\NormalFont\ShortTitle{UGenesisi}
{\MT UGenesisi



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH Umdabuko
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu wadala amazulu lomhlaba.

\VS{2}Umhlaba wawungelasimo njalo ungelalutho, ubumnyama babengame phezulu kolwandle njalo uMoya kaNkulunkulu wayehambahamba phezu kwamanzi.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{3}Ngakho uNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Akubekhona ukukhanya,” lakanye kwabakhona ukukhanya.

\VS{4}UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi ukukhanya kwakukuhle, wasesehlukanisa ukukhanya lobumnyama.

\VS{5}UNkulunkulu wabiza ukukhanya ngokuthi “yimini,” ubumnyama wabubiza ngokuthi “yibusuku.” Ngakho kwabakhona ukuhlwa lokusa, kwaba lusuku lwakuqala.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{6}Njalo uNkulunkulu wathi, “Kakube lomkhandlu phakathi kwamanzi ukwehlukanisa amanzi kwamanye amanzi.”

\VS{7}Ngakho uNkulunkulu wehlukanisa amanzi angaphansi komkhandlu kulawo amanzi angaphezulu kwawo. Kwabanjalo.

\VS{8}UNkulunkulu wabiza umkhandlu lo ngokuthi “ngumkhathi.” Njalo kwabakhona ukuhlwa, kwabakhona njalo ukusa, usuku lwesibili.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{9}Njalo uNkulunkulu wathi, “Kakuthi amanzi angaphansi komkhathi abuthane ndawonye njalo kakuvele umhlabathi owomileyo.” Ngakho kwabanjalo.

\VS{10}UNkulunkulu wabiza umhlaba owomileyo ngokuthi “ngumhlabathi,” lamanzi abutheneyo wathi “lulwandle.” Njalo uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakukuhle.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Umhlabathi kawuthele izimila: imlimela ethela intanga lezihlahla emhlabathini ezithela izithelo ezilentanga phakathi, kusiya ngemihlobo yazo ehlukeneyo.” Kwabanjalo.

\VS{12}Umhlaba wathela izimila: izihlahla ezilentanga kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, lezihlahla ezithela izithelo ezilentanga phakathi kwazo kusiya ngemihlobo yazo. Njalo uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakukuhle.

\VS{13}Kwabakhona njalo ukuhlwa lokusa, usuku lwesithathu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{14}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Akube lezibane emkhandlwini womkhathi ukwehlukanisa imini lobusuku, njalo zibe luphawu lokubonisa izigaba zomnyaka, lezinsuku leminyaka,

\VS{15}njalo zibe yizibane emkhandlwini womkhathi ukuletha ukukhanya emhlabeni.” Kwabanjalo.

\VS{16}UNkulunkulu wenza izibane ezimbili ezinkulu, isibane esikhulu ukubusa emini lesibane esincinyane ukubusa ebusuku. Wenza futhi lezinkanyezi.

\VS{17}UNkulunkulu wazibeka emkhandlwini womkhathi ukuletha ukukhanya emhlabeni,

\VS{18}ukubusa imini lobusuku, kanye lokwahlukanisa ukukhanya lobumnyama. Njalo uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakukuhle.

\VS{19}Njalo kwabakhona ukuhlwa lokusa, usuku lwesine.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{20}Njalo uNkulunkulu wathi, “Akube lezidalwa eziphilayo emanzini, njalo akuthi izinyoni ziphaphe ngaphezulu komhlaba zidabule emkhandlwini womkhathi.”

\VS{21}Yikho uNkulunkulu wadala izidalwa ezinkulu zolwandle layo yonke into ephilayo lehambayo lenyakazelayo emanzini, kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, lezinyoni zonke ezilamaphiko, ngemihlobo yazo. Njalo uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakukuhle.

\VS{22}UNkulunkulu wazibusisa wathi, “Zalanani lande ngobunengi ligcwalise amanzi olwandle, njalo akuthi lezinyoni lazo zande emhlabeni.”

\VS{23}Kwabakhona ukuhlwa, kwabakhona njalo lokusa, usuku lwesihlanu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{24}UNkulunkulu wabuya wathi, “Akuthi umhlaba uveze izidalwa eziphilayo kusiya ngemihlobo yazo: izinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini, kanye lezinyamazana zeganga, yilezo kusiya ngemihlobo yazo.” Lakanye kwabanjalo.

\VS{25}UNkulunkulu wenza izinyamazana zeganga kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, izifuyo kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, njalo zonke izinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini kusiya ngemihlobo yazo. Njalo uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kwakukuhle.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Asenze umuntu ngesimo sethu langomfanekiso wethu ukuze abuse phezu kwenhlanzi zolwandle lezinyoni zemkhathini, phezu kwezifuyo, phezu kwawo wonke umhlaba laphezu kwazo zonke izinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini.”


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Ngakho uNkulunkulu wadala umuntu ngomfanekiso wakhe,

\par }{\QB ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu wabadala,

\par }{\QB owesilisa lowesifazane.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}UNkulunkulu wababusisa wathi kubo, “Zalanani lande ngobunengi; liwugcwalise umhlaba, liwubuse. Busani phezu kwenhlanzi zolwandle lezinyoni zemkhathini laphezu kwezidalwa zonke ezihambayo emhlabathini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Ngilinika zonke izihlahla ezithela intanga ezisemhlabeni wonke lazozonke izihlahla ezilezithelo ezilentanga phakathi. Zingezenu ukuba lizidle.

\VS{30}Njalo nginika zonke izihlahla eziluhlaza kuzozonke izinyamazana zomhlaba lakuzo zonke izinyoni zemkhathini lakuzo zonke izidalwa ezihambayo emhlabathini, yonke into ephefumula impilo phakathi kwayo ukuba zibe yikudla kwazo.” Kwabanjalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UNkulunkulu wakubona konke lokho ayesekwenzile, njalo kwakukuhle kakhulu. Kwabakhona ukuhlwa lokusa, usuku lwesithupha.


\par }{\BB \par }


\Chap{2}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kanjalo amazulu lomhlaba kwapheleliswa ngakho konke ukuhlotshiswa okukhulu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{2}Ngosuku lwesikhombisa uNkulunkulu wayesewuqedile umsebenzi ayewenza; ngakho wasephumula kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe.

\VS{3}Njalo uNkulunkulu walubusisa usuku lwesikhombisa walwenza lwaba ngcwele ngoba waphumula kuwo wonke umsebenzi wokudala lokho ayesekwenzile.


\par }{\SH U-Adamu Lo-Eva
\par }
{\PP \VS{4}Lo ngumlando wamazulu lomhlaba ekudalweni kwakho, lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu enza khona umhlaba lamazulu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{5}Kwakungakabi lesihlahlakazana seganga emhlabathini njalo kungakamili loba yini emila emhlabathini, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wayengakanisi izulu emhlabeni, njalo kwakungelamuntu wokusebenza umhlabathi,

\VS{6}kodwa inkungu yayisenyuka emhlabathini, ithelele umhlabathi wonke.

\VS{7}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wasebumba umuntu ngothuli lomhlabathi, waphefumulela emakhaleni akhe umphefumulo wokuphila, umuntu wasesiba yisidalwa esiphilayo.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngalesosikhathi
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wayelungise isivande empumalanga, e-Edeni; wambeka khona umuntu ayembumbile.

\VS{9}Njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenza yonke imihlobo yezihlahla ukuthi zikhule emhlabathini, izihlahla ezazibukeka emehlweni njalo zizinhle ekudleni. Phakathi laphakathi kwesivande kwakulesihlahla sokuphila lesihlahla sokwazi okuhle lokubi.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Umfula owawuthelela isivande wawugeleza usuka e-Edeni; usuka lapho wehlukana waba yimifudlana emine.

\VS{11}Ibizo lowokuqala yiPhishoni; ozungeze lonke ilizwe laseHavila, lapho okulegolide khona.

\VS{12}(Igolide lalelolizwe lihle; amakha erezini le-onikisi lawo akhona.)

\VS{13}Ibizo lomfudlana wesibili yiGihoni; usekele kulolonke ilizwe laseKhushi.

\VS{14}Ibizo lomfudlana wesithathu yiThigrisi; ubhoda ngempumalanga kwe-Asiriya. Njalo umfudlana wesine yiYufrathe.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}{\ND{Uthixo}} uNkulunkulu wamthatha umuntu wambeka eSivandeni se-Edeni ukuthi asisebenze njalo asinakekele.

\VS{16}Njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wamlaya umuntu wathi, “Ukhululekile ukudla loba yisiphi isihlahla esivandeni;

\VS{17}kodwa ungadli isihlahla sokwazi okuhle lokubi, ngoba ungaze usidle uzakufa ngempela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}{\ND{UThixo}} uNkulunkulu wathi, “Kakukuhle ukuba indoda ibe yodwa. Ngizayenzela umsizi oyifaneleyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}{\ND{UThixo}} uNkulunkulu wayesezibumbile ngomhlabathi zonke izinyamazana zeganga lazozonke izinyoni zemoyeni. Waziletha emuntwini ukuthi aziphe amabizo; kwathi loba yiliphi ibizo asibiza ngalo isidalwa esiphilayo, kwaba yilo ibizo laso.

\VS{20}Ngakho umuntu wapha amabizo zonke izifuyo, lezinyoni zemkhathini lazozonke izinyamazana zeganga.

\par }{\PP Kodwa u-Adamu wayengelaye umsizi omfaneleyo.

\VS{21}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenza indoda yalala ubuthongo bokufa; kwathi khonapho isalele wathatha olunye ubhambo lwendoda waseyivala leyondawo ngenyama.

\VS{22}Emva kwalokho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wasesenza umfazi ngobhambo ayeluthethe endodeni, wasemletha endodeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Indoda yathi,

\par }{\Q “Lo manje uselithambo lamathambo ami

\par }{\QB lenyama yenyama yami;

\par }{\Q usezabizwa ngokuthi ‘mfazi,’

\par }{\QB ngoba wakhitshwa endodeni.”


\par }{\MM \VS{24}Ngalesisizatho indoda izatshiya uyise lonina imanyane lomkayo, babe nyamanye.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Indoda lomkayo babehambaze, bengelazo inhloni.




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH Ukuwa Komuntu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Inyoka yayiliqili ukwedlula zonke izinyamazana zeganga
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu ayezenzile. Yathi kowesifazane, “Kambe uNkulunkulu watsho ngeqiniso ukuthi, ‘Lingadli noma yisiphi isihlahla esivandeni’?”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Owesifazane wathi enyokeni, “Singadla izithelo zezihlahla esivandeni,

\VS{3}kodwa uNkulunkulu wathi, ‘Lingazidli izithelo zesihlahla esiphakathi laphakathi kwesivande, njalo lingasithinti, hlezi life.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Inyoka yathi kowesifazane, “Kalisoze life ngempela.

\VS{5}Ngoba uNkulunkulu uyazi ukuthi lingasidla amehlo enu azavuleka, beselisiba njengoNkulunkulu, lazi okuhle lokubi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi owesifazane ngokubona ukuthi izithelo zesihlahla leso zaziyikudla okuhle njalo zibukeka emehlweni, njalo kudingeka ukuzuza ukuhlakanipha, wakha ezinye wadla. Wapha njalo ezinye indoda yakhe ayelayo khonapho, layo yadla.

\VS{7}Amehlo abo bobabili asevuleka, basebenanzelela ukuthi babenqunu; yikho basebethungela ndawonye amahlamvu omkhiwa bazenzela izembatho ngawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Indoda lomkayo basebesizwa umsindo
{\ND{kaThixo}} uNkulunkulu ehamba esivandeni ilanga selithambeme, basebemcatshela
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu phakathi kwezihlahla zesivande.

\VS{9}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wayimemeza indoda wathi, “Ungaphi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Yaphendula yathi, “Ngikuzwile esivandeni, ngesaba ngoba benginqunu; yikho ngasengicatsha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Wasesithi, “Ngubani okutshelileyo ukuthi unqunu? Usudlile yini isihlahla engalilaya ukuthi lingasidli?”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Indoda yathi, “Umfazi owangipha yena, ungiphile ezinye izithelo zesihlahla ngazidla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wathi kowesifazane, “Kuyini lokhu osukwenzile na?”

\par }{\PP Owesifazane wathi, “Inyoka ingikhohlisile, ngadla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wasesithi enyokeni, “Ngoba usukwenzile lokhu,

\par }{\Q Uqalekisiwe ngaphezu kwezifuyo zonke

\par }{\QB kanye lezinyamazana zonke zeganga!

\par }{\Q Uzahuba phansi ngesisu sakho

\par }{\QB njalo uzakudla uthuli

\par }{\QB zonke insuku zokuphila kwakho.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Njalo ngizafaka ubutha

\par }{\QB phakathi kwakho lowesifazane,

\par }{\QB laphakathi kwenzalo yakho leyowesifazane;

\par }{\Q uzacobodisa ikhanda lakho,

\par }{\QB njalo wena uzagamula isithende sakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kowesifazane wathi,

\par }{\Q “Ngizakwandisa ngokuphindiweyo inhlungu zakho nxa ubeletha;

\par }{\QB ngobuhlungu uzazala abantwana.

\par }{\Q Inkanuko yakho izakuba sendodeni yakho,

\par }{\QB njalo yona izabusa phezu kwakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Ku-Adamu wathi, “Ngoba ulalele umkakho wadla isihlahla engakulaya ngathi, ‘Ungasidli,’

\par }{\Q Uqalekisiwe umhlabathi ngenxa yakho;

\par }{\QB ngokusebenza nzima uzakudla okuphuma kuwo

\par }{\QB zonke insuku zokuphila kwakho.


\par }{\Q \VS{18}Uzamila ameva lezihlahlakazana zameva azahlaba wena,

\par }{\QB njalo uzakudla izihlahla zeganga.


\par }{\Q \VS{19}Ngezithukuthuku zebunzi lakho

\par }{\QB uzakudla ukudla kwakho

\par }{\Q uze ubuyele emhlabathini,

\par }{\QB njengoba wathathwa kuwo;

\par }{\Q ngoba uluthuli

\par }{\QB njalo uzabuyela othulini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}U-Adamu wamutha umkakhe wathi ngu-Eva, ngoba wayezakuba ngunina wabo bonke abaphilayo.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}{\ND{UThixo}} uNkulunkulu wenza imvunulo yesikhumba, wenzela u-Adamu lomkakhe, wabagqokisa.

\VS{22}Njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wathi, “Umuntu manje usenjengomunye wethu, usekwazi okuhle lokubi. Kangavunyelwa ukuthi elule isandla sakhe akhe njalo isihlahla sokuphila adle, aphile laphakade.”

\VS{23}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wamxotsha eSivandeni se-Edeni ukuthi asebenze umhlabathi ayethethwe kuwo.

\VS{24}Esemxotshile umuntu wamisa ngempumalanga kweSivande se-Edeni amakherubhi lenkemba ebhebhayo, iphazima isiyale lale ukulinda indlela eya esihlahleni sokuphila.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH UKhayini Lo-Abheli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Adamu wembatha lomkakhe u-Eva, wasezithwala, wabeletha uKhayini. Wathi, “Ngosizo
{\ND{lukaThixo}} sengibelethe indoda.”

\VS{2}Muva wabeletha umfowabo u-Abheli.

\par }{\PP U-Abheli waba ngumfuyi wemihlambi yezimvu, uKhayini yena wasebenza umhlabathi.

\VS{3}Ngokuya kwesikhathi uKhayini waletha ezinye izithelo zomhlabathi ukuba ngumnikelo
{\ND{kuThixo}}.

\VS{4}Kodwa u-Abheli waletha izitho ezinonileyo zisuka kwamanye amazibulo omhlambi wakhe.
{\ND{UThixo}} wathokoza ngo-Abheli kanye lomnikelo wakhe,

\VS{5}kodwa kathokozanga ngoKhayini lomnikelo wakhe. Ngakho uKhayini wazonda kakhulu, lobuso bakhe bahloba.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuKhayini, “Uzondeleni na? Kungani ubuso bakho buhlobile?

\VS{7}Nxa usenza okulungileyo, kawuyikwamukelwa yini? Kodwa nxa ungenzi okulungileyo, isono sikucathamele emnyango wakho; sinxwanele ukukuthumba, kodwa kumele usehlule.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UKhayini wasesithi kumfowabo u-Abheli, “Ake sihambe siye egangeni.” Kwathi bekhonale egangeni uKhayini wamhlasela umfowabo u-Abheli wambulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuKhayini, “Ungaphi umfowenu u-Abheli na?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Angazi. Ngingumgcini womfowethu na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Usuyenzeni? Lalela! Igazi lomfowenu liyakhala kimi lisuka emhlabathini.

\VS{11}Manje usuqalekisiwe njalo usuxotshiwe kuwo umhlabathi ovule umlomo wawo ukwamukela igazi lomfowenu lisuka esandleni sakho.

\VS{12}Lapho uwusebenza umhlabathi kawusayi kuthela amabele kuwe. Uzakuba luzulane emhlabeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}UKhayini wathi
{\ND{kuThixo}}, “Isijeziso sami singaphezu kwamandla ami.

\VS{14}Lamuhla usungixotsha elizweni, ngakho sengizasithela ngingabi khona kuwe; ngizakuba luzulane olungela kuphumula emhlabeni, kuthi loba ngubani ongifumanayo angibulale.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wathi kuye, “Akunjalo; lowo ozabulala uKhayini uzaphindiselwa ngokuphindwe kasikhombisa.” Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wasebeka uphawu kuKhayini ukuze kuthi lowo omfumanayo angambulali.

\VS{16}Ngakho uKhayini wasesuka emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}} wayahlala elizweni laseNodi, empumalanga kwase-Edeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UKhayini wembatha lomkakhe, wathatha isisu wazala u-Enoki. Ngalesosikhathi uKhayini wayesakha idolobho alibiza ngendodana yakhe u-Enoki.

\VS{18}Ku-Enoki kwazalwa u-Iradi, yena u-Iradi waba nguyise kaMehujayeli, uMehujayeli waba nguyise kaMethushayeli, uMethushayeli waba nguyise kaLameki.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}ULameki wathatha abafazi ababili, omunye ethiwa ngu-Ada, omunye ethiwa nguZila.

\VS{20}U-Ada wazala uJabhali; owayenguyise walabo abahlala emathenteni befuye izifuyo.

\VS{21}Ibizo lomfowabo lalinguJubhali; wayenguyise wabo bonke abatshaya umhubhe lechacho.

\VS{22}UZila laye waba lendodana, uThubhali-Khayini, owayekhanda zonke inhlobo zezinto ngethusi langensimbi. Udadewabo kaThubhali-Khayini wayenguNahama.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}ULameki wathi kubomkakhe,

\par }{\Q “Ada loZila, ngilalelani;

\par }{\QB bafazi bakaLameki, zwanini amazwi ami.

\par }{\Q Sengibulele umuntu ngenxa yokungilimaza,

\par }{\QB ijaha ngoba lingihlasele.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Nxa uKhayini ephindiselwa kasikhombisa

\par }{\QB ngakho uLameki amatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}U-Adamu waphinda wembatha lomkakhe njalo, wazala indodana wayithi nguSethi, esithi, “UNkulunkulu usengiphile omunye umntwana endaweni ka-Abheli, njengoba uKhayini wambulala.”

\VS{26}USethi laye waba lendodana, wayibiza ngokuthi ngu-Enoshi.

\par }{\PP Ngalesosikhathi abantu baqala ukukhuleka bebiza ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}}.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH Kusukela Ku-Adamu Kusiya KuNowa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Lo ngumlando olotshiweyo ngosendo luka-Adamu.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP Lapho uNkulunkulu edala umuntu, wamenza ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu.

\VS{2}Wabadala, owesilisa lowesifazane wasebabusisa. Wababiza ngokuthi “Ngabantu” emva kokubadala.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{3}Kwathi u-Adamu esephile iminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi amathathu (130) wathola indodana eyafana laye xathu; wayibiza ngokuthi nguSethi.

\VS{4}USethi esezelwe, u-Adamu waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili (800) njalo wayelamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{5}Isiyonke iminyaka ka-Adamu yayingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amathathu (930), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{6}Kwathi uSethi esephile iminyaka elikhulu lanhlanu (105) waba nguyise ka-Enoshi.

\VS{7}Ngemva kokuzala u-Enoshi uSethi waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lesikhombisa (807), njalo wayelamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{8}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguSethi yaba ngamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye letshumi lambili (912), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{9}Kwathi u-Enoshi esephile iminyaka engamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye (90) wazala uKhenani.

\VS{10}Ngemva kokuzala uKhenani, u-Enoshi waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili letshumi lanhlanu (815) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{11}Isiyonke iminyaka, u-Enoshi waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu (905), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{12}Kwathi uKhenani esephile iminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa (70) wazala uMahalaleli.

\VS{13}Ngemva kokuba esezele uMahalaleli, uKhenani waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi amane (840) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{14}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguKhenani yaba ngamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye letshumi (910), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{15}Kwathi uMahalaleli esephile iminyaka engamatshumi ayisithupha lanhlanu (65), wazala uJaredi.

\VS{16}Ngemva kokuzala kwakhe uJaredi, uMahalaleli waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi amathathu (830) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{17}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguMahalaleli yaba ngamakhulu ayisificaminwembili lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu (895), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{18}UJaredi esephile iminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi ayisithupha lambili (162), wazala u-Enoki.

\VS{19}Ngemva kokuzala kwakhe u-Enoki, uJaredi waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu ayisificaminwembili (800) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{20}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguJaredi yaba ngamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisithupha lambili (962), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{21}Kwathi u-Enoki esephile iminyaka engamatshumi ayisithupha lanhlanu (65), wazala uMethuzela.

\VS{22}Ngemva kokuzala uMethuzela, u-Enoki wahamba loNkulunkulu okweminyaka engamakhulu amathathu (300) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{23}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa ngu-Enoki yaba ngamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisithupha lanhlanu (365).

\VS{24}U-Enoki wahamba ngokuthembeka loNkulunkulu; wanyamalala, ngoba uNkulunkulu wamthatha.


\par }{\LI \VS{25}Kwathi uMethuzela esephile okweminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lesikhombisa (187) wazala uLameki.

\VS{26}Ngemva kokuzala uLameki, uMethuzela waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lambili (782) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{27}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguMethuzela yaba ngamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisithupha layisificamunwemunye (969), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{28}ULameki esephile iminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lambili (182) wazala indodana.

\VS{29}Wayitha ibizo wathi nguNowa, wathi, “Izasiduduza emsebenzini lasekutshikatshikeni kwethu okubuhlungu ngezandla zethu okubangwa ngumhlabathi
{\ND{uThixo}} awuthukileyo.”

\VS{30}Ngemva kokuzalwa kukaNowa, uLameki waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu (595) njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.

\VS{31}Isiyonke iminyaka eyaphilwa nguLameki yaba ngamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa (777), wasesifa.


\par }{\LI \VS{32}Ngemva kokuphila iminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu (500), uNowa wazala uShemu, loHamu loJafethi.




\par }\Chap{6}{\SH Uzamcolo
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi abantu sebesanda ngobunengi emhlabeni, bezala amadodakazi,

\VS{2}amadodana kaNkulunkulu abona ukuthi amadodakazi abantu ayemahle, bazikhethela abawafunayo bawathatha.

\VS{3}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi, “UMoya wami kawuyikuphikisana lomuntu ngokungapheliyo, ngoba yena ngowenyama nje; insuku zakhe zizakuba likhulu elilamatshumi amabili kuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}AmaNefilimi ayesemhlabeni ngalezonsuku. Njalo langemva kwazo amadodana kaNkulunkulu angenela amadodakazi abantu azala lawo abantwana. Ayengamaqhawe ekadeni, amadoda odumo.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}{\ND{UThixo}} wabona ukuthi ukuxhwala kwabantu kwasekukukhulu kakhulu emhlabeni, njalo lokuthi zonke izinkanuko zeminakano yezinhliziyo zabo zaziyibubi kuphela sonke isikhathi.

\VS{6}{\ND{UThixo}} wadabuka ngokuthi wayemenzile umuntu emhlabeni, ngakho inhliziyo yakhe yagcwala ubuhlungu.

\VS{7}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wasesithi, “Umuntu engamdalayo ngizamkhucula emhlabeni, abantu lezinyamazana, lezinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini, lezinyoni zemkhathini ngoba kuyangidabukisa ukuthi ngakwenza.”

\VS{8}Kodwa uNowa wathola umusa emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}.


\par }{\SH UNowa Lozamcolo
\par }
{\PP \VS{9}Lo ngumlando kaNowa.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP UNowa wayeyindoda elungileyo, engelasici phakathi kwabantu ngesikhathi aphila ngaso, njalo wabambelela kuNkulunkulu.

\VS{10}UNowa wayelamadodana amathathu: UShemu, uHamu loJafethi.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Umhlaba wawuxhwalile phambi kukaNkulunkulu njalo ugcwele ubudlwangudlwangu.

\VS{12}UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi umhlaba wawusuxhwale njani, ngoba bonke abantu emhlabeni basebehamba ngezindlela zabo ezixhwalileyo.

\VS{13}Ngakho uNkulunkulu wasesithi kuNowa, “Ngizabatshabalalisa bonke abantu, ngoba umhlaba ugcwele ubudlwangudlwangu ngenxa yabo. Ngeqiniso ngizababhubhisa bona kanye lomhlaba.

\VS{14}Ngakho zakhele umkhumbi ngezigodo zesihlahla sokubaza; wenze amakamelo kuwo, uwuhuqe ngenhlaka ngaphakathi langaphandle.

\VS{15}Uzawakha kanje: Umkhumbi kawube ngamalunga ezingalo ezingamakhulu amathathu ubude, ububanzi bube zingalo ezingamatshumi amahlanu lezingalo ezingamatshumi amathathu ukuphakama kwawo.

\VS{16}Uwenzele uphahla, utshiye ngaphansi kophahla intuba eyingxenye yelunga lengalo ukufika phezulu. Ufake umnyango eceleni komkhumbi njalo wenze isigcawu saphansi, esaphakathi laphakathi kanye lesaphezulu.

\VS{17}Ngizathumela uzamcolo emhlabeni ukubhubhisa konke okuphilayo ngaphansi kwezulu, zonke izidalwa eziphefumulayo. Yonke into emhlabeni izabhubha.

\VS{18}Kodwa ngizakwenza isivumelwano lawe, njalo wena uzangena emkhunjini, wena lamadodana akho lomkakho kanye labomalukazana bakho.

\VS{19}Kuzamele ulethe emkhunjini okubili kwezidalwa zonke eziphilayo, okuduna lokusikazi, uzigcine ziphila zilawe.

\VS{20}Okubili kwemihlobo yonke yezinyoni, okwemihlobo yonke yezinyamazana lokwezinanakazana zonke ezihuquzela emhlabathini zizakuza kuwe zizogcinwa ziphila.

\VS{21}Kumele uthathe yonke imihlobo yokudla okuzadliwa, ukulondolozele wena kanye lazo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UNowa wakwenza konke njengokulaywa kwakhe nguNkulunkulu.




\par }\Chap{7}{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi kuNowa, “Ngena emkhunjini, wena kanye lendlu yakho yonke, ngoba ngikufumane ulungile kulesi isizukulwane.

\VS{2}Ngena lezinyamazana eziyisikhombisa ezemihlobo yonke yezinyamazana ezihlanzekileyo, enduna lensikazi, lezimbili ezemihlobo yonke yezinyamazana ezingcolileyo, enduna lensikazi yayo,

\VS{3}njalo eziyisikhombisa zezinyoni zemihlobo yonke, ezinduna lezinsikazi, ukuze kugcinakale uhlobo lwazo zonke emhlabeni.

\VS{4}Ngemva kwensuku eziyisikhombisa kusukela manje ngizathumela izulu emhlabeni okwensuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane, njalo ngizatshabalalisa sonke isidalwa esiphilayo engasenzayo emhlabeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UNowa wakwenza konke lokho akulaywa
{\ND{nguThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UNowa wayeleminyaka engamakhulu ayisithupha yobudala ekufikeni kukazamcolo emhlabeni.

\VS{7}UNowa lamadodana akhe, lomkakhe kanye labomalukazana bakhe bangena emkhunjini ukuze baphephe emanzini kazamcolo.

\VS{8}Ngazimbili izinyamazana ezihlanzekileyo lezingcolileyo, ezezinyoni lezezinanakazana zonke ezihuquzela emhlabathini,

\VS{9}ezinduna lezinsikazi zeza kuNowa zangena emkhunjini, njengokulaywa kukaNowa nguNkulunkulu.

\VS{10}Kwathi ngemva kwensuku eziyisikhombisa amanzi kazamcolo eza emhlabeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngomnyaka wamakhulu ayisithupha wokuphila kukaNowa, ngosuku lwetshumi lesikhombisa lwenyanga yesibili, ngalolosuku yonke imithombo yolwandle olukhulu yadabuka, lamasango amanzi amazulu avuleka.

\VS{12}Izulu lana emhlabeni okwensuku ezingamatshumi amane lobusuku obungamatshumi amane.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngalolosuku uNowa lamadodana akhe, uShemu, uHamu loJafethi, kanye lomkakhe labomalukazana bakhe bamadodana akhe womathathu bangena emkhunjini.

\VS{14}Babelazo zonke izinyamazana zeganga kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, zonke izifuyo kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, zonke izinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini kusiya ngemihlobo yazo lazozonke izinyoni kusiya ngemihlobo yazo, yonke into elempiko.

\VS{15}Zeza kuNowa ngazimbili zonke izidalwa ezilomphefumulo wokuphila zangena emkhunjini.

\VS{16}Izinyamazana ezazingena zazingezinduna lezinsikazi ezezinto zonke eziphilayo, njengalokho uNkulunkulu ayekulaye uNowa. Emva kwalokho
{\ND{uThixo}} wasemvalela phakathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Okwensuku ezingamatshumi amane impophoma zaphikelela zithululeka emhlabeni, kwathi ngokwanda kwamanzi awuphakamisa umkhumbi waba ngaphezulu komhlaba.

\VS{18}Amanzi akhwela anda kakhulu emhlabeni, umkhumbi wandenda phezu kwamanzi.

\VS{19}Akhwela kakhulu emhlabeni, kwathi zonke izintaba eziphakemeyo ngaphansi kwawo wonke amazulu zasibekelwa.

\VS{20}Amanzi akhwela asibekela izintaba zatshona okudlula izingalo ezingamatshumi amabili.

\VS{21}Zonke izinto eziphilayo ezihamba phezu komhlaba zafa, izinyoni, izifuyo, izinyamazana zeganga, zonke izidalwa ezazitshatshama phezu komhlaba, loluntu lonke.

\VS{22}Yonke into ephefumula impilo ngamakhala ayo nxa isemhlabathini owomileyo yafa.

\VS{23}Yonke into ephilayo phezu komhlaba yakhukhulwa; abantu lezinyamazana lezinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini kanye lezinyoni zemkhathini kwakhuculwa emhlabeni. NguNowa kuphela owasalayo, lalabo ababelaye emkhunjini.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Amanzi agcwala emhlabeni okwensuku ezilikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu.




\par }\Chap{8}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamkhumbula uNowa lazozonke izinyamazana zeganga lezifuyo ezazilaye emkhunjini, wasethumela umoya emhlabeni, amanzi asesentsha.

\VS{2}Manje imithombo yolwandle lamasango amanzi asemazulwini kwasekuvaliwe, lezulu laselisile emkhathini.

\VS{3}Amanzi entsha kancanekancane emhlabeni. Ekupheleni kwensuku ezilikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu amanzi ayesentshile,

\VS{4}kwathi ngosuku lwetshumi lesikhombisa lwenyanga yesikhombisa umkhumbi wayakuma phezu kwezintaba zase-Ararathi.

\VS{5}Amanzi aqhubeka esentsha kwaze kwaba yinyanga yetshumi, kwathi ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yetshumi iziqongo zezintaba zaqala ukubonakala.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngemva kwensuku ezingamatshumi amane uNowa wavula iwindi ayelenzile emkhunjini

\VS{7}wathuma iwabayi, lazulazula emoyeni amanzi aze atsha emhlabeni.

\VS{8}Wasethuma ijuba ukuthi abone ingabe amanzi ayesephelile emhlabathini.

\VS{9}Kodwa ijuba laswela indawo yokubeka unyawo ngoba kwakulamanzi yonke indawo phezu komhlaba; ngakho labuyela kuNowa emkhunjini. Wakhupha isandla walamukela ijuba walibuyisa kuye emkhunjini.

\VS{10}Walinda okwezinye insuku eziyisikhombisa waphinda walithuma ijuba lisuka emkhunjini.

\VS{11}Kwathi ijuba selibuya kuye ntambama, laliphethe ngomlomo walo ihlamvu lesihlahla se-oliva elalisanda kukhiwa! UNowa wahle wazi ukuthi amanzi ayesehlile kakhulu emhlabeni.

\VS{12}Walinda okwezinye insuku eziyisikhombisa walithuma ijuba njalo, kodwa ngalesi isikhathi kalisabuyanga kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yokuqala yomnyaka wamakhulu ayisithupha lanye wokuphila kukaNowa, amanzi ayesomile emhlabeni. Ngakho uNowa wasesusa uphahla lomkhumbi esebona ukuthi iphansi lomhlabathi laselomile.

\VS{14}Ngosuku lwamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa lwenyanga yesibili umhlabathi wawusuwome qha.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UNkulunkulu wasesithi kuNowa,

\VS{16}“Phuma emkhunjini, wena lomkakho, lamadodana akho labomkabo.

\VS{17}Khupha yonke into ephilayo olayo, izinyoni, izinyamazana lazozonke izinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini ukuze zande emhlabeni, zizale zande ngobunengi bazo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngakho uNowa wasephuma lamadodana akhe, lomkakhe kanye labomalukazana bakhe.

\VS{19}Zonke izinyamazana kanye lezinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini lazozonke izinyoni, yonke into enyakazayo emhlabeni, kwaphuma emkhunjini, ngemihlobo kulandelana.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UNowa wasesakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari, wathatha ezinye izinyamazana lezinyoni ezihlanzekileyo wanikela iminikelo yokutshiswa phezu kwalo.

\VS{21}{\ND{UThixo}} wahotsha iphunga elimnandi wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Kangisayikuphinda ngiwuqalekise njalo umhlaba ngenxa yabantu, ngoba imicabango yenhliziyo yomuntu mibi kusukela ebuntwaneni bakhe. Njalo kangisoze lanini ngiphinde ngibhubhise zonke izidalwa eziphilayo, njengalokhu engikwenzileyo.


\par }{\Q \VS{22}Nxa umhlaba ulokhu usekhona,

\par }{\Q isikhathi sokuhlanyela lesokuvuna,

\par }{\Q umqando lokutshisa,

\par }{\Q ihlobo lobusika,

\par }{\Q imini lobusuku

\par }{\Q kakusoze kwacina.”




\par }\Chap{9}{\SH Isivumelwano SikaNkulunkulu LoNowa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UNkulunkulu wambusisa uNowa lamadodana akhe wathi kubo, “Zalanani lande ngobunengi ligcwalise umhlaba.

\VS{2}Zizalesaba zibe lovalo ngani zonke izinyamazana zomhlaba, lazozonke izinyoni zemoyeni, lezinanakazana ezihuquzela emhlabathini, kanye lenhlanzi zonke zolwandle; ziphiwe ezandleni zakho.

\VS{3}Yonke into ephilayo lenyakazayo izakuba yikudla kuwe. Njengalokhu ngalipha izihlahla eziluhlaza, manje sengilipha yonke into.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa lingadli inyama ilegazi lokuphila phakathi kwayo.

\VS{5}Njalo igazi lokuphila kwenu ngizafuna impendulo ngalo, ngizafuna impendulo kuyo yonke inyamazana. Njalo emuntwini wonke ngizafuna ukwazi ngempilo yomzalwane wakhe.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Loba ngubani ochitha igazi lomuntu,

\par }{\QB igazi lakhe lizachithwa ngumuntu;

\par }{\Q ngoba ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu,

\par }{\QB uNkulunkulu umenzile umuntu.


\par }{\MM \VS{7}Mayelana lani, zalanani lande ngobunengi; yandani emhlabeni libe banengi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UNkulunkulu wasesithi kuNowa lakumadodana akhe ayelawo:

\VS{9}“Manje sengimisa isivumelwano sami lani lezizukulwane zenu ezilandelayo

\VS{10}lasosonke isidalwa esiphilayo esasilawe, izinyoni, izifuyo lezinyamazana zeganga, zonke lezo ezaphuma lani emkhunjini, sonke isidalwa esiphilayo emhlabeni.

\VS{11}Ngiyasimisa isivumelwano sami lani: Kakusoze njalo impilo yonke iqunywe ngamanzi kazamcolo; kakusoze njalo kube lozamcolo ozabhubhisa umhlaba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UNkulunkulu wathi, “Lesi yisiboniso sesivumelwano engisenzayo phakathi kwami lani lasosonke isidalwa esiphilayo elilaso, isivumelwano sezizukulwane zonke ezizayo:

\VS{13}Sengibeke umchilowamakhosikazi wami emayezini, wona uzakuba yisiboniso sesivumelwano phakathi kwami lomhlaba.

\VS{14}Kuzakuthi nxa ngiletha amayezi phezu komhlaba besekuvela umchilowamakhosikazi emayezini,

\VS{15}ngizakhumbula isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami lani lazozonke izidalwa eziphilayo ezemihlobo yonke. Kakusoze njalo lanini amanzi abe yisikhukhula esizabhubhisa impilo.

\VS{16}Kuzakuthi nxa kungavela umchilowamakhosikazi emayezini ngizawubona besengikhumbula isivumelwano saphakade phakathi kukaNkulunkulu lezidalwa zonke eziphilayo ezemihlobo yonke emhlabeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UNkulunkulu wasesithi kuNowa, “Lesi yisiboniso sesivumelwano esengisimisile phakathi kwami lakho konke okuphilayo emhlabeni.”


\par }{\SH Amadodana KaNowa
\par }
{\PP \VS{18}Amadodana kaNowa aphuma emkhunjini ayengoShemu, uHamu loJafethi. (UHamu wayenguyise kaKhenani.)

\VS{19}La ayeyiwo amadodana amathathu kaNowa, kuwo kwadabuka abantu abasabalala emhlabeni wonke.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UNowa, indoda yomhlabathi, wasuka wahlanyela isivini.

\VS{21}Wathi esenathe iwayini lakhona, wadakwa walala enqunu phakathi kwethente lakhe.

\VS{22}UHamu, uyise kaKhenani, wabona ubunqunu bukayise wasetshela abafowabo phandle.

\VS{23}Kodwa uShemu loJafethi bathatha isivunulo basiphosela emahlombe abo; bangena behamba nyovane bamboza ubunqunu bukayise. Ubuso babo babukhangele emuva ukuze bangaboni ubunqunu bukayise.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kwathi uNowa esevukile selehlile iwayini wezwa ngokwakwenziwe kuye yindodana yakhe encane kulamanye,

\VS{25}wathi,

\par }{\Q “Uqalekisiwe uKhenani!

\par }{\QB Isigqili esizakuba phansi

\par }{\QB kubafowabo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Wabuya wathi njalo,

\par }{\Q “Udumo kalube
{\ND{kuThixo}}, uNkulunkulu kaShemu!

\par }{\QB Sengathi uKhenani angaba yisigqili sikaShemu.


\par }{\Q \VS{27}Sengathi uNkulunkulu angaqhelisa indawo kaJafethi;

\par }{\QB sengathi uJafethi angahlala emathenteni kaShemu,

\par }{\QB njalo sengathi uKhenani angaba yisichaka sakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Ngemva kukazamcolo uNowa waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amahlanu (350).

\VS{29}UNowa waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amahlanu (950) isiyonke, wasesifa.




\par }\Chap{10}{\SH Uhlelo Lwezizwe
\par }
{\LID \VerseOne{1}Lo ngumlando kaShemu, loHamu loJafethi, amadodana kaNowa, okwathi bona ngokwabo baba lamadodana ngemva kwesikhukhula.


\par }{\SHB AmaJafethi
\par }
{\LI \VS{2}Amadodana kaJafethi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uGomeri, uMagogi, uMadayi uJavani, uThubhali, uMesheki loThirasi.


\par }{\LI \VS{3}Amadodana kaGomeri ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Ashikhenazi, uRifathi kanye loThogarima.


\par }{\LI \VS{4}Amadodana kaJavani ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Elisha, uThashishi, uKhithimi loRodanimu.

\VS{5}(Kusukela kulaba abahlala ngasolwandle behlukana ngezigodi zabo, yilabo ngosendo lwabo bephakathi kwezizwe zabo, kuyilabo lalabo bekhuluma ulimi lwabo.)


\par }{\SHB AmaHamithi
\par }
{\LI \VS{6}Amadodana kaHamu ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uKhushi, uMizirayimi, uPhuthi loKhenani.


\par }{\LI \VS{7}Amadodana kaKhushi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uSebha, uHavila, uSabhitha, uRahama loSabhitheka.

\par }{\LI Amadodana kaRahama ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uShebha loDedani.


\par }{\LID \VS{8}UKhushi wayenguyise kaNimrodi, owakhula waba liqhawe elilamandla emhlabeni.

\VS{9}Wayengumzingeli omkhulu phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}; kungakho lokho kwathiwa, “NjengoNimrodi, umzingeli omkhulu phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.”

\VS{10}Izindawo ezinkulu zembusweni wakhe kwakuyiBhabhiloni, i-Erekhi, i-Akhadi leKhaline eShinari.

\VS{11}Esuka kulelolizwe waya e-Asiriya lapho akha khona iNiniva, iRehobhothi, i-Iri, iKhala

\VS{12}leReseni ephakathi kweNiniva leKhala; yilo idolobho elikhulukazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{13}UMizirayimi wayenguyise

\par }{\LIB wamaLudi, ama-Anami, amaLehabhi, amaNafithuhi,

\VS{14}amaPhathrosi lamaKhasiluhi (okwadabuka khona amaFilistiya) lamaKhafithori.


\par }{\LI \VS{15}UKhenani wayenguyise

\par }{\LIB kaSidoni izibulo lakhe, amaHithi,

\VS{16}amaJebusi, ama-Amori, amaGigashi,

\VS{17}amaHivi, ama-Arikhi, amaSini,

\VS{18}ama-Avadi, amaZemari kanye lamaHamathi.

\par }{\LIB (Muva izizwana zamaKhenani zasabalala

\VS{19}kwathi imingcele yeKhenani yasukela eSidoni isiya eGerari kufika eGaza, besekuqonda eSodoma, leGomora, le-Adima leZebhoyimi kuze kuyefika eLasha.)


\par }{\LID \VS{20}La yiwo amadodana kaHamu ngokosendo lwawo langezindimi zawo, ezigodini zawo kanye langezizwe zawo.


\par }{\SHB AmaSemi
\par }
{\LID \VS{21}Amadodana azalwa njalo kuShemu, umnewabo owayenguJafethi; uShemu wayengukhokho wawo wonke amadodana ka-Ebha.


\par }{\LI \VS{22}Amadodana kaShemu ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Elamu, u-Ashuri, u-Afazadi, uLudi lo-Aramu.


\par }{\LI \VS{23}Amadodana ka-Aramu ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Uzi, uHuli, uGetha loMesheki.


\par }{\LI \VS{24}U-Afazadi wayenguyise kaShela,

\par }{\LIB uShela wazala u-Ebha.


\par }{\LI \VS{25}Amadodana amabili ayezalwa ngu-Ebha ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB Omunye wayenguPhelegi, ngoba ngezinsuku zakhe umhlaba wawudabuke phakathi; umfowabo kwakuthiwa nguJokithani.


\par }{\LI \VS{26}UJokithani wayenguyise

\par }{\LIB ka-Alimodadi, uShelefi, uHazarimavethi, uJera,

\VS{27}uHadoramu, u-Uzali, uDikila,

\VS{28}u-Obhali, u-Abhimayeli, uShebha,

\VS{29}u-Ofiri, uHavila kanye loJobhabhi. Bonke laba babengamadodana kaJokithani.


\par }{\LIB \VS{30}Isigodi ababehlala kuso sasisukela eMesha kusiya eSefari elizweni elilamaqaqa elisempumalanga.


\par }{\LID \VS{31}La ngamadodana kaShemu ngokosendo lwawo langezindimi zawo, emazweni awo lezizweni zawo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{32}Lezi zinsendo zamadodana kaNowa kusiya ngemindeni yazo, phakathi kwezizwe zawo. Kusukela kuzo, izizwe zahlakazeka zagcwala umhlaba wonke emva kukazamcolo.




\par }\Chap{11}{\SH Umphongolo WaseBhabheli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Umhlaba wonke wawulolimi lunye lokukhuluma okufananayo.

\VS{2}Kwathi abantu belokhu beqhelela empumalanga, bafumana indawo evulekileyo eShinari basebesakha khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Basebetshelana bathi, “Kasitshayeni izitina sizitshise kakhulu.” Babesebenzisa izitina endaweni yamatshe, lethara endaweni yodaka.

\VS{4}Basebesithi, “Zwanini, kasizakheleni idolobho libe lomphongolo ofika emazulwini, ukuze sizenzele ibizo singaze sasabalala umhlaba wonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wehla wazalibona idolobho kanye lomphongolo abantu ababewakha.

\VS{6}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Nxa bengabantu banye bekhuluma limi lunye sebeqalisile ukwenza lokhu, pho kakukho okungabehlula.

\VS{7}Zwanini, kasehleni siye phansi sisanganise ulimi lwabo bangabe besazwana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kanjalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wabahlakaza emhlabeni wonke, bayekela ukwakha idolobho.

\VS{9}Kungakho labizwa ngokuthi yiBhabheli, ngoba khonapho
{\ND{uThixo}} wasanganisa ulimi lomhlaba wonke. Kusukela lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} wabahlakazela emhlabeni wonke.


\par }{\SH Kusukela KuShemu Kusiya Ku-Abhrama
\par }
{\PP \VS{10}Lo ngumlando wosendo lukaShemu.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI Eminyakeni emibili emva kukazamcolo, uShemu eseleminyaka elikhulu (100) wazala u-Afazadi.

\VS{11}Esezele u-Afazadi, uShemu waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu (500), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{12}Kwathi u-Afazadi esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lanhlanu (35), wazala uShela.

\VS{13}Esezele uShela, u-Afazadi waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amane lantathu (403), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{14}UShela esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu (30) wazala u-Ebha.

\VS{15}Esezele u-Ebha, uShela waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amane lantathu (403), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{16}U-Ebha esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lane (34) wazala uPhelegi.

\VS{17}Esezele uPhelegi, u-Ebha waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amane lamatshumi amathathu (430), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{18}UPhelegi esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu (30), wazala uRewu.

\VS{19}Esezele uRewu, uPhelegi waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amabili lesificamunwemunye (209), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{20}Kwathi uRewu esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu lambili (32), wazala uSerugi.

\VS{21}Esezele uSerugi, uRewu waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amabili lesikhombisa (207), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{22}Kwathi uSerugi esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amathathu (30), wazala uNahori.

\VS{23}Esezele uNahori, uSerugi waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amabili (200), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{24}UNahori esephile iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesificamunwemunye (29) wazala uThera.

\VS{25}Esezele uThera, uNahori waphila okweminyaka elikhulu letshumi lesificamunwemunye (119), njalo waba lamanye amadodana lamadodakazi.


\par }{\LI \VS{26}UThera esephile iminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa (70) wazala u-Abhrama, uNahori loHarani.


\par }{\SH Imuli Ka-Abhrama
\par }
{\PP \VS{27}Lo ngumlando wosendo lukaThera.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP UThera wazala u-Abhrama, uNahori loHarani. Kwathi uHarani wazala uLothi.

\VS{28}Kwathi uyise uThera esaphila uHarani wafa bese-Uri idolobho lamaKhaladiya, elizweni lokuzalwa kwakhe.

\VS{29}U-Abhrama loNahori bathatha bobabili. Ibizo lomka-Abhrama lalinguSarayi, kwathi ibizo likamkaNahori linguMilikha; wayeyindodakazi kaHarani uyise kaMilikha kanye lo-Isikha.

\VS{30}Kodwa uSarayi wayeyinyumba; wayengelabantwana.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UThera wathatha indodana yakhe u-Abhrama, lomzukulu wakhe uLothi indodana kaHarani, lomalokazana wakhe uSarayi umfazi wendodana yakhe u-Abhrama, basuka bonke e-Uri lamaKhaladiya baqonda eKhenani. Kodwa bafika eHarani basebesakha khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}UThera waphila okweminyaka engamakhulu amabili lanhlanu (205), wafela eHarani.




\par }\Chap{12}{\SH Ukubizwa Kuka-Abhrama
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi ku-Abhrama, “Suka elizweni lakini, lebantwini bakini lasendlini kayihlo uye elizweni engizakutshengisa lona.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Ngizakwenza ube yisizwe esikhulu

\par }{\QB njalo ngizakubusisa;

\par }{\Q ngizakwenza ibizo lakho libe likhulu,

\par }{\QB njalo uzakuba yisibusiso.


\par }{\Q \VS{3}Ngizababusisa labo abakubusisayo,

\par }{\QB lalowo okuqalekisayo ngizamqalekisa;

\par }{\QB njalo bonke abantu emhlabeni bazakubusiswa ngawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho u-Abhrama wasuka, njengokutshelwa kwakhe
{\ND{nguThixo}}; njalo uLothi wahamba laye. U-Abhrama wayeleminyaka engamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanu ekusukeni kwakhe eHarani.

\VS{5}Wathatha umkakhe uSarayi, lomntanomfowabo uLothi, lempahla yabo yonke ababeyizuzile kanye labantu ababebatholile eHarani, baqonda elizweni laseKhenani, bayafika khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Abhrama wahamba walidabula ilizwe waze wafika endaweni yesihlahla esikhulu saseMore eShekhemu. Ngalesosikhathi amaKhenani ayephakathi kwelizwe.

\VS{7}{\ND{UThixo}} wabonakala ku-Abhrama wathi, “Lelilizwe ngizalinika inzalo yakho.” Ngakho wasesakha i-alithari khonapho elakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} owayebonakele kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Esuka lapho waqonda ezintabeni empumalanga kweBhetheli wamisa ithente lakhe, iBhetheli isentshonalanga le-Ayi isempumalanga. Khonapho wakhela
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari walidumisa ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}U-Abhrama wasuka waqhubeka eqonda eNegebi.


\par }{\SH U-Abhrama EseGibhithe
\par }
{\PP \VS{10}Kwasekusiba lendlala elizweni, okwenza u-Abhrama waya eGibhithe ukuyahlala khona okwesikhathi esithile ngoba indlala yayinkulu kakhulu.

\VS{11}Kwathi esebanga ukungena eGibhithe wathi kumkakhe uSarayi, “Ngiyazi ukuthi ungumfazi omuhle kakhulu.

\VS{12}AmaGibhithe azakuthi ekubona athi, ‘Lo ngumkakhe.’ Lapho-ke bazangibulala wena bakuyekele uphile.

\VS{13}Ubokuthi ungudadewethu, ukuze ngiphathwe kuhle ngenxa yakho njalo lempilo yami isinde ngenxa yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Kwathi u-Abhrama efika eGibhithe, amaGibhithe abona umkakhe ukuthi wayengumfazi omuhle kakhulu.

\VS{15}Izikhulu zikaFaro sezimbonile zamncoma kakhulu kuFaro, uSarayi wasengeniswa esigodlweni sakhe.

\VS{16}Wamphatha kuhle u-Abhrama ngenxa kaSarayi, ngakho u-Abhrama wazuza izimvu lenkomo, obabhemi abaduna labasikazi, izinceku zesilisa lezesifazane lamakamela.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kodwa
{\ND{uThixo}} wehlisela uFaro lendlu yakhe izifo ezimbi ngenxa kaSarayi umka-Abhrama.

\VS{18}Ngakho uFaro wabiza u-Abhrama wathi, “Wenzeni kimi? Kungani ungangitshelanga ukuthi ungumkakho na?

\VS{19}Watsholoni ukuthi ungudadewenu, ngacina sengizithathele mina waba ngowami? Manje, nangu umkakho. Mthathe uhambe!”

\VS{20}UFaro waselaya ukuthi u-Abhrama lamadoda ayelawo basuswe elizweni, kanye lomkakhe lakho konke ayelakho.




\par }\Chap{13}{\SH U-Abhrama LoLothi Bayehlukana
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngakho u-Abhrama wasuka eGibhithe waya eNegebi, kanye lomkakhe lakho konke ayelakho, loLothi ehamba laye.

\VS{2}U-Abhrama wayesenothile kakhulu ngezifuyo langesiliva legolide.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Esuka eNegebi wazula lapha lalapha waze wafika eBhetheli, endaweni eyayiphakathi kweBhetheli le-Ayi lapho ayemise khona ithente lakhe kuqala

\VS{4}njalo lapho ayeqale khona ukwakha i-alithari. Khonapho u-Abhrama wadumisa ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}ULothi wayehamba lo-Abhrama, laye wayelemihlambi yezimvu lenkomo lamathente.

\VS{6}Kodwa indawo yayingasoze ibenele bonke nxa babengahlala ndawonye, ngoba impahla yabo yayinengi kakhulu, isala ukuthi bahlale ndawonye.

\VS{7}Kwaba lokuxabana phakathi kwabelusi baka-Abhrama labelusi bakaLothi. AmaKhenani lamaPherizi lawo ayehlala kulelolizwe ngalesosikhathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Abhrama wasesithi kuLothi, “Kasingalwi mina lawe, kumbe abelusi bakho labami ngoba siyizinini zegazi.

\VS{9}Umhlaba wonke kawukho phambi kwakho na? Kasehlukane. Ungaya kwesokhohlo mina ngizakuya kwesokunene; ungaya kwesokunene mina ngizakuya kwesokhohlo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}ULothi wakhangela wabona ukuthi lonke igceke laseJodani lalilamanzi amanengi, njengesivande
{\ND{sikaThixo}}, njengelizwe laseGibhithe kusiya eZowari. (Ngalesisikhathi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayengakabhubhisi iSodoma leGomora.)

\VS{11}Ngakho uLothi wazikhethela lonke igceke laseJodani, wasesuka waya empumalanga. Amadoda la womabili ehlukana:

\VS{12}U-Abhrama wahlala elizweni laseKhenani, kwathi uLothi wahlala phakathi kwamadolobho asemagcekeni wamisa amathente akhe eduze leSodoma.

\VS{13}Abantu baseSodoma babexhwalile kakhulu, besenza izono ezinkulu
{\ND{kuThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi ku-Abhrama ngemva kokuba uLothi esesukile kuye, “Phakamisa amehlo akho asuke lapho okhona, ukhangele enhla leningizimu, empumalanga lentshonalanga.

\VS{15}Lonke ilizwe olibonayo ngizalinika wena kanye lesizukulwane sakho okulaphakade.

\VS{16}Ngizakwenza isizukulwane sakho sibe njengothuli lomhlabathi, okokuthi nxa ekhona ongabala uthuli, lesizukulwane sakho sibe lokubalwa.

\VS{17}Hamba udabule ubude lobubanzi belizwe, ngoba ngiyakupha lona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngakho u-Abhrama wathutha amathente akhe wahamba wayakwakha eduze kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamure eHebhroni, lapho akhela khona
{\ND{uThixo}} i-alithari.




\par }\Chap{14}{\SH U-Abhrama Uhlenga ULothi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngesikhathi u-Amrafeli inkosi yaseShinari, lo-Ariyoki inkosi yase-Elasari, loKhedolawoma inkosi yase-Elamu kanye loThidali inkosi yaseGoyimi

\VS{2}baya empini behlasela uBhera inkosi yaseSodoma, loBhirisha inkosi yaseGomora, loShinabhi inkosi yase-Adima, loShemebheri inkosi yaseZebhoyimi lenkosi yaseBhela (kutsho iZowari).

\VS{3}Wonke amakhosi la abikwe muva ahlanganyela eSigodini saseSidimu (uLwandle lweTswayi).

\VS{4}Okweminyaka elitshumi lambili ayebuswa nguKhedolawoma, kodwa ngomnyaka wetshumi lantathu amvukela.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Ngomnyaka wetshumi lane, uKhedolawoma lamakhosi ayemanyene laye baphuma bayanqoba amaRefayi e-Ashitherothi Khanayimi, lamaZuzi eHamu, lama-Emi eShave Khiriyathayimi

\VS{6}lamaHori elizweni lamaqaqa laseSeyiri, kwaze kwayafika e-Eli Pharani eduze lenkangala.

\VS{7}Yikho basebephenduka baya e-Eni Mishiphathi (kutsho eKhadeshi), banqoba isigodi sonke sama-Amaleki kanye lama-Amori ayehlala eHazazoni Thamari.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngakho inkosi yaseSodoma, lenkosi yaseGomora, lenkosi yase-Adima, lenkosi yaseZebhoyimi kanye lenkosi yaseBhela (kutsho iZowari) baphuma bayahlela izimpi zabo eSigodini saseSidimi

\VS{9}baqondana loKhedolawoma inkosi yase-Elamu, loThidali inkosi yaseGoyimi, lo-Amrafeli inkosi yaseShinari kanye lo-Ariyoki inkosi yase-Elasari, amakhosi amane eqondene lamahlanu.

\VS{10}Ngalesosikhathi iSigodi saseSidimi sasigcwele imigodi yengcino, ngakho kwathi amakhosi aseSodoma leGomora, esebaleka, abanye abantu bawo bawela kuyo, abanengi babalekela ezintabeni.

\VS{11}Amakhosi la amane athumba zonke impahla zaseSodoma leGomora lokudla kwabo konke; asehamba.

\VS{12}Bathumba njalo loLothi umntanomfowabo ka-Abhrama lempahla zakhe, njengoba wayehlala eSodoma.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Omunye owayephunyukile wafika wazabikela u-Abhrama umHebheru. U-Abhrama wayehlala phansi kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamure umʼAmori, umfowabo ka-Eshikholi lo-Aneri, bonke labo babebambene lo-Abhrama.

\VS{14}Kwathi u-Abhrama esizwa ukuthi isihlobo sakhe sasithunjiwe, wabutha amadoda ayengamakhulu amathathu letshumi layisificaminwembili (318) ababefundiswe ukulwa, bezalwa endlini yakhe, wangena emzileni baze bayafika eDani.

\VS{15}Ebusuku u-Abhrama wehlukanisa abantu bakhe ukuthi babahlasele, wabalandela, waxotshana labo waze wafika eHobha, enhla kweDamaseko.

\VS{16}Wabemuka zonke impahla wathola lomhlobo wakhe uLothi kanye lemfuyo yakhe, ndawonye labesifazane labanye abantu.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Abhrama esebuyile ekunqobeni kwakhe uKhedolawoma lamakhosi ayebambene laye, inkosi yaseSodoma yaphuma yazahlangana laye eSigodini saseShave (okutsho iSigodi seNkosi).


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UMelikhizedekhi inkosi yaseSalema, waseletha isinkwa lewayini. Wayengumphristi kaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,

\VS{19}wabusisa u-Abhrama esithi,

\par }{\Q “Ubusisiwe u-Abhrama nguNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,

\par }{\QB uMdali wezulu lomhlaba.


\par }{\Q \VS{20}Njalo kadunyiswe uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,

\par }{\QB owanikela izitha zakho esandleni sakho.”

\par }{\MM U-Abhrama wasemupha okwetshumi kwakho konke ayelakho.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Inkosi yaseSodoma yathi ku-Abhrama, “Ngipha abantu wena uzigcinele impahla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Kodwa u-Abhrama wathi enkosini yaseSodoma, “Sengiphakamisele isandla sami
{\ND{kuThixo}}, uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, uMdali wezulu lomhlaba, ngenza isifungo

\VS{23}ukuthi kangisoze ngamukele lutho olungolwakho, loba kungaze kube ngumuca wohali loba umchilo wamanyathela, ukuze lanini ungaze wathi, ‘U-Abhrama wanothiswa yimi.’

\VS{24}Angisoze ngamukele lutho ngaphandle kwalokho abantu bami asebekudlile lesabelo esingesalabobantu ababehamba lami, u-Aneri, lo-Eshikholi loMamure. Kabazuze isabelo sabo.”




\par }\Chap{15}{\SH Isivumelwano
{\ND{sikaThixo}} Lo-Abhrama
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngemva kwalokho ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} leza ku-Abhrama ngombono:

\par }{\Q “Ungesabi, Abhrama.

\par }{\QB Ngiyisihlangu sakho,

\par }{\QB umvuzo wakho omkhulu kakhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Kodwa u-Abhrama wathi, “Oh
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, ungangiphani njengoba ngilokhu ngingelamntwana, ilifa lami lizadliwa ngu-Eliyezari waseDamaseko na?”

\VS{3}U-Abhrama wathi njalo, “Awungiphanga bantwana; ngakho inceku endlini yami izakuba yindlalifa yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ilizwi
{\ND{likaThixo}} lafika kuye lathi: “Umuntu lo kayikuba yindlalifa yakho, kodwa indodana ephuma kowakho umzimba izakuba yindlalifa yakho.”

\VS{5}Wamkhuphela phandle wathi, “Khangela emkhathini ubale izinkanyezi, nxa usenelisa ukuzibala.” Wasesithi kuye, “Sizakuba njalo isizukulwane sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Abhrama wamkholwa
{\ND{uThixo}}, lokho kwabalwa kuye njengokulunga.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Waphinda wathi kuye, “{\ND{NginguThixo}} owakususa e-Uri lamaKhaladiya ukuzakupha lelilizwe ukuthi libe ngelakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kodwa u-Abhrama wathi, “Oh
{\ND{Thixo}} Wobukhosi, ngingazi kanjani ukuthi lizakuba ngelami na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi kuye, “Ngilethela ithokazi, imbuzi, lenqama, konke kuleminyaka emithathu yokuzalwa, kanye lejuba lenkwilimba esesencinyane.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}U-Abhrama wakuletha konke lokhu kuye, yilokho wakudabula phakathi ngakunye wakuhlela izingxenye zakho zakhangelana; kodwa izinyoni kazidabulanga phakathi.

\VS{11}Izinyoni ezidla inyama zehlela ezidunjini, kodwa u-Abhrama wazixotsha.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Kwathi ilanga selitshona, u-Abhrama wathathwa yibuthongo obukhulu, wehlelwa yibumnyama obesabekayo.

\VS{13}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuye, “Yazi ngempela ukuthi Izizukulwane zakho zizakuba ngabezizweni elizweni elingayisilo labo okweminyaka engamakhulu amane, njalo bazagqilazwa, bahlukuluzwe khonale.

\VS{14}Kodwa ngizasijezisa lesosizwe esibagqilazayo, kuthi emva kwesikhathi baphume belemfuyo enengi kakhulu.

\VS{15}Kodwa wena, uzakuya kubokhokho bakho ngokuthula, ungcwatshwe usukhulile kakhulu.

\VS{16}Isizukulwane sakho sesine sizabuya lapha, ngoba isono sama-Amori kasikafiki ekucineni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi ilanga selitshonile, ubumnyama sebufikile, kwavela imbawula yomlilo, ithunqa intuthu, ilelangabi elibhebhayo, yadabula phakathi kweziqa zenyama.

\VS{18}Ngalelolanga
{\ND{uThixo}} wenza isivumelwano lo-Abhrama wathi, “Ilizwe leli ngilipha izizukulwane zakho, kusukela emfuleni waseGibhithe kusiyafika emfuleni omkhulu, iYufrathe,

\VS{19}ilizwe lamaKheni, lamaKhenizi, lamaKhadimoni,

\VS{20}lamaHithi, lamaPherizi, lamaRefayi,

\VS{21}lama-Amori, lamaKhenani, lamaGigashi kanye lamaJebusi.”




\par }\Chap{16}{\SH UHagari Lo-Ishumayeli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USarayi umka-Abhrama wayengamzalelanga bantwana. Kodwa wayelencekukazi yomGibhithe eyayithiwa nguHagari;

\VS{2}ngakho uSarayi wathi ku-Abhrama, “{\ND{UThixo}} ungincitshile abantwana. Hamba, wembathe lencekukazi yami; mhlawumbe lami ngingaba lendlu ngaye.”

\par }{\PP U-Abhrama wavuma kulokho okwakutshiwo nguSarayi.

\VS{3}Ngakho kwathi u-Abhrama esehlale eKhenani okweminyaka elitshumi, uSarayi umkakhe wathatha incekukazi yakhe yomGibhithe uHagari wamupha indoda yakhe ukuba ngumkayo.

\VS{4}U-Abhrama wambatha loHagari, wazithwala.

\par }{\PP Wathi esezibona esezithwele, waseqalisa ukweyisa inkosikazi yakhe.

\VS{5}USarayi wasesithi ku-Abhrama, “Ngumlandu wakho ukuze ngihlupheke kangaka. Incekukazi yami ngayethula ezandleni zakho, kodwa ithi ngoba isisazi ukuthi isizithwele isingeyisa. Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angahlulela phakathi kwami lawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Abhrama wathi, “Incekukazi yakho isezandleni zakho. Yenza lokho obona kufanele ngayo.” USarayi wasemphatha kubi uHagari; wacina embalekela.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yamfumana uHagari eduze komthombo enkangala; kwakungumthombo oseceleni kwendlela eya eShuri.

\VS{8}Yathi, “Hagari, ncekukazi kaSarayi, uvela ngaphi njalo uya ngaphi?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngibalekela inkosikazi yami, uSarayi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Ngakho ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yamtshela yathi, “Buyela enkosikazini yakho ufike uyilalele.”

\VS{10}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yengeza yathi, “Ngizakwandisa izizukulwane zakho zibe zinengi okungelakubalwa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yaphinda yathi kuye:

\par }{\Q “Khathesi usuzithwele

\par }{\QB njalo uzabusiswa ngendodana.

\par }{\Q Kumele uyethe uthi ngu-Ishumayeli,

\par }{\QB ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} usekuzwile ukukhala kwakho.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Uzakuba yindoda engubabhemi weganga;

\par }{\QB isandla sakhe sizaxabana labantu bonke

\par }{\QB lesandla somuntu wonke sixabane laye,

\par }{\Q njalo uzaphila ngenzondano

\par }{\QB labafowabo bonke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}{\ND{UThixo}} owakhuluma laye wamutha lelibizo elithi: “UnguNkulunkulu ongibonayo,” ngoba wathi, “Manje sengimbonile lowo ongibonayo.”

\VS{14}Yikho-nje umthombo lowo wabizwa ngokuthi yiBheri-Lahayi-Royi; ulokhu usekhona, phakathi kweKhadeshi leBheredi.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho uHagari wazalela u-Abhrama indodana, u-Abhrama wamutha ibizo lokuthi ngu-Ishumayeli.

\VS{16}U-Abhrama wayeleminyaka yokuzalwa engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili lesithupha lapho uHagari emzalela u-Ishumayeli.




\par }\Chap{17}{\SH Isivumelwano Sokusoka
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Abhrama eseleminyaka engamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lasificamunwemunye yobudala,
{\ND{uThixo}} wabonakala kuye wathi, “NginguNkulunkulu uSomandla; hamba ngokwethembeka phambi kwami, ungasoleki.

\VS{2}Ngizasiqinisa isivumelwano phakathi kwami lawe, ngandise njalo ubunengi benu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}U-Abhrama wawa wathi mbo phansi ngobuso, uNkulunkulu wathi kuye,

\VS{4}“Mina ngokwami ngithi lesi yisivumelwano sami lawe: uzakuba nguyise wezizwe ezinengi.

\VS{5}Kawusayi kubizwa ngokuthi Abhrama; ibizo lakho selizakuba ngu-Abhrahama, ngoba sengikwenze uyise wezizwe ezinengi.

\VS{6}Ngizakwenza uzuze inzalo enengi; ngizakwenza izizwe ngawe, njalo amakhosi azaphuma kuwe.

\VS{7}Ngizaqinisa isivumelwano sami sibe yisivumelwano sanini lanini phakathi kwami lawe kanye lezizukulwane ezizayo ukuba nguNkulunkulu wakho, loNkulunkulu wezizukulwane zakho ngemva kwakho.

\VS{8}Ilizwe lonke laseKhenani, okwamanje ohlala njengowezizwe kulo, ngizakupha libe yilifa laphakade kuwe lezizukulwane zakho ngemva kwakho; njalo ngizakuba nguNkulunkulu wabo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UNkulunkulu wasesithi ku-Abhrahama, “Wena kumele ugcine isivumelwano sami, wena lezizukulwane zakho ezizayo.

\VS{10}Lesi yisivumelwano sami lawe lezizukulwane ezizayo, isivumelwano okumele usigcine: Wonke umuntu wesilisa phakathi kwenu kuzamele asokwe.

\VS{11}Wena kumele usokwe, lokho kuzakuba yisiboniso sesivumelwano phakathi kwami lawe.

\VS{12}Kuzizukulwane ezizayo umuntu wonke wesilisa ophakathi kwenu oselezinsuku eziyisificaminwembili kumele asokwe, kusitsho lalabo abazalwa emzini wakho loba abathengwa ngemali emuntwini wezizwe, labo abangazalwa nguwe.

\VS{13}Loba abazalwa emzini wakho kumbe abathengwa ngemali, kumele basokwe. Isivumelwano sami enyameni yakho sizakuba yisivumelwano esingapheliyo.

\VS{14}Lowo owesilisa ongasokwanga, ongazange ake asokwe enyameni uzakhalalwa ngabantu bakibo; usephule isivumelwano sami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UNkulunkulu waphinda njalo wathi ku-Abhrahama, “Umkakho uSarayi, ungabe usambiza ngokuthi nguSarayi; ibizo lakhe selinguSara.

\VS{16}Ngizambusisa, njalo ngizakunika indodana ngaye. Ngizambusisa ukuze abe ngunina wezizwe; amakhosi ezizwe azavela kuye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Abhrahama wawa wathi mbo ngobuso phansi; wahleka wazitshela wathi, “Kambe indodana ingazalwa ngumuntu oseleminyaka elikhulu na? USara angamzala umntwana yena eseleminyaka engamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye na?”

\VS{18}Ngakho u-Abhrahama wasesithi kuNkulunkulu, “Nxa u-Ishumayeli engaphila ngaphansi kwesibusiso sakho kuphela!”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Yebo, uSara uzakuzalela indodana, wena uyibize ngokuthi ngu-Isaka. Ngizaqinisa isivumelwano sami laye sibe yisivumelwano esingapheliyo lezizukulwane eziza ngemva kwakhe.

\VS{20}Mayelana lo-Ishumayeli, ngizwile okutshiloyo: ngeqiniso ngizambusisa; ngizamnika inzalo enkulu, ngandise ubunengi bayo. Uzakuba nguyise wababusi abalitshumi lambili, ngimenze abe yisizwe esikhulu.

\VS{21}Kodwa isivumelwano sami ngizasiqinisa lo-Isaka, ozamzalelwa nguSara ngalesisikhathi ngomnyaka ozayo.”

\VS{22}Eseqedile ukukhuluma lo-Abhrahama, uNkulunkulu wenyuka wamtshiya.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngalelolanga u-Abhrahama wathatha indodana yakhe u-Ishumayeli labo bonke abazalelwa emzini wakhe loba abathengwayo ngemali yakhe wabasoka, njengoba uNkulunkulu wayemtshelile.

\VS{24}U-Abhrahama wayeleminyaka yokuzalwa engamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lasificamunwemunye mhla esokwa,

\VS{25}indodana yakhe u-Ishumayeli yayileminyaka yokuzalwa elitshumi lantathu;

\VS{26}u-Abhrahama lendodana yakhe u-Ishumayeli bobabili basokwa mhlalokho ngalanga linye.

\VS{27}Njalo bonke abesilisa ababesemzini ka-Abhrahama, kugoqela labo abazalelwa khonapho ekhaya labathengwa kwabezizwe, basokwa kanye laye.




\par }\Chap{18}{\SH Izethekeli Ezintathu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ND{UThixo}} wabonakala ku-Abhrahama eduzane lezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamure, ehlezi emnyango wethente lakhe, ilanga litshisa kakhulu.

\VS{2}U-Abhrahama waphosa amehlo wabona amadoda amathathu emi eduze. Wonela ukuwabona wasuka ngokuphangisa emnyango wethente lakhe wawahlangabeza wafika wakhothama phansi.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Wathi, “Nxa ngifumene umusa kuwe, nkosi yami, ungedluli eceleni kwenceku yakho.

\VS{4}Akulethwe amanzi amalutshwana nje, ukuze lonke ligeze inyawo zenu, keliphumule ngaphansi kwesihlahla lesi.

\VS{5}Wothini ngilidingele ukudla ukuze lizuze amandla andubana liqhubeke ngohambo lwenu njengoba nje selizile encekwini yenu.”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Kulungile, yenza lokho okutshoyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho u-Abhrahama waphanga waya ethenteni kuSara. Wathi, “Phangisa, thatha izilinganiso ezintathu zefulawa ecolekileyo, uvube inhlama wenze isinkwa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Waphanga waya emhlambini wakhetha iguqana elihle, elibuthakathaka walipha isisebenzi ukuba silihlinze.

\VS{8}Waseletha izankefu zamasi, lochago kanye leguqa elaselilungisiwe, konke wakubeka phambi kwabo. Bathi besidla yena wema eduzane labo ngaphansi kwesihlahla.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Bambuza bathi, “Ungaphi umkakho uSara na?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ulaphayana, ethenteni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi, “Ngizabuya ngempela kuwe ngalesisikhathi ngomnyaka ozayo, njalo umkakho uSara uzakuba lendodana.”

\par }{\PP USara wayelokhu elalele esemnyango wethente elalingemuva kwakhe.

\VS{11}U-Abhrahama loSara basebevele sebebadala kakhulu, uSara esedlule isikhathi sokuba labantwana.

\VS{12}Ngakho uSara wahleka yedwa, wakhumbula wathi, “Kambe sengigugile kanje lenkosi yami isindala, ngingakhona ngizuza intokozo le?”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi ku-Abhrahama, “Kungani uSara ehlekile njalo wathi, ‘Kambe sibili ngizakuba lomntwana mina sengiluphele?’

\VS{14}Kambe kulolutho olwehlula
{\ND{uThixo}} na? Ngizabuya kuwe ngesikhathi esimisiweyo ngomnyaka ozayo, njalo uSara uzakuba lendodana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}USara wesaba, yikho waqamba amanga wathi, “Kangizange ngihleke mina.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa wathi, “Ye, uhlekile.”


\par }{\SH U-Abhrahama Uncengela ISodoma
\par }
{\PP \VS{16}Amadoda asuka ahamba aqonda eSodoma, u-Abhrahama wawaphelekezela ukuwakhupha.

\VS{17}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi, “Ngimfihlele yini u-Abhrahama lokho esengizakwenza na?

\VS{18}Ngempela u-Abhrahama uzakuba yisizwe esikhulu esilamandla, njalo zonke izizwe zomhlaba zizabusiswa ngaye.

\VS{19}Ngoba sengimkhethile, ukuze aqondise abantwabakhe lomuzi wakhe, yena esedlule, ukugcina indlela
{\ND{kaThixo}} ngokwenza okulungileyo lokuqondileyo, ukuze
{\ND{uThixo}} amenzele u-Abhrahama lokho amthembise khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuye, “Insolo ngeSodoma leGomora inkulu kakhulu njalo isono sakhona siyesabeka

\VS{21}okokuthi sengizakuya khona ngiyebona ingabe lokho abakwenzileyo kubi okulingana lensolo le esifikile kimi. Nxa kungenjalo, ngizakwazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Amadoda akhangela phambili aqonda eSodoma, kodwa u-Abhrahama wasala emi phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.

\VS{23}Ngakho u-Abhrahama waya kuye wathi: “Uzabhubhisa abalungileyo kanye lababi na?

\VS{24}Pho nxa kukhona abangamatshumi amahlanu kulelodolobho ke? Ngempela uzalikhucula na ungalixoleli ngenxa yabangamatshumi amahlanu abalungileyo abakulo na?

\VS{25}Akube khatshana lawe ukwenza into enjalo, ukubulala abalungileyo lababi. Kakube khatshana lawe lokho! Kambe uMahluleli womhlaba wonke kayikwenza okufaneleyo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi, “Nxa ngifumana abangamatshumi amahlanu abalungileyo edolobheni laseSodoma, ngizalixolela lonke idolobho ngenxa yabo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}U-Abhrahama waphinda wakhuluma njalo wathi: “Njengoba sengibe lesibindi esingaka sokukhuluma loThixo, loba ngingasulutho mina, ngiluthuli nje lomlotha,

\VS{28}pho nxa inani labalungileyo lingaphansi ngabahlanu ematshumini amahlanu? Uzalibhubhisa idolobho lonke ngenxa yabantu abahlanu na?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngingafumana abangamatshumi amane lanhlanu kangiyikulibhubhisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Waphinda njalo wakhuluma laye wathi, “Nxa kufunyanwa amatshumi amane kuphela-ke?”

\par }{\PP Yena wathi, “Ngenxa yabangamatshumi amane kangizukukwenza.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Ngakho wasesithi, “UThixo makangathukutheli, kodwa ake ngikhulume. Kungafunyanwa khona amatshumi amathathu ke?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Kangizukukwenza ngingafumana khona amatshumi amathathu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}U-Abhrahama wathi, “Kambe njengoba ngibe lesibindi esingaka ngaze ngakhuluma loThixo, pho nxa kufunyanwa abangamatshumi amabili khona kuphela-ke?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngenxa yabangamatshumi amabili kangiyikulibhubhisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Waphinda wathi, “UThixo angathukutheli, kodwa ake ngikhulume kanye kuphela njalo. Kambe nxa kungafunyanwa itshumi lodwa-ke?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngenxa yabalitshumi kangiyikulibhubhisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Kwathi
{\ND{uThixo}} eseqedile ukukhuluma lo-Abhrahama wasuka, lo-Abhrahama wabuyela ngekhaya.




\par }\Chap{19}{\SH Ukubhujiswa KweSodoma LeGomora
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Izingilosi zombili zafika eSodoma kusihlwa, uLothi ehlezi esangweni ledolobho. Wathi ezibona wasukuma wazihlangabeza wathi mbo phansi ngobuso.

\VS{2}Wathi, “Makhosi ami, ake liphambukele endlini yenceku yenu. Lingageza inyawo zenu, lilale khona andubana liqhubeke ngendlela yenu ekuseni.”

\par }{\PP Zaphendula zathi, “Hatshi, sizalala egcekeni phandle.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa waphikelela kakhulukazi zaze zahamba laye zangena endlini yakhe. Wazilungisela ukudla, wazenzela isinkwa esingelamvubelo, zadla.

\VS{4}Zingakayilala, amadoda aqhamuka kuzozonke izindawo zedolobho laseSodoma, amajaha lamaxhegu, ayihanqa indlu.

\VS{5}Amemeza uLothi athi, “Angaphi amadoda afike emzini wakho lamuhla kusihlwa? Akhuphe eze lapha ngoba sifuna ukulala lawo siwenze abafazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}ULothi waphuma wayakhuluma lawo wavala umnyango ngemva kwakhe,

\VS{7}wathi, “Hatshi, bazalwane. Lingenzi linto embi kangaka.

\VS{8}Khangelani, ngilamadodakazi amabili angakaze alale lendoda. Wothini ngiwalethe lapha kini lenze elikuthandayo ngawo. Kodwa lingenzi lutho emadodeni ngoba angaphansi komthunzi wophahla lwami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Aphendula athi, “Suka endleleni yethu.” Babuye bathi, “Umuntu lo weza lapha njengowezizwe, kodwa khathesi usefuna ukuba ngumahluleli! Wena-ke sizakuthwalisa nzima kulawo.” Babelokhu beminyezela uLothi, bafuqela phambili bezama ukwephula isivalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Kodwa amadoda lawo ayephakathi avula adonsela uLothi endlini avala isivalo.

\VS{11}Asewatshaya ngobuphofu amadoda ayesemnyango wendlu leyo, amajaha lamaxhegu, asesehluleka ukubona umnyango.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Amadoda lawo amabili athi kuLothi, “Bakhona yini abanye olabo lapha abakhwenyana, amadodana kumbe amadodakazi, loba nje omunye edolobheni leli ongowakho? Bakhuphe lapha,

\VS{13}ngoba sizayibhubhisa indawo le. Insolo efika
{\ND{kuThixo}} ngalababantu inkulu kabi okokuthi useze wasithuma ukuthi silibhubhise.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngakho uLothi waphuma wayakhuluma labakhwenyana bakhe, labo abasebethembise ukulobola amadodakazi akhe. Wathi, “Phangisani, phumani kulindawo, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} usezalibhubhisa idolobho leli!” Kodwa abakhwenyana bakhe bacabanga ukuthi wenza amahlaya.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kwathi emathathakusa izingilosi zakhuthaza uLothi zathi, “Phangisa! Thatha umkakho lamadodakazi akho womabili akhona lapha, ngoba lizaqabuka likhukhulwa nxa idolobho selijeziswa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Wathi esatomatoma, amadoda ambamba ngesandla kanye lesandla somkakhe lezamadodakazi akhe womabili abaholela ngaphandle kwedolobho bephephile, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelomusa kubo.

\VS{17}Bonela ukuthi bakhutshwe, omunye wazo wathi, “Balekani liqinise! Lingakhangeli emuva, njalo lingemi ndawo emagcekeni! Balekelani ezintabeni funa likhukhulwe!”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kodwa uLothi wathi kuzo, “Hatshi, makhosi ami, bakithi!

\VS{19}Inceku yenu isizuze umusa emehlweni enu, njalo selitshengise umusa omkhulu kimi ngokuphephisa impilo yami. Kodwa ngingeke ngibalekele ezintabeni; ububi lobu buzangifica ngihle ngife.

\VS{20}Khangelani, nanku umuzi oseduze engingabalekela kuwo, njalo mncinyane, wothini ngibalekele kuwo, mncinyane, kawunjalo? Lapho ngizasinda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Yathi kuye, “Kulungile, ngiyasamukela njalo lalesisicelo; kangizukuwubhidliza umuzi okhuluma ngawo.

\VS{22}Kodwa balekela khona masinyane, ngoba kangiyikwenza lutho uze ufike khona.” (Yikho umuzi lowo wabizwa ngokuthi yiZowari.)


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngesikhathi uLothi efika eZowari ilanga laseliphumile elizweni.

\VS{24}{\ND{UThixo}} wasenisa umlilo wesolufa etshisayo phezu kweSodoma leGomora, uvela
{\ND{kuThixo}} usehla emazulwini.

\VS{25}Kanjalo wawabhidliza amadolobho lamagceke wonke, labo bonke ababehlala kuwo amadolobho kanye lokumila emhlabathini.

\VS{26}Kodwa umkaLothi wakhangela emuva, waphenduka isiduli setswayi.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Ekuseni kakhulu ngosuku olulandelayo u-Abhrahama wasuka wabuyela endaweni lapho ayeme phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} khona.

\VS{28}Wakhangela malungana leSodoma leGomora, malungana lalo lonke ilizwe lamagceke, wabona izikhatha zentuthu ziqonga zisuka phansi, njengomlilo usuka esithandweni somlilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Ngakho kwathi uNkulunkulu ebhubhisa amadolobho asemagcekeni wakhumbula u-Abhrahama, wamkhupha uLothi enkemenkemeni eyatshabalalisa amadolobho lapho uLothi ayekade ehlala khona.


\par }{\SH ULothi Lamadodakazi Akhe
\par }
{\PP \VS{30}ULothi lamadodakazi akhe womabili basuka eZowari bayahlala ezintabeni, ngoba wayesesaba ukuhlala eZowari. Yena lamadodakazi akhe womabili babehlala ebhalwini.

\VS{31}Ngolunye usuku indodakazi endala yathi kwencinyane, “Ubaba useluphele, njalo kakulandoda lapha engalala lathi, njengoba kungumkhuba emhlabeni wonke.

\VS{32}Kasidakise ubaba ngewayini besesilala laye ukuze silombe usendo lwakwethu ngobaba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngalobobusuku uyise bamnathisa iwayini, indodakazi endala yangena yembatha laye. Yena kayibonanga izolala loba isivuka.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Ngosuku olulandelayo indodakazi endala yathi kwencinyane, “Izolo ebusuku ngembathe lobaba. Kasimdakise futhi ngewayini ngobusuku balamuhla lawe uhambe uyokwembatha laye ukuze silondoloze usendo lwakithi ngobaba.”

\VS{35}Bamdakisa-ke uyise ngewayini ngalobobusuku njalo, indodakazi encinyane yahamba yayakwembatha laye. Njalo kazange ananzelele ukuthi walala nini lokuthi wavuka nini.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Ngakho womabili amadodakazi kaLothi athatha izisu kuyise.

\VS{37}Indodakazi endala yazala indodana yamutha ibizo yathi nguMowabi: nguye uyise wamaMowabi alamuhla nje.

\VS{38}Indodakazi encinyane layo yazala indodana, yayitha yathi nguBheni-Ami; nguye uyise wama-Amoni alamuhla nje.




\par }\Chap{20}{\SH U-Abhrahama Lo-Abhimelekhi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Abhrahama wathutha kuleyondawo waya emangweni waseNegebi wayahlala phakathi kweKhadeshi leShuri. Okwesikhatshana wake wahlala eGerari,

\VS{2}lapho u-Abhrahama athi khona ngomkakhe uSara, “Ngudadewethu.” Ngakho u-Abhimelekhi inkosi yaseGerari yathi uSara kalethwe, yazithathela.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa uNkulunkulu wafika ku-Abhimelekhi ephutsheni ebusuku wathi kuye, “Usufile wena ngenxa yomfazi omthetheyo; ngumfazi womnikazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa u-Abhimelekhi wayelokhu engakamthinti, ngakho wathi, “Thixo, uzasibhubhisa isizwe esimsulwa na?

\VS{5}Katshongo kimi yini wathi, ‘Ngudadewethu,’ laye katshongo na wathi, ‘Ungumnewethu?’ Lokhu ngikwenze ngenhliziyo emsulwa langezandla ezimhlophe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngalokho uNkulunkulu wasesithi kuye ephutsheni, “Yebo, ngiyakwazi ukuthi lokhu ukwenze ngenhliziyo emsulwa, yikho ngikuthintile ukuthi ungenzi isono kimi. Yikho ngingakuyekelanga wamthinta.

\VS{7}Manje mbuyisele umfazi womuntu, ngoba umuntu lowo ungumphrofethi, uzakukhulekela ukuthi uphile. Kodwa nxa ungambuyiseli, yazi ukuthi wena lakho konke okungokwakho kuzakufa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kusisa ngelanga elilandelayo ekuseni kakhulu, u-Abhimelekhi wabiza zonke izikhulu zakhe, kwathi esezitshelile konke okwenzakeleyo, zesaba kakhulu.

\VS{9}U-Abhimelekhi wasebiza u-Abhrahama wathi, “Ukwenzeleni lokhu kithi na? Ngikone ngani uze ulethe ukona okunje phezu kwami lombuso wami na? Wenze kimi izinto okungafanelanga zenziwe.”

\VS{10}U-Abhimelekhi wabuza u-Abhrahama wathi, “Besiyini isizatho sakho sokwenza lokhu na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}U-Abhrahama waphendula wathi, “Ngazitshela ngathi, ‘Ngempela kakukho ukumesaba uNkulunkulu kule indawo njalo bazangibulala ngenxa yomkami.’

\VS{12}Ngaphandle kwalokho, uvele ungudadewethu, indodakazi kababa kodwa engasuye kamama; waba ngumkami.

\VS{13}Kwathi uNkulunkulu esengisusile emzini kababa ngathi kuSara, ‘Nansi indlela ongatshengisa ngayo uthando lwakho kimi: Noma ngaphi lapho esiya khona, ubokuthi ngami, “Ungumnewethu.” ’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Abhimelekhi waseletha izimvu lenkomo, lezisebenzi zesilisa lezesifazane wazipha u-Abhrahama, wabuyisela uSara umkakhe kuye.

\VS{15}Njalo u-Abhimelekhi wathi, “Nanti ilizwe lami uyalibona; ungahlala lapho othanda khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Wathi kuSara, “Umnewenu ngimupha amashekeli esiliva ayinkulungwane. Le iyinhlawulo yehlazo elenziwe kuwe phambi kwabantu bonke bakini; usugeziwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}U-Abhrahama wasekhuleka kuNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu wamsilisa u-Abhimelekhi, lomkakhe lezigqili zakhe zesifazane ukuthi babelabantwana njalo,

\VS{18}ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayevale bonke abesifazane bendlu ka-Abhimelekhi inzalo ngenxa yomka-Abhrahama, uSara.




\par }\Chap{21}{\SH Ukuzalwa Kuka-Isaka
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} waba lomusa kuSara njengoba wayetshilo,
{\ND{uThixo}} wamenzela uSara lokho ayekuthembisile.

\VS{2}USara wazithwala wazalela u-Abhrahama ebudaleni bakhe indodana ngesikhathi sonaleso uNkulunkulu ayemthembise sona.

\VS{3}U-Abhrahama wayitha ibizo elithi Isaka leyondodana ayizalelwa nguSara.

\VS{4}Kwathi indodana yakhe u-Isaka isilensuku eziyisificaminwembili izelwe, u-Abhrahama wayisoka, njengoba walaywa nguNkulunkulu.

\VS{5}U-Abhrahama wayeseleminyaka elikhulu ekuzalweni kwendodana yakhe u-Isaka.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}USara wathi, “UNkulunkulu usengilethele intokozo, njalo bonke abazakuzwa lokhu bazathokoza lami.”

\VS{7}Wabuye wengeza wathi, “Kambe ngubani obengatsho ku-Abhrahama ukuthi uSara angondla abantwana? Kodwa sengimzalele indodana ebudaleni bakhe.”


\par }{\SH Ukuxotshwa KukaHagari Lo-Ishumayeli
\par }
{\PP \VS{8}Wakhula umntwana, walunyulwa, kwathi mhla u-Isaka elunyulwa u-Abhrahama wenza idili elikhulu.

\VS{9}Kodwa uSara wabona ukuthi indodana kaHagari umGibhithe, ayeyizalele u-Abhrahama yayikloloda,

\VS{10}wasesithi ku-Abhrahama, “Mxotshe umfazi lo oyisigqili kanye lendodana yakhe, ngoba indodana yesigqilikazi lesi kayisoze yabelana ilifa lendodana yami u-Isaka.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Indaba le yamhlupha kakhulu u-Abhrahama ngoba yayithintana lendodana yakhe.

\VS{12}Kodwa uNkulunkulu wathi kuye, “Ungakhathazeki kakhulu ngomfana kanye lesigqilikazi sakho. Lalela konke uSara akutshela khona ngoba isizukulwane sakho sizabalwa ngo-Isaka.

\VS{13}Indodana le eyesigqilikazi layo ngizayenza ibe yisizwe ngoba iyinzalo yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngosuku olulandelayo ekuseni kakhulu u-Abhrahama wathatha ukudla lesigxingi samanzi wakunika uHagari. Wakwetshata emahlombe kaHagari, wasebakhupha lomfana. Owesifazane wasuka wayantula enkangala yaseBherishebha.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Esephelile amanzi esigxingini, wabeka umntwana ngaphansi kwesixuku.

\VS{16}Yena wasuka wayahlala bucwadlana, okungaba libanga lokuphosa umtshoko, ngoba wacabanga wathi, “Ngeke ngibukele umfana esifa.” Kwathi ehlezi khonapho bucwala wakhala ebubula.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UNkulunkulu wamuzwa umfanyana ekhala, ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yasibiza uHagari isezulwini yathi kuye, “Kwenzenjani, Hagari? Ungesabi; uNkulunkulu usekuzwile ukukhala komfana elele khonaphayana.

\VS{18}Mphakamise umfana umbambe ngesandla, ngoba ngizamenza abe yisizwe esikhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UNkulunkulu wasemvula amehlo, wabona umthombo wamanzi. Ngakho wasesiyagcwalisa umgodla ngamanzi wapha umfana wanatha.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}UNkulunkulu wayelaye umfana ekhula. Wahlala enkangala waba ngumcibi womtshoko.

\VS{21}Wathi ehlala eNkangala yasePharani, unina wamdingela umfazi eGibhithe.


\par }{\SH Isivumelwano SaseBherishebha
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}Ngalesosikhathi u-Abhimelekhi loFikholi, umlawuli wamabutho akhe bathi ku-Abhrahama, “UNkulunkulu ulawe kukho konke okwenzayo.

\VS{23}Khathesi-ke funga kimi khonapha phambi kukaNkulunkulu ukuthi kawusoze wenze izinto zobuqili kimi, loba ebantwaneni bami loba kuzizukulwane zami. Tshengisa kimi lakulo ilizwe ohlezi kulo njengesizwe wona lowomusa engikwenzele wona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}U-Abhrahama wathi, “Ngiyafunga.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}U-Abhrahama wasesola ku-Abhimelekhi ngomthombo izinceku zika-Abhimelekhi ezaziwuthumbile.

\VS{26}Kodwa u-Abhimelekhi wathi, “Angikwazi ukuthi ngubani okwenzileyo lokho. Kawuzange ungitshele, sekuyikhona ngikuzwa nje lamhla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Ngakho u-Abhrahama waletha izimvu lenkomo wazipha u-Abhimelekhi, amadoda womabili enza isivumelwano.

\VS{28}U-Abhrahama wehlukanisa amazinyane amasikazi ayisikhombisa emhlambini,

\VS{29}u-Abhimelekhi wambuza u-Abhrahama wathi, “Atshoni amazinyane la amasikazi ayisikhombisa owehlukanise emhlambini wawabeka wodwa na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Waphendula wathi, “Yamukela ezandleni zami amazinyane la ayisikhombisa njengobufakazi bokuthi yimi engemba umthombo lo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Ngakho indawo leyo yathiwa yiBherishebha ngoba amadoda la womabili enza isifungo khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Ngemva kokuba isivumelwano sesibotshiwe eBherishebha, u-Abhimelekhi loFikholi umlawuli wamabutho akhe babuyela elizweni lamaFilistiya.

\VS{33}U-Abhrahama wahlanyela isihlahla sethamarisiki eBherishebha, khonapho walibiza ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}}, uNkulunkulu Waphakade.

\VS{34}U-Abhrahama wahlala elizweni lamaFilistiya okwesikhathi eside.




\par }\Chap{22}{\SH Ukulingwa Kuka-Abhrahama
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kwesikhathi esithile uNkulunkulu walinga u-Abhrahama. Wathi kuye, “Abhrahama!”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngilapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UNkulunkulu wasesithi, “Thatha indodana yakho, indodana yakho eyiyo yodwa, u-Isaka, omthandayo, uye emangweni waseMoriya. Khonapho menze umhlatshelo abe ngumnikelo wokutshiswa phezu kwenye yezintaba engizakutshengisa yona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kusisa ekuseni kakhulu u-Abhrahama wavuka wabopha ubabhemi wakhe. Wahamba lezinceku zakhe ezimbili kanye lendodana yakhe u-Isaka. Kwathi esegamule inkuni ezaneleyo zomnikelo wokutshiswa, waqhubeka waya kuleyondawo uNkulunkulu ayemtshele yona.

\VS{4}Ngelanga lesithathu u-Abhrahama wakhangela, wayibona leyondawo kude le.

\VS{5}Wathi ezincekwini zakhe, “Hlalani lapha lobabhemi, mina lomfana sisake siye laphayana. Sizakuthi singakhonza sibuye kini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Abhrahama wathatha inkuni zomnikelo wokutshiswa wazithwalisa umntanakhe u-Isaka, yena ngokwakhe waphatha umlilo lengqamu. Kwathi belokhu beqhubeka bobabili,

\VS{7}u-Isaka wakhuluma wambuza uyise u-Abhrahama wathi, “Baba?”

\par }{\PP U-Abhrahama wasabela wathi, “Yebo, ndodana yami!”

\par }{\PP U-Isaka wathi, “Umlilo lenkuni nanku kukhona, kodwa iwundlu lomnikelo wokutshiswa lingaphi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Abhrahama waphendula wathi, “Ndodana yami, uNkulunkulu ngokwakhe uzasipha iwundlu lomnikelo wokutshiswa.” Baqhubeka bobabili bahamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Sebefikile endaweni uNkulunkulu amtshela yona, u-Abhrahama wakha i-Alithari khonapho walungisa inkuni phezu kwalo. Wabopha indodana yakhe u-Isaka wayilalisa e-alithareni phezu kwenkuni.

\VS{10}Waseselula isandla sakhe ethatha ingqamu ukuba abulale indodana yakhe.

\VS{11}Kodwa ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yamemeza isezulwini yathi, “Abhrahama! Abhrahama!”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngilapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Yathi, “Ungamthinti ngesandla sakho umfana. Ungenzi lutho kuye. Khathesi sengisazi ukuthi uyamesaba uNkulunkulu, ngoba kawuyigodlanga indodana yakho eyiyo yodwa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}U-Abhrahama wathi uyakhangela wabona inqama esixukwini ibanjwe ngempondo zayo. Waya khona wayithatha inqama wenza umhlatshelo womnikelo wokutshiswa esikhundleni sendodana yakhe.

\VS{14}Yikho u-Abhrahama wabiza indawo leyo ngokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} Uzakupha. Kuze kube lamuhla kuthiwa, “Entabeni
{\ND{kaThixo}} kuzaphiwa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ingilosi
{\ND{kaThixo}} yabiza u-Abhrahama isezulwini ngokwesibili

\VS{16}yathi, “Ngifunga ngami uqobo, kutsho
{\ND{uThixo}}, ukuthi ngenxa yokuthi ukwenzile lokhu, kawaze wayigodla indodana yakho eyiyo yodwa,

\VS{17}ngempela ngizakubusisa ngenze izizukulwane zakho zibe zinengi njengezinkanyezi emkhathini lanjengetshebetshebe okhunjini lolwandle. Izizukulwane zakho zizawathatha amadolobho ezitha zazo,

\VS{18}kuthi ngenzalo yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba zizabusiswa, ngoba ungilalele.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Emva kwalokho u-Abhrahama wabuyela ezincekwini zakhe, basebehamba bonke eBherishebha. U-Abhrahama wahlala eBherishebha.


\par }{\SH Amadodana KaNahori
\par }
{\LI \VS{20}Emva kwesikhathi esithile u-Abhrahama watshelwa ukuthi, “UMilikha laye uselabantwana; sewazalela umfowenu uNahori amadodana:


\par }{\LIB \VS{21}u-Uzi izibulo, uBhuzi umfowabo,

\par }{\LIB uKhemuweli (uyise ka-Aramu),


\par }{\LIB \VS{22}uKhesedi, uHazo, uPhilidashi, uJidilafu loBhethuweli.”


\par }{\LIC \VS{23}UBhethuweli wazala uRabheka.

\par }{\LID UMilikha wazala amadodana la ayisificaminwembili loNahori umfowabo ka-Abhrahama.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{24}Umfazi wakhe omncane owayethiwa nguRewuma laye wayelamadodana la:

\par }{\LIB uThebha, uGahamu, uThahashi kanye loMahakha.




\par }\Chap{23}{\SH Ukufa KukaSara
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}USara waphila waze waba leminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi amabili lesikhombisa obudala.

\VS{2}Wafela eKhiriyathi Aribha (kutsho eHebhroni) elizweni laseKhenani, u-Abhrahama wahamba ukuyamzilela lokumlilela khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}U-Abhrahama wasukuma eseceleni komkakhe ofileyo wakhuluma lamaHithi. Wathi,

\VS{4}“Ngingowezizweni lesihambi phakathi kwenu. Ngithengiselani isiqinti sokuba yindawo yokungcwabela khona abakithi abafileyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}AmaHithi amphendula u-Abhrahama athi,

\VS{6}“Silalele, nkosi yami. Uyinkosana elamandla phakathi kwethu. Ngcwaba abafileyo bakini loba kukuwaphi amangcwaba ethu athandeka kakhulu. Kakho owakithi ozakwalela ingcwaba lakhe ukuthi ungcwabe kulo ofileyo wakini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho u-Abhrahama wasukuma wakhothamela phansi phambi kwamaHithi, abanikazi balelolizwe.

\VS{8}Wathi kubo, “Nxa lithanda ukuthi ngimbele abafileyo bami, lalelani kimi, lingincengele ku-Efroni indodana kaZohari

\VS{9}ukuthi angithengisele ubhalu Lwakhe lwaseMakhaphela olusekucineni kwesiqinti. Mceleni ukuthi angithengisele sona ngentengo egcweleyo sibe yindawo yamangcwaba phakathi kwenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}U-Efroni umHithi owayehlezi khonapho phakathi kwabantu bakibo wamphendula u-Abhrahama wonke amaHithi ayefikile esangweni ledolobho lakhe ezizwela.

\VS{11}Wathi, “Hatshi, nkosi yami. Lalela kimi; ngiyakupha isiqinti, njalo ngiyakupha lobhalu oluphakathi kwaso. Ngikupha sona phambi kwabantu bakithi. Mbela abafileyo bakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}U-Abhrahama waphinda wakhothamela phansi phambi kwabantu balelolizwe

\VS{13}wathi ku-Efroni bona besizwa, “Ake ulalelisise engikutshoyo. Mina ngizayikhupha intengo yesiqinti. Ngicela uyamukele kimi ukuze ngimbele khona abafileyo bami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}U-Efroni waphendula u-Abhrahama wathi,

\VS{15}“Lalela kimi, nkosi yami; isiqinti lesi sibiza amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu amane, kodwa kungena njani lokho phakathi kwami lawe? Wena mbela abafileyo bakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}U-Abhrahama wayivuma intengo ka-Efroni wasemlinganisela ubunzima bentengo ayeyibizile amaHithi esizwa: amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu amane, mayelana lesisindo esasisetshenziswa ngabathengisi.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Ngakho isiqinti sika-Efroni eMakhaphela, eduze leMamure, isiqinti kanye lobhalu olwaluphakathi kwaso, lazozonke izihlahla ezaziphakathi kwaso, kwabhaliswa

\VS{18}ngo-Abhrahama ukuthi sekuyimpahla yakhe, kusenziwa phambi kwamaHithi wonke ayefikile esangweni ledolobho.

\VS{19}Ngemva kwalokho u-Abhrahama wangcwaba umkakhe uSara ebhalwini olwalusesiqintini saseMakhaphela eduze leMamure (eseHebhroni) elizweni laseKhenani.

\VS{20}Kanjalo isiqinti lobhalu olwaluphakathi kwaso kwabhaliswa ngo-Abhrahama ngama-Hithi ukuba yindawo yamangcwaba.




\par }\Chap{24}{\SH U-Isaka LoRabheka
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Abhrahama wayeseluphele kakhulu, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} wayembusisile kukho konke.

\VS{2}Wasesithi encekwini yakhe enkulu, leyo eyayilawula konke ayelakho, “Beka isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethangazi lami.

\VS{3}Ngifuna ukuthi ufunge
{\ND{ngoThixo}}, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini loNkulunkulu wasemhlabeni, ukuthi kawuyikuzuzela indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhenani engihlala phakathi kwawo,

\VS{4}kodwa uzakuya elizweni lakithi lasezihlotsheni zami uzuzele indodana yami u-Isaka umfazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Inceku yambuza yathi, “Pho nxa lowo wesifazane engavumi ukuza lami kulelilizwe-ke? Ngizathatha indodana yakho ngiyise kulelolizwe lapho owavela khona na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Abhrahama wathi, “Ungaqali ukuhambisa indodana yami khonale.

\VS{7}{\ND{UThixo}}, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, owangikhupha emzini kababa laselizweni lakithi njalo owakhuluma kimi, wangithembisa ngesifungo wathi, ‘Ilizwe leli ngizalinika inzalo yakho,’ uzathuma ingilosi yakhe ihambe phambi kwakho ukuze ukwazi ukutholela indodana yami umfazi khonale.

\VS{8}Nxa owesifazane lowo esala ukuza lapha lawe, uzabe usukhululwe kulesi isifungo sami. Kodwa ungaqali ukusa indodana yami khonale.”

\VS{9}Ngakho inceku yasifaka isandla sayo ngaphansi kwethangazi lenkosi yayo u-Abhrahama yafunga isifungo kuye ngodaba lolu.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Inceku yasithatha amakamela enkosi yayo alitshumi yasuka, yathatha yonke imihlobo yezinto ezinhle zenkosi yayo. Yaqonda e-Aramu Naharayimu, yahamba yaze yayafika emzini waseNahori.

\VS{11}Amakamela yawaguqisa phansi eduzane lomthombo ngaphandle komuzi; kwasekuntambama, sekuyisikhathi sabesifazane ukuyakukha amanzi.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Yasikhuleka yathi, “Oh
{\ND{Thixo}}, Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, yenza ngiphumelele lamuhla, utshengise umusa enkosini yami u-Abhrahama.

\VS{13}Khangela-ke, nanku ngimi lapha eceleni komthombo lo, njalo amadodakazi abantu balelidolobho asesiza ukuzakukha amanzi.

\VS{14}Kungasake kuthi ngingathi entombini, ‘Ake ungikhele amanzi ngenkezo yakho nginathe,’ yona ithi, ‘Natha, njalo ngizanathisa lamakamela akho,’ kube yiyo kanye oyikhethele inceku yakho u-Isaka. Ngalokho ngizakwazi ukuthi usutshengise umusa enkosini yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ingakaqedi ukukhuleka, uRabheka waphuma ethwele imbiza yakhe yamanzi ehlombe lakhe. Wayeyindodakazi kaBhethuweli indodana kaMilikha, owayengumfazi womfowabo ka-Abhrahama uNahori.

\VS{16}Intombi le yayinhle kakhulu, igcwele; ingakaze ilale lendoda. Yehlela emthonjeni, yagcwalisa imbiza yayo yasiqansa.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Inceku yaphanga yamhlangabeza yathi, “Ngicela amanzi embizeni yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Wathi, “Natha nkosi yami,” watsho esehlisa imbiza eyibamba ngezandla emnathisa.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Esemnathisile wathi, “Ngizakhelela lamakamela akho lawo ngiwanathise.”

\VS{20}Wasethululela imbiza yakhe emkolweni, wagijimela emthonjeni njalo ukukha amanye, wawakhelela wonke amakamela akhe.

\VS{21}Indoda yabukela ithule ilokhu inanzelela idinga ukubona ukuthi ngeqiniso
{\ND{uThixo}} wayeluphumelelisile yini uhambo lwayo.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Amakamela eseqedile ukunatha, indoda leyo yakhupha isongo lamakhala elenziwe ngegolide elilobunzima obungaba yingxenye yeshekeli, lezigqizo zegolide ezimbili ezilobunzima bamashekeli alitshumi.

\VS{23}Yasibuza yathi, “Uyindodakazi kabani na? Ake ungitshele, kambe singazuza indawo yini emzini kayihlo kesicatshise amakhanda ubusuku balamuhla nje?”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}URabheka wamphendula wathi, “Ngiyindodakazi kaBhethuweli, indodana kaMilikha ayizalela uNahori.”

\VS{25}Waphinda wengeza wathi, “Silotshani obunengi lamahlanga, kanye lendawo yokulala ikhona okwalamuhla ebusuku.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Indoda yakhothamela phansi yakhonza
{\ND{uThixo}},

\VS{27}isithi, “Udumo kalube
{\ND{kuThixo}}, uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, ongadelanga umusa wakhe lokuthembeka kwakhe enkosini yami. Mina ngokwami
{\ND{uThixo}} ungikhokhele ohanjweni lwami ngazafika endlini yezinini zenkosi yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Intombi yagijima yayabikela abendlu kanina ngalezizinto.

\VS{29}URabheka wayelomnewabo owayethiwa nguLabhani, yena waphanga waya kuleyondoda eyayisemthonjeni.

\VS{30}Wonela ukubona isongo lamakhala kanye lezigqizo engalweni kadadewabo, njalo esezwile uRabheka elandisa ngokwakhulunywa yindoda leyo kuye, wasuka waya kuyo wayifica imi eceleni kwamakamela eduze komthombo.

\VS{31}Wathi, “Woza, wena obusisiweyo
{\ND{nguThixo}}. Umeleni phandle lapha? Sengilungisile indlu lendawo yamakamela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Ngakho indoda yaya ngekhaya, lamakamela ethulwa imithwalo. Utshani lamahlanga kwalethwa emakameleni, yena lamadoda ayelawo balethelwa amanzi okugeza inyawo zabo.

\VS{33}Kwasekulethwa ukudla kwabekwa phambi kwakhe, kodwa wathi, “Kangizukudla ngize ngiqale ngilitshele lokho okumele ngikutsho.”

\par }{\PP ULabhani wathi, “Sitshele phela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Ngakho wasesithi, “Ngiyinceku ka-Abhrahama.

\VS{35}{\ND{UThixo}} uyibusisile inkosi yami kakhulu, isinothile kakhulu. Uyiphile izimvu lenkomo, isiliva legolide, lezinceku zesilisa lezesifazane kanye lamakamela labobabhemi.

\VS{36}Inkosikazi yenkosi yami, uSara, imzalele indodana ebudaleni bayo, inkosi yami yasiyinika leyondodana konke elakho.

\VS{37}Njalo inkosi yami yangifungisa isifungo yathi, ‘Ungazuzeli indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhenani, engihlala elizweni lawo,

\VS{38}kodwa yana ezininini zikababa, kwabosendo lwakithi, uzuzele indodana yami umfazi.’


\par }{\PP \VS{39}Ngasengiyibuza inkosi yami ngathi, ‘Pho nxa owesifazane lowo esala ukuza lapha-ke?’


\par }{\PP \VS{40}Yaphendula yathi, ‘{\ND{UThixo}}, engihamba phambi kwakhe, uzathumela ingilosi yakhe ihambe lawe, iphumelelise uhambo lwakho ukuze uzuzele indodana yami umfazi kwabosendo lwakithi, lasezininini zikababa.

\VS{41}Ngakho uzakuthi ungaya kwabosendo lwakithi, uzakhululwa esifungweni sami loba bangaze bale laye.’


\par }{\PP \VS{42}Ngithe ukufika kwami emthonjeni lamuhla ngathi, ‘Oh
{\ND{Thixo}}, Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, nxa uthanda, ngicela uphumelelise uhambo lolu engingalo lapha.

\VS{43}Akubone, ngimi eceleni kwalo umthombo; nxa kufika intombi izokukha amanzi, ngithi kuyo, “Akunginathise amanzi amalutshwana enkonxeni yakho,”

\VS{44}ingaze ithi kimi, “Natha, njalo ngizanathisa lamakamela akho lawo,” kabe nguye
{\ND{uThixo}} asemkhethele indodana yenkosi yami.’


\par }{\PP \VS{45}Ngingakaqedi ukukhuleka enhliziyweni yami, uRabheka waphuma, ethwele imbiza yakhe ehlombe. Wehlela emthonjeni wakha amanzi, ngathi kuye, ‘Akunginathise.’


\par }{\PP \VS{46}Waphanga wethula imbiza yakhe ehlombe lakhe wathi, ‘Natha, ngizanathisa lamakamela akho njalo.’ Ngakho nganatha, waphinda wanathisa lamakamela njalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{47}Ngambuza ngathi, ‘Uyindodakazi kabani wena?’

\par }{\PP Wathi, ‘Indodakazi kaBhethuweli indodana kaNahori, amzala kuMilikha.’

\par }{\PP Ngasengimgqizisa isongo emakhaleni lezigqizo ezingalweni zakhe,

\VS{48}ngasengikhothamela phansi, ngamkhonza
{\ND{uThixo}}. Ngadumisa
{\ND{uThixo}}, uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abhrahama, ongikhokhele endleleni eqondileyo ngazathola intombi engumzukulu womfowabo wenkosi yami ngayizuzela indodana yayo inkosi yami.

\VS{49}Manje-ke nxa lizatshengisa umusa lokwethembeka enkosini yami, ngitshelani; loba kungenjalo, ngitshelani ukuze ngazi ukuthi ngithini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{50}ULabhani loBhethuweli baphendula bathi, “Lokhu kuvela
{\ND{kuThixo}}; kakukho esingakutsho kuwe, loba yini.

\VS{51}Nangu uRabheka; mthathe uhambe laye ayekuba ngumfazi wendodana yenkosi yakho, njengalokhu okuqondiswe
{\ND{nguThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{52}Kwathi inceku ka-Abhrahama ikuzwa lokhu abakutshoyo yakhothama phansi emhlabathini phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}}.

\VS{53}Ngakho inceku yasikhupha igolide lesiliva kanye lempahla zokugqoka yakupha uRabheka; yapha njalo umnewabo lonina izipho ezidulayo.

\VS{54}Yena lamadoda ayehamba lawo basebesidla njalo banatha, balala khona.

\par }{\PP Bathi bevuka ekuseni wathi, “Sivumeleni sibuyele enkosini yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{55}Kodwa umnewabo lonina baphendula bathi, “Ake ume kesihlale lentombazana okwensukwana ezingaba litshumi; lapho selingahamba-ke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{56}Kodwa wathi kubo, “Lingangibambeleli, njengoba
{\ND{uThixo}} eseluphumelelisile uhambo lwami. Wothini ngihambe ukuze ngiyefika enkosini yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{57}Basebesithi, “Wothi sibize intombazana kesiyibuze ngakho.”

\VS{58}Ngakho bambiza uRabheka bambuza bathi, “Uyafuna ukuhamba layo indoda le na?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngizahamba layo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{59}Ngakho basebemkhulula udadewabo uRabheka ukuba ahambe kanye lomlizane wakhe, bahamba lenceku ka-Abhrahama lamadoda ayelayo.

\VS{60}Njalo bambusisa uRabheka bathi kuye,

\par }{\Q “Dadewethu, sengathi ungandisa

\par }{\QB izinkulungwane zezinkulungwane;

\par }{\Q sengathi inzalo yakho ingathumba

\par }{\QB amadolobho ezitha zayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{61}URabheka lamantombazana akhe bazilungiselela, basebekhwela amakamela abo bahamba lendoda leyo. Ngakho inceku yamthatha uRabheka yahamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{62}Ngalesosikhathi u-Isaka wayesefikile evela eBheri-Lahayi-Royi, ngoba wayehlala eNegebi.

\VS{63}Ngenye intambama waya ensimini ehambahamba ukuthi ake ahluze ingqondo, wasesithi uyakhangela wabona amakamela esiza.

\VS{64}URabheka laye wakhangela wambona u-Isaka. Wehla ekameleni lakhe

\VS{65}wabuza inceku wathi, “Indoda leyana esensimini ngubani, leyana esihlangabezayo?”

\par }{\PP Inceku yaphendula yathi, “Uyinkosi yami.” Yikho uRabheka wasethatha ilembu elilula wazemboza ngalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{66}Inceku yasimtshela u-Isaka konke lokho eyayikwenzile.

\VS{67}U-Isaka wamngenisa ethenteni likanina uSara, wahle wamthatha uRabheka. Ngakho wasesiba ngumkakhe, wamthanda; u-Isaka waduduzeka ngemva kokufa kukanina.




\par }\Chap{25}{\SH Ukufa Kuka-Abhrahama
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}U-Abhrahama wathatha omunye umfazi okwakuthiwa nguKhethura.

\VS{2}Wamzalela uZimirani, uJokishani, uMedani, uMidiyani, u-Ishibhaki loShuwa.

\VS{3}UJokishani wazala uShebha loDedani; isizukulwane sikaDedani saba ngama-Ashuri, amaLethushi lamaLehumi.

\VS{4}Amadodana kaMidiyani kwakungu-Efa, u-Eferi, uHanokhi, u-Abhida lo-Elida. Bonke laba babeyizizukulwane zikaKhethura.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Konke u-Abhrahama ayelakho wakutshiyela u-Isaka.

\VS{6}Kodwa esaphila wanika amadodana akhe awazala labafazi bakhe beceleni izipho, wabasusa eduze kwendodana yakhe u-Isaka baya elizweni lasempumalanga.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}U-Abhrahama waphila okweminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanu.

\VS{8}Lapho u-Abhrahama waphefumula okokucina njalo wafa eseluphele, eselixhegu elileminyaka eminengi; wembelwa labakibo.

\VS{9}Amadodana akhe u-Isaka lo-Ishumayeli bamngcwaba ebhalwini lwaseMakhaphela eduze leMamure, esiqintini sika-Efroni indodana kaZohari umHithi,

\VS{10}isiqinti leso u-Abhrahama asithenga kumaHithi. Khonapho u-Abhrahama wangcwatshwa lomkakhe uSara.

\VS{11}Ngemva kokuba esefile u-Abhrahama uNkulunkulu wayibusisa indodana yakhe u-Isaka, owayehlala eBheri-Lahayi-Royi.


\par }{\SH Amadodana Ka-Ishumayeli
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Lo ngumlando wendodana ka-Abhrahama u-Ishumayeli, incekukazi kaSara uHagari eyamzalela u-Abhrahama.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{13}La ngamabizo abantwana baka-Ishumayeli behlelwe ngokwelamana kwabo:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI uNebhayothi izibulo lika-Ishumayeli,

\par }{\LI uKhedari, u-Adibheli, loMibhisamu,


\par }{\LI \VS{14}uMishima, uDuma, uMasa,


\par }{\LI \VS{15}uHadadi, uThema, uJethuri,

\par }{\LI uNafishi kanye loKhedema.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{16}La ayengamadodana ka-Ishumayeli, njalo la ngamabizo ababusi bezizwana ezilitshumi lambili kulandela ukuhlaliswa kwazo lemizi yawo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{17}U-Ishumayeli waphila okweminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi amathathu lesikhombisa. Waphefumula okokucina wafa, wembelwa labakibo.

\VS{18}Izizukulwane zakhe zakhela emangweni osuka eHavila kusiya eShuri, eduzane lomngcele waseGibhithe, nxa uqonda e-Asiriya. Njalo baphila belenzondo labafowabo bonke.


\par }{\SH UJakhobe Lo-Esawu
\par }
{\PP \VS{19}Lo ngumlando wendodana ka-Abhrahama u-Isaka.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP U-Abhrahama wazala u-Isaka,

\VS{20}u-Isaka wathi eseleminyaka engamatshumi amane obudala wathatha uRabheka indodakazi kaBhethuweli umʼAramu wasePhadani Aramu njalo engudadewabo kaLabhani umʼAramu.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Isaka wakhuleka
{\ND{kuThixo}} ekhulekela umkakhe ngoba wayeyinyumba.
{\ND{UThixo}} wawuphendula umkhuleko wakhe, umkakhe uRabheka wazithwala.

\VS{22}Abantwana bafuqana phakathi kwakhe, wathi, “Kungani lokhu kusenzakala kimi?” Ngakho wasehamba wayabuza
{\ND{kuThixo}}.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi kuye,

\par }{\Q “Izizwe ezimbili zisesiswini sakho,

\par }{\QB njalo abantu ababili phakathi kwakho bazakwehlukaniswa;

\par }{\Q omunye uzakuba lamandla kulomunye,

\par }{\QB kuthi omdala uzakhonza omncinyane.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Kwathi isikhathi sakhe sokubeletha sesifikile, kwakulamaphahla angabafana esiswini sakhe.

\VS{25}Owabona ilanga kuqala wayebomvu, umzimba wakhe wonke ulihwanqa njengengubo yoboya; yikho bamutha bathi ngu-Esawu.

\VS{26}Ngemva kwalokhu, umfowabo walandela, isandla sakhe sibambe isithende sika-Esawu; ngakho wathiwa nguJakhobe. U-Isaka wayeleminyaka engamatshumi ayisithupha ngesikhathi uRabheka ebazala.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Bakhula abafana, u-Esawu waba ngumzingeli omkhulu, indoda yegangeni, kodwa uJakhobe wayeyindoda ethuleyo, engasuki ngekhaya emathenteni.

\VS{28}U-Isaka owayethanda inyama yenyamazana wayethanda u-Esawu, kodwa uRabheka wayethanda uJakhobe.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Ngesinye isikhathi uJakhobe wayepheka inyama, u-Esawu wafika evela egangeni elambile.

\VS{30}Wathi kuJakhobe, “Phangisa, akungiphe ukudla kwakho lokho osukukhanzinge kwaba bomvana! Sengifile ngendlala!” (Yikho wabizwa ngokuthi ngu-Edomi.)


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UJakhobe waphendula wathi, “Qala ungithengisele ubuzibulo bakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}U-Esawu wathi, “Khangela, sengisifa. Bungisiza ngani ubuzibulo lobo?”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Kodwa uJakhobe wathi, “Qala ufunge kimi.” Yikho wasefunga isifungo kuye, ethengisa ubuzibulo bakhe kuJakhobe.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Ngakho uJakhobe wasesipha u-Esawu isinkwa lokudla kwendumba eziphekwa ziluhlaza. Wadla, wanatha, wasukuma wahamba.

\par }{\PP Ngaleyondlela u-Esawu wabeyisa ubuzibulo bakhe.




\par }\Chap{26}{\SH U-Isaka Lo-Abhimelekhi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwasekusiba lendlala elizweni, ngaphandle kwendlala yakuqala eyayikhona ngesikhathi sika-Abhrahama, u-Isaka waya ku-Abhimelekhi inkosi yamaFilistiya eGerari.

\VS{2}{\ND{UThixo}} wabonakala ku-Isaka wathi, “Ungehleli eGibhithe; hlala elizweni engithi hlala khona.

\VS{3}Ake uhlale kulelilizwe okwesikhatshana, mina ngizakuba lawe ngikubusise. Ngoba wena lezizukulwane zakho ngizalinika wonke amazwe la njalo ngiqinise isifungo engasifunga kuyihlo u-Abhrahama.

\VS{4}Ngizakwenza izizukulwane zakho zibe zinengi njengezinkanyezi emkhathini, ngizinike wonke lamazwe, njalo kuthi ngenzalo yakho zonke izizwe emhlabeni zizabusiswa,

\VS{5}ngoba u-Abhrahama wangilalela, wagcina izimiso zami, lemilayo yami, kanye lemithetho yami.”

\VS{6}Ngakho u-Isaka wahlala eGerari.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Kwathi lapho abantu baleyondawo bembuza ngomkakhe wathi, “Ngudadewethu,” ngoba wayesesaba ukuthi, “Ngumkami.” Wacabanga wathi, “Amadoda alapha angangibulala ngenxa kaRabheka, ngoba muhle kakhulu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kwathi u-Isaka esehlale khona okwesikhathi eside, u-Abhimelekhi inkosi yamaFilistiya wakhangela ngefasitela wabona u-Isaka egone umkakhe uRabheka.

\VS{9}Ngakho wasebiza u-Isaka wathi, “Kanti ngumkakho ngeqiniso! Kungani uthe ungudadewenu?”

\par }{\PP U-Isaka wamphendula wathi, “Ngoba ngakhumbula ukuthi ngingalahlekelwa yimpilo yami ngenxa yakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}U-Abhimelekhi wasesithi, “Kuyini lokhu okwenzileyo kithi? Omunye wamadoda ubezaqabuka elala laye umkakho, ubususibangela icala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho u-Abhimelekhi wasekhupha umlayo ebantwini bonke wathi, “Lowo ozake ayithinte indoda le loba umkayo ngempela uzabulawa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}U-Isaka walima amabele kulelolizwe, ngalowomnyaka wavuna okuphindwe ngekhulu, ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wambusisa.

\VS{13}Umuntu lo wanotha kakhulu, lemfuyo yakhe yanda kakhulukazi.

\VS{14}Waba lemihlambi yezimvu lenkomo emikhulu kakhulu, kanye lezisebenzi ezinengi, amaFilistiya aze aba lomona ngaye.

\VS{15}Kwasekusithi yonke imithombo eyayigejwe yizisebenzi ngesikhathi sikayise u-Abhrahama, amaFilistiya ayivala ngokuyigqibela ngenhlabathi.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}U-Abhimelekhi wasesithi ku-Isaka, “Suka kithi; ususuke waba lamandla kakhulu kulathi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Ngakho u-Isaka wasuka lapho wayakuma eSigodini saseGerari, wahle wakha khona.

\VS{18}U-Isaka wayiphanda imithombo eyayigejwe ngesikhathi sikayise u-Abhrahama, eyayigqitshelwe ngamaFilistiya ngemva kokuba u-Abhrahama esefile, wayibiza ngalawo mabizo uyise ayeyibiza ngawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Izisebenzi zika-Isaka zagebha esigodini zafumana umthombo olamanzi amahle khonapho.

\VS{20}Kodwa abelusi baseGerari baxabana labelusi baka-Isaka bathi, “Amanzi la ngawethu!” Ngakho umthombo lowo wawuthi yi-Eseki, ngoba bawubanga laye.

\VS{21}Ngakho basebesimba omunye umthombo, kodwa lawo bawubanga njalo; wasewubiza ngokuthi yiSithina.

\VS{22}Wasuka lapho wayagebha omunye umthombo, akwabe kusaba khona owubangayo. Wawuthi yiRehobhothi, esithi, “Manje
{\ND{uThixo}} usesiphile indawo, sesizaphumelela kuleli ilizwe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Esuka lapho waya eBherishebha.

\VS{24}Ngalobobusuku
{\ND{uThixo}} wabonakala kuye wathi, “NginguNkulunkulu kayihlo u-Abhrahama. Ungesabi, ngoba ngilawe; ngizakubusisa ngandise ubunengi bezizukulwane zakho ngenxa yenceku yami u-Abhrahama.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}U-Isaka wakha i-Alithari khonapho wamemeza ibizo
{\ND{likaThixo}}. Wamisa ithente lakhe khonapho, izisebenzi zakhe zemba umthombo khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Ngalesosikhathi u-Abhimelekhi weza kuye evela eGerari, elo-Ahuzathi umeluleki wakhe loFikholi umlawuli wamabutho akhe.

\VS{27}U-Isaka wababuza wathi, “Lilandeni kimi, njengoba lalingizonda laze langixotsha?”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Bamphendula bathi, “Sabona kamhlophe ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelawe; yikho sasesicabanga ukuthi kumele kube lesivumelwano esibotshiweyo phakathi kwethu lawe. Kasenze isibopho lawe

\VS{29}esokuthi kawusoze usihlukuluze, njengoba lathi singazange sikulimaze ngalutho kodwa sakuvalelisa ngokuthula. Khathesi usubusisiwe
{\ND{nguThixo}}.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}U-Isaka wasebenzela idili, badla banatha.

\VS{31}Ekuseni kakhulu ngelanga elilandelayo amadoda wonke enza isifungo omunye komunye. U-Isaka wasebavulela indlela bahamba ngokuthula.


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Ngalolosuku izisebenzi zika-Isaka zabuya zamtshela ngomthombo ezaziwugebhile. Zathi, “Sesiwatholile amanzi!”

\VS{33}Wawuthi yiShibha, osekuze kube namuhla idolobho kuthiwa yiBherishebha.


\par }{\SH UJakhobe Uthatha Isibusiso Sika-Esawu
\par }
{\PP \VS{34}Kwathi u-Esawu eseleminyaka yobudala engamatshumi amane, wathatha uJudithi indodakazi kaBheri umHithi njalo loBhasemathi indodakazi ka-Eloni umHithi.

\VS{35}Baletha ukukhathazeka kakhulu ku-Isaka loRabheka.




\par }\Chap{27}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi u-Isaka eseluphele, amehlo akhe esethundubele okokuthi wayengasaboni, wabiza u-Esawu indodana yakhe endala wathi kuye, “Ndodana yami.”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngilapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}U-Isaka wathi, “Manje sengilixhegu, njalo kangilazi ilanga lami lokufa.

\VS{3}Thatha izikhali zakho, isikhwama semitshoko yakho ledandili lakho ungene iganga uyengizingelela inyamazana.

\VS{4}Ungilungisele ukudla okumnandi engikuthandayo ukulethe kimi lapha ngidle, ukuze ngikuphe isibusiso sami ngingakafi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}URabheka wayelalele u-Isaka ekhuluma lendodana yakhe u-Esawu. Kwathi u-Esawu esephumile waya egangeni ukuyazingela inyamazana ukuze ayilethe,

\VS{6}uRabheka wathi endodaneni yakhe uJakhobe, “Khangela, ngizwe uyihlo esithi kumnewenu u-Esawu

\VS{7}‘Ngilethela inyamazana ungilungisele ukudla okumnandi ngidle, ukuze ngikuphe isibusiso sami phambi
{\ND{kukaThixo}} ngingakafi.’

\VS{8}Manje-ke lalela kuhle, ndodana yami, wenze lokho engikutshela khona:

\VS{9}Yana emhlambini ulethe lapha kimi amazinyane embuzi amabili anonileyo, ukuze ngilungisele uyihlo ukudla okumnandi ngendlela akuthanda ngayo.

\VS{10}Wena ubusukusa kuyihlo adle, abesekunika isibusiso sakhe engakafi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UJakhobe wathi kuRabheka unina, “Kodwa umnewethu u-Esawu lihwanqa, mina ngilejwabu elitshelelayo.

\VS{12}Pho ubaba angangibamba ke? Kuzabonakala ukuthi ngiyamqila ngibe sengizehlisele isiqalekiso phezu kwami esikhundleni sesibusiso.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Unina wathi kuye, “Ndodana yami, lesosiqalekiso kasehlele kimi. Wena yenza lokho engikutshela khona kuphela; hamba uyengithathela wona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngakho wahamba wayawathatha wawaletha kunina, yena walungisa ukudla okumnandi, ngaleyondlela eyayithandwa nguyise.

\VS{15}URabheka wasethatha izigqoko ezithandekayo zika-Esawu indodana yakhe endala, ezazikhona endlini, wazigqokisa indodana yakhe encane, uJakhobe.

\VS{16}Wabuya wamgoqela izandla zakhe lentamo lapho okwakubutshelezi khona ngesikhumba sembuzi.

\VS{17}Waseqhubela indodana yakhe uJakhobe ukudla lokho okumnandi kanye lesinkwa ayesenzile.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Waya kuyise wafika wathi, “Baba.”

\par }{\PP Wasabela wathi, “Yebo, ndodana yami. Ngubani?”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}UJakhobe wathi kuyise, “Ngingu-Esawu izibulo lakho. Sengenzile njengokungilayela kwakho. Vuka uhlale udle inyama yami yenyamazana ukuze ungiphe isibusiso sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}U-Isaka wayibuza indodana yakhe wathi, “Uyizuze njani masinyane kangaka, ndodana yami?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “{\ND{uThixo}} uNkulunkulu wakho ungiphumelelisile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Isaka wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Sondela eduze ngikuthinte, ndodana yami, ukuze ngazi ngempela ukuthi uyiyo indodana yami u-Esawu noma hatshi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UJakhobe wasondela kuyise u-Isaka wamthinta wathi, “Ilizwi ngelikaJakhobe, kodwa izandla yizandla zika-Esawu.”

\VS{23}Kazange amazi ngoba izandla zakhe zaziloboya njengezikamnewabo u-Esawu; ngakho wambusisa.

\VS{24}Wabuza wathi, “Kambe unguye na u-Esawu indodana yami?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Nginguye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Wasesithi, “Ndodana yami, ngipha inyama yakho yenyamazana ngidle, ukuze ngikuphe isibusiso sami.”

\par }{\PP UJakhobe wamupha wadla; waletha lewayini wanatha.

\VS{26}Uyise u-Isaka wathi kuye, “Woza lapha, ndodana yami, ungange.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Wasesiya kuye wamanga. Kwathi u-Isaka esewuzwile umnuko wezigqoko zakhe, wambusisa wathi,

\par }{\Q “Yeka, umnuko wendodana yami

\par }{\QB unjengomnuko wensimu

\par }{\QB {\ND{uThixo}} ayibusisileyo.


\par }{\Q \VS{28}Sengathi uNkulunkulu angakupha amazolo asezulwini

\par }{\QB lokuvunda komhlabathi,

\par }{\QB inala yamabele lewayini elitsha.


\par }{\Q \VS{29}Sengathi izizwe zingakukhonza

\par }{\QB labantu bakukhothamele.

\par }{\Q Ube yinkosi phezu kwabafowenu,

\par }{\QB njalo sengathi amadodana kanyoko angakukhothamela.

\par }{\Q Sengathi labo abakuqalekisayo labo baqalekiswe

\par }{\QB labakubusisayo babusiswe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{30}U-Isaka eseqedile ukumbusisa njalo uJakhobe esathi uyasuka kuyise, umnewabo u-Esawu wabengena evela zingela.

\VS{31}Laye njalo walungisa ukudla okumnandi wakuletha kuyise. Wasesithi kuye, “Baba, vuka udle inyama yami yenyamazana, ukuze ungiphe isibusiso sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Uyise u-Isaka wambuza wathi, “Ungubani wena?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngiyindodana yakho, izibulo lakho u-Esawu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}U-Isaka wathuthumela kakhulu wathi, “Kanti ubengubani ozingele inyamazana wayiletha kimi? Ngiyidlile khathesi nje usuzafika, ngambusisa njalo ngempela uzakubusiswa!”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Kwathi u-Esawu ewezwa amazwi kayise, wakhala kakhulu okuzwisa ubuhlungu wathi kuyise, “Ngibusisa lami njalo, baba!”


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Kodwa wathi, “Umfowenu uze ngobuqili wathatha isibusiso sakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{36}U-Esawu wathi, “Kakumfanelanga na ukuthiwa nguJakhobe? Lokhu sokungokwesibili engiqila: Wathatha ubuzibulo bami, manje usethethe isibusiso sami?” Wasebuza wathi, “Kawungigcinelanga yini mina esinye isibusiso”?


\par }{\PP \VS{37}U-Isaka wamphendula u-Esawu wathi, “Sengimenze waba yinkosi phezu kwakho, ngenza zonke izihlobo zakhe zaba yizisebenzi zakhe, njalo ngamsekela ngenala yamabele langewayini elitsha. Kambe ngingabe ngisakwenzelani, ndodana yami?”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}U-Esawu wathi kuyise, “Kanti ulesibusiso esisodwa kuphela na baba? Ngibusisa lami, baba!” U-Esawu wasekhala kakhulu ephumisela.


\par }{\PP \VS{39}Uyise u-Isaka wamphendula wathi,

\par }{\Q “Umuzi wakho uzakuba

\par }{\QB khatshana lokuvunda komhlaba,

\par }{\QB khatshana lamazolo asezulwini eliphezulu.


\par }{\Q \VS{40}Uzaphila ngokusebenzisa inkemba

\par }{\QB njalo uzamkhonza umfowenu.

\par }{\Q Kodwa kuzakuthi lapho usudlubulunda,

\par }{\QB uzalilahla ijogwe lakhe

\par }{\QB lisuke entanyeni yakho.”


\par }{\SH UJakhobe Ubalekela KuLabhani
\par }
{\PP \VS{41}U-Esawu wabambela uJakhobe isikhwili ngenxa yesibusiso uyise ayemuphe sona. Wazitshela wathi, “Insuku zokulilela ubaba seziseduze; lapho-ke ngizambulala umfowethu uJakhobe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{42}Kwathi uRabheka esezwile okwakutshiwo yindodana yakhe endala u-Esawu, wabiza indodana yakhe encinyane uJakhobe wathi kuye, “Umnewenu u-Esawu uziduduza ngomcabango wokuthi akubulale.

\VS{43}Ngakho-ke wena ndodana yami, yenza lokho engikutshela khona: Baleka masinyane uye kumfowethu uLabhani eHarani.

\VS{44}Uhlale khonale ulaka lomfowenu luze ludede.

\VS{45}Kuzakuthi nxa umnewenu engasakuzondelanga esekhohliwe ukuthi kuyini owakwenza kuye, ngizathumela ilizwi ukuthi ubuye usuka khonale. Kambe kungaba yini ukuthi ngilahlekelwe yini lobabili ngasuku lunye na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{46}URabheka wasesithi ku-Isaka, “Ukuphila sokunginenga ngenxa yabafazi bamaHithi laba. Nxa uJakhobe engathatha umfazi ebafazini balelilizwe, abafazi bamaHithi abanje, ukuphila kwami kuyabe kungasasizi.”




\par }\Chap{28}{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngakho u-Isaka wabiza uJakhobe wambusisa wamlaya wathi: “Ungathathi umfazi womKhenani.

\VS{2}Hamba khathesi uye ePhadani Aramu, emzini kayihlomkhulu uBhethuweli. Thatha khona umfazi, emadodakazini kaLabhani, umnewabo kanyoko.

\VS{3}Sengathi uNkulunkulu uSomandla angakubusisa akuphe inzalo, andise ubunengi bayo lize libe yizizwe ezinengi.

\VS{4}Sengathi angakupha wena kanye lezizukulwane zakho isibusiso leso esaphiwa u-Abhrahama, ukuze lilithathe ilizwe leli ohlezi kulo manje njengowezizweni, ilizwe uNkulunkulu alipha u-Abhrahama.”

\VS{5}Ngakho u-Isaka wasemvalelisa uJakhobe, waya ePhadani Aramu, kuLabhani indodana kaBhethuweli umʼAramu, umnewabo kaRabheka, owayengunina kaJakhobe lo-Esawu.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Esawu wezwa ukuthi u-Isaka wayembusisile uJakhobe njalo wamthumela ePhadani Aramu ukuthi ayothatha umfazi khona, lokuthi wathi embusisa wamlaya wathi, “Ungathathi umfazi ongumKhenani,”

\VS{7}lokuthi uJakhobe wayebalalele uyise lonina wahamba waya ePhadani Aramu.

\VS{8}U-Esawu wakunanzelela ukuthi abafazi bamaKhenani babeyisinengiso kuyise u-Isaka;

\VS{9}ngakho wasesiya ku-Ishumayeli wathatha uMahalathi, udadewabo kaNebhayothi, indodakazi ka-Ishumayeli indodana ka-Abhrahama, phezu kwabanye abafazi ayevele eselabo.


\par }{\SH Iphupho LikaJakhobe EBhetheli
\par }
{\PP \VS{10}UJakhobe wasuka eBherishebha waqonda eHarani.

\VS{11}Wafika kwenye indawo, wema lapho ukuthi alale khona ngoba ilanga laselitshonile. Wathatha ilitshe khona walenza umqamelo walala.

\VS{12}Wehlelwa liphupho wabona ilele ligxile phansi emhlabeni, isiqongo salo sifinyelela ezulwini, kwathi izingilosi zikaNkulunkulu zabe ziqansa zisehla kulo.

\VS{13}Laphaya ngaphezu kwalo kwakumi
{\ND{uThixo}} esithi: “{\ND{nginguThixo}}, uNkulunkulu kayihlo u-Abhrahama loNkulunkulu ka-Isaka. Ngizakupha wena kanye lezizukulwane zakho ilizwe leli olele kulo.

\VS{14}Izizukulwane zakho zizakuba njengothuli lomhlabathi, njalo lizaqhela liye entshonalanga lasempumalanga, enyakatho laseningizimu. Bonke abantu bomhlaba bazabusiswa ngenxa yakho lenzalo yakho.

\VS{15}Ngilawe njalo ngizakulinda loba ungaze uye ngaphi, njalo ngizakubuyisa kulelilizwe. Kangizukukudela ngize ngikwenze lokho engikuthembise khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}UJakhobe wathi evuka ebuthongweni bakhe wacabanga wathi, “Ngeqiniso
{\ND{uThixo}} ukhona kule indawo, kodwa bengingakunanzeleli.”

\VS{17}Wesaba wathi, “Yeka ukwesabeka kwale indawo ehloniphekayo! Ngempela iyindlu kaNkulunkulu; leli lisango lasezulwini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Kusisa ekuseni kakhulu uJakhobe walithatha ilitshe ayelele eliqamele walimisa laba yinsika wathela amafutha phezu kwalo.

\VS{19}Indawo leyo wayibiza wathi yiBhetheli, ikanti idolobho lakhona lalithiwa yiLuzi.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngakho uJakhobe wenza isifungo wathi, “Nxa uNkulunkulu ezakuba lami angilondoloze kuloluhambo engikulo, angiphe ukudla lezigqoko,

\VS{21}ngibuyele emzini kababa ngiphilile, lapho
{\ND{uThixo}} uzakuba nguNkulunkulu wami

\VS{22}njalo lelitshe leli engilenze insika lizakuba yindlu kaNkulunkulu, njalo kuzakuthi konke onginika khona ngizakunika wena okwetshumi.”




\par }\Chap{29}{\SH UJakhobe Ufika EPhadani Aramu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe waseqhubeka ngohambo lwakhe wayafika elizweni labantu bempumalanga.

\VS{2}Wabona khonale umthombo esiqintini, kulemihlambi yezimvu emithathu ilele eduzane kwawo ngoba imihlambi yayinatha khonapho emthonjeni lowo. Ilitshe elalivale umlomo womthombo lalilikhulu.

\VS{3}Kwakusithi yonke imihlambi ingabuthana khona, abelusi baligiqe ilitshe balisuse emlonyeni womthombo banathise izimvu. Besebelibuyisela ilitshe endaweni yalo emlonyeni womthombo.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UJakhobe wabuza abelusi wathi, “Bafowethu, livela ngaphi?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Sivela eHarani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Wathi, “Liyamazi yini uLabhani, umzukulu kaNahori?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Yebo, siyamazi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UJakhobe wasebabuza wathi, “Uyaphila yini?”

\par }{\PP Bathi, “Yebo, uyaphila; nansi indodakazi yakhe uRasheli esiza lezimvu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Wathi, “Khangelani, ilanga lilokhu lisemini; akukabi yisikhathi sokuthi imihlambi ibuthwe. Zinathiseni izimvu lezi lizibuyisele emadlelweni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Baphendula bathi, “Asingeke, ize iqale iqoqane yonke imihlambi, ilitshe beselisuswa emlonyeni womthombo. Besesizinathisa-ke izimvu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Wathi elokhu esakhuluma labo uRasheli wafika lezimvu zikayise, kalokho wayengumelusi.

\VS{10}UJakhobe wathi ebona uRasheli indodakazi kaLabhani, umnewabo kanina esiza lezimvu zikaLabhani, wahamba wayagiqa ilitshe elalisemlonyeni womthombo wanathisa izimvu zikamalumakhe.

\VS{11}UJakhobe wasesanga uRasheli njalo wakhala kakhulu.

\VS{12}Wayesemtshelile uRasheli ukuthi wayeyisihlobo sikayise lokuthi wayeyindodana kaRabheka. Ngakho intombi yagijima yayabikela uyise.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}ULabhani wonela ukuwuzwa umbiko ngoJakhobe, indodana kadadewabo, wahle waphuthuma wayamhlangabeza. Wamgona, wamanga, wamletha ngekhaya, lapho uJakhobe amtshela khona izinto lezi.

\VS{14}ULabhani wasesithi kuye, “Uyinyama yami legazi lami.”

\par }{\SH UJakhobe Uthatha ULeya LoRasheli
\par }
{\PP UJakhobe esehlale laye okwenyanga yonke,

\VS{15}uLabhani wathi kuye, “Kambe sekungathi ngoba uyisihlobo sami ubusungisebenzela ungaholi lutho? Akungitshele ukuthi umholo wakho ungaba yini?”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}ULabhani wayelamadodakazi amabili; ibizo lendala lalinguLeya, encinyane inguRasheli.

\VS{17}ULeya wayelamehlo abuthakathaka, kodwa uRasheli wayelesimo esibukekayo, emuhle.

\VS{18}UJakhobe wezwa emthanda uRasheli wasesithi, “Ngizakusebenzela okweminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze ungiphe indodakazi yakho encane uRasheli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}ULabhani wathi, “Kungcono ngimuphe wena kulokuba ngimuphe enye indoda. Hlala lapha lami.”

\VS{20}UJakhobe waseyisebenza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ukuze azuze uRasheli, kodwa yakhanya ingathi yizinsukwana ezimbalwa kuye ngenxa yothando kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}UJakhobe wasesithi kuLabhani, “Ngipha-ke umkami. Isikhathi sami sesigcwalisekile, sengifuna ukwembatha laye.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ngakho uLabhani wasenxusa bonke abantu bendawo wenza idili.

\VS{23}Kodwa kwathi sekusihlwa, wathatha indodakazi yakhe uLeya wamupha uJakhobe, uJakhobe wembatha laye.

\VS{24}ULabhani waphinda wapha uLeya incekukazi yakhe uZilipha ukuba ibe yincekukazi yakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Kwathi sokusile, wabona kunguLeya! UJakhobe wathi kuLabhani, “Kuyini lokhu okwenzileyo kimi? Mina ngasebenzela uRasheli, kakunjalo na? Kungani ungikhohlisile?”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}ULabhani waphendula wathi, “Kakusiwo mkhuba wethu lapha ukwendisa indodakazi encane endala ingakendi.

\VS{27}Qeda iviki yokucola lo omdala; besesikupha lalo omncane njalo ngemva kokumsebenzela eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}UJakhobe wenza njalo. Waqeda iviki eloLeya, uLabhani wasemupha indodakazi yakhe uRasheli ukuba ibe ngumkakhe.

\VS{29}ULabhani wanika indodakazi yakhe uRasheli incekukazi yakhe uBhiliha ukuba abe yincekukazi yakhe.

\VS{30}UJakhobe waselala loRasheli, wamthanda ukwedlula uLeya. Wasesebenzela uLabhani okweminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa njalo.


\par }{\SH Abantwana BakaJakhobe
\par }
{\PP \VS{31}{\ND{UThixo}} wathi ngokubona ukuthi uLeya wayengathandwa, wavula inzalo yakhe, kodwa uRasheli wayeyinyumba.

\VS{32}ULeya wathatha isisu wazala indodana. Wamutha ibizo wathi nguRubheni, ngoba wathi, “Kungenxa yokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} usebonile ukuhlupheka kwami. Ngempela umkami usezangithanda manje.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Wathatha isisu njalo, wathi esephinde umfana njalo wathi, “Ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wezwa ukuthi kangithandwa, wanginika lo njalo.” Ngakho wamutha wathi nguSimiyoni.


\par }{\PP \VS{34}Wasithatha njalo isisu, kwathi esezele omunye umfana wathi, “Khathesi-ke umkami usezabambelela kimi ngoba sengimzalele amadodana amathathu.” Yikho wathiwa nguLevi.


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Waphinda wasithatha isisu, wazuza umfana wathi, “Ngalesisikhathi ngizadumisa
{\ND{uThixo}}.” Wamutha wathi nguJuda. Wasesima ukuzuza abantwana.




\par }\Chap{30}{\PP \VerseOne{1}URasheli wathi ebona ukuthi wayengazaleli uJakhobe abantwana, wasekhwelezela udadewabo. Wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Ngipha abantwana, kumbe ngife!”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UJakhobe wamzondela wathi, “Sengisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu yini mina, onguye okuvale ukuthi ungazali?”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Yena wasesithi, “Nangu uBhiliha incekukazi yami. Lala laye ukuze angizalele abantwana, ukuze kuthi ngaye ngibe lemuli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho wasemupha incekukazi yakhe uBhiliha njengomfazi. UJakhobe wembatha laye,

\VS{5}wazithwala wamzalela indodana.

\VS{6}Ngakho uRasheli wathi, “UNkulunkulu usengigezile; ulalele ukuncenga kwami wasenginika indodana.” Ngenxa yalokhu wayitha wathi nguDani.


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Incekukazi kaRasheli, uBhiliha, yathatha isisu njalo yazalela uJakhobe indodana yesibili.

\VS{8}URasheli wasesithi, “Kade kuyimpi phakathi kwami lodadewethu, mina senginqobile.” Wasemuthi nguNafithali.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}ULeya wathi ngokubona ukuthi kasazali wathatha incekukazi yakhe uZilipha wayipha uJakhobe njengomfazi.

\VS{10}Incekukazi kaLeya uZilipha yazalela uJakhobe indodana.

\VS{11}ULeya wasesithi, “Inhlanhla engakanani!” Wamutha ibizo wathi nguGadi.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Incekukazi kaLeya uZilipha yazalela uJakhobe indodana yesibili.

\VS{13}ULeya wathi, “Uthi ngiyathaba yini! Abafazi bazakuthi ngiyathaba.” Yikho wambiza ngokuthi ngu-Asheri.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngesikhathi sokuvuna ingqoloyi uRubheni waya emasimini wafumana izihlahlakazana zamamandraki waziletha kunina uLeya. URasheli wathi kuLeya, “Ngicela ezinye zezihlahlakazana zendodana yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Kodwa wathi kuye, “Kakukwanelisanga na ukuthi wangemuka indoda? Usufuna ukuthatha lamamandraki endodana yami njalo?”

\par }{\PP URasheli wathi, “Kulungile, angazalala ngakwakho lamuhla ukuze ngizuze amamandraki endodana yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ngakho kwathi uJakhobe efika evela emasimini ngaleyontambama, uLeya wamhlangabeza wathi, “Kumele ulale ngakwami lamuhla. Ngikuqhatshile ngamamandraki endodana yami.” Ngakho wembatha laye ngalobobusuku.


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UNkulunkulu wamlalela uLeya, wathatha isisu wazalela uJakhobe indodana yesihlanu.

\VS{18}ULeya wathi, “UNkulunkulu usengiphe umvuzo ngenxa yokuthi nganika indoda yami incekukazi yami.” Ngakho wamutha wathi ngu-Isakhari.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}ULeya waphinda wasithatha njalo isisu wazalela uJakhobe indodana yesithupha.

\VS{20}Ngakho uLeya wathi, “UNkulunkulu usengiphe isipho esiligugu. Khathesi umkami usezangiphatha ngenhlonipho, ngoba sengimzalele amadodana ayisithupha.” Wasemutha wathi nguZebhuluni.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Emva kwesikhathi esithile wazala intombazana wayithi nguDina.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}UNkulunkulu wamkhumbula uRasheli; wezwa ukukhala kwakhe wavula isibeletho sakhe.

\VS{23}Wathatha isisu wazala indodana, wathi, “UNkulunkulu uselisusile ihlazo lami.”

\VS{24}Wamutha wathi nguJosefa, wathi, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angangipha enye indodana.”


\par }{\SH Imihlambi KaJakhobe Yezimvu Iyanda
\par }
{\PP \VS{25}URasheli esezele uJosefa uJakhobe wathi kuLabhani, “Ngivumela ukuthi ngibuyele elizweni lakithi.

\VS{26}Ngipha omkami labantwana engibasebenzeleyo kuwe, ngihle ngihambe. Uyawazi umsebenzi engiwusebenzileyo kuwe lapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Kodwa uLabhani wathi kuye, “Nxa ungithanda, hlala. Sengibonile ngokwambulelwa ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} ungibusisile ngenxa yakho.”

\VS{28}Wengeza ngokuthi, “Qamba loba yiphi inhlawulo oyifunayo, ngizakupha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UJakhobe wathi kuye, “Uyakwazi ukuthi ngikusebenzele njani lokuthi izifuyo zakho zigcinakale njani ziphethwe yimi.

\VS{30}Okuncinyane owawulakho ngingakafiki sekusele kwanda kakhulu, njalo
{\ND{uThixo}} ukubusisile langabe kungaphi lapho engike ngaba khona. Kodwa manje ngizaze ngiwenzele nini mina umuzi wami ulutho?”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Wabuza wathi, “Ngikupheni na?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula uJakhobe wathi, “Ungangiphi lutho. Kodwa ake ungenzele lokhu kodwa, ukuze ngiqhubeke ngisondla imihlambi yakho:

\VS{32}Wothi ngingene emihlambini yakho lamuhla ngikhuphe kuyo zonke izimvu ezilamachatha kumbe amabala, lamazinyane wonke amnyama lembuzi zonke ezilamabala kumbe amachatha. Yizo ezizakuba yinhlawulo yami.

\VS{33}Ngesikhathi esizayo ubuqotho bami buzavela nxa uhlola inhlawulo onginike yona. Ingqe yiphi imbuzi engizabe ngilayo engelamachatha kumbe amabala, loba lizinyane lemvu elingamnyama lizakubalwa njengelebiweyo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}ULabhani wathi, “Kulungile, kakube njengokutsho kwakho.”

\VS{35}Mhlalokho wazikhupha zonke impongo ezazingamaqamule kumbe ezilamabala, njalo lezinsikazi ezilamachatha kumbe ezilamabala (zonke ezazilokumhlophe kuzo) lamazinyane ezimvu wonke amnyama zonke wathi zikhangelwe ngamadodana akhe.

\VS{36}Wasebeka umango wensuku ezintathu phakathi kwakhe loJakhobe, kodwa uJakhobe wayelokhu esondla yonke imihlambi eseleyo kaLabhani.


\par }{\PP \VS{37}Kwathi uJakhobe wagamula ingatsha zesihlahla sephopla, eze-alimondi lezepulane wahamba ezixoza amaxolo wenza imidwa kwavela kuzo isigodo esimhlophe.

\VS{38}Ingatsha lezi ezixoziweyo wazibeka kuyo yonke imikolo yokunathela imihlambi ukuthi zime ziqondane lezifuyo nxa zinatha. Kwakusithi lezozifuyo ezidabuleyo zizonatha

\VS{39}zifike zixakane phambi kwezingatsha. Zazizala amazinyane alamabala ayimidwa loba alamachatha kumbe amabala nje.

\VS{40}UJakhobe wawakhetha wawabeka wodwa amazinyane, kodwa lezo ezinye waziyekela zadunga lezo ezingamaqamule lezimnyama ezazingezikaLabhani. Ngaleyondlela, wenza imihlambi ehlukeneyo eyakhe kaze ayihlanganisa lekaLabhani.

\VS{41}Kwakusithi kungadabula ezinsikazi eziqinileyo, uJakhobe wayefaka imiqwayi emikolweni phambi kwezifuyo ukuze zixakane eduze kwayo,

\VS{42}kodwa nxa ezinsikazi zingezibuthakathaka wayengayifaki imiqwayi. Ngakho izifuyo ezibuthakathaka zaba ngezikaLabhani, eziqinileyo zabuya ngoJakhobe.

\VS{43}Ngale indlela indoda le yanotha kakhulu yaba lemihlambi emikhulu, lezincekukazi, lezinceku kanye lamakamela labobabhemi.




\par }\Chap{31}{\SH UJakhobe Ubalekela ULabhani
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe wezwa ukuthi amadodana kaLabhani ayesithi, “UJakhobe usethethe konke ubaba ayelakho njalo usezuze yonke inotho ebingekababa.”

\VS{2}Njalo uJakhobe wananzelela ukuthi uLabhani wayengasamphathi njengakuqala.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}{\ND{UThixo}} wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Buyela elizweni laboyihlo lasezihlotsheni zakho, mina ngizakuba lawe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Ngakho uJakhobe wasethumela ilizwi kuRasheli loLeya ukuthi beze egangeni lapho imihlambi yakhe eyayikhona.

\VS{5}Wathi kubo, “Sengibona ukuthi uyihlo kasangiphathi njengakuqala, kodwa uNkulunkulu kababa ube lami.

\VS{6}Liyakwazi ukuthi ngamsebenzela uyihlo ngamandla ami wonke,

\VS{7}kodwa uyihlo ungidlelezele ngokuguqula umholo wami okwezikhathi ezilitshumi. Kodwa uNkulunkulu kamvumelanga ukuthi angilimaze.

\VS{8}Kwakusithi angathi, ‘Ezilamabalabala ngezakho, ezomholo,’ imihlambi yonke izale ezimabalabala; kuthi angathi, ‘Ezingamaqamule zizakuba ngumholo wakho,’ yonke imihlambi izale amazinyane angamaqamule.

\VS{9}Ngaleyondlela uNkulunkulu usethethe imihlambi kayihlo wayipha mina.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngesikhathi sokuxotshwa lokumitha kwemihlambi, ngaba lephupho lapho okwathi ngikhangela ngabona ukuthi impongo ezazixotsha umhlambi zazingamaqamule, kumbe zingamafahlafahla kumbe zilamabala.

\VS{11}Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yathi kimi kulelophupho, ‘Jakhobe.’ Ngasabela ngathi, ‘Ngilapha.’

\VS{12}Yathi, ‘Khangela ukuthi zonke impongo ezixotsha umhlambi ngezingamaqamule, ngezingamafahlafahla kumbe ngezilamabala, ngoba ngikubonile konke lokho uLabhani abekwenza kuwe.

\VS{13}NginguNkulunkulu waseBhetheli, lapho owagcoba khona insika njalo lapho owenza khona isifungo kimi. Suka kulelilizwe khona manje ubuyele elizweni lakini.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}URasheli loLeya baphendula bathi, “Sivele siseselesabelo selifa likababa na?

\VS{15}Kasinjengabezizweni kuye na? Kakusikho kodwa ukuthi walobolisa ngathi, kodwa sowakusebenzisa konke esalotsholwa ngakho.

\VS{16}Ngempela yonke inotho uNkulunkulu ayemuka ubaba ngeyethu labantwabethu. Ngakho yenza loba yini uNkulunkulu akutshele yona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UJakhobe wasegadisa abantwabakhe labomkakhe emakameleni,

\VS{18}waziqhuba zonke izifuyo zakhe zahamba phambili, kanye lempahla zonke ayezizuzile ePhadani Aramu, esebuyela kuyise u-Isaka elizweni laseKhenani.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kwathi uLabhani ehambile eyogunda izimvu zakhe, uRasheli weba izithombe zikayise.

\VS{20}Phezu kwalokho uJakhobe wakhohlisa uLabhani umʼAramu ngokungamtsheli ukuthi yena wayesebaleka.

\VS{21}Ngakho wabaleka lakho konke okwakungokwakhe, wachapha umfula iYufrathe, waqonda elizweni lamaqaqa eleGiliyadi.


\par }{\SH ULabhani Uxotshana LoJakhobe
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}Ngosuku lwesithathu uLabhani watshelwa ukuthi uJakhobe wayesebalekile.

\VS{23}Wathatha izihlobo zakhe bangena emzileni kaJakhobe okwensuku eziyisikhombisa baze bayambamba elizweni lamaqaqa eleGiliyadi.

\VS{24}UNkulunkulu weza kuLabhani umʼAramu ephutsheni ebusuku wathi kuye, “Unanzelele ukuthi ungaze watsho lutho kuJakhobe, loba lungoluhle kumbe olubi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}UJakhobe wayemise ithente lakhe elizweni lamaqaqa eGiliyadi eficwa khona nguLabhani, uLabhani laye lezihlobo zakhe bakha izihonqo khonapho.

\VS{26}Ngakho uLabhani wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Wenzeni manje? Ungikhohlisile, njalo uthumbe amadodakazi ami njengabathunjiweyo empini.

\VS{27}Kungani ubalekele ngasese wangikhohlisa na? Kungani ungangazisanga ukuze ngikuvalelise ngentokozo langokutshaya izigubhu lamachacho?

\VS{28}Kawuzange ume ukuthi ngange abazukulu bami lamadodakazi ami ngibavalelise. Wenze into eyibuthutha.

\VS{29}Ngilamandla okukulimaza; kodwa ngobusuku obudluleyo uNkulunkulu kayihlo uthe kimi, ‘Unanzelele ungaze watsho lutho kuJakhobe, loba ngoluhle kumbe ngolubi.’

\VS{30}Manje ususukile ngoba ubulangazelela ukubuyela emzini kayihlo. Kodwa kungani webe izithombe zami na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UJakhobe wamphendula uLabhani wathi, “Bengisesaba ukuthi uzangemuka amadodakazi akho ngamandla.

\VS{32}Kodwa nxa ufumana loba ngubani olezithombe zakho, kayikuphila. Ake ubone, lezihlobo zakho zikhona, ingabe kulolutho lwakho yini lapha kimi; nxa lukhona, luthathe.” UJakhobe wayengazi ukuthi uRasheli wayezebile izithombe.


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngakho uLabhani wangena ethenteni likaJakhobe lethenteni likaLeya lethenteni lezincekukazi zombili, kodwa kafumananga lutho. Ephuma ethenteni likaLeya, wangena ethenteni likaRasheli.

\VS{34}URasheli wayethethe izithombe lezo, wazifihla phakathi kwesihlalo sekamela lakhe, wasehlala phezu kwazo. ULabhani wabhudula kukho konke okwakusethenteni, katholanga lutho.


\par }{\PP \VS{35}URasheli wathi kuyise, “Ungazondi nkosi yami ukuthi kungani ngingakusukumeli, kungenxa yokuba ngisesikhathini.” Ngakho wabhudula, kodwa akaze azifumana izithombe zangekhaya.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}UJakhobe wazonda kubi wamthwalisa nzima uLabhani. Wambuza wathi, “Icala lami ngelani? Ngenze sono bani ukuze ungizingele kanje?

\VS{37}Njengoba usuziguduzile zonke impahla zami, kuyini osukufumene okungokomuzi wakho na? Kubeke khonapha phambi kwezihlobo zakho lezami batsho okuyikho phakathi kwethu sobabili.


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Sengibe lawe okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili. Izimvu zakho lembuzi zakho kazizange ziphunze, njalo kangizange ngizihlabele inqama emihlambini yakho.

\VS{39}Kangizange ngizokutshengisa izifuyo ezidatshulwe yizilo; yimi engathwala lokho kulahlekelwa ngazihlawula. Njalo wafuna inhlawulo yalezo ezazebiwe emini loba ebusuku.

\VS{40}Impilo yami yayinje: ukutshisa kwakungibhaxabula emini, ebusuku umqando ungihaqaze, ubuthongo babaleka emehlweni ami.

\VS{41}Kwakunjalo okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili ngisemzini wakho. Ngakusebenzela okweminyaka elitshumi lane ngisebenzela amadodakazi akho womabili njalo okweminyaka eyisithupha ngisebenzela imihlambi yakho, njalo wena waguqula inhlawulo yami okwezikhathi ezilitshumi.

\VS{42}Aluba uNkulunkulu kababa, uNkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama langokwesaba kuka-Isaka, ubengelami, ubuzangixotsha nje ngingaphathanga lutho. Kodwa uNkulunkulu ububonile ubunzima bami lokusebenza nzima kwezandla zami, yikho ekukhuzile izolo ebusuku.”


\par }{\PP \VS{43}ULabhani wamphendula uJakhobe wathi, “Abesifazane ngamadodakazi ami, abantwana ngabantwabami, lemihlambi yimihlambi yami. Kodwa kuyini engingakwenza lamuhla ngala amadodakazi ami, kumbe ngabantwana ababazeleyo na?

\VS{44}Zwana-ke, kasenze isivumelwano, wena lami, sibe ngufakazi phakathi kwethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{45}Ngakho uJakhobe wasethatha ilitshe walimisa laba yinsika.

\VS{46}Wasesithi ezihlotsheni zakhe, “Buthelelani amatshe.” Bawathatha amatshe aba yinqwaba, basebedlela khonapho eceleni kwenqwaba.

\VS{47}ULabhani wayibiza ngokuthi yiJegari Sahadutha, uJakhobe yena wathi yiGaledi.


\par }{\PP \VS{48}ULabhani wathi, “Inqwaba le ingufakazi phakathi kwami lawe lamuhla.” Yikho yabizwa ngokuthi yiGaledi.

\VS{49}Yabizwa njalo ngokuthi yiMizipha, ngoba wathi, “Sengathi
{\ND{uThixo}} angalinda phakathi kwakho lami nxa sikhatshana omunye komunye.

\VS{50}Ungaze uphathe kubi amadodakazi ami, loba ungaze uthathe abanye abafazi ngaphandle kwamadodakazi ami, loba kungekho omunye umuntu olathi, khumbula ukuthi uNkulunkulu ungufakazi phakathi kwakho lami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{51}ULabhani wathi njalo kuJakhobe, “Nansi inqwaba le, njalo nansi insika engiyimise phakathi kwakho lami.

\VS{52}Inqwaba le ingufakazi, kanye lensika le ingufakazi wokuthi kangisoze ngiyidlule inqwaba le ngize kwelakho icele ngizekonela lokuthi lawe kawuyikudlula kule inqwaba lensika uze kwelami icele uzengonela.

\VS{53}Sengathi uNkulunkulu ka-Abhrahama, loNkulunkulu kaNahori, uNkulunkulu kayise wabo angahlulela phakathi kwethu.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJakhobe wenza isifungo ebizweni likaMesatshwa kayise u-Isaka.

\VS{54}Wenza umhlatshelo khonapho elizweni lamaqaqa wanxusa izihlobo zakhe ekudleni. Sebedlile, balala khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{55}Ekuseni kakhulu ngosuku olulandelayo uLabhani wanga abazukulu bakhe lamadodakazi akhe wababusisa. Wasefulathela wabuyela ekhaya.




\par }\Chap{32}{\SH UJakhobe Ulungiselela Ukuhlangana Lo-Esawu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe laye wahamba ngeyakhe indlela, wasehlangabezwa yizingilosi zikaNkulunkulu.

\VS{2}Wathi ezibona uJakhobe wathi, “Leli libandla likaNkulunkulu!” Indawo leyo waseyibiza ngokuthi yiMahanayimi.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UJakhobe wathuma izithunywa ukuba zihambe phambili kwakhe kumnewabo u-Esawu elizweni laseSeyiri, ilizwe lika-Edomi.

\VS{4}Wazilaya wathi, “Nanku okumele likutsho enkosini yami u-Esawu, ‘Inceku yakho uJakhobe uthi bengihlezi loLabhani njalo ngihlale khona kwaze kwaba khathesi.

\VS{5}Ngilenkomo labobabhemi, ngilezimvu, lembuzi, njalo ngilezinceku lezincekukazi. Khathesi-ke sengithumela lelilizwi enkosini yami, ukuze ngithole umusa emehlweni akho.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi izithunywa sezibuya kuJakhobe zathi, “Sihambile kumfowenu u-Esawu, okwamanje uyeza ukuzokuhlangabeza, ulamadoda angamakhulu amane eza lawo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}UJakhobe wafikelwa yikwesaba lokukhathazeka okukhulu wasesehlukanisa phakathi abantu ayelabo baba ngamaqembu amabili, wenzenjalo lemihlambini yezimvu leyenkomo lamakamela lawo.

\VS{8}Wakhumbula wathi, “Nxa u-Esawu angafika ahlasele elinye iqembu, leloqembu eliseleyo lingahle libaleke.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJakhobe wasekhuleka wathi, “Oh Nkulunkulu kababa u-Abhrahama, Nkulunkulu kababa u-Isaka,
{\ND{Thixo}}, wena owathi kimi, ‘Buyela elizweni lakini lasezihlotsheni zakho, ngizakwenza uphumelele,’

\VS{10}mina kangiwufanelanga wonke umusa lokuthembeka okutshengise inceku yakho. Ngangiphethe intonga yami zwi mhla ngichapha iJodani leli, kodwa khathesi sengingamaqembu amabili.

\VS{11}Ngiyakhuleka ngithi ngisindise esandleni somfowethu u-Esawu, ngoba ngiyesaba ukuthi uzakuza angihlasele, kanye labesifazane labantwababo.

\VS{12}Kodwa wena uthe, ‘Ngempela ngizakwenza uphumelele ngenze lezizukulwane zakho zibe njengetshebetshebe lolwandle elingeke labalwa.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Wahlala khonapho ngalobobusuku, kwathi kulokho ayelakho wakhetha isipho sikamnewabo u-Esawu:

\VS{14}imbuzikazi ezingamakhulu amabili lempongo ezingamatshumi amabili; izimvu ezinsikazi ezingamakhulu amabili lenqama ezingamatshumi amabili;

\VS{15}amakamela amasikazi angamatshumi amathathu lamathole awo; amankomokazi angamatshumi amane lenkunzi ezilitshumi; kanye labobabhemi abasikazi abangamatshumi amabili lemiduna yawo elitshumi.

\VS{16}Wakugcinisa izisebenzi zakhe konke, umhlambi munye wema wodwa, wathi kuzo izisebenzi zakhe, “Hambani phambi kwami, njalo litshiye ibanga phakathi kwemihlambi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Lowo owayephambili wamlaya wathi, “Nxa umnewethu u-Esawu ekuhlangabeza afike abuze athi, ‘Ungokabani wena, njalo uya ngaphi, njalo ngezikabani zonke lezizifuyo eziphambi kwakho?’

\VS{18}Ubokuthi, ‘Ngezenceku yakho uJakhobe. Ziyisipho esithunyelwe inkosi yami u-Esawu, laye uyeza nje emuva kwethu.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Walaya njalo isisebenzi sesibili, lesesithathu lazozonke ezinye ezaziqhuba imihlambi wathi: “Kumele likhulume into efanayo ku-Esawu nxa lihlangana laye.

\VS{20}Njalo lingakhohlwa ukuthi, ‘Inceku yakho uJakhobe iyeza ngemva kwethu.’ ” Ngoba wacabanga wathi: “Ngizamthoba ngezipho lezi engizithumela phambili; nxa sengimbona muva mhlawumbe uzangamukela.”

\VS{21}Ngakho izipho zikaJakhobe zahanjiswa, zamandulela, kodwa yena wasala ezihonqweni ubusuku bonke.


\par }{\SH UJakhobe Ubindana LoNkulunkulu
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}Ngalobobusuku uJakhobe waphakama wathatha omkakhe bobabili, lezincekukazi zakhe zombili kanye lamadodana akhe alitshumi lamunye wawela izibuko likaJabhoki.

\VS{23}Esebachaphisile wabuye wachaphisa yonke imfuyo yakhe.

\VS{24}Ngakho uJakhobe wasala yedwa, indoda ethile yabindana laye kwaze kwaba semathathakusa.

\VS{25}Leyondoda yathi ngokubona ukuthi kayimehluli uJakhobe, yambamba inyonga, inyonga yakhe yakhumuka elokhu ebindana laleyondoda.

\VS{26}Indoda yasisithi, “Ngiyekela ngihambe ngoba sokusile.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa uJakhobe wamphendula wathi, “Kangisoze ngikwekele uhambe ngaphandle kokuthi ungibusise.”


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Indoda yambuza yathi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho na?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “NginguJakhobe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Indoda yasisithi, “Ibizo lakho kalisayikuba nguJakhobe, kodwa u-Israyeli, ngoba ulwe loNkulunkulu kanye labantu wanqoba.”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}UJakhobe wathi, “Akungitshele ibizo lakho.”

\par }{\PP Kodwa waphendula wathi “Ulibuzelani ibizo lami na?” Wasembusisa khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Ngakho uJakhobe wabiza indawo leyo ngokuthi yiPheniyeli esithi, “Kungoba ngimbonile uNkulunkulu ubuso ngobuso, kodwa impilo yami kayilinyazwanga.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Ilanga lamphumela esedlula ePheniweli, ehamba eqhugezela ngenxa yenyonga yakhe.

\VS{32}Ngakho-ke kuze kube lamuhla abako-Israyeli kabayidli inyama elomsipha osuka enyongeni, ngoba inyonga kaJakhobe yenyela eduze lomsipha.




\par }\Chap{33}{\SH UJakhobe Uhlangana Lo-Esawu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe wathi evusa amehlo wabona u-Esawu, eqhamuka lamadoda akhe angamakhulu amane; wasesehlukanisa abantwana phakathi kukaLeya, uRasheli lezincekukazi zombili.

\VS{2}Waqhuba phambili izincekukazi labantwabazo, kwalandela uLeya labantwabakhe, kweza uRasheli loJosefa ngemuva.

\VS{3}Yena ngokwakhe wahamba phambili wakhothama phansi emhlabathini kasikhombisa esebanga kumnewabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Kodwa u-Esawu wagijima wahlangabeza uJakhobe wamanga; wamgona ngezingalo entanyeni wamanga. Bakhala.

\VS{5}U-Esawu wasekhangela wabona abesifazane labantwana. Wabuza wathi, “Ngobani laba ohamba labo na?”

\par }{\PP UJakhobe waphendula wathi, “Ngabantwana uNkulunkulu abaphe ngesihle inceku yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi izincekukazi labantwabazo, zasondela zakhothamela phansi.

\VS{7}Kwalandela uLeya kanye labantwabakhe beza bakhothamela phansi. Abokucina kwaba nguJosefa loRasheli, labo bakhothamela phansi.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Esawu wabuza wathi, “Utshoni ngemihlambi yonke le engihlangane layo?”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngeyokucela umusa kuwe, nkosi yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Kodwa u-Esawu wathi, “Lami sengilakho okunengi, mnawami. Zigcinele lawe lokho olakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}UJakhobe wathi, “Hatshi bo, bakithi. Nxa ngisamukeleka kuwe yamukela isipho sami lesi. Ngoba ukubona ubuso bakho kufana lokubona ubuso bukaNkulunkulu, ikakhulu njengoba usungamukele ngesihle.

\VS{11}Ngicela ukuthi wamukele isipho leso esilethwe kuwe, ngoba uNkulunkulu ube lomusa kimi, ngaba lakho konke engikudingayo.” Kwathi ngoba uJakhobe encenga, u-Esawu wasamukela.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}U-Esawu wasesithi, “Kasihambeni. Ngizahamba lani.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kodwa uJakhobe wathi kuye, “Inkosi yami iyazi ukuthi abantwana babuthakathaka lokuthi ngisamele nginakekele izimvukazi lamankomokazi konke okusanda kuzala. Zingahanjiswa ngamandla okwelanga elilodwa nje, izifuyo zizakufa.

\VS{14}Ngakho inkosi yami kayizihambele phambili kwenceku yayo, mina ngilandele kancane okwamandla emihlambi eqhutshwayo labantwana, ngize ngifike enkosini yami eSeyiri.”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}U-Esawu wathi, “Nxa kunjalo ngizatshiya amanye amadoda ami lawe.”

\par }{\PP UJakhobe wabuza wathi, “Kambe ube ukwenzelani lokho? Inkosi yami kayingenzele umusa nje kube kuphela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Ngakho ngalolosuku u-Esawu wasuka esebuyela eSeyiri.

\VS{17}Kodwa uJakhobe waya eSukhothi lapho azakhela khona umuzi wakha lezibaya zezifuyo zakhe. Kungakho leyondawo ithiwa yiSukhothi.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJakhobe esebuyile ePhadani Aramu wafika kuhle edolobheni laseShekhemu eKhenani wamisa izihonqo eduzane kwedolobho.

\VS{19}Ngenhlamvu zesiliva ezilikhulu wathenga isiqinti somhlabathi emadodaneni kaHamori, uyise kaShekhemu, lapho amisa khona ithente lakhe.

\VS{20}Khonapho amisa i-alithari walibiza ngokuthi yi-Eli Elohe Israyeli.




\par }\Chap{34}{\SH UDina LabakoShekhemu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UDina, indodakazi kaLeya ayizalela uJakhobe wasuka wayakwethekelela abafazi balelolizwe.

\VS{2}Kwathi uShekhemu, indodana kaHamori umHivi, umbusi walowomango, ebona uDina, wamthatha wamdlova.

\VS{3}Inhliziyo yakhe yathatheka ngoDina indodakazi kaJakhobe, wayithanda intombi le, wakhuluma layo kamnandi.

\VS{4}UShekhemu wathi kuyise uHamori, “Ngithathela intombi le ibe ngumkami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UJakhobe wathi ekuzwa ukuthi indodakazi yakhe uDina yayingcolisiwe, amadodana akhe ayesegangeni lezifuyo; wathula nje aze abuya ekhaya.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngakho usekaShekhemu, uHamori wayakhuluma loJakhobe.

\VS{7}Ngalesosikhathi amadodana kaJakhobe ayesebuyile evela egangeni evele esezwile okwasekwenzakele. Babelosizi njalo begcwele ulaka ngoba uShekhemu wayenze into elihlazo ko-Israyeli ngokudlova indodakazi kaJakhobe, into okwakungamelanga yenziwe.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kodwa uHamori wathi kubo, “Indodana yami uShekhemu uyayithanda indodakazi yakho. Muphe yona ibe ngumkakhe.

\VS{9}Kasendiselane; sipheni amadodakazi enu, lani lizithathele amadodakazi ethu.

\VS{10}Lingazihlalela phakathi kwethu; ilizwe livulekile kini. Hlalani kulo, thengisani kulo njalo lifuye kulo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UShekhemu wasesithi kuyise kaDina lakubanewabo, “Ngicela ukuthi lingamukele, ngizalinika loba yini eliyifunayo.

\VS{12}Khulumani amalobolo lokangaziwe, mina ngizakuletha ngobunengi bakho njengokufuna kwenu, njalo ngizakukhupha konke elikubizayo. Lina ngiphani intombi kuphela nje ibe ngumkami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kwathi ngoba udadewabo uDina wayesengcolisiwe, amadodana kaJakhobe aphendula ngobuqili ekhuluma loShekhemu loyise uHamori.

\VS{14}Athi kubo, “Asingeke senze into enjalo; ngeke siphe udadewethu indoda engasokwanga. Lokho kungaba lihlazo kithi.

\VS{15}Sizavuma kuphela nxa lenze lokhu: ukuthi libe njengathi ngokusoka bonke abesilisa benu.

\VS{16}Lapho-ke sesingalendisela amadodakazi ethu lathi sithathe amadodakazi enu. Sizakwakha phakathi kwenu sibe ngabantu banye lani.

\VS{17}Kodwa nxa lingavumi ukusokwa sizamthatha udadewethu sihambe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Icebo labo lakhanya lilihle kuHamori loShekhemu.

\VS{19}Ijaha leli eliyilo elalihlonitshwa kakhulu emzini kayise, kalisachithanga isikhathi ukukwenza lokho ababekutshilo ngoba lalitshiseka ngendodakazi kaJakhobe.

\VS{20}Ngakho uHamori lendodana yakhe uShekhemu baya entubeni yedolobho bayabonisana lamadoda edolobho lakibo.

\VS{21}Bathi, “Amadoda la alomusa kithi. Kabahlale elizweni lethu bathengiselane labantu; ilizwe leli lilendawo enkulu abangahlala kuyo. Singathatha amadodakazi abo labo bangathatha awethu.

\VS{22}Kodwa bangavuma ukuhlala phakathi kwethu kuphela nxa abesilisa bethu bengasokwa njengabo.

\VS{23}Kambe izifuyo zabo, lempahla yabo kanye layo yonke imfuyo yabo kakukuba ngokwethu na? Ngakho kasivumeni, khona bezakwakha phakathi kwethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Wonke amadoda ayekhona entubeni yedolobho avumelana loHamori lendodana yakhe uShekhemu, kwathi bonke abesilisa balelodolobho basokwa.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ngemva kwensuku ezintathu, bonke belokhu besebuhlungwini, amadodana kaJakhobe amabili, uSimiyoni loLevi, abanewabo bakaDina, bathatha inkemba zabo balihlasela idolobho belibele, babulala bonke abesilisa.

\VS{26}OHamori lendodana yakhe uShekhemu babaquma ngenkemba bamkhupha uDina endlini kaShekhemu bahamba.

\VS{27}Amadodana kaJakhobe afikela phezu kwezidumbu aliphanga idolobho lapho udadewabo ayengcoliselwe khona.

\VS{28}Athumba imihlambi yabo yezimvu lenkomo, labobabhemi lakho konke okwakungokwabo phakathi edolobheni langaphandle egangeni.

\VS{29}Bayiqukula yonke inotho yabo kanye labafazi labantwana, bathumba konke okwakusezindlini kwaba yimpango.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}UJakhobe wasesithi kuSimiyoni loLevi, “Selingehlisele uhlupho langenza ngasoleka kakhulu kumaKhenani lamaPherizi, abantu abahlala elizweni leli. Thina sibalutshwana, bangahlangana bangihlasele, mina lomuzi wami sizabhujiswa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Kodwa bona baphendula bathi, “Bekufanele yini ukuthi aphathe udadewethu njengesifebe na?”




\par }\Chap{35}{\SH UJakhobe Ubuyela EBhetheli
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UNkulunkulu wasesithi kuJakhobe, “Yana eBhetheli wakhe khona, njalo khonapho wakhele uNkulunkulu i-alithari, yena owabonakala kuwe lapho ubalekela umnewenu u-Esawu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{2}Ngakho uJakhobe wasesithi kwabomuzi wakhe lakubo bonke ababelaye, “Lahlani onkulunkulu bezizweni elilabo, lizihlambulule, lintshintshe lezigqoko zenu.

\VS{3}Beselisiza sihambe siye eBhetheli lapho engizakwakha khona i-alithari likaNkulunkulu yena owangisizayo ngosuku lokuhlupheka kwami njalo olokhu elami loba ngingaze ngiye ngaphi.”

\VS{4}Basebemupha uJakhobe bonke onkulunkulu bezizweni ababelabo lamacici ayesendlebeni zabo, uJakhobe wakumbela ngaphansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi eShekhemu.

\VS{5}Emva kwalokho basebesuka, ukumesaba uNkulunkulu kwehlela imizi yonke ababakhelane layo, akwaze kwaba loyedwa owaxotshana labo.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UJakhobe wafika eLuzi (leyo yiBhetheli) kanye labo bonke ayelabo elizweni laseKhenani.

\VS{7}Wakha khona i-alithari, indawo waseyibiza ngokuthi yi-Eli Bhetheli, ngoba kwakulapho uNkulunkulu aziveza khona ngesikhathi ebalekela umfowabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UDibhora, umlizane kaRabheka wafa, wembelwa ngaphansi komʼOkhi ngezansi kweBhetheli. Yikho yathiwa yi-Aloni Bhakhuthi.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJakhobe esebuyile ePhadani Aramu uNkulunkulu wabonakala kuye njalo, wambusisa.

\VS{10}UNkulunkulu wathi kuye, “Ibizo lakho linguJakhobe, kodwa kawusayi kuthiwa unguJakhobe; ibizo lakho selizathiwa ungu-Israyeli.” Ngakho wamutha wathi ngu-Israyeli.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UNkulunkulu wathi kuye, “NginguNkulunkulu uSomandla; zalanani lande ngobunengi. Kuzaphuma kuwe isizwe lezinhlanga zezizwe, lamakhosi azavela emzimbeni wakho.

\VS{12}Ilizwe engalinika u-Abhrahama lo-Isaka ngilinika wena lawe, njalo ilizwe leli ngizalinika izizukulwane zakho eziza emva kwakho.”

\VS{13}UNkulunkulu wasephakama emtshiya endaweni lapho ayeke wakhuluma laye khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UJakhobe wamisa insika yelitshe endaweni leyo uNkulunkulu ayekhulume laye khona, wasethululela phezu kwayo umnikelo onathwayo; wathela njalo amafutha phezu kwayo.

\VS{15}UJakhobe wasebiza indawo leyo lapho uNkulunkulu akhuluma laye khona ngokuthi yiBhetheli.


\par }{\SH Ukufa KukaRasheli Lo-Isaka
\par }
{\PP \VS{16}Basebehamba besuka eBhetheli. Kwathi belokhu besesebucwala kwe-Efrathi, uRasheli wahelelwa kwaba nzima ukubeletha.

\VS{17}Kwathi ekulobobunzima bokubeletha umbelethisi wathi kuye, “Ungesabi. Ngoba uzazuza enye indodana.”

\VS{18}Kwathi esephela ngoba wayesesifa wetha indodana yakhe wathi nguBheni-Oni. Kodwa uyise wayo wayithi nguBhenjamini.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Wafa kanjalo uRasheli wembelwa endleleni kuyiwa e-Efrathi (kutshiwo iBhethilehema.)

\VS{20}UJakhobe wakha insika phezu kwethuna, kuze kube lamhla insika leyo itshengisa ithuna likaRasheli.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Israyeli wabuye wathutha wayamisa ithente lakhe ngale kweMigidali-Eda.

\VS{22}U-Israyeli esakhile kulowomango, uRubheni wasuka wayalala lomfazi weceleni kayise uBhiliha, njalo u-Israyeli wakuzwa.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID UJakhobe wayelamadodana alitshumi lambili:


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{23}Amadodana kaLeya ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uRubheni izibulo likaJakhobe,

\par }{\LIB uSimiyoni, uLevi, uJuda, u-Isakhari loZebhuluni.


\par }{\LI \VS{24}Amadodana kaRasheli ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uJosefa loBhenjamini.


\par }{\LI \VS{25}Amadodana encekukazi kaRasheli, uBhiliha ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uDani loNafithali.


\par }{\LI \VS{26}Amadodana encekukazi kaLeya uZilipha ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uGadi lo-Asheri.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID La ayengamadodana kaJakhobe awazalela ePhadani Aramu.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{27}UJakhobe weza ekhaya kuyise u-Isaka eMamure, eduze leKhiriyathi Aribha (kutsho iHebhroni) lapho u-Abhrahama lo-Isaka ababehlala khona.

\VS{28}U-Isaka waphila okweminyaka elikhulu lamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.

\VS{29}Wafika ekucineni wafa, wembelwa labantu bakibo eseluphele leminyaka yakhe isiminengi. Amadodana akhe u-Esawu loJakhobe bamngcwaba.




\par }\Chap{36}{\SH Izizukulwane Zika-Esawu
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Lo ngumlando ka-Esawu (okungu-Edomi).


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{2}U-Esawu wathatha ebafazini baseKhenani: u-Ada indodakazi ka-Eloni umHithi, lo-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana, njalo eyindodakazi kaZibhiyoni umHivi,

\VS{3}njalo loBhasemathi indodakazi ka-Ishumayeli njalo engudadewabo kaNebhayothi.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}U-Ada wazala u-Elifazi ku-Esawu, uBhasemathi wazala uRuweli,

\VS{5}u-Oholibhama wazala uJewushi, loJalamu loKhora. La ayengamadodana ka-Esawu, awazala eKhenani.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Esawu wathatha omkakhe lamadodana akhe kanye lamadodakazi akhe labo bonke ababesemzini wakhe kanye lezifuyo zakhe lezinye izinyamazana zakhe lempahla zonke ayezizuzile eKhenani, wasuka waya khatshana lomfowabo uJakhobe.

\VS{7}Imfuyo yabo yayinengi kakhulu okokuthi babengeke bahlale ndawonye; lomhlaba ababehlala kuwo wawungasoze ubathwale bobabili ngenxa yezifuyo zabo.

\VS{8}Ngakho u-Esawu (kutshiwo u-Edomi) wayakwakha elizweni lamaqaqa elaseSeyiri.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{9}Lo ngumlando ka-Esawu uyise wama-Edomi elizweni lamaqaqa elaseSeyiri.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{10}La ngamabizo amadodana ka-Esawu:

\par }{\LIB U-Elifazi, indodana yomka-Esawu u-Ada, lo Ruweli indodana yomka-Esawu uBhasemathi.


\par }{\LI \VS{11}Amadodana ka-Elifazi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uThemani, u-Omari, uZefo, uGathamu loKhenazi.

\VS{12}Indodana ka-Esawu u-Elifazi wayelomfazi weceleni owayethiwa nguThimina, owamzalela u-Amaleki. Laba babengabazukulu baka-Ada umka-Esawu.


\par }{\LI \VS{13}Amadodana kaRuweli ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uNahathi, uZera, uShama loMiza. Laba bebengabazukulu bomka-Esawu uBhasemathi umka-Esawu.


\par }{\LI \VS{14}Amadodana kamka-Esawu u-Oholibhama, indodakazi ka-Ana, njalo engumzukulu kaZibhiyoni, awazalela u-Esawu ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uJewushi, uJalamu loKhora.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{15}Laba babezinduna kwabosendo luka-Esawu:

\par }{\LI Amadodana ka-Elifazi izibulo lika-Esawu:

\par }{\LIB Induna uThemani, u-Omari, uZefo, uKhenazi,

\VS{16}uKhora, uGathamu, lo-Amaleki. Lezi kwakuzinduna ezidabuka ku-Elifazi, e-Edomi; zazingabazukulu baka-Ada.


\par }{\LI \VS{17}Amadodana kaRuweli indodana ka-Esawu:

\par }{\LIB Izinduna uNahathi, uZera, uShama loMiza. Lezizinduna zazidabuka kuRewuli e-Edomi; zazingabazukulu bakaBhasemathi umka-Esawu.


\par }{\LI \VS{18}Amadodana ka-Oholibhama, umka-Esawu:

\par }{\LIB Izinduna uJewushi, uJalamu loKhora. Lezi kwakuzinduna ezazidabuka kumka-Esawu, u-Oholibhama, indodakazi ka-Ana.


\par }{\LID \VS{19}La ayengamadodana ka-Esawu (kutshiwo u-Edomi), njalo bona babezinduna zabo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{20}La ayengamadodana kaSeyiri umHori, ababehlala kulowomango:

\par }{\LIB ULothani, uShobhali, uZibhiyoni, u-Ana,

\VS{21}uDishoni, u-Ezeri loDishani. La amadodana kaSeyiri e-Edomi ayeyizinduna zamaHori.


\par }{\LI \VS{22}Amadodana kaLothani ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uHori loHemani. UThimina wayengudadewabo kaLothani.


\par }{\LI \VS{23}Amadodana kaShobhali ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Alivani, uManahathi, u-Ebhali, uShefo lo-Onami.


\par }{\LI \VS{24}Amadodana kaZibhiyoni ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Ayiya lo-Ana. (Lo nguye u-Ana owafumana izintombo zamanzi atshisayo enkangala eselusa obabhemi bakayise uZibhiyoni.)


\par }{\LI \VS{25}Abantwana baka-Ana babeyilaba:

\par }{\LIB uDishoni lo-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana.


\par }{\LI \VS{26}Amadodana kaDishoni ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uHemidani, u-Eshibhani, u-Ithirani loKherani.


\par }{\LI \VS{27}Amadodana ka-Ezeri ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uBhilihani, uZavani lo-Akhani.


\par }{\LI \VS{28}Amadodana kaDishani ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Uzi lo-Arani.


\par }{\LI \VS{29}Laba babezinduna zamaHori:

\par }{\LIB ULothani, uShobhali, uZibhiyoni, u-Ana,

\VS{30}uDishoni, u-Ezeri loDishani.

\par }{\LID Laba babezinduna zamaHori kusiya ngezigaba zabo elizweni laseSeyiri.


\par }{\SH Ababusi Base-Edomi
\par }
{\LID \VS{31}La ayengamakhosi abusa e-Edomi kungakabusi inkosi yako-Israyeli:


\par }{\LI \VS{32}UBhela indodana kaBheyori waba yinkosi e-Edomi. Idolobho lakhe lalibizwa ngokuthi yiDinihabha.


\par }{\LI \VS{33}UBhela esefile, uJobhabhi indodana kaZera waseBhozira wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi.


\par }{\LI \VS{34}UJobhabhi esefile, uHushamu waselizweni lamaThemani wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi.


\par }{\LI \VS{35}UHushamu esefile, uHadadi indodana kaBhedadi, owanqoba uMidiyani elizweni laseMowabi, wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi. Idolobho lakhe lalibizwa ngokuthi yi-Avithi.


\par }{\LI \VS{36}UHadadi esefile, uSamila waseMasirekha wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi.


\par }{\LI \VS{37}USamila esefile, uShawuli waseRehobhothi phezu komfula wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi.


\par }{\LI \VS{38}UShawuli esefile, uBhali-Hanani indodana ka-Akhibhori wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi.


\par }{\LI \VS{39}UBhali-Hanani indodana ka-Akhibhori esefile, uHadari wathatha umbuso waba yinkosi. Idolobho lakhe labizwa ngokuthi yiPawu; njalo ibizo lomkakhe lalinguMehethabheli indodakazi kaMathiredi, indodakazi kaMe-Zahabhi.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{40}Lezi kwakuzinduna ezadabuka ku-Esawu, ngamabizo azo, kusiya ngosendo lwazo lezigodi zazo:

\par }{\LI UThimina, u-Aliva, uJethethi,


\par }{\LI \VS{41}u-Oholibhama, u-Ela, uPhinoni,


\par }{\LI \VS{42}uKhenazi, uThemani, uMibhizari,


\par }{\LI \VS{43}uMagidiyeli lo-Iramu.

\par }{\LID Lezi kwakuzinduna ze-Edomi, kusiya ngokuhlala kwabo elizweni ababakhe kulo.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID Lolu yilo-ke usendo luka-Esawu, uyise wama-Edomi.




\par }\Chap{37}{\SH Amaphupho KaJosefa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe wahlala elizweni lapho uyise laye ahlala kulo, ilizwe laseKhenani.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{2}Lo ngumlando wosendo lukaJakhobe.

\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP UJosefa ijaha elalileminyaka elitshumi lesikhombisa, wayeselusa imihlambi yezimvu labanewabo, amadodana kaBhiliha lamadodana kaZilipha, abafazi bakayise, wasebaceba kuyise.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}U-Israyeli wasuka wamthanda uJosefa ukwedlula wonke amanye amadodana akhe, ngoba wamzala eseluphele; yikho wamenzela ijazi eliceciswe kakhulu.

\VS{4}Kwathi abafowabo bebona ukuthi uyise wayemthanda ukwedlula bonke abanye bamzonda kabazange bamkhulumise ngothando.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UJosefa waphupha, wathi esebatshelile ngephupho lakhe bamzonda ngokwedlulisileyo.

\VS{6}Wathi kubo, “Zwanini iphupho engibe lalo:

\VS{7}besibopha izithungo zamabele sisemasimini lapho okuthe masinyane esami isithungo saphakama sema saqonda, kwathi ezenu izithungo zasigombolozela esami, zasikhothamela phansi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Abanewabo bathi kuye. “Ufisa ukubusa phezu kwethu na? Ungasibusa ngempela na?” Basebemzonda ngamandla ngenxa yephupho lakhe lalokho ayekutshilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Waphinda waba lelinye iphupho, walitshela abanewabo. Wathi, “Lalelani, ngibe lalo elinye iphupho, kuleli, ilanga lenyanga kanye lezinkanyezi ezilitshumi lanye bezingikhothamela phansi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Wathi eselitshele uyise njalo labanewabo uyise wamkhalimela wathi, “Liphupho bani leli oliphuphileyo? Utsho ukuthi unyoko lami labanewenu sizaguqa phansi emhlabathini sibili siguqela wena?”

\VS{11}Abanewabo babalomona ngaye, kodwa uyise wayigcina engqondweni yakhe indaba le.


\par }{\SH UJosefa Uthengiswa Ngabafowabo
\par }
{\PP \VS{12}Abanewabo basuka bahamba lemihlambi kayise emadlelweni eduze kweShekhemu.

\VS{13}U-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa, “Njengoba usazi abanewenu basemadlelweni lemihlambi eduze kweShekhemu. Lalela-ke, ngifuna ukukuthuma kubo.”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Kulungile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngakho wasesithi kuye, “Hamba uyebona ingabe abafowenu bayaphila yini kanye lemihlambi, ukuze ubuye uzongazisa.” Lakanye wamvalelisa esuka esigodini saseHebhroni.

\par }{\PP UJosefa esefikile eShekhemu,

\VS{15}wafunyanwa yindoda ezula egangeni yambuza yathi, “Udingani?”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Waphendula wathi, “Ngidinga abafowethu. Kambe ungangitshela ukuthi belusela ngaphi imihlambi yabo na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Indoda yaphendula yathi, “Sebesukile lapha. Ngabezwa besithi, ‘Kasiyeni eDothani.’ ”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJosefa wabalandela abafowabo wayabafumana eduze kweDothani.

\VS{18}Kodwa bambona esesekude, wathi engakafiki kubo, bakhanda icebo lokumbulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Batshelana bathi, “Nanguyana umphuphi lowana esiza.

\VS{20}Zwanini, kasimbulaleni simphosele kwelinye lamagodi la besesisithi udliwe yisilo esesabekayo. Besesibona-ke ukuthi azaphelela ngaphi amaphupho akhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Kwathi uRubheni esekuzwile lokhu, wazama ukuthi amlamulele ezandleni zabo. Wathi, “Kasingacimi impilo yakhe.

\VS{22}Lingachithi gazi. Mphoseleni emgodini lo lapha enkangala, kodwa lingambeki isandla.” URubheni watsho lokhu ukuze amlamulele kubo abesembuyisela kuyise.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Ngakho kwathi uJosefa efika kubafowabo, bamhlubula ijazi lakhe, elalibalazwe kakuhle ayeligqokile,

\VS{24}bamthatha bayamphosela emgodini. Umgodi lo wawungela lutho, kungelamanzi phakathi kwawo.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Bathi sebehlezi phansi ukuthi badle, bathi baphosa amehlo babona udwendwe lwama-Ishumayeli luvelela eGiliyadi. Amakamela abo ayethwaliswe iziyoliso, ibhami lemure, konke lokhu bekusa eGibhithe.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UJuda wathi kubafowabo, “Sizazuzani nxa sibulala umfowethu sigqibele igazi lakhe na?

\VS{27}Zwanini, kasimthengiseni kuma-Ishumayeli thina singambeki sandla; kambe yena evele engumfowethu, eyinyama yethu legazi lethu.” Abafowabo bavuma.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Ngakho kwathi abathengisi bamaMidiyani besedlula abafowabo bamkhupha uJosefa emgodini bamthengisa ngamashekeli esiliva angamatshumi amabili kuma-Ishumayeli, amthatha aya laye eGibhithe.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}URubheni wathi esebuyela emgodini wafumana uJosefa engasekho, wasedabula izigqoko zakhe ngokudabuka.

\VS{30}Wabuyela kubafowabo wathi, “Umfana kasekho! Sengizakwenzanjani manje?”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Basebethatha ijazi likaJosefa, babulala imbuzi basebegxamuza ijazi lelo egazini.

\VS{32}Balithatha ijazi lokuceciswa babuyela lalo kuyise bathi, “Silidobhile. Ake ulikhangele kuhle kumbe lijazi lendodana yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Lakanye walibona liyilo wathi, “Lijazi lendodana yami. Udliwe yisilo esesabekayo. Ngempela uJosefa usedlithizwe waba yizicucu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{34}UJakhobe wasedabula izigqoko zakhe, wagqoka ezamasaka walilela indodana yakhe okwensuku ezinengi.

\VS{35}Wonke amadodana akhe lamadodakazi beza ukuzamduduza, kodwa kavumanga ukududuzeka. Wathi, “Hatshi, ngizakuya ethuneni ngilila nginje, ngiye endodaneni yami.” Uyise wamkhalela kanjalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{36}Kusenjalo, amaMidiyani amthengisa uJosefa eGibhithe kuPhothifa, omunye wezikhulu zikaFaro, owayengumlawuli wabalindi.




\par }\Chap{38}{\SH UJuda LoThamari
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngalesosikhathi uJuda watshiya abafowabo wahamba wayahlala lendoda yase-Adulami eyayithiwa nguHira.

\VS{2}Khonale uJuda wabonana lendodakazi yendoda engumKhenani eyayithiwa nguShuwa. Wayithatha wembatha layo;

\VS{3}yathatha isisu yazala indodana yathiwa ngu-Eri.

\VS{4}Wazithwala njalo wazala indodana wayithi ngu-Onani.

\VS{5}Wazala njalo enye indodana wayithi nguShela. Le wayizalela eKhezibhi.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UJuda wazuzela u-Eri izibulo lakhe umfazi, ibizo lakhe linguThamari.

\VS{7}Kodwa u-Eri izibulo likaJuda, wayengcolile emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}};
{\ND{uThixo}} wasembulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UJuda wasesithi ku-Onani, “Lala lomkamfowenu ugcwalise umlandu wakho njengomfowabo uzalele umfowenu abantwana.”

\VS{9}Kodwa u-Onani wakwazi ukuthi inzalo leyo yayingezukuba ngeyakhe; ngakho kwakusithi sonke isikhathi angalala lomkamfowabo achithele inhlanyelo phansi emhlabathini ukuze angaze azalela umfowabo abantwana.

\VS{10}Lokho ayekwenza kwakukubi emehlweni
{\ND{kaThixo}}; ngakho
{\ND{uThixo}} wambulala.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}UJuda wasesithi kumalukazana wakhe uThamari, “Hamba uyehlala njengomfelokazi emzini kayihlo indodana yami uShela ize ikhule.” Ngoba wanakana wathi, “Laye angafa njengabanewabo.” Ngakho uThamari wahamba wayahlala emzini kayise.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngemva kwesikhathi eside umkaJuda, indodakazi kaShuwa wafa. Kwathi uJuda eseduduzekile waya eThimina, emadodeni ayegunda izimvu zakhe, ehamba lomngane wakhe uHira umʼAdulami.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kwathi uThamari esetsheliwe kwathiwa, “Uyihlozala uyeza eThimina ukuzagunda izimvu zakhe,”

\VS{14}wakhulula izigqoko zakhe zokuzila wazimboza ngesimbombozo ukuzifihla, wasehlala phansi eduzane lesango lase-Enayimi, elisendleleni yaseThimina. Ngoba wabona ukuthi loba uShela wayesekhulile, yena wayelokhu engakamphiwa ukuthi abe ngumkakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UJuda wathi embona wacabanga ukuthi yisifebe, ngoba wayezivale ubuso.

\VS{16}Kwathi ngoba engamboni ukuthi ngumalokazana wakhe waya kuye eceleni komgwaqo wathi, “Woza manje, ngifuna ukulala lawe.”

\par }{\PP Yena wabuza wathi, “Uzangiphani ngingalala lawe?”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Wathi, “Ngizakuthumezela izinyane lembuzi emhlambini wami.”

\par }{\PP UThamari wabuza wathi, “Uzangipha na ulutho lube yisibambiso ungakalithumezi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Wathi, “Ngikuphe sibambiso bani?”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Isilengiso sophawu lwakho lentambo yaso, kanye lodondolo lwakho oluphetheyo.” Ngakho wamupha lezozinto waselala laye, wahle wazithwala.

\VS{19}Esesuka lapho uThamari wakhupha isimbombozo sakhe wagqoka izigqoko zakhe zokuzila njalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Kusenjalo uJuda wathumezela izinyane lembuzi ngomngane wakhe umʼAdulami ukuze abuyiselwe isibambiso sakhe esasikowesifazane lowo, kodwa wamswela.

\VS{21}Wabuza amadoda ayehlala lapho wathi, “Singaphi isifebe ebesilapha eceleni komgwaqo e-Enayimi na?”

\par }{\PP Athi, “Kakuzange kube lesifebe lapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ngakho wasebuyela kuJuda wayakuthi, “Kangimfumananga. Futhi amadoda lawo ahlala khona athi kakuzange kube lesifebe esasihlala lapho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}UJuda wasesithi, “Myekele ahle akugcine khonokho alakho funa sicine sesiyinhlekisa. Phezu kwalokho mina bengimthumezele izinyane lembuzi, kodwa kawusamfumananga.”


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Ngemva kwezinyanga ezintathu uJuda watshelwa ukuthi umalukazana wakhe uThamari wayesefebile wasethatha isisu.

\par }{\PP UJuda wathi, “Mkhupheni, atshiswe aze afe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Kwathi lapho ekhutshwa wathumela ilizwi kuyisezala wathi, “Ngoniwa yindoda engumnikazi walezizinto.” Wengeza ngokuthi, “Akubone ukuthi singaba ngesikabani isilengiso sophawu lesi lentambo kanye lodondolo lolu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UJuda wazazi izinto lezo wathi, “Ulungile kulami, ngoba kangisamphanga endodaneni yami uShela.” Kasaphindanga wembatha laye njalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Kwathi isikhathi sakhe sokubeletha sesifikile, wayelamaphahla angabafana esiswini.

\VS{28}Wathi khonapho ebeletha omunye wawo wakhupha isandla; umbelethisi wathatha intambo ebomvu wayibophela esihlakaleni sesandla salo wathi, “Leli yilo eliphume kuqala.”

\VS{29}Kodwa labuyisela isandla, umfowabo waphuma kuqala, wasesithi, “Le yiyo indlela ofohle ngayo!” Laseliphiwa ibizo elithi nguPherezi.

\VS{30}Ngakho umfowabo, owayelentambo esihlakaleni, waphuma wethiwa ibizo wathiwa nguZera.




\par }\Chap{39}{\SH UJosefa LomkaPhothifa
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJosefa wathathwa wasiwa eGibhithe. UPhothifa, owayengomunye wezikhulu zikaFaro, eyindunankulu yabalindi, wamthenga kuma-Ishumayeli abayibo abamletha khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}{\ND{UThixo}} wayelaye uJosefa, waphumelela, wahlala endlini yenkosi yakhe umGibhithe.

\VS{3}Kwathi inkosi yakhe ikubona ukuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelaye lokuthi
{\ND{uThixo}} wamphumelelisa kukho konke ayekwenza,

\VS{4}uJosefa wasethandeka kuye wasesiba yinceku yakhe. UPhothifa wasembeka ukuba ngumphathi womuzi wakhe, kwathi konke ayelakho wakubeka ezandleni zakhe.

\VS{5}Kusukela ngesikhathi embeka ukuba ngumphathi womuzi wakhe lakho konke okwakungokwakhe,
{\ND{uThixo}} wawubusisa umuzi womGibhithe ngenxa kaJosefa. Isibusiso
{\ND{sikaThixo}} saba phezu kwakho konke uPhothifa ayelakho, loba kusendlini loba kusensimini.

\VS{6}Ngakho watshiya konke okwakhe ezandleni zikaJosefa; kwathi ngoba uJosefa enguye ophetheyo wakhohlwa ngakho konke ngaphandle kokudla ayekudla.

\par }{\PP UJosefa lo wayemi kuhle, ebukeka,

\VS{7}kwasekusithi ngemva kwesikhathi inkosikazi yenkosi yakhe yambuka, yamfisa uJosefa yathi, “Woza engutsheni lami!”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Kodwa wala. Wamtshela wathi, “Njengoba kuyimi engiphetheyo, inkosi yami kayizihluphi ngalutho emzini wayo; yonke into elayo iyibeke ezandleni zami.

\VS{9}Kakho omkhulu kulami kulumuzi. Inkosi yami kayingalisi lutho ngaphandle kwakho, ngoba wena ungumkayo. Pho ngingayenza kanjani into embi kanje, ngenze isono kuNkulunkulu na?”

\VS{10}Kwathi loba emphikelela uJosefa insuku ngensuku, wala ukulala laye wala lokuthi ahlale laye.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngolunye usuku wangena endlini ukuqhuba umsebenzi wakhe, izisebenzi zasendlini zingekho phakathi endlini.

\VS{12}UmkaPhothifa wambamba ngesigqoko wathi, “Woza engutsheni ulale lami!” Kodwa waphunyuka wabaleka waphuma endlini, isigqoko sakhe sasala esandleni sowesifazane.


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kwathi ebona ukuthi utshiye isigqoko sakhe esandleni sakhe njalo wabaleka endlini,

\VS{14}owesifazane wamemeza izisebenzi zendlini wathi kuzo, “Khangelani, umHebheru lo walethwa lapha ukuzadlala ngathi! Ungene lapha efuna ukulala lami, kodwa ngahlaba umkhosi.

\VS{15}Uthe esizwa ngihlaba umkhosi ngidinga uncedo, wasetshiya isigqoko sakhe eceleni kwami wabaleka waphuma endlini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Wasigcina isigqoko eceleni kwakhe inkosi kaJosefa yaze yabuya ngekhaya.

\VS{17}Waseyitshela indaba le wathi: “Isigqili somHebheru lesiyana owasilethela sona sifikile kimi ukuzadlala ngami.

\VS{18}Kodwa ngonele ukuthi ngihlabe umkhosi ngidinga uncedo, satshiya isigqoko saso eceleni kwami sabaleka saphuma endlini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kwathi inkosi yakhe isizwile indaba eyayitshelwa ngumfazi esithi, “Singenze njalo isigqili sakho,” yathukuthela kakhulu.

\VS{20}Inkosi yakhe uJosefa yamthatha yamphosela entolongweni, indawo lapho okwakuvalelwa khona izibotshwa zenkosi.

\par }{\PP Kodwa kwathi uJosefa ekhonapho entolongweni,

\VS{21}{\ND{uThixo}} waba laye; wamenzela umusa wamenza wathandeka emehlweni omphathijele.

\VS{22}Ngakho-ke umphathijele wamkhweza wamenza umphathi wabo bonke ababebotshiwe besentolongweni, njalo kwaba nguye okhangele konke okwakusenziwa khona.

\VS{23}Umphathijele kazange azihluphe loba ngani eyayiphethwe nguJosefa ngoba
{\ND{uThixo}} wayelaye uJosefa, wamupha impumelelo kukho konke ayekwenza.




\par }\Chap{40}{\SH UJosefa Uchasisa Amaphupho
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kwesikhathi esithile umphathinkezo lomphekizinkwa wenkosi yaseGibhithe bayikhuba inkosi yabo, inkosi yaseGibhithe.

\VS{2}UFaro wayezizondele izikhulu zakhe zombili, umphathinkezo omkhulu lomphekizinkwa omkhulu,

\VS{3}wabaphosela entolongweni eyayisendlini kandunankulu wabalindi, lapho uJosefa ayevalelwe khona.

\VS{4}Indunankulu yabalindi yabanikela kuJosefa, wabalawula.

\par }{\PP Kwathi sebehlale entolongweni okwesikhathi esithile,

\VS{5}ngulowo wamadoda la amabili, umphathinkezo lomphekizinkwa, abenkosi yaseGibhithe, ababevalelwe baphupha amaphupho ngabusuku bunye, kwathi yilelo iphupho laba lengcazelo yalo.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Kwathi uJosefa efika kubo kusisa ekuseni, wabona bebunile.

\VS{7}Wasezibuza izikhulu zikaFaro ezazisentolongweni kanye laye endlini yenkosi yakhe wathi, “Kungani ubuso benu bubunile kanje lamuhla na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Baphendula bathi, “Sobabili siphuphile, kodwa kakho ongasichasisela amaphupho ethu.”

\par }{\PP Ngakho uJosefa wasesithi kubo, “Izingcazelo kakusizikaNkulunkulu na? Ngitshelani amaphupho enu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Umphathinkezo omkhulu wamtshela uJosefa ngephupho lakhe. Wathi kuye, “Ephutsheni lami ngibone isihlahla sevini siphambi kwami,

\VS{10}lelovini lilengatsha ezintathu. Lonela ukuhluma lahle laqhakaza, amaxha alo ahle avuthwa aba yizithelo ezivuthiweyo.

\VS{11}Inkezo kaFaro ibisesandleni sami, ngawathatha amagrebisi ngawakhamela enkezweni kaFaro ngamqhubela esandleni sakhe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UJosefa wathi kuye, “Nanku elikutshoyo. Amagatsha amathathu yizinsuku ezintathu.

\VS{13}Phakathi kwensuku ezintathu uFaro uzaphakamisa ikhanda lakho akubisele esikhundleni sakho, njalo uzayibeka inkezo kaFaro esandleni sakhe njengalokhu owawuvele ukwenza usesengumphathinkezo yakhe.

\VS{14}Kodwa nxa konke sekulungile ungikhumbule, ungenzele umusa; ungikhulumele kuFaro ukuze ngiphume kule intolongo.

\VS{15}Ngoba ngasuswa ngamandla elizweni lamaHebheru, futhi lapha kangenzanga lutho olufanele ukuthi ngifakwe entolongweni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kwathi umphekizinkwa omkhulu ebona ukuthi uJosefa wayenike ingcazelo emnandi, wathi kuJosefa, “Lami njalo ngiphuphile: Phezu kwekhanda lami bekulezitsha zesinkwa ezintathu.

\VS{17}Esitsheni esiphezulu bekulemihlobo yonke yalokho okubhekhelwe uFaro, kodwa izinyoni zazilokhu zisidlala esitsheni sisekhanda lami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJosefa wathi, “Nanku elikutshoyo. Izitsha ezintathu zinsuku ezintathu.

\VS{19}Phakathi kwensuku ezintathu uFaro uzaliphakamisa ikhanda lakho akulengise esihlahleni. Izinyoni zizakudla inyama yakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ilanga lesithathu laliyisikhumbuzo sokuzalwa kukaFaro, ngakho wenzela izikhulu zakhe idili. Waphakamisa amakhanda amabili, elomphathinkezo omkhulu lelomphekizinkwa omkhulu phambi kwezikhulu zakhe:

\VS{21}Wabuyisela umphathinkezo esikhundleni sakhe, waphinda njalo ukubeka inkezo esandleni sikaFaro,

\VS{22}kodwa walengisa umphekizinkwa omkhulu, kwaba njengoba uJosefa wayetshilo kubo ekubachasiseleni kwakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Kodwa umphathinkezo omkhulu kasamkhumbulanga uJosefa; wakhohlwa ngaye.




\par }\Chap{41}{\SH Amaphupho KaFaro
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi sekwedlule iminyaka emibili egcweleyo uFaro waba lephupho: Wazibona emi okhunjini lukaNayili,

\VS{2}kwasekuqhamuka emfuleni lowo amankomokazi ayisikhombisa, egcwele njalo enonile, esidla phakathi kwemihlanga.

\VS{3}Ngemva kwawo kwathutsha amanye ayisikhombisa, amabi njalo acakileyo, aphuma kuNayili afika ema eceleni kwalawo ayesokhunjini lomfula.

\VS{4}Amankomokazi ayemabi, ecakile aginya lawo ayisikhombisa ayegcwele, enonile. UFaro wasephaphama.


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Wabuye walala waphupha okwesibili: Izikhwebu zamabele eziyisikhombisa, zigcwele zizinhle, zazikhula ehlangeni linye.

\VS{6}Ngemva kwazo kwakhula ezinye izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa, zicakile njalo zihangulwe ludwangu.

\VS{7}Izikhwebu lezo ezazicakile zaginya lezo eziyisikhombisa ezaziphilile, zigcwele. UFaro wasephaphama, kwakuliphupho nje.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ekuseni umoya wakhe wawukhathazekile, ngakho wasesithi kakubizwe bonke abemilingo lezazi zaseGibhithe. UFaro wabatshela amaphupho akhe, kodwa akakho loyedwa owakwaziyo ukuwachasisa.


\par }{\PP \VS{9}Umphathinkezo omkhulu wathi kuFaro, “Lamuhla sengikhumbula amaphutha ami.

\VS{10}UFaro wake wazondela izinceku zakhe, wangivalela mina kanye lomphekizinkwa omkhulu endlini yendunankulu yabalindi.

\VS{11}Ngamunye wethu waba lephupho ngobusuku bunye, iphupho linye ngalinye lalilengcazelo yalo lodwa.

\VS{12}Kwakulejaha lomHebheru khonapho, lathi liyinceku yendunankulu yabalindi. Salitshela amaphupho ethu, lasichasisela wona, lisipha ngulowo ingcazelo yephupho lakhe.

\VS{13}Izinto zaba njengokusichazela kwakhe: ngabuyiselwa esikhundleni sami, lomkhula wami walengiswa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Ngakho uFaro wabiza uJosefa, walethwa masinyane esuka entolongweni. Kwathi esephucile indevu, wantshintsha izigqoko weza phambi kukaFaro.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}UFaro wathi kuJosefa, “Ngiphuphe iphupho, kodwa kakho ongangichasisela lona. Kodwa ngizwa kuthiwa wena, nxa ungalizwa iphupho uyalichasisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}UJosefa wamphendula uFaro wathi, “Ngeke ngikwenze, kodwa uNkulunkulu uzamnika uFaro impendulo ayidingayo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}UFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Ephutsheni lami bengimi okhunjini lukaNayili,

\VS{18}ngasengibona kuqhamuka amankomokazi ayisikhombisa, anonileyo, egcwele, esidla phakathi kwemihlanga.

\VS{19}Ngemva kwawo kwaqhamuka amanye amankomokazi ayisikhombisa, etshwabhene, emabi kakhulu futhi ecakile. Ngangingakaze ngibone amankomokazi amabi kangako kulolonke elaseGibhithe.

\VS{20}Lawo mankomokazi acakileyo, amabi adla lawana amankomokazi ayisikhombisa ayenonile ayiwo aqhamuka kuqala.

\VS{21}Kodwa loba esewadlile lawo kakho owayengatsho ukuthi atheni; ayelokhu emabi njengakuqala. Ngasengiphaphama.


\par }{\PP \VS{22}Ephutsheni lami ngibone njalo izikhwebu zamabele eziyisikhombisa, zigcwele, njalo zizinhle zikhula ehlangeni linye.

\VS{23}Ngemva kwazo, kwahluma ezinye izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa, zibunile njalo zicakile, zihangulwe ludwangu.

\VS{24}Lezozikhwebu zamabele ezicakileyo zaginya leziyana eziyisikhombisa ezinhle. Ngibatshelile abamasalamusi ngalokhu, kodwa kakho okwazileyo ukungichasisela.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}UJosefa wasesithi kuFaro, “Amaphupho kaFaro ayilutho lunye. UNkulunkulu usevezile kuFaro lokho asezakwenza.

\VS{26}Amankomokazi ayisikhombisa amahle ayiminyaka eyisikhombisa, njalo lezikhwebu zamabele ezinhle ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa; kuliphupho linye.

\VS{27}Amankomokazi ayisikhombisa eza muva yiminyaka eyisikhombisa, kanjalo lezikhwebu eziyisikhombisa ezazingelamsebenzi, zitshaywe ludwangu: Yiminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Kunjengokuba ngitshilo kuFaro. UNkulunkulu usevezile kuFaro lokho azakwenza.

\VS{29}Sekusiza iminyaka eyisikhombisa eyenala enkulu kulolonke elaseGibhithe,

\VS{30}kodwa izalandelwa yiminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala. Kuzakuthi yonke inala enkulu eGibhithe ikhohlakale, ngoba indlala izalibhubhisa ilizwe.

\VS{31}Inala elizweni izabe ingasakhunjulwa, ngoba indlala eyilandelayo izabe inkulu kakhulu.

\VS{32}Isizatho sokuthi iphupho liphiwe uFaro ngezindlela ezimbili yikuthi, indaba isimiswe yaqiniswa nguNkulunkulu, njalo uNkulunkulu uzakukwenza masinyane.


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Khathesi-ke uFaro kadinge indoda elombono njalo ehlakaniphileyo ayibeke phezu kwelizwe laseGibhithe.

\VS{34}UFaro abesekhetha abalisa elizweni abazathatha ingxenye eyodwa kwezinhlanu yesivuno saseGibhithe ngeminyaka yenala eyisikhombisa.

\VS{35}Kumele baqoqe konke ukudla ngale iminyaka emihle ezayo bakugcine ukudla ngaphansi kukaFaro, kugcinwe emadolobheni ukuthi kube yikudla.

\VS{36}Ukudla lokhu kakugcinelwe ilizwe kulondolozelwe ukusetshenziswa ngeminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala ezafika eGibhithe, ukwenzela ukuthi ilizwe lingabhujiswa yindlala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{37}Icebo leli lakhanya lilihle kuFaro lakuzo zonke izikhulu zakhe.

\VS{38}UFaro wasezibuza wathi, “Kambe singamfumana yini omunye onjengendoda le, umuntu olomoya kaNkulunkulu?”


\par }{\PP \VS{39}UFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Njengoba uNkulunkulu esekwazisile konke lokhu, kakho olombono onje lohlakaniphileyo njengawe.

\VS{40}Wena-ke usuzaphatha isigodlo sami, kuthi bonke abantu bami bazalalela iziqondiso zakho. Mina ngizakuba mkhulu kulawe ngesikhundla sesihlalo sobukhosi sami kuphela.”


\par }{\SH UJosefa Uphatha Ilizwe LaseGibhithe
\par }
{\PP \VS{41}Ngakho uFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Sengikubeka ukuthi wena uliphathe lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe.”

\VS{42}UFaro wasethatha indandatho yophawu lwakhe eyayisemunweni wakhe wayifaka emunweni kaJosefa. Wamgqokisa izembatho zelineni elihle wamgqizisa iketane yegolide entanyeni.

\VS{43}Kwathiwa usezahamba ngenqola yempi njengoba esenguye umsekeli wakhe oseduze, kwathi edlula abantu bamemeza bathi, “Vulani indlela!” Wambeka-ke ukuthi aphathe ilizwe lonke laseGibhithe.


\par }{\PP \VS{44}UFaro wasesithi kuJosefa, “Mina nginguFaro, kodwa ngaphandle kwelizwi lakho kakho ozasiphakamisa isandla loba unyawo kulolonke elaseGibhithe.”

\VS{45}UFaro wetha uJosefa ibizo elithi Zafenathi-Phaneya, wasemupha u-Asenathi indodakazi kaPhothifera, umphristi wase-Oni ukuba abe ngumkakhe. UJosefa walibhoda lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe.


\par }{\PP \VS{46}UJosefa wayeleminyaka engamatshumi amathathu yokuzalwa eqalisa ukusebenzela uFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe. UJosefa wasuka phambi kukaFaro walibhoda lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe.

\VS{47}Ngeminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala umhlaba wathela ukudla okunengi kakhulu.

\VS{48}UJosefa wakuqoqa konke ukudla okwavunwa phakathi kwaleyominyaka eyisikhombisa yenala eGibhithe wakulondoloza emadolobheni. Kulelo lalelodolobho wabeka ukudla okwakulinywa emasimini akuleyondawo.

\VS{49}UJosefa waqoqa izinqwaba lezinqwaba zamabele, kwaba njengetshebetshebe lolwandle. Kwaba kunengi waze wayekela ukukubhala phansi ngoba kwasekungaphezu kokulinganiswa.


\par }{\PP \VS{50}Ingakafiki iminyaka yendlala, u-Asenathi, indodakazi kaPhothifera, umphristi ka-Oni wazalela uJosefa amadodana amabili.

\VS{51}UJosefa wetha izibulo lakhe wathi nguManase, esithi, “Kungenxa yokuthi uNkulunkulu wenzile ukuthi ngilukhohlwe lonke uhlupho lwami kanye layo yonke indlu kababa.”

\VS{52}Indodana yesibili wayibiza ngokuthi ngu-Efrayimi, wathi, “Kungenxa yokuthi uNkulunkulu ungenze ngaba lezithelo elizweni lokuhlupheka kwami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{53}Iminyaka yenala eyisikhombisa eGibhithe yaphela,

\VS{54}kwaqalisa iminyaka yendlala eyisikhombisa, njengoba uJosefa wayetshilo. Indlala yaba khona kuwo wonke amanye amazwe, kodwa kulolonke ilizwe laseGibhithe ukudla kwakukhona.

\VS{55}Kwathi lapho iGibhithe lonke selingenelwa yindlala abantu bazibika kuFaro befuna ukudla. Ngakho uFaro wasebatshela bonke abaseGibhithe wathi, “Yanini kuJosefa lenze lokho alitshela khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{56}Kwathi indlala isimemetheke kulolonke ilizwe uJosefa wavula iziphala wawathengisela amaGibhithe ukudla ngoba indlala yayisinkulu kakhulu kulolonke ilizwe laseGibhithe.

\VS{57}Kwathi wonke amanye amazwe eza eGibhithe ezothenga amabele kuJosefa, ngoba indlala yayibhahile kuwo wonke umhlaba.




\par }\Chap{42}{\SH Abafowabo BakaJosefa Baya EGibhithe
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Kwathi uJakhobe esezwile ukuthi amabele ayekhona eGibhithe wathi emadodaneni akhe, “Kungani likhangelana nje?”

\VS{2}Waqhubeka wathi, “Sengizwile ukuthi amabele akhona eGibhithe. Yehlani liye khona liyesithengela wona ukuze siphile singafi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Ngakho abanewabo bakaJosefa behla bayathenga amabele eGibhithe.

\VS{4}Kodwa uJakhobe kamthumanga labanye uBhenjamini, umnawakhe kaJosefa ngoba wesaba ukuthi angaqabuka ewelwa yingozi.

\VS{5}Kungakho amadodana ka-Israyeli ayeludwendwe lunye lalabo ababesiyathenga amabele njengoba indlala yayikhona laselizweni leKhenani.


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Ngalesosikhathi uJosefa wayengumbusi welizwe, enguye othengisela abantu bonke amabele. Ngakho abafowabo bakaJosefa bathi befika khona bamkhothamela, bathi mbo ngobuso phansi.

\VS{7}UJosefa wonela ukubabona abafowabo, wabazi, kodwa wazitshaya owezizweni, wabakhulumisa ngokubakhahlameza. Wababuza wathi, “Livela ngaphi?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula bathi, “Sivela elizweni laseKhenani ukuzathenga ukudla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Lanxa uJosefa wabazi abafowabo, bona kabamazanga.

\VS{9}Ngakho wasekhumbula amaphupho akhe ngabo wasesithi kubo, “Lizinhloli! Lilande ukuzabona lapho ilizwe lethu elingavikelekanga khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Baphendula bathi, “Hatshi, nkosi yethu. Izinceku zakho zize ukuzothenga ukudla.

\VS{11}Singamadodana endoda yinye sonke. Izinceku zakho zingabantu abaqotho, kazisizo zinhloli.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Wathi kubo, “Hatshi! Lize ukuzabona lapho ilizwe lethu elingavikelekanga khona.”


\par }{\PP \VS{13}Kodwa baphendula bathi, “Izinceku zakho zaziyizelamani ezilitshumi lambili, engamadodana endoda yinye, ehlala elizweni laseKhenani. Icinathunjana lisele lobaba, ikanti eyodwa kayisekho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UJosefa wathi kubo, “Kunjengoba ngilitshelile: Lizinhloli!

\VS{15}Manje-ke lizahlolwa kanje: Ngifunga uFaro, kaliyikusuka lapha ngaphandle kokuthi umfowenu omncinyane afike lapha.

\VS{16}Thumani omunye wenu amlande umfowenu; lonke abanye lizagcinwa entolongweni, ukuze amazwi enu ahlolisiswe ukuthi lingabe likhuluma iqiniso yini. Nxa kungenjalo, ngifunga uFaro, lizinhloli!”

\VS{17}Wasebafaka entolongweni bonke okwensuku ezintathu.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Ngosuku lwesithathu uJosefa wathi kubo, “Yenzani lokhu ukuze lisile, ngoba mina ngesaba uNkulunkulu:

\VS{19}Nxa lingabantu abaqotho, omunye wenu kahlale lapha entolongweni, kuthi lina abanye libuyele lihambisele izimuli zenu amabele esezibulawa yindlala.

\VS{20}Kodwa limlethe lapha kimi umnawenu omncane ukuze amazwi enu aqiniseke, njalo ukuze lingafi.” Bakwenza lokho.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Basebekhulumisana bathi, “Ngempela sijeziselwa umfowethu. Sambona ukuthi wayekhathazeke kangakanani esincenga, ezincengela impilo yakhe, kodwa kasaze samlalela; kungakho sisehlelwa luhlupho lolu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{22}URubheni waphendula wathi, “Kodwa kangilitshelanga yini ukuthi lingenzi isono emfaneni lina laqinisa amakhanda? Nanku-ke sesimele sifakaze ngegazi lakhe.”

\VS{23}Babengakunanzeleli ukuthi uJosefa wayeluzwa ulimi lwabo njengoba wayelomtolikelayo.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Wabafulathela wachiphiza izinyembezi, kodwa waphenduka wakhuluma labo. Wathi kuthathwe uSimiyoni kubo owahle wabotshwa phambi kwabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}UJosefa waselaya ukuthi kugcwaliswe amabele emasakeni abo, kubuyiselwe imali yalowo lalowo ifakwe phakathi kwesaka lakhe njalo baphiwe umphako wendlela. Sebekwenzelwe konke lokho,

\VS{26}betshata amasaka abo kubobabhemi bahamba.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Endaweni lapho abema khona ngalobubusuku omunye wabo wavula isaka lakhe ukuthathela ubabhemi wakhe ukudla, wasebona imali yakhe yesiliva emlonyeni wesaka.

\VS{28}Wathi kubafowabo, “Isiliva sami sibuyiselwe. Nansi lapha phakathi kwesaka lami.”

\par }{\PP Zatshona inhliziyo zabo bakhangelana bethuthumela bathi, “Kuyini kambe lokhu uNkulunkulu asekwenzile kithi?”


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Bathi sebefike kuyise uJakhobe elizweni laseKhenani bamtshela konke lokho okwakwenzakele kubo. Bathi,

\VS{30}“Indoda eyinkosi yelizwe isikhulumise ngokusihalada, yasiphatha kwangathi sizinhloli elizweni.

\VS{31}Kodwa sathi kuyo, ‘Singamadoda aqotho; kasisizonhloli thina.

\VS{32}Sasiyizelamani ezilitshumi lambili, amadodana endoda yinye. Omunye sowedlula, kuthi icinathunjana lisele lobaba eKhenani.’


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngakho umuntu oyinkosi yalelolizwe wasesithi kithi, ‘Nanku okuzangenza ngazi ukuthi lingabantu abaqotho: Tshiyani omunye umfowenu lapha kimi, lithathe ukudla kwezimuli zenu ezilambayo lihambe.

\VS{34}Kodwa umnawenu limlethe kimi khona ngizakwazi ukuthi kalisizinhloli, kodwa lingabantu abaqotho. Lapho-ke ngizambuyisela kini umfowenu, lani selingazithengisela phakathi kwelizwe.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{35}Bathi sebethulula amasaka abo, babona umxhaka wesiliva waleyo laleyo ndoda esakeni layo! Kwathi bona ngokwabo kanye loyise bebona imixhaka yemali besaba.

\VS{36}Uyise uJakhobe wathi kubo, “Selingephuce abantwabami. UJosefa kasekho, loSimiyoni kasekho; manje selifuna ukuthatha uBhenjamini. Yonke into iyangihlamukela!”


\par }{\PP \VS{37}URubheni wasesithi kuyise, “Ungawabulala womabili amadodana ami nxa ngingangambuyisi kuwe. Mnikele ezandleni zami, mina ngizambuyisa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{38}Kodwa uJakhobe wathi, “Indodana yami kayiyikuhamba lani khonale; umnewabo sewafa, usenguye yedwa oseleyo. Nxa evelelwa ngokubi kuloluhambo lwenu lizakwenza ukuthi ikhanda lami eliyimpunga liye engcwabeni lidabukile.”




\par }\Chap{43}{\SH Uhambo Lwesibili Lokuya EGibhithe
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Indlala yayilokhu inkulu kakhulu elizweni.

\VS{2}Ngakho kwathi sebekuqedile konke ukudla ababekuthenge eGibhithe, uyise wathi kubo, “Buyelani liyesithengela njalo okunye ukudla okunenganyana.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kodwa uJuda wathi kuye, “Indoda leyo yasiqonqosela yathi, ‘Ngeke liphinde libubone ubuso bami ngaphandle kokuba lilomnawenu.’

\VS{4}Nxa uzamvumela umnawethu ukuthi sihambe laye, sizahamba siyekuthengela ukudla.

\VS{5}Kodwa nxa ungezukuvuma, ngeke sibuyele, ngoba phela indoda leyo yathi kithi, ‘Ngeke liphinde libubone ubuso bami nxa umnawenu lingelaye.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}U-Israyeli wabuza wathi, “Likwenzeleni lina ukungehlisela uhlupho lolu ngokuyitshela indoda leyo ukuthi lilomnawenu na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Baphendula bathi, “Leyondoda isibuzisisile ngathi langendlu yangakithi yathi, ‘Uyihlo usaphila na? Lilaye na omunye umfowenu?’ Thina besiphendula imibuzo yayo kuphela. Sasingazi kanjani ukuthi yayizakuthi, ‘Mletheni umnawenu lapha’?”


\par }{\PP \VS{8}UJuda wasesithi ku-Israyeli uyise, “Wothi umfana ahambe lami, sizahle sisuke nje masinyane, ukwenzela ukuthi thina lawe kanye labantwabethu siphile, singafi.

\VS{9}Mina ngokwami ngizazinikela ngokuphepha kwakhe; umlandu wonke ngaye awubekwe phezu kwami. Nxa ngingambuyisi kuwe ngimbeke phambi kwakho, ngizakuba lecala kuwe impilo yami yonke.

\VS{10}Njengoba kunje nje, aluba asizilingananga ngabe sesihambe saphenduka kwaze kwaba kabili.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho uyise u-Israyeli wasesithi kubo, “Nxa kumele kube njalo, yenzani lokhu: Fakani emasakeni enu ezinye izinto ezinhle kakhulu eziphuma kulelilizwe lihambe lazo kulowomuntu zibe yisipho, amagcobo okuthambisa loluju, iziyoliso ezithile lemure, izilimo ezicacadwayo zephistakhiyo le-alimondi.

\VS{12}Thathani isiliva esiphindwe kabili, ngoba kufanele libuyisele lesosiliva esasibuyiselwe emasakeni enu. Mhlawumbe kwaba yisiphosiso.

\VS{13}Mthatheni umnawenu laye libuyele kuleyondoda ngokuphangisa.

\VS{14}Sengathi uNkulunkulu uSomandla angalenzela umusa kuleyondoda ukuze ivumele omunye umfowenu kanye loBhenjamini baphenduke lani. Mina ngokwami ngithi, kambe okungayisikufa yikuphi!”


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho amadoda athatha izipho lesiliva esiphindwe kabili kanye loBhenjamini. Batshitsha baya eGibhithe bayazibika kuJosefa.

\VS{16}Kwathi uJosefa ebona uBhenjamini ekanye labo, wathi encekwini yendlu yakhe, “Hamba lamadoda la endlini yami, uwahlabele isifuyo ulungise ukudla; bazakudla lami emini.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Indoda yenza njengokutshelwa kwayo nguJosefa, yawathatha amadoda yahamba lawo endlini kaJosefa.

\VS{18}Amadoda ethuka ebona elethwa endlini kaJosefa. Bacabanga ukuthi, “Silethwe lapha ngenxa yesiliva esabuyiselwa emasakeni ethu ekufikeni kwethu kwakuqala. Ufuna ukusihlasela asehlule, abesesithumba sibe yizigqili athathe obabhemi bethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Ngakho baya encekwini kaJosefa bayakhuluma laye entubeni eya endlini.

\VS{20}Bathi, “Ake usizwe, nkosi yethu: Safika lapha kuqala sizothenga ukudla.

\VS{21}Kodwa lapho esaphumula khona ebusuku savula amasaka ethu, kwaba ngulowo wethu wafumana isiliva sakhe, siphelele ubunzima baso, sisemlonyeni wesaka lakhe. Ngakho size laso.

\VS{22}Size lesinye isiliva phezu kwaleso ukuthi sithenge ukudla. Kasikwazi ukuthi ngubani owabuyisela isiliva emasakeni ethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{23}Wathi, “Kulungile. Lingesabi. UNkulunkulu wenu, uNkulunkulu kayihlo, uliphile inotho emasakeni enu; mina ngasiphiwa isiliva senu.” Emva kwalokho waseletha uSimiyoni kubo.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}Inceku yasiwangenisa amadoda endlini kaJosefa, yawapha amanzi okugeza inyawo zawo, yaletha lotshani babobabhemi bawo.

\VS{25}Balungisa izipho zabo balindela ukufika kukaJosefa emini ngoba basebezwile ukuthi babezakudla khonapho.


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UJosefa esefikile bethula izipho ababengene lazo endlini, njalo bakhothama kuye phansi.

\VS{27}Wababuza ukuphila, wasesithi, “Linjani ixhegu elinguyihlo elangitshela ngalo? Lilokhu lisaphila na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Baphendula bathi, “Inceku yakho, ubaba, ulokhu esaphila njalo usaqinile.” Bakhothama njalo betshengisa inhlonipho.


\par }{\PP \VS{29}Wathi elokhu ebakhangela wabona umnawakhe uBhenjamini, umntakanina sibili, wabuza wathi, “Nguye lo umnawenu olicinathunjana na, lowo elangitshela ngaye?” Wasesithi kuye, “UNkulunkulu kabe lomusa kuwe, ndodana yami.”

\VS{30}Wathinteka kakhulu ngokubona umnawakhe, uJosefa waphangisa waphuma wayafuna indawo yokukhala. Waya ekamelweni lakhe wayakhalela khona.


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Wathi esegezile amehlo waphuma, wazibamba, wasesithi, “Phakululani ukudla.”


\par }{\PP \VS{32}Yena bamupha yedwa, abafowabo labo bodwa, kwathi lamaGibhithe ayesidla laye lawo aba wodwa, ngoba amaGibhithe ayengeke adla lamaHebheru, ngoba lokho kwakunengeka kumaGibhithe.

\VS{33}Amadoda la ayehlezi ngobudala bawo kuqala ngezibulo kusiyacina ngecinathunjana; bakhangelana bemangele.

\VS{34}Kwakusithi nxa bephakelwa kusuka etafuleni likaJosefa, isabelo sikaBhenjamini sasisedluliswa kahlanu kwesabanye. Ngakho bazitika banatha laye bekhululekile.




\par }\Chap{44}{\SH Inkomitsho Yesiliva Esakeni
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJosefa waselaya inceku yendlu yakhe wathi: “Gcwalisa silikici amasaka amadoda la ngokudla konke abangakuthwala, ubusubuyisela isiliva salowo lalowo emlonyeni wesaka lakhe.

\VS{2}Ubusufaka inkomitsho yami, leyana eyesiliva, emlonyeni wesaka lalowo omncinyane wabo ndawonye lesiliva sakhe samabele.” Yenza njengalokho uJosefa ayekutshilo.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Kwathi emadabukakusa bawavalelisa amadoda asuka kanye labobabhemi bawo.

\VS{4}Ayengakahambi okuya ngaphi ukusuka edolobheni lapho uJosefa athi encekwini yakhe, “Axhume ngokuphangisa amadoda lawana, ungawafica uthi kuwo, ‘Lenzeleni ukuphindisela okuhle ngokubi na?

\VS{5}Le kakusinkomitsho enatha ngenkosi yami njalo ehlahlula ngayo na? Le yinto embi kakhulu eseliyenzile!’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}Wathi esebaficile wawatsho amazwi la kubo.

\VS{7}Kodwa bathi kuye, “Kungani inkosi yethu isitsho izinto ezinjalo? Kakube kude lezinceku zakho ukwenza ulutho olunjalo!

\VS{8}Phela siyibuyisile kuwe isiliva sisuka laso elizweni laseKhenani, lesiyana esasifumana phakathi emilonyeni yamasaka ethu. Pho besingakwenza njani ukweba isiliva loba igolide endlini yenkosi yakho na?

\VS{9}Nxa omunye wezinceku zakho efunyanwa elayo, uzabulawa; kuthi thina abanye sibe yizigqili zenkosi yethu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Wathi, “Kulungile, kakube njengokutsho kwenu. Lowo ozafunyanwa elayo uzakuba yisigqili sami, lina abanye lonke kalizukuba lecala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngulowo lalowo wabo wethula isaka lakhe walivula.

\VS{12}Inceku yasihamba ihlola, yaqala ngomdala yayacina ngomcinyane. Inkomitsho yayafunyanwa esakeni likaBhenjamini.

\VS{13}Bekubona lokhu badabula izigqoko zabo. Emva kwalokho bonke betshatisa obabhemi babo amasaka baphindela edolobheni.


\par }{\PP \VS{14}UJosefa wayelokhu esendlini lapho uJuda labafowabo abafika khona bazilahla phansi phambi kwakhe.

\VS{15}UJosefa wathi kubo, “Kuyini lokhu elikwenzileyo? Kalazi na ukuthi umuntu onjengami ubona izinto ngokuhlahlula?”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}UJuda waphendula wathi, “Kambe singabe sisathini? Singakuveza kanjani ukuba msulwa kwethu? UNkulunkulu usembule icala lezinceku zakho. Manje sesiyizichaka zenkosi yami, thina ngokwethu lalowo ofunyenwe elayo inkomitsho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kodwa uJosefa wathi. “Kakube kude lami ukwenza into enjalo! Yileyo indoda kuphela efunyanwe ilayo inkomitsho ezakuba yisichaka sami. Abanye lonke buyelani kuyihlo ngokuthula.”


\par }{\PP \VS{18}UJuda wasesondela kuye wathi, “Oh, nkosi yami, akuvumele inceku yakho itsho ilizwi enkosini yami. Ungayizondeli inceku yakho, loba wena ulingana loFaro ngokwakhe.

\VS{19}Inkosi yami yabuza izinceku zayo yathi, ‘Lilaye na uyihlo kumbe umfowenu?’

\VS{20}Thina saphendula sathi, ‘Silaye ubaba oseluphele, njalo ikhona indodana ayizala eseluphele. Umnewabo wafa, njalo yiyo yodwa eseleyo emadodaneni kanina, ngakho uyise uyayithanda.’


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Wena wasusithi ezincekwini zakho, ‘Mletheni kimi ukuze ngimbone mina ngokwami.’

\VS{22}Thina sathi enkosini yami, ‘Umfana ngeke asuka kuyise; nxa esuka kuye, uyise uzakufa.’

\VS{23}Kodwa izinceku zakho wazitshela wathi, ‘Ngaphandle kokuba umnawenu omncane lize laye, ngeke liphinde libubone njalo ubuso bami.’

\VS{24}Sathi ukubuyela encekwini yakho ubaba, samtshela lokho okwakutshiwo yinkosi yami.


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ubaba wasesithi, ‘Buyelani liyethenga okunye njalo ukudla.’

\VS{26}Kodwa thina sathi, ‘Ngeke siye khona. Kuphela nxa umnawethu omncane elathi, singahamba. Ngeke sibubone ubuso bendoda leyo ngaphandle kokuba umnawethu omncane silaye.’


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Inceku yakho ubaba yathi kithi, ‘Liyakwazi ukuthi umkami wangizalela amadodana amabili.

\VS{28}Omunye wabo wasuka kimi, ngathi, “Ngempela udlithiziwe waba yizicucu.” Ngakho kangisaphindanga ngambona kusukela khonapho.

\VS{29}Manje lingangithathela lalo futhi abesesehlelwa ngokubi, lizakwehlisela ikhanda lami eliyimpunga engcwabeni ngidabukile kakhulu.’


\par }{\PP \VS{30}Ngakho-ke, nxa umfana singelaye lapho sengibuyela encekwini yakho ubaba, yena ompilo yakhe isondelelene kakhulu leyomfana lo,

\VS{31}uzakuthi angabona umfana engekho, ahle afe. Thina zinceku zakho sizakusa ikhanda likababa eliyimpunga engcwabeni lihlulukelwe.

\VS{32}Inceku yakho yanikela ukuphila kwayo ngokuphepha komfana kubaba. Ngathi, ‘Nxa ngingambuyisi kuwe, ngizawuthwala lowomlandu kuwe, baba, impilo yami yonke!’


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Ngakho-ke ngiyacela ukuthi uvumele inceku yakho isale lapha njengesichaka senkosi yami esikhundleni somfana, yena umfana akhululwe ahambe labanewabo.

\VS{34}Ngingabuyela ngithini kubaba umfana ngingelaye? Hatshi! Ungangenzi ngibone usizi olungamehlela ubaba.”




\par }\Chap{45}{\SH UJosefa Uyaziveza
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJosefa wehluleka ukuzibamba phambi kwazo zonke izinceku zakhe, wasememeza wathi, “Sukani lonke lapha kimi!” Ngakho kakho owayekhona loJosefa lapho eziveza kubafowabo.

\VS{2}Wakhala kakhulu ephumisela amaGibhithe amuzwa, labendlu kaFaro bezwa ngalokho.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UJosefa wathi kubafowabo, “Mina nginguJosefa! Kambe ubaba usaphila na?” Kodwa abafowabo behluleka ukumphendula ngoba besaba kakhulu bephambi kwakhe.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}UJosefa wasesithi kubafowabo, “Sondelani kimi.” Bathi sebekwenzile lokho wathi, “Ngingumfowenu uJosefa, yena lowo elamthengisela eGibhithe!

\VS{5}Kodwa manje lingakhathazeki njalo lingaze lazisola ngenxa yokungithengisa lapha, ngoba kwakuyikusiza imiphefumulo ukuba uNkulunkulu angithume phambi kwenu.

\VS{6}Sekube yiminyaka emibili manje indlala ikhona elizweni, njalo okweminyaka emihlanu ezayo kakuyikulinywa loba ukuvuna.

\VS{7}Kodwa uNkulunkulu wangithuma phambi kwenu ukuba alilondolozele insalela emhlabeni njalo aphephise impilo zenu ngokukhulula okukhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{8}Ngakho-ke, kwakungayisini elangithuma lapha, kodwa nguNkulunkulu. Wangenza ngaba ngubaba kuFaro, lenkosi yomuzi wakhe wonke kanye lombusi weGibhithe lonke.

\VS{9}Manje, phangisani liye kubaba lithi kuye, ‘Nanku indodana yakho uJosefa akutshoyo: UNkulunkulu usengenze ngaba yinkosi yalo lonke elaseGibhithe. Yehla uze kimi; ungaphuzi.

\VS{10}Uzahlala esigodini saseGosheni ube seduze lami, wena labantwabakho, labazukulu bakho; lemihlambi yakho yezimvu leyenkomo lakho konke olakho.

\VS{11}Ngizakunakekela ukhonapho ngoba kuseza eminye iminyaka emihlanu yendlala. Kungenjalo wena lomuzi wakho, labo bonke abangabakho lizahawukelwa.’


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Liyazibonela ngokwenu, njengoba lomnawami uBhenjamini ebona, ukuthi yimi mina ngeqiniso engikhuluma lani.

\VS{13}Limtshele ubaba ngalo lonke udumo engiluphiwayo eGibhithe langakho konke elikubonileyo. Ubaba limlethe ngokuphangisa lapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{14}Wasegona umnawakhe uBhenjamini, wakhala, loBhenjamini wamanga ekhala.

\VS{15}Njalo wabanga bonke abafowabo ekhala kulowo lalowo. Ngemva kwalokho abafowabo baxoxa laye.


\par }{\PP \VS{16}Kwathi ukuba izindaba zifike esigodlweni sikaFaro ukuthi abafowabo bakaJosefa babefikile, uFaro lezikhulu zakhe bathokoza.

\VS{17}UFaro wathi, kuJosefa, “Tshela abafowenu uthi, ‘Yenzani lokhu: Thwalisani izinyamazana zenu libuyele elizweni laseKhenani,

\VS{18}beselibuya loyihlo kanye lemizi yenu kimi. Ngizalipha umhlaba omuhle kakhulu lapha eGibhithe, likholise amanono elizwe.’


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Uyalaywa njalo ukuthi ubatshele uthi, ‘Yenzani lokhu: Thathani izinqola ezithile lapha eGibhithe lisenzela abantwabenu, labomkenu, lithathe uyihlo lize laye.

\VS{20}Lingazihluphi ngempahla zenu ngoba okuhle konke kwaseGibhithe kuzakuba ngokwenu.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{21}Ngakho amadodana ka-Israyeli akwenza lokhu. UJosefa wabapha izinqola, njengokulaya kukaFaro, wabuye wabapha umphako wendlela.

\VS{22}Ngulowo lalowo wamupha izigqoko ezintsha, kodwa uBhenjamini wamupha amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu amathathu kanye lezigqoko ezinhlanu.

\VS{23}Njalo nanku akuphathisela uyise: obabhemi abalitshumi bethwele konke okuhle kwaseGibhithe, labobabhemi abasikazi abalitshumi bebhensiswa ngamabele lesinkwa lokunye okomphako wakhe wendlela.

\VS{24}Wasevalelisa abafowabo, bathi sebesuka wathi kubo, “Lingaxabani endleleni!”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Ngakho basuka baphuma eGibhithe bayafika kuyise uJakhobe elizweni laseKhenani.

\VS{26}Bamtshela bathi, “UJosefa ulokhu ephila! Isibili ungumbusi walo lonke elaseGibhithe.” UJakhobe waphela amandla; kazange abakholwe.

\VS{27}Kodwa kwathi lapho sebemtshelile konke uJosefa ayekutshilo kubo, njalo esebone izinqola uJosefa ayethe zizomthwala zimlethe, umoya kayise, uJakhobe wavuseleleka.

\VS{28}U-Israyeli wathi, “Sengisuthisekile! Indodana yami uJosefa isaphila. Ngizahamba ngiyeyibona ngingakafi.”




\par }\Chap{46}{\SH UJakhobe Uya EGibhithe
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Ngakho u-Israyeli wasesuka kanye lakho konke okwakungokwakhe, wathi ngokufika eBherishebha wenza umhlatshelo kuNkulunkulu kayise u-Isaka.


\par }{\PP \VS{2}UNkulunkulu wakhuluma ku-Israyeli ngombono ebusuku wathi, “Jakhobe! Jakhobe!”

\par }{\PP Waphendula wathi, “Ngilapha.”


\par }{\PP \VS{3}Wathi, “NginguNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu kayihlo. Ungesabi ukwehlela eGibhithe, ngoba ngizakwenza ube yisizwe esikhulu khonale.

\VS{4}Mina ngizahamba lawe khonale eGibhithe, njalo ngiqinisile, ngizaphinde ngikubuyise. Isandla sikaJosefa ngokwaso sizakugoqa.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UJakhobe wasesuka eBherishebha, kwathi amadodana ka-Israyeli amthatha uyise uJakhobe, labantwababo kanye labomkabo babafaka ezinqoleni uFaro ayezithumele ukubathwala ngazo.

\VS{6}Bathatha njalo lezifuyo zabo kanye layo yonke impahla yabo ababeyiqoqile eKhenani, uJakhobe losendo lwakhe lonke baya eGibhithe.

\VS{7}Wathatha amadodana akhe, labazukulu bakhe, lamadodakazi akhe lamadodakazi awo, sonke isizukulwane sakhe, waya eGibhithe.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{8}La ngamabizo amadodana ka-Israyeli (uJakhobe labazukulu bakhe) abahambayo eGibhithe:

\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI uRubheni izibulo likaJakhobe.


\par }{\LI \VS{9}Amadodana kaRubheni ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uHanokhi, uPhalu, uHezironi, kanye loKhami.


\par }{\LI \VS{10}Amadodana kaSimiyoni ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uJemuyeli, uJamini, u-Ohadi, uJakhini, uZohari kanye loShawuli indodana yomfazi ongumKhenani.


\par }{\LI \VS{11}Amadodana kaLevi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uGeshoni, uKhohathi kanye loMerari.


\par }{\LI \VS{12}Amadodana kaJuda ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Eri, u-Onani, uShela, uPherezi kanye loZera (kodwa u-Eri lo-Onani babefele elizweni laseKhenani).

\par }{\LIB Amadodana kaPherezi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIC uHezironi loHamuli.


\par }{\LI \VS{13}Amadodana ka-Isakhari ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uThola, uPhuwa, uJashubi kanye loShimroni.


\par }{\LI \VS{14}Amadodana kaZebhuluni ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uSeredi, u-Eloni kanye loJahileli.


\par }{\LID \VS{15}La ayengamadodana uLeya awazalela uJakhobe ePhadani Aramu, ngaphandle kwendodakazi yakhe uDina. Amadodana la lamadodakazi akhe babengamatshumi amathathu sebebonke.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{16}Amadodana kaGadi ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uZifiyoni, uHagi, uShuni, u-Ezibhoni, u-Eri, u-Arodi kanye lo-Areli.


\par }{\LI \VS{17}Amadodana ka-Asheri ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB u-Imna, u-Ishiva, u-Ishivi loBheriya. Udadewabo wayenguSera.

\par }{\LIB Amadodana kaBheriya ayeyila:

\par }{\LIC uHebheri loMalikhiyeli.


\par }{\LID \VS{18}Laba ngabantwana abazalelwa uJakhobe nguZilipha, uLabhani ayemuphe indodakazi yakhe uLeya, belitshumi lesithupha sebebonke.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{19}Amadodana omkaJakhobe uRasheli ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uJosefa loBhenjamini.


\par }{\LIC \VS{20}EGibhithe uJosefa wazala uManase lo-Efrayimi ku-Asenathi indodakazi kaPhothifera, umphristi ka-Oni.


\par }{\LI \VS{21}Amadodana kaBhenjamini ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uBhela, uBhekheri, u-Ashibheli, uGera, uNamani, u-Ehi, uRoshi, uMuphimu, uHuphimu kanye lo-Adi.


\par }{\LID \VS{22}La ayengamadodana kaRasheli awazalela uJakhobe, elitshumi lane esewonke.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LI \VS{23}Indodana kaDani:

\par }{\LIB yayinguHushimu.


\par }{\LI \VS{24}Amadodana kaNafithali ayeyila:

\par }{\LIB uJaziyeli, uGuni, uJezeri kanye loShilemu.


\par }{\LID \VS{25}La ayengamadodana kaJakhobe awazala loBhiliha, uLabhani ayemuphe indodakazi yakhe uRasheli, beyisikhombisa bebonke.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\LID \VS{26}Bonke labo abaya eGibhithe loJakhobe, ababeyinzalo yegazi lakhe, kungabalwa omalukazana bakhe, kwakungabantu abangamatshumi ayisithupha lesithupha.

\VS{27}Sekubalwa lamadodana amabili azalwa nguJosefa eGibhithe, abendlu kaJakhobe abaya eGibhithe babengamatshumi ayisikhombisa sebebonke.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\PP \VS{28}UJakhobe wasethuma uJuda phambi kwakhe kuJosefa ukuba amlayele indlela eya eGosheni. Bathi sebefikile emangweni waseGosheni,

\VS{29}uJosefa walungiselwa inqola yakhe waqonda eGosheni ukuyahlangana loyise u-Israyeli. UJosefa wonela ukumbona nje, wamgona uyise, wakhala okwesikhathi eside.


\par }{\PP \VS{30}U-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa, “Manje sengikulungele ukufa, ngoba sengizibonele mina ngokwami ukuthi usaphila.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}UJosefa wasesithi kubafowabo lakubo bonke abomuzi kayise, “Ngizahamba ngiyekhuluma loFaro ngithi kuye, ‘Abafowethu kanye labendlu kababa ababehlala elizweni laseKhenani sebebuyile kimi.

\VS{32}Amadoda la angabelusi; belusa izifuyo, ngakho beze lemihlambi yabo yezimvu leyenkomo lakho konke abalakho.’

\VS{33}Nxa uFaro angalibiza alibuze athi, ‘Umsebenzi wenu ngowani?’

\VS{34}libophendula lithi, ‘Izinceku zakho zingabelusi bezifuyo kusukela ebutsheni bethu kuze kube khathesi, njengabokhokho bethu.’ Lapho-ke lizavunyelwa ukwakha emangweni waseGosheni, ngoba bonke abelusi bayeyiseka kumaGibhithe.”




\par }\Chap{47}{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJosefa wahamba wayatshela uFaro wathi, “Ubaba labafowethu, kanye lemihlambi yabo yezimvu lenkomo, kanye lakho konke abalakho sebefikile bevela elizweni laseKhenani, okwamanje sebeseGosheni.”

\VS{2}Wakhetha abafowabo abahlanu wabethula kuFaro.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UFaro wababuza abafowabo laba wathi, “Umsebenzi wenu ngowani na?”

\par }{\PP Baphendula uFaro bathi, “Izinceku zakho zingabelusi, njengalokho ababeyikho okhokho bethu.”

\VS{4}Babuya bathi kuye, “Size ukuzohlala lapha okwesikhathi esithile, ngoba indlala inkulu kakhulu eKhenani, njalo lemihlambi yezinceku zakho kayilamadlelo. Manje-ke sicela ukuthi uvumele izinceku zakho zakhe eGosheni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{5}UFaro wathi kuJosefa, “Uyihlo labafowenu beze kuwe,

\VS{6}lelizwe laseGibhithe uyalibona; hlalisa uyihlo labafowenu endaweni enhle kakhulu yelizwe. Wothi bahlale eGosheni. Njalo nxa bekhona abanye babo abalolwazi oluqakathekileyo, kabakhangele imihlambi yami.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho uJosefa waseletha uyise uJakhobe wamethula kuFaro. UJakhobe esembusisile uFaro,

\VS{8}uFaro wambuza wathi, “Usumdala kangakanani na?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJakhobe wathi kuFaro, “Iminyaka yokuhamba kwami ilikhulu lamatshumi amathathu. Iminyaka yami ibimilutshwana njalo ibinzima, njalo kayifiki iminyaka yokuhamba kwabokhokho bami.”

\VS{10}UJakhobe wasembusisa uFaro, uFaro wasesuka kuye.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}Ngakho uJosefa wasehlalisa uyise labafowabo eGibhithe, wabapha indawo enhle kulazo zonke elizweni, esiqintini saseRamesesi, njengokulaya kukaFaro.

\VS{12}UJosefa waphinda wapha uyise labafowabo kanye lendlu yonke kayise ukudla, kusiya ngobunengi babantwababo.


\par }{\SH UJosefa Ukhangelana Lendlala
\par }
{\PP \VS{13}Kwakungelakudla elizweni lonke ngoba indlala yayibhahile; iGibhithe leKhenani womabili amazwe esevuthuzekile ngenxa yendlala.

\VS{14}UJosefa wayiqoqa yonke imali eyayitholakala eGibhithe laseKhenani eyayingeyokuthenga amabele, wayiletha esigodlweni sikaFaro.

\VS{15}Kwathi imali yabantu baseGibhithe labaseKhenani isiphelile, abaseGibhithe bonke beza kuJosefa bathi, “Siphe ukudla. Singafelani kambe phambi kwamehlo akho? Imali yethu isiphelile.”


\par }{\PP \VS{16}UJosefa wathi, “Lethani izifuyo zenu. Ngizalithengisela ukudla libhadale ngezifuyo zenu, njengoba imali yenu isiphelile.”

\VS{17}Ngakho basebeletha izifuyo zabo kuJosefa, wabapha ukudla bebhadala ngamabhiza abo, lezimvu kanye lembuzi zabo, lenkomo kanye labobabhemi babo. Wabaphutshisa lowomnyaka ngokudla bekubhadala ngezifuyo zabo.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Lowomnyaka usuphelile, beza kuye ngomnyaka olandelayo bathi, “Ngeke sayifihlela inkosi yethu ukuthi njengoba imali yethu isiphelile, ikanti lezifuyo zethu ngezakho, kakusekho okusayisalele inkosi yethu ngaphandle kwemizimba yethu leziqinti zethu kuphela.

\VS{19}Kambe sesingaze sife nje usikhangele, thina kanye lelizwe lethu lalo? Sithenge kanye lelizwe lethu usiphe ukudla, kuzakuthi thina kanye lelizwe lethu sibe sebugqilini kuFaro. Siphe inhlanyelo ukuze siphile, singafi, njalo ukuze ilizwe lingabi yinkangala.”


\par }{\PP \VS{20}Ngakho-ke uJosefa waselithengela uFaro lonke ilizwe laseGibhithe. AmaGibhithe wonke athengisa amasimu awo ngoba indlala yayisiwabhahele okubi. Ilizwe laselisiba ngelikaFaro,

\VS{21}uJosefa wasebagqilaza abantu, kusukela ngapha kwelizwe laseGibhithe kusiya ngale kwalo.

\VS{22}Kodwa kayithenganga indawo yabaphristi, ngoba babephiwa isabelo nguFaro, yikho babelakho ukudla okwaneleyo kusuka kuFaro. Yikho bengawuthengisanga owabo umhlaba.


\par }{\PP \VS{23}UJosefa wathi ebantwini, “Njengoba sengilithengile lina lomhlaba wenu lamuhla ukuba libe ngabakaFaro, nansi inhlanyelo ukuze lihlanyele emhlabathini.

\VS{24}Kodwa nxa amabele eseqoqwa phanini okobuhlanu bawo kuFaro. Ezinye izingxenye ezine kwezinhlanu lizigcinele inhlanyelo yamasimu njalo kube yikudla kwenu, lemizi yenu kanye labantwabenu.”


\par }{\PP \VS{25}Bathi, “Uzisindisile impilo zethu. Sengathi singathola umusa enkosini yethu; sizakuba yizigqili kuFaro.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}Kunjalo uJosefa wakumisa kwaba ngumthetho eGibhithe mayelana lomhlaba, okulokhu kulandelwa lalamuhla, ukuthi ingxenye eyodwa kokuhlanu ngekaFaro. Kwakungumhlaba wabaphristi kuphela ongazange ube ngokaFaro.


\par }{\PP \VS{27}Ngalesosikhathi abako-Israyeli bazinza eGibhithe esigodini saseGosheni. Bazuza izifuyo ezinengi khona njalo bazalana kakhulu banda ngobunengi.


\par }{\PP \VS{28}UJakhobe wahlala eGibhithe okweminyaka elitshumi lesikhombisa, iminyaka yokuphila kwakhe yaba likhulu lamatshumi amane lesikhombisa.

\VS{29}Kwathi isikhathi sesisondele ukuba u-Israyeli afe, wabiza indodana yakhe uJosefa wathi kuyo, “Uba ngifumene umusa kuwe, beka isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethangazi lami uthembise ukuthi uzangenzela umusa lokuthembeka. Ungangingcwabi eGibhithe,

\VS{30}kodwa nxa sengiphumule labokhokho bami, ungithwale ngisuke eGibhithe uyongimbela lapho abalele khona.”

\par }{\PP Wathi, “Ngizakwenza njengoba usitsho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{31}Wathi, “Funga kimi.” Ngakho uJosefa wafunga kuye, u-Israyeli wasekhothamela emakhanda ombheda wakhe.




\par }\Chap{48}{\SH UManase Lo-Efrayimi
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}Emva kwesikhatshana uJosefa wabikelwa ukuthi, “Uyihlo uyagula.” Ngakho wathatha amadodana akhe womabili, uManase lo-Efrayimi wahamba lawo.

\VS{2}UJakhobe esetsheliwe kwathiwa, “Indodana yakho uJosefa isifikile kuwe,” u-Israyeli wazibamba ngamandla wavuka embhedeni.


\par }{\PP \VS{3}UJakhobe wathi kuJosefa, “UNkulunkulu uSomandla wabonakala kimi eLuzi elizweni laseKhenani, khonapho wangibusisa.

\VS{4}Wathi kimi, ‘Ngizakwenza ube lenzalo enengi kakhulu. Ngizalenza libe yisizwe sabantu, njalo ngizakupha izizukulwane zakho lelilizwe libe yilifa lazo elingapheliyo ngemva kwakho.’


\par }{\PP \VS{5}Zwana-ke, amadodana akho amabili owawazalela eGibhithe ngingakabuyi lapha kuwe azathathwa njengawami; u-Efrayimi loManase bazakuba ngabami, kanjengoba uRubheni loSimiyoni bengabami.

\VS{6}Labobantwana abazelwe ngemva kwabo bazakuba ngabakho; kulesosigodi esizakuba yilifa labo bazabhaliswa ngaphansi kwamabizo abanewabo.

\VS{7}Ngathi ngibuya ngivela ePhadani, ngehlelwa lusizi ngafelwa nguRasheli elizweni laseKhenani silokhu sisendleleni, bucwadlana kwe-Efrathi. Ngamngcwaba khonapho eceleni kwendlela eya e-Efrathi” (kutsho eBhethilehema).


\par }{\PP \VS{8}U-Israyeli wathi ngokubona amadodana kaJosefa wabuza wathi, “Ngobani laba?”


\par }{\PP \VS{9}UJosefa wathi kuyise, “Ngamadodana uNkulunkulu anginike wona lapha.”

\par }{\PP U-Israyeli wasesithi, “Balethe kimi ukuze ngibabusise.”


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Ngalesosikhathi amehlo ka-Israyeli ayesefiphala ngenxa yokuluphala, engasabonisisi. Ngakho uJosefa wasondeza amadodana akhe kuye, uyise wawanga wawagona.


\par }{\PP \VS{11}U-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa, “Ngangingathembi ukuthi ngizaphinda ngibubone ubuso bakho njalo, ikanti manje uNkulunkulu usengivumele ukubona labantwabakho labo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{12}UJosefa wasebasusa emadolweni ka-Israyeli wakhothamela phansi ngobuso.

\VS{13}UJosefa wasebathatha bobabili, u-Efrayimi kwesokunene sakhe eqondane lesokhohlo sika-Israyeli, kwathi uManase waba ngakwesokhohlo waqondana lesokunene sika-Israyeli, wabasondeza kuye.

\VS{14}Kodwa u-Israyeli welula isandla sakhe sokunene wasibeka ekhanda lika-Efrayimi, loba nje yena wayengomncinyane, wasenqumisa izingalo zakhe zaphambana, wabeka isandla sakhe sokhohlo ekhanda likaManase, loba nje uManase wayelizibulo.


\par }{\PP \VS{15}Ngakho wasebusisa uJosefa wathi,

\par }{\Q “Sengathi uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bami,

\par }{\QB u-Abhrahama lo-Isaka, abahamba phambi kwakhe,

\par }{\Q uNkulunkulu obengumelusi wami

\par }{\QB ukuphila kwami konke kuze kube namuhla,


\par }{\Q \VS{16}iNgilosi engihlengileyo kuzozonke izingozi,

\par }{\QB sengathi angabusisa abafana laba.

\par }{\Q Sengathi bangabizwa ngebizo lami

\par }{\QB langamabizo abobabamkhulu u-Abhrahama lo-Isaka,

\par }{\QB njalo sengathi banganda kakhulu emhlabeni.”


\par }{\PP \VS{17}Kwathi uJosefa ebona uyise ebeka isandla sakhe sokunene ekhanda lika-Efrayimi akwaze kwamthokozisa; ngakho wasibamba isandla sikayise wasisusa ekhanda lika-Efrayimi ukuthi asibeke kwelikaManase.

\VS{18}UJosefa wathi kuye, “Hatshi, baba, lo nguye izibulo; beka isandla sakho sokunene kwelakhe ikhanda.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kodwa uyise wala, wathi, “Ngiyazi, ndodana yami, ngiyazi. Laye njalo uzakuba ngabantu abanengi, njalo laye uzakuba mkhulu. Loba kunjalo, umnawakhe uzakuba mkhulu kulaye lezizukulwane zakhe zizakuba ngamaxuku ezizwe.”

\VS{20}Wababusisa ngalolusuku wathi,

\par }{\Q “Ngebizo lakho u-Israyeli uzakutsho lesisibusiso:

\par }{\QB ‘Sengathi uNkulunkulu angakwenza

\par }{\QB ube njengo-Efrayimi loManase.’ ”

\par }{\MM Ngakho wabeka u-Efrayimi phambi kukaManase.


\par }{\PP \VS{21}U-Israyeli wasesithi kuJosefa, “Sengizakufa, kodwa uNkulunkulu uzakuba lani, alibuyisele elizweni labokhokho benu.

\VS{22}Wena, njengomuntu olawula abanewenu, ngikunika umqolo welizwe engawemuka ama-Amori ngenkemba yami lomtshoko wami.”




\par }\Chap{49}{\SH UJakhobe Ubusisa Amadodana Akhe
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJakhobe wabiza amadodana akhe wathi: “Sondelani eduze ngilitshele lokho okuzakwenzakala kini ensukwini ezizayo.


\par }{\Q \VS{2}Buthanani lilalele, madodana kaJakhobe,

\par }{\QB lalelani kuyihlo u-Israyeli.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{3}URubheni, ulizibulo lami,

\par }{\QB amandla ami, isibonakaliso sokuqala samandla ami,

\par }{\QB ukuphelela ngodumo, ukuphelela ngamandla.


\par }{\Q \VS{4}Uhlokoma njengamanzi, kawusayikuba liciko,

\par }{\QB ngoba wakhwela embhedeni kayihlo,

\par }{\QB waya phezu kwesihlalo sami wasingcolisa.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{5}USimiyoni loLevi bayizelamani

\par }{\QB inkemba zabo yizikhali zodlakela.


\par }{\Q \VS{6}Mangingangeni enkundleni yabo,

\par }{\QB mangingangeni emhlanganweni wabo,

\par }{\Q ngoba bababulala abantu ngokuthukuthela kwabo

\par }{\QB njalo inkabi baziquma imisipha santando.


\par }{\Q \VS{7}Luqalekisiwe ulaka lwabo, lwesabeka kubi,

\par }{\QB lentukuthelo yabo, ilesihluku esibi!

\par }{\Q Ngizakubachithiza kuJakhobe,

\par }{\QB njalo ngibahlakaze ko-Israyeli.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{8}Juda, abafowenu bazakudumisa;

\par }{\QB isandla sakho sizakuba sentanyeni yezitha zakho;

\par }{\QB amadodana kayihlo azakukhothamela.


\par }{\Q \VS{9}Ungumdlwane wesilwane, Oh Juda;

\par }{\QB uvela ekuzingeleni, ndodana yami.

\par }{\Q Njengesilwane uyacathama alale phansi,

\par }{\QB njengesilwanekazi, ngubani olesibindi sokumhlokoza?


\par }{\Q \VS{10}Intonga yobukhosi kayiyikusuka kuJuda,

\par }{\QB loba umqwayi wombusi phakathi kwezinyawo zakhe,

\par }{\Q aze ayofika kumnini wayo

\par }{\QB lokulalela kwezizwe kukuye.


\par }{\Q \VS{11}Uzabophela ubabhemi wakhe evinini,

\par }{\QB inkonyane kababhemi wakhe ogatsheni oluhle;

\par }{\Q uzagezisa izembatho zakhe ngewayini,

\par }{\QB izigqoko zakhe egazini lamagrebisi.


\par }{\Q \VS{12}Amehlo akhe azathuba okudlula iwayini,

\par }{\QB amazinyo akhe abe mhlophe kulochago.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{13}UZebhuluni uzahlala okhunjini lolwandle

\par }{\QB abe litheku lemikhumbi;

\par }{\QB umngcele wakhe uzaqhelela eSidoni.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{14}U-Isakhari ulithambo likababhemi elilohlonzi

\par }{\QB olele ephahlwe ngamasaka amabili emithwalo.


\par }{\Q \VS{15}Uthi nxa ebona ubuhle bendawo yakhe yokuphumula

\par }{\QB lokubukeka kwelizwe lakhe,

\par }{\Q uzakwehlisa ihlombe lakhe ukuthwala umthwalo

\par }{\QB azimisele emsebenzini wesigqili.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{16}UDani uzakwahlulela kahle abantu bakibo

\par }{\QB njengesinye sezizwe zako-Israyeli.


\par }{\Q \VS{17}UDani uzakuba yinyoka esemgwaqweni,

\par }{\QB inhlangwana elele endleleni,

\par }{\Q eluma izithende zebhiza

\par }{\QB ukuze umgadi walo atshelele aye emuva.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{18}Ngilindele ukuhlenga kwakho, Oh
{\ND{Thixo}}.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{19}UGadi uzahlaselwa liqula lamanxusa,

\par }{\QB kodwa uzabahlasela bamuphe izithende zabo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{20}Ukudla kuka-Asheri kuzakuba ngokunonileyo,

\par }{\QB uzakupha okumnandi okufanele inkosi.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{21}UNafithali yimpalakazi ekhululiweyo

\par }{\QB ezala amazinyane amahle.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{22}UJosefa ulivini elithela kakhulu,

\par }{\QB ivini elithela kakhulu eduze komthombo,

\par }{\QB elimagatsha alo akhwela emdulini.


\par }{\Q \VS{23}Abahlaseli bemitshoko bamhlasela ngolaka;

\par }{\QB bamciba ngenzondo embi.


\par }{\Q \VS{24}Kodwa kawalazelanga ngedandili lakhe,

\par }{\QB ingalo zakhe eziqinileyo zala zilokhu ziqinile

\par }{\Q ngenxa yesandla soMninimandla kaJakhobe,

\par }{\QB ngenxa kaMalusi, iDwala lika-Israyeli,


\par }{\Q \VS{25}ngenxa kaNkulunkulu kayihlo, okusizayo,

\par }{\QB ngenxa kaSomandla okubusisayo

\par }{\Q ngezibusiso zasezulwini ngaphezulu,

\par }{\QB izibusiso zolwandle olungaphansi,

\par }{\QB izibusiso zebele lenzalo.


\par }{\Q \VS{26}Izibusiso zikayihlo zinkulu

\par }{\QB kulezibusiso zezintaba zekadeni,

\par }{\QB kulezithelo zamaqaqa adabuka endulo.

\par }{\Q Zonke lezi kazehlele ekhanda likaJosefa,

\par }{\QB ebunzini lenkosana phakathi kwabafowabo.


\par }{\BB \par }
{\Q \VS{27}UBhenjamini yimpisi ephangayo;

\par }{\QB ekuseni uyakudlithiza akujimbileyo,

\par }{\QB ntambama akwabe.”


\par }{\PP \VS{28}Zonke lezi yizizwana ezilitshumi lambili zako-Israyeli, njalo yikho lokho uyise akutsho kubo lapho wayebabusisa, esipha ilowo lalowo isibusiso esimfaneleyo.


\par }{\SH Ukufa KukaJakhobe
\par }
{\PP \VS{29}Emva kwalokho wasebanika imilayo le: “Sekusondele ukuba ngimbelwe ebantwini bakithi. Lingimbele labokhokho ebhalwini ensimini ka-Efroni umHithi,

\VS{30}ubhalu olusensimini kaMakhaphela, eduze leMamure eKhenani, eyathengwa ngu-Abhrahama kanye lensimu leyo ku-Efroni umHithi, ukuba yindawo yokungcwaba.

\VS{31}Khonapho kwangcwatshwa u-Abhrahama lomkakhe uSara, kwembelwa u-Isaka lomkakhe uRabheka, njalo khonapho ngambela uLeya.

\VS{32}Insimu kanye lobhalu oluphakathi kwathengwa kumaHithi.”


\par }{\PP \VS{33}Kwathi uJakhobe eseqedile ukunika imilayezo emadodaneni akhe, wakhweza inyawo zakhe embhedeni, waphefumula okokucina, wasiwa kwabakibo.




\par }\Chap{50}{\PP \VerseOne{1}UJosefa waziphosela phezu kukayise wamkhalela, wasemanga.

\VS{2}UJosefa waselaya izinyanga ezazingaphansi kwakhe ukuqhola umzimba kayise u-Israyeli. Ngakho izinyanga zamqhola,

\VS{3}zathatha insuku ezingamatshumi amane ezigcweleyo, ngoba kwakuthatha isikhathi esingako ukuqhola. AmaGibhithe amlilela insuku ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa.


\par }{\PP \VS{4}Insuku zokulila sezedlule, uJosefa wathi kuziphathamandla zikaFaro, “Nxa ngifumane umusa kini, ngikhulumelani kuFaro. Mtsheleni lithi,

\VS{5}‘Ubaba wangifungisa isifungo wathi, “Sengizakufa; lingimbele ethuneni engazigebhela lona mina ngokwami elizweni laseKhenani.” Manje-ke ake ungivumele ngihambe ngiyongcwaba ubaba; besengiphenduka.’ ”


\par }{\PP \VS{6}UFaro wathi, “Hamba uyongcwaba uyihlo, njengoba wakufungisa ukuthi uzakwenza.”


\par }{\PP \VS{7}Ngakho uJosefa wahamba wayangcwaba uyise. Zonke izikhulu zikaFaro zamphelekezela, izikhulu zakhe zomphakathi kanye lazozonke izikhulu zaseGibhithe,

\VS{8}ngaphandle kwabo bonke abendlu kaJosefa labafowabo lalabo ababe ngabendlu kayise. EGosheni kwasala kuphela abantwana lemihlambi yabo yezimvu leyenkomo.

\VS{9}Wahamba elezinqola zempi labakhweli bamabhiza. Kwakulixuku elikhulu.


\par }{\PP \VS{10}Bathi ngokufika esizeni sika-Athadi eduze kweJodani basiqhinqa isililo esikhulu esibuhlungu; kwathi khonapho uJosefa wazilela uyise okwensuku eziyisikhombisa.

\VS{11}Kwathi amaKhenani ayehlala eduzane ebona ukulila lokho esizeni sika-Athadi athi, “AmaGibhithe alenkonzo yawo yokulila.” Yikho-nje leyondawo eseduze kweJodani ithiwa yi-Abheli-Mizirayimi.


\par }{\PP \VS{12}Ngalokho amadodana kaJakhobe enza lokho uyise abalaya khona:

\VS{13}Bamthwalela elizweni laseKhenani bayamngcwaba ebhalwini olwalusensimini kaMakhaphela, eduze leMamure, u-Abhrahama aluthenga kanye lensimu ku-Efroni umHithi ukuthi kube yindawo yokungcwaba.

\VS{14}Esemngcwabile uyise uJosefa wabuyela eGibhithe kanye labafowabo labo bonke ababehambe laye ukuyangcwaba uyise.


\par }{\SH UJosefa Ubeka Abafowabo Isibindi
\par }
{\PP \VS{15}Abafowabo bakaJosefa sebebonile ukuthi uyise sefile, bathi, “Kambe uJosefa kasibekelanga isikhwili yini abesefuna ukuphindisela ngakho konke esamona ngakho?”

\VS{16}Ngakho bathumela ilizwi kuJosefa besithi, “Uyihlo watshiya imilayo le engakafi:

\VS{17}‘Nanku elimele likutsho kuJosefa: Ngiyakucela ukuthi uxolele abafowenu izono leziphambeko abazenzayo ngokukuphatha kubi kangaka.’ Manje siyacela ukuthi uthethelele izono zezinceku zikaNkulunkulu kayihlo.” Kwathi ilizwi labo selifikile kuye uJosefa wakhala.


\par }{\PP \VS{18}Abafowabo beza bafika bazilahla phansi phambi kwakhe. Bathi, “Siyizigqili zakho.”


\par }{\PP \VS{19}Kodwa uJosefa wathi kubo, “Lingesabi. Mina ngisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu na?

\VS{20}Lalihlose ukungenza okubi, kodwa uNkulunkulu wayehlose ubuhle ngakho ukuze kugcwaliseke lokhu okwenzakalayo khathesi, ukuphephisa impilo ezinengi.

\VS{21}Ngakho-ke, lingesabi. Ngizalinakekela lina labantwabenu.” Wababeka isibindi wabakhulumisa ngomusa.


\par }{\SH Ukufa KukaJosefa
\par }
{\PP \VS{22}UJosefa wahlala eGibhithe kanye labo bonke abendlu kayise. Waphila okweminyaka elikhulu letshumi,

\VS{23}wabona isizukulwane sesithathu sabantwana baka-Efrayimi. Njalo labantwana bakaMakhiri indodana kaManase bathi bezalwa babekwa emadolweni kaJosefa.


\par }{\PP \VS{24}UJosefa wasesithi kubafowabo, “Sengiseduze lokufa. Kodwa ngempela uNkulunkulu uzalisiza alikhuphe kulelilizwe alise elizweni alithembisa ngesifungo ku-Abhrahama, lo-Isaka loJakhobe.”

\VS{25}UJosefa wasefungisa amadodana ka-Israyeli isifungo wathi, “UNkulunkulu uzalisiza, yikho kumele lithwale amathambo ami lisuke lawo kule indawo.”


\par }{\PP \VS{26}UJosefa wasesifa eseleminyaka yobudala elikhulu letshumi. Bathi sebemqholile, isidumbu sakhe basibeka ebhokisini eGibhithe.

\par }