Isaiah 9
1The gloom will be dispelled from her who was in anguish. 1 In an earlier time he humiliated 1 the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, 1 but in the later time he will make it glorious, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 1
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; 1 those who have lived in the land of the shadow of death, the light has shone on them. + 9:2 Instead of the shadow of death , some versions have darkness . 1
3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased their joy. 1 They rejoice before you like the joy at harvest time, 1 as men rejoice when they divide the plunder. 1
4For the yoke of his burden, the beam across his shoulder, 1 the rod of his oppressor, you have shattered as on the day of Midian. 1
5For every boot treading in the tumult 1 and the garments rolled in blood 1 will be burned, fuel for the fire. 1
6For to us a child has been born, to us a son has been given; 1 and the rule will be on his shoulder; 1 and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, 1 Mighty God, Everlasting Father, 1 Prince of Peace. 1
7Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, 1 as he rules on the throne of David, and over his kingdom, 1 to establish it and sustain it 1 with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and for evermore. 1 The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will do this. 1
8The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel. 1
9All the people will know, even Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and with an arrogant heart, 1
10“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with chiseled stone; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.” 1
11Therefore Yahweh will raise up against him Rezin, his adversary, and will stir up his enemies, 1
12the Arameans on the east, and the Philistines on the west. They will devour Israel with open mouth. 1 In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out. 1
13Yet the people will not turn to him who struck them, nor will they seek Yahweh of hosts. 1
14Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day. 1
15The leader and the noble man are the head; and the prophet that teaches lies is the tail. 1
16Those who lead this people lead them astray, and those who are led by them are swallowed up. 1
17Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men nor will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows, 1 since every one is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks foolish things. 1 In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out. 1
18Wickedness burns like a fire; it devours the briers and thorns; 1 it even burns the thickets of the forest, which rise in a column of smoke. 1
19Through the fury of Yahweh of hosts the land is scorched, and the people are like fuel for the fire. 1 No man spares his brother. 1
20They will grab food on the right hand but still be hungry; they will eat food on the left hand but will not be satisfied. 1 Each will even eat the flesh of his own arm. + 9:20 Instead of the flesh of his own arm , some versions have the flesh of his own children . 1
21Manasseh will devour Ephraim, and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together will attack Judah. 1 In all these things, his anger does not subside; instead, his hand is still stretched out.