I Samuelis 8
1 Factum est autem cum senuisset Samuel, posuit filios suos judices Israël.
When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.
2 Fuitque nomen filii ejus primogeniti Joël: et nomen secundi Abia, judicum in Bersabee.
The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second son 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.
His sons did not walk in his ways, but chased after dishonest gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.
4 Congregati ergo universi majores natu Israël, venerunt ad Samuelem in Ramatha.
Then 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.
They said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
6 Displicuit sermo in oculis Samuelis, eo quod dixissent: Da nobis regem, ut judicet nos. Et oravit Samuel ad Dominum.
But it displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to Yahweh.
7 Dixit autem Dominus ad Samuelem: Audi vocem populi in omnibus quæ loquuntur tibi: non enim te abjecerunt, sed me, ne regnem super eos.
Yahweh said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in everything they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
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.
They are acting now the same as they did since the day I brought them out of Egypt, forsaking me, and serving other gods, and so they are also 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 warn them solemnly and let them know the way the king will rule over them.”
10 Dixit itaque Samuel omnia verba Domini ad populum, qui petierat a se regem.
So Samuel told all the words of Yahweh to the people who were asking 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 practice of the king who will reign over you. He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen, and to run before 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 for himself captains of thousands and captains of fifties. He will make some plow his ground, some reap his harvest, and some make his weapons of war and the equipment for his chariots.
13 Filias quoque vestras faciet sibi unguentarias, et focarias, et panificas.
He will also 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 very best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive orchards, 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 of your vineyards and give to his officers and his servants.
16 Servos etiam vestros, et ancillas, et juvenes optimos, et asinos, auferet, et ponet in opere suo.
He will take your male servants and your female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys; he will put them all to work for him.
17 Greges quoque vestros addecimabit, vosque eritis ei servi.
He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you will be 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.
Then on that day you will cry out because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves; but Yahweh will not answer you on that day.”
19 Noluit autem populus audire vocem Samuelis, sed dixerunt: Nequaquam: rex enim erit super nos,
But the people refused to listen to Samuel; they said, “No! There must be 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.
so that we might be like all the other nations, and so that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”
21 Et audivit Samuel omnia verba populi, et locutus est ea in auribus Domini.
When Samuel heard all the words of the people he repeated them in the ears of Yahweh.
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.
Yahweh said to Samuel, “Obey their voice and cause someone to be king for them.” So Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man must go to his own city.”
