To The Word – Day 17

₁*UNdikhoyo wathetha noMosis, wathi: “Uyabona ke, wena ndiza kukwenza ube ngathi unguThixo kukumkani waseJiputa, yena umkhuluwa wakho abe *ngumshumayeli wakho. ₂UAron uze umxelele konke endikuyalela kona, ke yena uya kubhekisa kukumkani, atsho akhulule amaSirayeli aphume emhlabeni wakhe. ₃Kambe ke ndiya kumqaqadekisa ukumkani, angavumi ukuwakhulula amaSirayeli noba sendiyiphinda-phinda kangakanani na imiqondiso nemimangaliso yam kwelaseJiputa. ₄Ngoko ke ndiya kuba ngqongqo kwelaseJiputa, ndilohlwaye. Ke bona abantu bam amaSirayeli ndiya kubakhupha ngendlu yabo. ₅Igunya endiya kuwakhupha ngalo amaSirayeli eJiputa liya kubetha aqonde amaJiputa ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo.”

₆Ke uMosis noAron bênza kanye ngendlela ababeyalelwe ngayo nguNdikhoyo. ₇Ukuthetha kwabo nokumkani waseJiputa uMosis wayenamashumi asibhozo eminyaka, ke yena uAron emashumi asibhozo nantathu.

₈*UNdikhoyo wabayala ooMosis noAron, wathi: ₉“Xa ukumkani esithi: ‘Ndibonise ummangaliso,’ uze uthi kuAron: ‘Phosa induku yakho phambi kokumkani.’ Yojika ke ibe yinyoka.”

₁₀Bahamba ke uMosis noAron, baya kukumkani, benza njengoko babeyalelwe nguNdikhoyo. UAron wayiphosa phambi kokumkani namaphakathi akhe induku yakhe, yaza yajika yayinyoka. ₁₁Kuthe ke kwakuba nje, ukumkani wabiza oosiyazi namaqili elaseJiputa, nabo bazijika ezabo iinduku ngemilingo yabo. ₁₂Ewe, baziphosa phantsi, yayileyo yajika yaba yinyoka; koko ke yona eka-Aron yasuka yaziginya zonke. ₁₃Kodwa ke ukumkani wenza njengoko wayetshilo uNdikhoyo, intliziyo yakhe yaqaqadeka, akabaphulaphula.

₁₄Ke kaloku *uNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Ukumkani uneenkani; akavumi ukubakhulula abantu bam. ₁₅Ngoko ke, phumani kusasa xa aya emlanjeni, niyokumlindela elunxwemeni lomlambo, niphethe laa nduku yayijike yaba yinyoka. ₁₆Thethani naye nenjenje: ‘UNdikhoyo uThixo wamaHebhere wandithuma esithi: “Khulula abantu bam, baye kundinqula entlango!” Kambe ke awukayenzi loo nto unangoku. ₁₇Ngoku ke uNdikhoyo uthi: “Nantsi ke into eza kukwenza ukuba uqonde ukuba mna ndinguNdikhoyo” – la manzi omlambo iNayile ndiza kuwabetha ngale nduku isesandleni sam, atsho ajike abe ligazi. ₁₈Iintlanzi ziya kufa, umlambo utsho unuke, amaJiputa atsho awacekise amanzi eNayile.’ ”

₁₉UNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis ukuba athi kuAron: “Thatha induku yakho, uwalekuze ngayo amanzi aseJiputa, emilanjeni, ezintlanjeni, emachibini, nasemaquleni, atsho ajike abe ligazi. Koba ligazi ke kulo lonke elaseJiputa; nditsho nasezityeni zomthi nakwezamatye.”

₂₀UMosis noAron benza njengoko babeyalelwe nguNdikhoyo. UAron wayiphakamisa induku yakhe ekho ukumkani namaphakathi akhe, wawabetha amanzi omlambo iNayile, aza ke onke amanzi omlambo lowo ajika aba ligazi. ₂₁Zafa ke iintlanzi apho emlanjeni, aza amanzi awo anuka kangangokuba amaJiputa angabi nako ukuwasela; yaba ligazi nje konke kwelaseJiputa.

₂₂Ngemilingo yawo amaqili aseJiputa nawo ayenza loo nto yayisenziwa ngooMosis. Ngenxa yoko ukumkani waqaqadeka, akavuma ukubaphulaphula ooMosis noAron njengoko wayetshilo uNdikhoyo. ₂₃Ndaweni yaloo nto wasuka wee khwitshi wangena ebhotwe, akayikhathalela le nto ihlileyo. ₂₄AmaJiputa wona azigrumbela amanzi apho kufuphi nomlambo, kuba la omlambo ayengaseleki.

₂₅Kwadlula iintsuku ezisixhenxe emveni kwesibetho saseNayile.

₁*UNdikhoyo wathetha noMosis, wathi: “Yiya kukumkani, uthi ndithi kuye: ‘Khulula abantu bam baye kundinqula. ₂Ukuba uyala ukubakhulula, ilizwe lakho ndiya kulihlasela ngesibetho samasele. ₃Umlambo iNayile uya kuphuphuma ngamasele; oda aye kufika nakwakho. Aya kutaka-taka endlwini yakho yokulala, emandlalweni, ezindlwini zamaphakathi, nasezindlwini zabo bonke abantu bakho. Amasele aya kugxalathelana kumaziko okubhaka, nakwizitya zokuxovela; ₄aya kuxhumela kuwe, kubantu bakho, nakumaphakathi akho.’ ”

₅UNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis wathi makathi kuAron: “Yolula isandla sakho, uwalekuze ngenduku leyo amanzi emilambo, aweentlambo, nawamaqula, khon' ukuze kunyakazele amasele kulo lonke elaseJiputa.” ₆Ngenene ke uAron wawalekuza amanzi aseJiputa ngenduku yakhe, kwaza kwavela amasele, anyakazela kulo lonke. ₇Ngemilingo yawo amaqili aseJiputa âkwazi nawo ukuyenza loo nto yayisenziwa nguAron, aza anyakazela amasele kwelaseJiputa.

₈Ke ukumkani wabiza uMosis noAron, wathi kubo: “Khanimbongoze uNdikhoyo awasuse la masele kum nakubantu bam, ukuze mna ndibakhulule abantu bakowenu, baye kubingelela kuNdikhoyo.”

₉UMosis waphendula wathi: “Loo nto ndingayenza ngovuyo, nto nje wena misa ixesha ofuna ndikuthandazele ngalo wena namaphakathi akho nabo bonke abantu bakho, ukuze nahlukane namasele, asale emlanjeni iNayile kuphela.”

₁₀Ukumkani ke waphendula wathi: “Makaphele ngomso.”

Wathi ke uMosis: “Kuya kuba njengokuba uthetha, khon' ukuze uqonde ukuba akakho onjengoNdikhoyo uThixo wethu. ₁₁Amasele aya kumka kuwe nasezindlwini zakho, kumaphakathi nakubantu bakho, asale emlanjeni iNayile kuphela.” ₁₂UMosis noAron bamshiya ke ukumkani. UMosis wambongoza uNdikhoyo ngokubhekisele kumasele awayenyakazela kwakumkani. ₁₃Naye uNdikhoyo wenza ngokwesicelo sikaMosis; aza ke amasele afa ezindlwini, ezinkundleni, nasemasimini. ₁₄Aqokelelwa ke, aba ziinqumba; yeka ke iphunga! ₁₅Njengoko wayetshilo uNdikhoyo, ukumkani uthe akubona ukuba kukho isiqabu, waqal' emva ukuqaqadeka, akavuma ukubaphulaphula ooMosis noAron.

₁₆*UNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Yitsho kuAron avuse uthuli ngenduku yakhe, ukuze kuvele iimbuzane kulo lonke elaseJiputa.” ₁₇UAron ke waphakamisa induku yakhe, wabetha ngayo emhlabeni, kwaza kwavela iimbuzane, zabahlasela abantu kunye nezilwanyana. Kulo lonke elaseJiputa kwaphithizela iimbuzane. ₁₈Athe ke amaqili aseJiputa, akuzama ukwenza kwaloo nto, suka azavela iimbuzane. Kambe ke zaphithizela iimbuzane kulo lonke, zahlasela umntu kwakunye nesilwanyana. ₁₉Ke wona amaqili angqina athi kukumkani: “Ngumnwe kaThixo lo.” Kambe ke, njengoko uNdikhoyo wayetshilo, yena ukumkani wankaniza, akaphulaphula.

₂₀Waphinda *uNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Vuka kusasa ngomso, uhlangabeze ukumkani xa aya emlanjeni, uthethe naye uthi: ‘UNdikhoyo uthi: “Khulula abantu bam, baye kundikhonza; ₂₁okanye xa ungayenzi loo nto, ndiya kukuthumela ngamabubu eempukane, zikuhlasele wena namaphakathi akho, nabantu bakho. Ziya kuzalisa ezindlwini zakho, nakwezabantu bakho, nakuwo wonke umhlaba waseJiputa. ₂₂Kodwa ke eGoshen, apho kukho abantu bam, aziyi kubakho, khon' ukuze uqonde ukuba mna Ndikhoyo ndikho apha kweli lizwe. ₂₃Ndiya kubakhetha abantu bam kubantu bakho ngokubakhusela. Loo mqondiso ke úya kuzibonela ngokwakho kusasa kusile.” ’ ” ₂₄Ngenene ke uNdikhoyo wathumela amabubu eempukane komkhulu nakwimizi yamaphakathi. Lonke elaseJiputa laba semngciphekweni wentshabalalo ngenxa yeempukane.

₂₅Ukumkani wababiza ooMosis noAron, wathi kubo: “Hambani niye kubingelela kuThixo wenu, kodwa ningaphumi kweli lizwe.”

₂₆UMosis waphendula wathi: “Ayinakulunga loo nto. Kaloku isilwanyana esiza kwenza ngaso idini likaNdikhoyo uThixo wethu, silisikizi kumaJiputa. Ngoko ke singathi, siyenzile loo nto phambi kwamaJiputa, asixulube ngamatye, sife. ₂₇Kufuneka sithathe uhambo lweentsuku ezintathu, siye entlango, simenzele khona idini uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu ngokomlomo wakhe.”

₂₈Ukumkani waqhuba wathi: “Ndiyanikhulula nihambe niye kubingelela kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu entlango, kodwa ke ze ningayi kude kakhulu. Ndithandazele ke!”

₂₉UMosis wathi: “Ndakuba ndimkile ke ndiya kumbongoza uNdikhoyo. Wona ke amabubu eempukane aya kumka aphele ngomso, angabi sakuhlupha wena namaphakathi akho, ngokunjalo nabantu bakho. Kambe ke, wena kumkani, ungaphindi usiqhathe ubalele abantu ukuya kubingelela kuNdikhoyo.”

₃₀Ephumile ke uMosis kwakumkani, watarhuzisa kuNdikhoyo, ₃₁waza wazisusa iimpukane ezo kukumkani, kumaphakathi, nasebantwini bakhe, akwasala nale inye. ₃₂Nakwesi isihlandlo ukumkani waphinda waqaqadeka, wankaniza, akawakhulula amaSirayeli.

₁*UNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuMosis wathi: “Yiya kukumkani waseJiputa, uthi kuye: ‘UNdikhoyo uThixo wamaHebhere uthethe wenjenje: “Khulula abantu bam, baye kundikhonza.” ₂Ukuba uyala ukubakhulula, ₃uNdikhoyo uya kukohlwaya ngokuthumela isibetho esoyikekayo kwimfuyo yakho: amahashe, iidonki, iinkamela, iinkomo, iigusha, neebhokhwe. ₄Uya kuyikhetha imfuyo yamaSirayeli kweyamaJiputa. EyamaSirayeli imfuyo soze ife. ₅Le nto ke iya kwenzeka ngomso.’ ”

₆Ngengomso ke uNdikhoyo wenza njengoko wayethethile. Yonke imfuyo yamaJiputa yafa, kodwa kweyamaSirayeli zange kufe nob' ibe nye. ₇Ukumkani wathuma amadoda aye kukhangela ukuba kube njani na kwimfuyo yamaSirayeli, waza waxelelwa ukuba akufanga nale inye. Naxa kunjalo wankaniza, akavuma ukuwakhulula amaSirayeli.

₈*UNdikhoyo wabiza uMosis noAron, wathi kubo: “Yikhani uthuthu ngezandla, nize niye kwakumkani, uMosis aluphose phezulu ukumkani ebukele. ₉Luya kuphephetheka njengothuli kulo lonke elaseJiputa. Luya kudala amathumba aya kubhidla abe zizilonda ebantwini nasezilwanyaneni kulo lonke elaseJiputa.” ₁₀Baluthatha ke uthuthu eziko, baya kwakumkani, waza uMosis waluphosa phezulu ekho nokumkani. Lwaphephetheka ke, lwaza lwadala amathumba asuka abhidla aba zizilonda ebantwini nasezilwanyaneni. ₁₁Ngenxa yamathumba abo abemilingo bona abazange babe nako ukumelana noMosis. Kaloku onke amaJiputa ayenamathumba. ₁₂Kambe ke uNdikhoyo, njengoko wayetshilo kwangaphambili, wamenza waneenkani ukumkani, akavuma ukuphulaphula ooMosis noAron.

₁₃*UNdikhoyo waphinda wathetha noMosis wathi: “Vuka kusasa ngomso, uye kukumkani, umxelele ukuba uNdikhoyo uThixo wamaHebhere uthi: ‘Khulula abantu bam, baye kundikhonza. ₁₄Kwesi sihlandlo ndiya kukuhlabanisela ngezibetho, wena namaphakathi nabantu bakho, nitsho niqonde ukuba ehlabathini liphela akakho onjengam. ₁₅Ukuba bendithanda ngesendisolule isandla sam, ndanitshayela ngesibetho, nanyamalala emhlabeni. ₁₆Kodwa ke ndisaniyekile, kuba ndifuna ukunibonisa ubungangamsha bam, luze luthi nodumo lwam lunwenwe ehlabathini liphela. ₁₇Njengokuba usazingca nje, ungavumi ukubakhulula abantu bam, ₁₈uyabona ke, ngomso ngeli xesha ndiya kuthumela isitshu sesichoto esingazanga sabonwa nanini na ezimbalini zeJiputa. ₁₉Ngoko ke thumela iye kuqokelelwa yonke imfuyo yakho, ivalelwe, khon' ukuze isinde. Kaloku ukufika kwaso yonke into ephandle, umntu kwanesilwanyana, iya kutshabalala.’ ” ₂₀Ke kaloku loo maphakathi kakumkani ayenevuso ngenxa yomlomo kaNdikhoyo, athumela amakhoboka, yaqokelelwa imfuyo yawo, yavalelwa. ₂₁Kambe ke lawo angazange alikhathalele ilizwi likaNdikhoyo awayeka emadlelweni amakhoboka kunye nemfuyo yawo.

₂₂UNdikhoyo wathi kuMosis: “Phakamisela isandla sakho esibhakabhakeni, ukuze kuwe isichotho kulo lonke elaseJiputa, sibethe abantu, izilwanyana, nako konke okuntshula emhlabeni.” ₂₃UMosis ke wayiphakamisa induku yakhe, waza uNdikhoyo wayivulela imibane, iindudumo, nesichotho, zatsho kwakubi kwelaseJiputa. ₂₄Wasithulula isichotho, yalenyeza imibane, zatsho ngenzwinini eyayingazange yabonwa ezimbalini zeJiputa. ₂₅Eso sichotho sageqa konke okwakuphandle, abantu, izilwanyana, izityalo, kunye nemithi, kulo lonke elaseJiputa. ₂₆Kanti ke eGoshen, umhlaba wamaSirayeli, zange sifike isichotho.

₂₇Ukumkani ke wathumela buphuthu-phuthu, wathi makubizwe uMosis noAron, waza wathi kubo: “Ngoku ndiyavuma, ndonile mna nabantu bam; uNdikhoyo yena akaphazamanga. ₂₈Khawuncede umbongoze uNdikhoyo. Kwanele ngoku – ezi ndudumo nemibane zisongamele! Ndiza kunikhulula ndingaphozisanga maseko!”

₂₉Waphendula uMosis wathi: “Nje ukuba ndiphume apha esixekweni, ndiya kuzolulela kuNdikhoyo izandla zam, sitsho sithothe isiphango, sinqamke isichotho, khon' ukuze uqonde ukuba lelikaNdikhoyo ihlabathi liphela. ₃₀Kambe ke wena namaphakathi akho ndiyanibona ukuba anikamqondi uNdikhoyo uThixo.”

₃₁Umqhaphu nerhasi zavuthuluka zatshabalala. Kaloku irhasi yona kwakuxa ihlanzayo; umqhaphu ke wona kuxa udubulayo. ₃₂Kanti ke ingqolowa nehabile zange zonakale, kuba zazisephantsi.

₃₃Akumka ke uMosis kwakumkani, ephumile nasesixekweni, waphakamela kuNdikhoyo ngomthandazo. Ngoko nangoko sathotha isiphango, yapheza nemvula. ₃₄Uthe ke ukumkani akubona ukuba sithothile isiphango nemvula inqamkile, waphindela ukona oku; kuba waphinda waqaqadeka, wankaniza, yena ngokunjalo namaphakathi akhe. ₃₅Ewe, wankaniza wala ukuwakhulula amaSirayeli ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis.

₁*UNdikhoyo wathetha noMosis wathi: “Yiya kwakumkani. Kaloku yena namaphakathi akhe ndibaqaqadekisile, ukuze ndifumane ithuba lokwenza le miqondiso phakathi kwabo, ₂nokuze nibe nako ukubalisela abantwana nabazukulwana benu. Niya kubanika ingcombolo yendlela endabonisa ngayo ubungangamsha bam kumaJiputa, nangemiqondiso endiyenzileyo phakathi kwawo, khon' ukuze nani niqonde ukuba ndinguNdikhoyo.”

₃UMosis noAron ke baya kwakumkani, bathi kuye: “UNdikhoyo uThixo wamaHebhere uthi: ‘Koda kube nini ungavumi ukuzithoba kum? Khawubakhulule abantu bam, baye kundikhonza. ₄Ukuba uyala, ngomso ndiza kuthumela iinkumbi emhlabeni wakho. ₅Ziya kuba yinyambalala eya kuwugquma tu umhlaba wakho xa uwonke. Yonke into esinde kwesiya sichotho ziya kuyinqunqutha iphele tu! Nditsho nomthi lo wembala. ₆Ziya kunyakazela ezindlwini zakho, kwezamaphakathi, nakuzo zonke izindlu zamaJiputa. Lowo iya kuba ngumbono ongazange walanywa ngooyihlo ngokunjalo nooyihlo-mkhulu ezimbalini zeli lizwe.’ ” Akuba etshilo waphuma, wemka kwakumkani.

₇Amaphakathi kakumkani abhekisa kuye athi: “Yaz'ba kode kube nini na lo mfo elukhwembe-khwembe kuthi? Nceda, khulula aba bantu baye kukhonza uNdikhoyo uThixo wabo. Ngaba awukaqondi ukuba iJiputa itshabalele?”

₈Babizwa ke ooMosis noAron, babuyela kukumkani, waza wathi kubo: “Hambani niye kukhonza uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu. Kodwa ke ngoobani kanye abaza kuhamba?”

₉UMosis wathi: “Kuza kuhamba abadala nabanci, oonyana neentombi, iigusha neenkomo. Kaloku kufuneka senzele uNdikhoyo itheko.”

₁₀Kambe ke ukumkani waphendula wathi: “Ndifung' uNdikhoyo, soze ndinikhulule nihambe neentsapho zenu. Kakade, nithi andiniboni ukuba nindenzela iyelenqe? ₁₁Hayi, makuhambe amadoda odwa aye kukhonza uNdikhoyo, njengoko nanitshilo kakade.” Baza ke bakhutshwa buphuthu-phuthu apho kwakumkani.

₁₂Kwesi sithuba ke uNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis wathi: “Phakamisa ingalo yakho, uwangawangise kulo lonke elaseJiputa, ukuze kuvele iinkumbi eziya kunqunqutha zonke izityalo nayo yonke into eyasinda esichothweni.” ₁₃UMosis ke wayiphakamisa induku yakhe, wawangawangisa ngayo, waza ke uNdikhoyo wathumela umoya wasempuma, wabhudla loo mini yonke nobusuku bayo. Kwathi kusisa kwaye sekunyakazela ziinkumbi kulo lonke elaseJiputa. ₁₄Zafika zilibubu, zanyakazela kulo lonke elaseJiputa neziphaluka zalo. Ezingako zona zazingazange zabonwa ngaphambili, zaye zingasoze zibonwe nanini na! ₁₅Zaba lukhoko olwawambathisa wonke umhlaba; kwatsho kwamnyama nje! Zanqunqutha zonke izityalo nemithi yeziqhamo, nako konke okwasinda mhla ngesiphango, zatsho akwasala nempunde le yegqabi eliluhlaza kulo lonke elaseJiputa.

₁₆Ukumkani ke wababiza ngobungxamo ooMosis noAron, wathi kubo: “Ndimonile uNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ngokunjalo nani. ₁₇Ndicela uxolo ngesono sam; ndiyanibongoza, okwesi isihlandlo khaninditarhuzisele kuNdikhoyo uThixo wenu, ayisuse le ntshabalalo!” ₁₈Waphuma ke uMosis, waya kuthandaza uNdikhoyo. ₁₉UNdikhoyo ke wathumela umoya wasentshona, wazitshayela zonke iinkumbi, waya kuzeyelisela kuLwandle oluBomvu, akwasala nob' ibe nye inkumbi kwelaseJiputa. ₂₀Kambe ke uNdikhoyo wamqaqadekisa ukumkani waseJiputa, akavuma ukuwakhulula amaSirayeli.

₂₁Waphinda *uNdikhoyo wayalela uMosis ukuba aphakamisele isandla sakhe esibhakabhakeni, ukuze kubekho isithokothoko sobumnyama kulo lonke elaseJiputa, esatsho baziimpumputela abantu. ₂₂Wasiphakamisa ke uMosis isandla sakhe, kwaza kwakho isithokothoko sobumnyama esabetha kwathi thsu iintsuku ezintathu kulo lonke elaseJiputa. ₂₃Obo bumnyama ke batsho amaJiputa akabi nako nokubonana oku, engenako nokuphuma endlwini ezo ntsuku zontathu. Kanti ke kwisiphaluka samaSirayeli kwakukhanya.

₂₄Waza ke ukumkani wabiza uMosis, wathi kuye: “Ngoku ningahamba niye kukhonza uNdikhoyo kunye nabafazi nabantwana benu, nishiye imfuyo yenu kuphela.”

₂₅UMosis waphendula wathi: “Kofuneka ke usinike izinto esobingelela ngazo, ngokunjalo nezokwenzela uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu amadini atshiswayo. ₂₆Hayi bo! Asinakuyishiya imfuyo yethu; asinakushiya nob' ibe nye! Kaloku kufuneka sizikhethele ngokwethu leyo siza kuyisebenzisa xa sinqula uNdikhoyo uThixo wethu, ibe ke asinakuyazi esiza kubingelela ngayo side sifike apho siya khona.”

₂₇Kambe ke uNdikhoyo wamqaqadekisa ukumkani, akavuma ukubakhulula. ₂₈Ukumkani wamgxotha uMosis, wathi: “Phuma! Zichithe! Mandingaze ndiphinde ndikubone! Mhla ndakubona ndokucim' igama!”

₂₉UMosis waphendula wathi: “Uthethe kakuhle! Soze uphinde undibone!”

₁*UNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuMosis wathi: “Uyabona ke, ukumkani lo ndawonye nabantu bakhe ndiya kumzisela isibetho sokugqibela. Emva kweso ke uya kunikhulula nihambe. Enyanisweni uya kunigxotha niphume niphele. ₂Ngoku ke yitsho ibe ngulowo nalowo kumaSirayeli acele isiliva negolide kummelwane wakhe.” ₃UNdikhoyo ke wawenza axatyiswa amaSirayeli ngamaJiputa. Ngenene uMosis wayehlonitshwe gqitha ngamaphakathi kakumkani ndawonye nawo onke amaJiputa.

₄UMosis waxelela ukumkani wathi: “UNdikhoyo uthi: ‘Ndiya kuphuma ezinzulwini zobusuku, ndilijikeleze lonke elaseJiputa. ₅Ndiya kuwathi qwaka afe onke amazibulo, kuqalela kwelokumkani ongqendeve ebhotwe, kuye kwelekhoboka elisebenzayo, kuye kuthi xhaxhe kwizibulo lemfuyo. ₆ElaseJiputa liya kuhlahlamba ngesijwilikazi esingazange seviwa ngaphambili, esingayi kuze siviwe nanini na. ₇Kanti ke wona amaSirayeli nemfuyo yawo sobe abe nawo nowempumlo umkrwelo.’ Ngaloo ndlela ke niya kutsho niqonde ukuba uNdikhoyo uyahlula phakathi kwamaJiputa namaSirayeli.”

₈UMosis waqukumbela ngelithi: “Ke wona la maphakathi akho aya kuza kum akhahlele endibongoza esithi: ‘Thatha abantu bakho, niphume niphele kweli.’ Kwakuba njalo ke ndiya kunduluka.” Akukhov' ukutsho ke, uMosis waphuma efuthekile.

₉Ke kaloku uNdikhoyo wayethethe noMosis wenjenje: “Ukumkani waseJiputa akayi kukuphulaphula, khon' ukuze ndiyandise imimangaliso yam phakathi kwamaJiputa.” ₁₀Le mimangaliso ke uMosis noAron bayenza phambi kokumkani. Kambe ke uNdikhoyo wamqaqadekisa ukumkani waseJiputa, akavuma ukuwakhulula amaSirayeli emke eJiputa.

₁*UNdikhoyo wabayalela ooMosis noAron kwelaseJiputa, wathi: ₂“Le iya kuba yinyanga yenu yokuqala enyakeni. ₃Thetha namaSirayeli, uthi ngomhla weshumi kule nyanga umzi ngamnye mawuzifunele ixhwane. ₄Kambe ke ukuba umzi lowo unabantu abambalwa, awunako ukulitya uligqibe ixhwane, mawudibane nommelwane, yomibini ihlanganyele ixhwane elinye ngokobubanzi beentsapho zayo. Ngoko ke umzi ngamnye uya kulinganiselwa ixhwane kwangaphambili. ₅Ixhwane elo lichongwayo malingabi nasiphako, libe nonyaka ubudala. Ingalelegusha okanye elebhokhwe. ₆Maligcinwe kude kube ngumhla weshumi elinesine wenyanga, apho liya kuthi lonke ibandla lamaSirayeli liwaxhele amaxhwane alo ngorhatya. ₇Ngaloo mini ke baya kuthatha igazi lexhwane elo, bayidyobhe ngalo imigubasi yaloo ndlu batyela kuyo, ngapha nangapha naphezulu. ₈Ngobo busuku inyama leyo ze bayose, bayifake umthi womkrakriso, bayitye, bayidibanise nesonka esenziwe ngentlama engenagwele. ₉Ningakhe nilinge niyitye iluhlaza, okanye iphekiwe. Mayosiwe xa iyonke; nditsho nentloko namanqina nezibilini. ₁₀Le nyama ke ize ingabekelwa ingomso. Xa kwenzekile yasala, ize itshiswe ngomlilo kusasa. ₁₁Uyabona ke ze nenjenje: Yityeni seningxamele ukuhamba; nifinyezile, iimbadada zisezinyaweni, induku isesandleni. Kaloku esi sisidlo sePasika kaNdikhoyo.

₁₂“Kanye ngobo busuku ndiya kulityhutyha elaseJiputa, ndihambe ndiwabulala onke amazibulo, ndiqalele kwawabantu, ndiyokutsho nakwawemfuyo. Mna Ndikhoyo ndiya kuba ngumgwebi phezu *koothixo bamaJiputa. ₁₃Izindlu enikuzo ndiya kuzibona ngegazi; lona loba ngumqondiso endininika wona. Ndiya kuthi ndakubona igazi ndigqithe, angafiki kuni ubhubhani xa nditshabalalisa amaJiputa. ₁₄Le mini ke ize ibe sisikhumbuzo kuni. Ze ningayilibali, ngayo nibhiyozele uNdikhoyo, niyenze ibe ngummiselo olisiko nakwizizukulwana.”

₁₅Waqhuba *uNdikhoyo wathi: “Uyabona ke, niya kuthatha iintsuku ezisixhenxe nisitya isonka esenziwe ngentlama engenagwele. Ngosuku lokuqala ze niligqogqe nilikhuphe lingabikho igwele ezindlwini zenu. Kwezi ntsuku ke umntu okhe watya into enegwele uya kuhlanjwa kwibandla lamaSirayeli. ₁₆Umhla wokuqala nomhla wesixhenxe uya kuba ngumhla owodwa wenkonzo; akukho msebenzi uya kwenziwa ngayo ngaphandle kokupheka. ₁₇Lo msitho ke ze niwugcine, kuba ngawo nokhumbula umhla endanikhupha ngawo eJiputa ningamabutho ngamabutho. Ngoko ke wenzeni ube ngummiselo kammiselo. ₁₈Ukususela kurhatya lomhla weshumi elinesine, kuye kutsho kurhatya lomhla wamashumi amabini ananye, ze ningasityi isonka esinyusiweyo. _19-20Ngezo ntsuku zisixhenxe malingabikho igwele ezindlwini zenu, kuba okhe watya into enegwele uya kuhlanjwa ebandleni likaSirayeli, noba uyinzalelwane, okanye ngumngeneleli. Naphi na apho nikhoyo ze nitye isonka esinganyuswanga; esinegwele ze ningasifaki emlonyeni.”

₂₁UMosis ke wawabiza amadoda amakhulu amaSirayeli, wathi kuwo: “Hambani ngoku nizifunele amaxhwane ngokwemizi yenu, nixhelele *iPasika. ₂₂Umntu makathathe amahlamvu ehisopu, awathi nkxu kwigazi lexhwane elisesityeni, afefe imigubasi yomibini naphezu kwayo. Akuyi kuphuma mntu ke apho kuloo ndlu kude kube kusasa ngengomso. ₂₃Kaloku xa *uNdikhoyo ejikeleza, ehamba ebulala amaJiputa, uya kuthi akubona igazi emigubasini, awugqithe loo mnyango, angamvumeli umtshabalalisi angene anibulale. ₂₄Ze niyilulamele le miyalelo ibe ngummiselo kuni nakwizizukulwana. ₂₅Naxa senide nafika nakwelo lizwe nathenjiswa ngalo nguNdikhoyo ze ningayilibali. ₂₆Niya kuthi ke xa nibuzwa ngabantwana benu ngalo msitho, besithi ngaba uthetha ntoni na, ₂₇nibaxelele nithi: ‘Ngalo msitho sitya idini lePasika lokudumisa uNdikhoyo, sikhumbula mhla wazigqitha izindlu zamaSirayeli eJiputa, mhlenikwezeni watshabalalisa amaJiputa, wasisindisa ke thina.’ ” AmaSirayeli ke asuka athi guqaqa, anqula uNdikhoyo. ₂₈Ahamba ke amaSirayeli aya kwenza ngokomlomo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis noAron.

₂₉Kwathi ke ezinzulwini zobusuku *uNdikhoyo walihlasela elaseJiputa, wawabulala onke amazibulo, kuqalela kwelikakumkani lowo wayengqendeve ebhotwe, kuye kuqhina kwelombanjwa owayengaphaya kwezitshixo, ngokunjalo nawemfuyo. ₃₀Ke kaloku ngobo busuku ukumkani, amaphakathi, nawo onke amaJiputa, baphaphama, bevuswa sisimbonono sesijwili. Kaloku kwakungekho mzi ungafelwanga. ₃₁Kwangobo busuku ukumkani waseJiputa wathumela buphuthu-phuthu ukuba kubizwe uMosis noAron. Befikile ke, wathi kubo: “Vukani nihambe, niphume phakathi kwabantu bam; nditsho nina namaSirayeli jikelele. Hambani niye kukhonza uNdikhoyo njengoko nanicelile. ₃₂Thathani konke okwenu, ningayishiyi imihlambi yenu yeenkomo, neegusha, neebhokhwe, niphel' emehlweni – nam nindithamsanqelise!”

₃₃AmaJiputa athundeza amaSirayeli ukuba emke, esithi: “Singabafileyo xa enokungahambi amaSirayeli.” ₃₄Ngoko ke amaSirayeli azalisa izitya zawo zokuxovela ngentlama engenagwele, aza azisongela ngeempahla, azixway' emagxeni. ₃₅Bayenza nento ababeyiyalelwe nguMosis, kuba bacela izinto zesiliva nezegolide, kunye nempahla yokunxiba, kumaJiputa. ₃₆UNdikhoyo wawenza axatyiswa amaSirayeli ngamaJiputa, aza awaxhobisa ngako konke awayekufuna. Ngaloo ndlela ke amaSirayeli awaphanga amaJiputa.

₃₇Ke kaloku anduluka amaSirayeli eRamesi, aya kutsho eSukoti. Inani lamadoda ngaphandle kwelabafazi nabantwana lalingamakhulu amathandathu amawaka. ₃₈Kanti ke kwabakho nengxubevange yabantu ehamba namaSirayeli, ngokunjalo nemihlambi yeenkomo, neebhokhwe, neegusha. ₃₉Babhaka izonka ngaloo ntlama inganyuswanga babemke nayo eJiputa. Kaloku lalingekho igwele, ibe ke ukuphuma kwabo eJiputa bagxagxanyiswa kangangokuba bangabi nako nokuzenzela nomphako lo.

₄₀KwelaseJiputa amaSirayeli ahlala iminyaka engamakhulu amane anamashumi amathathu. ₄₁Kwathi kanye ke ngosuku lokugqibela lokuphela kwaloo minyaka uhlanga lukaNdikhoyo lwaphuma eJiputa lungamabutho ngamabutho. ₄₂Ngenxa yokuba uNdikhoyo walinda ngobo busuku, elindele ukuwakhupha eJiputa, nangoku amaSirayeli anesiko lokulinda ngobu busuku, esenza isikhumbuzo sikaNdikhoyo.

₄₃*UNdikhoyo wabayalela uMosis noAron, wathi: “Nantsi imimiselo emaniyigqale xa kubhiyozelwa *iPasika: Umntu wolunye uhlanga akavumelekanga ukuba abe nenxaxheba. ₄₄Ke lona ikhoboka elithengiweyo livumelekile lakuba lalukile. ₄₅Umhambi okanye umqeshwa makangabi nanxaxheba. ₄₆Inyama leyo yotyelwa kuloo ndlu iphekelwe kuyo, kungàphunywa nayo phandle. Amathambo ayo makangakrotyozwa. ₄₇Lo msitho uya kubhiyozelwa ngamaSirayeli ephela. ₄₈Umngeneleli omi phakathi kwenu, xa enqwenela ukuthatha inxaxheba kulo msitho, makuqale koluswe onke amadoda kuloo ndlu yakhe. Xa kunjalo ke woba nelungelo njengabo bonke abomthonyama. ₄₉Umntu ongalukanga akanalungelo kuloo msitho, nokuba uyinzalewane okanye ngumngeneleli.” ₅₀AmaSirayeli ke ayithobela yonke loo miyalelo kaNdikhoyo kuMosis noAron. ₅₁Ngaloo mini kanye uNdikhoyo wawakhupha amaSirayeli eJiputa engamabutho ngamabutho.

₁*UNdikhoyo wabhekisa kuMosis wathi: ₂“Ndiphawulele onke amazibulo azalwayo kwaSirayeli abe ngawam, nditsho awabantu nawemfuyo.”

₃UMosis wathetha nabantu wathi: “Ze ningaze niwulibale lo mhla wokukhululeka kwenu ebukhobokeni kwelaseJiputa. Kaloku nikhululwe bubungangamsha *bukaNdikhoyo. Ngawo makungatyiwa sonka sinyusiweyo. ₄Lo mhla wale nyanga inguAbhibhi yimini yokunduluka kwenu. ₅UNdikhoyo wabathembisa ookhokho benu ukuba uya kubanika ilizwe lamaKanana, amaHiti, ama-Amori, amaHivi, namaJebhusi. Nakufika kwelo lizwe lihle liyinzwakazi, livuza ubisi nobusi, ze nenze isikhumbuzo ngawo wona lo mhla wale nyanga minyaka le. ₆Niya kutya isonka esinganyuswanga iintsuku zibe sixhenxe. Ngolu lwesixhenxe ke niya kwenza itheko lokuwonga uNdikhoyo. ₇Niya kutya isonka esinganyuswanga iintsuku zibe sixhenxe; into evutyelweyo okanye igwele lingakhe lifumaneke kummandla wenu. ₈Xa nisenza eli theko ke, ze nibaxelele abantwana benu, nithi: ‘Ngalo mhla siwonga uNdikhoyo ngokusikhupha kwakhe eJiputa.’ ₉Lo mbhiyozo ke uya kufana nomqondiso osesandleni okanye ebunzi, ukuze ningalibali ukubalisa ngommiselo kaNdikhoyo. Kaloku kwaba ngesandla sakhe ukuphuma kwenu eJiputa. ₁₀Ngoko ke eli siko lenzeni ngexesha lalo minyaka le.”

₁₁“Ke kaloku xa *uNdikhoyo ede wakufikisa kwelaseKanana njengoko wakuthembisayo wena nooyihlo, ₁₂uze umphawulele onke amazibulo azalwayo. Onke amazibulo emfuyo yakho angamaduna ngakaNdikhoyo. ₁₃Ke lona izibulo ledonki uya kulikhulula ngokulihlawulela ngexhwane; ungayenzanga loo nto uze ulophule ilungu lentamo. Nonyana wakho wamazibulo uze umkhulule ngentlawulo. ₁₄Kuya kuthi ke xa oonyana bebuza ukuba lithetha ntoni na elo siko, uthi: ‘Sisikhumbuzo sokuba saphuma ebukhobokeni baseJiputa ngokusebenza kwamandla kaNdikhoyo. ₁₅Kaloku wathi ukumkani waseJiputa akungavumi ukusikhulula, uNdikhoyo wawabulala amazibulo abantu nawemfuyo kwelaseJiputa. Ngesi sizathu ke amazibulo angamaduna kwimfuyo ndenzela ngawo uNdikhoyo idini. Ke wona amazibulo oonyana ndiwakhulula ngokuwahlawulela. ₁₆Eli siko ke liya kufana nomqondiso osesandleni okanye ebunzi, lihlale lisikhumbuza ukuba kukusebenza kwamandla kaNdikhoyo okwasikhupha eJiputa.’ ”

₁₇Wathi ukumkani waseJiputa akuwakhulula amaSirayeli, uThixo akawakhokela ngendlela ecanda kwelamaFilistiya, nakuba yayiyeyona imfutshane. Kaloku uThixo wathi: “AmaSirayeli akuzibona egaxeleka emfazweni, angafuna ukubuyela eJiputa.” ₁₈Ngoko ke uThixo wawakhokela ngendlela yasentlango esinga kuLwandle oluBomvu. AmaSirayeli ke aphuma eJiputa exhobele imfazwe.

₁₉Ke kaloku uMosis wawathatha wahamba nawo amathambo kaJosefu, kuba uJosefu wayethe kumaSirayeli: “Ngenye imini uThixo uya kuze anivelele, anikhuphe nimke apha; ngoko ke fungani ukuba niya kuhamba nawo amathambo am.”

₂₀AmaSirayeli ke anduluka eSukoti, aya kuphumla e-Etam enyeleni yentlango. ₂₁Apho ke eluhambeni *uNdikhoyo wayewakhokela ngomqulu welifu emini, aze ebusuku awakhokele ngesithatha somlilo. ₂₂Lo mqulu welifu ke wawuhlala uhamba phambi kwawo emini, nesithatha somlilo sisenjenjalo ebusuku.