2. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.Those who lived in the land of the shadow of death, on them the light has shined.
3. You have multiplied the nation.You have increased their joy.They rejoice before you according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the plunder.
4. For 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.
5. For all the armour of the armed man in the noisy battle, and the garments rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.
6. For 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, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7. Of 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 the Lord of Hosts will perform this.
8. The Lord sent a word into Jacob,and it falls on Israel.
9. All the people will know,including Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in pride and in arrogance of heart,
10. “The bricks have fallen,but we will build with cut stone.The sycamore fig trees have been cut down,but we will put cedars in their place.”
11. Therefore the Lord will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin,and will stir up his enemies,
12. The Syrians in front,and the Philistines behind;and they will devour Israel with open mouth.For all this, his anger is not turned away,but his hand is stretched out still.
13. Yet the people have not turned to him who struck them,neither have they sought the Lord of Hosts.
14. Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail,palm branch and reed, in one day.