Isaiah 35

1The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

1The desert and the dry land will be happy; the wasteland will rejoice and bloom like a wildflower.

2It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon: they shall see the glory of Jehovah, the excellency of our God.

2It will bloom grandly and shout for joy; it will be as beautiful as the forests of Lebanon and as fertile as Carmel and Sharon. Everyone will see the glory of the LORD and the majesty of our God.

3Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

3Strengthen those who have tired hands, and steady those whose knees are shaking.

4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; he will come and save you.

4Tell everyone who is afraid, 'Be strong and do not fear! Look, your God is coming to punish your enemies and pay them back. He is coming to save you.'

5Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will hear clearly.

6Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

6Then the lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will shout for joy. Water will burst forth in the wilderness, and streams will flow in the desert.

7And the glowing sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water: in the habitation of jackals, where they lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

7The burning sand will become a pool, and the thirsty ground will turn into springs of water. In the places where jackals used to rest, grass, reeds, and papyrus will grow.

8And a highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for the redeemed: the wayfaring men, yea fools, shall not err therein.

8A main road will be there, and it will be called the Path of Holiness. Evil people will not travel on it; it will be only for those who walk in God's way. Even foolish travelers will not get lost on it.

9No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up thereon; they shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:

9No lions will be there, and no dangerous animals will go up on it. They will not be found there at all. Only the people God has rescued will walk on that road.

10and the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

10Those the LORD has set free will return and enter Jerusalem with songs of joy. They will be happy forever. They will be filled with gladness and joy, and all sadness and crying will disappear.