I Samuelis 8
1 Factum est autem cum senuisset Samuel, posuit filios suos judices Israël.
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.
2 Fuitque nomen filii ejus primogeniti Joël: et nomen secundi Abia, judicum in Bersabee.
The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
3 Et non ambulaverunt filii illius in viis ejus: sed declinaverunt post avaritiam, acceperuntque munera, et perverterunt judicium.
But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.
4 Congregati ergo universi majores natu Israël, venerunt ad Samuelem in Ramatha.
So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.
5 Dixeruntque ei: Ecce tu senuisti, et filii tui non ambulant in viis tuis: constitue nobis regem, ut judicet nos, sicut et universæ habent nationes.
“Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.”
6 Displicuit sermo in oculis Samuelis, eo quod dixissent: Da nobis regem, ut judicet nos. Et oravit Samuel ad Dominum.
But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.
7 Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem populi in omnibus quæ loquuntur tibi: non enim te abjecerunt, sed me, ne regnem super eos.
And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.
8 Juxta omnia opera sua quæ fecerunt, a die qua eduxi eos de Ægypto usque ad diem hanc: sicut dereliquerunt me, et servierunt diis alienis, sic faciunt etiam tibi.
Just as they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking Me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.
9 Nunc ergo vocem eorum audi: verumtamen contestare eos, et prædic eis jus regis, qui regnaturus est super eos.
Now listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”
10 Dixit itaque Samuel omnia verba Domini ad populum, qui petierat a se regem.
So Samuel spoke all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.
11 Et ait: Hoc erit jus regis, qui imperaturus est vobis: filios vestros tollet, et ponet in curribus suis: facietque sibi equites et præcursores quadrigarum suarum,
He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to his own chariots and horses, to run in front of his chariots.
12 et constituet sibi tribunos, et centuriones, et aratores agrorum suorum, et messores segetum, et fabros armorum et curruum suorum.
He will appoint some for himself as commanders of thousands and of fifties, and others to plow his ground, to reap his harvest, to make his weapons of war, and to equip his chariots.
13 Filias quoque vestras faciet sibi unguentarias, et focarias, et panificas.
And he will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers.
14 Agros quoque vestros, et vineas, et oliveta optima tollet, et dabit servis suis.
He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his servants.
15 Sed et segetes vestras et vinearum reditus addecimabit, ut det eunuchis et famulis suis.
He will take a tenth of your grain and grape harvest and give it to his officials and servants.
16 Servos etiam vestros, et ancillas, et juvenes optimos, et asinos, auferet, et ponet in opere suo.
And he will take your menservants and maidservants and your best cattle and donkeys and put them to his own use.
17 Greges quoque vestros addecimabit, vosque eritis ei servi.
He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.
18 Et clamabitis in die illa a facie regis vestri, quem elegistis vobis: et non exaudiet vos Dominus in die illa, quia petistis vobis regem.
When that day comes, you will beg for relief from the king you have chosen, but the LORD will not answer you on that day.”
19 Noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuelis, sed dixerunt: Nequaquam: rex enim erit super nos,
Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us.
20 et erimus nos quoque sicut omnes gentes: et judicabit nos rex noster, et egredietur ante nos, et pugnabit bella nostra pro nobis.
Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.”
21 Et audivit Samuel omnia verba populi, et locutus est ea in auribus Domini.
Samuel listened to all the words of the people and repeated them in the hearing of the LORD.
22 Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem eorum, et constitue super eos regem. Et ait Samuel ad viros Israël: Vadat unusquisque in civitatem suam.
“Listen to their voice,” the LORD said to Samuel. “Appoint a king for them.” Then Samuel told the men of Israel, “Everyone must go back to his city.”
