亚比米勒
耶路巴力的儿子亚比米勒到示剑他的母舅那里，对他们和他外祖父全家的人说：
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,
2“请你们问示剑所有的居民：‘是耶路巴力的众儿子七十人都治理你们好，还是一人治理你们好呢？’你们要记得，我是你们的骨肉。”Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3他的母舅们为他把这一切话说给示剑所有的居民听，他们的心就倾向亚比米勒，因为他们说：“他是我们的弟兄。”And his mother's brethren spake 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.
4他们从巴力．比利土的庙中取了七十银子给亚比米勒，亚比米勒用这些钱雇了一些无赖匪徒跟随他。And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
5他来到俄弗拉他父亲的家，在一块磐石上把他的兄弟，就是耶路巴力的七十个儿子都杀了，只剩下耶路巴力的小儿子约坦，因为他躲了起来。And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6示剑所有的居民和全伯．米罗都聚集在一起，到示剑橡树旁的柱子那里，立亚比米勒为王。And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7有人将这事告诉约坦，他就去站在基利心山顶上，高声喊叫，对他们说：“示剑的居民哪，你们要听我，神也就会听你们。And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8有一次，树木要膏一王治理他们，就去对橄榄树说：‘请你来作王治理我们！’The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9橄榄树对它们说：‘我岂可停止生产使神明和人得尊荣的油，而行走飘摇在众树之上呢？’But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
10树木对无花果树说：‘请你来作王治理我们！’And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
11无花果树对它们说：‘我岂可停止结甜美的果子，而行走飘摇在众树之上呢？’But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12树木对葡萄树说：‘请你来作王治理我们！’Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13葡萄树对它们说：‘我岂可停止出产使神明和人欢乐的新酒，而行走飘摇在众树之上呢。’And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
14众树对荆棘说：‘请你来作王治理我们！’Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
15荆棘对众树说：‘你们若真的要膏我作王治理你们，就要来到我的荫下寻求庇护；不然，愿火从荆棘里出来，吞灭黎巴嫩的香柏树。’And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16“现在你们若以诚实正直立亚比米勒为王，若善待耶路巴力和他的家，若照他手所做的回报他─Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
17从前我父为你们争战，冒生命的危险救你们脱离米甸的手，(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
18但是你们如今起来攻击我的父家，在一块磐石上把他的七十个儿子全杀了，又立他使女所生的儿子亚比米勒为示剑居民的王，因为他是你们的弟兄─And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
19你们如今若以诚实正直对待耶路巴力和他的家，就可以因亚比米勒欢乐，他也可以因你们欢乐；If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
20不然，愿火从亚比米勒发出，吞灭示剑居民和伯．米罗，又愿火从示剑居民和伯．米罗发出，吞灭亚比米勒。”But 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.
21约坦因躲避他的兄弟亚比米勒就逃跑，去到比珥，住在那里。And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
22亚比米勒治理以色列三年。When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
23神派邪灵到亚比米勒和示剑居民中间，示剑居民就以诡诈待亚比米勒。Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
24这是要使耶路巴力七十个儿子受害所流的血，归于他们的兄弟亚比米勒，因他杀害他们，也归于那些出手帮助他杀害兄弟的示剑居民。That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
25示剑居民在山顶上设下埋伏，等候亚比米勒。凡沿着那条路，从他们那里经过的人，他们就抢劫。有人把这事告诉亚比米勒。And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
26以别的儿子迦勒和他的弟兄经过，来到示剑，示剑居民都信任他。And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27他们出到田间，摘下葡萄，踹酒，作乐。他们进入他们神明的庙中吃喝，诅咒亚比米勒。And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
28以别的儿子迦勒说：“亚比米勒是谁，我们示剑人是谁，叫我们服事他呢？他不是耶路巴力的儿子吗？他的助手不是西布勒吗？你们应当服事示剑的父亲哈抹的后裔！我们为何要服事亚比米勒呢？And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
29惟愿这民归到我的手下，我就除掉亚比米勒。”他就对亚比米勒说：“增加你的军兵，出来吧！”☛本节七十士译本是“惟愿这民归到我的手下，我就除掉亚比米勒。我对亚比米勒说：‘增加你的军兵，出来吧！’”And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
30西布勒市长听见以别的儿子迦勒的话，就怒气大发。And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31他悄悄地派一些使者到亚比米勒那里，说：“看哪，以别的儿子迦勒和他的弟兄到了示剑。看哪，他们煽动那城攻击你。And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
32现在，你和跟随你的百姓要夜间起来，在田间埋伏。Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
33早晨太阳一出，你就趁早攻城。看哪，迦勒和跟随他的百姓出来攻击你的时候，你就全力对付他们。”And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
34于是，亚比米勒和跟随他的众百姓夜间起来，兵分四队，埋伏攻击示剑。And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
35以别的儿子迦勒出去，站在城门口。亚比米勒和跟随他的百姓从埋伏之处起来。And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
36迦勒看见百姓，就对西布勒说：“看哪，有百姓从山顶上下来。”西布勒对他说：“你把山的影子看作是人了。”And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
37迦勒又继续讲，他说：“看哪，有百姓从地的高处下来，又有一队从米恶尼尼橡树☛“米恶尼尼橡树”或译“占卜者的橡树”。的路前来。”And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
38西布勒对他说：“你所夸口的在哪里呢？你曾说：‘亚比米勒是谁，叫我们服事他呢？’这不是你所藐视的百姓吗？你现在出去，与他们交战吧！”Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
39于是迦勒率领示剑居民出去，与亚比米勒交战。And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
40亚比米勒追赶迦勒，迦勒在他面前逃跑。有许多人被刺伤仆倒，直到城门口。And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
41亚比米勒住在亚鲁玛。西布勒赶出迦勒和他的弟兄，不准他们住在示剑。And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
42次日，百姓出到田间，有人告诉亚比米勒，And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
43他就带领百姓，把他们分成三队，埋伏在田间窥探。看哪，示剑居民从城里出来，他就起来击杀他们。And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
44亚比米勒和跟随他的一队向前冲，站在城门口；另外两队直冲向田间，击杀了众人。And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
45亚比米勒攻城一整天，将城夺取，杀了其中的百姓，把城拆毁，撒上了盐。And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46示剑城楼里所有的居民听见了，就进入伊勒．比利土庙的地窖里。And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
47有人告诉亚比米勒，示剑城楼里所有的居民都聚在一起。And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48亚比米勒和所有跟随他的百姓都上撒们山去。亚比米勒手拿斧子，砍下一根树枝，举起来，扛在肩上，对跟随他的百姓说：“你们看我做什么，就赶快照样做。”And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
49众百姓也都各砍一根树枝，跟亚比米勒走，把树枝堆在地窖上，放火烧地窖。这样，示剑城楼里所有的人都死了，男女约有一千。And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50亚比米勒到提备斯，对着提备斯安营，攻取了那城。Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51城中有一座坚固的楼；城里所有的居民，无论男女，都逃到那里，关上门，上了楼顶。But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
52亚比米勒到了楼前，攻打它。他挨近楼门，要放火焚烧。And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
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。And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull.
54他就急忙叫拿他兵器的青年来，对他说：“拔出你的刀来，杀了我吧！免得有人提到我说：‘他被一个妇人杀了。’”于是那青年把他刺透，他就死了。Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55以色列人见亚比米勒死了，就各回自己的地方去了。And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
56这样，神报应了亚比米勒向他父亲所做的恶事，就是杀了自己七十个兄弟。Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
57示剑人的一切恶事，神也都报应在他们头上；耶路巴力的儿子约坦的诅咒都临到他们身上了。And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.