Isaiah 9

1No dimness shall be for her in straitness, as at the former time when he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he glorified the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; the light has shone upon those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death.

3You have greatly multiplied the nation and magnified their joy; they rejoice before you like the gladness at harvest, as people exult when they divide plunder.

4For you have shattered the yoke of his burden, the staff on his shoulder, and the rod of his oppressor against him, as on the day of Midian.

5For all the battle tumult of the warrior, and the garments rolled in blood, will be fuel for the fire's burning.

6For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

7His dominion and peace will increase without end on David's throne and over his kingdom, to secure it and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.

8A word the Lord sent to Jacob has fallen on Israel.

9All the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and haughtiness of heart.

10Bricks have fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.

11Yahweh exalted Rezin's adversaries against him and roused his enemies.

12The Arameans from the east and the Philistines from behind devoured Israel with open mouth. Despite all this his anger has not turned, but his hand remains stretched out still.

13The people have not turned to the one who struck them, nor sought Yahweh of hosts.

14Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and bulrush, in one day.

15The elder and the honored—he is the head; and the prophet teaching lies—he is the tail.

16Those who guided this people misled them, and those they guided were devoured.

17Therefore the Lord takes no delight in his young men, nor shows mercy to his orphans and widows, for everyone is a hypocrite and evildoer, and every mouth utters folly; despite all this, his anger has not relented, but his hand remains outstretched.

18For wickedness burns like fire, consuming brier and thorns, igniting the thickets of the forest, as they rise like the billowing of smoke.

19Through the wrath of Yahweh of hosts the land is darkened, and the people become fuel for the fire—no one spares his brother.

20He snatches on the right hand and hungers; he eats on the left hand, and they are not satisfied. Every man eats the flesh of his own arm.

21Manasseh devours Ephraim, Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they oppose Judah. Despite all this, his anger has not relented, yet his hand remains outstretched.