Micah 4

1But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.footnote a

4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

5For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

6In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

7And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

8And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

9Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.

10Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

11Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.

12But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

13Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

The Mountain of the House of the LORD

1In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORDwill be established as the chief of the mountains;it will be raised above the hills,and the peoples will stream to it.

2And many nations will come and say:“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,to the house of the God of Jacob.He will teach us His ways,so that we may walk in His paths.”For the law will go forth from Zionand the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3Then He will judge between many peoplesand arbitrate for strong nations far and wide.Then they will beat their swords into plowsharesand their spears into pruning hooks.Nation will no longer take up the sword against nation,nor will they train anymore for war. 4And each man will sit under his own vineand under his own fig tree,with no one to frighten him.For the mouth of the LORD of Hosts has spoken. 5Though all the nationsmay walk in the name of their gods,yet we will walk in the name of the LORD our Godforever and ever.

The Restoration of Zion

6“On that day,” declares the LORD,“I will gather the lame;I will assemble the outcast,even those whom I have afflicted. 7And I will make the lame into a remnant,the outcast into a strong nation.Then the LORD will rule over them in Mount Zionfrom that day and forever. 8And you, O watchtower of the flock,O strongholdfootnote aof the Daughter of Zion—the former dominion will be restored to you;sovereignty will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.”

9Why do you now cry aloud?Is there no king among you?Has your counselor perishedso that anguish grips you like a woman in labor? 10Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion,like a woman in labor.For now you will leave the cityand camp in the open fields.You will go to Babylon;there you will be rescued;there the LORD will redeem youfrom the hand of your enemies!

11But now many nationshave assembled against you,saying, “Let her be defiled,and let us feast our eyes on Zion.” 12But they do not know the thoughts of the LORDor understand His plan,for He has gathered themlike sheaves to the threshing floor. 13Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion,for I will give you horns of ironand hooves of bronzeto break to pieces many peoples.Then you will devotefootnote btheir gain to the LORD,their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.