In earlier times he humiliated

the land of Zebulun,

and the land of Naphtali;

but now he brings honor

to the way of the sea,

the region beyond the Jordan,

and Galilee of the nations.

2 (9:1) The people walking in darkness

see a bright light;

light shines

on those who live in a land of deep darkness.

3 You have enlarged the nation;

you give them great joy.

They rejoice in your presence

as harvesters rejoice;

as warriors celebrate when they divide up the plunder.

4 For their oppressive yoke

and the club that strikes their shoulders,

the cudgel the oppressor uses on them,

you have shattered, as in the day of Midian’s defeat.

5 Indeed every boot that marches and shakes the earth

and every garment dragged through blood

is used as fuel for the fire.

6 For a child has been born to us,

a son has been given to us.

He shoulders responsibility

and is called

Wonderful Adviser,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

7 His dominion will be vast,

and he will bring immeasurable prosperity.

He will rule on David’s throne

and over David’s kingdom,

establishing it and strengthening it

by promoting justice and fairness,

from this time forward and forevermore.

The zeal of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will accomplish this.

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® copyright © 1996, 2019, used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.