Ezekiel 20
1 Now it came about in the seventh year, in the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month, that certain of the responsible men of Israel came to get directions from the Lord and were seated before me.
Ngomnyaka wesikhombisa, ngenyanga yesihlanu ngosuku lwetshumi, abanye babadala bako-Israyeli bafika bezebuza uThixo, bahlala phansi phambi kwami.
2 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
Ilizwi likaThixo lafika kimi lisithi:
3 Son of man, say to the responsible men of Israel, This is what the Lord has said: Have you come to get directions from me? By my life, says the Lord, you will get no directions from me.
“Ndodana yomuntu, khuluma labadala bako-Israyeli uthi kubo, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Lilande ukuzangibuza na? Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kangiyikulivumela ukuthi lingibuze, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi.’
4 Will you be their judge, O son of man, will you be their judge? make clear to them the disgusting ways of their fathers,
Uzabahlulela na? Uzabahlulela na, ndodana yomuntu? Ngakho batshele ngezenzo zaboyise ezinengayo
5 And say to them, This is what the Lord has said: In the day when I took Israel for myself, when I made an oath to the seed of the family of Jacob, and I gave them knowledge of myself in the land of Egypt, saying to them with an oath, I am the Lord your God;
uthi kubo: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Ngosuku engakhetha ngalo u-Israyeli, ngafunga kuyo inzalo yendlu kaJakhobe isandla siphakanyisiwe njalo ngiziveza kuyo iGibhithe. Isandla siphakanyisiwe ngathi kubo, “Mina nginguThixo uNkulunkulu wenu.”
6 In that day I gave my oath to take them out of the land of Egypt into a land which I had been searching out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands:
Ngalolosuku ngafunga kubo ukuthi ngizabakhupha eGibhithe ngibase elizweni engabadingela lona, ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju, elihle kakhulu kulamazwe wonke.
7 And I said to them, Let every man among you put away the disgusting things to which his eyes are turned, and do not make yourselves unclean with the images of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.
Njalo ngathi kubo, “Lowo lalowo wenu kalahle izifanekiso ezenyanyekayo elibeke amehlo enu kuzo, njalo lingazingcolisi ngezithombe zaseGibhithe. Mina nginguThixo uNkulunkulu wenu.”
8 But they would not be controlled by me, and did not give ear to me; they did not put away the disgusting things to which their eyes were turned, or give up the images of Egypt: then I said I would let loose my passion on them to give full effect to my wrath against them in the land of Egypt.
Kodwa bangihlamukela kabaze bangilalela; kabazilahlanga izithombe zabo ezenyanyekayo ababebeke amehlo abo kuzo, loba balahle izithixo zabo zaseGibhithe. Ngakho ngathi ngizathululela ulaka lwami phezu kwabo ngiqede lokuthukuthela kwami ngimelane labo eGibhithe.
9 And I was acting for the honour of my name, so that it might not be made unclean before the eyes of the nations among whom they were, and before whose eyes I gave them knowledge of myself, by taking them out of the land of Egypt.
Kodwa ngenxa yebizo lami, ngenza okwakuzalivikela ekungcolisweni phambi kwezizwe ababehlala phakathi kwazo engiziveze emehlweni azo kwabako-Israyeli ngokubakhupha eGibhithe.
10 So I made them go out of the land of Egypt and took them into the waste land.
Ngakho ngabakhupha eGibhithe ngabasa enkangala.
11 And I gave them my rules and made clear to them my orders, which, if a man keeps them, will be life to him.
Ngabanika izimiso zami ngabazisa lemithetho yami, ngoba umuntu oyilalelayo uzaphila ngayo.
12 And further, I gave them my Sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, so that it might be clear that I, who make them holy, am the Lord.
Njalo ngabanika lamaSabatha ami njengesibonakaliso phakathi kwami labo, ukuze bakwazi ukuthi mina Thixo ngabenza baba ngcwele.
13 But the children of Israel would not be controlled by me in the waste land: they were not guided by my rules, and they were turned away from my orders, which, if a man does them, will be life to him; and they had no respect for my Sabbaths: then I said that I would let loose my passion on them in the waste land, and put an end to them.
Kodwa abantu bako-Israyeli bangihlamukela enkangala. Kabazilandelanga izimiso zami kodwa bayala imithetho yami, njalo batshaphaza amaSabatha ami kakhulu, ngakho umuntu oyilalelayo uzaphila ngayo. Ngokunjalo ngathi ngizathululela ulaka lwami phezu kwabo ngibaqede du enkangala.
14 And I was acting for the honour of my name, so that it might not be made unclean in the eyes of the nations, before whose eyes I had taken them out.
Kodwa ngenxa yebizo lami, ngenza okwakuzalivikela ekungcolisweni phambi kwezizwe engabakhupha zikhangele.
15 And further, I gave my oath to them in the waste land, that I would not take them into the land which I had given them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the glory of all lands;
Njalo isandla siphakanyisiwe ngafunga kubo enkangala ukuthi angiyikubafikisa elizweni engangibaphe lona, ilizwe eligeleza uchago loluju, elihle kakhulu kulamazwe wonke,
16 Because they were turned away from my orders, and were not guided by my rules, and had no respect for my Sabbaths: for their hearts went after their images.
ngoba imithetho yami bayala njalo kabalandelanga izimiso zami, batshaphaza lamaSabatha ami futhi. Ngoba inhliziyo zabo zazinamathele ezithombeni zabo.
17 But still my eye had pity on them and I kept them from destruction and did not put an end to them completely in the waste land.
Ikanti ngabazwela isihawu kangaze ngababhubhisa kumbe ngibaqede enkangala.
18 And I said to their children in the waste land, Do not be guided by the rules of your fathers or keep their orders or make yourselves unclean with their images:
Ngatsho ebantwaneni babo enkangala ngathi, “Lingalandeli izimiso zaboyihlo loba ligcine imithetho yabo loba lizingcolise ngezithombe zabo.
19 I am the Lord your God; be guided by my rules and keep my orders and do them:
Mina nginguThixo uNkulunkulu wenu; landelani izimiso zami linanzelele ukugcina imithetho yami.
20 And keep my Sabbaths holy; and they will be a sign between me and you so that it may be clear to you that I am the Lord your God.
Gcinani amaSabatha engcwele, ukuba abe yisibonakaliso phakathi kwami lani. Lapho-ke lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguThixo uNkulunkulu wenu.”
21 But the children would not be controlled by me; they were not guided by my rules, and they did not keep and do my orders, which, if a man does them, will be life to him; and they had no respect for my Sabbaths: then I said I would let loose my passion on them to give full effect to my wrath against them in the waste land.
Kodwa abantwana bangihlamukela: Kabazilandelanga izimiso zami, kabananzanga ukugcina imithetho yami lanxa umuntu oyilalelayo ezaphila ngayo njalo batshaphaza amaSabatha ami. Ngakho ngathi ngizathululela ulaka lwami phezu kwabo ngiqedele ukuthukuthela kwami kubo enkangala.
22 And I was acting for the honour of my name, so that it might not be made unclean in the eyes of the nations, before whose eyes I had taken them out.
Kodwa ngazithiba, njalo ngenxa yebizo lami ngenza okwakuzalivikela ekungcolisweni phambi kwezizwe engabakhupha zikhangele.
23 Further, I gave my oath to them in the waste land that I would send them wandering among the nations, driving them out among the countries;
Njalo isandla siphakanyisiwe ngafunga kubo enkangala ukuthi ngangizabahlakazela phakathi kwezizwe ngibachithachithele emazweni,
24 Because they had not done my orders, but had been turned away from my rules, and had not given respect to my Sabbaths, and their eyes were turned to the images of their fathers.
ngoba babengayilalelanga imithetho yami kodwa bezalile izimiso zami batshaphaza amaSabatha ami, lamehlo abo alangazela izithombe zaboyise.
25 And further, I gave them rules which were not good and orders in which there was no life for them;
Futhi ngabanikela ezimisweni ezazingalunganga kanye lemithetho ababengeke baphile ngayo;
26 I made them unclean in the offerings they gave, causing them to make every first child go through the fire, so that I might put an end to them.
ngabayekela bangcoliswa yizipho zabo, imihlatshelo yamazibulo wonke ukuze ngibenze besabe khona bezakwazi ukuthi mina nginguThixo.’
27 For this cause, son of man, say to the children of Israel, This is what the Lord has said: In this your fathers have further put shame on my name by doing wrong against me.
Ngakho-ke, ndodana yomuntu, khuluma labantu bako-Israyeli uthi kubo, ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Ngakho lokhu, labokhokho benu bangithuka ngokungilahla.
28 For when I had taken them into the land which I made an oath to give to them, then they saw every high hill and every branching tree and made their offerings there, moving me to wrath by their offerings; and there the sweet smell of their offerings went up and their drink offerings were drained out.
Kwathi lapho sengibangenisile elizweni engangifunge ngathi ngizabapha lona, bathi bebona loba luphi uqaqa oluphakemeyo, loba siphi isihlahla esilamahlamvu amanengi, khonapho banikelela khona imihlatshelo yabo, banikela iminikelo eyangithukuthelisayo, banikela impepha yabo elephunga elimnandi, bathulula leminikelo yabo yokunathwayo.
29 Then I said to them, What is this high place where you go to no purpose? And it is named Bamah to this day.
Ngasengisithi kubo: Iyini indawo le ephakemeyo eliya kuyo?’” (Ithiwa yiBhama lalamhlanje.)
30 For this cause say to the children of Israel, This is what the Lord has said: Are you making yourselves unclean as your fathers did? are you being untrue to me by going after their disgusting works?
“Ngakho tshono endlini ka-Israyeli uthi: ‘Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Lizazingcolisa yini njengabokhokho benu njalo lilangazele izithombe zabo ezenyanyekayo na?
31 And when you give your offerings, causing your sons to go through the fire, you make yourselves unclean with all your images to this day; and will you come to me for directions, O children of Israel? By my life, says the Lord, you will get no direction from me.
Lapho linikela izipho zenu, imihlatshelo yamadodana enu emlilweni, liyaqhubeka lizingcolisa ngazozonke izithombe zenu kuze kube lamhla. Kumele ngivume na ukuba ungibuze, wena ndlu ka-Israyeli? Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi, kangiyikuvuma ukuba lingibuze.
32 And that which comes into your minds will never take place; when you say, We will be like the nations, like the families of the countries, servants of wood and stone;
Lina lithi, “Sifuna ukuba njengezizwe, njengabantu basemhlabeni, abakhonza izigodo lamatshe.” Kodwa lokho elilakho engqondweni akusoze kwenzakale.
33 By my life, says the Lord, truly, with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm and with burning wrath let loose, I will be King over you:
Ngeqiniso elinjengoba ngikhona, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi, ngizalibusa ngesandla esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo kanye lolaka oluphuphumayo.
34 And I will take you out from the peoples and get you together out of the countries where you are wandering, with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm and with burning wrath let loose:
Ngizalithatha ezizweni ngiliqoqe emazweni elalihlakazelwe kuwo ngesandla esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo kanye lolaka oluphuphumayo.
35 And I will take you into the waste land of the peoples, and there I will take up the cause with you face to face.
Ngizalisa enkangala yezizwe, kuthi khonapho sikhangelene ubuso ngobuso, ngizaletha ukwahlulela kwami phezu kwenu.
36 As I took up the cause with your fathers in the waste land of the land of Egypt, so will I take up the cause with you says the Lord.
Njengoba ngahlulela okhokho benu enkangala yelizwe laseGibhithe, lani ngizalahlulela kanjalo, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi.
37 And I will make you go under the rod and will make you small in number:
Ngizalinanzelela lapho lisedlula ngaphansi kwentonga yami, ngenze lani isibopho sesivumelwano.
38 Clearing out from among you all those who are uncontrolled and who are sinning against me; I will take them out of the land where they are living, but they will not come into the land of Israel: and you will be certain that I am the Lord.
Ngizabakhupha phakathi kwenu labo abahlamukayo bangivukele. Lanxa ngizabakhupha elizweni abahlala kulo, kodwa kabayikungena elizweni lako-Israyeli. Lapho-ke lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguThixo.
39 As for you, O children of Israel, the Lord has said: Let every man completely put away his images and give ear to me: and let my holy name no longer be shamed by your offerings and your images.
Kuwe-ke, wena ndlu ka-Israyeli, nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Hambani liyekhonza izithombe zenu, lonke! Kodwa emva kwalokho ngeqiniso lizangilalela lingalingcolisi futhi ibizo lami ngezipho zenu langezithombe.
40 For in my holy mountain, in the high mountain of Israel, says the Lord, there all the children of Israel, all of them, will be my servants in the land; there I will take pleasure in them, and there I will be worshipped with your offerings and the first-fruits of the things you give, and with all your holy things.
Ngoba entabeni yami engcwele, intaba ephakemeyo yako-Israyeli, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi, khonapho phakathi kwelizwe, yonke indlu ka-Israyeli izangikhonza, njalo khonapho ngizabamukela. Khonapho ngizafuna iminikelo yenu lezipho zenu zekhethelo ndawonye lemihlatshelo yenu yonke engcwele.
41 I will take pleasure in you as in a sweet smell, when I take you out from the peoples and get you together from the countries where you have been sent in flight; and I will make myself holy in you before the eyes of the nations.
Ngizalamukela njengempepha elephunga elimnandi lapho sengilikhupha ezizweni njalo sengiliqoqa emazweni elalihlakazelwe kuwo, njalo ngizazibonakalisa ngingongcwele phakathi kwenu phambi kwezizwe.
42 And you will be certain that I am the Lord, when I take you into the land of Israel, into the country which I made an oath to give to your fathers.
Lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguThixo lapho sengilingenisa elizweni lako-Israyeli, ilizwe engafunga ngesandla esiphakanyisiweyo ukuthi ngizalipha okhokho benu.
43 And there, at the memory of your ways and of all the things you did to make yourselves unclean, you will have bitter hate for yourselves because of all the evil things you have done.
Khonapho-ke lizakhumbula ukuziphatha kwenu lazozonke izenzo elizingcolise ngazo, njalo lizazenyanya ngenxa yobubi bonke elibenzileyo.
44 And you will be certain that I am the Lord, when I take you in hand for the honour of my name, and not for your evil ways or your unclean doings, O children of Israel, says the Lord.
Lizakwazi ukuthi mina nginguThixo lapho sengilijezisa ngenxa yebizo lami kodwa kungayisikho mayelana lezindlela zenu ezimbi kanye lezenzo zenu ezixhwalileyo, lina ndlu ka-Israyeli, kutsho uThixo Wobukhosi.’”
45 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
Ilizwi likaThixo lafika kimi lisithi:
46 Son of man, let your face be turned to the south, let your words be dropped to the south, and be a prophet against the woodland of the South;
“Ndodana yomuntu, khangela ngaseningizimu; tshumayela okubi ngeningizimu uphrofithe okubi ngelizwe laseningizimu.
47 And say to the woodland of the South, Give ear to the words of the Lord: this is what the Lord has said: See, I will have a fire lighted in you, for the destruction of every green tree in you and every dry tree: the flaming flame will not be put out, and all faces from the south to the north will be burned by it.
Tshono ehlathini laseningizimu uthi: ‘Zwana ilizwi likaThixo. Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo Wobukhosi: Sekuseduze ukuthi ngilithungele ngomlilo njalo uzaziqeda zonke izihlahla zenu, ezimanzi lezomileyo. Ilangabi elivuthayo kaliyikucitshwa, njalo ubuso bonke kusukela eningizimu kusiya enyakatho buzatshiswa yiwo.
48 And all flesh will see that I the Lord have had it lighted: it will not be put out.
Umuntu wonke uzabona ukuthi mina Thixo yimi engiwuthungeleyo; kawuyikucitsha.’”
49 Then I said, Ah, Lord! they say of me, Is he not a maker of stories?
Ngasengisithi, “Awu Thixo Wobukhosi! Bathi kimi, ‘Kakhulumi imifanekiso kuphela nje na?’”
