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14 They came down from Ephraim—
    a land that once belonged to the Amalekites;
    they followed you, Benjamin, with your troops.
From Makir the commanders marched down;
    from Zebulun came those who carry a commander’s staff.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak.
    They followed Barak, rushing into the valley.
But in the tribe of Reuben
    there was great indecision.[a]
16 Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds—
    to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks?
Yes, in the tribe of Reuben
    there was great indecision.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:15 As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac version, which read searchings of heart; Masoretic Text reads resolve of heart.

14 Some came from Ephraim,(A) whose roots were in Amalek;(B)
    Benjamin(C) was with the people who followed you.
From Makir(D) captains came down,
    from Zebulun those who bear a commander’s[a] staff.
15 The princes of Issachar(E) were with Deborah;(F)
    yes, Issachar was with Barak,(G)
    sent under his command into the valley.
In the districts of Reuben
    there was much searching of heart.
16 Why did you stay among the sheep pens[b](H)
    to hear the whistling for the flocks?(I)
In the districts of Reuben
    there was much searching of heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 5:14 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.
  2. Judges 5:16 Or the campfires; or the saddlebags