Iudicum 14
1 Descendit ergo Samson in Thamnatha. vidensque ibi mulierem de filiabus Philisthiim,
And Samson went down to Timnath, —and saw a woman in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines.
2 ascendit, et nunciavit patri suo, et matri suae, dicens: Vidi mulierem in Thamnatha de filiabus Philisthinorum: quam quaeso ut mihi accipiatis uxorem.
So he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said—A woman, have I seen in Timnath, of the daughters of the Philistines, —now, therefore, take her for me, to wife.
3 Cui dixerunt pater et mater sua: Numquid non est mulier in filiabus fratrum tuorum, et in omni populo tuo, quia vis accipere uxorem de Philisthiim, qui incircumcisi sunt? Dixitque Samson ad patrem suum: Hanc mihi accipe: quia placuit oculis meis.
And his father and his mother said to him—Is there not, among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, a woman, that thou art going away to take a woman from among the uncircumcised Philistines? But Samson said unto his father—Take, her, for me, for, she, is pleasant in mine eyes.
4 Parentes autem eius nesciebant quod res a Domino fieret, et quaereret occasionem contra Philisthiim. eo enim tempore Philisthiim dominabantur Israeli.
Now, his father and his mother, knew not, that, from Yahweh, it was, that, an occasion, he was seeking of the Philistines, —at that time, the Philistines having dominion over Israel.
5 Descendit itaque Samson cum patre suo et matre in Thamnatha. Cumque venissent ad vineas oppidi, apparuit catulus leonis saevus, et rugiens, et occurrit ei.
So Samson went down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, —and they came as far as the vineyards of Timnath, when lo! a young lion, roaring to meet him.
6 Irruit autem Spiritus Domini in Samson, et dilaceravit leonem, quasi hoedum in frustra discerpens, nihil omnino habens in manu: et hoc patri et matri noluit indicare.
And the Spirit of Yahweh, came suddenly over him, and he tore it in pieces as if he had torn in pieces a kid, there being, nothing at all, in his hand, —but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.
7 Descenditque et locutus est mulieri, quae placuerat oculis eius.
So he went down, and spake unto the woman, —and she was pleasant in the eyes of Samson.
8 Et post aliquot dies revertens ut acciperet eam, declinavit ut videret cadaver leonis, et ecce examen apum in ore leonis erat ac favus mellis.
And he returned, after a time, to take her, and went aside to see the carcass of the lion, —and lo! a swarm of bees, in the body of the lion, and, honey,
9 Quem cum sumpsisset in manibus, comedebat in via: veniensque ad patrem suum et matrem, dedit eis partem, qui et ipsi comederunt: nec tamen eis voluit indicare quod mel de corpore leonis assumpserat.
which he took into his hands, and went on—eating as he went, and came unto his father and unto his mother, and gave unto them, and they did eat, —but he told them not that, out of the carcass of the lion, he had taken the honey.
10 Descendit itaque pater eius ad mulierem, et fecit filio suo Samson convivium. sic enim iuvenes facere consueverant.
And his father went down unto the woman, —and Samson made there a banquet, for, so, used the young men, to do.
11 Cum ergo cives loci illius vidissent eum, dederunt ei sodales triginta qui essent cum eo.
And it came to pass, because they feared him, that they took thirty companions, who remained with him.
12 Quibus locutus est Samson: Proponam vobis problema: quod si solveritis mihi intra septem dies convivii, dabo vobis triginta sindones, et totidem tunicas:
And Samson said unto them, I pray you let me put you forth a riddle, —if ye, tell, it me, within the seven days of the banquet, and find it out, then will I give you thirty linen wraps and thirty changes of raiment;
13 sin autem non potueritis solvere, vos dabitis mihi triginta sindones, et eiusdem numeri tunicas. Qui responderunt ei: Propone problema, ut audiamus.
but, if ye cannot tell me, then shall, ye, give me thirty linen wraps, and thirty changes of raiment. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it.
14 Dixitque eis: De comedente exivit cibus, et de forti egressa est dulcedo. nec potuerunt per tres dies propositionem solvere.
And he said to them—Out of the eater, came forth food, And, out of the strong, came forth sweetness. But they could not tell the riddle, in three days.
15 Cumque adesset dies septimus, dixerunt ad uxorem Samson: Blandire viro tuo, et suade ei ut indicet tibi quid significet problema. quod si facere nolueris, incendemus te, et domum patris tui. an idcirco vocastis nos ad nuptias ut spoliaretis?
And it came to pass, on the fourth day, that they said to Samson’s wife, Entice thy husband, that he may tell us the riddle, lest we burn thee and the house of thy father, with fire. Was it not, to impoverish us, that ye invited us—was it not?
16 Quae fundebat apud Samson lacrymas, et quaerebatur dicens: Odisti me, et non diligis: idcirco problema, quod proposuisti filiis populi mei, non vis mihi exponere. At ille respondit: Patri meo et matri nolui dicere: et tibi indicare potero?
And the wife of Samson wept upon him, and said—Thou dost, altogether hate me, and dost not love me, a riddle, hast thou put forth to the sons of my people, and, unto me, thou hast not told it! And he said to her, Lo! to my own father and mother, have I not told it, and, to thee, shall I tell it?
17 Septem igitur diebus convivii flebat ante eum: tandemque die septimo cum ei esset molesta, exposuit. Quae statim indicavit civibus suis.
So she wept upon him the seven days, —while their banquet lasted, —and it came to pass, on the seventh day, that he told her, because she urged him, and she told the riddle unto the sons of her people.
18 Et illi dixerunt ei die septimo ante solis occubitum: Quid dulcius melle, et quid fortius leone? Qui ait ad eos: Si non arassetis in vitula mea, non invenissetis propositionem meam.
And the men of the city said to him, on the seventh day—ere yet the sun went in, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And he said to them: If ye had not ploughed with my heifer, Ye had not found out my riddle!
19 Irruit itaque in eum Spiritus Domini, descenditque Ascalonem, et percussit ibi triginta viros. quorum ablatas vestes dedit iis, qui problema solverant. Iratusque nimis ascendit in domum patris sui:
And the Spirit of Yahweh, came suddenly over him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and smote of them thirty men, and took their garments, and gave the changes [of raiment] to them who had told the riddle, —and his anger was kindled, and he went up to his father’s house.
20 uxor autem eius accepit maritum unum de amicis eius et pronubis.
And the wife of Samson was given unto his companion who had served him as his friend.
