Reading I
Judg 9:6-15
And all the men of Sichem were gathered together, and all the families of the city of Mello: and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak that stood in Sichem.
This being told to Joatham, he went, and stood on the top of Mount Garizim: and lifting up his voice, he cried, and said: Hear me, ye men of Sichem, so may God hear you.
The trees went to anoint a king over them: and they said to the olive tree: Reign thou over us.
And it answered: Can I leave my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, to come to be promoted among the trees?
And the trees said to the fig tree: Come thou and reign over us.
And it answered them: Can I leave my sweetness, and my delicious fruits, and go to be promoted among the other trees?
And the trees said to the vine: Come thou and reign over us.
And it answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?
And all the trees said to the bramble: Come thou and reign over us.
And it answered them: If, indeed, you mean to make me king, come ye, and rest under my shadow: but if you mean it not, let fire come out from the bramble, and devour the cedars of Libanus.
