To The Word – Day 202

₁Kwathi xa ukumkani uJoyakim akunyaka wesithathu elawula kwelakwaJuda, ukumkani uNebhukadenezare waseBhabheli weza eJerusalem, wayingqinga. ₂Ke iNkosi yamnikela esandleni sakhe uJoyakim ukumkani wakwaJuda, yathinjwa inxalenye yempahla yendlu kaThixo. Ezi zinto uNebhukadenezare waya nazo ezweni laseShinare, waya kuzifaka endlwini yothixo wakhe kwigumbi elinguvimba wobutyebi.

₃Ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wathi kuAshpenazi, intloko yamaphakathi akomkhulu, makakhethe abafana begazi nabomnombo wezikhulu apho kuloo maSirayeli wayewathimbile. ₄Wathi makakhethe iinzwana ezingenasiphako, ezikrelekrele ngengqondo, eziqeqeshekileyo, nezinengqiqo – abafana abakufaneleyo ukugosiswa komkhulu. UAshpenazi wayalelwa ukuba abafundise ukusithetha nokusifunda isiKaledi. ₅Ngaphezu koko ukumkani wayalela ukuba yonke imihla mabaphakelwe kwimbiza kakumkani, ngokunjalo basele nakwiwayini yakhe. Olu qeqesho ke lwaluza kuthatha iminyaka emithathu, emva koko bagosiswe komkhulu. ₆Phakathi kwâbo bakhethiweyo ke kwabakho nabafana bendlu kaJuda: uDaniyeli, uHananiya, uMishayeli, noAzariya. ₇Ke kaloku intloko yamaphakathi akomkhulu yabathiya amagama amatsha; uDaniyeli wabizwa ngokuba nguBhelteshazare, uHananiya ngokuba nguShadraki, uMishayeli ngokuba nguMeshaki, uAzariya ngokuba nguAbhednigo.

₈Kambe ke yena uDaniyeli wenza isigqibo sokuba angazixabheli ngokutya nangeziselo zalapho ebhotwe. Ngoko ke wacela kwintloko yamaphakathi akomkhulu ukuba avunyelwe ukungazixabheli ngoku kutya. ₉Ngenene ke uThixo wayenza intloko yamaphakathi akomkhulu ukuba ivelane noDaniyeli, ibe nenceba kuye, ₁₀yona yathi kuye: “Ndiyayoyika inkosi yam ukumkani othe ngokwakhe wayalela ngento emaniyitye nemaniyisele. Ngoko ke, xa enokunifumana imbonakalo yenu ingekho kumgangatho omnye nabafana abaziintanga zenu, mna angandibulala.”

₁₁Ngoko ke uDaniyeli waya kuthetha negosa elalibekwe phezu koDaniyeli noHananiya noMishayeli noAzariya yintloko yamaphakathi leyo, wathi: ₁₂“Khawusilinge iintsuku zibe lishumi, usityisa kuphela imifino, sisela amanzi, ₁₃emva kwazo ke uthelekise imbonakalo yethu neyoogxa bethu abatya kwimbiza kakumkani, ubone ke ukuba thina bakhonzi bakho masithiweni.”

₁₄Nalo ke lavuma ukulwenza olo vavanyo lweentsuku ezilishumi. ₁₅Zakuphela ezo ntsuku uDaniyeli nabalingane bakhe abathathu bafumaniseka bephilile bondlekile ngaphezu kweentanga zabo ezazisitya kwimbiza kakumkani. ₁₆Ukususela ngoko ke igosa elo labanika imifino endaweni yokutya newayini yasebhotwe.

₁₇Aba bafana bane ke uThixo wabathi jize ngolwazi nobuchule kwizinto ezinjengoluncwadi nobulumko. Ewe, uDaniyeli wamenza wayincutshe ekuqondeni zonke iindidi zemibono namaphupha.

₁₈Ke kaloku yakuphela iminyaka emithathu leyo yayimiswe ngukumkani, intloko yamaphakathi akomkhulu yabathatha bonke abo bafana, yabasa kukumkani uNebhukadenezare. ₁₉Ke ukumkani wathi akuthetha nabo wafumana ukuba akukho namnye okumgangatho omnye noDaniyeli noHananiya noMishayeli noAzariya. Ngoko ke bona bangeniswa emsebenzini wakomkhulu. ₂₀Kwimicimbi ephathelele kwezobulumko nengqiqo aba bafana bane baqaqamba kukumkani, kuba babemanelisa kuwo nawuphi na umbuzo, bebadlula kalishumi bonke abenzi bemilingo noosiyazi ababekhona kwelo zwe. ₂₁UDaniyeli lo ke wahlala apho komkhulu yada yangunyaka wokuqala kakumkani uSirasi.

₁Kunyaka wakhe wesibini elawula ukumkani uNebhukadenezare waba namaphupha awamtsho wakhathazeka, waphuthelwa, akabi nakulala. ₂Ke ngoko wathumela ukuba kubizwe bonke abenzi bemilingo, oosiyazi, izanuse, neengcali zeenkwenkwezi, ukuze beze kumchazela iphupha lakhe. Bakuba befikile ke, ₃ukumkani wenjenje ukuthetha nabo: “Ndikhathazeke gqitha, kuba ndiphuphe iphupha endingalaziyo intsingiselo yalo.”

₄Iingcali zeenkwenkwezi zamphendula ukumkani ngesiAram, zathi: “Bayethe, kumkani! Phila ngonaphakade! Khawuzilawulele iphupha elo izicaka zakho, khon' ukuze zibe nako ukukuchazela into eliyithethayo.”

₅Ke yena ukumkani waziphendula iingcali zeenkwenkwezi wathi: “Nasi isigqibo endifikelele kuso: ukuba ke nina aninako ukundixelela iphupha elo, ngaphezu koko nindichazele nentsingiselo yalo, ndiya kuninqunqa nibe ziziqwenga, nemizi yenu idilizwe ibe yindawo ekuyiwa kuyo ngasese. ₆Kodwa ke ukuba niyandichazela iphupha elo kunye nentsingiselo yalo, ndiya kuninika umvuzo kunye nezipho, ndinithi jize ngewonga elikhulu. Ngoko ke ndichazeleni eli phupha kunye nento eliyithethayo.”

₇La madoda ke aphinda aphendula athi: “Ukumkani makabaxelele abakonzi bakhe iphupha lakhe, ukuze babe nako ukumtyhilela intsingiselo yalo.”

₈Waphendula ukumkani wathi: “Ngenene ngoku ndazi ngokumhlophe ukuba into eniphezu kwayo kukuhambisa ixesha, kuba nisazi ukuba sendifikelele kwisigqibo. ₉Xa ningalichazi eli phupha niya kufumana isohlwayo esinye xa ninonke. Kaloku nidibene ngeqhinga lokundixokisa, ngenjongo yokuba mhlawumbi ngokuhamba kwexesha izinto zingaguquka. Ukuze ndiqonde ukuba ninako ukulilawula iphupha eli, qalani ngokulichaza.”

₁₀Iingcali zeenkwenkwezi ke zamphendula ukumkani zathi: “Kulo lonke elimiweyo, mhlekazi, akukho mntu unako ukuyenza le nto ayifunayo ukumkani. Kananjalo, mhlekazi, akukho kumkani, nokuba seleyingangalala engatshonelwa langa, wakha wathi abenzi bemilingo, oosiyazi, okanye iingcali zakhe zeenkwenkwezi, mabenze into enje. ₁₁Le nto ukumkani ayifunayo kuthi inzima gqitha. Akukho mntu unako ukuyenza, *ngoothixo bodwa abangayenzayo – kambe ke nabo abahlali apha phakathi koluntu.”

₁₂Hayi ke, ukumkani wakhathazeka, wavutha ngumsindo, wayalela ukuba zibulawe izilumko zaseBhabheli. ₁₃Ngoko ke wagunyazisa isohlwayo sokuba mazibulawe zonke izilumko. Bafunwa ke noDaniyeli nabalingane bakhe ukuba babulawe.

₁₄Ke kaloku uDaniyeli wamngena ngengqondo nangobulumko uAriyoki injengele yabalindi bakomkhulu, owayesiya kubulala zonke izilumko zaseBhabheli, ₁₅wathi kuye: “Ngani ukuba ukumkani agunyazise isohlwayo esiqatha kangaka?”

Akuba uAriyoki echazele uDaniyeli konke okwenzekileyo, ₁₆uDaniyeli waya kukumkani, wamcela ukuba akhe ammele, khon' ukuze abe nako ukumtyhilela iphupha elo lakhe. ₁₇Egodukile ke uDaniyeli wabachazela ngale ngxaki abalingane bakhe uHananiya noMishayeli noAzariya, ₁₈waza wabanxusa ukuba bathandaze kuThixo osezulwini abenzele inceba malunga nale mfihlakalo, ukuze yena nabalingane bakhe bangabulawa kunye nezilumko zaseBhabheli. ₁₉Kanye ngobo busuku uDaniyeli wayityhilelwa ngombono le mfihlakako, waza ke wambonga uThixo wezulu ₂₀wathi:

₂₄Ngoko ke uDaniyeli waya kuAriyoki, umfo owayegunyaziswe ngukumkani ukuba abulale zonke izilumko zaseBhabheli. Kuye ke wafika wathi: “Ungabi sazibulala izilumko zaseBhabheli, koko ndithathe undise kukumkani, ukuze ndimlawulele iphupha lakhe.”

₂₅Ngoko nangoko ke uAriyoki waya noDaniyeli kukumkani, wafika wathi: “Kubathinjwa bamaJuda ndifumene umntu onako ukukulawulela iphupha lakho, mhlekazi.”

₂₆Ukumkani wabhekisa kuDaniyeli owayebizwa ngegama elinguBhelteshazare, wathi: “Uza kuba nako ukundixelela iphupha lam, utyhile nentsingiselo yalo?”

₂₇UDaniyeli uphendule wathi: “Hayi, mhlekazi, akukho zilumko, nditsho oosiyazi, nabenzi bemilingo, nezanuse, ezinako ukukuchazela le mfihlakalo uyibuzayo. ₂₈Kambe ke ukho uThixo osezulwini ozityhilayo iimfihlakalo. Ke, mhlekazi, kumkani uNebhukadenezare, yena ukwazisa izinto eziya kwenzeka kwimihla ezayo. Nali iphupha lakho, nditsho umbono ofike engqondweni yakho usalele esililini sakho:

₂₉“Kaloku uthe usalele, mhlekazi, suka iingcamango zakho zaya kutsho kumaxesha azayo; ke uThixo ongumtyhili weemfihlakalo ukubonise izinto eziza kwenzeka kwixesha elizayo. ₃₀Ke mna le mfihlakalo andiyityhilelwanga kuba ndilumkile kunabo bonke abanye abantu, koko ndiyiboniswe khon' ukuze wena kumkani uyazi intsingiselo yephupha lakho, kananjalo uziqonde iingcamango ezifike engqondweni yakho.

₃₁“Mhlekazi, uphuphe ubona umfanekiso oqingqiweyo othe bhunxe phambi kwakho. Ewe, ibiluhalakahla oloyikekayo, into ebengezela ngobumenyemenye obungathethekiyo. ₃₂Intloko yawo yayenziwe ngegolide ecwengileyo, isifuba neengalo zenziwe ngesiliva. Ke sona isisu ukuya kuthi xhaxhe ngamathanga yalubhedu. ₃₃Kanti ke imilenze yona yintsimbi, zaza ke zona iinyawo zenziwa ngentsimbi exutywe nodongwe. ₃₄Kuthe usabukele njalo, mhlekazi, suka kwaqhephuka ilitye, lingachukunyiswanga sandla samntu. Liqengqeleke laya kuthi folokohlo kwezo nyawo zenziwe ngentsimbi nodongwe, lazintlekeza zaziingceba. ₃₅Hayi ke, kutsho yabubusaza – intsimbi, udongwe, ubhedu, isiliva, negolide, xa zizonke zacoleka zanjengomququ esandeni ngexesha lasehlotyeni. Kufike umoya wazitshayela akwasala nomkhondo lo wazo. Ke lona elo litye liwubethileyo loo mfanekiso lasuka lakhula layintaba enkulu ezalise ihlabathi lonke jikelele.

₃₆“Nâlo ke iphupha lakho, mhlekazi. Ngoku ke masikuchazele intsingiselo yalo. ₃₇Mhlekazi, wena ungukumkani wookumkani. UThixo osezulwini wakuthi jize ngobukhosi, amandla, amagunya, nobungangamsha. ₃₈Lonke elimiweyo walinikela esandleni sakho, ukuze ulawule abantu, iintaka, namarhamncwa. Ngoko ke le ntloko yegolide nguwe, mhlekazi. ₃₉Emva kwakho kuza kulandela omnye umbuso onganeno kulo wakho. Kananjalo emva kwawo kolandela owesithathu, owobhedu. Wona uya kulawula ihlabathi lonke jikelele. ₄₀Kwakhona ke kolandela umbuso wesine ongwanyalala okwentsimbi ukomelela, oya kufohloza ukroboze yonke into. Nawo ke uya kuyityoboza okwentsimbi uyicole yonke imibuso engaphambi kwawo. ₄₁Njengoko uzibonile iinyawo neenzwane ukuba zenziwe ngodongwe oluxutywe nentsimbi: le nto ke ithetha ukuba loo mbuso uya kuba ziintlaba-zahlukene. Njengoko kwakuxutywe intsimbi nodongwe nawo ke uya kuba nokomelela kwentsimbi. ₄₂Iinzwane ezinxalenye iyintsimbi ngokunjalo nodongwe zalatha ukuba umbuso lowo uya komelela ngenxenye, ngenxenye ube krobo-krobo. ₄₃Kananjalo ubonile ukuba intsimbi yayixutywe nodongwe. Le ndawo ke ikwathetha ukuba baya kuzama ukumanyana ngokwendiselana, kodwa ke loo nto iya kufadalala kwanjengokuba intsimbi ingaxubeki nodongwe. ₄₄Kanye ke ngexesha lâbo kumkani uThixo wezulu uya kumisela ulawulo olungasoze lutshitshe. Obo iya kuba bubukumkani obungenakoyiswa, koko obuya kutyumza buphelise yonke eminye imibuso, buze bona bume kude kube ngunaphakade. ₄₅Yile nto uyibonileyo xa ububona ilitye liqhephuka entabeni lingachukunyiswanga sandla samntu, laza laya kuntlitha laa mfanekiso wenziwe ngentsimbi, ubhedu, udongwe, isiliva, negolide. Ngoko ke uThixo omkhulu uyakwazisa, mhlekazi, mayela nezinto eziya kwenzeka kwimihla ezayo. Eli phupha liyinyaniso, yaye ingcaciso yalo ithembekile.”

₄₆Kwesi sithuba ke ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wazikhahlela emhlabeni phambi koDaniyeli emhlonela, wathi makwenziwe umnikelo weenkozo kunye neziqhumiso kuye. ₄₇Wabhekisa kuDaniyeli wathi: “Ngenene uThixo wakho nguThixo woothixo, iNkosi yezikumkani, umtyhili weemfihlakalo, kuba wena ube nako ukuyityhila le mfihlakalo.”

₄₈Ke kaloku uDaniyeli wathiwa jize ngewonga elingayiwayo, ukumkani wamnika intaphane yezipho ezihle kunene. Wamiswa waba ngumlawuli wesithili saseBhabheli, futhi waba yingqonyela yazo zonke izilumko zalapho. ₄₉Ngesicelo sikaDaniyeli ke ukumkani wabamisela ooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo baba ziziphathamandla esithilini saseBhabheli; kambe ke yena uDaniyeli waba yingqonyela yakomkhulu.

₁Ke kaloku ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wenza umfanekiso ngegolide. Ukuphakama wawuziimitha ezimashumi mabini anesixhenxe; ukwisithuba seemitha ezintathu ububanzi. Wawumisa kwithafa laseDura kwalapho esithilini saseBhabheli. ₂Akuba ewenzile wazihlanganisela kuye iirhuluneli, nabaphathiswa, nabalawuli, nabacebisi, noonondyebo, nabagwebi, noomantyi, nawo onke amanye amagosa ombuso eso sithili. Wayewabizela ukusungula loo mfanekiso wayewumisile. ₃Bakuba behlanganisene ke oozirhuluneli aba, nabaphathiswa, nabalawuli, nabacebisi, noonondyebo, nabagwebi, noomantyi, nawo onke amanye amagosa eso sithili, beze kulo msitho wokusungula umfanekiso omiswe ngukumkani uNebhukadenezare, bema xhonkxosholo apho phambi kwawo.

₄Ke isigidimi sadanduluka simemeza sisithi: “Nina zizwe xa ninonke, iintlanga nazo zonke iilwimi, ₅ze nithi nakuva isandi sesigodlo, ixilongo, umrhubhe, ikatala, ihapu, impempe, nazo zonke ezinye iintlobo zezixhobo zomculo, ewe, xa ninonke mayithi nje yakuqala loo ngoma, nithi guqaqa nikhahlele ninqule lo mfanekiso umiswe ngukumkani uNebhukadenezare! ₆Kambe ke nabani na ongakhahlelanga anqule, ngoko nangoko uya kuthathwa aphoswe kwiziko elidangazela umlilo.”

₇Ngenene ke sathi sakuvakala eso sandi sesigodlo, nexilongo, nomrhubhe, nekatala, nehapu, nazo zonke ezinye iintlobo zezixhobo zomculo, wonke umntu nazo zonke izizwe iintlanga neelwimi, xa bebonke bee waca bakhahlela banqula loo mfanekiso wegolide wawumiswe ngukumkani uNebhukadenezare.

₈Ngeli thuba ke amaKaledi athile amangalela inxenye yamaJuda. ₉Abhekisa kukumkani uNebhukadenezare, athi: “Bayethe, mhlekazi! Phila ngonaphakade! ₁₀Wena uwise umthetho wokuba ze kuthi kusakuvakala isandi sesigodlo, ixilongo, umrhubhe, ikatala, ihapu, impempe, nazo zonke ezinye izixhobo zomculo, wonke umntu akhahlele anqule umfanekiso wegolide. ₁₁Watsho nokuthi umntu ongakhahlelanga anqule lo mfanekiso uya kuthathwa aphoswe kwiziko elidangazela umlilo. ₁₂Ke, mhlekazi, kukho amaJuda athile wena owawamisayo angoomaqhuzu kwimicimbi yesi sithili saseBhabheli – abo nguShedreki, uMeshaki, noAbhednigo – abo kanye ke, mhlekazi, abakuhoyanga. Ewe, ababanquli oothixo bakho, bengakhahleli nakulo mfanekiso uwumisileyo.”

₁₃Ukumkani wavutha ngumsindo, wathi mabaziswe kuye ooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo. Aziswa ke la madoda phambi kokumkani, ₁₄wabhekisa kuwo wathi: “Shedreki, Meshaki, nawe Abhednigo, ngaba yinyani ukuba nina niyala ukubanqula oothixo bam, ningavumi nokukhahlela kumfanekiso wegolide endiwumisileyo? ₁₅Nangoku ke ze nithi nisakuva isandi sesigodlo, ixilongo, umrhubhe, ikatala, ihapu, impempe, nazo zonke ezinye izixhobo zomculo, ningathingazi, koko nikhahlele ninqule lo mfanekiso ndiwumisileyo. Ke ukuba aniyenzanga loo nto, ngoko nangoko niya kuphoswa kwiziko elivutha umlilo. Kakade ke nguwuphi na uthixo onganihlangulayo esandleni sam?”

₁₆Ke kaloku uShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo baphendula ukumkani bathi: “Mhlekazi Nebhukadenezare, akukho mfuneko yokuba sizithethelele kulo mbandela. ₁₇Sinaye uThixo wethu esimnqulayo. Unawo amandla okusihlangula kwelo ziko lidangazela umlilo, yaye uya kusisindisa esandleni sakho, kumkani. ₁₈Kambe ke, noba akasihlangulanga, yazi mhlophe, mhlekazi, ukuba asiyi kubanqula oothixo bakho, futhi asiyi kuguqa sikhahlele kulo mfanekiso wegolide uwumisileyo.”

₁₉Hayi ke ngoku, ukumkani uNebhukadenezare watsho wandlongozela ngumsindo, nobuso bakhe baxubayela ngakooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo. Ngoko ke wathi iziko malibaswe ngokuphindwe kasixhenxe kunesiqhelo. ₂₀Waza ke wayalela ezinye iingwanyalala zomkhosi wakhe ukuba zibaqamangele ooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo, zibaphose kwelo ziko lidangazelayo. ₂₁Aza ke la madoda abotshwa aphoswa phakathi kwelo ziko livuthayo enxibe ezo mpahla zawo – iminweba, iibhulukhwe, nezankwane. ₂₂Kwathi, ngenxa yokuba ilizwi lokumkani belingqongqo, iziko lenziwa lashushu ngokugqithisileyo kangangokuba loo madoda ayebaphosa ooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo kwelo ziko atshiswa ngumlilo lowo, afa. ₂₃Ke bona bobathathu uShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo baya kuwa besabotshiwe apho phakathi kweloo ziko livuthayo.

₂₄Kuthe kusenjalo wothuka wasuka waxhuma emangalisekile ukumkani uNebhukadenezare. Wabuza kumaphakathi akhe, wathi: “Kanene besingaphosanga amadoda amathathu na abotshiweyo kweli ziko lidangazelayo?”

Ke aphendula athi: “Kunjalo, mhlekazi.”

₂₅Ke yena wathi: “Phofu ke, ngani ukuba ndibone amadoda amane ehamba-hamba emlilweni? Akabotshwanga nakubotshwa, futhi akabonakalisi nakwenzakala – ke yona le yesine ifana nonyana woothixo ngembonakalo.”

₂₆Ngoko ke ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wasondela esangweni lelo ziko livuthayo, wathi: “Shedreki! Meshaki! Abhednigo! Zicaka zikaThixo uPhezukonke! Phumani, nize apha!” Aphuma ke loo madoda omathathu. ₂₇Ke onke amagosa kakumkani ahlanganiselana, iziirhuluneli, nabaphathiswa, nabalawuli, nabacebisi, bonke bemangalisiwe kukubona loo mhlola wokuba umlilo awubanga namandla emizimbeni yaloo madoda. Ewe, iinwele zawo zange zirhawuke nokurhawuka oku, kanti neempahla zawo zange zitshe ngumlilo; ngenene wona ayengenalo nevumba eli lomlilo.

₂₈Ukumkani uNebhukadenezare ke wathi: “Makabongwe uThixo kaShedreki, kaMeshaki, noAbhednigo, othume isithunywa wazihlangula izicaka zakhe. Zona zimnqule ngentembeko, zaza azawuhoya umyalelo kakumkani, zaxolela ukuyinikela imizimba yazo endaweni yokuguqa zinqule nawuphi na uthixo ngaphandle koThixo wazo.

₂₉“Ngoko ke ndiwisa umthetho othi nabani na, nowasiphi na isizwe, noba ngowaluphi na uhlanga, noba ngowayiphi na intetho, umntu onyelisa uThixo kaShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo – owenza loo nto uya kwenziwa iziqwenga, wona umzi wakhe udilizwe ube yindawo ekuyiwa kuyo ngasese. Kaloku akukho Thixo wumbi unako ukusindisa ngale ndlela.”

₃₀Waza ke ukumkani uNebhukadenezare wabanyusela kwizikhundla eziphezulu ooShedreki noMeshaki noAbhednigo apho kweso sithili saseBhabheli.

₁“Nalu udaba lukakumkani uNebhukadenezare kubantu bazo zonke izizwe neentlanga nazo zonke iilwimi ezikhoyo emhlabeni:

“Makube luxolo nenkqubela kuni!

₂“Kubonakele iyinto entle kum ukuba ndinazise ngemiqondiso nemimangaliso andenzele yona uThixo uPhezukonke.

₄“Mna Nebhukadenezare ndandizonwabele ndizihlalele emzini wam, ndingenalo nexhala. ₅Ndaphupha iphupha elandothusayo. Ndathi ndisalele emandlalweni wam ndanemibono neengcingane ezandoyikisayo. ₆Ndaza ke ndathi mazibizwe zonke izilumko zaseBhabheli, ukuze zindityhilele iphupha lam elo. ₇Bathe ke bakufika abenzi bemilingo, oosiyazi, iingcali zeenkwenkwezi, nezanuse, ndazichazela iphupha elo, kodwa ke zoyiswa kukundityhilela intsingiselo yalo. ₈Ekugqibeleni ke kwafika kum uDaniyeli, okwabizwa ngokuba nguBhelteshazare, gama elo lilelothixo wam. Ke yena lo mfo wayenomoya woothixo abangcwele. ₉Ndathi kuye: Bhelteshazare, ngqonyela yezilumko, ndiyazi ukuba wena unomoya woothixo abangcwele, yaye ke akukho mfihlakalo ekunqabeleyo. Nali ke iphupha lam; khawundichazele intsingiselo yalo. ₁₀Nantsi imibono ethe qatha kum engqondweni ndisemandlalweni wam: Nâlo uhalakahla lomthi umi esizikithini sehlabathi. ₁₁Loo mthi ke wakhula womelela waba mkhulu wada waya kuthi rhece ezulwini, wabonakala eziphelweni zehlabathi jikelele. ₁₂Wawutsho ngamagqabi amahle kunene, unentaphane yeziqhamo, zibanele xa bebonke abantu. Emthunzini wawo zaziphumla khona zonke iinyamakazi, neentaka zisakhela emasebeni awo. Ewe, loo mthi wawusondla zonke iindidi zezidalwa.

₁₃“Ndisalele njalo emandlalweni wam ndijika-jikana nalo mbono, ndabona kusithi thu ezulwini isithunywa esingcwele. ₁₄Sadanduluka ngamandla sathi: ‘Gawulani loo mthi, niwunqunqe amasebe. Waqhawuleni amagqabi, nisarhaze nezo ziqhamo zawo. Zigxotheni izilwanyana phantsi kwawo, nindulule nezo ntaka zisemasebeni awo. ₁₅Ke sona isikhondo sishiyeni, ndawonye neengcambu zaso, nisibophelele ngentsimbi nobhedu, sisale simile apho edlelweni phakathi kwengca.

“ ‘Ngoku ke makalalelwe ngumbethe, ahlulelane ngotyani nezilwanyana apho emadlelweni. ₁₆Ingqondo yakhe mayiyeke ukuba yeyomntu, isuke ibe yeyesilwanyana, de kudlule amaxesha amisiweyo asixhenxe. ₁₇Nâso ke isigqibo esivakaliswa zizithunywa, nditsho umyalezo obhengezwa zezingcwele, khon' ukuze lonke uluntu luqonde ukuba nguThixo uPhezukonke ozilawulayo zonke izirhulumente zabantu, luqonde nokuba yena ulawulo ulunikela nakubani na athanda ukumnika, nkqu nalowo ungazelwe nto.’

₁₈“Nâlo ke iphupha endiliphuphileyo mna kumkani uNebhukadenezare. Ngoko ke, Bhelteshazare, nceda undichazele intsingiselo yalo. Zonke izilumko zam apha ebhotwe zoyisiwe kukulityhila; kambe ke wena unako ukulityhila, kuba wambathiswe ngumoya woothixo abangcwele.”

₁₉Kwesi sithuba ke uDaniyeli, lo kuthiwa nguBhelteshazare, wasuka wee nkamalala umzuzwana ekhwankqisiwe. Ke ukumkani wathi kuye: “Hayi, wena Bhelteshazare, musa ukothuswa leli phupha nentsingiselo yalo.”

UBhelteshazare ke waphendula wathi: “Mhlekazi, eli phupha nentsingiselo yalo akwaba belibhekiselele kwabakuthiyileyo nabakuchasayo. ₂₀Laa mthi uwubonileyo uluhalakahla olomelele lwakhula lwakrweca izulu, laza labonakala kulo lonke ihlabathi, ₂₁umthi omagqabi mahle kunene, oziqhamo zawo zanele uluntu lonke, umthi ekuphumla iinyamakazi emthunzini wawo, ngokunjalo neentaka zakhela emasebeni awo, ₂₂umthi lowo nguwe, mhlekazi. Kaloku wena ukhule wada wangukrwecizulu ngobungangamsha, lwaza ulawulo lwakho lwaya kutsho esiphelweni sehlabathi. ₂₃Uthe usabukele ke, mhlekazi, kwathi gqi ezulwini isithunywa esingcwele sathi: ‘Gawulani lo mthi niwutshitshise, kodwa nisishiye apho emhlabeni sona isikhondo ndawonye neengcambu zaso, nisiqamangele ngentsimbi nobhedu, sihlale apho phakathi kwengca emadlelweni. Makalalelwe ngumbethe, ahlulelane ngotyani nezilwanyana amaxesha amisiweyo asixhenxe.’

₂₄“Naku ukuchazwa kwalo ke, mhlekazi – ngenene esi sisimiso asimisele wena uPhezukonke. ₂₅Wena, kumkani, uza kugxothwa umke phakathi koluntu, uye kuhlala nezilwanyana zasendle, utye ingca njengeenkomo, ulalelwe ngumbethe. Yoba ngamaxesha amisiweyo asixhenxe ude uvume ukuba nguPhezukonke ozilawulayo zonke izirhulumente zabantu, uqonde ukuba yena ulawulo ulunikela nakubani na athanda ukumnika. ₂₆Njengoko izithunywa zithe isikhondo sineengcambu zaso masishiywe emhlabeni, loo nto ithetha ukuba ulawulo lobuyiselwa kwakuwe, wakuba uvumile ukuba ngulowo usezulwini olawulayo. ₂₇Ngoko ke, mhlekazi, khawuphulaphule ndikucebise: Zohlwaye ngezono zakho, wenze ubulungisa; yahlukana nobugwenxa bakho, uvelane nabo abantu abahlelelekileyo. Xa kunjalo uya kuhlala uhleli wonwabile.”

₂₈Yonke le nto yamhlela ukumkani uNebhukadenezare. ₂₉Emva kweenyanga ezilishumi elinambini wathi esahamba-hamba kumgangatho ophezulu apho ebhotwe komkhulu eBhabheli, ₃₀wasuka wathi: “Hayi ukuba sikhulu kwaso esi sixeko esiyiBhabheli! Ndim kaloku owasakhayo ngamandla am amakhulu. Ndasenza ikomkhulu lam ukuze siphuhlise isihomo nesithozela sam.”

₃₁Esathetha njalo ke kwavakala ilizwi liphuma ezulwini lisithi: “Kumkani Nebhukadenezare, naku okugqityiweyo ngawe: Uyawohluthwa onke amagunya akho obukumkani. ₃₂Uza kugxothwa ebantwini, uye kuhlala nezilwanyana zasendle, utye ingca njengeenkomo. Yoba ngamaxesha amisiweyo asixhenxe de uvume ukuba uPhezukonke nguye ozilawulayo izirhulumente zabantu, yaye ke ulawulo ulunika nabani na athanda ukumnika.”

₃₃Kwangoko ke olu daba lwafezekiswa apho kuNebhukadenezare. Wagxothwa phakathi kwabantu, waya kutya ingca njengeenkomo. Walalelwa ngumbethe, zaza iinwele zakhe zaziingqajolo ezinjengeentsiba zokhozi, neenzipho zakhe zatsolo okwezentaka.

₃₄“Emva kwaloo mihla imisiweyo mna Nebhukadenezare ndakhangela ezulwini, kwatsho kwee dlwe, zabuya iingqondo! Ndambonga ke uPhezukonke, ndamdumisa ndamncoma lowo ungophilayo kude kuse ephakadeni.

₃₆“Ndakubuyela ezingqondweni ke satsho sabuya isidima nobuhandiba bam, baza babuya nobungangamsha boburhulumente bam. Amaphakathi ndawonye nezikhulu zam zandifuna, ndabuyiselwa ngokuthe kratya ngobuhandiba esihlalweni sam. ₃₇Ngoko ke mna Nebhukadenezare ndiyambonga ndimdumisa ndimzukisa uKumkani osezulwini. Kaloku konke akwenzayo kulungile, nezenzo zakhe zifanelekile. Ke bona abanekratshi yena uyabathoba.”

₁Ukumkani uBhelshazare wenzela iwaka lezikhulu zakhe ingxikela yombhiyozo, wasela iwayini kunye nazo. ₂Ithe ke isakuvakala intselo apho kukumkani wathi makulandwe izitya zegolide nezesiliva ezazithinjwe nguyise uNebhukadenezare endlwini kaThixo eJerusalem. Xa bebonke ke, ukumkani nezikhulu zakhe, nabafazi bakhe, ngokunjalo namaqadi akhe, babeza kutyela kuzo. ₃Ngenene ke zeziswa ezo zitya zegolide ezazithinjwe endlwini kaThixo eJerusalem, wasela ngazo ukumkani nezikhulu zakhe, ndawonye namakhosikazi akhe kunye namaqadi akhe. ₄Basela iwayini, basuka badumisa oothixo abenziwe ngegolide, nabesiliva, abobhedu, abentsimbi, abomthi, nabelitye.

₅Kuthe kusenjalo ke kwasuka kwathi gqi iminwe yesandla somntu, yabhala eludongeni malunga nendawo eyayihlala isibane apho ebhotwe. Ke ukumkani wasibukela eso sandla sibhalayo. ₆Le nto ke ukumkani yamothusa watsho wee rhubaxa, yadideka ingqondo yakhe, wangenwa yingevane, watyhwatyhwa, namadolo abetha-bethana. ₇Ukumkani ke wakhwaza ngamandla ukuba kubizwe oosiyazi, iingcali zeenkwenkwezi, kunye nezanuse, waza wathi kwezi zilumko zaseBhabheli: “Umntu othe wanako ukuwufunda lo mbhalo, wawuchaza nento oyithethayo, uya kuvathiswa umnweba omsobo, athiwe gatya umxokelelwana wegolide entanyeni, aze enziwe owesithathu kubalawuli beli lizwe.” ₈Zafika ke izilumko zikakumkani, kodwa zonke zaxakwa kukuwufunda loo mbhalo, yayinqaba nokuchaza intsingiselo yawo. ₉Hayi ke, woyika ngokugqithisileyo ukumkani uBhelshazare, nobuso bakhe bathi rhubaxa ngakumbi, zaye nezikhulu zakhe zididekile.

₁₀Akuyiva ingxokozelo eyayisenziwa ngukumkani nezikhulu zakhe ukumkanikazi wangena apho kuloo ndlu yombhiyozo, wabhekisa kukumkani, wathi: “Phil' ud' ukhokhobe, kumkani! Hayi, musa ukoyikiswa kangaka ziingcinga zakho, ujike nebala lobuso bakho. ₁₁Kaloku kwalapha kulo mbuso wakho ukho umfo onomoya woothixo abangcwele. Ngexesha lokulawula kukayihlo lo mfo wazibonakalisa ukuba unengqiqo, nolwazi oluphangaleleyo, nobulumko obufana noboothixo. Ke yena uyihlo uNebhukadenezare wammisela wayingqonyela yabenzi bemilingo, oosiyazi, iingcali zeenkwenkwezi, kunye nezanuse. ₁₂Lo mfo ubalasele ngobulumko nolwazi nokuqiqa, enobuchule ekutyhileni amaphupha, ekusombululeni amaqhina, nasekuqwabululeni iintsonkotha. Igama lakhe nguDaniyeli, kodwa ke yena ukumkani wathi nguBhelteshazare. Biza yena; uya kukuchazela intsingiselo yalo mbhalo.”

₁₃Walandwa, kweziwa naye ke uDaniyeli apho kukumkani, owathetha naye wenjenje: “Ngaba unguDaniyeli, omnye wabathinjwa belakwaJuda abeza nobawo ukumkani? ₁₄Ndivile ke ukuba ungumfo owambathiswe ngomoya woothixo, onengqiqo, nolwazi oluphangaleleyo, nobulumko obubodwa. ₁₅Izilumko noosiyazi ndibabizile ukuba beze kufunda lo mbhalo, bandichazele nentsingiselo yawo, kodwa boyisiwe. ₁₆Ndivile ukuba unako ukuchaza intsingiselo yezinto, ukhulule namaqhina. Ukuba ngoku unokundifundela lo mbhalo, undichazele nentsingiselo yawo, ndingakuthi wambu ngomnweba omsobo, uthiwe gatya nomxokelelwana wegolide, umiselwe ube ngowesithathu kubalawuli beli lizwe.”

₁₇UDaniyeli ke waphendula wathi kukumkani: “Ungazidubi ngokundinika izipho; okanye ke zinike mntu wumbi! Ke wona umbhalo lo, ndiza kumfundela ukumkani, ndimchazele nento oyithethayo. ₁₈Mhlekazi! Uyihlo uNebhukadenezare wanikwa intonga yobukhosi nguThixo uPhezukonke, wamenza mkhulu, wamthi jize ngobungangamsha nobuhandiba. ₁₉Ngangobukhulu awayebunikiwe abantu bezizwe zonke, iintlanga, neelwimi ngeelwimi, xa bebonke, babekhahlela kuye bengcangcazela besoyika. Athanda ukumbulala wayembulala, amsindise athanda ukumsindisa. Wayemnyusela athanda ukumphakamisa, aze amkhiqe athanda ukumthoba. ₂₀Kodwa ke wathi akuthiwa lwale likratshi, yaqaqadeka intliziyo yakhe kukuzidla, suka wakhiqwa wahlukana nesihlalo sakhe sobukhosi, bahluthwa nobungangamsha bakhe. ₂₁Ewe kaloku, wagxothwa eluntwini, watsho wabulwanyanarha. Wahamba waya kuhlala neembongolo zasendle, watya ingca njengeenkomo, elalelwa ngumbethe wezulu. Wada ke wavuma ukuba nguThixo uPhezukonke ozilawulayo izirhulumente zabantu, ikwanguye omisela kuzo loo mntu athanda ukummisela.

₂₂“Kambe ke wena, Bhelshazare, nyana wakhe, uthe uyazi yonke le ngcombolo akwazithoba. ₂₃Ndaweni yaloo nto usuke wayidela iNkosi yezulu. Uthe makulandwe izitya zendlu yayo, waza ngokunjalo wasela iwayini ngazo, wena nezikhulu zakho, abafazi bakho, namaqadi akho, waza wabadumisa oothixo abenziwe ngegolide, abesiliva, abobhedu, abentsimbi, abomthi, nabelitye; nangona bengaboni, bengeva, futhi bengaqiqi nokuqiqa. Kuyo yonke le nto uThixo okusesandleni sakhe ukuphefumla kwakho nolawula yonke imeko yobomi bakho, zange umhlonele. ₂₄Eso ke sisizathu esibangele ukuba uThixo athumele eso sandla sibhale lo mbhalo.

₂₅“Nantsi ke into ebibhaliwe: ‘Inani, inani; ubunzima; ukwahlula-hlula.’ ₂₆Nantsi ke intsingiselo yala magama: ‘Inani’: uThixo ulibalile inani lemihla yolawulo lwakho, yaye ke uyinqamle. ₂₇‘Ubunzima’: wena ubekwe esikalini, baza ubunzima bakho bafumaneka bunganeno. ₂₈‘Ukwahlula-hlula’: urhulumente wakho wahlula-hlulwe wanikwa amaMedi namaPeshiya.”

₂₉Ngoko nangoko ke ukumkani uBhelshazare wayalela ukuba uDaniyeli anxitywe umnweba omsobo, athiwe gatya umxokelelwana wegolide entanyeni. Waza ke wammisela wangowesithathu kubalawuli bobukumkani.

₃₀Kanye ngobo busuku uBhelshazare ukumkani wamaKaledi lowo wabulawa, ₃₁waza ke umbuso wathathwa nguDariyo umMedi owayemashumi mathandathu anambini eminyaka ubudala.