< U-Isaya 50 >
1 Nanku okutshiwo nguThixo: “Ingaphi incwadi kanyoko yokuchitha umtshado engamxotsha ngayo na? Kumbe nguphi kwababelezikwelede zami engamthengisayo na? Lathengiswa ngenxa yezono zenu, lonyoko waliwa ngenxa yokona kwenu.
Thus says the Lord, Of what kind is your mother's bill of divorcement, by which I put her away? or to which debtor have I sold you? Behold, you are sold for your sins, and for your iniquities have I put your mother away.
2 Ekufikeni kwami, kungani kwakungelamuntu na? Ekubizeni kwami, kungani kungekho muntu owasabelayo na? Ingalo yami yayimfitshane kakhulu ukuba ilihlenge na? Angilamandla okulikhulula na? Ngokukhuza nje kuphela, ngiyalomisa ulwandle, ngiphendule imifula ibe yinkangala; inhlanzi zayo zibole ngenxa yokuswela amanzi, zife ngenxa yokoma.
Why did I come, and there was no man? [why] did I call, and there was none to listen? Is not my hand strong to redeem? or can I not deliver? behold, by my rebuke I will dry up the sea, and make rivers a wilderness; and their fish shall be dried up because there is no water, and shall die for thirst.
3 Ngembathisa umkhathi ngomnyama. Ngenze amasaka abe yisembeso sawo.”
I will clothe the sky with darkness, and will make its covering as sackcloth.
4 UThixo wobukhosi unginike ulimi olufundisiweyo ukuba ngazi ilizwi lokuqinisa abadiniweyo. Uyangivusa ekuseni kwansukuzonke, avuse indlebe yami ukuba ilalele njengofundiswayo.
The Lord [even] God gives me the tongue of instruction, to know when it is fit to speak a word: he has appointed for me early, he has given me an ear to hear:
5 UThixo Wobukhosi uvule indlebe zami, njalo angizange ngibe ngohlamukayo; angibuyelanga emuva.
and the instruction of the Lord, even the Lord, opens mine ears, and I do not disobey, nor dispute.
6 Nganikela umhlana wami kulabo ababengitshaya, lezihlathi zami kulabo abacutha indevu zami; ubuso bami angibufihlanga ekugconweni lekukhafulelweni.
I gave my back to scourges, and my cheeks to blows; and I turned not away my face from the shame of spitting:
7 Ngenxa yokuthi uThixo Wobukhosi uyangisiza angiyikuyangeka. Ngakho-ke sengiqinise ubuso bami babanjengelitshe lomlilo; njalo ngiyazi ukuthi angiyikuyangeka.
but the Lord God became my helper; therefore I was not ashamed, but I set my face as a solid rock; and I know that I shall never be ashamed,
8 Lowo ongimelayo useduzane. Ngubani-ke ongangethesa amacala? Kasiqondane. Ngubani ongimangalelayo na? Kangiqonde!
for he that has justified me draws near; who is he that pleads with me? let him stand up against me at the same time: yes, who is he that pleads with me? let him draw near to me.
9 NguThixo Wobukhosi ongisizayo. Ngubani lowo ongathi ngilecala na? Bonke bazaguga njengesigqoko, inondo izabadla.
Behold, the Lord, the Lord, will help me; who will hurt me? behold, all you shall wax old as a garment, and a moth shall devour you.
10 Ngubani phakathi kwenu omesabayo uThixo elalela ilizwi lenceku yakhe na? Lowo ohamba emnyameni, ongelakho ukukhanya, kathembe ebizweni likaThixo abambelele kuThixo wakhe.
Who is among you that fears the Lord? let him listen to the voice of his servant: you that walk in darkness, and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon God.
11 Kodwa khathesi, lonke lina eliphemba imililo lizenzele amalangabi okukhanyisa, sukani, lihambe ekukhanyeni kwemililo yenu, lokwezibane elizikhanyisileyo. Elizakwamukela esandleni sami yilokhu: Lizalala phansi lisebuhlungwini.
Behold, you all kindle a fire, and feed a flame: walk in the light of your fire, and in the flame which you have kindled. This has happened to you for my sake; you shall lie down in sorrow.