撒母耳記上 8
1 撒慕爾年老的時候，立了他的兩個兒子作以色列的民長。
When Samuel became old, he appointed his two sons, Joel and Abijah, to lead/rule the people of Israel.
2 長子名叫約厄耳，次子名叫阿彼雅，同在貝爾舍巴作民長。
They judged people’s disputes/cases in Beersheba [town].
3 但是他這兩個兒子不走他所走的路，卻貪圖厚利，接受賄賂，歪曲正理。
But they were not like their father. They wanted only to get a lot of money. They accepted bribes, and they did not make honest decisions about people’s disputes/cases.
4 以色列眾長老便聯合起來，往辣瑪去見撒慕爾，
Finally, the Israeli leaders met at Ramah [town to discuss the matter] with Samuel.
5 對他說：「看，你已經老了，你的兒子們不走你所走的路。如今請你給我們立一位君王治理我們，如同各國一樣。」
They said to him, “Listen! You are now old, and your sons are not like you. Appoint a king to rule over us, like the kings that other countries have!”
6 撒慕爾聽到他們要求說：「請給我們立一位君王治理我們，」大為不悅，便去祈求上主。
Samuel was very unhappy with them for requesting that, so he prayed to Yahweh about it.
7 上主對撒慕爾說：「凡民眾向你所說的話，你都要聽從，因為他們不是拋棄你，而是拋棄我作他們的君王。
Yahweh replied, “Do what they have requested you to do. But ([do not think/the truth is not]) that you are the one whom they are really rejecting. I have been their king, and I am the one they are really rejecting.
8 自從我領他們出離埃及直到今日，凡他們做的，無非是拋棄我而事奉別的神；他們現在也這樣來對待你。
Ever since I brought them out of Egypt, they have rejected me, and they have worshiped other gods. And now they are also rejecting you in the same way.
9 好罷! 你就聽從他們的要求，但必須清楚警告他們，要他們明瞭那統治他們的君王所享有的權利。」
Do what they are asking you to do. But warn/tell them about how their kings will act toward them!”
10 撒慕爾把上主的一切話，轉告給那向他要求君王的人民，
So Samuel told those people what Yahweh had said.
11 說：「那要統治你們的君王所享有的權利是：他要徵用你們的兒子，去充當車夫馬夫，在他的車前奔走：
He said, “If a king rules over you, this is what he will do to you: He will force many of your sons to join the army. He will make [some of] them run in front of his chariots [to clear people out of his way].
12 委派他們做千夫長、百夫長、五十夫長；令他們耕種他的田地，收割他的莊稼，替他製造作戰的武器和戰車的用具；
[Some of] them will be commanders of his soldiers, but others will work for him like slaves. He will force some of them to plow his fields and [then later] harvest his crops. He will force others to make his weapons and equipment for his chariots.
13 要徵用你們的女兒為他配製香料，烹調食物；
The king will take [some of] your daughters [from you and force them] to make perfumes for him and cook food for him and bake [bread for him].
14 要拿你們最好的莊田、葡萄園和橄欖林，賜給他的臣僕；
He will take your best fields and vineyards and olive tree groves/orchards, and give them to his own officials.
15 徵收你們莊田和葡萄園出產的十分之一，賜給他的宦官和臣僕；
He will take a tenth of your harvests and distribute it among the officers and servants [who work in] his [palace].
16 使用你們的僕婢和你們最好的牛驢，替他作工；
He will take from you your male and female servants, your best cattle and donkeys, and force them to work for him.
17 徵收你們的羊群十分之一；至於你們自己，還應作他的奴隸。
He will take one tenth of your sheep and goats. And you will become his slaves!
18 到那一天，你們必要因你們所選的君王發出哀號；但那一天，上主也不理你們了。」
When that time comes, you will complain loudly to the king, the king that you yourselves have chosen, but Yahweh will not (pay attention to/help) you.”
19 但是，人民不願聽從撒慕爾的話卻對他說：「不! 我們非要一位君王管理我們不可。
But the people refused to pay attention to what Samuel said. They said, “We do not [care what you say]! We want a king!
20 我們也要像一般異民一樣，有我們的君王來治理我們，率領我們出征作戰。」
We want to be like the other nations. We want a king to rule us and to lead our soldiers when they go to fight.”
21 撒慕爾聽見百姓所說的這一切話，就轉告給上主聽。
When Samuel told Yahweh what the people had said,
22 上主對撒慕爾說：「你聽從他們的話，給他們一位君王罷! 」撒慕爾就吩咐以色列人說：「你們各自暫回本城去。」
Yahweh replied, “Do what they are telling you to do. Give them a king!” [So Samuel agreed], and then he sent the people home.
