1. And you, O Bethlehem of Ephrath, Least among the clans of Judah, From you one shall come forth To rule Israel for Me -- One whose origin is from of old, From ancient times.
2. Truly, He will leave them [helpless] Until she who is to bear has borne; Then the rest of his countrymen Shall return to the children of Israel.
3. He shall stand and shepherd By the might of the LORD, By the power of the name Of the LORD his God, And they shall dwell [secure]. For lo, he shall wax great To the ends of the earth;
4. And that shall afford safety. Should Assyria invade our land And tread upon our fortresses, We will set up over it seven shepherds, Eight princes of men,
5. Who will shepherd Assyria's land with swords, The land of Nimrod in its gates. Thus he will deliver [us] From Assyria, should it invade our land, And should it trample our country.
6. The remnant of Jacob shall be, In the midst of the many peoples, Like dew from the LORD, Like droplets on grass -- Which do not look to any man Nor place their hope in mortals.
7. The remnant of Jacob Shall be among the nations, In the midst of the many peoples, Like a lion among beasts of the wild, Like a fierce lion among flocks of sheep, Which tramples wherever it goes And rends, with none to deliver.
8. Your hand shall prevail over your foes, And all your enemies shall be cut down!
9. In that day -- declares the LORD -- I will destroy the horses in your midst And wreck your chariots.
10. I will destroy the cities of your land And demolish all your fortresses.
11. I will destroy the sorcery you practice, And you shall have no more soothsayers.
12. I will destroy your idols And the sacred pillars in your midst; And no more shall you bow down To the work of your hands.
13. I will tear down the sacred posts in your midst And destroy your cities.
14. In anger and wrath Will I wreak retribution On the nations that have not obeyed.
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