Come, descendants of Jacob,(A)
    let us walk in the light(B) of the Lord.

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[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)
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,(J)
    you have shattered(K)
the yoke(L) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,(M)
    the rod of their oppressor.(N)
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,(O)
    will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born,(P)
    to us a son is given,(Q)
    and the government(R) will be on his shoulders.(S)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,(T) Mighty God,(U)
    Everlasting(V) Father,(W) Prince of Peace.(X)
Of the greatness of his government(Y) and peace(Z)
    there will be no end.(AA)
He will reign(AB) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice(AC) and righteousness(AD)
    from that time on and forever.(AE)
The zeal(AF) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

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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.

“I, the Lord, have called(A) you in righteousness;(B)
    I will take hold of your hand.(C)
I will keep(D) you and will make you
    to be a covenant(E) for the people
    and a light(F) for the Gentiles,(G)
to open eyes that are blind,(H)
    to free(I) captives from prison(J)
    and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.(K)

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The Glory of Zion

60 “Arise,(A) shine, for your light(B) has come,
    and the glory(C) of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness(D) covers the earth
    and thick darkness(E) is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
    and his glory appears over you.
Nations(F) will come to your light,(G)
    and kings(H) to the brightness of your dawn.

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14 “You are the light of the world.(A) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.(B) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others,(C) that they may see your good deeds(D) and glorify(E) your Father in heaven.

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The true light(A) that gives light to everyone(B) was coming into the world.

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Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am(A) the light of the world.(B) Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(C)

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35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light(A) just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light,(B) before darkness overtakes you.(C) Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36 Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”(D) When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.(E)

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11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ(A) in them was pointing when he predicted(B) the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you,(C) when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you(D) by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.(E) Even angels long to look into these things.

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