Judges 9

1 Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,

1 Siku moja Abimeleki mwana wa Yerub-Baali akaenda kwa ndugu ya mama yake huko Shekemu na kuwaambia yeye na ukoo wote wa mama yake,

2 “Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”

2 “Waulizeni watu wote wa Shekemu, ‘Lipi lililo bora kwenu: Kutawaliwa na wana wote sabini wa Yerub-Baali, au mtu mmoja peke yake?’ Kumbukeni kwamba, mimi ni mfupa wenu nyama yenu hasa.”

3 And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”

3 Ndugu za mama yake walipowaeleza watu wote wa Shekemu, wakaelekea kumkubali Abimeleki, kwa kuwa walisema, “Yeye ni ndugu yetu.”

4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him.

4 Wakampa shekeli sabini za fedha kutoka hekalu la Baal-Berithi, naye Abimeleki akaitumia kuajiri watu ovyo wasiojali, wakawa ndio wafuasi wake.

5 He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

5 Akaenda nyumbani kwa baba yake huko Ofra, na juu ya jiwe moja wakawaua ndugu zake sabini, ambao ni wana wa Yerub-Baali. Lakini Yothamu, mwana mdogo wa wote wa Yerub-Baali, akaokoka kwa kujificha.

6 Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.

6 Ndipo watu wote wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo wakakusanyika pamoja chini ya mti mkubwa wa mwaloni penye nguzo iliyoko Shekemu wakamvika Abimeleki taji kuwa mfalme.

7 When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.

7 Yothamu alipoambiwa hayo, akapanda juu ya kilele cha mlima Gerizimu, akawapazia sauti yake akawaambia, “Nisikilizeni enyi watu wa Shekemu, ili Mungu naye apate kuwasikiliza ninyi.

8 One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

8 Siku moja miti ilitoka ili kwenda kujitawazia mfalme. Ikauambia mzeituni, ‘Wewe uwe mfalme wetu.’

9 But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’

9 “Lakini mzeituni ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa mafuta yangu ambayo kwake miungu na wanadamu huheshimiwa, ili nikawe juu ya miti?’

10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

10 “Kisha miti ikauambia mtini, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu!’

11 But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’

11 “Lakini mtini ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa matunda yangu mazuri na matamu, ili niende nikawe juu ya miti?’

12 Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’

12 “Ndipo miti ikauambia mzabibu, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu.’

13 But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’

13 “Lakini mzabibu ukaijibu, ‘Je, niache kutoa divai yangu inayofurahisha miungu na wanadamu ili nikawe juu ya miti?’

14 Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’

14 “Mwishoni miti yote ikauambia mti wa miiba, ‘Njoo na uwe mfalme wetu.’

15 But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

15 “Nao mti wa miiba ukaijibu, ‘Kama kweli mnataka niwe mfalme wenu, basi njooni mpate kupumzika chini ya kivuli changu. Lakini kama sivyo, moto na utoke kwenye mti wa miiba ukateketeze mierezi ya Lebanoni!’

16 Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves—

16 “Basi ikiwa mmetenda kwa uaminifu na heshima kumfanya Abimeleki kuwa mfalme, na kama mmetendea vyema Yerub-Baali na jamaa yake kama ilivyostahili:

17 for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,

17 kwa kuwa baba yangu aliwapigania ninyi na kuhatarisha nafsi yake na kuwaokoa ninyi kutoka mikononi mwa Wamidiani

18 but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—

18 (lakini leo mmeasi dhidi ya jamaa ya baba yangu, na kuwaua wanawe sabini juu ya jiwe moja, nanyi mkamfanya Abimeleki mwana wa mwanamke mtumwa kuwa mfalme juu ya Shekemu, kwa kuwa yeye ni ndugu yenu),

19 if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.

19 nanyi kama basi mmemtendea Yerub-Baali na jamaa yake kwa heshima na uaminifu, basi Abimeleki na awe furaha yenu, nanyi mwe furaha yake pia!

20 But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”

20 Lakini kama sivyo, moto na utoke kwa Abimeleki na uwateketeze, ninyi watu wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo, nao moto utoke kwenu, watu wa Shekemu na Beth-Milo umteketeze Abimeleki!”

21 Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.

21 Ndipo Yothamu akakimbia, akatoroka akaenda Beeri, akaishi huko, kwa sababu alimwogopa ndugu yake Abimeleki.

22 After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,

22 Baada ya Abimeleki kutawala Israeli kwa muda wa miaka mitatu,

23 God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

23 Mungu akaruhusu roho mbaya kati ya Abimeleki na watu wa Shekemu, nao watu wa Shekemu wakamtendea Abimeleki kwa hila.

24 in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

24 Hili lilitokea ili ule ukatili waliotendewa hao wana sabini wa Yerub-Baali upatilizwe, na damu yao iwe juu ya Abimeleki ndugu yao aliyewaua, na pia iwe juu ya watu wa Shekemu, ambao walimsaidia kuua ndugu zake.

25 The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

25 Hivyo, kutokana na uadui juu yake watu wa Shekemu wakaweka watu wa kumvizia katika vilele vya milima. Wakawanyangʼanya watu wote waliopita karibu nao, nayo haya yakaarifiwa kwa Abimeleki.

26 Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.

26 Basi Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akaenda pamoja na ndugu zake wakaingia Shekemu, nao watu wa huko wakamtumainia yeye.

27 And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.

27 Wakaenda mashambani mwao kuvuna zabibu na kuzisindika hizo zabibu, wakafanya sikukuu katika hekalu la mungu wao. Wakati wakila na kunywa, wakamlaani Abimeleki.

28 Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?

28 Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akasema, “Abimeleki ni nani, na Shekemu ni nani, hata tumtumikie? Je, yeye si mwana wa Yerub-Baali? Naye Zebuli si ndiye msaidizi wake? Basi watumikieni watu wa Hamori, babaye Shekemu. Kwa nini tumtumikie Abimeleki?

29 If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”

29 Laiti watu hawa wangekuwa chini ya amri yangu! Basi mimi ningemwondoa huyo Abimeleki. Ningemwambia Abimeleki, ‘Ondoa jeshi lako lote.’”

30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.

30 Zebuli aliyekuwa mtawala wa mji aliposikia aliyosema Gaali mwana wa Ebedi, akakasirika sana.

31 So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.

31 Akatuma ujumbe uende kwa Abimeleki kwa siri na kusema, “Gaali mwana wa Ebedi na ndugu zake wamekuja Shekemu, na wanauchochea mji huu kinyume chako.

32 Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.

32 Sasa, basi, usiku huu wewe uondoke na watu wako ili mje kuwavizia mashambani.

33 And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”

33 Kisha asubuhi wakati wa kuchomoza jua, amka mapema na ujipange dhidi ya huo mji. Wakati yeye na jeshi lililo pamoja naye watakapotoka kukabiliana nanyi, mwaweza kuwatendea kwa kadiri mnavyoweza.”

34 So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.

34 Kwa hiyo Abimeleki pamoja na jeshi lake lote wakaondoka usiku na kujificha karibu na Shekemu wakiwa vikosi vinne.

35 Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.

35 Basi Gaali mwana wa Ebedi alikuwa ametoka nje akawa amesimama katika ingilio la mji wakati ule ule ambao Abimeleki na watu wake walipokuwa wanatoka sehemu zao za maficho.

36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”

36 Gaali alipowaona, akamwambia Zebuli, “Tazama, watu wanashuka kutoka kwenye vilele vya milima!” Zebuli akajibu, “Wewe unaona vivuli vya milima kana kwamba ni watu.”

37 Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”

37 Lakini Gaali akasema tena, “Tazama, watu wanashuka kutoka katikati ya nchi na kikosi kimoja kinakuja kutoka Tabur-Ezeri na kikosi kingine kutoka upande wa Elon-Meonenimu.”

38 “Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”

38 Ndipo Zebuli akamwambia, “Kuko wapi kujivuna kwako sasa, wewe uliyesema, ‘Huyo Abimeleki ni nani hata tumtumikie?’ Hawa si wale watu uliowadharau? Toka nje sasa ukapigane nao!”

39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

39 Basi Gaali akatoka akawaongoza watu wa Shekemu kupigana na Abimeleki.

40 but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.

40 Abimeleki akamfukuza, watu wengi wakajeruhiwa katika kukimbia huko, njia nzima hadi kwenye ingilio la lango.

41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

41 Abimeleki akakaa Aruma, naye Zebuli akawafukuza Gaali na ndugu zake watoke Shekemu.

42 The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.

42 Kesho yake watu wa Shekemu wakatoka wakaenda mashambani, Abimeleki akaambiwa juu ya jambo hili.

43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.

43 Hivyo akawachukua watu wake, akawagawanya katika vikosi vitatu na kuwaweka waviziao huko mashambani. Alipowaona watu wanatoka kwenda nje ya mji, akainuka dhidi yao na kuwashambulia.

44 Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.

44 Abimeleki pamoja na vile vikosi wakaharakisha kwenda mbele kwenye nafasi, mahali pa ingilio la lango la mji. Vile vikosi viwili vikawawahi wale waliokuwa mashambani na kuwaua.

45 And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.

45 Siku hiyo nzima Abimeleki akazidisha mashambulizi yake dhidi ya mji hadi akawa ameuteka na kuwaua watu wa huo mji. Kisha akauangamiza mji na kusambaza chumvi juu yake.

46 On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

46 Kwa kusikia jambo hili watu wote katika mnara wa Shekemu, wakaingia kwenye ngome ya hekalu la El-Berithi.

47 And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,

47 Abimeleki aliposikia kuwa wamekusanyika huko,

48 he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.”

48 yeye na watu wake wote wakakwea kwenye Mlima Salmoni. Abimeleki akachukua shoka, akakata baadhi ya matawi, ambayo aliyachukua mabegani. Akawaagiza wale watu waliokuwa pamoja naye kuwa, “Fanyeni kile mlichoona mimi nikifanya!”

49 So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.

49 Basi watu wote wakakata matawi na kumfuata Abimeleki. Wakayakusanya hayo matawi juu ya ngome na kuitia moto ili kuwachoma wale watu wote waliokuwa ndani yake. Hivyo watu wote katika mnara wa Shekemu, karibia watu 1,000 waume kwa wake, pia wakafa.

50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.

50 Baadaye Abimeleki akaenda Thebesi na kuuzingira kwa jeshi na kuuteka.

51 But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

51 Hata hivyo, ndani ya huo mji kulikuwa na mnara imara, ambako watu wote wa mji wanaume na wanawake, watu wote wa mji, walikimbilia ndani yake. Wakajifungia ndani yake na kupanda juu ya paa la mnara.

52 When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.

52 Abimeleki akaja kwenye ule mnara na kuushambulia, lakini alipokaribia kwenye ingilio la mnara ili kuuchoma kwa moto,

53 But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.

53 mwanamke mmoja akaangusha sehemu ya juu ya jiwe la kusagia juu ya kichwa cha Abimeleki, likapasua fuvu la kichwa chake.

54 He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

54 Akamwita kwa haraka kijana yule aliyechukua silaha zake, na kumwambia, “Chukua upanga wako na uniue, watu wasije wakasema kwamba, ‘Mwanamke amemuua.’” Basi yule kijana akamchoma upanga, naye akafa.

55 And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.

55 Waisraeli walipoona kuwa Abimeleki amekufa, kila mtu akaenda nyumbani kwake.

56 In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.

56 Hivyo ndivyo Mungu alivyolipiza uovu ule ambao Abimeleki alikuwa ameutenda kwa baba yake kwa kuwaua ndugu zake sabini.

57 And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

57 Mungu akawapatiliza watu wa Shekemu uovu wao juu ya vichwa vyao, na juu yao ikaja laana ya Yothamu mwana wa Yerub-Baali.