UGenesise
1 Ekuqaleni+ uNkulunkulu+ wadala+ amazulu nomhlaba.+
2 Umhlaba wawungenasimo, ungenalutho, kukhona ubumnyama ebusweni botwa lwamanzi;+ futhi amandla kaNkulunkulu asebenzayo ayehla enyuka+ ebusweni bamanzi.+
3 UNkulunkulu wabe esethi:+ “Makube khona ukukhanya.” Khona-ke kwaba khona ukukhanya.+ 4 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi ukukhanya kuhle, uNkulunkulu wahlukanisa ukukhanya nobumnyama.+ 5 UNkulunkulu wabiza ukukhanya ngokuthi iMini,+ kodwa ubumnyama wabubiza ngokuthi uBusuku.+ Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lokuqala.
6 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Makube khona umkhathi+ phakathi kwamanzi futhi kube khona ukuhlukana phakathi kwamanzi namanzi.”+ 7 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wenza umkhathi futhi wahlukanisa amanzi okufanele abe ngaphansi komkhathi namanzi okufanele abe ngaphezu komkhathi.+ Kwaba njalo. 8 UNkulunkulu wabiza umkhathi ngokuthi iZulu.+ Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesibili.
9 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Amanzi angaphansi kwamazulu mawaqoqane endaweni eyodwa kuvele umhlabathi owomile.”+ Kwaba njalo. 10 UNkulunkulu wabiza umhlabathi owomile ngokuthi uMhlaba,+ kodwa amanzi aqoqene ndawonye wawabiza ngokuthi iziLwandle.+ Ngaphezu kwalokho, uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle.+ 11 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Umhlaba mawenze ukuba kuhlume phezu komhlaba utshani, izimila eziveza imbewu,+ imithi yezithelo ethela izithelo ngezinhlobo zayo,+ embewu yayo ikuyo.”+ Kwaba njalo. 12 Umhlaba waqala ukuveza utshani, izimila eziveza imbewu ngezinhlobo zayo+ nemithi ethela izithelo, embewu yayo ikuyo ngezinhlobo zayo.+ Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. 13 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesithathu.
14 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Makube khona izinkanyiso emkhathini wamazulu zihlukanise imini nobusuku;+ kumelwe zibe izibonakaliso futhi zihlukanise izinkathi nezinsuku neminyaka.+ 15 Futhi kumelwe zisebenze njengezinkanyiso emkhathini wamazulu zikhanyise phezu komhlaba.”+ Kwaba njalo. 16 UNkulunkulu wabe esezenza lezi zinkanyiso ezimbili ezinkulu, inkanyiso enkulu ukuba ibuse imini nenkanyiso encane ukuba ibuse ubusuku, kanye nezinkanyezi.+ 17 Kanjalo uNkulunkulu wazibeka emkhathini wamazulu ukuba zikhanyise phezu komhlaba,+ 18 nokuba zibuse emini nasebusuku futhi zihlukanise ukukhanya nobumnyama.+ Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle.+ 19 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesine.
20 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Amanzi mawaswebezele uswebezane lwemiphefumulo ephilayo,+ kundize izidalwa ezindizayo phezu komhlaba ebusweni bomkhathi wamazulu.”+ 21 UNkulunkulu wabe esedala izilo ezinkulu zasolwandle+ nayo yonke imiphefumulo ephilayo ehambahambayo,+ amanzi aswebezela yona ngokwezinhlobo zayo, nazo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo ezinamaphiko ngezinhlobo zazo.+ UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle. 22 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wazibusisa, wathi: “Zalani nande nigcwalise amanzi ezilwandle,+ futhi izidalwa ezindizayo mazande emhlabeni.” 23 Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesihlanu.
24 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Umhlaba+ mawuveze imiphefumulo ephilayo ngezinhlobo zayo, izilwane ezifuywayo+ nezilwane ezihambayo+ nezilo zasendle+ zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo.” Kwaba njalo. 25 UNkulunkulu wabe esenza izilo zasendle zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo nezilwane ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo nazo zonke izilwane ezihamba emhlabathini ngezinhlobo zazo.+ UNkulunkulu wabona ukuthi kuhle.
26 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Masenze+ umuntu ngomfanekiso wethu,+ afane nathi,+ athotshelwe yizinhlanzi zolwandle nayizidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu nayizilwane ezifuywayo nayiwo wonke umhlaba nazo zonke izilwane ezihamba phezu komhlaba.”+ 27 UNkulunkulu wabe esemdala umuntu ngomfanekiso wakhe, wamdala ngomfanekiso kaNkulunkulu;+ wabadala kwaba owesilisa nowesifazane.+ 28 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uNkulunkulu wababusisa+ futhi uNkulunkulu wathi kubo: “Zalani+ nande nigcwalise umhlaba niwunqobe,+ nithotshelwe+ yizinhlanzi zolwandle nezidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu nazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo ezihamba phezu komhlaba.”
29 UNkulunkulu wathi: “Bhekani ngininike zonke izimila eziveza imbewu ezisebusweni bawo wonke umhlaba nayo yonke imithi okukhona kuyo izithelo zomuthi eziveza imbewu.+ Mazibe ngukudla kini.+ 30 Futhi zonke izilo zasendle zomhlaba nazo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu nayo yonke into ehamba phezu komhlaba okukhona kuyo ukuphila njengomphefumulo [ngiyiniké] zonke izimila eziluhlaza ukuba zibe ngukudla.”+ Kwaba njalo.
31 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wabona konke ayekwenzile, bheka! kwakukuhle kakhulu.+ Kwaba khona ukuhlwa kwaba khona ukusa, usuku lwesithupha.
2 Kanjalo amazulu nomhlaba nawo wonke amabutho ako kwafinyelela ekupheleni kwako.+ 2 Ngosuku lwesikhombisa uNkulunkulu wayesewuqedile umsebenzi wakhe ayewenzile, waqala ukuphumula ngosuku lwesikhombisa kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe ayewenzile.+ 3 Futhi uNkulunkulu walubusisa usuku lwesikhombisa walungcwelisa, ngoba ngalo ubephumule kuwo wonke umsebenzi wakhe ayewudalile wawenza.+
4 Lona ngumlando wamazulu nomhlaba ngesikhathi sokudalwa kwawo, ngosuku uJehova uNkulunkulu enza ngalo umhlaba nezulu.+
5 Kwakungakabi khona sihlahla sasendle esasitholakala emhlabeni futhi kwakungakabi bikho zimila zasendle ezazihluma, ngoba uJehova uNkulunkulu wayengakenzi ukuba line+ phezu komhlaba futhi kwakungekho muntu wokulima umhlabathi. 6 Kodwa kwakukhuphuka inkungu+ emhlabeni imatise bonke ubuso bomhlaba.+
7 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esebumba umuntu ngothuli+ lomhlabathi+ wafuthela emakhaleni akhe umoya wokuphila,+ umuntu waba ngumphefumulo ophilayo.+ 8 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJehova uNkulunkulu watshala insimu e-Edene,+ ngasempumalanga, wambeka lapho umuntu ayembumbile.+ 9 Kanjalo uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba kumile emhlabathini yonke imithi efiselekayo emehlweni omuntu nefanelekele ukudliwa kanye nomuthi wokuphila+ phakathi nensimu nomuthi wolwazi lokuhle nokubi.+
10 Manje kwakukhona umfula owawuphuma e-Edene wokunisela insimu, futhi ukusuka lapho wawuqala ukuhlukana ube njengokungathi imifula emine. 11 Igama lowokuqala iPhishoni; yiwo ozungeza lonke izwe laseHavila,+ lapho kukhona khona igolide. 12 Futhi igolide lakulelo zwe lihle.+ Kukhona futhi nenhlaka yebhedola+ netshe le-onikisi.+ 13 Igama lomfula wesibili iGihoni; yiwo ozungeza lonke izwe lakwaKushe. 14 Igama lomfula wesithathu yiHidekeli;+ yiwo oya empumalanga ye-Asiriya.+ Umfula wesine i-Ewufrathe.+
15 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esemthatha umuntu wambeka ensimini yase-Edene+ ukuba ayilime futhi ayinakekele.+ 16 Futhi uJehova uNkulunkulu wamnika lo myalo umuntu: “Kuyo yonke imithi yensimu ungadla usuthe.+ 17 Kodwa ngokuqondene nomuthi wolwazi lokuhle nokubi ungadli kuwo, ngoba ngosuku oyodla ngalo kuwo uyokufa nokufa.”+
18 UJehova uNkulunkulu waqhubeka wathi: “Akukuhle ukuba umuntu ahlale yedwa. Ngizomenzela umsizi, abe umphelelisi wakhe.”+ 19 Manje uJehova uNkulunkulu wabumba zonke izilo zasendle nazo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu ngomhlabathi, futhi waziletha kumuntu ukuze abone ukuthi ngasinye angasiqamba athini; noma yiliphi igama umuntu ayeliqamba umphefumulo ngamunye ophilayo,+ lelo kwaba yigama lawo.+ 20 Ngakho umuntu waziqamba amagama zonke izilwane ezifuywayo nezidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu nazo zonke izilo zasendle, kodwa umuntu akatholelwanga umsizi ongumphelelisi wakhe. 21 Ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba umuntu ehlelwe ubuthongo obukhulu,+ kwathi esalele, wathatha olunye lwezimbambo zakhe wayeseyivala inyama endaweni yalo. 22 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe eselwakha ubambo ayeluthathe kumuntu lwaba ngowesifazane, wayesemletha kumuntu.+
23 Khona-ke umuntu wathi:
“Ekugcineni usekhona oyithambo lamathambo ami
Nenyama yenyama yami.+
Lo uzobizwa ngokuthi yiNdodakazi,
Ngoba uthathwe endodeni.”+
24 Yingakho indoda iyoshiya uyise nonina+ inamathele kumkayo babe nyamanye.+ 25 Bobabili babehamba-ze,+ indoda nomkayo, nokho ababanga namahloni.+
3 Inyoka+ yayiqaphe+ kunazo zonke izilwane zasendle uJehova uNkulunkulu ayezenzile.+ Ngakho yathi kowesifazane:+ “Ingabe uNkulunkulu ushilo ngempela ukuthi akumelwe nidle kuyo yonke imithi yensimu?”+ 2 Owesifazane wathi enyokeni: “Singazidla izithelo zemithi yensimu.+ 3 Kodwa ngokuqondene nokudla izithelo zomuthi ophakathi nensimu,+ uNkulunkulu uthé, ‘Ningadli kuwo, cha, ningawuthinti ukuze ningafi.’”+ 4 Inyoka yathi kowesifazane: “Ngokuqinisekile ngeke nife.+ 5 Yingoba uNkulunkulu uyazi ukuthi ngalo kanye usuku enidla ngalo kuwo nakanjani amehlo enu ayovuleka futhi nakanjani niyoba njengoNkulunkulu, nazi okuhle nokubi.”+
6 Ngenxa yalokho, owesifazane wabona ukuthi umuthi wawukufanelekele ukudliwa nokuthi wawungokuthile okulangazelelekayo emehlweni, yebo, umuthi wawubukeka ufiseleka.+ Ngakho wathatha isithelo sawo wadla. Kamuva wanika nomyeni wakhe lapho esekanye naye, naye wadla.+ 7 Khona-ke amehlo abo bobabili avuleka baqala ukuqaphela ukuthi babehamba-ze.+ Ngakho bathunga amaqabunga omkhiwane bazenzela izibhinco.+
8 Kamuva bezwa izwi likaJehova uNkulunkulu ehamba ensimini ngesikhathi sokuvunguza komnyelele,+ indoda nomkayo bamcashela uJehova uNkulunkulu phakathi kwemithi yensimu.+ 9 UJehova uNkulunkulu wayelokhu embiza umuntu ethi kuye: “Ukuphi?”+ 10 Ekugcineni wathi: “Ngizwé izwi lakho ensimini, kodwa bengesaba ngoba bengihamba-ze ngakho ngacasha.”+ 11 Khona-ke wathi: “Ngubani okutshelé ukuthi ubuhamba-ze?+ Ingabe udlile emthini engakuyala ukuba ungadli kuwo?”+ 12 Umuntu wabe esethi: “Owesifazane onginike yena ukuba abe nami, unginikile isithelo somuthi ngadla.”+ 13 Ngakho uJehova uNkulunkulu wathi kowesifazane: “Yini le oyenzile?” Owesifazane waphendula wathi: “Inyoka—ingikhohlisile, ngadla.”+
14 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esethi enyokeni:+ “Ngenxa yokuthi wenzé le nto, ungoqalekisiweyo kuzo zonke izilwane ezifuywayo nakuzo zonke izilwane zasendle. Uyohamba ngesisu sakho udle uthuli zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakho.+ 15 Futhi ngizobeka+ ubutha+ phakathi kwakho+ nowesifazane+ naphakathi kwenzalo yakho+ nenzalo yakhe.+ Yona+ iyokulimaza+ ekhanda+ wena+ uyoyilimaza+ esithendeni.”+
16 Kowesifazane wathi: “Ngizobandisa kakhulu ubuhlungu bokukhulelwa kwakho;+ uyozala abantwana ngemihelo,+ futhi uzonxanela umyeni wakho, yena uzokubusa.”+
17 Ku-Adamu wathi: “Ngenxa yokuthi ulalelé izwi lomkakho wadla emthini engakuyala ngawo ngathi,+ ‘Ungadli kuwo,’ uqalekisiwe umhlabathi ngenxa yakho.+ Uzodla umkhiqizo wawo ngobuhlungu zonke izinsuku zokuphila kwakho.+ 18 Uzokuvezela ameva namakhakhasi,+ futhi uzodla izimila 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 ngunina wabo bonke abantu abaphilayo.+ 21 UJehova uNkulunkulu wabe esenzela u-Adamu nomkakhe izembatho ezinde zesikhumba wabembathisa.+ 22 UJehova uNkulunkulu wathi: “Bheka umuntu usenjengomunye wethu ngokuqondene nokwazi okuhle nokubi,+ futhi manje ukuze angeluli isandla sakhe futhi empeleni athathe izithelo nasemthini wokuphila+ adle aphile kuze kube nini nanini,—” 23 Ngalokho uJehova uNkulunkulu wamxosha ensimini yase-Edene+ ukuba alime umhlabathi ayethathwe kuwo.+ 24 Kanjalo wamxosha umuntu futhi wamisa empumalanga yensimu yase-Edene+ amakherubi+ nenkemba eyayiziphendukela njalo futhi ivutha amalangabi ukuba aqaphe indlela eya emthini wokuphila.
4 U-Adamu walala no-Eva umkakhe wakhulelwa.+ Ngemva kwesikhathi wazala uKhayini,+ wathi: “Ngitholé indoda ngosizo lukaJehova.”+ 2 Kamuva waphinda futhi wazala umfowabo u-Abela.+
U-Abela waba umalusi wezimvu,+ kodwa uKhayini waba umlimi womhlabathi.+ 3 Kwathi ekupheleni kwesikhathi esithile uKhayini waletha ezinye zezithelo zomhlaba+ njengomnikelo kuJehova.+ 4 Kodwa no-Abela waletha amazibulo+ athile omhlambi wakhe, yebo amaqatha awo anonile.+ Nakuba uJehova ayembheka ngomusa u-Abela nomnikelo wakhe,+ 5 akazange neze ambheke ngomusa uKhayini nomnikelo wakhe.+ UKhayini wavutha intukuthelo enkulu,+ ubuso bakhe banyukubala. 6 Khona-ke uJehova wathi kuKhayini: “Kungani uvutha intukuthelo, futhi kungani ubuso bakho bunyukubele? 7 Uma uphendukela ekwenzeni okuhle, ngeke yini kube khona ukuphakanyiswa?+ Kodwa uma ungaphendukeli ekwenzeni okuhle, kukhona isono esicathama emnyango, futhi sinxanela wena;+ wena-ke, ingabe uzosihlula?”+
8 Ngemva kwalokho uKhayini wathi ku-Abela umfowabo: [“Masiye endle.”] Kwathi lapho besendle uKhayini wamhlasela u-Abela umfowabo, wambulala.+ 9 Kamuva uJehova wathi kuKhayini: “Uphi u-Abela umfowenu?”+ yena wathi: “Angazi. Ngingumqaphi womfowethu yini mina?”+ 10 Khona-ke wathi: “Wenzeni? Lalela! Igazi lomfowenu liyakhala kimi lisemhlabathini.+ 11 Futhi manje uqalekiswé ngokudingiswa emhlabathini,+ ovule umlomo wawo ukuba wamukele igazi lomfowenu esandleni sakho.+ 12 Lapho ulima umhlaba, ngeke ukubuyisele amandla awo.+ Uyoba uzulane nombaleki emhlabeni.”+ 13 Khona-ke uKhayini wathi kuJehova: “Isijeziso sesiphambeko sami sikhulu kakhulu ukuba ngisithwale. 14 Manje empeleni uyangixosha ngalolu suku ebusweni bomhlaba, futhi ngizositheka ebusweni bakho;+ ngizoba uzulane+ nombaleki emhlabeni futhi ngokuqinisekile noma ubani ongitholayo uyongibulala.”+ 15 Khona-ke uJehova wathi kuye: “Ngenxa yaleso sizathu noma ngubani obulala uKhayini uyophindiselwa kasikhombisa.”+
Ngakho uJehova wamisela uKhayini isibonakaliso ukuze kungabikho muntu omtholayo oyomshaya ambulale.+ 16 Ngalokho uKhayini wasuka ebusweni bukaJehova+ wahlala ezweni loBubaleki empumalanga ye-Edene.
17 Kamuva uKhayini walala nomkakhe,+ wakhulelwa wazala u-Enoke. Khona-ke wakha umuzi wawuqamba ngegama lendodana yakhe u-Enoke.+ 18 Kamuva u-Enoke wazalelwa u-Irade. U-Irade wazala uMehujayeli, uMehujayeli wazala uMethushayeli, uMethushayeli wazala uLameka.
19 ULameka wabe esezithathela abafazi ababili. Igama lowokuqala kwakungu-Ada, igama lowesibili kunguZila. 20 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Ada wazala uJabale. Waba nguyise walabo abahlala ematendeni+ futhi abanemfuyo.+ 21 Igama lomfowabo kwakunguJubali. Yena waba nguyise wabo bonke abaphatha ihabhu+ negemfe.+ 22 UZila naye wazala uThubali-Khayini, umkhandi wazo zonke izinhlobo zamathuluzi ethusi nawensimbi.+ Udadewabo kaThubali-Khayini kwakunguNahama. 23 Ngenxa yalokho uLameka wabaqambela la mazwi omkakhe u-Ada noZila:
“Yizwani izwi lami, nina bafazi bakaLameka;
Bekani indlebe emazwini ami:
Ngibulele umuntu ngoba engilimazile,
Yebo, insizwa ngoba ingigalele.
24 Uma uKhayini kumelwe aphindiselelwe kasikhombisa,+
Khona-ke uLameka izikhathi ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa neziyisikhombisa.”
25 U-Adamu waphinda walala nomkakhe wazala indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi uSeti,+ ngoba, njengoba umkakhe asho: “UNkulunkulu ungimisele enye inzalo esikhundleni sika-Abela, ngoba uKhayini umbulele.”+ 26 Futhi uSeti wazalelwa indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Enoshe.+ Ngaleso sikhathi kwaqalwa ukuba kubizwe igama likaJehova.+
5 Lena yincwadi yomlando ka-Adamu. Mhla uNkulunkulu edala u-Adamu wamenza wafana noNkulunkulu.+ 2 Wabadala kwaba owesilisa nowesifazane.+ Ngemva kwalokho wababusisa futhi wabaqamba ngokuthi aBantu+ ngosuku lokudalwa kwabo.+
3 U-Adamu waphila iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amathathu. Wabe esezala indodana efana naye, ewumfanekiso wakhe, wayiqamba ngokuthi uSeti.+ 4 Izinsuku zika-Adamu ngemva kokuzala uSeti zaba amakhulu ayisishiyagalombili. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.+ 5 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zika-Adamu aziphila zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi amathathu, wayesefa.+
6 USeti waphila iminyaka eyikhulu nanhlanu. Wabe esezala u-Enoshe.+ 7 Ngemva kokuzala u-Enoshe, uSeti waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili nesikhombisa. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 8 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaSeti zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye neshumi nambili, wayesefa.
9 U-Enoshe waphila iminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye. Wabe esezala uKhenani.+ 10 Ngemva kokuzala uKhenani u-Enoshe waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili neshumi nanhlanu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 11 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zika-Enoshe zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye nanhlanu, wayesefa.
12 UKhenani waphila iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa. Wabe esezala uMahalalele.+ 13 Ngemva kokuzala uMahalalele uKhenani waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili namashumi amane. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 14 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaKhenani zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye neshumi, wayesefa.
15 UMahalalele waphila iminyaka engamashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu. Wabe esezala uJarede.+ 16 Ngemva kokuzala uJarede uMahalalele waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili namashumi amathathu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 17 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaMahalalele zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nanhlanu, wayesefa.
18 UJarede waphila iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi ayisithupha nambili. Wabe esezala u-Enoke.+ 19 Ngemva kokuzala u-Enoke uJarede waphila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalombili. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 20 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaJarede zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi ayisithupha nambili, wayesefa.
21 U-Enoke waphila iminyaka engamashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu. Wabe esezala uMethusela.+ 22 Ngemva kokuzala uMethusela u-Enoke waqhubeka ehamba noNkulunkulu weqiniso iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 23 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zika-Enoke zaba iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi ayisithupha nanhlanu. 24 U-Enoke waqhubeka ehamba+ noNkulunkulu weqiniso.+ Khona-ke akabange esaba khona, ngoba uNkulunkulu wamthatha.+
25 UMethusela waphila iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili nesikhombisa. Wabe esezala uLameka.+ 26 Ngemva kokuzala uLameka, uMethusela waqhubeka ephila iminyaka engamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi ayisishiyagalombili nambili. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 27 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaMethusela zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi ayisithupha nesishiyagalolunye, wayesefa.
28 ULameka waphila iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili nambili. Wabe esezala indodana. 29 Wayiqamba ngokuthi uNowa,+ ethi: “Lo uzosinika induduzo emsebenzini wethu nasebuhlungwini bezandla zethu ngenxa yomhlabathi uJehova awuqalekisile.”+ 30 Ngemva kokuzala uNowa uLameka waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu namashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nanhlanu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi. 31 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaLameka zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisikhombisa namashumi ayisikhombisa nesikhombisa, wayesefa.
32 UNowa waba neminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu ubudala. Ngemva kwalokho uNowa wazala uShemi,+ uHamu+ noJafete.+
6 Manje kwathi lapho abantu beqala ukwanda ebusweni bomhlaba futhi bezalelwa amadodakazi,+ 2 khona-ke amadodana kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ aqala ukuqaphela+ amadodakazi abantu, ukuthi ayebukeka; ayesezithathela abafazi, okungukuthi, wonke lawo ayewakhetha. 3 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi: “Umoya wami+ ngeke usebenze njalo kumuntu+ lokhu futhi eyinyama.+ Ngakho izinsuku zakhe zizoba iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amabili.”+
4 Kwakukhona amaNefili emhlabeni ngalezo zinsuku, nakamuva futhi, lapho amadodana kaNkulunkulu weqiniso eqhubeka elala namadodakazi abantu futhi ewazalela amadodana, ayengabantu abanamandla bakudala, amadoda odumo.
5 Ngenxa yalokho uJehova wabona ukuthi ububi bomuntu babudlangile emhlabeni futhi konke ukuthambekela+ kwemicabango yenhliziyo yakhe kukubi ngaso sonke isikhathi.+ 6 UJehova wadabuka+ ngokuthi wayebenzile abantu emhlabeni, futhi wezwa ubuhlungu enhliziyweni yakhe.+ 7 Ngakho uJehova wathi: “Ngizobaqeda nyá ebusweni bomhlaba abantu engibadalile,+ kusukela kumuntu kuya esilwaneni esifuywayo, kuya esilwaneni esihambayo nasesidalweni esindizayo samazulu,+ ngoba ngiyadabuka ngokuthi ngibenzile.”+ 8 Kodwa uNowa wathola umusa emehlweni kaJehova.
9 Lona ngumlando 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 Umhlaba wonakala emehlweni kaNkulunkulu weqiniso+ futhi umhlaba wagcwala ubudlova.+ 12 Ngakho uNkulunkulu wawubona umhlaba, futhi bheka! wawonakele,+ ngoba yonke inyama yayiyonakalisile indlela yayo phezu komhlaba.+
13 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi kuNowa: “Ukuphela kwayo yonke inyama sekufikile phambi kwami,+ ngoba umhlaba ugcwele ubudlova ngenxa yayo; futhi bheka ngiyayichitha kanye nomhlaba.+ 14 Zenzele umkhumbi ngokhuni lomuthi okhipha inhlaka.+ Uzokwenza amagumbi emkhunjini, futhi kumelwe uwuhuqe ngetiyela ngaphakathi nangaphandle.+ 15 Nansi indlela ozowenza ngayo: izingalo+ ezingamakhulu amathathu ubude bomkhumbi, izingalo ezingamashumi amahlanu ububanzi bawo, nezingalo ezingamashumi amathathu ukuphakama kwawo. 16 Uzokwenza i-tsohari [uphahla; noma, ifasitela] yomkhumbi, futhi uzowuqeda kusale ingalo phezulu, umnyango womkhumbi uwubeke ohlangothini lwawo; + uzowenza ube nesitezi sangaphansi, isitezi sesibili, nesitezi sesithathu.
17 “Kepha mina, bheka ngiletha uzamcolo+ wamanzi phezu komhlaba ukuba ngichithe phansi kwamazulu yonke inyama okukhona kuyo amandla okuphila.+ Konke okusemhlabeni kuzophangalala.+ 18 Futhi ngimisa nawe isivumelwano sami; kumelwe ungene emkhunjini, wena namadodana akho nomkakho nabafazi bamadodana akho kanye nawe.+ 19 Kuzo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zazo zonke izinhlobo zenyama,+ ezimbili kulolo nalolo hlobo, uzozingenisa emkhunjini ukuze uzilonde kanye nawe.+ Kuyoba iduna nensikazi. 20 Ezidalweni ezindizayo ngezinhlobo zazo nasezilwaneni ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo,+ kuzo zonke izilwane ezihambayo zomhlaba ngezinhlobo zazo, kuyongena lapho kuwe ezimbili ohlotsheni ngalunye ukuze uzilonde.+ 21 Wena-ke, zithathele zonke izinhlobo zokudla okudliwayo;+ ukubuthele kuwe, kube ukudla kwakho nokwazo.”+
22 UNowa wenza njengakho konke uNkulunkulu ayemyale ngakho. Wenza kanjalo nje.+
7 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi kuNowa: “Ngena emkhunjini, wena nayo yonke indlu yakho,+ ngoba nguwe engikubone ulungile phambi kwami phakathi kwalesi sizukulwane.+ 2 Kuzo zonke izilwane ezihlanzekile kumelwe uthathe ngasikhombisa uzilethe kuwe, iduna nomngane walo;+ futhi kuzo zonke izilwane ezingahlanzekile uthathe ngazimbili kuphela, iduna nomngane walo; 3 kanjalo nasezidalweni ezindizayo zamazulu uthathe ngasikhombisa, iduna nensikazi,+ ukuze ulonde inzalo ebusweni bawo wonke umhlaba.+ 4 Ngoba kusele izinsuku eziyisikhombisa nje kuphela nginise imvula+ phezu komhlaba izinsuku ezingamashumi amane nobusuku obungamashumi amane;+ futhi ngizoyiqeda nyá yonke into ekhona engiyenzile ebusweni bomhlaba.”+ 5 UNowa wabe esenza njengakho konke uJehova ayemyale ngakho.
6 UNowa wayeneminyaka engamakhulu ayisithupha ubudala lapho kufika uzamcolo wamanzi phezu komhlaba.+ 7 Ngakho uNowa wangena emkhunjini, namadodana akhe nomkakhe nabafazi bamadodana akhe kanye naye, engakafiki amanzi kazamcolo.+ 8 Kuzo zonke izilwane ezihlanzekile nakuzo zonke izilwane ezingahlanzekile nakuzo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo nayo yonke into ehamba phezu komhlaba,+ 9 kwangena ngazimbili kuNowa ngaphakathi emkhunjini, iduna nensikazi, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile uNowa. 10 Futhi ezinsukwini eziyisikhombisa kamuva amanzi kazamcolo afika phezu komhlaba.
11 Ngonyaka wamakhulu ayisithupha wokuphila kukaNowa, ngenyanga yesibili, ngosuku lweshumi nesikhombisa lwenyanga, ngalolu suku zonke iziphethu zotwa olukhulu lwamanzi zabhoboka namasango ezikhukhula amazulu avuleka.+ 12 Imvula yana emhlabeni izinsuku ezingamashumi amane nobusuku obungamashumi amane.+ 13 Ngalo kanye lolu suku uNowa wangena emkhunjini, noShemi noHamu noJafete, amadodana kaNowa,+ nomkaNowa nabafazi abathathu bamadodana akhe bangena kanye naye;+ 14 bona nazo zonke izilwane zasendle ngezinhlobo zazo,+ nazo zonke izilwane ezifuywayo ngezinhlobo zazo, nazo zonke izilwane ezihamba emhlabeni ngezinhlobo zazo,+ nazo izidalwa ezindizayo ngezinhlobo zazo,+ zonke izinyoni, zonke izidalwa ezinamaphiko.+ 15 Zazilokhu ziya kuNowa ngaphakathi emkhunjini, ngazimbili, kuzo zonke izinhlobo zenyama okwakukhona kuzo amandla okuphila.+ 16 Futhi lezo ezazingena, iduna nensikazi kuzo zonke izinhlobo zenyama, zangena, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile. Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wavala umnyango ngemva kwakhe.+
17 Uzamcolo waqhubeka izinsuku ezingamashumi amane phezu komhlaba, futhi amanzi ayelokhu anda, aqala ukuwuthwala umkhumbi, wantanta phezulu ngaphezu komhlaba. 18 Amanzi awusibekela umhlaba futhi ayelokhu anda kakhulu, kodwa umkhumbi waqhubeka uhamba phezu kwamanzi.+ 19 Amanzi awusibekela kakhulu umhlaba kangangokuthi zonke izintaba ezinde ezazingaphansi kwawo wonke amazulu zambozeka.+ 20 Amanzi azisibekela aze afinyelela izingalo eziyishumi nanhlanu nezintaba zambozeka.+
21 Ngakho yonke inyama eyayihamba phezu komhlaba yaphangalala,+ ezidalweni ezindizayo nasezilwaneni ezifuywayo nasezilweni zasendle nakulo lonke uswebezane olwaluswebezela phezu komhlaba, naso sonke isintu.+ 22 Yonke into okwakukhona emakhaleni ayo umoya wamandla okuphila, okungukuthi, konke okwakusemhlabathini owomile, kwafa.+ 23 Kanjalo waqeda nyá yonke into eyayikhona ebusweni bomhlaba, kusukela kumuntu kuya esilwaneni, kuya esilwaneni esihambayo nasesidalweni esindizayo samazulu, kwaqedwa nyá emhlabeni;+ uNowa kuphela nalabo ababenaye emkhunjini abasinda.+ 24 Amanzi aqhubeka esibekele umhlaba izinsuku eziyikhulu namashumi amahlanu.
8 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wamkhumbula+ uNowa nazo zonke izilo zasendle nazo zonke izilwane ezifuywayo ezazinaye emkhunjini,+ uNkulunkulu wenza ukuba kudlule umoya phezu komhlaba, amanzi aqala ukubohla.+ 2 Iziphethu zotwa lwamanzi+ namasango amazulu ezikhukhula+ kwavalwa, kanjalo imvula evela ezulwini yavinjwa. 3 Amanzi aqala ukubohla emhlabeni, aqhubeka ebohla; futhi ekupheleni kwezinsuku eziyikhulu namashumi amahlanu amanzi ayengasekho.+ 4 Ngenyanga yesikhombisa, ngosuku lweshumi nesikhombisa lwenyanga, umkhumbi+ wahlala ezintabeni zase-Ararati.+ 5 Amanzi ayelokhu encipha kwaze kwaba inyanga yeshumi. Ngenyanga yeshumi, ngolokuqala lwenyanga, iziqongo zezintaba zavela.+
6 Kwathi ekupheleni kwezinsuku ezingamashumi amane uNowa wavula ifasitela+ lomkhumbi ayelenzile. 7 Ngemva kwalokho wathumela igwababa,+ lalilokhu lindiza ngaphandle, lihamba liphinde libuye, aze oma amanzi emhlabeni.
8 Kamuva wathumela ijuba+ lisuka kuye ukuze abone ukuthi amanzi ayesebohlile yini ebusweni bomhlaba. 9 Ijuba aliwatholelanga amathe onyawo lwalo indawo yokuphumula, ngakho labuyela kuye emkhunjini ngoba amanzi ayesephezu kobuso bawo wonke umhlaba.+ Khona-ke wakhiphela isandla sakhe ngaphandle walithatha walingenisa kuye emkhunjini. 10 Waqhubeka walinda ezinye izinsuku eziyisikhombisa, waphinda futhi walithumela ijuba lisuka emkhunjini. 11 Kamuva ijuba lafika kuye ngesikhathi sakusihlwa, futhi bheka! kwakukhona iqabunga lomnqumo+ elisanda kukhiwa emlonyeni walo, ngakho uNowa wazi ukuthi amanzi ayesebohlile emhlabeni.+ 12 Walinda ezinye futhi izinsuku eziyisikhombisa. Khona-ke walithumela ijuba, kodwa alibange lisabuyela kuye.+
13 Kwathi ngonyaka wamakhulu ayisithupha nanye,+ ngenyanga yokuqala, ngosuku lokuqala lwenyanga, amanzi ayesemuncekile emhlabeni; uNowa wabe esesusa isembozo somkhumbi wabheka, futhi bheka ubuso bomhlaba base bomile.+ 14 Ngenyanga yesibili, ngosuku lwamashumi amabili nesikhombisa lwenyanga, umhlaba wase womile.+
15 UNkulunkulu wakhuluma noNowa, wathi: 16 “Phuma emkhunjini, wena nomkakho namadodana akho nabafazi bamadodana akho kanye nawe.+ 17 Zonke izidalwa eziphilayo ezikanye nawe zazo zonke izinhlobo zenyama,+ ezidalweni ezindizayo+ nasezilweni+ nakuzo zonke izilwane ezihamba phezu komhlaba,+ zikhiphe kanye nawe, njengoba kumelwe ziswebezele emhlabeni, zizale futhi zande phezu komhlaba.”+
18 Khona-ke uNowa waphuma, kanjalo namadodana akhe+ nomkakhe nabafazi bamadodana akhe kanye naye. 19 Zonke izidalwa eziphilayo, zonke izilwane ezihambayo nazo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo, yonke into ehamba phezu komhlaba, ngemikhaya yazo zaphuma emkhunjini.+ 20 UNowa wakhela uJehova i-altare+ futhi wathatha kuzo zonke izilwane ezihlanzekile+ nakuzo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo ezihlanzekile+ wanikela umnikelo wokushiswa phezu kwe-altare.+ 21 UJehova wahogela iphunga elizolisayo,+ ngakho uJehova wathi enhliziyweni yakhe:+ “Ngeke ngiphinde ngiwuqalekise umhlabathi+ ngenxa yomuntu, ngoba ukuthambekela+ kwenhliziyo yomuntu kubi kusukela ebusheni bakhe kuqhubeke;+ futhi ngeke ngiphinde ngishaye yonke into ephilayo njengoba nje ngenzile.+ 22 Zonke izinsuku umhlaba uqhubeka ukhona, ukuhlwanyela imbewu nokuvuna, amakhaza nokushisa, ihlobo nobusika, imini nobusuku, akusoze kwakhawuka.”+
9 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka wabusisa uNowa namadodana akhe wathi kubo: “Zalani nande nigcwalise umhlaba.+ 2 Ingebhe nokunesaba okukhulu kuzohlale kukhona kuzo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba nakuzo zonke izidalwa ezindizayo zamazulu, nakukho konke okuhambayo emhlabathini, nakuzo zonke izinhlanzi zolwandle. Manje zinikelwe esandleni senu.+ 3 Zonke izilwane ezihambayo eziphilayo zingaba ukudla kini.+ Njengezimila eziluhlaza, ngininika zona zonke.+ 4 Kuphela inyama enomphefumulo wayo+—igazi layo+—akumelwe niyidle.+ 5 Futhi, ngaphandle kwalokho, igazi lemiphefumulo yenu ngiyolibiza. Ngiyolibiza esandleni sazo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo; futhi esandleni somuntu, esandleni somuntu ngamunye ongumfowabo, ngiyobiza umphefumulo womuntu.+ 6 Noma ngubani ochitha igazi lomuntu, nelakhe igazi liyochithwa umuntu,+ ngoba uNkulunkulu wenza umuntu ngomfanekiso wakhe. 7 Ngokuqondene nani, zalani nande, nigcwalise umhlaba, nande kuwo.”+
8 UNkulunkulu wathi kuNowa nasemadodaneni akhe kanye naye: 9 “Mina, bhekani ngimisa isivumelwano sami+ kanye nani madoda kanye nenzalo yenu ngemva kwenu,+ 10 nayo yonke imiphefumulo ephilayo ekanye nani, ezinyonini, ezilwaneni nakuzo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba kanye nani, kusukela kuzo zonke eziphuma emkhunjini kuya kuzo zonke izidalwa eziphilayo zomhlaba.+ 11 Yebo, ngimisa isivumelwano sami nani: Inyama yonke ngeke iphinde iqedwe ngamanzi kazamcolo, futhi ngeke kuphinde kufike uzamcolo uzochitha umhlaba.”+
12 Futhi uNkulunkulu wanezela: “Yilesi isibonakaliso+ sesivumelwano engisinikezayo phakathi kwami nani nayo yonke imiphefumulo ephilayo ekanye nani, kuzo zonke izizukulwane kuze kube nini nanini. 13 Ngimisa uthingo lwami+ efwini, futhi luyoba isibonakaliso sesivumelwano phakathi kwami nomhlaba. 14 Kuyothi lapho ngiletha ifu phezu komhlaba, khona-ke ngokuqinisekile uthingo luvele efwini. 15 Ngokuqinisekile ngiyosikhumbula isivumelwano sami+ esiphakathi kwami nani nayo yonke imiphefumulo ephilayo phakathi kwayo yonke inyama;+ futhi amanzi ngeke aphinde abe uzamcolo wokuchitha yonke inyama.+ 16 Uthingo luyovela efwini,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile ngiyolubona ukuze ngikhumbule lesi sivumelwano kuze kube nini nanini+ phakathi kukaNkulunkulu nayo yonke imiphefumulo ephilayo phakathi kwayo yonke inyama ephezu komhlaba.”+
17 UNkulunkulu waphinda wathi kuNowa: “Yiso lesi isibonakaliso sesivumelwano engisimisa phakathi kwami nayo yonke inyama ephezu komhlaba.”+
18 Amadodana kaNowa+ aphuma emkhunjini kwakunguShemi noHamu noJafete. Kamuva uHamu wazala uKhanani.+ 19 Laba bobathathu kwakungamadodana kaNowa, futhi bonke abantu bomhlaba basakazeka kabanzi bevela kubo laba.+
20 Manje uNowa waqala ngokuba ngumlimi+ wayesetshala isivini.+ 21 Futhi waqala ukuphuza iwayini wadakwa,+ ngakho waba nqunu engaphakathi etendeni lakhe. 22 Kamuva uHamu+ uyise kaKhanani wabona ubunqunu bukayise+ watshela abafowabo ababili ngaphandle.+ 23 Khona-ke uShemi noJafete bathatha isiphuku+ basibeka emahlombe abo bobabili bangena phakathi behlehla nyovane. Kanjalo babemboza ubunqunu bukayise, kuyilapho ubuso babo bufulathele, bangabubona ubunqunu bukayise.+
24 Ekugcineni uNowa waphaphama ewayinini lakhe futhi wazi ngalokho indodana yakhe encane eyayikwenzile kuye. 25 Khona-ke wathi:
27 UNkulunkulu makanike uJafete indawo eyanele,
Futhi ahlale ematendeni kaShemi.+
UKhanani makabe isigqila sakhe futhi.”
28 UNowa waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amathathu namashumi amahlanu ngemva kukazamcolo.+ 29 Ngakho zizonke izinsuku zikaNowa zaba iminyaka engamakhulu ayisishiyagalolunye namashumi amahlanu wayesefa.+
10 Lona ngumlando wamadodana kaNowa,+ uShemi, uHamu noJafete.
Aqala ukuzalelwa amadodana ngemva kukazamcolo.+ 2 Amadodana kaJafete kwakunguGomere+ noMagoge+ noMadayi+ noJavani+ noThubhali+ noMesheke+ noTirase.+
3 Amadodana kaGomere kwakungu-Ashikenaze+ noRifate+ noThogarma.+
4 Amadodana kaJavani kwakungu-Elishahi+ noTharishishi,+ uKitimi+ noDodanimi.+
5 Umphakathi oseziqhinganeni zezizwe wasakazeka emazweni awo uvela kulaba, yilowo nalowo ngokolimi lwawo, ngokwemindeni yawo, ngokwezizwe zawo.
6 Amadodana kaHamu kwakunguKushe+ noMizrayimi+ noPhuthi+ noKhanani.+
7 Amadodana kaKushe kwakunguSeba+ noHavila noSabhitha noRahama+ noSabhitheka.
Amadodana kaRahama kwakunguSheba noDedani.+
8 UKushe wazala uNimrode.+ Yena waqala ukuba ngonamandla emhlabeni. 9 Waba yiphisi elinamandla ngokumelene noJehova. Yingakho kukhona isisho esithi: “NjengoNimrode iphisi elinamandla ngokumelene noJehova.”+ 10 Ukuqala kombuso wakhe kwaba seBhabhele+ nase-Erekhi+ nase-Akade naseKhaline, ezweni laseShinari.+ 11 Ukusuka kulelo zwe waya e-Asiriya,+ wazimisela ukwakha iNineve+ neRehobhoti-Iri neKhala 12 neResene phakathi kweNineve neKhala: lo ngumuzi omkhulu.
13 UMizrayimi+ wazala uLudimi+ no-Anamimi noLehabhimi noNafithuhimi+ 14 noPhathirusimi+ noKhasiluhimi+ (okwavela kuye amaFilisti)+ noKhafitorimi.+
15 UKhanani wazala uSidoni+ izibulo lakhe noHeti+ 16 nomJebusi+ nomAmori+ nomGirigashi 17 nomHivi+ nomArike nomSini 18 nomArivadi+ nomZemari nomHamati;+ kamuva imindeni yamaKhanani yahlakazeka. 19 Kanjalo umngcele wamaKhanani wawuqala eSidoni uze uyofika eGerari,+ eduze kwaseGaza,+ ufika naseSodoma naseGomora+ nase-Adima+ naseZebhoyimi,+ eduze kwaseLasha. 20 Lawa kwakungamadodana kaHamu ngokwemindeni yawo, ngokwezilimi zawo, emazweni awo, ngokwezizwe zawo.
21 UShemi, ukhokho wawo wonke amadodana ka-Ebhere,+ umfowabo kaJafete omdala, naye wazalelwa inzalo. 22 Amadodana kaShemi kwakungu-Elamu+ no-Ashuri+ no-Arpakishade+ noLude no-Aramu.
23 Amadodana ka-Aramu kwakungu-Uze noHule noGeteri noMashe.+
24 U-Arpakishade wazala uShela,+ uShela wazala u-Ebhere.
25 U-Ebhere wazala amadodana amabili. Igama lenye kwakunguPhelege,+ ngoba ezinsukwini zayo kwahlukaniswa umhlaba;+ igama lomfowabo kunguJokithani.+
26 UJokithani wazala u-Alimodade noShelefi noHazarimaveti noJera+ 27 noHadoramu no-Uzali noDikila+ 28 no-Obhali no-Abhimayeli noSheba+ 29 no-Ofiri+ noHavila+ noJobabi;+ bonke laba babengamadodana kaJokithani.
30 Indawo yabo yokuhlala yayiqala eMesha ize ifike eSefari, isifunda sezintaba saseMpumalanga.
31 Lawa ngamadodana kaShemi ngokwemindeni yawo, ngokwezilimi zawo, emazweni awo, ngokwezizwe zawo.+
32 Le kwakuyimindeni yamadodana kaNowa ngokozalo lwemindeni yawo, ngokwezizwe zawo, futhi izizwe zasakazeka emhlabeni zisukela kule mikhaya ngemva kukazamcolo.+
11 Manje umhlaba wonke waqhubeka unolimi olulodwa neqoqo elilodwa lamagama. 2 Kwathi ekuhambeni kwabo beya ngasempumalanga bagcina bethole ithafa elisesigodini ezweni laseShinari,+ bahlala khona. 3 Baqala ukuthi omunye komunye: “Wozani! Masenzeni izitini sizigagade ngokuzishisa.” Ngakho isitini saba itshe labo, kodwa ibitume laba udaka lwabo.+ 4 Base bethi: “Wozani! Masizakheleni umuzi kanye nombhoshongo onesiqongo esisemazulwini,+ sizenzele igama lodumo,+ funa sihlakazeke phezu kwawo wonke umhlaba.”+
5 UJehova wabe esehla ukuze abone lo muzi nombhoshongo abantwana babantu ababewakhile.+ 6 Ngemva kwalokho uJehova wathi: “Bheka! Bayisizwe esisodwa futhi bonke banolimi olulodwa,+ futhi yilokhu asebeqala ukukwenza. Phela, manje akukho lutho abangacabanga ukulwenza abangenakulufinyelela.+ 7 Wozani! Masehle+ siphithanise+ ulimi lwabo ukuze bangaluzwa ulimi lomunye nomunye.”+ 8 Ngakho ukusuka lapho uJehova wabahlakazela phezu kwawo wonke umhlaba,+ kancane kancane bayeka ukuwakha lowo muzi.+ 9 Yingakho igama lawo kwathiwa yiBhabhele,+ ngenxa yokuthi uJehova wayeluphithanise khona ulimi lomhlaba wonke, futhi uJehova wabahlakaza+ basuka lapho baya kuwo wonke umhlaba.
UShemi wayeneminyaka eyikhulu ubudala lapho ezala u-Arpakishade+ eminyakeni emibili ngemva kukazamcolo. 11 Ngemva kokuzala u-Arpakishade, uShemi waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amahlanu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.+
12 U-Arpakishade waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nanhlanu, wazala uShela.+ 13 Ngemva kokuzala uShela, u-Arpakishade waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amane nantathu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
14 UShela waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu, wazala u-Ebhere.+ 15 Ngemva kokuzala u-Ebhere, uShela waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amane nantathu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
16 U-Ebhere waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nane, wazala uPhelege.+ 17 Ngemva kokuzala uPhelege, u-Ebhere waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amane namashumi amathathu. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
18 UPhelege waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu, wazala uRehu.+ 19 Ngemva kokuzala uRehu, uPhelege waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amabili nesishiyagalolunye. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
20 URehu waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu nambili, wazala uSerugi.+ 21 Ngemva kokuzala uSerugi, uRehu waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amabili nesikhombisa. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
22 USerugi waphila iminyaka engamashumi amathathu, wazala uNahori.+ 23 Ngemva kokuzala uNahori, uSerugi waphila iminyaka engamakhulu amabili. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
24 UNahori waphila iminyaka engamashumi amabili nesishiyagalolunye, wazala uThera.+ 25 Ngemva kokuzala uThera, uNahori waphila iminyaka eyikhulu neshumi nesishiyagalolunye. Phakathi naleso sikhathi wazala amadodana namadodakazi.
26 UThera waphila iminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa, okwathi ngemva kwayo wazala u-Abrama,+ uNahori+ noHarana.
27 Lona ngumlando kaThera.
UThera wazala u-Abrama, uNahori noHarana; uHarana wazala uLoti.+ 28 Kamuva uHarana wafa ekanye noThera uyise ezweni azalelwa kulo, e-Uri+ lamaKhaledi.+ 29 U-Abrama noNahori babe sebezithathela abafazi. Igama lomka-Abrama kwakunguSarayi,+ igama lomkaNahori kunguMilka,+ indodakazi kaHarana, uyise kaMilka noyise kaJiska. 30 Kodwa uSarayi wahlala eyinyumba;+ 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 engamakhulu amabili nanhlanu. Khona-ke uThera wafa eHarana.
12 UJehova wathi ku-Abrama: “Phuma ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho nasendlini kayihlo uye ezweni engizokutshengisa lona;+ 2 ngizokwenza isizwe esikhulu ngawe futhi ngizokubusisa ngenze igama lakho libe likhulu; ube yisibusiso.+ 3 Ngiyobabusisa labo abakubusisayo, nalowo okuqalekisayo ngiyomqalekisa,+ futhi yonke imindeni yomhlaba nakanjani iyozibusisa ngawe.”+
4 Khona-ke u-Abrama wahamba njengoba nje uJehova ayekhulumile kuye, futhi uLoti wahamba naye. U-Abrama wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisikhombisa nanhlanu ubudala lapho ephuma eHarana.+ 5 U-Abrama wathatha uSarayi umkakhe+ noLoti indodana yomfowabo+ nayo yonke impahla ababeyiqongelele+ nemiphefumulo ababeyizuzile eHarana, bangena indlela baya ezweni laseKhanani.+ Ekugcineni bafika ezweni laseKhanani. 6 U-Abrama waqhubeka edabula izwe waze wafika endaweni yaseShekemi,+ eduze kwemithi emikhulu kaMore;+ ngaleso sikhathi kwakukhona amaKhanani ezweni. 7 Manje uJehova wabonakala ku-Abrama wathi: “Leli zwe+ ngiyolinika inzalo yakho.”+ Ngemva kwalokho wamakhela lapho i-altare uJehova, owayebonakale kuye. 8 Kamuva wasuka lapho waya esifundeni sezintaba empumalanga yeBhethele+ wagxumeka itende lakhe, iBhethele lisentshonalanga, i-Ayi+ lisempumalanga. Khona-ke wakhela uJehova+ i-altare lapho futhi waqala ukubiza egameni likaJehova.+ 9 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrama wadiliza amadlangala, wasuka lapho wahamba ekanisa eya ngaseNegebhi.+
10 Kwase kuba khona indlala ezweni, u-Abrama wehla waya eGibhithe ukuze agogobale khona+ ngoba indlala yayinzima ezweni.+ 11 Kwathi lapho nje sekuseduze ukuba angene eGibhithe, khona-ke wathi kuSarayi umkakhe: “Siza! Ngazi kahle ukuthi ungowesifazane omuhle.+ 12 Ngakho nakanjani kuzothi lapho amaGibhithe ekubona athi, ‘Lo ngumkakhe.’ Futhi ngokuqinisekile azongibulala, kodwa wena akulonde. 13 Siza uthi ungudadewethu,+ ukuze kungihambele kahle ngenxa yakho, futhi umphefumulo wami ngokuqinisekile uyophila ngenxa yakho.”+
14 Ngakho kwathi lapho nje u-Abrama engena eGibhithe, amaGibhithe ambona owesifazane ukuthi muhle kakhulu. 15 Izikhulu zikaFaro nazo zambona zaqala ukumbabaza kuFaro, kangangokuthi lona wesifazane wathathwa wayiswa endlini kaFaro. 16 Wamphatha kahle u-Abrama ngenxa yakhe, waba nezimvu nezinkomo nezimbongolo nezinceku nezincekukazi nezimbongolokazi namakamela.+ 17 Khona-ke uJehova washaya uFaro nendlu yakhe ngezinhlupho ezinkulu+ ngenxa kaSarayi, umka-Abrama.+ 18 Ngenxa yalokho uFaro wambiza u-Abrama wathi: “Yini le ongenze yona? Awungitshelanga ngani ukuthi ungumkakho?+ 19 Usholoni ukuthi, ‘Ungudadewethu,’+ ngize ngicishe ngimthathe abe ngumkami? Nangu umkakho. Mthathe uhambe!” 20 Futhi uFaro wayala amadoda ngokuphathelene naye, amphelezela yena nomkakhe nakho konke ayenakho.+
13 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrama wakhuphuka waphuma eGibhithe, yena nomkakhe nakho konke ayenakho, noLoti kanye naye, waya eNegebhi.+ 2 U-Abrama wayenemihlambi emikhulu nesiliva negolide eliningi kakhulu.+ 3 Waphuma eNegebhi wahamba ekanisa waya eBhethele, lapho kwakukhona itende lakhe ekuqaleni phakathi kweBhethele ne-Ayi,+ 4 endaweni ye-altare ayelenze ekuqaleni;+ u-Abrama wabiza lapho egameni likaJehova.+
5 ULoti, owayehamba no-Abrama, naye wayenezimvu nezinkomo namatende. 6 Ngakho indawo ayibavumelanga ukuba bahlale ndawonye, ngoba impahla yabo yayisiningi futhi bengasakwazi ukuhlala bonke ndawonye.+ 7 Kwavela ukuxabana phakathi kwabelusi bemfuyo ka-Abrama nabelusi bemfuyo kaLoti; ngaleso sikhathi kwakuhlala amaKhanani namaPherizi ezweni.+ 8 Ngakho u-Abrama wathi kuLoti:+ “Ngiyacela, makungabikho kuxabana okuqhubeka phakathi kwami nawe naphakathi kwabelusi bakho nabelusi bami, ngoba thina siyazalana.+ 9 Izwe lonke alikho yini esandleni sakho? Ngiyacela, masihlukane. Uma uya kwesobunxele, mina ngizoya kwesokunene; kodwa uma uya kwesokunene, mina ngizokuya kwesobunxele.”+ 10 Ngakho uLoti waphakamisa amehlo akhe wasibona sonke isiFunda saseJordani+ ukuthi sonke sasiyisifunda esithola amanzi anele uJehova engakalichithi iSodoma neGomora, futhi sasinjengensimu kaJehova,+ sinjengezwe laseGibhithe kuze kufike eZowari.+ 11 Khona-ke uLoti wazikhethela sonke isiFunda saseJordani, futhi uLoti wathutha ikamu lakhe waya empumalanga. Ngakho-ke bahlukana. 12 U-Abrama wahlala ezweni laseKhanani, kodwa uLoti wahlala phakathi kwemizi yasesiFundeni.+ Ekugcineni wagxumeka itende eduze kwaseSodoma. 13 Amadoda aseSodoma ayemabi futhi eyizoni ezinkulu kuJehova.+
14 Ngemva kokuba uLoti esehlukene naye, uJehova wathi ku-Abrama: “Ngicela uphakamise amehlo akho ukuleyo ndawo okuyo, ubheke ngasenyakatho nangaseningizimu nangasempumalanga nangasentshonalanga,+ 15 ngoba lonke leli zwe olibhekile, ngiyolinika wena nenzalo yakho kuze kube nini nanini.+ 16 Futhi ngiyokwenza inzalo yakho ibe njengezinhlayiya zothuli lomhlaba, kangangokuthi, uma umuntu engase akwazi ukubala izinhlayiya zothuli lomhlaba, khona-ke nenzalo yakho iyokwazi ukubalwa.+ 17 Sukuma, hambahamba ezweni udabule ubude balo nobubanzi balo, ngoba ngiyolinika wena.”+ 18 Ngakho u-Abrama waqhubeka ehlala ematendeni. Kamuva weza wahlala phakathi kwemithi emikhulu kaMamre,+ eseHebroni;+ futhi lapho wakhela 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,+ noBhirisha inkosi yaseGomora,+ noShinaba inkosi yase-Adima,+ noShemeberi inkosi yaseZebhoyimi,+ nenkosi yaseBhela (okungukuthi, eZowari).+ 3 Wonke lawa ahamba njengamakhosi alekelelanayo+ aya eThafeni Eliphansi laseSidimi,+ okungukuthi, oLwandle Lukasawoti.+
4 Ayekhonzé uKedorlawomere iminyaka eyishumi nambili, kodwa ngoweshumi nantathu adlubulunda. 5 Ngonyaka weshumi nane uKedorlawomere weza, namakhosi ayekanye naye, bawahlula amaRefa e-Ashiteroti-karinayimi,+ namaZuzi eHamu, nama-Emi+ eShave-kiriyatayimi, 6 namaHori+ entabeni yawo yaseSeyiri,+ kwehle kuze kufike e-Eli-pharanu,+ esehlane. 7 Khona-ke aphenduka eza e-Eni-mishipati, okungukuthi, eKadeshi,+ anqoba yonke indawo yama-Amaleki+ kanjalo nama-Amori+ ayehlala eHazazoni-thamari.+
8 Kuleli qophelo inkosi yaseSodoma yaphuma, kanjalo nenkosi yaseGomora nenkosi yase-Adima nenkosi yaseZebhoyimi nenkosi yaseBhela (okungukuthi, eZowari), azihlela alwa nawo eThafeni Eliphansi laseSidimi,+ 9 alwa noKedorlawomere inkosi yase-Elamu noThidali inkosi yaseGoyimi no-Amrafeli inkosi yaseShinari no-Ariyoki inkosi yase-Elasari,+ amakhosi amane ebhekene namahlanu. 10 EThafeni Eliphansi laseSidimi+ kwakukhona imigodi ngemigodi yebitume;+ futhi amakhosi aseSodoma naseGomora+ abaleka akhalakathela kuyo, futhi labo abasala babalekela esifundeni sezintaba.+ 11 Abanqobi bathatha yonke impahla yaseSodoma naseGomora nakho konke ukudla bahamba.+ 12 Bathatha noLoti indodana yomfowabo ka-Abrama nempahla yakhe baqhubeka nendlela yabo. Ngaleso sikhathi wayehlala eSodoma.+
13 Ngemva kwalokho umuntu othile owayephunyukile weza watshela u-Abrama umHebheru.+ Ngaleso sikhathi wayehlala ematabernakele phakathi kwemithi emikhulu kaMamre umAmori;+ umfowabo ka-Eshikoli nomfowabo ka-Aneri,+ futhi bona babehlangene no-Abrama. 14 Kanjalo u-Abrama wezwa ukuthi umfowabo wayethunjiwe.+ Ngakho wabutha amadoda akhe aqeqeshiwe,+ izigqila ezingamakhulu amathathu neshumi nesishiyagalombili ezizalelwe endlini yakhe,+ wabaxosha waze wafika kwaDani.+ 15 Ebusuku wahlukanisa amabutho akhe,+ yena nezigqila zakhe, walwa nabo, kanjalo wabehlula wabaxosha kwaze kwaba seHoba, esenyakatho yeDamaseku. 16 Wayophula yonke impahla,+ wophula noLoti umfowabo nempahla yakhe kanye nabesifazane nabantu.+
17 Khona-ke inkosi yaseSodoma yaphuma yamhlangabeza ngemva kokuba ebuye ukwehlula uKedorlawomere namakhosi ayekanye naye, eThafeni Eliphansi laseShave, okungukuthi iThafa Eliphansi lenkosi.+ 18 UMelkhizedeki+ inkosi yaseSalema+ wakhipha isinkwa newayini,+ futhi wayengumpristi kaNkulunkulu oPhezukonke.+ 19 Khona-ke wambusisa wathi:
“U-Abrama makabusiswe nguNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,+
UMenzi wezulu nomhlaba;+
20 Futhi makatuswe uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke,+
Onikele abacindezeli bakho esandleni sakho!”+
Khona-ke u-Abrama wamnika okweshumi kwakho konke.+
21 Ngemva kwalokho inkosi yaseSodoma yathi ku-Abrama: “Nginikeze imiphefumulo,+ wena uzithathele impahla.” 22 Khona-ke u-Abrama wathi enkosini yaseSodoma: “Ngiphakamisa isandla sami ngiyafunga+ kuJehova uNkulunkulu oPhezukonke, uMenzi wezulu nomhlaba, 23 ukuthi, kusukela emucwini kuya emchilweni wembadada, cha, ngeke ngithathe lutho kunoma yini engeyakho,+ ukuze ungasho ukuthi, ‘Yimi engacebisa u-Abrama.’ 24 Angithathi lutho!+ Kuphela lokho izinsizwa esezikudlile kakade, nesabelo samadoda ahambé nami, u-Aneri, u-Eshikoli noMamre+—bona mabathathe isabelo sabo.”+
15 Ngemva kwalezi zinto izwi likaJehova lafika ku-Abrama embonweni,+ lathi: “Ungesabi,+ Abrama. Ngiyisihlangu sakho.+ Umvuzo wakho uyoba mkhulu kakhulu.”+ 2 Khona-ke u-Abrama wathi: “Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova, uyonginikani, njengoba ngingenamntwana futhi umuntu oyodla ifa lomuzi wami kungumuntu waseDamaseku, u-Eliyezeri?”+ 3 Futhi u-Abrama wanezela: “Bheka! Awunginikanga nzalo,+ futhi, bheka! indodana+ yendlu yami yiyo engilandelayo njengendlalifa.” 4 Kodwa, bheka! izwi likaJehova lathi kuye: “Lo muntu ngeke akulandele njengendlalifa, kodwa ozophuma ezibilinini zakho nguye oyokulandela njengendlalifa.”+
5 Wabe esemkhiphela ngaphandle wathi: “Ngicela ubheke phezulu emazulwini ubale izinkanyezi, uma ungase ukwazi ukuzibala.”+ Waqhubeka wathi kuye: “Iyoba ngako inzalo yakho.”+ 6 Waba nokholo kuJehova;+ wayesekubalela kuye njengokulunga.+ 7 Wabe esenezela: “NginguJehova, owakukhipha e-Uri lamaKhaledi ukuba ngikunike leli zwe ulithathe libe ngelakho.”+ 8 Kulokhu wathi: “Nkosi EnguMbusi Jehova, ngizokwazi ngani ukuthi ngiyolithatha libe ngelami?”+ 9 Yena-ke wathi kuye: “Ngithathele isithole esineminyaka emithathu ubudala nembuzikazi eneminyaka emithathu ubudala nenqama eneminyaka emithathu ubudala nehobhe nephuphu lejuba.”+ 10 Wazithatha-ke zonke lezi zinto wazihlukanisa izingxenye ezimbili wabeka ingxenye ngayinye yazo ukuba ifanelane nenye, kodwa izinyoni akazihlahlelanga.+ 11 Izinyoni ezidla inyama zaqala ukwehlela phezu kwezidumbu,+ kodwa u-Abrama wayelokhu ezixosha.
12 Ngemva kwesikhathi, ilanga selizoshona, u-Abrama wehlelwa ubuthongo obukhulu,+ futhi, bheka! wayehlelwa ubumnyama obukhulu ngokwethusayo. 13 Wathi ku-Abrama: “Yazi ngokuqinisekile ukuthi inzalo yakho iyoba umfokazi ezweni elingelona elayo,+ futhi kuyomelwe ibakhonze, futhi ngokuqinisekile bayoyihlupha iminyaka engamakhulu amane.+ 14 Kodwa leso sizwe eyosikhonza ngiyasahlulela,+ futhi ngemva kwalokho iyophuma inempahla eningi.+ 15 Kepha wena, uyokuya kokhokho bakho ngokuthula; uyongcwatshwa usugugile impela.+ 16 Kodwa esizukulwaneni sesine iyobuyela lapha,+ ngoba isiphambeko sama-Amori asikafinyeleli ekupheleni.”+
17 Manje ilanga lase lishona futhi kwafika isigayegaye, futhi bheka! isithando somlilo esithunqa umusi kanye nobhaqa oluvuthayo olwaludlula phakathi kwalezi zingxenye.+ 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 amaKheni+ namaKhenizi namaKhadimoni 20 namaHeti+ namaPherizi+ namaRefa+ 21 nama-Amori namaKhanani namaGirigashi namaJebusi.”+
16 Manje uSarayi, umka-Abrama, wayengamzalelanga bantwana;+ kodwa wayenencekukazi engumGibhithe igama layo kunguHagari.+ 2 Ngakho uSarayi wathi ku-Abrama: “Siza manje! UJehova ungivalile ukuba ngingabatholi abantwana.+ Ngiyacela, lala nencekukazi yami. Mhlawumbe ngingathola abantwana kuyo.”+ Ngakho u-Abrama walilalela izwi likaSarayi.+ 3 Khona-ke uSarayi, umka-Abrama, wathatha uHagari, incekukazi yakhe engumGibhithe, ekupheleni kweminyaka eyishumi yokuhlala kuka-Abrama ezweni laseKhanani, wamnika u-Abrama umyeni wakhe njengomkakhe.+ 4 Ngakho walala noHagari, wakhulelwa. Lapho eqaphela ukuthi ukhulelwe, indlovukazi yakhe yaqala ukudeleleka emehlweni akhe.+
5 Khona-ke uSarayi wathi ku-Abrama: “Ubudlova obenziwe kimi mabube phezu kwakho. Nganikela incekukazi yami esifubeni sakho, yaqaphela ukuthi ikhulelwe, ngase ngiqala ukudeleleka emehlweni ayo. Kwangathi uJehova angahlulela phakathi kwami nawe.”+ 6 Ngakho u-Abrama wathi kuSarayi:+ “Bheka! Incekukazi yakho isesandleni sakho. Yenza kuyo okuhle emehlweni akho.”+ Khona-ke uSarayi wayiphoxa yaze yambalekela.+
7 Kamuva ingelosi+ kaJehova yayithola ngasemthonjeni wamanzi ehlane, emthonjeni osendleleni eya eShuri.+ 8 Yase ithi: “Hagari, ncekukazi kaSarayi, uvelaphi nje nempela futhi uyaphi?” Kulokhu wathi: “Ingani ngibalekela uSarayi indlovukazi yami.” 9 Ingelosi kaJehova yaqhubeka yathi kuye: “Buyela endlovukazini yakho uzithobe ngaphansi kwesandla sayo.”+ 10 Khona-ke ingelosi kaJehova yathi kuye: “Ngizoyandisa kakhulu inzalo yakho,+ kangangokuthi ngeke ibalwe ngenxa yobuningi.”+ 11 Ngaphezu kwalokho ingelosi kaJehova yanezela yathi kuye: “Bheka, ukhulelwe, uzozala indodana futhi kumelwe uyiqambe ngokuthi u-Ishmayeli;+ ngoba uJehova ukuzwile ukuhlupheka kwakho.+ 12 Yona, iyoba yidube lomuntu. Isandla sayo siyomelana nawo wonke umuntu, nesandla sawo wonke umuntu siyomelana nayo;+ futhi iyohlala ematabernakele phambi kobuso babo bonke abafowabo.”+
13 Khona-ke waqala ukubiza igama likaJehova, owayekhuluma naye, wathi: “UnguNkulunkulu obonayo,”+ ngoba wathi: “Ingabe ngempela ngimbonile ongibonayo?” 14 Yingakho lowo mthombo kwathiwa iBheri-lahayi-royi.+ Bheka, uphakathi kweKadeshi neBeredi. 15 Kamuva uHagari wazalela u-Abrama indodana futhi u-Abrama waqamba indodana yakhe uHagari amzalela yona ngokuthi u-Ishmayeli.+ 16 U-Abrama wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalombili nesithupha lapho uHagari ezalela u-Abrama u-Ishmayeli.
17 Lapho u-Abrama eba neminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalolunye ubudala, uJehova wabonakala ku-Abrama wathi kuye:+ “NginguNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke.+ Hamba phambi kwami ungabi naphutha.+ 2 Ngizomisa isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe,+ ukuze ngikwandise kakhulu impela.”+
3 U-Abrama wawa ngobuso,+ uNkulunkulu waqhubeka ekhuluma naye, ethi: 4 “Kepha mina, bheka! isivumelwano sami ngisenze nawe,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile uyoba nguyise wesixuku sezizwe.+ 5 Futhi igama lakho ngeke kusathiwa u-Abrama, kodwa kuzothiwa u-Abrahama ngoba ngiyokwenza uyise wesixuku sezizwe. 6 Ngiyokwenza uzale kakhulu impela, ube izizwe, futhi kuyophuma amakhosi kuwe.+
7 “Ngiyosifeza isivumelwano sami phakathi kwami nawe+ nenzalo yakho ngemva kwakho ngokwezizukulwane zayo kube isivumelwano kuze kube nini nanini,+ ukuze ngibe nguNkulunkulu kuwe nasenzalweni yakho ngemva kwakho.+ 8 Futhi wena nenzalo yakho ngemva kwakho ngiyoninika izwe lobufokazi bakho,+ yebo lonke izwe laseKhanani, libe yifa kuze kube nini nanini; futhi ngiyoba nguNkulunkulu kuyo.”+
9 UNkulunkulu wabuye wathi ku-Abrahama: “Kepha wena, kumelwe ugcine isivumelwano sami, wena nenzalo yakho ngemva kwakho ngokwezizukulwane zayo.+ 10 Yilesi isivumelwano sami eniyosigcina, phakathi kwami nani, ngisho nenzalo yakho ngemva kwakho:+ Wonke umuntu wesilisa kini kumelwe asokwe.+ 11 Kumelwe nisokwe ijwabu lenu, futhi kumelwe kusebenze njengesibonakaliso sesivumelwano phakathi kwami nani.+ 12 Wonke umuntu wesilisa kini onezinsuku eziyisishiyagalombili ubudala kumelwe asokwe,+ ngokwezizukulwane zenu, noma ubani ozelwe endlini nanoma ubani othengwe ngemali kunoma imuphi kubantu bezinye izizwe ongeyena owenzalo yakho. 13 Yileyo naleyo ndoda ezelwe endlini yakho naleyo naleyo ndoda ethengwe ngemali yakho kumelwe nakanjani isokwe;+ isivumelwano sami enyameni yenu kumelwe sisebenze njengesivumelwano kuze kube nini nanini.+ 14 Futhi owesilisa ongasokile ongeke alisoke ijwabu lakhe, wona kanye lowo mphefumulo kumelwe unqunywe kubantu bakubo.+ Uphulé isivumelwano sami.”
15 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka wathi ku-Abrahama: “USarayi umkakho, ungambizi ngokuthi uSarayi, ngoba igama lakhe nguSara.+ 16 Ngiyombusisa futhi ngikunike indodana evela kuye;+ ngiyombusisa futhi uyoba yizizwe;+ amakhosi ezizwe ayovela kuye.”+ 17 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wawa ngobuso wahleka wathi enhliziyweni yakhe:+ “Ingabe indoda eneminyaka eyikhulu ubudala izozalelwa umntwana, futhi ingabe uSara, yebo, ingabe owesifazane oneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye ubudala uzozala?”+
18 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wathi kuNkulunkulu weqiniso: “O kwangathi u-Ishmayeli angaphila phambi kwakho!”+ 19 UNkulunkulu wathi: “USara umkakho impela ukuzalela indodana, futhi kumelwe uyiqambe ngokuthi u-Isaka.+ Futhi ngiyokwenza naye isivumelwano sami kube isivumelwano kuze kube nini nanini enzalweni yakhe ngemva kwakhe.+ 20 Kodwa ngokuqondene no-Ishmayeli ngikuzwile. Bheka! Ngiyombusisa futhi ngimenze azale ande kakhulu impela.+ Ngokuqinisekile uyoveza izikhulu eziyishumi nambili, futhi ngiyomenza abe isizwe esikhulu.+ 21 Nokho, isivumelwano sami ngiyosimisa no-Isaka,+ uSara azokuzalela yena ngalesi sikhathi esimisiwe ngonyaka ozayo.”+
22 Ngalokho uNkulunkulu waqeda ukukhuluma naye wenyuka esuka ku-Abrahama.+ 23 U-Abrahama wabe esethatha u-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe nawo wonke amadoda azelwe endlini yakhe nawo wonke umuntu othengwe ngemali yakhe, bonke abesilisa phakathi kwabantu bendlu ka-Abrahama, wabasoka ijwabu labo ngalo kanye lolu suku, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayekhulume naye.+ 24 U-Abrahama wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisishiyagalolunye nesishiyagalolunye ubudala lapho esokwa ijwabu lakhe.+ 25 Futhi u-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe wayeneminyaka eyishumi nantathu ubudala lapho esokwa ijwabu lakhe.+ 26 Ngalo kanye lolu suku u-Abrahama wasokwa, kanjalo no-Ishmayeli indodana yakhe.+ 27 Wonke amadoda endlu yakhe, noma ubani ozelwe endlini yakhe nanoma ubani othengwe ngemali kumuntu wesinye isizwe, wasokwa kanye naye.+
18 Kamuva uJehova wabonakala+ kuye phakathi kwemithi emikhulu kaMamre,+ lapho ehleli emnyango wetende ngesikhathi sokushisa kosuku.+ 2 Lapho ephakamisa amehlo,+ wabheka futhi kwakukhona amadoda amathathu emi buqamama naye. Lapho ewabona waqala ukugijima ewahlangabeza esuka emnyango wetende, wayesekhothama phansi emhlabathini.+ 3 Khona-ke wathi: “Manje, Jehova, uma ngithole umusa emehlweni akho, siza ungadluli encekwini yakho.+ 4 Ngiyacela, makuthathwe amanzi amancane nigezwe izinyawo.+ Khona-ke nihlale phansi komuthi.+ 5 Futhi mangithole ucezu lwesinkwa, ngiqabule izinhliziyo zenu.+ Ngemva kwalokho, ningadlula, ngoba kungaleso sizathu niye nadlula encekwini yenu ngale ndlela.” Kulokhu athi: “Kulungile. Ungenza njengoba nje ukhulumile.”
6 Ngakho u-Abrahama washesha waya etendeni kuSara wathi: “Shesha! Thatha amaseya amathathu kafulawa ocolekileyo, uxove inhlama wenze amaqebelengwane ayizindilinga.”+ 7 Ngokulandelayo u-Abrahama wagijima waya emhlambini wezinkomo wathatha iduna elihle nelithambile walinika isikhonzi, sashesha salilungisa.+ 8 Wabe esethatha ibhotela nobisi neduna ayelilungisile wakubeka phambi kwawo.+ Khona-ke yena wayelokhu emile ngakuwo phansi komuthi njengoba edla.+
9 Athi kuye: “Uphi uSara umkakho?”+ Wathi: “Ulapha etendeni!”+ 10 Ngakho yaqhubeka: “Ngokuqinisekile ngiyobuyela kuwe ngonyaka ozayo ngalesi sikhathi, futhi, bheka! uSara umkakho uyoba nendodana.”+ USara wayelalele esemnyango wetende, ungemva kwale ndoda. 11 U-Abrahama noSara base bebadala, sebekhulile impela.+ USara wayengasayi esikhathini.+ 12 Ngakho uSara wahleka ngaphakathi,+ ethi: “Ngemva kokuba sengigugile, ingabe ngempela ngizoba nenjabulo, ngaphandle kwalokho nenkosi yami isindala?”+ 13 Khona-ke uJehova wathi ku-Abrahama: “Uhlekeleni uSara, ethi, ‘Ingabe ngempela ngempela ngizozala nakuba sengimdala na?’+ 14 Ingabe kukhona okungaphezu kwamandla kaJehova?+ Ngesikhathi esimisiwe ngizobuyela kuwe, ngonyaka ozayo ngalesi sikhathi, uSara uyoba nendodana.” 15 Kodwa uSara waphika, ethi: “Angihlekanga!” Ngoba wayesaba. Kulokhu wathi: “Cha! impela uhlekile.”+
16 Kamuva la madoda asuka lapho abheka ezansi ngaseSodoma;+ u-Abrahama wahamba nawo ewaphelezela.+ 17 UJehova wathi: “Ingabe ngiyamfihlela u-Abrahama lokho engikwenzayo?”+ 18 Phela, u-Abrahama ngokuqinisekile uzokuba isizwe esikhulu nesinamandla, futhi zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyobusiswa ngaye.+ 19 Ngoba ngiye ngajwayelana naye ukuze ayale amadodana akhe nendlu yakhe ngemva kwakhe ukuze bagcine indlela kaJehova ukuba benze ukulunga nokwahlulela;+ ukuze uJehova ngokuqinisekile akwenze ku-Abrahama lokho akukhulumile ngaye.”+
20 Ngakho uJehova wathi: “Isikhalo ngeSodoma neGomora,+ yebo, sikhulu, nesono sabo, yebo, sinzima kakhulu.+ 21 Ngizimisele impela ukwehla ukuze ngibone ukuthi ngempela benza ngokwesikhalo esiye safika kimi ngalo, futhi, uma kungenjalo, ngizokwazi.”+
22 Kuleli qophelo la madoda aphenduka esuka lapho angena indlela aya eSodoma; kodwa uJehova yena+ wayesamile phambi kuka-Abrahama.+ 23 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wasondela wathi: “Ingabe ngempela uzokhukhula olungile kanye nomubi?+ 24 Ake sithi kukhona abantu abalungile abangamashumi amahlanu phakathi komuzi. Ingabe-ke uzobakhukhula ungayixoleli indawo ngenxa yabalungile abangamashumi amahlanu abangaphakathi kwayo?+ 25 Kuyinto engacabangeki ukuba wenze ngale ndlela, ukuba ubulale umuntu olungile kanye nomubi ukuze kwenzeke kolungile njengoba kwenzeka komubi!+ Kuyinto engacabangeki ngawe.+ Ubengeke yini uMahluleli womhlaba wonke enze okulungile?”+ 26 Khona-ke uJehova wathi: “Uma ngingathola eSodoma abantu abalungile abangamashumi amahlanu phakathi komuzi ngizoyixolela yonke indawo ngenxa yabo.”+ 27 Kodwa u-Abrahama waphendula wathi: “Ngiyacela, bheka ngikwenzé umsebenzi wami ukukhuluma noJehova, kanti ngiluthuli nomlotha.+ 28 Ake sithi kulabo abangamashumi amahlanu abalungile kusilela abahlanu. Ingabe ngenxa yalabo abahlanu uzowuchitha wonke umuzi?” Waphendula wathi: “Ngeke ngiwuchithe uma ngithola khona abangamashumi amane nanhlanu.”+
29 Kodwa waphinda futhi waqhubeka ekhuluma naye ethi: “Ake sithi kutholakala lapho abangamashumi amane.” Yena wathi: “Ngeke ngikwenze ngenxa yalabo abangamashumi amane.” 30 Kodwa waqhubeka wathi: “Ngiyacela, kwangathi uJehova angevuthe ngentukuthelo,+ kodwa angivumele ngiqhubeke ngikhulume:+ Ake sithi kutholakala lapho abangamashumi amathathu.” Yena wathi: “Ngeke ngikwenze uma ngithola abangamashumi amathathu khona.” 31 Kodwa waqhubeka wathi: “Ngiyacela, bheka ngikwenzé umsebenzi wami ukukhuluma noJehova:+ Ake sithi kutholakala lapho abangamashumi amabili.” Yena wathi: “Ngeke ngiwuchithe ngenxa yabangamashumi amabili.”+ 32 Ekugcineni wathi: “Ngiyacela, kwangathi uJehova angevuthe ngentukuthelo,+ kodwa angivumele ngikhulume kanye nje kuphela:+ Ake sithi kutholakala abayishumi.” Yena wathi: “Ngeke ngiwuchithe ngenxa yalabo abayishumi.”+ 33 Khona-ke eseqedile ukukhuluma no-Abrahama uJehova+ wahamba lapho, no-Abrahama wabuyela endaweni yakhe.
19 Manje lezo zingelosi ezimbili zafika eSodoma kusihlwa, futhi uLoti wayehlezi esangweni laseSodoma.+ Lapho uLoti ezibona, wasukuma eyozihlangabeza futhi wakhothama, ubuso bakhe bubheke phansi.+ 2 Wathi: “Ngiyacela, makhosi ami, sizani niphambukele endlini yenceku yenu nihlale ubusuku futhi nigezwe izinyawo.+ Khona-ke nizovuka ekuseni nihambe indlela yenu.”+ Kulokhu zathi: “Cha, esigcawini yilapho sizohlala khona ubusuku.”+ 3 Kodwa waphikelela kakhulu,+ zaze zaphambukela kuye zangena endlini yakhe. Khona-ke wazenzela idili,+ wabhaka amaqebelengwane angenamvubelo,+ zadla.
4 Zingakalali, amadoda omuzi, amadoda aseSodoma, ahaqa indlu,+ kusukela kumfana kuya exhegwini, bonke abantu beyisixuku esisodwa.+ 5 Aqhubeka ememeza uLoti ethi kuye: “Aphi amadoda angenise kwakho kusihlwa? Sikhiphele wona ukuze silale nawo.”+
6 Ekugcineni uLoti waphumela kuwo emnyango, kodwa wawuvala umnyango ngemva kwakhe. 7 Khona-ke wathi: “Sizani, bafowethu, ningenzi kabi.+ 8 Ngiyanicela, bhekani nginamadodakazi amabili angakaze alale nendoda.+ Ngiyanicela, ngivumeleni ngiwakhiphele kini. Khona-ke yenzani kuwo ngokwalokho okuhle emehlweni enu.+ Kuphela ningenzi lutho kula madoda,+ ngoba yingakho engene ngaphansi kophahla lwami.”+ 9 Aphendula athi: “Yima khona lapho!” Anezela: “Lo muntu oyedwa wafika lapha ezogogobala+ kanti empeleni uzozenza umahluleli.+ Manje sizokwenza okubi kakhulu kuwe kunakuwo.” Eza amcindezela kakhulu lo muntu,+ uLoti, futhi ayesondela ukuba abhodloze umnyango.+ 10 Ngakho amadoda elula izandla zawo angenisa uLoti kuwo, endlini, avala umnyango. 11 Kodwa awashaya ngobumpumputhe amadoda ayesemnyango wendlu,+ kusukela kwencane kuya kwenkulu,+ kangangokuthi akhathala ezama ukuthola umnyango.+
12 Khona-ke la madoda athi kuLoti: “Ukhona omunye umuntu onaye lapha? Umkhwenyana namadodana akho namadodakazi akho nabo bonke abangabakho emzini, bakhiphe kule ndawo!+ 13 Ngoba siyayichitha le ndawo, ngoba isikhalo ngabo sesisikhulu phambi kukaJehova,+ kangangokuthi uJehova usithumile ukuba siwuchithe lo muzi.”+ 14 Ngakho uLoti waphuma wakhuluma nabakhwenyana bakhe ababezothatha amadodakazi akhe, elokhu ethi: “Sukumani! Phumani kule ndawo, ngoba uJehova uyawuchitha lo muzi!”+ Kodwa emehlweni abakhwenyana bakhe wabonakala njengomuntu ontelayo.+
15 Nokho, lapho kuqala ukuntwela kokusa, izingelosi zamshusha uLoti, zithi: “Sukuma! Thatha umkakho namadodakazi akho amabili atholakala lapha,+ funa ukhukhulwe ngesiphambeko somuzi!”+ 16 Lapho elokhu elibala,+ khona-ke ngobubele bukaJehova obabuphezu kwakhe,+ la madoda abamba isandla sakhe nesandla somkakhe nezandla zamadodakazi akhe amabili amkhiphela ngaphandle ammisa ngaphandle komuzi.+ 17 Kwathi lapho nje esebakhiphele emaphethelweni, yaqala ukuthi: “Baleka usindise umphefumulo wakho!+ Ungabheki emva kwakho+ futhi ungami kuso sonke isiFunda!+ Balekela esifundeni sezintaba funa ukhukhulwe!”+
18 Khona-ke uLoti wathi kuzo: “Ngiyacela, makungabi njalo, Jehova! 19 Siza, manje, inceku yakho itholé umusa emehlweni akho+ waze wakhulisa umusa wakho wothando,+ ongibonise wona ukuba ulonde umphefumulo wami,+ kodwa—angikwazi ukubalekela esifundeni sezintaba funa ngificwe yinhlekelele ngife nakanjani.+ 20 Manje, ngiyacela, lo muzi useduze ukuba ngibalekele kuwo futhi kuyinto encane.+ Ngicela ukubalekela kuwo—akuyona yini into encane?—nomphefumulo wami uzoqhubeka uphila.”+ 21 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Bheka ngiyakucabangela nakulokhu futhi,+ ngokuba ngingawugumbuqeli umuzi okhulume ngawo.+ 22 Shesha! Balekela khona, ngoba angikwazi ukwenza lutho uze ufike khona!”+ Yingakho aqamba igama lalowo muzi ngokuthi iZowari.+
23 Ilanga lase liphumele phezu kwezwe lapho uLoti efika eZowari.+ 24 Khona-ke uJehova wenza ukuba line isibabule nomlilo kuvela kuJehova, kuvela ezulwini, phezu kweSodoma naphezu kweGomora.+ 25 Ngakho waqhubeka wayigumbuqela le mizi, yebo sonke isiFunda nabo bonke abakhileyo kuleyo mizi nezitshalo zomhlabathi.+ 26 Umkakhe waqalaza emva kwakhe waba yinsika kasawoti.+
27 Manje u-Abrahama wangena indlela kusesekuseni waya endaweni abekade emi kuyo phambi kukaJehova.+ 28 Khona wabheka ezansi ngaseSodoma naseGomora nangakulo lonke izwe lesiFunda wabona umbono. Phela, bheka kwakwenyuka izikhatha zomusi zisuka ezweni njengezikhatha zomusi kahhonela!+ 29 Kwathi lapho uNkulunkulu echitha imizi yesiFunda uNkulunkulu wamkhumbula u-Abrahama ngokuthatha izinyathelo zokukhipha uLoti phakathi kokugumbuqelwa lapho egumbuqela imizi uLoti ayehlala phakathi kwayo.+
30 Kamuva uLoti wakhuphuka eZowari wahlala esifundeni sezintaba, namadodakazi akhe amabili kanye naye,+ ngoba wesaba ukuhlala eZowari.+ Ngakho wahlala emhumeni, yena namadodakazi akhe amabili. 31 Eyizibulo yathi kwencane: “Ubaba usemdala futhi akukho ndoda kuleli zwe engalala nathi ngokwendlela yomhlaba wonke.+ 32 Woza, masinike ubaba iwayini aphuze+ futhi silale naye silondoloze inzalo kubaba.”+
33 Ngakho ayelokhu enika uyise iwayini ukuba aphuze ngalobo busuku;+ khona-ke eyizibulo yangena yalala noyise, kodwa akazanga lapho ilala nalapho ivuka. 34 Kwathi ngosuku olulandelayo eyizibulo yathi kwencane: “Bheka ngilalé nobaba izolo ebusuku. Masimnike iwayini ukuba aphuze nanamuhla ebusuku. Khona-ke nawe ungene, ulale naye, silondoloze inzalo kubaba.” 35 Ngakho amnika uyise iwayini ngokuphindaphindiwe ukuba aphuze nangalobo busuku futhi; khona-ke encane yasuka yalala naye, kodwa akazanga lapho ilala nalapho ivuka. 36 Womabili amadodakazi kaLoti akhulelwa ekhuleliswa nguyise.+ 37 Ngemva kwesikhathi eyizibulo yazala indodana yayiqamba ngokuthi uMowabi.+ Inguyise kaMowabi, kuze kube yilolu suku.+ 38 Encane yona, nayo yazala indodana yase iqamba igama layo ngokuthi uBheni-ami. Inguyise wamadodana ka-Amoni,+ kuze kube yilolu suku.
20 Manje u-Abrahama wathutha ikamu lakhe lapho+ waya ezweni laseNegebhi wahlala phakathi kweKadeshi+ neShuri+ wagogobala eGerari.+ 2 U-Abrahama waphinda futhi wathi ngoSara umkakhe: “Ungudadewethu.”+ Kulokho u-Abhimeleki inkosi yaseGerari wathumela wamthatha uSara.+ 3 Kamuva uNkulunkulu wafika ku-Abhimeleki ngephupho ebusuku wathi kuye: “Bheka ufana nosefile ngenxa yowesifazane omthathile,+ njengoba eyinkosikazi yomunye umuntu.”+ 4 Nokho, u-Abhimeleki wayengasondelanga kuye.+ Ngakho wathi: “Jehova, ingabe uzosibulala isizwe esilungile ngempela?+ 5 Akashongo yini kimi ukuthi, ‘Ungudadewethu’? naye—akashongo yini ukuthi, ‘Ungumfowethu’? Lokhu ngikwenzé ngokwethembeka kwenhliziyo yami nangobumsulwa bezandla zami.”+ 6 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu weqiniso wathi kuye ephusheni: “Nami ngazile ukuthi ukwenzé ngokwethembeka kwenhliziyo yakho,+ futhi bengikuvimbile ukuba ungoni kimi.+ Yingakho ngingakuvumelanga ukuba umthinte.+ 7 Kodwa manje buyisela umfazi wale ndoda, ngoba ingumprofethi,+ futhi izokunxusela.+ Ngakho qhubeka uphila. Kodwa uma ungambuyiseli, yazi ukuthi uzokufa nokufa, wena nabo bonke abangabakho.”+
8 Ngakho u-Abhimeleki wavuka kusesekuseni wabiza zonke izinceku zakhe wakhuluma zonke lezi zinto ezindlebeni zazo. Abantu besaba kakhulu. 9 Khona-ke u-Abhimeleki wabiza u-Abrahama wathi kuye: “Yini le osenzé yona, futhi ngenzé sono sini kuwe, uze ungilethele mina nombuso wami isono esikhulu?+ Wenzé kimi izenzo obekungafanele zenziwe.”+ 10 U-Abhimeleki waqhubeka wathi ku-Abrahama: “Ubucabangani uze wenze le nto?”+ 11 Kulokhu u-Abrahama wathi: “Yingoba ngangizitshele ukuthi, ‘Ngokungangabazeki akukho ukumesaba uNkulunkulu kule ndawo,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile bazongibulala ngenxa yomkami.’+ 12 Ngaphandle kwalokho, ungudadewethu ngempela, indodakazi kababa, kuphela akayona indodakazi kamama, ngakho waba ngumkami.+ 13 Futhi kwathi lapho uNkulunkulu engibangela ukuba ngisuke endlini kababa ngihambe ngizula,+ khona-ke ngathi kuye, ‘Yiló umusa wothando+ ongangibonisa wona: Kuzo zonke izindawo esizofika kuzo, wothi ngami: “Ungumfowethu.”’”+
14 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abhimeleki wathatha izimvu nezinkomo nezinceku nezincekukazi wakunika u-Abrahama wabuyisela kuye uSara umkakhe.+ 15 Ngaphezu kwalokho u-Abhimeleki wathi: “Bheka izwe lami lisesandleni sakho. Hlala lapho kukuhle khona emehlweni akho.”+ 16 KuSara wathi: “Bheka nginika umfowenu+ izinhlamvu eziyinkulungwane zemali yesiliva. Iyisembozo+ samehlo kuwe kubo bonke abanawe, naphambi kwawo wonke umuntu, futhi sisusiwe isihlamba kuwe.” 17 U-Abrahama waqala ukunxusa uNkulunkulu weqiniso;+ uNkulunkulu wamphulukisa u-Abhimeleki nomkakhe nezigqilakazi zakhe, baqala ukuzala abantwana. 18 Ngoba uJehova wayezivale ngcí zonke izibeletho zendlu ka-Abhimeleki ngenxa kaSara, umka-Abrahama.+
21 UJehova wamnaka uSara njengoba nje ayeshilo, futhi uJehova wenza kuSara njengoba nje ayekhulumile.+ 2 USara wakhulelwa+ wazalela u-Abrahama indodana ekugugeni kwakhe ngesikhathi esimisiwe uNkulunkulu ayekhulume ngaso kuye.+ 3 Ngakho u-Abrahama waqamba indodana yakhe ayezalelwe yona, uSara ayemzalele yona, ngokuthi u-Isaka.+ 4 U-Abrahama wabe esemsoka u-Isaka indodana yakhe lapho esenezinsuku eziyisishiyagalombili ubudala, njengoba nje uNkulunkulu ayemyalile.+ 5 U-Abrahama wayeneminyaka eyikhulu ubudala lapho ezalelwa u-Isaka indodana yakhe. 6 Khona-ke uSara wathi: “UNkulunkulu ungilungiselele ukuhlekwa: wonke umuntu ozwa ngakho uzongihleka.”+ 7 Wanezela: “Ubani obengathi ku-Abrahama, ‘Ngokuqinisekile uSara uzoncelisa abantwana,’ njengoba ngizele indodana ekugugeni kwakhe?”
8 Umntwana waqhubeka ekhula walunyulwa;+ u-Abrahama wabe eselungisa idili elikhulu ngosuku lokulunyulwa kuka-Isaka. 9 USara wayelokhu eqaphela indodana kaHagari umGibhithe,+ ayeyizalele u-Abrahama, igcona.+ 10 Ngakho waqala ukuthi ku-Abrahama: “Xosha lesi sigqilakazi kanye nendodana yaso, ngoba indodana yalesi sigqilakazi ngeke ibe yindlalifa kanye nendodana yami, u-Isaka!”+ 11 Kodwa le nto ayizange neze ithandeke ku-Abrahama ngendodana yakhe.+ 12 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wathi ku-Abrahama: “Ungavumeli lutho uSara alushoyo kuwe ngomfana nesigqilakazi sakho ukuba lube olungathandeki kuwe. Lalela izwi lakhe, ngoba lokho okuyobizwa ngokuthi yinzalo yakho kuyoba khona ngo-Isaka.+ 13 Futhi ngokuqondene nendodana yesigqilakazi,+ nayo ngiyoyenza ibe yisizwe esikhulu, ngoba iyinzalo yakho.”+
14 Ngakho u-Abrahama wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wathatha isinkwa negabha lamanzi lesikhumba wakunika uHagari,+ ekubeka ehlombe lakhe, kanye nomntwana,+ wayesemmukisa. Wahamba wazulazula ehlane laseBheri-sheba.+ 15 Ekugcineni amanzi aphela+ egabheni lesikhumba wayesephonsa+ umntwana ngaphansi kwesinye sezihlahla. 16 Wabe eseqhubeka yedwa ibanga elingaba elokucibishela umnsalo, wayesehlala phansi, ngoba wathi: “Mangingaboni lapho umntwana efa.”+ Ngakho wahlala phansi buqamama waqala ukuphakamisa izwi lakhe wakhala.+
17 UNkulunkulu wezwa izwi lomfana,+ ingelosi kaNkulunkulu yambiza uHagari isezulwini yathi kuye:+ “Kwenzé njani, Hagari? Ungesabi, ngoba uNkulunkulu ulilalele izwi lomfana laphaya lapho ekhona. 18 Sukuma uphakamise umfana umbambe ngesandla, ngoba ngizomenza isizwe esikhulu.”+ 19 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wavula amehlo akhe wabona umthombo wamanzi;+ waya wagcwalisa igabha lesikhumba ngamanzi waphuzisa umfana. 20 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka enaye umfana,+ futhi waqhubeka ekhula ehlala ehlane; waba umcibisheli.+ 21 Wahlala ehlane lasePharanu,+ futhi unina wabe esemthathela umfazi ezweni laseGibhithe.
22 Ngaleso sikhathi u-Abhimeleki kanye noFikoli induna yebutho lakhe bathi ku-Abrahama: “UNkulunkulu unawe kukho konke okwenzayo.+ 23 Ngakho manje funga uNkulunkulu+ kimi lapha ukuthi ngeke ungathembeki kimi nasenzalweni yami nasenzalweni yesizukulwane sami;+ ukuthi uzosebenzelana nami kanye nezwe obugogobele kulo,+ ngendlela engisebenzelane ngayo nawe ngothando oluthembekile.”+ 24 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathi: “Ngizofunga.”+
25 Lapho u-Abrahama emsola kanzima u-Abhimeleki ngokuqondene nomthombo wamanzi izinceku zika-Abhimeleki ezaziwuthathe ngobudlova,+ 26 u-Abhimeleki wathi: “Angazi ukuthi ubani owenze le nto, nawe ngokwakho awungitshelanga, nami bengingezwanga ngayo ngaphandle kwanamuhla.”+ 27 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathatha izimvu nezinkomo wazinika u-Abhimeleki,+ bobabili benza isivumelwano.+ 28 Lapho u-Abrahama ebeka amawundlu omhlambi ezinsikazi wodwa, 29 u-Abhimeleki wathi ku-Abrahama: “Asho ukuthini la mawundlu ezinsikazi ayisikhombisa owabeke wodwa?” 30 Khona-ke wathi: “Kumelwe uwamukele esandleni sami la mawundlu ezinsikazi ayisikhombisa, ukuze kube ubufakazi+ bami bokuthi yimi engiwumbile lo mthombo.” 31 Yingakho aqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iBheri-sheba,+ ngoba lapho bobabili babenzé 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 wabiza lapho egameni likaJehova+ uNkulunkulu ohlala kuze kube nini nanini.+ 34 U-Abrahama waselula saba yizinsuku eziningi isikhathi sokuhlala kwakhe njengomfokazi ezweni lamaFilisti.+
22 Manje ngemva kwalezi zinto uNkulunkulu weqiniso wamvivinya+ u-Abrahama. Wathi kuye: “Abrahama!” yena wathi: “Ngilapha!”+ 2 Waqhubeka wathi: “Ngicela uthathe indodana yakho, indodana yakho okuwukuphela kwayo oyithanda kakhulu,+ u-Isaka,+ uthathe uhambo oluya ezweni laseMoriya+ uyinikele lapho njengomnikelo wokushiswa kwenye yezintaba engizokubonisa yona.”+
3 Ngakho u-Abrahama wavuka kusesekuseni kakhulu wabophela imbongolo yakhe wathatha ezimbili zezikhonzi zakhe kanye no-Isaka indodana yakhe;+ wacanda izinkuni zomnikelo wokushiswa. Khona-ke wasuka wathatha uhambo oluya endaweni uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayembonise yona. 4 Kwakungosuku lwesithathu lapho u-Abrahama aphakamisa amehlo akhe wayibona leyo ndawo ekude. 5 U-Abrahama manje wathi ezikhonzini zakhe:+ “Nina hlalani lapha kanye nembongolo, kodwa mina nomfana sifuna ukuqhubekela laphaya siyokhulekela+ bese sibuyela kini.”
6 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wathatha izinkuni zomnikelo wokushiswa wazithwesa u-Isaka indodana yakhe+ yena waphatha umlilo nommese wokuhlaba, bobabili bahamba ndawonye.+ 7 U-Isaka wathi ku-Abrahama uyise: “Baba!”+ Yena wathi: “Ngilapha, ndodana yami!”+ Waqhubeka wathi: “Nanku umlilo nezinkuni, kodwa iphi imvu yomnikelo wokushiswa?”+ 8 Kulokhu u-Abrahama wathi: “UNkulunkulu uzoyilungiselela ngokwakhe imvu yomnikelo wokushiswa,+ ndodana yami.” Bobabili baqhubeka behamba ndawonye.
9 Ekugcineni bafika endaweni uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayembonise yona, u-Abrahama wakha i-altare+ lapho, wahlela izinkuni, wabopha u-Isaka indodana yakhe izandla nezinyawo, wambeka phezu kwe-altare phezu kwezinkuni.+ 10 Khona-ke u-Abrahama welula isandla sakhe wathatha ummese wokuhlaba ukuze abulale indodana yakhe.+ 11 Kodwa ingelosi kaJehova yambiza isezulwini yathi:+ “Abrahama, Abrahama!” yena waphendula wathi: “Ngilapha!” 12 Yaqhubeka yathi: “Ungaseluleli isandla sakho kumfana futhi ungenzi lutho kuye,+ ngoba manje ngiyazi ukuthi uyamesaba uNkulunkulu ngoba awungigodlelanga indodana yakho, okuwukuphela kwayo.”+ 13 Khona-ke u-Abrahama waphakamisa amehlo akhe wabheka, futhi laphaya phambili, ekujuleni kuleyo ndawo, kwakukhona inqama ibambeke ngezimpondo ehlozini. Ngakho u-Abrahama waya wayithatha inqama wanikela ngayo njengomnikelo wokushiswa esikhundleni sendodana yakhe.+ 14 U-Abrahama waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iJehova-jire. Yingakho ngokujwayelekile kuthiwa namuhla: “Entabeni kaJehova kuyolungiselelwa.”+
15 Ingelosi kaJehova yambiza okwesibili u-Abrahama isezulwini 16 yathi: “‘Ngizifunga mina ngokwami,’ kusho uJehova,+ ‘ukuthi ngenxa yokuthi wenzé le nto futhi awuyigodlanga indodana yakho, okuwukuphela kwayo,+ 17 ngokuqinisekile ngiyokubusisa futhi ngokuqinisekile ngiyoyandisa inzalo yakho ibe ngangezinkanyezi zamazulu nangangesihlabathi esisogwini lolwandle;+ inzalo yakho iyokudla ifa lesango lezitha zayo.+ 18 Futhi ngenzalo+ yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba ngokuqinisekile ziyobusiswa ngenxa yokuthi ulalelé izwi lami.’”+
19 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wabuyela ezikhonzini zakhe, zasukuma bahamba ndawonye baya eBheri-sheba;+ u-Abrahama waqhubeka ehlala eBheri-sheba.
20 Kwathi ngemva kwalezi zinto kwafika umbiko ku-Abrahama othi: “Bheka uMilka+ naye umzalele amadodana uNahori+ umfowenu. 21 U-Uze izibulo lakhe noBuzi+ umfowabo noKhemuweli uyise ka-Aramu, 22 noKesedi noHazo noPhilidashe noJidilafu noBhetuweli.”+ 23 UBhetuweli wazala uRebheka.+ Laba abayisishiyagalombili uMilka wabazalela uNahori umfowabo ka-Abrahama. 24 Kwakukhona nesancinza sakhe futhi, esigama laso kwakunguRewuma. Ngemva kwesikhathi naso futhi sazala uTheba noGahamu noThahashi noMahakha.+
23 Ukuphila kukaSara kwaba iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amabili nesikhombisa. Leyo kwakuyiminyaka yokuphila kukaSara.+ 2 Khona-ke uSara wafa eKiriyati-ariba,+ okungukuthi, eHebroni,+ ezweni laseKhanani,+ u-Abrahama wangena ukuzolilela uSara nokuzomkhalela. 3 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wasukuma phambi kofileyo wakhe wayesekhuluma namadodana kaHeti,+ wathi: 4 “Ngingumfokazi nesifiki phakathi kwenu.+ Nginikeni indawo yokungcwaba ibe ngeyami phakathi kwenu ukuze ngingcwabe ofileyo wami asuke phambi kwamehlo ami.”+ 5 Khona-ke amadodana kaHeti amphendula u-Abrahama, athi kuye: 6 “Sizwe, nkosi yami.+ Uyisikhulu sikaNkulunkulu phakathi kwethu.+ Ngcwaba ofileyo wakho endaweni ekhetheke kunazo zonke izindawo zethu zokungcwaba.+ Akekho noyedwa kithi ozokugodlela indawo yakhe yokungcwaba, akuvimbele ukuba ungcwabe ofileyo wakho.”+
7 U-Abrahama wasukuma wakhothama kubantu bendawo,+ emadodaneni kaHeti,+ 8 wakhuluma nawo, wathi: “Uma imiphefumulo yenu ivuma ukuba ngingcwabe ofileyo wami asuke phambi kwamehlo ami, ngilaleleni futhi ningincengele u-Efroni indodana kaZohari,+ 9 ukuba anginike umhume waseMakaphela,+ ongowakhe, osemkhawulweni wensimu yakhe. Makanginike wona phakathi kwenu ngenani eliphelele lesiliva ube yindawo yami yokungcwaba.”+
10 Ngaleso sikhathi, u-Efroni wayehlezi namadodana kaHeti. Ngakho u-Efroni umHeti+ waphendula u-Abrahama kuzwa amadodana kaHeti kanye nabo bonke ababengena esangweni lomuzi wakhe, wathi:+ 11 “Cha, nkosi yami! Ngilalele. Insimu ngikunika yona, nomhume okuyo ngikunika wona. Ngikunika wona phambi kwamehlo amadodana abantu bakithi.+ Ngcwaba ofileyo wakho.” 12 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wakhothama phambi kwabantu bendawo 13 wakhuluma no-Efroni kuzwa abantu bendawo, wathi: “Kuphela uma wena—cha, ngilalele! Ngizokunika inani lesiliva ngensimu. Lithathe,+ ukuze ngingcwabe ofileyo wami khona.”
14 Khona-ke u-Efroni wamphendula u-Abrahama, wathi kuye: 15 “Nkosi yami, ngilalele. Isiqinti esibiza amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu amane, kuyini lokho phakathi kwami nawe? Ngakho ngcwaba ofileyo wakho.”+ 16 Ngakho u-Abrahama wamlalela u-Efroni, u-Abrahama wamkalela u-Efroni inani lesiliva ayelishilo kuzwa amadodana kaHeti, amashekeli esiliva angamakhulu amane ngokwenani elalisetshenziswa abathengisi.+ 17 Kanjalo insimu ka-Efroni eyayiseMakaphela, phambi kwaseMamre, insimu nomhume owawukuyo nayo yonke imithi eyayisensimini,+ eyayingaphakathi kwayo yonke imingcele yayo ezungezile, yaqinisekiswa+ 18 ukuthi ingeka-Abrahama njengendawo yakhe ayithengile phambi kwamehlo amadodana kaHeti phakathi kwabo bonke ababengena ngesango lomuzi wakubo.+ 19 Ngemva kwalokho u-Abrahama wamngcwaba uSara umkakhe emhumeni wensimu yaseMakaphela phambi kwaseMamre, okungukuthi, eHebroni, ezweni laseKhanani.+ 20 Kanjalo insimu nomhume owawukuyo kwaqinisekiswa ezandleni zamadodana kaHeti ukuthi kungokuka-Abrahama ukuba kube indawo yakhe yokungcwaba.+
24 Manje u-Abrahama wayesemdala, iminyaka isihambile; futhi uJehova wayembusisile u-Abrahama kukho konke.+ 2 Ngakho u-Abrahama wathi encekwini yakhe, endala kunazo zonke endlini yakhe, eyayiphethe konke ayenakho:+ “Ngicela ubeke isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethanga lami,+ 3 ngoba kumelwe ngikufungise uJehova,+ uNkulunkulu wamazulu noNkulunkulu womhlaba, ukuthi ngeke uyithathele indodana yami umfazi emadodakazini amaKhanani engihlala phakathi kwawo,+ 4 kodwa uzoya ezweni lakithi nasezihlotsheni zami,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile uthathele u-Isaka indodana yami, umfazi.”
5 Nokho, inceku yathi kuye: “Kuthiwani uma lowo wesifazane engathandi ukuza nami kuleli zwe? Ingabe kumelwe nakanjani ngibuyisele indodana yakho ezweni owaphuma kulo?”+ 6 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wathi kuyo: “Qaphela ukuba ungayibuyiseli indodana yami lapho.+ 7 UJehova uNkulunkulu wamazulu, owangithatha endlini kababa nasezweni lezihlobo zami+ futhi owakhuluma kimi wafunga kimi,+ ethi, ‘Leli zwe+ ngiyolinika inzalo yakho,’+ uzothumela ingelosi yakhe phambi kwakho,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile uyoyithathela lapho indodana yami umfazi.+ 8 Kodwa uma lowo wesifazane engathandi ukuza nawe, nawe uyobe ukhululekile kulesi sifungo onginike sona.+ Kuphela ungayibuyiseli 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 emakamelini enkosi yayo yabe isihamba iphethe esandleni sayo zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezinhle zenkosi yayo.+ Khona-ke yasuka yaya eMesophothamiya emzini kaNahori. 11 Ekugcineni yaguqisa amakamela ngaphandle komuzi emthonjeni wamanzi ngesikhathi sakusihlwa,+ ngesikhathi ababevame ukuphuma ngaso abesifazane abakha amanzi.+ 12 Yathi: “Jehova Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama,+ siza ukwenze kwenzeke phambi kwami namuhla futhi uyenzele umusa wothando+ inkosi yami u-Abrahama.+ 13 Bheka ngimi emthonjeni wamanzi, futhi amadodakazi abantu bomuzi ayaphuma ukuzokha amanzi.+ 14 Okumelwe kwenzeke ukuthi intombi engizothi kuyo, ‘Ngicela wehlise imbiza yakho yamanzi ngiphuze,’ futhi ngempela ithi, ‘Phuza, futhi ngizophuzisa namakamela akho,’ leyo kube yiyo okumelwe uyabele inceku yakho,+ u-Isaka; futhi ungazise ngalokhu ukuthi uyenzele uthando oluthembekile inkosi yami.”+
15 Kwathi ingakaqedi ukukhuluma,+ bheka, kwaphuma uRebheka, owayezalwa uBhetuweli+ indodana kaMilka+ umkaNahori,+ umfowabo ka-Abrahama, etshethe imbiza yamanzi.+ 16 Le ntombi yayikhanga kakhulu,+ iyintombi ntó, kungekho ndoda eyayike yalala nayo;+ futhi yehlela emthonjeni yaqala ukugcwalisa imbiza yayo yamanzi, yayisikhuphuka. 17 Ngaso leso sikhathi inceku yagijima yayihlangabeza, yathi: “Ngicela ungiphuzise kancane amanzi embizeni yakho.”+ 18 Yona yathi: “Phuza, nkosi yami.” Ngemva kwalokho yayehlisela masinyane imbiza yayo esandleni sayo yayiphuzisa.+ 19 Lapho isiqedile ukuyiphuzisa, yabe isithi: “Namakamela akho ngizowakhelela amanzi aze aqede ukuphuza.”+ 20 Ngakho yathululela masinyane imbiza yayo yamanzi emkhombeni wokuphuzela yagijima iphindelela iya emthonjeni iyokha amanzi,+ yaqhubeka iwakhelela wonke amakamela ayo. 21 Sonke lesi sikhathi lo muntu wayeyigqolozele emangele, ethule ukuze azi ukuthi uJehova wayeluphumelelisile yini uhambo lwakhe noma cha.+
22 Kwathi lapho amakamela eseqedile ukuphuza, lo muntu wathatha indandatho yegolide yasekhaleni+ enesisindo esiyingxenye yeshekeli nobusenga+ obubili basezandleni, bunesisindo samashekeli ayishumi egolide, 23 waqhubeka wathi: “Uyindodakazi kabani? Ngicela ungitshele. Ingabe ikhona indawo esingalala kuyo endlini kayihlo?”+ 24 Khona-ke yathi kuye: “Ngiyindodakazi kaBhetuweli+ indodana kaMilka, ayizalela uNahori.”+ 25 Yathi futhi kuye: “Sinakho kokubili utshani nefolishi eliningi, kanye nendawo yokulala.”+ 26 Lo muntu wabe esekhothama ewa ngobuso phambi kukaJehova+ 27 wathi: “Makatuswe uJehova+ uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, ongayekanga ukubonisa umusa wakhe wothando nokuthembeka kwakhe enkosini yami. Ngisendleleni, uJehova ungiholele endlini yabafowabo benkosi yami.”+
28 Le ntombi yagijima yatshela abendlu kanina ngalezi zinto. 29 Manje uRebheka wayenomfowabo ogama lakhe linguLabani.+ Ngakho uLabani wagijima waya kule ndoda eyayingaphandle emthonjeni. 30 Kwathi lapho ebona indandatho yasekhaleni nobusenga+ ezandleni zikadadewabo nalapho ezwa amazwi kaRebheka udadewabo, ethi: “Yilé indlela lowo muntu akhulume ngayo nami,” khona-ke waya kulowo muntu, nangempela wayelapho, emi eduze kwamakamela emthonjeni. 31 Ngaso leso sikhathi wathi: “Woza, wena obusisiweyo nguJehova.+ Kungani ulokhu umi lapha, ngibe ngiyilungisile indlu nendawo yamakamela?” 32 Ngemva kwalokho lowo muntu weza wangena endlini, wathukulula amakamela wawanika utshani nefolishi, wamnika namanzi ukuba ageze izinyawo zakhe nezinyawo zabantu ababenaye.+ 33 Kwase kubekwa phambi kwakhe okuthile ukuba adle, kodwa wathi: “Ngeke ngidle ngingakakhulumi izindaba zami.” Ngakho wathi: “Khuluma!”+
34 Khona-ke waqhubeka wathi: “Ngiyinceku ka-Abrahama.+ 35 UJehova uyibusise kakhulu inkosi yami ngoba uyaqhubeka eyenza ibe nkulu kakhulu futhi eyinika izimvu nezinkomo nesiliva negolide nezinceku nezincekukazi namakamela nezimbongolo.+ 36 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uSara umkankosi yami wazalela inkosi yami indodana esegugile;+ futhi izoyinika konke enakho.+ 37 Ngakho 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 engavumi ukuza nami?’+ 40 Yona-ke yathi kimi, ‘UJehova, engiye ngahamba phambi kwakhe,+ uzothumela ingelosi+ yakhe ukuba ibe nawe futhi ngokuqinisekile uzoyiphumelelisa indlela yakho,+ futhi kumelwe uthathele indodana yami umfazi emndenini wakithi nasendlini kababa.+ 41 Ngaleso sikhathi uyokhululeka esibophweni ozibophe ngaso kimi ngesifungo lapho ufika emndenini wakithi, futhi uma bengavumi ukukunika yena, khona-ke uyokhululeka esibophweni ozibophe ngaso kimi ngesifungo.’+
42 “Lapho ngifika emthonjeni namuhla, ngithé, ‘Jehova Nkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama, uma uyiphumelelisa ngempela indlela yami engiyihambayo,+ 43 bheka ngimi emthonjeni wamanzi. Okumelwe kwenzeke ukuba intombazane+ ephumayo izokha amanzi futhi empeleni engizothi kuyo: “Ngicela ungiphuzise amanzi kancane embizeni yakho,” 44 futhi ngempela ithi kimi: “Phuza, futhi ngizokhelela namakamela akho amanzi,” ibe nguye owesifazane uJehova amabele indodana yenkosi yami.’+
45 “Ngingakaqedi ukukhuluma+ enhliziyweni yami,+ nangu uRebheka ephuma, etshethe imbiza; wehlela emthonjeni waqala ukukha amanzi.+ Ngathi kuye, ‘Ngicela ungiphuzise.’+ 46 Uyethulé ngokushesha imbiza yakhe, wathi, ‘Phuza,+ ngizophuzisa namakamela akho.’ Khona-ke ngiphuzile, waphuzisa namakamela. 47 Ngemva kwalokho ngimbuze ngathi, ‘Uyindodakazi kabani wena?’+ yena wathi, ‘Ngiyindodakazi kaBhetuweli indodana kaNahori, ayizalelwa nguMilka.’ Ngakho ngiye ngafaka ekhaleni lakhe le ndandatho yasekhaleni nalobu busenga ezandleni zakhe.+ 48 Ngabe sengikhothama futhi ngawa ngobuso phambi kukaJehova ngamtusa uJehova uNkulunkulu wenkosi yami u-Abrahama,+ ongiholile endleleni yeqiniso+ ukuba ngithathele indodana yenkosi yami indodakazi yomfowabo. 49 Manje uma ngempela nibonisa inkosi yami umusa wothando nokwethembeka,+ ngitsheleni; kodwa uma kungenjalo, ngitsheleni, ukuze ngiphendukele kwesokunene noma kwesobunxele.”+
50 Ngakho uLabani noBhetuweli baphendula bathi: “Le nto ivela kuJehova.+ Asikwazi ukukhuluma okubi noma okuhle kuwe.+ 51 Nangu uRebheka phambi kwakho. Mthathe uhambe, makabe umkandodana yenkosi yakho, njengoba nje uJehova ekhulumile.”+ 52 Kwathi lapho inceku ka-Abrahama isiwazwile amazwi abo, ngaso leso sikhathi yawa ngobuso phansi phambi kukaJehova.+ 53 Inceku yabe isikhipha izinto zesiliva nezinto zegolide nezingubo yazinika uRebheka; yanika umfowabo nonina izinto zekhethelo.+ 54 Ngemva kwalokho badla baphuza, yona namadoda ayekanye nayo, balala lapho, bavuka ekuseni.
Khona-ke yathi: “Ngimukiseni ngiye enkosini yami.”+ 55 Umfowabo nonina bathi: “Intombi mayihlale nathi okungenani izinsuku eziyishumi. Ngemva kwalokho ingahamba.” 56 Kodwa yathi kubo: “Ningangibambi, lokhu uJehova eyiphumelelisile indlela yami.+ Ngimukiseni, ukuze ngiye enkosini yami.”+ 57 Ngakho bathi: “Masiyibize intombi sizwe ngomlomo wayo.”+ 58 Khona-ke bambiza uRebheka bathi kuye: “Uzohamba yini nalo muntu?” Yena wathi: “Ngizimisele ukuhamba.”+
59 Khona-ke bammukisa uRebheka+ udadewabo nomzanyana+ wakhe nenceku ka-Abrahama namadoda ayekanye nayo. 60 Bambusisa uRebheka bathi kuye: “O wena, dadewethu, kwangathi ungaba izinkulungwane eziphindwe kazinkulungwane eziyishumi, futhi inzalo yakho mayidle ifa lesango labayizondayo.”+ 61 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka nezikhonzi zakhe zesifazane+ basuka bahamba begibele amakamela+ belandela lowo muntu; inceku yamthatha uRebheka yahamba.
62 Manje u-Isaka wayezé ngendlela eya eBheri-lahayi-royi,+ ngoba wayehlala ezweni laseNegebhi.+ 63 U-Isaka wayephumile ehambahamba ukuze azindle+ esigangeni kusihlwa. Lapho ephakamisa amehlo ebheka, bheka, kwakuza amakamela! 64 Lapho uRebheka ephakamisa amehlo, wabona u-Isaka wayesehla ekamelini. 65 Khona-ke wathi encekwini: “Ubani leya ndoda ehamba esigangeni izosihlangabeza?” inceku yathi: “Inkosi yami.” Wabe esethatha iduku wazimboza.+ 66 Inceku yamlandisa u-Isaka zonke izinto eyayizenzile. 67 Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wamngenisa etendeni likaSara unina.+ Kanjalo wamthatha uRebheka waba ngumkakhe;+ wamthanda,+ futhi u-Isaka waduduzeka ngemva kokushona kukanina.+
25 Ngaphezu kwalokho, u-Abrahama waphinda wathatha umfazi, igama lakhe kwakunguKetura.+ 2 Ngemva kwesikhathi wamzalela uZimrani noJokishani noMedani+ noMidiyani no-Ishibaki noShuwahi.+
3 UJokishani wazala uSheba+ noDedani.+
Amadodana kaDedani kwaba ngu-Ashurimi noLetushimi noLewumimi.
4 Amadodana kaMidiyani kwakungu-Efa+ no-Eferi noHanoki no-Abida no-Elidaha.+
Wonke lawa kwakungamadodana kaKetura.
5 Kamuva u-Abrahama wanika u-Isaka konke ayenakho,+ 6 kodwa amadodana ezancinza u-Abrahama ayenazo u-Abrahama wawanika izipho.+ Wabe esewamukisa ku-Isaka indodana yakhe,+ esaphila, wawayisa ngasempumalanga, ezweni laseMpumalanga.+ 7 Yilezi izinsuku zeminyaka yokuphila kuka-Abrahama, iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi ayisikhombisa nanhlanu. 8 Khona-ke u-Abrahama wagqabuka wafa esegugile impela, esemdala, anelisekile, wabuthelwa kubantu bakubo.+ 9 Ngakho u-Isaka no-Ishmayeli amadodana akhe bamngcwaba emhumeni waseMakaphela ensimini ka-Efroni indodana kaZohari umHeti, phambi kwaseMamre,+ 10 insimu u-Abrahama ayeyithenge emadodaneni kaHeti. Wangcwatshwa lapho u-Abrahama, noSara umkakhe.+ 11 Kwathi ngemva kokufa kuka-Abrahama uNkulunkulu waqhubeka embusisa u-Isaka indodana yakhe,+ futhi u-Isaka wayehlala eduze kwaseBheri-lahayi-royi.+
12 Lona ngumlando ka-Ishmayeli+ indodana ka-Abrahama, uHagari umGibhithe incekukazi kaSara amzalela yena u-Abrahama.+
13 Yilawa amagama amadodana ka-Ishmayeli, ngamagama awo, ngokwendabuko yemikhaya yawo: izibulo lika-Ishmayeli uNebhayoti+ noKhedari+ no-Adibeli noMibisamu+ 14 noMishima noDuma noMasa, 15 uHadadi+ noThema,+ uJethuri, uNafishi noKhedema.+ 16 Lawa ngamadodana ka-Ishmayeli, futhi lawa ngamagama awo ngamagceke awo nangamakamu awo abiyelwe ngezindonga:+ izikhulu eziyishumi nambili ngokwemindeni yazo.+ 17 Futhi yile iminyaka yokuphila kuka-Ishmayeli, iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amathathu nesikhombisa. Khona-ke wagqabuka wafa wabuthelwa kubantu bakubo.+ 18 Bahlala ematabernakele kusukela eHavila+ eduze kwaseShuri,+ ephambi kweGibhithe, kuze kufike e-Asiriya. Wahlala phambi kwabo bonke abafowabo.+
19 Lo ngumlando ka-Isaka indodana ka-Abrahama.+
U-Abrahama wazala u-Isaka. 20 U-Isaka wayeneminyaka engamashumi amane ubudala lapho ethatha uRebheka indodakazi kaBhetuweli+ umSiriya+ wasePhadani-aramu, udadewabo kaLabani umSiriya, ukuba abe umkakhe. 21 U-Isaka wayelokhu emncenga uJehova ikakhulukazi ngenxa yomkakhe,+ ngoba wayeyinyumba;+ ngakho uJehova wavuma ukuba ancengwe ngenxa yakhe,+ uRebheka umkakhe wakhulelwa. 22 Amadodana ayengaphakathi kuye aqala ukulwa+ waze wathi: “Uma kungale ndlela, ngiphilelani?” Ngakho waya kobuza kuJehova.+ 23 UJehova wathi kuye: “Kukhona izizwe ezimbili esiswini sakho,+ futhi kuyohlukaniswa amaqembu amabili ezizwe ezibilinini zakho;+ elinye iqembu lesizwe liyoba namandla kunelinye iqembu lesizwe,+ futhi omdala uyokhonza omncane.”+
24 Kancane kancane zaphelela izinsuku zakhe zokuba abelethe, futhi bheka! kwakukhona amawele esiswini sakhe.+ 25 Owokuqala waphuma ebomvu yonke indawo njengesembatho soboya sezikhulu;+ ngakho bamqamba ngokuthi u-Esawu.+ 26 Ngemva kwalokho kwaphuma umfowabo, isandla sakhe sibambe isithende sika-Esawu;+ ngakho bamqamba ngokuthi uJakobe.+ U-Isaka wayeneminyaka engamashumi ayisithupha lapho uRebheka ebazala.
27 Abafana bakhula, u-Esawu waba yiphisi,+ indoda yasendle, kodwa uJakobe waba indoda engasoleki,+ ehlala ematendeni.+ 28 U-Isaka wayethanda u-Esawu, ngoba kwakusho inyamazane emlonyeni wakhe, kuyilapho uRebheka yena ayethanda uJakobe.+ 29 Ngesinye isikhathi uJakobe wayebilisa isitshulu esithile, lapho u-Esawu efika evela endle ekhathele. 30 Ngakho u-Esawu wathi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usheshise ungiphe umthamo walokho okubomvu—lokho okubomvu okulapho, ngoba ngikhathele!” Yingakho igama lakhe kwathiwa u-Edomi.+ 31 UJakobe wathi: “Qale ungithengisele ilungelo lakho lobuzibulo!”+ 32 U-Esawu waqhubeka: “Bheka sengizofa, bunanzuzoni kimi ubuzibulo?” 33 UJakobe wanezela: “Funga kimi kuqala!”+ Wayesefunga kuye walithengisela uJakobe ilungelo lakhe lobuzibulo.+ 34 UJakobe wamnika u-Esawu isinkwa nesitshulu sikadali, wadla waphuza.+ Wabe esesukuma wahamba. Wabudelela kanjalo-ke u-Esawu ubuzibulo.+
26 Manje kwaba khona indlala ezweni, ngaphandle kwendlala yokuqala eyaba khona ezinsukwini zika-Abrahama,+ kangangokuthi u-Isaka waqonda ku-Abhimeleki, inkosi yamaFilisti, eGerari.+ 2 Khona-ke uJehova wabonakala kuye wathi:+ “Ungehleli eGibhithe. Hlala ematabernakele ezweni engikubonisa lona.+ 3 Gogobala kuleli zwe,+ ngizokuba nawe njalo ngikubusise, ngoba wonke la mazwe ngizowanika wena nenzalo yakho,+ futhi ngiyosifeza isifungo sami engasenza ku-Abrahama uyihlo ngithi,+ 4 ‘Ngiyokwandisa inzalo yakho ibe ngangezinkanyezi zamazulu futhi wonke la mazwe ngiyowanika inzalo yakho;+ futhi ngenzalo yakho zonke izizwe zomhlaba ziyozibusisa ngokuqinisekile,’+ 5 ngenxa yokuthi u-Abrahama walalela izwi lami waqhubeka egcina izibopho zakhe kimi, imiyalo yami, izimiso zami, nemithetho yami.”+ 6 Ngakho u-Isaka waqhubeka ehlala eGerari.+
7 Amadoda akuleyo ndawo ayelokhu ebuza ngokuqondene nomkakhe, yena athi: “Ungudadewethu.”+ Ngoba wayesaba ukuthi “Ungumkami,” funa, uma simcaphuna, “amadoda akule ndawo angibulale ngenxa kaRebheka,” ngoba wayekhanga.+ 8 Njengoba izinsuku zakhe lapho zazeluleka kwenzeka ukuba u-Abhimeleki, inkosi yamaFilisti, alunguze ngefasitela ebuka indawo, bheka u-Isaka wayezijabulisa noRebheka umkakhe.+ 9 Ngaso leso sikhathi u-Abhimeleki wabiza u-Isaka wathi: “Phela, ngumkakho lo! Pho usho kanjani ukuthi, ‘Ungudadewethu’?” Khona-ke u-Isaka wathi kuye: “Ngishó kanjalo ngokwesaba ukuthi ngingase ngife ngenxa yakhe.”+ 10 Kodwa u-Abhimeleki wathi: “Yini le osenze yona?+ Bekusele kancane nje ukuba omunye wabantu alale nomkakho, futhi ubuzobe usilethele icala!”+ 11 Khona-ke u-Abhimeleki wayala bonke abantu, wathi: “Noma ngubani othinta le ndoda nomkayo uyobulawa nakanjani!”
12 Kamuva u-Isaka waqala ukuhlwanyela imbewu kulelo zwe,+ futhi ngalowo nyaka wayethola izilinganiso eziyikhulu ngesisodwa,+ njengoba uJehova ayembusisa.+ 13 Ngenxa yalokho lo muntu waba mkhulu waqhubeka ethuthuka ngokwengeziwe futhi eqhubeka ekhula waze waba mkhulu kakhulu.+ 14 Waba nemihlambi yezimvu nemihlambi yezinkomo neqembu elikhulu kakhulu lezinceku,+ kangangokuthi amaFilisti aqala ukumfela umona.+
15 Yonke imithombo izinceku zikayise ezaziyimbile ezinsukwini zika-Abrahama uyise,+ amaFilisti ayivala eyigqiba ngomhlabathi owomile.+ 16 Ekugcineni u-Abhimeleki wathi ku-Isaka: “Suka, ungabe usakhelana nathi, ngoba usunamandla kakhulu kunathi.”+ 17 Ngakho u-Isaka wasuka lapho wakanisa esigodini sesifufula saseGerari,+ wahlala khona. 18 U-Isaka waphinda wayimba imithombo yamanzi eyayimbiwe ezinsukwini zika-Abrahama uyise kodwa amaFilisti ayeyivalile ngemva kokufa kuka-Abrahama;+ waphinda futhi wayiqamba amagama uyise ayeyiqambe wona.+
19 Izinceku zika-Isaka zaqhubeka zimba esigodini sesifufula, zathola lapho umthombo wamanzi amasha. 20 Abelusi baseGerari baxabana nabelusi baka-Isaka,+ bethi: “La manzi ngawethu!” Ngakho waqamba lowo mthombo ngokuthi i-Esekhi, ngoba babelwe naye. 21 Bamba omunye umthombo, baxabana nangawo futhi. 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 emhlabeni.”+
23 Khona-ke wasuka lapho wakhuphukela eBheri-sheba.+ 24 UJehova wabonakala kuye ngalobo busuku wathi: “NginguNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama uyihlo.+ Ungesabi,+ ngoba nginawe, futhi ngizokubusisa ngandise inzalo yakho ngenxa ka-Abrahama inceku yami.”+ 25 Ngenxa yalokho wakha i-altare lapho wabiza egameni likaJehova+ wagxumeka itende lakhe lapho,+ futhi izinceku zika-Isaka zagubha umthombo lapho.
26 Kamuva u-Abhimeleki weza kuye evela eGerari eno-Ahuzati umngane wakhe oyisifuba noFikoli induna yakhe yempi.+ 27 Kulokhu u-Isaka wathi kubo: “Nizeleni kimi, njengoba nina ngokwenu nangizonda ngakho nangixosha ukuba ngingabe ngisakhelana nani?”+ 28 Kulokhu bathi: “Sibonile ngokuqinisekile ukuthi uJehova unawe.+ Ngakho sithé, ‘Siyacela, makube khona isifungo sesibopho phakathi kwethu,+ phakathi kwethu nawe, futhi masenze isivumelwano nawe,+ 29 sokuthi ngeke wenze lutho olubi kithi njengoba nje nathi singazange sikuthinte nanjengoba senzé okuhle kuphela kuwe ngokuba sikumukise ngokuthula.+ Manje wena ungobusisiwe kaJehova.’”+ 30 Khona-ke wabenzela idili badla baphuza.+ 31 Ngakusasa bavuka kusesekuseni kakhulu bafunga omunye komunye.+ Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wabamukisa futhi basuka kuye bahamba ngokuthula.+
32 Ngalolo suku kwenzeka ukuba izinceku zika-Isaka zifike futhi zibike kuye ngokuqondene nomthombo ezaziwumbile,+ zithi kuye: “Sitholé amanzi!” 33 Ngakho wawuqamba ngokuthi iShiba. Yingakho igama lalowo muzi kuyiBheri-sheba+ kuze kube namuhla.
34 U-Esawu wakhula waba neminyaka engamashumi amane ubudala. Khona-ke wathatha uJuditi indodakazi kaBheyeri umHeti njengomkakhe noBhasemati indodakazi ka-Eloni umHeti.+ 35 Babeyimbangela yomoya omunyu ku-Isaka noRebheka.+
27 Manje kwathi lapho u-Isaka esemdala amehlo akhe esequndekile engasaboni+ wabiza u-Esawu indodana yakhe endala wathi kuye:+ “Ndodana yami!” yena wathi kuye: “Ngilapha!” 2 Waqhubeka wathi: “Bheka, manje sengimdala.+ Angilwazi usuku lokufa kwami.+ 3 Ngakho manje, siza uthathe izikhali zakho, umgodla wakho nomnsalo wakho, uhambe uye endle ungizingelele inyamazane.+ 4 Ngemva kwalokho ungenzele isidlo esihlwabusayo engisithandayo usilethe, ngidle, ukuze umphefumulo wami ukubusise ngingakafi.”+
5 Nokho, uRebheka wayelalele lapho u-Isaka ekhuluma no-Esawu indodana yakhe. U-Esawu waya endle ukuze azingele inyamazane futhi ayilethe.+ 6 URebheka wathi kuJakobe indodana yakhe:+ “Bheka, ngisanda kuzwa uyihlo ekhuluma no-Esawu umfowenu, ethi, 7 ‘Ngilethele inyamazane ungenzele isidlo esihlwabusayo, ngidle, ukuze ngikubusise phambi kukaJehova ngingakafi.’+ 8 Manje, ndodana yami, lalela izwi lami kulokhu engikuyala ngakho.+ 9 Siza uye emhlambini ungithathele khona amazinyane amabili ezimbuzi, amahle, ukuze ngenzele uyihlo isidlo esihlwabusayo asithandayo. 10 Wena-ke kumelwe usiyise kuyihlo asidle, ukuze akubusise engakafi.”
11 UJakobe wabe esethi kuRebheka unina: “Kodwa u-Esawu umfowethu ungumuntu onoboya kanti mina ngingumuntu obushelelezi.+ 12 Kuthiwani uma ubaba esengithinta?+ Ngokuqinisekile emehlweni akhe ngizoba njengomuntu owenza ihlaya,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile ngizozilethela isiqalekiso hhayi isibusiso.”+ 13 Kulokhu unina wathi kuye: “Masibe phezu kwami isiqalekiso esibhekiswe kuwe, ndodana yami.+ Kuphela lalela izwi lami uhambe, ungithathele wona.”+ 14 Ngakho wahamba wawathatha wawaletha kunina, unina wenza isidlo esihlwabusayo uyise asithandayo. 15 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka wathatha izingubo zika-Esawu indodana yakhe endala,+ ezinhle kunazo zonke, ezazikuye endlini,+ wazigqokisa uJakobe indodana yakhe encane.+ 16 Izikhumba zamazinyane ezimbuzi wazibeka phezu kwezandla zakhe naphezu kwengxenye engenaboya yentamo yakhe.+ 17 Khona-ke isidlo esihlwabusayo nesinkwa ayesenzile wasinika uJakobe indodana yakhe.+
18 Ngakho waya wangena kuyise wathi: “Baba!” yena wathi: “Ngilapha! Ungubani, ndodana yami?” 19 UJakobe wathi kuyise: “Ngingu-Esawu izibulo lakho.+ Ngenzile njengoba nje ukhulumile kimi. Ngicela uvuke. Hlala phansi udle inyamazane yami, ukuze umphefumulo wakho ungibusise.”+ 20 Khona-ke u-Isaka wathi endodaneni yakhe: “Kwenzeke kanjani ukuba usheshe kangaka ukuyithola, ndodana yami?” Yena wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova uNkulunkulu wakho uyibangele ukuba izithele kimi.” 21 Khona-ke u-Isaka wathi kuJakobe: “Ngicela usondele ukuze ngikuthinte, ndodana yami, ukuze ngazi ukuthi uyindodana yami u-Esawu ngempela noma cha.”+ 22 Ngakho uJakobe wasondela kuyise u-Isaka, wamthintathinta, okwathi ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Izwi liyizwi likaJakobe, kodwa izandla yizandla zika-Esawu.”+ 23 Akabonanga ukuthi ungubani, ngoba izandla zakhe zazinoboya njengezandla zika-Esawu umfowabo. Ngakho wambusisa.+
24 Ngemva kwalokho wathi: “Ngempela ungu-Esawu indodana yami?” yena wathi: “Nginguye.”+ 25 Khona-ke wathi: “Yisondeze kimi ukuze ngidle inyamazane yendodana yami, ukuze umphefumulo wami ukubusise.”+ Ngalokho wayisondeza kuye waqala ukudla, wamlethela newayini waliphuza. 26 Khona-ke u-Isaka uyise wathi kuye: “Ngicela usondele ungange, ndodana yami.”+ 27 Ngakho wasondela wamanga, futhi wahogela iphunga lezingubo zakhe.+ Wayesembusisa wathi:
“Bheka, iphunga lendodana yami linjengephunga lensimu uJehova ayibusisile. 28 Kwasengathi uNkulunkulu weqiniso angakunika amazolo amazulu+ nenhlabathi evundile yomhlaba+ nensada yokusanhlamvu newayini elisha. + 29 Izizwe mazikukhonze namaqembu ezizwe akukhothamele.+ Yiba yinkosi phezu kwabafowenu, amadodana kanyoko akukhothamele.+ Makuqalekiswe lowo nalowo kwabakuqalekisayo, kubusiswe lowo nalowo kwabakubusisayo.”+
30 Manje kwathi nje lapho u-Isaka eseqedile ukubusisa uJakobe, yebo, ngempela, kwathi lapho ephuma nje phambi kobuso buka-Isaka uyise, u-Esawu umfowabo wafika evela ekuzingeleni kwakhe.+ 31 Naye wenza isidlo esihlwabusayo. Wabe esesiletha kuyise wathi kuyise: “Ubaba makavuke adle inyamazane yendodana yakhe, ukuze umphefumulo wakho ungibusise.”+ 32 Khona-ke u-Isaka uyise wathi kuye: “Ungubani?” yena wathi: “Ngiyindodana yakho, izibulo lakho, u-Esawu.”+ 33 U-Isaka waqala ukuthuthumela ngokuthuthumela okukhulu kakhulu, ngakho wathi: “Pho, bekungubani lo ozingele inyamazane weza eyilethe kimi, ngadla konke ngaphambi kokuba ufike futhi ngambusisa? Impela uyoba ngobusisiwe!”+
34 Lapho ezwa amazwi kayise, u-Esawu wakhala ngendlela eyedlulele nenomunyu, wathi kuyise:+ “Ngibusise nami futhi, baba!”+ 35 Kodwa wathi: “Umfowenu ungene ngobuqili ukuze athole isibusiso obekungesakho.”+ 36 Khona-ke wathi: “Akungaleso sizathu yini igama lakhe kuthiwa uJakobe, ngokuthi ungiqilizele isikhundla lezi zikhathi ezimbili?+ Ubuzibulo bami usebuthathile kakade,+ manje usethathe isibusiso sami!”+ Wabe esenezela: “Awungigcinelanga mina isibusiso?” 37 Kodwa ephendula u-Esawu u-Isaka wathi: “Bheka ngimmise ukuba abe yinkosi phezu kwakho,+ futhi bonke abafowabo ngimnike bona ukuba babe yizinceku zakhe,+ nokusanhlamvu newayini elisha ngimphile kube isondlo sakhe,+ kuphi-ke engingakwenzela khona, ndodana yami?”
38 Khona-ke u-Esawu wathi kuyise: “Ingabe sinye nje kuphela isibusiso onaso, baba? Ngibusise, nami futhi, baba!”+ U-Esawu waphakamisa izwi lakhe waqhumuka wakhala izinyembezi.+ 39 Ngakho ephendula, u-Isaka uyise wathi kuye:
“Bheka, indawo yakho yokuhlala iyotholakala kude nenhlabathi evundile yomhlaba, futhi iyoba kude namazolo amazulu phezulu.+ 40 Uyophila ngenkemba yakho,+ futhi uyokhonza umfowenu.+ Kodwa nakanjani kuyothi lapho uqala ukuyaluza, ngempela ulaphule ijoka lakhe lisuke entanyeni yakho.”+
41 Nokho, u-Esawu wafukamela inzondo ngoJakobe ngenxa yesibusiso uyise ayembusise ngaso,+ futhi u-Esawu wayelokhu ethi enhliziyweni yakhe:+ “Izinsuku zenkathi yokulilela ubaba ziyasondela.+ Ngemva kwalokho ngizombulala uJakobe umfowethu.”+ 42 Lapho uRebheka etshelwa amazwi ka-Esawu indodana yakhe endala, wathumela ngaso leso sikhathi wabiza uJakobe indodana yakhe encane wathi kuye: “Bheka! U-Esawu umfowenu uziduduza ngawe—ngokuthi uzokubulala.+ 43 Manje-ke, ndodana yami, lalela izwi lami usuke,+ ubalekele kuLabani umfowethu eHarana.+ 44 Kumelwe uhlale naye izinsuku ezithile kuze kubohle ukufutheka komfowenu,+ 45 ize iphele intukuthelo yomfowenu ngawe futhi akukhohlwe lokho okwenze kuye.+ Ngokuqinisekile mina ngiyothumela ngikulande khona. Kungani kufanele ngilahlekelwe futhi yini nobabili ngosuku olulodwa?”
46 Ngemva kwalokho uRebheka wayelokhu ethi ku-Isaka: “Ngiyakwenyanya lokhu kuphila kwami ngenxa yamadodakazi kaHeti.+ Uma uJakobe engathatha umfazi emadodakazini kaHeti njengalawa avela emadodakazini ezwe, kunanzuzoni ukuphila kimi?”+
28 Ngenxa yalokho u-Isaka wabiza uJakobe wambusisa, wamyala wathi kuye: “Ungamthathi umfazi emadodakazini aseKhanani.+ 2 Suka uye ePhadani-aramu endlini kaBhetuweli uyise kanyoko uzithathele khona umfazi emadodakazini kaLabani umalume wakho.+ 3 UNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke uzokubusisa akwenze uzale futhi wande, ngokuqinisekile ube yibandla lezizwe.+ 4 Futhi uyokunika isibusiso sika-Abrahama,+ wena nenzalo yakho kanye nawe,+ ukuze udle ifa lezwe lobufokazi bakho,+ uNkulunkulu alinike u-Abrahama.”+
5 Ngakho u-Isaka wammukisa uJakobe, wangena indlela elibangise ePhadani-aramu, kuLabani indodana kaBhetuweli umSiriya,+ umfowabo kaRebheka,+ unina kaJakobe no-Esawu.+
6 Lapho u-Esawu ebona ukuthi u-Isaka wayembusisile uJakobe futhi emmukisile wamyisa ePhadani-aramu ukuba azithathele khona umfazi, nokuthi lapho embusisa wamyala, ethi: “Ungamthathi umfazi emadodakazini aseKhanani”;+ 7 nokuthi uJakobe wayelalela uyise nonina futhi wayesendleleni elibangise ePhadani-aramu;+ 8 khona-ke u-Esawu wabona ukuthi amadodakazi aseKhanani ayengathandeki emehlweni ka-Isaka uyise.+ 9 Ngakho u-Esawu waya ku-Ishmayeli wathatha uMahalati indodakazi ka-Ishmayeli indodana ka-Abrahama waba umkakhe, udadewabo kaNebhayoti, ngaphandle kwabanye abafazi bakhe.+
10 UJakobe waqhubeka nendlela yakhe esuka eBheri-sheba waya eHarana.+ 11 Ngemva kwesikhathi wafika endaweni ethile wachitha khona ubusuku ngoba ilanga lase lishonile. Ngakho wathatha elinye lamatshe akuleyo ndawo walibeka laba isiqamelo sekhanda lakhe walala kuleyo ndawo.+ 12 Waphupha,+ bheka! kwakukhona isikhwelo simi emhlabeni isihloko saso sifinyelela phezulu emazulwini; futhi, bheka! kwakukhona izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zehla zenyuka kuso.+ 13 Bheka! uJehova wayemi ngaphezu kwaso, futhi wathi:+
“NginguJehova uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama uyihlo noNkulunkulu ka-Isaka.+ Izwe olele kulo, ngiyolinika wena nenzalo yakho.+ 14 Ngokuqinisekile inzalo yakho iyoba njengezinhlayiya zothuli lomhlaba,+ futhi ngokuqinisekile uyosakazeka kabanzi uye entshonalanga nasempumalanga nasenyakatho naseningizimu,+ futhi ngawe nangenzalo yakho yonke imindeni yomhlaba iyozibusisa ngokuqinisekile.+ 15 Bheka nginawe futhi ngizokugcina kuyo yonke indlela oyihambayo futhi ngiyokubuyisela kuleli zwe,+ ngoba ngeke ngikushiye kuze kube yilapho sengikwenzile konke engikukhulume kuwe.”+
16 Khona-ke uJakobe waphaphama ebuthongweni wathi: “Ngempela uJehova ukule ndawo kodwa mina angazanga.” 17 Wafikelwa ukwesaba futhi wanezela:+ “Yeka ukuthi yesabeka kangakanani le ndawo!+ Phela le yindlu kaNkulunkulu+ futhi leli yisango lamazulu.” 18 Ngakho uJakobe wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wathatha itshe elalilapho liyisiqamelo sekhanda lakhe walimisa njengensika wathela amafutha esihlokweni salo.+ 19 Ngaphezu kwalokho, waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iBhethele;+ kodwa eqinisweni, igama lalowo muzi kwakuyiLuze ngaphambili.+
20 UJakobe wenza isithembiso,+ wathi: “Uma uNkulunkulu ezoqhubeka enami futhi ngokuqinisekile ezongigcina kule ndlela engiyihambayo, anginike isinkwa sokudla nezingubo zokugqoka,+ 21 ngibuyele ngokuthula endlini kababa, khona-ke uJehova uyobe ebé nguNkulunkulu wami.+ 22 Leli tshe engilimise njengensika liyoba yindlu kaNkulunkulu,+ futhi konke oyonginika khona nakanjani ngiyokunika okweshumi kwako.”+
29 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wahamba waya ezweni labaseMpumalanga.+ 2 Manje wabheka, bheka, kwakukhona umthombo endle futhi kukhona imihlambi emithathu yezimvu ilele lapho phansi ngakuwo, ngoba babevame ukuphuzisa imihlambi kulowo mthombo;+ futhi kwakukhona itshe elikhulu phezu komlomo womthombo.+ 3 Lapho yonke imihlambi isibuthelwe lapho, babeligingqa itshe balisuse emlonyeni womthombo, baphuzise imihlambi, bese kuthi emva kwalokho balibuyisele itshe phezu komlomo womthombo endaweni yalo.
4 Ngakho uJakobe wathi kubo: “Bafowethu, nivela kuyiphi indawo?” bona bathi: “Sivela eHarana.”+ 5 Khona-ke wathi kubo: “Niyamazi uLabani+ umzukulu kaNahori?”+ bona bathi: “Siyamazi.” 6 Khona-ke wathi kubo: “Ingabe kumhambela kahle?”+ Bona bathi: “Kumhambela kahle. Futhi nangu uRaheli+ indodakazi yakhe eza nezimvu!”+ 7 Waqhubeka wathi: “Kusesemini. Akusona isikhathi sokuqoqa imihlambi. Phuzisani izimvu, bese niyoziklabisa.”+ 8 Bathi: “Asivunyelwe ukwenza kanjalo ize ibuthwe yonke imihlambi futhi baligingqe itshe lisuke emlonyeni womthombo. Khona-ke singaziphuzisa izimvu.”
9 Esakhuluma nabo, uRaheli+ wafika nezimvu zikayise, ngoba wayengumalusikazi.+ 10 Kwathi lapho uJakobe ebona uRaheli indodakazi kaLabani umalume wakhe nezimvu zikaLabani umalume wakhe, uJakobe wasondela ngokushesha waligingqa itshe walisusa emlonyeni womthombo waphuzisa izimvu zikaLabani umalume wakhe.+ 11 UJakobe wabe esemanga+ uRaheli waphakamisa izwi lakhe wakhala izinyembezi.+ 12 UJakobe watshela uRaheli ukuthi ungumfowabo+ kayise nokuthi uyindodana kaRebheka. Yena wagijima wayotshela uyise.+
13 Kwathi lapho nje uLabani ezwa umbiko ngoJakobe umshana wakhe, wagijima eyomhlangabeza.+ Khona-ke wamgona wamanga wamngenisa endlini yakhe.+ Waqala ukulandisa uLabani zonke lezi zinto. 14 Ngemva kwalokho uLabani wathi kuye: “Ngempela uyithambo lami nenyama yami.”+ Ngakho wahlala naye inyanga egcwele.
15 Ngemva kwalokho uLabani wathi kuJakobe: “Ungathi ungumfowethu,+ kodwa ungikhonze mahhala?+ Ngitshele, Izoba yini inkokhelo yakho?”+ 16 ULabani wayenamadodakazi amabili. Endala igama layo kwakunguLeya+ encane kunguRaheli. 17 Kodwa amehlo kaLeya ayebuthaka, kuyilapho uRaheli+ ayenomzimba omi kahle futhi emuhle ebusweni.+ 18 UJakobe wayethanda uRaheli. Ngakho wathi: “Ngizimisele ukukukhonza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ngenxa kaRaheli indodakazi yakho encane.”+ 19 ULabani wathi: “Kungcono ukuba ngimganisele wena kunokuba ngimganisele enye indoda.+ Qhubeka uhlala nami.” 20 UJakobe wabe esekhonza iminyaka eyisikhombisa ngenxa kaRaheli,+ kodwa emehlweni akhe yaba njengezinsuku ezimbalwa ngenxa yothando lwakhe ngaye.+
21 Khona-ke uJakobe wathi kuLabani: “Nginike umkami, ngoba izinsuku zami seziphelile, ungivumele ngilale naye.”+ 22 Kulokho uLabani wabutha wonke amadoda endawo wenza idili.+ 23 Kodwa kwathi kusihlwa wathatha uLeya indodakazi yakhe wamletha kuye ukuze alale naye. 24 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uLabani wanika uLeya indodakazi yakhe, uZilipha+ incekukazi yakhe, yebo wamnika yena, ukuba abe incekukazi yakhe. 25 Ngakho ekuseni, bheka, kwakunguLeya! Ngakho wathi kuLabani: “Yini le ongenze yona? Angikusebenzelanga yini ngenxa kaRaheli? Pho ungikhohliseleni?”+ 26 ULabani wathi: “Akuyona inkambiso ukwenza ngale ndlela endaweni yakithi, ukwendisa owesifazane omncane ngaphambi kwezibulo. 27 Ligubhe+ ngokugcwele isonto lalona wesifazane. Ngemva kwalokho uzonikwa nalona omunye wesifazane ngenkonzo ongayenza kimi eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa.”+ 28 Ngakho uJakobe wenza kanjalo waligubha ngokugcwele isonto lalona wesifazane, okwathi ngemva kwalokho wamganisela uRaheli indodakazi yakhe. 29 Ngaphezu kwalokho, uLabani wanika uRaheli indodakazi yakhe uBhiliha+ incekukazi yakhe ukuba abe incekukazi yakhe.
30 Khona-ke walala noRaheli futhi, wabonisa uthando olukhulu ngoRaheli kunangoLeya,+ wamkhonza eminye iminyaka eyisikhombisa.+ 31 Lapho uJehova ebona ukuthi uLeya wayezondwa, khona-ke wavula isibeletho sakhe,+ kodwa uRaheli wayeyinyumba.+ 32 ULeya wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi uRubeni,+ ngoba wathi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova ulubonile usizi lwami,+ ngoba manje umyeni wami usezoqala ukungithanda.” 33 Waphinda wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Kungenxa yokuthi uJehova uye walalela,+ ngoba bengizondwa ngakho wanginika nalona futhi.” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uSimeyoni.+ 34 Waphinda futhi wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Manje umyeni wami usezozihlanganisa nami, ngoba ngimzalele amadodana amathathu.” Ngakho igama layo kwathiwa uLevi.+ 35 Waphinda futhi wakhulelwa wazala indodana wayesethi: “Kulokhu ngizomdumisa uJehova.” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uJuda.+ Ngemva kwalokho wakhawula ukuzala.
30 Lapho uRaheli ebona ukuthi akamzalelanga lutho uJakobe, uRaheli waba nomhawu ngodadewabo wathi kuJakobe:+ “Nginike abantwana ngaphandle kwalokho ngizoba owesifazane ofileyo.”+ 2 Khona-ke intukuthelo kaJakobe yamvuthela uRaheli wathi:+ “Ingabe ngisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu, okugodlele isithelo sesisu?”+ 3 Ngakho wathi: “Nasi isigqilakazi sami uBhiliha.+ Lala naso, ukuze sizalele emadolweni ami yikhona nami, yebo nami, ngizothola abantwana kuso.”+ 4 Ngakho wamnika uBhiliha incekukazi yakhe ukuba abe ngumkakhe, uJakobe walala naye.+ 5 UBhiliha wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana.+ 6 Khona-ke uRaheli wathi: “UNkulunkulu usebenze njengomahluleli wami+ futhi ulilalele izwi lami, wanginika indodana.” Yingakho ayiqamba ngokuthi uDani.+ 7 UBhiliha, incekukazi kaRaheli, waphinde wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesibili. 8 Khona-ke uRaheli wathi: “Ngibambene nodadewethu ngokubambana okukhathazayo. Futhi ngibe umnqobi!” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uNafetali.+
9 Lapho uLeya ebona ukuthi wayesekhawulile ukuzala, wabe esethatha uZilipha incekukazi yakhe wamnika uJakobe ukuba abe ngumkakhe.+ 10 Ngemva kwesikhathi, uZilipha incekukazi kaLeya, wazalela uJakobe indodana. 11 Khona-ke uLeya wathi: “Ngenhlanhla!” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uGadi.+ 12 Ngemva kwalokho, uZilipha incekukazi kaLeya, wazalela uJakobe indodana yesibili. 13 Khona-ke uLeya wathi: “Ngenjabulo yami! Ngoba ngokuqinisekile amadodakazi azothi ngiyajabula.”+ Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Asheri.+
14 Manje uRubeni+ wayehambahamba ngezinsuku zokuvunwa kukakolweni+ wayesethola amamandrake ensimini. Wawaletha kuLeya unina. Khona-ke uRaheli wathi kuLeya: “Ngicela ungiphe amanye amamandrake+ endodana yakho.” 15 Khona-ke wathi kuye: “Ingabe yinto encane le, ukuba uthathe umyeni wami,+ futhi manje usuthatha namamandrake endodana yami?” Ngakho uRaheli wathi: “Ngaleso sizathu uzolala nawe namuhla ebusuku ngenane amamandrake endodana yakho.”
16 Lapho uJakobe efika evela ensimini kusihlwa,+ uLeya waphuma wamhlangabeza wayesethi: “Uzolala nami, ngoba ngikuqashe ngokuqondile ngamamandrake endodana yami.” Ngakho walala naye ngalobo busuku.+ 17 UNkulunkulu wamuzwa wamphendula uLeya, wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesihlanu.+ 18 Khona-ke uLeya wathi: “UNkulunkulu unginike inkokhelo yomqashwa, ngoba nginike umyeni wami incekukazi yami.” Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Isakare.+ 19 ULeya waphinda futhi wakhulelwa, ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela uJakobe indodana yesithupha.+ 20 Khona-ke uLeya wathi: “UNkulunkulu ungiphile, yebo, ungiphe isipho esihle. Ekugcineni umyeni wami uzongibekezelela,+ ngoba ngimzalele amadodana ayisithupha.”+ Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uZebhuloni.+ 21 Kamuva futhi wazala indodakazi wayiqamba ngokuthi uDina.+
22 Ekugcineni uNkulunkulu wamkhumbula uRaheli, uNkulunkulu wamuzwa futhi wamphendula ngokuba avule isibeletho sakhe.+ 23 Wakhulelwa wazala indodana. Khona-ke wathi: “UNkulunkulu usisusile isihlamba sami!”+ 24 Ngakho wayiqamba ngokuthi uJosefa,+ ethi: “UJehova ungenezelela enye indodana.”
25 Kwathi lapho uRaheli esezele uJosefa, uJakobe ngokushesha wathi kuLabani: “Ngimukise ngiye endaweni yakithi nasezweni lakithi.+ 26 Nginike omkami nabantwana bami, engikukhonze ngenxa yabo, ukuze ngihambe; ngoba kumelwe ukuthi uyayazi inkonzo yami engikwenzele yona.”+ 27 Khona-ke uLabani wathi kuye: “Manje uma ngithole umusa emehlweni akho,—ngithole ngamabika ukuthi uJehova uyangibusisa ngenxa yakho.”+ 28 Wanezela: “Nquma inkokhelo yakho ngizokunika yona.”+ 29 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Kumelwe ukuthi wena ngokwakho uyazi ukuthi ngikukhonze kanjani nokuthi umhlambi wakho uchume kanjani ukimi;+ 30 ukuthi kuncane owawunakho ngaphambi kokufika kwami, futhi kwaqhubeka kwanda kwaba kuningi, ngoba uJehova wakubusisa selokhu ngangena.+ Manje eyami indlu ngizoyenzela nini okuthile?”+
31 Khona-ke wathi: “Ngikunikeni?” UJakobe wathi: “Unganginiki lutho!+ Ngizophinda ngaluse umhlambi wakho, uma uzongenzela lokhu.+ Ngizoqhubeka ngiwuqapha.+ 32 Ngizodabula phakathi kwawo wonke umhlambi wakho namuhla. Wena beka eceleni zonke izimvu ezimabhadubhadu nezimagqabhagqabha, nazo zonke izimvu ezinsundu ngokumnyama phakathi kwamawundlu angamaduna nanoma iyiphi emagqabhagqabha nemabhadubhadu phakathi kwezimbuzikazi. Kusukela lapho ezinjalo zizoba yinkokhelo yami.+ 33 Futhi ukwenza kwami okulungile kumelwe kungiphendulele nganoma iluphi usuku esikhathini esizayo ongase uze ngalo uzobheka inkokhelo yami;+ noma iyiphi engemabhadubhadu nengemagqabhagqabha phakathi kwezimbuzikazi, nanoma iyiphi phakathi kwamawundlu angamaduna engensundu ngokumnyama iyobe yebiwe uma ikimi.”+
34 ULabani wathi: “Phela kulungile lokho! Makube njengezwi lakho.”+ 35 Khona-ke wabeka eceleni ngalolo suku izimpongo ezimthende nezimagqabhagqabha nazo zonke izimbuzikazi ezimabhadubhadu nezimagqabhagqabha, zonke okwakukhona kuzo noma ikuphi okumhlophe nazo zonke ezinsundu ngokumnyama phakathi kwamawundlu angamaduna, wazinikela ezandleni zamadodana akhe. 36 Ngemva kwalokho wabeka ibanga lohambo lwezinsuku ezintathu phakathi kwakhe noJakobe, uJakobe wayalusa imihlambi kaLabani eyayisele.
37 Khona-ke uJakobe wazithathela izindondolo ezisemanzi zesitorakisi+ nezom-alimondi+ nezom-pelatani+ wazixebula ukuze zibe namabala amhlophe axetshuliwe ngokuveza izindawo ezimhlophe ezazisezindondolweni.+ 38 Ekugcineni wabeka lezi zindondolo ayezixebulile phambi komhlambi, emiseleni, emikhombeni yokuphuzela,+ lapho imihlambi yayizokuza khona izophuza, ukuze ivukelwe phambi kwazo lapho iza izophuza.
39 Ngenxa yalokho imihlambi yayivukelwa phambi kwezindondolo, bese iveza ezimthende, ezimabhadubhadu nezimagqabhagqabha.+ 40 UJakobe wahlukanisa amawundlu angamaduna wayesephendulela ubuso bomhlambi kwezimthende nakuzo zonke ezinsundu ngokumnyama phakathi komhlambi kaLabani. Khona-ke wabe esebeka imihlambi yakhe yodwa wangayibeka ngasemihlambini kaLabani. 41 Kwakuthi njalo lapho imihlambi eyizingqabavu+ ivukelwa, uJakobe abeke izindondolo emiseleni+ phambi kwamehlo emihlambi, ukuze ivukelwe ngasezindondolweni. 42 Kodwa uma imihlambi ibonisa ukuba buthaka wayengazibeki lapho. Ngakho ebuthaka njalo kwakuba ngekaLabani, kodwa eyizingqabavu kube ngekaJakobe.+
43 Lo muntu waqhubeka echuma kakhulu, futhi waba nemihlambi emikhulu nezincekukazi nezinceku namakamela nezimbongolo.+
31 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJakobe wezwa amazwi amadodana kaLabani, ethi: “UJakobe uthathe konke okungokukababa; futhi uqongelele wonke umcebo wakhe kokungokukababa.”+ 2 Lapho uJakobe ebheka ubuso bukaLabani, bheka babungasafani nakuqala kuye.+ 3 Ekugcineni uJehova wathi kuJakobe: “Buyela ezweni lawoyihlo nasezihlotsheni zakho,+ ngizoba nawe njalo.”+ 4 Khona-ke uJakobe wathumela wabiza uRaheli noLeya wababizela edlelweni emhlambini wakhe, 5 wathi kubo:
“Ngiyabubona ubuso bukayihlo, ukuthi akasafani nakuqala kimi;+ kodwa uNkulunkulu kababa ubé nami.+ 6 Nani ngokwenu niyazi ngokuqinisekile ukuthi ngikhonzé uyihlo ngawo wonke amandla ami.+ 7 Kodwa uyihlo uye wangikhohlisa futhi uye washintsha inkokhelo yami izikhathi eziyishumi, kodwa uNkulunkulu akamvumelanga ukuba angilimaze.+ 8 Bekuthi uma ethi, ‘Ezimabhadubhadu zizoba inkokhelo yakho,’ khona-ke wonke umhlambi uveze ezimabhadubhadu; kodwa uma ethi, ‘Ezimthende zizoba inkokhelo,’ khona-ke wonke umhlambi uveze ezimthende.+ 9 Ngakho uNkulunkulu ubelokhu ethatha umhlambi kayihlo ewunika mina.+ 10 Ekugcineni kuthe lapho umhlambi uvukelwa ngaphakamisa amehlo ngabona umbono ephusheni+ futhi bheka izimpongo ebezikhwela umhlambi bezimthende, zimabhadubhadu futhi zinamabala.+ 11 Khona-ke ingelosi kaNkulunkulu weqiniso ithé kimi ephusheni, ‘Jakobe!’ mina ngathi, ‘Ngilapha.’+ 12 Yaqhubeka yathi, ‘Ngicela uphakamise amehlo akho, ubone ukuthi zonke izimpongo ezikhwela umhlambi zimthende, zimabhadubhadu futhi zinamabala, ngoba ngikubonile konke uLabani akwenza kuwe.+ 13 NginguNkulunkulu weqiniso waseBhethele,+ lapho wagcoba khona insika+ nalapho wenza khona isithembiso kimi.+ Manje suka uphume kuleli zwe ubuyele ezweni lokuzalwa kwakho.’”+
14 Khona-ke uRaheli noLeya baphendula bathi kuye: “Ingabe sisenaso isabelo sefa endlini kababa?+ 15 Empeleni akasibheki yini njengabantu besinye isizwe njengoba esithengisile, kangangokuthi uqhubeka edla imali ekhishelwe thina?+ 16 Ngoba yonke ingcebo uNkulunkulu ayithathé kubaba ingeyethu nabantwana bethu.+ Ngakho, konke uNkulunkulu akushó kuwe kwenze.”+
17 Khona-ke uJakobe wasukuma wagibelisa abantwana bakhe nawomkakhe emakamelini;+ 18 wayesewuqhuba wonke umhlambi wakhe nayo yonke impahla ayeyiqongelele,+ umhlambi ayewuzuzile wawuqongelela ePhadani-aramu, ukuba aye ku-Isaka uyise ezweni laseKhanani.+
19 ULabani wayehambile eye kogunda izimvu zakhe. Phakathi naleso sikhathi uRaheli weba amatherafi+ kayise. 20 Kanjalo uJakobe wamqilizela uLabani umSiriya, ngoba wayengamtshelanga ukuthi uyabaleka. 21 Wabaleka wasuka wawela uMfula,+ yena nakho konke ayenakho. Ngemva kwalokho wabhekisa amabombo esifundeni sezintaba saseGileyadi.+ 22 Kamuva, osukwini lwesithathu, uLabani watshelwa ukuthi uJakobe ubalekile. 23 Ngakho wathatha abafowabo wamsukela+ ibanga lohambo lwezinsuku eziyisikhombisa wamfica esifundeni sezintaba saseGileyadi. 24 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wafika kuLabani umSiriya+ ephusheni ebusuku+ wathi kuye: “Uziqaphele ungakhulumi okuhle noma okubi kuJakobe.”+
25 Ngakho uLabani waya kuJakobe, njengoba uJakobe ayegxumeke itende lakhe entabeni futhi uLabani ekanisise abafowabo esifundeni sezintaba saseGileyadi. 26 Khona-ke uLabani wathi kuJakobe: “Yini le oyenzile, ukuba ungiqilizele futhi uqhube amadodakazi ami umuke nawo njengezithunjwa ezithathwe ngenkemba?+ 27 Kungani bekumelwe ubaleke ngasese ungiqilizele ungangitsheli, ukuze ngikumukise ngokujabula nangezingoma,+ nangethamborini nangehabhu?+ 28 Futhi awunginikanga ithuba lokwanga abantwana bami namadodakazi ami.+ Manje wenze ngobuwula. 29 Kusemandleni esandla sami ukunilimaza,+ kodwa uNkulunkulu kayihlo ukhulumé nami izolo ebusuku, ethi, ‘Ziqaphele ungakhulumi okuhle noma okubi kuJakobe.’+ 30 Nakuba manje uhambile ngoba ubulangazelela kakhulu indlu kayihlo, pho kungani webé onkulunkulu bami?”+
31 Ephendula uJakobe wathi kuLabani: “Kungoba bengesaba.+ Ngoba ngithé enhliziyweni yami, ‘Ungase ungiqhwage amadodakazi akho.’ 32 Noma ubani oyothola kuye onkulunkulu bakho, makangaphili.+ Phambi kwabafowethu, zihlolele okukimi uzithathele bona.”+ Kodwa uJakobe wayengazi ukuthi uRaheli wayebebile.+ 33 Ngakho uLabani wangena etendeni likaJakobe nasetendeni likaLeya nasetendeni lezigqilakazi ezimbili,+ kodwa akabatholanga. Ekugcineni waphuma etendeni likaLeya wangena etendeni likaRaheli. 34 Manje uRaheli wayewathathile amatherafi, wawafaka kubhasikidi wekamela oyisihlalo sabesifazane, wahlala phezu kwawo. Ngakho uLabani waphuthaza kulo lonke itende, kodwa akawatholanga. 35 Khona-ke wathi kuyise: “Mayingabengezeli intukuthelo emehlweni enkosi yami,+ ngoba angikwazi ukusukuma phambi kwakho, ngoba okuyinkambiso ngabesifazane kuphezu kwami.”+ Ngakho waqhubeka efuna ngokucophelela, kodwa akawatholanga amatherafi.+
36 UJakobe wathukuthela+ waqala ukuxabana noLabani, futhi ephendula uJakobe wathi kuLabani: “Ngivukelé ngani,+ futhi ngoné ngani, uze ungisukele kangaka?+ 37 Manje njengoba usuphuthaze ezimpahleni zami zonke, yini oyitholile yazo zonke izimpahla zendlu yakho?+ Yibeke lapha phambi kwabafowethu nabafowenu,+ bahlulele phakathi kwethu sobabili.+ 38 Benginawe le minyaka engamashumi amabili. Izimvu zakho zezinsikazi nezimbuzikazi zakho azizange ziphunze,+ nezinqama zomhlambi wakho angizange ngizidle. 39 Angizange ngilethe kuwe isilwane esidwenguliwe.+ Yimi engangilahlekelwa ngenxa yaso. Kungakhathaliseki ukuthi sasebiwe emini noma sasebiwe ebusuku, wawusifuna esandleni sami.+ 40 Ngiye ngaqedwa ukushisa emini, ngaququdwa amakhaza ebusuku, futhi ubuthongo bami babubaleka emehlweni ami.+ 41 Sekuyiminyaka engamashumi amabili ngisendlini yakho. Ngikukhonzé iminyaka eyishumi nane ngenxa yamadodakazi akho amabili, neyisithupha ngenxa yomhlambi wakho, futhi ubulokhu ushintsha inkokhelo yami izikhathi eziyishumi.+ 42 Ukube uNkulunkulu kababa,+ uNkulunkulu ka-Abrahama neNgebhe ka-Isaka,+ akabanga ngakimi, ngabe manje ungimukise ngilambatha. UNkulunkulu ulubonile usizi lwami nokukhandleka kwezandla zami, ngakho ukusolile izolo ebusuku.”+
43 Khona-ke uLabani wamphendula wathi uJakobe: “Amadodakazi angamadodakazi ami nabantwana bangabantwana bami nomhlambi ungumhlambi wami, nayo yonke into oyibhekile ingeyami namadodakazi ami. Yini engingayenza namuhla kubantwana bawo abazele? 44 Manje woza senze isivumelwano,+ mina nawe, sibe ngufakazi phakathi kwakho nami.”+ 45 Ngakho uJakobe wathatha itshe walimisa njengensika.+ 46 UJakobe wathi kubafowabo: “Buthani amatshe!” Bawathatha amatshe benza inqwaba.+ Ngemva kwalokho badla lapho phezu kwenqwaba. 47 ULabani wayiqamba ngokuthi iJegari-sahadutha, kodwa uJakobe wayiqamba ngokuthi iGaleyedi.
48 ULabani wabe esethi: “Le nqwaba ingufakazi phakathi kwami nawe namuhla.” Yingakho ayiqamba ngokuthi iGaleyedi,+ 49 nangokuthi INqaba Yokulinda, ngoba wathi: “UJehova makalinde phakathi kwami nawe lapho sihleli singabonani omunye nomunye.+ 50 Uma uhlupha amadodakazi+ ami futhi uma uthatha abanye abafazi ngaphezu kwamadodakazi ami, akukho muntu onathi. Bheka! UNkulunkulu ungufakazi phakathi kwami nawe.”+ 51 Futhi uLabani waqhubeka wathi kuJakobe: “Nansi le nqwaba futhi nansi le nsika engiyimise phakathi kwami nawe. 52 Le nqwaba ingufakazi, futhi le nsika iyafakaza,+ ukuthi ngeke ngiyidlule le nqwaba ngimelane nawe nokuthi nawe ngeke uyidlule le nqwaba nale nsika umelane nami ukuba ungilimaze.+ 53 Unkulunkulu ka-Abrahama+ nonkulunkulu kaNahori+ makahlulele phakathi kwethu, unkulunkulu kayise wabo.” Kodwa uJakobe wafunga iNgebhe kayise u-Isaka.+
54 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wenza umhlatshelo entabeni futhi wamema abafowabo ukuba badle isinkwa.+ Ngakho badla isinkwa balala entabeni ngalobo busuku. 55 Nokho, uLabani wavuka ekuseni kakhulu wanga+ abantwana bakhe namadodakazi akhe wababusisa.+ Khona-ke uLabani wahamba ukuba abuyele endaweni yakhe.+
32 UJakobe yena waqhubeka nendlela yakhe, futhi izingelosi zikaNkulunkulu zamhlangabeza.+ 2 Ngokushesha lapho uJakobe ezibona wathi: “Leli yikamu likaNkulunkulu!”+ Ngakho waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iMahanayimi.+
3 Khona-ke uJakobe wathumela izithunywa+ ngaphambi kwakhe ku-Esawu umfowabo ezweni laseSeyiri,+ ukhalo luka-Edomi,+ 4 waziyala, wathi: “Yilokhu enizokusho enkosini yami,+ ku-Esawu, ‘Yilokhu inceku yakho uJakobe ekushilo: “Ngiye ngagogobala kuLabani futhi ngiye ngahlala isikhathi eside kuze kube manje.+ 5 Ngiye ngaba nezinkomo nezimbongolo, izimvu, izinceku nezincekukazi,+ futhi ngingathanda ukuthumela ngiyazise inkosi yami, ukuze ngithole umusa emehlweni akho.”’”+
6 Ngemva kwesikhathi izithunywa zabuyela kuJakobe, zathi: “Sifikile kumfowenu u-Esawu, futhi naye usendleleni uzokuhlangabeza, namadoda angamakhulu amane kanye naye.”+ 7 UJakobe wesaba kakhulu, wakhathazeka.+ Ngakho wahlukanisa abantu ababenaye, nemihlambi yezimvu neyezimbuzi nezinkomo namakamela kwaba amakamu amabili,+ 8 wathi: “Uma u-Esawu efika kwelinye ikamu elihlasela, khona-ke nakanjani kuzoba khona ikamu elisalayo ukuba liphunyuke.”+
9 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wathi: “O Nkulunkulu kababa u-Abrahama noNkulunkulu kababa u-Isaka,+ Jehova, wena othi kimi, ‘Buyela ezweni lakini nasezihlotsheni zakho ngizosebenzelana kahle nawe,’+ 10 angiwufanelekele wonke lo musa wothando nakho konke lokhu kuthembeka okubonise encekwini yakho,+ ngoba ngawela leli Jordani ngiphethe udondolo kuphela kodwa manje sengibe amakamu amabili.+ 11 Ngiyakuncenga, ngikhulule+ esandleni somfowethu, esandleni sika-Esawu, ngoba ngiyamesaba ukuthi angase afike futhi nakanjani angihlasele,+ onina kanye nabantwana. 12 Kanti wena, wena uthé, ‘Ngokungangabazeki ngizosebenzelana kahle nawe futhi ngizokwenza inzalo yakho ibe ngangesihlabathi solwandle, esingenakubalwa ngenxa yobuningi.’”+
13 Waqhubeka engenise lapho ngalobo busuku. Futhi kulokho okwakufika esandleni sakhe wathathela u-Esawu umfowabo isipho:+ 14 izimbuzikazi ezingamakhulu amabili nezimpongo ezingamashumi amabili, izimvu zezinsikazi ezingamakhulu amabili nezinqama ezingamashumi amabili, 15 amakamela ancelisayo angamashumi amathathu namankonyane awo, izinkomazi ezingamashumi amane nezinkunzi eziyishumi, izimbongolokazi ezingamashumi amabili nezimbongolo eziyishumi. +
16 Khona-ke wanika izinceku zakhe imihlambi ilandelana, waphindaphinda ethi ezincekwini zakhe: “Welani ngaphambi kwami, futhi nishiye ibanga phakathi komhlambi nomhlambi.”+ 17 Ngaphezu kwalokho wayala eyokuqala, wathi: “Uma kwenzeka u-Esawu umfowethu ehlangana nawe akubuze, athi, ‘Ungokabani, uyaphi futhi kungokukabani lokhu okuphambi kwakho?’ 18 khona-ke kumelwe uthi, ‘Ngingowenceku yakho uJakobe. Lokhu kuyisipho,+ esithunyelwe enkosini yami,+ ku-Esawu, futhi bheka! yena usemva kwethu.’” 19 Waqhubeka wayala neyesibili, kanjalo neyesithathu, nazo zonke ezazilandela imihlambi, ethi: “Nizokhuluma ngokuvumelana naleli zwi ku-Esawu lapho nihlangana naye.+ 20 Kumelwe nithi, ‘Nansi inceku yakho uJakobe emva kwethu.’”+ Ngoba wayezitshela ukuthi: “Ngingase ngimthobe ngalesi sipho esingandulelayo,+ kamuva ngizobe sengibona ubuso bakhe. Mhlawumbe uzongamukela ngomusa.”+ 21 Ngakho isipho sawelela ngaphesheya ngaphambi kwakhe, kodwa yena wangenisa ekamu ngalobo busuku.+
22 Kamuva ngalobo busuku wavuka wathatha abafazi bakhe ababili+ nezincekukazi zakhe ezimbili+ namadodana akhe asemancane+ ayishumi nanye wawela ezibukweni laseJabhoki.+ 23 Kanjalo wabathatha wabaweza isigodi sesifufula,+ waweza nalokho ayenakho.
24 Ekugcineni uJakobe wasala yedwa. Khona-ke indoda ethile yaqala ukubambana naye kwaze kwantwela ukusa.+ 25 Lapho ibona ukuthi ayimnqobanga,+ khona-ke yathinta isikhoxe senyonga yakhe; isikhoxe senyonga kaJakobe sagudluka kulokho kubambana kwakhe nayo.+ 26 Ngemva kwalokho yathi: “Ngidedele ngihambe, ngoba sekuntwelile.” Wathi: “Ngeke ngikudedele uze ungibusise kuqala.”+ 27 Ngakho yathi kuye: “Ungubani igama lakho?” yena wathi: “NginguJakobe.” 28 Khona-ke yathi: “Igama lakho ngeke kusathiwa unguJakobe kodwa kuzothiwa ungu-Israyeli,+ ngoba ulwe+ noNkulunkulu nabantu waze wanqoba ekugcineni.” 29 UJakobe naye wabuza wathi: “Ngicela ungitshele igama lakho.” Nokho, yathi: “Kungani ubuza igama lami?”+ Khona-ke yambusisa lapho. 30 Ngakho uJakobe waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iPheniyeli,+ ngoba wathi, uma simcaphuna, “Ngiboné uNkulunkulu ubuso nobuso nokho umphefumulo wami wakhululwa.”+
31 Ilanga laqala ukukhanya phezu kwakhe lapho nje edlula ePhenuweli, kodwa wayexhuga ngenxa yenyonga yakhe.+ 32 Yingakho abantwana bakwa-Israyeli bengajwayele ukudla umsipha wenzwa yethanga, osesikhoxeni senyonga, kuze kube yilolu suku, ngoba yathinta isikhoxe senyonga kaJakobe emsipheni wenzwa yethanga.+
33 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJakobe waphakamisa amehlo wabheka, nango u-Esawu eza, ekanye namadoda angamakhulu amane.+ Ngakho wahlukanisa abantwana wabanika uLeya noRaheli nezincekukazi ezimbili,+ 2 wabeka izincekukazi nabantwana bazo phambili,+ noLeya nabantwana bakhe ngemva kwazo+ kwathi uRaheli noJosefa wababeka emva kwabo.+ 3 Yena wadlulela ngaphambi kwabo wayesekhothama kasikhombisa emhlabathini waze wafika eduze komfowabo.+
4 U-Esawu wagijima wamhlangabeza,+ wamgona+ wawela entanyeni yakhe wamanga, base beqhumuka bekhala izinyembezi. 5 Khona-ke waphakamisa amehlo wabona abesifazane nabantwana wathi: “Ngobani laba abakanye nawe?” yena wathi: “Ngabantwana uNkulunkulu ayibonise ngabo umusa inceku yakho.”+ 6 Khona-ke izincekukazi zasondela, zona nabantwana bazo, zakhothama; 7 noLeya naye wasondela, nabantwana bakhe, bakhothama, ngemva kwalokho noJosefa wasondela, noRaheli, bakhothama.+
8 Manje wathi: “Usho ukuthini ngalo lonke leli kamu lezihambi engihlangane nalo?”+ Kulokhu wathi: “Ukuba ngithole umusa emehlweni enkosi yami.”+ 9 Khona-ke u-Esawu wathi: “Nginokuningi kakhulu, mfowethu.+ Okungokwakho makuqhubeke kungokwakho.” 10 Nokho, uJakobe wathi: “Ngicela kungabi njalo. Uma ngitholé umusa emehlweni akho,+ khona-ke kumelwe usithathe isipho sami esandleni sami, ngoba ngokuvumelana nenjongo yaso ngibubonile ubuso bakho njengokungathi ngibona ubuso bukaNkulunkulu ngokuthi ungamukelé ngenjabulo.+ 11 Ngiyacela, sithathe isipho esilethwe kuwe esidlulisela isibusiso sami,+ ngoba uNkulunkulu ube nomusa kimi futhi nginakho konke.”+ 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 futhi esandleni sami kukhona izimvu nezinkomo ezincelisayo,+ uma zingase ziqhutshwe ngokushesha kakhulu usuku olulodwa, khona-ke ngokuqinisekile wonke umhlambi uzofa.+ 14 Ngiyacela, inkosi yami mayidlule ngaphambi kwenceku yayo, kodwa mina ngiqhubeke nohambo ngingasheshi, ngihambe ngokwejubane lemfuyo+ ephambi kwami nangokwejubane labantwana+ ngize ngifike enkosini yami eSeyiri.”+ 15 Khona-ke u-Esawu wathi: “Ngivumele, ngiyacela, ukuba ngibeke esandleni sakho abanye babantu abanami.” Wathi: “Kungani wenza kanje? Mangithole umusa emehlweni enkosi yami.”+ 16 Ngakho ngalolo suku u-Esawu wabuyela eSeyiri.
17 UJakobe wasuka waya eSukoti,+ futhi wazakhela indlu wenzela nomhlambi wakhe amadokodo.+ Yingakho aqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi iSukoti.
18 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJakobe wafika ephephile futhi ephilile emzini waseShekemi,+ osezweni laseKhanani,+ lapho evela ePhadani-aramu;+ futhi wakanisa phambi kwalowo muzi. 19 Khona-ke wazitholela isiqephu saleyo ndawo ayegxumeke kuyo itende esandleni samadodana kaHamori uyise kaShekemi, ngezinhlamvu eziyikhulu zemali.+ 20 Ngemva kwalokho wamisa lapho i-altare walibiza ngokuthi UNkulunkulu OnguNkulunkulu Ka-Israyeli.+
34 Manje uDina indodakazi kaLeya,+ ayeyizalele uJakobe, wayevame ukuphuma ayobona+ amadodakazi akulelo zwe.+ 2 UShekemi indodana kaHamori umHivi,+ isikhulu sakulelo zwe, wambona wayesemthatha walala naye wamona.+ 3 Umphefumulo wakhe waqala ukunamathela kuDina indodakazi kaJakobe, wayithanda le ntombi futhi walokhu ekhuluma ngendlela ethonyayo nale ntombi. 4 Ekugcineni uShekemi wathi kuHamori uyise.+ “Ngithathele le nkosazana esencane ibe ngumkami.”+
5 UJakobe wezwa ukuthi wayemngcolisile uDina indodakazi yakhe. Amadodana akhe ayesemadlelweni nomhlambi wakhe;+ uJakobe wathula aze abuya.+ 6 Kamuva uHamori, uyise kaShekemi, waphuma waya kuJakobe eyokhuluma naye.+ 7 Amadodana kaJakobe afika evela emadlelweni ngokushesha nje lapho ezwa ngakho; futhi la madoda ezwa ubuhlungu futhi athukuthela kakhulu,+ ngoba wayenze ubuwula obuyichilo ku-Israyeli ngokulala nendodakazi kaJakobe,+ kuyilapho kungamelwe yenziwe into enjalo.+
8 UHamori wabe esekhuluma nabo, wathi: “UShekemi indodana yami, umphefumulo wakhe unamathele endodakazini yenu.+ Ngiyacela, mganiseleni yona,+ 9 nakhe ubuhlobo bomshado nathi.+ Amadodakazi enu nisinike wona, namadodakazi ethu nizithathele wona.+ 10 Futhi ningahlala nathi, futhi izwe nizolithola. Hlalani nihwebe kulo nizinze kulo.”+ 11 Khona-ke uShekemi wathi kuyise kaDina nakubafowabo: “Mangithole umusa emehlweni enu, noma yini enizoyibiza kimi ngizoyikhipha. 12 Likhuphuleni kakhulu ilobolo nesipho enginqunyelwe sona,+ ngizimisele ukukhipha ngokuvumelana nalokho eningase nikubize kimi; kuphela ngiganiseleni le ntombi.”
13 Amadodana kaJakobe abaphendula ngenkohliso uShekemi noHamori uyise futhi akhuluma kanjalo ngoba engcolise uDina udadewabo.+ 14 Aqhubeka athi kubo: “Asinakukwazi ukwenza into enjalo, udadewethu simnike indoda enejwabu,+ ngoba lokho kuyisihlamba kithi. 15 Singavuma ngalo mbandela kuphela, ukuba nibe njengathi, ngokuba bonke abesilisa kini basokwe.+ 16 Khona-ke sizoninika ngokuqinisekile amadodakazi ethu, nathi sizithathele amadodakazi enu, futhi sihlale nani sibe yisizwe esisodwa.+ 17 Kodwa uma ningasilaleli ukuba nisokwe, khona-ke sizoyithatha indodakazi yethu sihambe.”
18 Amazwi abo abonakala emahle emehlweni kaHamori nasemehlweni kaShekemi, indodana kaHamori,+ 19 futhi le nsizwa ayilibalanga ukuwugcina lo mbandela,+ ngoba yayijabula ngendodakazi kaJakobe futhi yayinodumo+ kakhulu kunabo bonke endlini kayise.+
20 Ngakho uHamori noShekemi indodana yakhe baya esangweni lomuzi wakubo baqala ukukhuluma namadoda omuzi+ wakubo, bathi: 21 “Laba bantu bathanda ukuba nokuthula nathi.+ Ngakho masibavumele bahlale ezweni bahwebe kulo, njengoba izwe libanzi impela phambi kwabo.+ Amadodakazi abo singazithathela wona njengabafazi bethu namadodakazi ethu singabanika wona.+ 22 Yilo mbandela kuphela la madoda azovuma ngawo ukuhlala nathi ukuze sibe yisizwe esisodwa, ukuba bonke abesilisa kithi basokwe njengoba nje nabo besokiwe.+ 23 Khona-ke impahla yabo nomcebo wabo nayo yonke imfuyo yabo, ngeke yini kube okwethu?+ Kuphela masivume ukuba bahlale nathi.”+ 24 Khona-ke bonke ababephuma ngesango lomuzi wakubo bamlalela uHamori noShekemi indodana yakhe, futhi bonke abesilisa basokwa, bonke ababephuma ngesango lomuzi wakubo.
25 Nokho, kwathi ngosuku lwesithathu, lapho beqaqanjelwa,+ amadodana amabili kaJakobe, uSimeyoni noLevi,+ abafowabo bakaDina,+ athatha yilowo nalowo inkemba yakhe baya emzini ngokungasolisi bafike babulala bonke abesilisa.+ 26 UHamori noShekemi indodana yakhe bababulala ngosiko lwenkemba.+ Base bemthatha uDina endlini kaShekemi baphuma.+ 27 Amanye amadodana kaJakobe ahlasela amadoda ayelimele kabi aphanga umuzi, ngoba babengcolise udadewabo.+ 28 Imihlambi yabo yezimvu nezimbuzi nemihlambi yabo yezinkomo kanye nezimbongolo zabo nalokho okwakusemzini nokwakusemasimini bakuthatha.+ 29 Konke ababeziphilisa ngakho nabo bonke abantwana babo nabafazi babo babathumba bamuka nabo, baphanga konke okwakusezindlini.+
30 Khona-ke uJakobe wathi kuSimeyoni noLevi:+ “Ningilethele isigcwagcwa ngokungenza ngibe iphunga elibi kwabakhileyo baleli zwe,+ kumaKhanani namaPherizi; njengoba ngimbalwa ngesibalo,+ ngokuqinisekile bazobuthana bangihlasele ngibhuqwe, mina nendlu yami.” 31 Bona bathi: “Ingabe udadewethu kufanele aphathwe njengesifebe?”+
35 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wathi kuJakobe: “Sukuma ukhuphukele eBhethele uhlale khona,+ umenzele lapho i-altare uNkulunkulu weqiniso owabonakala kuwe ngesikhathi ubalekela u-Esawu umfowenu.”+
2 Khona-ke uJakobe wathi kwabendlu yakhe nakubo bonke ababenaye: “Lahlani onkulunkulu bezizwe abaphakathi kwenu+ nizihlanze nishintshe iziphuku zenu,+ 3 sisuke sikhuphukele eBhethele. Ngizomenzela lapho i-altare uNkulunkulu weqiniso owangiphendula ngosuku lokucindezeleka+ kwami ngokuba abe nami endleleni engiyihambile.”+ 4 Ngakho bamnika uJakobe bonke onkulunkulu bezizwe+ ababesezandleni zabo namacici ayesezindlebeni zabo, uJakobe wakuthukusa+ ngaphansi komuthi omkhulu owawuseduze kwaseShekemi.
5 Ngemva kwalokho basuka, ukwesaba okukhulu okuvela kuNkulunkulu kwaba phezu kwemizi eyayibazungezile,+ kangangokuthi abazange bawajahe amadodana kaJakobe. 6 Ekugcineni uJakobe wafika eLuze,+ elisezweni laseKhanani, okungukuthi, eBhethele, yena nabo bonke abantu ababenaye. 7 Khona-ke wakha i-altare lapho wabiza leyo ndawo ngokuthi i-Eli-bhethele, ngoba yilapho uNkulunkulu weqiniso ayezibonakalise khona kuye ngesikhathi ebalekela umfowabo.+ 8 Kamuva uDebora+ umzanyana kaRebheka wafa wangcwatshwa phansi kweBhethele ngaphansi komuthi omkhulu. Ngakho waqamba leyo ndawo ngokuthi i-Aloni-bakhuti.
9 UNkulunkulu waphinda futhi wabonakala kuJakobe ngesikhathi sokubuya kwakhe ePhadani-aramu,+ wambusisa.+ 10 UNkulunkulu wathi kuye: “Igama lakho unguJakobe.+ Igama lakho ngeke kusathiwa unguJakobe, kodwa uzoba ngu-Israyeli igama lakho.” Futhi waqala ukumbiza ngokuthi ngu-Israyeli.+ 11 UNkulunkulu waqhubeka wathi kuye: “NginguNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke.+ Zala wande. Kuyophuma kuwe izizwe nebandla lezizwe, futhi kuyophuma amakhosi ezinkalweni zakho.+ 12 Ngokuqondene nezwe engilinike u-Abrahama no-Isaka, ngizolinika wena, ngiyolinika+ nenzalo yakho+ emva kwakho.” 13 Ngemva kwalokho uNkulunkulu wakhuphuka wasuka ngaphezu kwakhe kuleyo ndawo ayekhulume naye kuyo.+
14 Ngenxa yalokho uJakobe wamisa insika endaweni ayekhulume naye kuyo,+ insika yetshe, wathela umnikelo wokuphuzwayo phezu kwayo wathela namafutha phezu kwayo.+ 15 UJakobe wabiza indawo uNkulunkulu ayekhulume naye kuyo ngokuthi iBhethele.+
16 Babe sebesuka eBhethele. Kusasele ibanga elide ngaphambi kokuba bafike e-Efrathi,+ uRaheli wabeletha, futhi kwakunzima kuye ukubeletha.+ 17 Kodwa kwathi ngesikhathi enobunzima ekubeletheni umbelethisi wathi kuye: “Ungesabi, ngoba uzoba nayo nale ndodana futhi.”+ 18 Umphumela waba ukuthi njengoba umphefumulo+ wakhe uphuma (ngoba wafa)+ wayiqamba ngokuthi uBheni-oni; kodwa uyise wayiqamba ngokuthi uBhenjamini.+ 19 Kanjalo uRaheli wafa wangcwatshwa endleleni eya e-Efrathi, okungukuthi, eBhetlehema.+ 20 Ngakho uJakobe wamisa insika phezu kwethuna lakhe. Lena yinsika yethuna likaRaheli kuze kube yilolu suku.+
21 Ngemva kwalokho u-Israyeli wasuka lapho wagxumeka itende lakhe ibangana ngaphesheya kombhoshongo wase-Edere.+ 22 Kwathi ngesinye isikhathi u-Israyeli ehlala ematabernakele+ kulelo zwe, uRubeni wahamba walala noBhiliha isancinza sikayise, u-Israyeli wezwa ngakho.+
Amadodana kaJakobe aba yishumi nambili. 23 Amadodana azalwa uLeya kwakuyizibulo likaJakobe uRubeni+ noSimeyoni noLevi noJuda no-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 ku-Isaka uyise eMamre,+ eKiriyati-ariba,+ okungukuthi, eHebroni, lapho u-Abrahama no-Isaka bagogobala khona.+ 28 Izinsuku zika-Isaka zaba iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi ayisishiyagalombili.+ 29 Ngemva kwalokho u-Isaka wagqabuka wafa wabuthelwa kubantu bakubo, esemdala futhi anelisiwe izinsuku,+ u-Esawu noJakobe amadodana akhe bamngcwaba.+
36 Lona ngumlando ka-Esawu, okungukuthi, u-Edomi.+
2 U-Esawu wathatha abafazi bakhe emadodakazini aseKhanani.+ U-Ada+ indodakazi ka-Eloni umHeti+ no-Oholibhama+ indodakazi ka-Ana, umzukulu kaZibheyoni umHivi, 3 noBhasemati,+ indodakazi ka-Ishmayeli, udadewabo kaNebhayoti.+
4 U-Ada wazalela u-Esawu u-Elifazi, uBhasemati wazala uRehuweli, 5 u-Oholibhama wazala uJewushi noJalamu noKhora.+
Lawa ngamadodana ka-Esawu azalelwa wona ezweni laseKhanani. 6 Ngemva kwalokho u-Esawu wathatha abafazi bakhe namadodana akhe namadodakazi akhe nayo yonke imiphefumulo yendlu yakhe nomhlambi wakhe nazo zonke ezinye izilwane zakhe nawo wonke umcebo wakhe,+ ayewuqongelele ezweni laseKhanani, waya ezweni elikude noJakobe umfowabo,+ 7 ngoba impahla yabo yase iningi kakhulu ukuba bangahlala ndawonye futhi izwe ababegogobele kulo lalingakwazi ukubasekela ngenxa yemihlambi yabo.+ 8 Ngakho u-Esawu wahlala esifundeni sezintaba saseSeyiri.+ U-Esawu ngu-Edomi.+
9 Lona ngumlando ka-Esawu uyise ka-Edomi esifundeni sezintaba saseSeyiri.+
10 Yilawa amagama amadodana ka-Esawu: U-Elifazi indodana ka-Ada, umka-Esawu; uRehuweli indodana kaBhasemati, umka-Esawu.+
11 Amadodana ka-Elifazi kwaba uThemani,+ u-Omari, uZefo noGathamu noKhenazi.+ 12 UThimna+ waba isancinza sika-Elifazi, indodana ka-Esawu. Ngemva kwesikhathi wazalela u-Elifazi u-Amaleki.+ Lawa ngamadodana ka-Ada, umka-Esawu.
13 Yilawa amadodana kaRehuweli: UNahati noZera, uShamumaha noMiza.+ Lawa kwaba amadodana kaBhasemati,+ umka-Esawu.
14 Lawa kwaba amadodana ka-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana, umzukulu kaZibheyoni, umka-Esawu, ngokuthi wazalela u-Esawu uJewushi noJalamu noKhora.+
15 Lezi yizikhulu+ zamadodana ka-Esawu: Amadodana ka-Elifazi, izibulo lika-Esawu: Isikhulu uThemani,+ isikhulu u-Omari, isikhulu uZefo, isikhulu uKhenazi, 16 isikhulu uKhora, isikhulu uGathamu, isikhulu u-Amaleki. Lezi yizikhulu zika-Elifazi+ ezweni lakwa-Edomi. Lawa ngamadodana azalwa ngu-Ada.
17 Yilawa amadodana kaRehuweli, indodana ka-Esawu: Isikhulu uNahati, isikhulu uZera, isikhulu uShamumaha, isikhulu uMiza. Lezi yizikhulu zikaRehuweli ezweni lakwa-Edomi.+ Lawa ngamadodana azalwa nguBhasemati, umka-Esawu.
18 Ekugcineni yilawa amadodana ka-Oholibhama, umka-Esawu: Isikhulu uJewushi, isikhulu uJalamu, isikhulu uKhora. Lezi yizikhulu zika-Oholibhama indodakazi ka-Ana, umka-Esawu.
19 Lawa ngamadodana ka-Esawu, futhi lezi yizikhulu zawo. Ungu-Edomi.+
20 Yilawa amadodana kaSeyiri umHori, abakhileyo ezweni:+ ULothani noShobali noZibheyoni no-Ana+ 21 noDishoni no-Ezeri noDishani.+ Lezi yizikhulu zomHori, amadodana kaSeyiri, ezweni lakwa-Edomi.
22 Amadodana kaLothani kwaba nguHori noHemamu; udadewabo kaLothani kwakunguThimna.+
23 Yilawa amadodana kaShobali: U-Alivani noManahati no-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 no-Eshibani no-Ithirani noKerani.+
27 Yilawa amadodana ka-Ezeri: UBhilihani noZavani no-Akani.
28 Yilawa amadodana kaDishani: U-Uze no-Arana.+
29 Yilezi izikhulu zomHori: Isikhulu uLothani, isikhulu uShobali, isikhulu uZibheyoni, isikhulu u-Ana, 30 isikhulu uDishoni, isikhulu u-Ezeri, isikhulu uDishani.+ Lezi yizikhulu zomHori ngokwezikhulu zazo ezweni laseSeyiri.
31 Manje yilawa amakhosi ayebusa ezweni lakwa-Edomi+ ngaphambi kokuba kubuse noma iyiphi inkosi phezu kwabantwana bakwa-Israyeli.+ 32 UBhela indodana kaBheyori wabusa kwa-Edomi,+ futhi igama lomuzi wakhe 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, owahlula abakwaMidiyani+ okhalweni lwakwaMowabi,+ wabusa esikhundleni sakhe, futhi igama lomuzi wakhe 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 lomuzi wakhe kwakuyiPhawu, igama lomkakhe kunguMehetabeli indodakazi kaMatiredi indodakazi kaMezahabi.+
40 Ngakho lawa ngamagama ezikhulu zika-Esawu ngokwemindeni yazo, ngokwezindawo zazo, ngamagama azo: Isikhulu uThimna, isikhulu u-Aliva, isikhulu uJetheti,+ 41 isikhulu u-Oholibhama, isikhulu u-Elahi, isikhulu uPhinoni,+ 42 isikhulu uKhenazi, isikhulu uThemani, isikhulu uMibizari,+ 43 isikhulu uMagidiyeli, isikhulu u-Iramu. Lezi yizikhulu zakwa-Edomi+ ngokwezindawo zazo zokuhlala ezweni eliyifa lazo.+ Lona ngu-Esawu uyise ka-Edomi.+
37 UJakobe waqhubeka ehleli ezweni uyise ayegogobele kulo,+ ezweni laseKhanani.+
2 Lona ngumlando kaJakobe.
UJosefa,+ lapho eneminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa ubudala, wayelusa izimvu kanye nabafowabo phakathi komhlambi,+ futhi, njengoba ayengumfana nje, wayekanye namadodana kaBhiliha+ namadodana kaZilipha,+ abafazi bakayise. UJosefa waletha umbiko omubi ngabo kuyise.+ 3 U-Israyeli wayemthanda uJosefa ngaphezu kwawo wonke amanye amadodana akhe,+ ngoba wayeyindodana yokuguga kwakhe; futhi wamenzela ingubo ende, enemishwe efana nehembe.+ 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 isizathu esengeziwe sokumzonda. 6 Wathi kubo: “Ngicela nilalele iphupho engiliphuphile.+ 7 Besibopha izithungu phakathi nensimu lapho isithungu sami sivuka futhi sima siqonda, izithungu zenu zangunga isithungu sami zasikhothamela.”+ 8 Abafowabo baqala ukuthi kuye: “Ingabe ngokuqinisekile uzoba inkosi phezu kwethu?+ noma, Ingabe ngokuqinisekile uzosibusa?”+ Ngakho bathola isizathu esisha sokumzonda ngenxa yamaphupho akhe nangenxa yamazwi akhe.
9 Ngemva kwalokho waphupha elinye futhi iphupho, walilandisa abafowabo wathi: “Ngiphuphe elinye futhi iphupho, bheka, ilanga nenyanga nezinkanyezi eziyishumi nanye bekungikhothamela.”+ 10 Wabe eselilandisa uyise nabafowabo, uyise waqala ukumkhuza wathi kuye:+ “Lisho ukuthini leli phupho oliphuphile? Ingabe mina kanye nonyoko nabafowenu ngokuqinisekile sizokukhothamela emhlabathini?” 11 Abafowabo baba nomhawu ngaye,+ kodwa uyise waligcina leli zwi.+
12 Abafowabo bahamba baya koklabisa umhlambi kayise eduze kwaseShekemi.+ 13 Ngemva kwesikhathi u-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Abafowenu baluse imihlambi eduze kwaseShekemi, akunjalo? Woza, mangikuthume kubo.” Kulokhu wathi kuye: “Ngilapha!”+ 14 Ngakho wathi kuye: “Ngicela uhambe uyobona ukuthi abafowenu baphephile futhi bayaphila yini nokuthi umhlambi uphephile futhi uyaphila yini, ungibuyisele izwi.”+ Ngalokho wammukisa esuka ethafeni eliphansi laseHebroni,+ wahamba waya ngaseShekemi. 15 Kamuva umuntu othile wamthola futhi bheka wayezulazula endle. Khona-ke lo muntu wambuza, wathi: “Ufunani?” 16 Wathi: “Ngifuna abafowethu. Ngicela ungitshele, Bayelusele kuphi imihlambi?” 17 Lo muntu wathi: “Basukile lapha, ngoba ngibezwile bethi, ‘Masihambeni siye eDothani.’” Ngakho uJosefa waqhubeka elandela abafowabo wabathola eDothani.
18 Bambona esekude, futhi ngaphambi kokuba afike eduze kwabo baqala ukumenzela ugobe ngobuqili ukuba bambulale.+ 19 Ngakho bathi omunye komunye: “Bhekani! Nangu eza lowaya mphuphi.+ 20 Manje wozani simbulale simphonse komunye wemigodi yamanzi;+ sithi, ushwabadelwe isilo sasendle esinolaka.+ Khona-ke sibone ukuthi kuyokwenzekani ngamaphupho akhe.” 21 Lapho uRubeni ekuzwa lokhu wazama ukumkhulula esandleni sabo.+ Ngakho wathi: “Masingawushayi ufe+ umphefumulo wakhe.” 22 URubeni waqhubeka wathi kubo: “Ningachithi igazi.+ Mphonseni kulo mgodi wamanzi osehlane ningambeki isandla.”+ Injongo yakhe kwakuwukumkhulula esandleni sabo ukuze ambuyisele kuyise.
23 Ngakho kwathi ngokushesha lapho uJosefa efika kubafowabo, bamhlubula ingubo yakhe ende, yebo ingubo ende enemishwe ayeyigqokile;+ 24 okwathi ngemva kwalokho bamthatha bamphonsa emgodini wamanzi.+ Ngaleso sikhathi umgodi wawungenalutho; kwakungekho manzi kuwo.
25 Khona-ke bahlala phansi badla isinkwa.+ Lapho bephakamisa amehlo bebheka, bheka, kwakuza ihele labakwa-Ishmayeli+ livela eGileyadi, futhi amakamela abo ayethwele ilabhidanu nebhalsamu namagxolo anenhlaka,+ bekwehlisela eGibhithe. 26 Khona-ke uJuda wathi kubafowabo: “Bekuzoba nayiphi inzuzo ukube besimbulele umfowethu sase silemboza igazi lakhe?+ 27 Wozani simthengise kwabakwa-Ishmayeli,+ futhi isandla sethu masingabi phezu kwakhe.+ Nikhumbule, ungumfowethu, inyama yethu.” Ngakho bamlalela umfowabo.+ 28 Manje kwadlula amadoda, abathengisi+ bakwaMidiyani. Ngakho bamdonsa bamkhuphula uJosefa bamkhipha emgodini wamanzi+ base bemthengisa uJosefa kwabakwa-Ishmayeli ngezinhlamvu zesiliva ezingamashumi amabili.+ Ekugcineni abakwa-Ishmayeli bamyisa eGibhithe uJosefa.
29 Kamuva uRubeni wabuyela emgodini wamanzi futhi bheka uJosefa wayengekho emgodini wamanzi. Ngenxa yalokho waklebhula izingubo zakhe.+ 30 Lapho ebuyela kwabanye abafowabo wababaza: “Umntwana unyamalele! Mina-ke—ngizoyaphi nje ngempela?”+
31 Nokho, bayithatha ingubo ende kaJosefa bahlaba impongo, bayicwilisa ngokuphindaphindiwe le ngubo ende egazini.+ 32 Ngemva kwalokho bayithumela kuyise le ngubo ende enemishwe bathi: “Nakhu esikutholile. Sicela ukuhlole+ ukuthi akuyona yini ingubo ende yendodana yakho.”+ 33 Wayihlola wababaza: “Yingubo ende yendodana yami! Kumelwe ukuba ishwabadelwe isilo esithile sasendle esinolaka!+ Nakanjani uJosefa udwenguliwe!”+ 34 Ngakho uJakobe waklebhula iziphuku zakhe wembatha indwangu yesaka okhalweni lwakhe walilela indodana yakhe izinsuku eziningi.+ 35 Wonke amadodana akhe nawo wonke amadodakazi akhe ayelokhu esukuma ukuba amduduze,+ kodwa wayelokhu enqaba ukududuzeka, ethi:+ “Ngiyokwehlela eShiyoli endodaneni yami ngilila!” Uyise waqhubeka emkhalela.
36 Nokho, abakwaMidiyani bamthengisa eGibhithe kuPotifari isikhulu sikaFaro segceke,+ induna yemilindankosi.+
38 Kwathi phakathi nalesi sikhathi uJuda wehla esuka kubafowabo wagxumeka itende lakhe eduze komuntu othile, umuntu wase-Adulamu,+ ogama lakhe kwakunguHira. 2 UJuda wabona lapho indodakazi yomKhanani+ othile, ogama lakhe kwakunguShuwa. Ngakho wayithatha walala nayo. 3 Yakhulelwa. Kamuva yazala indodana wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Eri.+ 4 Yaphinda futhi yakhulelwa. Ngemva kwesikhathi yazala indodana yayiqamba ngokuthi u-Onani. 5 Yaphinda futhi yazala indodana yase iqamba igama layo ngokuthi uShela. Manje wayese-Akizibi ngesikhathi iyizala.+
6 Ngemva kwesikhathi uJuda wamthathela umfazi u-Eri indodana yakhe, igama lakhe kwakunguThamari.+ 7 Kodwa u-Eri, izibulo likaJuda, waba mubi 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 ibe ngeyakhe;+ ngakho lapho elala nomkamfowabo wasichithela emhlabathini isidoda sakhe ukuze angamniki umfowabo inzalo.+ 10 Manje lokhu akwenza kwakukubi emehlweni kaJehova;+ ngakho naye wambulala.+ 11 Ngakho uJuda wathi kuThamari umalokazana wakhe: “Hlala njengomfelokazi emzini kayihlo aze akhule uShela indodana yami.”+ Ngoba wayezitshela ukuthi: “Naye angase afe njengabafowabo.”+ Ngokuvumelana nalokho uThamari wahamba, waqhubeka ehlala emzini kayise.+
12 Kanjalo zanda izinsuku indodakazi kaShuwa, umkaJuda,+ yafa; uJuda wagcina inkathi yokulila.+ Ngemva kwalokho wakhuphuka waya eThimna+ kubagundi bezimvu zakhe, yena noHira umngane wakhe umuntu wase-Adulamu.+ 13 Khona-ke bamtshela uThamari: “Bheka uyihlozala ukhuphukela eThimna uyogunda izimvu zakhe.”+ 14 Ngakho wakhumula izingubo zakhe zobufelokazi wembatha itshali wazigubuzela wahlala phansi esangweni lase-Enayimi, elisendleleni eya eThimna. Ngoba wayebona ukuthi uShela wayesekhulile kodwa nokho enganikwanga yena ukuba abe ngumkakhe.+
15 Lapho uJuda embona, ngokushesha wacabanga ukuthi uyisifebe,+ ngoba wayembozé ubuso.+ 16 Ngakho waphambukela kuye ngasendleleni wathi: “Ngicela ungivumele ngilale nawe.”+ Wayengazi ukuthi kwakungumalokazana wakhe.+ Nokho, wathi: “Uzonginikani ukuze ulale nami?”+ 17 Wathi: “Ngizothumela izinyane lembuzi elivela emhlanjini.” Kodwa uThamari wathi: “Uzonginika yini isibambiso kuze kube yilapho ulithumela?”+ 18 Wathi: “Ngikunike sibambiso sini?” yena wathi: “Indandatho yakho yophawu+ nentambo yakho nenduku yakho esesandleni sakho.” Wabe esemnika kona walala naye, wakhulelwa. 19 Ngemva kwalokho wasukuma wahamba wasusa itshali wagqoka izingubo zobufelokazi bakhe.+
20 UJuda wabe eselithumela izinyane lembuzi ngesandla somngane wakhe umuntu wase-Adulamu+ ukuze kubuye isibambiso esasisesandleni sowesifazane, kodwa akamtholanga. 21 Wabuza kubantu bendawo yakubo, ethi: “Siphi lesiya sifebe sasethempelini e-Enayimi eduze kwendlela?” Kodwa babelokhu bethi: “Akukaze kube khona sifebe+ sasethempelini kule ndawo.” 22 Ekugcineni wabuyela kuJuda wathi: “Angizange ngimthole, futhi abantu bendawo bathé, ‘Akukaze kube khona sifebe sasethempelini kule ndawo.’” 23 Ngakho uJuda wathi: “Makazithathele kona, ukuze singadeleleki.+ Nokho, ngilithumele izinyane lembuzi, kodwa wena—awuzange umthole.”
24 Nokho, kwathi ezinyangeni ezingaba zintathu kamuva uJuda watshelwa ukuthi: “UThamari umalokazana wakho ufebile,+ futhi ukhulelwe+ ngobufebe bakhe.” Kulokho uJuda wathi: “Mkhipheleni ngaphandle ashiswe.”+ 25 Njengoba ayekhishwa wathumela kuyisezala, wathi: “Ngikhuleliswé indoda engumnikazi walezi zinto.”+ Wanezela: “Ngicela uzihlole+ ukuthi zingezikabani, indandatho yophawu nentambo nenduku.”+ 26 Khona-ke uJuda wazihlola wayesethi:+ “Ulungé ngaphezu kwami,+ ngesizathu sokuthi angimnikanga uShela indodana yami.”+ Akaphindanga walala naye ngemva kwalokho.+
27 Kwathi lapho ebeletha, bheka, kwakukhona amawele esiswini sakhe. 28 Ngaphezu kwalokho, kwathi lapho ebeletha elinye lelula isandla salo, ngokushesha umbelethisi wathatha umchilo obomvu wawubopha esandleni salo, ethi: “Lona uphumé kuqala.” 29 Ekugcineni kwathi lapho lisibuyisela emuva isandla, umfowabo waphuma, kangangokuthi umbelethisi wathi: “Usho ukuthini ngalokhu, ukuba uzidabulele isizalo ngokwakho?” Ngakho igama lakhe kwathiwa uPherezi.+ 30 Ngemva kwalokho umfowabo owayenomchilo obomvu waphuma, igama lakhe kwathiwa uZera.+
39 UJosefa yena, wehliselwa eGibhithe,+ futhi uPotifari,+ isikhulu sikaFaro segceke, induna yemilindankosi, umGibhithe, wamthenga esandleni sabakwa-Ishmayeli+ ababemehlisele khona. 2 Kodwa uJehova waba noJosefa, kangangokuthi waba umuntu ophumelelayo+ waphathiswa indlu yenkosi yakhe, umGibhithe. 3 Inkosi yakhe yabona ukuthi uJehova wayenaye nokuthi konke ayekwenza uJehova wayekuphumelelisa esandleni sakhe.
4 UJosefa waqhubeka ethola umusa emehlweni ayo wayikhonza ngokuqhubekayo, yaze yammisa ukuba aphathe indlu yayo,+ futhi konke okwakungokwayo yakunikela esandleni sakhe. 5 Kusukela ngesikhathi eyammisa ngaso ukuba aphathe indlu yayo nokuba aphathe konke okwakungokwayo uJehova waqhubeka eyibusisa indlu yalo mGibhithe ngenxa kaJosefa, futhi isibusiso sikaJehova saba phezu kwakho konke ayenakho endlini nasensimini.+ 6 Ekugcineni washiya zonke izinto zakhe esandleni sikaJosefa;+ futhi wayengakwazi nhlobo ayenakho ngaphandle kwesinkwa ayesidla. Ngaphezu kwalokho, uJosefa wakhula waba nomzimba omi kahle futhi waba muhle.
7 Kwathi ngemva kwalezi zinto umkankosi yakhe waqala ukuphakamisela amehlo+ kuJosefa futhi wathi: “Lala nami.”+ 8 Kodwa wayenqaba+ athi kumkankosi yakhe: “Bheka inkosi yami ayazi ukuthi yini enami endlini, futhi inikele esandleni sami konke enakho.+ 9 Akekho omkhulu kunami kule ndlu, futhi ayingigodlelanga lutho neze ngaphandle kwakho, ngoba ungumkayo.+ Khona-ke ngingabenza kanjani lobu bubi obukhulu kangaka ngone kuNkulunkulu?”+
10 Ngakho njengoba ayekhuluma noJosefa usuku nosuku akazange amlalele ukuba alale eceleni kwakhe, ukuba abe naye.+ 11 Kodwa kwathi ngalolu suku njengangezinye izinsuku wangena endlini eyokwenza umsebenzi wakhe, futhi endlini kwakungekho neyodwa yamadoda asendlini.+ 12 Khona-ke wambamba ngengubo,+ wathi: “Lala nami!”+ Kodwa wayishiya esandleni sakhe ingubo yakhe wabalekela ngaphandle.+ 13 Ngakho kwathi nje lapho ebona ukuthi wayeshiye ingubo yakhe esandleni sakhe wabalekela ngaphandle, 14 waqala ukumemeza amadoda endlu yakhe ethi kuwo: “Bhekani! Usilethele umuntu, umHebheru, ukuba asenze inhlekisa. Uzé kimi ukuba alale nami, kodwa ngaqala ukumemeza ngalo lonke izwi lami.+ 15 Kuthé lapho ezwa ukuthi ngiphakamisa izwi ngiyakhala, khona-ke washiya ingubo yakhe eceleni kwami wabalekela ngaphandle.” 16 Ngemva kwalokho wayigcina ingubo yakhe eceleni kwakhe kwaze kwaba yilapho inkosi yakhe ifika endlini yayo.+
17 Khona-ke wakhuluma nayo wathi: “Le nceku engumHebheru osilethele yona izé kimi ukuzongenza inhlekisa. 18 Kodwa kuthé lapho ngiphakamisa izwi lami ngimemeza, yayisiyishiya ingubo yayo eceleni kwami yabalekela ngaphandle.”+ 19 Umphumela waba ukuthi ngokushesha lapho inkosi yakhe izwa amazwi omkayo awakhuluma kuyo, ethi: “Inceku yakho yenze kanje nakanje kimi,” intukuthelo yayo yavutha.+ 20 Ngakho inkosi kaJosefa yamthatha yamfaka etilongweni, indawo lapho iziboshwa zenkosi zazigcinwa khona ziboshiwe, wahlala etilongweni.+
21 Nokho, uJehova waba noJosefa futhi waqhubeka edlulisela kuye umusa wothando futhi emenza ukuba athole umusa emehlweni esikhulu esiyinhloko setilongo.+ 22 Ngakho isikhulu esiyinhloko setilongo sanikela esandleni sikaJosefa zonke iziboshwa ezazisetilongweni; konke ezazikwenza lapho kwakunguye owayekuyaleza.+ 23 Isikhulu esiyinhloko setilongo sasinganakekeli lutho nhlobo olwalusesandleni saso, ngoba uJehova wayenoJosefa futhi lokho ayekwenza uJehova wayekuphumelelisa.+
40 Kwathi ngemva kwalezo zinto umphathindebe+ wenkosi yaseGibhithe kanye nombhaki bona enkosini yabo inkosi yaseGibhithe.+ 2 UFaro wazithukuthelela lezi zikhulu+ zakhe ezimbili, induna yabaphathindebe nenduna yababhaki.+ 3 Ngakho wazivalela ejele lendlu yenduna yemilindankosi,+ etilongweni,+ indawo uJosefa ayeboshwe kuyo. 4 Khona-ke induna yemilindankosi yabela uJosefa ukuba abe nazo azikhonze;+ zaqhubeka zisejele izinsuku ezithile.
5 Zombili zaphupha iphupho,+ ngayinye iphupho layo ngabusuku bunye,+ ngayinye iphupho layo linencazelo yalo,+ umphathindebe nombhaki wenkosi yaseGibhithe ababeyiziboshwa etilongweni.+ 6 Lapho uJosefa engena kubo ekuseni ebabona, bheka, babebukeka bedangele.+ 7 Wazibuza lezi zikhulu zikaFaro ezazinaye ejele lendlu yenkosi yakhe, wathi: “Kungani ubuso benu buhwaqabele namuhla?”+ 8 Khona-ke zathi kuye: “Siphuphé iphupho, kodwa asinaye ochazayo.” Ngakho uJosefa wathi kuzo: “Izincazelo akuzona yini ezikaNkulunkulu?+ Ngicela ningilandise lona.”
9 Induna yabaphathindebe yalandisa uJosefa iphupho layo yathi kuye: “Ephusheni lami, bheka, bekukhona umvini phambi kwami. 10 Emvinini bekukhona amahlumela amathathu, futhi bekubonakala sengathi amila imilibo.+ Izimbali zawo zakhahlela. Amagilebhisi avuthwa emahlukuzweni awo. 11 Indebe kaFaro ibisesandleni sami, ngase ngiwathatha amagilebhisi ngawakhamela endebeni kaFaro.+ Ngemva kwalokho ngamnika uFaro indebe esandleni sakhe.”+ 12 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kuyo: “Nansi incazelo yalo:+ Amahlumela amathathu ayizinsuku ezintathu. 13 Ezinsukwini ezintathu kusukela manje uFaro uzophakamisa ikhanda lakho futhi ngokuqinisekile uzokubuyisela esikhundleni sakho;+ futhi ngokuqinisekile uzomnika uFaro indebe esandleni sakhe, njengokwenkambiso yangaphambili lapho ungumphathindebe wakhe.+ 14 Nokho, ungikhumbule lapho sekukuhambela kahle,+ futhi ngicela ungenzele umusa wothando ukhulume ngami kuFaro,+ ungikhiphe kule ndlu. 15 Ngoba eqinisweni ngathunjwa ezweni lamaHebheru;+ nalapha futhi angenzanga lutho ukuba bangifake kulo mgodi wetilongo.”+
16 Lapho induna yababhaki ibona ukuthi wayenikeze incazelo enhle, nayo yathi kuJosefa: “Nami bengiphupha, bheka, bekukhona obhasikidi abathathu bezinkwa ezimhlophe ekhanda lami, 17 kubhasikidi ophezulu impela bekukhona zonke izinhlobo zezinto ezidliwayo zikaFaro,+ umkhiqizo wombhaki, futhi kukhona izinyoni+ zidla lezo zinto kulowo bhasikidi ophezu kwekhanda lami.” 18 Khona-ke uJosefa waphendula wathi: “Nansi incazelo yalo:+ Obhasikidi abathathu bayizinsuku ezintathu. 19 Ezinsukwini ezintathu kusukela manje uFaro nakanjani uzolisusa ikhanda lakho kuwe, akulengise esigxotsheni;+ izinyoni zidle inyama yakho.”+
20 Ngosuku lwesithathu kwaba usuku lukaFaro lokuzalwa,+ wayesenzela zonke izinceku zakhe idili futhi waphakamisa ikhanda lenduna yabaphathindebe nekhanda lenduna yababhaki phakathi kwezinceku zakhe.+ 21 Ngakho wayibuyisela induna yabaphathindebe esikhundleni sayo sokuba umphathindebe,+ yaqhubeka inika uFaro indebe esandleni sakhe. 22 Kodwa induna yababhaki wayilengisa,+ njengoba nje uJosefa ayezinikeze incazelo.+ 23 Nokho, induna yabaphathindebe ayizange imkhumbule uJosefa kodwa yamkhohlwa.+
41 Kwathi ekupheleni kweminyaka emibili egcwele uFaro waphupha+ emi ngasemfuleni iNayile. 2 Bheka, emfuleni iNayile kwakukhuphuka izinkomo eziyisikhombisa, zizinhle futhi zikhuluphele, zase ziklaba otshanini beNayile.+ 3 Kwaba khona nezinye izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezakhuphuka ngemva kwazo ziphuma emfuleni iNayile, zizimbi futhi zizacile,+ zama eceleni kwezinkomo ezazisosebeni lomfula iNayile. 4 Khona-ke izinkomo ezazizimbi futhi zizacile zaqala ukudla izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezazizinhle futhi zikhuluphele.+ UFaro waphaphama.+
5 Nokho, wabuye walala, waphinde waphupha okwesibili. Bheka, kwakukhona izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa zokusanhlamvu zihluma ohlangeni olulodwa, zinothile zizinhle.+ 6 Futhi kwaba khona izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa zokusanhlamvu, zondile futhi zihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga,+ ezazikhula ngemva kwazo.+ 7 Futhi izikhwebu ezizacile zokusanhlamvu zaqala ukugwinya izikhwebu zokusanhlamvu eziyisikhombisa ezazikhuluphele futhi zigcwele.+ UFaro wabe esephaphama, bheka kwakuyiphupho.
8 Ekuseni umoya wakhe wayaluza.+ Ngakho wathumela wabiza bonke abapristi baseGibhithe abenza imilingo+ nawo wonke amadoda akhona ahlakaniphile,+ uFaro wayesewalandisa amaphupho akhe.+ Kodwa akekho owamchazela wona uFaro.
9 Khona-ke induna yabaphathindebe yakhuluma noFaro,+ yathi: “Namuhla ngiyazikhuluma izono zami.+ 10 UFaro wayezithukuthelele izinceku zakhe.+ Ngakho wangivalela ejele lendlu yenduna yemilindankosi,+ sobabili mina nenduna yababhaki. 11 Ngemva kwalokho sobabili saphupha iphupho ngobusuku obubodwa, sobabili mina nayo. Saphupha yilowo nalowo iphupho lakhe elalinencazelo yalo.+ 12 Kwakukhona kanye nathi lapho insizwa ethile, umHebheru,+ inceku yenduna yemilindankosi.+ Lapho siyilandisa wona,+ yasichazela amaphupho ethu. Yachazela ngamunye ngokwephupho lakhe. 13 Njengoba nje yayisichazele, kwenzeka kanjalo. Mina wangibuyisela esikhundleni sami,+ kodwa yona wayilengisa.”+
14 UFaro wabe esethumela ukuba kubizwe uJosefa,+ ukuba bamlande ngokushesha emgodini wetilongo.+ Ngakho waphuca+ washintsha iziphuku+ zakhe wayeseya kuFaro. 15 Khona-ke uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Ngiphuphé iphupho, kodwa akekho olichazayo. Manje ngizwile ngawe kuthiwa uyakwazi ukuzwa iphupho ulichaze.”+ 16 Khona-ke uJosefa waphendula uFaro, wathi: “Angilutho mina! UNkulunkulu uzomemezela inhlalakahle kuFaro.”+
17 UFaro waqhubeka wakhuluma noJosefa: “Ephusheni lami bheka bengimi osebeni lomfula iNayile. 18 Bheka, kukhuphuke emfuleni iNayile izinkomo eziyisikhombisa zikhuluphele futhi zizinhle, futhi zaqala ukuklaba otshanini beNayile.+ 19 Kukhuphuke nezinye izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ngemva kwazo, zihwabhekile, zizimbi kakhulu futhi zizacile.+ Angikaze ngizibone ezimbi njengazo kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe. 20 Izinkomo ezimbi ezimathambo ziqale ukudla izinkomo zokuqala eziyisikhombisa ezikhuluphele.+ 21 Ngakho lezi zingene eziswini zazo, kodwa ubungeke usho ukuthi zingené eziswini zazo, ngoba bezilokhu zizimbi njengasekuqaleni.+ Ngase ngiphaphama.
22 “Ngemva kwalokho ngibone ephusheni lami izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa zokusanhlamvu zimila ohlangeni olulodwa, zigcwele futhi zizinhle.+ 23 Futhi bekukhona izikhwebu eziyisikhombisa zokusanhlamvu zishwabene, zizincane, zihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga,+ ebezikhula emva kwazo. 24 Izikhwebu zokusanhlamvu ezondile ziqale ukugwinya izikhwebu zokusanhlamvu ezinhle eziyisikhombisa.+ Ngakho ngilishilo kubapristi abenza imilingo,+ kodwa akekho noyedwa ongichazele.”+
25 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kuFaro: “Iphupho likaFaro linye. Lokho uNkulunkulu weqiniso akwenzayo ukutshelé uFaro.+ 26 Izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezinhle ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa. Ngokufanayo nezikhwebu eziyisikhombisa ezinhle zokusanhlamvu ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa. Iphupho linye. 27 Izinkomo eziyisikhombisa ezimathambo futhi ezimbi ezikhuphuka ngemva kwazo ziyiminyaka eyisikhombisa; nezikhwebu eziyisikhombisa zokusanhlamvu ezingenalutho, ezihangulwe umoya wasempumalanga,+ ziyoba iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala.+ 28 Yilokhu engikukhulumé kuFaro: Lokho uNkulunkulu weqiniso akwenzayo ubangele ukuba uFaro akubone.+
29 “Bheka, kuza iminyaka eyisikhombisa enenala enkulu kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe. 30 Kodwa ngokuqinisekile kuzoba khona iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala ngemva kwayo, futhi yonke inala yasezweni laseGibhithe iyolitshalwa ngokuqinisekile, indlala imane iliqothule izwe.+ 31 Ngeke kusaziwa ukuthi kwake kwaba nenala ezweni ngenxa yendlala eyoba khona kamuva, ngoba ngokuqinisekile iyoba nzima kakhulu. 32 Futhi ukuthi iphupho liphindwe kabili kuFaro kusho ukuthi le nto imi iqinile kuNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ futhi uNkulunkulu weqiniso uzoyenza ngokushesha.+
33 “Ngakho manje uFaro makafune indoda eqondayo futhi ehlakaniphile ayibeke phezu kwezwe laseGibhithe.+ 34 UFaro makathathe isinyathelo amise ababonisi phezu kwezwe,+ futhi athathe ingxenye yesihlanu yezwe laseGibhithe phakathi neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala.+ 35 Mabaqoqe konke ukudla kwale minyaka emihle ezayo, banqwabelanise okusanhlamvu ngaphansi kwesandla sikaFaro kube ngukudla emizini,+ futhi bakulonde. 36 Lokho kudla kuyoba ngukudla kwezwe ngale minyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala, ezoba khona ezweni laseGibhithe,+ ukuze izwe lingaqedwa yindlala.”+
37 Le nto yaba yinhle emehlweni kaFaro nakuzo zonke izinceku zakhe.+ 38 Ngakho uFaro wathi ezincekwini zakhe: “Angatholakala yini omunye umuntu onjengalona, onomoya kaNkulunkulu?”+ 39 Ngemva kwalokho uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Njengoba uNkulunkulu ekubangele ukuba wazi konke lokhu,+ akekho umuntu onokuqonda futhi ohlakaniphe njengawe.+ 40 Wena ngokwakho uzophatha indlu+ yami, futhi bonke abantu bami bazokulalela ngokuphelele.+ Ngizoba mkhulu kunawe ngokuqondene nesihlalo sobukhosi kuphela.”+ 41 UFaro wanezela kuJosefa: “Bheka, ngikubeka phezu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe.”+ 42 Ngalokho uFaro wakhipha indandatho yakhe yophawu+ esandleni sakhe wayifaka esandleni sikaJosefa, wamgqokisa izembatho zelineni elicolekile wagaxa umgexo wegolide entanyeni yakhe.+ 43 Ngaphezu kwalokho, wamgibelisa enqoleni yesibili yodumo ayenayo,+ ukuze bamemeze ngaphambi kwakhe bathi, “Avurekhi!” kanjalo embeka phezu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe.
44 Futhi uFaro waqhubeka wathi kuJosefa: “Yimi uFaro, kodwa akukho muntu ongaphakamisa isandla sakhe noma unyawo lwakhe kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe engagunyazwanga nguwe.”+ 45 Ngemva kwalokho uFaro waqamba uJosefa ngokuthi uZafenati-phaneya futhi wamganisela u-Asenati+ indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni.+ UJosefa waqala ukuhamba izwe laseGibhithe.+ 46 UJosefa wayeneminyaka engamashumi amathathu ubudala+ lapho ema phambi kukaFaro inkosi yaseGibhithe.
Khona-ke uJosefa waphuma phambi kukaFaro walihamba lonke izwe laseGibhithe. 47 Phakathi neminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala izwe laqhubeka likhiqiza kakhulu.+ 48 Wayelokhu eqoqa konke ukudla kwale minyaka eyisikhombisa eyafikela izwe laseGibhithe futhi ebeka lokho kudla emizini.+ Ukudla kwensimu ezungeze umuzi wayekubeka phakathi nawo.+ 49 UJosefa waqhubeka enqwabelanisa okusanhlamvu kwaba kuningi kakhulu,+ njengesihlabathi solwandle, ekugcineni bayeka ukukubala, ngoba kwakungasabaleki.+
50 Ngaphambi kokuba kufike unyaka wendlala uJosefa wazala amadodana+ amabili, u-Asenati indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni amzalela wona. 51 Ngakho uJosefa waqamba izibulo ngokuthi uManase,+ ngoba, uma simcaphuna, “UNkulunkulu ungenzé ngazikhohlwa zonke izinkathazo zami nayo yonke indlu kababa.”+ 52 Eyesibili wayiqamba ngokuthi u-Efrayimi,+ ngoba, uma simcaphuna, “UNkulunkulu ungenzé nganda ezweni losizi lwami.”+
53 Ekugcineni yaphela iminyaka eyisikhombisa yenala eyaba khona ezweni laseGibhithe,+ 54 yaqala ukufika iminyaka eyisikhombisa yendlala, njengoba nje uJosefa ayeshilo.+ Le ndlala yaba khona kuwo wonke amazwe, kodwa kulo lonke izwe laseGibhithe sasitholakala isinkwa.+ 55 Ekugcineni lonke izwe laseGibhithe labulawa yindlala abantu baqala ukukhala kuFaro becela isinkwa.+ Khona-ke uFaro wathi kuwo wonke amaGibhithe: “Yanini kuJosefa. Noma yini ayishoyo kini, niyenze.”+ 56 Indlala yaba khona phezu kwabo bonke ubuso bomhlaba.+ Khona-ke uJosefa waqala ukuvula zonke izinqolobane zokusanhlamvu ezaziphakathi kwabo, wawathengisela amaGibhithe,+ njengoba indlala yayinzima kakhulu ezweni laseGibhithe. 57 Ngaphezu kwalokho, abantu bawo wonke umhlaba beza eGibhithe bezothenga kuJosefa, ngoba indlala yayinzima kakhulu kuwo wonke umhlaba.+
42 Ekugcineni uJakobe wabona ukuthi kwakukhona okusanhlamvu eGibhithe.+ Khona-ke uJakobe wathi emadodaneni akhe: “Kungani nilokhu nibukana?” 2 Wanezela wathi: “Bhekani ngizwile ukuthi kukhona okusanhlamvu eGibhithe.+ Yehlelani khona nisithengele khona, ukuze siqhubeke siphila, singafi.” 3 Ngakho abafowabo+ bakaJosefa abayishumi behla bayothenga okusanhlamvu eGibhithe. 4 Kodwa uJakobe akamthumelanga uBhenjamini,+ umfowabo kaJosefa, kanye nabanye abafowabo, ngoba wathi: “Funa ehlelwe yingozi afe.”+
5 Ngakho amadodana ka-Israyeli afika kanye nabanye ababefika bezothenga, ngoba le ndlala yayikhona nasezweni laseKhanani.+ 6 UJosefa nguye owayesesikhundleni sokuphatha ezweni.+ Nguye owayethengisela bonke abantu bomhlaba.+ Ngenxa yalokho abafowabo bakaJosefa beza bakhothama kuye ubuso babo bubheke phansi emhlabathini.+ 7 Lapho uJosefa ebona abafowabo, wabazi ngaso leso sikhathi, kodwa wenza ukuba bangaboni ukuthi nguye.+ Ngakho wakhuluma nabo ngokhahlo wathi kubo: “Nivelaphi?” bona bathi: “Sivela ezweni laseKhanani sizothenga ukudla.”+
8 Kanjalo uJosefa wababona abafowabo, kodwa bona abambonanga. 9 Ngokushesha uJosefa wakhumbula amaphupho ayewaphuphile ngokuqondene nabo,+ waqhubeka wathi kubo: “Niyizinhloli! Nizé ukuzobona ubunjalo bezwe!”+ 10 Khona-ke bathi kuye: “Cha, nkosi yami,+ izinceku+ zakho zizé ukuzothenga ukudla. 11 Sonke singamadodana omuntu oyedwa. Singabantu abaqotho. Izinceku zakho azizona izinhloli.”+ 12 Kodwa wathi kubo: “Akunjalo! Nizé ukuzobona ubunjalo bezwe!”+ 13 Khona-ke bathi: “Izinceku zakho ziyizelamani eziyishumi nambili.+ Singamadodana omuntu oyedwa+ ezweni laseKhanani; futhi bheka omncane kunathi sonke unobaba namuhla,+ kanti omunye akasekho.”+
14 Nokho, uJosefa wathi kubo: “Kunjengoba ngishilo kini, ngithi, ‘Niyizinhloli!’ 15 Nizovivinywa ngalokhu. Kuphila kukaFaro, ngeke niphume lapha ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu omncane eze lapha.+ 16 Thumani oyedwa kini ukuba alande umfowenu ngesikhathi nina niboshiwe, ukuze amazwi enu avivinywe ukuthi ayiqiniso yini kule ndaba yenu.+ Uma kungenjalo, khona-ke, kuphila kukaFaro, niyizinhloli.” 17 Wabe esebavalela ndawonye izinsuku ezintathu.
18 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wathi kubo ngosuku lwesithathu: “Yenzani lokhu niphile. Ngiyamesaba+ uNkulunkulu weqiniso. 19 Uma ningabantu abaqotho, oyedwa kubafowenu makagcinwe eboshiwe endlini ebenivalelwe+ kuyo, kodwa nonke nina abanye hambani, thathani okusanhlamvu ukuze nithibe indlala esemizini yenu.+ 20 Khona-ke nizoletha umfowenu omncane kimi, ukuze amazwi enu atholakale ethembekile; ningafi.”+ Base benza kanjalo.
21 Base bethi omunye komunye: “Ngokungangabazeki sinecala ngomfowethu,+ ngoba salubona usizi lomphefumulo wakhe lapho enxusa ububele kithi, kodwa asilalelanga. Yingakho lolu sizi lusehlele.”+ 22 Khona-ke uRubeni wabaphendula, wathi: “Angishongo yini kini ukuthi, ‘Ningoni kumntwana,’ kodwa nangalalela?+ Manje igazi lakhe, bheka liyabizwa.”+ 23 Kepha bona, babengazi ukuthi uJosefa wayelalele, ngoba kwakukhona umhumushi phakathi kwabo. 24 Ngenxa yalokho wabafulathela wakhala.+ Khona-ke wabuyela kubo wakhuluma nabo wayesethatha uSimeyoni+ kubo wambopha phambi kwamehlo abo.+ 25 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wanikeza umyalo, base begcwalisa amasaka abo ngokusanhlamvu. Futhi, kwakufanele babuyisele imali yalowo nalowo esakeni+ lakhe babanike nomphako wendlela.+ Ngakho kwenziwa kanjalo kubo.
26 Khona-ke balayisha okusanhlamvu kwabo ezimbongolweni basuka lapho bahamba. 27 Lapho omunye wabo evula isaka lakhe ukuze anike imbongolo yakhe ifolishi endaweni ababengenise kuyo,+ wabona, bheka imali yakhe yayisemlonyeni wesaka lakhe.+ 28 Khona-ke wathi kubafowabo: “Imali yami ibuyisiwe, nansi esakeni lami!” Khona-ke izinhliziyo zabo zashona phansi, kangangokuthi baphendukela komunye nomunye bethuthumela,+ bethi: “Yini le uNkulunkulu asenzé yona?”+
29 Ekugcineni bafika kuJakobe uyise ezweni laseKhanani bamtshela zonke izinto ezazibehlele, bathi: 30 “Umuntu oyinkosi yezwe ukhulume nathi ngokhahlo,+ njengoba ecabangé ukuthi singabantu abazohlola izwe.+ 31 Kodwa sithe kuye, ‘Singabantu abaqotho.+ Asizona izinhloli. 32 Siyizelamani eziyishumi nambili,+ amadodana kababa.+ Oyedwa akasekho,+ kodwa omncane kunathi sonke ukanye nobaba namuhla ezweni laseKhanani.’+ 33 Kodwa lowaya muntu oyinkosi yezwe uthe kithi,+ ‘Ngizokwazi ngalokhu ukuthi ningabantu abaqotho:+ Oyedwa wabafowenu makasale nami.+ Nina thathani okuthile kokuthiba indlala esemizini yenu, nihambe.+ 34 Nilethe umfowenu omncane kimi, ukuze ngazi ukuthi anizona izinhloli, niqotho. Ngizonibuyisela umfowenu, futhi ningahweba ezweni.’”+
35 Kwathi lapho bethulula amasaka abo bheka isishuqulu semali salowo nalowo sasisesakeni lakhe. Bona kanye noyise bazibona izishuqulu zabo zemali, futhi bafikelwa ukwesaba. 36 Khona-ke uJakobe uyise wababaza wathi kubo: “Yimina enimephucé abantwana!+ UJosefa akasekho, noSimeyoni akasekho,+ noBhenjamini futhi nizomthatha! Zonke lezi zinto zehlele mina!” 37 Kodwa uRubeni wathi kuyise: “Ungawabulala amadodana ami amabili uma ngingambuyiseli kuwe.+ Mnikele esandleni sami, yimi engizombuyisela kuwe.”+ 38 Nokho, wathi: “Indodana yami ngeke yehle nani, ngoba umfowabo ufile futhi isisele yodwa.+ Uma ingehlelwa yingozi ife endleleni enizoyihamba, khona-ke nakanjani niyokwehlisela izinwele zami ezimpunga eShiyoli+ ngosizi.”
43 Indlala yayinzima ezweni.+ 2 Kwathi lapho nje sebekudle bakuqeda okusanhlamvu ababekulande eGibhithe,+ uyise wathi kubo: “Buyelani niyosithengela ukudlana.”+ 3 Khona-ke uJuda wathi kuye:+ “Lowaya muntu wafakaza ngokucacile kithi, wathi, ‘Akumelwe niphinde nibone ubuso bami ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu enani.’+ 4 Uma umthuma umfowethu kanye nathi,+ sizimisele ukwehla siyokuthengela ukudla. 5 Kodwa uma ungamthumi, ngeke sehle, ngoba lowaya muntu wathi kithi, ‘Akumelwe niphinde nibone ubuso bami ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu enani.’”+ 6 U-Israyeli wathi:+ “Ningilimazeleni ngokutshela lowo muntu ukuthi ninomunye umfowenu?” 7 Kulokhu bathi: “Lo muntu wabuza ngokuqondile ngathi nezihlobo zethu, wathi, ‘Uyihlo usaphila?+ Ninaye omunye umfowenu?’ futhi samtshela ngokwawo wonke la maqiniso.+ Sasizokwazi ngani ngokuqinisekile ukuthi wayezothi, ‘Yehlisani umfowenu’?”+
8 Ekugcineni uJuda wathi ku-Israyeli uyise: “Mthume nami umfana,+ ukuze sisuke sihambe futhi siphile singafi,+ thina nawe nabantwana bethu abancane.+ 9 Yimi engizoba isibambiso sakhe.+ Uyibize esandleni sami inhlawulo ngaye.+ Uma ngihluleka ukumbuyisa kuwe ngimethule kuwe, khona-ke ngiyobe ngonile kuwe phakade. 10 Kodwa ukube asilibalanga ngabe sesihambe sabuya manje nakulokhu okwesibili.”+
11 Ngakho u-Israyeli uyise wathi kubo: “Uma-ke kunjalo,+ yenzani lokhu: Thathani imikhiqizo yezwe emihle kunayo yonke niyithwale ngezitsha zenu nehle nayo ibe yisipho+ kulowo muntu: ibhalsamu+ elincane, uju oluncane,+ ilabhidanu negxolo elinenhlaka,+ amantongomane ephistakhiyo nama-alimondi.+ 12 Futhi, thathani imali ephindwe kabili esandleni senu; imali eyabuyiswa isemlonyeni wamasaka enu niyibuyisele ngesandla senu.+ Mhlawumbe kube yiphutha.+ 13 Thathani umfowenu nisuke, nibuyele kulowo muntu. 14 Kwangathi uNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke anganinika isihawu phambi kwalowo muntu,+ ukuze ngokuqinisekile anikhululele umfowenu omunye kanye noBhenjamini. Kodwa mina, uma kumelwe ngiphucwe abantwana, ngiyokwephucwa!”+
15 Ngalokho la madoda asithatha lesi sipho, aphatha esandleni sawo imali ephindwe kabili noBhenjamini. Khona-ke asuka ehlela eGibhithe futhi ema phambi kukaJosefa.+ 16 Lapho uJosefa ebona uBhenjamini ekanye nabo, ngaso leso sikhathi wathi endodeni eyayengamele indlu yakhe: “Thatha la madoda uwayise endlini uhlabe izilwane ulungiselele,+ ngoba la madoda azodla nami emini.” 17 Ngokushesha leyo ndoda yenza njengoba nje uJosefa ayeshilo.+ Ngakho le ndoda yawathatha amadoda yawayisa endlini kaJosefa. 18 Kodwa la madoda afikelwa ngukwesaba ngoba eyiswe endlini+ kaJosefa, aqala ukuthi: “Basilethé lapha ukuze basithelekele basihlasele, basenze izigqila thina kanye nezimbongolo zethu ngenxa yemali esabuyela nayo emuva isemasakeni ethu ekuqaleni!”+
19 Ngakho asondela kule ndoda eyayengamele indlu kaJosefa akhuluma nayo emnyango wendlu, 20 athi: “Uxolo, nkosi yami! Ngokuqinisekile seza lapha ekuqaleni sizothenga ukudla.+ 21 Kodwa okwenzeka ukuthi lapho sifika endaweni yokungenisa+ futhi sivula amasaka ethu, bheka, imali yalowo nalowo wethu yayisemlonyeni wesaka lakhe, imali yethu ngesilinganiso esigcwele. Ngakho singathanda ukuyibuyisa ngezandla zethu.+ 22 Futhi siphethe enye imali ezandleni zethu yokuthenga ukudla. Asazi ngempela ukuthi ubani owafaka imali yethu emasakeni ethu.”+ 23 Khona-ke wathi: “Kulungile. Ningesabi.+ UNkulunkulu wenu noNkulunkulu kayihlo uninike ingcebo emasakeni enu.+ Imali yenu yafika kimi kuqala.” Ngemva kwalokho wabakhiphela uSimeyoni.+
24 Khona-ke lo muntu wawangenisa endlini kaJosefa la madoda wawanika amanzi ukuze ageze+ izinyawo zawo, wanika izimbongolo zawo ifolishi.+ 25 Abe eselungisa isipho+ esilungisela ukufika kukaJosefa emini, ngoba ayezwile ukuthi ayezosidlela lapho isinkwa.+ 26 Lapho uJosefa engena endlini, asiletha endlini isipho esasisesandleni sawo, awa ngobuso phansi.+ 27 Ngemva kwalokhu wabuza ukuthi ayesaqhuba kahle yini, ethi:+ “Ingabe uyihlo, indoda endala enakhuluma ngayo, usaqhuba kahle? Usaphila?”+ 28 Athi: “Inceku yakho ubaba usaqhuba kahle. Usaphila.” Khona-ke akhothama awa ngobuso.+
29 Lapho ephakamisa amehlo akhe futhi ebona uBhenjamini umfowabo, indodana kanina,+ waqhubeka wathi: “Ingabe lo ngumfowenu, omncane kunani nonke enakhuluma ngaye kimi?”+ Wayesenezela: “Kwangathi uNkulunkulu angakubonisa umusa+ wakhe, ndodana yami.” 30 Manje uJosefa wayeseshesha, ngoba wavukwa umunyu ngomfowabo,+ kangangokuthi wafuna indawo ayezokhalela kuyo wangena ekamelweni elingaphakathi wakhala izinyembezi.+ 31 Ngemva kwalokho wageza ubuso waphuma wazibamba wayesethi:+ “Bekani ukudla.”+ 32 Babe sebembekela kona yena yedwa nawo bawabekela wodwa namaGibhithe ayedla naye bawabekela wodwa; ngoba amaGibhithe ayengakwazi ukudla ukudla namaHebheru, ngoba lokho kuyinto enengekayo kumaGibhithe.+
33 Ayehlezi phambi kwakhe, oyizibulo ngokwelungelo lakhe lobuzibulo+ nomncane ngokobuncane bakhe; la madoda ayelokhu ebukana emangele. 34 Wayelokhu ewathumelela izabelo zisuka phambi kwakhe, kodwa ubukhulu besabelo sikaBhenjamini wayebandisa ngokuphindwe kahlanu kunesawo wonke amanye.+ Kanjalo aqhubeka edla lelo dili futhi ephuza kanye naye aze aneliseka.+
44 Kamuva wayala indoda eyayiphethe indlu yakhe,+ wathi: “Gcwalisa amasaka ala madoda ngokudla ngesilinganiso angase akwazi ukusithwala bese ubeka imali yaleyo naleyo kuwo emlonyeni wesaka layo.+ 2 Kodwa kumelwe ubeke indebe yami, indebe yesiliva, emlonyeni wesaka lomncane kanye nemali yokusanhlamvu kwakhe.” Ngakho yenza ngokwezwi uJosefa ayelikhulumile.+
3 Kwase kusile lapho la madoda emukiswa,+ kokubili wona nezimbongolo zawo. 4 Aphuma emzini. Ayengakabi kude lapho uJosefa ethi kule ndoda eyayiphethe indlu yakhe: “Suka! Wajahe la madoda uqiniseke ukuthi uyawafica bese uthi kuwo, ‘Nibuyiseleni okuhle ngokubi?+ 5 Akuyona yini le into inkosi yami ephuza ngayo nefunda ngayo amabika ngobuchwepheshe?+ Nenze isenzo esibi.’”
6 Ekugcineni yawafica yakhuluma la mazwi kuwo. 7 Kodwa wona athi kuyo: “Kungani inkosi yami ikhuluma amazwi anje? Kuyinto engacabangeki ukuthi izinceku zakho zingenza into enjengale. 8 Ingani imali esayithola emilonyeni yamasaka ethu siyibuyisele kuwe sivela ezweni laseKhanani.+ Khona-ke besingaleba kanjani isiliva noma igolide endlini yenkosi yakho?+ 9 Lowo ezigqileni zakho engatholakala kuye makafe, thina ngokwethu sibe izigqila zenkosi yami.”+ 10 Ngakho yathi: “Manje makube njengokwamazwi enu.+ Ngakho lowo ezotholakala kuye uzoba isigqila sami,+ kodwa nina nizoba msulwa.” 11 Ngalokho ehlisa masinyane yilowo nalowo isaka lakhe, avula yilowo nalowo isaka lakhe. 12 Yaqala ukufuna ngokucophelela. Yaqala ngomdala yagcina ngomncane. Ekugcineni indebe yatholakala esakeni likaBhenjamini.+
13 Khona-ke aklebhula iziphuku+ zawo aqukula yilowo nalowo umthwalo wakhe ayibuyisela ezimbongolweni zawo abuyela emzini. 14 UJuda+ nabafowabo bangena endlini kaJosefa, wayeselapho; babe sebewela phansi phambi kwakhe.+ 15 UJosefa manje wathi kubo: “Senzo sini lesi enisenzile? Beningazi ukuthi umuntu onjengami uyakwazi ukufunda amabika ngobuchwepheshe?”+ 16 Kulokhu uJuda wababaza: “Singathini enkosini yami? Singakhuluma sithini? Futhi singazibonakalisa kanjani silungile?+ UNkulunkulu weqiniso usitholile isiphambeko sezigqila zakho.+ Bheka, siyizigqila zenkosi yami,+ kokubili thina nalowo indebe etholakale esandleni sakhe!” 17 Nokho, wathi: “Kuyinto engacabangeki ukuba ngenze lokhu!+ Umuntu etholakale esandleni sakhe indebe nguye ozoba isigqila sami.+ Kepha nonke nina abanye, khuphukelani kuyihlo ngokuthula.”+
18 Manje uJuda wasondela kuye wathi: “Ngiyakuncenga, nkosi yami, ngicela uvumele inceku yakho ikhulume izwi enkosini yami,+ futhi ungavumeli intukuthelo+ yakho iyivuthele inceku yakho, ngoba wena uyafana noFaro.+ 19 Inkosi yami yabuza izinceku zayo, yathi, ‘Ninaye uyihlo noma umfowenu?’ 20 Ngakho sathi enkosini yami, ‘Sinobaba osemdala nomntwana wokuguga kwakhe, omncane kunathi sonke.+ Kodwa umfowabo wafa ngakho kusele yena yedwa kunina,+ futhi uyise uyamthanda.’ 21 Ngemva kwalokho wathi ezincekwini zakho, ‘Mehliseleni lapha kimi ukuze ngimbone.’+ 22 Kodwa sathi enkosini yami, ‘Umfana akakwazi ukushiya uyise. Uma emshiya uyise, ngokuqinisekile angafa.’+ 23 Khona-ke wathi ezincekwini zakho, ‘Ngaphandle kokuba umfowenu omncane ehle kanye nani, ningephinde nibone ubuso bami.’+
24 “Ngakho sakhuphukela encekwini yakho ubaba samtshela amazwi enkosi yami. 25 Kamuva ubaba wathi, ‘Buyelani nisithengele ukudlana.’+ 26 Kodwa sathi, ‘Asikwazi ukwehla. Uma umfowethu omncane ekanye nathi sizokwehla, ngoba asikwazi ukubona ubuso balowaya muntu uma umfowethu omncane engenathi.’+ 27 Khona-ke inceku yakho ubaba yathi kithi, ‘Nina ngokwenu nazi kahle ukuthi umkami wangizalela amadodana amabili kuphela.+ 28 Kamuva oyedwa wangishiya ngababaza ngathi: “Awu, kumelwe ukuthi nakanjani udwenguliwe!”+ futhi angizange ngimbone kuze kube manje. 29 Uma ningathatha nalo nimsuse emehlweni ami abese ehlelwa yingozi afe, nakanjani niyozehlisela eShiyoli+ ngenhlekelele izinwele zami ezimpunga.’
30 “Manje, uma nje ngingafika encekwini yakho ubaba umfana engekho kanye nathi, kanti umphefumulo wakhe unamathelene nomphefumulo wakhe,+ 31 khona-ke ngokuqinisekile kuzothi lapho nje ebona ukuthi umfana akekho avele afe, futhi izinceku zakho ngempela ziyozehlisela eShiyoli ngosizi izinwele ezimpunga zenceku yakho ubaba. 32 Ngoba inceku yakho ibé isibambiso+ somfana lapho engekho kuyise, ithi, ‘Uma ngihluleka ukumbuyisela kuwe, khona-ke ngizobe ngonile kubaba kuze kube phakade.’+ 33 Ngakho manje, siza uvumele inceku yakho isale esikhundleni somfana njengesigqila senkosi yami, ukuze umfana akhuphuke kanye nabafowabo.+ 34 Ngoba ngingakhuphukela kanjani kubaba umfana engenami, funa ngibone inhlekelele ezokwehlela ubaba?”+
45 UJosefa wayengasakwazi ukuzibamba phambi kwabo bonke ababemi ngakuye.+ Ngakho wakhamuluka: “Yalani ukuba kuphume wonke umuntu!” Akekho owama naye lapho uJosefa ezazisa kubafowabo.+
2 Waphakamisa izwi ekhala,+ kangangokuthi amaGibhithe ezwa nendlu kaFaro yezwa. 3 Ekugcineni uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “NginguJosefa. Ingabe ubaba usaphila?” Kodwa abafowabo babengakwazi nhlobo ukumphendula, ngoba babephazamisekile ngenxa yakhe.+ 4 Ngakho uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “Sondelani kimi, ngiyanicela.” Base besondela.
Khona-ke wathi: “NginguJosefa umfowenu, enamthengisa eGibhithe.+ 5 Kodwa manje ningezwa ubuhlungu+ futhi ningazithukutheleli ngokuthi nangithengisa lapha; ngoba uNkulunkulu wangithumela ngaphambi kwenu ukuze kulondolozwe ukuphila.+ 6 Ngoba lona unyaka wesibili wendlala emhlabeni,+ futhi kusasele iminyaka emihlanu okungayikulinywa noma kuvunwe ngayo.+ 7 Ngakho uNkulunkulu wangithumela ngaphambi kwenu ukuze anibekele insali+ emhlabeni futhi anigcine niphila ngokuphunyuka okukhulu. 8 Ngakho-ke akunina enangithumela lapha,+ kodwa nguNkulunkulu weqiniso, ukuze angimise ngibe ubaba+ kuFaro nenkosi yayo yonke indlu yakhe nokuba ngibe obusa phezu kwalo lonke izwe laseGibhithe.
9 “Khuphukani masinyane niye kubaba, nithi kuye, ‘Nakhu indodana yakho uJosefa ekushilo: “UNkulunkulu ungimise ukuba ngibe inkosi phezu kwalo lonke elaseGibhithe.+ Yehlela kimi. Ungalibali. 10 Uzohlala ezweni laseGosheni,+ futhi uzoqhubeka useduze kwami, wena namadodana akho namadodana amadodana akho nemihlambi yakho yezimvu nemihlambi yakho yezinkomo nakho konke onakho. 11 Ngizokunika ukudla lapho, ngoba kusasele iminyaka emihlanu yendlala;+ funa wena nendlu yakho nakho konke onakho nibe mpofu.”’ 12 Bhekani, amehlo enu namehlo omfowethu uBhenjamini ayabona ukuthi ngumlomo wami okhuluma nani.+ 13 Ngakho kumelwe nitshele ubaba ngayo yonke inkazimulo yami eGibhithe nangakho konke enikubonile; futhi kumelwe nisheshe nehlisele ubaba lapha.”
14 Khona-ke wawela entanyeni kaBhenjamini umfowabo wakhala, noBhenjamini wakhala entanyeni yakhe.+ 15 Wabe esebanga bonke abafowabo wakhala phezu kwabo,+ ngemva kwalokho abafowabo bakhuluma naye.
16 Lezi zindaba zezwakala endlini kaFaro, kuthiwa: “Kufiké abafowabo bakaJosefa!” Kwaba kuhle emehlweni kaFaro nawezinceku zakhe.+ 17 Ngakho uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Wothi kubafowenu, ‘Yenzani lokhu: Thwesani izilwane zenu ezithwalayo nihambe ningene ezweni laseKhanani,+ 18 nithathe uyihlo nabezindlu zenu nize lapha kimi, ukuze ngininike okuhle kwezwe laseGibhithe; nidle ingxenye enonile yezwe.+ 19 Nakhu wena oyalwa ngakho:+ “Yenza lokhu: Zithatheleni izinqola+ ezweni laseGibhithe nithathele nabancane benu nomkenu, nigibelise uyihlo kwenye nize lapha.+ 20 Ningalivumeli iso lenu lidabukele impahla yenu,+ ngoba ubuhle balo lonke izwe laseGibhithe bungobenu.”’”+
21 Ngemva kwalokho amadodana ka-Israyeli enza kanjalo, uJosefa wawanika izinqola ngokwemiyalo kaFaro, wawanika nemiphako+ yendlela. 22 Wanika ngamunye isiphuku sokushintsha,+ kodwa uBhenjamini wamnika izinhlamvu zesiliva ezingamakhulu amathathu neziphuku zokushintsha ezinhlanu.+ 23 Uyise wamthumelela lokhu okulandelayo: izimbongolo eziyishumi ezithwele izinto ezinhle zaseGibhithe nezimbongolokazi eziyishumi ezithwele okusanhlamvu nesinkwa nokokusekela uyise endleleni. 24 Kanjalo wabamukisa abafowabo, bahamba. Nokho, wathi kubo: “Ningathukuthelelani endleleni.”+
25 Bakhuphuka bephuma eGibhithe ekugcineni bafika ezweni laseKhanani kuJakobe uyise. 26 Khona-ke bambikela, bethi: “UJosefa usaphila, futhi nguye obusa lonke izwe laseGibhithe!”+ Kodwa inhliziyo yakhe yaba ndikindiki, ngoba akabakholelwanga.+ 27 Lapho beqhubeka bekhuluma naye wonke amazwi uJosefa ayewakhulume nabo futhi ebona izinqola uJosefa ayezithumele ukuba zimthwale, umoya kaJakobe uyise waqala ukuvuseleleka.+ 28 Khona-ke u-Israyeli wababaza wathi: “Kwanele! UJosefa indodana yami usaphila! Awu, mangihambe ngiyombona ngaphambi kokuba ngife!”+
46 Ngalokho u-Israyeli nabo bonke ababengabakhe basuka bafika eBheri-sheba,+ wayesenza imihlatshelo kuNkulunkulu kayise u-Isaka.+ 2 Khona-ke uNkulunkulu wakhuluma no-Israyeli emibonweni yasebusuku wathi:+ “Jakobe, Jakobe!” yena wathi: “Ngilapha!”+ 3 Waqhubeka wathi: “NginguNkulunkulu weqiniso,+ uNkulunkulu kayihlo.+ Ungesabi ukwehlela eGibhithe, ngoba lapho ngizokwenza ube isizwe esikhulu.+ 4 Mina ngokwami ngizokwehlela nawe eGibhithe futhi ngizokukhuphula nakanjani;+ futhi uJosefa uzobeka isandla sakhe phezu kwamehlo akho.”+
5 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wakhuphuka waphuma eBheri-sheba, futhi amadodana ka-Israyeli aqhubeka ethutha uJakobe uyise nabancane bawo nawomkawo ngezinqola uFaro ayezithumele ukuba zimthuthe.+ 6 Ngaphezu kwalokho, bathatha nemihlambi yabo nezimpahla zabo, ababekuqongelele ezweni laseKhanani.+ Ekugcineni bafika eGibhithe, uJakobe nayo yonke inzalo yakhe kanye naye. 7 Wathatha amadodana akhe namadodana amadodana akhe kanye naye, amadodakazi akhe namadodakazi amadodana akhe, yebo yonke inzalo yakhe, kanye naye waya nayo eGibhithe.+
8 Manje lawa ngamagama amadodana ka-Israyeli aya eGibhithe:+ UJakobe namadodana akhe: Izibulo likaJakobe kwakunguRubeni.+
9 Amadodana kaRubeni kwakunguHanoki noPhalu noHezironi noKarmi.+
10 Amadodana kaSimeyoni+ kwakunguJemuweli noJamini no-Ohadi noJakini+ noZohari noShawule+ indodana yowesifazane ongumKhanani.
11 Amadodana kaLevi+ kwakunguGereshoni,+ uKohati+ noMerari.+
12 Amadodana kaJuda+ kwakungu-Eri+ no-Onani+ noShela+ noPherezi+ noZera.+ Nokho, u-Eri no-Onani bafela ezweni laseKhanani.+
Amadodana kaPherezi kwaba nguHezironi+ noHamule.+
13 Amadodana ka-Isakare+ kwakunguThola+ noPhuva+ no-Iyobhi noShimroni.+
14 Amadodana kaZebhuloni+ kwakunguSeredi no-Eloni noJahaliyeli.+
15 Lawa ngamadodana kaLeya,+ awazalela uJakobe ePhadani-aramu, kanye nendodakazi yakhe uDina.+ Isiyonke imiphefumulo yamadodana neyamadodakazi akhe yayingamashumi amathathu nantathu.
16 Amadodana kaGadi+ kwakunguZifiyoni noHagi, uShuni no-Eziboni, u-Erayi no-Arodi no-Areli.+
17 Amadodana ka-Asheri+ kwakungu-Imna no-Ishiva no-Ishivi noBheriya,+ kwakukhona noSera udadewabo.
Amadodana kaBheriya kwakunguHebhere noMalikhiyeli.+
18 Lawa ngamadodana kaZilipha,+ lowo uLabani amnika indodakazi yakhe uLeya. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wamzalela laba uJakobe: imiphefumulo eyishumi nesithupha.
19 Amadodana kaRaheli,+ umkaJakobe, kwakunguJosefa+ noBhenjamini.+
20 Ezweni laseGibhithe uJosefa wazalelwa uManase+ no-Efrayimi,+ amzalela bona u-Asinati+ indodakazi kaPotifera umpristi wase-Oni.
21 Amadodana kaBhenjamini kwakunguBhela+ noBhekeri+ no-Ashibheli, uGera+ noNahamani,+ u-Ehi noRoshe, uMuphimi+ noHuphimi+ no-Arida.
22 Lawa ngamadodana kaRaheli azalelwa uJakobe. Isiyonke imiphefumulo yayiyishumi nane.
23 Amadodana kaDani+ kwakunguHushimi.+
24 Amadodana kaNafetali+ kwakunguJahaziyeli noGuni+ noJezeri noShilemi.+
25 Lawa ngamadodana kaBhiliha,+ lowo uLabani amnika indodakazi yakhe uRaheli. Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi wamzalela laba uJakobe; isiyonke imiphefumulo yayiyisikhombisa.
26 Yonke imiphefumulo eyeza kuJakobe eGibhithe yileyo eyaphuma ethangeni lakhe,+ ngaphandle kwabafazi bamadodana kaJakobe. Isiyonke imiphefumulo yayingamashumi ayisithupha nesithupha. 27 Amadodana kaJosefa azalelwa wona eGibhithe kwakuyimiphefumulo emibili. Isiyonke imiphefumulo yendlu kaJakobe eyaya eGibhithe yayingamashumi ayisikhombisa.+
28 Wathumela uJuda+ ngaphambi kwakhe ukuba aye kuJosefa adlulisele ukwaziswa ngaphambi kwakhe eGosheni. Ngemva kwalokho bafika ezweni laseGosheni.+ 29 Khona-ke uJosefa wayala ukuba kulungiswe inqola yakhe wayesekhuphuka eyohlangabeza u-Israyeli uyise eGosheni.+ Lapho eqhamukela kuye wawela entanyeni yakhe ngaso leso sikhathi wakhala izinyembezi entanyeni yakhe ngokuphindaphindiwe.+ 30 Ekugcineni u-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Manje ngiyavuma ukufa,+ njengoba sengibubonile ubuso bakho, njengoba usaphila.”
31 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kubafowabo nakwabendlu kayise: “Mangikhuphuke ngiyobika kuFaro ngithi kuye,+ ‘Abafowethu nabantu bendlu kababa ababesezweni laseKhanani sebefikile lapha kimi.+ 32 La madoda angabelusi,+ ngoba angabafuyi bemfuyo;+ futhi imihlambi yawo yezimvu nemihlambi yawo yezinkomo nakho konke anakho ezé nako lapha.’+ 33 Kuyothi lapho uFaro enibiza futhi ethi, ‘Uyini umsebenzi wenu?’ 34 nithi, ‘Izinceku zakho bezilokhu zingabafuyi bemfuyo kusukela ebusheni bethu kuze kube manje, kokubili thina nawokhokho bethu,’+ ukuze nihlale ezweni laseGosheni,+ ngoba bonke abelusi bezimvu bayinto enengekayo eGibhithe.”+
47 Ngakho uJosefa weza wabika kuFaro wathi:+ “Ubaba nabafowethu nemihlambi yabo yezimvu nemihlambi yabo yezinkomo nakho konke abanakho bafikile bevela ezweni laseKhanani, futhi balapha ezweni laseGosheni.”+ 2 Kulo lonke inani labafowabo wathatha amadoda amahlanu, ukuba awethule kuFaro.+
3 Khona-ke uFaro wathi kubafowabo: “Uyini umsebenzi wenu?”+ Ngakho bathi kuFaro: “Izinceku zakho zingabelusi bezimvu,+ kokubili thina nawokhokho bethu.”+ 4 Ngemva kwalokho bathi kuFaro: “Sizé ukuzogogobala ezweni,+ ngoba awekho amadlelo omhlambi izinceku zakho ezinawo,+ ngoba indlala inzima ezweni laseKhanani.+ Manje siza uvumele izinceku zakho zihlale ezweni laseGosheni.”+ 5 Khona-ke uFaro wathi kuJosefa: “Uyihlo nabafowenu bezé lapha kuwe. 6 Izwe laseGibhithe lisesandleni sakho.+ Hlalisa uyihlo nabafowenu engxenyeni yezwe enhle kunazo zonke.+ Mabahlale ezweni laseGosheni,+ futhi uma kukhona obaziyo phakathi kwabo ukuthi bangamadoda anesibindi,+ ubamise ukuba babe izinduna zezinkomo phezu kokungokwami.”+
7 Khona-ke uJosefa wamngenisa uJakobe uyise wamethula kuFaro, uJakobe wayesembusisa uFaro.+ 8 Manje uFaro wathi kuJakobe: “Zingaki izinsuku zeminyaka yokuphila kwakho?” 9 Ngakho uJakobe wathi kuFaro: “Izinsuku zeminyaka yokugogobala kwami ziyiminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amathathu.+ Izinsuku zeminyaka yokuphila kwami ziye zaba mbalwa futhi zaba ezicindezelayo,+ futhi azifinyelelanga ezinsukwini zeminyaka yokuphila kobaba ezinsukwini zokugogobala kwabo.”+ 10 Ngemva kwalokho uJakobe wambusisa uFaro wayesephuma phambi kukaFaro.+
11 Kanjalo uJosefa wamhlalisa uyise nabafowabo wabanika ifa ezweni laseGibhithe, engxenyeni yezwe engcono kunazo zonke, ezweni laseRamesesi,+ njengoba nje uFaro ayeyalile. 12 UJosefa waqhubeka ebanika isinkwa uyise nabafowabo nayo yonke indlu kayise,+ ngokwesibalo sabancane babo.+
13 Manje kwakungekho sinkwa kulo lonke izwe, ngoba indlala yayinzima kakhulu;+ futhi izwe laseGibhithe nezwe laseKhanani aphelelwa amandla ngenxa yendlala.+ 14 UJosefa waqhubeka eqoqa yonke imali yokusanhlamvu abantu ababekuthenga eyayitholakala ezweni laseGibhithe nasezweni laseKhanani;+ uJosefa wayelokhu eletha le mali endlini kaFaro. 15 Ngemva kwesikhathi yaphela imali ezweni laseGibhithe nasezweni laseKhanani, futhi wonke amaGibhithe eza kuJosefa, ethi: “Sinike isinkwa!+ Kungani kufanele sife phambi kwakho ngoba imali isiphelile?”+ 16 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi: “Khiphani imfuyo yenu ngizoninika isinkwa nisenane ngemfuyo yenu, uma imali isiphelile.” 17 Aletha imfuyo yawo kuJosefa; uJosefa wawanika isinkwa esenana ngamahhashi awo nangemfuyo yezimvu nezimbuzi neyezinkomo nezimbongolo,+ wawanika isinkwa esenana ngayo yonke imfuyo yawo phakathi nalowo nyaka.
18 Kancane kancane waphela lowo nyaka, eza kuye ngonyaka olandelayo ethi kuye: “Ngeke siyifihlele inkosi yami kodwa imali nemfuyo kuphelele enkosini yami.+ Akusasele lutho phambi kwenkosi yami ngaphandle kwemizimba yethu nezwe lethu.+ 19 Kungani kufanele sife phambi kwamehlo+ akho, thina nezwe lethu? Sithenge thina nezwe lethu ngesinkwa,+ thina kanye nezwe lethu sizoba izigqila zikaFaro; futhi sinike imbewu ukuze siphile singafi futhi izwe lethu lingenziwa incithakalo.”+ 20 Kanjalo uJosefa walithengela uFaro+ lonke izwe lamaGibhithe, ngoba amaGibhithe athengisa kwaba yilowo nalowo insimu yakhe, ngoba indlala yayinzima kakhulu kuwo; izwe kwaba ngelikaFaro.
21 Abantu bona, wabasusa wabayisa emizini kusukela komunye umkhawulo wendawo yaseGibhithe kuya komunye.+ 22 Yizwe labapristi kuphela angazange alithenge,+ ngoba izabelo zabapristi zazivela kuFaro futhi babedla izabelo uFaro ayebanika zona.+ Yingakho bengalithengisanga izwe labo.+ 23 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kubantu: “Bhekani, namuhla nginithengele uFaro nina nezwe lenu. Nansi imbewu, hlwanyelani izwe ngayo.+ 24 Lapho isikhiqizile,+ khona-ke kumelwe ninike uFaro ingxenye yesihlanu,+ kodwa izingxenye ezine kuzoba ezenu zibe imbewu yensimu futhi zibe ukudla kwenu nokwalabo abasezindlini zenu nokwabancane benu ukuba nidle.”+ 25 Ngakho bathi: “Ukulondolozile ukuphila kwethu.+ Masithole umusa emehlweni enkosi yami, sizoba izigqila zikaFaro.”+ 26 UJosefa wakwenza isinqumo kuze kube yilolu suku phezu kwawo wonke umhlaba waseGibhithe ukuba uFaro abe nengxenye yesihlanu. Yizwe labapristi kuphela njengeqembu elihlukile elingazange libe elikaFaro.+
27 U-Israyeli waqhubeka ehlala ezweni laseGibhithe, ezweni laseGosheni;+ bazinza kulo futhi banda baba baningi kakhulu.+ 28 UJakobe waqhubeka ephila ezweni laseGibhithe iminyaka eyishumi nesikhombisa, kangangokuthi izinsuku zikaJakobe, iminyaka yokuphila kwakhe, zaba iminyaka eyikhulu namashumi amane nesikhombisa.+
29 Kancane kancane zasondela izinsuku zokuba u-Israyeli afe.+ Ngakho wabiza indodana yakhe uJosefa wathi kuyo: “Manje, uma ngitholé umusa emehlweni akho, ngicela ubeke isandla sakho ngaphansi kwethanga lami,+ futhi kumelwe ungibonise umusa wothando nokwethembeka.+ (Siza, ungangingcwabi eGibhithe.)+ 30 Kumelwe ngilale nawobaba,+ futhi wena kumelwe ungithwale ungikhiphe eGibhithe ungingcwabe ethuneni labo.”+ Ngakho wathi: “Ngiyokwenza ngokuvumelana nezwi lakho.” 31 Khona-ke wathi: “Funga kimi.” Ngakho wafunga kuye.+ U-Israyeli wakhothama ngobuso phezu kwekhanda lombhede.+
48 Kwathi ngemva kwalezi zinto kwathiwa kuJosefa: “Bheka, uyihlo useba buthakathaka.” Khona-ke wathatha amadodana akhe amabili uManase no-Efrayimi.+ 2 Kwase kubikwa kuJakobe kuthiwa: “Bheka uJosefa indodana yakho uzé kuwe.” Ngakho u-Israyeli wazikhama amandla wavuka wahlala embhedeni wakhe. 3 UJakobe wathi kuJosefa:
“UNkulunkulu uMninimandla onke wabonakala kimi eLuze+ ezweni laseKhanani ukuze angibusise.+ 4 Futhi waqhubeka wathi kimi, ‘Bheka ngiyakwandisa,+ futhi ngiyokwenza ube mningi ngikwenze ibandla lezizwe+ futhi leli zwe ngiyolinika inzalo yakho ngemva kwakho kube ngelayo kuze kube nini nanini.’+ 5 Manje amadodana akho amabili ozalelwe wona ezweni laseGibhithe ngaphambi kokuba ngize lapha kuwe eGibhithe, angawami.+ U-Efrayimi noManase bazoba ngabami njengoRubeni noSimeyoni.+ 6 Kodwa inzalo yakho ozoyizala ngemva kwabo izoba ngeyakho. Bayobizwa kanye negama labafowabo efeni labo.+ 7 Kepha mina, lapho ngivela ePhadani,+ uRaheli wafa+ eceleni kwami ezweni laseKhanani endleleni kusasele ibanga elide ngaphambi kokufika e-Efrathi,+ ngakho ngamngcwaba lapho endleleni eya e-Efrathi, okungukuthi, eBhetlehema.”+
8 Khona-ke u-Israyeli wabona amadodana kaJosefa wathi: “Ngobani laba?”+ 9 Ngakho uJosefa wathi kuyise: “Ngamadodana ami uNkulunkulu angiphe wona kule ndawo.”+ Khona-ke wathi: “Ngicela ubalethe kimi ukuze ngibabusise.”+ 10 Manje amehlo ka-Israyeli ayesequndekile ngenxa yokuguga.+ Wayengasaboni. Ngakho wabasondeza kuye, wayesebanga futhi wabagona.+ 11 U-Israyeli waqhubeka wathi kuJosefa: “Ngangingacabangi ukuthi ngiyobubona ubuso bakho,+ kodwa bheka uNkulunkulu ungivumele ukuba ngibone nenzalo yakho.” 12 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wabasusa emadolweni akhe, wakhothama ngobuso phansi.+
13 UJosefa wababamba bobabili, u-Efrayimi ngesandla sokunene wamyisa ngakwesobunxele+ sika-Israyeli, noManase ngesandla sobunxele wamyisa ngakwesokunene+ sika-Israyeli, wabasondeza kuye. 14 Nokho, u-Israyeli welula isandla sakhe sokunene wasibeka ekhanda lika-Efrayimi,+ nakuba ayengomncane,+ kwathi isandla sakhe sobunxele wasibeka ekhanda likaManase.+ Wazibeka kanjalo ngenjongo izandla zakhe, njengoba uManase ayeyizibulo.+ 15 Wambusisa uJosefa wathi:+
“UNkulunkulu weqiniso abahamba phambi kwakhe obaba u-Abrahama no-Isaka,+
UNkulunkulu weqiniso obengalusa sonke isikhathi sokuba khona kwami kuze kube yilolu suku,+
16 Ingelosi ebingophula kuzo zonke izinhlekelele,+ mayibabusise abafana.+
Igama lami malibizwe phezu kwabo negama lobaba, u-Abrahama no-Isaka,+
Futhi mabande babe baningi emhlabeni.”+
17 Lapho uJosefa ebona ukuthi uyise wayelokhu ebeke isandla sakhe sokunene ekhanda lika-Efrayimi, akuzange kuthandeke kuye,+ wayesezama ukubamba isandla sikayise ukuze asisuse ekhanda lika-Efrayimi asibeke ekhanda likaManase.+ 18 Ngakho uJosefa wathi kuyise: “Hhayi kanjalo, baba, ngoba yilo oyizibulo.+ Beka isandla sakho sokunene ekhanda lakhe.” 19 Kodwa uyise wayelokhu enqaba ethi: “Ngiyazi ndodana yami, ngiyazi. Naye uyoba isizwe, naye futhi uyoba mkhulu.+ Kodwa, noma kunjalo, umfowabo omncane uyoba mkhulu kunaye,+ futhi inzalo yakhe iyolingana nezizwe+ ngokuphelele.” 20 Waqhubeka ebabusisa ngalolo suku,+ ethi:
“Ngawe u-Israyeli makaphindaphinde isibusiso, athi,
‘Kwangathi uNkulunkulu angakwenza ube njengo-Efrayimi nanjengoManase.’”+
Kanjalo wayelokhu ebeka u-Efrayimi ngaphambi kukaManase.+
21 Ngemva kwalokho u-Israyeli wathi kuJosefa: “Bheka, sengiyafa,+ kodwa uNkulunkulu uzoqhubeka enani anibuyisele ezweni lokhokho benu.+ 22 Kepha mina, ngikunika ihlombe elilodwa lezwe ngaphezu kwabafowenu,+ engalithatha esandleni sama-Amori ngenkemba yami nangomnsalo wami.”
49 Kamuva uJakobe wabiza amadodana akhe wathi: “Buthanani ndawonye ukuze nginitshele okuzokwenzeka kini engxenyeni yokugcina yezinsuku. 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 Ngokunganaki kokungagqizi qakala njengamanzi, ungaveleli,+ ngoba ukhuphukelé embhedeni kayihlo.+ Ngaleso sikhathi wangcolisa umbhede wami.+ URubeni wakhuphukela kuwo!
5 “OSimeyoni noLevi bayizelamani.+ Zingamathuluzi obudlova izikhali zabo zokuceka.+ 6 Ungangeni eqenjini labo,+ mphefumulo wami. Ungahlanganiswa nebandla labo,+ simo sami sengqondo, ngoba ngentukuthelo yabo babulala amadoda,+ nangobudlova babo banquma imisipha yezinkunzi. 7 Mayiqalekiswe intukuthelo yabo,+ ngoba inesihluku,+ nokufutheka kwabo, ngoba kwenza ngokhahlo.+ Mangibacaze kwaJakobe, ngibahlakaze kwa-Israyeli.+
8 “Wena Juda,+ abafowenu bayokudumisa.+ Isandla sakho siyoba sesijungujungwini sezitha zakho.+ Amadodana kayihlo ayokuwa ngobuso kuwe.+ 9 UJuda uyiwundlu lengonyama.+ Uyokwenyuka, ndodana yami, usuka enyamazaneni. Wakhothama, wazelula njengengonyama, futhi njengengonyama, ubani ongalokotha amvuse?+ 10 Intonga yobukhosi ngeke isuke kuJuda,+ nobhoko lomyali phakathi kwezinyawo zakhe, kuze kufike uShilo;+ futhi uyolalelwa izizwe zonke.+ 11 Ebophela emvinini imbongolo yakhe ekhule ngokugcwele nenzalo yembongolokazi yakhe emvinini wekhethelo, ngokuqinisekile uyogeza isembatho sakhe ewayinini nengubo yakhe egazini lamagilebhisi.+ 12 Amehlo akhe abomvu ngokumnyama ngenxa yewayini, nobumhlophe bamazinyo akhe bungenxa yobisi.
13 “UZebhuloni uyohlala ngasogwini lolwandle,+ futhi uyoba ngasogwini lapho imikhumbi ihlala ibanjwe khona ngamahange;+ futhi uhlangothi lwakhe olukude luyoba ngaseSidoni.+
14 “U-Isakare+ uyimbongolo enamathambo aqinile, elala phansi phakathi kwezikhwama zesihlalo sayo ezimbili. 15 Futhi uyobona ukuthi indawo yokuphumula yinhle nokuthi izwe limnandi; uyokwehlisa ihlombe lakhe ukuze athwale imithwalo futhi uyokwenza umsebenzi ophoqelelwe wobugqila.
16 “UDani uyokwahlulela abantu bakubo njengesinye sezizwe zakwa-Israyeli.+ 17 UDani makabe yinyoka eceleni komgwaqo, inyoka enezimpondo ngasendleleni, eluma izithende zehhashi agenuke umgibeli walo.+ 18 Impela ngiyolindela insindiso evela kuwe, Jehova.+
19 “UGadi yena, iviyo labaphangi liyomthelekela, kodwa yena uyothelekela abangemuva impela.+
20 “Kwa-Asheri kuyovela isinkwa sakhe sikhuluphele,+ uyoveza izibiliboco zenkosi.+
21 “UNafetali+ uyindluzelekazi eyilambalidlile. Unikeza amazwi obugagu.+
22 “Ihlumela lomuthi othela izithelo,+ uJosefa uyihlumela lomuthi othela izithelo ngasemthonjeni,+ oqhubukushisa amagatsha awo ngaphezu kodonga.+ 23 Kodwa abacibisheli baqhubeka bemkhathaza futhi bemcibishela, baqhubeka befukamela inzondo ngaye.+ 24 Nokho umnsalo wakhe wawuhlala endaweni ehlala njalo,+ futhi izikhwepha zezandla zakhe zazivuma.+ Ezandleni zaLowo Onamandla kaJakobe,+ uvelé lapho uMalusi, iTshe lika-Israyeli.+ 25 Uvela kuNkulunkulu kayihlo,+ futhi uyokusiza;+ ukanye noMninimandla onke,+ uyokubusisa ngezibusiso zamazulu phezulu,+ ngezibusiso zotwa lwamanzi angaphansi,+ ngezibusiso zamabele nesibeletho.+ 26 Ngempela izibusiso zikayihlo ziyoba zinkulu kunezibusiso zezintaba ezingunaphakade,+ kunomhlobiso wamagquma ami kuze kube nini nanini.+ Ziyoqhubeka ziphezu kwekhanda likaJosefa, yebo phezu kokhakhayi lwekhanda lalowo okhethwe kubafowabo.+
27 “UBhenjamini uyoqhubeka edwengula njengempisi.+ Ekuseni uyodla isilwane esibanjiwe, ebusuku ahlukanise impango.”+
28 Zonke lezi yizizwe eziyishumi nambili zakwa-Israyeli, futhi yilokhu uyise akukhuluma kuzo lapho ezibusisa. Wazibusisa yileso naleso ngokwesibusiso saso.+
29 Ngemva kwalokho wabayala wathi kubo: “Mina ngibuthelwa kubantu bakithi.+ Ngingcwabeni kanye nawobaba emhumeni osensimini ka-Efroni umHeti,+ 30 emhumeni osensimini yaseMakaphela phambi kwaseMamre ezweni laseKhanani, insimu u-Abrahama ayithenga ku-Efroni umHeti ukuba ibe yindawo yokungcwaba.+ 31 Wangcwatshwa lapho u-Abrahama noSara umkakhe.+ Wangcwatshwa lapho u-Isaka noRebheka umkakhe,+ futhi ngamngcwaba lapho uLeya. 32 Leyo nsimu eyathengwa nomhume okuyo kwakuthengwe emadodaneni kaHeti.”+
33 Kanjalo uJakobe waqeda ukunika amadodana akhe imiyalo. Khona-ke wagoqa izinyawo zakhe phezu kombhede waphangalala wayesebuthelwa kubantu bakubo.+
50 Khona-ke uJosefa wawela phezu kobuso bukayise+ waqhumuka wakhala izinyembezi phezu kwakhe wamanga.+ 2 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wayala izinceku zakhe, odokotela, ukuba bagqumise+ uyise. Ngakho odokotela bamgqumisa u-Israyeli, 3 futhi bathatha izinsuku ezingamashumi amane ezigcwele ngaye, ngoba ngokwesiko babethatha izinsuku ezingako ukugqumisa, futhi amaGibhithe aqhubeka emkhalela izinsuku ezingamashumi ayisikhombisa.+
4 Ekugcineni zadlula izinsuku zokumkhalela, uJosefa wayesekhuluma nendlu kaFaro, wathi: “Manje, uma ngitholé umusa emehlweni enu,+ ngicela nikhulume ezindlebeni zikaFaro, nithi, 5 ‘Ubaba wangifungisa,+ wathi: “Bheka! Ngiyafa.+ Kumelwe ungingcwabe+ endaweni yami yokungcwaba engazigubhela yona ezweni laseKhanani.”+ Manje ngiyacela, ngivumele ngikhuphuke ngiyongcwaba ubaba, ngemva kwalokho ngizimisele ukubuya.’” 6 Ngalokho uFaro wathi: “Khuphuka ungcwabe uyihlo njengoba nje akufungisa.”+
7 Ngakho uJosefa wakhuphuka wayongcwaba uyise, futhi kwakhuphuka kanye naye zonke izinceku zikaFaro, amadoda amadala+ endlu yakhe nawo wonke amadoda amadala asezweni laseGibhithe, 8 nabo bonke abendlu kaJosefa nabafowabo nendlu kayise.+ Bashiya abantwana babo abancane nemihlambi yabo yezimvu nemihlambi yabo yezinkomo kuphela ezweni laseGosheni. 9 Futhi kwakhuphuka kanye naye kokubili izinqola+ nezinkweli zamahhashi, ikamu laba likhulu kakhulu. 10 Khona-ke bafika esibuyeni+ sase-Athadi, elisesifundeni saseJordani,+ babangalasa khona kakhulu nakanzima futhi wagcina imicikilisho yokulilela uyise izinsuku eziyisikhombisa.+ 11 Abakhileyo kulelo zwe, amaKhanani, babona imicikilisho yokulila esibuyeni sase-Athadi, bababaza bathi: “Yisililo esikhulu samaGibhithe!” Yingakho igama layo laqanjwa ngokuthi i-Abela-mizirayimi, esesifundeni saseJordani.+
12 Amadodana akhe amenzela njengoba nje ayewayalile.+ 13 Ngakho amadodana akhe amthwala amyisa ezweni laseKhanani amngcwaba emhumeni wensimu yaseMakaphela, insimu u-Abrahama ayeyithenge ku-Efroni umHeti ukuba ibe yindawo yakhe yokungcwaba ephambi kwaseMamre.+ 14 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wabuyela eGibhithe, yena nabafowabo nabo bonke ababekhuphuke naye beyongcwaba uyise, ngemva kokuba esemngcwabile uyise.
15 Lapho abafowabo bakaJosefa bebona ukuthi uyise wayesefile, baqala ukuthi: “Kungenzeka ukuthi uJosefa ufukamele inzondo ngathi+ futhi uzoqiniseka ukuthi uyasibuyisela ngakho konke okubi esikwenze kuye.”+ 16 Ngakho basho umyalo kuJosefa ngala mazwi: “Uyihlo wakhipha umyalo ngaphambi kokufa kwakhe, wathi, 17 ‘Yilokhu eniyokusho kuJosefa: “Ngiyakuncenga, siza uxolele+ ukuvukela kwabafowenu nesono sabo ngokuthi benzé okubi kuwe.”’+ Manje siza uxolele ukuvukela kwezinceku zikaNkulunkulu kayihlo.”+ UJosefa waqhumuka wakhala izinyembezi lapho bekhuluma naye. 18 Ngemva kwalokho abafowabo beza bawa phansi phambi kwakhe bathi: “Bheka sifana nezigqila kuwe!”+ 19 Khona-ke uJosefa wathi kubo: “Ningesabi, ngoba ngisesikhundleni sikaNkulunkulu yini?+ 20 Nina, naningicabangele okubi. UNkulunkulu wayekucabanga ukuba kube kuhle ngenjongo yokuba enze njengakulolu suku, ukuba alonde abantu abaningi.+ 21 Ngakho manje ningesabi. Mina ngizoqhubeka ngininika ukudla nina nabantwana benu abancane.”+ Kanjalo wabaduduza wabaqinisekisa.
22 UJosefa waqhubeka ehlala eGibhithe, yena nendlu kayise; uJosefa waphila iminyaka eyikhulu neshumi. 23 Futhi uJosefa wabona amadodana ka-Efrayimi esizukulwane sesithathu,+ namadodana kaMakiri,+ indodana kaManase. Azalelwa emadolweni+ kaJosefa. 24 Ekugcineni uJosefa wathi kubafowabo: “Sengiyafa; kodwa ngokuqinisekile uNkulunkulu uyoninaka,+ futhi nakanjani uyonikhuphula anikhiphe kuleli zwe aniyise ezweni afunga ngalo ku-Abrahama, ku-Isaka nakuJakobe.”+ 25 Ngakho uJosefa wawafungisa amadodana ka-Israyeli, wathi: “Nakanjani uNkulunkulu uyoninaka. Ngakho kumelwe nithathe amathambo ami niwakhuphule niwakhiphe lapha.”+ 26 Ngemva kwalokho uJosefa wafa eneminyaka eyikhulu neshumi; bamgqumisa,+ wayesefakwa ebhokisini lokungcwaba eGibhithe.