Judges 9
1 Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
耶魯巴耳的兒子阿彼默肋客到舍根去見他的母舅們，對他們和他母家的人說：「
2 “Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh.”
請你們問一問舍根所有的公民：是耶魯巴耳的兒子七十人治理你們好呢﹖還是一個人治理你們好呢﹖你們還要記得：我是你們的骨肉。」
3 His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
他的母舅們就替他把這些話傳給舍根所有的公民；他們的心都傾向阿彼默肋客，因為他們說：「他確是我們的兄弟! 」
4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him.
他們遂從巴耳貝黎特廟裏拿了七十塊銀錢給他，阿彼默肋客就用這些錢僱了一些放蕩無賴之徒跟隨他。
5 Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself.
他回到敖弗辣他父親家裏，在一塊石頭上把自己的兄弟，即耶魯巴耳的兒子七十人都殺了，只剩下耶魯巴耳的幼子約堂，因為他藏了起來。
6 All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem.
於是舍根所有的公民和貝特米羅人都集合起來，在舍根的紀念碑前那棵橡樹下，立阿彼默肋客為王。約堂講寓言
7 When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
有人將此事告訴了約堂，約堂就上了革黎斤山頂，站在那裏，高聲向他們喊說：「舍根公民，請你們聽我，望天主也聽你們!
8 The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
有一次，眾樹要去立一樹為他們的君王，就對橄欖樹說：請你作我們的君王!
9 But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?'
橄欖樹回答說：人用我的油來敬禮神，尊崇人，難道要我放棄出油，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎﹖
10 The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.'
眾樹又對無花果樹說：請你來作我們的君王!
11 But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?'
無花果樹回答說：難道要我捨掉我的甘甜和美果，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎﹖
12 The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.'
眾樹又對葡萄樹說：請你來作我們的君王!
13 The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?'
葡萄樹就回答說：我的新酒悅樂神人，難道要我放棄出產，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎﹖
14 Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'
於是眾樹對荊棘說：請你來作我們的君王!
15 The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
荊棘對樹木答道：若你們真願立我作你們的君王，來罷! 躲在我的蔭下；否則，火必從荊棘冒出，吞滅黎巴嫩的香柏木。
16 Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves—
現在，你們立阿彼默肋客為王，如果你們認為作的真誠正直，如果你們認為是善待了耶魯巴耳和他的家族，如果你們認為你們這樣行事，對得起他一手所立的功勳，─
17 —and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian—
因為原是我父親為你們作戰而捨生，把你們由米德楊手中救出來。
18 but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative.
然而你們今日卻來反對我父親的家族，在一塊石頭上殺了他的兒子七十人，立他婢女的兒子阿彼默肋客為舍根公民的君王，因為他是你們的弟兄。─
19 If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
今天如果你們認為以真誠正直對待了耶魯巴耳和他的家族，那麼，你們就因阿彼默肋客而喜樂罷! 希望他有因你們而喜樂!
20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech.”
不然，願火從阿彼默肋客發出，吞滅舍根的公民和貝特米羅! 也願火從舍根的公民和貝特米羅發出，吞滅阿彼默肋客! 」
21 Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother.
以後約堂出走，逃到貝爾去了，住在那裏，遠避他的哥哥阿彼默肋客。舍根叛變
22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
阿彼默肋客治理以色列三年。
23 God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech.
天主使惡神降在阿彼默肋客和舍根公民中間，舍根的公民便背叛了阿彼默肋客，
24 God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers.
要報復對耶魯巴耳七十個兒子的罪行，將他們的血歸於他們的兄弟阿彼默肋客，因為是他殺害了他們；也歸於舍根的公民，因為他們曾鼓勵他殺害自己的兄弟。
25 So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech.
舍根公民為反抗他，就在山頂上設下伏兵，搶掠所有路過他們那裏的人：有人將這事報告給阿彼默肋客。
26 Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him.
那時厄貝得的兒子加阿耳和他同族的人遷徙到舍根，舍根的居民竟信任了他；
27 They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech.
他們便到田間收葡萄，榨酒，開慶祝會，到他們的神廟裏又吃又喝，也咒罵了阿彼默肋客。
28 Gaal son of Ebed, said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech?
厄貝得的兒子加阿耳說：「阿彼默肋客是誰，我們舍根人是誰，我們竟該服侍他﹖豈不是耶魯巴耳的兒子和官員則步耳，該服侍舍根的始祖哈摩爾的後人嗎﹖我們為什麼要服侍阿彼默肋客﹖
29 I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'”
恨不得這百姓交於我手中，好把阿彼默肋客除掉。我要對阿彼默肋客說：增派你的軍隊出征罷! 」
30 When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled.
則步耳城尉聽到厄貝得的兒子加阿耳的話，大發忿怒，
31 He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, “See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
遂打發使者去見在阿魯瑪的阿彼默肋客說：「看，厄貝得的兒子加阿耳和他的同族人，來到舍根，挑唆全城反叛你。
32 Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields.
所以現在你和跟隨你的人夜裏要起來，埋伏在田野間，
33 Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them.”
明天早晨太陽一出來，就攻城。當他和隨從他的人出來抵抗你時，你看看怎樣好，就怎樣對付他。」
34 So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units.
阿彼默肋客遂同所有跟隨他的人夜間起身，分作四隊，對著舍根設下埋伏。
35 Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place.
當厄貝得的兒子加阿耳出來，站在城門口時，阿彼默肋客便與隨從他的人從埋伏的地方出來，
36 When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, “See, men are coming down from the hilltops!” Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men.”
加阿耳一見這些人就對則步耳說：「看，有人從山頂下來! 」則步耳回答他說：「你看見山影，誤以為是人! 」
37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners.”
加阿耳接著又說：「看，有人從高地出來，又有一隊沿巫士橡樹道上前來。」
38 Then Zebul said to him, “Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them.”
則步耳對他說：「現在你的口在那裏﹖不是你曾說過：阿彼默肋客是誰，要我們服侍他﹖這不是你所輕視的人嗎﹖現在請你出去攻打他罷! 」
39 Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech.
加阿耳就在舍根公民之前出去，攻打阿彼默肋客；
40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate.
a可是阿彼默肋客一追擊他，他就在他面前逃跑了；直到城門有許多傷亡的人。
41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem.
以後阿彼默肋客回到阿魯瑪；則步耳將加阿耳和他的同族人趕走，禁止他們住在舍根。舍根滅亡
42 On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech.
第二天早晨，人民到田野裏去，有人告訴了阿彼默肋客，
43 He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them.
他於是把自己的人分作三隊，叫他們埋伏在田間；他自己窺望，當他看見百姓從城裏出來，就衝過去，擊殺了他們；
44 Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them.
當時阿彼默肋客與跟隨他的軍隊衝過去，把住城門口，而另兩隊衝向田間的眾人，殺了他們。
45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it.
那一天，阿彼默肋客整天攻打那城，把城攻下，殺了城中的居民，把城拆毀，撒上鹽。
46 When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith.
舍根碉堡裏的人聽見此事，就躲到巴耳貝黎特廟裏的地穴裏。
47 Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem.
有人告訴阿彼默肋客，人民都聚集在舍根碉堡內。
48 Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.”
阿彼默肋客和跟隨他的人就上了匝耳孟山；阿彼默肋客手裏拿著一把斧頭，砍了一根樹枝，拿起來放在肩上，然後向跟隨他的人說：「你們看我作什麼，你們也趕快照樣去作! 」
49 So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
於是眾人都各砍了根樹枝，隨著阿彼默肋客把樹枝堆在地穴上，在地穴上點了火，於是舍根碉堡裏所有的人都死了，男女約有一千人。阿彼默肋客的結局
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it.
此後阿彼默肋客往特貝茲去，安營攻打特貝茲，也佔據了那城。
51 But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.
在那城中有一座堅固的城堡，該城所有的公民，男男女女都跑到那裏躲避，關上門，上到碉堡頂上。
52 Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it.
阿彼默肋客來到碉堡前攻打；當他走近碉堡門口，要放火焚燒時，
53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull.
有一個婦人拋下了一塊磨石，正落在阿彼默肋客頭上，打碎了他的頭蓋骨。
54 Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'” So his young man pierced him through, and he died.
他急忙喊叫替他執戟的少年，向他說：「拔出你的刀殺了我罷! 免得人講論我說：一個女子殺了他! 」那少年就用刀刺死了他。
55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.
以色列人一見阿彼默肋客死了，各回了本家。
56 So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.
於是天主報復了阿彼默肋客對他父親所行的惡事，因為他殺了自己的七十個兄弟；
57 God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal.
並且天主也把舍根人的一切惡行歸在他們自己的頭上：這樣耶魯巴耳的兒子約堂的詛咒，也應驗在他們身上。
