(9:1) The people walking in darkness see a bright light; light shines on those who live in a land of deep darkness.

Wild dogs will yip in her ruined fortresses, jackals will yelp in the once-splendid palaces. Her time is almost up, her days will not be prolonged.

The Lord has made them undiscerning; they lead Egypt astray in all she does, so that she is like a drunk sliding around in his own vomit.

Then the lame will leap like a deer, the mute tongue will shout for joy; for water will flow in the desert, streams in the wilderness.

You will be a majestic crown in the hand of the Lord, a royal turban in the hand of your God.

They will be imprisoned in a pit, locked up in a prison, and after staying there for a long time, they will be punished.

A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God.

I will make cedars, acacias, myrtles, and olive trees grow in the wilderness; I will make evergreens, firs, and cypresses grow together in the desert.

The city is left in ruins; the gate is reduced to rubble.

Stop trusting in human beings, whose life’s breath is in their nostrils. For why should they be given special consideration?

O descendants of Jacob, come, let us walk in the Lord’s guiding light.

Your men will fall by the sword, your strong men will die in battle.

The full moon will be covered up, the bright sun will be darkened; for the Lord who commands armies will rule on Mount Zion in Jerusalem in the presence of his assembly, in majestic splendor.

Men bow down to them in homage, they lie flat on the ground in worship. Don’t spare them!

Lambs will graze as if in their pastures, amid the ruins the rich sojourners will graze.

All the descendants of Israel will be vindicated by the Lord and will boast in him.

Who has measured out the waters in the hollow of his hand, or carefully measured the sky, or carefully weighed the soil of the earth, or weighed the mountains in a balance, or the hills on scales?

Fairness will produce peace and result in lasting security.

O Lord, in distress they looked for you; they uttered incantations because of your discipline.

You will see a king in his splendor; you will see a wide land.