Isaiæ 9
1 Primo tempore alleviata est terra Zabulon et terra Nephthali: et novissimo aggravata est via maris trans Jordanem Galilææ gentium.
Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those in distress. In the past He humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future He will honor the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations:
2 Populus qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit lucem magnam; habitantibus in regione umbræ mortis, lux orta est eis.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.
3 Multiplicasti gentem, et non magnificasti lætitiam. Lætabuntur coram te, sicut qui lætantur in messe; sicut exsultant victores capta præda, quando dividunt spolia.
You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people rejoice before You as they rejoice at harvest time, as men rejoice in dividing the plunder.
4 Jugum enim oneris ejus, et virgam humeri ejus, et sceptrum exactoris ejus superasti, sicut in die Madian.
For as in the day of Midian You have shattered the yoke of their burden, the bar across their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor.
5 Quia omnis violentia prædatio cum tumultu, et vestimentum mistum sanguine, erit in combustionem, et cibus ignis.
For every trampling boot of battle and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 Parvulus enim natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis, et factus est principatus super humerum ejus: et vocabitur nomen ejus, Admirabilis, Consiliarius, Deus, Fortis, Pater futuri sæculi, Princeps pacis.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Multiplicabitur ejus imperium, et pacis non erit finis; super solium David, et super regnum ejus sedebit, ut confirmet illud et corroboret in judicio et justitia, amodo et usque in sempiternum: zelus Domini exercituum faciet hoc.
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of Hosts will accomplish this.
8 Verbum misit Dominus in Jacob, et cecidit in Israël.
The Lord has sent a message against Jacob, and it has fallen upon Israel.
9 Et sciet omnis populus Ephraim, et habitantes Samariam, in superbia et magnitudine cordis dicentes:
All the people will know it— Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say:
10 Lateres ceciderunt, sed quadris lapidibus ædificabimus; sycomoros succiderunt, sed cedros immutabimus.
“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with finished stone; the sycamores have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.”
11 Et elevabit Dominus hostes Rasin super eum, et inimicos ejus in tumultum vertet.
The LORD has raised up the foes of Rezin against him and joined his enemies together.
12 Syriam ab oriente, et Philisthiim ab occidente; et devorabunt Israël toto ore. In omnibus his non est aversus furor ejus, sed adhuc manus ejus extenta.
Aram from the east and Philistia from the west have devoured Israel with open mouths. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
13 Et populus non est reversus ad percutientem se, et Dominum exercituum non inquisierunt.
But the people did not return to Him who struck them; they did not seek the LORD of Hosts.
14 Et disperdet Dominus ab Israël caput et caudam, incurvantem et refrenantem, die una.
So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day.
15 Longævus et honorabilis, ipse est caput; et propheta docens mendacium, ipse est cauda.
The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies.
16 Et erunt qui beatificant populum istum, seducentes; et qui beatificantur, præcipitati.
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
17 Propter hoc super adolescentulis ejus non lætabitur Dominus, et pupillorum ejus et viduarum non miserebitur: quia omnis hypocrita est et nequam, et universum os locutum est stultitiam; in omnibus his non est aversus furor ejus, sed adhuc manus ejus extenta.
Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
18 Succensa est enim quasi ignis impietas: veprem et spinam vorabit, et succendetur in densitate saltus, et convolvetur superbia fumi.
For wickedness burns like a fire that consumes the thorns and briers and kindles the forest thickets which roll upward in billows of smoke.
19 In ira Domini exercituum conturbata est terra, et erit populus quasi esca ignis; vir fratri suo non parcet.
By the wrath of the LORD of Hosts the land is scorched, and the people are fuel for the fire. No man even spares his brother.
20 Et declinabit ad dexteram, et esuriet; et comedet ad sinistram, et non saturabitur; unusquisque carnem brachii sui vorabit: Manasses Ephraim, et Ephraim Manassen; simul ipsi contra Judam.
They carve out what is on the right, but they are still hungry; they eat what is on the left, but they are still not satisfied. Each one devours the flesh of his own offspring.
21 In omnibus his non est aversus furor ejus, sed adhuc manus ejus extenta.
Manasseh devours Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; together they turn against Judah. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised.
