¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”^[a]

^2 [a]The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,^[b]
    a light will shine.

⁶ “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
    I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
    as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
⁷     You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
    releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

⁷⁸ Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,^[a]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”