Dual Panel1for there is no escape for an oppressed people. Formerly the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali were lightly regarded, but afterwards honour was bestowed on Galilee of the Nations on the road beyond Jordan to the sea.
2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those who lived in a land as dark as death a light has dawned.
3You have increased their joy and given them great gladness; they rejoice in your presence as those who rejoice at harvest, as warriors exult when dividing spoil.
4For you have broken the yoke that burdened them, the rod laid on their shoulders, the driver's goad, as on the day of Midian's defeat.
5The boots of earth-shaking armies on the march, the soldiers' cloaks rolled in blood, all are destined to be burnt, food for the fire.
6For a child has been born to us, a son is given to us; he will bear the symbol of dominion on his shoulder, and his title will be: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty Hero, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
7Wide will be the dominion and boundless the peace bestowed on David's throne and on his kingdom, to establish and support it with justice and righteousness from now on, for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will do this.
Prophecies against Israel
8THE Lord has sent forth his word against Jacob and it will fall on Israel;
9all the people will know, Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria, though in their pride and arrogance they say,
10“The bricks have fallen down, but we shall rebuild in dressed stone; the sycomores are cut down, but we shall grow cedars in their place.”
11The LORD has raised their foes against them and spurred on their enemies,
12Aramaeans from the east, Philistines from the west, and they have swallowed Israel in one mouthful. For all this his anger has not abated; his hand still threatens.
13Yet the people did not come back to him who struck them, nor seek guidance from the LORD of Hosts;
14therefore on one day the LORD cut off from Israel head and tail, palm-frond and reed.
15(The aged and the honoured are the head; the prophets who give false instruction are the tail.)
16Those who guide this people have led them astray, and those who follow their guidance are engulfed.
17That is why the Lord showed no mercy to their youths, no compassion towards the fatherless and widows; it is a nation of godless evildoers, every one speaking impiety. For all this his anger has not abated; his hand still threatens.
18Wicked men have been set ablaze like a fire fed with briars and thorns, kindled in the thickets of the forest; they are wrapped in a pall of smoke.
19The land is scorched by the fury of the LORD of Hosts, and the people are like food for the fire.
20On one side, a man is eating his fill but yet remains hungry; on another, a man is devouring but is not satisfied; each feeds on his own children's flesh, and no one spares his own brother. (Manasseh Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh -- together they are against Judah.)
21For all this his anger has not abated; his hand still threatens.