\id EZR - Biblica® Open Ndebele Contemporary Bible
\ide UTF-8
\h U-Ezra
\toc1 U-Ezra
\toc2 U-Ezra
\toc3 Ezra
\mt1 U-Ezra
\c 1
\s1 UKhurosi Ubuyisela Izithunjwa
\p
\v 1 Ngomnyaka wakuqala wenkosi yasePhezhiya uKhurosi, ukuze kugcwaliseke ilizwi \nd likaThixo\nd* elakhulunywa nguJeremiya, \nd uThixo\nd* wathinta inhliziyo kaKhurosi inkosi yasePhezhiya ukuba yenze isimemezelo kuwo wonke umbuso wayo, ukuthi sibhalwe phansi kuthiwe:
\pmo
\v 2 “Nanku okutshiwo yinkosi uKhurosi wasePhezhiya:
\pm ‘\nd UThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, ungiphile yonke imbuso yasemhlabeni njalo ungikhethile ukuthi ngimakhele ithempeli eJerusalema koJuda. 
\v 3 Loba ngubani wabantu bakhe phakathi kwenu angahamba aye eJerusalema koJuda ayekwakha ithempeli \nd likaThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uNkulunkulu oseJerusalema njalo sengathi uNkulunkulu wabo angaba labo. 
\v 4 Akuthi abantu loba ngabakuyiphi indawo lapho okungabe kuseselensalela kabamuphe isiliva legolide, impahla lezifuyo, leminikelo yokuzithandela yethempeli likaNkulunkulu eJerusalema.’ ”
\p
\v 5 Kwasekusithi abazinhloko zemizi yakoJuda lakoBhenjamini, kanye labaphristi labaLevi, labo bonke ababethintwe inhliziyo zabo nguNkulunkulu, bazilungisela ukuhamba ukuyakwakha indlu \nd kaThixo\nd* eJerusalema. 
\v 6 Bonke omakhelwane babo babancedisa ukuzuza izinto zesiliva legolide, impahla lezifuyo, lezipho eziligugu phezu kwayo yonke iminikelo yokuzizwela.
\p
\v 7 Phezu kwalokho iNkosi uKhurosi yakhupha zonke izitsha ezazingezethempeli \nd likaThixo\nd* ezazithunjwe nguNebhukhadineza eJerusalema zabekwa ethempelini likankulunkulu wakhe. 
\v 8 UKhurosi inkosi yasePhezhiya wathi kazilethwe nguMithiredathi umgcinisikhwama onguye owazibalayo ezibalela uSheshibhazari inkosana yakoJuda.
\b
\li4
\v 9 Nanzi-ke lezompahla:
\b
\li1 imiganu yegolide yayingamatshumi amathathu (30),
\li1 imiganu yesiliva yayiyinkulungwane (1,000),
\li1 amapane esiliva ayengamatshumi amabili lasificamunwemunye (29),
\li1
\v 10 imiganu yegolide ezingubhe yayingamatshumi amathathu (30),
\li1 eyesiliva efana layo yayingamakhulu amane letshumi (410),
\li1 ezinye impahla zaziyinkulungwane (1,000).
\b
\li4
\v 11 Sekukonke, kwakuyizinkulungwane ezinhlanu lamakhulu amane ezinto zegolide lesiliva (5,400).
\b
\p USheshibhazari weza lazozonke lezizinto lapho izithunjwa zafika eJerusalema zivela eBhabhiloni.
\c 2
\s1 Uluhlu Lwalabo Ababuyayo Ekuthunjweni
\li4
\v 1 Manje-ke yilaba abantu bendawo ababuyayo ekuthunjweni, ababethunjiwe nguNebhukhadineza inkosi yaseBhabhiloni yabasa eBhabhiloni (babuyela eJerusalema lakoJuda, ngulowo emzini wakibo, 
\v 2 behamba loZerubhabheli, loJeshuwa, loNehemiya, loSeraya, loRelayiya, loModekhayi, loBhilishani, loMisipha, loBhigivayi, loRehumi loBhana):
\b
\li4 Uluhlu lwamadoda ako-Israyeli:
\li1
\v 3 isizukulwane
\li2 sikaPharoshi sasizinkulungwane ezimbili lekhulu elilamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili (2,172),
\li2
\v 4 esikaShefathiya sasingamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lambili (372),
\li2
\v 5 esika-Ara sasingamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lanhlanu (775),
\li2
\v 6 esikaPhahathi-Mowabi (ngosendo lukaJeshuwa loJowabi) sasizinkulungwane ezimbili lamakhulu ayisificaminwembili letshumi lambili (2,812),
\li2
\v 7 esika-Elamu sasiyinkulungwane elamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lane (1,254),
\li2
\v 8 esikaZathu sasingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi amane lanhlanu (945),
\li2
\v 9 esikaZakhayi sasingamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi ayisithupha (760),
\li2
\v 10 esikaBhani sasingamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amane lambili (642),
\li2
\v 11 esikaBhebhayi sasingamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lantathu (623),
\li2
\v 12 esika-Azigadi sasiyinkulungwane elamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lambili (1,222),
\li2
\v 13 esika-Adonikhamu sasingamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi ayisithupha lasithupha (666),
\li2
\v 14 esikaBhigivayi sasizinkulungwane ezimbili lamatshumi amahlanu lasithupha (2,056),
\li2
\v 15 esika-Adini sasingamakhulu amane lamatshumi amahlanu lane (454),
\li2
\v 16 esika-Atheri (ngoHezekhiya) sasingamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lasificaminwembili (98),
\li2
\v 17 esikaBhezayi sasingamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili lantathu (323),
\li2
\v 18 esikaJora sasilikhulu letshumi lambili (112),
\li2
\v 19 esikaHashumi sasingamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lantathu (223),
\li2
\v 20 esikaGibhari sasingamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lanhlanu (95),
\li1
\v 21 amadoda
\li2 eBhethilehema ayengamakhulu amabili lantathu (123),
\li2
\v 22 eNethofa ayengamatshumi amahlanu lasithupha (56),
\li2
\v 23 e-Anathothi ayelikhulu lamatshumi amabili lasificaminwembili (128),
\li2
\v 24 e-Azimavethi ayengamatshumi amane lambili (42),
\li2
\v 25 eKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi, eKhefira leBherothi ayengamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amane lantathu (743),
\li2
\v 26 eRama leGebha ayengamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amabili lanye (621),
\li2
\v 27 eMikhimashi ayelikhulu lamatshumi amabili lambili (122),
\li2
\v 28 eBhetheli le-Ayi ayengamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili lantathu (223),
\li2
\v 29 eNebho ayengamatshumi amahlanu lambili (52),
\li2
\v 30 eMagibhishi ayelikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu lasithupha (156),
\li2
\v 31 kweyinye i-Elamu ayeyinkulungwane elamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lane (1,254),
\li2
\v 32 eHarimi ayengamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amabili (320),
\li2
\v 33 eLodi, eHadidi le-Ono ayengamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili lanhlanu (725),
\li2
\v 34 eJerikho ayengamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi amane lanhlanu (345),
\li2
\v 35 eSenaya ayezinkulungwane ezintathu lamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amathathu (3,630).
\b
\li4
\v 36 Abaphristi:
\li1 esizukulwaneni
\li2 sikaJedaya (ngosendo lukaJeshuwa) babengamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye lamatshumi ayisikhombisa lantathu (973),
\li2
\v 37 kwesika-Imeri babeyinkulungwane lamatshumi amahlanu lambili (1,052),
\li2
\v 38 kwesikaPhashuri babeyinkulungwane elamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amane lasikhombisa (1,247),
\li2
\v 39 kwesikaHarimi babeyinkulungwane letshumi lasikhombisa (1,017).
\b
\li4
\v 40 AbaLevi:
\li1 besizukulwane
\li2 sikaJeshuwa loKhadimiyeli (abosendo lukaHodaviya) babengamatshumi ayisikhombisa lane (74).
\b
\li4
\v 41 Abahlabeleli:
\li1 besizukulwane
\li2 sika-Asafi babelikhulu lamatshumi amabili lasificaminwembili (128).
\b
\li4
\v 42 Abalindi bamasango:
\li1 besizukulwane
\li2 sikaShalumi, lo-Atheri, loThalimoni,
\li2 lo-Akhubi, loHathitha loShobhayi babelikhulu lamatshumi amathathu lasificamunwemunye (139).
\b
\li4
\v 43 Izinceku zethempelini:
\li1 zesizukulwane
\li2 sikaZiha, loHasufa, loThabhawothi,
\li2
\v 44 loKherosi, loSiyaha, loPhadoni,
\li2
\v 45 loLebhana, loHagabha, lo-Akhubi,
\li2
\v 46 loHagabi, loShalimayi, loHanani,
\li2
\v 47 loGideli, loGahari, loReyaya,
\li2
\v 48 loRezini, loNekhoda, loGazami,
\li2
\v 49 lo-Uza, loPhaseya, loBhesayi,
\li2
\v 50 lo-Asina, loMewunimi, loNefusimi,
\li2
\v 51 loBhakibhuki, loHakufa, loHahuri,
\li2
\v 52 loBhaziluthi, loMehida, loHasha,
\li2
\v 53 loBhakhosi, loSisera, loThema,
\li2
\v 54 loNeziya kanye loHathifa.
\li4
\v 55 Izizukulwane zezinceku zikaSolomoni:
\li1 isizukulwane
\li2 sikaSothayi, loHasoferethi, loPheruda,
\li2
\v 56 loJala, loDakhoni, loGideli,
\li2
\v 57 loShefathiya, loHathili,
\li2 loPhokherethi-Hazebhayimi kanye lo-Ami.
\li4
\v 58 Izinceku zethempelini lezizukulwane zezinceku zikaSolomoni
\li2 zazingamakhulu amathathu lamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lambili (392).
\b
\li4
\v 59 Abalandelayo laba bavela emadolobheni aseTheli Mela, eTheli Hasha, eKherubi, e-Adani, lase-Imeri, kodwa behluleka ukuveza ukuthi usendo lwabo lwaphuma ko-Israyeli:
\li1
\v 60 abesizukulwane
\li2 sikaDelaya, loThobhiya loNekhoda babengamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu lambili (652).
\b
\li4
\v 61 Ababephuma kubaphristi kwakuyilaba:
\li1 Abesizukulwane
\li2 sikaHobhaya, esikaHakhozi lesikaBhazilayi (indoda eyayithethe indodakazi kaBhazilayi umGiliyadi layo yayibizwa ngalelobizo).
\li4
\v 62 Laba baphenya imibhalo yembali yezimuli zabo, kodwa bayiswela ngakho basuswa ebuphristini kwathiwa bangcolile. 
\v 63 Umbusi wabalaya ukuthi bangakudli loba yikuphi ukudla okungcwele kuze kube lomphristi wokubuza inkatho i-Urimi leThumimi.
\b
\li4
\v 64 Ixuku lonke lalilinani elifika izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili, lamakhulu amathathu alamatshumi ayisithupha (42,360), 
\v 65 ngaphandle kwezinceku lezincekukazi zabo ezizinkulungwane eziyisikhombisa lamakhulu amathathu alamatshumi amathathu lasikhombisa (7,337); njalo babe labahlabeleli besilisa labesifazane abangamakhulu amabili (200). 
\v 66 Babelamabhiza angamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amathathu lasithupha (736), lezimbongolo ezingamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amahlanu lanhlanu (245), 
\v 67 lamakamela angamakhulu amane lamatshumi amathathu lanhlanu (435) kanye labobabhemi abazinkulungwane eziyisithupha ezilamakhulu ayisikhombisa lamatshumi amabili (6,720).
\b
\p
\v 68 Bathi ukufika kwabo endlini \nd kaThixo\nd* eJerusalema abanye bezinhloko zezimuli benza umnikelo wokuzizwela waba ngowokwakha indlu kaNkulunkulu endaweni yayo. 
\v 69 Banikela esikhwameni esikhulu ngokwamandla abo ukwenza umsebenzi lo banika amadrakhima azinkulungwane ezingamatshumi ayisithupha lanye egolide (61,000) lesiliva esifika izinkulungwane ezinhlanu samamina (5,000) lezembatho zobuphristi ezilikhulu (100).
\p
\v 70 Abaphristi, labaLevi, labahlabeleli, labalindi bamasango kanye lezinceku zethempelini bahlala emadolobheni akibo, ndawonye labanye abantu, labo bonke abako-Israyeli bahlala emadolobheni akibo.
\c 3
\s1 Ukwakhiwa Kutsha Kwe-alithari
\p
\v 1 Kwathi sekufika inyanga yesikhombisa, lapho abako-Israyeli sebehlezi emizini yakibo, abantu babuthana njengomuntu munye eJerusalema. 
\v 2 Kwasekusithi uJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki labaphristi ayesebenza labo kanye loZerubhabheli indodana kaSheyalithiyeli labakhula bakhe baqalisa ukwakha i-alithari likaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli ukwenza umhlatshelo womnikelo wokutshiswa kulo, mayelana lalokho okulotshiweyo eMthethweni kaMosi umuntu kaNkulunkulu. 
\v 3 Lokuba babesesaba abantu bendawo, balakha i-alithari esisekelweni salo benza iminikelo yokutshiswa \nd kuThixo\nd* kulo, yomibili imihlatshelo yokusa lowokuhlwa. 
\v 4 Kwathi njalo belandela okulotshiweyo bawugubha uMkhosi weziHonqo besenza inani elifaneleyo leminikelo yokutshiswa elungiselwe lelo lalelo ilanga. 
\v 5 Emva kwalokho baletha iminikelo yenjayelo eyokutshiswa, iminikelo yokuThwasa kweNyanga leminikelo yayo yonke imikhosi \nd kaThixo\nd* emisiweyo engcwele, kanye laleyo eyayilethwa njengeminikelo yokuzithandela eyalethwa \nd kuThixo\nd*. 
\v 6 Ngelanga lokuqala lenyanga yesikhombisa baqalisa ukuletha iminikelo yokutshiswa \nd kuThixo\nd*, lokuba isisekelo sethempeli \nd likaThixo\nd* sasingakabekwa.
\s1 Ukwakhiwa Kutsha KweThempeli
\p
\v 7 Basebesipha ababazi bamatshe lababazi nje imali, bapha ukudla lokunathwayo lamafutha ebantwini baseThire leSidoni, ukuze balethe izigodo zemisedari ngendlela yolwandle kusuka eLebhanoni kusiya eJopha njengoba kwakuvunyelwe nguKhurosi inkosi yasePhezhiya.
\p
\v 8 Ngenyanga yesibili ngomnyaka wesibili bebuyile endlini kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema, uZerubhabheli indodana kaSheyalithiyeli, loJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki labo bonke abafowabo (abaphristi labaLevi labo bonke ababuyayo eJerusalema bevela ebugqilini) bawuqalisa umsebenzi, bakhetha abaLevi abaleminyaka engamatshumi amabili kusiya phezulu ukuthi baphathe umsebenzi wokwakha indlu \nd kaThixo\nd*. 
\v 9 UJeshuwa lamadodana akhe labafowabo loKhadimiyeli lamadodana akhe (abazukulu bakaHodaviya) lamadodana kaHenadadi kanye lamadodana abo labafowabo, bonke bengabaLevi, bahlangana ndawonye ukukhangela labo ababesebenza endlini kaNkulunkulu.
\p
\v 10 Kwathi abakhi sebesibekile isisekelo sethempeli \nd likaThixo\nd* abaphristi bagqoka izembatho zabo, baphatha amachacho, kanye labaLevi (amadodana ka-Asafi) bephethe izigubhu, bonke bema ezindaweni zabo ukudumisa \nd uThixo\nd* njengokwamiswa nguDavida inkosi yako-Israyeli. 
\v 11 Badumisa bebonga, bahlabelela \nd uThixo\nd* bathi:
\q1 “Ulungile;
\q2 uthando lwakhe ku-Israyeli lumi laphakade.”
\m Bonke abantu bamemeza bedumisa \nd uThixo\nd* ngoba isisekelo sendlu \nd kaThixo\nd* sasesibekiwe. 
\v 12 Kodwa abanengi babaphristi abadala labaLevi kanye lezikhulu zezimuli ababelibonile ithempeli lakuqala, bakhala kakhulu bebona isisekelo saleli ithempeli sibekwa, ikanti abanye babo bamemeza ngokuthaba. 
\v 13 Kakho owayengawehlukanisa umsindo wokumemeza kokuthokoza lomsindo wokukhala ngoba abantu benza umsindo omangalisayo. Njalo umsindo lowo wezwakala kude.
\c 4
\s1 Ukulwiswa Kanye Lokwakhiwa KweThempeli
\p
\v 1 Kwathi lapho izitha zakoJuda lakoBhenjamini sezizwile ukuthi ababeyizithunjwa basebesakha ithempeli \nd likaThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli 
\v 2 beza kuZerubhabheli lakulabo ababezinhloko zezimuli bathi, “Yekelani silincedise ukwakha ngoba lathi, njengani, siyamdinga uNkulunkulu wenu njalo kukade sisenza imihlatshelo kuye kusukela esikhathini sika-Esarihadoni inkosi yase-Asiriya, onguye owasiletha lapha.”
\p
\v 3 Kodwa uZerubhabheli, loJeshuwa labo bonke ababezinhloko zezimuli zako-Israyeli baphendula bathi, “Kalilani lakho ukwakhisana lathi ithempeli likaNkulunkulu wethu. Thina sodwa sizalakha, silakhela \nd uThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli, njengokulaywa kwethu nguKhurosi, inkosi yasePhezhiya.”
\p
\v 4 Kwasekusithi abantu balelolizwe baqalisa ukubadondisa abantu bakoJuda babenza besaba ukuqhubeka besakha. 
\v 5 Bathenga abacebisi bokudunga umsebenzi bawunyampise ngasosonke isikhathi sokubusa kukaKhurosi inkosi yasePhezhiya kwaze kwaba sekubuseni kukaDariyu inkosi yasePhezhiya.
\s1 Ukulwisana Kwamuva Ngezinsuku Zika-Ekisekisi Lo-Athazekisisi
\p
\v 6 Ekuqaleni kokubusa kuka-Ahasuweru bethesa abantu bakoJuda labaseJerusalema icala.
\p
\v 7 Njalo kwathi ngezinsuku zika-Athazekisisi inkosi yasePhezhiya uBhishilamu, loMithiredathi loThabheli labo bonke abangane babo baloba incwadi isiya ku-Athazekisisi. Incwadi leyo yayibhalwe ngolimi lwesi-Aramayikhi ngendlela yokuloba kwawo ama-Aramu.
\p
\v 8 URehumi umlawuli webutho loShimishayi unobhala babhala incwadi isiya ku-Athazekisisi inkosi besola iJerusalema besithi:
\pmo
\v 9 URehumi umlawuli webutho loShimishayi unobhala kanye labo bonke abahlangene labo, abehluleli lezinduna zabantu abasuka eThripholi, ePhezhiya, e-Ereki leBhabhiloni lama-Elamu aseSusa, 
\v 10 kanye labanye abantu inkosi enkulu ehloniphekayo u-Ashuribhaniphali (u-Osinaphari) eyabaxotshayo yayabahlalisa edolobheni laseSamariya lakwezinye izindawo ngaphetsheya kweYufrathe.
\p
\v 11 (Nanka amazwi encwadi leyo abayibhalayo.)
\pmo Kuyo iNkosi u-Athazekisisi,
\pmo Ivela ezincekwini zakho, abantu abangaphetsheya kweYufrathe:
\pm
\v 12 Inkosi ifanele yazi ukuthi amaJuda afikayo kithi lapha evela kuwe aseye eJerusalema njalo sebelakha kutsha idolobho lelo elihlamukayo, elibi kakhulu. Sebevusa imiduli bevuselela lezisekelo.
\pm
\v 13 Phezu kwalokho inkosi kufanele ukuba yazi ukuthi aluba idolobho leli lingaze lakhiwe lemiduli yalo imiswe njalo, kakusayikubhadalwa imithelo lenkongozelo yenkosi, lomthetho wokungenisa impahla ezweni, besekusithi-ke isikhwama senkosi sisilele izimali. 
\v 14 Pho njengoba thina silomlandu ophuma esigodlweni njalo kungafanelanga ukuthi sibone inkosi idelelwa, sithumela umbiko lo ukuyazisa inkosi, 
\v 15 ukuze kuhlolisiswe ezingwalweni zezindaba ezatshiywa yilabo abakwandulelayo. Kulezongwalo uzathola ukuthi idolobho leli lidolobho lokuhlamuka, lilohlupho emakhosini lakwezinye izigaba zombuso, liyindawo yokuhlamuka kulokhu kwasukela endulo. Yilokho okwabangela ukubhidlizwa kwalelidolobho. 
\v 16 Inkosi siyazisela ukuthi aluba idolobho leli lingakhiwa, imiswe njalo imiduli yalo, izakube ingasasalanga lalutho ngaphetsheya kweYufrathe.
\p
\v 17 Inkosi yathumela impendulo le:
\pmo KuRehumi umlawuli wempi loShimishayi unobhala labo bonke abaphathisana labo abahlala eSamariya lakwezinye izindawo ngaphetsheya kweYufrathe:
\pmo Ngiyalibingelela.
\pm
\v 18 Incwadi elasithumela yona isiguqulwe ulimi yabalwa phambi kwami. 
\v 19 Ngakhupha ilizwi kwaphenywa, kwafunyanwa ukuthi idolobho leli lilembali ende eyokuvukela amakhosi, liyindawo yokuhlamuka lokuxhwala. 
\v 20 IJerusalema isike yaba lamakhosi alamandla ayebusa kulolonke elangaphetsheya kweYufrathe, kubhadalwa kuwo imithelo, inkongozelo yenkosi lemithelo yokungenisa impahla elizweni. 
\v 21 Manje-ke khuphani umlayo kulawomadoda ukuthi kabamise umsebenzi, ukuze idolobho leli lingakhiwa ngize ngitsho mina. 
\v 22 Nanzelelani ukuthi lingayilibali indaba le. Kuyekelelwani indaba le ikhula yona ilimaza izifiso zenkosi?
\p
\v 23 Incwadi yeNkosi u-Athazekisisi yonela ukubalelwa uRehumi loShimishayi unobhala lalabo ababephathisa bahle bahamba masinyane kubaJuda eJerusalema bababamba ngamandla ukumisa umsebenzi.
\b
\p
\v 24 Kanjalo umsebenzi wendlu kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema wema kwaze kwaba ngumnyaka wesibili wokubusa kukaDariyu inkosi yasePhezhiya.
\c 5
\s1 Incwadi KaThathenayi Isiya KuDariyu
\p
\v 1 Ngalesosikhathi uHagayi umphrofethi loZakhariya umphrofethi, umzukulu ka-Ido babephrofitha kubaJuda laseJerusalema ngebizo likaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli onguye owayephezu kwabo. 
\v 2 Kwasekusithi uZerubhabheli indodana kaShelathiyeli loJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki baqalisa ukwakha kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema. Abaphrofethi bakaNkulunkulu babelabo bebancedisa.
\p
\v 3 Ngalesosikhathi uThathenayi umbusi wangaphetsheya kweYufrathe loShethari-Bhozenayi labaphathisi babo baya kubo bababuza bathi, “Ngubani olivumeleyo ukwakha kutsha ithempeli leli lokuvuselela lesisakhiwo?” 
\v 4 Babuza njalo bathi, “Ngobani amabizo amadoda ayakhayo indlu le na?” 
\v 5 Kodwa ilihlo likaNkulunkulu wabo lalibalindile abadala babaJuda njalo kabazange beme kuze kuyefika umbiko kuDariyu kubuye njalo impendulo yakhe ibhaliwe.
\p
\v 6 Le yiyo incwadi eyathunyelwa nguThathenayi umbusi wangaphetsheya kweYufrathe loShethari-Bhozenayi labasekeli babo, izinduna zaphetsheya kweYufrathe yaya kuDariyu iNkosi. 
\v 7 Umbiko abawuthumelayo wawubhalwe kanje:
\pmo Kuyo iNkosi uDariyu:
\pmo Ukubingelela okuhle.
\pm
\v 8 Inkosi kufanele yazi ukuthi saya esiqintini sakoJuda, ethempelini likaNkulunkulu omkhulu. Abantu bayalakha ngamatshe amakhulu, kunqunyiswa imijabo emidulini. Umsebenzi uqhutshwa ngokukhuthala, njalo uyaphambili ngokuphangisa ukhokhelwa yibo.
\pm
\v 9 Sabuza abadala bakhona sathi, “Ngubani oliphe imvumo yokwakha kutsha leli ithempeli lokuvuselela isakhiwo lesi?” 
\v 10 Njalo sababuza amabizo abo ukuze sibhale amabizo abakhokheli babo sisenzela ukukwazisa.
\pm
\v 11 Nansi impendulo abasipha yona:
\b
\pm “Siyizinceku zikaNkulunkulu wezulu lomhlaba, yikho silakha kutsha ithempeli elakhiwa kudala, elakhiwa yinkosi enkulu yako-Israyeli yaliqeda. 
\v 12 Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi okhokho bethu bamthukuthelisa uNkulunkulu wasezulwini, wabanikela ezandleni zikaNebhukhadineza umKhaladiya, inkosi yaseBhabhiloni owalibhidlizayo lelithempeli abantu wabaxotshela eBhabhiloni.
\pm
\v 13 Kodwa ngomnyaka wokuqala kaKhurosi inkosi yaseBhabhiloni, iNkosi uKhurosi wakhupha isimemezelo sokuthi kwakhiwe indlu kaNkulunkulu. 
\v 14 Wabuye wasusa ethempelini laseBhabhiloni impahla zegolide lesiliva ezendlu kaNkulunkulu ezazithethwe nguNebhukhadineza ethempelini eJerusalema waziletha ethempelini eBhabhiloni. Kwathi iNkosi uKhurosi yazinika indoda eyayithiwa nguSheshibhazari, eyamkhetha ukuba ngumbusi, 
\v 15 wamtshela wathi, ‘Thatha impahla lezi uhambe lazo uyezibeka ethempelini eJerusalema. Njalo yakha kakutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu endaweni yayo.’
\pm
\v 16 Yikho uSheshibhazari weza wabeka izisekelo zendlu kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema. Kusukela ngalelolanga kuze kube manje ibilokhu isakhiwa kodwa kayikapheli.”
\b
\pm
\v 17 Ngakho-ke nxa kulungile enkosini, kakudingisiswe ezincwadini zezindaba zamakhosi aseBhabhiloni kubonwe ingabe yikho na ukuthi iNkosi uKhurosi wayesenzile isimemezelo sokuthi yakhiwe indlu le kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema. Lapho-ke inkosi kayisithumele isinqumo sayo ngendaba le.
\c 6
\s1 Isimemezelo SikaDariyu
\p
\v 1 INkosi uDariyu wasekhupha umlayo, basebephenya ezincwadini ezaziqoqwe ndawonye endlini yenotho yesizwe eBhabhiloni. 
\v 2 Kwafunyanwa khona umqulu womgoqwa enqabeni yase-Ekhibhathana elizweni laseMediya kulotshwe lokhu kuwo:
\pmo Umbhalo wesimiso:
\pm
\v 3 Ngomnyaka wokuqala weNkosi uKhurosi, inkosi yakhupha isimemezelo mayelana lethempeli likaNkulunkulu eJerusalema:
\b
\pm Ithempeli kalakhiwe kutsha libe yindawo yokwenzela imihlatshelo, njalo izisekelo zalo kazibekwe. Kalibe yizingalo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha ukuphakama, ububanzi bube yizingalo ezingamatshumi ayisithupha, 
\v 4 kwakhiwe imizila emithathu yamatshe amakhulu lomzila owodwa wezigodo. Izindleko zonke zizabhadalwa yisikhwama sesikhosini. 
\v 5 Akuthi njalo impahla zegolide lesiliva uNebhukhadineza azithatha ethempelini eJerusalema waziletha eBhabhiloni zibuyiselwe ezindaweni zazo ethempelini eJerusalema; zimele zibekwe endlini kaNkulunkulu.
\b
\pm
\v 6 Ngakho-ke wena Thathenayi, mbusi wangaphetsheya kweYufrathe, loShethari-Bhozenayi labaphathisi benu bakulowo umango, sukani lapho. 
\v 7 Lingaphazamisi umsebenzi wethempeli lelo likaNkulunkulu. Yekelani umbusi wamaJuda labadala bamaJuda bakhe kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu endaweni yayo.
\pm
\v 8 Njalo sengimisa umlayo walokho okumele lina likwenzele abadala bamaJuda ekwakhiweni kwendlu kaNkulunkulu:
\pm Izindleko zala amadoda zizabhadalwa ngokugcweleyo yisikhwama senkosi, kuthathwa emithelweni yangaphetsheya kweYufrathe ukuze umsebenzi ungaze wema. 
\v 9 Loba yini efunekayo, amajongosi, inqama, amazinyane amaduna eminikelo yokutshiswa kuNkulunkulu wezulu, lengqoloyi, itswayi, iwayini lamafutha okuyabe kucelwe ngabaphristi eJerusalema, kabakuphiwe nsuku zonke kungaphuthi, 
\v 10 ukuze benze imihlatshelo ethokozisayo kuNkulunkulu wezulu njalo bakhulekele impilakahle yenkosi lamadodana ayo.
\pm
\v 11 Phezu kwalokho ngibeka umthetho othi nxa ekhona ozaguqula lesisimiso, kakuhwatshwe uthungo endlini yakhe aphakanyiswe axhonxwe kulo. Akuthi ngenxa yalelicala indlu yakhe ibhidlizwe ibe yinqwaba yenhlabathi. 
\v 12 Sengathi uNkulunkulu owenza ukuthi iBizo lakhe lihlale khona, angayichitha loba yiphi inkosi loba ngabantu abaphakamisa isandla sabo ukuguqula umlayo lo loba ukudiliza ithempeli leli eliseJerusalema.
\pm Mina kaDariyu ngiwumisile umthetho lo. Kawulandelwe ngokukhuthala.
\s1 Ukuqedwa Lokunikelwa KweThempeli
\p
\v 13 Kwathi-ke, ngenxa yomthetho iNkosi uDariyu eyase iwuthumele, uThathenayi umbusi wangaphetsheya kweYufrathe, loShethari-Bhozenayi labasekeli babo bakwenza lokho ngenkuthalo. 
\v 14 Yikho-ke abadala bamaJuda baqhubeka ngokwakha bephumelela betshunyayezwa nguHagayi umphrofethi loZakhariya, umzukulu ka-Ido. Baqeda ukulakha ithempeli belandela umlayo kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli kanye lezimiso zikaKhurosi, loDariyu lo-Athazekisisi, amakhosi asePhezhiya. 
\v 15 Ithempeli laqedwa ngosuku lwesithathu enyangeni ka-Adari, ngomnyaka wesithupha wokubusa kweNkosi uDariyu.
\p
\v 16 Kwasekusithi abantu bako-Israyeli, abaphristi, labaLevi labo bonke ababethunjiwe benza umkhosi. 
\v 17 Ukunikela indlu kaNkulunkulu le bapha umnikelo wenkunzi ezilikhulu, inqama ezingamakhulu amabili, amazinyane amaduna angamakhulu amane njalo lempongo ezilitshumi lambili njengomnikelo wesono ka-Israyeli wonke. 
\v 18 Njalo bagcoba abaphristi ezigabeni zabo labaLevi ngamaxuku abo ukwenza umsebenzi kaNkulunkulu eJerusalema, njengokulotshiweyo eNcwadini kaMosi.
\s1 IPhasika
\p
\v 19 Ngelanga letshumi lane lenyanga yokuqala, izithunjwa zathakazelela iPhasika. 
\v 20 Abaphristi labaLevi babezihlambulule behlanzekile ngokomkhuba. AbaLevi balihlaba izinyane lePhasika elabo bonke ababethunjiwe, labafowabo abaphristi njalo bezihlabela labo ngokwabo. 
\v 21 Ngakho abako-Israyeli ababebuyile ebugqilini balidla, kanye labo bonke labo abasebezehlukanisile emikhutsheni engcolileyo yabomakhelwane beZizwe ukuze badinge \nd uThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. 
\v 22 Bathakazelela uMkhosi weSinkwa esingelaMvubelo okwensuku eziyisikhombisa bethokoza, ngoba \nd uThixo\nd* wayebagcwalise ngokuthokoza ngokuguqula ingqondo yenkosi yase-Asiriya ukuthi ibancedise emsebenzini wendlu kaNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.
\c 7
\s1 U-Ezra Uza EJerusalema
\p
\v 1 Ngemva kwalezizinto, ngesikhathi sokubusa kuka-Athazekisisi inkosi yasePhezhiya, u-Ezra indodana kaSeraya, indodana ka-Azariya, indodana kaHilikhiya, 
\v 2 indodana kaShalumi, indodana kaZadokhi indodana ka-Ahithubi, 
\v 3 indodana ka-Amariya, indodana ka-Azariya, indodana kaMerayothi, 
\v 4 indodana kaZerahiya, indodana ka-Uzi, indodana kaBhukhi, 
\v 5 indodana ka-Abhishuwa, indodana kaFinehasi, indodana ka-Eliyazari, indodana ka-Aroni umphristi omkhulu, 
\v 6 u-Ezra lo weza evela eBhabhiloni. Wayeyisifundiswa esazi kakhulu ngoMthetho kaMosi, owawuphiwe \nd nguThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli. Inkosi yayimuphe konke ayekucelile, ngoba isandla \nd sikaThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wakhe sasiphezu kwakhe. 
\v 7 Abanye abako-Israyeli, labaphristi, lamaLevi, labahlabeleli, labalindi bamasango lezinceku zethempelini labo babuya eJerusalema ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wokubusa kwenkosi u-Athazekisisi.
\p
\v 8 U-Ezra wafika eJerusalema ngenyanga yesihlanu ngomnyaka wesikhombisa wenkosi. 
\v 9 Wayeqalise uhambo lwakhe esuka eBhabhiloni ngelanga lakuqala lenyanga yokuqala, wafika eJerusalema ngelanga lakuqala lenyanga yesihlanu, ngoba isandla somusa sikaNkulunkulu sasiphezu kwakhe. 
\v 10 Ngoba u-Ezra wayezinikele ekufundeni lokugcina uMthetho \nd kaThixo\nd* lokufundisa izimiso zawo ko-Israyeli.
\s1 Incwadi YeNkosi U-Athazekisisi Isiya Ku-Ezra
\p
\v 11 Nansi incwadi iNkosi u-Athazekisisi ayeyiphe u-Ezra umphristi lomabhalane, indoda eyayifundile ezindabeni zemithetho lezimiso \nd zikaThixo\nd* ku-Israyeli:
\pmo
\v 12 Athazekisisi, nkosi yamakhosi,
\pmo Ku-Ezra umphristi, umfundisi womthetho kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini:
\pmo Ngiyabingelela.
\pm
\v 13 Manje-ke ngimisa umthetho wokuthi ingqe ngubani wako-Israyeli osembusweni wami, kugoqela abaphristi labaLevi, ofisa ukuhamba lawe eJerusalema, kahambe. 
\v 14 Uthunywa yinkosi labacebisi bayo abayisikhombisa ukuba uyofunisisa ngoJuda langeJerusalema mayelana loMthetho kaNkulunkulu wakho, owuphetheyo. 
\v 15 Njalo ubothatha isiliva legolide elinikwe ngesihle yinkosi labacebisi bayo kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ohlala eJerusalema, 
\v 16 kanye lesiliva legolide lonke ongalizuza elizweni laseBhabhiloni kanye leminikelo yokuzizwela eyabantu labaphristi benikelela ithempeli likaNkulunkulu wabo eJerusalema. 
\v 17 Ngaleyomali umele uthenge inkunzi, lenqama, lamazinyane ezimvu amaduna, ndawonye leminikelo yabo yamabele leyokunathwayo, konke kunikelwe e-alithareni lethempeli likaNkulunkulu wenu eJerusalema.
\pm
\v 18 Wena labazalwane bakho abangamaJuda selingenza lokho okuyabe kufanele ngesiliva legolide eliseleyo, mayelana lentando kaNkulunkulu wenu. 
\v 19 Hambisani kuNkulunkulu weJerusalema zonke impahla eliziphathisiweyo ezokukhonza ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wenu. 
\v 20 Akuthi loba yini efunekayo ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wenu elifuna ukuthi izuzakale, kayidingwe ngendleko ephuma esikhwameni senkosi.
\pm
\v 21 Mina, iNkosi Athazekisisi ngimisa umthetho wokuthi bonke abaphathi bezikhwama abangaphetsheya kweYufrathe baphe u-Ezra umphristi, umfundisi woMthetho kaNkulunkulu wasezulwini ngokuphangisa loba yini ayicelayo kini, 
\v 22 kuze kube ngamathalenta esiliva alikhulu, lamasaka alikhulu engqoloyi, imigqomo elikhulu yewayini, imigqomo elikhulu yamafutha e-oliva, letswayi elingelakulinganiswa. 
\v 23 Ingqe yini emiswe nguNkulunkulu wasezulwini, kakwenziwe ngokukhuthala kusenzelwa ithempeli likaNkulunkulu wasezulwini. Kakudingeki ukuthi ulaka luze lwehliselwe phezu kwenkosi lamadodana ayo. 
\v 24 Yazini njalo ukuthi kalilamvumo yokubiza imithelo loba inkongozelo yenkosi kumbe imbadalo yokungenisa impahla elizweni kubaphristi, labaLevi, labahlabeleli, labalindimasango, lezinceku zethempelini loba kwezinye izisebenzi zale indlu kaNkulunkulu.
\pm
\v 25 Yikho wena Ezra, ngokuhlakanipha olakho okukaNkulunkulu wakho, beka abathonisi labehluleli ukwahlulela kuhle bonke abantu abangaphetsheya kweYufrathe, bonke abayaziyo imithetho kaNkulunkulu wenu. Kumele ufundise labo abangayaziyo. 
\v 26 Lowo ongawulaleliyo umthetho kaNkulunkulu wenu lomthetho wenkosi ngeqiniso umele ajeziswe ngokufa, loba ngokuxotshwa, loba ngokuhluthunelwa impahla loba ngokufakwa entolongweni.
\p
\v 27 Udumo kalube \nd kuThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho bethu, okufakileyo enhliziyweni yenkosi ukuletha inhlonipho endlini \nd kaThixo\nd* eJerusalema ngale indlela 
\v 28 njalo otshengise umusa wakhe kini phambi kwenkosi labeluleki bakhe lazozonke izinduna zakhe ezilamandla. Ngenxa yokuthi isandla \nd sikaThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wami besiphezu kwami, ngaba lesibindi ngaqoqa amadoda angabakhokheli ko-Israyeli ukuthi bahambe lami.
\c 8
\s1 Uluhlu Lwenhloko Yemizi Ababuya Lo-Ezra
\li4
\v 1 Laba bazinhloko zezimuli lalabo ababhalisa kubo abeza lami sisuka eBhabhiloni ngesikhathi sokubusa kweNkosi u-Athazekisisi:
\b
\li1
\v 2 abesizukulwane sikaFinehasi,
\li2 uGeshomu;
\li1 abesizukulwane sika-Ithamari,
\li2 uDanyeli;
\li1 abesizukulwane sikaDavida,
\li2 uHathushi 
\v 3 owesizukulwane sikaShekhaniya;
\li1 abesizukulwane sikaPharoshi,
\li2 uZakhariya, okwabhalisa kanye laye amadoda alikhulu lamatshumi amahlanu (150);
\li1
\v 4 abesizukulwane sikaPhahathi-Mowabi:
\li2 kwakungu-Eliyehonayi indodana kaZerahiya oweza lamadoda angamakhulu amabili (200);
\li1
\v 5 abesizukulwane sikaZathu,
\li2 kwakunguShekhaniya indodana kaJahaziyeli, oweza lamadoda angamakhulu amathathu (300);
\li1
\v 6 abesizukulwane sika-Adini,
\li2 kwakungu-Ebhedi indodana kaJonathani, oweza lamadoda angamatshumi amahlanu (50);
\li1
\v 7 abesizukulwane sika-Elamu,
\li2 kwakunguJeshaya indodana ka-Athaliya, oweza lamadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa (70);
\li1
\v 8 abesizukulwane sikaShefathiya,
\li2 kwakunguZebhadiya indodana kaMikhayeli, oweza lamadoda angamatshumi ayisificaminwembili (80);
\li1
\v 9 abesizukulwane sikaJowabi,
\li2 kwakungu-Obhadaya indodana kaJehiyeli, oweza lamadoda angamakhulu amabili aletshumi lasificaminwembili (218);
\li1
\v 10 abesizukulwane sikaBhani,
\li2 kwakunguShelomithi indodana kaJosifiya, oweza lamadoda alikhulu lamatshumi ayisithupha (160),
\li1
\v 11 abesizukulwane sikaBhebhayi,
\li2 kwakunguZakhariya indodana kaBhebhayi, oweza lamadoda angamatshumi amabili lasificaminwembili (28);
\li1
\v 12 abesizukulwane sika-Azigadi,
\li2 kwakunguJohanani indodana kaHakathani, oweza lamadoda alikhulu letshumi (110);
\li1
\v 13 abesizukulwane sika-Adonikhamu,
\li2 abokucina, kwakungu-Elifelethi, uJuweli loShemaya, beza lamadoda angamatshumi ayisithupha (60);
\li1
\v 14 abesizukulwane sikaBhigivayi,
\li2 kwakungu-Uthayi loZakhuri, abeza lamadoda angamatshumi ayisikhombisa (70).
\s1 Ukubuyela EJerusalema
\p
\v 15 Ngababuthanisa eMgelweni wamanzi agelezela ku-Ahava, samisa khona okwensuku ezintathu. Ngathi sengihlola phakathi kwabantu labaphristi, kangitholanga loyedwa wamaLevi khona. 
\v 16 Yikho ngasengibiza u-Eliyezari, lo-Ariyeli, loShemaya, lo-Elinathani, loJaribi, loNathani, loZakhariya loMeshulami ababengabakhokheli, loJoyaribi lo-Elinathani ababengabantu abafundileyo, 
\v 17 ngabathumela ku-Ido, lezihlobo zakhe, izinceku zethempelini eKhasifiya, ukwenzela ukuthi basilethele izikhonzi zendlu kaNkulunkulu. 
\v 18 Ngoba isandla somusa sikaNkulunkulu sasiphezu kwethu, basilethela uSherebhiya, indoda emadodeni, owesizukulwane sikaMahili indodana kaLevi, indodana ka-Israyeli, lamadodana kaSherebhiya labafowabo, amadoda alitshumi lasificaminwembili (18); 
\v 19 loHashabhiya, kanye loJeshaya owesizukulwane sikaMerari, kanye labafowabo labantwababo, bonke babengamadoda angamatshumi amabili (20). 
\v 20 Bona beza lezinceku zethempelini ezingamakhulu amabili lamatshumi amabili (220) ezazimiswe nguDavida lezinduna zakhe ukuncedisa abaLevi. Bonke babhalwa phansi amabizo abo.
\p
\v 21 Khonapho, ekhunjini loMgelo we-Ahava, ngamemezela ukuzila ukudla, ukuze sizehlise phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu simcele asiphe uhambo oluhle, thina labantwabethu, lempahla zethu zonke. 
\v 22 Ngaba lenhloni ukucela enkosini amabutho labagadi bamabhiza ukuthi basivikele ezitheni endleleni ngoba inkosi sasiyitshele sathi, “Isandla somusa sikaNkulunkulu wethu siphezu kwakhe lowo okhangele kuye, kodwa ulaka lwakhe olukhulu luyavutha kulabo abamfulathelayo.” 
\v 23 Ngakho sazila ukudla, samncenga uNkulunkulu wethu ngakho lokhu, wawuphendula umkhuleko wethu.
\p
\v 24 Ngasengisehlukanisa kwabanye abaphristi abalitshumi lambili abangabakhokheli, ndawonye loSherebhiya, loHashabhiya labalitshumi labafowabo, 
\v 25 ngabalinganisela umnikelo wesiliva legolide lempahla ezaziyizipho ezasisuka enkosini, labacebisi bayo, lezikhulu zayo labako-Israyeli bonke ababekhona lapho, siyisipho sendlu kaNkulunkulu. 
\v 26 Ngabalinganisela amathalenta angamakhulu ayisithupha lamatshumi amahlanu (650) esiliva, impahla zesiliva ezilobunzima obungamathalenta alikhulu (100), amathalenta alikhulu (100) egolide, 
\v 27 imiganu yegolide engamatshumi amabili (20) kuthiwa intengo yayo ingaba ngamadariki ayinkulungwane (1,000), lezitsha ezimbili ezethusi elilolongiweyo eliligugu njengegolide.
\p
\v 28 Ngathi kubo, “Lina kanye lempahla lezi lingcwelisiwe eNkosini. Isiliva legolide kungumnikelo wokuzithandela \nd kuThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu. 
\v 29 Kulindeni ngonanzelelo lize liyokulinganisa emakamelweni endlu \nd kaThixo\nd* eJerusalema phambi kwabakhokheli babaphristi lamaLevi labayizinhloko zezimuli zako-Israyeli.” 
\v 30 Kwathi-ke abaphristi labaLevi basemukela isiliva legolide lempahla ezingcwele ezazilinganisiwe ukuze zisiwe endlini kaNkulunkulu wethu eJerusalema.
\p
\v 31 Ngosuku lwetshumi lambili lwenyanga yokuqala saphakama sasuka eMgelweni we-Ahava saqonda eJerusalema. Isandla sikaNkulunkulu wethu sasiphezu kwethu, wasivikela ezitheni lasezigebengwini indlela yonke. 
\v 32 Ngakho safika eJerusalema, saphumula khona okwensuku ezintathu.
\p
\v 33 Ngosuku lwesine sangena endlini kaNkulunkulu salinganisa isiliva legolide lempahla zonke ezingcwelisiweyo sazibeka ezandleni zikaMeremothi indodana ka-Uriya umphristi. U-Eliyezari indodana kaFinehasi laye wayekhona, labaLevi oJozabhadi indodana kaJeshuwa loNowadiya indodana kaBhinuwi. 
\v 34 Konke kwakukhona ngenani lakho langesisindo, kwathi isisindo sonke salotshwa phansi ngasonaleso isikhathi.
\p
\v 35 Yikho izithunywa ezabuya ebugqilini zenza umnikelo wokutshiswa kuNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: inkunzi ezilitshumi lambili ezika-Israyeli wonke, inqama ezingamatshumi ayisificamunwemunye lesithupha, amawundlu amaduna angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lesikhombisa kanye lomnikelo wesono oyizimpongo ezilitshumi lambili. Konke lokhu kwakungumnikelo wokutshiswa \nd kuThixo\nd*. 
\v 36 Bathi njalo bethula imilayo yenkosi kuzikhulu zenkosi lakubabusi bangaphetsheya kweYufrathe, okwathi-ke bona bancedisa abantu kanye lasendlini kaNkulunkulu.
\c 9
\s1 Umkhuleko Ka-Ezra Ngokuthathana Kwemihlobo
\p
\v 1 Sezenziwe zonke lezi izinto, abakhokheli beza kimi bathi, “Abantu bako-Israyeli bonke, labaphristi, labaLevi kabazehlukanisanga labantu bezizwe abalezenzo ezinengekayo, abanjengamaKhenani, amaHithi, amaPherizi, amaJebusi, ama-Amori, amaMowabi, amaGibhithe lama-Amoni. 
\v 2 Bathatha amanye amadodakazi abo aba ngomkabo bathathela lamadodana abo, baxubanisa isizwe esingcwele labantu abahlezi labo. Njalo abakhokheli lezikhulu yibo abakhokheleyo kulokhu kungathembeki.”
\p
\v 3 Ngathi ngikuzwa lokho ngadabula isigqoko sami lejazi lami, ngadonsa inwele ekhanda lami lezindevu zami ngahlala phansi ngididekile. 
\v 4 Kwasekusithi wonke lowo owethuswa ngamazwi kaNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli waziqoqa phansi kwami ngenxa yalokhu ukona kwezithunjwa. Ngahlala khonapho ngididekile kwaze kwaba ngumhlatshelo wakusihlwa.
\p
\v 5 Kwathi-ke ngomhlatshelo wakusihlwa, ngaphakama ekuzehliseni kwami, isigqoko sami lejazi lami kudabukile, ngaguqa, izandla zami zivuliwe \nd kuThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wami 
\v 6 ngakhuleka ngathi:
\pm “Oh Nkulunkulu wami, ngiyangekile kakhulu njalo ngilenhloni ukuphakamisela ubuso bami kuwe, Nkulunkulu wami, ngoba izono zethu ziphakeme kulamakhanda ethu lecala lethu selifikile emazulwini. 
\v 7 Kusukela ensukwini zabokhokho bethu kuze kube manje, icala lethu likhulu. Ngenxa yezono zethu, thina lamakhosi ethu labaphristi bethu sesilokhu sidliwa yinkemba njalo sigqilazwa, siphangwa njalo siyangiswa ngamakhosi ezizwe, njengoba kunjalo lalamuhla.
\pm
\v 8 Kodwa khathesi, okwesikhatshana nje, \nd uThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wethu ube lomusa ngokusitshiyela insalela lokusipha indawo eqinileyo endlini yakhe engcwele, okuthi ngakho uNkulunkulu wethu uletha ukukhanya emehlweni ethu lokukhululeka kancinyane ekugqilazweni kwethu. 
\v 9 Lokuba siyizigqili, uNkulunkulu wethu kasidelanga ebugqilini bethu. Usitshengise umusa emehlweni amakhosi asePhezhiya; usiphile impilo entsha ukuba sakhe kutsha indlu kaNkulunkulu wethu sivuselele amanxiwa ayo, njalo usesiphile umduli wokusivikela koJuda laseJerusalema.
\pm
\v 10 Kodwa manje, awu Nkulunkulu wethu, kuyini esingakutsho sekwenzakale lokhu? Ngoba siyidelile imilayo 
\v 11 owayinika ngezinceku zakho abaphrofethi uze uthi: ‘Ilizwe eselingena kulo ukulithatha yilizwe elingcolisiweyo ngokuxhwala kwabantu balo. Ngemikhuba yabo enengekayo sebeligcwalise ngamanyala abo kusukela ngapha kwalo kuze kufike ekucineni ngale. 
\v 12 Ngakho-ke lingendiseli amadodakazi enu emadodaneni abo kumbe amadodana enu athathe amadodakazi abo. Lingadingi isibopho sobudlelwano labo loba nini, ukuze liqine lidle izinto ezinhle zelizwe elizalitshiyela abantwabenu njengelifa laphakade.’
\pm
\v 13 Osekwenzakele kithi kungumvuzo wezenzo zethu ezimbi lecala lethu elikhulu, ikanti wena Nkulunkulu wethu usijezise okunganeno kwezono zethu wasipha abayinsalela kanje. 
\v 14 Sizaphinda njalo sephule imilayo yakho sendiselane labantu bezizwe abagila imikhuba eyenyanyekayo kangaka na? Ungaze wasizondela kakhulu na usibhubhise ungasitshiyeli lansalela loba abasindileyo na? 
\v 15 Oh \nd Thixo\nd*, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ulungile! Namhlanje sisele njengensalela. Nanku silapha phambi kwakho ngecala lethu, lokuba engekho ongema ebukhoneni bakho ngenxa yalo icala lethu.”
\c 10
\s1 Abantu Bavuma Isono
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\v 1 Lapho u-Ezra wayekhuleka njalo evuma izono, ekhala eziwisela phansi phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkulu, ixuku elikhulu labako-Israyeli kubalisa amadoda labafazi labantwana, babuthana kuye. Labo bakhala kabuhlungu. 
\v 2 Yikho uShekhaniya indodana kaJehiyeli, omunye wesizukulwane sika-Elamu, wathi ku-Ezra, “Kasizange sithembeke kuNkulunkulu wethu ngoba sathatha abafazi bezizweni ebantwini esakhelene labo. Kodwa loba kunjalo ithemba lisekhona ngo-Israyeli. 
\v 3 Manje kasenzeni isivumelwano phambi kukaNkulunkulu wethu ukubalahla bonke labobafazi labantwababo njengeseluleko senkosi yami lalabo abayesabayo imilayo kaNkulunkulu wethu. Kakwenziwe ngendlela yoMthetho. 
\v 4 Sukuma; indaba le isezandleni zakho. Thina sizakusekela, yikho yiba lesibindi ukwenze.”
\p
\v 5 Ngakho u-Ezra waphakama wafungisa bonke abakhokheli babaphristi labaLevi lo-Israyeli wonke ukwenza lokho okwakumisiwe. Basenza lesosifungo. 
\v 6 U-Ezra wasesuka endlini kaNkulunkulu waya endlini kaJehohanani indodana ka-Eliyashibi. Elapho kadlanga lutho njalo kazange anathe manzi, ngoba waqhubeka elilela ukungathembeki kwezithunjwa.
\p
\v 7 Kwasekukhutshwa isimemezelo kulolonke elakoJuda kanye leJerusalema ukuthi zonke izithunjwa kaziqoqane eJerusalema. 
\v 8 Ingqe ngubani ongafikanga phakathi kwensuku ezintathu wayezathathelwa yonke impahla alayo, kulandelwa isinqumo sezinduna labadala, kuthi yena ngokwakhe axotshwe emphakathini walabo ababethunjiwe.
\b
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\v 9 Phakathi kwalezonsuku ezintathu wonke amadoda akoJuda lakoBhenjamini ayesebuthene eJerusalema. Kwathi ngelanga lamatshumi amabili lenyanga yesificamunye bonke abantu babehlezi esigcawini phambi kwendlu kaNkulunkulu, bekhathazekile ngombuthano lowo njalo begxanxwa lizulu elalisina. 
\v 10 Kwathi u-Ezra umphristi wasukuma wathi kubo, “Kalithembekanga; lisuke lathatha abafazi bezizweni, lengeza icala lika-Israyeli. 
\v 11 Manje-ke vumani izono zenu \nd kuThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu wabokhokho benu, lenze intando yakhe. Zahlukaniseni kulababantu elakhelene labo lasebafazini benu abezizwe.”
\p
\v 12 Inkundla yonke yaphendula ngelizwi elikhulu yathi: “Uqondile! Kumele senze njengoba usitsho. 
\v 13 Kodwa kulabantu abanengi lapha futhi lesi yisikhathi sezulu; ngakho ngeke sime lapha phandle. Futhi indaba le ingazake iphethwe ngosuku olulodwa kumbe ezimbili, ngoba sonile kakhulu ngento le. 
\v 14 Akuthi izinduna zethu zisimele thina sonke. Akuthi wonkemuntu emizini yethu othethe umfazi wabezizwe eze ngesikhathi esimisiweyo, eze labadala kanye labehluleli balowomuzi, luze ludede kithi ulaka olwesabekayo lukaNkulunkulu wethu.” 
\v 15 Kwaba nguJonathani kuphela, indodana ka-Asaheli loJahizeya indodana kaThikhiva, besekelwa nguMeshulami loShabhethayi umLevi abakuphikisayo lokhu.
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\v 16 Ngakho izithunjwa zenza njengokwakumisiwe. U-Ezra umphristi wakhetha amadoda ayeyizinhloko zezimuli, oyedwa emulini, bonke baqanjwa ngamabizo. Ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga yetshumi bahlala phansi bawahlolisisa lawomacala, 
\v 17 kwathi ngelanga lokuqala ngenyanga yokuqala baqeda ukuphatha indaba yamadoda ayethethe abafazi bezizweni.
\s1 Ababelecala Lokuthatha Abafazi Bezizweni
\li4
\v 18 Phakathi kwezizukulwane zabaphristi, laba abalandelayo yibo ababethethe abafazi bezizweni:
\li1 Abesizukulwane sikaJeshuwa indodana kaJozadaki labafowabo:
\li2 uMaseya, u-Eliyezari, uJaribhi loGedaliya. 
\v 19 (Bonke baphakamisa izandla zabo bafunga ukubalahla abafazi babo, kwathi ngenxa yecala labo ngulowo wakhupha inqama emhlambini ukuba ngumnikelo wesono.)
\li1
\v 20 Abesizukulwane sika-Imeri:
\li2 nguHanani loZebhadiya.
\li1
\v 21 Abesizukulwane sikaHarimi:
\li2 nguMaseya, lo-Elija, loShemaya, loJehiyeli lo-Uziya.
\li1
\v 22 Abesizukulwane sikaPhashuri:
\li2 ngu-Eliyonayi, loMaseya, lo-Ishumayeli, loNethaneli, loJozabhadi lo-Eleyasa.
\b
\li4
\v 23 Phakathi kwabaLevi nampa:
\li2 uJozabhadi, loShimeyi, loKhelaya (kutshiwo uKhelitha), loPhethahiya, loJuda lo-Eliyezari.
\li1
\v 24 Phakathi kwabahlabeleli nampa:
\li2 u-Eliyashibi.
\li1 Phakathi kwabalindimasango:
\li2 nguShalumi, loThelemu lo-Uri.
\b
\li4
\v 25 Phakathi kwabanye abako-Israyeli:
\li1 Abesizwe sikaPharoshi:
\li2 nguRamiya, u-Iziya, uMalikhija, uMijamini, u-Eliyezari, uMalikhija loBhenaya.
\li1
\v 26 Abesizukulwane sika-Elamu:
\li2 nguMathaniya, uZakhariya, uJehiyeli, u-Abhidi, uJeremothi lo-Elija.
\li1
\v 27 Abesizukulwane sikaZathu:
\li2 ngu-Eliyonayi, u-Eliyashibi, uMathaniya, uJeremothi, uZabhadi lo-Aziza.
\li1
\v 28 Abesizukulwane sikaBhebhayi:
\li2 nguJehohanani, uHananiya, uZabhayi lo-Athilayi.
\li1
\v 29 Abesizukulwane sikaBhani:
\li2 nguMeshulami, uMaluki, u-Adaya, uJashubi, uSheyali loJeremothi.
\li1
\v 30 Abesizukulwane sikaPhahathi-Mowabi:
\li2 ngu-Adina, uKhelali, uBhenaya, uMaseya, uMathaniya, uBhezaleli, uBhinuwi loManase.
\li1
\v 31 Abesizukulwane sikaHarimi:
\li2 ngu-Eliyezari, u-Ishiya, uMalikhija, uShemaya, uSimiyoni, 
\v 32 uBhenjamini, uMaluki, loShemariya.
\li1
\v 33 Abesizukulwane sikaHashumi:
\li2 nguMathenayi, uMathatha, uZabhadi, u-Elifelethi, uJeremayi, uManase loShimeyi.
\li1
\v 34 Abesizukulwane sikaBhani:
\li2 nguMadayi, u-Amramu, u-Uweli, 
\v 35 uBhenaya, uBhedeya, uKheluhi, 
\v 36 uVaniya, uMeremothi, u-Eliyashibi, 
\v 37 uMathaniya, uMathenayi loJasu.
\li1
\v 38 Abesizukulwane sikaBhinuwi loBhani:
\li2 nguShimeyi, 
\v 39 uShelemiya, uNathani, u-Adaya, 
\v 40 uMakhinadebhayi, uShashayi, uSharayi, 
\v 41 u-Azareli, uShelemiya, uShemariya, 
\v 42 uShalumi, u-Amariya loJosefa.
\li1
\v 43 Abesizukulwane sikaNebho:
\li2 nguJeyiyeli, uMathithiya, uZabhadi, uZebhina, uJadayi, uJoweli loBhenaya.
\b
\li4
\v 44 Bonke laba bathatha abafazi bezizweni, abanye babo bazala abantwana labafazi labo.