Isaiah 9

Light in the Darkness

1Yet there will be no gloom for the land in anguish. In the former time he brought the land of Zebulun and Naphtali into contempt; in the latter he has honored the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
light has shone on those dwelling in a land of deep shadow. 3You have multiplied the nation
and increased its joy.
They rejoice before you
as at harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder. 4For the yoke that burdened them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor—
you have shattered them as on the day of Midian.

5Every boot that tramped in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned, fuel for the fire. 6For a child has been born for us,
a son has been given to us.
Authority rests on his shoulder,
and his name is called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7His authority will increase,
and peace will have no end,
on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. 8The Lord sent a word against Jacob;
it fell upon Israel.

9All the people will know it—
Ephraim and Samaria’s inhabitants,
who say in pride and arrogance, 10“Bricks have fallen,
but we will build with cut stone.
Sycamores have been felled,
but we will replace them with cedars.” 11The LORD raised Rezin’s adversaries against them
and stirred up their enemies: 12Aram from the east, Philistines from the west,
devouring Israel with open mouths.
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is still stretched out.

13The people did not return to the one who struck them;
they did not seek the LORD of hosts. 14So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail,
palm branch and reed, in a single day. 15The elder and person of rank are the head;
the prophet teaching lies is the tail. 16This people’s guides mislead them;
those they guide are swallowed up.

17Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men
and has no compassion on their fatherless or widows,
for everyone is godless and does evil;
every mouth speaks folly.
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is still stretched out. 18Wickedness burns like fire;
it eats thorns and briers,
sets the forest thickets ablaze,
and they roll upward in columns of smoke. 19By the LORD of hosts’ wrath the land is scorched;
the people become fuel for fire.
No one spares a brother. 20They snatch on the right and remain hungry,
eat on the left and are not satisfied.
Each devours the flesh of his own arm:

21Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh;
together they turn against Judah.
For all this, his anger has not turned away;
his hand is still stretched out.