Isaiæ 9
1 Primo tempore alleviata est terra Zabulon et terra Nephthali: et novissimo aggravata est via maris trans Jordanem Galilææ gentium.
In earlier times he made the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali of small value, but after that he gave it glory, by the way of the sea, on the other side of 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 who went in the dark have seen a great light, and for those who were living in the land of the deepest night, the light is shining.
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 made them very glad, increasing their joy. They are glad before you as men are glad in the time of getting in the grain, or when they make division of the goods taken in war.
4 Jugum enim oneris ejus, et virgam humeri ejus, et sceptrum exactoris ejus superasti, sicut in die Madian.
For by your hand the yoke on his neck and the rod on his back, even the rod of his cruel master, have been broken, as in the day of Midian.
5 Quia omnis violentia prædatio cum tumultu, et vestimentum mistum sanguine, erit in combustionem, et cibus ignis.
For every boot of the man of war with his sounding step, and the clothing rolled in blood, will be for burning, food 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 to us a child has come, to us a son is given; and the government has been placed in his hands; and he has been named Wise Guide, Strong God, Father for ever, 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 rule and of peace there will be no end, on the seat of David, and in his kingdom; to make it strong, supporting it with wise decision and righteousness, now and for ever. By the fixed purpose of the Lord of armies this will be done.
8 Verbum misit Dominus in Jacob, et cecidit in Israël.
The Lord has sent a word to Jacob, and it has come on Israel;
9 Et sciet omnis populus Ephraim, et habitantes Samariam, in superbia et magnitudine cordis dicentes:
And all the people will have experience of it, even Ephraim and the men of Samaria, who say in the pride of their uplifted hearts,
10 Lateres ceciderunt, sed quadris lapidibus ædificabimus; sycomoros succiderunt, sed cedros immutabimus.
The bricks have come down, but we will put up buildings of cut stone in their place: the sycamores are cut down, but they will be changed to cedars.
11 Et elevabit Dominus hostes Rasin super eum, et inimicos ejus in tumultum vertet.
For this cause the Lord has made strong the haters of Israel, driving them on to make war against him;
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 on the east, and the Philistines on the west, who have come against Israel with open mouths. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
13 Et populus non est reversus ad percutientem se, et Dominum exercituum non inquisierunt.
But the heart of the people was not turned to him who sent punishment on them, and they made no prayer to the Lord of armies.
14 Et disperdet Dominus ab Israël caput et caudam, incurvantem et refrenantem, die una.
For this cause the Lord took away from Israel head and tail, high and low, in one day.
15 Longævus et honorabilis, ipse est caput; et propheta docens mendacium, ipse est cauda.
The man who is honoured and responsible is the head, and the prophet who gives false teaching is the tail.
16 Et erunt qui beatificant populum istum, seducentes; et qui beatificantur, præcipitati.
For the guides of this people are the cause of their wandering from the right way, and those who are guided by them come to destruction.
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.
For this cause the Lord will have no pleasure in their young men, and no pity on their widows and the children without fathers: for they are all haters of God and evil-doers, and foolish words come from every mouth. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
18 Succensa est enim quasi ignis impietas: veprem et spinam vorabit, et succendetur in densitate saltus, et convolvetur superbia fumi.
For evil was burning like a fire; the blackberries and thorns were burned up; the thick woods took fire, rolling up in dark clouds of smoke.
19 In ira Domini exercituum conturbata est terra, et erit populus quasi esca ignis; vir fratri suo non parcet.
The land was dark with the wrath of the Lord of armies: the people were like those who take men's flesh for food.
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.
On the right a man was cutting off bits and was still in need; on the left a man took a meal but had not enough; no man had pity on his brother; every man was making a meal of the flesh of his neighbour.
21 In omnibus his non est aversus furor ejus, sed adhuc manus ejus extenta.
Manasseh was making a meal of Ephraim, and Ephraim of Manasseh; and together they were attacking Judah. For all this his wrath is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
