Judges 9

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NOVA VULGATA
1 Now Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal, went to Shechem, to his maternal brothers, and he spoke to them, and to all the relatives of the house of his maternal grandfather, saying:	1 Abiit autem Abimelech filius Ierobbaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suae et locutus est ad eos et ad omnem cognationem familiae matris suae dicens:
2 “Speak to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you: that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, should rule over you, or that one man should rule over you? And consider also that I am your bone and your flesh.”	2 “ Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem: “Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri, omnes filii Ierobbaal, an ut dominetur vobis unus vir? Simulque considerate quod os vestrum et caro vestra sum” ”.
3 And his maternal brothers spoke about him to all the men of Shechem, all these words, and they inclined their hearts after Abimelech, saying, “He is our brother.”	3 Locutique sunt fratres matris eius de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech dicentes: “ Frater noster est ”.
4 And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him.	4 Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberith; qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.
5 And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.	5 Et venit in domum patris sui Ephra et occidit fratres suos filios Ierobbaal septuaginta viros super lapidem unum. Remansitque Ioatham filius Ierobbaal minimus, quia absconditus erat.
6 Then all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the families of the city of Millo, and they went and appointed Abimelech as king, beside the oak that stood at Shechem.	6 Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem et universae domus Mello abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech iuxta quercum, quae stabat in Sichem.
7 When this had been reported to Jotham, he went and stood at the top of Mount Gerizim. And lifting up his voice, he cried out and said: “Listen to me, men of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.	7 Quod cum nuntiatum esset Ioatham, ivit et stetit in vertice montis Garizim elevataque voce clamavit et dixit: “ Audite me, viri Sichem, ut audiat vos Deus.
8 The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’	8 Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem, dixeruntque olivae: “Impera nobis”.
9 And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’	9 Quae respondit: “Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii honorantur et homines, et venire, ut super ligna movear?”.
10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’	10 Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum: “Veni et super nos regnum accipe”.
11 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my sweetness, and my very sweet fruits, and depart to be promoted among the other trees?’	11 Quae respondit eis: “Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam fructusque suavissimos et ire, ut super cetera ligna movear?”.
12 And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’	12 Locuta quoque sunt ligna ad vitem: “Veni et impera nobis”.
13 And it responded to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’	13 Quae respondit: “Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod laetificat deos et homines, et super ligna cetera commoveri?”.
14 And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’	14 Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum: “Veni et impera super nos”.
15 And it responded to them: ‘If truly you would appoint me as king, come and rest under my shadow. But if you are not willing, let fire go forth from the bramble, and let it devour the cedars of Lebanon.’ ”	15 Quae respondit eis: “Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite et sub mea umbra requiescite; sin autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno et devoret cedros Libani!”.
16 So now, if you are upright and without sin in appointing Abimelech as a king over you, and if you have acted well with Jerubbaal, and with his house, and if you have repaid, in turn, the benefits of him who fought on your behalf,	16 Nunc igitur, si recte et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech et bene egistis cum Ierobbaal et cum domo eius et reddidistis vicem beneficiis eius,
17 and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,	17 qui pugnavit pro vobis et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,
18 though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,	18 qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei et interfecistis filios eius septuaginta viros super unum lapidem et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillae eius super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit;
19 if therefore you are upright and have acted without fault with Jerubbaal and his house, then you should rejoice on this day in Abimelech, and he should rejoice in you.	19 si ergo recte et absque vitio egistis cum Ierobbaal et domo eius hodie, laetamini in Abimelech, et ille laetetur in vobis.
20 But if you have acted perversely, may fire go forth from him and consume the inhabitants of Shechem and the town of Millo. And may fire go forth from the men of Shechem and from the town of Millo, and devour Abimelech.”	20 Sin autem perverse, egrediatur ignis ex Abimelech et consumat habitatores Sichem et domum Mello, egrediaturque ignis de viris Sichem et de domo Mello et devoret Abimelech! ”.
21 And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.	21 Quae cum Ioatham dixisset, fugit et abiit in Bera habitavitque ibi metu Abimelech fratris sui.
22 And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.	22 Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israel tribus annis.
23 And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,	23 Misitque Deus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem, qui rebellaverunt contra eum,
24 and to place blame for the crime of the killing of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and for the shedding of their blood, upon Abimelech, their brother, and upon the rest of the leaders of the Shechemites, who assisted him.	24 ut scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Ierobbaal et effusio sanguinis eorum veniret super Abimelech fratrem suum et in viros Sichimorum, qui eum adiuverant.
25 And they stationed an ambush against him at the summit of the mountains. And while they were waiting for his arrival, they committed robberies, taking spoils from those passing by. And this was reported to Abimelech.	25 Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in montium summitate et exercebant latrocinia agentes praedas de omnibus praetereuntibus. Nuntiatumque est Abimelech.
26 Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,	26 Venit autem Gaal filius Ebed cum fratribus suis et transivit in Sichimam, et confisi sunt habitatores Sichem in eo.
27 departed into the fields, laying waste to the vineyards, and trampling the grapes. And while singing and dancing, they entered into the shrine of their god. And while feasting and drinking, they cursed Abimelech.	27 Egressi in agros vindemiaverunt vineas uvasque calcaverunt et, factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,
28 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, cried out: “Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, who has appointed Zebul, his servant, as ruler over the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?	28 clamante Gaal filio Ebed: “ Quis est Abimelech, et quae est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? Numquid non est filius Ierobbaal et Zebul praefectus eius? Servite viris Hemmor patris Sichem! Cur serviemus ei?
29 I wish that someone would set this people under my hand, so that I might take away Abimelech from their midst.” And it was told to Abimelech, “Gather the multitude of an army, and approach.”	29 Utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech et dicerem ei: Congrega exercitus multitudinem et veni ”.
30 For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.	30 Zebul princeps civitatis, auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Ebed, iratus est valde
31 And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: “Behold, Gaal, the son of Ebed, has arrived at Shechem with his brothers, and he has set the city against you.	31 et misit clam ad Abimelech nuntios dicens: “ Ecce Gaal filius Ebed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis et excitant adversum te civitatem.
32 And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.	32 Surge itaque nocte cum populo, qui tecum est, et latita in agro.
33 And at first light in the morning, as the sun is rising, rush upon the city. And when he goes out against you, with his people, do to him what you are able to do.”	33 Et primo mane, oriente sole, irrue super civitatem; illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei, quod potueris ”.
34 And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.	34 Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte et tetendit insidias iuxta Sichimam in quattuor locis.
35 And Gaal, the son of Ebed, went out, and he stood at the entrance to the gate of the city. Then Abimelech rose up, and all the army with him, from the places of the ambushes.	35 Egressusque est Gaal filius Ebed et stetit in introitu portae civitatis; surrexit autem Abimelech et omnis exercitus cum eo de insidiarum loco.
36 And when Gaal had seen the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, a multitude is descending from the mountains.” And he responded to him, “You are seeing the shadows of the mountains, as if they were the heads of men, and so you are being deceived by this error.”	36 Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul: “ Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit ”. Cui ille respondit: “ Umbras montium vides quasi homines ”.
37 Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”	37 Rursumque Gaal ait: “ Ecce populus de Umbilico terrae descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam Quercus Augurum ”.
38 And Zebul said to him: “Where is your mouth now, with which you said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people that you were despising? Go out and fight against him.”	38 Cui dixit Zebul: “ Ubi est nunc os tuum, quo loquebaris: “Quis est Abimelech, ut serviamus ei?”. Nonne iste est populus, quem despiciebas? Egredere et pugna contra eum ”.
39 Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,	39 Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech.
40 who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.	40 Qui persecutus est eum fugientem, cecideruntque ex parte eius plurimi usque ad portam civitatis.
41 And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.	41 Et Abimelech sedit in Aruma; Zebul autem Gaal et fratres eius expulit de urbe nec in ea passus est commorari.
42 Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,	42 Sequenti ergo die egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nuntiatum esset Abimelech,
43 he took his army, and divided it into three companies, and he placed ambushes in the fields. And seeing that the people had departed from the city, he rose up and rushed upon them,	43 tulit exercitum suum et divisit in tres turmas tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit et percussit eos.
44 along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.	44 Irruensque cum cuneo suo obsedit ingressum portae civitatis; duae autem turmae palantes per campum adversarios percusserunt.
45 Now Abimelech assaulted the city all that day. And he seized it, and he killed its inhabitants, and he destroyed it, so much so that he scattered salt in it.	45 Porro Abimelech omni illo die oppugnabat urbem, quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus eius ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.
46 And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.	46 Quod cum audissent, qui habitabant in turre Sichimorum, ingressi sunt cryptam fani Elberith (id est dei Foederis).
47 Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,	47 Abimelech quoque audiens omnes viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,
48 ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.”	48 ascendit in montem Selmon cum omni populo suo et, arrepta securi, praecidit arboris ramum impositumque ferens umero dixit ad socios: “ Quod me viditis facere, cito facite ”.
49 And so, eagerly cutting down branches from the trees, they followed their leader. And surrounding the fortified place, they set it on fire. And so it happened that, by smoke and fire, one thousand persons died, men and women together, the occupants of the tower of Shechem.	49 Igitur certatim ramos de arboribus praecidentes sequebantur ducem, quos circumdantes cryptae succenderunt; atque ita factum est, ut fumo et igne omnes homines necarentur, circiter mille viri pariter ac mulieres, habitatores turris Sichem.
50 Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.	50 Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod obsidebat et cepit.
51 Now there was, in the midst of the city, a high tower, to which men and women were fleeing together, with all the leaders of the city. And, having very strongly sealed the gate, they were standing on the roof of the tower to defend themselves.	51 Erat autem turris fortis in media civitate, ad quam confugerant viri simul ac mulieres et omnes cives civitatis, clausa firmissime ianua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.
52 And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.	52 Accedensque Abimelech iuxta turrim pugnabat fortiter et appropinquans ostio ignem supponere nitebatur.
53 And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.	53 Et ecce una mulier superiorem molam desuper iaciens illisit capiti Abimelech et confregit cerebrum eius.
54 And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.	54 Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum et ait ad eum: “ Evagina gladium tuum et percute me, ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim ”. Qui transfodit eum.
55 And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.	55 Illoque mortuo, omnes viri Israel hoc videntes reversi sunt in sedes suas.
56 And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.	56 Et reddidit Deus malum, quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.
57 The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.	57 Sichimitis quoque, quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Ioatham filii Ierobbaal.