< Oweruza 9 >
1 Abimeleki mwana wa Yeru-Baala anapita ku Sekemu kwa abale a amayi ake ndi kukawawuza iwowo ndi fuko lonse la banja la abambo a amayi ake kuti,
Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
2 “Funsani nzika zonse za ku Sekemu kuno, ‘Chabwino ndi chiyani kwa inu kuti ana onse makumi asanu ndi awiri a Yeru-Baala azikulamulirani, kapena kuti azikulamulirani ndi munthu mmodzi basi?’ Kumbukirani kuti ine ndine mʼbale wanu weniweni.”
“Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh.”
3 Abale a amayi akewo anamuyankhulira mawu amenewa kwa nzika zonse za ku Sekemu, ndipo mitima ya anthu onse inali pa Abimeleki chifukwa anati, “Uyu ndi mʼbale wathu,”
His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
4 Tsono anamupatsa ndalama zasiliva 70 za mʼnyumba ya chipembedzo ya Baala Beriti. Ndi ndalama zimenezi Abimeleki analemba anthu achabechabe ndi osasamala kuti azimutsatira.
They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him.
5 Anapita ku Ofiri ku mudzi kwa abambo ake ndipo anapha abale ake makumi asanu ndi awiri, ana a Yeru-Baala pa mwala umodzi. Koma Yotamu yemwe anali wamngʼono mwa onsewo anapulumuka chifukwa anabisala.
Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself.
6 Tsono nzika za ku Sekemu ndi za ku Beti-Milo zinapita kukasonkhana ku mtengo wa thundu pafupi ndi chipilala cha ku Sekemu kuti akalonge Abimeleki ufumu.
All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem.
7 Yotamu atamva izi anapita kukayima pamwamba pa phiri la Gerizimu ndipo anafuwula nati, “Tandimverani inu anthu a ku Sekemu, kuti Mulungu akumvereninso.
When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
8 Tsiku lina mitengo inapita kukadzoza mfumu yawo. Tsono mitengoyo inati kwa mtengo wa olivi, ‘Iwe ukhale mfumu yathu.’”
The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
9 “Koma mtengo wa olivi uja unayankha kuti, ‘Kodi ndisiye mafuta angawa amene amalemekezera nawo milungu ndi anthu omwe, kuti ndizikalamulira mitengo?’”
But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?'
10 Apo mitengo inawuza mtengo wa mkuyu kuti, “Bwera ndiwe ukhale mfumu yathu.”
The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.'
11 Koma mtengo wa mkuyu unayankha kuti, “Kodi ndisiye chipatso changa chokoma ndi chozunachi kuti ndizikalamulira mitengo?”
But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?'
12 Kenaka mitengo ija inawuza mtengo wamphesa kuti, “Bwera ndiwe kuti ukhale mfumu yathu.”
The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.'
13 Koma mtengo wamphesa unayankha kuti, “Kodi ine ndisiye vinyo wangayu, amene amasangalatsa milungu ndi anthu omwe kuti ndizikalamulira mitengo?”
The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?'
14 Pomaliza mitengo yonse inawuza mkandankhuku kuti, “Bwera ndipo ukhale mfumu yathu.”
Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'
15 Mkandankhuku uja unayankha kuti, “Ngati mukufunadi kuti mudzoze ine kuti ndikhale mfumu yanu, bwerani mudzabisale mu mthunzi mwangamu, koma ngati simutero, moto utuluka kwa ine ndi kupsereza mikungudza ya ku Lebanoni.”
The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
16 Yotamu anatinso, “Kodi mukuti munaonetsadi kuona mtima ndi kukhulupirika podzoza Abimeleki kukhala mfumu? Kodi mukuti munachitira ulemu Yeru-Baala ndi banja lake poganizira ntchito zimene anachita?
Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves—
17 Kodi suja abambo anga anakumenyerani nkhondo ndi kuyika moyo wawo pa chiswe kuti akupulumutseni mʼmanja mwa Amidiyani?
—and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian—
18 Koma lero inu mwawukira banja la abambo anga. Mwapha ana ake 70 pa mwala umodzi, ndiponso mwalonga ufumu Abimeleki, mwana wa mdzakazi wake kuti akhale wolamulira anthu a ku Sekemu chifukwa ndi mʼbale wanu.
but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative.
19 Tsono ngati mukuti zimene mwachitira Yeru-Baala ndi banja lake mwazichita moona mtima ndiponso mokhulupirika, ndiye mukondwere ndi Abimeleki, nayenso akondwere nanu!
If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
20 Koma ngati sichoncho moto utuluke mwa Abimeleki ndi kupsereza anthu a ku Sekemu ndi Beti-Milo, ndipo moto utulukenso mwa anthu a ku Sekemu ndi Beti-Milo, ndi kupsereza Abimeleki!”
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech.”
21 Kenaka Yotamu anathawira ku Beeri nakakhala komweko chifukwa ankaopa Abimeleki mʼbale wake.
Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother.
22 Abimeleki atalamulira Israeli zaka zitatu,
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
23 Mulungu anayika chidani pakati pa Abimelekiyo ndi anthu a ku Sekemu, motero kuti anthu a ku Sekemu anawukira Abimeleki.
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech.
24 Mulungu anachita zimenezi kuti zoyipa zimene anachitira ana aamuna 70 a Yeru-Baala aja zimubwerere, ndi kuti magazi awo akhale pa Abimeleki mʼbale wawo ndi pa anthu a ku Sekemu amene anamulimbikitsa mtima kuti aphe abale akewo.
God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers.
25 Choncho anthu a ku Sekemu anayika anthu omubisalira pamwamba pa mapiri. Tsono iwo ankalanda anthu odutsa mʼnjira imeneyo zinthu zawo ndipo Abimeleki anamva zimenezi.
So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech.
26 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi anasamukira ku Sekemu ndi abale ake, ndipo anthu a ku Sekemuko anamukhulupirira iye.
Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him.
27 Anthuwo anapita ku munda kukathyola mphesa ndi kuzifinya, ndipo anachita chikondwerero mʼnyumba ya milungu yawo. Anthuwo akudya ndi kumwa, ankatemberera Abimeleki.
They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech.
28 Ndipo Gaali mwana wa Ebedi anati “Kodi Abimeleki ndi ndani, ndipo nʼchifukwa chiyani akutilamulira ife Asekemu? Kodi iyeyu si mwana wa Yeru-Baala ndipo womuthandiza wake si Zebuli? Tiyeni titumikire anthu a ku Hamori, kholo la fuko la Sekemu! Nanga nʼchifukwa chiyani tikutumikira Abimeleki?
Gaal son of Ebed, said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech?
29 Anthu a mu mzindawo akanakhala pansi pa ulamuliro wanga, ndikanamuchotsa Abimelekiyu. Ndikanamuwuza Abimeleki kuti, ‘Wonjeza ankhondo ako ndipo ubwere tidzamenyane!’”
I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'”
30 Zebuli amene ankalamulira mzindawo atamva zimene Gaali mwana wa Ebadi ananena, anakwiya kwambiri.
When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled.
31 Anatumiza amithenga kwa Abimeleki, kukanena kuti, “Gaali mwana wa Ebedi ndi abale ake abwera ku Sekemu ndipo akuwutsa mitima ya anthu a mu mzindawo kuti akuwukireni inu.
He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, “See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
32 Nʼchifukwa chake usiku womwe uno inu ndi anthu anu mupite, mukabisale mʼminda.
Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields.
33 Mmawa dzuwa likutuluka, mudzuke ndi kukathira nkhondo mzindawo. Gaali ndi anthu amene ali naye akamadzabwera kuti alimbane ndi inu, inu mudzathane nawo monga mmene mungachitire.”
Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them.”
34 Choncho Abimeleki ndi ankhondo ake onse anadzuka usiku nakabisalira mzinda wa Sekemu mʼmagulu anayi.
So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units.
35 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi anatuluka nakayima pa khomo pa chipata cha mzinda pamene Abimeleki ndi ankhondo ake anatuluka ku malo kumene anabisala kuja.
Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place.
36 Gaaliyo atawaona, anawuza Zebuli kuti, “Taona anthu akutsika kuchoka pamwamba pa mapiri.” Koma Zebuli anayankha kuti, “Zimene mukuonazo ndi zithunzi za mapiri chabe osati anthu.”
When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, “See, men are coming down from the hilltops!” Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men.”
37 Koma Gaaliyo anayankhulanso kuti, “Taona anthu akutsika kuchokera pakati pa phiri, ndipo gulu lina likubwera kuchokera ku mtengo wa thundu wa owombeza mawula.”
Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners.”
38 Ndipo Zebuli anamufunsa iye kuti, “Pakamwa pako paja pali kuti tsopano, iwe amene umanena kuti, Abimeleki ndaninso kuti ife timutumikire? Kodi amenewa si anthu aja umawanyozawa? Tsopano tuluka ukamenyane nawo.”
Then Zebul said to him, “Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them.”
39 Choncho Gaaliyo anatuluka akutsogolera anthu a ku Sekemu kukamenyana ndi Abimeleki.
Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech.
40 Koma Abimeleki anamuthamangitsa ndipo Gaala anathawa. Ambiri a ankhondo ake anagwa napwetekeka njira yonse mpaka ku chipata cha mzinda.
Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate.
41 Abimeleki anakhala ku Aruma, ndipo Zebuli anathamangitsa Gaali pamodzi ndi abale ake, kuwatulutsa mu Sekemu.
Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem.
42 Mmawa mwake anthu a ku Sekemu anapangana zopita ku minda, ndipo Abimeleki anamva zimenezi.
On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 Tsono Abimeleki anatenga anthu ake, nawagawa magulu atatu ndi kukabisala mʼminda. Ataona anthu akutuluka mu mzindawo, iye anapita kukalimbana nawo ndipo onsewo anawapha.
He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them.
44 Abimeleki pamodzi ndi magulu ake anathamangira kutsogolo nakawakhalira pa chipata cha mzinda. Ndipo magulu awiri ena aja anathamangira anthu amene anali mʼminda ndi kuwapha onse.
Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them.
45 Abimeleki anawuthira nkhondo mzindawo tsiku lonse. Kenaka anawulanda ndi kupha nzika zonse za mu mzindamo. Anawuwonongeratu mzindawo nawuwaza mchere.
Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it.
46 Anthu a mu nsanja ya Sekemu atamva zimenezi, anakalowa mu linga la nyumba yopembedzeramo Baala-Beriti.
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith.
47 Abimeleki anamva kuti anthu ena asonkhana kumeneko.
Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem.
48 Choncho Abimeleki pamodzi ndi anthu ake onse anapita ku phiri la Zalimoni. Kumeneko anatenga nkhwangwa nadula nthambi za mitengo. Ananyamula nthambi zija pa phewa pake. Tsono anawuza anthu aja kuti, “Zimene mwaona ine ndikuchita, inunso mufulumire kuchita monga ndachitiramu.”
Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.”
49 Tsono aliyense anadula nthambi zake, natsatira Abimeleki. Anakawunjika nthambi zija pa linga paja, kenaka ndi kuliyatsa moto. Choncho anthu onse a ku nsanja ya Sekemu anafa. Analipo anthu pafupifupi 1,000, amuna ndi akazi.
So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
50 Kenaka Abimeleki anapita ku Tebezi. Anakawuzungulira mzindawo ndi kuwulanda.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it.
51 Koma mu mzindamo munali nsanja yolimba. Anthu onse a mu mzindamo amuna ndi akazi anathawira mu nsanjayo, nadzitsekera mʼkati. Ndipo anakwera ku denga la nsanjayo.
But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.
52 Abimeleki anapita ku nsanjayo nathira nkhondo. Anafika pafupi ndi chitseko cha nsanja ija kuti ayitenthe.
Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it.
53 Koma mkazi wina anaponya mwala wa mphero pa mutu wa Abimeleki ndi kuswa chibade cha mutuwo.
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull.
54 Mwamsanga Abimeleki anayitana mnyamata womunyamulira zida za nkhondo namuwuza kuti, “Solola lupanga lako undiphe kuti anthu asadzanene kuti, ‘Mkazi ndiye anamupha.’” Choncho wantchito wake anamubayadi mpaka kutulukira kunja lupangalo ndipo anafa.
Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'” So his young man pierced him through, and he died.
55 Aisraeli ataona kuti Abimeleki wafa, anapita kwawo.
When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.
56 Mmenemu ndi mmene Mulungu analipsirira tchimo la Abimeleki limene anachitira abambo ake pakupha abale ake 70 aja.
So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.
57 Mulungu anawalanganso anthu a ku Sekemu chifukwa cha kuyipa kwawo konse. Ndipo matemberero a Yotamu mwana wa Yeru-Baala anawagweradi.
God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal.