5:1 But from you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, among the tiniest of the clans of Judah, from you will come forth for me one who is to be a ruler in Israel, one whose origins are from the distant past, from ancient times.
5:2 Therefore, the Lord will abandon them only until she who is in labor has given birth. Then those of the people who survive will be reunited with the Israelites.
5:3 He will rise up to shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live in security, for then his greatness will be renowned to the ends of the earth.
5:4 He will ensure their peace. If the Assyrians invade our country and set foot upon our land, we shall raise against them seven shepherds and appoint eight men to serve as rulers.
5:5 They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with drawn swords. And we will be delivered from Assyria if it invades our country or treads upon our borders.
5:6 Then the remnant of Jacob, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which do not depend upon man or wait for any man’s bidding.
5:7 And among the nations the remnant of Jacob will be surrounded by many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, trampling and tearing to pieces as it goes, with no one able to stop the carnage.
5:8 Your hand will be lifted up over your foes, and all your adversaries will be destroyed.
5:9 On that day, says the Lord, I will slaughter your horses and destroy your chariots.
5:10 I will demolish the cities of your land and raze all your fortresses to the ground.
5:11 I will eliminate your sorcerers, and there will be no more soothsayers among you.
5:12 I will cut down your images and the sacred pillars in your midst; you will no longer worship the work of your hands.
5:13 I will uproot your sacred poles and destroy your cities.
5:14 In anger and fury, I will wreak vengeance on the nations that have disobeyed me.
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