Isaiah 9:7-13

7His dominion will be vast and he will bring immeasurable prosperity. He will rule on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom, establishing it and strengthening it by promoting justice and fairness, from this time forward and forevermore. The Lord’s intense devotion to his people will accomplish this.

8The sovereign master decreed judgment on Jacob, and it fell on Israel.

9All the people were aware of it, the people of Ephraim and those living in Samaria. Yet with pride and an arrogant attitude, they said,

10“The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with chiseled stone; the sycamore fig trees have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.”

11Then the Lord provoked their adversaries to attack them, he stirred up their enemies –

12Syria from the east, and the Philistines from the west, they gobbled up Israelite territory. Despite all this, his anger does not subside, and his hand is ready to strike again.

13The people did not return to the one who struck them, they did not seek reconciliation with the Lord who commands armies.