1 Joy of the Redeemed
1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; 1 the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. 1 Like the crocus, 1 2 1 it will burst into bloom; 1 it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. 1 The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, 1 the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; 1 they will see the glory of the Lord, 1 the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands, 3 steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts, 4 "Be strong, do not fear; 4 your God will come, 4 he will come with vengeance; 4 with divine retribution 4 he will come to save you."
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened 5 and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, 6 and the mute tongue shout for joy. 6 Water will gush forth in the wilderness 6 and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool, 7 the thirsty ground bubbling springs. 7 In the haunts where jackals once lay, 7 grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there; 8 it will be called the Way of Holiness. 8 The unclean will not journey on it; 8 it will be for those who walk in that Way; 8 wicked fools will not go about on it.[a]
9 No lion will be there, 9 nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; 9 they will not be found there. 9 But only the redeemed will walk there, 10 and the ransomed of the Lord will return. 10 They will enter Zion with singing; 10 everlasting joy will crown their heads. 10 Gladness and joy will overtake them, 10 and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
