³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees^(J) that give way;
⁴ say^(K) to those with fearful hearts,^(L)
    “Be strong, do not fear;^(M)
your God will come,^(N)
    he will come with vengeance;^(O)
with divine retribution
    he will come to save^(P) you.”

⁵ Then will the eyes of the blind be opened^(Q)
    and the ears of the deaf^(R) unstopped.
⁶ Then will the lame^(S) leap like a deer,^(T)
    and the mute tongue^(U) shout for joy.^(V)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams^(W) in the desert.

¹⁰     and those the Lord has rescued^(A) will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;^(B)
    everlasting joy^(C) will crown their heads.
Gladness^(D) and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.^(E)

⁶ He is the Maker of heaven^(A) and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful^(B) forever.
⁷ He upholds^(C) the cause of the oppressed^(D)
    and gives food to the hungry.^(E)
The Lord sets prisoners free,^(F)

⁸     the Lord gives sight^(A) to the blind,^(B)
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,^(C)
    the Lord loves the righteous.^(D)
9 The Lord watches over the foreigner^(E)
    and sustains the fatherless^(F) and the widow,^(G)
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.