Judges 9
1 Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, to his maternal brothers, and he spoke to them, and to all the relatives of the house of his maternal grandfather, saying:
Abimelec, hijo de Jerobaal, fue a Siquem, a los hermanos de su madre, y habló con ellos y con toda la familia de la casa del padre de su madre, diciendo:
2 “Speak to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you: that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And consider also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
“Por favor, habla en los oídos de todos los hombres de Siquem: “¿Os conviene que todos los hijos de Jerobaal, que son setenta personas, os gobiernen, o que uno solo os gobierne? Recordad también que yo soy vuestro hueso y vuestra carne”.
3 And his maternal brothers spoke about him to all the men of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying, “He is our brother.”
Los hermanos de su madre hablaron de él a oídos de todos los hombres de Siquem todas estas palabras. Sus corazones se inclinaron a seguir a Abimelec, pues dijeron: “Es nuestro hermano”.
4 And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him.
Le dieron setenta piezas de plata de la casa de Baal Berit, con las que Abimelec contrató a compañeros vanos y temerarios que lo seguían.
5 And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.
Fue a la casa de su padre, en Ofra, y mató a sus hermanos los hijos de Jerobaal, que eran setenta personas, de una sola pedrada; pero quedó Jotam, el hijo menor de Jerobaal, porque se escondió.
6 Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem.
Todos los hombres de Siquem se reunieron con toda la casa de Milo, y fueron a hacer rey a Abimelec junto a la encina de la columna que estaba en Siquem.
7 When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: “Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
Cuando se lo contaron a Jotam, éste fue y se puso en la cima del monte Gerizim, y alzando la voz, gritó y les dijo: “Escuchadme, hombres de Siquem, para que Dios os escuche.
8 The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
Los árboles se dispusieron a ungir un rey sobre ellos. Le dijeron al olivo: ‘Reina sobre nosotros’.
9 And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’
“Pero el olivo les dijo: ‘¿Debo dejar de producir mi aceite, con el que honran a Dios y a los hombres por medio de mí, e ir a agitarme sobre los árboles?
10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’
“Los árboles dijeron a la higuera: ‘Ven y reina sobre nosotros’.
11 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?’
“Pero la higuera les dijo: ‘¿Debo dejar mi dulzura y mi buen fruto e ir a agitarme sobre los árboles?
12 And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
“Los árboles dijeron a la vid: ‘Ven y reina sobre nosotros’.
13 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’
“La vid les dijo: “¿Debo dejar mi vino nuevo, que alegra a Dios y a los hombres, e ir a agitarme sobre los árboles?
14 And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
“Entonces todos los árboles dijeron a la zarza: ‘Ven y reina sobre nosotros’.
15 And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”
“La zarza dijo a los árboles: ‘Si en verdad me ungís como rey sobre vosotros, venid a refugiaros a mi sombra; y si no, que salga fuego de la zarza y devore los cedros del Líbano’.
16 So now, if you are upright and without sin in appointing Abimelech as a king over you, and if you have acted well with Jerubbaal, and with his house, and if you have repaid, in turn, the benefits of him who fought on your behalf,
“Ahora bien, si has actuado con verdad y justicia, pues has hecho rey a Abimelec, y si has tratado bien a Jerobaal y a su casa, y has hecho con él lo que merecen sus manos
17 and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,
(pues mi padre luchó por ti, arriesgó su vida y te libró de la mano de Madián
18 though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,
y tú te has levantado hoy contra la casa de mi padre y has matado a sus hijos, setenta personas, sobre una sola piedra, y has hecho a Abimelec, hijo de su sierva, rey sobre los hombres de Siquem, porque es tu hermano);
19 if therefore you are upright and have acted without fault with Jerubbaal and his house, then you should rejoice on this day in Abimelech, and he should rejoice in you.
si hoy has tratado con verdad y justicia a Jerobaal y a su casa, alégrate con Abimelec, y que él también se alegre contigo;
20 But if you have acted perversely, may fire go forth from him and consume the inhabitants of Shechem and the town of Millo. And may fire go forth from the men of Shechem and from the town of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”
pero si no, que salga fuego de Abimelec y devore a los hombres de Siquem y a la casa de Milo.”
21 And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.
Jotam huyó y se fue a Beer y vivió allí, por temor a Abimelec, su hermano.
22 And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
Abimelec fue príncipe de Israel durante tres años.
23 And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,
Entonces Dios envió un espíritu maligno entre Abimelec y los hombres de Siquem; y los hombres de Siquem trataron con traición a Abimelec,
24 and to place blame for the crime of the killing of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for the shedding of their blood, upon Abimelech, their brother, and upon the rest of the leaders of the Shechemites, who assisted him.
para que llegara la violencia hecha a los setenta hijos de Jerobaal, y para que su sangre cayera sobre Abimelec, su hermano, que los mató, y sobre los hombres de Siquem que fortalecieron sus manos para matar a sus hermanos.
25 And they stationed an ambush against him at the summit of the mountains. And while they were waiting for his arrival, they committed robberies, taking spoils from those passing by. And this was reported to Abimelech.
Los hombres de Siquem le tendieron una emboscada en las cimas de los montes, y robaron a todos los que pasaban por ese camino; y Abimelec fue informado de ello.
26 Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,
Gaal, hijo de Ebed, vino con sus hermanos y pasó a Siquem, y los hombres de Siquem se encomendaron a él.
27 departed into the fields, laying waste to the vineyards, and trampling the grapes. And while singing and dancing, they entered into the shrine of their god. And while feasting and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.
Salieron al campo, cosecharon sus viñas, pisaron las uvas, celebraron y entraron en la casa de su dios, comieron y bebieron, y maldijeron a Abimelec.
28 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried out: “Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, who has appointed Zebul, his servant, as ruler over the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
Gaal, hijo de Ebed, dijo: “¿Quién es Abimelec y quién es Siquem para que le sirvamos? ¿No es él hijo de Jerobaal? ¿No es Zebul su oficial? Sirvan a los hombres de Hamor, padre de Siquem, pero ¿por qué hemos de servirle a él?
29 I wish that someone would set this people under my hand, so that I might take away Abimelech from their midst.” And it was told to Abimelech, “Gather the multitude of an army, and approach.”
¡Ojalá este pueblo estuviera bajo mi mano! Entonces eliminaría a Abimelec”. Le dijo a Abimelec: “¡Aumenta tu ejército y sal!”
30 For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.
Cuando Zebul, el gobernante de la ciudad, oyó las palabras de Gaal hijo de Ebed, su ira ardió.
31 And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: “Behold, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has arrived at Shechem with his brothers, and he has set the city against you.
Envió mensajeros a Abimelec con astucia, diciendo: “He aquí que Gaal hijo de Ebed y sus hermanos han venido a Siquem, y he aquí que incitan a la ciudad contra ti.
32 And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.
Ahora, pues, sube de noche, tú y el pueblo que está contigo, y acecha en el campo.
33 And at first light in the morning, as the sun is rising, rush upon the city. And when he goes out against you, with his people, do to him what you are able to do.”
Por la mañana, en cuanto salga el sol, os levantaréis temprano y os lanzaréis contra la ciudad. He aquí que cuando él y el pueblo que está con él salgan contra vosotros, entonces podréis hacer con ellos lo que os parezca oportuno.”
34 And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.
Abimelec se levantó de noche, con todo el pueblo que estaba con él, y acecharon a Siquem en cuatro grupos.
35 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and he stood at the entrance to the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and all the army with him, from the places of the ambushes.
Gaal, hijo de Ebed, salió y se puso a la entrada de la puerta de la ciudad. Abimelec se levantó, y el pueblo que estaba con él, de la emboscada.
36 And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, a multitude is descending from the mountains.” And he responded to him, “You are seeing the shadows of the mountains, as if they were the heads of men, and so you are being deceived by this error.”
Cuando Gaal vio a la gente, dijo a Zebul: “He aquí que la gente baja de las cimas de los montes”. Zebul le dijo: “Ves las sombras de las montañas como si fueran hombres”.
37 Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”
Gaal volvió a hablar y dijo: “He aquí que la gente desciende por el centro de la tierra, y una compañía viene por el camino de la encina de Meonenim”.
38 And Zebul said to him: “Where is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people that you were despising? Go out and fight against him.”
Entonces Zebul le dijo: “Ahora, ¿dónde está tu boca, que has dicho: “¿Quién es Abimelec, para que le sirvamos?”? ¿No es éste el pueblo que has despreciado? Por favor, sal ahora y pelea con ellos”.
39 Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,
Gaal salió delante de los hombres de Siquem y luchó con Abimelec.
40 who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.
Abimelec lo persiguió, y él huyó delante de él, y muchos cayeron heridos hasta la entrada de la puerta.
41 And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.
Abimelec vivía en Arumá; y Zebul expulsó a Gaal y a sus hermanos, para que no habitasen en Siquem.
42 Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,
Al día siguiente, el pueblo salió al campo, y se lo comunicaron a Abimelec.
43 he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them,
Él tomó al pueblo y lo dividió en tres grupos, y acechó en el campo; y miró, y he aquí que el pueblo salía de la ciudad. Entonces se levantó contra ellos y los golpeó.
44 along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.
Abimelec y las compañías que estaban con él se adelantaron y se pusieron a la entrada de la puerta de la ciudad; y las dos compañías se abalanzaron sobre todos los que estaban en el campo y los hirieron.
45 Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.
Abimelec luchó contra la ciudad todo ese día, y tomó la ciudad y mató a la gente que estaba en ella. Derribó la ciudad y la sembró de sal.
46 And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.
Cuando todos los hombres de la torre de Siquem se enteraron, entraron en la fortaleza de la casa de Elberit.
47 Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
Se le informó a Abimelec que todos los hombres de la torre de Siquem estaban reunidos.
48 ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.”
Abimelec subió al monte Zalmón, él y todo el pueblo que estaba con él; y Abimelec tomó un hacha en su mano, cortó una rama de los árboles, la subió y se la puso al hombro. Luego dijo al pueblo que estaba con él: “¡Lo que me habéis visto hacer, daos prisa y haced lo que yo he hecho!”
49 And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.
Asimismo, todo el pueblo cortó cada uno su rama, siguió a Abimelec y las puso en la base de la fortaleza, y le prendió fuego a ésta, de modo que también murió toda la gente de la torre de Siquem, unos mil hombres y mujeres.
50 Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
Entonces Abimelec fue a Tebez y acampó contra Tebez, y la tomó.
51 Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.
Pero había una torre fuerte dentro de la ciudad, y todos los hombres y mujeres de la ciudad huyeron allí, se encerraron y subieron al techo de la torre.
52 And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
Abimelec llegó a la torre y luchó contra ella, y se acercó a la puerta de la torre para quemarla con fuego.
53 And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
Una mujer arrojó una piedra de molino sobre la cabeza de Abimelec y le rompió el cráneo.
54 And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.
Entonces llamó apresuradamente al joven, su portador de armadura, y le dijo: “Saca tu espada y mátame, para que no digan de mí: “Una mujer lo mató”. El joven lo atravesó, y murió”.
55 And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.
Cuando los hombres de Israel vieron que Abimelec había muerto, se fueron cada uno a su lugar.
56 And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
Así pagó Dios la maldad de Abimelec, que hizo a su padre matando a sus setenta hermanos;
57 The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.
y Dios pagó toda la maldad de los hombres de Siquem sobre sus cabezas; y la maldición de Jotam hijo de Jerobaal cayó sobre ellos.
