Judges 9
1 And Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brethren, and spoke to them, and to all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
Abimeleki, mwana wa Yerubaali, akaenda kwa jamaa za mama yake huko Shekemu, akawaambia, na jamaa yote ya mama yake,
2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem, Which is better for you, that seventy persons, all sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you? And remember that I am your bone and your flesh.
Tafadhali sema haya, ili wakuu wote wa Shekemu wasikie, Ni kipi bora kwako Je, wana sabini wote wa Yerubali kutawala juu yenu, au kwamba moja tu atawale juu yenu? Kumbuka kwamba mimi ni mfupa na nyama yenu.
3 And his mother's brethren spoke of him in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem all these words. And their heart inclined after Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
Ndugu za mama yake waliongea kwa niaba yake kwa viongozi wa Shekemu, nao wakakubali kumfuata Abimeleki, wakasema, Yeye ndiye ndugu yetu.
4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech hired with them vain and wanton men, and they followed him.
Wakampa vipande sabini vya fedha katika nyumba ya Baali Berith; Abimeleki akazitumia kwa kuajiri watu wasio na sheria na wasiokuwa wajinga, waliomfuata.
5 And he came to his father's house, to Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy persons upon one stone; but there remained Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal; for he had hid himself.
Abimeleki akaenda nyumbani kwa baba yake huko Ofra; na juu ya jiwe moja akawaua ndugu zake sabini, wana wa Yerubaali. Yotamu ndiye aliyebaki, mwana mdogo kabisa wa Yerubaali, kwa kuwa alijificha.
6 And all the citizens of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the memorial-oak that is in Shechem.
Wakuu wote wa Shekemu na Beth Milo wakaungana, wakaenda kumfanya Abimeleki mfalme, karibu na mwaloni karibu na nguzo iliyoko Shekemu.
7 And they told it to Jotham, and he went and stood on the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said to them, Hearken to me, ye citizens of Shechem, that God may hearken to you.
Yotamu alipoambiwa juu ya jambo hilo, akaenda, akasimama juu ya Mlima Gerizimu. Alipiga kelele akawaambia, 'Sikilizeni, enyi viongozi wa Shekemu, ili Mungu awasikilize.
8 The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign over us.
Siku moja miti ilikwenda kumtia mafuta mfalme juu yao. Wakauambia mzeituni, tawala juu yetu.
9 And the olive-tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to wave over the trees?
Lakini mti wa mizeituni ukawaambia, Je! Nitaacha mafuta yangu, ambayo hutumiwa kuheshimu miungu na wanadamu, ili nipate kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
10 And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, reign over us.
Miti hiyo ikamwambia mtini, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
11 But the fig-tree said to them, Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?
Lakini mtini ukawaambia, Je, nitaacha utamu wangu na matunda yangu mazuri, ili nipate kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
12 Then said the trees to the vine, Come thou, reign over us.
Miti hiyo ikamwambia mzabibu, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
13 And the vine said to them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave over the trees?
Mzabibu ukawaambia, Je, nitaacha divai yangu mpya, ambayo hufurahisha miungu na wanadamu, na kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
14 Then said all the trees to the thorn-bush, Come thou, reign over us.
Kisha miti yote ikawaambia mchanga, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
15 And the thorn-bush said to the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, come, put confidence in my shadow; but if not, fire shall come out of the thorn-bush and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Miti ya miiba ikaiambia miti, 'Ikiwa unataka kunipaka mafuta niwe mfalme juu yako, njoo na upate usalama chini ya kivuli changu. Ikiwa sivyo, basi moto lazima uondoke kwenye mchanga na uiteketeze mierezi ya Lebanoni. '
16 Now therefore, if ye have dealt truly and sincerely in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and if ye have done to him according to the deserving of his hands;
Basi, ikiwa umefanya kweli na uaminifu, ulimfanya Abimeleki mfalme, na ikiwa umefanya vizuri juu ya Yerubaali na nyumba yake, na ikiwa umemuadhibu kama anavyostahili,
17 — for my father fought for you, and endangered his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian;
- na kufikiri kwamba baba yangu alipigana kwa ajili yenu, akahatarisha maisha yake, na akawaokoa kutoka kwenye mkono wa Midiani -
18 but ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your brother;
lakini leo umeamka juu ya nyumba ya baba yangu na kuwaua watoto wake, watu sabini, juu ya jiwe moja. Na umemfanya Abimeleki, mwana wa mtumishi wake, awe mfalme juu ya wakuu wa Shekemu, kwa sababu yeye ni ndugu yenu.
19 — if ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you;
Ikiwa mlifanya kwa uaminifu na uelekevu pamoja na Jerubalai na nyumba yake, basi mnapaswa kufurahi katika Abimeleki, naye apate kufurahi ndani yenu.
20 but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the citizens of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
Lakini ikiwa sio, moto utoke kwa Abimeleki, ukawaangamize watu wa Shekemu na Beth Milo. Basi moto utoke kwa watu wa Shekemu na Beth Milo, ili kumteketeza Abimeleki.
21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, because of Abimelech his brother.
Yothamu akakimbia, naye akaenda Beeri. Aliishi huko kwa sababu ilikuwa mbali na Abimeleki, kaka yake.
22 And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.
Abimeleki akatawala juu ya Israeli kwa miaka mitatu.
23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem; and the citizens of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Mungu alituma roho mbaya kati ya Abimeleki na viongozi wa Shekemu. Viongozi wa Shekemu walisaliti uaminifu waliokuwa nao kwa Abimeleki.
24 that the violence [done] to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the citizens of Shechem, who had strengthened his hands to slay his brethren.
Mungu alifanya hivyo ili uhalifu uliofanywa kwa wana sabini wa Yerubaali uweze kulipizwa kisasi, na Abimeleki ndugu yao atawajibishwa kwa kuwaua, na watu wa Shekemu watawajibishwa kwa sababu walimsaidia kuua ndugu zake.
25 And the citizens of Shechem set liers in wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them. And it was told Abimelech.
Basi wakuu wa Shekemu wakawaweka wanaume wamkisubiri juu ya vilima ili wamwangamize, nao wakawaibia wote waliokuwa wamepita katika barabara hiyo. Hii iliripotiwa kwa Abimeleki.
26 And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem; and the citizens of Shechem put confidence in him.
Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akenda pamoja na ndugu zake, wakavuka Shekemu. Viongozi wa Shekemu walimwamini.
27 And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made rejoicings, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
Wakaenda shambani wakakusanya zabibu kutoka kwa mizabibu, nao wakazikanyaga. Walifanya sherehe katika nyumba ya mungu wao, walikula na kunywa, kumlaani Abimeleki.
28 And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is he not the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his overseer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem! and why should we serve him?
Gaali mwana wa Ebedi, akasema, Abimeleki ni nani, na Shekemu ni nani, hata tumtumikie? Je, si mwana wa Yerubaali? Na Zebuli si afisa wake? Watumikieni watu wa Hamori, baba yake Shekemu! Kwa nini tunapaswa kumtumikia?
29 Oh! would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
Laiti watu hawa wangekukuwa chini ya amri yangu! Kisha ningemuondoa Abimeleki. Ningemwambia Abimeleki, 'liondoe nje jeshi lako lote.'
30 And Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, and his anger was kindled;
Zebul, mkuu wa mji, aliposikia maneno ya Gaali, mwana wa Ebedi, hasira yake ikawaka.
31 and he sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem, and behold, they shut up the city against thee;
Akatuma wajumbe kwa Abimeleki ili wapate kudanganya, akisema, Tazama, Gaali mwana wa Ebedi na ndugu zake wanafika Shekemu; nao wanauchochea mji dhidi yako.
32 and now, rise up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in ambush in the fields.
Sasa, amka wakati wa usiku, wewe na askari pamoja nawe, na uandae uvamizi katika mashamba.
33 And it shall be in the morning when the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and fall upon the city; and behold, he and the people that is with him shall come out against thee, and thou shalt do with him as thou shalt find occasion.
Kisha asubuhi, jua litakapokwisha, inuka mapema na uangamize mji. Na yeye na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye watakapokuja juu yenu, fanyeni chochote mnachoweza.
34 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they lay in ambush against Shechem in four companies.
Basi Abimeleki akainuka usiku, yeye na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye, wakaandaa uvamizi dhidi ya Shekemu, wakagawanyika vitengo vinne.
35 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, out of the ambush.
Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akatoka, akasimama penye mlango wa mji. Abimeleki na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakatoka mahali pa kuficha.
36 And Gaal saw the people, and said to Zebul, Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said to him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as men.
Gaali alipowaona hao watu, akamwambia Zebuli, “Tazama, watu wanatoka kwenye vilima!” Zebuli akamwambia, “Wewe unaona vivuli juu ya vilima kama vile watu”.
37 And Gaal spoke again, and said, Behold, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and one company is coming along by the way of the Magician's oak.
Gaali akaongea tena na kusema, “Angalia, watu wanashuka katikati ya nchi, na kitengo kimoja kinakuja kwa njia ya mwaloni wa Maenenimu.”
38 Then said Zebul to him, Where is now thy mouth, thou that saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out now, I pray, and fight against them.
Ndipo Zebuli akamwambia, “Je, maneno yako ya kiburi yako wapi sasa, wewe uliyesema, 'Abimeleki ni nani, ili tumtumikie?' Je, hao sio watu ambao uliwadharau? Toka sasa na pigana nao.”
39 And Gaal went out before the citizens of Shechem, and fought against Abimelech.
Gaali akatoka na alikuwa akiwaongoza watu wa Shekemu, naye alipigana na Abimeleki.
40 And Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, as far as the entrance of the gate.
Abimeleki akamfukuza, na Gaali akakimbia mbele yake. Na wengi wakaanguka na majeraha ya mauti mbele ya mingilio ya lango la mji.
41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah. And Zebul drove out Gaal and his brethren, that they might not dwell in Shechem.
Abimeleki alikaa Aruma. Zebul akawalazimisha Gaal na ndugu zake watoke Shekemu.
42 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
Siku ya pili watu wa Shekemu wakatoka shambani, na habari hii ikamfikia Abimeleki.
43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and lay in ambush in the field. And he looked, and behold, the people came forth out of the city; and he rose up against them and smote them.
Aliwachukua watu wake, akawagawanywa katika vitengo vitatu, na wakaandaa uvamizi mashambani. Aliangalia na kuona watu wakitoka mjini. Akawakamata na kuwaua.
44 And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and two of the companies ran upon all that were in the fields, and slew them.
Abimeleki na vitengo vilivyokuwa pamoja naye vilishambulia na kuzuia maingilio ya lango la mji. Vitengo vingine viwili vilishambulia wote waliokuwa katika shamba na wakawaua.
45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that were in it, and broke down the city, and sowed it with salt.
Abimeleki alipigana na huo mji siku nzima. Aliteka mji huo, na kuwaua watu waliokuwa ndani yake. Akabomoa kuta za mji na kueneza chumvi juu yake.
46 And all the men of the tower of Shechem heard [that], and they entered into the stronghold of the house of the god Berith.
Wakati wakuu wote wa mnara wa Shekemu waliposikia hayo, waliingia katika ngome ya nyumba ya El Berithi.
47 And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem had gathered together.
Abimeleki aliambiwa kuwa viongozi wote walikuwa wamekusanyika pamoja kwenye mnara wa Shekemu.
48 Then Abimelech went up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people that was with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, do as I have done.
Abimeleki akaenda mpaka mlima wa Salmoni, yeye na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye. Abimeleki akachukua shoka na kukata matawi. Akaweka juu ya bega lake na kuwaagiza watu waliokuwa pamoja naye, 'Mlichoona nimekifanya fanyeni kama nilivyofanya.'
49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and they followed Abimelech, and put [them] to the hold, and burned the hold with fire upon them. And all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
Basi kila mmoja akakata matawi, wakamfuata Abimeleki. Wakayafungia juu ya ukuta wa mnara, nao wakawasha moto, hata watu wote wa mnara wa Shekemu wakafa, wanaume na wanawake elfu.
50 And Abimelech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
Abimeleki akaenda Tebezi, naye akapiga kambi dhidi ya Thebezi, akautwaa.
51 But there was a strong tower in the midst of the city, and thither fled all the men and women, all the citizens of the city; and they shut it behind them, and went up to the roof of the tower.
Lakini kulikuwa na mnara wenye nguvu katika mji, wanaume na wanawake wote na viongozi wote wa mji walikimbilia na kujifungia wenyewe. Kisha wakaenda juu ya paa la mnara.
52 And Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and he drew near to the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire;
Abimeleki alikwenda kwenye mnara na kupigana nao, naye akaenda karibu na mlango wa mnara ili kuuchoma.
53 and a woman cast the upper stone of a handmill on Abimelech's head, and crushed his skull.
Lakini mwanamke akatupa jiwe la juu, juu ya kichwa cha Abimeleki likavunja fuvu lake.
54 Then he called hastily to the young man that carried his armour, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that they say not of me, A woman killed him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
Kisha akamwita yule kijana aliyekuwa anamchukulia silaha zake, akamwambia, “Chukua upanga wako ukaniue, kwa hiyo hakuna mtu atakayesema juu yangu, 'Mwanamke alimwua.'” Basi kijana wake akamchoma naye akafa.
55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went every man to his place.
Watu wa Israeli walipoona kwamba Abimeleki amekufa, wakaenda nyumbani.
56 And God rendered back the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in slaying his seventy brethren.
Basi Mungu akalipiza kisasi cha uovu wa Abimeleki alichomfanyia baba yake kwa kuua ndugu zake sabini.
57 And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render back upon their heads; and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Mungu akafanya uovu wote wa watu wa Shekemu ugeuke juu ya vichwa vyao wenyewe, na juu yao ilikuja laana ya Yothamu mwana wa Yerubaali.
