Dual Panel1Now withdraw behind your walls, you people of a walled city; the siege is pressed home against you: Israel's ruler is struck on the cheek with a rod.
2But from you, Bethlehem in Ephrathah, small as you are among Judah's clans, from you will come a king for me over Israel, one whose origins are far back in the past, in ancient times.
3Therefore only until she who is pregnant has given birth will he give up Israel; and then those of the people that survive will rejoin their brethren.
4He will rise up to lead them in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. They will enjoy security, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
5Then there will be peace. Should the Assyrians invade our land, should they overrun our strongholds, we shall raise against them some seven or eight men to be rulers and princes.
6They will rule Assyria with the sword and the land of Nimrod with drawn blades. They will deliver us from the Assyrians, should they invade our land, should they encroach on our frontiers.
7All that are left of Jacob, dispersed among many peoples, will be like dew from the LORD, like copious rain on the grass, which does not wait for mortal command or linger for any mortal's bidding.
8All that are left of Jacob among the nations, dispersed among many peoples, will be like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion at large in a flock of sheep; running through he will trample and tear, with no rescuer in sight.
9Your hand will be raised high over your foes, and all your enemies will be destroyed!
10On that day, says the LORD, I shall slaughter your horses and destroy your chariots.
11I shall devastate the cities of your land and raze your fortresses to the ground.
12I shall destroy your sorcerers, and there will be no more soothsayers among you.
13I shall cut down your images and your sacred pillars; you will no longer bow before things your hands have made.
14I shall pull up your sacred poles and demolish your blood-spattered altars.
15In anger and fury I shall wreak vengeance on the nations who disobey me.