[1] But there will be no gloom for her that was in anguish. In the former
time he brought into contempt the land of Zeb'ulun and the land of
Naph'tali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea,
the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. [2] The people who
walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of
deep darkness, on them has light shined. [3] Thou hast multiplied the
nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy
at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. [4] For the yoke
of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor,
thou hast broken as on the day of Mid'ian. [5] For every boot of the
tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be
burned as fuel for the fire. [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is
given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be
called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of
Peace." [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no
end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and
to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and
for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. [8] The Lord has
sent a word against Jacob, and it will light upon Israel; [9] and all the
people will know, E'phraim and the inhabitants of Sama'ria, who say in
pride and in arrogance of heart: [10] "The bricks have fallen, but we will
build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will
put cedars in their place." [11] So the LORD raises adversaries against
them, and stirs up their enemies. [12] The Syrians on the east and the
Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his
anger is not turned away and his hand is stretched out still. [13] The
people did not turn to him who smote them, nor seek the LORD of hosts. [14]
So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one
day-- [15] the elder and honored man is the head, and the prophet who
teaches lies is the tail; [16] for those who lead this people lead them
astray, and those who are led by them are swallowed up. [17] Therefore the
Lord does not rejoice over their young men, and has no compassion on their
fatherless and widows; for every one is godless and an evildoer, and every
mouth speaks folly. For all this his anger is not turned away and his hand
is stretched out still. [18] For wickedness burns like a fire, it consumes
briers and thorns; it kindles the thickets of the forest, and they roll
upward in a column of smoke. [19] Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts
the land is burned, and the people are like fuel for the fire; no man
spares his brother. [20] They snatch on the right, but are still hungry,
and they devour on the left, but are not satisfied; each devours his
neighbor's flesh, [21] Manas'seh E'phraim, and E'phraim Manas'seh, and
together they are against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away
and his hand is stretched out still.
