Chapters

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Old Testament

New Testament

Micah 5 Contemporary English Version Anglicised (CEVUK00)

A promised ruler

1. Jerusalem, enemy troopshave surrounded you;they have struck Israel's rulerin the face with a stick.

2. Bethlehem Ephrath,you are one of the smallest townsin the nation of Judah.But the Lord will chooseone of your peopleto rule the nation—someone whose familygoes back to ancient times.

3. The Lord will abandon Israelonly until this ruler is born,and the rest of his familyreturns to Israel.

4. Like a shepherdtaking care of his sheep,this ruler will leadand care for his peopleby the power and glorious nameof the Lord his God.His people will live securely,and the whole earth will knowhis true greatness,

5. because he will bring peace.Let Assyria attack our countryand our palaces.We will counter-attack,led by a number of rulers

Assyria will be defeated

6. whose strong army will defeatthe nation of Assyria.Yes, our leaders will rescue us,if those Assyriansdare to invade our land.

The survivors will be safe

7. A few of Jacob's descendantssurvived and are scatteredamong the nations.But the Lord will let themcover the earth like dew and rainthat refreshes the soil.

8. At present they are scattered,but later they will attack,as though they were fierce lionspouncing on sheep.Their enemies will be tornto shreds,with no one to save them;

9. they will be helpless,completely destroyed.

Idols will be destroyed in Israel

10. The Lord said:At that time I will wipe outyour cavalry and chariots,

11. as well as your citiesand your fortresses.

12. I will stop youfrom telling fortunesand practising witchcraft.

13. You will no longer worshipthe idols or stone imagesyou have made—I will destroy them,

14. together with the sacred polesand even your towns.

15. I will become furiousand take revenge on the nationsthat refuse to obey me.