Judges 9
1 Then went Abimelech son of Jerubbaal, to Shechem, unto the brethren of his mother, —and spake unto them, and unto 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 owners of Shechem—Which is better for you, that there should rule over you, seventy men, all sons of Jerubbaal, or that there should rule over you, one man? And remember that, your bone and your flesh, am I.
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 So the brethren of his mother spake for him, in the ears of all the owners of Shechem, all these words, —and their heart inclined after Abimelech, for they said—Our own brother, is he.
Ndugu za mama yake waliongea kwa niaba yake kwa viongozi wa Shekemu, nao wakakubali kumfuata Abimeleki, wakasema, Yeye ndiye ndugu yetu.
4 So they gave him seventy pieces of silver, out of the house of Baal-berith, —and Abimelech hired therewith, loose and unstable 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 entered the house of his father, at Ophrah, and slew his brethren, sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone, —but there remained Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, for he had hidden 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 Then were gathered together all the owners of Shechem, and all the house of Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, —by the oak of the pillar, that was in Shechem.
Wakuu wote wa Shekemu na Beth Milo wakaungana, wakaenda kumfanya Abimeleki mfalme, karibu na mwaloni karibu na nguzo iliyoko Shekemu.
7 And, when it was told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried aloud, —and said unto them—Hearken unto me, ye owners of Shechem, and may God, hearken unto 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, went their way, to anoint over them, a king, —and they said unto the olive tree—Reign thou over us.
Siku moja miti ilikwenda kumtia mafuta mfalme juu yao. Wakauambia mzeituni, tawala juu yetu.
9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, which, in me, gods and men do honour, —and go to wave to and fro, 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 Then said the trees unto the fig-tree, —Come! thou reign over us.
Miti hiyo ikamwambia mtini, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
11 But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I leave my sweetness, and mine excellent increase, —and go to wave to and fro, 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 unto the vine, —Come! thou, reign over us.
Miti hiyo ikamwambia mzabibu, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
13 But the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, that rejoiceth gods and men, —and go to wave to and fro, 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, unto the bramble, —Come, thou, to reign over us.
Kisha miti yote ikawaambia mchanga, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If, in truth, ye are about to anoint me to be king over you, come, take refuge in my shade, —but, if not, there shall come forth fire out of the bramble, 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, in truth and sincerity, ye have acted, in making Abimelech king, —and if ye have dealt, well, with Jerubbaal and with his house, and if, according to the deserving of his hands, ye have done unto him;
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 in that my father fought for you, and cast his soul away from before him, and rescued 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 yet have, ye, risen up against the house of my father, to-day, and slain his sons—seventy men, upon one stone, —and made Abimelech, son of his maidservant, king over the owners 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 then, in truth and in sincerity, ye have dealt 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 owners of Shechem, and the house of Millo, —and let fire come out from the owners 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 hasted away, and fled, and went to Beer, —and dwelt there, away from the face 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 Then God let go a spirit of mischief between Abimelech and the owners of Shechem, —and the owners 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 cruel wrong to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might [come upon them], —and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the owners of Shechem who 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 So the owners of Shechem set for him liers in wait, upon the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who crossed over them by the road, —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 son of Ebed came, with his brethren, and they passed through to Shechem, —and the owners of Shechem put their trust in him.
Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akenda pamoja na ndugu zake, wakavuka Shekemu. Viongozi wa Shekemu walimwamini.
27 Then went they out into the fields, and gathered the fruit of their vineyards and trode [the grapes], and held a vintage festival, —and entered the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and poured contempt on 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 son of Ebed said: Who is Abimelech—and who is the son of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve ye the men of Hamor, Shechem’s father, but 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 Would, then, this people were in my hand! that I might set aside Abimelech, —and say 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, when Zubul, governor of the city, heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, then was kindled his anger.
Zebul, mkuu wa mji, aliposikia maneno ya Gaali, mwana wa Ebedi, hasira yake ikawaka.
31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech, by deceit, saying, —Lo! Gaal son of Ebed, and his brethren, are coming into Shechem; and lo! are fortifying 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 Now, therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field;
Sasa, amka wakati wa usiku, wewe na askari pamoja nawe, na uandae uvamizi katika mashamba.
33 and it shall be, in the morning, about sunrise, thou shalt get up early, and spread thyself out against the city, —when lo! he and the people that are with him coming out against thee, so shalt thou do unto him as thy hand shall find opportunity.
Kisha asubuhi, jua litakapokwisha, inuka mapema na uangamize mji. Na yeye na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye watakapokuja juu yenu, fanyeni chochote mnachoweza.
34 So Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, —and they lay in wait above Shechem, in four companies.
Basi Abimeleki akainuka usiku, yeye na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye, wakaandaa uvamizi dhidi ya Shekemu, wakagawanyika vitengo vinne.
35 Then came forth Gaal son of Ebed, and took his stand at the opening of the gate of the city, —so Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from the place of ambush.
Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akatoka, akasimama penye mlango wa mji. Abimeleki na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakatoka mahali pa kuficha.
36 And, when Gaal saw the people, he said unto Zebul, Lo! people coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, The shadow of the mountains, thou seest, like men.
Gaali alipowaona hao watu, akamwambia Zebuli, “Tazama, watu wanatoka kwenye vilima!” Zebuli akamwambia, “Wewe unaona vivuli juu ya vilima kama vile watu”.
37 Then did Gaal yet further speak, and say—Lo! people coming down from the highest part of the land, —and one company, coming in by way of the Conjurers’ Terebinth.
Gaali akaongea tena na kusema, “Angalia, watu wanashuka katikati ya nchi, na kitengo kimoja kinakuja kwa njia ya mwaloni wa Maenenimu.”
38 So then Zebul said unto him—Where, then, is thy mouth that kept on saying, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not, this, the people which thou didst despise? Go forth, I pray thee, now, and fight with 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 forth before the owners of Shechem, —and fought against Abimelech.
Gaali akatoka na alikuwa akiwaongoza watu wa Shekemu, naye alipigana na Abimeleki.
40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, —and there fell a multitude of slain as far as the entering 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 Then dwelt Abimelech in Arumah, —and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should 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 forth into the field, —and they told Abimelech.
Siku ya pili watu wa Shekemu wakatoka shambani, na habari hii ikamfikia Abimeleki.
43 So he took the people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field, —and he looked, and lo! the people coming forth out of the city, so 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, spread themselves out, and [one of the companies] took their stand at the opening of the gate of the city, —while, the two companies, spread themselves out against all that were in the field, and smote 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 captured the city, the people also that were therein, he slew, —and brake 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, when all the owners of the tower of Shechem heard, they entered into the basement of the house of El-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 owners of the tower of Shechem had gathered themselves together.
Abimeleki aliambiwa kuwa viongozi wote walikuwa wamekusanyika pamoja kwenye mnara wa Shekemu.
48 So Abimelech went up 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 lifted it, and laid it on his shoulder, —and said unto the people that were with him—What ye have seen me do, haste! do likewise.
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 So, even all the people cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and laid them over the basement, and set it on fire over them who were therein, —even all the men of the tower of Shechem died 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 Then went Abimelech unto Thebez, —and encamped against Thebez, and captured it.
Abimeleki akaenda Tebezi, naye akapiga kambi dhidi ya Thebezi, akautwaa.
51 Now, a strong tower, was in the midst of the city, and there fled thither all the men and the women, and all the owners of the city, and shut themselves in, —and went up on 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 in as far as the tower, and fought against it, —and so came near, as far as 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 certain woman cast an upper millstone upon the head of Abimelech, —and brake in pieces his skull.
Lakini mwanamke akatupa jiwe la juu, juu ya kichwa cha Abimeleki likavunja fuvu lake.
54 Then called he hastily unto the young man bearing his armour, and said unto him—Draw thy sword, and put me to death, lest they say of me, A woman, slew him! So 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 their way every man to his own place.
Watu wa Israeli walipoona kwamba Abimeleki amekufa, wakaenda nyumbani.
56 Thus did God requite the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done 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 all the wickedness also, of the men of Shechem, did God requite upon their own head, —and so brought in upon, them the curse of Jotham, 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.
