The Ransomed Return to Zion

35 The wilderness and the dry land will be glad;
the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.[a][b](A)
It will blossom abundantly
and will also rejoice with joy and singing.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon.(B)
They will see the glory of the Lord,(C)
the splendor of our God.(D)
Strengthen the weak hands,
steady the shaking knees!(E)
Say to the cowardly:
“Be strong; do not fear!
Here is your God; vengeance is coming.(F)
God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.”(G)
Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.(H)
Then the lame will leap like a deer,(I)
and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy,(J)
for water will gush in the wilderness,
and streams in the desert;(K)
the parched ground will become a pool of water,
and the thirsty land springs of water.(L)
In the haunt of jackals,(M) in their lairs,
there will be grass, reeds, and papyrus.

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Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 35:1 Or meadow saffron
  2. Isaiah 35:1 Not the modern flower but a common wildflower in northern Israel

Joy of the Redeemed

35 The desert(A) and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.(B)
Like the crocus,(C) it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.(D)
The glory of Lebanon(E) will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel(F) and Sharon;(G)
they will see the glory(H) of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God.(I)

Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees(J) that give way;
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.”

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened(Q)
    and the ears of the deaf(R) unstopped.
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.
The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground(X) bubbling springs.(Y)
In the haunts where jackals(Z) once lay,
    grass and reeds(AA) and papyrus will grow.

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