7 Jotham heard what they were doing. So he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted down to the people who were there at the meeting:Leaders of Shechem,listen to me,and perhaps Godwill listen to you.
8 Once the trees searchedfor someone to be king;they asked the olive tree,“Will you be our king?”
9 But the olive tree replied,“My oil brings honourto people and gods.I won't stop making oil,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”
10 Then they asked the fig tree,“Will you be our king?”
11 But the fig tree replied,“I won't stop growingmy delicious fruit,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”
12 Next they asked the grapevine,“Will you be our king?”
13 But the grapevine replied,“My wine brings cheerto people and gods.I won't stop making wine,just so my branches can waveabove the other trees.”