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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.