The Ransomed Return to Zion

Isaiah 35   

1 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad;

the desert will rejoice and blossom like a wildflower. C,d

2   It will blossom abundantly

and will also rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. e

They will see the glory of the LORD, f

the splendor of our God. g

3   Strengthen the weak hands,

steady the shaking knees! h

4   Say to the cowardly:

“Be strong; do not fear!

Here is your God; vengeance is coming. i

God’s retribution is coming; he will save you.” j

5   Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

and the ears of the deaf unstopped. k

6   Then the lame will leap like a deer, l

and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy, m

for water will gush in the wilderness,

and streams in the desert; n

7   the parched ground will become a pool,

and the thirsty land springs. o

In the haunt of jackals, p in their lairs,

there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus.

8   A road will be there and a way; q

it will be called the Holy Way. r

The unclean will not travel on it, s

but it will be for the one who walks the path. t

Fools will not wander on it.

9   There will be no lion there,

and no vicious beast will go up on it;

they will not be found there.

But the redeemed will walk on it,

10   and the redeemed of the LORD will return u

and come to Zion with singing,

crowned with unending joy.

Joy and gladness will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee. v