The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem

[a] Now muster your troops, O daughter[b] of troops;
    siege is laid against us;
with a rod (A)they strike the judge of Israel
    on the cheek.
[c] (B)But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of (C)Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be (D)ruler in Israel,
(E)whose coming forth is (F)from of old,
    from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up (G)until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then (H)the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand (I)and shepherd his flock (J)in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now (K)he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
And he shall be (L)their peace.

(M)When the Assyrian comes into our land
    and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven (N)shepherds
    and eight princes of men;

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Footnotes

  1. Micah 5:1 Ch 4:14 in Hebrew
  2. Micah 5:1 That is, city
  3. Micah 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew

Call to arms; the future is secure

[a] Now muster your troops, Daughter Troop![b]
        They have laid siege against us;
        with a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel.
As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
    though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces,
        one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.
    His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.
Therefore, he will give them up
        until the time when she who is in labor gives birth.
        The rest of his kin will return to the people of Israel.
He will stand and shepherd his flock[c] in the strength of the Lord,
        in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
        They will dwell secure,
        because he will surely become great throughout the earth;
        he will become one of peace.[d]
When Assyria invades our land and treads down our fortresses,
        then we will raise up against him seven shepherds and eight human princes.

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Footnotes

  1. Micah 5:1 4:14 in Heb
  2. Micah 5:1 Heb uncertain
  3. Micah 5:4 Heb lacks his flock.
  4. Micah 5:5 Or this will ensure peace.