1Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
1亞比米勒殺基甸的眾子耶路．巴力的兒子亞比米勒，到示劍去見他的眾母舅，對他們和他母親的全體族人說：
2“Please speak in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”
2“請你們給示劍的眾人說：‘是耶路．巴力的眾子七十人都統治你們好呢？還是一個人統治你們好呢？’你們也要記得我是你們的骨肉。”
3His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”
3他的眾母舅就把這一切話為他說給示劍的眾人聽；他們的心都傾向亞比米勒，因為他們說：“他本是我們的親族。”
4They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him.
4他們就從巴力．比利土的廟裡，取了八百克銀子給亞比米勒，亞比米勒用這些銀子雇了一些無賴流氓，那些人就跟隨了他。
5He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
5他回到俄弗拉他父親的家，把自己的兄弟，耶路．巴力的眾子七十人，都殺在一塊石頭上；只剩下耶路．巴力的小兒子約坦，因為他藏了起來。
6All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.
6示劍的眾人和伯特米羅人都聚集起來，到示劍橡樹旁的望樓那裡，立亞比米勒為王。
7When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.
7約坦的寓言有人把這事告訴了約坦，約坦就去，站在基利心山頂上，高聲向他們呼喊，說：“示劍人哪，你們要聽我的話， 神也就聽你們的話。
8The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
8有一次，眾樹要去膏立一個王統治它們，就對橄欖樹說：‘請你作王統治我們吧。’
9“But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
9橄欖樹對它們說：‘我怎可以放棄生產人用來榮耀 神和尊崇人的油，飄搖在眾樹之上呢？’
10“The trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
10眾樹對無花果樹說：‘請你來作王統治我們吧。’
11“But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
11無花果樹對它們說：‘我怎可以放棄結出我的甜美果子，飄搖在眾樹之上呢？’
12“The trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
12眾樹對葡萄樹說：‘請你來作王統治我們吧。’
13“The vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
13葡萄樹對它們說：‘我怎可以放棄生產那使 神和世人都喜樂的新酒，飄搖在眾樹之上呢？’
14“Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
14於是眾樹都對荊棘說：‘請你來作王統治我們吧。’
15“The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
15荊棘對眾樹說：‘如果你們真誠地膏立我作王統治你們，就要來，投靠在我的蔭下；否則，火必從荊棘裡出來，吞滅黎巴嫩的香柏樹。’
16“Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands
16“現在你們立亞比米勒為王，你們若是誠實和正直，如果你們善待耶路．巴力和他的家，照著他手所作的待他；
17(for my father fought for you, and risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
17我父親從前冒死為你們爭戰，把你們從米甸人手中救了出來；
18and you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
18今日你們竟起來攻擊我的父家，在一塊石頭上殺了他七十個兒子，又立了他的婢女所生的兒子亞比米勒作示劍人的王，因為他原是你們的親族。
19if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
19今日你們若是按著誠實和正直待耶路．巴力和他的家，你們就可以因亞比米勒得喜樂，亞比米勒也可以因你們得喜樂。
20but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”
20若不是這樣，願火從亞比米勒出來，吞滅示劍人和伯特米羅人；又願火從示劍人和伯特米羅人出來，吞滅亞比米勒。”
21Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
21接著約坦就逃跑了；他逃到比珥去，住在那裡，躲避他的兄弟亞比米勒。
22Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
22示劍人背叛亞比米勒王亞比米勒治理以色列人三年。
23God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
23 神差派邪惡的靈來到亞比米勒與示劍人中間，示劍人就背棄了亞比米勒。
24that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
24這是要報復對耶路．巴力七十個兒子的暴行，把流他們血的罪歸到他們的兄弟亞比米勒身上，就是那殺害他們的；也歸到示劍人身上，就是那些幫助亞比米勒去殺他自己的兄弟的。
25The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
25示劍人在山頂上設下埋伏，路過他們那裡的，他們都劫掠；有人把這事告訴亞比米勒。
26Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
26那時，以別的兒子迦勒與他的兄弟都來了，到示劍去，示劍人竟信任他。
27They went out into the field, and harvested their vineyards, and trod the grapes, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.
27他們出到田間去，收取葡萄，榨酒，舉行慶祝會，進入他們的神廟吃喝，並且咒詛亞比米勒。
28Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: but why should we serve him?
28以別的兒子迦勒說：“亞比米勒是誰？示劍是誰？竟要我們服事他呢？他不是耶路．巴力的兒子嗎？他的副官不是西布勒嗎？你們要服事示劍的始祖哈抹的後人啊；我們為甚麼要服事亞比米勒呢？
29Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech.” He said to Abimelech, “Increase your army, and come out!”
29但願這些人民都歸在我手下，我好把亞比米勒除掉。”迦勒又對亞比米勒說：“增添你的軍隊出來吧！”
30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
30那城的首長西布勒聽了以別的兒子迦勒的話，他的怒氣就發作，
31He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.
31祕密差派使者去見亞比米勒，說：“以別的兒子迦勒和他的兄弟已經到了示劍，他們正在煽動那城的人反叛你。
32Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field:
32現在，你和與你在一起的人，要在夜間起來，在野地埋伏。
33and it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early, and rush on the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.”
33到了早晨，太陽出來的時候，你就要起來攻城；你要注意，迦勒和與他在一起的人出來對抗你的時候，你就把握機會對付他們。”
34Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
34於是亞比米勒和與他在一起的人，都在夜間起來，分作四隊，埋伏著等候示劍人。
35Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
35以別的兒子迦勒出去，站在城門口；亞比米勒和與他在一起的人，從埋伏的地方起來。
36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.”
36迦勒看見了那些人，就對西布勒說：“你看，有人從山頂上下來。”西布勒說：“你看見山的影子以為是人。”
37Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
37迦勒又說：“看哪，有人從高地下來，又有一隊從米惡尼尼橡樹的路徑而來。”
38Then Zebul said to him, “Now where is your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Isn’t this the people that you have despised? Please go out now and fight with them.”
38西布勒對他說：“你曾經說過：‘亞比米勒是誰，竟要我們服事他呢？’現在你說這話的嘴在哪裡呢？這不是你輕視的人嗎？現在請你出去與他們交戰吧。”
39Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
39於是迦勒在示劍人面前出去，與亞比米勒爭戰。
40Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
40亞比米勒追趕迦勒，迦勒在他面前逃跑，直到城門口，有很多受傷的人仆倒。
41Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
41亞比米勒住在亞魯瑪；西布勒把迦勒和他的兄弟趕走，不許他們住在示劍。
42It happened on the next day, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
42亞比米勒的反擊次日，城中眾人出到田間去，有人把這事告訴亞比米勒。
43He took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came forth out of the city; He rose up against them, and struck them.
43亞比米勒就把他的人分作三隊，埋伏在田間；他在那裡觀看，見有人從城裡出來，就起來攻擊他們，把他們擊殺了。
44Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field, and struck them.
44亞比米勒和與他在一起的一隊人忽然衝過去，站在城門口；其他兩隊人也衝出來攻打所有在田間的人，把他們擊殺了。
45Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people who were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
45那一天，亞比米勒整天攻打那城，把城攻下了，殺了城中的眾人；把城拆毀，又撒上鹽。
46When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
46示劍樓的眾人聽見了這事，就逃入伊勒．比利土廟的地穴裡。
47It was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
47有人告訴亞比米勒，說：“示劍樓所有的人都聚集在一起。”
48Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!”
48亞比米勒和與他在一起的人都上了撒們山；亞比米勒手裡拿著斧子，砍下一根樹枝，拿起來放在自己的肩頭上，然後對與他在一起的人說：“你們看我作甚麼，你們也要趕快照樣作。”
49All the people likewise each cut down his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them at the base of the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire on them; so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
49於是眾人也各自砍下一根樹枝，跟隨著亞比米勒，把樹枝放在地穴上，放火燒了地穴，以致示劍樓的人都死了，男女約有一千人。
50Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
50亞比米勒的結局後來亞比米勒到提備斯去，安營攻打提備斯，攻取了那城。
51But there was a strong tower within the city, and there fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.
51城中有一座堅固的城樓；那城所有的人，無論男女，都逃到那裡去，關上門，上了樓頂。
52Abimelech came to the tower, and fought against it, and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
52亞比米勒到了城樓前，攻打城樓；他走近城樓門口，要用火焚燒。
53A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull.
53有一個婦人把一塊上磨石拋在亞比米勒的頭上，打破了他的頭蓋骨。
54Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.”
54他急忙呼喊替他拿兵器的少年人，對他說：“拔出你的刀來，把我殺死吧。免得人講論我說：‘他被一個婦人所殺。’”於是那少年人把他刺透，他就死了。
55When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man to his place.
55以色列人看見亞比米勒死了，就各回自己的地方去了。
56Thus God requited the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in killing his seventy brothers;
56這樣， 神報應了亞比米勒向他父親所行的惡事，就是他殺了自己的兄弟七十個人。
57and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite on their heads: and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
57 神也把示劍人的一切惡事，都報應在他們的頭上；耶路．巴力的兒子約坦的咒詛，也歸到他們身上。