耶和華的應許
1耶路撒冷的居民5·1 「耶路撒冷的居民」希伯來文是「被圍攻的女子」。啊，
現在你們要調集軍隊！
敵人正四面圍攻我們，
要用杖擊打以色列首領的臉頰。
2以法他的伯利恆啊，
你在猶大各城中毫不起眼，
但將有一位從你那裡出來，
為我統治以色列；
祂的根源自亙古，來自太初。
3耶和華要將以色列人交給他們的敵人，
直到那臨盆的婦人生下兒子。
那時，祂流亡的弟兄將重返他們的以色列同胞那裡。
4祂要挺身而起，
倚靠耶和華的能力，
奉祂上帝耶和華的威名牧養祂的群羊。
他們將安然居住，
因為那時祂必受尊崇，直達地極。
5祂必給他們帶來平安！
亞述人侵略我們的國土、踐踏我們的宮殿時，
我們將選立七位牧者和八位首領抗擊他們。
6他們要用刀劍統治亞述，統治寧錄地區。
亞述人侵入我們國境、踐踏我們疆土時，
祂必拯救我們。
7雅各餘剩的子孫將在萬民中像從耶和華那裡降下的雨露，
又像灑在草上的甘霖。
他們不依靠人，
不冀望於世人。
8在各國各民中，
雅各餘剩的子孫猶如林間百獸中的獅子，
又像闖入羊群的猛獅，
將獵物撲倒撕碎，
無人能搭救。
9願你們伸手戰勝仇敵！
願你們的仇敵都被剷除！
10耶和華說：
「到那日，
我要消滅你們的戰馬，
毀壞你們的戰車。
11我要摧毀你們境內的城邑，
拆除你們所有的堡壘。
12我要除掉你們手中的巫術，
使你們那裡不再有占卜的。
13我要從你們中間除去雕刻的神像和神柱，
使你們不再跪拜自己所造的。
14我要從你們中間剷除亞舍拉神像，
毀滅你們的偶像。
15我要在烈怒中報應那些不聽從我的國家。」
A promised ruler from Bethlehem
5 In Hebrew texts 5:1 is numbered 4:14, and 5:2-15 is numbered 5:1-14. 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.
2‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans5:2 Or rulers 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.’
3Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labour bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.
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.
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,
6who will rule5:6 Or crush the land of Assyria with the sword,
the land of Nimrod with drawn sword.5:6 Or Nimrod in its gates
He will deliver us from the Assyrians
when they invade our land
and march across 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.
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.
9Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies,
and all your foes will be destroyed.
10‘In that day,’ declares the Lord,
‘I will destroy your horses from among you
and demolish your chariots.
11I will destroy the cities of your land
and tear down all your strongholds.
12I will destroy your witchcraft
and you will no longer cast spells.
13I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
14I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles5:14 That is, wooden symbols of the goddess Asherah
when I demolish your cities.
15I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
on the nations that have not obeyed me.’
