At Matins at Christmas, including Sunday within the Octave, the third Nocturn is made up of three canticles from Isaiah, the first of which is from Chapter 9, and forms the basis of two pieces from Handel's Messiah.
Sunday Matins canticles - Isaiah 9:2-7
Vulgate
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Douay-Rheims
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1. Populus
qui ambulabat in tenebris, vidit lucem magnam;
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The people that walked in
darkness, have seen a great light
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2. habitantibus in regione umbræ
mortis, lux orta est eis.
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to them that dwelt in the region
of the shadow of death, light is risen
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3. Multiplicasti gentem, et non
magnificasti lætitiam.
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Thou hast multiplied the nation,
and hast not increased the joy.
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4. Lætabuntur coram te, sicut
qui lætantur in messe; sicut exsultant victores capta præda, quando dividunt
spolia.
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They shall rejoice before thee,
as they that rejoice in the harvest, as conquerors rejoice after taking a
prey, when they divide the spoils.
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5. Jugum enim oneris ejus et
virgam humeri ejus, et sceptrum exactoris ejus superasti, sicut in die
Madian.
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For the yoke of their burden, and
the rod of their shoulder, and the sceptre of their oppressor thou hast
overcome, as in the day of Median
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6. Quia omnis violentia prædatio
cum tumultu, et vestimentum mistum sanguine, erit in combustionem, et cibus
ignis.
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For every violent taking of
spoils, with tumult, and garment mingled with blood, shall be burnt, and be
fuel for the fire.
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7. Parvulus enim natus est nobis,
et filius datus est nobis
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For a child is born to us, and a
son is given to us
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8. et factus est principatus super humerum ejus: et vocabitur
nomen ejus, Admirabilis, Consiliarius,
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and the government is upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor
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9. Deus, Fortis, Pater futuri
sæculi, Princeps pacis.
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God the Mighty, the Father of the
world to come, the Prince of Peace.
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10. Multiplicabitur ejus
imperium, et pacis non erit finis;
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His empire shall be multiplied,
and there shall be no end of peace
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11. super solium David, et super
regnum ejus sedebit, ut confirmet illud et corroboret in judicio et justitia,
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he shall sit upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom; to establish it and strengthen it with judgment
and with justice
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12. amodo et usque in
sempiternum: zelus Domini exercituum faciet hoc.
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from henceforth and for ever:
the zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this
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