UJoshuwa 24
1 Ngakho uJoshuwa wabuthanisa zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli eShekhemu. Wamema bonke abadala, abakhokheli, abahluleli leziphathamandla zako-Israyeli, njalo bazethula phambi kukaNkulunkulu.
Tsono Yoswa anasonkhanitsa mafuko onse a Israeli ku Sekemu. Iye anayitanitsa akuluakulu, atsogoleri, oweruza, ndi akuluakulu a boma la Israeli, ndipo iwo anafika pamaso pa Mulungu.
2 UJoshuwa wathi ebantwini bonke, “UThixo, uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli uthi: ‘Kudala okhokho benu, okugoqela uThera uyise ka-Abhrahama loNahori, babehlala ngaphetsheya koMfula njalo bekhonza abanye onkulunkulu.
Yoswa anati kwa anthu onse, “Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli akuti, ‘Kalekale makolo anu, kuphatikiza Tera, abambo a Abrahamu ndi Nahori ankakhala kutsidya kwa Mtsinje ndipo ankapembedza milungu ina.
3 Kodwa ngathatha uyihlo u-Abhrahama elizweni elingaphetsheya koMfula ngamkhokhelela eKhenani ngamnika izizukulwane ezinengi. Ngamnika u-Isaka,
Koma ine ndinatenga kholo lanu Abrahamu kumuchotsa ku dziko la kutsidya kwa mtsinje wa Yufurate ndipo ndinamutsogolera kupita ku dziko la Kanaani. Ndinamupatsa zidzukulu zambiri. Ndinamupatsa Isake,
4 njalo u-Isaka ngamnika uJakhobe lo-Esawu. Nganika ilizwe lonke elilamaqaqa eleSeyiri ku-Esawu, kodwa uJakhobe lamadodana akhe baya eGibhithe.
ndipo Isake ndinamupatsa Yakobo ndi Esau. Ndinapereka dziko la mapiri la Seiri kwa Esau, koma Yakobo ndi ana ake anapita ku Igupto.
5 Ngasengithuma uMosi lo-Aroni, njalo ngajezisa amaGibhithe ngalokho engakwenza khonale ngasengilikhupha khona.
“‘Kenaka ndinatuma Mose ndi Aaroni, ndipo ine ndinazunza Aigupto. Pambuyo pake ndinakutulutsani.
6 Ekukhupheni kwami okhokho benu eGibhithe, beza olwandle njalo amaGibhithe axotshana labo ngezinqola lamabhiza baze bayafika eLwandle Olubomvu.
Nditatulutsa makolo anu ku Igupto ndinafika nawo ku Nyanja Yofiira. Aigupto anawathamangira ndi magaleta ndi okwera pa akavalo mpaka ku Nyanja Yofiira.
7 Kodwa bakhala kuThixo befuna uncedo yena waseletha umnyama phakathi kwenu lamaGibhithe; waletha ulwandle phezu kwabo wabembesa ngalo. Lazibonela ngamehlo enu lokho engakwenza kumaGibhithe. Laselihlala enkangala okwesikhathi eside.
Tsono makolo anuwo anapemphera kwa Ine kuti ndiwathandize, ndipo ndinayika mtambo wakuda pakati pawo ndi Aiguptowo, ndipo Nyanja inamiza Aigupto aja. Inu munaona ndi maso anu zimene ndinachita kwa Aiguptowo ndipo inu munakhala mʼchipululu nthawi yayitali.
8 Ngaliletha elizweni lama-Amori ayehlala empumalanga yeJodani. Balwisana lani, kodwa mina ngabanikela ezandleni zenu. Ngababhubhisa phambi kwenu njalo laselithatha ilizwe labo.
“‘Pambuyo pake Ine ndinabwera nanu ku dziko la Aamori amene amakhala kummawa kwa Yorodani. Iwo anamenyana nanu koma ndinawapereka mʼdzanja lanu. Ndinawawononga pamaso panu, ndipo inu munalanda dziko lawo.
9 Lapho uBhalaki indodana kaZiphori inkosi yaseMowabi, alungiselela ukulwisana lo-Israyeli, wathumela uBhalamu indodana kaBheyori ukuthi aliqalekise.
Balaki mwana wa Zipori, mfumu ya Mowabu, analimbana ndi Israeli. Iye anayitanitsa Balaamu mwana wa Beori kuti akutemberereni.
10 Kodwa ngala ukulalela uBhalamu, ngakho walibusisa njalonjalo mina ngasengilihlenga esandleni sakhe.
Koma ine sindinamvere Balaamu, kotero iye anakudalitsani mowirikiza ndipo ndinakulanditsani mʼdzanja lake.
11 Laselichapha uJodani leza eJerikho. Izakhamizi zeJerikho zalwisana lani njengalokho okwenziwa ngama-Amori, amaPherizi, amaKhenani, amaHithi, amaGigashi, amaHivi lamaJebusi, kodwa ngabanikela ezandleni zenu.
“‘Ndipo inu munawoloka Yorodani ndi kufika ku Yeriko. Anthu a ku Yeriko analimbana nanu pamodzi ndi Aamori, Aperezi, Akanaani, Ahiti, Agirigasi, Ahivi ndi Ayebusi. Koma Ine ndinawapereka mʼdzanja lanu.
12 Ngathumela olonyovu phambi kwenu, olwabaxotsha phambi kwenu kanye lamakhosi amabili ama-Amori. Kalizange likwenze ngenkemba yenu langedandili lenu.
Ine ndinatumiza mavu amene anapirikitsa mafumu awiri Aamori aja pamaso panu. Inu simunachite izi ndi lupanga ndi uta wanu.
13 Ngakho ngalinika ilizwe elingazanga liliginqele lamadolobho elingazange liwakhe; njalo lihlala phakathi kwawo njalo lisidla ezivinini zama-oliva elingazihlanyelanga.’
Motero ndinakupatsani dziko limene simunalivutikire ndiponso mizinda imene simunamange. Inu mukukhala mʼmenemo ndi kumadya zipatso za mʼmunda wamphesa ndi kuthyola zipatso mʼmitengo ya olivi zimene simunadzale.’
14 Ngakho mesabeni uThixo limkhonze ngokuthembeka konke. Lahlani onkulunkulu ababekhonzwa ngokhokho benu ngaphetsheya koMfula laseGibhithe, likhonze uThixo.
“Ndipo tsopano wopani Yehova ndi kumutumikira Iye mokhulupirika ndi moona. Chotsani milungu imene makolo anu ankapembedza kutsidya kwa mtsinje wa Yufurate ndi ku Igupto ndipo tumikirani Yehova.
15 Kodwa nxa ukukhonza uThixo kukhanya kungathandeki kini, khethani phakathi kwenu namhlanje lowo elizamkhonza, kumbe ngonkulunkulu okhokho benu ababebakhonza ngaphetsheya koMfula kumbe onkulunkulu bama-Amori, lawo elihlala elizweni lawo. Kodwa mina lendlu yami sizakhonza uThixo.”
Koma ngati kutumikira Yehova kukuyipirani, sankhani lero amene mudzamutumikire, kapena milungu imene makolo anu ankayitumikira kutsidya kwa mtsinje wa Yufurate, kapena milungu ya Aamori, amene mukukhala mʼdziko lawo. Koma ine ndi banja langa, tidzatumikira Yehova.”
16 Abantu basebephendula besithi, “Akube khatshana lathi ukuthi silahle uThixo ukuze sikhonze abanye onkulunkulu!
Ndipo anthu anayankha, “Sizingatheke kuti timusiye Yehova ndi kutumikira milungu ina!
17 KwakunguThixo uNkulunkulu wethu ngokwakhe owasikhuphayo thina kanye labobaba eGibhithe sisuka elizweni lobugqili, wasesenza izimanga ezinkulu emehlweni ethu. Wasivikela kulolonke uhambo lwethu lakuzo zonke izizwe.
Yehova Mulungu wathu ndiye amene anatitulutsa ife ndi makolo athu mu ukapolo, mʼdziko la Igupto. Tinaona ndi maso athu zizindikiro zozizwitsa zimene anachita. Iye anatiteteza pa ulendo wathu wonse ndi pakati pa mitundu yonse imene tinkakumana nayo.
18 Njalo uThixo wazixotsha phambi kwethu zonke izizwe, okugoqela ama-Amori ayehlala elizweni. Lathi sizamkhonza uThixo ngoba unguNkulunkulu wethu.”
Ife tikufika Iye anapirikitsa anthu onse pamodzi ndi Aamori amene ankakhala mʼdzikoli. Ifenso tidzatumikira Yehova chifukwa Iye ndiye Mulungu.”
19 UJoshuwa wathi ebantwini, “Kalenelisi ukumkhonza uThixo. UnguNkulunkulu ongcwele; unguNkulunkulu olobukhwele. Kasoze alixolele ekuhlamukeni kwenu lezonweni zenu.
Koma Yoswa anati kwa anthuwo, “Inutu simungathe kutumikira Yehova. Iye ndi Mulungu woyera, salola kupikisana naye. Sadzakukhululukirani ngati mumuwukira ndi kumuchimwira.
20 Nxa lingatshiya uThixo beselikhonza abanye onkulunkulu bezizweni uzaliphendukela alehlisele umonakalo aliqede du, yena ubelungile.”
Ngati inu musiya Yehova ndi kutumikira milungu yachilendo, adzakufulatirani. Iye adzakulangani ndi kukuwonongani ngakhale kuti poyamba anakuchitirani zabwino.”
21 Kodwa abantu bathi kuJoshuwa, “Hatshi! Sizamkhonza uThixo.”
Koma anthuwo anati kwa Yoswa, “Ayi! Ife tidzatumikira Yehova.”
22 UJoshuwa wathi, “Yini elizifakazelayo ukuthi selikhethe ukukhonza uThixo.” Baphendula bathi, “Yebo singofakazi.”
Kenaka Yoswa anati, “Inu mukudzichitira nokha umboni kuti mwasankha kutumikira Yehova.” Iwo anayankha kuti, “Inde ife ndife mboni.”
23 UJoshuwa wathi kubo, “Ngakho-ke lahlani bonke onkulunkulu bezizweni abaphakathi kwenu beselinikela inhliziyo zenu kuThixo, uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli.”
Yoswa anati, “Tsono chotsani milungu yachilendo imene ili pakati panu ndipo perekani mitima yanu kwa Yehova Mulungu wa Israeli.”
24 Abantu bathi kuJoshuwa, “Sizamkhonza uThixo uNkulunkulu wethu simlalele.”
Ndipo anthuwo anati kwa Yoswa, “Ife tidzatumikira Yehova Mulungu wathu ndi kumvera Iye.”
25 Ngalelolanga uJoshuwa wenzela abantu isivumelwano, njalo wabenzela imithetho lemilayo khonapho eShekhemu.
Choncho pa tsiku limenelo Yoswa anachita pangano mʼmalo mwa anthuwo, ndipo pa Sekemu pomwepo iye anapereka malamulo ndi malangizo kwa anthu aja.
26 UJoshuwa waloba konke lokhu oGwalweni lwemiThetho kaNkulunkulu. Wasethatha ilitshe elikhulu walimisa phansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi eduzane lendawo engcwele kaThixo.
Ndipo Yoswa analemba zinthu izi mʼbuku la malamulo a Mulungu. Kenaka iye anatenga mwala waukulu nawuyimika pansi pa mtengo wa thundu pa malo wopatulika a Yehova.
27 Wathi ebantwini bonke, “Khangelani! Ilitshe leli lizakuba yibufakazi kithi sonke. Selizwile wonke amazwi akhulunywe nguThixo kithi. Lizakuba ngofakazi wokulilahla nxa lingakhulumi iqiniso kuNkulunkulu.”
Yoswa anati kwa anthu onse, “Tamvani! Mwala uwu udzakhala mboni yotitsutsa. Mwalawu wamva mawu onse amene Yehova wayankhula kwa ife. Udzakhala mboni yotitsutsa ngati mukhala osakhulupirika kwa Mulungu wanu.”
28 UJoshuwa wasetshela abantu ukuba bahambe, yilowo esiya elifeni lakhe.
Kenaka Yoswa analola anthu kuti apite, aliyense ku dera lake.
29 Ngemva kwezinto lezi, uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku kaThixo wafa eseleminyaka elikhulu letshumi.
Zitatha zinthu izi, Yoswa mwana wa Nuni, mtumiki wa Yehova, anamwalira ali ndi zaka 110,
30 Njalo bamngcwaba elizweni alizuza njengelifa, eThimnathi-Sera elizweni elilamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi enyakatho yentaba yeGashi.
ndipo anamuyika mʼmanda mʼdziko lake, ku Timnati-Sera dziko lamapiri la ku Efereimu, kumpoto kwa phiri la Gaasi.
31 Abako-Israyeli bamkhonza uThixo ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaJoshuwa labadala kulaye ababesele bephila njalo bebone zonke izinto uThixo ayezenzele abako-Israyeli.
Israeli anatumikira Yehova pa nthawi yonse imene Yoswa anali ndi moyo ndiponso pa nthawi ya akuluakulu amene anali moyo Yoswa atamwalira, anthu amene ankadziwa zonse zimene Yehova anachitira Israeli.
32 Njalo amathambo kaJosefa, abako-Israyeli ababesuke lawo eGibhithe, angcwatshelwa eShekhemu esiqintini somhlaba leso uJakhobe asithenga ngenhlamvu ezilikhulu zesiliva emadodaneni kaHamori, uyise kaShekhemu. Leli laba yilifa lezizukulwane zikaJosefa.
Ndipo mafupa a Yosefe amene Aisraeli anawatulutsa ku Igupto anawayika mʼmanda a ku Sekemu pa malo amene Yakobo anagula ndi ndalama zasiliva 100 kwa ana a Hamori, abambo a Sekemu. Malo awa anakhala cholowa cha adzukulu a Yosefe.
33 U-Eliyazari indodana ka-Aroni wafa wasengcwatshelwa eGibhiya, eyayabelwe indodana yakhe uFinehasi elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi.
Ndipo Eliezara mwana wa Aaroni anamwalira ndipo anayikidwa mʼmanda ku Gibeya, malo amene anapatsidwa kwa Finehasi mwana wake, mʼdziko lamapiri la Efereimu.
