\id JDG - Biblica® Open Ndebele Contemporary Bible
\ide UTF-8
\h Abahluleli
\toc1 Abahluleli
\toc2 Abahluleli
\toc3 Aba
\mt1 Abahluleli
\c 1
\s1 U-Israyeli Ulwa Lensalela YamaKhenani
\p
\v 1 Emva kokufa kukaJoshuwa, abako-Israyeli babuza \nd uThixo\nd* bathi, “Pho ngubani ozahamba kuqala ukuba ayesilwela lamaKhenani na?”
\p
\v 2 \nd UThixo\nd* waphendula wathi, “NguJuda ozahamba; ilizwe sengilinikele ezandleni zabo.”
\p
\v 3 Lapho-ke abantu bakoJuda bathi kwabakoSimiyoni abafowabo, “Hambani lathi elizweni esalabelwayo, ukuyakulwa lamaKhenani. Lathi sizakwenanisa ngokuhamba lani kwelenu.” Ngakho abakoSimiyoni ahamba labo.
\p
\v 4 Kwathi uJuda esehlasele, \nd uThixo\nd* wanikela amaKhenani lamaPherizi ezandleni zabo, wabulala abantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi eBhezekhi. 
\v 5 Kukhonapho abafica khona u-Adoni-Bhezekhi balwa laye, baqothula amaKhenani kanye lamaPherizi. 
\v 6 U-Adoni-Bhezekhi wabaleka, kodwa baxotshana laye baze bambamba, bamquma izithupha zakhe lamazwane amakhulu.
\p
\v 7 U-Adoni-Bhezekhi wasesithi, “Amakhosi angamatshumi ayisikhombisa ayequnywe izithupha zawo lamazwane amakhulu ayedobha imvuthuluka ngaphansi kwetafula yami. Khathesi uNkulunkulu usephindisele kimi ngalokho engakwenza kuwo.” Bamusa eJerusalema lapho afela khona.
\p
\v 8 Abantu bakoJuda bahlasela leJerusalema bayithumba. Bahlasela idolobho ngezinkemba balithungela ngomlilo.
\p
\v 9 Emva kwalokho, abantu bakoJuda bahamba bayakulwa lamaKhenani ayehlala elizweni lezintaba, iNegebi kanye lamawatha ezintaba angasentshonalanga. 
\v 10 Baqhubeka bayahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eHebhroni (kuqala eyayithiwa yiKhiriyathi Aribha) banqoba uSheshayi, u-Ahimani kanye loThalimayi. 
\v 11 Besuka lapho baqhubeka bayahlasela abantu ababehlala eDebhiri (kuqala eyayithiwa yiKhiriyathi-Sefa).
\p
\v 12 UKhalebi wathi, “Ngizakwendisela indodakazi yami u-Akhisa endodeni ezahlasela ithumbe iKhiriyathi-Sefa.” 
\v 13 U-Othiniyeli, indodana kaKhenazi, umnawakhe kaKhalebi, wayithumba; ngakho uKhalebi wendisela indodakazi yakhe u-Akhisa kuye.
\p
\v 14 Ngelinye ilanga u-Akhisa wafika ku-Othiniyeli wamkhuthaza ukuthi acele insimu kuyise. Lapho esehlile kubabhemi wakhe uKhalebi wambuza wathi, “Kuyini engingakwenzela khona?”
\p
\v 15 Waphendula wathi, “Ngicela ungenzele umusa obalulekileyo. Njengoba unginike umhlaba eNegebi, ngicela unginike lemithombo yamanzi.” Ngakho uKhalebi wamnika imithombo eyayingaphezulu leyayingaphansi.
\p
\v 16 Abayinzalo kayisezala kaMosi, amaKheni, bahamba labantu bakoJuda besuka edolobheni laMalala besiyahlala phakathi kwabantu basenkangala yakoJuda eNegebi eduze le-Aradi.
\p
\v 17 Emva kwalokho abantu bakoJuda bahamba labakoSimiyoni abafowabo bahlasela amaKhenani ayehlala eZefathi, idolobho basebelichitha ngokupheleleyo. Ngakho lathiwa yiHoma. 
\v 18 Abantu bakoJuda bathumba njalo iGaza, i-Ashikheloni kanye le-Ekroni, idolobho linye ngalinye kanye lelizwe lalo.
\p
\v 19 \nd UThixo\nd* wayelabantu bakoJuda. Bathumba ilizwe lezintaba, kodwa behluleka ukuxotsha abantu ababesemagcekeni ngoba babelezinqola zempi ezenzwe ngensimbi. 
\v 20 Njengokuthembisa kukaMosi, iHebhroni yaphiwa uKhalebi, owaxotsha kuyo amadodana amathathu ka-Anakhi. 
\v 21 Kodwa abakoBhenjamini behluleka ukususa amaJebusi ayehlala eJerusalema; lalamhlanje amaJebusi ahlala khona labakoBhenjamini.
\p
\v 22 Ngalesosikhathi abendlu kaJosefa bahlasela iBhetheli, njalo \nd uThixo\nd* wayelabo. 
\v 23 Ekuthumeni kwabo abantu ukuba bayehlola iBhetheli (kuqala idolobho lelo lalithiwa yiLuzi), 
\v 24 inhloli zabona umuntu ephuma edolobheni zasezisithi kuye, “Sitshengise ukuthi singangena njani edolobheni, thina-ke sizabona ukuthi uphatheka kuhle.” 
\v 25 Ngakho wazitshengisa, zasezihlasela idolobho ngenkemba kodwa umuntu lowo zamyekela kanye labendlu yakhe bonke. 
\v 26 Ngakho-ke waya elizweni lamaHithi, lapho akha khona idolobho alibiza ngokuthi yiLuzi, okulokhe kuyilo ibizo lalo lalamhlanje.
\p
\v 27 Kodwa uManase kabaxotshanga abantu baseBhethi-Shani loba eThanakhi kumbe eDori loba e-Ibhiliyami kumbe eMegido kanye lasemizaneni yabo eseduzane, ngoba amaKhenani ayezimisele ukuhlala kulelolizwe. 
\v 28 Kwathi abako-Israyeli sebelamandla bawabamba ngamandla amaKhenani ukuba abasebenzele kodwa kabazange bawaxotshe wonke. 
\v 29 Labako-Efrayimi kabawaxotshanga amaKhenani ayehlala eGezeri, kodwa amaKhenani aqhubeka ehlala khona labo. 
\v 30 LabakoZebhuluni kabawaxotshanga amaKhenani ayehlala eKhithironi kanye laseNahaloli, asala ephakathi kwabo; kodwa bawabamba ngamandla ukuba abasebenzele. 
\v 31 Labako-Asheri kababaxotshanga labo ababehlala e-Akho, kumbe eSidoni, kumbe e-Ahilabi loba e-Akhizibhi kumbe eHelibha loba e-Afekhi kumbe eRehobhi, 
\v 32 njalo ngenxa yalokhu abantu bako-Asheri bahlala lamaKhenani ayeyakhe elizweni. 
\v 33 LabakoNafithali kababaxotshanga labo ababehlala eBhethi-Shemeshi kumbe eBhethi-Anathi; kodwa abakoNafithali labo bahlala lamaKhenani ayeyakhe elizweni, kwathi lawo ayehlala eBhethi-Shemeshi kanye leBhethi-Anathi abanjwa ngamandla ukuba abe yizisebenzi zabo. 
\v 34 Ama-Amori ancindezela abakoDani ukuba bahlale elizweni lezintaba, angabavumeli ukuba behlele phansi emagcekeni. 
\v 35 Njalo ama-Amori ayezimisele ukuhlala kokuphela eNtabeni iHeresi, le-Ayijaloni kanye leShalibhimi, kodwa kwathi amandla abendlu kaJosefa esemakhulu, lawo abanjwa ngamandla ukuba abe yizisebenzi. 
\v 36 Umngcele wama-Amori wawusekela uMkhandlu weNkume usiya eSela kanye langaphetsheya.
\c 2
\s1 Ingilosi \nd KaThixo\nd* EBhokhimi
\p
\v 1 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yahamba isuka eGiligali isiya eBhokhimi yathi, “Ngalikhupha eGibhithe ngaliholela elizweni engafunga ukulinika okhokho benu. Ngathi, ‘Angiyikusephula isivumelwano sami lani, 
\v 2 njalo kaliyikwenza isivumelwano labantu balelilizwe, kodwa lizabhidliza ama-alithare abo.’ Kodwa lina kalingilalelanga. Likwenzeleni lokhu na? 
\v 3 Ngakho khathesi-ke ngiyalitshela ukuthi angiyikubaxotsha phambi kwenu, bazakuba yizifu kini njalo onkulunkulu babo bazakuba yimijibila kini.”
\p
\v 4 Kwathi ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* isizikhulumile zonke lezizinto kubo bonke abako-Israyeli, abantu bakhala kakhulu, 
\v 5 indawo leyo bayibiza ngokuthi yiBhokhimi. Banikela imihlatshelo \nd kuThixo\nd* khonapho.
\s1 Ukungalaleli Lokwehlulwa
\p
\v 6 Emva kokuba uJoshuwa esebadedele abako-Israyeli, bahamba bayalithatha ilizwe, lowo lalowo endaweni eyilifa lakhe. 
\v 7 Abantu bamkhonza \nd uThixo\nd* ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaJoshuwa labadala kulaye ababesele bephila njalo beyibonile imisebenzi emikhulu \nd uThixo\nd* ayeyenzele abako-Israyeli.
\p
\v 8 UJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku \nd kaThixo\nd*, wafa eseleminyaka elikhulu letshumi. 
\v 9 Bamngcwaba emhlabeni oyilifa lakhe, eThimnathi-Heresi, elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, enyakatho kwentaba iGashi.
\p
\v 10 Kwathi emva kokuba sonke isizukulwane leso sesiphelile, kwavela esinye isizukulwane esasingamazi \nd uThixo\nd* kanye lalokho ayekwenzele abako-Israyeli. 
\v 11 Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli benza okubi emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*, bakhonza uBhali. 
\v 12 Bamdela \nd uThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu waboyise, owayebakhuphe eGibhithe. Balandela njalo bakhonza onkulunkulu abehlukeneyo babantu ababehlala phakathi kwabo. Bamthukuthelisa \nd uThixo\nd* 
\v 13 ngoba bamdela bakhonza uBhali labo-Ashithorethi. 
\v 14 Ekubathukutheleleni kwakhe \nd uThixo\nd* wabanikela ezandleni zababahlaselayo lababaphangayo. Wabanikela ezitheni zabo ezazibahanqile, ababengasenelisi ukumelana lazo. 
\v 15 Zonke izikhathi lapho abako-Israyeli bephuma ukuyakulwa, isandla \nd sikaThixo\nd* samelana labo ukuba behlulwe, njengokufunga kwakhe kubo. Basebephakathi kohlupho olukhulu.
\p
\v 16 Kulapho-ke \nd uThixo\nd* abeka khona abahluleli ababahlengayo ezandleni zabaphangi laba. 
\v 17 Belo kababalalelanga abahluleli babo kodwa baqhubeka bekhonza abanye onkulunkulu. Kabenzanga njengabokhokho babo, kodwa bona baphanga baphuma endleleni oyise ababehambe ngayo, indlela yokulalela imilayo \nd kaThixo\nd*. 
\v 18 Ngasosonke isikhathi lapho \nd uThixo\nd* ebabekela khona umahluleli, wayemthungamela umahluleli abahlenge ezandleni zezitha zabo lapho esaphila; ngoba \nd uThixo\nd* waba lesihawu kubo lapho bebubula ngaphansi kwalabo ababebancindezele lababebahlukuluza. 
\v 19 Kodwa lapho umahluleli esefile, abantu babuyela ezindleleni zokuxhwala okwedlula ezaboyise, belandela abanye onkulunkulu, bebasebenzele njalo bebakhonza, besala ukudela izenzo zabo ezimbi lezindlela zobuqholo.
\p
\v 20 Ngakho \nd uThixo\nd* wamthukuthelela kakhulu u-Israyeli wathi, “Njengoba isizwe lesi sesephule isivumelwano engasimisela okhokho baso njalo kasingilalelanga, 
\v 21 kangisayikuxotsha phambi kwaso iloba yisiphi isizwe phakathi kwezatshiywa nguJoshuwa ekufeni kwakhe. 
\v 22 Ngizasebenzisa zona ukuhlola abako-Israyeli ngibone ukuthi bazayigcina yini indlela \nd kaThixo\nd*, bahambe kuyo njengokwenziwa ngokhokho babo.” 
\v 23 \nd UThixo\nd* wayevumele ukuthi lezozizwe zisale; kazixotshanga masinyane ngokuzinikela ezandleni zikaJoshuwa.
\c 3
\p
\v 1 Nanzi izizwe ezatshiywa \nd nguThixo\nd* ukuze abahlole bonke abako-Israyeli ababengazibonanga izimpi eKhenani 
\v 2 (wenza lokhu ukuba azifundise izizukulwane zako-Israyeli ukulwiwa kwezimpi lezo ezazingazange zikubone ukulwa ngaphambilini): 
\v 3 ababusi abahlanu bamaFilistiya, amaKhenani wonke, amaSidoni, lamaHivi ahlala ezintabeni zaseLebhanoni kusukela eNtabeni iBhali-Hemoni kusiya eLebho Hamathi. 
\v 4 Babetshiyelwe ukuhlola abako-Israyeli ukuba kubonakale ukuthi bayayilalela na imilayo \nd kaThixo\nd*, ayeyinike okhokho babo ngoMosi.
\p
\v 5 Abako-Israyeli babehlala phakathi kwamaKhenani, lamaHithi, lama-Amori, lamaPherizi, lamaHivi kanye lamaJebusi. 
\v 6 Bathatha amadodakazi awo aba ngomkabo njalo bendisela amadodakazi abo emadodaneni awo, bakhonza labonkulunkulu bawo.
\s1 U-Othiniyeli
\p
\v 7 Abako-Israyeli benza okubi emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*; bamkhohlwa \nd uThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wabo bakhonza oBhali labo-Ashera. 
\v 8 Ulaka \nd lukaThixo\nd* lwavuthela abako-Israyeli waze wabanikela ezandleni zikaKhushani-Rishathayimi inkosi yase-Aramu Naharayimu, lapho abantu bako-Israyeli ababangaphansi kombuso wayo iminyaka eyisificaminwembili. 
\v 9 Kodwa ekukhaleni kwabo \nd kuThixo\nd*, wabalethela umhlengi, u-Othiniyeli indodana kaKhenazi, umnawakhe kaKhalebi, owabakhululayo. 
\v 10 Umoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wehlela kuye, wasesiba ngumahluleli wako-Israyeli waya empini. \nd UThixo\nd* wanikela uKhushani-Rishathayimi inkosi ye-Aramu ezandleni zika-Othiniyeli, wamnqoba. 
\v 11 Ngakho ilizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane, u-Othiniyeli indodana kaKhenazi waze wafa.
\s1 U-Ehudi
\p
\v 12 Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*, kwathi ngenxa yokuthi babenze lobububi \nd uThixo\nd* wanika u-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi amandla phezu kuka-Israyeli. 
\v 13 Esenze ama-Amoni lama-Amaleki amanyana laye, u-Egiloni wayahlasela u-Israyeli, basebethumba idolobho laMalala. 
\v 14 Abako-Israyeli babangaphansi kombuso ka-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi iminyaka elitshumi layisificaminwembili.
\p
\v 15 Abako-Israyeli bakhala futhi \nd kuThixo\nd*, wasebapha umhlengi u-Ehudi, indoda eyayilinxele indodana kaGera owakoBhenjamini. Abako-Israyeli bamthuma lesipho ku-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi. 
\v 16 U-Ehudi wayenze inkemba esika inxa zombili eyayingaba yingalo lengxenye ubude bayo, ayibophela ethangazini lakhe lwesokudla ngaphansi kwezigqoko zakhe. 
\v 17 Wasethula isipho ku-Egiloni inkosi yaseMowabi, owayengumuntu oqatha kakhulu. 
\v 18 Emva kokuba u-Ehudi esesethule isipho, walaya abantu ababesithwele ukuba bazihambele. 
\v 19 Ezithombeni eduze leGiligali yena uqobo wabuyela emuva, wathi, “Oh nkosi, ngilelizwi lakho eliyimfihlo.
\p ” Inkosi yathi, “Thula!” Zonke izikhonzi zayo zasuka kuyo.
\p
\v 20 U-Ehudi wayilanda isihlezi yodwa ekamelweni langaphezulu elipholileyo endlini yayo yobukhosi wathi, “Ngilelizwi lakho elivela kuNkulunkulu.” Kwathi inkosi isukuma esihlalweni sayo, 
\v 21 u-Ehudi wafinyelela ngesandla sakhe senxele, wahwatsha inkemba ethangazini lakhe kwesokudla wayithela esiswini senkosi. 
\v 22 Inkemba yatshona yasala ngesilanda, amathumbu akhe agcwala phansi. U-Ehudi kayingcothulanga inkemba, idanga layemboza. 
\v 23 U-Ehudi waphuma phandle, wavala iminyango yekamelo langaphezulu wayihluthulela.
\p
\v 24 Esehambile kweza izinceku zathola iminyango yekamelo langaphezulu ihluthulelwe. Zathi, “Kutsho ukuthi iye ngaphandle ekamelweni elingaphakathi kwendlu.” 
\v 25 Zalinda zaze zakhathazeka, kodwa ngoba ingasavulanga iminyango yekamelo lelo, zathatha ikhiye zayivula. Lapho-ke zabona inkosi yazo iwele phansi, isifile.
\p
\v 26 Zisalindile, u-Ehudi wasuka wahamba. Wedlula eduzane lezithombe wabalekela eSeyira. 
\v 27 Esefike lapho wakhalisa icilongo elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, abako-Israyeli basebesehla laye ezintabeni, yena ebakhokhele.
\p
\v 28 Wabalaya wathi, “Ngilandelani, ngoba \nd uThixo\nd* usenikele uMowabi, isitha senu, ezandleni zenu.” Ngakho behlela laye phansi bemlandela, kwathi sebethumbe amazibuko eJodani ayewelela eMowabi, kabaze bavumela muntu ukuba achaphele ngaphetsheya. 
\v 29 Ngalesosikhathi babulala amaMowabi ayengaba zinkulungwane ezilitshumi, wonke ayeqinile elamandla; akukho muntu owaphunyukayo. 
\v 30 Ngalolosuku iMowabi yanqotshwa yi-Israyeli, ilizwe laselisiba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi ayisificaminwembili.
\s1 UShamigari
\p
\v 31 Emva kuka-Ehudi kwaba loShamigari indodana ka-Anathi owabulala amaFilistiya angamakhulu ayisithupha ngesijujo senkabi. Laye wamkhulula u-Israyeli.
\c 4
\s1 UDibhora
\p
\v 1 Abako-Israyeli baphinda benza okubi phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd*, emva kokuba u-Ehudi esefile. 
\v 2 Ngakho \nd uThixo\nd* wabanikela ezandleni zikaJabhini, inkosi yaseKhenani, owayebusa eHazori. Umlawuli webutho lakhe wayenguSisera, owayehlala eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi. 
\v 3 Ngoba wayelezinqola zempi ezensimbi ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye munye njalo encindezele abako-Israyeli kabuhlungu okweminyaka engamatshumi amabili, bacela usizo \nd kuThixo\nd*.
\p
\v 4 Ngalesosikhathi u-Israyeli wayekhokhelwa nguDibhora umphrofethikazi, umkaLaphidothi. 
\v 5 Wayethonisela amacala ngaphansi kwesihlahla seLala likaDibhora phakathi kweRama leBhetheli elizweni lezintaba lako-Efrayimi, njalo abantu bako-Israyeli baya kuye ukuba kwenziwe izinqumo ngemibono yabo. 
\v 6 Wabiza uBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami waseKhedeshi koNafithali wathi kuye, “\nd UThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, uyakulaya uthi: ‘Suka, uhambe labantu bakoNafithali labakoZebhuluni abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi ubakhokhelele eNtabeni iThabhori. 
\v 7 Ngizahugela uSisera, umlawuli webutho likaJabhini, lezinqola zakhe zempi kanye lamabutho emfuleni uKhishoni ngimnikele ezandleni zakho.’ ”
\p
\v 8 UBharakhi wathi kuye, “Nxa uhamba lami, ngizahamba; kodwa nxa ungahambi lami, kangiyikuhamba.”
\p
\v 9 UDibhora wathi, “Kulungile, ngizahamba lawe. Kodwa ngenxa yendlela oqhuba ngayo lokhu udumo kaluyikuba ngolwakho, ngoba \nd uThixo\nd* uzanikela uSisera kowesifazane.” Ngakho uDibhora wahamba loBharakhi eKhedeshi 
\v 10 lapho abizela khona uZebhuluni loNafithali. Abantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi bamlandela. UDibhora laye wahamba labo.
\p
\v 11 Ngalesosikhathi uHebheri umKheni wayetshiye amanye amaKheni, izizukulwane zikaHobhabhi, uyisezala kaMosi, wamisa ithente lakhe phansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi eZananimi eduze leKhedeshi.
\p
\v 12 Kwathi uSisera sebemtshelile ukuthi uBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami wayeseye eNtabeni iThabhori, 
\v 13 uSisera waqoqela ndawonye izinqola zakhe zempi ezensimbi ezingamakhulu ayisificamunwemunye munye lawo wonke amadoda ayelaye, kusukela eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi kusiya emfuleni uKhishoni.
\p
\v 14 UDibhora wasesithi kuBharakhi, “Hamba! Lolu yilo usuku \nd uThixo\nd* anikele ngalo uSisera ezandleni zakho. Kanti \nd uThixo\nd* kahambanga phambi kwakho na?” Ngakho uBharakhi wehlela eNtabeni iThabhori elandelwa ngabantu abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi. 
\v 15 UBharakhi wathi esesondela \nd uThixo\nd* wamhlasela uSisera lezinqola zakhe zonke zempi kanye lebutho ngenkemba, njalo uSisera watshiya izinqola zakhe zempi wabaleka ngezinyawo.
\p
\v 16 Kodwa uBharakhi waxotshana lezinqola zempi lebutho waze wafika eHaroshethi-Hagoyimi. Wonke amabutho kaSisera abulawa ngenkemba, akukho muntu owasilayo. 
\v 17 Kodwa uSisera wabaleka ngezinyawo waze wayafika ethenteni likaJayeli, umkaHebheri umKheni, ngoba kwakulobudlelwano obuhle phakathi kukaJabhini inkosi yaseHazori lomndeni kaHebheri umKheni.
\p
\v 18 UJayeli waphuma wahlangabeza uSisera wasesithi kuye, “Woza nkosi yami, ngena phakathi sibili. Ungesabi.” Ngakho uSisera wangena ethenteni likaJayeli, wasemembesa ngengubo.
\p
\v 19 Wasesithi, “Ngomile. Ake unginathise.” Wavula umxhaka wesikhumba sochago, wamnathisa, wasemembesa.
\p
\v 20 USisera wasesithi, “Mana emnyango wethente. Kungaba lomuntu ofika akubuze athi, ‘Kulomuntu lapha na?’ wena kumele uthi ‘Hatshi.’ ”
\p
\v 21 Kodwa uJayeli, umkaHebheri, wathatha isikhonkwane sethente lesando, wamnyenyela ephakathi kobuthongo obukhulu, ngoba wayediniwe. Wabethela isikhonkwane enhlafunweni sangena saze sayafika emhlabathini, wafa.
\p
\v 22 UBharakhi wafika exotshana loSisera, uJayeli waphuma wayamhlangabeza. Wathi, “Woza, ngizakutshengisa umuntu omdingayo.” Ngakho wangena laye khonapho, uSisera wayelele isikhonkwane sethente singene satshona enhlafunweni yakhe esefile.
\p
\v 23 Ngalolosuku uNkulunkulu wamnqoba uJabhini, inkosi yamaKhenani, phambi kwabako-Israyeli. 
\v 24 Amandla abako-Israyeli okumelana loJabhini inkosi yamaKhenani akhula, aze amchitha.
\c 5
\s1 Ingoma KaDibhora
\p
\v 1 Ngalolosuku uDibhora loBharakhi indodana ka-Abhinowami bahlabela ingoma le:
\q1
\v 2 “Lapho amakhosana ko-Israyeli esekhokhela,
\q2 lapho abantu bezinikela ngokuzithandela,
\q2 dumisani \nd uThixo\nd*!
\b
\q1
\v 3 Zwanini lokhu lina makhosi! Lalelani lina babusi!
\q2 Ngizahlabelela \nd kuThixo\nd*,
\q2 ngizahlabelela;
\q1 ngizahubela ihubo,
\q2 \nd kuThixo\nd*uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.
\b
\b
\q1
\v 4 Awu \nd Thixo\nd*, ekuqhamukeni kwakho eSeyiri,
\q2 lapho usuka elizweni lase-Edomi,
\q1 umhlaba wanyikinyeka, amazulu athululeka,
\q2 amayezi athululela amanzi phansi.
\q1
\v 5 Izintaba zazamazama phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd*, yena owaseSinayi,
\q2 phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli.
\b
\q1
\v 6 Ensukwini zikaShamigari indodana ka-Anathi,
\q2 ensukwini zikaJayeli, imigwaqo yayideliwe;
\q2 izihambi zithatha izindledlana ezimazombe.
\q1
\v 7 Izakhamizi zako-Israyeli kazizange zilwe,
\q2 zahlehlela emuva kwaze kwavela mina Dibhora,
\q2 kwavela umama ko-Israyeli.
\q1
\v 8 UNkulunkulu wakhetha abakhokheli abatsha
\q2 lapho impi isifike emasangweni edolobho,
\q1 kodwa akulahawu kumbe umkhonto owabonakalayo
\q2 phakathi kwezinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane ko-Israyeli.
\q1
\v 9 Inhliziyo yami ikanye lamakhosana ako-Israyeli,
\q2 kanye labazinikela ngokuzithandela phakathi kwabantu.
\q2 Dumisani \nd uThixo\nd*!
\b
\q1
\v 10 Lina eligada obabhemi abamhlophe,
\q2 lihlezi ezihlalweni zenu zengubo,
\q2 lani elihamba emgwaqweni
\q1 cabangani 
\v 11 ilizwi labahlabeleli ezindaweni zamanzi okunathisa.
\q2 Bahuba ngokulunga \nd kukaThixo\nd*,
\q2 ukunqoba kwezakhamizi zako-Israyeli.
\b
\q1 Lapho-ke abantu \nd bakaThixo\nd*
\q2 behlela emasangweni edolobho.
\q1
\v 12 ‘Vuka, vuka, Dibhora!
\q2 Vuka, vuka, uhlabele ingoma!
\q1 Vuka weBharakhi!
\q2 Uthumbe abathunjiweyo bakho, wena ndodana ka-Abhinowami.’
\b
\q1
\v 13 Ngakho abantu ababesele bafika ezikhulwini;
\q2 abantu \nd bakaThixo\nd* beza kimi labalamandla.
\q1
\v 14 Abanye bavela ko-Efrayimi, abamdabuko wabo use-Amaleki;
\q2 uBhenjamini wayelabantu abakulandelayo.
\q1 Izinduna zamabutho zavela eMakhiri,
\q2 koZebhuluni labo abaphatha intonga yomlawuli webutho.
\q1
\v 15 Amakhosana ako-Isakhari ayeloDibhora;
\q2 yebo, u-Isakhari wayeloBharakhi
\q2 emxhuma ngesiqubu ezigodini.
\q1 Eziqintini zakoRubheni
\q2 kwaba lokuhlolwa okukhulu kwezinhliziyo.
\q1
\v 16 Lahlalelani ezibayeni
\q2 ukuzwa amakhwelo enqanda izimvu na?
\q1 Eziqintini zakoRubheni,
\q2 kwaba lokuhlolwa okukhulu kwezinhliziyo.
\q1
\v 17 UGiliyadi wahlala ngaphetsheya kweJodani.
\q2 LoDani wasalelani ngasemikhunjini na?
\q1 U-Asheri wasala ngasokhunjini
\q2 wahlala emathekwini akhe olwandle.
\q1
\v 18 Abantu bakoZebhuluni bafaka impilo yabo uqobo engozini;
\q2 wenza njalo loNafithali emiqolweni yeganga.
\b
\q1
\v 19 Amakhosi afika, alwa;
\q2 amakhosi aseKhenani alwa,
\q1 eThanakhi ngasemachibini aseMegido,
\q2 kodwa kawazathwala isiliva, lempango.
\q1
\v 20 Izinkanyezi zalwa zisemazulwini,
\q2 zalwa loSisera zisezindleleni zazo.
\q1
\v 21 Umfula uKhishoni wabakhukhula,
\q2 umfula wendulo, umfula uKhishoni.
\q2 Phambili, mphefumulo wami; Qina!
\q1
\v 22 Kwaduma amasondo amabhiza ematha,
\q2 ematha ehamba amabhiza akhe alamandla.
\q1
\v 23 ‘Iqalekiseni iMerozi,’ kwatsho ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd*,
\q2 ‘Baqalekiseni kabuhlungu abantu bayo,
\q1 ngoba kabezanga ukuzencedisa \nd uThixo\nd*,
\q2 ukuzasiza \nd uThixo\nd* emelane labalamandla.’
\b
\b
\q1
\v 24 Kabe ngobusiswe kakhulu kwabesifazane uJayeli,
\q2 umkaHebheri umKheni,
\q2 obusiswe kakhulu kwabesifazane abahlala emathenteni.
\q1
\v 25 Wacela amanzi, yena wamnika uchago,
\q2 wamlethela amasi ngomganu ofanele izikhulu.
\q1
\v 26 Wathatha isikhonkwane sethente ngesandla sakhe,
\q2 isandla sakhe sokudla sathatha isando somkhandi.
\q1 Watshaya uSisera, wachoboza ikhanda lakhe,
\q2 waphahaza wabhoboza inhlafuno yakhe.
\q1
\v 27 Wawohlokela ezinyaweni zakhe,
\q2 wawa; wabhazalala khonapho.
\q1 Wawohlokela ezinyaweni zakhe wawa;
\q2 lapho awohlokela khona, wawela khonapho esefile.
\b
\q1
\v 28 UnakaSisera walunguza ngefasitela;
\q2 ngemva kwewindi wanqolonga wathi,
\q1 ‘Kungani inqola yakhe yempi iphuze kangaka ukufika?
\q2 Kungani ukugodlozela kwezinqola zakhe zempi kuphuzile?’
\q1
\v 29 Ohlakaniphe kakhulu kumakhosazana akhe wamphendula;
\q2 impela yena uhlezi ezitshela esithi,
\q1
\v 30 ‘Kanti kabafumani mpango bayabelane na;
\q2 intombazana loba amabili indoda nganye,
\q1 izigqoko ezimibalabala eziyimpango kaSisera,
\q2 izigqoko ezimibalabala ezicecisiweyo,
\q1 izigqoko eziceciswe kakhulu zentamo yami,
\q2 konke lokhu kuyimpango?’
\b
\b
\q1
\v 31 Ngakho sengathi zingabhubha zonke izitha zakho, Oh \nd Thixo\nd*!
\q2 Kodwa sengathi labo abakuthandayo bangaba njengelanga
\q2 lapho liphuma ngamandla alo.”
\p Kwasekusiba lokuthula elizweni iminyaka engamatshumi amane.
\c 6
\s1 UGidiyoni
\p
\v 1 Abako-Israyeli benza okubi futhi emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*, wabanikela ezandleni zamaMidiyani iminyaka eyisikhombisa. 
\v 2 Ngenxa yokuthi umbuso wamaMidiyani wawuncindezela kakhulu, abako-Israyeli bazakhela amadumba ezingoxweni zezintaba, lasezimbalwini kanye lasezinqabeni. 
\v 3 Kwakusithi abako-Israyeli bangalima izilimo zabo, amaMidiyani lama-Amaleki kanye labanye abantu basempumalanga bahlasele ilizwe labo. 
\v 4 Bahlala elizweni bachitha izilimo umango wonke kusiya eGaza kabaze bamtshiyela lutho oluphilayo u-Israyeli, loba izimvu kumbe inkomo loba obabhemi. 
\v 5 Beza lezifuyo zabo lamathente abo benjengemitshitshi yezintethe ngobunengi. Ubunengi babantu lamakamela abo kwakungabaleki; bahlasela ilizwe balichithiza. 
\v 6 AmaMidiyani abaphundla abako-Israyeli baze bakhala \nd kuThixo\nd* ukuba abasize.
\p
\v 7 Kwathi abako-Israyeli sebekhalile \nd kuThixo\nd* ngenxa yamaMidiyani, 
\v 8 wabathumela umphrofethi, owathi, “Nanku okutshiwo \nd nguThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli: Ngalikhupha eGibhithe, ngalikhupha elizweni lobugqili. 
\v 9 Ngalihluthuna emandleni eGibhithe lasezandleni zabancindezeli benu bonke. Ngabaxotsha phambi kwenu ngalipha ilizwe labo. 
\v 10 Ngathi kini, ‘Mina \nd nginguThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wenu, lingabakhonzi onkulunkulu bama-Amori, elihlala elizweni lawo.’ Kodwa kalingilalelanga.”
\p
\v 11 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yafika yahlala ngaphansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi e-Ofira esasingesikaJowashi umʼAbhiyezeri lapho indodana yakhe uGidiyoni eyayibhula khona amabele esikhamelweni sewayini ukuze iwafihlele amaMidiyani. 
\v 12 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* isibonakele kuGidiyoni yathi kuye, “\nd UThixo\nd* ulawe, butho elilamandla.”
\p
\v 13 UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Kodwa nkosi, nxa \nd uThixo\nd* elathi, pho kungani konke lokhu kwenzakele kithi? Zingaphi izimanga zakhe zonke obaba abasitshela ngazo besithi, ‘\nd UThixo\nd* kasikhuphanga eGibhithe na?’ Kodwa khathesi \nd uThixo\nd* usesidelile wasinikela ezandleni zamaMidiyani.”
\p
\v 14 \nd UThixo\nd* waphendukela kuye wathi, “Hamba ngamandla olawo uhlenge u-Israyeli ezandleni zamaMidiyani. Kanti kangikuthumi na?”
\p
\v 15 UGidiyoni wabuza wathi, “Kodwa nkosi yami, u-Israyeli ngingamhlenga kanjani na? Usendo lwakwethu koManase kalulamandla, njalo mina ngingomncinyane emulini yakwethu.”
\p
\v 16 \nd UThixo\nd* waphendula wathi, “Ngizakuba lawe, njalo uzawacakazela phansi wonke amaMidiyani, ungatshiyi lamunye wabo.”
\p
\v 17 UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Nxa khathesi sengithole umusa emehlweni akho, nginika isibonakaliso sokuthi impela nguwe sibili okhuluma lami. 
\v 18 Ngiyakucela ukuba ungahambi ngize ngiphenduke ngilethe umnikelo wami ngiwubeke phambi kwakho.”
\p \nd UThixo\nd* wathi, “Ngizahlala uze uphenduke.”
\p
\v 19 UGidiyoni wangena phakathi wahlaba izinyane lembuzi, wasesenza isinkwa esingelamvubelo ngehefa yefulawa. Esebeke inyama esitsheni lomhluzi wayo embizeni, waphuma lakho wayakunikela kuye ngaphansi komʼOkhi.
\p
\v 20 Ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yathi kuye, “Thatha inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo ukubeke phezu kwedwala leli, uthele umhluzi.” UGidiyoni wenza njalo. 
\v 21 Ngesihloko somqwayi eyayiwuphethe ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yathinta inyama lesinkwa esingelamvubelo. Umlilo walavuka edwaleni watshisa inyama lesinkwa. Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yasinyamalala. 
\v 22 Kwathi uGidiyoni esenanzelele ukuthi kwakuyingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd*, wamemeza wathi, “Awu, \nd Thixo\nd* Wobukhosi! Ngibone ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* ubuso ngobuso!”
\p
\v 23 Kodwa \nd uThixo\nd* wathi kuye, “Ukuthula! Ungesabi. Kawuyikufa.”
\p
\v 24 Ngakho uGidiyoni wakhela \nd uThixo\nd* i-alithari khonapho walibiza ngokuthi \nd uThixo\nd* uyiKuthula. Kuze kube lamhla likhona e-Ofira lama-Abhiyezeri.
\p
\v 25 Ngalobobusuku \nd uThixo\nd* wathi kuye, “Thatha inkunzi yesibili emhlambini kayihlo, eleminyaka eyisikhombisa ubudala. Udilize i-alithari likayihlo alakhela uBhali, ugamule lezinsika zika-Ashera eziphansi kwalo. 
\v 26 Emva kwalokho wakhele \nd uThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wakho umhlobo we-alithari oluyilo engqongeni yalinqaba. Unikele inkunzi yesibili njengomnikelo wokutshiswa usebenzisa inkuni zensika zika-Ashera ozigamuleyo.”
\p
\v 27 Ngakho uGidiyoni wathatha izinceku zakhe ezilitshumi wenza njengokutshelwa kwakhe \nd nguThixo\nd*. Kodwa ngenxa yokuthi wayesesaba abemuli yakwabo labantu basedolobheni, wakwenza ebusuku kulokuba kube semini.
\p
\v 28 Ekuseni kwathi abantu bedolobho lelo bevuka babona i-alithari likaBhali lidiliziwe, lezinsika zika-Ashera emaceleni alo ziganyulwe lenkunzi yesibili inikelwe phezu kwe-alithari elalisanda kwakhiwa!
\p
\v 29 Babuzana besithi, “Ngubani owenze lokhu?”
\p Kwathi sebebuzisise kakuhle babatshela ukuthi, “Kwenziwe nguGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi.”
\p
\v 30 Abantu bakulelodolobho bathonisa uJowashi bathi, “Ikhuphe indodana yakho. Kumele ife, ngoba idilize i-alithari likaBhali yagamula lezinsika zika-Ashera emaceleni alo.”
\p
\v 31 Kodwa uJowashi waphendula ixuku lelo elalifuthelene limhanqile wathi, “Lizakhulumela uBhali na? Lizama ukumhlenga na? Loba ngubani omlwelayo uzabulawa ekuseni! Nxa uBhali engunkulunkulu sibili, angazivikela nxa umuntu ediliza i-alithari lakhe.” 
\v 32 Ngakho ngalelolanga uGidiyoni bambiza ngokuthi “Jerubhi-Bhali,” besithi, “UBhali kalwe laye,” ngoba wadiliza i-alithari likaBhali.
\p
\v 33 Ngalesosikhathi wonke amaMidiyani, lama-Amaleki kanye labanye abantu basempumalanga bamanyana bachapha iJodani, bamisa eSigodini saseJezerili. 
\v 34 Umoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wafika kuGidiyoni, wasetshaya icilongo emema ama-Abhiyezeri ukuba amlandele. 
\v 35 Wathuma izithunywa kulolonke elakoManase, ebatshela ukuba bahlome, lako-Asheri, koZebhuluni kanye lakoNafithali, ukuze labo bayebahlangabeza.
\p
\v 36 UGidiyoni wathi kuNkulunkulu, “Nxa uzasindisa u-Israyeli ngesandla sami njengoba uthembisile, 
\v 37 khangela ngizabeka uboya bewulu esizeni. Kungaba lamazolo eboyeni bewulu kuphela iphansi lomile, ngizakwazi ukuthi uzamsindisa u-Israyeli ngesandla sami njengoba utshilo.” 
\v 38 Lokho yikho okwenzakalayo. Kusisa uGidiyoni wavuka ekuseni wakhama uboya wahluza amazolo, umganu wagcwala amanzi.
\p
\v 39 UGidiyoni wasesithi kuNkulunkulu, “Ungangithukutheleli. Ngivumela ngenze esinye isicelo esisodwa. Ngivumela ukuhlola kanye futhi ngoboya. Khathesi yomisa uboya kuthi iphansi ligcwale amazolo.” 
\v 40 Ngalobobusuku uNkulunkulu wenza njalo. Uboya kuphela yibo obabomile; iphansi lonke ligcwele amazolo.
\c 7
\s1 UGidiyoni Wehlula AmaMidiyani
\p
\v 1 Ekuseni kakhulu uJerubhi-Bhali (lowo nguGidiyoni) labantu bakhe bonke bamisa emthonjeni waseHarodi. Izihonqo zamaMidiyani zazingasenyakatho kwabo esigodini eduzane lentaba yaseMore. 
\v 2 \nd UThixo\nd* wathi kuGidiyoni, “Abantu olabo banengi kakhulu ukuba nginikele amaMidiyani ezandleni zabo. Ukuze u-Israyeli angazincomi kimi esithi amandla akhe amsindisile, 
\v 3 memezela ebantwini khathesi nje uthi, ‘Lowo othuthumelayo ngenxa yokwesaba angabuyela emuva asuke eNtabeni iGiliyadi.’ ” Ngakho abantu abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili babuyela, kwathi abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi basala.
\p
\v 4 Kodwa \nd uThixo\nd* wathi kuGidiyoni, “Abantu balokhu bebanengi kakhulu. Behlisele emanzini, ngizakuhlolela bona khonale. Ngingathi, ‘Lo uzahamba lawe,’ uzahamba; kodwa ngingathi, ‘Lo kazukuhamba lawe,’ akayikuhamba.”
\p
\v 5 Ngakho uGidiyoni wabathatha abantu wabasa ngasemanzini. Khonapho \nd uThixo\nd* wathi kuGidiyoni, “Yehlukanisa labo abaxhapha amanzi ngolimi lwabo njengenja kulabo abaguqa phansi ukuba banathe.” 
\v 6 Abantu abangamakhulu amathathu bakhaphazela amanzi emilonyeni yabo ngezandla zabo. Abanye bonke baguqa phansi ngamadolo abo ukuba banathe.
\p
\v 7 \nd UThixo\nd* wasesithi kuGidiyoni, “Ngamadoda angamakhulu amathathu anathe equthile ngizakusindisa nginikele amaMidiyani ezandleni zakho. Amanye wonke adedele aye emizini yabo.” 
\v 8 Ngakho uGidiyoni wabuyisela inengi labako-Israyeli emathenteni abo wasala labangamakhulu amathathu, abayibo abathatha ukudla lamacilongo abanye.
\p Izihonqo zamaMidiyani zazingaphansi kwakhe esigodini. 
\v 9 Ngalobobusuku \nd uThixo\nd* wathi kuGidiyoni, “Vuka, yehla uyehlasela izihonqo ngoba ngizazinikela ezandleni zakho. 
\v 10 Nxa usesaba ukuhlasela, yehlela ezihonqweni lenceku yakho uPhura 
\v 11 ulalele abakutshoyo. Emva kwalokho uzakuba lesibindi sokuhlasela izihonqo.” Ngakho yena loPhura inceku yakhe behlela emaphethelweni ezihonqo. 
\v 12 AmaMidiyani lama-Amaleki kanye labanye bonke abasempumalanga babemise esigodini, bebanengi njengentethe. Amakamela abo ayengeke abalwe njengetshebetshebe okhunjini lolwandle.
\p
\v 13 UGidiyoni wafika omunye umuntu esatshela umngane wakhe iphupho lakhe. Wathi, “Ngiphuphe iphupho. Isinkwa sebhali esiyindilinga size sigiqikela ezihonqweni zamaMidiyani. Sitshaye ithente ngamandla amakhulu ithente lagenquka lawohlokela phansi.”
\p
\v 14 Umngane wakhe waphendula wathi, “Lokhu akungeke kube ngolunye ulutho ngaphandle kwenkemba kaGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi, umʼIsrayeli. UNkulunkulu usenikele amaMidiyani lezihonqo zonke ezandleni zakhe.”
\p
\v 15 Kwathi uGidiyoni esezwe iphupho lelo lengcazelo yalo, wakhonza. Wabuyela ezihonqweni zako-Israyeli wamemeza esithi, “Vukani! \nd UThixo\nd* usenikele izihonqo zamaMidiyani ezandleni zenu!” 
\v 16 Esehlukanise abantu abangamakhulu amathathu baba ngamaviyo amathathu, bonke wabanika amacilongo lezimbizanyana ezingelalutho, zilezibane phakathi.
\p
\v 17 Wathi kubo, “Ngikhangelani. Lingilandele. Lapho sengifike emaphethelweni ezihonqo, lenze engizabe ngikwenza. 
\v 18 Nxa mina labo bonke abalami sesitshaya amacilongo ethu, lina ezindaweni zonke zezihonqo likhalise awenu limemeza lisithi, ‘\nd NgekaThixo\nd* lekaGidiyoni.’ ”
\p
\v 19 UGidiyoni lamadoda alikhulu ayelaye bafika emaphethelweni ezihonqo ekuqaliseni komlindo waphakathi, besanda kuntshintsha abalindi. Bakhalisa amacilongo abo babulala lenkonxa ababeziphethe. 
\v 20 Amaviyo amathathu akhalisa amacilongo abulala inkonxa. Bephethe izibane ngezandla zabo zenxele, ezandleni zokudla bephethe amacilongo ababezawakhalisa, bamemeza bathi, “Inkemba \nd kaThixo\nd* lekaGidiyoni!” 
\v 21 Umuntu munye ngamunye wayemi endaweni yakhe behanqe izihonqo, amaMidiyani wonke agijima, ehlaba umkhosi ebaleka.
\p
\v 22 Kwathi amacilongo angamakhulu amathathu esekhala, \nd uThixo\nd* wenza ukuthi abantu ababesezindaweni zonke ezihonqweni bahlaselane ngezinkemba zabo. Ibutho labalekela eBhethi-Shitha ngokuya eZerera kusiyafika emngceleni we-Abheli-Mehola eduzane leThabathi. 
\v 23 Abako-Israyeli labakoNafithali, labako-Asheri labo bonke abakoManase babizwa, baxotshana lamaMidiyani. 
\v 24 UGidiyoni wathuma izithunywa kulolonke ilizwe lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi, esithi, “Yehlani lihlasele amaMidiyani lithumbe iziziba zaseJodani phambi kwawo kusiyafika eBhethi-Bhara.”
\p Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Efrayimi babizwa bazithumba iziziba zaseJodani kusiyafika eBhethi-Bhara. 
\v 25 Bathumba labakhokheli bamaMidiyani ababili, u-Orebhi loZebhi. U-Orebhi bambulalela edwaleni lika-Orebhi, uZebhi esikhamelweni sewayini sikaZebhi. Baxotshana lamaMidiyani, amakhanda ka-Orebhi loZebhi bawasa kuGidiyoni owayeseJodani.
\c 8
\s1 UZebha LoZalimuna
\p
\v 1 Abako-Efrayimi babuza uGidiyoni bathi, “Kungani usiphathe kanje na? Kungani ungasibizanga lapho ususiyakulwa lamaMidiyani?” Bamsola kakhulu.
\p
\v 2 Kodwa yena wabaphendula wathi, “Kuyini mina engikufezileyo okulingana lokwenu na? Amagrebisi ako-Efrayimi aseleyo ekuvuneni kawangcono kulamagrebisi esivuno esipheleleyo sako-Abhiyezeri na? 
\v 3 UNkulunkulu unikele u-Orebhi loZebhi, abakhokheli bamaMidiyani, ezandleni zenu. Kuyini lokho engikwenzileyo lapho ngiqathaniswa lani?” Ngalokhu ukuthukuthela kwabo kwadeda.
\p
\v 4 UGidiyoni labantu bakhe abangamakhulu amathathu sebediniwe kodwa belokhu bexotshana lawo, bafika eJodani bayichapha. 
\v 5 Wasesithi ebantwini baseSukhothi, “Phanini amabutho ami izinkwa; akhathele, njalo ngisaxotshana loZebha kanye loZalimuna, amakhosi aseMidiyani.”
\p
\v 6 Kodwa izikhulu zaseSukhothi zathi, “Usulazo mathupha yini izandla zikaZebha loZalimuna? Kungani amabutho akho kumele siwanike izinkwa?”
\p
\v 7 UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Ngenxa yalokho, lapho \nd uThixo\nd* esenikele uZebha loZalimuna esandleni sami, ngizaklaya imizimba yenu ngameva asenkangala.”
\p
\v 8 Esuka lapho waya ePheniweli, wenza isicelo esifanayo kubo, kodwa baphendula njengabantu beSukhothi. 
\v 9 Ngakho wathi ebantwini basePheniweli, “Ekuphendukeni kwami senginqobile, ngizawudiliza umphotshongo lo.”
\p
\v 10 Ngalesosikhathi uZebha loZalimuna babeseKhakhori lebutho labantu ababephosa babe zinkulungwane ezilitshumi lanhlanu, ababesele emabuthweni asempumalanga; izinkulungwane ezilikhulu lamatshumi amabili zababesilwa ngenkemba zasezifile. 
\v 11 UGidiyoni wahamba ngendlela yamasili empumalanga kweNobha leJogibheha wahlasela ibutho elalilibele. 
\v 12 UZebha loZalimuna, amakhosi womabili aseMidiyani, babaleka, kodwa waxotshana labo wababamba, wawachitha wonke amabutho abo.
\p
\v 13 Emva kwalokho uGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wabuyela evela empini ngoKhalo lwaseHeresi. 
\v 14 Wabamba ijaha laseSukhothi walibuzabuza, ijaha lelo lamlobela amabizo eziphathamandla zaseSukhothi ezingamatshumi ayisikhombisa, abadala bomuzi. 
\v 15 UGidiyoni wafika wathi ebantwini baseSukhothi, “Nangu uZebha loZalimuna elalingichothoza ngabo lisithi, ‘Usulazo yini izandla zikaZebha loZalimuna? Kungani amabutho akho akhatheleyo kumele siwanike izinkwa na?’ ” 
\v 16 Wathatha abadala bomuzi wasefundisa amadoda aseSukhothi isifundo ngokubajezisa ngameva asenkangala. 
\v 17 Wadiliza lomphotshongo wasePheniweli wabulala amadoda akulowomuzi.
\p
\v 18 Wabuza uZebha loZalimuna wathi, “Ngabantu abanjani labo elababulalayo eThabhori?”
\p Baphendula bathi, “Ngabantu abanjengawe, lowo lalowo efana lenkosana.”
\p
\v 19 UGidiyoni waphendula wathi, “Labobantu babengabafowethu, amadodana kamama. Ngeqiniso njengoba \nd uThixo\nd* ephila, aluba labayekela bephila, kade bengingeyikulibulala.” 
\v 20 Wasephendukela kuJetha, indodana yakhe endala, wathi, “Babulale!” Kodwa uJetha kayihwatshanga inkemba yakhe, ngoba wayengumfanyana esesaba.
\p
\v 21 UZebha loZalimuna bathi, “Woza, usibulale wena ngokwakho. ‘Njengoba indoda injalo, anjalo lamandla ayo.’ ” Ngakho uGidiyoni wasondela phambili wababulala, wasethatha imiceciso entanyeni zamakamela abo.
\s1 Isithombe SikaGidiyoni
\p
\v 22 Abako-Israyeli bathi kuGidiyoni, “Sibuse wena, lendodana yakho kanye lendodana yendodana yakho ngoba usisindisile ezandleni zamaMidiyani.”
\p
\v 23 Kodwa uGidiyoni wathi kubo, “Mina kangiyikulibusa, lendodana yami kayiyikulibusa. \nd UThixo\nd* uzalibusa.” 
\v 24 Wabuya wathi, “Ngilesicelo esisodwa, ukuthi omunye lomunye wenu angiphe icici esabelweni sempango yenu.” (Ukufaka amacici egolide kwakungumkhuba wama-Ishumayeli.)
\p
\v 25 Baphendula bathi, “Sizathaba ukukunika wona.” Ngakho bendlala ingubo, kwathi umuntu ngamunye waphosela kuyo icici lempango yakhe. 
\v 26 Isisindo samacici egolide ayewacelile saba ngamashekeli angamakhulu alitshumi lesikhombisa, kungabalwa izigqizo lemigaxo lezembatho eziyibubende ezigqokwa ngamakhosi aseMidiyani loba amaketane ayesezintanjeni zamakamela awo. 
\v 27 UGidiyoni wenza isithombe ngegolide lelo, wasibeka e-Ofira, umuzi wakibo. Bonke abako-Israyeli bazingcolisa ngokusikhonza khonapho, njalo saba ngumjibila kuGidiyoni labendlu yakhe.
\s1 Ukufa KukaGidiyoni
\p
\v 28 IMidiyani yanqotshwa kanjalo ngabako-Israyeli njalo kayizange ivuse ikhanda futhi. Ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaGidiyoni ilizwe laba lokuthula iminyaka engamatshumi amane.
\p
\v 29 UJerubhi-Bhali indodana kaJowashi wabuyela ekhaya ukuyahlala khona. 
\v 30 Wayelamadodana angamatshumi ayisikhombisa angawakhe ngoba wayelabafazi abanengi. 
\v 31 Umkakhe weceleni, owayehlala eShekhemu, laye wamzalela indodana ayithi ngu-Abhimelekhi. 
\v 32 UGidiyoni indodana kaJowashi wafa eseluphele kakhulu wangcwatshwa ethuneni likayise uJowashi e-Ofira yama-Abhiyezeri.
\p
\v 33 Masinyane nje uGidiyoni esanda kufa abako-Israyeli bazingcolisa njalo ngokukhonza oBhali. Bamisa uBhali-Bherithi njengonkulunkulu wabo 
\v 34 kabaze bamkhumbula \nd uThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wabo owayebahlenge ezandleni zezitha zabo ezinhlangothini zonke. 
\v 35 Njalo kababanga lomusa kwabendlu kaJerubhi-Bhali (uGidiyoni) ngezinto zonke ezinhle ayebenzele zona.
\c 9
\s1 U-Abhimelekhi
\p
\v 1 U-Abhimelekhi indodana kaJerubhi-Bhali waya kubomalumakhe eShekhemu lakubo bonke abosendo lukanina wathi kubo, 
\v 2 “Buzani bonke abantu baseShekhemu ukuthi, ‘Yikuphi okungcono kini: ukubuswa yiwo wonke amadodana kaJerubhi-Bhali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa kumbe indoda eyodwa?’ Likhumbule ukuthi mina ngingumzimba legazi lenu.”
\p
\v 3 Kwathi abanewabo bakanina sebekutshilo konke lokhu ebantwini baseShekhemu, bafuna ukumlandela u-Abhimelekhi, ngoba bathi, “Ungumfowethu.” 
\v 4 Bamnika amashekeli esiliva angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, athathwa ethempelini likaBhali-Bherithi, u-Abhimelekhi aqhatsha ngawo izigebenga ezingakhathaliyo, ezaba ngabalandeli bakhe. 
\v 5 Waya emzini kayise e-Ofira kwathi abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa, amadodana kaJerubhi-Bhali, wababulalela phezu kwedwala linye. Kodwa uJothamu, indodana encane kaJerubhi-Bhali waphepha ngokucatsha. 
\v 6 Emva kwalokho bonke abantu baseShekhemu labeBhethi Milo babuthana ngaphansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi ensikeni eShekhemu ukuba u-Abhimelekhi bamfake abe yinkosi.
\p
\v 7 Kwathi uJothamu esetshelwe lokhu wakhwela waya esiqongweni seNtaba iGerizimu wanqolonga esithi kubo, “Ngilalelani, bantu baseShekhemu, ukuze uNkulunkulu alilalele. 
\v 8 Ngelinye ilanga izihlahla zasuka zayazigcobela inkosi yazo. Zathi esihlahleni se-oliva, ‘Woba yinkosi yethu.’
\p
\v 9 Kodwa isihlahla se-oliva saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela amafutha ami, okudunyiswa ngawo onkulunkulu labantu, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’
\p
\v 10 Izihlahla zasezisithi esihlahleni somkhiwa, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’
\p
\v 11 Kodwa isihlahla somkhiwa saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela izithelo zami ezinhle kangaka njalo zimnandi, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’
\p
\v 12 Lapho-ke izihlahla zathi esihlahleni sevini, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’
\p
\v 13 Kodwa isihlahla sevini saphendula sathi, ‘Kambe ngingadela iwayini lami elithokozisa onkulunkulu labantu, ukuba ngibuse izihlahla na?’
\p
\v 14 Ekucineni zonke izihlahla zathi esihlahleni sameva, ‘Woza ube yinkosi yethu.’
\p
\v 15 Isihlahla sameva sathi ezihlahleni, ‘Nxa lifuna ngempela ukuthi lingigcobe ukuba ngibe yinkosi yenu, wozani lizecatsha emthunzini wami, kodwa nxa kungenjalo, akuphume umlilo esihlahleni sameva uqothule imsedari yaseLebhanoni!’
\p
\v 16 Nxa lenze okubongekayo njalo ngobuqotho ekubekeni kwenu u-Abhimelekhi ukuba abe yinkosi, njalo nxa lenze okulungileyo kuJerubhi-Bhali labendlu yakhe, njalo nxa limphathe ngendlela emfaneleyo, 
\v 17 ngoba ubaba walilwela, wabeka impilo yakhe engozini ukuba alihlenge ezandleni zamaMidiyani 
\v 18 kodwa lamuhla selivukele abendlu kababa, kwathi amadodana akhe angamatshumi ayisikhombisa lawabulalela phezu kwedwala linye, kwathi u-Abhimelekhi, indodana yesigqilikazi sakhe, lamenza waba yinkosi yabantu baseShekhemu ngoba engumfowenu, 
\v 19 ngakho nxa lenzenjalo ngobuqotho kuJerubhi-Bhali labendlu yakhe lamuhla, thokozani ngo-Abhimelekhi, kube njalo laye ngani futhi! 
\v 20 Kodwa nxa lingenzanga njalo, akuphume umlilo ku-Abhimelekhi uliqothule, bantu baseShekhemu labaseBhethi Milo, njalo kuphume umlilo kini bantu baseShekhemu labaseBhethi Milo, uqothule u-Abhimelekhi!”
\p
\v 21 Emva kwalokhu uJothamu wabaleka, waya eBheri, wahlala khona ngoba wayesesaba umfowabo u-Abhimelekhi.
\p
\v 22 Kwathi u-Abhimelekhi esebuse abako-Israyeli iminyaka emithathu 
\v 23 uNkulunkulu wathumela umoya omubi phakathi kuka-Abhimelekhi labantu baseShekhemu bamhlamukela u-Abhimelekhi. 
\v 24 UNkulunkulu wenza lokhu ukuze ububi obenziwa emadodaneni kaJerubhi-Bhali angamatshumi ayisikhombisa, ukuchithwa kwegazi lawo, buphindiselwe kumfowabo u-Abhimelekhi lasebantwini baseShekhemu, ababemsizile ekubulaleni kwakhe abafowabo. 
\v 25 Ekumelaneni kwabo laye abantu baseShekhemu laba babeka abantu ezingqongeni zezintaba ukuba bacathamele bonke abadlula lapho babaphange, njalo lokhu kwabikwa ku-Abhimelekhi.
\p
\v 26 UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wathuthela eShekhemu labafowabo, njalo abantu bakhona bamethemba. 
\v 27 Kwathi sebeye emasimini babutha amagrebisi bawagxoba, baba ledili ethempelini likankulunkulu wabo. Kwathi besidla njalo benatha, bamthuka u-Abhimelekhi. 
\v 28 Lapho-ke uGali indodana ka-Ebhedi, wathi, “Ungubani u-Abhimelekhi, loShekhemu ungubani, ukuba asibuse na? Akasindodana kaJerubhi-Bhali yini, njalo uZebhuli kasimsekeli wakhe na? Khonzani abantu baseHamori, yise kaShekhemu! Kungani kumele sikhonze u-Abhimelekhi na? 
\v 29 Sengathi ngabe abantu laba balawulwa yimi! Kade ngizamsusa. Kade ngizakuthi ku-Abhimelekhi, ‘Libize lonke ibutho lakho.’ ”
\p
\v 30 Kwathi uZebhuli umbusi wedolobho esizwa okwatshiwo nguGali indodana ka-Ebhedi, wathukuthela kakhulu. 
\v 31 Wathuma izithunywa ngasese ku-Abhimelekhi, esithi, “UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi kanye labafowabo sebeze eShekhemu njalo badunga idolobho ukuba likuvukele. 
\v 32 Ngakho wena labantu bakho kumele lize phakathi kobusuku limcathamele egangeni. 
\v 33 Ekuseni ekuphumeni kwelanga, lisondele ukuba lilihlasele idolobho. Lapho uGali labantu bakhe bephuma ukuba balihlasele, lenze loba yini isandla senu esanelisa ukukwenza.”
\p
\v 34 Ngakho-ke u-Abhimelekhi lamabutho akhe wonke basuka ebusuku bacathama ezindaweni ezifihlakeleyo eduze leShekhemu bengamaviyo amane. 
\v 35 UGali indodana ka-Ebhedi wayephumile emi ekungeneni kwesango ledolobho kwathi u-Abhimelekhi lamabutho akhe baphuma lapho ababecatshe khona.
\p
\v 36 Kwathi uGali ebabona wathi kuZebhuli, “Khangela nampayana abantu bayehla besuka ezingqongeni zezintaba!”
\p UZebhuli waphendula wathi, “Ubona amathunzi ezintaba kube angathi ngabantu.”
\p
\v 37 Kodwa uGali wakhuluma futhi wathi, “Khangela, nampayana abantu bayehla besuka phakathi kwelizwe, njalo leviyo lamabutho liyeza livelela ngokuya esihlahleni sezangoma.”
\p
\v 38 UZebhuli wasesithi kuye, “Kungaphi ukukloloda kwakho manje, wena owathi, ‘Ungubani u-Abhimelekhi ukuba asibuse na?’ Laba kabasibo yini abantu owawubahleka? Phuma uyekulwa labo!”
\p
\v 39 Ngakho uGali waphuma labantu baseShekhemu walwa lo-Abhimelekhi. 
\v 40 U-Abhimelekhi wamxotsha, kwathi abanengi bafa belimele ekubalekeni, ibanga lonke kusiya ekungeneni kwesango. 
\v 41 U-Abhimelekhi wahlala e-Aruma, kwathi uZebhuli wamdudula uGali labafowabo eShekhemu.
\p
\v 42 Ngelanga elalandelayo abantu baseShekhemu basuka baya egangeni, njalo lokhu kwabikwa ku-Abhimelekhi. 
\v 43 Ngakho wathatha abantu bakhe, wabehlukanisa baba ngamaviyo amathathu wathi kabacathanyelwe egangeni. Kwathi ebona abantu bephuma edolobheni wavuka ukuba abahlasele. 
\v 44 U-Abhimelekhi lamaviyo ayelaye bagijimela phambili endaweni esekungeneni kwesango ledolobho. Amaviyo amabili agijimela kulabo ababesegangeni ababulala. 
\v 45 Ngalo lonke lolosuku u-Abhimelekhi waqinisa ukulihlasela kwakhe idolobho lelo waze walithumba wabulala labantu balo. Idolobho walidiliza wasehaza itswayi phezu kwalo.
\p
\v 46 Besizwa lokhu, abantu abasemphotshongweni weShekhemu bayangena enqabeni yethempeli lase-Eli-Bherithi. 
\v 47 Kwathi u-Abhimelekhi esizwa ukuthi basebebuthene lapho, 
\v 48 yena labantu bakhe bakhwela intaba iZalimoni. Wathatha ihloka wagamula amahlahla, wawetshata emahlombe akhe. Walaya abantu ababelaye wathi, “Phangisani! Yenzani lokhu elibone ngikwenza!” 
\v 49 Ngakho abantu bagamula amahlahla bamlandela u-Abhimelekhi. Bawabuthelela enqabeni leyo bayithungela ngomlilo abantu bephakathi. Ngakho bonke abantu ababephakathi komphotshongo waseShekhemu, amadoda labesifazane ababengaba yinkulungwane bafa.
\p
\v 50 Emva kwalokho u-Abhimelekhi waya eThebhezi wayivimbezela wayithumba. 
\v 51 Kodwa phakathi kwedolobho lelo kwakulomphotshongo oqinileyo lapho wonke amadoda labesifazane, abantu bakulelodolobho ababebalekele khona. Bazikhiyela phakathi bakhwela phezu kophahla lomphotshongo. 
\v 52 U-Abhimelekhi waya emphotshongweni lowo wawuhlasela. Kodwa wathi esebanga emnyango womphotshongo ukuba awuthungele ngomlilo, 
\v 53 owesifazane othile wawisela imbokodo phezu kwekhanda lakhe yadabula ukhakhayi lwakhe.
\p
\v 54 Waphanga wabiza umthwali wezikhali zakhe wathi, “Hwatsha inkemba yakho ungibulale, ukuze bangathi, ‘Wabulawa ngowesifazane.’ ” Ngakho inceku yakhe yamgwaza, wafa. 
\v 55 Kwathi abako-Israyeli bebona ukuthi u-Abhimelekhi wayesefile, babuyela ekhaya.
\p
\v 56 UNkulunkulu wabuphindisela kanje ububi u-Abhimelekhi ayebenze kuyise ngokubulala abafowabo abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa. 
\v 57 UNkulunkulu wenza ukuthi labantu baseShekhemu babuhlawulele ububi babo. Isiqalekiso sikaJothamu indodana kaJerubhi-Bhali sehlela phezu kwabo.
\c 10
\s1 UThola
\p
\v 1 Ngemva kwensuku zika-Abhimelekhi kwavela umuntu wako-Isakhari, uThola indodana kaPhuwa, indodana kaDodo ukuba ahlenge u-Israyeli. Wayehlala eShamiri, elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi. 
\v 2 Wakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lantathu; wasesifa, wangcwatshwa eShamiri.
\s1 UJayiri
\p
\v 3 Walandelwa nguJayiri owaseGiliyadi, owakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili lambili. 
\v 4 Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu, ayegada obabhemi abangamatshumi amathathu. Ayephethe amadolobho angamatshumi amathathu eGiliyadi, lalamhlanje abizwa ngokuthi Havothi Jayiri. 
\v 5 Ekufeni kwakhe uJayiri wangcwatshwa eKhamoni.
\s1 UJeftha
\p
\v 6 Abako-Israyeli benza okubi futhi emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*. Bakhonza oBhali labo-Ashithorethi, labonkulunkulu base-Aramu, labonkulunkulu baseSidoni, labonkulunkulu baseMowabi, labonkulunkulu bama-Amoni, kanye labonkulunkulu bamaFilistiya. Ngenxa yokuthi abako-Israyeli bamdela \nd uThixo\nd* kabaze babe besamkhonza, 
\v 7 wabathukuthelela kakhulu. Wabanikela ezandleni zamaFilistiya lama-Amoni, 
\v 8 okwathi ngalowomnyaka abachitha abanqoba. Ancindizela abako-Israyeli bonke okweminyaka elitshumi lasificaminwembili ngasempumalanga kweJodani eGiliyadi, ilizwe lama-Amori. 
\v 9 Ama-Amoni futhi achapha iJodani ukuba alwe loJuda, loBhenjamini kanye lendlu ka-Efrayimi; u-Israyeli wayephakathi kohlupho olukhulu. 
\v 10 Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli bakhala \nd kuThixo\nd* bathi, “Senze isono kuwe, sadela uNkulunkulu wethu sakhonza oBhali.”
\p
\v 11 \nd UThixo\nd* waphendula wathi, “Lapho amaGibhithe, lama-Amori, lama-Amoni, lamaFilistiya, 
\v 12 lamaSidoni, lama-Amaleki kanye lamaMawoni alincindezela lakhulekela usizo kimi, kangilihlenganga ezandleni zawo na? 
\v 13 Kodwa selingidelile lakhonza abanye onkulunkulu, ngakho angisayikulisindisa. 
\v 14 Hambani liyekhala kubonkulunkulu elibathembileyo. Kabalisindise nxa seliphakathi kokuhlupheka!”
\p
\v 15 Kodwa abako-Israyeli bathi \nd kuThixo\nd*, “Senze isono. Yenza kithi lokho okubona kulungile kuwe, kodwa ake usihlenge khathesi nje.” 
\v 16 Ngakho basusa onkulunkulu bezizweni phakathi kwabo bakhonza \nd uThixo\nd*. Wayengeke alumele futhi usizi luka-Israyeli.
\p
\v 17 Kwathi ama-Amoni esebizelwe empini njalo emise eGiliyadi, abako-Israyeli abuthana amisa eMizipha. 
\v 18 Abakhokheli babantu baseGiliyadi bathi omunye komunye, “Lowo ozaqalisa ukuhlasela ama-Amoni uzakuba yinduna yabo bonke abahlala eGiliyadi.”
\c 11
\p
\v 1 UJeftha umGiliyadi wayelibutho elilamandla. Uyise wayenguGiliyadi; unina wayeyisifebe. 
\v 2 UmkaGiliyadi wamzalela amadodana, okwathi esekhulile asexotsha uJeftha. Athi kuye, “Wena akulalifa ozalithola emulini yakwethu ngoba uyindodana yomunye umfazi.” 
\v 3 Ngakho uJeftha wabaleka kubafowabo wayahlala elizweni laseThobhi, lapho abuthanelwa khona lixuku lezigebenga zamlandela.
\p
\v 4 Emva kwalokho, kwathi ama-Amoni esesilwa labako-Israyeli, 
\v 5 abadala baseGiliyadi bahamba bayathatha uJeftha elizweni laseThobhi. 
\v 6 Bathi kuye, “Woza ube ngumlawuli wamabutho ethu ukuze silwe lama-Amoni.”
\p
\v 7 UJeftha wathi kubo, “Kalingizondanga yini langixotsha endlini kababa na? Kungani lisiza kimi khathesi seliphakathi kohlupho?”
\p
\v 8 Abadala baseGiliyadi bathi kuye, “Lanxa kunjalo, khathesi sesiphendukela kuwe; hamba lathi ekulweni lama-Amoni, njalo uzakuba yinduna yabo bonke abahlala eGiliyadi.”
\p
\v 9 UJeftha waphendula wathi, “Nxa lingabuyela lami ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni \nd uThixo\nd* awanikele kimi, ngizakuba yinduna yenu sibili na?”
\p
\v 10 Abadala baseGiliyadi baphendula bathi, “\nd UThixo\nd* ungufakazi wethu; sizakwenza njengoba usitsho impela.” 
\v 11 Ngakho uJeftha wahamba labadala baseGiliyadi, abantu bamenza waba yinduna lomlawuli wabo. Wawaphinda wonke amazwi akhe phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* eMizipha.
\p
\v 12 Emva kwalokho uJeftha wathuma izithunywa enkosini yama-Amoni lombuzo othi: “Kuyini osibangisa khona uze uhlasele ilizwe lethu na?”
\p
\v 13 Inkosi yama-Amoni yaphendula izithunywa zikaJeftha yathi, “Abako-Israyeli sebesukile eGibhithe bathatha ilizwe lami kusukela e-Arinoni kusiya eJabhoki, umango wonke kusiya eJodani. Khathesi libuyiseleni ngokuthula.”
\p
\v 14 UJeftha wazibuyisela izithunywa enkosini yama-Amoni 
\v 15 esithi,
\pm “Nanku okutshiwo nguJeftha: U-Israyeli kazange athathe ilizwe laseMowabi loba ilizwe lama-Amoni. 
\v 16 Kodwa ekusukeni kwakhe eGibhithe, u-Israyeli wadabula enkangala esiya oLwandle oluBomvu eqonda eKhadeshi. 
\v 17 U-Israyeli wathuma izithunywa enkosini yase-Edomi esithi, ‘Ake usinike imvumo yokudabula phakathi kwelizwe lakho,’ kodwa inkosi yase-Edomi kayilalelanga. Bathumela lasenkosini yaseMowabi, layo yala. Ngakho u-Israyeli wahlala eKhadeshi.
\pm
\v 18 Emva kwalokho bahamba bedabula phakathi kwenkangala, beceza ilizwe lase-Edomi lelaseMowabi, badlula beseceleni elingasempumalanga kwelizwe laseMowabi, bamisa ngakwelinye icele le-Arinoni. Kabangenanga elizweni laseMowabi, ngoba i-Arinoni yayingumngcele walo.
\pm
\v 19 U-Israyeli wasethuma izithunywa kuSihoni inkosi yama-Amori, owayebusa eHeshibhoni, wathi kuye, ‘Akusivumele sidlule phakathi kwelizwe lakho sisiya endaweni yethu.’ 
\v 20 Kodwa uSihoni kamthembanga u-Israyeli ukuba adlule phakathi kwelizwe lakhe. Wabutha abantu bakhe bonke wamisa eJahazi walwa lo-Israyeli.
\pm
\v 21 Ngakho \nd uThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, wanikela uSihoni labantu bakhe bonke ezandleni zika-Israyeli, wabehlula. U-Israyeli walithatha lonke ilizwe lama-Amori ayehlala kulelolizwe, 
\v 22 walithumba lonke elama-Amori kusukela e-Arinoni kusiya eJabhoki lokusuka enkangala kusiya eJodani.
\pm
\v 23 Njengoba \nd uThixo\nd*, uNkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, ewaxotshile ama-Amori phambi kwabantu bakhe u-Israyeli, wena ulelungelo bani lokulithatha na? 
\v 24 Kawuyikuthatha lokho okuphiwa ngunkulunkulu wakho uKhemoshi na? Ngokunjalo, yiloba yikuphi \nd uThixo\nd* uNkulunkulu wethu asiphe khona, sizakuthatha. 
\v 25 Wena ungcono yini kuloBhalaki indodana kaZiphori, inkosi yaseMowabi? Wake waxabana lo-Israyeli loba walwa laye na? 
\v 26 U-Israyeli wahlala eHeshibhoni iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu, e-Aroweri, lasemizaneni eseduzane kanye lakuyo yonke imizi elinganisane le-Arinoni. Kungani ungazihlangulanga lezondawo ngalesosikhathi? 
\v 27 Kangikonelanga, kodwa wena wenza okubi kimi ngokungihlasela ngempi. Akuthi \nd uThixo\nd*, uMahluleli, ahlulele umbango ngalolosuku phakathi kwabako-Israyeli lama-Amoni.”
\m
\v 28 Kodwa inkosi yama-Amoni kayilinakanga ilizwi eyayilithunyelwe nguJeftha.
\p
\v 29 Lapho-ke uMoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wehlela kuJeftha. Wadabula eGiliyadi kanye lakoManase, wedlula eMizipha yaseGiliyadi, kuthe esuka lapho waqhubekela kuma-Amoni. 
\v 30 Njalo uJeftha wafunga isifungo \nd kuThixo\nd* wathi, “Unganikela ama-Amoni ezandleni zami, 
\v 31 loba kuyini okuphuma emnyango wendlu yami ukuba kungihlangabeze lapho ngibuya nginqobile ngivela kuma-Amoni kuzakuba \nd ngokukaThixo\nd*, njalo ngizakunikela njengomnikelo wokutshiswa.”
\p
\v 32 UJeftha waya ngaphetsheya ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni, njalo \nd uThixo\nd* wawanikela ezandleni zakhe. 
\v 33 Watshabalalisa imizi engamatshumi amabili kusukela e-Aroweri kusiya eduze leMinithi, kusiyafika e-Abheli-Kheramimi. U-Israyeli wayinqoba kanjalo i-Amoni.
\p
\v 34 UJeftha esebuyele emzini wakhe eMizipha, ngubani owaphuma wamhlangabeza ngaphandle kwendodakazi yakhe, igida kukhala amagedla! Yayiyiyo yodwa umntanakhe. Ngaphandle kwakhe wayengelandodana loba indodakazi. 
\v 35 Kwathi eyibona wadabula izigqoko zakhe wakhala esithi, “Oh! Ndodakazi yami! Usungidabule wangenza ngaba lusizi, ngoba ngifunge isifungo \nd kuThixo\nd* engingeke ngisephule.”
\p
\v 36 Yona yaphendula yathi, “Baba, wethule ilizwi lakho \nd kuThixo\nd*. Kimi yenza njengoba uthembisile, njengoba \nd uThixo\nd* esephindisele ezitheni zakho, ama-Amoni.” 
\v 37 Wasesithi, “Kodwa ngicela ungivumele kulokhu okukodwa nje. Nginika izinyanga ezimbili ukuba ngizulazule ezintabeni ngilile labangane bami, ngoba angiyikwenda.”
\p
\v 38 Yena wathi, “Ungahamba.” Wayivumela ukuba ihambe okwezinyanga ezimbili. Yona lamantombazana lawo baya ezintabeni balila ngoba yayingasoze yende. 
\v 39 Emva kwezinyanga ezimbili yabuyela kuyise wasesenza lokho ayekufungile ngayo. Yayiyintombi egcweleyo.
\p Kulokhu yikho okuvela khona umkhuba wama-Israyeli 
\v 40 wokuthi minyaka yonke izintombi zako-Israyeli ziyaphuma okwensuku ezine ukuba zikhumbule indodakazi kaJeftha umGiliyadi.
\c 12
\s1 UJeftha Lo-Efrayimi
\p
\v 1 Abantu bako-Efrayimi babiza amabutho abo, bachaphela eZafoni basebesithi kuJeftha, “Kungani wena wayakulwa lama-Amoni ungasibizanga ukuba sihambe lawe na? Sizakutshisela endlini yakho.”
\p
\v 2 UJeftha waphendula wathi, “Mina labantu bami sasilengxabano enkulu lama-Amoni njalo, lanxa nje ngalibiza, kalingihlenganga ezandleni zawo. 
\v 3 Kwathi sengibona ukuthi lalingeke lingisize, ngabeka impilo yami engozini ngachaphela ngaphetsheya ukuyakulwa lama-Amoni, \nd uThixo\nd* wawanikela esandleni sami. Pho kungani lina lamhla selizekulwa lami?”
\p
\v 4 UJeftha wabuthanisa amadoda aseGiliyadi balwa lo-Efrayimi. AbaseGiliyadi babacakazela phansi ngoba abako-Efrayimi babethe, “Lina maGiliyadi labhazuka ko-Efrayimi lakoManase.” 
\v 5 AbaseGiliyadi bathumba amazibuko aseJodani awokuya ko-Efrayimi, njalo kwakusithi owako-Efrayimi osindileyo angathi, “Ngivumelani ngichaphele ngaphetsheya,” abantu baseGiliyadi babembuza bathi, “Ungowako-Efrayimi na?” Angaphendula athi, “Hayi,” 
\v 6 bathi, “Kulungile, wothi, ‘Shibholethi.’ ” Nxa angathi, “Sibholethi,” ngoba engeke alitsho kuhle, babemphuthuma bambulalele emazibukweni aseJodani. Abako-Efrayimi abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amane lambili babulawa ngalesosikhathi.
\p
\v 7 UJeftha wakhokhela u-Israyeli iminyaka eyisithupha. UJeftha wafa, wangcwatshwa emzini waseGiliyadi.
\s1 U-Ibhizani, U-Eloni Lo-Abhidoni
\p
\v 8 Ngemva kwakhe, u-Ibhizani waseBhethilehema wakhokhela abako-Israyeli. 
\v 9 Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amathathu lamadodakazi angamatshumi amathathu. Amadodakazi akhe wawendisela kwabangaphandle komhlobo wakibo kwathi amadodana akhe wawalethela izintombi ezingamatshumi amathathu ezingasizo zomhlobo wakibo ukuba zibe ngomkawo. U-Ibhizani wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka eyisikhombisa. 
\v 10 U-Ibhizani wafa, wangcwatshwa eBhethilehema.
\p
\v 11 Ngemva kwakhe, u-Eloni umZebhuluni wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka elitshumi. 
\v 12 U-Eloni wafa, wangcwatshwa e-Ayijaloni elizweni lakoZebhuluni.
\p
\v 13 Ngemva kwakhe, u-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli, owasePhirathoni, wakhokhela abako-Israyeli. 
\v 14 Wayelamadodana angamatshumi amane labazukulu besilisa abangamatshumi amathathu, ayegada obabhemi abangamatshumi ayisikhombisa. Wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka eyisitshiyagalombili. 
\v 15 U-Abhidoni indodana kaHileli wafa, wangcwatshwa ePhirathoni ko-Efrayimi, elizweni lezintaba elama-Amaleki.
\c 13
\s1 Ukuzalwa KukaSamsoni
\p
\v 1 Abako-Israyeli benza okubi njalo emehlweni \nd kaThixo\nd*, ngakho \nd uThixo\nd* wabanikela ezandleni zamaFilistiya okweminyaka engamatshumi amane.
\p
\v 2 Umuntu othile waseZora, owayethiwa nguManowa, owosendo lwakoDani, wayelomfazi owayeyinyumba engelamntwana. 
\v 3 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yabonakala kuye yathi, “Uyinyumba kawulamntwana, kodwa uzathatha isisu ube lendodana. 
\v 4 Ngakho nanzelela ukuthi kawunathi wayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo kanye lokuthi ungadli ukudla okungcolileyo, 
\v 5 ngoba uzathatha isisu uzale indodana. Akungabi lempuco ezasetshenziswa ekhanda layo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri, owahlukaniselwe uNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni, njalo uzakukhulula abako-Israyeli ezandleni zamaFilistiya.”
\p
\v 6 Emva kwalokho owesifazane lowo waya kumkakhe wamtshela wathi, “Kufike umuntu kaNkulunkulu kimi. Ubefana lengilosi kaNkulunkulu, esesabeka kakhulu. Angimbuzanga ukuthi ubevela ngaphi, njalo laye kangitshelanga ibizo lakhe. 
\v 7 Kodwa uthe kimi, ‘Uzathatha isisu uzale indodana. Ngakho-ke unganathi iwayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo, njalo ungadli lutho olungcolileyo, ngoba umfana uzakuba ngumNaziri kaNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni kuze kube lusuku lokufa kwakhe.’ ”
\p
\v 8 UManowa wasekhuleka \nd kuThixo\nd* esithi, “Awu Nkosi, ngiyakucela, umuntu kaNkulunkulu omthumileyo kabuye futhi azesifundisa ukuthi umfana ozazalwa wondliwa njani.”
\p
\v 9 UNkulunkulu wamuzwa uManowa, ingilosi kaNkulunkulu yafika njalo kowesifazane lowo esegangeni; kodwa umkakhe uManowa wayengekho. 
\v 10 Owesifazane lowo wagijima wayatshela umkakhe wathi, “Ukhona lapha! Umuntu engimbone mhlalokhuyana!”
\p
\v 11 UManowa wasuka walandela umkakhe. Esefikile kulowomuntu, wathi, “Unguwe yini lowo owakhuluma lomkami?”
\p Yena wathi, “Nginguye.”
\p
\v 12 Ngakho uManowa wambuza wathi, “Lapho amazwi akho esegcwalisekile, umfana kuzamele aphile njani njalo lomsebenzi wakhe uzakuba ngowani?”
\p
\v 13 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yaphendula yathi, “Umkakho kumele enze konke engimtshele khona. 
\v 14 Kangadli lutho oluvela evinini, loba anathe iwayini loba okunye okunathwayo okulemvubelo loba adle ukudla okungcolileyo. Kumele enze konke engimlaye khona.”
\p
\v 15 UManowa wathi engilosini \nd kaThixo\nd*, “Sifuna ukuba uhlale size sikuhlabele izinyane lembuzi.”
\p
\v 16 Ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yaphendula yathi, “Loba lingangibamba ngamandla ukuba ngihlale, angiyikukudla ukudla kwenu. Kodwa nxa lilungisa umnikelo wokutshiswa, unikeleni \nd kuThixo\nd*.” (UManowa kananzelelanga ukuthi kwakuyingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd*.)
\p
\v 17 UManowa waseyibuza ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* esithi, “Ungubani ibizo lakho, ukuze sikubonge lapho ilizwi lakho seligcwalisekile?”
\p
\v 18 Yaphendula yathi, “Kungani ungibuza ibizo lami? Kaliqedisiseki.” 
\v 19 Lapho-ke uManowa wathatha izinyane lembuzi, ndawonye lomnikelo wamabele wakunikela \nd kuThixo\nd* phezu kwedwala. Njalo \nd uThixo\nd* wenza into emangalisayo uManowa lomkakhe bekhangele: 
\v 20 Kwathi ilangabi libhebha lisuka e-alithareni lisiya ezulwini, ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* yenyukela phezulu iphakathi kwelangabi. Bebona lokhu uManowa lomkakhe bathi mbo phansi ngobuso. 
\v 21 Kwathi ingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd* ingasazibonakalisanga futhi kuManowa lomkakhe, uManowa wananzelela ukuthi kwakuyingilosi \nd kaThixo\nd*.
\p
\v 22 Wasesithi kumkakhe, “Silahliwe, sizakufa. Sibone uNkulunkulu!”
\p
\v 23 Kodwa umkakhe waphendula wathi, “Aluba \nd uThixo\nd* ubeqonde ukusibulala, ubengasoze amukele umnikelo wokutshiswa lomnikelo wamabele ezandleni zethu, loba asitshengise zonke lezizinto kumbe asitshele lokhu asitshele khona.”
\p
\v 24 Owesifazane wazala umfana wamuthi nguSamsoni. Wakhula \nd loThixo\nd* wambusisa, 
\v 25 loMoya \nd kaThixo\nd* waqala ukuqubuka phakathi kwakhe eseseMahane Dani, phakathi kweZora le-Eshithawoli.
\c 14
\s1 Ukuthatha KukaSamsoni
\p
\v 1 USamsoni waya eThimina wabona intombi engumFilistiya. 
\v 2 Esebuyele, wathi kuyise lonina, “Ngibone intombi engumFilistiya eThimina; ake liyengithathela yona ukuba ibe ngumkami.”
\p
\v 3 Uyise lonina baphendula bathi, “Kanti akulantombi eyamukelekayo yini phakathi kwezihlobo zakho loba phakathi kwabantu bonke bakithi? Usungaze uye kumaFilistiya angasokanga ukuba uthathe umfazi na?”
\p Kodwa uSamsoni wathi kuyise, “Ngithathela yena. Nguye ongifaneleyo.” 
\v 4 (Uyise lonina babengazi ukuthi lokhu kwakuvela \nd kuThixo\nd*, owayefuna ithuba lokumelana lamaFilistiya; ngoba ngalesosikhathi ayebusa abako-Israyeli.)
\p
\v 5 USamsoni waya eThimina eloyise lonina. Bathe sebebanga ezivinini zeThimina kwathutsha ibhuklwana lesilwane libhonga liqonde yena. 
\v 6 Umoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wafika kuye ngamandla wasidabula ngezandla zakhe njengayengakwenza edabula izinyane lembuzi. Kodwa uyise lonina kabatshelanga ayekwenzile. 
\v 7 Emva kwalokho wahamba wayakhuluma lowesifazane lowo, wezwa emthanda.
\p
\v 8 Emva kwesikhathi esithile, esebuyele ukuba ayemthatha, waphambuka ukuba abone isidumbu sesilwane. Phakathi kwaso kwasekulomtshitshi wezinyosi ziloluju, 
\v 9 waluthapha ngezandla zakhe, wahamba eludla. Esefike ebazalini bakhe, wabapha olunye kodwa kabatshelanga ukuthi wayeluthaphe esidunjini sesilwane.
\p
\v 10 Uyise wahamba ukuyabona owesifazane lowo. USamsoni wenza idili khona, njengokwakungumkhuba wezinsizwa ezithathayo. 
\v 11 Ekufikeni kwakhe waphiwa abakhaphi abangamatshumi amathathu.
\p
\v 12 USamsoni wasesithi kubo, “Lalelani ngilitshele ilibho. Lingangitshela ukuthi litshoni phakathi kwensuku eziyisikhombisa zedili, ngizalinika izembatho zelineni ezingamatshumi amathathu lezigqoko ezingamatshumi amathathu. 
\v 13 Nxa lingehluleka ukungitshela ukuthi litshoni, kumele linginike izembatho zelineni ezingamatshumi amathathu lezigqoko ezingamatshumi amathathu.”
\p Bona bathi, “Sitshele ilibho lakho. Litsho silizwe.”
\p
\v 14 Waphendula wathi,
\q1 “Kokudlayo, kwaphuma okudliwayo;
\q2 kokulamandla kwaphuma okumnandi.”
\m Behluleka ukuyitsho impendulo okwensuku ezintathu.
\p
\v 15 Ngosuku lwesine bathi kumkaSamsoni, “Ncenga umkakho asichazele ilibho, hlezi sikutshise wena labendlu yakwenu life. Kanti usinxusele ukuzasiphanga lapha na?”
\p
\v 16 Lapho-ke umkaSamsoni waziphosela phezu kwakhe, ebubula esithi, “Uyangizonda. Kawungithandi ngeqiniso. Unike abantu bakithi ilibho; kodwa mina kawungitshelanga ukuthi litshoni.”
\p Yena waphendula wathi, “Angilichazanga lakubaba lomama, pho ngingalichazelani kuwe na?” 
\v 17 Owesifazane lowo wakhala zonke lezinsuku eziyisikhombisa zedili. Ngakho ngosuku lwesikhombisa wamtshela, ngoba wayelokhu emphikelela. Laye-ke walichaza ilibho ebantwini bakibo.
\p
\v 18 Kwathi ilanga lingakatshoni ngosuku lwesikhombisa abantu bakulowomuzi bathi kuye,
\q1 “Kuyini okumnandi kuloluju na?
\q2 Kuyini okulamandla kulesilwane na?”
\p USamsoni wathi kubo,
\q1 “Aluba kalilimanga ngethokazi lami,
\q2 belingeke lilichaze ilibho lami.”
\p
\v 19 UMoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wasusehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla. Waya e-Ashikheloni, wabulala abantu bakhona abangamatshumi amathathu, wabemuka konke ababelakho kwathi izigqoko zabo wazinika labo ababechaze ilibho lakhe. Waya endlini kayise evutha ulaka. 
\v 20 UmkaSamsoni wasesendiselwa komunye wabakhaphi bakhe owayekhona edilini.
\c 15
\s1 Ukuphindisela KukaSamsoni KumaFilistiya
\p
\v 1 Emva kwalokho, ngesikhathi sokuvuna ingqoloyi, uSamsoni wathatha izinyane lembuzi wethekelela umkakhe. Wathi, “Ngiya endlini yomkami.” Kodwa uyisezala wamalela ukuba angene.
\p
\v 2 Wathi, “Ngangileqiniso lokuthi wawusumzonda kakhulu, ngasengimendisela kumkhaphi wakho. Umnawakhe kamuhle kulaye na? Thatha yena.”
\p
\v 3 USamsoni wathi kubo, “Khathesi sengilelungelo lokuphindisela okubi kumaFilistiya. Ngizawalimaza impela.” 
\v 4 Ngakho wasuka wabamba amakhanka angamakhulu amathathu wawabophanisa imisila ngambilimbili. Wasebophela uluthi lomlilo emisileni yonke ayeyibophanisile, 
\v 5 walumathisa izinti zomlilo wawayekela amakhanka angena emabeleni amiyo amaFilistiya. Watshisa ayesezizeni lamabele amiyo, lezivini kanye lezivande zama-oliva.
\p
\v 6 Kwathi amaFilistiya ebuza ukuthi, “Ngubani owenze lokhu na?” atshelwa ukuthi, “NguSamsoni, umkhwenyana womThimina ngoba umkakhe wendiselwa kumkhaphi wakhe.”
\p Ngakho amaFilistiya ahamba ayatshisa umkaSamsoni kanye loyise, bafa. 
\v 7 USamsoni wathi kubo, “Njengoba selenze lokhu, angiyikukhawula engikwenzayo ngize ngiphindisele kini.” 
\v 8 Wabahlasela kakubi wabulala abanengi babo. Emva kwalokho wahamba wayahlala ebhalwini edwaleni lase-Ethamu.
\p
\v 9 AmaFilistiya ahamba ayamisa koJuda, asabalala eduze leLehi. 
\v 10 Abantu bakoJuda babuza bathi, “Lizesihlaselelani na?”
\p Bona baphendula bathi, “Silande ukuzabopha uSamsoni, senze kuye lokhu akwenzayo kithi.”
\p
\v 11 Abantu bakoJuda abazinkulungwane ezintathu baya ebhalwini edwaleni lase-Ethamu bathi kuSamsoni, “Kawazi yini ukuthi amaFilistiya ayasibusa? Kuyini osusenzele khona ngempela?”
\p Waphendula wathi, “Ngimane ngenza kuwo lokho akwenza kimi.”
\p
\v 12 Bathi kuye, “Thina silande ukuzakubopha sikunikele kuwo.”
\p USamsoni wathi, “Fungani kimi ukuthi kaliyikungibulala lina ngokwenu.”
\p
\v 13 Baphendula bathi, “Siyavuma. Thina sizakubopha nje kuphela besesikunikela kuwo. Kasiyikukubulala.” Ngakho bambopha ngemichilo emibili emitsha, basebesuka laye edwaleni. 
\v 14 Esebanga eLehi, amaFilistiya amhlangabeza eklabalala. UMoya \nd kaThixo\nd* wehlela phezu kwakhe ngamandla. Imichilo ezingalweni zakhe yaba njengesikusha esitshileyo, izibopho zawa ezandleni zakhe. 
\v 15 Esethole ithambo lomhlathi kababhemi elitsha, walithatha wabulala ngalo abantu abayinkulungwane.
\p
\v 16 USamsoni wasesithi,
\q1 “Ngethambo lomhlathi kababhemi,
\q2 ngibenze baba ngobabhemi.
\q1 Ngethambo lomhlathi kababhemi
\q2 ngibulele amadoda ayinkulungwane.”
\m
\v 17 Eseqedile ukukhuluma walilahla ithambo lomhlathi; indawo leyo yasithiwa yiRamathi-Lehi.
\p
\v 18 Ngenxa yokuthi wayesome kakhulu, wakhala \nd kuThixo\nd* wathi, “Uyiphile inceku yakho ukunqoba okukhulu. Pho sekumele ngibulawe yikoma yini njalo ngiwele ezandleni zabangasokanga na?” 
\v 19 UNkulunkulu wasevula umthonjana eLehi, kwaphuma amanzi kuwo. USamsoni esenathile, amandla akhe aphenduka, wavuseleleka. Ngakho umthombo lowo wathiwa yi-Eni Hakhore, njalo ulokhu ukhona eLehi.
\p
\v 20 USamsoni wakhokhela abako-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili ngesikhathi samaFilistiya.
\c 16
\s1 USamsoni LoDelila
\p
\v 1 Ngelinye ilanga uSamsoni waya eGaza, lapho abona khona isifebe. Walala lalo ngalobobusuku. 
\v 2 Abantu beGaza batshelwa ukuthi, “USamsoni ulapha!” Ngakho indawo leyo bayihonqolozela bamcathamela ubusuku bonke esangweni ledolobho. Kabenzanga lutho ebusuku, besithi, “Sizambulala emadabukakusa.”
\p
\v 3 Kodwa uSamsoni walala lapho kwaze kwaba phakathi kwamabili kuphela. Lapho-ke wavuka wabamba izivalo zesango ledolobho, ndawonye lezinsika ezimbili, wakusiphula, umgoqo lakho konke. Wakwetshata emahlombe akhe, wakuthwalela phezu kwentaba ekhangele iHebhroni.
\p
\v 4 Ngemva kwesikhathi, wathandana lowesifazane esiGodini saseSoreki owayethiwa nguDelila. 
\v 5 Ababusi bamaFilistiya baya kuye bathi, “Mncenge ukuthi akutshengise imfihlo yamandla akhe amakhulu kanye lokuthi singamehlula njani ukuze simbophe simnqobe. Omunye lomunye wethu uzakupha amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye.”
\p
\v 6 Ngakho uDelila wathi kuSamsoni, “Ngitshela imfihlo yamandla akho amakhulu kanye lokuthi ungabotshwa unqotshwe njani.”
\p
\v 7 USamsoni waphendula wathi, “Nxa umuntu angangibopha ngemichilo eyisikhombisa engonyiswanga, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”
\p
\v 8 Ababusi bamaFilistiya basebemlethela imichilo eyisikhombisa emitsha eyayingonyiswanga, wambopha ngayo. 
\v 9 Kwakulabantu ababecatshile endlini, wasembiza wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Kodwa yena waqamula imichilo kalula njengesiqa sentambo lapho sisondele eduzane lelangabi. Ngakho imfihlo yamandla akhe ayazakalanga.
\p
\v 10 UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni, “Udlale ngami; ungiqambele amanga. Khathesi-ke ngitshela ukuthi ungabotshwa njani.”
\p
\v 11 Yena wathi, “Umuntu angangibopha aqinise ngamagoda amatsha angakaze asetshenziswe, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”
\p
\v 12 Ngakho uDelila wathatha amagoda amatsha wambopha ngawo. Eselabantu ababecatshe endlini, wambiza wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Kodwa yena waqamula amagoda ezingalweni zakhe kungathi ayeluhali nje.
\p
\v 13 UDelila wasesithi kuSamsoni, “Kuze kube khathesi ulokhu udlala ngami njalo ungiqambela amanga. Ngitshela ukuthi ungabotshwa njani.
\p ” Yena waphendula wathi, “Ungelukela izixha zenwele zami eziyisikhombisa elenjini ngosungulo zibe yisibhebhedu, ngizakuba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.” Ngakho kwathi eselele, uDelila wathatha izixha eziyisikhombisa ekhanda lakhe, 
\v 14 wazelukela elenjini ngosungulo.
\p Wambiza njalo wathi kuye, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!” Wavuka ebuthongweni wadonsa isibhebhedu losungulo kanye lelembu.
\p
\v 15 UDelila wasesithi, kuye, “Ungatsho njani uthi, ‘Ngiyakuthanda,’ wena ungangithembi na? Lokhu ngokwesithathu udlala ngami njalo kawungitshelanga imfihlo yamandla akho amakhulu.” 
\v 16 Ngokubelesela okunje wamncenga insuku zonke waze wacina esenengeka kakhulu.
\p
\v 17 Ngakho wamtshela konke wathi, “Akulampuco eseyake yasetshenziswa ekhanda lami ngoba ngingumNaziri owahlukaniselwa uNkulunkulu kusukela ekuzalweni. Nxa ikhanda lami lingaphucwa, amandla ami angasuka kimi, njalo ngingaba buthakathaka njengomuntu wonke.”
\p
\v 18 Kwathi uDelila ebona ukuthi wayesemtshele konke, wathumela ilizwi kubabusi bamaFilistiya elithi, “Wozani futhi; usengitshele konke.” Ngakho ababusi bamaFilistiya babuyela bephethe isiliva ngezandla zabo. 
\v 19 Kwathi esemlalisile ethangazini lakhe, wabiza umuntu ukuba aphuce izixha eziyisikhombisa zezinwele zakhe, ngakho waqalisa ukumnqoba. Amandla akhe aphela kuye.
\p
\v 20 Wasememeza wathi, “Samsoni, amaFilistiya asephezu kwakho!
\p ” Wavuka ebuthongweni bakhe wacabanga wathi, “Ngizaphuma njengakuqala ngizikhulule.” Kodwa wayengazi ukuthi \nd uThixo\nd* wayesemtshiyile.
\p
\v 21 AmaFilistiya ambamba, amkopola amehlo asehamba laye eGaza. Esembophe ngamaketane ethusi, amupha umsebenzi wokuchola entolongweni. 
\v 22 Kodwa inwele ekhanda lakhe zaqalisa ukukhula futhi emva kokuphucwa.
\s1 Ukufa KukaSamsoni
\p
\v 23 Ababusi bamaFilistiya babuthana ukuba banikele umhlatshelo omkhulu kuDagoni uNkulunkulu wabo njalo bathokoze besithi, “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele uSamsoni, isitha sethu, ezandleni zethu.”
\p
\v 24 Kwathi abantu bembona, badumisa unkulunkulu wabo besithi,
\q1 “Unkulunkulu wethu unikele isitha sethu
\q2 ezandleni zethu,
\q1 sona esachitha ilizwe lethu
\q2 sabulala abanengi bethu.”
\p
\v 25 Bephakathi kokuthokoza, baklabalala bathi, “Lethani uSamsoni azesilibazisa.” Ngakho uSamsoni bayambiza entolongweni, wazabadlalela.
\p Kwathi sebemise phakathi kwezinsika, 
\v 26 uSamsoni wathi encekwini eyayimbambe isandla, “Ngibeka lapho engizathinta khona izinsika ezisekele ithempeli, ukuze ngeyame kuzo.” 
\v 27 Ithempeli laligcwele abesilisa labesifazane; bonke ababusi bamaFilistiya babekhonapho, njalo phezu kophahla kwakulabesilisa labesifazane ababephose babe zinkulungwane ezintathu bebukele uSamsoni egida. 
\v 28 USamsoni wasekhuleka \nd kuThixo\nd* esithi, “Oh \nd Thixo\nd* Wobukhosi, ake ungikhumbule. Oh Nkulunkulu, ake ungiqinise kanye nje futhi, kuthi ngokugalela okukodwa ngiphindisele kumaFilistiya amehlo ami amabili.” 
\v 29 USamsoni wasebamba izinsika ezimbili eziphakathi, ithempeli elaligxile kuzo. Waziqinisa ngokweyama kuzo, isandla sakhe sokudla sikwenye lesenxele sikwenye, 
\v 30 uSamsoni wathi, “Kangife lamaFilistiya!” Wafuqa ngamandla akhe wonke, ithempeli lawela phezu kwababusi labantu bonke ababephakathi kwalo. Ngalokho wabulala abantu abanengi ekufeni kwakhe kulalapho esaphila.
\p
\v 31 Emva kwalokho abafowabo labo bonke abendlu kayise bamlanda. Babuya laye bamngcwaba phakathi kweZora le-Eshithawoli ethuneni likaManowa uyise. Wayekhokhele abako-Israyeli iminyaka engamatshumi amabili.
\c 17
\s1 Izithombe ZikaMikha
\p
\v 1 Indoda eyayithiwa nguMikha eyayivela elizweni lamaqaqa ako-Efrayimi 
\v 2 yathi kunina, “Amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye athathwa kuwe njalo engakuzwa uwaqalekisa, sikimi lesosiliva; yimi engasithathayo.
\p ” Unina wathi, “\nd UThixo\nd* kakubusise, ndodana yami!”
\p
\v 3 Esewabuyisele kunina amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu alitshumi lanye, unina wathi, “Isiliva sami ngisahlukanisela \nd uThixo\nd* ngokuqinisekileyo ukuba indodana yami yenze isithombe esibaziweyo, sahuqwa ngesiliva. Ngizasibisela kuwe.”
\p
\v 4 Ngakho esesibisele kunina isiliva, unina wasethatha amashekeli angamakhulu amabili esiliva wawanika umkhandi wesiliva, wenza isithombe ngaso. Sabekwa endlini kaMikha.
\p
\v 5 UMikha lo wayelendawo yokukhonzela, njalo wenza isembatho semahlombe kanye lezithombe, wasebeka enye yamadodana akhe ukuba ngumphristi wakhe. 
\v 6 Ngalezonsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi; umuntu wonke ezenzela ayekubona kulungile kuye.
\p
\v 7 Ijaha laseBhethilehema koJuda elalingumLevi, elalihlala phakathi kwabosendo lukaJuda, 
\v 8 lasuka kulowomuzi lidinga enye indawo yokuhlala. Ekuhambeni kwalo lafika endlini kaMikha elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi.
\p
\v 9 UMikha walibuza wathi, “Uvela ngaphi na?”
\p Lona lathi, “NgingumLevi ovela eBhethilehema koJuda, ngidinga indawo yokuhlala.”
\p
\v 10 UMikha wasesithi kulo, “Hlala lami ube ngubaba lomphristi wami, njalo ngizakupha amashekeli esiliva alitshumi ngomnyaka, izigqoko zakho kanye lokudla kwakho.” 
\v 11 Ngakho umLevi wavuma ukuhlala laye, njalo ijaha lelo lalinjengenye yamadodana akhe. 
\v 12 UMikha wabeka umLevi ukuba ngumphristi wakhe, njalo ijaha lelo lahlala endlini yakhe. 
\v 13 UMikha wasesithi, “Khathesi sengisazi ukuthi \nd uThixo\nd* uzakwenza okulungileyo kimi, njengoba umLevi lo esebe ngumphristi wami.”
\c 18
\s1 AbakoDani Bakhela ELayishi
\p
\v 1 Ngalezonsuku u-Israyeli wayengelankosi.
\p Njalo ngalezonsuku abosendo lukaDani babedinga indawo engeyabo, lapho ababengahlala khona, ngoba babengakabi sendaweni eyilifa labo phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli. 
\v 2 Ngakho abakoDani bathuma amabutho amahlanu avela eZora lase-Eshithawoli ukuyahlola ilizwe lokulibona. Amadoda la ayemele zonke insendo zakibo. Zathi kubo, “Hambani liyehlola ilizwe.
\p ” Amadoda lawo angena elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi ayafika endlini kaMikha, lapho alala khona. 
\v 3 Kwathi eseseduze lendlu kaMikha alazi ilizwi lejaha elingumLevi; ngakho aphendukela khona alibuza athi, “Ngubani owakuletha lapha? Wenzani kule indawo? Ufunani lapha?”
\p
\v 4 Lawatshela elalikwenziwe nguMikha, laselisithi, “Ungiqatshile njalo ngingumphristi wakhe.”
\p
\v 5 Asesithi kulo, “Ake usibuzele kuNkulunkulu ukuthi uhambo lwethu luzaphumelela na.”
\p
\v 6 Umphristi wawaphendula wathi, “Hambani ngokuthula. Uhambo lwenu luvunyelwe \nd nguThixo\nd*.”
\p
\v 7 Ngakho amadoda amahlanu lawo asuka aya eLayishi, lapho abona ukuthi abantu bakhona babezihlalele bevikelekile njengamaSidoni, belokuthula njalo bevikelekile. Njalo babehlezi khatshana lamaSidoni njalo bengelabuhlobo lomunye umuntu.
\p
\v 8 Esebuyele eZora lase-Eshithawoli, abafowabo bawabuza bathi, “Libone kunjani?”
\p
\v 9 Aphendula athi, “Phangisani, kasibahlaseleni! Sibonile ukuthi ilizwe lelo lihle kakhulu. Kaliyikwenza lutho na? Lingazilazili ukuya khonale lilithathe. 
\v 10 Ekufikeni khonale lizathola abantu abanganqinekeli lutho lelizwe elibanzi uNkulunkulu aselifake ezandleni zenu, ilizwe elingasweli lutho.”
\p
\v 11 Lapho-ke amadoda osendo lwakoDani angamakhulu ayisithupha ahlomela ukulwa, asesuka eZora kanye le-Eshithawoli. 
\v 12 Ekuhambeni kwawo amisa izihonqo eduze leKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi koJuda. Yikho-nje indawo esentshonalanga kweKhiriyathi-Jeyarimi ithiwa yiMahane Dani kuze kube lamhla. 
\v 13 Esuka lapho aya elizweni lezintaba elako-Efrayimi afika endlini kaMikha.
\p
\v 14 Amadoda amahlanu ayehambe ukuyahlola ilizwe leLayishi athi kubafowabo bakoDani, “Liyakwazi yini ukuthi enye yalezizindlu ilesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini, lesithombe esihuqwe ngesiliva? Khathesi selikwazi okumele likwenze.” 
\v 15 Ngakho-ke aphambukela khona aya endlini yejaha elingumLevi koMikha, alibingelela. 
\v 16 AbakoDani abangamakhulu ayisithupha, ababehlomele ukulwa, bema entubeni yesango. 
\v 17 Abahlanu ababeyehlola ilizwe bangena phakathi bathatha isithombe esibaziweyo, lesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini, umphristi lamadoda ahlomileyo angamakhulu ayisithupha bemi entubeni yesango.
\p
\v 18 Kwathi amadoda la esengene endlini kaMikha athatha isithombe esibaziweyo, lesembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini kanye lesithombe esibunjiweyo, umphristi wathi kubo, “Lenzani na?”
\p
\v 19 Amphendula athi, “Thula! Ungatsho lutho. Woza uhambe lathi, ube ngubaba lomphristi wethu. Akungcono yini ukuthi usebenzele isizwana losendo lwako-Israyeli njengomphristi kulabendlu yomuntu oyedwa?” 
\v 20 Umphristi wathokoza. Wathatha isembatho semahlombe, labanye onkulunkulu basendlini kanye lesithombe esibaziweyo wahamba labantu. 
\v 21 Sebefake abantwababo abancane, lezifuyo zabo kanye lempahla zabo phambi kwabo, baphenduka bahamba.
\p
\v 22 Sebehambe isibanga esithize besuka endlini kaMikha, abantu ababehlala eduzane lendlu kaMikha babizelwa ndawonye baxhuma abakoDani. 
\v 23 Kwathi bebamemeza, abakoDani baphendula bathi kuMikha, “Kungani ubize abantu bakho ukuba balwe?”
\p
\v 24 Yena waphendula wathi, “Lithethe onkulunkulu engabenzayo lomphristi wami, lahamba. Kuyini okunye engilakho? Lingangibuza kanjani lisithi, ‘Uhlutshwa yini na?’ ”
\p
\v 25 AbakoDani baphendula bathi, “Ungaphikisani lathi, hlezi abanye abantu abalolaka bakuhlasele, kuthi wena labendlu yakho lilahlekelwe yikuphila kwenu.” 
\v 26 Ngakho abakoDani bazihambela, kwathi uMikha ebona ukuthi babelamandla kakhulu kulaye, waphenduka wabuyela emzini wakhe.
\p
\v 27 Bathatha okwakwenziwe nguMikha, lomphristi wakhe, baya eLayishi, ebantwini ababelokuthula njalo bengethuki lutho. Babahlasela ngenkemba batshisa ledolobho labo. 
\v 28 Kakho owayengabahlenga ngoba babehlezi khatshana kakhulu leSidoni bengelabuhlobo lamuntu. Idolobho lalisesigodini eduze leBhethi-Rehobhi.
\p AbakoDani balakha kutsha idolobho lelo bahlala kulo. 
\v 29 Balibiza ngokuthi yiDani ibizo likakhokho wabo uDani, owayezalwa ngu-Israyeli, lanxa idolobho lalikade lithiwa yiLayishi. 
\v 30 AbakoDani bazimisela izithombe khona, njalo uJonathani indodana kaGeshomu, indodana kaMosi, lamadodana akhe babengabaphristi besizwana sikaDani kwaze kwaba yisikhathi sokuthunjwa kwelizwe. 
\v 31 Baqhubeka basebenzisa izithombe ezazenziwe nguMikha, ngasosonke isikhathi indlu kaNkulunkulu iseShilo.
\c 19
\s1 UmLevi Lomkakhe Weceleni
\p
\v 1 Ngalezonsuku abako-Israyeli babengelankosi.
\p UmLevi othile owayehlala esiqintini esikhatshana, elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi wathatha umfazi weceleni eBhethilehema koJuda. 
\v 2 Kodwa wayengathembekanga kuye. Wamtshiya wabuyela endlini kayise eBhethilehema, koJuda. Esehlale khona okwezinyanga ezine, 
\v 3 indoda yamlandela ukuyamncenga ukuba abuye. Indoda yayilenceku yayo labobabhemi ababili. Umfazi wamngenisa endlini kayise, njalo kwathi uyise embona wamamukela ngokuthokoza. 
\v 4 Uyisezala, uyise wentombi, wamncenga ukuba ahlale; ngakho wahlala laye insuku ezintathu, esidla enatha, njalo elala khona.
\p
\v 5 Ngelanga lesine bavuka ekuseni, walungiselela ukusuka, kodwa uyise wentombi wathi kumkhwenyana wakhe, “Qinisa umzimba wakho ngongakudla; ubusuhamba.” 
\v 6 Ngakho bobabili bahlala phansi badla banatha. Emva kwalokho uyise wentombi wathi, “Ake ulale ubusuku balamuhla uzithokozise.” 
\v 7 Kwathi umuntu lowo evuka ukuba ahambe, uyisezala wamncenga, ngakho walala khona ngalobobusuku. 
\v 8 Ekuseni ngosuku lwesihlanu, wathi evuka ukuba ahambe, uyise wentombi wathi, “Phumula. Hlala kuze kube ngemva kwemini.” Ngakho bobabili badla ndawonye.
\p
\v 9 Kwathi lapho umuntu lowo, lomkakhe weceleni kanye lenceku yakhe belungiselela ukusuka, uyisezala, uyise wentombi wathi, “Khangela, sekuzakuhlwa. Lala lapha; ilanga selizatshona. Hlala uzithokozise. Kusasa ekuseni kakhulu uzavuka uthathe indlela yakho yokuya ekhaya.” 
\v 10 Kodwa umuntu lowo engasafuni ukulala obunye ubusuku lapho, wasuka waqonda eJebusi (leyo yiJerusalema), labobabhemi bakhe ababili ababebotshelwe izihlalo kanye lomkakhe weceleni.
\p
\v 11 Kwathi sebebanga eJebusi ilanga laselitshona, inceku yathi enkosini yayo, “Uyabona, kasime kulelidolobho lamaJebusi silale.”
\p
\v 12 Inkosi yayo yathi, “Hayi. Kasiyikungena edolobheni elilabantu abangasibako-Israyeli. Sizaqhubeka siye eGibhiya.” 
\v 13 Wengeza wathi, “Kasambeni, sizame ukuyafika eGibhiya loba eRama, silale kwenye yalezizindawo.” 
\v 14 Ngakho baqhubeka, ilanga latshona sebebanga eGibhiya koBhenjamini. 
\v 15 Bema lapho ukuba balale khona. Bahamba bayahlala egcekeni ledolobho, kodwa kakho owabangenisa endlini yakhe ukuba balale khona.
\p
\v 16 Ngalokhokuhlwa ixhegu laselizweni lamaqaqa ko-Efrayimi, elalihlala eGibhiya (abantu bakuleyondawo babengabakoBhenjamini), lafika livela emsebenzini walo emasimini. 
\v 17 Selikhangele labona isihambi egcekeni ledolobho, ixhegu labuza lathi, “Liya ngaphi? Livela ngaphi?”
\p
\v 18 Yena waphendula wathi, “Siphakathi kohambo lwethu sivela eBhethilehema koJuda siya esiqintini esikhatshana elizweni lamaqaqa ko-Efrayimi lapho engihlala khona. Kade ngiseBhethilehema koJuda kodwa khathesi sengisiya endlini \nd kaThixo\nd*. Akulamuntu ongingenise endlini yakhe. 
\v 19 Silotshani lokudla kwabobabhemi bethu lesinkwa kanye lewayini lethu thina zinceku zakho, mina lencekukazi yakho kanye lejaha esilalo. Kasisweli lutho.”
\p
\v 20 Ixhegu lathi, “Lamukelekile endlini yami. Ngizalinika konke elikuswelayo. Kodwa lingalali egcekeni.” 
\v 21 Ngakho lamngenisa endlini yalo, lanika labobabhemi bakhe ukudla. Sebegeze inyawo zabo, badla banatha.
\p
\v 22 Besazitika, abanye babantu abaxhwalileyo bakulelodolobho bahanqa indlu leyo. Batshaya isivalo, bamemeza ixhegu elalingumnikazi wendlu besithi, “Mkhuphele phandle umuntu ongene endlini ukuze siye emacansini laye.”
\p
\v 23 Umnikazi wendlu waya phandle wathi kubo, “Hayi, bangane bami, lingenzi okubi kangaka. Njengoba umuntu eyisethekeli sami, lingenzi into elihlazo kanje. 
\v 24 Khangelani, nansi indodakazi yami eyintombi egcweleyo, kanye lomfazi weceleni walindoda. Ngizabaletha phandle kini, lingabasebenzisa lenze kubo konke elikufisayo. Kodwa lingenzi ihlazo elinjalo kule indoda.”
\p
\v 25 Kodwa abantu labo kabamlalelanga. Ngakho indoda leyo yathatha umkayo weceleni yamusa phandle kubo, bamdlova njalo bamphatha kubi ubusuku bonke, kwathi emadabukakusa bamyekela wahamba. 
\v 26 Ekuseni owesifazane lowo waya endlini lapho umkakhe ayehlezi khona, wawela emnyango, walala khonapho kwaze kwakhanya.
\p
\v 27 Esevukile umkakhe ekuseni, wavula umnyango wendlu waphuma ukuba aqhubeke ngohambo lwakhe, wabona umkakhe weceleni ewele emnyango wendlu, izandla zakhe zisentubeni yomnyango. 
\v 28 Wathi kuye, “Vuka; kasihambe.” Kodwa kamphendulanga. Ngakho umuntu lowo wambeka phezu kukababhemi wakhe wasuka waya emzini wakhe.
\p
\v 29 Esefikile ekhaya wathatha ingqamu waquma umkakhe weceleni iziqayiqa ezilitshumi lambili wazithumela kuzozonke izigaba zako-Israyeli. 
\v 30 Umuntu wonke owakubonayo lokho wathi, “Into enje kayikaze ibonakale loba yenziwe, selokhu u-Israyeli waphuma eGibhithe. Cabangani ngakho! Likuhlole! Litsho okungenziwa!”
\c 20
\s1 Abako-Israyeli Balwa LabakoBhenjamini
\p
\v 1 Ngalesosikhathi bonke abako-Israyeli baphuma njengomuntu munye kusukela eDani kusiya eBherishebha kanye laselizweni leGiliyadi, babuthana phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* eMizipha. 
\v 2 Abakhokheli babantu bonke bezizwana zako-Israyeli bathatha izindawo zabo ebandleni labantu bakaNkulunkulu, amabutho azinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane ehlome ngezinkemba. 
\v 3 (AbakoBhenjamini bezwa ukuthi abako-Israyeli babeye eMizipha.) Abako-Israyeli basebesithi, “Sitsheleni ukuthi into le embi yenzakale njani.”
\p
\v 4 Ngakho umLevi, indoda yowesifazane lowo owayebulewe, wathi, “Mina lomkami weceleni safika eGibhiya koBhenjamini ukuba silale khona. 
\v 5 Ebusuku abantu beGibhiya bangivukela bahanqa indlu, behlose ukungibulala. Badlova umkami weceleni waze wafa. 
\v 6 Ngathatha umkami weceleni, ngamquma waba yiziqayiqa, ngathumela isiqa esisodwa esigabeni ngasinye selifa lako-Israyeli, ngoba amanyala lalesisenzo sokuxhwala basenzela ko-Israyeli. 
\v 7 Khathesi lonke lina abako-Israyeli, khulumani litsho isinqumo senu.”
\p
\v 8 Abantu bonke basukuma njengomuntu munye, besithi, “Akakho kithi ozakuya ekhaya. Hathi, akakho kithi ozabuyela endlini yakhe. 
\v 9 Kodwa khathesi esizakwenza eGibhiya yilokhu: Sizakuyayihlasela ngokwenza inkatho. 
\v 10 Sizathatha abantu abalitshumi phakathi kwabalikhulu kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli, labalikhulu kwabayinkulungwane, labayinkulungwane kwaba zinkulungwane ezilutshumi ukuba badingele ibutho ukudla. Ekufikeni kwalo ibutho eGibhiya koBhenjamini, lizabanika okubafaneleyo ngamanyala lokuxhwala abakwenze ko-Israyeli.” 
\v 11 Ngakho bonke abantu bako-Israyeli bahlangana, bamanyana njengomuntu munye bamelana ledolobho.
\p
\v 12 Izizwana zako-Israyeli zathumela abantu kusosonke isizwana sakoBhenjamini, zisithi, “Yibudlova bani lobu obenziwayo phakathi kwenu na? 
\v 13 Khathesi-ke, banikeleni labobantu baseGibhiya abagangileyo ukuze sibabulale siqede ububi ko-Israyeli.
\p ” Kodwa abakoBhenjamini kababalalelanga abafowabo bako-Israyeli. 
\v 14 Baqoqana eGibhiya bevela emadolobheni akibo ukuba balwe labako-Israyeli. 
\v 15 Ngasikhathi sinye abakoBhenjamini babutha izinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lesithupha zabahlome ngezinkemba emadolobheni akibo, phezu kwabantu abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa abakhethwa kulabo abahlala eGibhiya. 
\v 16 Phakathi kwamabutho la kwakulabantu abakhethiweyo abangamakhulu ayisikhombisa ababengamanxele, bonke bengakhuthi abakunxwaneleyo ngesavutha.
\p
\v 17 Abako-Israyeli, ngaphandle kwabakoBhenjamini, babutha abantu abalwa ngezinkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamakhulu amane, bonke bengabantu bempi.
\p
\v 18 Abako-Israyeli baya eBhetheli babuza uNkulunkulu. Bathi, “Ngubani wethu ozahamba kuqala ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini?
\p ” \nd UThixo\nd* wathi, “NguJuda ozahamba kuqala.”
\p
\v 19 Kusisa ekuseni, abako-Israyeli bavuka bamisa izihonqo eduzane leGibhiya. 
\v 20 Abantu bako-Israyeli baphuma ukuyakulwa labakoBhenjamini bema ezindaweni ezilungele ukubahlasela eGibhiya. 
\v 21 AbakoBhenjamini baphuma eGibhiya babulala abako-Israyeli abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lambili endaweni yokulwela mhlalokho. 
\v 22 Kodwa abantu bako-Israyeli banikana isibindi babuyela njalo ezindaweni zabo lapho ababekhona ngelanga lakuqala. 
\v 23 Abako-Israyeli bahamba bayakhala phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, njalo babuza \nd uThixo\nd* bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa labakoBhenjamini, abafowethu na?
\p ” \nd UThixo\nd* waphendula yathi, “Hambani liyebahlasela.”
\p
\v 24 Abako-Israyeli basondela koBhenjamini ngosuku lwesibili. 
\v 25 Ngalesisikhathi, kwathi abakoBhenjamini sebephumile eGibhiya ukuba bamelane labo, babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke behlome ngezinkemba.
\p
\v 26 Lapho-ke, abako-Israyeli bonke lebutho lonke baya eBhetheli, bahlala khona bekhala phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd*. Ngalelolanga bazila kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, banikela leminikelo yokutshiswa kanye leminikelo yobudlelwano \nd kuThixo\nd*. 
\v 27 Abako-Israyeli basebebuza \nd uThixo\nd*. (Ngalezonsuku umtshokotsho wesivumelwano sikaNkulunkulu wawukhonapho, 
\v 28 uloFinehasi indodana ka-Eliyazari, indodana ka-Aroni, ekhonza phambi kwawo.) Babuza bathi, “Singahamba njalo yini siyekulwa loBhenjamini umfowethu loba hatshi na?”
\p \nd UThixo\nd* waphendula wathi, “Hambani, ngoba kusasa ngizabanikela ezandleni zenu.”
\p
\v 29 Ngakho abako-Israyeli bacathama bezungeze iGibhiya. 
\v 30 Bahamba bayahlasela abakoBhenjamini ngosuku lwesithathu, balungela ukuhlasela iGibhiya njengebabekwenze kuqala. 
\v 31 AbakoBhenjamini baphuma babahlangabeza baholelwa kude ledolobho. Baqalisa ukubabulala abako-Israyeli njengakuqala, kwathi ababephosa babengamatshumi amathathu bafela egcekeni emgwaqweni oya eBhetheli lomunye oya eGibhiya. 
\v 32 Kwathi abakoBhenjamini besithi, “Siyabehlula njengakuqala,” abako-Israyeli bona besithi, “Kasihlehleleni emuva sibaholele kude ledolobho emigwaqweni.”
\p
\v 33 Bonke abantu bako-Israyeli basuka ezindaweni zabo baya eBhali-Thamari, kwathi abako-Israyeli ababecatheme bahlasela bephuma endaweni yabo ngasentshonalanga kweGibhiya. 
\v 34 Izinkulungwane ezilitshumi zabantu bako-Israyeli abakhethiweyo bahlasela iGibhiya mathupha. Ukulwa kwakunzima kakhulu ngakho kwenza abakoBhenjamini bangananzeleli ukuthi ingozi yayisisondele. 
\v 35 \nd UThixo\nd* wamnqoba uBhenjamini phambi kuka-Israyeli, njalo ngalelolanga abako-Israyeli babulala abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu lekhulu (25,100), bonke behlome ngezinkemba. 
\v 36 Lapho-ke abakoBhenjamini babona ukuthi babenqotshiwe.
\p Khonapho abako-Israyeli basebevulele abakoBhenjamini isikhala, ngoba babethembe ababecatheme eduze leGibhiya. 
\v 37 Abantu ababecatheme bagijimela eGibhiya ngokuphangisa, basabalala idolobho lonke balihlasela ngenkemba. 
\v 38 Abantu bako-Israyeli babehlele labacathamayo ukuthi benze iyezi elikhulu lentuthu phakathi kwedolobho, 
\v 39 lapho-ke abantu bako-Israyeli babezaphendukela ekulweni empini.
\p AbakoBhenjamini basebeqalisile ukubulala abako-Israyeli (babephosa babengamatshumi amathathu), njalo bathi, “Siyabehlula njengempini yakuqala.” 
\v 40 Kodwa kwathi izikhatha zentuthu seziqalise ukuphakama edolobheni, abakoBhenjamini baphenduka babona intuthu yedolobho lonke iqonga isiya phezulu emkhathini. 
\v 41 Lapho-ke abako-Israyeli babaphendukela, abantu bakoBhenjamini batshaywa luvalo, ngoba babona ukuthi ingozi yayisibehlele. 
\v 42 Ngakho babaleka phambi kwabako-Israyeli beqonda enkangala kodwa behluleka ukuyibalekela impi. Abako-Israyeli abaphuma emizini bababulalela khonapho. 
\v 43 Babahanqa abakoBhenjamini, baxotshana labo, bababhuqela eduze leGibhiya kalula ngasempumalanga. 
\v 44 Kwafa abakoBhenjamini abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lasificaminwembili, bonke bengamaqhawe. 
\v 45 Sebephenduke babaleka beqonda enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, abako-Israyeli babulala abantu abazinkulungwane ezinhlanu kulandela imigwaqo. Baqhubeka bexotshana labakoBhenjamini baze bayafika eGidomu babulala abanye njalo abazinkulungwane ezimbili.
\p
\v 46 Ngalelolanga kwafa abakoBhenjamini abalwa ngenkemba abazinkulungwane ezingamatshumi amabili lanhlanu, bonke bengamaqhawe. 
\v 47 Kodwa abantu abangamakhulu ayisithupha baphenduka babalekela enkangala edwaleni laseRimoni, lapho abahlala khona izinyanga ezine. 
\v 48 Abantu bako-Israyeli babuyela koBhenjamini bahlasela imizi yonke ngenkemba, kubalwa izifuyo lakho konke okunye abakutholayo. Yonke imizi abafika kuyo bayithungela ngomlilo.
\c 21
\s1 Abafazi Babantu BakoBhenjamini
\p
\v 1 Abantu bako-Israyeli babefunge isifungo eMizipha bathi, “Akukho lamunye wethu ozakwendisela indodakazi yakhe emuntwini wakoBhenjamini.”
\p
\v 2 Abantu baya eBhetheli, lapho abahlala khona phambi kukaNkulunkulu kwaze kwaba kusihlwa, bephakamise amazwi abo bekhala kabuhlungu besithi, 
\v 3 “Oh \nd Thixo\nd*, Nkulunkulu ka-Israyeli, kungani lokhu kwenzakale ku-Israyeli na? Kungani esinye isizwana singekho ko-Israyeli lamhla na?”
\p
\v 4 Ngakusasa ekuseni abantu bakha i-alithari banikela iminikelo yokutshiswa leminikelo yobudlelwano.
\p
\v 5 Basebebuza abako-Israyeli besithi, “Yisiphi kuzozonke izizwana zako-Israyeli esingabuthananga phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* na?” Ngoba babefunge isifungo esiqinileyo bathi lowo owayengayikuba khona ekubuthaneni phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* eMizipha kwakuzamele abulawe.
\p
\v 6 Abako-Israyeli bezwa ubuhlungu ngabafowabo bakoBhenjamini. Bathi, “Lamuhla esinye isizwana kasisekho ko-Israyeli. 
\v 7 Labo abaseleyo singabanika njani abafazi, njengoba thina sifunge isifungo \nd ngoThixo\nd* ukuba kasiyi kubendisela amadodakazi ethu?” 
\v 8 Babuye babuza bathi, “Yisiphi sezizwana zako-Israyeli esingabuthananga phambi \nd kukaThixo\nd* eMizipha na?” Bafumana ukuthi akulamuntu waseJabheshi Giliyadi owayefikile ezihonqweni elande umbuthano lowo. 
\v 9 Ngoba bathi bebala abantu, bathola ukuthi kwakungelamuntu waseJabheshi Giliyadi owayekhona.
\p
\v 10 Ngakho ibandla lathuma abantu bempi abazinkulungwane ezilitshumi lambili belaywa ukuthi baye eJabheshi Giliyadi babahlasele ngenkemba labo abahlala khona, kubalwa abesifazane labantwana. 
\v 11 Bathi, “Kumele libulale wonke owesilisa lowesifazane ongasintombi egcweleyo.” 
\v 12 Phakathi kwabantu ababehlala eJabheshi Giliyadi bathola izintombi ezigcweleyo ezingamakhulu amane, bazisa ezihonqweni eShilo kweleKhenani.
\p
\v 13 Ibandla lonke lathumela ilizwi lokuthula kwabakoBhenjamini edwaleni laseRimoni. 
\v 14 Ngakho abakoBhenjamini babuyela ngalesosikhathi sebephiwe abesifazane baseJabheshi Giliyadi ababephephisiwe. Kodwa kabawanelanga amadoda wonke.
\p
\v 15 Abantu bezwa ubuhlungu ngabakoBhenjamini, ngoba \nd uThixo\nd* wayesenze isikhexe phakathi kwezizwana zako-Israyeli. 
\v 16 Abadala bebandla bathi, “Njengoba abesifazane bakoBhenjamini beqothuliwe, amadoda aseleyo siwazuzela njani abafazi na? 
\v 17 AbakoBhenjamini abasindayo kumele babe lezindlalifa, ukuze isizwana sako-Israyeli singatshabalali. 
\v 18 Asingeke sibendisele amadodakazi ethu ngoba thina abako-Israyeli safunga isifungo lesi sathi: ‘Kaqalekiswe lowo owendisela umBhenjamini umfazi.’ 
\v 19 Kodwa khangelani, kulomkhosi weminyaka yonke \nd kaThixo\nd* eShilo, enyakatho kweBhetheli, ngasempumalanga komgwaqo osuka eBhetheli usiya eShekhemu, ngeningizimu kweLebhona.”
\p
\v 20 Ngakho balaya abakoBhenjamini bathi, “Hambani liyecatsha ezivinini 
\v 21 lilinde. Lapho izintombi zaseShilo ziphuma ukuba zingene ekugideni, sukani ezivinini ligijima kuthi lowo lalowo wenu azibambele umfazi ezintombini zaseShilo libe selisiya elizweni lakoBhenjamini. 
\v 22 Oyise labanewabo bangakhonona kithi, thina sizakuthi kubo, ‘Ake lisenzele umusa ngokubasiza, ngoba kasibatholelanga abafazi ngesikhathi sempi. Kaliyikuba lacala ngokwephula isifungo, ngoba amadodakazi enu kaliwendiselanga kubo.’ ”
\p
\v 23 Ngakho lokho yikho okwenziwa ngabakoBhenjamini. Kwathi izintombi zigida, indoda yabamba intombi yahamba layo ukuba ibe ngumkayo. Babuyela-ke elifeni labo bayakha kutsha imizi, bahlala kuyo.
\p
\v 24 Ngalesisikhathi abako-Israyeli basuka kuleyondawo babuyela emakhaya ezizwaneni lasezinsendweni zabo, ngulowo lalowo elifeni lakhe.
\p
\v 25 Ngalezonsuku abako-Israyeli babengelankosi; umuntu wonke ezenzela ayekubona kulungile kuye.