2 1 wThe people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 xYou have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yyoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken zas on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For ato us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon2 his shoulder,
and his name shall be called3
bWonderful Counselor, cMighty God,
Everlasting dFather, Prince of ePeace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
fthere will be no end,
on the gthrone of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with hjustice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
iThe zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
11 For sthe grace of God has appeared, bringing tsalvation ufor all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly vpassions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and wgodly lives in xthe present age, 13 ywaiting for our blessed hope, the zappearing of the glory of aour great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself ba people for his own possession who are zealous cfor good works.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when1 Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his rbetrothed,2 who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.3
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an sangel of the Lord appeared to them, and the tglory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, u“Fear not, for behold, I bring you vgood news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 wFor xunto you is born this day yin the city of David a zSavior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a asign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the bhighest,
