1 Now you will gather in troops, O daughter of troops! He has attacked us. They will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek with a rod.
2 You Bethlehem Ephrathah who are little to be among the thousands of Judah. Out of you one will come to me who is to be ruler in Israel! His origin is from of old, from everlasting (days of antiquity) (ancient times).
3 He will give them up, until the time that she who is giving birth delivers. Then the remainder of his brothers will return to the children of Israel.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Jehovah. They will abide in the majesty of the name of Jehovah his God! Now he will be great to the ends of the earth.
5 This man will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and tramples our palaces we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men.
6 They will rule the land of Assyria and the entrances to the land of Nimrod with the sword. When he comes to our land and treads inside our borders he will deliver us from the Assyrian.
7 Like dew from Jehovah the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples. It will be like showers upon the grass that do not wait for man or for sons of men.
8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples. It will be like a lion among the beasts of the forest. Should he go through he will be like a young lion among the flocks of sheep. He treads down and tears to pieces. There is none to rescue.
9 Let your hand (power) be lifted up (exalted) above your adversaries, and let all your enemies be destroyed.
10 It will happen, said Jehovah: I will remove and destroy your horses and your chariots from among you.
11 I will destroy the cities of your land, and I will throw down all your strongholds.
12 I will remove witchcrafts from your hand. You will have no more magic practitioners.
13 I will remove your graven images and your sacred pillars from you. You will no longer worship the work of your hands.
14 I will remove your (godess) Astarte from your midst. I will destroy your cities.
15 In anger and rage I will execute vengeance on the nations that have not obeyed me.