UHezekheli 20
1 Kwasekusithi ngomnyaka wesikhombisa, ngenyanga yesihlanu, ngolwetshumi lwenyanga, abathile babadala bakoIsrayeli beza ukuzabuza iNkosi, bahlala phambi kwami.
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth [month], the tenth [day] of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to inquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
2 Ilizwi leNkosi laselifika kimi lisithi:
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
3 Ndodana yomuntu, khuluma kubadala bakoIsrayeli, uthi kubo: Itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova: Lize ukuzangibuza yini? Kuphila kwami, isibili kangiyikubuzwa yini, itsho iNkosi uJehova.
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD: Are ye come to inquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you.
4 Uzabahlulela yini, uzabahlulela yini, ndodana yomuntu? Bazise izinengiso zaboyise;
Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers;
5 uthi kubo: Itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova: Ngosuku engakhetha ngalo uIsrayeli, ngaphakamisa isandla sami kunzalo yendlu kaJakobe, ngazazisa kubo elizweni leGibhithe, lapho ngiphakamisa isandla sami kibo, ngisithi: NgiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu.
and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD: In the day when I chose Israel, and lifted up mine hand unto the seed of the house of Jacob, and made myself known unto them in the land of Egypt, when I lifted up mine hand unto them, Saying, I am the LORD your God;
6 Ngalolusuku ngaphakamisa isandla sami kubo, ukuthi ngibakhuphe elizweni leGibhithe ngibase elizweni engangibahlolele lona, eligeleza uchago loluju, eliludumo lwawo wonke amazwe.
in that day I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth out of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
7 Ngasengisithi kubo: Lahlani ngulowo lalowo izinengiso zamehlo akhe, lingazingcolisi ngezithombe zeGibhithe: NgiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu.
And I said unto them, Cast ye away every man the abominations of his eyes, and defile not yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.
8 Kodwa bangivukela, bengavumi ukulalela kimi, kabalahlanga ngulowo lalowo izinengiso zamehlo abo, kabatshiyanga izithombe zeGibhithe. Ngasengisithi ngizathululela ukuthukuthela kwami phezu kwabo, ukuze ngiphelelise ulaka lwami ngimelene labo phakathi kwelizwe leGibhithe.
But they rebelled against me, and would not hearken unto me; they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.
9 Kodwa ngakwenza ngenxa yebizo lami, ukuze lingangcoliswa emehlweni ezizwe, ababephakathi kwazo, engazazisa kubo phambi kwamehlo azo, ukubakhupha elizweni leGibhithe.
But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, among whom they were, in whose sight I made myself known unto them, in bringing them forth out of the land of Egypt.
10 Ngakho ngabakhupha elizweni leGibhithe, ngabangenisa enkangala.
So I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.
11 Ngabanika izimiso zami, ngabazisa izahlulelo zami, okuthi nxa umuntu ezenza, uzaphila ngazo.
And I gave them my statutes, and shewed them my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them.
12 Ngabanika futhi amasabatha ami ukuze abe yisibonakaliso phakathi kwami labo, ukuze bazi ukuthi ngiyiNkosi ebangcwelisayo.
Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them.
13 Kodwa indlu kaIsrayeli yangivukela enkangala; kabahambanga ngezimiso zami, badelela izahlulelo zami, okuthi nxa umuntu ezenza, uzaphila ngazo; lamasabatha ami bawangcolisa kakhulu. Ngasengisithi ngizathululela ukuthukuthela kwami phezu kwabo enkangala, ukuze ngibaqede.
But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they rejected my judgments, which if a man do, he shall live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly profaned: then I said I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.
14 Kodwa ngakwenza ngenxa yebizo lami, ukuze lingangcoliswa emehlweni ezizwe, engabakhupha emehlweni azo.
But I wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them out.
15 Futhi lami ngabaphakamisela isandla sami enkangala, ukuthi kangiyikubaletha elizweni engangilinike bona, eligeleza uchago loluju, eliludumo lwawo wonke amazwe;
Moreover also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
16 ngoba badelela izahlulelo zami, kabahambanga ngezimiso zami, kodwa bangcolisa amasabatha ami, ngoba inhliziyo yabo yalandela izithombe zabo.
because they rejected my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, and profaned my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols.
17 Lanxa kunjalo ilihlo lami labahawukela ukuze ngingababhubhisi, futhi kangibaqedanga enkangala.
Nevertheless mine eye spared them from destroying them, neither did I make a full end of them in the wilderness.
18 Kodwa ngathi kubantwana babo enkangala: Lingahambi ngezimiso zaboyihlo, lingagcini izahlulelo zabo, lingazingcolisi ngezithombe zabo.
And I said unto their children in the wilderness, Walk ye not in the statutes of your fathers, neither observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols:
19 NgiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu; hambani ngezimiso zami, ligcine izahlulelo zami, lizenze.
I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them:
20 Lingcwelise amasabatha ami, abe yisibonakaliso phakathi kwami lani, ukuze lazi ukuthi ngiyiNkosi uNkulunkulu wenu.
and hallow my sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God.
21 Kodwa abantwana bangivukela; kabahambanga ngezimiso zami, kabagcinanga izahlulelo zami ukuthi bazenze; okuthi nxa umuntu ezenza, uzaphila ngazo; bawangcolisa amasabatha ami; ngasengisithi ngizathululela intukuthelo yami phezu kwabo, ukuthi ngiphelelise ulaka lwami ngimelene labo enkangala.
But the children rebelled against me; they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall live in them; they profaned my sabbaths: then I said I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.
22 Kodwa ngabuyisa isandla sami, ngenza ngenxa yebizo lami, ukuze lingangcoliswa phambi kwamehlo ezizwe, engangibakhuphe phambi kwamehlo azo.
Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand, and wrought for my name’s sake, that it should not he profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth.
23 Mina ngabaphakamisela isandla sami futhi enkangala, ukuthi ngizabahlakaza phakathi kwezizwe, ngibasabalalisele emazweni;
Moreover I lifted up mine hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations, and disperse them through the countries,
24 ngoba bengazenzanga izahlulelo zami, kodwa badelela izimiso zami, bangcolisa amasabatha ami, lamehlo abo alandela izithombe zaboyise.
because they had not executed my judgments, but had rejected my statutes, and had profaned my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.
25 Ngakho mina ngabanika futhi izimiso ezazingalunganga, lezahlulelo ababengeke baphile ngazo.
Moreover also I gave them statutes that were not good, and judgments wherein they should not live;
26 Ngasengibangcolisa kuzo izipho zabo, ekudabuliseni kwaboemlilweni konke okuvula isizalo, ukuze ngibachithe, ukuze bazi ukuthi ngiyiNkosi.
and I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through [the fire] all that openeth the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the LORD.
27 Ngakho, ndodana yomuntu, khuluma kuyo indlu yakoIsrayeli, uthi kubo: Itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova: Lakulokhu oyihlo bangihlambazile, ngokuthi baphambeke isiphambeko bemelene lami.
Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have committed a trespass against me.
28 Lapho sengibalethe elizweni, engaphakamisela isandla sami ngalo ukuthi ngibanike lona, babona lonke uqaqa oluphakemeyo, lazo zonke izihlahla eziqatha, bahlaba khona imihlatshelo yabo, banikela khona isicunulo somnikelo wabo, bafaka khona iphunga labo elimnandi, bathulula khona iminikelo yabo yokunathwayo.
For when I had brought them into the land, which I lifted up mine hand to give unto them, then they saw every high hill, and every thick tree, and they offered there their sacrifices, and there they presented the provocation of their offering, there also they made their sweet savour, and they poured out there their drink offerings.
29 Ngasengisithi kubo: Iyini indawo ephakemeyo eliya kuyo? Lebizo layo lithiwa yiNdawo ePhakemeyo kuze kube lamuhla.
Then I said unto them, What meaneth the high place whereunto ye go? So the name thereof is called Bamah unto this day.
30 Ngakho tshono kuyo indlu kaIsrayeli: Itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova: Lizazingcolisa ngendlela yaboyihlo yini, liphinge lilandela izinengiso zabo?
Wherefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD: Do ye pollute yourselves after the manner of your fathers? and go ye a whoring after their abominations?
31 Ngoba lapho linikela izipho zenu, lapho lisenza amadodana enu adabule emlilweni, liyazingcolisa ngezithombe zenu zonke kuze kube lamuhla. Mina-ke ngizabuzwa yini na, wena ndlu kaIsrayeli? Kuphila kwami, itsho iNkosi uJehova, isibili kangiyikubuzwa yini.
and when ye offer your gifts, when ye make your sons to pass through the fire, do ye pollute yourselves with all your idols, unto this day? and shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be inquired of by you:
32 Lalokho okuvela engqondweni yenu kakuyikuba khona ngitsho, elikutshoyo ukuthi: Sizakuba njengabezizwe, njengensapho zamazwe, ukuthi sikhonze isigodo lelitshe.
and that which cometh into your mind shall not be at all; in that ye say, We will be as the nations, as the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.
33 Kuphila kwami, itsho iNkosi uJehova, isibili ngizabusa phezu kwenu ngesandla esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo langolaka oluthululiweyo!
As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I be king over you:
34 Ngoba ngizalikhupha ebantwini, ngiliqoqe emazweni elihlakazekele kuwo, ngesandla esilamandla langengalo eyeluliweyo langolaka oluthululiweyo.
and I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out.
35 Njalo ngizaliletha enkangala yabantu, ngizaphikisana lani lapho ubuso ngobuso.
and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I plead with you face to face.
36 Njengalokhu ngaphikisana laboyihlo enkangala yelizwe leGibhithe, ngokunjalo ngizaphikisana lani, itsho iNkosi uJehova.
Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD.
37 Njalo ngizalidlulisa ngaphansi kwentonga, ngilingenise kusibopho sesivumelwano.
And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant;
38 Ngihlanze ngikhuphe phakathi kwenu abavukeli lalabo abaphambeka bemelene lami, ngibakhuphe elizweni lokuhlala kwabo njengabezizwe, kodwa kabayikungena emhlabathini wakoIsrayeli. Khona lizakwazi ukuthi ngiyiNkosi.
and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
39 Lina-ke, ndlu kaIsrayeli, itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova, hambani likhonze, ngulowo lalowo izithombe zakhe, langemva kwalokho, uba lingangilaleli; kodwa lingangcolisi futhi ibizo lami elingcwele ngezipho zenu langezithombe zenu.
As for you, O house of Israel, thus saith the Lord GOD: Go ye, serve every one his idols, and hereafter also, if ye will not hearken unto me: but my holy name shall ye no more profane with your gifts, and with your idols.
40 Ngoba entabeni yami engcwele, entabeni yengqonga yakoIsrayeli, itsho iNkosi uJehova, lapho izangikhonza indlu yonke yakoIsrayeli, bonke elizweni; khona ngizabemukela, lakhona ngibize iminikelo yenu, lezithelo zokuqala zeminikelo yenu, lazo zonke izinto zenu ezingcwele.
For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them, serve me in the land: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.
41 Ngizalemukela ngephunga elimnandi nxa ngilikhupha ebantwini, ngiliqoqe emazweni ebelihlakazelwe kuwo; njalo ngizangcweliswa phakathi kwenu phambi kwamehlo ezizwe.
As a sweet savour will I accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you in the sight of the nations.
42 Lizakwazi-ke ukuthi ngiyiNkosi, lapho sengilingenise emhlabathini wakoIsrayeli, elizweni engaliphakamisela isandla sami ukulinika oyihlo.
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country which I lifted up mine hand to give unto your fathers.
43 Lapho-ke lizakhumbula izindlela zenu lezenzo zenu zonke, elazingcolisa ngazo; njalo lizazenyanya phambi kobuso benu ngenxa yazo zonke izinto ezimbi elizenzileyo.
And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have polluted yourselves; and ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.
44 Beselisazi ukuthi ngiyiNkosi, nxa ngenze kini ngenxa yebizo lami, hatshi njengokwezindlela zenu ezimbi, kumbe njengokwezenzo zenu zenkohlakalo, lina ndlu kaIsrayeli, itsho iNkosi uJehova.
And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
45 Ilizwi leNkosi lafika kimi futhi lisithi:
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
46 Ndodana yomuntu, misa ubuso bakho ngasendleleni yeningizimu, utshumayele ngaseningizimu, uprofethe umelene legusu lensimu yeningizimu;
Son of man, set thy face toward the south, and drop [thy word] toward the south, and prophesy against the forest of the field in the South;
47 uthi kilo igusu leningizimu: Zwana ilizwi leNkosi: Itsho njalo iNkosi uJehova: Khangela, ngizaphemba umlilo phakathi kwakho, njalo uzaqeda phakathi kwakho sonke isihlahla esiluhlaza laso sonke isihlahla esomileyo; ilangabi elivuthayo kaliyikucitshwa, kodwa kuzatshiswa ngalo bonke ubuso kusukela eningizimu kuze kufike enyakatho.
and say to the forest of the South, Hear the word of the LORD; Thus saith the Lord GOD: Behold, I will kindle a fire in thee, and it shall devour every green tree in thee, and every dry tree: the flaming flame shall not be quenched, and all faces from the south to the north shall be burnt thereby.
48 Futhi yonke inyama izabona ukuthi mina Nkosi ngiwuphembile, kawuyikucitshwa.
And all flesh shall see that I the LORD have kindled it: it shall not be quenched.
49 Ngasengisithi: Hawu, Nkosi Jehova! Bathi ngami: Kakhulumi imifanekiso yini?
Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! they say of me, Is he not a speaker of parables?
