Isaiah 9:2-4

Good News Translation

^2 (A)The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows,
    but now light is shining on them.
³ You have given them great joy,^[a] Lord;
    you have made them happy.
They rejoice in what you have done,
    as people rejoice when they harvest grain
    or when they divide captured wealth.
⁴ For you have broken the yoke that burdened them
    and the rod that beat their shoulders.
You have defeated the nation
    that oppressed and exploited your people,
    just as you defeated the army of Midian long ago.