« | Judges 5 | » |
1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
2 "The leaders led Israel. The people volunteered to go to battle.
3 Listen, kings. Pay attention, rulers! I myself will sing to the Lord. I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.
4 "Lord, when you came from Edom, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the skies rained, and the clouds dropped water.
5 The mountains shook before the Lord, the God of Mount Sinai, before the Lord, the God of Israel!
6 "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the main roads were empty. Travelers went on the back roads.
7 There were no warriors in Israel until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose to be a mother to Israel.
8 At that time they chose to follow new gods. Because of this, enemies fought us at our city gates. No one could find a shield or a spear among the forty thousand people of Israel.
9 My heart is with the commanders of Israel. They volunteered freely from among the people.
10 "You who ride on white donkeys and sit on saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, listen!
11 Listen to the sound of the singers at the watering holes. There they tell about the victories of the Lord, the victories of the Lord's warriors in Israel. Then the Lord's people went down to the city gates.
12 "Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, sing a song! Get up, Barak! Go capture your enemies, son of Abinoam!
13 "Then those who were left came down to the important leaders. The Lord's people came down to me with strong men.
14 They came from Ephraim in the mountains of Amalek. Benjamin was among the people who followed you. From the family group of Makir, the commanders came down. And from Zebulun came those who lead.
15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. and followed him into the valley. about what they would do.
16 Why did you stay by the sheepfold? Was it to hear the music played for your sheep? about what they would do.
17 The people of Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River. People of Dan, why did you stay by the ships? The people of Asher stayed at the seashore, at their safe harbors.
18 But the people of Zebulun risked their lives, as did the people of Naphtali on the battlefield.
19 "The kings came, and they fought. at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo. But they took away no silver or possessions of Israel.
20 The stars fought from heaven; from their paths, they fought Sisera.
21 The Kishon River swept Sisera's men away, that old river, the Kishon River. March on, my soul, with strength!
22 Then the horses' hoofs beat the ground. Galloping, galloping go Sisera's mighty horses.
23 'May the town of Meroz be cursed,' said the angel of the Lord. 'Bitterly curse its people, because they did not come to help the Lord. They did not fight the strong enemy.'
24 "May Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, be blessed above all women who live in tents.
25 Sisera asked for water, but Jael gave him milk. In a bowl fit for a ruler, she brought him cream.
26 Jael reached out and took the tent peg. Her right hand reached for the workman's hammer. She crushed and pierced the side of his head!
27 At Jael's feet he sank. He fell, and he lay there. At her feet he sank. He fell. Where Sisera sank, there he fell, dead!
28 "Sisera's mother looked out through the window. She looked through the curtains and cried out, 'Why is Sisera's chariot so late in coming? Why are sounds of his chariots' horses delayed?'
29 The wisest of her servant ladies answer her, and Sisera's mother says to herself,
30 'Surely they are robbing the people they defeated! Surely they are dividing those things among themselves! Each soldier is given a girl or two. Maybe Sisera is taking pieces of dyed cloth. Maybe they are even taking pieces of dyed, embroidered cloth for the necks of the victors!'
31 "Let all your enemies die this way, Lord! But let all the people who love you be as strong as the rising sun!" Then there was peace in the land for forty years.
The New Century Version (NCV)
The New Century Version (NCV) is a contemporary English translation of the Bible designed to be easily understandable and accessible to a broad audience. First published in 1987 by Thomas Nelson, the NCV originated from a project aimed at creating a simplified English translation for children. Over time, the scope of the translation expanded to cater to readers of all ages, including those with limited English proficiency and those new to the Bible. The NCV’s primary goal is to communicate the truths of Scripture in clear, everyday language that resonates with modern readers.
A notable feature of the NCV is its use of dynamic equivalence, or thought-for-thought translation philosophy. This approach prioritizes conveying the meaning and intent of the original texts over maintaining a strict word-for-word correspondence. By doing so, the NCV aims to make the Bible’s messages more relatable and easier to understand, especially for those who may find traditional translations challenging. The translation team worked diligently to balance accuracy with readability, ensuring that the essence of the biblical texts is preserved while making them more accessible to contemporary audiences.
The NCV also includes various study aids and features designed to enhance comprehension and engagement with the biblical text. These include introductions to each book of the Bible, footnotes that provide historical and cultural context, and cross-references that help readers see connections between different parts of Scripture. Additionally, the NCV often employs gender-neutral language where appropriate, aiming to be inclusive and respectful of modern sensibilities while remaining faithful to the original texts.
Despite its strengths, the New Century Version has faced some criticism from those who prefer more traditional or literal translations. Critics argue that the dynamic equivalence approach can sometimes result in a loss of nuance and depth found in the original languages. Additionally, some theologians express concern that the simplified language may not fully capture the richness and complexity of certain theological concepts. Nonetheless, the NCV remains a valuable resource for many readers, particularly those seeking a clear and approachable version of the Bible that helps them connect with and understand its timeless messages.