8. “The trees went to anoint someone to be king over them.They said to the olive tree,‘Be our king!’
9. But the olive tree responded,‘Should I stop producing oil,which people use to honor gods and humans,in order to rule the trees?’
10. Then the trees said to the fig tree,‘You come and be our king!’
11. But the fig tree responded,‘Should I stop producing my good, sweet fruitin order to rule the trees?’
12. Then the trees said to the grapevine,‘You come and be our king!’
13. But the grapevine responded,‘Should I stop producing my wine,which makes gods and humans happy,in order to rule the trees?’
14. Then all the trees said to the thornbush,‘You come and be our king!’
15. But the thornbush responded to the trees,‘If you really want to anoint me to be your king,then come and take shelter in my shade.But if not, fire will come out of the thornbushand burn up the cedars of Lebanon.’
16. “If you acted with sincerity and integrity when you made Abimelech king, ⌊be happy.⌋ If you treated Jerubbaal and his family well, if you treated him as he deserved, be happy.
17. My father fought for you. He risked his life and rescued you from Midian.
18. But today you have attacked my father’s family. You have executed his 70 sons. You have made Abimelech, who is the son of my father’s slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem just because he’s your brother.