Judges 9:8-15 ▼

8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree: Reign thou over us.

9 But the olive-tree said unto them: Should I leave my fatness, seeing that by me they honour God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?

10 And the trees said to the fig-tree: Come thou, and reign over us.

11 But the fig-tree said unto them: Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruitage, and go to hold sway over the trees?

12 And the trees said unto the vine: Come thou, and reign over us.

13 And the vine said unto them: Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?

14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble: Come thou, and reign over us.

15 And the bramble said unto the trees: If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.