Joy of the Redeemed

       The desert and the parched land will be glad;
          the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
       Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom;
          it will rejoice greatly and shout for 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.

       Strengthen the feeble hands,
          steady the knees that give way;
       say to those with fearful hearts,
          "Be strong, do not fear;
       your GOD will come,
          HE will come with vengeance;
       with divine retribution
          HE will come to save you."

       Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
          and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
       Then will the lame leap like a deer,
          and the mute tongue shout for joy.
       Water will gush forth in the wilderness
          and streams in the desert.
       The burning sand will become a pool,
          the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
       In the haunts where jackals once lay,
          grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

       And a highway will be there;
          it will be called the Way of Holiness.
       The unclean will not journey on it;
          it will be for those who walk in that Way;
          wicked fools will not go about on it.
       No lion will be there,
          nor will any ferocious beast get up on it;
          they will not be found there.
       But only the redeemed will walk there,
          and the ransomed of THE LORD will return.
       They will enter Zion with singing;
          everlasting joy will crown their heads.
       Gladness and joy will overtake them,
          and sorrow and sighing will flee away.


The Book of Isaiah: chapter 35