FROM DEFEATED RULER TO CONQUERING KING

5 Now, daughter who is under attack,

you slash yourself in grief;

a siege is set against us!

They are striking the judgeg of Israel

on the cheek with a rod.

2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,h

you are small among the clans of Judah;

one will come from youi

to be ruler over Israel for me.j

His originB is from antiquity,k

from ancient times.

3 Therefore, Israel will be abandonedl until the time

when she who is in laborm has given birth;

then the rest of the ruler’s brothersn will return

to the people of Israel.o