Micah 5:2-4

Easy-to-Read Version

² But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    are the smallest town in Judah.
Your family is almost too small to count,
    but the “Ruler of Israel” will come from you to rule for me.
His beginnings^[a] are from ancient times,
    from long, long ago.
³ The Lord will let his people be defeated
    until the woman gives birth to her child, the promised king.
Then the rest of his brothers will come back
    to join the people of Israel.
⁴ He will begin to rule Israel in the power of the Lord.
    Like a shepherd, he will lead his people in the wonderful name of the Lord his God.
And they will live in safety
    because then his greatness will be known all over the world.