Judges 5

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 “When the princes in Israel take the lead,

when the people willingly offer themselves—

praise the Lord!

3 “Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!

I, even I, will sing to the Lord;

I will praise the Lord, the God of Israel, in song.

4 “When you, Lord, went out from Seir,

when you marched from the land of Edom,

the earth shook, the heavens poured,

the clouds poured down water.

5 The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,

before the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned;

travelers took to winding paths.

7 Villagers in Israel would not fight;

they held back until I, Deborah, arose,

until I arose, a mother in Israel.

8 God chose new leaders

when war came to the city gates,

but not a shield or spear was seen

among forty thousand in Israel.

9 My heart is with Israel’s princes,

with the willing volunteers among the people.

Praise the Lord!

10 “You who ride on white donkeys,

sitting on your saddle blankets,

and you who walk along the road,

consider 11 the voice of the singers at the watering places.

They recite the victories of the Lord,

the victories of his villagers in Israel.

“Then the people of the Lord

went down to the city gates.

12 ‘Wake up, wake up, Deborah!

Wake up, wake up, break out in song!

Arise, Barak!

Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.’

13 “The remnant of the nobles came down;

the people of the Lord came down to me against the mighty.

14 Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek;

Benjamin was with the people who followed you.

From Makir captains came down,

from Zebulun those who bear a commander’s staff.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

yes, Issachar was with Barak,

sent under his command into the valley.

In the districts of Reuben

there was much searching of heart.

16 Why did you stay among the sheep pens

to hear the whistling for the flocks?

In the districts of Reuben

there was much searching of heart.

17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan.

And Dan, why did he linger by the ships?

Asher remained on the coast

and stayed in his coves.

18 The people of Zebulun risked their very lives;

so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.

19 “Kings came, they fought,

the kings of Canaan fought.

At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo,

they took no plunder of silver.

20 From the heavens the stars fought,

from their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The river Kishon swept them away,

the age-old river, the river Kishon.

March on, my soul; be strong!

22 Then thundered the horses’ hooves—

galloping, galloping go his mighty steeds.

23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord.

‘Curse its people bitterly,

because they did not come to help the Lord,

to help the Lord against the mighty.’

24 “Most blessed of women be Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite,

most blessed of tent-dwelling women.

25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;

in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.

26 Her hand reached for the tent peg,

her right hand for the workman’s hammer.

She struck Sisera, she crushed his head,

she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 At her feet he sank,

he fell; there he lay.

At her feet he sank, he fell;

where he sank, there he fell—dead.

28 “Through the window peered Sisera’s mother;

behind the lattice she cried out,

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why is the clatter of his chariots delayed?’

29 The wisest of her ladies answer her;

indeed, she keeps saying to herself,

30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoils:

a woman or two for each man,

colorful garments as plunder for Sisera,

colorful garments embroidered,

highly embroidered garments for my neck—

all this as plunder?’

31 “So may all your enemies perish, Lord!

But may all who love you be like the sun

when it rises in its strength.”

Then the land had peace forty years.

1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day:

2 “That the leaders took the lead in Israel,

that the people offered themselves willingly,

bless the Lord!

3 “Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;

to the Lord I will sing;

I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4 “Lord, when you went out from Seir,

when you marched from the region of Edom,

the earth trembled

and the heavens dropped,

yes, the clouds dropped water.

5 The mountains quaked before the Lord,

even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned,

and travelers kept to the byways.

7 The villagers ceased in Israel;

they ceased to be until I arose;

I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel.

8 When new gods were chosen,

then war was in the gates.

Was shield or spear to be seen

among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel

who offered themselves willingly among the people.

Bless the Lord.

10 “Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys,

you who sit on rich carpets

and you who walk by the way.

11 To the sound of musicians at the watering places,

there they repeat the righteous triumphs of the Lord,

the righteous triumphs of his villagers in Israel.

“Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.

12 “Awake, awake, Deborah!

Awake, awake, break out in a song!

Arise, Barak, lead away your captives,

O son of Abinoam.

13 Then down marched the remnant of the noble;

the people of the Lord marched down for me against the mighty.

14 From Ephraim their root they marched down into the valley,

following you, Benjamin, with your kinsmen;

from Machir marched down the commanders,

and from Zebulun those who bear the lieutenant’s staff;

15 the princes of Issachar came with Deborah,

and Issachar faithful to Barak;

into the valley they rushed at his heels.

Among the clans of Reuben

there were great searchings of heart.

16 Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds,

to hear the whistling for the flocks?

Among the clans of Reuben

there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan;

and Dan, why did he stay with the ships?

Asher sat still at the coast of the sea,

staying by his landings.

18 Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to the death;

Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.

19 “The kings came, they fought;

then fought the kings of Canaan,

at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;

they got no spoils of silver.

20 From heaven the stars fought,

from their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The torrent Kishon swept them away,

the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.

March on, my soul, with might!

22 “Then loud beat the horses’ hoofs

with the galloping, galloping of his steeds.

23 “Curse Meroz, says the angel of the Lord,

curse its inhabitants thoroughly,

because they did not come to the help of the Lord,

to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

24 “Most blessed of women be Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite,

of tent-dwelling women most blessed.

25 He asked for water and she gave him milk;

she brought him curds in a noble’s bowl.

26 She sent her hand to the tent peg

and her right hand to the workmen’s mallet;

she struck Sisera;

she crushed his head;

she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 Between her feet

he sank, he fell, he lay still;

between her feet

he sank, he fell;

where he sank,

there he fell—dead.

28 “Out of the window she peered,

the mother of Sisera wailed through the lattice:

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why tarry the hoofbeats of his chariots?’

29 Her wisest princesses answer,

indeed, she answers herself,

30 ‘Have they not found and divided the spoil?—

A womb or two for every man;

spoil of dyed materials for Sisera,

spoil of dyed materials embroidered,

two pieces of dyed work embroidered for the neck as spoil?’

31 “So may all your enemies perish, O Lord!

But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might.”

And the land had rest for forty years.

1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,

When the people willingly offered themselves.

3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes;

I, even I, will sing unto the Lord;

I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

4 Lord, When thou wentest out of Seir,

When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom,

The earth trembled, and the heavens dropped,

The clouds also dropped water.

5 The mountains melted from before the Lord,

Even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel.

6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,

In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied,

And the travellers walked through byways.

7 The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel,

Until that I Deborah arose,

That I arose a mother in Israel.

8 They chose new gods;

Then was war in the gates:

Was there a shield or spear seen

Among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel,

That offered themselves willingly among the people.

Bless ye the Lord.

10 Speak, ye that ride on white asses,

Ye that sit in judgment,

And walk by the way.

11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water,

There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord,

Even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel:

Then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates.

12 Awake, awake, Deborah:

Awake, awake, utter a song:

Arise, Barak,

And lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

13 Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people:

The Lord made me have dominion over the mighty.

14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek;

After thee, Benjamin, among thy people;

Out of Machir came down governors,

And out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

Even Issachar, and also Barak:

He was sent on foot into the valley.

For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds,

To hear the bleatings of the flocks?

For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan:

And why did Dan remain in ships?

Asher continued on the sea shore,

And abode in his breaches.

18 Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death

In the high places of the field.

19 The kings came and fought,

Then fought the kings of Canaan

In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo;

They took no gain of money.

20 They fought from heaven;

The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

21 The river of Kishon swept them away,

That ancient river, the river Kishon.

O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

22 Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings,

The pransings of their mighty ones.

23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord,

Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof;

Because they came not to the help of the Lord,

To the help of the Lord against the mighty.

24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be,

Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

25 He asked water, and she gave him milk;

She brought forth butter in a lordly dish.

26 She put her hand to the nail,

And her right hand to the workmen’s hammer;

And with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head,

When she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down:

At her feet he bowed, he fell:

Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window,

And cried through the lattice,

Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

29 Her wise ladies answered her,

Yea, she returned answer to herself,

30 Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey;

To every man a damsel or two;

To Sisera a prey of divers colours,

A prey of divers colours of needlework,

Of divers colours of needlework on both sides,

Meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?

31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord:

But let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.

And the land had rest forty years.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 “Israel’s leaders took charge,

and the people gladly followed.

Praise the Lord!

3 “Listen, you kings!

Pay attention, you mighty rulers!

For I will sing to the Lord.

I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4 “Lord, when you set out from Seir

and marched across the fields of Edom,

the earth trembled,

and the cloudy skies poured down rain.

5 The mountains quaked in the presence of the Lord,

the God of Mount Sinai—

in the presence of the Lord,

the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

and in the days of Jael,

people avoided the main roads,

and travelers stayed on winding pathways.

7 There were few people left in the villages of Israel—

until Deborah arose as a mother for Israel.

8 When Israel chose new gods,

war erupted at the city gates.

Yet not a shield or spear could be seen

among forty thousand warriors in Israel!

9 My heart is with the commanders of Israel,

with those who volunteered for war.

Praise the Lord!

10 “Consider this, you who ride on fine donkeys,

you who sit on fancy saddle blankets,

and you who walk along the road.

11 Listen to the village musicians

gathered at the watering holes.

They recount the righteous victories of the Lord

and the victories of his villagers in Israel.

Then the people of the Lord

marched down to the city gates.

12 “Wake up, Deborah, wake up!

Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!

Arise, Barak!

Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!

13 “Down from Tabor marched the few against the nobles.

The people of the Lord marched down against mighty warriors.

14 They came down from Ephraim—

a land that once belonged to the Amalekites;

they followed you, Benjamin, with your troops.

From Makir the commanders marched down;

from Zebulun came those who carry a commander’s staff.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak.

They followed Barak, rushing into the valley.

But in the tribe of Reuben

there was great indecision.

16 Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—

to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks?

Yes, in the tribe of Reuben

there was great indecision.

17 Gilead remained east of the Jordan.

And why did Dan stay home?

Asher sat unmoved at the seashore,

remaining in his harbors.

18 But Zebulun risked his life,

as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield.

19 “The kings of Canaan came and fought,

at Taanach near Megiddo’s springs,

but they carried off no silver treasures.

20 The stars fought from heaven.

The stars in their orbits fought against Sisera.

21 The Kishon River swept them away—

that ancient torrent, the Kishon.

March on with courage, my soul!

22 Then the horses’ hooves hammered the ground,

the galloping, galloping of Sisera’s mighty steeds.

23 ‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord.

‘Let them be utterly cursed,

because they did not come to help the Lord—

to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.’

24 “Most blessed among women is Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite.

May she be blessed above all women who live in tents.

25 Sisera asked for water,

and she gave him milk.

In a bowl fit for nobles,

she brought him yogurt.

26 Then with her left hand she reached for a tent peg,

and with her right hand for the workman’s hammer.

She struck Sisera with the hammer, crushing his head.

With a shattering blow, she pierced his temples.

27 He sank, he fell,

he lay still at her feet.

And where he sank,

there he died.

28 “From the window Sisera’s mother looked out.

Through the window she watched for his return, saying,

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why don’t we hear the sound of chariot wheels?’

29 “Her wise women answer,

and she repeats these words to herself:

30 ‘They must be dividing the captured plunder—

with a woman or two for every man.

There will be colorful robes for Sisera,

and colorful, embroidered robes for me.

Yes, the plunder will include

colorful robes embroidered on both sides.’

31 “Lord, may all your enemies die like Sisera!

But may those who love you rise like the sun in all its power!”

Then there was peace in the land for forty years.

1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:

2 “When leaders lead in Israel,

When the people willingly offer themselves,

Bless the Lord!

3 “Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!

I, even I, will sing to the Lord;

I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

4 “Lord, when You went out from Seir,

When You marched from the field of Edom,

The earth trembled and the heavens poured,

The clouds also poured water;

5 The mountains gushed before the Lord,

This Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,

In the days of Jael,

The highways were deserted,

And the travelers walked along the byways.

7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel,

Until I, Deborah, arose,

Arose a mother in Israel.

8 They chose new gods;

Then there was war in the gates;

Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel.

9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel

Who offered themselves willingly with the people.

Bless the Lord!

10 “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys,

Who sit in judges’ attire,

And who walk along the road.

11 Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places,

There they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord,

The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel;

Then the people of the Lord shall go down to the gates.

12 “Awake, awake, Deborah!

Awake, awake, sing a song!

Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away,

O son of Abinoam!

13 “Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles;

The Lord came down for me against the mighty.

14 From Ephraim were those whose roots were in Amalek.

After you, Benjamin, with your peoples,

From Machir rulers came down,

And from Zebulun those who bear the recruiter’s staff.

15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

As Issachar, so was Barak

Sent into the valley under his command;

Among the divisions of Reuben

There were great resolves of heart.

16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds,

To hear the pipings for the flocks?

The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan,

And why did Dan remain on ships?

Asher continued at the seashore,

And stayed by his inlets.

18 Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death,

Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

19 “The kings came and fought,

Then the kings of Canaan fought

In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;

They took no spoils of silver.

20 They fought from the heavens;

The stars from their courses fought against Sisera.

21 The torrent of Kishon swept them away,

That ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon.

O my soul, march on in strength!

22 Then the horses’ hooves pounded,

The galloping, galloping of his steeds.

23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord,

‘Curse its inhabitants bitterly,

Because they did not come to the help of the Lord,

To the help of the Lord against the mighty.’

24 “Most blessed among women is Jael,

The wife of Heber the Kenite;

Blessed is she among women in tents.

25 He asked for water, she gave milk;

She brought out cream in a lordly bowl.

26 She stretched her hand to the tent peg,

Her right hand to the workmen’s hammer;

She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head,

She split and struck through his temple.

27 At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still;

At her feet he sank, he fell;

Where he sank, there he fell dead.

28 “The mother of Sisera looked through the window,

And cried out through the lattice,

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why tarries the clatter of his chariots?’

29 Her wisest ladies answered her,

Yes, she answered herself,

30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil:

To every man a girl or two;

For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments,

Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed,

Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?’

31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord!

But let those who love Him be like the sun

When it comes out in full strength.”

So the land had rest for forty years.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:

2 “The leaders led Israel.

The people volunteered to go to battle.

Praise the Lord!

3 Listen, kings.

Pay attention, rulers!

I myself will sing to the Lord.

I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4 “Lord, when you came from Edom,

when you marched from the land of Edom,

the earth shook,

the skies rained,

and the clouds dropped water.

5 The mountains shook before the Lord, the God of Mount Sinai,

before the Lord, the God of Israel!

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, the main roads were empty.

Travelers went on the back roads.

7 There were no warriors in Israel

until I, Deborah, arose,

until I arose to be a mother to Israel.

8 At that time they chose to follow new gods.

Because of this, enemies fought us at our city gates.

No one could find a shield or a spear

among the forty thousand people of Israel.

9 My heart is with the commanders of Israel.

They volunteered freely from among the people.

Praise the Lord!

10 “You who ride on white donkeys

and sit on saddle blankets,

and you who walk along the road, listen!

11 Listen to the sound of the singers

at the watering holes.

There they tell about the victories of the Lord,

the victories of the Lord’s warriors in Israel.

Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates.

12 “Wake up, wake up, Deborah!

Wake up, wake up, sing a song!

Get up, Barak!

Go capture your enemies, son of Abinoam!

13 “Then those who were left came down to the important leaders.

The Lord’s people came down to me with strong men.

14 They came from Ephraim in the mountains of Amalek.

Benjamin was among the people who followed you.

From the family group of Makir, the commanders came down.

And from Zebulun came those who lead.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah.

The people of Issachar were loyal to Barak

and followed him into the valley.

The Reubenites thought hard

about what they would do.

16 Why did you stay by the sheepfold?

Was it to hear the music played for your sheep?

The Reubenites thought hard

about what they would do.

17 The people of Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River.

People of Dan, why did you stay by the ships?

The people of Asher stayed at the seashore,

at their safe harbors.

18 But the people of Zebulun risked their lives,

as did the people of Naphtali on the battlefield.

19 “The kings came, and they fought.

At that time the kings of Canaan fought

at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo.

But they took away no silver or possessions of Israel.

20 The stars fought from heaven;

from their paths, they fought Sisera.

21 The Kishon River swept Sisera’s men away,

that old river, the Kishon River.

March on, my soul, with strength!

22 Then the horses’ hoofs beat the ground.

Galloping, galloping go Sisera’s mighty horses.

23 ‘May the town of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord.

‘Bitterly curse its people,

because they did not come to help the Lord.

They did not fight the strong enemy.’

24 “May Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite,

be blessed above all women who live in tents.

25 Sisera asked for water,

but Jael gave him milk.

In a bowl fit for a ruler,

she brought him cream.

26 Jael reached out and took the tent peg.

Her right hand reached for the workman’s hammer.

She hit Sisera! She smashed his head!

She crushed and pierced the side of his head!

27 At Jael’s feet he sank.

He fell, and he lay there.

At her feet he sank. He fell.

Where Sisera sank, there he fell, dead!

28 “Sisera’s mother looked out through the window.

She looked through the curtains and cried out,

‘Why is Sisera’s chariot so late in coming?

Why are sounds of his chariots’ horses delayed?’

29 The wisest of her servant ladies answer her,

and Sisera’s mother says to herself,

30 ‘Surely they are robbing the people they defeated!

Surely they are dividing those things among themselves!

Each soldier is given a girl or two.

Maybe Sisera is taking pieces of dyed cloth.

Maybe they are even taking

pieces of dyed, embroidered cloth for the necks of the victors!’

31 “Let all your enemies die this way, Lord!

But let all the people who love you

be as strong as the rising sun!”

Then there was peace in the land for forty years.

1 Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,

2 For that the leaders took the lead in Israel,

For that the people offered themselves willingly,

Bless ye Jehovah.

3 Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes;

I, even I, will sing unto Jehovah;

I will sing praise to Jehovah, the God of Israel.

4 Jehovah, when thou wentest forth out of Seir,

When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom,

The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped,

Yea, the clouds dropped water.

5 The mountains quaked at the presence of Jehovah,

Even yon Sinai at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.

6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,

In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied,

And the travellers walked through byways.

7 The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased,

Until that I Deborah arose,

That I arose a mother in Israel.

8 They chose new gods;

Then was war in the gates:

Was there a shield or spear seen

Among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel,

That offered themselves willingly among the people:

Bless ye Jehovah.

10 Tell of it, ye that ride on white asses,

Ye that sit on rich carpets,

And ye that walk by the way.

11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water,

There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of Jehovah,

Even the righteous acts of his rule in Israel.

Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates.

12 Awake, awake, Deborah;

Awake, awake, utter a song:

Arise, Barak, and lead away thy captives, thou son of Abinoam.

13 Then came down a remnant of the nobles and the people;

Jehovah came down for me against the mighty.

14 Out of Ephraim came down they whose root is in Amalek;

After thee, Benjamin, among thy peoples;

Out of Machir came down governors,

And out of Zebulun they that handle the marshal’s staff.

15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

As was Issachar, so was Barak;

Into the valley they rushed forth at his feet.

By the watercourses of Reuben

There were great resolves of heart.

16 Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds,

To hear the pipings for the flocks?

At the watercourses of Reuben

There were great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead abode beyond the Jordan:

And Dan, why did he remain in ships?

Asher sat still at the haven of the sea,

And abode by his creeks.

18 Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death,

And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.

19 The kings came and fought;

Then fought the kings of Canaan.

In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo:

They took no gain of money.

20 From heaven fought the stars,

From their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The river Kishon swept them away,

That ancient river, the river Kishon.

O my soul, march on with strength.

22 Then did the horsehoofs stamp

By reason of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.

23 Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah.

Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof,

Because they came not to the help of Jehovah,

To the help of Jehovah against the mighty.

24 Blessed above women shall Jael be,

The wife of Heber the Kenite;

Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

25 He asked water, and she gave him milk;

She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

26 She put her hand to the tent-pin,

And her right hand to the workmen’s hammer;

And with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote through his head;

Yea, she pierced and struck through his temples.

27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay;

At her feet he bowed, he fell;

Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

28 Through the window she looked forth, and cried,

The mother of Sisera cried through the lattice,

Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

29 Her wise ladies answered her,

Yea, she returned answer to herself,

30 Have they not found, have they not divided the spoil?

A damsel, two damsels to every man;

To Sisera a spoil of dyed garments,

A spoil of dyed garments embroidered,

Of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the spoil?

31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Jehovah:

But let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.

And the land had rest forty years.

1 Then sang Deborah and Barak, the son of Abinoam, on that day, saying, 2 For that leaders led in Israel, For that the people willingly offered themselves, Bless Jehovah! 3 Hear, ye kings; give ear, ye princes, I, even I, will sing to Jehovah; I will hymn to Jehovah the God of Israel. 4 Jehovah, when thou wentest forth from Seir, When thou marchedst out of the fields of Edom, The earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped water. 5 The mountains quaked before the face of Jehovah, That Sinai, from before Jehovah the God of Israel.

6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, The roads were unused, and the travellers on highways went by crooked paths. 7 The villages ceased in Israel, Ceased until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless Jehovah! 10 Ye that ride on white she-asses, ye that sit on carpets, and ye that walk by the way, consider. 11 Because of the voice of those who divide the spoil in the midst of the places of drawing water; There they rehearse the righteous acts of Jehovah, His righteous acts toward his villages in Israel. Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates.

12 Awake, awake, Deborah! awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead captive thy captives, thou son of Abinoam! 13 Then come down, thou, the remnant of nobles, as his people; Jehovah! come down with me in the midst of the mighty ones. 14 Out of Ephraim came those whose root was in Amalek; After thee was Benjamin among thy peoples. Out of Machir came down governors, And out of Zebulun they that handled the staff of the ruler. 15 And the princes in Issachar were with Deborah; And Issachar, like Barak; They were sent into the valley at his feet. In the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart! 16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the bleating of the flocks? In the divisions of Reuben there were great deliberations of heart! 17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan; And Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat on the sea-shore, And abode in his creeks. 18 Zebulun is a people that jeoparded their lives unto death, Naphtali also, on the high places of the field. 19 Kings came, —they fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan; At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; They took no spoil of silver. 20 From heaven was the fight; The stars from their courses fought with Sisera. 21 The torrent of Kishon swept them away, That ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. My soul, thou hast trodden down strength! 22 Then did the horse-hoofs clatter with the coursings, The coursings of their steeds. 23 Curse Meroz, saith the Angel of Jehovah; Curse, curse the inhabitants thereof; For they came not to the help of Jehovah, To the help of Jehovah among the mighty.

24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, Blessed above women in the tent! 25 He asked water, she gave milk; In the nobles’ bowl she brought forth cream. 26 She put her hand to the tent-pin, And her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; And she smote Sisera, she struck through his head, Shattered and pierced through his temples. 27 Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: Between her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell, overcome. 28 Them other of Sisera looketh out at the window, And crieth through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the trampings of his chariots? 29 The wise amongst her ladies answer her, Yea, she returneth answer to herself, 30 Have they not found, divided the booty, A damsel, two damsels, to each? A booty of dyed stuffs for Sisera, A booty of dyed stuffs of embroidery, Dyed stuff of double embroidery for the neck of a spoiler? 31 So let all thine enemies perish, Jehovah! But let them that love him be as the rising of the sun in its might. And the land had rest forty years.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak, son of Abinoam, sang this song: 

2 Praise the Lord! 

Men in Israel vowed to fight, 

and people volunteered for service. 

3 Listen, you kings! 

Open your ears, you princes! 

I will sing a song to the Lord. 

I will make music to the Lord God of Israel. 

4 O Lord, 

when you went out from Seir, 

when you marched from the country of Edom, 

the earth quaked, 

the sky poured, 

the clouds burst, 

5 and the mountains shook 

in the presence of the Lord God of Sinai, 

in the presence of the Lord God of Israel. 

6 In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, 

in the days of Jael, 

roads were deserted. 

Those who traveled took back roads. 

7 Villages in Israel were deserted— 

deserted until I, Deborah, took a stand— 

took a stand as a mother of Israel. 

8 When the people chose new gods, 

war broke out inside the city gates. 

Not a weapon was seen among 40,000 in Israel. 

9 My heart goes out to Israel’s commanders, 

to those people who volunteered. 

Praise the Lord! 

10 You people who ride on brown donkeys, 

who sit on saddle blankets, 

and who walk on the road—think. 

11 Listen to the voices of those singing at the wells. 

Over and over again they repeat 

the victories of the Lord, 

the victories for his villages in Israel. 

Then the Lord’s people went down to the city gates. 

12 Get up! Get up, Deborah! 

Get up! Get up and create a song! 

Barak, attack! Take your prisoners, son of Abinoam. 

13 Then those mighty men who were left came down. 

The Lord’s people went into battle for me against the mighty soldiers. 

14 Those who had settled in Amalek’s country 

came down from Ephraim. 

Benjamin came with its troops 

after Ephraim. 

Commanders from Machir went into battle. 

The officers from Zebulun also went. 

15 Issachar’s commanders were with Deborah. 

They were also with Barak, 

sent into the valley under his command. 

Among Reuben’s divisions important men had second thoughts. 

16 Why did you sit between the saddlebags? 

Was it to listen to the shepherds playing their flutes? 

Reuben’s divisions of important men had second thoughts. 

17 Gilead remained east of the Jordan River. 

And Dan … Why did he stay by the ships? 

Asher sat on the seashore and remained along the inlets. 

18 But Zebulun mocked death, 

and Naphtali risked his life on the battlefield. 

19 Kings came and fought. 

Then the kings of Canaan fought. 

They fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. 

But they didn’t carry off any rich loot. 

20 The stars fought from heaven. 

They fought against Sisera from their heavenly paths. 

21 The Kishon River swept them away— 

that old river, the Kishon. 

I must march on with strength! 

22 Then the horses’ hoofs pounded. 

The mighty war horses galloped on and on. 

23 “Curse Meroz!” said the Messenger of the Lord. 

“Bitterly curse those who live there! 

They did not come to help the Lord, 

to help the Lord and his heroes.” 

24 Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, 

should be the most blessed woman, 

the most blessed woman living in a tent. 

25 Sisera asked for water. 

She gave him milk. 

She offered him buttermilk in a royal bowl. 

26 She reached for a tent peg with one hand, 

for a workman’s hammer with the other. 

She struck Sisera. 

She crushed his head. 

She shattered and pierced his temples. 

27 He sank. 

He fell. 

He lay between her feet! 

He sank. 

He fell between her feet. 

Where he sank, he fell dead. 

28 Sisera’s mother looked through her window 

and cried as she peered through the lattice. 

“Why is his chariot taking so long? 

Why don’t I hear the clatter of his chariots?” 

29 Her wisest servants gave her an answer. 

But she kept repeating to herself, 

30 “They’re really finding and dividing the loot: 

A girl or two for each soldier, 

colorful clothes for Sisera, 

colorful, embroidered clothes, 

and two pieces of colorful, embroidered cloth 

for the neck of the looter.” 

31 May all your enemies die like that, O Lord. 

But may those who love the Lord 

be like the sun when it rises in all its brightness. 

So the land had peace for 40 years. 

1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang:

2 When the leaders lead in Israel,

when the people volunteer,

praise the Lord.

3 Listen, kings! Pay attention, princes!

I will sing to the Lord;

I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.

4 Lord, when You came from Seir,

when You marched from the fields of Edom,

the earth trembled,

the heavens poured rain,

and the clouds poured water.

5 The mountains melted before the Lord,

even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael,

the main ways were deserted

because travelers kept to the side roads.

7 Villages were deserted,

they were deserted in Israel,

until I, Deborah, arose,

a mother in Israel.

8 Israel chose new gods,

then war was in the gates.

Not a shield or spear was seen

among 40,000 in Israel.

9 My heart is with the leaders of Israel,

with the volunteers of the people.

Praise the Lord!

10 You who ride on white donkeys,

who sit on saddle blankets,

and who travel on the road, give praise!

11 Let them tell the righteous acts of the Lord,

the righteous deeds of His warriors in Israel,

with the voices of the singers at the watering places.

Then the Lord’s people went down to the gates.

12 “Awake! Awake, Deborah!

Awake! Awake, sing a song!

Arise, Barak,

and take hold of your captives,

son of Abinoam!”

13 The survivors came down to the nobles;

the Lord’s people came down to me with the warriors.

14 Those with their roots in Amalek came from Ephraim;

Benjamin came with your people after you.

The leaders came down from Machir,

and those who carry a marshal’s staff came from Zebulun.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

Issachar was with Barak.

They set out at his heels in the valley.

There was great searching of heart

among the clans of Reuben.

16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds

listening to the playing of pipes for the flocks?

There was great searching of heart

among the clans of Reuben.

17 Gilead remained beyond the Jordan.

Dan, why did you linger at the ships?

Asher remained at the seashore

and stayed in his harbors.

18 Zebulun was a people risking their lives,

Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

19 Kings came and fought.

Then the kings of Canaan fought

at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo,

but they took no spoil of silver.

20 The stars fought from the heavens;

the stars fought with Sisera from their courses.

21 The river Kishon swept them away,

the ancient river, the river Kishon.

March on, my soul, in strength!

22 The horses’ hooves then hammered—

the galloping, galloping of his stallions.

23 “Curse Meroz,” says the Angel of the Lord,

“Bitterly curse her inhabitants,

for they did not come to help the Lord,

to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.”

24 Jael is most blessed of women,

the wife of Heber the Kenite;

she is most blessed among tent-dwelling women.

25 He asked for water; she gave him milk.

She brought him curdled milk in a majestic bowl.

26 She reached for a tent peg,

her right hand, for a workman’s mallet.

Then she hammered Sisera—

she crushed his head;

she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 He collapsed, he fell, he lay down at her feet;

he collapsed, he fell at her feet;

where he collapsed, there he fell—dead.

28 Sisera’s mother looked through the window;

she peered through the lattice, crying out:

“Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why don’t I hear the hoofbeats of his horses?”

29 Her wisest princesses answer her;

she even answers herself:

30 “Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—

a girl or two for each warrior,

the spoil of colored garments for Sisera,

the spoil of an embroidered garment or two for my neck?”

31 Lord, may all your enemies perish as Sisera did.

But may those who love Him

be like the rising of the sun in its strength.

And the land was peaceful 40 years.

1 Then Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day,

2 “When locks are long in Israel,

when the people offer themselves willingly—

bless the Lord!

3 Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes;

to the Lord I will sing;

I will make melody to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4 Lord, when you went out from Seir,

when you marched from the region of Edom,

the earth trembled,

and the heavens poured;

the clouds indeed poured water.

5 The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,

before the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, caravans ceased,

and travelers kept to the byways.

7 The peasantry prospered in Israel;

they grew fat on plunder,

because you arose, Deborah,

arose as a mother in Israel.

8 When new gods were chosen,

then war was in the gates.

Was shield or spear to be seen

among forty thousand in Israel?

9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel

who offered themselves willingly among the people.

Bless the Lord.

10 Sing of it, you who ride on white donkeys,

you who sit on rich carpets,

and you who walk by the way.

11 To the sound of musicians at the watering places,

there they repeat the triumphs of the Lord,

the triumphs of his peasantry in Israel.

Then down to the gates marched the people of the Lord.

12 Awake, awake, Deborah!

Awake, awake, utter a song!

Arise, Barak, lead away your captives,

O son of Abinoam.

13 Then down marched the remnant of the nobles;

the people of the Lord marched down for him against the mighty.

14 From Ephraim they set out into the valley,

following you, Benjamin, with your kin;

from Machir marched down the commanders,

and from Zebulun those who bear the marshal’s staff;

15 the chiefs of Issachar came with Deborah,

and Issachar faithful to Barak;

into the valley they rushed out at his heels.

Among the clans of Reuben

there were great searchings of heart.

16 Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds,

to hear the piping for the flocks?

Among the clans of Reuben

there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan,

and Dan, why did he abide with the ships?

Asher sat still at the coast of the sea,

settling down by his landings.

18 Zebulun is a people that scorned death;

Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.

19 The kings came; they fought;

then fought the kings of Canaan,

at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo;

they got no spoils of silver.

20 The stars fought from heaven;

from their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The torrent Kishon swept them away,

the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon.

March on, my soul, with might!

22 Then loud beat the horses’ hoofs

with the galloping, galloping of his steeds.

23 Curse Meroz, says the angel of the Lord;

curse bitterly its inhabitants,

because they did not come to the help of the Lord,

to the help of the Lord against the mighty.

24 Most blessed of women be Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite,

of tent-dwelling women most blessed.

25 Water he asked, milk she gave;

she brought him curds in a lordly bowl.

26 She put her hand to the tent peg

and her right hand to the workers’ mallet;

she struck Sisera a blow;

she crushed his head;

she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 Between her feet he sank, he fell,

he lay still;

between her feet he sank, he fell;

where he sank, there he fell dead.

28 Out of the window she peered;

the mother of Sisera gazed through the lattice:

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why tarry the hoofbeats of his chariots?’

29 Her wisest ladies make answer;

indeed, she answers the question herself:

30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil?

A woman or two for every man;

spoil of dyed stuffs for Sisera,

spoil of dyed stuffs embroidered,

two pieces of dyed work embroidered for my neck as spoil?’

31 So perish all your enemies, O Lord!

But may your friends be like the sun as it rises in its might.”

And the land had rest forty years.

1 And Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day:

2 “When long hair hangs loosely in Israel,

when the people willingly offer themselves,

bless Yahweh!

3 Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes!

I will sing to Yahweh;

I will sing praise to Yahweh,

the God of Israel.

4 Yahweh, when you went down from Seir,

when you marched from the region of Edom,

the earth trembled, the heavens poured down,

the clouds poured down water.

5 The mountains trembled before Yahweh,

this Sinai, at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,

in the days of Jael, the caravans had ceased,

the travelers, they kept to the byways.

7 The warriors ceased;

they failed to appear in Israel,

until I, Deborah, arose;

I arose as a mother in Israel.

8 God chose new leaders,

then war was at the gates;

a small shield or a spear was not seen

among forty thousand in Israel.

9 My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,

those offering themselves willingly among the people;

bless Yahweh!

10 The riders of white female donkeys,

those sitting on saddle blankets,

and those going on the way, talk about it!

11 At the sound of those dividing the sheep

among the watering places,

there they will recount the righteous deeds of Yahweh,

the righteous deeds for his warriors in Israel.

Then the people of Yahweh went down to the gates.

12 “Wake up, wake up, Deborah!

Wake up, wake up, sing a song!

Get up, Barak!

Take captive your captives, O son of Abinoam.

13 Then the remnant went down to the nobles;

the people of Yahweh went down for him against the mighty.

14 From Ephraim is their root into Amalek,

after you, Benjamin, with your family;

from Makir the commanders went down,

and from Zebulun those carrying the scepter

of the military commander.

15 And the chiefs in Issachar were with Deborah;

and Issachar likewise was with Barak;

into the valley he was sent to get him from behind.

Among the clans of Reuben

were great decisions of the heart.

16 Why do you sit among the sheepfolds,

to hear the calling sounds of the herds?

For the clans of Reuben,

there were great searchings of the heart.

17 Gilead has remained beyond the Jordan.

Why did Dan dwell as a foreigner with ships?

Asher sat at the coast of the waters,

and by his coves he has been settling down.

18 Zebulun is a people who scorned death,

and Naphtali, on the heights of the field.

19 “The kings came, they fought;

then the kings of Canaan fought;

at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo,

they got no plunder in silver.

20 The stars fought from heaven;

from their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The wadi torrent of Kishon swept them away,

the raging wadi torrent,

the wadi torrent of Kishon.

March on, my soul, with strength!

22 “Then the hooves of the horse beat loudly,

because of galloping, galloping of his stallions.

23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of Yahweh;

‘curse bitterly its inhabitants,

because they did not come to the help of Yahweh,

to the help of Yahweh against the mighty.’

24 “Most blessed of women is Jael,

the wife of Heber the Kenite;

most blessed is she of women among tent dwellers.

25 He asked for water, and she gave milk;

in a drinking bowl for nobles, she brought curds.

26 She reached out her hand to the peg,

and her right hand for the workman’s hammer;

and she struck Sisera, crushed his head,

and she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 Between her feet he sank, he fell, he lay.

Between her feet he sank down, he fell;

Where he sank down, there he fell—dead.

28 “Through the window she looked down;

the mother of Sisera cried out through the lattice,

‘Why is his chariot delayed in coming?

Why do the hoof beats of his chariot tarry?’

29 The wisest of her ladies answer her;

she also answers the question herself:

30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the plunder?

A bedmate or two bedmates for every man;

colorful garments for Sisera,

plunder of colorful garments,

beautifully finished colorful garments,

on the neck of the plunderer?’

31 So may all your enemies perish, O Yahweh,

but those who love him are like the rising sun at its brightest.”

And the land had rest for forty years.

1 On that day Deborah and Barak sang a song. Barak was the son of Abinoam. Here is what Deborah and Barak sang.

2 “The princes in Israel lead the way.

The people follow them just because they want to.

Praise the Lord!

3 “Kings, hear this! Rulers, listen!

I will sing to the Lord. I will sing.

I will make music to the Lord. He is the God of Israel.

4 “Lord, you went out from Mount Seir.

You marched out from the land of Edom.

The earth shook. The heavens poured.

The clouds poured down their water.

5 The mountains shook because of the Lord. He was at Mount Sinai.

They shook because of the Lord. He is the God of Israel.

6 “The roads were deserted. So travelers used the winding paths.

That happened in the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath.

It happened in the days of Jael.

7 Life in the villages of Israel stopped.

It stopped until I, Deborah, came.

I came as a mother in Israel.

8 The people chose new gods.

Then war came to the city gates.

But no shields or spears were seen anywhere.

There weren’t any among 40,000 men in Israel.

9 My heart is with the princes in Israel.

It’s with the people who follow them just because they want to.

Praise the Lord!

10 “Some of you ride on white donkeys.

Some of you sit on your saddle blankets.

Some of you walk along the road.

Think about 11 the voices of the singers at the watering places.

They sing about the right things the Lord does.

They sing about the right things his warriors in Israel do.

“The people of the Lord

went down to the city gates.

12 ‘Wake up, Deborah! Wake up!’ they said.

‘Wake up! Wake up! Begin to sing!

Barak, get up!

Son of Abinoam, capture your prisoners!’

13 “Then the people who were left came down to the nobles.

The people of the Lord

came to me against the powerful enemy.

14 Some came from the part of Ephraim where some Amalekites lived.

Benjamin was with the people who followed Ephraim.

Captains came down from Makir.

Those who rule like commanders came down from Zebulun.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah.

The men of Issachar were with Barak.

They rushed behind him into the valley.

In the territories of Reuben,

men looked deeply into their hearts.

16 Why did they stay among the campfires?

Why did they stay to hear shepherds whistling for the flocks?

In the territories of Reuben,

men looked deeply into their hearts.

17 Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River.

Why did Dan stay near the ships?

The men of Asher remained on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

They stayed in their safe harbors.

18 The people of Zebulun put their very lives in danger.

So did Naphtali on the hills in the open country.

19 “Kings came and fought.

The kings of Canaan fought

at Taanach by the streams of Megiddo.

But they didn’t carry any silver away.

They didn’t take anything at all.

20 From the heavens the stars fought.

From the sky they fought against Sisera.

21 The Kishon River swept them away.

The Kishon is a very old river.

My spirit, march on! Be strong!

22 The hoofs of the horses pounded like thunder.

The powerful horses of our enemies galloped away.

23 ‘Let Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord.

‘Let bitter curses fall on its people.

They did not come to help the Lord.

They did not come to help him against our powerful enemies.’

24 “May Jael be the most blessed woman of all.

May the wife of the Kenite Heber be blessed.

May she be the most blessed woman of all those who live in tents.

25 Sisera asked for water. She gave him milk.

In a bowl that was fit for nobles she brought him buttermilk.

26 Her hand reached out for a tent stake.

Her right hand reached for a hammer.

She hit Sisera. She crushed his head.

She drove the stake right through his head.

27 He sank down. He fell at her feet.

He was lying there.

At her feet he sank down. He fell.

He fell where he sank down.

That’s where he died.

28 “Sisera’s mother looked out through the window.

From behind the wooden screen she cried out.

‘Why is his chariot taking so long to get here?’ she said.

‘Why can’t I hear the noise of his chariots yet?’

29 Her wisest ladies answer her.

And here’s what she keeps saying to herself.

30 She says, ‘They must be finding riches to bring back.

They must be dividing them up.

Each man is getting a woman or two.

They are giving colorful clothes to Sisera.

The clothes are very beautiful.

He will bring some for me to wear.

The men must be finding many things to bring home.’

31 “Lord, may all of your enemies be destroyed.

But may those who love you be like the morning sun.

May they be like the sun when it shines the brightest.”

So the land was at peace for 40 years.

1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,

2 “That the leaders led in Israel,

That the people volunteered,

Bless the Lord!

3 “Hear, O kings; give ear, O rulers!

I—to the Lord, I will sing,

I will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4 “Lord, when You went out from Seir,

When You marched from the field of Edom,

The earth quaked, the heavens also dripped,

Even the clouds dripped water.

5 “The mountains quaked at the presence of the Lord,

This Sinai, at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.

6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,

In the days of Jael, the highways were deserted,

And travelers went by roundabout ways.

7 “The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel,

Until I, Deborah, arose,

Until I arose, a mother in Israel.

8 “New gods were chosen;

Then war was in the gates.

Not a shield or a spear was seen

Among forty thousand in Israel.

9 “My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel,

The volunteers among the people;

Bless the Lord!

10 “You who ride on white donkeys,

You who sit on rich carpets,

And you who travel on the road—sing!

11 “At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places,

There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the Lord,

The righteous deeds for His peasantry in Israel.

Then the people of the Lord went down to the gates.

12 “Awake, awake, Deborah;

Awake, awake, sing a song!

Arise, Barak, and take away your captives, O son of Abinoam.

13 “Then survivors came down to the nobles;

The people of the Lord came down to me as warriors.

14 “From Ephraim those whose root is in Amalek came down,

Following you, Benjamin, with your peoples;

From Machir commanders came down,

And from Zebulun those who wield the staff of office.

15 “And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah;

As was Issachar, so was Barak;

Into the valley they rushed at his heels;

Among the divisions of Reuben

There were great resolves of heart.

16 “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds,

To hear the piping for the flocks?

Among the divisions of Reuben

There were great searchings of heart.

17 “Gilead remained across the Jordan;

And why did Dan stay in ships?

Asher sat at the seashore,

And remained by its landings.

18 “Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death,

And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

19 “The kings came and fought;

Then fought the kings of Canaan

At Taanach near the waters of Megiddo;

They took no plunder in silver.

20 “The stars fought from heaven,

From their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 “The torrent of Kishon swept them away,

The ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon.

O my soul, march on with strength.

22 “Then the horses’ hoofs beat

From the dashing, the dashing of his valiant steeds.

23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of the Lord,

‘Utterly curse its inhabitants;

Because they did not come to the help of the Lord,

To the help of the Lord against the warriors.’

24 “Most blessed of women is Jael,

The wife of Heber the Kenite;

Most blessed is she of women in the tent.

25 “He asked for water and she gave him milk;

In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.

26 “She reached out her hand for the tent peg,

And her right hand for the workmen’s hammer.

Then she struck Sisera, she smashed his head;

And she shattered and pierced his temple.

27 “Between her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay;

Between her feet he bowed, he fell;

Where he bowed, there he fell dead.

28 “Out of the window she looked and lamented,

The mother of Sisera through the lattice,

‘Why does his chariot delay in coming?

Why do the hoofbeats of his chariots tarry?’

29 “Her wise princesses would answer her,

Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

30 ‘Are they not finding, are they not dividing the spoil?

A maiden, two maidens for every warrior;

To Sisera a spoil of dyed work,

A spoil of dyed work embroidered,

Dyed work of double embroidery on the neck of the spoiler?’

31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord;

But let those who love Him be like the rising of the sun in its might.”

And the land was undisturbed for forty years.