Isaiah 9

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on the inhabitants of a country in shadowdark as death light has blazed forth.	1 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone.
2 You have enlarged the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice atharvest time, as they exult when they are dividing the spoils.	2 You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils.
3 For the yoke that weighed on it, the bar across its shoulders, the rod of its oppressor, these you havebroken as on the day of Midian.	3 For the yoke that burdened them, the pole on their shoulder, And the rod of their taskmaster you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.
4 For al the footgear clanking over the ground and al the clothing rolled in blood, wil be burnt, wil be foodfor the flames.	4 For every boot that tramped in battle, every cloak rolled in blood, will be burned as fuel for flames.
5 For a son has been born for us, a son has been given to us, and dominion has been laid on hisshoulders; and this is the name he has been given, 'Wonder-Counsel or, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace'	5 For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
6 to extend his dominion in boundless peace, over the throne of David and over his kingdom to make itsecure and sustain it in fair judgement and integrity. From this time onwards and for ever, the jealous love ofYahweh Sabaoth wil do this.	6 His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains By judgment and justice, both now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!
7 The Lord has launched a word at Jacob and it has fal en on Israel;	7 The Lord has sent word against Jacob, it falls upon Israel;
8 and the people will al soon know it, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, who say in the pride of theirarrogant hearts,	8 And all the people know it, Ephraim and those who dwell in Samaria, those who say in arrogance and pride of heart,
9 'The bricks have fal en down but we shal rebuild with dressed stone; the sycamores have been fel edbut we shal replace them with cedars.'	9 "Bricks have fallen, but we will build with cut stone; Sycamores are felled, but we will replace them with cedars."
10 But, against them, Yahweh has raised their foe Razon, he has whipped up their enemies,	10 But the LORD raises up their foes against them and stirs up their enemies to action:
11 Aram to the east, Philistines to the west, to devour Israel with gaping jaws. After al this, his anger is notspent. No, his hand is still raised!	11 Aram on the east and the Philistines on the west devour Israel with open mouth. For all this, his wrath is not turned back, and his hand is still outstretched!
12 But the people would not come back to him who struck them, they would not seek out YahwehSabaoth;	12 The people do not turn to him who struck them, nor seek the LORD of hosts.
13 hence Yahweh has topped and tailed Israel, cutting off palm and reed in a single day.	13 So the LORD severs from Israel head and tail, palm branch and reed in one day.
14 (The 'top' is the elder and the man of rank; the 'tail' is the prophet teaching lies.)	14 (The elder and the noble are the head, the prophet who teaches falsehood is the tail.)
15 This people's leaders have led them astray, and those who are led by them are swal owed up.	15 The leaders of this people mislead them and those to be led are engulfed.
16 Hence the Lord wil no longer take delight in their young people, or pity on their orphans and widows,since al of them are godless and evil, and everything they say is madness. After al this, his anger is not spent.No, his hand is still raised!	16 For this reason, the Lord does not spare their young men, and their orphans and widows he does not pity; They are wholly profaned and sinful, and every mouth gives vent to folly. For all this, his wrath is not turned back, his hand is still outstretched!
17 Yes, wickedness has been burning like a fire, devouring bramble and thorn-bush, setting the forestthickets ablaze -- up they go in bil owing smoke!	17 For wickedness burns like fire, devouring brier and thorn; It kindles the forest thickets, which go up in columns of smoke.
18 The country has been set on fire by the fury of Yahweh Sabaoth, and the people are like food for theflames. No one spares a thought for his brother.	18 At the wrath of the LORD of hosts the land quakes, and the people are like fuel for fire; No man spares his brother, each devours the flesh of his neighbor.
19 They have sliced to the right and are stil hungry, they have eaten to the left and are not satisfied; eachdevours the flesh of his own arm.	19 Though they hack on the right, they are hungry; though they eat on the left, they are not filled.
20 Manasseh devours Ephraim, Ephraim Manasseh, together they turn against Judah. After al this, hisanger is not spent. No, his hand is still raised!	20 Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn on Judah. For all this, his wrath is not turned back, his hand is still outstretched!