1Let the wilderness and the thirsty land be glad,
let the desert rejoice and burst into flower. 2Let it flower with fields of asphodel,
let it rejoice and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon is given to it,
the splendour too of Carmel and Sharon;
these shall see the glory of the LORD, the splendour of our God. 3Strengthen the feeble arms,
steady the tottering knees; 4say to the anxious, Be strong and fear not.
See, your God comes with vengeance,
with dread retribution he comes to save you. 5Then shall blind men's eyes be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6Then shall the lame man leap like a deer,
and the tongue of the dumb shout aloud;
for water springs up in the wilderness,
and torrents flow in dry land. 7The mirage becomes a pool,
the thirsty land bubbling springs;
instead of reeds and rushes, grass shall grow
in the rough land where wolves now lurk. 8And there shall be a causeway there
which shall be called the Way of Holiness,
and the unclean shall not pass along it;
it shall become a pilgrim's way a pilgrim's way: prob. rdg, Heb unintelligible,
no fool shall trespass on it. 9No lion shall come there,
no savage beast climb on to it;
not one shall be found there.
By it those he has ransomed shall return 10and the LORD's redeemed come home
they shall enter Zion with shouts of triumph,
crowned with everlasting gladness.
Gladness and joy shall be their escort,
and suffering and weariness shall flee away.