| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. | 1Now, O daughter of troops, mobilize your troops; for a siege is laid against us! With a rod they will strike the cheek of the judge of Israel. |
| 2"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." | 2But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. |
| 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. | 3Therefore Israel will be abandoned until she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of His brothers will return to the children of Israel. |
| 4He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. | 4He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. |
| 5And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, | 5And He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land and tramples our citadels. We will raise against it seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men. |
| 6who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders. | 6And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn. So He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land and marches into our borders. |
| 7The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for anyone or depend on man. | 7Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind. |
| 8The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue. | 8Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which tramples and tears as it passes through, with no one to rescue them. |
| 9Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed. | 9Your hand will be lifted over your foes, and all your enemies will be cut off. |
| 10"In that day," declares the LORD, "I will destroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots. | 10“In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will remove your horses from among you and wreck your chariots. |
| 11I will destroy the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. | 11I will remove the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. |
| 12I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. | 12I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers. |
| 13I will destroy your idols and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. | 13I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. |
| 14I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles when I demolish your cities. | 14I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. |
| 15I will take vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that have not obeyed me." | 15I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.” |
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