1 Kings 22
1 ଅନନ୍ତର ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଦୁଇବର୍ଷ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଓ ଅରାମ ମଧିଅରେ ଶାନ୍ତି ବିରାଜମାନ କଲା।
2 ତତ୍ପରେ ତୃତୀୟ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ, ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କୁ ସାକ୍ଷାତ କରିବାକୁ ଆସିଲେ।
3 ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କର ଅଧିକାରୀମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ରାମାେତ୍ ଗିଲିଯଦ୍ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଅଟେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଏହା ଜାଣ। କିନ୍ତୁ ଅରାମର ରାଜା ଏହା ଅଧିକାର କଲା। ତଥାପି ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ନୀରବ ରେ ବସି ରହିଛୁ, ଆମ୍ଭେ ଅରାମର ରାଜାଙ୍କଠାରୁ ତାହା ଫରୋଇ ନଇେ ନାହୁଁ।
4 ତେଣୁ ଆହାବ୍ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ କ'ଣ ମାେ ସହିତ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦକୁ ଯାଉଛ?
5 କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ବିନଯ କରୁଛି, ଆମ୍ଭେ ସର୍ବ ପ୍ରଥମେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯ ପଗ୍ଭରିବା।
6 ତେଣୁ ଆହାବ୍ 400 ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ଡକାଇ ଏକତ୍ରୀତ କଲେ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ମୁଁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ପ୍ରଥମେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ୟିବା ଉଚିତ୍ କି, ଏଥିରୁ କ୍ଷାନ୍ତ ହବୋ ଉଚିତ୍?
7 କିନ୍ତୁ ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ବ୍ଯତୀତ ଆଉ କହେି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏଠା ରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି କି? ଯଦି ସଠାେରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ଆମ୍ଭେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ବାକ୍ଯ ପଗ୍ଭରନ୍ତୁ।
8 ତହୁଁ ଆହାବ୍ କହିଲେ, ଅନ୍ୟ ଜଣେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏଠା ରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ଯାହାଙ୍କୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କର ବାକ୍ଯ ବିଷଯ ରେ ପଗ୍ଭରି ପାରୁ। ସେ ଇମ୍ଲର ପୁତ୍ର ମୀଖାଯ। କିନ୍ତୁ ମୁଁ ତାକୁ ଘୃଣା କରେ। କାରଣ ସେ ସର୍ବଦା ମାେ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯତବାଣୀ କ ହେ। ସେ କବେେ ମାରେ ମଙ୍ଗଳ କଥା କ ହେ ନାହିଁ।
9 ତେଣୁ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଜଣେ ଅଧିକାରୀକୁ ଡାକିଲେ ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ଇମ୍ଲର ପୁତ୍ର ମୀଖାଯଙ୍କୁ ଶିଘ୍ର ଆଣ।
10 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଓ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ନିଜ ନିଜର ରାଜ ପୋଷାକ ପରିଧାନ କରି ଶମରିଯାର ପ୍ରବେଶଦ୍ବାର ନିକଟବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ମଲୋ ରେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ସିଂହାସନ ରେ ବସିଥିଲେ ଓ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଗଣ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବାଣୀ ପ୍ରଗ୍ଭର କରୁଥିଲେ।
11 କନାନାର ପୁତ୍ର ସିଦିକିଯ ଜଣେ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଲୌହମଯ ଶିଙ୍ଗମାନ ନିର୍ମାଣ କରି ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହନ୍ତି, 'ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଏହି ଲୌହମଯ ଶିଙ୍ଗ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ବ୍ଯବହାର କରିବ ଏବଂ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଅରାମର ସମସ୍ତ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଂହାର କରିବ ଏବଂ ଜଯଲାଭ କରିବ।'
12 ଅନ୍ୟ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ତାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଏକମତ ହାଇେ କହିଲେ, ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ୟାଅ ଓ ଅରାମୀଯ ସୈନ୍ଯବାହୀନି ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ଜଯଲାଭ କର। କାରଣ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ପରାସ୍ତ କରାଇବେ।
13 ଏହି ସମୟରେ ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ଅଧିକାରୀ ମୀଖାଯଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟାଇ କହିଲା, ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତା ଏକ ମୁଖ ରେ ରାଜାଙ୍କର ମଙ୍ଗଳ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରୁଛନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ମୁଁ ବିନଯ କରୁଛି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସମାନଙ୍କେ ପରି ମଙ୍ଗଳ ବାକ୍ଯ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସପକ୍ଷ ରେ କୁହ।
14 ତହୁଁ ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲେ, ଯେ ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଅଛନ୍ତି, ମୁଁ ଶପଥ କରୁଛି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଯାହା କହିବେ ମୁଁ ତାହା ହିଁ କହିବି।
15 ତା'ପରେ ମୀଖାଯ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖ ରେ ଛିଡା ହେଲେ ଓ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କୁ ପଚାରିଲେ, ମୀଖାଯ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନେେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦକୁ ୟିବା ଉଚିତ୍ କି କ୍ଷାନ୍ତ ହବୋ ଉଚିତ୍?
16 ଆହାବ୍ ପୁଣି ମୀଖାଯକୁ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ନିଜର ବାକ୍ଯ କୁହ, ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭଙ୍କୁ ସତ କହିବାକୁ କହିଛି। କେତେଥର ମାେତେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଏହା କହିବାକୁ ପଡିବ? ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କଠାରୁ ସତ କୁହ।
17 ମୀଖାଯ ଉତ୍ତର କଲେ, ମୁଁ ସମଗ୍ର ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲକୁ ମାଲିକହୀନ ମଷେପଲ ସଦୃଶ ଏଣେ ତଣେେ ପର୍ବତମାନଙ୍କ ରେ ବୁଲୁଥିବାର ଦେଖିଲି, ଆଉ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, ' ସମାନଙ୍କେର ମୂଖ୍ଯ ନାହିଁନ୍ତି, ସମାନେେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ନ କରି କୁଶଳ ରେ ନିଜ ନିଜ ଗୃହକୁ ଫରେି ୟାଆନ୍ତୁ।'
18 ଆହାବ୍ ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖ, ମୁଁ କଣ କହି ନଥିଲି, ମୀଖାଯ କବେେ ଅମଙ୍ଗଳ ବିନା ମଙ୍ଗଳକର ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବାଣୀ ମାେ ବିଷଯ ରେ କରିବ ନାହିଁ।
19 ପୁଣି ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯ ଶୁଣ, ମୁଁ ଦେଖିଲି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତାଙ୍କ ସିଂହାସନ ରେ ଉପବିଷ୍ଟ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ଦକ୍ଷିଣ ଓ ବାମ ହସ୍ତ ରେ ତାହାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗୀଯ ଦୂତମାନେ ଉଭା ହାଇେଛନ୍ତି।
20 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ତୁମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ଯରୁ କିଏ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍କୁ କୁମନ୍ତ୍ରଣା ଦବୋକୁ ୟିବ, ସେ ଯେପରି ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ୟାଇ ଅରାମୀଯ ବିରୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରି ମୃତ୍ଯୁବରଣ କରିବ।' ଏଥି ରେ କହେି ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତଗଣ ଏକମତ ହେଲେ ନାହିଁ, ସମାନଙ୍କେର କଣ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍।
21 ତା'ପରେ ଜଣେ ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟକୁ ୟାଇ କହିଲା, 'ମୁଁ ତା' ପ୍ରତି ପ୍ରତାରଣା କରିବି।'
22 ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ତୁମ୍ଭେ କିପରି ତାକୁ ପ୍ରତାରଣା କରିବ?' ସ୍ବର୍ଗଦୂତ ଉତ୍ତର ଦଲୋ, 'ମୁଁ ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ଦ୍ବନ୍ଦ ରେ ପକାଇବି। ମୁଁ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ମିଛ କୁହାଇବି।' ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ କହିଲେ, 'ଉତ୍ତମ, ୟାଅ, ତାକୁ କୌଶଳ ରେ ଠକିବାକୁ ଚେଷ୍ଟା କର। ଏଥି ରେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ କୃତକାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ହବେ।'
23 ମୀଖାଯ ଶଷେ ରେ କହିଲେ, ଦେଖ, ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭର ସମସ୍ତ ଭବିଷ୍ଯଦ୍ବକ୍ତାଙ୍କୁ ମିଥ୍ଯା କୁହାଇଛନ୍ତି। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତୁମ୍ଭ ଉପରେ ଏକ ବଡ ବିପତ୍ତି ଆଣିବାକୁ ନିଷ୍ପତ୍ତି କରିଛନ୍ତି।
24 ତହିଁରେ କନାନାର ପୁତ୍ର ସିଦିକିଯ ମୀଖାଯର ଗାଲ ରେ ଏକ ଗ୍ଭପୁଡା ମାରି କହିଲା, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଭାବୁଛ କି ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଆତ୍ମା ମାେତେ ଛାଡି ଦଇେଛନ୍ତି ଓ ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ତୁମ୍ଭ ମାଧ୍ଯମ ରେ କହୁଛନ୍ତି। ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ କିପରି କହିଲେ?
25 ତହିଁରେ ମୀଖାଯ କହିଲା, ଖୁବ୍ ଶୀଘ୍ର ସଂକଟ ଆସିବ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ନିଜକୁ ଲୁଗ୍ଭଇବା ପାଇଁ ଗୋଟିଏ େଛାଟ କଠାେରୀକୁ ୟିବ। ସେତବେେଳେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଆମ୍ଭ କଥା ସତ୍ଯତା ଜାଣିବ।
26 ଆହାବ୍, ମୀଖାଯକୁ ବନ୍ଦୀ କରିବାକୁ ଜଣେ ଅଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ ଏବଂ ତାକୁ ଆମାନରେ ନଗରାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷ ଓ ୟୁବରାଜ ଯୋୟାଶର ନକଟକୁ ନଇେ ୟିବାକୁ କହିଲେ।
27 ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ କହିବ ମୁଁ ୟୁଦ୍ଧରୁ ନିରାପଦ ରେ ଫରେିବା ପର୍ୟ୍ଯନ୍ତ ମୀଖାଯକୁ କାରାଗାର ରେ ରଖିବେ ଓ କିଛି ନଦଇେ ରୋଟୀ ଓ ପାଣି ଦବେ।
28 ତହିଁରେ ମୀଖାଯ ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ବର ରେ କହିଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ସମସ୍ତେ ଶୁଣ, ଯଦି ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ କୁଶଳ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରୁ ଫରେି ଆ ସେ, ତବେେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ମାେତେ ବାର୍ତ୍ତା ଦଇେ ନାହାଁନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ଜାଣିବ।
29 ଅନନ୍ତର ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ଓ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ରାମାେତ୍-ଗିଲିଯଦ୍କୁ ଗଲେ।
30 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ମୁଁ ଛଦ୍ମ ବେଶ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିବାକୁ ୟିବି, ମାତ୍ର ତୁମ୍ଭେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ରାଜ ପୋଷାକ ପିନ୍ଧିବ। ତେଣୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଛଦ୍ମ ବେଶ ରେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧକୁ ଗଲେ।
31 ମାତ୍ର ଅରାମର ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କର ବତିଶ ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷଙ୍କୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦେଲେ, ତୁମ୍ଭମାନେେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ବ୍ଯତୀତ ଅନ୍ୟ କାହା ସଙ୍ଗେ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରନାହିଁ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ନିଶ୍ଚଯ ତାକୁ ହତ୍ଯା କରିବ।
32 ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ରେ ସହେି ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷମାନେ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଭାବି ଯେତବେେଳେ ଆକ୍ରମଣ କଲେ, ସେ ଚିତ୍କାର କରି କହିଲେ।
33 ରଥାଧ୍ଯକ୍ଷମାନେ ଜାଣିଲେ ଯେ ସେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ନିହଁନ୍ତି, ତେଣୁ ସମାନେେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ମାରିବାରୁ ନିବୃତ୍ତ ହେଲେ।
34 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଏକ ଶର ଜଣେ ସୈନ୍ଯ ଦ୍ବାରା ବିଦ୍ଧ ହାଇେ ଆସିଲା। ଏହା ରାଜାଙ୍କର ସାଞ୍ଜୁ ଦ୍ବାରା ଆଚ୍ଛାଦିତ ହାଇନେଥିବା ଦହରେ ଅଂଶକୁ ଭଦେ କଲା। ତେଣୁ ରାଜା ତାଙ୍କ ସାରଥିକି କହିଲେ, ମାେତେ ଏ ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ନଇୟୋଅ, କାରଣ ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଶରଦ୍ବାରା ଅତିଶଯ ଆଘାତ ପାଇଲି।
35 ସଦେିନ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନେ ପ୍ରବଳ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ ଚଳାଇଲେ, ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ରଥରେ ରହିଲେ। ସେ ଅରାମୀଯ ସୈନ୍ଯମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖି ରଥର ପାଶର୍ବ ରେ ଆଉଜି ହାଇେ ରହିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ରକ୍ତ ରେ ରଥର ତଳ ସିକ୍ତ ହେଲା ଓ ସନ୍ଧ୍ଯାବଳକେୁ ସେ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ବରଣ କଲେ।
36 ପୁଣି ସୂର୍ୟ୍ଯାସ୍ତ ବଳକେୁ ପ୍ରେତ୍ୟକଙ୍କୁ ନିଜ ନିଜ ନଗରକୁ ଓ ଦେଶକୁ ଫରେିୟିବାକୁ ଆଦେଶ ଦିଆଗଲା।
37 ଏହିପରି ଭାବରେ ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ବରଣ କଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ଲୋକ ଶମରିଯାକୁ ବୋହି ଆଣି ତାଙ୍କୁ କବର ଦେଲେ।
38 ଆଉ ସମାନେେ ଶମରିଯାର ପୋଖରୀଠା ରେ ତାହାଙ୍କ ରଥକୁ ଧୋଇଲେ, ଯେଉଁଠା ରେ ବେଶ୍ଯାମାନେ ସ୍ନାନ କରନ୍ତି। କୁକୁରମାନେ ଆହାବ୍ର ରକ୍ତ ଗ୍ଭଟି ଖାଇଲେ। ଏହିସବୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ବାକ୍ଯାନୁସା ରେ ଘଟିଲା।
39 ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କର ଅବଶିଷ୍ଟ ବୃତ୍ତାନ୍ତ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯକଳାପ ତାଙ୍କର ହସ୍ତୀଦନ୍ତ ନିର୍ମିତ ମନୋହର ପ୍ରାସାଦ ଏବଂ ତାଙ୍କ ନିର୍ମିତ ସୁଦୃଢ ନଗର ବିଷଯ ରେ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜବଂଶ ଇତିହାସ ରେ ଲିଖିତ ହାଇେଅଛି।
40 ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ଯୁପରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପୂର୍ବ ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ସହିତ କବର ନେଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କ ଅନ୍ତେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ତାଙ୍କ ପଦ ରେ ରାଜ୍ଯ କଲେ।
41 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ବର ଚତୁର୍ଥ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଆସାଙ୍କର ପୁତ୍ର ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ହେଲେ।
42 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ପଞ୍ଚତିରିଶ ବର୍ଷ ବଯସ ରେ ରାଜା ହେଲେ ଓ ସେ ପଚିଶ ବର୍ଷ ୟିରୁଶାଲମ ରେ ରାଜତ୍ବ କଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ମାତାଙ୍କ ନାମ ଅସୂବା ଓ ସେ ଶଲହିର କନ୍ଯା।
43 ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ଅତି ଉତ୍ତମ ଥିଲେ। ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପିତା ଆସାଙ୍କର ପଥ ଅନୁସରଣ କଲେ ଓ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦୃଷ୍ଟି ରେ ଯାହା ଯଥାର୍ଥ ତାହାହିଁ କଲେ। କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ଥଳୀଗୁଡିକୁ ଧ୍ବଂସ କଲେ ନାହିଁ। ସେ ସମୟରେ ଲୋକମାନେ ସହେି ଉଚ୍ଚସ୍ଥଳୀ ରେ ବଳିଦାନ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କଲେ ଓ ଧୂପ ଜଳାଇଲେ।
44 ପୁଣି ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ରାଜାଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଶାନ୍ତି ଚୁକ୍ତି କଲେ।
45 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଅତି ସାହସୀ ଥିଲେ ଓ ସେ ବହୁ ୟୁଦ୍ଧ କରିଥିଲେ। ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କାର୍ୟ୍ଯ ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜଗଣଙ୍କ ଇତିହାସ ପୁସ୍ତକରେ ଲିଖିତ ହାଇେଛି।
46 ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ ତାଙ୍କ ପିତା ଆସାଙ୍କ ସମୟରେ ଯେଉଁ ପୁରୁଷ ବେଶ୍ଯାମାନେ ଥିଲେ ସମାନଙ୍କେୁ ସେ ଦେଶରୁ ତଡି ଦେଲେ।
47 ସହେି ସମୟରେ ଇଦୋମର କହେି ରାଜା ନଥିଲେ। ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜାଙ୍କ ଦ୍ବାରା ନିୟୁକ୍ତି ଜଣେ ପ୍ରତିନିଧି ତା'ର ଶାସନ ଚଳାଇଲେ।
48 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଓଫୀରକୁ ୟାଇ ସୁନା ଆଣିବା ସକାେଶ ତର୍ଶୀଶର କେତକେ ବାଣିଜ୍ଯ ପୋତ ନିର୍ମାଣ କଲେ, ମାତ୍ର ସେ ସବୁ ଗଲାନାହିଁ କାରଣ ସହେି ଜାହାଜଗୁଡିକ ଇତ୍ସିୟୋନ୍ଗବରେ ରେ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଗଲା।
49 ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ୟିହୋଶାଫଟଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, ମାରେ ନାବିକମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭର ନାବିକମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଜାହାଜ ରେ ଯିବେ, ମାତ୍ର ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ ଏଥି ରେ ରାଜି ହେଲେ ନାହିଁ।
50 ଯିହାଶାଫେଟ୍ଙ୍କ ମୃତ୍ଯୁ ପରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ପୂର୍ବପୁରୁଷଗଣଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଦାଉଦ ନଗର ରେ କବର ରେ ସମାହିତ ହେଲେ। ତାଙ୍କ ଅନ୍ତେ ତାଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଯିହାରୋମ୍ ରାଜା ହେଲେ।
51 ଯିହୁଦାର ରାଜା ୟିହୋଶାଫଟ୍ଙ୍କ ରାଜତ୍ବର ସପ୍ତଦଶ ବର୍ଷ ରେ ଆହାବ୍ଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ଅହସିଯ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ରାଜା ହେଲେ। ସେ ଶମରିଯା ରେ ଦୁଇବର୍ଷ ଶାସନ କଲେ।
52 ଅହସିଯ ଆପଣା ପିତା ଆହାବ୍, ମାତା ଇଷବଲେ ଓ ନବାଟଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ର ୟାରବିଯାମ ପରି ପାପକର୍ମ କଲେ। ଏହିସବୁ ଶାସକ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ପାପ କରାଇଲେ।
53 ପୁଣି ସେ ଆପଣା ପିତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ରିଯାନୁସା ରେ ବାଲର ଉପାସନା ଓ ସବୋ କଲେ ଓ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ଇଶ୍ରାୟେଲର ପରମେଶ୍ବରଙ୍କୁ ବିରକ୍ତ କଲେ। ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତା' ଉପରେ କୋରଧ କଲେ, ଯେପରି ତା'ର ପିତାଙ୍କ ଉପରେ କରିଥିଲେ।
1 And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.
2 And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.
3 And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?
4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.
6 Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
7 And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might inquire of him?
8 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
9 Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.
10 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.
11 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the Lord, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.
12 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the king’s hand.
13 And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.
14 And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak.
15 So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king.
16 And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the Lord?
17 And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the Lord said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.
18 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?
19 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.
20 And the Lord said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.
21 And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the Lord, and said, I will persuade him.
22 And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
23 Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.
24 But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the Lord from me to speak unto thee?
25 And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.
26 And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;
27 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.
28 And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the Lord hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.
29 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead.
30 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.
31 But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.
32 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.
33 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.
34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
35 And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.
36 And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.
37 So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.
38 And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the Lord which he spake.
39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
40 So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.
41 And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.
42 Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.
43 And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the Lord: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.
44 And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.
45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
46 And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.
47 There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.
48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber.
49 Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.
50 And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.
51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel.
52 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin:
53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
1 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:
3 And I will make thee swear by the Lord, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
4 But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.
5 And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
6 And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.
7 The Lord God of heaven, which took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.
8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
9 And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.
10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
12 And he said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.
13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water:
14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher.
18 And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink.
19 And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.
20 And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
23 And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?
24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
25 She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in.
26 And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the Lord.
27 And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.
28 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother’s house these things.
29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
30 And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well.
31 And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
32 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men’s feet that were with him.
33 And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.
34 And he said, I am Abraham’s servant.
35 And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.
36 And Sarah my master’s wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
37 And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:
38 But thou shalt go unto my father’s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.
39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
40 And he said unto me, The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father’s house:
41 Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.
42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O Lord God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:
43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;
44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master’s son.
45 And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.
46 And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: so I drank, and she made the camels drink also.
47 And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.
48 And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son.
49 And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
51 Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken.
52 And it came to pass, that, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.
54 And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
56 And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
57 And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth.
58 And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
59 And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
61 And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man: and the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.
62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.
67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.