Isaiah 9:1-15 ▼

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond 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 enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.

5 For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.

8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel.

9 All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say:

10 “The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”

11 The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.

12 Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.

13 But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.

14 So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.

15 The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.