² “But you, Bethlehem^(A) Ephrathah,^(B)
    though you are small among the clans^[a] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler^(C) over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,^(D)
    from ancient times.”^(E)

³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned^(F)
    until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
    to join the Israelites.

⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock^(G)
    in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness^(H)
    will reach to the ends of the earth.

⁵ And he will be our peace^(I)
    when the Assyrians invade^(J) our land
    and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
    even eight commanders,^(K)

“My soul glorifies the Lord^(F)
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,^(G)
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.^(H)
From now on all generations will call me blessed,^(I)
49     for the Mighty One has done great things^(J) for me—
    holy is his name.^(K)
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.^(L)
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;^(M)
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.^(N)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.^(O)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things^(P)
    but has sent the rich away empty.
⁵⁴ He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful^(Q)
55 to Abraham and his descendants^(R) forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”