1-2. Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to his uncles and all his mother’s relatives and said to them, “Ask all the leading men of Shechem, ‘What do you think is best, that seventy men rule you—all those sons of Jerub-Baal—or that one man rule? You’ll remember that I am your own flesh and blood.’”
10-11. The trees then said to Fig Tree,“You come and rule over us.”But Fig Tree said to them,“Am I no longer good for making sweets,My mouthwatering sweet fruits,and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
12-13. The trees then said to Vine,“You come and rule over us.”But Vine said to them,“Am I no longer good for making wine,Wine that cheers gods and men,and to be demoted to waving over trees?”
14-15. All the trees then said to Tumbleweed,“You come and reign over us.”But Tumbleweed said to the trees:“If you’re serious about making me your king,Come and find shelter in my shade.But if not, let fire shoot from Tumbleweedand burn down the cedars of Lebanon!”