Make it a day of gloom and thick darkness; cover it with clouds, and blot out the sun.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. They lived in a land of shadows, but now light is shining on them.

The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine."

Then the king told the servants, 'Tie him up hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark. There he will cry and gnash his teeth.' "

and to shine from heaven on all those who live in the dark shadow of death, to guide our steps into the path of peace."

His feet were kept in chains, and an iron collar was around his neck,

Years later the king of Egypt died, but the Israelites were still groaning under their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry went up to God,

who heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

So the LORD let the commanders of the Assyrian army invade Judah. They captured Manasseh, stuck hooks in him, put him in chains, and took him to Babylon.

But if people are bound in chains, suffering for what they have done,

God shows them their sins and their pride.

He has forced me to live in the stagnant darkness of death.

He has bound me in chains; I am a prisoner with no hope of escape.

When you were the slaves of sin, you were free from righteousness.

What did you gain from doing the things that you are now ashamed of ? The result of those things is death!