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.

³ Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,^(G)
    and the ears^(H) of those who hear will listen.
⁴ The fearful heart will know and understand,^(I)
    and the stammering tongue^(J) will be fluent and clear.
⁵ No longer will the fool^(K) be called noble
    nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
⁶ For fools speak folly,^(L)
    their hearts are bent on evil:^(M)
They practice ungodliness^(N)
    and spread error^(O) concerning the Lord;
the hungry they leave empty^(P)
    and from the thirsty they withhold water.
⁷ Scoundrels use wicked methods,^(Q)
    they make up evil schemes^(R)
to destroy the poor with lies,
    even when the plea of the needy^(S) is just.^(T)
8 But the noble make noble plans,
    and by noble deeds^(U) they stand.^(V)