1 But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathahleast among the clans of Judah,From you shall come forth for meone who is to be ruler in Israel;Whose origin is from of old,from ancient times.
2 Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the timewhen she who is to give birth has borne,Then the rest of his kindred shall returnto the children of Israel.
3 He shall take his place as shepherdby the strength of the Lord,by the majestic name of the Lord, his God;And they shall dwell securely, for now his greatnessshall reach to the ends of the earth:
4 he shall be peace.If Assyria invades our countryand treads upon our land,We shall raise against it seven shepherds,eight of royal standing;
5 They shall tend the land of Assyria with the sword,and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword;They will deliver us from Assyria,when it invades our land,when it treads upon our borders.
6 The remnant of Jacob shall bein the midst of many peoples,Like dew coming from the Lord,like showers on the grass,Which wait for no one,delay for no human being.
7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,in the midst of many peoples,Like a lion among beasts of the forest,like a young lion among flocks of sheep;When it passes through it tramples;it tears and no one can rescue.
8 Your hand shall be lifted above your foes,and all your enemies shall be cut down.
9 On that day—oracle of the Lord—I will destroy the horses from your midstand ruin your chariots;
10 I will destroy the cities of your landand tear down all your fortresses.
11 I will destroy the sorcery you practice,and there shall no longer be soothsayers among you.
12 I will destroy your carved figuresand the sacred stones from your midst;And you shall no longer worshipthe works of your hands.
13 I will tear out the asherahs from your midst,and destroy your cities.
14 I will wreak vengeance in anger and wrathupon the nations that have not listened.