Iudicum 9

VULGATA	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Abiit autem Abimelech filius Jerobaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suæ, et locutus est ad eos, et ad omnem cognationem domus patris matris suæ, dicens :	1 Abimelech son of Jerubbaal confronted his mother's brothers at Shechem and, to them and to the wholeclan of his maternal grandfather's family, he said,
2 Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem : Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri omnes filii Jerobaal, an ut dominetur unus vir ? simulque considerate quod os vestrum et caro vestra sum.	2 'Please put this question to the leading men of Shechem: Which is better for you: to be ruled by seventypeople -- al Jerubbaal's sons -- or to be ruled by one? Remember too that I am your own flesh and bone.'
3 Locutique sunt fratres matris ejus de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos, et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech, dicentes : Frater noster est.	3 His mother's brothers said al this on his behalf to al the leading men of Shechem, and their feelingsswayed them to follow Abimelech, since they argued, 'He is our brother.'
4 Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberit. Qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.	4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, and with this Abimelech paidviolent adventurers to fol ow him.
5 Et venit in domum patris sui in Ephra, et occidit fratres suos filios Jerobaal, septuaginta viros super lapidem unum : remansitque Joatham filius Jerobaal minimus, et absconditus est.	5 He then went to his father's house at Ophrah and put his brothers, Jerubbaal's seventy sons, to deathon one and the same stone. Jotham, however, Jerubbaal's youngest son, escaped by going into hiding.
6 Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem, et universæ familiæ urbis Mello : abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech, juxta quercum quæ stabat in Sichem.	6 All the leading men of Shechem and al Beth-Mil o then met and proclaimed Abimelech king at the oakof the cultic stone at Shechem.
7 Quod cum nuntiatum esset Joatham, ivit, et stetit in vertice montis Garizim : elevataque voce, clamavit, et dixit : Audite me, viri Sichem ; ita audiat vos Deus.	7 News of this was brought to Jotham. He went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted at thetop of his voice: Hear me, leaders of Shechem, so that God may also hear you!
8 Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem : dixeruntque olivæ : Impera nobis.	8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king!'
9 Quæ respondit : Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii utuntur et homines, et venire ut inter ligna promovear ?	9 The olive tree replied, 'Must I forgo my oil which gives honour to gods and men, to stand and sway overthe trees?'
10 Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum : Veni, et super nos regnum accipe.	10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'You come and be our king!'
11 Quæ respondit eis : Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, fructusque suavissimos, et ire ut inter cetera ligna promovear ?	11 The fig tree replied, 'Must I forgo my sweetness, forgo my excel ent fruit, to go and sway over thetrees?'
12 Locutaque sunt ligna ad vitem : Veni, et impera nobis.	12 Then the trees said to the vine, 'You come and be our king!'
13 Quæ respondit eis : Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod lætificat Deum et homines, et inter ligna cetera promoveri ?	13 The vine replied, 'Must I forgo my wine which cheers gods and men, to go and sway over the trees?'
14 Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum : Veni, et impera super nos.	14 Then the trees al said to the thorn bush, 'You come and be our king!'
15 Quæ respondit eis : Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite, et sub umbra mea requiescite : si autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno, et devoret cedros Libani.	15 And the thorn bush replied to the trees, 'If you are anointing me in good faith to be your king, come andshelter in my shade. But, if not, fire will come out of the thorn bush and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'
16 Nunc igitur, si recte et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech, et bene egistis cum Jerobaal, et cum domo ejus, et reddidistis vicem beneficiis ejus, qui pugnavit pro vobis,	16 'Now then, if you have acted in sincerity and good faith in making Abimelech king, if you have dealthonourably with Jerubbaal and his family, and have treated him as his actions deserved,
17 et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,	17 my father having fought for you, risked his life and rescued you from the power of Midian,
18 qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei, et interfecistis filios ejus septuaginta viros super unum lapidem, et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillæ ejus super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit :	18 and you today having risen up against my father's family, murdered his sons -- seventy of them on oneand the same stone -- and appointed Abimelech, his slave-girl's son, to rule the leading men of Shechem,because he is your brother!-
19 si ergo recte et absque vitio egistis cum Jerobaal et domo ejus, hodie lætamini in Abimelech, et ille lætetur in vobis.	19 if, I say, you have acted in sincerity and good faith towards Jerubbaal and his family, then mayAbimelech be your joy and may you be his!
20 Sin autem perverse : egrediatur ignis ex eo, et consumat habitatores Sichem, et oppidum Mello : egrediaturque ignis de viris Sichem, et de oppido Mello, et devoret Abimelech.	20 If not, may fire come out of Abimelech and devour the leading men of Shechem and Beth-Mil o, andfire come out of the leading men of Shechem and Beth-Mil o to devour Abimelech!'
21 Quæ cum dixisset, fugit, et abiit in Bera : habitavitque ibi ob metum Abimelech fratris sui.	21 Jotham then took to his heels; he fled and made his way to Beer; and there he stayed, to be out of hisbrother Abimelech's reach.
22 Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israël tribus annis.	22 Abimelech ruled Israel for three years.
23 Misitque Dominus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem : qui cœperunt eum detestari,	23 God then sent a spirit of discord between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders ofShechem betrayed Abimelech.
24 et scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Jerobaal, et effusionem sanguinis eorum conferre in Abimelech fratrem suum, et in ceteros Sichimorum principes, qui eum adjuverant.	24 And this was so that the crime committed against Jerubbaal's seventy sons should be avenged, andtheir blood recoil on their brother Abimelech who had murdered them, and on those leaders of Shechem whohad helped him to murder his brothers.
25 Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in summitate montium : et dum illius præstolabantur adventum, exercebant latrocinia, agentes prædas de prætereuntibus : nuntiatumque est Abimelech.	25 The leaders of Shechem put men to ambush him on the mountain tops, and these robbed anyonetravel ing their way. Abimelech was told of this.
26 Venit autem Gaal filius Obed cum fratribus suis, et transivit in Sichimam. Ad cujus adventum erecti habitatores Sichem,	26 Gaal son of Obed, with his brothers, happened to pass through Shechem and win the confidence ofthe leaders of Shechem.
27 egressi sunt in agros, vastantes vineas, uvasque calcantes : et factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui, et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,	27 These went out into the countryside to harvest their vineyards; they trod the grapes and made merryand went into the temple of their god. They ate and drank there and cursed Abimelech.
28 clamante Gaal filio Obed : Quis est Abimelech, et quæ est Sichem, ut serviamus ei ? numquid non est filius Jerobaal, et constituit principem Zebul servum suum super viros Emor patris Sichem ? cur ergo serviemus ei ?	28 Gaal son of Obed said, 'Who is Abimelech, and what is Shechem, for us to be his slaves? Should notJerubbaal's son and his lieutenant, Zebul, be serving the men of Hamor, father of Shechem? Why should we behis slaves?
29 utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech. Dictumque est Abimelech : Congrega exercitus multitudinem, et veni.	29 Who wil put this people under my command, so that I can expel Abimelech? I should say to him,"Reinforce your army and come out!" '
30 Zebul enim princeps civitatis, auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Obed, iratus est valde,	30 Zebul the governor of the town was told what Gaal son of Obed had said, and he was furious.
31 et misit clam ad Abimelech nuntios, dicens : Ecce Gaal filius Obed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis, et oppugnat adversum te civitatem.	31 He sent messengers secretly to Abimelech to say, 'Look! Gaal son of Obed has come to Shechemwith his brothers, and they are stirring up the town against you.
32 Surge itaque nocte cum populo qui tecum est, et latita in agro :	32 So, move under cover of dark, you and the men you have with you, and take up concealed positions inthe countryside;
33 et primo mane, oriente sole, irrue super civitatem. Illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei quod potueris.	33 then in the morning at sunrise, break cover and rush on the town. When Gaal and his supporters comeout to meet you, treat them as occasion offers.'
34 Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte, et tetendit insidias juxta Sichimam in quatuor locis.	34 So Abimelech set off under cover of dark with al his own supporters and took up concealed positionsover against Shechem, in four groups.
35 Egressusque est Gaal filius Obed, et stetit in introitu portæ civitatis. Surrexit autem Abimelech, et omnis exercitus cum eo, de insidiarum loco.	35 As Gaal son of Obed was coming out and pausing at the entrance of the town gate, Abimelech and hissupporters rose from their ambush.
36 Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul : Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit. Cui ille respondit : Umbras montium vides quasi capita hominum, et hoc errore deciperis.	36 Gaal saw these men and said to Zebul, 'Look, there are men coming down from the tops of themountains!' Zebul answered, 'You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men.'
37 Rursumque Gaal ait : Ecce populus de umbilico terræ descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam quæ respicit quercum.	37 But Gaal insisted, 'Look, there are men coming down from the Navel of the Earth and another group iscoming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.'
38 Cui dixit Zebul : Ubi est nunc os tuum, quo loquebaris : Quis est Abimelech ut serviamus ei ? nonne hic populus est, quem despiciebas ? egredere, et pugna contra eum.	38 Zebul then said, 'Where are your mouthings now about "Who is Abimelech, for us to be his slaves?"Are not these the men you made light of? Sally out, then, and fight him.'
39 Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech,	39 Gaal sal ied out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and engaged Abimelech.
40 qui persecutus est eum fugientem, et in urbem compulit : cecideruntque ex parte ejus plurimi, usque ad portam civitatis.	40 Abimelech drove Gaal off, who turned tail, many of his men falling dead before they could reach thegate.
41 Et Abimelech sedit in Ruma : Zebul autem Gaal et socios ejus expulit de urbe, nec in ea passus est commorari.	41 Abimelech then stayed at Aruma, and Zebul expelled Gaal and his brothers and prevented them fromliving in Shechem.
42 Sequenti ergo die, egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nuntiatum esset Abimelech,	42 Next day, when the people went out into the countryside, Abimelech was told of this.
43 tulit exercitum suum, et divisit in tres turmas, tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit, et irruit in eos	43 He took his men, divided them into three groups and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the peopleleaving the town, he bore down on them and slaughtered them.
44 cum cuneo suo, oppugnans et obsidens civitatem : duæ autem turmæ palantes per campum adversarios persequebantur.	44 While Abimelech and his group rushed forward and took position at the entrance to the town gate, thetwo other groups fel on everyone in the fields and slaughtered them.
45 Porro Abimelech omni die illo oppugnabat urbem : quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus ejus, ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.	45 Al that day Abimelech attacked the town. He stormed it and slaughtered the people inside, razed thetown and sowed it with salt.
46 Quod cum audissent qui habitabant in turre Sichimorum, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui Berith, ubi fœdus cum eo pepigerant, et ex eo locus nomen acceperat : qui erat munitus valde.	46 On hearing this, al the leading men inside Migdal-Shechem took refuge in the crypt of the temple ofEl-Berith.
47 Abimelech quoque audiens viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,	47 As soon as Abimelech heard that the leading men inside Migdal-Shechem had al gathered there,
48 ascendit in montem Selmon cum omni populo suo : et arrepta securi, præcidit arboris ramum, impositumque ferens humero, dixit ad socios : Quod me videtis facere, cito facite.	48 he went up Mount Zalmon with al his men. Then taking an axe in his hands, he cut off the branch of atree, picked it up and put it on his shoulder, and said to the men with him, 'Hurry and do what you have seen medo.'
49 Igitur certatim ramos de arboribus præcidentes, sequebantur ducem. Qui circumdantes præsidium, succenderunt : atque ita factum est, ut fumo et igne mille homines necarentur, viri pariter et mulieres, habitatorum turris Sichem.	49 Each of his men similarly cut off a branch; then, following Abimelech, they piled the branches over thecrypt and set it on fire over those who were inside; so that al the people in Migdal-Shechem died too, about athousand men and women.
50 Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod circumdans obsidebat exercitu.	50 Abimelech then marched on Thebez, besieged it and captured it.
51 Erat autem turris excelsa in media civitate, ad quam confugerant simul viri ac mulieres, et omnes principes civitatis, clausa firmissime janua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.	51 In the middle of the town there was a fortified tower in which al the men and women and al theleading men of the town took refuge. They locked the door behind them and climbed up to the roof of the tower.
52 Accedensque Abimelech juxta turrim, pugnabat fortiter : et appropinquans ostio, ignem supponere nitebatur :	52 Abimelech reached the tower and attacked it. As he was approaching the door of the tower to set it onfire,
53 et ecce una mulier fragmen molæ desuper jaciens, illisit capiti Abimelech, et confregit cerebrum ejus.	53 a woman threw down a mil stone on his head and cracked his skull.
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 jussa perficiens, interfecit eum.	54 He instantly cal ed his young armour-bearer and said, 'Draw your sword and kil me, so that it wil notbe said of me that "A woman kil ed him".' His armour-bearer ran him through, and he died.
55 Illoque mortuo, omnes qui cum eo erant de Israël, reversi sunt in sedes suas :	55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they dispersed to their homes.
56 et reddidit Deus malum quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.	56 Thus God made to recoil on Abimelech the evil he had done his father by murdering his seventybrothers,
57 Sichimitis quoque quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Joatham filii Jerobaal.	57 and all the evil that the men of Shechem had done God made recoil on their heads too. And so thecurse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came true for them.