1The wilderness and dry land will celebrate; the desert will blossom like the crocus.

2Bloom profusely, celebrate and sing! The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

3Make the weak hands strong, and make the trembling knees firm!

4Tell those who are frightened, “Be strong! Don't be afraid! Look, your God is coming to punish his enemies, with divine retribution he will come to save you.”

5When that happens, the blind will see, and the deaf will hear.

6The lame will jump like a deer, and the dumb will sing for joy. Springs will gush in the wilderness; streams will flow in the desert.

7The dried-up ground will become like a pool, the arid land like water springs. In the place where jackals ¹⁴⁰used to live, there will be grass and reeds and rushes.

8There will be a highway there, a road called “The Way of Holiness.” Nobody bad ¹⁴¹will travel on it, only those who follow the Way. Fools will not go there.

9No lions or other dangerous animals will be found there on the road—only the redeemed will walk along it.

10Those the Lord has set free will return, singing as they enter Jerusalem, wearing crowns of everlasting joy. They are overcome with thankfulness and happiness; sorrow and sadness simply disappear.