THE RANSOMED RETURN TO ZION

35 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad;

the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower.F,i

2 It will blossom abundantly

and will also rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.j

They will see the glory of the Lord,k

the splendor of our God.l

3 Strengthen the weak hands,

steady the shaking knees!m

4 Say to the cowardly:

“Be strong; do not fear!

Here is your God; vengeance is coming.n

God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.”o

5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped.p

6 Then the lame will leap like a deer,q

and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy,r

for water will gush in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert;s