The Glory of Zion

1The desert and the dry land will be glad,

and the desert plain will rejoice and blossom like the rose.

2It will blossom profusely

and rejoice even with joy and singing;

the glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon—

they will see the glory of YHWH,

the splendor of our God.

3Strengthen the limp hands

and make firm the feeble knees.†

4Say to the hastened of heart,

“Be strong, do not fear!

Behold your⁺ God—He comes with vengeance,

with the recompense of God He will come and save you⁺.”

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

and the ears of the deaf will be unstopped;

6then the lame one will leap like a deer,

and the tongue of the mute one will sing.

For waters will burst forth in the wilderness,

and torrents in the desert plain;

7and the parched ground will become like a pool,

and the thirsty land like springs of water;

in the abode where jackals† once lay,

will be grass with reeds and papyrus.

8And a highway will be there, and a way,

and it will be called the Way of Holiness;

the unclean will not pass over it,

and it is for those walking the Way,

and fools will not wander it.

9No lion will be there,

and the violent beasts will not go up on it;

it will not be found there,

but the redeemed will walk it.

10And the ransomed of YHWH will return,

and will they will enter Zion with singing,

and with joy everlasting on their heads;

joy and gladness will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee.