Study Desk

^[a]Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom^(a) for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,^(b) but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness^(c) have seen a great light;^(d) on those living in the land of deep darkness^(e) a light has dawned.^(f)

You have enlarged the nation^(g) and increased their joy;^(h) they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.⁽ⁱ⁾

For as in the day of Midian's defeat,^(j) you have shattered^(k) the yoke^(l) that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders,^(m) the rod of their oppressor.⁽ⁿ⁾

Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning,^(o) will be fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born,^(p) to us a son is given,^(q) and the government^(r) will be on his shoulders.^(s) And he will be called Wonderful Counselor,^(t) Mighty God,^(u) Everlasting^(v) Father,^(w) Prince of Peace.^(x)

Of the greatness of his government^(y) and peace^(z) there will be no end.^(aa) He will reign^(ab) on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice^(ac) and righteousness^(ad) from that time on and forever.^(ae) The zeal^(af) of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

The Lord has sent a message^(ag) against Jacob; it will fall on Israel.

All the people will know it— Ephraim^(ah) and the inhabitants of Samaria^(ai)— who say with pride and arrogance^(aj) of heart,

"The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone;^(ak) the fig^(al) trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.^(am)"

But the Lord has strengthened Rezin's^(an) foes against them and has spurred their enemies on.

Arameans^(ao) from the east and Philistines^(ap) from the west have devoured^(aq) Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger^(ar) is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.^(as)

But the people have not returned^(at) to him who struck^(au) them, nor have they sought^(av) the Lord Almighty.

So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed^(aw) in a single day;^(ax)

the elders^(ay) and dignitaries^(az) are the head, the prophets^(ba) who teach lies^(bb) are the tail.

Those who guide^(bc) this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.^(bd)

Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men,^(be) nor will he pity^(bf) the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly^(bg) and wicked,^(bh) every mouth speaks folly.^(bi) Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.^(bj)

Surely wickedness burns like a fire;^(bk) it consumes briers and thorns,^(bl) it sets the forest thickets ablaze,^(bm) so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke.

By the wrath^(bn) of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched^(bo) and the people will be fuel for the fire;^(bp) they will not spare one another.^(bq)

On the right they will devour, but still be hungry;^(br) on the left they will eat,^(bs) but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring^[b]:

Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh;^(bt) together they will turn against Judah.^(bu) Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.^(bv)