⁸ Let me hear what the Lord God says,
    because he speaks peace to his people and to his faithful ones.
    Don’t let them return to foolish ways.
⁹ God’s salvation is very close to those who honor him
    so that his glory can live in our land.
¹⁰ Faithful love and truth have met;
    righteousness and peace have kissed.
¹¹ Truth springs up from the ground;
    righteousness gazes down from heaven.
¹² Yes, the Lord gives what is good,
    and our land yields its produce.
¹³ Righteousness walks before God,
    making a road for his steps.

³ Strengthen the weak hands,
    and support the unsteady knees.
⁴ Say to those who are panicking:
    “Be strong! Don’t fear!
    Here’s your God,
        coming with vengeance;
        with divine retribution
    God will come to save you.”

⁵ Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,
    and the ears of the deaf will be cleared.
⁶ Then the lame will leap like the deer,
    and the tongue of the speechless will sing.
Waters will spring up in the desert,
    and streams in the wilderness.
⁷ The burning sand will become a pool,
    and the thirsty ground, fountains of water.
The jackals’ habitat, a pasture;^[a]
    grass will become reeds and rushes.
⁸ A highway will be there.
    It will be called The Holy Way.
The unclean won’t travel on it,
    but it will be for those walking on that way.^[b]
Even fools won’t get lost on it;
⁹     no lion will be there,
    and no predator will go up on it.
None of these will be there;
    only the redeemed will walk on it.
¹⁰ The Lord’s ransomed ones will return and enter Zion with singing,
    with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Happiness and joy will overwhelm them;
    grief and groaning will flee away.