Classic of Documents
商書 Shāng shū
湯誓 第十 Book Ten · Tāng shì
王曰：「格爾眾庶，悉聽朕言。非台小子，敢行稱亂；有夏多罪，天命殛之。
The king said, “Come, ye multitudes of the people, listen all to my words. It is not I, the little child, who dare to undertake what may seem to be a rebellious enterprize; but for the many crimes of the sovereign of Hea Heaven has given the charge to destroy him.
「今爾有眾，汝曰：『我后不恤我眾，舍我穡事而割正夏。』予惟聞汝眾言；夏氏有罪，予畏上帝，不敢不正。
“Now, ye multitudes, you are saying, ‘Our prince does not compassionate us, but is calling us away from our husbandry to attack and punish the ruler of Hea.’ I have indeed heard these words of you all: but the sovereign of Hea is an offender, and, as I fear God, I dare not but punish him.
「今汝其曰：『夏罪其如台？』夏王率遏眾力，率割夏邑，有眾率怠弗協。曰：『時日曷喪？予及汝皆亡！』夏德若茲，今朕必往。
“Now you are saying, ‘What are the crimes of Hea to us?’ The king of Hea does nothing but exhaust the strength of his people, and exercise oppression in the cities of Hea. His people have all become idle in his service, and will not assist him. They are saying, ‘When will this sun expire? We will all perish with thee.’ Such is the course of the sovereign of Hea, and now I must go and punish him.
「爾尚輔予一人，致天之罰，予其大賚汝。爾無不信，朕不食言。爾不從誓言，予則孥戮汝，罔有攸赦。」
“Assist, I pray you, me, the one man, to carry out the punishment appointed by Heaven. I will greatly reward you. On no account disbelieve me;—I will not eat my words. If you do not obey the words which I have spoken to you, I will put your children with you to death;—you will find no forgiveness.”