17. Ndazikhalimela izikhulu zakwaJuda, ndisithi kuzo: “Yinkohlakalo yani le niyenzayo – ukuxabhela uMhla wokuPhumla?
18. Andithi nooyihlo benza kwaloo nto, ukuze nje uThixo athobe esi sithwakumbe phezu kwethu nakwesi sixeko? Ngoku ke nina uSirayeli nisamqhwayela ingqumbo engaphezulu ngokuxabhela uMhla wokuPhumla.”
19. Kwakusithi xa athi rhece amathunzi kumasango aseJerusalem ngomhla owandulela uMhla wokuPhumla, ndiyalele ukuba zivalwe iingcango, ze zingavulwa ude udlule uMhla wokuPhumla. Amanye amadoda am ndawamisa emasangweni ukuze agade kungangeniswa mthwalo ngoMhla wokuPhumla.
20. Ngamathuba athile abashishini nabathengisi beendidi zonke babebuchithela ngaphandle kweJerusalem ubusuku.
21. Ke kaloku ndabakhalimela ndathi: “Ngani ukuba ubusuku nibuchithele ngaphandle kodonga? Ndiya kuniphatha ngezandla ukuba nikhe naphinda.” Ukusukela ngelo thuba ke abaphindanga beze ngoMhla wokuPhumla.
22. Ke abaLevi ndabayalela ukuba bazihlambulule, baze baye kulinda amasango, ukuze uMhla wokuPhumla uhlale ukhethekile.Nangale nto ke uze undikhumbule, Thixo wam, undenzele inceba ngokobukhulu bezibele zakho.
23. Kananjalo ke ngaloo mihla ndafumanisa ukuba kukho amaJuda athathe iintombi zaseAshodode, ezakwa-Amon, nezaseMowabhi.
24. Isiqingatha sabantwana babo sasithetha ulwimi lwaseAshdode okanye olunye lweelwimi zeentlanga, sona isiJuda bengakwazi kusithetha.