Jesus spoke on multiple occasions of providing water to those who thirst. He did so with the woman at the well, and later, on the last day of the Feast of Booths, a day of holy convocation for the Jews.

He called out, “if anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink” (Jn. 7:37). However, He was not offering a cup of liquid lifted by bucket from a hole in the ground. His teaching was of providing the Holy Spirit to those who believe. As He continued, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’” (Jn. 7:38).

Dear believer, His Spirit dwells in you (1 Cor. 3:16). You need not thirst, because rivers of living water flow from within you. Drink deep of His Spirit and be filled. Likewise, spread His gospel that others may also enjoy the living water.

A new year is upon us; it is a time of renewing. Drink and thirst no more, and give drink to others. Be refreshed yourself by His Spirit within you, and bring renewal to others by preaching the kingdom.

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 31

"In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink." John 7:37

Patience had her perfect work in the Lord Jesus, and until the last day of the feast He pleaded with the Jews, even as on this last day of the year He pleads with us, and waits to be gracious to us. Admirable indeed is the longsuffering of the Saviour in bearing with some of us year after year, notwithstanding our provocations, rebellions, and resistance of His Holy Spirit. Wonder of wonders that we are still in the land of mercy!

Pity expressed herself most plainly, for Jesus cried,which implies not only the loudness of His voice, but the tenderness of His tones. He entreats us to be reconciled. "We pray you," says the Apostle, "as though God did beseech you by us." What earnest, pathetic terms are these! How deep must be the love which makes the Lord weep over sinners, and like a mother woo His children to His bosom! Surely at the call of such a cry our willing hearts will come.

Provision is made most plenteously"; all is provided that man can need to quench his soul's thirst. To his conscience the atonement brings peace; to his understanding the gospel brings the richest instruction; to his heart the person of Jesus is the noblest object of affection; to the whole man the truth as it is in Jesus supplies the purest nutriment. Thirst is terrible, but Jesus can remove it. Though the soul were utterly famished, Jesus could restore it.

Proclamation is made most freely, that every thirsty one is welcome. No other distinction is made but that of thirst. Whether it be the thirst of avarice, ambition, pleasure, knowledge, or rest, he who suffers from it is invited. The thirst may be bad in itself, and be no sign of grace, but rather a mark of inordinate sin longing to be gratified with deeper draughts of lust; but it is not goodness in the creature which brings him the invitation, the Lord Jesus sends it freely, and without respect of persons.

Personality is declared most fully. The sinner must come to Jesus, not to works, ordinances, or doctrines, but to a personal Redeemer, who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree. The bleeding, dying, rising Saviour, is the only star of hope to a sinner. Oh for grace to come now and drink, ere the sun sets upon the year's last day!

No waiting or preparation is so much as hinted at. Drinking represents a reception for which no fitness is required. A fool, a thief, a harlot can drink; and so sinfulness of character is no bar to the invitation to believe in Jesus. We want no golden cup, no bejewelled chalice, in which to convey the water to the thirsty; the mouth of poverty is welcome to stoop down and quaff the flowing flood. Blistered, leprous, filthy lips may touch the stream of divine love; they cannot pollute it, but shall themselves be purified. Jesus is the fount of hope. Dear reader, hear the dear Redeemer's loving voice as He cries to each of us,

"IF ANY MAN THIRST,
LET HIM
COME UNTO ME
AND DRINK."

This is a post from Allen Washburn, faithful pastor, North Carolinian and contributor at The Blaze Media:

MAJOR LAW & TAX CHANGES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026 — WHAT NORTH CAROLINIANS NEED TO KNOW

As we enter 2026, several new North Carolina laws and policies take effect, along with federal tax adjustments and provisions from recent legislation.

North Carolina — Key New Laws Effective Jan. 1, 2026

Taxes
• Individual income tax rate reduces to a flat **3.99%** (from 4.25% in 2025)

Schools & Families
• State statutes and policies officially recognize only two biological sexes (male and female)
• Public schools must adopt policies restricting overnight sleeping quarters on school-sponsored trips/events to biological sex (exceptions for family members or with written parental consent for all involved students)
• Parents gain expanded ability to review and restrict library materials for their own children
• Students may be excused from classroom activities conflicting with sincerely held religious beliefs (alternative assignment required)

Healthcare
• North Carolina joins the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, streamlining licensing for physicians and improving access to care
• Internationally trained doctors and physician assistants can more easily apply for NC licenses

Estates & Probate
• Attorneys may retain electronic originals of wills
• Certified copies of wills can be used in probate proceedings if the original is lost

Investments & Pensions
• New independent North Carolina Investment Authority assumes management of state investments, including teacher and public employee retirement funds

Public Safety (Private Schools)
• Certain private school staff/volunteers may carry concealed handguns or stun guns on campus with school approval and proper permits (effective earlier in some cases)

⸻

Federal Tax Changes & Provisions for 2026 (Tax Year 2026, Filed in 2027)

Note: Many provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed July 2025) apply starting in tax year 2025 (filed in 2026), with ongoing effects.

Income & Deductions
• Standard deduction increases (inflation-adjusted):
– **$32,200** married filing jointly
– **$16,100** single or married filing separately
– **$24,150** head of household
• Additional deduction for seniors (age 65+): Up to $6,000 extra (2025–2028)
• New above-the-line deductions (2025–2028):
– Up to **$25,000** in qualified tips (phases out at higher incomes)
– Up to **$12,500** in qualified overtime premium pay (phases out at higher incomes)

Families & Children
• Child Tax Credit: Up to **$2,200** per qualifying child (with partial refundability)
• New "Trump Accounts": Tax-advantaged savings for children under 18
– $1,000 one-time federal seed for eligible U.S. citizen newborns (born 2025–2028)
– Annual family contributions up to $5,000
– Tax-deferred growth in broad market index; full access at age 18
– Some qualifying areas receive additional private contributions (e.g., $250 in certain ZIP codes)

Estates & Gifts
• Lifetime estate/gift tax exemption: **$15 million** per person (inflation-adjusted going forward; $30 million for couples)

Business & Other
• Standard mileage rate: **72.5 cents** per mile
• Expanded employer-provided childcare tax credit (up to $500,000–$600,000 for qualifying businesses)

⸻

These changes—whether you agree with them or not—will impact taxes, schools, healthcare, and more starting in 2026.

Share this summary so North Carolinians stay informed and prepared! Always consult a tax professional or attorney for personal advice.

#Infowars
GLOBAL EXCLUSIVE: Wittingly Or Unwittingly, #CandaceOwens Is Running A #CIA - Style #Psyop On The American People! Top #lawyer / historian #RobertBarnes & #AlexJones bring the receipts & carefully dissect Candace Owens' verifiable lies one by one.
Candace Owens' deep connection to the #British royalist system & #UK intelligence is also documented, and Candace is caught in yet another lie of when & where she met her husband. - #Rothschild - https://www.infowars.com/posts/global-exclusive-wittingly-or-unwittingly-candace-owens-is-running-a-cia-style-psyop-on-the-american-people

Another very interesting article. And Video..when you watch it, listen very carefully. If you know, like I do, the "cabal" "13 families" are against GOD and for their father satan. They are doing everything the opposite of GOD. Look at what they rake in, killing us...and we are buying it.
And oh my....some of the other posts in this article, especially one on the left side....THIS IS A MUST SEE POST...don't forget the music and cartoon! Thank you, elgatoweebee

Study Claims #BirdFlu in #Flies - But #PCRTest Also Matches Fly #Genetics https://jonfleetwood.substack.com/p/study-claims-bird-flu-in-fliesbut

The Turtle and the Butterflies

The turtle moves with the patience of stones.
Each step a memory pressed into the earth.
Morning light settles on her shell like a blessing.
while the world rushes past without waiting.

Butterflies gather where she rests.
Colors trembling in the air like soft questions.
They speak in wings and silence.
asking how one carries time without breaking.

She listens with eyes older than rivers.
answering not with words but with breath.
She tells them that slowness is a kind of love.
that every journey arrives when it is ready.

When the butterflies rise and drift away,
They leave warmth upon her ancient back.
The turtle continues on, carrying their colors within,
a quiet heart walking beneath an endless sky.

Art by Serin Alar

🖊Poem: Piahn

WE WERE RIGHT ALL ALONG: Decades of Truth They Tried to Bury
Let’s stop being polite. Their lies had a body count. People died because life-saving information was labeled “misinformation” and hidden. Had TTAC not been censored, MILLIONS would still be alive.
https://thetruthaboutcancerofficial.substack.com/p/we-were-right-all-along-decades-of?publication_id=2309986&post_id=182187458&isFreemail=true&r=6v3c8d&triedRedirect=true&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

Merry Christmas Cre8tors! May the LORD bless you and your families as you celebrate the first coming of the LORD Jesus. Join me as I share the story of how Mary found out she was going to have the Christ child.
https://rumble.com/v73fu4w-the-big-announcement-luke-126-33-ep-153.html

#Venezuela President #NicolásMaduro Would Be ‘Smart’ To Get Out, #DonaldTrump Says, As #Russia Reportedly Evacuating Diplomats’ Families https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/maduro-would-be-smart-get-out-russia-reportedly-evacuating-diplomats-families

Tim Brown: Young Man Sees Right Through #DonaldTrump’s Lies On #Venezuela & Calls It Out (Video) https://sonsoflibertymedia.com/young-man-sees-right-through-trumps-lies-calls-it-out-video/

Isaiah
Chapter 28

1 Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!

2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.

3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:

4 And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.

5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,

6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.

7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.

8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.

10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.

15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

23 Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.

24 Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?

25 When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and the rie in their place?

26 For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.

27 For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.

28 Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.

29 This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.

Logan-Lokhova Interview Indicates Deep Embedded American Treason
https://slantedright2.blogspot.com/2025/12/logan-lokhova-interview-indicates-deep.html

SUMMARY: … The Lara Logan-Svetlana Lokhova interview streamed live on 12/19/25. … The title, “SPIES, LIES & TREASON with Svetlana Lokhova… This is an interview that implicates the Obama CIA and Obama FBI in a treasonous coup attempt against President Trump after the 2016 Election cycle. THUS BY EXTENSION implicates Barack Hussein Obama and Crooked Hillary in the same treasonous coup. …MORE TO READ THEN WATCH!
#AmericanTreason #SvetlanaLokhova

"For years, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the US was running bio-labs in Ukraine, but the Western political establishment and mainstream media dismissed it all as lies.

Turns out, he was right all along....

(Tulsi Gabbard on US bio-labs in Ukraine)"

https://x.com/ricwe123/status/2000861431051510035

Get er Done!

A whole lot of talking but not one bit of walking = politics - Poly (Many) Tics (Parasites)

"Frankly, I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Dayen; sauce for the goose applies. If Congress is banned from trading, I have no issue with the president and vice president being likewise banned. But that's not the point here; the point is that thanks to this action, the chamber is split, and now there won't be any bill at all.

Nobody will ever convince me that Rep. Jeffries doesn't know this. And members of Congress are growing very wealthy indeed through this practice, with Nancy Pelosi at the top of the heap."

https://redstate.com/wardclark/2025/12/20/now-hakeem-jeffries-is-sabotaging-a-bipartisan-stock-trading-ban-n2197330

Christian, there are some who believe salvation is a tenuous proposition, and that there are ways in which, once obtained, it may be lost. Do not be shaken by such belief, as it aligns neither with God’s character nor His word.

Jesus stated as much when He exclaimed of His own, “I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand” (Jn. 10:27-29).

Paul with assurance of his security in Christ proclaimed, “He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). It is God who begins the work in us, and it is God who completes it. How then can it fail?

Jesus is able to save “forever” those who come to God through Him (Heb. 7:25). He is able to make you stand in God’s presence blameless (Jude 1:24). You were sealed with His Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 4:30) who is a pledge of our salvation. Who can come between us and Christ? Who is able to evict His Spirit from our hearts?

Take comfort my brethren, and be joyful! Your salvation is not dependent upon you and your effort, but on God who is the giver of this great gift. God did not save you to because of your effort, but because of His mercy (Tit. 3:5), how then shall we lose it? For our salvation “does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Rom. 9:16).

Therefore, let us rejoice, and each of us remember of God, as said King David, “He has made an everlasting covenant with me” (2 Sam. 23:5).

——————
Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, December 21

"Yet He hath made with me an everlasting covenant." 2 Samuel 23:5

This covenant is divine in its origin. "HE hath made with me an everlasting covenant." Oh that great word HE! Stop, my soul. God, the everlasting Father, has positively made a covenant with thee; yes, that God who spake the world into existence by a word; He, stooping from His majesty, takes hold of thy hand and makes a covenant with thee. Is it not a deed, the stupendous condescension of which might ravish our hearts for ever if we could really understand it? "HE hath made with me a covenant." A king has not made a covenant with me- that were somewhat; but the Prince of the kings of the earth, Shaddai, the Lord All-sufficient, the Jehovah of ages, the everlasting Elohim, "He hath made with me an everlasting covenant." But notice, it is particular in its application. "Yet hath He made with ME an everlasting covenant." Here lies the sweetness of it to each believer. It is nought for me that He made peace for the world; I want to know whether He made peace for me! It is little that He hath made a covenant, I want to know whether He has made a covenant with me. Blessed is the assurance that He hath made a covenant with me! If God the Holy Ghost gives me assurance of this, then His salvation is mine, His heart is mine, He Himself is mine- He is my God.

This covenant is everlasting in its duration. An everlasting covenant means a covenant which had no beginning, and which shall never, never end. How sweet amidst all the uncertainties of life, to know that "the foundation of the Lord standeth sure," and to have God's own promise, "My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Like dying David, I will sing of this, even though my house be not so with God as my heart desireth.

Wow, when the liberals are responsible they don't point fingers at the weapon this time but at the shooter(s) - only because they are trying to avoid taking responsibility for their own actions...even attacking the the opposing council.

"The city denies liability, claiming the sole responsibility for the death of Mays lies with the shooters. The 15-person jury will decide whether the City of Seattle is on the hook for millions for what city officials once described as a "summer of love.""

https://thepostmillennial.com/courtroom-chaos-purple-haired-seattle-female-attorney-demands-judge-sanction-opposing-male-counsel-for-gender-misconduct-during-chop-trial

Just to add, some of my thoughts, the corruption amongst those hating our government and support socialism and communism, or just using their elite status for financial gain reveals a strange alliance to their “idols.” Not figures made and worshiped like in ancient days. The ancient Word’s of G-d to “not worship idols” starts to make a lot of sense.

An ideology can be an idol even when there is proof along with common sense that the systems they are looking to, to “save” humanity do not work.

Confirms their alliance in the face of historical results is evidence of an ingrained form of idolatry.

One of their biggest idols - besides the lies of globalism, is the self, replacing service to others for service to self. It’s absolutely amazing how, in side knowledge of government decisions about to come down make it possible to increase personal wealth! A clever way of using the system that is not illegal.

It is not realized in fighting all those who disagree with them are really fighting G-d, truth and the Golden Rule.

Adonai Elohenu - Adonai Echad!!
(The Lord is our G-do- The Lord is One)

Those of us who work hard or have worked hard within the framework of Law, Take heart - we have been shining light. Without us the world would be a lot darker. Happy Chanukah! And Merry Christmas!

I have started seeing Trump's comment about Reiner in a different light. At first, I thought it was inappropriate. But looking at it in a different perspective, I think maybe he was saying that the anger that so many liberals have towards him, conservatives, and Christians (which Reiner did), literally takes their focus off of so many other things that they really should be focused on. People, regardless of their political preferences, should start focusing on more important things, like their families. I think Reiner was so focused on his hatred toward over half of the country, that it took his focus off of his son. I wonder if his son got into drugs and had mental health issues because he was craving his father's attention that he never got. Maybe his son heard so much anger and negativity from his father that he just couldn't handle it, so he turned to drugs. Anyone who has so much hatred toward a President, conservatives who voted for him, and towards anyone that doesn't agree with their views can literally become mentally unstable. So, maybe we are taking Trump's statement out of context. Trump was right that Reiner let his anger and hatred of him and conservatives control his life. If only Reiner and other liberals could just let go of their anger and hatred toward people who disagree with them, we would have less crimes and violence. I think that's what Trump was actually trying to convey. He didn't use the best wording, but he does have a point.

#Covid #Covid19
#California’s New #Vaccine Law Shields Providers — While Leaving Injured Families With No Remedy https://californiaglobe.com/fr/californias-new-vaccine-law-shields-providers-while-leaving-injured-families-with-no-remedy/

#toxic #donotcomply #defytyrants
#Michigan Lawmakers Push 11 Bills to Make #Vaccine Exemptions Harder for Families, Give State More Power Over Mandates https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/michigan-lawmakers-push-11-bills-vaccine-exemptions-harder-for-families-state-mandates/

RED ALERT! TRUMP’S MILITARY IS ARRESTING THE GLOBAL ELITES — GITMO IS ACTIVE — BIOWEAPON EXECUTIVES, CENTRAL BANKERS, HUMAN TRAFFICKERS TAKEN IN WORLDWIDE RAIDS — QFS IS LIVE — TRILLIONS SEIZED — ESCAPE ROUTES SHUT — THIS IS THE FULL TAKEDOWN!
Under President Trump’s command, the quiet war has exploded into full force. What started as targeted raids and sealed indictments is now the biggest takedown of the deep state cabal in history. In December 2025, it's not just enforcement—it's the total destruction of the criminal empire that's manipulated finance, wars, media, and governments for generations. Patriots, the storm is here! The elites are panicking, and justice is unleashing like never before!
The arrests are rolling out in classified ops by the U.S. Military Alliance, teaming up with defected international allies who've turned against the old corrupt order. Intelligence bosses, banking kingpins, and biotech overlords are being rounded up in ops masked as routine probes. In Switzerland, four elite bankers got nabbed in November, their laundered funds exposed—tied to Ukraine biolabs, Balkan organ trafficking, and South American currency sabotage. These weren't just money men; they guarded hidden gold stashes from WWII, now being funneled back to the people via the unbreakable Quantum Financial System (QFS). No more Fed or IMF stranglehold—the QFS is gold-backed and elite-proof, wiping out their fraud empires. WWG1WGA— we're reclaiming our wealth!
Globally, the Alliance strikes hard. In Monaco, three tech tyrants were hauled away for running surveillance grids disguised as climate trackers—spying on freedom fighters and patriots to enforce their social credit nightmare. In Germany, a pharma giant fell, linked to Ukraine bioweapons and payoffs to hide vaccine horrors. Seized docs prove they bribed media and agencies to suppress the truth about injuries from their poison jabs. The awakening is massive—their bioweapon agenda is crumbling under Trump's hammer!
In the Middle East, U.S. Spec Ops with UAE and Saudi backups are smashing trafficking rings funneling kids and drugs into Europe. U.N. "philanthropists" got busted in Dubai, their crypto trails leading to BlackRock laundromats. These border-pushers were really trading humans and hiding profits in fake green investments. No more open borders betrayal—the wall of justice is closing in!
Back home, the DoD has activated orders for military oversight on crimes against humanity. GITMO is buzzing, with new Pacific and Indian Ocean sites as tribunal fortresses for untouchables: ex-spy chiefs, NGO crooks, and election riggers tied to bioweapons and surveillance. Private jets grounded in London, Brussels, D.C.—political clans, tech founders, royals, even Hollywood puppets vanishing. Escape havens like Argentina and New Zealand? Sealed tight by naval intercepts. The cabal's running scared, but there's nowhere to hide!
Sealed indictments from 2017 are unsealing fast. Marshals and Space Force analysts nabbing lobbyists, bankers, and rogue CIA/FBI traitors involved in election theft and child cover-ups. Trump's not backing down—he's the lion leading the charge, purging the swamp deeper than ever! His directives unite ICE, DHS, NSA under a patriot shield to root out infiltrators.
Next up: QFS rollout exposes every stolen dollar, every trafficking deal, every bioweapon buck. Digital access cards will end central bank tyranny. The old order is dying—their invisibility shattered! This is accountability on steroids, America spearheading the global revolution under a President beholden to no one but We the People.

She is correct

"Same old playbook......."

https://x.com/Juliesnark1731/status/2000330923854930138

Isaiah
Chapter 9

1 Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

3 Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.

4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian.

5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.

9 And all the people shall know, even Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria, that say in the pride and stoutness of heart,

10 The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars.

11 Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;

12 The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

13 For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.

14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord shall have no joy in their young men, neither shall have mercy on their fatherless and widows: for every one is an hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaketh folly. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the LORD of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother.

20 And he shall snatch on the right hand, and be hungry; and he shall eat on the left hand, and they shall not be satisfied: they shall eat every man the flesh of his own arm:

21 Manasseh, Ephraim; and Ephraim, Manasseh: and they together shall be against Judah. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.