Judges 5

1 The valiant men ceased, and rested in Israel: until Debbora arose, a mother arose in Israel. 2 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. 3 My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you, that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord. 4 Speak, you that ride upon fair asses, and you that sit in judgment, and walk in the way. 5 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. 6 Arise, arise, O Debbora, arise, arise, and utter a canticle. Arise, Barac, and take hold of thy captives, O son of Abinoem. 7 The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among the valiant ones. 8 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. 9 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. 10 Why dwellest thou between two borders, that thou mayst hear the bleatings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men. 11 Galaad rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan applied himself to ships: Aser dwelt on the sea shore, and abode in the havens. 12 But Zabulon and Nephthali offered their lives to death in the region of Merome. 13 The kings came and fought, the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanac, by the waters of Mageddo and yet they took no spoils. 14 There was war made against them from heaven: the stars, remaining in their order and courses, fought against Sisara. 15 The torrent of Cison dragged their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cison: tread thou, my soul, upon the strong ones. 16 The hoofs of the horses were broken whilst the stoutest of the enemies fled amain, and fell headlong down. 17 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. 18 Blessed among women be Jahel, the wife of Haber the Cinite, and blessed be she in her tent. 19 He asked her water, and she gave him milk, and offered him butter in a dish fit for princes. 20 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. 21 Between her feet he fell: he fainted, and he died: he rolled before her feet, and there he lay lifeless and wretched. 22 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? 23 One that was wiser than the rest of his wives, returned this answer to her mother in law: 24 Perhaps he is now dividing the spoils, and the fairest of the women is chosen out for him: garments of divers colours are given to Sisara for his prey, and furniture of different kinds is heaped together to adorn necks. 25 So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love thee shine, as the sun shineth in his rising. 26 And the land rested for forty years. 28 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord: and he delivered them into the hand of Madian seven years, 29 And they were grievously oppressed by them. And they made themselves dens and caves in the mountains, and strong holds to resist. 30 And when Israel had sown, Madian and Amalec, and the rest of the eastern nations, came up: 31 And pitching their tents among them, wasted all things as they were in the blade, even to the entrance of Gaza: and they left nothing at all in Israel for sustenance of life, nor sheep, nor oxen, nor asses.