Christ in the Clouds

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,     are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel,     whose origins are in the distant past,     will come from you on my behalf. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies     until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen     will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the  Lord ’s strength,     in the majesty of the name of the  Lord  his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed,     for he will be highly honored around the world.     And he will be the source of peace. When the Assyrians invade our land     and break through our defenses, we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us,     eight princes to lead us. ...