Isaiah Chapter 35

Joy for the Redeemed

^1-2 The desert wilderness will be happy;

                  the Arabah will blossom profusely with crocuses,

                  and sing and celebrate.

            It will be as glorious as Lebanon,

                  as majestic as Carmel and Sharon.

            They’ll see the glory of the LORD,

                  the majesty of our God.

            ³ Strengthen feeble hands;

                  steady weak knees.

                  ⁴ Say to those with pounding hearts,

                        “Be strong and not afraid;

                        your God will avenge you and save you.”

            ⁵ He’ll open the eyes of the blind

                  and unplug the ears of the deaf.                                       

Is 35:1-5

            ⁶ The lame will leap like a deer,

                        and the mute will shout for joy,

                  because water will gush out into the wilderness,

                        and streams will water the desert.

            ⁷ Parched land will become a marsh;

                        springs will moisten the thirsty ground;

                  The jackals’ dens will become a swamp.

                        grass will give way to reeds and rushes.

            ⁸ There’ll be a new highway there

                  called The Highway of Holiness.

            ⁹ Lions won’t lurk along it;

                        vicious animals won’t hunt by it.

                  Such as those won’t live there,

                        but the redeemed will walk on it.

            ¹⁰ The ones the LORD ransoms will return to Zion

                        with happy shouts and crowned with everlasting joy.

                  They’ll find happiness and joy;

                        sorrow and sighing will fade away.                           

Is 35:6-10