CHAPTER 35
1The deserts and parched land shall rejoice,
the wilderness exult and bloom like the rose.
2It surely shall bloom and exult,
yes, exult and sing out in gladness.
Lebanon’s glory is given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.
They shall behold the LORD’s glory,
the majesty of our God.
3Strengthen the slackened hands,
bolster the tottering knees.
4Say to the fearful of heart:
Be strong, do not fear.
Look, your God in vengeance shall come,
God’s retribution shall come and rescue you.
5Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
6Then shall the lame skip like a stag,
and the tongue of the mute sing in gladness.
For water shall break forth in the desert
and brooks in the wilderness.
7The heat-scorched ground shall become a lake
and the thirsty soil, springs of water.
Where a jackal’s abode was, its lair—
a courtyard for reeds and rushes.
8And a highway shall be there,
a holy way it shall be called.
No unclean one shall pass over it,
but it shall be for him who goes on the way,
and fools shall not wander there.
9No lion shall be there,
nor wild beasts go up on it.
There the redeemed shall go.
10Those ransomed by the LORD shall return
and come to Zion with glad song,
joy everlasting on their heads,
delight and joy they attain,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee.