Waamuzi 9
1 Abimeleki, mwana wa Yerubaali, akaenda kwa jamaa za mama yake huko Shekemu, akawaambia, na jamaa yote ya mama yake,
Abimelech son of Jerub Baal went to his mother's relatives at Shechem and he said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
2 Tafadhali sema haya, ili wakuu wote wa Shekemu wasikie, Ni kipi bora kwako Je, wana sabini wote wa Yerubali kutawala juu yenu, au kwamba moja tu atawale juu yenu? Kumbuka kwamba mimi ni mfupa na nyama yenu.
“Please say this, so that all the leaders in Shechem may hear, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy sons of Jerub Baal rule over you, or that just one rule over you?' Remember that I am your bone and your flesh.”
3 Ndugu za mama yake waliongea kwa niaba yake kwa viongozi wa Shekemu, nao wakakubali kumfuata Abimeleki, wakasema, Yeye ndiye ndugu yetu.
His mother's relatives spoke for him to the leaders of Shechem, and they agreed to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
4 Wakampa vipande sabini vya fedha katika nyumba ya Baali Berith; Abimeleki akazitumia kwa kuajiri watu wasio na sheria na wasiokuwa wajinga, waliomfuata.
They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech used it to hire men of lawless and reckless character, who followed him.
5 Abimeleki akaenda nyumbani kwa baba yake huko Ofra; na juu ya jiwe moja akawaua ndugu zake sabini, wana wa Yerubaali. Yotamu ndiye aliyebaki, mwana mdogo kabisa wa Yerubaali, kwa kuwa alijificha.
Abimelech went to his father's house at Ophrah, and upon one stone he murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub Baal. Only Jotham was left, the youngest son of Jerub Baal, for he hid himself.
6 Wakuu wote wa Shekemu na Beth Milo wakaungana, wakaenda kumfanya Abimeleki mfalme, karibu na mwaloni karibu na nguzo iliyoko Shekemu.
All the leaders of Shechem and Beth Millo came together and they went and made Abimelech king, beside the oak near the pillar which is in Shechem.
7 Yotamu alipoambiwa juu ya jambo hilo, akaenda, akasimama juu ya Mlima Gerizimu. Alipiga kelele akawaambia, 'Sikilizeni, enyi viongozi wa Shekemu, ili Mungu awasikilize.
When Jotham was told about this, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim. He shouted and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.
8 Siku moja miti ilikwenda kumtia mafuta mfalme juu yao. Wakauambia mzeituni, tawala juu yetu.
The trees once went out to anoint a king over them. For they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
9 Lakini mti wa mizeituni ukawaambia, Je! Nitaacha mafuta yangu, ambayo hutumiwa kuheshimu miungu na wanadamu, ili nipate kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I give up my oil, which is used to honor gods and mankind, so I may go return, just to sway over the other trees?'
10 Miti hiyo ikamwambia mtini, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
The trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and reign over us.'
11 Lakini mtini ukawaambia, Je, nitaacha utamu wangu na matunda yangu mazuri, ili nipate kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?'
12 Miti hiyo ikamwambia mzabibu, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
The trees said to the vine, 'Come and reign over us.'
13 Mzabibu ukawaambia, Je, nitaacha divai yangu mpya, ambayo hufurahisha miungu na wanadamu, na kurudi na kuvuka juu ya miti mingine?
The vine said to them, 'Should I give up my new wine, which cheers gods and mankind, and return and sway over the other trees?'
14 Kisha miti yote ikawaambia mchanga, 'Njoo utawale juu yetu.'
Then said all the trees to the thornbush, 'Come and reign over us.'
15 Miti ya miiba ikaiambia miti, 'Ikiwa unataka kunipaka mafuta niwe mfalme juu yako, njoo na upate usalama chini ya kivuli changu. Ikiwa sivyo, basi moto lazima uondoke kwenye mchanga na uiteketeze mierezi ya Lebanoni. '
The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you truly want to anoint me as king over you, then come and find safety under my shade. If not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and let it burn up the cedars of Lebanon.'
16 Basi, ikiwa umefanya kweli na uaminifu, ulimfanya Abimeleki mfalme, na ikiwa umefanya vizuri juu ya Yerubaali na nyumba yake, na ikiwa umemuadhibu kama anavyostahili,
Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and honesty, when you made Abimelech king, and if you have done well concerning Jerub Baal and his house, and if you have punished him as he deserves—
17 - na kufikiri kwamba baba yangu alipigana kwa ajili yenu, akahatarisha maisha yake, na akawaokoa kutoka kwenye mkono wa Midiani -
—and to think that my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you out of the hand of Midian—
18 lakini leo umeamka juu ya nyumba ya baba yangu na kuwaua watoto wake, watu sabini, juu ya jiwe moja. Na umemfanya Abimeleki, mwana wa mtumishi wake, awe mfalme juu ya wakuu wa Shekemu, kwa sababu yeye ni ndugu yenu.
but today you have risen up against my father's house and have killed his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone. Then you have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative.
19 Ikiwa mlifanya kwa uaminifu na uelekevu pamoja na Jerubalai na nyumba yake, basi mnapaswa kufurahi katika Abimeleki, naye apate kufurahi ndani yenu.
If you acted with honesty and integrity with Jerub Baal and his house, then you should rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
20 Lakini ikiwa sio, moto utoke kwa Abimeleki, ukawaangamize watu wa Shekemu na Beth Milo. Basi moto utoke kwa watu wa Shekemu na Beth Milo, ili kumteketeza Abimeleki.
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and burn up the men of Shechem and Beth Millo. Let fire come out from the men of Shechem and Beth Millo, to burn up Abimelech.”
21 Yothamu akakimbia, naye akaenda Beeri. Aliishi huko kwa sababu ilikuwa mbali na Abimeleki, kaka yake.
Jotham fled and ran away, and he went to Beer. He lived there because it was far away from Abimelech, his brother.
22 Abimeleki akatawala juu ya Israeli kwa miaka mitatu.
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
23 Mungu alituma roho mbaya kati ya Abimeleki na viongozi wa Shekemu. Viongozi wa Shekemu walisaliti uaminifu waliokuwa nao kwa Abimeleki.
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed the trust they had with Abimelech.
24 Mungu alifanya hivyo ili uhalifu uliofanywa kwa wana sabini wa Yerubaali uweze kulipizwa kisasi, na Abimeleki ndugu yao atawajibishwa kwa kuwaua, na watu wa Shekemu watawajibishwa kwa sababu walimsaidia kuua ndugu zake.
God did this so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub Baal might be avenged, and Abimelech their brother would be held responsible for murdering them, and the men of Shechem would be held responsible because they helped him murder his brothers.
25 Basi wakuu wa Shekemu wakawaweka wanaume wamkisubiri juu ya vilima ili wamwangamize, nao wakawaibia wote waliokuwa wamepita katika barabara hiyo. Hii iliripotiwa kwa Abimeleki.
So the leaders of Shechem positioned men to lie in wait on the hilltops that they might ambush him, and they robbed all who passed by them along that road. This was reported to Abimelech.
26 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akenda pamoja na ndugu zake, wakavuka Shekemu. Viongozi wa Shekemu walimwamini.
Gaal son of Ebed came with his relatives and they went over to Shechem. The leaders of Shechem had confidence in him.
27 Wakaenda shambani wakakusanya zabibu kutoka kwa mizabibu, nao wakazikanyaga. Walifanya sherehe katika nyumba ya mungu wao, walikula na kunywa, kumlaani Abimeleki.
They went out into the field and gathered grapes from the vineyards, and they trampled on them. They held a festival in the house of their god, where they ate and drank, and they cursed Abimelech.
28 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi, akasema, Abimeleki ni nani, na Shekemu ni nani, hata tumtumikie? Je, si mwana wa Yerubaali? Na Zebuli si afisa wake? Watumikieni watu wa Hamori, baba yake Shekemu! Kwa nini tunapaswa kumtumikia?
Gaal son of Ebed, said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub Baal? Is Zebul not his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, Shechem's father! Why should we serve Abimelech?
29 Laiti watu hawa wangekukuwa chini ya amri yangu! Kisha ningemuondoa Abimeleki. Ningemwambia Abimeleki, 'liondoe nje jeshi lako lote.'
I wish that this people were under my command! Then would I remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Call out all your army.'”
30 Zebul, mkuu wa mji, aliposikia maneno ya Gaali, mwana wa Ebedi, hasira yake ikawaka.
When Zebul, the official of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed his anger was kindled.
31 Akatuma wajumbe kwa Abimeleki ili wapate kudanganya, akisema, Tazama, Gaali mwana wa Ebedi na ndugu zake wanafika Shekemu; nao wanauchochea mji dhidi yako.
He sent messengers to Abimelech in order to deceive, saying, “See, Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
32 Sasa, amka wakati wa usiku, wewe na askari pamoja nawe, na uandae uvamizi katika mashamba.
Now, get up during the night, you and the soldiers with you, and prepare an ambush in the fields.
33 Kisha asubuhi, jua litakapokwisha, inuka mapema na uangamize mji. Na yeye na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye watakapokuja juu yenu, fanyeni chochote mnachoweza.
Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and make a raid on the city. When he and the people with him come out against you, do whatever you can to them.”
34 Basi Abimeleki akainuka usiku, yeye na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye, wakaandaa uvamizi dhidi ya Shekemu, wakagawanyika vitengo vinne.
So Abimelech got up during the night, he and all the men who were with him, and they set an ambush against Shechem—dividing into four units.
35 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akatoka, akasimama penye mlango wa mji. Abimeleki na watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakatoka mahali pa kuficha.
Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the city gate. Abimelech and the men who were with him came out of their hiding place.
36 Gaali alipowaona hao watu, akamwambia Zebuli, “Tazama, watu wanatoka kwenye vilima!” Zebuli akamwambia, “Wewe unaona vivuli juu ya vilima kama vile watu”.
When Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, “See, men are coming down from the hilltops!” Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills like they are men.”
37 Gaali akaongea tena na kusema, “Angalia, watu wanashuka katikati ya nchi, na kitengo kimoja kinakuja kwa njia ya mwaloni wa Maenenimu.”
Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, men are coming down in the middle of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the oak of the diviners.”
38 Ndipo Zebuli akamwambia, “Je, maneno yako ya kiburi yako wapi sasa, wewe uliyesema, 'Abimeleki ni nani, ili tumtumikie?' Je, hao sio watu ambao uliwadharau? Toka sasa na pigana nao.”
Then Zebul said to him, “Where are your proud words now, you who said, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you despised? Go out now and fight against them.”
39 Gaali akatoka na alikuwa akiwaongoza watu wa Shekemu, naye alipigana na Abimeleki.
Gaal went out and he was leading the men of Shechem, and he fought Abimelech.
40 Abimeleki akamfukuza, na Gaali akakimbia mbele yake. Na wengi wakaanguka na majeraha ya mauti mbele ya mingilio ya lango la mji.
Abimelech chased him, and Gaal fled before him. Many fell with deadly wounds before the entrance to the city gate.
41 Abimeleki alikaa Aruma. Zebul akawalazimisha Gaal na ndugu zake watoke Shekemu.
Abimelech stayed in Arumah. Zebul forced Gaal and his relatives out of Shechem.
42 Siku ya pili watu wa Shekemu wakatoka shambani, na habari hii ikamfikia Abimeleki.
On the next day the people of Shechem went out into the field, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 Aliwachukua watu wake, akawagawanywa katika vitengo vitatu, na wakaandaa uvamizi mashambani. Aliangalia na kuona watu wakitoka mjini. Akawakamata na kuwaua.
He took his people, divided them into three units, and they set an ambush in the fields. He looked and saw the people coming out from the city and he attacked and killed them.
44 Abimeleki na vitengo vilivyokuwa pamoja naye vilishambulia na kuzuia maingilio ya lango la mji. Vitengo vingine viwili vilishambulia wote waliokuwa katika shamba na wakawaua.
Abimelech and the units that were with him attacked and blocked the entrance to the city gate. The other two units attacked all who were in the field and killed them.
45 Abimeleki alipigana na huo mji siku nzima. Aliteka mji huo, na kuwaua watu waliokuwa ndani yake. Akabomoa kuta za mji na kueneza chumvi juu yake.
Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city, and killed the people who were in it. He tore down the city walls and spread salt over it.
46 Wakati wakuu wote wa mnara wa Shekemu waliposikia hayo, waliingia katika ngome ya nyumba ya El Berithi.
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-Berith.
47 Abimeleki aliambiwa kuwa viongozi wote walikuwa wamekusanyika pamoja kwenye mnara wa Shekemu.
Abimelech was told that all the leaders had gathered together at the tower of Shechem.
48 Abimeleki akaenda mpaka mlima wa Salmoni, yeye na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye. Abimeleki akachukua shoka na kukata matawi. Akaweka juu ya bega lake na kuwaagiza watu waliokuwa pamoja naye, 'Mlichoona nimekifanya fanyeni kama nilivyofanya.'
Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men who were with him. Abimelech took an ax and cut off branches. He put it on his shoulder and ordered the men with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.”
49 Basi kila mmoja akakata matawi, wakamfuata Abimeleki. Wakayafungia juu ya ukuta wa mnara, nao wakawasha moto, hata watu wote wa mnara wa Shekemu wakafa, wanaume na wanawake elfu.
So every one cut off branches and followed Abimelech. They piled them against the wall of the tower, and they set it on fire, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.
50 Abimeleki akaenda Tebezi, naye akapiga kambi dhidi ya Thebezi, akautwaa.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and captured it.
51 Lakini kulikuwa na mnara wenye nguvu katika mji, wanaume na wanawake wote na viongozi wote wa mji walikimbilia na kujifungia wenyewe. Kisha wakaenda juu ya paa la mnara.
But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women and all the leaders of the city fled to it and shut themselves in. Then they went up to the roof of the tower.
52 Abimeleki alikwenda kwenye mnara na kupigana nao, naye akaenda karibu na mlango wa mnara ili kuuchoma.
Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and he came up near to the door of the tower to burn it.
53 Lakini mwanamke akatupa jiwe la juu, juu ya kichwa cha Abimeleki likavunja fuvu lake.
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull.
54 Kisha akamwita yule kijana aliyekuwa anamchukulia silaha zake, akamwambia, “Chukua upanga wako ukaniue, kwa hiyo hakuna mtu atakayesema juu yangu, 'Mwanamke alimwua.'” Basi kijana wake akamchoma naye akafa.
Then he called urgently to the young man who was his armor-bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me, 'A woman killed him.'” So his young man pierced him through, and he died.
55 Watu wa Israeli walipoona kwamba Abimeleki amekufa, wakaenda nyumbani.
When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went home.
56 Basi Mungu akalipiza kisasi cha uovu wa Abimeleki alichomfanyia baba yake kwa kuua ndugu zake sabini.
So God avenged the evil of Abimelech that he did to his father by murdering his seventy brothers.
57 Mungu akafanya uovu wote wa watu wa Shekemu ugeuke juu ya vichwa vyao wenyewe, na juu yao ilikuja laana ya Yothamu mwana wa Yerubaali.
God made all the evil of the men of Shechem turn back on their own heads and on them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerub Baal.
