⁴ Now Deborah,^(A) a prophet,^(B) the wife of Lappidoth, was leading^[a] Israel at that time. ⁵ She held court^(C) under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah^(D) and Bethel^(E) in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. ⁶ She sent for Barak son of Abinoam^(F) from Kedesh^(G) in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali^(H) and Zebulun^(I) and lead them up to Mount Tabor.^{(J) 7} I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s^(K) army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River^(L) and give him into your hands.^(M)’”

⁸ Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

⁹ “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.^(N)