Waamuzi 9
1 Siku moja Abimeleki mwana wa Yerub-Baali akaenda kwa ndugu ya mama yake huko Shekemu na kuwaambia yeye na ukoo wote wa mama yake,
And Abimelech son of Jerubba‘al goes to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and speaks to them, and to all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
2 “Waulizeni watu wote wa Shekemu, ‘Lipi lililo bora kwenu: Kutawaliwa na wana wote sabini wa Yerub-Baali, au mtu mmoja peke yake?’ Kumbukeni kwamba, mimi ni mfupa wenu nyama yenu hasa.”
“Now speak in the ears of all the masters of Shechem, Which [is] good for you—seventy men ruling over you (all the sons of Jerubba‘al), or one man ruling over you? And you have remembered that I [am] your bone and your flesh.”
3 Ndugu za mama yake walipowaeleza watu wote wa Shekemu, wakaelekea kumkubali Abimeleki, kwa kuwa walisema, “Yeye ni ndugu yetu.”
And his mother’s brothers speak concerning him, in the ears of all the masters of Shechem, all these words, and their heart inclines after Abimelech, for they said, “He [is] our brother”;
4 Wakampa shekeli sabini za fedha kutoka hekalu la Baal-Berithi, naye Abimeleki akaitumia kuajiri watu ovyo wasiojali, wakawa ndio wafuasi wake.
and they give seventy [pieces] of silver out of the house of Ba‘al-Berith to him, and Abimelech hires vain and unstable men with them, and they go after him;
5 Akaenda nyumbani kwa baba yake huko Ofra, na juu ya jiwe moja wakawaua ndugu zake sabini, ambao ni wana wa Yerub-Baali. Lakini Yothamu, mwana mdogo wa wote wa Yerub-Baali, akaokoka kwa kujificha.
and he goes into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slays his brothers, sons of Jerubba‘al, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubba‘al, is left, for he was hidden.
6 Ndipo watu wote wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo wakakusanyika pamoja chini ya mti mkubwa wa mwaloni penye nguzo iliyoko Shekemu wakamvika Abimeleki taji kuwa mfalme.
And all the masters of Shechem are gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and come and cause Abimelech to reign for king at the oak of the camp which [is] in Shechem;
7 Yothamu alipoambiwa hayo, akapanda juu ya kilele cha mlima Gerizimu, akawapazia sauti yake akawaambia, “Nisikilizeni enyi watu wa Shekemu, ili Mungu naye apate kuwasikiliza ninyi.
and they declare [it] to Jotham, and he goes and stands on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifts up his voice, and calls, and says to them, “Listen to me, O masters of Shechem, and God listens to you:
8 Siku moja miti ilitoka ili kwenda kujitawazia mfalme. Ikauambia mzeituni, ‘Wewe uwe mfalme wetu.’
The trees have diligently gone to anoint a king over them, and they say to the olive, Reign over us.
9 “Lakini mzeituni ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa mafuta yangu ambayo kwake miungu na wanadamu huheshimiwa, ili nikawe juu ya miti?’
And the olive says to them, Have I ceased from my fatness, by which they honor gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?
10 “Kisha miti ikauambia mtini, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu!’
And the trees say to the fig, Come, reign over us.
11 “Lakini mtini ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa matunda yangu mazuri na matamu, ili niende nikawe juu ya miti?’
And the fig says to them, Have I ceased from my sweetness, and my good increase, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?
12 “Ndipo miti ikauambia mzabibu, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu.’
And the trees say to the vine, Come, reign over us.
13 “Lakini mzabibu ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa divai yangu inayofurahisha miungu na wanadamu ili nikawe juu ya miti?’
And the vine says to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is making gods and men glad, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?
14 “Mwishoni miti yote ikauambia mti wa miiba, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu.’
And all the trees say to the bramble, Come, reign over us.
15 “Nao mti wa miiba ukaijibu, ‘Kama kweli mnataka niwe mfalme wenu, basi njooni mpate kupumzika chini ya kivuli changu. Lakini kama sivyo, moto na utoke kwenye mti wa miiba ukateketeze mierezi ya Lebanoni!’
And the bramble says to the trees, If in truth you are anointing me for king over you, come, take refuge in my shadow; and if not—fire comes out from the bramble, and devours the cedars of Lebanon.
16 “Basi ikiwa mmetenda kwa uaminifu na heshima kumfanya Abimeleki kuwa mfalme, na kama mmetendea vyema Yerub-Baali na jamaa yake kama ilivyostahili:
And now, if you have acted in truth and in sincerity when you make Abimelech king; and if you have done good with Jerubba‘al, and with his house; and if you have done to him according to the deed of his hands—
17 kwa kuwa baba yangu aliwapigania ninyi na kuhatarisha nafsi yake na kuwaokoa ninyi kutoka mikononi mwa Wamidiani
because my father has fought for you, and casts his life away from [him], and delivers you from the hand of Midian;
18 (lakini leo mmeasi dhidi ya jamaa ya baba yangu, na kuwaua wanawe sabini juu ya jiwe moja, nanyi mkamfanya Abimeleki mwana wa mwanamke mtumwa kuwa mfalme juu ya Shekemu, kwa kuwa yeye ni ndugu yenu),
and you have risen against the house of my father today, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he [is] your brother—
19 nanyi kama basi mmemtendea Yerub-Baali na jamaa yake kwa heshima na uaminifu, basi Abimeleki na awe furaha yenu, nanyi mwe furaha yake pia!
indeed, if in truth and in sincerity you have acted with Jerubba‘al and with his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and he rejoices—even he—in you;
20 Lakini kama sivyo, moto na utoke kwa Abimeleki na uwateketeze, ninyi watu wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo, nao moto utoke kwenu, watu wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo umteketeze Abimeleki!”
and if not—fire comes out from Abimelech and devours the masters of Shechem and the house of Millo, and fire comes out from the masters of Shechem and from the house of Millo, and devours Abimelech.”
21 Ndipo Yothamu akakimbia, akatoroka akaenda Beeri, akaishi huko, kwa sababu alimwogopa ndugu yake Abimeleki.
And Jotham hurries, and flees, and goes to Beer, and dwells there, from the face of his brother Abimelech.
22 Baada ya Abimeleki kutawala Israeli kwa muda wa miaka mitatu,
And Abimelech is prince over Israel [for] three years,
23 Mungu akaruhusu roho mbaya kati ya Abimeleki na watu wa Shekemu, nao watu wa Shekemu wakamtendea Abimeleki kwa hila.
and God sends an evil spirit between Abimelech and the masters of Shechem, and the masters of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech,
24 Hili lilitokea ili ule ukatili waliotendewa hao wana sabini wa Yerub-Baali upatilizwe, na damu yao iwe juu ya Abimeleki ndugu yao aliyewaua, na pia iwe juu ya watu wa Shekemu, ambao walimsaidia kuua ndugu zake.
for [the] coming in of [the] violence [against] seventy sons of Jerubba‘al, and to place their blood on their brother Abimelech, who slew them, and on the masters of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers.
25 Hivyo, kutokana na uadui juu yake watu wa Shekemu wakaweka watu wa kumvizia katika vilele vya milima. Wakawanyangʼanya watu wote waliopita karibu nao, nayo haya yakaarifiwa kwa Abimeleki.
And the masters of Shechem set ambushes for him on the top of the hills, and rob everyone who passes over by them in the way, and it is declared to Abimelech.
26 Basi Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akaenda pamoja na ndugu zake wakaingia Shekemu, nao watu wa huko wakamtumainia yeye.
And Gaal son of Ebed comes—also his brothers—and they pass over into Shechem, and the masters of Shechem trust in him,
27 Wakaenda mashambani mwao kuvuna zabibu na kuzisindika hizo zabibu, wakafanya sikukuu katika hekalu la mungu wao. Wakati wakila na kunywa, wakamlaani Abimeleki.
and go out into the field, and gather their vineyards, and tread, and make praises, and go into the house of their god, and eat and drink, and revile Abimelech.
28 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akasema, “Abimeleki ni nani, na Shekemu ni nani, hata tumtumikie? Je, yeye si mwana wa Yerub-Baali? Naye Zebuli si ndiye msaidizi wake? Basi watumikieni watu wa Hamori, babaye Shekemu. Kwa nini tumtumikie Abimeleki?
And Gaal son of Ebed says, “Who [is] Abimelech, and who [is] Shechem, that we serve him? Is [he] not son of Jerubba‘al? And his commander Zebul? The men of Hamor father of Shechem serve you, and why do we serve him—we?
29 Laiti watu hawa wangekuwa chini ya amri yangu! Basi mimi ningemwondoa huyo Abimeleki. Ningemwambia Abimeleki, ‘Ondoa jeshi lako lote.’”
And oh that this people were in my hand—then I turn Abimelech aside”; and he says to Abimelech, “Increase your host, and come out.”
30 Zebuli aliyekuwa mtawala wa mji aliposikia aliyosema Gaali mwana wa Ebedi, akakasirika sana.
And Zebul, prince of the city, hears the words of Gaal son of Ebed, and his anger burns,
31 Akatuma ujumbe uende kwa Abimeleki kwa siri na kusema, “Gaali mwana wa Ebedi na ndugu zake wamekuja Shekemu, na wanauchochea mji huu kinyume chako.
and he sends messengers to Abimelech deceitfully, saying, “Behold, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming into Shechem, and behold, they are fortifying the city against you;
32 Sasa, basi, usiku huu wewe uondoke na watu wako ili mje kuwavizia mashambani.
and now, rise by night, you and the people who [are] with you, and lay wait in the field,
33 Kisha asubuhi wakati wa kuchomoza jua, amka mapema na ujipange dhidi ya huo mji. Wakati yeye na jeshi lililo pamoja naye watakapotoka kukabiliana nanyi, mwaweza kuwatendea kwa kadiri mnavyoweza.”
and it has been, in the morning, about the rising of the sun, you rise early, and have pushed against the city; and behold, he and the people who [are] with him are going out to you—and you have done to him as your hand finds.”
34 Kwa hiyo Abimeleki pamoja na jeshi lake lote wakaondoka usiku na kujificha karibu na Shekemu wakiwa vikosi vinne.
And Abimelech rises, and all the people who [are] with him, by night, and they lay wait against Shechem—four detachments;
35 Basi Gaali mwana wa Ebedi alikuwa ametoka nje akawa amesimama katika ingilio la mji wakati ule ule ambao Abimeleki na watu wake walipokuwa wanatoka sehemu zao za maficho.
and Gaal son of Ebed goes out, and stands at the opening of the gate of the city, and Abimelech rises—also the people who [are] with him—from the ambush,
36 Gaali alipowaona, akamwambia Zebuli, “Tazama, watu wanashuka kutoka kwenye vilele vya milima!” Zebuli akajibu, “Wewe unaona vivuli vya milima kana kwamba ni watu.”
and Gaal sees the people and says to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the top of the hills”; and Zebul says to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the hills like men.”
37 Lakini Gaali akasema tena, “Tazama, watu wanashuka kutoka katikati ya nchi na kikosi kimoja kinakuja kutoka Tabur-Ezeri na kikosi kingine kutoka upande wa Elon-Meonenimu.”
And Gaal adds yet to speak and says, “Behold, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
38 Ndipo Zebuli akamwambia, “Kuko wapi kujivuna kwako sasa, wewe uliyesema, ‘Huyo Abimeleki ni nani hata tumtumikie?’ Hawa si wale watu uliowadharau? Toka nje sasa ukapigane nao!”
And Zebul says to him, “Where [is] your mouth now, in that you say, Who [is] Abimelech that we serve him? Is this not the people against which you have kicked? Please go out now and fight against it.”
39 Basi Gaali akatoka akawaongoza watu wa Shekemu kupigana na Abimeleki.
And Gaal goes out before the masters of Shechem, and fights against Abimelech,
40 Abimeleki akamfukuza, watu wengi wakajeruhiwa katika kukimbia huko, njia nzima hadi kwenye ingilio la lango.
and Abimelech pursues him, and he flees from his presence, and many fall wounded—to the opening of the gate.
41 Abimeleki akakaa Aruma, naye Zebuli akawafukuza Gaali na ndugu zake watoke Shekemu.
And Abimelech abides in Arumah, and Zebul casts out Gaal and his brothers from dwelling in Shechem.
42 Kesho yake watu wa Shekemu wakatoka wakaenda mashambani, Abimeleki akaambiwa juu ya jambo hili.
And it comes to pass, on the next day, that the people go out to the field, and they declare [it] to Abimelech,
43 Hivyo akawachukua watu wake, akawagawanya katika vikosi vitatu na kuwaweka waviziao huko mashambani. Alipowaona watu wanatoka kwenda nje ya mji, akainuka dhidi yao na kuwashambulia.
and he takes the people, and divides them into three detachments, and lays wait in a field, and looks, and behold, the people are coming out from the city, and he rises against them, and strikes them.
44 Abimeleki pamoja na vile vikosi wakaharakisha kwenda mbele kwenye nafasi, mahali pa ingilio la lango la mji. Vile vikosi viwili vikawawahi wale waliokuwa mashambani na kuwaua.
And Abimelech and the detachments who [are] with him have pushed on, and stand at the opening of the gate of the city, and the two detachments have pushed against all who are in the field, and strike them,
45 Siku hiyo nzima Abimeleki akazidisha mashambulizi yake dhidi ya mji hadi akawa ameuteka na kuwaua watu wa huo mji. Kisha akauangamiza mji na kusambaza chumvi juu yake.
and Abimelech has fought against the city all that day, and captures the city, and has slain the people who [are] in it, and he breaks down the city, and sows it [with] salt.
46 Kwa kusikia jambo hili watu wote katika mnara wa Shekemu, wakaingia kwenye ngome ya hekalu la El-Berithi.
And all the masters of the Tower of Shechem hear, and go into the high place of the house of the god Berith,
47 Abimeleki aliposikia kuwa wamekusanyika huko,
and it is declared to Abimelech that all the masters of the Tower of Shechem have gathered themselves together,
48 yeye na watu wake wote wakakwea kwenye Mlima Salmoni. Abimeleki akachukua shoka, akakata baadhi ya matawi, ambayo aliyachukua mabegani. Akawaagiza wale watu waliokuwa pamoja naye kuwa, “Fanyeni kile mlichoona mimi nikifanya!”
and Abimelech goes up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who [are] with him, and Abimelech takes the great axe in his hand, and cuts off a bough of the trees, and lifts it up, and sets [it] on his shoulder, and says to the people who [are] with him, “What you have seen me do—hurry, do as I [have done].”
49 Basi watu wote wakakata matawi na kumfuata Abimeleki. Wakayakusanya hayo matawi juu ya ngome na kuitia moto ili kuwachoma wale watu wote waliokuwa ndani yake. Hivyo watu wote katika mnara wa Shekemu, karibia watu 1,000 waume kwa wake, pia wakafa.
And every one of the people cuts down his bough and goes after Abimelech, and sets [them] at the high place, and burns the high place with fire by these, and also all the men of the Tower of Shechem die—about one thousand men and women.
50 Baadaye Abimeleki akaenda Thebesi na kuuzingira kwa jeshi na kuuteka.
And Abimelech goes to Thebez, and encamps against Thebez, and captures it,
51 Hata hivyo, ndani ya huo mji kulikuwa na mnara imara, ambako watu wote wa mji wanaume na wanawake, watu wote wa mji, walikimbilia ndani yake. Wakajifungia ndani yake na kupanda juu ya paa la mnara.
and a strong tower has been in the midst of the city, and all the men and the women flee there, and all the masters of the city, and they shut [it] behind them, and go up on the roof of the tower.
52 Abimeleki akaja kwenye ule mnara na kuushambulia, lakini alipokaribia kwenye ingilio la mnara ili kuuchoma kwa moto,
And Abimelech comes to the tower, and fights against it, and draws near to the opening of the tower to burn it with fire,
53 mwanamke mmoja akaangusha sehemu ya juu ya jiwe la kusagia juu ya kichwa cha Abimeleki, likapasua fuvu la kichwa chake.
and a certain woman casts a piece of a millstone on the head of Abimelech, and breaks his skull,
54 Akamwita kwa haraka kijana yule aliyechukua silaha zake, na kumwambia, “Chukua upanga wako na uniue, watu wasije wakasema kwamba, ‘Mwanamke amemuua.’” Basi yule kijana akamchoma upanga, naye akafa.
and he calls quickly to the young man carrying his weapons and says to him, “Draw your sword, and you have put me to death, lest they say of me—A woman slew him”; and his young man pierced him through, and he dies.
55 Waisraeli walipoona kuwa Abimeleki amekufa, kila mtu akaenda nyumbani kwake.
And the men of Israel see that Abimelech [is] dead, and each one goes to his place;
56 Hivyo ndivyo Mungu alivyolipiza uovu ule ambao Abimeleki alikuwa ameutenda kwa baba yake kwa kuwaua ndugu zake sabini.
and God turns back the evil of Abimelech which he did to his father to slay his seventy brothers;
57 Mungu akawapatiliza watu wa Shekemu uovu wao juu ya vichwa vyao, na juu yao ikaja laana ya Yothamu mwana wa Yerub-Baali.
and God has returned all the evil of the men of Shechem on their [own] head, and the cursing of Jotham son of Jerubba‘al comes to them.
