Isaiah 9

1But there shall be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time, he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time he has made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. 3You have increased their joy. You have multiplied the nation. They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder. 4For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as in the day of Midian. 5For all the armor of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born. To us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on David’s throne, and on his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from that time on, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will perform this. 8and it falls on Israel. The Lord sent a word into Jacob, 9including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart, All the people will know, 10but we will build with cut stone. but we will put cedars in their place.” “The bricks have fallen, The sycamore fig trees have been cut down, 11and will stir up his enemies, Therefore Yahweh will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, 12The Syrians in front, and the Philistines behind; and they will devour Israel with open mouth. but his hand is stretched out still. For all this, his anger is not turned away, 13neither have they sought Yahweh of Armies. Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them, 14palm branch and reed, in one day. Therefore Yahweh will cut off from Israel head and tail, 15and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail. The elder and the honorable man is the head, 16and those who are led by them are destroyed. For those who lead this people lead them astray; 17neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; and every mouth speaks folly. but his hand is stretched out still. Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, for everyone is profane and an evildoer, For all this his anger is not turned away, 18It devours the briers and thorns; yes, it kindles in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. For wickedness burns like a fire. 19and the people are the fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother. Through Yahweh of Armies’ wrath, the land is burnt up; 20and he will eat on the left hand, and they will not be satisfied. One will devour on the right hand, and be hungry; Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm: 21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. but his hand is stretched out still. For all this his anger is not turned away,