{1:1} Post mortem Iosue consuluerunt filii Israel Dominum, dicentes: Quis ascendet ante nos contra Chananæum, et erit dux belli?
{1:1} After the death of Joshua, the sons of Israel consulted the Lord, saying, “Who will ascend before us, against the Canaanite, and who will be the commander of the war?”
{1:2} Dixitque Dominus: Iudas ascendet: ecce tradidi Terram in manus eius.
{1:2} And the Lord said: “Judah shall ascend. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hands.”
{1:3} Et ait Iudas Simeoni fratri suo: Ascende mecum in sortem meam, et pugna contra Chananæum, ut et ego pergam tecum in sortem tuam. Et abiit cum eo Simeon.
{1:3} And Judah said to his brother Simeon, “Go up with me to my lot, and fight against the Canaanite, so that I also may go forth with you to your lot.” And Simeon went with him.
{1:4} Ascenditque Iudas, et tradidit Dominus Chananæum, ac Pherezæum in manus eorum: et percusserunt in Bezec decem millia virorum.
{1:4} And Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanite, as well as the Perizzite, into their hands. And they struck down ten thousand of the men at Bezek.
{1:5} Inveneruntque Adonibezec in Bezec, et pugnaverunt contra eum, ac percusserunt Chananæum, et Pherezæum.
{1:5} And they found Adonibezek at Bezek, and they fought against him, and they struck down the Canaanite and the Perizzite.
{1:6} Fugit autem Adonibezec: quem persecuti comprehenderunt, cæsis summitatibus manuum eius ac pedum.
{1:6} Then Adonibezek fled. And they pursued him and captured him, and they cut off the ends of his hands and feet.
{1:7} Dixitque Adonibezec: Septuaginta reges amputatis manuum ac pedum summitatibus colligebant sub mensa mea ciborum reliquias: sicut feci, ita reddidit mihi Deus. Adduxeruntque eum in Ierusalem, et ibi mortuus est.
{1:7} And Adonibezek said: “Seventy kings, with the ends of their hands and feet amputated, have been gathering the remnants of food under my table. Just as I have done, so has God repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
{1:8} Oppugnantes ergo filii Iuda Ierusalem, ceperunt eam, et percusserunt in ore gladii, tradentes cunctam incendio civitatem.
{1:8} Then the sons of Judah, besieging Jerusalem, seized it. And they struck it with edge of the sword, delivering the entire city to be burned.
{1:9} Et postea descendentes pugnaverunt contra Chananæum, qui habitabat in montanis, et ad meridiem, et in campestribus.
{1:9} And afterward, descending, they fought against the Canaanites who were living in the mountains, and in the south, and in the plains.
{1:10} Pergensque Iudas contra Chananæum, qui habitabat in Hebron, (cuius nomen fuit antiquitus Cariatharbe) percussit Sesai, et Ahiman, et Tholmai:
{1:10} And Judah, going forth against the Canaanites who were living at Hebron, (the name of which from antiquity was Kiriath-Arba) struck down Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai.
{1:11} atque inde profectus abiit ad habitatores Dabir, cuius nomen vetus erat Cariath Sepher, id est, civitas litterarum.
{1:11} And continuing on from there, he went to the inhabitants of Debir, the old name of which was Kiriath-Sepher, that is, the City of Letters.
{1:12} Dixitque Caleb: Qui percusserit Cariath Sepher, et vastaverit eam, dabo ei Axam filiam meam uxorem.
{1:12} And Caleb said, “Whoever will strike Kiriath-Sepher, and will lay waste to it, I will give to him my daughter Achsah as wife.”
{1:13} Cumque cepisset eam Othoniel filius Cenez frater Caleb minor, dedit ei Axam filiam suam coniugem.
{1:13} And when Othniel, the son of Kenaz, a younger brother of Caleb, had seized it, he gave his daughter Achsah to him in marriage.
{1:14} Quam pergentem in itinere monuit vir suus ut peteret a patre suo agrum. Quæ cum suspirasset sedens in asino, dixit ei Caleb: Quid habes?
{1:14} And as she was traveling on a journey, her husband admonished her, so that she would request a field from her father. And since she had sighed while sitting on her donkey, Caleb said to her, “What is it?”
{1:15} At illa respondit: Da mihi benedictionem, quia terram arentem dedisti mihi: da et irriguam aquis. Dedit ergo ei Caleb irriguum superius, et irriguum inferius.
{1:15} But she responded: “Give a blessing to me. For you have given me a dry land. Also give a watered land.” Therefore, Caleb gave to her the upper watered land and the lower watered land.
{1:16} Filii autem Cinæi cognati Moysi ascenderunt de Civitate Palmarum, cum filiis Iuda in desertum sortis eius, quod est ad meridiem Arad, et habitaverunt cum eo.
{1:16} Now the sons of the Kenite, the relative of Moses, ascended from the City of Palms, with the sons of Judah, into the wilderness of his lot, which is toward the south of Arad. And they lived with him.
{1:17} Abiit autem Iudas cum Simeone fratre suo, et percusserunt simul Chananæum qui habitabat in Sephaath, et interfecerunt eum. Vocatumque est nomen urbis, Horma, id est, anathema.
{1:17} Then Judah went out with his brother Simeon, and together they struck the Canaanites who were living at Zephath, and they put them to death. And the name of the city was called Hormah, that is, Anathema.
{1:18} Cepitque Iudas Gazam cum finibus suis, et Ascalonem, atque Accaron cum terminis suis.
{1:18} And Judah seized Gaza, with its parts, and Ashkelon as well as Ekron, with their borders.
{1:19} Fuitque Dominus cum Iuda, et montana possedit: nec potuit delere habitatores vallis, quia falcatis curribus abundabant.
{1:19} And the Lord was with Judah, and he possessed the mountains. But he was not able to wipe out the inhabitants of the valley. For they abounded with chariots armed with scythes.
{1:20} Dederuntque Caleb Hebron, sicut dixerat Moyses, qui delevit ex ea tres filios Enac.
{1:20} And just as Moses had said, they gave Hebron to Caleb, who destroyed out of it the three sons of Anak.
{1:21} Iebusæum autem habitatorem Ierusalem non deleverunt filii Beniamin: habitavitque Iebusæus cum filiis Beniamin in Ierusalem, usque in præsentem diem.
{1:21} But the sons of Benjamin did not wipe out the Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem. And the Jebusite has lived with the sons of Benjamin in Jerusalem, even to the present day.
{1:22} Domus quoque Ioseph ascendit in Bethel, fuitque Dominus cum eis.
{1:22} The house of Joseph also ascended against Bethel, and the Lord was with them.
{1:23} Nam cum obsiderent urbem, quæ prius Luza vocabatur,
{1:23} For when they were besieging the city, which was previously called Luz,
{1:24} viderunt hominem egredientem de civitate, dixeruntque ad eum: Ostende nobis introitum civitatis, et faciemus tecum misericordiam.
{1:24} they saw a man departing from the city, and they said to him, “Reveal to us the entrance to the city, and we will act with mercy toward you.”
{1:25} Qui cum ostendisset eis, percusserunt urbem in ore gladii: hominem autem illum, et omnem cognationem eius dimiserunt.
{1:25} And when he had revealed it to them, they struck the city with the edge of the sword. But that man, and all his relatives, they released.
{1:26} Qui dimissus, abiit in Terram Hetthim, et ædificavit ibi civitatem, vocavitque eam Luzam: quæ ita appellatur usque in præsentem diem.
{1:26} And having been sent away, he went out to the land of the Hittites, and he built a city there, and he called it Luz. And so it is called, even to the present day.
{1:27} Manasses quoque non delevit Bethsan, et Thanac cum viculis suis, et habitatores Dor, et Ieblaam, et Mageddo cum viculis suis, cœpitque Chananæus habitare cum eis.
{1:27} Likewise, Manasseh did not destroy Bethshean and Taanach, with their villages, nor the inhabitants of Dor and Ibleam and Megiddo, with their villages. And the Canaanite began to live with them.
{1:28} Postquam autem confortatus est Israel, fecit eos tributarios, et delere noluit.
{1:28} Then, after Israel had grown strong, he made them tributaries, but he was not willing to destroy them.
{1:29} Ephraim etiam non interfecit Chananæum, qui habitabat in Gazer, sed habitavit cum eo.
{1:29} And now Ephraim did not put to death the Canaanite, who was living at Gezer; instead, he lived with him.
{1:30} Zabulon non delevit habitatores Cetron, et Naalol: sed habitavit Chananæus in medio eius, factusque est ei tributarius.
{1:30} Zebulun did not wipe out the inhabitants of Kitron and of Nahalal. Instead, the Canaanite lived in their midst and became their tributary.
{1:31} Aser quoque non delevit habitatores Accho, et Sidonis, Ahalab, et Achazib, et Helba, et Aphec, et Rohob:
{1:31} Likewise, Asher did not destroy the inhabitants of Acco and Sidon, Ahlab and Achzib, and Helbah, and Aphik, and Rehob.
{1:32} habitavitque in medio Chananæi habitatoris illius terræ, nec interfecit eum.
{1:32} And he lived in the midst of the Canaanites, the inhabitants of that land, for he did not put them to death.
{1:33} Nephthali quoque non delevit habitatores Bethsames, et Bethanath: et habitavit inter Chananæum habitatorem Terræ, fueruntque ei Bethsamitæ et Bethanitæ tributarii.
{1:33} Naphtali also did not wipe out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh and Bethanath. And he lived among the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. And the Beth-shemeshites and Bethanathites were tributaries to him.
{1:34} Arctavitque Amorrhæus filios Dan in monte, nec dedit eis locum ut ad planiora descenderent:
{1:34} And the Amorite hemmed in the sons of Dan on the mountain, and did not give them a place, so that they might descend to the flatlands.
{1:35} habitavitque in monte Hares, quod interpretatur testaceo, in Aialon et Salebim. Et aggravata est manus domus Ioseph, factusque est ei tributarius.
{1:35} And he lived on the mountain at Har-heres, which is translated as ‘resembling brick,’ and at Aijalon and Sha-alabbin. But the hand of the house of Joseph was very heavy, and he became a tributary to him.
{1:36} Fuit autem terminus Amorrhæi ab Ascensu Scorpionis, Petra, et superiora loca.
{1:36} Now the border of the Amorite was from the Ascent of the Scorpion, to the Rock and the higher places.
{2:1} Ascenditque Angelus Domini de Galgalis ad Locum Flentium, et ait: Eduxi vos de Ægypto, et introduxi in Terram, pro qua iuravi patribus vestris: et pollicitus sum ut non facerem irritum pactum meum vobiscum in sempiternum:
{2:1} And an Angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to the Place of Weeping, and he said: “I led you away from Egypt, and I led you into the land, about which I swore to your fathers. And I promised that I would not nullify my covenant with you, even forever:
{2:2} ita dumtaxat ut non feriretis fœdus cum habitatoribus Terræ huius, sed aras eorum subverteretis: et noluistis audire vocem meam: cur hoc fecistis?
{2:2} but only if you would not form a pact with the inhabitants of this land. Instead, you should overturn their altars. Yet you were not willing to listen to my voice. Why have you done this?
{2:3} Quam ob rem nolui delere eos a facie vestra: ut habeatis hostes, et dii eorum sint vobis in ruinam.
{2:3} For this reason, I am not willing to destroy them before your face, so that you may have enemies, and so that their gods may be your ruin.”
{2:4} Cumque loqueretur Angelus Domini hæc verba ad omnes filios Israel: elevaverunt ipsi vocem suam, et fleverunt.
{2:4} And when the Angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, they lifted up their voice, and they wept.
{2:5} Et vocatum est nomen loci illius: Locus flentium, sive lacrymarum: immolaveruntque ibi hostias Domini.
{2:5} And the name of that place was called, the Place of Weeping, or the Place of Tears. And they immolated victims to the Lord in that place.
{2:6} Dimisit ergo Iosue populum, et abierunt filii Israel unusquisque in possessionem suam, ut obtinerent eam:
{2:6} Then Joshua dismissed the people, and the sons of Israel went away, each one to his own possession, so that they might obtain it.
{2:7} servieruntque Domino cunctis diebus eius, et seniorum, qui longo post eum vixerunt tempore, et noverant omnia opera Domini, quæ fecerat cum Israel.
{2:7} And they served the Lord, during all his days, and during all the days of the elders, who lived for a long time after him, and who knew all the works of the Lord, which he had done for Israel.
{2:8} Mortuus est autem Iosue filius Nun, famulus Domini, centum et decem annorum,
{2:8} Then Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred and ten years old.
{2:9} et sepelierunt eum in finibus possessionis suæ in Thamnathsare in monte Ephraim, a Septentrionali plaga montis Gaas.
{2:9} And they buried him in the parts of his possession at Timnath-Serah, on Mount Ephraim, before the northern side of Mount Gaash.
{2:10} Omnisque illa generatio congregata est ad patres suos: et surrexerunt alii, qui non noverant Dominum, et opera quæ fecerat cum Israel.
{2:10} And that entire generation was gathered to their fathers. And there rose up others, who had not known the Lord and the works that he had done for Israel.
{2:11} Feceruntque filii Israel malum in conspectu Domini, et servierunt Baalim.
{2:11} And the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they served the Baals.
{2:12} Ac dimiserunt Dominum Deum patrum suorum, qui eduxerat eos de Terra Ægypti: et secuti sunt deos alienos, deosque populorum, qui habitabant in circuitu eorum, et adoraverunt eos: et ad iracundiam concitaverunt Dominum,
{2:12} And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had led them away from the land of Egypt. And they followed foreign gods and the gods of the peoples who were living around them, and they adored them. And they provoked the Lord to wrath,
{2:13} dimittentes eum, et servientes Baal et Astaroth.
{2:13} forsaking him, and serving Baal and Ashtaroth.
{2:14} Iratusque Dominus contra Israel, tradidit eos in manus diripientium: qui ceperunt eos, et vendiderunt hostibus, qui habitabant per gyrum: nec potuerunt resistere adversariis suis:
{2:14} And the Lord, having become angry against Israel, delivered them into the hands of plunderers, who seized them and sold them to the enemies that were living on all sides. Neither were they able to withstand their adversaries.
{2:15} sed quocumque pergere voluissent, manus Domini super eos erat, sicut locutus est, et iuravit eis: et vehementer afflicti sunt.
{2:15} Instead, wherever they wanted to go, the hand of the Lord was upon them, just as he said and just as he swore to them. And they were greatly afflicted.
{2:16} Suscitavitque Dominus iudices, qui liberarent eos de vastantium manibus: sed nec eos audire voluerunt,
{2:16} And the Lord raised up judges, who would free them from the hands of their oppressors. But they were not willing to listen to them.
{2:17} fornicantes cum diis alienis, et adorantes eos. Cito deseruerunt viam, per quam ingressi fuerant patres eorum: et audientes mandata Domini, omnia fecere contraria.
{2:17} Fornicating with foreign gods and adoring them, they quickly deserted the way along which their fathers had advanced. And having heard the commandments of the Lord, they did all things to the contrary.
{2:18} Cumque Dominus iudices suscitaret, in diebus eorum flectebatur misericordia, et audiebat afflictorum gemitus, et liberabat eos de cæde vastantium.
{2:18} And while the Lord was raising up the judges, in their days, he was moved to mercy, and he listened to the groaning of the afflicted, and he freed them from the slaughter of their oppressors.
{2:19} Postquam autem mortuus esset iudex, revertebantur, et multo faciebant peiora quam fecerant patres eorum, sequentes deos alienos, servientes eis, et adorantes illos. Non dimiserunt adinventiones suas, et viam durissimam, per quam ambulare consueverunt.
{2:19} But after a judge had died, they turned back, and they were doing much worse things than their fathers had done, following strange gods, serving them, and adoring them. They did not abandon their pursuits and their very stubborn way, by which they were accustomed to walk.
{2:20} Iratusque est furor Domini in Israel, et ait: Quia irritum fecit gens ista pactum meum, quod pepigeram cum patribus eorum, et vocem meam audire contempsit:
{2:20} And the fury of the Lord was enraged against Israel, and he said: “For this people has made void my covenant, which I had formed with their fathers, and they have despised listening to my voice.
{2:21} et ego non delebo gentes, quas dimisit Iosue, et mortuus est:
{2:21} And so, I will not destroy the nations that Joshua left behind when he died,
{2:22} ut in ipsis experiar Israel, utrum custodiant viam Domini, et ambulent in ea, sicut custodierunt patres eorum, an non.
{2:22} so that, by them, I may test Israel, as to whether or not they will keep the way of the Lord, and walk in it, just as their fathers kept it.”
{2:23} Dimisit ergo Dominus omnes nationes has, et cito subvertere noluit, nec tradidit in manus Iosue.
{2:23} Therefore, the Lord left all these nations, and he was not willing to quickly overthrow them, nor did he deliver them into the hands of Joshua.
{3:1} Hæ sunt gentes, quas Dominus dereliquit, ut erudiret in eis Israelem, et omnes, qui non noverant bella Chananæorum:
{3:1} These are the nations which the Lord left, so that by them he might instruct Israel and all who had not known the wars of the Canaanites,
{3:2} ut postea discerent filii eorum certare cum hostibus, et habere consuetudinem præliandi:
{3:2} so that afterward their sons might learn to contend with their enemies, and to have a willingness to do battle:
{3:3} quinque satrapas Philisthinorum, omnemque Chananæum, et Sidonium, atque Hevæum, qui habitabat in monte Libano, de monte Baal Hermon usque ad introitum Emath.
{3:3} the five princes of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites who were living on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-Hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath.
{3:4} Dimisitque eos, ut in ipsis experiretur Israelem, utrum audiret mandata Domini quæ præceperat patribus eorum per manum Moysi, an non.
{3:4} And he left them, so that by them he might test Israel, as to whether or not they would listen to the commandments of the Lord, which he instructed to their fathers by the hand of Moses.
{3:5} Itaque filii Israel habitaverunt in medio Chananæi, et Hethæi, et Amorrhæi, et Pherezæi, et Hevæi, et Iebusæi:
{3:5} And so, the sons of Israel lived in the midst of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
{3:6} et duxerunt uxores filias eorum, ipsique filias suas filiis eorum tradiderunt, et servierunt diis eorum.
{3:6} And they took their daughters as wives, and they gave their own daughters to their sons, and they served their gods.
{3:7} Feceruntque malum in conspectu Domini, et obliti sunt Dei sui, servientes Baalim et Astaroth.
{3:7} And they did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they forgot their God, while serving the Baals and Ashtaroth.
{3:8} Iratusque contra Israel Dominus, tradidit eos in manus Chusan Rasathaim regis Mesopotamiæ, servieruntque ei octo annis.
{3:8} And the Lord, having become angry with Israel, delivered them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Mesopotamia, and they served him for eight years.
{3:9} Et clamaverunt ad Dominum: qui suscitavit eis salvatorem, et liberavit eos, Othoniel videlicet filium Cenez, fratrem Caleb minorem:
{3:9} And they cried out to the Lord, who raised up for them a savior, and he freed them, namely, Othniel, the son of Kenaz, a younger brother of Caleb.
{3:10} fuitque in eo Spiritus Domini, et iudicavit Israel. Egressusque est ad pugnam, et tradidit Dominus in manus eius Chusan Rasathaim regem Syriæ, et oppressit eum.
{3:10} And the Spirit of the Lord was in him, and he judged Israel. And he went out to fight, and the Lord delivered Cushan-Rishathaim, the king of Syria, and he overwhelmed him.
{3:11} Quievitque terra quadraginta annis, et mortuus est Othoniel filius Cenez.
{3:11} And the land was quiet for forty years. And Othniel, the son of Kenaz, died.
{3:12} Addiderunt autem filii Israel facere malum in conspectu Domini: qui confortavit adversum eos Eglon regem Moab: quia fecerunt malum in conspectu eius.
{3:12} Then the sons of Israel resumed doing evil in the sight of the Lord, who strengthened Eglon, the king of Moab, against them because they did evil in his sight.
{3:13} Et copulavit ei filios Ammon, et Amalec: abiitque et percussit Israel, atque possedit Urbem Palmarum.
{3:13} And he joined to him the sons of Ammon and the sons of Amalek. And he went forth and struck Israel, and he possessed the City of Palms.
{3:14} Servieruntque filii Israel Eglon regi Moab decem et octo annis:
{3:14} And the sons of Israel served Eglon, the king of Moab, for eighteen years.
{3:15} et postea clamaverunt ad Dominum: qui suscitavit eis salvatorem vocabulo Aod, filium Gera, filii Iemini, qui utraque manu pro dextera utebatur. Miseruntque filii Israel per illum munera Eglon regi Moab.
{3:15} And afterward, they cried out to the Lord, who raised up for them a savior, called Ehud, the son of Gera, the son of Benjamin, who used either hand as well as the right hand. And the sons of Israel sent gifts to Eglon, the king of Moab, by him.
{3:16} Qui fecit sibi gladium ancipitem, habentem in medio capulum longitudinis palmæ manus, et accinctus est eo subter sagum in dextro femore.
{3:16} And he made for himself a two-edged sword, having a handle, reaching to the middle, the length of the palm of a hand. And he was girded with it under his cloak, on the right thigh.
{3:17} Obtulitque munera Eglon regi Moab. Erat autem Eglon crassus nimis.
{3:17} And he offered the gifts to Eglon, the king of Moab. Now Eglon was exceedingly fat.
{3:18} Cumque obtulisset ei munera, prosecutus est socios, qui cum eo venerant.
{3:18} And when he had presented the gifts to him, he followed out his companions, who had arrived with him.
{3:19} Et reversus de Galgalis, ubi erant idola, dixit ad Regem: Verbum secretum habeo ad te, o Rex. Et ille imperavit silentium: egressisque omnibus, qui circa eum erant,
{3:19} And then, returning from Gilgal where the idols were, he said to the king, “I have a secret word for you, O king.” And he ordered silence. And when all those who were around him had departed,
~ Ehud presented the gifts to the king. Then he followed the companions of the king as they left the presence of the king to go out to Gilgal, where the idols were. They were perhaps thanking their gods for a successful visit with the king. Since Ehud was returning from Gilgal, the king may have assumed that Ehud had received some kind of message from the idols (the pagan gods) there. Thus he was willing to listen to Ehud alone.
{3:20} ingressus est Aod ad eum: sedebat autem in æstivo cœnaculo solus, dixitque: Verbum Dei habeo ad te. Qui statim surrexit de throno.
{3:20} Ehud entered to him. Now he was sitting alone in a summer upper room. And he said, “I have a word from God to you.” And immediately he rose up from his throne.
{3:21} Extenditque Aod sinistram manum, et tulit sicam de dextro femore suo, infixitque eam in ventre eius
{3:21} And Ehud extended his left hand, and he took the dagger from his right thigh. And he thrust it into his abdomen
{3:22} tam valide, ut capulus sequeretur ferrum in vulnere, ac pinguissimo adipe stringeretur. Nec eduxit gladium, sed ita ut percusserat, reliquit in corpore: statimque per secreta naturæ alvi stercora proruperunt.
{3:22} so strongly that the handle followed the blade into the wound, and was enclosed by the great amount of fat. Neither did he withdraw the sword. Instead, he left it in the body just as he had struck with it. And immediately, by the private parts of nature, the filth of the bowels went out.
{3:23} Aod autem clausis diligentissime ostiis cœnaculi, et obfirmatis sera,
{3:23} Then Ehud carefully closed the doors of the upper room. And securing the bars,
{3:24} per posticum egressus est. Servique regis ingressi viderunt clausas fores cœnaculi, atque dixerunt: Forsitan purgat alvum in æstivo cubiculo.
{3:24} he departed by a back exit. And the servants of the king, entering, saw that the doors of the upper room were closed, and they said, “Perhaps he is emptying his bowels in the summer room.”
~ The servants drew this conclusion because of the locked door and the smell.
{3:25} Expectantesque diu donec erubescerent, et videntes quod nullus aperiret, tulerunt clavem: et aperientes invenerunt dominum suum in terra iacentem mortuum.
{3:25} And after waiting a long time, until they were embarrassed, and seeing that no one opened the door, they took the key, and opening it, they found their lord lying dead on the ground.
{3:26} Aod autem, dum illi turbarentur, effugit, et pertransiit locum idolorum, unde reversus fuerat. Venitque in Seirath:
{3:26} But Ehud, while they were in confusion, escaped and passed by the place of the idols, from which he had returned. And he arrived at Seirath.
{3:27} et statim insonuit buccina in monte Ephraim: descenderuntque cum eo filii Israel, ipso in fronte gradiente.
{3:27} And immediately he sounded the trumpet on Mount Ephraim. And the sons of Israel descended with him, he himself advancing at the front.
{3:28} Qui dixit ad eos: Sequimini me: tradidit enim Dominus inimicos nostros Moabitas in manus nostras. Descenderuntque post eum, et occupaverunt vada Iordanis quæ transmittunt in Moab: et non dimiserunt transire quemquam:
{3:28} And he said to them: “Follow me. For the Lord has delivered our enemies, the Moabites, into our hands.” And they descended after him, and they occupied the fords of the Jordan, which cross over to Moab. And they did not permit anyone to cross.
{3:29} sed percusserunt Moabitas in tempore illo, circiter decem millia, omnes robustos et fortes viros. Nullus eorum evadere potuit.
{3:29} And so, they struck down the Moabites at that time, about ten thousand, all strong and robust men. None of them were able to escape.
{3:30} Humiliatusque est Moab in die illo sub manu Israel: et quievit Terra octoginta annis.
{3:30} And Moab was humbled in that day under the hand of Israel. And the land was quiet for eighty years.
{3:31} Post hunc fuit Samgar filius Anath, qui percussit de Philisthiim sexcentos viros vomere: et ipse quoque defendit Israel.
{3:31} After him, there was Shamgar, the son of Anath, who struck down six hundred men of the Philistines with a plowshare. And he also defended Israel.
{4:1} Addideruntque filii Israel facere malum in conspectu Domini post mortem Aod,
{4:1} But after the death of Ehud, the sons of Israel resumed doing evil in the sight of the Lord.
{4:2} et tradidit illos Dominus in manus Iabin regis Chanaan, qui regnavit in Asor: habuitque ducem exercitus sui nomine Sisaram, ipse autem habitabat in Haroseth Gentium.
{4:2} And the Lord delivered them into the hands of Jabin, the king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor. And he had a commander of his army named Sisera, but this man lived at Harosheth of the Gentiles.
{4:3} Clamaveruntque filii Israel ad Dominum: nongentos enim habebat falcatos currus, et per viginti annos vehementer oppresserat eos.
{4:3} And the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. For he had nine hundred chariots with scythes, and he vehemently oppressed them for twenty years.
{4:4} Erat autem Debbora prophetis uxor Lapidoth, quæ iudicabat populum in illo tempore.
{4:4} Now there was a prophetess, Deborah, the wife of Lappidoth, who judged the people in that time.
{4:5} Et sedebat sub palma, quæ nomine illius vocabatur, inter Rama et Bethel in monte Ephraim: ascendebantque ad eam filii Israel in omne iudicium.
{4:5} And she was sitting under a palm tree, which was called by her name, between Ramah and Bethel, on Mount Ephraim. And the sons of Israel went up to her for every judgment.
{4:6} Quæ misit et vocavit Barac filium Abinoem de Cedes Nephthali: dixitque ad eum: Præcepit tibi Dominus Deus Israel, vade, et duc exercitum in montem Thabor, tollesque tecum decem millia pugnatorum de filiis Nephthali, et de filiis Zabulon:
{4:6} And she sent and called Barak, the son of Abinoam, from Kedesh of Naphtali. And she said to him: “The Lord, the God of Israel, instructs you: ‘Go and lead an army to Mount Tabor, and you shall take with you ten thousand fighting men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun.
{4:7} ego autem adducam ad te in loco torrentis Cison, Sisaram principem exercitus Iabin, et currus eius, atque omnem multitudinem, et tradam eos in manu tua.
{4:7} Then I will lead to you, at the place of the torrent Kishon, Sisera, the leader of the army of Jabin, with his chariots and the entire multitude. And I will deliver them into your hand.’ ”
{4:8} Dixitque ad eam Barac: Si venis mecum, vadam: si nolueris venire mecum, non pergam.
{4:8} And Barak said to her: “If you will come with me, I will go. If you are not willing to come with me, I will not go.”
{4:9} Quæ dixit ad eum: Ibo quidem tecum, sed in hac vice victoria non reputabitur tibi, quia in manu mulieris tradetur Sisara. Surrexit itaque Debbora, et perrexit cum Barac in Cedes.
{4:9} She said to him: “Indeed, I will go with you. But due to this change, the victory shall not be reputed to you. And so Sisera will be delivered into the hand of a woman.” Therefore, Deborah rose up, and she traveled with Barak to Kedesh.
{4:10} Qui, accitis Zabulon et Nephthali, ascendit cum decem millibus pugnatorum, habens Debboram in comitatu suo.
{4:10} And he, summoning Zebulun and Naphtali, ascended with ten thousand fighting men, having Deborah in his company.
{4:11} Haber autem Cinæus recesserat quondam a ceteris Cinæis fratribus suis filiis Hobab, cognati Moysi: et tetenderat tabernacula usque ad vallem, quæ vocatur Sennim, et erat iuxta Cedes.
{4:11} Now Heber, the Kenite, had previously withdrawn from the rest of the Kenites, his brothers, the sons of Hobab, the relative of Moses. And he had pitched his tents as far as the valley that is called Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.
{4:12} Nunciatumque est Sisaræ quod ascendisset Barac filius Abinoem, in montem Thabor:
{4:12} And it was reported to Sisera that Barak, the son of Abinoam, had ascended to Mount Tabor.
{4:13} et congregavit nongentos falcatos currus, et omnem exercitum de Haroseth Gentium ad torrentem Cison.
{4:13} And he gathered together the nine hundred chariots with scythes, and the entire army, from Harosheth of the Gentiles to the torrent Kishon.
{4:14} Dixitque Debbora ad Barac: Surge, hæc est enim dies, in qua tradidit Dominus Sisaram in manus tuas: en ipse ductor est tuus. Descendit itaque Barac de monte Thabor, et decem millia pugnatorum cum eo.
{4:14} And Deborah said to Barak: “Rise up. For this is the day on which the Lord delivers Sisera into your hands. For he is your commander.” And so, Barak descended from Mount Tabor, and the ten thousand fighting men with him.
{4:15} Perterruitque Dominus Sisaram, et omnes currus eius, universamque multitudinem in ore gladii ad conspectum Barac: in tantum, ut Sisara de curru desiliens, pedibus fugeret,
{4:15} And the Lord struck Sisera with great fear, and all his chariots and all his multitude with the edge of the sword, in the sight of Barak, so much so that Sisera, leaping from his chariot, fled on foot.
{4:16} et Barac persequeretur fugientes currus, et exercitum usque ad Haroseth Gentium, et omnis hostium multitudo usque ad internecionem caderet.
{4:16} And Barak pursued the fleeing chariots, and the army, as far as Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the entire multitude of the enemy was cut down, unto utter annihilation.
{4:17} Sisara autem fugiens pervenit ad tentorium Iahel, uxoris Haber Cinæi. Erat enim pax inter Iabin regem Asor, et domum Haber Cinæi.
{4:17} But Sisera, while fleeing, arrived at the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber, the Kenite. For there was peace between Jabin, the king of Hazor, and the house of Heber, the Kenite.
{4:18} Egressa igitur Iahel in occursum Sisaræ, dixit ad eum: Intra ad me, domine mi: intra, ne timeas. Qui ingressus tabernaculum eius, et opertus ab ea pallio,
{4:18} Therefore, Jael went out to meet Sisera, and she said to him: “Enter to me, my lord. Enter, you should not be afraid.” And he entered her tent, and having been covered by her with a cloak,
{4:19} dixit ad eam: Da mihi, obsecro, paululum aquæ, quia sitio valde. Quæ aperuit utrem lactis, et dedit ei bibere, et operuit illum.
{4:19} he said to her: “Give me, I beg you, a little water. For I am very thirsty.” And she opened a bottle of milk, and she gave him to drink. And she covered him.
{4:20} Dixitque Sisara ad eam: Sta ante ostium tabernaculi: et cum venerit aliquis interrogans te, et dicens: Numquid hic est aliquis? Respondebis: Nullus est.
{4:20} And Sisera said to her: “Stand before the door of the tent. And if anyone arrives, questioning you and saying, ‘Could there be any man here?’ you shall respond, ‘There is no one.’ ”
{4:21} Tulit itaque Iahel uxor Haber clavum tabernaculi, assumens pariter et malleum: et ingressa abscondite, et cum silentio posuit supra tempus capitis eius clavum, percussumque malleo defixit in cerebrum usque ad terram: qui soporem morti consocians defecit, et mortuus est.
{4:21} And so Jael, the wife of Heber, took a spike from the tent, and also took a mallet. And entering unseen and with silence, she placed the spike over the temple of his head. And striking it with the mallet, she drove it through his brain, as far as the ground. And so, joining deep sleep to death, he fell unconscious and died.
{4:22} Et ecce Barac sequens Sisaram veniebat: egressaque Iahel in occursum eius, dixit ei: Veni, et ostendam tibi virum, quem quæris. Qui cum intrasset ad eam, vidit Sisaram iacentem mortuum, et clavum infixum in tempore eius.
{4:22} And behold, Barak arrived, in pursuit of Sisera. And Jael, going out to meet him, said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And when he had entered her tent, he saw Sisera lying dead, with the spike fixed in his temples.
{4:23} Humiliavit ergo Deus in die illo Iabin regem Chanaan coram filiis Israel:
{4:23} Thus did God humble Jabin, the king of Canaan, on that day, before the sons of Israel.
{4:24} qui crescebant quotidie, et forti manu opprimebant Iabin regem Chanaan, donec delerent eum.
{4:24} And they increased every day. And with a strong hand they overpowered Jabin, the king of Canaan, until they wiped him out.
{5:1} Cecineruntque Debbora et Barac filius Abinoem in illo die, dicentes:
{5:1} In that day, Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam, sang out, saying:
{5:2} Qui sponte obtulistis de Israel animas vestras ad periculum, benedicite Domino.
{5:2} “All you of Israel who have willingly offered your lives to danger, bless the Lord!
{5:3} Audite reges, auribus percipite principes: Ego sum, ego sum quæ Domino canam, psallam Domino Deo Israel.
{5:3} Listen, O kings! Pay attention, O princes! It is I, it is I, who will sing to the Lord. I will sing a psalm to the Lord, the God of Israel!
{5:4} Domine cum exires de Seir, et transires per regiones Edom, terra mota est, cælique ac nubes distillaverunt aquis.
{5:4} O Lord, when you departed from Seir, and you crossed through the regions of Edom, the earth and the heavens were moved, and the clouds rained down water.
{5:5} Montes fluxerunt a facie Domini, et Sinai a facie Domini Dei Israel.
{5:5} The mountains flowed away before the face of the Lord, and Sinai, before the face of the Lord God of Israel.
{5:6} In diebus Samgar filii Anath, in diebus Iahel quieverunt semitæ: et qui ingrediebantur per eas, ambulaverunt per calles devios.
{5:6} In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the paths were quiet. And whoever entered by them, walked along rough byways.
{5:7} Cessaverunt fortes in Israel, et quieverunt: donec surgeret Debbora, surgeret mater in Israel.
{5:7} The strong men ceased, and they rested in Israel, until Deborah rose up, until a mother rose up in Israel.
{5:8} Nova bella elegit Dominus, et portas hostium ipse subvertit: clypeus et hasta si apparuerint in quadraginta millibus Israel.
{5:8} The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overturned the gates of the enemies. A shield with a spear was not seen among the forty thousand of Israel.
{5:9} Cor meum diligit principes Israel: qui propria voluntate obtulistis vos discrimini, benedicite Domino.
{5:9} My heart loves the leaders of Israel. All you who, of your own free will, offered yourselves during a crisis, bless the Lord.
{5:10} Qui ascenditis super nitentes asinos, et sedetis in iudicio, et ambulatis in via, loquimini.
{5:10} You who ride upon donkeys laboring, and you who sit in judgment, and you who walk along the way, speak out.
{5:11} Ubi collisi sunt currus, et hostium suffocatus est exercitus, ibi narrentur iustitiæ Domini et clementia in fortes Israel: tunc descendit populus Domini ad portas, et obtinuit principatum.
{5:11} Where the chariots were struck together, and the army of the enemies was choked, in that place, let the justices of the Lord be described, and let his clemency be for the brave of Israel. Then did the people of the Lord descend to the gates, and obtain leadership.
{5:12} Surge, surge Debbora, surge, surge, et loquere canticum: surge Barac, et apprehende captivos tuos fili Abinoem.
{5:12} Rise up, rise up, O Deborah! Rise up, rise up, and speak a canticle! Rise up, Barak, and seize your captives, O son of Abinoam.
{5:13} Salvatæ sunt reliquiæ populi, Dominus in fortibus dimicavit.
{5:13} The remnants of the people were saved. The Lord contended with the strong.
{5:14} Ex Ephraim delevit eos in Amalec, et post eum ex Beniamin in populos tuos, o Amalec: de Machir principes descenderunt, et de Zabulon qui exercitum ducerent ad bellandum.
{5:14} Out of Ephraim, he destroyed those with Amalek, and after him, out of Benjamin, those of your people, O Amalek. From Machir, there descended leaders, and from Zebulun, those who led the army to war.
{5:15} Duces Issachar fuere cum Debbora, et Barac vestigia sunt secuti, qui quasi in præceps ac barathrum se discrimini dedit: diviso contra se Ruben, magnanimorum reperta est contentio.
{5:15} The commanders of Issachar were with Deborah, and they followed the steps of Barak, who endangered himself, like one rushing headlong into a chasm. Reuben was divided against himself. Contention was found among great souls.
{5:16} Quare habitas inter duos terminos, ut audias sibilos gregum? Diviso contra se Ruben, magnanimorum reperta est contentio.
{5:16} Why do you live between two borders, so that you hear the bleating of the flocks? Reuben was divided against himself. Contention was found among great souls.
{5:17} Galaad trans Iordanem quiescebat, et Dan vacabat navibus: Aser habitabat in littore maris, et in portubus morabatur.
{5:17} Gilead rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan was occupied with ships. Asher was living on the shore of the sea, and dwelling in the ports.
{5:18} Zabulon vero et Nephthali obtulerunt animas suas morti in regione Merome.
{5:18} Yet truly, Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merom.
{5:19} Venerunt reges et pugnaverunt, pugnaverunt reges Chanaan in Thanach iuxta aquas Mageddo, et tamen nihil tulere prædantes.
{5:19} The kings came and fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach, beside the waters of Megiddo. And yet they took no spoils.
{5:20} De cælo dimicatum est contra eos: stellæ manentes in ordine et cursu suo, adversus Sisaram pugnaverunt.
{5:20} The conflict against them was from heaven. The stars, remaining in their order and courses, fought against Sisera.
{5:21} Torrens Cison traxit cadavera eorum, torrens Cadumim, torrens Cison: conculca anima mea robustos.
{5:21} The torrent of Kishon dragged away their carcasses, the onrushing torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, tread upon the stalwart!
{5:22} Ungulæ equorum ceciderunt, fugientibus impetu, et per præceps ruentibus fortissimis hostium.
{5:22} The hoofs of the horses were broken, while the strongest of the enemies fled away with fury, and rushed on to ruin.
{5:23} Maledicite terræ Meroz, dixit Angelus Domini: maledicite habitatoribus eius, quia non venerunt ad auxilium Domini, in adiutorium fortissimorum eius.
{5:23} ‘Cursed be the land of Meroz!’ said the Angel of the Lord. ‘Cursed be its inhabitants! For they did not come to the aid of the Lord, to the assistance of his most valiant men.’
{5:24} Benedicta inter mulieres Iahel uxor Haber Cinæi, et benedicatur in tabernaculo suo.
{5:24} Blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. And blessed is she in her tabernacle.
{5:25} Aquam petenti lac dedit, et in phiala principum obtulit butyrum.
{5:25} He begged her for water, and she gave him milk, and she offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.
{5:26} Sinistram manum misit ad clavum, et dexteram ad fabrorum malleos, percussitque Sisaram quærens in capite vulneri locum, et tempus valide perforans.
{5:26} She put her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman’s mallet. And she struck Sisera, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and strongly piercing his temples.
{5:27} Inter pedes eius ruit: defecit, et mortuus est: volvebatur ante pedes eius, et iacebat exanimis et miserabilis.
{5:27} Between her feet, he was ruined. He fainted away and passed on. He curled up before her feet, and he lay there lifeless and miserable.
{5:28} Per fenestram respiciens, ululabat mater eius: et de cœnaculo loquebatur: Cur moratur regredi currus eius? Quare tardaverunt pedes quadrigarum illius?
{5:28} His mother gazed through a window and wailed. And she spoke from an upper room: ‘Why does his chariot delay in returning? Why are the feet of his team of horses so slow?’
{5:29} Una sapientior ceteris uxoribus eius, hæc socrui verba respondit:
{5:29} One who was wiser than the rest of his wives responded to her mother-in-law with this:
{5:30} Forsitan nunc dividit spolia, et pulcherrima feminarum eligitur ei: vestes diversorum colorum Sisaræ traduntur in prædam, et supellex varia ad ornanda colla congeritur.
{5:30} ‘Perhaps he is now dividing the spoils, and the most beautiful among the women is being selected for him. Garments of diverse colors are being delivered to Sisera as spoils, and various goods are being collected for the adornment of necks.’
{5:31} Sic pereant omnes inimici tui Domine: qui autem diligunt te, sicut Sol in ortu suo splendet, ita rutilent.
{5:31} O Lord, so may all your enemies perish! But may those who love you shine with splendor, as the sun shines at its rising.”
{5:32} Quievitque Terra per quadraginta annos.
{5:32} And the land rested for forty years.
{6:1} Fecerunt autem filii Israel malum in conspectu Domini: qui tradidit illos in manu Madian septem annis,
{6:1} Then the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, who delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years.
{6:2} et oppressi sunt valde ab eis. Feceruntque sibi antra et speluncas in montibus, et munitissima ad repugnandum loca.
{6:2} And they were greatly oppressed by them. And they made for themselves hollows and caves in the mountains, and very fortified places for defense.
{6:3} Cumque sevisset Israel, ascendebat Madian et Amalec, ceterique Orientalium nationum:
{6:3} And when Israel had planted, Midian and Amalek, and the rest of the eastern nations ascended,
{6:4} et apud eos figentes tentoria, sicut erant in herbis cuncta vastabant usque ad introitum Gazæ: nihilque omnino ad vitam pertinens relinquebant in Israel, non oves, non boves, non asinos.
{6:4} and pitching their tents among them, they laid waste to all that was planted, as far as the entrance to Gaza. And they left behind nothing at all to sustain life in Israel, neither sheep, nor oxen, nor donkeys.
{6:5} Ipsi enim et universi greges eorum veniebant cum tabernaculis suis, et instar locustarum universa complebant, innumera multitudo hominum, et camelorum, quidquid tetigerant devastantes.
{6:5} For they and all their flocks arrived with their tents, and they filled all places like locusts, an innumerable multitude of men and camels, devastating whatever they touched.
{6:6} Humiliatusque est Israel valde in conspectu Madian.
{6:6} And Israel was humbled greatly in the sight of Midian.
{6:7} Et clamavit ad Dominum postulans auxilium contra Madianitas.
{6:7} And he cried out to the Lord, requesting assistance against the Midianites.
{6:8} Qui misit ad eos virum prophetam, et locutus est: Hæc dicit Dominus Deus Israel: Ego vos feci conscendere de Ægypto, et eduxi vos de domo servitutis,
{6:8} And he sent to them a man who was a prophet, and he said: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘I caused you to ascend from Egypt, and I led you away from the house of servitude.
{6:9} et liberavi de manu Ægyptiorum, et omnium inimicorum, qui affligebant vos: eiecique eos ad introitum vestrum, et tradidi vobis Terram eorum.
{6:9} And I freed you from the hand of the Egyptians and from all of the enemies who were afflicting you. And I cast them out at your arrival, and I delivered their land to you.
{6:10} Et dixi: Ego Dominus Deus vester, ne timeatis deos Amorrhæorum, in quorum terra habitatis. Et noluistis audire vocem meam.
{6:10} And I said: I am the Lord your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you live. But you were not willing to listen to my voice.’ ”
{6:11} Venit autem Angelus Domini, et sedit sub quercu, quæ erat in Ephra, et pertinebat ad Ioas patrem familiæ Ezri. Cumque Gedeon filius eius excuteret atque purgaret frumenta in torculari, ut fugeret Madian,
{6:11} Then an Angel of the Lord arrived, and he sat under an oak tree, which was at Ophrah, and which belonged to Joash, the father of the family of Ezri. And while his son Gideon was threshing and cleaning the grain at the winepress, so that he might flee from Midian,
{6:12} apparuit ei Angelus Domini, et ait: Dominus tecum virorum fortissime.
{6:12} the Angel of the Lord appeared to him, and he said: “The Lord is with you, most valiant of men.”
{6:13} Dixitque ei Gedeon: Obsecro mi domine, si Dominus nobiscum est, cur apprehenderunt nos hæc omnia? Ubi sunt mirabilia eius, quæ narraverunt patres nostri, atque dixerunt: De Ægypto eduxit nos Dominus? Nunc autem dereliquit nos Dominus et tradidit in manu Madian.
{6:13} And Gideon said to him: “I beg you, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why have these things happened to us? Where are his miracles, which our fathers described when they said, ‘The Lord led us away from Egypt.’ But now the Lord has forsaken us, and he has delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
{6:14} Respexitque ad eum Dominus, et ait: Vade in hac fortitudine tua, et liberabis Israel de manu Madian: scito quod miserim te.
{6:14} And the Lord looked down upon him, and he said: “Go forth with this, your strength, and you shall free Israel from the hand of Midian. Know that I have sent you.”
{6:15} Qui respondens ait: Obsecro, mi domine, in quo liberabo Israel? Ecce familia mea infima est in Manasse, et ego minimus in domo patris mei.
{6:15} And responding, he said: “I beg you, my lord, with what shall I free Israel? Behold, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in the house of my father.”
{6:16} Dixitque ei Dominus: Ego ero tecum: et percuties Madian quasi unum virum.
{6:16} And the Lord said to him: “I will be with you. And so, you shall cut down Midian as if one man.”
{6:17} Et ille, Si inveni, inquit, gratiam coram te, da mihi signum quod tu sis qui loqueris ad me.
{6:17} And he said: “If I have found grace before you, give me a sign that it is you who is speaking to me.
{6:18} Nec recedas hinc, donec revertar ad te, portans sacrificium, et offerens tibi. Qui respondit: Ego præstolabor adventum tuum.
{6:18} And may you not withdraw from here, until I return to you, carrying a sacrifice and offering it to you.” And he responded, “I will wait for your return.”
{6:19} Ingressus est itaque Gedeon, et coxit hœdum, et de farinæ modio azymos panes: carnesque ponens in canistro, et ius carnium mittens in ollam, tulit omnia sub quercu, et obtulit ei.
{6:19} And so Gideon entered, and he boiled a goat, and he made unleavened bread from a measure of flour. And setting the flesh in a basket, and putting the broth of the flesh in a pot, he took it all under the oak tree, and he offered it to him.
{6:20} Cui dixit Angelus Domini: Tolle carnes et azymos panes, et pone supra petram illam, et ius desuper funde. Cumque fecisset ita,
{6:20} And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Take the flesh and the unleavened bread, and place them on that rock, and pour out the broth upon it.” And when he had done so,
{6:21} extendit Angelus Domini summitatem virgæ, quam tenebat in manu, et tetigit carnes et panes azymos: ascenditque ignis de petra, et carnes, azymosque panes consumpsit: Angelus autem Domini evanuit ex oculis eius.
{6:21} the Angel of the Lord extended the end of a staff, which he was holding in his hand, and he touched the flesh and the unleavened loaves. And a fire ascended from the rock, and it consumed the flesh and the unleavened loaves. Then the Angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.
{6:22} Vidensque Gedeon quod esset Angelus Domini, ait: Heu mi Domine Deus: quia vidi Angelum Domini facie ad faciem.
{6:22} And Gideon, realizing that it had been the Angel of the Lord, said: “Alas, my Lord God! For I have seen the Angel of the Lord face to face.”
{6:23} Dixitque ei Dominus: Pax tecum: ne timeas, non morieris.
{6:23} And the Lord said to him: “Peace be with you. Do not be afraid; you shall not die.”
{6:24} Ædificavit ergo ibi Gedeon altare Domino, vocavitque illud, Domini pax, usque in præsentem diem. Cumque adhuc esset in Ephra, quæ est familiæ Ezri,
{6:24} Therefore, Gideon built an altar to the Lord there, and he called it, the Peace of the Lord, even to the present day. And while he was still at Ophrah, which is of the family of Ezri,
{6:25} nocte illa dixit Dominus ad eum: Tolle taurum patris tui, et alterum taurum annorum septem, destruesque aram Baal, quæ est patris tui: et nemus, quod circa aram est, succide:
{6:25} that night, the Lord said to him: “Take a bull of your father’s, and another bull of seven years, and you shall destroy the altar of Baal, which is your father’s. And you shall cut down the sacred grove which is around the altar.
{6:26} et ædificabis altare Domino Deo tuo in summitate petræ huius, super quam ante sacrificium posuisti: tollesque taurum secundum, et offeres holocaustum super struem lignorum, quæ de nemore succideris.
{6:26} And you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, at the summit of this rock, on which you placed the sacrifice before. And you shall take the second bull, and you shall offer a holocaust upon a pile of the wood, which you shall cut down from the grove.”
{6:27} Assumptis ergo Gedeon decem viris de servis suis, fecit sicut præceperat ei Dominus. Timens autem domum patris sui, et homines illius civitatis, per diem noluit id facere, sed omnia nocte complevit.
{6:27} Therefore, Gideon, taking ten men from his servants, did just as the Lord had instructed him. But fearing his father’s household, and the men of that city, he was not willing to do it by day. Instead, he completed everything by night.
{6:28} Cumque surrexissent viri oppidi eius mane, viderunt destructam aram Baal, lucumque succisum, et taurum alterum impositum super altare, quod tunc ædificatum erat.
{6:28} And when the men of that town had risen up in the morning, they saw the altar of Baal destroyed, and the sacred grove cut down, and the second bull set upon the altar, which then had been built.
{6:29} Dixeruntque ad invicem: Quis hoc fecit? Cumque perquirerent auctorem facti, dictum est: Gedeon filius Ioas fecit hæc omnia.
{6:29} And they said one to another, “Who has done this?” And when they inquired everywhere as to the author of the deed, it was said, “Gideon, the son of Joash, did all these things.”
{6:30} Et dixerunt ad Ioas: Produc filium tuum huc, ut moriatur: quia destruxit aram Baal, et succidit nemus.
{6:30} And they said to Joash: “Bring forward your son here, so that he may die. For he has destroyed the altar of Baal, and he has cut down the sacred grove.”
{6:31} Quibus ille respondit: Numquid ultores estis Baal, ut pugnetis pro eo? Qui adversarius est eius, moriatur antequam lux crastina veniat: si deus est, vindicet se de eo, qui suffodit aram eius.
{6:31} But he responded to them: “Could you be the avengers of Baal, so that you fight on his behalf? Whoever is his adversary, let him die before the light arrives tomorrow; if he is a god, let him vindicate himself against him who has overturned his altar.”
{6:32} Ex illo die vocatus est Gedeon, Ierobaal, eo quod dixisset Ioas: Ulciscatur se de eo Baal, qui suffodit aram eius.
{6:32} From that day, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, because Joash had said, “Let Baal avenge himself against him who has overturned his altar.”
{6:33} Igitur omnis Madian, et Amalec, et Orientales populi congregati sunt simul. Et transeuntes Iordanem, castrametati sunt in valle Iezrael.
{6:33} And so, all of Midian, and Amalek, and the eastern peoples were gathered together. And crossing the Jordan, they encamped in the valley of Jezreel.
{6:34} Spiritus autem Domini induit Gedeon, qui clangens buccina convocavit domum Abiezer, ut sequeretur se.
{6:34} But the Spirit of the Lord entered Gideon, who, sounding the trumpet, summoned the house of Abiezer so that he might follow him.
{6:35} Misitque nuncios in universum Manassen, qui et ipse secutus est eum: et alios nuncios in Aser et Zabulon et Nephthali, qui occurrerunt ei.
{6:35} And he sent messengers into all of Manasseh, who also followed him, and other messengers into Asher, and Zebulun, and Naphtali, who went to meet him.
{6:36} Dixitque Gedeon ad Deum: Si salvum facis per manum meam Israel, sicut locutus es,
{6:36} And Gideon said to God: “If you will save Israel by my hand, just as you have said:
{6:37} ponam hoc vellus lanæ in area: si ros in solo vellere fuerit, et in omni terra siccitas, sciam quod per manum meam, sicut locutus es, liberabis Israel.
{6:37} I will set this wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there will be dew only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that by my hand, as you have said, you will free Israel.”
{6:38} Factumque est ita. Et de nocte consurgens expresso vellere, concham rore implevit.
{6:38} And so it was done. And rising in the night, wringing out the fleece, he filled a vessel with the dew.
{6:39} Dixitque rursus ad Deum: Ne irascatur furor tuus contra me si adhuc semel tentavero, signum quærens in vellere. Oro ut solum vellus siccum sit, et omnis terra rore madens.
{6:39} And again he said to God: “Let not your fury be enkindled against me, if I test once more, seeking a sign in the fleece. I pray that only the fleece may be dry, and all the ground may be wet with dew.”
{6:40} Fecitque Deus nocte illa ut postulaverat: et fuit siccitas in solo vellere, et ros in omni terra.
{6:40} And that night, God did as he had requested. And it was dry only on the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground.
{7:1} Igitur Ierobaal qui et Gedeon, de nocte consurgens, et omnis populus cum eo, venit ad fontem qui vocatur Harad. Erant autem castra Madian in valle ad Septentrionalem plagam collis excelsi.
{7:1} And so Jerubbaal, who is also Gideon, rising in the night, and all the people with him, went to the fountain which is called Harod. Now the camp of Midian was in the valley, to the northern region of the high hill.
{7:2} Dixitque Dominus ad Gedeon: Multus tecum est populus, nec tradetur Madian in manus eius: ne glorietur contra me Israel, et dicat: Meis viribus liberatus sum.
{7:2} And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people with you are many, but Midian shall not be delivered into their hands, for then Israel might glory against me, and say, ‘I was freed by my own power.’
{7:3} Loquere ad populum, et cunctis audientibus prædica: Qui formidolosus et timidus est, revertatur. Recesseruntque de monte Galaad, et reversi sunt, de populo viginti duo millia virorum, et tantum decem millia remanserunt.
{7:3} Speak to the people, and proclaim in the hearing of all, ‘Whoever has dread or fear, let him return.’ And twenty-two thousand of the men from the people withdrew from Mount Gilead and returned, and only ten thousand remained.
{7:4} Dixitque Dominus ad Gedeon: Adhuc populus multus est, duc eos ad aquas, et ibi probabo illos: et de quo dixero tibi ut tecum vadat, ipse pergat: quem ire prohibuero, revertatur.
{7:4} And the Lord said to Gideon: “The people are still too many. Lead them to the waters, and there I will test them. And those about whom I tell you that he may go with you, let him go; he whom I shall forbid to go, let him return.”
{7:5} Cumque descendisset populus ad aquas, dixit Dominus ad Gedeon: Qui lingua lambuerint aquas, sicut solent canes lambere, separabis eos seorsum: qui autem curvatis genibus biberint, in altera parte erunt.
{7:5} And when the people had descended to the waters, the Lord said to Gideon: “Whoever will lap the water with the tongue, as dogs usually lap, you shall separate them by themselves. Then those who will drink by bending their knees shall be on the other side.”
{7:6} Fuit itaque numerus eorum qui manu ad os proiiciente, lambuerunt aquas, trecenti viri: omnis autem reliqua multitudo flexo poplite biberat.
{7:6} And so the number of those who had lapped the water, by bringing it with the hand to the mouth, was three hundred men. And all the remainder of the multitude drank by bending the knee.
{7:7} Et ait Dominus ad Gedeon: In trecentis viris qui lambuerunt aquas, liberabo vos, et tradam in manu tua Madian: omnis autem reliqua multitudo revertatur in locum suum.
{7:7} And the Lord said to Gideon: “By the three hundred men who lapped the water, I will free you, and I will deliver Midian into your hand. But let all the remainder of the multitude return to their place.”
{7:8} Sumptis itaque pro numero cibariis et tubis, omnem reliquam multitudinem abire præcepit ad tabernacula sua: et ipse cum trecentis viris se certamini dedit. Castra autem Madian erant subter in valle.
{7:8} And so, taking food and trumpets in accord with their number, he instructed all the rest of the multitude to go back to their tents. And with the three hundred men, he gave himself to the conflict. Now the camp of Midian was below, in the valley.
{7:9} Eadem nocte dixit Dominus ad eum: Surge, et descende in castra: quia tradidi eos in manu tua.
{7:9} In the same night, the Lord said to him: “Rise up, and descend into the camp. For I have delivered them into your hand.
{7:10} Sin autem solus ire formidas, descendat tecum Phara puer tuus.
{7:10} But if you dread to go alone, let your servant Purah descend with you.
{7:11} Et cum audieris quid loquantur, tunc confortabuntur manus tuæ, et securior ad hostium castra descendes. Descendit ergo ipse et Phara puer eius in partem castrorum, ubi erant armatorum vigiliæ.
{7:11} And when you will hear what they are saying, then your hands will be strengthened, and you will descend more confidently to the camp of the enemy.” Therefore, he descended with his servant Purah into a portion of the camp, where there was a watch of armed men.
{7:12} Madian autem et Amalec, et omnes Orientales populi fusi iacebant in valle, ut locustarum multitudo: cameli quoque innumerabiles erant, sicut arena quæ iacet in littore maris.
{7:12} But Midian, and Amalek, and all the eastern peoples lay spread out in the valley, like a multitude of locusts. Their camels, too, were innumerable, like the sand that lies on the shore of the sea.
{7:13} Cumque venisset Gedeon, narrabat aliquis somnium proximo suo: et in hunc modum referebat quod viderat: Vidi somnium, et videbatur mihi quasi subcinericius panis ex hordeo volvi, et in castra Madian descendere: cumque pervenisset ad tabernaculum, percussit illud, atque subvertit, et terræ funditus coæquavit.
{7:13} And when Gideon had arrived, someone told his neighbor a dream. And he related what he had seen, in this way: “I saw a dream, and it seemed to me as if bread, baked under ashes from rolled barley, descended into the camp of Midian. And whenever it arrived at a tent, it struck it, and overturned it, and utterly leveled it to the ground.”
{7:14} Respondit is, cui loquebatur: Non est hoc aliud, nisi gladius Gedeonis filii Ioas viri Israelitæ: tradidit enim Dominus in manus eius Madian, et omnia castra eius.
{7:14} He to whom he spoke, responded: “This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon, the son of Joash, a man of Israel. For the Lord has delivered Midian into his hands, with their entire camp.”
{7:15} Cumque audisset Gedeon somnium, et interpretationem eius, adoravit: et reversus est ad castra Israel, et ait: Surgite, tradidit enim Dominus in manus nostras castra Madian.
{7:15} And when Gideon had heard the dream and its interpretation, he worshipped. And he returned to the camp of Israel, and he said: “Rise up! For the Lord has delivered the camp of Midian into our hands.”
{7:16} Divisitque trecentos viros in tres partes, et dedit tubas in manibus eorum, lagenasque vacuas ac lampades in medio lagenarum.
{7:16} And he divided the three hundred men into three parts. And he gave trumpets, and empty pitchers, and lamps for the middle of the pitchers, into their hands.
{7:17} Et dixit ad eos: Quod me facere videritis, hoc facite: ingrediar partem castrorum, et quod fecero sectamini.
{7:17} And he said to them: “What you will see me do, do the same. I will enter a portion of the camp, and what I do, you shall follow.
{7:18} Quando personuerit tuba in manu mea, vos quoque per castrorum circuitum clangite, et conclamate Domino et Gedeoni.
{7:18} When the trumpet in my hand blares out, you also shall sound the trumpets, on every side of the camp, and shout together to the Lord and to Gideon.”
{7:19} Ingressusque est Gedeon, et trecenti viri qui erant cum eo in partem castrorum, incipientibus vigiliis noctis mediæ, et custodibus suscitatis, cœperunt buccinis clangere, et complodere inter se lagenas.
{7:19} And Gideon, and the three hundred men who were with him, entered a portion of the camp, at the beginning of the watch in the middle of the night. And when the guards were alerted, they began to sound the trumpets and to clap the pitchers against one another.
{7:20} Cumque per gyrum castrorum in tribus personarent locis, et hydrias confregissent, tenuerunt sinistris manibus lampades, et dextris sonantes tubas, clamaveruntque: Gladius Domini et Gedeonis:
{7:20} And when they had sounded their trumpets in three places around the camp, and had broken their water pitchers, they held the lamps in their left hands, and sounded the trumpets in their right hands. And they cried out, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!”
{7:21} stantes singuli in loco suo per circuitum castrorum hostilium. Omnia itaque castra turbata sunt, et vociferantes, ululantesque fugerunt:
{7:21} And each one was standing in his place throughout the camp of the enemies. And so the entire camp was in confusion; and they fled away, wailing and crying out.
{7:22} et nihilominus insistebant trecenti viri buccinis personantes. Immisitque Dominus gladium omnibus castris, et mutua se cæde truncabant,
{7:22} And the three hundred men nevertheless continued sounding the trumpets. And the Lord sent the sword into the entire camp, and they maimed and cut down one another,
{7:23} fugientes usque ad Bethsetta, et crepidinem Abelmehula in Tebbath. Conclamantes autem viri Israel de Nephthali, et Aser, et omni Manasse persequebantur Madian.
{7:23} fleeing as far as Bethshittah, and the base of Abelmeholah in Tabbath. But the men of Israel pursued Midian, shouting from Naphtali and Asher, and from all of Manasseh.
{7:24} Misitque Gedeon nuncios in omnem montem Ephraim, dicens: Descendite in occursum Madian, et occupate aquas usque Bethbera atque Iordanem. Clamavitque omnis Ephraim, et præoccupavit aquas atque Iordanem usque Bethbera.
{7:24} And Gideon sent messengers throughout all of Mount Ephraim, saying, “Descend to meet Midian, and occupy the waters ahead of them as far as Bethbarah and the Jordan.” And all of Ephraim cried out, and they occupied the waters ahead of them, from the Jordan even to Bethbarah.
{7:25} Apprehensosque duos viros Madian, Oreb, et Zeb, interfecit Oreb in Petra Oreb, Zeb vero in Torculari Zeb. Et persecuti sunt Madian, capita Oreb et Zeb portantes ad Gedeon trans fluenta Iordanis.
{7:25} And having apprehended two men of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb, they put Oreb to death at the Rock of Oreb, and truly, Zeeb, at the Winepress of Zeeb. And they pursued Midian, carrying the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon, across the waters of the Jordan.
{8:1} Dixeruntque ad eum viri Ephraim: Quid est hoc quod facere voluisti, ut nos non vocares, cum ad pugnam pergeres contra Madian? Iurgantes fortiter, et prope vim inferentes.
{8:1} And the men of Ephraim said to him, “What is this, that you wanted to do, so that you would not call us when you went to fight against Midian?” And they rebuked him strongly, and came close to using violence.
{8:2} Quibus ille respondit: Quod enim tale facere potui, quale vos fecistis? Nonne melior est racemus Ephraim, vindemiis Abiezer?
{8:2} And he responded to them: “But what could I have done that would be so great as what you have done? Is not one bunch of grapes of Ephraim better than the vintages of Abiezer?
{8:3} In manus vestras Dominus tradidit principes Madian, Oreb, et Zeb: quid tale facere potui, quale vos fecistis? Quod cum locutus esset, requievit spiritus eorum, quo tumebant contra eum.
{8:3} The Lord has delivered into your hands the leaders of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb. What could I have done that would be so great as what you have done?” And when he had said this, their spirit, which was swelling up against him, was quieted.
{8:4} Cumque venisset Gedeon ad Iordanem, transivit eum cum trecentis viris, qui secum erant: et præ lassitudine, fugientes persequi non poterant.
{8:4} And when Gideon had arrived at the Jordan, he crossed over it with the three hundred men who were with him. And they were so weary that they were unable to pursue those who were fleeing.
{8:5} Dixitque ad viros Soccoth: Date, obsecro, panes populo, qui mecum est, quia valde defecerunt: ut possimus persequi Zebee, et Salmana reges Madian.
{8:5} And he said to the men of Succoth, “I beg you, give bread to the people who are with me, for they are greatly weakened, so that we may be able to pursue Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”
{8:6} Responderunt principes Soccoth: Forsitan palmæ manuum Zebee et Salmana in manu tua sunt, et idcirco postulas ut demus exercitui tuo panes.
{8:6} The leaders of Succoth answered, “Perhaps the palms of the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hand, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to your army.”
~ In other words, perhaps you are the allies of Zebah and Zalmunna.
{8:7} Quibus ille ait: Cum ergo tradiderit Dominus Zebee et Salmana in manus meas, conteram carnes vestras cum spinis, tribulisque deserti.
{8:7} And he said to them, “So then, when the Lord will have delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands, I will thresh your flesh with the thorns and briers of the desert.”
{8:8} Et inde conscendens, venit in Phanuel: locutusque est ad viros loci illius similia. Cui et illi responderunt, sicut responderant viri Soccoth.
{8:8} And going up from there, he arrived at Penuel. And he spoke to the men of that place similarly. And they also answered him, just as the men of Succoth had answered.
{8:9} Dixit itaque et eis: Cum reversus fuero victor in pace, destruam turrim hanc.
{8:9} And so he said to them also, “When I will have returned as a victor in peace, I will destroy this tower.”
{8:10} Zebee autem et Salmana requiescebant cum omni exercitu suo. Quindecim enim millia viri remanserant ex omnibus turmis Orientalium populorum, cæsis centum viginti millibus bellatorum educentium gladium.
{8:10} Now Zebah and Zalmunna were resting with their entire army. For fifteen thousand men were left out of all the troops of the eastern people. And one hundred twenty thousand warriors that drew the sword had been cut down.
{8:11} Ascendensque Gedeon per viam eorum, qui in tabernaculis morabantur, ad Orientalem partem Nobe, et Iegbaa, percussit castra hostium, qui securi erant, et nihil adversi suspicabantur.
{8:11} And Gideon ascended by the way of those who were dwelling in tents, to the eastern part of Nobah and Jogbehah. And he struck the camp of the enemies, who were confident and were suspecting nothing adverse.
{8:12} Fugeruntque Zebee et Salmana, quos persequens Gedeon comprehendit, turbato omni exercitu eorum.
{8:12} And Zebah and Zalmunna fled. And Gideon pursued and overtook them, sending their entire army into confusion.
{8:13} Revertensque de bello ante solis ortum,
{8:13} And returning from the war before sunrise,
{8:14} apprehendit puerum de viris Soccoth: interrogavitque eum nomina principum et seniorum Soccoth, et descripsit septuaginta septem viros.
{8:14} he took a boy from among the men of Succoth. And he asked him the names of the leaders and elders of Succoth. And he described seventy-seven men.
{8:15} Venitque ad Soccoth, et dixit eis: En Zebee, et Salmana super quibus exprobrastis mihi, dicentes: Forsitan manus Zebee et Salmana in manibus tuis sunt, et idcirco postulas ut demus viris qui lassi sunt, et defecerunt panes.
{8:15} And he went to Succoth, and he said to them: “Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, over whom you rebuked me, saying: ‘Perhaps the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hands, and for this reason, you request that we give bread to men who are languishing and weakened.’ ”
{8:16} Tulit ergo seniores civitatis et spinas deserti ac tribulos, et contrivit cum eis, atque comminuit viros Soccoth.
{8:16} Therefore, he took the elders of the city, and, using the thorns and briers of the desert, he threshed them with these, and he cut the men of Succoth to pieces.
{8:17} Turrim quoque Phanuel subvertit, occisis habitatoribus civitatis.
{8:17} He also overturned the tower of Penuel, and he killed the men of the city.
{8:18} Dixitque ad Zebee et Salmana: Quales fuerunt viri, quos occidistis in Thabor? Qui responderunt: Similes tui, et unus ex eis quasi filius regis.
{8:18} And he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were those whom you killed at Tabor?” They responded, “They were like you, and one of them was like the son of a king.”
{8:19} Quibus ille respondit: Fratres mei fuerunt, filii matris meæ. Vivit Dominus, quia si servassetis eos, non vos occiderem.
{8:19} He answered them: “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As the Lord lives, if you had preserved them, I would not kill you.”
{8:20} Dixitque Iether primogenito suo: Surge, et interfice eos. Qui non eduxit gladium: timebat enim, quia adhuc puer erat.
{8:20} And he said to Jether, his firstborn son, “Rise up, and put them to death.” But he did not draw his sword. For he was afraid, being still a boy.
{8:21} Dixeruntque Zebee et Salmana: Tu surge, et irrue in nos: quia iuxta ætatem robur est hominis. Surrexit Gedeon, et interfecit Zebee et Salmana: et tulit ornamenta ac bullas, quibus colla regalium camelorum decorari solent.
{8:21} And Zebah and Zalmunna said: “You should rise up and rush against us. For the strength of a man is in accord with his age.” Gideon rose up, and he killed Zebah and Zalmunna. And he took the ornaments and studs, with which the necks of the royal camels are usually adorned.
{8:22} Dixeruntque omnes viri Israel ad Gedeon: Dominare nostri tu, et filius tuus, et filius filii tui: quia liberasti nos de manu Madian.
{8:22} And all the men of Israel said to Gideon: “You should rule over us, and your son, and your son’s son. For you freed us from the hand of Midian.”
{8:23} Quibus ille ait: Non dominabor vestri, nec dominabitur in vos filius meus, sed dominabitur vobis Dominus.
{8:23} And he said to them: “I will not rule over you. Neither shall my son rule over you. Instead, the Lord shall rule over you.”
{8:24} Dixitque ad eos: Unam petitionem postulo a vobis: Date mihi inaures ex præda vestra. Inaures enim aureas Ismaelitæ habere consueverant.
{8:24} And he said to them: “I petition one request from you. Give me the earrings from your spoils.” For the Ishmaelites were accustomed to wear gold earrings.
{8:25} Qui responderunt: Libentissime dabimus. Expandentesque super terram pallium, proiecerunt in eo inaures de præda:
{8:25} They responded, “We are very willing to give them.” And spreading a cloak on the ground, they cast upon it the earrings from the spoils.
{8:26} et fuit pondus postulatarum inaurium, mille septingenti auri sicli, absque ornamentis, et monilibus, et veste purpurea, quibus reges Madian uti soliti erant, et præter torques aureas camelorum.
{8:26} And the weight of the earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, aside from the ornaments, and necklaces, and purple garments, which the kings of Midian were accustomed to use, and aside from the gold chains on the camels.
{8:27} Fecitque ex eo Gedeon ephod, et posuit illud in civitate sua Ephra. Fornicatusque est omnis Israel in eo, et factum est Gedeoni et omni domui eius in ruinam.
{8:27} And Gideon made an ephod from these, and he kept it in his city, Ophrah. And all of Israel committed fornication with it, and it became a ruin to Gideon and to all his house.
{8:28} Humiliatus est autem Madian coram filiis Israel, nec potuerunt ultra cervices elevare: sed quievit terra per quadraginta annos, quibus Gedeon præfuit.
{8:28} But Midian was humbled before the sons of Israel. Neither were they able any longer to lift up their necks. But the land rested for forty years, while Gideon presided.
{8:29} Abiit itaque Ierobaal filius Ioas, et habitavit in domo sua:
{8:29} And so Jerubbaal, the son of Joash, went and lived in his own house.
{8:30} habuitque septuaginta filios, qui egressi sunt de femore eius: eo quod plures haberet uxores.
{8:30} And he had seventy sons, who went forth from his own thigh. For he had many wives.
{8:31} Concubina autem illius, quam habebat in Sichem, genuit ei filium nomine Abimelech.
{8:31} But his concubine, whom he had in Shechem, bore him a son named Abimelech.
{8:32} Mortuusque est Gedeon filius Ioas in senectute bona, et sepultus est in sepulchro Ioas patris sui in Ephra de familia Ezri.
{8:32} And Gideon, the son of Joash, died in a good old age, and he was buried in the sepulcher of his father, at Ophrah, of the family of Ezri.
{8:33} Postquam autem mortuus est Gedeon, aversi sunt filii Israel, et fornicati sunt cum Baalim. Percusseruntque cum Baal fœdus, ut esset eis in deum:
{8:33} But after Gideon died, the sons of Israel turned away, and they committed fornication with the Baals. And they struck a covenant with Baal, so that he would be their god.
{8:34} nec recordati sunt Domini Dei sui, qui eruit eos de manibus inimicorum suorum omnium per circuitum:
{8:34} And they did not remember the Lord their God, who rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on all sides.
{8:35} nec fecerunt misericordiam cum domo Ierobaal Gedeon iuxta omnia bona, quæ fecerat Israeli.
{8:35} Neither did they show mercy to the house of Jerubbaal Gideon, in accord with all the good that he had done for Israel.
{9:1} Abiit autem Abimelech filius Ierobaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suæ, et locutus est ad eos, et ad omnem cognationem domus patris matris suæ, dicens:
{9:1} 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:
~ These were Abimelech’s half-brothers, who had the same mother but a different father from him.
{9:2} Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem: Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri omnes filii Ierobaal, an ut dominetur unus vir? Simulque considerate quod os vestrum, et caro vestra sum.
{9:2} “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.”
{9:3} Locutique sunt fratres matris eius de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos, et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech, dicentes: Frater noster est.
{9:3} 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.”
{9:4} Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberit. Qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.
{9:4} 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.
{9:5} Et venit in domum patris sui in Ephra, et occidit fratres suos filios Ierobaal septuaginta viros, super lapidem unum: remansitque Ioatham filius Ierobaal minimus, et absconditus est.
{9:5} 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.
{9:6} Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem, et universæ familiæ urbis Mello: abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech iuxta quercum, quæ stabat in Sichem.
{9:6} 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.
{9:7} Quod cum nunciatum esset Ioatham, ivit, et stetit in vertice montis Garizim: elevataque voce, clamavit, et dixit: Audite me viri Sichem, ita audiat vos Deus.
{9:7} 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.
{9:8} Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem: dixeruntque olivæ: Impera nobis.
{9:8} The trees went to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
{9:9} Quæ respondit: Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii utuntur, et homines, et venire ut inter ligna promovear?
{9:9} 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?’
{9:10} Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum: Veni, et super nos regnum accipe.
{9:10} And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and accept royal power over us.’
{9:11} Quæ respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, fructusque suavissimos, et ire ut inter cetera ligna promovear?
{9:11} 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?’
{9:12} Locutaque sunt ligna ad vitem: Veni, et impera nobis.
{9:12} And the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
{9:13} Quæ respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod lætificat Deum et homines, et inter ligna cetera promoveri?
{9:13} 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?’
{9:14} Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum: Veni, et impera super nos.
{9:14} And all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’
{9:15} 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.
{9:15} 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.’ ”
{9:16} Nunc igitur, si recte, et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech, et bene egistis cum Ierobaal, et cum domo eius, et reddidistis vicem beneficiis eius, qui pugnavit pro vobis,
{9:16} 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,
{9:17} et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,
{9:17} and who gave his life to dangers, so that he might rescue you from the hand of Midian,
{9:18} qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei, et interfecistis filios eius septuaginta viros super unum lapidem, et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillæ eius super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit:
{9:18} 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,
{9:19} si ergo recte, et absque vitio egistis cum Ierobaal, et domo eius, hodie lætamini in Abimelech, et ille lætetur in vobis.
{9:19} 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.
{9:20} 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.
{9:20} 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.”
{9:21} Quæ cum dixisset, fugit, et abiit in Bera: habitavitque ibi ob metum Abimelech fratris sui.
{9:21} 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.
{9:22} Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israel tribus annis.
{9:22} And so Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
{9:23} Misitque Dominus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem: qui cœperunt eum detestari,
{9:23} And the Lord put a very grievous spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem, who began to detest him,
{9:24} et scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Ierobaal, et effusionem sanguinis eorum conferre in Abimelech fratrem suum, et in ceteros Sichimorum principes, qui eum adiuverant.
{9:24} 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.
{9:25} Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in summitate montium: et dum illius præstolabantur adventum, exercebant latrocinia, agentes prædas de prætereuntibus. Nunciatumque est Abimelech.
{9:25} 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.
{9:26} Venit autem Gaal filius Obed cum fratribus suis, et transivit in Sichimam. Ad cuius adventum erecti habitatores Sichem,
{9:26} Now Gaal, the son of Ebed, went with his brothers, and crossed over to Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem, uplifted by his arrival,
{9:27} egressi sunt in agros, vastantes vineas, uvasque calcantes: et factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui, et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,
{9:27} 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.
{9:28} clamante Gaal filio Obed: Quis est Abimelech, et quæ est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? Numquid non est filius Ierobaal, et constituit principem Zebul servum suum super viros Emor patris Sichem? Cur ergo serviemus ei?
{9:28} 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?
{9:29} Utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech. Dictumque est Abimelech: Congrega exercitus multitudinem, et veni.
{9:29} 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.”
{9:30} Zebul enim princeps civitatis auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Obed, iratus est valde,
{9:30} For Zebul, the ruler of the city, upon hearing the words of Gaal, the son of Ebed, became very angry.
{9:31} et misit clam ad Abimelech nuncios, dicens: Ecce, Gaal filius Obed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis, et oppugnat adversum te civitatem.
{9:31} 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.
{9:32} Surge itaque nocte cum populo, qui tecum est, et latita in agro:
{9:32} And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field.
{9:33} et primo mane oriente sole, irrue super civitatem. Illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei quod potueris.
{9:33} 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.”
{9:34} Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte, et tetendit insidias iuxta Sichimam in quattuor locis.
{9:34} And so Abimelech rose up, with all his army, by night, and he set ambushes near Shechem in four places.
{9:35} Egressusque est Gaal filius Obed, et stetit in introitu portæ civitatis. Surrexit autem Abimelech, et omnis exercitus cum eo de insidiarum loco.
{9:35} 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.
{9:36} 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.
{9:36} 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.”
{9:37} Rursumque Gaal ait: Ecce populus de umbilico terræ descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam quæ respicit quercum.
{9:37} 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.”
{9:38} 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.
{9:38} 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.”
{9:39} Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech,
{9:39} Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,
{9:40} qui persecutus est eum fugientem, et in urbem compulit: cecideruntque ex parte eius plurimi, usque ad portam civitatis:
{9:40} 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.
{9:41} et Abimelech sedit in Ruma: Zebul autem, Gaal, et socios eius expulit de urbe, nec in ea passus est commorari.
{9:41} 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.
{9:42} Sequenti ergo die egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nunciatum esset Abimelech,
{9:42} Therefore, on the following day, the people departed into the field. And when this had been reported to Abimelech,
{9:43} tulit exercitum suum, et divisit in tres turmas, tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit, et irruit in eos
{9:43} 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,
{9:44} cum cuneo suo, oppugnans, et obsidens civitatem: duæ autem turmæ palantes per campum adversarios persequebantur.
{9:44} along with his own company, assaulting and besieging the city. But the two other companies pursued the enemies scattered in the field.
{9:45} Porro Abimelech omni die illo oppugnabat urbem: quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus eius, ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.
{9:45} 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.
~ He scattered salt on the ground so that nothing would grown.
{9:46} 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.
{9:46} 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.
{9:47} Abimelech quoque audiens viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,
{9:47} Abimelech, also hearing that the men of the tower of Shechem had joined together,
{9:48} 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.
{9:48} 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.”
{9:49} 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.
{9:49} 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.
{9:50} Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod circumdans obsidebat exercitu.
{9:50} Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.
{9:51} Erat autem turris excelsa in media civitate, ad quam confugerant simul viri ac mulieres, et omnes principes civitatis, clausa firmissime ianua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.
{9:51} 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.
{9:52} Accedensque Abimelech iuxta turrim, pugnabat fortiter: et appropinquans ostio, ignem supponere nitebatur:
{9:52} And Abimelech, drawing near the tower, fought valiantly. And approaching the gate, he strove to set it on fire.
{9:53} et ecce una mulier fragmen molæ desuper iaciens, illisit capiti Abimelech, et confregit cerebrum eius.
{9:53} And behold, one woman, throwing a fragment of a millstone from above, struck the head of Abimelech, and broke his skull.
{9:54} Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum, et ait ad eum: Evagina gladium tuum, et percute me: ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim. Qui iussa perficiens, interfecit eum.
{9:54} 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.
{9:55} Illoque mortuo, omnes qui cum eo erant de Israel, reversi sunt in sedes suas:
{9:55} And when he was dead, all those of Israel who were with him returned to their homes.
{9:56} et reddidit Deus malum, quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.
{9:56} And so did God repay the evil that Abimelech had done against his father by killing his seventy brothers.
{9:57} Sichimitis quoque quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Ioatham filii Ierobaal.
{9:57} The Shechemites also were given retribution for what they had done, and the curse of Jotham, the son of Jerubbaal, fell upon them.
{10:1} Post Abimelech surrexit dux in Israel Thola filius Phua patrui Abimelech, vir de Issachar, qui habitavit in Samir montis Ephraim:
{10:1} After Abimelech, a leader rose up in Israel, Tola, the son of Puah, the paternal uncle of Abimelech, a man of Issachar, who lived in Shamir on mount Ephraim.
{10:2} et iudicavit Israelem viginti et tribus annis, mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Samir.
{10:2} And he judged Israel for twenty-three years, and he died and was buried at Shamir.
{10:3} Huic successit Iair Galaadites, qui iudicavit Israel per viginti et duos annos,
{10:3} After him succeeded Jair, a Gileadite, who judged Israel for twenty-two years,
{10:4} habens triginta filios sedentes super triginta pullos asinarum, et principes triginta civitatum, quæ ex nomine eius sunt appellatæ Havoth Iair, id est, oppida Iair, usque in præsentem diem in Terra Galaad.
{10:4} having thirty sons sitting upon thirty young donkeys, and who were leaders of thirty cities, which from his name were called Havvoth Jair, that is, the towns of Jair, even to the present day, in the land of Gilead.
{10:5} Mortuusque est Iair, ac sepultus in loco, cui est vocabulum Camon.
{10:5} And Jair died, and he was buried in the place which is called Kamon.
{10:6} Filii autem Israel peccatis veteribus iungentes nova, fecerunt malum in conspectu Domini, et servierunt idolis, Baalim et Astaroth, et diis Syriæ ac Sidonis et Moab et filiorum Ammon et Philisthiim: dimiseruntque Dominum, et non coluerunt eum.
{10:6} But the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, joining new sins to old, and they served idols, the Baals and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria and Sidon, and of Moab and the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines. And they abandoned the Lord, and they did not worship him.
{10:7} Contra quos Dominus iratus, tradidit eos in manus Philisthiim et filiorum Ammon.
{10:7} And the Lord, becoming angry against them, delivered them into the hands of the Philistines and the sons of Ammon.
{10:8} Afflictique sunt, et vehementer oppressi per annos decem et octo, omnes qui habitabant trans Iordanem in Terra Amorrhæi, qui est in Galaad:
{10:8} And they were afflicted and vehemently oppressed for eighteen years, all who were living beyond the Jordan in the land of the Amorite, which is in Gilead,
{10:9} in tantum, ut filii Ammon, Iordane transmisso, vastarent Iudam et Beniamin et Ephraim: afflictusque est Israel nimis.
{10:9} to such a great extent that the sons of Ammon, crossing over the Jordan, laid waste to Judah and Benjamin and Ephraim. And Israel was exceedingly afflicted.
{10:10} Et clamantes ad Dominum, dixerunt: Peccavimus tibi, quia dereliquimus Dominum Deum nostrum, et servivimus Baalim.
{10:10} And crying out to the Lord, they said: “We have sinned against you. For we have forsaken the Lord our God, and we have served the Baals.”
{10:11} Quibus locutus est Dominus: Numquid non Ægyptii et Amorrhæi, filiique Ammon et Philisthiim,
{10:11} And the Lord said to them: “Did not the Egyptians, and the Amorites, and the sons of Ammon, and the Philistines,
{10:12} Sidonii quoque et Amalec et Chanaan oppresserunt vos, et clamastis ad me, et erui vos de manu eorum?
{10:12} and also the Sidonians, and Amalek, and Canaan, oppress you, and so you cried out to me, and I rescued you from their hand?
{10:13} Et tamen reliquistis me, et coluistis deos alienos: idcirco non addam ut ultra vos liberem:
{10:13} And yet you have forsaken me, and you have worshipped foreign gods. For this reason, I will not continue to free you any more.
{10:14} ite, et invocate deos quos elegistis: ipsi vos liberent in tempore angustiæ.
{10:14} Go, and call upon the gods whom you have chosen. Let them free you in the time of anguish.”
{10:15} Dixeruntque filii Israel ad Dominum: Peccavimus, redde tu nobis quidquid tibi placet: tantum nunc libera nos.
{10:15} And the sons of Israel said to the Lord: “We have sinned. You may repay us in whatever way pleases you. Yet free us now.”
{10:16} Quæ dicentes, omnia de finibus suis alienorum deorum idola proiecerunt, et servierunt Domino Deo: qui doluit super miseriis eorum.
{10:16} And saying these things, they cast out all the idols of the foreign gods from their regions, and they served the Lord God. And he was touched by their miseries.
{10:17} Itaque filii Ammon conclamantes in Galaad fixere tentoria: contra quos congregati filii Israel, in Maspha castrametati sunt.
{10:17} And then the sons of Ammon, shouting out together, pitched their tents in Gilead. And the sons of Israel gathered together against them, and they made camp at Mizpah.
{10:18} Dixeruntque principes Galaad singuli ad proximos suos: Qui primus ex nobis contra filios Ammon cœperit dimicare, erit dux populi Galaad.
{10:18} And the leaders of Gilead said to one another, “Whoever among us will be the first to begin to contend against the sons of Ammon, he shall be the leader of the people of Gilead.”
{11:1} Fuit illo tempore Iephte Galaadites vir fortissimus atque pugnator, filius mulieris meretricis, qui natus est de Galaad.
{11:1} At that time, there was a Gileadite, Jephthah, a very strong man and a fighter, the son of a kept woman, and he was born of Gilead.
~ Jephthah mother was not a common prostitute, for then she could not have known who the father was (especially in that time period, when they did not understand conception). She must have been a kept woman, that is, a concubine of her father’s. Thus, she would know who the father would be, and would send the son to live with the father and his wife.
{11:2} Habuit autem Galaad uxorem, de qua suscepit filios: qui postquam creverant, eiecerunt Iephte, dicentes: Heres in domo patris nostri esse non poteris, quia de altera matre natus es.
{11:2} Now Gilead had a wife, from whom he received sons. And they, after growing up, cast out Jephthah, saying, “You cannot inherit in the house of our father, because you were born of another mother.”
{11:3} Quos ille fugiens atque devitans, habitavit in Terra Tob: congregatique sunt ad eum viri inopes, et latrocinantes, et quasi principem sequebantur.
{11:3} And so, fleeing and avoiding them, he lived in the land of Tob. And men who were indigent and robbers joined with him, and they followed him as their leader.
{11:4} In illis diebus pugnabant filii Ammon contra Israel.
{11:4} In those days, the sons of Ammon fought against Israel.
{11:5} Quibus acriter instantibus perrexerunt maiores natu de Galaad, ut tollerent in auxilium sui Iephte de Terra Tob:
{11:5} And being steadfastly attacked, the elders of Gilead traveled so that they might obtain for their assistance Jephthah, from the land of Tob.
{11:6} dixeruntque ad eum: Veni et esto princeps noster, et pugna contra filios Ammon.
{11:6} And they said to him, “Come and be our leader, and fight against the sons of Ammon.”
{11:7} Quibus ille respondit: Nonne vos estis, qui odistis me, et eiecistis de domo patris mei, et nunc venistis ad me necessitate compulsi?
{11:7} But he answered them: “Are you not the ones who hated me, and who cast me out of my father’s house? And yet now you come to me, compelled by necessity?”
{11:8} Dixeruntque principes Galaad ad Iephte: Ob hanc igitur causam nunc ad te venimus, ut proficiscaris nobiscum, et pugnes contra filios Ammon, sisque dux omnium qui habitant in Galaad.
{11:8} And the leaders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “But it is due to this necessity that we have approached you now, so that you may set out with us, and fight against the sons of Ammon, and be commander over all who live in Gilead.”
~ The pronoun ‘hanc’ refers to the ‘necessity’ in the previous verse. The translation states what the pronoun implies, for the sake of clarity.
{11:9} Iephte quoque dixit eis: Si vere venistis ad me, ut pugnem pro vobis contra filios Ammon, tradideritque eos Dominus in manus meas, ego ero vester princeps?
{11:9} Jephthah also said to them: “If you have come to me so that I may fight for you against the sons of Ammon, and if the Lord will deliver them into my hands, will I truly be your leader?”
{11:10} Qui responderunt ei: Dominus, qui hæc audit, ipse Mediator ac Testis est quod nostra promissa faciemus.
{11:10} They answered him, “The Lord who hears these things is himself the Mediator and the Witness that we shall do what we have promised.”
{11:11} Abiit itaque Iephte cum principibus Galaad, fecitque eum omnis populus principem sui. Locutusque est Iephte omnes sermones suos coram Domino in Maspha.
{11:11} And so Jephthah went with the leaders of Gilead, and all the people made him their leader. And Jephthah spoke all his words, in the sight of the Lord, at Mizpah.
{11:12} Et misit nuncios ad regem filiorum Ammon, qui ex persona sua dicerent: Quid mihi et tibi est, quia venisti contra me, ut vastares terram meam?
{11:12} And he sent messengers to the king of the sons of Ammon, who said on his behalf, “What is there between you and me, that you would approach against me, so that you might lay waste to my land?”
{11:13} Quibus ille respondit: Quia tulit Israel terram meam, quando ascendit de Ægypto a finibus Arnon usque Iaboc atque Iordanem: nunc ergo cum pace redde mihi eam.
{11:13} And he responded to them, “It is because Israel took my land, when he ascended from Egypt, from the parts of Arnon, as far as the Jabbok and the Jordan. Now therefore, restore these to me with peace.”
{11:14} Per quos rursum mandavit Iephte, et imperavit eis ut dicerent regi Ammon:
{11:14} And Jephthah again commissioned them, and he ordered them to say to the king of Ammon:
{11:15} Hæc dicit Iephte: Non tulit Israel Terram Moab, nec Terram filiorum Ammon:
{11:15} “Jephthah says this: Israel did not take the land of Moab, nor the land of the sons of Ammon.
{11:16} sed quando de Ægypto conscenderunt, ambulavit per solitudinem usque ad Mare Rubrum, et venit in Cades.
{11:16} But when they ascended together from Egypt, he walked through the desert as far as the Red Sea, and he went into Kadesh.
{11:17} Misitque nuncios ad regem Edom, dicens: Dimitte me ut transeam per terram tuam. Qui noluit acquiescere precibus eius. Misit quoque ad regem Moab, qui et ipse transitum præbere contempsit. Mansit itaque in Cades,
{11:17} And he sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, ‘Permit me to pass through your land.’ But he was not willing to agree to his petition. Likewise, he sent to the king of Moab, who also refused to offer him passage. And so he delayed in Kadesh,
{11:18} et circuivit ex latere Terram Edom, et Terram Moab: venitque contra Orientalem plagam Terræ Moab, et castrametatus est trans Arnon: nec voluit intrare terminos Moab: Arnon quippe confinium est Terræ Moab.
{11:18} and he circled around the side of the land of Edom and the land of Moab. And he arrived opposite the eastern region of the land of Moab. And he made camp across the Arnon. But he was not willing to enter the borders of Moab. (Of course, Arnon is the border of the land of Moab.)
{11:19} Misit itaque Israel nuncios ad Sehon regem Amorrhæorum, qui habitabat in Hesebon, et dixerunt ei: Dimitte ut transeam per terram tuam usque ad fluvium.
{11:19} And so Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, who was living at Heshbon. And they said to him, “Permit me to cross through your land as far as the river.”
{11:20} Qui et ipse Israel verba despiciens, non dimisit eum transire per terminos suos: sed infinita multitudine congregata egressus est contra eum in Iasa, et fortiter resistebat.
{11:20} But he, too, despising the words of Israel, would not permit him to cross through his borders. Instead, gathering an innumerable multitude, he went out against him at Jahaz, and he resisted strongly.
{11:21} Tradiditque eum Dominus in manus Israel cum omni exercitu suo, qui percussit eum, et possedit omnem Terram Amorrhæi habitatoris regionis illius,
{11:21} But the Lord delivered him, with his entire army, into the hands of Israel. And he struck him down, and he possessed all the land of the Amorite, the inhabitant of that region,
{11:22} et universos fines eius de Arnon usque Iaboc, et de solitudine usque ad Iordanem.
{11:22} with all its parts, from the Arnon as far as the Jabbok, and from the wilderness even to the Jordan.
{11:23} Dominus ergo Deus Israel subvertit Amorrhæum, pugnante contra illum populo suo Israel, et tu nunc vis possidere terram eius?
{11:23} Therefore, it was the Lord, the God of Israel, who overthrew the Amorites, by means of his people Israel fighting against them. And now you wish to possess his land?
{11:24} Nonne ea quæ possidet Chamos, deus tuus, tibi iure debentur? Quæ autem Dominus Deus noster victor obtinuit, in nostram cedent possessionem:
{11:24} Are not the things that your god Chemosh possesses owed to you by right? And so, what the Lord our God has obtained by victory falls to us as a possession.
{11:25} nisi forte melior es Balac filio Sephor rege Moab: aut docere potes, quod iurgatus sit contra Israel, et pugnaverit contra eum:
{11:25} Or are you, perhaps, better than Balak, the son of Zippor, the king of Moab? Or are you able to explain what his argument was against Israel, and why he fought against him?
{11:26} Quando habitavit in Hesebon, et viculis eius, et in Aroer, et villis illius, vel in cunctis civitatibus iuxta Iordanem, per trecentos annos, quare tanto tempore nihil super hac repetitione tentastis?
{11:26} And though he has lived in Heshbon, and its villages, and in Aroer, and its villages, and in all the cities near the Jordan for three hundred years, why have you, for such long a time, put forward nothing about this claim?
{11:27} Igitur non ego pecco in te, sed tu contra me male agis, indicens mihi bella non iusta. Iudicet Dominus arbiter huius diei inter Israel, et inter filios Ammon.
{11:27} Therefore, I am not sinning against you, but you are doing evil against me, by declaring an unjust war against me. May the Lord be the Judge and the Arbiter this day, between Israel and the sons of Ammon.”
{11:28} Noluitque acquiescere rex filiorum Ammon verbis Iephte, quæ per nuncios mandaverat.
{11:28} But the king of the sons of Ammon was not willing to agree to the words of Jephthah that he commissioned by the messengers.
{11:29} Factus est ergo super Iephte Spiritus Domini, et circuiens Galaad, et Manasse, Maspha quoque Galaad, et inde transiens ad filios Ammon,
{11:29} Therefore, the Spirit of the Lord rested upon Jephthah, and circling around Gilead, and Manasseh, and also Mizpah of Gilead, and crossing from there to the sons of Ammon,
{11:30} votum vovit Domino, dicens: Si tradideris filios Ammon in manus meas,
{11:30} he made a vow to the Lord, saying, “If you will deliver the sons of Ammon into my hands,
{11:31} quicumque primus fuerit egressus de foribus domus meæ, mihique occurrerit revertenti cum pace a filiis Ammon, eum holocaustum offeram Domino.
{11:31} whoever will be the first to depart from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, the same will I offer as a holocaust to the Lord.”
{11:32} Transivitque Iephte ad filios Ammon, ut pugnaret contra eos: quos tradidit Dominus in manus eius.
{11:32} And Jephthah crossed to the sons of Ammon, so that he might fight against them. And the Lord delivered them into his hands.
{11:33} Percussitque ab Aroer usque dum venias in Mennith, viginti civitates, et usque ad Abel, quæ est vineis consita, plaga magna nimis. Humiliatique sunt filii Ammon a filiis Israel.
{11:33} And he struck them down from Aroer, as far as the entrance to Minnith, twenty cities, and as far as Abel, which is covered with vineyards, in an exceedingly great slaughter. And the sons of Ammon were humbled by the sons of Israel.
{11:34} Revertente autem Iephte in Maspha domum suam, occurrit ei unigenita filia sua cum tympanis et choris. Non enim habebat alios liberos.
{11:34} But when Jephthah returned to Mizpah, to his own house, his only daughter met him with timbrels and dances. For he had no other children.
{11:35} Qua visa, scidit vestimenta sua, et ait: Heu me filia mea decepisti me, et ipsa decepta es: aperui enim os meum ad Dominum, et aliud facere non potero.
{11:35} And upon seeing her, he tore his garments, and he said: “Alas, my daughter! You have cheated me, and you yourself have been cheated. For I opened my mouth to the Lord, and I can do nothing else.”
{11:36} Cui illa respondit: Pater mi, si aperuisti os tuum ad Dominum, fac mihi quodcumque pollicitus es, concessa tibi ultione atque victoria de hostibus tuis.
{11:36} And she answered him, “My father, if you have opened your mouth to the Lord, do to me whatever you have promised, since victory has been granted to you, as well as vengeance against your enemies.”
{11:37} Dixitque ad patrem: Hoc solum mihi præsta quod deprecor: Dimitte me ut duobus mensibus circumeam montes, et plangam virginitatem meam cum sodalibus meis.
{11:37} And she said to her father: “Grant to me this one thing, which I request. Permit me, that I may wander the hillsides for two months, and that I may mourn my virginity with my companions.”
{11:38} Cui ille respondit: Vade. Et dimisit eam duobus mensibus. Cumque abiisset cum sociis ac sodalibus suis, flebat virginitatem suam in montibus.
{11:38} And he answered her, “Go.” And he released her for two months. And when she had departed with her friends and companions, she wept over her virginity in the hillsides.
{11:39} Expletisque duobus mensibus, reversa est ad patrem suum, et fecit ei sicut voverat, quæ ignorabat virum. Exinde mos increbruit in Israel, et consuetudo servata est:
{11:39} And when the two months expired, she returned to her father, and he did to her just as he had vowed, though she knew no man. From this, the custom grew up in Israel, and the practice has been preserved,
~ St. Thomas Aquinas quotes St. Gregory saying, “If you have promised ill, break your faith.” Although Jephthah promised to kill whoever met him on his return, he should not have promised. God did not give him the victory in exchange for that immoral promise, but despite the promise. This also highlights the danger of making a deal with God in prayer, where, if God’s Providence and grace grants you a favor, you promise to do something. God may want to do the favor, but He also might not want what you are promising.
{11:40} ut post anni circulum conveniant in unum filiæ Israel, et plangant filiam Iephte Galaaditæ diebus quattuor.
{11:40} such that, after each year passes, the daughters of Israel convene as one, and they lament the daughter of Jephthah, the Gileadite, for four days.
{12:1} Ecce autem in Ephraim orta est seditio. Nam transeuntes contra aquilonem, dixerunt ad Iephte: Quare vadens ad pugnam contra filios Ammon, vocare nos noluisti, ut pergeremus tecum? Igitur incendemus domum tuam.
{12:1} And behold, a sedition rose up in Ephraim. Then, while passing by toward the north, they said to Jephthah: “When you were going to fight against the sons of Ammon, why were you unwilling to summon us, so that we might go with you? Therefore, we will burn down your house.”
{12:2} Quibus ille respondit: Disceptatio erat mihi et populo meo contra filios Ammon vehemens: vocavique vos, ut præberetis mihi auxilium, et facere noluistis.
{12:2} And he answered them: “I and my people were in a great conflict against the sons of Ammon. And I called you, so that you might offer assistance to me. And you were not willing to do so.
{12:3} Quod cernens posui animam meam in manibus meis, transivique ad filios Ammon, et tradidit eos Dominus in manus meas. Quid commerui, ut adversum me consurgatis in prælium?
{12:3} And discerning this, I put my life in my own hands, and I crossed to the sons of Ammon, and the Lord delivered them into my hands. What am I guilty of, that you would rise up in battle against me?”
{12:4} Vocatis itaque ad se cunctis viris Galaad, pugnabat contra Ephraim: percusseruntque viri Galaad Ephraim, quia dixerat: Fugitivus est Galaad de Ephraim, et habitat in medio Ephraim et Manasse.
{12:4} And so, calling to himself all the men of Gilead, he fought against Ephraim. And the men of Gilead struck down Ephraim, because he had said, “Gilead is a fugitive from Ephraim, and he lives in the midst of Ephraim and Manasseh.”
{12:5} Occupaveruntque Galaaditæ vada Iordanis, per quæ Ephraim reversurus erat. Cumque venisset ad ea de Ephraim numero, fugiens, atque dixisset: Obsecro ut me transire permittatis: dicebant ei Galaaditæ: Numquid Ephrathæus es? Quo dicente: Non sum:
{12:5} And the Gileadites occupied the fords of the Jordan, along which Ephraim was to return. And when anyone from the number of Ephraim had arrived, fleeing, and had said, “I beg that you permit me to pass,” the Gileadites would say to him, “Could you be an Ephraimite?” And if he said, “I am not,”
{12:6} interrogabant eum: Dic ergo Scibboleth, quod interpretatur Spica. Qui respondebat, Sibboleth: eadem littera spicam exprimere non valens. Statimque apprehensum iugulabant in ipso Iordanis transitu. Et ceciderunt in illo tempore de Ephraim quadraginta duo millia.
{12:6} they would ask him, then say ‘Shibboleth,’ which is translated as ‘ear of grain.’ But he would answer ‘Sibboleth,’ not being able to express the word for an ear of grain in the same letters. And immediately apprehending him, they would cut his throat, at the same crossing point of the Jordan. And in that time of Ephraim, forty-two thousand fell.
{12:7} Iudicavit itaque Iephte Galaadites Israel sex annis: et mortuus est, ac sepultus in civitate sua Galaad.
{12:7} And so Jephthah, the Gileadite, judged Israel for six years. And he died, and he was buried in his city in Gilead.
{12:8} Post hunc iudicavit Israel Abesan de Bethlehem:
{12:8} After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.
{12:9} qui habuit triginta filios, et totidem filias, quas emittens foras, maritis dedit, et eiusdem numeri filiis suis accepit uxores, introducens in domum suam. Qui septem annis iudicavit Israel.
{12:9} He had thirty sons, and the same number of daughters, whom he sent away to be given to husbands. And he accepted wives for his sons of the same number, bringing them into his house. And he judged Israel for seven years.
{12:10} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Bethlehem.
{12:10} And he died, and he was buried in Bethlehem.
{12:11} Cui successit Ahialon Zabulonites: et iudicavit Israel decem annis:
{12:11} After him succeeded Elon, a Zebulunite. And he judged Israel for ten years.
{12:12} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Zabulon.
{12:12} And he died, and he was buried in Zebulun.
{12:13} Post hunc iudicavit Israel Abdon, filius Illel Pharathonites:
{12:13} After him, Abdon, the son of Hillel, a Pirathonite, judged Israel.
{12:14} qui habuit quadraginta filios, et triginta ex eis nepotes, ascendentes super septuaginta pullos asinarum, et iudicavit Israel octo annis:
{12:14} And he had forty sons, and from them thirty grandsons, all riding upon seventy young donkeys. And he judged Israel for eight years.
{12:15} mortuusque est, ac sepultus in Pharathon terræ Ephraim, in monte Amalec.
{12:15} And he died, and he was buried at Pirathon, in the land of Ephraim, on the mountain of Amalek.
{13:1} Rursumque filii Israel fecerunt malum in conspectu Domini: qui tradidit eos in manus Philisthinorum quadraginta annis.
{13:1} And again, the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. And he delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
~ The eschatological meaning of this verse refers to the period of time, described in the Book of Revelation, called the tribulation, when the Christian faithful are delivered into the hands of those who hate us in secular society (cf. Mt. 24:9).
{13:2} Erat autem quidam vir de Saraa, et de stirpe Dan, nomine Manue, habens uxorem sterilem.
{13:2} Now there was a certain man from Zorah, and of the stock of Dan, whose name was Manoah, having a barren wife.
{13:3} Cui apparuit Angelus Domini, et dixit ad eam: Sterilis es et absque liberis: sed concipies et paries filium:
{13:3} And an Angel of the Lord appeared to her, and he said: “You are barren and without children. But you shall conceive and bear a son.
{13:4} Cave ergo ne bibas vinum ac siceram, nec immundum quidquam comedas:
{13:4} Therefore, take care that you do not drink wine or strong drink. Neither shall you eat anything unclean.
{13:5} quia concipies, et paries filium, cuius non tanget caput novacula: erit enim Nazaræus Dei ab infantia sua, et ex matris utero, et ipse incipiet liberare Israel de manu Philisthinorum.
{13:5} For you shall conceive and bear a son, whose head no razor shall touch. For he shall be a Nazirite of God, from his infancy and from his mother’s womb. And he shall begin to free Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
{13:6} Quæ cum venisset ad maritum suum, dixit ei: Vir Dei venit ad me, habens vultum angelicum, terribilis nimis. Quem cum interrogassem, quis esset, et unde venisset, et quo nomine vocaretur, noluit mihi dicere:
{13:6} And when she had gone to her husband, she said to him: “A man of God came to me, having the countenance of an Angel, exceedingly terrible. And when I had inquired of him, who he was, and where he was from, and what name he was called, he was not willing to tell me.
~ The more grammatically correct ‘from where he was’ would be needlessly awkward here. Also, since this is dialogue, it should reflect the way that people express themselves, and not be overly formal.
{13:7} sed hoc respondit: Ecce concipies et paries filium: cave ne vinum bibas, nec siceram, et ne aliquo vescaris immundo: erit enim puer Nazaræus Dei ab infantia sua, ex utero matris suæ usque ad diem mortis suæ.
{13:7} But he responded: ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Take care that you do not drink wine or strong drink. And you shall not consume anything unclean. For the boy shall be a Nazirite of God from his infancy, from his mother’s womb, even until the day of his death.’ ”
{13:8} Oravit itaque Manue Dominum, et ait: Obsecro Domine, ut vir Dei, quem misisti, veniat iterum, et doceat nos quid debeamus facere de puero, qui nasciturus est.
{13:8} And so Manoah prayed to the Lord, and he said, “I beg you Lord, that the man of God, whom you sent, may come again, and may teach us what we ought to do about the boy who is to be born.”
{13:9} Exaudivitque Dominus deprecantem Manue, et apparuit rursum Angelus Dei uxori eius sedenti in agro. Manue autem maritus eius non erat cum ea. Quæ cum vidisset Angelum,
{13:9} And the Lord heeded the prayer of Manoah, and the Angel of the Lord appeared again to his wife, sitting in a field. But her husband Manoah was not with her. And when she had seen the Angel,
{13:10} festinavit, et cucurrit ad virum suum: nunciavitque ei, dicens: Ecce apparuit mihi vir, quem ante videram.
{13:10} she hurried and ran to her husband. And she reported to him, saying, “Behold, the man appeared to me, whom I had seen before.”
{13:11} Qui surrexit, et secutus est uxorem suam: veniensque ad virum, dixit ei: Tu es qui locutus es mulieri? Et ille respondit: Ego sum.
{13:11} And he rose up and followed his wife. And going to the man, he said to him, “Are you the one who spoke to my wife?” And he responded, “I am.”
{13:12} Cui Manue: Quando, inquit, sermo tuus fuerit expletus, quid vis ut faciat puer? Aut a quo se observare debebit?
{13:12} And Manoah said to him: “When will your word be fulfilled. What do you want the boy to do? Or from what should he keep himself?”
{13:13} Dixitque Angelus Domini ad Manue: Ab omnibus, quæ locutus sum uxori tuæ, abstineat se:
{13:13} And the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah: “Concerning all the things about which I have spoken to your wife, she herself should abstain.
{13:14} et quidquid ex vinea nascitur, non comedat: vinum et siceram non bibat, nullo vescatur immundo: et quod ei præcepi, impleat atque custodiat.
{13:14} And let her eat nothing from the vine. She may not drink wine or strong drink. She may consume nothing unclean. And let her observe and keep what I have instructed to her.”
{13:15} Dixitque Manue ad Angelum Domini: Obsecro te ut acquiescas precibus meis, et faciamus tibi hœdum de capris.
{13:15} And Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord, “I beg you to agree to my petition, and to let us prepare a kid from the goats.”
{13:16} Cui respondit Angelus: Si me cogis, non comedam panes tuos: si autem vis holocaustum facere, offer illud Domino. Et nesciebat Manue quod Angelus Domini esset.
{13:16} And the Angel answered him: “Even if you compel me, I will not eat from your bread. But if you are willing to offer a holocaust, offer it to the Lord.” And Manoah did not know that he was an Angel of the Lord.
{13:17} Dixitque ad eum: Quod est tibi nomen, ut, si sermo tuus fuerit expletus, honoremus te?
{13:17} And he said to him, “What is your name, so that, if your word is fulfilled, we may honor you?”
{13:18} Cui ille respondit: Cur quæris nomen meum, quod est mirabile?
{13:18} And he answered him, “Why do you ask my name, which is a wonder?”
~ The true names of the Angels are unspeakable in human language. The Angels called Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael also have their own angelic names, given to them before human language ever existed. But these names are too wonderful to express in human language.
{13:19} Tulit itaque Manue hœdum de capris, et libamenta, et posuit super petram, offerens Domino, qui facit mirabilia: ipse autem et uxor eius intuebantur.
{13:19} And so, Manoah took a kid from the goats, and libations, and he placed them upon a rock, as an offering to the Lord, who accomplishes wonders. Then he and his wife watched.
{13:20} Cumque ascenderet flamma altaris in cælum, Angelus Domini pariter in flamma ascendit. Quod cum vidissent Manue et uxor eius, proni ceciderunt in terram,
{13:20} And when the flame of the altar ascended to heaven, the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. And when Manoah and his wife had seen this, they fell prone on the ground.
{13:21} et ultra eis non apparuit Angelus Domini. Statimque intellexit Manue, Angelum Domini esse,
{13:21} And the Angel of the Lord no longer appeared to them. And immediately, Manoah understood him to be an Angel of the Lord.
{13:22} et dixit ad uxorem suam: Morte moriemur, quia vidimus Deum.
{13:22} And he said to his wife, “We shall certainly die, since we have seen God.”
{13:23} Cui respondit mulier: Si Dominus nos vellet occidere, de manibus nostris holocaustum et libamenta non suscepisset, nec ostendisset nobis hæc omnia neque ea, quæ sunt ventura, dixisset.
{13:23} And his wife answered him, “If the Lord wished to kill us, he would not have accepted the holocaust and the libations from our hands. He would not have revealed all these things to us, nor would he have told us the things that are in the future.”
{13:24} Peperit itaque filium, et vocavit nomen eius Samson. Crevitque puer, et benedixit ei Dominus.
{13:24} And so she bore a son, and she called his name Samson. And the boy grew up, and the Lord blessed him.
{13:25} Cœpitque Spiritus Domini esse cum eo in castris Dan inter Saraa et Esthaol.
{13:25} And the Spirit of the Lord began to be with him in the camp of Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
{14:1} Descendit ergo Samson in Thamnatha. Vidensque ibi mulierem de filiabus Philisthiim,
{14:1} Then Samson descended to Timnah. And seeing there a woman from the daughters of the Philistines,
{14:2} ascendit, et nunciavit patri suo, et matri suæ, dicens: Vidi mulierem in Thamnatha de filiabus Philisthinorum: quam quæso ut mihi accipiatis uxorem.
{14:2} he went up, and he told his father and his mother, saying: “I saw a woman in Timnah from the daughters of the Philistines. I ask that you take her to me as wife.”
{14:3} Cui dixerunt pater et mater sua: Numquid non est mulier in filiabus fratrum tuorum, et in omni populo meo, quia vis accipere uxorem de Philisthiim, qui incircumcisi sunt? Dixitque Samson ad patrem suum: Hanc mihi accipe: quia placuit oculis meis.
{14:3} And his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your brothers, or among all my people, so that you would be willing to take a wife from the Philistines, who are uncircumcised?” And Samson said to his father: “Take this woman to me. For she has pleased my eyes.”
{14:4} Parentes autem eius nesciebant quod res a Domino fieret, et quæreret occasionem contra Philisthiim. Eo enim tempore Philisthiim dominabantur Israeli.
{14:4} Now his parents did not know that the matter was done by the Lord, and that he sought an occasion against the Philistines. For at that time, the Philistines had dominion over Israel.
{14:5} Descendit itaque Samson cum patre suo et matre in Thamnatha. Cumque venissent ad vineas oppidi, apparuit catulus leonis sævus, et rugiens, et occurrit ei.
{14:5} And so, Samson descended with his father and mother to Timnah. And when they had arrived at the vineyards of the town, he saw a young lion, savage and roaring, and it met him.
{14:6} Irruit autem Spiritus Domini in Samson, et dilaceravit leonem, quasi hœdum in frustra discerpens, nihil omnino habens in manu: et hoc patri et matri noluit indicare.
{14:6} Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon Samson, and he tore apart the lion, like a young goat being torn into pieces, having nothing at all in his hand. And he was not willing to reveal this to his father and mother.
{14:7} Descenditque et locutus est mulieri, quæ placuerat oculis eius.
{14:7} And he went down and spoke to the woman who had pleased his eyes.
{14:8} Et post aliquot dies revertens ut acciperet eam, declinavit ut videret cadaver leonis, et ecce examen apum in ore leonis erat ac favus mellis.
{14:8} And after some days, returning to marry her, he turned aside so that he might see the carcass of the lion. And behold, there was a swarm of bees in the mouth of the lion, with a honeycomb.
{14:9} Quem cum sumpsisset in manibus, comedebat in via: veniensque ad patrem suum et matrem, dedit eis partem, qui et ipsi comederunt: nec tamen eis voluit indicare quod mel de corpore leonis assumpserat.
{14:9} And when he had taken it in his hands, he ate it along the way. And arriving to his father and mother, he gave them a portion, and they also ate it. Yet he was not willing to reveal to them that he had taken the honey from the body of the lion.
{14:10} Descendit itaque pater eius ad mulierem, et fecit filio suo Samson convivium. Sic enim iuvenes facere consueverant.
{14:10} And so his father went down to the woman, and he made a feast for his son Samson. For so the young men were accustomed to do.
{14:11} Cum ergo cives loci illius vidissent eum, dederunt ei sodales triginta ut essent cum eo.
{14:11} And when the citizens of that place had seen him, they presented to him thirty companions to be with him.
{14:12} Quibus locutus est Samson: Proponam vobis problema: quod si solveritis mihi intra septem dies convivii, dabo vobis triginta sindones, et totidem tunicas:
{14:12} And Samson said to them: “I will propose to you a problem, which, if you can solve it for me within the seven days of the feast, I will give you thirty shirts and the same number of tunics.
{14:13} sin autem non potueritis solvere, vos dabitis mihi triginta sindones, et eiusdem numeri tunicas. Qui responderunt ei: Propone problema, ut audiamus.
{14:13} But if you are not able to solve it, you shall give me thirty shirts and the same number of tunics.” And they answered him, “Propose the problem, so that we may hear it.”
{14:14} Dixitque eis: De comedente exivit cibus, et de forti egressa est dulcedo. Nec potuerunt per tres dies propositionem solvere.
{14:14} And he said to them, “Food went forth from that which eats, and sweetness went forth from that which is strong.” And they were unable to solve the proposition for three days.
{14:15} Cumque adesset dies septimus, dixerunt ad uxorem Samson: Blandire viro tuo, et suade ei ut indicet tibi quid significet problema. Quod si facere nolueris, incendemus te, et domum patris tui. An idcirco vocastis nos ad nuptias ut spoliaretis?
{14:15} And when the seventh day had arrived, they said to the wife of Samson: “Coax your husband, and persuade him to reveal to you what the proposition means. But if you are not willing to do so, we will burn you and your father’s house. Or have you called us to the wedding in order to despoil us?”
~ Notice that they were unable to solve the problem for three days (verse 14). Then verse 17 says that she wept before Samson during the seven days of the feast; it is not that she wept for seven days, but rather than she wept over several days, from day 4 to day 7, during a seven day feast. Her countrymen had been pleading with her since day 4 (or perhaps earlier). Only on day seven did their pleas reach the fever pitch of threatening to burn her and her father’s house, and on that day, she most likely pleaded more stringently (since her life was at stake), and Samson explained it to her then.
{14:16} Quæ fundebat apud Samson lacrymas, et quærebatur dicens: Odisti me, et non diligis: idcirco problema, quod proposuisti filiis populi mei, non vis mihi exponere. At ille respondit: Patri meo et matri nolui dicere: et tibi indicare potero?
{14:16} And she shed tears before Samson, and she complained, saying: “You hate me, and you do not love me. That is why you do not want to explain to me the problem, which you have proposed to the sons of my people.” But he responded: “I was not willing to reveal it to my father and mother. And so, how can I reveal it to you?”
{14:17} Septem igitur diebus convivii flebat ante eum: tandemque die septimo cum ei esset molesta, exposuit. Quæ statim indicavit civibus suis.
{14:17} Therefore, she wept before him during the seven days of the feast. And at length, on the seventh day, since she had been troubling him, he explained it. And immediately she revealed it to her countrymen.
{14:18} Et illi dixerunt ei die septimo ante solis occubitum: Quid dulcius melle, et quid fortius leone? Qui ait ad eos: Si non arassetis in vitula mea, non invenissetis propositionem meam.
{14:18} And they, on the seventh day, before the sun declined, said to him: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” And he said to them, “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have uncovered my proposition.”
{14:19} Irruit itaque in eum Spiritus Domini, descenditque Ascalonem, et percussit ibi triginta viros. Quorum ablatas vestes dedit iis, qui problema solverant. Iratusque nimis ascendit in domum patris sui:
{14:19} And so the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and he descended to Ashkelon, and in that place he struck down thirty men. And taking away their garments, he gave them to those who had solved the problem. And being exceedingly angry, he went up to his father’s house.
{14:20} uxor autem eius accepit maritum unum de amicis eius et pronubis.
{14:20} Then his wife took as a husband one of his friends and wedding companions.
{15:1} Post aliquantulum autem temporis, cum dies triticeæ messis instarent, venit Samson, invisere volens uxorem suam, et attulit ei hœdum de capris. Cumque cubiculum eius solito vellet intrare, prohibuit eum pater illius, dicens:
{15:1} Then, after some time, when the days of the wheat harvest were near, Samson arrived, intending to visit his wife, and he brought her a kid from the goats. And when he wanted to enter her bedroom, as usual, her father prohibited him, saying:
{15:2} Putavi quod odisses eam, et ideo tradidi illam amico tuo: sed habet sororem, quæ iunior et pulchrior illa est, sit tibi pro ea uxor.
{15:2} “I thought that you would hate her, and therefore I gave her to your friend. But she has a sister, who is younger and more beautiful than she is. And she may be a wife for you, instead of her.”
{15:3} Cui Samson respondit: Ab hac die non erit culpa in me contra Philisthæos: faciam enim vobis mala.
{15:3} And Samson answered him: “From this day, there shall be no guilt for me against the Philistines. For I will do harm to you all.”
{15:4} Perrexitque et cepit trecentas vulpes, caudasque earum iunxit ad caudas, et faces ligavit in medio:
{15:4} And he went out and caught three hundred foxes. And he joined them tail to tail. And he tied torches between the tails.
{15:5} quas igne succendens, dimisit, ut huc illucque discurrerent. Quæ statim perrexerunt in segetes Philisthinorum. Quibus succensis, et comportatæ iam fruges, et adhuc stantes in stipula, concrematæ sunt, in tantum, ut vineas quoque et oliveta flamma consumeret.
{15:5} And setting these on fire, he released them, so that they might rush from place to place. And immediately they went into the grain fields of the Philistines, setting these on fire, both the grain that was already bound for carrying, and what was still standing on the stalk. These were completely burned up, so much so that the flame also consumed even the vineyards and the olive groves.
{15:6} Dixeruntque Philisthiim: Quis fecit hanc rem? Quibus dictum est: Samson gener Thamnathæi: quia tulit uxorem eius, et alteri tradidit, hæc operatus est. Ascenderuntque Philisthiim: et combusserunt tam mulierem quam patrem eius.
{15:6} And the Philistines said, “Who has done this thing?” And it was said: “Samson, the son-in-law of the Timnite, because he took away his wife, and gave her to another. He has done these things.” And the Philistines went up and burned the woman as well as her father.
{15:7} Quibus ait Samson: Licet hæc feceritis, tamen adhuc ex vobis expetam ultionem, et tunc quiescam.
{15:7} And Samson said to them, “Even though you have done this, I will still fulfill vengeance against you, and then I will be quieted.”
{15:8} Percussitque eos ingenti plaga, ita ut stupentes suram femori imponerent. Et descendens habitavit in spelunca petræ Etam.
{15:8} And he struck them with a tremendous slaughter, so much so that, out of astonishment, they laid the calf of the leg upon the thigh. And descending, he lived in a cave of the rock at Etam.
{15:9} Igitur ascendentes Philisthiim in Terram Iuda castrametati sunt in loco, qui postea vocatus est Lechi, id est, Maxilla, ubi eorum effusus est exercitus.
{15:9} And so the Philistines, ascending into the land of Judah, made camp at the place which was later called Lehi, that is, the Jawbone, where their army spread out.
{15:10} Dixeruntque ad eos de tribu Iuda: Cur ascendistis adversum nos? Qui responderunt: Ut ligemus Samson, venimus, et reddamus ei quæ in nos operatus est.
{15:10} And some from the tribe of Judah said to them, “Why have you ascended against us?” And they responded, “We have come to bind Samson, and to repay him for what he has done to us.”
{15:11} Descenderunt ergo tria millia virorum de Iuda, ad specum silicis Etam, dixeruntque ad Samson: Nescis quod Philisthiim imperent nobis? Quare hoc facere voluisti? Quibus ille ait: Sicut fecerunt mihi, sic feci eis.
{15:11} Then three thousand men of Judah descended to the cave of the rock at Etam. And they said to Samson: “Do you not know that the Philistines rule over us? Why would you want to do this?” And he said to them, “As they have done to me, so I have done to them.”
{15:12} Ligare, inquiunt, te venimus, et tradere in manus Philisthinorum. Quibus Samson, Iurate, ait, et spondete mihi quod non occidatis me.
{15:12} And they said to him, “We have come to bind you, and to deliver you into the hands of the Philistines.” And Samson said to them, “Swear and promise to me that you will not kill me.”
{15:13} Dixerunt: Non te occidemus, sed vinctum trademus. Ligaveruntque eum duobus novis funibus, et tulerunt eum de petra Etam.
{15:13} They said: “We will not kill you. But we will deliver you tied.” And they bound him with two new cords. And they took him from the rock at Etam.
{15:14} Qui cum venisset ad locum Maxillæ, et Philisthiim vociferantes occurrissent ei, irruit Spiritus Domini in eum: et sicut solent ad odorem ignis lina consumi, ita vincula quibus ligatus erat, dissipata sunt et soluta.
{15:14} And when he had arrived at the place of the Jawbone, and the Philistines, shouting aloud, had met him, the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him. And just as flax is usually consumed by a hint of fire, so were the ties with which he was bound broken and released.
{15:15} Inventamque maxillam, id est, mandibulam asini, quæ iacebat, arripiens, interfecit in ea mille viros,
{15:15} And finding a jawbone which was laying there, that is, the jawbone of a donkey, snatching it up, he put to death a thousand men with it.
{15:16} et ait: In maxilla asini, in mandibula pulli asinarum delevi eos, et percussi mille viros.
{15:16} And he said, “With the jawbone of a donkey, with the jaw of the colt of a donkey, I have destroyed them, and I have struck down a thousand men.”
{15:17} Cumque hæc verba canens complesset, proiecit mandibulam de manu, et vocavit nomen loci illius Ramathlechi, quod interpretatur Elevatio Maxillæ.
{15:17} And when he had completed these words, singing, he threw the jawbone from his hand. And called the name of that place Ramath-Lehi, which is translated as ‘the elevation of the jawbone.’
{15:18} Sitiensque valde, clamavit ad Dominum, et ait: Tu dedisti in manu servi tui salutem hanc maximam atque victoriam: en siti morior, incidamque in manus incircumcisorum.
{15:18} And being very thirsty, he cried out to the Lord, and he said: “You have given, to the hand of your servant, this very great salvation and victory. But see that I am dying of thirst, and so I will fall into the hands of the uncircumcised.”
{15:19} Aperuit itaque Dominus molarem dentem in maxilla asini, et egressæ sunt ex eo aquæ. Quibus haustis, refocillavit spiritum, et vires recepit. Idcirco appellatum est nomen loci illius, Fons invocantis de maxilla, usque in præsentem diem.
{15:19} And so the Lord opened a large tooth in the jawbone of the donkey, and water went out from it. And having drank it, his spirit was revived, and he recovered his strength. For this reason, the name of that place was called ‘the Spring called forth from the jawbone,’ even to the present day.
{15:20} Iudicavitque Israel in diebus Philisthiim viginti annis.
{15:20} And he judged Israel, in the days of the Philistines, for twenty years.
{16:1} Abiit quoque in Gazam, et vidit ibi mulierem meretricem, ingressusque est ad eam.
{16:1} He also went into Gaza. And there he saw a harlot woman, and he entered to her.
{16:2} Quod cum audissent Philisthiim, et percrebruisset apud eos, intrasse urbem Samson, circumdederunt eum, positis in porta civitatis custodibus: et ibi tota nocte cum silentio præstolantes, ut facto mane exeuntem occiderent.
{16:2} And when the Philistines had heard of this, and it had become well known among them, that Samson had entered the city, they surrounded him, placing guards at the gate of the city. And there they were keeping watch all night in silence, so that, in the morning, they might kill him as he was going out.
{16:3} Dormivit autem Samson usque ad medium noctem: et inde consurgens apprehendit ambas portæ fores cum postibus suis, et sera, impositasque humeris suis portavit ad verticem montis, qui respicit Hebron.
{16:3} But Samson slept until the middle of the night, and rising up from there, he took both doors from the gate, with their posts and bars. And laying them upon his shoulders, he carried them to the top of the hill that looks toward Hebron.
{16:4} Post hæc amavit mulierem, quæ habitabat in Valle Sorec, et vocabatur Dalila.
{16:4} After these things, he loved a woman who was living in the valley of Sorek. And she was called Delilah.
{16:5} Veneruntque ad eam principes Philisthinorum, atque dixerunt: Decipe eum, et disce ab illo, in quo habeat tantam fortitudinem, et quomodo eum superare valeamus, et vinctum affligere. Quod si feceris, dabimus tibi singuli mille et centum argenteos.
{16:5} And the leaders of the Philistines went to her, and they said: “Deceive him, and learn from him wherein lies his great strength, and how we may be able to overcome him and to impose restraints on him. And if you will do this, each one of us will give you one thousand one hundred silver coins.”
{16:6} Locuta est ergo Dalila ad Samson: Dic mihi, obsecro, in quo sit tua maxima fortitudo, et quid sit quo ligatus erumpere nequeas?
{16:6} Therefore, Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me, I beg you, wherein lies your very great strength, and with what might you be bound, so that you could not break free?”
{16:7} Cui respondit Samson: Si septem nerviceis funibus necdum siccis, et adhuc humentibus ligatus fuero, infirmus ero ut ceteri homines.
{16:7} And Samson answered her, “If I will be bound with seven cords, made of sinews not yet dry, but still damp, I will be weak like other men.”
{16:8} Attuleruntque ad eam satrapæ Philisthinorum septem funes, ut dixerat: quibus vinxit eam,
{16:8} And the princes of the Philistines brought to her seven cords, such as he had described. And she bound him with these.
{16:9} latentibus apud se insidiis, et in cubiculo finem rei expectantibus, clamavitque ad eum: Philisthiim super te Samson. Qui rupit vincula, quomodo si rumpat quis filum de stuppæ tortum putamine, cum odorem ignis acceperit: et non est cognitum in quo esset fortitudo eius.
{16:9} And so, those hiding in ambush with her, in the bedroom, were expecting the end of the matter. And she cried out to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he broke the cords, as one would break a thread of flax, twisted for cutting and singed by fire. And so it was not known wherein lay his strength.
{16:10} Dixitque ad eum Dalila: Ecce illusisti mihi, et falsum locutus es: saltem nunc indica mihi quo ligari debeas.
{16:10} And Delilah said to him: “Behold, you have mocked me, and you have spoken a falsehood. But at least now, tell me with what you may be bound.”
{16:11} Cui ille respondit: Si ligatus fuero novis funibus, qui numquam fuerunt in opere, infirmus ero, et aliorum hominum similis.
{16:11} And he answered her, “If I will be bound with new cords, which have never been used, I will be weak and like other men.”
{16:12} Quibus rursum Dalila vinxit eum, et clamavit: Philisthiim super te Samson, in cubiculo insidiis præparatis. Qui ita rupit vincula quasi fila telarum.
{16:12} Again, Delilah tied him with these, and she cried out, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” For an ambush had been prepared in the bedroom. But he broke the bindings like the filaments of a web.
{16:13} Dixitque Dalila rursum ad eum: Usquequo decipis me, et falsum loqueris? Ostende quo vinciri debeas. Cui respondit Samson: Si septem crines capitis mei cum licio plexueris, et clavum his circumligatum terræ fixeris, infirmus ero.
{16:13} And Delilah spoke to him again: “How long will you deceive me and tell me falsehoods? Reveal with what you ought to be bound.” And Samson responded to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with a loom, and if you tie these around a spike and fix it to the ground, I will be weak.”
{16:14} Quod cum fecisset Dalila, dixit ad eum: Philisthiim super te Samson. Qui consurgens de somno extraxit clavum cum crinibus et licio.
{16:14} And when Delilah had done this, she said to him, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson.” And arising from sleep, he withdrew the spike with the hairs and the weaving.
{16:15} Dixitque ad eum Dalila: Quomodo dicis quod amas me, cum animus tuus non sit mecum? Per tres vices mentitus es mihi, et noluisti dicere in quo sit maxima fortitudo tua.
{16:15} And Delilah said to him: “How can you say that you love me, when your soul is not with me? You have lied to me on three occasions, and you are not willing to reveal wherein lies your very great strength.”
~ The seven locks of Samson’s hair represent the seven Sacraments, wherein lies the very great strength of the Church. During the second part of the tribulation, the sinful world will attempt to destroy the Church by attempting to deprive the faithful of the Sacraments.
{16:16} Cumque molesta esset ei, et per multos dies iugiter adhæreret, spatium ad quietem non tribuens, defecit anima eius, et ad mortem usque lassata est.
{16:16} And when she had been very troublesome to him, and over many days had continually stayed nearby, giving him no time to rest, his soul was faint, and he was weary, even unto death.
{16:17} Tunc aperiens veritatem rei, dixit ad eam: Ferrum numquam ascendit super caput meum, quia Nazaræus, id est, consecratus Deo sum de utero matris meæ: si rasum fuerit caput meum, recedet a me fortitudo mea, et deficiam, eroque sicut ceteri homines.
{16:17} Then disclosing the truth of the matter, he said to her: “Iron has never been drawn across my head, for I am a Nazirite, that is, I have been consecrated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head will be shaven, my strength will depart from me, and I will be faint and will be like other men.”
{16:18} Vidensque illa quod confessus ei esset omnem animum suum, misit ad principes Philisthinorum ac mandavit: Ascende adhuc semel, quia nunc mihi aperuit cor suum. Qui ascenderunt assumpta pecunia, quam promiserant.
{16:18} Then, seeing that he had confessed to her his whole soul, she sent to the leaders of the Philistines and ordered: “Come up just once more. For now he has opened his heart to me.” And they went up, taking with them the money that they had promised.
{16:19} At illa dormire eum fecit super genua sua, et in sinu suo reclinare caput. Vocavitque tonsorem, et rasit septem crines eius, et cœpit abigere eum, et a se repellere: statim enim ab eo fortitudo discessit:
{16:19} But she made him sleep upon her knees, and recline his head upon her bosom. And she called a barber, and he shaved his seven locks of hair. And she began to push him away, and to repel him from herself. For immediately his strength departed from him.
{16:20} dixitque: Philisthiim super te Samson. Qui de somno consurgens, dixit in animo suo: Egrediar sicut ante feci, et me excutiam, nesciens quod recessisset ab eo Dominus.
{16:20} And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And awaking from sleep, he said in his mind, “I will break away and shake myself free, just as I did before.” For he did not know that the Lord had withdrawn from him.
{16:21} Quem cum apprehendissent Philisthiim, statim eruerunt oculos eius, et duxerunt Gazam vinctum catenis, et clausum in carcere molere fecerunt.
{16:21} And when the Philistines had seized him, they immediately plucked out his eyes. And they led him, bound in chains, to Gaza. And enclosing him in a prison, they made him work a millstone.
{16:22} Iamque capilli eius renasci cœperunt,
{16:22} And now his hair began to grow back.
{16:23} et principes Philisthinorum convenerunt in unum ut immolarent hostias magnificas Dagon deo suo, et epularentur, dicentes: Tradidit deus noster inimicum nostrum Samson in manus nostras.
{16:23} And the leaders of the Philistines convened as one, so that they might offer great sacrifices to Dagon, their god. And they feasted, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy, Samson, into our hands.”
{16:24} Quod etiam populus videns, laudabat deum suum, eademque dicebat: Tradidit deus noster adversarium nostrum in manus nostras, qui delevit terram nostram, et occidit plurimos.
{16:24} Then, too, the people, seeing this, praised their god, and they said the same, “Our god has delivered our adversary into our hands: the one who destroyed our land and who killed very many.”
{16:25} Lætantesque per convivia, sumptis iam epulis, præceperunt ut vocaretur Samson, et ante eos luderet. Qui adductus de carcere ludebat ante eos, feceruntque eum stare inter duas columnas.
{16:25} And rejoicing in their celebration, having now taken food, they instructed that Samson be called, and that he be mocked before them. And having been brought from prison, he was mocked before them. And they caused him to stand between two pillars.
{16:26} Qui dixit puero regenti gressus suos: Dimitte me, ut tangam columnas, quibus omnis imminet domus, et recliner super eas, et paululum requiescam.
{16:26} And he said to the boy who was guiding his steps, “Permit me to touch the pillars, which support the entire house, and to lean against them, so that I may rest a little.”
{16:27} Domus autem erat plena virorum ac mulierum, et erant ibi omnes principes Philisthinorum, ac de tecto et solario circiter tria millia utriusque sexus spectantes ludentem Samson.
{16:27} Now the house was full of men and women. And all the leaders of the Philistines were there, as well as about three thousand persons, of both sexes, on the roof and in the upper level of the house, who were watching Samson being mocked.
{16:28} At ille invocato Domino ait: Domine Deus, memento mei, et redde mihi nunc fortitudinem pristinam Deus meus, ut ulciscar me de hostibus meis, et pro amissione duorum luminum unam ultionem recipiam.
{16:28} Then, calling upon the Lord, he said, “O Lord God remember me, and restore to me now my former strength, O my God, so that I may avenge myself against my enemies, and so that I may receive one vengeance for the deprivation of my two eyes.”
{16:29} Et apprehendens ambas columnas, quibus innitebatur domus, alteramque earum dextera, et alteram læva tenens,
{16:29} And taking hold of both the pillars, on which the house rested, and holding one with his right hand and the other with his left,
{16:30} ait: Moriatur anima mea cum Philisthiim. Concussisque fortiter columnis, cecidit domus super omnes principes, et ceteram multitudinem, quæ ibi erat: multoque plures interfecit moriens, quam ante vivus occiderat.
{16:30} he said, “May my life die with the Philistines.” And when he had shaken the pillars strongly, the house fell upon all the leaders, and the rest of the multitude who were there. And he killed many more in his death than he had killed before in his life.
{16:31} Descendentes autem fratres eius et universa cognatio tulerunt corpus eius, et sepelierunt inter Saraa et Esthaol in sepulchro patris sui Manue: iudicavitque Israel viginti annis.
{16:31} Then his brothers and all his relatives, going down, took his body, and they buried it between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying place of his father, Manoah. And he judged Israel for twenty years.
{17:1} Fuit eo tempore vir quidam de monte Ephraim nomine Michas,
{17:1} In that time, there was a certain man, from mount Ephraim, named Micah.
{17:2} qui dixit matri suæ: Mille et centum argenteos, quos separaveras tibi, et super quibus me audiente iuraveras, ecce ego habeo, et apud me sunt. Cui illa respondit: Benedictus filius meus Domino.
{17:2} And he said to his mother, “The one thousand one hundred silver coins, which you had separated for yourself, and about which you had sworn in my hearing, behold, I have them, and they are with me.” And she answered him, “My son has been blessed by the Lord.”
{17:3} Reddidit ergo eos matri suæ, quæ dixerat ei: Consecravi et vovi hoc argentum Domino, ut de manu mea suscipiat filius meus, et faciat sculptile atque conflatile: et nunc trado illud tibi.
{17:3} Therefore, he restored them to his mother. And she said to him: “I have consecrated and vowed this silver to the Lord, so that my son would receive it from my hand, and would make a molten idol and a graven image. And now I deliver it to you.”
{17:4} Reddidit igitur eos matri suæ: quæ tulit ducentos argenteos, et dedit eos argentario, ut faceret ex eis sculptile atque conflatile, quod fuit in domo Michæ.
{17:4} And when he restored these to his mother, she took two hundred of the silver coins, and she gave them to the silversmith, so that he might make from them a molten idol and a graven image. And it was in the house of Micah.
{17:5} Qui ædiculam quoque in ea deo separavit, et fecit ephod, et theraphim, id est, vestem sacerdotalem, et idola: implevitque unius filiorum suorum manum, et factus est ei sacerdos.
{17:5} And he also separated in it a little shrine for the god. And he made an ephod and theraphim, that is, a priestly garment and idols. And he filled the hand of one of his sons, and he became his priest.
{17:6} In diebus illis non erat rex in Israel, sed unusquisque quod sibi rectum videbatur, hoc faciebat.
{17:6} In those days, there was no king in Israel. Instead, each one did what seemed right to himself.
{17:7} Fuit quoque alter adolescens de Bethlehem Iuda, ex cognatione eius: eratque ipse Levites, et habitabat ibi.
{17:7} Also, there was another young man, from Bethlehem of Judah, one of his relatives. And he himself was a Levite, and he was living there.
{17:8} Egressusque de civitate Bethlehem, peregrinari voluit ubicumque sibi commodum reperisset. Cumque venisset in montem Ephraim, iter faciens, et declinasset parumper in domum Michæ,
{17:8} Then, departing from the city of Bethlehem, he wished to sojourn wherever he would find it beneficial to himself. And when he had arrived at mount Ephraim, while making the journey, he also turned aside for a little while to the house of Micah.
{17:9} interrogatus est ab eo unde venisset. Qui respondit: Levita sum de Bethlehem Iuda, et vado ut habitem ubi potuero, et utile mihi esse perspexero.
{17:9} And he was asked by him where he came from. And he responded: “I am a Levite from Bethlehem of Judah. And I am traveling so that I may live where I am able, if I perceive it to be useful to me.”
{17:10} Dixitque Michas: Mane apud me, et esto mihi parens ac sacerdos: daboque tibi per annos singulos decem argenteos, ac vestem duplicem, et quæ ad victum sunt necessaria.
{17:10} And Micah said: “Stay with me. And you shall be to me like a parent and a priest. And I will give to you, each year, ten silver coins, and a double-layered garment, and whatever provisions are necessary.”
{17:11} Acquievit, et mansit apud hominem, fuitque illi quasi unus de filiis.
{17:11} He agreed, and he stayed with the man. And he was to him like one of his sons.
{17:12} Implevitque Michas manum eius, et habuit puerum sacerdotem apud se,
{17:12} And Micah filled his hand, and he had the young man with him as his priest,
{17:13} Nunc scio, dicens, quod benefaciet mihi Deus habenti Levitici generis sacerdotem.
{17:13} saying: “Now I know that God will be good to me, since I have a priest from the stock of the Levites.”
{18:1} In diebus illis non erat rex in Israel, et tribus Dan quærebat possessionem sibi, ut habitaret in ea: usque ad illum enim diem inter ceteras tribus sortem non acceperat.
{18:1} In those days, there was no king in Israel. And the tribe of Dan sought a possession for themselves, so that they might live in it. For even to that day, they had not received their lot among the other tribes.
{18:2} Miserunt ergo filii Dan, stirpis et familiæ suæ quinque viros fortissimos de Saraa et Esthaol, ut explorarent terram, et diligenter inspicerent: dixeruntque eis: Ite, et considerate terram. Qui cum pergentes venissent in montem Ephraim, et intrassent domum Michæ, requieverunt ibi:
{18:2} Therefore, the sons of Dan sent five very strong men, of their stock and family, from Zorah and Eshtaol, so that they might explore the land and diligently inspect it. And they said to them, “Go, and consider the land.” And after traveling, they arrived at mount Ephraim, and they entered into the house of Micah. There they rested.
{18:3} et agnoscentes vocem adolescentis Levitæ, utentesque illius diversorio, dixerunt ad eum: Quis te huc adducit? Quid hic agis? Quam ob causam huc venire voluisti?
{18:3} And they recognized the speech of the youth who was a Levite. And while making use of an inn with him, they said to him: “Who brought you here? What are you doing here? For what reason did you want to come here?”
{18:4} Qui respondit eis: Hæc, et hæc præstitit mihi Michas, et me mercede conduxit ut sim ei sacerdos.
{18:4} And he answered them, “Micah has offered me one thing and another, and he has paid me wages, so that I may be his priest.”
{18:5} Rogaverunt autem eum ut consuleret Dominum, ut scire possent an prospero itinere pergerent, et res haberet effectum.
{18:5} Then they begged him to consult the Lord, so that they might be able to know whether the journey they undertook would be prosperous, and whether the matter would have success.
{18:6} Qui respondit eis: Ite in pace: Dominus respicit viam vestram, et iter quo pergitis.
{18:6} And he responded to them, “Go in peace. The Lord looks with favor on your path, and on the journey that you have undertaken.”
{18:7} Euntes igitur quinque viri venerunt Lais: videruntque populum habitantem in ea absque ullo timore, iuxta consuetudinem Sidoniorum, securum et quietum, nullo ei penitus resistente, magnarumque opum, et procul a Sidone atque a cunctis hominibus separatum.
{18:7} And so the five men, going on, arrived at Laish. And they saw the people, living in it without any fear, according to the custom of the Sidonians, secure and peaceful, having hardly anyone to oppose them, and with great wealth, and living separately, far from Sidon and from all men.
{18:8} Reversique ad fratres suos in Saraa et Esthaol, et quid egissent sciscitantibus responderunt:
{18:8} And they returned to their brothers at Zorah and Eshtaol, who questioned them as to what they had done. And they responded:
{18:9} Surgite, ascendamus ad eos: vidimus enim terram valde opulentam et uberem: nolite negligere, nolite cessare. Eamus, et possideamus eam, nullus erit labor.
{18:9} “Rise up. Let us ascend to them. For we have seen that the land is very wealthy and fruitful. Do not delay; do not refrain. Let us go out and possess it. There will be no difficulty.
{18:10} Intrabimus ad securos, in regionem latissimam, tradetque nobis Dominus locum, in quo nullius rei est penuria eorum, quæ gignuntur in terra.
{18:10} We shall enter to those who dwell securely, in a very wide region, and the Lord will deliver the place to us, a place in which there is no lack of anything that grows upon the earth.”
{18:11} Profecti igitur sunt de cognatione Dan, id est, de Saraa et Esthaol sexcenti viri accincti armis bellicis,
{18:11} And so, those of the kindred of Dan set out, that is, six hundred men from Zorah and Eshtaol, girded with the weapons of warfare.
{18:12} ascendentesque manserunt in Cariathiarim Iudæ: qui locus ex eo tempore Castrorum Dan, nomen accepit, et est post tergum Cariathiarim.
{18:12} And going up, they stayed at Kiriath-jearim of Judah. And so the place, from that time, received the name the Camp of Dan, and it is behind the back of Kiriath-jearim.
{18:13} Inde transierunt in montem Ephraim. Cumque venissent ad domum Michæ,
{18:13} From there, they crossed over to mount Ephraim. And when they had arrived at the house of Micah,
{18:14} dixerunt quinque viri, qui prius missi fuerant ad considerandam Terram Lais, ceteris fratribus suis: Nostis quod in domibus istis sit ephod, et theraphim, et sculptile, atque conflatile: videte quid vobis placeat.
{18:14} the five men, who before had been sent to consider the land of Laish, said to the rest of their brothers: “You know that in these houses there is an ephod and theraphim, and a molten idol and a graven image. Consider what it may please you to do.”
{18:15} Et cum paululum declinassent, ingressi sunt domum adolescentis Levitæ, qui erat in domo Michæ: salutaveruntque eum verbis pacificis.
{18:15} And when they had turned aside a little, they entered the house of the Levite youth, who was in the house of Micah. And they greeted him with peaceful words.
{18:16} Sexcenti autem viri ita ut erant armati, stabant ante ostium.
{18:16} Now the six hundred men, who were all armed, were standing before the door.
{18:17} At illi, qui ingressi fuerant domum iuvenis, sculptile, et ephod, et theraphim, atque conflatile tollere nitebantur, et sacerdos stabat ante ostium, sexcentis viris fortissimis haud procul expectantibus.
{18:17} But those who had entered the house of the youth strove to take away the graven image, and the ephod, and the theraphim, and the molten idol. But the priest was standing in front of the door, with the six hundred very strong men waiting not far away.
{18:18} Tulerunt igitur qui intraverant sculptile, ephod, et idola, atque conflatile. Quibus dixit sacerdos: Quid facitis?
{18:18} And so, those who had entered took away the graven image, the ephod, and the theraphim, and the molten idol. And the priest said to them, “What are you doing?”
{18:19} Cui responderunt: Tace, et pone digitum super os tuum: venique nobiscum, ut habeamus te patrem, ac sacerdotem. Quid tibi melius est, ut sis sacerdos in domo unius viri, an in una tribu et familia in Israel?
{18:19} And they responded to him: “Be silent and place your finger over your mouth. And come with us, so that we may have you as a father as well as a priest. For which is better for you: to be a priest in the house of one man, or in one tribe and family in Israel?”
{18:20} Quod cum audisset, acquievit sermonibus eorum, et tulit ephod, et idola, ac sculptile, et profectus est cum eis.
{18:20} And when he had heard this, he agreed to their words. And he took the ephod, and the idols, and the graven image, and he set out with them.
{18:21} Qui cum pergerent, et ante se ire fecissent parvulos ac iumenta, et omne quod erat pretiosum,
{18:21} And while traveling, they had also sent the children, and the cattle, and all that was valuable to go ahead of them.
{18:22} et iam a domo Michæ essent procul, viri qui habitabant in ædibus Michæ conclamantes secuti sunt,
{18:22} And when they were far from the house of Micah, the men who were living in the houses of Micah, crying out together, followed them.
{18:23} et post tergum clamare cœperunt. Qui cum respexissent, dixerunt ad Micham: Quid tibi vis? Cur clamas?
{18:23} And they began to shout behind their backs. And when they had looked back, they said to Micah: “What do you want? Why are you crying out?”
{18:24} Qui respondit: Meos deos, quos mihi feci, tulistis, et sacerdotem, et omnia quæ habeo, et dicitis: Quid tibi est?
{18:24} And he responded: “You have taken away my gods, which I made for myself, and the priest, and all that I have. And do you say, ‘What is it that you want?’ ”
{18:25} Dixeruntque ei filii Dan: Cave ne ultra loquaris ad nos, et veniant ad te viri animo concitati, et ipse cum omni domo tua pereas.
{18:25} And the sons of Dan said to him, “Take care that you no longer speak to us, otherwise men with a mind for violence may overwhelm you, and you yourself would perish with all your house.”
{18:26} Et sic cœpto itinere perrexerunt. Videns autem Michas, quod fortiores se essent, reversus est in domum suam.
{18:26} And so, they continued on the journey that they had begun. But Micah, seeing that they were stronger than he was, returned to his house.
{18:27} Sexcenti autem viri tulerunt sacerdotem, et quæ supra diximus: veneruntque in Lais ad populum quiescentem atque securum, et percusserunt eos in ore gladii: urbemque incendio tradiderunt,
{18:27} Now the six hundred men took the priest, and the things we stated above, and they went to Laish, to a people quiet and secure, and they struck them down with the edge of the sword. And they burned the city with fire.
{18:28} nullo penitus ferente præsidium, eo quod procul habitarent a Sidone, et cum nullo hominum haberent quidquam societatis ac negotii. Erat autem civitas sita in regione Rohob: quam rursum extruentes habitaverunt in ea,
{18:28} For no one at all sent reinforcements, because they lived far away from Sidon, and they had no association or business with any man. Now the city was situated in the region of Rehob. And building it up again, they lived in it,
{18:29} vocato nomine civitatis Dan iuxta vocabulum patris sui, quem genuerat Israel, quæ prius Lais dicebatur.
{18:29} calling the name of the city Dan, according to the name of their father, who had been born of Israel, though before it was called Laish.
{18:30} Posueruntque sibi sculptile, et Ionathan filium Gersam filii Moysi, ac filios eius sacerdotes in tribu Dan, usque ad diem captivitatis suæ.
{18:30} And they established for themselves the graven image. And Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, with his sons, were priests in the tribe of Dan, even until the day of their captivity.
~ The tribe of Dan is a figure of the followers of the Antichrist during his nearly seven year reign, when there will be no Pope over the Church. The molten god and graven image represent the Antichrist and the false prophetess. The youth who became a priest for money, selling himself into idolatry, represents those priests in that time who will follow the false prophetess and the Antichrist.
{18:31} Mansitque apud eos idolum Michæ omni tempore, quo fuit domus Dei in Silo. In diebus illis non erat rex in Israel.
{18:31} And the idol of Micah remained with them during the entire time that the house of God was in Shiloh. In those days, there was no king in Israel.
{19:1} Fuit quidam vir Levites habitans in latere montis Ephraim, qui accepit uxorem de Bethlehem Iuda:
{19:1} There was a certain man, a Levite, living beside mount Ephraim, who took a wife from Bethlehem of Judah.
{19:2} quæ reliquit eum, et reversa est in domum patris sui in Bethlehem, mansitque apud eum quattuor mensibus.
{19:2} She left him, and she returned to the house of her father in Bethlehem. And she stayed with him for four months.
{19:3} Secutusque est eam vir suus, volens reconciliari ei, atque blandiri, et secum reducere, habens in comitatu puerum et duos asinos: quæ suscepit eum, et introduxit in domum patris sui. Quod cum audisset socer eius, eumque vidisset, occurrit ei lætus,
{19:3} And her husband followed her, wishing to be reconciled with her, and to speak kindly to her, and to lead her back with him. And he had with him a servant and two donkeys. And she received him, and brought him into the house of her father. And when his father-in-law had heard about this, and had seen him, he met him with joy.
{19:4} et amplexatus est hominem. Mansitque gener in domo soceri tribus diebus, comedens cum eo et bibens familiariter.
{19:4} And he embraced the man. And the son-in-law stayed in the house of his father-in-law for three days, eating and drinking with him in a friendly manner.
{19:5} Die autem quarto de nocte consurgens, proficisci voluit. Quem tenuit socer, et ait ad eum: Gusta prius pauxillum panis, et conforta stomachum, et sic proficisceris.
{19:5} But on the fourth day, arising in the night, he intended to set out. But his father-in-law took hold of him, and he said to him, “First taste a little bread, and strengthen your stomach, and then you shall set out.”
{19:6} Sederuntque simul, ac comederunt et biberunt. Dixitque pater puellæ ad generum suum: Quæso te ut hodie hic maneas, pariterque lætemur.
{19:6} And they sat down together, and they ate and drank. And the father of the young woman said to his son-in-law, “I ask you to remain here today, so that we may rejoice together.”
{19:7} At ille consurgens, cœpit velle proficisci. Et nihilominus obnixe eum socer tenuit, et apud se fecit manere.
{19:7} But getting up, he intended to begin to set out. But nevertheless, his father-in-law pressed him resolutely, and made him remain with him.
{19:8} Mane autem facto, parabat Levites iter. Cui socer rursum: Oro te, inquit, ut paululum cibi capias, et assumptis viribus, donec increscat dies, postea proficiscaris. Comederunt ergo simul.
{19:8} But when morning came, the Levite was preparing for his journey. And his father-in-law said to him again, “I beg you to take a little food, and to be strengthened, until the daylight increases, and after that, you shall set out.” Therefore, they ate together.
{19:9} Surrexitque adolescens, ut pergeret cum uxore sua et puero. Cui rursum locutus est socer: Considera quod dies ad occasum declivior sit, et propinquat ad vesperum: mane apud me etiam hodie, et duc lætum diem, et cras proficisceris ut vadas in domum tuam.
{19:9} And the young man got up, so that he might travel with his wife and servant. And his father-in-law spoke to him again: “Consider that the daylight is declining, and it approaches toward evening. Remain with me also today, and spend the day in gladness. And tomorrow you shall set out, so that you may go to your own house.”
{19:10} Noluit gener acquiescere sermonibus eius: sed statim perrexit, et venit contra Iebus, quæ altero nomine vocatur Ierusalem, ducens secum duos asinos onustos, et concubinam.
{19:10} His son-in-law was not willing to agree to his words. Instead, he immediately continued on, and he arrived opposite Jebus, which by another name is called Jerusalem, leading with him two donkeys carrying burdens, and his mate.
~ The word ‘concubine’ refers to sleeping together, so the wife of this man is called his ‘concubinam’ because now that they have been reconciled, after being apart for several months, they resumed sleeping together.
{19:11} Iamque erant iuxta Iebus, et dies mutabatur in noctem: dixitque puer ad dominum suum: Veni, obsecro, declinemus ad urbem Iebusæorum, et maneamus in ea.
{19:11} And now they were near Jebus, but day was turning into night. And the servant said to his lord, “Come, I beg you, let us turn aside to the city of the Jebusites, so that we may find lodging in it.”
{19:12} Cui respondit dominus: Non ingrediar oppidum gentis alienæ, quæ non est de filiis Israel, sed transibo usque Gabaa:
{19:12} His lord responded to him: “I will not enter into the town of a foreign people, who are not of the sons of Israel. Instead, I will cross over as far as Gibeah.
{19:13} et cum illuc pervenero, manebimus in ea, aut certe in urbe Rama.
{19:13} And when I will have arrived there, we will lodge in that place, or at least in the city of Ramah.”
{19:14} Transierunt ergo Iebus, et cœptum carpebant iter, occubuitque eis sol iuxta Gabaa, quæ est in tribu Beniamin:
{19:14} Therefore, they passed by Jebus, and continuing on, they undertook the journey. But the sun went down on them when they were near Gibeah, which is of the tribe of Benjamin.
{19:15} diverteruntque ad eam, ut manerent ibi. Quo cum intrassent, sedebant in platea civitatis, et nullus eos recipere voluit hospitio.
{19:15} And so they diverted to it, so that they might lodge there. And when they had entered, they were sitting in the street of the city. For no one was willing to give them hospitality.
{19:16} Et ecce, apparuit homo senex, revertens de agro et de opere suo vesperi, qui et ipse de monte erat Ephraim, et peregrinus habitabat in Gabaa. Homines autem regionis illius erant filii Iemini.
{19:16} And behold, they saw an old man, returning from the field and from his work in the evening, and he was also from mount Ephraim, and he was living as a stranger in Gibeah. For the men of that region were of the sons of Benjamin.
{19:17} Elevatisque oculis, vidit senex sedentem hominem cum sarcinulis suis in platea civitatis: et dixit ad eum: Unde venis? Et quo vadis?
{19:17} And the old man, lifting up his eyes, saw the man sitting with his bundles in the street of the city. And he said to him: “Where have you come from? And where are you going?”
{19:18} Qui respondit ei: Profecti sumus de Bethlehem Iuda, et pergimus ad locum nostrum, qui est in latere montis Ephraim, unde ieramus in Bethlehem: et nunc vadimus ad domum Dei, nullusque sub tectum suum nos vult recipere,
{19:18} He answered him: “We set out from Bethlehem of Judah, and we are traveling to our own place, which is beside mount Ephraim. From there we went to Bethlehem, and now we go to the house of God. But no one is willing to receive us under his roof.
~ At that time, the house of God was at Shiloh, near mount Ephraim, and not in Jerusalem.
{19:19} habentes paleas et fœnum in asinorum pabulum, et panem ac vinum in meos et ancillæ tuæ usus, et pueri, qui mecum est: nulla re indigemus nisi hospitio.
{19:19} We have straw and hay as fodder for the donkeys, and we have bread and wine for the use of myself, and for your handmaid and the servant who is with me. We lack nothing except lodging.”
{19:20} Cui respondit senex: Pax tecum sit, ego præbebo omnia quæ necessaria sunt: tantum, quæso, ne in platea maneas.
{19:20} And the old man responded to him: “Peace be with you. I will provide all that is necessary. Only, I beg you, do not stay in the street.”
{19:21} Introduxitque eum in domum suam, et pabulum asinis præbuit: ac postquam laverunt pedes suos, recepit eos in convivium.
{19:21} And he led him into his house, and he gave fodder to his donkeys. And after they had washed their feet, he received them with a banquet.
{19:22} Illis epulantibus, et post laborem itineris, cibo et potu reficientibus corpora, venerunt viri civitatis illius, filii Belial, (id est, absque iugo) et circumdantes domum senis, fores pulsare cœperunt, clamantes ad dominum domus, atque dicentes: Educ virum, qui ingressus est domum tuam, ut abutamur eo.
{19:22} And while they were feasting, and were refreshing their bodies with food and drink after the labor of the journey, the men of that city, sons of Belial (that is, without yoke), came and surrounded the old man’s house. And they began to knock at the door, calling out to the lord of the house, and saying, “Bring out the man who entered your house, so that we may abuse him.”
~ The word Belial is used to refer to wickedness, to persons who are without proper order in their acts, who are without discipline, particularly the discipline of following conscience and the moral law.
{19:23} Egressusque est ad eos senex, et ait: Nolite fratres, nolite facere malum hoc: quia ingressus est homo hospitium meum, et cessate ab hac stultitia:
{19:23} And the old man went out to them, and he said: “Do not choose, brothers, do not choose to do this evil. For this man has entered to my hospitality. And you must cease from this senselessness.
{19:24} habeo filiam virginem, et hic homo habet concubinam, educam eas ad vos, ut humilietis eas, et vestram libidinem compleatis: tantum, obsecro, ne scelus hoc contra naturam operemini in virum.
{19:24} I have a virgin daughter, and this man has a mate. I will lead them out to you, so that you may debase them and may satisfy your lust. Only, I beg you, do not commit this crime against nature on the man.”
~ Homosexual acts are much more sinful and much more offensive to God than sinful heterosexual acts, because the former is against nature.
{19:25} Nolebant acquiescere sermonibus illius. Quod cernens homo, eduxit ad eos concubinam suam, et eis tradidit illudendam: qua cum tota nocte abusi essent, dimiserunt eam mane.
{19:25} But they were not willing to agree to his words. So the man, discerning this, led out his mate to them, and he delivered her to their sexual abuse. And when they had abused her for the entire night, they released her in the morning.
{19:26} At mulier, recedentibus tenebris, venit ad ostium domus, ubi manebat dominus suus, et ibi corruit.
{19:26} But the woman, as darkness was receding, came to the door of the house, where her lord was staying, and there she fell down.
{19:27} Mane facto, surrexit homo, et aperuit ostium, ut cœptam expleret viam: et ecce concubina eius iacebat ante ostium sparsis in limine manibus.
{19:27} When morning came, the man arose, and he opened the door, so that he might complete the journey that he had begun. And behold, his mate was lying before the door, with her hands reaching out to the threshold.
{19:28} Cui ille, putans eam quiescere, loquebatur: Surge, et ambulemus. Qua nihil respondente, intelligens quod erat mortua; tulit eam, et imposuit asino, reversusque est in domum suam.
{19:28} And he, thinking that she was resting, said to her, “Get up, and let us walk.” But since she gave no response, realizing that she had died, he took her up, and he laid her on his donkey, and he returned to his house.
{19:29} Quam cum esset ingressus, arripuit gladium, et cadaver uxoris cum ossibus suis in duodecim partes ac frustra concidens, misit in omnes terminos Israel.
{19:29} And when he had arrived, he took up a sword, and he cut into pieces the dead body of his wife, with her bones, into twelve parts. And he sent the pieces into all the parts of Israel.
~ The twelve parts: head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, two lower legs, two upper legs, two arms from elbow to hand, two arms from shoulder to elbow. Each part represents a tribe of Israel (and a part of the future Church with 12 parts), and its strengths and weaknesses. Judah is the head.
{19:30} Quod cum vidissent singuli, conclamabant. Numquam res talis facta est in Israel ex eo die, quo ascenderunt patres nostri de Ægypto, usque in præsens tempus: ferte sententiam, et in commune decernite quid facto opus sit.
{19:30} And when each one had seen this, they were crying out together, “Never has such a thing been done in Israel, from the day that our fathers ascended from Egypt, even to the present time. Let a sentence be brought and let us decide in common what ought to be done.”
{20:1} Egressi itaque sunt omnes filii Israel, et pariter congregati, quasi vir unus, de Dan, usque Bersabee, et Terra Galaad ad Dominum in Maspha:
{20:1} And so all the sons of Israel went out like one man, from Dan to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, and they gathered together, before the Lord, at Mizpah.
{20:2} Omnesque anguli populorum, et cunctæ tribus Israel in ecclesiam populi Dei convenerunt quadringenta millia peditum pugnatorum.
{20:2} And all the chiefs of the people, and every tribe of Israel, convened as an assembly of the people of God, four hundred thousand foot soldiers for battle.
{20:3} (Nec latuit filios Beniamin quod ascendissent filii Israel in Maspha.) Interrogatusque Levita, maritus mulieris interfectæ, quomodo tantum scelus perpetratum esset,
{20:3} (But it was not hidden from the sons of Benjamin that the sons of Israel had ascended to Mizpah.) And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was killed, being questioned as to how so great a crime had been perpetrated,
{20:4} respondit: Veni in Gabaa Beniamin cum uxore mea, illucque diverti:
{20:4} responded: “I went to Gibeah of Benjamin, with my wife, and I diverted to that place.
{20:5} et ecce homines civitatis illius circumdederunt nocte domum, in qua manebam, volentes me occidere, et uxorem meam incredibili furore libidinis vexantes, denique mortua est.
{20:5} And behold, the men of that city, at night, surrounded the house in which I was staying, intending to kill me. And they abused my wife with such an incredible fury of lust that in the end she died.
{20:6} Quam arreptam, in frustra concidi, misique partes in omnes terminos possessionis vestræ: quia numquam tantum nefas, et tam grande piaculum factum est in Israel.
{20:6} And taking her up, I cut her into pieces, and I sent the parts into all the borders of your possession. For never before was such a nefarious crime, and so great a sin, committed in Israel.
{20:7} Adestis omnes filii Israel, decernite quid facere debeatis.
{20:7} You are all present here, O sons of Israel. Discern what you ought to do.”
{20:8} Stansque omnis populus, quasi unius hominis sermone respondit: Non recedemus in tabernacula nostra, nec suam quisquam intrabit domum:
{20:8} And all the people, standing, responded as if with the word of one man: “We shall not return to our own tents, nor shall anyone enter into his own house.
{20:9} sed hoc contra Gabaa in commune faciamus.
{20:9} But this we shall do in common against Gibeah:
{20:10} Decem viri eligantur e centum ex omnibus tribubus Israel, et centum de mille, et mille de decem millibus, ut comportent exercitui cibaria, et possimus pugnare contra Gabaa Beniamin, et reddere ei pro scelere, quod meretur.
{20:10} We shall select ten men out of one hundred from all the tribes of Israel, and one hundred out of one thousand, and one thousand out of ten thousand, so that they may transport supplies for the army, and so that we will be able to fight against Gibeah of Benjamin, and to repay it for its crime as it deserves.”
{20:11} Convenitque universus Israel ad civitatem, quasi homo unus eadem mente, unoque consilio.
{20:11} And all of Israel convened against the city, like one man, with one mind and one counsel.
{20:12} Et miserunt nuncios ad omnem tribum Beniamin, qui dicerent: Cur tantum nefas in vobis repertum est?
{20:12} And they sent messengers to the entire tribe of Benjamin, who said: “Why has so great a wickedness been found among you?
{20:13} Tradite homines de Gabaa, qui hoc flagitium perpetrarunt, ut moriantur, et auferatur malum de Israel. Qui noluerunt fratrum suorum filiorum Israel audire mandatum:
{20:13} Deliver the men of Gibeah, who have perpetrated this deplorable act, so that they may die, and so that the evil may be taken away from Israel.” And they were not willing to listen to the command of their brothers, the sons of Israel.
{20:14} sed ex cunctis urbibus, quæ sortis suæ erant, convenerunt in Gabaa, ut illis ferrent auxilium, et contra universum populum Israel dimicarent.
{20:14} Instead, out of all the cities that were their lot, they convened at Gibeah, so that they might bring them assistance, and so that they might contend against the entire people of Israel.
{20:15} Inventique sunt viginti quinque millia de Beniamin educentium gladium, præter habitatores Gabaa,
{20:15} And there were found from Benjamin twenty-five thousand who drew the sword, aside from the inhabitants of Gibeah,
{20:16} qui septingenti erant viri fortissimi, ita sinistra ut dextra prœliantes: et sic fundis lapides ad certum iacientes, ut capillum quoque possent percutere, et nequaquam in alteram partem ictus lapidis deferretur.
{20:16} who were seven hundred very strong men, fighting with the left hand as well as with the right hand, and casting stones from a sling so accurately that they were able to strike even a hair, and the path of the stone would by no means miss to either side.
{20:17} Virorum quoque Israel, absque filiis Beniamin, inventa sunt quadringenta millia educentium gladium, et paratorum ad pugnam.
{20:17} Then too, among the men of Israel apart from the sons of Benjamin, there were found four hundred thousand who drew the sword and who were prepared for battle.
{20:18} Qui surgentes venerunt in domum Dei, hoc est, in Silo: consulueruntque Deum, atque dixerunt: Quis erit in exercitu nostro princeps certaminis contra filios Beniamin? Quibus respondit Dominus: Iudas sit dux vester.
{20:18} And they rose up and went to the house of God, that is, to Shiloh. And they consulted God, and they said, “Who shall be, in our army, the first to contend against the sons of Benjamin?” And the Lord responded to them, “Let Judah be your leader.”
{20:19} Statimque filii Israel surgentes mane, castrametati sunt iuxta Gabaa:
{20:19} And immediately the sons of Israel, rising up in the morning, made camp near Gibeah.
{20:20} et inde procedentes ad pugnam contra Beniamin, urbem oppugnare cœperunt.
{20:20} And setting out from there to fight against Benjamin, they began to assault the city.
{20:21} Egressique filii Beniamin de Gabaa, occiderunt de filiis Israel die illo viginti duo millia virorum.
{20:21} And the sons of Benjamin, departing from Gibeah, slew twenty-two thousand men from the sons of Israel, on that day.
{20:22} Rursum filii Israel et fortitudine et numero confidentes, in eodem loco, in quo prius certaverant, aciem direxerunt:
{20:22} Again the sons of Israel, trusting in both strength and number, set their troops in order, in the same place where they had contended before.
{20:23} ita tamen ut prius ascenderent et flerent coram Domino usque ad noctem: consulerentque eum, et dicerent: Debeo ultra procedere ad dimicandum contra filios Beniamin fratres meos, an non? Quibus ille respondit: Ascendite ad eos, et inite certamen.
{20:23} But first they also went up and wept before the Lord, even until night. And they consulted him and said, “Should I continue to go forth, so as to contend against the sons of Benjamin, my brothers, or not?” And he responded to them, “Ascend against them, and undertake the struggle.”
{20:24} Cumque filii Israel altera die contra filios Beniamin ad prœlium processissent,
{20:24} And when the sons of Israel had continued to do battle against the sons of Benjamin on the next day,
{20:25} eruperunt filii Beniamin de portis Gabaa: et occurrentes eis tanta in illos cæde bacchati sunt, ut decem et octo millia virorum educentium gladium prosternerent.
{20:25} the sons of Benjamin burst forth from the gates of Gibeah. And meeting them, they made such a frenzied slaughter against them that they struck down eighteen thousand men who drew the sword.
{20:26} Quam ob rem omnes filii Israel venerunt in domum Dei, et sedentes flebant coram Domino: ieiunaveruntque die illo usque ad vesperam, et obtulerunt ei holocausta, atque pacificas victimas,
{20:26} As a result, all the sons of Israel went to the house of God, and sitting down, they wept before the Lord. And they fasted that day until evening, and they offered to him holocausts and victims of peace offerings.
{20:27} et super statu suo interrogaverunt. Eo tempore ibi erat arca fœderis Dei,
{20:27} And they inquired about their state. At that time, the ark of the covenant of the Lord was in that place.
{20:28} et Phinees filius Eleazari filii Aaron præpositus domus. Consuluerunt igitur Dominum, atque dixerunt: Exire ultra debemus ad pugnam contra filios Beniamin fratres nostros, an quiescere? Quibus ait Dominus: Ascendite, cras enim tradam eos in manus vestras.
{20:28} And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was the first ruler of the house. And so, they consulted the Lord, and they said, “Should we continue to go forth in battle against the sons of Benjamin, our brothers, or should we cease?” And the Lord said to them: “Ascend. For tomorrow, I will deliver them into your hands.”
{20:29} Posueruntque filii Israel insidias per circuitum urbis Gabaa:
{20:29} And the sons of Israel stationed ambushes around the city of Gibeah.
{20:30} et tertia vice, sicut semel et bis, contra Beniamin exercitum produxerunt.
{20:30} And they brought out their army against Benjamin a third time, just as they had done on the first and second times.
{20:31} Sed et filii Beniamin audacter eruperunt de civitate, et fugientes adversarios longius persecuti sunt, ita ut vulnerarent ex eis sicut primo die et secundo, et cæderent per duas semitas vertentes terga, quarum una ferebatur in Bethel, et altera in Gabaa, atque prosternerent triginta circiter viros:
{20:31} But the sons of Benjamin again burst forth boldly from the city. And since their enemies were fleeing, they pursued them a long way, so that they might wound or kill some of them, just as they had done on the first and second days. And they turned their backs along two paths, one bringing them toward Bethel, and the other toward Gibeah. And they struck down about thirty men.
{20:32} putaverunt enim solito eos more cedere. Qui fugam arte simulantes inierunt consilium ut abstraherent eos de civitate, et quasi fugientes ad supradictas semitas perducerent.
{20:32} For they thought that they were falling back as they had done before. But instead, skillfully feigning flight, they undertook a plan to draw them away from the city, and by seeming to flee, to lead them along the above stated paths.
{20:33} Omnes itaque filii Israel surgentes de sedibus suis, tetenderunt aciem in loco, qui vocatur Baalthamar. Insidiæ quoque, quæ circa urbem erant, paulatim se aperire cœperunt,
{20:33} And so all the sons of Israel, rising up from their positions, set their troops in order, in the place which is called Baaltamar. Likewise, the ambushes that encircled the city began, little by little, to reveal themselves,
{20:34} et ab Occidentali urbis parte procedere. Sed et alia decem millia virorum de universo Israel, habitatores urbis ad certamina provocabant. Ingravatumque est bellum contra filios Beniamin: et non intellexerunt quod ex omni parte illis instaret interitus.
{20:34} and to advance upon the western part of the city. Moreover, another ten thousand men from all of Israel were provoking a conflict with the inhabitants of the city. And the war grew heavy against the sons of Benjamin. And they did not realize that, on all sides of them, death was imminent.
{20:35} Percussitque eos Dominus in conspectu filiorum Israel, et interfecerunt ex eis in illo die viginti quinque millia, et centum viros, omnes bellatores et educentes gladium.
{20:35} And the Lord struck them down in the sight of the sons of Israel, and they put to death, on that day, twenty-five thousand of them, along with one hundred men, all warriors and those who drew the sword.
{20:36} Filii autem Beniamin cum se inferiores esse vidissent, cœperunt fugere. Quod cernentes filii Israel, dederunt eis ad fugiendum locum, ut ad præparatas insidias devenirent, quas iuxta urbem posuerant.
{20:36} But the sons of Benjamin, when they had seen themselves to be the weaker, began to flee. And the sons of Israel discerning this, gave them room to flee, so that they might arrive at the ambushes that were prepared, which they had positioned near the city.
{20:37} Qui cum repente de latibulis surrexissent, et Beniamin terga cædentibus daret, ingressi sunt civitatem, et percusserunt eam in ore gladii.
{20:37} And after they had risen up suddenly from hiding, and those of Benjamin had turned their backs to those who cut them down, they entered the city, and they struck it with the edge of the sword.
{20:38} Signum autem dederant filii Israel his, quos in insidiis collocaverant, ut postquam urbem cepissent, ignem accenderent: ut ascendente in altum fumo, captam urbem demonstrarent.
{20:38} Now the sons of Israel had given a sign to those whom they had stationed in ambushes, so that, after they had seized the city, they would light a fire, and by the smoke ascending on high, they would show that the city was captured.
{20:39} Quod cum cernerent filii Israel in ipso certamine positi (putaverunt enim filii Beniamin eos fugere, et instantius persequebantur, cæsis de exercitu eorum triginta viris)
{20:39} And then, the sons of Israel discerned this sign during the battle (for the sons of Benjamin had thought that they fled, and they pursued them forcefully, cutting down thirty men from their army).
{20:40} et viderent quasi columnam fumi de civitate conscendere. Beniamin quoque aspiciens retro, cum captam cerneret civitatem, et flammas in sublime ferri:
{20:40} And they saw something like a pillar of smoke ascending from the city. Likewise, Benjamin, looking back, discerned that the city was captured, for the flames were being carried on high.
{20:41} qui prius simulaverant fugam, versa facie fortius resistebant. Quod cum vidissent filii Beniamin, in fugam versi sunt,
{20:41} And those who before had pretended to flee, turning their faces, withstood them more strongly. And when the sons of Benjamin had seen this, they turned their backs in flight,
{20:42} et ad viam deserti ire cœperunt, illuc quoque eos adversariis persequentibus. Sed et hi, qui urbem succenderant, occurrerunt eis.
{20:42} and they began to go toward the way of the desert, with the adversary pursuing them to that place also. Moreover, those who had set fire to the city also met them.
{20:43} Atque ita factum est, ut ex utraque parte ab hostibus cæderentur, nec erat ulla requies morientium. Ceciderunt, atque prostrati sunt ad Orientalem plagam urbis Gabaa.
{20:43} And so it happened that they were cut down on both sides by the enemies, nor was there any respite for the dying. They were killed and struck down on the eastern side of the city of Gibeah.
{20:44} Fuerunt autem qui in eodem loco interfecti sunt, decem et octo millia virorum, omnes robustissimi pugnatores.
{20:44} Now those who were put to death in the same place were eighteen thousand men, all very robust fighters.
{20:45} Quod cum vidissent, qui remanserant de Beniamin, fugerunt in solitudinem: et pergebant ad Petram, cuius vocabulum est Remmon. In illa quoque fuga palantes, et in diversa tendentes, occiderunt quinque millia virorum. Et cum ultra tenderent, persecuti sunt eos, et interfecerunt etiam alia duo millia.
{20:45} And when those who remained of Benjamin had seen this, they fled into the wilderness. And they were traveling toward the rock which is called Rimmon. In that flight also, among those who were scattering in different directions, they slew five thousand men. And though they scattered all the more, they continued to pursue them, and then they put to death another two thousand.
{20:46} Et sic factum est, ut omnes qui ceciderant de Beniamin in diversis locis essent viginti quinque millia, pugnatores ad bella promptissimi.
{20:46} And so it happened that all of those who were slain from Benjamin, in various places, were twenty-five thousand fighters, very willing to go to war.
{20:47} Remanserunt itaque de omni numero Beniamin, qui evadere, et fugere in solitudinem potuerunt, sexcenti viri: sederuntque in Petra Remmon mensibus quattuor.
{20:47} And so there remained from the entire number of Benjamin six hundred men who were able to escape and to flee into the wilderness. And they settled at the rock of Rimmon, for four months.
{20:48} Regressi autem filii Israel, omnes reliquias civitatis a viris usque ad iumenta gladio percusserunt, cunctasque urbes et viculos Beniamin vorax flamma consumpsit.
{20:48} But the sons of Israel, returning, had struck with the sword all that remained in the city, from men even to cattle. And all the cities and villages of Benjamin were consumed with devouring flames.
{21:1} Iuraverunt quoque filii Israel in Maspha et dixerunt: Nullus nostrum dabit filiis Beniamin de filiabus suis uxorem.
{21:1} The sons of Israel had also taken an oath at Mizpah, and they said, “None of us shall give his daughters as a wife to the sons of Benjamin.”
{21:2} Veneruntque omnes ad domum Dei in Silo, et in conspectu eius sedentes usque ad vesperam, levaverunt vocem, et magno ululatu cœperunt flere, dicentes:
{21:2} And they all went to the house of God at Shiloh. And sitting in his sight until evening, they lifted up their voice, and they began to weep, with a great wailing, saying,
{21:3} Quare Domine Deus Israel factum est hoc malum in populo tuo, ut hodie una tribus auferretur ex nobis?
{21:3} “Why, O Lord, God of Israel, has this evil happened among your people, so that this day one tribe would be taken away from us?”
{21:4} Altera autem die diluculo consurgentes, extruxerunt altare: obtuleruntque ibi holocausta, et pacificas victimas, et dixerunt:
{21:4} Then, rising at first light on the next day, they built an altar. And they offered holocausts and victims of peace offerings there, and they said,
{21:5} Quis non ascendit in exercitu Domini de universis tribubus Israel? Grandi enim iuramento se constrinxerant, cum essent in Maspha, interfici eos qui defuissent.
{21:5} “Who, out of all the tribes of Israel, did not ascend with the army of the Lord?” For they had bound themselves with a great oath, when they were at Mizpah, that whoever was not present would be slain.
{21:6} Ductique pœnitentia filii Israel super fratre suo Beniamin, cœperunt dicere: Ablata est tribus una de Israel,
{21:6} And the sons of Israel, having been led to repentance over their brother Benjamin, began to say: “One tribe has been taken away from Israel.
{21:7} unde uxores accipient? Omnes enim in commune iuravimus, non daturos nos his filias nostras.
{21:7} From where shall they receive wives? For we have all sworn in common that we will not give our daughters to them.”
{21:8} Idcirco dixerunt: Quis est de universis tribubus Israel, qui non ascendit ad Dominum in Maspha? Et ecce inventi sunt habitatores Iabes Galaad in illo exercitu non fuisse.
{21:8} For this reason, they said, “Who is there, out of all the tribes of Israel, that did not ascend to the Lord at Mizpah?” And behold, the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead were found not to have been among that army.
{21:9} (Eo quoque tempore cum essent in Silo, nullus ex eis ibi repertus est.)
{21:9} (Likewise, in the time when they had been at Shiloh, not one of them was found to be there.)
{21:10} Miserunt itaque decem millia viros robustissimos, et præceperunt eis: Ite, et percutite habitatores Iabes Galaad in ore gladii, tam uxores quam parvulos eorum.
{21:10} And so they sent ten thousand very robust men, and they instructed them, saying, “Go and strike down the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead with the edge of the sword, including their wives and little ones.”
{21:11} Et hoc erit quod observare debebitis: Omne generis masculini, et mulieres, quæ cognoverunt viros, interficite, virgines autem reservate.
{21:11} And this shall be what you ought to do: “Every one of the male gender, as well as all the women who have known men, shall be put to death. But the virgins you shall reserve.”
{21:12} Inventæque sunt de Iabes Galaad quadringentæ virgines, quæ nescierunt viri thorum, et adduxerunt eas ad castra in Silo, in Terram Chanaan.
{21:12} And four hundred virgins, who had not known the bed of a man, were found from Jabesh-Gilead. And they brought them to the camp at Shiloh, in the land of Canaan.
{21:13} Miseruntque nuncios ad filios Beniamin, qui erant in Petra Remmon, et præceperunt eis, ut eos susciperent in pace.
{21:13} And they sent messengers to the sons of Benjamin, who were at the rock of Rimmon, and they instructed them, so that they would receive them in peace.
~ Rimmon means ‘exalted,’ so the rock of Rimmon was a large rock in a very high place.
{21:14} Veneruntque filii Beniamin in illo tempore, et datæ sunt eis uxores de filiabus Iabes Galaad: alias autem non repererunt, quas simili modo traderent.
{21:14} And the sons of Benjamin went, at that time, and wives were given to them from the daughters of Jabesh-Gilead. But others were not found, whom they might give in a similar manner.
{21:15} Universusque Israel valde doluit, et egit pœnitentiam super interfectione unius tribus ex Israel.
{21:15} And all of Israel was very saddened, and they did penance for destroying one tribe out of Israel.
{21:16} Dixeruntque maiores natu: Quid faciemus reliquis, qui non acceperunt uxores? Omnes in Beniamin feminæ conciderunt,
{21:16} And those greater by birth said: “What shall we do with the remainder, those who have not received wives? For all the females of Benjamin have been cut down,
{21:17} et magna nobis cura, ingentique studio providendum est, ne una tribus deleatur ex Israel.
{21:17} and we must take great care, and make provision with a very great diligence, so that one tribe may not be wiped away from Israel.
{21:18} Filias enim nostras eis dare non possumus, constricti iuramento et maledictione, qua diximus: Maledictus qui dederit de filiabus suis uxorem Beniamin.
{21:18} As for our own daughters, we are not able to give them, being bound by an oath and a curse, when we said, ‘Accursed is he who will give any of his daughters to Benjamin as a wife.’ ”
{21:19} Ceperuntque consilium, atque dixerunt: Ecce sollemnitas Domini est in Silo anniversaria, quæ sita est ad Septentrionem urbis Bethel, et ad Orientalem plagam viæ, quæ de Bethel tendit ad Sichimam, et ad Meridiem oppidi Lebona.
{21:19} And they took counsel, and they said, “Behold, there is a yearly solemnity of the Lord at Shiloh, which is situated to the north of the city of Bethel, and on the eastern side of the way that one takes from Bethel to Shechem, and to the south of the town of Lebonah.”
{21:20} Præceperuntque filiis Beniamin, atque dixerunt: Ite, ad latitate in vineis.
{21:20} And they instructed the sons of Benjamin, and they said: “Go, and hide in the vineyards.
{21:21} Cumque videritis filias Silo ad ducendos choros ex more procedere, exite repente de vineis, et rapite ex eis singuli uxores singulas, et pergite in Terram Beniamin.
{21:21} And when you will have seen daughters of Shiloh being led out to dance, according to custom, go forth suddenly from the vineyards, and let each one seize one wife from among them, and travel into the land of Benjamin.
{21:22} Cumque venerint patres earum, ac fratres, et adversum vos queri cœperint, atque iurgari, dicemus eis: Miseremini eorum: non enim rapuerunt eas iure bellantium atque victorum, sed rogantibus ut acciperent, non dedistis, et a vestra parte peccatum est.
{21:22} And when their fathers and brothers arrive, and they begin to complain against you and to argue, we will say to them: ‘Take pity on them. For they have not seized them by right of war or conquest. Instead, begging to receive them, you did not give them, and so the sin was on your part.’ ”
{21:23} Feceruntque filii Beniamin, ut sibi fuerat imperatum: et iuxta numerum suum rapuerunt sibi de his, quæ ducebant choros, uxores singulas: abieruntque in possessionem suam ædificantes urbes, et habitantes in eis.
{21:23} And so the sons of Benjamin did just as they had been ordered. And according to their number, they seized for themselves one wife each, out of those who were led out dancing. And they went into their own possession, and they built up their cities, and they lived in them.
{21:24} Filii quoque Israel reversi sunt per tribus, et familias in tabernacula sua. In diebus illis non erat rex in Israel: sed unusquisque quod sibi rectum videbatur, hoc faciebat.
{21:24} The sons of Israel also returned, according to their tribes and families, to their tents. In those days, there was no king in Israel. Instead, each one did what seemed right to himself.