2The Lord says,

“Bethlehem, you might not be

an important town in the nation of Judah.

But out of you will come

a ruler over Israel for me.

His family line goes back

to the early years of your nation.

It goes all the way back

to days of long ago.”

Bethlehem was also called Ephrathah.

3 The Lord will hand his people over to their enemies.

That will last until the promised ruler is born.

Then his relatives in Judah

will return to their land.

The Lord will rule over them

and the people of Israel.

4 The promised ruler will stand firm

and take care of his flock.

The Lord will give him the strength to do it.

The Lord his God will give him

the authority to rule.

His people will live safely.

His greatness will reach

from one end of the earth to the other.

5 And he will bring them peace.

The Lord Will Save His People From Their Enemies

The Assyrians will attack our land.

Enemies will march through our forts.

But we will raise up many shepherds against them.

We’ll send out against them

as many leaders as we need to.