Isaiah

¹ Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—

² have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

³ and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

⁴ you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.

⁵ and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.

⁶ to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

⁷ there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

⁸ The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

⁹ Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria— who say with pride and arrogance of heart,

¹⁰ but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

¹¹ and has spurred their enemies on.

¹² have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

¹³ nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.

¹⁴ both palm branch and reed in a single day;

¹⁵ the prophets who teach lies are the tail.

¹⁶ and those who are guided are led astray.

¹⁷ nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

¹⁸ it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.

¹⁹ the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; no one will spare his brother.

²⁰ but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of his own offspring:

²¹ together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.