1
Abimeleki, mwana wa Yerubaali, akaenda Shekemu kwa ndugu za mama yake, akanena nao, na wote waliokuwa wa nyumba ya baba ya mama yake, akasema,
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,
2
Haya, neneni tafadhali masikioni mwa waume wote wa Shekemu, mkaulize, Je! Ni lipi lililo jema kwenu, kwamba hao wana wa Yerubaali wote, ambao ni watu sabini, watawale juu yenu, au kwamba mtu mmoja atawale juu yenu? Tena kumbukeni ya kwamba mimi ni mfupa na nyama yenu.
“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.”
3
Hao ndugu za mama yake wakanena habari zake masikioni mwa hao watu wote wa Shekemu maneno hayo yote; na mioyo yao ikaelekea kumwandama Abimeleki; kwa kuwa walisema, Huyu ni ndugu yetu.
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.”
4
Wakampa vipande vya fedha sabini vilivyotoka katika nyumba ya Baal-berithi, na kwa fedha hizo Abimeleki akaajiri watu wapuuzi mabaradhuli, wafuatane naye.
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.
5
Kisha akaenda nyumbani kwa babaye huko Ofra, akawaua nduguze, hao wana wa Yerubaali, watu sabini, akawaua juu ya jiwe moja; lakini Yothamu, mwana mdogo wa Yerubaali, alisalia; kwa maana alijificha.
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.
6
Kisha hao watu wote wa Shekemu wakakusanyika pamoja, na jamaa yote ya Milo, wakaenda na kumtawaza Abimeleki awe mfalme, karibu na huo mgandi ulio karibu na ngome iliyo katika Shekemu.
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.
7
Kisha walipomwambia huyo Yothamu, yeye akaenda, akasimama juu ya kilele cha kilima cha Gerizimu, akapaza sauti yake, akapiga kelele, na kuwaambia, Nisikieni mimi, enyi watu wa Shekemu, ili kwamba Mungu naye apate kuwasikia ninyi.
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.
8
Siku moja miti ilitoka ili kuutia mmoja mafuta uwe mfalme juu yao; ikauambia mti mzeituni, Tawala wewe juu yetu.
One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9
Lakini huo mzeituni ukaiambia, Je! Niache mafuta yangu, ambayo kwangu mimi watu wamheshimu Mungu na wanadamu, ili niende nikayonge-yonge juu ya miti?
But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
10
Kisha miti ikauambia mtini, Njoo wewe, utawale juu yetu.
Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
11
Lakini huo mtini ukaiambia, Je! Niuache utamu wangu, na matunda yangu mazuri, niende nikayonge-yonge juu ya miti?
But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
12
Kisha miti ikauambia mzabibu, Njoo wewe, utawale juu yetu.
Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13
Huo mzabibu nao ukaiambia, Je! Niiache divai yangu, ambayo humfurahisha Mungu na wanadamu, ili niende nikayonge-yonge juu ya miti?
But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
14
Ndipo hiyo miti yote ikauambia mti wa miiba, Njoo wewe, utawale juu yetu.
Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15
Huo mti wa miiba ukaiambia miti, Kwamba ninyi mwanitia mafuta niwe mfalme juu yenu kwelikweli, basi njoni mtumaini kivuli changu; na kwamba sivyo, na utoke moto katika mti wa miiba na kuiteketeza mierezi ya Lebanoni.
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.’
16
Basi sasa ikiwa mmetenda kwa uaminifu na uelekevu, katika kumtawaza Abimeleki awe mfalme, na ikiwa mmemtendea mema Yerubaali na nyumba yake, na kumtendea kama ilivyostahili mikono yake;
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—
17
(kwa maana baba yangu aliwatetea ninyi, na kuhatirisha uhai wake, na kuwaokoa na mikono ya Midiani;
for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
18
nanyi mmeinuka juu ya nyumba ya baba yangu hivi leo nanyi mmewaua wanawe, watu sabini, juu ya jiwe moja, nanyi mmemtawaza Abimeleki, mwana wa kijakazi chake, awe mfalme juu ya watu wa Shekemu kwa sababu yeye ni ndugu yenu;)
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—
19
basi ikiwa mmemtendea kwa uaminifu na uelekevu Yerubaali na nyumba yake hivi leo, basi furahini ninyi katika huyo Abimeleki, yeye naye na afurahi kwenu ninyi;
if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
20
lakini kwamba sivyo hivyo, basi, moto na utoke katika Abimeleki na kuwateketeza watu wa Shekemu, na jamaa ya Milo; kisha moto na utoke katika hao watu wa Shekemu, na katika jamaa ya Milo, na kumteketeza Abimeleki.
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.”
21
Kisha Yothamu akaenda zake na kukimbia, akaenda Beeri, na kukaa kuko, kwa kumwogopa Abimeleki nduguye.
Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
22
Basi Abimeleki alitawala juu ya Israeli muda wa miaka mitatu.
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
23
Kisha Mungu akapeleka roho mbaya kati ya Abimeleki na watu wa Shekemu; nao watu wa Shekemu wakamtendea Abimeleki kwa udanganyifu;
God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
24
ili kwamba huo udhalimu waliotendewa hao wana sabini wa Yerubaali uje, tena kwamba damu yao iandikwe juu ya Abimeleki ndugu yao, aliyewaua, na juu ya watu wa Shekemu, waliomtia nguvu mikono yake ili awaue hao nduguze.
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.
25
Basi watu wa Shekemu wakaweka watu kumvizia juu ya vilele vya milima, ambao waliwanyang'anya vitu vyao watu wote waliopita njia hiyo karibu nao; naye Abimeleki aliambiwa.
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.
26
Kisha Gaali, mwana wa Ebedi, akaenda pamoja na nduguze, wakavuka na kufika Shekemu; na watu wa Shekemu wakamtumaini yeye.
Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27
Nao wakatoka kwenda mashambani, wakavuna mashamba yao ya mizabibu, na kuzishindika hizo zabibu, na kufanya sikukuu, kisha wakaingia nyumbani mwa mungu wao, wakala na kunywa na kumlaani huyo Abimeleki.
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.
28
Naye Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akasema, Abimeleki ni nani, na Shekemu ni nani, hata tukamtumikie yeye? Yeye, je! Si mwana wa Yerubaali? Na Zebuli siye akida wake? Haya, ninyi watumikieni hao watu wa Hamori, babaye Shekemu; Lakini sisi je! Tumtumikie kwa sababu gani?
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?
29
Laiti watu hawa wangekuwa chini ya mkono wangu! Hapo basi mimi ningemwondoa huyo Abimeleki. Kisha akamwambia Abimeleki, Haya, ongeza askari zako, utoke nje.
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
30
Basi hapo Zebuli, aliyekuwa liwali wa mji, alipoyasikia hayo maneno ya Gaali mwana wa Ebedi, hasira zake zikamwaka.
When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
31
Naye akatuma wajumbe waende kwa Abimeleki kwa siri, akasema, Tazama, Gaali, mwana wa Ebedi, na ndugu zake wamekuja Shekemu; na tazama waufitinisha mji huu kinyume chako.
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.
32
Basi sasa, inuka wewe, usiku, wewe na watu walio pamoja nawe, mvizie mashambani;
Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
33
kisha itakuwa, asubuhi, mara litakapokucha jua, wewe utaamka asubuhi na mapema, na kuushambulia mji huo; tena, angalia, hapo yeye na wale watu walio pamoja naye watakapokutokea nje kupigana nawe, ndipo utapata kuwatenda kama utakavyopata nafasi.
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.”
34
Basi Abimeleki akainuka na watu wote waliokuwa pamoja naye, usiku nao wakauvizia Shekemu kwa vikosi vinne.
So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
35
Huyo Gaali mwana wa Ebedi akatoka nje, akasimama penye maingilio ya lango la mji; naye Abimeleki na hao watu waliokuwa pamoja naye wakainuka kutoka mahali pale walipokuwa wanavizia.
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.
36
Basi Gaali alipowaona hao watu, akamwambia Zebuli, Tazama, watu washuka kutoka katika vilele vya milima. Zebuli akamwambia, Ni kivuli cha milima unachokiona kama ndio watu.
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.”
37
Kisha Gaali akasema mara ya pili, akanena, Angalia, watu washuka katikati ya nchi, na kikosi kimoja kinakuja kwa njia ya mwaloni wa Meonenimu.
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.”
38
Ndipo Zebuli akamwambia, Je! Kinywa chako sasa ki wapi, hata ukasema Huyo Abimeleki ni nani, hata inatupasa kumtumikia yeye? Je! Hawa sio watu hao uliowadharau wewe? Haya, toka nje sasa, tafadhali, upigane nao.
“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!”
39
Basi Gaali akatoka nje mbele ya watu wa Shekemu, akapigana na Abimeleki.
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40
Lakini Abimeleki akamkimbiza, naye akakimbia mbele yake, wengi wakaanguka waliojeruhiwa hata kufikilia maingilio ya hilo lango.
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
41
Abimeleki akakaa Aruma; naye Zebuli akawatoa Gaali na ndugu zake, wasikae katika Shekemu.
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
42
Ikawa siku ya pili yake, watu wakatoka waende mashambani; naye Abimeleki aliambiwa.
The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43
Naye akawatwaa watu wake, na kuwagawanya wawe vikosi vitatu, nao wakavizia mashambani; naye akaangalia, na tazama, watu walikuwa watoka humo mjini; basi akainuka na kupigana nao, akawapiga.
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.
44
Abimeleki, na vile vikosi vilivyokuwa pamoja naye, wakafuliza kwenda mbele, wakasimama penye maingilio ya lango la mji, na vile vikosi viwili vikawarukia hao wote waliokuwa mashambani, na kuwapiga.
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.
45
Abimeleki akapigana na huo mji mchana kutwa; akautwaa mji, akawaua watu waliokuwamo ndani yake; kisha akaupomosha mji, na kuutia chumvi.
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.
46
Kisha watu wote waliokaa katika ile buruji ya Shekemu waliposikia habari hiyo wakaingia ndani ya ngome ya nyumba ya El-berithi.
On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
47
Abimeleki aliambiwa ya kuwa watu hao wote wa buruji ya Shekemu wamekutana pamoja.
And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
48
Basi Abimeleki akakwea kwenda kilima cha Salmoni, yeye na wote waliokuwa pamoja naye; naye Abimeleki akashika shoka mkononi mwake, akakata tawi moja katika miti, akalishika na kujitweka fuzini mwake; akawaambia hao watu waliokuwa pamoja naye, Haya, mliyoniona mimi kufanya, fanyeni upesi vivyo, kama nilivyofanya mimi.
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.”
49
Basi watu hao wote vivyo wakakata kila mtu tawi lake, wakamwandama Abimeleki, wakayaweka hayo matawi pale ngomeni, na kuiteketeza moto hiyo ngome juu yao; basi hivyo watu wote wa hiyo buruji ya Shekemu wakafa, walipata kama watu elfu, waume kwa wake.
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.
50
Ndipo Abimeleki alipokwenda Thebesi, akapanga kinyume cha Thebesi na kuutwaa.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
51
Lakini ndani ya huo mji palikuwa na buruji yenye nguvu, na watu wote waume na wake wakakimbilia huko, na watu wote wa mji, nao wakajifungia ndani, wakapanda paa la buruji.
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.
52
Abimeleki akaiendea hiyo buruji na kupigana nayo; naye akaukaribia mlango wa buruji ili auteketeze kwa moto.
When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.
53
Na mwanamke mmoja akabwaga jiwe la kusagia la juu, nalo likampiga Abimeleki kichwani, na kulivunja fuvu la kichwa chake.
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
54
Ndipo akamwita kwa haraka huyo kijana aliyekuwa anamchukulia silaha zake, na kumwambia, Futa upanga wako, uniue, ili watu wasiseme juu yangu Aliuawa na mwanamke. Basi huyo kijana wake akamchoma upanga, naye akafa.
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.
55
Basi hapo watu wa Israeli walipoona ya kuwa Abimeleki amekufa, wakaondoka wakaenda kila mtu mahali pake.
And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.
56
Basi hivyo Mungu akalipiza kisasi juu ya uovu wa Abimeleki aliomtenda baba yake, katika kuwaua hao nduguze watu sabini;
In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
57
uovu wote wa watu wa Shekemu Mungu alilipiza juu ya vichwa vyao; na hiyo laana ya Yothamu mwana wa Yerubaali ikawajilia juu yao.
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.