1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like
the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful
hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine
retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears
of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
9 No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the
redeemed will walk there, 10 and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion
with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and
sorrow and sighing will flee away.