Isaiah 35

The Ransomed Shall Return

1. The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; 1 the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;

2. it shall blossom abundantly 2 and rejoice with joy and singing. 2 The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, 2 the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. 2 They shall see the glory of the Lord, 2 the majesty of our God.

3. Strengthen the weak hands, 3 and make firm the feeble knees.

4. Say to those who have an anxious heart, 4 “Be strong; fear not! 4 Behold, your God 4 will come with vengeance, 4 with the recompense of God. 4 He will come and save you.”

5. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, 5 and the ears of the deaf unstopped;

6. then shall the lame man leap like a deer, 6 and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. 6 For waters break forth in the wilderness, 6 and streams in the desert;

7. the burning sand shall become a pool, 7 and the thirsty ground springs of water; 7 in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, 7 the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

8. And a highway shall be there, 8 and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; 8 the unclean shall not pass over it. 8 It shall belong to those who walk on the way; 8 even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.[a]

9. No lion shall be there, 9 nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; 9 they shall not be found there, 9 but the redeemed shall walk there.

10. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return 10 and come to Zion with singing; 10 everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; 10 they shall obtain gladness and joy, 10 and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Footnotes:
a. Isaiah 35:8: Or if they are fools, they shall not wander in it