# 2 Nephi 19

*Paraphrase*

### Light Breaking Through Darkness

But the darkness won’t last forever. God first brought only light suffering to the lands of Zebulun and Naphtali. But later he brought crushing hardship—down by the Red Sea, across the Jordan, to Galilee where foreigners live.

The people walking in darkness have seen a blazing light. Those living in the shadow of death—light has broken through on them. You’ve made the nation grow and given them joy. They celebrate in your presence like farmers at harvest, like soldiers dividing up treasure after victory. You’ve shattered the weight crushing them—the yoke across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every boot that tramped in battle, every uniform soaked in blood—all of it will be thrown into the fire and burned.

### A Child Is Born

A child is born to us. A son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His rule and peace will never end. He’ll reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it with justice and righteousness from now on, forever. The fierce commitment of the Lord Almighty will make this happen.

### God’s Warning to Israel

The Lord sent his message to Jacob, and it landed on Israel.

Everyone will know it—Ephraim and the people living in Samaria—who say with arrogance and stubborn pride: “The bricks have fallen, but we’ll rebuild with cut stone. The fig trees are chopped down, but we’ll replace them with cedars.”

So the Lord will stir up Rezin’s enemies against them and rally their foes. Syria will attack from the east, the Philistines from the west. They’ll devour Israel with open jaws. Even after all this, God’s anger hasn’t cooled. His hand is still raised to strike.

### A Nation That Won’t Turn Back

The people haven’t turned back to the one who struck them. They haven’t sought the Lord Almighty.

So the Lord will cut off Israel’s head and tail, branch and reed, in a single day. The elders and honored leaders are the head. The prophets teaching lies are the tail. The leaders of this people have led them astray, and those who follow them are swallowed up in confusion. So the Lord won’t celebrate their young men or show mercy to their orphans and widows. Every one of them is godless and wicked. Every mouth speaks foolishness. Even after all this, God’s anger hasn’t cooled. His hand is still raised to strike.

### Wickedness Burns Like Fire

Wickedness burns like wildfire, consuming thorns and briers. It ignites the forest thickets, and smoke billows up in thick clouds.

The land is scorched by the rage of the Lord Almighty. The people become fuel for the flames. No one spares even their own family. They’ll grab food from the right and still be hungry. They’ll devour from the left and never be satisfied. Each one will eat the flesh of their own children. Manasseh will turn on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh. Together they’ll attack Judah. Even after all this, God’s anger hasn’t cooled. His hand is still raised to strike.

---

*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/2-nephi/19)*
