku lwesikhombisa wamtshela, ngoba wayelokhu emphikelela. Laye-ke walichaza ilibho ebantwini bakibo.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kwathi ilanga lingakatshoni ngosuku lwesikhombisa abantu bakulowomuzi bathi kuye,

\par }{\Q “Kuyini okumnandi kuloluju na?

\par }{\QB Kuyini okulamandla kulesilwane na?”

\par }{\PP USamsoni wathi kubo,

\par }{\Q “Aluba kalilimanga ngethokazi lami,

\par }{\QB belingeke lilichaze ilibho lami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wasusehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla. Waya e-Ashikheloni, wabulala abantu bakhona abangamatshumi amathathu, wabemuka konke ababelakho kwathi izigqoko zabo wazinika labo ababechaze ilibho lakhe. Waya endlini kayise evutha ulaka.

\VS{20}UmkaSamsoni wasesendiselwa komunye wabakhaphi bakhe owayekhona edilini.




\par }\Chap{15}{\SH Ukuphindisela KukaSamsoni KumaFilistiya
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kwalokho, ngesikhathi sokuvuna ingqoloyi, uSamsoni wathatha izinyane lembuzi wethekelela umkakhe. Wathi, “Ngiya endlini yomkami.” Kodwa uyisezala wamalela ukuba angene.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Wathi, “Ngangileqiniso lokuthi wawusumzonda kakhulu, ngasengimendisela kumkhaphi wakho. Umnawakhe kamuhle kulaye na? Thatha yena.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}USamsoni wathi kubo, “Khathesi sengilelungelo lokuphindisela okubi kumaFilistiya. Ngizawalimaza impela.”

\VS{4}Ngakho wasuka wabamba amakhanka angamakhulu amathathu wawabophanisa imisila ngambilimbili. Wasebophela uluthi lomlilo emisileni yonke ayeyibophanisile,

\VS{5}walumathisa izinti zomlilo wawayekela amakhanka angena emabeleni amiyo amaFilistiya. Watshisa ayesezizeni lamabele amiyo, lezivini kanye lezivande zama-oliva.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi amaFilistiya ebuza ukuthi, “Ngubani owenze lokhu na?” atshelwa ukuthi, “NguSamsoni, umkhwenyana womThimina ngoba umkakhe wendiselwa kumkhaphi wakhe.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho amaFilistiya ahamba ayatshisa umkaSamsoni kanye loyise, bafa.

\VS{7}USamsoni wathi kubo, “Njengoba selenze lokhu, angiyikukhawula engikwenzayo ngize ngiphindisele kini.”

\VS{8}Wabahlasela kakubi wabulala abanengi babo. Emva kwalokho wahamba wayahlala ebhalwini edwaleni lase-Ethamu.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}AmaFilistiya ahamba ayamisa koJuda, asabalala eduze leLehi.

\VS{10}Abantu bakoJuda babuza bathi, “Lizesihlaselelani na?”

\par }{\PP Bona baphendula bathi, “Silande ukuzabopha uSamsoni, senze kuye lokhu akwenzayo kithi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Abantu bakoJuda abazinkulungwane ezintathu baya ebhalwini edwaleni lase-Ethamu bathi kuSamsoni, “Kawazi yini ukuthi amaFilistiya ayasibusa? Kuyini osusenzele khona ngempela?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngimane ngenza kuwo lokho akwenza kimi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Bathi kuye, “Thina silande ukuzakubopha sikunikele kuwo.”

\par }{\PP USamsoni wathi, “Fungani kimi ukuthi kaliyikungibulala lina ngokwenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Baphendula bathi, “Siyavuma. Thina sizakubopha nje kuphela besesikunikela kuwo. Kasiyikukubulala.” Ngakho bambopha ngemichilo emibili emitsha, basebesuka laye edwaleni.

\VS{14}Esebanga eLehi, amaFilistiya amhlangabeza eklabalala. UMoya
{\ND{kaThixo}} wehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla. Imichilo ezingalweni zakhe yaba njengesikusha esitshileyo, izibopho zawa ezandleni zakhe.

\VS{15}Esethole ithambo lomhlathi kababhemi elitsha, walithatha wabulala ngalo abantu abayinkulungwane.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}USamsoni wasesithi,

\par }{\Q “Ngethambo lomhlathi kababhemi,

\par }{\QB ngibenze baba ngobabhemi.

\par }{\Q Ngethambo lomhlathi kababhemi

\par }{\QB ngibulele amadoda ayinkulungwane.”


\par }{\MM \VS{17}Eseqedile ukukhuluma walilahla ithambo lomhlathi; indawo leyo yasithiwa yiRamathi-Lehi.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngenxa yokuthi wayesome kakhulu, wakhala
{\ND{kuThixo}} wathi, “Uyiphile inceku yakho ukunqoba okukhulu. Pho sekumele ngibulawe yikoma yini njalo ngiwele ezandleni zabangasokanga na?”

\VS{19}UNkulunkulu wasevula umthonjana eLehi, kwaphuma amanzi kuwo. USamsoni esenathile, amandla akhe aphenduka, wavuseleleka. Ngakho umthombo lowo wathiwa yi-Eni Hakhore, njalo ulokhu ukhona eLehi.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}USamsoni wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili ngesikhathi samaFilistiya.




\par }\Chap{16}{\SH USamsoni LoDelila
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngelinye ilanga uSamsoni waya eGaza, lapho abona khona isifebe. Walala lalo ngalobobusuku.

\VS{2}Abantu beGaza batshelwa ukuthi, “USamsoni ulapha!” Ngakho indawo leyo bayihonqolozela bamcathamela ubusuku bonke esangweni ledolobho. Kabenzanga lutho ebusuku, besithi, “Sizambulala emadabukakusa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa uSamsoni walala lapho kwaze kwaba phakathi kwamabili kuphela. Lapho-ke wavuka wabamba izivalo zesango ledolobho, ndawonye lezinsika ezimbili, wakusiphula, umgoqo lakho konke. Wakwetshata emahlombe akhe, wakuthwalela phezu kwentaba ekhangele iHebhroni.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngemva kwesikhathi, wathandana lowesifazane esiGodini saseSoreki owayethiwa nguDelila.

\VS{5}Ababusi bamaFilistiya baya kuye bathi, “Mncenge ukuthi akutshengise imfihlo yamandla akhe amakhulu kanye lokuthi singamehlula njani ukuze simbophe simnqobe. Omunye lomunye wethu uzakupha amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho uDelila wathi kuSamsoni, “Ngitshela imfihlo yamandla akho amakhulu kanye lokuthi ungabotshwa unqotshwe njani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}USamsoni waphendula wathi, “Nxa umuntu angangibopha ngemichilo eyisikhombisa engonyiswanga, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ababusi bamaFilistiya basebemlethela imichilo eyisikhombisa emitsha eyayingonyiswanga, wambopha ngayo.

\VS{9}Kwakulabantu ababecatshile endlini, wasembiza wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Kodwa yena waqamula imichilo kalula njengesiqa sentambo lapho sisondele eduzane lelangabi. Ngakho imfihlo yamandla akhe ayazakalanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni, “Udlale ngami; ungiqambele amanga. Khathesi-ke ngitshela ukuthi ungabotshwa njani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Yena wathi, “Umuntu angangibopha aqinise ngamagoda amatsha angakaze asetshenziswe, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngakho uDelila wathatha amagoda amatsha wambopha ngawo. Eselabantu ababecatshe endlini, wambiza wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Kodwa yena waqamula amagoda ezingalweni zakhe kungathi ayeluhali nje.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni, “Kuze kube khathesi ulokhu udlala ngami njalo ungiqambela amanga. Ngitshela ukuthi ungabotshwa njani.

\par }{\PP ” Yena waphendula wathi, “Ungelukela izixha zenwele zami eziyisikhombisa elenjini ngosungulo zibe yisibhebhedu, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.” Ngakho kwathi eselele, uDelila wathatha izixha eziyisikhombisa ekhanda lakhe,

\VS{14}wazelukela elenjini ngosungulo.

\par }{\PP Wambiza njalo wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Wavuka ebuthongweni wadonsa isibhebhedu losungulo kanye lelembu.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UDelila wasesithi, kuye, “Ungatsho njani uthi, ‘Ngiyakuthanda,’ wena ungangithembi na? Lokhu ngokwesithathu udlala ngami njalo kawungitshelanga imfihlo yamandla akho amakhulu.”

\VS{16}Ngokubelesela okunje wamncenga insuku zonke waze wacina esenengeka kakhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Ngakho wamtshela konke wathi, “Akulampuco eseyake yasetshenziswa ekhanda lami ngoba ngingumNaziri owahlukaniselwa uNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni. Nxa ikhanda lami lingaphucwa, amandla ami angasuka kimi, njalo ngingaba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kwathi uDelila ebona ukuthi wayesemtshele konke, wathumela ilizwi kubabusi bamaFilistiya elithi, “Wozani futhi; usengitshele konke.” Ngakho ababusi bamaFilistiya babuyela bephethe isiliva ngezandla zabo.

\VS{19}Kwathi esemlalisile ethangazini lakhe, wabiza umuntu ukuba aphuce izixha eziyisikhombisa zezinwele zakhe, ngakho waqalisa ukumnqoba. Amandla akhe aphela kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Wasememeza wathi, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!

\par }{\PP ” Wavuka ebuthongweni bakhe wacabanga wathi, “Ngizaphuma njengakuqala ngizikhulule.” Kodwa wayengazi ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayesemtshiyile.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}AmaFilistiya ambamba, amkopola amehlo asehamba laye eGaza. Esembophe ngamaketane ethusi, amupha umsebenzi wokuchola entolongweni.

\VS{22}Kodwa inwele ekhanda lakhe zaqalisa ukukhula futhi emva kokuphucwa.


\par }{\SH Ukufa KukaSamsoni
\par }
{\PP \VS{23}Ababusi bamaFilistiya babuthana ukuba banikele umhlatshelo omkhulu kuDagoni uNkulunkulu wabo njalo bathokoze besithi, “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele uSamsoni, isitha sethu, ezandleni zethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kwathi abantu bembona, badumisa unkulunkulu wabo besithi,

\par }{\Q “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele isitha sethu

\par }{\QB ezandleni zethu,

\par }{\Q sona esachitha ilizwe lethu

\par }{\QB sabulala abanengi bethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Bephakathi kokuthokoza, baklabalala bathi, “Lethani uSamsoni azesilibazisa.” Ngakho uSamsoni bayambiza entolongweni, wazabadlalela.

\par }{\PP Kwathi sebemise phakathi kwezinsika,

\VS{26}uSamsoni wathi encekwini eyayimbambe isandla, “Ngibeka lapho engizathinta khona izinsika ezisekele ithempeli, ukuze ngeyame kuzo.”

\VS{27}Ithempeli laligcwele abesilisa labesifazane; bonke ababusi bamaFilistiya babekhonapho, njalo phezu kophahla kwakulabesilisa labesifazane ababephose babe zinkulungwane ezintathu bebukele uSamsoni egida.

\VS{28}USamsoni wasekhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} esithi, “Oh
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, ake ungikhumbule. Oh Nkulunkulu, ake ungiqinise kanye nje futhi, kuthi ngokugalela okukodwa ngiphindisele kumaFilistiya amehlo ami amabili.”

\VS{29}USamsoni wasebamba izinsika ezimbili eziphakathi, ithempeli elaligxile kuzo. Waziqinisa ngokweyama kuzo, isandla sakhe sokudla sikwenye lesenxele sikwenye,

\VS{30}uSamsoni wathi, “Kangife lamaFilistiya!” Wafuqa ngamandla akhe wonke, ithempeli lawela phezu kwababusi labantu bonke ababephakathi kwalo. Ngalokho wabulala abantu abanengi ekufeni kwakhe kulalapho esaphila.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Emva kwalokho abafowabo labo bonke abendlu kayise bamlanda. Babuya laye bamngcwaba phakathi kweZora le-Eshithawoli ethuneni likaManowa uyise. Wayekhokhele abako-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.




\par }\Chap{17}{\SH Izithombe ZikaMikha
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Indoda eyayithiwa nguMikha eyayivela elizweni lamaqaqa ako-Efrayimi

\VS{2}yathi kunina, “Amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye athathwa kuwe njalo engakuzwa uwaqalekisa, sikimi lesosiliva; yimi engasithathayo.

\par }{\PP ” Unina wathi, “{\ND{UThixo}} kakubusise, ndodana yami!”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Esewabuyisele kunina amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye, unina wathi, “Isiliva sami ngisahlukanisela
{\ND{uThixo}} ngokuqinisekileyo ukuba indodana yami yenze isithombe esibaziweyo, sahuqwa ngesiliva. Ngizasibisela kuwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho esesibisele kunina isiliva, unina wasethatha amashekeli angamakhulu amabili esiliva wawanika umkhandi wesiliva, wenza isithombe ngaso. Sabekwa endlini kaMikha.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UMikha lo wayelendawo yokukhonzela, njalo wenza isembatho semahlombe kanye lezithombe, wasebeka enye yamadodana akhe ukuba ngumphristi wakhe.

\VS{6}Ngalezonsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi; umuntu wonke ezenzela ayekubona kulungile kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ijaha laseBhethilehema koJuda elalingumLevi, elalihlala phakathi kwabosendo lukaJuda,

\VS{8}lasuka kulowomuzi lidinga enye indawo yokuhlala. Ekuhambeni kwalo lafika endlini kaMikha elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UMikha walibuza wathi, “Uvela ngaphi na?”

\par }{\PP Lona lathi, “NgingumLevi ovela eBhethilehema koJuda, ngidinga indawo yokuhlala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}UMikha wasesithi kulo, “Hlala lami ube ngubaba lomphristi wami, njalo ngizakupha amashekeli esiliva alitshumi ngomnyaka, izigqoko zakho kanye lokudla kwakho.”

\VS{11}Ngakho umLevi wavuma ukuhlala laye, njalo ijaha lelo lalinjengenye yamadodana akhe.

\VS{12}UMikha wabeka umLevi ukuba ngumphristi wakhe, njalo ijaha lelo lahlala endlini yakhe.

\VS{13}UMikha wasesithi, “Khathesi sengisazi ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} uzakwenza okulungileyo kimi, njengoba umLevi lo esebe ngumphristi wami.”




\par }\Chap{18}{\SH AbakoDani Bakhela ELayishi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalezonsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi.

\par }{\PP Njalo ngalezonsuku abosendo lukaDani babedinga indawo engeyabo, lapho ababengahlala khona, ngoba babengakabi sendaweni eyilifa labo phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli.

\VS{2}Ngakho abakoDani bathuma amabutho amahlanu avela eZora lase-Eshithawoli ukuyahlola ilizwe lokulibona. Amadoda la ayemele zonke insendo zakibo. Zathi kubo, “Hambani liyehlola ilizwe.

\par }{\PP ” Amadoda lawo angena elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi ayafika endlini kaMikha, lapho alala khona.

\VS{3}Kwathi eseseduze lendlu kaMikha alazi ilizwi lejaha elingumLevi; ngakho aphendukela khona alibuza athi, “Ngubani owakuletha lapha? Wenzani kule indawo? Ufunani lapha?”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Lawatshela elalikwenziwe nguMikha, laselisithi, “Ungiqatshile njalo ngingumphristi wakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Asesithi kulo, “Ake usibuzele kuNkulunkulu ukuthi uhambo lwethu luzaphumelela na.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Umphristi wawaphendula wathi, “Hambani ngokuthula. Uhambo lwenu luvunyelwe
{\ND{nguThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho amadoda amahlanu lawo asuka aya eLayishi, lapho abona ukuthi abantu bakhona babezihlalele bevikelekile njengamaSidoni, belokuthula njalo bevikelekile. Njalo babehlezi khatshana lamaSidoni njalo bengelabuhlobo lomunye umuntu.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Esebuyele eZora lase-Eshithawoli, abafowabo bawabuza bathi, “Libone kunjani?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Aphendula athi, “Phangisani, kasibahlaseleni! Sibonile ukuthi ilizwe lelo lihle kakhulu. Kaliyikwenza lutho na? Lingazilazili ukuya khonale lilithathe.

\VS{10}Ekufikeni khonale lizathola abantu abanganqinekeli lutho lelizwe elibanzi uNkulunkulu aselifake ezandleni zenu, ilizwe elingasweli lutho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Lapho-ke amadoda osendo lwakoDani angamakhulu ayisithupha ahlomela ukulwa, asesuka eZora kanye le-Eshithawoli.

\VS{12}Ekuhambeni kwawo amisa izihonqo eduze leKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi koJuda. Yikho-nje indawo esentshonalanga kweKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi ithiwa yiMahane Dani kuze kube lamhla.

\VS{13}Esuka lapho aya elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi afika endlini kaMikha.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Amadoda amahlanu ayehambe ukuyahlola ilizwe leLayishi athi kubafowabo bakoDani, “Liyakwazi yini ukuthi enye yalezizindlu ilesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini, lesithombe esihuqwe ngesiliva? Khathesi selikwazi okumele likwenze.”

\VS{15}Ngakho-ke aphambukela khona aya endlini yejaha elingumLevi koMikha, alibingelela.

\VS{16}AbakoDani abangamakhulu ayisithupha, ababehlomele ukulwa, bema entubeni yesango.

\VS{17}Abahlanu ababeyehlola ilizwe bangena phakathi bathatha isithombe esibaziweyo, lesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini, umphristi lamadoda ahlomileyo angamakhulu ayisithupha bemi entubeni yesango.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kwathi amadoda la esengene endlini kaMikha athatha isithombe esibaziweyo, lesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini kanye lesithombe esibunjiweyo, umphristi wathi kubo, “Lenzani na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Amphendula athi, “Thula! Ungatsho lutho. Woza uhambe lathi, ube ngubaba lomphristi wethu. Akungcono yini ukuthi usebenzele isizwana losendo lwako-Israyeli njengomphristi kulabendlu yomuntu oyedwa?”

\VS{20}Umphristi wathokoza. Wathatha isembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini kanye lesithombe esibaziweyo wahamba labantu.

\VS{21}Sebefake abantwababo abancane, lezifuyo zabo kanye lempahla zabo phambi kwabo, baphenduka bahamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Sebehambe isibanga esithize besuka endlini kaMikha, abantu ababehlala eduzane lendlu kaMikha babizelwa ndawonye baxhuma abakoDani.

\VS{23}Kwathi bebamemeza, abakoDani baphendula bathi kuMikha, “Kungani ubize abantu bakho ukuba balwe?”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Yena waphendula wathi, “Lithethe onkulunkulu engabenzayo lomphristi wami, lahamba. Kuyini okunye engilakho? Lingangibuza kanjani lisithi, ‘Uhlutshwa yini na?’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}AbakoDani baphendula bathi, “Ungaphikisani lathi, hlezi abanye abantu abalolaka bakuhlasele, kuthi wena labendlu yakho lilahlekelwe yikuphila kwenu.”

\VS{26}Ngakho abakoDani bazihambela, kwathi uMikha ebona ukuthi babelamandla kakhulu kulaye, waphenduka wabuyela emzini wakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Bathatha okwakwenziwe nguMikha, lomphristi wakhe, baya eLayishi, ebantwini ababelokuthula njalo bengethuki lutho. Babahlasela ngenkemba batshisa ledolobho labo.

\VS{28}Kakho owayengabahlenga ngoba babehlezi khatshana kakhulu leSidoni bengelabuhlobo lamuntu. Idolobho lalisesigodini eduze leBhethi-Rehobhi.

\par }{\PP AbakoDani balakha kutsha idolobho lelo bahlala kulo.

\VS{29}Balibiza ngokuthi yiDani ibizo likakhokho wabo uDani, owayezalwa ngu-Israyeli, lanxa idolobho lalikade lithiwa yiLayishi.

\VS{30}AbakoDani bazimisela izithombe khona, njalo uJonathani indodana kaGeshomu, indodana kaMosi, lamadodana akhe babengabaphristi besizwana sikaDani kwaze kwaba yisikhathi sokuthunjwa kwelizwe.

\VS{31}Baqhubeka basebenzisa izithombe ezazenziwe nguMikha, ngasosonke isikhathi indlu kaNkulunkulu iseShilo.




\par }\Chap{19}{\SH UmLevi Lomkakhe Weceleni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalezonsuku abako-Israyeli babengelankosi.

\par }{\PP UmLevi othile owayehlala esiqintini esikhatshana, elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi wathatha umfazi weceleni eBhethilehema koJuda.

\VS{2}Kodwa wayengathembekanga kuye. Wamtshiya wabuyela endlini kayise eBhethilehema, koJuda. Esehlale khona okwezinyanga ezine,

\VS{3}indoda yamlandela ukuyamncenga ukuba abuye. Indoda yayilenceku yayo labobabhemi ababili. Umfazi wamngenisa endlini kayise, njalo kwathi uyise embona wamamukela ngokuthokoza.

\VS{4}Uyisezala, uyise wentombi, wamncenga ukuba ahlale; ngakho wahlala laye insuku ezintathu, esidla enatha, njalo elala khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngelanga lesine bavuka ekuseni, walungiselela ukusuka, kodwa uyise wentombi wathi kumkhwenyana wakhe, “Qinisa umzimba wakho ngongakudla; ubusuhamba.”

\VS{6}Ngakho bobabili bahlala phansi badla banatha. Emva kwalokho uyise wentombi wathi, “Ake ulale ubusuku balamuhla uzithokozise.”

\VS{7}Kwathi umuntu lowo evuka ukuba ahambe, uyisezala wamncenga, ngakho walala khona ngalobobusuku.

\VS{8}Ekuseni ngosuku lwesihlanu, wathi evuka ukuba ahambe, uyise wentombi wathi, “Phumula. Hlala kuze kube ngemva kwemini.” Ngakho bobabili badla ndawonye.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kwathi lapho umuntu lowo, lomkakhe weceleni kanye lenceku yakhe belungiselela ukusuka, uyisezala, uyise wentombi wathi, “Khangela, sekuzakuhlwa. Lala lapha; ilanga selizatshona. Hlala uzithokozise. Kusasa ekuseni kakhulu uzavuka uthathe indlela yakho yokuya ekhaya.”

\VS{10}Kodwa umuntu lowo engasafuni ukulala obunye ubusuku lapho, wasuka waqonda eJebusi (leyo yiJerusalema), labobabhemi bakhe ababili ababebotshelwe izihlalo kanye lomkakhe weceleni.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Kwathi sebebanga eJebusi ilanga laselitshona, inceku yathi enkosini yayo, “Uyabona, kasime kulelidolobho lamaJebusi silale.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Inkosi yayo yathi, “Hayi. Kasiyikungena edolobheni elilabantu abangasibako-Israyeli. Sizaqhubeka siye eGibhiya.”

\VS{13}Wengeza wathi, “Kasambeni, sizame ukuyafika eGibhiya loba eRama, silale kwenye yalezizindawo.”

\VS{14}Ngakho baqhubeka, ilanga latshona sebebanga eGibhiya koBhenjamini.

\VS{15}Bema lapho ukuba balale khona. Bahamba bayahlala egcekeni ledolobho, kodwa kakho owabangenisa endlini yakhe ukuba balale khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ngalokhokuhlwa ixhegu laselizweni lamaqaqa ko-Efrayimi, elalihlala eGibhiya (abantu bakuleyondawo babengabakoBhenjamini), lafika livela emsebenzini walo emasimini.

\VS{17}Selikhangele labona isihambi egcekeni ledolobho, ixhegu labuza lathi, “Liya ngaphi? Livela ngaphi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Yena waphendula wathi, “Siphakathi kohambo lwethu sivela eBhethilehema koJuda siya esiqintini esikhatshana elizweni lamaqaqa ko-Efrayimi lapho engihlala khona. Kade ngiseBhethilehema koJuda kodwa khathesi sengisiya endlini
{\ND{kaThixo}}. Akulamuntu ongingenise endlini yakhe.

\VS{19}Silotshani lokudla kwabobabhemi bethu lesinkwa kanye lewayini lethu thina zinceku zakho, mina lencekukazi yakho kanye lejaha esilalo. Kasisweli lutho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ixhegu lathi, “Lamukelekile endlini yami. Ngizalinika konke elikuswelayo. Kodwa lingalali egcekeni.”

\VS{21}Ngakho lamngenisa endlini yalo, lanika labobabhemi bakhe ukudla. Sebegeze inyawo zabo, badla banatha.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Besazitika, abanye babantu abaxhwalileyo bakulelodolobho bahanqa indlu leyo. Batshaya isivalo, bamemeza ixhegu elalingumnikazi wendlu besithi, “Mkhuphele phandle umuntu ongene endlini ukuze siye emacansini laye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Umnikazi wendlu waya phandle wathi kubo, “Hayi, bangane bami, lingenzi okubi kangaka. Njengoba umuntu eyisethekeli sami, lingenzi into elihlazo kanje.

\VS{24}Khangelani, nansi indodakazi yami eyintombi egcweleyo, kanye lomfazi weceleni walindoda. Ngizabaletha phandle kini, lingabasebenzisa lenze kubo konke elikufisayo. Kodwa lingenzi ihlazo elinjalo kule indoda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Kodwa abantu labo kabamlalelanga. Ngakho indoda leyo yathatha umkayo weceleni yamusa phandle kubo, bamdlova njalo bamphatha kubi ubusuku bonke, kwathi emadabukakusa bamyekela wahamba.

\VS{26}Ekuseni owesifazane lowo waya endlini lapho umkakhe ayehlezi khona, wawela emnyango, walala khonapho kwaze kwakhanya.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Esevukile umkakhe ekuseni, wavula umnyango wendlu waphuma ukuba aqhubeke ngohambo lwakhe, wabona umkakhe weceleni ewele emnyango wendlu, izandla zakhe zisentubeni yomnyango.

\VS{28}Wathi kuye, “Vuka; kasihambe.” Kodwa kamphendulanga. Ngakho umuntu lowo wambeka phezu kukababhemi wakhe wasuka waya emzini wakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Esefikile ekhaya wathatha ingqamu waquma umkakhe weceleni iziqayiqa ezilitshumi lambili wazithumela kuzozonke izigaba zako-Israyeli.

\VS{30}Umuntu wonke owakubonayo lokho wathi, “Into enje kayikaze ibonakale loba yenziwe, selokhu u-Israyeli waphuma eGibhithe. Cabangani ngakho! Likuhlole! Litsho okungenziwa!”




\par }\Chap{20}{\SH Abako-Israyeli Balwa LabakoBhenjamini
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalesosikhathi bonke abako-Israyeli baphuma njengomuntu munye kusukela eDani kusiya eBherishebha kanye laselizweni leGiliyadi, babuthana phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eMizipha.

\VS{2}Abakhokheli babantu bonke bezizwana zako-Israyeli bathatha izindawo zabo ebandleni labantu bakaNkulunkulu, amabutho azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane ehlome ngezinkemba.

\VS{3}(AbakoBhenjamini bezwa ukuthi abako-Israyeli babeye eMizipha.) Abako-Israyeli basebesithi, “Sitsheleni ukuthi into le embi yenzakale njani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho umLevi, indoda yowesifazane lowo owayebulewe, wathi, “Mina lomkami weceleni safika eGibhiya koBhenjamini ukuba silale khona.

\VS{5}Ebusuku abantu beGibhiya bangivukela bahanqa indlu, behlose ukungibulala. Badlova umkami weceleni waze wafa.

\VS{6}Ngathatha umkami weceleni, ngamquma waba yiziqayiqa, ngathumela isiqa esisodwa esigabeni ngasinye selifa lako-Israyeli, ngoba amanyala lalesisenzo sokuxhwala basenzela ko-Israyeli.

\VS{7}Khathesi lonke lina abako-Israyeli, khulumani litsho isinqumo senu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Abantu bonke basukuma njengomuntu munye, besithi, “Akakho kithi ozakuya ekhaya. Hathi, akakho kithi ozabuyela endlini yakhe.

\VS{9}Kodwa khathesi esizakwenza eGibhiya yilokhu: Sizakuyayihlasela ngokwenza inkatho.

\VS{10}Sizathatha abantu abalitshumi phakathi kwabalikhulu kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, labalikhulu kwabayinkulungwane, labayinkulungwane kwaba zinkulungwane ezilutshumi ukuba badingele ibutho ukudla. Ekufikeni kwalo ibutho eGibhiya koBhenjamini, lizabanika okubafaneleyo ngamanyala lokuxhwala abakwenze ko-Israyeli.”

\VS{11}Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlangana, bamanyana njengomuntu munye bamelana ledolobho.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Izizwana zako-Israyeli zathumela abantu kusosonke isizwana sakoBhenjamini, zisithi, “Yibudlova bani lobu obenziwayo phakathi kwenu na?

\VS{13}Khathesi-ke, banikeleni labobantu baseGibhiya abagangileyo ukuze sibabulale siqede ububi ko-Israyeli.

\par }{\PP ” Kodwa abakoBhenjamini kababalalelanga abafowabo bako-Israyeli.

\VS{14}Baqoqana eGibhiya bevela emadolobheni akibo ukuba balwe labako-Israyeli.

\VS{15}Ngasikhathi sinye abakoBhenjamini babutha izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lesithupha zabahlome ngezinkemba emadolobheni akibo, phezu kwabantu abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abakhethwa kulabo abahlala eGibhiya.

\VS{16}Phakathi kwamabutho la kwakulabantu abakhethiweyo abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa ababengamanxele, bonke bengakhuthi abakunxwaneleyo ngesavutha.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Abako-Israyeli, ngaphandle kwabakoBhenjamini, babutha abantu abalwa ngezinkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane, bonke bengabantu bempi.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Abako-Israyeli baya eBhetheli babuza uNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Ngubani wethu ozahamba kuqala ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini?

\par }{\PP ”
{\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “NguJuda ozahamba kuqala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kusisa ekuseni, abako-Israyeli bavuka bamisa izihonqo eduzane leGibhiya.

\VS{20}Abantu bako-Israyeli baphuma ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini bema ezindaweni ezilungele ukubahlasela eGibhiya.

\VS{21}AbakoBhenjamini baphuma eGibhiya babulala abako-Israyeli abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili endaweni yokulwela mhlalokho.

\VS{22}Kodwa abantu bako-Israyeli banikana isibindi babuyela njalo ezindaweni zabo lapho ababekhona ngelanga lakuqala.

\VS{23}Abako-Israyeli bahamba bayakhala phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, njalo babuza
{\ND{uThixo}} bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa labakoBhenjamini, abafowethu na?

\par }{\PP ”
{\ND{UThixo}} waphendula yathi, “Hambani liyebahlasela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Abako-Israyeli basondela koBhenjamini ngosuku lwesibili.

\VS{25}Ngalesisikhathi, kwathi abakoBhenjamini sebephumile eGibhiya ukuba bamelane labo, babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke behlome ngezinkemba.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Lapho-ke, abako-Israyeli bonke lebutho lonke baya eBhetheli, bahlala khona bekhala phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}. Ngalelolanga bazila kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, banikela leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye leminikelo yobudlelwano
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{27}Abako-Israyeli basebebuza
{\ND{uThixo}}. (Ngalezonsuku umtshokotsho wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu wawukhonapho,

\VS{28}uloFinehasi indodana ka-Eliyazari, indodana ka-Aroni, ekhonza phambi kwawo.) Babuza bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa loBhenjamini umfowethu loba hatshi na?”

\par }{\PP {\ND{UThixo}} waphendula wathi, “Hambani, ngoba kusasa ngizabanikela ezandleni zenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Ngakho abako-Israyeli bacathama bezungeze iGibhiya.

\VS{30}Bahamba bayahlasela abakoBhenjamini ngosuku lwesithathu, balungela ukuhlasela iGibhiya njengebabekwenze kuqala.

\VS{31}AbakoBhenjamini baphuma babahlangabeza baholelwa kude ledolobho. Baqalisa ukubabulala abako-Israyeli njengakuqala, kwathi ababephosa babengamatshumi amathathu bafela egcekeni emgwaqweni oya eBhetheli lomunye oya eGibhiya.

\VS{32}Kwathi abakoBhenjamini besithi, “Siyabehlula njengakuqala,” abako-Israyeli bona besithi, “Kasihlehleleni emuva sibaholele kude ledolobho emigwaqweni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli basuka ezindaweni zabo baya eBhali-Thamari, kwathi abako-Israyeli ababecatheme bahlasela bephuma endaweni yabo ngasentshonalanga kweGibhiya.

\VS{34}Izinkulungwane ezilitshumi zabantu bako-Israyeli abakhethiweyo bahlasela iGibhiya mathupha. Ukulwa kwakunzima kakhulu ngakho kwenza abakoBhenjamini bangananzeleli ukuthi ingozi yayisisondele.

\VS{35}{\ND{UThixo}} wamnqoba uBhenjamini phambi kuka-Israyeli, njalo ngalelolanga abako-Israyeli babulala abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lekhulu (25,100), bonke behlome ngezinkemba.

\VS{36}Lapho-ke abakoBhenjamini babona ukuthi babenqotshiwe.

\par }{\PP Khonapho abako-Israyeli basebevulele abakoBhenjamini isikhala, ngoba babethembe ababecatheme eduze leGibhiya.

\VS{37}Abantu ababecatheme bagijimela eGibhiya ngokuphangisa, basabalala idolobho lonke balihlasela ngenkemba.

\VS{38}Abantu bako-Israyeli babehlele labacathamayo ukuthi benze iyezi elikhulu lentuthu phakathi kwedolobho,

\VS{39}lapho-ke abantu bako-Israyeli babezaphendukela ekulweni empini.

\par }{\PP AbakoBhenjamini basebeqalisile ukubulala abako-Israyeli (babephosa babengamatshumi amathathu), njalo bathi, “Siyabehlula njengempini yakuqala.”

\VS{40}Kodwa kwathi izikhatha zentuthu seziqalise ukuphakama edolobheni, abakoBhenjamini baphenduka babona intuthu yedolobho lonke iqonga isiya phezulu emkhathini.

\VS{41}Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli babaphendukela, abantu bakoBhenjamini batshaywa luvalo, ngoba babona ukuthi ingozi yayisibehlele.

\VS{42}Ngakho babaleka phambi kwabako-Israyeli beqonda enkangala kodwa behluleka ukuyibalekela impi. Abako-Israyeli abaphuma emizini bababulalela khonapho.

\VS{43}Babahanqa abakoBhenjamini, baxotshana labo, bababhuqela eduze leGibhiya kalula ngasempumalanga.

\VS{44}Kwafa abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke bengamaqhawe.

\VS{45}Sebephenduke babaleka beqonda enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, abako-Israyeli babulala abantu abazinkulungwane ezinhlanu kulandela imigwaqo. Baqhubeka bexotshana labakoBhenjamini baze bayafika eGidomu babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezimbili.


\par }{\PP \VS{46}Ngalelolanga kwafa abakoBhenjamini abalwa ngenkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu, bonke bengamaqhawe.

\VS{47}Kodwa abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha baphenduka babalekela enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, lapho abahlala khona izinyanga ezine.

\VS{48}Abantu bako-Israyeli babuyela koBhenjamini bahlasela imizi yonke ngenkemba, kubalwa izifuyo lakho konke okunye abakutholayo. Yonke imizi abafika kuyo bayithungela ngomlilo.




\par }\Chap{21}{\SH Abafazi Babantu BakoBhenjamini
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Abantu bako-Israyeli babefunge isifungo eMizipha bathi, “Akukho lamunye wethu ozakwendisela indodakazi yakhe emuntwini wakoBhenjamini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Abantu baya eBhetheli, lapho abahlala khona phambi kukaNkulunkulu kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, bephakamise amazwi abo bekhala kabuhlungu besithi,

\VS{3}“Oh
{\ND{Thixo}}, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kungani lokhu kwenzakale ku-Israyeli na? Kungani esinye isizwana singekho ko-Israyeli lamhla na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakusasa ekuseni abantu bakha i-alithari banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Basebebuza abako-Israyeli besithi, “Yisiphi kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli esingabuthananga phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} na?” Ngoba babefunge isifungo esiqinileyo bathi lowo owayengayikuba khona ekubuthaneni phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eMizipha kwakuzamele abulawe.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Abako-Israyeli bezwa ubuhlungu ngabafowabo bakoBhenjamini. Bathi, “Lamuhla esinye isizwana kasisekho ko-Israyeli.

\VS{7}Labo abaseleyo singabanika njani abafazi, njengoba thina sifunge isifungo
{\ND{ngoThixo}} ukuba kasiyi kubendisela amadodakazi ethu?”

\VS{8}Babuye babuza bathi, “Yisiphi sezizwana zako-Israyeli esingabuthananga phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} eMizipha na?” Bafumana ukuthi akulamuntu waseJabheshi Giliyadi owayefikile ezihonqweni elande umbuthano lowo.

\VS{9}Ngoba bathi bebala abantu, bathola ukuthi kwakungelamuntu waseJabheshi Giliyadi owayekhona.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngakho ibandla lathuma abantu bempi abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili belaywa ukuthi baye eJabheshi Giliyadi babahlasele ngenkemba labo abahlala khona, kubalwa abesifazane labantwana.

\VS{11}Bathi, “Kumele libulale wonke owesilisa lowesifazane ongasintombi egcweleyo.”

\VS{12}Phakathi kwabantu ababehlala eJabheshi Giliyadi bathola izintombi ezigcweleyo ezingamakhulu amane, bazisa ezihonqweni eShilo kweleKhenani.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ibandla lonke lathumela ilizwi lokuthula kwabakoBhenjamini edwaleni laseRimoni.

\VS{14}Ngakho abakoBhenjamini babuyela ngalesosikhathi sebephiwe abesifazane baseJabheshi Giliyadi ababephephisiwe. Kodwa kabawanelanga amadoda wonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Abantu bezwa ubuhlungu ngabakoBhenjamini, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayesenze isikhexe phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli.

\VS{16}Abadala bebandla bathi, “Njengoba abesifazane bakoBhenjamini beqothuliwe, amadoda aseleyo siwazuzela njani abafazi na?

\VS{17}AbakoBhenjamini abasindayo kumele babe lezindlalifa, ukuze isizwana sako-Israyeli singatshabalali.

\VS{18}Asingeke sibendisele amadodakazi ethu ngoba thina abako-Israyeli safunga isifungo lesi sathi: ‘Kaqalekiswe lowo owendisela umBhenjamini umfazi.’

\VS{19}Kodwa khangelani, kulomkhosi weminyaka yonke
{\ND{kaThixo}} eShilo, enyakatho kweBhetheli, ngasempumalanga komgwaqo osuka eBhetheli usiya eShekhemu, ngeningizimu kweLebhona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngakho balaya abakoBhenjamini bathi, “Hambani liyecatsha ezivinini

\VS{21}lilinde. Lapho izintombi zaseShilo ziphuma ukuba zingene ekugideni, sukani ezivinini ligijima kuthi lowo lalowo wenu azibambele umfazi ezintombini zaseShilo libe selisiya elizweni lakoBhenjamini.

\VS{22}Oyise labanewabo bangakhonona kithi, thina sizakuthi kubo, ‘Ake lisenzele umusa ngokubasiza, ngoba kasibatholelanga abafazi ngesikhathi sempi. Kaliyikuba lacala ngokwephula isifungo, ngoba amadodakazi enu kaliwendiselanga kubo.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngakho lokho yikho okwenziwa ngabakoBhenjamini. Kwathi izintombi zigida, indoda yabamba intombi yahamba layo ukuba ibe ngumkayo. Babuyela-ke elifeni labo bayakha kutsha imizi, bahlala kuyo.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngalesisikhathi abako-Israyeli basuka kuleyondawo babuyela emakhaya ezizwaneni lasezinsendweni zabo, ngulowo lalowo elifeni lakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ngalezonsuku abako-Israyeli babengelankosi; umuntu wonke ezenzela ayekubona kulungile kuye.

\par }