1 Emvakwekufa kwaJoshuwa, ema-Israyeli abuta Simakadze, atsi: “Ngubani lotakwenyuka kucala ayekusilwela nemaKhenani?”
2 Simakadze wawaphendvula watsi: “BakaJuda abenyuke; lelive ngilinikele etandleni tabo.”
3 Emadvodza akaJuda akhuluma kubakaSimeyoni, bomnakabo, atsi: “Yenyukani kanye natsi, siye eveni lesabelwe lona, siyekulwa nemaKhenani. Natsi siyakuhamba nani naniya kulenu.” Ngako bakaSimeyoni bahamba nabo bakaJuda.
4 Kwatsi bakaJuda nabahlasela, Simakadze wanikela etandleni tabo emaKhenani nemaPheresi; babulala emadvodza lati-10 000 eBhezeki.
5 Ngulapho-ke lapho bakhandza Adoni Bhezeki khona, balwa naye; bawehlula emaKhenani nemaPheresi.
6 Adoni Bhezeki wabaleka, kodvwa bamcosha baze bambamba, bamjuba titfupha takhe naboqukulu bakhe.
7 Adoni Bhezeki wakhuluma watsi: “Emakhosi langema-70 labejutjwe titfupha tawo kanye naboqukulu bawo abevame kubutsa timvutfuluka ngaphansi kwelitafula lami. Nyalo Nkulunkulu sewungibuyisele ngaloko lengakwenta kubo.” Beta naye eJerusalema, wafike wafela lapho.
8 Emadvodza akaJuda ahlasela iJerusalema, ayitfumba. Lelo dolobha balibhubhisa ngelusiko lwenkemba, base balokhela ngemlilo.
9 Emvakwaloko emadvodza akaJuda ehla ayakulwa nemaKhenani labehlala eveni letintsaba, naseNegevu, eningizimu nelive, kanye nasematsafeni labengasenshonalanga.
10 Ahloma ayawuhlasela emaKhenani labehlala eHebroni, leyayike yabitwa ngekutsi yiKhiriyathi Abha, ehlula boSheshayi, na-Ahimani kanye naThalmayi.
11 Esuka lapho ahloma ayawuhlasela bantfu lababehlala eDebiri, leyayike yabitwa ngekutsi yiKhiriyathi Seferi.
12 Khalebi wakhuluma watsi: “Lowo lotawuhlasela atfumbe iKhiriyathi Seferi, ngitamnika indvodzakati yami, Akhisa, kutsi ashade nayo.”
13 Othniyeli, umsa waKhenazi, umnakaboKhalebi lomncane, wayihlasela wayehlula; ngako Khalebi wamnika indvodzakati yakhe, Akhisa, kutsi ayitsatse ashade nayo.
14 Ngalelinye lilanga Akhisa weta ku-Othniyeli, wafike wamcela kutsi akacele insimi kuKhalebi, uyise. Watsi Akhisa nakehla embongolweni, Khalebi wambuta watsi: “Ngingakwentelani?”
15 Akhisa waphendvula watsi: “Ase umane ungisite ngentfo yinye. Njengobe sewungabele indzawo eNegevu, iningizimu nelive lakaJuda, ase umane ungiphe naletiyalu temanti.” Ngako Khalebi wabe sewumnika letiyalu letatingenhla kanye naletatingentansi.
16 Titukulwane teyisetala waMosi, emaKheni, takhuphuka eDolobheni Lemasundvu tahamba nemphi yakaJuda tayawukwakha ehlane laseJudiya, eveni laseNegevu lekuyiningizimu yelive, eceleni kwase-Aradi.
17 Emadvodza akaJuda ahamba nesive sakaSimeyoni, bomnakabo, ayawuhlasela emaKhenani labehlala eSefathi, balibhubhisa balicedza lonkhe lelo dolobha. Ngako labe selibitwa ngekutsi yiHoma.
18 Imphi yakaJuda yatfumba iGaza, ne-Ashkeloni kanye ne-Ekroni. Ngulelo nalelo dolobha yayifike ilitfumbe kanye nelive lalo lonkhe.
19 Simakadze abenayo imphi yakaJuda. Yadla live letintsaba, kodvwa noko abakhonanga kucosha bantfu bakhona kulawo matsafa, ngobe bantfu bakhona babenetincola tetinsimbi.
20 Njengobe Mosi bekakhulumile, iHebroni yabelwa Khalebi, lokunguyena acosha kuyo emadvodzana lamatsatfu aka-Anaki.
21 Sive sakaBhenjamini sona sehluleka kucosha emaJebhusi labehlala eJerusalema. Kuze kube ngulamuhla emaJebhusi ahlala lapho kanye nesive sakaBhenjamini.
22 Umndeni wakaJosefa nawo wahlasela iBetheli, kantsi futsi naSimakadze abenawo.
23 Batsi nabatfumela tinhloli eBetheli leyayikadze yatiwa ngekutsi yiLuzi,
24 letinhloli tabona indvodza iphuma kulelidolobha, tase tikhuluma kuyo titsi: “Silayele kutsi singangena kanjani kulelidolobha, tsine siyawukunakekela sikuphatse kahle.”
25 Ngako lendvodza yabakhombisa lelo dolobha; balibhubhisa ngelusiko lwenkemba, kodvwa lendvodza bayiyekela kanye nemndeni wayo wonkhe.
26 Lendvodza yesuka lapho yayawukhonta eveni lemaHethi, lapho yefike yakha lidolobha leyaletsa libito layo yatsi yiLuzi; lelo kuselibito lalo nalamuhla.
27 Manase yena akazange abacoshe baseBhethi Shani, nebaseThanaki, nebaseDori, nebase-Jibleyamu, nebaseMegido kanye netabelo letatitungelete letindzawo, ngobe emaKhenani bekatimisele kutsi ahlale kulelo live.
28 Kwatsi kube sive sema-Israyeli sandze sibe nemandla, sawacindzetela emaKhenani kutsi asebentele sona, kodvwa sangete sawacosha.
29 Sive saka-Efrayimu naso asizange siwacoshe emaKhenani labehlala eGezeri, kodvwa emaKhenani achubeka ahlala kanye naso kulelo live.
30 Sive sakaZebuloni naso asizange siwacoshe emaKhenani labehlala eKhitroni naseNahaloli emkhatsini waso. Sahlala nawo, kodvwa sawacindzetela kutsi asebentele sona.
31 Sive saka-Asheri naso asizange siwacoshe lawo maKhenani labehlala e-Akho, naseSidoni, nase-Ahilabi, nase-Akzibi, naseHelba, nase-Afeki kanye naseRehobu;
32 ngenca yaloko sive saka-Asheri sahlala emkhatsini wetakhamiti letatingemaKhenani alelo live.
33 Sive sakaNaftali naso asizange siwacoshe lawo maKhenani labehlala eBhethi Shemeshi naseBhethi Anathi; kodvwa naso sive sakaNaftali sahlala emkhatsini wetakhamiti letatingemaKhenani alelo live, kwase kutsi lawo labehlala eBhethi Shemeshi naseBhethi Anathi sawacindzetela kutsi asebentele sona.
34 Ema-Amori wona acindzetela sive sakaDani kutsi sihlale eveni letintsaba, akazange asivumele kutsi sehlele ematsafeni;
35 kantsi futsi ema-Amori abetimisele kuhlala eNtsabeni iHeresi, ne-Ayaloni, neShalbimu; kodvwa kwatsi kube emandla esive sakaJosefa akhule, nawo futsi acindzetelwa kutsi asebentele sona.
36 Umnyele welive lema-Amori wawusuka etulu emsahweni wase-Akrabhimu, ucondze eSela uchubeke wenyuke.
1 Ingilosi yaSimakadze yakhuphuka isuka eGilgali yaya eBhokhimu, yafike yatsi: “Nganikhipha eveni laseGibhithe, nganihola ngaze nganingenisa kulelive lengafunga ngalo ngatsi ngiyakulinika boyihlomkhulu. Ngatsi kubo: ‘Ngingeke ngisephule sivumelwane sami nani.
2 Nani aniyikusenta sivumelwane nebantfu bakulelive, kodvwa niyakuwabhidlita emalati abo.’ Noko nine anikangilaleli. Nikwenteleni loku?
3 Manje-ke ngiyanitjela ngitsi ngingeke ngisaticosha letive embikwenu. Setiyawuba ngemanyeva emihlubulweni yenu, nabonkulunkulu bato sebayawuba lugibe kini.”
4 Kwatsi kube ingilosi yaSimakadze ikhulume konkhe loku esiveni sema-Israyeli, sive sonkhe sakhala kakhulu,
5 saze setsa leyo ndzawo satsi yiBhokhimu. Ngulapho-ke lapho banikela khona ngemihlatjelo kuSimakadze.
6 Kwatsi kube Joshuwa awakhulule ema-Israyeli, kwaba ngulowo nalowo wayawutitsatsela sabelo sakhe kulelo live.
7 Sive sakhonta Simakadze imphilo yonkhe yaJoshuwa kanye neyalabadzala labaphila kwendlula yena baze babona tonkhe tintfo letinkhulu Simakadze latentela sive sema-Israyeli.
8 Joshuwa, umsa waNuni, inceku yaSimakadze, wafa asaneminyaka leli-110.
9 Bamngcwaba eveni lelalisabelo sakhe eThimnathi Heresi, eveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu, enyakatfo neNtsaba iGashi.
10 Kwatsi kube sonkhe leso situkulwane sife siphele, kwavela lesinye situkulwane saka-Israyeli lesasingazange simati Simakadze singatani nangetintfo lake watentela sive saka-Israyeli.
11 Ngako sive sema-Israyeli senta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze; sakhonta boBhali.
12 Bafulatsela Simakadze, Nkulunkulu waboyise, lowabakhipha eGibhithe. Balandzela bakhonta labanye bonkulunkulu labehlukene baleto tive labebahlala emkhatsini wato. Batfukutselisa Simakadze,
13 ngekutsi bamfulatsele yena bayewukhonta boBhali nabo-Ashtarothe.
14 Intfukutselo yaSimakadze yabavutsela baka-Israyeli, wabanikela etandleni tebaphangi, tabaphanga. Wabanikela etandleni tetitsa tabo letatibatungeletile, bangabe basakwati ngisho nekutivikela kuto.
15 Kwakutsi njalo baka-Israyeli nabaya kuyakulwa, sandla saSimakadze sibahlanekele njengobe abefungile kubo. Babaselusizini lolukhulu.
16 Ngako Simakadze wabe sewubavusela tikhulu letatingutona tabephula etandleni talabo baphangi.
17 Noko baka-Israyeli abazange batilalele tikhulu tabo, bachubeka baphinga nalabanye bonkulunkulu, bakhonta bona. Abazange babalingise boyise, bona bajika masinyane endleleni lababehamba ngayo boyise, indlela yekulalela imiyalo yaSimakadze.
18 Kwakutsi njalo nje Simakadze nakabavusela sikhulu, abenaso lesikhulu, abasindzise etandleni tetitsa tabo, nasisekhona leso sikhulu; ngobe Simakadze abeba nesihe nabo ngesikhatsi sebakhaliswa kucindzetelwa nakushaywa titsa tabo.
19 Kodvwa kwakutsi nje sikhulu singafa, bantfu babuyele etindleleni tabo letimbi kakhulu kunetaboyise, balandzele labanye bonkulunkulu, babakhonte, bakhotsame kubo. Bala kwehlukana netindlela tabo letimbi, nemikhuba yabo, nenkhani yabo.
20 Ngako Simakadze wasitfukutselela kakhulu sive sema-Israyeli, watsi: “Njengobe lesive sisephulile sivumelwane lengasibekela boyisemkhulu, futsi asikangilaleli,
21 angisayikusicosha ngisho nasinye sive embikwaso kuleto letashiywa nguJoshuwa ekufeni kwakhe.
22 Sengiyawusebentisa tona nangivivinya sive sema-Israyeli, kuze ngibone kahle kutsi siyakuyigcina yini indlela yaSimakadze, sihambe ngayo, njengobe kwakwenta bokhokho baso.”
23 Ngako Simakadze wativumela leto tive kutsi tihlale, wangete waticosha masinyane ngekutinikela esandleni saJoshuwa.
1 Leti-ke tive letashiywa nguSimakadze, kuze avivinye ngato ema-Israyeli labengazange atibone timphi taseKhenani.
2 Loko wakwenta khona atewufundzisa kulwa timphi etitukulwaneni tema-Israyeli letatingazange tiyilwe imphi,
3 kwakunguletive: emakhosi lasihlanu emaFilisti, nawo onkhe emaKhenani, nemaSidoni, nemaHivi labehlala etintsabeni taseLebanoni, kusukela eNtsabeni iBhali Hemoni kuze kuyewufika eLebo Hamathi.
4 Tatishiyelwe kutsi tivivinye ema-Israyeli, kuze kubonakale kutsi atawuyilalela yini imiyalo yaSimakadze labeyinike bokhokho bawo ngaMosi.
5 Ema-Israyeli abehlala emkhatsini wemaKhenani, nemaHethi, nema-Amori, nemaPheresi, nemaHivi, nemaJebhusi.
6 Atsatsa emadvodzakati aletive ashada nawo, atsatsa nemadvodzakati awo awendzisela emadvodzana aletive, akhonta nabonkulunkulu bato.
7 Ema-Israyeli enta lokubi embikwaSimakadze; akhohlwa Simakadze Nkulunkulu wawo, akhonta boBhali nabo-Ashera.
8 Intfukutselo yaSimakadze yavutsela bema-Israyeli kangangekutsi wawatsengisa etandleni taKhushani Rishathayimu, inkhosi yaseMesophothamiya, lowagcilata ema-Israyeli iminyaka lesiphohlongo.
9 Kodvwa atsi ema-Israyeli nakakhala kuSimakadze, Simakadze wawavusela umkhululi lekwakungu-Othniyeli, umsa waKhenazi, umnakaboKhalebi lomncane, longuyena abasindzisa.
10 Moya waSimakadze wehlela kuye, ngako waba sikhulu sema-Israyeli; wabahola baya emphini. Simakadze wanikela Khushani Rishathayimu, inkhosi yaseMesophothamiya, esandleni sa-Othniyeli lowamehlula.
11 Ngako live laba nekuthula iminyaka lengema-40, kwaze kwafa Othniyeli, umsa waKhenazi.
12 Aphindza futsi ema-Israyeli enta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze; kwatsi ngobe bente lokubi, Simakadze wanika Egloni, inkhosi yakaMowabi, emandla ekubusa ema-Israyeli.
13 Watsi kube Egloni atihlanganise nema-Amoni nema-Amaleki, wase uhlasela ema-Israyeli; balidla Lidolobha Lemasundvu.
14 Ema-Israyeli abuswa ngu-Egloni, inkhosi yakaMowabi, iminyaka leli-18.
15 Aphindza futsi ema-Israyeli akhala kuSimakadze, wase ubapha umkhululi, Ehudi, labelancele, umsa waGera, wesive sakaBhenjamini. Ema-Israyeli amtfumela netetfulo ku-Egloni, inkhosi yakaMowabi.
16 Ehudi abetentele inkemba lekhalipha tinhlangotsi totimbili leyayingaba yincenye yelimitha budze, abeyibophele etimphahleni takhe, ngasetsangeni langesekudla.
17 Ehudi waletsa tetfulo ku-Egloni, inkhosi yakaMowabi, labekhuluphele kakhulu.
18 Kwatsi kube Ehudi etfule tipho, wase uyawahambisa lamadvodza labetfwele letetfulo.
19 Watsi nakefika etithicweni ngaseGilgali, yena wancandzeka wafike wakhuluma ku-Egloni, inkhosi, watsi: “E, nkhosi! Nginemlayeto wakho loyimfihlo.” Inkhosi yakhuluma yatsi: “Thulani!” Tonkhe tinceku tayo taphuma ngekushesha.
20 Ehudi wasondzela kuyo isahleti yodvwa ekamelweni layo lekuphola lelalisetulu, wafike watsi: “Nginemlayeto wakho lophuma kuNkulunkulu.” Yatsi inkhosi isasukuma esihlalweni sayo,
21 Ehudi wahoshula inkemba yakhe ngesandla sakhe sangesancele, ayihoshula ngasetsangeni lakhe langesekudla, inkhosi wayigwaza esiswini;
22 inkemba yangena kanye nesibambo sayo, yaze yaphumela ngale kwemhlane wayo. Ehudi akazange ayikhiphe, ngako-ke emanoni ayisibekela.
23 Ehudi waphumela emhubheni; wavala iminyango kulendlu yenkhosi lesetulu, wayikhiya.
24 Emvakwekuhamba kwakhe tisebenti tenkhosi teta takhandza iminyango yaleyondlu ikhiyiwe. Takhuluma todvwana tatsi: “Mhlawumbe usemthoyi.”
25 Tema taze tadzinwa, kodvwa tatsi kube tibone kutsi iminyango akayivuli, tatsatsa sikhiya tayivula. Takhandza inkhosi yato iwele phansi ifile.
26 Batsi ngesikhatsi basemile balindzile, Ehudi washaya wacitsa. Wendlula etithicweni wabalekela eSeyira.
27 Watsi kube efike lapho, washaya licilongo eveni letintsaba laka-Efrayimu, onkhe ema-Israyeli ehla naye etintsabeni, awahola.
28 Wakhuluma kuwo, watsi: “Landzelani mine, ngobe Simakadze unikele Mowabi, sitsa senu, etandleni tenu.” Ngako amlandzela ehla naye, atfumba onkhe ematubuko emfula iJordane lewelela kaMowabi, avimbela bonkhe labewelako.
29 Ngaleso sikhatsi abulala emaMowabi lati-10 000 asawonkhe labenguwona acinile anemandla; kute nome munye lowasindza.
30 Kusukela ngalelo langa emaMowabi aba ngaphansi kwesive sema-Israyeli, live laba nekuthula iminyaka lengema-80.
31 Emvakwa-Ehudi kwavela Shamgari, umsa wa-Anathi, lona lowabulala emaFilisti langema-600 ngeluphondvo lwenkhabi. Naye futsi wawakhulula ema-Israyeli.
1 Emvakwekufa kwa-Ehudi, ema-Israyeli aphindza enta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze.
2 Ngako Simakadze wawanikela kuJabini, inkhosi yaseKhenani, labebusa eHasori. Indvuna yemphi yakhe kwakunguSisera, labehlala eHaroshethi Hagoyimu.
3 Jabini abenetincola tensimbi letatingema-900; wabusa sive sema-Israyeli ngelulaka nangesihluku iminyaka lengema-20. Ema-Israyeli akhala acela lusito kuSimakadze.
4 Debhora, umphrofethikati, umfati waLapidothi, abengumholi wema-Israyeli ngaleso sikhatsi.
5 Nakateka emacala, abevamise kuhlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla seLisundvu laDebhora, emkhatsini weRama neBetheli, eveni letintsaba laka-Efrayimu; sive sema-Israyeli sasita kuye sitekwehlulelwa nguye emibangweni yaso.
6 Watfumela kutsi kubitwe Bharaki, umsa wa-Abinowami, eKhedeshi kulakaNaftali, walayeta kuye watsi: “Simakadze, Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli, ukuyala utsi: ‘Hamba uyewutsatsa emadvodza lati-10 000 akaNaftali newakaZebuloni uwahole uye eNtsabeni iThabori.
7 Ngitamuhunga Sisera, indvuna yemphi yaJabini, kanye netincola nemabutfo akhe emphi kutsi aye emfuleni iKhishoni, ngimniketele esandleni sakho.’ ”
8 Bharaki wamphendvula watsi: “Ngitakuya nangabe nawe utawuhamba nami; kodvwa nangabe awuhambi nami, ngingeke ngiye.”
9 Debhora watsi: “Kulungile, ngitawuhamba nawe, kodvwa ngenca yaloko ludvumo lungeke lube lwakho, ngobe Simakadze utawunikela Sisera esandleni semfati.” Ngako Debhora wahamba naBharaki baya eKhedeshi,
10 lapho efike wabita boZebuloni naNaftali. Abelandzelwa ngemadvodza lati-10 000, naDebhora wahamba kanye nabo.
11 Hebere, umKheni, abesatehlukanisile nesive semaKheni, situkulwane sakaHobabi, umkhwenyewaboMosi, wayakumisa lithende lakhe eceleni kwesihlahla lesikhulu eveni laseSananimu eceleni kweKhedeshi.
12 Batsi kube bamtjele Sisera kutsi Bharaki, umsa wa-Abinowami, sewukhuphukele eNtsabeni iThabori,
13 Sisera wabutsa tincola takhe tensimbi letatingema-900 nawo onkhe emadvodza, esuka eHaroshethi Hagoyimu aze efika emfuleni iKhishoni.
14 Debhora wakhuluma kuBharaki, watsi: “Sukuma uhambe, lamuhla ngilo lilanga lapho Simakadze anikela Sisera esandleni sakho. Simakadze akahambi embikwakho yini?” Ngako Bharaki wehla eNtsabeni iThabori alandzelwa ngemadvodza lati-10 000.
15 Kwatsi ekuhlaseleni kwaBharaki Simakadze wasanganisa wabhubhisa Sisera kanye netincola takhe temphi, nemabutfo akhe, ngelusiko lwenkemba. Sisera washiya incola yakhe, wabaleka ngetinyawo.
16 Kodvwa Bharaki wacosha tincola kanye nayo yonkhe imphi, waze wayawufika eHaroshethi Hagoyimu. Onkhe emabutfo aSisera awa ngelusiko lwenkemba, kwabate ngisho namunye lowaphunyuka.
17 Noko Sisera yena wabaleka ngetinyawo, waze wayawungenisa ethendeni lakaJayeli, umfati waHebere, umKheni, ngobe kwakunebudlelwane emkhatsini waJabini, inkhosi yaseHasori, nelusendvo lwakaHebere, umKheni.
18 Jayeli waphuma wahlangabeta Sisera, wafike watsi kuye: “Wota nkhosi yami, ngena ngekhatsi, ungesabi.” Ngako Sisera wangena ethendeni lakhe, Jayeli wambonya ngengubo yekulala.
19 Wakhuluma kuJayeli, watsi: “Ngomile, ngicela mane unginatsise emanti.” Wagwabula ingula yelubisi wamnatsisa, wabuye wamgubhetela.
20 Sisera wakhuluma kulomfati, watsi: “Mani emnyango welithende; nakukhona lofikako akubute kutsi ukhona yini umuntfu lokhona lapha ngekhatsi, ubotsi: ‘Kute.’ ”
21 Kodvwa Jayeli, umkaHebere, wesuka watsatsa sikhonkhwane selithende kanye nesandvo, wamnyonyobela ngesikhatsi asetumekile alele. Wafike wamphisela ngalesikhonkhwane enhlafunweni, saze sayawuphumela emhlabatsini; kwaba kufa kwaSisera njalo loko.
22 Bharaki wefika acosha Sisera, Jayeli waphuma wamhlangabeta, wafike watsi: “Wota, ngitekukhombisa lendvodza loyifunako.” Ngako wangena kanye naye. Wabona Sisera alele nesikhonkhwane selithende enhloko yakhe, afile.
23 Ngalelo langa Nkulunkulu wancoba Jabini, inkhosi yemaKhenani, wamehlisa embikwema-Israyeli.
24 Sandla sema-Israyeli sacina saba nemandla etikwaJabini, inkhosi yemaKhenani, ema-Israyeli, aze ambhubhisa amcedza.
1 Ngalona lelo langa boDebhora naBharaki, umsa wa-Abinowami, bahlabela ingoma, batsi:
2 “Baholi baka-Israyeli bahamba embili, bantfu batinikela bona ngenhlitiyo lemhlophe. Dvumisani Simakadze!
3 “Lalelani lapha, nine makhosi! Lalelani nani babusi. Ngiyakuhlabela kuSimakadze. Ngiyakuhlabela ngidvumise Simakadze, Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli.
4 “Yebo, Simakadze, nawuphuma eSeyiri, nawuhlasela usuka eveni laka-Edomu, umhlaba watamatama, emazulu acitsa. Emafu acitsa imvula.
5 Tintsaba tatamatama embikwaSimakadze, longuSimakadze waseSinayi. Tatamatama embikwaSimakadze, Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli.
6 “Ngemihla yaShamgari, umsa wa-Anathi, yebo, ngemihla yaJayeli imigwaco yayekelwa, tihambi tangenela tindledlana letijikeletako.
7 Emakhaya kwakukhala libhungane, kwaze kwavuswa mine, Debhora, ngavuka njengenina wesive sema-Israyeli.
8 Nabakhetsa bonkulunkulu labasha, kwefika imphi emasangweni emadolobha; kwabate lihawu nesikhali lokwabonakala kulabati-40 000 baka-Israyeli.
9 Inhlitiyo yami ikubaholi baka-Israyeli, yebo, ikulabo labatinikele emkhatsini wesive. Dvumisani Simakadze!
10 “Nine lenigibela timbongolo letimhlophe, nihleti etihlalweni tetingubo, nani lenihamba ngendlela, khulumani ngako loku.
11 Lalelani emaphimbo ebahlabeleli emitfonjeni. Babonga bagambute ngetento letilungile taSimakadze, tento letilungile temabutfo akhe aka-Israyeli. Sive saSimakadze sehla, sehlela emasangweni elidolobha.
12 “Vuka, vuka, Debhora! Vuka, vuka uhlabele ingoma! Sukuma, Bharaki! Tfumba batfunjwa bakho, wena msa wa-Abinowami.
13 “Kwatsi emadvodza labesasele ehlela kubahlonishwa. Bantfu baSimakadze beta kimi, ngisho bonkhe labanemandla ekulwa.
14 Labanye bachamuka ka-Efrayimu, labatimphandze tabo tika-Amaleki. Bhenjamini abekanye nebantfu lababekulandzela. Tindvuna tehla tiphuma kaMakhire, netiphatsimandla tiphuma kaZebuloni, tiphetse intfonga yendvuna yemphi.
15 Emakhosi aka-Isakhari abenaDebhora, yebo, Isakhari abenaBharaki, agijima amlandzela aya esihosheni. Emitfonjeni yakaRubeni kwaba khona kutihlolisisa kakhulu enhlitiyweni.
16 Nisaleleni netimvu ngemuva kutekulalela tinkwela tebelusi? Emitfonjeni yakaRubeni kwaba khona kutihlolisisa kakhulu enhlitiyweni.
17 Gileyadi abehlala ngesheya kweJordane. Kepha Dani abentiwa yini kutsi azulazule ngasemikhunjini? Asheri wasala ngaselusentseni lwelwandle, wahlala akhululekile ematubukweni alo.
18 Sive sakaZebuloni satilahla ematsambo, sinikela imphilo yaso. Naye Naftali wenta njalo ematsafeni.
19 “Emakhosi eta, alwa; emakhosi aseKhenani alwa khona eThanaki ngasemitfonjeni yaseMegido, kodvwa abetfwalanga siliva, ngisho nemphango.
20 Esibhakabhakeni tinkhanyeti talwa, yebo, tisagijima ngemivila yato, talwa naSisera.
21 Umfudlana iKhishoni wabakhukhula, umfudlana lomdzala, umfudlana iKhishoni. Mphefumulo wami, chubeka, unyatsele ngemandla!
22 “Kwadvuma tigi tetinselo temahhashi. Gidzidzidzi! Gidzidzidzi! Aholobha emahhashi akhe lanemandla!
23 “Ingilosi yaSimakadze yatsi: ‘Calekisa Merozi. Calekisa bantfu bayo kabuhlungu, ngobe abazange bete kutawusita Simakadze, yebo, kutawusita Simakadze, nakalwa nalabanemandla.’
24 “Akabusiswe kakhulu Jayeli kulabasikati, umfati waHebere, umKheni. Akabusiswe kakhulu kunabo bonkhe labasikati labahlala emathendeni.
25 Sisera wacela emanti, Jayeli wamnika lubisi ngendzebe lelungele bahlonishwa. Wamletsela lubisi lolunelulata.
26 Sandla saJayeli sacukula sikhonkhwane selithende, sandla sakhe sangesekudla satsatsa sandvo sembati. Waphisela Sisera, wamphihlita inhloko, yebo, wamfohlota wamhlahlela enhlafunweni.
27 Sisera wacimuleka etinyaweni taJayeli, walala khona lapho. Sisera wacimuleka etinyaweni taJayeli, lapho awela khona. Ngulapho acimuleka khona, wawa, wafa.
28 “Unina waSisera wahlola ngelifasitelo, wakhala emvakwelutsango lwendlu watsi: ‘Kwentiwa yini kutsi incola yakhe yephute kangaka kubuya? Kwentiwa yini bukhehlekhehle betincola takhe bephute kuvakala?’
29 Emkhatsini wemantfombatana akhe lehlakaniphe kakhulu yamphendvula. Yebo, yakhuluma kuye, yatsi:
30 ‘Kambe ngabe babutsa behlukaniselane imphango, kutsi intfombi yinye nome timbili tibe tendvodza yinye, kutsi tembatfo letimibalabala tibe taSisera, yebo, tembatfo letimibalabala naletihlotjisiwe tibe yimphango, tembatfo letihlotjiswe ngala nangale tentsamo yami, konkhe loku kube yimphango?’
31 “Yebo, Simakadze, shangatsi tonkhe titsa takho tingabhubha. Kodvwa labo labatsandza wena bangakhanya njengelilanga naliphumako ngemandla alo.” Live laba nekuthula iminyaka lengema-40.
1 Sive sema-Israyeli saphindza futsi senta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze, ngako Simakadze wabayekelela esandleni semaMidiyani iminyaka lesikhombisa.
2 Sandla semaMidiyani saba matima esiveni sema-Israyeli, ngako ema-Israyeli ase atentela imihume emigedzeni yetintsaba, nemigodzi yekubalekela kanye netinqaba.
3 Kwakutsi njalo ema-Israyeli nakahlanyele tilimo tawo, achamuke emaMidiyani, nema-Amaleki, naletinye tive tangasemphumalanga tilihlasele live.
4 Tatitsi tingefika letive, timise kulelive lawo tibhubhise konkhe tingashiyi lutfo lolulinyiwe, kuze kuyewuma ngeGaza, tingawashiyeli lutfo loluphilako ema-Israyeli, tibhubhise timvu, netinkhomo, netimbongolo.
5 Tatitseleka kanye netifuyo tato nemathende ato, kube shangatsi ngemabulo esikhonyane. Kute labengakhona kubala emadvodza nemakamela ato. Tatihlasela live lonkhe tentele kulibhubhisa.
6 EmaMidiyani aphundla ema-Israyeli, adzimate ema-Israyeli akhala kuSimakadze acela lusito.
7 Satsi kube sive sema-Israyeli sikhale kuSimakadze ngenca yemaMidiyani,
8 wase usitfumelela umphrofethi, lowafike wakhuluma, watsi: “Naku lokushiwo nguSimakadze Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli: ‘Nganikhuphula eGibhithe, nganikhipha eveni lebugcili.
9 Nganihlwitsa emandleni eGibhithe nasesandleni sebagcilati benu. Ngabadvungulula embikwenu, nganinika live labo.
10 Ngakhuluma kini, ngatsi: “NginguSimakadze Nkulunkulu wenu; ningabakhonti bonkulunkulu bema-Amori, kulelive lawo lenihlala kulo.” Kodvwa anizange ningilalele.’ ”
11 Ingilosi yaSimakadze yeta yefika yahlala ngephansi kwesihlahla se-okhi e-Ofra leyayiyaJowashi, labewesive saka-Abiyezeri, lapho umsa wakhe, Gideyoni, abebhula khona kolo etjeni lekuhluta liwayini entela kutsi emaMidiyani angamtfoli.
12 Kwatsi ingilosi yaSimakadze nayifika kuGideyoni, yatsi: “Simakadze unawe, chawe lelinemandla.”
13 Gideyoni waphendvula watsi: “Kodvwa mnumzane, nangabe Simakadze anatsi, konkhe loku kwentekelani kitsi? Tiphi tonkhe letimangaliso takhe, bobabe lababesitjela ngato nabatsi: ‘Simakadze akasikhuphulanga yini, wasikhipha eGibhithe?’ Kodvwa manje Simakadze usishiye wasinikela etandleni temaMidiyani.”
14 Simakadze wagucukela kuye wakhuluma, watsi: “Hamba ngalawo mandla lonawo usindzise Israyeli esandleni saMidiyani. Angikutfumi yini?”
15 Gideyoni wabuta, watsi: “Kodvwa Simakadze, ngingamsindzisa njani Israyeli? Lusendvo lwakitsi alusilutfo kuso sonkhe sive sakaManase, nami ngingulomncane kakhulu emndenini waketfu.”
16 Simakadze waphendvula, watsi: “Ngitakuba nawe, wena-ke utawugadla emaMidiyani uwabulale kube sengatsi ugalela umuntfu munye.”
17 Gideyoni waphendvula, watsi: “Nangabe nyalo ngitfole umusa emehlweni akho, nginike sibonakaliso sekutsi nguwe Simakadze sibili lona lokhuluma nami.
18 Ngicela ungahambi, ngize ngibuye ngiletse umnikelo wami ngiwuletse embikwakho.” Simakadze watsi: “Ngitakumela uze ubuye.”
19 Gideyoni wangena, walungisa lizinyane lembuti, wenta emacebelengwane labengenambiliso ngemphuphu lecolisakele leyayingemakhilogremu labengaba lishumi. Wafaka inyama ebhasikidini, nemhluti wayo ebhodweni, konkhe wakukhipha wakuletsa wakunikela kuye ngaphansi kwaleso sihlahla se-okhi.
20 Ingilosi yaNkulunkulu yakhuluma kuye, yatsi: “Tsatsa lenyama kanye nalamacebelengwane langenambiliso, ukubeke etikwelidvwala, bese utsela lomhluti etikwako.” Gideyoni wakwenta loko.
21 Ngesihloko sendvuku leyayisesandleni sayo, lengilosi yaSimakadze yatsintsa lenyama kanye nalamacebelengwane labengenambiliso. Kwavutsa umlilo kulelidvwala, wadla lenyama nalamacebelengwane. Ingilosi yaSimakadze yanyamalala.
22 Watsi kube Gideyoni abone kutsi bekuyingilosi yaSimakadze, wamemeta watsi: “Hawu! Somandla Simakadze! Ngibone ingilosi yaSimakadze buso nebuso!”
23 Kodvwa Simakadze wakhuluma kuye, watsi: “Kuthula akube kuwe. Ungesabi, ungeke ufe.”
24 Ngako Gideyoni wakhela Simakadze lilati khona lapho, waletsa libito watsi: “Simakadze ukuthula.” Ngisho nalamuhla loku lisemile e-Ofra yesive saka-Abiyezeri.
25 Ngabona lobo busuku Simakadze wakhuluma kuGideyoni, watsi: “Tsatsa inkunzi yesibili emhlambini wetinkhomo teyihlo, akube nguleyo leneminyaka lesikhombisa budzala. Bhidlita lilati leyihlo laBhali, ujube insika ya-Ashera leseceleni kwalo,
26 bese wakha lilati sibili laSimakadze Nkulunkulu wakho esicongweni salendvundvuma. Sebentisa tinkhuni tensika ya-Ashera loyijubile ibe tinkhuni ekunikeleni inkunzi yesibili kutsi ibe ngumnikelo wekushiswa.”
27 Ngako Gideyoni watsatsa tisebenti takhe letilishumi wenta njengobe atjelwe nguSimakadze. Kodvwa ngobe abesaba umndeni wakabo kanye nemadvodza alelo dolobha, loko wakwenta ebusuku, hhayi emini.
28 Ekuseni atsi emadvodza alelo dolobha ayavuka, akhandza lilati laBhali selibhidlitiwe, kanye nensika ya-Ashera eceleni kwalo seyijutjiwe, nenkunzi yesibili seyentiwe umhlatjelo kulelo lati lelase lakhiwe kabusha!
29 Abutana odvwana atsi: “Ngubani lowente loku?” Atsi nakaphenyisisa atjelwa, kwatsiwa: “NguGideyoni, umsa waJowashi, lokwentile.”
30 Emadvodza alelo dolobha afuna Jowashi, atsi: “Khipha umsa wakho. Kufanele afe, ngobe ubhidlite lilati laBhali, wajuba nensika ya-Ashera eceleni kwalo.”
31 Kodvwa Jowashi waphendvula lesicumbi semadvodza lesasitfukutsele sibila simtungeletile, watsi: “Nimelele Bhali yini? Netama kumvikela yini? Wonkhe lolwela Bhali utawubulawa manje ekuseni! Nangabe Bhali ungunkulunkulu, kufanele ativikele yena, nakukhona lobhidlita lilati lakhe.”
32 Ngako kusukela ngalelo langa Gideyoni wetsiwa libito, kwatsiwa nguJerubhali, lokusho kutsi: “Bhali akatilwele yena,” ngobe abebhidlite lilati laBhali.
33 Kwase kutsi onkhe emaMidiyani, nema-Amaleki, naletinye tive letatingasemphumalanga tahlangana tewelela ngesheya kweJordane, tayawumisa eSigodzini saseJezreyeli.
34 Moya waSimakadze wehlela etikwaGideyoni; Gideyoni washaya licilongo atjela baka-Abiyezeri kutsi bamlandzele.
35 Wakhipha tigijimi kulo lonkhe lakaManase abita sive kutsi sihlome, watfumela nasesiveni saka-Asheri, nesakaZebuloni, nesakaNaftali, watsi nabo abaphume batihlangabete letive.
36 Gideyoni wakhuluma kuNkulunkulu, watsi: “Nangabe utawusindzisa sive sema-Israyeli ngesandla sami njengobe wetsembisile, ase ngente naku:
37 Ngitawubeka sikhatsa seboya bemvu ebaleni lekubhulela kolo. Nangikhandza kunematolo kulesikhatsa kuphela, kantsi lomhlaba loseceleni kwaso womile, ngitabe sengiyati kutsi Israyeli utamsindzisa ngesandla sami, njengobe ushito.”
38 Kwenteka loko. Gideyoni wavuka ekuseni ngeluvivi ngakusasa, wahluta lesikhatsa seboya, wekhama lamatolo, agcwala indzebe yemanti.
39 Gideyoni wakhuluma kuNkulunkulu, watsi: “Ungangitfukutseleli. Ase ngente lesinye sicelo. Ngivumele ngente lesinye siciniseko ngaloboya. Kwamanje yenta loboya bome, bese kutsi lomhlabatsi loseceleni kwabo ube nematolo.”
40 Kubo lobo busuku Nkulunkulu wakwenta loko. Nguloboya kuphela lobabomile, kwatsi wonkhe lomhlabatsi loseceleni kwabo walala ematolo.
1 Ngakusasa ekuseni ngeluvivi, Jerubhali, labenguGideyoni, nawo onkhe emadvodza labehamba nawo bemisa emtfonjeni waseHarodi. Inkambu yabakaMidiyani yayingasenyakatfo esigodzini lesasisedvute neNtsaba iMore.
2 Simakadze wakhuluma kuGideyoni, watsi: “Lamadvodza lohamba nawo manyenti kakhulu kutsi nginganikela emaMidiyani etandleni tawo, funa baka-Israyeli batishaye tifuba batsi: ‘Sitisindzise ngemandla etfu.’
3 Ngako memetela kulamadvodza utsi: ‘Nakukhona lowesabako nalongenwa ngemanti emadvolweni, akasuke lapha eNtsabeni iGileyadi, ancandzeke, abuyele ekhaya.’ ” Ngako kwancandzeka emadvodza lati-22 000, kwasala lati-10 000.
4 Kodvwa Simakadze wakhuluma kuGideyoni, watsi: “Asemanyenti lamadvodza. Watsatse wehlele nawo emfuleni, ngitakuhlungela wona khona lapho. Nangitsi: ‘Lona utawuhamba nawe,’ kufanele ahambe, kodvwa nangitsi: ‘Lona angeke ahambe nawe,’ kufanele angahambi.”
5 Ngako Gideyoni watsatsa lamadvodza wehlela emfuleni. Nasefike lapho, Simakadze wakhuluma kuye, watsi: “Yehlukanisa labo labanatsa ngekucapha lamanti njengenja, kulabo labaguca phansi nabanatsako.”
6 Emadvodza lanatsa emanti ngekuwakhaphatela nangekuwacapha aba ngema-300. Onkhe lawa lamanye emadvodza aguca phansi ngemadvolo anatsa.
7 Simakadze wakhuluma kuGideyoni, watsi: “Ngalamadvodza langema-300 lanatse ngekucapha ngitanisindzisa, nginikele emaMidiyani etandleni takho. Hambisa onkhe lawa lamanye emadvodza, ngulowo nalowo abuyele kubo.”
8 Ngako Gideyoni onkhe lamadvodza wawabuyisela emathendeni awo, kodvwa wasala nalawa langema-300, latsatsa imiphako nemacilongo alawa lamanye. Inkambu yemaMidiyani yayingentasi kwakhe, esigodzini.
9 Kubo lobo busuku Simakadze wakhuluma kuGideyoni, watsi: “Vuka, wehlele enkambu, ngobe ngitayinikela esandleni sakho.
10 Nawesabako kuhlasela, yehlela enkambu nenceku yakho, Phura,
11 ulalele kutsi batsini. Emvakwaloko utawuba nesibindzi sekuyihlasela lenkambu.” Ngako yena naPhura, inceku yakhe, behlela kulabo lababegadze inkambu.
12 EmaMidiyani, nema-Amaleki, nato tonkhe tive tangasemphumalanga tatimise esigodzini, titse gwacalala njengemabulo esikhonyane. Emakamela ato abengeke asabaleka, abesafanana nesihlabatsi selusentse lwaselwandle.
13 Gideyoni wefika ngesikhatsi lenye indvodza isalandzisa umnganayo liphupho itsi: “Ngibhudze sinkhwa sebhali lesiyindingilizi sita sigicikela enkambu yemaMidiyani. Sifike sashaya lithende ngemandla laze lasiphuka, lafohloka.”
14 Lomnganakhe waphendvula watsi: “Phela loko kungeke kusho lutfo ngaphandle kwenkemba yaGideyoni, umsa waJowashi, waka-Israyeli. Nkulunkulu unikele emaMidiyani nenkambu yonkhe esandleni sakhe.”
15 Watsi kube Gideyoni eve leliphupho kanye nenchazelo, wakhotsama Nkulunkulu, wamkhonta. Wancandzeka wabuyela enkambu yaka-Israyeli, wafike wamemeta watsi: “Vukani! Simakadze unikele inkambu yemaMidiyani esandleni senu!”
16 Wahlela lamadvodza langema-300, wawenta emabutfo lamatsatfu. Onkhe lamadvodza wawanika emacilongo nemajeke labengenalutfo, kanye netidlwane lebetisekhatsi emajekeni, watsi ngulowo nalowo akakubambe ngetandla.
17 Wabayala watsi: “Nibobuka mine, ningilingise. Nitawutsi nangifika emnyeleni wenkambu, nente njengobe nami ngenta.
18 Nangabe mine nalaba labangalapha ngakimi sishaya emacilongo etfu, nani nonkhe, kutungeleta yonkhe inkambu, niboshaya emacilongo enu nimemete nitsi: ‘YaSimakadze neyaGideyoni.’ ”
19 Gideyoni nalamadvodza lalikhulu labehamba naye befika emnyeleni wenkambu ekhatsi nebusuku nabasandza kuntjintja laba lababegadze inkambu. BoGideyoni bashaya emacilongo abo, bafohlota lamajeke labebawaphetse ngetandla.
20 Onkhe-ke lamabutfo lamatsatfu ashaya emacilongo awo afohlota nalamajeke awo, abambe letidlwane ngesancele, ngesekudla aphetse lamacilongo labewashaya, amemeta atsi: “Inkemba yaSimakadze naGideyoni!”
21 Kwatsi bonkhe bantfu baseme etindzaweni tabo batungelete lenkambu, onkhe emaMidiyani abaleka, akhalela etulu.
22 Atsi kube lamacilongo langema-300 akhale, Simakadze wasanganisa onkhe lawo madvodza labekuleyo nkambu yemaMidiyani, agucukelana odvwana, agwazana. Imphi yonkhe yesuka yabaleka yacondza eBhethi Shitha kuya eSerera, kuze kuyewufika emnyeleni we-Abela Mehola, eceleni kweThabhathi.
23 Ema-Israyeli akaNaftali, newaka-Asheri, nawo onkhe akaManase amenyetwa, acosha emaMidiyani.
24 Gideyoni wakhipha tigijimi kulo lonkhe live letintsaba laka-Efrayimu, watsi: “Yehlani nihlasele emaMidiyani, niyekuwavimbetela etindzaweni tonkhe temanti nasematubukweni emfula iJordane asengakefiki, nize niyewufika eBhethi Bhara.” Ngako onkhe emadvodza aka-Efrayimu amenyetwa ahamba ayawuvimba tonkhe tindzawo letatinemanti nasematubukweni emfula iJordane, kuze kuyewufika eBhethi Bhara;
25 adzimate atfumba nebaholi lababili bemaMidiyani, bo-Orebi naZebi. Orebi yena bambulalela edvwaleni lase-Orebi, kwatsi Zebi yena bambulalela etjeni lekuhlutela liwayini lelaliseZebi. EmaMidiyani bawacosha, baze babuya netinhloko tabo-Orebi naZebi, bafike batinika Gideyoni, labamkhandza ngesheya kwemfula iJordane.
1 Sive saka-Efrayimu sabuta Gideyoni, satsi: “Usiphatseleni kanje? Awukasimemi ngani nawuyakulwa nemaMidiyani?” Bamsola kakhulu ngaloko.
2 Kodvwa wabaphendvula watsi: “Yini nje lengiyente kahle kwendlula nine? Angitsi sivuno semagelebisi lesikhwinyitwa baka-Efrayimu sincono kakhulu kunesivuno sibili saka-Abiyezeri?
3 Nkulunkulu wanikela bo-Orebi naZebi, baholi bemaMidiyani, etandleni tenu. Yini lengikhone kuyenta kwendlula nine?” Ngaloko, kumsola kwabo kwabotja.
4 Gideyoni nemadvodza akhe langema-300, nome abesadziniwe, kodvwa achubeka acosha emaMidiyani, aze ewelela ngesheya kwemfula iJordane.
5 Wakhuluma kulamadvodza aseSukhothi, watsi: “Phanini emabutfo ami kudla; asadziniwe futsi alambile, kantsi ngisachubeka kucosha boZeba naSalmuna, emakhosi emaMidiyani.”
6 Kodvwa tindvuna taseSukhothi tatsi: “Senibatfumbile yini boZeba naSalmuna? Kepha singawanikelani kudla lamabutfo akho?”
7 Gideyoni wabaphendvula watsi: “Njengobe nisho nje, kuyawutsi Simakadze anganikela boZeba naSalmuna esandleni sami, ngiyawudladlabula imitimba yenu ngemanyeva esiganga nangetinchachabutane.”
8 Wesuka lapho wakhuphukela ePheniyeli, nakhona wenta sona leso sicelo, kodvwa nabo bamphendvula njengalaba baseSukhothi.
9 Ngako wakhuluma kulamadvodza asePheniyeli, watsi: “Ngiyawutsi nase ngibuya sengincobile ngiwubhidlite lombhoshongo.”
10 BoZeba naSalmuna babeseKhakhori kanye nemphi yabo leyayinemadvodza labengaba ti-15 000, bonkhe lababesele emabutfweni etive tangasemphumalanga. Kwase kufe emadvodza lati-120 000, tingwazi cobo lwato.
11 Gideyoni wenyuka ngendlela yetihambi emphumalanga yeNoba neJogbeha, watitsela etikwalamabutfo, wona angakacapheli.
12 BoZeba naSalmuna, emakhosi lamabili emaMidiyani, babaleka, kodvwa wabacosha, wabakhandza, wabatfumba, wadvungulula yonkhe imphi yabo.
13 Gideyoni, umsa waJowashi, wabuya emphini ngeSikhala saseHeresi.
14 Wabamba lijaha laseSukhothi waliphenya ngemibuto, lona lase limbhalela emabito etindvuna taseSukhothi labengema-77, lekwakutibondza talelo dolobha.
15 Gideyoni weta kulamadvodza aseSukhothi, wafike watsi: “Naba boZeba naSalmuna, lenaningicoloshela ngabo, nitsi: ‘Sewubatfumbile yini boZeba naSalmuna? Pho, singawanikelani kudla lamabutfo akho lasadziniwe?’ ”
16 Watsatsa lamadvodza, tibondza telidolobha laseSukhothi, wafundzisa sifundvo ngekuwajezisa ngemanyeva esiganga nangetinchachabutane.
17 Waphindze wabhidlita umbhoshongo wasePheniyeli; wabulala nemadvodza alelo dolobha.
18 Wabuta boZeba naSalmuna watsi: “Bekubobani lamadvodza lenawabulala eThabori?” Bamphendvula batsi: “Lamadvodza abefanana nawe ngulowo nalowo abenesimo sebuntfwabenkhosi.”
19 Gideyoni wabaphendvula, watsi: “Lawo madvodza bekubomnaketfu, kungemadvodzana amake longitalako. Ngifunga kuphila kwaSimakadze, kube anibabulalanga, nami-ke bengingeke nginibulale.”
20 Wagucukela ngakuJetheri, umsa wakhe lomdzala, watsi: “Babulale.” Kodvwa Jetheri akayihoshulanga inkemba yakhe, ngobe abesengumfana futsi esaba.
21 BoZeba naSalmuna bakhuluma, batsi: “Kota, kutekwentiwa nguwe matfupha loko; ‘indvodza yindvodza ngemandla ayo.’ ” Ngako Gideyoni wasondzela kubo wababulala, wase utsatsa imihlobiso etintsanyeni temakamela abo.
22 Ema-Israyeli akhuluma kuGideyoni, atsi: “Sale sewusibusa, wena nemsa wakho nemtukulu wakho, ngobe usisindzise esandleni semaMidiyani.”
23 Kodvwa Gideyoni wawatjela watsi: “Ngingeke nginibuse, ngisho nemsa wami imbala. NguSimakadze lotanibusa.”
24 Wachubeka watsi: “Kunye lengikucelako, kutsi ngulowo nalowo angiphe licici esabelweni senu semphango.” Bekulisiko lema-Ishmayeli kufaka emacici egolide.
25 Ema-Israyeli aphendvula atsi: “Singajabula kukunika wona.” Ngako endlala ingubo, bonkhe bantfu ngulowo nalowo wajika licici kuyo labelitsetse emphangweni yakhe.
26 Sisindvo salamacici labewacelile saba ngemakhilogremu labengaba li-19 nemagremu langema-500, ngaphandle kwemihlobiso letinhlobonhlobo netingubo letatibukhwebeletane letatembatfwa ngemakhosi aseMidiyani kanye netingcibe lebetisetintsanyeni temakamela awo.
27 Gideyoni wenta sidziya segolide, wasibeka edolobheni lakubo i-Ofra. Onkhe ema-Israyeli eta aphinga ngekukhonta sona; loko kwaba lugibe kuGideyoni kanye nemndeni wakhe.
28 Atfotjiswa kanjalo-ke emaMidiyani ngaphansi kwa-Israyeli, akazange aphindze atiphakamise. Ngesikhatsi saGideyoni ema-Israyeli aba nekuthula iminyaka lengema-40.
29 Jerubhali, umsa waJowashi, wabuyela ekhaya kubo.
30 Gideyoni abenemadvodzana labengema-70, labetalwa nguye, ngobe abenebafati labanyenti.
31 Lesinye singani sakhe, lesasihlala eShekhemu, samtalela indvodzana, layetsa libito watsi ngu-Abimeleki.
32 Gideyoni, umsa waJowashi, wafa asakhulile kakhulu ngeminyaka. Wangcwatjwa ethuneni leyise, Jowashi, lelalise-Ofra, kulema-Abiyezeri.
33 Wenelela kufa nje Gideyoni, ema-Israyeli aphindze abuyela kuboBhali, aphinga nabo ngekubakhonta. Atimisela Bhali Bherithi, atsi ngunkulunkulu wawo,
34 angete amkhumbula Simakadze Nkulunkulu wawo, labewephule etandleni tato tonkhe titsa tawo kuyo yonkhe indzawo.
35 Akazange entele umusa emndenini waJerubhali lekwakunguGideyoni, njengako konkhe lokuhle labekwentele wona.
1 Abimeleki, umsa waJerubhali, waya kubomalume wakhe nakuwo wonkhe umndeni wasekhabonina, watsi:
2 “Butani tonkhe takhamiti taseShekhemu, nitsi: ‘Ngukuphi lokuncono kini: Kutsi nibuswe ngiwo onkhe lamadvodzana aJerubhali langema-70, nome nibuswe ngumuntfu munye?’ Khumbulani kutsi mine ngiyinyama yenu nengati yenu.”
3 Batsi bomalume bakhe nabakusho loko bakuphindzaphindza kutakhamiti taseShekhemu, tabona kuncono kulandzela Abimeleki, ngobe tatitsi: “Ungumnaketfu.”
4 Tamnika isiliva leyayingemagremu labengaba ngema-800, letatiyitsetse ethempelini laBhali Bherithi. Abimeleki walisebentisa ekucasheni tidlova letaba balandzeli bakhe.
5 Wahamba waya kubo e-Ofra, wafike labanakabo lababengema-70, emadvodzana aJerubhali, wawabulalela etikwelitje linye. Kodvwa Jothamu, litfunjana laJerubhali, waphunyula ngobe wabhaca.
6 Tonkhe takhamiti taseShekhemu nabo bonkhe baseBhethi Milo babutsana ngephansi kwesihlahla se-okhi ensikeni yaseShekhemu batewubeka Abimeleki kutsi abe yinkhosi.
7 Jothamu watsi kube atjelwe ngaloko, wenyuka waya esicongweni seNtsaba iGerizimu, wafike wamemetela khona watsi: “Lalelani kimi, takhamiti taseShekhemu, kuze Nkulunkulu anilalele.
8 Ngalelinye lilanga tihlahla taphuma tayawutigcobela yato inkhosi. Takhuluma esihlahleni semncumo tatsi: ‘Bani yinkhosi yetfu.’
9 “Kodvwa sihlahla semncumo saphendvula, satsi: ‘Ngingacala ngilahle emafutsa ami, languwona enta bonkulunkulu nemadvodza bahlonipheke, ngiyewuhamba ngintengetela etikwetihlahla?’
10 “Tihlahla tesuka lapho takhuluma esihlahleni semkhiwa, tatsi: ‘Kota, utewuba yinkhosi yetfu.’
11 “Kodvwa lomkhiwa waphendvula, watsi: ‘Ngingacala ngilahle lamakhiwa ami lamahle nalanongotela kangaka, ngiyewuhamba ngintengetela etikwetihlahla?’
12 “Tihlahla tase tikhuluma esihlahleni semvini, titsi: ‘Kota, utewuba yinkhosi yetfu.’
13 “Kodvwa lomvini waphendvula, watsi: ‘Ngingacala ngilahle leliwayini lami lelingulona lijabulisa bonkulunkulu nemadvodza, ngiyewuhamba ngintengetela etikwetihlahla?’
14 “Ekugcineni tonkhe tihlahla takhuluma esihlahleni semanyeva, tatsi: ‘Kota, utewuba yinkhosi yetfu.’
15 “Sihlahla semanyeva saphendvula letihlahla, satsi: ‘Nanicinisile kutsi nifuna kungibeka inkhosi etikwenu, wotani nitewukhosela emtfuntini wami; kodvwa nakungenjalo, akuphume umlilo esihlahleni semanyeva udle imisedari yaseLebanoni!’
16 “Kungabe-ke benikwenta kahle nangeliciniso sibili yini lokubeka lo-Abimeleki kutsi abe yinkhosi yenu? Bekungukona kumfanele yini Jerubhali ngaloko lenikwentile emndenini wakhe? Tifanelwe nguloko yini tonkhe letintfo latenta Jerubhali kini?
17 Khumbulani kutsi babe wanilwela kanjani atilahla ematsambo akhe kutsi anephule etandleni temaMidiyani.
18 Kodvwa lamuhla senivukele indlu yababe, nabulala emadvodzana akhe langema-70 niwabulalela etikwelitje linye, nabeka Abimeleki, indvodzana yentfombatana leyayisigcili sakhe, namenta inkhosi yetakhamiti taseShekhemu, ngobe angumnakenu.
19 Nangabe-ke nente kahle nangekweliciniso sibili kuJerubhali nasemndenini wakhe lamuhla, Abimeleki, akabe kujabula kwenu, nani nibe kujabula kwakhe!
20 Kodvwa nakungenjalo, akuphume umlilo ku-Abimeleki unidle, nine takhamiti taseShekhemu netaseBhethi Milo; akuphume umlilo nakini, nine takhamiti taseShekhemu netaseBhethi Milo, udle Abimeleki!”
21 Jothamu wesuka lapho wabaleka wayawubhaca eBheri, wafike wakha khona, wahlala, ngobe abemesaba umnakabo, Abimeleki.
22 Abimeleki wabusa sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lemitsatfu.
23 Nkulunkulu watfumela umoya lomubi emkhatsini wa-Abimeleki nesive saseShekhemu, savuka indlwabane, savukela Abimeleki.
24 Nkulunkulu wakwenta loku kuze kutsi licala lekubulawa kwemadvodzana aJerubhali labengema-70, nekucitseka kwengati yabo, kuphindziselwe kumnakabo labengu-Abimeleki kanye nakuto takhamiti taseShekhemu, letatingutona tamsita nakabulala bomnakabo.
25 Takhamiti taseShekhemu tacipha Abimeleki ngekubeka emadvodza eticongweni tetintsaba kutsi alalele kukhuthuza nekugebenga bonkhe bantfu lababendlula lapho; loko kwabikwa ku-Abimeleki.
26 Kwabe sekufika Gali, umsa wa-Ebedi, eShekhemu, ahamba nabomnakabo, emadvodza aseShekhemu ase etsembela kuye.
27 Batsi kube baphume bonkhe baye emasimini abo bayewuvuna emagelebisi, babuya bawahluta, base benta lidzili ethempelini lesithico sabo. Babetsi ngesikhatsi banatsa, badla, bacalekise Abimeleki.
28 Gali-ke, umsa wa-Ebedi, wababuta, watsi: “Ngubani Abimeleki, ngubani yena Shekhemu, kutsi tsine singabakhotsama kuye? Akasiye yini umsa waJerubhali? Yena Zebuli akasilo liphini lakhe yini? Khotsamani emadvodza akaHamori, uyise waShekhemu! Kudzingeke ngani-ke kutsi sikhonte Abimeleki?
29 Kube mane lesive besiphetfwe ngimi, ngabe ngiyamsusa Abimeleki. Ngabe ngitsi kuye: ‘Khipha imphi yakho yonkhe!’ ”
30 Watsi kube Zebuli, umphatsi welidolobha, akuve loku lekwakukhulunywa nguGali, umsa wa-Ebedi, watfukutsela wagana sicoco.
31 Wakhipha tigijimi ngasense, watitfumela ku-Abimeleki, watsi: “Gali, umsa wa-Ebedi, nabomnakabo sebatseleke lapha eShekhemu, manje sebasusa umsindvo wekutsi lelidolobha lonkhe alivukele wena likuhlasele!
32 Ngako-ke kubotsi ebusuku wena nebantfu bakho nite nitewubalalela ematsafeni.
33 Kutawutsi ekuseni nakuphuma lilanga, nivumbuke nilihlasele lelidolobha. Kutawutsi boGali nalamabutfo akhe nabaphuma bakuhlasele, wente loko sandla sakho lesingakwenta kubo.”
34 Ngako Abimeleki nawo onkhe emabutfo akhe baphuma bashuca ebusuku bavimbetela iShekhemu, behlukene ticheme letine.
35 Watsi kube Abimeleki nalamadvodza labehamba nawo abone Gali, umsa wa-Ebedi, asaphumile eme esangweni lelidolobha, bavumbuka etindzaweni tabo lapho bebabhace khona.
36 Gali watsi kube ababone, wakhuluma kuZebuli watsi: “Bukela kuvumbuka bantfu lapha eticongweni tetintsaba, bayewuka!” Zebuli wamphendvula watsi: “Ubona ematfunti entsaba afanana nebantfu.”
37 Kodvwa Gali waphindza wakhuluma, watsi: “Bukela bantfu bavumbuka ekhatsi nelive, bayehla, kunelibutfo lelikhulu lelichamuka ngasesihlahleni sebaphenguli.”
38 Zebuli wakhuluma, ambuta watsi: “Khumbula emagama akho. Akusiwe lona bewutsi: ‘Ngubani yena Abimeleki kutsi singabuswa nguye?’ Akusiwo nje lamadvodza bewuwacoloshela? Phuma-ke uyekulwa nawo!”
39 Ngako Gali wahola takhamiti taseShekhemu walwa na-Abimeleki.
40 Abimeleki wamcosha; labanyenti bawa balimala kuloko kucoshwa kwabo, balala lucaca yonkhe indlela kuya ngasekungeneni kwelisango.
41 Abimeleki wahlala e-Aruma; Zebuli wakhipha Gali kanye nabomnakabo wabacosha eShekhemu.
42 Ngelilanga lelilandzelako bantfu baseShekhemu baphuma baya emasimini, loko kwabikwa ku-Abimeleki.
43 Ngako watsatsa lamabutfo akhe wawehlukanisa ticheme letintsatfu, watsi atibhace lena emasimini. Watsi nakabona bantfu baphuma edolobheni, wavuka wayawubahlasela nekubabulala.
44 Abimeleki nalamabutfo akhe bagijima bayakuma ekungeneni kwelisango lelidolobha. Kwatsi emacembu lamabili esukela laba lababesemasimini, bacotfula imbokodvo nesisekelo.
45 Lonkhe lelo langa Abimeleki wachubeka wahlasela lelo dolobha, waze walitfumba, wabulala bonkhe bantfu lababekulo. Walibhidlita lonkhe, wase ulinyenyeta ngeluswayi.
46 Tatsi kube tikuve loko takhamiti tembhoshongo waseShekhemu, tabaleka tawolekela engungwini yelithempeli la-Eli Bherithi.
47 Abimeleki watsi kube atjelwe kutsi bonkhe bantfu bembhoshongo waseShekhemu bancwabelane lapho,
48 wakhuphuka yena nelibutfo lakhe, baya eNtsabeni iSalmoni. Watsatsa lizembe, wagawula emagala etihlahla, wawetjatsa emahlombe. Watjela lamadvodza labehamba nawo, watsi: “Sheshisani! Yentani loku leningibona ngikwenta!”
49 Ngako yonkhe indvodza yagawula akayo emagala, yawetjatsa, yalandzela Abimeleki. Bafika bawambombela emnyango walengungu, base balumeka umlilo kulawo mahlahla labesemnyango. Bantfu bafutsetelana ekhatsi kulengungu yembhoshongo waseShekhemu basha bangcongca: emadvodza, nebafati lababeyinkhulungwane sebabonkhe.
50 Abimeleki wesuka lapho wacondza eThebesi, nayo wafike wayihlasela, wayitfumba.
51 Noko ngekhatsi kwalelidolobha bekunembhoshongo locinile, lapho kwakubalekela khona bantfu bakulelidolobha, babhace, emadvodza nebafati. Batikhiyela ngekhatsi, bakhuphuka bayawuhlala etulu esicongweni salombhoshongo.
52 Abimeleki wesukela wona lombhoshongo wayawuhlasela. Kodvwa watsi asasondzela emnyango wawo lombhoshongo atsi usetawulumeka ngemlilo,
53 lomunye umfati wehlisela lenkhulu imbakadza yelitje etikwenhloko yakhe, yabhidlita lukhakhayi lwa-Abimeleki.
54 Masinyane Abimeleki wabita ludzibi lwakhe, watsi: “Sheshisa uhoshule inkemba yakho ungibulale, kuze bangasho batsi: ‘Wabulawa ngumfati.’ ” Ngako inceku yamcedzela, wafa.
55 Ema-Israyeli atsi kube abone kutsi Abimeleki sewufile, aphuma atibuyelela ekhaya.
56 Nkulunkulu wabuphindzisela kanjalo-ke ku-Abimeleki lobo bubi labebentile kuyise ngekubulala bomnakabo lababengema-70.
57 Nkulunkulu wawajezisa nalamadvodza aseShekhemu ngalobo bubi bawo. Sicalekiso lesakhulunywa nguJothamu, umsa waJerubhali, sagcina sibehlele.
1 Emvakwekufa kwa-Abimeleki kwavela indvodza yelusendvo lwaka-Isakhari lekwakutsiwa nguThola, umsa waPhuwa, labetalwa nguDodo. Yawasindzisa ema-Israyeli. Abehlala eShamiri, eveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu.
2 Nguye lowaba ngumholi wesive saka-Israyeli iminyaka lengema-23, wase uyafa, wangcwatjwa khona eShamiri.
3 Thola walandzelwa nguJayire wakaGileyadi, lowahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lengema-22.
4 Abenemadvodzana langema-30 labegibela timbongolo letingema-30. Lamadvodzana abephetse emadolobha langema-30 akaGileyadi. Lamadolobha nalamuhla loku asabitwa ngekutsi yiHavothi Jayire.
5 Watsi kube afe Jayire, wangcwatjwa eKhamoni.
6 Baka-Israyeli baphindza benta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze. Bakhonta boBhali, nabo-Ashtarothe, nabonkulunkulu base-Aramu, nabonkulunkulu baseSidoni, nabonkulunkulu baseMowabi, nabonkulunkulu bema-Amoni, nabonkulunkulu bemaFilisti. Baka-Israyeli bafulatsela Simakadze, bamyekela, bangabe basamkhonta,
7 ngako Simakadze wabatfukutselela. Wabaniketela etandleni temaFilisti netema-Amoni,
8 labancoba ngalowo mnyaka abacindzetela. Kwadzimate kwaphela iminyaka leli-18 solomane baka-Israyeli bacindzetelekile bonkhe, labebakhe ngasemphumalanga kweJordane, eveni lema-Amori, kulakaGileyadi.
9 Ema-Amoni nawo ewelela ngesheya kweJordane ayakulwa nebakaJuda, nebakaBhenjamini, nabo bonkhe bendlu yaka-Efrayimu. Sonkhe sive saka-Israyeli sasisebumatimeni lobukhulu.
10 Ngako sive saka-Israyeli sase siyakhala kuSimakadze, sitsi: “Sonile kuwe, safulatsela Nkulunkulu wetfu, sayawukhonta boBhali.”
11 Simakadze wabaphendvula watsi: “Ngesikhatsi baseGibhithe, nema-Amori, nema-Amoni, nemaFilisti,
12 nebaseSidoni, nema-Amaleki, nemaMayoni anicindzetela nakhala kimi, nicela lusito, angizange yini nginephule etandleni tabo?
13 Kodvwa nine nangifulatsela mine, nakhonta labanye bonkulunkulu; ngako-ke ngingeke ngiphindze nginisindzise.
14 Hambani niyewukhala kulabonkulunkulu lenabakhetsa. Akube ngabo labanisindzisako nase nisenhluphekweni.”
15 Kodvwa baka-Israyeli bachubeka bakhala kuSimakadze, batsi: “Sonile! Yenta lokutsandzako ngatsi, kodvwa nje mane usephule kwanyalo.”
16 Base bayabesusa bonkulunkulu betive lababesemkhatsini wabo, bakhonta Simakadze. Inhlitiyo yakhe yase iyatsintseka ngenca yekukhala kwesive sema-Israyeli.
17 Kwatsi ema-Amoni nakamenyetwa kutsi akahlome ayewumisa eGileyadi, baka-Israyeli nabo bahlangana bayawumisa eMispa.
18 Baholi besive sakaGileyadi bakhulumisana bodvwa, batsi: “Lowo loyawucala kucala agadle nakuhlaselwa ema-Amoni, nguye loyawuba ngumholi wabo bonkhe labahlala kulelive lakaGileyadi.”
1 Jeftha bekuyingwazi yakaGileyadi. Uyise, Gileyadi, abemtele kulenye nje ingwadla.
2 Gileyadi abenalamanye emadvodzana, labewatalelwe ngumkakhe. Atsi kube akhule lamadvodzana, ase ayamcosha Jeftha lapha ekhaya, atsi: “Ungeke usitfole sabelo lesilifa kulomndeni wakitsi, ngobe wena uyindvodzana yakalomunye umfati.”
3 Ngako-ke Jeftha wabaleka ekhaya kubo, abalekela bomnakabo, wayawuhlala eveni lakaThobu, lapho efika kwabutsana tonkhe tihlophoyi kuye, tamsingatsa, tamlandzela, taphuma naye.
4 Kwatsi ngalesinye sikhatsi sive saka-Amoni nasiyawuhlasela ema-Israyeli,
5 tibondza takaGileyadi tahamba tayawulandza Jeftha eveni lakaThobu,
6 tafike tatsi: “Wota utewuba yindvuna yetfu, kuze sikwati kulwa nema-Amoni.”
7 Jeftha wakhuluma kuto, watsi: “Angitsi nine nangitondza, naze nangicosha nasekhaya kitsi? Manje senitelani kimi ngobe senisenhluphekweni?”
8 Tibondza takaGileyadi tamphendvula, tatsi: “Noko sesigucukela kuwe nyalo, hamba natsi siyekulwa nema-Amoni, sitakwenta ube ngumholi wetfu kubo bonkhe labakhile kuleli lakaGileyadi.”
9 Jeftha watiphendvula watsi: “Naningibuyisa ekhaya siyekulwa nema-Amoni, nakungenteka Simakadze awanikele kimi, nitangenta ngempela yini umholi wenu?”
10 Tibondza takaGileyadi tamphendvula, tatsi: “Simakadze ungufakazi wetfu, ngempela sitakwenta njengobe usho.”
11 Ngako Jeftha wahamba naletibondza takaGileyadi, sive sonkhe safike samenta inhloko nemholi waso. Jeftha wawaphindzaphindza lamagama akhe aseMispa embikwaSimakadze.
12 Ngako Jeftha wase utfumela tigijimi enkhosini yema-Amoni, wayibuta watsi: “Kukhona yini lesikone ngako, kutsi ungaze utewuhlasela live letfu?”
13 Inkhosi yema-Amoni yaphendvula letigijimi takaJeftha yatsi: “Kwatsi ema-Israyeli nakaphuma eGibhithe, efika lapha atsatsa live lami, kusukela e-Anoni kuze kuyewufika eJabhoki naseJordane. Manje-ke libuyiseni ngekuthula.”
14 Jeftha waphindza watfumela tigijimi enkhosini yema-Amoni,
15 tafike tatsi: “Jeftha utsi: ‘Ema-Israyeli akazange alitsatse live lemaMowabi nelive lema-Amoni.
16 Kodvwa atsi nakaphuma eveni laseGibhithe, ema-Israyeli ahamba lihlane acondza eLwandle Lolubovu, endlulela eKhadeshi.
17 Israyeli watfumela tigijimi enkhosini yaka-Edomu, tafike tatsi: “Sivumele sihambe sidzabule lelive lakho.” Kodvwa inkhosi yaka-Edomu, ayizange imvumele kuloko. Baka-Israyeli baphindza futsi batfumela nasenkhosini yakaMowabi, nayo yala; ngako baka-Israyeli bahlala eKhadeshi.
18 “ ‘Emvakwaloko bahamba bazula ehlane, bagega live laka-Edomu nelakaMowabi, baze befika ngasemphumalanga nelakaMowabi, bayawumisa ngesheya kwe-Anoni. Abazange bangene eminyeleni yelive lakaMowabi, ngobe i-Anoni bekunguwona mnyele walo.
19 “ ‘Baka-Israyeli base batfumela tigijimi kuSihoni, inkhosi yema-Amori, labebusa eHeshboni, batsi kuye: “Sicela mane sendlule eveni lakho, siye eveni letfu.”
20 Kodvwa Sihoni akazange awetsembe ema-Israyeli kutsi angendlula eveni lakhe. Wabutsa yonkhe imphi yakhe wayakumisa eJahasi, walwa nawo ema-Israyeli.
21 “ ‘Simakadze Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli wanikela Sihoni naso sonkhe sive sakhe esandleni sema-Israyeli, abehlula. Ngako baka-Israyeli balidla lonkhe lelo live ema-Amori labehlala kulo.
22 Alidla lonkhe lelo live, kusukela e-Anoni kuye eJabhoki; nekusuka ehlane kuye emfuleni iJordane.
23 “ ‘Manje-ke njengobe Simakadze Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli acosha ema-Amori ngaphambili kwesive sakhe, ema-Israyeli, wena-ke unalilungelo lini lekulidla lelo live?
24 Ungete wamane ulidle kuphela lelo lonikwa lona ngunkulunkulu wakho longuKhemoshi? Ngalokunjalo natsi sitalidla lelo lesilinikwa nguSimakadze Nkulunkulu wetfu, kube letfu.
25 Uncono yini wena kunaBhalaki, umsa waSiphori, inkhosi yemaMowabi? Yena wake wacabana yini nema-Israyeli nome walwa nawo?
26 Kwaze kwaphela iminyaka lengema-300, baka-Israyeli bahlala eHeshboni, nase-Aroyeri, nasetabelweni letiyitungeletile, nakuwo onkhe emadolobha kuvundla ne-Anoni. Awuzange ubahlasele ngani-ke ngaleso sikhatsi ulidle lelive?
27 Mine angikakoni ngalutfo, kodvwa nguwe lowonile ngekufuna kungihlasela ngemphi. Shangatsi Simakadze longuyena angumehluleli angakhipha sigwebo lamuhla emkhatsini wesive sema-Israyeli nesive sema-Amoni.’ ”
28 Noko inkhosi yema-Amoni ayizange iwunake lombiko wayo lowawutfunyelwe nguJeftha.
29 Moya waSimakadze wase wehlela kuJeftha. Wahamba wadzabula kulakaGileyadi nakulakaManase, wewelela ngesheya eMispa yakaGileyadi, wendlula lapho washuca wayawuhlasela ema-Amoni.
30 Jeftha wenta sifungo kuSimakadze, watsi: “Nawunganikela ema-Amoni esandleni sami,
31 nome ngabe ngubani loyawuphuma kucala emnyango wendlu yami kungihlangabeta nase ngibuya ekuncobeni imphi yema-Amoni, uyawuba waSimakadze; ngiyawunikela ngaye abe ngumnikelo wekushiswa.”
32 Jeftha wesuka lapho wewela wayakulwa nema-Amoni, Simakadze wawanikela esandleni sakhe.
33 Wabhubhisa emadolobha langema-20, kusukela e-Aroyeri kuze kuyewufika emacentselweni aseMinithi nase-Abela Kheramimu; acotfula imbokodvo nesisekelo. Ayincoba kanjalo-ke ema-Israyeli i-Amoni.
34 Jeftha nase achamuka ekhaya lakhe lelaliseMispa, ngubani lobekangaphuma kucala amhlangabete ngaphandle kwentfombi yakakhe, leyaphuma igiya, itjakadvula, ishaya makhoyane wayo. Kwakukuphela kwayo vo! Ngaphandle kwayo abengenandvodzana nandvodzakati.
35 Watsi nakayibona, waklebhula timphahla takhe, wakhala, watsi: “Awu, ndvodzakati yami! Ungidzabukisile wangihluphekisa, ngobe ngente sifungo kuSimakadze lengingasoze ngasephula.”
36 Yona yaphendvula yatsi: “Babe, nangabe wente sincumo kuSimakadze, yenta kimi njengobe ufungile kuSimakadze, ngobe nguye lokuphindziselele etitseni takho, ema-Amoni.
37 Kodvwa mane ungentele kube kunye. Ngicela umane unginike tinyanga tibe timbili ngibe ngedvwa, ngikhuphukele etintsabeni ngiyewuzula khona, ngililele buntfombi bami, mine kanye nabontsanga yetfu.”
38 Uyise watsi: “Hamba.” Wayikhulula, yahamba tinyanga letimbili. Yona nebangani bayo bakhuphukela etintsabeni bayawulilela buntfombi bayo.
39 Kwatsi kube kuphele letinyanga letimbili, yehla yabuyela kuyise. Uyise wenta kuyo njengobe abefungile. Bekuyintfombi leyayingayati indvodza. Lavela lapho-ke lisiko lema-Israyeli,
40 lekutsi njalo nje ngemnyaka emantfombatana langema-Israyeli ahamba emalanga lamane ayekwenta umkhosi wekukhumbula indvodzakati yaJeftha wakaGileyadi.
1 Emadvodza aka-Efrayimu abutsana, ashuca ewelela ngesheya kulaseSafoni, afike akhuluma kuJeftha, atsi: “Wentiwe yini lokutsi nawuhamba uyakulwa nema-Amoni ungasibiti tsine kutsi sihambe nawe? Sitawulumeka lendlu yakho siyishisele etikwenhloko yakho.”
2 Jeftha wabaphendvula, watsi: “Mine nebantfu bami besinekucabana lokukhulu kabi nema-Amoni, nani-ke ngatsi ngiyanibita nangete neta kutangephula esandleni sawo.
3 Ngatsi kube ngibone kutsi ningeke ningisite, ngatidzela ematsambo ngewela ngayakulwa nema-Amoni. Simakadze wawanikela esandleni sami, ngawancoba. Manje-ke seniteleni lamuhla kutengilwisa ngaloko?”
4 Jeftha wase ubutsa onkhe emadvodza akaGileyadi, walwa nebaka-Efrayimu. BakaGileyadi babashaya babehlula baka-Efrayimu. Baka-Efrayimu bebatsite: “Nine maGileyadi lenika-Efrayimu nakaManase, ningemambuka aka-Efrayimu!”
5 BakaGileyadi bavimba onkhe ematubuko emfula iJordane lewelela ka-Efrayimu. Kwakutsi njalo nakukhona lophunyulile waka-Efrayimu, afike atsi: “Ngicela kwewela,” emadvodza akaGileyadi ambute atsi: “Ngekwakho uwaka-Efrayimu yini?” Nakaphendvule watsi: “Cha,”
6 babetsi: “Kulungile-ke, tsani: ‘Shibholethi.’ ” Nangabe atsite: “Sibholeti,” ngobe ehluleke kubita kahle leligama, babembamba bambulalele khona lapho etubukweni lemfula iJordane. Baka-Efrayimu labababulala kanjalo baba ti-42 000 ngaleso sikhatsi.
7 Jeftha wahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lesitfupha. Jeftha, labengumGileyadi, wafa, wangcwatjwa edolobheni lakaGileyadi.
8 EmvakwaJeftha kwavela Ibsani waseBhetlehema, waba ngumholi wema-Israyeli.
9 Abenemadvodzana langema-30 nemadvodzakati langema-30. Lamadvodzakati akhe wawendzisela letinye tinsendvo letatingesilo lusendvo lwakhe, nalamadvodzana akhe wawatsatsela bafati ngaphandle kulababengesibo belusendvo lwakhe. Ibsani wahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lesikhombisa.
10 Ibsani wabe sewuyafa, wangcwatjwa eBhetlehema.
11 Emvakwakhe kwavela Eloni, labewesive sakaZebuloni; wahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lelishumi.
12 Eloni wabe sewuyafa, wangcwatjwa e-Ayaloni, eveni lakaZebuloni.
13 Emvakwakhe kwavela Abdoni, umsa waHileli, wasePhirathoni, wahola sive sema-Israyeli.
14 Abdoni abenemadvodzana langema-40 nebatukulu labangema-30, babegibela timbongolo letingema-70. Yena-ke wahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lesiphohlongo.
15 Abdoni, umsa waHileli, wasePhirathoni, wafa wangcwatjwa ePhirathoni kulaka-Efrayimu, eveni letintsaba lema-Amaleki.
1 Baka-Israyeli baphindza benta lokubi emehlweni aSimakadze; ngako Simakadze wabanikela esandleni sema-Filisti iminyaka lengema-40.
2 Kwakukhona lenye indvodza yaseSora lekwakunguManowa, libito layo, iyesive sakaDani. Lendvodza yayinemfati loyinyumba, angenabantfwana.
3 Ingilosi yaSimakadze yabonakala kulomfati, yatsi: “Uyinyumba, ute bantfwana, kodvwa sewutawukhulelwa, utale indvodzana.
4 Ticaphele wena-ke kutsi ungalinatsi liwayini nome ngabe sengusiphi-ke sinatfo lesivutjelwe, futsi ungasadli lutfo lolungcolile ngekwemtsetfo,
5 ngobe utawukhulelwa utale indvodzana. Kute insingo leyawusetjentiswa enhloko yakhe, ngobe lomfana uyawuba ngumNaziri lowehlukaniselwe Nkulunkulu kwasekutalweni kwakhe. Nguye lotawucala kukhulula sive sema-Israyeli esandleni semaFilisti.”
6 Lomfati-ke wabe sewuya endvodzeni yakhe, wafike wayibikela watsi: “Kufike umuntfu waNkulunkulu kimi. Simo sakhe bekungatsi yingilosi yaNkulunkulu; abesabeka kakhulu. Nami angikabe ngisabuta nekutsi uphumaphi, naye akangitjeli nelibito lakhe.
7 Kodvwa utsite kimi: ‘Utawukhulelwa, utale indvodzana. Manje-ke ungabe usalinatsa liwayini nome ngabe sengusiphi-ke sinatfo lesivutjelwe. Ungasadli lutfo lolungcolile ngekwemtsetfo, ngobe lomfana uyawuba ngumNaziri lowehlukaniselwe Nkulunkulu kusukela ekutalweni kwakhe kuze kube lilanga lekufa kwakhe.’ ”
8 Ngako Manowa wase uyathandaza kuSimakadze, watsi: “Awu, Simakadze, ngiyakuncenga kutsi mane lowo muntfu waNkulunkulu lomtfumele lapha kitsi aphindze abuye atesifundzisa kutsi lomfana lotawutalwa sitamkhulisa kanjani.”
9 Nkulunkulu wamuva Manowa, ingilosi yaSimakadze yaphindze yabuya futsi kulomfati, yefika ngesikhatsi asensimini, ayedvwa. Indvodza yakhe, Manowa, beyingekho kanye naye.
10 Lomfati waphutfuma wayawubikela indvodza yakhe, watsi: “Sewukhona! Lomuntfu lowabonakala kimi ngalela langa sewuphindze ubuyile.”
11 Manowa wasukuma walandzela umfati wakhe. Watsi nakefika kulomuntfu, wambuta, watsi: “Unguye yini lona lowafika wakhuluma kumkami?” Watsi: “Nginguye.”
12 Ngako Manowa wambuta, watsi: “Ngesikhatsi emavi akho asagcwalisekile, kuyawuba yini imiyalo ngemphilo nangemisebenti yalomfana?”
13 Ingilosi yaSimakadze yaphendvula Manowa, yatsi: “Umkakho kufanele ente konkhe loko lengimtjele kona.
14 Kufanele angadli lutfo loluhlutwe emvinini, anganatsi lutfo lolwentiwe ngewayini nome ngangusiphi sinatfo lesivutjelwe, angadli nalutfo lolungcolile ngekwemtsetfo. Kufanele ente konkhe loku lengimtjele kona.”
15 Manowa wakhuluma engilosini, watsi: “Sitawucela mane sewume kuhamba, size sikulungisele kwesibhutatana.”
16 Ingilosi yaSimakadze yatsi: “Nome ningangilibatisa, ngingeke ngikudle nakunye kudla kwenu. Kodvwa naningalungisa umnikelo wekushiswa, wunikeleni kuSimakadze.” Manowa bekangaboni lokutsi yingilosi yaSimakadze.
17 Manowa wase ubuta lengilosi yaSimakadze, watsi: “Ngubani libito lakho, kuze sitekubonga nasagcwalisekile lamavi akho?”
18 Yaphendvula yatsi: “Ungibutelani libito lami? Alicondzakali.”
19 Manowa wase ubamba sibhutatana kanye nemnikelo walokutinhlavu, wakwenta umhlatjelo etikwelidvwala, wakunikela kuSimakadze. Simakadze wenta intfo lemangalisako ngesikhatsi boManowa nemkakhe babukela.
20 Atsi lamalangabi asalanguka esuka lapha elatini acondze ezulwini, lengilosi yaSimakadze yagibela kulamalangabi yenyukela ezulwini. Batsi nabakubona loko, boManowa nemkakhe bawa phansi ngebuso, bakhotsama.
21 Yatsi kube inyamalale lengilosi yaSimakadze kuboManowa nemkakhe, bangasayiboni, Manowa kwaba ngukhona asanguluka abona kutsi bekuyingilosi yaSimakadze.
22 Manowa wakhuluma kumkakhe, watsi: “Sitakufa! Sibone Nkulunkulu!”
23 Kodvwa umkakhe wamphendvula, watsi: “Kube Simakadze abecondze kusibulala, ngabe akawemukeli lomnikelo wekushiswa nemnikelo walokutinhlavu lovela esandleni setfu, ngabe akasikhombisi tonkhe letintfo, wabuye wasitjela naloku.”
24 LomkaManowa watala indvodzana, wayetsa libito watsi nguSamsoni. Wakhula, Simakadze wambusisa,
25 naMoya waSimakadze wacala kumnyakatisa ngesikhatsi aseMahane Dani, emkhatsini weSora ne-Eshtayoli.
1 Samsoni wehlela eveni laseThimna, wafike khona wabona intfombi leyayingumFilisti.
2 Watsi nasabuya khona, wafike wakhuluma kuboyise nenina, watsi: “Ngibone intfombi lengumFilisti lena kulaseThimna, ngitsatseleni yona ibe ngumkami.”
3 Boyise nenina bambuta batsi: “Kute yini tintfombi lapha emkhatsini wetihlobo takho nasemkhatsini wato tonkhe tive takini? Sewungadzimate uye esiveni semaFilisti lesingasoki nekusoka uyewutsatsa khona umfati?” Kodvwa Samsoni waphendvula uyise, watsi: “Ngitsatsele yena. Uyatsandzeka emehlweni ami.”
4 Batali baSamsoni bebangati kutsi loko kwakuvela kuSimakadze labenguyena afunana nelitfuba lekuhlasela emaFilisti, ngobe ngaleso sikhatsi emaFilisti abebusa sive sema-Israyeli.
5 Samsoni wehlela eThimna wahamba naboyise nenina. Batsi nase basondzele ngasemasimini emivini yaseThimna, kwachamuka libhongwana lelibhubesi lita kuSamsoni, libhodla.
6 Moya waSimakadze wehlela etikwakhe ngemandla lamakhulu kangangekutsi lelibhubesi walibamba walidladlabula ngetandla takhe, kwaba shangatsi udladlabula lizinyane lembuti. Kodvwa akazange abatjele boyise nenina kutsi sewenteni endleleni yakhe.
7 Ngako wehla wayawukhuluma nalentfombatana; yatsandzeka kakhulu emehlweni akhe.
8 Kwatsi ngemalanga nje wase uyehla ayawushada nalentfombi yakhe; asesendleleni asaya khona, wase uphambukela kulesidvumbu salelibhubesi labelibulele. Wakhandza kunelibulo letinyosi neluju kulesidvumbu,
9 wase utapa lamakhekheba aletinyosi; wahambe atidla endleleni. Watsi kube abakhandze boyise nenina, wabapha nabo letinyosi, batidla. Kodvwa akazange abatjele kutsi letinyosi utitape esidvunjini selibhubesi.
10 Uyise wehla wayawubona lentfombi ekhaya kubo. Samsoni wenta lidzili lapho, njengobe kwakulisiko kutsi umkhwenyane ente lidzili.
11 Watsi kube efike, wanikwa emajaha langema-30 kutsi atemhlalisa.
12 Samsoni watsi kuwo: “Ase nginiphice. Nanitawucombelela kahle angakapheli emalanga lasikhombisa alelidzili, ngitaninika tembatfo telineni letingema-30 netimphahla tekwembatsa letingema-30.
13 Nanehluleka kucombelela kahle, kufanele ninginike nine tembatfo telineni letingema-30 netimphahla tekwembatsa letingema-30.” Lamajaha atsi: “Siphice. Shangatsi ngabe sewusiphicile.”
14 Wabatjela watsi: “Kulokudlanako kwaphuma lokudliwako; kulokunemandla kwaphuma lokunongotelako.” Kwaze kwaphela emalanga lamatsatfu solomane bangakacombeleli kahle.
15 Ngelilanga lesine bakhuluma kumkaSamsoni, batsi: “Ncenga lendvodza yakho wena, khona itesichazela inshokutsini yalesiphicaphicwana sayo, ngaphandle kwaloko sitawushisa wena kanye nawo wonkhe umndeni weyihlo, nife. Kantsi nisimemele kutesikhuthuza lapha kini?”
16 Ngako-ke umkaSamsoni watijika kuSamsoni, akhala, atsi: “Uyangenyanya! Awungitsandzi ngeliciniso. Uphice bantfu bakitsi, kodvwa mine awukangitjeli imphendvulo yalesiphicaphicwana.” Samsoni wamphendvula watsi: “Angizange sengisichazele ngisho nabobabe namake lesi, pho, ngingakuchazelelani-ke wena?”
17 Ngako lomfati wakhala embikwakhe onkhe lawo malanga labesikhombisa elidzili. Kwatsi ngelilanga lesikhombisa Samsoni wase uyamchazela, ngobe abechubeka nekumncenga. Lomfati-ke wase uchazela labantfu bakubo lesiphicaphicwana.
18 Latsi lingakashoni lilanga lesikhombisa, bantfu bakulelidolobha batsi kuye: “Yini lenongotela njengeluju? Yini lenemandla njengelibhubesi?” Samsoni watsi kubo: “Kube beningalimi ngalelitfokati lami, ngabe nanyalo anikasicombeleli lesiphicaphicwana sami.”
19 Ngako Moya waSimakadze wehlela kuye ngemandla lamakhulu. Wehlela kulase-Ashkeloni, wabulala emadvodza akhona aba ngema-30; wawahlubula timphahla tawo, watitsatsa, watinika laba bebacombelele siphicaphicwana sakhe. Ngaleso sikhatsi abesatfukutsele abila, wesuka wahamba wabuyela ekhaya kubo.
20 LomkaSamsoni watsatfwa wendziselwa lomunye walamajaha abetemhlalisa ngemtsimba wakhe.
1 Kwatsi ngalelinye lilanga Samsoni wahamba wayawuvakashela umkakhe, waya ngesikhatsi kuvunwa kolo amphatsele lizinyane lembuti, wafike wakhuluma watsi: “Ngifuna kuyawungena endlini yemkami.” Kodvwa uyisetala wamalela kutsi angene.
2 Uyisetala wakhuluma kuye, watsi: “Mine bengicabanga kutsi vele sewumalile, ngako ngase ngimendzisela lomunye walamajaha bewuhleti nawo. Lomlamu wakho lomncane akamengci yini ngebuhle? Tsatsa yena esikhundleni semkakho.”
3 Samsoni wakhuluma kubo, watsi: “Manje angisenacala lekuhlasela emaFilisti, ngiwalimate.”
4 Ngako wesuka lapho wayawubamba timphungutja letingema-300, watikhunganisa ngemisila, atikhunga ngatimbili, atifulatselanisa, wase ubophela tidlwane kulamafindvo.
5 Wase ulumeka letidlwane ngemlilo, wayekela letimphungutja, tatsi bhibi emasimini akolo labesomile emaFilisti. Ngaleyo ndlela kwasha onkhe emabibi akolo labese avuniwe nalowo kolo labesesemasimini kanye nemasimi emagelebisi newetihlahla temincumo, kwasha kwangconga.
6 EmaFilisti atsi nakabuta, atsi: “Ngubani lona lowente loku?” atjelwa kutsi: “NguSamsoni, umkhwenyane waseThimna, ngobe umfati wakhe wendziselwa umngani wakhe.” Ngako emaFilisti esuka ayawushisa lomfati kanye nayo yonkhe indlu yeyise, bafa baphela.
7 Samsoni wakhuluma kubo, watsi: “Njengobe senente nje, ngingeke ngisaniyekela, ngiyawuze ngitiphindziselele, ngenele kini.”
8 Wabahlasela ngelulaka lolumatima, wagwaza labanyenti babo. Wase uyehla wayawuhlala emgedzeni welidvwala lelalise-Etamu.
9 EmaFilisti akhuphuka ayawumisa kulakaJuda, agcwala aze efika ngaseLehi.
10 Emadvodza akaJuda abuta atsi: “Yini indzaba nitekulwa natsi?” Bawaphendvula batsi: “Sitewubamba Samsoni, simbophe. Sitakwenta kuye njengobe naye entile kitsi.”
11 Ngako kwaphuma emadvodza akaJuda lati-3 000, ehlela kulomgedze welidvwala lase-Etamu, akhuluma kuSamsoni atsi: “Awuboni yini kutsi tsine siphetfwe ngemaFilisti? Yini lena loyente kitsi?” Wawaphendvula lamadvodza watsi: “Mine ngimane nje ngenta loko kubo nabo labakwente kimi.”
12 Akhuluma kuSamsoni atsi: “Sitele kutakukubopha bese sikuniketela kumaFilisti.” Samsoni watsi: “Fungani kimi kutsi ningeke ningibulale nine lucobo.”
13 Atsi: “Siyavuma, tsine sitakubopha nje kuphela, bese sikuniketela kumaFilisti. Tsine ngeke size sikubulale.” Ngako Samsoni ambopha ngetindophi letimbili letinsha sha, amkhipha kulelidvwala.
14 Kwatsi asasondzela eLehi, emaFilisti eta kuSamsoni amemeta. Moya waSimakadze wehlela kuye ngemandla, kwatsi letindophi letatisetandleni takhe, tafanana netintsambo letishiswa ngumlilo, tibopho tadzilika etandleni takhe.
15 Wabona litsambo lemhlatsi wembongolo, walicukula, wahesha ngalo emadvodza layinkhulungwane.
16 Samsoni watsi: “Ngemhlatsi wembongolo ngibente timbongolo. Ngemhlatsi wembongolo ngibulele emadvodza layinkhulungwane.”
17 Watsi kube acedze kusho njalo, walahla lomhlatsi wembongolo phansi; leyo ndzawo yetsiwa libito kwatsiwa yiRamathi Lehi.
18 Ngenca yekutsi abese ome kakhulu, wakhala kuSimakadze watsi: “Unike inceku yakho lokuncoba lokukhulu kangaka, manje sengingafa nje ngibulawe koma, ngifele esandleni salabangasoki?”
19 Ngako Simakadze wavula indzawo lenemhholo eLehi, kwachamuka emanti kuyo, Samsoni wanatsa kuyo, emandla akhe abuya, wavuseleleka. Ngako lowo mtfombo, wetsiwa libito kwatsiwa yi-Eni Hakhore; nalamuhla loku usesekhona lapho eLehi.
20 Samsoni wahola sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lengema-20 ngetikhatsi temaFilisti.
1 Ngalelinye lilanga Samsoni wahamba waya kulaseGaza, lapho wafike wabona khona ingwadla, wangena kayo, walala busuku bunye.
2 Bantfu baseGaza batjelwa kwatsiwa: “Samsoni sewula.” Ngako bayikaka leyo ndzawo, bambhacela busuku bonkhe; bamlalele ngasesangweni lelidolobha. Busuku bonkhe bebangatsi khwasha, bacabanga batsi: “Kutawutsi nakudzabuka kusa, simbulale.”
3 Kodvwa Samsoni walala kalengwadla kwaze kwaba ngusekhatsi nebusuku. Wase uyavuka wabamba tivalo telisango lalelidolobha, wakubhanca naletinsika letimbili, wakusiphula, tinsika nemshudvo nako konkhe. Wakuphakamisa wakubeka emahlombe, wakwetfwala waya nako etulu entsabeni leyayibukene neHebroni.
4 Kwatsi ngalesinye sikhatsi waganwa yintfombi yesigodzi saseSoreki, libito layo kutsiwa nguDelila.
5 Baholi bemaFilisti baya kuyo, bafike batsi: “Buka la, nawungamwunga aze asikhombise imfihlakalo yalamandla akhe lamakhulu, nekutsi singamncoba njani kuze simkhunge, simbambe ngulowo nalowo wetfu angakunika isiliva lengemakhilogremu langaba li-13, amunye.”
6 Ngako Delila wakhuluma kuSamsoni, watsi: “Ngitjele imfihlakalo yemandla akho lamakhulu, nekutsi ungabanjwa njani uboshwe, wehlulwe.”
7 Samsoni wamphendvula watsi: “Nakungaba khona longangibopha ngetintsambo letisikhombisa letisemanti letingakomi, nami ngingabate emandla, ngibe njengabo bonkhe bantfu.”
8 Ngako baholi bemaFilisti bamniketa tintsambo letisikhombisa letisemanti letingakomi, Delila wabopha ngato Samsoni.
9 Kwakunemadvodza labewabhacise ekamelweni; ngako wase umemeta kakhulu watsi: “Samsoni, nankha emaFilisti asasetikwakho!” Kodvwa Samsoni watichunsula kalula nje letintsambo, kwaba shangatsi letintsambo titsintfwa ngumlilo. Ngako imfihlo yemandla akhe ayizange itfolokale.
10 Delila wase ukhuluma kuSamsoni, watsi: “Ungente silima, ungiyengile; ngiyakuncenga tsine, ngitjele kutsi ungaboshwa kanjani?”
11 Samsoni watsi: “Nakungaba khona longangibopha ngetindophi letinsha letingazange setisetjentiswe, nami ngiyawuba butsakatsaka njengabo bonkhe bantfu.”
12 Delila wase utsatsa tindophi letinsha wambopha ngato. Kwakunalamadvodza labewabhacise ekamelweni, wase uyamemeta kakhulu watsi: “Samsoni, nankha emaFilisti asasetikwakho!” Kodvwa Samsoni wadzabula letindophi, kwaba shangatsi bekungumtiyana nje.
13 Ngako Delila wabuye wakhuluma kuSamsoni, watsi: “Sekuze ngunyalo solomane ungenta silima sakho, uyangiyenga, ngitjele kutsi ungaboshwa kanjani?” Samsoni wamphendvula watsi: “Nawungeluka lamagodza lasikhombisa lasenhloko yami ngemtiya, uwente abe ligodza linye, bese ulicoboshela ngesicobosho, nami ngiyawuba butsakatsaka njengabo bonkhe bantfu.”
14 Ngako watsi Samsoni aselele Delila watsatsa lamagodza lasikhombisa enhloko yaSamsoni, wawachina, aba ligodza linye, wase ulicoboshela ngesicobosho. Delila waphindza wamemeta watsi: “Samsoni, nankha emaFilisti asasetikwakho.” Samsoni wavuka ebutfongweni, wamonyula lesicobosho wachacha naleligodza lelalichiniwe.
15 Delila watsi kuye: “Ungasho kanjani kimi kutsi ‘Ngiyakutsandza,’ nawungangetsembi? Loku sekwesitsatfu solomane ungenta silima sakho, ungangitjeli imfihlakalo yemandla akho lamakhulu.”
16 Ngaloko kumbelesela kwakhe amchukulusha onkhe emalanga, amncenga, Samsoni waze wadzinwa, umphefumulo wakhe wakhatsateka kakhulu.
17 Ngako wamtjela yonkhe inhlitiyo yakhe, watsi: “Tinwele tami atizange setitsintfwe yinsingo, ngobe ngingumNaziri, ngehlukaniselwe Nkulunkulu kusukela ekutalweni kwami. Inhloko yami nayingase ihhulwe, emandla ami angesuka kimi, nami ngingaba butsakatsaka njengabo bonkhe bantfu.”
18 Delila watsi kube abone kutsi umtjele yonkhe inhlitiyo yakhe, watfumela livi kubaholi bemaFilisti, watsi: “Ase niphindze nibuye kwekugcina; sewungitjele yonkhe inhlitiyo yakhe.” Ngako baholi bemaFilisti babuya baphetse isiliva ngetandla tabo.
19 Delila walalisa Samsoni ematsangeni akhe, wase ubita lenye indvodza. Lendvodza yamhhula onkhe lamagodza lasikhombisa etinwele takhe. Delila wacala kumhlupha. Emandla aSamsoni esuka kuye.
20 Delila wase uyamemeta, watsi: “Samsoni, nankha emaFilisti asasetikwakho!” Wavuka ebutfongweni bakhe, acabanga atsi: “Ngitawuphumelela njengasemihleni, ngiphunyuke.” Noko bekangati kutsi Simakadze bese amshiyile.
21 EmaFilisti ase ayambamba, akupuluta emehlo akhe, ehla naye, amyisa eGaza. Ambopha ngemaketane elitfusi, amgayisa ekhatsi ejele.
22 Kodvwa tinwele tenhloko yaSamsoni tacala tahluma emvakwekuhhulwa kwato.
23 Baholi bemaFilisti babutsana ndzawonye batekwenta lidzili lelikhulu lekwenta umhlatjelo lomkhulu kuDagoni, sithico sabo, batewubonga kuso, batsi: “Sithico setfu sinikele Samsoni, sitsa setfu, etandleni tetfu.”
24 Babetsi njalo labantfu nababona Samsoni, badvumise lesithico sabo, batsi: “Sithico setfu sinikele sitsa setfu etandleni tetfu, lowo lowabhubhisa live letfu, wabulala labanyenti betfu.”
25 Batsi nase bamnandzi, bamemeta batsi: “Khiphani Samsoni atesidlalela.” Ngako babita Samsoni ejele, bamletsa embikwabo, wabagidzela. Bambeka emkhatsini wetinsika.
26 Samsoni wacela kulesisebenti lesasimhola, simbambe ngesandla, watsi: “Ngimise lapho ngingabamba khona letinsika telithempeli, khona ngitekweyama kuto.”
27 Lelithempeli laligcwele linhlinhla emadvodza, nebafati, nabo bonkhe baholi bemaFilisti babekhona lapho; lapha etulu eluphahleni kwakunebantfu lababengacishe babe ti-3 000, emadvodza nebafati lababebukela kugidza kwaSamsoni.
28 Samsoni wathandaza kuSimakadze, watsi: “Awu, Somandla, Simakadze, ngikhumbule kube kanye. Nkulunkulu wami, ngicinise kwekugcina. Ngivumele ngihlasele kanye ngitiphindzisele kumaFilisti ngenca yemehlo ami lamabili.”
29 Ngako Samsoni welula tandla takhe wabamba letinsika totimbili letatisekhatsi tingutona tisimise lelithempeli. Wavinyelela kuto, sandla sakhe sangasekudla sibambe lenye, ngesancele abambelele kulenye.
30 Samsoni watsi: “Angife kanye nemaFilisti.” Wafuca ngemandla akhe onkhe. Lithempeli ladzilika lonkhe, lawela etikwebaholi nakubo bonkhe bantfu lababesekhatsi kulo. Ngaleyo ndlela Samsoni wabulala bantfu labanyenti nakafa kunalabo lababulala asaphila.
31 BomnakaboSamsoni nayo yonkhe indlu yakubo behla bayawumlandza. Babuya naye, bamngcwaba emkhatsini waseSora nase-Eshtayoli, ethuneni laManowa, uyise. Samsoni abesahole sive sema-Israyeli iminyaka lengema-20.
1 Kwakukhona indvodza lekwakutsiwa nguMikha, libito layo; yayiyaseveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu,
2 yakhuluma kunina yatsi: “Lesiliva lengemakhilogremu langaba li-13 leyayitsatfwe kuwe, lengakuva ukhipha ticalekiso ngayo, ngimi lowayitsatsa, ilapha kimi.” Unina wakhuluma kuyo, watsi: “Simakadze akakubusise, ndvodzana yami.”
3 Lendvodza yatsi nayibuyisela lesiliva lengemakhilogremu labengaba li-13 kunina, yena watsi: “Ngicinisile lesiliva ngiyehlukanisela Simakadze ngenca yendvodzana yami, kuze kutekwentiwa sitfombe lesibatiwe nesithico lesibunjiwe. Ngitayibuyisela kuwe.”
4 Ngako lendvodza yayibuyisela lesiliva kunina, unina watsatsa emakhilogremu langaba mabili nesigamu esiliva wawaniketela kumbumbi wetinsimbi, lowabumba wenta ngayo sitfombe nesithico. Kwatsatfwa, kwafakwa endlini kaMikha.
5 Lendvodza lenguMikha beyinendumba, ngako yenta sidziya sebaphristi, yabumba tithico, yase ibeka lomunye wemadvodzana ayo kutsi abe ngumphristi wayo.
6 Ngaleto tikhatsi sive sema-Israyeli sasingenayo inkhosi, wonkhe umuntfu abetentela lakubona loko kukuhle emehlweni akhe.
7 Lenye insizwa yemndeni wakaLevi leyayiphuma eBhetlehema kulakaJuda, beyikadze ihlala nelusendvo lwakaJuda,
8 yesuka kulelo dolobha yahamba yayawufuna lenye indzawo yekuhlala. Yatsi isahamba indlela yayo, yefika ekhaya lakaMikha, eveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu.
9 Mikha wayibuta watsi: “Ulichamukisaphi?” Lensizwa yaphendvula yatsi: “NgingumLevi waseBhetlehema kulakaJuda. Ngifuna indzawo yekuhlala.”
10 Mikha watsi kuyo: “Hlala lapha kami, utawuba ngubabe kimi nemphristi wami, ngitakunika isiliva lengemagremu langaba li-110 ngemnyaka, ngikunike nekwekwembatsa kwakho nekudla kwakho.”
11 Ngako lomLevi wavuma kuhlala kalendvodza; lensizwa yaba njengalenye yemadvodzana ayo lendvodza.
12 Ngako Mikha wase ugcoba lensizwa lengumLevi, yase iba ngumphristi wakhe, yahlala ekhaya kakhe.
13 Mikha wakhuluma yedvwa watsi: “Manje sengiyati kutsi Simakadze utaba nemusa kimi, njengobe lomLevi asangumphristi wami nje.”
1 Ngaleso sikhatsi sive saka-Israyeli sasite inkhosi. Kungatona leto tikhatsi lapho sive sakaDani sasehla senyuka, sifuna indzawo lapho sasingahlala khona, sakhe, ibe yindzawo yaso; ngobe sona sasingakasitfoli sabelo saso etiveni taka-Israyeli.
2 Ngako sive sakaDani satfumela tingwazi letisihlanu, tisuka eSora nase-Eshtayoli, kutsi tiyewuhlola live tilitfungatse. Letingwazi tatimelele tonkhe tinsendvo tato. Bakubo batitjela batsi: “Hambani niyewuhlola lelive, nilitfungulute lonkhe.” Lamadvodza alingenela live letintsaba laka-Efrayimu, aze efika ekhaya kaMikha, lapho efika alala khona.
3 Lamadvodza atsi nasasondzela lapha ekhaya kaMikha, aliva livi lalensizwa leyayingumLevi, ngako ase ayaphambukela; angena, ayibuta atsi: “Waletfwa ngubani lapha? Umsebenti wakho lowentako yini kulendzawo? Ufunani lapha?”
4 Lensizwa yase ibatjela konkhe lokwentiwa nguMikha kuyo, yatsi: “Ungicashile, sengingumphristi wakhe.”
5 Lamadvodza atsi kuye: “Sicela mane usibutele kuNkulunkulu kutsi kungabe luhambo lwetfu lutawuphumelela kahle yini.”
6 Umphristi wawaphendvula watsi: “Hambani nekuthula. Luhambo lwenu luvunywe nguSimakadze.”
7 Ngako lamadvodza lasihlanu ahamba aze efika kulaseLayishi, lapho efika akhandza kutsi bantfu bakhona baphila kahle nangekuphepha, njengebaseSidoni, babengasoli lutfo futsi bavikelekile. Njengobe-ke lelive labo lalingesweli lutfo, babesive lesiphumelelako. Babehlala khashane kakhulu nebaseSidoni, bangenabo ngisho lobuncane budlelwane nalabanye bantfu.
8 Atsi nasabuyela emuva eSora nase-Eshtayoli, bantfu bakubo bawabuta batsi: “Nitikhandze tinjani tintfo?”
9 Abaphendvula atsi: “Asihambeni sibahlasele! Sesibonile kutsi lelive lihle kakhulu. Anisiwulibala kuhlala lapha ningenti lutfo. Buyani silihlasele silidle.
10 Nanifika lapho, nitawukhandza kutsi bantfu bakhona abasoli lutfo, ngisho naloluncane. Lelo-ke live lelikhulu leninako konkhe lokungahle kudzingwe ngumuntfu, Nkulunkulu ulinike nine.”
11 Ngako kwahloma emadvodza langema-600, esive sakaDani, ahlomela imphi, ashuca onkhe esuka eSora nase-Eshtayoli.
12 Ahamba efika emisa eKhiriyathi Jeyarimu kulakaJuda. Ngiko-ke lelive lelingasenshonalanga kweKhiriyathi Yeyarimu libitwa ngekutsi yiMahane Dani, kuze kube ngulamuhla.
13 Besuka lapho bashuca baze befika eveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu, bafikela kaMikha.
14 Lamadvodza lasihlanu labetewuhlola lelive laseLayishi akhuluma kulabomnakabo atsi: “Niyati nje kutsi kulenye yaletindlu kunesidziya semphristi kanye nabonkulunkulu bemindeni, nesitfombe lesibatiwe, nesithico lesibunjiwe? Nine-ke seniyati kutsi nitakwentani.”
15 Ngako base bayaphambukela, bangena endlini yalensizwa yemLevi leyayisekhaya kaMikha, bafike bayibingelela.
16 Lamabutfo akaDani labengema-600 labehlome aphelele, ema ngasekungeneni kwelisango.
17 Lamadvodza lasihlanu labetewuhlola lelive angena ngekhatsi, afike atsatsa lesitfombe lesibatiwe, nalesidziya sebaphristi, nalabonkulunkulu bemindeni kanye nalesithico lesibunjiwe. Lomphristi yena bekasolo emile nalamabutfo langema-600 lapha ngasekungeneni kwelisango.
18 Kwatsi ngalesikhatsi lamadvodza angena lapha kaMikha, atsatsa lesitfombe lesibatiwe, nalesidziya sebaphristi, nalabonkulunkulu bemindeni kanye nalesithico lesibunjiwe, lomphristi wawabuta watsi: “Nentani?”
19 Bamphendvula batsi: “Thula! Ungakhulumi lutfo. Buya lapha kitsi utewuba ngubabe wetfu nemphristi wetfu. Akuncono yini kuwe kutsi utewukhonta sive lesilusendvo lwesive sema-Israyeli ube ngumphristi, kunekutsi ukhonte likhaya lendvodza yinye?”
20 Ngako lomphristi wase uyajabula. Watsatsa lesidziya sakhe, nalabonkulunkulu bemindeni nalesitfombe lesibatiwe, wahamba nalesive sakaDani.
21 Besuka lapho babeka bantfwababo embili netifuyo tabo, nemitfwalo yabo yonkhe, bajika bahamba.
22 Batsi sebahambe indzawo lendze kusuka kaMikha, emadvodza labomakhelwane baMikha abitwa, esukela bakaDani abacosha aze abakhandza.
23 Njengobe bebahambe babamemeta laba bakaDani bagucuka bakhuluma kuMikha, batsi: “Kwenteke njani? Ubabutseleni labantfu kutsi nitesihlasela?”
24 Mikha wabaphendvula, watsi: “Nitsetse bonkulunkulu lengatentela bona, nemphristi wami nahamba naye. Ngisasele nani-ke? Ningangibuta kanjani nitsi: ‘Kwenteke njani?’ ”
25 BakaDani baphendvula batsi: “Ungaphindzilitani natsi, funa kusuke emadvodza lanenhlitiyo lencane akuhlasele, wena kanye nemndeni wakho wonkhe nife.”
26 Ngako bakaDani besuka bachubeka nendlela yabo; njengobe Mikha wavele watibonela kutsi lamadvodza anemandla kunaye, wancandzeka wabuyela ekhaya.
27 Ngako bavele batsatsa loko lokwakubunjwe nguMikha kanye nemphristi wakhe, baya naye eLayishi. Bafike bahlasela sive lesinekuthula nalesingasoli lutfo, basigwaza ngetinkemba, bashisa nelidolobha laso.
28 Kute namunye labengaselekelela lesive, ngobe sasihlala khashane kakhulu nebaseSidoni, singenabudlelwane namuntfu. Lelidolobha laso lalisesigodzini lesasiseceleni kweBhethi Rehobu. BakaDani baphindza balakha kabusha lelidolobha, bahlala kulo.
29 Baletsa libito batsi yiDani, baletsa ngeyisemkhulu labenguDani, umsa wa-Israyeli. Noko ngaphambili lelidolobha lalatiwa ngekutsi yiLayishi.
30 Ngulapho-ke lapho bakaDani bafike batimisela khona letithico tabo. BoJonathani, umsa waGeshomu, labetalwa nguMosi, kanye nemadvodzana akhe babebaphristi besive sakaDani, kwaze kwaba sikhatsi sekutfunjwa kwelive.
31 Bachubeka kusebentisa lesithico lesasentiwe nguMikha ngaso sonkhe leso sikhatsi indlu yaNkulunkulu iseseShilo.
1 Ngaleso sikhatsi sive saka-Israyeli sasite inkhosi. Lomunye-ke umLevi labehlala endzaweni lesemaphandleni, eveni letintsaba kulaka-Efrayimu, waganwa watitsatsela nesingani saseBhetlehema kulakaJuda.
2 Kodvwa lesingani sakhe sasingaketsembeki kuye. Samshiya sabuyela ekhaya kubo eBhetlehema kulakaJuda. Sahlala lapho kwaze kwaphela tinyanga letine,
3 waze lomLevi wahamba wayakusincenga kutsi sibuye. Abehamba nesisebenti sakhe netimbongolo letimbili. Safike samngenisa endlini yeyise; uyise watsi nakambona, wamemukela ngekujabula.
4 Uyisetala, uyise walentfombi, wamncenga kutsi ahlale; ngako wahlala naye emalanga lamatsatfu, badla, banatsa naye, walala khona lapho.
5 Kwatsi ngelilanga lesine bavuka ekuseni, watilungiselela kuhamba, kodvwa loyise walesingani wakhuluma kulomkhwenyane wakhe, watsi: “Ticabule ngalokudliwako kucala, bese-ke uyahamba.”
6 Ngako base bahlala phansi bobabili, badla, banatsa ndzawonye. Emvakwaloko loyise walentfombatana watsi: “Ngiyacela, sale ulala kulobusuku balamuhla, khona utetijabulisa.”
7 Watsi lomLevi nakatsi uvukela kutsi asale ahamba, uyisetala wamncenga; ngako wase uyahlala ngalobo busuku.
8 Ekuseni ngelilanga lesihlanu lomLevi watsi uyavuka asatilungiselela kutsi ahambe, uyisetala wakhe watsi: “Ase uticabule, sewuhlale kuze kusuluke lilanga!” Ngako baphindza bahlala phansi bobabili badla.
9 Lendvodza nalesingani sayo nalesisebenti batsi nabatilungiselela kuhamba, uyisetala, uyise walesingani, watsi: “Buka la, manje sekuyahwalala, sale senilala, ngobe vele selishonile. Hlala phansi utijabulise, kutawutsi kusasa ekuseni uvuke-ke uhambe indlela leya ekhaya.”
10 Kodvwa lendvodza ngobe yayingasafuni kuphindze ilale lobunye busuku, yesuka yacondza eJebhusi, lekuyiJerusalema, yahamba kanye nalesingani sayo netimbongolo tayo letimbili letatiboshelwe.
11 Batsi nase basedvutane neJebhusi nelilanga lase liyawumbamba unina, lesisebenti sakhuluma kulomnumzane waso satsi: “Buyani siphambukele kulelidolobha lemaJebhusi, silale khona busuku bunye.”
12 Umnumzane waso wasiphendvula watsi: “Cha; singeke singenise edolobheni lebetive, bantfu labangesiwo ema-Israyeli. Sitakwendlula siye eGibeya.”
13 Wachubeka watsi: “Buyani setame kuyawufika eGibeya nome-ke eRama, sifike silale kulenye yaleto tindzawo.”
14 Ngako-ke bachubeka bahamba; lilanga labashonela nabayawungena eGibeya kulakaBhenjamini.
15 Befika lapho bema, sebatawulala khona. Bahamba bayawuhlala enkhundleni yelidolobha, kwabate namunye lowabanaka kutsi abatsatse ayekubangenisa kakhe, bayewulala khona.
16 Ngaleyo ntsambama kwachamuka likhehla, lelalilaseveni letintsaba laka-Efrayimu, lalihlala lapha eGibeya, bantfu bakuleyo ndzawo bekubakaBhenjamini. Lelikhehla lalitibuyela emasimini alo.
17 Latsi nalibuka labona letihambi tihleti lapha enkhundleni yelidolobha, labuta lelikhehla latsi: “Nilibangisephi? Nilichamukisaphi?”
18 Lendvodza yaliphendvula yatsi: “Ngekwetfu siyendlula, silichamukisa lena eBhetlehema kulakaJuda, silibhekise khashane kulela letintsaba laka-Efrayimu, lapho ngakhe khona. Bengilena eBhetlehema kulakaJuda, manje sengiya ekhaya kami. Kute namunye longitsetse wangingenisa endlini yakhe.
19 Sinetinhlanga netjani baletimbongolo tetfu, nesinkhwa neliwayini letfu, tsine tinceku takho: mine nceku yakho, nalencekukati yakho, nalensizwa lesihamba nayo. Asidzingi lutfo.”
20 Lelikhehla lakhuluma kubo, latsi: “Kuthula akube kini! Nemukelekile endlini yami. Ngitaninika konkhe lenikudzingako. Mane nje ningacali nilale lapha enkhundleni yelidolobha ebusuku.”
21 Ngako labatsatsa layawubangenisa endlini kalo; lapha naletimbongolo tabo tjani, tadla. Batsi nase bacedzile kugeza tinyawo tabo, base bahlala phansi, badla banatsa.
22 Batsi basachubeka nekudla, batijabulisa, lamanye emadvodza labetidlova takulelo dolobha atseleka, abavimbetela kulendlu. Agunkluta lesivalo salendlu, abememeta lelikhehla, umnikati walendlu, atsi: “Khipha lendvodza lengenise lapha kakho, sifuna kulala nayo.”
23 Lomnikati walendlu waphumela ngaphandle wakhuluma nawo, watsi: “Hhayi, bangani bami, ningayenti intfo leluhlata kangaka. Njengobe lendvodza isivakashi sami, ningayenti lentfo lelihlazo kangaka.
24 Bukani la, nansi indvodzakati yami lengayati indvodza ikanye nalesingani salendvodza. Ngitanikhiphela bona masinyane, ningasebentisa bona, nente nome ngabe yini kubo leniyifunako, kodvwa kulendvodza ningabenti lobubi lobulihlazo kangaka.”
25 Kodvwa lamadvodza latidlova akazange amlalele kutsi utsini. Ngako lomnumzane wakhipha lesingani sakhe, wawanika; asidlwengula, asigilisa tonkhe tiga, kwaze kwasa, ase ayasiyekela.
26 Kwatsi nasekusile lesingani sabuyela emuva kulendlu lapho bebangenise khona nalendvodza yaso, safike satijika emnyango, salala, satsi dzalakaca, kwaze kwaphuma lilanga.
27 Lendvodza yaso yatsi nayivuka ekuseni seyilungele kuchubeka neluhambo lwayo, yavula umnyango yakhandza lesingani sayo silele, sise dzalakaca ngasemnyango, tandla taso telulekele ngasesivalweni.
28 Yakhuluma kuso lesingani, yatsi: “Vuka sambe.” Kodvwa kwabate imphendvulo. Lendvodza yase isetjatsisa lapha embongolweni lesingani sayo, yangenela indlela yayo yaya kayo.
29 Yatsi kube ifike ekhaya lendvodza yatsatsa umukhwa, yahlinza sidvumbu salesingani sayo ikhipha sitfo ngasinye ngasinye, saze saba titfo letili-12, yatfumela letitfo kuto tonkhe tigodzi kulaka-Israyeli.
30 Bonkhe lababetibona babekhuta bababate batsi: “Yehheni! Intfo lenje ayizange seyibonwe, futsi akuzange sekwenteke, seloku sive sema-Israyeli sakhuphuka nasiphuma eGibhithe. Cabangisisangi ngalokhu! Kufanele kutsatselwe tinyatselo! Sifuna kuva kahle kutsi kufanele sente njani!”
1 Ngako sonkhe sive sema-Israyeli kusukela kaDani kuze kuyewufika eBherisheba, nekusukela kulakaGileyadi babophana baba ngumuntfu munye, bashulungana bayawubutsana eMispa embikwaSimakadze.
2 Baholi bato tonkhe tive tema-Israyeli batsatsa tindzawo tabo enhlanganweni yesive saNkulunkulu, bekubantfu labangema-400 000, emabutfo odvwa ahlome aphelele.
3 BakaBhenjamini beva kutsi ema-Israyeli asakhuphukele eMispa. Ema-Israyeli abuta atsi: “Sitjeleni kutsi lentfo lembi kangaka yenteke kanjani.”
4 LomLevi, indvodza yalomfati lobulewe, yatsi: “Mine nalesingani sami sefika eGibeya kulakaBhenjamini singenisele kulala khona busuku bunye.
5 Kwatsi ebusuku emadvodza aseGibeya angivimbetela kulendlu lengangilele kuyo afuna kungibulala. Ase adlwengula lesingani sami, saze safa.
6 Ngibese-ke ngitsatsa lesingani sami ngasicoba ticucu, ngatfumela sitfo ngasinye, kuleso nakuleso sigodzi kuleli lelilifa laka-Israyeli, ngobe bente sento sebudlundlulu nalesilihlazo ka-Israyeli.
7 Manje-ke nonkhe ningema-Israyeli; khulumani nikhiphe sigwebo senu ngalesento.”
8 Sonkhe sive sasukuma sema ngetinyawo saba ngumuntfu munye, satincumela satsi: “Kute namunye wetfu lotawuncandzeka abuyele ethendeni lakhe. Cha, kute nome munye wakitsi lotawuncandzeka abuyele ekhaya lakhe.
9 Kodvwa naku lesitakwenta eGibeya. Sitawukhuphukela kuyo siyihlasele njengekukhomba kwenkatho.
10 Sitawukhetsa emadvodza lalishumi kuwo onkhe lalikhulu kuto tonkhe tive tema-Israyeli, sibuye sitsatse emadvodza lalikhulu kulayinkhulungwane, sitsatse layinkhulungwane kulatinkhulungwane letilishumi, kuze silungiselele emabutfo kudla. Kutawutsi-ke imphi nayitseleka eGibeya kulakaBhenjamini, ifike ibanike loko lokubafanele ngalesento lesibi kangaka labasente ka-Israyeli.”
11 Ngako onkhe emadvodza aka-Israyeli abutsana ndzawonye, ahlangana aba yintfo yinye, ayawuhlasela lelidolobha.
12 Tive tema-Israyeli tatfumela emadvodza kulo lonkhe lakaBhenjamini tatsi: “Nitsini ngalesibhuku lesingaka lesenteka lapha kini?
13 Ngako khiphani lawo madvodza aseGibeya lanebulwane kuze siwabulale, sikhiphe bubi esiveni sema-Israyeli.” Kodvwa bakaBhenjamini abazange sebanake nekunaka kutsi batsini labomnakabo, ema-Israyeli.
14 Besuka bonkhe emadolobheni abo bayawubutsana eGibeya, kuyakulwa nema-Israyeli.
15 Masinyane nje ngalona lelo langa bakaBhenjamini bahlanganisa emabutfo abo abati-26 000 laphuma emadolobheni awo, bahlanganiswa nalabo bebavele bahlala khona eGibeya lababengema-700, tingwazi cobo lwato.
16 Emkhatsini walamabutfo bekukhona tingwazi telikhetselo letatingemancele tingema-700, tingageji lutfo; tatinganemba ngisho nelunwele lunye, tingalugeji.
17 Baka-Israyeli sebabonkhe, ngaphandle kwebakaBhenjamini, babutsa emabutfo lati-400 000, tingwazi todvwana.
18 Baka-Israyeli bakhuphukela eBetheli, bayawubuta kuNkulunkulu, batsi: “Ngubani kitsi lotawuphuma kucala kuyawulwa nebakaBhenjamini?” Simakadze wabaphendvula watsi: “BakaJuda labatawuphuma kucala.”
19 Ngakusasa ekuseni, baka-Israyeli bavuka bayawumisa babhekana neGibeya.
20 Emadvodza aka-Israyeli aphuma ayawuhlasela bakaBhenjamini, ema ngetinhlu tawo tekulwa imphi, abhekana neGibeya.
21 BakaBhenjamini baphuma eGibeya babulala bantfu baka-Israyeli, labati-22 000, bababulalela khona lapho enkhundleni yemphi ngalelo langa.
22 Kodvwa laba baka-Israyeli bakhutsatana bodvwana; baphindza bema tinhlu ngetinhlu njengaloku babehlomile ngelilanga lekucala.
23 Baka-Israyeli bakhuphuka bayawukhala embikwaSimakadze laze layawushona, solomane babuta kuSimakadze, batsi: “Siphindze yini sikhuphuke siyekulwa nabomnaketfu bakaBhenjamini?” Simakadze wabaphendvula watsi: “Khuphukani niyekulwa nabo.”
24 Ngako baka-Israyeli basondzela kubakaBhenjamini ngelilanga lesibili.
25 Ngalelo langa bakaBhenjamini batsi kube baphume eGibeya, kuyakulwa nebaka-Israyeli, bafike babulala lamanye emavodza aka-Israyeli lati-18 000, labehlome aphelele.
26 Ngako ema-Israyeli, sonkhe sive, akhuphukela eBetheli, afika lapho ahlala, akhala embikwaSimakadze. Ngalelo langa azila lilanga lonkhe laze layawushona, etfula iminikelo yekushiswa neyebudlelwane kuSimakadze.
27 Baka-Israyeli babebuta kuSimakadze. Ngalawo malanga libhokisi lesivumelwane saSimakadze lalisemkhatsini wabo,
28 likuFinehasi, umsa wa-Eleyazare, labetalwa ngu-Aroni. Nguye labekhonta embikwalo. Babuta kuSimakadze, batsi: “Sikhuphuke yini njalo kuyakulwa nebanaketfu bakaBhenjamini, nome cha?” Simakadze wabaphendvula watsi: “Hambani, ngobe kusasa ngitabanikela esandleni senu.”
29 Ngako baka-Israyeli babhacisa emadvodza, atungeleta iGibeya.
30 Bakhuphuka bayawuhlasela bakaBhenjamini ngelilanga lesitsatfu, bema ngetinhlu tabo, bahlasela iGibeya, njengaloku bebavele benta ngaphambili.
31 BakaBhenjamini baphuma bayawuhlangabetana nabo, badvonseka baphuma edolobheni. Bacala bagadla, kwafa labanye baka-Israyeli njengakucala, kwafa bantfu labangema-30, bafela enkhundleni yekulwa, nasemigwacweni leya eBetheli, naleya eGibeya.
32 BakaBhenjamini batsi basalibele kutsi: “Siyabehlula njengakucala,” baka-Israyeli babe bona batsi: “Asihlehlele emuva, sibadvonsele ngaphandle kwelidolobha, babe lapha emigwacweni.”
33 Onkhe emadvodza aka-Israyeli aphuma etindzaweni tawo, ayakuma ngetindzawo tawo eBhali Thamari nalaba bebabhacile baka-Israyeli baphuma endzaweni yabo ngasenshonalanga neGeba.
34 Kwase kutsi ti-10 000 tebaka-Israyeli, tihlabani cobo lwato, tayichamukela ngembili iGibeya. Imphi yayimatima kakhulu ngalelo langa, bakaBhenjamini babesolo bangaboni kutsi ingoti isedvute kangakanani.
35 Simakadze wabehlula bakaBhenjamini embikwa-Israyeli, ngalelo langa baka-Israyeli babhubhisa ti-25 100 temabutfo akaBhenjamini labehlome onkhe aphelele.
36 BakaBhenjamini base bayabona kutsi sebayehlulwa. Lamadvodza aka-Israyeli abebavulele indlela laba bakaBhenjamini, ngobe abetsembe laba bakubo lababebhacile emvakweGibeya.
37 Lamadvodza labebhacile aphutfuma aya eGibeya, ahlakaka, ayihlamahlama iGibeya, abulala lonkhe lidolobha ngelusiko lwenkemba.
38 Lamadvodza aka-Israyeli abelungise nalawa labebhacile kutsi kufanele esuse lenkhulu imbutfuma yelifu lelimnyama lentfutfu kulelidolobha,
39 kutawube sekutsi laba labanye baka-Israyeli bagucuke balwe. BakaBhenjamini bese bacalile kugadla nekubulala baka-Israyeli, sekufe ema-30 bakhuluma batsi: “Siyabehlula njengakuleyamphi yakucala.”
40 Kodvwa kwatsi kube kucale kukhuphuka lelifu lelimnyama lentfutfu lena emuva edolobheni labo, bakaBhenjamini batsi bayagucuka babona lelifu lentfutfu yalo lonkhe lidolobha ikhuphuka itsintsa sibhakabhaka.
41 Laba baka-Israyeli base bayabagucukela laba bakaBhenjamini, betfuka batfutfumela bakaBhenjamini nababona kutsi sebavelelwe.
42 Ngako bacela empunzini, sebabalekela baka-Israyeli, babaleka bacondza ngasehlane; kodvwa noko abazange baphunyuke kuleyomphi. Kwatsi lamadvodza aka-Israyeli lavumbuka emadolobheni abacoba, abacedzela khona lapho.
43 Abavimbetela bakaBhenjamini abacosha abakhandza kalula nje, basesemacentselweni aseGibeya ngasemphumalanga.
44 Kwafa tingwazi telikhetselo takaBhenjamini, emadvodza lati-18 000.
45 Batsi ngesikhatsi bagucuka babaleka bacondze ngasehlane edvwaleni iRimoni, baka-Israyeli babulala emadvodza lati-5 000, bawabulalela etindleleni. Bachubeka babacosha laba bakaBhenjamini, baze bayawubabeka eGidomu, babulala ti-2 000 ngetulu.
46 Ngalelo langa kwafa bakaBhenjamini labati-25 000, onkhe kungemadvodza labetingwazi cobo lwato.
47 Kodvwa emadvodza langema-600 wona agucuka abalekela edvwaleni iRimoni ehlane, lapho ahlala khona tinyanga letine.
48 Lamabutfo aka-Israyeli ancandzeka ayawuhlasela bakaBhenjamini, efika abhubhisa lonkhe lidolobha lakhona ngelusiko lwenkemba; abulala bantfu, netifuyo, nako konkhe labakukhandza khona. Onkhe emadolobha labefika kuwo babewokhela ngemlilo, ashe.
1 Emadvodza abente sifungo aseseMispa, atsi: “Kute ngisho namunye loyakwendzisa indvodzakati yakhe kumuntfu wesive sakaBhenjamini.”
2 Sive sakhuphukela eBetheli, lapho safike sahlala phansi embikwaSimakadze; laze layawushona solomane simpongoloza sikhala kabuhlungu,
3 sitsi: “Awu! Simakadze, Nkulunkulu wema-Israyeli, loku kwentekeleni ka-Israyeli? Kwentiwa yini kutsi kube nesive lesinyamalalako ka-Israyeli lamuhla?”
4 Ekuseni ngakusasa bantfu bavuka bakha lilati, betfula khona iminikelo yekushiswa neminikelo yekuthula.
5 Baka-Israyeli babuta batsi: “Ngubani emkhatsini wato tonkhe tive taka-Israyeli longazange aye kuyawuhlangana embikwaSimakadze?” Phela bebafunge bagomela kutsi lowo longazange ete emhlanganweni embikwaSimakadze eMispa uyawubulawa nome kanjani.
6 Baka-Israyeli basidzabukela sive sakaBhenjamini, lesasingumnakabo, batsi: “Lamuhla lesinye sive sincunyiwe etiveni taka-Israyeli.
7 Sitawubanika kanjani bafati laba lase basele, ngobe sesente sifungo ngaSimakadze kutsi singabendziseli ngisho namunye wemadvodzakati etfu?”
8 Ngako base bayabuta batsi: “Ngusiphi sive, etiveni tema-Israyeli, lesingazange site emhlanganweni embikwaSimakadze eMispa?” Bakhandza kutsi bekute ngisho namunye lophuma eJabeshi Gileyadi labetile enkambu kulowo mhlangano.
9 Batsi nasebabala bantfu, bakhandza kutsi bekute ngisho namunye lobuya kulaseJabeshi Gileyadi labekhona.
10 Ngako umhlangano watfumela emabutfo lati-12 000 kutsi aye eJabeshi Gileyadi, afike abulale bonkhe labahlala khona, ngisho nebafati nebantfwana.
11 Batsi: “Naku lekufanele nikwente: nifike nibulale bonkhe labadvuna nalabasikati labangasito tintfombi letingayati indvodza ngekulala nayo.”
12 Bakhandza emkhatsini webantfu lababehlala eJabeshi Gileyadi kutsi bekunetintfombi letatingayati indvodza ngekulala nayo tingema-400; batitsatsa bahamba nato, batimikisa enkambu leyayiseShilo eKhenani.
13 Ngako umhlangano watfumela livi kubakaBhenjamini lababehlala edvwaleni iRimoni, bamemetela kubo kuthula.
14 Ngako bakaBhenjamini babuya ngaleso sikhatsi, bafike babanika letintfombi taseJabeshi Gileyadi letatisele tingakabulawa. Noko atizange tibenele bonkhe.
15 Sive sabadzabukela bakaBhenjamini, ngobe Simakadze abesavule sikhala etiveni taka-Israyeli.
16 Baholi bemhlangano bakhuluma batsi: “Ngenca yalabafati bakaBhenjamini lababulewe, sitabatsatsaphi bafati bekunika lamadvodza lasilele?
17 Lensali yakaBhenjamini kufanele ibe netindlalifa, kuze lesive saka-Israyeli singapheli.
18 Tsine ma-Israyeli singeke sibendzisele emadvodzakati etfu, ngobe safunga satsi: ‘Akacalekiswe lowo loyakwendzisa indvodzakati yakhe kaBhenjamini.’ ”
19 Bachubeka batsi: “Bukani la, kukhona umkhosi waSimakadze eShilo logujwa kanye ngemnyaka, ngasenyakatfo yaseBetheli, emphumalanga nemgwaco lomkhulu lowendlula eBetheli ucondze eShekhemu, ngaseningizimu yeLebona.”
20 Ngako batjela lamadvodza akaBhenjamini batsi: “Hambani niyewubhaca lapha etivinini,
21 nilindze; kutawutsi tintfombi taseShilo natichamuka nato titewugidza, nine bese niyaphoseka niphuma lapha etivinini, ngulowo nalowo atibambele wakhe umfati kuletintfombi taseShilo, nihambe nibuyele eveni lakini kaBhenjamini.
22 Kutawutsi boyise nabomnakabo nabakhala kitsi, tsine sibatjele sitsi: ‘Mane nisentele bubele nibasite, ngobe asizange sibatsatsele bafati ngesikhatsi semphi, futsi-ke nine aninacala, ngobe abakendziselwa ngini lamadvodzakati enu.’ ”
23 Ngako lamadvodza akaBhenjamini avele enta njalo. Kwatsi letintfombi tisagidza, kwaba nguleyo ndvodza yatibambela yinye intfombi, yayetfwala, yahamba nayo, yayawuba ngumfati wayo. Lamadvodza abuyela efeni lawo, afike avusa emadolobha; abuyela ahlala kahle.
24 Ngaleso sikhatsi onkhe ema-Israyeli esuka kuleyo ndzawo abuyela emakhaya, ngulowo nalowo wabuyela esiveni sakubo naselusendvweni lwakhe, efeni lakabo.
25 Ngaleto tikhatsi sive sema-Israyeli sasingenayo inkhosi, ngulowo nalowo abetentela loko lakubona kukuhle emehlweni akhe.