< Judges 9 >
1 Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
Da koro bi, Yerub-Baal babarima Abimelek kɔɔ Sekem kɔsraa ne wɔfanom a wɔyɛ ne na nuabarimanom. Ɔka kyerɛɛ wɔn ne ne na fifo nkae no se,
2 “Please speak in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
“Mummisa ɔmanfo a wɔwɔ Sekem no se, wɔpɛ sɛ Yerub-Baal mmabarima aduɔson no nyinaa di wɔn so anaasɛ wɔpɛ sɛ ɔbarima baako di wɔn so? Na monkae sɛ meyɛ mo bogya!”
3 His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”
Enti Abimelek wɔfanom gyinaa nʼanan mu kasa kyerɛɛ nnipa a wɔwɔ Sekem nyinaa. Na wotiee wɔn adwenkyerɛ no, wɔpenee so faa Abimelek, efisɛ ɔyɛ wɔn busuani.
4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him.
Wɔfaa dwetɛ sika nnwetɛbona aduɔson fi Baal-Berit nsɔre so de maa Abimelek, na ɔde faa asraafo a wɔpenee so sɛ wubedi nʼakyi.
5 He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.
Ɔde asraafo no kɔɔ nʼagya kurom wɔ Ofra. Na ɛhɔ, ɔbo bi so, na okunkum nʼagya mmabarima aduɔson no nyinaa. Nanso ne nuanom mu akumaa koraa a wɔfrɛ no Yotam no guan kɔtɛwee baabi.
6 All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Enti Sekemfo ne Bet-Milofo yɛɛ nhyiamu wɔ odupɔn a ɛbɛn nkaedum a ɛwɔ Sekem no ase. Wosii Abimelek wɔn so hene.
7 When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
Yotam tee asɛm yi no, ɔforo kɔɔ Gerisim bepɔw no atifi na ɔteɛɛ mu ka kyerɛɛ wɔn se, “Sekemfo muntie me! Sɛ mopɛ sɛ Onyankopɔn tie mo de a, muntie me!
8 The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
Bere bi, nnua nyinaa pɛɛ sɛ wosi wɔn so hene. Nea edi kan no, wɔka kyerɛɛ ngodua se, ‘Bedi yɛn so hene!’
9 “But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honour God and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
“Nanso, wampene so kae se, ‘Adɛn? Minnyae me ngo a wɔde hyɛ Onyankopɔn ne nnipa anuonyam no, na minkokyinkyin nnua a aka so ana?’
10 “The trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
“Afei, wɔka kyerɛɛ borɔdɔma se ‘Bedi yɛn so hene!’
11 “But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
“Borɔdɔma nso buae se, ‘Na minnyae aba sow na minkyin nnua afoforo so?’
12 “The trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
“Afei wɔka kyerɛɛ bobe se, ‘Bedi yɛn so hene.’
13 “The vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
“Na bobe no buae se, ‘Sɛ migyae me nsa pa a ɛma anyame ne nnipa anigye no ma a, na afei na merebekyin nnua bi so ana?’
14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
“Ne korakora ne sɛ, nnua no nyinaa ka kyerɛɛ nsɔe se, ‘Bedi yɛn so hene.’
15 “The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
“Na nsɔe buae se, ‘Sɛ ɛyɛ mo adwene kann sɛ mode me besi mo so hene a, mommra mmɛhyɛ me nwini yi ase. Sɛ ɛnte saa a, momma ogya mfi nsɔe mu mmɛhyew Lebanon sida nyinaa.’
16 “Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands
“Afei mugye di sɛ moayɛ nea ɛho wɔ nyam, na ɛnam ne kwan mu sɛ mode Abimelek asi mo so hene, na moayɛ Yerub-Baal ne nʼasefo nyinaa apɛde. Moayɛ nea ɛfata ama mʼagya ana?
17 (for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian;
Na ɔko maa mo de ne ho bɔɔ afɔre bere a ogyee mo fii Midianfo nsam no.
18 and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
Na nnɛ, moasɔre atia mʼagya ne nʼasefo, akunkum ne mmabarima aduɔson wɔ ɔbo baako so. Mode Abimelek a ɔyɛ ne somfobea babarima asi Sekem manfo so hene, sɛ ɔyɛ mo busuani nti.
19 if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house today, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you;
Sɛ moayɛ nea ɛho wɔ nyam na ɛnam ne kwan mu ama Yerub-Baal ne nʼasefo a, ɛno de mubenya ahosɛpɛw wɔ Abimelek mu na ɔno nso anya ahosɛpɛw wɔ mo mu.
20 but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Millo and devour Abimelech.”
Sɛ nea moayɛ no mfa ne kwan mu de a, ɛno de, ogya mfi Abimelek nkyɛn mmɛhyew mo, Sekemfo ne Bet-Milofo. Na ogya nso mfi Sekemfo ne Bet-Milofo nkyɛn mmɛhyew Abimelek!”
21 Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Na esiane Abimelek ho suro nti, ne nuabarima Yotam guan kɔtenaa Beer.
22 Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
Abimelek dii Israel so mfe abiɛsa akyi no,
23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Onyankopɔn somaa honhom fi bi ma ɔde ɔhaw baa Abimelek ne Sekem mpanyimfo ntam na wɔtew atua.
24 that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
Nsɛm a esisii akyi yi mu no, Onyankopɔn twee Abimelek ne Sekemfo aso sɛ wokunkum Yerub-Baal mmabarima aduɔson no.
25 The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them; and Abimelech was told about it.
Sekem mmarima bi kɔtɛwee Abimelek wɔ mmepɔw atifi, na wɔbɔɔ obiara a otwaa mu wɔ hɔ no apoo. Nnipa bi kɔɔ Abimelek nkyɛn kotii nʼase.
26 Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
Saa bere no, Ebed babarima Gaal ne ne nuabarimanom kɔɔ Sekem. Na Sekemfo no nyaa wɔn mu awerehyɛmu.
27 They went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their god and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
Bere a wɔredi Otwabere Afahyɛ wɔ Sekem wɔ ɛhɔ nyame bi nsɔree so no, bobesa buu so wɔ hɔ maa obiara fitii ase domee Abimelek.
28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?
Gaal teɛɛ mu se, “Hena ne Abimelek? Ɔnyɛ Sekem aseni kann, na adɛn nti na ɛsɛ sɛ yɛyɛ nʼasomfo? Ɔyɛ Yerub-Baal babarima kɛkɛ na Sebul na ɔtoto ne man ho nhyehyɛe ma no. Monsom nnipa a wofi Hamor, wɔn na wɔyɛ Sekem asefo kann. Adɛn nti na ɛsɛ sɛ yɛsom Abimelek?
29 I wish that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech.” He said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out!”
Sɛ mewɔ tumi a, anka meyi Abimelek afi hɔ. Anka mɛka akyerɛ no se, ‘Pɛ asraafo bebree bra bɛko!’”
30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burnt.
Na Sebul a otua kurow no ano tee nea Gaal rekeka no, ne bo fuwii.
31 He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.
Ɔsomaa abɔfo kɔɔ Abimelek nkyɛn wɔ Aruma, kɔka kyerɛɛ no se, “Ebed babarima Gaal ne ne nuabarimanom abɛtena Sekem na wɔretu ɔmanfo no aso sɛ wɔnsɔre ntia wo.
32 Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.
Fa asraafo bra anadwo bɛtɛw mfuw yi mu.
33 It shall be that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush on the city. Behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.”
Ade kyee ara pɛ, tow hyɛ kuropɔn yi so. Na sɛ Gaal ne nʼapamfo ba betia wo a, nea wopɛ biara wutumi yɛ wɔn.”
34 Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
Na Abimelek ne ne mmarima kɔɔ anadwo no, na wɔkyɛɛ wɔn mu akuw anan de twaa Sekem ho hyiae.
35 Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
Bere a Abimelek ne nʼakofo pue fii ahintawee mu no, na Gaal gyina kurow no pon ano.
36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”
Bere a Gaal huu wɔn no, ɔka kyerɛɛ Sebul se, “Hwɛ, nnipa bi fi bepɔw no so reba!” Sebul buae se, “Ɛyɛ mmepɔw no sunsuma na ayɛ sɛ nnipa no.”
37 Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
Nanso Gaal san kae se, “Dabi, nnipa bi resian mmepɔw no. Na kuw foforo nso nam ɔkwan a ɛfa Akɔmfo Dupɔn ho no reba.”
38 Then Zebul said to him, “Now where is your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Isn’t this the people that you have despised? Please go out now and fight with them.”
Afei, Sebul dan guu ne so se, “Anosɛm a na woyɛ no ase ne dɛn? Ɛnyɛ wo ara na wokae se ‘Hena ne Abimelek, na adɛn nti na ɛsɛ sɛ yɛyɛ ne nkoa’ no? Ɛnyɛ nnipa yi na wudii wɔn ho fɛw no? Kɔ na wo ne wɔn nkɔko!”
39 Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Enti Gaal dii Sekem mmarima anim sɛ wɔrekɔko atia Abimelek,
40 Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
nanso odii nkogu na oguanee. Wokunkum Sekem akofo bebree sɛw wɔn afunu kɛtɛ wɔ ɔkwan a ɛkɔ kuropɔn no pon ano no so.
41 Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
Abimelek tenaa Aruma na Sebul pam Gaal ne ne nuanom mmarima fii Sekem.
42 On the next day, the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
Ade kyee no, Sekemfo no kɔɔ wura mu sɛ wɔrekɔko. Abimelek tee no,
43 He took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city. So, he rose up against them and struck them.
ɔkyɛɛ ne mmarima mu akuwakuw abiɛsa ma wɔkɔtetɛw wura mu. Bere a Abimelek huu sɛ nnipa no fi kuropɔn no mu reba no, ɔne ne mmarima no fii wɔn ahintawee mu tow hyɛɛ wɔn so.
44 Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field and struck them.
Abimelek ne ne kuw no kogyee kuropɔn no pon ano hɔ fae sɛnea ɛbɛyɛ a Sekemfo rentumi nsan wɔn akyi. Afei, akuw abien tow hyɛɛ Sekemfo a wɔwɔ wuram hɔ no so kunkum wɔn.
45 Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city and killed the people in it. He beat down the city and sowed it with salt.
Ɔko no kɔɔ so da mu no nyinaa ansa na Abimelek redi kuropɔn no so koraa. Okunkum nnipa no, sɛee kuropɔn no, na ɔpetee nkyene wɔ hɔ nyinaa.
46 When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
Nnipa a wɔte Sekem abantenten mu tee asɛm a asi no, wokohintaw Baal-Berit nsɔree so.
47 Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
Obi kɔbɔɔ Abimelek amanneɛ sɛ nnipa no bi aboa wɔn ho ano wɔ nsɔree so hɔ,
48 Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who 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. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!”
enti odii nʼakofo anim kɔɔ Salmon Bepɔw so. Ɔfaa abonnua twaa mman bi fii dua bi so na ɔde guu ne mmati so. Ɔka kyerɛɛ ne dɔm no se, “Ntɛm, nea mayɛ yi, monyɛ bi!”
49 All the people likewise each cut down his bough, followed Abimelech, and put them at the base of the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
Enti wɔn mu biara twitwaa dua mman no bi, sɛnea Abimelek yɛe no. Wɔboaa mman no ano wɔ nsɔree so no afasu ho de ogya too mu. Enti nnipa a na wɔte Sekem abantenten mu a wɔn dodow bɛyɛ mmarima ne mmea apem no nyinaa wuwui.
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
Afei Abimelek tow hyɛɛ kuropɔn Tebes so dii so.
51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.
Nanso na abandennen bi wɔ kuropɔn no mu. Ɛno nti, kuropɔn no mu nnipa nyinaa guan kɔhyɛɛ mu. Wɔtoo wɔn ho pon mu, foforo kɔɔ abandennen no atifi pɛɛ.
52 Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and came near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
Abimelek toaa wɔn sɛ ɔrekɔtow ahyɛ abandennen no so. Ɔyɛɛ nʼadwene sɛ ɔreto mu gya pɛ,
53 A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull.
ɔbea bi a ɔwɔ abandennen no atifi gyaa awiyammo mu ma ɛbɛbɔɔ Abimelek moma so na ɛpɛtɛw ne ti koraa.
54 Then he called hastily to the young man, his armour bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.”
Abimelek ka kyerɛɛ aberante a okura nʼakode no se, “Twe wʼafoa na kum me! Na nnipa anka sɛ ɔbeabasia na okum Abimelek!” Enti aberante no de nʼafoa wɔɔ no maa owui.
55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed to his place.
Bere a Abimelek nkurɔfo huu sɛ wawu no, wɔde wɔn akode guu hɔ san kɔɔ wɔn afi mu.
56 Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers;
Saa na Onyankopɔn twee Abimelek aso wɔ bɔne a ɔyɛ de tiaa nʼagya sɛ okum ne nuabarimanom aduɔson no.
57 and God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads; and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came on them.
Saa ara na Onyankopɔn twee mmarima a wɔwɔ Sekem aso wɔ wɔn bɔne ahorow a wɔyɛɛ no ho. Ɛno nti, Yerub-Baal babarima Yotam nnome no baa mu.