Judges 9:8-15 ▼

8 The trees have diligently gone to anoint a king over them, and they say to the olive, Reign over us.

9 And the olive says to them, Have I ceased from my fatness, by which they honor gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

10 And the trees say to the fig, Come, reign over us.

11 And the fig says to them, Have I ceased from my sweetness, and my good increase, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

12 And the trees say to the vine, Come, reign over us.

13 And the vine says to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is making gods and men glad, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

14 And all the trees say to the bramble, Come, reign over us.

15 And the bramble says to the trees, If in truth you are anointing me for king over you, come, take refuge in my shadow; and if not—fire comes out from the bramble, and devours the cedars of Lebanon.