⁵ May gloom and utter darkness^(A) claim it once more;
    may a cloud settle over it;
    may blackness overwhelm it.

²¹ before I go to the place of no return,^(A)
    to the land of gloom and utter darkness,^(B)
22 to the land of deepest night,
    of utter darkness^(C) and disorder,
    where even the light is like darkness.”^(D)

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)

⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
    and in the shadow of death,^(A)
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”^(B)

¹⁶ the people living in darkness
    have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
    a light has dawned.”^[a](A)

⁶ They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord,
    who brought us up out of Egypt^(A)
and led us through the barren wilderness,
    through a land of deserts^(B) and ravines,^(C)
a land of drought and utter darkness,
    a land where no one travels^(D) and no one lives?’