1 Inkhosi Ahashiveroshi ngesikhatsi sayo yayibusa tifundza letili-127 kusukela eNdiya kuze kuyewuma eSudani.
2 Ngaleso sikhatsi Ahashiveroshi abebusela esigodlweni sakhe lesasiseSusa.
3 Kwatsi ngemnyaka wesitsatfu wekubusa kwakhe wenta lidzili lelikhulu, wamema tonkhe tiphatsimandla takhe netindvuna takhe. Wamema nemabutfo asePheresiya newaseMediya. Tonkhe tikhulu tatikhona, tikanye netiphatsimandla tembuso.
4 Kwaphela tinyanga letisitfupha solomane abukisa ngemcebo wembuso wakhe, nebuhle, nebucwebecwebe bebukhosi bakhe.
5 Kwatsi ekupheleni kwaleso sikhatsi inkhosi yenta lidzili lelatsatsa liviki ngekhatsi esihoncweni sasesigodlweni senkhosi. Lelidzili lalentelwe bonkhe bantfu labakhulu nalabancane labebasesihoncweni saseSusa.
6 Lesihonco sasihlotjiswe ngetindvwangu letatimhlophe naletatiluhlata njengesibhakabhaka, ticoboshelwe ngetintsambo telineni lecolekile naletibukhwebeletane etindingilizini tesiliva letatiboshelwe etinsikeni temabuli; kwakukhona netihlalo tekucambalala tegolide netesiliva tibekwe esihoncweni. Lesihonco naso sasiyilwe ngemabuli lemhlophe nangematje labovu nangemapharele lacwebetelako, nangematje laluhlata laligugu.
7 Liwayini lalinatfwa ngetindzebe tegolide, nguloyo naloyo aneyakhe indzebe leyehlukile kuletinye. Inkhosi yephana nangeliwayini lebukhosi.
8 Yakhipha simemetelo kutsi ngulowo muntfu akanatse ngekutsandza kwakhe. Yatjela tisebenti kutsi ngulowo nalowo muntfu timnikete liwayini lalifunako.
9 Inkhosikati lenkhulu Vashti nayo yayente layo lidzili, yentele emakhosikati lebeyihlala nawo esigodlweni senkhosi Ahashiveroshi.
10 Kwatsi ngelilanga lesikhombisa, inkhosi seyibufakile yatjela tindvuna tayo letatibatsenwa boMehumani, naBiztha, naHabona, naBiktha, na-Abagitha, naZethari, naKhakhasi kutsi tilandze inkhosikati lenkhulu Vashti,
11 tite nayo yembetse kahle ifake nemchele wayo webukhosi kuze ibakhombise buhle bayo. Phela Vashti bekamuhle kakhulu, abukeka.
12 Kodvwa tindvuna tenkhosi tatsi tiyamtjela, Vashti wala kuta nato. Inkhosi yatfukutsela yagana sicoco.
13 Kwakungumkhuba wenkhosi kutsi icale ibute indlela etingcwetini temtsetfo letatibeluleki bayo etintfweni letiphatselene nenkhosi, ngako yavele yatibita.
14 Labo yayivamise kubabita bekuboKhashena, naShethari, na-Admatha, naThashishi, naMeresi, naMasena kanye naMemukhani. Babetiphatsimandla letisikhombisa letatisetulu embusweni wasePheresiya naseMediya.
15 Wakhuluma kuto watsi: “Mine, nkhosi Ahashiveroshi, ngitsite ngitfumela emancusa kutsi ayewubita inkhosikati lenkhulu Vashti, kodvwa yala kuta. Ase nisho-ke kutsi umtsetfo utsi kufanele yentiweni lenkhosikati lenkhulu?”
16 Memukhani wakhuluma, watsi: “Inkhosikati lenkhulu Vashti ayikedzeleli inkhosi kuphela, kodvwa yedzelele ngisho netiphatsimandla tayo, kanye nabo bonkhe bantfu labakulombuso.
17 “Kutawutsi lingakashoni nje, bonkhe bafati batawube sebakuvile lokwedzelela kwalenkhosikati lenkhulu. Nabo batawube sebedzelela lawa abo emadvodza, babe batsi: ‘Ingani inkhosi Ahashiveroshi itsite ibita inkhosikati lenkhulu Vashti kutsi ite kuyo, yala.’
18 Bonkhe bafati betiphatsimandla tenkhosi batawutsi bangeva ngalokwedzelela kwenkhosikati lenkhulu, bese batjela emadvodza abo lingakashoni nelilanga. Loko kutakwenta bonkhe bafati bangawahloniphi emadvodza abo, loko kwente kutsi lamadvodza abaphatse ngesihluku labafati bawo, bese kutsi budlelwane bemindeni bube munyu.
19 Nakukuhle enkhosini, kuncono ikhiphe umtsetfo kutsi Vashti angaphindzi ete embikwenkhosi. Loko akufakwe emtsetfweni wasePheresiya naseMediya, khona kungetiwuphindze kuguculwe. Sikhundla sebunkhosikati lenkhulu inkhosi ayisinike lomunye umfati lomuhle lonenhlonipho kunaye.
20 Lomtsetfo awutfunyelwe kuto tonkhe tindzawo letingaphansi kwalombuso, khona kutewutsi ngulowo nalowo mfati atewuhlonipha indvodza yakhe, nome icebile nome iphuyile.”
21 Inkhosi netiphatsimandla tayo tawemukela lombono; ngako inkhosi yenta njengesincomo saMemukhani.
22 Inkhosi yatfumela kuto tonkhe tive letatingaphansi kwembuso wayo umtsetfo lowawungalolo nangalolo lulwimi lwaleso sive lotsi nguleyo naleyo ndvodza kufanele ibe yinhloko nemholi wemndeni wayo.
1 Emvakwesikhatsi kutfukutsela kwenkhosi Ahashiveroshi kwabotja. Wakhumbula nekwenta kwakhe Vashti kanye netinyatselo temtsetfo lamtsatsela tona.
2 Labanye beluleki lababesedvute naye bameluleka batsi: “Inkhosi ayikhetselwe emantfombatana lamahle.
3 Inkhosi ayikhetse bantfu babe ngemancusa ayo kulelo nakulelo live lelingaphansi kwalombuso. Lamancusa kufanele afune emantfombatana lamahle awaletse lapha esigodlweni, eSusa, awetfule kuHegayi, indvuna yalabasikati. Yena utawanika timonyo nemihlobiso.
4 Inkhosi itawube seyikhetsa leyo ntfombatana letayitsandza kakhulu, iyente ibe yinkhosikati lenkhulu esikhundleni saVashti.” Leseluleko sabonakala sisihle emehlweni enkhosi, ngako yavele yenta njengobe yayitjeliwe.
5 Kuleyo ndlunkhulu eSusa kwakuneliJuda lekwakunguModekhayi, umsa waJayire, umsa waShimeyi, umsa waKhishi wesive sakaBhenjamini.
6 Ngesikhatsi Nebukhadnezari, inkhosi yaseBhabhulona, atfumba Jehoyakhini eJerusalema, Modekhayi abengulomunye walabo labatfunjwa.
7 Lo-Esta labebitwa ngekutsi nguHadasa ngesiHebheru, abemuhle eme kahle. Modekhayi wamfaka esiswini sakhe ekufeni kwebatali bakhe. Empeleni, Esta abeyindvodzakati yemnakaboyise waModekhayi, ngako abengudzadzewabo.
8 Emvakwekukhishwa kwalesimemetelo semtsetfo lomusha emantfombatana lamanyenti aletfwa lapha esigodlweni saseSusa, na-Esta abengulomunye wawo. Naye wetfulwa etandleni taHegayi labeyindvuna yabo esihoncweni.
9 Hegayi wamtsandza, waba nengati lenhle kuHegayi. Hegayi akacitsanga sikhatsi, wavele wesukela etulu kutsi amnike konkhe lakudzingako nekudla kwelikhetselo. Ngetulu kwekumnika indzawo lekhetsiwe waphindze wamnika tisebenti letisikhombisa kutsi timsebente.
10 Esta akazange ayitsi vu indzaba yekutsi usive sini, ngobe phela Modekhayi abetsite angaboyikhuluma leyo, kutsi uliJuda.
11 Onkhe emalanga Modekhayi abevamise kutendlulisa lapha esihoncweni sesigodlo, afuna phela kutfola kahle kutsi Esta unjani nekutsi uphetfwe njani.
12 Ngaphambili kwekutsi intfombatana ingene enkhosini Ahashiveroshi kwakufanele itsatse umnyaka isaticola ngemafutsa lakhetsiwe lagcotjiswa ngemantfombatana; tinyanga letisitfupha bekuba tekuticola nekutilolonga ngemafutsa elikhetselo, bese kutsi letisitfupha letilandzelako tibe tekutigcobisa nekutitsela ngemakha nangetimonyo.
13 Leyo naleyo ntfombatana yayitsi nayiyawungena endlunkhulu enkhosini inikwe nome yini leyo leyifunako.
14 Kwakutsi ntsambama intfombatana ingene enkhosini, bese kutsi ekuseni nayivuka khona ingeniswe kulesinye sigodlo lapho bebagadvwa khona nguShashgazi, labeyindvuna yemaphovela. Abengeke aphindze abuyele enkhosini ngaphandle kwekutsi inkhosi loyo leyayimtsandzile imgagule ngelibito.
15 Lase liyefika-ke ligema la-Esta. Esta lona abeyindvodzakati ya-Abihayili, umnakaboyise waModekhayi. Modekhayi wamfaka esiswini sakhe; Esta-ke abetsandvwa nguye wonkhe umuntfu. Futsi yena akazange afune lokunye, abeneliswa nguloko lanikwa kona nguHegayi, indvuna yemaphovela.
16 Wangeniswa-ke enkhosini Ahashiveroshi endlunkulu. Wangeniswa ngenyanga yelishumi lekwakuyinyanga yaThebethi, ngemnyaka wesikhombisa wekubusa kwayo.
17 Inkhosi yatsatseka nga-Esta, kwendlula onkhe lawa lamanye emantfombatana. Yatsandza Esta ngetulu kwawo onkhe emantfombatana, ngako yamkhetsa emkhatsini wawo yametfwesa umchele webukhosi, yambeka waba yinkhosikati lenkhulu esikhundleni saVashti.
18 Ngako-ke inkhosi yenta lelikhulu lidzili, yentela Esta netiphatsimandla tayo. Yamemetela lilanga lekuphumula kuto tonkhe tigodzi, yephana ngetipho letinyenti tasebukhosini kubo bonkhe bantfu.
19 Ngesikhatsi emantfombatana asabutfwe kwesibili, Modekhayi abehlala emphundvwini yendlunkhulu.
20 Esta wawafihla emasiko, nemihambo kanye nemisimeto yesive sakubo, njengobe Modekhayi abemyalile. Wachubeka wawagcina emavi aModekhayi, njengobe abenta asemncane.
21 Ngesikhatsi Modekhayi aseyindvuna yasesigodlweni senkhosi, abekanye naboBikthani naThereshi, tindvuna tenkhosi letatigadza indlela leya endlunkhulu. Letindvuna tayitfukutselela inkhosi tafuna lisu lekuyibulala.
22 Modekhayi watsi kube ayive lendzaba, wayibika enkhosikatini Esta. Inkhosikati lenkhulu yabikela inkhosi ngalendzaba, yasho nekutsi ive ngaModekhayi.
23 Kwatsi kube kuphenywe kahle kutfolakale kutsi lendzaba yayiliciniso; lamadvodza lamabili alengiswa ngentsambo. Konkhe loko kwabhalwa encwadzini yemilandvo yemakhosi, inkhosi, Ahashiveroshi, ibuka.
1 Ngekuhamba kwetikhatsi, inkhosi Ahashiveroshi yamphakamisa Hamani yamnika sikhundla sekuba ngundvunankhulu. Hamani bekuyindvodzana yaHamedatha, umtukulu wa-Agagi.
2 Inkhosi yakhipha umtsetfo lewawucondzene nato tonkhe tiphatsimandla tayo kutsi tifanele tiguce phansi tikhotsame nakwendlula Hamani, timhloniphe. Tonkhe tiphatsimandla tatikwenta loko, ngaphandle kwaModekhayi lowala wangete wakhotsama.
3 Leti letinye tindvuna tatimbuta titsi: “Wena awuwulaleli ngani umtsetfo wenkhosi?”
4 Bambuta loko imihla ngemihla bamecwayisa ngalesento sakhe kutsi akasiyekele, kodvwa akazange abalalele. Abebatjela atsi: “NgiliJuda mine, ngeke ngikhotsamele Hamani.” Ngako base bayawumceba kuHamani nabo sebamangele kutsi ingabe utasibeketelela yini lesento saModekhayi.
5 Hamani watfukutsela wagaya tiboti, nakabona kutsi Modekhayi akamhloniphi, futsi akamkhotsameli.
6 Watsi kube eve kutsi Modekhayi uliJuda, wase ufuna lisu kutsi angasabulali Modekhayi yedvwa, kodvwa asale abulala onkhe emaJuda kulo lonkhe lasePheresiya.
7 Kwatsi ngenyanga yekucala, yaNisani, ngemnyaka weli-12 wekubusa kwenkhosi Ahashiveroshi, kwentiwa inkatho embikwaHamani yekutfola kutsi kungaba nguliphi lilanga nenyanga lekutsi aphumelelise lelisu lakhe. Ngako kwakhetfwa lilanga leli-13 ku-Adari, inyanga yeli-12.
8 Ngako-ke Hamani wabikela inkhosi, watsi: “Kukhona sive lesisakateke nalo lonkhe lelive lakho sigcwele tonkhe tifundza. Siyatehlukisa emasikweni etfu. Emasiko nemihambo yaso yehlukile, ayifani nemasiko ato tonkhe letinye tive; futsi asiyilaleli imitsetfo yalelive lakho. Ngako akukafaneli kutsi inkhosi isiyekele.
9 Nakukuhle enkhosini, ayikhiphe simemetelo sasebukhosini sekutsi asibulawe sonkhe lesive. Nawungakwenta loko, mine Hamani ngingafaka isiliva lengemakhilogremu langaba-340 000 esikhwameni senkhosi.”
10 Inkhosi yakhumula indandatho yayo leyayineluphawu lwekugcoba simemetelo lesiphuma enkhosini, yayinika lesitsa semaJuda, Hamani, umsa waHamedatha, umtukulu wa-Agagi.
11 Inkhosi yamtjela yatsi: “Leyo mali yakho, naleso sive sakho; yenta lokutsandzako ngaso.”
12 Ngako-ke kwatsi ngelilanga leli-13 lenyanga yekucala, Hamani wabita bonkhe bomabhalane benkhosi, ababitela lesatiso kuze basihumushe basibhale ngato tonkhe tilimi neluhlobo lwekubhala lolwalusetjentiswa eveni lasePheresiya. Tase titfunyelwa kuto tonkhe tindvuna, netikhulu, netiphatsimandla temibuso. Takhishwa egameni lenkhosi Ahashiveroshi tineluphawu lwendandatho yakhe.
13 Kwaphuma emancusa agijimisa lesatiso kuwo onkhe emave embuso. Lesimemetelo sasebukhosini sasatisa kutsi ngalanga linye, lilanga leli-13 enyangeni ya-Adari, onkhe emaJuda, labancane nalabadzala, bafati nebantfwana kufanele babulawe. Kufanele babhujiswe ngaphandle kwesihawu, timphahla tabo tidliwe.
14 Lesimemetelo kwakufanele simenyetelwe ebaleni, singafihlwa, kuto tonkhe tive, kuze kutsi litsi lifika lelo langa wonkhe umuntfu abe asatilungiselele.
15 Ngekuyala kwenkhosi leso simemetelo sakhishwa eSusa inhlokodolobha yalowo mbuso; emancusa aphutfumisa lesimemetelo kuwo onkhe emave. Inkhosi naHamani bona bahlala phansi banatsa ngesikhatsi lidolobha lonkhe laseSusa lidzidzekile ngekumangala.
1 Watsi kube Modekhayi eve ngako konkhe loko lokwase kuhloswe kwentiwa nguHamani, wadzabula tingubo takhe, wembatsa emasaka, watitsela ngemlotsa, wahamba adzabula lidolobha ekhatsi, akhala kakhulu nakabuhlungu,
2 waze wefika emphundvwini lengenela esigodlweni. Akazange angene ngekhatsi, ngobe phela bekulisiko nemsimeto kutsi umuntfu lowembetse inzilo akangeni esigodlweni.
3 Kwesuka sililo lesikhulu semaJuda kuto tonkhe tifundza letatingaphansi kwalowo mbuso, yonkhe indzawo lapho kwafika khona lesimemetelo. EmaJuda azila, akhala, alila kwatsi linyenti lawo lembatsa emasaka latitsela ngemlotsa.
4 Esta wakhatsateka kakhulu, nasatjelwa tisebenti kanye netindvuna takhe ngaloko lokwentiwa nguModekhayi. Watfumela timphahla kuModekhayi kutsi atewugcoka, khona atewukhumula lamasaka; kodvwa Modekhayi akazange avume kutemukela, watala.
5 Esta wase ubita Hathaki, labengulomunye wetindvuna letatibekwe yinkhosi kutsi tibe takakhe, wamtfumela kuModekhayi kutsi ayewubuta kutsi kwente njani.
6 Hathaki waya kuModekhayi enkhundleni yelidolobha leyayisembikwelisango lesigodlo senkhosi.
7 Modekhayi wamtjela konkhe lokwase kumehlele, kanye nemali leyayetsenjiswe nguHamani kutsi utayifaka esikhwameni senkhosi, nangabe onkhe emaJuda abulewe.
8 Wanika Hathaki ikhophi yalesimemetelo sasebukhosini lesasikhiswe lapha eSusa; sasichaza kutsi onkhe emaJuda kufanele abulawe. Modekhayi wamtjela kutsi ayinike Esta, achaze konkhe kuye, abese Esta uya enkhosini kuyekuyincenga kutsi ifane ibe nebubele kulesive sakubo.
9 Hathaki wabuyela emuva, wafike walandzisa Esta konkhe labekutjelwe nguModekhayi.
10 Esta waphendvula ngekutfumela kuModekhayi, watsi:
11 “Wonkhe umuntfu, indvodza nome umfati, longena ngekhatsi endlunkhulu enkhosini ayibone ingakambiti, umtsetfo utsi lowo muntfu akabulawe. Lomtsetfo watiwa ngibo bonkhe bantfu lababeluleki bayo kanye nebantfu bonkhe emaveni onkhe embuso. Lowo muntfu usindza kuphela, nangabe inkhosi imphakamisela indvuku yayo yebukhosi yegolide. Sekuphela inyanga inkhosi solomane ingakangibiti kutsi ngite kuyo.”
12 Watsi kube Modekhayi atjelwe yonkhe inkhulumo ya-Esta,
13 waphindze watfumela livi kuye watsi: “Ungacabangi kutsi ngobe wena ulapho esigodlweni utawusindza nakubulawa onkhe emaJuda.
14 Nawuthula manje kulesikhatsi, lusito nenkhululeko yemaJuda iyawuchamuka kulenye indzawo, wena nemndeni weyihlo utawubhujiswa. Empeleni, ngubani nje lowatiko kutsi mhlawumbe wena wentelwa sona lesikhatsi kutsi ube yinkhosikati lenkhulu?”
15 Esta watfumela kuModekhayi imphendvulo letsi:
16 “Hamba uhlanganise onkhe emaJuda laseSusa, nizile ningithandazele. Ningadli kudla, ninganatsi nemanti kuze kube ngemalanga lamatsatfu nebusuku bawo. Nami netincekukati tami sitawuzila njengani. Emvakwaloko ngitawuvele ngitidzikele, ngingene enkhosini, nome loko kuphambene nemtsetfo. Nangabe ngiyafa, ngife kube kanye.”
17 Modekhayi wesuka lapho wayawukwenta konkhe loko, njengobe Esta abemtjelile.
1 Kwatsi ngelilanga lesitsatfu lekuzila Esta wembatsa imijiva yakhe yebukhosi, wahamba waze wayawungena ngekhatsi esihoncweni sendlunkhulu. Wangena ngemphundvu lemacondzana nemnyango wendlunkhulu. Inkhosi yayingekhatsi ihleti esihlalweni sayo sebukhosi imacondzana nemnyango.
2 Inkhosi yatsi nayibona inkhosikati lenkhulu Esta ime ngaphandle, yajabula, yase iphakamisa indvuku yayo yegolide isho kutsi akangene. Weta wafike watsintsa sihloko salendvuku.
3 Inkhosi yambuta yatsi: “Kwenteke njani, nkhosikati Esta? Ngitjele kutsi ufunani, utakutfola, nome ngabe kuyincenye yembuso wami.”
4 Esta waphendvula watsi: “Uma kukuhle enkhosini yami, ngicela kutsi inkhosi ite naHamani lamuhla edzilini lengililungiselela bona.”
5 Inkhosi yatsi akubitwe Hamani masinyane, kuze batekuya ka-Esta edzilini. Ngako bahamba-ke boHamani nenkhosi baya edzilini ka-Esta.
6 Ngesikhatsi banatsa liwayini inkhosi yaphindza yambuta Esta, yatsi: “Ngabe siyini sikhalo sakho, nkhosikati? Ngitjele kutsi ufunani, utayitfola. Ngitakunika sicelo sakho, ngisho nome ngabe sewucela incenye yembuso wami.”
7 Esta watsi: “Nasi sicelo sami:
8 Nangabe inkhosi ingaba nemusa kimi ingiphe sicelo sami, ngicela kutsi iphindze ibuye naHamani kusasa kulelinye lidzili lengitawube ngililungisele bona. Ngitayitjela lapho-ke inkhosi kutsi siyini sicelo sami.”
9 Hamani waphuma kulelo dzili ativa amnandzi, ajabule kakhulu. Kodvwa watsi nakabona Modekhayi emphundvwini, wambona kutsi akamkhotsameli futsi akakhombisi nakancane nje kumhlonipha ngesikhatsi endlula, Hamani watfukutsela watselwa ngemanti.
10 Noko watibamba waya ekhaya lakhe. Wase umema bangani bakhe kutsi bavakashele ekhaya lakhe, wabita nemkakhe Zereshi kutsi naye abe khona.
11 Hamani wabatekela ababalela nebantfwabakhe kutsi banyenti kanganani, abatjela nekutsi inkhosi imkhuphule kanjani yamenta ndvunankhulu, nekutsi yena ubaluleke kanganani kunato tonkhe tindvuna tenkhosi.
12 Wachubeka Hamani wabalandzisa nekutsi ngetulu kwako konkhe yena uhleti nje abemenywe yinkhosikati lenkhulu, Esta; ibentele lidzili bona nenkhosi bobabili. Washo nekusho kutsi nangakusasa futsi baphindze bamenywa, kwamenywa inkhosi naye Hamani kuphela, emkhatsini wato tonkhe tindvuna tenkhosi.
13 Kodvwa nome kunjalo, konkhe loko kuye kwakungasho lutfo inkhani nakasabona leliJuda lelinguModekhayi lisahlala lapha emphundvwini yasendlunkhulu.
14 Ngako umkakhe Zereshi, nabo bonkhe bangani bakhe bakhipha siphakamiso batsi: “Yini ungagawuli sigodvo lesingemamitha langema-22 budze, uvuke ekuseni ucele enkhosini kutsi Modekhayi alengiswe khona; utawutsi nawuya edzilini nenkhosi ube ujabulile.” Leso siphakamiso samjabulisa Hamani, ngako sigodvo sekulengisa Modekhayi salungiswa masinyane.
1 Kulobo busuku abuzange sebehle butfongo enkhosini, ngako yatfumela kutsi akulandvwe emabhuku emilandvo yembuso ifundzelwe.
2 Lendzawo leyafundvwa yayinemlandvo lapho kwakubhalwe kutsi Modekhayi wavumbulula lisu letindvuna letimbili letatigadza iminyango yenkhosi, boBikthani naThereshi.
3 Inkhosi yabuta yatsi: “Modekhayi sambonga ngekumnika mvuzo muni ngalesento lesi?” Letinceku tatsi: “Kute lentelwa kona.”
4 Inkhosi yabuta yatsi: “Kukhona yini lomunye wetindvuna tami lolapha esigodlweni?” Ngaleso sikhatsi Hamani abengena esibuyeni sendlunkhulu ete enkhosini kutewucela kutsi Modekhayi alengiswe entsanjeni leyase ilungiselwe yena.
5 Ngako letinceku taphendvula tatsi: “Hamani ukhona la ngephandle, umele kutawukhuluma nawe.” Inkhosi yatsi: “Mngeniseni.”
6 Ngako Hamani wangeniswa, inkhosi yakhuluma kuye, yatsi: “Kukhona umuntfu lengifisa kumbonga kakhulu. Wena utsi ngingakukhombisa kanjani loko kumbonga kwami?” Hamani wacabanga watsi: “Konje ngubani nje inkhosi lengafisa kumbonga kakhulu ngaphandle kwami?”
7 Hamani wayiphendvula watsi: “Lomuntfu inkhosi lefisa kumbonga
8 ayimembese ngengubo yebukhosi leyembatfwa ngiyo, imekhwete ehhashini layo lelifakwe umchele webukhosi.
9 Lesinye setikhulu tayo letetsembekile asimembatsise lowo muntfu inkhosi letsandza kumbonga, bese sihamba embikwalo lelihhashi, lidzabule licotfote ekhatsi nelidolobha. Lesikhulu asihambe simemetela, sitsi: ‘Ase nibuke-ke kutsi inkhosi imentelani lowo muntfu lefisa kumbonga!’ ”
10 Inkhosi yatsi kuHamani: “Phutfuma, utsatse ingubo yebukhosi nelihhashi njengobe ushito, konkhe loko ukwente kuModekhayi, liJuda. Utamkhandza ahleti emphundvwini yendlunkhulu.”
11 Ngako Hamani watsatsa lengubo yebukhosi wembatsisa Modekhayi, wamekhweta ehhashini lebukhosi, walihambela embili, ahamba amemetela atsi: “Ase nibuke-ke kutsi inkhosi imentelani umuntfu lefisa kumbonga!”
12 Emvakwaloko Modekhayi wabuyela emphundvwini yendlunkhulu, kodvwa Hamani wabuyela ekhaya kakhe ajabhe, waze wembonya nebuso bakhe ngenca yekudliwa ngemahloni.
13 Wafike walandzisa umkakhe nebangani bakhe bonkhe lokwase kumehlele. Umkakhe Zereshi nalabangani bakhe bamtjela batsi: “Nangabe Modekhayi aliJuda, wena sewucalile kuwa, futsi ungeke umkhone. Nakanjani utakwehlula.”
14 Batsi basakhuluma tindvuna tenkhosi tefika setilandze Hamani ngekushesha kutsi aye edzilini, lakhe nenkhosi, lababelentelwe ngu-Esta.
1 Ngako inkhosi naHamani bahamba bobabili baya edzilini la-Esta.
2 Basachubeka nekunatsa ngalelo langa lesibili, inkhosi yaphindze yabuta, yatsi: “Nkhosikati Esta, ufunani? Ngitjele, utakwentelwa; ngisho nome ngabe ufuna incenye yembuso wami.”
3 Inkhosikati Esta, yaphendvula yatsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini yami kwemukela sicelo sami, nome ngingesibani, sifiso sami, nkhosi, kutsi mane usindzise imphilo yami, nemphilo yesive sakitsi.
4 Mine nesive sakitsi sitsengisiwe kutsi sibulawe size sife sonkhe siphele. Kube mane bekutsengiswe ngatsi kutsi simane sibe tigcili netigcilikati ngabe ngithulile, ngobe angiboni kutsi loko singaze sikwetfwese inkhosi; kodvwa sitawubhujiswa sonkhe!”
5 Inkhosi Ahashiveroshi yabuta inkhosikati Esta, yatsi: “Ngubani lowo? Ukuphi yena lowo muntfu lowente leso sento lesinjalo?”
6 Esta watsi: “Sitsa setfu, umuntfu losenyanyako, nalesisinengiso kuye ngunangu Hamani, lonenhlitiyo lembi!” Hamani wahlahlela inkhosi nenkhosikati lenkhulu emehlo asetfukile, esaba.
7 Inkhosi yasukuma seyitfukutsele igaya tiboti, yashiya lidzili yaphumela ngaphandle esibuyeni sesigodlo, yayawushaywa ngumoya. Hamani wabona kutsi kubi, inkhosi vele itamjezisa ngalesento; wasala endlini, entela kutincengela ku-Esta, kutsi inkhosi ingambulali.
8 Watsi asatilahla phansi nje embikwetinyawo tesihlalo sa-Esta, asatsi usetatincengela, yangena inkhosi seyibuya esibuyeni. Yatsi nayimbona enta njalo, yamemeta yatsi: “Kantsi lendvodza seyitawudlwengula umdlunkhulu wami lapha ekhatsi esigodlweni nasembikwami, ngibuka?” Latsi liphuma nje lelo livi enkhosini, tinceku taphutfuma tambonya buso baHamani.
9 Lomunye wabo, lekwakutsiwa nguHabona, watsi: “Yena lo Hamani phela besalungise nesigodvo lesingemamitha langema-22 ngasendlini yakhe, asilungisele kulengisa Modekhayi lowephula imphilo yenkhosi engotini.” “Lengisani Hamani kuso!” sekusho inkhosi.
10 Ngako Hamani walengiswa kuleso sigodvo bekasigawulele kulengisa Modekhayi. Kutfukutsela kwenkhosi kwabotja.
1 Ngalona lelo langa inkhosi Ahashiveroshi yadla tonkhe timphahla taHamani, sitsa nemhluphi wemaJuda, watinika inkhosikati Esta, tema ngaye. Esta walandzisa inkhosi ngekuhlobana kwabo naModekhayi; ngako kusukela ngalelo langa Modekhayi waba nemvume yekungena endlunkhulu.
2 Inkhosi yakhumula indandatho yayo leneluphawu lwayo, yona leyo labeyinike Hamani, wase uyinika Modekhayi. Esta wanika Modekhayi lilungelo lekuphatsa tonkhe timphahla bekutaHamani.
3 Esta waphindze wayawukhuluma enkhosini; watilahla etinyaweni tayo, akhala. Wayincenga kutsi isale seyiwuhocisa lomkhankhaso lomubi wekubulala onkhe emaJuda, njengobe bekuhlose Hamani, umtukulu wa-Agagi.
4 Inkhosi yamphakamisela indvuku yayo yegolide; ngako-ke Esta wasukuma wakhuluma kuyo, watsi:
5 “Nakukuhle enkhosini, nangabe itsandza nekunginaka, nayibona kutsi loko kufanele kwentiwe, ngicela ikhiphe umtsetfo wekuncandza kufezwa kwemkhankhaso wekubulala onkhe emaJuda kuto tonkhe tifundza talombuso lobekuhloswe nguHamani, umsa waHamedatha, um-Agagi.
6 Empeleni mine ngingakumela ngikutibe njani, nangabe sive netihlobo tami tibhujiswa tibulawa?”
7 Inkhosi Ahashiveroshi wakhuluma kuModekhayi, na-Esta akhona, yatsi: “Asubuke la, sengimncumile loHamani labehlose kubhubhisa emaJuda; timphahla takhe sengitetfule etandleni ta-Esta.
8 Incwadzi leneluphawu lwebukhosi ingeke iphikiswe ngumuntfu. Ngako-ke ungawabhalela egameni lami onkhe emaJuda loko lofisa kuwabhalela kona, bese lenkhulumo uyinyatselisa ngeluphawu lwebukhosi.”
9 Loku kwenteka ngelilanga lema-23, enyangeni yesitsatfu, lebitwa ngekutsi nguSivani. Modekhayi wabita bomabhalane benkhosi wabeka inkhulumo, bona bayibhala phansi. Letincwadzi tamikiswa kumaJuda, nebabusi, netindvuna, netiphatsimandla, nakuto tonkhe tifundza letatili-127, kusukela eNdiya kuze kufike eSudani. Letincwadzi tabhalwa ngelulwimi nangeluhlobo lwekubhala lwaleso naleso sifundza lapho tatiya khona, nakuwo emaJuda ngelulwimi lwawo nangeluhlobo lwekubhala kwawo.
10 Modekhayi watibhala tonkhe letincwadzi egameni lenkhosi Ahashiveroshi, watingcivita ngendandatho yeluphawu lwenkhosi. Kwakhishwa emancusa labegibele emahhashi enkhosi elikhetselo lagijima kakhulukati.
11 Letincwadzi tatichaza kutsi inkhosi seyinike onkhe emaJuda kuwo onkhe emadolobha kutsi abe nelilungelo lekutivikela. Banikwa nelilungelo kutsi bativikele nabahlaselwa titsa nome kukuliphi live lalombuso, balwe naleto titsa, babulale bafati bato nebantfwabato, nakwenteka baticedze tonkhe badle ngisho netimphahla tato.
12 Lesimemetelo sasebukhosini kwaphoceleka kutsi sisebente kuwo wonkhe umbuso wasePheresiya ngalo lelo langa lekubulawa kwemaJuda, lekwakufanele kube mhla tili-13, enyangeni yeli-12, lekutsiwa ngu-Adari.
13 Lesimemetelo sasebukhosini semiswa saba ngumtsetfo lekwakufanele watiwe ngibo bonkhe bantfu kuwo onkhe emave, kuze phela emaJuda atewukwati kutenanela nekutiphindzisela nakahlaselwa titsa tawo ngalelo langa.
14 Tigijimi nemancusa lakhishwa yinkhosi abegibele emahhashi enkhosi lagijima kakhulukati. Lesimemetelo sasebukhosini sasicilelwa samenyetelwa satiwa nangibo bonkhe bantfu baseSusa lekwakuyinhlokodolobha yembuso.
15 Modekhayi waphuma endlunkhulu embetse imijiva yebukhosi lelingangane nalemhlophe, nengubo lebukhwebeletane kanye nemchele lomuhle wegolide. Bonkhe bantfu edolobheni laseSusa bema etitaladini bamemeta ngalokukhulu kujabula.
16 KumaJuda lelo kwaba lilanga nesikhatsi sekutsakasa, nekutfokota, nekujabula, nekudvumisa.
17 Kuwo onkhe emadolobha nemave lapho kwefika khona lesimemetelo sasebukhosini emaJuda ajabula aze aba nelilanga lekubonga, kwaba nemadzili, kwajatjulwa kwaba njeya. Empeleni bantfu labanyenti bavele bagucula iminyango baba ngemaJuda, ngobe phela abesanesitfunti, esatjwa.
1 Lefika-ke lilanga leli-13 enyangeni ya-Adari, inyanga yeli-12. Lelo bekulilanga lapho simemetelo senkhosi bekufanele sifezeke ngalo. Lelo bekulilanga lapho titsa temaJuda betibheke kutsi tiwacedze. Kodvwa lisondvo lagucuka, ngobe emaJuda kwabe sekuba ngawo lancobako, ancoba titsa tawo.
2 EmaJuda abutsana ndzawonye etidzidzini tawo letatisemadolobheni kuto tonkhe tifundza tenkhosi Ahashiveroshi, entela kutsi ativikele kulabo lababengahle bawahlasele. Kwabate umuntfu lowaba nemandla ekuwahlasela, ngobe bonkhe bantfu baletinye tive bese bawesaba kakhulu.
3 Empeleni tonkhe tiphatsimandla, netindvuna, nebabusi betifundza bese babuyele ngakumaJuda, ngobe bese besaba Modekhayi.
4 Phela Modekhayi bese kwatiwa kutsi sewungumuntfu lomkhulu kanganani ebukhosini. Kwase kwatiwa nekutsi uya ngekuya uyakhushulwa.
5 EmaJuda abulala enta lakutsandzako ngetitsa tawo. Atihlasela kamatima ngetikhali, atibulala.
6 ESusa, lekwakunguyona nhlokodolobha, emaJuda abulala emadvodza langema-500.
7 Abulala Phashandatha, naDalfoni, na-Aspatha,
8 naPhoratha, na-Adaliya, na-Aridatha,
9 naPhamashta, na-Arisayi, na-Aridayi, naVayizatha,
10 emadvodzana lalishumi aHamani, umsa waHamedatha, sitsa semaJuda. Noko akazange asibeke sandla sakhe etimphahleni tetitsa tawo kutsi atiphange.
11 Ngalona lelo langa sibalo sebantfu lababebulewe ngemaJuda eSusa sabikelwa inkhosi.
12 Inkhosi yatsi kunkhosikati Esta: “EmaJuda abulele emadvodza langema-500 kanye nemadvodzana aHamani lalishumi, enhlokodolobha iSusa. Ingabe-ke kulawa lamanye emadolobha benteni? Manje ase usho sikhalo sakho; utakwentelwa. Ngitjele kutsi yini lenye loyifunako ngitakwentela.”
13 Esta waphendvula watsi: “Nakukuhle enkhosini yami, ngicela kutsi emaJuda lasenhlokodolobha iSusa aphindze nakusasa ente njengobe entile lamuhla, bese kutsi tidvumbu temadvodzana lalishumi aHamani, tiphanyekwe etigodvweni.”
14 Ngako inkhosi yakhipha simemetelo sasebukhosini kutsi loko akwentiwe. Lesimemetelo sasebukhosini sacondziswa eSusa kutsi emadvodzana aHamani alengiswe ngentsambo etigodvweni.
15 EmaJuda labeseSusa aphindza abutsana ndzawonye ngelilanga leli-14, enyangeni ya-Adari, abulala lamanye emadvodza langema-300. Noko akazange atiphange timphahla tawo.
16 Ngaleso sikhatsi nalawa lamanye emaJuda labekuletinye tifundza tenkhosi abebutsene ndzawonye ngemave awo, nawo ativikela ngetikhali; wona abulala bantfu labati-75 000 lababetitsa tawo. Kodvwa noko nawo akazange asibeke sandla etimphahleni tabo, kutiphanga.
17 Loko bakwenta ngelilanga leli-13, enyangeni ya-Adari; kwatsi ngelilanga leli-14 baphumula, batentela lilanga lelidzili lekujabula, nelekwephana tipho.
18 EmaJuda labeseSusa wona lelidzili alenta ngelilanga leli-15 enyangeni ya-Adari, ngobe phela bona titsa tabo batibulala ngelilanga leli-13 nangelilanga leli-14, kwase kutsi ngelilanga leli-15 baphumula; nabo base batentela lilanga lelidzili nelekujabula bephane tipho.
19 Ngiko-nje emaJuda lasahlala emakhaya emaphandleni lilanga leli-14 enyangeni ya-Adari alenta kube lilanga lelidzili lekujabula bephane tipho.
20 Modekhayi watibhala phansi tonkhe leto tintfo, wase utitfumela kuwo onkhe emaJuda kuwo onkhe emave lasePheresiya lasedvute nalakhashane,
21 awatjela kutsi lilanga leli-14 neleli-15 enyangeni ya-Adari babolihlonipha balente kube lilanga lelidzili lekujabula nelekwephana ngalo tipho, yonkhe iminyaka.
22 Lawo ngawo emalanga lapho emaJuda ativikela etitseni tawo. Leyo nyanga kwaba yinyanga leyajikiswa ekubeni yinyanga yelusizi neyengati kubo, yaba yinyanga yenjabulo neyekuphepha kwabo. Batjelwa kutsi bawahloniphe lawo malanga ngekwenta emadzili bephane tipho talokudliwako lomunye kulomunye, ngisho nakulabamphofu.
23 Ngako emaJuda alandzela imiyalo yaModekhayi; lesibhimbi sasale saba ngumkhosi weminyaka yonkhe.
24 Hamani, umsa waHamedatha, situkulwane sa-Agagi, sitsa lesikhulu sesive semaJuda, abente inkatho lekwakutsiwa yiPhurimu, entele kutfola lilanga lekungulona kungabulawa ngalo onkhe emaJuda. Abehlose kuwacedza onkhe.
25 Kodvwa Esta waya enkhosini, inkhosi yakhipha umtsetfo lowawubhalwe phansi, lekwatsi umphumela wawo Hamani nemadvodzana akhe wavuna labekuhlanyelele emaJuda, yena nemadvodzana akhe balengiswa entsanjeni benekelwa live.
26 Ngiko nje lamalanga alamadzili abitwa ngekutsi yiPhurimu, ngenca yalencwadzi leyabhalwa nguModekhayi nangenca yako konkhe lokwawehlela.
27 EmaJuda abe asatentela umtsetfo nelisiko lawo kanye newetitukulwane tawo, naye wonkhe longahle afune kuba liJuda kutsi njalo ngesikhatsi lesifanele iminyaka ngeminyaka lamalanga lamabili ayawuhlonishwa njengekusho kwesimemetelo saModekhayi.
28 Kwavunyelwana kutsi yonkhe imindeni yemaJuda kuto tonkhe titukulwane letitako, kuto tonkhe tifundza, nakuwo onkhe emadolobha, afanele alihloniphe alikhumbule lelo langa lePhurimu, ngayo yonkhe iminyaka letawulandzela.
29 Ngako-ke inkhosikati lenkhulu Esta, indvodzakati ya-Abiyayili, banaModekhayi, babhala incwadzi futsi lenesiciniseko sekutsi naye uyasicindzetela leso simemetelo ngePhurimu lesasikhishwe nguModekhayi ngaphambili.
30 Lencwadzi yayicondziswe kuwo onkhe emaJuda, yase itfunyelwa nakuto tonkhe tifundza letatili-127 embusweni wonkhe wasePheresiya. Yayifisela emaJuda kuthula nenhlalakahle,
31 yatisa emaJuda kanye netitukulwane tawo kutsi awahloniphe lamalanga ePhurimu ngesikhatsi lesifanele, njengaloku bebetayele kuhlonipha imitsetfo yekuhlonipha kuzila netikhatsi tekulila. Lowo mtsetfo waphuma kuModekhayi banenkhosikati lenkhulu Esta.
32 Lomyalo wa-Esta lowagcizelela imitsetfo yePhurimi wawubhalwe encwadzini legocotwako.
1 Bantfu lababeselugwini lwembuso kanye nalabo labebakhe ekhatsi kwelive, inkhosi Ahashiveroshi wabaphocelela kutsi bamsebentele kamatima.
2 Tonkhe tintfo nemisebenti yakhe lemikhulu lemangalisako kanye nekubeka Modekhayi esikhundleni kubhaliwe emilandvweni yemakhosi asePheresiya naseMediya.
3 Modekhayi waba siphatsimandla lesaba lisekela lenkhosi Ahashiveroshi. EmaJuda abemhlonipha amatisa, kunjalo nje naye abesebentela kutsi bantfu besive sakubo netitukulwane tabo tihlale tinekuphepha.