Isaiah 9
1 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has shone.
2 You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at harvest, as they celebrate when dividing the plunder.
3 For you have broken the yoke that weighed on them, the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, as on the day of Midian.
4 For every boot that marches with a thunderous tread and every cloak rolled in blood will be burned, food for the fire.
5 For a child has been born for us, a son has been given to us; the rule rests on his shoulders, and he has been given this name: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
6 His rule will grow, and peace will have no end, on David’s throne and over his kingdom, to establish and uphold it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will do this.
7 The Lord sent a word against Jacob, and it fell on Israel.
8 All the people will know—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—those who say with pride and an arrogant heart:
9 “The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stone; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.”
10 So the LORD raised Rezin’s adversaries against them and stirred up their enemies.
11 Aram from the east and the Philistines from behind devoured Israel with open mouths. Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.
12 But the people did not turn back to the one who struck them, and they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
13 So the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed, in a single day.
14 The elder and the honored man are the head; the prophet who teaches lies is the tail.
15 Those who guide this people lead them astray, and those who are guided by them end up swallowed.
16 So the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men and has no compassion for their orphans and widows. For all of them are godless and do evil, and every mouth speaks foolishness. Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.
17 For wickedness burns like fire: it devours thornbushes and weeds, sets the dense forest ablaze, and it rises in columns of smoke.
18 By the fury of the LORD of Hosts, the land grew dark, and the people became fuel for the fire; no one has pity on his brother.
19 They cut down on the right and remain hungry; they eat on the left and are not satisfied; each one eats the flesh of his own arm.
20 Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim devours Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still stretched out.
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