To The Word – Day 120

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.’ ”

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.”

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:

₂₉“Nanku ke umqondiso wakho, Hezekiya:

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

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.

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.

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.”

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.