< 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 hath said the Lord, Where is your mother's bill of divorcement, wherewith I have sent her away? or who of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? behold, for your iniquities were ye sold, and for your transgressions was your mother sent 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 no man was there, did I call, with none to answer? hath my hand become too short for redeeming? or is there no power in me to deliver? behold, through my threatening I can dry up the sea, I can change the rivers into a wilderness: their fish stink for want of water, and die for thirst.
3 Ngembathisa umkhathi ngomnyama. Ngenze amasaka abe yisembeso sawo.”
I can clothe the heavens with blackness, and I can make sackcloth their garment.
4 UThixo wobukhosi unginike ulimi olufundisiweyo ukuba ngazi ilizwi lokuqinisa abadiniweyo. Uyangivusa ekuseni kwansukuzonke, avuse indlebe yami ukuba ilalele njengofundiswayo.
The Lord Eternal hath given me a tongue for teaching, that I should know how to strengthen the weary with the word: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth my ear to listen like those who are well taught.
5 UThixo Wobukhosi uvule indlebe zami, njalo angizange ngibe ngohlamukayo; angibuyelanga emuva.
The Lord Eternal hath opened me my ear, and I resisted not: I turned not backward.
6 Nganikela umhlana wami kulabo ababengitshaya, lezihlathi zami kulabo abacutha indevu zami; ubuso bami angibufihlanga ekugconweni lekukhafulelweni.
My back I gave up to the smiters, and my cheeks to those that plucked off the hair: my face I hid not from abuse and spitting.
7 Ngenxa yokuthi uThixo Wobukhosi uyangisiza angiyikuyangeka. Ngakho-ke sengiqinise ubuso bami babanjengelitshe lomlilo; njalo ngiyazi ukuthi angiyikuyangeka.
But the Lord Eternal ever helpeth me; therefore was I not confounded; therefore have I rendered my face like a flint, and I knew that I should not be made ashamed.
8 Lowo ongimelayo useduzane. Ngubani-ke ongangethesa amacala? Kasiqondane. Ngubani ongimangalelayo na? Kangiqonde!
He that justifieth me is near; who will contend with me? let us stand forward together: who hath a dispute with me? let him come near to me.
9 NguThixo Wobukhosi ongisizayo. Ngubani lowo ongathi ngilecala na? Bonke bazaguga njengesigqoko, inondo izabadla.
Behold, the Lord Eternal will help me; who is the man that will condemn me? lo, they all shall wear out as a garment: the moth shall eat them up.
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 feareth the Lord, that hearkeneth to the voice of his servant? though he have walked in darkness, and had no light: let him trust in the name of the Lord, and lean for support upon his 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, all ye that kindle fire, that urge on the brands: walk by the blaze of your fire, and by the brands ye have kindled; from my hand hath this been bestowed on you; in pain shall ye lie down.