Bible Society of South Africa

To The Word – Day 120

2 Kings 16–20, Psalm 139

Itekisi yeBhayibhile

2 YOOKUMKANI 16

UAhazi ukumkani wakwaJuda

(2 Gan 28:1-27)

1Ke kaloku kwathi ngonyaka weshumi elinesixhenxe elawula uPeka unyana kaRemaliya kwaSirayeli, uAhazi unyana kaYotam ukumkani wakwaJuda waqalisa ukulawula kwelakwaJuda. 2UAhazi wayeneminyaka emashumi mabini ukungena kwakhe embusweni, waza ke walawula iminyaka elishumi elinesithandathu eJerusalem. Yena akalithathanga ikhondo likayise-mkhulu uDavide; ewe, akazange enze okuhle emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe. 3Wahamba ekhondweni lookumkani bakwaSirayeli, wada wenza isikizi lokufaka unyana wakhe emlilweni, esenza idini ngaye, siko elo lalisenziwa ziintlanga awazigxothayo uNdikhoyo ekungeneni kwamaSirayeli. 4Wayesenza amadini neziqhumiso ezindaweni zonke zonqulo ezindulini naphantsi kwemithi yonke efukufuku.

5Ke uRezin, ukumkani wakwa-Aram, kunye noPeka, unyana kaRemaliya, ukumkani wakwaSirayeli, basuka bahlasela iJerusalem, bayingqinga nakuba bengayoyisanga. 6Ngelo thuba ke ukumkani uRezin wakwa-Aram wayibuyisela kwa-Aram iElati, wabagxotha kuyo abantu bakwaJuda. Aza ke angena ema khona amaSiriya unanamhla.

7UAhazi ke wathumela izigidimi kuTigelate-pilezere, ukumkani waseAsiriya, esithi kuye: “Mna ndisisicaka nebamba lakho; ngoko ke nceda uze kundihlangula, naku ndihlaselwa ngukumkani wakwa-Aram ekunye nowakwaSirayeli.” 8Kananjalo ke uAhazi wayithatha isiliva kunye negolide ezazisendlwini kaNdikhoyo nakoovimba bakomkhulu, wazithumela zasisipho arhuma ngaso kukumkani waseAsiriya. 9Ukumkani waseAsiriya ke wasamkela eso sicelo, waza ke wahlasela iDamasko. Abemi bakhona wabafudusela eKiri, ke yena uRezin wambulala.

10Ukumkani uAhazi wahlangabeza ukumkani waseAsiriya uTigelate-pilezere eDamasko. EDamasko ke apho wabona iqonga lamadini, waza wathumela kumbingeleli u-Uriya emnika iplani yalo neenkcukacha zokwakha elifana nalo. 11Umbingeleli u-Uriya ke wakha iqonga lamadini ngokwezo nkcukacha wayezithunyelelwe ngukumkani uAhazi eseDamasko. Iqonga elo waligqiba engekabuyi eDamasko ukumkani uAhazi. 12Ekubuyeni kwakhe ke, ukumkani walibona iqonga elo, waza wenza amadini kulo. 13Wenza amadini atshiswayo, iminikelo yeenkozo, kunye neminikelo ethululwayo, waza wafefa ngegazi elingumnikelo wakhe wobudlelwane kwalapho eqongeni. 14Ke lona iqonga lobhedu elalimi phambi koNdikhoyo walisusa phambi kwendlu kaThixo, apho lalikhona phakathi kweqonga elitsha nendlu kaNdikhoyo, walimisa ngasentla kweqonga elitsha.

15Ukumkani uAhazi wayalela umbingeleli u-Uriya wathi: “Kweli qonga litsha likhulu yenza amadini atshiswayo akusasa, namadini eenkozo asemalanga, amadini kakumkani atshiswayo, ndawonye namadini akhe eenkozo, kunye namadini atshiswayo abantu beli lizwe, ndawonye namadini abo eenkozo kunye nathululwayo. Apho eqongeni ke uze ufefe ngegazi lawo onke amadini atshiswayo. Ke lona iqonga lobhedu ndolisebenzisa xa ndifuna isikhokelo.” 16Ngenene ke u-Uriya wenza ngokomyalelo kakumkani uAhazi.

17Ukumkani uAhazi waziqhaqha iinqwelo zobhedu ezazilapho endlwini kaThixo, wazisusa nezitya zokuhlambela ezazikuzo. Walisusa ichibi lobhedu kwezo nkunzi zeenkomo zazilixhasile, walixhasa ngesiseko samatye. 18Wasisusa isigqubuthelo esasakhelwe *uMhla woPhumlo apho endlwini kaThixo, walisusa nesango elalilungiselelwe ukumkani apho endlwini kaNdikhoyo, izinto ezo awayezenza kuba ezama ukukholisa ukumkani waseAsiriya.

19Ke ezinye zeziganeko zolawulo luka-Ahazi nâzo encwadini yeembali zookumkani bakwaJuda. 20UAhazi waya kuphumla kunye nooyise, waza wangcwatywa phakathi kwabo kwisixeko sikaDavide. Esikhundleni sakhe ke kwangena unyana wakhe uHezekiya.

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2 YOOKUMKANI 17

UHosheya ukumkani wokugqibela wakwaSirayeli

1Kwathi ngonyaka weshumi elinambini uAhazi engukumkani wakwaJuda wangena embusweni uHosheya, unyana kaEla, waba ngukumkani kwaSirayeli eSamariya. Walawula iminyaka elithoba. 2Wênza okubi emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo, kambe ke noko akafananga nookumkani bakwaSirayeli ababemandulele.

3Ke uShalmanesere ukumkani waseAsiriya wahlasela uHosheya owayekade ephantsi kwakhe emnika imirhumo. 4Ukumkani waseAsiriya wafumanisa ukuba uHosheya umgwilikele, kuba wayethumele oonozaku-zaku kukumkani waseJiputa onguSo, futhi ke engasayikhuphi imirhumo awayefudula eyikhupha minyaka le. Ngoko ke uShalmanesere wambamba wamvalela entolongweni uHosheya. 5Ewe, ukumkani waseAsiriya wahlasela elo lizwe liphela; ke yona iSamariya wayingqinga iminyaka emithathu. 6Kuthe ke kunyaka wethoba elawula uHosheya, suka ukumkani waseAsiriya wayoyisa iSamariya, waza amaSirayeli lawo wawafudusela eAsiriya. Wawahlalisa eHala nakwiGozan ephezu komlambo iHabhore, ngokunjalo nakwiidolophu zamaMedi.

Isizathu sokuthinjwa kukaSirayeli

7Le ntlekele ke yamhlela uSirayeli kuba emonile *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakhe owaya kumkhuphulula wamkhulula eJiputa phantsi kwesandla esingqongqo sokumkani wakhona. Basuka banqula thixo bambi, 8balandela imikhwa yeentlanga awazigxothayo *uNdikhoyo, waza wafaka amaSirayeli emhlabeni wazo. Kananjalo bangena kwimikhwa eyangeniswa ngookumkani bakwaSirayeli. 9AmaSirayeli anyebelezela enza izinto ezichaseneyo noNdikhoyo uThixo wawo, zinto ezo wayengazifuni. Azakhela iindawo zonqulo kuzo zonke iidolophu, ukusukela kwimboniselo yabalindi kuye kutsho kwizixeko ezinqatyisiweyo. 10Amisa iintsika zamatye kunye nemifanekiso ka-Ashera kuzo zonke iinduli naphantsi kwayo yonke imithi efukufuku. 11AmaSirayeli ayesenza iziqhumiso kuzo zonke iinduli zawo zonqulo, mkhwa lowo ke wawusenziwa ziintlanga awazigxothayo uNdikhoyo phambi kokuba afake amaSirayeli khona. Ewe, ayesenza izinto azichasileyo uNdikhoyo; ngaloo ndlela ke awuxhokonxa umsindo wakhe. 12Ewe, ayenqula *izithixo, nangona uNdikhoyo wayethe: “Ze ningayenzi into enjalo.” 13Kaloku uNdikhoyo wayemlumkisile uSirayeli ndawonye noJuda, ethetha nabo ngabashumayeli bakhe neemboni, esithi: “Buyani kwiindlela zenu ezikhohlakeleyo. Yithobeleni imithetho ndawonye nemimiselo yam. Ziphatheni ngokwezimiso zomthetho xa uwonke, ngokwelizwi endalimisela ooyihlo ndathi mabalithobele, ndabuya ndalithetha nakuni ngabashumayeli abazizicaka zam.”

14Kambe ke amaSirayeli asuka akaphulaphula, koko ankaniza njengooyise ábâsuka àbakholosa ngoNdikhoyo uThixo wabo. 15Basuka bayibukula imimiselo kunye nomnqophiso awayewenze kunye nooyise, abazikhathalela nezilumkiso awabayala ngazo. AmaSirayeli asuka alandelana nemifanekiso ephuthileyo, aza kananjalo nawo aphutha. Asuka alinganisa iintlanga ezaziwangqongile, nangona uNdikhoyo wayewayalile wathi: “Ze ningayilandeli imikhwa yazo.”

16Ayilahla yonke imithetho kaNdikhoyo uThixo wawo, aza azenzela imifanekiso etyhidiweyo yethole yamibini, aqingqa nomfanekiso ka-Ashera. Aguqa abusa kuzo zonke iinkwenkwezi, anqula noBhali. 17AmaSirayeli afaka oonyana neentombi zawo emlilweni, esenza amadini ngabo. Ewe, angena kwimikhwa yokuvumisa, ahamba nakoosiyazi, azinikezela ekwenzeni okubi emehlweni kaNdikhoyo, emcaphukisa.

18Ngoko ke *uNdikhoyo wakhathazeka gqitha, waza wawasusa amaSirayeli phambi kwakhe, akwasala namnye ngaphandle nje kwendlu kaJuda. 19Kanti nayo leyo ayiyithobelanga imithetho kaNdikhoyo uThixo wayo. Nabo bangena ekhondweni lemikhwa eyaqalwa nguSirayeli. 20Ngeso sizathu ke uNdikhoyo wawabukula amaSirayeli xa ewonke. Suka wawabandezela, wawayekela azizisulu zokuxhatshazwa. Ekugqibeleni ke wawasusa phambi kwakhe.

21UNdikhoyo wathi akumahlula uSirayeli kwindlu kaDavide, suka uSirayeli wathatha uJerobhowam unyana kaNebhati, wamenza ukumkani. UJerobhowam lowo ke wamwexula uSirayeli ekulandeleni uNdikhoyo, wamlukuhla, wamfaka kwisonokazi esikhulu. 22AmaSirayeli athi nca kwizono zikaJerobhowam, akavuma ukwahlukana nazo, 23wada ke uNdikhoyo wawagxotha ngokwesilumkiso awayesenze ngomlomo wezicaka zakhe abashumayeli. Ngoko ke amaSirayeli afuduswa kwelakowawo, agxothelwa eAsiriya, apho asekhona ke unanamhla.

Iintlanga eSamariya

24Ke kaloku ukumkani waseAsiriya waya kuthatha abantu eBhabheli, eKuta, eAva, eHamati, naseSefarvayim, waza wabahlalisa kwiidolophu zamaSirayeli eSamariya. ISamariya leyo ke bayithathela kubo, bahlala kwiidolophu zayo. 25Ekungeneni kwabo khona zange bamnqule *uNdikhoyo; ngoko ke wabathumela ngeengonyama ezababulalayo abanye abantu. 26Bathetha nokumkani waseAsiriya, wafumana umyalezo othi: “Abantu owabafudusela kwiidolophu zaseSamariya abayazi indlela yokunqula uThixo wakhona. Ngoko ke ubathumelele iingonyama ezibabulalayo, kuba kaloku abo bantu abawazi amasiko awafunayo uThixo wakhona.”

27Ke ukumkani waseAsiriya wanika umyalelo othi: “Thathani omnye kubabingeleli enabathimba eSamariya, niye kumhlalisa khona, ukuze afundise abo bantu indlela anqulwa ngayo uThixo wakhona.” 28Ngenene ke bathatha omnye kubabingeleli ababethinjwe eSamariya, baya kumhlalisa eBhetele, wabafundisa ke abo bantu indlela anqulwa ngayo uNdikhoyo.

29Naxa kunjalo kwezo dolophu uhlanga ngalunye kwezo dolophu zazikuzo ezo ntlanga lwazenzela oothixo balo, lwabamisa kwezo ndawo ziphakamileyo zonqulo zazenziwe ngabantu baseSamariya. 30Ababevela eBhabheli bazenzela uSukoti-bhenoti, ababevela eKuta bazenzela uNergale, ababevela eHamati bazenzela uAshima, 31ama-Avi wona azenzela uNibhasi noTartake; ke wona amaSefarvayim ayefaka abantwana bawo emlilweni, esenzela oothixo bawo uAdrameleki noAnameleki amadini. 32Babemnqula yena uNdikhoyo, kodwa kananjalo bamisela abantu babo ukuze babe ngababingeleli kwiindawo zonqulo eziphakamileyo. 33Bamnqula uNdikhoyo, kodwa ngokunjalo babanqula noothixo babo, ngokwamasiko ezo ntlanga babephuma kuzo.

34Unanamhla abakalumleki kuloo mikhwa yabo yemveli. UNdikhoyo abamnquli nokumnqula, bengabambeleli nakwizimiso nemiyalelo, imithetho nemiqathango, uNdikhoyo awayinikela isizukulwana sikaYakobi, lowo wambiza ngokuba nguSirayeli. 35Ngokuya uNdikhoyo wayesenza umnqophiso namaSirayeli wayalela wathi: “Ze ningabanquli abanye oothixo; ze ningaguqi nibakhahlele, ningabakhonzi, ningabenzeli namadini. 36Eniya kunqula yena nguNdikhoyo, yena wanikhululayo kwelaseJiputa ngaloo mandla obungangamsha bakhe angoyiswa nto. Nguye enifanele ukuguqa kuye, nimenzele amadini. 37Ze nizithobele ngenyameko izimiso nemiyalelo yakhe, imithetho nemiqathango awanibhalela yona. Ze ninganquli thixo bambi ngaphandle kwakhe. 38Umnqophiso endawenza kunye nani ze ningawulibali, ninganquli thixo bambi. 39Kuphela nqulani uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, kuba nguye yedwa oya kunihlangula kuzo zonke iintshaba zenu.”

40Kambe ke zange baphulaphule, koko bayiqhubela phambili imikhwa yabo yemveli. 41Aba bantu babesithi bemnqula nje uNdikhoyo, kodwa babe beyinqula nemifanekiso yabo eqingqiweyo. Unanamhla ke abantwana babo, nditsho nesizukulwana, basathene nca nezo ndlela zooyise-mkhulu.

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2 YOOKUMKANI 18

UHezekiya ukumkani wakwaJuda

(2 Gan 29:1-2; 31:1)

1Ke kaloku kwathi ngonyaka wesithathu kaHosheya unyana kaEla ukumkani wakwaSirayeli, uHezekiya unyana ka-Ahazi ukumkani wakwaJuda waqalisa ukulawula. 2Ukuqalisa kwakhe ukulawula wayenamashumi amabini anesihlanu ezelwe, waza ke walawula eJerusalem amashumi amabini anethoba eminyaka. Unina yayinguAbhiya intombi kaZakariya. 3Wênza okuhle emehlweni *kaNdikhoyo njengoyise-mkhulu uDavide. 4Wazibhangisa iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo, wawaqhekeza amatye awodwa onqulo, wazigawula iintsika zika-Ashera. Wayikroboza inyoka yobhedu eyayenziwe nguMosis. Kaloku ukuza kuthi ga kwelo thuba amaSirayeli ayeyenzela iziqhumiso, kusithiwa nguNehushtani.

5UHezekiya yena wakholosa ngoNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli. Kubo bonke ookumkani bakwaJuda akuzange kubekho ofana naye, ngaphambili nangasemva kwakhe. 6Wabambelela kuNdikhoyo, akashenxa kuye, wayithobela loo mithetho wayinika uMosis uNdikhoyo. 7Ngoko ke uNdikhoyo waba ngakuye, wamphumelelisa nakuyiphi na into ayenzayo. Wayivukela ikumkani yaseAsiriya, akavuma ukuyibusa. 8Wawagqogqa wawagqugqisa amaFilistiya esusela ezimboniselweni ukuya kwizixeko ezinqatyisiweyo, wada wee xhaxhe ngeGaza nemimandla yayo.

9Kwathi kunyaka wesine kakumkani uHezekiya owawungunyaka wesixhenxe kaHosheya unyana kaEla ukumkani wakwaSirayeli, ukumkani waseAsiriya uShalmanesere wahlasela iSamariya wayingqinga. 10Ekupheleni kweminyaka emithathu ama-Asiriya lawo ayoyisa iSamariya, yaza ke yaba ithinjiwe ngonyaka wesithandathu kaHezekiya, owawungunyaka wethoba kakumkani uHosheya wakwaSirayeli. 11Ukumkani waseAsiriya wamfudusa uSirayeli, wamsa eAsiriya, abantu wabamisa eHala, naseGozan kumlambo iHabhore, nakwiidolophu zamaMedi. 12Isihla nje le ntlekele kungokuba amaSirayeli engamthobelanga uNdikhoyo uThixo wawo, koko esuka awaphula umnqophiso nayo yonke imiyalelo yesicaka sikaNdikhoyo uMosis. Ewe, akeva, akenza.

USenakeribhe uhlasela elakwaJuda

(2 Gan 32:1-19; Isaya 36:1-22)

13Ngonyaka weshumi elinesine wokulawula kukakumkani uHezekiya, ukumkani waseAsiriya uSenakeribhe wazihlasela wazithimba zonke izixeko ezinqatyisiweyo zakwaJuda. 14Ke uHezekiya, ukumkani wakwaJuda, wathumela lo myalezo kukumkani waseAsiriya eLakishe, esithi: “Ewe, ndikonile; nceda ke ngoko urhoxe kum. Ndokhupha nantoni na othi mandirhume ngayo.” Ukumkani waseAsiriya ke wamrhafisa ishumi lamawaka eekhilogram zesiliva kunye newaka leekhilogram zegolide. 15Ngoko ke uHezekiya wamnika yonke isiliva eyafumanekayo endlwini kaNdikhoyo nakoovimba bakomkhulu.

16Kananjalo ke uHezekiya, ukumkani wakwaJuda, ngelo xesha wayixobula negolide awayetyabeke ngayo iingcango nemigubasi yendlu kaNdikhoyo, wayinika ukumkani waseAsiriya.

17Ke kaloku ukumkani waseAsiriya wathi eseLakishe wathumela ukumkani uHezekiya eJerusalem umkhosi omkhulu uphantsi kwenjengele yakhe, nengqwayi-ngqwayi engumaqhuzu, ndawonye nengqwayi-ngqwayi ebhexeshayo. Wakufika eJerusalem loo mkhosi, wema kwindlela ebheka apho kusetyenzwa khona amalaphu, ngakumjelo otsala amanzi kwiqula elingentla. 18La madoda ke akhwaza ukumkani, kwaza ke kwaphuma uEliyakim unyana kaHilekiya umaqhuzu wakomkhulu, noShebhena unobhala wenkundla, ndawonye noJowa unyana ka-Asafu usiba-khulu, bawahlangabeza.

19Ingqwayi-ngqwayi ebhexeshayo yathetha nabo yathi: “Xelelani uHezekiya nithi: ‘Ithethe ngolu hlobo ingangalala ukumkani waseAsiriya: Njengokuba uzithembe kangaka nje, Hezekiya, uqamele ngantoni kanye? 20Akuzilibali unamacebo nobuchule bomkhosi onamandla. Awu, waza walavuza kambe! Ukholose ngabani, undivukela nje? 21Jonga, ndiyazi ukuba uthembele ngeJiputa. Xa ingubani yona, umsimelelo ofana nengcongolo entlekekileyo, ojika uhlabe izandla zomntu osimelela ngawo, umtsho abe namanxeba. Ewe, unjalo ukumkani waseJiputa; ubenjenjalo bonke abakholosa ngaye. 22Mhlawumbi ke uthi: “Hayi, thina sikholose ngoNdikhoyo uThixo wethu.” Kanene lowo asingulo uHezekiya amdilizele iindawo eziphakamileyo zonqulo, wabhangisa namaqonga amadini akhe, esithi kuJuda neJerusalem: “Yizani kunqula kwiqonga eliseJerusalem”?

23“ ‘Hayi bo! Yiza kaloku, ukhe unqophisane nenkosi yam, umhlekazi ukumkani waseAsiriya. Ndokunika amawaka amabini amahashe ukuba unganabo abakhweli. 24Kuxa ungubani wena? Akunakuthelekiswa nalo nebhetye-bhetye kumajoni aseAsiriya, noba ungade ukholose ngeenqwelo namahashe aseJiputa. 25Kakade ke, uthi ndifane ndeza kuhlasela ukuze nditshabalalise ndibhuqe konke apha ndingayalelwanga nguNdikhoyo? Hayi, nguNdikhoyo ngokwakhe othe mandingene apha, ndilitshabalalise eli lizwe!’ ”

26Kwesi sithuba ke uEliyakim unyana kaHilekiya, noShebhena, noJowa, babhekisa apho kwingqwayi-ngqwayi engumbhexeshi, bathi: “Khawuncede ukhumshe isiAram, mhlekazi; izicaka zakho ezi ziyasiqonda. Musa ukuthetha nathi ngesiHebhere, hleze kuve naba bantu baseludongeni.”

27Kambe ke loo ngqwayi-ngqwayi yaphendula yathi: “Yini le, nicinga ukuba la mazwi inkosi yam iwabhekisa enkosini yenu nakuni kuphela? Nithi ayiwabhekisi nakwaba bantu bahleli kolu donga? Andithi kaloku nabo kwanjengani baza kutya ilindle labo, basele umchamo wabo!”

28Yaphakama ke ingqwayi-ngqwayi leyo, yadanduluka ithetha ngesiHebhere, yathi: “Phulaphulani nive ekuthethayo ingangalala, ukumkani waseAsiriya! 29Ukumkani uthi: ‘Sanukukhohliswa nguHezekiya lo! Akanako ukunihlangula esandleni sam. 30Sanukumvumela aniwexulele ekukholoseni ngoNdikhoyo, esithi: “Ngenene uNdikhoyo uya kusihlangula, nesi sixeko asiyi kuba lixhoba lokumkani waseAsiriya.” ’

31“Musani ukumphulaphula uHezekiya lo! Ukumkani waseAsiriya uthi: ‘Phumani, nize kuzinikezela kum, sivisisane. Ukuba niyayenza loo nto, nonke ngabanye niya konwaba, ibe ngulowo nalowo atye iziqhamo zesidiliya sakhe namakhiwane akhe, esela amanzi equla lakhe, 32ndide ndize kunithatha, ndinise kwilizwe elifana neli lenu, umhlaba onemveliso yeenkozo newayini, ilizwe lengqolowa nediliya, ilizwe elinemithi yeminquma kunye nobusi. Zikhetheleni ubomi ke, ningakhethi ukufa.’

“Sanukulahlekiswa nguHezekiya, kuba uyanilahlekisa xa esithi: ‘UNdikhoyo uza kusihlangula.’ 33*Nguthixo wasiphi isizwe owakhe wasihlangula esandleni sokumkani waseAsiriya? 34Baphi oothixo baseHamati naseArpadi? Baphi oothixo baseSefarvayim, abaseHena, nabaseIva? Ngaba bakha bayihlangula iSamariya esandleni sam? 35Nguwuphi kwaba thixo bezi zizwe xa bebonke owakha wanako ukuhlangula ilizwe esandleni sam? Ke, uNdikhoyo lowo yena angayihlangula njani iJerusalem esandleni sam?”

36Kodwa ke bona abantu abo bathula bathi cwaka, abaphendula, kuba kaloku ukumkani uHezekiya wayebayalile wathi: “Ze ningamphenduli.”

37Ke kaloku uEliyakim unyana kaHilekiya, umaqhuzu wakomkhulu, noShebhena unobhala wenkundla, kunye noJowa unyana ka-Asafu, usiba-khulu, bakhathazeka, bazikrazula izambatho zabo, bahamba baya kuHezekiya, baza bamazisa loo mazwi athethwe yingqwayi-ngqwayi.

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2 YOOKUMKANI 19

Ukumkani ucetyiswa nguIsaya

(Isaya 37:1-7)

1Ke kaloku wathi akuziva ezi ndaba ukumkani uHezekiya, suka wakhathazeka, wazikrazula izambatho zakhe, wanxiba ezirhwexayo zokuzila, waya kungena endlwini *kaNdikhoyo. 2Wathuma uEliyakim umaqhuzu wakomkhulu, noShebhena unobhala, kunye nababingeleli abaphambili, bonke benxibe ezirhwexayo, wathi mabaye *kumshumayeli uIsaya unyana ka-Amozi. 3Baya, bafika bathi: “UHezekiya uthi: ‘Lo ngumhla wenkxwaleko, impoxo, nehlazo. Sifana nomfazi ofikelwe lixesha lakhe lokuzala, kodwa engenawo amandla okujongana naloo meko. 4Makube uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho uwevile onke amazwi athethwe yingqwayi-ngqwayi leya ibithunywe yinkosi yayo ukumkani waseAsiriya ukuze ize kuphoxisa ngoThixo ophilayo. Ngamana yakhalinyelwa ngenxa yamazwi aweve ngokwakhe *uNdikhoyo uThixo wakho. Ngoko ke nceda uthandazele amasalela asindileyo.’ ”

5Athe akufika kuIsaya loo maphakathi kakumkani uHezekiya, 6uIsaya wathi kuwo: “Yixeleleni inkosi yenu ukuba uNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Musa ukuxhalaba yiloo nto uyivileyo – loo mazwi athethwe liphakathi lokumkani waseAsiriya lindithuka. 7Uyabona ke, mna ndiza kumfaka umoya wokuba athi akuva umingi-mingi lodaba oluthile, asuke abuyele kwelakowabo. Khona apho ke ndiya kwenza ukuba abulawe ngekrele.’ ”

Ama-Asiriya athumela isoyikiso kwakhona

(Isaya 37:8-20)

8Ingqwayi-ngqwayi engumbhexeshi womkhosi yathi yakuva ukuba ukumkani waseAsiriya umkile eLakishe, suka yarhoxa, yabuya umva, yaza yafika ukumkani esilwa neLibhena.

9Ke uSenakeribhe wafumana udaba oluthi uTiraka, umKushe ongukumkani waseJiputa, nanko ehlasela iAsiriya. Ngoko ke waphinda wathumela kuHezekiya esithi: 10“Yithi kukumkani uHezekiya wakwaJuda: ‘Musa ukukhohliswa ngulo Thixo wakho umthembileyo. Uyakuxokisa xa esithi: “IJerusalem ayiyi kuthinjwa ngukumkani waseAsiriya.” 11Kaloku sowuzivile izigigaba zokumkani waseAsiriya kwezinye izizwe; uyazi ukuba wazibhukuqa wazitshabalalisa tu. Ke wena uthi uya kusinda njani? 12Babephi *oothixo bezizwe ezatshatyalaliswa ngoobawo-mkhulu? Abazihlangula ngani ke? Oothixo baseGozan, eHaran, eRezefe, nabo babantu base-Eden ababeseTelasare! 13Uphi ngoku ukumkani waseHamati, nowaseArpadi, nokumkani wesixeko saseSefarvayim? Yena owaseHena nowaseIva uphi?’ ”

14Ezo zigidimi zamnika loo leta uHezekiya, waza ke yena wayifunda, wayithatha waya nayo endlwini *kaNdikhoyo, wafika wayandlala phambi koNdikhoyo. 15Wathandaza kuNdikhoyo, wathi: “Ndikhoyo, Thixo kaSirayeli, wena osesihlalweni phakathi kwezithunywa ezimaphiko, nguwe kuphela onguThixo olawula zonke izikumkani zehlabathi. Wena wawadala amazulu kwanehlabathi. 16Kaloku ke, Ndikhoyo, khawubek' iindlebe uphulaphule. Vula amehlo akho ujonge, Ndikhoyo. Khawuweve la mazwi awathumeleyo uSenakeribhe, ethuka uThixo ophilayo. 17Sivile, Ndikhoyo, ukuba ookumkani baseAsiriya bazibhuqa bazitshabalalisa ezi zizwe kunye nemihlaba yazo. 18Oothixo bazo wabafaka emlilweni, wabatshabalalisa; kuba kakade babengethixo, koko yimifanekiso eqingqwe zizandla zabantu ngomthi nangelitye. 19Ngoko ke ngoku, Ndikhoyo Thixo wethu, khawusihlangule kulo mfo, khon' ukuze zonke izikumkani zehlabathi ziqonde ukuba nguwe wedwa, Ndikhoyo, onguThixo.”

UIsaya uxela ukuwa kukaSenakeribhe

(Isaya 37:21-38)

20Ke uIsaya unyana ka-Amozi wathumela umyalezo kuHezekiya, esithi: “*UNdikhoyo uThixo kaSirayeli uthi: ‘Ndiwuvile umthandazo wakho mayela nokumkani waseAsiriya uSenakeribhe.’ 21Mayela naye ke uNdikhoyo uthi:

“ ‘Okokwakho, wena Senakeribhe,

isixeko iZiyon siyakugcolodela;

isixeko iZiyon sihlekisa ngawe.

Ewe, iJerusalem ihlunguzel' intloko

xa ikubona wena uswantsula.

22Ngubani lo umngcikiva ngezinyeliso ezinje?

Uba uthetha nabani ukhwaza nje?

Ngubani lo umjonge ungenambeko?

Lowo ke nguYedwa kaSirayeli!

23Wena uthumele izigidimi,

uNdikhoyo wamfumba ngezithuko;

kaloku ugcolode wathi:

“Mna ndinenyambalala yeenqwelo;

ngazo ndiqabel' iintab' eziphakamileyo,

loo malenga-lenga aseLebhanon.

Ndiyigawule imisedare yayo emide

naloo mipayini yayo ingayiwayo.

De ndafikelela nasekudeni,

nditsho esitsikolweni sehlathi.

24Ndimbe amaqula kumazwe eentlanga,

ndaza ke ndasela amanzi khona.

Ndingqishe ngonyawo kuphela,

yatsho yoma yonke imithomb' eJiputa.”

25“ ‘Ngaba awuzange uve na;

ukuba le nto yamiselwa ndim,

ukuba sekuntsuku ndayicwangcisayo

le nto yenzekayo namhlanje,

ukuba wena udilize izixeko ezinqatyisiweyo,

uzivuthulule zitsho zibe ngamabhodlo?

26Abemi bazo baphelelwe ngamandla;

bathe nkamalala, basezintlonini.

Nqwa nomfino emasimini phaya

ngathi zizithombo ezithukuzayo,

ngathi yingc' entshula phezu kwendlu,

esuk' itshe ingakhulanga nokukhula.

27“ ‘Kambe ke ndikwazi kakuhle,

ndikwazi ukusuka nokuhlala

namagwevu okundivukela kwakho.

28Kaloku wena uzimisele ukulwa nam.

Ndivile nangokundinyelisa kwakho.

Ndiza kukuqhobosha impumlo,

ndikufake umkhala emlonyeni,

ndikubuyisele aph' ubuvela khona.’

29“Nanku ke umqondiso wakho, Hezekiya:

“ ‘Kulo nyaka uya kutya ummilela,

kowesibini utye ummilela wommilela,

kowesithathu ke uhlwayele uvune

utyale izidiliya, utye iziqhamo zazo.

30Ophinda ke amasalela endlu kaJuda amile;

ewe, aya kuzika ade azinze,

aqhelezele yinkqubela abe njeyaa.

31Kaloku lona lophuma eJerusalem;

losuka lithi gqi qhaphu ihlumelo.

Lothi nyalulu kwintaba iZiyon;

nditsho iqela labo babhungcileyo.

Ewe, uNdikhoyo uSomandla uzimisele,

yaye ke eya kuyifezekisa loo nto.’

32“Ewe, uNdikhoyo uthetha ngolu hlobo mayela nokumkani waseAsiriya:

“ ‘Akasoze angene kwesi sixeko,

engayi kudubula lutolo apha.

Akasoze eze phambi kwaso,

engayi kusihlanganisela ngakhaka.

Akasayi kwakha asingqinge esi sixeko.

33Ewe, wobuya agoduke kwangendlela ebeze ngayo.

Soze angene kwesi isixeko!

Nditshilo nje mna Ndikhoyo, nditshilo.

34Ndiya kusihlanganisela esi sixeko;

ewe, mna ndiya kusihlangula.

Ngenxa yesidima segama lam,

nangenxa yesicaka sam uDavide,

yonke loo nto ndiya kuyenza.’ ”

35Ngobo busuku ke isithunywa sikaNdikhoyo saya kumkhosi wama-Asiriya, safika sabulala amadoda alikhulu mashumi asibhozo anantlanu amawaka. Bathe ke bakuvuka ngentsasa elandelayo bazibona izidumbu zithe gangalala! 36Ngoko ke uSenakeribhe, ukumkani waseAsiriya, wazichitha warhoxa, wabuyela eNiniva, wahlala khona.

37Ngamhla uthile ke uthe esanqula kwindlu yothixo wakhe uNiseroki, suka oonyana bakhe uAdrameleki noSharezere bamhlasela, bambulala ngekrele, baza ke babalekela kwelaseArarati. Ke uEsaridon, omnye koonyana bakhe, wangena esikhundleni sakhe, wangukumkani.

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2 YOOKUMKANI 20

Ukugula kukaHezekiya

(Isaya 38:1-8,21-22; 2 Gan 32:24-26)

1Ngelo thuba ke ukumkani uHezekiya wahlabeka, waza wagulela ukungabikho. *Umshumayeli uIsaya, unyana ka-Amozi, waya kumbona, waza wathi kuye: “*UNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Lungisa imicimbi yomzi wakho ime kakuhle, kuba uza kufa, awuzukuphila.’ ”

2Ke uHezekiya wasuka wafulathela, wajonga eludongeni, wathandaza kuNdikhoyo wathi: 3“Khumbula kaloku, Ndikhoyo, ukuba oko ndakunqulayo ndikukhonza ngentembeko nokunyaniseka, ndaba soloko ndihamba ngokomyalelo wakho.” Suka ke wangqukruleka kabuhlungu.

4Uthe ke uIsaya engekaphumi kwindlu ephakathi, labe ilizwi likaNdikhoyo selifikile kuye. Lalisithi: 5“Jika uxelele inkokheli yabantu bam uHezekiya, uthi: ‘Nali ilizwi elithethwa nguNdikhoyo uThixo kayihlo uDavide: Ndiwuvile umthandazo wakho, ndazibona neenyembezi zakho. Ndiza kukuphilisa. Ngosuku lwesithathu ukusuka ngoku uya kuya endlwini kaNdikhoyo. 6Ndiza kubongeza ngeminyaka elishumi elinesihlanu ubomi bakho. Futhi ndiza kukuhlangula wena kunye nesi sixeko kwisandla sokumkani waseAsiriya. Esi sixeko ndiza kusikhusela ngenxa yesidima segama lam nangenxa yesicaka sam uDavide.’ ”

7UIsaya uqhube wathi: “Ithumba elo libekeleni ngentlama yomkhiwane.” Ngenene ke balibekela ithumba elo, waza ke waphila.

8UHezekiya wabuza kuIsaya wathi: “Woba yintoni na umqondiso wokuba uNdikhoyo uya kundiphilisa ndize ndibe nako ukuya endlwini kaNdikhoyo ngosuku lwesithathu ukusuka ngoku?”

9UIsaya wathi: “Nanku ke umqondiso kaNdikhoyo ocacisa ukuba yena uya kwenza ngokwesithembiso sakhe. Ùthi isithunzi masiye phambili ishumi leenyawo okanye sibuye umva ishumi leenyawo?”

10UHezekiya wathi: “Yinto engenamsebenzi ukuba isithunzi siye phambili ishumi leenyawo. Hayi, kanye masibuye umva ishumi leenyawo.”

11Ke umshumayeli uIsaya wanqula uNdikhoyo, waza uNdikhoyo wasibuyisa umva isithunzi kangangeenyawo ezilishumi apho kwisitupu sika-Ahazi.

Izigidimi zaseBhabheli

(Isaya 39:1-8)

12Ke kaloku ngelo xesha ukumkani waseBhabheli, uMerodaki-bhaladan unyana kaBhaladan, weva ukuba uHezekiya ubekhe wagula. Ngoko wambhalela iileta, wazithumela ngezigidimi kunye nesipho. 13UHezekiya wazamkela izigidimi ezo, waza wazibonisa konke okwakukoovimba bakhe: isiliva negolide, ubulawu neziqholo, nazo zonke izikrweqe zakhe zomkhosi. Wazingenisa kubo bonke oovimba bakhe, akwabikho nto zingayibonanga apho ebhotwe nakubukumkani bakhe buphela.

14Umshumayeli uIsaya ke waya kukumkani uHezekiya, wafika wabuza wathi: “La madoda ebevela phi, efuna ntoni khona?”

UHezekiya uphendule wathi: “Aphuma kwelikude eBhabheli.”

15“Ngaba kukho nto ayibonileyo ke apha komkhulu?” ubuzile umshumayeli.

UHezekiya uphendule ngelithi: “Akukho nto angayibonanga. Ndiwangenise kubo bonke oovimba bam.”

16Waza ke uIsaya wathi kuHezekiya: “Nali ke ilizwi likaNdikhoyo: 17‘Ngenene liyeza ithuba apho yonke into elapha komkhulu nalo lonke ilifa elashiywa ngooyihlo ukuza kuthi gaa namhlanje liya kuthinjwa lifuduselwe eBhabheli.’ Ewe, uNdikhoyo uthi akukho nto iya kusala. 18Abanye kubazukulwana besinqe sakho kanye baya kuthinjwa, baze benziwe amathenwa, babe zizicaka kwibhotwe lokumkani waseBhabheli.”

19“Eli lizwi likaNdikhoyo ulithethayo lifanelekile,” uphendule watsho uHezekiya. Kaloku wayesithi: “Noko kuya kubakho inzolo nokhuseleko ngemihla yokudla kwam ubomi.”

Ukufa kukaHezekiya

(2 Gan 32:32-33)

20Ke ezinye zeziganeko zikaHezekiya, nayo yonke imizabalazo yakhe esenza iqula netonela awatsala amanzi ngalo ewangenisa esixekweni, nâzo encwadini yeembali zookumkani bakwaJuda. 21UHezekiya ke waya kuphumla kooyise, waza ke unyana wakhe uManase wangukumkani esikhundleni sakhe.

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IINDUMISO 139

Ulwazi nenkathalo kaThixo ifezekile

Kumbhexeshi-kwayara; umhobe kaDavide.

1Ewe, *Ndikhoyo, undigoca-gocile, uyandazi.

2Wena undazi ukusuka nokuhlala;

iingcamango zam uziqonda zingekaveli.

3Mna andinako ukukunqabela nganto –

nditsho ndihamba okanye ndilele,

wena uyaziqonda iindlela zam zonke.

4Kaloku wena wazi ndingekathethi;

ewe, Ndikhoyo, wazi nento endiza kuyithetha.

5Kaloku wena undiphahle macal' onke;

isandla sakho sindifumbathile.

6Ndlela le undazi ngayo indongamele;

ewe, ndiyalabalaba, isemajukujukwini kum.

7Ndingamzimela ndithini uMoya wakho?

Ndingasabela phi apho ungekhoyo khona?

8Ukuba ndingenyukela emazulwini, ndingafika ukho;

nokuba ndingalala kwelabafileyo, ukho nalapho.

9Ndingafanelana ndihamba nokusa,

ndiye kutsho eziphelweni zolwandle,

10nalapho ndingakhokelwa sisandla sakho;

ewe, ndohlala ndisemandleni akho.

11Noba ndingathi mandisongelwe bubumnyama,

nokukhanya kujike kube bubusuku,

12kwabumnyama obo abumnyamanga kuwe.

Kaloku nobusuku bukhanya njengemini kuwe,

kuba nobumnyama buyakhanya kuwe.

13Andithi na kaloku ndadalwa nguwe;

nditsho mna kanye lo!

Ewe, wandixonxa wandilunga-lungisa kwandisekumama.

14Ndikubonga ndikubulela ngenxa yomntu endinguye,

ngenxa yokumangalisa nokukhwankqisa kwento endiyiyo.

Ewe, iyakhamnqisa kambe imisebenzi yakho.

Leyo ke into ndiyiqonde pheleleyo.

15Uphahla lomzimba wam alungomnqa kuwe;

okuya ndandibunjwa ekusitheleni wawukho.

Ewe, ndabunjwa ngokunqabileyo emajukujukwini.

16Kaloku wena wandibona ndingekenziwa;

imihla owandimisela yona yabhalwa encwadini yakho,

ndingekayiqali nokuyiqala mna.

17Hayi bo, zintsonkothile kambe

iingcamango zakho, Thixo wam!

Yaz'ba zingakanani na ubuninzi!

18Xa bendinokuzibala, zingaphaya kwentlabathi;

noba bendingazigqibayo, andikabi phi.

Ndoba ngalala ndivuke, usengulowa.

19Akwaba ubungabatshabalalisa abakhohlakeleyo, Thixo;

izijama-nkungwini mazisuke kum,

20abantu abakwenyelisayo bengakukhathalele,

abakuvukelayo beqhutywa yinkohlakalo.

21Ewe, ndibathiyile abakuthiyileyo, Ndikhoyo;

kum banezothe abakuchasayo.

22Ngenene ndibathiyile mpela;

ndibathatha njengeentshaba zam.

23Ndibhenela kuwe, Thixo wam:

khawundigoca-goce, undiphicothe, undiqondisise;

ndivavanye uziqonde iingcamango zam!

24Ndiqwalasele, hleze ndithi kanti ndiphambukile;

undikhokelele kwindlela eyeyona-yona.

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