1But those who have suffered will no longer be in pain.9.1 will…pain: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. The territories of Zebulun and Naphtali in Galilee were once hated. But this land of the Gentiles across the River Jordan and along the Mediterranean Sea will be greatly respected.9.1: Mt 4.15.

War is over

2Those who walked in the dark9.2: Mt 4.16; Lk 1.79.

have seen a bright light.

And it shines upon everyone

who lives in the land

of darkest shadows.

3Our LORD, you have made

your nation stronger.9.3 stronger: Or “happy” or “larger”.

Because of you, its people

are glad and celebrate

like workers at harvest time

or like soldiers dividing up

what they have taken.

4You have broken the power

of those who abused

and enslaved your people.

You have rescued them

just as you saved your people

from Midian.9.4 rescued…from Midian: The time when Gideon defeated the people of Midian in Jezreel Valley (see Judges 6-8).

5The boots of marching warriors

and the blood-stained uniforms

have been fed to flames

and eaten by fire.

A child has been born

6A child has been born for us.

We have been given a son

who will be our ruler.

His names will be

Wonderful Adviser

and Mighty God,

Eternal Father

and Prince of Peace.

7His power will never end;9.7: Lk 1.32,33.

peace will last for ever.

He will rule David's kingdom

and make it grow strong.

He will always rule

with honesty and justice.

The LORD All-Powerful

will make certain

that all of this is done.

More messages about Judah and Israel

God will punish Israel

8The Lord had warned the people of Israel, 9and all of them knew it, including everyone in the capital city of Samaria. But they were proud and stubborn and said,

10“Houses of brick and sycamore

have fallen to the ground,

but we will build houses

with stones and cedar.”

11The LORD made their enemies9.11 their enemies: Hebrew “the enemies of Rezin”. attack them. 12He sent the Arameans from the east and the Philistines from the west, and they swallowed up Israel. But even this did not stop him from being angry, so he kept on punishing them.9.12 so…them: Or “but he hasn't given up on them yet”. 13The people of Israel still did not turn back to the LORD All-Powerful and worship him.

14In one day he cut off their head and tail, their leaves and branches. 15Their rulers and leaders were the head, and the lying prophets were the tail. 16They had led the nation down the wrong path, and the people were confused. 17The Lord was angry with his people and kept punishing them, because they had turned against him.9.17 and kept…against him: Or “but even though they had turned against him, he still had not given up on them.” They were evil and spoke foolishly. That's why he did not have pity on their young people or on their widows and orphans.

18Evil had spread like a raging forest fire sending thorn bushes up in smoke. 19The LORD All-Powerful was angry and used the people as fuel for a fire that scorched the land. They turned against each other 20like wild animals attacking and eating everyone around them, even their own relatives.9.20 their own relatives: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. But still they were not satisfied. 21The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh turned against each other, then joined forces to attack Judah. But the LORD was still angry and ready to punish the nation even more.