士9:1 耶路．巴力的儿子亚比米勒，到示剑去见他的众母舅，对他们和他母亲的全体族人说：
士9:1 Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem to his mother's family, and said to them and to all the family of his mother's father,
士9:2 “请你们给示剑的众人说：‘是耶路．巴力的众子七十人都统治你们好呢？还是一个人统治你们好呢？’你们也要记得我是你们的骨肉。”
士9:2 Say now in the ears of all the townsmen of Shechem, Is it better for you to be ruled by all the seventy sons of Jerubbaal or by one man only? And keep in mind that I am your bone and your flesh.
士9:3 他的众母舅就把这一切话为他说给示剑的众人听；他们的心都倾向亚比米勒，因为他们说：“他本是我们的亲族。”
士9:3 So his mother's family said all this about him in the ears of all the townsmen of Shechem: and their hearts were turned to Abimelech, for they said, He is our brother.
士9:4 他们就从巴力．比利土的庙里，取了八百克银子给亚比米勒，亚比米勒用这些银子雇了一些无赖流氓，那些人就跟随了他。
士9:4 And they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech got the support of a number of uncontrolled and good-for-nothing persons.
士9:5 他回到俄弗拉他父亲的家，把自己的兄弟，耶路．巴力的众子七十人，都杀在一块石头上；只剩下耶路．巴力的小儿子约坦，因为他藏了起来。
士9:5 Then he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and put his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, to death on the same stone; however, Jotham, the youngest, kept himself safe by going away to a secret place.
士9:6 示剑的众人和伯特米罗人都聚集起来，到示剑橡树旁的望楼那里，立亚比米勒为王。
士9:6 And all the townsmen of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together and went and made Abimelech their king, by the oak of the pillar in Shechem.
士9:7 有人把这事告诉了约坦，约坦就去，站在基利心山顶上，高声向他们呼喊，说：“示剑人哪，你们要听我的话， 神也就听你们的话。
士9:7 Now Jotham, on hearing of it, went to the top of Mount Gerizim, and crying out with a loud voice said to them, Give ear to me, you townsmen of Shechem, so that God may give ear to you.
士9:8 有一次，众树要去膏立一个王统治它们，就对橄榄树说：‘请你作王统治我们吧。’
士9:8 One day the trees went out to make a king for themselves; and they said to the olive-tree, Be king over us.
士9:9 橄榄树对它们说：‘我怎可以放弃生产人用来荣耀 神和尊崇人的油，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
士9:9 But the olive-tree said to them, Am I to give up my wealth of oil, by which men give honour to God, and go waving over the trees?
士9:10 众树对无花果树说：‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’
士9:10 Then the trees said to the fig-tree, You come and be king over us.
士9:11 无花果树对它们说：‘我怎可以放弃结出我的甜美果子，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
士9:11 But the fig-tree said to them, Am I to give up my sweet taste and my good fruit and go waving over the trees?
士9:12 众树对葡萄树说：‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’
士9:12 Then the trees said to the vine, You come and be king over us.
士9:13 葡萄树对它们说：‘我怎可以放弃生产那使 神和世人都喜乐的新酒，飘摇在众树之上呢？’
士9:13 But the vine said to them, Am I to give up my wine, which makes glad God and men, to go waving over the trees?
士9:14 于是众树都对荆棘说：‘请你来作王统治我们吧。’
士9:14 Then all the trees said to the thorn, You come and be king over us.
士9:15 荆棘对众树说：‘如果你们真诚地膏立我作王统治你们，就要来，投靠在我的荫下；否则，火必从荆棘里出来，吞灭黎巴嫩的香柏树。’
士9:15 And the thorn said to the trees, If it is truly your desire to make me your king, then come and put your faith in my shade; and if not, may fire come out of the thorn, burning up the cedars of Lebanon.
士9:16 “现在你们立亚比米勒为王，你们若是诚实和正直，如果你们善待耶路．巴力和他的家，照着他手所作的待他；
士9:16 So now, if you have done truly and uprightly in making Abimelech king, and if you have done well to Jerubbaal and his house in reward for the work of his hands;
士9:17 我父亲从前冒死为你们争战，把你们从米甸人手中救了出来；
士9:17 (For my father made war for you, and put his life in danger, and made you free from the hands of Midian;
士9:18 今日你们竟起来攻击我的父家，在一块石头上杀了他七十个儿子，又立了他的婢女所生的儿子亚比米勒作示剑人的王，因为他原是你们的亲族。
士9:18 And you have gone against my father's family this day, and have put to death his sons, even seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his servant-wife, king over the townsmen of Shechem because he is your brother;)
士9:19 今日你们若是按着诚实和正直待耶路．巴力和他的家，你们就可以因亚比米勒得喜乐，亚比米勒也可以因你们得喜乐。
士9:19 If then you have done what is true and upright to Jerubbaal and his family this day, may you have joy in Abimelech, and may he have joy in you;
士9:20 若不是这样，愿火从亚比米勒出来，吞灭示剑人和伯特米罗人；又愿火从示剑人和伯特米罗人出来，吞灭亚比米勒。”
士9:20 But if not, may fire come out from Abimelech, burning up the townsmen of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the townsmen of Shechem and Beth-millo, for the destruction of Abimelech.
士9:21 接着约坦就逃跑了；他逃到比珥去，住在那里，躲避他的兄弟亚比米勒。
士9:21 Then Jotham straight away went in flight to Beer, and was living there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
士9:22 亚比米勒治理以色列人三年。
士9:22 So Abimelech was chief over Israel for three years.
士9:23 神差派邪恶的灵来到亚比米勒与示剑人中间，示剑人就背弃了亚比米勒。
士9:23 And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the townsmen of Shechem; and the townsmen of Shechem were false to Abimelech;
士9:24 这是要报复对耶路．巴力七十个儿子的暴行，把流他们血的罪归到他们的兄弟亚比米勒身上，就是那杀害他们的；也归到示剑人身上，就是那些帮助亚比米勒去杀他自己的兄弟的。
士9:24 So that punishment for the violent attack made on the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for their blood, might come on Abimelech, their brother, who put them to death, and on the townsmen of Shechem who gave him their help in putting his brothers to death.
士9:25 示剑人在山顶上设下埋伏，路过他们那里的，他们都劫掠；有人把这事告诉亚比米勒。
士9:25 And the townsmen of Shechem put secret watchers on the tops of the mountains, and they made attacks on all who went by on the road and took their goods; and word of this came to Abimelech.
士9:26 那时，以别的儿子迦勒与他的兄弟都来了，到示剑去，示剑人竟信任他。
士9:26 Then Gaal, the son of Ebed, came with his brothers, and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their faith in him.
士9:27 他们出到田间去，收取葡萄，榨酒，举行庆祝会，进入他们的神庙吃喝，并且咒诅亚比米勒。
士9:27 And they went out into their fields and got in the fruit of their vines, and when the grapes had been crushed, they made a holy feast and went into the house of their god, and over their food and drink they were cursing Abimelech.
士9:28 以别的儿子迦勒说：“亚比米勒是谁？示剑是谁？竟要我们服事他呢？他不是耶路．巴力的儿子吗？他的副官不是西布勒吗？你们要服事示剑的始祖哈抹的后人啊；我们为什么要服事亚比米勒呢？
士9:28 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, said, Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we are to be his servants? Is it not right for the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his captain to be servants to the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? But why are we to be his servants?
士9:29 但愿这些人民都归在我手下，我好把亚比米勒除掉。”迦勒又对亚比米勒说：“增添你的军队出来吧！”
士9:29 If only I had authority over this people! I would put Abimelech out of the way, and I would say to Abimelech, Make your army strong, and come out.
士9:30 那城的首长西布勒听了以别的儿子迦勒的话，他的怒气就发作，
士9:30 Now Zebul, the ruler of the town, hearing what Gaal, the son of Ebed, had said, was moved to wrath.
士9:31 秘密差派使者去见亚比米勒，说：“以别的儿子迦勒和他的兄弟已经到了示剑，他们正在煽动那城的人反叛你。
士9:31 And he sent to Abimelech at Arumah, saying, See, Gaal, the son of Ebed, and his brothers have come to Shechem, and they are working up the town against you.
士9:32 现在，你和与你在一起的人，要在夜间起来，在野地埋伏。
士9:32 So now, get up by night, you and your people, and keep watch in the field secretly;
士9:33 到了早晨，太阳出来的时候，你就要起来攻城；你要注意，迦勒和与他在一起的人出来对抗你的时候，你就把握机会对付他们。”
士9:33 And in the morning, when the sun is up, get up early and make a rush on the town; and when he and his people come out against you, do to them whatever you have a chance to do.
士9:34 于是亚比米勒和与他在一起的人，都在夜间起来，分作四队，埋伏着等候示剑人。
士9:34 So Abimelech and the people with him got up by night, in four bands, to make a surprise attack on Shechem.
士9:35 以别的儿子迦勒出去，站在城门口；亚比米勒和与他在一起的人，从埋伏的地方起来。
士9:35 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and took his place at the doorway into the town; then Abimelech and his people got up from the place where they had been waiting.
士9:36 迦勒看见了那些人，就对西布勒说：“你看，有人从山顶上下来。”西布勒说：“你看见山的影子以为是人。”
士9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, See! people are coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said to him, You see the shade of the mountains like men.
士9:37 迦勒又说：“看哪，有人从高地下来，又有一队从米恶尼尼橡树的路径而来。”
士9:37 And Gaal said again, See! people are coming down from the middle of the land, and one band is coming by way of the oak-tree of the Seers.
士9:38 西布勒对他说：“你曾经说过：‘亚比米勒是谁，竟要我们服事他呢？’现在你说这话的嘴在哪里呢？这不是你轻视的人吗？现在请你出去与他们交战吧。”
士9:38 Then Zebul said to him, Now where is your loud talk when you said, Who is Abimelech that we are to be his servants? Is this not the people whom you were rating so low? Go out now, and make war on them.
士9:39 于是迦勒在示剑人面前出去，与亚比米勒争战。
士9:39 So Gaal went out at the head of the townsmen of Shechem and made war on Abimelech.
士9:40 亚比米勒追赶迦勒，迦勒在他面前逃跑，直到城门口，有很多受伤的人仆倒。
士9:40 And Abimelech went after him and he went in flight before him; and a great number were falling by the sword all the way up to the town.
士9:41 亚比米勒住在亚鲁玛；西布勒把迦勒和他的兄弟赶走，不许他们住在示剑。
士9:41 Then Abimelech went back to Arumah; and Zebul sent Gaal and his brothers away and would not let them go on living in Shechem.
士9:42 次日，城中众人出到田间去，有人把这事告诉亚比米勒。
士9:42 Now the day after, the people went out into the fields; and news of it came to Abimelech.
士9:43 亚比米勒就把他的人分作三队，埋伏在田间；他在那里观看，见有人从城里出来，就起来攻击他们，把他们击杀了。
士9:43 And he took his people, separating them into three bands, and was waiting secretly in the field; and when he saw the people coming out of the town, he went up and made an attack on them.
士9:44 亚比米勒和与他在一起的一队人忽然冲过去，站在城门口；其他两队人也冲出来攻打所有在田间的人，把他们击杀了。
士9:44 And Abimelech with his band made a rush, and took up their position at the doorway into the town; and the other two bands made a rush on all those who were in the fields, and overcame them.
士9:45 那一天，亚比米勒整天攻打那城，把城攻下了，杀了城中的众人；把城拆毁，又撒上盐。
士9:45 And all that day Abimelech was fighting against the town; and he took it, and put to death the people who were in it, and had the town pulled down and covered with salt.
士9:46 示剑楼的众人听见了这事，就逃入伊勒．比利土庙的地穴里。
士9:46 Then all the townsmen of the tower of Shechem, hearing of it, went into the inner room of the house of El-berith.
士9:47 有人告诉亚比米勒，说：“示剑楼所有的人都聚集在一起。”
士9:47 And word was given to Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were there together.
士9:48 亚比米勒和与他在一起的人都上了撒们山；亚比米勒手里拿着斧子，砍下一根树枝，拿起来放在自己的肩头上，然后对与他在一起的人说：“你们看我作什么，你们也要赶快照样作。”
士9:48 Then Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, with all his people; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and, cutting down branches of trees, took them and put them on his back. And he said to the people who were with him, Be quick and do as you have seen me do.
士9:49 于是众人也各自砍下一根树枝，跟随着亚比米勒，把树枝放在地穴上，放火烧了地穴，以致示剑楼的人都死了，男女约有一千人。
士9:49 So all the people got branches, every man cutting down a branch, and they went with Abimelech at their head and, massing the branches against the inner room, put fire to the room over them; so all those who were in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women, were burned to death with it.
士9:50 后来亚比米勒到提备斯去，安营攻打提备斯，攻取了那城。
士9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and put his army in position against Thebez and took it.
士9:51 城中有一座坚固的城楼；那城所有的人，无论男女，都逃到那里去，关上门，上了楼顶。
士9:51 But in the middle of the town there was a strong tower, to which all the men and women of the town went in flight and, shutting themselves in, went up to the roof of the tower.
士9:52 亚比米勒到了城楼前，攻打城楼；他走近城楼门口，要用火焚烧。
士9:52 And Abimelech came to the tower and made an attack on it, and got near to the door of the tower for the purpose of firing it.
士9:53 有一个妇人把一块上磨石抛在亚比米勒的头上，打破了他的头盖骨。
士9:53 But a certain woman sent a great stone, such as is used for crushing grain, on to the head of Abimelech, cracking the bone.
士9:54 他急忙呼喊替他拿兵器的少年人，对他说：“拔出你的刀来，把我杀死吧。免得人讲论我说：‘他被一个妇人所杀。’”于是那少年人把他刺透，他就死了。
士9:54 Then quickly crying out to his body-servant, he said to him, Take out your sword and put an end to me straight away, so that men may not say of me, His death was the work of a woman. So the young man put his sword through him, causing his death.
士9:55 以色列人看见亚比米勒死了，就各回自己的地方去了。
士9:55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went away, every man to his place.
士9:56 这样， 神报应了亚比米勒向他父亲所行的恶事，就是他杀了自己的兄弟七十个人。
士9:56 In this way Abimelech was rewarded by God for the evil he had done to his father in putting his seventy brothers to death;
士9:57 神也把示剑人的一切恶事，都报应在他们的头上；耶路．巴力的儿子约坦的咒诅，也归到他们身上。
士9:57 And God sent back on to the heads of the men of Shechem all the evil they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, came on them.