Isaiah 34:14–35:8

14 Desert creaturesw will meet with hyenas,x

and wild goats will bleat to each other;

there the night creaturesy will also lie down

and find for themselves places of rest.

15 The owl will nest there and lay eggs,

she will hatch them, and care for her young

under the shadow of her wings;z

there also the falconsa will gather,

each with its mate.

16 Look in the scrollb of the Lord and read:

None of these will be missing,c

not one will lack her mate.

For it is his mouthd that has given the order,e

and his Spirit will gather them together.

17 He allots their portions;f

his hand distributes them by measure.

They will possess it forever

and dwell there from generation to generation.g

Joy of the Redeemed

35 The deserth and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.i

Like the crocus,j 2 it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.k

The glory of Lebanonl will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmelm and Sharon;n

they will see the gloryo of the Lord,

the splendor of our God.p

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the kneesq that give way;

4 sayr to those with fearful hearts,s

“Be strong, do not fear;t

your God will come,u

he will come with vengeance;v

with divine retribution

he will come to savew you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be openedx

and the ears of the deafy unstopped.

6 Then will the lamez leap like a deer,a

and the mute tongueb shout for joy.c

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

and streamsd in the desert.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,

the thirsty grounde bubbling springs.f

In the haunts where jackalsg once lay,

grass and reedsh and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highwayi will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;j

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The uncleank will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.