6. In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,in the days of Jael,caravans no longer went through the land,and travellers used the side roads.
7. The towns of Israel stood abandoned, Deborah;they stood empty until you came,came like a mother for Israel.
8. Then there was war in the landwhen the Israelites chose new gods.Of the 40,000 men in Israel,did anyone carry shield or spear?
9. My heart is with the commanders of Israel,with the people who gladly volunteered.Praise the Lord!
10. Tell of it, you that ride on white donkeys,sitting on saddles,and you that must walk wherever you go.
11. Listen! The noisy crowds round the wellsare telling of the Lord's victories,the victories of Israel's people!Then the Lord's people marched down from their cities.
12. Lead on, Deborah, lead on!Lead on! Sing a song! Lead on!Forward, Barak son of Abinoam,lead your captives away!
13. Then the faithful ones came down to their leaders;the Lord's people came to him ready to fight.
14. They came from Ephraim into the valley,behind the tribe of Benjamin and its people.The commanders came down from Machir,the officers down from Zebulun.
15. The leaders of Issachar came with Deborah;yes, Issachar came and Barak too,and they followed him into the valley.But the tribe of Reuben was divided;they could not decide whether to come.
16. Why did they stay behind with the sheep?To listen to shepherds calling the flocks?Yes, the tribe of Reuben was divided;they could not decide whether to come.
17. The tribe of Gad stayed east of the Jordan,and the tribe of Dan remained by the ships.The tribe of Asher stayed by the coast;they remained along the shore.
18. But the people of Zebulun and Naphtalirisked their lives on the battlefield.
19. At Taanach, by the stream of Megiddo,the kings came and fought;the kings of Canaan fought,but they took no silver away.
20. The stars fought from the sky;as they moved across the sky,they fought against Sisera.
21. A flood in the Kishon swept them away —the onrushing River Kishon.I shall march, march on, with strength!