1 But there will be no more gloom for the land that was in distress. In earlier times he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in later times he will bring honor to the way of the sea, the land across the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 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.
3 You have made the nation numerous, you have increased its joy; they rejoice in your presence as people rejoice at harvest time, as men celebrate when they share out the plunder.
4 For you have broken the yoke that burdened them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their taskmaster, as on the day of Midian.
5 Every soldier's boot that stamped in the battle din and every cloak soaked in blood will be destined for burning, fuel for the fire.
6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; and the government shall rest upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace will keep growing without end, on David's throne and over his kingdom, to set it firm and support it with justice and righteousness from this time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has landed on Israel.
9 All the people will come to know it, Ephraim and those who live in Samaria, who speak with pride and a swollen heart:
10 "The bricks have collapsed, but we will rebuild with cut stone; the sycamore figs are felled, but we will replace them with cedars."
11 So the LORD has raised Rezin's foes high against him and spurred on his enemies:
12 the Syrians from the east and the Philistines from the west, and they have devoured Israel with gaping mouths. Even so his anger has not turned back; his hand is still stretched out.
13 But the people have not returned to the one who struck them, and they have not sought the LORD of hosts.
14 So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm frond and bulrush, all in one day.
15 The head is the elder and the dignitary; the tail is the prophet who teaches falsehood.
16 The leaders of this people have misled them, and those they lead are thrown into confusion.
17 That is why the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men and shows no pity to their fatherless and widows, for all of them are godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks disgraceful folly. Even so his anger has not turned back; his hand is still stretched out.
18 Wickedness blazes like a fire that eats up thorns and briers; it sets the forest thickets alight, and they roll up in billows of smoke.
19 By the fury of the LORD of hosts the land is scorched, and the people have become fuel for the fire; no one spares his own brother.
20 They grab on the right but still go hungry; they eat on the left but are never full; each one eats the flesh of his own arm:
21 Manasseh feeds on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh, and together they turn on Judah. Even so his anger has not turned back; his hand is still stretched out.