13 But the grapevine said to them,

“Should I stop giving my wine

that cheers both God and man,

and rule over trees?”

14 Finally, all the trees said to the bramble,

“Come and reign over us.”

15 The bramble said to the trees,

“If you really are anointing me

as king over you,

come and find refuge in my shade.

But if not,

may fire come out from the bramble

and consume the cedars of Lebanon.”

16 “Now if you have acted faithfullyf and honestlyg in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have rewarded him appropriately for what he did—17 for my father fought for you, risked his life, and rescued you from Midian, 18 and now you have attacked my father’s family today, killed his seventy sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the citizens of Shechem ‘because he is your brother’—19 so if you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech.

ABIMELECH’S PUNISHMENT

22 When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years, 23 God sent an evil spirith between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,