Isaiah 35

1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like the crocus.

2It will blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of Yahweh, the splendor of our God.

3Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the knees that give way.

4Say to those with anxious hearts, “Be strong; do not be afraid. Look, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God he will come and save you.”

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6Then the lame will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For water will break out in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

7The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt where jackals lay down, grass will become reeds and papyrus.

8A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel on it; it will be for those who walk that way, and fools will not wander onto it.

9No lion will be there, and no ferocious beast will go up on it; they will not be found there. But the redeemed will walk there,

10and the ransomed of Yahweh will return and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.