The
wilderness and the dry land will be glad.
The
desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.
It
will blossom abundantly,
and
rejoice even with joy and singing.
Lebanon’s
glory will be given to it,
the
excellence of Carmel and Sharon.
They
will see Yahweh’s glory,
the
excellence of our God.
Strengthen
the weak hands,
and
make the feeble knees firm.
Tell
those who have a fearful heart, “Be strong!
Don’t
be afraid!
Behold,
your God will come with vengeance, God’s retribution.
He
will come and save you.
Then
the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and
the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.
Then
the lame man will leap like a deer,
and
the tongue of the mute will sing;
for
waters will break out in the wilderness,
and
streams in the desert.
The
burning sand will become a pool,
and
the thirsty ground springs of water.
Grass
with reeds and rushes will be in the habitation of jackals, where they lay.
A
highway will be there, a road,
and
it will be called “The Holy Way”.
It
will be for those who walk in the Way.
No
lion will be there,
nor
will any ravenous animal go up on it.
They
will not be found there;
but
the redeemed will walk there.
Then
Yahweh’s ransomed ones will return,
and
come with singing to Zion;
and
everlasting joy will be on their heads.
They
will obtain gladness and joy,
and
sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
