The land of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali was once disgraced, but the future will bring honour to this region, from the Mediterranean eastwards to the land on the other side of the Jordan, and even to Galilee itself, where the foreigners live.

²The people who walked in darkness

have seen a great light.

They lived in a land of shadows,

but now light is shining on them.

³You have given them great joy,^s Lord;

you have made them happy.

They rejoice in what you have done,

as people rejoice when they harvest their corn

or when they divide captured wealth.

⁴For you have broken the yoke that burdened them

and the rod that beat their shoulders.

You have defeated the nation

that oppressed and exploited your people,

just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago.

⁵The boots of the invading army

and all their bloodstained clothing

will be destroyed by fire.

⁶A child is born to us!

A son is given to us!

And he will be our ruler.

He will be called, “Wonderful^t Counsellor”,

“Mighty God”, “Eternal Father”,

“Prince of Peace”.

⁷^*His royal power will continue to grow;

his kingdom will always be at peace.

He will rule as King David’s successor,

basing his power on right and justice,

from now until the end of time.

The Lord Almighty is determined to do all this.

Read in Logos

Isaiah 9:2: 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.

Footnotes

sProbable text You have given them great joy; Hebrew You have increased the nation.
tWonderful; or Wise.

Cross references

*9.1: Mt 4:15
29.2: Mt 4:16; Lk 1:79
*9.7: Lk 1:32, 33