Isaiah

¹ The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus,

² it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. 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.

³ steady the knees that give way;

⁴ “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

⁵ and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

⁶ and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

⁷ the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

⁸ it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.

⁹ nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,

¹⁰ They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.