1 M as no habrá siempre oscuridad para la que está ahora en angustia, tal como la aflicción que le vino en el tiempo que livianamente tocaron la primera vez a la tierra de Zabulón y a la tierra de Neftalí; pues al fin llenará de gloria el camino del mar, de aquel lado del Jordán, en Galilea de los gentiles.

But there will be no more heavy hearts for those who were suffering. In the past God allowed the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali to be put to shame. In the future He will honor Galilee where those who are not Jews live and where the road to the sea is. It is on the other side of the Jordan.

2 E l pueblo que andaba en tinieblas vio gran luz; los que moraban en tierra de sombra de muerte, luz resplandeció sobre ellos.

The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. The light will shine on those living in the land of dark shadows.

3 M ultiplicaste la gente, y aumentaste la alegría. Se alegrarán delante de ti como se alegran en la siega, como se gozan cuando reparten despojos.

You will make the nation great. You will give them great joy. They will be glad before You, as with the joy of gathering time, and as men have joy when they divide the riches taken after a battle.

4 P orque tú quebraste su pesado yugo, y la vara de su hombro, y el cetro de su opresor, como en el día de Madián.

For You will break the heavy load from their neck and shoulders. You will break the power of those who made it hard for them, as at the battle of Midian.

5 P orque todo calzado que lleva el guerrero en el tumulto de la batalla, y todo manto revolcado en sangre, serán quemados, pasto del fuego.

For every shoe of the soldiers in the battle, and every coat rolled in blood, will be burned in the fire.

6 P orque un niño nos es nacido, hijo nos es dado, y el principado sobre su hombro; y se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz.

For to us a Child will be born. To us a Son will be given. And the rule of the nations will be on His shoulders. His name will be called Wonderful, Teacher, Powerful God, Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.

7 L o dilatado de su imperio y la paz no tendrán límite, sobre el trono de David y sobre su reino, disponiéndolo y confirmándolo en juicio y en justicia desde ahora y para siempre. El celo de Jehová de los ejércitos hará esto. La ira de Jehová contra Israel

There will be no end to His rule and His peace, upon the throne of David and over his nation. He will build it to last and keep it strong with what is right and fair and good from that time and forever. The work of the Lord of All will do this. Punishment against Israel

8 E l Señor envió palabra a Jacob, y cayó en Israel.

The Lord sends word against Jacob, and it falls on Israel.

9 Y la sabrá todo el pueblo, Efraín y los moradores de Samaria, que con soberbia y con altivez de corazón dicen:

And all the people will know it, that is, Ephraim and the people of Samaria. They say with a proud spirit in their hearts,

10 L os ladrillos cayeron, pero edificaremos de cantería; cortaron los cabrahigos, pero en su lugar pondremos cedros.

“The clay blocks have fallen down, but we will build again with smooth stones. The sycamore trees have been cut down, but we will put cedar trees in their place.”

11 P ero Jehová levantará los enemigos de Rezín contra él, y juntará a sus enemigos;

So the Lord brings men from Rezin to fight against them. He makes those who hate them move to action.

12 d el oriente los sirios, y los filisteos del poniente; y a boca llena devorarán a Israel. Ni con todo eso ha cesado su furor, sino que todavía su mano está extendida.

The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west swallow Israel with an open mouth. Even with this, the Lord’s anger does not turn away. His hand is still held out.

13 P ero el pueblo no se convirtió al que lo castigaba, ni buscó a Jehová de los ejércitos.

Yet the people do not return to Him Who punished them. They do not look to the Lord of All.

14 Y Jehová cortará de Israel cabeza y cola, rama y caña en un mismo día.

So the Lord will cut off the head and tail from Israel, both palm branch and river-grass in one day.

15 E l anciano y venerable de rostro es la cabeza; el profeta que enseña mentira, es la cola.

The leaders and men of honor are the head, and the tail is the false preachers who teach lies.

16 P orque los gobernadores de este pueblo son engañadores, y sus gobernados se pierden.

For those who lead these people are leading them from the right way, and those who are led by them are going the wrong way.

17 P or tanto, el Señor no tomará contentamiento en sus jóvenes, ni de sus huérfanos y viudas tendrá misericordia; porque todos son falsos y malignos, y toda boca habla despropósitos. Ni con todo esto ha cesado su furor, sino que todavía su mano está extendida.

So the Lord is not pleased with their young men. He does not have pity on their children who have no parents or on their women whose husbands have died. Every one of them is without God and does sinful things. Every mouth speaks foolish words. Even with all this, His anger does not turn away. His hand is still held out.

18 P orque la maldad se encendió como fuego, cardos y espinos devorará; y se encenderá en lo espeso del bosque, y serán alzados como remolinos de humo.

For sin burns like a fire. It burns thistles and thorns. It sets the woods on fire, and they go up in smoke.

19 P or la ira de Jehová de los ejércitos se oscureció la tierra, y será el pueblo como pasto del fuego; el hombre no tendrá piedad de su hermano.

The land is burned up by the anger of the Lord, and the people are like wood for the fire. No man shows pity on his brother.

20 C ada uno hurtará a la mano derecha, y tendrá hambre, y comerá a la izquierda, y no se saciará; cada cual comerá la carne de su brazo;

They take what is on the right hand but still are hungry. They eat what is in the left hand but are not filled. Each of them eats the flesh of his own children.

21 M anasés a Efraín, y Efraín a Manasés, y ambos contra Judá. Ni con todo esto ha cesado su furor, sino que todavía su mano está extendida.

Manasseh goes against Ephraim, and Ephraim goes against Manasseh. And together they are against Judah. Even with all this, the Lord’s anger does not turn away. His hand is still held out.