Isaiah 9:8-12

New International Reader's Version

⁸ The Lord has sent a message against Jacob’s people.
    He will punish Israel.
⁹ All the people will know about it.
    Ephraim’s people and those who live in Samaria will know about it.
Their hearts are very proud.
    They say,
¹⁰ “The brick buildings have fallen down.
    But we will rebuild them with blocks of stone.
The fig trees have been chopped down.
    But we’ll plant cedar trees in place of them.”
¹¹ In spite of that, the Lord has made Rezin’s enemies stronger.
    He has stirred up Assyria to fight against Israel.
¹² Arameans from the east
    have opened their mouths and swallowed up Israel.
    So have Philistines from the west.