2 But you, Beyt-Lekem (Bethlehem) Efratah,

even though you’re insignificant among Yehudah’s (Judah’s) clans,

out of you, one will come to me to rule in Yisrael,

whose beginning is from ancient times—

≈from everlasting.[ref]

3 Therefore God will hand them over to their enemies,

until the time when the woman in labour gives birth,

and the rest of his brothers return to the people of Israel.

4 He’ll stand and shepherd his flock with Yahweh’s strength,

in the majesty of the name of his God Yahweh.

They’ll remain, because then he will be famous to the ends of the earth.

5 That one will be our peace.

When the Assyrians come into our land

≈and when they march against our fortresses,

then we’ll raise seven shepherds against them

≈and eight leaders of men.