The wilderness and the dry land will be glad, and the desert will blossom like the crocus. The eyes of the blind will be opened, the lame will leap, and a highway called the Way of Holiness will bring the redeemed to Zion with singing.
1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice , and blossom as the rose .
2 It shall blossom abundantly , and rejoice even with joy and singing : the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon , they shall see the glory of the LORD , and the excellency of our God .
3 Strengthen ye the weak hands , and confirm the feeble knees .
4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart , Be strong , fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance , even God with a recompence ; he will come and save you.
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened , and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped .
6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart , and the tongue of the dumb sing : for in the wilderness shall waters break out , and streams in the desert .
7 And the parched ground shall become a pool , and the thirsty land springs of water : in the habitation of dragons , where each lay , shall be grass with reeds and rushes .
8 And an highway shall be there, and a way , and it shall be called The way of holiness ; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men , though fools , shall not err therein.
9 No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
10 And the ransomed of the LORD shall return , and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness , and sorrow and sighing shall flee away .