9:1 耶鲁巴耳的儿子阿彼默肋客到舍根去见他的母舅们，对他们和他母家的人说：
Abimelech, son of Jerubbaal, went to his mother’s kinsmen in Shechem, and said to them and to the whole clan to which his mother’s family belonged, 9:2 「请你们问一问舍根所有的公民：是耶鲁巴耳的儿子七十人治理你们好呢﹖还是一个人治理你们好呢﹖你们还要记得：我是你们的骨肉。」
"Put this question to all the citizens of Shechem: 'Which is better for you: that seventy men, or all Jerubbaal’s sons, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?' You must remember that I am your own flesh and bone." 9:3 他的母舅们就替他把这些话传给舍根所有的公民；他们的心都倾向阿彼默肋客，因为他们说：「他确是我们的兄弟!」
When his mother’s kin repeated these words to them on his behalf, all the citizens of Shechem sympathized with Abimelech, thinking, "He is our kinsman." 9:4 他们遂从巴耳贝黎特庙里拿了七十块银钱给他，阿彼默肋客就用这些钱雇了一些放荡无赖之徒跟随他。
They also gave him seventy silver shekels from the temple of Baal of Berith, with which Abimelech hired shiftless men and ruffians as his followers. 9:5 他回到敖弗辣他父亲家里，在一块石头上把自己的兄弟，即耶鲁巴耳的儿子七十人都杀了，只剩下耶鲁巴耳的幼子约堂，因为他藏了起来。
He then went to his ancestral house in Ophrah, and slew his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. Only the youngest son of Jerubbaal, Jotham, escaped, for he was hidden. 9:6 于是舍根所有的公民和贝特米罗人都集合起来，在舍根的纪念碑前那棵橡树下，立阿彼默肋客为王。
Then all the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo came together and proceeded to make Abimelech king by the terebinth at the memorial pillar in Shechem. 9:7 有人将此事告诉了约堂，约堂就上了革黎斤山顶，站在那里，高声向他们喊说：「舍根公民，请你们听我，望天主也听你们!
When this was reported to him, Jotham went to the top of Mount Gerizim, and standing there, cried out to them in a loud voice: "Hear me, citizens of Shechem, that God may then hear you! 9:8 有一次，众树要去立一树为他们的君王，就对橄榄树说：请你作我们的君王!
Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.' 9:9 橄榄树回答说：人用我的油来敬礼神，尊崇人，难道要我放弃出油，而去摇摇在众树之上吗﹖
But the olive tree answered them, 'Must I give up my rich oil, whereby men and gods are honored, and go to wave over the trees?' 9:10 众树又对无花果树说：请你来作我们的君王!
Then the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come; you reign over us!' 9:11 无花果树回答说：难道要我舍掉我的甘甜和美果，而去摇摇在众树之上吗﹖
But the fig tree answered them, 'Must I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave over the trees?' 9:12 众树又对葡萄树说：请你来作我们的君王!
Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come you, and reign over us.' 9:13 葡萄树就回答说：我的新酒悦乐神人，难道要我放弃出产，而去摇摇在众树之上吗﹖
But the vine answered them, 'Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and men, and go to wave over the trees?' 9:14 于是众树对荆棘说：请你来作我们的君王!
Then all the trees said to the buckthorn, 'Come; you reign over us!' 9:15 荆棘对树木答道：若你们真愿立我作你们的君王，来罢!躲在我的荫下；否则，火必从荆棘冒出，吞灭黎巴嫩的香柏木。
But the buckthorn replied to the trees, 'If you wish to anoint me king over you in good faith, come and take refuge in my shadow. Otherwise, let fire come from the buckthorn and devour the cedars of Lebanon.' 9:16 现在，你们立阿彼默肋客为王，如果你们认为作的真诚正直，如果你们认为是善待了耶鲁巴耳和他的家族，如果你们认为你们这样行事，对得起他一手所立的功勋，──
"Now then, if you have acted in good faith and honorably in appointing Abimelech your king, if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and with his family, and if you have treated him as he deserved ? 9:17 因为原是我父亲为你们作战而舍生，把你们由米德杨手中救出来。
for my father fought for you at the risk of his life when he saved you from the power of Midian; 9:18 然而你们今日却来反对我父亲的家族，在一块石头上杀了他的儿子七十人，立他婢女的儿子阿彼默肋客为舍根公民的君王，因为他是你们的弟兄。──
but you have risen against his family this day and have killed his seventy sons upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman ? 9:19 今天如果你们认为以真诚正直对待了耶鲁巴耳和他的家族，那么，你们就因阿彼默肋客而喜乐罢!希望他也因你们而喜乐!
if, then, you have acted in good faith and with honor toward Jerubbaal and his family this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he in turn rejoice in you. 9:20 不然，愿火从阿彼默肋客发出，吞灭舍根的公民和贝特米罗!也愿火从舍根的公民和贝特米罗发出，吞灭阿彼默肋客!」
But if not, let fire come forth from Abimelech to devour the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let fire come forth from the citizens and from Beth-millo to devour Abimelech." 9:21 以后约堂出走，逃到贝尔去了，住在那里，远避他的哥哥阿彼默肋客。
Then Jotham went in flight to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech. 9:22 阿彼默肋客治理以色列三年。
When Abimelech had ruled Israel for three years, 9:23 天主使恶神降在阿彼默肋客和舍根公民中间，舍根的公民便背叛了阿彼默肋客，
God put bad feelings between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who rebelled against Abimelech. 9:24 要报复对耶鲁巴耳七十个儿子的罪行，将他们的血归于他们的兄弟阿彼默肋客，因为是他杀害了他们；也归于舍根的公民，因为他们曾鼓励他杀害自己的兄弟。
This was to repay the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and to avenge their blood upon their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and upon the citizens of Shechem, who encouraged him to kill his brothers. 9:25 舍根公民为反抗他，就在山顶上设下伏兵，抢掠所有路过他们那里的人：有人将这事报告给阿彼默肋客。
The citizens of Shechem then set men in ambush for him on the mountaintops, and these robbed all who passed them on the road. But it was reported to Abimelech. 9:26 那时厄贝得的儿子加阿耳和他同族的人迁徙到舍根，舍根的居民竟信任了他；
Now Gaal, son of Ebed, came over to Shechem with his kinsmen. The citizens of Shechem put their trust in him, 9:27 他们便到田间收葡萄，榨酒，开庆祝会，到他们的神庙里又吃又喝，也咒骂了阿彼默肋客。
and went out into the fields, harvested their grapes and trod them out. Then they held a festival and went to the temple of their god, where they ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. 9:28 厄贝得的儿子加阿耳说：「阿彼默肋客是谁，我们舍根人是谁，我们竟该服侍他﹖岂不是耶鲁巴耳的儿子和官员则步耳，该服侍舍根的始祖哈摩尔的后人吗﹖我们为什么要服侍阿彼默肋客﹖
Gaal, son of Ebed, said, "Who is Abimelech? And why should we of Shechem serve him? Were not the son of Jerubbaal and his lieutenant Zebul once subject to the men of Hamor, father of Shechem? Why should we serve him? 9:29 恨不得这百姓交于我手中，好把阿彼默肋客除掉。我要对阿彼默肋客说：增派你的军队出征罢!」
Would that this people were entrusted to my command! I would depose Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, 'Get a larger army and come out!'" 9:30 则步耳城尉听到厄贝得的儿子加阿耳的话，大发忿怒，
At the news of what Gaal, son of Ebed, had said, Zebul, the ruler of the city, was angry 9:31 遂打发使者去见在阿鲁玛的阿彼默肋客说：「看，厄贝得的儿子加阿耳和他的同族人，来到舍根，挑唆全城反叛你。
and sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah with the information: "Gaal, son of Ebed, and his kinsmen have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. 9:32 所以现在你和跟随你的人夜里要起来，埋伏在田野间，
Now rouse yourself; set an ambush tonight in the fields, you and the men who are with you. 9:33 明天早晨太阳一出来，就攻城。当他和随从他的人出来抵抗你时，你看看怎样好，就怎样对付他。」
Promptly at sunrise tomorrow morning, make a raid on the city. When he and his followers come out against you, deal with him as best you can." 9:34 阿彼默肋客遂同所有跟随他的人夜间起身，分作四队，对着舍根设下埋伏。
During the night Abimelech advanced with all his soldiers and set up an ambush for Shechem in four companies. 9:35 当厄贝得的儿子加阿耳出来，站在城门口时，阿彼默肋客便与随从他的人从埋伏的地方出来，
Gaal, son of Ebed, went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. When Abimelech and his soldiers rose from their place of ambush, 9:36 加阿耳一见这些人就对则步耳说：「看，有人从山顶下来!」则步耳回答他说：「你看见山影，误以为是人!」
Gaal saw them and said to Zebul, "There are men coming down from the hilltops!" But Zebul answered him, "You see the shadow of the hills as men." 9:37 加阿耳接着又说：「看，有人从高地出来，又有一队沿巫士橡树道上前来。」
But Gaal went on to say, "Men are coming down from the region of Tabbur-Haares, and one company is coming by way of Elon-Meonenim." 9:38 则步耳对他说：「现在你的口在那里﹖不是你曾说过：阿彼默肋客是谁，要我们服侍他﹖这不是你所轻视的人吗﹖现在请你出去攻打他罢!」
Zebul said to him, "Where now is the boast you uttered, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men for whom you expressed contempt? Go out now and fight with them." 9:39 加阿耳就在舍根公民之前出去，攻打阿彼默肋客；
So Gaal went out at the head of the citizens of Shechem and fought against Abimelech. 9:40 可是阿彼默肋客一追击他，他就在他面前逃跑了；直到城门有许多伤亡的人。
But Abimelech routed him, and he fled before him; and many fell slain right up to the entrance of the gate. 9:41 以后阿彼默肋客回到阿鲁玛；则步耳将加阿耳和他的同族人赶走，禁止他们住在舍根。
Abimelech returned to Arumah, but Zebul drove Gaal and his kinsmen from Shechem, which they had occupied. 9:42 第二天早晨，人民到田野里去，有人告诉了阿彼默肋客，
The next day, when the people were taking the field, it was reported to Abimelech, 9:43 他于是把自己的人分作三队，叫他们埋伏在田间；他自己窥望，当他看见百姓从城里出来，就冲过去，击杀了他们；
who divided the men he had into three companies, and set up an ambush in the fields. He watched till he saw the people leave the city, and then rose against them for the attack. 9:44 当时阿彼默肋客与跟随他的军队冲过去，把住城门口，而另两队冲向田间的众人，杀了他们。
Abimelech and the company with him dashed in and stood by the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and attacked them. 9:45 那一天，阿彼默肋客整天攻打那城，把城攻下，杀了城中的居民，把城拆毁，撒上盐。
That entire day Abimelech fought against the city, and captured it. He then killed its inhabitants and demolished the city, sowing the site with salt. 9:46 舍根碉堡里的人听见此事，就躲到巴耳贝黎特庙里的地穴里。
When they heard of this, all the citizens of Migdal-shechem went into the crypt of the temple of El-berith. 9:47 有人告诉阿彼默肋客，人民都聚集在舍根碉堡内。
It was reported to Abimelech that all the citizens of Migdal-shechem were gathered together. 9:48 阿彼默肋客和跟随他的人就上了匝耳孟山；阿彼默肋客手里拿着一把斧头，砍了一根树枝，拿起来放在肩上，然后向跟随他的人说：「你们看我作什么，你们也赶快照样去作!」
So he went up Mount Zalmon with all his soldiers, took his axe in his hand, and cut down some brushwood. This he lifted to his shoulder, then said to the men with him, "Hurry! Do just as you have seen me do." 9:49 于是众人都各砍了根树枝，随着阿彼默肋客把树枝堆在地穴上，在地穴上点了火，于是舍根碉堡里所有的人都死了，男女约有一千人。
So all the men likewise cut down brushwood, and following Abimelech, placed it against the crypt. Then they set the crypt on fire over their heads, so that every one of the citizens of Migdal-shechem, about a thousand men and women, perished. 9:50 此后阿彼默肋客往特贝兹去，安营攻打特贝兹，也占据了那城。
Abimelech proceeded to Thebez, which he invested and captured. 9:51 在那城中有一座坚固的碉堡，该城所有的公民，男男女女都跑到那里躲避，关上门，上到碉堡顶上。
Now there was a strong tower in the middle of the city, and all the men and women, in a word all the citizens of the city, fled there, shutting themselves in and going up to the roof of the tower. 9:52 阿彼默肋客来到碉堡前攻打；当他走近碉堡门口，要放火焚烧时，
Abimelech came up to the tower and fought against it, advancing to the very entrance of the tower to set it on fire. 9:53 有一个妇人拋下了一块磨石，正落在阿彼默肋客头上，打碎了他的头盖骨。
But a certain woman cast the upper part of a millstone down on Abimelech’s head, and it fractured his skull. 9:54 他急忙喊叫替他执戟的少年，向他说：「拔出你的刀杀了我罢!免得人讲论我说：一个女子杀了他!」那少年就用刀刺死了他。
He immediately called his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and dispatch me, lest they say of me that a woman killed me." So his attendant ran him through and he died. 9:55 以色列人一见阿彼默肋客死了，各回了本家。
When the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all left for their homes. 9:56 于是天主报复了阿彼默肋客对他父亲所行的恶事，因为他杀了自己的七十个兄弟；
Thus did God requite the evil Abimelech had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 9:57 并且天主也把舍根人的一切恶行归在他们自己的头上：这样耶鲁巴耳的儿子约堂的诅咒，也应验在他们身上。
God also brought all their wickedness home to the Shechemites, for the curse of Jotham, son of Jerubbaal, overtook them.