1 T he waste-land and the dry land will be glad. The desert will be full of joy and become like a rose.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the rose and the autumn crocus.

2 M any flowers will grow in it, and it will be filled with joy and singing. The greatness of Lebanon will be given to it, and the beauty of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the shining-greatness of the Lord, the wonderful power of our God.

It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellency of Carmel and of Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty and splendor and excellency of our God.

3 G ive strength to weak hands and to weak knees.

Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble and tottering knees.

4 S ay to those whose heart is afraid, “Have strength of heart, and do not be afraid. See, your God will come ready to punish. He will come to make sinners pay for their sins, but He will save you.”

Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you.

5 T hen the eyes of the blind will be opened. And the ears of those who cannot hear will be opened.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

6 T hen those who cannot walk will jump like a deer. And the tongue of those who cannot speak will call out for joy. For waters will break out in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

Then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

7 T he burning sand will become a pool. The thirsty ground will become wells of water. The resting place of the wild dog will be filled with river-grasses.

And the burning sand and the mirage shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lay resting, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

8 A nd a road will be there. It will be called the Holy Way. Those who are unclean will not travel on it. But it will be for those who walk in that way. Fools will not walk on it.

And a highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the Holy Way. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for the redeemed; the wayfaring men, yes, the simple ones and fools, shall not err in it and lose their way.

9 N o lion will be there. No angry and hungry animal will go up on it. They will not be found there. But those whose sin has been paid for will walk there.

No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk on it.

10 T hose whom the Lord has paid for and set free will return. They will come to Zion with singing. Joy that lasts forever will crown their heads. They will be glad and full of joy. Sorrow and sad voices will be gone.

And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.