1 The Ruler Will Come from Bethlehem “ 5:1Ch4:14in Heb Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; 5:1Lit He has They have laid siege against us;With a rod they will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.
2 “ 5:2Ch5:1in Heb But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Toolittle to be among the clans of Judah,From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. 5:2Or His appearances are from long ago, from days of old His goings forth are from everlasting,From the ancient days.”
3 Therefore He will give themupuntil the timeWhen she who is in childbirth has borne a child.Then the remainder of His brothersWill return to the sons of Israel.
4 And He will stand and shepherdHis flockIn the strength of Yahweh,In the majesty of the name of Yahweh His God.And they will 5:4Or live in safety remainBecause 5:4Lit now at that time He will be greatTo the ends of the earth.
5 And this One will be peace.When the Assyrian enters our land,When he treads on our 5:5 Or palaces citadels,Then we will raise against himSeven shepherds and eight princes of men.
6 And they will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,The land of Nimrod at its entrances;And He will deliverusfrom the AssyrianWhen he enters our landAnd when he treads within our borders.
7 ¶Then the remnant of JacobWill be among many peoplesLike dew from Yahweh,Like showers on vegetationWhich do not hope for manOr wait for the sons of men.
8 Then the remnant of JacobWill be among the nations,Among many peoplesLike a lion among the beasts of the forest,Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,Which, if it passes through,Tramples down and tears,And there is none to deliver.
9 Your hand will be raised up against your adversaries,And all your enemies will be cut off.
10 ¶“And it will be in that day,” declares Yahweh,“That I will cut off your horses from among youAnd destroy your chariots.
11 “And I will cut off the cities of your landAnd pull down all your fortifications.
12 “And I will cut off sorceries from your hand,And you will have soothsaying no more.
13 “And I will cut off your graven imagesAnd yoursacredpillars from among youSo that you will no longer worshipThe work of your hands.
14 “And I will uproot your 5:14Wooden symbols of a female deity Asherim from among youAnd 5:14Or destroy eradicate your cities.
15 “And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrathOn the nations which have not 5:15Or heard listened.”