UJeremiya 47

1 Leli yilizwi likaThixo elafika kuJeremiya umphrofethi mayelana lamaFilistiya ngesikhathi uFaro engakahlaseli iGaza:

This is the word of Yahweh that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the Philistines. This word came to him before Pharaoh attacked Gaza.

2 UThixo uthi: “Khangela ukuphakama kwamanzi enyakatho; azakuba ngumfula okhukhulayo. Azakhukhula ilizwe lakho konke okukulo, amadolobho lalabo abahlala kuwo. Abantu bazakhala, bonke abahlala elizweni bazalila

“Yahweh says this: See, floods of water are rising in the north. They will be like an overflowing river! Then they will overflow the land and everything in it, its cities and its inhabitants! So everyone will shout for help, and all the inhabitants of the land will lament.

3 ekuzweni umsindo wamasondo amabhiza agijimayo, lekuzweni umsindo wezinqola zesitha lomdumo wamasondo azo. Oyise kabayikuphenduka ukuba basize abantwababo; izandla zabo zizalenga zingelamandla.

At the sound of the stamping of their strong horses' hooves, at the roar of their chariots and the noise of their wheels, fathers will not help their children because of their own weakness.

4 Ngoba usuku selufikile ukuba abhujiswe wonke amaFilistiya, lokuqeda bonke abasilayo abangasiza iThire leSidoni. Sekuseduze ukuba uThixo abhubhise amaFilistiya, insalela emakhunjini eKhafithori.

For the day is coming that will devastate all of the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon every survivor who wants to help them. For Yahweh is devastating the Philistines, those who remain from the island of Caphtor.

5 IGaza izaphuca ikhanda layo ilila; i-Ashikheloni izathuliswa. Lina nsalela esemagcekeni, lizazisika kuze kube nini na?

Baldness will come upon Gaza. As for Ashkelon, the people who are left in their valley will be made silent. How long will you cut yourself in mourning?

6 Likhala lisithi, ‘Maye, nkemba kaThixo, koba nini ukuze uphumule? Buyela emgodleni wakho; khawuka ungathi nyiki.’

Woe, sword of Yahweh! How long will it be until you become silent? Go back to your scabbard! Stop and be silent.

7 Kodwa ingaphumula njani yona ilaywe nguThixo, ithunywe nguye ukuba ihlasele i-Ashikheloni lamakhumbi olwandle na?”

How can it rest when Yahweh has commanded it, when he has ordered it to attack Ashkelon and the coastlands along the sea?”