Isaiah 9

Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on
Forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there
Will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies
Along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be
Filled with glory. The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light. For those who live in
A land of deep darkness, a light will shine

You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice
They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest
And like warriors dividing the plunder. For you will break the yoke
Of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders
You will break the oppressor's rod, just as you did when you
Destroyed the army of Midian. The boots of the
Warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will
All be burned. They will be fuel for the fire

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will
Rest on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and
Its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice
From the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The
Passionate commitment of the Lord of
Heaven's Armies will make this happen

The Lord's anger against Israel. The Lord has spoken out against
Jacob. His judgment has fallen upon Israel. And the people of
Israel and Samaria, who spoke with such pride and arrogance, will
Soon know it. They said, "We will replace the broken bricks of our
Ruins with finished stone and replant the felled sycamore-fig trees
With cedars." But the Lord will bring resin enemies against Israel
And stir up all their foes. The Syrians from the east and the
Philistines from the west will bare their fangs and devour Israel

But even then the Lord's anger will not be
Satisfied. His fist is still poised to strike

For after all this punishment, the people will still not repent
They will not seek the Lord of Heaven's Armies. Therefore
In a single day, the Lord will destroy both the head and the
Tail, the noble palm branch and the lowly reed. The leaders
Of Israel are the head, and the lying prophets are the tail

For the leaders of the people have misled them. They have led them
Down the path of destruction. That is why the Lord takes no pleasure
In the young men and shows no mercy even to the widows and orphans
For they are all wicked hypocrites and they all speak foolishness

But even then the Lord's anger will not be
Satisfied. His fist is still poised to strike

This wickedness is like a brushfire. It burns not only briers
And thorns, but also sets the forests ablaze. Its burning
Sends up clouds of smoke. The land will be blackened by the
Fury of the Lord of Heaven's Armies. The people will be fuel
For the fire, and no one will spare even his own brother

They will attack their neighbor on the right but will
Still be hungry. They will devour their neighbor on the
Left but will not be satisfied. In the end they will even
Eat their own children. Manasseh will feed on Ephraim
Ephraim will feed on Manasseh. And both will devour Judah

But even then the Lord's anger will not be
Satisfied. His fist is still poised to strike