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.

9 No lionl will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;m

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemedn will walk there,

10 and those the Lord has rescuedo will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;p

everlasting joyq will crown their heads.

Gladnessr and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.s