Isaiah 9:7-13

7His authority to rule will be very great. The peace that he brings will never have an end. He will rule as king over David's kingdom. He will make it strong and safe, because he will do what is right and fair. He will rule like that now and for ever. The Lord Almighty will make those things happen, because he loves his people.

8The Lord God has spoken a message to warn Jacob's descendants, the kingdom of Israel.

9All the people who live in Ephraim and in the city of Samaria know about it. But they are proud and they boast,

10‘We built houses with bricks and they fell down. But we will build them again with strong stones. People have cut down our fig trees, but we will plant great cedar trees instead.’

11But the Lord caused Rezin's enemies, and other nations to attack Israel.

12Syria's army came from the east. The Philistines' army came from the west. They destroyed Israel's land, like a hungry animal. But the Lord is still angry. His hand is ready to hit them again.

13The people did not turn back to the Lord Almighty, who had punished them. They did not ask for his help.