UJoshuwa 24
1 Ngakho uJoshuwa wabuthanisa zonke izizwana zako-Israyeli eShekhemu. Wamema bonke abadala, abakhokheli, abahluleli leziphathamandla zako-Israyeli, njalo bazethula phambi kukaNkulunkulu.
Awo Yoswa n’akuŋŋaanya ebika byonna ebya Isirayiri e Sekemu, n’ayita abakadde ba Isirayiri n’abakulembeze, abalamuzi era n’abakungu ba Isirayiri ne bajja babeere mu maaso ga Katonda.
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 n’agamba abantu bonna nti, “Bw’ati bw’ayogera Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri nti, ‘Edda ennyo bajjajjammwe nga mulimu ne Teera kitaawe wa Ibulayimu baabeeranga emitala w’omugga Fulaati, gye basinzizanga bakatonda abalala.
3 Kodwa ngathatha uyihlo u-Abhrahama elizweni elingaphetsheya koMfula ngamkhokhelela eKhenani ngamnika izizukulwane ezinengi. Ngamnika u-Isaka,
Ne ndyoka nziggya jjajjammwe Ibulayimu emitala w’omugga, ne mmukulembera okumuyisa mu nsi ye Kanani, ne mmuwa Isaaka, ne mwongerako ezzadde.
4 njalo u-Isaka ngamnika uJakhobe lo-Esawu. Nganika ilizwe lonke elilamaqaqa eleSeyiri ku-Esawu, kodwa uJakhobe lamadodana akhe baya eGibhithe.
Isaaka ne mmuwa Yakobo ne Esawu. Esawu ne mmuwa ensi ey’ensozi eya Seyiri. Naye Yakobo n’abaana be ne mbatwala e Misiri.
5 Ngasengithuma uMosi lo-Aroni, njalo ngajezisa amaGibhithe ngalokho engakwenza khonale ngasengilikhupha khona.
“‘Natuma Musa ne Alooni, ne mbonyaabonya Abamisiri n’ebibonoobono bye nabakola, oluvannyuma abaana ba Yakobo ne mbaggyayo.
6 Ekukhupheni kwami okhokho benu eGibhithe, beza olwandle njalo amaGibhithe axotshana labo ngezinqola lamabhiza baze bayafika eLwandle Olubomvu.
Bwe naggya bajjajjammwe e Misiri mwatuuka ku Nnyanja Emyufu. Abamisiri abaali mu magaali, n’abeebagadde embalaasi ne bawondera bajjajjammwe okutuuka ku Nnyanja Emyufu.
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.
Naye bajjajjammwe bwe baakaabirira Mukama Katonda abayambe, nateeka ekizikiza wakati wammwe n’Abamisiri; Abamisiri n’abayiwako ennyanja n’ebabuutikira. Amaaso gammwe ne galaba kye nakola Abamisiri; ne mutambulira mu ddungu okumala ebbanga ddene.
8 Ngaliletha elizweni lama-Amori ayehlala empumalanga yeJodani. Balwisana lani, kodwa mina ngabanikela ezandleni zenu. Ngababhubhisa phambi kwenu njalo laselithatha ilizwe labo.
“‘Nabaleeta mu nsi ey’Abamoli, abaali emitala wa Yoludaani, ne babalwanyisa, ne mbagabula mu mukono gwammwe. Ne nzikiriza Abamoli okubamalawo mu maaso gammwe ensi yaabwe ne ngigabira mmwe.
9 Lapho uBhalaki indodana kaZiphori inkosi yaseMowabi, alungiselela ukulwisana lo-Israyeli, wathumela uBhalamu indodana kaBheyori ukuthi aliqalekise.
Balaki mutabani wa Zipoli, kabaka wa Mowaabu, bwe yasituka okulwanyisa Isirayiri, n’atumya Balamu mutabani wa Byoli abakolimire;
10 Kodwa ngala ukulalela uBhalamu, ngakho walibusisa njalonjalo mina ngasengilihlenga esandleni sakhe.
naye Balamu saamuwuliriza, n’abawa buwi mukisa emirundi n’emirundi. Bwe ntyo ne mbanunula mu mukono gwe.
11 Laselichapha uJodani leza eJerikho. Izakhamizi zeJerikho zalwisana lani njengalokho okwenziwa ngama-Amori, amaPherizi, amaKhenani, amaHithi, amaGigashi, amaHivi lamaJebusi, kodwa ngabanikela ezandleni zenu.
“‘Ne musomoka omugga Yoludaani ne mutuuka e Yeriko. Abantu b’omu Yeriko awamu n’Abamoli, n’Abaperezi, n’Abakanani, n’Abakiiti, n’Abagirusi, n’Abakiivi, n’Abayebusi ne babalwanyisa naye ne mbagabula mu mukono gwammwe.
12 Ngathumela olonyovu phambi kwenu, olwabaxotsha phambi kwenu kanye lamakhosi amabili ama-Amori. Kalizange likwenze ngenkemba yenu langedandili lenu.
Ne ntuma ennumba ezabakulembera ezagoba abalabe bammwe mu maaso gammwe, nga mwe muli bakabaka ababiri Abamoli; si mmwe mwakikola n’ekitala kyammwe wadde obusaale.
13 Ngakho ngalinika ilizwe elingazanga liliginqele lamadolobho elingazange liwakhe; njalo lihlala phakathi kwawo njalo lisidla ezivinini zama-oliva elingazihlanyelanga.’
Ne mbawa ensi gye mutaakolerera, ebibuga bye mutaazimba mwe mutudde kaakano, mulya ebibala by’emizabbibu n’emizeeyituuni bye mutaasimba.’
14 Ngakho mesabeni uThixo limkhonze ngokuthembeka konke. Lahlani onkulunkulu ababekhonzwa ngokhokho benu ngaphetsheya koMfula laseGibhithe, likhonze uThixo.
“Noolwekyo kaakano mutye Mukama Katonda era mumuweereze mu bwesimbu era mu mazima, muggyeewo bakatonda babajjajjammwe be baawererezanga emitala w’omugga ne mu Misiri, muweereze Mukama Katonda.
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.”
Naye bwe muba temwagala kuweereza Mukama, mulondeewo leero gwe munaaweerezanga; oba bakatonda babajjajjammwe abaali emitala w’omugga be baaweerezanga, oba bakatonda ab’Abamoli, bannannyini nsi mwe muli. Naye nze n’ennyumba yange, ffe tunaaweerezanga Mukama Katonda.”
16 Abantu basebephendula besithi, “Akube khatshana lathi ukuthi silahle uThixo ukuze sikhonze abanye onkulunkulu!
Abantu ne balyoka baddamu ne bagamba nti, “Kikafuuwe ffe okuleka Mukama okuweerezanga bakatonda abalala.
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.
Mukama Katonda waffe ye yatuggya ffe ne bajjajjaffe mu Misiri mu nsi ey’obuddu, n’akola ebyewuunyo eby’ekitalo nga tulaba, n’atukuuma mu kkubo lyonna ne mu mawanga gonna ge twayitamu.
18 Njalo uThixo wazixotsha phambi kwethu zonke izizwe, okugoqela ama-Amori ayehlala elizweni. Lathi sizamkhonza uThixo ngoba unguNkulunkulu wethu.”
Mukama Katonda n’agoba amawanga gonna mu maaso gaffe nga mwe muli Abamoli, abaali mu nsi. Naffe kyetunaava tuweerezanga Mukama Katonda, kubanga ye Katonda waffe.”
19 UJoshuwa wathi ebantwini, “Kalenelisi ukumkhonza uThixo. UnguNkulunkulu ongcwele; unguNkulunkulu olobukhwele. Kasoze alixolele ekuhlamukeni kwenu lezonweni zenu.
Yoswa n’agamba abantu nti, “Kizibu okuweereza Mukama, kubanga Katonda mutukuvu, Katonda wa buggya, taasonyiwenga bujeemu bwammwe newaakubadde ebibi byammwe.
20 Nxa lingatshiya uThixo beselikhonza abanye onkulunkulu bezizweni uzaliphendukela alehlisele umonakalo aliqede du, yena ubelungile.”
Obanga munaalekanga Mukama, ne muweerezanga bakatonda abalala, alibakyukira n’abazikiriza n’abamalawo ate nga bulijjo abadde abayisa bulungi.”
21 Kodwa abantu bathi kuJoshuwa, “Hatshi! Sizamkhonza uThixo.”
Abantu ne bagamba Yoswa nti, “Nedda, tunaweerezanga Mukama.”
22 UJoshuwa wathi, “Yini elizifakazelayo ukuthi selikhethe ukukhonza uThixo.” Baphendula bathi, “Yebo singofakazi.”
Yoswa n’agamba abantu nti, “Muli bajulirwa bammwe mwekka nga mulonzeewo kuweerezanga Mukama Katonda.” Ne boogera nti, “Tuli bajulirwa.”
23 UJoshuwa wathi kubo, “Ngakho-ke lahlani bonke onkulunkulu bezizweni abaphakathi kwenu beselinikela inhliziyo zenu kuThixo, uNkulunkulu wako-Israyeli.”
N’abagamba nti, “Kale muggyeewo bakatonda abalala abali wakati mu mmwe, era emitima gyammwe mugizze eri Mukama Katonda wa Isirayiri.”
24 Abantu bathi kuJoshuwa, “Sizamkhonza uThixo uNkulunkulu wethu simlalele.”
Abantu ne bagamba Yoswa nti, “Tujja kuweerezanga Mukama Katonda waffe era tujja kumugonderanga.”
25 Ngalelolanga uJoshuwa wenzela abantu isivumelwano, njalo wabenzela imithetho lemilayo khonapho eShekhemu.
Awo Yoswa n’akola endagaano n’abantu ku lunaku olwo, n’abakolera amateeka n’ebiragiro.
26 UJoshuwa waloba konke lokhu oGwalweni lwemiThetho kaNkulunkulu. Wasethatha ilitshe elikhulu walimisa phansi kwesihlahla somʼOkhi eduzane lendawo engcwele kaThixo.
Era n’awandiika ebintu bino mu kitabo ky’amateeka ekya Katonda, n’atwala ejjinja eddene ennyo n’aliteeka wansi w’omwera ogwali mu kifo kya Mukama ekitukuvu.
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 n’agamba abantu nti, “Mulabe ejjinja lino lijja kubeeranga omujulizi gye tuli, liwulidde ebigambo byonna Mukama Katonda bya tugambye. Era lijja kubeeranga omujulizi gye muli bwe mutaabeerenga beesigwa eri Katonda wammwe.”
28 UJoshuwa wasetshela abantu ukuba bahambe, yilowo esiya elifeni lakhe.
Yoswa n’asindika abantu bagende, buli omu mu mugabo gwe.
29 Ngemva kwezinto lezi, uJoshuwa indodana kaNuni, inceku kaThixo wafa eseleminyaka elikhulu letshumi.
Oluvannyuma lw’ebyo Yoswa mutabani wa Nuuni, omuweereza wa Mukama, n’afa ng’awezezza emyaka kikumi mu kkumi.
30 Njalo bamngcwaba elizweni alizuza njengelifa, eThimnathi-Sera elizweni elilamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi enyakatho yentaba yeGashi.
Ne bamuziika mu ttaka ly’obusika bwe lye yaweebwa e Timunasusera, ekiri mu nsi ey’ensozi eya Efulayimu ku luuyi olw’obukiikakkono olw’olusozi Gaasi.
31 Abako-Israyeli bamkhonza uThixo ngezinsuku zokuphila kukaJoshuwa labadala kulaye ababesele bephila njalo bebone zonke izinto uThixo ayezenzele abako-Israyeli.
Abayisirayiri ne baweereza Mukama ennaku zonna ez’abakadde abaasigalawo nga Yoswa amaze okufa era abaamanya emirimu gyonna Mukama Katonda gye yakolera Isirayiri.
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.
N’amagumba ga Yusufu, abaana ba Isirayiri ge baggya e Misiri ne bagaziika e Sekemu, mu kifo ky’ettaka Yakobo kye yagula ebitundu bya ffeeza kikumi ku batabani ba Kamoli, kitaawe wa Sekemu ne liba omugabo gw’abaana ba Yusufu.
33 U-Eliyazari indodana ka-Aroni wafa wasengcwatshelwa eGibhiya, eyayabelwe indodana yakhe uFinehasi elizweni lamaqaqa elako-Efrayimi.
Eriyazaali mutabani wa Alooni naye n’afa, n’aziikibwa ku lusozi Gibea olwaweebwa Finekaasi mutabani we, mu nsi ey’ensozi eya Efulayimu.
