以賽亞書 9
1 但那受過痛苦的必不再見幽暗。 從前上帝使西布倫地和拿弗他利地被藐視，末後卻使這沿海的路，約旦河外，外邦人的加利利地得着榮耀。
Even so, there will be no more darkness for those who suffered. In the past he humiliated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will bring honor to Galilee of the foreigners that is on the route that leads from Jordan to the sea.
2 在黑暗中行走的百姓看見了大光； 住在死蔭之地的人有光照耀他們。
People walking in the dark will see a bright light; a light will shine on those living in a land of total darkness.
3 你使這國民繁多， 加增他們的喜樂； 他們在你面前歡喜， 好像收割的歡喜， 像人分擄物那樣的快樂。
You will make the nation grow enormously, and will make it extremely happy. The people will celebrate before you as people celebrate at harvest time, as soldiers celebrate when dividing up what has been looted.
4 因為他們所負的重軛 和肩頭上的杖， 並欺壓他們人的棍， 你都已經折斷， 好像在米甸的日子一樣。
For you will smash the yoke that burdens them down, the bar across their shoulders, and the oppressors' rod used to beat them just as you did when you defeated the Midianite army.
5 戰士在亂殺之間所穿戴的盔甲， 並那滾在血中的衣服， 都必作為可燒的， 當作火柴。
For every army boot that noisily trampled people down, and every uniform soaked in blood—they are going to be burned, fuel for the fire.
6 因有一嬰孩為我們而生； 有一子賜給我們。 政權必擔在他的肩頭上； 他名稱為「奇妙策士、全能的上帝、永在的父、和平的君」。
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us. He will bear the responsibility to rule. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 他的政權與平安必加增無窮。 他必在大衛的寶座上治理他的國， 以公平公義使國堅定穩固， 從今直到永遠。 萬軍之耶和華的熱心必成就這事。
His rule and the peace he brings know no limits and will never come to an end. He will sit on David's throne and rule his kingdom, making it secure. He will operate from principles of justice and goodness, from the time he begins his rule and for all eternity. The Lord Almighty is determined to make this happen.
8 主使一言入於雅各家， 落於以色列家。
The Lord has sent a message directed against Jacob, and its consequences will fall upon Israel.
9 這眾百姓，就是以法蓮 和撒馬利亞的居民，都要知道； 他們憑驕傲自大的心說：
All the people will soon realize it—Ephraim and the people who live in Samaria. Proudly and arrogantly they say,
10 磚牆塌了，我們卻要鑿石頭建築； 桑樹砍了，我們卻要換香柏樹。
“The brick buildings have collapsed, but we will rebuild them with dressed stone; the sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.”
11 因此，耶和華要高舉利汛的敵人 來攻擊以色列， 並要激動以色列的仇敵。
But the Lord has strengthened Rezin's enemies against Israel and has encouraged them.
12 東有亞蘭人，西有非利士人； 他們張口要吞吃以色列。 雖然如此，耶和華的怒氣還未轉消； 他的手仍伸不縮。
Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have greedily eaten swallowed Israel up. In all of this he is still angry and his hand is still raised.
13 這百姓還沒有歸向擊打他們的主， 也沒有尋求萬軍之耶和華。
But the people didn't return to the one who punished them; they didn't come to worship the Lord Almighty.
14 因此，耶和華一日之間 必從以色列中剪除頭與尾， 棕枝與蘆葦－
So in just a single day the Lord will chop off Israel's head and tail, palm branch and reed.
15 長老和尊貴人就是頭， 以謊言教人的先知就是尾。
Elders and honorable people are the head, and prophets who teach lies are the tail.
16 因為，引導這百姓的使他們走錯了路； 被引導的都必敗亡。
The people's leaders have misled them; those who were guided by them are confused.
17 所以，主必不喜悅他們的少年人， 也不憐恤他們的孤兒寡婦； 因為，各人是褻瀆的，是行惡的， 並且各人的口都說愚妄的話。 雖然如此，耶和華的怒氣還未轉消； 他的手仍伸不縮。
As a result the Lord isn't pleased with their young men, he has no compassion for their orphans and widows, because all of them are hypocrites and do what's evil—they all talk stupidly. In all of this he is still angry and his hand is still raised.
18 邪惡像火焚燒， 燒滅荊棘和蒺藜， 在稠密的樹林中着起來， 就成為煙柱，旋轉上騰。
For wickedness blazes like a fire, burning up brambles and thorns, setting the forest on fire, sending a column of smoke swirling upwards.
19 因萬軍之耶和華的烈怒，地都燒遍； 百姓成為火柴； 無人憐愛弟兄。
The anger of the Lord Almighty burns the land. People are like fuel for the fire, and nobody tries to help anyone else.
20 有人右邊搶奪，仍受飢餓， 左邊吞吃，仍不飽足； 各人吃自己膀臂上的肉。
People destroy others on the right, yet they're still hungry for more; people destroy others on the left, but they're still not satisfied. In the end they even destroy themselves!
21 瑪拿西吞吃以法蓮； 以法蓮吞吃瑪拿西， 又一同攻擊猶大。 雖然如此，耶和華的怒氣還未轉消； 他的手仍伸不縮。
Manasseh destroys Ephraim, and Ephraim destroys Manasseh. Together they turn to destroy Judah. In all of this he is still angry and his hand is still raised.
