1But there will be no more gloom for the land that was in distress. In earlier times, he brought shame to the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in later times, he has made it glorious—the region by the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has shined on them.
3You have made the nation grow. You have increased their joy. They rejoice before you like people rejoice at harvest time, like warriors rejoice when dividing plunder.
4For you have shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor, just as you did in the day of Midian's defeat.
5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle and every garment stained with blood will be burned, consumed by fire.
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. The government will rest on his shoulders. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7His government will continually increase, and there will be unending peace. He will rule on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time onward, forever. The strong determination of Yahweh of Armies will accomplish this.
8The Lord sent a message to Jacob, and it came down on Israel.
9Everyone will know, including Ephraim and the people living in Samaria, who proudly and arrogantly say,
10“The brick walls have fallen, but we will rebuild with carved stone. The sycamore trees have been cut down, but we will put cedar trees in their place.”
11Therefore, Yahweh will bring Rezin’s enemies against them and stir up their adversaries:
12The Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west will swallow up Israel completely. Yet for all this, God’s anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.
13But the people have not turned to the one who struck them, nor have they sought Yahweh of Armies.
14Therefore, Yahweh will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed, in a single day.
15The elders and respected leaders are the head, and the prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16For those who guide this people lead them astray, and those who are guided by them are destroyed.
17Therefore, the Lord will not be happy with their young men, nor will he have pity on their fatherless children and widows; for everyone is ungodly and does evil, and every mouth speaks foolishness. Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.
18For wickedness burns like a fire, consuming thorns and thistles; it ignites the thickets of the forest, and they spiral upward in a column of smoke.
19Through the wrath of Yahweh of Armies, the land is burned up, and the people are like fuel for the fire. No one spares his brother.
20Each person will attack on the right but remain hungry, and eat on the left but not be satisfied. Everyone will eat the flesh of his own arm:
21Manasseh will attack Ephraim, and Ephraim will attack Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger has not turned away, and his hand is still raised to strike.