Micah 5

1And you, O Bethlehem of Ephrath, Least among the clans of Judah,From you one shall come forthTo rule Israel for Me—One whose origin is from of old,From ancient times.

2Truly, [God] will leave them [helpless]Until she who is to bear has borne; Then the rest of his kindredShall return to the children of Israel.

3He shall stand and shepherdBy the might of GOD,By the power of the nameOf the ETERNAL his God,And they shall dwell [secure].For lo, he shall wax greatTo the ends of the earth;

4And that shall afford safety.Should Assyria invade our landAnd tread upon our fortresses, We will set up over that nation seven shepherds,Eight princes of other nations,

5Who 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.

6The remnant of Jacob shall be,In the midst of the many peoples,Like dew from GOD,Like droplets on grass—Which do not look to anybodyNor place their hope in mortals.

7The remnant of JacobShall 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 goesAnd rends, with none to deliver.

8Your hand shall prevail over your foes,And all your enemies shall be cut down!

9In that day—declares GOD—I will destroy the horses in your midstAnd wreck your chariots.

10I will destroy the cities of your landAnd demolish all your fortresses.

11I will destroy the sorcery you practice,And you shall have no more soothsayers.

12I will destroy your idolsAnd the sacred pillars in your midst;And no more shall you bow downTo the work of your hands.

13I will tear down the sacred posts in your midstAnd destroy your cities.

14In anger and wrathWill I wreak retributionOn the nations that have not obeyed.