Judges:Chapter 9

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Judges:Chapter 9

民長紀	Judges
¹耶魯巴耳的兒子阿彼默肋客到舍根去見他的母舅們，對他們和他母家的人說：	¹Abimelech, the son of Jerubaal, marched to Shechem where the brothers of his mother were, and he said to them and to the whole paternal family of his mother,
²「請你們問一問舍根所有的公民：是耶魯巴耳的兒子七十人治理你們好呢？還是一個人治理你們好呢？你們還要記得：我是你們的骨肉。」	²"Please ask this of all the lords of Shechem: Which is better for you, that you be governed by all the seventy sons of Jerubaal, or by only one man? Remember that I am of the same blood as you are."
³他的母舅們就替他把這些話傳給舍根所有的公民；他們的心都傾向阿彼默肋客，因為他們說：「他確是我們的兄弟！」	³The brothers of his mother sent this message to all the lords of Shechem. The lords of Shechem took sides with Abimelech, saying, "He is our brother."
⁴他們遂從巴耳貝黎特廟裏拿了七十塊銀錢給他，阿彼默肋客就用這些錢僱了一些放蕩無賴之徒跟隨他。	⁴So they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith which Abimelech used to hire wicked mercenaries to set out with him.
⁵他回到敖弗辣他父親家裏，在一塊石頭上把自己的兄弟，即耶魯巴耳的兒子七十人都殺了，只剩下耶魯巴耳的幼子約堂，因為他藏了起來。	⁵Abimelech went with them to the house of his father in Ophrah, and on one stone killed all his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubaal. Only Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubaal, was able to escape by hiding himself.
⁶於是舍根所有的公民和貝特米羅人都集合起來，在舍根的紀念碑前那棵橡樹下，立阿彼默肋客為王。	⁶Then all the lords of Shechem and the whole council assembled together by the oak at the pillar in Shechem, and proclaimed Abimelech king.
⁷有人將此事告訴了約堂，約堂就上了革黎斤山頂，站在那裏，高聲向他們喊說：「舍根的公民，請你們聽我，望天主也聽你們！	⁷When Jotham was told about this, he went to the top of Mount Gerizim. There he cried out to them, "Listen to me, lords of Shechem, that God may listen to you!
⁸有一次，眾樹要去立一樹為他們的君王，就對橄欖樹說：請你作我們的君王！	⁸The trees once set out to find and anoint a king. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'
⁹橄欖樹回答說：人用我的油來敬禮神，尊崇人，難道要我放棄出油，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎？	⁹The olive tree answered, 'Am I going to renounce the oil by which - thanks to me - gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'
¹⁰眾樹又對無花果樹說：請你來作我們的君王！	¹⁰The trees said to the fig tree: 'Come and reign over us.'
¹¹無花果樹回答說：難道要我捨掉我的甘甜和美果，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎？	¹¹The fig tree answered them, 'Am I going to renounce my sweetness and my delicious fruit, to hold sway over the trees?'
¹²眾樹又對葡萄樹說：請你來作我們的君王！	¹²The trees said to the vine: 'Come and reign over us.'
¹³葡萄樹就回答說：我的新酒悅樂神人，難道要我放棄出產，而去搖搖在眾樹之上嗎？	¹³The vine answered, 'Am I going to renounce my juice which cheers gods and men to hold sway over the trees?'
¹⁴於是眾樹對荊棘說：請你來作我們的君王！	¹⁴Then the trees said to the bramble bush: 'Come, reign over us.'
¹⁵荊棘對樹木答道：若你們真願立我作你們的君王，來罷！躲在我的蔭下；否則，火必從荊棘冒出，吞滅黎巴嫩的香柏木。	¹⁵The bramble bush answered the trees, 'If you come in sincerity to anoint me as your king, then come near and take shelter in my shade; but if not, let fire break out of the bramble bush to devour even the cedars of Lebanon.'
¹⁶現在，你們立阿彼默肋客為王，如果你們認為作的真誠正直，如果你們認為是善待了耶魯巴耳和他的家族，如果你們認為你們這樣行事，對得起他一手所立的功勳──	¹⁶And now, tell me, have you acted rightly and truthfully in choosing Abimelech king? Have you treated Jerubaal and his family well and given him what he deserves according to his merits?
¹⁷因為原是我父親為你們作戰而捨生，把你們由米德楊手中救出來。	¹⁷For my father fought for you, risking his life to free you from the hands of Midian.
¹⁸然而你們今日卻來反對我父親的家族，在一塊石頭上殺了他的兒子七十人，立他婢女的兒子阿彼默肋客為舍根公民的君王，因為他是你們的弟兄──	¹⁸But now, you have risen against the family of my father. You have killed all his seventy sons with one stone, and have declared Abimelech, the son of his slave, as king over the lords of Shechem because he is your brother.
¹⁹今天如果你們認為以真誠正直對待了耶魯巴耳和他的家族，那麼，你們就因阿彼默肋客而喜樂罷！希望他也因你們而喜樂！	¹⁹If you have acted rightly and truthfully toward Jerubaal and his family today, then may Abimelech rejoice in you and you in him.
²⁰不然，願火從阿彼默肋客發出，吞滅舍根的公民和貝特米羅！也願火從舍根的公民和貝特米羅發出，吞滅阿彼默肋客！」	²⁰But if not, let fire break forth from Abimelech to devour the lords of Shechem and their council; and let fire break forth from their council to devour Abimelech."
²¹以後約堂出走，逃到貝爾去了，住在那裏，遠避他的哥哥阿彼默肋客。	²¹Jotham fled to the safety of Beer, where he lived far from his brother Abimelech.
²²阿彼默肋客治理以色列三年。	²²Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
²³天主使惡神降在阿彼默肋客和舍根公民中間，舍根的公民便背叛了阿彼默肋客，	²³But Yahweh sent a spirit of discord between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem betrayed Abimelech.
²⁴要報復對耶魯巴耳七十個兒子的罪行，將他們的血歸於他們的兄弟阿彼默肋客，因為是他殺害了他們；也歸於舍根的公民，因為他們曾鼓勵他殺害自己的兄弟。	²⁴Yahweh did this so that the seventy sons of Jerubaal might be avenged. Their blood had to fall back upon their brother Abimelech who murdered them, and the lords of Shechem who helped him murder his brothers.
²⁵舍根公民為反抗他，就在山頂上設下伏兵，搶掠所有路過他們那裏的人：有人將這事報告給阿彼默肋客。	²⁵To do him harm, the lords of Shechem prepared ambushes against Abimelech on the mountaintops, and intimidated everyone who passed by the way. Abimelech was informed of this.
²⁶那時厄貝得的兒子加阿耳和他同族的人遷徙到舍根，舍根的居民竟信任了他；	²⁶Then Gaal, the son of Ebed, came with his brothers, and he won the confidence of the lords of Shechem.
²⁷他們便到田間收葡萄，榨酒，開慶祝會，到他們的神廟裏又吃又喝，也咒罵了阿彼默肋客。	²⁷One day they went to the vineyards and gathered grapes and trod on them. Then they feasted in the temple of their god. While eating and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.
²⁸厄貝得的兒子加阿耳說：「阿彼默肋客是誰，我們舍根人是誰，我們竟該服事他？豈不是耶魯巴耳的兒子和官員則步耳，該服事舍根的始祖哈摩爾的後人嗎？我們為什麼要服事阿彼默肋客？	²⁸Then Gaal, the son of Ebed, exclaimed, "Who is Abimelech for the Shechemites that we should serve him? He is only the son of Jerubaal, and Zebul is but his town captain. Let us serve the people of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
²⁹恨不得這百姓交於我手中，好把阿彼默肋客除掉。我要對阿彼默肋客說：增派你的軍隊出征罷！」	²⁹If only this people were in my hands, then I would remove Abimelech and say to him: Reinforce your army, come out and fight!"
³⁰則步耳城尉聽到厄貝得的兒子加阿耳的話，大發忿怒，	³⁰When Zebul, the city governor, was informed of the plan of Gaal, the son of Ebed, he was very angry.
³¹遂打發使者去見在阿魯瑪的阿彼默肋客說：「看，厄貝得的兒子加阿耳和他的同族人，來到舍根，挑唆全城反叛你。	³¹He sent messengers to Abimelech in secret to say to him, "See, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has come with his brothers to Shechem and he is stirring up the city against you.
³²所以現在你和跟隨你的人夜裏要起來，埋伏在田野間，	³²Therefore, arise, you and the men you have with you, and lay an ambush in the field.
³³明天早晨太陽一出來，就攻城。當他和隨從他的人出來抵抗你時，你看看怎樣好，就怎樣對付他。」	³³By early morning at sunrise, go and rush upon the city. When Gaal comes out against you with his men, you may do to him whatever you wish."
³⁴阿彼默肋客遂同所有跟隨他的人夜間起身，分作四隊，對着舍根設下埋伏。	³⁴Abimelech and all his troops rose by night, and they laid an ambush against Shechem in four groups.
³⁵當厄貝得的兒子加阿耳出來，站在城門口時，阿彼默肋客便與隨從他的人從埋伏的地方出來，	³⁵When Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out and stood at the entrance of the city, Abimelech and his troops rose from their hiding place.
³⁶加阿耳一見這些人就對則步耳說：「看，有人從山頂下來！」則步耳回答他說：「你看見山影，誤以為是人！」	³⁶Gaal saw the troops and said to Zebul, "Look, people are coming down from the mountain tops." But Zebul answered him, "It is the shadow of the mountain that you see. You mistake it for men."
³⁷加阿耳接着又說：「看，有人從高地出來，又有一隊沿巫士橡樹道上前來。」	³⁷Gaal said again, "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and another group is coming from the Diviners' Oak."
³⁸則步耳對他說：現在你的口在那裏？不是你曾說過：阿彼默肋客是誰，要我們服事他？這不是你所輕視的人嗎？現在請你出去攻打他罷！」	³⁸Zebul then said, "Did you not say: Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? Are not these men those whom you despised? Go now and fight them."
³⁹加阿耳就在舍根公民之前出去，攻打阿彼默肋客；	³⁹Gaal went out and led the people of Shechem in fighting Abimelech.
⁴⁰可是阿彼默肋客一追擊他，他就在他面前逃跑了；直到城門有許多傷亡的人。	⁴⁰Abimelech pursued Gaal who fled and many fell dead before reaching the gates.
⁴¹以後阿彼默肋客回到阿魯瑪；則步耳將加阿耳和他的同族人趕走，禁止他們住在舍根。	⁴¹Abimelech returned to Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, and did not let them live in Shechem.
⁴²第二天早晨，人民到田野裏去，有人告訴了阿彼默肋客，	⁴²The following day, the people went out into the fields. Abimelech was informed about this,
⁴³他於是把自己的人分作三隊，叫他們埋伏在田間；他自己窺望，當他看見百姓從城裏出來，就衝過去，擊殺了他們；	⁴³so he called his troops, divided them into three groups and laid an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose against them and killed them.
⁴⁴當時阿彼默肋客與跟隨他的軍隊衝過去，把住城門口，而另兩隊衝向田間的眾人，殺了他們。	⁴⁴Abimelech and the group with him attacked and took possession of the entrance to the city gates; other groups rushed upon those who were in the fields.
⁴⁵那一天，阿彼默肋客整天攻打那城，把城攻下，殺了城中的居民，把城拆毀，撒上鹽。	⁴⁵Throughout that day, Abimelech attacked the city. He took it and killed all its inhabitants. Then he destroyed the city and sprinkled salt over it.
⁴⁶舍根碉堡裏的人聽見此事，就躲到巴耳貝黎特廟裏的地穴裏。	⁴⁶When the inhabitants of the Tower of Shechem heard this, they went to the underground room of the temple of El-Berith.
⁴⁷有人告訴阿彼默肋客，人民都聚集在舍根碉堡內。阿彼默肋客和跟隨他的人就上了匝耳孟山；	⁴⁷Abimelech was told that all the inhabitants of the Tower of Shechem were together,
⁴⁸阿彼默肋客手裏拿着一把斧頭，砍了一根樹枝，拿起來放在肩上，然後向跟隨他的人說：「你們看我作什麼，你們也趕快照樣去作！」	⁴⁸so he went up to Mount Zalmon with all his troops. Taking an ax, he cut down a branch of a tree, lifted it up and bore it on his shoulders. He then said to the troops with him, "You have seen what I have done, so do the same."
⁴⁹於是眾人都各砍了根樹枝，隨着阿彼默肋客把樹枝堆在地穴上，在地穴上點了火，於是舍根碉堡裏所有的人都死了，男女約有一千。	⁴⁹So all his men cut the branches, then followed Abimelech. They piled the branches on top of the underground room and set them on fire over the people inside. So all the inhabitants of the Tower of Shechem - about a thousand men and women - died.
⁵⁰此後阿彼默肋客往特貝茲去，安營攻打特貝茲，也佔據了那城。	⁵⁰Abimelech went against Thebez, besieged it and took it.
⁵¹在那城中有一座堅固的碉堡，該城所有的公民，男男女女都跑到那裏躲避，關上門，上到碉堡頂上。	⁵¹But inside the city was a strong tower in which all the men and women, all the inhabitants of the city sought refuge. They locked it from within and went up to the roof of the tower.
⁵²阿彼默肋客來到碉堡前攻打；當他走近碉堡門口，要放火焚燒時，	⁵²Abimelech came to the tower to attack them; he approached the door, intending to set it on fire.
⁵³有一個婦人拋下了一塊磨石，正落在阿彼默肋客頭上，打碎了他的頭蓋骨。	⁵³But a woman threw a millstone upon his head and shattered his skull.
⁵⁴他急忙喊叫替他執戟的少年，向他說：「拔出你的刀殺了我罷！免得人講論我說：一個女子殺了他！」那少年就用刀刺死了他。	⁵⁴He immediately called out to his young armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me: 'A woman killed him'." So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died.
⁵⁵以色列人一見阿彼默肋客死了，各回了本家。	⁵⁵When the people of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone returned to his home.
⁵⁶於是天主報復了阿彼默肋客對他父親所行的惡事，因為他殺了自己的七十個兄弟；	⁵⁶In this way God repaid Abimelech for the evil he had done to his father when he murdered his seventy brothers.
⁵⁷並且天主也把舍根人的一切惡行歸在他們自己的頭上：這樣耶魯巴耳的兒子約堂的詛咒，也應驗在他們身上。	⁵⁷He also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. So the curse of Jotham, son of Jerubaal, was fulfilled.

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