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.

⁸ But I will encamp^(A) at my temple
    to guard it against marauding forces.^(B)
Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,
    for now I am keeping watch.^(C)

¹⁶ Nations will see and be ashamed,^(A)
    deprived of all their power.
They will put their hands over their mouths^(B)
    and their ears will become deaf.