² The people walking in darkness^(A)
    have seen a great light;^(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness^(C)
    a light has dawned.^(D)
3 You have enlarged the nation^(E)
    and increased their joy;^(F)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.^(G)
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,^(H)
    you have shattered^(I)
the yoke^(J) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,^(K)
    the rod of their oppressor.^(L)
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,^(M)
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,^(N)
    to us a son is given,^(O)
    and the government^(P) will be on his shoulders.^(Q)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,^(R) Mighty God,^(S)
    Everlasting^(T) Father,^(U) Prince of Peace.^(V)
7 Of the greatness of his government^(W) and peace^(X)
    there will be no end.^(Y)
He will reign^(Z) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice^(AA) and righteousness^(AB)
    from that time on and forever.^(AC)
The zeal^(AD) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

⁷ In that day^(A) people will look^(B) to their Maker^(C)
    and turn their eyes to the Holy One^(D) of Israel.
⁸ They will not look to the altars,^(E)
    the work of their hands,^(F)
and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles^[a](G)
    and the incense altars their fingers^(H) have made.

¹⁸ In that day^(A) the deaf^(B) will hear the words of the scroll,
    and out of gloom and darkness^(C)
    the eyes of the blind will see.^(D)