士師記 9
1
耶路巴力的兒子亞比米勒、到了示劍見他的眾母舅、對他們、和他外祖全家的人、說、

Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to his mother's brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother's clan,

2
請你們問示劍的眾人說、是耶路巴力的眾子七十人都管理你們好呢、還是一人管理你們好呢.你們又要記念我是你們的骨肉。

"Ask all the citizens of Shechem, 'Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal's sons rule over you, or just one man?' Remember, I am your flesh and blood."

3
他的眾母舅、便將這一切話、為他說給示劍人聽.示劍人的心、就歸向亞比米勒.他們說、他原是我們的弟兄。

When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother."

4
就從巴力比利土的廟中、取了七十舍客勒銀子給亞比米勒.亞比米勒用以雇了些匪徒跟隨他。

They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire reckless adventurers, who became his followers.

5
他往俄弗拉到他父親的家、將他弟兄耶路巴力的眾子七十人、都殺在一塊磐石上.只剩下耶路巴力的小兒子約坦、因為他躲藏了。

He went to his father's home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding.

6
示劍人和米羅人、都一同聚集、往示劍橡樹旁的柱子那裡、立亞比米勒為王。

Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo gathered beside the great tree at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelech king.

7
有人將這事告訴約坦、他就去站在基利心山頂上、向眾人大聲喊叫、說、示劍人哪、你們要聽我的話、 神也就聽你們的話。

When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, "Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

8
有一時樹木要膏一樹為王、管理他們、就去對橄欖樹說、請你作我們的王。

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

9
橄欖樹回答說、我豈肯止住供奉。 神和尊重人的油、飄颻在眾樹之上呢。

"But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

10
樹木對無花果樹說、請你來作我們的王。

"Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'

11
無花果樹回答說、我豈肯止住所結甜美的果子、飄颻在眾樹之上呢。

"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

12
樹木對葡萄樹說、請你來作我們的王。

"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

13
葡萄樹回答說、我豈肯止住使。神和人喜樂的新酒、飄颻在眾樹之上呢。

"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees?'

14
眾樹對荊棘說、請你來作我們的王。

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

15
荊棘回答說、你們若誠誠實實地膏我為王、就要投在我的蔭下.不然、願火從荊棘裡出來、燒滅利巴嫩的香柏樹。

"The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

16
現在你們立亞比米勒為王.若按誠實正直善待耶路巴力和他的全家、這就是酬他的勞。

"Now if you have acted honorably and in good faith when you made Abimelech king, and if you have been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family, and if you have treated him as he deserves--

17
從前我父冒死、為你們爭戰、救了你們脫離米甸人的手。

and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian

18
你們如今起來攻擊我的父家、將他眾子七十人殺在一塊磐石上、又立他婢女所生的兒子亞比米勒為示劍人的王.他原是你們的弟兄。

(but today you have revolted against my father's family, murdered his seventy sons on a single stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is your brother)--

19
你們如今若按誠實正直待耶路巴力和他的家、就可因亞比米勒得歡樂、他也可因你們得歡樂。

if then you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today, may Abimelech be your joy, and may you be his, too!

20
不然、願火從亞比米勒發出、燒滅示劍人、和米羅眾人.又願火從示劍人和米羅人中出來、燒滅亞比米勒。

But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume you, citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelech!"

21
約坦、因怕他弟兄亞比米勒、就逃跑、來到比珥住在那裡。

Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.

22
亞比米勒管理以色列人三年。

After Abimelech had governed Israel three years,

23
 神使惡魔降在亞比米勒和示劍人中間、示劍人就以詭詐待亞比米勒。

God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech.

24
這是要叫耶路巴力七十個兒子所受的殘害、歸與他們的哥哥亞比米勒.又叫那流他們血的罪、歸與幫助他殺弟兄的示劍人。

God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal's seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

25
示劍人在山頂上設埋伏、等候亞比米勒.凡從他們那裡經過的人、他們就搶奪.有人將這事告訴亞比米勒。

In opposition to him these citizens of Shechem set men on the hilltops to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, and this was reported to Abimelech.

26
以別的兒子迦勒、和他的弟兄來到示劍.示劍人都信靠他。

Now Gaal son of Ebed moved with his brothers into Shechem, and its citizens put their confidence in him.

27
示劍人出城到田間去、摘下葡萄、踹酒、設擺筵宴、進他們神的廟中喫喝、咒詛亞比米勒。

After they had gone out into the fields and gathered the grapes and trodden them, they held a festival in the temple of their god. While they were eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.

28
以別的兒子迦勒說、亞比米勒是誰、示劍是誰、使我們服事他呢、他不是耶路巴力的兒子麼.他的幫手不是西布勒麼.你們可以服事示劍的父親哈抹的後裔.我們為何服事亞比米勒呢。

Then Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should be subject to him? Isn't he Jerub-Baal's son, and isn't Zebul his deputy? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech?

29
惟願這民歸我的手下、我就除掉亞比米勒.迦勒又對亞比米勒說、增添你的軍兵出來罷。

If only this people were under my command! Then I would get rid of him. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out your whole army!'"

30
邑宰西布勒聽見以別的兒子迦勒的話、就發怒、

When Zebul the governor of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, he was very angry.

31
悄悄的打發人去見亞比米勒、說、以別的兒子迦勒和他的弟兄到了示劍、煽惑城中的民攻擊你。

Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelech, saying, "Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.

32
現在你和跟隨你的人今夜起來、在田間埋伏。

Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields.

33
到早晨太陽一出、你就起來、闖城.迦勒和跟隨他的人出來攻擊你的時候、你便向他們見機而作。

In the morning at sunrise, advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do whatever your hand finds to do."

34
於是亞比米勒和跟隨他的眾人夜間起來、分作四隊、埋伏等候示劍人。

So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and took up concealed positions near Shechem in four companies.

35
以別的兒子迦勒出去、站在城門口.亞比米勒和跟隨他的人從埋伏之處起來。

Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance to the city gate just as Abimelech and his soldiers came out from their hiding place.

36
迦勒看見那些人、就對西布勒說、看哪、有人從山頂上下來了。西布勒說、你看見山的影子、以為是人。

When Gaal saw them, he said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!" Zebul replied, "You mistake the shadows of the mountains for men."

37
迦勒又說、看那、有人從高處下來、又有一隊從米惡尼尼橡樹的路上而來。

But Gaal spoke up again: "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and a company is coming from the direction of the soothsayers' tree."

38
西布勒對他說、你曾說、亞比米勒是誰、叫我們服事他.你所誇的口在那裡呢.這不是你所藐視的民嗎.你現在出去、與他們交戰罷。

Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your big talk now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should be subject to him?' Aren't these the men you ridiculed? Go out and fight them!"

39
於是迦勒率領示劍人出去、與亞比米勒交戰。

So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelech.

40
亞比米勒追趕迦勒.迦勒在他面前逃跑.有許多受傷仆倒的、直到城門。

Abimelech chased him, and many fell wounded in the flight--all the way to the entrance to the gate.

41
亞比米勒住在亞魯瑪.西布勒趕出迦勒和他弟兄、不准他們住在示劍。

Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

42
次日民出到田間.有人告訴亞比米勒。

The next day the people of Shechem went out to the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.

43
他就把他的人分作三隊、埋伏在田間.看見示劍人從城裡出來、就起來擊殺他們。

So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them.

44
亞比米勒和跟隨他的一隊向前闖去、站在城門口.那兩隊直闖到田間、擊殺了眾人。

Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward to a position at the entrance to the city gate. Then two companies rushed upon those in the fields and struck them down.

45
亞比米勒整天攻打城、將城奪取、殺了其中的居民.將城拆毀、撒上了鹽。

All that day Abimelech pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he destroyed the city and scattered salt over it.

46
示劍樓的人聽見了、就躲入巴力比利土廟的衛所。

On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.

47
有人告訴亞比米勒、說、示劍樓的人都聚在一處。

When Abimelech heard that they had assembled there,

48
亞比米勒和跟隨他的人就都上撒們山.亞比米勒手拿斧子、砍下一根樹枝、扛在肩上、對跟隨他的人說、你們看我所行的、也當趕緊照樣行。

he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, "Quick! Do what you have seen me do!"

49
眾人就各砍一枝、跟隨亞比米勒、把樹枝堆在衛所的四圍、放火燒了衛所.以致示劍樓的人都死了、男女約有一千。

So all the men cut branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire over the people inside. So all the people in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, also died.

50
亞比米勒到提備斯、向提備斯安營、就攻取了那城。

Next Abimelech went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it.

51
城中有一座堅固的樓.城裡的眾人、無論男女、都逃進樓去、關上門、上了樓頂。

Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women--all the people of the city--fled. They locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof.

52
亞比米勒到了樓前攻打、挨近樓門、要用火焚燒。

Abimelech went to the tower and stormed it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire,

53
有一個婦人把一塊上磨石拋在亞比米勒的頭上、打破了他的腦骨。

a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull.

54
他就急忙喊叫拿他兵器的少年人、對他說、拔出你的刀來、殺了我罷.免得人議論我說、他為一個婦人所殺。於是少年人把他刺透、他就死了。

Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can't say, 'A woman killed him.'" So his servant ran him through, and he died.

55
以色列人見亞比米勒死了、便各回自己的地方去了。

When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.

56
這樣、 神報應亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡、就是殺了弟兄七十個人的惡。

Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.

57
示劍人的一切惡、 神也都報應在他們頭上.耶路巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛、歸到他們身上了。

God also made the men of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.