UZekhariya 3

1 Yase ingitshengisa uJoshuwa umphristi omkhulu emi phambi kwengilosi kaThixo, loSathane emi kwesokunene sakhe ephikisana laye.

Then the Lord showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing on his right accusing him.

2 UThixo wathi kuSathane, “UThixo uyakukhuza, Sathane! UThixo oyikhethileyo iJerusalema, uyakukhuza! Umuntu lo kasisikhuni esihwatshwe sibhebha na?”

And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebukes you Satan. I, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you. Isn't he like a half-burned stick snatched from the fire?”

3 UJoshuwa wema phambi kwengilosi egqoke ezingcolileyo.

Joshua was wearing filthy clothes as he stood in front of the angel.

4 Ingilosi yasisithi kulabo ababemi phambi kwayo, “Mkhululeni izigqoko lezi ezingcolileyo.” Yasisithi kuJoshuwa, “Uyabona, sengisisusile isono sakho, yikho sengizakugqokisa izigqoko ezinhle kakhulu.”

The angel said to those standing there, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See how I have taken away your sins from you, and now I am dressing you with fine clothes.”

5 Ngasengisithi, “Mthwaliseni iqhiye ehlanzekileyo ekhanda lakhe.” Basebemthwalisa iqhiye ehlanzekileyo ekhanda, bamgqokisa njalo, ingilosi kaThixo ilokhu imi khonapho.

Then I said, “Wrap a clean turban around his head.” So they wrapped a clean turban around his head and put the clothes on him while the angel of the Lord stood there.

6 Ingilosi kaThixo yasimupha umlayo lo uJoshuwa, yathi:

Then the angel of the Lord solemnly advised Joshua, saying,

7 “Nanku akutshoyo uThixo uSomandla: ‘Nxa uzahamba ngezindlela zami ugcine izimiso zami, lapho-ke uzabusa indlu yami, uwaphathe lamaguma ami, njalo mina ngizakupha indawo phakathi kwalaba abemiyo lapha.

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: If you follow my ways and observe my commands, then you will govern my Temple and its courtyards. I will allow you to walk among those standing here.

8 Lalela, wena mphristi omkhulu Joshuwa, kanye labakhula bakho abahlezi phambi kwakho, abangamadoda ayisitshengiselo sezinto ezizayo: Ngizaletha inceku yami iHlumela.

Pay attention, high priest Joshua and all your fellow-priests that you teach! You are a sign of good things to come. Look! I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.

9 Uyabona, ilitshe engilimise phambi kukaJoshuwa! Kulamehlo ayisikhombisa phezu kwelitshe lilinye, njalo ngizagubha umbhalo kulo,’ kutsho uThixo uSomandla, ‘njalo ngizasisusa isono salelilizwe ngelanga elilodwa zwi.

See that I have placed a precious stone in front of Joshua, a single stone with seven faces. Watch, for I myself am going to engrave seven eyes on it, declares the Lord Almighty, and I will wipe away the sins of this land in a single day.

10 Ngalelolanga lowo lalowo wenu uzamema umakhelwane wakhe ukuthi ahlale ngaphansi kwevini lomkhiwa wakhe,’ kutsho uThixo uSomandla.”

On that day everyone will invite their friends to sit in peace under their vines and fig trees, says the Lord Almighty.”