13. "Then the people who were left came down to the nobles. The people of the Lord came to me against the powerful enemy.
14. Some came from the part of Ephraim where some Amalekites lived. Benjamin was with the people who followed Ephraim. Captains came down from Makir. Those who rule like commanders came down from Zebulun.
15. The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. The men of Issachar were with Barak. They rushed behind him into the valley. In the territories of Reuben, men looked deeply into their hearts.
16. Why did they stay among the campfires? Why did they stay to hear shepherds whistling for the flocks? In the territories of Reuben, men looked deeply into their hearts.
17. Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River. Why did Dan stay near the ships? The men of Asher remained on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. They stayed in their safe harbors.
18. The people of Zebulun put their very lives in danger. So did Naphtali on the hills in the open country.
19. "Kings came and fought. The kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the streams of Megiddo. But they didn't carry any silver away. They didn't take anything at all.
20. From the heavens the stars fought. From the sky they fought against Sisera.
21. The Kishon River swept them away. The Kishon is a very old river. My spirit, march on! Be strong!
22. The hoofs of the horses pounded like thunder. The powerful horses of our enemies galloped away.
23. 'Let Meroz be cursed,' said the angel of the Lord. 'Let bitter curses fall on its people. They did not come to help the Lord. They did not come to help him against our powerful enemies.'
24. "May Jael be the most blessed woman of all. May the wife of the Kenite Heber be blessed. May she be the most blessed woman of all those who live in tents.
25. Sisera asked for water. She gave him milk. In a bowl that was fit for nobles she brought him buttermilk.
26. Her hand reached out for a tent stake. Her right hand reached for a hammer. She hit Sisera. She crushed his head. She drove the stake right through his head.
27. He sank down. He fell at her feet. He was lying there. At her feet he sank down. He fell. He fell where he sank down. That's where he died.