| 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, son of Jerubbaal, went to his mother's kinsmen in Shechem, and said to them and to the whole clan to which his mother's family belonged, |
| 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"Put this question to all the citizens of Shechem: 'Which is better for you: that seventy men, or all Jerubbaal's sons, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?' You must remember that I am your own flesh and bone." |
| 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！」 |
3When his mother's kin repeated these words to them on his behalf, all the citizens of Shechem sympathized with Abimelech, thinking, "He is our kinsman." |
| 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。 |
4They also gave him seventy silver shekels from the temple of Baal of Berith, with which Abimelech hired shiftless men and ruffians as his followers. |
| 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。 |
5He then went to his ancestral house in Ophrah, and slew his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. Only the youngest son of Jerubbaal, Jotham, escaped, for he was hidden. |
| 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 citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together and proceeded to make Abimelech king by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem. |
| 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 this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim, and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice: "Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear 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！ |
8Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' |
| 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？ |
9 But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil, whereby men and gods are honored, and go to wave over the trees?' |
| 10眾樹又對無花果樹說：請你來作我們的君王！ |
10Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you 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？ |
11But the fig tree answered them, 'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?' |
| 12眾樹又對葡萄樹說：請你來作我們的君王！ |
12Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, 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？ |
13 But the vine answered them, 'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men, and go to wave over the trees?' |
| 14於是眾樹對荊棘說：請你來作我們的君王！ |
14Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, 'Come; you 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。 |
15But the buckthorn replied to the trees, 'If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour 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── |
16 "Now then, if you have acted in good faith and honorably in appointing Abimelech your king, if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and with his family, and if you have treated him as he deserved-- |
| 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 at the risk of his life when he saved you from the power 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 you have risen against his family this day and have killed his seventy sons upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman-- |
| 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, then, you have acted in good faith and with honor toward Jerubbaal and his family this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he in turn rejoice in you. |
| 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 come forth from Abimelech to devour the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let fire come forth from the citizens and from Beth-millo 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。 |
21Then Jotham went in flight to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech. |
| 22阿彼默肋客治理以色列三年。 |
22When Abimelech had ruled 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， |
23God put bad feelings between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who rebelled against 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。 |
24This was to repay the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and to avenge their blood upon their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and upon the citizens of Shechem, who encouraged him to kill 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。 |
25The citizens of Shechem then set men in ambush for him on the mountaintops, and these robbed all who passed them on the road. But it was reported to Abimelech. |
| 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； |
26Now Gaal, son of Ebed, came over to Shechem with his kinsmen. The citizens of Shechem put their trust in him, |
| 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。 |
27and went out into the fields, harvested their grapes and trod them out. Then they held a festival and went to the temple of their god, where they ate and drank and 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？ |
28Gaal, son of Ebed, said, "Who is Abimelech? And why should we of Shechem serve him? Were not the son of Jerubbaal and his lieutenant Zebul once subject to the men of Hamor, father of Shechem? Why should we serve him? |
| 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！」 |
29Would that this people were entrusted to my command! I would depose Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Get a larger army and come out!'" |
| 30則步耳城尉聽到厄貝得的兒子加阿耳的話，大發忿怒， |
30At the news of what Gaal, son of Ebed, had said, Zebul, the ruler of the city, was 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。 |
31and sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah with the information: "Gaal, son of Ebed, and his kinsmen have come to Shechem and are 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， |
32Now rouse yourself; set an ambush tonight in the fields, you and the men who are with you. |
| 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。」 |
33Promptly at sunrise tomorrow morning, make a raid on the city. When he and his followers come out against you, deal with him as best you can." |
| 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。 |
34During the night Abimelech advanced with all his soldiers and set up an ambush for Shechem in four companies. |
| 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， |
35Gaal, son of Ebed, went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. When Abimelech and his soldiers rose from their place of ambush, |
| 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 them and said to Zebul, "There are men coming down from the hilltops!" But Zebul answered him, "You see the shadow of the hills as 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。」 |
37But Gaal went on to say, "Men are coming down from the region of Tabbur-Haares, and one company is coming by way of Elon-Meonenim." |
| 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 said to him, "Where now is the boast you uttered, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men for whom you expressed contempt? Go out now and fight with them." |
| 39加阿耳就在舍根公民之前出去，攻打阿彼默肋客； |
39So Gaal went out at the head of the citizens of Shechem and fought against 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。 |
40But Abimelech routed him, and he fled before him; and many fell slain right up to the entrance of the gate. |
| 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, but Zebul drove Gaal and his kinsmen from Shechem, which they had occupied. |
| 42第二天早晨，人民到田野裏去，有人告訴了阿彼默肋客， |
42The next day, when the people were taking the field, it was reported to Abimelech, |
| 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； |
43who divided the men he had into three companies, and set up an ambush in the fields. He watched till he saw the people leave the city, and then rose against them for the attack. |
| 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 company with him dashed in and stood by the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and attacked them. |
| 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。 |
45 That entire day Abimelech fought against the city, and captured it. He then killed its inhabitants and demolished the city, sowing the site with salt. |
| 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 they heard of this, all the citizens of Migdal-shechem went into the crypt 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； |
47It was reported to Abimelech that all the citizens of Migdal-shechem were gathered 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 Mount Zalmon with all his soldiers, took his axe in his hand, and cut down some brushwood. This he lifted to his shoulder, then said to the men with him, "Hurry! Do just as you have seen me do." |
| 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 the men likewise cut down brushwood, and following Abimelech, placed it against the crypt. Then they set the crypt on fire over their heads, so that every one of the citizens of Migdal-shechem, about a thousand men and women, perished. |
| 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 proceeded to Thebez, which he invested and captured. |
| 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。 |
51Now there was a strong tower in the middle of the city, and all the men and women, in a word all the citizens of the city, fled there, shutting themselves in and going 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 up to the tower and fought against it, advancing to the very entrance of the tower 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 certain woman cast the upper part of a millstone down on Abimelech's head, and it fractured 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 his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and dispatch me, lest they say of me that a woman killed me." So his attendant ran 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 Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all left for their homes. |
| 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； |
56Thus did God requite the evil Abimelech had done to his father in killing 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。 |
57God also brought all their wickedness home to the Shechemites, for the curse of Jotham, son of Jerubbaal, overtook them. |
