² The people walking in darkness^(A)
    have seen a great light;^(B)
on those living in the land of deep darkness^(C)
    a light has dawned.^(D)
3 You have enlarged the nation^(E)
    and increased their joy;^(F)
they rejoice before you
    as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
    when dividing the plunder.^(G)
4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,^(H)
    you have shattered^(I)
the yoke^(J) that burdens them,
    the bar across their shoulders,^(K)
    the rod of their oppressor.^(L)
5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle
    and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,^(M)
    will be fuel for the fire.
⁶ For to us a child is born,^(N)
    to us a son is given,^(O)
    and the government^(P) will be on his shoulders.^(Q)
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor,^(R) Mighty God,^(S)
    Everlasting^(T) Father,^(U) Prince of Peace.^(V)
7 Of the greatness of his government^(W) and peace^(X)
    there will be no end.^(Y)
He will reign^(Z) on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice^(AA) and righteousness^(AB)
    from that time on and forever.^(AC)
The zeal^(AD) of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,^(B)
    did not consider equality with God^(C) something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing^(D)
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,^(E)
    being made in human likeness.^(F)
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death^(G)—
        even death on a cross!^(H)

⁹ Therefore God exalted him^(I) to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,^(J)
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,^(K)
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,^(L)
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,^(M)
    to the glory of God the Father.