The Return of the Redeemed to Zion

1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,

the desert shall rejoice and blossom;

like the crocus

2it shall blossom abundantly,

and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,

the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.

They shall see the glory of the LORD,

the majesty of our God.

3Strengthen the weak hands,

and make firm the feeble knees.

4Say to those who are of a fearful heart,

‘Be strong, do not fear!

Here is your God.

He will come with vengeance,

with terrible recompense.

He will come and save you.’

5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6then the lame shall leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.

For waters shall break forth in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert;

7the burning sand shall become a pool,

and the thirsty ground springs of water;

the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp,35.7 Cn: Heb in the haunt of jackals is her resting-place

the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

8A highway shall be there,

and it shall be called the Holy Way;

the unclean shall not travel on it,35.8 Or pass it by

but it shall be for God's people;35.8 Cn: Heb for them

no traveller, not even fools, shall go astray.

9No lion shall be there,

nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;

they shall not be found there,

but the redeemed shall walk there.

10And the ransomed of the LORD shall return,

and come to Zion with singing;

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;

they shall obtain joy and gladness,

and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.