Judges 9:7–21

The Parable of the Trees

7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of iMount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them:

“Listen to me, you men of Shechem,

That God may listen to you!

8 “The jtrees once went forth to anoint a king over them.

And they said to the olive tree,

k‘Reign over us!’

9 But the olive tree said to them,

‘Should I cease giving my oil,

lWith which they honor God and men,

And go to sway over trees?’

10 “Then the trees said to the fig tree,

‘You come and reign over us!’

11 But the fig tree said to them,

‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,

And go to sway over trees?’

12 “Then the trees said to the vine,

‘You come and reign over us!’

13 But the vine said to them,

‘Should I cease my new wine,

mWhich cheers both God and men,

And go to sway over trees?’

14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble,

‘You come and reign over us!’

15 And the bramble said to the trees,

‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you,

Then come and take shelter in my nshade;

But if not, olet fire come out of the bramble

And devour the pcedars of Lebanon!’

16 “Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and sincerity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him qas 1he deserves—17 for my rfather fought for you, risked his life, and sdelivered you out of the hand of Midian; 18 tbut you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and killed his seventy sons on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his ufemale servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother—19 if then you have acted in truth and sincerity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then vrejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, wlet fire come from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and Beth Millo; and let fire come from the men of Shechem and from Beth Millo and devour Abimelech!” 21 And Jotham ran away and fled; and he went to xBeer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.