士師記 16
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
參孫和大利拉
16 一天，參孫去迦薩，看見一個妓女，就與她親近。 2 迦薩人得知參孫來了，便包圍那地方，整夜埋伏在城門口，沒有動手，心想：「等天一亮，我們就殺掉他。」 3 可是，參孫睡到半夜就起來，把城門的門扇連門框和門閂一同拆下，扛到希伯崙對面的山頂上。
4 後來，參孫在梭烈谷愛上一位名叫大利拉的女子。 5 非利士人的首領就上去見這女子，對她說：「請你哄參孫說出他為何有這麼大力氣，我們怎樣才能制伏他，把他綁起來。事後，我們每人會給你一千一百塊銀子。」 6 於是，大利拉問參孫：「求你告訴我，你為什麼有這麼大力氣？用什麼辦法才能把你綁起來制伏你？」
7 參孫說：「如果我被七根還沒乾的青繩子綁著，我的力氣便會和普通人一樣。」 8 非利士人的首領便把七根還沒乾的青繩子交給大利拉，她用那些繩子把參孫綁起來。 9 有人已預先埋伏在她的內室，於是她喊道：「參孫，非利士人來捉你了！」但參孫掙斷了繩子，就像掙斷火燒過的麻線一樣。因此，仍然沒有人知道他為何力氣過人。
10 大利拉對參孫說：「你說謊捉弄我。現在請你告訴我，用什麼方法才能綁住你？」 11 參孫回答說：「如果用從未用過的新繩子綁住我，我的力氣就會和普通人一樣。」 12 於是，大利拉讓人埋伏在內室，她用七根新繩子綁住參孫，然後喊道：「參孫，非利士人來捉你了！」結果，參孫掙斷了手臂上的繩子，就像掙斷一根線一樣。
13 大利拉對參孫說：「到現在你還是說謊捉弄我。請你告訴我，用什麼方法才能綁住你？」參孫說：「你把我的七根髮辮和織布機的線編在一起，用橛子釘牢就可以了。」 14 於是，大利拉把他的髮辮和織布機的線編在一起，用橛子釘牢，然後喊道：「參孫，非利士人來捉你了！」參孫醒來，掙脫了織布機的橛子和線。
15 大利拉對參孫說：「你既然不跟我說真心話，還說什麼愛我！你捉弄了我三次，沒告訴我你為何力氣過人。」 16 大利拉天天在他跟前嘮叨不停，以致他煩得要死， 17 就把秘密告訴了她。他說：「我從不剃髮，因為我一出生就獻給上帝做拿細耳人了。如果剃掉我的頭髮，我的力氣就會和普通人一樣。」
18 大利拉見他說出了心中的秘密，就派人去通知非利士人的首領，說：「你們再來一次吧，他已經把秘密告訴我了。」於是，他們帶著銀子去了。 19 大利拉哄參孫枕著她的腿睡覺，然後叫人來剃掉他的七根髮辮，使他力氣盡失，無力反抗。 20 她喊道：「參孫，非利士人來捉你了！」參孫醒來，心想：「我要像前幾次一樣掙脫捆綁。」他卻不知道耶和華已經離開他了。 21 非利士人拿住他，剜了他的眼睛，把他帶到迦薩，用銅鏈鎖住他，讓他在監牢裡推磨。 22 後來，他的頭髮又漸漸長出來了。
參孫之死
23 非利士人的首領聚在一起向他們的神明大袞獻大祭，歡呼說：「我們的神把仇敵參孫交在我們手中了。」 24 眾人看見參孫，就讚美他們的神明，說：「我們的神把仇敵交在我們手中了，他曾毀壞我們的田地，殺死我們許多人。」 25 他們都興高采烈，並喊道：「把參孫帶來讓我們消遣消遣。」於是，有人把參孫從監牢裡提出來供他們消遣，他們讓他站在兩根柱子中間。 26 參孫對拉著他手的童僕說：「帶我到支撐這廟宇的柱子那裡，我想靠一靠。」 27 那時，廟裡擠滿了男男女女，非利士人的首領們都在場，房頂上還有三千男女看參孫的熱鬧。
28 參孫向耶和華禱告說：「主耶和華啊，求你眷顧我！上帝啊，求你再次賜給我力量，使我向非利士人報剜眼之仇。」 29 參孫就抱住廟宇中央的兩根柱子，一手抱一根， 30 然後喊道：「我要跟非利士人同歸於盡！」於是，他一用力，廟宇倒塌，壓住裡面的首領和民眾。參孫死時殺的人比他活著時殺的還多。 31 參孫的兄弟和家人取走他的屍體，葬在瑣拉和以實陶之間他父親瑪挪亞的墓地裡。參孫做以色列的士師二十年。
ବିଗ୍ଭରକର୍ତ୍ତାମାନଙ୍କ ବିବରଣ 16
Odia Holy Bible: Easy-to-Read Version
ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଘସା ନଗରକୁ ଗଲେ
16 ଦିନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଘସାରେ ଥିବା ଏକ ବେଶ୍ୟା ପାଖକୁ ଗଲେ। ସେ ତା'ର ସହିତ ରାତ୍ରିଯାପନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସେଠାକୁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ। 2 କେହି ଜଣେ ଘସୀୟ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ ଯେ, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ସେହି ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଯାଇଥିଲେ।” ସେମାନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ହତ୍ୟା କରିବାକୁ ଗ୍ଭହିଁଲେ। ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ସେ ସହରକୁ ଘେରି ଗଲେ। ସେମାନେ ରାତ୍ରି ତମାମ ଚୁପ୍ଗ୍ଭପ୍ ନଗର ଫାଟକ ନିକଟରେ ଲୁଚି ରହିଲେ। ସେମାନେ ପରସ୍ପର କୁହାକୁହି ହେଲେ, “ସକାଳ ହେଲେ ଆମେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ହତ୍ୟା କରିବା।”
3 କିନ୍ତୁ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ସେ ବେଶ୍ୟା ପାଖରେ ମଧ୍ୟରାତ୍ରି ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ରହିଲେ ଓ ମଧ୍ୟରାତ୍ରିରେ ନଗର ଫାଟକ ଭାଙ୍ଗି ବାହାରି ଆସିଲେ। ସେ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ କାନ୍ଥରୁ ଓ ଦୁଇ ବାଜୁବନ୍ଧରୁ ଉପାଡ଼ି ପକାଇଲେ। ସେ ଫାଟକର ଦୁଇଟି ଖମ୍ବକୁ ତା'ର ବାଜୁବନ୍ଧକୁ ହିବ୍ରୋଣ ପର୍ବତ ପାଖକୁ ନେଇଗଲେ।
ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଓ ଦଲୀଲା
4 ଏହା ପରେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଦଲୀଲା ନାମକ ଏକ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଲୋକର ପ୍ରେମରେ ପଡ଼ିଗଲେ। ଯେ କି ଥିଲା ସୋରେକ୍ ଉପତ୍ୟକାର ଜଣେ ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଲୋକ।
5 ତେଣୁ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ନେତୃବର୍ଗମାନେ ସେହି ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ନିକଟକୁ ଆସି ତାହାକୁ କହିଲେ, “ଆମ୍ଭେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଗ୍ଭହୁଁ ସେ କେଉଁଠାରୁ ବଳ ପାଉଛି, ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଚତୁରତାର ସହ ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରୁ ଏହି ଗୁପ୍ତ ରହସ୍ୟ ଆଦାୟ କର। ଆମ୍ଭେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଗ୍ଭହୁଁ, ତାକୁ କିପରି କାବୁ କରି ହେବ। ଯାହାଫଳରେ ଆମ୍ଭେ ଯେକୌଣସି ପ୍ରକାରେ ବନ୍ଦୀ କରି ପାରିବୁ। ଯଦି ତୁମ୍ଭେ ଏହା କରି ପାରିବ ତେବେ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଆମ୍ଭେ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ 1,100 ଲେଖାଏଁ ରୌପ୍ୟ ମୁଦ୍ରା ଦେବୁ।”
6 ତେଣୁ ଦଲୀଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ଦୟାକରି କୁହ କିଏ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଶକ୍ତିଶାଳୀ କରୁଛି, କିପରି ଭାବରେ ଜଣେ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ବାନ୍ଧି ପାରିବ?”
7 ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଉତ୍ତର ଦେଇ କହିଲେ, “ଯାହା କେବେ ଶୁଷ୍କ ହୋଇ ନାହିଁ। ଏପରି ସାତୋଟା କଞ୍ଚାତନ୍ତୁରେ ଯେବେ ସେମାନେ ମୋତେ ବାନ୍ଧିବେ। ତେବେ ମୁଁ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇ ଅନ୍ୟ ଲୋକପରି ହୋଇ ଯିବି।”
8 ଏହା ପରେ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ଅଧିପତିମାନେ ଅଶୁଷ୍କ ସାତୋଟା କଞ୍ଚାତନ୍ତ ଆଣି ସେହି ସ୍ତ୍ରୀଲୋକଟିକୁ ଦେଲେ। ସେଥିରେ ସେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ବାନ୍ଧିଲା। 9 ସେ ସମୟରେ କେତେକ ଲୋକ ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ କୋଠରୀରେ ଲୁଚି ରହିଲେ। ତେଣୁ ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍! ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପାଖକୁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି!” କିନ୍ତୁ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଅନାୟାସରେ ଧନୁର ଗୁଣକୁ ଛିଣ୍ତାଇ ଦେଲେ। ଅଗ୍ନି ଝାସ ପାଇଥିବା ଦଉଡ଼ି ପରି ଛିଣ୍ତିଗଲା। ଏହିପରି ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କର ବଳର ଗୁପ୍ତ ରହସ୍ୟ ଜାଣି ପାରିଲେ ନାହିଁ।
10 ଏହା ପରେ ଦଲୀଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ତୁମ୍ଭେ ମୋତେ ବୋକା ବନେଇଲ ଓ ମିଥ୍ୟା କହିଲ। ଏବେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ କେଉଁଥିରେ ବନ୍ଧାଯାଇପାର କୁହ।”
11 ତହିଁରେ ସେ ତାକୁ କହିଲେ, “ଯେଉଁ ରଜ୍ଜୁରେ କୌଣସି କର୍ମ କରାଯାଇ ନାହିଁ। ଏପରି ନୂତନ ରଜ୍ଜୁରେ ମୋତେ ବାନ୍ଧିଲେ ମୁଁ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇ ଅନ୍ୟ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପରି ହୋଇଯିବି।”
12 ତେଣୁ ଦଲୀଲା ନୂତନ ରଜ୍ଜୁ ନେଇ ତାହାଙ୍କୁ ବାନ୍ଧିଲା। ସେତେବେଳେ ଅକ୍ତିଆର କରିବାକୁ ଉତ୍କଣ୍ଠିତ ଲୋକମାନେ ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ କୋଠରୀରେ ଲୁଚି ରହିଥିଲେ। ତା'ପରେ ସେ କହିଲା, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି।” କିନ୍ତୁ ସେ ଖଣ୍ଡେ ସୂତାପରି ନିଜର ବାହୁ ଉପରେ ଥିବା ରଜ୍ଜୁ ସବୁକୁ ଛିଣ୍ତାଇ ପକାଇଲେ।
13 ଏହା ପରେ ଦଲୀଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, “ତୁମ୍ଭେ ପୁନର୍ବାର ମୋତେ ନିର୍ବୋଧ ବନେଇଲ ଓ ମିଛ କହିଲ! ତୁମ୍ଭେ କାହିଁରେ ବନ୍ଧାଯାଇପାର, ମୋତେ କୁହ।”
ତହିଁରେ ସେ ତାକୁ କହିଲେ, “ଯେବେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ବୁଣା ଯାଉଥିବା ସୂତାରେ ମୋର ମସ୍ତକର ସାତ ବେଣୀ ବୁଣିବ ଏବଂ ଏହାକୁ ଏକ ଖିଲରେ ଜୋର୍ରେ ବାନ୍ଧିବ, ତେବେ ମୁଁ ସାଧାରଣ ମଣିଷପରି ଦୁର୍ବଳ ହୋଇଯିବି।”
14 ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଶୋଇଥିବା ବେଳେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କର ବାଳକୁ ଗୋଟିଏ ସୂତା ବାହାର କରି ସାତୋଟି ବେଣୀ କଲା ଏବଂ ଗୋଟିଏ ତମ୍ବୁ ଖିଲରେ ବାନ୍ଧି ଦେଲା ଏବଂ ତା'ପରେ ସେ ତାଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ନିମନ୍ତେ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି।” ତେଣୁ ସେ ଖିଲକୁ, ସୂତାକୁ ଓ ତନ୍ତୁକୁ ଉପାଡ଼ି ପକାଇଲେ।
15 ଏହା ପରେ ଦଲୀଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ତୁମ୍ଭେ ପୁଣି ଥରେ ମୋତେ ମିଛ କହିଲ, ତୁମ୍ଭେ କିପରି କହି ପାରୁଛ, ‘ମୁଁ ତୁମ୍ଭକୁ ଭଲ ପାଏ,’ ଯେହେତୁ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ମୋତେ ବିଶ୍ୱାସ କରୁ ନାହଁ? ତୁମ୍ଭର ମହାବଳ କେଉଁଥିରେ ଅଛି ମୋତେ କହି ନାହଁ। ତୁମ୍ଭେ ମୋତେ ତିନିଥରଯାକ ବୋକା ବନାଇଲ।” 16 ଦିନପରେ ଦିନ ସେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ଏତେ ତିରସ୍କାର କଲା ଓ ଗ୍ଭପ ପକାଇଲା ଯେ, ସେ ଏତେ ବିତୃଷ୍ଣା ହୋଇଗଲେ ଯେ, ନିଜେ ମରିଗଲେ ବୋଲି ସେ ଅନୁଭବ କଲେ। 17 ଶେଷରେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ସମସ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତକଥା ତାକୁ ଜଣାଇଲେ। ସେ ତାକୁ କହିଲେ, “ମୁଁ ଜନ୍ମ ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କୁ ସମର୍ପଣ ହୋଇଥିଲି। ମୁଁ ମୋର ବାଳ କେବେ କାଟି ନ ଥିଲି। ଯଦି କୌଣସି ଲୋକ ମୋର ମୁଣ୍ଡର ବାଳ କାଟି ସଫା କରିଦିଏ, ତେବେ ମୁଁ ମୋର ସମସ୍ତ ଶକ୍ତି ହରାଇବି ଓ ସାଧାରଣ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପରି ହୋଇଯିବି।”
18 ଦଲୀଲା ଦେଖିଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ତାକୁ ସମସ୍ତ ଗୁପ୍ତ କଥା ଜଣାଇ ଦେଲେ। ତେଣୁ ସେ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ନେତୃବର୍ଗମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଣାଇ ଦେଲା। ସେ କହିଲା, “ଏହି ଥର ଆସ, କାରଣ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ମୋତେ ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ ରହସ୍ୟ କହିଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।” ତେଣୁ ନେତୃବର୍ଗ ଦଲୀଲା ନିକଟକୁ ଆସିଲେ ଏବଂ ମୁଦ୍ରା ଆଣିଲେ।
19 ଦଲୀଲା ତାଙ୍କୁ ନିଜର କୋଳରେ ଶୁଆଇ ଦେଲା ଏବଂ ତା'ପରେ ତାଙ୍କର ସାତୋଟି ବେଣୀକୁ କ୍ଷୌର କରିବା ପାଇଁ, ଭିତରେ ଥିବା ଲୋକଟିକୁ ସେ ଡାକିଲା। ତା'ପରେ ଆଉ ଜଣେ ଲୋକ ଡକାଇ ତା'ର ମୁଣ୍ଡରୁ ସାତବେଣୀ କଟାଇଲା। ଏହିପରି ସେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କଷ୍ଟ ଦେବାକୁ ଆରମ୍ଭ କଲା ଓ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ର ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ ଗ୍ଭଲିଗଲା। 20 ଏହା ପରେ ଦଲୀଲା ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ କହିଲା, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନେ ତୁମ୍ଭ ପାଇଁ ଆସିଛନ୍ତି।” ସେ ଉଠିଲା ଏବଂ ଚିନ୍ତା କଲା, “ମୁଁ ନିଜକୁ ମୁକ୍ତ କରିବି ଓ ପୂର୍ବଥର ପରି ତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରୁ ଖସି ପଳାଇବି।” କିନ୍ତୁ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ଜାଣି ନ ଥିଲେ ଯେ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ ତାଙ୍କ ନିକଟରୁ ଦୂରେଇ ଯାଇଥିଲେ।
21 ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ଲୋକମାନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ଅକ୍ତିଆର କଲେ। ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କର ଆଖିକୁ ଉପାଡ଼ି ଦେଲେ। ପୁଣି ତାଙ୍କୁ ଘସାକୁ ଆଣି ପିତ୍ତଳ ବେଢ଼ିରେ ବାନ୍ଧିଲେ। ଆଉ ସେ କାରାଗାରରେ ଚକି ପେଶିଲେ। 22 କିନ୍ତୁ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କର ବାଳ ପୁନର୍ବାର ବଢ଼ିବାକୁ ଲାଗିଲା।
23 ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନେ ଏକତ୍ରିତ ହୋଇ ଜୟଲାଭ ଉତ୍ସବ ପାଳନ କଲେ। ସେମାନେ ସେମାନଙ୍କର ଦାଗୋନ୍ ଦେବତା ଉଦ୍ଦେଶ୍ୟରେ ବଳିଦାନ ଉତ୍ସର୍ଗ କଲେ। ସେମାନେ କହିଲେ, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ପରାସ୍ତ କରିବା ପାଇଁ, ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କର ଦେବତା ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କଲେ। ଯେ କି ଆମ୍ଭର ଶତ୍ରୁ ଥିଲା।” 24 ଯେତେବେଳେ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟ ଲୋକମାନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ଦେଖିଲେ ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କର ଦେବତାର ପ୍ରଶଂସା ଗାନ କଲେ। ସେମାନେ କହିଲେ,
“ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ଦେବତା ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କୁ
ଆମ୍ଭର ଶତ୍ରୁକୁ ଅକ୍ତିଆର କରିବାରେ ସାହାଯ୍ୟ କଲେ।
ଏହି ଲୋକ ଆମ୍ଭର ଦେଶକୁ ଧ୍ୱଂସ କରିଥିଲା।
ଏହି ଲୋକ ଆମ୍ଭର ଅନେକ ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କୁ ହତ୍ୟା କରିଥିଲା।”
25 ଅତି ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହୋଇ ସେମାନେ କହିଲେ, “ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ତା'ର କୋଠରୀରୁ ଆଣ, ସେ ଆମ୍ଭମାନଙ୍କ ସମ୍ମୁଖରେ କୌତୁକ କରିବ।” ତେଣୁ ସେମାନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ଗାରାଗାରରୁ ବାହାରକୁ ଆଣିଲେ। ସେ ସେମାନଙ୍କ ଆଗରେ କୌତୁକ କଲେ ଓ ସେମାନେ ତା'ର ପରିହାସ କଲେ। ଆଉ ସେମାନେ ତାକୁ ଦାଗୋନ୍ ମନ୍ଦିରର ଦୁଇ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଠିଆ କରାଇଲେ। 26 ଜଣେ ସେବକ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ର ହାତ ଧରିଥିଲା। ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ସେବକଙ୍କୁ କହିଲେ, “ମୋତେ ତୁମ୍ଭେ ମନ୍ଦିରର ମଝିଖୁଣ୍ଟି ନିକଟରେ ଛାଡ଼ ମୁଁ ସେହି ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଧରିଥିବା ସ୍ତମ୍ଭକୁ ଅନୁଭବ କରି ପାରିବି, ମୁଁ ସେଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଉପରେ ଆଉଜିବି।”
27 ସେହି ମନ୍ଦିର ନରନାରୀମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ଭରପୁର ଥିଲା। ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତ ଅଧିପତି ସେଠାରେ ଉପସ୍ଥିତ ଥିଲେ। ମନ୍ଦିରର ଛାତ ଉପରେ ପ୍ରାୟ ନରନାରୀ ତିନି ହଜାର ଛିଡ଼ା ହୋଇଗଲେ। ସେମାନେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନଙ୍କୁ ଉପହାସ କରୁଥିଲେ। 28 ଏହା ପରେ ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ନିକଟରେ ଏହା କହି ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କଲେ, “ହେ ସର୍ବଶକ୍ତିମାନ ସଦାପ୍ରଭୁ! ମୋତେ ଭୁଲି ଯାଅ ନାହିଁ। ପ୍ରଭୁ, ଦୟାକରି ମୋତେ ଆଉଥରେ ଶକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଦାନ କର। ଯାହାଫଳରେ ମୁଁ ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଦଣ୍ତ ଦେଇ ପାରିବି ଏବଂ ଏକ ମୁଷ୍ଟିଘାତରେ ସେମାନଙ୍କଠାରୁ ପ୍ରତିଶୋଧ ନେବି। ଯେଉଁମାନେ ମୋର ଦୁଇ ଆଖି ଉପାଡ଼ି ଦେଇଛନ୍ତି।” 29 ମନ୍ଦିର ମଧ୍ୟସ୍ଥ ଯେଉଁ ଦୁଇ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭ ଉପରେ ଗୃହର ଭରାଥିଲା, ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ ତହିଁରେ ଗୋଟିକୁ ଡାହାଣ ହାତରେ ଓ ଅନ୍ୟଟିକୁ ବାମ ହାତରେ ଧରି ତା'ଉପରେ ଆଉଜି ପଡ଼ିଲେ। 30 ପୁଣି ଶାମ୍ଶୋନ୍ କହିଲେ, “ପଲେଷ୍ଟୀୟମାନଙ୍କ ସହିତ ମୋର ପ୍ରାଣ ଯାଉ।” ଏହାକହି ସେ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭଗୁଡ଼ିକ ତାଙ୍କର ସମସ୍ତବଳ ଖଟାଇ ପେଲି ଦେଲେ। ଛାତଟି ପଡ଼ିଗଲା ଓ ସେଠାରେ ଏକତ୍ରିତ ହୋଇଥିବା ସମସ୍ତ ଲୋକ ମୃତ୍ୟୁବରଣ କଲେ। ଏହିପରି ତାଙ୍କର ଜୀବନ କାଳରେ ହତ୍ୟା କରିଥିବା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ସଂଖ୍ୟା ଅପେକ୍ଷା ତାଙ୍କର ମରଣ କାଳରେ ହତ୍ୟା କରିଥିବା ଲୋକମାନଙ୍କର ସଂଖ୍ୟା ଅଧିକ ଥିଲା।
31 ଏହା ପରେ ତାଙ୍କର ଭାତୃଗଣ ଓ ପିତୃଗୃହସ୍ଥ ପରିବାର ଆସିଲେ ଓ ତାଙ୍କର ମୃତ ଶରୀରକୁ ନେଇଗଲେ। ସେମାନେ ତାଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କର ପିତାଙ୍କର କବର ସ୍ଥାନରେ କବର ଦେଲେ, ଯେଉଁଟାକି ସରିୟର ଓ ଇଷ୍ଟାୟୋଲର ମଧ୍ୟସ୍ଥାନରେ। ସେ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ବର୍ଷ ଧରି ଇସ୍ରାଏଲମାନଙ୍କର ବିଗ୍ଭରକ ଥିଲେ।
Judges 16
Young's Literal Translation
16 And Samson goeth to Gaza, and seeth there a woman, a harlot, and goeth in unto her;
2 [it is told] to the Gazathites, saying, `Samson hath come in hither;' and they go round and lay wait for him all the night at the gate of the city, and keep themselves silent all the night, saying, `Till the light of the morning -- then we have slain him.'
3 And Samson lieth down till the middle of the night, and riseth in the middle of the night, and layeth hold on the doors of the gate of the city, and on the two side posts, and removeth them with the bar, and putteth on his shoulders, and taketh them up unto the top of the hill, which [is] on the front of Hebron.
4 And it cometh to pass afterwards that he loveth a woman in the valley of Sorek, and her name [is] Delilah,
5 and the princes of the Philistines come up unto her, and say to her, `Entice him, and see wherein his great power [is], and wherein we are able for him -- and we have bound him to afflict him, and we -- we give to thee, each one, eleven hundred silverlings.'
6 And Delilah saith unto Samson, `Declare, I pray thee, to me, wherein thy great power [is], and wherewith thou art bound, to afflict thee.'
7 And Samson saith unto her, `If they bind me with seven green withs which have not been dried, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the human race.'
8 And the princes of the Philistines bring up to her seven green withs which have not been dried, and she bindeth him with them.
9 And the ambush is abiding with her in an inner chamber, and she saith unto him, `Philistines [are] upon thee, Samson;' and he breaketh the withs as a thread of tow is broken in its smelling fire, and his power hath not been known.
10 And Delilah saith unto Samson, `Lo, thou hast played upon me, and speakest unto me lies; now, declare, I pray thee, to me, wherewith thou art bound.'
11 And he saith unto her, `If they certainly bind me with thick bands, new ones, by which work hath not been done, then I have been weak, and have been as one of the human race.'
12 And Delilah taketh thick bands, new ones, and bindeth him with them, and saith unto him, `Philistines [are] upon thee, Samson;' and the ambush is abiding in an inner chamber, and he breaketh them from off his arms as a thread.
13 And Delilah saith unto Samson, `Hitherto thou hast played upon me, and dost speak unto me lies; declare to me wherewith thou art bound.' And he saith unto her, `If thou weavest the seven locks of my head with the web.'
14 And she fixeth [it] with the pin, and saith unto him, `Philistines [are] upon thee, Samson;' and he awaketh out of his sleep, and journeyeth with the pin of the weaving machine, and with the web.
15 And she saith unto him, `How dost thou say, I have loved thee, and thy heart is not with me? these three times thou hast played upon me, and hast not declared to me wherein thy great power [is].'
16 And it cometh to pass, because she distressed him with her words all the days, and doth urge him, and his soul is grieved to death,
17 that he declareth to her all his heart, and saith to her, `A razor hath not gone up on my head, for a Nazarite to God I [am] from the womb of my mother; if I have been shaven, then hath my power turned aside from me, and I have been weak, and have been as any of the human race.'
18 And Delilah seeth that he hath declared to her all his heart, and she sendeth and calleth for the princes of the Philistines, saying, `Come up this time, for he hath declared to me all his heart;' and the princes of the Philistines have come up unto her, and bring up the money in their hand.
19 and she maketh him sleep on her knees, and calleth for a man, and shaveth the seven locks of his head, and beginneth to afflict him, and his power turneth aside from off him;
20 and she saith, `Philistines [are] upon thee, Samson;' and he awaketh out of his sleep, and saith, `I go out as time by time, and shake myself;' and he hath not known that Jehovah hath turned aside from off him.
21 And the Philistines seize him, and pick out his eyes, and bring him down to Gaza, and bind him with two brazen fetters; and he is grinding in the prison-house.
22 And the hair of his head beginneth to shoot up, when he hath been shaven,
23 and the princes of the Philistines have been gathered together to sacrifice a great sacrifice to Dagon their god, and to rejoice; and they say, `Our god hath given into our hand Samson our enemy.'
24 And the people see him, and praise their god, for they said, `Our god hath given in our hand our enemy, and he who is laying waste our land, and who multiplied our wounded.'
25 And it cometh to pass, when their heart [is] glad, that they say, `Call for Samson, and he doth play before us;' and they call for Samson out of the prison-house, and he playeth before them, and they cause him to stand between the pillars.
26 And Samson saith unto the young man who is keeping hold on his hand, `Let me alone, and let me feel the pillars on which the house is established, and I lean upon them.'
27 And the house hath been full of men and of women, and thither [are] all the princes of the Philistines, and on the roof [are] about three thousand men and women, who are looking on the playing of Samson.
28 And Samson calleth unto Jehovah, and saith, `Lord Jehovah, remember me, I pray Thee, and strengthen me, I pray Thee, only this time, O God; and I am avenged -- vengeance at once -- because of my two eyes, on the Philistines.'
29 And Samson turneth aside [to] the two middle pillars, on which the house is established, and on which it is supported, [to] the one with his right hand, and one with his left;
30 and Samson saith, `Let me die with the Philistines,' and he inclineth himself powerfully, and the house falleth on the princes, and on all the people who [are] in it, and the dead whom he hath put to death in his death are more than those whom he put to death in his life.
31 And his brethren come down, and all the house of his father, and lift him up, and bring him up, and bury him between Zorah and Eshtaol, in the burying-place of Manoah his father; and he hath judged Israel twenty years.
שופטים 16
The Westminster Leningrad Codex
16 וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ שִׁמְשׁ֖וֹן עַזָּ֑תָה וַיַּרְא־שָׁם֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה זוֹנָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖א אֵלֶֽיהָ׃
2 לַֽעַזָּתִ֣ים׀ לֵאמֹ֗ר בָּ֤א שִׁמְשׁוֹן֙ הֵ֔נָּה וַיָּסֹ֛בּוּ וַיֶּאֶרְבוּ־ל֥וֹ כָל־הַלַּ֖יְלָה בְּשַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר וַיִּתְחָרְשׁ֤וּ כָל־הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר עַד־א֥וֹר הַבֹּ֖קֶר וַהֲרְגְנֻֽהוּ׃
3 וַיִּשְׁכַּ֣ב שִׁמְשׁוֹן֮ עַד־חֲצִ֣י הַלַּיְלָה֒ וַיָּ֣קָם׀ בַּחֲצִ֣י הַלַּ֗יְלָה וַיֶּאֱחֹ֞ז בְּדַלְת֤וֹת שַֽׁעַר־הָעִיר֙ וּבִשְׁתֵּ֣י הַמְּזוּז֔וֹת וַיִּסָּעֵם֙ עִֽם־הַבְּרִ֔יחַ וַיָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־כְּתֵפָ֑יו וַֽיַּעֲלֵם֙ אֶל־רֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י חֶבְרֽוֹן׃ פ
4 וַֽיְהִי֙ אַחֲרֵי־כֵ֔ן וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב אִשָּׁ֖ה בְּנַ֣חַל שֹׂרֵ֑ק וּשְׁמָ֖הּ דְּלִילָֽה׃
5 וַיַּעֲל֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יהָ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וַיֹּ֨אמְרוּ לָ֜הּ פַּתִּ֣י אוֹת֗וֹ וּרְאִי֙ בַּמֶּה֙ כֹּח֣וֹ גָד֔וֹל וּבַמֶּה֙ נ֣וּכַל ל֔וֹ וַאֲסַרְנֻ֖הוּ לְעַנֹּת֑וֹ וַאֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ נִתַּן־לָ֔ךְ אִ֕ישׁ אֶ֥לֶף וּמֵאָ֖ה כָּֽסֶף׃
6 וַתֹּ֤אמֶר דְּלִילָה֙ אֶל־שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן הַגִּֽידָה־נָּ֣א לִ֔י בַּמֶּ֖ה כֹּחֲךָ֣ גָד֑וֹל וּבַמֶּ֥ה תֵאָסֵ֖ר לְעַנּוֹתֶֽךָ׃
7 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן אִם־יַאַסְרֻ֗נִי בְּשִׁבְעָ֛ה יְתָרִ֥ים לַחִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־חֹרָ֑בוּ וְחָלִ֥יתִי וְהָיִ֖יתִי כְּאַחַ֥ד הָאָדָֽם׃
8 וַיַּעֲלוּ־לָ֞הּ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים שִׁבְעָ֛ה יְתָרִ֥ים לַחִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־חֹרָ֑בוּ וַתַּאַסְרֵ֖הוּ בָּהֶֽם׃
9 וְהָאֹרֵ֗ב יֹשֵׁ֥ב לָהּ֙ בַּחֶ֔דֶר וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים עָלֶ֖יךָ שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיְנַתֵּק֙ אֶת־הַיְתָרִ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִנָּתֵ֤ק פְּתִֽיל־הַנְּעֹ֙רֶת֙ בַּהֲרִיח֣וֹ אֵ֔שׁ וְלֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖ע כֹּחֽוֹ׃
10 וַתֹּ֤אמֶר דְּלִילָה֙ אֶל־שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן הִנֵּה֙ הֵתַ֣לְתָּ בִּ֔י וַתְּדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלַ֖י כְּזָבִ֑ים עַתָּה֙ הַגִּֽידָה־נָּ֣א לִ֔י בַּמֶּ֖ה תֵּאָסֵֽר׃
11 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אִם־אָס֤וֹר יַאַסְר֙וּנִי֙ בַּעֲבֹתִ֣ים חֲדָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה בָהֶ֖ם מְלָאכָ֑ה וְחָלִ֥יתִי וְהָיִ֖יתִי כְּאַחַ֥ד הָאָדָֽם׃
12 וַתִּקַּ֣ח דְּלִילָה֩ עֲבֹתִ֨ים חֲדָשִׁ֜ים וַתַּאַסְרֵ֣הוּ בָהֶ֗ם וַתֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֤ים עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ שִׁמְשׁ֔וֹן וְהָאֹרֵ֖ב יֹשֵׁ֣ב בֶּחָ֑דֶר וַֽיְנַתְּקֵ֛ם מֵעַ֥ל זְרֹעֹתָ֖יו כַּחֽוּט׃
13 וַתֹּ֨אמֶר דְּלִילָ֜ה אֶל־שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן עַד־הֵ֜נָּה הֵתַ֤לְתָּ בִּי֙ וַתְּדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלַי֙ כְּזָבִ֔ים הַגִּ֣ידָה לִּ֔י בַּמֶּ֖ה תֵּאָסֵ֑ר וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אִם־תַּאַרְגִ֗י אֶת־שֶׁ֛בַע מַחְלְפ֥וֹת רֹאשִׁ֖י עִם־הַמַּסָּֽכֶת׃
14 וַתִּתְקַע֙ בַּיָּתֵ֔ד וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יו פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים עָלֶ֖יךָ שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיִּיקַץ֙ מִשְּׁנָת֔וֹ וַיִּסַּ֛ע אֶת־הַיְתַ֥ד הָאֶ֖רֶג וְאֶת־הַמַּסָּֽכֶת׃
15 וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו אֵ֚יךְ תֹּאמַ֣ר אֲהַבְתִּ֔יךְ וְלִבְּךָ֖ אֵ֣ין אִתִּ֑י זֶ֣ה שָׁלֹ֤שׁ פְּעָמִים֙ הֵתַ֣לְתָּ בִּ֔י וְלֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתָּ לִּ֔י בַּמֶּ֖ה כֹּחֲךָ֥ גָדֽוֹל׃
16 וַ֠יְהִי כִּֽי־הֵצִ֨יקָה לּ֧וֹ בִדְבָרֶ֛יהָ כָּל־הַיָּמִ֖ים וַתְּאַֽלֲצֵ֑הוּ וַתִּקְצַ֥ר נַפְשׁ֖וֹ לָמֽוּת׃
17 וַיַּגֶּד־לָ֣הּ אֶת־כָּל־לִבּ֗וֹ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מוֹרָה֙ לֹֽא־עָלָ֣ה עַל־רֹאשִׁ֔י כִּֽי־נְזִ֧יר אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֲנִ֖י מִבֶּ֣טֶן אִמִּ֑י אִם־גֻּלַּ֙חְתִּי֙ וְסָ֣ר מִמֶּ֣נִּי כֹחִ֔י וְחָלִ֥יתִי וְהָיִ֖יתִי כְּכָל־הָאָדָֽם׃
18 וַתֵּ֣רֶא דְּלִילָ֗ה כִּֽי־הִגִּ֣יד לָהּ֮ אֶת־כָּל־לִבּוֹ֒ וַתִּשְׁלַ֡ח וַתִּקְרָא֩ לְסַרְנֵ֨י פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים לֵאמֹר֙ עֲל֣וּ הַפַּ֔עַם כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥יד ׳לָהּ׳ ״לִ֖י״ אֶת־כָּל־לִבּ֑וֹ וְעָל֤וּ אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיַּעֲל֥וּ הַכֶּ֖סֶף בְּיָדָֽם׃
19 וַתְּיַשְּׁנֵ֙הוּ֙ עַל־בִּרְכֶּ֔יהָ וַתִּקְרָ֣א לָאִ֔ישׁ וַתְּגַלַּ֕ח אֶת־שֶׁ֖בַע מַחְלְפ֣וֹת רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַתָּ֙חֶל֙ לְעַנּוֹת֔וֹ וַיָּ֥סַר כֹּח֖וֹ מֵעָלָֽיו׃
20 וַתֹּ֕אמֶר פְּלִשְׁתִּ֥ים עָלֶ֖יךָ שִׁמְשׁ֑וֹן וַיִּקַ֣ץ מִשְּׁנָת֗וֹ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֵצֵ֞א כְּפַ֤עַם בְּפַ֙עַם֙ וְאִנָּעֵ֔ר וְהוּא֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה סָ֥ר מֵעָלָֽיו׃
21 וַיֹּאחֲז֣וּהוּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַֽיְנַקְּר֖וּ אֶת־עֵינָ֑יו וַיּוֹרִ֨ידוּ אוֹת֜וֹ עַזָּ֗תָה וַיַּאַסְר֙וּהוּ֙ בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם וַיְהִ֥י טוֹחֵ֖ן בְּבֵ֥ית ׳הָאֲסִירִים׳ ״הָאֲסוּרִֽים׃״
22 וַיָּ֧חֶל שְׂעַר־רֹאשׁ֛וֹ לְצַמֵּ֖חַ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר גֻּלָּֽח׃ פ
23 וְסַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים נֶֽאֱסְפוּ֙ לִזְבֹּ֧חַ זֶֽבַח־גָּד֛וֹל לְדָג֥וֹן אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם וּלְשִׂמְחָ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ נָתַ֤ן אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּיָדֵ֔נוּ אֵ֖ת שִׁמְשׁ֥וֹן אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃
24 וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ הָעָ֔ם וַֽיְהַלְל֖וּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י אָמְר֗וּ נָתַ֨ן אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ בְיָדֵ֙נוּ֙ אֶת־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔נוּ וְאֵת֙ מַחֲרִ֣יב אַרְצֵ֔נוּ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר הִרְבָּ֖ה אֶת־חֲלָלֵֽינוּ׃
25 וַֽיְהִי֙ ׳כִּי׳ ׳טוֹב׳ ״כְּט֣וֹב״ לִבָּ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ קִרְא֥וּ לְשִׁמְשׁ֖וֹן וִישַֽׂחֶק־לָ֑נוּ וַיִּקְרְא֨וּ לְשִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן מִבֵּ֣ית ׳הָאֲסִירִים׳ ״הָאֲסוּרִ֗ים״ וַיְצַחֵק֙ לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם וַיַּעֲמִ֥ידוּ אוֹת֖וֹ בֵּ֥ין הָעַמּוּדִֽים׃
26 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן אֶל־הַנַּ֨עַר הַמַּחֲזִ֣יק בְּיָדוֹ֮ הַנִּ֣יחָה אוֹתִי֒ ׳וְהֵימִשֵׁנִי׳ ״וַהֲמִשֵׁ֙נִי֙״ אֶת־הָֽעַמֻּדִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַבַּ֖יִת נָכ֣וֹן עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְאֶשָּׁעֵ֖ן עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
27 וְהַבַּ֗יִת מָלֵ֤א הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ וְהַנָּשִׁ֔ים וְשָׁ֕מָּה כֹּ֖ל סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וְעַל־הַגָּ֗ג כִּשְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשָּׁ֔ה הָרֹאִ֖ים בִּשְׂח֥וֹק שִׁמְשֽׁוֹן׃
28 וַיִּקְרָ֥א שִׁמְשׁ֛וֹן אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהוִֹ֡ה זָכְרֵ֣נִי נָא֩ וְחַזְּקֵ֨נִי נָ֜א אַ֣ךְ הַפַּ֤עַם הַזֶּה֙ הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְאִנָּקְמָ֧ה נְקַם־אַחַ֛ת מִשְּׁתֵ֥י עֵינַ֖י מִפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
29 וַיִּלְפֹּ֨ת שִׁמְשׁ֜וֹן אֶת־שְׁנֵ֣י׀ עַמּוּדֵ֣י הַתָּ֗וֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הַבַּ֙יִת֙ נָכ֣וֹן עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וַיִּסָּמֵ֖ךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם אֶחָ֥ד בִּימִינ֖וֹ וְאֶחָ֥ד בִּשְׂמֹאלֽוֹ׃
30 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שִׁמְשׁ֗וֹן תָּמ֣וֹת נַפְשִׁי֮ עִם־פְּלִשְׁתִּים֒ וַיֵּ֣ט בְּכֹ֔חַ וַיִּפֹּ֤ל הַבַּ֙יִת֙ עַל־הַסְּרָנִ֔ים וְעַל־כָּל־הָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר־בּ֑וֹ וַיִּהְי֤וּ הַמֵּתִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֵמִ֣ית בְּמוֹת֔וֹ רַבִּ֕ים מֵאֲשֶׁ֥ר הֵמִ֖ית בְּחַיָּֽיו׃
31 וַיֵּרְד֨וּ אֶחָ֜יו וְכָל־בֵּ֣ית אָבִיהוּ֮ וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ אֹתוֹ֒ וַֽיַּעֲל֣וּ׀ וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ אוֹת֗וֹ בֵּ֤ין צָרְעָה֙ וּבֵ֣ין אֶשְׁתָּאֹ֔ל בְּקֶ֖בֶר מָנ֣וֹחַ אָבִ֑יו וְה֛וּא שָׁפַ֥ט אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה׃ פ
Judges 16
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Samson and Delilah
16 Samson went to Gaza,(A) where he saw a prostitute and went to bed with her. 2 When the Gazites heard that Samson was there, they surrounded the place and waited in ambush for him all that night at the city gate. While they were waiting quietly,[a] they said, “Let us wait until dawn; then we will kill him.” 3 But Samson stayed in bed until midnight when he got up, took hold of the doors of the city gate along with the two gateposts, and pulled them out, bar and all. He put them on his shoulders and took them to the top of the mountain overlooking Hebron.
4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman named Delilah, who lived in the Sorek Valley. 5 The Philistine leaders(B) went to her and said, “Persuade him to tell you[b] where his great strength comes from, so we can overpower him, tie him up, and make him helpless. Each of us will then give you 1,100 pieces of silver.”
6 So Delilah said to Samson, “Please tell me, where does your great strength come from? How could someone tie you up and make you helpless?”
7 Samson told her, “If they tie me up with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I will become weak and be like any other man.”
8 The Philistine leaders brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him up with them. 9 While the men in ambush were waiting in her room, she called out to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”[c] But he snapped the bowstrings as a strand of yarn snaps when it touches fire. The secret of his strength remained unknown.
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me and told me lies! Won’t you please tell me how you can be tied up?”
11 He told her, “If they tie me up with new ropes that have never been used,(C) I will become weak and be like any other man.”
12 Delilah took new ropes, tied him up with them, and shouted, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”[d] But while the men in ambush were waiting in her room, he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread.
13 Then Delilah said to Samson, “You have mocked me all along and told me lies! Tell me how you can be tied up.”
He told her, “If you weave the seven braids on my head with the web of a loom—”[e]
14 She fastened the braids with a pin and called to him, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”[f] He awoke from his sleep and pulled out the pin, with the loom and the web.
15 “How can you say, ‘I love you,’”(D) she told him, “when your heart is not with me? This is the third time you have mocked me and not told me what makes your strength so great!”
16 Because she nagged him day after day and pleaded with him until she wore him out,[g] 17 he told her the whole truth and said to her, “My hair has never been cut,[h] because I am a Nazirite(E) to God from birth. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become weak and be like any other man.”
18 When Delilah realized that he had told her the whole truth, she sent this message to the Philistine leaders: “Come one more time, for he has told me the whole truth.” The Philistine leaders came to her and brought the money with them.
19 Then she let him fall asleep on her lap and called a man to shave off the seven braids on his head. In this way, she made him helpless,[i] and his strength left him. 20 Then she cried, “Samson, the Philistines are here!”[j] When he awoke from his sleep, he said, “I will escape as I did before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.(F)
Samson’s Defeat and Death
21 The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes. They brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles, and he was forced to grind grain in the prison. 22 But his hair began to grow back after it had been shaved.
23 Now the Philistine leaders gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon.(G) They rejoiced and said:
Our god has handed over
our enemy Samson to us.
24 When the people saw him, they praised their god(H) and said:
Our god has handed over to us
our enemy who destroyed our land
and who multiplied our dead.
25 When they were drunk,[k] they said, “Bring Samson here to entertain us.” So they brought Samson from prison, and he entertained them. They had him stand between the pillars.
26 Samson said to the young man who was leading him by the hand, “Lead me where I can feel the pillars supporting the temple, so I can lean against them.” 27 The temple was full of men and women; all the leaders of the Philistines were there, and about 3,000 men and women were on the roof watching Samson entertain them. 28 He called out to the Lord: “Lord God, please remember me.(I) Strengthen me, God, just once more. With one act of vengeance, let me pay back the Philistines for my two eyes.” 29 Samson took hold of the two middle pillars supporting the temple and leaned against them, one on his right hand and the other on his left. 30 Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” He pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the leaders and all the people in it. And the dead he killed at his death were more than those he had killed in his life.
31 Then his brothers and his father’s family came down, carried him back, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of his father Manoah. So he judged Israel 20 years.
Footnotes
- Judges 16:2 Lit quietly all night
- Judges 16:5 Lit him and see
- Judges 16:9 Lit are on you
- Judges 16:12 Lit are on you
- Judges 16:13 LXX reads loom and fasten [them] with a pin into the wall and I will become weak and be like any other man.” 14 And while he was sleeping, Delilah wove the seven braids on his head into the loom.
- Judges 16:14 Lit are on you
- Judges 16:16 Lit him and he became short to death
- Judges 16:17 Lit A razor has not gone up on my head
- Judges 16:19 LXX reads way he began to weaken
- Judges 16:20 Lit are on you
- Judges 16:25 Or When they were feeling good
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2005 by Public Domain
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