Mpitsara 9
1 Ary Abimeleka, zanak’ i Jerobala, dia nandeha nankany Sekema tany amin’ ny anadahin-dreniny ka niresaka taminy sy tamin’ izay rehetra isan’ ny fianakavian-dreniny nanao hoe:
Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, to his maternal brothers, and he spoke to them, and to all the relatives of the house of his maternal grandfather, saying:
2 Mba mitenena ianareo eo anatrehan’ ny mponina rehetra eto Sekema hoe: Iza no tsara ho anareo: ny hiarahan’ izy fito-polo lahy zanak’ i Jerobala manjaka aminareo va, sa ny hanjakan’ ny lehilahy iray? Koa tsarovy fa taolanareo sy nofonareo aho.
“Speak to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you: that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And consider also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
3 Ary ny anadahin-dreniny nilaza azy teo anatrehan’ ny mponina rehetra tao Sekema ka nanao izany teny rehetra izany; koa ny fon’ ireo dia ta-hanaraka an’ i Abimeleka, fa hoy izy: Rahalahintsika izy.
And his maternal brothers spoke about him to all the men of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying, “He is our brother.”
4 Dia nomeny sekely volafotsy fito-polo avy tao an-tranon’ i Bala-berita izy, ary nanambazan’ i Abimeleka olom-poana sy marivo salosana izany, ka dia nanaraka azy ireo.
And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him.
5 Dia nankany an-tranon-drainy tany Ofra izy ka namono ny rahalahiny fito-polo lahy, zanak’ i Jerobala, teo ambonin’ ny vato iray; ary Jotama, faralahin’ i Jerobala, no sisa velona, satria niery izy.
And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.
6 Dia nivory ny mponina rehetra tao Sekema sy ny olona rehetra tao Milo ka nandeha nampanjaka an’ i Abimeleka teo anilan’ ny hazo terebinta, akaikin’ ny tsangambato any Sekema.
Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem.
7 Ary nisy nilaza izany tamin’ i Jotama, dia nandeha izy ka nitsangana teo an-tampon’ ny tendrombohitra Gerizima, ary nanandratra ny feony ka niantso hoe: Mihainoa, ahy ianareo mponina ao Sekema mba hihainoan’ Andriamanitra anareo kosa.
When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: “Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
8 Niainga, hono, ny hazo hanosotra mpanjaka hanjaka aminy; ka hoy izy tamin’ ny oliva: Manjaka aminay ianao.
The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9 Fa hoy ny oliva taminy: Ho foiko va ny diloiloko, izay ankalazan’ ireny andriamanitra sy ny olona ahy, ka handeha hitsingevingevina erỳ ambony hazo aho?
And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’
10 Ary hoy ny hazo tamin’ ny aviavy: Avia ianao ka manjakà aminay.
And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’
11 Dia hoy ny aviavy taminy: Ho foiko va ny fahamamiako sy ny vokatro tsara, ka handeha hitsingevingevina erỳ ambony hazo aho?
And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?’
12 Dia hoy ny hazo tamin’ ny voaloboka: Avia ianao, ka manjakà aminay.
And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13 Fa hoy ny voaloboka taminy: Ho foiko va ny ranoko, izay mahafaly an’ Andriamanitra sy ny olona, ka handeha hitsingevingevina erỳ ambony hazo aho?
And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’
14 Ary hoy ny hazo rehetra tamin’ ny tsilo: Avia ianao, ka manjakà aminay.
And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15 Fa hoy ny tsilo tamin’ ny hazo: Raha hohosoranareo ho mpanjakanareo tokoa ary aho, dia avia ianareo ka mialofa ato amin’ ny alokaloko; fa raha tsy izany, aoka hisy afo hivoaka avy amin’ ny tsilo ka handevona ny sederan’ i Libanona.
And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”
16 Koa ankehitriny, raha marina sy mahitsy ny nataonareo tamin’ ny nampanjakanareo an’ i Abimeleka, ary raha soa no nataonareo tamin’ i Jerobala sy ny taranany, ka novalianareo araka izay nataon’ ny tànany izy
So now, if you are upright and without sin in appointing Abimelech as a king over you, and if you have acted well with Jerubbaal, and with his house, and if you have repaid, in turn, the benefits of him who fought on your behalf,
17 (fa ny raiko niady ho anareo sady nanao ny ainy tsy ho zavatra ka namonjy anareo tamin’ ny tanan’ ny Midiana;
and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,
18 nefa ianareo kosa niodina tamin’ ny taranaky ny raiko androany ka namono ny zanany fito-polo lahy teo ambonin’ ny vato iray, ary Abimeleka, zanaky ny ankizivaviny, no nampanjakainareo tamin’ ny mponina ao Sekema, satria rahalahinareo izy),
though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,
19 koa raha marina sy mahitsy ny nataonareo androany tamin’ i Jerobala sy ny zanany, dia mifalia amin’ i Abimeleka ianareo, ary aoka izy kosa hifaly aminareo.
if therefore you are upright and have acted without fault with Jerubbaal and his house, then you should rejoice on this day in Abimelech, and he should rejoice in you.
20 Fa raha tsy izany kosa, dia aoka hisy afo hivoaka avy amin’ i Abimeleka ka handevona ny mponina ao Sekema sy ny olona ao Milo; ary aoka koa hisy afo hivoaka avy amin’ ny mponina ao Sekema sy ny olona ao Milo ka handevona an’ i Abimeleka.
But if you have acted perversely, may fire go forth from him and consume the inhabitants of Shechem and the town of Millo. And may fire go forth from the men of Shechem and from the town of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”
21 Dia riatra nandositra Jotama ka nankany Bera ary nitoetra teo mba hiery an’ i Abimeleka rahalahiny.
And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.
22 Ary rehefa nanapaka telo taona tamin’ ny Isiraely Abimeleka,
And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
23 Andriamanitra dia naniraka fanahy ratsy tamin’ i Abimeleka sy ny mponina tao Sekema; ary ny mponina tao Sekema dia nivadika nahafoy an’ i Abimeleka,
And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,
24 mba hitsingerenan’ ny loza natao tamin’ ny namonoana ny zanak’ i Jerobala fito-polo lahy ka hanody an’ i Abimeleka rahalahiny izay namono azy, sy ny mponina tao Sekema, izay nampahery ny tànany hamono ny rahalahiny.
and to place blame for the crime of the killing of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for the shedding of their blood, upon Abimelech, their brother, and upon the rest of the leaders of the Shechemites, who assisted him.
25 Ary nanaovan’ ny mponina tao Sekema otrika tany an-tampon-tendrombohitra izy, dia nobaboin’ ny otrika izay rehetra nandalo tamin’ izany lalana izany; ary nolazaina tamin’ i Abimeleka izany.
And they stationed an ambush against him at the summit of the mountains. And while they were waiting for his arrival, they committed robberies, taking spoils from those passing by. And this was reported to Abimelech.
26 Dia tonga tao Gala, zanak’ i Ebeda, sy ny rahalahiny ka nankany Sekema, ary ny mponina tao Sekema natoky azy.
Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,
27 Dia nivoaka ho any an-tsaha izy ka nioty ny voalobony ary nanosihosy azy, dia nanao fanati-piderana ka niditra tao an-tranon’ ny andriamaniny izy, dia nihinana sy nisotro ary nanozona an’ i Abimeleka.
departed into the fields, laying waste to the vineyards, and trampling the grapes. And while singing and dancing, they entered into the shrine of their god. And while feasting and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.
28 Ary hoy Gala, zanak’ i Ebeda: Iza moa Abimeleka, ary iza moa Sekema, no hotompointsika? Tsy zanak’ i Jerobala va izy? ary tsy Zebola va no lefiny? Manompoa ny taranak’ i Hamora, rain’ i Sekema; fa nahoana no hanompo io isika?
And Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried out: “Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, who has appointed Zebul, his servant, as ruler over the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?
29 Ary enga anie ka ho eo ambanin’ ny tanako ireto olona ireto! dia hesoriko Abimeleka. Dia hoy izy tamin’ i Abimeleka: Hamaroy ny miaramilanao ka mivoaha.
I wish that someone would set this people under my hand, so that I might take away Abimelech from their midst.” And it was told to Abimelech, “Gather the multitude of an army, and approach.”
30 Ary rehefa ren’ i Zebola, komandin’ ny tanàna, ny tenin’ i Gala, zanak’ i Ebeda, dia nirehitra ny fahatezerany.
For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.
31 Dia naniraka olona mangingina tany amin’ i Abimeleka izy hanao hoe: Indro, Gala, zanak’ i Ebeda, sy ny rahalahiny dia tonga ato Sekema; ary, indro, mandrendrika ny ato an-tanàna hiodina aminao izy.
And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: “Behold, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has arrived at Shechem with his brothers, and he has set the city against you.
32 Koa ankehitriny, miaingà alina ianao sy ny vahoaka eo aminao, ka manotreha any an-tsaha.
And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.
33 Ary raha maraina, raha vao miposaka ny masoandro, dia mifohaza maraina koa ianao, ka miroata hamely ny tanàna; ary, indro, raha mivoaka hiady aminao izy sy ny vahoaka eo aminy, dia ataovy aminy izay zakan’ ny tananao.
And at first light in the morning, as the sun is rising, rush upon the city. And when he goes out against you, with his people, do to him what you are able to do.”
34 Dia niainga alina Abimeleka sy ny vahoaka rehetra teo aminy ka nanao otrika efa-toko tandrifin’ i Sekema,
And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.
35 Dia nivoaka Gala, zanak’ i Ebeda, ka nijanona teo anoloan’ ny vavahadin’ ny tanàna; dia niroatra avy tao am-panotrehana Abimeleka sy ny vahoaka teo aminy.
And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and he stood at the entrance to the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and all the army with him, from the places of the ambushes.
36 Ary rehefa hitan’ i Gala ny olona, dia hoy izy tamin’ i Zebola: Indreo, misy olona midìna avy eny an-tampon’ ny tendrombohitra. Fa hoy Zebola taminy: Ny aloky ny tendrombohitra no hitanao ka toa olona.
And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, a multitude is descending from the mountains.” And he responded to him, “You are seeing the shadows of the mountains, as if they were the heads of men, and so you are being deceived by this error.”
37 Dia niteny indray Gala ka nanao hoe: Indreo, misy olona eo amin’ ny havoana, ary, indreo misy, antokony hafa mandeha amin’ ny lalana eo amin’ ny hazo terebinta Meonenima.
Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”
38 Dia hoy Zebola taminy: Aiza ny vavanao izay niteny hoe: Iza moa Abimeleka, no hotompointsika? Tsy ireo va no olona izay nohamavoinao? Mivoaha ankehitriny ka miadia aminy.
And Zebul said to him: “Where is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people that you were despising? Go out and fight against him.”
39 Dia nivoaka teo anoloan’ ny mponina tao Sekema Gala ka niady tamin’ i Abimeleka.
Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,
40 Dia nanenjika azy Abimeleka, ary nandositra teo anoloany izy, ka maro ny faty niampatrampatra hatreny anoloan’ ny vavahady aza.
who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.
41 Ary Abimeleka nonina tany Aroma; ary Zebola nandroaka an’ i Gala sy ny rahalahiny mba tsy honina any Sekema intsony.
And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.
42 Ary nony ampitson’ iny dia nivoaka ho ratsy any an-tsaha ny olona; ary nolazaina tamin’ i Abimeleka izany,
Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,
43 Dia naka ny vahoaka izy ka nizara azy ho telo toko ary nanotrika tany an-tsaha; dia nijery izy, ka, indreo, ny olona nivoaka avy tao an-tanàna; dia nitsangana hiady aminy izy ka namely azy.
he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them,
44 Ary Abimeleka sy ny antokony izay teo aminy dia niroatra ka nitsangana teo anoloan’ ny vavahadin-tanàna; ary ny roa toko kosa niroatra namely ny vahoaka rehetra tany an-tsaha ka namono azy.
along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.
45 Ary Abimeleka namely ny tanàna mandritra izany andro izany, dia nahafaka ny tanàna ka namono ny olona tao; ary noravany ny tanàna sady nofafazany sira.
Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.
46 Ary nony nandre izany ny olona rehetra tao amin’ ny tilikambo tao Sekema, dia niditra tao amin’ ny efi-trano fierena tao an-tranon’ i Berita andriamaniny izy.
And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.
47 Ary nolazaina tamin’ i Abimeleka fa tafangona tao amin’ ny tilikambo tao Sekema ny olona rehetra.
Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
48 Ary Abimeleka sy ny vahoaka teo aminy dia niakatra tany an-tendrombohitra Zalmona; ary Abimeleka nitondra famaky teny an-tànany, dia nikapa sampan-kazo, ka nobetainy izany, dia nolanjainy teny an-tsorony, ary hoy izy tamin’ ny vahoaka teo aminy: Izay hitanareo ataoko, dia mba manaova faingana toy izany koa ianareo.
ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.”
49 Koa samy nikapa sampan-kazo avy ny vahoaka rehetra ka nanaraka an’ i Abimeleka, dia nametraka izany teo an-trano fiarovana ka nandoro azy tamin’ ny afo, raha mbola tao ny olona, ka maty koa ny olona rehetra tao amin’ ny tilikambo tao Sekema, na lehilahy na vehivavy, tokony ho arivo no isany.
And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.
50 Dia nandeha Abimeleka nankany Tebeza ary nitoby tandrifin’ i Tebeza ka nahafaka azy.
Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
51 Fa nisy tilikambo mafy tao anatin’ ny tanàna, ka nandositra tao ny lehilahy rehetra sy ny vehivavy ary izay rehetra tao an-tanàna ka nihidy tao, dia niakatra teo an-tampon’ ny tilikambo izy.
Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.
52 Ary Abimeleka nankany amin’ ny tilikambo ka namely azy, dia nanatona ny varavaran’ ny tilikambo izy handoro azy amin’ ny afo.
And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
53 Fa nisy vehivavy anankiray, nanjera vato fikosoham-bary tamin’ ny lohan’ i Abimeleka ka nahavaky ny karan-dohany.
And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
54 Dia nantsoin’ i Abimeleka faingana ny zatovo, mpitondra ny fiadiany, ka hoy izy taminy: Tsoahy ny sabatrao, ka vonoy aho, mba tsy hanaovan’ ny olona ahy hoe: Vehivavy no nahafaty azy. Dia namely azy miboroaka ilay zatovo, ka maty izy.
And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.
55 Ary rehefa hitan’ ny lehilahy amin’ ny Isiraely fa maty Abimeleka, dia samy lasa nandeha ho any amin’ ny fonenany avy izy.
And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.
56 Izany no namalian’ Andriamanitra ny ratsy nataon’ i Abimeleka, izay efa nataony tamin’ ny rainy tamin’ ny namonoany ny rahalahiny fito-polo lahy.
And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
57 Ary ny ratsy rehetra nataon’ ny mponina tao Sekema dia natsingerin’ Andriamanitra tamin’ ny lohany avokoa, ka dia nihatra taminy ilay fanozonana nataon’ i Jotama, zanak’ i Jerobala.
The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.
