2 When the leaders leadB in Israel,

when the people volunteer,

blessed be 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,a

when you marched from the fields of Edom,

the earth trembled,b

the skies pouredc rain,

and the clouds poured water.

5 The mountains melted before the Lord,

even Sinai,A before the Lord, the God of Israel.d

6 In the days of Shamgare son of Anath,

in the days of Jael,f

the main roads were deserted

because travelers kept to the side roads.

7 Villages were deserted,B

they were deserted in Israel,

until I,C Deborah, arose,

a mother in Israel.

8 Israel chose new gods,

then there was war in the city gates.

Not a shield or spear was seen

among forty thousand in Israel.

9 My heart is with the leaders of Israel,

with the volunteers of the people.

Blessed be the Lord!