Micah 4

But 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.

In the future, a special mountain for God's house will be built higher than other mountains. Many people will come there.

And 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.

Many countries will come and ask to join the Lord's mountain and God's house. He will teach them his ways, and they will follow his path. This is because the law comes from Zion and the Lord's words come from Jerusalem.

And 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.

He will rule over many people and scold powerful faraway countries. They will change their swords into farming tools and spears into gardening tools. Nations won't fight each other with swords anymore, nor teach war.

But 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.

But they will relax, each person under their own vine and fig tree. Nobody will scare them because the Lord has promised this.

For 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.

All people will follow their own gods, but we will follow the LORD our God forever and ever.

In 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;

On that day, says the Lord, I will bring together those who are injured, and I will gather those who were forced away, and I will collect those whom I have hurt.

And 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.

I will turn those who were unable into a small group and those who were far away into a powerful nation. The LORD will rule over them forever in a special place called Mount Zion.

And 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.

And you, tower protecting the sheep, strong defense of Zion's daughter, it will be yours - the first ruling power will come to you; the kingdom will belong to Jerusalem's daughter.

Now 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.

"Why are you shouting so loudly? Don't you have a king? Has your advisor disappeared? Because you're experiencing pain like a woman giving birth."

Be 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.

Endure suffering and work hard to give birth, daughter of Zion, like a woman having a baby. Soon you'll leave the city and live in the countryside. You'll go to Babylon, where you'll safely have your baby. There, the Lord will save you from your enemies.

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

Now, many countries are coming against you, saying, "Let's ruin their city, Zion, and then we can watch."

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

But they don't know God's plans, nor do they understand his advice. He will bring them together like sheaves of grain in a pile.

Arise 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.

Stand up and separate the grain, daughter of Zion, because I will make your strength like iron and your feet like bronze. You will crush many people, and I will set aside their valuable possessions for the Lord and their wealth for the God of all the earth.