Isaiah

1The wilderness and the dry land will be glad. The desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.

1The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.

2It 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 the LORD’s glory, the excellence of our God.

2It will bloom profusely 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 the LORD, the splendor of our God.

3Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm.

3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees!

4Tell 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.

4Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”

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

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

6Then 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.

6Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.

7The 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.

7The parched ground will become a pool, the thirsty land springs of water. In the haunt where jackals once lay, there will be grass and reeds and papyrus.

8A highway will be there, a road, and it will be called “The Holy Way”. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it will be for those who walk in the Way. Wicked fools shall not go there.

8And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it - only those who walk in the Way - and fools will not stray onto it.

9No 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.

9No lion will be there, and no vicious beast will go up on it. Such will not be found there, but the redeemed will walk upon it.

10Then the LORD’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.”

10So the redeemed of the LORD will return and enter Zion with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee.