To The Word – Day 6

₁U-Abrama eneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalolunye uJehova wabonakala ku-Abrama, wathi kuye: “NginguNkulunkulu uSomandla; hamba phambi kwami ungenacala. ₂Ngiyakwenza isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe, ngikwandise kakhulu.”

₃U-Abrama wayesewa ngobuso bakhe; uNkulunkulu wakhuluma naye, wathi: ₄“Bheka, ngokwami isivumelwano sami sikuwe; uyakuba nguyise wezizwe eziningi. ₅Igama lakho alisayikuthiwa u-Abrama, kepha igama lakho lizakuba ngu-Abrahama, ngokuba ngikwenzile uyise wezizwe eziningi. ₆Ngiyakwandisa kakhulu inzalo yakho, ngikwenze isizwe, kuvele namakhosi kuwe. ₇Ngiyakumisa isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe, nenzalo yakho emva kwakho ezizukulwaneni zayo, sibe yisivumelwano esiphakade, ngibe nguNkulunkulu wakho nowenzalo yakho emva kwakho. ₈Ngiyakunika wena nenzalo yakho emva kwakho izwe ohlala kulo ungumfokazi, izwe lonke laseKhanani, libe yifa laphakade, ngibe nguNkulunkulu wabo.”

₉Wayesethi uNkulunkulu ku-Abrahama: “Wena-ke usuyakusigcina isivumelwano sami kanye nenzalo yakho emva kwakho ezizukulwaneni zayo. ₁₀Yilesi isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe nenzalo yakho emva kwakho eniyakusigcina ukuthi bayakusokwa bonke abesilisa bakini. ₁₁Niyakusoka inyama yejwabu lenu, kube luphawu lwesivumelwano phakathi kwami nani. ₁₂Onezinsuku eziyisishiyagalombili phakathi kwenu uyakusokwa, bonke abesilisa ezizukulwaneni zenu, lowo ozelwe endlini nalowo othengwe ngemali kowezizwe, ongesiye owenzalo yakho. ₁₃Makasokwe ozelwe endlini yakho nothengwe ngemali yakho; isivumelwano sami siyakuba senyameni yenu, sibe yisivumelwano esiphakade. ₁₄Owesilisa ongasokiwe, engasokwanga enyameni yejwabu lakhe, lowo muntu uyakunqunywa kubantu bakubo, ngokuba waphulile isivumelwano sami.”

₁₅UNkulunkulu wathi ku-Abrahama: “USarayi umkakho awusayikumbiza ngegama lokuthi uSarayi, kepha igama lakhe alibe nguSara. ₁₆Ngiyakumbusisa, ngikunike indodana ngaye; yebo, ngiyakumbusisa abe yizizwe, kuvele kuye amakhosi abantu.”

₁₇U-Abrahama wayesewa ngobuso bakhe, wahleka, wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Oneminyaka eyikhulu uyakuzalelwa na? USara oneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye uyakuzala na?” ₁₈Wathi u-Abrahama kuNkulunkulu: “Sengathi u-Ishmayeli angaphila phambi kwakho.”

₁₉UNkulunkulu wathi: “Qha, uSara umkakho uyakukuzalela indodana; uyakubiza igama layo ngokuthi u-Isaka; ngiyakusimisa isivumelwano sami naye, sibe yisivumelwano esiphakade nenzalo yakhe emva kwakhe. ₂₀Ngo-Ishmayeli lo ngikuzwile; bheka, ngiyakumbusisa, ngimuphe inzalo, ngimandise kakhulu impela, azale izikhulu eziyishumi nambili, ngimenze isizwe esikhulu. ₂₁Kepha ngiyakumisa isivumelwano sami no-Isaka azakukuzalela yena uSara ngalesi sikhathi ngomnyaka ozayo.” ₂₂UNkulunkulu wayeseqeda ukukhuluma naye, wenyuka emshiya u-Abrahama.

₂₃U-Abrahama wathatha u-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe, nabo bonke ababezelwe endlini yakhe, nabo bonke ababethengwe ngemali yakhe, bonke abesilisa phakathi kwabantu bendlu ka-Abrahama, wasoka inyama yejwabu labo ngalona lolo suku, njengalokho uNkulunkulu emtshelile. ₂₄U-Abrahama wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalolunye mhla esokwa enyameni yejwabu lakhe. ₂₅U-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe wayeneminyaka eyishumi nantathu mhla esokwa enyameni yejwabu lakhe. ₂₆U-Abrahama nendodana yakhe u-Ishmayeli basokwa ngalusuku lunye. ₂₇Onke amadoda emzini wakhe ayezelwe endlini nayethengwe ngemali kowezizwe asokwa kanye naye.

₁UJehova wabonakala kuye ngasema-okini* aseMamre, ehlezi emnyango wetende ngesikhathi sokushisa kwemini. ₂Waphakamisa amehlo akhe, wabuka; bheka, amadoda amathathu ayemi phambi kwakhe; wathi ukuba awabone, wasuka emnyango wetende, wagijima ukuwahlangabeza, wakhothama, ₃wathi: “Nkosi, uma ngifumene umusa emehlweni akho, mawungadluli encekwini yakho. ₄Makulethwe ingcosana yamanzi, nigeze izinyawo zenu, niphumule phansi komuthi. ₅Ngizakulanda ucezu lwesikwa, nithokozise izinhliziyo zenu, andukuba nidlule, njengokuba senifikile encekwini yenu.”

Athi: “Yenza njengokusho kwakho.”

₆U-Abrahama waphuthuma etendeni kuSara, wathi: “Sheshisa, uthathe amaseya* amathathu empuphu ecolekileyo, uyixove, wenze amaqebelengwane.”

₇U-Abrahama wagijima, waya ezinkomeni, walanda ithole elihle nelinonileyo, walinika encekwini; yashesha ukulilungisa. ₈Wathatha amangqanga, nobisi, nethole abelilungisile, wakubeka phambi kwawo; wema ngakuwo phansi komuthi; adla.

₉Athi kuye: “Uphi uSara umkakho na?”

Wathi: “Nangu etendeni.”

₁₀Wayesethi: “Impela ngiyakubuyela kuwe emva komnyaka ngalesi sikhathi; bheka, khona umkakho uSara uyakuba nendodana.” USara wakuzwa lokhu esemnyango wetende ongasemva kwakhe. ₁₁Kepha o-Abrahama noSara base begugile, beneminyaka eminingi; kwase kuphelile kuSara okwabesifazane. ₁₂USara wahleka phakathi kwakhe, wathi: “Lapho sengimdala, nenkosi yami igugile, ngiyakuba nalenjabulo na?”

₁₃UJehova wathi ku-Abrahama: “Uhlekeleni uSara, ethi: ‘Imbala ngizakuzala ngimdala na?’ ₁₄Kukhona into emahlula uJehova na? Ngalesi sikhathi emva komnyaka ngiyakubuyela kuwe, uSara abe nendodana.”

₁₅USara waphika wathi: “Angihlekanga,” ngokuba wesaba.

Kepha wathi: “Qha, uhlekile.”

₁₆Amadoda asuka lapho, abheka ngaseSodoma; u-Abrahama wahamba nawo ewaphelekezela. ₁₇UJehova wathi: “Ngingamfihlela u-Abrahama lokho engizakukwenza na? ₁₈U-Abrahama uyakuba yisizwe esikhulu, esinamandla; ziyakubusiswa kuyena izizwe zonke zomhlaba. ₁₉Ngokuba ngimkhethele ukuba ayale abantwana bakhe nendlu yakhe emva kwakhe ukugcina indlela kaJehova nokusebenza ukulunga nokwahlulela, ukuze uJehova amenzele u-Abrahama lokho amthembise khona.”

₂₀UJehova wathi: “Isikhalo saseSodoma nesaseGomora sikhulu, nezono zabo zinzima impela. ₂₁Ngalokho ngiyakwehla, ngibone ukuba benzile impela konke njengokwesikhalo esesifikile kimi; uma kungenjalo, ngiyakukwazi.”

₂₂Ayesefulathela lapho amadoda, aya ngaseSodoma, kepha u-Abrahama wayesemi ebusweni bukaJehova. ₂₃U-Abrahama wasondela, wathi: “Uyakubhubhisa olungileyo kanye nomubi na? ₂₄Mhlawumbe kukhona abalungileyo abangamashumi ayisihlanu phakathi komuzi; imbala uyakuyibhubhisa, ungayiyeki indawo ngenxa yabalungileyo abangamashumi ayisihlanu abakuyo na? ₂₅Makube kude nawe ukwenza ngale ndlela, ukubulala olungileyo kanye nomubi, olungileyo abe njengomubi; lokhu makube kude nawe; umahluleli womhlaba wonke ubengayikwenza ukulunga na?”

₂₆UJehova wathi: “Uma ngifumana eSodoma abalungileyo abangamashumi ayisihlanu phakathi komuzi, ngiyakuyekela indawo yonke ngenxa yabo.”

₂₇Kepha u-Abrahama waphendula wathi: “Bheka, sengiqalile ukukhuluma eNkosini, mina engiluthuli nomlotha. ₂₈Mhlawumbe kuyakusweleka abayisihlanu kubo abalungileyo abangamashumi ayisihlanu; ubuyakubhubhisa wonke umuzi ngenxa yalabo abayisihlanu na?”

Wathi: “Angiyikuwubhubhisa, uma ngifumana khona abangamashumi amane nanhlanu.”

₂₉Kepha wabuye wakhuluma kuye, wathi: “Mhlawumbe kungafunyaniswa khona abangamashumi amane.”

Wathi: “Angiyikukwenza ngenxa yabangamashumi amane.”

₃₀Wayesethi: “Mayingathukutheli iNkosi ukuthi ngisakhuluma. Mhlawumbe kungafunyaniswa khona abangamashumi amathathu.”

Wathi: “Angiyikukwenza, uma ngifumana abangamashumi amathathu lapho.”

₃₁Kepha wathi: “Bheka, ngiqalile ukukhuluma neNkosi. Mhlawumbe kungatholakala abangamashumi amabili khona.”

Wathi: “Angiyikuwubhubhisa ngenxa yabangamashumi amabili.”

₃₂Wayesethi: “Mayingathukutheli iNkosi ukuthi ngisakhuluma kanye nje. Mhlawumbe kungafunyanwa abayishumi khona.”

Wathi: “Angiyikuwubhubhisa ngenxa yalabo abayishumi.”

₃₃UJehova wasuka, nxa eseqedile ukukhuluma no-Abrahama; u-Abrahama wabuyela endaweni yakhe.

₁Izingelosi zombili zafika eSodoma sekuhlwile; uLoti wayehlezi esangweni laseSodoma; uLoti ezibona wasukuma wazihlangabeza; wakhothamela emhlabathini ngobuso, ₂wathi: “Bhekani, makhosi, ake niphambuke, ningene endlini yenceku yenu, nihlale ubusuku, nigeze izinyawo zenu andukuba nivuke ekuseni kusasa, nihambe indlela yenu.”

Zathi: “Qha, siyakuhlala phandle.”

₃Kepha wazincenga kakhulu, zaze zaphambukela kuye, zangena endlini yakhe; wazilungisela idili, wenza isinkwa esingenamvubelo, zadla. ₄Zingakalali, amadoda omuzi, amadoda aseSodoma, azungeza indlu, amasha namadala, abantu bonke bephelele. ₅Bambiza uLoti, bathi kuye: “Aphi lawa madoda angenise kuwe ebusuku na? Sikhiphele wona ukuba siwazi.”

₆ULoti waphumela kubo ngasemnyango, wavala umnyango emva kwakhe. ₇Wathi: “Bafowethu, ningoni. ₈Bhekani, nginamadodakazi amabili angayazi ndoda; ake nginiphumisele wona, nenze kuwo njengokufanele emehlweni enu; kepha kulawa madoda ningenzi lutho, ngokuba angene emthunzini wophahla lwami.”

₉Bathi: “Suka lapha!” Bathi futhi: “Lo muntu oyedwa wafika ukuba agogobale; usefuna ukwahlulela; manje siyakukuhlupha wena kunabo.” Bamcindezela kakhulu lo muntu uLoti, basondela ukuba bafohloze umnyango.

₁₀Khona amadoda azelula izandla, ambuyisela uLoti endlini, avala umnyango. ₁₁Amadoda ayephandle kwendlu awashaya ngobumpumputhe, amancane namakhulu, aze akhathala ukufuna umnyango.

₁₂Ayesethi amadoda kuLoti: “Unobani futhi lapha na? Umkhwenyana, namadodana akho, namadodakazi akho, nabo bonke onabo emzini baphumise kule ndawo, ₁₃ngokuba siyakuyichitha le ndawo, lokhu isikhalo sabo sesisikhulu ebusweni bukaJehova; uJehova usithumile ukuba siyichithe.”

₁₄Wayesephuma uLoti, wakhuluma nabakhwenyana bakhe ababeyakuthatha amadodakazi akhe, wathi: “Sukani niphume kule ndawo, ngokuba uJehova uyakuchitha umuzi.” Kepha wayenjengontelayo emehlweni abakhwenyana bakhe.

₁₅Kusantwela izingelosi zamsheshisa uLoti, zathi: “Vuka uthathe umkakho, namadodakazi akho omabili onawo, funa ubhujiswe ngenxa yobubi bomuzi.”

₁₆Esalibala, amadoda abamba isandla sakhe, nesandla somkakhe, nesandla samadodakazi akhe omabili, uJehova enomusa kuye; amphumisa, ambeka ngaphandle komuzi. ₁₇Kwathi esebaphumisile ngaphandle, wathi: “Baleka, usinde; ungabheki emva kwakho, ungemi ndawo ethafeni lonke; balekela entabeni, funa ubhujiswe.”

₁₈Kepha uLoti wathi kuwo: “Nkosi, makungabi njalo. ₁₉Bheka, inceku yakho ifumene umusa emehlweni akho, ungenzele ububele obukhulu ngokusindisa ukuphila kwami; kepha mina angikwazi ukubalekela entabeni, funa ububi bungifice, ngife. ₂₀Bheka-ke, lowo muzi useduze ukuba ngibalekele kuwo, futhi mncane; ake ngibalekele khona angithi mncane ukuba umphefumulo wami uphile.”

₂₁Wathi kuye: “Bheka, nakule nto ngiyakukuvumela; angiyikuwuchitha lo muzi okhuluma ngawo. ₂₂Kepha shesha ubalekele khona, ngokuba ngingenze lutho, ungakafiki khona.” Ngalokho umuzi wabizwa ngokuthi iSowari.*

₂₃Ilanga laphumela emhlabeni, uLoti esangena eSowari. ₂₄Khona uJehova wanisa phezu kweSodoma naphezu kweGomora isibabule nomlilo, kuvela kuJehova ezulwini. ₂₅Wachitha leyo mizi nethafa lonke, nabo bonke abakhe emizini, nalokho okuhlumayo emhlabathini. ₂₆Kepha umkakhe wabheka emva kwakhe, waba yinsika kasawoti.

₂₇U-Abrahama wavuka ekuseni, waya endaweni lapho akade emi khona ebusweni bukaJehova. ₂₈Wabheka ngaseSodoma naseGomora nasezweni lonke lethafa, wabona, bheka, isisi sezwe senyuka njengomusi weziko.

₂₉Kwathi lapho uNkulunkulu ebhubhisa imizi yasethafeni, uNkulunkulu wakhumbula u-Abrahama, waphumisa uLoti ekuchithekeni mhla ebhubhisa imizi ayehlezi kuyo uLoti.

₃₀ULoti wakhuphuka eSowari, waya wahlala entabeni kanye namadodakazi akhe omabili, ngokuba wesaba ukuhlala eSowari; wahlala emhumeni namadodakazi akhe amabili. ₃₁Enkulu yayisithi kwencane: “Ubaba usemdala; akukho ndoda ezweni engangena kithi njengokwenza komhlaba wonke. ₃₂Woza simphuzise ubaba iwayini, silale naye ukuba sizizuzele inzalo kubaba.”

₃₃Ngalobo busuku ayesemphuzisa uyise iwayini; enkulu yangena yalala noyise, engazi ukulala kwayo nokuvuka kwayo.

₃₄Kwathi ngangomuso enkulu yathi kwencane: “Bheka, bengilele nobaba izolo; asimphuzise iwayini nangalobu busuku, ungene wena, ulale naye ukuba sizizuzele inzalo kubaba.” ₃₅Ayesemphuzisa uyise iwayini nangalobo busuku; encane yasuka yalala naye, engazi ukulala kwayo nokuvuka kwayo.

₃₆Kanjalo amadodakazi kaLoti omabili akhuleliswa nguyise. ₃₇Enkulu yazala indodana, yaqamba igama layo ngokuthi uMowabi; lowo unguyise wabakwaMowabi kuze kube namuhla. ₃₈Encane yazala indodana nayo, yaqamba igama layo ngokuthi uBenami; lowo unguyise wabantwana bakwa-Amoni kuze kube namuhla.

₁U-Abrahama wayesesuka lapho, waya ngasezweni laseningizimu, wakha phakathi kweKadeshi neShuri; wagogobala eGerari. ₂U-Abrahama wathi ngoSara umkakhe: “Ungudadewethu.” Khona u-Abimeleki inkosi yaseGerari wathuma wamthatha uSara.

₃Kepha uNkulunkulu weza ku-Abimeleki ngephupho ebusuku, wathi kuye: “Bheka, uyafa ngenxa yowesifazane omthathileyo; uganile endodeni.”

₄Kepha u-Abimeleki wayengakasondeli kuye; wathi: “Nkosi, uyakubhubhisa nesizwe esilungileyo na? ₅Akashongo kimi ukuthi: ‘Ungudadewethu,’ na? Naye uqobo wathi: ‘Ungumnewethu.’ Ngobuqotho benhliziyo yami nangobumhlophe bezandla zami ngikwenzile lokhu.”

₆Wayesethi uNkulunkulu kuye ephusheni: “Nami ngiyazi ukuthi ukwenze lokhu ngobuqotho benhliziyo yakho; futhi ngakuvimba ukuba ungoni kimi; ngalokho angikuvumelanga ukuba umthinte. ₇Kepha manje wena, buyisa umfazi wendoda, ngokuba ingumprofethi; iyakukukhulekela ukuba uphile; uma ungambuyiseli, yazi ukuthi uyakufa nokufa, wena nabo bonke abakho.”

₈U-Abimeleki wavuka ekuseni, wabiza izinceku zakhe zonke, wakhuluma onke lawa mazwi ezindlebeni zazo; amadoda esaba kakhulu. ₉U-Abimeleki wayesembiza u-Abrahama, wathi kuye: “Wenzeni kithi na? Ngoneni kuwe ukuba ungilethele mina nombuso wami icala elingaka na? Wenze kimi okungafanele ukwenziwa.” ₁₀U-Abimeleki wathi ku-Abrahama: “Wabonani ukuba wenze lokhu na?”

₁₁U-Abrahama wathi: “Ngokuba bengithi: Impela ukumesaba uNkulunkulu akukho kule ndawo; bayakungibulala ngenxa yomkami. ₁₂Futhi impela ungudadewethu, indodakazi kababa, kepha akasiyo indodakazi kamame, waba ngumkami. ₁₃Kwathi mhla uNkulunkulu engiphumisa endlini kababa, ngathi kuye: ‘Yilo umusa ozakungenzela wona: ezindaweni zonke esiyakufika kuzo, yisho ngami ukuthi: “Ungumnewethu.” ’ ”

₁₄U-Abimeleki wayesethatha izimvu, nezinkabi, nezinceku, nezincekukazi, wazipha u-Abrahama, wambuyisela uSara umkakhe. ₁₅Wathi u-Abimeleki: “Bheka, izwe lami lisebusweni bakho; yakha lapho uthanda khona.”

₁₆Wathi kuSara: “Bheka, ngimnikile umnewenu amashekeli* ayinkulungwane esiliva; bheka, lokhu kuyisisibekelo secala phambi kwamehlo abo bonke abanawe; kukho konke usulungisiwe.”

₁₇U-Abrahama wakhuleka kuNkulunkulu. UNkulunkulu wamphulukisa u-Abimeleki nomkakhe nezincekukazi zakhe, baze bazala. ₁₈Ngokuba uJehova wayevalile nokuvala zonke izizalo zabendlu ka-Abimeleki ngenxa kaSara umka-Abrahama.

₁“Ngiqinisile, ngiqinisile ngithi kini: Ongangeni ngesango esibayeni sezimvu, kodwa ekhwela ngenye indawo, lowo uyisela nomphangi. ₂Kepha ongena ngesango ungumalusi wezimvu. ₃Umlindisango uyamvulela lowo; nezimvu ziyalizwa izwi lakhe; ubiza ezakhe izimvu ngamagama, aziholele phandle. ₄Nxa esezikhiphile ezakhe zonke, uhamba phambi kwazo, izimvu zimlandele, ngokuba zilazi izwi lakhe. ₅Kepha umfokazi azisoze zamlandela, kodwa ziyakumbalekela, ngokuba zingalazi izwi labafokazi.” ₆UJesu washo lo mfanekiso kubo; kepha bona abezwisisanga ukuba kuyini lokho akukhuluma kubo.

₇Ngakho-ke uJesu wabuye wathi kubo: “Ngiqinisile, ngiqinisile ngithi kini: Mina ngiyisango lezimvu. ₈Bonke abafike ngaphambi kwami bangamasela nabaphangi, kepha izimvu azibezwanga. ₉Mina ngiyisango; uma umuntu engena ngami, uyakusindiswa, angene, aphume, afumane idlelo. ₁₀Isela kalizi kungengokweba nokubulala nokubhubhisa; mina ngize ukuba babe nokuphila, babe nakho kuchichime.

₁₁“Ngingumalusi omuhle. Umalusi omuhle udela ukuphila kwakhe ngenxa yezimvu. ₁₂Okhokhelwayo engesiye umalusi, izimvu zingesizo ezakhe, ebona impisi iza, ushiya izimvu, abaleke – impisi izibhozomele, izihlakaze – ₁₃ngokuba engokhokhelwayo, engazinakekeli izimvu.

₁₄“Mina ngingumalusi omuhle; ngiyazazi ezami, nezami ziyangazi, ₁₅njengalokhu uBaba uyangazi, nami ngiyamazi uBaba; ngidela ukuphila kwami ngenxa yezimvu. ₁₆Nezinye izimvu nginazo ezingesizo ezalesi sibaya; nalezo ngimelwe ukuziletha; ziyakuzwa izwi lami, kube mhlambi munye nomalusi munye. ₁₇Ngalokho uBaba uyangithanda, ngokuba ngidela ukuphila kwami ukuba ngibuye ngikuthabathe. ₁₈Akakho ongangamuka ukuphila kwami, kodwa ngikudela ngokwami; nginamandla okukudela, nginamandla okubuye ngikuthabathe. Lo myalo ngiwamukele kuBaba.”

₁₉Kwaba khona futhi ukwahlukana phakathi kwabaJuda ngalawo mazwi. ₂₀Abaningi kubo bathi: “Unedemoni, uyahlanya; nimlalelelani na?”

₂₁Abanye bathi: “Lawo mazwi akusiwo awomuntu onedemoni; imbala idemoni lingavula amehlo ezimpumputhe na?”

₂₂Khona kwakungumkhosi wokuhlanjululwa kwethempeli eJerusalema, kusebusika. ₂₃UJesu wayehamba ethempelini emphemeni kaSolomoni. ₂₄Base bemhaqa abaJuda bethi kuye: “Koze kube nini ulibazisa izinhliziyo zethu na? Uma wena unguKristu, sitshele ngokuchachileyo.”

₂₅UJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Nganitshela, kodwa anikholwanga; imisebenzi engiyenzayo egameni likaBaba yiyona efakaza ngami. ₂₆Kodwa nina anikholwa, ngokuba anisibo abezimvu zami. ₂₇Izimvu zami ziyalizwa izwi lami; nami ngiyazazi, ziyangilandela; ₂₈ngizinika ukuphila okuphakade, azisoze zabhubha naphakade; akakho ongazihlwitha esandleni sami. ₂₉UBaba onginikileyo mkhulu kunabo bonke; akakho ongazihlwitha esandleni sikaBaba. ₃₀Mina noBaba simunye.”

₃₁AbaJuda base bebuye bethatha amatshe ukuba bamkhande. ₃₂UJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Nginitshengise imisebenzi eminingi emihle evela kuBaba; yimuphi umsebenzi kulena eningikhandela wona na?”

₃₃Bamphendula abaJuda, bathi: “Asikukhandi ngenxa yomsebenzi omuhle kepha ngenxa yokuhlambalaza, ngokuba wena ungumuntu ozenza uNkulunkulu.”

₃₄UJesu wabaphendula wathi: “Akulotshiwe yini emthethweni wakini ukuthi: ‘Ngithe: Ningonkulunkulu,’ na? ₃₅Uma wathi bangonkulunkulu bona eleza kubo izwi likaNkulunkulu – nombhalo ungeqiwe – ₃₆nithi ngaye uYise amahlukanisileyo, wamthumela ezweni, ukuba uyahlambalaza, ngokuba ngithe: ‘NgiyiNdodana kaNkulunkulu,’ na? ₃₇Uma ngingenzi imisebenzi kaBaba, maningakholwa yimi. ₃₈Kepha uma ngiyenza, nakuba ningakholwa yimi, kholwani yimisebenzi, ukuze nazi, niqonde ukuthi uBaba ukimi, nami ngikuBaba.” ₃₉Base befuna futhi ukumbamba, kepha waphunyuka esandleni sabo.

₄₀Waphinda wamuka, waya phesheya kweJordani kuleyo ndawo lapho uJohane waqala ukubhapathiza khona, wahlala lapho. ₄₁Nabaningi beza kuye, bathi: “UJohane nempela akenzanga sibonakaliso nasinye, kepha konke uJohane akusho ngalowo muntu kwakuqinisile.” ₄₂Abaningi bakholwa nguye lapho.

₁Kwakukhona othile ogulayo, uLazaru waseBethaniya umuzi wakubo kaMariya nodadewabo uMarta. ₂UMariya kwakunguye owagcoba iNkosi ngamafutha, wesula izinyawo zayo ngezinwele zakhe, omnewabo uLazaru wayegula. ₃Ngakho-ke odadewabo bathumela kuye, bathi: “Nkosi, bheka, lo omthandayo uyagula.”

₄UJesu esekuzwile lokho wathi: “Lokhu kugula akusikho okokufa, kodwa kungenxa yenkazimulo kaNkulunkulu ukuba iNdodana kaNkulunkulu ikhazimuliswe ngakho.” ₅Kepha uJesu wayebathanda oMarta nodadewabo noLazaru. ₆Ngakho-ke kwathi ezwa ukuthi uyagula, wahlala futhi izinsuku ezimbili endaweni abe kuyo.

₇Emva kwalokho wathi kubafundi bakhe: “Asibuye, siye eJudiya.”

₈Abafundi bathi kuye: “Rabi, abaJuda basand' ukufuna ukukukhanda ngamatshe; usaya futhi khona na?”

₉UJesu waphendula wathi: “Awakho yini amahora ayishumi nambili emini na? Uma umuntu ehamba emini, akakhubeki, ngokuba ubona ukukhanya kwaleli zwe. ₁₀Kodwa uma umuntu ehamba ebusuku, uyakhubeka, ngokuba kungekho ukukhanya kuye.”

₁₁Wakhuluma lokho; emva kwalokho wathi kubo: “ULazaru umhlobo wethu ulele, kepha ngiyahamba ukuba ngimvuse ebuthongweni.”

₁₂Abafundi bakhe base bethi kuye: “Nkosi, uma elele, uyakusinda.” ₁₃Kepha uJesu wayekhuluma ngokufa kwakhe, kepha bona babethi ukhuluma ngokulala ubuthongo.

₁₄Ngakho-ke uJesu wathi kubo ngokuchachileyo: “ULazaru ufile; ₁₅ngiyathokoza ngenxa yenu ukuthi bengingekho, ukuze nikholwe; kepha asiye kuye.”

₁₆Khona uTomase, othiwa uDidimu, wathi kubafundi abakanye naye: “Asihambe nathi, ukuze sife kanye naye.”

₁₇Kwathi-ke esefika uJesu, wamfumana esenezinsuku ezine ethuneni. ₁₈IBethaniya laliseduze neJerusalema, kungaba ngamastadiyu* ayishumi nanhlanu. ₁₉Abaningi kubaJuda babefikile koMarta noMariya ukubakhuza ngomnewabo. ₂₀Ngakho uMarta esezwe ukuthi uJesu uyeza, waya ukumhlangabeza, kepha uMariya wahlala endlini.

₂₁Wayesethi uMarta kuJesu: “Nkosi, uma ubukhona, umnewethu nga engafanga; ₂₂kepha ngiyazi nakalokhu ukuthi nokuba yini ongakucela kuNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu uzakukunika khona.”

₂₃UJesu wathi kuye: “Umnewenu uzakuvuka.”

₂₄UMarta wathi kuye: “Ngiyazi ukuthi uyakuvuka ekuvukeni ngosuku lokugcina.”

₂₅UJesu wathi kuye: “Mina ngingukuvuka nokuphila; okholwa yimi, noma efa, wophila. ₂₆Nalowo ophila, akholwe yimi, kasoze afa naphakade. Uyakholwa yilokho na?”

₂₇Wathi kuye: “Yebo, Nkosi, ngiyakholwa ukuthi wena unguKristu, iNdodana kaNkulunkulu, obezakuza ezweni.”

₂₈Eseshilo lokho wamuka wabiza uMariya udadewabo ngasese, wathi: “UMfundisi ukhona, uyakubiza.” ₂₉Yena-ke ekuzwa lokho wasuka masinyane, waya kuye. ₃₀Kepha uJesu wayengakafiki emzini, kodwa wayesekuleyo ndawo uMarta amhlangabeza kuyo. ₃₁AbaJuda ababesendlini naye bemkhuza, bebona uMariya esuka masinyane ephuma, bamlandela, bathi: “Uya ethuneni ukuba akhale khona.”

₃₂UMariya esefike lapho ekhona uJesu, embona, wawa ngasezinyaweni zakhe, wathi: “Nkosi, uma ubukhona, umnewethu nga engafanga.”

₃₃Ngakho uJesu embona ekhala, nabaJuda abafika naye bekhala, wabubula emoyeni, wakhathazeka; ₃₄wathi: “Nimbekephi na?”

Bathi kuye: “Nkosi, woza ubone.”

₃₅UJesu wakhala izinyembezi.

₃₆Ngakho-ke abaJuda bathi: “Bheka, ukumthanda kwakhe okungaka.”

₃₇Kepha abanye kubo bathi: “Lo owavula amehlo empumputhe wayengekwenze yini ukuba yena lo angafi na?”

₃₈Ngakho uJesu, ebubula futhi phakathi kwakhe, wafika ethuneni. Lalingumhume, kwakukhona itshe phezu kwawo. ₃₉Wathi uJesu: “Susani itshe.”

UMarta, udadewabo wofileyo, wathi kuye: “Nkosi, usenuka; ngokuba sezizine.”

₄₀UJesu wathi kuye: “Angishongo yini kuwe ukuthi uma ukholwa, uzakubona inkazimulo kaNkulunkulu, na?”

₄₁Balisusa-ke itshe. Kepha uJesu waphakamisa amehlo, wathi: “Baba, ngiyakubonga ngokuba ungizwile. ₄₂Bengazi mina ukuthi ungizwa njalo, kodwa ngenxa yesixuku esingiphahlileyo ngishilo lokho, ukuze bakholwe ukuthi nguwena ongithumileyo.”

₄₃Esekhulume lokho wamemeza ngezwi elikhulu, wathi: “Lazaru, phuma.” ₄₄Waphuma ofileyo eboshwe izinyawo nezandla ngezindwangu, ubuso bakhe bumboziwe ngeduku. UJesu wathi kubo: “Mthukululeni, nimyeke ahambe.”

₄₅Khona abaningi kubaJuda ababezile kuMariya bebona abekwenzile, bakholwa nguye. ₄₆Kepha abanye babo baya kubaFarisi, babatshela abekwenzile uJesu. ₄₇Ngalokho abapristi abakhulu nabaFarisi base bemema umphakathi, bathi: “Siyakwenze njani na? Lo muntu wenza izibonakaliso eziningi; ₄₈uma simyeka njalo, bazakukholwa nguye bonke; amaRoma ayakufika, asamuke indawo nesizwe.”

₄₉Kepha othile wabo, uKayafase, engumpristi omkhulu walowo mnyaka, wathi kubo: “Anazi lutho nina; ₅₀aniqondi futhi ukuthi kunilungele ukuba umuntu oyedwa afele abantu, isizwe sonke singabhubhi.”

₅₁Lokho kakushongo ngokwakhe, kodwa engumpristi omkhulu walowo mnyaka waprofetha ukuba uJesu wayezakufa ngenxa yesizwe; ₅₂kungengenxa yesizwe kuphela, kepha ukuba abuthele ndawonye abantwana bakaNkulunkulu abahlakazekileyo, babe munye. ₅₃Kusukela kulolo suku baceba ukuba bambulale.

₅₄Ngakho uJesu kabuyange esahamba obala phakathi kwabaJuda, kepha wamuka lapho, waya ezweni eliseduze nehlane emzini othiwa i-Efrayimi; wahlala khona nabafundi bakhe.

₅₅Lase liseduze iPhasika labaJuda; abaningi abavela emaphandleni bakhuphukela eJerusalema ngaphambi kwePhasika ukuba bazihlambulule. ₅₆Ngakho bamfuna uJesu, bexoxa bemi ethempelini, bethi: “Nithini na? Akayikuza nempela emkhosini na?” ₅₇Abapristi abakhulu nabaFarisi babekhiphe umyalo wokuthi uma kukhona owaziyo lapho ekhona, ababikele, ukuze bambambe.