1 但那受过困苦的， 必不再见幽暗。以前 神使西布伦和拿弗他利地被轻视， 日后却要使它们在沿海之路、约旦河外和外族人的加利利， 得着荣耀。（本节在《马索拉抄本》为8:23）
2 行在黑暗中的人民， 看见了大光； 住在死荫之地的人， 有光照耀他们。（本节在《马索拉抄本》为9:1）
3 你使这国之民增多， 又加添他们的欢乐； 他们在你面前欢乐， 好像收割时的欢乐一样； 又像人在均分战利品时的快乐一般。
4 因为他们所负的轭和肩头上的杖， 以及欺压他们的人的棍， 你都折断了， 像在米甸的日子一样。
5 因为战士在战争喧嚷中所穿的靴， 和辊在血中的袍， 都必烧毁， 成了烧火的燃料。
6 因为有一个婴孩为我们而生， 有一个儿子赐给我们； 政权必担在他的肩头上； 他的名必称为"奇妙的策士、全能的 神、永恒的父、和平的君"。
7 他的政权与平安必无穷无尽地增加， 他在大卫的宝座上治理他的国， 以公平和公义使国坚立稳固， 从现在直到永远。万军之耶和华的热心必成全这事。
8 主发出一个信息攻击雅各家， 信息落在以色列家。
9 所有的人民， 就是以法莲和撒玛利亚的居民， 都要知道这事； 他们凭着骄傲和自大的心说：
10 "砖墙倒塌了， 我们就用凿好的石头来建筑； 桑树砍倒了， 我们就用香柏树替换。"
11 因此， 耶和华必兴起利汛的敌人来攻击以色列， 并且要激动以色列的仇敌。
12 东有亚兰人， 西有非利士人； 他们张开口来要吞灭以色列。虽然这样， 耶和华的怒气还没有转消， 他的手仍然伸出。
13 这人民还没有回转、归向那击打他们的万军之耶和华， 也没有寻求他。
14 因此， 耶和华在一日之间， 必从以色列中剪除头和尾、棕枝与芦苇。
15 长老和尊贵人就是头； 用谎言教导人的先知就是尾。
16 因为那些领导这人民的， 使他们走错了路； 那些被领导的， 都必一片混乱。
17 因此， 主不喜欢他们的年轻人， 也不怜恤他们的孤儿寡妇； 因为他们各人都是不敬虔的， 是邪恶的， 各人的口都说愚昧的话。虽然这样， 耶和华的怒气还没有转消， 他的手仍然伸出。
18 邪恶像火一般焚烧， 吞灭荆棘蒺藜， 连树林中的密丛也烧起火来， 它们旋转上腾， 成了烟柱。
19 因着万军之耶和华的烈怒， 地被烧毁， 人民成了烧火的燃料一般， 没有人顾惜自己的兄弟。
20 有人在右边切肉， 仍然饥饿； 在左边吞吃， 仍然不饱足； 各人竟吃自己手臂的肉。
21 玛拿西吞吃以法莲， 以法莲吞吃玛拿西， 又一起攻击犹大。虽然这样， 耶和华的怒气还没有转消， 他的手仍然伸出。
1 But there shall be no gloom to her that was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali; but in the latter time hath he made it glorious, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased their joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, thou hast broken as in the day of Midian. 5 For all the armor of the armed man in the tumult, and the garments rolled in blood, shall be for burning, for fuel of fire. 6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of Jehovah of hosts will perform this.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in pride and in stoutness of heart, 10 The bricks are fallen, but we will build with hewn stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we will put cedars in their place. 11 Therefore Jehovah will set up on high against him the adversaries of Rezin, and will stir up his enemies, 12 the Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 Yet the people have not turned unto him that smote them, neither have they sought Jehovah of hosts. 14 Therefore Jehovah will cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-branch and rush, in one day. 15 The elder and the honorable man, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail. 16 For they that lead this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed. 17 Therefore the Lord will not rejoice over their young men, neither will he have compassion on their fatherless and widows; for every one is profane and an evil-doer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; it devoureth the briers and thorns; yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a column of smoke. 19 Through the wrath of Jehovah of hosts is the land burnt up; and the people are as the fuel of fire: no man spareth his brother. 20 And one shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm: 21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh; and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.