Judges 9
1 Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,
Abimereki mutabani wa Yerubbaali n’agenda e Sekemu eri baganda ba nnyina n’eri ab’ekika bonna, ab’ennyumba ya kitaawe, n’ennyumba ya nnyina n’abagamba nti,
2 “Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”
“Mubuuze kaakano ng’abatuuze b’e Sekemu bonna bawulira nti, ‘Kiki ekisingako obulungi? Batabani ba Yerubbaali bonna ensanvu okubafuganga oba omuntu omu y’aba abafuganga?’ Mujjukire nti ndi wa musaayi gwammwe.”
3 And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
Awo baganda ba nnyina ne bategeeza abatuuze b’e Sekemu ebintu ebyo byonna. Ab’e Sekemu ne basalawo okugoberera Abimereki nga bwe bagamba nti, “Muganda waffe.”
4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him.
Ne bamuwa ebitundu bya ffeeza ebya sekeri nsanvu okuva mu ssabo lya Baaluberisi. Abimereki n’apangisa abayaaye n’abantu abataalina bya buvunaanyizibwa ne bamugoberera.
5 He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.
N’alaga mu nnyumba ya kitaawe mu Ofula n’addira baganda be, batabani ba Yerubbaali nsanvu n’abattira ku jjinja. Naye omu ku baana abo omuto ayitibwa Yosamu mutabani wa Yerubbaali, n’adduka ne yeekweka.
6 Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.
Awo abatuuze bonna ab’e Sekemu n’e Besimiiro ne bakuŋŋaana ne batikkira Abimereki ng’ayimiridde okuliraana omuti omunene, ne bamufuula kabaka mu Sekemu.
7 When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
Awo Yosamu bwe baamugamba ebigambo ebyo, n’alinnya ku ntikko y’olusozi Gerizimu n’ayogera mu ddoboozi ery’omwanguka ng’agamba nti, “Mumpulirize abatuuze b’e Sekemu, Katonda alyoke abawulirize.
8 One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
Emiti gy’agenda okulonda kabaka, ne gigamba omuzeyituuni nti, ‘Ba kabaka waffe.’
9 But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
Naye omuzeyituuni ne gubaddamu nti, ‘Ndekeyo okuvaamu amafuta ag’omuzeeyituuni agampeesa balubaale n’abantu ekitiibwa, ŋŋende okuyuuguumya emiti?’
10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Awo ne giraga eri omutiini ne gigugamba nti, ‘Ggwe jjangu obeere kabaka waffe.’
11 But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
Naye nagwo ne guddamu nti, ‘Ndekeyo okuvaamu obuwoomi n’ekibala ekirungi, ŋŋende okuyuuguumya emiti?’
12 Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Awo ne giraga eri omuzabbibu ne gigugamba nti, ‘Ggwe jjangu obeere kabaka waffe.’
13 But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
Naye omuzabbibu ne gubaddamu nti, ‘Ndekeyo okuvaamu wayini asanyusa balubaale n’abantu, ŋŋende okuyuuguumya emiti?’
14 Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
Awo emiti gyonna ne gigamba omweramannyo nti, ‘Jjangu obeere kabaka waffe.’
15 But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
Awo omweramannyo ne gugamba emiti nti, ‘Bwe muba nga ddala munnonda okuba kabaka wammwe, mujje mwewogome mu kisiikirize kyange. Naye bwe kitaba kityo, omuliro guve mu mweramannyo gusaanyeewo emivule gy’omu Lebanooni.’
16 Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves—
“Kale nno obanga mwakola kya kitiibwa era mu mutima omulungi ne mufuula Abimereki kabaka, era bwe muba nga mwalaga obwenkanya eri Yerubbaali n’ennyumba ye, ne mumukola nga bwe kyamusaanira,
17 for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
kubanga kitange yabalwanirira, n’awaayo obulamu bwe, n’abawonya mu mukono gwa Midiyaani,
18 but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—
naye mmwe ne mujeemera ennyumba ya kitange ne muttira batabani be nsanvu ku jjinja limu, ne mufuula Abimereki omwana w’omuddu omukazi, kabaka w’abatuuze ab’omu Sekemu, kubanga ye muganda wammwe,
19 if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
era bwe muba nga mwakola kya kitiibwa era nga mwakikola mu mutima omulungi ne muyisa Yerubbaali n’ennyumba ye bwe mutyo, kale Abimereki asanyuke, era nammwe abasanyuse.
20 But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
Naye bwe kitaba bwe kityo, omuliro guve mu Abimereki, gusaanyeewo abatuuze b’omu Sekemu n’ab’e Besimiiro, ate era omuliro guve mu batuuze ab’omu Sekemu ne mu Besimiiro gusaanyeewo Abimereki.”
21 Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
Oluvannyuma lw’ebyo, Yosamu n’adduka n’alaga e Beeri, n’abeera eyo olw’okutya muganda we Abimereki.
22 After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
Awo Abimereki n’afuga Isirayiri okumala emyaka esatu.
23 God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
Katonda n’akyawaganya Abimereki n’abatuuze b’omu Sekemu, ne balya mu Abimereki olukwe,
24 in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.
Katonda ng’awoolera eggwanga olw’ekikolwa eky’okutta batabani ba Yerubbaali ensanvu, n’omusaayi gwabwe ng’aguteeka ku Abimereki muganda waabwe eyabatta ng’ayambibwako abatuuze b’omu Sekemu.
25 The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
Abatuuze b’omu Sekemu ne bassaawo abasajja ku nsozi babbenga era banyagululenga buli eyayitanga mu kkubo. Abimereki n’ategeezebwa.
26 Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
Awo Gaali mutabani wa Ebedi n’ajja ne baganda be mu Sekemu, abatuuze b’omu Sekemu, ne batanula okumwesiga.
27 And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
Ne balaga mu nnimiro ne bakungula ezzabbibu zaabwe, ne basogola omubisi, n’oluvannyuma ne bakola embaga mu ssabo lya katonda waabwe, ne balya ne banywa ne bakolimira Abimereki.
28 Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
Awo Gaali mutabani wa Ebedi n’ayogera nti, “Abimereki ye ani? Ab’omu Sekemu be baani okumuweereza? Si ye mutabani wa Yerubbaali, era Zebbuli si ye mumyuka we? Muweereze abantu ba Kamoli, kitaawe wa Sekemu. Lwaki tuweereza Abimereki?
29 If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
Ani ayinza okumpa obuyinza okukulembera abantu bano, olwo ndyoke nziggyewo Abimereki? Era nzija kumusoomooza nga mugamba nti, ‘Kuŋŋaanya eggye lyo, otulumbe.’”
30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
Awo Zebbuli omukulu w’ekibuga bwe yawulira ebigambo bya Gaali mutabani wa Ebedi, n’asunguwala nnyo.
31 So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
N’aweereza ababaka eri Abimereki mu kyama okumugamba nti, “Laba Gaali mutabani wa Ebedi, ne baganda be bazze mu Sekemu. Basekeeterera ekibuga okukulwanyisa.
32 Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
Kaakano, ggwe jjangu mu kiro n’abasajja bo muteegere mu nnimiro.
33 And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”
Mu makya enjuba ng’evaayo, onoogolokoka n’olumba ekibuga. Onoomulumba ye n’abantu abali naye abajja okukulumba, ggwe olyoke obakole ekyo omukono gwo kye guteekeddwa okukola.”
34 So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
Awo Abimereki n’abasajja be ne bagolokoka mu kiro ne bagenda ne beekweka mu bibanja bina okumpi n’e Sekemu.
35 Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.
Gaali mutabani wa Ebedi n’afuluma n’ayimirira mu mulyango gwa wankaaki w’ekibuga, ne Abimereki n’abasajja be nabo ne bavaayo gye baali beekwese.
36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
Awo Gaali bwe yabalaba, n’agamba Zebbuli nti, “Laba abantu nga bava ku nsozi waggulu!” Zebbuli n’amuddamu nti, “Ebisiikirize eby’ensozi by’olaba ng’abantu.”
37 Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”
Naye Gaali n’ayogera nate nti, “Laba, abantu bajja nga bayitira mu muwaatwa gw’ensi, n’ekibinja ekimu kifuluma mu kkubo ery’omwera ogw’abafumu.”
38 “Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
Awo Zebbuli n’alyoka amugamba nti, “Biki bye wali oyogera bwe wagamba nti, ‘Abimereki ye ani ffe okumuweereza?’ Abo si be bantu be wanyooma? Kaakano genda obalwanyise.”
39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
Awo Gaali n’akulembera abatuuze b’omu Sekemu okulwanyisa Abimereki.
40 but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
Abimereki n’amugoba, ne Gaali n’amudduka, era bangi ne batuusibwako ebiwundu, era ne bagwa ku mulyango gwa wankaaki.
41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
Abimereki n’abeera mu Aluma. Zebbuli n’agoba Gaali ne baganda be mu Sekemu baleme kubeerangamu.
42 The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.
Ku lunaku olwaddirira, Abimereki n’ategeezebwa ng’abantu bwe bagenda okulima.
43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.
Awo n’addira abasajja be n’abaawulamu ebibinja bisatu, n’ateegera abantu mu nnimiro. Bwe yalaba ng’abantu bafuluma ekibuga balage mu nnimiro, n’abalumba.
44 Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.
Abimereki n’ekibinja kye yali nakyo ne banguwa okuwamba omulyango gwa wankaaki w’ekibuga, ate ebibinja ebibiri byo ne byanguwa okulaga mu nnimiro ne batta abaaliyo.
45 And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.
Abimereki n’azibya olunaku olwo ng’alwanyisa ab’omu kibuga, n’akiwamba, n’abaalimu n’abatta, n’ekibuga n’akizikiriza, n’akiyiwamu n’omunnyo.
46 On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
Olwawulira ebyo, abatuuze abaali mu kigo kya Sekemu, ne baddukira mu ssabo lya Eruberisi.
47 And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
Awo bwe baategeeza Abimereki nti abatuuze b’omu Sekemu baali bakuŋŋaanidde mu kigo kya Sekemu,
48 he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.”
ye n’abasajja be ne balinnya ku lusozi Zalumoni, n’akwata embazi n’atema ettabi n’alyetikka ku kibegabega. N’alagira n’abasajja be yali nabo ng’abagamba nti, “Mwanguwe, mukole nga bwe nkoze.”
49 So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.
Buli omu ku bo n’atema ettabi n’alyetikka, ne bagoberera Abimereki. Ne bagatuuma ku kigo, ne bakikumako omuliro. Abantu bonna abaali mu kigo kya Sekemu, be basajja n’abakazi nga lukumi ne bafiiramu.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
Awo Abimereki n’agenda e Sebezi, n’asiisira okwetooloola ekibuga ekyo era n’akiwamba.
51 But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.
Mu kibuga ekyo mwalimu ekigo eky’amaanyi, era abantu bonna abasajja n’abakazi ab’omu kibuga ne baddukira omwo ne beggaliramu. Ne balinnya ku kasolya k’ekigo.
52 When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.
Abimereki n’alumba ekigo, naye bwe yali ng’akisemberedde, akume omuliro ku mulyango gwakyo,
53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
ne wabaawo omukazi omu eyakasuka olubengo ku mutwe gwa Abimereki, n’amwasa omutwe.
54 He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.
Amangwago Abimereki n’agamba eyasitulanga ebyokulwanyisa bye nti, “Sowola ekitala kyo onzite, si kulwa nga kinjogerwako nti nattibwa mukazi.” Omuddu we n’amufumita ekitala n’afa.
55 And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.
Awo abantu ba Isirayiri bwe baalaba nga Abimereki afudde, buli omu n’addayo ewuwe.
56 In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
Katonda bw’atyo n’awalana eggwanga olw’obutali butuukirivu bwa Abimereki, olwa Abimereki okutta abaana ba kitaawe, abooluganda nsanvu.
57 And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.
Katonda n’abonereza n’abantu b’omu Sekemu olw’obutali butuukirivu bwabwe bwonna, n’atuukiriza n’ekikolimo Yosamu mutabani wa Yerubbaali kye yabakolimira.
