CHAPTER 9
Nevertheless,
there will be no more
gloom
for those
in distress.
In the past
He humbled
the land
of Zebulun
and the land
of Naphtali,
but in the future
He will honor
the Way
to the Sea,
beyond
the Jordan,
Galilee
of the Gentiles:
The people
walking
in darkness
have seen
a great
light;
on
those living
in the land
of the shadow of death,
a light
has dawned.
You have enlarged
the nation
and increased
its joy.
The people rejoice
before You
as they rejoice
at harvest time
as
men rejoice
in dividing
the plunder.
For
the yoke
of their burden,
the bar across
their shoulders,
and the rod
of their oppressor
You have shattered
as in the day
of Midian.
For
every
trampling
boot
of battle
and every garment
rolled
in blood
will be
burned
as fuel
for the fire.
For
unto us
a child
is born,
unto us
a son
is given,
and the government
will be
upon
His shoulders.
And He will be called
Wonderful
Counselor,
Mighty
God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince
of Peace.
Of the increase
of His government
and peace
there will be no
end.
He will reign on
the throne
of David
and over
his kingdom,
to establish
and sustain it
with justice
and righteousness
from that time
and forevermore.
The zeal
of the LORD
of Hosts
will accomplish
this.
All
the people
will know it—
Ephraim
and the dwellers
of Samaria.
With pride
and arrogance
of heart
they will say:
“The bricks
have fallen,
but we will rebuild
with finished stone;
the sycamores
have been felled,
but we will replace
them with cedars.”
Aram
from the east
and Philistia
from the west
have devoured
Israel
with open
mouths.
Despite all
this,
His anger
is not
turned away;
His hand
is still
upraised.
Therefore
the Lord
takes no
pleasure
in
their young men;
He has no
compassion
on their fatherless
and
widows.
For
every one of them
is godless
and wicked,
and every
mouth
speaks
folly.
Despite all
this,
His anger
is not
turned away;
His hand
is still
upraised.
For
wickedness
burns
like a fire
that consumes
the thorns
and briers
and kindles
the forest
thickets
which roll upward
in columns
of smoke.
By the wrath
of the LORD
of Hosts
the land
is scorched,
and the people
are
fuel
for the fire.
Not
one
will spare
his brother.
They carve out
what is on
the right,
but they are still hungry;
they have eaten
what is on
the left,
but they are still not
satisfied.
Each one
devours
the flesh
of his own arm.
Manasseh
devours Ephraim,
and Ephraim
Manasseh;
together
they turn against
Judah.
Despite all
this,
His anger
is not
turned away;
His hand
is still
upraised.