54 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
54 lines
2.2 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 5
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1 Mobilize! Marshal your troops!
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The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem.
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They will strike Israel’s leader
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in the face with a rod.
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2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
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are only a small village among all the people of Judah.
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Yet a ruler of Israel,
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whose origins are in the distant past,
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will come from you on my behalf.
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3 The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies
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until the woman in labor gives birth.
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Then at last his fellow countrymen
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will return from exile to their own land.
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4 And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,
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in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
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Then his people will live there undisturbed,
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for he will be highly honored around the world.
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5 And he will be the source of peace.
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When the Assyrians invade our land
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and break through our defenses,
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we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us,
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eight princes to lead us.
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6 They will rule Assyria with drawn swords
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and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod.
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He will rescue us from the Assyrians
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when they pour over the borders to invade our land.
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7 Then the remnant left in Israel
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will take their place among the nations.
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They will be like dew sent by the Lord
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or like rain falling on the grass,
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which no one can hold back
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and no one can restrain.
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8 The remnant left in Israel
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will take their place among the nations.
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They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest,
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like a strong young lion among flocks of sheep and goats,
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pouncing and tearing as they go
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with no rescuer in sight.
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9 The people of Israel will stand up to their foes,
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and all their enemies will be wiped out.
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10 “In that day,” says the Lord,
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“I will slaughter your horses
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and destroy your chariots.
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11 I will tear down your walls
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and demolish your defenses.
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12 I will put an end to all witchcraft,
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and there will be no more fortune-tellers.
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13 I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars,
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so you will never again worship the work of your own hands.
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14 I will abolish your idol shrines with their Asherah poles
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and destroy your pagan cities.
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15 I will pour out my vengeance
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on all the nations that refuse to obey me.” |