Isaiah 9:1-7

New International Reader's Version

9 But there won’t be any more sadness for those who were suffering. In the past the Lord brought shame on the land of Zebulun. He also brought shame on the land of Naphtali. But in days to come he will honor Galilee, where people from other nations live. He will honor the land along the Mediterranean Sea. And he will honor the territory east of the Jordan River.

²The people who are now living in darkness
    will see a great light.
They are now living in a very dark land.
    But a light will shine on them.
³Lord, you will make our nation larger.
    You will increase their joy.
They will show you how glad they are.
    They will be as glad as people are at harvest time.
They will be as glad as warriors are
    when they share the things they’ve taken after a battle.
⁴You set Israel free from Midian long ago.
    In the same way, you will break
the heavy yoke that weighs Israel down.
    You will break the wooden beams that are on their shoulders.
    You will break the rods of those who strike them down.
⁵Every fighting man’s boot that he wore in battle will be burned up.
    So will every piece of clothing covered with blood.
    All of them will be thrown into the fire.
⁶A child will be born to us.
    A son will be given to us.
    He will rule over us.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God.
He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever
    and Prince Who Brings Peace.
⁷There will be no limit to how great his authority is.
    The peace he brings will never end.
He will rule on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom.
    He will make the kingdom strong and secure.
His rule will be based on what is fair and right.
    It will last forever.
The Lord’s great love will make sure that happens.
    He rules over all.