Judges 5:4-29 in English

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,

⁴ O Lord, in thy going forth on Seir, when thou wentest forth out of the land of Edom, the earth quaked and the heaven dropped dews, and the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains were shaken before the face of the Lord Eloi, this Sina before the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Samegar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, they deserted the ways, and went in by-ways; they went in crooked paths.

⁷ The mighty men in Israel failed, they failed until Debbora arose, until she arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods; then the cities of rulers fought; there was not a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart inclines to the orders given in Israel; ye that are willing among the people, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ Ye that mount a she-ass at noon-day, ye that sit on the judgment-seat, and walk by the roads of them that sit in judgment by the way; declare

¹¹ ye that are delivered from the noise of disturbers among the drawers of water; there shall they relate righteous acts: O Lord, increase righteous acts in Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the cities.

¹² Awake, awake, Debbora; awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barac, and lead thy captivity captive, son of Abineem.

¹³ Then went down the remnant to the strong, the people of the Lord went down for him among the mighty ones from me.

¹⁴ Ephraim rooted them out in Amalec, behind thee was Benjamin among thy people: the inhabitants of Machir came down with me searching out the enemy, and from Zabulon came they that draw with the scribe's pen of record.

¹⁵ And princes in Issachar were with Debbora and Barac, thus she sent Barac on his feet in the valleys into the portions of Ruben; great pangs reached to the heart.

¹⁶ Why did they sit between the sheep-folds to hear the bleating of flocks for the divisions of Ruben? there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Galaad is on the other side of Jordan where he pitched his tents; and why does Dan remain in ships? Aser sat down on the sea-coasts, and he will tabernacle at his ports.

¹⁸ The people Zabulon exposed their soul to death, and Nephthali came to the high places of their land.

¹⁹ Kings set themselves in array, then the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanaach at the water of Mageddo; they took no gift of money.

²⁰ The stars from heaven set themselves in array, they set themselves to fight with Sisara out of their paths.

²¹ The brook of Kison swept them away, the ancient brook, the brook Kison: my mighty soul will trample him down.

²² When the hoofs of the horse were entangled, his mighty ones earnestly hasted

²³ to curse Meroz: Curse ye it, said the angel of the Lord; cursed is every one that dwells in it, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to his help among the mighty.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jael wife of Chaber the Kenite; let her be blessed above women in tents.

²⁵ He asked for water, she gave him milk in a dish; she brought butter of princes.

²⁶ She stretched forth her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman's hammer, and she smote Sisara with it, she nailed through his head and smote him; she nailed through his temples.

²⁷ He rolled down between her feet; he fell and lay between her feet; he bowed and fell: where he bowed, there he fell dead.

²⁸ The mother of Sisara looked down through the window out of the loophole, saying, Why was his chariot ashamed? why did the wheels of his chariots tarry?

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, and she returned answers to herself, saying,

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,

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,

⁴ O Lord, in your going forth on Seir, when you went forth out of the land of Edom, the earth quaked and the heaven dropped dews, and the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains were shaken before the face of the Lord Eloi, this Sina before the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Samegar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, they deserted the ways, and went in by-ways; they went in crooked paths.

⁷ The mighty men in Israel failed, they failed until Debbora arose, until she arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods; then the cities of rulers fought; there was not a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart inclines to the orders given in Israel; you° that are willing among the people, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ You° that mount a she-ass at noon-day, you° that sit on the judgment-seat, and walk by the roads of them that sit in judgment by the way; declare

¹¹ you° that are delivered from the noise of disturbers among the drawers of water; there shall they relate righteous acts: O Lord, increase righteous acts in Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the cities.

¹² Awake, awake, Debbora; awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barac, and lead your captivity captive, son of Abineem.

¹³ Then went down the remnant to the strong, the people of the Lord went down for him among the mighty ones from me.

¹⁴ Ephraim rooted them out in Amalec, behind you was Benjamin among your people: the inhabitants of Machir came down with me searching out the enemy, and from Zabulon came they that draw with the scribe's pen of record.

¹⁵ And princess in Issachar were with Debbora and Barac, thus she sent Barac on his feet in the valleys into the portions of Ruben; great pangs reached to the heart.

¹⁶ Why did they sit between the sheepfolds to hear the bleating of flocks for the divisions of Ruben? there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Galaad is on the other side of Jordan where he pitched his tents; and why does Dan remain in ships? Aser sat down on the sea-coasts, and he will tabernacle at his ports.

¹⁸ The people Zabulon exposed their soul to death, and Nephthali came to the high places of their land.

¹⁹ Kings set themselves in array, then the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanaach at the water of Mageddo; they took no gift of money.

²⁰ The stars from heaven set themselves in array, they set themselves to fight with Sisara out of their paths.

²¹ The brook of Kison swept them away, the ancient brook, the brook Kison: my mighty soul will trample him down.

²² When the hoofs of the horse were entangled, his mighty ones earnestly hasted

²³ to curse Meroz: Curse you° it, said the angel of the Lord; cursed is every one that dwells in it, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to his help among the mighty.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jael wife of Chaber the Kenite; let her be blessed above women in tents.

²⁵ He asked for water, she gave him milk in a dish; she brought butter of princes.

²⁶ She stretched forth her left hand to the nail, and her right to the hand workman's hammer, and she struck Sisara with it, she nailed through his head and struck him; she nailed through his temples.

²⁷ He rolled down between her feet; he fell and lay between her feet; he bowed and fell: where he bowed, there he fell dead.

²⁸ The mother of Sisara looked down through the window out of the loophole, saying, Why was his chariot ashamed? why did the wheels of his chariots wait?

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, and she returned answers to herself, saying,

⁴ LORD, 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 flowed down at the presence of the LORD, even yon 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 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 the LORD.

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 the LORD, even the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went 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 came down a remnant of the nobles and the people; the LORD 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 satest 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 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 Meggido: they took no gain of money.

²⁰ They fought from heaven, the stars in their courses 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 pransings, the pransings of their strong 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 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 nail, 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,

⁴ O Yahweh, when you came from Seir, when you marched from that land better known as Edom, the earth shook, and rain poured down from the skies.

⁵ The mountains shook when you came, just like Sinai Mountain shook when you appeared there, because you are Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis worship.

⁶ When Shamgar was our leader and when Jael ruled us, we were afraid to walk on the main roads; instead, caravans of travelers walked on winding less traveled roads to avoid being molested.

⁷ People left their small villages, and moved into the walled cities until I, Deborah, became their leader. I became like a mother to the Israeli people.

⁸ When the Israeli people abandoned Yahweh and chose new gods, enemies attacked the gates of the cities, and then they took away the shields and spears from 40,000 Israeli soldiers. Not one shield or spear was left.

⁹ I am thankful for the leaders and soldiers who volunteered to fight. Praise Yahweh for them!

¹⁰ You wealthy people who ride on donkeys, sitting on nice padded saddles, and you people who just walk on the road, you all listen!

¹¹ Listen to the voices of the singers who gather at the places where the animals drink water. They tell about how Yahweh acted righteously when he enabled the Israeli warriors to conquer their enemies. Yahweh's people marched down to the gates of our city.

¹² The people came to my house and shouted, “Deborah, wake up! Wake up and start singing!” They also shouted, “Barak, son of Abinoam, get up, and capture our enemies!”

¹³ Later, some of the Israeli people came down from Tabor Mountain with us, their leaders. These men who belonged to Yahweh came with me to fight their strong enemies.

¹⁴ Some came from the tribe descended from Ephraim. They came from land that once belonged to the descendants of Amalek. And men from the tribe descended from Benjamin followed them. Troops from the group descended from Makir also came down, and officers from the tribe descended from Zebulun came down, carrying staffs.

¹⁵ Leaders from the tribes descended from Issachar joined Barak and me. They followed Barak, rushing down into the valley. But men from the tribe descended from Reuben could not decide whether or not to join us.

¹⁶ Why did you men stay at your sheep pens, waiting to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks of sheep to come to the pens? Men in the tribe descended from Reuben could not decide whether they would join us to fight our enemies, or not.

¹⁷ Similarly, the men living in the Gilead area stayed at home, east of the Jordan River. And the men from the tribe descended from Dan, why did they stay home? The tribe descended from Asher sat by the seashore. They stayed in their coves.

¹⁸ But men from the tribe descended from Zebulun risked ◄their lives/were ready to die fighting► on the battlefield, and men descended from Naphtali were ready to do that, also.

¹⁹ The kings of Canaan fought us at Taanach, near the springs in Megiddo Valley. But since they did not defeat us, they did not carry away any silver or other treasures from the battle.

²⁰ It was as though the stars in the sky fought for us and as though those stars in their paths fought against Sisera.

²¹ The Kishon River swept them away— that river that has been there for ages. I will tell myself to be brave and continue marching on.

²² The hooves of the horses of Sisera's army pounded the ground. Those powerful horses kept galloping along.

²³ The angel sent by Yahweh said, “Curse the people of Meroz town, because they did not come to help Yahweh to defeat the mighty warriors of Canaan.”

²⁴ But God is very pleased with Jael, the wife of Heber from the Ken people-group. He is more pleased with her than with all the other women who live in tents.

²⁵ Sisera asked for some water, but Jael gave him some milk. She brought him some yogurt/curds in a bowl that was suitable for kings.

²⁶ Then, when he was asleep, she reached for a tent peg with her left hand, and she reached for a hammer with her right hand. She hit Sisera hard with it and crushed his head. She pounded the tent peg right through his head.

²⁷ He collapsed and fell dead at her feet.

²⁸ Sisera's mother looked out from her window. She waited for him to return. She said, “Why is he taking so long to come home in his chariot? Why don't I hear the sound of the wheels of his chariot?”

²⁹ One wise woman replied to her, and she kept consoling herself by repeating those words:

⁴ O Lord, in your going forth on Seir, when you went forth out of the land of Edom, the earth quaked and the heaven dropped dews, and the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains were shaken before the face of the Lord Eloi, this Sina before the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Samegar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, they deserted the ways, and went in by-ways; they went in crooked paths.

⁷ The mighty men in Israel failed, they failed until Debbora arose, until she arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods; then the cities of rulers fought; there was not a shield or spear seen amongst forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart inclines to the orders given in Israel; you° that are willing amongst the people, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ You° that mount a she-ass at noon-day, you° that sit on the judgement-seat, and walk by the roads of them that sit in judgement by the way; declare

¹¹ you° that are delivered from the noise of disturbers amongst the drawers of water; there shall they relate righteous acts: O Lord, increase righteous acts in Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the cities.

¹² Awake, awake, Debbora; awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barac, and lead your captivity captive, son of Abineem.

¹³ Then went down the remnant to the strong, the people of the Lord went down for him amongst the mighty ones from me.

¹⁴ Ephraim rooted them out in Amalec, behind you was Benjamin amongst your people: the inhabitants of Machir came down with me searching out the enemy, and from Zabulon came they that draw with the scribe's pen of record.

¹⁵ And princess in Issachar were with Debbora and Barac, thus she sent Barac on his feet in the valleys into the portions of Ruben; great pangs reached to the heart.

¹⁶ Why did they sit between the sheepfolds to hear the bleating of flocks for the divisions of Ruben? there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Galaad is on the other side of Jordan where he pitched his tents; and why does Dan remain in ships? Aser sat down on the sea-coasts, and he will tabernacle at his ports.

¹⁸ The people Zabulon exposed their soul to death, and Nephthali came to the high places of their land.

¹⁹ Kings set themselves in array, then the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanaach at the water of Mageddo; they took no gift of money.

²⁰ The stars from heaven set themselves in array, they set themselves to fight with Sisara out of their paths.

²¹ The brook of Kison swept them away, the ancient brook, the brook Kison: my mighty soul will trample him down.

²² When the hoofs of the horse were entangled, his mighty ones earnestly hasted

²³ to curse Meroz: Curse you° it, said the angel of the Lord; cursed is every one that dwells in it, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to his help amongst the mighty.

²⁴ Blessed amongst women be Jael wife of Chaber the Kenite; let her be blessed above women in tents.

²⁵ He asked for water, she gave him milk in a dish; she brought butter of princes.

²⁶ She stretched forth her left hand to the nail, and her right to the hand workman's hammer, and she struck Sisara with it, she nailed through his head and struck him; she nailed through his temples.

²⁷ He rolled down between her feet; he fell and lay between her feet; he bowed and fell: where he bowed, there he fell dead.

²⁸ The mother of Sisara looked down through the window out of the loophole, saying, Why was his chariot ashamed? why did the wheels of his chariots wait?

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, and she returned answers to herself, saying,

⁴ “Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at Yahweh’s presence, even Sinai at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

⁶ “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was 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 Yahweh!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse Yahweh’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then Yahweh’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. Yahweh came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ “Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at Yahweh’s presence, even Sinai at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

⁶ “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was 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 Yahweh!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse Yahweh’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then Yahweh’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. Yahweh came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at the LORD’s presence, even 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 unoccupied. The travellers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen amongst forty thousand in Israel?

⁹ My heart is towards the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly amongst the people. Bless the LORD!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the LORD’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the LORD’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. The LORD came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, amongst your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit amongst the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardised their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ Lord, when you went out from Seir, moving like an army from the field of Edom, the earth was shaking and the heavens were troubled, and the clouds were dropping water.

⁵ The mountains were shaking before the Lord, before the Lord, the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were not used, and travellers went by side roads.

⁷ Country towns were no more in Israel, ***were no more, till you, Deborah, came up, till you came up as a mother in Israel.

⁸ They had no one to make arms, there were no more armed men in the towns; was there a body-cover or a spear to be seen among forty thousand in Israel?

⁹ Come, you rulers of Israel, you who gave yourselves freely among the people: give praise to the Lord.

¹⁰ Let them give thought to it, who go on white asses, and those who are walking on the road.

¹¹ Give ear to the women laughing by the water-springs; there they will give again the story of the upright acts of the Lord, all the upright acts of his arm in Israel.

¹² Awake! awake! Deborah: awake! awake! give a song: Up! Barak, and take prisoner those who took you prisoner, O son of Abinoam.

¹³ Then the chiefs went down to the doors; the Lord's people went down among the strong ones.

¹⁴ Out of Ephraim they came down into the valley; after you, Benjamin, among your tribesmen; from Machir came down the captains, and from Zebulun those in whose hand is the ruler's rod.

¹⁵ Your chiefs, Issachar, were with Deborah; and Naphtali was true to Barak; into the valley they went rushing out at his feet. In Reuben there were divisions, and great searchings of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you keep quiet among the sheep, hearing nothing but the watchers piping to the flocks?

¹⁷ Gilead was living over Jordan; and Dan was waiting in his ships; Asher kept in his place by the sea's edge, living by his inlets.

¹⁸ It was the people of Zebulun who put their lives in danger, even to death, with Naphtali on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ The kings came on to the fight, the kings of Canaan were warring; in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: they took no profit in money.

²⁰ The stars from heaven were fighting; from their highways they were fighting against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon took them violently away, stopping their flight, the river Kishon. Give praise, O my soul, to the strength of the Lord!

²² Then loudly the feet of the horses were sounding with the stamping, the stamping of their war-horses.

²³ A curse, a curse on Meroz! said the angel of the Lord. A bitter curse on her townspeople! Because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord among the strong ones.

²⁴ Blessings be on Jael, more than on all women! Blessings greater than on any in the tents!

²⁵ His request was for water, she gave him milk; she put butter before him on a fair plate.

²⁶ She put out her hand to the tent-pin, and her right hand to the workman's hammer; and she gave Sisera a blow, crushing his head, wounding and driving through his brow.

²⁷ Bent at her feet he went down, he was stretched out; bent at her feet he went down; where he was bent down, there he went down in death.

²⁸ Looking out from the window she gave a cry, the mother of Sisera was crying out through the window, Why is his carriage so long in coming? When will the noise of his wheels be sounding?

²⁹ Her wise women gave answer to her, yes, she made answer again to herself,

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,

⁴ O Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, and passedst by the regions of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped water.

⁵ The mountains melted before the face of the Lord, and Sinai before the face of the Lord the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Samgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jahel the paths rested: and they that went by them, walked through by-ways.

⁷ The valiant men ceased, and rested in Israel: until Debbora arose, a mother arose in Israel.

⁸ The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overthrew the gates of the enemies: a shield and spear was not seen among forty thousand of Israel.

⁹ My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ Speak, you that ride upon fair asses, and you that sit in judgment, and walk in the way.

¹¹ Where the chariots were dashed together, and the army of the enemies was choked, there let the justices of the Lord be rehearsed, and his clemency towards the brave men of Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the gates, and obtained the sovereignty.

¹² Arise, arise, O Debbora, arise, arise, and utter a canticle. Arise, Barac, and take hold of thy captives, O son of Abinoem.

¹³ The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among the valiant ones.

¹⁴ Out of Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out of Benjamin into thy people, O Amalec: Out of Machir there came down princes, and out of Zabulon they that led the army to fight.

¹⁵ The captains of Issachar were with Debbora, and followed the steps of Barac, who exposed himself to danger, as one going headlong, and into a pit. Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

¹⁶ Why dwellest thou between two borders, that thou mayest hear the bleatings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

¹⁷ Galaad rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan applied himself to ships: Aser dwelt on the sea shore, and abode in the havens.

¹⁸ But Zabulon and Nephtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merome.

¹⁹ The kings came and fought, the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanach by the waters of Mageddo, and yet they took no spoils.

²⁰ War from heaven was made against them, the stars remaining in their order and courses fought against Sisara.

²¹ The torrent of Cison dragged their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cisoii: tread thou, my soul, upon the strong ones.

²² The hoofs of the horses were broken whilst the stoutest of the enemies fled amain, and fell headlong down.

²³ Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord: curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to help his most valiant men.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jahel the wife of Haber the Cinite, and blessed be she in her tent.

²⁵ He asked her water and she gave him milk, and offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.

²⁶ She put her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman’s hammer, and she struck Sisara, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and strongly piercing through his temples.

²⁷ At her feet he fell: he fainted, and he died: he rolled before her feet, and he lay lifeless and wretched.

²⁸ His mother looked out at a window, and howled: and she spoke from the dining room: Why is his chariot so long in coming back? Why are the feet of his horses so slow?

²⁹ One that was wiser than the rest of his wives, returned this answer to her mother in law:

⁴ Lord, when you set off from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, rain fell from the skies, the clouds poured down water.

⁵ The mountains melted in the presence of the Lord, the God of Sinai, in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, people didn't use the main highways and stayed on winding paths.

⁷ Village life in Israel was abandoned until I, Deborah, came on the scene as a mother in Israel.

⁸ When the people chose new gods, then war arrived at their gates. Not even a shield or spear could be found among forty thousand warriors in Israel.

⁹ My thoughts are with the Israelite commanders and those people who volunteered. Praise the Lord!

¹⁰ You people riding white donkeys, sitting on comfortable blankets, traveling down the road, notice

¹¹ what people are talking about as they gather at the watering holes. They describe the Lord's just acts and those of his warriors in Israel. Then the people of the Lord went to the town gates.

¹² ‘Wake up, Deborah, wake up! Wake up, wake up, sing a song! Get up, Barak! Capture your prisoners, son of Abinoam.’

¹³ The survivors went to attack the nobles, the people of the Lord went to attack the powerful.

¹⁴ Some came from Ephraim, a land that used to belong to the Amalekites; the tribe of Benjamin followed you with its men. Commanders came Makir; from Zebulun came those who carry a military officer's staff.

¹⁵ The leaders of Issachar supported Deborah and Barak; they raced into the valley following Barak. But the tribe of Reuben was very undecided.

¹⁶ Why did you stay at home in the sheepfolds, listening to shepherds whistling for their flocks? The tribe of Reuben really couldn't decide what to do.

¹⁷ Gilead remained on the other side of Jordan. Dan stayed with his ships. Asher sat still on the seacoast, not moving from his ports.

¹⁸ The people of Zebulun risked their lives; as did Naphtali on the high battlefields.

¹⁹ Kings came and fought, the Canaanite kings fought at Taanach near the waters of Megiddo, but they didn't get any silver plunder.

²⁰ The stars fought from heaven. The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

²¹ The Kishon River swept them away—the old river turned into a raging torrent! I bravely march on!

²² Then the horses' hooves flailed loudly, his stallions stampeded.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of the Lord. ‘Totally curse those who live there, for they refused to come help the Lord, to help the Lord against the powerful enemies.’

²⁴ Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite is to be praised the most among women. She deserves praise above all other women who live in tents.

²⁵ He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a bowl fit for nobles she brought him buttermilk.

²⁶ With one hand she picked up the tent peg, and with her right hand she held a workman's hammer. She hit Sisera and smashed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple.

²⁷ At her feet he collapsed, he fell, he lay motionless. At her feet he collapsed, he fell; where he collapsed, there he fell, his life plundered from him.

²⁸ Sisera's mother looked out from the window. Through the latticed window she cried out, ‘Why is his chariot taking so long to come? Why is the sound of his chariot arriving so delayed?’

²⁹ The wisest of her ladies tells her, and she repeats the same words to herself,

⁴ Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou departedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heauens rained, the cloudes also dropped water.

⁵ The mountaines melted before the Lord, as did that Sinai before the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the dayes of Shamgar the sonne of Anath, in the dayes of Iael the hie wayes were vnoccupied, and the trauelers walked through by wayes.

⁷ The townes were not inhabited: they decayed, I say, in Israel, vntill I Deborah came vp, which rose vp a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods: then was warre in the gates. Was there a shielde or speare seene among fourtie thousand of Israel?

⁹ Mine heart is set on the gouernours of Israel, and on them that are willing among the people: praise ye the Lord.

¹⁰ Speake ye that ride on white asses, yee that dwel by Middin, and that walke by the way.

¹¹ For the noyse of the archers appaised among the drawers of water: there shall they rehearse the righteousnesse of the Lord, his righteousnesse of his townes in Israel: then did the people of the Lord goe downe to the gates.

¹² Vp Deborah, vp, arise, and sing a song: arise Barak, and leade thy captiuitie captiue, thou sonne of Abinoam.

¹³ For they that remaine, haue dominio ouer the mightie of the people: the Lord hath giuen me dominion ouer the strong.

¹⁴ Of Ephraim their roote arose against Amalek: and after thee, Beniamin shall fight against thy people, O Amalek: of Machir came rulers, and of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

¹⁵ And the Princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar, and also Barak: he was set on his feete in the valley: for the diuisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart.

¹⁶ Why abodest thou among the sheepefolds, to heare the bleatings of the flockes? for the diuisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead abode beyonde Iorden: and why doeth Dan remayne in shippes? Asher sate on the sea shoare, and taryed in his decayed places.

¹⁸ But the people of Zebulun and Naphtali haue ieopard their liues vnto the death in the hie places of the field.

¹⁹ The Kings came and fought: then fought the Kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: they receiued no gaine of money.

²⁰ They fought from heauen, euen the starres in their courses fought against Sisera.

²¹ The Riuer Kishon swepe them away, that ancient riuer the riuer Kishon. O my soule, thou hast marched valiantly.

²² Then were the horsehooues broken with the oft beating together of their mightie men.

²³ Curse ye Meroz: (sayd the Angel of the Lord) curse the inhabitantes thereof, because they came not to helpe the Lord, to helpe the Lord against the mighty.

²⁴ Iael the wife of Heber the Kenite shall be blessed aboue other women: blessed shall she be aboue women dwelling in tentes.

²⁵ He asked water, and shee gaue him milke: she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the naile, and her right hand to the workemans hammer: with the hammer smote she Sisera: she smote off his head, after she had wounded, and pearsed his temples.

²⁷ He bowed him downe at her feete, he fell downe, and lay still: at her feete hee bowed him downe, and fell: and when he had sunke downe, he lay there dead.

²⁸ The mother of Sisera looked out at a windowe, and cryed thorowe the lattesse, Why is his charet so long a comming? why tary the wheeles of his charets?

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yea. Shee answered her selfe with her owne wordes,

⁴ LORD, when Thou didst go forth out of Seir, when Thou didst march 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 the LORD, even yon 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 ceased, and the travellers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, until that thou didst arise, Deborah, that thou didst arise 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 Ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit on rich cloths, and ye that walk by the way, tell of it;

¹¹ Louder than the voice of archers, by the watering-troughs! there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts of His rulers in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went 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 made He a remnant to have dominion over the nobles and the people; the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.

¹⁴ Out of Ephraim came 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. Among the divisions of Reuben there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? At the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead abode beyond the Jordan; and Dan, why doth he sojourn by the ships? Asher dwelt at the shore of the sea, and abideth by its bays.

¹⁸ Zebulun is a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, and Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.

¹⁹ The kings came, they 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 brook Kishon swept them away, that ancient brook, the brook Kishon. O my soul, tread them down with strength.

²² Then did the horsehoofs stamp by reason of the prancings, the prancings 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 be, the wife of Heber the Kenite, above women in the tent shall she be blessed.

²⁵ Water he asked, milk she gave him; in a lordly bowl she brought him curd.

²⁶ Her hand she put 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 sunk, he fell, he lay; at her feet he sunk, he fell; where he sunk, there he fell down dead.

²⁸ Through the window she looked forth, and peered, the mother of Sisera, through the lattice: 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

²⁹ The wisest of her princesses answer her, yea, she returneth answer to herself:

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 towards 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,

⁴ Lord, at thy going forth out of Seir, at thy marching along out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, also the heavens dropped, also the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains melted away because of the presence of the Lord, yonder Sinai, because of the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar the son of 'Anath, in the days of Ja'el, the highways were unoccupied, and those who travelled on roads walked through crooked by-paths.

⁷ Desolate were the open towns in Israel, they were desolate, until that I arose, Deborah, that I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods, then was there war in the gates: was there a shield seen or a spear among forty thousand in Israel?

⁹ My heart belongeth to the governors of Israel, that offered themselves willingly among the people: praise ye the Lord.

¹⁰ Ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and ye who walk on the way, utter praise!

¹¹ Urged on by the voice of those who divide the flocks between the watering wells, there shall they rehearse the benefits of the Lord, the benefits toward his open towns in Israel; for now go down again to the gates the people of the Lord.

¹² Awake, awake, Deborah! awake, awake, utter a song! up, Barak, and lead away thy captives, son of Abino'am.

¹³ Then obtained dominion a few that had escaped for the nobles among the people—the Lord gave me dominion over the mighty.

¹⁴ They whose root is out of Ephraim were against 'Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, with thy armies; out of Machir came down lawgivers, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.

¹⁵ And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yea Issachar, the support of Barak; into the valley he hastened down in his train; but at the streams of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

¹⁶ Why didst thou sit among the sheepfolds to hear the bleatings of the flocks? At the streams of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gil'ad abode beyond the Jordan; and Dan—why would he tarry in ships? Asher remained on the seashore, and abode near his bays.

¹⁸ Zebulun is a people that jeoparded its life unto death, and Naphtali—on the high places of the battle field.

¹⁹ There came kings, and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan, in Ta'anach by the waters of Megiddo: gain of money they took not away.

²⁰ From heaven they fought—the stars in their courses fought against Sissera.

²¹ The stream of Kishon swept them away, that ancient stream, the stream of Kishon: step along, O my soul, in victorious strength.

²² Then were crushed the hoofs of the horses, through the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones.

²³ Curse ye Meroz, saith the messenger of the Lord, yea, curse ye bitterly its inhabitants; because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord among the mighty.

²⁴ Blessed above other women shall be Ja'el the wife of Cheber the Kenite, above other women dwelling in the tent may she be blessed.

²⁵ Water he asked, milk she gave him: in a lordly dish she brought him cream.

²⁶ Her hand she put forth to the nail, and her right hand to the laborious workmen's hammer; and she hammered Sissera, she struck his head, and crushed and smote through his temple.

²⁷ Between her feet he bent, he fell, he lay; between her feet he bent, he fell: where he had bent, there he fell down, bereft of life.

²⁸ Out of the window looked and moaned the mother of Sissera, through the lattice, Why tarrieth his chariot so long in coming? why lag the wheels of his chariot?

²⁹ The wise among her ladies answered her, she also returned a reply to herself.

⁴ O Lord, in thy going forth on Seir, When thou wentest forth out of the land of Edom, The earth quaked and the heaven dropped dews, And the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains were shaken before the face of the Lord Eloi, This Sinai before the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, They deserted the ways, and went in byways; They went in crooked paths.

⁷ The mighty men in Israel failed, They failed until Deborah arose, Until she arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods; Then the cities of rulers fought; There was not a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart inclines to the orders given in Israel; Ye that are willing among the people, bless the Lord.

¹⁰ Ye that mount a she-ass at noonday, Ye that sit on the judgment seat, And walk by the roads of them that sit in judgment by the way; Declare

¹¹ ye that are delivered from the noise of disturbers Among the drawers of water; There shall they relate righteous acts: O Lord, increase righteous acts in Israel: Then the people of the Lord went down to the cities.

¹² Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, utter a song: Arise, Barak, And lead thy captivity captive, son of Abinoam.

¹³ Then went down the remnant to the strong, The people of the Lord went down for him among the mighty ones from me.

¹⁴ Ephraim rooted them out in Amalek, Behind thee was Benjamin among thy people: The inhabitants of Machir came down with me searching out the enemy, And from Zebulun came they that draw with the scribe’s pen of record.

¹⁵ And princes in Issachar were with Deborah and Barak, Thus she sent Barak on his feet in the valleys Into the portions of Reuben; Great pangs reached to the heart.

¹⁶ Why did they sit between the sheepfolds To hear the bleating of flocks For the divisions of Reuben? There were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead is on the other side of Jordan where he pitched his tents; And why does Dan remain in ships? Asher sat down on the seacoasts, And he will tabernacle at his ports.

¹⁸ The people Zebulun exposed their soul to death, And Naphtali came to the high places of their land.

¹⁹ Kings set themselves in array, Then the kings of Canaan fought In Taanach at the water of Megiddo; They took no gift of money.

²⁰ The stars from heaven set themselves in array, They set themselves to fight with Sisera out of their paths.

²¹ The brook of Kishon swept them away, The ancient brook, the brook Kishon: My mighty soul will trample him down.

²² When the hoofs of the horse were entangled, His mighty ones earnestly hastened

²³ To curse Meroz: Curse ye it, said the angel of the Lord; Cursed is everyone that dwells in it, Because they came not to the help of the Lord, To his help among the mighty.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jael Wife of Heber the Kenite; Let her be blessed above women in tents.

²⁵ He asked for water, she gave him milk in a dish; She brought butter of princes.

²⁶ She stretched forth her left hand to the nail, And her right hand to the workman’s hammer, And she smote Sisera with it, she nailed through his head and smote him; She nailed through his temples.

²⁷ He rolled down between her feet; He fell and lay between her feet; He bowed and fell: Where he bowed, there he fell dead.

²⁸ The mother of Sisera looked down through the window out of the loophole, Saying, Why was his chariot ashamed? Why did the wheels of his chariots tarry?

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, And she returned answers to herself, saying,

⁴ Yahweh, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from Edom, the earth shook, and the skies also trembled; also the clouds poured down water.

⁵ The mountains quaked before the face of Yahweh; even Mount Sinai quaked before the face of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar (son of Anath), in the days of Jael, the main roads were abandoned, and those who walked only used the winding paths.

⁷ There were few rural people in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose—arose as a mother in Israel!

⁸ When they chose new gods, there was fighting at the city gates and yet there were no shields or spears seen among forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, along with the people who gladly volunteered— we bless Yahweh for them!

¹⁰ Think about this—you who ride on white donkeys sitting on rugs for saddles, and you who walk along the road.

¹¹ Hear the voices of those who sing at the watering places. There they tell again of Yahweh's righteous deeds, and the righteous actions of his warriors in Israel. Then the people of Yahweh went down to the city gates.

¹² Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Get up, Barak, and capture your prisoners, you son of Abinoam.

¹³ Then the survivors came down to the nobles; the people of Yahweh came down to me with the warriors.

¹⁴ They came from Ephraim, whose root is in Amalek; the people of Benjamin followed you. From Machir commanders came down, and from Zebulun those who carry an officer's staff.

¹⁵ My princes in Issachar were with Deborah; and Issachar was with Barak rushing after him into the valley under his command. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit between the fireplaces, listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? As for the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead stayed on the other side of the Jordan; and Dan, why did he wander about on ships? Asher remained on the coast and lived close to his harbors.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a tribe who would risk their lives to the point of death, and Naphtali, also, on the field of battle.

¹⁹ The kings came, they fought; the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. But they took away no silver as plunder.

²⁰ From heaven the stars fought, from their paths across the heavens they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The Kishon River swept them away, that old river, the Kishon River. March on my soul, be strong!

²² Then came the sound of horses' hooves— galloping, the galloping of his mighty ones.

²³ 'Curse Meroz!' says the angel of Yahweh. 'Surely curse its inhabitants!— because they did not come to help Yahweh— to help Yahweh in the battle against the mighty warriors.'

²⁴ Jael is blessed more than all other women, Jael (the wife of Heber the Kenite), she is more blessed than all the women who live in tents.

²⁵ The man asked for water, and she gave him milk; she brought him butter in a dish fit for princes.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workman's hammer; with the hammer she struck Sisera, she crushed his head. She smashed his skull into pieces when she pierced him through the side of his head.

²⁷ He collapsed between her feet, he fell and he lay there. Between her feet he fell limp. The place he collapsed is where he was violently killed.

²⁸ Out of a window she looked— the mother of Sisera looked through the lattice and she called out in sadness, 'Why has it taken his chariot so long to come? Why have the hoofbeats of the horses that pull his chariots been delayed?'

²⁹ Her wisest princesses replied, and she gave herself the same answer:

⁴ “Yahweh, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at Yahweh’s presence, even Sinai at the presence of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

⁶ “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was 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 Yahweh!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse Yahweh’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then Yahweh’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. Yahweh came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at the LORD’s presence, even 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 unoccupied. The travellers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen amongst forty thousand in Israel?

⁹ My heart is towards the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly amongst the people. Bless the LORD!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the LORD’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the LORD’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. The LORD came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, amongst your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit amongst the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardised their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

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 travelers walked through by-ways.

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 towards 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 towards 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 sheep-folds, 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 to death in the high places of the field.

¹⁹ The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Tanach 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 horse's hoofs broken by the means of the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones.

²³ Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly its inhabitants; 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 struck 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, yes, she returned answer to herself.

⁴ “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at the LORD’s presence, even 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 unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was 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 the LORD!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the LORD’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the LORD’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. The LORD came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ “LORD, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, the sky also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water.

⁵ The mountains quaked at the LORD’s presence, even 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 unoccupied. The travellers walked through byways.

⁷ The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel.

⁸ They chose new gods. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen amongst forty thousand in Israel?

⁹ My heart is towards the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly amongst the people. Bless the LORD!

¹⁰ “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way.

¹¹ Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse the LORD’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the LORD’s people went down to the gates.

¹² ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’

¹³ “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. The LORD came down for me against the mighty.

¹⁴ Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, amongst your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun.

¹⁵ The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.

¹⁶ Why did you sit amongst the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart.

¹⁷ Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks.

¹⁸ Zebulun was a people that jeopardised their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

¹⁹ “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.

²⁰ From the sky the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

²² Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones.

²³ ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’

²⁴ “Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

²⁵ He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

²⁶ She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, 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 out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’

²⁹ Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

⁴ Lord, when thou wentest out from Seir, and passedest by the countries of Edom, the earth was moved, and heavens and clouds dropped with waters;

⁵ hills flowed from the face of the Lord, and Sinai from the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the paths rested, and they that entered by those or them, went away by paths out of the way.

⁷ Strong men in Israel ceased, and rested, till Deborah arose, a mother in Israel.

⁸ The Lord chose new battles, and he destroyed the gates of enemies; shield and spear appeared not in forty thousand of Israel.

⁹ Mine heart loveth the princes of Israel; ye that offered you to peril by your own will, bless ye the Lord;

¹⁰ speak ye, that ascend or go up on shining asses, and sit above in doom, and go in the way.

¹¹ Where the chariots were hurled down altogether, and the host of the enemies was strangled, there the Lord’s rightwiseness be told out, and his mercy among the strong men of Israel; then the Lord’s people came down to the gates, and got the princehood.

¹² Rise, rise thou, Deborah, rise thou, and speak a song; rise thou, Barak, and thou, son of Abinoam, take thy prisoners.

¹³ The remnants of the people be saved; the Lord fought against strong men of Ephraim.

¹⁴ He did away them into Amalek, and after him from Benjamin into thy peoples, thou Amalek. Princes of Machir and of Zebulun went down, that led the host to fight.

¹⁵ The dukes of Issachar were with Deborah, and pursued or followed the steps of Barak, that gave himself to peril, as into a ditch head-long, and into hell. While Reuben was parted against himself; the strife of great hearted men was found.

¹⁶ Why dwellest thou betwixt twain ends, that thou hear the hissings of flocks? While Reuben was parted against himself, the strife of great hearted men was found.

¹⁷ Gilead rested beyond Jordan, and Dan gave attention to ships. Asher dwelled in the brink of the sea, and dwelled in havens.

¹⁸ And Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to the death, in the country of Meromei, that is interpreted, high.

¹⁹ Kings came, and fought; kings of Canaan fought in Taanach, beside the waters of Megiddo; and nevertheless they took nothing by prey.

²⁰ From heaven, it was fought against them; stars dwelled in their order, and in their course, and they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The strand or stream of Kishon drew their dead bodies, the strand or stream of Kedumim, the strand or stream of Kishon. My soul, tread thou strong men.

²² The horse hoofs fell away, while the strongest of enemies fled with rush, and felled headlong.

²³ Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye the dwellers of him, for they came not to the help of the Lord, into the help of the strongest of him.

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; blessed be she in her tabernacle.

²⁵ To Sisera asking water she gave milk, and in a basin of princes she gave him butter.

²⁶ She put the left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the smith’s hammer; and she smote Sisera, and sought in his head a place of wound, and she pierced strongly his temple.

²⁷ He felled betwixt her feet, he failed, and died; he was weltered before her feet, and he lay without life, and wretchedful.

²⁸ His mother beheld by a window, and yelled; and she spake from the solar, Why tarrieth his chariot to come again? Why tarry the feet of his four-horsed carts?

²⁹ One wiser than the other wives of him answered these words to the mother of her husband,

⁴ Lord, when thou wentest out from Seir, and passedest by the countries of Edom (or and passedest by the countryside of Edom), the earth was moved, and (the) heavens and (the) clouds dropped with waters;

⁵ (the) hills flowed from the face of the Lord, and Sinai from the face of the Lord God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the paths rested (or the ways were empty), and they that entered by those (ways), went away by paths out of the way.

⁷ Strong men in Israel ceased, and rested, till Deborah (a)rose, a mother in Israel.

⁸ The Lord chose new battles, and he destroyed the gates of (their) enemies; shield and spear appeared not in forty thousand of Israel. (They chose new gods, and then there was war at the gates; but shields and spears did not appear among the forty thousand of Israel.)

⁹ Mine heart loveth the princes of Israel; ye that offered you(rselves) to peril by your own will, bless ye the Lord; (My heart loveth the leaders of Israel; ye who willingly offered yourselves to peril, bless ye the Lord;)

¹⁰ speak ye, that ascend on shining asses, and sit above in doom, and go in the way. (speak ye, who ride on shining donkeys, and sit in judgement, and go on the way.)

¹¹ Where the chariots were hurled down (al)together, and the host of the enemy’s was strangled, there the Lord’s rightwiseness be told out, and his mercy among the strong men of Israel; then the Lord’s people came down to the gates, and got the princehood. (Where the chariots were altogether hurled down, and the enemy’s army was strangled, there the Lord’s righteousness be told out, andhis mercy among the strong men of Israel; then the Lord’s people came down to the gates, and got the victory.)

¹² Rise, rise thou, Deborah, rise thou, and speak a song; rise thou, Barak, and thou, son of Abinoam, take thy prisoners. (Rise, rise thou, Deborah, rise thou up, and sing a song; rise thou up, Barak, thou son of Abinoam, and take thy prisoners.)

¹³ The remnants of the people be saved; the Lord fought against strong men of Ephraim. (The remnant of the people were saved; the Lord’s people fought against the strong men.)

¹⁴ He did away them into Amalek, and after him from Benjamin into thy peoples, thou Amalek. Princes of Machir and of Zebulun went down, that led the host to fight. (From out of Ephraim, they came into the valley, behind the tribe of Benjamin and its people. The leaders of Machir and of Zebulun went down, they who led the army to fight.)

¹⁵ The dukes of Issachar were with Deborah, and followed the steps of Barak, that gave himself to peril, as into a ditch headlong, and into hell, (or like headlong into a ditch, and down into hell). (Yea), While Reuben was parted against himself; the strife of great hearted men was found.

¹⁶ Why dwellest thou betwixt twain ends (or Why stayest thou by the stalls), (so) that thou (mayest) hear the hissings of (the) flocks? (Yea), While Reuben was parted against himself, the strife of great hearted men was found.

¹⁷ Gilead rested beyond (the) Jordan, and Dan gave attention to ships. Asher dwelled in the brink of the sea, and dwelled in havens, (or Asher stayed by the seashore, and lived in safe coves).

¹⁸ And Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to the death, in the country of Meromei, that is interpreted, high. (And Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives unto the death, in the high places of the countryside.)

¹⁹ Kings came, and fought; kings of Canaan fought in Taanach, beside the waters of Megiddo; and nevertheless they took nothing by prey (or but they took nothing of prey).

²⁰ From heaven, it was fought against them (or They fought against them from the heavens); (the) stars dwelled in their order, and in their course, and they fought against Sisera.

²¹ The strand of Kishon drew (away) their dead bodies, the strand of Kedumim, the strand of Kishon. My soul, tread thou (down the) strong men. (The Kishon River drew away their dead bodies, yea, the ancient river, the Kishon River. My soul, tread thou forth with strength.)

²² The horse hoofs fell away, while the strongest of enemies fled with rush (or while the strongest of the enemies fled away with haste), and (then) felled headlong.

²³ Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye the dwellers of him, for they came not to the help of the Lord, into the help of the strongest of him. (Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye its inhabitants, for they came not to the Lord’s help, nor to the help of his strongest men.)

²⁴ Blessed among women be Jael, the wife of Heber (the) Kenite; blessed be she in her tabernacle (or blessed be she in her tent).

²⁵ To Sisera asking (for) water she gave milk, and in a basin of princes she gave him butter.

²⁶ She put the left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the smith’s hammer; and she smote Sisera, and sought in his head a place of wound, and she pierced strongly his temple. (Then she put a tent peg in her left hand, andthe smith’s hammer in her right hand; and she sought a place on his head for the wound, and then she struck down Sisera, when she strongly pierced his temple.)

²⁷ He felled betwixt her feet, (and) he failed, and died; he was weltered before her feet, and he lay without life, and wretchedful.

²⁸ His mother beheld by a window, and yelled (out); and she spake from the solar, Why tarrieth his chariot to come again? Why tarry the feet of his four-horsed carts?

²⁹ One wiser than the other wives of him answered these words to the mother of her husband,

⁴ Jehovah, in Thy going forth out of Seir, In Thy stepping out of the field of Edom, Earth trembled, also the heavens dropped, Also thick clouds dropped water.

⁵ Hills flowed from the face of Jehovah, This one — Sinai — From the face of Jehovah, God of Israel.

⁶ In the days of Shamgar son of Anath — In the days of Jael — The ways have ceased, And those going in the paths go in crooked ways.

⁷ Villages ceased in Israel — they ceased, Till that I arose — Deborah, That I arose, a mother in Israel.

⁸ He chooseth new gods, Then war is at the gates! A shield is not seen — and a spear Among forty thousand in Israel.

⁹ My heart is to the lawgivers of Israel, Who are offering themselves willingly among the people, Bless ye Jehovah!

¹⁰ Riders on white asses — Sitters on a long robe — And walkers by the way — meditate!

¹¹ By the voice of shouters Between the places of drawing water, There they give out righteous acts of Jehovah, Righteous acts of His villages in Israel, Then ruled in the gates have the people of Jehovah.

¹² Awake, awake, Deborah; Awake, awake, utter a song; Rise, Barak, and take captive thy captivity, Son of Abinoam.

¹³ Then him who is left of the honourable ones He caused to rule the people of Jehovah, He caused me to rule among the mighty.

¹⁴ Out of Ephraim their root is against Amalek. After thee, Benjamin, among thy peoples. Out of Machir came down lawgivers, And out of Zebulun those drawing with the reed of a writer.

¹⁵ And princes in Issachar are with Deborah, Yea, Issachar is right with Barak, Into the valley he was sent on his feet. In the divisions of Reuben, Great are the decrees of heart!

¹⁶ Why hast thou abode between the boundaries, To hear lowings of herds? For the divisions of Reuben, Great are the searchings of heart!

¹⁷ Gilead beyond the Jordan did tabernacle, And Dan — why doth he sojourn in ships? Asher hath abode at the haven of the seas, And by his creeks doth tabernacle.

¹⁸ Zebulun is a people who exposed its soul to death, Naphtali also — on high places of the field.

¹⁹ Kings came — they fought; Then fought kings of Canaan, In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; Gain of money they took not!

²⁰ From the heavens they fought: The stars from their highways fought with Sisera.

²¹ The brook Kishon swept them away, The brook most ancient — the brook Kishon. Thou dost tread down strength, O my soul!

²² Then broken were the horse-heels, By pransings — pransings of its mighty ones.

²³ Curse Meroz — said a messenger of Jehovah, Cursing, curse ye its inhabitants, For they came not to the help of Jehovah, To the help of Jehovah among the mighty!

²⁴ Blessed above women is Jael, Wife of Heber the Kenite, Above women in the tent she is blessed.

²⁵ Water he asked — milk she gave; In a lordly dish she brought near butter.

²⁶ Her hand to the pin she sendeth forth, And her right hand to the labourers' hammer, And she hammered Sisera — she smote his head, Yea, she smote, and it passed through his temple.

²⁷ Between her feet he bowed — He fell, he lay down; Between her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell — destroyed.

²⁸ Through the window she hath looked out — Yea, she crieth out — the mother of Sisera, Through the lattice: Wherefore is his chariot delaying to come? Wherefore tarried have the steps of his chariot?

²⁹ The wise ones, her princesses, answer her, Yea, she returneth her sayings to herself: