The Future of Israel’s Land

1“The desert and the dry land will rejoice;

the desert will celebrate and blossom. Like crocuses,

2it will burst into bloom,

and rejoice with gladness and shouts of joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.

They will see the glory of the LORD,

the splendor of our God.a

3Strengthen the feeble hands,

and support the stumbling knees.

4Say to those with anxious hearts,

‘Be strong, do not be afraid!

Here is your God—

he will bringb vengeance,

he will bringc divine retribution,

and he will save you.’

5“Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unblocked;

6then the lame will leap like deer,

and the tongues of speechless people will sing for joy.

Yes, waters will gush forth in the wilderness,

and streams will rund through the desert;

7the burning sands will become a pool,

and the thirsty ground fountains of water.

In the haunts of jackals there will be

a verdant resting place withe reeds and rushes.”

God’s Holy Highway

8“A highway will be there—yes, there—f

and people will call itg ‘The Holy Way’.h

As for unclean people,

they will not journey on it,

but it will be for whomeveri is traveling on that Way—

not even fools will get lost.

9No lions will be there—

no—j nor will any ferocious beasts get up on it,

andk they will not be found there.

“But the redeemed will walk there,

10and the LORD’s ransomed ones will return

and enter Zion with singing.

Everlasting joy will rest upon their heads,

gladness and joy will overtake them,l

and sorrow and mourning will flee away.”