GENESISE

1 Ekuqaleni uNkulunkulu wadala amazulu nomhlaba. +

2 Umhlaba wawungenalutho, ungenaso isimo esithile, kukhona ubumnyama emanzini ajulile,* + futhi umoya kaNkulunkulu* + wawehla wenyuka phezu kwamanzi. +

3 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Makube khona ukukhanya.” Kwaba khona ukukhanya. + 4 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi ukukhanya kuhle, waqala ukuhlukanisa ukukhanya nobumnyama. 5 UNkulunkulu wabiza ukukhanya ngokuthi iMini, wabiza ubumnyama ngokuthi uBusuku. + Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lokuqala.

6 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Makube khona umkhathi + phakathi kwamanzi futhi amanzi ahlukane phakathi.” + 7 UNkulunkulu wabe esenza umkhathi, wahlukanisa amanzi angaphansi komkhathi namanzi angaphezu komkhathi. + Kwaba njalo. 8 UNkulunkulu wabiza umkhathi ngokuthi iZulu.* Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesibili.

9 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Amanzi angaphansi kwamazulu mawaqoqane ndawonye, kuvele umhlabathi owomile.” + Kwaba njalo. 10 UNkulunkulu wabiza umhlabathi owomile ngokuthi uMhlaba, + kodwa amanzi aqoqene ndawonye wawabiza ngokuthi iziLwandle. + UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. + 11 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Umhlaba mawenze ukuba kuhlume utshani, izinto ezimilayo eziveza imbewu, izihlahla zezithelo ngezinhlobo zazo, ezithela izithelo kanye nembewu emhlabeni.” Kwaba njalo. 12 Umhlaba waqala ukuveza utshani, izinto ezimilayo eziveza imbewu + nezihlahla ezithela izithelo kanye nembewu, ngezinhlobo zako. UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. 13 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesithathu.

14 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Makube khona izinkanyiso + emkhathini wamazulu zihlukanise imini nobusuku, + zizoba izimpawu ezihlukanisa izinkathi, izinsuku neminyaka. + 15 Zizoba izinkanyiso emkhathini wamazulu zikhanyise phezu komhlaba.” Kwaba njalo. 16 UNkulunkulu wabe esenza izinkanyiso ezimbili ezinkulu, inkanyiso enkulu ukuba ibuse imini + nenkanyiso encane ukuba ibuse ubusuku kanye nezinkanyezi. + 17 UNkulunkulu wazibeka emkhathini wamazulu ukuba zikhanyise phezu komhlaba 18 nokuba zibuse emini nasebusuku futhi zihlukanise ukukhanya nobumnyama. + UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. 19 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesine.

20 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Amanzi mawagcwale izilwane eziphilayo,* kundize izilwane* ezindizayo phezu komhlaba emkhathini wamazulu.” + 21 UNkulunkulu wabe esedala izilwane* ezinkulu zasolwandle nazo zonke izilwane* eziphilayo ezihambayo, zagcwala emanzini ngokwezinhlobo zazo, nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo ezinamaphiko ngezinhlobo zazo. UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. 22 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wazibusisa, wathi: “Zalani nande nigcwalise amanzi olwandle, + futhi izilwane ezindizayo mazande emhlabeni.” 23 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesihlanu.

24 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Umhlaba mawuveze izilwane* eziphilayo ngezinhlobo zazo, izilwane ezifuywayo nezilwane ezihuquzelayo* nezilwane zasendle ngezinhlobo zazo.” + Kwaba njalo. 25 UNkulunkulu wabe esenza izilwane zasendle zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo nezilwane ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo nazo zonke izilwane ezihamba emhlabathini ngezinhlobo zazo. UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle.

26 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Masenze + umuntu ngomfanekiso wethu, + afane nathi, + athotshelwe izinhlanzi zolwandle, izilwane ezindizayo zamazulu, izilwane ezifuywayo nayiwo wonke umhlaba nazo zonke izilwane ezihamba emhlabeni.” + 27 UNkulunkulu wabe esedala umuntu ngomfanekiso wakhe, wamdala ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu; wabadala kwaba owesilisa nowesifazane. + 28 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uNkulunkulu wababusisa wathi kubo: “Zalani nande, nigcwalise umhlaba + niwunqobe, + nithotshelwe + izinhlanzi zolwandle nezilwane ezindizayo zamazulu nazo zonke izilwane eziphilayo ezihamba emhlabeni.”

29 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi: “Ngininike zonke izinto ezimilayo eziveza imbewu ezikuwo wonke umhlaba nazo zonke izihlahla ezinezithelo eziveza imbewu. Mazibe ukudla kini. + 30 Zonke izilwane zasendle zomhlaba nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo zamazulu nayo yonke into ehamba emhlabeni okukhona kuyo ukuphila, konke ngikunike izinto ezimilayo ukuba zibe ukudla kwako.” + Kwaba njalo.

31 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wakubona konke ayekwenzile, kwakukuhle kakhulu. + Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesithupha.

2 Ngakho ukudalwa kwamazulu nomhlaba nakho konke okukukho* kwaphela. + 2 Ngosuku lwesikhombisa, uNkulunkulu wayesewuqedile umsebenzi ayewenzile, waqala ukuphumula ngosuku lwesikhombisa kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe ayewenzile. + 3 UNkulunkulu walubusisa usuku lwesikhombisa wathi lungcwele, ngoba wayephumule ngalo ngemva kokudala konke ayekuhlosile.

4 Lona umlando wamazulu nomhlaba ngesikhathi sokudalwa kwawo, ngosuku uJehova* uNkulunkulu enza ngalo umhlaba nezulu. +

5 Kwakungakabi bikho sihlahla emhlabeni futhi kwakungakabi bikho zinto ezimilayo ezazihluma, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wayengakayinisi imvula emhlabeni futhi kwakungekho muntu ongalima umhlabathi. 6 Kodwa kwakukhuphuka inkungu emhlabeni imatise wonke umhlabathi.

7 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esebumba umuntu ngothuli + lomhlabathi wafuthela emakhaleni akhe umoya wokuphila, + umuntu waphila.* + 8 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova uNkulunkulu watshala insimu e-Edene, + ngasempumalanga; wambeka lapho umuntu ayembumbile. + 9 UJehova uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba kumile emhlabathini zonke izihlahla ezinhle nezifanelekele ukudliwa kanye nesihlahla sokuphila + phakathi nensimu nesihlahla sokwazi okuhle nokubi. +

10 Kwakukhona umfula owawuphuma e-Edene unisela insimu, futhi ukusuka lapho wawuhlukana ube imifula emine. 11 Igama lowokuqala iPhishoni; yiwo ozungeze lonke izwe laseHavila, lapho kukhona khona igolide. 12 Igolide lakulelo zwe lihle. Kukhona nenomfi* yebhedola netshe le-onikisi. 13 Igama lomfula wesibili iGihoni; yiwo ozungeze lonke izwe lakwaKushe. 14 Igama lomfula wesithathu iHidekeli;* + yiwo oya empumalanga ye-Asiriya. + Umfula wesine i-Ewufrathe. +

15 UJehova uNkulunkulu wamthatha umuntu wambeka ensimini yase-Edene ukuba ayilime futhi ayinakekele. + 16 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esemnika lo myalo umuntu: “Kuzo zonke izihlahla ezisensimini ungadla usuthe. + 17 Kodwa ngokuqondene nesihlahla sokwazi okuhle nokubi ungadli kuso, ngoba ngosuku oyodla ngalo kuso uyokufa nokufa.” +

18 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wathi: “Akukuhle ukuba umuntu abe yedwa. Ngizomenzela umsizi, abe umphelelisi wakhe.” + 19 Manje uJehova uNkulunkulu wayebumbe ngomhlabathi zonke izilwane zasendle nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo zamazulu, waziletha kumuntu ukuze abone ukuthi ngasinye angasiqamba athini; noma yiliphi igama umuntu ayeliqamba isilwane* ngasinye esiphilayo, kwaba yigama laso. + 20 Ngakho umuntu waziqamba amagama zonke izilwane ezifuywayo nezilwane ezindizayo zamazulu nazo zonke izilwane zasendle, kodwa umuntu wayengenaye umsizi ongumphelelisi wakhe. 21 Ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba umuntu ehlelwe ubuthongo obukhulu, kwathi esalele, wathatha olunye lwezimbambo zakhe wabe eseyivala inyama endaweni yalo. 22 UJehova uNkulunkulu wakha ubambo ayeluthathe endodeni lwaba ngowesifazane, wayesemletha endodeni. +

23 Ngemva kwalokho indoda yathi:

24 Yingakho indoda iyoshiya uyise nonina inamathele kumkayo,* babe nyamanye. + 25 Bobabili babelokhu behamba-ze, + indoda nomkayo; kodwa babengenawo amahloni.

3 Inyoka + yayiqaphe* kunazo zonke izilwane zasendle uJehova uNkulunkulu ayezenzile. Ngakho yathi kowesifazane: “Ingabe uNkulunkulu ushilo ngempela ukuthi akumele nidle kuzo zonke izihlahla ezisensimini?” + 2 Owesifazane wathi enyokeni: “Singazidla izithelo zezihlahla ezisensimini. + 3 Kodwa mayelana nezithelo zesihlahla esiphakathi kwensimu, + uNkulunkulu uthe: ‘Ningadli kuso, cha, ningasithinti; ukuze ningafi.’” 4 Inyoka yathi kowesifazane: “Ngokuqinisekile ngeke nife. + 5 Yingoba uNkulunkulu uyazi ukuthi ngalo kanye usuku enidla ngalo kuso, amehlo enu ayovuleka futhi niyoba njengoNkulunkulu, nazi okuhle nokubi.” +

6 Ngenxa yalokho, owesifazane wabona ukuthi isihlahla sasikufanelekela ukudliwa; sasihaleleka ngempela futhi sisihle.* Ngakho wathatha isithelo saso wasidla. + Kamuva wanika nomyeni wakhe lapho sebendawonye, naye wadla. + 7 Ngemva kwalokho amehlo abo bobabili avuleka, babona ukuthi bahamba-ze. Ngakho bathunga amacembe omkhiwane bazenzela izinto zokubhinca. +

8 Kamuva bezwa izwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu njengoba ayehamba ensimini ngesikhathi sokuvunguza komoya,* indoda nomkayo bamcashela uJehova uNkulunkulu phakathi kwezihlahla zensimu. 9 UJehova uNkulunkulu wayelokhu embiza umuntu ethi kuye: “Ukuphi?” 10 Ekugcineni wathi: “Ngizwe izwi lakho ensimini, kodwa bengesaba ngoba bengihamba-ze ngase ngiyacasha.” 11 Kulokho wathi: “Ubani okutshele ukuthi ubuhamba-ze? + Ingabe udlile esihlahleni engakuyala ukuba ungadli kuso?” + 12 Umuntu wathi: “Owesifazane onginike yena ukuba abe nami, unginike isithelo sesihlahla, ngadla.” 13 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esethi kowesifazane: “Yini le oyenzile?” Owesifazane waphendula: “Inyoka ingikhohlisile, ngadla.” +

14 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wathi enyokeni: + “Ngenxa yokuthi wenze le nto, uqalekisiwe kuzo zonke izilwane ezifuywayo nakuzo zonke izilwane zasendle. Uyohamba ngesisu, udle uthuli zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakho. 15 Ngizobeka ubutha* + phakathi kwakho + nowesifazane + naphakathi kwenzalo* yakho + nenzalo* yakhe. + Yona iyochoboza* ikhanda lakho, + wena uyoyilimaza* esithendeni.” +

16 Kowesifazane wathi: “Ngizobandisa kakhulu ubuhlungu bokukhulelwa kwakho; uyozala abantwana kabuhlungu, uyoba nesifiso esijulile sokuba nomyeni wakho, futhi yena uyokubusa.”

17 Ku-Adamu* wathi: “Ngenxa yokuthi ulalele izwi lomkakho wadla esihlahleni engakuyala ngaso ngathi, + ‘Ungadli kuso,’ uqalekisiwe umhlabathi ngenxa yakho. + Uzodla umkhiqizo wawo ngobuhlungu zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakho. + 18 Uzokuvezela ameva nokhula, futhi uzodla izinto ezimilayo zasendle. 19 Uzodla isinkwa* ngesithukuthuku sobuso bakho uze ubuyele emhlabathini, ngoba wathathwa kuwo. + Ngoba uluthuli, uyobuyela othulini.” +

20 Ngemva kwalokhu u-Adamu waqamba umkakhe ngokuthi u-Eva,* ngoba wayezoba unina wabo bonke abantu abaphilayo. + 21 UJehova uNkulunkulu wenzela u-Adamu nomkakhe izembatho ezinde zesikhumba ukuze bazigqoke. + 22 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esethi: “Bheka umuntu usenjengomunye wethu ngokuqondene nokwazi okuhle nokubi. + Manje ukuze angeluli isandla sakhe akhe izithelo nasesihlahleni sokuphila + adle aphile kuze kube phakade,*—” 23 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wamxosha umuntu ensimini yase-Edene + ukuba alime umhlabathi ayethathwe kuwo. + 24 Ngakho wamxosha futhi wabeka empumalanga yensimu yase-Edene amakherubi + nenkemba eyayilokhu iphenduka futhi ivutha amalangabi ukuba aqaphe indlela eya esihlahleni sokuphila.

4 U-Adamu walala nomkakhe u-Eva, wakhulelwa. + Lapho u-Eva ezala uKhayini, + wathi: “Ngithole* ingane yomfana ngosizo lukaJehova.” 2 Kamuva waphinde wazala u-Abela + umfowabo kaKhayini.

U-Abela waba umalusi womhlambi, kodwa uKhayini waba umlimi womhlabathi. 3 Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile, uKhayini waletha ezinye zezithelo zomhlaba njengomnikelo kuJehova. 4 Kodwa u-Abela waletha amazibulo athile omhlambi wakhe, + kanye namanoni awo. Nakuba uJehova amamukela u-Abela nomnikelo wakhe, + 5 akazange neze amamukele uKhayini nomnikelo wakhe. Ngakho uKhayini wathukuthela kakhulu futhi wadangala.* 6 UJehova wabe esethi kuKhayini: “Kungani uthukuthele kangaka futhi udangele? 7 Uma ushintsha wenze okuhle, ngeke yini uphinde uboniswe umusa?* Kodwa uma ungashintsheli ekwenzeni okuhle, isono sicuthe emnyango, sifuna ukukubusa; ingabe uzosihlula?”

8 Ngemva kwalokho uKhayini wathi kumfowabo u-Abela: “Masiye endle.” Kwathi lapho besendle uKhayini wahlasela umfowabo u-Abela, wambulala. + 9 Kamuva uJehova wathi kuKhayini: “Uphi umfowenu u-Abela?” yena wathi: “Angazi. Yimina yini okufanele agade umfowethu?” 10 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Wenzeni? Lalela! Igazi lomfowenu liyakhala kimi lisemhlabathini. + 11 Manje uqalekisiwe futhi uyadingiswa kulo mhlabathi ovule umlomo wawo ukuba wamukele igazi lomfowenu esandleni sakho. + 12 Lapho ulima umhlabathi, ngeke ukubuyisele umkhiqizo.* Uyoba umhambuma nombaleki emhlabeni.” 13 UKhayini wathi kuJehova: “Isijeziso sesiphambeko sami sikhulu kakhulu ukuba ngingasithwala. 14 Namuhla uyangixosha emhlabeni,* ngizositheka ebusweni bakho; ngizoba umhambuma nombaleki emhlabeni futhi noma ubani ongitholayo uzongibulala nakanjani.” 15 UJehova wathi kuye: “Ngenxa yaleso sizathu, noma ubani obulala uKhayini uyojeziswa kasikhombisa.”

Ngakho uJehova wabeka uphawu* kuKhayini ukuze kungabi bikho muntu omtholayo oyomshaya ambulale. 16 Ngemva kwalokho uKhayini wasuka phambi kukaJehova wayohlala ezweni lasekuDingisweni,* empumalanga ye-Edene. +

17 Kamuva uKhayini walala nomkakhe, + wakhulelwa wazala u-Enoke. Ngemva kwalokho uKhayini wakha idolobha waliqamba ngegama lendodana yakhe u-Enoke. 18 Kamuva u-Enoke wazala u-Irade. U-Irade wazala uMehujayeli, uMehujayeli wazala uMethushayeli, uMethushayeli wazala uLameka.

19 ULameka wazithathela abafazi ababili. Igama lowokuqala kwakungu-Ada, igama lowesibili kunguZila. 20 U-Ada wazala uJabale. Waba nguyise walabo abahlala ematendeni nabanemfuyo. 21 Igama lomfowabo kwakunguJubali. Yena waba uyise wabo bonke abadlala ihabhu negemfe.* 22 UZila naye wazala uThubali-khayini, umkhandi wazo zonke izinhlobo zamathuluzi ethusi nawensimbi. Udadewabo kaThubali-khayini kwakunguNahama. 23 Ngemva kwalokho uLameka wathi emakhosikazini akhe u-Ada noZila:

25 U-Adamu waphinde walala nomkakhe, wazala indodana. Wayiqamba ngokuthi uSeti* + ngoba, njengoba umkakhe asho, “UNkulunkulu unginike* enye inzalo* esikhundleni sika-Abela, ngoba uKhayini umbulele.” + 26 USeti wazala indodana, wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Enoshe. + Ngaleso sikhathi abantu baqala ukubiza igama likaJehova.

5 Lena yincwadi yomlando ka-Adamu. Mhla uNkulunkulu edala u-Adamu, wamenza wafana noNkulunkulu. + 2 Wabadala kwaba owesilisa nowesifazane. + Ngosuku abadalwa ngalo, + wababusisa futhi wabaqamba ngokuthi abaNtu.*

3 U-Adamu waphila iminyaka engu-130 wayesezala indodana efana naye, ewumfanekiso wakhe, wayiqamba ngokuthi uSeti. + 4 Ngemva kokuzala uSeti, u-Adamu waphila iminyaka engu-800. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 5 Sezizonke izinsuku zokuphila kuka-Adamu zaba iminyaka engu-930, wayesefa. +

6 USeti waphila iminyaka engu-105 wayesezala u-Enoshe. + 7 Ngemva kokuzala u-Enoshe, uSeti waphila iminyaka engu-807. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 8 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaSeti zaba iminyaka engu-912, wayesefa.

9 U-Enoshe waphila iminyaka engu-90 wayesezala uKhenani. 10 Ngemva kokuzala uKhenani, u-Enoshe waphila iminyaka engu-815. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 11 Sezizonke izinsuku zika-Enoshe zaba iminyaka engu-905, wayesefa.

12 UKhenani waphila iminyaka engu-70 wayesezala uMahalalele. + 13 Ngemva kokuzala uMahalalele, uKhenani waphila iminyaka engu-840. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 14 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaKhenani zaba iminyaka engu-910, wayesefa.

15 UMahalalele waphila iminyaka engu-65 wayesezala uJarede. + 16 Ngemva kokuzala uJarede, uMahalalele waphila iminyaka engu-830. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 17 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaMahalalele zaba iminyaka engu-895, wayesefa.

18 UJarede waphila iminyaka engu-162 wabe esezala u-Enoke. + 19 Ngemva kokuzala u-Enoke, uJarede waphila iminyaka engu-800. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 20 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaJarede zaba iminyaka engu-962, wayesefa.

21 U-Enoke waphila iminyaka engu-65 wayesezala uMethusela. + 22 Ngemva kokuzala uMethusela, u-Enoke waqhubeka ehamba noNkulunkulu weqiniso* iminyaka engu-300. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 23 Sezizonke izinsuku zika-Enoke zaba iminyaka engu-365. 24 U-Enoke waqhubeka ehamba noNkulunkulu weqiniso. + Ngemva kwalokho akabange esaba khona, ngoba uNkulunkulu wamthatha. +

25 UMethusela waphila iminyaka engu-187 wayesezala uLameka. + 26 Ngemva kokuzala uLameka, uMethusela waphila iminyaka engu-782. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 27 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaMethusela zaba iminyaka engu-969, wayesefa.

28 ULameka waphila iminyaka engu-182 wayesezala indodana. 29 Wayiqamba ngokuthi uNowa,* + ethi: “Lo uzosikhulula emsebenzini wethu nasezandleni zethu ezikhathele ngenxa yomhlabathi uJehova awuqalekisile.” + 30 Ngemva kokuzala uNowa, uLameka waphila iminyaka engu-595. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 31 Sezizonke izinsuku zikaLameka zaba iminyaka engu-777, wayesefa.

32 Ngemva kokuba uNowa ehlanganise iminyaka engu-500, wazala uShemi, + uHamu + noJafete. +

6 Manje lapho abantu beqala ukwanda emhlabeni futhi bezala amadodakazi, 2 amadodana kaNkulunkulu weqiniso* + aqaphela ukuthi amadodakazi abantu ayemahle. Ngakho azithathela wona aba abafazi bawo, wonke lawo ayewakhetha. 3 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi: “Umoya wami ngeke umbekezelele kuze kube phakade umuntu, + ngoba umane nje uyinyama.* Ngakho izinsuku zakhe zizoba iminyaka engu-120.” +

4 Kwakukhona amaNefili* emhlabeni ngalezo zinsuku nakamuva. Phakathi naleso sikhathi amadodana kaNkulunkulu weqiniso aqhubeka elala namadodakazi abantu futhi ewazalela amadodana. Ayengabantu abanamandla bakudala, amadoda odumo.

5 Ngenxa yalokho, uJehova wabona ukuthi ububi bomuntu babubukhulu emhlabeni nokuthi imicabango nezifiso zenhliziyo yakhe kwakukubi ngaso sonke isikhathi. + 6 UJehova wadabuka* ngokuthi wayenze abantu emhlabeni futhi wezwa ubuhlungu enhliziyweni yakhe. + 7 Ngakho uJehova wathi: “Ngizobaqeda nya emhlabeni abantu engibadalile, umuntu nezilwane ezifuywayo, izilwane ezihuquzelayo nezilwane ezindizayo zamazulu, ngoba ngiyadabuka ngokuthi ngikwenzile.” 8 Kodwa uNowa wathola umusa kuJehova.

9 Lona umlando kaNowa.

UNowa wayeyindoda elungile. + Akabanga naphutha* phakathi kwabantu besikhathi sakhe.* UNowa wahamba noNkulunkulu weqiniso. + 10 Ngemva kwesikhathi, uNowa wazala amadodana amathathu, uShemi, uHamu noJafete. + 11 Kodwa umhlaba wawusuwonakele emehlweni kaNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi wawusugcwele ubudlova. 12 UNkulunkulu wabuka umhlaba futhi wawonakalisiwe; + bonke abantu babenza izinto ezimbi kakhulu emhlabeni. +

13 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi kuNowa: “Senginqume ukuqeda yonke inyama, ngoba umhlaba ugcwele ubudlova ngenxa yayo, ngakho ngiyayiqothula kanye nomhlaba. + 14 Zenzele umkhumbi* ngezingodo zesihlahla esikhipha inomfi. + Uzokwenza amakamelo emkhunjini uwuhuqe ngetiyela* + ngaphakathi nangaphandle. 15 Nansi indlela ozowenza ngayo: Umkhumbi kufanele ube amamitha angu-134 ubude, angu-22 ububanzi, nangu-13 ukuphakama. 16 Uzokwenza ifasitela* lomkhumbi ukuze kukhanye, cishe uhhafu wemitha uma usuka phezulu. Umnyango womkhumbi kufanele uwubeke ohlangothini lwawo, + umkhumbi uwenze ube nesitezi sokuqala, isitezi sesibili nesitezi sesithathu.

17 “Mina ngizoletha uzamcolo* + emhlabeni ukuze ngiqothule phansi kwamazulu yonke inyama okukhona kuyo umoya wokuphila. Konke okusemhlabeni kuzoshabalala. + 18 Ngenza nesivumelwano sami nawe, kumele ungene emkhunjini, wena namadodana akho, umkakho nabafazi bamadodana akho. + 19 Kufanele ungenise emkhunjini izilwane eziphilayo + ngazimbili zazo zonke izinhlobo ukuze uzigcine ziphila kanye nawe, esensikazi neseduna; + 20 ezilwaneni ezindizayo ngezinhlobo zazo, ezilwaneni ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo, nakuzo zonke izilwane ezihuquzelayo zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo, kuyongena lapho kuwe ezimbili ohlotsheni ngalunye ukuze uzigcine ziphila. + 21 Wena-ke kumele uqoqe futhi uzithathele zonke izinhlobo zokudla ozokudla, + kube ukudla kwakho nokwezilwane.”

22 UNowa wenza konke uNkulunkulu ayemyale ngakho. Wenza kanjalo nje. +

7 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi kuNowa: “Ngena emkhunjini, wena nawo wonke umndeni wakho, ngoba uwena engikuthole ulungile phambi kwami phakathi kwalesi sizukulwane. + 2 Kumele uthathe zonke izinhlobo zezilwane ezihlanzekile ngasikhombisa,* + iduna nensikazi; futhi kuzo zonke izilwane ezingahlanzekile uthathe ngazimbili kuphela, iduna nensikazi; 3 nasezilwaneni ezindizayo zamazulu uthathe ngasikhombisa,* iduna nensikazi, ukuze ugcine inzalo yazo iphila kuwo wonke umhlaba. + 4 Ngoba ezinsukwini eziyisikhombisa nje kuphela ngizonisa imvula + emhlabeni izinsuku ezingu-40 nobusuku obungu-40, + futhi ngizoyiqeda nya yonke into ephilayo engiyenzile emhlabeni.” + 5 UNowa wabe esenza konke uJehova ayemyale ngakho.

6 UNowa wayeneminyaka engu-600 ubudala lapho kufika uzamcolo phezu komhlaba. + 7 UNowa kanye namadodana akhe, umkakhe nabafazi bamadodana akhe bangena emkhunjini ungakani uzamcolo. + 8 Kuzo zonke izilwane ezihlanzekile nakuzo zonke izilwane ezingahlanzekile nakuzo zonke izilwane ezindizayo nayo yonke into ehamba emhlabeni, + 9 kwangena ngakubili kuNowa ngaphakathi emkhunjini, iduna nensikazi, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile uNowa. 10 Kwathi ezinsukwini eziyisikhombisa kamuva, kwana uzamcolo phezu komhlaba.

11 Ngonyaka ka-600 wokuphila kukaNowa, ngenyanga yesibili, ngosuku luka-17 lwenyanga, ngalolo suku zonke iziphethu zamanzi ezijulile zaqhuma namasango amanzi emazulwini avuleka. + 12 Imvula yana emhlabeni izinsuku ezingu-40 nobusuku obungu-40. 13 Ngalo kanye lolo suku, uNowa wangena emkhunjini kanye namadodana akhe, uShemi, uHamu noJafete, + nomkakhe nabafazi abathathu bamadodana akhe. + 14 Bangena nazo zonke izilwane zasendle ngezinhlobo zazo, nazo zonke izilwane ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo, nazo zonke izilwane ezihuquzelayo emhlabeni ngezinhlobo zazo, nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo ngezinhlobo zazo, zonke izinyoni, nazo zonke izilwane ezinamaphiko. 15 Zazilokhu ziya kuNowa ngaphakathi emkhunjini, ngazimbili, zonke izinhlobo zenyama okwakukhona kuzo umoya wokuphila. 16 Zangena, iduna nensikazi kwazo zonke izinhlobo zenyama, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile uNowa. Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wavala umnyango ngemva kwakhe.

17 Uzamcolo wawulokhu una izinsuku ezingu-40 emhlabeni, amanzi ayelokhu anda futhi aqala ukuphakamisa umkhumbi, wantanta phezulu ngaphezu komhlaba. 18 Amanzi aba maningi kakhulu futhi ayelokhu anda kakhulu emhlabeni, kodwa umkhumbi waqhubeka untanta phezu kwamanzi. 19 Amanzi aba maningi kakhulu emhlabeni kangangokuthi zonke izintaba ezinde ezazingaphansi kwawo wonke amazulu zambozeka. + 20 Amanzi akhuphuka aze adlula izintaba ngamamitha angu-6,5.

21 Ngakho zonke izilwane eziphilayo ezazihamba emhlabeni zashabalala +—izilwane ezindizayo, izilwane ezifuywayo, izilwane zasendle, nazo zonke izilwane ezincane ezibhuzayo, naso sonke isintu. + 22 Yonke into eyayisemhlabathini owomile okwakukhona emakhaleni ayo umoya wokuphila yafa. + 23 UNkulunkulu waqeda yonke into ephilayo emhlabeni, ehlanganisa umuntu, izilwane, izilwane ezihuquzelayo nezilwane ezindizayo zamazulu. Kwaqedwa konke emhlabeni; + nguNowa nalabo ababenaye emkhunjini kuphela abasinda. + 24 Amanzi aqhubeka emaningi emhlabeni izinsuku ezingu-150. +

8 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wamnaka* uNowa nazo zonke izilwane zasendle nezilwane ezifuywayo ezazinaye emkhunjini, + uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba kuvunguze umoya emhlabeni, amanzi aqala ukubohla. 2 Iziphethu zamanzi ajulile namasango amanzi emazulwini kwavalwa, ngakho imvula evela ezulwini yanqamuka.* + 3 Ngemva kwalokho amanzi ayelokhu ebohla emhlabeni. Ekupheleni kwezinsuku ezingu-150, amanzi ayesebohlile. 4 Ngenyanga yesikhombisa, ngosuku luka-17 lwenyanga, umkhumbi wahlala ezintabeni zase-Ararati. 5 Amanzi ayelokhu encipha kwaze kwaba inyanga yeshumi. Ngenyanga yeshumi, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga, iziqongo zezintaba zavela. +

6 Kwathi ekupheleni kwezinsuku ezingu-40, uNowa wavula ifasitela + ayelenze emkhunjini 7 wathumela igwababa; lalilokhu lindiza ngaphandle liphinde libuye, kwaze kwaba yilapho amanzi oma emhlabeni.

8 Kamuva wathumela ijuba ukuze abone ukuthi amanzi ayesebohlile yini emhlabathini. 9 Ijuba aliyitholanga indawo yokuphumula elalingahlala kuyo,* ngakho labuyela kuye emkhunjini ngoba amanzi ayesamboze wonke umhlaba. + Ngakho wakhiphela isandla sakhe ngaphandle walingenisa emkhunjini. 10 Walinda ezinye izinsuku eziyisikhombisa, waphinde walithumela ijuba lisuka emkhunjini. 11 Lapho ijuba lifika kuye ngesikhathi sekuzohlwa, wabona ukuthi kwakukhona iqabunga lomnqumo elalisanda kukhiwa emlonyeni walo! Ngakho uNowa wazi ukuthi amanzi ayesebohlile emhlabeni. + 12 Walinda ezinye futhi izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. Wabe esethumela ijuba, kodwa alibange lisabuyela kuye.

13 Ngonyaka ka-601, + ngenyanga yokuqala, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga, amanzi ayesemuncekile emhlabeni; uNowa wasusa isembozo somkhumbi wayesebona ukuthi umhlabathi wawoma. 14 Ngenyanga yesibili, ngosuku luka-27 lwenyanga, umhlaba wase womile.

15 UNkulunkulu wathi kuNowa: 16 “Phuma emkhunjini, wena, umkakho, amadodana akho nabafazi bamadodana akho. + 17 Khipha zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zazo zonke izinhlobo zenyama, + zezilwane ezindizayo, nezezilwane, nezazo zonke izilwane ezihuquzelayo zomhlaba ukuze zigcwale emhlabeni, zizale zande emhlabeni.” +

18 Ngakho uNowa waphuma kanye namadodana akhe, + umkakhe nabafazi bamadodana akhe. 19 Zonke izidalwa eziphilayo, zonke izilwane ezihuquzelayo nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo, yonke into ehambayo emhlabeni, kwaphuma ngamaqembu emkhunjini. + 20 Ngemva kwalokho uNowa wakhela uJehova i-altare + futhi wathatha ezinye zezilwane ezihlanzekile nezinye kuzo zonke izilwane ezindizayo ezihlanzekile, + wenza ngazo umnikelo oshiswayo e-altare. + 21 UJehova wahogela iphunga elimnandi.* Ngakho uJehova wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Ngeke ngiphinde ngiwuqalekise umhlabathi* + ngenxa yomuntu, ngoba izifiso nemicabango yenhliziyo yomuntu kubi kusukela ebusheni bakhe kuqhubeke; + futhi ngeke ngiphinde ngishaye yonke into ephilayo njengoba ngenzile. + 22 Kusukela manje, emhlabeni ngeke kuphele ukuhlwanyela imbewu nokuvuna, amakhaza nokushisa, ubusika nehlobo kanye nobusuku nemini.” +

9 UNkulunkulu wabe esebusisa uNowa namadodana akhe, wathi kubo: “Zalani nande nigcwalise umhlaba. + 2 Zonke izilwane eziphilayo zomhlaba nazo zonke izilwane ezindizayo zamazulu, nakho konke okuhamba emhlabathini nazo zonke izinhlanzi zolwandle ziyohlale zinovalo futhi zinesaba kakhulu. Manje nizozibusa.* + 3 Zonke izilwane ezihambayo eziphilayo zingaba ukudla kini. + Njengoba nje ngininike izinto ezimilayo eziluhlaza, ngininika zona zonke. + 4 Kuphela nje inyama enegazi layo, + eliwukuphila* kwayo, akumele niyidle. + 5 Ngaphandle kwalokho, ngiyofuna kulandiswe ngegazi lenu. Ngiyofuna ukuba zonke izilwane eziphilayo zilandise; umuntu ngamunye ngiyofuna alandise ngokuphila komfowabo. + 6 Noma ubani ochitha igazi lomuntu, nelakhe igazi liyochithwa omunye umuntu, + ngoba uNkulunkulu wenza umuntu ngomfanekiso wakhe. + 7 Kodwa nina, zalani nande nibe baningi, nigcwale emhlabeni.” +

8 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi kuNowa nasemadodaneni akhe ayekanye naye: 9 “Manje ngenza isivumelwano sami nani + kanye nenzalo yenu, 10 nazo zonke izidalwa* eziphilayo ezikanye nani, izinyoni, izilwane, nazo zonke ezinye izilwane eziphilayo zomhlaba ezikanye nani, zonke ezaphuma emkhunjini—zonke izilwane eziphilayo zomhlaba. + 11 Yebo, ngenza isivumelwano sami nani: Inyama* yonke ngeke iphinde ibhujiswe ngamanzi kazamcolo, uzamcolo ngeke uphinde uchithe umhlaba.” +

12 UNkulunkulu wanezela: “Yilolu uphawu lwesivumelwano engisenza phakathi kwami nani nazo zonke izidalwa* eziphilayo ezikanye nani, kuzo zonke izizukulwane ezilandelayo. 13 Ngibeka uthingo lwami efwini, luyoba uphawu lwesivumelwano esiphakathi kwami nomhlaba. 14 Noma nini lapho ngiletha ifu phezu komhlaba, nakanjani kuyovela uthingo efwini. 15 Ngiyosikhumbula nakanjani isivumelwano sami engasenza esiphakathi kwami nani nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zazo zonke izinhlobo; amanzi ngeke aphinde abe uzamcolo ozobhubhisa yonke inyama. + 16 Uthingo luyovela efwini, nakanjani ngiyolubona bese ngikhumbula isivumelwano saphakade esiphakathi kukaNkulunkulu nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zazo zonke izinhlobo emhlabeni.”

17 UNkulunkulu waphinda wathi kuNowa: “Lolu uphawu lwesivumelwano engisenza phakathi kwami nayo yonke inyama esemhlabeni.” +

18 Amadodana kaNowa aphuma emkhunjini kwakunguShemi, uHamu noJafete. + Kamuva uHamu wazala uKhanani. + 19 Lawa womathathu kwakungamadodana kaNowa, futhi bonke abantu emhlabeni bavela kuwo base besakazeka kabanzi. +

20 Manje uNowa waqala ngokuba umlimi, watshala amagilebhisi ensimini. 21 Lapho ephuza iwayini, wadakwa, waba nqunu engaphakathi etendeni lakhe. 22 UHamu, uyise kaKhanani, wabona uyise enqunu, watshela abafowabo ababili ngaphandle. 23 Ngakho uShemi noJafete bathatha ingubo bayibeka emahlombe abo bobabili bangena phakathi behlehla nyovane. Babe sebemboza ubunqunu bukayise kuyilapho ubuso babo bufulathele, abambonanga uyise enqunu.

24 Lapho selisile iwayini kuNowa futhi ezwa ngalokho indodana yakhe encane* eyayikwenzile kuye, 25 wathi:

“Makaqalekiswe uKhanani. +

Makabe isigqila sabafowabo esiphansi kunazo zonke.” +

26 Wanezela:

UKhanani makabe isigqila sakhe futhi.”

28 UNowa waphila iminyaka engu-350 ngemva kukaZamcolo. + 29 Ngakho sezizonke izinsuku zikaNowa zaba iminyaka engu-950, wayesefa.

10 Lona umlando wamadodana kaNowa, uShemi, + uHamu noJafete.

Azala amadodana ngemva kukaZamcolo. + 2 Amadodana kaJafete kwakunguGomere, + uMagogi, + uMadayi, uJavani, uThubhali, + uMesheke + noTirase. +

3 Amadodana kaGomere kwakungu-Ashikenaze, + uRifate noThogarma. +

4 Amadodana kaJavani kwakungu-Elishahi, + uTharishishi, + uKitimi + noDodanimi.

5 Abantu baseziqhingini bavela kuwo, basakazekela emazweni abo ngokwezilimi zabo, ngokwemindeni yabo nangokwezizwe zabo.

6 Amadodana kaHamu kwakunguKushe, uMizrayimi, + uPhuthi + noKhanani. +

7 Amadodana kaKushe kwakunguSeba, + uHavila, uSabhitha, uRahama + noSabhitheka.

Amadodana kaRahama kwakunguSheba noDedani.

8 UKushe wazala uNimrode. UNimrode waba owokuqala ukuba namandla emhlabeni. 9 Waba umzingeli onamandla omelene noJehova. Yingakho kukhona isisho esithi: “NjengoNimrode, umzingeli onamandla omelene noJehova.” 10 Ukuqala kombuso wakhe kwaba seBhabhele,* + e-Erekhi, + e-Akade naseKhaline, ezweni laseShinari. + 11 Wasuka kulelo zwe waya e-Asiriya, + wakha iNineve, + iRehobhoti-Iri, iKhala 12 neResene, phakathi kweNineve neKhala: Leli idolobha elikhulu.*

13 UMizrayimi wazala uLudimi, + u-Anamimi, uLehabhimi, uNafithuhimi, + 14 uPhathirusimi, + uKhasiluhimi (okwavela kuye amaFilisti +) noKhafitorimi. +

15 UKhanani wazala uSidoni, + izibulo lakhe, uHeti + 16 kanye nomJebusi, + umAmori, + umGirigashi, 17 umHivi, + umArike, umSini, 18 umArivadi, + umZemari nomHamati. + Ngemva kwalokho, imindeni yamaKhanani yahlakazeka. 19 Ngakho umngcele wamaKhanani wawuqala eSidoni uze uyofika eGerari, + eduze kwaseGaza, + ufika naseSodoma, eGomora, + e-Adima naseZebhoyimi, + eduze kwaseLasha. 20 Lawa kwakungamadodana kaHamu ngokwemindeni yawo nangokwezilimi zawo, ngokwamazwe awo nangokwezizwe zawo.

21 UShemi naye wazala izingane, ungukhokho wawo wonke amadodana ka-Ebhere + nomfowabo kaJafete omdala kunabo bonke.* 22 Amadodana kaShemi kwakungu-Elamu, + u-Ashuri, + u-Arpakishade, + uLude no-Aramu. +

23 Amadodana ka-Aramu kwakungu-Uze, uHule, uGeteri noMashe.

24 U-Arpakishade wazala uShela, + uShela wazala u-Ebhere.

25 U-Ebhere wazala amadodana amabili. Igama lenye kwakunguPhelege,* + ngoba esikhathini sokuphila kwayo kwahlukaniswa umhlaba.* Igama lomfowabo kunguJokithani. +

26 UJokithani wazala u-Alimodade, uShelefi, uHazarimaveti, uJera, + 27 uHadoramu, u-Uzali, uDikila, 28 u-Obhali, u-Abhimayeli, uSheba, 29 u-Ofiri, + uHavila noJobabi; bonke laba babengamadodana kaJokithani.

30 Indawo yabo yokuhlala yayiqala eMesha ize ifike eSefari, isifunda esinezintaba saseMpumalanga.

31 Lawa kwakungamadodana kaShemi ngokwemindeni yawo nangokwezilimi zawo, ngokwamazwe awo nangokwezizwe zawo. +

32 Lena kwakuyimindeni yamadodana kaNowa ngokozalo lwayo nangokwezizwe zayo. Izizwe zasakazeka emhlabeni zisuka kule mindeni ngemva kukaZamcolo. +

11 Bonke abantu emhlabeni babekhuluma ulimi olulodwa, beneqoqo elilodwa lamagama.* 2 Njengoba beya ngasempumalanga, bathola ithafa ezweni laseShinari, + bahlala khona. 3 Ngemva kwalokho bathi omunye komunye: “Wozani! Masenze izitini sizibhake ngomlilo.” Ngakho basebenzisa izitini esikhundleni setshe, netiyela laba udaka lwabo. 4 Base bethi: “Wozani! Masizakhele idolobha nombhoshongo onesiqongo esisemazulwini, sizenzele igama, ukuze singahlakazeki kuwo wonke umhlaba.” +

5 UJehova wabe esehla ukuze abone idolobha nombhoshongo abantu ababewakhile. 6 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi: “Bayisizwe esisodwa esikhuluma ulimi olulodwa + futhi yilokhu asebeqale ukukwenza. Manje akukho lutho abangase bacabange ukulwenza oluyobehlula. 7 Masehle + siphithanise ulimi lwabo ukuze bangaluqondi ulimi lomunye nomunye.” 8 Ngakho ukusuka lapho uJehova wabahlakazela kuwo wonke umhlaba, + kancane kancane bayeka ukwakha lelo dolobha. 9 Yingakho laqanjwa ngokuthi yiBhabhele,* + ngenxa yokuthi uJehova waluphithanisa khona ulimi lomhlaba wonke, futhi uJehova wabahlakaza basuka lapho baya kuwo wonke umhlaba.

10 Lona umlando kaShemi. +

UShemi wayeneminyaka engu-100 ubudala lapho ezala u-Arpakishade + eminyakeni emibili ngemva kukaZamcolo. 11 Ngemva kokuzala u-Arpakishade, uShemi waphila iminyaka engu-500. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi. +

12 U-Arpakishade waphila iminyaka engu-35, wayesezala uShela. + 13 Ngemva kokuzala uShela, u-Arpakishade waphila iminyaka engu-403. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

14 UShela waphila iminyaka engu-30, wayesezala u-Ebhere. + 15 Ngemva kokuzala u-Ebhere, uShela waphila iminyaka engu-403. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

16 U-Ebhere waphila iminyaka engu-34, wayesezala uPhelege. + 17 Ngemva kokuzala uPhelege, u-Ebhere waphila iminyaka engu-430. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

18 UPhelege waphila iminyaka engu-30, wayesezala uRehu. + 19 Ngemva kokuzala uRehu, uPhelege waphila iminyaka engu-209. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

20 URehu waphila iminyaka engu-32, wayesezala uSerugi. 21 Ngemva kokuzala uSerugi, uRehu waphila iminyaka engu-207. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

22 USerugi waphila iminyaka engu-30, wayesezala uNahori. 23 Ngemva kokuzala uNahori, uSerugi waphila iminyaka engu-200. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

24 UNahori waphila iminyaka engu-29, wayesezala uThera. + 25 Ngemva kokuzala uThera, uNahori waphila iminyaka engu-119. Wazala amadodana namadodakazi.

26 UThera waphila iminyaka engu-70, okwathi ngemva kwayo wazala u-Abrama, + uNahori + noHarana.

27 Lona umlando kaThera.

UThera wazala u-Abrama, uNahori noHarana; uHarana wazala uLoti. + 28 Ngesikhathi uyise kaThera esaphila, uHarana wafela ezweni azalelwa kulo, e-Uri + lamaKhaledi. + 29 U-Abrama noNahori bazithathela abafazi. Igama lomka-Abrama kwakunguSarayi, + igama lomkaNahori kunguMilka, + indodakazi kaHarana, uyise kaMilka noJiska. 30 USarayi wayeyinyumba, + engenamntwana.

31 Ngemva kwalokho uThera wathatha u-Abrama indodana yakhe noLoti umzukulu wakhe, + indodana kaHarana, noSarayi umalokazana wakhe, umka-Abrama indodana yakhe, baphuma naye e-Uri lamaKhaledi baya ezweni laseKhanani. + Ngemva kwesikhathi bafika eHarana + bahlala khona. 32 Izinsuku zikaThera zaba yiminyaka engu-205. Ngemva kwalokho uThera wafela eHarana.

12 UJehova wathi ku-Abrama: “Phuma ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho nasendlini kayihlo uye ezweni engizokutshengisa lona. + 2 Ngizokwenza ube isizwe esikhulu, ngikubusise, ngenze igama lakho libe likhulu, futhi uzoba isibusiso. + 3 Ngiyobabusisa labo abakubusisayo, ngiqalekise okuqalekisayo, + yonke imindeni yomhlaba nakanjani iyobusiswa* ngawe.” +

4 Ngakho u-Abrama wahamba njengoba nje uJehova ayemtshelile, uLoti wahamba naye. U-Abrama wayeneminyaka engu-75 ubudala lapho ehamba eHarana. + 5 U-Abrama wathatha umkakhe uSarayi + noLoti indodana yomfowabo + nayo yonke impahla ababeyiqongelele + nabantu ababebathole eHarana, bangena indlela baya ezweni laseKhanani. + Lapho befika ezweni laseKhanani, 6 u-Abrama wanqamula izwe waze wafika endaweni yaseShekemi, + eduze kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMore. + Ngaleso sikhathi kwakukhona amaKhanani ezweni. 7 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wabonakala ku-Abrama wathi: “Leli zwe + ngizolinika inzalo* + yakho.” Ngakho wamakhela lapho i-altare uJehova, owayebonakale kuye. 8 Kamuva wasuka lapho waya esifundeni esinezintaba empumalanga yeBhethele + wagxumeka itende lakhe, iBhethele lisentshonalanga, i-Ayi + lisempumalanga. Wamakhela lapho uJehova + i-altare, waqala ukumemezela igama likaJehova. + 9 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrama wasuka waya ngaseNegebhi, + elokhu ethutha esuka kwenye indawo aye kwenye.

10 Kwase kuba khona indlala ezweni, u-Abrama wehla waya eGibhithe ukuze ayohlala khona isikhashana,* + ngoba indlala yayinkulu ezweni. + 11 Lapho nje esezongena eGibhithe, wathi kuSarayi umkakhe: “Ngicela ulalele! Ngiyazi ukuthi ungowesifazane omuhle kangakanani. + 12 Lapho amaGibhithe ekubona, nakanjani azothi, ‘Lo umkakhe.’ Bese eyangibulala, kodwa wena akuyeke angakubulali. 13 Ngicela uthi ungudadewethu, ukuze kungihambele kahle ngenxa yakho, usindise ukuphila* kwami.” +

14 Lapho nje u-Abrama engena eGibhithe, amaGibhithe aphawula ukuthi owesifazane wayemuhle kakhulu. 15 Izikhulu zikaFaro nazo zambona, zaqala ukumbabaza kuFaro, kangangokuthi lona wesifazane wathathwa wayiswa endlini kaFaro. 16 UFaro wamphatha kahle u-Abrama ngenxa yakhe, waba nezimvu, izinkomo, izimbongolo zeduna nezensikazi, izinceku nezincekukazi namakamela. + 17 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova washaya uFaro nomndeni wakhe ngezifo* ezinkulu ngenxa kaSarayi, umka-Abrama. + 18 Ngakho uFaro wabiza u-Abrama wathi: “Yini le ongenze yona? Awungitshelanga ngani ukuthi ungumkakho? 19 Kungani uthe, ‘Ungudadewethu,’ + ngize ngicishe ngimthathe abe umkami? Nangu umkakho. Mthathe uhambe!” 20 Ngakho uFaro wanika amadoda iziyalezo ngokuphathelene naye, amphelezela yena nomkakhe nakho konke ayenakho. +

13 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrama wakhuphuka waphuma eGibhithe waya eNegebhi, + yena nomkakhe nakho konke ayenakho, kanye noLoti. 2 U-Abrama wayenemfuyo, isiliva negolide okuningi kakhulu. + 3 Wayelokhu ethutha esuka kwenye indawo aye kwenye njengoba ayeshiya iNegebhi eya eBhethele, kwaze kwaba yilapho efika endaweni okwakukhona kuyo itende lakhe phakathi kweBhethele ne-Ayi, + 4 endaweni ayakhe kuyo i-altare. U-Abrama walimemezela lapho igama likaJehova.

5 ULoti, owayehamba no-Abrama, naye wayenezimvu, izinkomo namatende. 6 Ngakho indawo ayibavumelanga ukuba bahlale bonke ndawonye; impahla yabo yayisiningi kakhulu kangangokuba babengasakwazi ukuhlala ndawonye. 7 Ngenxa yalokho, abelusi bemfuyo ka-Abrama nabelusi bemfuyo kaLoti baxabana. (Ngaleso sikhathi kwakuhlala amaKhanani namaPherizi ezweni.) + 8 U-Abrama wathi kuLoti: + “Ngiyacela, makungabikho kuxabana phakathi kwami nawe naphakathi kwabelusi bami nabelusi bakho ngoba wena ungumfowethu. 9 Ungakhetha noma iyiphi indawo ofuna ukuhlala kuyo kuleli zwe. Ngiyacela, masihlukane. Uma uya kwesobunxele, mina ngizoya kwesokudla; kodwa uma uya kwesokudla, mina ngizoya kwesobunxele.” 10 ULoti waphakamisa amehlo akhe wabona ukuthi sonke isifunda saseJordani + sasiyisifunda esinamanzi anele (uJehova engakalibhubhisi iSodoma neGomora), sasinjengensimu kaJehova, + sinjengezwe laseGibhithe kuze kufike eZowari. + 11 Ngemva kwalokho uLoti wazikhethela sonke isifunda saseJordani, wathuthela empumalanga. Ngakho bahlukana. 12 U-Abrama wahlala ezweni laseKhanani, kodwa uLoti wahlala phakathi kwamadolobha esifunda. + Ekugcineni uLoti wamisa itende lakhe eduze kwaseSodoma. 13 Amadoda aseSodoma ayekhohlakele, eyizoni ezinkulu kuJehova. +

14 Ngemva kokuba uLoti esehlukene no-Abrama, uJehova wathi ku-Abrama: “Ngicela uphakamise amehlo akho ukuleyo ndawo okuyo, ubheke enyakatho naseningizimu, empumalanga nasentshonalanga, 15 ngoba lonke leli zwe olibonayo, ngiyolinika wena nenzalo* yakho libe ngelenu unomphela. + 16 Ngiyokwenza inzalo* yakho ibe ningi njengesihlabathi somhlaba: uma noma ubani engabala isihlabathi somhlaba, nenzalo* yakho iyokwazi ukubalwa. + 17 Suka, hambahamba ezweni ubone ubude nobubanzi balo, ngoba ngiyolinika wena.” 18 Ngakho u-Abrama waqhubeka ehlala ematendeni. Kamuva wahamba wayohlala phakathi kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamre, + eziseHebroni, + wamakhela lapho uJehova i-altare. +

14 Ezinsukwini zika-Amrafeli inkosi yaseShinari, + u-Ariyoki inkosi yase-Elasari, uKedorlawomere + inkosi yase-Elamu, + noThidali inkosi yaseGoyimi, 2 la makhosi alwa noBhera inkosi yaseSodoma, + uBhirisha inkosi yaseGomora, + uShinaba inkosi yase-Adima, uShemeberi inkosi yaseZebhoyimi, + nenkosi yaseBhela, okungukuthi, eZowari. 3 Wonke lawa ahlangana aba ibutho eSigodini SaseSidimi,* + okungukuthi, oLwandle Lukasawoti.* +

4 Ayekhonze uKedorlawomere iminyaka engu-12, kodwa avukela ngonyaka ka-13. 5 Ngonyaka ka-14, uKedorlawomere namakhosi ayekanye naye bafika bawehlula amaRefa e-Ashiteroti-karinayimi, amaZuzi eHamu, ama-Emi + eShave-kiriyatayimi, 6 namaHori + entabeni yawo yaseSeyiri, + kwehle kuze kufike e-Eli-pharanu, esehlane. 7 Ngemva kwalokho aphindela emuva afika e-Eni-mishipati, okungukuthi, eKadeshi, + anqoba yonke indawo yama-Amaleki + nama-Amori + ayehlala eHazazoni-thamari. +

8 Kuleli qophelo, inkosi yaseSodoma yaphuma, kanye nenkosi yaseGomora, inkosi yase-Adima, inkosi yaseZebhoyimi nenkosi yaseBhela, okungukuthi, eZowari, azihlela alwa nawo eSigodini SaseSidimi,* 9 alwa noKedorlawomere inkosi yase-Elamu, uThidali inkosi yaseGoyimi, u-Amrafeli inkosi yaseShinari no-Ariyoki inkosi yase-Elasari +—amakhosi amane alwa namahlanu. 10 ISigodi SaseSidimi* sasigcwele imigodi yetiyela, amakhosi aseSodoma naseGomora azama ukubaleka akhalakathela kuyo, labo abasala babalekela esifundeni esinezintaba. 11 Abanqobi babe sebethatha yonke impahla yaseSodoma naseGomora nakho konke ukudla bahamba. + 12 Bathatha noLoti owayehlala eSodoma, + indodana yomfowabo ka-Abrama, bathatha nempahla yakhe baqhubeka nendlela yabo.

13 Ngemva kwalokho umuntu othile owayephunyukile wafika watshela u-Abrama umHebheru. Ngaleso sikhathi wayehlala* phakathi kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamre umAmori, + umfowabo ka-Eshikoli no-Aneri. + La madoda ayesizana no-Abrama. 14 U-Abrama wezwa ukuthi isihlobo + sakhe* sasithunjiwe. Ngakho wahlomisa amadoda akhe aqeqeshiwe, izinceku ezingu-318 ezizalelwe emndenini wakhe, wajaha abahlaseli waze wafika kwaDani. + 15 Ebusuku wahlukanisa amabutho akhe, yena nezinceku zakhe babahlasela, babanqoba. Wabajaha kwaze kwaba seHoba, esenyakatho yeDamaseku. 16 Wabuyisa yonke impahla, wabuyisa noLoti isihlobo sakhe, impahla yakhe, abesifazane nabanye abantu.

17 Ngemva kokuba u-Abrama ebuye ekunqobeni uKedorlawomere namakhosi ayekanye naye, inkosi yaseSodoma yaphuma yayohlangabeza u-Abrama eSigodini SaseShave,* okungukuthi iSigodi SeNkosi. + 18 UMelkhizedeki + inkosi yaseSalema + wakhipha isinkwa newayini; wayengumpristi kaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke. +

19 Ngemva kwalokho wambusisa wathi:

U-Abrama wamnika okweshumi kwayo yonke into. +

21 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yaseSodoma yathi ku-Abrama: “Nginikeze abantu,* wena uzithathele impahla.” 22 Kodwa u-Abrama wathi enkosini yaseSodoma: “Ngiphakamisa isandla sami ngiyafunga kuJehova uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, uMenzi wezulu nomhlaba, 23 ukuthi ngeke ngithathe lutho olungolwakho, kusukela emucwini kuya ebhandeni lembadada, ukuze ungasho ukuthi, ‘Yimi ocebise u-Abrama.’ 24 Ngeke ngithathe lutho ngaphandle kwalokho izinsizwa esezikudlile kakade. Ngokuqondene nengxenye yamadoda ahambe nami, u-Aneri, u-Eshikoli noMamre +—wona mawathathe ingxenye yawo.”

15 Ngemva kwalokhu izwi likaJehova lafika ku-Abrama embonweni, lathi: “Ungesabi, + Abrama. Ngiyihawu lakho. + Umvuzo wakho uyoba mkhulu kakhulu.” + 2 U-Abrama waphendula: “Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova, uyonginikani, njengoba ngilokhu ngingenamntwana futhi umuntu oyodla ifa lomuzi wami kungumuntu waseDamaseku, u-Eliyezeri?” + 3 U-Abrama wanezela: “Awunginikanga nzalo* + futhi ilungu* lomndeni wami yilo elingilandelayo njengendlalifa.” 4 Kodwa izwi likaJehova laphendula lathi kuye: “Lo muntu ngeke abe indlalifa yakho, kodwa yindodana yakho* ezoba indlalifa yakho.” +

5 Wabe esemkhiphela ngaphandle wathi: “Ngicela ubheke phezulu emazulwini ubale izinkanyezi, uma ukwazi ukuzibala.” Ngemva kwalokho wathi kuye: “Iyoba ngako inzalo* yakho.” + 6 U-Abrama waba nokholo kuJehova, + uNkulunkulu wayesembheka njengolungile. + 7 UNkulunkulu wabe esenezela: “NginguJehova, owakukhipha e-Uri lamaKhaledi ukuba ngikunike leli zwe libe elakho.” + 8 U-Abrama wathi: “Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova, ngizokwazi kanjani ukuthi ngiyolithatha libe ngelami?” 9 Waphendula wathi kuye: “Ngithathele isithole esineminyaka emithathu ubudala, imbuzi yensikazi eneminyaka emithathu ubudala, inqama eneminyaka emithathu ubudala, ihobhe nephuphu lejuba.” 10 Wazithatha zonke lezi zilwane wazisika zaba izingxenye ezimbili, ingxenye ngayinye wayibeka yabhekana nenye,* kodwa akazisikanga izinyoni. 11 Ngemva kwalokho izinyoni ezidla inyama zaqala ukwehlela phezu kwezidumbu, kodwa u-Abrama wayelokhu ezixosha.

12 Lapho ilanga selizoshona, u-Abrama wafikelwa ubuthongo obukhulu, ubumnyama obukhulu nobethusayo behlela kuye. 13 UNkulunkulu wabe esethi ku-Abrama: “Yazi ngokuqinisekile ukuthi inzalo* yakho iyoba izifiki ezweni elingelona elayo, nokuthi abantu bakhona bayoyenza izigqila bayihluphe iminyaka engu-400. + 14 Ngiyosahlulela isizwe eyosikhonza, + ngemva kwalokho iyophuma inempahla eningi. + 15 Wena, uyofa ngokuthula usugugile, + ungcwatshwe nokhokho bakho. 16 Kodwa isizukulwane sesine sayo siyobuyela lapha, + ngoba isono sama-Amori asikafinyeleli ekugcineni.”* +

17 Lapho ilanga selishonile, sekumnyama kakhulu, kwavela umlilo omkhulu* oshunqa intuthu futhi kwadlula isibani esivuthayo phakathi kwezingxenye zenyama. 18 Ngalolo suku uJehova wenza isivumelwano + no-Abrama, wathi: “Leli zwe ngiyolinika + inzalo* yakho, kusukela emfuleni waseGibhithe kuze kufike emfuleni omkhulu, umfula i-Ewufrathe: + 19 izwe lamaKheni, + lamaKhenizi, lamaKhadimoni, 20 lamaHeti, + lamaPherizi, + lamaRefa, + 21 lama-Amori, lamaKhanani, lamaGirigashi nelamaJebusi.” +

16 Manje umka-Abrama uSarayi, wayengamzalelanga bantwana, + kodwa wayenencekukazi engumGibhithe egama layo linguHagari. + 2 Ngakho uSarayi wathi ku-Abrama: “Ngicela ungilalele! UJehova ungivimbile ukuba ngingabatholi abantwana. Ngiyacela, lala nencekukazi yami. Mhlawumbe ngingathola abantwana ngayo.” + Ngakho u-Abrama wakulalela okwakushiwo uSarayi. 3 Ngemva kweminyaka eyishumi u-Abrama ehlala ezweni laseKhanani, umka-Abrama uSarayi, wathatha incekukazi yakhe engumGibhithe uHagari, wayinika umyeni wakhe u-Abrama njengomkakhe. 4 Ngakho walala noHagari, wakhulelwa. Lapho eqaphela ukuthi ukhulelwe, waqala ukudelela umka-Abrama.

5 Ngenxa yalokho uSarayi wathi ku-Abrama: “Into ebuhlungu engenziwe yona iyiphutha lakho. Yimina engabeka incekukazi yami ezingalweni zakho,* kodwa lapho iqaphela ukuthi ikhulelwe, yaqala ukungidelela. Kwangathi uJehova angahlulela phakathi kwami nawe.” 6 U-Abrama wathi kuSarayi: “Incekukazi yakho ingaphansi kwegunya lakho. Yenza kuyo noma ikuphi okubona kukuhle.” Ngemva kwalokho uSarayi wayihlazisa, yase imbalekela.

7 Kamuva ingelosi kaJehova yayithola emthonjeni wamanzi osehlane, umthombo osendleleni eya eShuri. + 8 Yathi: “Hagari, ncekukazi kaSarayi, uvelaphi futhi uyaphi?” UHagari wathi: “Ngibalekela indlovukazi yami uSarayi.” 9 Ingelosi kaJehova yabe isithi kuye: “Buyela endlovukazini yakho uzithobe ngaphansi kwesandla sayo.” 10 Ngemva kwalokho ingelosi kaJehova yathi: “Ngizoyandisa kakhulu inzalo* yakho, ibe ningi kakhulu ukuba ingabalwa.” + 11 Ingelosi kaJehova yanezela: “Manje ukhulelwe futhi uzozala indodana. Kumele uyiqambe ngokuthi u-Ishmayeli,* ngoba uJehova ukuzwile ukuhlupheka kwakho. 12 Yona, iyoba njengembongolo yasendle.* Isandla sayo siyomelana nawo wonke umuntu, nesandla sawo wonke umuntu siyomelana nayo, iyohlala eduze kwabo bonke abafowabo.”*

13 UHagari wabe esedumisa* igama likaJehova, owayekhuluma naye, wathi: “UnguNkulunkulu obonayo,” + ngoba wathi: “Ingabe ngempela ngimbonile ongibonayo?” 14 Yingakho lowo mthombo kwathiwa iBheri-lahayi-royi.* (Uphakathi kweKadeshi neBeredi.) 15 UHagari wazalela u-Abrama indodana, u-Abrama waqamba indodana yakhe ayizalelwa uHagari ngokuthi u-Ishmayeli. + 16 U-Abrama wayeneminyaka engu-86 lapho uHagari emzalela u-Ishmayeli.

17 Lapho u-Abrama eneminyaka engu-99 ubudala, uJehova wabonakala kuye wathi: “NginguNkulunkulu uMninimandla Onke. Hamba phambi kwami ungabi naphutha.* 2 Ngizokwenza isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe + futhi ngiyokwandisa kakhulu impela.” +

3 U-Abrama waguqa wayesekhothama, uNkulunkulu waqhubeka ekhuluma naye, ethi: 4 “Mina, isivumelwano sami ngisenze nawe, + nakanjani uyoba ubaba wezizwe eziningi. + 5 Igama lakho ngeke kusathiwa u-Abrama,* kodwa kuzothiwa u-Abrahama,* ngoba ngiyokwenza ubaba wezizwe eziningi. 6 Ngiyokunika inzalo eningi kakhulu, ngiyokwenza ube izizwe, futhi kuyophuma amakhosi kuwe. +

7 “Ngiyosigcina isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe + nenzalo* yakho kuzo zonke izizukulwane zayo kube isivumelwano saphakade, ukuze ngibe uNkulunkulu kuwe nasenzalweni* yakho. 8 Wena nenzalo* yakho ngiyoninika izwe enanihlala kulo njengezifiki—lonke izwe laseKhanani +—libe elenu unomphela futhi ngiyoba uNkulunkulu wayo.” +

9 UNkulunkulu waphinde wathi ku-Abrahama: “Kodwa wena kumele ugcine isivumelwano sami, wena nenzalo* yakho kuzo zonke izizukulwane zayo. 10 Nasi isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nani, eniyosigcina wena nenzalo* yakho: Wonke umuntu wesilisa kini kumele asokwe. + 11 Kumele nisokwe, futhi lokho kuyosebenza njengophawu lwesivumelwano phakathi kwami nani. + 12 Kuzo zonke izizukulwane zenu, wonke umuntu wesilisa kini onezinsuku ezingu-8 ubudala kumele asokwe, + noma ubani ozelwe endlini yakho nanoma ubani ongeyona inzalo* yakho futhi othengwe ngemali kumuntu oyisifiki. 13 Wonke amadoda azelwe endlini yakho nawo wonke amadoda athengwe ngemali yakho kumele asokwe, + isivumelwano sami enyameni yenu kumele sisebenze njengesivumelwano saphakade. 14 Uma noma imuphi owesilisa ongasokile engeke alisike ijwabu lakhe, lowo muntu* kumele anqunywe* kubantu bakubo. Uphule isivumelwano sami.”

15 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi ku-Abrahama: “USarayi* + umkakho, ungambizi ngokuthi uSarayi, ngoba igama lakhe sekuzoba uSara.* 16 Ngiyombusisa futhi ngikunike indodana ngaye; + ngiyombusisa futhi uyoba yizizwe; amakhosi ezizwe ayovela kuye.” 17 U-Abrahama waguqa wakhothama futhi wahleka wathi enhliziyweni yakhe: + “Ingabe indoda eneminyaka engu-100 ubudala izozalelwa umntwana, futhi ingabe uSara, owesifazane oneminyaka engu-90 ubudala, uzozala?” +

18 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathi kuNkulunkulu weqiniso: “O kwangathi u-Ishmayeli angaphila phambi kwakho!” + 19 UNkulunkulu wabe esethi: “Umkakho uSara nakanjani uzokuzalela indodana futhi kumele uyiqambe ngokuthi u-Isaka.* + Ngiyokwenza naye isivumelwano sami sibe isivumelwano saphakade enzalweni* yakhe. + 20 Kodwa ngokuqondene no-Ishmayeli ngikuzwile. Bheka! Ngiyombusisa futhi ngimenze azale ande kakhulu impela. Uyoveza izikhulu ezingu-12 futhi ngiyomenza abe isizwe esikhulu. + 21 Nokho, ngizokwenza isivumelwano sami no-Isaka, + uSara azokuzalela yena ngalesi sikhathi esibekiwe ngonyaka ozayo.” +

22 Lapho uNkulunkulu eqeda ukukhuluma naye, wenyuka esuka ku-Abrahama. 23 U-Abrahama wabe esethatha u-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe nawo wonke amadoda azelwe endlini yakhe nawo wonke umuntu ayemthenge ngemali, bonke abesilisa bomndeni ka-Abrahama wabasika ijwabu ngalo kanye lolo suku, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayekhulume naye. + 24 U-Abrahama wayeneminyaka engu-99 ubudala lapho esokwa. + 25 U-Ishmayeli, indodana yakhe, wayeneminyaka engu-13 ubudala lapho esokwa. + 26 Ngalo kanye lolo suku, u-Abrahama wasokwa kanye nendodana yakhe u-Ishmayeli. 27 Wonke amadoda omndeni wakhe, noma ubani ozelwe endlini yakhe nanoma ubani othengwe ngemali kumuntu oyisifiki, wasokwa kanye naye.

18 Kamuva uJehova + wabonakala ku-Abrahama phakathi kwezihlahla ezinkulu zikaMamre, + lapho ehleli emnyango wetende ngesikhathi esishisa kakhulu sosuku. 2 Waphakamisa ikhanda, wabona amadoda amathathu emi buqamama naye. + Lapho ewabona, wagijima wawahlangabeza esuka emnyango wetende, waguqa wayesekhothama phansi emhlabathini. 3 Wabe esethi: “Jehova,* uma ngithole umusa kuwe, ngicela ungadluli encekwini yakho. 4 Ngiyacela, makulethwe amanzi amancane nigezwe izinyawo + bese nihlala phansi kwesihlahla. 5 Njengoba senifike lapha encekwini yenu, mangilethe ucezu lwesinkwa ukuze nibuyise amandla.* Ngemva kwalokho, ningaqhubeka nohambo lwenu.” Kulokho athi: “Kulungile. Ungenza njengoba ukhulumile.”

6 Ngakho u-Abrahama waphuthuma etendeni kuSara wathi: “Shesha! Thatha izilinganiso* ezintathu zikafulawa ocolekile, uxove inhlama wenze olofu bezinkwa.” 7 U-Abrahama wabe esegijima waya emhlanjini wezinkomo wakhetha ithole leduna elihle nelekhethelo. Walinika isikhonzi, sashesha salilungisa. 8 Wabe esethatha ibhotela nobisi nethole leduna ayelilungisile wakubeka phambi kwawo. Ngemva kwalokho wama ngakuwo phansi kwesihlahla njengoba edla. +

9 Athi kuye: “Uphi umkakho uSara?” + Waphendula: “Ulapha etendeni.” 10 Enye yawo yaqhubeka: “Nakanjani ngizobuyela kuwe ngonyaka ozayo ngalesi sikhathi, futhi lalela! umkakho uSara uzobe esenendodana.” + USara wayelalele esemnyango wetende elalingemva kwale ndoda. 11 U-Abrahama noSara base bebadala, sebekhulile impela. + USara wayesedlulile eminyakeni yokuthola abantwana. + 12 Ngakho uSara wahleka, ethi: “Ngemva kokuba sengigugile nenkosi yami isindala, ingabe ngempela ngizoba nayo le njabulo?” + 13 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi ku-Abrahama: “Uhlekeleni uSara, ethi, ‘Ingabe ngempela ngizozala nakuba sengimdala?’ 14 Ingabe kukhona okungaphezu kwamandla kaJehova? + Ngizobuyela kuwe ngonyaka ozayo ngalesi sikhathi esibekiwe, uSara uzobe esenendodana.” 15 Kodwa uSara waphika, ethi, “Angihlekanga!” ngoba wayesaba. Kulokhu uNkulunkulu wathi: “Yebo! Uhlekile.”

16 Lapho la madoda esukuma ukuze ahambe futhi ebheka ezansi ngaseSodoma, + u-Abrahama wahamba nawo ewaphelezela. 17 UJehova wathi: “Ingabe ngiyamfihlela u-Abrahama lokho engizokwenza? + 18 Phela, u-Abrahama ngokuqinisekile uzoba isizwe esikhulu nesinamandla futhi zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyobusiswa* ngaye. + 19 Ngoba ngiye ngamazi ukuze ayale amadodana akhe nayo yonke inzalo yakhe ukuba bagcine indlela kaJehova ngokwenza okulungile nobulungisa, + ukuze uJehova akwenze lokho akuthembisile ngo-Abrahama.”

20 UJehova wabe esethi: “Isikhalo ngeSodoma neGomora sikhulu impela, + nesono sabo sikhulu kakhulu. + 21 Ngizokwehla ukuze ngibone ukuthi benza ngokwesikhalo esiye safika kimi yini. Uma kungenjalo, ngizokwazi.” +

22 Ngemva kwalokho la madoda asuka lapho aya ngaseSodoma, kodwa uJehova + wasala no-Abrahama. 23 U-Abrahama wabe esesondela wathi: “Ingabe ngempela uzobhubhisa olungile kanye nomubi? + 24 Ake sithi kukhona abantu abalungile abangu-50 edolobheni. Ingabe-ke ubuzobabhubhisa ungayixoleli indawo ngenxa yabalungile abangu-50 abakulo? 25 Kuyinto engacabangeki ukuthi ungenza ngale ndlela, ubulale umuntu olungile kanye nomubi ukuze isiphetho solungile nomubi sifane! + Kuyinto engacabangeki ngawe. + Ubengeke yini umaHluleli womhlaba wonke enze okulungile?” + 26 UJehova wabe esethi: “Uma ngingathola edolobheni laseSodoma abantu abalungile abangu-50, ngizoyixolela yonke indawo ngenxa yabo.” 27 Kodwa u-Abrahama waphinde waphendula: “Uxolo ngokugabadela ngikhulume nawe Jehova, ngibe ngiluthuli nomlotha. 28 Ake sithi kulabo abangu-50 abalungile kushoda abahlanu. Ingabe ubuzobhubhisa lonke idolobha ngenxa yabahlanu?” Waphendula wathi: “Ngeke ngilibhubhise uma ngithola kulo abangu-45.” +

29 Kodwa waphinda futhi wakhuluma naye wathi: “Ake sithi kutholakala abangu-40 kulo.” Yena waphendula: “Ngeke ngikwenze ngenxa yabangu-40.” 30 Kodwa waqhubeka wathi: “Ngiyacela Jehova, ungangithukutheleli kakhulu, + kodwa ngivumele ngiqhubeke ngikhulume: Ake sithi kutholakala abangu-30 kuphela kulo.” Yena waphendula: “Ngeke ngikwenze uma ngithola abangu-30 kulo.” 31 Kodwa waqhubeka wathi: “Ngiyacela, ngiye ngagabadela ngakhuluma noJehova: Ake sithi kutholakala abangu-20 kuphela kulo.” Yena waphendula: “Ngeke ngilibhubhise ngenxa yabangu-20.” 32 Ekugcineni wathi: “Jehova, ngiyacela, ungangithukutheleli kakhulu, kodwa ngivumele ngikhulume okokugcina nje kuphela: Ake sithi kutholakala abayishumi kuphela.” Yena waphendula: “Ngeke ngilibhubhise ngenxa yabayishumi.” 33 Lapho uJehova eseqedile ukukhuluma no-Abrahama, wahamba, + no-Abrahama wabuyela endaweni yakhe.

19 Izingelosi ezimbili zafika eSodoma kusihlwa, uLoti wayehlezi esangweni laseSodoma. Lapho uLoti ezibona, wasukuma eyozihlangabeza wafike waguqa wakhothama, ubuso bakhe bubheke phansi. + 2 ULoti wathi: “Makhosi ami ngicela ningene endlini yenceku yenu nihlale ubusuku bonke, nigezwe nezinyawo. Ngemva kwalokho ningavuka ekuseni niqhubeke nendlela yenu.” Zona zathi: “Cha, sizohlala esigcawini ubusuku bonke.” 3 Kodwa wayelokhu ephikelela kangangokuthi zahamba naye zangena endlini yakhe. Wabe esezenzela idili, wabhaka isinkwa esingenamvubelo, zadla.

4 Zingakalali, amadoda edolobha—amadoda aseSodoma, kusukela kumfana kuya ekhehleni, wonke—azungeza indlu eyisixuku esisodwa. 5 Ayelokhu ememeza uLoti ethi kuye: “Aphi amadoda angene kwakho kusihlwa? Sikhiphele wona ukuze silale nawo.” +

6 Ngemva kwalokho uLoti waphuma waya kuwo emnyango, wayesevala isicabha. 7 Wathi: “Ngiyanicela bafowethu, ningenzi okubi. 8 Ngiyanicela, nginamadodakazi amabili angakaze alale nendoda. Ngicela ningivumele ngiwakhiphele kini ukuze nenze noma yini ebonakala iyinhle kini. Kodwa ningenzi lutho kula madoda, ngoba angene ngaphansi kophahla lwami.”* + 9 Aphendula athi: “Qhela!” Anezela: “Lo muntu oyedwa nje oyisifiki wafika ezohlala lapha kodwa uyasahlulela! Manje sizokwenza okubi kakhulu kuwe kunakuwo.” Eza amcindezela kakhulu uLoti, asondela ukuze abhodloze isicabha. 10 Amadoda ayengaphakathi endlini elula izandla, adonsela uLoti endlini, avala umnyango. 11 Kodwa awenza izimpumputhe amadoda ayephambi komnyango wendlu, kusukela komncane kunabo bonke kuya komkhulu kunabo bonke, kangangokuba akhathala ezama ukuthola umnyango.

12 Ngemva kwalokho la madoda athi kuLoti: “Ukhona omunye onaye lapha? Abakhwenyana, amadodana akho, amadodakazi akho nabo bonke abantu bakini edolobheni, bakhiphe kule ndawo! 13 Ngoba sizoyibhubhisa le ndawo, isikhalo ngabantu bakhona sesisikhulu kakhulu phambi kukaJehova, + kangangokuthi uJehova usithumile ukuba silibhubhise leli dolobha.” 14 Ngakho uLoti waphuma wakhuluma nabakhwenyana bakwakhe ababezoshada amadodakazi akhe, elokhu ethi: “Sukumani! Phumani kule ndawo, ngoba uJehova uzolibhubhisa leli dolobha!” Kodwa kubakhwenyana bakwakhe wabonakala sengathi uyadlala. +

15 Njengoba kwase kuzokusa, izingelosi zamsheshisisa uLoti, zithi: “Sukuma! Thatha umkakho namadodakazi akho amabili alapha kanye nawe, ukuze ungabhujiswa ngesono sedolobha!” + 16 Ngenxa yokuthi uJehova wayemzwela, lapho elokhu ebamba eyeka, + la madoda abamba isandla sakhe nesandla somkakhe nezandla zamadodakazi akhe amabili, amkhiphela ngaphandle ammisa ngaphandle kwedolobha. + 17 Lapho nje esebakhiphele ngaphandle, enye yawo yathi: “Baleka usindise ukuphila* kwakho! Ungabheki emuva + futhi ungami kunoma iyiphi ingxenye yesifunda! + Balekela esifundeni esinezintaba ukuze ungabhujiswa!”

18 ULoti wabe esethi kuwo: “Ngicela ukungayi lapho Jehova!* 19 Manje ngiyazi ukuthi uyangamukela njengenceku yakho futhi ungibonisa umusa omkhulu* ngokungigcina ngiphila, + kodwa angikwazi ukubalekela esifundeni esinezintaba ngoba ngesaba ukuthi ngingase ngehlelwe inhlekelele ngife. + 20 Ngiyacela, leli dolobhana liseduze, ngingakwazi ukubalekela kulo; limane liyindawo encane. Ngingabalekela yini kulo? Limane liyindawo encane. Uma kunjalo ngizosinda.” 21 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Kuhle kakhulu, ngizophinde ngibonise ukukucabangela + ngokungaligumbuqeli idolobha okhuluma ngalo. + 22 Shesha! Balekela khona, ngoba angikwazi kwenza lutho uze ufike khona!” + Yingakho aqamba lelo dolobha ngokuthi iZowari.* +

23 Ilanga lase liphumile phezu kwezwe lapho uLoti efika eZowari. 24 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wenza ukuba kune isibabule nomlilo eSodoma naseGomora—kwakuvela kuJehova, ezulwini. + 25 Ngakho wawagumbuqela la madolobha, yebo, sonke isifunda, nabo bonke abantu bakulawo madolobha nezitshalo zomhlabathi. + 26 Kodwa umkaLoti, owayengemva kwakhe, waqala ukubheka emuva, waba insika kasawoti. +

27 U-Abrahama wavuka ekuseni kakhulu waya endaweni ayekade emi kuyo phambi kukaJehova. + 28 Lapho ebheka ezansi ngaseSodoma naseGomora nakulo lonke izwe lesifunda, wabona isimanga. Kwakwenyuka ifu lentuthu isuka ezweni njengefu lentuthu kahhonela!* + 29 Ngakho lapho uNkulunkulu ebhubhisa amadolobha esifunda, wamkhumbula u-Abrahama ngokukhipha uLoti emadolobheni awagumbuqela, amadolobha uLoti ayehlala kuwo. +

30 Kamuva uLoti wakhuphuka esuka eZowari namadodakazi akhe amabili wayohlala esifundeni esinezintaba, + ngoba wayesaba ukuhlala eZowari. + Ngakho wahlala emhumeni namadodakazi akhe amabili. 31 Eyizibulo yathi kwencane: “Ubaba usemdala, akukho ndoda kuleli zwe engalala nathi ngokwesiko lomhlaba wonke. 32 Woza, masinike ubaba iwayini aphuze bese silala naye silondoloze inzalo kababa.”

33 Ngakho ngalobo busuku ayelokhu enika uyise iwayini ukuze aphuze; eyizibulo yabe isingena yalala noyise, kodwa akazanga lapho ilala nalapho ivuka. 34 Ngosuku olulandelayo, eyizibulo yathi kwencane: “Mina ngilale nobaba izolo ebusuku. Masimnike iwayini ukuze aphuze nanamuhla ebusuku. Ngemva kwalokho nawe ungene ulale naye, silondoloze inzalo evela kubaba.” 35 Ngakho nangalobo busuku, amnika ngokuphindaphindiwe uyise iwayini ukuze aphuze; ngemva kwalokho encane yalala naye, kodwa akazanga lapho ilala nalapho ivuka. 36 Ngakho womabili amadodakazi kaLoti akhulelwa ekhuleliswa uyise. 37 Eyizibulo yazala indodana yayiqamba ngokuthi uMowabi. + Unguyise wabakwaMowabi banamuhla. + 38 Encane nayo yazala indodana, yayiqamba ngokuthi uBheni-ami. Unguyise wabakwa-Amoni + banamuhla.

20 Manje u-Abrahama wathutha itende lakhe + waya ezweni laseNegebhi wafike wahlala phakathi kweKadeshi + neShuri. + Ngesikhathi ehlala* eGerari, + 2 u-Abrahama waphinda wathi ngomkakhe uSara: “Ungudadewethu.” + Ngakho u-Abhimeleki inkosi yaseGerari wathumela ukuba kulandwe uSara futhi wamthatha. + 3 Kamuva uNkulunkulu wafika ku-Abhimeleki ebusuku ngephupho wathi kuye: “Bheka ufana nosefile ngenxa yowesifazane omthathile, + ngoba ushadile ungowenye indoda.” + 4 Nokho, u-Abhimeleki wayengasondelanga kuye.* Ngakho wathi: “Jehova, ingabe uzosibulala isizwe esingenacala* ngempela? 5 Akashongo yini kimi ukuthi, ‘Ungudadewethu,’ naye akashongo yini ukuthi, ‘Ungumfowethu’? Lokhu ngikwenze ngokwethembeka ngaphandle kwezinhloso ezimbi.” 6 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu weqiniso wathi kuye ephusheni: “Ngiyazi ukuthi lokhu ukwenze ngokwethembeka, ngakho ngikuvimbile ukuba ungoni kimi. Yingakho ngingakuvumelanga ukuba umthinte. 7 Manje buyisela umfazi wale ndoda, ngoba ingumprofethi, + izokunxusela + futhi uzoqhubeka uphila. Kodwa uma ungambuyiseli, yazi ukuthi uzofa nakanjani, wena nabo bonke abangabakho.”

8 U-Abhimeleki wavuka kusesekuseni wabiza zonke izinceku zakhe wazitshela zonke lezi zinto, ngakho zesaba kakhulu. 9 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abhimeleki wabiza u-Abrahama wathi kuye: “Yini le osenze yona? Ngenze sono sini kuwe, uze ungilethele mina nombuso wami isono esikhulu kangaka? Le nto ongenze yona ibingafanele.” 10 U-Abhimeleki wabe esethi ku-Abrahama: “Yini obuyihlosile ngesikhathi wenza le nto?” + 11 U-Abrahama wathi: “Yingoba ngangizitshele ukuthi, ‘Ngokuqinisekile akukho ukumesaba uNkulunkulu kule ndawo futhi bazongibulala ngenxa yomkami.’ + 12 Ngaphandle kwalokho, ungudadewethu ngempela, indodakazi kababa, kodwa akayona indodakazi kamama, futhi waba umkami. + 13 Lapho uNkulunkulu ethi angisuke endlini kababa ngihambe ngizula, + ngathi kuSara: ‘Lena makube yindlela ongibonisa ngayo uthando oluqotho: Kuzo zonke izindawo esiya kuzo, wothi ngami, “Ungumfowethu.”’” +

14 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abhimeleki wathatha izimvu nezinkomo nezinceku nezincekukazi wakunika u-Abrahama, wabuyisela kuye umkakhe uSara. 15 U-Abhimeleki waphinde wathi: “Nali izwe lami. Hlala nomaphi la uthanda khona.” 16 KuSara wathi: “Bheka nginika umfowenu + izinhlamvu ezingu-1 000 zesiliva. Ziwuphawu lobumsulwa bakho kubo bonke abanawe, naphambi kwawo wonke umuntu futhi sisusiwe isihlamba kuwe.” 17 U-Abrahama waqala ukunxusa uNkulunkulu weqiniso, uNkulunkulu wamelapha u-Abhimeleki nomkakhe nezigqilakazi zakhe, baqala ukuzala abantwana; 18 ngoba uJehova wayenze bonke abesifazane bendlu ka-Abhimeleki baba izinyumba* ngenxa kaSara, umka-Abrahama. +

21 UJehova wamnaka uSara njengoba nje ayeshilo futhi uJehova wenzela uSara lokho ayekuthembisile. + 2 Ngakho uSara wakhulelwa + wazalela u-Abrahama indodana ekugugeni kwakhe ngesikhathi esibekiwe uNkulunkulu ayesithembise u-Abrahama. + 3 U-Abrahama waqamba indodana yakhe eyayisanda kuzalwa, uSara ayemzalele yona, ngokuthi u-Isaka. + 4 U-Abrahama wasoka indodana yakhe u-Isaka lapho inezinsuku ezingu-8 ubudala, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile. + 5 U-Abrahama wayeneminyaka engu-100 ubudala lapho ezalelwa indodana yakhe u-Isaka. 6 USara wabe esethi: “UNkulunkulu ungilethele injabulo; wonke umuntu ozwa ngakho uzojabula* kanye nami.”* 7 Wanezela: “Ubani obengathi ku-Abrahama, ‘Nakanjani uSara uzoncelisa abantwana’? Noma kunjalo, ngimzalele indodana ekugugeni kwakhe.”

8 Umntwana wakhula wayekiswa ibele, u-Abrahama wahlela ukuba kube nedili elikhulu ngosuku lokulunyulwa kuka-Isaka. 9 Kodwa uSara wayelokhu eqaphela ukuthi indodana kaHagari + umGibhithe, ayeyizalele u-Abrahama, yayigcona u-Isaka. + 10 Ngakho wathi ku-Abrahama: “Xosha lesi sigqilakazi kanye nendodana yaso, ngoba indodana yalesi sigqilakazi ngeke ibe indlalifa kanye nendodana yami, u-Isaka!” + 11 Kodwa u-Abrahama akakuthandanga neze lokho uSara akusho ngendodana yakhe. + 12 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi ku-Abrahama: “Makungakucasuli lokho uSara akushoyo kuwe ngomfana nangesigqilakazi sakho. Mlalele,* ngoba lokho okuyobizwa ngokuthi inzalo* yakho kuyoba khona ngo-Isaka. + 13 Ngokuqondene nendodana yesigqilakazi, + nayo ngiyokwenza isizwe ngayo + ngoba iyinzalo* yakho.”

14 Ngakho u-Abrahama wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wathatha isinkwa nesigubhu samanzi sesikhumba wakunika uHagari. Wakubeka ehlombe lakhe wayesemhambisa kanye nomfana. + Ngakho uHagari wahamba wazulazula ehlane laseBheri-sheba. + 15 Ekugcineni amanzi aphela esigujini sesikhumba, wayesebeka umfana ngaphansi kwesihlahla. 16 Wabe esehamba yedwa wayohlala phansi buqamama, ethi: “Angifuni ukubona umfana efa.” Ngakho wahlala phansi buqamama wakhala kakhulu.

17 UNkulunkulu walizwa izwi lomfana, + ingelosi kaNkulunkulu yabiza uHagari isezulwini yathi kuye: + “Kwenzenjani Hagari? Ungesabi ngoba uNkulunkulu ulizwile izwi lomfana laphaya lapho ekhona. 18 Sukuma uphakamise umfana umbambe ngesandla, ngoba ngizomenza isizwe esikhulu.” + 19 UNkulunkulu wabe esevula amehlo kaHagari wabona umthombo wamanzi, wahamba wayogcwalisa isigubhu sesikhumba ngamanzi waphuzisa umfana. 20 Umfana + wathola umusa kaNkulunkulu njengoba ekhula. Wahlala ehlane waba umcibi. 21 Wahlala ehlane lasePharanu, + unina wamthathela umfazi ezweni laseGibhithe.

22 Ngaleso sikhathi u-Abhimeleki ekanye noFikoli induna yebutho lakhe wathi ku-Abrahama: “UNkulunkulu unawe kukho konke okwenzayo. + 23 Ngakho manje funga uNkulunkulu kimi lapha ukuthi ngeke usebenzelane nami nenzalo yami ngokungathembeki, nokuthi uzosebenzelana nami nezwe obuhlala kulo ngothando oluqotho olufanayo nengikubonise lona.” + 24 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathi: “Ngiyafunga.”

25 Noma kunjalo, u-Abrahama wakhononda ku-Abhimeleki ngomthombo wamanzi izinceku zika-Abhimeleki ezaziwuqhwagile. + 26 U-Abhimeleki waphendula: “Angazi ukuthi ubani owenze le nto; awungitshelanga lutho ngayo futhi angizwanga lutho ngayo kuze kube namuhla.” 27 U-Abrahama wabe esethatha izimvu nezinkomo wazinika u-Abhimeleki, bobabili benza isivumelwano. 28 Lapho u-Abrahama ehlukanisa amawundlu ezinsikazi ayisikhombisa emhlanjini ewabeka wodwa, 29 u-Abhimeleki wathi ku-Abrahama: “Kungani uwabeke wodwa lapha la mawundlu ezinsikazi ayisikhombisa?” 30 U-Abrahama wathi: “Kumele uwathathe esandleni sami la mawundlu ezinsikazi ayisikhombisa, abe ubufakazi bokuthi yimi engiwumbile lo mthombo.” 31 Yingakho aqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iBheri-sheba,* + ngoba yilapho bobabili ababenze khona isifungo. 32 Ngakho benza isivumelwano + eBheri-sheba, okwathi ngemva kwalokho u-Abhimeleki wasuka kanye noFikoli induna yakhe yempi, babuyela ezweni lamaFilisti. + 33 Ngemva kwalokho watshala umthamariske* eBheri-sheba, wamemezela khona igama likaJehova, + uNkulunkulu waphakade. + 34 U-Abrahama wahlala* isikhathi eside* ezweni lamaFilisti. +

22 Manje ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu weqiniso wamvivinya + u-Abrahama, wathi kuye: “Abrahama!” yena waphendula wathi: “Ngilapha!” 2 UNkulunkulu wabe esethi: “Ngicela uthathe indodana yakho, okuwukuphela kwendodana oyithanda kakhulu, + u-Isaka, + uhambe uye ezweni laseMoriya + uyinikele lapho njengomnikelo oshiswayo kwenye yezintaba engizokubonisa yona.”

3 Ngakho u-Abrahama wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wabophela imbongolo yakhe, wathatha ezimbili ezincekwini zakhe kanye nendodana yakhe, u-Isaka. Wacanda izinkuni zomnikelo oshiswayo, wayesesuka wahamba waya endaweni uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayekhulume ngayo. 4 Ngosuku lwesithathu u-Abrahama waphakamisa amehlo wayibona leyo ndawo esekude. 5 U-Abrahama wathi ezincekwini zakhe: “Nina hlalani lapha kanye nembongolo, kodwa mina nomfana sizoya laphaya siyokhonza uNkulunkulu bese sibuyela kini.”

6 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathatha izinkuni zomnikelo oshiswayo wazithwesa indodana yakhe u-Isaka. Wabe esethatha umlilo nommese,* bobabili bahamba ndawonye. 7 Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wathi kuyise u-Abrahama: “Baba!” Yena waphendula: “Yebo, ndodana yami!” U-Isaka waqhubeka wathi: “Nanku umlilo nezinkuni, kodwa iphi imvu yomnikelo oshiswayo?” 8 U-Abrahama wathi: “UNkulunkulu uzoyilungiselela ngokwakhe imvu yomnikelo oshiswayo + ndodana yami.” Bobabili baqhubeka behamba ndawonye.

9 Ekugcineni bafika endaweni uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayekhulume ngayo, u-Abrahama wakha i-altare kuyo, wahlela izinkuni phezu kwalo. Wabopha indodana yakhe u-Isaka izandla nezinyawo, wayeseyibeka e-altare phezu kwezinkuni. + 10 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama welula isandla wathatha ummese* ukuze abulale indodana yakhe. + 11 Kodwa ingelosi kaJehova yambiza isezulwini yathi: “Abrahama, Abrahama!” yena waphendula wathi: “Ngilapha!” 12 Yabe isithi: “Ungamlimazi umfana, ungenzi lutho nhlobo kuye, ngoba manje ngiyazi ukuthi uyamesaba uNkulunkulu ngoba awungigodlelanga indodana yakho, okuwukuphela kwayo.” + 13 U-Abrahama wabe esephakamisa amehlo, laphaya phambi kwakhe kwakukhona inqama ibambeke ngezimpondo ezihlahleni. Ngakho u-Abrahama wahamba wayothatha inqama wanikela ngayo njengomnikelo oshiswayo esikhundleni sendodana yakhe. 14 U-Abrahama waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iJehova-jire.* Yingakho kusathiwa nanamuhla: “Entabeni kaJehova, uyolungiselela izinto ezidingekayo.” +

15 Ingelosi kaJehova yambiza okwesibili u-Abrahama isezulwini, 16 yathi: “‘Ngizifunga mina ngokwami,’ kusho uJehova, + ‘ukuthi ngenxa yokuthi wenze le nto wangayigodla indodana yakho okuwukuphela kwayo, + 17 nakanjani ngiyokubusisa, nakanjani ngiyoyandisa inzalo* yakho ibe ngangezinkanyezi zamazulu nangangesihlabathi esisogwini lolwandle, + inzalo* yakho iyodla ifa ledolobha* lezitha zayo. + 18 Ngenzalo* + yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyozitholela isibusiso ngenxa yokuthi ulalele izwi lami.’” +

19 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wabuyela ezincekwini zakhe, zasukuma bahamba ndawonye baya eBheri-sheba; + u-Abrahama waqhubeka ehlala eBheri-sheba.

20 Ngemva kwalokho kwabikwa ku-Abrahama: “UMilka naye umzalele amadodana uNahori umfowenu. + 21 U-Uze izibulo lakhe, uBuzi umfowabo, uKhemuweli uyise ka-Aramu, 22 uKesedi, uHazo, uPhilidashe, uJidilafu noBhetuweli.” + 23 UBhetuweli wazala uRebheka. + UMilka wazalela umfowabo ka-Abrahama uNahori laba abangu-8. 24 Isancinza sakhe, esigama laso kwakunguRewuma, naso sazala amadodana: uTheba, uGahamu, uThahashi noMahakha.

23 USara waphila iminyaka engu-127; leyo kwakuyiminyaka eyaphilwa uSara. + 2 USara wafela eKiriyati-ariba, + okungukuthi, eHebroni, + ezweni laseKhanani, + u-Abrahama waqala ukumlilela nokumkhalela uSara. 3 U-Abrahama wabe esesukuma phambi komkakhe oshonile wayesethi emadodaneni kaHeti: + 4 “Ngingowakwelinye izwe futhi ngiyisifiki phakathi kwenu. + Nginikeni indawo ezoba indawo yokungcwaba phakathi kwenu ukuze ngingcwabe umkami.” 5 Amadodana kaHeti amphendula u-Abrahama: 6 “Silalele, nkosi yami. Uyisikhulu sikaNkulunkulu* phakathi kwethu. + Ungamngcwaba umkakho endaweni ekhetheke kunazo zonke izindawo zethu zokungcwaba. Akekho noyedwa kithi ozokugodlela indawo yakhe yokungcwaba, akuvimbele ukuba ungcwabe umkakho.”

7 Ngakho u-Abrahama wasukuma waguqa wayesekhothama kubantu bakulelo zwe, emadodaneni kaHeti, + 8 wathi kubo: “Uma ningivumela ukuba ngithathe umkami ngiyomngcwaba, ngilaleleni nincenge u-Efroni indodana kaZohari 9 ukuba angidayisele umhume wakhe waseMakaphela; usemaphethelweni ensimu yakhe. Makangidayisele wona nikhona ngenani eliphelele lesiliva + ukuze ngibe nendawo yokungcwaba.” +

10 Manje u-Efroni wayehlezi namadodana kaHeti. Ngakho u-Efroni umHeti waphendula u-Abrahama kuzwa amadodana kaHeti naphambi kwabo bonke abangena esangweni ledolobha, + wathi: 11 “Cha, nkosi yami! Ngilalele. Ngikunika kokubili insimu nomhume okuyo. Ngikunika kona kukhona amadodana abantu bakithi. Ngcwaba umkakho.” 12 U-Abrahama waguqa wayesekhothama phambi kwabantu bakulelo zwe 13 wakhuluma no-Efroni kuzwa abantu, wathi: “Ngicela ungilalele. Ngizokunika inani eliphelele lesiliva wena unginike insimu. Lithathe, ukuze ngingcwabe umkami kuyo.”

14 Ngemva kwalokho u-Efroni wamphendula u-Abrahama: 15 “Nkosi yami, ngilalele. Le ndawo ibiza amashekeli* esiliva angu-400, kodwa lokho akubalulekile kangako. Ngakho ngcwaba umkakho.” 16 U-Abrahama wamlalela u-Efroni, u-Abrahama wakalela u-Efroni inani lesiliva ayelishilo kuzwa amadodana kaHeti, amashekeli* esiliva angu-400 ngokwesisindo esasamukelwa abathengisi. + 17 Ngakho insimu ka-Efroni eseMakaphela, eyayiphambi kwaseMamre—insimu nomhume okuyo nazo zonke izihlahla ezingaphakathi komngcele wensimu—kwaqinisekiswa 18 njengendawo ka-Abrahama ayithenge kukhona amadodana kaHeti, phambi kwabo bonke ababengena ngesango ledolobha. 19 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wamngcwaba umkakhe uSara emhumeni wensimu yaseMakaphela phambi kwaseMamre, okungukuthi, eHebroni, ezweni laseKhanani. 20 Ngakho insimu nomhume owawukuyo, amadodana kaHeti akudlulisela ku-Abrahama njengendawo yokungcwaba. +

24 Manje u-Abrahama wayesemdala, iminyaka isihambile, futhi uJehova wayembusisile u-Abrahama kukho konke. + 2 U-Abrahama wathi encekwini yakhe endala kunazo zonke emndenini wakhe, eyayiphethe konke ayenakho: + “Ngicela ubeke isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethanga lami, 3 ngizokwenza ufunge uJehova, uNkulunkulu wamazulu noNkulunkulu womhlaba, ukuthi ngeke uyithathele indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhanani, engihlala phakathi kwawo. + 4 Esikhundleni salokho kumele uye ezweni lakithi nasezihlotsheni zami + uyithathele khona indodana yami u-Isaka umfazi.”

5 Inceku yathi kuye: “Kuthiwani uma lowo wesifazane engathandi ukuza nami kuleli zwe? Ingabe-ke kumele ngibuyisele indodana yakho ezweni owaphuma kulo?” + 6 U-Abrahama wathi kuyo: “Qiniseka ukuthi awuyisi indodana yami lapho. + 7 UJehova uNkulunkulu wamazulu, owangithatha endlini kababa nasezweni lezihlobo zami, + owakhuluma nami wafunga kimi, + wathi: ‘Leli zwe + ngiyolinika inzalo* + yakho,’ uzothumela ingelosi yakhe phambi kwakho, + nakanjani uyoyithathela kulo indodana yami umfazi. + 8 Kodwa uma lowo wesifazane engathandi ukuza nawe, uyobe ukhululekile kulesi sifungo. Kodwa ungayisi indodana yami lapho.” 9 Ngemva kwalokho inceku yabeka isandla sayo ngaphansi kwethanga lika-Abrahama inkosi yayo, yafunga kuye ngokuphathelene nale ndaba. +

10 Ngakho inceku yathatha amakamela ayishumi enkosi yayo yabe isihamba, yathatha nazo zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezinhle zenkosi yayo. Yabe isisuka yaya eMesophothamiya edolobheni likaNahori. 11 Yaguqisa amakamela emthonjeni wamanzi ngaphandle kwedolobha. Kwakukusihlwa, ngesikhathi abesifazane ababephuma ngaso bayokha amanzi. 12 Ngemva kwalokho yathi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, ngicela ungenze ngiphumelele namhlanje, uyibonise uthando oluqotho inkosi yami u-Abrahama. 13 Bheka ngimi emthonjeni wamanzi, amadodakazi abantu bedolobha ayaphuma azokha amanzi. 14 Intombi engizothi kuyo, ‘Ngicela wehlise isitsha sakho samanzi ngiphuze,’ yona iphendule ithi, ‘Phuza, ngizophuzisa namakamela akho,’ kwangathi kungaba yiyo oyikhethela inceku yakho u-Isaka; ungibonise ngalokho ukuthi uyibonise uthando oluqotho inkosi yami.”

15 Kwathi ingakaqedi nokukhuluma, kwaphuma uRebheka, owayeyindodakazi kaBhetuweli + indodana kaMilka + umkaNahori, + umfowabo ka-Abrahama, etshethe isitsha samanzi. 16 Le ntombi yayiyinhle kakhulu, iyintombi nto; yayingakaze ilale nendoda. Yehlela emthonjeni, yagcwalisa amanzi esitsheni sayo, yayisikhuphuka. 17 Ngaso leso sikhathi, inceku yagijima yayihlangabeza, yathi: “Ngicela ungiphuzise kancane amanzi esitsheni sakho.” 18 Intombi yathi: “Phuza nkosi yami.” Ngokushesha yehlisela isitsha esandleni sayo, yayiphuzisa. 19 Lapho isiqedile ukuyiphuzisa, yathi: “Ngizokhelela namakamela akho amanzi aze aqede ukuphuza.” 20 Ngokushesha yathululela isitsha sayo samanzi emkhombeni* wokuphuzela yagijima iphindelela iya emthonjeni iyokha amanzi, yawakhelela wonke amakamela ayo. 21 Sonke leso sikhathi lo muntu wayeyigqolozele emangele, ethule ezibuza ukuthi uJehova wayeluphumelelisile yini uhambo lwakhe noma cha.

22 Lapho amakamela eseqedile ukuphuza, lo muntu wakhiphela le ntombi indandatho yegolide yasekhaleni enesisindo esiwuhhafu weshekeli* namabhengela egolide amabili, anesisindo esingamashekeli* ayishumi, 23 wathi: “Ngicela ungitshele, uyindodakazi kabani? Ingabe ikhona indawo esingalala kuyo endlini kayihlo?” 24 Yaphendula yathi kuye: “Ngiyindodakazi kaBhetuweli + indodana kaMilka, ayizalela uNahori.” + 25 Yenezela: “Sinabo utshani nefolishi eliningi kanye nendawo yokulala.” 26 Ngemva kwalokho lo muntu waguqa wayesekhothama phambi kukaJehova 27 wathi: “Kwangathi uJehova angadunyiswa, uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, ngoba akalulahlanga uthando lwakhe oluqotho nokwethembeka kwakhe enkosini yami. UJehova ungiholele endlini yabafowabo benkosi yami.”

28 Le ntombi yagijima yayotshela umndeni kanina ngalezi zinto. 29 URebheka wayenomfowabo ogama lakhe linguLabani. Ngakho uLabani + wagijima waya kule ndoda eyayingaphandle emthonjeni. 30 Lapho ebona indandatho yasekhaleni namabhengela ezandleni zikadadewabo, ezwa namazwi kadadewabo uRebheka, ethi: “Le ndoda ikhulume ngale ndlela nami,” wahamba wayohlangabeza le ndoda, eyayisame eduze kwamakamela emthonjeni. 31 Ngaso leso sikhathi wathi: “Woza, wena obusiswe uJehova. Kungani ulokhu umi lapha ngaphandle? Sengiyilungisile indlu nendawo yamakamela.” 32 Ngemva kwalokho le ndoda yeza yangena endlini, wakhumula* amakamela isihlalo namatomu wawanika utshani nefolishi, wayinika namanzi ukuba igeze izinyawo zayo nezinyawo zabantu ababenayo. 33 Nokho, lapho kubekwa ukudla phambi kwayo, yathi: “Ngeke ngidle ngingakakutsheli okufanele ngikutshele kona.” Ngakho uLabani wathi: “Khuluma!”

34 Yabe isithi: “Ngiyinceku ka-Abrahama. + 35 UJehova uyibusise kakhulu inkosi yami, uyenze yaceba kakhulu ngokuyinika izimvu nezinkomo, isiliva negolide, izinceku nezincekukazi namakamela nezimbongolo. + 36 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uSara umkankosi yami wazalela inkosi yami indodana esegugile, + futhi inkosi yami izoyinika konke enakho. + 37 Inkosi yami yangifungisa, yathi: ‘Ungayithatheli indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhanani, engihlala ezweni lawo. + 38 Cha, kodwa uzoya endlini kababa nasemndenini wakithi, + uyithathele khona indodana yami umfazi.’ + 39 Kodwa ngathi enkosini yami: ‘Kuthiwani uma lowo wesifazane engathandi ukuza nami?’ + 40 Yathi kimi: ‘UJehova, engiye ngahamba phambi kwakhe, + uzothumela ingelosi yakhe + ukuba ibe nawe futhi nakanjani uzoluphumelelisa uhambo lwakho, kumele uthathele indodana yami umfazi emndenini wakithi nasendlini kababa. + 41 Uyokhululwa esifungweni sakho osenze kimi uma uya emndenini wakithi futhi bengakuniki yena. Lokhu kuyokukhulula esifungweni sakho.’ +

42 “Lapho ngifika emthonjeni namhlanje, ngithe: ‘Jehova Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, uma uzoluphumelelisa uhambo lwami, 43 bheka ngimi emthonjeni wamanzi. Okumele kwenzeke ukuthi lapho intombi + iphuma izokha amanzi, ngizothi kuyo, “Ngicela ungiphuzise amanzi kancane esitsheni sakho,” 44 yona ithi kimi, “Phuza, futhi ngizokhelela namakamela akho amanzi.” Lowo wesifazane makube nguye uJehova amkhethele indodana yenkosi yami.’ +

45 “Ngingakaqedi nakukhuluma enhliziyweni yami, nangu uRebheka ephuma etshethe isitsha, wehlela emthonjeni waqala ukukha amanzi. Ngibe sengithi kuye: ‘Ngicela ungiphuzise.’ + 46 Usethule ngokushesha isitsha sakhe wathi: ‘Phuza, + ngizophuzisa namakamela akho.’ Ngibe sengiphuza, waphuzisa namakamela. 47 Ngemva kwalokho ngimbuzile, ‘Uyindodakazi kabani wena?’ yena wathi, ‘Ngiyindodakazi kaBhetuweli indodana kaNahori, ayizalelwa uMilka.’ Ngakho ngifake indandatho ekhaleni lakhe namabhengela ezandleni zakhe. + 48 Ngibe sengiguqa ngakhothama phambi kukaJehova, ngamdumisa uJehova uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, + ongiholele endleleni efanele ukuba ngithathele indodana yenkosi yami indodakazi yomfowabo. 49 Manje ngitsheleni uma nifisa ukuyibonisa uthando oluqotho nokwethembeka inkosi yami; kodwa uma kungenjalo, ngitsheleni, ukuze ngiyobheka kwenye indawo.”* +

50 Ngemva kwalokho uLabani noBhetuweli baphendula: “Le nto ivela kuJehova. Asikwazi ukuthi yebo noma cha kuwe.* 51 Nangu uRebheka phambi kwakho. Mthathe uhambe, makabe umkandodana yenkosi yakho, njengoba nje uJehova ekhulumile.” 52 Lapho inceku ka-Abrahama izwa abakushoyo, ngaso leso sikhathi yaguqa yakhothama emhlabathini phambi kukaJehova. 53 Inceku yabe isikhipha izinto zesiliva nezegolide nezingubo yazinika uRebheka, yanika umfowabo nonina izinto eziyigugu. 54 Ngemva kwalokho yona namadoda ayekanye nayo badla baphuza, balala lapho.

Lapho ivuka ekuseni yathi: “Ngivumeleni ngiye enkosini yami.” 55 Umfowabo wentombi nonina bathi: “Intombi mayihlale nathi okungenani izinsuku eziyishumi. Ngemva kwalokho ingahamba.” 56 Kodwa inceku yathi kubo: “Ningangibambezeli, ngoba uJehova uluphumelelisile uhambo lwami. Ngivumeleni ngihambe, ukuze ngiye enkosini yami.” 57 Ngakho bathi: “Masiyibize intombi sizwe ukuthi ithini.” 58 Bambiza uRebheka bathi kuye: “Uzohamba yini nalo muntu?” Yena wathi: “Ngizimisele ukuhamba.”

59 Ngakho bamvalelisa udadewabo uRebheka + nomzanyana* + wakhe nenceku ka-Abrahama namadoda ayekanye nayo. 60 Bambusisa uRebheka bathi kuye: “Dadewethu, kwangathi ungaba izigidi eziningi,* inzalo* yakho mayidle ifa ledolobha* labayizondayo.” + 61 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka nezikhonzi zakhe zesifazane basukuma, bagibela amakamela balandela lowo muntu. Ngakho inceku yamthatha uRebheka yahamba.

62 Manje u-Isaka wayeqhamuke ngaseBheri-lahayi-royi, + ngoba wayehlala ezweni laseNegebhi. + 63 U-Isaka wayephumile ezihambela esigangeni kusihlwa ukuze azindle. + Lapho ephakamisa amehlo, wabona amakamela eza! 64 Lapho uRebheka ephakamisa amehlo, wabona u-Isaka, wayesehla ngokushesha ekamelini. 65 Wabe esebuza inceku: “Ubani leya ndoda ehamba esigangeni izosihlangabeza?” Inceku yathi: “Inkosi yami.” Ngakho wathatha iduku wazimboza. 66 Inceku yatshela u-Isaka zonke izinto eyayizenzile. 67 Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wamngenisa etendeni likaSara unina. + Wamthatha uRebheka waba umkakhe; wamthanda, + u-Isaka waduduzeka ngemva kokushona kukanina. +

25 U-Abrahama waphinda wathatha umfazi, igama lakhe kwakunguKetura. 2 Ngemva kwesikhathi wamzalela uZimrani, uJokishani, uMedani, uMidiyani, + u-Ishibaki noShuwahi. +

3 UJokishani wazala uSheba noDedani.

Amadodana kaDedani kwakungu-Ashurimi, uLetushimi noLewumimi.

4 Amadodana kaMidiyani kwakungu-Efa, u-Eferi, uHanoki, u-Abida no-Elidaha.

Wonke lawa kwakungamadodana kaKetura.

5 Kamuva u-Abrahama wanika u-Isaka konke ayenakho, + 6 kodwa u-Abrahama wawapha izipho amadodana akhe ayewazalelwe izancinza zakhe. Wabe esewayisa ngasempumalanga, wawasusa ku-Isaka indodana yakhe, + aya ezweni laseMpumalanga. 7 Iminyaka eyaphilwa u-Abrahama yaba ngu-175. 8 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama waphefumula okokugcina futhi wafa esegugile impela, esemdala, anelisekile, bamngcwaba njengoba bangcwaba abantu bakubo.* 9 Amadodana akhe u-Isaka no-Ishmayeli amngcwaba emhumeni waseMakaphela ensimini ka-Efroni indodana kaZohari umHeti, phambi kwaseMamre, + 10 insimu u-Abrahama ayeyithenge emadodaneni kaHeti. Wangcwatshwa lapho u-Abrahama nomkakhe uSara. + 11 Ngemva kokufa kuka-Abrahama, uNkulunkulu waqhubeka eyibusisa indodana yakhe u-Isaka + futhi u-Isaka wayehlala eduze kwaseBheri-lahayi-royi. +

12 Lona umlando ka-Ishmayeli + indodana ka-Abrahama, uHagari + umGibhithe, incekukazi kaSara, amzalela u-Abrahama.

13 Yilawa amagama amadodana ka-Ishmayeli, ngokwendabuko yemindeni yawo: izibulo lika-Ishmayeli uNebhayoti + bese kuba uKhedari, + u-Adibeli, uMibisamu, + 14 uMishima, uDuma, uMasa, 15 uHadadi, uThema, uJethuri, uNafishi noKhedema. 16 Lawa amadodana ka-Ishmayeli futhi lawa amagama awo ngokwezindawo zawo zokuhlala nangokwamatende awo,* izikhulu ezingu-12 ngokwemindeni yazo. + 17 U-Ishmayeli waphila iminyaka engu-137. Ngemva kwalokho waphefumula okokugcina wayesefa, bamngcwaba njengoba bangcwaba abantu bakubo.* 18 Bahlala kusukela eHavila + eduze kwaseShuri, + esondelene neGibhithe, kuze kufike e-Asiriya. Wahlala eduze kwabo bonke abafowabo.* +

19 Lona umlando ka-Isaka indodana ka-Abrahama. +

U-Abrahama wazala u-Isaka. 20 U-Isaka wayeneminyaka engu-40 ubudala lapho eshada uRebheka, indodakazi kaBhetuweli + umAramu wasePhadani-aramu, udadewabo kaLabani umAramu. 21 U-Isaka wayelokhu ecela kuJehova mayelana nomkakhe, ngoba wayeyinyumba; ngakho uJehova wasiphendula isicelo sakhe, umkakhe uRebheka wakhulelwa. 22 Amadodana ayewakhulelwe aqala ukulwa, + waze wathi: “Uma izinto zinje, kungani kufanele ngiqhubeke ngiphila?” Ngenxa yalokho wabuza kuJehova. 23 UJehova wathi kuye: “Kukhona izizwe ezimbili esibelethweni sakho, + abantu ababili bazohlukaniswa ngaphakathi kuwe; + esinye isizwe siyoba namandla kunesinye, + omdala uyokhonza omncane.” +

24 Lapho kufika isikhathi sokuba abelethe, kwakukhona amawele esibelethweni sakhe. 25 Owokuqala waphuma ebomvu yonke indawo enjengengubo yoboya, + ngakho bamqamba ngokuthi u-Esawu.* + 26 Ngemva kwalokho kwaphuma umfowabo, isandla sakhe sibambe isithende sika-Esawu, + ngakho bamqamba ngokuthi uJakobe.* + U-Isaka wayeneminyaka engu-60 ubudala lapho uRebheka ebazala.

27 Abafana bakhula, u-Esawu waba umzingeli onekhono, + indoda yasendle, kodwa uJakobe wayeyindoda engasoleki, ehlala ematendeni. + 28 U-Isaka wayethanda u-Esawu, ngoba lokho kwakusho ukuthi uzodla inyama yenyamazane, kuyilapho uRebheka yena ayethanda uJakobe. + 29 Ngesinye isikhathi uJakobe wayebilisa isitshulu lapho u-Esawu ebuya endle ekhathele kakhulu. 30 U-Esawu wathi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usheshise ungiphe kancane isitshulu* esibomvu lapho,* ngoba ngikhathele ngiyingcuba!”* Yingakho igama lakhe kwakungu-Edomi.* + 31 UJakobe wathi: “Qale ungidayisele ilungelo lakho lobuzibulo!” + 32 U-Esawu waqhubeka: “Bheka sengizofa! Lingisiza ngani ilungelo lobuzibulo?” 33 UJakobe wanezela: “Funga kimi kuqala!” Wayesefunga kuye walidayisela uJakobe ilungelo lakhe lobuzibulo. + 34 UJakobe wabe esenika u-Esawu isinkwa nesitshulu sikabhontshisi,* wadla waphuza, wayesesukuma wahamba. Walidelela kanjalo-ke u-Esawu ilungelo lobuzibulo.

26 Manje kwaba khona indlala ezweni, ngaphandle kwendlala yokuqala eyaba khona ezinsukwini zika-Abrahama, + kangangokuthi u-Isaka waya ku-Abhimeleki inkosi yamaFilisti, eGerari. 2 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wabonakala kuye wathi: “Ungehleli eGibhithe. Hlala ezweni engikubonisa lona. 3 Hlala kuleli zwe, + ngizoqhubeka nginawe ngikubusise ngoba wonke la mazwe ngizowanika + wena nenzalo* yakho futhi ngiyosifeza isifungo engasenza kuyihlo u-Abrahama: + 4 ‘Ngiyokwandisa inzalo* yakho ibe ngangezinkanyezi zamazulu; + wonke la mazwe ngiyowanika inzalo* yakho; + ngenzalo* yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyozitholela isibusiso,’ + 5 ngenxa yokuthi u-Abrahama walalela izwi lami waqhubeka egcina engikufunayo, imiyalo yami, izimiso zami nemithetho yami.” + 6 Ngakho u-Isaka waqhubeka ehlala eGerari. +

7 Lapho amadoda akuleyo ndawo elokhu ebuza ngomkakhe, wayethi: “Ungudadewethu.” + Wayesaba ukuthi, “Ungumkami,” ngoba wathi, “Amadoda akule ndawo angase angibulale ngenxa kaRebheka,” ngoba wayemuhle. + 8 Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile, u-Abhimeleki inkosi yamaFilisti wayelunguza ngefasitela, wabona u-Isaka ebonisa uRebheka umkakhe uthando.* + 9 Ngaso leso sikhathi u-Abhimeleki wabiza u-Isaka wathi: “Empeleni umkakho lo! Kungani uthe, ‘Ungudadewethu’?” U-Isaka waphendula wathi kuye: “Ngisho kanjalo ngoba ngesaba ukuthi ngingase ngife ngenxa yakhe.” + 10 Kodwa u-Abhimeleki wathi: “Yini le osenze yona? + Bekungaba lula ukuba omunye wabantu alale nomkakho, ubuzobe usilethele icala!” + 11 U-Abhimeleki wabe eseyala bonke abantu, wathi: “Noma ubani othinta le ndoda nomkayo uyobulawa nakanjani!”

12 U-Isaka waqala ukuhlwanyela imbewu kulelo zwe, ngalowo nyaka lokho akutshala wakuvuna ngokuphindwe izikhathi eziyikhulu, ngoba uJehova wayembusisa. + 13 Lo muntu waceba, waqhubeka echuma kwaze kwaba yilapho esecebe kakhulu. 14 Waba nemihlambi yezimvu, imihlambi yezinkomo nezinceku eziningi kakhulu, + amaFilisti aqala ukumfela umona.

15 Ngakho amaFilisti athatha umhlabathi ayigqiba yonke imithombo izinceku zikayise ezaziyimbile ezinsukwini zika-Abrahama. + 16 U-Abhimeleki wabe esethi ku-Isaka: “Suka, ungabe usakhelana nathi, ngoba usunamandla kakhulu kunathi.” 17 Ngakho u-Isaka wasuka lapho wagxumeka itende lakhe esigodini* saseGerari, + wahlala khona. 18 U-Isaka waphinde wayimba imithombo eyayimbiwe ezinsukwini zikayise u-Abrahama kodwa eyayigqitshwe amaFilisti ngemva kokufa kuka-Abrahama, + wayiqamba ngamagama uyise ayeyiqambe wona. +

19 Lapho izinceku zika-Isaka zimba esigodini,* zathola umthombo wamanzi ahlanzekile. 20 Abelusi baseGerari baqala ukuxabana nabelusi baka-Isaka, bethi: “Awethu la manzi!” Ngakho waqamba lowo mthombo ngokuthi i-Esekhi,* ngoba babexabane naye. 21 Bamba omunye umthombo, baphinde baxabana nangawo. Ngakho wawuqamba ngokuthi iSitina.* 22 Kamuva wasuka lapho wamba omunye umthombo, kodwa abaxabananga ngawo. Ngakho wawuqamba ngokuthi iRehobhoti,* wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi manje uJehova usinike indawo eyanele futhi usandisile ezweni.” +

23 Ngemva kwalokho wasuka lapho wakhuphukela eBheri-sheba. + 24 Ngalobo busuku uJehova wabonakala kuye wathi: “NginguNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama + uyihlo. Ungesabi + ngoba nginawe, ngizokubusisa ngandise inzalo* yakho ngenxa ka-Abrahama inceku yami.” + 25 Wakha i-altare lapho wamemezela igama likaJehova. + U-Isaka wagxumeka itende lakhe lapho, + nezinceku zakhe zamba umthombo lapho.

26 Kamuva u-Abhimeleki weza kuye evela eGerari ehamba nomeluleki wakhe u-Ahuzati noFikoli induna yebutho lakhe. + 27 U-Isaka wathi kubo: “Nizokwenzani kimi ngoba naningizonda futhi nangixosha ukuba ngingabe ngisakhelana nani?” 28 Bona bathi: “Sibone ngokucacile ukuthi uJehova ubelokhu enawe. + Ngakho sithe, ‘Sicela kube khona isifungo esiphakathi kwethu nawe futhi masenze isivumelwano nawe + 29 sokuthi ngeke wenze lutho olubi kithi njengoba nje nathi singazange sikulimaze, njengoba senze okuhle kodwa kuwe sakuhambisa ngokuthula. Manje wena ungobusisiwe kaJehova.’” 30 Wabe esebenzela idili, badla baphuza. 31 Bavuka kusesekuseni kakhulu, bafunga omunye komunye. + Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wabahambisa ngokuthula.

32 Ngalolo suku kwafika izinceku zika-Isaka zambikela ngomthombo ezaziwumbile, + zathi kuye: “Sithole amanzi!” 33 Ngakho wawuqamba ngokuthi iShiba. Yingakho igama lalelo dolobha kuyiBheri-sheba + kuze kube namuhla.

34 Lapho u-Esawu eseneminyaka engu-40 ubudala, wathatha uJuditi indodakazi kaBheyeri umHeti waba umkakhe noBhasemati indodakazi ka-Eloni umHeti. + 35 Babeyimbangela yosizi olukhulu* ku-Isaka noRebheka. +

27 Lapho u-Isaka esemdala engasaboni kahle emehlweni, wabiza u-Esawu + indodana yakhe endala wathi kuye: “Ndodana yami!” Waphendula wathi: “Ngilapha!” 2 Waqhubeka wathi: “Manje sengimdala. Angilwazi usuku lokufa kwami. 3 Ngakho manje, ngicela uthathe izikhali zakho, umgodla wakho nomnsalo wakho, uhambe uye endle ungizingelele inyamazane. + 4 Ngemva kwalokho ungenzele isidlo esimnandi engisithandayo usilethe kimi. Ngizosidla ukuze ngikubusise ngaphambi kokuba ngife.”

5 Nokho, uRebheka wayelalele lapho u-Isaka ekhuluma no-Esawu indodana yakhe. U-Esawu waya endle ukuze azingele inyamazane abuye nayo. + 6 URebheka wathi kuJakobe indodana yakhe: + “Lalela, ngisanda kuzwa uyihlo ekhuluma nomfowenu u-Esawu, ethi, 7 ‘Ngilethele inyamazane ungenzele isidlo esimnandi. Ngizosidla ukuze ngikubusise phambi kukaJehova ngingakafi.’ + 8 Manje ndodana yami, lalelisisa futhi wenze engikuyala ngakho. + 9 Ngicela uye emhlanjini ungithathele khona amazinyane amabili ezimbuzi amahle, ukuze ngenzele uyihlo isidlo esimnandi, ngendlela asithanda ngayo. 10 Ngemva kwalokho usihambise kuyihlo adle, ukuze akubusise ngaphambi kokuba afe.”

11 UJakobe wathi kunina uRebheka: “Kodwa u-Esawu umfowethu ungumuntu onoboya + kanti mina isikhumba sami asinabo. 12 Kuthiwani uma ubaba engithinta? + Nakanjani kuzoba sengathi ngihlekisa ngaye, bese ngizilethela isiqalekiso kunesibusiso.” 13 Unina wabe esethi kuye: “Isiqalekiso esibhekiswe kuwe masibe phezu kwami, ndodana yami. Yenza njengoba ngisho uhambe, ungithathele wona.” + 14 Ngakho wahamba wawathatha wawaletha kunina, unina wenza isidlo esimnandi, ngendlela u-Isaka asithanda ngayo. 15 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka wathatha izingubo ezinhle zendodana yakhe endala u-Esawu, ezazisendlini, wazigqokisa indodana yakhe encane uJakobe. + 16 Wabeka nezikhumba zamazinyane ezimbuzi ezandleni zikaJakobe nasengxenyeni engenaboya yentamo yakhe. + 17 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka wanika uJakobe indodana yakhe isidlo esimnandi nesinkwa ayesenzile. +

18 Ngakho wangena kuyise wathi: “Baba!” yena wathi: “Ngilapha! Ungubani, ndodana yami?” 19 UJakobe wathi kuyise: “Ngingu-Esawu izibulo lakho. + Ngenze njengoba nje ukhulumile kimi. Ngicela uvuke uhlale, udle inyamazane yami, ukuze ungibusise.” + 20 U-Isaka yena wathi endodaneni yakhe: “Kwenzeke kanjani ukuba usheshe kangaka ukuyithola, ndodana yami?” Yena wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho uyilethe kimi.” 21 U-Isaka wabe esethi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usondele ukuze ngikuthinte, ndodana yami, ukuze ngazi ukuthi uyindodana yami u-Esawu ngempela noma cha.” + 22 Ngakho uJakobe wasondela kuyise u-Isaka, uyise wamthinta, okwathi ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Izwi liyizwi likaJakobe, kodwa izandla yizandla zika-Esawu.” + 23 Akabonanga ukuthi kwakunguJakobe ngoba izandla zakhe zazinoboya njengezandla zika-Esawu umfowabo. Ngakho wambusisa. +

24 Ngemva kwalokho wabuza: “Uyindodana yami u-Esawu ngempela?” waphendula wathi: “Nginguye.” 25 Wabe esethi: “Ngilethele inyamazane ukuze ngidle ndodana yami, ngemva kwalokho ngizokubusisa.” Ngakho wayiletha kuye wadla, wamlethela newayini waphuza. 26 U-Isaka uyise wabe esethi kuye: “Ngicela usondele ungiqabule,* ndodana yami.” + 27 Ngakho wasondela wamqabula, wezwa iphunga lezingubo zakhe. + Wayesembusisa wathi:

“Lalela, iphunga lendodana yami linjengephunga lensimu uJehova ayibusisile. 28 Kwangathi uNkulunkulu weqiniso angakunika amazolo amazulu + nenhlabathi evundile yomhlaba + nokudla okusanhlamvu okuningi newayini elisha. + 29 Isizwe masikukhonze nezizwe zikukhothamele. Yiba inkosi phezu kwabafowenu, amadodana kanyoko akukhothamele. + Mabaqalekiswe bonke abakuqalekisayo, kubusiswe bonke abakubusisayo.” +

30 Manje u-Isaka wayeseqedile ukubusisa uJakobe, futhi uJakobe wayesanda kusuka phambi kukayise u-Isaka lapho kubuya umfowabo u-Esawu, evela ekuzingeleni kwakhe. + 31 Naye wenza isidlo esimnandi wasiletha kuyise, wathi kuye: “Vuka baba, udle inyamazane yendodana yakho, ukuze ungibusise.” 32 U-Isaka uyise wabe esethi: “Ungubani?” yena wathi: “Ngiyindodana yakho, izibulo lakho, u-Esawu.” + 33 U-Isaka waqala ukwethuka kakhulu, ngakho wathi: “Pho, bekungubani lo ozingele inyamazane weyiletha kimi? Ngiyidlile ungakafiki ngambusisa—futhi nakanjani uzobusiswa!”

34 Lapho ezwa amazwi kayise, u-Esawu wamemeza ekhala kakhulu kalusizi, wathi kuyise: “Ngibusise nami baba!” + 35 Kodwa wathi: “Umfowenu ungene ngobuqili ukuze athole isibusiso obekungesakho.” 36 U-Esawu wathi: “Akaqanjiwe yini kufanele ngokuthi uJakobe,* njengoba engene esikhundleni sami okwesibili? + Ilungelo lami lobuzibulo uselithathile kakade, + manje usethathe isibusiso sami!” + Wabe esenezela: “Awungigcinelanga yini mina isibusiso?” 37 Kodwa u-Isaka waphendula u-Esawu wathi: “Bheka ngimmise ukuba abe inkosi phezu kwakho, + ngimnike bonke abafowabo ukuba babe izinceku zakhe, ngimnike nokudla okusanhlamvu newayini elisha. + Yini-ke esele engingakwenzela yona ndodana yami?”

38 U-Esawu wathi kuyise: “Ingabe sinye nje kuphela isibusiso onaso, baba? Ngibusise nami baba!” U-Esawu wakhala kakhulu, wakhala izinyembezi. + 39 Ngakho uyise u-Isaka wamphendula, wathi:

“Lalela, indawo yakho yokuhlala iyoba kude nenhlabathi evundile yomhlaba, iyoba kude namazolo amazulu aphezulu. + 40 Uyophila ngenkemba yakho, + ukhonze umfowenu. + Kodwa lapho ungasakwazi ukubekezela, uyozikhulula ejokeni lakhe lisuke entanyeni yakho.” +

41 Nokho, u-Esawu wafukamela inzondo ngoJakobe ngenxa yesibusiso uyise ayemnike sona, + u-Esawu wayelokhu ethi enhliziyweni yakhe: “Izinsuku zokulilela ubaba ziyasondela. + Ngemva kwalokho ngizombulala uJakobe umfowethu.” 42 Lapho uRebheka etshelwa amazwi endodana yakhe endala u-Esawu, wathumela ngaso leso sikhathi wabiza indodana yakhe encane uJakobe wathi kuyo: “Lalela! Umfowenu u-Esawu ufuna ukuziphindiselela ngokukubulala.* 43 Manje ndodana yami, yenza njengoba ngisho. Sukuma, ubalekele kumfowethu uLabani eHarana. + 44 Uhlale naye isikhashana kuze kwehle ulaka kumfowenu, 45 kuze kubohle intukuthelo yomfowenu futhi akukhohlwe lokho okwenze kuye. Ngiyobe sengithumela ukuba ulandwe khona. Kungani kufanele ngilahlekelwe yini nobabili ngosuku olulodwa?”

46 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka wayelokhu ethi ku-Isaka: “Ngiyakwenyanya ukuphila kwami ngenxa yamadodakazi kaHeti. + Uma uJakobe engathatha umfazi emadodakazini kaHeti, njengala madodakazi akuleli zwe, kunanzuzoni ukuphila kwami?” +

28 Ngakho u-Isaka wabiza uJakobe wambusisa, wamyala wathi kuye: “Ungamthathi umfazi emadodakazini aseKhanani. + 2 Hamba uye ePhadani-aramu endlini kaBhetuweli uyise kanyoko, uzithathele khona umfazi emadodakazini kaLabani, + umfowabo kanyoko. 3 UNkulunkulu uMninimandla Onke uzokubusisa akwenze uzale wande, ngokuqinisekile ube iqembu lezizwe. + 4 Uyokunika isibusiso sika-Abrahama, + wena nenzalo* yakho, ukuze udle ifa lezwe obulokhu uhlala kulo njengesifiki, uNkulunkulu alinike u-Abrahama.” +

5 Ngakho u-Isaka wamhambisa uJakobe waya ePhadani-aramu, kuLabani indodana kaBhetuweli umAramu, + umfowabo kaRebheka, + unina kaJakobe no-Esawu.

6 U-Esawu wabona ukuthi u-Isaka wayembusisile uJakobe, wamyisa ePhadani-aramu ukuze athathe khona umfazi, nokuthi lapho embusisa wamyala, “Ungamthathi umfazi emadodakazini aseKhanani,” + 7 uJakobe wamlalela uyise nonina, waya ePhadani-aramu. + 8 U-Esawu wabe esebona ukuthi amadodakazi aseKhanani ayengathandeki kuyise u-Isaka, + 9 ngakho u-Esawu waya ku-Ishmayeli wathatha uMahalati indodakazi yendodana ka-Abrahama u-Ishmayeli, udadewabo kaNebhayoti, ngaphezu kwabanye abafazi ayesenabo kakade. +

10 UJakobe wahamba esuka eBheri-sheba waphikelela ngaseHarana. + 11 Ngemva kwesikhathi wafika endaweni ethile walungiselela ukulala khona ngalobo busuku ngoba ilanga lase lishonile. Ngakho wathatha elinye lamatshe akuleyo ndawo waqamela kulo, walala lapho. + 12 Wabe esephupha, bheka! kwakukhona isitebhisi* simi emhlabeni, sasifinyelela phezulu emazulwini; kwakunezingelosi zikaNkulunkulu ezazehla zenyuka kuso. + 13 Bheka! uJehova wayemi phezu kwaso, wathi:

“NginguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama uyihlo noNkulunkulu ka-Isaka. + Izwe olele kulo ngiyolinika wena nenzalo* yakho. + 14 Nakanjani inzalo* yakho iyoba njengezinhlayiya zothuli lomhlaba, + uyosakazeka kabanzi uye entshonalanga nasempumalanga nasenyakatho naseningizimu, futhi ngawe nangenzalo* yakho yonke imindeni yomhlaba nakanjani iyobusiswa.* + 15 Nginawe, ngizokuqapha nomaphi lapho uya khona futhi ngiyokubuyisela kuleli zwe. + Ngeke ngikushiye kuze kube yilapho sengikwenzile engikuthembise kona.” +

16 UJakobe wabe esephaphama ebuthongweni wathi: “Ngempela uJehova ukule ndawo, kodwa mina angazanga.” 17 Waqala ukwesaba wayesenezela: “Yeka ukuthi imangalisa kangakanani le ndawo! Kusobala ukuthi lena indlu kaNkulunkulu + futhi leli isango lamazulu.” + 18 UJakobe wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wathatha itshe ayeqamele kulo walimisa njengensika wathela amafutha phezu kwalo. + 19 Ngakho waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iBhethele, kodwa igama layo kwakuyiLuze + ngaphambili.

20 UJakobe wabe esenza isifungo, wathi: “Uma uNkulunkulu ezoqhubeka enami, ezongivikela ohambweni lwami, anginike nesinkwa sokudla nezingubo zokugqoka, 21 ngibuyele ngokuthula endlini kababa, uJehova nakanjani uyobe ebe uNkulunkulu wami. 22 Leli tshe engilimise njengensika liyoba indlu kaNkulunkulu, + nakanjani ngiyokunika okweshumi kwakho konke onginika kona.”

29 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe waqhubeka nohambo lwakhe waya ezweni labantu baseMpumalanga. 2 Wabona umthombo endle nemihlambi emithathu yezimvu ilele eduze kwawo, ngoba babevame ukuphuzisa imihlambi kulowo mthombo. Kwakunetshe elikhulu phezu komlomo womthombo. 3 Lapho yonke imihlambi isiqoqelwe ndawonye emthonjeni, babeligingqa itshe balisuse emlonyeni womthombo, baphuzise imihlambi, bese bebuyisela itshe endaweni yalo phezu komlomo womthombo.

4 Ngakho uJakobe wathi kubo: “Bafowethu, nivela kuyiphi indawo?” Bona bathi: “Sivela eHarana.” + 5 Wathi kubo: “Niyamazi uLabani + umzukulu kaNahori?” + Bona bathi: “Siyamazi.” 6 Wabe esethi kubo: “Uyaphila?” Bona bathi: “Uyaphila. Nansi nendodakazi yakhe uRaheli + iza nezimvu!” 7 Ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Kusesemini. Akusona isikhathi sokuqoqa imihlambi. Phuzisani izimvu, bese niziyisa emadlelweni.” 8 Bathi: “Asivunyelwe ukwenza kanjalo kuze kube yilapho yonke imihlambi isiqoqelwe ndawonye, sagingqa itshe lasuka emlonyeni womthombo. Ngemva kwalokho singaziphuzisa izimvu.”

9 Esakhuluma nabo, uRaheli wafika nezimvu zikayise, ngoba wayezelusa. 10 Lapho uJakobe ebona uRaheli, indodakazi kaLabani umalume wakhe, nezimvu zikaLabani, uJakobe wasondela ngokushesha waligingqa itshe walisusa emlonyeni womthombo waphuzisa izimvu zikaLabani umalume wakhe. 11 UJakobe wabe esemqabula* uRaheli, waqala ukukhala kakhulu. 12 UJakobe watshela uRaheli ukuthi uyisihlobo* sikayise nokuthi uyindodana kaRebheka. URaheli wagijima wayotshela uyise.

13 Ngokushesha ngemva kokuba uLabani + ezwe umbiko ngoJakobe umshana wakhe, wagijima waya kuye. Wamanga wayesemqabula,* wamngenisa endlini yakhe. Watshela uLabani zonke lezi zinto. 14 ULabani wathi kuye: “Ngempela uyithambo lami nenyama yami.”* Ngakho wahlala naye inyanga yonke.

15 Ngemva kwalokho uLabani wathi kuJakobe: “Ingabe kufanele ungisebenzele mahhala ngenxa nje yokuthi uyisihlobo + sami?* Ngitshele, izoba yini inkokhelo yakho?” + 16 ULabani wayenamadodakazi amabili. Endala igama layo kwakunguLeya, encane kunguRaheli. + 17 Kodwa amehlo kaLeya ayebuthaka, kuyilapho uRaheli ayengowesifazane omuhle, omi kahle. 18 UJakobe wayesemthanda uRaheli, ngakho wathi kuLabani: “Ngizimisele ukukusebenzela iminyaka eyisikhombisa ngenxa yendodakazi yakho encane uRaheli.” + 19 ULabani wathi: “Kungcono ukuba ngimnike wena kunokuba ngimnike enye indoda. Qhubeka uhlala nami.” 20 UJakobe wakhonza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ngenxa kaRaheli, + kodwa emehlweni akhe yaba njengezinsuku ezimbalwa ngenxa yendlela ayemthanda ngayo.

21 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wathi kuLabani: “Nginike umkami ngoba izinsuku zami seziphelile, ungivumele ngilale naye.” 22 Kulokho uLabani waqoqa wonke amadoda endawo wenza idili. 23 Kodwa kwathi kusihlwa wathatha indodakazi yakhe uLeya wayiletha kuJakobe ukuze alale nayo. 24 ULabani waphinde wathatha incekukazi yakhe uZilipha wayinika indodakazi yakhe uLeya ukuba ibe incekukazi yakhe. + 25 Ekuseni uJakobe wabona ukuthi kwakunguLeya! Ngakho wathi kuLabani: “Yini le ongenze yona? Angikusebenzelanga yini ngenxa kaRaheli? Pho ungikhohliseleni?” + 26 ULabani wathi: “Akulona isiko lethu lapha ukuganisa owesifazane omncane ngaphambi kwezibulo. 27 Lijabulele isonto lalona wesifazane. Ngemva kwalokho uzonikwa nalona omunye wesifazane ngokungisebenzela eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa.” + 28 UJakobe wenza kanjalo walijabulela isonto lalona wesifazane, okwathi ngemva kwalokho uLabani wamganisela indodakazi yakhe uRaheli. 29 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uLabani wathatha incekukazi yakhe uBhiliha + wayinika indodakazi yakhe uRaheli ukuba ibe incekukazi yakhe. +

30 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe walala noRaheli, wamthanda ngaphezu kukaLeya, wabe esesebenzela uLabani eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa. + 31 Lapho uJehova ebona ukuthi uLeya wayengathandwa,* wamenza wakwazi ukukhulelwa,* + kodwa uRaheli wayeyinyumba. + 32 Ngakho uLeya wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi uRubeni,* + ngoba wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova ulubonile usizi lwami, + ngoba manje umyeni wami usezoqala ukungithanda.” 33 Waphinde wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova uye walalela, ngoba bengingathandwa, ngakho wanginika nalena futhi.” Wabe eseyiqamba ngokuthi uSimeyoni.* + 34 Waphinde wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Manje umyeni wami usezonamathela kimi, ngoba ngimzalele amadodana amathathu.” Ngakho yaqanjwa ngokuthi uLevi.* + 35 Waphinda futhi wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Kulokhu ngizomdumisa uJehova.” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uJuda.* + Ngemva kwalokho akabange esazala.

30 Lapho uRaheli ebona ukuthi akamzalelanga uJakobe abantwana, uRaheli waba nomona ngodadewabo wathi kuJakobe: “Nginike abantwana ngaphandle kwalokho ngizofa.” 2 UJakobe wamthukuthelela kakhulu uRaheli, wabe esethi: “Ingabe ngisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu, okuvimbele ukuba ube nabantwana?”* 3 URaheli wathi: “Nasi isigqilakazi sami uBhiliha. + Lala naso, ukuze singizalele abantwana* nami ngithole abantwana ngaso.” 4 Ngakho wamnika incekukazi yakhe uBhiliha ukuba abe umkakhe, uJakobe walala naye. + 5 UBhiliha wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana. 6 URaheli wabe esethi: “UNkulunkulu usebenze njengomahluleli wami, ulilalelile izwi lami, wanginika indodana.” Yingakho ayiqamba ngokuthi uDani.* + 7 UBhiliha, incekukazi kaRaheli, waphinde wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesibili. 8 Ngemva kwalokho uRaheli wathi: “Ngishikashikeke kakhulu ngilwa nodadewethu. Nginqobile!” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uNafetali.* +

9 Lapho uLeya ebona ukuthi wayengasabazali abantwana, wathatha incekukazi yakhe uZilipha wayinika uJakobe ukuba ibe umkakhe. + 10 Incekukazi kaLeya uZilipha yabe isizalela uJakobe indodana. 11 Ngemva kwalokho uLeya wathi: “Izinto zingihambela kahle!” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uGadi.* + 12 Ngemva kwalokho, uZilipha incekukazi kaLeya, wazalela uJakobe indodana yesibili. 13 ULeya wabe esethi: “Yeka ukuthi ngijabula kanjani! Ngoba nakanjani amadodakazi azothi ngiyajabula.” + Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Asheri.* +

14 Manje uRubeni + wayehamba ngezinsuku zokuvunwa kukakolweni, wathola amamandrake* ensimini. Wawaletha kunina uLeya. URaheli wabe esethi kuLeya: “Ngicela ungiphe amanye amamandrake endodana yakho.” 15 Wabe esethi kuye: “Akwanele yini ukuthi uthathe umyeni wami? + Ingabe manje usuzothatha namamandrake endodana yami?” Ngakho uRaheli wathi: “Kulungile, uzolala nawe namuhla ebusuku wena unginike amamandrake endodana yakho.”

16 Lapho uJakobe efika evela ensimini kusihlwa, uLeya waphuma wamhlangabeza wathi: “Uzolala nami ngoba ngikuqashe ngokuqondile ngamamandrake endodana yami.” Ngakho walala naye ngalobo busuku. 17 UNkulunkulu wamuzwa uLeya wayesemphendula, wakhulelwa kwathi ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesihlanu. 18 ULeya wabe esethi: “UNkulunkulu unginike inkokhelo yami,* ngoba nginike umyeni wami incekukazi yami.” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Isakare.* + 19 ULeya waphinde wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesithupha. + 20 ULeya wabe esethi: “UNkulunkulu ungiphile, yebo, ungiphe isipho esihle. Ekugcineni, umyeni wami uzongibekezelela, + ngoba ngimzalele amadodana ayisithupha.” + Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uZebhuloni.* + 21 Kamuva wazala indodakazi wayiqamba ngokuthi uDina. +

22 Ekugcineni uNkulunkulu wamkhumbula uRaheli, uNkulunkulu wamuzwa wayesemphendula ngokumenza ukuba akhulelwe.* + 23 Wakhulelwa wazala indodana. Wabe esethi: “UNkulunkulu usisusile isihlamba sami!” + 24 Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uJosefa,* + ethi: “UJehova ungenezelela enye indodana.”

25 Ngemva kokuba uRaheli ezale uJosefa, uJakobe ngokushesha wathi kuLabani: “Ngihambise ukuze ngiye endaweni yakithi nasezweni lakithi. + 26 Nginike omkami nabantwana bami, engikusebenzele ngenxa yabo, ukuze ngihambe, ngoba wazi kahle ukuthi ngikusebenzele ngokwethembeka.” + 27 ULabani wabe esethi kuye: “Uma ngithole umusa kuwe, ungahambi—ngithole ngamabika* ukuthi uJehova uyangibusisa ngenxa yakho.” 28 Wanezela: “Nquma inkokhelo yakho ngizokunika yona.” + 29 Ngakho uJakobe wathi kuye: “Kumele ukuba uyazi ukuthi ngikusebenzele kanjani nokuthi umhlambi wakho uchume kanjani ukimi; + 30 kuncane owawunakho ngaphambi kokufika kwami, kodwa umhlambi wakho uye wanda, noJehova uye wakubusisa selokhu ngafika. Ngakho ngizoyenzela nini okuthile eyami indlu?” +

31 ULabani wabe esethi: “Ngikunikeni?” UJakobe wathi: “Unganginiki lutho! Uma uzongenzela lokhu, ngizoqhubeka ngalusa umhlambi wakho ngiwugade. + 32 Ngizohamba phakathi kwawo wonke umhlambi wakho namuhla. Wena beka eceleni zonke izimvu ezimagqabhagqabha nezimibalabala, nazo zonke izimvu ezinsundu ngokumnyama phakathi kwamawundlu angamaduna. Uphinde ubeke eceleni izimbuzi zensikazi ezimagqabhagqabha nezimibalabala. Kusukela manje lezi kumele zibe inkokhelo yami. + 33 Ukulunga* kwami kumele kungikhulumele esikhathini esizayo lapho uzobheka inkokhelo yami; noma iyiphi engemagqabhagqabha nengemibalabala phakathi kwezimbuzi zensikazi, nanoma iyiphi phakathi kwamawundlu angamaduna engensundu ngokumnyama iyobhekwa njengeyebiwe uma ikimi.”

34 ULabani wathi: “Kulungile lokho! Makube njengoba usho.” + 35 Ngalolo suku wabeka eceleni izimpongo ezimthende nezimibalabala nazo zonke izimbuzi zensikazi ezimagqabhagqabha nezimibalabala, zonke okwakukhona kuzo umbala omhlophe, nawo wonke amawundlu angamaduna ansundu ngokumnyama wakunika amadodana akhe ukuze akunakekele. 36 Ngemva kwalokho wabeka ibanga lohambo lwezinsuku ezintathu phakathi kwakhe noJakobe, uJakobe wayelusa imihlambi kaLabani eyayisele.

37 UJakobe wabe esethatha izinduku ezisemanzi zesihlahla sesitorakisi, esom-alimondi nesompelatani, waxebula amagxolo azo, kwavela okunjengamabala amhlophe. 38 Wabe esebeka lezi zinduku ayezixebulile phambi komhlambi, emiseleni, emikhombeni yokuphuzela, lapho imihlambi yayiza khona izophuza, ukuze ivukelwe phambi kwazo lapho iza izophuza.

39 Ngakho imihlambi yayivukelwa phambi kwezinduku, bese izala ezimthende, ezimagqabhagqabha nezimibalabala. 40 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wahlukanisa amawundlu angamaduna wayesephendula imihlambi yabheka ezimthende nazo zonke ezinsundu ngokumnyama phakathi kwemihlambi kaLabani. Wabe esehlukanisa imihlambi yakhe wangayixuba nemihlambi kaLabani. 41 Kwakuthi lapho izilwane eziyizingqabavu zivukelwa, uJakobe abeke izinduku emiseleni phambi kwamehlo emihlambi, ukuze ivukelwe ngasezindukwini. 42 Kodwa uma izilwane zibuthaka, wayengazibeki izinduku lapho. Ngakho ezibuthaka njalo kwakuba ezikaLabani, kodwa eziyizingqabavu kwakuba ezikaJakobe. +

43 UJakobe wachuma kakhulu, waba nemihlambi emikhulu nezinceku nezincekukazi namakamela nezimbongolo. +

31 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJakobe wezwa okwakushiwo amadodana kaLabani, ethi: “UJakobe uthathe konke obekungokukababa, uqongelele wonke umcebo wakhe kobekungokukababa.” + 2 Lapho uJakobe ebheka ubuso bukaLabani, wabona ukuthi indlela ambheka ngayo yayingasafani nasekuqaleni. + 3 Ekugcineni uJehova wathi kuJakobe: “Buyela ezweni loyihlo nasezihlotsheni zakho, + ngizoba nawe njalo.” 4 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wathumela umyalezo kuRaheli noLeya wokuba beze edlelweni lomhlambi wakhe, 5 wabe esethi kubo:

“Ngibonile ukuthi indlela uyihlo angibheka ngayo isishintshile, + kodwa uNkulunkulu kababa ubelokhu enami. + 6 Nani ngokwenu nazi kahle ukuthi uyihlo ngimsebenzele ngawo wonke amandla ami. + 7 Uyihlo uye wazama ukungikhohlisa, washintsha nenkokhelo yami izikhathi eziyishumi; kodwa uNkulunkulu akamvumelanga ukuba angilimaze. 8 Bekuthi uma ethi, ‘Ezimagqabhagqabha zizoba inkokhelo yakho,’ bese wonke umhlambi uzala ezimagqabhagqabha; kodwa uma ethi, ‘Ezimthende zizoba inkokhelo yakho,’ wonke umhlambi uzale ezimthende. + 9 UNkulunkulu ubelokhu ethatha imfuyo kayihlo eyinika mina. 10 Kuthe lapho umhlambi uvukelwa ngaphakamisa amehlo ngabona ephusheni ukuthi izimpongo ebezikhwela umhlambi bezimthende, zimagqabhagqabha ezinye zinamabala. + 11 Ingelosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso yabe isithi kimi ephusheni, ‘Jakobe!’ mina ngathi, ‘Ngilapha.’ 12 Yaqhubeka yathi, ‘Ngicela uphakamise amehlo akho, ubone ukuthi zonke izimpongo ezikhwela umhlambi zimthende, zimagqabhagqabha nokuthi zinamabala, ngoba ngikubonile konke uLabani akwenza kuwe. + 13 NginguNkulunkulu weqiniso waseBhethele, + lapho wagcoba khona insika nalapho wenza khona isifungo kimi. + Manje suka uphume kuleli zwe ubuyele ezweni owazalelwa kulo.’” +

14 URaheli noLeya bamphendula: “Ingabe ikhona ingxenye esisalele njengefa endlini kababa? 15 Akasibheki yini njengabantu besinye isizwe njengoba esithengisile, edla nemali ekhishelwe thina? + 16 Yonke ingcebo uNkulunkulu ayithathe kubaba ingeyethu nabantwana bethu. + Ngakho, yenza konke uNkulunkulu athe kwenze.” +

17 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wasukuma wagibelisa abantwana bakhe namakhosikazi akhe emakamelini, + 18 wayesewuqhuba wonke umhlambi wakhe nayo yonke impahla ayeyiqongelele, + imfuyo yakhe ayeyithole ePhadani-aramu, waya ku-Isaka uyise ezweni laseKhanani. +

19 ULabani wayehambile eyogunda izimvu zakhe, uRaheli weba amatherafi + kayise.* + 20 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJakobe wamhlakaniphela uLabani umAramu, ngoba wayengamtshelanga ukuthi uyabaleka. 21 Wabaleka wawela uMfula,* + yena nakho konke ayenakho. Ngemva kwalokho wabhekisa amabombo esifundeni esinezintaba saseGileyadi. + 22 Ngosuku lwesithathu, uLabani watshelwa ukuthi uJakobe ubalekile. 23 Ngakho wathatha abafowabo* wamjaha ibanga elilingana nohambo lwezinsuku eziyisikhombisa wamfica esifundeni esinezintaba saseGileyadi. 24 UNkulunkulu wafika kuLabani umAramu + ephusheni ebusuku + wathi kuye: “Qaphela izinto ozisho kuJakobe, ezinhle noma ezimbi.”* +

25 Ngakho uLabani waya kuJakobe, njengoba uJakobe ayegxumeke itende lakhe entabeni, noLabani egxumeke itende nabafowabo esifundeni esinezintaba saseGileyadi. 26 ULabani wathi kuJakobe: “Yini le oyenzile? Kungani ungenzele ubuqili, wathatha amadodakazi ami wahamba nawo njengezithunjwa ezithathwe ngenkemba? 27 Kungani ungenzele ubuqili, wabaleka ngasese, wangangitshela? Ukube ubungitshelile, bengizokuvalelisa ngenjabulo nangezingoma, nangethamborini nangehabhu. 28 Awunginikanga nethuba lokuqabula abazukulu bami* namadodakazi ami. Wenze ngobuwula. 29 Nginawo amandla okunilimaza, kodwa uNkulunkulu kayihlo ukhulume nami izolo ebusuku, ethi, ‘Qaphela izinto ozisho kuJakobe, ezinhle noma ezimbi.’ + 30 Manje uhambile ngoba ubulokhu ulangazelela ukubuyela endlini kayihlo, kodwa kungani webe onkulunkulu bami?” +

31 UJakobe waphendula uLabani wathi: “Yingoba bengesaba ngizitshela ukuthi, ‘Ungase ungiphuce amadodakazi akho.’ 32 Noma ubani othola kuye onkulunkulu bakho, ngeke aphile. Phambi kwabafowethu, hlola izinto zami, uthathe okungokwakho.” Kodwa uJakobe wayengazi ukuthi uRaheli wayebebile. 33 Ngakho uLabani wangena etendeni likaJakobe nasetendeni likaLeya nasetendeni lezigqilakazi ezimbili, + kodwa akabatholanga. Wabe esephuma etendeni likaLeya wangena etendeni likaRaheli. 34 URaheli wayewathathile amatherafi, wawafaka kubhasikidi wekamela oyisihlalo sabesifazane, wahlala phezu kwawo. Ngakho uLabani wacinga kulo lonke itende, kodwa akawatholanga. 35 URaheli wabe esethi kuyise: “Ungathukutheli, nkosi yami, ngoba angikwazi ukusukuma phambi kwakho, ngoba ngisesikhathini.” + Ngakho wacinga ngokucophelela kodwa akawatholanga amatherafi. +

36 UJakobe wathukuthela waqala ukugxeka uLabani. UJakobe wayesethi kuLabani: “Liyini icala lami, ngikone ngani nje uze ungijahe kangaka? 37 Manje njengoba usucinge ezimpahleni zami zonke, yini oyitholile engeyendlu yakho? Yibeke lapha phambi kwabafowethu nabafowenu, mabahlulele phakathi kwethu sobabili. 38 Kule minyaka engu-20 nginawe, izimvu zakho nezimbuzi zakho azizange ziphunze, + angizange ngizidle nezinqama zomhlambi wakho. 39 Angizange ngilethe kuwe noma isiphi isilwane esidwengulwe izilwane zasendle. + Yimi engangilahlekelwa ngenxa yaso. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi sasebiwe emini noma sasebiwe ebusuku, wawusifuna kimi isinxephezelo. 40 Emini ngangibulawa ukushisa, ebusuku ngibulawe amakhaza, ngiphelelwe nawubuthongo. + 41 Sekuyiminyaka engu-20 ngisendlini yakho. Sengikusebenzele iminyaka engu-14 ngenxa yamadodakazi akho amabili, neyisithupha ngenxa yomhlambi wakho, futhi ubulokhu ushintsha inkokhelo yami izikhathi eziyishumi. + 42 Ukube uNkulunkulu kababa, + uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama naLowo u-Isaka amesabayo, + ubengekho ngakimi, ngabe manje ungihambise ngingenalutho. UNkulunkulu ulubonile usizi lwami nokusebenza kwami kanzima, yingakho ekuxwayisile izolo ebusuku.” +

43 ULabani waphendula uJakobe wathi: “Amadodakazi angamadodakazi ami nabantwana bangabantwana bami nomhlambi ungumhlambi wami, nayo yonke into oyibhekile ingeyami namadodakazi ami. Yini engingayenza kuwo namuhla noma kubantwana bawo abazele? 44 Manje woza senze isivumelwano, mina nawe, siyoba ubufakazi phakathi kwethu.” 45 Ngakho uJakobe wathatha itshe walimisa njengensika. + 46 UJakobe wathi kubafowabo: “Coshani amatshe!” Bawathatha amatshe benza indunduma. Ngemva kwalokho badlela lapho phezu kwendunduma yamatshe. 47 ULabani wayiqamba ngokuthi iJegari-sahadutha,* kodwa uJakobe wayiqamba ngokuthi iGaleyedi.*

48 ULabani wabe esethi: “Le ndunduma yamatshe iwubufakazi phakathi kwami nawe namuhla.” Yingakho ayiqamba ngokuthi iGaleyedi, + 49 nangokuthi iNqaba Yokuqapha, ngoba wathi: “UJehova makaqaphe* phakathi kwami nawe lapho singasabonani. 50 Uma uhlupha amadodakazi ami, uthatha nabanye abafazi ngaphezu kwamadodakazi ami, nakuba kungekho muntu onathi, khumbula ukuthi uNkulunkulu uyoba ufakazi phakathi kwami nawe.” 51 ULabani waqhubeka wathi kuJakobe: “Nansi le ndunduma yamatshe kanye nensika engiyimise phakathi kwami nawe. 52 Le ndunduma yamatshe ingufakazi, + nensika iyafakaza ukuthi ngeke ngiyidlule le ndunduma yamatshe ukuze ngikulimaze nokuthi nawe ngeke uyidlule le ndunduma yamatshe nale nsika ukuze ungilimaze. 53 UNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama + noNkulunkulu kaNahori, uNkulunkulu kayise wabo, makahlulele phakathi kwethu.” Kodwa uJakobe wafunga Lowo uyise u-Isaka amesabayo. +

54 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wenza umhlatshelo entabeni, wamema nabafowabo ukuba bazodla isinkwa. Ngakho badla bachitha lobo busuku entabeni. 55 Nokho, uLabani wavuka ekuseni kakhulu waqabula abazukulu bakhe* + namadodakazi akhe wababusisa. + ULabani wabe esehamba ebuyela ekhaya. +

32 UJakobe yena wabe eseqhubeka nendlela yakhe, izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zamhlangabeza. 2 Ngokushesha lapho uJakobe ezibona wathi: “Leli yikamu likaNkulunkulu!” Ngakho waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iMahanayimi.*

3 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wathumela izithunywa ngaphambi kwakhe kumfowabo u-Esawu ezweni laseSeyiri, + indawo* yakwa-Edomi, + 4 waziyala, wathi: “Yilokhu enizokusho enkosini yami, ku-Esawu, ‘Yilokhu inceku yakho uJakobe ekushoyo: “Ngihlale* noLabani isikhathi eside kuze kube manje. + 5 Ngithole izinkomo, izimbongolo, izimvu, izinceku nezincekukazi, + futhi ngokuthumela lo myalezo ngazisa inkosi yami, ukuze ngithole umusa kuyo.”’”

6 Ngemva kwesikhathi izithunywa zabuyela kuJakobe, zathi: “Sibonene nomfowenu u-Esawu, kumanje nje usendleleni uzokuhlangabeza, uhamba namadoda angu-400.” + 7 UJakobe wesaba kakhulu, wakhathazeka. + Ngakho wahlukanisa abantu ababenaye, kanye nemihlambi, izinkomo namakamela kwaba amakamu amabili. 8 Wathi: “Uma u-Esawu ehlasela ikamu elilodwa, elinye ikamu lizophunyuka.”

9 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wathi: “O Nkulunkulu kababa u-Abrahama noNkulunkulu kababa u-Isaka, Jehova, wena othi kimi, ‘Buyela ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho, ngizokuphatha kahle,’ + 10 alungifanele lonke lolu thando oluqotho nakho konke ukwethembeka okubonise inceku yakho, + ngoba ngawela leli Jordani ngiphethe induku kuphela kodwa manje sengibe amakamu amabili. + 11 Ngiyakuncenga, + ngisindise esandleni somfowethu u-Esawu, ngoba ngesaba ukuthi angase afike ahlasele mina, + omama kanye nabantwana. 12 Wena uthe: ‘Nakanjani ngizokuphatha kahle futhi ngiyokwenza inzalo* yakho ibe ngangesihlabathi solwandle, esingenakubalwa ngenxa yobuningi.’” +

13 Wachitha ubusuku lapho. Wayesethatha ezinye zezinto anazo zaba isipho sika-Esawu umfowabo: + 14 izimbuzi zensikazi ezingu-200, izimpongo ezingu-20, izimvu zensikazi ezingu-200, izinqama ezingu-20, 15 amakamela ancelisayo angu-30, izinkomazi ezingu-40, izinkunzi eziyishumi, izimbongolo zensikazi ezingu-20 nezimbongolo zeduna eziyishumi. +

16 Wazinika izinceku zakhe, imihlambi ilandelana, wathi ezincekwini zakhe: “Welani ngaphambi kwami, nishiye ibanga phakathi komhlambi nomhlambi.” 17 Wabe eseyala eyokuqala, wathi: “Uma kwenzeka u-Esawu umfowethu ehlangana nawe akubuze, athi, ‘Ungokabani, uyaphi, okabani lo mhlambi owuqhubayo?’ 18 kufanele uthi, ‘Ngingowenceku yakho uJakobe. Lokhu kuyisipho esithunyelwe enkosini yami, ku-Esawu, + yena usemva kwethu.’” 19 Wayala neyesibili, neyesithathu, nazo zonke ezaziqhuba imihlambi, ethi: “Nizosho lokhu ku-Esawu lapho nihlangana naye. 20 Kufanele futhi nithi, ‘Nansi inceku yakho uJakobe emva kwethu.’” Ngoba yena wayezitshela ukuthi: ‘Uma ngimthoba ngokuthumela isipho esingandulelayo, + kuzothi lapho ngimbona angamukele ngomusa.’ 21 Ngakho isipho sawelela ngaphesheya ngaphambi kwakhe, kodwa yena wachitha ubusuku ekamu.

22 Kamuva ngalobo busuku, wavuka wathatha abafazi bakhe ababili + nezincekukazi zakhe ezimbili + namadodana akhe asemancane angu-11 wawela endaweni engashoni emfuleni* iJabhoki. + 23 Wabathatha wabaweza emfuleni,* waweza nakho konke ayenakho.

24 Ekugcineni uJakobe wasala yedwa. Ngemva kwalokho indoda ethile yaqala ukubambana naye kwaze kwasa. + 25 Lapho ibona ukuthi ayimnqobanga, yathinta ithambo lenqulu yakhe; ithambo lenqulu kaJakobe lagudluka kulokho kubambana kwakhe nayo. + 26 Ngemva kwalokho yathi: “Ngidedele ngihambe ngoba sekuyasa.” Wathi: “Ngeke ngikudedele ungakangibusisi.” + 27 Ngakho yathi kuye: “Ungubani igama lakho?” yena wathi: “NginguJakobe.” 28 Yayisithi: “Igama lakho ngeke kusaba uJakobe kodwa kuzoba u-Israyeli,* + ngoba ulwe noNkulunkulu + nabantu waze wanqoba ekugcineni.” 29 UJakobe naye wathi: “Ngicela ungitshele igama lakho.” Yona yathi: “Kungani ubuza igama lami?” + Yabe isimbusisa lapho. 30 Ngakho uJakobe waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iPheniyeli,* + ngoba wathi, “Ngibone uNkulunkulu ubuso nobuso nokho ukuphila* kwami kwalondolozwa.” +

31 Ilanga laphakama phezu kwakhe lapho nje edlula ePhenuweli,* kodwa wayexhuga ngenxa yenqulu yakhe. + 32 Yingakho kuze kube namuhla abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bengajwayele ukudla umsipha wethanga,* osejoyintini lenqulu, ngoba yathinta ijoyinti lenqulu kaJakobe emsipheni wethanga.

33 UJakobe waphakamisa amehlo wabona u-Esawu eza, ekanye namadoda angu-400. + Ngakho wahlukanisa abantwana wabanika uLeya, uRaheli nezincekukazi ezimbili. + 2 Wabeka izincekukazi nabantwana bazo phambili, + uLeya nabantwana bakhe ngemva kwazo, + kwathi uRaheli + noJosefa wababeka emva kwabo. 3 Yena wabe esedlulela ngaphambi kwabo wayesekhothama kasikhombisa emhlabathini njengoba ayesondela kumfowabo.

4 Kodwa u-Esawu wagijima wamhlangabeza, wamanga, wamqabula, base bekhala kakhulu. 5 Lapho u-Esawu ephakamisa amehlo ebona abesifazane nabantwana, wathi: “Obani laba abakanye nawe?” yena wathi: “Ngabantwana uNkulunkulu ayibonise ngabo umusa inceku yakho.” + 6 Kwabe sekusondela izincekukazi kanye nabantwana bazo, bakhothama, 7 noLeya naye wasondela kanye nabantwana bakhe, bakhothama. Ngemva kwalokho noJosefa wasondela kanye noRaheli, bakhothama. +

8 U-Esawu wathi: “Kungani uthumele laba bantu nemihlambi engihlangane nayo?” + Waphendula: “Ukuze ngithole umusa enkosini yami.” + 9 U-Esawu wayesethi: “Nginempahla eningi kakhulu, mfowethu. + Ungayigcina impahla yakho.” 10 Nokho, uJakobe wathi: “Ngicela kungabi kanjalo. Uma ngithole umusa kuwe, kumele usithathe isipho sami esandleni sami, ngoba ngisilethe ngenjongo yokubona ubuso bakho. Sengibubonile ubuso bakho njengokungathi ngibona ubuso bukaNkulunkulu ngokuthi ungamukele ngenjabulo. + 11 Ngiyacela, sithathe isipho esilethwe kuwe esidlulisela isibusiso sami, + ngoba uNkulunkulu ube nomusa kimi futhi nginakho konke engikudingayo.” + Waqhubeka emncenga, waze wasithatha.

12 Kamuva u-Esawu wathi: “Masisuke sihambe, mina ngihambe phambi kwakho.” 13 Kodwa uJakobe wathi kuye: “Inkosi yami iyaqaphela ukuthi abantwana bantekenteke + nokuthi ngihamba nezimvu nezinkomo ezincelisayo. Uma ziqhutshwa ngokushesha kakhulu usuku olulodwa, wonke umhlambi uzofa. 14 Ngiyacela, inkosi yami mayihambe kuqala kunenceku yayo, kodwa mina ngizoqhubeka nohambo ngingasheshi, ngihambe ngejubane lemfuyo yami nelabantwana ngize ngifike enkosini yami eSeyiri.” + 15 U-Esawu wayesethi: “Ngicela ungivumele ngishiye kuwe abanye babantu abanami.” Wathi: “Kungani wenza kanje? Ngicela inkosi yami ingibonise umusa.” 16 Ngakho ngalolo suku u-Esawu wabuyela eSeyiri.

17 UJakobe waya eSukoti, + wazakhela indlu wenzela nomhlambi wakhe imipheme. Yingakho aqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iSukoti.*

18 Ngemva kokusuka ePhadani-aramu, + uJakobe wafika ephephile edolobheni laseShekemi, + ezweni laseKhanani, + wagxumeka itende lakhe eduze kwalelo dolobha. 19 Wabe esezitholela isiqephu sendawo ayegxumeke kuyo itende emadodaneni kaHamori, uyise kaShekemi, ngezinhlamvu zemali ezingu-100. + 20 Walimisa lapho i-altare walibiza ngokuthi uNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu Ka-Israyeli. +

34 Manje uDina indodakazi kaJakobe ayeyizalelwe uLeya + wayevame ukuphuma ayovakashela* izintombi zakulelo zwe. + 2 Lapho uShekemi indodana kaHamori umHivi, + isikhulu sezwe, embona, wamthatha wamdlwengula. 3 Wakhangwa kakhulu uDina, indodakazi kaJakobe, wayithanda le ntombi, wayitshela ukuthi uyayithanda.* 4 Ekugcineni uShekemi wathi kuHamori + uyise, “Ngithathele le ntombi ibe umkami.”

5 Ngesikhathi uJakobe ezwa ukuthi wayengcolise indodakazi yakhe uDina, amadodana akhe ayenomhlambi wakhe emadlelweni. Ngakho uJakobe wathula aze abuya. 6 Ngemva kwalokho uHamori, uyise kaShekemi, waphuma wayokhuluma noJakobe. 7 Amadodana kaJakobe ezwa ngalokhu, abuya ngokushesha evela emadlelweni. Ezwa ubuhlungu, athukuthela kakhulu ngoba uShekemi wayehlaze u-Israyeli ngokulala nendodakazi kaJakobe, + into okungafanele yenziwe. +

8 UHamori wathi: “Indodana yami uShekemi ifuna indodakazi yakho. Ngicela umnikeze yona ibe umkayo, 9 niganiselane nathi. Sinikeni amadodakazi enu, nina nizithathele amadodakazi ethu. + 10 Ningahlala nathi, izwe ningalisebenzisela noma iyiphi injongo. Hlalani, nihwebe kulo, nizinze kulo.” 11 UShekemi wayesethi kuyise kaDina nakubafowabo: “Ngicela nibe nomusa kimi, ngizoninika noma yini eniyibiza kimi. 12 Ningabiza ilobolo elikhulu kakhulu kanye nesipho. + Ngizimisele ukukhipha noma yini eningase nithi angiyikhiphe. Nina nje ngiganiseleni le ntombi.”

13 Amadodana kaJakobe abaphendula ngenkohliso uShekemi noHamori uyise, ngoba wayengcolise uDina udadewabo. 14 Athi kubo: “Ngeke neze sikwazi ukwenza into enjalo, udadewethu simnike indoda engasokile* + ngoba lokho kuyihlazo kithi. 15 Singavuma kuphela ngalo mbandela: ukuba nibe njengathi, nisoke bonke abesilisa benu. + 16 Khona-ke sizoninika amadodakazi ethu, nathi sizithathele amadodakazi enu, sizohlala nani sibe isizwe esisodwa. 17 Kodwa uma ningasilaleli bese ningasokwa, sizoyithatha indodakazi yethu sihambe.”

18 Amazwi abo amjabulisa uHamori + noShekemi, indodana yakhe. + 19 Le nsizwa ayilibalanga ukwenza ababekushilo, + ngoba yayijabula ngendodakazi kaJakobe futhi yayihlonishwa kakhulu kunabo bonke endlini kayise.

20 Ngakho uHamori nendodana yakhe uShekemi baya esangweni ledolobha bafike bakhuluma namadoda edolobha lakubo, + bathi: 21 “Laba bantu bafisa ukuba nokuthula nathi. Masibavumele bahlale ezweni bahwebe kulo, ngoba izwe likhulu ngokwanele ukuba bahlale kulo. Singathatha amadodakazi abo abe abafazi bethu, nathi singabanika amadodakazi ethu. + 22 Yilo mbandela owodwa kuphela la madoda azovuma ngawo ukuhlala nathi ukuze sibe isizwe esisodwa: ukuba bonke abesilisa kithi basokwe njengoba nje nabo besokiwe. + 23 Ngemva kwalokho ngeke yini impahla yabo, umcebo wabo, nayo yonke imfuyo yabo kube okwethu? Ngakho masivume ukuba bahlale nathi.” 24 Bonke ababephuma ngesango ledolobha lakubo bamlalela uHamori nendodana yakhe uShekemi, bonke abesilisa basokwa, bonke ababephuma ngesango ledolobha.

25 Nokho, ngosuku lwesithathu, lapho besesezinhlungwini, amadodana amabili kaJakobe, uSimeyoni noLevi, abafowabo bakaDina, + ngayinye yathatha inkemba, aya edolobheni ngokungasolisi, afike abulala bonke abesilisa. + 26 Abulala uHamori nendodana yakhe uShekemi ngenkemba ayesethatha uDina endlini kaShekemi ahamba. 27 Amanye amadodana kaJakobe aya edolobheni athola amadoda ayebulewe, aphanga idolobha ngoba babengcolise udadewabo. + 28 Athatha imihlambi yabo, izimbongolo zabo nanoma yini eyayisedolobheni nasemasimini. 29 Athatha nakho konke okwakungokwabo, athatha nabo bonke abantwana babo nabafazi babo, aphanga nakho konke okwakusezindlini.

30 UJakobe wathi kuSimeyoni noLevi: + “Ningilethele inkathazo enkulu* ngokungenza ngibe iphunga elibi kubantu bakuleli zwe, kumaKhanani namaPherizi. Thina simbalwa, nakanjani bazobuthana ndawonye bangihlasele bangiqothule, mina nendlu yami.” 31 Bona bathi: “Ingabe udadewethu kufanele aphathwe njengesifebe?”

35 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi kuJakobe: “Sukuma ukhuphukele eBhethele + uhlale khona, umakhele lapho i-altare uNkulunkulu weqiniso, owabonakala kuwe ngesikhathi ubalekela u-Esawu umfowenu.” +

2 UJakobe wabe esethi kwabomndeni wakhe nakubo bonke ababenaye: “Lahlani onkulunkulu bezizwe abaphakathi kwenu + nizihlanze nishintshe izingubo zenu, 3 futhi masisuke sikhuphukele eBhethele. Ngizomakhela lapho i-altare uNkulunkulu weqiniso, owangiphendula ngosuku lokucindezeleka kwami nobelokhu enami nomaphi lapho bengiya khona.”* + 4 Ngakho banika uJakobe bonke onkulunkulu bezizwe ababenabo namacici ayesezindlebeni zabo, uJakobe wabagqiba* ngaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu esasiseduze kwaseShekemi.

5 Lapho sebesendleleni, uNkulunkulu wabangela ukwesaba okukhulu emadolobheni ayebazungezile, ngakho abazange bawajahe amadodana kaJakobe. 6 Ekugcineni uJakobe wafika eLuze, + okungukuthi iBhethele, ezweni laseKhanani, yena nabo bonke abantu ababenaye. 7 Walakha lapho i-altare wabiza leyo ndawo ngokuthi i-Eli-bhethele,* ngoba yilapho uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayezibonakalise khona kuye ngesikhathi ebalekela umfowabo. + 8 Kamuva uDebora + umzanyana* kaRebheka wafa, wangcwatshwa eduze kweBhethele ngaphansi kwesihlahla esikhulu.* Ngakho wasiqamba ngokuthi i-Aloni-bakhuti.*

9 UNkulunkulu waphinda wabonakala kuJakobe ngesikhathi ebuya ePhadani-aramu, wambusisa. 10 UNkulunkulu wathi kuye: “Igama lakho unguJakobe. + Igama lakho ngeke kusaba uJakobe, kodwa uzoba u-Israyeli.” Wayeseqala ukumbiza ngokuthi u-Israyeli. + 11 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka wathi kuye: “NginguNkulunkulu uMninimandla Onke. + Zala wande. Kuyophuma kuwe izizwe namaqembu ezizwe, + kuphume namakhosi kuwe.* + 12 Ngokuqondene nezwe engilinike u-Abrahama no-Isaka, ngizolinika wena, ngiyolinika nenzalo* yakho.” + 13 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wasuka kuye endaweni ayekhulume naye kuyo.

14 Ngakho uJakobe wamisa insika endaweni ayekhulume naye kuyo, insika yetshe, wathela kuyo umnikelo ophuzwayo, wathela namafutha kuyo. + 15 UJakobe wabiza indawo uNkulunkulu ayekhulume naye kuyo ngokuthi iBhethele. +

16 Babe sebesuka eBhethele. Ngesikhathi kusasele ibanga elithile ngaphambi kokuba bafike e-Efrathi, uRaheli waqala ukubeletha, kwakunzima kakhulu kuye ukubeletha. 17 Kodwa ngesikhathi eshikashikeka ukuze abelethe umntwana, umbelethisi wathi kuye: “Ungesabi, ngoba uzoba nayo nale ndodana.” + 18 Ngemizuzu yokugcina yokuphila kwakhe—ngoba wayesefa—wayiqamba ngokuthi uBheni-oni,* kodwa uyise wayiqamba ngokuthi uBhenjamini.* + 19 Ngakho uRaheli wafa wangcwatshwa endleleni eya e-Efrathi, okungukuthi, eBhetlehema. + 20 UJakobe wamisa insika phezu kwethuna lakhe; iyinsika yethuna likaRaheli kuze kube namuhla.

21 Ngemva kwalokho u-Israyeli wasuka lapho wagxumeka itende lakhe ngale kombhoshongo wase-Edere. 22 Kwathi ngesinye isikhathi u-Israyeli ehlala kulelo zwe, uRubeni wahamba walala noBhiliha isancinza sikayise, u-Israyeli wezwa ngakho. +

Amadodana kaJakobe ayengu-12. 23 Amadodana azalwa uLeya kwakuyizibulo likaJakobe uRubeni, + bese kuba uSimeyoni, uLevi, uJuda, u-Isakare noZebhuloni. 24 Amadodana azalwa uRaheli kwakunguJosefa noBhenjamini. 25 Amadodana azalwa uBhiliha, incekukazi kaRaheli, kwakunguDani noNafetali. 26 Amadodana azalwa uZilipha, incekukazi kaLeya, kwakunguGadi no-Asheri. Lawa amadodana kaJakobe, azalelwa wona ePhadani-aramu.

27 Ekugcineni uJakobe wafika lapho kwakukhona khona uyise u-Isaka eMamre, + eKiriyati-ariba, okungukuthi, eHebroni, lapho u-Abrahama no-Isaka babehlala khona njengezifiki. + 28 U-Isaka waphila waze waba neminyaka engu-180 ubudala. + 29 Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka waphefumula okokugcina wafa, ngemva kokuphila isikhathi eside ukuphila okwanelisayo,* bamngcwaba njengoba bangcwaba abantu bakubo;* amadodana akhe u-Esawu noJakobe amngcwaba. +

36 Lona umlando ka-Esawu, okungukuthi, u-Edomi. +

2 U-Esawu wathatha abafazi bakhe emadodakazini aseKhanani: U-Ada + indodakazi ka-Eloni umHeti; + u-Oholibhama + indodakazi ka-Ana, umzukulu kaZibheyoni umHivi; 3 noBhasemati, + indodakazi ka-Ishmayeli, udadewabo kaNebhayoti. +

Lawa amadodana ka-Esawu, azalelwa wona ezweni laseKhanani. 6 Ngemva kwalokho u-Esawu wathatha abafazi bakhe, amadodana akhe, amadodakazi akhe, wonke amalungu omndeni wakhe, umhlambi wakhe nazo zonke ezinye izilwane zakhe, nawo wonke umcebo ayewuqongelele + ezweni laseKhanani, waya kwelinye izwe kude noJakobe umfowabo. + 7 Ngoba impahla yabo yase iningi kakhulu ukuba bangahlala ndawonye, nezwe ababehlala kulo* lalingakwazi ukubasekela ngenxa yemihlambi yabo. 8 Ngakho u-Esawu wahlala esifundeni esinezintaba saseSeyiri. + U-Esawu ngu-Edomi. +

9 Lona umlando ka-Esawu uyise wabakwa-Edomi esifundeni esinezintaba saseSeyiri. +

10 Yilawa amagama amadodana ka-Esawu: U-Elifazi indodana ka-Ada, umka-Esawu; uRehuweli indodana kaBhasemati, umka-Esawu. +

11 Amadodana ka-Elifazi kwakunguThemani, + u-Omari, uZefo, uGathamu noKhenazi. + 12 UThimna waba isancinza sika-Elifazi, indodana ka-Esawu. Ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela u-Elifazi u-Amaleki. + Lawa amadodana ka-Ada, umka-Esawu.

13 Yilawa amadodana kaRehuweli: UNahati, uZera, uShamumaha noMiza. Lawa kwakungamadodana kaBhasemati, + umka-Esawu.

14 Lawa kwakungamadodana ka-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana, umzukulu kaZibheyoni, umka-Esawu, awazalela u-Esawu: uJewushi, uJalamu noKhora.

15 Laba abaholi besizwe abavela enzalweni ka-Esawu: + Amadodana ka-Elifazi, izibulo lika-Esawu: UMholi uThemani, uMholi u-Omari, uMholi uZefo, uMholi uKhenazi, + 16 uMholi uKhora, uMholi uGathamu, noMholi u-Amaleki. Laba abaholi baka-Elifazi + ezweni lakwa-Edomi. Lawa amadodana azalwa ngu-Ada.

17 Yilawa amadodana kaRehuweli, indodana ka-Esawu: UMholi uNahati, uMholi uZera, uMholi uShamumaha noMholi uMiza. Laba abaholi bakaRehuweli ezweni lakwa-Edomi. + Lawa amadodana azalwa uBhasemati, umka-Esawu.

18 Ekugcineni yilawa amadodana ka-Oholibhama, umka-Esawu: UMholi uJewushi, uMholi uJalamu noMholi uKhora. Laba abaholi baka-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana, umka-Esawu.

19 Lawa amadodana ka-Esawu, laba abaholi bawo. Ungu-Edomi. +

20 Yilawa amadodana kaSeyiri umHori, ayakhe ezweni: + ULothani, uShobali, uZibheyoni, u-Ana, + 21 uDishoni, u-Ezeri noDishani. + Laba abaholi bamaHori, amadodana kaSeyiri, ezweni lakwa-Edomi.

22 Amadodana kaLothani kwakunguHori noHemamu, udadewabo kaLothani kwakunguThimna. +

23 Yilawa amadodana kaShobali: U-Alivani, uManahati, u-Ebhali, uShefo no-Onamu.

24 Yilawa amadodana kaZibheyoni: + U-Aya no-Ana. Yilo Ana owathola iziphethu ezishisayo ehlane lapho eluse izimbongolo zikaZibheyoni uyise.

25 Yilaba abantwana baka-Ana: UDishoni no-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana.

26 Yilawa amadodana kaDishoni: UHemidani, u-Eshibani, u-Ithirani noKerani. +

27 Yilawa amadodana ka-Ezeri: UBhilihani, uZavani no-Akani.

28 Yilawa amadodana kaDishani: U-Uze no-Arana. +

29 Yilaba abaholi bamaHori: UMholi uLothani, uMholi uShobali, uMholi uZibheyoni, uMholi u-Ana, 30 uMholi uDishoni, uMholi u-Ezeri noMholi uDishani. + Laba abaholi bamaHori ngokwehlukahluka kwabo ezweni laseSeyiri.

31 Manje yilawa amakhosi ayebusa ezweni lakwa-Edomi + ngaphambi kokuba kubuse noma iyiphi inkosi phezu kwama-Israyeli.* + 32 UBhela indodana kaBheyori wabusa kwa-Edomi, igama ledolobha lakhe kwakuyiDinihaba. 33 Lapho uBhela efa, uJobabi indodana kaZera waseBhozira wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 34 Lapho uJobabi efa, uHushamu wasezweni lamaThemani wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 35 Lapho uHushamu efa, uHadadi indodana kaBhedadi, owanqoba abakwaMidiyani + endaweni* yakwaMowabi, wabusa esikhundleni sakhe, igama ledolobha lakhe kwakuyi-Aviti. 36 Lapho uHadadi efa, uSamla waseMasireka wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 37 Lapho uSamla efa, uShawule waseRehobhoti ngaseMfuleni wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 38 Lapho uShawule efa, uBhali-hanani indodana ka-Akhibori wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. 39 Lapho uBhali-hanani indodana ka-Akhibori efa, uHadari wabusa esikhundleni sakhe. Igama ledolobha lakhe kwakuyiPhawu, igama lomkakhe kunguMehetabeli indodakazi kaMatiredi indodakazi kaMezahabi.

40 Ngakho lawa amagama abaholi baka-Esawu ngokwemindeni yabo, ngokwezindawo zabo, ngamagama abo: UMholi uThimna, uMholi u-Aliva, uMholi uJetheti, + 41 uMholi u-Oholibhama, uMholi u-Elahi, uMholi uPhinoni, 42 uMholi uKhenazi, uMholi uThemani, uMholi uMibizari, 43 uMholi uMagidiyeli noMholi u-Iramu. Laba abaholi bakwa-Edomi ngokwezindawo zabo zokuhlala ezweni eliyifa labo. + Lona u-Esawu uyise wabakwa-Edomi. +

37 UJakobe waqhubeka ehleli ezweni laseKhanani, lapho uyise ayehlala khona njengesifiki. +

2 Lona umlando kaJakobe.

Lapho indodana yakhe uJosefa + ineminyaka engu-17 ubudala, yayelusa umhlambi + namadodana kaBhiliha + namadodana kaZilipha, + abafazi bakayise. UJosefa waletha umbiko omubi ngabo kuyise. 3 U-Israyeli wayemthanda uJosefa ngaphezu kwawo wonke amanye amadodana akhe, + ngoba wayemzale esegugile, ngakho wamenzela ingubo ekhethekile.* 4 Lapho abafowabo bebona ukuthi uyise wayemthanda ngaphezu kwabo bonke abafowabo, baqala ukumzonda futhi babengakwazi ukukhuluma naye ngokuthula.

5 Kamuva uJosefa waphupha iphupho walixoxela abafowabo, + base bethola esinye isizathu sokumzonda. 6 Wathi kubo: “Ngicela nilalele nali iphupho engiliphuphile. 7 Besibopha izithungo phakathi nensimu lapho isithungo sami sivuka sima siqonda, izithungo zenu zangunga isithungo sami zasikhothamela.” + 8 Abafowabo bathi kuye: “Ingabe ngempela uzozenza inkosi phezu kwethu usibuse?” + Ngakho bathola esinye isizathu sokumzonda ngenxa yamaphupho akhe nangenxa yalokho ayekushilo.

9 Ngemva kwalokho waphupha nelinye futhi iphupho, walilandisa abafowabo wathi: “Ngiphuphe nelinye iphupho. Kulokhu ilanga nenyanga nezinkanyezi ezingu-11 bekungikhothamela.” + 10 Wabe eselilandisa uyise nabafowabo, uyise wamkhuza wathi kuye: “Lisho ukuthini leli phupho lakho? Ingabe mina nonyoko nabafowenu ngempela sizokukhothamela emhlabathini?” 11 Abafowabo baba nomona ngaye, + kodwa uyise wawagcina la mazwi engqondweni.

12 Abafowabo bahamba bayisa umhlambi kayise emadlelweni eduze kwaseShekemi. + 13 Kamuva u-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Abafowenu baluse imihlambi eduze kwaseShekemi, akunjalo? Woza, ngikuthume kubo.” UJosefa wathi kuye: “Kulungile!” 14 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Ngicela uhambe uyobona ukuthi kubahambela kahle yini abafowenu. Ubheke ukuthi umhlambi unjani bese ubuya uzongitshela.” Wamhambisa esuka esigodini* saseHebroni, + wahamba waya ngaseShekemi. 15 Kamuva umuntu othile wamthola njengoba ayezulazula endle. Lo muntu wambuza, wathi: “Ufunani?” 16 Wathi: “Ngifuna abafowethu. Ngicela ungitshele, bayelusele kuphi imihlambi?” 17 Lo muntu wathi: “Basukile lapha, ngoba ngibazwile bethi, ‘Masihambeni siye eDothani.’” Ngakho uJosefa wabalandela abafowabo wabathola eDothani.

18 Bambona esekude futhi ngaphambi kokuba afike kubo, baqala ukumakhela uzungu lokumbulala. 19 Ngakho bathi omunye komunye: “Bhekani! Nanguya umphuphi eza. + 20 Wozani simbulale simphonse komunye wemigodi yamanzi, sizothi ushwabadelwe isilwane sasendle esinolaka, bese siyabona ukuthi kuyokwenzekani ngamaphupho akhe.” 21 Lapho uRubeni + ekuzwa lokhu, wazama ukumsindisa kubo. Wathi: “Masingambulali.” + 22 URubeni wathi kubo: “Ningachithi igazi. + Mphonseni kulo mgodi wamanzi osehlane, kodwa ningamlimazi.”* + Injongo yakhe kwakuwukumsindisa kubo ukuze ambuyisele kuyise.

23 Kwathi ngokushesha lapho uJosefa efika kubafowabo, bamkhumula ingubo yakhe, ingubo ekhethekile ayeyigqokile, + 24 bamthatha bamphonsa emgodini wamanzi. Ngaleso sikhathi umgodi wawungenalutho; kwakungekho manzi kuwo.

25 Ngemva kwalokho bahlala phansi badla. Lapho bephakamisa amehlo, kwakuza iqulu labakwa-Ishmayeli + livela eGileyadi. Amakamela abo ayethwele inomfi* yelabhidanu, ibhalsamu namagxolo anenomfi, + babeya eGibhithe. 26 UJuda wathi kubafowabo: “Bekuzoba nayiphi inzuzo ukube besimbulele umfowethu sase silimboza igazi lakhe? + 27 Wozani simthengise + kwabakwa-Ishmayeli, isandla sethu masingabi phezu kwakhe. Nikhumbule, ungumfowethu, inyama yethu.” Ngakho bamlalela umfowabo. 28 Kwase kuthi lapho kudlula abathengisi bakwaMidiyani, + bamkhipha emgodini wamanzi uJosefa, base bemthengisa kwabakwa-Ishmayeli ngezinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-20. + Bamyisa eGibhithe uJosefa.

29 Kamuva lapho uRubeni ebuyela emgodini wamanzi, ebona ukuthi uJosefa wayengekho emgodini, waklebhula izingubo zakhe. 30 Lapho ebuyela kubafowabo, wababaza: “Ingane inyamalele! Mina-ke—ngizokwenzenjani?”

31 Ngakho bathatha ingubo kaJosefa bahlaba impongo, bacwilisa le ngubo egazini. 32 Ngemva kwalokho bayithumela kuyise le ngubo ekhethekile bathi: “Nakhu esikutholile. Sicela uhlole ukuthi akuyona yini ingubo yendodana yakho.” + 33 Wayihlola wababaza: “Yingubo yendodana yami le! Kumele ukuba ishwabadelwe isilwane sasendle esinolaka! Nakanjani uJosefa useyizicucu!” 34 UJakobe waklebhula izingubo zakhe wabhinca indwangu yesaka okhalweni lwakhe walilela indodana yakhe izinsuku eziningi. 35 Wonke amadodana akhe nawo wonke amadodakazi akhe ayelokhu ezama ukumduduza, kodwa wayelokhu enqaba ukududuzeka, ethi: “Ngiyoyililela ngize ngife* + indodana yami!” Uyise waqhubeka emkhalela.

36 AbakwaMidiyani bamthengisa eGibhithe kuPotifari, isikhulu segceke sikaFaro, + induna yonogada. +

38 Phakathi naleso sikhathi uJuda wabashiya abafowabo wagxumeka itende lakhe eduze komuntu wase-Adulamu, ogama lakhe linguHira. 2 UJuda wayibona lapho indodakazi yomKhanani + othile, ogama lakhe kwakunguShuwa. Ngakho wayithatha walala nayo, 3 yakhulelwa. Kamuva yazala indodana, wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Eri. + 4 Yaphinda futhi yakhulelwa yazala indodana, wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Onani. 5 Yaphinda futhi yazala indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi uShela. Wayese-Akizibi* + ngesikhathi iyizala.

6 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJuda wamthathela umfazi u-Eri izibulo lakhe, igama lakhe kwakunguThamari. + 7 Kodwa u-Eri, izibulo likaJuda, wayenza okubi emehlweni kaJehova; ngakho uJehova wambulala. 8 Ngenxa yalokho uJuda wathi ku-Onani: “Lala nomkamfowenu umngene uvusele umfowenu inzalo.” + 9 Kodwa u-Onani wayazi ukuthi leyo nzalo yayingeke ibhekwe njengeyakhe. + Ngakho lapho elala nomkamfowabo, wasichithela phansi isidoda sakhe ukuze angamniki umfowabo inzalo. + 10 Lokhu akwenza kwakukubi emehlweni kaJehova, ngakho naye wambulala. + 11 UJuda wathi kuThamari umalokazana wakhe: “Hlala njengomfelokazi emzini kayihlo ize ikhule indodana yami uShela,” ngoba wayezitshela ukuthi: ‘Naye angase afe njengabafowabo.’ + Ngakho uThamari wahamba wayohlala emzini kayise.

12 Ngemva kwesikhathi esithile umkaJuda, indodakazi kaShuwa, + wafa. Lapho uJuda eqeda inkathi yokulila, wahamba waya kubagundi bezimvu zakhe eThimna, + yena noHira umngani wakhe wase-Adulamu. + 13 Kwathiwa kuThamari: “Lalela, uyihlozala ukhuphukela eThimna uyogunda izimvu zakhe.” 14 Ngakho wakhumula inzilo wazimboza ubuso wembatha itshali wahlala phansi esangweni lase-Enayimi, elisendleleni eya eThimna, ngoba wayebona ukuthi uShela wayesekhulile kodwa enganikwanga yena ukuba abe umkakhe. +

15 Lapho uJuda embona, ngokushesha wacabanga ukuthi uyisifebe, ngoba wayemboze ubuso. 16 Ngakho waphambukela kuye ngasendleleni wathi: “Ngicela ungivumele ngilale nawe,” ngoba wayengazi ukuthi kwakungumalokazana wakhe. + Nokho, wathi: “Uzonginikani ukuze ulale nami?” 17 UJuda wathi: “Ngizothumela izinyane lembuzi elivela emhlanjini wami.” Kodwa uThamari wathi: “Uzonginika yini isibambiso kuze kube yilapho ulithumela?” 18 Wathi: “Ngikunike sibambiso sini?” yena wathi: “Indandatho eyisigxivizo + nentambo yakho nenduku oyiphethe.” Wabe esemnika kona walala naye, wakhulelwa. 19 Ngemva kwalokho wasukuma wahamba wasusa itshali wagqoka inzilo yakhe.

20 UJuda wathumela umngani wakhe wase-Adulamu + ukuba ahambise izinyane lembuzi ukuze kubuye isibambiso esasikowesifazane, kodwa akamtholanga. 21 Wabuza kubantu bendawo yakubo, wathi: “Siphi lesiya sifebe sasethempelini e-Enayimi eduze kwendlela?” Kodwa bathi: “Akukaze kube khona sifebe sasethempelini kule ndawo.” 22 Ekugcineni wabuyela kuJuda wathi: “Angizange ngisithole, nabantu bendawo bathe, ‘Akukaze kube khona sifebe sasethempelini kule ndawo.’” 23 Ngakho uJuda wathi: “Masizithathele kona, ngaphandle kwalokho sizozilethela ihlazo uma silokhu sisifuna. Mina ngilithumelile izinyane lembuzi, kodwa awuzange usithole.”

24 Nokho, kwathi ezinyangeni ezingaba ntathu kamuva, kwathiwa kuJuda: “UThamari umalokazana wakho uziphathise okwesifebe futhi ukhulelwe ngenxa yobufebe bakhe.” Kulokho uJuda wathi: “Mkhipheleni ngaphandle ashiswe.” + 25 Njengoba ayekhishwa wathumela lo myalezo kuyisezala: “Ngikhuleliswe indoda engumnikazi walezi zinto.” Wanezela: “Ngicela uzihlole ukuthi zingezikabani, indandatho eyisigxivizo nentambo nenduku.” + 26 UJuda wazihlola wayesethi: “Ulunge ngaphezu kwami, ngoba angimnikanga uShela indodana yami.” + Akaphindanga walala naye ngemva kwalokho.

27 Lapho kufika isikhathi sokuba abelethe, kwakukhona amawele esibelethweni sakhe. 28 Njengoba ayebeletha, elinye lakhipha isandla salo, ngokushesha umbelethisi wathatha intambo ebomvu wayibopha esandleni salo, wathi: “Lona uphume kuqala.” 29 Kodwa lapho lisibuyisela emuva isandla, umfowabo waphuma, umbelethisi wababaza: “Yile ndlela ofohla ngayo ukuze uphume!” Ngakho waqanjwa ngokuthi uPherezi.* + 30 Ngemva kwalokho kwaphuma umfowabo, okwakuboshelwe kuye intambo ebomvu esandleni, waqanjwa ngokuthi uZera. +

39 UJosefa wehliselwa eGibhithe, + umGibhithe ogama lakhe linguPotifari, + isikhulu segceke sikaFaro, induna yonogada, wamthenga kwabakwa-Ishmayeli + ababemehlisele khona. 2 Kodwa uJehova wayenoJosefa. + Ngenxa yalokho, waphumelela waphathiswa indlu yenkosi yakhe, umGibhithe. 3 Inkosi yakhe yabona ukuthi uJehova wayenaye nokuthi konke ayekwenza uJehova wayekuphumelelisa.

4 UJosefa waqhubeka ethola umusa kuyo, waba inceku yayo. Ngakho yammisa ukuba aphathe indlu yayo, yamphathisa konke okwakungokwayo. 5 Kusukela ngesikhathi eyammisa ngaso ukuba aphathe indlu yayo nokuba aphathe konke okwakungokwayo, uJehova waqhubeka eyibusisa indlu yalo mGibhithe ngenxa kaJosefa, isibusiso sikaJehova saba phezu kwakho konke ayenakho endlini nasensimini. + 6 Ekugcineni wabeka uJosefa kuzo zonke izinto zakhe ukuba azinakekele; futhi wayengacabangi ngalutho ngaphandle kokudla ayekudla. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJosefa wakhula waba nomzimba omuhle futhi waba muhle.

7 Umkankosi yakhe waqala ukubuka uJosefa, wathi: “Lala nami.” 8 Kodwa wenqaba wathi kumkankosi yakhe: “Inkosi yami ayazi ukuthi yini enami endlini, ingiphathise konke enakho ukuba ngikunakekele. 9 Akekho omkhulu kunami kule ndlu, ayingigodlelanga lutho neze ngaphandle kwakho, ngoba ungumkayo. Pho ngingabenza kanjani lobu bubi obukhulu kangaka ngone kuNkulunkulu?” +

10 Ngakho wayekhuluma noJosefa usuku nosuku, kodwa akazange avume ukulala naye noma ukuba naye. 11 Ngolunye usuku lapho engena endlini eyokwenza umsebenzi wakhe, kwakungekho neyodwa yezinceku endlini. 12 Umkankosi wambamba ngengubo, wathi: “Lala nami!” Kodwa uJosefa wayishiya esandleni sakhe ingubo yakhe wabalekela ngaphandle. 13 Kwathi nje lapho umkankosi ebona ukuthi wayeshiye ingubo yakhe esandleni sakhe wabalekela ngaphandle, 14 waqala ukumemeza amadoda endlu yakhe ethi kuwo: “Bhekani! Usilethele le ndoda engumHebheru ukuba isenze inhlekisa. Ize kimi ukuze ilale nami, kodwa ngaqala ukumemeza ngalo lonke izwi lami. 15 Kuthe lapho izwa ngiphakamisa izwi ngimemeza, yashiya ingubo yayo eceleni kwami yabalekela ngaphandle.” 16 Ngemva kwalokho wabeka ingubo kaJosefa eceleni kwakhe kwaze kwaba yilapho inkosi yakhe ifika endlini yayo.

17 Wabe eseyitshela into efanayo, wathi: “Le nceku engumHebheru osilethele yona ize kimi izongenza inhlekisa. 18 Kodwa kuthe lapho ngiphakamisa izwi lami ngimemeza, yashiya ingubo yayo eceleni kwami yabalekela ngaphandle.” 19 Ngemva nje kokuba inkosi yakhe izwe amazwi umkayo awakhuluma kuyo, ethi: “Yilezi izinto inceku yakho ezenze kimi,” intukuthelo yayo yavutha. 20 Ngakho inkosi kaJosefa yamthatha yamfaka ejele, endaweni lapho iziboshwa zenkosi zazigcinwa khona ziboshiwe, wahlala ejele. +

21 Kodwa uJehova waqhubeka enoJosefa embonisa uthando oluqotho, emenza nokuba athole umusa esikhulwini esiyinhloko sejele. + 22 Ngakho isikhulu esiyinhloko sejele sabeka uJosefa phezu kwazo zonke iziboshwa ezazisejele, konke ezazikwenza lapho, kwakunguye owayekuyaleza. + 23 Isikhulu esiyinhloko sejele sasinganakekeli lutho nhlobo olwalunakekelwa uJosefa, ngoba uJehova wayenoJosefa futhi uJehova wayephumelelisa noma yini ayeyenza. +

40 Ngemva kwalokho, induna yabaphathindebe* + benkosi yaseGibhithe kanye nenduna yababhaki benza okubi enkosini yabo, inkosi yaseGibhithe. 2 Ngakho uFaro wazithukuthelela lezi zikhulu ezimbili, induna yabaphathindebe nenduna yababhaki, + 3 wazivalela ejele lendlu yenduna yonogada, + endaweni uJosefa ayeboshwe kuyo. + 4 Ngemva kwalokho induna yonogada yabela uJosefa ukuba abe nazo azinakekele, + zaqhubeka zisejele isikhathi esithile.*

5 Umphathindebe nombhaki wenkosi yaseGibhithe ababeboshwe ejele, ngamunye kubo waphupha iphupho ngobusuku obufanayo, iphupho ngalinye lalinencazelo yalo. 6 Ngakusasa ekuseni lapho uJosefa engena ebabona, babebukeka bedangele. 7 Ngakho wababuza: “Kungani ubuso benu buhwaqabele namuhla?” 8 Bona bathi kuye: “Ngamunye kithi uphuphe iphupho, kodwa akekho ongasichazela lona.” UJosefa wathi kubo: “Izincazelo akuzona yini ezikaNkulunkulu? + Ngicela ningixoxele wona.”

9 Induna yabaphathindebe yaxoxela uJosefa iphupho layo yathi kuye: “Ephusheni lami, bekukhona isihlahla samagilebhisi phambi kwami. 10 Esihlahleni samagilebhisi bekukhona amagatshana amathathu futhi njengoba besihluma amacembe siqhakazile, amagilebhisi avuthwa emahlukuzweni awo. 11 Indebe kaFaro ibisesandleni sami, ngathatha amagilebhisi ngawakhamela endebeni kaFaro. Ngemva kwalokho ngabeka indebe esandleni sikaFaro.” 12 UJosefa wabe esethi kuyo: “Nansi incazelo yalo: Amagatshana amathathu ayizinsuku ezintathu. 13 Ezinsukwini ezintathu kusukela manje, uFaro uzokukhipha* akubuyisele esikhundleni sakho, + uzobeka indebe kaFaro esandleni sakhe njengoba bewenza ngaphambili lapho usengumphathindebe wakhe. + 14 Nokho, ungikhumbule lapho izinto sezikuhambela kahle. Ngicela ungibonise uthando oluqotho ukhulume ngami kuFaro, ukuze ungikhiphe kule ndawo. 15 Eqinisweni ngathunjwa ezweni lamaHebheru, + angenzanga lutho lapha njengoba bengifake ejele.”* +

16 Lapho induna yababhaki ibona ukuthi uJosefa wayenikeze incazelo enhle, yathi kuye: “Nami ngiphuphile, bekukhona obhasikidi abathathu bezinkwa ezimhlophe ekhanda lami, 17 kubhasikidi ophezulu bekukhona zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezibhakiwe zikaFaro, kukhona nezinyoni zidla lezo zinto kulowo bhasikidi ophezu kwekhanda lami.” 18 UJosefa waphendula, “Nansi incazelo yalo: Obhasikidi abathathu bayizinsuku ezintathu. 19 Ezinsukwini ezintathu kusukela manje, uFaro uzonquma ikhanda lakho,* akulengise esigxotsheni, izinyoni zidle inyama yakho.” +

20 Ngosuku lwesithathu kwaba usuku lukaFaro lokuzalwa, + wenzela zonke izinceku zakhe idili, wabakhipha* bobabili induna yabaphathindebe nenduna yababhaki phakathi kwezinceku zakhe. 21 Wayibuyisela induna yabaphathindebe esikhundleni sayo sokuba umphathindebe, yaqhubeka inika uFaro indebe. 22 Kodwa wayilengisa induna yababhaki, njengoba nje uJosefa ayezichazelile. + 23 Nokho, induna yabaphathindebe ayizange imkhumbule uJosefa; yayilokhu imkhohlwa. +

41 Ekupheleni kweminyaka emibili egcwele, uFaro waphupha + emi ngaseMfuleni iNayile. 2 Emfuleni kwakukhuphuka izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezinhle, ezikhuluphele, zidla utshani beNayile. + 3 Kwakunezinye izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezazibukeka zizimbi zizacile zikhuphuka ngemva kwazo ziphuma emfuleni iNayile, zama eceleni kwezinkomo ezikhuluphele ezazisosebeni lweNayile. 4 Izinkomo ezimbi, ezizacile zaqala ukudla izinkomo ezinhle eziyisikhombisa ezikhuluphele. UFaro waphaphama.

5 Wabuye walala, waphinde waphupha okwesibili. Kwakukhona izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa zihluma ohlangeni olulodwa, zigcwele futhi zizinhle. + 6 Ngemva kwazo kwakukhula izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa, zizacile zihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga. 7 Izixha ezizacile zokudla okusanhlamvu zaqala ukugwinya izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa ezazigcwele futhi zizinhle. UFaro wabe esephaphama, wabona ukuthi kwakuyiphupho.

8 Kodwa ekuseni umoya wakhe waqala ukukhathazeka. Ngakho wathumela wabiza bonke abapristi baseGibhithe abenza imilingo nawo wonke amadoda akhona ahlakaniphile. UFaro wabaxoxela amaphupho akhe, kodwa akekho kubo owayengamchazela wona.

9 Induna yabaphathindebe yakhuluma noFaro, yathi: “Namhlanje ngiyazivuma izono zami. 10 UFaro wayezithukuthelele izinceku zakhe. Ngakho wangivalela ejele lendlu yenduna yonogada, sobabili mina nenduna yababhaki. + 11 Ngemva kwalokho ngamunye wethu waphupha iphupho ngobusuku obufanayo. Mina nayo saphupha, iphupho ngalinye lalinencazelo ehlukile. + 12 Kwakukhona insizwa ethile engumHebheru kanye nathi lapho, inceku yenduna yonogada. + Lapho siyixoxela wona, + yasichazela ukuthi iphupho ngalinye lisho ukuthini. 13 Kwenzeka njengoba nje yayisichazele. Mina ngabuyiselwa esikhundleni sami, kodwa lona omunye walengiswa.” +

14 Ngakho uFaro wabe esethumela ukuba kubizwe uJosefa, + bamletha ngokushesha evela ejele.* + Waphuca, washintsha izingubo zakhe wayeseya kuFaro. 15 UFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Ngiphuphe iphupho, kodwa akekho ongalichaza. Manje ngizwile ngawe kuthiwa uyakwazi ukuzwa iphupho ulichaze.” + 16 UJosefa waphendula uFaro, wathi: “Angilutho mina! UNkulunkulu uzokhuluma ngenhlalakahle kaFaro.” +

17 UFaro waqhubeka wathi kuJosefa: “Ephusheni lami bengimi osebeni loMfula iNayile. 18 Kwakhuphuka eNayile izinkomo eziyisikhombisa zikhuluphele, zizinhle, zaqala ukudla otshanini beNayile. + 19 Kukhuphuke nezinye izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ngemva kwazo, zizacile, zizimbi kakhulu futhi zondile. Angikaze ngizibone izinkomo ezimbi njengazo kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe. 20 Izinkomo ezimbi ezizacile ziqale ukudla izinkomo zokuqala eziyisikhombisa ezikhuluphele. 21 Kodwa lapho sezizidlile, ubungeke usho ukuthi zizidlile ngoba bezilokhu zizimbi njengasekuqaleni. Ngase ngiphaphama.

22 “Ngemva kwalokho ephusheni lami ngibone izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa zihluma ohlangeni olulodwa, zigcwele futhi zizinhle. + 23 Ngemva kwazo bekukhula izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa ezishwabene, zizincane, zihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga. 24 Izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu ezincane zibe seziqala ukugwinya izixha zokudla okusanhlamvu ezinhle eziyisikhombisa. Ngibaxoxele leli phupho abapristi abenza imilingo, + kodwa akekho okwazile ukungichazela.” +

25 UJosefa wabe esethi kuFaro: “Amaphupho kaFaro anencazelo eyodwa. UNkulunkulu weqiniso umtshelile uFaro lokho azokwenza. + 26 Izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezinhle ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa. Ngokufanayo nezixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa ezinhle ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa. La maphupho anencazelo eyodwa. 27 Izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezizacile, ezimbi ezikhuphuke ngemva kwazo ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa, nezixha zokudla okusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa ezingenalutho, ezihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga, ziyoba iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala. 28 Kunjengoba nje ngimtshelile uFaro: UNkulunkulu weqiniso umbonisile uFaro lokho azokwenza.

29 “Kuzoba neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala enkulu kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe. 30 Kodwa ngemva kwayo nakanjani kuyoba khona iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala, yonke inala yasezweni laseGibhithe iyolitshalwa nakanjani, indlala iyoliqothula izwe. + 31 Inala eyayike yaba khona ezweni ngeke isakhunjulwa ngenxa yendlala eyoba khona kamuva, ngoba iyoba nkulu kakhulu. 32 UFaro waliphupha kabili leli phupho ngoba le nto imi iqinile kuNkulunkulu weqiniso futhi uNkulunkulu weqiniso uzoyenza maduze.

33 “Manje uFaro makafune indoda eqondayo ehlakaniphile ayibeke phezu kwezwe laseGibhithe. 34 UFaro makathathe isinyathelo amise abaphathi ezweni, futhi kufanele aqoqe ingxenye yesihlanu yomkhiqizo waseGibhithe phakathi neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala. + 35 Mabaqoqe konke ukudla phakathi nale minyaka emihle ezayo, banqwabelanise ukudla okusanhlamvu ngaphansi kwegunya likaFaro kube ukudla okuzogcinwa emadolobheni, kulondolozwe khona. + 36 Lokhu kudla kufanele kube ukudla kwezwe ngale minyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala ezoba khona ezweni laseGibhithe, ukuze izwe lingabulawa indlala.” +

37 Leli su labonakala lilihle kuFaro nakuzo zonke izinceku zakhe. 38 Ngakho uFaro wathi ezincekwini zakhe: “Angatholakala yini omunye umuntu onjengalona, onomoya kaNkulunkulu?” 39 UFaro wabe esethi kuJosefa: “Njengoba uNkulunkulu ekubangele ukuba wazi konke lokhu, akekho umuntu onokuqonda nohlakaniphe njengawe. 40 Wena ngokwakho uzophatha indlu yami, bonke abantu bami bazokulalela ngokuphelele. + Ngizoba mkhulu kunawe kuphela ngokuqondene nendima yami yokuba inkosi.”* 41 UFaro waqhubeka wathi kuJosefa: “Bheka, ngikubeka phezu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe.” + 42 UFaro wabe esekhipha indandatho yakhe yophawu esandleni sakhe wayifaka esandleni sikaJosefa, wamgqokisa izingubo zelineni elisezingeni eliphezulu wagaxa umgexo wegolide entanyeni yakhe. 43 Ngaphezu kwalokho, wamgibelisa enqoleni yesibili yodumo ayenayo, babememeza ngaphambi kwakhe bethi, “Avurekhi!”* Kanjalo wambeka phezu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe.

44 UFaro waqhubeka wathi kuJosefa: “Yimi uFaro, kodwa akukho muntu ongenza noma yini* kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe engagunyazwanga nguwe.” + 45 Ngemva kwalokho uFaro waqamba uJosefa ngokuthi uZafenati-phaneya wayesemganisela u-Asenati + indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni.* UJosefa waqala ukuphatha* izwe laseGibhithe. + 46 UJosefa wayeneminyaka engu-30 + ubudala lapho ema phambi kukaFaro* inkosi yaseGibhithe.

UJosefa wabe esephuma phambi kukaFaro walihamba lonke izwe laseGibhithe elihlola. 47 Phakathi neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala, izwe laqhubeka likhiqiza kakhulu.* 48 Wayelokhu eqoqa konke ukudla kweminyaka eyisikhombisa ezweni laseGibhithe, futhi wayenqwabelanisa lokho kudla emadolobheni. Edolobheni ngalinye wayegcina ukudla okuvela emasimini alizungezile. 49 UJosefa waqhubeka enqwabelanisa ukudla okusanhlamvu kwaba kuningi kakhulu njengesihlabathi solwandle, ekugcineni bayeka ukukukala ngoba kwakungasakaleki.

50 Ngaphambi kokufika konyaka wendlala, uJosefa wazala amadodana amabili, + u-Asenati indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni* amzalela wona. 51 UJosefa waqamba izibulo ngokuthi uManase,* + ngoba wathi, “UNkulunkulu ungenze ngazikhohlwa zonke izinkathazo zami nayo yonke indlu kababa.” 52 Eyesibili wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Efrayimi,* + ngoba wathi, “UNkulunkulu ungenze nganda ezweni losizi lwami.” +

53 Ngemva kwalokho yaphela iminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala ezweni laseGibhithe, + 54 kwaqala iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala, njengoba nje uJosefa ayeshilo. + Le ndlala yaba khona kuwo wonke amazwe, kodwa kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe sasikhona isinkwa.* + 55 Ekugcineni lonke izwe laseGibhithe labulawa indlala, abantu baqala ukukhala kuFaro becela isinkwa. + UFaro wathi kuwo wonke amaGibhithe: “Yanini kuJosefa, nenze noma yini anitshela yona.” + 56 Indlala yaqhubeka kuwo wonke umhlaba. + UJosefa wabe eseqala ukuvula zonke izinqolobane zokudla okusanhlamvu ezaziphakathi kwabo wathengisela amaGibhithe, + ngoba indlala yayinkulu kakhulu ezweni laseGibhithe. 57 Ngaphezu kwalokho, abantu bawo wonke umhlaba beza eGibhithe bezothenga kuJosefa, ngoba indlala yayinkulu kakhulu kuwo wonke umhlaba. +

42 Lapho uJakobe ezwa ukuthi kwakukhona ukudla okusanhlamvu eGibhithe, + wathi emadodaneni akhe: “Kungani nilokhu nibukana?” 2 Wanezela wathi: “Ngizwile ukuthi kukhona ukudla eGibhithe. Yanini khona nisithengele ukudla, ukuze siqhubeke siphila, singafi.” + 3 Ngakho abafowabo bakaJosefa + abayishumi behla bayothenga ukudla eGibhithe. 4 Kodwa uJakobe akamthumelanga uBhenjamini, + umfowabo kaJosefa, kanye nabanye abafowabo, ngoba wathi: “Mhlawumbe angehlelwa ingozi afe.” +

5 Amadodana ka-Israyeli afika kanye nabanye ababefika bezothenga, ngoba le ndlala yayisikhona nasezweni laseKhanani. + 6 UJosefa wayenegunya ezweni, + nguye owayethengisela bonke abantu emhlabeni ukudla okusanhlamvu. + Ngakho abafowabo bakaJosefa beza bakhothama kuye ubuso babo bubheke phansi. + 7 Lapho uJosefa ebona abafowabo, wabakhumbula ngaso leso sikhathi, kodwa wazifihla kubo. + Wakhuluma nabo ngokhahlo wathi: “Nivelaphi?” bona bathi: “Sivela ezweni laseKhanani sizothenga ukudla.” +

8 UJosefa wababona abafowabo, kodwa bona abambonanga. 9 UJosefa wawakhumbula ngokushesha amaphupho ayewaphuphile ngabo, + wayesethi kubo: “Niyizinhloli! Nizele ukuzobona izindawo zezwe eningazihlasela!”* 10 Bona bathi kuye: “Cha, nkosi yami, izinceku zakho zizothenga ukudla. 11 Sonke singamadodana omuntu oyedwa. Singabantu abaqotho. Izinceku zakho azizona izinhloli.” 12 Kodwa wathi kubo: “Akunjalo! Nizele ukuzobona izindawo zezwe eningazihlasela!” 13 Bona bathi: “Izinceku zakho ziyizelamani ezingu-12. + Singamadodana omuntu oyedwa + ezweni laseKhanani, omncane kunathi sonke usele nobaba, + kanti omunye akasekho.” +

14 UJosefa wathi kubo: “Kunjengoba nje ngishilo kini—‘Niyizinhloli!’ 15 Ukuze ngibone ukuthi nikhuluma iqiniso: Ngeke nihambe lapha ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu omncane eze lapha, ngimfunge uFaro. + 16 Thumani oyedwa kini ukuba alande umfowenu ngesikhathi nina niboshiwe. Iyona ndlela engizobona ngayo ukuthi nikhuluma iqiniso. Uma kungenjalo, ngimfunge uFaro, kusho ukuthi niyizinhloli.” 17 Wabe esebavalela ndawonye izinsuku ezintathu.

18 UJosefa wathi kubo ngosuku lwesithathu: “Ngenxa yokuthi ngesaba uNkulunkulu, yenzani lokhu engikushoyo ukuze niphile. 19 Uma ningabantu abaqotho, oyedwa kubafowenu makasale eboshiwe endlini ebenivalelwe kuyo, kodwa nonke nina abanye ningahamba nithathe ukudla ukuze nithibe indlala emindenini yenu. + 20 Niyobe seniletha umfowenu omncane kimi ukuze kubonakale ukuthi enikushoyo kuyiqiniso futhi ngeke nife.” Base benza kanjalo.

21 Base bethi omunye komunye: “Nakanjani siyajeziswa ngenxa yomfowethu, + ngoba salubona usizi lwakhe* lapho esincenga ukuba simbonise ububele, kodwa asilalelanga. Yingakho lolu sizi lusehlele.” 22 URubeni wabaphendula, wathi: “Angishongo yini kini ukuthi, ‘Ningamlimazi umntwana,’ kodwa nangalalela? + Manje kumele silandise ngoba sichithe igazi lakhe.” + 23 Kodwa babengazi ukuthi uJosefa wayebezwa ngoba kwakukhona otolikayo. 24 Ngakho waqhela kubo wakhala. + Lapho ebuyela kubo waphinde wakhuluma nabo, wathatha uSimeyoni + kubo wambopha phambi kwabo. + 25 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wakhipha umyalo wokuba kugcwaliswe amasaka* abo ngokudla okusanhlamvu, kubuyiselwe imali yalowo nalowo esakeni lakhe banikwe nomphako wendlela. Benzelwa lokho.

26 Ngakho balayisha ukudla kwabo okusanhlamvu ezimbongolweni bahamba. 27 Lapho omunye wabo evula isaka lakhe ukuze anike imbongolo ifolishi endaweni ababezolala kuyo, wabona imali yakhe isesakeni. 28 Wabe esethi kubafowabo: “Imali yami ibuyisiwe, nansi esakeni lami!” Izinhliziyo zabo zashona phansi futhi bethuka bathi omunye komunye: “Yini le uNkulunkulu asenze yona?”

29 Lapho befika kuJakobe uyise ezweni laseKhanani, bamtshela zonke izinto ezazibehlele, bathi: 30 “Umuntu oyinkosi kuleliya zwe ukhulume nathi ngokhahlo, + wasisola ngokuthi singabantu abazohlola izwe. 31 Kodwa sithe kuye, ‘Singabantu abaqotho. Asizona izinhloli. + 32 Siyizelamani ezingu-12, + sizalwa ubaba oyedwa. Oyedwa akasekho, + kodwa omncane kunathi sonke usele nobaba ezweni laseKhanani.’ + 33 Kodwa inkosi yathi, ‘Yile ndlela engizokwazi ngayo ukuthi niqotho: Shiyani oyedwa wabafowenu. + Nina nithathe okuthile kokuthiba indlala emindenini yenu, nihambe. + 34 Ngemva kwalokho nilethe umfowenu omncane kimi, ukuze ngazi ukuthi niqotho, anizona izinhloli. Ngizobe senginibuyisela umfowenu futhi ningakwazi ukuthenga ezweni lethu.’”

35 Lapho bethulula amasaka abo, babona isikhwama semali salowo nalowo esakeni lakhe. Lapho bona kanye noyise bebona izikhwama zabo zemali, besaba. 36 UJakobe uyise wababaza wathi kubo: “Yimina enimenze walahlekelwa abantwana! + UJosefa akasekho, + uSimeyoni naye akasekho, + manje senizothatha noBhenjamini! Zonke lezi zinto zingehlele!” 37 Kodwa uRubeni wathi kuyise: “Ungawabulala womabili amadodana ami uma ngingambuyisi kuwe. + Nginike yena, ngizombuyisa kuwe.” + 38 UJakobe wathi: “Indodana yami ngeke yehle nani, ngoba umfowabo ufile futhi isisele yodwa. + Uma ingehlelwa ingozi ife endleleni enizoyihamba, nakanjani niyokwehlisela izinwele zami ezimpunga eThuneni* + ngosizi.” +

43 Indlala yayinkulu kakhulu ezweni. + 2 Lapho sebekudle bakuqeda ukudla okusanhlamvu ababekulande eGibhithe, + uyise wathi kubo: “Buyelani niyosithengela ukudla.” 3 UJuda wathi kuye: “Lowaya muntu wasixwayisa ngokucacile, wathi, ‘Akumele niphinde nibone ubuso bami ngaphandle kokuba nize nomfowenu.’ + 4 Uma umthuma kanye nathi umfowethu, sizokwehla siyokuthengela ukudla. 5 Kodwa uma ungamthumi, ngeke sehle, ngoba lowaya muntu wathi kithi, ‘Akumele niphinde nibone ubuso bami ngaphandle kokuba nize nomfowenu.’” + 6 U-Israyeli + wababuza: “Kungani ningilethele le nkinga ngokutshela lowo muntu ukuthi ninomunye umfowenu?” 7 Baphendula: “Lo muntu wabuza ngokuqondile ngathi nezihlobo zethu, wathi, ‘Uyihlo usaphila? Ninaye omunye umfowenu?’ sabe sesimtshela la maqiniso. + Sasizokwazi kanjani ukuthi wayezothi, ‘Yehlisani umfowenu’?” +

8 UJuda wancenga u-Israyeli uyise: “Vuma ukuba umfana ahambe nami, + masihambe ukuze siphile singafi +—thina, nawe nabantwana bethu. + 9 Yimi engizoqinisekisa ukuthi uphephile.* + Uma ehlelwa okuthile ungajezisa mina. Uma ngihluleka ukumbuyisa kuwe ngimnike wena, ngiyobe ngone phakade kuwe. 10 Kodwa ukube asilibalanga ngabe sesihambe sabuya kwaze kwaba kabili.”

11 Ngakho u-Israyeli uyise wathi kubo: “Uma kumele kube njalo, yenzani lokhu: Thathani imikhiqizo yezwe emihle kunayo yonke niyifake emasakeni* nehle nayo ibe isipho + kulowo muntu: ibhalsamu elincane, + uju oluncane, ilabhidanu, amagxolo anenomfi, + amakinati ephistakhiyo nama-alimondi. 12 Thathani imali ephindwe kabili; nithathe nemali eyabuyiswa isemasakeni enu niyibuyisele. + Mhlawumbe kwaba yiphutha. 13 Thathani umfowenu nihambe, nibuyele kulowo muntu. 14 Kwangathi uNkulunkulu uMninimandla Onke angenza lo muntu anizwele, ukuze anikhululele umfowenu kanye noBhenjamini. Kodwa mina, uma kumele ngilahlekelwe abantwana, kulungile ngiyolahlekelwa!” +

15 Ngakho la madoda asithatha lesi sipho, athatha imali ephindwe kabili kanye noBhenjamini. Asuka ehlela eGibhithe aphinde ama phambi kukaJosefa. + 16 Lapho uJosefa ebona uBhenjamini ekanye nawo, ngaso leso sikhathi wathi endodeni eyayiphethe indlu yakhe: “Thatha la madoda uwayise endlini uhlabe izilwane ulungise ukudla, ngoba la madoda azodla nami emini.” 17 Ngokushesha leyo ndoda yenza njengoba nje uJosefa ayeshilo, + yawathatha yawayisa endlini kaJosefa. 18 Kodwa la madoda esaba lapho eyiswa endlini kaJosefa, aqala ukuthi: “Basilethe lapha ngenxa yemali eyabuyiselwa emasakeni ethu ngesikhathi esidlule. Manje bazosihlasela basenze izigqila bathathe nezimbongolo zethu!” +

19 Ngakho asondela kule ndoda eyayiphethe indlu kaJosefa akhuluma nayo emnyango wendlu. 20 Athi: “Uxolo, nkosi yami! Seza lapha okokuqala sizothenga ukudla. + 21 Kodwa lapho sifika endaweni esalala kuyo sivula amasaka ethu, kwakukhona imali yomuntu ngamunye esakeni lakhe, imali yethu iphelele. + Ngakho singathanda ukuyibuyisa. 22 Siphethe nenye imali yokuthenga ukudla. Asazi ukuthi ubani owafaka imali yethu emasakeni ethu.” + 23 Yona yathi: “Kulungile. Ningesabi. UNkulunkulu wenu noNkulunkulu kayihlo wafaka ingcebo emasakeni enu. Imali yenu yafika kimi.” Ngemva kwalokho wabakhiphela uSimeyoni. +

24 Lo muntu wawangenisa endlini kaJosefa la madoda, wawanika amanzi ukuze ageze izinyawo, wanika nezimbongolo zawo ifolishi. 25 Abe eselungisa isipho + esilungisela ukufika kukaJosefa emini, ngoba ayezwile ukuthi ayezodlela lapho. + 26 Lapho uJosefa engena endlini, amlethela isipho sawo endlini, akhothama phansi emhlabathini. + 27 Ngemva kwalokho wabuza ngenhlalakahle yawo wathi: “Unjani uyihlo osemdala enakhuluma ngaye? Usaphila?” + 28 Athi: “Usaphila ubaba inceku yakho.” Khona-ke aguqa ayesekhothama. +

29 Lapho uJosefa ephakamisa amehlo ebona uBhenjamini umfowabo, indodana kanina, + wathi: “Ingabe lo umfowenu omncane kunani nonke enakhuluma ngaye kimi?” + Wayesenezela: “Kwangathi uNkulunkulu angakubonisa umusa wakhe, ndodana yami.” 30 UJosefa waphuma ngokushesha ngoba wayengasakwazi ukuzibamba ngenxa yomfowabo, wafuna indawo ayezokhalela kuyo. Ngakho wangena ekamelweni ukuze abe yedwa wakhala izinyembezi. + 31 Ngemva kwalokho wageza ubuso waphuma, manje wayesezibambile, wayesethi: “Lethani ukudla.” 32 Bamlethela yedwa, nabafowabo bababekela bodwa, namaGibhithe ayenaye adla wodwa, ngenxa yokuthi amaGibhithe ayengakwazi ukudla namaHebheru, ngoba lokho kwakuyinto enyanyekayo kumaGibhithe. +

33 Izelamani zazihlezi phambi kwakhe, oyizibulo ngokwelungelo lakhe lobuzibulo + kuye komncane kunabo bonke, zazilokhu zibukana zimangele. 34 Wayelokhu ethumela ukudla kusuka etafuleni lakhe kuya kwelazo, kodwa ukudla kukaBhenjamini wayelokhu ekwandisa ngokuphindwe kahlanu kunokwazo zonke ezinye. + Ngakho zaqhubeka zidla lelo dili, ziphuza kanye naye zaze zasutha.

44 Kamuva wayala indoda eyayiphethe indlu yakhe, wathi: “Gcwalisa amasaka ala madoda ngokudla okuningi azokwazi ukukuthwala, bese ufaka imali yendoda ngayinye esakeni layo. + 2 Kodwa kumele ufake inkomishi yami, inkomishi yesiliva, esakeni lomncane kanye nemali yokudla kwakhe okusanhlamvu.” Ngakho yenza njengoba uJosefa ayeyiyalile.

3 Ekuseni lapho sekukhanya, la madoda ahanjiswa nezimbongolo zawo. 4 Ayengakabi kude nedolobha lapho uJosefa ethi kule ndoda eyayiphethe indlu yakhe: “Suka! Jaha la madoda! Lapho uwafica, uthi kuwo, ‘Kungani nibuyisele okuhle ngokubi? 5 Akuyona yini le into inkosi yami ephuza ngayo nefunda ngayo amabika ngobuchwepheshe? Nenze into embi.’”

6 Yawafica yakhuluma la mazwi kuwo. 7 Kodwa wona athi kuyo: “Kungani inkosi yethu ikhuluma into enjalo? Bezingenakulokotha nje izinceku zakho zenze into enjengale. 8 Ingani imali esayithola emasakeni ethu siyibuyisele kuwe sivela ezweni laseKhanani. + Besingaleba kanjani-ke isiliva noma igolide endlini yenkosi yakho? 9 Uma itholakala komunye wezigqila zakho, makafe, thina sonke abanye sizoba izigqila zenkosi yakho.”* 10 Ngakho yathi: “Makube njengokusho kwenu: Lowo ezotholakala kuye uzoba isigqila sami, kodwa nonke nina abanye nizoba msulwa.” 11 Indoda ngayinye yabe seyehlisa masinyane isaka layo, yalivula. 12 Indoda eyayiphethe indlu kaJosefa yacinga ngokucophelela, yaqala ngomdala yagcina ngomncane. Ekugcineni inkomishi yatholakala esakeni likaBhenjamini. +

13 Ngemva kwalokho aklebhula izingubo zawo, indoda ngayinye yaqukula umthwalo wayo yawubuyisela embongolweni yayo, abuyela edolobheni. 14 Lapho uJuda + nabafowabo bengena endlini kaJosefa, wayeselapho; babe sebewela phansi phambi kwakhe. + 15 UJosefa wathi kubo: “Yini le eniyenzile? Beningazi yini ukuthi umuntu onjengami angakwazi ukufunda amabika ngobuchwepheshe?” + 16 UJuda waphendula: “Singathini enkosini yami? Singakhuluma sithini? Singakubonisa kanjani ukuthi silungile? UNkulunkulu weqiniso usitholile isono sezigqila zakho. + Manje sesiyizigqila zenkosi yami, thina nalowo inkomishi etholakale kuye!” 17 Nokho, wathi: “Anginakulokotha ngenze lokhu! Umuntu etholakale kuye inkomishi nguye ozoba isigqila sami. + Nonke nina abanye, khuphukelani kuyihlo ngokuthula.”

18 UJuda wasondela kuye wathi: “Ngiyakuncenga, nkosi yami, ngicela uvumele inceku yakho ukuba ikhulume nenkosi yayo, ungasithukutheleli isigqila sakho ngoba wena uyafana noFaro. + 19 Inkosi yami yabuza izigqila zayo, yathi, ‘Ninaye uyihlo noma umfowenu?’ 20 Sathi enkosini yami, ‘Sinaye ubaba osemdala nomntwana amzala esemdala, omncane kunathi sonke. + Kodwa umfowabo wafa, + ngakho kusele yena yedwa kunina, + futhi uyise uyamthanda.’ 21 Ngemva kwalokho wathi ezigqileni zakho, ‘Mehliseleni lapha kimi ukuze ngimbone.’ + 22 Kodwa sathi enkosini yami, ‘Umfana akakwazi ukushiya uyise. Uma emshiya, uyise angafa nakanjani.’ + 23 Wabe usuthi ezigqileni zakho, ‘Ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu omncane ehle kanye nani, ngeke niphinde nibubone ubuso bami.’ +

24 “Ngakho sakhuphukela encekwini yakho ubaba samtshela amazwi enkosi yami. 25 Kamuva ubaba wathi, ‘Buyelani nisithengele ukudla.’ + 26 Kodwa sathi, ‘Asikwazi ukwehla. Uma umfowethu omncane ekanye nathi sizokwehla, ngoba ngeke sibubone ubuso balowaya muntu uma umfowethu omncane engekho.’ + 27 Inceku yakho, ubaba, yabe isithi kithi, ‘Nazi kahle ukuthi umkami wangizalela amadodana amabili kuphela. + 28 Kodwa eyodwa yawo yangishiya ngase ngithi: “Kumele ukuba nakanjani isiyizicucu!” + futhi angizange ngiyibone kuze kube manje. 29 Uma ningathatha nale niyisuse emehlweni ami bese yehlelwa ingozi ife, nakanjani niyokwehlisela izinwele zami ezimpunga eThuneni* + ngosizi.’ +

30 “Manje, uma ngibuyela encekwini yakho, ubaba, umfana engekho kanye nathi, njengoba ukuphila kwakhe kuncike ekuphileni komfana, 31 kuzothi lapho nje ebona ukuthi umfana akekho, avele afe, izigqila zakho ngempela ziyokwehlisela izinwele zenceku yakho, ubaba, eThuneni* ngosizi. 32 Isigqila sakho saqinisekisa ubaba ngomfana, sathi, ‘Uma ngihluleka ukumbuyisela kuwe, ngizobe ngone phakade kubaba.’ + 33 Ngakho manje, ngicela uvumele isigqila sakho sisale esikhundleni somfana sibe isigqila senkosi yami, ukuze umfana abuyele emuva nabafowabo. 34 Ngingabuyela kanjani kubaba umfana engekho? Ngeke ngikwazi ukubukela lapho ubaba ehlelwa yilolu sizi!”

45 UJosefa wayengasakwazi ukuzibamba phambi kwazo zonke izinceku zakhe. + Ngakho wamemeza: “Wonke umuntu makaphume!” Akekho owasala naye lapho uJosefa ezazisa kubafowabo. +

2 Wabe esekhala kakhulu kangangokuthi amaGibhithe ezwa, nendlu kaFaro yezwa. 3 Ekugcineni uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “NginguJosefa. Ingabe ubaba usaphila?” Kodwa abafowabo babengakwazi nhlobo ukumphendula ngoba babemangele kakhulu ngenxa yakhe. 4 Ngakho uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “Ngicela nisondele kimi.” Base besondela.

Wabe esethi: “NginguJosefa umfowenu enamthengisa eGibhithe. + 5 Kodwa manje ningaphatheki kabi, ningasolani ngokuthi nangithengisa lapha; ngoba uNkulunkulu ungithume ngaphambi kwenu ukuze asigcine siphila. + 6 Lona unyaka wesibili wendlala ezweni, + kusasele iminyaka emihlanu okungeke kulinywe noma kuvunwe ngayo. 7 Kodwa uNkulunkulu wangithumela ngaphambi kwenu ukuze alondoloze uhlu lozalo + lomndeni wenu emhlabeni* nokuba anigcine niphila ngokukhululwa okukhulu. 8 Ngakho-ke akunina enangithumela lapha, kodwa uNkulunkulu weqiniso, ukuze angimise njengomeluleki kaFaro* nomphathi wayo yonke indlu yakhe nombusi walo lonke izwe laseGibhithe. +

9 “Buyelani masinyane kubaba, nithi kuye, ‘Nakhu indodana yakho uJosefa ekushilo: “UNkulunkulu ungimise ukuba ngibe umbusi kulo lonke elaseGibhithe. + Yehlela kimi. Ungalibali. + 10 Kumele uhlale ezweni laseGosheni, + lapho uzoba seduze kwami khona—wena, amadodana akho, abazukulu bakho, imihlambi yakho nakho konke onakho. 11 Ngizokunika ukudla lapho ngoba kusasele iminyaka emihlanu yendlala. + Uma kungenjalo, wena nendlu yakho nakho konke onakho nizohlupheka.”’ 12 Nina nomfowethu uBhenjamini niyazibonela ukuthi yimina ngempela okhuluma nani. + 13 Ngakho kumele nitshele ubaba ngayo yonke inkazimulo yami eGibhithe nangakho konke enikubonile. Manje sheshani nehlisele ubaba lapha.”

14 Khona-ke wanga umfowabo* uBhenjamini wakhala, noBhenjamini wakhala emgaxe entanyeni. + 15 Wabe esebaqabula bonke abafowabo wakhala ngesikhathi ebanga, ngemva kwalokho abafowabo bakhuluma naye.

16 Lezi zindaba zafika endlini kaFaro, kuthiwa: “Kufike abafowabo bakaJosefa!” Kwaba kuhle kuFaro nasezincekwini zakhe. 17 Ngakho uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Wothi kubafowenu, ‘Yenzani lokhu: Thwesani izilwane zenu niye ezweni laseKhanani, 18 nithathe uyihlo namalungu emindeni yenu nize lapha kimi. Ngizoninika izinto ezinhle zezwe laseGibhithe, nizodla okuvela* engxenyeni enothile* yezwe.’ + 19 Wena uyalwa ukuba ubatshele lokhu: + ‘Yenzani lokhu: Thathani izinqola + ezweni laseGibhithe nithathele abantwana benu nomkenu, nigibelise uyihlo kwenye yazo nize lapha. + 20 Ningakhathazeki ngempahla yenu, + ngoba okuhle kakhulu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe kungokwenu.’”

21 Amadodana ka-Israyeli enza kanjalo, uJosefa wawanika izinqola ngokwemiyalo kaFaro, wawanika nemiphako yendlela. 22 Wanika ngayinye ingubo yokushintsha, kodwa uBhenjamini wamnika izinhlamvu zesiliva ezingu-300 nezingubo zokushintsha ezinhlanu. + 23 Uyise wamthumelela lokhu okulandelayo: izimbongolo eziyishumi ezithwele izinto ezinhle zaseGibhithe nezimbongolo zensikazi eziyishumi ezithwele ukudla okusanhlamvu nesinkwa nokokusekela uyise endleleni. 24 Wabahambisa abafowabo, njengoba besuka, wathi kubo: “Ningathukuthelelani endleleni.” +

25 Bakhuphuka besuka eGibhithe bafika ezweni laseKhanani kuyise uJakobe. 26 Bambikela, bathi: “UJosefa usaphila, ungumbusi walo lonke izwe laseGibhithe!” + Kodwa inhliziyo yakhe yaba ndikindiki ngoba wayengabakholwa. + 27 Lapho beqhubeka bemtshela wonke amazwi uJosefa ayewakhulume kubo, ebona nezinqola uJosefa ayezithumele ukuba zimthwale, umoya kayise uJakobe waqala ukuvuseleleka. 28 U-Israyeli wababaza: “Kwanele! Indodana yami uJosefa isaphila! Kumele ngihambe ngiyombona ngaphambi kokuba ngife!” +

46 Ngakho u-Israyeli wathatha konke ayenakho* wahamba. Lapho efika eBheri-sheba, + wanikela imihlatshelo kuNkulunkulu kayise u-Isaka. + 2 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wakhuluma no-Israyeli embonweni ebusuku wathi: “Jakobe, Jakobe!” yena wathi: “Ngilapha!” 3 Wathi: “NginguNkulunkulu weqiniso, uNkulunkulu kayihlo. + Ungesabi ukwehlela eGibhithe, ngoba lapho ngizokwenza ube isizwe esikhulu. + 4 Mina ngokwami ngizokwehlela nawe eGibhithe ngiphinde ngikubuyise, + uJosefa uyokuvala amehlo lapho ufa.”* +

5 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wasuka eBheri-sheba, amadodana ka-Israyeli athutha uJakobe uyise nabantwana bawo nomkawo ngezinqola uFaro ayezithumele ukuba zimthuthe. 6 Bathatha imihlambi yabo nezimpahla zabo, ababekuqongelele ezweni laseKhanani. Bafika eGibhithe, uJakobe nayo yonke inzalo yakhe eyayikanye naye. 7 Waya eGibhithe namadodana akhe nabazukulu bakhe namadodakazi akhe—yonke inzalo yakhe.

8 Lawa amagama amadodana ka-Israyeli +—uJakobe namadodana akhe—aya eGibhithe: Izibulo likaJakobe kwakunguRubeni. +

9 Amadodana kaRubeni kwakunguHanoki, uPhalu, uHezironi noKarmi. +

10 Amadodana kaSimeyoni + kwakunguJemuweli, uJamini, u-Ohadi, uJakini, uZohari noShawule + indodana yowesifazane ongumKhanani.

11 Amadodana kaLevi + kwakunguGereshoni, uKohati noMerari. +

12 Amadodana kaJuda + kwakungu-Eri, u-Onani, uShela, + uPherezi + noZera. + Nokho, u-Eri no-Onani bafela ezweni laseKhanani. +

Amadodana kaPherezi kwaba uHezironi noHamule. +

13 Amadodana ka-Isakare kwakunguThola, uPhuva, u-Iyobhi noShimroni. +

14 Amadodana kaZebhuloni + kwakunguSeredi, u-Eloni noJahaliyeli. +

15 Lawa amadodana kaLeya, awazalela uJakobe ePhadani-aramu, kanye nendodakazi yakhe uDina. + Esewonke amadodana namadodakazi kaJakobe ayengu-33.

16 Amadodana kaGadi + kwakunguZifiyoni, uHagi, uShuni, u-Eziboni, u-Erayi, u-Arodi no-Areli. +

17 Amadodana ka-Asheri + kwakungu-Imna, u-Ishiva, u-Ishivi, uBheriya, udadewabo kwakunguSera.

Amadodana kaBheriya kwakunguHebhere noMalikhiyeli. +

18 Lawa amadodana kaZilipha, + lowo uLabani amnika indodakazi yakhe uLeya. Wamzalela laba uJakobe: Izingane ezingu-16* sezizonke.

19 Amadodana omkaJakobe uRaheli kwakunguJosefa + noBhenjamini. +

20 Ezweni laseGibhithe uJosefa wazalelwa uManase + no-Efrayimi, + ezalelwa u-Asenati + indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni.*

21 Amadodana kaBhenjamini + kwakunguBhela, uBhekeri, u-Ashibheli, uGera, + uNahamani, u-Ehi, uRoshe, uMuphimi, uHuphimi + no-Arida. +

22 Lawa amadodana kaRaheli awazalela uJakobe: Izingane ezingu-14* sezizonke.

23 Indodana* kaDani + kwakunguHushimi. +

24 Amadodana kaNafetali + kwakunguJahaziyeli, uGuni, uJezeri noShilemi. +

25 Lawa amadodana kaBhiliha, lowo uLabani amnika indodakazi yakhe uRaheli. Wamzalela laba uJakobe: Izingane* eziyisikhombisa sezizonke.

26 Bonke labo abayinzalo kaJakobe abaya naye eGibhithe, ngaphandle kwabafazi bamadodana akhe, babengu-66. + 27 Amadodana kaJosefa azalelwa wona eGibhithe ayemabili. Bonke abantu bendlu kaJakobe abaya eGibhithe babengu-70. +

28 UJakobe wathumela uJuda + ngaphambili ukuba ayotshela uJosefa ukuthi usendleleni eya eGosheni. Lapho befika ezweni laseGosheni, + 29 uJosefa wathumela ukuba kulungiswe inqola yakhe wayesekhuphuka eyohlangabeza u-Israyeli uyise eGosheni. Lapho efika kuye wamanga* ngaso leso sikhathi wakhala isikhathi esithile.* 30 U-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Manje sengingafa; sengibubonile ubuso bakho, sengiyazi ukuthi uyaphila.”

31 UJosefa wabe esethi kubafowabo nakwabomndeni kayise: “Mangikhuphuke ngiyobika kuFaro + ngithi kuye, ‘Abafowethu nabantu bomndeni kababa ababesezweni laseKhanani sebefikile lapha kimi. + 32 La madoda angabelusi, + afuyile + futhi imihlambi yawo nakho konke anakho eze nako lapha.’ + 33 Lapho uFaro enibiza, enibuza ethi, ‘Uyini umsebenzi wenu?’ 34 nina kumele nithi, ‘Izinceku zakho bezilokhu zifuyile kusukela ebusheni bazo kuze kube manje, kokubili thina nokhokho bethu,’ + ukuze nihlale ezweni laseGosheni, + ngoba bonke abelusi bezimvu bayenyanyeka kumaGibhithe.” +

47 UJosefa wahamba wayobika kuFaro wathi: + “Ubaba nabafowethu nemihlambi yabo nakho konke abanakho bafikile bevela ezweni laseKhanani, basezweni laseGosheni.” + 2 Wathatha abahlanu kubafowabo wabethula kuFaro. +

3 UFaro wathi kubafowabo: “Nenza msebenzi muni?” Bamphendula: “Izinceku zakho zingabelusi bezimvu, thina nokhokho bethu.” + 4 Base bethi kuFaro: “Sizohlala njengezifiki ezweni, + ngoba awekho amadlelo omhlambi wezinceku zakho, ngoba indlala inkulu kakhulu ezweni laseKhanani. + Sicela uvumele izinceku zakho zihlale ezweni laseGosheni.” + 5 Khona-ke uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Uyihlo nabafowenu beze kuwe lapha. 6 Izwe laseGibhithe liphethwe nguwe. Hlalisa uyihlo nabafowenu engxenyeni yezwe enhle kakhulu. + Mabahlale ezweni laseGosheni, uma kukhona amadoda anekhono owaziyo phakathi kwabo, wamise ukuba aphathe imfuyo yami.”

7 UJosefa wabe esengenisa uJakobe uyise wamethula kuFaro, uJakobe wayesembusisa uFaro. 8 UFaro wabuza uJakobe: “Uneminyaka emingaki?” 9 UJakobe wathi kuFaro: “Iminyaka yokuzulazula* kwami ingu-130. Iminyaka yokuphila kwami ibe mbalwa, + yaba ecindezelayo, ibingemide njengeminyaka yokuphila kokhokho bami ekuzulazuleni* kwabo.” + 10 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wambusisa uFaro wayesephuma phambi kwakhe.

11 Ngakho uJosefa wahlalisa uyise nabafowabo ezweni laseGibhithe, wabanika ifa ezweni elihle kakhulu, ezweni laseRamesesi, + njengoba nje uFaro ayeyalile. 12 UJosefa waqhubeka ebanika ukudla* uyise nabafowabo nabo bonke abomndeni kayise, ngokwesibalo sezingane zabo.

13 Manje kwakungekho kudla* kulo lonke izwe, ngoba indlala yayinkulu kakhulu, abantu baseGibhithe nabaseKhanani baphelelwa amandla ngenxa yendlala. + 14 UJosefa wayeqoqa yonke imali yokudla okusanhlamvu abantu ababekuthenga + eyayitholakala ezweni laseGibhithe nasezweni laseKhanani, uJosefa wayelokhu eletha le mali endlini kaFaro. 15 Ngemva kwesikhathi yaphela imali ezweni laseGibhithe nasezweni laseKhanani, wonke amaGibhithe eza kuJosefa, athi: “Sinike ukudla! Kungani kufanele sife phambi kwakho ngoba imali yethu isiphelile?” 16 UJosefa wathi: “Uma imali yenu isiphelile, lethani imfuyo yenu, ngizoninika ukudla nina ninginike imfuyo.” 17 Ngakho aletha imfuyo yawo kuJosefa, yena wayelokhu ewanika ukudla wona emnika amahhashi awo, imfuyo yezimvu nezimbuzi nezimbongolo, wayelokhu ewanika ukudla wona emnika yonke imfuyo yawo phakathi nalowo nyaka.

18 Lapho lowo nyaka uphela, eza kuye ngonyaka olandelayo ethi kuye: “Ngeke siyifihlele inkosi yethu ukuthi imali nemfuyo sekunikwe yona. Akusenalutho esingalunikeza inkosi yethu ngaphandle kwemizimba yethu nezwe lethu. 19 Kungani kufanele sife phambi kwakho, thina nezwe lethu? Sithenge ngokudla thina nezwe lethu, sizoba izigqila zikaFaro izwe lethu libe elakhe. Sinike imbewu ukuze siphile singafi, nezwe lethu lingasali lingenalutho.” 20 UJosefa wabe eselithengela uFaro lonke izwe lamaGibhithe, ngoba wonke amaGibhithe athengisa indawo yawo, ngoba indlala yayinkulu kakhulu; izwe laba elikaFaro.

21 Wayala bonke abantu baseGibhithe—kuzo zonke izindawo zalo—ukuba bathuthele emadolobheni. + 22 Yizwe labapristi kuphela angazange alithenge, + ngoba ukudla kwabapristi kwakuvela kuFaro futhi babephila ngokudla ababekunikezwa uFaro. Yingakho bengalithengisanga izwe labo. 23 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kubantu: “Bhekani, namhlanje nginithengele uFaro nina nezwe lenu. Nansi imbewu, kumele niyitshale ezweni. 24 Lapho ikhiqiza, kumele ninike uFaro ingxenye yesihlanu, + kodwa izingxenye ezine kuzoba ezenu zibe imbewu yensimu nokudla kwenu nokwalabo abasezindlini zenu nokwezingane zenu ukuba zidle.” 25 Ngakho bathi: “Ukusindisile ukuphila kwethu. + Masithole umusa enkosini yethu, sizoba izigqila zikaFaro.” + 26 UJosefa wakwenza kwaba isinqumo esisasebenza kuze kube namhlanje ezweni laseGibhithe, ukuthi ingxenye yesihlanu ekaFaro. Yizwe labapristi kuphela elingazange libe elikaFaro. +

27 U-Israyeli waqhubeka ehlala ezweni laseGibhithe, ezweni laseGosheni, + bazinza kulo banda baba baningi kakhulu. + 28 UJakobe waqhubeka ehlala ezweni laseGibhithe iminyaka engu-17, izinsuku zokuphila kukaJakobe zaba iminyaka engu-147. +

29 Sasisondela isikhathi sokuba u-Israyeli afe, + ngakho wabiza indodana yakhe uJosefa wathi: “Uma ngithole umusa kuwe, ngicela ubeke isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethanga lami, ungibonise uthando oluqotho nokwethembeka. Ngicela ungangingcwabi eGibhithe. + 30 Lapho ngifa,* kumele ungithwale ungikhiphe eGibhithe ungingcwabe ethuneni lokhokho bami.” + UJosefa wathi: “Ngiyokwenza njengoba usho.” 31 U-Israyeli wathi: “Funga kimi.” Ngakho wafunga kuye. + U-Israyeli wakhothama enhla kombhede wakhe. +

48 Ngemva kwalezi zinto, kwathiwa kuJosefa: “Bheka, uyihlo useba buthakathaka.” Yena-ke wathatha amadodana akhe amabili uManase no-Efrayimi wahamba nawo. + 2 UJakobe watshelwa: “Bheka uJosefa indodana yakho uze kuwe.” Ngakho u-Israyeli waziqinisa wavuka wahlala embhedeni wakhe. 3 UJakobe wathi kuJosefa:

“UNkulunkulu uMninimandla Onke wabonakala kimi eLuze ezweni laseKhanani wangibusisa. + 4 Wathi kimi, ‘Ngiyakwandisa, ngiyokwenza ube mningi, ngikwenze ibandla lezizwe, + leli zwe ngiyolinika inzalo* yakho kube ngelayo unomphela.’ + 5 Manje amadodana akho amabili ozalelwe wona ezweni laseGibhithe ngaphambi kokuba ngize lapha kuwe eGibhithe, angawami. + U-Efrayimi noManase bazoba ngabami njengoba nje noRubeni noSimeyoni bengabami. + 6 Kodwa izingane ozozalelwa zona ngemva kwabo ziyoba ngezakho. Ziyobizwa ngegama labafowabo efeni labo. + 7 Lapho ngivela ePhadani, uRaheli wafa + eceleni kwami ezweni laseKhanani, kusasele ibanga elide ngaphambi kokufika e-Efrathi. + Ngakho ngamngcwaba lapho endleleni eya e-Efrathi, okungukuthi, eBhetlehema.” +

8 U-Israyeli wabe esebona amadodana kaJosefa, wabuza: “Obani laba?” 9 UJosefa wathi kuyise: “Amadodana ami uNkulunkulu angiphe wona kule ndawo.” + Uyise wathi: “Ngicela uwalethe kimi ukuze ngiwabusise.” + 10 Amehlo ka-Israyeli ayesenqundekile ngenxa yokuguga, engasaboni. Ngakho uJosefa wawasondeza kuye, wayesewaqabula, wawagona. 11 U-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Angikaze ngicabange ukuthi ngiyophinde ngibubone ubuso bakho, + kodwa uNkulunkulu ungivumele ukuba ngibone nenzalo* yakho.” 12 UJosefa wawasusa emadolweni ka-Israyeli, wakhothama ngobuso phansi.

13 UJosefa wawathatha womabili, u-Efrayimi + ngesandla sokudla wamyisa kwesobunxele sika-Israyeli, noManase + ngesandla sobunxele wamyisa kwesokudla sika-Israyeli, wawasondeza kuye. 14 Nokho, u-Israyeli welula isandla sakhe sokudla wasibeka ekhanda lika-Efrayimi, nakuba ayengomncane, kwathi isandla sakhe sobunxele wasibeka ekhanda likaManase. Wazibeka kanjalo ngamabomu izandla zakhe, njengoba uManase ayeyizibulo. + 15 Wambusisa uJosefa wathi: +

17 Lapho uJosefa ebona ukuthi uyise wayelokhu ebeke isandla sakhe sokudla ekhanda lika-Efrayimi, akazange akuthande lokho, ngakho wazama ukubamba isandla sikayise ukuze asisuse ekhanda lika-Efrayimi asibeke ekhanda likaManase. 18 UJosefa wathi kuyise: “Ungenzi kanjalo baba, ngoba yilo oyizibulo. + Beka isandla sakho sokudla ekhanda lakhe.” 19 Kodwa uyise wayelokhu enqaba ethi: “Ngiyazi ndodana yami, ngiyazi. Naye uyoba isizwe, naye futhi uyoba mkhulu. Noma kunjalo, umfowabo omncane uyoba mkhulu kunaye, + nenzalo* yakhe iyoba ningi ngokwanele ukuba yakhe zonke izizwe.” + 20 Ngakho waqhubeka ebabusisa ngalolo suku, + ethi:

Kanjalo u-Israyeli wayelokhu ebeka u-Efrayimi ngaphambi kukaManase.

21 Ngemva kwalokho u-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Bheka, sengiyafa, + kodwa uNkulunkulu uzoqhubeka enani anibuyisele ezweni lokhokho benu. + 22 Mina, ngikunika ingxenye eyodwa yezwe ngaphezu kwabafowenu, izwe engalithatha esandleni sama-Amori ngenkemba yami nangomnsalo wami.”

49 UJakobe wabiza amadodana akhe wathi: “Hlanganani ndawonye ukuze nginitshele okuzokwenzeka kini ezikhathini zokugcina. 2 Hlanganani nilalele, nina madodana kaJakobe, yebo, lalelani u-Israyeli uyihlo.

3 “Rubeni, + wena uyizibulo lami, + ubungqabavu bami nokuqala kwamandla ami okuzala, ukuvelela kwesithunzi nokuvelela kwamandla. 4 Kodwa ngeke uvelele, ngoba ngenxa yokuhluleka ukuzilawula njengamanzi ezikhukhula, ugibele embhedeni kayihlo. + Ngaleso sikhathi wangcolisa* umbhede wami. URubeni wagibela ngempela kuwo!

5 “USimeyoni noLevi bayizelamani. + Izikhali zabo ezobudlova. + 6 O mphefumulo* wami, ungazihlanganisi nabo. Ungangeni eqenjini labo, O nhliziyo* yami, ngoba ngenxa yentukuthelo yabo babulala amadoda, + nangenxa yenjabulo yabo banquma imisipha yezinkunzi. 7 Mayiqalekiswe intukuthelo yabo, ngoba inesihluku, nokufutheka kwabo, ngoba kunokhahlo. + Mangibahlukanise endaweni kaJakobe, ngibahlakaze kwa-Israyeli. +

8 “Wena Juda, + abafowenu bayokudumisa. + Isandla sakho siyoba sentanyeni yezitha zakho. + Amadodana kayihlo ayokhothama phambi kwakho. + 9 UJuda uyiwundlu lebhubesi.* + Ndodana yami uyodla inyamazane usukume. Yena uqoshame wazelula njengebhubesi* futhi njengebhubesi,* ubani ongalokotha amvuse? 10 Intonga yobukhosi ngeke isuke kuJuda, + nenduku yomyali phakathi kwezinyawo zakhe, kuze kufike uShilo,* + uyolalelwa izizwe zonke. + 11 Ebophela imbongolo yakhe esihlahleni samagilebhisi nethole lembongolo esihlahleni samagilebhisi sekhethelo, uyowasha ingubo yakhe ewayinini nasegazini lamagilebhisi. 12 Amehlo akhe abomvu ngokumnyama ngenxa yewayini, namazinyo akhe amhlophe ngenxa yobisi.

13 “UZebhuloni + uyohlala ngasogwini lolwandle, ngasogwini lapho imikhumbi ihlala ibanjwe khona ngamahhuku,* + kuthi umngcele wakhe okude ube ngaseSidoni. +

14 “U-Isakare + uyimbongolo enamathambo aqinile, elala phansi phakathi kwezikhwama ezimbili zesihlalo sayo. 15 Uyobona ukuthi indawo yokuphumula yinhle nokuthi izwe lihle. Uyokwehlisa ihlombe lakhe ukuze athwale umthwalo enze nomsebenzi oyimpoqo.

16 “UDani + uyokwahlulela abantu bakubo njengesinye sezizwe zakwa-Israyeli. + 17 UDani makabe yinyoka eceleni komgwaqo, inyoka enezimpondo ngasendleleni, eluma izithende zehhashi umgibeli walo aketuke. + 18 Ngiyolindela insindiso evela kuwe, Jehova.

19 “UGadi + yena, iviyo labaphangi liyomhlasela, kodwa yena uyolihlasela ezithendeni. +

20 “Isinkwa sika-Asheri + siyoba siningi* kakhulu,* uyonikeza inkosi ukudla okuyifanele. +

21 “UNafetali + uyinyamazane yensikazi eyilambalidlile. Ukhuluma amazwi obugagu. +

22 “UJosefa + uyigatsha lesihlahla esithelayo, esingasemthonjeni, esinamagatsha akhula adlule udonga. 23 Kodwa abacibi baqhubeka bemkhathaza futhi bemciba, baqhubeka bemfukamelele inzondo. + 24 Nokho umnsalo wakhe wawulokhu usendaweni yawo, + izandla zakhe zaziqinile futhi zishesha. + Lokhu kwenzeka ngenxa yalowo onamandla owasiza uJakobe. Ungumalusi, itshe lika-Israyeli. 25 Uvela* kuNkulunkulu kayihlo futhi uyokusiza, ukanye noMninimandla Onke, uyokubusisa ngezibusiso zamazulu aphezulu, ngezibusiso zaphansi ekujuleni, + ngezibusiso zezingane eziningi kanye nemfuyo. 26 Izibusiso zikayihlo ziyoba zinkulu kunezibusiso zezintaba ezimi phakade, kunezinto ezifiselekayo zamagquma ami njalo. + Ziyoqhubeka ziphezu kwekhanda likaJosefa, phezu kokhakhayi lwekhanda lalowo okhethwe kubafowabo. +

27 “UBhenjamini + uyoqhubeka edwengula njengempisi. + Ekuseni uyodla isilwane esizingelwayo, ebusuku ahlukanise impahla ephangiwe.” +

28 Zonke lezi yizizwe ezingu-12 zakwa-Israyeli, yilokho uyise akusho emadodaneni akhe lapho ewabusisa. Wanikeza ngayinye isibusiso esiyifanele. +

29 Ngemva kwalokho wawayala wathi kuwo: “Mina sengizofa.* + Ningingcwabe kanye nobaba emhumeni osensimini ka-Efroni umHeti, + 30 umhume osensimini yaseMakaphela phambi kwaseMamre ezweni laseKhanani, insimu u-Abrahama ayithenga ku-Efroni umHeti ukuba ibe indawo yokungcwaba. 31 Bamngcwaba lapho u-Abrahama nomkakhe uSara. + Bamngcwaba lapho u-Isaka + nomkakhe uRebheka, ngamngcwaba lapho noLeya. 32 Leyo nsimu nomhume okuyo kwathengwa emadodaneni kaHeti.” +

33 UJakobe waqeda ukunika amadodana akhe lezi ziyalezo. Ngemva kwalokho wagibeza izinyawo zakhe phezu kombhede waphefumula okokugcina, bamngcwaba njengoba bangcwaba abantu bakubo.* +

50 UJosefa wabe eseziphonsa kuyise + wamkhalela, wamqabula. 2 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wayala izinceku zakhe, odokotela, ukuba bagcobe* + uyise. Ngakho odokotela bamgcoba u-Israyeli, 3 bathatha izinsuku ezingu-40 ezigcwele, ngoba yilesi sikhathi esasidingeka ukuze kugcotshwe isidumbu futhi amaGibhithe aqhubeka emkhalela izinsuku ezingu-70.

4 Lapho sezidlulile izinsuku zokumlilela, uJosefa wakhuluma nezikhulu zikaFaro,* wathi: “Uma ngithole umusa kini, ngidluliseleni lo myalezo kuFaro: 5 ‘Ubaba wangifungisa, + wathi: “Bheka! Sengiyafa. + Kumele ungingcwabe endaweni yami + engazilungisela yona ezweni laseKhanani.” + Ngicela ungivumele ngikhuphuke ngiyongcwaba ubaba, ngemva kwalokho ngizobuya.’” 6 UFaro waphendula: “Hamba uyongcwaba uyihlo njengoba nje akufungisa.” +

7 Ngakho uJosefa wakhuphuka wayongcwaba uyise, zonke izinceku zikaFaro zahamba naye, amadoda amadala + endlu yakhe nawo wonke amadoda amadala asezweni laseGibhithe 8 nabo bonke abomndeni kaJosefa nabafowabo nomndeni kayise. + Bashiya abantwana babo abancane nemihlambi yabo kuphela ezweni laseGosheni. 9 Kwakhuphuka kanye naye izinqola + nabagibeli bamahhashi, iqembu lalilikhulu kakhulu. 10 Bafika esibuyeni* sase-Athadi, esisesifundeni saseJordani, bafike balila kakhulu ngendlela edabukisayo, uJosefa waqhubeka elilela uyise izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. 11 Abantu bakulelo zwe, amaKhanani, bababona belila esibuyeni sase-Athadi, bababaza bathi: “Yisililo esikhulu samaGibhithe!” Yingakho saqanjwa ngokuthi i-Abela-mizirayimi,* esesifundeni saseJordani.

12 Ngakho amadodana akhe enza njengoba nje ayewayalile. + 13 Amadodana akhe amthwala amyisa ezweni laseKhanani amngcwaba emhumeni wensimu yaseMakaphela, insimu ephambi kwaseMamre u-Abrahama ayeyithenge ku-Efroni umHeti njengendawo yokungcwaba. + 14 Ngemva kokungcwaba uyise, uJosefa wabuyela eGibhithe nabafowabo nabo bonke ababehambe naye beyongcwaba uyise.

15 Lapho abafowabo bakaJosefa bebona ukuthi uyise wayesefile, bathi: “Kungenzeka ukuthi uJosefa ufukamele inzondo ngathi futhi uzoziphindiselela kithi ngakho konke okubi esikwenze kuye.” + 16 Ngakho bathumela umyalezo kuJosefa: “Uyihlo wakhipha lo myalo ngaphambi kokuba afe: 17 ‘Yilokhu eniyokusho kuJosefa: “Ngiyakuncenga, siza uxolele isiphambeko sabafowenu nesono abasenza ngokwenza okubi kuwe.”’ Manje sicela uxolele isiphambeko sezinceku zikaNkulunkulu kayihlo.” UJosefa wakhala lapho bekhuluma naye. 18 Ngemva kwalokho abafowabo beza bawa phambi kwakhe bathi: “Bheka, sifana nezigqila kuwe!” + 19 UJosefa wathi kubo: “Ningesabi. Ingabe ngisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu? 20 Nakuba nina nanifuna ukungilimaza, + uNkulunkulu wayehlose ukukushintsha lokho asindise abantu abaningi, njengoba enza namuhla. + 21 Ngakho manje ningesabi. Mina ngizoqhubeka ngininika ukudla nina nabantwana benu abancane.” + Wabaduduza wabaqinisekisa.

22 UJosefa waqhubeka ehlala eGibhithe, yena nomndeni kayise, futhi waphila iminyaka engu-110. 23 Wabona isizukulwane sesithathu samadodana ka-Efrayimi, + namadodana kaMakiri, + indodana kaManase. KuJosefa ayefana nezingane zakhe.* 24 Ekugcineni uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “Sengiyafa, kodwa ngokuqinisekile uNkulunkulu uyoninaka, + nakanjani uyonikhuphula anikhiphe kuleli zwe aniyise ezweni afunga ngalo ku-Abrahama, ku-Isaka nakuJakobe.” + 25 Ngakho uJosefa wafungisa amadodana ka-Israyeli, wathi: “Nakanjani uNkulunkulu uyoninaka. Kumele nithathe amathambo ami niwakhuphule niwakhiphe lapha.” + 26 UJosefa wafa eneminyaka engu-110, bamgcoba + ukuze angaboli, wayesefakwa ebhokisini lokungcwaba eGibhithe.