Judges
Chapter20
11SoalltheIsraelitescameoutasoneman:fromDantoBeer-sheba,andfromthelandofGilead,thecommunitywasgatheredtotheLORDatMizpah.
于是以色列全体子民出动，从丹到贝尔舍巴，以及基肋阿得地，全会众集合起来好象一个人一样，来到米兹帕上主面前。
2TheleadersofallthepeopleandallthetribesmenofIsrael,fourhundredthousandfootsoldierswhowereswordsmen,presentedthemselvesintheassemblyofthepeopleofGod.
全民众，即以色列各支派的首领，都参与天主百姓的集会；拿刀的步兵，共有四十万。
3Meanwhile,theBenjaminitesheardthattheIsraeliteshadgoneuptoMizpah.TheIsraelitesaskedtobetoldhowthecrimehadtakenplace,
本雅明子孙也听说以色列子民上到了米兹帕。以色列子民说：＂这件恶事是怎样发生的，请你们述说一遍！＂
4andtheLevite,thehusbandofthemurderedwoman,testified:＂MyconcubineandIwentintoGibeahofBenjaminforthenight.
那被杀的女子的丈夫肋末人就回答说：＂我与我的妾来到属本雅明的基贝亚，要在那里过夜，
5ButthecitizensofGibeahroseupagainstmebynightandsurroundedthehouseinwhichIwas.Metheyattemptedtokill,andmyconcubinetheyabusedsothatshedied.
基贝亚的公民起来攻击我，夜间包围我过夜的住宅，企图杀害我，并把我的妾强奸致死。
6SoItookmyconcubineandcutherupandsentherthrougheverypartoftheterritoryofIsrael,becauseofthemonstrouscrimetheyhadcommittedinIsrael.
因为他们在以色列中间行了这穷凶极恶的丑事，我遂将我的妾切成碎块，遍送以色列基业各地。
72Nowthatyouareallhere,OIsraelites,statewhatyouproposetodo.＂
以色列子孙，请你们大家说出你们的意见和对策。＂
8Allthepeopleroseasonemantosay,＂Noneofusistoleaveforhistentorreturntohishome.
那时全体民众好象一个人一样都起来说：＂我们中谁也不要返回自己的帐幕，谁也不要回自己的家，
9NowasforGibeah,thisiswhatwewilldo:Wewillproceedagainstitbylot,
现在我们就要这样对付基贝亚，抽签进攻，
10takingfromallthetribesofIsraeltenmenforeveryhundred,ahundredforeverythousand,athousandforeverytenthousand,andprocuringsuppliesforthesoldierswhowillgotodealfullyandsuitablywithGibeahofBenjaminforthecrimeitcommittedinIsrael.＂
由以色列各支派中，每百人抽十人，每千人抽百人，每万人抽千人，给民众运送军粮；待众人到达本雅明的基贝亚后，按照那城在以色列中间所行丑事报复它。＂
11When,therefore,allthemenofIsraelwithoutexceptionwereleaguedtogetheragainstthecity,
于是以色列人联合起来攻击那城，彼此合作有如一人。
123thetribesofIsraelsentmenthroughoutthetribeofBenjamintosay,＂Whatisthisevilwhichhasoccurredamongyou?
以色列众支派差人往本雅明支派的各家说：＂你们中间怎么发生了这样的恶事？
13NowgiveupthesecorruptmenofGibeah,thatwemayputthemtodeathandthuspurgetheevilfromIsrael.＂ButtheBenjaminitesrefusedtoaccedetothedemandoftheirbrothers,theIsraelites.
现在你们把那些人，即基贝亚的无赖之徒，交出来，我们好处死他们，从以色列中铲除这邪恶。＂本雅明子孙却不肯听从他兄弟们以色列子民的呼声；
14Instead,theBenjaminitesassembledfromtheirothercitiestoGibeah,todobattlewiththeIsraelites.
本雅明子孙反而从各城聚集起来，来到基贝亚，要与以色列子民交战。
15ThenumberoftheBenjaminiteswordsmenfromtheothercitiesonthatoccasionwastwenty-sixthousand,inadditiontotheinhabitantsofGibeah.
那一天，本雅明人从各城来的共计两万六千拿刀的，基贝亚的居民尚未计算在内。
16Includedinthistotalweresevenhundredpickedmenwhowereleft-handed,everyoneofthemabletoslingastoneatahairwithoutmissing.
在这些人中，还有特选的七百精兵，左右开弓，个个能用机弦拋石，毫厘不爽。
17MeanwhiletheotherIsraeliteswho,withoutBenjamin,musteredfourhundredthousandswordsmenreadyforbattle,
本雅明人除外，以色列人共有四十万拿刀的，个个都是战士。
184movedontoBethelandconsultedGod.WhentheIsraelitesaskedwhoshouldgofirstintheattackontheBenjaminites,theLORDsaid,＂Judahshallgofirst.＂
以色列子民起身上到贝特耳，求问天主说：＂我们中谁该先上去与本雅明子孙作战？＂上主答说：＂犹大先去。＂
19ThenextdaytheIsraelitesadvancedonGibeahwiththeirforces.
于是以色列子民早晨起来，对着基贝亚安营。
20OnthedaytheIsraelitesdrewupinbattlearrayatGibeahforthecombatwithBenjamin,
以色列人出来要与本雅明人交战，遂在基贝亚前面摆阵等待他们。
21theBenjaminitescameoutofthecityandfelledtwenty-twothousandmenofIsrael.
本雅明子孙从基贝亚出来迎战，那一天杀死了两万两千以色列人。
22ButthoughtheIsraelitesoldierstookcourageandagaindrewupforcombatinthesameplaceasonthepreviousday,
以后，众以色列又鼓起勇气，又在前一日布阵的地方布阵。
23ThentheIsraeliteswentupandweptbeforetheLORDuntilevening.＂ShallIagainengagemybrotherBenjamininbattle?＂theyaskedtheLORD;andtheLORDansweredthattheyshould.
事前，以色列子民先上到贝特耳，在上主面前哀哭，一直到晚上，然后求问上主说：＂我们可否再去与我们的弟兄本雅明交战？＂上主答说：＂可上去攻打。＂
24whentheymettheBenjaminitesforthesecondtime,
于是第二天，以色列子民又去攻打本雅明子孙。
25onceagaintheBenjaminiteswhocameoutofGibeahagainstthemfelledeighteenthousandIsraelites,allofthemswordsmen.
本雅明人第二天也从基贝亚出来与以色列人交战，又杀死一万八千以色列子民，都是拿刀的人。
26SotheentireIsraelitearmywentuptoBethel,wheretheyweptandremainedfastingbeforetheLORDuntileveningofthatday,besidesofferingholocaustsandpeaceofferingsbeforetheLORD.
以色列众子民，即全民众，又上到贝特耳，坐在上主面前哀哭，整日禁食到晚上；以后，在上主面前献了全燔祭与和平祭。
27WhentheIsraelitesconsultedtheLORD(forthearkofthecovenantofGodwasthereinthosedays,
那时天主的约柜正在那里，同时有亚郎的子孙厄肋阿匝尔的儿子丕乃哈斯在约柜前供职。
28andPhinehas,sonofEleazar,sonofAaron,wasministeringtohiminthosedays),andasked,＂ShallIgooutagaintobattlewithBenjamin,mybrother,orshallIdesist?＂theLORDsaid,＂Attack!fortomorrowIwilldeliverhimintoyourpower.＂
以色列子民又求问上主说：＂我们是否应再去与我们的弟兄本雅明人交战？或是休战？＂上主答说：＂你们应上去，因为我明天必将他们交在你们手中。＂
295SoIsraelsetmeninambusharoundGibeah.
以色列人就在基贝亚四周设下伏兵。
30TheIsraeliteswentupagainsttheBenjaminitesforthethirdtimeandformedtheirlineofbattleatGibeahasonotheroccasions.
第三天以色列子民上去攻打本雅明子孙，在基贝亚对面布阵，像前两次一样。
31TheBenjaminiteswentouttomeetthem,andinthebeginningtheykilledoffaboutthirtyoftheIsraelitesoldiersintheopenfield,justasontheotheroccasions.
本雅明子孙出来迎敌，被引出城外，在两条大路上，──一条通往贝特耳，一条通往基贝红，──像前两次一样，开始杀敌，在田野就杀死了约有三十个以色列人。
32ThereforetheBenjaminitesthought,＂Wearedefeatingthemasbefore＂;notrealizingthatdisasterwasabouttoovertakethem.TheIsraelites,however,hadplannedtheflightsoastodrawthemawayfromthecityontothehighways.Theyweredrawnawayfromthecityontothehighways,ofwhichtheoneledtoBethel,theothertoGibeon.
本雅明子孙遂说：＂他们像前次一样，在我们面前打败了。＂但以色列子民却说：＂我们不如后退，引他们远离城，到大路上来。＂
33AndthenallthemenofIsraelrosefromtheirplaces.Theyre-formedtheirranksatBaal-tamar,andtheIsraelitesinambushrushedfromtheirplacewestofGibeah,
当以色列众人从他们的地方起来，在巴耳塔玛尔布阵的时候，以色列的伏兵从革巴西边埋伏的地方冲出来；
34tenthousandpickedmenfromallIsrael,andadvancedagainstthecityitself.Inafiercebattle,
全以色列中所选出的一万精兵齐来攻打基贝亚，战争非常激烈，但是本雅明人还不知道大祸临头。
35theLORDdefeatedBenjaminbeforeIsrael;andonthatdaytheIsraeliteskilledtwenty-fivethousandonehundredmenofBenjamin,allofthemswordsmen.
上主在以色列前打击本雅明人，那一天以色列子民杀死本雅明人共有二万五千一百，都是拿刀的人。
36TotheBenjaminitesithadlookedasthoughtheenemyweredefeated,forthemenofIsraelgavegroundtoBenjamin,trustingintheambushtheyhadsetatGibeah.
这样，本雅明子孙看出自己已失败。原来以色列人依仗在基贝亚所设下的伏兵，先在本雅明人前退怯；
37ButthenthemeninambushmadeasuddendashintoGibeah,overranit,andputthewholecitytothesword.
伏兵急速冲入基贝亚，冲进之后，用刀屠杀了全城的人。
38Now,theotherIsraeliteshadagreedwiththemeninambushonasmokesignaltheyweretosendupfromthecity.
原先以色列人与伏兵约定，在城内放火，以烟火上腾为号。
39AndthoughthemenofBenjaminhadbegunbykillingoffsomethirtyofthemenofIsrael,undertheimpressionthattheyweredefeatingthemassurelyasintheearlierfighting,theIsraeliteswheeledabouttoresist
以色列人在战场上撤退的时候，本雅明动手杀死以色列人约有三十人，他们想：＂的确，他们如前一仗一样，在我们前杀败了。＂
40asthesmokeofthesignalcolumnbegantoriseupfromthecity.ItwaswhenBenjaminlookedbackandsawthewholecityinflamesagainstthesky
当烟柱信号从城中上腾的时候，本雅明人转过身来，见全城烟火冲天；
41thatthemenofIsraelwheeledabout.ThereforethemenofBenjaminwerethrownintoconfusion,fortheyrealizedthedisasterthathadovertakenthem.
那时以色列人也转身回来；本雅明人大为惊慌，因为看见大祸临头，
42TheyretreatedbeforethemenofIsraelinthedirectionofthedesert,withthefightbeingpressedagainstthem.Intheirverymidst,meanwhile,thosewhohadbeeninthecitywerespreadingdestruction.
遂在以色列人面前转向旷野的路上逃去，但战士却追踪而至，从城里出来的人也夹击他们；
43ThemenofBenjaminhadbeensurrounded,andwerenowpursuedtoapointeastofGibeah,
这样，以色列人击溃了本雅明人，追击他们，从诺哈蹂躏他们，直到革巴对面的东方之地。
44whileeighteenthousandofthemfell,warriorstoaman.
本雅明人阵亡一万八千，都是勇士。
45TherestturnedandfledthroughthedeserttotherockRimmon.ButonthehighwaystheIsraelitespickedofffivethousandmenamongthem,andchasingthemuptoGidom,killedanothertwothousandofthemthere.
其余的人都转身向着旷野逃往黎孟岩石，以色列人在路上又扫荡了他们中五千人；以后，直追到革巴，击杀了二千人。
46ThoseofBenjaminwhofellonthatdaywereinalltwenty-fivethousandswordsmen,warriorstoaman.
那一日，本雅明中阵亡的，共有二万五千人，
47ButsixhundredotherswhoturnedandfledthroughthedesertreachedtherockRimmon,wheretheyremainedforfourmonths.
所剩下的六百人，转身逃往旷野，直到黎孟岩石，在黎孟岩石中住了四个月。
48ThemenofIsraelwithdrewthroughtheterritoryoftheBenjaminites,puttingtotheswordtheinhabitantsofthecities,thelivestock,andalltheychancedupon.Moreovertheydestroyedbyfireallthecitiestheycameupon.
以色列人又回到本雅明子孙那里，把各城的人和牲畜，以及所遇见的都用刀杀尽；并将所经过的城池放火烧毁。
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Footnotes(注解)
1[1]FromDantoBeer-sheba:fromnorthtosouth.ThelandofGilead:alltheterritoryeastoftheJordan.
2[7]TheIsraeliteswereaskedtodecideatoncewhatactiontotakeconcerningthiscrime;cf2Sam16:20.TheLeviteundoubtedlyaddressedthetribalheadswhowouldspeakinbehalfofthemultitude.
3[12]BeforethecrimeatGibeahwaspunished,theBenjaminiteswereinvitedtojointheirbrethren,theIsraelites,inpunishingthecrime.Sincetheyfailedtorespond,specialmessengersweresentaskingthemtodeliveruptheguiltyones.Theyrepliedbygatheringtheirforcesforcombat.
4[18]Judahshallgofirst:thesameresponseasinJudges1:1-2,butwithouttheassuranceofimmediatesuccess.OnlyaftertheIsraeliteswerepunishedatthehandsoftheBenjaminitesfortheirowngrossness,andhadperformedpenance,didtheysucceedinpunishingthelatterfortheirpartinthecrimeofrapeandmurder,bygainingthevictoryoverthem.
5[29-46]ThisstratagemprovedmoreusefultotheIsraelitesthanforce,asinthesiegeofAi(Joshua8:3-21).Intheparallelaccountsthefirst(Judges20:29-35)isasummaryofthesecond(Judges20:36-46).