² Bethlehem Ephrathah,^(A)
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you^(B)
to be ruler over Israel for me.^(C)
His origin^[a] is from antiquity,^(D)
from ancient times.

³ Therefore, Israel will be abandoned^(A) until the time
when she who is in labour^(B) has given birth;
then the rest of the ruler’s brothers^(C) will return
to the people of Israel.^(D)