The Scriptures (1998) or Izibhalo Ezingcwele (1975)?
This is being posted just before a very special upcoming ceremony (a day of fasting essentially), observed after the ancient calendar (following moon cycles). The ceremony is called The Day of Atonement and is rather self explanatory - which in modern english could be called a day of reflection. Simple really, and it goes as deep as you wanna go.
This is a rather lengthy and wordy one, so bear with me as this will be a word for word (WfW) comparison between two Bible versions, The Scriptures (1998) - a `jewish` translation, and the Izibhalo Ezingcwele (1975) - a Xhosa version of the Bible. In this post I will try to refrain from uncontrolled outpourings - in the form of usual remarks on lost history and or on personal opinions about the people behind the aforementioned jewish Bible. Instead I will let the comparisons and mistranslations (misunderstandings perhaps) speak for themselves. And you, as for all these posts, can be the judge of this information. Dont let some authoritative theologian tell you what this and that means. Read, and figure out for yourself. Lets just get one thing clear early on, if you like myself happen to be curious, there are discrepancies...
Btw - Tsphanyah, and something like `sudden` in Xhosa.
The Scriptures (ISR) version of the Bible has preserved some of the original language built in meanings (which only make sense in Xhosa) and Xhosa names. Although pronounced in Jewish (more precisely in modern Hebrew) a product made by the `pretenders` in Israel. There is much to be said about this version, only I did make somewhat of a promise, luckily there is even more to be said about the Izibhalo Ezingcwele (1975). Were we hear about stories like from Qumra in South-Africa (today King Williams Town), where the elders actually payed a large role in choosing to not litter their 1975 translation with the usual pagan elements that seem to have crept into every modern translation of the Bible. Among other things, as we shall see shortly. And even though the Xhosa version have kept the name Yehovah, the truly amazing thing is how, in the Jewish version, the name of the Father (Bawo) is written and mentioned many times in the form of the so-called tetragrammaton (YHWH), which in actuality, when read with latin letters, reads יהוה - NiNi. The only name of the Most High Creator, who is blessed forever. So without much further historical marination, lets do a verse by verse comparison with a larger font accompanied by a footnote to highlight the severe differences. This took quite a while to get wrapped up, so enjoy :)
Chapter 1
1 The word of יהוה which came to Tsephanyah son of Kushi, son of Geḏalyah, son of Amaryah, son of Ḥizqiyah, in the days of Yoshiyahu son of Amon, sovereign of Yehuḏah.
1 Ilizwi likaYehova elafika kuZefaniya unyana kaKushi, unyana kaGedaliya, unyana ka-Amariya, unyana kaHezekiya, ngemihla kaYosiya unyana ka-Amon, ukumkani wakwaYuda.
2 “I shall snatch away all from the face of the earth,” declares יהוה –
2 Ndiya kususa ndiyisuse into yonke ehlabathini; utsho uYehova.
3“I snatch away man and beast, I snatch away the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, and the stumbling-blocks, with the wrong, when I shall cut off man from the face of the earth,” declares יהוה.
3 Ndiya kususa abantu neenkomo; ndiya kususa iintaka zezulu, neentlanzi zolwandle; nezikhubekiso kunye nabangendawo; ndibanqamle abantu emhlabeni; utsho uYehova.
Neenkomo means cows or cattle, not beasts. The repeated use, or shall we say miss-use, of the word beasts, is also rendered in this verse when it actually has a very different and simpler meaning - cows.
4 “And I shall stretch out My hand against Yehuḏah, and against all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, and cut off every trace of Ba‛al from this place, the names of the idolatrous priests, with the priests, 5 and those bowing down to the host of the heavens on the house-tops, and those bowing themselves, swearing by יהוה and swearing by Malkam; 6 and those who turn away from following יהוה, and who have not sought יהוה or inquired of Him.”
4 Ndiya kusolula isandla sam phezu koYuda, naphezu kwabemi bonke baseYerusalem, ndinqamle kuyo le ndawo amasalela akwaBhahali, negama lababingeleli abangengabo, kunye nababingeleli; 5 nabaqubuda kumkhosi wezulu phezu kwezindlu, nabaqubudi abazinikela kuYehova ngesifungo, bafunge ukumkani wabo; 6 nababuya umva kuYehova, nabangamfunanga uYehova, abangamquqelanga.
kusolula isandla - stretch out my hand `on the top of your head`, placing hands on top of head is a bad idea. Its a transferring of spirit... So in this context it demonstrates something else, although it is connected. Umkunkani Wabo - THEIR SOVEREIGN - no mention of other (pagan) deities in the Xhosa version. And as Scripture warns us all not to even say the pagan names, like Malkam (Molok), Jesus (Zeus) Jahve (Johve), Ushua (Yahoshua). Calling on Pagan deities is a bad idea, NiNi does not like to hear us uttering their names (Ex. 23,13)
7Hush! in the presence of the Master יהוה. For the day of יהוה is near, for יהוה has prepared a slaughter, He has set apart His invited ones.
7 Yithini tu ebusweni beNkosi uYehova; ngokuba isondele imini kaYehova; kuba uYehova ulungise umbingelelo, ungcwalise abamenywa bakhe.
8“And it shall be, in the day of the slaughter of יהוה, that I shall punish the rulers and the sons of the sovereign, and all such as are clad in foreign garments.
8 Kuya kuthi ngemini yombingelelo kaYehova, ndibavelele abathetheli, noonyana bokumkani, nabo bonke abambatha izambatho zolunye uhlanga.
yombingelelo - this means CEREMONY, which is exactly not equivalent to a slaughter or a particular day of slaughter. This might be another word lost in translation putting people off the whole concepts off ceremonies, and the mere fact that they still are very much valid - just as the ceremonies/appointed times (Moe`dim) like, Feasts of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Feast oF Tabernacles, and off course New Moons and Sabbaths - mentioned copious times in Scripture. CEREMONY and Slaughter is an incomparable translation.
9“And I shall punish on that day all who leap over the threshold, who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit.
9 Ndobavelela ngaloo mini bonke abatsiba embundwini womnyango, abazalisa indlu yenkosi yabo ngogonyamelo nenkohliso.
Ndobavelela - this word means to visit. another Pagan attempt to vilify or make the Almighty seem like some blood thirsty monster, where you are bound to be punished... He is righteous though, scary righteous, and not like you or me. The word is visit not punish.
10“And on that day there shall be,” declares יהוה, “the sound of a cry from the Fish Gate, and of a howling from the Second Quarter, and of a great crashing from the hills.
10 Kothi ngaloo mini, utsho uYehova, kuvele izwi lokukhala esangweni leentlanzi, kuvele nokubhomboloza kwesesibini isahlulo somzi, kuvele ukuqhekeka okukhulu ezindulini.
kuvele nokubhomboloza kwesesibini isahlulo somzi - This phrase means something to the effect of `And a howling from the second division of the household`. The second quarter of what...? Without the Xhosa here this verse makes NO sense. There is also a sound from the entrance of the Fishes, not really a Fish Gate...not a title, just a description of a place. The house of Jacobi (Ishakhele) was divided into two, which probably is the household (second division) mentioned in this particular Scripture. A howling from them, the second division of this tribe of Ishakhele. ukuqhekeka - this word means cracking, because the Nature will be cracked (earthquakes), no crashing but a pure and audible cracking of the earth.
11“Howl, you inhabitants of Maḵtĕsh, for all the merchant people shall be silenced, all those weighing out silver shall be cut off.
11 Bhombolozani, bemi basemgongxweni, kuba badakile bonke abantu bakwaKanan, banqunyulwe bonke abathwali besilivere.
basemgongxweni - this word a a description of the Pit, abyss or the great hole described in Scripture. where is this dark stinking pit? Perhaps in Antarctica where people aren't even allowed to travel without having untold levels of security clearances. Full of ice, and a place of death. No human being can live under those conditions without equipment or contraptions. This verse mentions the pagan deity by the name of Maḵtĕsh, and not the name of the pit (basemgongxweni) itself - another bad fruit condemning this translation. this one won't make a lick of sense without translating i further from Xhosa to english - kuba badakile bonke abantu bakwaKanan - `for the people of Canaan (Israel) are dressed up`, in other words the people of the promised land are dressed up in their robes and traditional garments, ready for what is coming. It has nothing to do with merchant peoples or silencing them...a very strange rendering..
12“And at that time it shall be, that I search Yerushalayim with lamps and punish the men who are settled on their dregs, who say in their heart, ‘יהוה does no good, nor does He evil.’
12 Kuya kuthi ngelo xesha, ndiyigqutha gquthe iYerusalem ndinezibane, ndiwavelele amadoda agovalele ezintliziyweni zawo; atshoyo ukuthi ezintliziyweni zawo, UYehova akenzi kulungileyo, akenzi nakubi.
agovalele ezintliziyweni zawo - to be lazy or as the english version says, to be settled on their dregs... its enough to just say lazy or fingertips that isn't used. People who are not using their fingertips. Slack fingertips. dregs is the bottom left residue in a bottle with liquid, the dregs.
13“And their wealth shall become plunder, and their houses laid waste. And they shall build houses but not inhabit them, and they shall plant vineyards but not drink their wine.”
13 Ubutyebi bawo buya kudywidwa, nezindlu zawo zibe ngamanxuwa; akhe izindlu, angazihlali; atyale izidiliya, angayiseli iwayini yazo.
14Near is the great day of יהוה, near and hurrying greatly, the noise of the day of יהוה. Let the mighty man then bitterly cry out!
14 Isondele imini enkulu kaYehova, isondele, ikhawulezile kakhulu. Yivani, imini kaYehova! Liyakhala ngokukrakra khona igorha.
15That day is a day of wrath, a day of distress and trouble, a day of waste and ruin, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
15 Loo mini yimini yokuphuphuma komsindo, yimini yembandezelo nocutheko, yimini yentshabalala yakwantshabalala, yimini yobumnyama nesithokothoko, yimini yamafu, namafu amnyama;
16a day of ram’s horn (shofar) and alarm – against the walled cities and against the corner towers.
16 yimini yesigodlo nokuhlaba umkhosi emizini enqatyisiweyo, naseluqoqweni olude.
yesigodlo - this is really describing a day of packing and fleeing. And does not describe Rams horns, didgeridoos or Shofar horns...It describes a day of bagging...Its a day of fleeing into the mountains...kinda hard to flee into the mountains in a place where there aren't any mountains to flee into. Palestine (or Israel) has nothing more than Tels and ancient persian temples..
17“And I shall bring distress on men, and they shall walk like blind men – because they have sinned against יהוה, and their blood shall be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.”
17 Ndiya kubabandezela abantu, bahambe ngokweemfama, kuba bonile kuYehova; liphalazwe igazi labo njengothuli, nenyama yabo njengobulongo.
abantu - NiNi shall bring distress on PEOPLE, not just man in general, but this is a reference to all men. Perhaps intended by the writers also.
18Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of יהוה. And by the fire of His jealousy all the earth shall be consumed, for He makes a sudden end of all those who dwell in the earth.
18 Nesilivere yabo negolide yabo ayisayi kuba nako ukubahlangula ngemini yokuphuphuma komsindo kaYehova; lotshiswa lonke ihlabathi ngumlilo wekhwele lakhe. Ngokuba uya kubaphelisa, inene, abenze into ekhwankqisayo bonke abemi behlabathi.
Chapter 2
1Gather together, gather together, O nation without shame,
2before the decree is born – the day shall pass on like chaff – before the burning wrath of יהוה comes upon you, before the day of wrath of יהוה comes upon you!
3Seek יהוה, all you meek ones of the earth, who have done His right-ruling. Seek righteousness, seek meekness, if so be that you are hidden in the day of wrath of יהוה.
1 Zihlanganiseni nizihlanganise, luhlangandini lungadaniyo, 2 ungekazali ummiselo (kuba imini le idlula njengomququ), kungekanifikeli ukuvutha komsindo kaYehova, ingekanifikeli imini yomsindo kaYehova. 3 Funani uYehova, nonke balulamileyo belizwe, bakwenzileyo okusesikweni kwakhe; funani ubulungisa, funani ululamo, mhlawumbi nositheliswa ngemini yomsindo kaYehova.
balulamileyo - not really any differences, only this is a clear call to everyone who wants to serve. It is very important to be MEEK, only the meek ones shall inherit the earth.
4For Azzah is abandoned and Ashqelon laid waste, Ashdoḏ is driven out at noonday and Eqron is uprooted.
4 Ngokuba iGaza iya kuba sisishiywa, neAshkelon ibe linxuwa; iAshdode iya kugxothwa emini emaqanda, inyothulwe iEkron.
5Woe to the inhabitants of the seacoast, the nation of the Kerĕthites! The word of יהוה is against you, O Kena‛an, land of the Philistines, “And I shall destroy you, so that there is no inhabitant.”
5 Uha, abemi becandelo laselwandle, uhlanga lwamaKreti! Ilizwi likaYehova lichasene nani, Kanan, lizwe lamaFilisti. Ndokutshabalalisa ke, kungabikho ukumayo.
6And the seacoast shall be pastures, shepherds’ meadows and enclosures for flocks.
6 Icandelo laselwandle liya kuba ngamakriwa, nemiqolomba yabalusi, libe zizibaya zempahla emfutshane.
sea cost - interestingly this verse ties in with future events with the Xhosas and the Zulus... will they take over the lands on the eastern cape? I think so
7And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Yehuḏah. They shall feed their flocks on it, at evening they lie down in the houses of Ashqelon. For יהוה their Elohim shall visit them and turn back their captivity.
7 Loba licandelo lamasalela endlu yakwaYuda; aya kwalusela kulo, abuthe ezindlwini zaseAshkelon ngokuhlwa; kuba uya kuwavelela uYehova uThixo wawo, akubuyise ukuthinjwa kwawo.
ZULU sea cost - there is definitely something to this verse about the south coast and the north coast. And what a special place this south Kwazulu coast really is, currently occupied by Zulus.
8“I have heard the reproach of Mo’aḇ, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, with which they have reproached My people, and exalted themselves against their borders.
8 Ndikuvile ukungcikiva kukaMowabhi, nokunyelisa koonyana baka-Amon, ababangcikive ngako abantu bam, bazikhulisa emdeni wabo.
Moab & Ammon - No real differences, but you might ask yourself - who are these people of Mo`ab and Ammon? Well, its hard to say. But have a look into the worlds intricate ongoings, e.i,; who's got the power and money, and it should not be to hard to find at least some of their close relatives.
9“Therefore, as I live,” declares יהוה of hosts, the Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, “Mo’aḇ shall be like Seḏom, and the children of Ammon like Amorah – a possession for weeds and a pit of salt, and a waste forever, the remnant of My people plunder them, and the rest of My nation possess them.”
9 Ngako oko, ndihleli nje, utsho uYehova wemikhosi, uThixo kaSirayeli, inene, elakwaMowabhi liya kuba njengeSodom, neloonyana baka-Amon libe njengeGomora, libe lilifa lamarhawu, libe sisigingqi setyuwa, kube senkangala kulo, kude kuse ephakadeni. Amasalela abantu bam aya kubaphanga, amaqongqolo ohlanga lwam abadle ilifa.
lamarhawu - Just one small word can in the end have a great effect on the build up of a case with words such as weeds (which is ukhula), included in them. The Xhosa word is nothin close to weeds, but instead is a word having the connotation of being a coward or displaying a cowardly animal spirit. Why this change? I don't know - perhaps a justification of using weeds or cannabis? Doubtful, though it might be found in Scripture elsewhere...
10This is what they get for their pride, because they have reproached and exalted themselves against the people of יהוה of hosts.
10 Kuya kuba njalo kubo ngenxa yekratshi labo, ngokuba bengcikivile, bazikhulisa kubantu bakaYehova wemikhosi.
11יהוה shall be awesome to them, for He shall make all the mighty ones of the earth to shrivel, while all the coastlands of the nations bow down to Him, each one from his place.
11 Uyoyikeka uYehova kubo; kuba uyabangcungcuthekisa bonke oothixo behlabathi, ziqubude kuye zonke iziqithi zeentlanga, elowo esendaweni yakhe.
iziqithi - IsiXhosa version says cities, not coastlands - but all the cities will bow down to His Majesty.
12“You too, O Kushites, are to be slain by My sword.”
12 Nani maKushi, ningababuleweyo ngekrele lam.
Kushites - Are they Ethiopians? They could be, but there are also other contenders for sure. tribe of Dan, perhaps and perhaps not.
13And He shall stretch out His hand against the north, and destroy Ashshur, and make Ninewĕh a waste, as dry as a wilderness.
13 Uya kusolula isandla sakhe ngakwelisentla, ayitshabalalise iAsiriya, ayenze ibe linxuwa iNineve, ayenze umqwebedu onjengentlango.
14And droves shall lie down in her midst, every beast of the nation, both pelican and bittern lodge in the tops of her columns, a voice singing at the window, ruin be at the threshold, for the cedar work is exposed.
14 Iya kubutha phakathi kwayo imihlambi, izinto eziphilileyo nokuba ziziphi, ziziimfidi; ingcwangube nokhwalimanzi balale emanqanamini; kobakho lizwi leemvumi ezifestileni, amazala emibundwini yeminyango; ngokuba ewuhlubile umsebenzi wabo wemisedare.
15This is the exultant city that is dwelling in safety, that said in her heart, “I am it, and there is none but me.” How has she become a waste, a place for beasts to lie down! Everyone who passes by her whistles and shakes his fist.
15 Nguwo lowo umzi obudlamkile, obuhleli ukholosile, obusithi entliziyweni yawo, Ndim kwaphela, akukho wumbi. Utheni na ukuba ube linxuwa, ube sisikhundla samarhamncwa! Bonke abadlulayo kuwo benza umsondlo, baphekuze ngesandla sabo.
A calling - Texts says the same thing, an probably is directed roland's towards the north, further down below SA towards Ashur, Kush, etc. No differences but should be read as a strict warning towards the city in question.
Chapter 3
1Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!
1 Yeha, umzi oneenkani, ongcolileyo, oxinzelela phantsi!
2She did not obey the voice, she did not accept instruction, she did not trust in יהוה, she did not draw near to her Elohim.
2 Awuphulaphulanga lizwi; awamkelanga ngqeqesho; awukholosanga ngoYehova, awusondelanga kuThixo wawo.
3Her rulers in her midst are roaring lions, her judges are evening wolves, they shall leave no bone until morning.
3 Abathetheli bawo phakathi kwawo baziingonyama ezibharhulayo; abagwebi bawo baziingcuka zangokuhlwa, ezingabeki nto ukuze ziyigunuze kwakusa.
ezingabeki nto ukuze ziyigunuze kwakusa - The meaning probably gets across in english, but the purest meaning is they LEAVE nothing for the morning. Don't save their food, just like wolves, they walk with you for a while just to get something, money or food, then they are off to the next victim. Pure corruption, fully corrupt every day. The concept of animal spirits being used to portray characteristics in humans is also a very old and African (Biblical) way of thinking. Completely foreign to you average christian who most likely will not be able to understand the depth of the symbolism drawn from Nature and used in daily life.
4Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men. Her priests have profaned the set-apart place, they have done violence to the Toraha.
4 Abaprofeti bawo bayaxhaphazela, ngamadoda anginizayo: ababingeleli bawo bayayihlambela ingcwele, bagonyamela umyalelo.
5יהוה is righteous in her midst, He does no unrighteousness. Morning by morning He brings His right-ruling to light, it has not been lacking, yet the unrighteous one knows no shame.
5 UYehova ulilungisa esazulwini sawo; akenzi ngabugqwetha; imiso ngemiso ukumisa emhlotsheni okusesikweni kwakhe, angasileli; ke yena onobugqwetha akakwazi ukudana.
akenzi ngabugqwethanto - This is more in the sense of the Almighty not needing a mediator, or a later, one speaking or lying on your behalf. People like OJ Simpson come to mind, people who look and act guilty, but somehow get away with it. onobugqwetha - means one who has a mediator (Kodak Black), is a person who knows no shame.
6“I have cut off nations, their corner towers are in ruins. I have made their streets deserted, with no one passing by. Their cities are destroyed, without man, without inhabitant.
6 Ndizinqamle iintlanga, zichithakele iingqoqo zezindlu zazo. Ndizonakalisile izitrato zazo, ukuba kungabikho udlula ngazo; idilikile imizi yazo, ukuba kungabikho mntu, kungabikho umiyo kuyo.
7“I have said, ‘Only fear Me, accept instruction.’ And her dwelling would not be cut off, all that I have appointed for her. But they rose up early, they corrupted all their deeds.
7 Ndathi kodwa, Mawundoyike, uyamkele ingqeqesho, linganqanyulwa ikhaya lakho, njengako konke endakumisela khona; ke bavuka kusasa, bonakalise ngeentlondi zabo zonke.
Xhosa version does not have the word ONLY, in the phrase Fear Me.
8“Therefore wait for Me,” declares יהוה, “until the day I rise up for plunder. For My judgment is to gather nations, to assemble reigns, to pour out on them My rage, all my burning wrath. For by the fire of My jealousy all the earth shall be consumed.
8 Ngako oko yilindeleni kum, utsho uYehova, ide ibe yimini yokuvuka kwam, ndithimbe. Ngokuba kulunge kum ukuhlanganisa iintlanga, ndibuthe izikumkani, ukuze ndiyiphalaze ingqumbo yam phezu kwazo, konke ukuvutha komsindo wam; kuba liya kutshiswa ngumlilo wekhwele lam lonke ihlabathi.
9“For then I shall turn unto the peoples a clean lipa, so that they all call on the Name of יהוה, to serve Him with one shoulder.
9 Kuba ngelo xesha ndiya kuziguqulela izizwe intetho enyulu, ukuze zinqule igama likaYehova zonke ziphela, zimkhonze ngaxhatha linye.
kuziguqulela - This is word means to translate obviously referring to a language being taught - could this clean language be ancient Xhosa now resurfacing? U decide. Verses like this is kinda the whole point of this blog, making translations to the people of a clean language. ngaxhatha linye - means to put in the same effort, not serving anyone or anything with one shoulder - which does NOT MAKE sense anyways. One should actually means something like lack of commitment...makes you wonder
10“From beyond the rivers of Kush my worshippers, the daughter of My dispersed ones, shall bring My offering.
10 Ziya kuthabathela phesheya kwemilambo yakwaKushi, zibazise abandithandayo, intombi yeentsali zam, bengumnikelo wam wokudla.
abandithandayo - All those who love me, not exactly worshippers, but I guess this word will have to do. Although those who love me, keep my commandments... wam wokudla - this means more in the sense of BEING MY OFFERING.... They shall Be My Offering... This points to a few rather than a multitude of people get understanding.
11“In that day you shall not be put to shame for any of your deeds in which you have transgressed against Me, for then I shall remove from your midst your proud exulting ones, and you shall no more be haughty in My set-apart mountain.
11 Ngaloo mini akuyi kudana ngenxa yeentlondi zakho zonke, owakreqa ngazo kum; ngokuba ngelo xesha ndiya kubasusa phakathi kwakho abadlamkileyo bakho, benekratshi, ungaphindi uzidle ngokwakho entabeni yam engcwele.
12“But I shall leave in your midst an oppressed and poor people, and they shall trust in the Name of יהוה.
12 Kanjalo ndiya kusalisa phakathi kwakho abantu abaziintsizana, abazizisweli, abaya kuzimela egameni likaYehova.
13“The remnant of Yisra’ĕl shall do no unrighteousness and speak no falsehooda, nor is a tongue of deceit found in their mouth. For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, with none to frighten them.”
13 Amasalela akwaSirayeli akayi kwenza ngobugqwetha, akayi kuthetha amanga, aluyi kufumaneka emlonyeni wawo ulwimi lwenkohliso; ngokuba wona aya kudla, abuthe, kungabikho uwothusayo.
kwenza ngobugqwetha - No meditator is used by the remnant to Isak, this is not talking about righteousness in that way. Only that they do not have a mediator. None on earth can be righteous, unless the blood of the Lamb is covering you. Then its something different.
ngokuba wona aya kudla, abuthe - `for they shall eat and collect` and nothing shall frighten them. No feeding of flocks or lying down. This is an attempt trying to place levels of unreachable unrighteousness upon people, in the always present jewish game of trying to make you feel less worth than you are. Trying to make you feel inadequate, like you are not good enough for any of this or luring you away of understanding the simplisist off the Gospel, do unto others...
14Shout for joy, O daughter of Tsiyon! Shout, O Yisra’ĕl! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Yerushalayim!
14 Memelela, ntombi inguZiyon: duma, Sirayeli; vuya, udlamke ngentliziyo yonke, ntombi inguYerusalem.
15יהוה has turned aside your judgments. He has faced your enemy. The Sovereign of Yisra’ĕl, יהוה, is in your midsta. No longer need you fear evil.
15 UYehova ukususile ukugwetywa kwakho, uzidedisile iintshaba zakho; ukumkani wakwaSirayeli, uYehova, uphakathi kwakho; akusayi kuba sabona bubi.
sabona - This word means to see evil, and not to fear evil. The sovereign of Ishakhele is The Savour - Msindisi. No longer did you see evil..
16In that day it shall be said to Yerushalayim, “Do not fear, Tsiyon, do not let your hands be weak.
16 Ngaloo mini baya kuthi kwiYerusalem, Musa ukoyika; Ziyon, mazingawi izandla zakho.
Here is no daughter of this or that, just Jerusalem, the way it should be.
17“יהוה your Elohim in your midst, is mighty to save. He rejoices over you with joy, He is silent in His love, He rejoices over you with singing.”
17 UYehova uThixo wakho uphakathi kwakho, ligorha elisindisayo; unemihlali ngawe, enovuyo; uthe cwaka eluthandweni lwakhe, ugcoba ngawe ememelela.
ememelela - This word means to shout, only a better rendering would be shout-singing, a way they used to preform the Pslams, with shouting and singing - with drums and lyre - BAntu Styles. Check out Amapondo if you want to get the feel for some IsXhosa music. The Father ha got some serious soul and off course loves music, though not all music is good music. Much of the stuff found in Hollywood today comes from the leading archangel, the one who fell, leading young people astray with al the grits and glamour poured into popular music today. Even harlotry is portrayed as something thats ok.
18“I shall gather those who grieve about the appointed place, who are among you, to whom its reproach is a burden.
18 Ndiya kubahlanganisa abalilela umthendeleko, bengabakuni; ingcikivo ibaphethe.
TOTAL RETRANSLATION :
`I shall gather those who grieve about the ceremony (appointed time), who are your people, to whom deception is a burden.`
The english version makes no sense, and needs revision, to many points to even discuss.
19“See, I am dealing with all those afflicting you at that time. And I shall save the lame, and gather those who were cast out. And I shall give them for a praise and for a name in all the earth where they were put to shame.
19 Yabona, ndiya kubenza ngendawo bonke abacinezeli bakho ngelo xesha; ndiyisindise into eqhwalelayo, ndiyihlanganise into egxothiweyo; ndibenze indumiso negama emazweni onke abahlaziswa kuwo.
ndibenze indumiso - I shall make them a praise in all nations, in other words people will begin to search out Bantu peoples because people now that NiNi is with them. We hear that NiNi is with you, teach us... (Zacharyah 8,23)
20“At that time I shall bring you in, even at the time I gather you, for I shall give you for a name, and for a praise, among all the peoples of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes,” said יהוה.
20 Ngelo xesha ndiya kunizisa, ndinibuthe ngexesha elilio; ngokuba ndiya kunenza nibe negama, nidunyiswe phakathi kwezizwe zonke zehlabathi, ekukubuyiseni kwam ukuthinjwa kwenu phambi kwamehlo enu; utsho uYehova.
ngexesha elilio - `I shall bring you in - AT THE RIGHT TIME, and make you have a name or make you a name`. This has nothing to do with (again) the sacrificial image often pushed in the english (and other) versions. It could be compared with a situation where you have someone like me, not being Xhosa, trying to explain 100% accurate what the true Xhosa way of life is all about. I can't do it, I am bound to make mistakes in revealing the true and inherited nitty gritty. In the same way the translators of the Xhosa scrolls (to Hebrew, Latin or Greek), clearly also made `mistakes. They leaned on their own understanding, looked to for answer from their images of gods and men.
Izibhalo Ezingcwele