8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, “Be our king.”
9 ‘But the olive tree answered, “Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honoured, to hold sway over the trees?”
10 ‘Next, the trees said to the fig-tree, “Come and be our king.”
11 ‘But the fig-tree replied, “Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?”
12 ‘Then the trees said to the vine, “Come and be our king.”
13 ‘But the vine answered, “Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?”
14 ‘Finally all the trees said to the thorn-bush, “Come and be our king.”