Judges 5:20–30

²⁰From the heavens the stars fought.

From the sky they fought against Sisera.

²¹The Kishon River swept them away.

The Kishon is a very old river.

My spirit, march on! Be strong!

²²The 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.

²⁵Sisera asked for water. She gave him milk.

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

²⁶Her 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.

²⁷He 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?’

²⁹Her wisest ladies answer her.

And here’s what she keeps saying to herself.

³⁰She 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.’