Isaiah 9

1The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those dwelling in a land of deep darkness, light has shone.

2You have multiplied the nation; you have not increased the joy. They rejoice before you as with the joy at harvest, as men exult when they divide spoil.

3For the yoke of his burden, and the staff on his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor—you have shattered them as on the day of Midian.

4For every boot of the tramping warrior in the battle's tumult, and every garment rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.

5For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us, and the rule is on his shoulder; and his name is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace.

6Of the increase of the dominion and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of Yahweh of Armies will do this.

7The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it fell on Israel.

8And all the people will know—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,

9Bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with cut stone; sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.

10And Yahweh raised up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and stirred up his enemies,

11Aram from the east and the Philistines from the west devoured Israel with full mouth. For all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.

12But the people did not return to him who struck them, nor did they seek Yahweh of Armies.

13So Yahweh cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in one day.

14The elder and the honored man is the head, and the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.

15And the guides of this people have become those who lead them astray, and those guided by them are swallowed up.

16Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and he does not have compassion on their fatherless and their widows; for every one of them is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.

17For wickedness burns like a fire; it devours brier and thorn, and it kindles the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke.

18By the wrath of Yahweh of hosts the land is scorched, and the people have become like fuel for the fire; no man spares his brother.

19He cuts on the right, but is hungry; he eats on the left, but is not satisfied. Each one eats the flesh of his own arm.

20Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they are against Judah. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.