To The Word – Day 12

₁UJakobe esezwile ukuthi kukhona amabele eGibithe, uJakobe wathi emadodaneni akhe: “Nibukanelani na?” ₂Wathi: “Bhekani, ngizwile ukuthi kukhona amabele eGibithe; yehlani, niye lapho, nisithengele khona, ukuze siphile, singafi.”

₃Base behla abafowabo bakaJosefa abayishumi, baya kuthenga amabele eGibithe. ₄Kepha uBenjamini umfowabo kaJosefa uJakobe akamthumanga nabafowabo, ngokuba wathi: “Angahle ehlelwe ngokubi.” ₅Ayesefika amadodana ka-Israyeli ukuthenga phakathi kwalabo ababefika, ngokuba kwakukhona indlala ezweni laseKhanani.

₆UJosefa wayengumbusi ezweni; nguyena owathengisela abantu bonke bezwe; bafika-ke abafowabo bakaJosefa, bamkhothamela ngobuso phansi. ₇UJosefa wabona abafowabo, wabazi, kepha wazishaya ongabaziyo kubo, wakhuluma kalukhuni kubo, wathi kubo: “Nivelaphi na?”

Bathi: “Sivela ezweni laseKhanani, size ukuthenga ukudla.”

₈UJosefa wabazi abafowabo, kepha bona abamazanga. ₉UJosefa wayesekhumbula amaphupho awaphupha ngabo, wathi kubo: “Niyizinhloli; nize ukubona ubuze bezwe.”

₁₀Bathi kuye: “Qha, nkosi, izinceku zakho zize ukuba zithenge ukudla. ₁₁Sonke singamadodana andodanye; singabantu abaqotho; izinceku zakho aziyizo izinhloli.”

₁₂Wathi kubo: “Qhabo, nize ukubona ubuze bezwe.”

₁₃Base bethi kuye: “Thina zinceku zakho ziyizelamani eziyishumi nambili, amadodana andodanye ezweni laseKhanani; bheka, encane ikubaba manje, enye ayisekho.”

₁₄UJosefa wathi kubo: “Yikho lokhu engikushilo kini ukuthi niyizinhloli. ₁₅Niyakuvivinywa ngalokhu, kuphila kukaFaro, aniyikumuka lapha, kuphela uma umfowenu omncane efika lapha. ₁₆Thumani omunye wenu, amlande umfowenu; nizakuboshwa, ukuze kuvivinywe amazwi enu ukuba iqiniso likini yini; uma kungenjalo, kuphila kukaFaro, niyizinhloli.” ₁₇Wababutha bonke ukuba balindwe izinsuku ezintathu.

₁₈Wayesethi kubo uJosefa ngosuku lwesithathu: “Yenzani lokhu, niphile, ngokuba ngiyamesaba uNkulunkulu. ₁₉Uma ningabaqotho, makuboshwe omunye wabafowenu endlini yokulindwa kwenu, kepha hambani nina, nibuyele namabele endlala yezindlu zenu, ₂₀nilethe umfowenu omncane kimi, kuqiniswe amazwi enu, nize ningafi.” Benze njalo.

₂₁Base bethi omunye komunye: “Impela sitholile icala ngomfowethu, njengokuba sabona usizi lwenhliziyo yakhe, esincenga, kasamlalela; ngalokho lolu sizi selufike phezu kwethu.”

₂₂URubeni wabaphendula wathi: “Angikhulumanga yini kini ukuthi: ‘Ningamoni umfana,’ kanangilalela, na? Bhekani, ngalokho seliyabizwa igazi lakhe.” ₂₃Babengazi ukuthi uJosefa uyabezwa, ngokuba kwakukhona ihumusha phakathi kwabo.

₂₄Wabafulathela, wakhala; wabuye waphendukela kubo, wakhuluma nabo; wayesemsusa uSimeyoni phakathi kwabo, wambopha phambi kwamehlo abo.

₂₅UJosefa wayeseyala ukuba amasaka abo agcwaliswe ngamabele, kubuyiselwe imali yalowo nalowo esakeni lakhe, baphiwe umphako endleleni; kwenziwa njalo kubo. ₂₆Base bethwesa izimbongolo zabo ngamabele abo, bamuka khona.

₂₇Kwathi omunye evula isaka lakhe ukuba ayinike imbongolo yakhe ukudla endlini yezihambi, wabona imali yakhe; bheka, yayisemlonyeni wesaka lakhe. ₂₈Wayesethi kubafowabo: “Imali yami ibuyiselwe; bhekani, isesakeni lami.” Baphela amandla, babhekana omunye nomunye bethuthumela, bethi: “Kuyini lokhu uNkulunkulu asenzele khona na?”

₂₉Bafika-ke kuJakobe uyise ezweni laseKhanani, bamtshela konke okubehleleyo, bathi: ₃₀“Lowo muntu, inkosi yezwe, ukhulume kalukhuni kithina, wasishaya izinhloli zezwe. ₃₁Sase sithi kuye: ‘Singabaqotho; asiyizo izinhloli; ₃₂siyizelamani eziyishumi nambili, amadodana kababa; enye ayisekho, encane ikubaba ezweni laseKhanani manje.’

₃₃“Lowo muntu, inkosi yezwe, wayesethi kithi: ‘Ngalokhu ngiyokwazi ukuthi ningabaqotho: shiyani kimi omunye wabafowenu, niphathele indlala yezindlu zenu ukudla, nimuke, ₃₄nilethe kimi umfowenu omncane; yikhona ngiyokwazi ukuthi aniyizo izinhloli kepha ningabaqotho, ngininike umfowenu, nihambe izwe.’ ”

₃₅Kwathi sebethulula amasaka abo, bheka, isikhwama semali salowo nalowo sasisesakeni lakhe; lapho bona noyise bebona izikhwama zabo zemali, bashaywa luvalo. ₃₆UJakobe uyise wayesethi kubo: “Niyangaphuca abantwana bami; uJosefa akasekho, noSimeyoni kasekho; senizakuthatha noBenjamini; kuphezu kwami konke lokhu.”

₃₇Wayesekhuluma uRubeni kuyise, ethi: “Bulala amadodana ami omabili, uma ngingambuyiseli kuwe; mnikele esandleni sami, ngizakumbuyisela kuwe.”

₃₈Wathi: “Indodana yami ayiyikwehla nani, ngokuba umfowabo ufile, kusele yona yodwa; uma yehlelwa yingozi endleleni eniyihambayo, niyakwehlisela endaweni yabafileyo izimvi zami ngosizi.”

₁Indlala yayinzima ezweni. ₂Kwathi sebeqedile amabele ababewathengile eGibithe, uyise wathi kubo: “Buyelani, nisithengele ukudlana.”

₃UJuda wakhuluma kuye, wathi: “Lowo muntu wagoma nokugoma kithina, wathi: ‘Aniyikubona ubuso bami, kuphela uma umfowenu enani.’ ₄Uma umthuma nathi umfowethu, sizakwehla, sithenge ukudla; ₅kepha uma ungamthumi, asizukwehla, ngokuba lowo muntu wathi kithina: ‘Aniyikubona ubuso bami, kuphela uma umfowenu enani.’ ”

₆Wayesethi u-Israyeli: “Ningenzeleni okubi ngokumtshela lowo muntu ukuthi ukhona omunye umfowenu na?”

₇Bathi: “Wabuza nokubuza lowo muntu ngathi nangezihlobo zethu, wathi: ‘Usekhona uyihlo na? Ninomunye umfowenu na?’ Samlandisa njengalawa mazwi; sasingakwazi kanjani ukuba uyakuthi: ‘Yehlisani umfowenu,’ na?”

₈UJuda wathi ku-Israyeli uyise: “Thuma umfana nami, size sisuke, sihambe ukuba siphile, singafi, thina nawe kanye nezingane zethu. ₉Mina ngiyakuba yisibambiso sakhe; uzakumbiza esandleni sami; uma ngingambuyiseli kuwe, ngimbeke ebusweni bakho, ngiyakuba necala kuze kube phakade, ₁₀ngokuba uma sasingalibalanga, impela nga sesibuyile manje ngokwesibili.”

₁₁Uyise u-Israyeli wayesethi kubo: “Uma kunjalo, yenzani lokhu; phathani izithelo ezikhethiweyo zezwe emasakeni enu, nimehlisele lowo muntu isipho, ibhalisamu* eliyingcosana, nezinyosi eziyingcosana, namakha, nemure,* namapisitakiyo,* nama-alimondi,* ₁₂niphathe esandleni senu imali iphindwe kabili; naleyo mali eyabuyiselwa emilonyeni yamasaka enu, niyihambise ngesandla senu; mhlawumbe kwenzeka iphutha. ₁₃Nithathe futhi umfowenu, nisuke nibuyele kulowo muntu. ₁₄UNkulunkulu uSomandla aniphe umusa ebusweni balowo muntu, ukuze anikhululele umfowenu lowo omunye kanye noBenjamini; kepha mina, uma ngaphucwa abantwana, ngiyaphucwa.”

₁₅Amadoda ayesethatha leso sipho nemali ephindwe kabili esandleni sawo kanye noBenjamini, asuka ehlela eGibithe, ema ebusweni bukaJosefa. ₁₆UJosefa esembona uBenjamini enabo, wathi kophezu kwendlu yakhe: “Ngenisa lawa madoda endlini, uhlabe, ulungise, ngokuba lawa madoda ayakudla nami emini.”

₁₇Lowo muntu wenza njengalokho eshilo uJosefa; inceku yawangenisa amadoda endlini kaJosefa. ₁₈Amadoda esaba, ngokuba angeniswa endlini kaJosefa, athi: “Singeniswe lapha ngenxa yemali eyabuyiselwa emasakeni ethu kuqala ukuba asizume, asehlele, asenze izigqila kanye nezimbongolo zethu.”

₁₉Asondela-ke encekwini yendlu kaJosefa, akhuluma kuyo ngasemnyango wendlu, ₂₀athi: “O nkosi, ngempela safika kuqala ukuthenga ukudla. ₂₁Kwathi sesifike endlini yezihambi, savula amasaka ethu; bheka, imali yalowo nalowo yayisemlonyeni wesaka lakhe, imali yethu ngokulinganiswa kwayo; sesiyibuyisile ngesandla sethu. ₂₂Sehle nenye imali esandleni sethu ukuba sithenge ukudla; asazi ukuthi ngubani owayifaka imali yethu emasakeni ethu.”

₂₃Yayisithi kubo: “Ukuthula makube kinina; ningesabi; uNkulunkulu wenu noNkulunkulu kayihlo uniphe igugu emasakeni enu; imali yenu ngayithola.” Yaphumisa uSimeyoni, yamletha kubo.

₂₄Inceku yayisingenisa amadoda endlini kaJosefa, yawanika amanzi; ageza izinyawo zawo; yazipha izimbongolo zawo ukudla. ₂₅Alungisela uJosefa isipho, ezofika emini, ngokuba ayezwile ukuthi ayakudla khona.

₂₆UJosefa esefike ekhaya, ayisa kuye endlini isipho esasisesandleni sawo, akhothamela phansi kuye. ₂₇Wabuza impilo yabo, wathi: “Usaphila uyihlo, ixhegu enanikhuluma ngalo, na? Usekhona na?”

₂₈Bathi-ke: “Inceku yakho ubaba isaphila, isekhona.” Bamkhothamela, bamkhonza.

₂₉Wayesephakamisa amehlo akhe, wambona uBenjamini umfowabo, indodana kanina, wathi: “Nguye lo ongumfowenu omncane enakhuluma ngaye kimi na?” Wathi: “UNkulunkulu makabe nomusa kuwe ndodana yami.” ₃₀Wakhawuleza uJosefa, ngokuba ngaphakathi kwakhe kwavutha isihe ngomfowabo; wafuna lapho angakhala khona, wangena ekamelweni lakhe, wakhala khona.

₃₁Wageza ubuso bakhe, waphuma; wazibamba, wathi: “Lethani ukudla.”

₃₂Bambekela ukudla ngokwakhe, nalabo ngokwabo, nabaseGibithe abadla naye ngokwabo, lokhu abaseGibithe bangedle namaHeberu, ngokuba kuyanengeka kubo abaseGibithe. ₃₃Bahlala phambi kwakhe, izibulo njengobuzibulo balo nomncane njengobuncane bakhe; abantu bamangala omunye nomunye. ₃₄Wabathathela izabelo kulokho okwakuphambi kwakhe, kepha isabelo sikaBenjamini saphindwa kahlanu silinganiswa nesabo. Baphuza, bathokoza naye.

₁Wayala inceku yendlu yakhe, wathi: “Gcwalisa amasaka alawa madoda ngokudla okulingene namandla abo okuthwala, ufake imali yalowo nalowo emlonyeni wesaka lakhe. ₂Ufake indebe yami, indebe yesiliva, emlonyeni wesaka lomncane kanye nemali yamabele akhe.” Yenza-ke njengezwi likaJosefa alishilo.

₃Ngakusasa nxa sekusile, amadoda amukiswa, wona nezimbongolo zawo. ₄Esephumile emzini, engakabi kude, uJosefa wathi encekwini yakhe: “Suka ulandele lawo madoda; nxa uwafica, yisho kuwo ukuthi: ‘Niphindiseleni okuhle ngokubi na? ₅Lena akusiyo indebe inkosi yami ephuza ngayo, ebhula ngayo, na? Nenze kabi ngokwenze njalo.’ ”

₆Yawafica, yakhuluma kuwo lawa mazwi. ₇Ayesethi kuyo: “Inkosi yami ikhulumelani amazwi anjengalawa? Akube kude nezinceku zakho ukwenze njalo. ₈Bheka, imali esayifumana emilonyeni yamasaka ethu sayibuyisa ezweni laseKhanani, sayiletha kuwe; pho, besingeba kanjani endlini yenkosi yakho isiliva noma igolide na? ₉Lowo wasezincekwini zakho eyakutholwa kuye, makafe yena, thina sibe yizigqila zenkosi yami.”

₁₀Yathi: “Kalokhu makube njengamazwi enu; lowo ezakutholakala kuye makabe yisigqila sami, nina ningabi nacala.”

₁₁Ayeseshesha ukwehlisela phansi, kwaba yileyo naleyo isaka layo, yileyo naleyo yavula isaka layo. ₁₂Yanyalula, yaqala ngenkulu yagcina ngencane; indebe yatholwa esakeni likaBenjamini. ₁₃Ayeseklebhula izingubo zawo, yileyo naleyo yethwesa imbongolo yayo, abuyela emzini.

₁₄UJuda nabafowabo bafika endlini kaJosefa; wayesekhona lapho; bawa phansi phambi kwakhe. ₁₅UJosefa wayesethi kubo: “Isenzo sini lesi enisenzileyo na? Beningazi yini ukuthi umuntu onjengami angabhula nokubhula na?”

₁₆Wathi uJuda: “Sizakuthini enkosini yami na? Sizakukhulumani? Sizakuzihlanguza kanjani? UNkulunkulu ufumene ububi bezinceku zakho; bheka, siyizigqila zenkosi yami thina naye etholakele esandleni sakhe indebe.”

₁₇Wathi: “Makube kude kimi ukwenze njalo; umuntu etholakele esandleni sakhe indebe uyakuba yisigqila sami, kepha nina manihambe kahle, nenyuke, niye kuyihlo.”

₁₈UJuda wayesesondela kuye, ethi: “O nkosi yami, inceku yakho mayikhulume izwi ezindlebeni zenkosi yami, ungavuthi ulaka ngenceku yakho, ngokuba ungangoFaro wena. ₁₉Inkosi yami yabuza izinceku zayo, yathi: ‘Ninoyihlo, ninomfowenu, na?’ ₂₀Sase sithi enkosini yami: ‘Sinobaba, ixhegu, nomntwana wobuxhegu bakhe omncane; umnewabo ufile, usesele yedwa kwabakanina; uyise uyamthanda.’

₂₁“Wawusuthi ezincekwini: ‘Mehliseni kimi ukuba ngimbone ngamehlo ami.’ ₂₂Sathi enkosini: ‘Umfana akanakumshiya uyise; uma emshiya, uyise uzakufa.’ ₂₃Wathi wena ezincekwini zakho: ‘Uma umfowenu omncane engehli nani, anisayikubuye nibone ubuso bami.’ ₂₄Kwathi sesikhuphukele encekwini yakho ubaba, samlandisa amazwi enkosi.

₂₅“Wathi ubaba: ‘Buyelani, nisithengele ukudlana.’ ₂₆Sathi thina: ‘Asinakwehla. Uma umfowethu omncane enathi, siyakwehla, ngokuba asinakubona ubuso balowo muntu, uma umfowethu omncane engenathi.’

₂₇“Yayisithi kithi inceku yakho ubaba: ‘Niyazi ukuthi umkami wangizalela amadodana amabili. ₂₈Enye yaphuma kimi; ngathi: Impela idatshuliwe nokudatshulwa; angiyiboni kuze kube manje. ₂₉Nanxa nithatha nalena, niyisuse kimi, yehlelwa yingozi, niyakwehlisela izimvi zami endaweni yabafileyo ngosizi.’

₃₀“Kalokhu nxa ngifika encekwini yakho ubaba, umfana engenathi, lokhu inhliziyo yakhe ibambelele enhliziyweni yomfana, ₃₁kuzakuthi lapho ebona ukuthi umfana akakho, afe, izinceku zakho zibe zehlisela endaweni yabafileyo izimvi zenceku yakho ubaba ngosizi. ₃₂Ngokuba inceku yakho yaba yisibambiso somfana kubaba, yathi: ‘Uma ngingambuyiseli kuwe, ngiyakuba necala kubaba kuze kube phakade.’

₃₃“Ngalokho inceku yakho ake ihlale esikhundleni somfana, ibe yisigqila senkosi, umfana akhuphuke nabafowabo. ₃₄Ngokuba ngingakhuphukela kanjani kubaba, umfana engenami, funa ngibone okubi okuzakumehlela ubaba, na?”

₁Khona uJosefa wayengasenakuzibamba phambi kwabo bonke ababemi naye, wakhala wathi: “Phumisani kimi abantu bonke.” Kwakungemi muntu naye, uJosefa esazazisa kubafowabo. ₂Wayesephakamisa izwi ngokukhala, abaseGibithe bakuzwa, nendlu kaFaro yakuzwa.

₃Wathi uJosefa kubafowabo: “NginguJosefa; ubaba usekhona na?” Abafowabo babengenakumphendula, ngokuba bashaqeka ebusweni bakhe.

₄UJosefa wayesethi kubafowabo: “Ake nisondele kimi.” Basondela-ke. Wayesethi: “NginguJosefa umfowenu enathengisa ngaye eGibithe. ₅Manje ningabi buhlungu, ningazithukutheleli ukuthi nathengisa ngami lapha, ngokuba uNkulunkulu wangithuma phambi kwenu ukulondoloza impilo. ₆Ngokuba isimibili iminyaka indlala ikhona ezweni; kusasele iminyaka eyisihlanu okungayikulinywa, kuvunwe ngayo. ₇UNkulunkulu wangithuma ngaphambi kwenu ukunilondoloza, nibe yinsali emhlabeni, nisindiswe kube ngukukhululwa okukhulu.

₈“Kalokhu akuyinina enangithuma lapha, kepha uNkulunkulu; ungibeke uyise kaFaro, nenkosi yendlu yakhe yonke, nombusi wezwe lonke laseGibithe. ₉Sheshani nikhuphuke, niye kubaba, nithi kuye: ‘Uthe uJosefa indodana yakho: UNkulunkulu ungibeke inkosi yalo lonke iGibithe; yehla, uze kimi, ungalibali. ₁₀Uyakuhlala ezweni laseGosheni, ube seduze nami, wena nabantabakho, nabantwana babantabakho, nezimvu zakho, nezinkomo zakho, nakho konke onakho, ₁₁ngikondlele khona, ngokuba kuseyiminyaka eyisihlanu yendlala, funa uswele, wena nomuzi wakho, nakho konke onakho.’

₁₂“Bhekani, amehlo enu ayabona kanye namehlo omfowethu uBenjamini ukuthi yiwo umlomo wami okhuluma kinina. ₁₃Niyakumlandisa ubaba yonke inkazimulo yami eGibithe, nakho konke enikubonileyo, nisheshe nehlise ubaba, nimlethe lapha.”

₁₄Wayesewa entanyeni yomfowabo uBenjamini, wakhala; noBenjamini wakhala ngasentanyeni yakhe. ₁₅Wabanga bonke abafowabo, wakhalela kubo; emva kwalokho abafowabo bakhuluma naye.

₁₆Leli zwi lezwakala endlini kaFaro, lithi: “Abafowabo bakaJosefa bafikile.” Kwaba kuhle emehlweni kaFaro nasemehlweni ezinceku zakhe. ₁₇UFaro wayesethi kuJosefa: “Yisho kubafowenu ukuthi: ‘Yenzani lokhu: thwesani izimbongolo zenu, nihambe niye ezweni laseKhanani, ₁₈nithathe uyihlo nemizi yenu, nize kimi, nginiphe okuhle kwezwe laseGibithe, nize nidle amanoni ezwe.’

₁₉“Usuyaliwe: ‘Yenzani lokhu: Nithathele izingane zenu nawomkenu izinqola ezweni laseGibithe, nilethe uyihlo, bese niza. ₂₀Futhi ningakhathaleli impahla yenu, ngokuba okuhle kwezwe lonke laseGibithe kungokwenu.’ ”

₂₁Enze njalo amadodana ka-Israyeli. UJosefa wabapha izinqola njengesiyalo sikaFaro, wabanika nomphako wendlela. ₂₂Kubo bonke, kwaba yilowo nalowo, wanika izingubo zokuphendulela; kepha uBenjamini wamupha izinhlamvu ezingamakhulu amathathu zesiliva nezingubo eziyisihlanu zokuphendulela. ₂₃Kuyise wathuma kanje: izimbongolo eziyishumi, zithwesiwe izinto ezinhle zaseGibithe, nezimbongolokazi eziyishumi, zithwesiwe amabele, nesinkwa, nomphako kayise endleleni. ₂₄Wayesebamukisa abafowabo, bahamba; wathi kubo: “Ningaxabani endleleni.”

₂₅Bakhuphuka eGibithe, bafika ezweni laseKhanani kuJakobe uyise. ₂₆Bamtshela bathi: “UJosefa usekhona, ungumbusi ezweni lonke laseGibithe.” Inhliziyo yakhe yayisiphela amandla, ngokuba akakholwanga yibo. ₂₇Bamlandisa onke amazwi kaJosefa abewashilo kubo; lapho esebona izinqola abezithumile uJosefa zokumthwala, umoya kaJakobe uyise wavuselelwa. ₂₈Wathi u-Israyeli: “Kwanele; uJosefa indodana yami usekhona; ngizakuhamba ngimbone ngingakafi.”

₁U-Israyeli wasuka nakho konke okwakhe, wafika eBeri Sheba, wanikela iminikelo kuNkulunkulu kayise u-Isaka.

₂UNkulunkulu wakhuluma ku-Israyeli ngemibono yasebusuku, wathi: “Jakobe, Jakobe!”

Wathi: “Ngilapha.”

₃Wayesethi: “NginguNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu kayihlo; ungesabi ukwehlela eGibithe, ngokuba ngiyakukwenza khona isizwe esikhulu. ₄Mina ngiyakwehla, ngiye nawe eGibithe; impela ngizakubuye ngikukhuphule futhi. UJosefa uyakubeka isandla sakhe phezu kwamehlo akho.”

₅UJakobe wayesesuka eBeri Sheba; amadodana ka-Israyeli amthwala uJakobe uyise, nezingane zawo, nawomkawo ezinqoleni abezithumile uFaro zokumthwala. ₆Bathatha imfuyo yabo nempahla yabo ababeyizuze ezweni laseKhanani, bafika eGibithe, uJakobe nayo yonke inzalo yakhe kanye naye. ₇Amadodana akhe, namadodana amadodana akhe, namadodakazi akhe, namadodakazi amadodana akhe, nayo yonke inzalo yakhe wayiletha kanye naye eGibithe.

₈Lawa angamagama abantwana bakwa-Israyeli abafika eGibithe, uJakobe namadodana akhe: nguRubeni izibulo likaJakobe. ₉Amadodana kaRubeni: ngoHanoki, noPhalu, noHesironi, noKarmi. ₁₀Amadodana kaSimeyoni: ngoJemuweli, noJamini, no-Ohade, noJakini, noSohari, noShawule, indodana yowesifazane waseKhanani. ₁₁Amadodana kaLevi: ngoGereshoni, noKohati, noMerari. ₁₂Amadodana kaJuda: ngo-Eri, no-Onani, noShela, noPheresi, noZera; kepha o-Eri no-Onani bafela ezweni laseKhanani. Amadodana kaPheresi ayengoHesironi noHamule. ₁₃Amadodana ka-Isakare: ngoThola, noPhuva, noJobe noShimroni. ₁₄Amadodana kaZebuloni: ngoSeredi, no-Eloni, noJaleli. ₁₅Yilawo angamadodana kaLeya amzalela wona uJakobe ePhadani Aramu kanye noDina indodakazi yakhe; yonke imiphefumulo yamadodana akhe namadodakazi akhe yayingamashumi amathathu nantathu. ₁₆Amadodana kaGadi: ngoSifijoni, noHagi, noShuni, no-Esiboni, no-Eri, no-Arodi, no-Areli. ₁₇Amadodana ka-Asheri: ngoJimna, no-Ishiva, no-Ishivi, noBeriya, kanye noSera udadewabo; amadodana kaBeriya: ngoHebere noMalikiyeli. ₁₈Yilawo angamadodana kaZilipa uLabani amnika yena uLeya indodakazi yakhe; wamzalela wona uJakobe, abantu abayishumi nesithupha. ₁₉Amadodana kaRaheli umkaJakobe: ngoJosefa noBenjamini. ₂₀KuJosefa kwazalelwa ezweni laseGibithe oManase no-Efrayimi, amzalela bona u-Asenati indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni. ₂₁Amadodana kaBenjamini: ngoBela, noBekeri, no-Ashibeli, noGera, noNahamani, no-Ehi, noRoshe, noMuphimi, noHuphimi, no-Arida.

₂₂Yilawo angamadodana kaRaheli azalelwa wona uJakobe; bonke abantu babe yishumi nane. ₂₃Amadodana kaDani: nguHushimi. ₂₄Amadodana kaNafetali: ngoJaseli, noGuni, noJeseri, noShilemi.

₂₅Yilawo angamadodana kaBiliha uLabani amnika uRaheli indodakazi yakhe; wamzalela wona uJakobe; bonke abantu babe yisikhombisa.

₂₆Bonke abantu abeza noJakobe eGibithe abaphuma okhalweni lwakhe, ngaphandle kwabafazi bamadodana kaJakobe, bonke abantu babe ngamashumi ayisithupha nesithupha. ₂₇Amadodana kaJosefa azalelwa wona eGibithe ayengabantu ababili; bonke abantu bendlu kaJakobe abeza eGibithe babe ngamashumi ayisikhombisa.

₂₈Wathuma uJuda ngaphambi kwakhe kuJosefa ukuyokhomba phambi kwakhe indlela eya eGosheni. ₂₉UJosefa wayesebophela inqola yakhe, wakhuphuka ukumhlangabeza u-Israyeli uyise eGosheni; wazibonakalisa kuye, wawa entanyeni yakhe, wakhala ngasentanyeni yakhe isikhathi eside.

₃₀U-Israyeli wayesethi kuJosefa: “Sengingafa, lokhu ngibone ubuso bakho ukuthi usekhona.”

₃₁UJosefa wathi kubafowabo nakuyo indlu kayise: “Ngizakukhuphuka, ngimtshele uFaro, ngithi kuye: ‘Abafowethu nendlu kababa ababesezweni laseKhanani sebefike kimi. ₃₂Lawa madoda angabelusi bezimvu, ngokuba ayengamadoda emfuyo; aselethile izimvu zawo, nezinkomo zawo, nakho konke anakho.’ ₃₃Kuyakuthi lapho uFaro enibiza athi: ‘Uyini umsebenzi wenu,’ ₃₄anothi: ‘Izinceku zakho zingabantu bemfuyo kwasebusheni bethu kuze kube manje, thina nawobaba,’ ukuze nihlale ezweni laseGosheni, ngokuba wonke umalusi wezimvu uyanengeka kwabaseGibithe.”

₁UJosefa wayesengena, wamtshela uFaro, wathi: “Ufikile ubaba nabafowethu, nezimvu zabo, nezinkomo zabo, nakho konke abanakho, bephuma ezweni laseKhanani; bheka, sebesezweni laseGosheni.” ₂Phakathi kwabafowabo wathatha amadoda ayisihlanu, wawabeka phambi kukaFaro.

₃UFaro wayesethi kubafowabo: “Uyini umsebenzi wenu na?”

Bathi kuFaro: “Izinceku zakho zingabelusi, thina nawobaba.” ₄Bathi kuFaro: “Size ukugogobala ezweni, ngokuba akukho dlelo lemihlambi yezinceku zakho, lokhu indlala inzima ezweni laseKhanani; ngalokho izinceku zakho mazakhe ezweni laseGosheni.”

₅Wayesekhuluma uFaro kuJosefa, ethi: “Uyihlo nabafowenu beze kuwe; ₆izwe laseGibithe lisebusweni bakho; mhlalise uyihlo nabafowenu ezweni elihle kunalo lonke, ubahlalise ezweni laseGosheni; uma uwazi phakathi kwabo amadoda anamandla, wabeke abe yizinduna zezinkomo zami.”

₇UJosefa wayesemngenisa uJakobe uyise, wambeka phambi kukaFaro; uJakobe wambusisa uFaro. ₈Wathi uFaro kuJakobe: “Zingaki izinsuku zeminyaka yokuhamba kwakho na?”

₉UJakobe wathi kuFaro: “Izinsuku zeminyaka yokugogobala kwami ziyiminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amathathu; ziyingcosana, zimbi izinsuku zeminyaka yokuhamba kwami, azifinyelelanga ezinsukwini zeminyaka yokuhamba kwawobaba emihleni yokugogobala kwabo.” ₁₀UJakobe wayesembusisa uFaro, wasuka ebusweni bukaFaro.

₁₁UJosefa wabahlalisa uyise nabafowabo, wabapha indawo ezweni laseGibithe, izwe elihle kunalo lonke, izwe likaRamesesi, njengalokho uFaro ebayalile. ₁₂UJosefa wamondla uyise, nabafowabo, nendlu yonke kayise ngokudla ngokwemilomo yezingane zabo.

₁₃Ukudla kwakungekho ezweni lonke, ngokuba indlala yayinzima kakhulu; izwe laseGibithe nezwe laseKhanani afa indlala. ₁₄UJosefa waqoqa yonke imali eyatholakala ezweni laseGibithe nasezweni laseKhanani ngamabele ababewathengile; uJosefa wayiyisa imali endlini kaFaro. ₁₅Isiphelile imali ezweni laseGibithe nasezweni laseKhanani, bonke abaseGibithe beza kuJosefa, bathi: “Siphe ukudla; siyakufelani phambi kwakho na? Ngokuba isiphelile imali.”

₁₆Wayesethi uJosefa: “Lethani izinkomo zenu; ngizakuninika ngezinkomo zenu, uma imali ingekho.” ₁₇Baletha-ke izinkomo zabo kuJosefa; uJosefa wabenanela ukudla ngamahhashi, nangezimvu, nangezinkomo, nagezimbongolo; wabapha ukudla ngezinkomo zabo zonke ngalowo mnyaka.

₁₈Usuphelile lowo mnyaka, beza kuye ngomnyaka wesibili, bathi kuye: “Asiyikufihlela inkosi ukuthi imali yethu yonke isiphelile; imihlambi yezinkomo isingeyenkosi; akukho okuseleyo emehlweni enkosi ngaphandle kwemizimba yethu namazwe ethu. ₁₉Siyakufelani phambi kwakho thina namazwe ethu na? Sithenge thina namazwe ethu ngokudla, sibe yizinceku zikaFaro thina namazwe ethu; siphe imbewu ukuba siphile, singafi, izwe lingachitheki.”

₂₀UJosefa wamthengela uFaro izwe lonke laseGibithe, ngokuba bonke abaseGibithe bathengisa ngamasimu abo, lokhu indlala yayinzima phezu kwabo; izwe lase liba ngelikaFaro. ₂₁Abantu wabayisa emizini, ebasusa komunye umncele wezwe laseGibithe kwaze kwaba komunye umncele walo. ₂₂Yizwe labapristi kuphela angalithenganga, ngokuba abapristi babethole isabelo kuFaro, badla isabelo sabo abapha sona uFaro; ngalokho abathengisanga ngezwe labo.

₂₃UJosefa wayesethi kubantu: “Bhekani, namuhla nginithengile nibe ngabakaFaro nina nezwe lenu; nansi imbewu yenu, nize nihlwanyele emhlabathini. ₂₄Kuyakuthi ezithelweni nimnike uFaro okwesihlanu, izinxenye ezine zibe ngezenu, kube yimbewu yamasimu, nokudla kwenu nokwabendlu yenu, nokudla kwezingane zenu.”

₂₅Base bethi: “Usisindisile; masifumane umusa emehlweni enkosi, sibe yizinceku zikaFaro.”

₂₆UJosefa washaya umthetho ngezwe laseGibithe kuze kube namuhla wokuthi uFaro uzakuba nokwesihlanu; kuphela izwe labapristi bodwa alibanga yilo elikaFaro.

₂₇U-Israyeli wahlala ezweni laseGibithe ezweni laseGosheni; bafuya khona, bazala, banda kakhulu.

₂₈UJakobe wahlala ezweni laseGibithe iminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa; izinsuku zikaJakobe, iminyaka yokuhamba kwakhe, zaziyiminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amane nesikhombisa. ₂₉Kwase kusondela isikhathi ayesezakufa ngaso u-Israyeli; wayesebiza indodana yakhe uJosefa, wathi kuye: “Uma ngifumene umusa emehlweni akho, ake ubeke isandla sakho phansi kwethanga lami, ungenzele umusa neqiniso: ake ungangimbeli eGibithe. ₃₀Kepha lapho sengilele kobaba, uze ungikhiphe eGibithe, ungimbele ethuneni labo.”

Wathi: “Ngizakwenza njengezwi lakho.”

₃₁Wayesethi kuye: “Funga kimi.” Wayesefunga kuye. U-Israyeli wakhothama esihlokweni sombhede.