The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;(A)
a light has dawned
on those living in the land of darkness.(B)
You have enlarged the nation
and increased its joy.[a](C)
The people have rejoiced before you
as they rejoice at harvest time
and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.(D)
For you have shattered their oppressive yoke(E)
and the rod on their shoulders,
the staff of their oppressor,
just as you did on the day of Midian.(F)
For every trampling boot of battle
and the bloodied garments of war
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born for us,
a son will be given to us,(G)
and the government will be on his shoulders.(H)
He will be named
Wonderful Counselor,(I) Mighty God,(J)
Eternal Father,(K) Prince of Peace.(L)

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Footnotes

  1. 9:3 Alt Hb tradition reads have not increased joy

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)
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)
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)
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.
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)

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