2 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah,out of you will come for meone who will be ruler over Israel,whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.’
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoneduntil the time when she who is in labour bears a son,and the rest of his brothers returnto join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flockin the strength of the Lord,in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.And they will live securely, for then his greatnesswill reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be our peacewhen the Assyrians invade our landand march through our fortresses.We will raise against them seven shepherds,even eight commanders,
6 who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.He will deliver us from the Assyrianswhen they invade our landand march across our borders.
7 The remnant of Jacob will bein the midst of many peopleslike dew from the Lord,like showers on the grass,which do not wait for anyoneor depend on man.
8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,in the midst of many peoples,like a lion among the beasts of the forest,like a young lion among flocks of sheep,which mauls and mangles as it goes,and no one can rescue.