²⁶ Give careful thought to the^[a] paths for your feet^(A)
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
²⁷ Do not turn to the right or the left;^(B)
    keep your foot from evil.

³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees^(A) that give way;

⁶ Then will the lame^(A) leap like a deer,^(B)
    and the mute tongue^(C) shout for joy.^(D)
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams^(E) in the desert.

³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way^(A) for the Lord^[a];
make straight^(B) in the desert
    a highway for our God.^[b](C)
4 Every valley shall be raised up,^(D)
    every mountain and hill^(E) made low;
the rough ground shall become level,^(F)
    the rugged places a plain.

⁸ See, I will bring them from the land of the north^(A)
    and gather^(B) them from the ends of the earth.
Among them will be the blind^(C) and the lame,^(D)
    expectant mothers and women in labor;
    a great throng will return.
⁹ They will come with weeping;^(E)
    they will pray as I bring them back.
I will lead^(F) them beside streams of water^(G)
    on a level^(H) path where they will not stumble,
because I am Israel’s father,^(I)
    and Ephraim is my firstborn son.

¹⁶ I will lead^(A) the blind^(B) by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light^(C) before them
    and make the rough places smooth.^(D)
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake^(E) them.