UNumeri 21:1-9

UmKhanani, inkosi yase-Aradi, owayakhe eningizimu, wezwa ukuthi u-Israyeli uyeza ngendlela yase-Atarimi; walwa no-Israyeli, wathumba abanye kubo. U-Israyeli wenza isithembiso kuJehova, wathi: “Uma unikela nokunikela laba bantu esandleni sami, ngiyakuchitha impela imizi yabo.” UJehova walilalela izwi lika-Israyeli, wanikela amaKhanani; bawaqothula kanye nemizi yawo; igama laleyo ndawo lathiwa iHorma.* Basuka entabeni yaseHori ngendlela yoLwandle Olubomvu ukuba bazungeze izwe lakwa-Edomi; inhliziyo yabantu yaphela amandla ngenxa yendlela. Abantu bakhuluma kabi ngoNkulunkulu nangoMose, bathi: “Nisikhuphuleleni eGibithe ukuba sifele ehlane na? Ngokuba akukho sinkwa, akukho manzi; umphefumulo wethu uyanengwa yilesi sinkwa esilulana.” UJehova wathuma izinyoka ezinesihlungu phakathi kwabantu, zabaluma abantu; abantu abaningi bakwa-Israyeli bafa. Abantu bafika kuMose, bathi: “Sonile, ngokuba sikhulume kabi ngoJehova nangawe; khuleka kuJehova ukuba asuse izinyoka kithi.” UMose wabakhulekela abantu. UJehova wathi kuMose: “Zenzele inyoka enesihlungu, uyibeke ensikeni; kuyakuthi yilowo nalowo olunywayo, lapho eyibheka, uyakusinda.” UMose wenza inyoka yethusi, wayibeka ensikeni; kwathi lapho inyoka imlumile umuntu, uma ebeyibheka inyoka yethusi, wasinda.