1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation,
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy:
4For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder,
5For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise,
6For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given:
7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
8The Lord sent a word into Jacob,
9And all the people shall know,
10The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones:
11Therefore the Lord shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him,
12The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind;
13For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them,
14Therefore the Lord will cut off from Israel head and tail,
15The ancient and honourable, he is the head;
16For the leaders of this people cause them to err;
17Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men,
18For wickedness burneth as the fire:
19Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened,
20And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry;
21Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: