Voice of Jotham crying out from Mt.Gerizim:
Listen to me, you men of Shechem,
That God may listen to you.
The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them,
And they said to the Olive tree,
Reign over us!
But the Olive tree said to them,
Should I cease giving my oil,
With which they honour God and men,
And go to sway over trees?
Then the trees said to the Fig tree,
You come and reign over us!
But the Fig tree said to them,
Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?
Then the trees said to the Vine,
You come and reign over us!
But the Vine said to them,
Should I cease my new wine,
Which cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?
Then all the trees said to the Bramble,
You come and reign over us!
And the Bramble said to the trees,
If in truth you anoint me as king over you,
Then come and take shelter in my shade;
But if not, let fire come out of the Bramble
And devour the Cedars of Lebanon.
GODLY SHALL BE LIKE A TREE
PLANTED BY THE RIVERS OF WATER
THAT BRINGS FORTH ITS FRUIT IN ITS SEASON,
WHOSE LEAF ALSO SHALL NOT WITHER;
AND WHATEVER HE DOES SHALL PROSPER.
WHO IS YOUR KING? GOD OR MEN?
