Micah 5

1. [a]Mobilize! Marshal your troops! 1 The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem. 1 They will strike Israel’s leader 1 in the face with a rod.

A Ruler from Bethlehem

2. [b]But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, 2 are only a small village among all the people of Judah. 2 Yet a ruler of Israel, 2 whose origins are in the distant past, 2 will come from you on my behalf.

3. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies 3 until the woman in labor gives birth. 3 Then at last his fellow countrymen 3 will return from exile to their own land.

4. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, 4 in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. 4 Then his people will live there undisturbed, 4 for he will be highly honored around the world.

5. And he will be the source of peace. 5 When the Assyrians invade our land 5 and break through our defenses, 5 we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us, 5 eight princes to lead us.

6. They will rule Assyria with drawn swords 6 and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod. 6 He will rescue us from the Assyrians 6 when they pour over the borders to invade our land.

The Remnant Purified

7. Then the remnant left in Israel[c] 7 will take their place among the nations. 7 They will be like dew sent by the Lord 7 or like rain falling on the grass, 7 which no one can hold back 7 and no one can restrain.

8. The remnant left in Israel 8 will take their place among the nations. 8 They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest, 8 like a strong young lion among flocks of sheep and goats, 8 pouncing and tearing as they go 8 with no rescuer in sight.

9. The people of Israel will stand up to their foes, 9 and all their enemies will be wiped out.

10. “In that day,” says the Lord, 10 “I will slaughter your horses 10 and destroy your chariots.

11. I will tear down your walls 11 and demolish your defenses.

12. I will put an end to all witchcraft, 12 and there will be no more fortune-tellers.

13. I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars, 13 so you will never again worship the work of your own hands.

14. I will abolish your idol shrines with their Asherah poles 14 and destroy your pagan cities.

15. I will pour out my vengeance 15 on all the nations that refuse to obey me.”

Footnotes:
a. 5:1: Verse 5:1 is numbered 4:14 in Hebrew text.
b. 5:2: Verses 5:2-15 are numbered 5:1-14 in Hebrew text.
c. 5:7: Hebrew in Jacob; also in 5:8. See note on 1:5a.