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Chapter 9

The Prince of Peace[a]

The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt in the shadow of death
    a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation
    and given them great joy;
they rejoice before you
    as those who rejoice at the harvest,
    as they exult when dividing spoils.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 9:1 After the threats and predictions of sorrow, the prophet bursts into a song of hope and deliverance. He consoles the Galileans who have been deported by the king of Assyria in 732 B.C. (2 Ki 15:29). Another vision is given to the seer, and hope springs up in the hearts of believers: The Lord will set free the oppressed and will establish his people in peace. All power will be given to the mysterious child who is to be born of royal blood, the Immanuel who has already been foretold (Isa 7:14). This is an ideal passage for the Christmas liturgy and in fact, is prominent there.