Isaiah 9:1–7

Birth of the Prince of Peace

9^aNevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. ^bBut in the future He will bring honor to the Way of the Sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations.

^2cThe people walking in darkness

have seen a great light; ^d

a light has dawned

on those living in the land of darkness. ^e

³You have enlarged the nation

and increased its joy. ^fg

The people have rejoiced before You

as they rejoice at harvest time

and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. ^h

⁴For You have shattered their oppressive yoke ⁱ

and the rod on their shoulders,

the staff of their oppressor,

just as You did on the day of Midian. ^j

⁵For the trampling boot of battle

and the bloodied garments of war

will be burned as fuel for the fire.

⁶For a child will be born for us,

a son will be given to us, ^k

and the government will be on His shoulders. ^l

He will be named

Wonderful Counselor, ^mMighty God, ⁿ

Eternal Father, ^oPrince of Peace. ^p

⁷The dominion will be vast,

and its prosperity will never end. ^q

He will reign on the throne of David

and over his kingdom,

to establish and sustain it

with justice and righteousness from now on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this. ^r