2. The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light.They lived in a land of shadows,but now light is shining on them.
3. You have given them great joy, Lord;you have made them happy.They rejoice in what you have done,as people rejoice when they harvest their cornor when they divide captured wealth.
4. For you have broken the yoke that burdened themand the rod that beat their shoulders.You have defeated the nationthat oppressed and exploited your people,just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago.
5. The boots of the invading armyand all their bloodstained clothingwill be destroyed by fire.
6. A child is born to us!A son is given to us!And he will be our ruler.He will be called, “Wonderful Counsellor”,“Mighty God”, “Eternal Father”,“Prince of Peace”.
7. His royal power will continue to grow;his kingdom will always be at peace.He will rule as King David's successor,basing his power on right and justice,from now until the end of time.The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.
8. The Lord has pronounced judgement on the kingdom of Israel, on the descendants of Jacob.
9. All the people of Israel, everyone who lives in the city of Samaria, will know that he has done this. Now they are proud and arrogant. They say,
10. “The brick buildings have fallen down, but we will replace them with stone buildings. The beams of sycomore wood have been cut down, but we will replace them with the finest cedar.”
11. The Lord has stirred up their enemies to attack them.
12. Syria on the east and Philistia on the west have opened their mouths to devour Israel. Yet even so the Lord's anger is not ended; his hand is still stretched out to punish.
13. The people of Israel have not repented; even though the Lord Almighty has punished them, they have not returned to him.