The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.

But the olive-tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

But the fig-tree said to them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the bramble said to the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.