Isaiah 9:1–4

A Son Will Be Given to Us

9 But there won’t be any more sadness for those who were suffering. In the past the Lord brought shame on the land of Zebulun. He also brought shame on the land of Naphtali. But in days to come he will honor Galilee, where people from other nations live. He will honor the land along the Mediterranean Sea. And he will honor the territory east of the Jordan River.

2 The people who are now living in darkness

will see a great light.

They are now living in a very dark land.

But a light will shine on them.

3 Lord, you will make our nation larger.

You will increase their joy.

They will show you how glad they are.

They will be as glad as people are at harvest time.

They will be as glad as soldiers are

when they share the things they’ve taken after a battle.

4 You set Israel free from Midian long ago.

In the same way, you will break

the heavy yoke that weighs Israel down.

You will break the wooden beams that are on their shoulders.

You will break the rods of those who strike them down.