from Biblica1But there won’t be any more sadness for those who were suffering. In the past the LORD brought shame on the land of Zebulun. He also brought shame on the land of Naphtali. But in days to come he will honour Galilee, where people from other nations live. He will honour the land along the Mediterranean Sea. And he will honour the territory east of the River Jordan.2The people who are now living in darkness will see a great light. They are now living in a very dark land. But a light will shine on them.3LORD, you will make our nation larger. You will increase their joy. They will show you how glad they are. They will be as glad as people are at harvest time. They will be as glad as warriors are when they share the things they’ve taken after a battle.4You set Israel free from Midian long ago. In the same way, you will break the heavy yoke that weighs Israel down. You will break the wooden beams that are on their shoulders. You will break the rods of those who strike them down.5Every fighting man’s boot that he wore in battle will be burned. So will every piece of clothing covered with blood. All of them will be thrown into the fire.6A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives For Ever and Prince Who Brings Peace.7There will be no limit to how great his authority is. The peace he brings will never end. He will rule on David’s throne and over his kingdom. He will make the kingdom strong and secure. His rule will be based on what is fair and right. It will last for ever. The LORD’s great love will make sure that happens. He rules over all.
The Lord is angry with Israel
8The Lord has sent a message against Jacob’s people. He will punish Israel.9All the people will know about it. Ephraim’s people and those who live in Samaria will know about it. Their hearts are very proud. They say,10‘The brick buildings have fallen down. But we will rebuild them with blocks of stone. The fig-trees have been chopped down. But we’ll plant cedar trees in place of them.’11In spite of that, the LORD has made Rezin’s enemies stronger. He has stirred up Assyria to fight against Israel.12Arameans from the east have opened their mouths and swallowed up Israel. So have Philistines from the west. Even then, the LORD is still angry. His hand is still raised against them.13But his people have not returned to the God who struck them down. They haven’t turned for help to the LORD who rules over all.14So he will cut off from Israel heads and tails alike. In a single day he will cut off palm branches and tall grass alike. The palm branches are the people who rule over others. The tall grass is the people who bow down to them.15The elders and important leaders are the heads. The prophets who teach lies are the tails.16Those who guide the people of Israel are leading them down the wrong path. So those who follow them aren’t on the right road.17The Lord will not be pleased with the young men. He won’t take pity on widows and on children whose fathers have died. All of them are ungodly and evil. They say foolish things with their mouths. Even then, the LORD is still angry. His hand is still raised against them.18What is evil burns like a fire. It burns up bushes and thorns. It sets the forest on fire. It sends up a huge column of smoke.19The LORD rules over all. When he gets angry, he will burn up the land. The people will burn in the fire. They will not spare one another.20People will eat up everything they can find on their right. But they’ll still be hungry. They will eat everything they can find on their left. But they won’t be satisfied. So they will eat the dead bodies of their children.21That’s what Manasseh’s people will do to Ephraim. And that’s what Ephraim’s people will do to Manasseh. Together they will turn against Judah. Even then, the LORD is still angry. His hand is still raised against them.
1Но на измъченатаземя нямада има мрак, както в предишните времена, когато Той унижи земятана Завулон и земятана Нефталим; но в следващите времена ще я направи славна – нея, която е по пътя към езерото[1], оттатък Йордан, Галилея на народите. (2Ki 15:29; 2Ch 16:4; Isa 8:22)2Народът, който ходеше в тъмнина, видя голяма светлина; на онези, които седяха в земя на мрачна[2] сянка, им изгря светлина. (Mt 4:16; Eph 5:8; Eph 5:14)3Умножил си народа, увеличил си радостта му; радват се пред Тебе, както се радват във време на жътва, както се радват, когато делят плячка. (Jud 5:30)4Защото Ти си строшил, както в деня на Мадиам, тежкия им хомот, тоягата за плещите им и бича на угнетителя им. (Jud 7:22; Ps 83:9; Isa 10:5; Isa 10:26; Isa 14:5)5Защото всеки ботуш на обутия воин в шума и облеклата, валяни в кръв, ще бъдат за изгарянеи гориво за огън. (Isa 66:15; Isa 66:16)6Защото ни се роди Дете, Син ни се даде; и управлението ще бъде на рамото Му; и името Му ще бъде: Чудесен, Съветник, Бог могъщ, Отец на вечността, Княз на мира. (Jud 13:18; Isa 7:14; Mt 28:18; Lu 2:11; Joh 3:16; 1Co 15:25; Eph 2:14; Tit 2:13)7Управлението Му и мирът непрестанно ще се увеличават на Давидовия престол и на неговото царство, за да го утвърди и поддържа чрез правосъдие и правда, отсега и довека. Ревността на ГОСПОДа на Силите ще извърши това. (2Ki 19:31; Isa 37:32; Da 2:44; Lu 1:32; Lu 1:33)
Наказание на надменна Самария
8Господ изпрати слово на Яков; и то връхлетя и върху Израил.9И целият народ ще го познае, дори Ефрем и жителите на Самария, които гордо и с надменно сърце казват:10Кирпичите паднаха, но ние ще съзидаме с дялани камъни; черниците бяха изсечени, но ще ги заменим с кедри.11Затова ГОСПОД ще повдигне върху него онези, които се противиха против Расин, и ще възбуди неприятелите му –12сирийците отпред и филистимците отзад, – и те ще изядат Израил с отворени уста. При все това гневът Му не се отвърна, а ръката Му е още протегната. (Isa 5:25; Isa 10:24; Jer 4:8)13Но пак народът не се връща към Този, Който го поразява, нито търси ГОСПОДА на Силите. (Jer 5:3; Ho 7:10)14Затова ГОСПОД ще отсече от Израил в един ден и глава, и опашка, палмов клон и тръстика. (Isa 10:17; Re 18:8)15(Старецът и почтеният мъж, той е глава; а пророкът, който поучава лъжи, той е опашка.)16Защото водачите на този народ го заблуждават и водените от тях загиват. (Isa 3:12)17Затова Господ няма да се зарадва за юношите им, нито ще се смили над сирачетата и вдовиците им; понеже те всички са нечестиви и злодеи и всички уста говорят безумие. При все това гневът Му не се отвърна, а ръката Му е още протегната. (Ps 147:10; Ps 147:11; Isa 5:25; Isa 9:12; Isa 9:21; Isa 10:4; Mic 7:2)18Защото беззаконието изгаря като огън, който поглъща глоговете и тръните. Да! Той пламти в горските гъсталаци и те се издигат като тежки облаци дим. (Isa 10:17; Mal 4:1)19От гнева на ГОСПОДА на Силите земята изгоря. И народът ще бъде като гориво за огън; никой не жали брат си. (Isa 8:22; Mic 7:2; Mic 7:6)20Човек ще граби отдясно, но ще остане гладен; и ще яде наляво, но няма да се насити! Всеки от тях ще яде плътта на своята мишца: (Le 26:26; Isa 49:26; Jer 19:9)21Манасия – Ефрем, и Ефрем – Манасия, и те заедно ще бъдат против Юда. При все това гневът Му не се отвърна, а ръката Му е още протегната. (Isa 5:25; Isa 9:12; Isa 9:17; Isa 10:4)