The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness-- on them light has shined. [3] You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder. [4] For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. [5] For all the boots of the tramping warriors and all the garments rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire. [6] For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
1 Sing to the LORD | a new song;*
sing to the LORD, all | the whole earth.
2 Sing to the LORD and | bless his name;*
proclaim the good news of his salvation from | day to day.
3 Declare his glory a- | mong the nations*
and his wonders a- | mong all peoples.
4 For great is the LORD and greatly | to be praised;*
he is more to be feared | than all gods.
5 As for all the gods of the nations, they | are but idols;*
but it is the LORD who | made the heavens.
6 Oh, the majesty and magnificence | of his presence!*
Oh, the power and the splendor of his | sanctuary!
7 Ascribe to the LORD, you families | of the peoples;*
ascribe to the LORD hon- | or and power.
8 Ascribe to the LORD the honor | due his name;*
bring offerings and come in- | to his courts.
9 Worship the LORD in the beau- | ty of holiness;*
let the whole earth trem- | ble before him.
10 Tell it out among the nations: "The | LORD is king!*
He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peo- | ples with equity."
11 Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea thunder and all | that is in it;*
let the field be joyful and all that | is therein.
12 Then shall all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the LORD | when he comes,*
when he comes to | judge the earth.
13 He will judge the | world with righteousness*
and the peoples | with his truth.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, [12] training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, [13] while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. [14] He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] All went to their own towns to be registered. [4] Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. [5] He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
[6] While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. [8] In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. [9] Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. [10] But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: [11] to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. [12] This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth 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 highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!"
[15] When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." [16] So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. [17] When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; [18] and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. [19] But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. [20] The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, "Your God reigns." [8] Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion. [9] Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. [10] The LORD has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
1 Sing to the LORD | a new song,*
for he has done | marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his | holy arm*
has he won for him- | self the victory.
3 The LORD has made | known his victory;*
his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight | of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the | house of Israel,*
and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory | of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the LORD, | all you lands;*
lift up your voice, re- | joice, and sing.
6 Sing to the LORD | with the harp,*
with the harp and the | voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound | of the horn*
shout with joy before the | king, the LORD.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all | that is in it,*
the lands and those who | dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers | clap their hands,*
and let the hills ring out with joy before the LORD, when he comes to | judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he | judge the world*
and the peo- | ples with equity.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, [2] but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. [3] He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, [4] having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
[5] For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you"? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"? [6] And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him." [7] Of the angels he says, "He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire." [8] But of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. [9] You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions." [10] And, "In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; [11] they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; [12] like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end."
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being [4] in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
[6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. [8] He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. [9] The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him.
[11] He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. [12] But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
I will recount the gracious deeds of the LORD, the praiseworthy acts of the LORD, because of all that the LORD has done for us, and the great favor to the house of Israel that he has shown them according to his mercy, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. [8] For he said, "Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely"; and he became their savior [9] in all their distress. It was no messenger or angel but his presence that saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
1 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD | from the heavens;*
praise him | in the heights.
2 Praise him, all you an- | gels of his;*
praise him, | all his host.
3 Praise him, | sun and moon;*
praise him, all you | shining stars.
4 Praise him, heav- | en of heavens,*
and you waters a- | bove the heavens.
5 Let them praise the name | of the LORD;*
for he commanded, and they | were created.
6 He made them stand fast forev- | er and ever;*
he gave them a law which shall not | pass away.
7 Praise the LORD | from the earth,*
you sea monsters | and all deeps;
8 fire and hail, | snow and fog,*
tempestuous wind, do- | ing his will;
9 mountains | and all hills,*
fruit trees | and all cedars;
10 wild beasts | and all cattle,*
creeping things and | winged birds;
11 kings of the earth | and all peoples,*
princes and all rulers of the world;
12 young | men and maidens,*
old and | young together.
13 Let them praise the name | of the LORD,*
for his name only is exalted, his splendor is over | earth and heaven.
14 He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his | loyal servants,*
the children of Israel, a people who are near him. | Hallelujah!
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. [11] For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, [12] saying, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you." [13] And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again, "Here am I and the children whom God has given me." [14] Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, [15] and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. [16] For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. [17] Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. [18] Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." [14] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by night, and went to Egypt, [15] and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, "Out of Egypt I have called my son." [16] When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had learned from the wise men. [17] Then was fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: [18] "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more." [19] When Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, [20] "Get up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who were seeking the child's life are dead." [21] Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. [22] But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. [23] There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He will be called a Nazorean."
For thus says the LORD: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, "Save, O LORD, your people, the remnant of Israel." [8] See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. [9] With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away; say, "He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd a flock." [11] For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him. [12] They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD, over the grain, the wine, and the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd; their life shall become like a watered garden, and they shall never languish again. [13] Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow. [14] I will give the priests their fill of fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my bounty, says the LORD.
13 Worship the LORD, | O Jerusalem;*
praise your | God, O Zion;
14 for he has strengthened the bars | of your gates;*
he has blessed your chil- | dren within you.
15 He has established peace | on your borders;*
he satisfies you with the | finest wheat.
16 He sends out his command | to the earth,*
and his word runs | very swiftly.
17 He gives | snow like wool;*
he scatters hoar- | frost like ashes.
18 He scatters his | hail like bread crumbs.*
Who can stand a- | gainst his cold?
19 He sends forth his | word and melts them;*
he blows with his wind, and the | waters flow.
20 He declares his | word to Jacob,*
his statutes and his judg- | ments to Israel.
21 He has not done so to any | other nation;*
to them he has not revealed his judgments. | Hallelujah!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. [5] He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight [9] he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
[11] In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, [12] so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. [13] In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; [14] this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was in the beginning with God. [3] All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being [4] in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. [8] He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. [9] The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
[10] He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. [11] He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. [12] But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. [15] (John testified to him and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.'") [16] From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. [18] No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known.