A ruler will come from Bethlehem

2 But you people of [APO] Bethlehem in Ephrathah district need to know that

even though your town is a very small one among all the towns in Judah,

someone who will rule Israel will be born in your town.

He will be someone whose family has existed a very long time ago [DOU].

3 But now you people of Israel will be conquered by your enemies;

but it will be for only a short time,

like [MET] the short time that women have great pain while their babies are being born.

After that, your fellow-countrymen who were ◄exiled/forced to go to other countries► will return to their own country.

4 And that man who will be ruling there in Jerusalem will stand and lead his people well,

because Yahweh, his God, will cause him to be strong and greatly honored.

Then the people whom he rules will live in Jerusalem safely;

he will be greatly honored by people all over the earth,

so no one will dare to attack Jerusalem.

5 And he will cause things to go well for his people.