Daily Bible Readings December 22, 2015

Micah 5:2-15Common English Bible (CEB) 2 As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,     though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces,         one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.     His origin is from remote times, from ancient days. 3 Therefore, he will give them up         until the time when she who is in labor gives birth.         The rest of his kin will return to the people of Israel. 4 He will stand and shepherd his flock[a] in the strength of the Lord,         in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.         They will dwell secure,         because he will surely become great throughout the earth;          When Assyria invades our land and treads down our fortresses,         then we will raise up against him seven shepherds and eight human princes. 6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,         the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword.     He will rescue us from Assyria         when he invades our land             and treads within our territory. 7 Then the few remaining in Jacob will be amid many peoples         like dew from the Lord,         like spring showers upon the grass,             which does not hope for humans or wait for human ones. 8 Then the few remaining in Jacob will be among the nations,             amid many peoples,         like a lion among the creatures of the forest,         like a young lion among flocks             of sheep, which when it passes by, tramples and tears to pieces                 with no one to deliver. 9 Your hand will be lifted over your foes;         all your enemies will be cut off. Doom for Israel’s enemies 10 On that day—says the Lord—         I will cut down your horses in your midst;         I will destroy your chariots! 11 I will cut down the cities of your land;         I will tear down your defenses! 12 I will demolish the sorceries you perform;         you will have no more diviners! 13 I will cut down your images         and your sacred pillars in your midst.         You will no longer bow down to the works of your hands! 14 I will tear down your sacred poles[c] in your midst;         I will destroy your cities! 15 I will exact vengeance in anger         and in wrath on the nations that don’t obey! Footnotes: Micah 5:4 Heb lacks his flock. Micah 5:5 Or this will ensure peace. Micah 5:14 Heb asherim Common English Bible (CEB), used with permission Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible