Birth of the Prince of Peace

[a]Nevertheless, 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.(A) But 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.

[b]The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;(B)
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness.(C)
You have enlarged the nation
and increased its joy.[c](D)
The people have rejoiced before You
as they rejoice at harvest time
and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:1 Is 8:23 in Hb
  2. Isaiah 9:2 Is 9:1 in Hb
  3. Isaiah 9:3 Alt Hb tradition reads have not increased joy

[a]Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom(A) for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,(B) but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—

The people walking in darkness(C)
    have seen a great light;(D)
on those living in the land of deep darkness(E)
    a light has dawned.(F)
You have enlarged the nation(G)
    and increased their joy;(H)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.(I)

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:1 In Hebrew texts 9:1 is numbered 8:23, and 9:2-21 is numbered 9:1-20.